Chapter 114: New Runes
When I arrived at Elder Molric's laboratory the following morning, I found that the cactus from a few weeks ago had changed. And not subtly.
Where before it had been a relatively normal-looking desert plant (you know, aside from the whole sentience and projectile-launching abilities), it now sported what could only be described as carefully sculpted muscles.
Tiny green biceps bulged as it curled what appeared to be a miniature dumbbell made from a piece of lab equipment.
"Three hundred and ninety-eight... three hundred and ninety-nine..." Elder Molric counted enthusiastically as the botanical bodybuilder completed its reps.
I couldn’t help but wonder if it had existed in the previous timeline and I just hadn’t been introduced to it, or if some butterfly effect had led to this…
The moment the plant noticed my arrival, it dropped its weight (which landed with a concerning crack on the lab floor) and pointed one of its muscular arms directly at me. The gesture was unmistakable – the universal "you're going down" sign that seemed to transcend species, and apparently, kingdoms of life.
"Um, Elder?" I asked carefully, keeping one eye on the increasingly aggressive succulent. "What exactly did I do to offend your... creation?"
The elder looked up from his notes, his face breaking into that familiar manic grin that usually preceded something either brilliant or terrifying. Often both. "Oh, don't take it personally! Constantine here isn't angry with you specifically."
"Constantine?" I repeated, raising an eyebrow at the unexpectedly dignified name for what was essentially a buff houseplant.