Chapter 5
Accomplishment
Mine…The word feels good to roll over in my thoughts. The potential carried by the idea of claiming my destiny would cause me to salivate had I a mouth to drool with. However, there’s one thorn stuck in my proverbial side.
There’s still the matter of a name that I have to choose. And though that pestering dungeon voice isn’t annoying me right now, it’s certainly going to again in the future. I decide now to prepare ahead of time—not just for its return—but for another inevitable attack. And to do that, I need information.
Casting my gaze around my nascent dungeon, I take stock of what I’ve done and how I plan to expand. My previous failures hang in my thoughts like a stone stuck in a boot, digging at my patience. But maybe, just maybe, I can find something useful in my surroundings.
The fetid bog surrounding my puny crack in the ground is just as it was when I first broke through. The expanse around my dungeon is vast, far larger than what I can see with the limited range of my mana-fueled vision.
The setting sun creeps over the top of the canopy in the surrounding forest. Each gnarled branch resembles a skeletal hand, reaching up to pull the last few beams of light down into the darkness. The landscape is just as ramshackle as the woodlands. Jagged bits of stone jut up now and again, adding a ruined look to the place, hinting that something greater once stood here. Each ripple in the water and chirp of an insect adding to a constant drone of noise.
The more I examine the swamp, the clearer my mental picture becomes. The heavy air carries the sharp odor of decay, blending with the earthy fragrance of moss and mud. Murky waters throughout the bog reflect the twisted trees above. Shadows dance and flicker, casting an eerie ambiance over the desolate landscape. The incessant drone of insects fills my ears, interrupted only by the occasional croak of a frog. The air feels thick and suffocating as if each breath is a struggle.
The air crackles with a faint hum, as if charged with electricity. I can hear whispers of ancient incantations carried on the breeze. The scent of enchantment lingers, a subtle blend of life and death locked in an eternal dance—mirroring the dance of the sun and moon, Eliphas and Elorn. As I extend my senses, the sensation is loaded with mystery, a gentle reminder of the otherworldly influence carried by magic in this world.
Though my vision can’t see through the thick layer of woodlands surrounding the swamp, I assume there’s so much more beyond the veil that I can one day experience.
The potential burns within me, lighting a fire of hope, as my inner being beats with a newfound intensity. Each beat feels like a flame igniting, spreading warmth and vitality around me. The fire of hope courses through me too, causing a tingling sensation that ignites the same tingles that mana gives me. As this fire grows in intensity, it sends waves of warmth cascading outward, it’s almost like I can see my cavern grow brighter.
With this fire burning within me, I am unstoppable. It fuels my dreams, drives my actions, and empowers me to make a difference. The potential burns within me, lighting a fire of hope that will continue to guide me on my path, no matter what lies ahead.
But before I can capture the feeling of freedom I’m chasing, I’ll need to get stronger. The hunger gnaws at me, pushing me to more and more desperate gambits. With each failed attempt at creating a minion, spawner or whatever, I feel this globe of darkness building within. Each failure adds a dull extra layer of pure black glass, reflecting and intensifying the warped feelings of my failures like a dirty mirror.
I know deep down that I can overcome these problems, I’ll just have to work at it. And for every failure, there have been some successes, and it’s time to build on that. The one other thought that sticks in me like a thorn is just how plain my environs look. I resolve to do something about that, and I need space.
Like a hammer working overdrive, I begin to work on doing just that. Every rock I chisel away at falls to the floor, with my tendrils of mana snapping them up to move them out of the way. Like a well-oiled machine, I steadily tunnel deeper, expanding my dungeon.
After a certain amount of time, things are looking a little more refined in here. I now have two rough-cut rooms that make up the bulk of my domain. The entrance to my dungeon is less of a hole in the ground, and now I’ve cut rough stairs into the tunnel downward, while also opening up the size a bit. My entrance is a simple rectangular room located at the bottom of the stairs. Beyond that is a narrower tunnel that leads into my main room. This area is a lot less composed, still little more than a giant open hole in the rock.
My core, now the size of a small uncut gem, glints brilliantly atop a small stone outcropping near the back. From my vantage point, I notice just how empty the space feels. This gives me my next task, finally perfecting my spawners and becoming a proper dungeon.
The blueprint once again glows in the dark dungeon, reflecting off the walls with soft blue rays.
Repeating the previous refinement, I strip the strands of mana from outside into a focused beam. Instead of a confusing mix of water, earth and other influences, this is a band of distilled water magic that I’m feeding into the process. Now, the air crackles with electric anticipation as I work. The strands of mana converge, swirling and dancing in a mesmerizing display. The beam of distilled water magic intensifies, shimmering with an ethereal glow. As I pour more and more refined mana into the process, and everything else slowly falls away into blackness.
