by TJ Reynolds
For the briefest instant, Rhona turned her gaze.
Standing opposite, and emerging from the smoking rubble of some unfortunate city, a legion of blackness crawled forward. With various forms, the abyss monsters charged, and they brought with them nothing but ruin and despair.
Rhona gasped, her eyes flicking open as her heart quaked with unspeakable fear.
This was what she had left to accomplish.
This was the future that awaited them.
Though her fists would count for little in such an epic struggle, how could she give in and not fight for all that was good in this world?
Fear not, Rhona, for though your enemy is stronger than you can imagine, your allies are numerous, a voice spoke in Rhona’s mind.
She glanced up at the clear sky, unable to see anything other than a vague haze. “Sheerda? Is that you?”
The voice answered for once. Yes. I am the goddess who chose you. You nearly lost everything, Rhona. I chose you as the Eighth for a reason.
“And why is that?” Rhona couldn’t help but ask. “I’m just a girl from Brintosh. I’m a turn-cloak and a fool more than half the time!”
All mortals can be foolish. But you have acted wiser than you give yourself credit for. Stay true to the path set before you.
The Fundamental Dragon needs you more than ever, Rhona. Stand up, continue down the Path of the Bleeding Tiger, and remember… you are mine.
I chose you, Rhona.
Never forget that.
A vortex of wind swept around the tower, and Rhona’s bangs blew in her eyes.
She squinted and shielded herself from the sudden gale.
Then she was alone, eyes closed, sitting calmly in the afternoon sun in The Temple of the Pristine Mind.
Rhona took in a few deep breaths, grateful to her patron goddess for the visions she’d received.
Most of all, however, Rhona felt relieved and ecstatic she’d accomplished her goals.
Standing up, she glanced around and beheld the beauty of this waking world. I will never forget it, she swore to herself. Not even for an instant.
As she ran down the stairs, Rhona felt the need to go and speak with her master. Jakodi had shoved her toward this insight more rudely than she thought him capable of. He would be delighted to know of her accomplishment.
But she’d been neglecting her friend for far too long, and there was sunlight and a pleasant breeze and tumbling grass to gallop over.
So she made her way first to find Honor.
Rhona threw her leg over his back after greeting him, neglecting a saddle entirely.
She wove her fingers through the base of his mane and urged him toward the path. The two galloped higher and higher, winding up the wall of the chasm until at last they emerged onto the field above.
“Let’s go, boy!” she shouted, urging Honor into a full gallop. “Let’s fly!”
Rhona laughed as the horse bolted forward.
He sped down the gentle slope that led to the Sunken Keep, no destination in mind at all.
It was a fitting manner to celebrate her victory.
Rhona had learned everything and nothing at all. This is my life, she mused. It is time I start to live it again, and live it for myself as well as those I love.
She and Honor streaked away, red hair and a black coat over a field of green. She didn’t have to worry about a thing.
For one could only discover transcendence once in this fleeting lifetime.
And it was always enough.
7
Penance and Punctuality
Kai
The new Earth Core was a lucky one. Just like Ban, it held many of its original memories.
Poor Ross hadn’t even recalled his own name. He’d taken weeks to recover even a semblance of his normal functions.
Preana turned out to be a cheerful female Earth Core. She grieved for a time for the loss of Menrel, the Mireen dragon who’d created her.
Most surprising was how quickly she’d recovered from her grief.
It was clear the Earth Core still longed for her previous master, but she was latching on to a sense of purpose with zeal.
The first thing she’d done was absorb the bodies of the fallen monsters.
With all of the newfound resources, Preana summoned a dozen rondus minions, slightly different than the ones that had gone wild.
They were smaller and seemingly less powerful, but each was the equivalent of a kobold guard at least.
The dragonlings had bristled when the minions appeared, but Kai calmed them down, pointing out repeatedly that they were not to be eaten or attacked.
Are you sure you are alright for now? Kai asked again, not wanting the newly healed Earth Core to feel neglected.
Preana hummed in his mind. New materials would be nice, but I have already found the remains of a small copper vein. Can I ask you a question, though, Elder Dragon Kai?
Kai tried not to react to the formal title.
He still hadn’t grown used to it, but at the same time, he’d found the Earth Cores were comforted by his presence.
Waking to find one’s master had been destroyed was one thing. Learning that there were little to no dragons left was quite another.
So Kai gave them the honorific to use as they pleased.
Anything at all, he answered honestly.
Will you return again? Preana asked, her thoughts quiet and afraid. Will anyone come to visit me?
Of course. The kobolds are less than a week’s march from here. I’ll ask Kotsi to leave a couple of his kobolds here with you. Also, I will leave soon to wake another close by. The kobolds said it was within a day’s march, so you may have an active neighbor soon enough!
Preana hummed a bit, and then gasped. Nestor! I believe his name is Nestor! We were once friends! In an excited voice, she added, He is a stronger dungeon than I was. You should be careful of his minions when you enter.
Thanks for letting me know, Kai said, before noticing movement in the corner of his eye.
