* * * PARTHIA – MARY * * *

There were a brief few seconds during which Mary couldn’t see or feel anything, she found herself in freefall, dropping towards a rather arid looking planet. Then she was able to feel the first faint wisps of its atmosphere. She realised that she could finally see herself; her current body seemed to be a spherical blue white diamond, a rather small one at that.

She seemed to be riding in a small column of – energy? She studied the strange effect, a small blue box flashed briefly in her field of view, « celestial mana » it declared.

She could feel that energy seeping into her body and displacing some very similar – mana – well she assumed it was some kind of mana, some non-celestial mana.

Then she once again heard the mind voice of that annoying blue haired cow.

« Teeheehee – ANS 48 you will be placed in that majestic mountain range – the aptly named Skyscratch mountains – that bisects Duregar, Parthia’s largest continent. »

Mary tried to focus, and slowly, the scene below came into focus, she was able to feel a tiny trickle of the – celestial mana focusing the light – though how she could see without eyes was beyond her comprehension – like some kind of crude telescope. She was not impressed at the sight. Duregar was a horribly parched looking place, and the mountains were in the middle of a huge desert. Then again, she wasn’t much impressed with Parthia either, especially as it seemed to be in the middle of an ice age. The planet appeared to be oversupplied with land. Its poles were capped by massive ice fields. It looked far too cold and dry to her.

‘Nope, not happening, not going there, there has to be a way, using ... using mana! That’s it! Maybe I can use that celestial mana stuff.’

Mary dismissed her telescope or whatever the beep it was and tried to form two wings attached to her core, her new body. At first nothing happened, then it was as if the celestial mana was eager to help, it seemed to want to be used. As the planet’s atmosphere thickened she saw two nebulous wings form, and immediately thereafter felt her core popping loose from that column of celestial mana that had been carrying her down to the planet. She started to tumble wildly.

Mary nearly panicked. She released the wings and they, almost reluctantly vanished. Mary racked her brains for what she knew about planes and birds as she plummeted. Right at this moment she really wished she had paid more attention to things other than the sea. Then she had a thought. ‘Hmm, but I studied flying fish – Yeah maybe...’

« Teeheehee – Now that you are committed my brave volunteers ... »

‘Volunteers my arse!’ Mary interjected sarcastically.

« ... will be responsible for – fine tuning – these planets, for you lot that’s Parthia. You will all help make these planets more hospitable by filtering and generating mana and ... »

‘Lets see, gliding, yes gliding, so a stabilising tail and a streamlined shape to go with the wings – lets see now – Eureka!’ Mary mused to herself.

Under Mary’s guidance the remaining celestial mana in her core created the required structure, wings, a streamlined nose, a tapered body and classical glider’s tail, the core steadied itself and the rate of fall slowed significantly, and then she was gliding smoothly up in the stratosphere circling the world looking for a location that appealed to her, thanking whoever or whatever might be listening that that celestial mana stuff seemed so eager to help.

« ... producing the scarce resources your creatures will need to survive. »

‘God but that blue haired cow never stops talking!’

There was only one decent sized body of water down there, about half the size of the Pacific back home, but at least it straddled the equator. Well it would just have to do. Mary started to circle losing altitude.

« Right, you are now being placed in your new homes, as soon as you’re comfy I am sorry – teeheehee – but I will be erasing the memories of you past lives – teeheehee – leaving you with your skills, and personality intact – teeheehee – it’s for the best I assure you. »

‘’K, gotta keep circling, hope she can’t get me whilst I’m up in the sky. She certainly sounds faint now I’m nearly half a world away from where she wanted me. Hey look that’s a nice little grouping of atolls just south of the equator way out to sea. Guess one of those will be home.’

« Right my dears, Let me explain, ANS 26 to ANS 50, you are all new dungeon cores, your job is to create the best dungeons you can. Teeheehee, I will now dispatch your future helpers to you, please accept the bond they will offer you. They will be either Pixie, Sprite or Wisp. »

‘Didn’t work you stupid old cow, I’m still me, Mary Silvestre and I still ’member my life on Earth. Ai Mama, Flip, I miss you two so much already.’

