Lake of Codex
Lake was looking through his resources, trying to gauge what he wanted to do to get Mana. Just by spending time talking to the great and mighty Codex, he came back to find he has 30 Mana again, despite having just expended 90 to upgrade his Monsters. Did the time tick over or was he just not observa-the time ticks over, and he gets 25 more mana. He is silently staring at his 55 Mana, thinking on what to do with it, as he sees one of his Merlings wandering about. He opens their menu and decides on his next action. He presses the upgrade button, and looks through his options, quickly choosing to take the upgrade path for a defensive build. Knowing there is a Merling out, he has selected the Water Sprites, and expended 50 mana for their first Upgrade. The Sprites begin moving back to their spawner, and a timer appears before Lake. He gets a feeling from the Envoy Merling. Focusing his senses towards the Merling, he sees through its eyes, and it is now being placed on the back of Codex’s Boss Wolf. He focuses on the Merling’s ears, and has it look at Codex’s Swordmaster, who is speaking, “-these Wolves to your Dungeon, where they will be tasked with linking up with a Merling per two. After that, they will explore the forest for Fort Pontifex. Tell your Dungeon that, understood?” The Merling nods, and Codex’s Boss begins running with the Merling on her back. Lake smiles, and orders two Merlings to surface, and prepare for the Wolves. Lake then looks back at the sprites and smirks happily, as the last one enters the spawner. He can’t wait for Water Sylphs.
Zeuz Balró
After a good half hour of the Smith making ingots, there were 15 tin ingots in Imai’s bag, causing Zeuz to smile happily. “Let us begin walking, my faithful companion!” He turns quickly and begins jogging, as Imai stands and follows jogging as well. A few minutes later, as they exit the borders, waving goodbye to the siblings as they do, Zeuz speaks, “We need to go North to the road. Be alert for those slavers, the little Lady is worried about.” Imai gives an affirmative grunt, keeping pace and not tiring. Zeuz however, begins to feel his lungs getting warmer and warmer. Soon he has to stop and take a breather, as his lungs feel like they’re on fire. Imai, however, looks completely fine, and stands as if she could keep going. Zeuz speaks through sharp breaths, “I wish I had your stamina.” Imai simply smirks and shrugs.
After a few minutes of Zeuz resting, he speaks to Imai, “Okay, no more resting. We walk.” They begin walking, but after about half an hour of walking, he begins to get the feeling they are no longer alone, and he is proven correct not even a second later, as a Wolf Beastkin steps into view, and he speaks, “Look at this, boys. We got a Dracenewt walking through with a really equipped Human. You treat that bitch nice. Protecting your property huh? Hand over your shit, and order that Human to take off her armor and weapons. We’ll let you live and pass, if you give us all you have.” Zeuz frowns, and Imai is emotionless. Taking their silence as ignoring him, or just ignorance at the situation they find themselves in, the Beastkin speaks again, “This is a fucking robbery, Dracenewt. Hand over your shit and slave! I can promise we’ll treat her even better than you ever could you short fucker.” The Beastkin looks hungrily at Imai, who scoffs at the man, and looks at Zeuz, who speaks, “Imai? Kill them all. Especially the ones that are still hiding.” He looks directly at one that is hiding in a nearby tree. Imai bursts with a red aura, and runs at the first Beastkin, drawing her sword as the man yells out, “What the f-” but isn’t able to continue as the sword cuts into his neck. Kicking him to the ground, she throws a knife at the bastard in the tree, who falls to the ground, cracking his skull as the panic freaks him out enough that he doesn’t realize where he is. She then looks at the third, who is still hiding in a tree, and is shivering and terrified. Seeing her coming towards him, he screams in panic, and starts climbing higher, only to slip and fall. Imai, seeing this, waits for him to hit the ground and break his back. There she stabs him in the chest, and twists. The final one jumps out of his tree, and begins sprinting, despite the harsh landing he seems to take, Zeuz calls out, “Make sure you tell them to not fuck with the Codex!” Imai frowns at Zeuz, while he smiles happily at her, always loving to make some poor fuckers scared and advertise while doing it.
