Monster Core 2

by Dante King

  Her consciousness hummed in gratitude. “That would be nice. I don’t like being bait for adventurers.”

  My champions moved swiftly under my direction until they were all on the First Floor. Puck caught hold of my core while Bertha took Abby’s. The Shade soared straight down toward the new Throne Room, unhampered by things such as gravity and stairs. The thick doors of the Throne Room swung open at his arrival.

  The mighty chamber lacked grandeur, but it would serve to house Zagorath’s most precious treasures. A new gauntlet of traps and minions in the Chasm would deter all but the most determined divers. Puck placed my core on the plinth, and I immediately framed the steel of the plinth around the edges of my gem. Anyone who wanted my core would have to dig it out with a chisel.

  Bertha’s firm stride and the glow of blue light heralded the arrival of Abby’s core. After Bertha placed the storm core beside my dungeon heart, I was ready to prepare for my little excursion. Time was running short, and I couldn’t afford to keep this new guild waiting.

  “Abby, I need something from you,” I said. “Summon your avatar.”

  At my direction, Abby spawned her avatar, the azure elemental lighting up the darkness of the Throne Room. Her cloak billowed out behind her, a beautiful blue fabric that glistened as though it were wet.

  The Storm avatar felt the touch of my mind and rolled her eyes. “You want my cloak, don’t you?” she asked.

  “It would be a perfect addition to my ensemble,” I replied. “Don’t worry; I’ll make you a new cloak as soon as I’ve finished breaking it down.”

  Abby unclasped her azure cloak and let it slip to the floor. “Tell me; how did you find the Nature Realm?” she asked Puck, probably to distract herself from her cloak as I absorbed it into my mental blueprint bank.

  “It should be burned to the ground and its ashes cast to the sky to ensure never-ending darkness and blight upon the creatures living there,” Puck answered instantly. “Whichever thrice-damned goddess was allowed to run wild through that realm. . .”

  “Eveline,” Abby inserted.

  “. . . should be imprisoned, like our own blessed Lilith was, if legends speak the truth,” Puck finished.

  Acquired Item!

  Traveler’s Cloak (Tempest Silk)

  Rarity: Common

  Zagorath Consumed a Traveler’s Cloak (Tempest Silk)

  Physical Essence +128

  Zagorath Acquired Crafting Material

  Tempest Silk

  Zagorath Acquired a Blueprint

  Traveler’s Cloak

  After absorbing Abby’s cloak, I constructed an identical cloak. I created a second coat made of glistening Black Leather. I saw Ralph enter the Throne Room and admire the item.

  “You like it?” I asked.

  “Very much, Master,” he said. “It is a fine cloak, suitable for one of your stature.”

  “Would you like one?”

  Ralph’s eyes widened, but he didn’t answer. Instead, he nodded, a little unsurely.

  “Then, you shall have one equally as grand as mine!”

  I formed another cloak, and Ralph watched with bated breath as the item took shape from Physical Essence.

  Zagorath Crafted Items!

  Traveler’s Cloak (Tempest Silk)

  Rarity: Common

  Cost: 128 Physical Essence

  Traveler’s Cloak (Black Leather) (x2)

  Rarity: Common

  Cost: 68 Physical Essence

  Ralph took the newly formed cloak in his hands. He drew the cord around his neck and whirled around, the fabric whipping around his legs.

  “What do you think, Puck?” the adventurer asked.

  “The Master is very kind,” Puck answered, a hint of snark in his tone.

  “Positively dashing,” Abby said as she took the cloak I’d made her from Tempest Silk. She drew the new blue mantle and hood around her shoulders. It still couldn’t quite hide the wonderful curves of her shoulders and thighs, mind, but I smiled when I realized that probably wasn’t her intention.

  Von Dominus needed new clothing. Somewhere, along the way, I’d lost the initial tunic that my avatar had started his journey with. I needed something striking, functional, and tactical.

  Zagorath Crafted Items!

