The weak elf’s blood pressure remained high, his accelerated breathing commanded him to stop, rest, and think. He clutched his knees and lowered his head, pondering his options. The silence stretched on, and when he lifted his head, he found his mind as empty as when he started. Nevertheless, he needed to continue progressing deeper into the labyrinthine dungeon. Fortunately, he had a safe way to traverse it.

[Not a bad place for our tomb.]

“You can stay here if you like it that much.”

[Not for me to decide.]

“I thought so.”

[Your tenacity has always been one of your strong points, even if it has been at the expense of others.]

“Laying down and quietly fading into the sunset has never been my forte.”

[I know.]

The apparition walked silently beside him as a quiet reminder, a token of appreciation, or perhaps smugly looking into the abyss. X couldn’t tell in those dimly lit passages and didn’t notice when it vanished back into his mind.

The redheaded elf wandered through endless hallways, encountering dead ends and more doors as he grew increasingly anxious. Hunger and thirst assailed him, compounding his sense of dread. X wasn’t fond of enclosed spaces, and the thought of spending extended periods of time in the subterranean maze began to chip away at his confidence. Everywhere looked identical, and at his lowest point, he feared he had been walking in circles, expending precious energy to no avail. Eventually, his worry and exhaustion overtook him, and he collapsed to rest, his consciousness fading away.

A bright light waked him up.

“Hey, you elf! Ekk's!" spoke a voice.

“Uh...” The elf’s eyes fluttered open and adjusted to the glaring light emanating from the humanoid's hand-orb.

“Droff... ke...” muttered X.

“Droffiquilia Ghenters, my old friend,” stated the dwarf.

“Yeah.... that.”

“I knew you'd still be breathing,” said Droffiquilia, with a faint smile.

“Do you know what happened?” inquired the elf.

“That humans are readying themselves to trespass in my dungeon? Yes. They came prepared to assault it. Thieves, murderers...” Droffiquilia scrutinized X’s gaunt figure, which appeared more depleted since the last time they met. He offered his hand to him. “Get up, this is no place to be napping.”

After standing up, X trailed the dwarf through the clandestine corridors and emerged in a decorated room.

“Welcome to my humble abode,” proudly stated Droffiquilia.

“Nice... for a hole in the ground,” spoke X while surveying the dwarf’s chambers.

“Ha! You uppers always grumble. But that's unimportant now. Take a seat.”

Droffiquilia handed X a glass of fermented concoction and some hard bread, which the redheaded elf eagerly ate.

“It's not much, but it'll help restore your strength... which you sorely lack,” said Droffiquilia.

“It’ll do, and Droff...” X didn’t remember nor wanted to remember his whole name. “Why did you bring me here?”

“Because you are my friend!” replied the dwarf, with a smile on his face.

X stared at him.

“And, of course, I need your aid,” added Droffiquilia.

They locked eyes.

“Just say it,” said X.

“Mhmm...” Droffiquilia took his time. “Those humans... are vicious. They arrived armed to the teeth and plan to loot my kin's sanctuary!”

“It’s not like anyone else of your kind is using it. Your pet ate some of you and scared the rest.”

“Dureld Dungeon and everything in it is my kin's legacy! And I...”

“Then use those mouthy critters,” reasoned X.

“No! That won’t do. It’s... It’s too risky.”

“Weren’t those things made to protect this hole?”

"But the Swarm is also a part of my ancestors' legacy. Who will protect it?"

“What? Those creepy monsters that ate your own kind?!” questioned X, profoundly confused by the dwarf’s logic.

"I know. It was terrible. But the Swarm... you don't understand.”

"And you do? Do you speak to it?"

“It is confused!” exclaimed the dwarf, his expression filled with worry.

“Holy hell, you do! Can you tell it not to eat us!?”

“I can’t, it’s more of a connection...” Droffiquilia’s gaze fell to the floor, his regrets and guilt weighing heavily on him.

"This is getting weirder by the word... I guess anything is possible in these strange lands.”

"It's complicated.”

“It’s not like you’re in a freaking relationship with it? Are you?”

“The Swarm... kept me company through the years.”

“Spare me the details,” spoke X, exhausted from this conversation.

“I was alone here...,” lamented Droffiquilia. “I felt forgotten, not a sole soul to speak with, but I had company. Maybe not the best, but company.”

X studied the dwarf’s facial expressions while Droffiquilia kept his gaze lowered, ashamed. "You should have gotten yourself a girl, maybe of your own kind, or any kind. A female... and you should have told her you’re the freaking king of this hole in the ground and showed her off to your hungry friends. Maybe even started a dynasty down here... anything but this.”

"I could have?” Droffiquilia’s eyes gleamed.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

"Who knows. You should have still tried, though.”

Droffiquilia searched his own soul only to find disappointment. "For us tamers, that which we tame becomes a part of us. It's a bond, sometimes strong enough to... feel connected. It's normal.”

X saw an opportunity in the dwarf's incoherences. "Not it’s not. But I think I can understand your... perspective. Anyway, what do you need my help for?" inquired the redheaded elf.

“Ah...” Droffiquilia sighed. "Before humans get deeper into Swarm territory, I need to lead the Swarm into the throne room and lock it in there. I might be able to do it alone, but if the Swarm doesn't obey me, I'll need someone to...”

“Be bait?”

“Mhmm... Something like that. Yes. Exactly that.”

X heartily laughed. "That's so funny in many ways, though seriously, what's wrong with you creatures?!"

Things are getting complicated and with all these crazies running free, I'd better be careful.

"Let me ask you some questions first, and then I'll consider it," X stated with a serious tone.

"Really?" exclaimed the dwarf, his eyes gleaming.

"Of course.”

Droffiquilia nodded.

"Do you think the humans will be able to kill that thing? The Swarm?" asked X.

