Random Portals

“Hello.”

Steven whirled around to see a floating ball of pink-white light. Before Steven could even begin to understand what he was looking at, the light spoke again.

“Hello there, human. I am Silviaburlaxatrix. And you are Steven Odling from earth correct?”

Steven’s eyes bulged as he tried to understand what was happening. “okay, okay, just breathe. I’ve been killing zombies and skeletons and have been living with snake people for the last weeks, so why wouldn’t there be a ball of bright pink light talking to me?”

Steven got the sense the ball of light was confused but yet delighted at being called bright. He just didn’t understand how he got that impression as it was a ball of light, also how did it speak? Was this thing hostile? He felt it wasn’t… or maybe it was, and using soft colors to make him put his guard down.

“I am not a zombie or skeleton. In fact, I’m not a Dungeon monster at all.”

Steven blinked at the ball of light for a moment before he spoke.

“What are you exactly?” Steven asked. He wasn’t sure why he asked that first. He was more curious about how she knew he was from earth. It was a she right?

“I am a Wisp and I work for Dungeon Lord Sorin.”

“And who’s that?” Steven asked, still trying to come to terms with speaking with a ball of light.

“It’s the owner of this domain. Did you not even bother to learn the name of the Dungeon Lord before you challenged him for his domain?” The Wisp said in a stern voice.

Steven was starting to wonder if he could put this Wisp in his inventory if it attacked him when he understood what the Wisp had just said. “Wait! What do you mean by challenge him for his domain?”

The Wisp looked at Steven curiously, though he didn’t understand how he knew that.

“Do you not understand what you have done? What are you even doing here?”

Steven did, in fact, not know what he had done or what he was doing here exactly. When he entered he thought he was challenging a dungeon, not a Dungeon Lord. This could be bad! The Sorin fellow must be like a Dm, but surely he couldn’t have that much power. This wasn’t dungeons and dragons, or was it? Whatever the case, Steven didn’t want to get on the bad side of this guy.

“Is it normal for you earth humans to think this long before responding? I have things I would like to discuss with you, and there is not much time.” The Wisp said.

“I’m sorry. As for why I’m here.” Steven started.

“Never mind that now. You can tell me later if you survive. Now listen closely,” The Wisp said conspiratorially. “There are hidden paths that bypass each dungeon, boss. Once you get to the last floor, it will lead directly to the final boss room where the Elder demon is. He is normally asleep, and you can sneak up behind him and absorb him. Now listen carefully to get to the hidden path you must.”

The Wisp continued to talk quickly for the next several minutes, not letting Steven get a word in edge wise. Steven got the sense the Wisp was scared and when she finished giving him directions and a map, he found out why. Apparently, the Wisp didn’t much care for her current employer and was conspiring against him, or at least that’s what she wanted him to believe. She somehow got it in her head that he was some chosen one touched by the divine and would kill the Dungeon lord and absorb his domain. He did have the inventory ability that he got from Gideon, who was an angel, so it was sort of correct. She also wanted Steven to take her as his Wisp saying she would soul bond herself to him if he promised to spare her when he killed Dungeon Lord Sorin.

Steven tried to explain that he had only entered the dungeon to gain a few levels, but she didn’t let him speak, saying there was not much time. The Wisp didn’t stay long after she finished explaining how to get to the main boss, which was just through a bunch of hidden paths. The main thing he took away from the odd encounter was this Dungeon Lord Sorin was going to kill him for his domain if he didn’t kill him first. He wasn’t sure if he could trust the Wisp, but his gut told him he could.

Steven sat there, thinking for a long bit, before he looked down at the map in front of him. The map its self was quite detailed. It showed where the boss room was and the hidden path. Steven also realized how massive the first floor was. This floor seemed to go on far past what the map showed. He imagined he would have to move for it to show more. What really drew in his attention was the fading footsteps. Most had no name, but there were a few that did, and they were all labeled the same thing. Experimental Naga. He wasn’t sure if that was Sirus or if they were some sort of undead experiment. Steven quickly noticed the map only detailed the first floor. Though he had a suspicion it would change from floor to floor. He didn’t understand why the Wisp went about giving him directions if she was going to give him a map.

The Wisp had also mentioned an Elder demon on the tenth floor. Feeling over whelmed Steven pulled out his water pipe and didn’t put it away till he was completely out.

“What the hell. An Elder Demon?” How was he supposed to deal with that? “I can’t just absorb it, you know!” Steven said to the air. He wasn’t sure if the Wisp could hear him or not, but he didn’t care right now.

Wait, could this Dungeon Lord hear him? Did this map belong to the Dungeon lord? Did he have more? Was this Sorin the one that had been watching him? He had tons of questions, one of which was how did that Wisp know he was from earth?