Beastkin
The Beastkin was sprinting. He couldn’t stop. There was no way he could. If he did, those monsters would catch up and kill him! He kept sprinting, trying to get away as fast as possible. What even is “the Codex”? What the fucking hell was that Human!? Eventually he enters the camp, breathing heavily and leaning forward, completely out of breath. A few nearby Beastkin look at him with hostility, and one, the one he recognizes as the Boss walks over, pissed off. The Beastkin starts speaking, “B-Boss! There’s this weird fucking Human out there. She killed the others, and she’s walking with a Kobold! Fucker yelled at me to not fuck with ‘the Codex’. I don’t know what the fuck they are, but we might need to get the h-” He is suddenly grabbed by the neck, and lifted, as the Boss speaks, “You fuckin’ fool. We’r’ not leavin’. We’ got a big prize in tha’ town o’re there. I’ve got no use for cowards like you.” With a snap, the Beastkin goes limp, and his vision goes dark. The life drains out of him swiftly, and the end comes.
Leonarde Whitewood
Leonarde was sitting quietly in his office. His hands in his face as he thinks quietly. Having given up the crown last week, he had not expected such a sudden reaction. That damned Hero. Was it not enough that they had taken away Humanity’s only chance at getting a non-ceremonial Hero? He stood up, and took the paper from his desk. He then walked to the Knights barracks and entered. As a Knight yells out and salutes him, he sees the man he’s looking for. Leonarde approaches the Commander, and holds out the paper, the Knight takes the paper, and reads it as Leonarde crosses his arms. The Knight frowns at it, and then says, “I think I get what you want, Prince Leonarde. I will gather some of my best and we will rout this scum. They think they can get away with this in your territory, then they’ve got something else coming to them.” Leonarde speaks with an upset tone in his voice, “You had best not allow collateral from our side, like your predecessor.” Leonarde turns and starts walking out of the room, “This is no time for such things.” The Commander yells out, “Alright! Let's get moving! I need Elite Knight Alicia to be our advance guard! Gather your team, and prepare. Everyone else, on standby, I will selec-” Leonarde exits the building properly, and heads back to the castle proper. He still has plenty of paperwork to complete.
Isabell Jordan
Isabell was sitting quietly, resting after a long day of treating the wounds of those who had been attacked on the road, treating ailments, and reaffirming the faith of those who need it. She quietly closed her eyes, and raised her head to the heavens. She quietly began to pray to Material to provide a path to salvation from this veritable siege. As she quietly prayed, she heard a yell at the nearby gate. Moving to investigate, and asking for forgiveness for suddenly stopping her prayer, she turns to look around at the noises. She then sees a Dracenewt, specifically of the Kobold variant, and a rather armored Human. The Guards had their spears at the ready, aimed at the Dracenewt who was spouting angrily at the Guards, “-ou stupid bastards! For fucks sake, I’ve already been jumped once with the assumption that I enslaved Imai! Let us in! We’re fucking merchants!” One Guard decides trying to talk to the Kobold is useless, and lunges with his spear, clearly believing the Human to be a slave, but her blocking the strike, instead of helping her fellow Human, reveals she is not a slave. And even more so when a red aura bursts from her, making the Guard tumble backwards, and Isabell realize she is a Berserker. The other Guard panics and backpedals, but Isabell yells out, “STOP!” The two Guards freeze, and glance back, then scramble back to normal, and point their spears forward, prompting the Priestess to yell out again, “Are you two deaf!?” She begins walking forward, her veil over her face. The Guards are startled by her talking to them, at least once they notice she’s coming up to them, and not the Kobold and his “Slave”.
The Guards are silent as they stow their spears, and look down in shame. Isabell approaches the two, and bows politely, causing the Berserker to sheathe her sword, she speaks, as she raises herself out of her bow, “If you do not mind. Could I see your eyes? I must confirm something.” She starts slowly approaching the Berserker, who does not react simply frowning. The Dracenewt speaks as Isabell nears her, “Imai can’t talk. Some bitch in the past cut her tongue out for talking shit. But yeah, take a look as long as you won’t charm her into killing me. I’d rather not get stabbed by my best friend.” Isabell softly giggles at that, raising a hand to her mouth. Then shaking her head she says, “I cannot do that. I just need to confirm something.” As she gets close to Imai, she raises the veil, and sees deep red eyes, not the golden she expected. The face is also different compared to that which she saw in the past. She frowns sadly, “You are not her, as you do not have golden eyes, yet you have the powers of a Hero.” She brings the veil back down, as the Dracenewt speaks, “Anyway! I am Zeuz, and this is Imai! We are a merchant and bodyguard, here from the oh so wonderful and graceful Codex.” He does a bow, and then raises back up. Before he can continue, Isabell asks the question in her and the Guards’ minds, “Codex?” Zeuz smiles happily, “Our dear little Lady named her home that. We come bearing fifteen impure tin ingots for trade, plus what we gathered from the corpses of our enemies on the way. A steel scimitar, surprisingly clean leather armor set, a few rings of both silver and gold, and three iron daggers!” He grins at the three, and Imai nods in agreement.
