The Guild Core: The Complete Saga Boxset: A LitRPG Dungeon Adventure

by TJ Reynolds

  Kai was no longer angry the wizard had chosen to hide this secret too. In fact, he realized it wasn’t his business at all.

  Jakodi had become everyone’s master in this odd time. The dragons were no different.

  Jakodi held up a single blue scale that caught the sunlight perfectly. Anatoth held out his forelimb and closed his eyes.

  Then Jakodi placed the scale, and it lit up like blue flame.

  The big dragon growled, but did not move as the spell burned its way into his flesh. A moment later, the process was finished.

  Jakodi pointed off to the vacant patch of chasm floor nearby. “Show us Winter’s Wrath, the power you’ve inherited, and then go to speak with the Elder Dragon.”

  Kai bit his lip, hoping the spell Jakodi had brought would be as fierce as the dragon who now bore it.

  Anatoth opened his mouth and a flash of ether shot out in all directions. Then a thick beam of blue light erupted from the dragon’s throat, pounding into the stone ground.

  Even from over fifty feet away, Kai could feel the blast of cold wind ripple across his absurd mantle.

  Ice spread from the point of impact, and though the spell only lasted two seconds, the Water ether continued to evolve as everyone looked on.

  Huge ice crystals fanned across the ground, and the stone itself cracked audibly.

  The other dragons roared in appreciation, but to Kai’s surprise, none spoke out of turn.

  “That will be devastating in a battle,” Rhona whispered. “I mean, what kind of damage could that do to a monster?”

  Kai shrugged. “No idea, but I think we’ll get a chance to find out soon enough.”

  Jakodi turned and shot a withering glare at Kai.

  Kai smiled and mouthed sorry for breaking the rules of the ceremony.

  Rhona snickered, reminding Kai of the woman she’d been when he first met her. But neither of them spoke again.

  Then, walking taller and prouder than ever, Anatoth made his way to stand before Kai.

  The dragon’s eyes burned with a fierce light, and Kai assumed many might tremble before the sight of this beast. The Azure had grown several more feet at the shoulders, and his wingspan was over forty feet wide now.

  But to Kai, this was still the bold youth who’d hatched just months ago.

  Kai smiled and held up his hand as Jakodi had instructed him to.

  Anatoth bowed, and Kai pressed his hand to the center of his forehead. I’m impressed, Kai said to the dragon alone. Anatoth is a potent name. I know you’ll bear it well.

  A deep rumble sounded in the dragon’s chest that vibrated Kai’s hand.

  Thank you, Elder Dragon Kai. I promise to serve you well.

  This was another part of the ceremony, one that Kai didn’t fully appreciate.

  Yes, he was the oldest living dragon, and therefore the Elder Dragon. But knowing that the only four dragons beside himself in this world would serve him didn’t feel right.

  So he amended his response in a way that kept the heart of the statement pure but, he hoped, might pave a new path forward.

  We will serve together, Anatoth, and make sure more dragons and Earth Cores have a place in this world.

  Kai dismissed the Azure then and the ceremony continued.

  The Mireen approached next, her green scales like living emeralds. She roared like Anatoth had when Jakodi congratulated her on the Amber ascension.

  I am Freya! she bellowed mentally. May my enemies learn to fear my name!

  Jakodi laughed and reminded her patiently, “Tell us the god or goddess you wish to worship, hatchling.”

  Freya lowered her head in embarrassment but soon supplied Jakodi with the knowledge he sought. I will serve Yugos, God of War and Fire.

  Kai sighed, a bit worried by the dragon’s choice.

  All gods were equal, though, at least if Jakodi could be believed. Still, the Brintoshi preferred Yugos as well. If Kai could have chosen for Freya, he’d have advised Andag.

  But then Freya turned to show the gathered party her new spell. A vortex of wind gathered around the plume of fire she spit out.

  Similar to Kai’s Fire spell, Forge Storm, Freya’s emerged in a dense stream. But about ten feet away, the fell winds the spell induced broke apart the dense column and spread its blistering effects across a fifty-foot-wide swath of stone.

