Less than a week later - which is still more than enough time before I meet with His Royal Elfness, I arrive at Aura's place of birth and the elven capital of Tira.

Although I only realized we were there once I had purchased part of the forest. The sudden influx of DP was dizzying. Far above us and living in the trees, is an astonishing number of elves.

High up in the silver oaks that reach the sky, branches cross and intertwine with one another to create the base of their city. They stretch far and wide, connecting almost all of the canopy above. The trunks are hollowed out up top, carved to form homes and businesses. Signs hang above doorways, fashioned to indicate stores and supply buildings whereas living quarters are unmarked.

Not only can I see those above, but, at some point, they also notice myself and Becca. Maybe they saw her circling in the sky, but they didn't look very pleased at our arrival, for some reason. I want to say it's because they don't get visitors like us very often, but something's telling me that's not the case.

I mean, when are things ever that simple? I want to say it's not dungeon-related, but that wouldn't be true. Wherever I go, so too does my home.

"Becca. Can you see the elves? Do they look... Angry to you? " More and more furrowed brows lean over the safety fences to glare down at me and, frankly, I'd be surprised if she hadn't noticed them by now.

"Yes, Mother. I'm not sure why, but they all seem to be giving you the stink eye." She confirms my theory, not that I would have put it that way, but I still don't understand why they're acting that way. "They also look a little pale," Becca adds to make things worse.

"Don't say that. It could be considered racist. We need to try and get off to a good start." I try to cover her mouth, but she nimbly evades me.

"No. I mean to say that they look paler than elves usually do. It's as though they're afraid of something. They also seem to be sweating quite heavily." OK, so she wasn't being racist then, but how can she tell all that? Aren't I supposed to have the best vision around here? And how does she know what elves usually look like?

Nevermind. Stupid question. Plus, that would be the least of my worries. What's important is the reason why the elves are pissed off with me. What did I do? I'm even anxious to port up there now just in case they take it the wrong way and see it as a declaration of war, or something stupid like that.

I mean, I can see why they might be angry. Elves and humans don't have the best relationship with each other and I look about as human as they come, if I do say so myself. And, other than her horns, Becca is the definition of human beauty. Maybe that's why they look like they've just stepped in horse shit?

I used to get pretty annoyed about people turning up invited. Maybe it's that? Although, in my case, everyone has a reason to want to destroy the dungeon. Still, I suppose it's nothing a quick explanation can't fix.

Before I have the chance to explain myself, the elves start shouting insults down at me. As if that wasn't shocking enough - rather than dispersing the crowd, I watch as a procession of guards join the hate parade. What's even more shocking, it turns out that I was wrong and their animosity has nothing to do with the fact that we resemble humans.

Out of all the taunts and insults I make out, none of them paint me as the friendly, demon-slaying Dungeon Core that I am. If anything, it kind of sounds like they hate me. So terrible am I that I've kidnapped their princess and am holding the royal descendant inside my dungeon of death for seedy games and pleasure.

Ok, I may have added a little detail at the end, Veris springing to mind. After hearing Aura's name mentioned, alongside kidnapping and the hurtful curse words in between, it's easy to understand what they're getting at.

Not that they're right.

Well, almost.

Veris would definitely be down for a few seedy games inside the dungeon with the elven princess. I have no desire to take part in Aura's passion, nor do I wish for her to partake in any games either.

Again, Veris would have a much different opinion on the subject, but thinking about that will get me nowhere. So, back to problem A. Screw these elves. I thought I had been invited here. Where's the welcoming committee and shit?

A piece of rotting fruit hit me in the face and, before I could think, I'd already acted. In the palm of my hand, a large Void Beam is ready to release. Seconds away in fact. Fortunately, I managed to rein my shit in and it's a good job too. If I hadn't stopped myself at the last moment, there would probably have been another procession of armed infantry marching on Varona and with due cause. But thankfully, I restrained myself and, in the process, the jeering elves also fell silent.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

That's what I thought. I don't need this hate. Especially when none of it is justified.

I don't take it any further and release the magic-drawing power from my dungeon into the air. In a display of strength, the mass of energy blazes upwards and explodes exactly where I want it to.

In the cloudy skies above, a circle of pale blue can be seen as the elves look upwards. With my magic gone, the sun shines down on them as they silently watch.

All the elves are speechless after my little display. Becca doesn't look too pleased, but I feel pretty good about myself after showing off like that. Not that I came here to make them fear me or anything devious like that. The main reason for finding this place was because I'd been invited. I just lost myself in a moment of provoked rage. Thats all.

Let someone give me shit now. I dare them.

Still, if anyone's going to smooth this situation over, it's going to be the person who got them riled up in the first place and without asking, checking, or making sure she's OK with the idea, I summon Aura home.