Mary once again increased her rate of descent, hoping fervently that her rapidly diminishing store of celestial mana would last long enough for her to reach her new home. She was aiming for the atoll with the largest lagoon. It was beautiful, sitting in a ring formed by two largish and three smaller low lying sandy islands, all of them covered with scattered trees and low lying shrubs, and all linked by surf covered coral reefs. There seemed to be a few huts on the largest island, and a few small threads of smoke. She aimed for the centre of the lagoon but just as she crossed the other largish island – it seemed to be partially covered with mangroves – a new voice spoke in her mind, it sounded rather bored and every time it spoke something blue flashed across her field of vision, rather like the blue screens of death her papa had told her about, when speaking of those old computers he used to work with.

* * *

« ANS 48 please choose your primary Monster Type. »

« ... »

« Be aware that you will be restricted by this choice until you accumulate sufficient mana and experience to gain further advances. »

« Goblins— » « Bleh! No way! Nope! »

« Kobolds— » « Yuck, NO! »

« Wisps— » « Thought those were companions – No! »

« Slimes— » « What?!? NO! »

« Lesser Undead— » « Yuck! Shambling half decomposed bodies, even clowns would be preferable! Nope! No! »

« Minor Demons— » « Creatures that can outlawyer lawyers? No no no! »

* * *

« You have rejected all your options ANS 48. You have to choose one of the starting monster types. Do you want to hear your choices again: Yes/No »

« No! Look I’m trying to land here. Stop bugging with your flashing blue lights! I beep won’t choose any of the above, go and beep bother someone else ’k. Oh and by the way my name’s Mary not ANS 48. »

The voice ignored her and continued with its spiel.

« ANS 48 you have to complete your Dungeon Start Up Sequence. Please pick a starting monster ... »

« STOP PESTERING me you FREAK! I don’t want any of those things! I’ll make out without them ’k »

Mary almost managed a creditable landing, especially considering the fact that her vision was being impeded on a regular basis. Unfortunately, her store of celestial mana ran out while she was still some fifty meters above the surface of the lagoon, and she plummeted the rest of the distance hitting the surface with a splash. She ended up rather further from the centre of the lagoon than she planned and much closer to the mangrove covered island. Regardless, she was happy as she slowly sank to the lagoon’s sand covered floor.

« ANS 48 you have rejected the privilege of obtaining a starting monster set three times, at this point I most strongly suggest that you allow me to put you in contact with your divine sponsor so that She may advise you as to the consequences of your choice. »

« That Cow! No way José! Three’s the charm eh! Kay, I herby instruct you to cut any contact between me and that spiteful blue haired cow ’cos I don’t want to hear from her ever again. You got that! I tell you Three times. Yeah! No Contact – No Contact – No Contact whatsoever! »

« Done! ... What! ... ANS 48... »

« MY name’s Mary – Mary – Mary! Got that, kapish? »

« Mary » the voice in her head seemed hesitant, almost unsure of itself before once again regaining confidence in itself. It no longer sounded bored. « All dungeon cores on Parthia need to be under the purview of a God or Gods. »

« Is that so! So how about whatever God runs this half assed ocean I’ve just landed in? »

« ... »

« Cat got your tongue Bluey? »

« ... Cat got ... very well your choice of starting monsters is accepted. Cats it is. »

« Beep! What the beep do you mean cats! Yeah I like cats but what the beep am I gonna do with cats underwater? »

« What are you doing underwater? You should be ensconced in the Skyscratch Mountains in Duregar? »

« In an ugly mountain! In the middle of a desert! No Way! I figured out how to glide and went to find somewhere I liked better. Mind you almost anywhere on this dirtball is better than where that silly tittering blue haired cow wanted to put me. This little ocean has promise. Maybe I can help your Sea God grow it into a decent size. Just need a little global warming. Yeah! »

« ... »

« Ha ha ha. Oh I like you little one. Be it known oh System that I do offer my patronage to this young, discriminating and ambitious dungeon core Mary Silvestre »

« ... So recorded Ocidon Earthshaker and God of the Deeps. »

« Never mind Mary, the System can be extremely petty that way, tell you what, I’ll gift you with the ability to form an extra avatar. Considering where you are and my limitations I can only offer you the form of a dolphin. »

« A Dolphin! Hey that’s way Cool! Thanks Ocidon you are the best! Tell you what I’ll build you a shrine in my lagoon; what do you want your statue look like? »

« My real appearance is irrelevant, so pick something that combines land and sea, my surface followers usually depict me as a fish tailed ... yes that would do nicely Mary. »

If Mary still had eyes she would have blinked, she’d been thinking of the picture of the Greek or was it Roman god standing in a seashell chariot pulled by sea horses with a conch trumpet and a trident when Ocidon had agreed.