  Tunic (Tempest Silk)

  Rarity: Common

  Cost: 42 Physical Essence

  Breastplate (Zagorath Alloy)

  Rarity: Common

  Cost: 2,625 Physical Essence

  Gauntlets (Zagorath Alloy)

  Rarity: Common

  Cost: 205 Physical Essence

  Leggings (Tempest Silk)

  Rarity: Common

  Cost: 750 Physical Essence

  Adventurer’s Belt (Black Leather)

  Rarity: Common

  Cost: 9 Physical Essence

  Scabbard (Black Leather) x2

  Rarity: Common

  Cost: 12 Physical Essence

  Boots (Black Leather)

  Rarity: Common

  Cost: 21 Physical Essence

  Agility Ring (Burnished Bronze)

  Rarity: Magic

  Seals: Swiftness +3

  Swiftness channels the essence inside a wielder and increases their speed.

  Cost: 1,000 Physical Essence, 2,625 Infernal Essence

  Might Ring (Burnished Bronze)

  Rarity: Magic

  Seals: Might +3

  Might channels the essence inside a wielder and increases their strength.

  Cost: 1,000 Physical Essence, 3,200 Infernal Essence

  I wasn’t sure whether the Swiftness seals would stack, but I could test the theory easily.

  When I’d finished crafting the items, I was drawn to Puck’s voice. “...I tell you, oh, mighty troll, that there are enemies in the Nature Realm that would test even your hilariously savage strength. Pesky, sharp-eyed elves with quick hands and even quicker blades. Trees that are ever-watchful, with leaves the size of a dragon’s wing!”

  “I’m sure I’ll have my opportunity to fight soon enough,” Bertha replied evenly. “You may have gotten a taste for travel, Shade, but my home is here, and my task is to defend Zagorath. You would do well to remember that it is also yours.”

  “We haven’t had a real test in quite a while,” Abby commented. “After the Sand Pirates, I don’t think that there’s anyone who is even close to a threat.”

  Von Dominus melted out of the floor behind them. I inhabited his mind and let my senses figure themselves out. The transition was easier and easier the more I used it.

  “Ralph, Puck, Bertha,” I said, and they all turned to face me, “I wish to speak to Abby alone. I’ll meet you all on the First Floor in a moment.”

  It pleased me that none of them questioned my orders. Once the sound of their footsteps started to echo through the Chasm, I crouched and started to slip my old boots off. My mind flickered to my enthusiastic romp with Bertha on the craggy outcrop. The avatar’s old clothes had taken a hell of a beating over my time in the Sinarius Realms.

  Abby’s avatar sauntered over to me and watched me change into my new outfit. My trousers came next, and Abby purred in approval.

  “If this is your idea of a proposition,” Abby murmured, “it’s certainly a lot more forward than your usual way of doing things.”

  Her eyes glided over my naked form and took in everything. Her gaze lingered on the muscle of my elf’s abdomen, and well, a little lower. I pretended I didn’t see her admiring me, found my new rings, and put one on the index fingers of each hand. I could feel the Swiftness +3 seal empower my body with speed, and I dashed to Abby’s side.

  I took her head in my hands and kissed her. Her eyes widened in surprise at my sudden arrival, and her hands reached to my crotch. Her fingers grasped at me and started to tug, and I slipped my hand into her bodice and cupped her breasts. An electric sensation sparked my skin as my fingers pinched her nipples. As her hand continued to massage my cock, my other hand crept into her panties. I brushed ag
ainst the soft fuzz and found her already wet. She gyrated against my palm as I tickled her warm nub.

  Soon, we were both gasping as our breathing became synchronized. She moaned and shuddered as her head fell into my shoulder. But she continued rubbing me as she pushed me onto the cool tiles.

  Now on my back, I closed my eyes as she pleasured me with her mouth. Her tongue delivered warm jolts as it lapped against me, but the experience was electrifying rather than painful. In a matter of minutes, I came, and she laughed as I lay there, naked and still erect.

  “You seem like you want more?” Abby wiped her mouth with a hand.

  “If only I could spend the rest of the day with you, Abigail,” I said as I stood and pulled on my new pants. “But I only have six hours. Less now that I’ve spent this time with you.”

  “You regret it?”