If the Dungeon Lord was watching his every step, why had he not dealt with him yet?

If this Sorin wanted him dead, then why didn’t he just send undead to ambush him? Or get him while he slept. Unless he had rules he had to follow. If Steven could figure out those rules, then he could maybe use that against him. No, he had to work with what he had. First, how was he to deal with this Elder Demon on the tenth floor? That was another thing. There were apparently ten floors in this dungeon.

Steven had a map that would guide him in real time, but was that enough? He had skipped the first floor boss entirely by going through the hidden path. He could do that on every floor with this map. Well, he hoped. Though he could really use the essence from the bosses to level up before trying to fight this Elder Demon.

He needed Sirus’s help more than ever, with that guys help they could surely beat this Dungeon. But an Elder Demon… How strong was that and could Sirus and the others leave and come back? Maybe they would bring him food if he ran out. Then he could take his time and grind his way to the top. First things first, find out if these experimental Naga were who he thought they were.

Now that Steven had a map, he easily navigated the first floor. It showed every enemy in the Dungeon, or at least he hoped it showed the other floors. Surely it did. Pushing those thoughts aside for now, he continued. He easily snuck past the larger groups of zombies while collecting stranglers. The smaller groups he just sent all to inventory.

Steven was cautious as he got closer, afraid this was some sort of trap set by the Wisp. It was a bit too convenient that a Wisp just showed up, wanting to work with him to bring down the very dungeon he was trapped in. As he made his way through the dungeon, the map had been completely correct in every detail, so he could always hope for the best.

Steven made it just in time to watch several Naga in a line, entering through some sort of foggy barrier one at a time. It looked just as Steven imagined a fog wall to a boss would look like. He had never seen any of these Naga before. They definitely weren’t the teen Naga that entered the Dungeon with him and Sirus.

He was unsure if he should call out and break stealth or not. They could be a different tribe or something.

“What are you doing?”

Steven yelped and stumbled over from his crouch. Eyes wide with fear, until he recognized Sirus.

Jumping to his feet, he hugged the Naga before he even realized what he was doing. “Oh god! Am I happy to see you! I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

Sirus pushed Steven off him and looked at him with bemusement and irritation.

“We have also been searching for you. I have lots of questions, but first, let’s get out of this dungeon.”

Steven glanced at the fog wall.

“They are more than capable of handling the first floor boss on their own. I’m honestly surprised you have survived this long. Now, follow me.”

Steven did as Sirus asked and followed. As they walked, Sirus spoke up.

“Now explain to me where you have been and why you didn’t leave the dungeon?”

Steven stopped walking. “Umm, about that. So a lot has happened.”

“You can tell me as walk. The Elders are furious and wish to speak to you immediately.” Sirus said.

“Well, the thing is... The Dungeon won’t let me leave.”

Sirus stopped and turned with narrowed eyes. “The dungeon won’t let you leave? Explain!”

Steven did his best to explain. When he mentioned that this was a Domain, Sirus looked completely lost, so he didn’t bother with explaining that part in further detail, and just told him it wouldn’t let him leave till the dungeon was completed.

Steven also told him about the Wisp and what it wanted. Sirus had heard about Wisps and Dungeon Lords, but they were more of just legends and Sirus didn’t seem to believe him. Steven pulled out the map, but apparently it was just a blank page to Sirus. He did his best to explain what he saw, but Sirus quickly got tired of it.

“Look, I really need your help to survive this dungeon! I would be more than happy to leave! I’m tired of being trapped in here! We can try a different exit. Maybe the one you came in will work.”

Steven didn’t think so, but he would like to get out of this place and was willing to try anything. He was tired of sleeping on the ground and would like to take a bath. Not to mention he was now out of stuff to smoke. The pair made their way to the main entrance but after tying to leave, Steven received the same notification.

Would you like to relinquish your Domain to the Undead Dungeon Yes/No?

Note: Relinquishing your domain will turn you into an undead beholden to this Undead Dungeon.

Steven explained word for word what his notification read. But Sirus was confused as to what a notification even was. Steven had no idea how they survived without notifications. After a long while, Sirus spoke up.

“I am unsure what these notifications are, much less this Domain you speak of. It’s probably something the Wisp did to you, so you couldn’t leave. You didn’t agree to anything it said, did you?”

“No, I didn’t.” Steven wanted to explain he had received temporary ownership of a Domain as soon as he arrived, and then somehow gained full ownership of it or kinda. But decided against it. It’s not like any of these Naga would listen to him. Well, other than Eve, he missed Eve.

“No one has defeated this Dungeon before and if what you say is true and there is an Elder Demon on the final floor, I don’t think you will survive and I am not strong enough to take it on. I’m not sure anyone in my clan is.” Sirus was silent for a long while. So Steven spoke up.

