Dungeon Annihilation 2 - 1517

Evening everyone. A few things. The Halloween special didn't get off the ground. My editor had an opening in the early part of November, so I've been trying to get a manuscript ready for her. To make it up to yall dropping three chapters today on Annihilation and I'll drop some chapters for Chaotic in a minute. 

On another note, I'm going to do a solid week of Annihilation Nov 2nd- 7th. Because of the opening, my schedule is thrown a bit out of wack so I want to get another installment done in the series. 

Chapter 15

Louella

There was no way those three were in the tier two level. They not only overwhelmed their opponents in a matter of seconds, but one of them managed to kill one of the contestants without so much lifting her hand. I hadn’t detected anything being done.

“Marquis Valamar. Did you see what she did?” I asked hoping his more battle experienced eye would have caught something.

I couldn’t help but gulp when I actually turned to look at him. He had a very serious expression that spoke volumes. “No. It was quite a feat of power she just showed us.” He turned to look at his imperial guard. “What about my trusted guards. Did you catch anything?”

I turned to look as well, but they were all quite shocked. I didn’t blame them. How were they supposed to defend Valamar from something like that? I would hate to have their position right now. Not that Ezal or Ioa was looking much better.

“I did sense some dark mana in the moment the battle started but other than that…” Neldor said shaking his head. Given that Neldor was a priest and used light mana. He would sense his opposite usage to some extent.

The knights that were chained together shared a look, but otherwise shook their heads. While Bruce and Urena didn’t say anything at all, they had highly concerned looks. Earle might have just painted a target on his back by participating in this tournament. I turned back to the fights with a small grin. Served him right.

Ezal leaned in close. “Mistress. Perhaps it would be a good idea to hire Sir Earle’s group for your defense.”

I balked at her. Was she crazy?! We hated each other. “Are you mad?”

“You only got on bad terms since he was associating with Ivan. Perhaps if you offered him enough money, he might cut off that relationship. If you catch my drift.”

I looked at Ezal with wide eyes. Since when was she up to having people assassinated? No. Perhaps I was the one that needed to take a hard look at the situation. Like she said, I had blown the situation with Earle out of proportion since he was friends with that slave dealer. Judging from his actions since then, he was responding to me by being annoying.

“I’ll think about it,” I whispered back, then turned to look at Ioa. “What do you think about that party?”

“I don’t particularly care for Sir Earle, but he did take us to the eleventh floor and I’ve seen his skills. I’m not sure about watching my back, but I don’t mind if he protected my front.” I thought about what she said. She coughed suddenly. “By front I mean the front lines! I had no other thoughts,” she said in a rush.

“Huh? Oh. I figured that’s what you meant,” I replied realizing why she was correcting herself. It could have come off as incredibly suggestive to others.

I turned back to the fights and glanced at the man in question. I blinked in surprise when I thought he was staring at me, but he was looking at the arena. He was laughing about something. There was no way he heard what we were talking about was there? I resolved to only look at him when he was fighting.

I didn’t have to wait long, as he was called to the stage. The crowd was loud as they talked amongst themselves. After about thirty seconds passed, they grew even louder. “Where is his opponent?” I asked looking around the arena.

“Thirty more seconds and they’ll forfeit.”

The time passed and Earle noticeably sighed in disappointment as he was announced the winner. It appeared as he would rather be fighting than winning. Does that mean the prize meant little to him? Over the next hour, the same thing happened to his female companies. Word had already reached me that the one names Set would be going straight to the semi-finals due to her entire branch of the tournament forfeiting.

“At this rate the individuals will be done today rather than in two,” Ezal commented.

I grabbed my forehead in annoyance. “Great. At least we have other events planned.”

“Speaking of which, wasn’t one of the dungeon bosses supposed to participate in the tournament?” Ioa asked. I had briefed her since I had no idea what was going to happen.

“Supposably, but it hasn’t shown up yet.”

The rest of the fights for the first group finished slightly past noon. The team matches would begin after everyone had a chance to rest and eat. The audience quickly dispersed in every direction as some had meals packed or they moved toward stalls set up by various restaurants in town.

I was in a large tent set up by Marquis Valamar’s people when I heard an annoyed voice. “Damn. The food here sucks more than I expected.”

