Chapter 18: Puppet

Vali’s POV

Currently I’m walking back to the dungeon on foot. I would have jumped back but me not thinking to set a location with my spatial magic within the dungeon, am now forced to take the long walk back. Also...Hjokk is gone for the moment delivering a message to Loki. She said she would meet back with me very soon. So now I have to walk alone...

I should’ve thought of that before I left earlier but I wasn’t really thinking clearly. So much has happened today. Honestly I’m beginning to think it just comes with traveling to a new world. But I feel as if my life is becoming more and more complicated. Loki....if you found out about any of this you’d probably just laugh.

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Congratulations! You have just learned a new skill!

Petting

‘What....what the hell is this.”

“What...No....No!”

“What is it sweetie?”

‘ ! ‘

I then continued to eat from my bowl frantically. ‘Petting skill! Are you bull shitting me! I have to pet and scratch Fenrir every day, and I get the petting skill the moment I scratch that little girls ears. This world has skills like that?..’...I called Loki a pedophile once...He will never find out about this!’

Ugh... I was trying to be nice to the little girl. Now I’m getting a freaking status update petting a child?. I even let her sit on my lap. Well what the hell else was I gonna do with her standing there like that? If I probably rejected her at that moment she would never trust me again. Mom was also staring at me so I couldn’t just let her stand there awkwardly.

When I picked her up it made my mom smiled with joy and her tails even began to sway around. I wonder if she notices that. they do it quite often in fact now. Since there’s so many they take up quite a bit of space.

Well whatever I guess....

I thought of just this one memory of todays festivities. Well...As complicated as my life may be getting it’s at least not boring.

‘Ugh...it is kinda lonely out here. With the title from Lord of the forest most animals and small monsters in this area seem to avoid me. I would normally be on more alert right now but I’m probably the highest leveled thing in this area right now. I may have enemies outside this dungeon. In fact I have a lot more, but I haven’t left any alive who know of Abgrund other than those from Asher. All else are dead.’

The air tastes more fresh as it seems. I did get to sleep for a few hours so maybe that was also it. Weird whenever I did sleep it was always in brief spurts of time. Sleep deprivation is in all honesty a horrible torture in it’s own right. But I’ve been sleeping comfortably the last few days.

Whenever I got out of bed I woke Ari up but I told her to go back to sleep. When I left the cabin she got out of bed while trying not wake up Noah and Lily.

I almost didn’t even know she was following because the sound of her feet were so light.

Pat...pat..patatptapt. bump

“Ohff...”

“What are you doing Ari. “

“I wanted to come with you.”

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‘That little girl was always fearless. I however couldn’t let her come with me. The places I go are just too dangerous for her. She seemed quite adamant on wanting to come with me though. She once told me ever since she slept on my chest she has had the best nights sleep in her whole life. She would match her breathing to mine and slowly drift to sleep. She wanted to be with me to protect me....So that she could continue to do that from now on.’

Such a crazy kid. I told her whenever she’s able to run and strong enough to pick up a weapon, then she can come with me. This is usually a way to get kids to listen, simply tell them as long as they wait patiently they may be able to join someday. She smiled up at me and nodded her head excitedly. She then said she was going to go sleep with Elyria and that she’d wait for me to return. I hugged her and helped her walk back inside. With my support she’s even able to walk properly....I won’t lie it’s a sight that even brings a smile to my face. It makes me wonder what Kaylan’s doing right at this moment...

Whenever she walked into Elyria’s room she waved back at me and went in.

I can’t become a father to all the orphaned children of this world. I simply don’t have the ability. When I was a parent to my siblings it took all of me just to take care of them. But how can I look at that face and turn her away. She looks up at me as if she has the utmost faith in me. She would probably do anything I told her too. The idea of that is what pains me.

I can’t become something people of this world become too attached to. I never intended on staying here forever. The route Loki wants me to take is to become a god? I never had the intention. I simply wish to find my family and find a way to get back home. Or...I wanted to, at least originally.

I have a mother now. This is her family, which also makes it my own. I have to find a way to protect that too before I leave. I won’t turn my back on the few that have been quite kind to me. They have nothing else and yet they treat me with so much love. I’ve never known such kindness.... I can’t become a parent figure for all of these kids, but I can create a place for them that they can hopefully live in peacefully. It won’t be easy. But I have strong individuals beside me that can help. I even have my mother, she’s even someone I’m finding enjoys being something of a parent to these kids.

I have to find her daughter. I was hoping Sasha knew something about it but she said she didn’t. She also said she didn’t know Elyria so I’m hoping she was just lying for some weird reason or not trusting me. It would make since if Sasha didn’t know Iris, she was born after Elyria and herself were separated. But she was a member of my mother’s tribe. I couldn’t help but defend them.

Sasha doesn’t seem to trust me fully yet but hopefully my mother can see if she has seen Iris in any of the cities she has been in. She said she came from a city in Asher. Hopefully there are other Fuschs there.

At that moment I began to hear trace footsteps. Stopping where I was I could no longer hear a thing. I had presence sense on there in the corner of my radar were 3 dots. It’s probably just a monster but...Strange there’s so many in the same place, especially for me. I haven’t seen a horned rabbit in forever. I stared to walk towards the three dots. I’m not very afraid of what lurks outside this dungeon but I am still alert.

I gained quite the interesting set of abilities in that god’s dungeon today....Abilities that will make me terrifying to deal with. I doubt there are enemies in this particular area that can deal with an opponent like me. I guess I shouldn’t say abilities. I guess I should call some of them traits. I originally did not take kindly to these newly gained ‘traits’ either.

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“You stupid! Furry...Bastard!....I look...Like a fucking idiot!”

I continued to kick and kick at the dead fomorian with the maximum amount of strength I could achieve. The fomorians however being lifeless and towering roughly 20 meters over me didn’t seem to budge much at my kicks. It was the corpse of a level 534 monster. It was a giant. A giant covered in thick dark fur. I would assume a monster of this level would have some interesting skills but no....It didn’t give me skills at all. It gave me a freaking makeover!

Whenever I ate the fruits of my labor the Away team were still collecting all the salvageable goods from the monster's remains.

You have gained a new skill!

Fomorian Claw

You have gained a new skill!

Fomorian Hair

‘These aren’t skills!’

My hair then began to grow out long and down past my shoulders. It kept white but it became long and luscious. It started to get in the way and blow in the breeze. I looked at my hands and thank God I didn’t have huge freaking nails. Looking down at them they look much different. They have a metallic look to them and shine brightly off the light from the son. They almost have a charcoal shine to them that makes them look shaded in.

If my nails grew to an absurd link I think I would honestly just kill myself.

My hair however...Is freakishly long. It gets in the way and now everyone has been looking at me kick this stupid thing for what seems like quite a while

“Umm...Is everything alright sir Vali?”

One of the arachnee’s walked over. She stood around a foot taller than me and was the same blonde woman who was guarding the entrance whenever we first met the Away team.

“Everything’s fine. Just kicking this stupid monster for turning me into a a freaking shampoo commercial!”

BAM!

I continued to kick into the monsters hide.

“.....Hmm cow...mersh eal...Your speech is so strange for a human. But you speak Spinne quite wonderfully. It’s truly nice to speak in my native tongue for once in a while. I just wanted to come over here and...Thank you for all that you have....Your umm, your hair is ugh”

The arachnee who stood a few inches taller than myself began to swat my long gorgeous locks of white hair. It swayed in the breeze like the mane of a horse.

‘ I really have to get rid of this. ‘

I then asked the arachnee for a knife but it wouldn’t cut my freaking hair. I then remember the Away team uses the Dawn Bringers but they said they each produce a piercing white heat. My whole hair might singe off then...

I then began to kick the stupid fomorian once more.’ I don’t know how long I’m going to look like this but I’m going to beat the hell out of you Balor.’

Ollie then walked over and complimented my new look.

“Nice...Starting to really pull that whole Annunake thing off well.”

“Shut up Ollie.”

“Why don’t you just cut it?”

“I can’t it’s too thick.”

“Yah I’m guessing that’s what all the fuss was about. We collected all the useable remains now and are ready to go. We may have to make many trips though....Ya know if it’s so long why not just make a hairstyle out of it. Or you could always rent it out to the pixies to play jump rope.”

“Shut up Ollie!”

‘This clown reminds me of Loki!’

“Haha...I’m just messing. I knew you absorbed skills but not traits of the beasts you consume. Didn’t you get another skill from them?”

‘Oh yah!’

My eyes widened and I had just remembered. I also got the fomorian’s claws. Why didn’t I just think of cutting it with that?

I then grew my nails out slightly and began to cut my hair. It wasn’t the best look I’m sure but I use to cut my siblings hair all the time. I learned to cut my own but I usually had scissors.

My claws were definitely sharper. They were claws that could even rip through mithril armor as if it were nothing at all. The fomorians didn’t appear to have any skills so I gained their traits instead. My defense has just risen by 40%. I can’t imagine how lethal these claws can be now. I then remembered I did have a claw skill that I received on floor 1. From those weird furry monsters...

I then turned towards another dead fomorian and activated Air Claw.

WHOOOOSHH!!!!!!!

Like a stream of knives 5 large gashes ripped through the air and sunk halfway through the fomorian’s large body. Dark black blood then flung out of the open gashes and rained down on each of us there. Fomorian fur is definitely strong. And I now apparently have Fomorian hair. I just hope I don’t grow into a freaking furry.

It however just seemed to be the top of my head. Mammals have hair covering their whole body so many all my hairs are now fomorian I just can’t tell. My arm hair is oddly hard to pull off. I guess it’s hard to see but my defense is definitely improved. Not only my defense has improved but I’ve just acquired quite the lethal skill combination. The cool down on Air Claw is 5 seconds. If I can get that down I can’t imagine the effects of this skill. Hell...The Annunake’s have a rare claw trait too...Their claws ignore defense.

Thinking of these possibilities...I’m simply waiting for one of the Annunakes to slip up in front of me. If I had these skills when they first attacked me, I would have turned those wolves into finger paint.

I was originally mad about the Fomorian’s traits but now I see an interesting effect with using my skills and new traits together. Finally hunting in a god’s dungeon I’ve come to acquire some interesting things indeed. I’m starting to wonder if Loki new of this place when originally dropping me here, this dungeon is in all honesty the best place for something like me.

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I continued to walk towards the three dots. I activated Eclipse View and there in the distance were three white bright lights that shined through the rich dark forest. It was incredibly bright to the point I could see them through hundreds of feet of large trees. They shine so brightly all else paled in comparison.

I turned on Hide Presence and continued to walk further towards them.

When I got to a clearing I saw a small fire had been put out. The three bright lights then scattered and moved to separate locations. They knew I was here.

Since that cat was out of the bag I simply walked into their small camp site still with my hide presence active. I then activated a very new skill I acquired from a very peculiar snake. I walked closer and neither of the three lights moved to attack me. They know I’m here but they might not be able to see me.

“Spirits of the wind grant my feet your power to glide!”