« Hmm, kay, I’ll do my best, might take a while, I’ll want it to be perfect. » Mary started considering what she remembered of various Greek temples, the Parthenon and its friezes in particular- « any chance you can tell me how to turn this limestone and coral to Marble for the temple and statue? »

Ocidon was surprised, with a little help; this little dungeon would create something truly spectacular for him. So...

« Marble is easy, please allow me to grant you the knowledge you seek. »

« ’K » Mary agreed warily.

Knowledge flooded her mind, how to make marble, form it, carve it, strengthen it and enchant it. She also gained knowledge of basic architecture, sculpture and art.

Then she was alone once more.

‘Oooo, my head hurts, but I guess I asked for that, beep! But all gods seem prone to taking a mile, if you give ’em an inch.’

* * *

Mary brooded as she contemplated the clear waters of the lagoon above her. Her core sparkled softly as she reviewed her recent actions and decisions. She had been acting very unlike herself.

And now she had a beep quest. Build the Shrine... And she had a vague suspicion that bad things would happen if she didn’t.

Reluctantly she came to the conclusion that some gods were just too charismatic for her own good. Luckily Azurea hadn’t had that effect on her. ‘Maybe it’s ’cause I got linked to him... An’ ’cause he’s the god of oceans an’ seas... As for Bluey, well Bluey is – Bluey. I guess. Speakin’ of Bluey...’

« Hey Bluey what’s with all this beep beeping all the time? »

« Swearing is not acceptable for juveniles, as you are not yet eighteen years old, the System will censor you. Oh and congratulations on your birth, you are one day old today. »

The voice sounded extremely smug and self satisfied.

« Oh Beep beep BEEP! »

* * * PARTHIA – HELL’S MOUTH DUNGEON * * *

On that same day and time. On the lowest level of the deceased Hell’s Mouth dungeon, the location Azurea had selected for her new dungeon core ANS 48.

In a dusty and partially collapsed lightless chamber, deep under the Skyscratch mountains, something long dead stirred due to a goddess’ carelessness. Arbogar the wraith woke for the first time in over a century. He felt the divine magic that was flooding his home and dared to hope. Carefully he pushed the three largest shards of his former master’s crystal together.

“Yesss!” he hissed as the shards started fusing, thanks to the divine energy that was being so carelessly offered. “Revenge will beee oursss!”

The newly reformed crystal, a slightly lopsided reddish orange Sapphire flickered slowly, then it brightened into a wavering glow.

The fractured consciousness that was housed in the restored core was too damaged to survive. But once again a careless goddess came to the rescue by wiping out many of its memories, leaving mostly his skills and personality intact.

« ... create the best dungeons you can. Teeheehee, I will now dispatch your future helpers to you. Please accept the bond they will offer you. They will be either Pixie, Sprite of Wisp. »

The now brightly shining dungeon core looked around its new, yet old domain, and he perceived Arbogar.

« Arbogar, how do I know you are Arbogar? I need a bonded partner. Will you be my partner Arbogar? »

Arbogar was stunned for a moment, “Yesss Massster.”

A black bar of mana bridged the two beings forming a binding pact.

So, a bit later, when a self-satisfied wisp arrived, expecting a done deal with ANS 48, said wisp was very briefly, horribly surprised as Arbogar enjoyed his first meal in a hundred and thirty two years.

* * *

« As a resurrected dungeon you are entitled to two starting monster types, please choose your starting Monsters. »

« Be aware that you will be restricted by this choice until you accumulate sufficient mana and experience to gain further advances. »

« Goblins— » « No »

« Kobolds— » « No »

« Wisps— » « No »

« Slimes— » « No »

« Lesser Undead— » « Yes »

« Minor Demons— » « Yes »