Releasing a drawn out, lethargic sigh, Elelth stared into the embers of the dying campfire as she leant against one of the wooden logs. "How long has it been?"

"Like I have said, what, a hundred times now? How in the Demon Lord's name am I meant to know? We are inside a dungeon that is set in constant twilight without any way to tell the time," hissed the Demoness with irritation, laying on her back as she watched the crystal-like ceiling glittering above.

Elelth rolled her eyes, "Kalis, I wasn't talking to you."

The pair had, after an uneasy beginning, become somewhat friendly to each other over the last few days. This stemmed from the openness they shared as Kalis revealed how she was enslaved to the Alliance and Elelth, about how she met Ru, including her family's demise.

With no one else to talk to, it was either that or sit in silence, though, as the days passed, their conversations had descended into near constant bickering.

"Not all of us like the sound of our own voice," responded Kalis, lifting her head to look at the dark elf. "So maybe do me a favour and keep it to yourself?"

"Why don't you leave already?" snarled Elelth, her long, purple ears turning red at the tips. "I wonder how much your sub par wit will help you as you are digested inside the stomach of a monster."

Luckily for the pair, as well as someone else to keep them company, the Dungeon, May, had provided food and water, creating a small, fresh water pond close to the campsite and some fruit trees.

"Because my Lord is in there." Kalis pointed over her shoulder to a pitch black dome, a couple of dozen feet from the edge of the ancient campsite. "When he emerges, I will lead him to the others, and he can take his rightful place as our ruler. Finally, the demon race can return to its rightful place."

Elelth rolled her eyes and laughed before sitting up with a mocking smile and watching the demoness. "And you have the audacity to mock me for repeated, stupid statements. Ru is not your Demon Lord. He isn't even a demon and besides that, do you think he is so weak that he will just obey you? No, if I have learnt anything from my time with him, it's that he will do as he pleases or kills those who stand in his way."

"What do you know elf?" snarled the demoness, her pale, red skin masking her anger as she stood up, fists clenched at her side. "He has the markings. He has the temperament. I will be doing our lord a great service by letting him claim the throne. He will, no must, do what is required of him. It is the natural order."

"Zealot," chuckled Elelth, shaking her head and flexing her cramping muscles. "Keep your religious nonsense to yourself if you want to keep your life though, I am not sure that it is possible... slave collar or not, you did attack us, and Ru doesn't seem big on the whole forgiveness thing."

"He forgave those who imprisoned him," snapped Kalis.

"They are already dead." Elelth sighed, taking a deep breath. "Last time I checked, even though you are brain dead, your body is still alive, so it makes you much easier to kill."

Just as the Demoness was about to respond, May's body started to form in front of them, like a thick mist condensing, ending their conversation.

After the few seconds it took for her features to become defined, May looked at them with minor interest. "You two argue over the silliest of things. You are so weak, even my level two monsters would make a snack out of you, and yet you believe you have the power to control or anticipate an entity that, just by its existence, shakes the very foundations of our world."

The dungeon smiled smugly as the dark elf and demoness looked away, not meeting her gaze. "Good, I was starting to wonder if your species had devolved so far that it's survival instincts were faulty. You act like tigers in the presence of lions when you are nothing more than kittens in the presence of dragons."

Turning away from them, the Dungeon stared at the black dome, the air shimmering around its edges as it rapidly absorbed the ambient mana around it, and her smile disappeared. "Even one, as old and powerful as I am, can only wait and let it consume my mana, praying to the divines that it is satisfied when it is done and does not decide that my core will be the perfect dessert."

"Why would he go for your core?" asked Kalis, spotting the change in the dungeons humanoid representation.

"It is a being of mana that consumes mana. The strongest and purest mana is always in a core. My monster's cores are small and insignificant compared to my own. In fact, it being here is such a risk that my instincts scream at me to attack it with everything I have. The only thing stopping me is that, besides our history, instead of heading for my core, it chose to passively absorb the mana from this safe zone," responded May with an absent expression. "Too many unknowns.

"Do you know why he became like that? The spears and black stuff, not the being made of mana," interrupted Elelth, remembering the black spears with blinding blue runes erupting for Ru's body, pinning him to the floor in a kneeling position, before he was covered in the black dome.

It happened so fast that both Elelth and Kalis panicked, thinking they were under attacked, however, May had returned and reassured them that Ru was simply entering a restorative state, though, for what purpose, she did not know.

May shrugged. "I have asked the other dungeons, and the consensus is what I initially thought. It used too much mana or became damaged and so has regressed to a state which minimises energy expenditure while maximising the ability to regenerate and absorb mana."

Turning back to Kalis, May stepped forward and grasped her slave collar. "I think it's time to get rid of this."

