Chapter 132

AN: Unedited

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Throne Room, The Voice's Manse, Atlantis

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Kata leaned back on her throne and brought a clawed hand up to rub her chin as she contemplated, eyes never leaving the group of guilders stood before her. It was an interesting proposal, to be sure. A mental tug on their connection, and The Creator joined her, running through everything she'd just heard.

Veeeery interesting. So that's where Haythem's been. The Creator began. It's actually a good idea, and I wouldn't be opposed, but we'd need some concessions before I'd allow it. Some assurances that it wouldn't be abused; perhaps regulation similar to that they place on my entrance.

Kata took a long breath, and refocused on the group of supplicants. Her eyes once again locked on the albino form of Guildmistress Losat, as The Creator mumbled and muttered His concerns in her head.

"We find your proposal has merit," Kata started, to sudden inhales from the guilders. "Though we have concerns we would like addressed before we proceed. Firstly, this 'training ground' must be restricted to Silvers only. At the time a Guilder reaches Gold, they should be more than skilled enough to begin delving the dungeon proper, and neither they, nor the dungeon, would derive any further benefit from such an arrangement. Access to the training ground will be regulated in the same manner as the dungeon; with an additional requirement. Any Silver granted access to this training ground will swear a binding vow that they will never shatter, break, enslave or otherwise harm the Dungeon Core. We will not empower those who would later turn our generosity against us."

There is a moment of silence as her demands ring through the halls. 

"Are these restrictions acceptable to you, Guildmistress Losat?" Kata asked, eyebrow raised. She placed her hand, which she'd raised to gesture with, back down on the arm of her throne.

"They are, Voice of The Creator." The albino woman agreed with a nod and bow. "I have heard nothing I wouldn't have enforced myself. Though the vow may turn away many potential guilders."

"That is not our concern," Kata replied dismissively, waving a hand. "The Vow will not cover anything that would impact normal delving of the dungeon. We only intend to protect all living on and under Atlantis with this vow. After all, some pieces of the dungeon are quite volatile, as you are aware, Layla Losat." The guildmistress froze, and slowly nodded. "if The Creator were to perish," Kata continued, "you may find the results... distressing."

'How distressing, exactly?' Kata asked The Creator, warily, wondering why he'd asked her to add that last part.

Well, I was referencing the careful balance the manastars are in, with at least one on most floors. But given what I know of physics... say sayonara to the island, a good portion of the ocean around it, and a potential apocalyptic scenario for the rest of the planet? How bad would thousands of square miles of ocean suddenly collapsing to a room of a mere dozens of yards cubed be?

Kata took a deep breath, trying to control herself and prevent any tells.

'That isn't something you just spring on someone! How, exactly?'

Well, the Eleventh is an expanded space, like one of those pouches with a lot more space than they should have? The enchantment was pretty easy to adapt, after I understood it. I'm not sure what'll happen If I stop maintaining it. The collapse might be slow enough it only causes a surge of water through the dungeon and a geyser on the island for a few decades. But it the collapse all happens at once... you can't exactly compress water without consequences.

Kata was pulled from her silent freak-out by a cough from the guilders. Wait, how long had she just been sitting here in complete silence!? "Voice Of The Creator, with your permission granted, is there anything more you need from us?"

"We may call upon a group to test the area once it's complete," Kata answered. "While we are confident in adjusting the level of challenge, we assume you'd like an assurance of your own before sending the Silvers in. We can handle the construction and land allocation. You are dismissed."

The guilders filed out of the room. Kata glanced at the guard by the door, and he shook his head. Nodding, Kata stood. "Court is adjourned. Return to your duties."

Kata turned and left out a side door as people began leaving the hall, Skitters following close behind her. The Scorpan was surprisingly insightful, and Kata quite liked asking her opinion.

"What do you think, Skitters?" She asked as they strolled down the hallway towards her private rooms.

"I'm of two minds, Voice of The Creator," The Scorpan answered. "On one claw, it would empower and train guilders who might one day turn against us. Though, the vow would help, many who have not taken such a vow would remain. These may change their mind if ever given the opportunity. On the other, it would once again draw potential guilders to the island. These could be shown our natures as thinking beings, and would be less likely to join a potential crusade."

"Not just outsiders, Skitter." Kata responded. "This is future-proofing. Many coreless humans on the surface have been exposed to large amounts of mana through mere proximity to the dungeon. Though it may not enough to force development of a core in themselves, I find it likely their children may develop cores in the womb. Much like the human children already on the island, they'll grow up surrounded by Children of The Creator. It won't even occur to these children to treat us as anything lesser or different."

