What they – and Tacca, for that matter – couldn’t do was get rid of another Core’s creatures, traps, or Environmental objects. Once they were placed, only the Core that had placed it could absorb or even activate it, which Tacca was thankful for, because then she didn’t have to worry about the 6 new Cores now participating in her dungeon wiping out her defensive room traps for some reason, or altering what she had already painstakingly created.
Of course, even with all of those benefits, there were still the drawbacks that the others had to deal with: less Dungeon Force and Regeneration (though the 25% extra from a Special Characteristic did help), as well as the fragility they now shared with Tacca’s Core. It wasn’t as significant when compared to the other benefits, but it was still something they had to worry about.
Plus, there was the abrupt feeling that they all shared, once they recognized it, that if only one of them was destroyed, then all of them would suffer for it. Whether that meant they would be shattered as well, or if they only lost some of the shared Characteristics, none of them were quite sure. All Tacca knew was that she now had even more reason to want to protect and nurture these Cores, until they grew strong enough to protect themselves.
The next day, when the arena opened back up, Tacca watched the fights alongside the other Cores, whom she couldn’t actually “see” in the room, but she could tangentially sense where their focus was. All of the Dungeon Assistants were watching as well, far up above the arena near the ceiling in their invisible states, chatting softly enough that no one could hear them down below.
For the first time in her life, she felt like she was finally with family and friends – two things she had been sorely lacking ever since her parents had died not long after she was born. Shale was a friend of sorts, but was also a Dungeon Assistant, which meant that he had technically been assigned to be her “friend”; that didn’t mean he didn’t achieve that status eventually, especially with all that they had gone through together, but it wasn’t quite the same.
But listening to him interact in friendly and familiar terms with the other Assistant Fairies, who all were very grateful for Tacca for connecting with their respective Cores (and who respected and admired Tacca’s dungeon, which – though it was vain – made her feel proud about), it seemed as if they might just be friends one day, working towards the same goals. As for the 6 Cores that were now inextricably part of her life now, they felt like the family she had never had.
A slightly dysfunctional, unique family with their little quirks and odd opinions, but a family, nonetheless.
Tacca was again thankful that she’d had some experience with odd personalities when it came to Dungeon Cores, because although her new family was weird in their own ways, none of them were as odd or downright psychotic as her former Bonded Cores. Brandon really liked movies – which she quickly discovered were “moving pictures”, an odd concept – and enjoyed quoting them, which all meant absolutely nothing to her, and something to only a few of the others who recognized only 1 out of 10 of his references.
Mackenzie, or Kenzie as she liked to be called, had been some sort of singer in her last life and enjoyed music. Again, every “band” she referenced meant nothing to Tacca, and were either obscure or out of time with most of the others, but that didn’t seem to matter. Every once in a while, Tacca could hear Kenzie either singing or humming something unrecognizable, but the other Core had a nice tone, regardless.
Karen was odd in the way she liked to complain about everything, though Tacca felt as if she wasn’t really serious about being annoyed by even big things. After an hour, she ignored the complaints about the arena’s aesthetic, the way her creatures were just a little too ugly, how the tunnel to her own dungeon was just a tad too narrow, and 50 other things that weren’t really problems. Before long, the droning of her complaining voice faded into the background, and she could tell the others had started to ignore her as well.
Patrick was apparently a huge sports fan, so he was right at home with the arena and the intense fights. He kept wanting to bet with the others on how quickly the creatures would be defeated, or on which one would get killed first…or last…or even which one would be killed 4th. Not that they had anything to bet with, granted, but he kept trying anyway without any takers.
Regina had been some sort of merchant back when she was in the other world, or what she expressed was a Financial Analyst. She spoke in clipped sentences, had a rather strange vocabulary, and preferred evaluating and recommending ways for Tacca to decrease her resource expenditures while still gaining the same results. There were likely some interesting theories in all that Regina said, but it was wrapped in so many words she didn’t understand that it would take some time to decipher it. Being how she was, of course, Tacca planned on talking more with the number-centric Core in the future, because she was always eager to learn.
Lastly, David had been some kind of “gamer” back when he was walking around and alive, but Tacca wasn’t exactly sure what that meant. He was rather quiet and didn’t seem to have much of an outgoing personality, unlike the others, but the times that Tacca did get him to speak he expressed that he thought he had been transported to this world after death because of his “mad skills”. Actually, as he corrected as soon as he said it, it was “skillz” with a z…because, well, it just was.
“Are you serious? That guy was wide open! Man, those wolves you have are kind of stupid, Tacca.”
Tacca sniggered through her connection with Patrick, who was taking the arena way too seriously. They’re constructs made entirely of Dungeon Force, Patrick. They aren’t necessarily stupid or intelligent; they just follow the instincts that are part of their forms.
“Huh. I have to admit I never really thought of them like that. I always thought my Dungeon Force just summoned them from some alternate dimension, or something like that.”
No, it’s all done in this dimension. She paused as she considered Patrick’s words. What do you know about other dimensions?
