I gotta say, waking up without the feeling of one’s limbs is... a very weird experience. I thought to myself as I looked around in a white void. How did I get here? All I remember is going to bed then being woken by a white flash.
“Ah, finally awake, I see,” an unknown voice suddenly stated.
I looked around for the source of the voice, noting that the white was fading away into a light mist and revealing a garden filled with otherworldly plants of all shapes and sizes. I looked down, noting that there were perfect square tiles of stone below my feet, stretching off to what I could only describe as the faded ruins of a Greek temple. Within moments I saw my body come back to me, but not fully. Ooookay, I guess I’m dead? Bodies should not be see-through. This is very weird.
“Over here, young one.”
I turned my head to the source of the voice and noticed a bench to my left, a tall elderly looking gentleman wreathed in a light mist sitting upon it. He patted the seat next to him, and I took the cue to walk over and dubiously take a seat. Well, I guess this is some sort of afterlife, if I’m not sinking through the bench.
“I know you have many questions, young one, and I shall answer some of them,” the man said. His face was obscured underneath the voluminous white hood that framed his head. His luxuriously long white beard flowed out from it down past his upper torso, curving around where there was a large gem embedded within his chest cavity that was shining a bright white. He wore simple pants, plainly decorated metal greaves, and a robe that flowed around him nebulously like it was made of clouds.
“Well, uh... thank you?” I hesitantly said. “I guess, to start with, what happened to me and why am I here?”
“I do apologize, but I required a soul not tied to the world or of this universe where I will be sending you, to help fix a significant problem, and I did not have much time to be picky. My normal sources were all exhausted, so I had to reach all the way to the Primordial Universe to find one that fit the usual criteria. Yours was the first one I noticed with the right... spark, shall we say, to be able to take upon this task I require of you,” he replied, looking at me.
“Alright,” I said hesitantly, scratching my chin in thought. “What is this task you require of me?”
“Within the Nexus World of Æturna, there exist dungeons,” he began, which immediately sparked my interest. “There are hundreds, spread across the eight continents of the world, each rising and falling as time goes on. Many civilizations coexist peacefully with dungeons, some enslave the dungeons to their will, others seek to stamp them out. Until now, the latter has not been an issue, as the dungeons always return after some time, in new locations. On the eighth, and smallest continent, there has been an alarming number of dungeons being destroyed these last few years, especially new ones that are just beginning their steps into becoming a proper dungeon.”
“So, they’re being destroyed faster than they can ‘respawn’ for lack of a better term?” I asked in the silence as the man’s shoulders slumped, and the gem in his chest dimmed.
“Yes, it would seem that the mortals of that continent have decided that my charges are a danger to their way of life, and have successfully managed to destroy every single dungeon in their land, including the world’s eldest Great Dungeon. I do not know how, but they managed to completely eradicate the soul of Tak’ro, and now no new Dungeons can arise in that land,” there were opaque green tears streaming from beneath his hood. We sat there in awkward silence for a few moments before he continued.
“Ah, forgive me, we have not introduced ourselves!” He forced a smile onto his face as he turned fully towards me, putting a leg under the other, and an arm over the backrest of the bench.
“I uh... You can call me Fel,” I replied, mirroring his movements.
“Ah, you know the power of names, I see,” he chuckled in surprise, and my eyebrows shot up in confusion. He took a deep breath and straightened his shirt, then looked at me.
“Many are my names, but my true name cannot be spoken by mere mortals. You may refer to me as the Dungeon God, and it has been my charge to guide dungeons of this world for the last twenty millennia. I know it is perhaps impolite to simply yank a mortal from one world and force them into another without permission, but I am left with little choice. You see, the reason Dungeons exist in this Bulwark Universe is so that the forces of good may have strong warriors to fight in the War in Heaven against the... demonic hordes... from many other, failed, universes. Dungeons provide a suitable arena for mortals to grow stronger during the duration of their lives, and when they pass through either old age, disease, or a mortal blow, they join our forces up in the Æstral plane. When they die there, their souls are returned to the world to live again, minus the memories of their experience in the War,” he explained. I nodded along, getting the gist of the matter. “With no Great Dungeon in the land, it is harder for mortals to gain experience, and to grow into the true champions we require. Without the dungeons, the mortals will find their land festering and becoming a blighted wasteland where naught grows, and the demons may find purchase to open up a portal to wage war upon the mortals and bring ruination to this portion of the universe again.”
