The world rushed past Billy Joe’s vision. One moment she was in a pitched battle against the angel boss of the dungeon, the next, she sat in a booth in the maroon room. The change had been near-instantaneous and was momentarily jarring as she held her head from the mild vertigo caused by the change.
“What the?” Billy Joe mumbled, her entire head feeling like it was made out of gelatin.
“Took ya long enough!” Gus said happily with a mouth full of sauce-soaked ribs.
“Well… I wondered what happened when we lost.” Billy Joe mumbled again, regaining her sense of balance.
“Turns out, ya get booted from the Dungeon for a day. Gus tried getting back in but there’s a twelve-hour timer that just pops up on the door whenever he gets close.” Jamie said, cutting into their spinach and mushroom omelet.
“So now what?” Billy Joe asked.
“I believe I will be of help answering that.” A large waddling walrus came up to the table.
“And you would be?” Gus asked, slightly confused.
“I am the teacher assigned to this room this week.” The walrus retorted.
“Oh, yeah, cuz that explains everything.” Billy Joe said under her breath.
“Majesty Will has decreed that all may challenge the dungeon once every half-day. No more. Wouldn’t want you fleshies to get burnt out or mentally scar yourselves.” The walrus made a deep honking noise that seemed to be laughing.
“I guess fair enough,” Jamie responded, taking another big bite of their omelet. “Why’s food so good here?”
“It is prepared by the Majesty with finishing touches by me. Of course, it is the highest quality!” The walrus made his laughing noise again, “Or it could just be that you fleshies enjoy your food better after tearing your red meaty bits.”
Billy Joe paused, “Okay, two things. Firstly, do you mean exercise? Secondly, fleshies? You’re flesh too… or blubber… Honestly, I’m not too sure.”
“My rightful form will be gifted to me upon mastery of this!* The walrus wiggled its mustache in frustration. “I am to be a mighty undead! Maybe a skeleton-lord or a Vampire!”
Jamie spoke up again after finishing their side of home-fries. “I never got to ask Will, but uhm, where are we going? I saw the ground moving under us, and the mountain hasn’t moved before.”
The slightly offended walrus looked back up as he had already begun seeing himself off, “Oh, Majesty said we will be going to absorb some very unique mana. Something about making sure there’s enough power in the stones. Wouldn’t want us all falling out of the sky now would we?”
Billy Joe pulled herself out of the vast menu at the table. “Alright, so where are we getting that mana?”
“Lake Cumberland,” the walrus responded. “It is an artificial lake, and recently made in the grand scheme of things. Areas flooding tend to create high-mana zones, unfortunately, these are usually tinged with heavy amounts of death, that is not the case here.”
“Okay… Thanks, you might want to tell the reporters that. They were kind of freaking out earlier.” Gus says with a mouthful of ribs meat.
The walrus waddled away and the three friends sat at the table, enjoying the free food and atmosphere. Soft jazz played in the corner currently as the penguins waddled between tables carrying serving trays of food. You didn’t so much order in the Maroon Room as you asked the waiter to bring over their tray.
“Hey what about that loot we got?” Gus asked.
Billy Joe searched her waistband and found the dimensional bag. Opening it up and reaching down she pulled out a single bar of Damascus. “Seems we got it.”
Jamie nodded, “Be a shame if we did all that work and the reward got taken back. Good to know Will’s a good sport, I suppose.”
Billy Joe stuck her hand back into the sack, replacing the metal, however, when her hand was inside she felt something different. A piece of paper lay on the stack of metal in whatever interdimensional space made up the bag. Pulling out the paper she read it quietly to herself.
“Dr. Hawthorn, therapy and counseling. 33 Mainstreet Barthel… What? We don’t have a counseling practice in town I thought.” Billy Joe mumbled again.
“Oh, yeah, looks like we got some new buildings. Heard some of the adventurers talk about it when they walked through the door. Looks like a bunch of the wishes from today were for buildings in the town. Seems people don’t think we’re a full-fledged adventuring hub yet.” Gus replied with his mouth covered in barbecue sauce as he pulled the meat free of another rib.
Billy Joe rethought her fights in the lobster room and the boss fight, deciding the wise move may very well be to take up Will’s invitation.
Heh, lesbian, atheist, going to therapy. I’m everything my father hated. She thought to herself with a smile on her face. Also remembering she would need to call or visit her mother soon and see how the kind woman was doing.
