Within the house of the archmage Calamvor, the tiniest Dungeon Core in existence was going through his second Ascension. Golden light bubbled forth from Valterra’s inner depths, almost physical in the way that it formed layers upon layers of gleaming blue-green crystal. The inner workings of the jewel that made up his Core shifted back and forth, the space inside growing larger.
The Spark Matrix of the young Core began to grow but stuttered to a halt as the tiny sigils etched into the jewel became strained. No longer able to support the Spark Matrix that had begun to grow the sigils began to fail one by one. The Ascension ceased as Valterra began to die. Or he would have if he did not already possess a Divine Spark. And divinity, no matter its size, is extremely hard to kill.
In a subconscious bid to save himself Valterra’s Spark drew on his reserves of Divine Potential to fuel his own Ascension. The sigils that had been carved with great care by the archmage dissipated completely before being replaced by something else. The place where the sigils had been smoothed over as the interior of the gemstone changed under the power of Aether and Potential.
In its place formed a complex array of crystalline structures each interlocking with the other. The latticework slowly grew in complexity and size until the Core rested complete upon his pedestal, a gleaming jewel without a trace of his prior artificiality. Valterra’s Spark Matrix in its altered state of subconsciousness began to integrate completely into its new home. The latticework lit up and the light of Ascension once more began to shine as the Core continued on his path of growth.
None of Valterra’s creatures noticed the infinitesimally small time it took for Valterra to recover but there were sighs of relief from the divinities clustered around the scene as they scried the young Core. Krat’Imos in particular sighed loudly. “That was certainly something. Look like we missed another dangerous loophole in the system. Should’ve known those sigils would fail. In fact, I’m surprised they didn’t fail when his Spark ignited divinity.”
Tal’Irieth nodded quietly while Trik’Weri spoke up. “It probably has to do with the fact that although he became Divine his Spark didn’t grow in size but quality.” His comment was greeted by nods from his other deities. The tranquility of the moment was shattered as another divinity burst onto the scene. “What did I miss?!” Ata’Laya exclaimed as she quickly gave Qual’Dorn a kiss on the cheek, their opposite domains sparking slightly from the contact.
Qual’Dorn smiled fondly as he gave his wife a peck back. “You missed a lot actually. We might have had to step in again to save Valterra which is exactly what he doesn’t need at this point in time. Our priests are already starting to notice our attention and I would hate for Valterra to feel the weight that our clergy can bring to bear on him, especially at this point in his growth.”
Ata’Laya groaned in response. “Tell me about it. All my priests want me to do for them is ‘Destroy this!’ and ‘Destroy that.’ Not to mention all of the revolutionaries praying that I help them overthrow their governments.”
Qual’Dorn scoffed lightly but then his face took on a flirty look. “Well, my dear perhaps you should let loose a little. I haven’t seen you go off in a little while. And we haven’t sparred in ages. Maybe one or two revolutions would shake things up.”
Ata’Laya ignored the good natured groans of the other divinities as she got close to her husband’s chest and began playing with his beard. “Hmmm, that does sound nice. Then maybe you can catch bad little me and…” Whatever she was about to say was interrupted by Tal’Irieth who looked at her pointedly. Grinning she leaned up and whispered loudly into Qual’Dorn’s ear, “Later…” Qual’Dorn just chuckled and gave her a roguish wink. The deities ignored the two and went back to watching over their young charge.
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The following days drifted by as Valterra went through Ascension. The first few days had been a deep sleep with very little interaction on his part. But slowly he began to become more aware. It was an interesting thing as he didn’t think this had happened the last time he had Ascended. Then again, he hadn’t been fully sapient at the time.
His thoughts weren’t a conscious thing either, they were more like threads that he aimlessly followed to their conclusion. Those threads led to other threads and so his thoughts continued. More than that though he was more in tune with his Dungeon than he had been in a long time.
Rather than being and feeling like a singular entity with many moving parts he now felt like those many different pieces. It was like his consciousness had fractured into many points of semi-coherent awareness. He saw bits and pieces from his creatures' perspectives and their various struggles.
Despite the conflict, the feeling he got back was of completeness. His Dungeon, now that he had fixed the horrendous Aether flow was now working properly. Aether flowed in and met his creatures who used it and various invaders to grow. They in turn began to Ascend into various new forms.
Your “Mouse Soldier” is ready to Ascend! x2
Your “Mouse Guard” is ready to Ascend! x3
Your “Constricting Green Snake” is ready to Ascend! x2
Your “Sylcyne Mountain Eft” is ready to Ascend!
Your “Hunting Pack-Mantis” is ready to Ascend!
Your “Iridescent Ground Beetle” is ready to Ascend! X3
Your “Mouse Scout” is ready to Ascend!
Your “Sylcyne Slug” is ready to Ascend! X3
Your “House Mouse” is ready to Ascend! x5
Your “Wolf Spider” is ready to Ascend!
And so on and so forth.
Unlike when he was fully conscious, it was so much easier to choose a stage of Ascension while in this "sleep." His different points of awareness gave him clues here and there as to which Ascensions were wished for by his creatures. A dim part of his mind recognized that he chose things he might not have while awake but that part was still tired even after all these days of rest.
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Not all his creatures made it. Some invaders were stronger than others and were able to catch and feast on his creatures. In the midst of his fugue state, Valterra knew only contentment. His Dungeon was a crucible that forged his creatures into stronger versions of themselves. He had known some would die in this pursuit even when he had been conscious.
