Monster Core 2

by Dante King

  My dungeon senses swirled over him and detected all kinds of foreign scents. Fresh, green leaves, the smell of rich earth, flowers, even herbs. Puck was breathless, and maybe a little traumatized. I touched his consciousness and tried to calm his mind. His confusion at the insane experience began to fade, but my excitement was only growing stronger. Puck had just traveled to another realm, and returned in one piece.

  “I think he ran afoul of a deer.” Abby laughed.

  “It was a demon, I tell you,” Puck hissed. “Some grass-chewing devil, a machination from Entropy itself. Designed to purge the land of Lilith’s children. Those brown eyes. . . I will never forget the hatred within them.”

  “You’re alive,” I said. “Do yourself a favor and relax.”

  “Master, you can’t seriously be intending to step into this realm. It’s insidious. I’ve never seen so much green life anywhere in existence. It’s unnatural. Lilith made an orderly world in these lands—jagged rock, parched earth, dead, twisted trees. Not. . . that.”

  “Must be the Nature Realm.” Abby’s eyes shone with excitement. “The lands of the Goddess Eveline.”

  Before I could question her about her knowledge of the Nature Realm, feet padded across my dungeon’s entrance.

  I turned my attention to the entrance stairwell and found Ralph. The stable boy who’d become an adventurer, only to be turned by an Infernal Dungeon’s powers.

  My powers.

  I’d taken over the adventurer’s willpower before our last battle and inserted tampered memories into his mind. He had now returned from the quest I’d given him, and it was time to see whether he’d fulfilled my wishes. If not, I’d kill him. I sincerely hoped his mission hadn’t failed. After all, I almost liked the guy.

  Chapter Four

  After glancing over Ralph, I had to admit that I was impressed. His simple garments were shredded, but there wasn’t a scratch on him. His venture outside Zagorath had been empty-handed, purely to test his ingenuity, and he hadn’t disappointed; a bulging satchel was slung over his shoulder, and a short sword was sheathed at his waist.

  Ralph’s eyes were alight with grim determination, and he stepped into the Antechamber before sliding around the Paralysis Ring traps. The adventurer nodded to Bertha, who didn’t even so much as open an eye to acknowledge him. Another thing occurred to me: Ralph’s face was looking less gaunt, so I figured he had acquired food while abroad. He was the only creature who served under me who actually required food, and the thought of eating seemed a little strange to me now. As a dungeon, I didn’t consume materials for sustenance, and as a vampiric avatar, I only drank blood to heal myself or increase my power.

  Ralph stepped out from the Pretzel, slipped past the triggers in the corridor, and strode confidently out onto the First Floor. I materialized Von Dominus and inserted my consciousness into the elf. I stretched and re-acclimated myself to the feeling of flesh once again. I stepped off the dais and approached Ralph. At my appearance, he barely seemed to flinch, but he wouldn’t quite meet my eye, either.

  “Report,” I said crisply.

  “No adventurers march on Zagorath.” He removed the satchel from his shoulder. “Their attention is otherwise distracted. From what I understand, there is strife throughout the Infernal Realm.”

  “Strife? What do you know of it?” Puck asked.

  “Little.”

  “Then, what good are you?” the Shade challenged.

  “Enough,” I said before I turned to Ralph. “What else can you tell me?”

  “Most no longer wish to seek out Zagorath,” he answered. “The loss of a large contingent of Sand Pirates has made even the most eager seek other spoils.”

  “Other spoils?” Abby seemed incredulous. “Where else could they find such great treasure?”

  “Or a such a splendid grave?” Puck added.

  Ralph didn’t seem to know the answer, and my eyes were drawn to what lay inside his bag.

  “I see you bring gifts.” I chuckled.

  “Precious little, my lord. A few healing elixirs and potions for the recovery of stamina.” He paused a moment, then looked up, finally meeting my eye. His jaw worked up and down, as if he was trying to figure out what to say. “As much as it pains me to ask, does Zagorath have better arms than a man’s bare fists? Sending me out to the mercies of the creatures of the Infernal Realm is a death sentence, my lord.”

