Dungeon Robotics 144 & 145

Evening Everyone! Hope the week has been good for everyone! 

Chapter 35 (144)

Louella

Alara moved me through her dungeon much like Regan, only she was less… delicate with her teleporting. When we reached the floor, I felt like I needed to empty my stomach which was the first time I’d felt like that in months. Regan was a perfectionist after all and had quickly improved his teleporting skills.

Once my queasiness went away, I took in the sight around me. There was village in the distance that was surrounded by a few farms and vineyards, though most of those looked unused. Only one showed any color. I noticed people moving about, but there was a sense of wrongness that profused through the town. Like they weren’t sure what they were supposed to be doing, or they were trying to fake it.

Alara grabbed my hand and pulled me over towards the vineyard. A small house sat to the side that looked like someone had attempted to clean it but gave up halfway through the process. When we were a couple paces from the house, Alara released my hand. 

“Wait here. She is skittish.”

Alara made her way into the building and I heard another girl’s voice, even at the barely the level of a whisper that she was talking. 

“Alara. What is it?” a girl said tensely. 

The question was simple, but something told me that it took the girl a great deal of effort to say it. The voice sounded adult, but the tone was more in line with that of a child. 

“I brought someone to meet you.”

“Is it… Lord Re… Reg… Regan?” asked the girl. She seemed to have trouble saying Regan’s name. I think the main reason she asked was Alara likely talked a lot about him. 

“No.” Alara poked her head out of one of the windows and waved for me.

I moved into the room, where I found a fox-kin that was wearing rags of leather armor. I didn’t fail to notice the unholy taint coming from her. I knew about Regan’s beast-kin colony in his dungeon. This must be something similar. The girl instantly hid behind Alara.

Stopping just inside the door, I kneeled so I was lower than her. Not sure if it would matter much. “Hello.”

“H… Hi.”

I turned my gaze to Alara. “I’m not sure how much help I’ll be. Regan has Ren for his dungeon’s beast-kin village.”

“I know. I mainly wanted you to meet Minna. That and I was going to see if I should separate the three tribes that are on this floor. I’m just not sure if it will help much.”

“I see.” I tried to think how I would handle it. Separating the various tribes is certainly one route she could go. She would be required to spread her attention across various floors to make sure they didn’t get into trouble. With them all concentrated on one floor she didn’t have to worry about that.

Spreading my senses around, I could tell that this floor was essentially safe for mortals. That likely couldn’t be said about the rest of the dungeon. Not only would she have to either convert three floors to nearly safe havens. She would need to worry about the corrupted beast-kin wandering into floors where they couldn’t protect themselves.

While I thought about the problem, one of the sun spirits flew over to Minna. Thankfully, the beast-kin wasn’t scared of her. The sun spirit landed on her head between her fox ears and there was a surge of mana as the room lit up. I jumped up worried about the spirit and Mina, but as I watched all the taint vanished from the girl. 

“What? What is going on? Where am I?” Minna asked, her voice and eye looking around with much clearer.

“Minna?! Are you alright?” Alara asked.

“Alara? Everything is so… hazy. I feel like a veil was placed over my eyes from a young age and I had to constantly fight to peer through it.”

The sun spirit flew back over to me. “What did you do? Are you okay?” I got an image of her taking the tainted mana and replacing it with some of her own. She then moved the tainted mana out into the dungeon as she knew the dungeon was skilled at cleansing it. “Alara. Are you okay getting a burst of tainted mana like that?”

She looked at me then closed her eyes. “Yes. It was barely noticeable at a single person’s level.”

“That’s good. Wouldn’t want you getting corrupted in the process.”

Minna suddenly started crying and pulled herself into a ball. “Minna! What’s wrong?” Alara asked. I was glad that she was taking an interest in other mortals and of her own initiative.

“The memories of my parents’ deaths. So many people died to the undead in the north.”

“Yes. What has happened up here has been more than a tragedy. It is hard to even put words to it,” I commented. 

