Sera - A Dungeon Revival LitRPG

Sera made her way through the winding corridors of the underground. The damp, cool air clung to her skin, and the faint echo of her footsteps bounced off the stone walls. As she approached the old bar on the lower level, the low murmur of voices faded away, leaving an expectant silence.

Pushing open the creaky wooden door, Sera stepped inside. The bar was empty this time, devoid of its usual patrons. The rough-hewn table at the center of the room was marred with scratches and gouges while shelves lined the walls, filled with dusty bottles, their labels faded but still legible. The air was thick with the scent of aged wood and faint traces of stale ale, evoking a sense of nostalgia rather than neglect.

Aermo and Alpa sat close together at the central table, heads bent in earnest conversation. Aermo's ears twitched as he listened intently, his eyes fixed on Alpa's expressive face. Her long black hair fell like a curtain, partially obscuring her features but failing to hide the intensity of her words.

When Sera moved closer, Aermo's ears perked up even more. His eyes lit up as he waved her over with a broad smile. "Boss, over here!"

Sera returned his wave with a smile of her own. She pulled out a chair, the wooden legs scraping softly against the floor, and sat down with an ease that belied her usual command. "How are you two holding up?"

Alpa chuckled softly. "Better now that we're together."

Sera leaned back in her chair, studying Alpa with a keen eye. "You've had quite the journey then. What have your experiences been like with the Black Eagles?"

Alpa sighed, running a hand through her hair. "They’re a ruthless bunch. I… don't really want to talk about it if I'm honest."

"That's fair enough, apologies for asking."

"No, it's fine."

For a moment, an awkward silence swept through the table. But eventually, Alpa looked at Sera, with eyes filled with hope and uncertainty. "You know, I'm curious, what are you planning to do now that you’re the boss of the Black Eagles?"

Sera's expression hardened slightly, jaw tightening as she spoke. "In truth, I don't plan on changing too much."

Yet, when she saw the flicker of disappointment in Aermo's and Alpa's eyes, a subtle drooping of their shoulders and a brief, shared look of unease. She pivoted her words immediately, "But I will at least put a stop to the Black Eagles hurting beastkin. That much I can promise."

Aermo's ears twitched, and he exchanged a glance with Alpa, whose tense posture softened. "If that's the case, what's your ultimate goal?"

Sera leaned back, fingers lightly tracing the edge of the rough-hewn table. "You might not believe me until you reach my dungeon. It's... different from what you might expect."

Aermo nodded. "It's best if you see it for yourself. The Boss's dungeon is definitely very unique."

But soon, their conversation was abruptly interrupted by the sound of heavy footsteps. The rhythmic thud grew louder, and a burly man with a thick mustache emerged from the shadows. He approached Sera with a slight bow, respect evident in his demeanor. "The carriage and wagon filled with prisoners are ready, Boss,"

Sera thanked the Black Eagle member with a curt nod. "Thank you. You're dismissed."

The man bowed again before turning and walking away, his heavy footsteps echoing down the corridor. Then, Sera turned her attention back to Aermo and Alpa. "Apologies, but I need you both to wait a bit longer while I finish a few things."

Aermo and Alpa exchanged glances, but nodded in understanding. The lines of tension on their faces eased slightly. Sera gave them a reassuring smile before turning towards the exit and making her way outside.

She walked to a quiet corner, a secluded nook filled with disused crates and barrels stacked haphazardly. Sera paused, closing her eyes and steadying her breath. She focused her thoughts solely on summoning Zoha, pushing away all other distractions.

The air around her shifted as a buzzing sound filled the air. A moment later, Zoha materialized, her form emerging gracefully from the shimmering air. The demoness stood tall and elegant, eyes gleaming with curiosity and a hint of mischief as they settled on Sera. "Mistress," Zoha said, bowing her head slightly in deference.

"Zoha, I need you to speak with Kiran and tell him to keep an eye on the Black Eagles. Once you've done that, return to the dungeon immediately." Sera instructed.

The demoness nodded at first, but a flicker of hesitation crossed her features. Her brow furrowed slightly as she looked at Sera. "Understood, but do you really trust the Black Eagles, Mistress?"

"Not entirely, but I don't think they'll be a problem for now."

After a brief pause, Zoha nodded again. "Understood, Mistress." With that, she dissolved into a swarm of flies. The transformation was seamless, the edges of her silhouette blurring as the tiny creatures emerged and then dispersed into the shadows with a soft, buzzing hum.