  “And yet, here you stand.” I smiled at him, an honest, appreciative gesture that made him pause. I’d been leaning on the evil overlord roleplaying shtick, so I hadn’t quite thought through what might become of Ralph after sending him out from my dungeon without weapons or armor. Thankfully, he’d proven able to take care of himself.

  “It was a test, Ralph,” I lied. “And you passed. You returned with valuable goods, information, and you survived.” My mind flitted over the mental arsenal of weapon blueprints and enchantments that I’d stored in my core’s memory. “You’ll be rewarded, as I promised, with the finest that Zagorath has to offer.”

  “Thank you,” he said, inclining his head. The barest hint of a smile touched his mouth, a far cry from the manic grin I’d seen him wearing while trying to tear Bertha in half.

  “Wait here.” I smiled before I melted my elf’s form back into the floor.

  The first blade that Ralph had ever brought into my dungeon had been the Dark Reaper, a rusty straight sword emblazoned with sigils that fed the power of the wielder. I reached toward my oceans of essence, found the Physical and the Infernal, and crafted Ralph a weapon.

  Before long, I beheld a sword, 50 inches of shining, black steel. The weapon’s blade was primarily constructed from a melding of Obsidian Alloy with accents of Burnished Bronze that I named Zagorath Alloy. A glowing scarlet crystal was set into the hilt, and it was wrapped in firm leather. I crafted a matching scabbard of oiled Black Leather, but I wasn’t done yet, so I crafted Might +3 and Swiftness +3 sigils along the blade’s edge.

  Crafted Item!

  Zagorath’s Chosen Great Sword (Zagorath Alloy)

  Rarity: Epic

  Damage Type: Infernal

  Seals: Swiftness +3, Might +3

  Swiftness channels the essence inside a wielder and increases their speed.

  Might channels the essence inside a wielder and increases their strength.

  Cost: 5,765 Infernal Essence, 1,950 Physical Essence.

  I then created a simple yet effective set of Orc Steel-studded Black Leather armor and a belt with pouches of the same materials.

  Crafted Item!

  Wanderer’s Armor (Black Leather)

  Rarity: Common

  Seals: None

  Cost: 90 Physical Essence

  Crafted Item!

  Adventurer’s Belt (Black Leather)

  Rarity: Common

  Seals: None

  Cost: 9 Physical Essence

  Ralph’s eyes widened, and he took up his new weapon and armor reverently. I watched him dress as he marveled at the quality, and my gem swelled with satisfaction. Sure, I could have given Ralph some heavier armor made of Obsidian Alloy, but I wanted him to move fast on the battlefield and while under my employ. Even with his Might +3 sigil, he could probably move quickly while carrying a truckload of metal, but I didn’t want to risk it. Besides, I wanted him to have room for progression, and it was always worth instilling the desire for rewards after hard work in those you commanded.

  A devious smile touched my face. “You like them?”

  “They are the finest I’ve ever seen, let alone worn or wielded.”

  “Good. There will be more where that came from. As long as you fulfil my will in the realms.”

  “Yes, Master,” Ralph replied like an obedient carl.

  Puck landed beside my plinth and folded his wings around himself like a shadowy cloak. “I see you’re finally seeing sense, Master. You’ll be sending the boy instead of me.”

  That made me chuckle to myself, and Puck wilted a little. “I’m still not
sure I can trust him, Puck. And you’ve more experience in the Nature Realm than any of us. I feel that you’re the best equipped to scout out the place, keep him in line.”

  “And what could you possibly want from the Nature Realm? Flowers, in Zagorath?” Puck shook his head. “It’s absurd, Master. It will eat us alive. I may return, but your well-trained sack of meat over there won’t. Isn’t this an exercise in futility?”

  I sighed and controlled my frustration. “Why do I do anything, Puck?”

  He grunted. “The honor and glory of Lilith. And continuing down the path of power.”

  “Precisely. The Nature Realm is the next step on this path.”

  “Will you be joining us in this venture?”

  I considered the question seriously. Going in blind just wasn’t a good idea. I could spare Puck. Ralph had his uses, and I was confident my champion would be capable of surviving whatever the Nature Realm had to throw at them. For now, my time was better spent inside Zagorath, expanding and upgrading.