“At least you are still alive. Regan has taught me to look toward the future,” Alara said and I nodded in agreement.

“My brother escaped with me. He might still be alive.”

“You are the only fox-kin here, but my Regan has nearly a city of beast-kin in his dungeon. There is a chance he was taken there.”

Minna smiled as some hope filled her eyes. “If you’ll escuse me Lady Alara, I am feeling rather tired.”

“You can keep calling me Alara.”

Minna bobbed her head then laid in her bed as Alara and I went outside. “At least we have a solution to some of your problem. If they regain their minds they will be a lot easier to work with.”

“I agree, but I’m going to hold off until I talk to Regan. Don’t let you spirits do that anymore,” Alara said looking serious.

“Why? Isn’t it better for them to get there minds back?” I asked not seeing the issue.

Alara looked around before she teleported us back to her core room. “I didn’t want to say anything where she could hear us. I’m not sure the exact reason but Minna became one of my dungeon monsters during the exchange of mana. I’m not sure how many of you mortals would appreciate that happening without their knowledge.”

“Okay, yeah. That could cause more than a little resentment in a few mortals.” I turned to the spirits and sent a clear ‘don’t do that without permission again’ message. “Is there anything else you want me to help with?”

“Any suggestions?”

“I figure you’re giving them housing since the village was there, and I would hope that included food.”

“They like to hunt.”

“I see. Clothing would probably be a good idea. Just from Minna’s appearance, she looked pretty bad off.”

“I didn’t know what to create.”

“Given the state of their minds, I assume as long as its better than the rags they’re wearing they won’t have too much to complain about, and even if they did. It is not your responsibility to make them happy. Just give them the resources to stay alive.”

“You have a point.”

I spent the next few hours helping Alara understand what little I knew about governing. Of course, all the knowledge I had was geared toward rational thinking mortals and humans. Beast-kin had certain traits that required special attention, but I wouldn’t be much help in that regard.

“Thank you. This will help out a lot in the future. The necromancers didn’t exactly have a light hand when it came to their idea of governing. There was a reason most of the people in my dungeon were undead.”

“I’m just glad I was able to help.”

“I guess I should send you back…” Alara stopped mid word as she peered off seemingly at random. Her face slowly transformed into what I thought a demon’s might look. I was several times more powerful than her now, but I still backed away a few steps.

“Are you alright?”

She didn’t answer. She jerked forward and grabbed my hand before teleporting us. The next moment I found myself in Regan’s floating island floor. I’d only seen it once through the hole between the floors that Nova made back when Morka attacked Regan’s dungeon. 

It didn’t take me long to spot what must have caused Alara’s mood swing. Regan stood a few paces in front of us with a woman that seemed to be painted red. From the back, she had two massive wings a large tail and several horns that arced back along the top of her head. She was latched onto his arm with it pinned between two large breasts that made even me jealous and I was relatively comfortable with my chest size. 

I glanced to Alara and found almost physical rage coming from her. “Regan! Fancy meeting you here,” I said before something bad happened.

He turned and I was glad that he immediately saw through Alara’s mood. He pulled away from the red woman and moved over to us. “Alara. Louella. Glad you could join us. We have a bit of a show to watch.” He looked like he wanted to say more, but nothing would come out of his mouth. I don’t think I’d ever seen Regan so flustered before. Alara just continued to glare between him and the woman. 

“Show?” I asked when Alara didn’t say anything.

A shadow zoomed over us and I found Nova and Morka circling above us as they slowly made their way down. With a boom, they landed. Nova and Morka both appeared to have gotten stronger since the last time I saw them. I just hoped Regan had something in place in case Morka tried anything should she grow more powerful.

“Nova! You remember what I talked to you about a while ago?” Regan asked turning to the blindingly shiny dragon. 

“Yes, father. Is this the woman?” Nova asked turning to the red woman. 

“Sure is.”

The red woman walked over and took in Nova. “Husband. Is this the son you told me about? He could barely be counted a teenager back home.”

