Not one to ignore a command, Noir dissapears into the shadows and leaves the dungeon with his partner. After being out for a short period of time, however, his frustration is already getting the better of him.
"Why!?" His mighty weapon soars through the air, taking the Elder Boar with it. The oversized pig squeels, finding itself pinned to a large, oak tree.
Bleeding profusely, the Boar flails helplessly and only worsens the injury. Gravity does the rest as Noir's wooden shaft stands stiff and the Boar's weight finishes itself off.
The shrieks and cries of its loved ones would have been the last sounds it heard, had a certain Shadow Walker not been shouting the entire forest down.
"I'm already the strongest! I should be Masters... Bodyguard, or maybe even the Boss Monster?" Noir's spear reappears in his hand as he skewers a second Elder Boar.
Stepping out from the shadows, Carrie swings her blade twice and the two Boars behind Noir lose their heads. Not a single speck blood land on her black and white checkered dress.
"Why do you have to be so childish. We may be the strongest of Master's children, but we still obtain more power." Carrie's words are a blade to counter his own, for all Noir wants is to return to the dungeon. To see his Master.
"We've already gained a few levels from these Boar's. We should head home now, something is not right." Carrie rolls her eyes. It's the fifth time Noir's brought up the subject. It would help his case if he hadn't said the moment they left, however.
"You've been saying that since we left, so how do you expect me to believe you? Do you wish to please the Master, Noir?" Carrie leads her prey into the perfect trap and he follows willingly, "Yes! Of course!" Noir's words echo out through the forest and another Elder Boar is bacon. .
"Do you wish to make the Master proud?" She continues, knowing she has already won the psychological battle. She sidestep the Boar charing her from behind and Noir spears it with a smile across his face.
"YES!" He bellows fiercely. Determination welling up inside him, five more ingredients hit the forest floor after a mini tornado makes sausage meat of them all.
"Then we must do what the Master has commanded. We must learn all that we can." Seven Piglets disappear into shadows as Dropper appears behind them. "We must raise our level and become even stronger." Momma Pig follows right after. So does Papa, Uncle George, Princess Pepper, and Rolly Poly Jim.
Dropper now has Noir in the palm of her hand. His eyes blaze with passion and his body covers itself in shadow. Determination exudes from his core and his muscles tense, ready to release like a taught bow string.
"First we will rid the forest of these swine. Then we'll return home to drop off our tribute before finding somewhere inhabited by humans. That way you can inform the master of our progress." That was just the cherry on an already-oversized cake.
Elder Boar after Boar disappeared into the shadow in the wake of Noir's excitement. He could speak to the Master soon. All he had to do was get rid of a few pigs. It was such a simple task m, he had forgotten why he was complaining in the first place.
One pack.
Two packs.
Four packs
The forest was silent as Noir stopped to listen. Nothing could be heard. Not even the birds dared move, lest they want shafting out of the sky.
Noir smiled as Carrie rose into view from the shadows. For once, she was staring like she wanted to slap him. That had to be a good sign.
"Are we done?" His words hang in the air as his partner closes her eyes. Listening closely, she relaxes before shrugging.
"What does that mean? Are we done? It means we're done, right? You didn't say no. Yes!" Noir screams and shows his excitement as he dances in a circle. "She's going to be so proud. I didn't even count them, but there's easily more than a hundred of the pigs in my storage. Look!"
"Good. You've made the Dungeon Core proud. She should be..." In the bushes behind Noir, deaf-old Grandpa Pig sticks is snout out and locks eyes with the two Shadow Walkers. He then sees the prizes on display and swiftly books it. Running as fast as his old trotters will carry him.
Carrie smikes as Noir's shoulders slump.
"Okay. But these are the last ones. We can't kill all the Boars. It'll be one less source of XP and we need them to repopulate so that we level up. So, promise we'll go back after we kill these pigs?" Wanting clarification before he paints the forest red again, Carrie rolls her eyes before answering. As soon as she agrees, Noir dissapears to out an end to the end.
"See what I mean. He's just like a child. He needs constant assurance, it you talk him into almost anything," she tells the shadows beneath her. "Yes. We will return after killing the Boar's. No. You don't need to help him. He needs the experience more than the levels." Confirming her thoughts, Carrie fades in to darkness beneath her. Off to watch Noir thin the numbers on one of the forest's many inhabitants.
