Dungeon of Doors

~ Mother, Aquartis ~

The tengku--as I discovered they call themselves--are still adjusting to their new home. Thankfully they should have some time before the adventurers finish level three, so it isn't an issue. What is an issue is the lack of sea dragons in Kagami Sea! That section of level three needs a few of them to ensure the place fits the right vibe I want. They also serve as hazards in certain sections, so creating a few there is important.

I've got just about the right amount of mana for three more sea dragons, or at least I think I do. The process isn't so simple as throwing mana together, though. For this I need to be careful. Step by step, bone by bone, I have to knit the creatures together without letting their massive bodies fall apart.

I start to grip my mana in each nonexistent hand as I look at Levithan. He's going to serve as my reference material. His long scaled body is difficult to observe all at once, but I can manage it if I concentrate.

My mana folds and twists over itself as I begin my work. Bones first, massive off white pieces connected by ligaments and connective tissues. The veins, nerves, and other inner workings cover the body like a spiderweb stretched across prey. Scales and muscle finally wrap the unfinished form of the sea dragon. I finish filling out each feature, carving each detail to perfection, knowing that if I had a body right now I'd be sweating.

This sea dragon is very different from Levithan. It's longer in length and its emerald green scales are sharper. I don't yet bring it to life, as I need to ensure it doesn't get startled by the other sea dragons being created beside it.

I move onto the next sea dragon. This one isn't too difficult since I've just done the process, but it still requires immense focus. When I'm finished my mana reserves are drained and my mind fatigued. The shorter yet fatter sea dragon has deep violet scales that shimmer shades of blue and red in the light.

The final sea dragon takes the longest. Not because it is especially large, but because I'm running on fumes at this point. Creating three of these things has been harder than I anticipated. I do manage it, though, and my mana is nearly all gone as I finish the pale blue tinged sea dragon. I don't bother to observe them any further--I give them a jolt of life.

Roars so great they create tidal waves erupt in concert. Each sea dragon whips its body around with the ferocity of a ravenous beast, while their eyes widen with the influx of information. The deafening vocalizations of the newly created dragons don't stop for several minutes. When they finally do stop I'm left watching the three dragons stare each other down with about as much friendliness as two enemies on a battlefield.

They won't mind sharing the space, right?

~ Kingsley, Vicinity of Aquartis ~

The stink of this village is the same as I remember. We were only gone for a few days, but I enjoyed every minute away from this stench of fish. Unfortunately there aren't any other dungeons I can go to, so I have to bear with this fishy hamlet.

"Boss, is there really a dungeon here?"

Our new guy, Davis, is still questioning the legitimacy of our story. It really gets on my nerves how often this asshole asks questions. Clyde was stupid, but at least he shut up when I told him to. Geoff answers the question for me.

"Boss would never lie! Besides, we've all seen it, Davis."

"Well, it's just hard to believe another one would-"

I turn on my heel to give Davis a hard glare. He shuts up, letting me speak.

"Shut your mouth if you're just going to spout nonsense! We're almost at the dungeon. Just wait a wee bit and we'll be in the damn thing getting all the treasure you could ever want."

Davis nods at my words. I turn away and continue the trek to the dungeon. We make our way past the pitiful shacks the peasants here call home, and toward the docks. Davis is looking around with searching eyes the closer we get to the river.

We walk alongside the river, treading its banks until we're nearly at the old dock. That's when we hear voices coming from beneath the dock. Someone else is in the dungeon right now, and they're gabbing about something. I hold a hand up to stop my men from speaking as we creep closer.

"Where are we going to find a key? There hasn't been one in the dungeon so far."

They're looking for a key? What an interesting coincidence.

"We have to search again. I'm sure it will be in one of the chests, if not in the first level then the second."

"Why not try the third level? The key might be near to the door."

I've heard enough. I get the picture here, and I'm going to benefit from it. I stride confidently around the corner with my men in tow. We step into the dungeon to see a group of mismatched folks. Two village teens, a lad with an eye patch, a fancy looking lady, and an older man with a dangerous air about him. The group isn't what I'm expecting, but it doesn't matter.

"Careful, friend."

The older man in the group calmly warns me, his eyes glinting as he stares at me like a cat would a mouse. I swallow, instinctual fear tickling my stomach as I realize this man isn't one to be messed with. Thankfully I'm not looking for a fight. I raise a hand as a conciliatory gesture before introducing myself to the motley crew.

"Greetings, fellow adventurers. I'm Kingsley, and this here is my party."

Instead of the dangerous older man, the younger one with the eye patch steps forward. He holds out a hand as if to offer a handshake in greeting.

