Prologue: Partners in Crime

Graduation is a joyous occasion, but it is also a farewell to everything you knew. Careers, relationships, children, and more will all vie for more of your time afterwards. Hopefully, you enjoyed the novelty of childhood while it lasted. Unless you happen to be a child for eternity.

***

A group of fairies have gathered in a field of flowers of every color imaginable. Younger fairies sit on their chosen flower seat as they raptly listen to the tales and wisdom of their teacher. Occasionally, one fairy will fly up to signify that they want to ask or answer a question.

Their blue-skinned teacher idly floats before them with ivy green wings as she takes one last look at her class. As a dungeon fairy to a dungeon so old and ancient that she had long since lost count, she is allowed a lot of vacation time to teach the next generation of dungeon fairies.

It sounds like a prestigious job with immense responsibilities, but the truth is that there isn’t much to talk about. Dungeons can appear anywhere so there is no guarantee that the local flora and fauna will be the same. Politics can change at the drop of a hat. Random plot lines with runaway princesses or the church taking their slice of the pie may influence the growth of the dungeon.  

Even so, a dungeon fairy is crucial to the development of a dungeon. For without communication, how would a dungeon ever comprehend empathy? Without empathy, all that awaits inside its depths is an absolute death. Death is expected, but an absolute death to everyone who enters or lives nearby is a nightmare that must never be allowed. As such, any dungeon without a fairy may simply be destroyed for preventing the inevitable. Some dungeons may remain somewhat tame after losing a fairy, but every dungeon escalates when they perceive a threat. Every single one.

With a brilliant smile full of hope and expectation, their fairy teacher bid farewell. “It is time, my beautiful little pranksters. The new year has begun and so too will the land birth new dungeons across the mortal world of Averna. Our time together has been short, but I have faith in each and everyone one of you succeeding at life. And remember: ‘We may be small, but we shine the brightest!’”

With a tumultuous cheer, everyone chanted the fairy motto. “We may be small, but we shine the brightest!” And not a moment too soon as one by one, each student disappeared in a shine of light. Being dragged through space to their new home and lifelong partner.

***

In an solitary room enclosed in an alternate dimension, a spherical core formed. It’s foggy color was all that illuminated the room. A nameless consciousness had formed inside the core and began to investigate its surroundings. All it knew that it should eat and grow, but not why it was important.

Suddenly, 2 lights began to coalesce inside the core’s haven. Curiosity began to form within the core at something new and different, but held at bay by an equally powerful fear towards the unknown invading its domain. What should it do? What can it do?

Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

These thoughts and more stopped as the lights faded away to reveal a couple of fairies glowing in their own resplendent colors. One fairy wore a simple pants and shirt with lightning designs embroidered on it. The other wore shorts and a tank top with the design of a dragon embroidered on it. Their hair was both a shade of purple, but their skin color was different.

The fairies shared a look before the blue one approached. He pulled out a green bead from his pocket before tapping the core with it. The core was afraid and confused at what was happening, but it was soon distracted by thoughts filling its consciousness. No, not thoughts. Knowledge! Of language and people. Of monsters and dungeons. Of magic and skills. Of culture and religion. But a common theme amongst it all was of fighting for a variety of reasons. Everyone wants to survive and thus they fight.

Excitement filled its crystalline body as it resonated with the idea of survival. Monsters and people would seek out its domain for their own survival. It too must survive at any means necessary.

[No!]

A voice resounded in its core. Instinctively, it could sense it came from the fairy in front of it. Or perhaps the other one. They give off the same presence, yet somehow different. Irregardless of who spoke, it tapped into its newfound knowledge and spoke back.

[Why not?]

[Survival is good, but you need more than just that]

[A life worth living consists of more than just existing]

Their words left it perplexed. It can’t just survive? A life must have worth? Complex feelings bubbled up from within that it didn’t know what to do with. It has to be the best. Anything less might end in its death.

[How do I gain worth?]

[That is why we are here.]

[To help you in all matters.]

[You may call me Tua Azure Lily. Personal name Tua. Mana name Azure. Family name Lily. You can call me Tua for we are partners from here on out.] Says the boy fairy with a body of blue.

[You may call me Tia Hunter Lily. Personal name Tia. Mana name Hunter. Family name Lily. You can call me Tia for we are partners from here on out.] Says the girl fairy with a body of green.

[Names? Do names have worth?]

[A name defines you. Separates you from others of your race.]

[A name is a symbol of your power. Of what you can do.]

[Throughout life you will be named for many things.]

[Some good. Some bad. Some embarrassing. Some Annoying.]

It contemplated this name thing. It sounded pivotal to its existence. It wanted a grand name to boast amongst the hordes of intruders. To make them feel equal parts awe and terror. But what if it chose wrong? What if its chosen name made it appear weak? Pick another? No, each name would define a part of it. Frustration built up in its mind as it couldn’t decide on any of the random names it knew of. At the peak of its frustration, the fairies… its partners coaxed it with their soft fairy voices.

[It is ok to not have a name for now.]

[You have plenty of time to decide.]

[For now there is something more important to think about.]

[Building the greatest dungeon that no mortal has ever seen.]

Yes, now that was a job worth considering. How can a core have worth if it has no dungeon? It’s glorious naming ceremony can wait for it had rooms to build and monsters to spawn. No loot though. It doesn’t want more intruders.