Everyone in the tent turned to see Earle with his women sitting under the shade of a tree eating a leg of meat from one of the stalls around the arena. Valamar’s guards reacted by drawing their weapons for the sheer fact that the tree was inside the perimeter they had set up. I also looked nervously to Ezal and Ioa who had their weapons at the ready.

“Whoa. Whoa.” Earle took a slow bite from the leg. “Are you sure you can win that fight?” he asked patting Set’s thigh.

Valamar waved the guards off. “What can I do for you… Sir Earle was it?”

“You can do nothing for me. I came over here for two reasons. I wanted to see how close I could get given the reputation of your guards. And because I felt something very interesting.” He glanced at Avina and Liuvan, who both stared at him with unreadable expressions worth of being top of the line bodyguards. “With that. I’ll take my leave.” He bowed ever so slightly, then turned and walked away with the girls.

“My lord. He is dangerous! We should deal with him immediately!” Avina said once he had gone from the area.

“Deal with him?” Valamar asked with a raised eyebrow. “Why?”

“No. Like I said he’s dangerous!” Avina pressed slamming her hand on the table. “He could kill you at a moment’s notice!”

“There are over a dozen adventurers in our home city alone that could wipe us out in a few minutes without breaking a sweat. That’s plenty dangerous, but you’ve never raised an eyebrow before now. I want to know why you think this one is such a danger?” Valamar asked.

I’d interacted with marquis Valamar a few times over the last few weeks. I’d seen him displeased, such as when Bruce fell from the airdock. I’ve seen him having a good time such as at the parties. Then I’ve seen him serious, such as when the necromancers attacked the dungeon. This was the first time I’d seen him so… enraged.

I had thought he trusted his own people unfailingly. It was sort of scary to see his anger directed at those people. “Well?” he demanded tapping his finger on the table. “Obviously, whatever Earle felt from one of you is worthy of your fear.”

“I… I don’t know, my lord. I… I overreacted since he was able to get so close to you,” Avina said backing away with her head down like a dog that had just been disciplined.

Valamar turned his glare onto Liuvan. “Do you have anything to add?”

The entire outburst of Avina, Liuvan had been standing still not making a peep. He bowed at the waist then shook his head. “I have no idea what the individual named Earle might be talking about. I fear he might be trying to sew discord in your protection, but that is my own personal opinion. Please feel free to disregard it.”

Valamar stared him down, but he didn’t so much as budge. “Very well. On account to your service the last few years. I will take your council.” Valamar suddenly turned his glare at me, making me jump. I could almost feel his anger squeezing my throat. “This Earle. I know of him from the Dungeon diver Ivan. I want you to investigate about more about him.”

I jumped to my feet and curtsied. “Of course, my lord!” I said quickly.

Valamar looked down at his plate. “Everyone, leave me. I’ve lost my appetite.”

I grabbed Ezal and Ioa and we left the grand tent heading back for the judges’ stand. We still had the afternoon of the competition to precede over. Once I felt we were far enough from the marquis’ tent, I pulled us to a stop. “Whoa. That was a bit more terrifying then I expected.” I said holding my chest. My heart was still beating rapidly.

Ioa glanced back toward the tent. “I had heard that the marquis was a very lenient person. No one had ever mentioned he had quite that intense a temper.”

“Ezal. Tell Commander Yin that we need to figure out this Earle. She has my leave to do everything in her power to find out about him. No matter the cost.” Right now, marquis Valamar was more dangerous to me than some adventurer. If he wanted, he could execute me with a single word and there were few if any that would challenge him.

“I guess we’re not going to recruit him in that case,” she replied biting her nail.

“Yes.” I started then had an idea. “Wait. Go ahead and see if he’ll take up the guard job.”

“What?! Why?” Ezal asked wide eyed.

“If he wanted to kill me that’d be one thing, but he’s shown no desire or reason. If we hire him then we’ll be able to keep him close and learn about him in the process,” I explained with a grin.

“You have a point,” Ioa added. “It is sometimes easier to keep the enemy close to you.”

What sounded like an explosion cut off our discussion. A large cloud of dust came from the arena, while screams followed. We looked at each other and began to run to the arena to find out what the hell had happened. Some of the more skilled adventurers were soon running alongside and even passing us.