Sera watched until the last of the flies vanished, leaving the air still and silent once more. After gathering her thoughts, she turned and made her way back to the bar.

After pushing open the doors, Sera's eyes immediately found Aermo and Alpa's table. Stepping forward, her bare feet made soft, almost silent contact with the cool wooden floor as she approached their table and called out to the couple. "Are you two ready to leave?"

"I'm good to go." Alpa said.

But Aermo suddenly slapped his forehead. "Shit, how could I forget about Faye?"

Alpa turned to Aermo, evidently surprised. "Faye? How is she even here? Is she okay?"

"She was probably supposed to be taken here with the rest of us, but... she's now roaming the slums on her own."

"Aermo, how could you leave a little girl alone in a place like this?"

Before Aermo could respond, Sera raised a hand. "I made sure the girl's safe, but you're both free to fetch her before we head to the dungeon."

***

Sera stepped off the carriage, her eyes scanning the familiar surroundings near the forest edge that concealed her dungeon’s entrance. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows through the towering trees, their leaves rustling gently in the breeze. The air was thick with the earthy scent of pine and damp soil, a stark contrast to the underground labyrinth they had just left.

Behind her, Aermo descended from the carriage, his strong arms reaching up to help Alpa down. Alpa's eyes met his with a soft smile of gratitude before she turned to lift Faye from the carriage. The young girl, with her bright eyes and uncontained energy, bounded to the ground with a grin.

“Thanks, Uncle Aermo!” Faye chirped, her excitement palpable as she glanced around the forest.

Aermo chuckled, his ears twitching. “No problem, Faye. Enjoying the view?”

Faye nodded vigorously. “It’s beautiful! Auntie Alpa, do you think there are fairies in these woods?”

Alpa ruffled Faye’s hair affectionately. “Maybe, Faye. This forest has a lot of secrets. You never know what you might find.”

Faye’s eyes widened with wonder. “I hope we see one! Uncle Aermo, do you think we will?”

Aermo laughed softly. “Maybe, but remember, we’re here to get you to safety first. Exploring can come later.”

Their banter was interrupted by the rhythmic clatter of hooves against the gravel road, announcing the arrival of another horse-drawn wagon. The wooden wheels creaked under the weight of the captured adventurers, each one bound and looking resigned to their fate. The wagon drew to a halt, and the coachman tipped his hat to Sera, his expression weary but respectful.

A few members of the Black Eagles moved out as they escorted the adventurers out of the wagon. The prisoners were lined up, eyes darting around trying to understand what exactly was going on.

After thanking and then dismissing the coachman, Sera turned to the Black Eagle members nearby. "Help escort the prisoners and follow me."

The Black Eagles nodded before falling into step behind her. Sera led the group onward while Aermo and Alpa flanked her, while Faye ran and skipped beside them.

As they approached the entrance of Sera's dungeon, Alpa's eyes widened in astonishment as she saw the thick roots that blocked the way. She couldn't help but voice her surprise. "I've definitely never seen anything like this before," she said, reaching out tentatively to touch the roots.

Faye mimicked Alpa's actions, her small hands exploring the texture of the roots. "Why are they so big?"

Sera glanced at them both. "Once we're inside, you'll have plenty of time to explore. For now, let's head in."

As if responding to her words, the roots began to shift and unfurl, gradually receding to reveal the entrance. Sera led the group deeper into the dungeon, the air growing cooler and the light dimming as they ventured further into the labyrinthine passages.

After several twists and turns, they reached a familiar magic circle etched into the ground. Sera turned to the Black Eagles again. "Take the prisoners and step into the circle first."

The Black Eagles bowed their heads lightly before guiding the captives into the magic circle. The adventurers, though bound and subdued, couldn't conceal their curiosity and trepidation as their eyes darted around the chamber, wide with uncertainty and fear.

Sera then faced Aermo. "I'll go ahead first. You're free to show Alpa and Faye around if you wish."

"Got it, Boss." Aermo said.

With a final nod, Sera stepped into the circle. The moment her bare foot touched the center, the runes flared brightly, illuminating the chamber with a dazzling light. In an instant, she, the Black Eagles, and the prisoners were enveloped in a flash of light.

Once they arrived at the mystic forest, Sera guided the group through the dense foliage as they moved to the entrance to the Spirit Tree's chamber, still covered in thick, gnarled roots that twisted and intertwined. Sera took a deep breath before taking a step forward.