  “Of course not. It seems you are always there to give me a boost of energy. Especially when I’m about to begin a serious campaign.”

  “Like our first time. On the mountain’s peak.”

  “Exactly,” I said.

  I’d find the time to give Abby a complete experience after I returned from the expedition, and hopefully, I would come back here with spoils aplenty. I attached the new scabbards to my belt, wrapped it around my waist, and sheathed my enchanted daggers. I tapped the Frightening Baselard and remembered the promise I’d made myself to conquer a Nature Dungeon and craft a seal into the weapon’s missing slot.

  I pulled on my new boots and looked at Abby. “While I’m not here, you’re the only one who really understands how a dungeon functions. I’ll be absent, after a fashion, from my core.”

  “Dom, you’re only going to be gone for a couple of hours,” she reminded me. “Don’t overthink it too much.”

  “It’s called being prepared.” I pulled my new cloak around my shoulders and met the gaze of my Storm Champion. “I don’t know what’s going to happen. So far, the plan is going swimmingly. But there’s a chance some of the guild members may try to follow us through the travel stone. And I need you and Bertha to be ready to take them to pieces if they do.”

  “I don’t do well with guilds,” Abby said.

  “I know,” I said. “But you’re not alone anymore. You have Bertha by your side, and if I see anything that might indicate that someone dangerous is invading Zagorath, I’ll be by your side as swiftly as our speed allows.” Which was rather quick now that I had a dagger enchanted with the Swiftness +3 seal.

  “You saved me, Dom,” she said. “From that blasted Alaxon. And you’ve promised I’ll have my revenge against Karlyle.”

  “And you shall,” I said as I stepped forward. My fingers brushed her cheek gently.

  Abby kissed me, not with hunger but gentleness. “I know.” A hint of mischief sparkled in her eyes. “Knowing you, there’s going to be yet another woman on your arm when you walk back in here in six hours.”

  That made me laugh. I kissed her cheek and caught the side of her mouth. “I’m glad you’re learning to share.”

  She shoved me in the chest, although it was clear she wasn’t offended. “Go and conquer the realms, Dom.”

  “I’ll make sure to save you a piece of it.” I marched out of the Throne Room and climbed the gangways to the First Floor.

  “...they’re elves, Puck, they’re not going to be that different!” Ralph yelled as he stood beside the travel stone.

  “Wood Elves, of the Nature Realm, you thick-headed fornicator of horses,” Puck retorted. “Not the Tainted form that the Master chooses to inhabit. They’ll know the difference instantly, and they’ll want him dead.”

  “I’m sure they’ll be delighted to see me,” I said as I approached the obelisk. It shone as scarlet and golden veins swam through its almost-liquid surface. “Are we ready?” I asked my champions.

  “Yes, Master,” they both replied at once.

  “Lilith watch over you,” Bertha said before she kissed me.

  “Lilith has no power,” Puck said. “It’s Eveline’s realm.”

  “And soon it shall be mine.” I beamed at my champion. “But, first, we must meet with a guild. And, perhaps, conquer a dungeon. So much to do in only six hours.”

  “You could come back to Zagorath and return tomorrow,” the half-troll said.

  “I like to challenge myself.” I tapped the Frightening Baselard again. “It’s time we left. The minutes are ticking away.”

  I took a deep breath before touching the Gorengar Travel Stone, and a strange tugging sensation reverberated through my body. Then, my every cell dissolved into essence and swirled into the obelisk. A few blinding seconds of what felt like a whirling tunnel of stars raced past my vision. I barely had time to enjoy the insanity of the sensation before I blinked, and it was over.

  Chapter Ten

  The skitter of small mammals in the trees, the song of birds, and the chitter of insects filled the green expanse. Only a sliver of moonlight bled through the canopy, but the darkness posed no challenge to my elf’s sight.

  I heard a sizzling sound and turned to see Ralph’s essence slide out of the travel stone. His brawny form materialized, and he grimaced as he glanced back at the stone.

  “I hate that thing,” he muttered.

  “You’ll have to get used to it,” I said. “This is but our first adventure into other realms.”