Isabell tilts her head at that, “From your enemies? Who are your enemies?” Zeuz grins even wider, “Perhaps a middle value coin of your kingdom will suffice for that information.” Isabell squints at the Kobold, about to speak out against that, but one of the Guards flicks a silver coin towards him, which he catches, and examines. Then he smiles and says, “A silver! That means your lowest is likely copper, and highest is likely gold or platinum. Perhaps even both! I will love trading with your people. Now as for your information, our enemies are the Fort Pontifex, and the Slavers of the North, as we call them.” Isabell, confused, speaks, “Fort Pontifex? Then your Mistress lives in the Deadgrave Wood? And far in at that. No one goes into those Woods because of Fort Pontifex, but you have made it your enemy? Your Mistress must be rather strong, and also a Hero. Otherwise your companion would not be a Lily as they are called.” Zeuz smirks, “I like you. You’re rather smart. But not smart enough. Now, shall we be permitted to enter and sell our goods?” Isabell nods, then says, “Would you be willing to tell who your Mistress is?” Zeuz grins happily, “Tell me first, what is your highest value coin? Is it gold? Is it platinum?” Isabell frowns, “Platinum. No one but the Royals and Nobility carry those kinds of coins. Gold is the highest usually available to the common folk.” Zeuz continues to grin, then says, “25.” Isabell tilts her head for a second. Zeuz continues, “25 gold for our little Lady’s name.” Isabell shakes her head, “No one will have that much.” Zeuz grins, then says, “Best start pooling together, Ma’am. Now, I have goods to sell! Come Imai! We must line our pockets with coin!” Zeuz raises a fist into the air, and begins walking into the town with Imai behind him. Isabell watches them go, and then starts to return to the Chapel. Today is having a rather interesting end.
???
Groaning in pain, the Dark Elf slowly sits up, holding his wound. With a tired sigh, he drinks from his waterskin. Then he starts to slowly get up, he grabs his rapier and shortbow, putting them back on. He looks out of the cave into the forest. Dusk was here, and it was time for him to start moving again. He begins walking. It may be painful, but he’s going to walk to that town. He’s going to get out of here and to safety. As he walks, he barely hears the thundering of eight feet. Hiding, he waits for it to pass, seeing two wolves run past, but weirder than them being directly side by side, is the Merling sitting atop one. With them gone, he continues his quiet march. Contemplating what that sight could mean. Most likely, a Dungeon is nearby and exploring. He highly doubts it's a normal symbiotic relationship in this area. He’d rather not find out either way.
Imai
Imai was sitting nearby, as Zeuz started talking to the local Smith. Negotiating price on the ingots, scimitar, and daggers. She’s simply relaxing as she hears a slow set of footsteps. Looking over, she sees the Priestess walking past; quietly, slowly, and somberly. Standing, Imai lets her curiosity take over. She hears Zeuz speak, “Imai! Bag!” Tossing the bag over haphazardly, the poor Kobold is knocked over, getting a hearty laugh out of the Smith. Imai doesn’t look back as she walks, wanting to learn a bit more about what it means to be a Lily, and what this business is about Heroes. It may not be the most useful thing for Luné to know, but Luné won’t be able to hear anything out of her mouth anyway. It would also be interesting to see if one of the faiths of Grandia is within this land as well.
The Priestess simply walks, not bothering to tell her to not follow her. Just how Imai likes it. Silence. She follows the Priestess to a pearlescent white chapel with a familiar symbol, that of Material. She enters behind the Priestess, not reserving any kind of reverence. This catches the attention of the Chapelgoers, and especially the Priestess. The Priestess keeps walking though, and only one Worshiper seems to take enough offense from Imai being uncaring of where she is. He walks over, and speaks in a hostile tone to Imai, “You, be reverent. This is a place of worship.” Imai looks at him with apathy, then reaches into a pouch behind her, and pulls out an emblem. The man stumbles back at the sight of it, and yells in panic, “Y-You!” The Priestess turns to look, and is similarly startled. Imai deduces from the man’s outfit that he is at least in the middle of the Material clergy. The rest of the congregation are confused by the emblem, and Imai begins putting it away. The Priestess speaks, “That explains your non-antagonistic irreverence. Come, we shall speak. If you are a messenger, I will hear it.” The clergyman backs away, staring in disbelief, as Imai follows the Priestess.