Ned and Mark walked through the portal-like door leading into the dungeon proper.
“Hey, all!” Ned said with a large smile on his face.
“What’s got you so chipper?” Billy Joe asked as the other two at the table did their best to scarf down their food.
“That’n asked for a wish even the genie didn’t think they could do. Turns out they could.” Mark shrugged smiling wide.
“Well?” Gus said with a mouthful of mashed potatoes.
“A gentleman never wishes and tells,” Ned winked with a big grin on his face, sitting down beside Billy Joe.
“And you?” Gus asked.
Mark held up a small purple gem, the same basic design as Gus’ own class gem.
Finishing his meal Gus got up and clapped his friend on the back. “Congrats! Why haven’t you opened it yet?”
“Just… Waiting on the right time I suppose,” Mark replied with a sigh.
The five of them sat down for a small meal together. Jamie and Gus groaning while they hold their stomachs, having rushed their food.
“We’re gonna head out for now. I’ve got some more business to work out with Clarice and I better get this guy back to his mom.” Jamie said, standing and scooting out of the booth.
“Me too, It’s nearly six and that’s when the portal cycles back around to where my sister is. I need to go check up on her and everyone else.” Ned said, getting back up.
“Hey… you should drop by the store next time you’re in town. Savvy Scavengers, Odds and Ends for the Discerning Mind. You can’t miss it, it’s on the road up here.” Jamie said, fetching their coat from the rack.
“I’d like that,” Ned smiled back.
The three-party members walked out the front of the Dungeon, leaving Mark and Billy Joe by themselves.
Leaning back and putting her feet up on the table, Billy Joe smiled at the Orc.
“So, you went into the chrysalis I’m assuming a human boy, and came out… oh, how did Jamie put it… Green?” Billy Joe smiled wide at Mark.
Mark blushed, a deep purple color that looked cute on their green cheeks. “Yeah, I’m all green.”
Billy Joe pointed to the other booths around the Maroon Room. “Have you noticed?”
“Hm?"
“We can’t hear anyone else. It’s like each table has a soundproof barrier.” Billy Joe’s smile grew a little wider.
Mark slunk back into their seat, “J-just now.”
“I’m not gonna bite. Less ya like it, I mean. Come on, we can talk. Just us girls here aint we?” She said, causing Mark to sink lower into the booth.
“How’d you know?” Mark replied, a shocked look on their face.
“Honestly, just had a good guess. Cracking voice, all that cloth bundled around your chest. I mean you’re either an anime character getting ready to scream about drilling into the heavens or some such nonsense... or you’re binding.” Billy Joe stared up at the ceiling as she spoke.
Mark just stayed silent for now, fiddling their thumbs, unsure of what to say.
This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.
“Now, I’ve known you… say two and a half years? Sure you’re normally hanging around Gus but we’ve spoke. Never really took you as trans. Care to fill a lady in?” Billy Joe asked with her kindest expression possible.
Mark let out a long sigh, “Imeanit’snotlikeIwantedtobe…”
“Woah! Woah! Slow down there.” Billy Joe said, patting the young Orc’s back.
Tears flowed down Mark’s face slowly, “I never really… I mean I didn’t think I… It just sorta happened… I didn’t notice it at first but after I went to the bathroom it was kinda obvious.”
Billy Joe just nodded slowly while listening, “And it’s all just so confusing?”
Mark looked up from burying their face. “YES!”
“Mind if I help?” Billy Joe asked quietly.
“HOW?!”
She leaned back in the booth. “Just listen I guess… Dunno, I guess just listening, maybe it just makes it easier to handle?”
Mark nodded and sniffed. “I… You know those dumb ideas everyone gets in high school. The ‘what if’ games and all that. I mean, I only ever thought about this…” Motioning to their body. “...then.”
Billy Joe waited to see if they would continue and after a short silence spoke. “Let me guess, ‘If you could be a girl for the day, would you?’ I’ve been my way around these groups before.”
Mark nodded, “Yeah… I mean, it didn’t sound bad. I never really disliked how I was before…but...”
Billy Joe nodded again, “But you like how you are now?”
Mark nodded again.
“Gender Euphoria… It’s not like being trans is all bad stuff. Some don’t have dysphoria making them feel crap about how they are currently… Some people just feel more ‘right’ or ‘correct’ after they try it out.” Billy Joe said softly.
