The Light of the First King guides mankind towards salvation.

The will of The Emperor carries us forward.

For this purpose, The Lord of Light forgives all sins.

-Creed of the Inquisitor

.........

Chapter 24

[Snake Report]

When Gorf fell down the stairs the first time, I let it go.

It wasn’t exactly a rare occurrence, to be completely frank, and I saw that he lumbered right back up without a second thought. So, I let it be.

At that point, I was really falling into my work with the Northern wall of the entrance room. After another stressful day of securing our immediate Dungeon defenses, I was winding down through my efforts, focused on sculpting a new shrine by the storage closets.

It was time to get back to the basics, I’d decided. Just because the system was calling me a God, didn’t mean I couldn’t continue to over praise to the Tiny Snake in the sky. So, obviously, that meant shrines, offerings, and continued use of Earth Magic.

A timeless and perfected formula.

Engrossed as I was, there wasn't much point in this activity other than the previously mentioned list.

Technically speaking. Ranking [Earth Sculpting] up was almost impossible to do at this point, and even when it did happen on occasion, I was already well-above proficient enough to do just about whatever came to mind. Shrine building was more for my mental well-being than anything, and not immediately important.

So, when Gorf fell own the stairs a second time, I probably should have abandoned my work. I had an inkling something was wrong, at least.

Twice in one night?

That was rare form, even for Gorf.

It wasn't until the third time, though: the one where Rocky followed right after him, that I knew I'd made a mistake. Both of the froggy warriors tumbled down the steps with a horrible crash.

We all stared at one another, for a moment.

Me

My pet rocks

The Dwarven death-machine standing atop them, with blade-like limbs of sharpened stone.

Then, Gorf tried to give it a hug, and everything more or less went to shit.

I think it’s important to mention, that I remembered- honest to Tiny Snake God: I remembered that Fire doesn't work very well on these things. But what I can remember, and what I can actually put into practice when faced with what’s quite likely certain death, are often quite different from one another.

So, I blasted the ever-living crap out of it with [Leviathan Breath].

Long story short: that was how it stabbed me the first time.

Not ideal.

I know.

Still, as the saying goes: when at first you don’t succeed, keep setting it on fire.

By luck, or maybe a miracle, I panic-blasted the Dwarven death-machine back up the stairs, and was then brilliant enough to try and follow after it to make sure I actually killed the damn thing…

… which, was about the point it stabbed me the second time.

Yeah.

This is about the point in the story where I’m going to have to cut out the finer details.

Not because I don’t want to tell them, and more because I don’t honestly remember what happened after the healing magic started to kick into overdrive.

With so much mana flowing, that my vision started getting a little off-color, and filled with a brutal haze and a rumble in my throat. The taste of burning, and brimstone.

I remember the voice getting louder, then.

Rational, human logic are surprisingly difficult to hang onto, once that gets into full-swing.

Ssss...

Here’s something you might find funny, though: Do you know the main difference between Constructs and monsters?

They're both dangerous and to be avoided, whenever possible. Yet, Monsters, so far as I know, are almost suicidal motivated.

Maybe, it’s just of hunger, or some instinctive urge or understanding they need to grow stronger. Maybe they all have some primal voice ringing in their ears telling them what to do. I'm not one to judge at this point, but whatever their reasons, I've found that once Monsters pick a target and start attacking?

They commit.

They fight to the death, unless their prey escapes, or they're killed.

Which, leads me back to what I was saying. you know, about the difference between Monsters and Constructs?

As it turns out, when faced with the wrath of an angry God, Constructs will run away.

And angry Gods will chase them.

……..

Inquisitor Report

What I have witnessed, would strike fear in the heart of any. Flames that turn sand to glass. Magics of the earth and stone, which raise pillars as effortlessly as they bring spears down from on-high. Destruction, so tremendous, that I fear the Western Highway might never be the same. This is not a threat to be ignored, but dealt with immediately. Although the failures of the Noble efforts to subjugate the entrance are indeed a disgrace to the Empire, it appears that their lack of success is by no means a flaw to their own efforts.

In my assignment to remove the Mage which committed the heinous act of claiming violence against the Empire, may it live on eternal in the Light, I have found that initial understanding of our enemy to be grossly misinformed. The threat which has been placed upon this location is indeed a magic-user of the highest order: it is no man or woman. There is no rogue Archmage, set to make their futile stand, no freak of ability, home-grown in the wild lands of the Northern Tribes and setting out against the Empire in their endless rebellion. Nay, this is a creature of the Depths. This anomaly, by the ghostly flames of Green, I name this creature a [Leviathan] of terrible proportions. For both Ability in the Mystic arts, and for propensity in destructive capabilities. I was extremely fortunate it seems to despise the Dwarven [Constructs] as much as it does our Imperial forces, for only by such an entity's distraction, did I earn a hasty retreat from what would certainly have been my demise. The wrath that was unleashed here, might have made even the greatest Archmage wretch with both fear and envy.

Noting such, it is my utmost recommendation the Seers be notified at the soonest possible. Any records of Dungeon related anomalies must be brought forth and reviewed. The Emperor’s will be done, while the Prophecy haunts our actions, we cannot afford to let this creature remain within reach of this great city. It is a threat to us all, and should it turn its focus upon us, I fear the worst.

By the Light which binds me, and in the interest of keeping this report brief, I will summarize this with the utmost clarity:

This Dungeon reeks of Heresy and should be put to the fires of a Congregation at the soonest possible date. If not by United and Holy Congregation, then by the bombardment of whatever naval vessels are still within reach of the City of the Emperor.

Before the Emperor's return, this beast must be destroyed.