That was good to hear; not that Brandon was bored, but that he was looking to do something, despite the risks. Now all Tacca had to do was figure out the best way to go about it.
I think I’m going to start a tunnel from the corner ceiling of the arena, which hopefully won’t be noticed, and have it run all the way over to…Nursery room #3, right? If you can point Brandon in the right direction, we can meet up somewhere along the way.
Thankfully, the arena had shut down for its “rest” period, a 12-hour break that allowed Tacca to fully recover from her Dungeon Force use and to plan for any changes for the next day. Up to that point, she hadn’t needed to really change anything, since the Raiders were still thoroughly enjoying what they were doing – including fighting against “themselves” – and no change was needed. They would soon grow bored of it, she knew, but she had some plans in place to spice it up a little bit for the future.
Since it was empty, it was easy enough to start a tunnel, only 3 feet wide and 6 feet tall, the bare minimum that was required for a full connection to the outside; she had gotten away with small 3-inch-wide tunnels to other places in the mountain because she already had a route to an exit that was large enough. For this joining of her dungeon to another Core’s however, she had a feeling she needed a full connection in order for it to work. Whatever “working” fully entailed, she wasn’t exactly sure.
“There is still time to stop if you want,” Shale mentioned. “No one knows exactly what will happen, after all; this could destroy both Cores.”
She’d heard it countless times from both her own Dungeon Assistant and the others responsible for the Cores in the Nursery, but she was determined to take care of them the best she knew how. This, the connection she wanted to form with them, was potentially a way to strengthen and let them grow instead of stagnating for decades or centuries underneath the mountains. They would eventually be able to reach the surface, of course, but it could take a while; they were anywhere from a half-mile to a mile from reaching the air above, and at their current Core Improvement Level, digging out that far could take years as it was just so slow.
In addition to being slow, it was difficult for them to actually determine the correct direction of which to Carve their way out. Tacca remembered how she was able to “feel” the surface once she was close enough, but at the start it had been more of a guess than anything. At her current CI Level, she could sort of see through the solid rock of the mountain for nearly 500 feet in every direction – other than outside – so it made it a bit easier to find her way around, but for those Cores in the nursery, they would be digging nearly blind.
Fortunately, the Dungeon Assistants that Tacca had Bonded with could sense the direction where Tacca’s Core was located, even if they weren’t inside her dungeon. This helped Tulip get Brandon started on a tunnel heading toward her Core, even if it wouldn’t progress very far or quickly; still, it would be enough that Tacca could find it and hook up with it.
I’ve made up my mind, Shale. I told Malachite that I would keep them safe, and that’s what I intend to do. You still have the option of me severing our Bond, if that’s what you wish.
There was only the slightest hesitation from Shale, before he shook his head. “I’ve thought about it over the last month or so, and while it might save me if something bad were to happen, I don’t wish to be disconnected to you. We’ll do this together or not at all.”
It warmed her heart to hear him say that, and she put all of her concentration on extending the new tunnel towards the east, where she had a general idea where Nursery Room #3 was located. It took a couple of hours to progress far enough that she could begin to see some of the smallish rooms she had Carved out; most of them were still empty, but soon enough she saw a few that had expanded outward, with a few small passageways connecting some recently built rooms.
It was strange, seeing another dungeon from the perspective of a Dungeon Core. Or more accurately, not seeing them, because even though she could sense and “see” around them with her range of view, she couldn’t penetrate their outer walls and look inside. In effect, they were large voids in her perception that seemed to not exist as far as what she could perceive.
Of the 6 she could at least identify as Nursery Rooms 1-6, all but 1 were rather small and contained, ranging from 2 to 3 smallish rooms. The outlier was one that was approximately the same size as the others, but it had a tunnel leading out directly toward Tacca’s Core, which made it obvious that it was the one she was looking for. It was only about 10 feet long, which was impressive considering how slow Carving Earth at CI Level 1 was, but it was enough to aim for and connect with.
Stopping about 30 feet away from the other tunnel, she got Shale’s attention.
I’m just about ready to try this. Can you let Tulip know we’re ready, and if Brandon is having second thoughts, now is the time to express them?
Shale disappeared after a quick nod, and Tacca could suddenly sense him nearby, though not in her own dungeon. Focusing on the sensation, she realized that he was inside the void that was the other dungeon she was located nearest to.
A moment later, he was back. “They’re ready.” He paused. “I’m not sure I’m ready, but go for it anyway.”
Without a reason to wait anymore, Tacca charged ahead with her Carve Earth ability, eating away the solid stone that separated the two tunnels in less than a minute. When there was about an inch left separating the two, she stopped. With a figurative deep breath, she focused on the remaining stone and activated her ability one last time, breaking through to the other side.
Unimaginable pain suffused her Core, unlike anything she had experienced before – and she had experienced a lot over the last year and a half. It was so bad that her mind started to fray at the edges, while at the same time it felt like someone had jammed a claw into her Core, rummaged around in it for a bit, and then started yanking stuff out like she had been disemboweled. She wasn’t sure what was happening, and the agony she was experiencing was so great that she abruptly lost all awareness of the world around her, despite the continuing pain, and her mind went completely blank.