A few moments later, we found ourselves at the top of the judges’ box. A tall man with a sword that was the size of a person stood in the middle of the arena. The explosion had been caused by his sword putting a couple meter wide crater in the stage. “Who the hell is that?!” I demanded from one of the tournament officials nearby.

“We don’t know! He came from the direction of the mountain a few minutes ago.”

“Shit! It’s the boss!” Ioa said as she observed the man.

“Is he like Pride?” I asked nervously. Pride was a monster that I would rather not face if given the choice.

“I’m not sure. My party hasn’t found the boss area for the Gothic City yet.”

“Damn it!”

Ioa placed her fingers to her lips and whistled. From nearby over a dozen figures appeared. “I was glad I asked them to hang around nearby.” She pulled her bow from her back then hopped over the rail to the ground below the box. “Stay here!”

Her party moved forward, quickly surrounding the man. He was almost as tall as Tez, but was thinner overall. That still made him quite tall. The boss hadn’t moved the entire time, making me feel like he wanted to be challenged. I dug my fingers into the rail of the judges’ box as I watched.

Chapter 16

Regan

I leaned back against the tree as I watched the fun taking place. Set held out an apple slice and I took a bite. At least the fruit didn’t taste too horrible in this world. As Wrath stood in the center of the arena being surrounded by Ioa’s party, I wished I had some popcorn.

“Is it that amusing, master?” Set asked slicing another apple for me.

“It’s not bad. Especially the drama we started with the marquis.” That had been interesting. I’d been wanting to get a closer look at the chain since the last time they came into my dungeon. I’d come to understand quite a few things since then. What I found interesting was that the curse was actively being caused by one of the people bound by the chain. Personally, I wanted to take them back to the dungeon even if it meant doing it by force, but that might have annoying problems that I still wasn’t quite able to deal with.

“I was surprised that he believed you so readily,” Raven commented. She was doing some practice swings next to the tree.

“It was mainly due to her reaction. The fact she acted like that meant there was a reason. The marquis is rumored to be one of the most intelligent men on the continent. I doubt he would miss something like that.”

There was a boom as the battle started. Wrath threw his weapon at one of Ioa’s party members. He only survived with the aid of the barrier mages that were still near the arena. Arrows streaked through the air from the five archers in the party. Most bounced off Wrath, but Ioa’s managed to make a mark.

I thought the battle would progress out of Wrath’s favor with the loss of his weapon, but that wasn’t the case. He slammed his hands on the ground forming a small crater around him and blasted through the air towards it. One of Ioa’s defenders moved to intercept Wrath, but that proved to be a horrible mistake.

Wrath quite literally tore through the man’s shield, sending the man’s body in one direction while the arm attached to the shield went flying in another in several pieces. Blood spraying over the arena accompanied his pain filled screams. The priests in the area rushed up onto the stage to pull the man off as a few barriers formed to protect them.

Wrath didn’t appear to care about them. He wrapped his hand around the handle of his sword and looked at the people surrounding him. His black cloak making him seem quite menacing.

“Doesn’t he get stronger when he gets angry?” Set asked.

“Yep. His base strength is quite nice.”

“Master Wrath might be getting angry soon,” Raven commented, pausing her sword practice.

“What do you mean?”

“I’ve been training with him. It’s almost the time he normally takes a nap,” she replied with a shrug.

“You’re kidding right?” I asked not really believing her. I knew that Wrath like to take naps, but I couldn’t believe that he had a set time for them. He wasn’t some child, actually, I guess he was only a few months old.

As if to prove Raven right, Wrath rubbed his face with his massive hand as he yawned. Several attacks from the surrounding people slammed into him at that exact moment, and he sent his glare out among the people. More adventurers were starting to gather that were returning from their break. They would soon overwhelm Wrath by their sheer numbers soon.

The mages in the area began pouring spells at Wrath. Fireballs, spikes of ice, wind blades, and all manner of other spells stabbed, sliced, and exploded into him. I didn’t think he’d be able to take much more, but I was wrong. With a roar, a black aura with a red outline wrapped around him as he grew a few sizes larger.