I looked at Regan in surprise at the way she addressed him. What exactly has he been doing out there?

“We had a deal, Soza. You have to fight him, or your pact is null and void.”

“Oh, very well!” There was an outpouring of heat as flames washed around her. The flames didn’t bother me though and I was able to watch as her body shifted from that of an elf with a few dragon features to a full-blown dragon. She nearly dwarfed Nova by several meters and the power radiating off her was severalfold stronger than his as well.

“I am one of the greatest of father’s children. Just because you are a bit bigger doesn’t mean I will lose!” Nova roared.

“Feel free to have your mate help you, child.” Soza said with a yawn before she took to the air and moved off away. 

“Are you sure its safe for them to be fighting inside your dungeon?” I asked Regan, worrying the damage might spill outside.

“I’ve already reinforced everything and moved anyone that might be at risk. I’m more worried about Nova. He’s completely outmatched.” 

“Can’t you, I don’t know, boost his mana like you did when Morka attacked?” 

“I offered, but he’s more stubborn than I’d expected. Claimed it would be disrespectful to the dragon ways.”

“Ah. Yeah, dragons are pretty bad about their honor.”

Regan gave me a glare and I just looked away and started whistling. 

The two dragons stared each other down before they both released their breath at the same time. Soza’s flames completely eclipsed Nova’s beam of light, but that didn’t stop it from priecing through like a sword. Nova’s attack hit Soza in the flank, while Soza’s caused several of Nova’s metal plates to metal.

That was only the opening. They charged each other with Nova using his smaller size to his advantage to dodge the bigger Soza. He brought his claws up as she flew under her showering the area in sparks as it was metal on metal. Soza responded by bringing around her tail and sending Nova flying with a solid hit that dented part of his body.

“Is that the best you have!?” Soza roared, causing the air to shake.

“Not even close!” Nova roared back. 

They both began pouring mana as Soza went for another flame breath, and every part of Nova’s body began to glow brighter and brighter. Soon, the entire area was dyed white there was so much light. I could hear explosions and horrendous metal tearing as the two continued to duke it out. 

There was a flash in the already brighter than day light filled area and Regan jumped in front of us. A beam of light sliced through the island we stood on. It would have sliced it clean in half if it weren’t for Regan’s barrier. 

The light started to faded shortly before there was two loud bangs from either side of the island. Looking towards the left first, I saw Nova leaking a strange golden liquid much like blood. He appeared heavily injured and was even missing one of his arms.

Turning to the right, I found Soza in much better shape but breathing heavily. She was only missing a few scale from the looks of it. At this rate, she was going to win. 

“I must say, husband. Your son has more than a shiny shell.”

“Nova hasn’t lost yet!” Alara shouted before Regan could say anything.

“Exactly,” Nova said but he sounded exhausted.

“If you wish to continue then we shall,” Soza roared. Flames causing the ground to melt around her. 

“Wait!” Regan shouted holding his hand up. I looked at him curiously but then noticed that the walls in the distance seemed to be shaking. Regan looked down. “So. He brings the fight to me then.”

Regan 

“Sorry, but we’re going to have to put this fight on hold. I have a bit more pressing matters to deal with.”

“What is it, my love?” Alara asked worriedly.

“It would appear that Glourios got tired of waiting. He has brought the fight to me.” 

I focused on the western entrance to my Beneath city. It had been turned into an ocean of flame and fire. Flames shaped as every beast and man imaginable raged at the barrier. The shockwaves were resounding through the dungeon and it wouldn’t hold long.

“I’ll go with you. I have a bone to pick with him,” Louella said.

“I’m not enthusiastic about fire but, I’ll help as well!” Alara said. She grabbed my hand and I smiled at her. I was almost glad for this interruption since it seemed to distract her. She suddenly pulled me down and put her mouth next to my ear. “We’ll deal with this when we’re done.”

I coughed then smiled. “Yes dear.”

