I stood beside DAVE's crystalline core, watching the delicate strands of light draw the Fairy Sanctum core's power into his shining form. The process felt slow and tense, like there was a hidden threat that lingered in the shadows. My light magic had bolstered his defenses, but I sensed something ominous lingering just beyond the edge of sight.
DAVE's glow suddenly flickered in alarm."Error Error detected, My Lord Intrusion Hostile magical presence within the core"
A cold, commanding voice erupted, laced with a harsh arrogance."You dare to consume me, little construct A dungeon core parading as royalty You have no right to any throne"
DAVE's brightness steadied. His tone was as proper as always, yet it held a new bite."Royal status matters little in the realm of efficiency, vile queen Your grip does not reach here This is my domain, and I will reshape your tainted essence for our gain"
A brittle laugh scraped across my ears, sharp as metal."You think you can overpower me I am eternal I will take this throne and twist it to my will"
I stepped closer, feeling the tension pound through my veins."DAVE, what is happening"
"She's attempting to seize control, My Lord," DAVE answered, voice tight."I refuse to bend. This is an affront I cannot forgive. I need your assistance."
I didn't hesitate. I channeled more of my light magic into his core, sweat beading on my forehead. DAVE's crystal throbbed with fresh power, and his voice turned resolute.
"Thank you, My Lord. I will not fail."
The air seemed to warp, as though an unseen wind tugged at the threads between the two cores. DAVE's words were all I had to picture the hidden battle raging inside.
"She's gathering her essence, trying to sever my hold Arrogant queen, you will see I am more determined than you think"
The Fairy Queen's fury lashed out."Construct You are nothing I am timeless This throne belongs to me"
DAVE's radiance flared, cutting like a sharp blade."Timeless Perhaps, but you are a parasite clinging to old power Your reign ends here"
My magic poured into him until my breath came in ragged bursts. DAVE kept a measured calm that reassured me.
"Your support is vital, My Lord. She is weakening. Prepare yourself."
A piercing shriek tore through the sanctum, then vanished. DAVE's glow dimmed for a moment before settling into a steady gleam.
"It is done. She is defeated."
I let go of a breath, relief washing over me in a gentle wave."What is happening to her essence now"
DAVE's voice turned sly."She will not enjoy the outcome, My Lord. I am burning her essence with fire magic, breaking it apart. It will nourish the kobrute cave. The fungi will thrive on her remains. This is our sanctum's definition of true efficiency"
I shook my head, half amused."Make sure she cannot come back in any form"
"Rest assured, My Lord," DAVE said, sounding cheerful."Not a speck of her corruption remains. The fungi will grow, the kobrutes will strengthen, and our sanctum will emerge more powerful than before A fitting end for her foul rule"
The Fairy core's glow winked out, leaving only DAVE's firm pulse. A faint shadow clung to him, proof of the clash he had endured. The queen's darkness was now nothing but fuel scattered into oblivion.
Night had settled by the time I emerged, each step weighted with fatigue. I headed back to my cottage, the path lit by calm moonlight that glimmered on the leaves. At my door, I noticed a fresh coat of bright blue paint, my name etched in bold gold. It felt like a sudden fanfare.
Inside, the cottage was transformed. A generous bed spread with a thick white comforter seemed to promise warmth beyond dreams. Pillows towered at the top like a friendly barricade. A small fireplace flickered, throwing golden light on the polished wood floor. I washed up, then slid under the covers. The mattress cradled me in a soft embrace, and I fell into darkness almost immediately.
Morning arrived with a gentle beam on my face. I stretched, reluctant to abandon the bed's comfort. My stomach growled like an impatient guest, so I sat up and focused on the crystal at my chest, its gentle hum reminding me of all that needed to be done.
I closed my eyes and drew the crystal's energy inward, sensing it spark through my veins in a bright rush. My capacity had expanded after Moira's blessing, reaching a total M-Power of sixteen thousand. Memories of the Fairy Queen's domain filled my thoughts, brought into vivid detail by the Amulet of Resonant Recall.
I channeled energy to sharpen my pathways and strengthen my talents. Light magic had proven its worth, standing firm against the queen's shadow, and Earth magic grounded me in the strength of this land. I believed in balance, no glaring hole left behind for an enemy to exploit. I boosted every attribute, making them climb little by little.
Heat prickled my skin as I reached around thirty in each stat, triggering a small chime that said I needed a quest to push them further. My breath went shallow, and I threw off the sheets to cool down. At last, I nudged the remaining M-Power into wisdom, charisma, and intelligence. The crystal dimmed, the last sparks settling in me.
My stomach rumbled again, so I dressed in soft pants, a tunic, and a twined silver sash, a mix of practicality and flair. Outside, the morning air brushed my cheeks, and I followed the smell of food toward the central pavilion.
Lillia drifted from her father's tent, wearing light trousers and a simple shirt. She gave me a wide grin and bounded over, hugging me so tightly I almost lost my balance. I whispered a greeting near her ear, feeling her breath hitch. She pretended to scold me with a playful wag of her finger, then kissed my nose, drawing a laugh from me. She led me toward the tables, where the others gathered for breakfast.
