Inexorable Chaos

Yesterday, the Adventurer’s Guild arrived at Lieking’s port onboard the Tempestas. Today, a partially destroyed pirate ship is anchored beside their own. The ship is small compared to the Tempestas, but still large enough for a decent enough sized [Pirate] crew. Franky scratches the stubble on his chin as he looks around the busy docks. [Sailors], [Stevedores], and [Shipwrights] bustle about, hauling materials and repairing the captured pirate vessel.

Eventually, Franky locates Russel and Everlet standing near the former pirate ship, talking. He walks up to them and both men stop their conversation.

“Ho, Franky!” Everlet calls and waves to him. “Fair morning to you! You’ve arrived a little late.”

Franky nods to them both. “Good morning. I was planning on returning yesterday, but we’ve already found the dungeon’s entrance and we wanted to get a base of operation set up.” he points at the ship, “I’m guessing we had visitors while I was gone?”

The [Lord] sighs. “Yes, it seems a nearby [Pirate Captain] noticed your ship and followed it to port,” he points in the distance where Gunwidow relaxes at the end of the wharf, a pirate captain’s hat perched at a jaunty angle on its turret, its barrel pointed out to sea. “Then your… thing shot the ship, killed their captain and a good number of their crew. The [Pirates] docked under a white flag and surrendered their ship, which the [Storm Captain] is taking ownership of.”

Franky glances curiously at the [Storm Captain]. “Are you sure you want a ship that was owned by pirates?”

Everlet nods. “She’s a good caravel. Recent damage aside, the former [Pirate Captain] took good care of her. If I fix her up, I can use her for extra cargo or I can sell her to a major port city.”

“Ships aside,” the [Lord] frowns, “that ship flew the colors of Ferrum’s fleet. The [Pirate Admiral] will know that he’s lost control of one of his ships. I fear the man may send one of his elites to figure out what happened.”

“Absolutely!” Everlet exclaims happily. “And when he does, I can add another ship to my fleet.” he pauses for a second as he blinks to his employer. “So long as you’re alright with that.”

Franky crosses his arms. He sighs. “That's fine, but just know that most of my strongest members will be diving the dungeon.”

“I just need her for defense,” he explains with a finger pointing at Gunwidow.

“I figured. I was planning on leaving Gunwidow to protect the port anyway.” He looks to the [Lord]. “Sorry about all this, but I promise you and your people will be safe while my guild is here.”

Russel slowly nods, clearly agitated by the situation. His world was turned upside down the moment the guild arrived. Originally, he’d hoped that they would be gone by the time Ferrum’s pirates showed up, but now he can only hope the Adventurers stay long enough to hold back the worst of things.

“If there is anything Lieking can do to assist, you only need to ask,” he says.

Everlet smiles and Franky nods politely. The young man knows that his presence has put Russel and his people in an uncomfortable position.

“Right, I have to round up some members and supplies for the dive later today. Keep me informed of what happens.” Franky walks off while Everlet and Russel return to their conversation.

_________________________________________

[Pirate Admiral] Ferrum looks up from his desk with a frown. He feels a [Captain] of his fleet die, followed by the ship’s vanishing from his fleet. With a frown, he opens a drawer, takes out a map and spreads it across his desk. He pinpoints his location on the map, then traces a line in the direction of where he felt the loss of his ship. One port lies along the line, the small mining port Lieking.

A tiny, unimportant place that now owes him a ship and a captain.

And as Ferrum’s irritation rises at the waste of it all, and as his aura churns about him, he knows, yes, he knows… he will get his due.

An aura is a manifestation of the will. Despite its manifold effects, the mental image one has to control it can cause changes in its development in such ways that can be helpful, harmful, or simply flavor the result.

Ferrum’s aura rushes out in a torrent, filling his cabin and bursting out over his fleet in a vast tide. The swell spreads out across the sea like a tsunami until it touches upon the [Pirate Commander] he is searching for. Then, the aura comes down with weight. As though the man is in the crushing embrace of the deep, his ears pop as the words flow past them.

“Erevan,” comes the pervasive whisper, “a ship of ours has been taken by the port of Lieking. Get it back, and leave a message.”