“Me? Next to nothing, other than they supposedly exist. I mean, I’m here, aren’t I? Besides that rather obvious factoid, the odds are probably in favor of more than one dimension existing. Or, that’s what that program on that Science channel said.”
“You watched the Science channel?” Brandon asked.
“Don’t judge! It was in the middle of spring and there weren’t any games on, so…yeah, I got bored and watched some educational fluff.”
All the talk about dimensions triggered something in Tacca’s mind. She was aware – through a lot of research at DAPS while she had been there, as well as some hints from Malachite and the Head Instructor – that there were other dimensions, a few of them other ones where Dungeon Fairies existed. There wasn’t a lot of information about them, but the thought of them got her wondering if the invaders had come from another dimension. I mean, it’s possible, right?
She thought she was thinking to herself, but apparently she had projected it out to the other Cores, as well as their Dungeon Assistants.
“What’s possible?” Shale asked, echoed by 4 or 5 others; it was hard to tell with so many speaking all at once both outside and inside her mind.
Those invaders that nearly killed me, and who are pushing in from the north – do you think it’s possible they are from another dimension? I mean, even Malachite had no idea where they came from, and he’s been alive for at least 15,000 years.
“15,000 years! Holy sh—”
—That’s the rumor, at least, Tacca said, cutting Patrick off. She didn’t know if it was true, but it was quite likely.
“I don’t know, Tacca. I really don’t have much knowledge of other dimensions, after all. Still, it would make sense.” Shale was quiet for a moment, before he continued. “But what are they here for? Better yet, how did they get here? We use our Fairy Mana to Translocate, which I’m told can be used to go to other dimensions, though I’ve never heard of anyone who has other than perhaps the Council; I don’t remember those
blue-skinned people using magic, do you? I mean, they had those glowing shields, but I couldn’t detect any ‘magic’ in it.”
“Personal Force Fields. That’s what they gotta be,” David suddenly contributed.
Wait, what?
All attention turned to David, which Tacca could tell made the introverted Core a little uncomfortable. Regardless, he expanded on what he was saying before.
“If they’re indeed from another dimension, then it’s quite possible that they don’t have magic where they’re from. Instead, they probably use technology to enact the same types of effects. Hence, they have Personal Force Fields that block attacks. Tell me, do they weaken over time until they break after repeated damage, and then come back after a while?”
Tacca didn’t have to think hard about that one. Well, yes.
“Aha! I knew it; it’s just like some of the first-person shooter games I used to play, especially the ones that were set in the far future. Therefore, if they are using technology for their Fields, then they are probably using technology for their interdimensional travel.”
“This isn’t a game, David. I can’t believe I have to listen to this,” Karen complained – which everyone ignored.
Then why do you think they’re here? We don’t have any of this…technology.
“Are you sure?”
Yes, quite sure. Why?
“Well, considering that your Core looks like some sort of whacked-out computer motherboard, I figured you knew something about it.”
That shocked her. She didn’t even know how to respond, but Regina had her own opinion to offer.
“It’s highly unlikely they are here for advanced technology. Typically, when a company initiates a hostile takeover, they work to replace the management of the target company who does not wish to be acquired. I believe that is what is happening here.”
Tacca had very little idea of what the other Core just said, nor did anyone else. What exactly are you saying?
Regina just *hmphed* in an annoyed tone, before she answered…slowly, as if she were talking to children. “They are getting rid of the ones who are in charge of the defense of the planet – the Dungeon Cores and Raiders – so that they can take it over.”
“Why didn’t you just say that?” Patrick asked.
“I did, you incompetent—”
“Now, now – there’s no need for name-calling; we’re all in this together, after all,” Shale said placatingly, and Tacca was glad that all of the Dungeon Assistants had gained the ability to listen into the inter-Core conversations as part of their “joining”.
If that’s indeed the reason, then there has to be something we can—hold on, what is that?
Tacca ripped her attention away from the arena and the others, focusing on the entrance to the Hall. Something was tingling her senses, though she couldn’t figure out what it was. All she saw when she looked at the entrance was a wall of white; the snow hadn’t filled the passageway entirely, but there was at least 15 feet of it piled up, and she could see the swirling maelstrom of flying flakes that indicated that the winter storms were still raging.
“What is it? What’s wrong? I don’t sense anything.” Brandon’s question was echoed by the rest of the Cores, as well as the Dungeon Assistants, who could detect some tension coming from Tacca. Except for Karen, of course.
“Snow is so annoyingly cold. Is there any way you can get rid of it?” As usual, everyone ignored her.
I’m not exactly sure, but I thought I felt something. Whatever it was, I can’t feel it—
A deluge of snow blasted in through the entrance, bringing with it a figure straight out of what would be in her nightmares, if she ever dreamed again.
“Houston, we have a problem.”
Brandon, now is not the time….