I heard a faint sound from a woman and there moving faster than I could react to appeared within a step of me. There standing a foot from me was the same shining white light.

Shink!

ZAAAAPP!P!!!!!!!!

My active camo came off as the white light swung a large blue saber towards my shoulder. I turned off my Eclipse view and there I can see it’s a woman. I held on to her arm that held the sword and lightning continued to flow out of my flesh and attack her.

“Zazaazahahh!”

She then dropped her bright blue sword on the ground and began to shake and pulsate rapidly. Small surges of lightning began to spark and shoot through her body causing some of her hair to smoke. She then hit the ground and couldn’t move.

The effects of my new skill ‘Lightning Armor’. Any and all physical damage done to me causes the enemy 50 damage with a 10% chance of causing paralysis on them. It’s not a lot of damage, but it’s still only at it’s first level for the skill. However when she attacked me she received the lightning continuously while I held onto her. It’s percentage goes up to cause momentary paralysis much quicker.

That snake used that skill to create lightning. and wrap it around his flesh. I can do that to an extent that constantly surrounds and protects me. Whenever I’m attacked lightning will shoot out from my body whenever I have the skill active. It however currently only takes 500 mana per minute to keep on. With the effects of my Infinity Ring, it’s not going down at all.

The two other white lights then began to chant magic and fire off several attacks my way.

BOOM!

You have been hit with wind magic!

Due to your strong defense You have received no damage

You have been hit with with fire magic!

Due to your strong resistances You have received no damage.

Small blades began to shoot past me and attack my skin but none of it was seeming to even cut me. I have 25% magic resistance along with my toughened defense, this is nothing. I turned off eclipse view and can now see these white lights are in fact elves. Each of them are wearing bright shiny gold and silver light armor. Their hair is silver and all their equipment seems to be enchanted...They then dropped from the trees and began to surround me. None approached me now when they saw I wasn’t taken any damage at all.

They realized quite quickly they shouldn’t have attacked first. I however don’t have a problem with elves, I was hoping upon meeting them to talk.

“Calm down...I’m not an enemy. I simply was passing through when I saw you.”

“Quiet human! We will hear none of your words. I do not know how you manage to speak our tongue or block our magic! But for what you’ve done to Faylia I will cut you down! Spirit of the forest grant me your blessing to conquer your foe. Oh power of Medeina ruler of the Forest head my call and come to me..”

The elf man’s eyes began to glow red and I could feel a bright intense heat flourishing from his body. A bright green light surrounded him and he brandished his blue saber towards me. He then appeared in my vision and swung his sword at my neck. It’s heat was incredible. It felt like it had been given large burning effect. Each of the elves have bright golden armor on and carry these sabers. These aren’t ordinary elves compared to the ones I saw before.

BOOM!

Several tree branches erupted around me and began to try to wrap and coil around my body. I then used spacial magic and appeared behind the man.

“Hey...Seriously I don’t want to fight. I just wanna talk.”

“AHhh....Human!”

I grabbed him so he couldn’t move and the other two elves cried for me to let him go. The forest around me even started to wrap and surround me as if warning me to let the small elf person go. The forest’s alive?

I turned on eclipse view and everything had lit up. The whole world was different than it was a moment ago. I’m surrounded.

The trees, the vines, the plants, everything is lit up and appears to be moving.

The elf then started to cast intense magic and a flurry of attacks pouring from has palms. An intense heat started to come out of his hands and then the rest of his body. This elf appears to have a high fire tolerance like me.

The fire however turned green and started to eat away at my flesh and start to burn through with ease. It was enough to even cause me around 15% of damage within a second. I can’t see the level of this elf but regardless I don’t want to start a fight here. I have the title ‘Lord of the Forest’ and yet this entire woods looks as if it’s about to attack me if I kill the elf.

“Wha...he’s no human?”

“What...are you?”

“Gale...just leave me..run this monster’s too strong.”

The elves began to clamor as they looked at my face. I let go of the elf as he had stopped attacking me and now had realized I also wasn’t threatening him.

My wounds all over my body had healed almost immediately. This elf in front of me, I cannot see what his level is but I doubt he is higher level than me. He however does appear to have an amazing power over magic. Whenever I was in eclipse view his whole body lit up brighter than the sun. Everything around him glowed and in intense green light it was in all honesty quite intimidating if I hadn’t gained certain new abilities.

Their life forces were a bright white light with a green glow that I couldn’t stare directly into. Even though I’m the one surrounded they are each backing away from me. The one elf who is momentarily paralyzed is even trying to get them to run. My abilities have turned me into something of a mystery.

‘Hydra Regeneration...It is truly an incredible skill. It has only one flaw I’ve noticed. It is a passive ability and is thusly always turned on. It at all times will use my magic to work. I cannot control it yet so it constantly heals me until I am at full health. If it does that then it can constantly take away from my magic reserves. But I guess it’s not always horrible to have full health.’

However regardless of this flaw that King Hydra gave me something probably even more valuable than the Grootslang. Hell probably more valuable than all the jewels that stupid thing kept with him. I’m much different than the hydra. The one thing the King Hydra had going for it was it’s amazing regenerative abilities along with the uniqueness to the heads that protected it. If it didn’t have those abilities it would jut be too big and too slow. It could be destroyed with magic from a distance.The hydra and I differ in one other way that I think is what is going to make me something even more fearsome than it ever could be.

‘I have the bones of Malthiel...Hydra’s are like snakes, they don’t have bones. The hydra’s head had hardly any defensive capabilities either. Besides the yellow and black one I’m told, the other heads would become severed with one swing if they had a running start. Since the creature doesn’t have a great defense it had to rely on it’s outlandish healing ability to continually recover it. If I could’ve received any skill it would have been this one the only problem is I can’t use it on anyone else.

Such a monster...‘Thought to be immortal?’

My body naturally now has a healing ability to it. It will heal itself almost immediately upon receiving any attack. This along with my bones being unbreakable has turned me into something quite unique. They’re right...It’s probably not right to call me human anymore.

I then activated my Freya’s Soul Recovery on the small paralyzed elf girl. Regardless if she attacked me, it’s hard being rough with a woman. My father was...Or well the man who hurt my mom roughed up women. I saw what it did. I however won’t take it easy on those who have attacked me. Right now I simply want to talk to these elves.

“You have healing magic!”

“No cast time at all...He simply waves his arms and casts magic so easily?”

“You must be one of those sages from the human armies?”

“No nothing like that....I just simply live close by. I was just out for a stroll when I came across your little campsite I was curious what you were all doing out here. I didn’t mean to alarm you. “

The elves then each looked at each other and looked around. They seem to be pondering over what I had said. I know that elves and humans are at war so they won’t just believe me if I say just this.

“Well...I was also going to ask what it is you were doing way out here. It is quite close to where I live. But I have no problem with elves. In fact I was hoping to see if you knew someone.”

They then looked at each other more oddly.

“Where did you learn to speak Elven? Are...You a friend of the forest?”

“Umm...I’m the Lord of the Forest does that mean anything?”

“.............”

Each of the elves then cocked their eyes at me and looked at me strangely.

‘Ugh, that’s what I get for trying to look cool. Yah, I thought so, those titles are bullshit!’

“Well anyways. I’m Vali....I wanted to see if you could tell me if two of your fellow elves are doing alright. One’s name was Tiffania, and I didn’t get her sisters name.”

At what I said their eyes became wide as if what I said was an impossible statement.

“...Tiffania doesn’t have a sister human. Nor would she ever give out her true name to someone.”

“....Who are you Vali!”

The woods began to again creep up closer towards us alongside the elves. They didn’t dare attack me but they did press me with urgency.

“Woh...Calm down, I just simply came across them in the city of Aldain and helped them along their way back home. I had my bird take them home not too long ago. I guess Tiffania lied about the sister thing then. Well, whatever the elf who was a Blessed Being. Whatever those two, I simply wanted to see how they were doing.”

‘Man elves really are weird. They look kind of cool to be honest but the way they act are alway just kind of strange. Most elves from stories are frail and nimble creatures who live in the woods. But these elves are fully armored in gold and silver and have enchanted items. They each carry mithril sabers and finely crafted equipment. They also are quite weird about their names...I’ve noticed they don’t usually introduce themselves if ever.”

“You....You saved them?”

“.....”

The male elf said that as if in shock. He dropped his saber and looked at the ground in disbelief. The other two now huddled together were looking towards me as if it were not true at all.

“Vali....I’ll remember the name. But I feel as though we must leave immediately and spread this to our superiors. “

“Wait just a ...”

“Tell me is your bird with you right now?”

“...No Hjokk, why?”

The elf then looked at the other two elves with serious eyes and then looked at me.

“Can your god hear your conversations if the bird is not here?”

‘This elf somehow figured out I was a blessed being just now. I guess the two elves told them. But then why are they acting so oddly.

“Umm no...I don’t think so.”

“Listen Vali...If the words you are saying are true I thank you. From the bottom of heart, to the depths of my soul, I do. But I cannot just trust the words you say as fact. If you are lying, I will kill you. But if not...I will call you friend. We must leave now.”

“Why did you ask about Hjokk?”

“...The bird that was seen returning with the two elves of which you speak, was the only information we received from what had happened to them. All they have memories of are being thrown in chains and then returning with a purple bird in the forest. No memories of anything that happened to them in captivity amongst the humans for days...Powerful magic was used to erase those memories it would seem. Only could be the work of a powerful being trying to hide something. It turns out it was simply another blessed being who didn’t want his identity realized...I look forward to seeing you again.”

“So their entire memories were wiped of it huh?”

‘Mm well maybe that is for the best. I had no idea Hjokk would do something like that without telling me but I guess I can understand her reasoning. Those elves saw Loki. They knew who I was and maybe having my identity attached to him isn’t a good thing...I have enough enemies. And if they forgot some of the horrid things they had to see or go through then all the better. Still weird Hjokk wouldn’t tell me about it though. Did she really think I would get upset over a couple elves not remembering who I was?’

“Well...We elves have ways of undoing even the oldest of magics...So maybe in time we can gain those memories back if they so desired to. It seems someone wanted to hide your identity from us. I don’t suppose it’s the best idea to continue looking.”

He smiled and turned his head and ran off. The each said some enchantment and began sprinting through the woods at incredible speeds. It’s even faster than mine. Within seconds they are out of my field of vision entirely. It’s almost as if the forest moved out of the way for them to run through it....Truly incredible.

‘ Their mastery over magic even effects the forest around them. All I have is a useless title...Elves are cool.’

Watching them in Eclipse View is even more impressive. Their souls shine much brighter than ours. They shine even brighter than the pixies. I don’t know what that means but they’re life forces and magical affinity appear to just be leaps and bounds more than our own. That’s the reason the humans of this continent can’t say they’ve completely conquered this one. According to my mother the sacred forest they all live in is considered impenetrable even to the gods. No existence gets in without their say so.

With the way the world moves with them...I can understand how what my mother said could actually be true. The world almost looks to try and protect them. Unbelievable how power and strength have so many meanings in this big world...