Through a porthole in Ferrum’s cabin, the feared admiral watches a frigate, one of his five, sail off with two brigantines for the town.

____________________________________

“You found no monsters down there?” Franky asks Darius who shakes his head.

“The Bulwark knows monsters fear his great might and would avoid him, but the Bulwark also knows that monsters can be stupid. The Bulwark is perplexed.”

The [Hero] taps his chin in thought as he looks down into the chasm that is the dungeon. The lack of monsters should be helpful, but this is unexpected. That means that there’s something important he’s not seeing. Regardless, his guild is here and ready to explore. They’ll have to play things by ear.

He stops kneeling and stands up straight. He turns to the adventurers crowded behind him.

“We don't know exactly what's down there or how dangerous it is, so I will head down with a small group to get a better understanding of the situation.” He pauses to allow everyone to digest his words. “I will be taking Darius, Calidi, and Jessa with me. Everyone else, be ready in case anything happens.”

Darius places a hand on Franky’s shoulder. “The Bulwark has a suggestion.”

Franky looks over. “I- Sure. What is it?”

Darius nods. “The Bulwark suggests everyone else constructs a forward supply base.”

The [Hero] blinks.

“Huh. That’s a good idea,” Caldidi chimes in. “I wasn’t expecting it from you though.”

“Hmph,” Darius snorts. “The Bulwark has gone on many expeditions.”

Franky finally shakes his head and reenters the discussion. “Yes, we should do that. Can you do that?” he asks Turnock.

He shrugs. “I don’t see why not. We’ll follow behind, set up more bases on the way, yeah?”

Franky smiles. “Great! Is there anything else…?” he trails off, but is met with silence. “Then,” he turns to his group, “let’s go.”

They nod at his words and Franky.

“Then the Bulwark will go first.” Darius walks past Franky and jumps into the chasm. Moments later, Franky hears the report of Darius crashing into the bottom like a meteor.

Calidi gives Franky a finger-waggling wave. “Keep up,” she taunts, sprouts fiery wings, and glides into the abyss.

Franky looks at the entrance and the plain, sturdy, unassuming staircase descending into the darkness, then he looks at Jessa, who gazes at him, her eyes aglow with hope and adoration. He looks back at the staircase and then turns to Jessa and holds out his arms.

Jessa grins giddily and jumps into his arms. She grabs his head and gives him a full kiss with tongue and all. Franky’s eyes bug for a moment in surprise and his face quickly reddens.The waiting crowd whistles and hoots. Removing himself from her lips, he jumps into the hole and summons a sword of light. He lands on it and orders the weapon to descend downward.

He arrives at the bottom to find Darius standing in the center of a small crater and Calidi looking around with several dozen balls of fire illuminating everything.

He sniffs the air. It’s dusty and stale. He sends out a bit of mana and tests his surroundings. The ambient mana density is so high they ought to be near the bottom of a high tier dungeon. The fact no monsters are found at this level is quite disconcerting, but the most disconcerting thing is that he is not getting a, “you have entered a dungeon,” message. Every dungeon he has been to has always had some message, some name that is either given by someone or by the system.

“Alright, where are we heading to?” he asks and Darius points behind him. Franky turns and finds a tunnel leading deeper.

“Jess, scout in front. Tell us if you notice anything out of the ordinary.”

She hops out of his arms. “Will do. [Pall of Shadows].”

Her skill activates and her body disappears from sight.

“Damn,” Calidi whistles, “that's a pretty good stealth skill for a [Rogue]. Normally I can still sense body temperatures, but she’s completely gone.

“She’s actually a [Shadowblade],” Franky starts walking, “she just has a skill that spoofs most [Analyze] abilities.”

_______________________________________

POSSIBLE THREATS DETECTED.

ALERTING DUNGEON ADMINISTRATOR.

ADMINISTRATOR ABSENT FROM COMMAND CENTER. ALERT NOT RECEIVED.

SEARCHING FOR SECONDARY AUTHORITY…

SECONDARY AUTHORITY NOT FOUND.

SEARCHING FOR TERTIARY AUTHORITY…

TERTIARY AUTHORITY NOT FOUND.

