image [https://imgur.com/WwMTTrz.png]

Fangmore watched two vision portals. He hadn’t attempted to indoctrinate a full fledged Hero before into his Leveling Labyrinth, but so far things were going quite well! The trauma of being the one to kill his buddies was helping to stop the hero, Xanther, from fully thinking about his past actions. Well, that and some very potent mind altering skills. Also Fangmore guessed that all a Hero basically did was try and kill what was in front of them, so really what other path did they have? Fangmore chuckled and winced as he saw Xanther defeat the slime and stumble out into the hallway. Oh that was going to hurt. The robe had only done so much to protect the arm, and now the skin was red and smoking. A healing potion spray would be applied at some point, but he wanted to push this young man to the very limit first. The formula wasn’t precise, but the experience gained definitely grew exponentially the closer to death you grew. That’s why he loved his other Hero so much. That Chosen had almost died a dozen times by now, and each time he had leveled splendidly. Fangmore slowly crunched down on his slightly over toasted barley bread, thick sharp slices of white cheese crumbling as he bit. He chewed slowly, his attention shifting to his personal creation, The Hero. He really needed to come up with a better name, but that’s how The Hero thought about himself, so it had kind of stuck.

The Hero was covered in gore, again, and Fangmore noticed he had leveled. Amazing. He sent a mental command for The Hero to put points into [PHYSICAL] and [DARKNESS]. He smiled as The Hero obeyed. Fangmore knew he was making a pretty limited build here, but that was often the quickest path to power. The two stats synergized very well, and already The Hero had access to truly potent abilities. He also had an interesting Class. “Corrupted Judge”. Fangmore assumed that in a non corrupted state he would be someone capable of enacting appropriate justice of some kind. But now The Hero’s only sentence for others was DEATH. Fangmore smiled widely at his own corny thoughts. Well he could be a bit cheesy, this was his castle and his Hero. And his Labyrinth was large enough to have both of these heroes wander around indefinitely, the walls and corridors could move freely allowing for “infinite” paths, and he had quite the stockpile of monsters ready to go. Fangmore sighed contentedly.

Dolcia popped up over his shoulder. “Boo!” Fangmore smiled. “Are you trying to scare me, little imp?” Dolcia smiled. “Aw, I didn’t? Well… does the fact that a Lord’s Vessel just appeared outside scare you at all?” Fangmore shot to his feet, his plate falling to the ground and shattering, bread and cheese scattering. “A LORD’S VESSEL? Why?? I… quickly!!” Fangmore turned a gem on one of his rings and a silent alarm went out. Across his castle he knew that his guards were alerted, his traps would disarm, and his servants would be running to attend. A Lord’s Vessel… unexpected, and not at all desirable.

A booming sound came from the entry way as Fangmore hurried forward, his smaller kobold servants scurrying to keep up. Knocking. The Vessel was knocking and the castle seemed to shiver from it. Two servants were already turning the massive levers that would trigger the gears to open the doors. Fangmore quickly brushed himself down and attempted to slow his beating heart. He had nothing to be afraid of. If anything this was a chance to show off! Maybe that’s what this was about, his hard work had been noticed and now he would be commended.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

The doors opened fully, revealing the massive form of a Lord’s Vessel. At almost 7 cubits tall, carved out of a rough slightly glossy black stone, the crude humanoid figure filled the doorway. Three gleaming white holes in its “face” turned down towards Fangmore. Tiny intricate carvings covered the entirety of the Vessel. They seemed to wiggle and move if not looked at directly. Fangmore waited, cold gathering in the pit of his stomach. A Lord’s Vessel was a direct mouthpiece to the Lord. It was capable of not only destroying him, but this castle and everything in it.

“FANGMORE. YOU HAVE BEEN CHANGING THE ORDER OF THINGS.” The voice was tremendously loud, but also smooth, silky almost. There was total confidence in every word, no possibility of error or argument.

Fangmore started back. “I… I… yes! But only on your behalf! You see, making consistent heroes is… I… I found a way to do it better! Faster! I’ve already gotten one Chosen to level twenty in a few months! And I have a-”

The Vessel moved forward. Its shoulder bumped against the door frame and tore through it as if the oak was made of wet snow. Bits of wood and stone rained down onto the ground.

“YOU HAVE BEEN CHANGING THE ORDER OF THINGS.” Fangmore was trembling all over. This wasn’t right. He should be praised for his innovations! He was a genius! Or… or was he? Had he come up with a new untested idea, or had it been attempted before? Perhaps many times. His eyes widened. “But.. do you not want…” A massive stone finger lifted towards him. “SHUT IT DOWN.” Fangmore couldn’t stop shivering. “Can I not show you my results? Please… this is my life’s work…” “SHUT IT DOWN.” A wave of defeat washed over Fangmore. “I… as you wish.” He turned, slowly. The booming voice of the Vessel shuddered through him. “BRING THE HEROES TO ME. THEY MUST BE DESTROYED.” Fangmore stopped. “Whh? What? Why? The new hero I can, of course bring, but The Hero? My Hero? He’s perfect!! You don’t understand he’s PERFECT!!”

Stone fingers were suddenly around him, lifting him. He could not resist, it was as if a mountain had him. Another hand raised and gripped one of his fingers. It was incredible how delicate the hold was, and yet so immensely irresistible. It pulled, and his finger came off. Fangmore bit down, shuddering at the swell of pain. He breathed heavily. “DESTROYED.” It dropped Fangmore. Fangmore hit the ground hard, his tail lashing. Anger. All the pain, all the shame, all the feeling of disrespect… it all converted to a boiling anger inside. He clamped down on his bleeding hand, bowing towards the Vessel. “Of course… Guards, bring the prisoners here for elimination.” He closed his eyes.

[Dolcia. Open the back entrance to the Labyrinth. Escort the prisoners out. Help them escape.]

[...Fangmore?]

[Do it. Please.]

[...Hehe… Heh! Okay you naughty fellow!]

Fangmore sighed deeply. “I will activate the self destruct on the Labyrinth. It will all… all be destroyed.” The Vessel stared down at him with the three unblinking white lights. “DO NOT CHANGE THE ORDER OF THINGS.” Fangmore nodded slowly. “My… mistake…”. Fangmore watched as his guards set off. His perfect Hero would likely die soon. So close to level twenty five. All of this work, for nothing. The heat and anger in his chest grew molten. He felt his vision blur from tears. So, in the end mediocrity was the correct path. Smashing yourself against the enemy again and again, equally matched, forever. He felt bile rise in his throat, and suddenly gagged, retching against the wall. The Vessel watched him impassively. Fangmore wiped his scaled arm against his mouth. He had never questioned his Lord before. And now he had disobeyed a direct command. A shiver of ice went through his belly, even as his mind burned. “The order of things…”