He stopped to let me digest the words and information he had given me. I pondered his words for a good minute, hand to chin in thought. This sounds a lot like the plot for a normal isekai novel, but what the heck, my life wasn’t all that special. Who knows, this might be an interesting new life! With magic!
“How can I help?” I finally asked. The god looked surprised, I could actually see that his jaw was hanging open like he was not expecting me to say that. Maybe he thought I needed further convincing? He took a moment to compose himself.
“I would like you to become a new Great Dungeon of this world, to grow strong and help the mortals grow so that we may be able to keep the demons at bay, and eventually, find a way to end the War in Heaven. I am willing, and authorized by the other gods within our Pantheon, I might add, to give you four boons to assist you in this endeavor.” My eyes widened and a wicked grin grew on my face.
“Before we get to that part, I have just a few more questions, if I may?”
“Go ahead, we still have some time yet.”
“Alright,” I took a deep breath, and thought about what I wanted to ask.
“What is the technology level of this world? Will I be limited in what technology I can potentially introduce and use within my dungeon? Is there a ‘system’ for lack of a better term, like in a role-playing video game? Can I eventually get a physical body?” I asked these in rapid-fire.
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“The... Nobody who has ever been summoned to this universe for a similar purpose has asked those questions,” he admitted with an appreciative nod. “The technology level of the world can be comparable to your world’s early to mid Renaissance period, with some kingdoms reaching a rough version of your Victorian and early Industrial Revolution eras. My brother, the God of Mercantilism, was very pleased when they invented airships.
No, you are not limited to what technologies you can use, even if said technologies were not possible in your home universe yet and they come from another one,” my grin got even bigger. YES! BOLO, HERE I COME! “There is indeed a System, all living beings, dungeons, and constructs, can utilize it. With a great amount of time, effort, and experience invested, yes, you can indeed gain a physical body. Are there any more questions?”
“Hmm, how do you usually go about placing a new dungeon?”
“Well, usually I just pick a spot at random on the map. It’s all terribly boring, often I reuse locations,” he shrugged. “Why do you ask?”
“Well, if I’m to be a new Grand Dungeon, why not have me enter the world in style?” I suggested. It took him a moment, but then he got a positively evil smirk spreading upon his face. The light around him bent ominously as a low growling chuckle emanate from within the hood.
“Yes, I think I know the exact way I can send you into your new home. The world will survive your impact, though the area around where you arrive at... will not.” That’s not ominous at all, but heck, I think I’m starting to like this guy.
“Alright... Am I able to take any... let’s call it ‘preparations’ before you send me down there? Such as acquiring a bunch of ores from the most common to the most rare, in my delivery? And things like coal, or crude oil?”
“That can be arranged. However, once you’ve been placed, those resources will be scattered down into the earth and rock below you. One will stay and form a part of your core room, the rest you will have to find yourself.”
“That is agreeable, I think I’m ready to go now, sir,” I said with a nod.
“Very well then, follow me,” he stood up and indicated I should follow him. I probably should have expected him to dwarf me in size, but seeing him literally thrice my height sent an involuntary shiver down my spine.
We silently walked past the garden for several minutes, and came to the edge of his domain. Looking down, I gasped. Below my feet was a world of immense size that sat within a barely twinkling void. Vast oceans were littered with small to large islands on the planet, and from our position I could see three of the eight continents below. Five moons, ranging in size from Pluto, to Titan in size. Two of which looked like they may support some sort of life.
“It’s... beautiful,” I said reverently. I looked to the god next to me and said; “But... where are all the stars?”
“Ah, you noticed that.” He sounded sad. “This universe used to have many worlds, but only one thousand Nexus Worlds remain. Each locked in a geocentric orbit of their own. There are worlds that are highly advanced technologically, and others that are extremely primitive, but all contribute to the ongoing War, and keep the Failed Universe’s forces contained, allowing other universes to live on untainted. I cannot remember how many have fallen to the demonic hordes, and several other Pantheons have taken over other Nexus Worlds for one reason or another. I don’t condone it, but the management of those worlds is not mine to enforce, just Æturna and two others are under my jurisdiction.”
