Chapter 64: Hatred

Tuesday, April 11th, 1:33 PM

Castle

Dungeon Ciara

Karen couldn’t keep the smile from her face. This was a sapient Dungeon. An actual high-intelligence magical entity.

Despite her trepidation after seeing the massive cat and the daunting revelation that this Dungeon already had four floors, in the end, it was almost too easy—except for being attacked by the damned spiders. Luckily, the enormous marine had antidote and that incredible healing ability. Even with Karen’s E-Rank body, the venom had affected her immediately. The big man would be a useful asset once he understood the truth.

Still, this Dungeon was dangerous. She knew they’d have to act fast, before the Dungeon figured things out.

Karen’s greatest triumph on this mission so far was the careful words she’d slipped in, which elicited a slip-up during which the Dungeon divulged the existence of her core. The presence of a core just like the other Dungeon’s meant that this one could also be controlled—so long as one managed to get in physical contact with the core.

Her partner’s skill had worked wonders against the older E-Rank marine after his son disappeared, though neither had any success with Joe Schimpf.

The resident youths had been troublesome to affect, but they were unimportant. Like the dogs and cats, they were naïve—an affront to what a Dungeon should bring to the table. All of that could be fixed in relatively short order, if they managed to put a stop to this war before it could begin.

Still, she hadn’t expected her mental attack against the belligerent young woman and her quiet boyfriend to end with them vaporized and removed as residents of the new Dungeon. A surprising but useful bonus, but something that bore investigation.

If Karen could figure out how to replicate that effect, her ascent to power could be counted in days instead of months.

Once they located this Dungeon’s core, the only hurdle would be her partner, who would doubtless seek its power for himself.

For now, all that mattered was for Karen to avoid outing her intentions, so that she could steer the situation in the right direction.

The President signaled to another man in black, who whispered into a microphone on his lapel.

“Dungeon is rogue. Repeat. Dungeon is—ah!” the man yelled and swatted at his face after he felt the bite, but my Reaper spider had already leaped away, unseen.

[Wrong choice.]

“Ciara, this isn’t helping!” Joe healed the man.

[He won’t die from the small amount of venom that was injected, and you can heal him again if it gets bad. But that was a warning, Joe. I don’t care that it’s the remnants of our government. These people are going to pay for killing my loved ones.]

Marines had already surrounded the castle; some carried a log from the construction area like a battering ram. As they approached, ten of my new Devilflies raced around them several times, tying their feet together before darting away. The marines toppled forward, groaning in pain when the log crushed hands and forearms.

Their cries of pain could be heard from inside the castle.

Colonel Hart locked eyes with Joe. “Schimpf… tell the damn Dungeon to back down.”

The Dungeon in me wrenched for control, to punish the Colonel for his idiotic words. I held on by a hair’s breadth.

[No. I’d rather not kill everyone, but if they try to leave before Rihelah and Michael are returned to us, I’ll do what I must to force their hand.]

“Mister President, sir, it sounds like her patience is wearing thin.”

Everyone in the castle was quiet, save for heavy, angry breathing.

Inside me, the Dungeon seethed and snarled—the alluring thought of total vengeance was right there for me to grasp. But I fought to keep control, for the sake of my sanity and my loved ones.

[You have no idea how difficult it is… to resist the urge to consume them all after what they’ve done. I’m barely hanging on, Joe. If they fail to bring Michael and Rihelah back, or they manage to remove any of my other residents while they’re dead and prevent resurrection, there’s no doubt I’ll slaughter everyone without hesitation—even those on the ships. I’ll regret it afterward, but regrets won’t bring the dead back to life.]

Joe was sweating. “She wants Michael and Rihelah back, or she’ll wipe everyone out—even the carrier group.”

I hope they aren’t stupid enough to call my bluff.

The Dungeon in me was gaining ground. I knew I might not be able to hold back much longer.

Fighter jets were taking off from the carrier several miles away, and smaller vessels moved closer. Admiral Winberg’s eyes flashed toward the aircraft, though he seemed to be doing his best to avoid showing his anticipation.

President Thomas shut his eyes and worked his mouth, then grit his teeth.

Joe grimaced. “She’ll do it, Mister President. I’ve seen what she’s capable of.”

[No, you haven’t. I’ve been holding back, Joe. Even with Coconut Grove.]

If this drags on much longer, everyone will die—even those who aren’t responsible. I can’t let that happen.

[Tell them they have thirty seconds to call off whatever operation is headed my way and walk their belligerent asses to the dining room, or I’m going to start removing threats from my halls and from the ocean. If possible, I’ll avoid killing. But if they keep attacking, I’ll remove the government from my Dungeon by whatever means are necessary.]