Without waiting for a response, the dungeon pulled the collar apart and let it fall to the floor as if it was nothing more than a useless trinket.

Blinking in shock, the demoness's hands rose to her neck before a dazzling smile appeared on her lips, and she literally started dancing on the spot, twirling in circles. "I'm free! I'm free. You removed my collar, thank you so much! I don't know how I can repay you?"

May tilted her head in confusing. "Why would you need to compensate me? You cannot train and become stronger with that thing suppressing your abilities and skills."

"Train?" The demoness stopped dancing as her eyes took on a weary look.

May continued her confused expression. "Yes, train. As a dungeon I have an insatiable desire to train and test sentient beings that enter me and, even though you are both subpar, you are its companions. If my conclusions from the fragments of memories I have retained are correct, then everyone will benefit from you becoming stronger."

"Dungeons train adventures? I thought you just tried to kill them for their mana?" asked Elelth, the new knowledge drawing her in like a moth to the flame.

"Of course we train sentient beings. Why else would we waste our resources on bringing them in? We train those we consider worthy and imbue them with a fragment of our ethos. When they conquer other dungeons, they collect that dungeons ethos and the two are combined to make a new dungeon core inside of them. We pick the strongest, most active individuals so that the chances of them dying in a safe place, at least for a new dungeon is increased."

"And that's how baby dungeons are born," laughed Kalis. "I would have never guessed. "

"Why not? Propergation is the foundation of all species, sentient or otherwise. Why would dungeons be any different?" Though May said this, the summoned heroes had left a large impression on her, and since their disappearance, she had not bothered interacting with the adventures that entered. They were too weak and, though she would not admit it, boring.

Elelth frowned. "I thought it was because dungeons wanted to absorb the mana from adventures while they were in them, especially if they died?"

May laughed, though the expression on her face wasn't entirely correct and made her look more than a little weird. "Why would we waste so much mana creating our homes, constantly regenerating them and having items stolen just to claim mana? Even if there weren't a huge flaw in the theory, it would be woefully inefficient."

"What's the flaw?" Elelth leaned in towards may, her eyes wide at the prospect of learning something that she could not get from books.

May shrugged her shoulders. "That all creatures absorb mana and they use it constantly, even the none mage types. Even you manaless are not immune, though where it goes for you, no one really knows, and that's a different subject. If a creature absorbs mana from the environment, which would be me, and uses it to live and cast spells, transcending the energy, then how do I get anything from it?"

"Oh," Elelth and Kalis stared at the Deugeon with blank expressions, a fundamental piece of knowledge shattering a conventional theory that most believed to be fact.

May released a warming smile as she felt the comfort of teaching others once again."We also collect knowledge. Knowledge from conversations, thoughts that are not protected and memories from the dead. This way we can better prepare and defend ourselves for those that would wish to destroy us."

Elelth mind was whirling at the implications of what May was saying. People thought that Dungeons were semi sentient entities that only lived to absorb mana and increase the size of their domain. "Do people know you train them or are they not allowed to speak of it?"

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May's face contorted into a serious expression. "Only the destroyers know. Those designed to go out and destroy other dungeons. We are pretty much immortal, and it keeps our species strong by weeding out the weak."

"Though," May paused a bit before continuing. "That technique fails more often than not as the defending dungeon will just offer more. We can create any creatures ideal mate, habitat and even provide them with riches not found on the surface. As such, we need to be careful when selecting destroyers and attempt to get them to bond with us. Friends, even better lovers, cannot be easily replaced for some."

Kalis' eyes were still thick with suspicion. "So, you are telling us this because you want us to be destroyers?"

May laughed again. "No. I want you to stop one, even if it is not the standard type. Reading your surface thoughts, both of you are unlikely to leave it and, by the fact that the Dark Elf injured it and holds the potential to be a serious threat, yet it does not act, it is easy to assume you hold some worth to it. If I prove that the benefits of my continued existence outweigh the destruction. Logically I should be safe, and the potential for such an alliance is not something to be passed up."

"Told you he wouldn't mind me staying," snickered Kalis, some but not all of the suspicion eased from her eyes.

Elelth ignored the demoness, knowing May was referring to her and not the ex-slave regarding their importance to Ru. "Why do you keep calling Ru, it?"

"Because there has never been, and hopefully never will be again, one like it. It lives, breathes and eats mana. It is mana. It may wear a skin of the false flesh, but that is out of choice. I do not even know it's true gender or even if it has one. It is an anomaly and by allowing ourselves to stereotype and label it based on our limited understanding of the world could be detrimental," May frowned. "Also, as with any threat, we de-personify the entity. To a dungeon, a being that harvests, stores and refines mana throughout its existence, we are nothing more than the ultimate food source. It could harvest us like your farmers or could devour us like a swarm of locusts. By helping you, I help it. By helping it, even now by freely providing mana, as previously mentioned, I am more useful alive than dead."