  “Not yet,” I answered.

  “I’m sure you have your reasons,” Puck huffed, “but remaining away from Zagorath is a trial without you leading me. I hope you understand this.”

  “I’ll have an army for you when you get back,” I promised him, “and perhaps even your own living quarters in Zagorath. But listen closely, now. You’re the leader of this expedition. I need you to locate a dungeon as soon as possible. Nothing too aggressive, and with a core that's reasonably easy to subdue.” I paused a moment. “And preferably female.”

  I knew I could gain the powers of a dungeon core through its destruction, but I was getting used to the idea of multiple women, and I could always use another dungeon avatar as a champion.

  “Why do we need the clumsy oaf, then?” Puck gestured at Ralph.

  “You aren't an adventurer, so you can't store essence.”

  “We’ll only find Nature Essence in that realm, and the boy doesn't have a corresponding tattoo.”

  “I'm aware of that,” I said. “Which is why you'll also be tracking down someone capable of granting him a Nature Sigil.”

  “You want me to ingratiate myself with a guild?” The Shade chuckled. “Your audacity truly knows no bounds, gracious Master. Shall I, too, be granted a sigil?”

  I didn't answer his obviously rhetorical question. “Stay quiet, and keep your nature as an Infernal creature hidden as best you can.”

  “Yes, Master.”

  “One more thing,” I said.

  He paused and looked over his shoulder at my core. “Yes?”

  “Keep Ralph alive. And don’t antagonize him.” I saw the crestfallen expression on my champion’s face, and mentally smirked at the sight of it before amending my statement. “Too much.”

  “Your wish, my command.” Puck smiled as he came to stand beside the travel stone.

  Ralph pulled the last piece of his leather armor tight around his shoulder and looked up toward my core. The glint of newfound determination in his eyes made him look like a disciplined and powerful adventurer, ready to do my bidding and find me exactly what I needed to grow in strength. I’d have been lying if I’d said that I wasn’t proud of him, just a little.

  I projected my consciousness outward and formed Von Dominus before I stepped toward Ralph. He inclined his head once again at my approach and entwined his gloved hands in front of him in an almost prayerful gesture. Resisting the urge to laugh, I instead smiled warmly, reached forward, and clasped his hand with brotherly familiarity.

  “Ralph, I have another task for you.”

  “Speak, and it will be done.”

  The kid was enthusiastic, I could give him that. “You’re to venture forth with Puck the Shade into the Nature Realm. Your mission is twofold. I need you to find a Nature Dungeon, as close as possible to the other travel stone. And, should you happen upon a guild, you must infiltrate them and gain possession of a Nature Adventurer Sigil.”

  His eyes widened. “I’ve never heard of such a thing being the custom.”

  “You’ll find that I don’t concern myself or my servants with such small things as limitations. You’re to store the realm’s essence until I’m capable of doing so myself. Follow Puck’s instructions, and, when possible, remain hidden or anonymous.”

  Ralph’s hand tightened around the haft of his newly forged sword. “I won’t let you down.”

  “Step up to the travel stone. Return when you have what I’ve asked for. Take note of your surroundings, and stay alive. I need you.”

  Ralph nodded, half-bowing once again, then stepped up onto the dais. I dissolved Von Dominus quickly and relocated my consciousness within my core once again. At my direction, Puck and Ralph laid their hands on the shifting surface of the travel stone. Then, at Ralph’s touch, I watched in fascinated excitement as my two servants vanished, their essences absorbing into the red-veined obelisk.

  The first inter-realm quest of Zagorath had begun.

  “Perhaps you should spend some time with Bertha?” Abby’s voice entered my mind. “She’s been craving it ever since you and I...” The storm avatar’s faded beneath her giggling.

  It seemed the women in the Sinarius Realms were much more willing to share than those back on Earth, and that suited me just fine. I summoned my avatar and called Bertha to the throne room.

  “Yes, Master?” she asked.

  “I have need of you,” I said as my hand trailed down her bared ribs and traced each bone with my fingertips.