I healed the two dragons with a quick surge of mana then moved the group down to the Beneath city. The others wouldn’t be able to see it, but the western wall was close to collapsing with cracks running through it like a spiderweb. I closed my eyes and concentrated throughout my entirety. I pulled all the people that I thought would be able to help in the coming battle as well as my forces. 

As all the figures formed around me, I realized that I had quite a few helpers now. Some of them I never would have expected to work with when I first came to this world, like the necromancers Julie and Wrakras. Not that they’re necromancers anymore, of course. Strange how things went in life.

Then there were my bosses I’d created that sort of never filled that role. Vetur, Anubis, Nova, as well as Puppet and the party. The captains of my fleets: Liz, Wilson, Spare, Benjamin, and Jarvis. I was proud at how strong they had all become over the months. This would be a real test of their strength though.

My followers, Izora and her people. I could feel my link with them as they worshipped me. I would have to do my best to protect them. I had considered grabbing Valamar, but I felt it was better to leave him with his soon to be due bride. And lastly, there was an array of other people that had all earned my respect for their prowess. 

“I’m glad you all could join me on short notice. I am about to have some guests. Needless to say, they’re not welcome.” I looked around at the gathered people. “I could not ask for better people to stand against a threat to our lives and safety. This will be our toughest fight yet, but I know that together we can overcome the challenge.”

Waving my hand, my fleet started appearing above us. Some of the ships were still damaged, but they could still help during the fight. The embodying sight of ships was what I was going for though. It might not be as impressive as it was the other night over the valley, but it still possessed a strength that was undeniable.

“Anything for you, master!” Julie shouted and drew a glare from Alara, Izora, Soza, and even Louella.

I cleared my throat as a bang sounded out from the west wall. The fissures along the surface of the wall and ceiling spread further. It wouldn’t be long before they managed to break through. Given that the material I found when I reached the world barrier when expanding my dungeon was reinforcing it, that meant the force coming against us was quite powerful. 

“I have come to enjoy and love this world. Those that seek to destroy it must be stopped!” I looked at the gathered crowd making sure to look each in the eyes. “Let us show them that which is good will not be walked over.”

A cheer resounded from everyone gathered. The gnomes, goblins, and automata that worshipped me were particularly strong in their vocalization. I held my hand out to form a new weapon as my staff was now part of the moon. I decided to go with a sword since that had always struck me as a kingly weapon.

A golden hilt formed followed by a blade made from crystal. It was mana made physical in the sense that it took the traits of no particular material. I had wanted to test the formation of something like this, and now seemed to be as good a time as any. Adherent mana radiated from it making everyone look at it in awe.

“We go to war!” I shouted, thrusting the blade into the air.

At that moment, there was another bang before chunks from the wall started collapsing. The heat in the country sized cavern spiked to levels that most mortals would not be able to survive. I tightened my grip on my new sword and swung it in an arc around me. A wave of cool washed against the heat wave and a decent storm started to form where the two forces met.

In the distance, a giant made of flames made his way into the cavern. She locked her gaze on us in less than a second. “My master sends his regards. To the puny mortals that would harbor ideas of stopping his grand plans. He sends me, Frusoga, to punish you.” She held her hand out and a battle-axe made from what appeared to be magma formed as a massive army arrayed itself around her.

I took to the air as I returned my avatar to its normal size of roughly five meters. While it still paled in comparison to the giant, it allowed my aura already dense from being in my dungeon to wash over everything in sight. “Lady giant. Your master is a fool to think such a paltry force can stop me.”

She snorted before she grinned like I was an idiot. “We will see. Also, my master brings sends a message to the one that snubbed his gift. You cannot run forever, and you will be back to my side.” She glared towards us before she leveled her giant battle-axe at me then roared. The enemy force instantaneously began to charge as one. 

“We certainly shall.” I swung my sword and pointed at the enemy force. The four dozen ships all directed their weapons towards the flaming monsters and began firing their weapons. 