"Why wouldn't you just kill him?" Elelths eyes narrowed. "If he is healing, then he is vulnerable?"

May shrugged. "Because, apart from an exceedingly skilled manaless, I am not sure he can be killed. Even if we destroy his core."

"He has a Core?" shouted Kalis, shock evident on her face.

Ignoring the outburst from the now irate demoness, May continued rephrasing her earlier statement. She could just come out and state that she, and most of her kind, were terrified of the creature but her pride wouldn't allow it and she continued to make excuses. "Mana is a form of energy. Energy cannot be destroyed or created, it just is. We have no knowledge of the one called Ru and what we don't know is terrifying. Yet, we are not as foolish as you mortal creatures. We don't attack the unknown, we study it. If it is a threat that we can deal with, we deal with it, if it's not a threat, or it's beyond our means, we pick the most optimal method to survive."

"Why would training us help Ru?" Elelth emphasised his name, growing angry at the dungeons objectification of Ru.

"Dungeons can read the emotions of monsters through the mana output of their core. It has a core. " May looked at the Demoness, daring her to interrupt. When it was clear she wouldn't, she continued. "Although it is different and I can sense what is stirring belief."

"It is one of the many ways we use to control those that call us home, however, in this circumstance, it enables me to get a good idea of what It is feeling," continued May. "Sadness, grief, emptiness, loss of purpose... but most of all anger and cold acceptance. From your conversations and those who use the upper layers to train, it is apparent that it wants nothing more than peace however it seems that It has realised that is an impossible goal."

"His name is Ru. I am pretty sure calling him It will only provide him," hissed Elelth."

May nodded once. "Sounds logical. I will amend my speech patterns. His anger is building as well as... something else. When he emerges in a few years, I doubt he will be following the same policy as before."

"Wait? Years?" Elelth and Kalis' mouths hung open.

"Yes, though it is clear that Ru does not feel that years is a long time. Like I said, he is exhausted from his battle and near death experience at your hands." May looked at Elelth. "Please don't make me repeat myself. Anyway, to capitalise on the time, build bonds with you and... prove that I harbour no ill intentions, we will be using a trick us dungeons have been using for millennia."

"We will create a separate dimension of my levels, known as instances, but increase the time speed significantly for you manaless. The demoness is at an acceptable level that when Ru awakes, she will be ready but you need decades of training,"

Elelth tensed. "But-"

"There will be no excuses. You are stuck here, at least until Ru awakens. I have requested the knowledge of manaless from my sire dungeons. We have much to do."

May placed her hands on her hips. "If you don't like it, you are free to leave though travelling eighty-six levels of an SSS rank dungeon will inevitably lead to your death. If you make it past a minute, I will be impressed."

Kalis looked smug, knowing that Elelth was the weak link.

Pointing to the Demoness, May tilted her head slightly. "You will start training on the ninth floor. It will be a struggle and too much at your current level, but the creatures will not land fatal blows. Do not be seen by the external beings."

Kalis' mouth opened and closed. "On my own? Everyone knows never to go into a dungeon without at least a six man party."

Demons sought strength no matter the cost, which had led to them being persecuted and so, even though she was still suspicious, Kalis was prepared to accept the Dungeons conditions.

May shrugged. "They do not have the blessing of the dungeon. You will go alone, and if you don't move to the transportation circle now. You will go naked. I can't move inorganic material."

With a sense of defeat, Kalis moved to the transportation array that she had arrived in previously.

The moment she stepped onto it, she disappeared in a flash of light.

"Couldn't you just let us out through that?" asked Elelth.

"I could, but why would I? You have already cost me mana, and so, as you mortals put it, I have a vested interest in keeping you around," chuckled May as she walked towards the elf. "Besides, I know what your heart desires, and for that, you need strength. To kill, to love, to be free. You are in need of my services more than any other."

Elelth hands shook. "How strong?"

"Like I said. Enough to kill or love the target of your conflicting emotions. For that, you will need to stand at the pinnacle of this worlds strength."

"I thought you said you wanted Ru as an ally," frowned Elelth as she quickly glanced at the black dome, fearing he could hear their conversation.

"I would only be harmed if you tried and failed. To that purpose, I just need to make sure, if you chose to, you would not fail," responded May dryly.

"Strong enough to kill those that have destroyed my life? Those that would control me? Those that would stand in my way?" a sliver of madness, that had formed back when Elelth was attacked by the bounty hunter reappeared.

A wicked smile appeared on May's lips. Without the Demoness here, it was exceedingly easy to manipulate Elelth. "That is for you to decide. All I can say is, the world is never stagnant. As you grow in strength and power, so will the creature you call Ru. He is in a state of constant evolution. If you use him as the goal, you may never beat him in a straight out fight, but when you stop and take count, you will see just how far you have come."

