10 Years Later

“Ugh what time is it? Wait a second where am I anyway?” The last thing I remember is accepting, well being forced to accept, that job from that creepy teddy bear. So, I can talk and see but can’t move. What am I supposed to do when I don’t know what I am?

Question Accepted Dungeon System Activated.

Greetings new Dungeon Core Would you like to summon your fairy? Y/N

“Oh, so I am a dungeon like in those books and games neat. It still doesn't explain the prompt. I want an explanation”

Invalid response detected, Applying corrective shock.

“Wait what do you mean corrective sho…,” *bzzzttt*, “Aaaahhhh, that hurts”

Would you like to summon your fairy? Y/N

“Are you serious!? I get shocked for wanting answers about my situation, how is that fair?”

Invalid response detected, Applying corrective shock.

“I didn’t mean it please don’t,” *bzzzttt*, “Aaaahhhh please stop doing that!”

Would you like to summon your fairy? Y/N

“Fuck yes summon the damn fairy, just stop shocking me!!”

Valid response detected summoning fairy now. Exiting tutorial mode. We know you don’t have a choice when dealing with the tutorial and we don’t care have a fun time screwing with adventures, mercenaries, royal snobs, and anyone else unlucky enough to enter your domain goodbye.

With that sentence it winked out and a blinding white light filled the cave I was in. I don’t know how long it took for the summoning to complete and the light to finally fade away. But when it did, floating there was my dungeon fairy. Amazing purple, black French braids, vibrant golden eyes, slightly pointed ears, button nose, and thin lips made up her face. Four semi-translucent dragonfly wings came out of her back. She stood about 17.7cm (about twice the length of the long edge of a credit card) tall and wore a lime green tank top, black yoga pants, and grey sneakers.

That is not what I expected a fairy to wear I got to ask.

“Hey, I thought fairies wore flowing dresses or skirts made of grass and flowers. Why do you have on a tank top, yoga pants, and sneakers?” I asked.

She sighed “That's a cliche and kind of racist to assume that all fairies wear dresses and skirts made of plants. We have our own society you know, and we make just as many modern cloths as we do those dumb uncomfortable dresses. I mean I’m not judging you based on what I was taught dungeons look like you stupid rock.”

“Okay okay no need to go on a rant. I was just curious is all.” She got that upset because I commented on her clothes, I better watch my mouth around her then.

“No, I’m sorry Mr. Core I shouldn’t have gone off on you like that, since this is the first time we met, and I doubt you have seen another fairy before.”

Well, that ended better than I expected. “So, what's your name my fairy friend”

“I don’t have one. It is the duty of the Core to name the fairy and the Duty of the fairy to name the Core so that a personal bond is formed. It's mostly to keep us from trying to turn on each other, the names bind us to the other forever. So then shall we name each other my Core?”

“Is there anything that I should know before giving you a name. I really don’t want to screw this up” To whatever being is listening please let this be easy.

“It's not really hard, my core just speaks the name you want me to have, although names have power, if a name has a deeper meaning or synergies with the one to be named, they get extra powers and abilities. So, no pressure, just do your best.”

“Alright then as your core I name you Umbra my Dungeon Fairy!”

“And I name you Alaric my Dungeon!”

As it is said let it be known, the name Umbra has been bestowed upon the unnamed fairy and the name Alaric has been bestowed upon the unnamed dungeon. These are names of power let them be known to you now.

“What do you think it means by names of power Umbra?”

“No way no way no way. Alaric, I knew the name I gave you had power attached to it but I didn’t think you would grant me a name of power too. Quick use the (Inspect) ability on me to find out then look within yourself.” Okay (Inspect) Umbra.

Umbra

Sex: Female

Race: Shadow Blessed Dungeon Fairy

Name of Power: Umbra the shadowed one

Abilities: Dungeon Soul Link, Dungeon Knowledge, Shadow Manipulation, Fairy Royalty, Chosen of Faun Sway, Fey Knowledge

This fairy has been granted a name of power by another, as such they reap the rewards.

Name of Power: Umbra grants the named one control over the shadows and if applicable changes their race to a Shadow Blessed variant.

Fairy Royalty: by posing a name of power you have been recognized as minor fey royalty. Chosen of Faun Sway: you have been made the champion of the Goddess of Nature, Darkness, and Fairies.

Fey Knowledge: the magic and racial knowledge of the fey folk.

Dungeon Soul Link: bound to the soul of the Dungeon known as Alaric, if killed will be reborn next to the Dungeon Core.

Dungeon Knowledge: trained to support and aid dungeons in their growth and development.

I shared the information that I got with Umbra. “Nice thanks for sharing that with me Alaric, but it wasn’t necessary since I’m linked to you, I can get the same information you get. Still, it's important to remember that (Inspect) only gives the most basic information when used by one of the mortal races such as their name and their ability names, they don’t get this kind of detailed explanation. Only dungeons, gods, goddesses, and those connected to them can see this level of information about people or objects when using (Inspect).”

“Thanks Umbra I don’t think I would have figured that out for a while if left on my own.”

“No problem Alaric, now (Inspect) yourself after that we can really get started on your dungeon!”

(Inspect)

Alaric

Sex: N/A- Masculine

Race: Nether blessed Dungeon

Name of Power: Alaric all-powerful ruler

Abilities: Dungeon Creation, Fairy Soul Link, Nether blessed, Dungeon Control

This dungeon has been granted a name of power by another, as such they reap the rewards.

Name of Power: Alaric grants complete control over the land in which they rule and strengthens all who fight in their name, ensures commanders rise to serve.

Fairy Soul Link: a fairy has willingly bound their soul to yours as such as long as you live they cannot die and should their body perish a new one will be created at your location.

Dungeon Creation: allows the creation and expansion of a dungeon.

Dungeon Control: allows the user to control all functions of a dungeon including loot distribution and monster activity.

Nether Blessed: Blessed by all 7 Nether Gods.

“Okay I think I understand everything about my status except Nether Blessed, what is it?”

“That's rare, it means that all the Nether Gods have given you the right to use their domains as a dungeon theme when you start. It's a great honor since their domains are powerful and cover a wide range of creatures and concepts, they basically gave you a head start over other dungeons.”

That's something to think about, why bother with some new core, I’m sure they could give this to an already proven dungeon. There's nothing special about me right I mean I’m a normal core. For the first time in my new life, I use my senses to gaze upon myself. I don’t see the big deal I’d say I’m about 15cm around and 4.5cm tall so not very big but my colors seem off. My entire core seems to slowly pulse with colors every few seconds. I don’t think this is normal but what do I know, oh well just go with the flow. Time to start building.