“It looks like I will just have to level up and defeat the Dungeon myself then.” As Steven spoke, he thought he saw approval in Sirus’s eyes, but it was gone so fast he wasn’t sure if he imagined it.

“Could I get some more dark vision potions? And some food? I mean, since you can leave the dungeon.” Steven asked.

Sirus looked around slowly, as if he was looking for something. “This place should be crawling with zombies. Maybe since you’re trapped in here, then the Dungeon can’t create any new monsters.

Sirus smiled, which looked more threatening than anything else. “Yes, I can bring you some food and some dark vision potions.” Sirus reached into somewhere and pulled out two dark vision potions. “Do not drink too many potions or you may get sick. I will go speak to the Elders and see what they wish to do about your situation. If monsters can no longer spawn, we may have a chance at completing this dungeon. If everything you are saying is true,” Sirus turned to leave but looked back, “you seem stronger. What level are you? Does that talent of yours allow you to level in here?”

“Yes, I am now level six. It takes a lot of essence to level now.”

Sirus nearly laughed, or at least that’s what it seemed like to Steven. “It only gets harder. But it seems you are at least trying to level up.”

Steven wasn’t sure if that was a compliment or not. But since it was coming from Sirus, he supposed he would take it. It wasn’t long before the Naga came out of the fog wall. Sirus went over and spoke to them in hushed tones and then the group of five left the dungeon while giving Steven odd looks. Sirus told him to wait here and he would be back. So Steven just sat at the entrance, waiting.

Steven was getting antsy. He couldn’t just sit here and wait like Sirus asked. He could be leveling or at least scopeing out the first floor. Now that he was paying attention, he had seen no zombies in the places he had cleared. Maybe the zombies couldn’t respawn till he left the Dungeon, like Sirus said. If that was the case, it was his duty to kill every zombie on this floor. It would be nice to know he had an entire floor to himself. Now that he had the map, he could know for sure that every Dungeon monster was dealt with on this floor. But first, he needed to check something.

Steven went back to the second floor and opened the map. At first it turned completely blank and Steven feared it only worked on the first floor. He had forgotten basically all the directions the Wisp gave him, and he started to panic. Fortunately, the map slowly faded into view.

After the mini heart attack he was having faded, he went back to the first floor to do some housecleaning while he waited for Sirus. As long as he kept an eye on the map, he would know when Sirus came back.

Sirus took a deep breath before reaching for the door. He wasn’t looking forward to giving the Elders even more bad news about Steven, but this was his duty. Walking into the house of Elders, he was happy that only two of the Elders were present at the moment. Though he was curious where the others were but he quickly turned his attention to Elder Vasuki as he spoke.

“What news do you have of Shirem?”

Sirus did his best to recall every detail and especially the part about Steven and the Domain. As he did, Sirus seen Elder Vasuki’s eyes widened, and he took on a thoughtful expression. He had never seen even the hint of surprise on the Elder’s face before. And he couldn’t help but ask what a Domain was.

“Remember your place Sirus! Do not question your Elders.” Elder Kiras said.

“It is quite alright. It is best that Captain Sirus knows.” Elder Vasuki said. “A Domain is something of a legend and only the truly talented can possess a Domain. It is said there is a curse tied to the Domain something to do with the trial of Gods, but I don’t know much about it or if there is anything to it. I am still unsure how Shirem obtained one. Maybe it has something to do with his loss of levels and memory.”

Sirus was not convinced, he was almost certain this Steven was exactly who he said he was, but he would not question the Elders. “And what would you like to do about his situation?”

“We will support him. Bring him supplies. He will level quickly or die. Having the ability to level without the Seeing Stone is a great boon,” Elder Vasuki said.

After receiving his orders Sirus then went to gather supplies for Steven. As he left, he heard Elder Kiras speak, his voice fearful.

“Do you think the gods are at play here?”

Eve had finally gathered up everything she thought she would need. It had taken her much longer than she thought to finish up her potions.

She felt terrible for stealing. No barreling the bag of holding from Goskia’s shop. But she would give it back to him. Her bag only held herbs and alchemist related items. She needed food and other supplies for the Dungeon and she did not know how long it would take to find him. And now was her chance. She had seen Captain Sirus come back, so she should be able to sneak into the dungeon.

She had never been in the dungeon and was not a fan of the undead. But she had to help Shirem. The thought of him already dead sent shivers down her spine. She wasn’t sure life would be worth living if he weren’t alive. She didn’t care one bit he was stuck in human form. Or that he lost his memories. That just meant she could start over and the past didn’t matter. The thought of them coupling and having hatchlings made her smile. Their time together had been great. She was getting to see a side of him she didn’t know existed, and she had to admit she was very much liking it. Was it wrong if she wished he never regained his memories? After all, he seemed much more interested in her now.