  “I’m glad to hear that.” She shivered as her eyes burned with lust.

  My fingers tickled lower until they found the bones of her hips and the edges of her leather warrior’s skirt. Her emerald skin trembled under my fingertips, and Bertha palmed my chest. Her nails curled into my pale skin and pulled me closer toward her..

  “Outside,” Bertha breathed, desperately, and I had to agree.

  Even though Abby had suggested I spend time with Bertha, I didn’t feel right having her watch while we got intimate.

  Bertha and I ascended the stairs, and the open air of the mountain peak filled my lungs as we stepped outside. We slid down a few rocky slopes and left the entrance of Zagorath behind us. Bertha led me to a small alcove at the bottom of a steep incline. It had to be thousands of feet from the stone shelf to the foot of the mountain.

  Bertha dropped soundlessly onto the shelf behind me, and her violet eyes burned with lust as she fixed her gaze on my elf’s bare chest. I spread my arms outward like a diver about to lunge from a cliff. My champion’s eyes widened at my theatrical antics.

  She laid down her halberd and unbelted the narrow dagger hanging at her waist. War-trained fingers reached behind her and found the ties to the well-worn leather bodice holding up her generous chest. A deft twist of her hands, and her breasts fell free.

  Bertha stepped toward me, every movement an invitation to stare. My eyes combed over her and appreciated the way her hips danced as she strolled closer, the muscles of her legs rippling with each movement.

  Bertha’s hands roamed my chest and stomach while I kissed her firmly. My fingers slid under her arms and pulled at her tightly-bound hair. In a second, her dark hair danced in the air, and a warm thrill of pleasure rippled through my blood as Bertha pulled me to her.

  The swell of her chest met mine before we fell backward into the small cliff’s shadows. Our writhing forms crushed slate and shattered small stones as we matched each other’s strength. Clothes found their way off our skin in a hazy blur of charged passion. The deep strength of Bertha thrummed through my elf’s every muscle as we tangled with each other for what seemed like hours but could have been only minutes.

  Bertha’s emerald skin glowed in the dying light as we climbed back up the jagged cliff face. My champion re-tied her bodice halfway up the cliff as she tugged the leather tight around her breast and caught my eye.

  “How about a race back to the dungeon?” she asked.

  The half-troll didn’t wait for my answer but bou
nded from handhold to handhold and swarmed up the jagged rocks. I kept up with her, but she beat me by two seconds. She’d lived her entire life on this mountain. My strength and elven agility allowed me to almost match her pace, but raw physical ability couldn’t quite contend with years of experience.

  I caught my breath beneath the thorned arch where Bertha sat cross-legged. Her skin glistened with sweat as she leered playfully at me. I kissed her cheek and leaned back. My elf drank in the smell of ash and brimstone as the blood-red sun sank behind the horizon. I gazed down at the Infernal Realm as the light died in the sky.

  Lilith’s Realm was blasted, burned, and smoking.

  It was beautiful.

  5

  Interlude

  Essence roared through every fiber of Ralph’s body, and after what seemed like both a single passing moment and an eternity, he opened his eyes. The black halls of Zagorath were gone, and he now stood in the middle of a forest.

  Ferns seemed to carpet the earth and brush against his new armor. Enormous trees, some the width of an entire cottage, reached into the sky with leaves and branches intertwining into a ceiling of vibrant, fresh green. The buzz of insects filled the air, doing battle with the songs of birds and the creak of branches in the soft breeze. Large, brown shapes fled from the forest’s new visitors and vanished into the brush.

  Ralph’s mouth dropped open in astonishment as he gazed at his surroundings. This realm was alien; it smelled of fresh rain, damp earth, and the blooms of flowers. Lilith’s Realm was all he'd ever known. Hag Pines—the woods that had bordered Cothslar, the town of Ralph’s birth—were nothing like this. There'd been blackened trees populated with creeping, snarling, fanged, and clawed creatures. Not bursting with vibrant colors and the sounds and smells of teeming life.

  The black demon of Zagorath materialized, and his wings beat the air. He immediately let out a string of curses, and Ralph turned to look at him.