Thomas asked, “Odds of us surviving if we don’t do as she says?”

Indicating the recently-healed places where she’d been bitten, Karen glared with eyes full of contempt.

Joe replied, “Zero, sir. I don’t even know if it’s possible to fight her.”

Karen raised an eyebrow. “What about that glowing gem? She turned into that, right? If we took it, maybe we could contain her?”

My instinct seethed, and I flared my will to maintain control. I was losing.

Mike glared hatefully and said, “The Dungeon ate my son and his fiancée, Mister President. If she’ll do that, Ciara’s capable of killing anyone.”

That stung. I’d liked him.

The instinct drew closer to taking over.

[Tell that bastard to fuck off.]

I can’t believe I trusted Mike.

This has to change course, somehow.

[Ten seconds, Joe.]

Joe said, “Ten seconds, Mister President…”

The President’s eye twitched and his mouth tightened. “Call off the operation. We’ll talk with her. It would be a lot easier if I could hear her voice again.”

With the immediate threat of a raid to assault my core averted, I was able to keep my sanity.

[Fine.]

[Aron, I need you to remove Karen Felt from the castle. Her attitude is poisoning what’s left of this situation.]

“I don’t think—”

[Do you want a peaceful resolution to this situation, where the marines who were envenomated outside are allowed to recover? I do, but that woman is working hard to prevent it. Do it, and make it seem like it’s not just about Karen. Something’s off about her.]

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President Thomas shut his eyes and rubbed his forehead.

[I want to resolve this peacefully, but you killed my loved ones. Make a gesture showing me that you’re serious. Get her out of my house.]

After a few deep breaths, the President said, “I want everyone except the marines and Secret Service who are present in this room to exit the castle. You will wait for us in the Navy’s new headquarters.”

The silence was oppressive as faces hardened and brows scrunched down. Karen’s eyes grew hateful and her left cheek twitched, but her face smoothed over, then she broke out into a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

I knew it. She’s manipulating people. She might be the one who took Michael and Rihelah away.

One of my Reaper spiders landed against the back of Karen’s red blazer and hid under the collar.

“Sir, are you certain?” asked Admiral Winberg.

Karen raised her hand. “Sir, you need us here. This situation is dangerous, and—”

“Go. Now. That’s an order.”

Most began moving at the President’s order, but Karen sucked in a long breath as the muscles inside her temples and beside her jaw tensed a few times.

“Miss Felt, are you defying me?” President Thomas stared her down.

Karen glanced at Joe and Mike. Her eyes shone with contempt. “No, sir,” she hissed. She stalked out, followed by the only other non-marine who remained—the same man who’d whispered to James and got my residents killed. The man looked as angry as Karen as they were ushered out by Secret Service agents.

He’s in on this.

I sent Mike an invitation to rejoin as a resident.

“No, Ciara. I no longer trust you. I—”

Mike’s scowl faded. He shook his head and blinked a few times.

“I…”

[Someone was affecting you, Mike. I think it was that Karen woman, or the man who left with her. As soon as they left the castle, you changed.]

“You may be right,” said President Thomas, adjusting his collar. “I want Karen and Tony placed in protective custody.”

The agent next to Thomas nodded.

Mike looked down. “Ciara, I’m sorry. I don’t think you’d ever harm my son or Rihelah. I said some pretty harsh things.”

[It was hurtful, and you’re in the dog-house. But I still care about you and that’s a matter for another time. Right now, we need—]

Shit. They found it. Wait. What are they—

[Mister President, why are Karen and her subordinate heading to my Dungeon’s entrance?]

“They’re what?” he asked.

[Your officers and other cabinet members all entered the Navy headquarters as you ordered, but those two left shortly afterward. They’re carrying… are those garment bags?]

The President, marines, and two Secret Service agents stared out the window.

Thomas glared at one of the agents. “Detain those two, but let’s avoid shooting anyone else, today. I need a direct line to the Secretary of Defense.”

[Just bring them back to the castle, Aron. We know who the traitors are.]

Thomas ordered his staff to return.

[What’s in the bags they’re holding?]

“Special riot gear. Miss Felt is the new head of FEMA. She insisted we bring that along.”

[I suspect Miss Felt and Tony made Michael and Rihelah disappear, though I have no proof—yet. I don’t know if they’re alive or not. I just… can’t sense them anywhere.]

“I appreciate that you’re looking, Ciara,” Mike said stiffly.