My mother once told me that elves are more of spiritual beings than physical ones. Something like their bodies are simply physical vessels they use on this plane to live. They are in all actuality something that only live in these bodies during their time on on this planet. They are simply ancient beings themselves. Classifying them as demi humans seems strange to me.

I can’t understand that but they did appear to each be quite strong. The forest around them even appeared to come alive at their call. It was incredible even if they couldn’t hurt me too much.

His ears were long and pointy and he had strong fancy equipment. He even showed to have some incredible abilities. The two elves next to him showed to have some incredible talent that rivaled some of the demi humans inside the dungeon. They weren’t as strong but they moved at such incredible speed it was almost as if they fought at the same level as those dungeon conquerors. They can even wield a wide array of magic to infuse themselves and their weapons. Those elves do seem crafty.

I smiled and continued walking to my destination. The moon on this planet is large. It takes up almost half the sky. The constellations in the sky are each shining brightly in different colors. This world really is quite magical. I’ve seen some of the most incredible things. My journey is starting to become a long one...Just to find her again. I keep telling myself I need to become stronger to protect her. I once told myself I would to do anything to become stronger to avenge those I lost. It was all I thought about every day and night. I never thought I would actually receive anything from such wicked desires.

‘....I really am becoming something different now. That elf even called me a monster hmph. I think I might be turning into something too....My bones are black, my heart doesn’t beat. I was torn to shreds and blood rained out of me....But I didn’t die. It makes since with my heart not beating I wouldn’t bleed out...’

The only decent nights sleep I’ve gotten has come when I have killed. It has yet to affect me...Why doesn’t it affect me? I feel as though if I had to kill in my last life, it would have been difficult.

Now...I’ve killed so many. With all the death that surrounds me I can only pray that it does not surround Kaylan. This world is just a dangerous place, for all. I’m trying to become stronger, I still need to continue on. When I find Kaylan I’m going to need to be strong enough to protect her from anything.

I need to make a home that she can live and enjoy. I need to do so many things and it’s just, complicated. The people I need to put my faith in is an unknown kingdom with a bad track record with its nobles and a dungeon full of people who have already attacked me once.

Each of them are apparently struggling for their lives at this point and I’m somehow in the middle of it all. They desire my strength. Something that hasn’t ever happened before. I admit I am becoming a bit of a monster now.

I opened up my status and looked at how far I’ve come. Thinking how could I ever hope to defeat a dark god.

Status Window Name ValiLevel 229Race HumanAge ???Class N/ATitles Lord of the Forest, Slayer of Death, Death Canceler, Beloved One of the Hildr Pixies, Hunter of the Grootslang, Slayer of the King HydraHealth 214,840Mana 501,330Strength 16,956Intellect 18,240Stamina 14,230Wisdom 11,880Agility 12,450Defense 24,870Courage 24Luck 17,350Fighting Spirit 91Magic Resistance 25%Paralysis Resistance 3 %Poison Resistance 8%Immunity to Fear 33%Elemental Resistances: Fire: 29 % Earth: 3% Dark: 35 % Lightning: 7% Water: 1% Wind 4% Light: 9% Void: 8 % Ice: 1%

Skill List

Divine Blessing of Loki:

Spatial Magic

Universal Language Acquisition

Racial/Acquired Skills:

Decaying Mist (Abysmal) (Semi-Passive) 98/150

Bite (Active) 0/50

Burrow 0/50

Dark Pressure (Semi-Passive) ii 252/550

Death’s Grip (Active) 87/150

Demonic Absorption (Passive)

Demonic Awakening (Semi-Passive)

Dullahan Creation (Semi Passive) Grade D 17/350

Echolocation (Active) 24/150

Eclipse View (Semi Passive) 36/150

Fire Ball (Active) 49/100

Flicker (Active) Grade 2 110/350

Fomorian Claw (Passive)

Fomorian Hair (Passive)

Hide Presence (Semi-Passive) 41/100

Hydra Regeneration (Passive) 12/500

Lightning Armor (Semi Passive) Grade D 2/500

Lightning Step (Semi-Passive) 121/150

Lord’s Earth Shattering Smash (Active) 35/150

Magic Manipulation (Passive)

Pheromone Excretion 14/150

Root Vein (Semi-Passive) 3/100

Sense Presence ( Semi-Passive) Grade 2 157/350

Tool Creation (Passive)

Tough Exterior (Semi Passive) 44/100

Thunder Jammer (Semi Passive) 2/150

Wind Claw (Active) 4/150

Vampirism (Semi-Passive) i 22/100

Learned Skills:

Cooking Mastery: Novice Level 5

Added Flavor (Passive Boost)

Farming Mastery: Beginner Level 1

Freya’s Soul Recovery: Novice level 6

Hand to Hand Combat Mastery: Intermediate Level 9

Powerful Strike (Active)

Stunning Blow (Active)

Quick Fists (Semi- Passive)

Ingredient Identification Mastery: Intermediate Level 5

Negotiation Mastery: Beginner Level 2

Petting: Beginner Level 1

Scythe Mastery: Intermediate Level 3

Slice (Active)

Staff Strengthening (Semi-Passive)

Combined Skills:

(Decaying Mist) + (Darkness Affinity) = ( Abysmal Mist)

It had grown so much in the short time I’ve been here. These skills are what have kept me alive in this world. They’ve also helped me save my family. But I’ve also used them to end many lives. The effects of Air Claw and Fomorian Claw now I can’t even imagine the havoc I could rain down on others. I might not even need to bring out the scythe outside the dungeon now. I have Hydra regeneration now which is even more spectacular. I can heal wounds now almost immediately without having to focus on casting recovery on myself. I wonder however as it does have a way to improve it, it seems. That healing along with my bones...It’s going to be very difficult to take me down completely if it were another person. With Abysmal Mist people can’t even get near me. With spatial magic I can appear next to someone before they could even react. I cannot rely on these skills to become stronger though, but I can rely on them when things start to go bad. It’s good to have these back up measures in a world like this. They can keep me and others alive should the need suffice.

My stats have all risen quite steadily each from the level gains. The stats I guess just went up evenly from where they were originally set but my defense has gone up by a whole lot. The effects of Fomorian Hair really is amazing. When you think of my body down to my bones I’m practically a perfect killing machine. I even have abilities quite related with ending lives. I’ve even seemed to have gained new resistances as well. Absorption really is too much of a cheat. Things that would take decades of study for mages takes me a simple afternoon. I however have to take on incredibly dangerous opponents to acquire something of true value.

Floor bosses give slight resistances upon absorbing their cores it seems. That King Hydra gave me a slight boost to several resistances as well. I even have new stats entirely. I wonder what Courage or Fighting Spirit actually does?

I continued to walk over the destroyed and broken field that Hjokk had once destroyed.

With the effects of my skills to humans or anything else I am most definitely a threat. I doubt anything could survive Wind Claw, this skill could probably tear through a tank. If I were to acquire the abilities of an Annunake, people would die before they knew what went through them. I keep thinking my skills are strong butt to a fallen god? I’m not so sure.

Arguably however to anything else I would be quite the difficult opponent to deal with. I do need to test out these new abilities more to see just how much I can utilize my new skill sets in battle.

It is also why I have walked out in this forest unafraid without Hjokk at my side. I believe she is discussing with Loki how I may no longer need her to protect me. But she said how she will stay with me during our run through this dungeon.

I can only hope and continue on for now. I continue for Kaylan. I continue for my mother and all those under my protection. I’ll continue getting stronger. I then entered into the cave walled entrance and journeyed to the hidden base behind the waterfall.

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“MM!...MMMM!!!!!!...MMMMMMM!!!!”

Walking into the base I kept hearing loud moaning sounds was someone in pain. I entered through the waterfall and no one had even noticed my presence. They were all doing their own things and working diligently it seemed. I then saw a large huddle of individuals and several pixies.

“Hehehe....”

“Boom!”

“MMM!”

The pixies continued to hurl sparks of light towards Sting who was currently hanging on the cave wall. I completely forgot I had left him there.

“MMM!”

His health didn’t go down whatsoever but the web firmly tied him in place to the wall, even his mouth was gagged.

I completely forgot I had left him there to go have dinner and sleep. He’s been up there for a few hours it seems and the pixies have been playing with him. If I recall someone said he attempted to touch the Arachnee Queen ‘s leg and the other arachnee freaked out tied him to the wall. I guess Sting has a thing about boundaries.

I instructed Cyanin to take off his gag as he was trying to talk.

“VALI!...What the shit! Come on you leave me here and go eat without me.”

“Oh yes my mother made the most delicious dish. I wanted to enjoy it with just us though so...”

“Ah come on! I’m starving!...I’m going to tell your family about this now! They like me!”

I then winced my eyes and instructed Cyanin to put the web gag back over him. All the other pixies giggled and came over to hug me.

“VALI!”

“Hi Vali!”

Each blinked in a different light. Cyanin then ushered us to the door where the private war room was. She also collected all the other pixies who were present together to follow. Sting continued to stay there making loud noises. I’ll let him down soon I just need to handle a few things first. That fight took longer than expected and collected all the raw materials left after the fight, there is still a lot to do.

The two guards knocked on the door and Izzie came and ushered us in. She smiled up at me and invited me inside while telling me to be quiet. She put her finger up to her mouth to all the pixies to quiet them down.

There inside were most of the same groups as last time only now the arachnee queen is not here. Pek however is still sitting in the same spot as before.

There stood Commander Locke with Captain Ollie at his side. There were also Malfius, Adimar and Akino. All members of the away team were here.

“ What you are each about to hear is top secret. It will not leave this room. Approximately two days ago...Two of our own escaped these walls for the first time in our history. We have come to find just how weak this prison that has held us down for so long is...And now...Not hours ago those roars and quakes you felt was the destruction of the higher floors. “

Everyone who was unaware of this began to clamor at look at one another.

“Do..Do you mean?”

Ollie began to nod his statement and Commander Locke continued.

“Floors 63, and 64 have been conquered. It has been written on the wall of heroes on floor 1. News will spread quick!.They were destroyed in it’s entirety by the so called branded ‘Puppet’ that has been named by the council! We will march forth we will reclaim what we’ve lost. Finally...We will taste freedom!!!”

The surrounding members of the Away team continued to look at each other in amazement.

“”“OHHH!!!!!””””

“This bastard has forced us into the pits our whole lives. Who here’s sick of being the hunted? Who here’s sick of telling your children to accept it? To accept this life! Finally the time has come for us to leave this place! We will find a way to get our civilians out before we continue forth. Our journey does not end here!”

The Away team continued to nod in agreement to his words. Anger began to rile up inside each of them.

“Balor has toyed with us for far too long. He has even taken our rights to die in this world. Let us turn this this prison of his into his Crypt!”

“AHHHHHH!!!!!!””””

The roars began to shake the very foundation of the cave wall.

“We must first find his remaining puppets! We will stop his games once and for all, then with the help of our new ally....We will get all our people to safety.”

Commander Locke then pointed his arms towards me.

“The man you know as the Puppet. The man we know is Vali.”