Chapter 28
Malachite had to fight to stay conscious, though he didn’t know why he bothered. It wasn’t like he could even move, let alone escape his captivity; the sturdy clamps around his ankles, wrists, waist, and neck were more than enough to ensure he couldn’t free himself even if he had the strength. Unfortunately, his Fairy Mana was also constantly being drained, which made him particularly woozy and light-headed.
How could I have been so stupid! It wasn’t the first time he had chastised himself over the last…however long it had been, and it certainly wouldn’t be the last. I should’ve known I was risking it going into that dungeon to save that Core. Except, he had been desperate to save as many as he could, and with comparatively few actually agreeing on the move – instead, they believed that they could stand against these monstrous people, rather than moving and starting over. Malachite had been searching for any that would agree, which led him to where he fell victim to a trap.
Of course, it might not have been an intentional trap; it was entirely possible that he had just been in the wrong place at the wrong time. Regardless, Translocating into that dungeon to speak with the Core named Christopher – which was entirely too close to the other dungeons that had been invaded and destroyed – ended up being a critical mistake. Immediately after he *popped* into the Core room and before he could Bond with the CI Level 42 Core, Malachite abruptly felt his access to his Fairy Mana completely cut off. It was like nothing he had ever experienced before, a feeling of helplessness that not even his younger years before he became a Dungeon Assistant could match.
Aster and Begonia had arrived moments after he had, and while they could Translocate in, none of them could Translocate out. Panic had ensued, which again was something he wasn’t used to, and he realized what had happened.
The blue-skinned, six-armed invaders were inside the dungeon. Not only that, it turned out, but they were close. Malachite and his two helpers had arrived right in the middle of another Core being destroyed.
Before they could do anything, a trio of the monstrous people he had caught far away glimpses of in his investigations up north barged into the Core Room. Malachite and his two helpers had to quickly fly up toward the ceiling to avoid the gigantic Fire trap that went off just as the invaders stepped foot in the room. Heat washed over him as he looked back to see the flames continuing to spurt out of the trap, entirely enveloping the hostile figures wielding melee weapons in each of their hands.
Yes! Hold on…no!
The flames didn’t hurt the six-armed figures at all, though the glow around them dimmed a little in the process. Another step into the room found a pit opening up, and the one in the lead fell into it – only to rise up as if it were floating, setting down safely past the pit. Its glowing shield-like aspect dimmed even further when that happened, becoming nearly transparent, when a third trap caused dozens of iron spears to project out of the ceiling and nearby walls. The spears slammed into the one into the lead and the glow disappeared entirely, and Malachite got to see one of them injured as six spears penetrated its skin, impaling its left leg, right shoulder, and a few areas around its torso. Unfortunately, nothing seemed fatal; it fell to its knees and started to rip out the projectiles from its body, spraying blood everywhere in the process.
The other two weren’t injured at all, though, and they leapt over the pit like it was nothing, triggered a half-dozen other traps as they crossed the distance to the Core floating in the middle of the room, where they launched their weapons at it. Malachite winced as the Core was shattered into pieces, and he felt the invisible shockwave of retreating Dungeon Force start to expand throughout the dungeon. He knew that in less than a minute, every creature, trap, and environmental object would soon be gone, as they couldn’t exist without the Core controlling them.
Looking down at the three blue-skinned monsters, he saw that the two that were uninjured had turned to help the bleeding one, and he knew it was their chance to escape.
“We have to go now while they’re distracted,” he whispered so softly to Aster and Begonia that he could barely hear himself, but they managed to catch what he was saying and nodded – despite shaking uncontrollably in fear. He would’ve li
ked to give into the same fear he was feeling at that moment, but he couldn’t allow himself to pass up this opportunity to escape.
With a quick motion of his hand, he led the two Dungeon Assistants in a straight shot to the exit, passing over the heads of the three invaders, who said something in a language he couldn’t understand. It didn’t matter, though, because they had left them far behind.
Or so he had thought.
A purple-colored invader walked through the Core Room entrance right as they were flying for it. The figure raised its hand and Malachite saw him holding something, and the next thing he knew, a black netting was surrounding him and his helpers, trapping their wings. He fell down to the ground hard…and the next thing he knew, he woke up to his current situation.
At least I’m upright and can sort of look around. It was a small consolation, though, because he didn’t like what he saw. All around him, secured just as he was, were dozens of Fairies, arranged in a grid-like pattern along one wall of a strange-looking room. Some of them were unconscious, some were conscious but so out of it they barely moved, while others were fully conscious – and appearing as if they wished they weren’t. None of them were able to talk, though, just like he wasn’t able; the clamp over his neck somehow prevented him from producing speech.
But the eyes he locked onto could send volumes of communication, and facial expressions were more than enough to know that despair, fear, and the desire to die was paramount in those he was able to see. Especially in the Council members and those that worked in the DPRC that he saw. He finally found where they had disappeared to, and he didn’t have to wonder anymore about why they hadn’t come back.
The Dungeon Fairy: Three Lives: A Dungeon Core Escapade (The Hapless Dungeon Fairy Book 3) Page 26