Crungune

As "The Guide".

**Crungune** is the main host of The Labyrinth and one of the most important characters in Chromium Chronicles as a whole. He is native to Chrome Nation and lived in Cassus Caves for around 6 years in hiding.

Due to his actions in gathering and guiding those who mysteriously appeared in the massive cave system, Crungune went under the alias **The Guide** during his time underground.

## Appearance

Crungune is a red sphere (whose exact appearance under his hood is yet to be revealed) with dimly glowing red eyes and abnormally long, spider-like legs. Despite this strange proportion, his body and arms are normally sized.

As his persona, The Guide, Crungune wears a dark gray, tattered cloth over his body which is tied on just above his legs with a rope. The cave's faint lighting combined with the obscured vision the makeshift hood provides complete coverage of his face.

## Personality

As shown by his interactions during The Labyrinth, Crungune is solemn, even excessively so, to the end. He's cautious as a result of having to thrive in the hostile environment the caves provide, although is rather reserved when it comes to sharing any knowledge he's amassed. Especially tight-lipped about his identity and past, his name's reveal wasn't even of his own doing. Despite not caring much for the imminent demise those sent away from his group are sure to experience, Crungune becomes worrisome at the threat of danger nearing him or those he trusts.

After his confrontation with Crungus and escape from the caves, Crungune's speech becomes much more casual and direct while his intentions become much clearer. Beneath the guise he carefully placed on himself, a shred of benevolence is shown as he ensures all his allies' safety before departing from Chromium - disregarding the destruction of his home.

## Relationships

### Cloak

Being the first person Crungune had consistently spoken to in the caves, he took notice of Cloak's concern for his whereabouts and status. Though not part of his original intentions, the two formed a close friendship over the year they spent alone wandering the caverns. This became strained with the encounter of Niko Hat and both his and Crungune's secret departure from Cloak to gather the wanderers who had been increasingly appearing.

Crungune shows to still care for Cloak when he secretly places special treatment on her in the midst of another group of wanderers coming together. Through the rest of their interactions, a friendly relationship is shown.

### Niko Hat

For the first few years of their interaction after Niko Hat was found in the caves by Crungune and Cloak, Niko Hat was under the effect of heavy hallucinogens to the point of being nearly unaware of his surroundings. Crungune labelled him with the moniker "The Assistant" when the two began gathering confused wanderers in the caves. Therefore their relations reflected little to none when the former druglord sobered up - instead giving him the impression of meeting a stranger. Nonetheless, they seem to have a positive relationship in the end as Crungune waited until Niko Hat boarded the ship before taking off and leaving Chromium.

### Scythe

Despite not directly interacting until much later on, Crungune had heard much about Scythe from Cloak during their time together in the caves. An awkward relationship between the two was brought about by their initial encounter outside the Cassus Cave entrance, though short explanations from Cloak came to their aid and they were essentially allies during the escape from Chromium. In exchange for pay, Scythe later allowed Crungune to temporarily reside in her and Cloak's shared apartment.

## Abilities and Powers

Having spent much time on his own in a dangerous, wild landscape, Crungune has an array of skills built up over time that have shown to be of good use. In contrast to the rough environment he thrived in, however, he seems to lack any feats of exceptional or even notable physical strength. Though limits have not been shown, he also seems to be exceptionally adept in magic.

### Survival Knowledge

Living in Cassus Caves for so long has left Crungune with deep knowledge on how to survive in such a harsh cavern and its various biomes. Along with having memorized most of its layout (more specifically the direction to the only exit), he's aware of the special areas' properties such as the color coded glowing mosses. He shows his advanced knowledge via some of the challenge he put his contestants through, commonly involving aspects of the cave system or flora/fauna within it. Crungune never unintentionally lost anyone from his groups to any of these hazards.

### Magic

Though specific details about his abilities haven't been made clear, Crungune has shown proficiency in imbuing small objects such as rocks with magic to create physical effects - an example being the Lentite stone, a stone which his incantations turned nigh unbreakable. Additionally, he has shown the ability to communicate and interact with dead people (albeit with limited parameters, as shown in season 3) to the point of occasionally being able to bring them back to life.

## History

### Past

Three years before the first season of The Labyrinth, The Guide entered Cassus Caves after being exiled from Chrome Nation. He was pursued by Crungus, who soon came up with nothing after he successfully evaded her by heading deeper into the illustrious cave system. He spent a year curiously exploring and surviving within these caves, familiarizing himself with the conditions and taking note of the magic seemingly present with the landform.

A year into his stay in Cassus Cave, he came across an unconscious Cloak, whom he stayed near until she awoke and began chatting with her about their conditions. He soon learned of her abilities and intentions of finding out whether he had been alive or not, taking interest in the confirmation of his magical superstitions. Another year was spent between the two, wandering about the winding tunnels of the subterranean world and cementing its layout into Crungune's mind. It wouldn't be long before he began practicing magic on a small scale using properties he'd observed in parts of the cave. Crungune also received a rope and large cloth from her, which he donned to hide his appearance.

Now with 2 years having elapsed since his entrance into the caverns, the two come across another unconscious figure - a heavily intoxicated Niko Hat who they hesitantly bring along on their continuing trek. Occasionally, the three would notice confused or scared wanderers running through the natural halls in search of an exit. This would seem to happen more and more with time, leading Crungune to take the woozy Niko Hat with him on an ambitious hunt for the source of these appearances.

### The Labyrinth Season 1: A New Adventure

Miraculously managing to gather eighteen confused wanderers and forming a large group, Crungune and Niko Hat (introducing themselves as The Guide and The Assistant) propose a "competition" between all the group's members with the idea of exiting the caves alive as a prize. This catches on very quickly, and starts a process that would end up with Crungune seeing over 100 wanderers compete in hopes of leaving over time. Groups are formed, challenges are completed, and eventually only one, Split Token, remains. After letting the champion leave out into the equally mysterious surface, Crungune and Niko Hat soon encounter Cloak.