Soon enough, the Priestess opens a door, and allows Imai in to take a seat. She sits down opposite Imai, after gathering writing materials for the mute. Imai just holds out a hand, instead of writing. The Priestess tilts her head slightly, but takes the hand. At that moment, Imai thinks, “This is more comfortable. Only words can go through, as I am not that capable.” The Priestess is startled, and then thinks as well, “Interesting. A spell, but you are a Berserker.” Imai shrugs slightly at that, then asks a question, “On that topic, what does it mean to be a Lily? What is a Hero?” The Priestess sighs, and speaks, “A Hero is someone with the power to transcend barriers within the system of this world. They are capable of passing this on, creating Lilies, however a Hero does not choose the next generation’s Hero. Every race has a Hero born to it during each generation. I was Humanity’s last generation, and our most recent generation has lost its Hero.” Imai tilts her head at that, and she continues, “The reason I was confused and wished to see your eyes, was because Heroes and Lilies are the only individuals capable of becoming Berserkers. I thought you may have been our lost Hero, come back from the dead.” Imai nods slowly, understanding a bit, as she asks, “Who was the recently lost Human Hero then?” The Priestess frowns sadly, and then says, “Luné Alpenglow. A young girl with no combative capabilities, and a penchant for working herself to the bone to make up for it. Intelligent and quick to learn, especially when she was with the Prince, learning from the best and brightest Humanity can offer.” Imai crosses her legs, and speaks, “What if I told you the Codex has information on the whereabouts and state of Miss Alpenglow?” The Priestess straightens immediately, and looks startled yet hopeful, as she asks, “What do you mean?” Imai smirks, then says, “We followers of Chaos have our ways.” The Priestess becomes serious, and speaks instead of thinks, “What do you want?” Imai smiles happily, then thinks to the Priestess, “Nothing particularly. I want information, and allies to the Codex. Mostly to rub it in my ex’s Sister’s face that I’m doing more for our Lady than she is.” The Priestess narrows her eyes, and speaks, “So your goal is to gather allies, information, and to gloat? I can certainly try, but what do we get out of this aside from information about our supposedly dead Hero?” Imai smirks, “An ally that has already subjugated a Dungeon, and will soon destroy Fort Pontifex.” The Priestess is silent for a few seconds, then shakes Imai’s hand, saying, “You have a deal. I shall send the letter, in the meantime, your Codex must assist us in protecting the town. That is the requirement from our side. Fail that, and we will not give you anything.” Imai smirks happily, “Fail in providing allies, and the deal will fall through. It has been a pleasure. Just make sure to tell the guards to not freak out when they see a gaggle of Wolves, Sprites, and Bears carting goods from the forest.” She stands up, and lets go of the Priestess’ hand, as she asks a question, which is more an observation, “The Codex is a dungeon?” Imai smirks, and waves a hand as she leaves.
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
Zeuz Balró
Zeuz closes the deal, and shakes hands with the strapping young blacksmith. Letting him take the tin, scimitar, and daggers out of the bag. Once done and paid, Zeuz picks up the back and begins holding it from the bottom to carry, as he can’t wear it, it would drag on the ground, “Thank you for your business! We’ll be back at a later date with more ingots. Perhaps one day, we may sell you pure ingots as well.” The Smith grins, and nods, answering his happy tone with his own happy tone, “You may be a shrewd businessman, Mr. Balró, but you still gave me a good deal, despite me telling you it's below the average price. I thank you for the sale. I shall put it to good use immediately. Come by anytime you need armor or weapons made, and I’ll make them, at a discount as long as you keep supplying.” Zeuz nods happily, glad to get the possible discount at a later date. He exits the forge, and looks around for Imai. Not seeing her, he starts to wander in the direction she had gone, only to see her exiting a Chapel of Material. He walks over, and holds up the bag for her to take, “22 silver coins, and 5 copper coins! That’s how much 15 impure tin ingots sold for. The steel scimitar was worth 10 silver coins, and the iron daggers were 1 silver each. We earned 35 silver coins and 5 copper coins today. Shall we head back, if you are done talking with an opposing faith?” Imai taps the side of her head, and Zeuz realizes he hasn’t looked for information yet. Then he says, “Oh right! We need to ask around about that Dark Elf fellow, right?” Imai nods, and the two begin walking again.