“So, are there dungeons on those worlds too?”
“Yes, and they are overseen by other Dungeon Gods from many different Pantheons. We keep in touch, though one of us has gone silent as of late. We’re not sure what happened to him. I am fairly certain our neighbors intend on seeing the status quo maintained, instead of trying to gather more power by acquiring more worlds for their armies in the War.”
“Okay then... I uh, guess I don’t have any other questions for now other than how do you intend to send me down to the planet to start my grand dungeon adventure?” Oh boy that’s a lot of info... And I guess I may have to worry about extrasolar invaders in the future, but eh, what’re the odds?
“It’s simple, step onto that platform there,” he gestured, as a concave platform of dark stone began forming out of nothing in front of me. I did as instructed, and suddenly felt myself compressing down. It was not painful, yet it was more than a little alarming.
“Now this is a unique feeling,” I detachedly muttered to myself, looking at my body as this happened. I was more than a little apprehensive as I watched my phantom limbs get compressed into my torso, which began shrinking rapidly until it formed a yellowish crystal gem a little larger than the size of a softball. I could still see around me, but the ability to move was currently beyond my reach. The stone platform was rapidly expanding into a fishbowl-like form around me and I noticed that my new crystalline body was standing held in the center with a metal I could not identify. “So, is this where I’m informed of the boons available before being sent down?”
“The first, and second, we already discussed,” he said as I saw ores of various types start filling in the bowl. Ooo, gold! “Third, you may request access to, and eventual dominance over, a single magic domain. This could be fire, earth, water, air, met-”
“Spatial magic,” I blurt out.
“Spatial magic? That is both an incredibly difficult, and highly desirable, domain to utilize. May I ask why?” He looked surprised to say the least.
“Well, with spatial magic, I can, in theory, make rooms that are bigger on the inside than they are on the outside, right? Portals, teleportation, all that fun stuff?” I ask, hopeful. He nods sagely, and I mentally cheer. “Are there any limits on how big a space can be?”
“None that we are aware of, though users of spatial magic are few and far between on Æturna. Rarely do any get past level two in the skill. Usually a kingdom or merchant guild will find out about a Spatial practitioner, and either force them to create bags that hold more than they seem, or provide a transportation service with teleportation. It is an incredibly mana-intensive discipline, which tends to burn out mortals over a short amount of time due to overuse. With you being a dungeon, however... That issue may not be as much of a problem. Very well, your third boon will be immediate access to, and eventual mastery over, Spatial Magic.”
The stone was starting to envelop me, though still leaving a window open so we could talk. Ores had filled the volume of the new asteroid as he was explaining that information to me, and the rock layers I had noticed were at least twelve feet thick.
“Your fourth, and final, boon is up to you. There are several gods who are eager to see the world not lost to the demons, what would you choose?”
“Well, if it wouldn’t be too much to ask,” I was mentally fidgeting now. “May I request access and eventual mastery of another magic school?”
“Of course, what would you like?”
“Sound, and/or music if it’s available,” I stated confidently. “I’ve... well, I always daydreamed of an event like this happening, and over the years I’ve come up with a unique skill that always wormed its way into the little stories in my head that I wove to pass the days away.”
“The Music Domain is certainly available,” he chuckled, and I swear I heard laughing chimes in the wind around him. “What is this skill you mention?”
“It took me a few years to really nail the name down, but I call it ‘Living Radio’. It allows me to well, do two things. Firstly, bring the music of my homeworld to the new world. Secondly, it would boost the abilities of myself and allies, whether said abilities be magical or physical in nature, during the duration of the song. Different songs boost different things, like say, Speedy Speed Boy boosting speed, or Electroheart for a quick way to gain a second wind in a fight, or Thunderstruck for a fun little fight boost.”
It took precious moments for him to reply, all the while the asteroid around me was closing in. With naught but a few inches of space remaining, I swore I saw another person standing next to the Dungeon God as a harp began playing. As my new home finished sealing, I heard another voice melodiously say; “This is acceptable, and good luck with your unique skill, young Dungeon.”
Moments later, I felt the very rock around me vibrate and begin heating up as I fell to the planet below.