A lot happened in the next few seconds as the unwitting elf realized where she was. First was that she was no longer at home in her bath. The sudden chill is the first indicator alongside the immediate change in scenery. Second, even though she had been alone moments ago, relaxing in unadulterated bliss beneath the bubbles, the elf was now the center of attention for many people. Third, and definitely not gone unnoticed, was the cause of her sudden embarrassment, waving at her casually with a stupid grin on her face and rosy red cheeks.

"What the hell, Abi?" Aura crumples to the floor to protect her modesty before glaring at me. "Why would you just teleport me like that and why here of all places? I ran away from home, you know?"

"That's not cool, Mom. You've gotta make sure a person's dressed before you teleport them." Before I can come up with a response, Becca also throws her opinion into the mix.

The sudden arrival of their missing/kidnapped/now-runaway princess, and the fact that she's naked at that, is enough to kick start the chorus of haters back into procession once again. Worst of all, I deserve this round of jeers.

"How could she do that to another person? Let alone another woman."

"I can't look. It's too humiliating."

"Don't worry about that miscreant, Princess. Your body is beautiful!"

Coming out of my stupor, I clothe Aura and move the three of us into my domain. I then spend a few moments thinking, brushing my foot on the floor which I turned to sand while keeping my eyes firmly pinned to the ground.

I screwed up.

I know I did.

I dread to imagine how I would react if someone did that to me, but Aura's just waiting patiently for me to say something. I think. I'm afraid to look at her. I feel ashamed. I feel more ashamed for Aura. I should known better by now. Why didn't I check quickly?

"Aura?" Slowly raising my eyes, I see both the redhead elf I've just embarrassed and the daughter I never had have both found a comfortable spot to sit in and have started reading. The elf raises her eyes above the book at her name and I feel bad the moment we make contact.

"I'm sorry. I'll never teleport you again without permission first." She stares at me before smiling and returning to her book.

"OK," she brushes it off with a wave.

What? Just like that. No 'How could you?' or 'You've ruined my life forever.'

I feel bad. Like really, really bad. I thought she might have been annoyed at me for the location change, but I didn't even consider the fact she might not be dressed. Why doesn't she care about it as much as I do? Why isn't she livid with me? Other than her initial anger, she doesn't even seem slightly concerned about what's just happened.

"Erm... Aura. About those elves..." She snaps the book shut before I can finish my sentence. I even flinch in the process, earning a stifled giggle from Becca. I'm super glad Me isn't here right now. Or You for that matter. I'd dread to hear what she would think about this.

"I'm not speaking to him," are Aura's only words as she looks at the closed book in her hands. She then looks toward the shelf she had taken it from absentmindedly.

"Him who? All I want is for you to tell those elves that I haven't kidnapped you. You should hear what they were saying about me, Aura. I nearly cried." I nearly destroyed their kingdom too, but I won't mention that last part.

"My dad. The King. Remember, I'm a princess. Who else would He be? You know, Abi, sometimes you can be really dense."

That... makes sense. I'm really off my game today. What's up with that?

"So as long as he's not out there when we go back, you'll tell the others that I'm not holding you against your will?"

Aura frowns but reluctantly agrees.

"Thanks. I'm supposed to meet your dad in a few days, but I don't know how that's gonna go down. I thought things between us were friendly and peaceful when... When... Damn it. What was that elf's name again? You know, the one in charge when they helped against the demons."

"Do you mean Edwan?" Becca asks and it damn well sounds right. How can she remember his name, but I can't?

"Yeah, that guy. He said we would be welcomed, but unless elves welcome people by booing and making them feel like crap then maybe he lied to me?" I pout.

"It's not likely. If that's what he told you there's no reason to believe otherwise. The reason they changed their mind might have to do with the fact he saw me in Varona. It's been a long time since I was there... Here? In fact, where are we right now, Abi?" Unable to make her mind up, Aura decides to ask instead of guess.

"This is Divinty's Domain. It's one of my divine skills and I can do anything I want here with a thought. Cool, huh?"

"Well yes, but where are we exactly?"

"Oh. Our bodies are still in the same place at the elven capital's lower level. I think. I'm pretty sure that only our souls enter this space. I have been known to be wrong though. Either way, whenever I end the skill, I'm always back where I was when I used it. There are loads of other amazing uses too, but right now, I need you, Aura. I need you to tell those fools that I haven't kidnapped you and that we don't perform despicable acts in my dungeon of death."

Aura has no words to answer my melodramatic plea for help, all she does is nod along sympathetically. Honestly, I was hoping she was going to defend my dungeon.

What do you mean, Abi? You're dungeon's lovely and great. Sunshine, unicorns and rainbows 24/7.

Don't just nod along like it is an actual dungeon of death.

Maybe I took it over the top?

Nevermind. It's onwards and upwards from here.

Literally.