“They brought specialized soldiers and... yes, it’s a possibility. It wouldn't be easy for them, but that’s why I can’t risk it!”

"I see, you don't want your.... friends to get hurt. I don't want that either.”

"I knew you would understand.”

"Sure... and you really can't tame it?"

"Not with certainty. Sometimes the Swarm obeys, other times..."

"One more thing. Do you know if the... others I came with still live?"

"I think some of them managed to retreat."

“Where are they?” dryly asked X.

“In the barracks.”

“Yeah, that doesn't tell me much...”

“Will you help me?” asked the dwarf, a pained expression between hope and sorrow on his face.

“Of course, my friend,” swiftly replied the redheaded elf.

Droffiquilia smiled from ear to ear. "Thank you! I knew you were a kindred soul.”

"We are.”

“About how we’ll do it—”

"Before you tell me your grand and well-thought-out plan,” X interrupted the dwarf, “how long until the humans reach your friends' territory?"

"I'm thinking... after preparations, they'll enter tomorrow morning. In about eleven hours.”

"Great, that gives us plenty of time to save your friends.”

Both smiled.

"Thank you again, Ekk's,” said Droffiquilia.

"Don't mention it, but..."

"What is it?"

"Those assassins took my... magic... flute!" exclaimed X.

"A magical flute?"

"Yes, a flute is a flute here, right?"

"A musical instrument?" inquired the dwarf.

"Yes! And with my magical flute, I can... charm monsters.”

"You can?”

“It could help us with the Swarm,” remarked X, confidence in his voice.

“Ah, but... I don’t know.”

“You’re my best friend, Droff!”

“What about your friend back there... the one that got—”

“Eaten? Dead, digested, who knows. Maybe she’s fertilizer by now— and what a shame about that. You’re my best friend now, Droff, and I want to help the friends of my best friend.”

Droffiquilia's expression turned serious, showing signs of anger. "Is any of this true?! I may be living down here alone, but I'm not an idiot." Droffiquilia stood up, eyeing X warily.

"I'm an elf, Droff. A magical creature. My power is immense. I could turn this whole room crispy... whenever I feel like it.” X rose to his feet as well and spoke with a serious tone. “And everything in it."

“But you told me you lost your memory.”

"Was I that convincing?"

"You lied. Why?"

"Because I didn't know you then. I wanted to know your character. It was that... or I would've immediately turned you into a crispy meat stick."

Droffiquilia laughed nervously. "You wouldn't..."

The air between them got heavier, a tense silence followed, and the first one to blink would lose it all.

“Want to see it?” The elf unwrapped his headdress, his pointy ears driving the point home. “My magic.”

A mental duel ensued between them. Droffiquilia's ax shined in his pupils, but X didn't flinch.

The dwarf raised his arms and relaxed. "Ah! My friend!" He wasn’t risking it. "Why were you in chains?" He sat down, X followed suit.

"Calculated risks, a sense of adventure, and I've been after those guys for a while. I disguised myself as a sickly elf slave. And it works wonders. Everyone always believes I'm some puny, weak elf...when right under their noses, I'm someone who could snap fingers and boom, everyone's dead." X rubbed his thumb over his index digit.

"Ahaha... you really got me back there... I believed everything you said," spoke Droffiquilia while exhaling deeply.

"It's not the first time someone did, and won't be the last. I'm a professional."

"You are, Ekk's. And I'm sorry...my behavior wasn't..."

"Don't sweat it."

After the atmosphere relaxed between them, the dwarf continued his pleading. “So, will you help me?”

X stood up and walked towards him, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “I will, my friend. I’m going to get my magic stuff, and I’ll be right back.”

“Great!”

"If you show me the way to the barracks, I can return faster," spoke X.

“Ah! Let me take out a map... here.”

X examined the parchment and put his finger on a large room. “What’s this big space?”

“The smithy. And I’ll mark the barracks... see, we are not far,” said the dwarf.

“Mhmm. It does looks close.”

“Take the map. And... good luck. I have to go soothe the Swarm.”

The elf frowned but quickly smiled again. “Sure, you go do that. I’ll be right back.”

“And I’ll be waiting here.”

X took the map, approached the nearest raalt'ven, and entered the darkness once again. Upon reaching the other side, he quickly walked away as far as possible. He got a tad nervous back there and almost didn’t live to tell the tale.

[I enjoyed the show, truly. It brought a smile to my face. You might be a gifted actor.]

The specter leaned against a wall, arms crossed.

“Sucker’s mind is gone. The hell do I want anything to do with him.”

[Your lack of self-awareness is appalling.]

“Are you losing devotion already? It’s not like you at all.”

X struggled to read the map in the perpetual twilight, but he continued on despite the difficulty.

[And now, you’re abandoning him, your friend, your very best friend.]

“Of freaking course! To hell with him. His beloved critters can eat him whole or in pieces. I’ll try my luck with the assassins. They’re... better candidates.”

Although his destination appeared to be close on the map, the redheaded elf soon discovered that he may have misread it. Nevertheless, with a full and unpoisoned stomach, he carried on. When he reached the main hallway, his body tensed up, but he found it to be deserted. So far, Droffiquilia's map seemed to be accurate.

“I did scare him,” X chuckled.

[It was pure luck.]

"No, it wasn't. It's freaking common sense not to trust some creepy being that buried himself alive and alone in a dark hole."

[You don't trust anyone.]

"Fair enough, and it's what's kept me alive. But lately, I've been surrounded by these freaking crazies. I don't know where the hell they're coming from!"

[Lately?]

"Starting with you."

[Don't you mean yourself?]

X didn’t answer. According to the map, he had arrived at his destination. Dureld Dungeon remained quiet, an eerie calm veiled its savage nature.