[Until they’re found, I’ll never stop.]

“Sir, we have a situation,” said one of the Secret Service agents.

[Yeah, you do. Karen and her friend just took out the four marines you had guarding the entrance. They’re too fast to be normal humans.]

I looked closer.

When I identified them before, they showed as F-Rank and mundane. Now…

[They’re residents of a Dungeon. There’s another Dungeon out there!]

“Shit,” Mike and Joe said in unison as they shared a glare.

[Both are E-Rank. She’s an Oppressor, and he’s a Deceiver. These two… are responsible for everything that happened to my babies.]

Every non-spider minion from the second floor down was ordered to find best ambush spots available. The spiders were made to spin webs in locations that would hamper their progress as much as possible, with glue traps like those I’d used at Natural Bridges spread out to prevent flames from affecting more than one at a time. My newest minions were also sent down, though I held them in reserve to keep from wasting their efforts like the Devilflies.

Confirmation came around fifteen seconds after I’d informed the President of his marines’ plight. “Sir, the marines who guarded the entrance had their necks snapped.”

“Damn it, Karen,” the President growled. His fists made a tightening sound. “Lethal force is authorized. Karen Felt and Tony Marchant attacked armed forces personnel with the intent to kill. Treat them as enemy combatants.”

Joe was already out the castle door, followed by Mike. They moved like the wind. The Secret Service agent was already giving orders for everyone to assist.

Two men and two women lay twitching with broken necks where they’d been guarding the entrance to the Crow’s Nest. They glowed with golden light as Joe arrived. After a few seconds, all four breathed easier and sat up.

Mike and Joe shared a glare, but I stopped them shortly after they started to give chase into the Dungeon.

[Mike. Joe. Enter through the castle. Those two are fast—almost as fast as you two. Equip yourselves properly. Her daggers freeze and his hammer burns. They’re putting that riot gear on.]

Devilflies reached their location. Six landed on their backs and fourteen orbited the pair, tying their legs up just as they finished getting the full-body protective gear on. They had helmets that showed no sign of gaps where my minions could slip in to bite.

With reflexes that made me cringe, Karen and Tony swatted all twenty of those Devilflies to death, tore the silk free without damaging their gloves, collected three minor essences, and continued into the tide pool area.

[What are they wearing, Aron? That’s not normal armor.]

“It’s special gear she received from somewhere back east. Stronger than anything we’ve ever seen.”

[Those two might be the enemies we’ve been warned about by Sven. The timing fits.]

“Sonofabitch,” Mike glared as he threw on his heavy cloth tunic and grabbed his bow and quiver.

Joe retrieved his bow and a katana Mike had made for him, opting to forgo any armor.

In Vijaya’s cavern, Tony and Karen slaughtered seven university students along with the first floor boss, stole their essences and the rings from her treasure chest, then kept moving.

[They killed seven adventurers—all students.]

The President’s lips tightened as he spoke, “Karen and Tony just slaughtered seven kids. They are priority targets for elimination. Kill on sight.” He shut his eyes. “How many Adventurer parties are down there?”

[Nine more groups are delving beyond their location. eighty-one people in all, not counting the seven who already died. There are six groups of nine marines as well.]

“Lord Auronox, please give me strength. Let me act as Your servant, to strike down those who oppose Your will,” Joe prayed as they ran onto the familiar path that led through the second floor.

With his eyes watering, Mike whispered, “Auronox, please help me. I need to find my children.”

They glowed, and their running speed increased.

[You’re gaining on the bastards, but they’ll slow down soon. I’ve got powerful minions in their way.]

Devilflies and Murder hornets shadowed the traitors as they ran, ready to swoop in the instant their skin was exposed.

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Karen and Tony slowed as they approached a bamboo-shrouded lake.

“Hah! The Dungeon was lying. There’s her core.” she pointed up at the glowing gem atop a menacing pillar in the center of the lake.

“Imbecile.” Tony shook his head. “Her residents were all E-Rank. Even the President, remember?”

“Fuck. You’re right, you son of a bitch.” They rounded the lake and came to a wall with more than a dozen tunnels.

“Clever enough to avoid sending any more fodder at us, and to make us run down a bunch of identical-looking tunnels. Yeah, this Dungeon is fucking dangerous, Kay. I told you we should’ve waited and watched.”

As they entered the left-most tunnel, Karen replied, “Fuck off, Tone. You agreed to this plan. There’s no choice now, but to see it through.”

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Floors: 4

Minions: 411/480

Residents: 11/18

Denizens: 858211

Traps: 10/20