Zeuz looks around for a notice board or someone that looks knowledgeable. He finds a noticeboard first, and asks Imai to hoist him up to read it. She does, and he begins thinking about each one, then he hears his companion’s voice, “Top right looks promising. ‘Human Slave enters town saying Dark Elf saved her life from Beastkin Slavers surrounding town. Anyone willing to assist in guard duty and possible retaliation, please speak with Captain Sullivan of the Woodshade Guard.’” Zeuz looks at the notice, and smiles, “It looks like we’ve found a lead. Let us go talk to this Captain Sullivan, then return to Codex.” Being set down, Zeuz begins walking around, asking for directions to the Woodshade Guard Headquarters. Being a small town, the first person who he speaks to directs him to the building rather easily, and they head off.
Opening the door, they find the building to be sparsely decorated, only a few small trophies adorn the walls. A rather large boar tusk on a plaque inscribed with “Hammertusk”, a small spear head on a plaque inscribed with “Iseln Matre, Scarbale Bandits Leader”. There is a desk, but no one at it, however the sound of movement as the door closes rather loudly, reveals someone is coming. Three doors can be seen. One to the left, available to the two to enter, one near that door but behind the counter, and another on the right wall, behind the counter. All but one are closed, the one behind the counter on the left. Stepping up to the counter, the Kobold frowns, and speaks, “Imai, lift me up so I can talk with them.” He’s lifted onto the counter, as the Human guard enters, and sees the two, “Uhm. Hello?” He steps up tentatively, a hand on his sword’s hilt. Zeuz smiles at him warmly, and speaks, “Hello! Don’t mind me being on the counter, my friend here can’t speak, so I have to take the initiative, and I would rather speak face to face, rather than have you lean over the counter.” The Guard approaches more confident and calm, as he continues, “Now, we have a question, is Captain Sullivan in? We wish to ask him about the Slaver situation.” The Guard steps out of the room again, and says, “I can go check. Stay there please.” Zeuz nods and says, “Can do!”
Soon enough, a well decorated armor steps into the room from the door in the lobby, however the helmet is off, revealing a Human face beneath. The Captain speaks with suspicion in his eye, “You two are the ones asking?” Zeuz nods happily, and hops off the counter, “Yes, yes! I am Zeuz Balró, Merchant and servant of the Codex. We had a run in with your guards on the west gate, where they thought my bodyguard was a slave. However, with the fixing of that situation by the Priestess of Material, we entered and sold goods to the local Smith. Then we thought to look around a bit, and noticed your posting on the town’s notice board. The Codex does not quite like the Slavers, as two of our people were enslaved by them until recently, as such they wish to thank the man who freed them, whom we are searching for. This selfsame Dark Elf you wrote of.” The Captain seems to keep his suspicion, but lessens his stance, knowing they are not enemies at least, and he speaks, “Is this an offer to assist us in routing the Slavers?” Zeuz grins playfully, “For a price, yes, however I believe we could strike a deal instead of sell our services. We already have begun trade, this is true, however, with dangerous paths, we would rather find a way to clear the paths of danger. As such, I would like to offer an olive branch as it were. A symbol of friendship in this case, rather than peace. Codex, and by extension, the Deadgrave Wood, would like to trade, and when the time comes, work together to defeat not only the Slavers, but Fort Pontifex.” The Captain frowns heavily at the two, and speaks, “Fort Pontifex is a non-issue. It has not attacked any groups since going dormant four hundred years ago.” Zeuz grins maliciously, “That is where you are wrong, Captain, as Fort Pontifex killed two Humans in the Deadgrave Wood, and turned them into Skeletons. Our little Lady and her second-in-command were the ones to let them rest, and what’s more, Fort Pontifex has attacked our little Lady once before, and then attacked our ally as well with a full force.”