Everyone then turned their eyes to me. Some of them I hadn’t seen before. There was around 55 people here in total from the away team. Including the pixies there are 115.

“Vali is our Deliverer. He is the one who has dove into this dark place to save our trapped souls. Let us salute him...”

Malfius then walked forth and bowed. I guess he thinks I may be thinking of backing out of this. Everyone remained there saluting.

These are what remains of those willing to go forward against Balor. Many of them began to salute me. Each of them didn’t break their eye contact however. Men, woman, all demi human looking right at me. Adimar and Akino were looking towards me and smiling. They each bowed their heads.

Cosmia is in here as well. I now see that Tanin and Aurora are both in here as well. It’s hard not to notice the constant flame over in the corner. In the pale quiet I can hear some murmuring and chatter amongst the pixies. Cosmia seems to be getting annoyed with Tanin’s flames and pushing it away from her with cold air. Cosmia did say they have the power to turn off the effects if they want.

I walked over to where he was and stated in front of the large group of demi humans there. I never thought I’d be leading people but I guess I should show them I’m with them in this.

“We will all leave these walls.....together.”

They each nodded and smiled. It then grew quiet again.

Ollie then stepped forward and raised his fist.

“To the DAWN!”

“””””HOOOOOO!!!!””””

The men and woman began to cheer causing the pixies to become excited and do the chant as well. Many of them just however starting flying around and dancing with their fists out. It resembled a dance move in my world actually.

Commander Locke then went over the plans of the next targets who they would be going after. It was a three way target. Meifeng, Kirah, and Wyatt. They were attacking all three at once in separate locations. They’ve found a perfect time that has marked to where they each are without many guards and are their most vulnerable.

Malfius is going on the unit that is going after Meifeng. Ollie and his group are going after Kirah. She is of the Adler race. And now currently the head of the entire race of Adlers. After Griphlocke died there was a large gap in power to who would receive the title of king and apparently she earned the top spot. They are sending a large group after her. I however am being asked to take down Wyatt. He was one of Alysteir’s top knights in the Eis Neko elite unite. He was ranked 6th in the entire dungeon.

Kirah was thought previously unranked but now is sitting at the top spot of her race who is one of the strongest races in the dungeon currently . She is the daughter of Griphlocke and for whatever reason her older brother Griff is not the king currently. Show however controls the strongest army in this dungeon.

Meifeng was currently ranked 3rd in the dungeon. She however is actually ranked fourth. Her father Malfius is still alive which is something the public does not know.

The rankings now are currently all up in the air. As a lot of strong people have died and many today from the away team have received a large increase in levels. They are going to surround the targets and attempt to take them in for questioning. If they believe things are going to turn bad they are going to essentially do what the Annunake did to me. Only they are going to use a particular paralysis poison they received from the Arachnee Queen. It’s apparently quite strong. They even gave some to me should I need it but they told me quite specifically to not let it touch any open wounds. Once it enters the blood stream it will shock my nervous system and make it impossible to move or use magic for 2 minutes. It will however take a small bit of time to work.

‘Quite useful that Arachnee Queen. I wonder why she is not here now.”

I then decided to go and give all the pixies the spoils of todays hunt. I have already given Cosmia, Cyanin, and Vale their shares already. They each decided that they would receive two crystals each. And everyone else who hasn’t received a purple crystal from Vali can pick first on what they wanted. I even saw in the corner they made a pile of the crystals with the pictures of elements next to them. They really are quite simple creatures.

They then said anyone who hasn’t received a purple crystal yet to go first and told them each of the amazing effects each of them gave. They even showed off their new skills in front of everyone.

Cyanin then glowed a bright turquoise that shined around her and 3 others. It made their lights around them much thicker. It also produced a small turquoise glow that surrounded them. She then waved her hand and a dark smoke produced around a small area. Within that area is what she received from her second crystal. Cyanin accepted one yellow crystal from the yellow head that produced barriers. While also receiving one purple crystal from the black head that was advanced in curse magic. When I stepped inside of it, it even decreased my stats by 10% while standing within it. It also decreased my healing ability by 12%.

Quite something for just two crystals. Vale and Cosmia also received a yellow crystal from one of the yellow heads and attached a red and white bubble around others. It also seemed to cover more pixies through a sort of chain affect. The numbers added up to more than if they used it by themselves which is pretty convenient.

I guess this is just the effects of synergy within their species. Their magic understandings are amazing to do such things. It would be incredible if they could each protect the others with multiple barriers though. Their life assistance skill is already incredible enough. It makes me wonder if you’d be able to kill one of these things if the others were also there.

Cosmia then pulled out a small white dagger. It was made of the Dawn Bringer crystal. She then scratched her hand. It then immediately healed back up after cutting through her defense. She even asked one of the elite guards to come forward and have him cut him. The purple pixie stuck his hand out proudly and didn’t even flinch as he was cut. The purple pixie out of all the others in fact looked the most dangerous. I don’t know why but I think it is just because he looks the toughest even if he doesn’t have the skills or high level.

He too was healed almost immediately. The effects of her crystal allow her not only to heal herself but the other pixies as well. She links her amazing healing ability with her innate ability as a pixie and can heal multiple pixies at once with incredible speed. It is in all honesty much faster than my healing skill. She however can only use it on other pixies it seems. Now they don’t have to rely on just Tanin when I’m not around.

To have an auto heal ability in this world is in all honesty quite rare. Even after passing level 100 it seems all creatures gain such an ability but it’s very small. Priests and healers in this continent seem to be few so this is something that makes these things quite special now. There are going to even be multiple pixies who have that white heads ability now it seems. Can they regrow their heads if decapitated like that hydra I wonder?...Could I?

Vale and Cyanin both received some healing effects from each of their crystals as well just not as strong as Cosmia’s it seems. Each of the skills they gained however were quite superb though. They each gained such tremendous abilities it outweighs the level gains by a lot. Vale gained a purple crystal from the Grootslang while Cyanin got a purple crystal from the black hydra. Vale can now produce lightning and shoot it from her fingertips. It’s actually quite destructive for her but she says she thinks she can make it stronger if she raises her intellect. She also believes raising her level and mastery with the skill will increase its effects. Already it is enough to damage me as even I don’t have enough resistance to stop it. The lightning shooting out of her hands are in all honesty much more cool than the lightning armor that shoots around my chest. Her lightning is even silver. Her aura has grown quite a lot since her level raised. She is now 167. Their strength hasn’t risen much at all though. But their intellect and wisdom rise by a little it seems. Each of their stamina as well increased by a large margin from their rise in levels which gave them each quite a lot of health to work with now. They aren’t as frail as they once were it seems.

The crystals along with their rise in levels they are already growing to be quite useful.

Regardless I’ve come to find each of the crystals are completely random in what they give it seems. Blue I would think would only raise a couple of stats, but the blue crystals from the boss hydra gave skills too. The blue crystals from the red hydra gave fire, just like the blue hydra gave ice magic. Each of the pixies had received 2 blue and 1 yellow, or 1 blue and 1 purple. These were the pixies who weren’t there to receive the defensive crystals before. I also had 6 of those left. In total there were roughly 367 pixies in total left in this dungeon. All of them however are not here right now. I’m told all but 7 of the 9 pixie elite are currently here right now.

Now with the power of the crystals however they all believe they can become elites that can protect Cosmia together. Each of them have all been looked down on for a long time so when they heard I was going to be taking on Wyatt with Adimar and Akino they each said they wanted to join.

I can’t take many of them but...I believe I can take a few that I can protect with my skills. As I’ve said before it is always nice to have a pixie around. The effects from Cosmia were incredible. Her abilities are in my mind quite dangerous in all actuality. I don’t know what sort of monster that red crystal came from but I can only imagine it’s something I wouldn’t just want to run into casually.

Some of the pixies began to create small balls of flame or shards of ice in their hands and play. The one’s with fire and ice weren’t nearly as powerful as Cosmia and Tanin but it was enough to shoot small bursts of fire and ice magic. They even cause a small amount of damage. Considering the pixies aren’t a race that should be on the front lines these kind of skills are good for them as well. With poison and the effects of that curse magic they can even stack on their abilities. It seems. In the game curse magic was always difficult to deal with.

In the batch of hydra heads there were only 5 white heads, and 9 black heads that were collected. There were however plenty of other crystals for everyone to get at least 2. They however I noticed were saving a small batch in a corner for some reason.

Each of them came forward and sat on my lap as I activated the crystals for them. I don’t know why they kept doing that but once the first one did it, well...everyone else did.

“Hey Vali! Crushing a whole floor...Just making all us down here look so pitiful mhmp.”

Aurora and Tanin both walked up next.

“I’m excited to see you Vali, but did you have to come back with Cyanin being level 121 now! What’s with that? Now she won’t shut up about it!”

“Tehe! I’m stronger now!”

Cyanin then stuck her tongue out and pointed at Tanin. His flames then started to grow lightly and he shook his head. This guy had become something of a floor one hero. His level currently was 34. he had risen a lot since I last saw him. He must have been training quite extensively on floor 1.

I’m starting to notice however level doesn’t mean a whole lot. It’s just a base reading of your skills and stats. But they are just stats for your particular species. Each race has a completely different scale on what is strong and weak I’ve come to find. What is strong in terms for a human are completely different for say stats for something like an ogre at my level. The pixies have hardly any strength at all. I can’t think of a way to raise it other than the crystals. Their defense is the same way. But I wouldn’t have found that out if it weren’t for Freya’s Soul Recovery and the pixies being sick. It really was just luck.

Tanin then handed me one purple crystal from the Adamantine spider and one yellow crystal from the hydra head. There were roughly 107 of them. The most heads however were the heads with the blue crystals. There were around hundred in fact. The green heads were too many to count. The Away team apparently wouldn’t let any of the green or yellow ones live for very long. This however worked to my favor as defense is something they desperately need above all else right now. And they get a small bit of magical skills along with it, all the better.

I activated the crystals on Tanin and his fire began to burst and flutter around as his wings turned to crystals like the other pixies. His body still however remained engulfed in fire. His wings too were quite appeared to be made of fire around the tips. It’s made of some strange material that is flammable but also quite dense. ‘Honestly I’ve given up on understanding how the pixies do whatever it is they do with these crystals. I doubt they even understand it themselves. It is interesting to watch though I guess...’

His eyes then glowed orange and he smiled while gripping the flame in his hands. He had then turned the flame into diamond and smiled.

‘Tanin really got a boost up this is not what I expected from him at all.’

He then smiled and tried to use the same barrier magic Cyanin had just used before. Seven Pixies then had an orange barrier surround them but what was incredible was that Tanin’s fire surrounded those pixies as well. He can give their barrier’s fire properties?

‘These pixies are truly incredible...Their abilities with magic is phenomenal to understand the new magic so easily. That’s the benefit of learning skills with absorption but they are actually melding their magics together. They act like it’s so simple though.’

“AHA! My skills are cooler than yours!”