-Noir and Carrie, Monster Killers
----------------------------------------
Terrortation is a mixture of the feeling of terror, experienced during my first session of meditation, and the name of the activity performed.
Terrortation is not a real word.
We've already had this conversation, remember?
If I said it, that makes it's a word and the thought of it still scares the shit out of me. What if I can't wake up, or worse. What if I'm forced to remember something I don't want to?
Thoughts aside, I'm still going to try it. There's nothing else to do whilst everyone sleeps and jealousy can make a Core do some crazy things.
Ok, Me. If I don't wake up and any problems arise that needs my attention, you're in charge. Got it?
I will not let you down, Abi.
Good. Please, don't kill the apprentice either.
I will not. Well, I will at least try my best not too, right?
I know I started that, but you took it too far. I mean, I know that you meant it as a joke, but it's still a little sketchy since you mentioned so many times earlier.
I will make sure no harm comes to her for you. I promise.
That's more reassuring. Thank you, Me.
With that settled, I disperse Manifestation and close all of my overview screens until only one remains. Barry pounds away on his entrance to make sure it doesn't close, yet all I see is the hole getting wider. Putting it out of mind, I close the last screen.
The same darkness when my life as a Dungeon Core started surrounds me. It's not just darkness though, it's the absence of anything and everything. A space that should by all rights shouldn't exist, but does. Stranger yet, it how this absence of nothing responds to my will. Not only do I control screens that show every location in my Dungeon, anything featured on either of my lists can be viewed in here by a single thought.
That's the sort of place my overview is.
My damaged Core comes to mind and a beacon of light appears in the darkness. I try and relax, basking in the comfort of a soft, green hue but can't keep eyes of the damaged part. It makes me sad so I dismiss the image and the void takes me once more.
With everything that's happening right now, being inside the dark confines of my own mind is a little pertubing. I stick at it though. Boring as it until eventually, colours start to appear and shapes take form. Dancing around, they merge together in a mix of patterns until context unclouds. my mind.
A scene plays out before me, but it's not the same one as before. Which is great because I don't have to see that happening to Anya again, but it is a far cry from what I actually wanted.
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Instead of the swift death that was supposed to be assured, the content seems to have gotten worse this time. With my armour missing and my garments askew -I can only pray that I managed to make it away before what-the-worst-of-me-thinks took place, could take place
Sprinting down the linear tunnel of the Dungeon the Goblins called home, Abi the Human takes turn after turn with no idea where she's going. It's sad to see my former self in such a state. It cuts me deep. No matter what I try though, the vision won't end. I can even leave her to my fate because for some reason we're tethered together.
Even though we're connecred by the green tentacle of my Dungeon's will, she can't hear me. Old Abi is oblivious to my Presence, ignorant to the fact I'm watching events unfold. A passenger, along for what's-guaranteed-to-be a shitty ride.
Even if she could hear me, what help would I be? I don't even remember this. For all I know, I could end up leading her to our death. It's best I just keep my mouth shut and get through this.
Not that I do.
I would like to stop now. Thank you. I want to go home. I'm OK as a Dungeon, really. Let's end the session here. I really want to quit. Come on let me leave. I want to go. Overview! Manifestation!
Nothing works.
Typical.
Where are we going now?
I'm pretty sure Kal is behind us still. Abi the Escapee wouldn't be running so hard if there wasn't a threat. Speaking of running, this path has been heading straight forwards for a while now. Don't tell me, this is...
I can never let Me know what I learned here. Ever. My reputation is on the line. If he finds out I stole an idea from a Goblin-spawning Dungeon, I'm done for.
Abi the Mourner sheds tears for our fallen comrade whilst running from another. Anya was more than just a comrade, but I'm trying to keep it mellow so that I don't join myself in sorrow. She could do without me wailing as she dies. Why is that I feel so detached watching myself flee in futility. Is it because I know how it ends already?
I don't think it's fair that I have witness the context though. Isn't it good enough that I'm growing fond of being a Dungeon Core?
My words fall on dead ears. I'd ask The System for help, but I'm pretty sure this is her doing. If normal Dungeon Cores can meditate then the reason I can't and am here, must span from whatever messed with my reincarnation in the first place. Hence, The System.
That bitch. I don't even care if she takes away the sun, she's going to get a piece of my mind when I get out of here. Not the controlled part either.
Dragged along, I consider the possibility that my mind is making all this up as we go alone. Two Goblins get closer as Abi the Desperate increase her speed, leaning into the shadows of the wall. With armour or weapons, stealth is her best shot.
