Apollo was awake.

Lasair sent her vision rushing down the corridor, passing right through the [HORDE] on her way. As her vision finally entered her core room, it alighted on the plinth. More specifically, the wisp slowly rising up from it.

Apollo?

The effect of the [SOUL BOND] was immediate. Her question, instead of being answered with words, received a feeling of confusion. The feeling seems to slip from the bond and settle in her mind, as if it were her own. Lasair sent back a rush of happiness and reassuring pride. This finally received a word, if only one.

"Mama?"

Dear God the little shit was calling her Mama. How the fuck had the world come to this.

Yes?

"Are you alright?"

We both are Apollo. We both are.

The wisp seemed to sag in relief, dropping down in the air before resuming the rhythmic bobbing that was his kinds idle state. Another burst of confusion, although this one far less urgent, came across the bond.

"Why is everything red? And why is your voice so much clearer?"

That was a loaded question. Lasair decided to answer the best she could, even if she was unsure on the majority of the details.

I bit off more than I could chew with that expansion. Whatever you did to bring me back made a [SOUL BOND]. I have pieces of you, and you have pieces of me.

"Oh. OK! Does that mean I can play with the cool lines now?"

Lasair had no idea what he was talking about or how he had moved past the idea of having a fractured soul so fast. After taking a moment to remove herself from a shocked stupor, she realized that Apollo must be referring to her mana affinity.

Don't know. Try it out little guy.

The [SOUL BOND] flared as Apollo reached across it, grasping for her affinities. For just a moment it was in his hold, and the strands around him bend slightly. But then the bond calmed back down, the wisp lost control, and Lasair received a feeling of exhaustion from her favorite nightlight. Panting slightly, the wisp turned to her in excitement.

Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

"I did it! Did you see that Mama! It was just for a second but I did it!"

I did little guy. I'm proud.

His fire flared with the praise, and he began to orbit her core with lazy circles.

"Anything else happen while I was out?"

A lot actually, but i'll just give you the highlights. The second room is a lot bigger, and I've made your brethren a [HORDE].

Lasair paused to explain what a [HORDE] was, but received a burst of understanding from the bond. As a dungeon monster, certain things were instinct to Apollo, including knowledge of the basic [ASSIGN] categories.

Do your instincts know about [KEEPER OF THE FLAME]?

He paused in thought for a moment before bobbing side to side rapidly, a wisps version of shaking your head no.

It makes you a lot more powerful if you're defending me directly.

The wisp seemed to grow excited at that.

"Can I do that Mama? I promise i'll do a good job!"

Of course little guy, had you in mind since the second it unlocked.

The title seeped into Apollos being, soaking the mana that made him up with pure, concentrated purpose. For just a moment, his form doubled in size, his flame burned so bright and hot it burned her non-existent eyes, and Lasair could feel his power. Then the title settled, its circumstances not met, and Apollo was back to normal.

"That felt amazing! Thanks Mama!"

Of course Apollo.

"Anything else?"

Lasair gave him a quick rundown of [TRAPS], [TREASURE], and [ARTIFACTS]. She also had him float down the corridor to the second room, both to see it and to see the [DRAGON'S BREATH WAND]. He couldn't activate it, so the effects remained unseen, but he could still praise the design.

And then there's the [ABILITIES]. [A DUNGEON'S PURPOSE], [LESSER MANA CONTROL], and [ALERT].

"The first one sounds ominous."

It just lets us get energy for defeating adventurers.

Lasair decided to leave out the 'or killing' part. Apollo had already almost died and seen her almost die. He didn't need the guilt of blood on his metaphorical hands.

[LESSER MANA CONTROL] is just a combination of all the mana skills, and with it once my energy is back I can probably give you another level or two.

"Yay! I wanna go faster! As fast as you can!"

While Apollo wouldn't be reaching the speed of her vision anytime soon, she still appreciated his enthusiasm.

"What does [ALERT] do?"

Ah, [ALERT] ju-

[ALERT]

What?

The skill had activated. That meant someone was entering her [DUNGEON]. Surely it was just a glitch, right. Her luck wasn't so bad that an adventurer would show as she and Apollo were both out of energy, and every [CREATURE] she had was in the same room? Her fears were confirmed by a booming, rhythmic sound.

Footsteps.

And meowing?