Tanin then stuck out his tongue and laughed at Cyanin who just kept shaking her head. She then blew black smoke at him and the rest of the pixies began to fly around and shot off magic at one another. It didn’t do a lot of damage considering the low level but they were each enjoying their new magic they had never had before.

‘And this is what they do with new magic..Well thinking about it it’s an amazing skill we both share. Absorption...It lets you use magic without actually learning its basics. These guys may act childish but they are actually very dangerous. They even show to know much more than I do.’

Tanin then turned the small flame in his hand into a shard of diamond and shot it towards Cyanin.

Bink!

“Ha...Can’t hurt me flame boy!”

The small orange shard only bounced off Cyanin’s much tough defense. She simply flicked it with her wings.

Tanin then started chasing everyone around and shooting small flaming rocks at them. These guys play around too much...

I caught one of the rocks and it was quite interesting. It hardly did any damage but it had a unique fire element to them. He can now shoot these at people? It kinda looks similar to Daisy’s ability. If this is an attack then he can pierce them with this and light them up.

Everyone’s abilities each rose but the strongest pixies of them all were Vale, Cosmia, then Cyanin. The other elites now no longer can compete with these three. However Cyanin and Tanin each look to the purple and green pixies with quite a lot of respect it seems. Not as much as their queen though.

Cosmia is a master of illusions and has incredible healing and ice magic now. But Vale’s higher level gap and ability to use attack magic makes her undoubtably the strongest right now. Her lightning attack causes more damage than my lightning armor easy. She said she could even increase it’s output by training more. They as a species have just became quite strong together.

Aurora and Daisy both wanted a purple one from the white head. While Daisy also wanted one of the blue ones from the green head. I actually talked her into that one. I mentioned how it was much more like a flower. Aurora also got one that had ice abilities but it wasn’t nearly as much as Cosmia’s. Whatever monster was in that red crystal Cosmia got must have been terrifyingly strong to make her abilities rise so much. Her magic received such an incredible boost she is clearly in front to be the queen it seems.

Her ice affinity seemed to be much stronger than all of the other pixies combined. Her area of effect skill even sealed a legendary boss monster’s movements for quite some time. Granted it wouldn’t have lasted long if the Hydra destroyed those pillars, but the effects Cosmia has on the battlefield is in all tense in purposes the strongest of anyone else, maybe even me. Even her illusions make them incredibly difficult to deal with it would seem. Now however each of these pixies are having fun just playing with their new abilities. They don’t even understand yet just how powerful they’re becoming.

Each of their stats had risen by quite a bit. The black head even gave a nice addition of 350 in defense along with an incredible 650 in intellect. The white head however gave 2500 in wisdom and 600 in intellect. It was the head the others tried to protect the most....They simply had no chance against the onslaught of the Away team. Even without my Aura they severed hundredds of heads once that barrier dropped.

All of them now can heal cuts pretty well themselves too now. There are also going to be 5 of them now who have outlandish healing abilities that compete with my own. ‘Damn these things are going to become something incredible...’

I only cracked a smile at thinking I was strong. I myself may be strong in my own right but these little guys are the real monsters. They’re ability to link their life force is what ultimately makes them something truly frightening. If you don’t kill them all, you probably couldn’t be able to kill even one of them.

They gained an ability that even I know in this world is incredibly rare. We each gained something truly strong.

It was then time to leave to find and hunt down the man now Wyatt. I decided that it would be alright to take a small number of pixies with me. They each laughed and seemed excited to come along with me. The group that decided to join us was the same party I hunted with today. We each walked out of the war room saying goodbye to all of the pixies. Most of the away team have already left it seems.

“Bye Sting!!!”

“Boom Sting!”

“Mm!”

The pixies now started hurling their fire and ice magic towards Sting as we left. It did practically 1 damage to him with each strike. Considering his much higher level they didn’t have a chance at hurting him. But they continued to hurled small balls of magic at him. The ice magic even appeared to be something that looked like a snowball. ‘They can even do that?’

I may need to talk to some of these pixies on how they use magic it seems. But I can’t right now since we must leave. I however think this site in all honesty....

“Mmm!!!”

‘Is fucking hilarious.’

“Sting!”

The pixies continued to fly around and Sting and try to play with him. I guess Sting doesn’t understand pixies do this when they like someone. You just being tied up makes you an open target...Tough luck Sting.

I also had Adimar and Akino with me in my group as well as the 3 pixies. The Neko man Wyatt... He was said to be an excellent swordsman and told not to allow him to escape. His level is currently expected to be at 307.

However even Adimar’s level had risen to 309. He is currently wearing a black eye patch over his eye that makes him look quite dignified. He almost resembles a character from an old game I use to play. It’s kind of funny to look at him now.

He however has yet to have his repaired from when I had crushed it. This is apparently the extent of my healing magic so he’s just having to deal with it. The black eye patch was in all fact a gift from my mom. I felt odd when giving it to him but it was something requested from my mother. It was something she had made for herself once...I however wouldn’t let her wear it.

‘Such a thing was blocking such a beautiful face. I couldn’t bare to see it covered. Adimar however accepted the gift kindly. That’s just the sort of fox my mother is. Constantly caring for others before herself...She is in all honesty one incredible woman to continually show me such love and I’m not even her real son. .‘

The group followed behind me as we continued to hunt for Wyatt.

He should have a minimum of two guards alongside him. Poor sting will just have to wait till we’re done. I’ll apologize later, but I can’t have his loud speaking alert the target.

Wyatt, 3rd Commander in the Elite Eis neko unit. Known in the dungeon as Swift Death. He’s a speed type but I’m told his technique is second only to Alysteir. He however is not as strong as Malaki who is their leader.

We were currently on floor 16. It was a floor with a large garden in the center that looked like a castle. Out extending past that were fields of flowers and beautiful scenery but also engulfed in rabid plant type monsters. However there are many locations that some choose to go to and relax. It is also a floor I’m told the races come here to go on dates. The floor at night is even aesthetically pleasing. The plant life glows from the light of the pink moon and onto the floor below. It glistens throughout the brightly colored and glowing plants that make even the water run in a different color. The water is turquoise but it looks to almost resemble Cyanin’s bright color.

We went to the location where Wyatt was said to be. It wasn’t a floor that had any cities or anything built. But there are still structures built here like Gazebo’s, benches. It was in all honesty beautiful. I had never seen nature so pleasing to the eye. Some of the bugs that flew in the night even glowed in multiple colors resembling the pixies. They were small firefly type creatures. ‘I guess I can see why many come here on dates. It isn’t a bad location. I’m sure my mother would love this place.’

We then began to creep up on the location of where the 4 individuals were. One was sitting on a park bench. He was sitting cross legged and admiring the view in front of him. There were 2 guards standing behind him while there was also another person there with them. I know that person...It’s Ecclaire?

We each tried to walk in stealth with whatever abilities we had and contnued quietly.

Hide presence currently masked my scent, body temperature, image, and killing intent. ‘Which is apparently a thing.’

We continued to draw closer to the group of people there. Each of us were outfitted with our own weapons. The Annunake had their claws and the pixies with me had a new kind of a weapon I found for them. The unlikely person to help us with this was Pek. I then began to hear the bantering of the group in front of us.

“Just leave already would you....Your really destroying the mood here Eclaire.”

“Just wondering what it is you plan on doing is all.”

“Oh I plan on sitting right here and enjoying my view here. It is how I pass the time. You are ruining that, please leave.”

The neko man sitting on the bench began to get agitated towards Ecclaire who was sitting on the next bench over. The man on the bench had a cape and white gloves. He also had several ornaments around his chest but he didn’t look like a military man at all. His look was more of a pretty boy in a man’s clothes. He wasn’t big either, he was maybe 6 feet tall at most. Maybe shorter.

“Vali.....”

I then turned around and there sat Vale who was trying to pull on my sleeve continually. Does she know not to make any noise!

I whispered in her ear what and she put her hands up over her mouth and whispered in my ear.

“Ecclaire....she’s....she’s a puppet.”

When I looked at her whisper to me she noticed my look of shock. How could she know this? She then before I could say anything whispered something else that made my eyes widen.

“...I saw her get eaten....”

I then turned around and looked at everyone in our group. They didn’t hear that but they are waiting for my move.

Vale had then told me that she saw Ecclaire on the front lines trying to protect those who were fleeing Balor’s army. She was seen cutting down a few Fomorian’s before she was seen by Vale being devoured. Vale continued to shake and look forward. I guess seeing the dead would be hard. I was unaware of Ecclaire even being dead. I guess a lot more than I’m aware of may have also perished.

‘It was obvious now. There are puppets in this dungeon and we have to move. No one can escape if they can someone tell Balor of our plans.’

“Are you all going to come out now or just continue on spying...”

‘.....’

The man Wyatt didn’t move as he said this and just continued to stare off into the dimly lit sky. Well he knows we’re here so I might as well start this off early. I then warped towards him and tried to grab him. His reaction speed was incredible.

He then kicked my hand and flipped off of it. He put his feet on top of my wrist and flung himself backwards in one fluid motion. His body weight practically felt nonexistent. He was very quick and knew martial arts of some kind as well...This one’s good. He even moved like a cat.

He then pulled two swords out and twitched his neck while looking at us...

He grinned and looked towards us all with both swords in hand. He then started to make an odd look around. His breaths began to become visible. He could see now the temperature has just dropped by quite a lot. Cosmia’s area of effect skill is currently active. All enemies within it’s borders are under it’s effects, they however have no idea where the borders of the skill are, considering the illusion has also already been set. She gained that ability after absorbing more crystals which increased her mana by quite a lot.

“Pixies huh...Hah who d’ve thought. You wish to come towards me.....human.”

“Where’s Freki!”

“Yeah...and Uri, and Jana! We know they’re alive!”

Several of the pixies began to yell. Wait green, purple? Where did you guys come from?

There standing were two new pixies next to Cyanin and Vale. The purple and green one’s are elites too if I remember. But they aren’t nearly as strong as Vale anymore. Her level increase was too much for them to compete with now. She’s the strongest of the pixies in a fight. They however won’t be getting involved in this fight they will only be assisting.

Why did these two tag along?

“Why would I know ya damn dwarfs with wings! ”

Wyatt then snarled at them while looking around at all those present. Ecclaire got up and from her seat and got closer to the body guards that were beside Wyatt. They each got into a small formation and continued to stare daggers back at me.

Cosmia then apologized but the elite unit insisted they join us. They too have lost many but what they seem to mean is that they know they have some of their kind who are alive in this dungeon. Somewhere trapped here but they cannot find them. According to them whenever a pixie dies they can no longer feel their magical signature anymore and can no longer share it with them. It’s also why she said Balor wouldn’t revive her kind, they simply would be able to tell based on their magic with one another. They however seem to have been sharing their lives with several pixies for a long time now that they cannot see. They know them to be barely alive which is why they have never stopped searching. That must be why they kept a small pile of stones in the corner....They even kept a pile of crystals for those who went missing.

These two wanted to come here to find out the truth of where their family was. I however can’t let them get involved in this fight. Regardless of their level in crease they aren’t going to be actually fighting here.