"Speaking of," Kata interrupted herself, changing tacks. "Have the last of the refugees made their decisions?"

"As far as I am aware, yes." Skitters answered, reaching into the pack on her back, which looked strangely bare without her scorplings. "Priestess Halley approached me just this morning with the lists." Pulling a sheaf of paper from her pack, the Scorpan handed it to Kata. Kata pulled on The Creator's attention again, and she felt His interest as she skimmed the lists.

"Seems she split them into groups... Descending, Protection, and No Protection..." Kata quickly counted to judge proportions. "Less than a dozen declined any protection. The old and set in their ways, brought along only because the rest of their families were coming. Two dozenish took the protection, but wished to remain on the surface... more than a hundred wish to descend. Impressive. She must have been convincing."

"Are we sure this is a good idea, Voice?" Skitters asked, "Letting humans into the dungeon?"

They won't be humans long, Skitters. Kata heard in her head. No doubt The Creator was talking to them both at once. They'll be like Kata. Fellow Children. Scaleborn, Beastborn, and Mer. It'll take time for them to integrate properly, but I'm certain of this, Skitters.

"Of course, Creator. I was not doubting you."

I know, Skitters. 

The rest of their walk passed in silence.

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The Creator, Atlantis, The Kalenic Sea

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I kept a careful eye on the procession of humans. They'd been led into the dungeon through a secret entrance in the jungle, one used by the Titanoboa long ago, in the blackness of early morning. The moons had recently set, and not even a glimmer of light lined the horizon yet. It'd taken some doing to sneak them all into the jungle without alerting the guilders, but they'd not been watching too carefully. The guards set around the tent city had grown lax in their watch as they days passed.

Slowly, the group of a hundred and thirty one humans were led through the secret tunnel system. The path was familiar, once used by the Crabs who'd become the Scorpans as they descended. Drake-kin, Scorpans, Capriccio and Minotaurs accompanied them, talking and interacting with them to pass the time in the light of the glowing moss.

Slowly, groups split off. 

A dozen decided to stay on the Fifth with the Capriccio. With their permission, and a vague mental picture from each human, they were changed into one variation of the 'Beastborn.' In the same manner as the Scaleborn, the Beastborn would have animalistic traits, but remain recognizably human. These gained Goat and Sheep-like traits. long, animalistic ears hung from the side of their heads, and their hair became noticeably fluffier and voluminous. They all gained the horizontal ovoid pupils of goats and sheep-like animals, flattened noses and patches of fur on their elbows and knees. Their finger- and toe-nails hardened, but didn't merge into hooves.

These Beastborn all resembled their previous selves, of course. Though I fixed all the inefficiencies in the human genome out of hand, they retained their hair colour, skin colour, freckle distribution, general build eye colour and more.  This left them a sight more colorful and varied than the Capriccio who departed to the villages with them.

Twenty joined the Drake-kin, becoming Scaleborn. They had a similar treatment to Kata, though without the enhancements and extras I'd given her since she was acting in my name. Patches of scales, slit eyes, claw-like feet and fingernails.

Two decided they liked the Eighth, and wished to stay. Once chose to become an Scaleborn, but asked for bluish-white coloring. He joined the Snowbolds. The other asked to become a Beastborn in a similar vein as the previous group, but extra fluffy and cold-resistant, stating her intention to become a hermit with a hut near the peak of the second. I saw no problem with this and did as the woman asked. The Mountainsheep Beastborn set off on her own, happy with her decision.

Nine stayed with the Scorpans. More than I'd expected to be honest. Though I was leery about what they'd asked for, I agreed. It was their choice, after all. The Feline Beastborn were a mix of lithe and graceful, or large and powerful.  They mixed in with the Scorpans, for now

Seventeen stopped at the Tenth. Eleven joined the Minotaurs, becoming Bovine Beastborn. They were much the same as the Goat Beastborn, though with a distinct bovine flavor and tails, accompanied by larger horns. The last six wanted something... a little different.

Are you all sure? I'd asked, concerned. They'd nodded eagerly and so I acquiesced. Shorter and slighter builds overall, short fuzz in places, little snout, puff-tails, long ears... 