The roots sensed her presence and pared away slowly, recognizing her authority. They twisted and unfurled, revealing glimpses of the chamber within.

Sera stepped forward, feeling the cool, smooth ground beneath her bare feet. Each step echoed softly in the hushed chamber, the air thick with an ancient, almost tangible power. She paused just inside the entrance, turning back to face the Black Eagles. "Escort the prisoners inside, one by one, now."

The Black Eagles responded with a unified nod. One by one, the prisoners went into the Spirit Tree's chamber, each of them flinching slightly as the roots whispered shut behind them with a soft rustling sound. Once the last prisoner had been ushered into the chamber and the roots had closed behind them, Sera addressed the Black Eagles once more. "Keep watch."

The Black Eagles responded affirmatively as they spread out to form a loose semi-circle around the prisoners. Their postures were alert, ready to react to any potential threat. The prisoners, though subdued, couldn't help but cast furtive glances around the chamber, the weight of their new surroundings settling heavily upon them.

Sera approached the first prisoner and placed a hand on the back of his neck. The prisoner flinched, but before he could react further, a wave of frost spread from Sera's touch, freezing his neck solid. His eyes widened in terror, his last breath visible in the cold air before he fell lifeless to the ground.

The Black Eagles exchanged uneasy glances, their initial confidence giving way to a growing sense of dread. Sera moved to the next prisoner, repeating the process with the same ruthless efficiency.

As she continued, the Black Eagle members grew more and more nervous, their discomfort palpable. They shifted on their feet, their eyes flickering between Sera and the increasingly large number of frozen bodies. Still, none of them dared to say anything.

When Sera was finished with the last prisoner, she turned to the Black Eagles. "Thank you for your assistance. You may wait outside."

The Black Eagles nodded quickly and retreated into the forest, their faces pale and tense. Sera watched them go until they were out of sight.

Now, Sera stood alone before the Spirit Tree. She slowly turned to face it, tracing the patterns etched into its trunk. The air around her felt heavy, as though the forest itself held its breath in anticipation. The roots of the tree beneath her feet pulsed faintly, a slow, rhythmic throb that responded to her presence like a heartbeat just beneath the surface.

She took a deep breath as she recalled Amaryllis's words about the Spirit Tree. Sera tried to clear her mind, repeating a mantra in the hopes it will become her shield for what was to come: Empty my mind, stay calm, everything will be fine.

Her jaw tightened as she forced herself to relax, though every fiber of her being screamed to flee. The tension in her muscles was almost unbearable. Her breaths were measured and painfully slow, it was her way of fighting against the anxiety that threatened to overwhelm her.

When her mind steadied, her antlers began to grow once more, dark and ominous as they sprouted from her forehead. The Spirit Tree’s roots responded in kind, slowly creeping up her back with an almost tender touch.

At first, the sensation was soothing, comforting and warm. The roots pulsed with an energy that was both familiar and reassuring, syncing seamlessly with her own heartbeat. For a brief moment, she allowed herself to believe that everything would be alright.

But that moment was fleeting.

A sharp, electric jolt surged through her, cutting through the calm like a blade. The Spirit Tree’s notification echoed in her mind, cold and clinical:

Administrator corruption detected, probe initiated.

Her eyes shot open as a searing pain exploded from the point where the roots intertwined with her spine. It was as if molten metal had been poured into her veins, spreading outward from her back with relentless intensity. Sera gasped, breath catching in her throat as her body convulsed.

With a strangled cry, Sera felt something thick and unnatural rise in her throat. She tried to swallow it down, but her body betrayed her, forcing her to expel the substance. She doubled over, coughing violently as a stream of viscous black sap spewed from her mouth, splattering onto the ground in a grotesque display.

Her vision blurred as the agony overwhelmed her, knees buckling as she fought to stay upright. The world around her swayed, the once-sturdy ground beneath her feet now feeling like shifting sands.

Desperation clawed at the edges of her mind, the primal need to survive warring with the overwhelming urge to surrender to the pain. She knew she had to resist, to push back against the Spirit Tree’s probing, but collecting her thoughts felt impossible.

Need… focus… The words echoed in her mind, but they felt distant, almost unattainable as the toll of the Spirit Tree's assault continued to ravage her body. As the seconds ticked by, Sera's world became darker, and darker.