I turned around and now I saw Aurora standing next to Cosmia and Tanin now standing next to Cyanin, Vale and the other two. Tanin. Seriously guys this isn’t the time for games.

I then stepped forward to not let them think they were fighting on this one.

“AHAHA! Surely not...Those weak little bugs want to try and fight me! Please don’t make me laugh so hard I choke up a fur ball!”

Wyatt continued to laugh towards the pixies. They each however only made looks of anger back. I was about to say something but Cosmia however spoke up first. They weren’t really listening to me right now. They wouldn’t even let me stand in front of them.

“We have decided we won’t allow Vali fight for us anymore. If he is going to fight, so are we! Vali showed us....We were never the weakest. And we are tired of having ours being taken away from us. We want our family back! If you don’t....’

“Or what Red? And I don’t have any idea in what your talking bout seriously. I’m even surprised the Red Queen survived and the human would emerge back to come attack me? Such interesting developments...That is a change to Balor’s plans it seems. No matter I... just have to kill you now.”

He swayed his two swords while cocking his head to the side theatrically and smiling towards us. Wyatt thusly saying that signed his death warrant. He just declared himself as someone who can see through Cosmia’s illusions and him being here with Ecclaire. Something’s off though. None of them seem disturbed in the slightest.

“Give us our Family!”

“Or what bugs?...Surely your not going to do something?”

Cosmia kept staring down Wyatt and before I could do anything something happened.

The four pixies then swarmed Wyatt and the 3 others before I had a chance to stop them all. Tanin then flew up into the sky and blew fire out of his arms like a flamethrower. ‘No...You can’t!. ‘

Wyatt waved his arms and swung swiftly towards the green pixie who was in front of him.

Clink!

What!...There standing in front of the green pixie was Cyanin. Her thick light blue wings blocked the sword right on its hilt.

Wyatt then smiled and swung swiftly with his other arm and came down on Cyanin’s neck.

The sword cut straight through Cyanin’s torso as if it weren’t a tough defense at all. It had cleaved her shoulder to the bottom and split her body in half. Cyanin then stopped moving and fell.

“GUAH!!!”

‘What just happened!’

Cyanin’s body that fell is now gone and I see Cyanin clearly now several feet away actually swinging her sword towards one of the guards.

Wyatt however has just been stabbed in the base of his neck by purple pixie who was engulfed in small flames. His eyes glowed bright purple and grinned with a blood thirsty smile as he sunk the smooth slender spike deep into Wyatt’s shoulder. It went in easily and pierced straight through and out his back. He was holding a small tooth pick shaped weapon roughly the size of a forearm. It has a small black grip on the bottom and has a distinct silver shine.

It was Adamantine. We also received something else from our spoils today. Upon bringing home a lot of the leather and premium meat we had acquired, I placed a lot of it into my inventory to store and carry. I however had to use my spatial magic to move most of it. We received roughly 300 plus hydra heads. Several Fomorians that’s fur was still good for making blankets or clothes. There was also roughly a third of that Grootslang that wasn’t completely destroyed from Abgrund and had materials we could extract. I’m lucky I have so much of it, because it is what I used to win over a person like Pek. He is what has gifted Cyanin, Vale, the purple, and green pixie with such interesting tools.

Upon bringing home all the crystals I’ve come to understand just how valuable the meat and leather might also be. I learned this from Pek. He states that to him he thinks that he can make some very high quality leather armor with this. Since most people in this dungeon who wear armor are those on the lower floors there was never interest in things such as armor. It was also why Pek decided to build other things. For the pixies however this is a fantastic idea....No one can seem to understand Pek very well, the Jiji speak in a very odd dialect that not many can comprehend. The only reason they are called the Jiji is because that is a noise they make quite often when they speak it seems.

Even with my abilities, Pek’s hair gets in the way when he’s speaking. So it’s still difficult to understand him at times. It’s similar to a large mustache that stops him from talking. Well...Pek said he’d be able to possibly make something with it and was willing to barter with me. I then noticed the small silver rod on his waste. When I offered a trade he simply said it was too valuable.

I eventually worked out a deal. The Jiji only had 5 of these strange spikes in total. They spoke as if it were their most prized treasures even if none of the other species thought so. The Jiji were right to think that. These are said to be the remains of of the fangs of a being as old as a god. It’s very durable. Pek managed to get the small amount sharpened down enough after months and months of hard labor. He eventually even made a handle on it. It doesn’t have a lot of attack power simply because it is shaped like a rod with a pointy end. It’s essentially a rapier but looks more like a thick toothpick with a handle. It however is perfect size for a pixies.

It’s piercing power is in all honesty more than I would have ever imagined.

Wyatt’s look of disbelief was shown when he had realized what had just happened. After blocking his attack Cyanin left an after image to and flew towards another pixie. She was never in the location I had previously thought either. The sword must have stopped for some other reason though...Cyanin was never in that place it was just an illusion.

Cosmia then raised her arms and her light shined brightly. A deep red pierced through the floor flashing through the scenery of flowers and rivers. Her red ring started to shine once more. ‘Wait...shouldn’t that ring still have a cool down?’

I looked out there and several of the guards continue to swing their swords but their movements get halted almost immediately. They then get pierced in the ribs, the chest, all over their legs. The elite’s keep appearing at the exact moment and using their small Adamantine spikes to drive through neko’s weak defense.

The pixies continue to fly around and are no longer laughing.

All four of the neko’s seem to be getting overwhelmed by just 5 pixies and I can’t grasp why. Their swords keep moving slowly and at odd angles. Are their movements really slowed down that much? I see the black smog and even some other colors I’m guessing is poisonous but the effects of the skills are way too extreme. Their magic shouldn’t be able to match the abilities of the hydra from the start, these are just the beginning stages.

I wanted to jump in or activate my gauntlet but I was frozen at how these small pixies who were considered weak were overwhelming opponents several hundreds of levels higher than them. They aren’t even using much magic.

BOOM!

Tanin began to fire his shards of red diamond towards the four while he flew above. It would slam and erupt on impact against the fours nekos in front of us. Adimar and Akino only looked in amazement at what they were just seeing.

It would then cause additional fire damage along with small amounts of damage from being struck as well. They aren’t causing a lot of damage in all honesty but the fact that the pixies are slowly shaving these elite’s health away is clearly happening right now.

“What!...My...My magic’s weakened!”

‘What....Why did Wyatt say that? That must mean the poison is starting to take effect but Wyatt is an Eis Neko he shouldn’t have magic should he? Maybe he has certain items that can use magic? The reports showed none of these people knew anything about magic. Ever since the Elkia left they haven’t seen it since.’

He then performed some weird area of effect skill with his two swords and a bright light blinded everyone present.

You have been struck by Rainbow Sword

You have been blinded!

Agility has been reduced by 16%

Ability to perform skills has been reduced by 12%

Wyatt then swung his swords wildly and large whips of light flung out and hit everyone in the surroundings. That's quite the debuff skill for a high leveled person. It's then that I then saw something very strange.

Chink!

“AHhhhh!”

The image of a magenta colored diamond flung in my direction. Looking towards Wyatt a small magenta colored pixie had just fallen on the ground next to the purple pixie. Part of her wing had just been clipped off entirely and flung back in my direction. There within a second her broken wing started to heal and repair itself. She looked back up at Wyatt smiling menacingly.

Wyatt then got mad and swung back towards the pixie on the ground. Just then a bright aura had surrounded her and his swing had become disrupted. Then just now I saw blood fling out from the side of his neck. His health also just took a large chunk off by about 5%. What is happening to them?

Wyatt then flipped in the air and swung his dawn bringer downward towards the small pixie. He cut right through her. Then the image of her body disappeared. But no health went down at all. Is this an illusion too?

I then activated Eclipse view as if having an idea. It’s odd that magenta pixie wasn’t here before either.....‘Oh wow!’

It’s not 4 on 5...It’s 4 on 80.

There surrounding the 4 nekos in the middle, were dozens of life forces that I hadn’t seen until just now. Did all of these bastards wind up coming out here ?

Looking at what was happening I could see now just why their movements were so strange. He was known as Swift Death? His movements were really slow and seemed really awkward for someone who was one of the strongest in the dungeon. He even has the ability to see through Cosmia’s illusion. But he cannot see what is going on in front of him. They must be able to combine their magic somehow.This is amazing! The 4 in front of us are all around level 300. The pixies aren’t even over 75. But their are so many of them that it’s just impossible to swing your weapon whenever you get struck in the flank by one of them. They don't nearly have enough defense to shake that off. Even if they all don’t have those short spikes they all have spears and even mythril armor on.

They are surrounded by pixies. Each of them in the front have been given the purple crystals from the adamantine spider and are slowly circling the 4 nekos. Everything I was seeing just now wasn’t happening at all. These neko’s are just getting slaughtered, even the ones who don’t have the Adamantine spikes are flying around and slashing at their backs and legs or shooting off poison.

I can even see so many new colors. Each of the pixies with poison leaks out a different color that is surrounding the nekos to where they can’t even breath. The same black smog from the King Hydra is also completely surrounding them now. All within the effects of Cosmia’s area of effect skill. Wyatt and the other elite nekos aren’t able to escape this onslaught of torment. I may not even need to step into this.

Looking towards the 4 in the middle they each showed looks of intense rage as they couldn’t seem to cut down any of the pixies. Any in the center have barriers set around them and toughened defenses. Even if their defense can’t take on a Dawn Bringer they simply don’t have to get hit. Even if they did apparently Cosmia and the one’s on the outside are healing them without even entering the fight.

These cats have no chance. It was then I looked towards the man known as Wyatt and smiled. I wanted him to bare in the shame of what he earlier had said. I don’t even need to get involved...He’s simply going to be beat by a bunch of pixies.

His look of anger only increased and I could see his aura begin to shine. I then noticed something very strange. His life force. It looked like long strands of hair began to fly on end towards the sky. They were long. The three’s life forces were bright!...Very bright!

It was then I realized something...It was as if lightning had just hit me on the head and I had figured everything out just now! All the answers to the questions of what has been going on down here can be answered. I know how Balor is controlling so many puppets at the same time. They aren’t even all puppets!

I then took out my scythe and used flicker to dash towards them while immediately activating dark pressure. On my action the two wolves followed me behind me.

You have been cursed by King Hydra's Desolation

All stats have dropped by 10%

All healing has been reduced by 12%

You have been cursed by King Hydra's Desolation

All stats have dropped by 10%

All healing has been reduced by 8%

You have been cursed by King Hydra's Desolation

All stats have dropped by 10%

All healing has been reduced by 3%

You have been poisoned by Pixie Dust

You will continue to receive 35 damage per second while in range of the pixie’s poison.

‘That skill from the black hydra?...Curses can stack together like this?! The further I walked in the cursed dropped my stats by a third by the time I got to the 4 in front of me. Wow... No wonder they have been getting beaten so easily. Whatever their level is have been roughly dropped by a third. Along with getting pierced by tiny holes laced with poison, these 4 didn’t have much of a chance. It however takes longer than a normal paralytic poison should.’

