Tiny Dungeon

The wind hummed its way across the grass causing it to ripple and flex as it bowed before the wind’s passage. The whirling of the wind from the North passed into the realm of Valterra the Dungeon and seemed to pause at the scene of confrontation shaping up in front of the house of Calamvor the Archmage. The Dungeon in question hovered over the shoulder of his summoned champion, the highest rarity he had at his disposal and certainly the most powerful of his servants.

POV Geckodo, Chieftain of the Risen

Geckodo, the Chieftain of the Risen, had responded to the call of his new god even though doing so jeopardized his mission of claiming the Location of Power for his master. As a Sapient creature, he could have disobeyed but his god’s urgency of summons was something he couldn’t ignore. As soon as he had left the Location of Power he had felt the Auras of those who had Crystal Cores and knew that it was not an idle summons.

Now he stood looking out over the group of adventurers and didn’t like what he saw. They were balanced from what he could glean from their Auras and that was only possible with the godsblood enhancing his peoples’ already impressive traits. Not just balanced but well trained and disciplined in Aura manipulation, the kind that came from fighting The Withering firsthand. They would not fall for his mind tricks twice and would learn and adapt to his abilities. There were also five of them, all at Silver-Core strength. He didn’t know by what power they had shrunk themselves to pierce the barrier but it allowed them the majority of their strength.

“What is your purpose here?” He half growled the question and he could see by the tension of their shoulder’s the adventurers’ stances that they hadn’t expected to understand him. That was to be expected. Not many could Aura Speak as it required a deep understanding of Aura to imbue vocalization with meaning. To be able to do so at his rank was only possible because of his people’s racial abilities. His gaze did not miss how four of the five’s gazes went to a singular individual.

The tiny woman looked up at him without a shred of fear on her face. He respected her for that but his respect remained tempered with caution, even more so when she spoke the language of one of the southland kingdoms.

“My name is Natalia Talios. I’ve come to investigate the death of my grandfather Calamvor, as revealed by the System of the gods.”

From the way his god’s Awareness sharpened almost painfully at her words, she was evidently someone of importance. From the way the group stiffened, they were not unaware of the effect of their leader’s words, which meant that his master had not bothered to hide his presence from them. He went to speak but paused as his master began to move. His presence descended, heavy with indefinable emotion and so intense as to make the air vibrate. His Divinity was palpable and from the look of it the party of adventurers, for they couldn’t be anything else, could feel it.

“I welcome the party of Natalia Talios to my halls. My instincts tell me this is rarely done but there is much to be spoken of concerning my father.” From the shock on her face, the woman Natalia had not been expecting this. A deep chuckle reverberated through the air as Valterra’s presence lightened up and everyone could breathe a little easier. “Again, welcome to my Dungeon…Niece.”

POV Natalia Talios

This was not what she had expected to find when Boris had brought out his experimental Shrinking Potion. The man had shrugged when the others had looked at him giving them his trademark “What?” response to their raised eyebrows. Being shrunk was a weird experience that she barely had time to process before they rushed to enter the ward surrounding the clearing. It hadn’t taken long before the System confirmed that they were now within a Specialized Dampening Array with protections against large intruders.

It also hadn’t taken the Dungeon long to make its presence known. Its presence had made the decision to explore almost easier. There was no sign of The Withering within its territory so it wasn’t Feral which was a relief. That was where the relief stopped. What was left was a confusing mix of emotions as she stood before the massive frame of a sapient Dungeon defender and the Dungeon itself. A Divine Dungeon that felt like her grandfather and spoke like it was his son.

“Niece?” She mumbled, the Dungeon’s words finally piercing through her mental fog. “What do you mean?” She heard its chuckle but could tell, somehow, that it wasn’t laughing at her but at the situation.

“I was not expecting to meet you for some time so I admit that I don’t quite know how to broach this subject.” The Dungeon paused and seemed to gather its thoughts. “The Archmage Calamvor was my creator. The process by which he created me is not something I fully understand but when he died his Spark helped to ignite mine and I became a living being.”

The knowledge was like a blow to Natalia’s already turbulent thoughts but one thing stood out clearly. “You weren’t the one who killed my grandfather?” She hated the way the question was blurted out but she couldn’t help it. She needed its confirmation. The presence of the Dungeon softened and came lower like a cloud or a blanket. It wrapped its way around her like a hug.

“No. I was not the one who killed Calamvor. I was told he passed abruptly but I no longer know if that story was correct.” The Dungeon paused before its Divinity came back, covering them like a shield. “I must speak quickly. The High Spirits know more than they let on about the death of your grandfather.” Before pulling back the Dungeon whispered something else that brought tears to Natalia’s eyes. “Your grandfather wished for you to know that he was sorry he couldn’t fulfill his promise.”

She felt its presence rise before it spoke again. “Once again I welcome you to my halls. My name is Valterra Unok’Davaas, The Playground of the Gods.” She swore she could feel a childlike glee filling the Dungeon as it continued to speak. “Come. There is much we need to discuss and I’m sure the Uncles and Aunts will want to have some input. But first,” the Dungeon turned to the massive figure that still stood before the party.

“Geckodo, Chieftain of the Risen. You who were once Fallen and enemy of this Dungeon. I Name you Geckodo, The Forgiven. Your Penance is complete and your people fully accepted. The past need be spoken of no more.”

It was a strangely beautiful scene as the emotions involved were simply out there in the open for Natalia and her party to feel. It was like a benediction and from the glow that surrounded the creature, it certainly seemed to be exactly that. The creature, Geckodo, bowed deeply before speaking in its weird tonal warbling that constituted its language. The fact that the meaning came through regardless was its own source of discomfort. “I thank you, Lord, for your mercy on behalf of my people. If you do not require me further I will go and see to them.” There was a flicker of intent from the Dungeon, like a nod of acceptance, and the creature darted away.

“Now then, I do believe it's time for you all to face my Dungeon. There is much I must do and I wish to hear your thoughts about its current state and then we will discuss what your presence means for me and my creatures.” With that, the Dungeon retreated and was gone before Natalia could open her mouth though the air continued to thrum with its nature. She turned to her team to find the same stupefaction she felt upon each of their faces.

Boris, looking a little lost, met her gaze and opened his mouth before closing it again. He did that a couple of times and despite the situation, Natalia chuckled at the sight. Korim walked over to her and placed his hand on her shoulder making sure to meet her eyes.

“You doing okay?”

She almost broke into tears at that. No, she was not okay. There was so much going through her head that she could barely think despite her Silver-Core Attributes keeping her going and operating at full capacity. All she really wanted was a fight, to drown her questions and doubts in the peace of conflict. She turned from Korim’s concerned face to look towards the massive mansion that must have been her grandfather’s home. There would be answers inside for her questions and combat to drown her confusion until she was ready to deal with it.

“Later,” she mumbled softly before turning to the rest of her party and mustering up some energy. “Well, this wasn’t exactly what we expected to find but who is up for some old-fashioned Delving?” The multiple raised eyebrows made it clear that they didn’t believe her mask of energy and she sighed turning towards the mansion and motioning for them to follow. That they did so without asking any more leading questions was a relief. She knew that the questions would come and a discussion needed to be had but for now, they would see what this Dungeon had to offer.