“THIS ISN’T A TRY OUT!” Mark screamed, thankfully Billy Joe was right and the only being to react in any way was a penguin server who just didn’t have a very good grasp on English just yet.
Bringing over a small tray of various appetizers the penguin waiter stood beside the table next to a tearful Mark.
Billy Joe leaned over, picking up a small cracker sandwich for herself, and a tray for Mark. Setting the tiny tray in front of the Orc the penguin then hurried off.
“Here, no use in crying on an empty stomach.” Billy Joe said, munching her own snack.
“Th-thanks,” Mark sniffed, picking up a small toasted finger-sandwich and nibbling on it.
“I didn’t mean to offend or make light, I’m sorry if it came across that way. I’m not too great with my words. I either say way too much or never say enough…” Billy Joe looked distant for a short while but snapped back to reality when she heard Mark snap a cracker.
“What… What if Gus finds out… What if we aren’t friends anymore?” Mark asked, eyes beginning to water again.
“I don’t think you’ll have to worry about that. You will eventually need to tell him the other thing though.” Billy Joe said, a wry smile on her face.
Mark blushed a deeper purple and shook his head, “N-No, what if he…”
“You don’t have to now silly when you’re ready. I know you aren’t in a place to tell your old man, but your birthday is what? Valentine's day or something?” Billy Joe asked.
“February fourteenth… I’ll be eighteen.” Mark responded, a dumbfounded look on their face.
“Just wait it out that long if you can. I’ve got plenty of room at my place, and Gus could come by anytime you both want.” Billy Joe stared up at the ceiling, she had the odd sensation of something watching her from that point but couldn’t tell what.
Mark looked up, shocked, “Y-You’d do that?!”
“Yeah, I know a thing or two about bad parents, and especially pissing off your old man. But yer Ma’ she’s always been good people, when you feel safe enough, at least from my perspective, she would be the parent to tell first.” Billy Joe said, remembering all of the town fourth of July cookouts.
“Th-thanks,” Mark mumbled.
“No problem, thinking of changing your name?” She asked.
“N-not much. I’ve always liked Gus calling me Mark… I was throwing around the name ‘Marceline’ but it was just a thought.”
“You got it, Marcy.” Billy Joe smiled, her teeth shining brightly to the young Orc. A feeling of contentment and wellbeing welled up in Marc’s heart that she just couldn’t explain.
“Now, let’s head out and see those new buildings. I heard one of those yahoos mention they wished for an adventurer’s guild.” Billy Joe laughed, holding out a hand to help Mark get out of the booth.
***
“This is Tucker T Tuckson reporting from the Dungeon in Barthel, Kentucky,” Tucker said into the camera. “I’m here with an inside source in the dungeon here to tell us all where and why the entire mountain and town are moving!”
The camera pans out slowly to reveal Tucker sitting in a fold-out chair next to a walrus with large mustache-like bristles.
“Hello, fleshy humans and others of the ground!” The Walrus said, his back flipper patting the ground in joy at all of the attention.
“Yes, you said something about you know where everyone is headed?” Tucker responded, bringing his microphone closer to the talking walrus.
“Yes, Majesty has decided that we should fill up our mana reserves. We are not low right now but it would be best to fill up the tank before it hits ‘E’ as you humans say.” The walrus responded with a soft honking noise.
Tucker looks slightly irritated as he asks again for the third time, “And where is everyone headed?”
“Lake Cumberland.” The walrus responded and immediately the camera zooms back in on Tucker T. Tuckson.
“Remember folks, you heard it from me first, the flying mountain of Barthel is going to Lake Cumberland! I hope everyone is ready for some visitors.” Tucker said as the scene starts fading out, right before it does…
The walrus's voice can be heard clearly in the background. “Yeah, but we won’t get there for like a week.”
***
In Savvy Scavengers, a small tube TV flicked to life in the back room. A golden and black thread of mana danced around the empty room.
“A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest of men.” The red-headed man wearing purple on the screen spoke.
Nonsense… Nonsense sounds fun!
A smaller brown hat otherwise identical to the one worn by the man in the movie coalesced out of gold, black, and red energy. The thread was running out of the red energy, but that didn’t feel like such a bad thing.