"I am Billy of Daywark. Well met."

Taking his hand, I shake it.

"I couldn't help but overhear you were looking for a key?"

"Yes, we've run into some trouble in the dungeon. Why do you ask?"

Reaching into my pocket, I pull out the blue tinted metallic key we found in the sewer level of the dungeon. The thing catches the blue light of the dungeon as I hold it aloft. The one eyed man looks somewhat surprised to see the key. The fancy looking woman and the older man don't seem as impressed.

"I've procured this key in the dungeon. How about we work together?"

"What is in it for you?" The well dressed woman asks.

"Safe passage. If we give you this key then we'd like to be taken to the door without having to put ourselves at risk, but once inside we can simply work in tandem."

The group looks uncertain. While the two villagers are sidelined in favor of the older adults, it is clear they're suspicious of me. They're right to suspect me. I'm not honorable man. What makes this deal a genuine offer is the presence of that old tiger in their group. I don't want to wind up with his knife in my gut, so I'm going to honor whatever agreement we come to.

It doesn't take very long for them to come to an agreement. Their whispers cease and the one eyed man turns to regard me with a friendly smile. Behind him I can see the woman and man glaring daggers at me.

"We'll take your offer. Safe passage to the door, and entry so that we might explore the area beyond together."

I can't stop a toothy smile from spreading across my face. I grab the one eyed man's hand, shaking it with the familiarity of an old friend. He smiles a little himself, taken by my enthusiasm. At least one of these people is easy to win over.

After the agreement is made we exchange information. Apparently the third level of this dungeon is an odd one, with underwater combat required to progress. Davis is looking nervous at the prospect. Geoff and Dick simply grit their teeth, likely remembering what happened with Clyde. It won't happen this time--we've got protection.

When the conversation is over we make our way into the dungeon's third level. Farumi, real strange name that I can't make heads or tails of. Stepping through the door is a real treat. Foggy grey in all directions with a black calm sea.

"Damn, you weren't kidding. This place is off."

I walk to the edge of the stone platform. Peering over gives me a view of those shiny fish they mentioned. They're beautiful, but I don't like them one bit. Something that pretty can't be innocent in a place like this.

"The door is at the bottom of this structure we're standing on. Everyone needs water breathing potions, or they won't make it."

"Water breathing potions?" Davis questions.

Somehow he missed that part of our conversation. I'm beginning to wonder if taking him on was a mistake, seeing how he's not been very useful so far.

"Potions we get from this dungeon. They make it so you can breath both water and air, but they're a bit uncomfortable to use."

Davis nods in understanding. With the questions out of the way we start preparing to dive into the water. Each of my boys strips some of their gear off to make themselves suited to swimming around. We each take a good gulp of a water breathing potion, thankful for the supply the sewer level gave us.

Once everyone is ready the groups converge. Billy-the one eyed man-leads the way. He dives into the water followed by each of his group members, the two teenagers taking up the rear. Our turn. We take the plunge with a bit less discipline.

Diving into the water isn't pleasant. It's quite cold, and the salty water stings in my eyes. Breathing it in isn't very comfortable either. One look back at the boys tells me we're good to proceed. Davis is looking a bit uncomfortable, but otherwise things are good. We follow Billy's group down.

First we swim into the structure. The doorway leads into stairs, the winding staircase somewhat cramped and claustrophobic. We've got to use the dungeon lantern we got from the sewer level here. It lights the way forward.

As we descend we pass a corpse of a particularly large fish. Dick is freaked out by it for some reason, but I can't exactly ask him about it when we're underwater like this. We keep going only to end up at a chamber. Inside there's another corpse. Billy's group must have made quick work of the monster. It's the same tentacled beast from the sewer, except this one had to contend with less space.

No words can be exchanged in the waterlogged room. Instead we simply communicate with looks and gestures. Billy motions to the door, a grand thing set into the wall. I move over to him and slot the key into the lock. It fits--something I was gambling on--and with a muffled click the key slides fully into the lock. I can't pull it out as it slides away. The door sinks, moving aside to reveal more stone structure.

I take the chance to swim through first. The floor turns to stairs after a few meters. Looking up reveals the ceiling is gone here, and instead the surface of the water is revealed. I swim up and cough, ejecting the water from my lungs as I take in gasps of air.

What I see leaves my jaw agape. Water, floating above us. Shapes moving in the middle distance. Long glittering serpents that defy logic. I climb out of the basin and find myself standing on a stone platform in the middle of a roiling sea. There's a massive stone temple built in the same style as the pavilion we just swam beneath.

An immense eye glares down at me from above, and I shudder.

Apparently sea serpents are very real.