The Captain is silent, then says, “How do I know you are not lying. We lost two adventurers, yes, but they are believed to have been kidnapped by the Slavers.” Zeuz looks at Imai, “Imai, the special ring.” Imai pulls out a ring, and holds it out for the Captain to take. Zeuz speaks as he examines it, “Though our little Lady did not take anything from their bodies, her second-in-command had the forethought to. This is sufficient proof.” The Captain stares in silence as he reads the inscription on the underside of the ring, “Naomi and Randal” along with a heart. The Captain closes his eyes and lowers the ring in silence. He then opens his eyes, and says, “I will keep this ring and bury it properly. For both of them. As for the news you bring, it is grave. I will call a meeting between the town council, the Priestess, and I. There we will consider your proposal.” Zeuz bows to the Captain, who no longer shows any hostility or suspicion, just sadness. Zeuz smiles, and turns, “Come Imai! We must return now! The little Lady will be happy with our haul. Help me figure out what a fourth is, of 35 and a half.” The Captain watches them leave, and Zeuz happily exits, smiling like a fool, as he tends to do.
Captain Phil Sullivan
Captain Sullivan entered the room, and placed the ring on the table before the two elders, the Blacksmith, and the Priestess, he spoke, “The Guard recently had a Kobold and Human Lily enter the town. The Human Lily could not speak, but the Kobold could. After trading 15 impure tin ingots, 1 steel scimitar, and three iron daggers, to the Blacksmith.” He gestures to the smith. “They came to the Guard Quarters, and spoke with me about a deal. As the Kobold said it, an entity known as Codex wishes to trade and defeat the Slavers and Fort Pontifex. This ring is the last remaining piece of the two adventurers Naomi Haldric and Randal Méz.” One of the elders speaks, the town’s mayor, “Oh my poor sweet Naomi, what did those Slavers do to you.” His emotions begin to boil over and his tears begin to fall. All in attendance feel sad, thanks to having known the two rather well. Naomi had been a source of joy for all, and was the Mayor’s only surviving grandchild and descendent. Randal, though a mischievous man, was a well of playful tricks that the children loved especially. Their losses will hurt far more now that it has been confirmed. The Captain lets the tears run for a few seconds, before continuing, “It was not the Slavers who killed them, it was Fort Pontifex. With Fort Pontifex reawakening, we must be on guard. As such, I vote we accept the proposal the Kobold, Zeuz Balró set forth. We ally with the Codex, rout the Slavers, and dismantle the Dungeon Fort Pontifex. All in favor, say ‘I’, or otherwise raise your hand if you cannot contain your tears at the moment.” The Blacksmith says “I”. While the elders are silent with the Priestess. The Captain sighs, knowing the motion will not be passed.
But he is caught off guard as the Priestess speaks, “I must speak on this matter first. Before they went to the Guard to speak of this matter, the Lily followed me to the Chapel. There, she was irreverent, causing an outburst from Father Uritch. At which point she produced an emblem of Chaos, of Probability.” The Town Investigator speaks, “Chaos? Really? At least she wasn’t Void. That would have been far worse.” Priestess Jordan nods, “I agree, but what is more interesting is that the Berserker could cast a spell. This spell allowed us to speak mentally for a time, during which she asked about Heroes and Lilies, then she informed me of something interesting. The Codex has information about the whereabouts and condition of the supposedly dead Hero, Luné Alpenglow. To get this information, the Lily demanded information and an alliance with the Codex. I have already prepared a letter to send to the Prince, and what is more interesting, is that as she left, she told me to tell the guard to not panic when they see, quote, ‘a gaggle of Wolves, Sprites, and Bears’. When asked if the Codex is a dungeon, she smirked and waved, leaving the room.” The Town Investigator, though an elder, smiles and says, “Interesting. A Dungeon wants to trade, and work together to clear the area of threats. We will be defenseless to its whims after this.” The Captain gulps and then speaks, “I see no other choice, still. We will be wiped out before reinforcements arrive. We need to take the chance.” The Blacksmith is quiet, then says, “I trust Mr. Balró has no intent to kill us. And if he represents his dungeon in full, then I trust the Dungeon Codex.” The Mayor is silent, his tears still on his cheeks. The Priestess calls for the vote, and all in attendance raise their hands or say “I”. With that, the emergency meeting was adjourned.