Sure, creation is fun. But I like playing with the toys that are already out.
***
Darnell was not having a fun day. The Dungeon was open and adventurers were pouring out of the large green portal in the middle of town every time it changed location on the half-hour. Locals were coming in through the three purple portals connecting the major roads and the number of changes the small town was undergoing appeared to be massive.
Four buildings, not small ones, had been erected or changed. The first one being the Town Hall.
No longer was the town hall an old Pentecostal church that the town had repurposed for their own needs. Now the town hall was the fourth-floor meeting space of a grand building. Standing in the middle of a crossroads, one direction led towards the mine and thus the Dungeon, the other road, however, would take you into the wilderness and the forests of the mountain.
“Quiet down, quiet down!” Darnell called to silence the townsfolk as well as a few ‘adventurers’ who showed up.
“What are you doing about this! There’s a two-story building right next to my general store!” Called Patricia.
“You don’t run the general store, I do! You run the cold food. Don’t get them confused.” Karen called, the youngest daughter of the general store owner.
“Okay, firstly, what does I…” Before Darnell could finish his sentence he got death glares from both women so he quickly halted that train of thought. “...Okay, does anyone know what the building beside Patricia’s store is for?
“That would be me,” A tall woman with ashen skin strode forward. Her ears pointed as an elve’s as green lines ran across her skin in the shape of vines. Small tattoo-like lines simulated cracks in bark, however, the glowing orange under her shirt gave away her dwarven inclinations.
“And you would be?” Darnell asked, not gotten used to all of the changes in folks yet.
“I am Dr. Hawthorn.” The androgynous-looking woman said. “But you all might know me as Grannie Getcha.”
Darnell’s face lost some of its usual dark mocha color, Grannie Getcha was well known in the small town. She sat on her porch near the center of town, always yelling at children to get off her property and shaking her walking stick. If ever there was an example of the old person yelling at children for no reason other than being cantankerdly, it was Grannie Getcha.
“Gran...I mean Dr. Hawthorn. It’s good to see you at these meetings. How are you lately?” Darnell asked with a faux sweetness in his voice.
“Well, far better than before. Honestly, I doubted Christia when I first saw her, but the change is indeed something to behold.” Dr. Hawthorn paused. “Now, as for my practice.
“PRACTICE?!” Karen nearly squealed. “How is someone as old and… oh, how shall I put this… mentally unsound as you run a practice of any kind?”
Darnell sighed, used to this. “Jerome, can you please escort Ms. Karen out?”
After giving his brother a few pleading side-glances Jerome exhaled long and hard. “Alright Karen, come on, time to go.”
The Sheriff and the young woman continued their exhausting arguing as Jerome slowly escorted her to the new elevator.
“As I was saying. Many of us who were elderly before would like to return to work. I myself have always wanted to return to the field, but my age and mental health prevented it.” Dr. Hawthorn commented.
“Fine, you’re cleared for zoning, but you should have came to us before going in yourself and getting your house upgraded.” Darnell sighed. “So, what’re we doing about this ‘guild’ thing?”
***
In the forested area of the mountain, Barthel was flying on, a rope of green mana swam through the air and trees. Animals still remained on the flying mountain, many in fact.
A small family of deer here and there, even an armadillo for some reason. Rodents, rabbits, birds…
They speak of hunters yet prey have no way to defend themselves…
Magic flooded out of the small rope of green mana, changing the buck slowly. Fire sprouted from the tips of its horns as a coating of armor-like Ice covered its torso. A slow bellowing noise came from between its lips as they crack and heal from the ice.
They speak of sport, I am merely giving them what they wish for. The most important thing in sport afterall, is a sense of fairness.
The antlers soon grew as the calcium spreads, forming a bone-like helmet around the animal. The fires flare to life on each tip of its antlers, creating a wreathed crown of immolation.
EVOLVE!!!
***
Sadness was felt by the spirit as the massive woman walked out of the room with her Orc friend.
The feeling was short, immediate, and overwhelming. The consciousness in the corner flew back, far back, to the edge of the dungeon. Phasing into the lantern as it touched it.
Slowly the consciousness eased itself back into its crystalline bed alongside the three others.
There were things to be done, yes. And she would be needed to finish the other four.
The four slain humans of Barthel rested peacefully in their deaths. Knowing that whatever was coming next would be needed for the survival of all they loved.