Elelth's smile was twisted, without a hint of joy as she let out a mirthless laugh. "I am sick of being weak. When do we start?"

"Now." A portal erupted from the side of May as she held her hand out. "There are only two absolute rules. Nothing lasts for ever and that only those with the power to do so, will be able to control their destiny. I wonder which one you will find first."

Elelth stepped forward and disappeared with a white flash, along with May, as the camp became deathly silent.

Far away, but close, in a place that existed but doesn't at the same time, beyond consciousness and physical laws, kneeled Ru in his ancient ruined armour. Thirteen spears pierced his chest, legs and arms, pinning him to the ornate marble floor as blood slowly dripped.

Around him, the scattered remains of his only friends, not a single body intact, lay crumpled in gruesome positions, each surrounded by dozens of red skinned, armoured warriors. The Demon Lords elite bodyguard.

Even with the magical seals slowing the rate of decay, after fifty years, the stench of their rot was rising at an alarming rate.

"So you have returned?" declared a voice, full of amusement. "Did you decide that freedom wasn't all it was cracked up to be or could it be that you missed us?"

Ru sighed. "I was actually hoping my subconscious would let me revisit a beach, brothel, restaurant, hell even a sewage works other than this place."

The voice chuckled as the Demon Lord shuffled on his throne, the spears piercing his body seemingly ignored. "Isn't it enraging? Knowing that this is all in your own head yet not being able to control it in the slightest."

"Who said it was in my head. With everything I have seen, I am not sure I believe anything anymore," responded Ru.

One of the decapitated heads rolled to the side, its rotting blood plastered to his blond hair. "Now, now. We all must believe in something or else we become nothing. You know that $%£."

Ru shook his head, thankful that the magic containing his name was still active. He might have been able to destroy the memories he knew of, but from all his experiments he had discovered that they were not just linked to the grey matter that once resided in his head. They were connected to his soul, and he would never be able to escape them. "So are you guys going to help, or hinder?"

He knew what he was doing, or at least what he felt his subconscious was trying to do. It was distracting himself from the surging rage that was threatening to overwhelm him at any moment.

The Demon Lord laughed. Out of all the figments of his imagination here, he was the one that caused Ru the most distress. "So your plan to escape and live a peaceful life was a bust. The false persona you created to gain power has now become who you are and, after the last engagement, the alliance will never let you remain free. I have to say, it was a pretty pathetic plan."

A feminine voice interrupted the Demon Lord as he started to open his mouth. "Least you found some company, I was afraid you would find it had to-" the top half of a torso, its long, red hair falling over its features paused as if searching for the right words. "- find someone worthy."

"Who said she was worthy," a deep, booming voice erupted from a pile of flesh and scattered bones. "She's weak and pathetic. And Zed, don't go saying that's why $%£ has picked her. She's a threat. One $%£ doesn't need."

The blond head smiled. "Why not, $%£ can mould her into the perfect companion while she is weak, and then when she gains strength, $%£ can rely on her as a friend."

"That isn't what being a friend is," responded the redhead. "$%£ shouldn't use people because, as we all know, that only leads to ruin."

Ignoring the interruption, Zed continued. "Plus when she grows she is going to be-"

"Zed." Ru's voice was cold. "Please stop. I know you are trying to cheer me up, but at the moment I just want to be alone. I need to think."

"We are just voicing your own thoughts. We are you, you are us. Your mind made us behave like we did in life but that doesn't change the fact that our personalities are just based off what you witnessed," responded Zed. "Like how you feel like you failed us and are the cause of our deaths. You think, through all our interactions, that we will not blame you, so we don't but can you be sure that is the case?"

Ru closed his eyes. "No, I can't."

The Demon Lord laughed. "You know, they say that the mad do not realise they are crazy but you, little hero, think you are and yet can't find any definitive proof. How is it that someone so insignificant and broken could beat me?"

Zed sighed. "Your senses tell you this is real, yet your mind finds fault with the possibility. You can't control your senses, and because they can be faulty, that means you can be sane with incorrect input."

"Zed, Shut it. I know you always liked winding me up and getting me into debates, but I am not in the mood," growled Ru.

"Fine, let's get back onto topic. Destroy, conquer or escape," said the head as it rolled towards the throne. "As flight has proven... difficult for $%£ and none of you pansies will even give it the time of day, I vote to Destroy the world."

Ru chuckled darkly, "at the moment, that doesn't sound like a bad idea."

Ten voices rose in protest while the Demon Lord slumped with an amused expression on his face. "The last decision took over a hundred years, try and speed it up this time."