  Puck’s essence rippled into the Nature Realm, and he spun into the air with a flash of black wings. The champion blended into the darkness, becoming one with the shadows.

  I pulled my hood over my head and hid my face from the forest and its creatures. “Where do we find the Deadeye Guild?”

  “Elderwood House is not far from here,” Ralph answered with a gesture.

  I let the frivolity with the half-orc invaders, Bertha, and my little inspirational speech to Abby fade to the back of my mind. I checked my timer and saw 5 hours 45 minutes still remaining for Von Dominus.

  I needed to move fast. A guild introduction, a dungeon dive, and a new dungeon core awaited me in the Realm of Eveline.

  Puck scouted ahead as we started off at a rapid pace. Ralph took the position as our rearguard and kept a hand resting on his sword. I marveled at the beauty of this land. Puck hadn’t exaggerated. The Nature Realm pulsated with vibrant life.

  It was nothing like the Realm of Lilith, so I needed to be sharp. What kind of traps and minions awaited in this dungeon? More importantly, which ones would I be able to summon inside Zagorath after I conquered its dungeon core?

  “We have company,” Puck warned as he blended into the shadows of a great elm tree.

  “How many?” I concealed myself behind the same tree, and Ralph shared the hulking trunk as a hiding place.

  “Six,” the Shade replied. “Three elves, a dwarf, two humans.”

  “Did you tell them to meet us here?” I asked.

  Puck shook his head. “They’re on patrol. They haven’t seen us yet.”

  “Are they the same ones you met in the guild?”

  “Yes, Master,” Puck answered. “Bolnir, Elohin, and Quinn are among them.”

  “Should we approach them openly?” Ralph asked.

  “Follow my lead,” I replied.

  We ghosted closer until I caught sight of the patrolling party. Their equipment was all gold mail and green cloaks clasped with with a guild badge. Two elves carried elegant recurve bows, and a third elf wielded a long glaive in an almost Japanese style. The two humans gripped straight swords that were forged better than anything I’d seen back in Zagorath. The dwarf—Bolnir—carried an enormous double-edged battleaxe. They were impressively armed, probably filled with essence, and carrying enchantments and weapons with tantalizing powers. The very thought of acquiring them stirred my lust for more power. I curbed it before it could flare up too much.

  I was Lilith’s Viceroy. Not just a dungeon that hungered for the entirety of the Sinarius Realms. It was showtime.

  “I think a little theatricality is required,” I whis
pered. “Puck? Why don’t you greet them?”

  Infernal Essence curled around his whole form, and he thrust his hands outward to create an enormous cloud of foul smoke. I walked straight into it and gestured for Ralph to follow me. The scent of the shadow-magic was just like that of home. It was all brimstone, dull metal, and fresh blood.

  The guild members recoiled and gagged at the sudden explosion of magic. The party brought their weapons to bear as they coughed and spluttered.

  “Puck,” I said. “Scout the path to the dungeon you entered. I want to know there aren’t any surprises waiting for us.”

  “But I want to greet the guild members,” he protested.

  “Do it,” I ordered, and he vanished through the trees.

  His smokescreen was still thick around the adventurers as they yelled at each other to take up arms.

  “Easy now. We don’t want to spoil the surprise,” I whispered to Ralph as he followed me through the Shade’s smokescreen. I’d been on the receiving end of this kind of magic before. The potency of it seemed to fade with enough exposure. That or Puck had simply taken the edge off his powers.

  I gripped my Frightening Baselard and let it slip free of its scabbard. The Fright seal’s power flooded through my veins as I spoke.

  “Deadeye Guild of Elderwood House!” I projected my authoritative tone easily through the trees. “I am Von Dominus, Viceroy of the Infernal Goddess, Lilith, and Lord of Zagorath, the Greatest Infernal Dungeon known to the Sinarius Realms.”

  Maybe I was laying it on a little thick. The Fright seal didn’t make the adventurers turn and run—I’d assumed a +1 spell wouldn’t—but they were obviously shaking in their boots. Which, if I got my way, would become blueprints and crafting material for Zagorath.