I swung down Abgrund and just then a large burst of fire erupted from the hands of Wyatt and towards me. ‘You idiot!’

BOOOOM!!!!!

“AHHHH!!!!”

A large fire tore through the surroundings as the multiple rainbow colors surrounding him was the same noxious gas from the King Hydra....It’s incredibly flammable.

Fire then rained down on the four and began to melt their skin.

I pointed my gauntlet towards the flames and dispelled them before the flames could go any further past me. Some of the pixies were caught up in that blast just now but each of them are now several meters away surrounding the group. They didn’t appear to take much damage from that at all since their small barriers seemed to be surrounding them. They didn’t even need my gauntlet ability now.

Wyatt’s body was smoking but his health had only gone down to 45%. He then swung his sword down and his sword had turned a bright blue. Wing magic began to fling from the sword blade and towards me. I then moved my hand over and swatted the wind magic with my arm.

He looked up at me in awe at me receiving no damage to myself at all. There he saw my Midnight Gauntlet. With its magic null...it appears to nullify any and all magic, regardless of what it is. It’s even stronger in defense than the cloak in that aspect.

I then gave him a solid jab to the jaw and and heard the cracks of his bones breaking.

He then flung to the ground and held his mouth which was now coughing up blood. He began to spit out loose teeth and stare back at me with intense rage.

At this action all the pixies then backed away from where Wyatt was. Even Adimar and Akino were stunned by all of his actions. I can understand why they are startled. They are seeing magic being used by someone other than me.

He then tried to fling more magic towards me but it looked as if it were a lighter that were slowly loosing its fuel. It went out before even coming to my face....‘The effects of the poison are in effect now. I guess I’m lucky it had the added effect of blocking magic as well as causing paralysis. It must take a little bit of time before it works.’

Wyatt began to wobble and look up at me with hatred. He continued to fling his arms around wildly and it started to just look sad.

“How? How can you use magic Wyatt?”

Akino then voiced her shock.

“Yes...Are you really working along side Balor. As an Eis Neko you would dare go against what your kind has sworn to fight against!”

Then Adimar growled and yelled back at him. The pixies were still surrounding Wyatt but the magic energy that came off of him just now was not small. It was in fact enough to burn my skin off. And I have a natural affinity to fire magic.

“Shut your MOUTH DOG! And your only half right!”

Wyatt’s eyes began to glow. Even though he couldn’t wield magic it was obvious he has incredible magic power. And Wyatt was right, Adimar was only half correct. I believe Wyatt to be working alongside Balor.

I however don’t believe Wyatt to be an Eis Neko at all...Wyatt, is an elf.

His two guards are as well. Their life forces shine so brightly its almost unmistakeable. Just like those elves from the woods had. They however can’t use magic. If we didn’t have a paralysis magic like this we wouldn’t have been able to suppress them so easily. These aren’t just eis neko’s they are elves who have survived down here and have apparently been pretending to be Eis Nekos this whole time. However Ecclaire just appears to be what we assumed her to be a puppet. She however has only stayed quiet and tried to attack alongside Wyatt during the whole fight. She hasn’t even talked much since.

Wyatt’s eyes started to glow red and and he huffed and puffed in my direction before dropping to his knees. I along with the two wolves ran towards him and held them all down. The paralysis was finally starting to affect their strong bodies. If these things are elves, it’s no wonder why poison would effect them differently. They’re old...Older than all of us. These things have been inside here for a long time...They never died at all.

They probably aren’t anywhere close to the levels we think they are either. How has something like this gone un noticed for so long?

Wyatt and the others began to growl and move around but they could no longer control their bodies. Being pierced repeated by the fangs of a titan, alongside the paralysis poison of a queen spider. However high level they are their defenses aren’t much...They’re just elves.

“They’re elves....”

“.......”

They all then began to look at me in awe in trying to understand what had happened. All the pixies are now visible and Adimar and Akino are binding those who have fallen. Each of them had no words to what I had just said they only looked at those on the ground in awe. They wondered at how elves could have survived down in this prison for so long without any of them knowing.

This worked in our favor, it’s way too convenient to say the paralysis poison worked perfectly considering the circumstances. Paralysis poisons should work rather quickly, that’s the whole point of it. If those were all elves and they could do what that other one could I would have had to get serious. Wyatt however made a mistake. If he were to become serious early this may have also turned bad, but he simply mocked the pixies thinking them to be easy opponents before he was simply surrounded.

I need to have a talk with that Arachnee Queen as well. She knows something...

We then knocked them each out and decided to take their now weakened state back to the base.

Now is when we learn just what is going on down here....

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Hey...Wake up”

Smack!

I back handed the Elf who was posing as Wyatt the eis neko. He then shook his head and began to look towards his surroundings. There sitting beside him were his two guards and Ecclaire. They had each also been woken up and have come to find where they are. Upon returning to base and telling Commander Locke of what happened we took these 4 to a completely different location on another floor. It was on floor 52 floating on one of the large land masses that overlooks the city. We had to use some kind of warp key to get to the top as the floating mass appears to just be floating by magic.

Large spikes of ice surrounded this place and it sort of resembled a fortress of solitude. This is however the Away Team’s location that is similar to a max prison. It’s walls are made of hard rock that resembles diamond. It also has Adamantine bars installed to stop any from getting out of here. Another invention from Pek I’m told.

In the room were Erwin, Adimar, Akino, Cosmia, Cyanin, Malfius and myself. Malfius and his men weren’t able to find his daughter Meifeng and Ollieron’s team haven’t come back yet.

“Wha...What’s going on!...YOU! Human!”

Wyatt then looked up and growled towards me.

“What’s up elf...”

Then at what I had just said had silenced him entirely. He looked towards his two other guards and made a terrified impression. I wonder how these elves did it, how do they make themselves look like Neko’s? Do they have illusion magic too or is it something else...Well I plan to find out regardless. They’ve been in here for hundreds of years posing as Neko’s...Why?

Wyatt then lost his scared demeanor and tried to play it off and look back at me.

“So...You’ve figured it out have you human! How ever did you figure it out? And wha are you trying to do with us here anyway...Going to try and torture me now are you? You humans were so eager to enjoy such things...”

“You know...I’ve met some elves before. It’s what allowed me to see who you really were. I have no idea how you managed to fool everyone else for so long though. Well the elves I had met seemed to be powerful the forest even seemed to move as they did.”

“HAH!..You think I’m a wimpy Wood Elf? Mhmhm....I am a dark elf human. Something else entirely...”

“I don’t know how long it’s been since you’ve seen a wood elf but they don’t seem so wimpy to me.”

“They haven’t nearly the amazing skill set that comes with becoming one of us. Hmph...Do you think all you are doing here is going to somehow rescue you all? Ha! You have no idea what is coming to your world outside this place! This world shall all be devoured ! AHAHAHAHA!!!!!”

He then began to laugh like a deranged lunatic. It wasn’t something I had expected to come from him at all. The loud excessive laughter caused Adimar to deliver a solid punch to his face. I didn’t say he could but I was in all honesty going to do the same thing.

He then just started laughing with blood coming out of his nose.

Adimar then punched him again. He seemed to be quite furious but Wyatt continued to laugh with blood coming out of his mouth from the heavy blows.

“AHAHAHA!!! You’ll ALL DIE! All of you will DIE...Even you dogs! None of you will ever see the light of day EVER AGAIN! WUAHAHAHAA!!!!”

Adimar continued to deliver swing after swing into the lunatic causing Akino to now pull him away. I looked at this elf oddly and couldn’t make heads or tails of what was happening. What are they planning? How have these dark elves managed to make themselves look like Neko’s for so long without anyone noticing? Why would they even do it?

Zap!

Hjokk then came in and appeared on my shoulder. She used her warp ability to finally come back and has come in on this situation.

“What?...What is happening?”

“A lot has happened since you’ve been gone...Listen Balor has somehow...”

“MMmm....You must be....the humannnn”

“......”

‘ What the hell was that voice just now?’

A dark and deep echo rang out loudly in my ears and shook the small cage we’ve found ourselves in. Everything then wen’t dark.

My eyes looked to have blinked without my saying or just everything is now back to normal. The room just turned pitch black and is now lit up again. But that voice....The sounds of it were not human at all. It sounded like a monster. I’m shaking...Why..Why am I shaking?

“Mmmm....You must be the one who defeated Malthiel. Yesss?”

I then turned to the location of the voice and there sitting on the chair with chains and arachnee thread surrounding her is Ecclaire.

She is looking directly at me. I remember the first time I met Ecclaire. She looked at me like a predator ready to jump on it’s prey. But right now is much different. Her eyes are pitch black and she is giving a hungry smile towards my direction.

“...Balor?”

At my question everyone in the room began to look slowly towards Ecclaire as well. No one made a move.

“....Correct.”

Ecclaire then smiled and looked directly towards me. Everytime she spoke a loud deep echo followed her as if she wasn’t the one speaking at all. Her hair however was covering most of her face and the entire area around her is dark. Balor must be able to talk through his puppets. Can he possible attack us right now?

She then suddenly moved her head up and opened her eyes wide at me. She blinked and then her eyes turned red.

“Interesting....So Malfius and the Queen Pixie live...How I was unable to see that before is beyond me? It does however intrigue me...”

Ecclaire began to talk with the sounds of a deep dark echo trailing behind her. Just then Cosmia then hid behind me.

Ecclaire then looked up towards me and smiled.

“Vali....Such a peculiar thing you seem to be....You appear to be a divine’s champion as well. But what God I wonder?....That too is an interesting bird on your shoulder. Tell me mortal....What God do you fight for?”

I then stared back at the woman speaking in front of me. Or the thing. I don’t know what Balor is but he is not human at all. You can tell by the voice. It’s enough to make it to where my body won’t stop shaking. I can’t seem to speak.

[ Vali...Whatever you do..Don’t tell him you are Loki’s champion!]

‘Hjokk?...Yah I wasn’t planning on it, this guy seems to hold grudges. Is he going to attack to us. Should we do something?’

[NO! Don’t do anything! If he wanted to attack us he would have done it already! We need to leave noa......Oh no...]

Hjokk then started looking up towards the ceiling and turn her head back and forth.

‘What? What is it?’

[I...I don’t think I can warp us out of here anymore!]

‘.....’

“Mmm....The bird seems to be getting it. The moment I saw it I thought...A crow....You wouldn’t happen to be a Norse would youuuu......?”

Hjokk then started to clench my shoulders tightly while sitting on top my shoulder.

The girl then smiled and looked at us while tilting her head. Is Balor so powerful he’s made it to where our magic can’t get us all out of here. I was going to make a move to grab everyone to try and try my spatial magic when out of there a large magical force threw itself towards me.

A large 10 foot figure stepped out in front from where Ecclaire was sitting and stepped in front of me. It was huge, his shoulders are wide. It appeared to be made of darkness but it had no face at all. It did however have two large horns that came out in front of its head resembling a bulls. They were however much, much larger.