  The ice Anatoth had created with his own spell cracked and burned away.

  Freya’s spell lasted a handful of seconds, and when it dissipated, the bedrock glowed a dull red.

  Kai held his tongue, but inwardly, he was ecstatic to see what the two dragons could manage together against a group of monsters.

  Freya walked over to Kai and bowed her head. Again, Kai blessed her with the palm of his hand. Freya, you name is as beautiful and terrifying as you are, Kai said. Welcome to the council of dragons.

  The Mireen puffed up her chest and spread her wings. Thank you, Elder Dragon Kai. I long for the day when I can kill many creatures while I serve you.

  Kai laughed at how the eager dragon had twisted the oath. She, even more than Anatoth, had the heart of a warrior.

  We will kill many evil creatures as we serve together. Thank you, Freya.

  The Orondi approached Jakodi next.

  She hadn’t grown quite as large as her blue and green siblings, but her own strength was just as easy to see. When she announced her name and god of choice, Kai was pleased with both.

  I am to be called Hazel, she said in a sweet and polite voice. I wish to worship Shu, Goddess of the Wind and Sky.

  Inwardly, Kai wondered if Hazel chose her goddess specifically so that her elemental affinity might complement that of Anatoth and Freya.

  Augmenting Forge Storm or Winter’s Wrath with a Wind spell would be an interesting exercise indeed.

  Yet when she received her spell scale, Jakodi announced it as a spell called Blessed Gale.

  Hazel pointed her snout straight up into the air and a thin ray of silver light burst out from her forehead. It stopped some fifty feet above them before shattering into a hundred pins of light.

  Then the pattern shattered again, and a fierce wind swept through the chasm.

  Kai felt ether rush through his body immediately. Strength and a feeling of rejuvenation followed. Quickly, he brought up his character sheet and saw several effects were in place.

  He’d received a +2 bonus to Strength. The increased Stamina and Ether Regeneration were even more promising, and though his health was already full, he had a suspicion there might have been a healing effect as well.

  I’ll need to take a good look at that spell, he thought privately. This may be the most powerful one the dragons received. How much benefit will it give us in the battles to come?

  Hazel walked over to Kai and bowed. I will serve as best I can, Elder Dragon Kai, she said plainly, her humble spirit more evident than ever.

  I hope we may serve for the good of all, Hazel. Your name and your new spell are as lovely as your golden scales.

  The Orondi somehow managed to look coy as she left to go stand with the others.

  Finally, the small Ananri took his turn.

  Kai was still a bit disappointed by the dragon’s modest growth. He stood as proud as the others, but he was half the size of Anatoth. His brilliant white scales were lovely to look upon, yet Kai knew much of what lay ahead was war and strife.

  He suppressed his judgements, knowing all too well that appearances weren’t all that mattered.

  The Ananri bowed to Jakodi and proclaimed his name and god of choice. I will be Calreem. The god I’ll serve is Anlil.

  Jakodi produced a scale as white as one of Calreem’s and pressed it into the dragon’s foreleg.

  Calreem’s wings shuddered slightly, but he bore the pain in silence.

  “Show us Heavenly Harvest, the power you’ve inherited, and then go to speak with the Elder Dragon,” Jakodi said before turning to watch what the young dragon might do with his learned spell.

 
; Calreem roared and unfurled his alabaster wings.

  They practically glowed in the sun. Then a white light flashed out from Calreem’s body, bursting through the chasm and lighting all corners below the Sunken Keep in a single instant.

  But nothing happened.

  No visible effects could be discerned.

  Kai chewed his lip, more curious than ever to understand precisely what each spell’s description read.

  Surely, Heavenly Harvest must accomplish something. What that was, exactly, Kai would need to wait until the ceremony was over to find out.

  Thankfully, that didn’t take very long.

  Jakodi waited for Calreem to return to his place alongside his brothers and sisters. Then the old man held his staff aloft and surprised them all with a song.

  He hadn’t told Kai this part of the ceremony, and it made Kai wonder if perhaps this was done simply as a spontaneous expression.

  Either way, Kai had to admit the song moved him.