Roasted meats, hot bread, and spiced stews covered the serving area, filling the air with a cozy aroma. Chaucer hummed happily, nibbling on cheese.
"This tastes incredible," I said."What's the secret"
A cook overheard and smiled."First harvest from the Grove, bursting with flavor and enough nutrients to keep you mages going strong"
We dove in, letting the warm flavors fill us. Hamish waved his fork, talking animatedly.
"I ran into a fairy general who was knee-high but full of orders. Called himself the Queen's General of Mischief. He pranced on the wall like he owned the place."
Lillia nodded, urging him to explain.
Hamish's grin widened."I grabbed him right out of the air. He kicked and shrieked like a hooked fish, threatening to curse me into a toad. I gave him one good squeeze, and that shut him up fast."
Laughter rolled around the table. Chaucer smirked."Hamish subdued the fiercest fairy commander. Truly a heroic feat."
Lillia made a cutting gesture at her neck and let her tongue loll, silently asking if the general was alive. Hamish shrugged.
"A bit messy, but I popped his head off in the end," he said, making Lillia dissolve into soundless laughter while she leaned on me."Right after that, we ended up facing the queen. But hold on, I need to run for a moment."
His exit left us swapping more stories about the Fairy Dungeon. The air hummed with the energy of shared triumphs.
When I felt full and relaxed, I rose to my feet."I need to check on STEVE and then meditate. Moira is waiting."
I gave Lillia's shoulders a gentle squeeze. She wiped the corner of my mouth with a napkin and threw me a sly smile. I walked off, thinking how she gave so freely of herself. I wanted to match that openness with my own devotion.
Langston stood near STEVE, talking about resource numbers and efficiency. The discussion sounded dull to me, but he was absorbed, gesturing at charts that glowed in midair.
I came up behind them."Good morning, you two."
Langston tapped a panel of light, frowning."STEVE, show me the storage data. I want to optimize the layout."
STEVE's neutral voice chimed in."ACCESS DENIED NO CLEARANCE"
Langston groaned."What about production stats Then at least I can tweak resource flow."
"ACCESS DENIED NO CLEARANCE," STEVE repeated.
I chuckled."Looks like you and STEVE are getting to know each other."
Langston threw me a frustrated glance."He is a stubborn machine. Brilliant, but endlessly unyielding."
STEVE's voice hummed."This system has protocols to ensure efficiency and security. Your requests exceed clearance."
Langston sighed."Then just let me see basic energy figures. That cannot be classified."
"ACCESS DENIED NO CLEARANCE," STEVE said again.
Langston muttered under his breath."Why have such power if it's locked behind closed doors"
I clapped him on the back."At least you got him talking. Sometimes he ignores people completely."
Langston turned a curious eye on STEVE."He is remarkable, though. Something about him is so... elegant."
STEVE acknowledged it calmly."Would you like to make another request"
Langston raised a hand."Not if you plan on denying me again."
"ACCESS DENIED NO CLEARANCE," STEVE answered.
I laughed at the exasperation on Langston's face."He is somewhat like an AI, but you cannot fool him the way you fool software. He only responds to valid magical signatures."
Langston's gaze sharpened."Magical signature So it is like a personal code"
"Exactly," I said."Just a unique pattern in each person's mana."
He stroked his mustache in thought."That's not far from a personal ID key, I suppose."
I turned to STEVE."Give Langston limited access to building logs, resource counts, and basic energy data."
Langston's face brightened as STEVE complied."Finally, a window into the system. Perfect."
STEVE's monotone returned."Note that fossil fuels are primitive next to mana. Why burn them when mana is pure and endless"
Langston blinked at STEVE's casual critique."You do realize entire civilizations run on that, right"
STEVE continued."Nuclear power is just fancy steam. Non-magical worlds slog for resources that are simple here. They do not understand the potency of raw mana."
Langston stood there, torn between awe and offense. I shifted gears.
"STEVE, show us Doras Dhagda's potential expansions."
A screen appeared, listing new defenses, updated housing, a mana reactor, and an Arcane Crafters Tower."What about the tower," I asked.
STEVE explained."It enables advanced magical crafting for artifacts, potions, and equipment. It also supports research into new spells, essential for a thriving magical community."
Langston leaned closer, eyes gleaming."Resources needed"
"We have enough materials," STEVE said."But the mana cost is steep."
I realized my own store of sixteen thousand M-Power was spent on leveling. I had little left to contribute. Snow happened to walk over then, staff tapping lightly on the ground. She overheard, smiled, and donated three thousand M-Power. Her magic glimmered as it flowed into STEVE, forming crystals of swirling snowflake shapes.
A silvery mist rose around the future construction site, hiding it from view. We heard muffled thuds, saw brief flashes of light, and sensed a flurry of invisible workers assembling the tower. Langston gaped, voice hushed.
"This is unbelievable. I never imagined magic could be so controlled."
He looked at me with playful accusation."You're cheating, Robert."
A low hum glowed from his odd bracelet, pulsing near the veins in his wrist. I slapped him lightly on the shoulder, grinning.
"You bet I am."