Chapter 15

Note: Thanks to Alex for beta reading this!

My heart raced as I burst into my throne room. I was hastily dressed in my gray robes with my silver breastplate over it. I held my spear. Lana and Garnet flanked me, all the bliss of our morning fun forgotten as the alarm echoed around us.

Usiku stood at the top of the map sunk in the room. She frowned.

“What?” I asked the fomorian.

“The enemy hasn’t entered the dungeon yet,” she said. “He’s waiting at the door.”

I stared at the map. There were two red dots in the entrance cave. They were right at the door. Several blue dots, representing the will o’ wisps and wildhounds, waited near the entrance door to pounce on the intruder.

“Are they having trouble opening the door?” I asked, staring at the map. “I mean, it’s locked, right? Are they those ill-equipped adventurers?”

“No idea,” Usiku said. “My previous master’s dungeon was invaded once by an adventuring party, but they had no problem with the door. It’s almost as if they’re ... waiting.”

Then one of the red dots flashed bright. It pulsed. “Okay, what’s going on.”

“He wants to communicate with you,” Souleen said. “It’s a dungeon builder.”

I swallowed. “Another one already?”

“I guess so. If you concentrate on the flashes, your minds will connect through the magic of your dungeon.”

I sighed. I guessed I better speak to him. I gripped my lightning spear—I really needed to learn how to use this—and concentrated on the dot. I had been hoping to have some time to gain proficiency in my powers before another dungeon builder or my first adventuring party arrived.

“Hello,” I said. “I am Leo.” Then, feeling foolish, added, “The lord of this dungeon.”

“Leo...” the man said. “Is that your real name, or did you adopt it upon entering this world?”

“Real name,” I said. Why would I adopt a new one? “Who are you?”

“Fuegin,” he said. He had a jovial tone to his voice. “Not my earth name, but one I thought was fitting for this world. For my new role. I would love to come in and have a chat. Meet the newcomer. I hear you defeated that ill-mannered Mthunzi.”

“I did.” Caution gripped me. Then, to Souleen, I asked, “He just wants to talk?”

“Probably. I mean, what other friends to you get as a dungeon builder besides your companions? Make him swear on his Void Crystal.”

I nodded then concentrated on Fuegin. “I would enjoy a conversation, but—”

“I swear by my Void Crystal that I, Fuegin, and my vassal, Amante, shall not harm you or yours. I ask leave to enter your dungeon and be granted safe passage to your presence.”

A nervousness rippled through me. If Souleen said it was okay... “I swear by my Void Crystal that you shall have safe passage to me and be allowed to leave unmolested so long as you do nothing to threaten or harm myself or my vassals.”

“Agreed,” he said.

I glanced down at one of the dots near him. The wildhound Du. “Du, guide him to me.”

“Yes, Lord Leo,” she said excitedly. It was nice to know that I could communicate with my monster girls this way.

I glanced at my two companions and Usiku. “We have a guest coming in. Fuegin. He’s got a monster girl named Amante with him.”

“Pretty name,” Garnet said. “So he’s not coming to fight.”

“He said he won’t, but let’s be ready. We’ll outnumber him two to one.”

My monster girls nodded.

I sat on my throne, Garnet sitting on my armrest in a cute position, reclined back on my shoulder with her arm draped over my neck. Lana and Usiku flanked me, standing ready for any trouble. Usiku could shape weapons of darkness and Lana had her lightning.

What could Garnet do in a fight?

No time to figure that out. Their dots were no longer red, but green. A new color. No longer hostile but not one of my monster girls. Du led Fuegin and Amante through the dungeon unerringly. To my knowledge, the monster girls had never wandered it. I had placed them in their spots via the magic of the Void Crystal. Perhaps they all had a map of the dungeon in their mind.

My stomach tightened as they passed through trap rooms without setting them off. My pledge was controlling the dangers of my dungeon automatically. I hated that he was seeing the layout, though, like the hidden door that led to my throne room. Was this just a way to scout my domain? Should I scramble things up after he left?

He passed down the hallway, through Usiku’s guard post, and then was at the door to my throne room. I straightened. Garnet wiggled about to get more comfortable. I drew in a short breath, preparing myself.

Du pushed the doors open, a great big smile on her lips. She immediately darted to the side and fell onto all fours, her tail wagging happily. Behind her came my two guests. Fuegin and his monster girl, Amante.

I frowned. He had bronze skin. Not like someone with a deep tan, but actual skin that looked bronze with eyes that were glowing bright like coals. How had he made his body look like that? Fire was obviously his element since he had a cape of it burning down his back. He wore a sleeveless, red robe he had tied loosely to show off his muscular chest. He strode with strength and confidence into the room. He had power.

Beside him walked a gorgeous monster girl. A busty woman who looked to be made out of cooled magma, the outer surface black and smooth but fissures of glowing red ran across her curvaceous figure. Her hair was like his cloak, a mane of flames that burned down her back in defiance of gravity. Her eyes had the same glow as his.

“She’s a cherfu, Lord Leo,” Souleen said. “And he has power. More than one glyph, but fire must be his primary one.”

“What a delightful place you have here,” said Fuegin. “It’s basic, but so were my first few incarnations. You have some panache, though. A labyrinth right off the bat. It took me weeks to figure out that trick.”

“Thanks,” I said, not sure what else to say. “I’m curious why you’re here. The last dungeon builder I met...”

“Yes, yes, him.” Fuegin blanched as he crossed the map and then stopped before my throne. “He was a little pissant. Some men, you give them a taste of power and they burn with it. Too hot. They destroy everything around them.”

“Not you?” I arched an eyebrow. “You literally are wearing a flaming cloak.”

“I know, it’s ostentatious, isn’t it?” He laughed in self-mocking deprecation. “I like to play the trope, you know. Look all badass for when I have my audiences. It cows the locals. Keeps them from causing problems with my dungeon.”

“I see,” I said.

“Like that lightning breastplate you have on over your robes.” He cocked his head. “Why does that make me think of Lord of the Rings? That can’t be right. Gandalf didn’t wear a breastplate, did he?”

“No,” I said. “Is that why you’re here?”

“I’m here to say hi.” He smiled. “You know, be all neighborly. We’re not that close neighbors, but, still, I thought I’d introduce myself. See if you were a prick.” He glanced at my sister. “At least you have some kinky tastes. She would look good in thigh-high boots.”

“Yes, I would,” Garnet said. “Big bro, would you make me some boots.”