When Tacca came to, her consciousness coming alive as if from a long, deep sleep, she immediately felt different. A throbbing ache still permeated throughout her Core, but she could feel it fading even as she took in the world around her.
Firstly, she could sense that her dungeon had expanded, though not by a great bit. Focusing on Nursery Room #3, she identified it as the expansion, though now she could see inside. It was a Swamp Environment, that she could see right away, with small pools of stagnant water, surrounded by sickly-looking blackish trees, with thin branches drooping nearly to the ground. At first, there were no signs of creatures, but suddenly she focused on the room and identified them: Giant Spiders.
Ick.
They were at least 3 feet across, when you considered their leg length, and there was a veritable nest of them hiding in the trees, camouflaged in the drooping branches. If a Raider tried to walk under the branches, they would be in a prime spot to have one of the 8-legged arachnids fall on them, which would make for a horrible day for the delving person. Looking further into the rooms, she could see that there were traps set up next to the pools of stagnant water, which took her a moment to understand. Focusing on them, she saw that they were Entanglement-based traps, which would shoot out small vines from the water, wrap around a victim, and then drag them back into the pool – where they would inevitably drown unless they were cut free by some companions.
“What, you don’t like spiders? I used to love horror movies, and I thought I’d try to recreate something like that here.”
The strange male voice in her mind made her thoughts freeze even as she looked around for the source. It didn’t take long to figure it out: Brandon, the other Dungeon Core.
You can hear me?
“I guess so, now that you’re awake. You were pretty out of it after our dungeons connected, what with all of that incessan
t screaming and all. Are you alright?”
He sounded genuinely concerned, which was comforting to hear, as she hoped it meant she wasn’t suddenly sharing her dungeon with someone like the Cores she had Bonded with as a Dungeon Assistant before. Of course, it was still too early to tell.
I’m…okay, I think. I’m still trying to figure out what happened. We didn’t shatter, at least, which was certainly a concern of mine. She thought about what she had experienced, and she had to ask, Did you experience the unbelievable pain of being disemboweled and having your mind fray at the edges, too?
“Oh, wow…uh, no? I’m sorry that happened to you, but nothing like that happened to me.” He started to explain. “As soon as you broke through the last of the stone separating our tunnels, I felt a warmth infuse my Core, as well as some weird wrenching going on inside, but it was more uncomfortable rather than painful. That, and it didn’t last for more than a minute or two. After that, I heard you screaming in my mind, which I had to admit was a bit concerning, so I busied myself with looking over your dungeon. Amazing job, by the way, and I love how you set up the gladiatorial arena – I can’t wait to see those fights!”
That was…unfair. At least she was alive.
Have you noticed anything else? Anything different? A lot of the throbbing ache had faded from her ordeal, and she was trying to take stock of her situation herself.
“You mean aside from being able to look at your dungeon like I would my own? Now that you mention it, I haven’t checked my Dungeon Core Status since we connected and—WHAT? My Dungeon Force has been cut in half, and so has my Regeneration! What have you done to me?!”
Tacca internally winced at hearing that, remembering discovering that had happened to her Core when she first came into existence. She had put it down to being partially Fairy and partially Core, but it seemed as though she had somehow passed on that handicap to Brandon.
Is there anything else?
“Like what? My Control Limit being cut in half, as well? Luckily, that seems to be fine, no thanks to you. Wait…that’s not right.”
What?
“This says that my Core Improvement Pending/Countdown is now 198 in 30 days, whereas before it was only at 89 in 323 days. And—I have 3 additional Special Characteristics! How is this possible?”
Tacca suddenly understood what happened, and one of her new abilities was beginning to make sense.
I’m assuming you have a reduction of 40% Dungeon Force cost to creatures and traps, a 60% reduction in your Control Limit requirements, and access to all Variants for your creatures?
“Exactly! Wait, how did you know?”
Opening up her own Dungeon Core Status, she saw that she now had an additional Special Characteristic, as well: Increased Dungeon Force Regeneration by 25%. If she remembered correctly, purchasing that Characteristic cost a little less than 100 SCPs, which was what most Cores started with – unlike Tacca, who started with only 50 SCPs to spend. Obviously, this was the Special Characteristic that Brandon had chosen, and now it was also hers.
If what I think happened is true, my Shared Risk ability has forced us to share some elements of our Cores together, including the bad parts. Sorry about the reduced Dungeon Force and Regeneration, but that was what I had to live with when I was a new Core – so I guess you got it, too. At least my Special Characteristics you now have should offset some of that, though…would you try something for me?
“Shared Risk? I don’t understand, but I have to admit that these Characteristics are awesome! I now have access to all of my Giant Spider Variants, which is amazing!” He was silent as he was likely looking through his new Variants. “Wait, what did you want me to do?”