Steadily, the blueprint forms in a more concrete way. Instead of the fading strands of ethereal magic, I see a vibrant canvas of swirling colors. I am the maestro, conducting a symphony of creation. The strokes of color intertwine, weaving intricate patterns of enchantment. Sparks of energy leap and snap together, infusing life into my elegant tapestry. I am no longer a mere mortal; I am powerful, an architect of my own dreams made manifest.
The layers of mana build, each one adding a new dimension to my masterpiece. Waves of azure crash against emerald shores, while ribbons of golden light dance with crimson flames. My creations come alive, pulsating with raw energy and boundless potential.
In this realm of pure magic, time loses meaning. Hours melt into seconds as I lose myself in the sheer ecstasy of creation. The raw power of the mana courses through my being, fueling my every move, my every stroke.
Finally, as the last drop of refined mana is infused, a burst of energy erupts from the structure. My creation transcends the boundaries of of what I thought possible, becoming living entities of magic. The lingering bits of magic soar and swirl, filling the air with their radiant presence. I hungrily gaze at my creation, in awe.
New Minion Spawner Completed
Mana Worm - Level 7
The accomplishment swells within me, offering me a fresh taste to enjoy—contentment. My first spawner is done, and I can already see the flaws in my previous approach. For one thing, I had assumed I needed to bake the monster it should create into the spawner.
Instead, couching the monster within the spawner post-creation seems to have worked. The image instantly conjures up a glimpse of a memory—a magical scroll containing some complex collections of runes for some spell—that I can recall seeing some time ago.
And owing to that memory, I also opt to include more elements that help refine and control the magic. I put a lot more gem-based focuses into the structure as well. What was previously a simple lattice of stone and magical elements is now more like an intricate pyramid made more of mana and focuses than basic materials. This realization, coupled with the intensity of the mana swirling around it, hints at future prospects I can experiment with, though I have to file those away for later.
With that step done, I can move on to other things. But, what should I do? I focus my thoughts on bringing up my dungeon overview, and it looks mostly the same as before. One minor detail has changed, though.
Dungeon Name
Nameless Den
Tier
Tier 1 (Unproven Trial)
Magical Abilities Offense Abilities Defense Abilities Special Actions
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Magic Affinities Mana Tiers
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Water Mana Tier 1
Earth Mana Tier 1
Minion Spawners Resource Spawners Mana Worm Mound None
Passive Perks
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Active Perks
Mentor's Influence
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So it would seem the more I fiddle with different mana types, the more likely I am to infuse more varieties of magical power. What that translates to isn’t clear, but I make a mental note to investigate that soon. However, I am unable to comprehend the 'Mentor' ability, and before I can contemplate it, my thoughts are interrupted once more.
A thin, piercing alarm screams into my mind. It’s almost like the shrill impacts of a metallic spoon hitting the side of a raised glass in rapid succession. The edge of my awareness lights up like lightning just struck, energy charging through the air and crackling across my vision.
My vision snaps to the source of the rippling energy, and I can’t feel anything but shock. My bewilderment intensifies as I watch a lazy tendril of roots, brown leaves and bright purple flowers snake its way towards my entrance. The serpent of flora snakes through the water, moving faster and with a purpose as it nears the hole.
I can almost feel a glimmer of greed rolling off the simple creature in waves. It’s coming right for me, and I will not let it get close.
A pump of mana spits out a pair of Mana Worms from my spawner, and they blitz toward the entrance. The small white serpents glow faintly in the darkness, with piercing cobalt eyes marking their otherwise unremarkable faces. Their alabaster scales twinkle with glowing sapphire-like scales. The specter of their forms is a lot more menacing than I would have expected, and I love it.
I wait for the emerald-green vine to slither toward the stairs of my entryway before setting my minions upon their prey. I get a better look for only a split second before it’s set upon. The dark green vine and brown leaves are dotted with a variety of deep purple flower blooms.
The tendrils are no match for a pair of dextrous snake-like creatures, as my snakes can latch on with mouth and body alike to stifle their movement. The restriction in movement allows them to latch on with their jaws and rip the vines apart. In just a few moments, something that I hazard to even call a battle is all but over.
The shredded remnants of plant matter are a deep and beautiful mix of carnage and color. The verdant greens and deep purples both clash and complement one another.
The strangest thing I notice about them is the ichor dripping from the inner folds of the vine itself. Acrid and acidic the black liquid is thick with menacing energy. Two threads of mana roll off of the plant carcass in waves. I recognize the bluish-tented Water Mana easily, but the other is more black than any other color. Ripping off a shred of it, it’s very clear what it is when I sample it: Death Mana.
And this presents me with a new opportunity for experimentation. And a few moments later, I use the model of my previous spawner to create something new. It doesn’t seem as powerful or as robust as my previous creation. I set the thought aside and try to will it to spit out my first new minion since my Mana Worms.