Luné Alpenglow
Luné grins happily at the Smith. She sees it finish the last rivet. She then sends a command to it and Cloud. Cloud gets up, huffing slightly, and approaches the Sprite. The Sprite begins circling Cloud, trying to figure out what it needs. As Cloud is examined, Luné feels familiar feet, and looks north, to see Zeuz and Imai returning, she speaks, “Welcome back, how did it go?” Zeuz smiles at her voice, and speaks in return, “It went well, little Lady. We gained 9 silver coins for you, and found out that the town of Woodshade is planning to attack the Slavers at some point. However, we will need to return to get their verdict on working with us, aside from just trading.” Luné sighs, “At least they are thinking about it.” Glancing back at the Smith, she sees that Cloud is laying back down, and the Smith is getting to its work. She returns to Zeuz and Imai, who are still walking to the house, “Would you two like to watch the Smith begin Cloud’s armor?” Zeuz seems interested, and asks, “You are having armor made for Cloud? I wonder if we could downsize and sell it to people who have hunting or war hounds.” Luné smiles happily, and speaks, “We will see about that later.” Zeuz nods happily, “Enough trading for the day, time for relaxing!” Luné mentally nods in agreement, and then says, “I agree. I may not have done much since you left, but today has been very full. From getting the Dungeon and meeting Sebastia, to gaining an ally and way to the town. I think a good rest is well deserved.”
Zeuz smiles as he walks, and Imai simply smirks. Luné then shifts her focus again, now looking to the Smithy so she can start setting up a proper stockpile. She figures out where she wants the ores to be, and then goes to find Sebastia, two Sproutlings, and a Bear. She then has them cut up a log and set it up at the stockpile area, with clear sectioning off for copper and tin. Then she shifts her focus to the Monsters, and upgrading them as much as she can. She spends 60 mana on the Wolves, leveling them to 10. She then swaps to a room in the house, dropping 10 logs inside, and expending 100 Mana, she designates a Sawmill. Plenty of Wolves and Sprites come to build, and she smiles happily as it starts to be created.
Luné exits the core, and begins to sit up, giving soft pats to the heads of the siblings, who are sleeping on her lap. She lifts them softly, and sets them down quietly, then begins leaving for the outside of the house. Stepping out, she stretches. So much has happened, and she’s already thinking on what to do after this small hurdle. She could hunt down the members of her old party, and show them what vengeance is. She could settle down and live a nice life here in the Deadgrave Wood, at the South of the Kingdom of Humanity. She could go out and reconnect to those that matter. Even go home. She’s ready for anything.
With night, production grinds to a halt, and everyone winds down to rest. Luné soon returns to the Dungeon Core Room, and lays down with Cloud. Sebastia was upstairs somewhere, the siblings had been taken back to their room to sleep, Zeuz and Imai were in a tree somewhere in the dungeon, and only a few Monsters were roaming to keep the dungeon safe. Luné soon fell asleep, the soft and fluffy fur of Cloud amplifying her tiredness alongside the warmth she feels from Cloud’s body heat. And as Luné falls asleep, she finds herself in the Dungeon Core again. Watching the Dungeon go about. She is confused by this, but remains silent, in case she accidentally wakes anyone. She focuses on her own body, and finds a menu appearing:
Luné Alpenglow
Female Hero:Human
Dungeon Core Level 30
Experience: 89/135
Armor: 6 (Dungeon Bonus)
Dodge: 2
Health: 80/80
Mana: 10/10
Strength: 8
Dexterity: 10
Constitution: 8
Spirit: 8
Currently: Sleeping
Codex is currently alone...
With a small bit of confusion, Codex realizes she is alone. Not only because the message at the bottom says it, but because she was too used to being Luné. Codex goes around the dungeon, tidying up messes, and putting things where they belong. She drops the Ore into their respective stockpiles, in groups of 50, and ends all continued production of resources. No need for any more for now. She does however, schedule the ore in the stockpiles to be converted into ingots, as she starts preparing an order to get a hole in the wall to slide logs into the sawmill. She then adds many more logs to the piles, keeping them each at 15 each pile, maximum. Leaving just one pile with 5, and four piles total. She thinks happy thoughts, then watches the sun rise for the first time. She’s never done this before. Just waited. Waited for her master to arrive, and now the time has come to become powerful. As the sun rises, and her master begins to awaken, she returns to the core room, and gives a warm welcome, once again. Then she merges back.
Luné feels a warmth like when she arrived yesterday, and properly started to converse with the Core. She looks at Codex, and smiles, knowing what happened last night. She stands up, and walks over to the core, waking Cloud in the process, who looks up. Luné places a hand on the core, and it releases a massive wave of warmth. Glee, happiness, pride at what the two have accomplished together. Luné grins happily, and says, “A new day. Let's see ourselves to the end as a better person.”