  With eyes closed and arms held up, Jakodi sang in a humble but clear voice.

  Long ago in times of woe

  When friends in droves did fall,

  Dragons great did win men’s fate,

  With flames from dungeon halls.

  Oh, masters of the vaulted skies.

  A gift for your core, pale and blue.

  Oh, masters of the darkest deeps.

  Don’t forget these men are true.

  When Jakodi opened his eyes, they were glistening with unshed tears.

  The old wizard turned to Kai and gave the young dragon the saddest of smiles. Then he nodded and said, “It is done.”

  Kai dismissed the dragons, then told each in his mind to go and hunt. Bring the best prize you can catch, and come back well before sundown, he said, his first order given as Elder Dragon. And go alone.

  When the beasts took to the sky, Kai turned to Rhona.

  The Brintoshi woman had her hands held over her mouth, and she was crying.

  She shook her head and sniffled. “Sorry. It was a beautiful song, but so sad. That last line… it just haunts me, Kai.”

  He nodded. “I know what you mean. Hard to imagine mankind turning their backs on the dragons in the first place. I wonder how long peace lasted before it was broken by the Kaltanese and Brintoshi.”

  “We’ll have to ask Jakodi for a story, if he’s willing that is. Anyhow, we should start getting things prepared,” she said at last, wringing her hands. “There’s plenty to do before this feast of ours is ready.”

  Kai agreed, promising to meet up as soon as he was ready.

  A few hours later, the dragons each returned with a prize clutched in their talons.

  Ananri returned first with a pair of fat goats. It was a modest catch in some regards, but the goats were tasty and Kai approved.

  Freya came back next with a female elekine.

  The moose-like creatures had a fatty meat that tasted delicious when roasted over an open flame. As soon as she set the monster down, the daldrim scuttled over and snatched it away.

  Anatoth came back an hour before sunset. He had somehow brought down an enormous bear.

  Killing the beast was a feat on its own since it had a Golden 3 ascension. But apparently, it had taken all of Anatoth’s considerable strength to fly it back to the Sunken Keep.

  With wings shaking and breath ragged, the Azure landed heavily.

  Once more, the keep’s occupants saw to the preparation of the meat.

  Kai stared up at the darkening sky and scratched his head. Where has Hazel gone? he wondered. And will she truly fail to observe my first order?

  As torches were brought out to light the feast, and the sky turned from gray to purple, the Orondi dragon finally swept down into the chasm.

  Of all prizes to seek, Hazel had sought the rarest.

  She deposited a heliogryph, a sky beast only found on the peaks of the Zargan Mountains.

  When the others gathered round, impressed by her ambition, Hazel all but blushed.

  One by one, the meals were served by the daldrim.

  The goats came out first, and everyone had a small portion. Then Freya’s offering, the juicy elekine, became the main course.

  Anatoth’s bear was so large that it took a full half-hour to consume, and that was with all four dragons doing their best.

  The fallen heliogryph was served last of all, the daldrim honoring it by stuffing the oversized fowl with mushrooms and apples.

  Stuffed and satisfied, Kai lounged about on the chasm floor with Rhona, Greg, Jakodi, and the dragons.

  Having truly pushed himself, Ban actually fell asleep in Greg’s body. It reminded Kai of the time they’d shared a meal in Imogen’s dungeon, and Ban had been trapped within the Stone Houndzard’s body.

  “He acts like a boy half the time,” Rhona said, staring at Greg’s snoring form. “Almost like my da, in a way, but so much kinder.”

  Kai looked over at the woman, whose hair reflected the reds and golds of the fire.

  She looked as she always did.

  Absolutely beautiful.

  He returned her smile and agreed, “Ban is one part old man and one part child. And if I’m being honest, I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  Rhona chuckled before reaching out and handing Kai the mug she was holding.

  He took it and drank the daldrim wine they’d all been enjoying. When he gave it back, he asked her an honest question. “What you saw—in your vision, I mean—do you think we can handle it?”

  The woman’s bright smile faltered.

  It was replaced by an odd expression. Kai had trouble identifying it at first, but when she spoke, he realized it was nothing but pure conviction.