With an explosive step, he charged at the nearest adventurer. The man barely had time to blink before the sword cut him in half horizontally. Ioa’s party moved to counter him, but they didn’t get more than a pace or two before Wrath sliced another man then a woman in half in his rage. Each swing of his sword put a crater in the ground. Wrath had no technique to speak of, relying purely on brute force to overwhelm the adventurers.

“They will all be slaughtered,” Raven said with some excitement leaking into her tone.

“Then the dungeon will be likely upgraded in its threat level,” I retorted with a sigh.

Drawing my rapier, I dropped into the shadows of the trees. Just as Wrath was about to cut another adventurer in half, my blade appeared from the crack in the arena floor parrying the massive weapon. I emerged and cracked my neck like this was a walk in the park.

Wrath didn’t like that as he roared directly in my face. I grinned and got into a stance. Wrath responded by bringing his sword around over his head and attacking. I slid to the side easily dodging the attack by just a few centimeters. I began applying pressure on him by rapidly stabbing at his torso. He was as large as a house making him an easy target.

I had managed to stab at least ten times before he brought his sword around to swipe my legs from under me. Using the shadows, I was able to dodge behind him and resume my assault. Wrath roared in pain as my rapier pierced deep into his flesh. He twisted with enough force that his massive sword caused a small gust of wind but again I used the shadows to avoid it.

Appearing behind him, I went back to work on attacking when a new shadow joined us and Raven dropped from a jump that brought both her sword down on his right side. Large gashes opened from the attack. Wrath grew even angrier at the new opponent.

The fight lasted maybe thirty more seconds before Wrath’s injures grew too severe. The adventurers had managed to wound him quite a bit, but his minute-long rage would have decimated them. While there likely would have been survivors, it would help Earle’s position to intervene. Plus, Wrath would be recreated back in the dungeon, so I didn’t feel bad about killing him.

Wrath fell forward into a kneel breathing heavily. The adventurers nearby were creeping forward carefully, with Ioa in particular observing me as much as Wrath. I swung my rapier to clean it of the blood and sheathed it. “Raven. Finish him off.”

“Yes.” She took a deep breath then stabbed her sword into his eye and then deeper into his brain. I felt what constituted his soul rush back to the dungeon as his body collapsed to the arena stage. Cheers went up from everybody once the battle appeared to be over.

“Thank you, sir Earle for your timely assistance,” Ioa said. I could tell she wasn’t actually happy about my assistance from her tone, but the fact that I saved several lives by helping made her bite her tongue on any other comments she might have had.

“It was no problem. We’d defeated him before so we knew what we were dealing with,” I replied with a grin.

I spotted the countess as she ran over to the scene. “Is everyone alright?” she asked with concern.

“Yes, my lady. We only lost three people,” Ioa reported while I yawned and moved to leave.

“Wait! Sir Earle. I would like to talk to you if that would be alright,” the countess called before I could leave.

“What is it?” I asked feigning ignorance. I knew they had talked about hiring me as a guard. To be honest, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. For the most part, it felt like it would be a hassle.

She glanced at our surroundings and shook her head. “In private if possible, it is a business deal of sorts after all.”

“Fine. How about… tomorrow before the next set of matches. I’ll meet you at your manor, or would the townhall be better?”

“My manor will be fine. Then we’ll take tomorrow,” she answered. The countess gave a curtsy before moved to talk to the officials. It didn’t take long for them to call off the rest of the day’s matches. The arena was in pieces and while only three people died, there were quite a few injured in the sudden boss fight. Even with magic, it would take a few hours to repair all the damage.

Grabbing Raven and Set, we left heading for the town. I was getting tired of teleporting into the woods and then mingling with the crowds and it was bound to lead people to wonder where I was staying. Given what the countess wanted to hire me for, it would be better to have a place in the town that I could set up a teleport matrix.

“Is Wrath going to be okay?” Raven asked once the crowd around us had thinned considerably. She trained with him on occasion. It wasn’t a surprise they had bonded.

“He’ll be fine. Boss monster souls are eternal as long as the dungeon exists,” Set answered.

“A very nice system of the dungeon magic that I can get behind. Makes training people easier when they are immortal.” I chuckled at my own comment. When you could train someone until they literally died, then they would be more adapt at remembering the lessons.

While we walked, Julie appeared from an alley and joined us as we moved through the town. “Master.”

