Among Monsters (Tensura)

Chapter 30: Crafting the Eternal Plains and Lake

The next morning, James awoke early, his mind already racing with plans for the next step in transforming his Sovereign's Sanctuary. After spending weeks populating the forest with creatures, he now turned his attention to the plains and lake. Though the plains were small, James intended to create a balanced, magical ecosystem that would be both sustainable and full of resources for his lizardmen.

He knew that the plains would need to be carefully curated. Adding too many creatures would overwhelm the space. As he paced around the room, James reviewed the magical creatures he would introduce, focusing first on the plains.

The first creatures he envisioned were the Gleam Cicadas. These large cicadas emitted a bright, shimmering light as they sang, a natural defense mechanism to ward off larger predators. The song they produced would enchant the plains with its hum at dusk and dawn, adding an almost magical atmosphere to the area. Their shimmering presence would light up the night, providing both beauty and a practical deterrent to dangers.

Next, James would introduce Mana Grasshoppers. These creatures were particularly intriguing—grasshoppers that absorbed magicules from the environment, growing larger and more vibrant the more they fed. They'd become a high-protein snack for larger creatures, including his lizardmen. Their ability to feed on ambient magic made them invaluable in balancing the magical ecosystem.

Afterward, James considered the Light Beetles. These tiny, bioluminescent beetles glowed softly and swarmed in intricate patterns. At night, they would light up sections of the plains, guiding nocturnal hunters and adding a peaceful, enchanting glow to the environment.

Once the insect population was settled, James turned his thoughts to animals. The Sky Elk would be a perfect addition. Large and graceful, their fur reflected moonlight, making them ethereal in appearance. They grazed on magical grasses, and their meat would be a reliable food source for the lizardmen. Their hides, light-resistant and durable, could also be used for crafting.

Next, James added the Swiftfang Hares. These magical hares had the ability to phase out of sight for brief moments, allowing them to avoid predators. Their agility made them difficult to catch, and their meat possessed mild restorative properties. They would be both a challenge to hunt and an asset in terms of sustenance.

Finally, James planned for the Thunderhoof Boars. These wild boars emitted small electric shocks when agitated, making them unpredictable and dangerous prey. They would provide a thrilling hunting experience for his lizardmen and add an element of tension to the plains ecosystem.

With the animals in place, James moved on to birds. The Storm Falcons would be an exciting addition. These birds could channel wind magic, allowing them to reach incredible speeds and swoop silently onto their prey. Their presence would help control the population of smaller creatures and add an air of grace and majesty to the plains.

The Glowfinches, small birds with a gentle glow, would also play an important role. These birds fed on magical seeds and helped distribute them across the plains, ensuring plant diversity. Their calming songs would offer a peaceful backdrop to the plains, and their glow would serve as a natural guide for nighttime travelers.

Lastly, James chose the Sunspark Eagles, majestic and powerful birds with feathers that shimmered in the sunlight. These eagles hunted small mammals, serving as apex predators and revered guardians of the plains for the lizardmen.

With the animals and birds settled, James turned to the Plains Serpents, his mythical creatures. These snakelike beings were masters of camouflage, blending seamlessly with the grasses. They could emit an aura that either concealed them or startled prey, posing a hidden danger to any who were unfamiliar with the terrain.

Lastly, James added the Grass Wisps, spirit-like creatures that drifted across the plains. They were harmless but contributed to the ecosystem by generating ambient magicules, which nourished plants and smaller animals. Their ethereal presence added a mystical element to the plains, enriching the magical atmosphere.

With the creatures settled, James focused on the flora. He started with Glowgrass, tall grasses that emitted soft light at night, providing a renewable food source for herbivores and adding a mystical glow to the landscape. Then, Mana Herbs would be scattered across the plains, their vibrant, medicinal properties providing restorative effects when harvested by the lizardmen.

Fireflowers, radiant red-orange blooms that thrived in sunlight, would deter cold-sensitive creatures and attract magical insects. These flowers would create zones of safety for specific creatures while also adding to the visual vibrancy of the plains.

The plains were beginning to take shape, but James still had the lake to consider.

His medium-sized lake would require a different approach. The ecosystem here would be aquatic but still teeming with magical creatures. James envisioned Mana Kelp, large, shimmering kelp that absorbed magicules. This kelp would provide a source of food for larger fish and creatures, its faint glow creating an eerie, enchanting underwater environment.

The Luminous Lotus, bioluminescent flowers that floated on the lake's surface, would add both beauty and a magical light source. Their petals could be brewed into a tea with mild healing properties, adding a practical element to the lake's ecosystem.

Then there was the Crystal Algae, translucent and crystalline, which would grow on rocks, absorbing sunlight and producing energy-rich magicules. This would form the base of the food chain, supporting a wide variety of creatures in the lake.

James also introduced several small magical creatures. The Mana Shrimp would be crucial to the food web, feeding on the crystal algae and glowing faintly at night. Nymph Gliders, dragonfly-like creatures with minor water magic, would skim across the surface, creating ripples and controlling insect populations. Finally, the Spirit Crabs, small ghostly crabs that scavenged along the lakebed, would help clean debris and add a spectral touch to the environment.

For fish and amphibians, James added the Glitterfish, small fish that fed on algae and mana shrimp, their shimmering schools lighting up the lake. The Aether Carp, medium-sized fish that absorbed magicules, would be a steady food source, while the Ripple Frogs emitted vibrations to sense magicule concentrations, helping to keep the insect populations in check.

The birdlife would also be abundant. Mist Herons, large birds that could create light mist for camouflage, would hunt the fish in the lake while also providing feathers with water affinity for crafting. The Azure Kingfishers, bright blue and magically attuned, would help control fish populations, and the Aquafire Ducks, with their shimmering plumage and small fire magic, would add a layer of protection against predators.

For mythical creatures, James chose the Kelpie-like Water Horses, gentle creatures that lived in the lake and helped maintain the magicule balance. They could also act as protectors, warding off hostile creatures. The second mythical creature was the Lake Serpent, a large serpent that controlled the population of fish and amphibians. It acted as the apex predator, ensuring the health of the lake's ecosystem.

To finish, James added some magical plants along the lake's shore. The Silver Reeds, which emitted a faint silver light at night, would illuminate the shoreline and provide nesting material for aquatic birds. The Mana Lilies, magical flowers that absorbed magicules, would have restorative properties and could be harvested for potion-making. Finally, the Mirror Moss, reflective moss growing on rocks, would create small magical barriers and add to the mystical atmosphere.

As the ecosystem began to take shape in his mind, James finally felt content. He returned to his inn in Dwargon, feeling a sense of accomplishment. He had crafted two self-sustaining ecosystems—one for the plains and one for the lake—imbued with the magical nature of the Tensura world. They would provide food, resources, and opportunities for exploration for his lizardmen.

Exhausted but pleased, James collapsed into bed, knowing that tomorrow would bring the next phase of his plans. With a deep sigh, he drifted off to sleep, his dreams filled with the vibrant, magical ecosystems he had created.

End of chap..