A swift death by knife to the face would be appreciated too.
That doesn't happen and, emerging from the shadow by the closest Goblin, it's throat gushes with blood as it's weapon is stolen. The Goblin's knife ends up lodged in the eye socket of the second and Abi the Badass takes both knives before picking up her pace.
Maybe I am imagining it? That was pretty hardcore.
Weapons acquired, she continues down the tunnel. Waiting, probably praying aswell, for the tunnel to split. Anything that might throw our pursuer off would be greatly appreciated. I should take note of this for my own layout.
It's not that I didn't notice it before, but my Dungeon is quite easy to travel through. There are no mazes, no split paths and no dead ends. Not yet anyway as all that requires DP. There's a few extra rooms here and there, but again they're only there to meet the floor requirements. So, yeah. All my floor are linear and was to navigate. It's a good job they're full of Spiders.
Coming at me down there will find you in a sticky situation...
...
I forgot that Me's not here. He would have had something to say to that one.
It wasn't like I wanted my first couple of floors to be a Dungeon walk. It's also likely that I'll be accepting guests for afternoon tea in my Core room either, so I suppose it doesn't really matter. I was going for distance and that's what I got. Five floors deep, my Core is safely tucked away with Colin.
The tunnel continues to bare true and so does Abi the Athlete. A third Goblin dies without knowing it and, after being dragged along for what-felt-like miles, Abi is nothing but the Unlucky.
Well, we're screwed now. That's obviously the Boss Room. Not that she knows that. Enjoy your naivety. I'm certainly not imagining this either. I doubt my mind would be able to make up something this cruel on its own.
My old heart must be thumping away in her chest. If I was truly attached to my old self, I'd be scared of the reverberation from her panic. She might have been athlete, but everyone has a limit. She should at least catch her breath before what comes next, I'm sure she's going to need it.
The knowledge I lacked on dungeons was no ones fault but my own and in the three years we were a party, we only ever entered two. Contract postings to guard scholars don't go up very often, not when they think they know it all. Even when they do, you have to be fortunate enough to be at the guild at the right time.
Now, armed with information on the secrets of Dungeon Core life, I know damn well that behind this tunnel blocker. Going by the door, I would be absolutely gobsmacked if this isn't the Boss Room. I'll even tell Me about the tunnel.
Carved into the front of the door is a Goblin Mage. A Fireball is set above an outstretched hand and in the other he holds a staff. Not catching that breath and barely giving the carving a second glance, Abi the Unpreceptive opens the doors.
Ugly bastard. He better not kill you, Abi!
"Oh Abi, where are you?" Kal's words catch us both by surprise and I swear I felt goosebumps. His voice echoes down the never-ending tunnel, prompting my dilly-dallying self to propel us both through the heavy door and into the Boss Room. I want to say "What is she thinking?" but a known demon is much worse than an unknown one.
Heaving the doors closed with laboured breathes, I scan the room behind her and see what she does not. Unlike his depiction outside, the Goblin Mage isn't much bigger than a tier-one Goblin. They only thing they have what sets them apart from the rest, is their proficiency for magic.
Fortunately, Rogue beats Mage in Chezz.
Watching Abi the Cowardly quiver behind the door that offers zero protection, the Mage's robe rustles as it begins to form a spell. The projectile launched through the air is faster though, even whilst thrown startled.
Yeah. You better have not died to that Goblin either.
"Abi?" The Mage's corpse hits the ground with a thud as the voice of death beckons her from beyond. Terrified, she looks around for an escape route and finds another set of doors. However, they are not the type of doors that lead to stairwells. There's only one thing that could possibly be behind there.
My human self enters the last room she'll ever enter, trying to keep the monster away and I'm dragged in behind her. Placing her hands on the door, she can't afford to let the monster in. Fighting with all her strength, she pushes back as Kal tries to force the door open. I barely even notice as my eyes are locked on the Dungeon Core in the center of the room.
This place is bare, Blue. Where are your chests? It looks like you don't have a Colin either? I almost feel sorry for you having to spit out Goblins.
Knowing secret information about Dungeon Cores would be suspenseful, if it wasnt something mundane. Instead, what I know is that Blue over there was probably asleep when all this happened. Unless it's Voice Activated User Notification System was anything like Me, that is.