Leaving six Bunny Beastborn behind, the rest descended to the Eleventh a nice round seventy. Now, Seventy is a lot of people. That'd be a significant minority if all of them joined the town of Wyvern's rest. Thankfully, given they were from a port town, many had no problems with settling the small villages that'd popped up across the Eleventh.

Here, there was a mix of choices. These  humans had seen others make their decisions, and the outcomes. They had a better idea of what options were available to them. It was a pretty even mix of the 42 Beastborn, twenty Scaleborn and even eight Mer. Of those who became Beastborn, there were another ten Felines, five Bunnies, Fifteen Bovines (a mix of cows, sheep and goats) and twelve Canines. 

Halley, who'd chosen to become a coppery Scaleborn, was one of the two dozen to remain in Wyvern's rest. 

"I Intend to build a Church to you here, Creator," She'd said to murmured approval from the crowd of former humans. I'd come down from Olympus to meet them with my avatar, and most of the former humans present had fallen to their knees at my presence. It'd only taken a moment to convince them that my body was the Creator's avatar; Halley had seen it in skeleton form, but not it's newly false-flesh form.

"That's not necessary, Halley." I answered, waving a scaled hand and shaking my head. "The Children who worship me do so in their own individual ways, not en mass."

"I know, Creator, but I and the... former humans who came with me worship in a group. It is how we are comfortable worshipping."

"If that's what you wish, I will not stop you." I answered, not in the mood to argue with her about it. I'd long given up trying to stop my Children from worshiping me. What was another hundred-something humans anyway. If they want a church, then they can make it. "Get permission from Wyvern Rest's ruling council; they'll assign land for you to use, though you'll need to fund it yourselves. Either by acquiring the materials yourself, or getting the Talons some other way and paying someone else to make it."

I paused, looking over the crowd of former-humans, and the ring of Children around the open square I'd done the transformations in. "Those wishing to live in a village in the Elemental Isles, I will organize transport for free. Any future travel between the islands you will have to negotiate with the Crabfolk or any other ship captains."

I left, boarded my sloop, and sailed off into the sea. Wave, Taura and Cadmus had been watching the whole thing from the cliff nearby. Roaring, they took flight as I left and flew circles around my ship.

Things were going very well.

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First Boss Arena, The First Floor, The Dungeon

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Akio grunted. Things were going... alright.

The Crab Boss was tough. It was prepared for them, though not as skilled as it'd been last time. Apparently, the dungeon core itself had possessed the boss to fight them, and it rarely did that anymore! That kind of attention, knowing what they knew and being what they were...

It was as he dodged another swipe of the crab's sword-like claw that Akio noticed.

"It's fighting to the music!" He called, loud enough for Bruce and Sophie to hear him from the other side of the giant crab. "Watch, and wait for an opening!"

It was so obvious, now that he'd noticed. It made it so much easier to anticipate the crab's strikes, dodge, block or fatroll out of the way when he needed. Between the three of them, the fight didn't last much longer. When the boss finally collapsed, the three of them were covered in nicks and bruises, but nothing a sip from a healing potion couldn't fix.

"Well done you three," Haythem complemented as he and Bertram clapped. "Much more coordinated than last time, with much improved awareness. Though now that you've pointed it out, the Guardian likely won't fight so predictably anymore."

"Well, we'll only get better at fighting it, right?" Akio replied, fistbumping Bruce. 

"And it will get better at fighting you. Back in the early days, the dungeon guardians actually died and new ones were raised to take their place. Now though... It'll be back in about half an hour for the next group to fight, and it'll remember you. Notice how it didn't give you a chance to get under it again, Akio?"

Akio frowned. He had noticed it payed special attention to him, making sure it always knew where he was. DId it.. actually remember dying?

"Weird," Sophie said with a frown. "That wasn't in the guidebook."

"It was, Bertram answered. "But not in as many words. It some of the guardians by name. Mushu and Tear specifically. If the others have names, we don't know them. These bosses in particular proved their immortality. I've fought the Third's guardian dozens of times, now, and it's more of a careful dance than anything else now."

There was a moment of silence.

"Alright, you three," Haythem stated, as he began walking to the exit. "Let's go do the Second. We'll stop before the Guardian, if we find it. Keep your teleport crystals at the ready. The Second is quite good at separating parties with moving rooms and traps, then it'll overwhelm you with monsters. We'll focus on identifying traps, fighting the Fish if we come across any, and sticking together. If you get separated, use your crystal immediately."

Akio had a bad feeling about this...

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