  “We have to, Kai,” she said in a whisper. “There is only one way for this world to live on as it is now. Despite the horror we must face, I think we can manage this. But only if we work together.”

  Kai glanced over at the dragons lapping up their first taste of wine the daldrim had brought them. “That much, we can manage. I feel confident in that much at least, that we’ll all stick together through this.”

  Rhona sat up and shook her head. “No, Kai, you misunderstand me. We, meaning the Three Kingdoms as well. Those sworn and bound to the Sunken Keep are but the messengers in the war to come. We’ll need Brintosh, Kaltan, and Hintar to play their parts as well.”

  The magnitude of such a requirement boggled Kai.

  Not in centuries had all three powers worked together for the same cause.

  If they could all understand the significance of the battle to come, however, maybe then they would lend their might.

  “Briga is with us,” Kai said at last. “And if she is, maybe the other gods are as well.”

  Rhona smiled, her teeth flashing bright in the light of the bonfire. “That’s the attitude to have, Kai. Sheerda is with us as well, though how much the Goddess of Time can influence the war, I do not know.”

  The woman glanced into the flames once more, but her smile remained firmly fixed on her lovely face.

  Then the daldrim dragged out their drums and a crude melody started up.

  Kai laughed when he saw all four of the dragons’ head begin to bob and weave to the tune. Either they were enjoying the music more than he or else the wine had gone to their heads.

  Rhona bounced up on her feet and reached her hands down to Kai.

  “No, sorry, I’ve never been much of a dancer,” Kai said when he understood her purpose.

  The red-haired lass scoffed at him. “Dance with me, Kai, or else we can spar. Your choice, though if you choose to fight me, I won’t hold back.”

  He chewed his lip, eyes locked on Rhona’s.

  Her green eyes shone as bright as Freya’s scales. She hopped around on her feet. Her hair had been taken down from its braid for once, and it bounced along with her.

  I think I’d better, he told himself. I can’t live with such a regret as this.

  So, grinning back, Kai stood up and joined h
ands with Rhona.

  The two spun about the immense dance floor that was the bedrock surrounding the base of the Sunken Keep. Kai truly was a lousy dancer, but Rhona didn’t seem to care a wit.

  They danced till Kai’s feet were tingling, and then they danced some more.

  Hours later, the feast ended as, one by one, the dragons flew up to their roost to sleep.

  Jakodi had departed long ago, and Ban finally woke up and left Greg’s drunken body.

  Kai walked with Rhona back into the base of the tower. “I had fun,” he told her plainly, unsure of what else to say.

  She rolled her eyes. “Course you did. Cause you were with me. Lucky we didn’t have anything stronger; I might have made you sing a few songs.”

  Feeling suddenly caught up in the moment, Kai bowed formally, an arm sweeping around his waist. “Goodnight, Lady of Brintosh.”

  “Goodnight, Noble Dragon,” she replied.

  Then, blowing him a kiss, she walked into her room and closed the door.

  Back in his private room, Kai unfastened the mantle from around his shoulders and tossed it on his bed. Ban had forced Kai to wear it all night, and its sudden absence came as a relief.

  Do you really dislike it so? Ban asked so suddenly that Kai jumped.

  Sighing, Kai shrugged. It’s a beautiful garment, Ban. I just like simple things. That’s all.

  Ban hummed in Kai’s mind. Except for weapons and armor. You don’t mind when I make those fancy and nice.

  I suppose you’re right, Kai admitted. Still, I wouldn’t want rubies and emeralds in my glaive. But is that truly the first thing that comes from you? You were passed out for over an hour, Ban. It really was quite shameful.

  Kai chuckled as Ban stumbled over his words for a reply. When he did so, Kai regretted teasing the Earth Core.

  Says the one who danced around with Rhona all night and still somehow didn’t kiss the woman.

  That’s different, Kai complained. Besides, she doesn’t see me the same as I see her.

  Ban’s response was resolute. If you spoke with her, you might find otherwise, Kai. Don’t be a fool.

  Kai sat down on the edge of his bed and fell back. His mind spun, unable to fully absorb the recent changes in his life.