"Something is planting Void Crystals in the world. Something that wants them to survive. They need guardians. Us. Why?"
"I really do not know," Fuegin said. "Fresh blood." He grinned. "I knew you were one to seek out as an ally. You are not bent on the pleasure or the freedom. Some of the builders are sociopaths. They revel in the power they have. In the ability to inflict harm. They have lost their humanity. Others just become bitter over being forced to defend themselves. They don't care about the why, only the present. But you're not jaded. Not tainted. You're seeing clearly. I think we can figure this out."
"Are there any libraries in this world?" I asked. "Any places that information of Void Crystals might be stored? The scientist--"
"Scholars is probably a better word," said Fuegin.
I shrugged. "So the scholars of this world must have studied Void Crystals. Obviously, dungeon builders die to adventurers. They must have some theories about us. Some ideas on why we're here. Have you ever gone to one?"
Fuegin rubbed at the back of his neck. "I hadn't even thought of it. Huh. That's not bad. The Great Library of Lyrialiasa is maintained by the elves in the Greenleaf Woods. It's far closer to your domain than mine. It lies beyond Myrecilla, the capital of these lands. They are said to have preserved knowledge lost to others. Damn, it's simple. I feel like an idiot for not seeing it."
I shrugged. "It happens. I've seen that in video games. You get so used to playing a game one way and then your friend shows you something you didn't even think about and it changes everything."
"Video... game?" he asked.
"Right, right. You just must be from the 1950s or something. Damn, you missed out on a lot of crazy shit."
He shrugged.
"Okay, this library is a start," I said, smiling. I was glad to have some direction now. A path to walk. That was good. I wanted to know why I was here. This was important to me. Maybe the most important thing in the world. "I'll send word to the elves. See if they'll help us."
"Just going to ask, huh?" Fuegin smiled.
"What's the worse they do? Say no? They might say yes."
"You're optimistic."
"So optimistic," Garnet said. "My big brother thought he could make it with a movie star, and look, he's got Lana Fulmine here. If you were alive when she started playing Jane Dangerous in her booty shorts, well, you would have been a fan, Fuegin. But positive thinking can get you far."
"Yes, it can," Lana said, a big smile on her silvery lips. Lightning crackled amid the strands of her hairs.
"Well, I wouldn't get your hopes up," said Fuegin. He gave a bow. "But it's a worthy way to try. You know how to get word to me."
He had given me a scroll with a seal on it. I nodded.
He whirled and marched out. I leaned back in my throne room. I hoped I made the right decision to be friends with him. Was he telling the truth about his lands? Had he truly changed from the monster who had burned down two cities?
I sighed, not sure I made the right decision at all.
***
Bitterness stewed in Halia as she marched into Astovin a few hours after the bastard Fuegin had left. She ached for that vengeance, but her lord and lover would deny her that opportunity. He was right, which was what galled her the most.
She wanted to make the world better, and killing Fuegin, while satisfying, would only spill more blood. She'd made a choice and turned her back on being an adventurer. She had sworn her blade to Lord Leo. Lady Sherida, Goddess of Light, had agreed. She had blessed Halia.
Still... To have been so close to her father's murderer and not able to gut him infuriated her.
She stamped down the road before the others. Leo had come with Maya, Lana, Mrs. Baldwin, and Garnet. He brought all his companions and favorites to keep him safe while leaving the dungeon in the care of his monster girls.
It was always a risk to come here, but he had a purpose. Another dungeon builder would have simply attacked the library and seized what he wanted. Or, at least, threatened the elves with destruction and devastation if they did not hand over what he desired.
Lord Leo had written a beseeching letter.
As the party approached the edges of Astovin, Halia noticed a group of girls gathering. Young women with big smiles on their lips. Halia frowned as they watched their party. They had looks on their faces of interest.
They are attracted to Lord Leo, she thought.
A group of young men was gathering, too. They looked angry. Muttering. They didn't like their sweethearts casting dewy eyes on Lord Leo. Halia shivered. They would use this to feed their anger at a "dungeon builder." They would pretend it was okay to hate Lord Leo because of what he was. They would feel emboldened. After all, it was okay to despise dungeon builders. To attack them and murder them.
Murder... Halia thought. When did I start thinking it was murder to slay a dungeon builder?
*********_***********
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