His eyes were now yellow and he appeared to be wearing armor made of darkness. His whole body appeared to be made of darkness. It looked just like a large black shadow with eyes. It wore the darkness like a large cloak that fluttered around as it stared down at me. I could feel my body continue to shake while staring back at this horrific appearance. It was enough to make me not want to move. I don’t want that thing attacking me at all!

Even though what was standing in front of me was not the actual Balor. I think this is what his form looks like just a lot smaller. He is slightly see through making me think he is not going to attack me. He’s just sitting there staring down towards me. I can’t see a face to speak of.

“Wuahahha!!! You see now human! You are all going to DIE ahaha! I told you dirty dogs, you would Guahhghghg”

The dark figure then turned to his right and raised his arm. A large hand came up from the ground that looked to be made from the darkness of this dungeon. It then grabbed Wyatt by the throat.

“Bu...but Bal...ORrghgh!”

Balor then flicked his wrist and the dark hand broke Wyatt’s neck. Just then his body then disappeared and disintegrated into the air. It was the first time I had seen someone die in this dungeon actually. It must be what happens to those who all die here.They’re....trapped inside here, even after they die.

The two body guards then began to shake and try to get out of their restraints.

The large dark figure I’ve identified as Balor was standing over me. A large mouth then appeared on his face and long fangs were shown as he stared intently towards me.

“Hmph.....Your all trapped here now...”

End of Chapter!

Don't forget to review and rate my fiction. Leave a comment as I love getting to read long comments about what you all think about where the story is going. So what do ya think of the Annunake, or the hildr pixies? How about the Oddball Knights? Or the emergence of the new species...The dark elves. Or the possibilities of his new powers?

Let me know all that you guys think of the story so far. I honestly check these so much just to read what you guys write as it is a nice motivation to write more. I hope your all enjoying the story so far.

Here is a character page. It is not complete or up to date but that is because I will put it together with a description page later. It will be updated as the story goes forward but I will try to keep some spoilers out of it. I have 2 pictures to show you guys of Grootslang and Balor. They are however just general shapes and designs and not exactly how I've said what they are in my fiction. I however can't find a way to post pictures on here if some one does. I'll post it on my description page whenever I make one. It will have several other pictures possibly of characters soon as well too.

Character Page

Humans:

Vali- Our troubled hero. Travels to a distant place simply to find what he’s lost. All so he can return home and reunite with that he holds most dear. The hero however quickly finds this new world of magic and make believe is never what he originally thought to be and is a constant tug on his already fragile heart. He craves for power to protect those he wishes to save only to walk down and even more dangerous road. The time spent alone for him may have been more damaging to his psyche than he currently realizes but continues on to hopefully one day reunite in heaven with his family. Vali however is finding his journey to becoming a god is a load quite less traveled. Unranked Vassal

Cassandra Kraiser: (Female Knight): Blond hair and blue eyed and considered to be the beauty of the royal knights. She is not the highest level of the knights in Asher but she is quite well known for coming from a prestigious noble family that has long sense been revered for their masteries in the sword. Rank 11

Master Shen: Turqoise short spiky hair with scars riddled down his face and body. He however wears them with pride and thinks they make him look quite cool. He also has a large metallic arm that is a prosthetic and was given to him after he was in a horrific monster attack. Regardless of his injuries and being the oldest of all the royal knights however. He is known to be the strongest in the entire Kingdom of Asher. Though he has never seen battle, he has never once lost in a 1 on 1 duel, which is why everyone just refers to him as Master Shen. When kingdoms and guilds sought out his strength he simply sought for a life of simplicity. He became a royal knight to the King of Asher who was his childhood friend. Becoming a royal knight allowed him to not accept the hundreds of duel requests he would receive daily and considered it the only way to have people leave him alone. He soon found out however that there was a lot more work in becoming a knight but has learned to enjoy his role as the kingdom’s strongest. Rank 1

Sumei: Not much is known about this mysterious woman who has been taken under Shen’s care as a student. She however takes her role as a Knight of Asher as great honor and uses all of her strengths to protect the King and Queen. She has long black hair and wields a black katana that was said to be made form a sea war beast. Rank 2

Shakko: Another member of the Royal Knights of Asher and is considered to be ‘the oddball’ of the knights. No one to this day knows what he looks like since he always wears a ceramic mask to cover it up. He is however a master of daggers and hidden weapons. Once an vigilante in the kingdom of Asher he hunted down and killed criminals of the kingdom with his own hands. A lot of crime families around the kingdom want his head which is why he agreed to become a Knight of Asher and to protect the King and Queen. Rank 6

Sting- Adventurer from the central continent who was defeated and bound by Vali. He is an expert with poisons and is known to be quite skilled with a spear. He has long green hair and is considered to be a nice man by Ari and Elyria.

King

Queen

Lucy- Thought of as a tomboy princess but in all actually just doesn’t obey rules very well. Vali doesn’t know how to treat her currently but she finds him to be fascinating and wants him to become her own personal knight.

Kaylan: Vali’s sister and currently somewhere in the new world that Vali has found himself in. She too has been on adventures too and according to Loki has taken many adventures. He however said she wanted Vali to come here alone to find strength in his own way before reuniting with her.

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Divine/Demi Devine”

Loki-God of Mischeif and Trickery. Has chosen Vali as his champion but also found a loophole in the ancient treaty amongst gods finding a way to have two champions. His other being his sister Kaylan. He is a master of spatial magic and wields the might staff gungir.

Hjokk- Valkyrie of Storms and watcher over Vali during his time in becoming stronger. She was made for battle so she doesn’t comprehend human emotion quite as well but is slowly understanding more of it being close to Vali for so long. She continues to stay in her small purple crow form even after Vali has pointed out she doesn’t have to anymore.

Arachnee:

Arachnee queen

Reinma

Karma

Fuch Race

Elyria- Vali’s mother now that he has arrived in a new world but not much is known about her life in the forest. All Vali has come to know so far is that his mother was once considered to be something as a high shaman in her village but he thinks her understandings with magic are the most he’s seen in anyone yet other than Loki.

Sasha- A Fuchs slave that was once in the same tribe as Elyria. She was once bought by a rich and powerful noble who would use his power and authority to buy and abuse slaves for his amusement. She eventually decided it was enough and tried to flee with her fellow slaves but two of them died before her and her fellow slave Neko were later captured. She was then bought by Vali.

Iris- Elyria’s daughter. She was separated from Elyria not long after birth and sold into slavery. She is roughly around 8 years old.

Jiji Race

Henley- Jiji on floor 1

Joxen- Henley’s daughter

Pek- Looked at as the leader of the Jiji race even though they don’t have any social order of leaders in their society. He is however revered as one of the more brilliant minds to have ever lived in the dungeon. Not many people can understand him which makes him a grump but compared to the other jiji his speech is even more difficult to understand.

Adler Race

Griphlock

Karah

Annunake Race

Adimar- A once proud warrior who fought on the front lines in a dungeon. He is a member of the legendary god wolf race and appears to be a large 8 foot tall white wolf. He stands on two legs and appears to be a humanoid wolf with high intelligence. He has been through constant wars and fights and once rose to the highest rank as Alpha of his entire race. He was then stripped of all authority after an accident that happened on one of the floors of the dungeon.

Akino- Adimar’s neice. She is 19 with long white hair, ears, and a tail. She prides herself in being among the fasts of the Annunake. She was once in line to marry Adimar’s brother in law who was also of the Elkia race. Due to her mate later turning out to a puppet has effected her with men.

Lilly- Small slave girl around 10 years old. She has the same features as other Annunake but doesn’t seem to enjoy violence as she was once a slave for a short period of time with her brother. She was the first person Vali met in this world other than his mother and has slowly grown attached to him. Even with her brother’s initial warnings she always saw Vali as a nice person.

Pixie Race

Cosmia- (Red Pixie) Queen of her race and is a master of illusion magic. She is however young and not the oldest of all the other pixies. She however is coveted as the queen of her race and is looked at as royalty in her race. Regardless of this however she still seems to act similarly to all the other pixies. However after receiving the magic from the red crystal she has easily become one of the strongest pixies in the dungeon. She thinks of Vali as also a part of their family.

Cyanin- (Turqoise Pixie) Once an inhabitant of floor one Vali saved her from the beginning stages of a powerful rot that diseased many of the pixies not long after their family had died. She after receiving 2 purple magic crystal from the Adamantine spider, 1 yellow and 1 purple from King Hydra she now boasts in the highest defense of all the pixies. She prides herself in this and thanks Vali for making her this way. She has now been promoted to a Pixie Elite and is the personal guard of Cosmia. She holds Vali in the highest of esteem.

Tanin- ( Orange Pixie) Inhabitant on floor 1 and is the only pixie who received a yellow crystal from a monster that must have had strong fire ability. He can shoot out fire like a flamethrower out of his hands and now with the effects of the Adamantine spider his fire now has a new trait. He has now been promoted to a Pixie Elite after conquering several Floor One Devourer’s Nests with his powerful fire.

Vale- (Silver Pixie) Vale is one of the few Elite Pixie’s left in the dungeon. She was amongst the stronger pixies who were set to guard their Queen. Whenever Cosmia became the new queen Vale as well as the other pixies have joined in protecting her. She currently now is the only pixie with a lightning ability and is now revered as the strongest with the highest level as well.

Daisy- (Yellow Pixie) She doesn’t enjoy getting up close in fights and scares easy. She however like all the other pixies enjoy playing games with everyone and playing pranks. To Vali he believes Daisy to be the gentlest pixie. Whenever the other pixies would play games for new armor or weapons that were given to them, she gave her rare armor away to those that could use it better. She however now has a unique ability that Vali says is ironic towards her name. After absorbing the white King Hydra’s purple crystal, her healing abilities on herself and other pixies is unmeasurable. She always tends to stand next to Vali whenever he is around.

Reiki Race

Malfius

Meifeng

Ollerion

Eis Neko Race

Alysteir

Ecclaire

Commander Locke

Malaki

Other characters

Ari- A small slave girl who has been in slavery for the entirety of her young life. She was separated from her parents at birth and has what has caused Vali to slowly forget some of his past pains. When first meeting Vali she thought him to be the one who was taking her away to die but was later saved by him instead. She had extensive wounds and a skin eating disease that left her face and most of her body ruined whenever Vali first met her and she was so small that she could no longer stand. To her no one had ever gone as far to touch her or treat her so warmly as to feed her that she quickly warmed up to Vali sooner than all the other slaves. Ari sees Vali as the most important thing in her life while Vali sees her as someone that has slowly began to heal his past wounds. Comparing his life to hers makes his last problems seem not so bad. Ari and Vali have now grown very close over their constant time staying up late together Vali and teaching her to speak.

Noah- Older brother of Lily but did not inherit the same genes of the Legendary Annunake race as his sister. He along with Lily were both attacked with their families by slavers from an unkown kingdom. They were then sold into slavery not long after. Before they could be separated however Noah managed to kill one of the slavers and allow for his sister to escape. He was later saved by Vali and reunited with his sister.

Pictures soon whenever I figure it out.