Abi the Desperate's eyes scan the room to find herself trapped. She also notices the elephant in the room and momentarily finds herself mesmerised. It's the first time she's ever seen a Dungeon Core, imagine if she could see me now. Wait, nevermind.
After snapping out of it, she's taken by despair. Lacking an exit of any kind, she ran herself in to a dead end. Trapped. Fear begins to overwhelm her again and tears fall anew. Wondering why I don't remember, this is definitely the last room in the Dungeon and certainly a dead-end. Yet, I still can't recall any of this happening.
Why don't I remember anything about my death?
The second the thought entered my mind, I felt a tug pulling me towards myself. Who, by the way, is in no state to receive me as she even begun hyperventilating. The crack in her defences was all Kal needed and his sword is thrust through the door. A fresh line of blood lines the body I'm being pulled into as Kal enters the room.
"Where you gonna go now, Abs?" The monster in human flesh grins sadistically. The same grin I didn't want to see in the session. Breaking into a maniacal laugh, his presence is enough to crush what's left of my former self's spirit. Fortunately for her, she's no longer in the driving seat and can take a personal moment. Don't ask me how, but it's Dungeon Core Abi's turn to rock this bitch.
Although, this bitch is knackered and Kal's looking no worse for wear. Worse yet, now that I'm in control, my past memories are flooding into me like commit going backwards. Memories of the not-far-away future are also stored within and I find myself no better than Abi of the Past.
Helpless.
I know what's about to happen, but I can't prevent it in any way. Before I can even begin formulating a thought, Kal is swinging his sword at me and I counter with the appropriate stance. Or I would have, had passed-out me taken it from the Mage when she crossed the room. Instead, I'm now an arm down and pain overrides my fear.
Fury swells inside me as momentum carries Kal forward. He gets a stump to the face and I scream, jumping back towards the center of the room and the inevitable conclusion my memories showed me. If it's going to happen anyway, let's not beat about the bush. I've already lost an arm and I'm not a glutton for punishment. No matter what Me or Veris might say.
Landing beside the Dungeon Core, I use the dagger in my remaining hand to destroy the blue crystal. Even though I rushed it, there's no way I would have let a monster like Kal get his hands on this power, not after what he did to Anya.
Even if this is just a memory, I couldn't bare to see that happen. It wouldn't just be a disservice to my friend, but to my own memory. My thoughts then and what I think now, are no different. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
Consequences be damned.
I feel like I've just absorbing the largest tribute ever and strength flows in to human body. At the same time, so does the blade of the person I once called my friend. He charges me across the room and impales me on the wall, I cough blood, but a smug smile still creeps across my lips.
"Didn't expect that... Did ya." More blood spills from my mouth as I struggle against the blade. Kal is furious. He grabs hold of me, thinking it's over. Shaking me vigorously he screams in my face. In his rage, his spits vile words that a monster like him has no right saying. Now that I've been rendered incapable of movement by his weapon, he seems to have lost his senses as there's still one trick up my sleeve.
Or should I say a dagger? Not letting the opportunity pass me by, I lodge it in as far in his eye socket as I can. It wasn't fast enough to be a kill shot, however. The monstrous Defender managed to pull back just in time to avoid my wrath. It still made him scream incoherently, making me feel slightly better.
Impaled on the dungeon wall, I look down at the body I used to be so proud of. My green hair is stained in blood and sweat and my left arm is missing. Rammed through the center of my chest, Kal's greatsword is the only thing keeping me alive. The moment it's removed, that's when Abi of the Past's journey to reincarnate is sabotaged.
Kal is curled up in pain on the Dungeon floor. Hopefully, he might bleed to death. He might even die before I do. Not that it's a competition.
"Abi?" He growls from the corner of the room as he glares at me with one good eye. I don't want to answer him, but I do it anyway. I even know what he is going to say as this is my second time living this moment. Feeling emotions boil inside me and I don't reply the same way I did in the past.
Instead, I give him an answer that comes recommended from the Rogues' Handbook itself. Pulling myself free from the blade, I smile one last time at Kal and tell him, "Go fuck yourself, dickhead!"
With that, my terrortation session finally comes to an end. I'm relieved that my death wasn't as bad as I thought it was and it's one less thing to stress over.
Abi, a group of knights are camped outside your dungeon and the Categoriser is with them!
What?
You have been meditating for 12 hours.
Well isn't that just a barrel of crap?
Terrortation really does suck!