Greg had risen from his position against the far wall. Just by the way the champion walked, Kai could tell Ban had occupied his body.
Sure enough, Greg lifted a hand and called out, “Kai! I must speak with you!”
Kai told Preana farewell, promising that all efforts would be made to assist her in recovering and enhancing her dungeon.
She was excited about the prospect of receiving items and recipes from afar, and resumed her work before Kai had even left.
Kai greeted his old friend, but before he’d even had a chance to explain all that had happened, the Earth Core cut him off.
Apparently, Rhona had experienced something profound.
And she’d had the gall not to tell Ban all about it.
“You should have seen her face, Kai!” Ban exclaimed in his champion’s gravelly voice. “It was as if she were a different person entirely!”
“Really? Did anything change? Did she master her mental technique?”
Greg sighed and shook his big head. “I wish I knew. She ran down the tower like a comet, all red hair and smiles. Then she refused to answer any of my questions and asked to know where Jakodi had gone. I told her he was on a walk in one of the southern tunnels. The woman streaked away laughing all the while.”
Kai allowed himself a smile. “I’ll bet she’s done it. What else could have brought her such joy?”
“Perhaps you’re right, but don’t you think it rude she didn’t tell me?”
Kai looked into Greg’s black eyes, seeing the spark of intelligence within that was Bancroft the dungeon.
He reached out a hand and patted the champion on its massive shoulder. “Don’t worry, Ban. She must have a reason. Let’s just trust her, okay?”
Ban sighed again, then glanced around the dungeon chamber. He seemed to notice the pools of blood spread across the dungeon floor for the first time. “Oh my, you’ve had quite a slaughter, have you? How did the little ones perform?”
“Admirabl
y,” Kai admitted. “Had some trouble at the start when each wanted to go on a frenzy alone. There’s nothing like combat to knock some sense into you, though, am I right?”
Greg’s deep chuckle rumbled the air. “I once knew a young man, hardly more than a boy really, who squealed the first time he fought a rat.”
“That’s different.”
“Exactly how?” Ban asked pointedly.
When Kai couldn’t answer, the Earth Core spoke again. “And then there was that ordeal with the viper. It was quite humorous watching you collapse to the ground in a boneless heap.”
Kai jabbed Greg’s arm. “Hey! That venom was strong! I did defeat the monster, didn’t I?”
Ban laughed for a time, but conceded the point. “And many more since. Yes, I just wanted to remind you that not so long ago, I had the opportunity of guiding a foolish youth towards strength.”
Kai nodded, scratching the back of his head. “You’re absolutely right. I just want them to succeed. Frustrating the little guys still haven’t reached their ascension.”
“Perhaps in the next dungeon,” Ban suggested. “Will you be leaving soon?”
“I believe so. In fact, yes, we’ll get moving quickly. I think there is time to reach the dungeon this evening if we hurry.”
Greg’s mouth dropped open, exposing a terrifying set of teeth. “Kai, I am sorry I forgot to ask… who is the new Earth Core and what is her name?”
Kai laughed but happily filled Ban in on all he’d learned about Preana in the short time he’d spent with her.
They exchanged a few more pleasantries before Ban’s impatience began to boil over. He excused himself and headed over to speak with Preana for himself.
When Ban was gone, Kai walked over to where Kotsi and Sora were resting.
“Sorry there wasn’t much of a chance for a fight in the last dungeon,” Kai said. “I promise I’ll let your warriors fight in the next.”
Kotsi stood up and walked to stand beside Kai.
The old war chief smiled contentedly up at him. “You worry too much, Dragon Kai. All know the value of the little ones. They must come first.”
It was nice to hear the kobolds understood Kai’s perspective. Every day, Kai woke with a sense of urgency pressing down on him.
Not once did Kai need to be reminded that the dragonlings needed to advance quickly.
He thought about little else, to the point that his own Progression had nearly halted.
Thanking the war chief, he asked, “How far is the second dungeon? Can we make it there today?”
“Today, tonight? These words mean little underground, Kai,” Kotsi reminded him. “But we are all rested enough, I think. We can make it there in six hours or so.”
“Good. Well, get your kobolds ready. Make sure all are fed and have plenty to drink. And I’ll do what I can to make sure everyone is feeling strong for the journey.”
Knowing that his pool of AE would replenish well before they arrived, Kai spent half an hour casting Restoring Tide on every member of their party.
The kobolds all perked up when his healing spell hit them.
None were visibly injured, but the spell also gave a sense of rejuvenation that would be beneficial on the forced march.
He cast the spell on Greg as well, even though the champion showed no signs of fatigue, and then each of the dragons.
Casting it at last upon himself, Kai sighed as the coolness of the Water ether washed through his body.
A half an hour later, they were marching through the tunnels again.
Kotsi and Sora left two kobolds to guard the new Earth Core and keep her company.
Two more raced off to their encampment to bring supplies and materials for the new dungeon to absorb and learn from.
With their party slightly diminished, Kai still felt confident they could handle the next dungeon. Even if it was Golden ascended, Kai could always transform into his dragon form and take out whatever final boss might be barring their way.