If you’re full of Dungeon Force, can you attempt to spend most of it to create something powerful? Either a trap or a creature would work, though if you start to feel something when you do it, stop!
“Sure, sure, I can do that. But what do you mean about feeling something—OUCH!”
Tacca was watching his tiny core while he attempted to create a powerful Entanglement trap in one of his rooms, and she heard and saw a tiny crack appear in his otherwise flawless form.
I guess that’s why it’s a risk. I’m sorry, Brandon, but you’ll be a little limited on how much Dungeon Force you can use at a time before risking shattering your Core, and you’ll hit a limit of how many traps you can place in your dungeon. Don’t worry, though, as you increase in Core Improvement Levels and are able to add to your total Dungeon Force, most of those problems will relax a bit, but won’t go away completely.
“Don’t worry? I’ve never felt anything like that before, and you tell me not to worry?”
She heard him grumbling unintelligible noises as he practically seethed at this new information, but the only thing Tacca could do was let him work through it on his own. While he had some beneficial Characteristics that would help now, he was handicapped in other areas. Still, it beat being shattered, she supposed.
“I’m not happy, exactly, but I can’t say I’m disappointed. The steady influx of Core Improvement Points from Raider Presence is astounding, and since I only have a month to wait, I’m hoping that makes up for all the rest. Is this how you improved so rapidly?”
Tacca went on to explain first-hand what had happened to her, even though it was likely that Tulip had told him all about her. Speaking of Tulip, she was hovering steadily next to Brandon’s Core, looking at him with a worried expression. The sight of her suddenly made her realize she hadn’t checked on her own Dungeon Assistant since she had been back.
Shale! Are you okay?
She found him on the floor of her Core Room, unconscious but alive. At her words, he started to stir, until he finally sat up with his head in his hands.
“What…what happened?”
That’s what I was going to ask you? How do you feel?
“I have a pounding headache, but it’s going away. The last thing I remember was you screaming at anyone who could hear you, and then it felt like something was ripping out my guts, and then…nothing. I suppose I blacked out from the pain, and landed here.”
I’m sorry about that, Shale. I didn’t think for one moment that it would affect you like that, especially since the other issues I’ve had when I’ve increased my CI Level or Assistant Rank were only focused on me. Thankfully, you and I both made it through alive.
He shook his head gently, the pain still obviously affecting him slightly, as he asked, “Did it work?”
Yes, yes it did. In a way. Let me tell you all about it….
Chapter 27
It didn’t take long to convince the other Cores in the Nursery to connect to the now 2-Core dungeon as well, now that they had a better understanding of what would happen. Over the next few hours, Tacca extended her tunnel nearest Brandon’s dungeon out toward the other Nursery Rooms, and connected directly to their tiny dungeons as well. Thankfully, after the first mind-breaking and extremely painful experience, each time she connected with the other Cores, Tacca only felt the same mild discomfort and strangeness that Brandon reported. Soon enough, all 7 dungeons were connected together, and best of all—
—they all received the same amount of Core Improvement Points from Raider Presence, meaning that it wasn’t being split in between them all.
Not only that, but as they connected together, more and more Special Characteristics were shared with the others, including Brandon and Tacca. By the end of the “rest” period before the arena opened up again, they all now had an impressive array of benefits.
Special Characteristics:
Access all Variants for available dungeon creatures
All
Decreased Dungeon Force cost for all creatures and traps
40%
Decreased Control Limit for all creatures
60%
Increased Dungeon Force Regeneration
25%
All creatures start with extra Levels
1
Puzzle Traps require le
ss Dungeon Force
33%
Experience for Dungeon Assistants is increased
50%
Frozen Tundra Environmental objects require less Dungeon Force
33%
Jungle Environmental objects require less Dungeon Force
33%
Increased speed of creature creation
35%
Increased speed of trap placement
35%
All of them would be beneficial in some way or another, though the increase in all creature Levels by 1 would require some restructuring of her “easy” dungeon section, considering that all of those were supposed to be Level 1 and would now be Level 2 automatically. It would save both Dungeon Force and her Control Limit for her second section, though, because she wouldn’t have to pay for that extra boost to their Levels. As for her arena, the ones she currently had would stay the same as they were until they were killed and replaced, so they were fine for the moment; later, she’d have to adjust some so that they weren’t too hard, but it was always possible that they would change things up anyway.
Mainly because, working together, Tacca discovered that the other Cores could create creatures and traps throughout the entire dungeon complex, not just their own little part of it. That meant that they could place Giant Spiders (which she was a little against, because she really didn’t like them; they tended to trap wild Fairies in their webs and eat them), or Goblins, or even the Apes that one of the Cores had access that thrived in his Jungle Environment. They could also place their trap specializations where they wanted, though that wasn’t as big of a deal; every Core could still create those same traps, the specializations just helped to reduce the cost.
The Dungeon Fairy: Three Lives: A Dungeon Core Escapade (The Hapless Dungeon Fairy Book 3) Page 25