…

…

ALL SYSTEM ADMINISTRATORS ABSENT.

…

…

ACTIVATING EMERGENCY DEFENSE PROTOCOL.

LIFTING ATLANTIS STEALTH PROTOCOL.

ACTIVATING GOLEM DEFENSE SYSTEM.

________________________________

You have entered the dungeon, [Atlantis].

Franky freezes, as does both Darius and Calidi.

“Somethings changed,” Darius exclaims with a frown.

Calidi grunts softly in acknowledgement while Franky stares at the message displayed in front of him.

“I think,” Franky pauses as he carefully surveils the surroundings, “the dungeon just woke up.”

Before anyone else can say anything, the ground rumbles ominously. A moment later and an unstealthed Jessa runs back from around a corner.

“ENEMIES ARE COMING!” she shouts. She rushes behind the group as the ground trembles more and more.

“What happened? What did you see?” Franky asks.

“Golems! Lots of them, and they can see through my stealth somehow.”

Franky turns towards the sound. He glances at the Named. Darius has both of his tower shields at the ready and Calidi is already wielding her spear.

“Stay behind us. [Lightform: Shield and Sword].” he orders Jessa and takes a stance. With a flick of his wrists, a glowing sword and shield materialize in his hands. At the same time, [Transcending Armor] activates. His enchanted mithril breastplate, pauldrons, greaves, and vambraces glow brightly and illuminate the cavern.

The rumbling increases and the first enemy steps out of the corner followed by several dozen more.

Humanoid metal golems, large as trucks, rush the group. Their metal bodies shimmer with magical light, the center of their chests that house their cores, gleam menacingly.

“[Analyze]”

Atlantis Defense Golem, Archer Variant: Level 137

Created by the [Grand Enchanters] of Atlantis, these monsters of metal are built to withstand both physical and magical onslaughts. This version is able to release blasts of superheated energy from their palms.

[Elemental Resistance]

[Greater Physical Resistance]

[Greater Regeneration]

Atlantis Defense Golem, Combat Variant: Level 125

Created by the [Grand Enchanters] of Atlantis, these monsters of metal are built to withstand both physical and magical onslaughts. This version is able to transform their arms into weapons at will.

[Elemental Resistance]

[Greater Physical Resistance]

[Greater Regeneration]

Atlantis Defense Golem, Command Variant: Level 156

Created by the [Grand Enchanters] of Atlantis, these monsters of metal are built to withstand both physical and magical onslaughts. This version is able to learn and adapt to the battlefield and is able to command all other variants at will.

[Elemental Resistance]

[Greater Physical Resistance]

[Greater Regeneration]

[True Sight]

[Greater Awareness]

The moment the hoard notices Franky, Calidi, and Darius, the command variant’s chest glows and the golems form ranks. They advance as a squad, the command variant and archer variants at the back shielded by the combat variants in the vanguard.

As they do, Calidi points her spear at the group. “[Maximize spell], [Triplicate spell], [Molten Meteor].”

Her spear glows for a second and three balls of fire appear in a triangle around the spearhead. They shine, first a vibrant red, then yellow, then white, then a cool blue. The stone cavern walls around her glow red from the radiant heat. She thrusts her spear and launches the attack.

The command variant's core glows again. The combat variants step forward with arms extended. The arms turn to shields and interlock with the others into a shield wall.

Calidi sees the formation and snorts. Before her attack hits, she releases her domain. Like fire, it spreads rapidly across every surface before suffusing the air.

You are under the effect of [Scorching Ground]

You are 2770% more inflammable.

Franky feels like the temperature just skyrocketed, but he ignores the feeling as he watches as the three balls of light seem to grow even brighter.

The impact happens a second later and the earth shudders as a shockwave of heat and air washes over everyone in the large tunnel.

When the dust finally settles, he can hear Calidi click her teeth in annoyance. Almost all of the golems are still standing. Only two golems in the center of the shield wall are destroyed, their cores melted from her spell, but the rest? In mere seconds, the golems replace their heavily damaged armor segments with new, shiny plates, and restore their formation.

Calidi smiles and lowers her stance. “Looks like we’re going to have to do this the hard way.”