So he watched as his creatures struggled, Ascended, and moved deeper. With his awareness splintered so widely within his Dungeon, it made it so much simpler to be present when they hunted invaders as well. Then, he simply dissolved the invader and soothed the creature with some Aether before drifting on, his awareness ebbing and flowing with his breath.
New Frameworks Acquired!
Kindling Brushtail (Rank F - Copper)
A type of squirrel found in the north, this creature has reached a stage of Ascension adapted to frigid temperatures utilizing its Aether reserves to more perfectly regulate its temperature and surroundings. Often characterized by its habit of lighting small fires to keep itself warm the Kindling Brushtail is active all winter round. Its powers grant it a decent defense against most predators as a nasty burn accompanies most attempts to make it a meal.
Coppertip Mole (Rank E - Bronze)
Found around copper mineral deposits, this mole has evolved to dig through such material. Consummate burrowers these moles live by feeding on the magical grubs and other creatures drawn to magical ore. Like their more humble counterpart they are unable to see but unlike them can manipulate Aether to give themselves a form of tremor sense.
At the beginning of each breath, he was on the third floor. He witnessed the waking of his third floor guardian and the absolute terror he inspired on every living thing on the Floor. He was impressive with beautiful green scales and gleaming golden eyes. He saw the moment his Guardian hypnotized a mouse and struck with lightning speed. It wasn’t even a contest and he felt his Guardian’s satisfaction.
He watched the struggle on the third for a time before being drawn inexorably into the first and the second floor. Then, he flowed into the fourth floor before drifting into the fifth. This occurred at every single one of his entrances before they met up at the fifth floor, continued on up through the sixth, and reached his Column, which was condensed down until it finally seeped into his Core.
It was in these moments that he was most aware and it was in one of these moments a week into his sleep that he felt his Mouse Captain stir. His kin beasts had already awoken and had been standing guard, the Mouse Squire in particular.
Valterra dimly noted that 12 days had passed since his loyal first floor guardian had gone to sleep. He must have spent around six days reshaping his Dungeon and creating the fifth and sixth floors. His track of time must have been dreadful since it had taken only a couple of days from his perspective.
The Mouse Captain stirred and shook himself before glancing around. He started by looking at the pedestal before rising quickly and looking every which way, growing more and more panicked.
He is looking for me. Valterra realized as he was drawn away towards his Core. In that almost awareness, he crafted a message for his loyal guardian. It wasn’t much of a message. More like an image with an “I am here.” sign attached and a vague sense of direction.
Valterra struggled to hold on to the message through his fragmented awareness and when he got to his Mouse Captain he released it with a sigh. Hopefully, that made sense. Valterra thought sleepily as he once more fell into a deep slumber, his mind tired from the strain of the message and his continuing Ascension.
Throughout the Dungeon creatures looked up as The Call resounded through it. Hazy images of a Core on a pedestal were imprinted on their minds with a vague sense of direction. They began to fight all the harder to Ascend. They had seen their creator and even the barest hint of the divinity present in his aura called to their most primal instincts.
POV The Mouse Captain
His ear flicked upright as he heard The Call and unlike the other creatures, he knew that it was addressed to him. His Master had let him know where he was and had seen fit to give him a challenge. The Mouse Captain would answer. He rose and looked around at his kin.
They stood straight and tall and he was pleased to note that the creator had seen fit to grant them the same Ascension as had been given to him. Except for one. Following the nudge in the back of his Ascended mind, his gaze zeroed in on the odd one out.
In that mouse’s gaze, he saw something that mirrored his own heart toward his creator. Loyalty and devotion. It both pleased and frightened him. He understood by that one glance that he was now responsible for this mouse in a way that only his creator might understand. His whiskers quivered at the thought.
Placing a paw upon his squire’s shoulder he gave him a nod before turning to the others. He began to communicate via his deep bass squeaking. “Deeper We Called. Deeper We Go.”
The other mice looked up at him in wonder at his ability to talk and nodded vigorously. Hefting his new battle blade the Mouse Captain returned the nod before leading the way. He left his nest behind along with his old treasures. He had a bigger prize waiting for him below. At the head of his small company, he began his first Dungeon Delve.
End of Chapter Notifications:
Ascensions Complete!
“Mouse Guard” has Ascended into the Framework “Mouse Soldier”.
“Mouse Guard” has Ascended into the Framework “Mouse Squire”.
New Framework Acquired!
Mouse Squire (Unique, Rank E - Bronze)
Rather than follow in the paw steps of its kin beast, this mouse gives up the direct path of the Mouse Soldier to gain glory by serving its kin instead. The life of a Mouse Squire is one of service and learning. Serving as a shield bearer and armorer for its master the Mouse Squire is proficient with all the weapons its master wields if in a lesser way. This is so that it might stand beside its master side by side on the day of battle without flinching, guarding its master’s blind spots.
“Sylcyne Garter Snake” has Ascended into the Framework “Emerald Adder”.
New Framework Acquired!
Emerald Adder (Rank D - Iron)
Giving up its constricting coils, this snake has chosen new weapons. With a powerful strike, this snake is capable of delivering deadly poison directly to its foe's body. With its mental affinity it has the ability to channel Aether into its eyes, allowing it to freeze weak-willed prey for mere moments before striking.
Ascension Complete!
“Mouse Soldier” has Ascended into the Framework “Mouse Captain”
New Framework Acquired!
Mouse Captain (Unique, Rank D - Iron)
The next step on the road to leadership, this mouse chooses to be an example to all mouse-kin. Adept with the sword the mouse treads a path few will walk but all the more noble for it. To lead is to display courage in the face of opposition and to serve steadfastly. By the sweat of brow and whisker the Mouse Captain will see its lord’s will done.