The fields in front of my gathered forces were torn apart by the barrage. If it had been a mortal army, they would have likely been decimated already. I frowned at the less than optimal result of the first barrage, but given what we were fighting, it wasn’t too bad. 

The heat-based weapons such as plasma didn’t have any affect, so we switched those off to avoid power drainage. The physical rounds caused some damage to the enemy ranks, but as they were made from fire, if they weren’t killed instantly, that would reform from the damage. The most effective were my magic-enhanced weapons that fired rounds that froze the area around their impacts, but even that wasn’t as affective as I’d hoped.

“Looks like this isn’t going to be a walk in the park,” Louella commented. With her senses she could see much better than the others and thus was able to see the effects so far.

“To be fair, I think most of my battles have been almost too easy so far,” I replied. 

She just raised her eyebrow but kept her opinion to herself. “Well? What’s the plan?”

“I’ll handle our giant guest. Vetur. You’ll probably be one of the most effective. I want you and Anubis to handle the east flank. Izora. Take Puppet and the others to the west.” I had some of the others join each party. Then divided up the armies so there was a good mix of all the races present. They would be able to support each other should something happen.

The goblins and their mechs were a great force on the frontlines, while their gnome counterparts were great a support magic and aid. The automata were a jack-of-all-trades, but would fulfill their assigned mission until the end, making them less likely to adapt to the situation. 

Alara grabbed my hand. “And me?”

I smiled and returned the squeeze. “While I honestly want you to sit out the battle, that likely isn’t going to happen. I’m going to give you some mana, so recreate your toy from our battle. You’ll have to change it up to use something other than undead of course.”

“I can do that.”

“Louella and Soza. I want you two to assist where needed. The two of you have the greatest mobility, after all.”

“Got it, Regan.” 

“Anything for you, husband.”

They leapt into the air and seemed to spilt it amongst themselves. I turned to the remaining people. “Nova. Hang back and continue to recover your mana. We may need a pinch hitter should things go sideways. You too, Morka.”

Nova growled obviously displeased about being put on the bench, but I didn’t want him charging to his death. He was a son to me after all. I handed out a few more tasks before the gathered people only consisted of me a few others as well as the adventurers that helped Louella reach my city. 

“What do you three intend to do?”

“I will assist. Lady Louella owes me a date after all.”

Yuno looked between Nero and me then to his sister. “I’m sorry, but we’re going to sit this one out. My sister is still recovering, and I won’t be able to fight while worrying about her.”

“Fair enough.”

“Duilin, Julie, Wrakras. You’re with me.”

~~

At the edge of the storm, the two armies faced each other after they came to a standstill. The ships had done what they could, but the effect was dismal. The reason; more flames fueled this army continued to pour in from the entrance they had breached. The dungeon couldn’t repair the damage as the flames continuously melted the stone around the breach. It hadn’t even been a few minutes, but I feared this battle could be quite long if we didn’t deal with the source.

“Are you sure you want to fight? I could take you in as a refugee if you want,” I said to the giant.

“Words will not save you. So, I suggest you stow it,” she replied.

“Very well.” Lightning flashed as thunder ripped through the air. A raging wildfire versus the men and women that planned to put it down. “Let it begin!” With a thrust of my sword, a piercing blue light lanced across the distance and struck the giant in the chest. The flaming magma that made up that part started to freeze but quickly halted. It served its purpose though as my forces began charging. With a swish, I accelerated towards the giant with the other three on my tail. 

For a creature that was well over thirty meters tall, she could move quickly. Frusoga brought her battle-axe around in a blink of an eye. I parried but was sent flying, I managed to correctly myself after a few hundred meters. Duilin charged in, reminding me of Thor from Earth legends, of course, that was how I designed his body. He brought his hammer down on the Frusoga’s weapon and lightning exploded out from him.

Julie and Wrakras actually managed to work together to form for sort of black sphere that ate at the flames as it streaked towards Frusoga. She stretched out her hand and it expanded to wrap around the sphere. With a grunt, she crushed it with ease. “Pathetic.”