Chapter 45

Note: Thanks to Alex for beta reading this!

Halia and the orcs were almost to the elevator when suddenly the world lurched. She gasped and found herself in the bedroom. She blinked as she looked around. Garnet was bouncing up and down. Terra was rubbing at her forehead in awe. Hagane ran over and embraced and kissed Lana Fulmine. Mrs. Baldwin nodded her head in approval.

“What happened?” She asked.

“We missed it,” Baaghi said. The rakshasa shook her feline head. “We missed it all.”

The door to the Vault opened and Leo stepped inside into the bedroom. He looked around at them, naked but looking whole. “Led’s dead.”

“Yeah, he kicked his ass,” Maya said. She was at his side, clinging to him. It was rather close, though.”

“But I came in and saved the day,” Garnet said. “Kweh, heh, heh, that valkyrie didn’t see that coming.”

“No, she didn’t,” Leo said. He smiled at Halia. “I’m glad you’re safe.”

“I wish I was here,” the paladin said, her black braid sweeping down her back as she looked around. The room looked normal, but she felt that it was only because Leo had put it back together. “I don’t understand.”

“Led used his dwarven slaves,” Leo said, anger on his face. He pointed to the room where six or seven dwarves lay unconscious. From the other room, the orcs, will o’ wisps, and werebears stepped into the room. Leo glanced up at the orc at the front. “Zobens, carry these dwarves to Astovin village. When they wake up, let them go. Speak with the mayor and make sure they have provisions to see them returned to their home.”

“My Lord,” Zobens nodded. Then she started barking orders like a general.

Halia came up to Leo. She swallowed. “I am sorry I missed it. I was...”

He smiled at her. “Having fun with the monster girls.” Leo pulled her to him with his free arm. “Halia, that’s one of the perks of being my girlfriend.”

“Girlfriend?” The word was strange to her.

“His lover,” Maya said. “His paramour.”

“Oh, yes, I am that,” Halia said with pride. She was a dungeon builder’s paramour. That was such a strange concept to her. She pressed her body against his, rubbing her nipples into his strong chest. Then she kissed him.

Halia’s world was a strange one. But she was glad to have it. She kissed the dungeon builder she loved. She would help him convince the rest of the world that he was a man worth supporting. Humans, dwarves, elves, and halflings would all learn that at least one dungeon builder was their friend.

“I think you should keep Smerta,” said Maya as I stood before the Void Crystal. The orcs and other monster girls were leading away the dwarven prisoners. None of them had died.

There was that.

I had destroyed Led’s body when I repaired my dungeon. The hole that had been dug in was restored with mountain stone. I had to come up with a way to keep that from happening again. I needed to keep a portion of my dungeon this high up to tap into the mana vein here. But it was clear it left my Vault and myself in danger. I liked the idea of having my lair up high. Close to the surface but ... Beneath would make more sense. It was why dungeons in video games had you delving into the earth most of the time. You went deeper and deeper. It wasn’t just a metaphor for venturing further into the dark.

It was practical if you, the dungeon builder, wanted to stay alive.

“You want me to keep...” I blinked. “Which one is Smerta?”

“The valkyrie,” said Maya. “I think she would serve you.”

I hadn’t kept either of Ziamili’s companions. I hated Ziamili for what his monster girls had done to Halia. Led I detested, but it wasn’t the same. It didn’t feel nearly as personal to me. I considered it. The valkyrie was a fierce fighter.

“And the fairy?” I asked.

“She’s fun,” said Garnet. “I could have someone I can fly around with and play jokes.”

“Yeah, let’s not keep her,” Lana said, a smile on her face. “Imagine having to deal with two Garnets.”

“I know!” Garnet sighed. My little sister’s tail flicked back and forth with such mirth. “It’ll be soooooooo awesome, big bro! Let’s do it!”

“Then there’s the question of who you will summon next,” Terra said. She rubbed at my chest with her gray fingers. They were soft and malleable. She touched the Light Glyph, seven of the cuneiform-like arrows that formed a sun, the lines pointing out from where their triangular bases all touched to form a circle. Then she slid over to the Ice Glyph. It was a narrow V like an icicle that hung down. “Which cute girl from school are you going to choose.”

“Alizee the cheerleader?” asked Maya, a big grin on her watery face.