The hours ticked by, and finally they made it to the next dungeon.
Their path had taken them upwards, and Kai was surprised to see stars in the night sky shining down on the dungeon’s entrance.
The ceiling of the tunnel above was too high for the torch he was holding to make out much detail. A large gap opened up into the outside world. It was similar to Preana’s entrance but not nearly so deep.
Kai and the kobolds extinguished their torches when the ambient mana of the dungeon grew thick enough to see by.
Then, wanting to at least see what they were up against, Kai strode in.
Greater caution was called for this time around, since the kobolds and Preana both guessed the Earth Core was of a Golden ascension.
Kai and Greg took the lead, while behind them the dragonlings clanked away in single file. Kotsi and Sora took up the rear with their slightly smaller party. Ten kobolds, including the two leaders, was still a solid reserve in Kai’s estimation, so he felt confident.
Kai didn’t have to wait long for the fun to begin.
As he rounded a long, descending corridor that wound continually to the left, the passage ahead suddenly grew brighter.
Then he saw several humanoid shapes running their way, arms held high and shrieks erupting from their gaping mouths.
What made them strange was that each figure was burning.
Kai quickly examined the nearest one and sent a message for the Azure and Mireen to ready themselves for combat.
Flaming Brawler
Elemental
Golden 1
Kai stepped aside as the two dragonlings advanced, and he cast Barbed Barkskin on each.
He watched the tunnel ahead, but saw no other signs of life. Satisfied that his dragonlings were indeed alone in this fight, he watched them take down the brawlers.
Considering their opponents were literally on fire, it was humorous to watch the young dragons attempt to slay the monsters without actually touching them.
A few tentative swipes wouldn’t be enough to do the job.
Don’t worry, you two, Kai thought, grinning as he watched the awkward display. The monsters will help you find your courage.
Sure enough, the brawlers darted within range and pounded their fists against the dragons.
Their shiny armor absorbed much of the damage, but when the monsters learned the dragons had softer bits, they targeted those instead. Each punch landed with a burst of light and heat.
Kai winced, as he could almost feel the blows. The monsters were not much taller than a kobold, but their bodies were stout and obviously quite strong.
The dragons continued to fight hesitantly, taking more and more damage.
Only when the Azure had been scorched along its underside did he truly begin to fight. Rearing up in his hindquarters, the Azure struck the two brawlers he was facing aside.
The monsters crashed into the tunnel wall and immediately stood up to attack again.
Either in fury or fear, the Azure ended the fight by pelting the creatures with his tail. The armored appendage was like a massive club as it pounded the brawlers back into the stone of the tunnel time and again.
The Mireen, battered by her own encounter, grew impatient. She pounced on one brawler and tore its head from its shoulders with her mouth.
Since Mireen dragons often commanded both Earth and Fire ether, Kai figured she would be immune to burns. But the poor girl roared as she tossed the head aside and backpedaled away from the body.
Kai cast a Restoring Tide on her as she wisely employed her claws to finish the last of the monsters.
After both dragonlings were healed up, Kai called the other two forward to continue further into the dungeon behind him.
In this fashion, the group cleared another half-dozen small groups of brawlers.
After entering the first wide chamber, they were set upon by over a dozen of the monsters, a few other variations joining the fray.
All four dragons fought side by side, methodical
ly taking down their enemies.
This is a wonderful experience for them, Kai thought. Fire, Earth, and Water elementals all present unique challenges. I hope they keep learning as fast as they are now.
Kai called for a break, and the grumpy dragonlings happily devoured a couple brawlers apiece. Then, when he’d confirmed Kotsi and the kobolds were ready, Kai headed for the vast stairwell leading deeper into the dungeon.
Halfway down, Kai thought he sniffed something strange, something off about the air.
What is that? he wondered to himself. I swear it is familiar.
Increasing his alarm, Kai’s skin pimpled with goosebumps, and his heart quickened. Somehow, his body knew something his mind hadn’t yet caught up with.
He slowed but proceeded down the tunnel.
At the bottom of the stairs, a wide cavern spread out before them.
Vast columns of stone rose up in two rows. Each stood fifty feet apart. He walked between the two rows, Greg at his side.
A dozen columns down, Kai saw one had been shattered to bits.
The column lay broken into three large pieces, and rubble lay in heaps all around.
Whatever broke that must have been huge, Kai thought. Probably happened years ago, though, Kai. Calm down.
The strange smell grew a bit stronger, but still, Kai couldn’t place it.
Then he spotted huddled forms in the distance, the dim dungeon light barely enough to make them out. He stopped and scanned the room again, yet no movement caught his eye.
He proceeded again, and the closer he got, the more certain he was the figures were bodies.
When he came within a hundred feet, he was sure of it.
Kai walked forward, the party of dragonlings and kobolds behind him. Finally, he stood over crushed corpses of monsters.
These looked to be similar to the elementals they’d experienced above, but their bodies were so mangled, Kai couldn’t make them out.
The Azure dragon came closer and sniffed the creatures.
Rearing back its head, the beast sneezed loudly. It continued to do so several times before backing away from the bodies.