“Did you figure it out?”

“Yes. They have technically ordered me into Thonaca. I know where they are staying though and can lead you to them.”

I grinned, a bit of shadow leaking from my lips. “Shopping for a house will be put on hold then. Lead the way.” Time to make some friends.

Chapter 17

Helicilia

Tapping my finger on my desk, I listened to the man’s report. I couldn’t believe that my fiancé was staying in some backwater village. I had heard rumors that he loved to dive dungeons but when your engagement to one of the most beautiful women in Thonaca was due to be announced weren’t men usually happy to drop everything and rush over. I couldn’t understand the man.

“Did you get an estimate on how long he’d be there?” I asked with some annoyance.

“No, my lady. According to the report he sent his father, he plans to stay there for the foreseeable future.”

“He has some nerve making me wait!” I growled slamming my fist on the table. I didn’t have time to play these games. I wanted to sacrifice the man to gain his mana. “How about the other matter?”

The man gulped nervously. I couldn’t help but smirk at that. That was right, fear me. “Yes! Most of the low-tier necromancers we’ve sent in are still alive according to the Citadel, but none of them are responding to our messages. We’ve sent in a messenger.”

Tapping my finger again, I nodded. The Citadel possessed a fallen celestial. She kept track of the souls of all the necromancers in the following. If she said they were alive then they were alive. “Let me know what the messenger has to say when you hear something.”

“As you wish, mistress.” I nodded and motioned for him to leave.

Turning, I looked out the window at the grand city. Blue Whisper Port. A beautiful city of white marble. It appeared to be blessed by the goddess herself with the light that appeared to emanate from the surfaces of the buildings and streets. The people were dressed in wonderful clothing and appeared to live full lives filled with joy.

Lorded over by Valaravans Soas. Once the master of Ebonyfalls City, he used his wartime achievements with the undead in the north to earn a better location. Few knew about his true allegiances but that was how we liked it. As they said, the brighter the light, the deeper the shadows.

Valaravans had promised me his son’s hand in marriage. For him, everything was a tool to further his agenda, but I doubted even he would willing give up his son if he knew what we planned for him. Though given the rumors about it, it seemed almost a waste to simply sacrifice him. Maybe, I should enjoy him for a few weeks before hand. I couldn’t resist licking my lips at the thought.

~~~

“My lord. That’s inappropriate for the dinner table.” I covered my mouth with my hand as I laughed lightly.

“No. No. You and Val must make a son as soon as possible! This is only proper.” Lord Valaravans was a strongly built man. If I didn’t miss my mark, I felt he wanted to be king rather just a duke. Certainly, with the power he craved it wouldn’t be a surprise if that was his goal.

“Well. I don’t plan to argue, but these things are decided by the goddess,” I replied.

“Goddess,” he scuffed. “Just get in there and let my son plant his seed like a man. That’s what I say.”

I did my best to continue to smile. Lord Valaravans didn’t know the extent of my power among the necromancer following. Normally, I would have turned him into an undead several times over by now. Sadly, silence was our motto thus I had to bear with it.

“I will certainly let him know that is what you recommend,” I said after taking a few bites of my food.

He laughed before he looked at me with a serious eye. “My son is adamant about whatever he found in that valley. It might be faster for you to head up there yourself, Lady Helicilia.”

This time I couldn’t stop the scowl that graced my face. Me? Go to some mud stained village in the middle of nowhere. The thought was ridiculous to say the least. “I’m not sure that would be proper of me. Chasing after a man like that,” I said to try and dissuade the idea.

“Nonsense. He’s the one that’s making you wait. It would show that you actually care about this marriage. To all the parties involved,” Lord Valaravans said his tone changing from the jovial to deadly. I narrowed my eyes at the man but didn’t fail to notice the three dozen guards in the room with us. I could probably deal with them all, but Valaravans was a skilled warrior in the tier three range like me. It would be a risk.

Plus, it would undo years of work to infiltrate the Thonaca Kingdom. I made a tight smile. “I suppose you speak the truth. Then I will set out in the morning,” I said finally.

I mentally promised that once the continent belonged to me, I would personally stab this man through his eye socket. Needless to say, the rest of the dinner passed in silence.

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