New Minion Spawner Completed
Corrupted Swamp Fern - Level 5
With a gentle infusion of extra Mana, my first mutant plant flourishes, its vibrant tendrils cascading through the dimly lit chambers of my dungeon. As I observe, the plant obediently responds to my commands, albeit with a hint of unpredictability, unlike my beloved worms who follow my every whim. The tendrils extend, weaving their way through the cold stone walls, filling the air with the earthy scent of fresh growth. With a sense of curiosity, I discover the true purpose behind its approach. Mesmerized, I witness the plant delicately siphoning snippets of Mana, directing them towards its regal blooms, nourishing them with an ethereal glow.
And now, yet another tremble at the edge of my awareness, but this one is the most intense I’ve experienced so far. Like a mirror being shattered, the threat being announced is massive, at least compared to anything I’ve faced before.
I zip over to the site of the disturbance, and an icy cold grip snaps onto my mind. What was previously a little tiny plant, is now something much more dangerous.
Dungeon Invasion Imminent
Invaders are on the way! Utilize your new defenses to repel the Invaders! They will drain your Mana if you let them!
The enemy isn’t listed in the notification, but it doesn’t take long until their scales and gnarled teeth show exactly what they are—thin, squat little kobolds.
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Though I had no memories concerning kobolds in whatever past I could recall, I had some basic knowledge. Maybe the dungeon had some kind of repository feeding me this information. And the more I considered the thoughts about these scaly beasts, the more it felt like I was reading some compendium on beasts.
Kobolds were malicious little bastards. Despite their diminutive size, they were rather dangerous—even more so in packs. Masters of traps and ambushes, they were difficult to get an advantage over. Though they were physically frail, they still could take down a sturdy foe if their herd was not quickly thinned out. The feeling of unease crept up one’s spine when facing these cunning creatures, knowing that one wrong move could lead to a deadly trap or ambush.
The sight of kobolds was unsettling, with their scaly skin and beady, malevolent eyes. The sounds of their chittering and hissing filled the air and created an eerie atmosphere. As I scanned them with a wave of mana, more details about their forms came into view. Each one carried the lingering scent of their fetid lairs, a mix of dirt, dampness, and the faint scent of decaying prey. They appeared to be searching for their next meal, judging by the drool pooling around their mouths—mouths filled with jagged, yellow teeth.
This pack was smaller and frailer than most, almost gaunt. They moved through the swamp with a haphazard motion, or at least it looked that way at first glance. They moved in small groups, mostly one or two at a time, and always stuck to cover. One would dart out from behind a rock, then crouch behind a tree, followed behind another pair, moving behind another bit of debris.
As they cleared the forest, the looming expanse of the swamp gave them a noticeable amount of pause. The splashing of them moving through the water seemed to be something they were aware of, as they made an effort to avoid making too much noise. They clearly held some amount of trepidation in their movements.
When they neared the tiny hole in the ground that was my entrance, I mulled over my options. With a growing army of minions, my first true test is about to begin.
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Moments later, the first crimson-scaled beast takes a step into my dungeon, and I’m ready for war.
The lead of their party sniffs the air, snapping their vision toward the tunnel leading deeper within. I only count 8 unarmed kobolds, but the size difference may pose a problem. Hopeful, I decide to lean on turning their ambush tactics and lack of intelligence against them.
“Almost there…“ I repeat mentally, almost hopeful that the mantra will bring my prey right into my trap.
As the anticipation courses through me like a warm tingle, I feel a surge of energy flowing through my core. Like a waiting maw, I hungrily slurp up strands of mana, banking them within focuses for later. Might as well prepare for whatever could come tumbling down those stairs.
Tension is heavy and hot in the air, wrapping the space in a choking tendril. The surrounding air is poisoned with the same intoxicating feeling of power and dread. But it’s not just the physical sensations that stir within me. The memories of my past, the blood spilled and the thrill of thievery, resurface in my mind. They intertwine with the present, fueling the passion within me. The thought of battle ignites a primal instinct, I know I am ready.
A surge of confidence blasts through me, bolstered by the knowledge that my mutant little plants are ready to strike. Their poison-barbed flowers, a testament to their unique abilities, inch closer to the main entrance with astonishing speed. The sight of their menacing presence, concealed within the shadows, adds an extra layer of pleasure to my anticipation.
In this moment, we are both predators, a force to be reckoned with. The potential for battle is so close I can taste it, a cloying thirst sticking like a thorn in my mind. It’s as if my proverbial blood is singing with an ancient battle cry, beckoning me to embrace the chaos that awaits. My resolve turns to iron, ready to face the coming tide of blood and scales.
Flanking my advancing plant monstrosity, I send my snake minions in as well. Slithering through the shadows, my serpents cling to the stone walls of my dungeon, darting between cover. The hiss of the serpents echoes through the musty air, blending with the distant scuffling of clawed feet. Mana clouds the entire space, like the pungent stench of fresh meat mingling with spices and herbs. If I had a mouth, I would be salivating.
Each precious second that ticks by, my attackers inch closer to the pack of intrepid monsters encroaching upon my territory. The soft light bounding off the damp, rocky walls of the chamber beyond barely carries here, adding a haunting blue glow to the entire scene.
The kobolds themselves are coiled tightly into a dense pack. They move as a somewhat cohesive unit, a small tide of deep red scales and yellowed claws. They project a menacing aura, one that I can see right through. Their bodies betray their true feelings. My mana vision allows me to see just how careful they’re stepping, and how tense their bodies are.
Just a bit more, and I can drop my defenders right on their heads. Sadly, my plans go awry as a stone falls loose from the ceiling. It would seem that my vine-based friend was a bit careless. With a howl and a baying hiss, the kobolds launch themselves at the threat.
An orgy of vines, teeth and claws mixes with a cacophony of squeals and terrified shrieks. Limbs thrash, entangled in a frenzy. Blood sprays, staining the rocks green. Fangs sink into flesh, tearing and rending with savage hunger. Eyes widen in primal fear, reflecting the chaos that surrounds them. Bones snap, shattering like fragile glass.
As the battle rages, I’m working double-time to hatch a new tactic. My spawner spits out another mass of angry tendrils, and I instantly command it towards the tunnel; though instead of rushing into battle, I order the newest unit to hold back. Now, I just need to draw in a kobold or two and let it feast on their delectable flesh.
As I watch, more than a couple of the kobolds have been slain, though both my wonderful serpents have joined them in death. Tiny wisps of mana blend into the background of energy from their corpses. Ashen husks wither almost immediately, with their rotting corpses disintegrating to nothing in mere moments.
Technically at a stalemate, I have to use my last minion carefully. And since the kobolds are so nervous, another simple trick to draw their attention seems to be the best approach. A tiny lance of mana against the wall of my chamber sends another boulder tumbling down.
I’m immediately irritated because all four of the remaining kobolds have launched themselves toward the noise.
Desperately, I unleash a terrible wave of power, intent on blasting my foes to pieces. Instead of a lance of energy aimed at a single target, it’s another boulder of force, intent on smashing any resistance it encounters. The blast of mana is unforgiving, tearing its way through inanimate objects and flesh alike. Even my own minions aren’t safe from the explosive force. One of my tiny original worms is caught in the blast, and turned into little more than a puff of gas in an instant. I don’t have time to mourn. I have things to slaughter.
But it’s not just the room my core is in that shakes, my entire dungeon carries the rumble in its rocky bones. Rocks and dust tumble about the space, landing in heaps all over. The remaining kobolds are overwhelmed by massive disturbance, as their glowing eyes dart around the space in a panic, scanning the darkened nooks and crannies.
The last of my new minions comes rushing out of the small carve-out in the stone it was hiding in—seizing the opportunity. And these bastard kobolds descend on it with fervor. The air sings with a sound like a whip as my minion whips thorny barbs toward my foes, and they quickly find purchase, embedding into the leg of its first target. Green kobold blood splashes against the rocks as one of their legs is ripped clean off.
The wounded kobold writhes in agony, its cries being drowned out by the chaos. The remaining enemies swarm, slashing, biting, and tearing. Their scaly bodies writhe in a frenzy, fueled by an instinctive hunger for dominance. Blood stains the air, a metallic tang that fuels their bloodlust.
Bits of plant matter fly, severed by hungry jaws and merciless claws. The ground feels like it’s trembling, heavy with the weight of their battle, a savage dance of survival. The injured kobold fights back, desperate and fearless, its missing limb forgotten in the fury. Its wild eyes focus on its target, but before I can lunge into the fray again, my minion lashes out first. The final impact lands, a savage strike that silences its desperate struggle.
Though my Fern is also ripped to shreds, the weakened kobolds are in the perfect position for me to strike. The joyous glee that I spring my trap with has me almost delirious with pleasure.
I gather the last bits of mana, consuming my stored focuses in an instant, leaving dull, plain blue gems behind. The surge in energy explodes out like a lightning bolt towards my enemies. A pair of kobolds is turned to green paste against the rocks. The shock rolls off the rest of the herd in waves, feeding into my desire to eviscerate them.
Before I can though, the last kobold standing turns and flees like a coward. My anger at their refusal to let me consume them is palpable. Like ashes in a mouth, it chokes out all other thoughts, and I swear I can almost see the red veil across my vision come to life.