Dungeon Life

Chapter Two-Hundred Nineteen

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And thats the basics for my Butterfly Effect, Fluffles. Just subtle things lining up and leading to the next, like dominoes, explains Teemo. While hes specifically explaining it to Fluffles, he still has Rocky, Slash, and even the Stag listening. The big elk looks a bit lost, but Im pretty sure its just because its a fate thing. From the bond, I think Rocky is interested in the theory, but isnt planning much in the way of application just yet.

He hasnt really practiced with his fate affinity, so I think hell work on things like true strike and such before trying to do anything too fancy. Still, Butterfly Effect could be brutal in his gloved hands. Or his normal hands, since his gloves are still at home.

Slash seems to be taking it more as a general lesson on magic, though I wouldnt be surprised to see him trying to weave fate into his music. Im still uncertain how bardic magic even works, so hes on his own there. I dont think hell have too much trouble.

Fluffles, on the other hand, is paying close attention, and I can feel him planning and theorizing through the bond with ways to use fate affinity. If he wants to pull off something special, I have an idea, but I dont know if Ill be able to explain it even through Teemo before the next battle.

Partially because Teemo needs to get going if he wants to get back in time for it. The scouts, both my denizens and the adventurers, are starting to see signs of civilization. No actual people or anything yet, but the little signs of booted feet moving around, curated wildlife, old campsites, and more. The kind of things found at the very outskirts of a town, where the more outdoorsy types occasionally visit.

With the dungeons territory close to being spotted, I need Teemo to get back with Rocky and the other denizens so I can get that mana, and then double-time Rocky back to the front, maybe with some basilisks, too.

Alright, but we really should get going. Rocky, you told Leo and Honey everything you could, yeah?

Rocky gives a tired grunt, and I cant blame him. My Warden and Librarian have been grilling him for every scrap of information he could give them. Even Rocky, tough as he is, can only handle so much.

Cool. The denizens should be ready to march, and the Boss wants us home and back here as quickly as we can. Teemo smirks as Rocky grins and grunts again. Yep, round two. Fluffles, Slash, you guys just keep on top of things and hold the fort down if anything goes bad before we get back. Or do whatever Leo says, he and Honey are looking like theyre going to be stepping up the expeditions now they have that dungeons scent.

The scions nod at that as Teemo hops onto Rockys shoulder, and my Voice gives the Stag a salute. Let your boss know Rocky will be back as soon as he can, maybe even with some of Thediems dwellers.

My Lord will be happy to host them, and hopes the impending battle wont see them come to any harm, replies the Stag with a small bow. Hes gotten a little less formal since the alliance, but hes still pretty big on appearances.

Teemo nods at that with a complicated smile. Yeah me too. The Boss doesnt want them to fight, but you gotta let them make their own decisions, you know?

I can only imagine. My Lord has yet to designate any enclaves, but Ive seen how protective animals are of their progeny. A dungeon and their dwellers are surely similar.

Yeah, a birds gonna feed those hatchlings, but theyre eventually gonna fledge and go do adult bird things. They might be safer if you clip their wings and keep them in your care, but then theyll never get to soar.

The stag nods at that. Indeed. Safe travels, Voice Teemo. I look forward to having this situation resolved, so both of our lords may return to more peaceful and prosperous times.

Yeah, looking forward to that, and sos the Boss. Take care Stag, Southwood. Rocky turns and waves over his shoulder as he heads for the denizens gathered near the outskirts of the Southwood. Sure, itll still be probably an hour before they even get organized enough to go, but its as good a farewell as any.

Even if it reminds me about the dangers my dwellers are putting themselves in for me. If I could, Id give a frustrated sigh, but I guess Im going to have to settle for just feeling frustrated as I let my thoughts carry me in circles I usually try to ignore. But that hasnt really been solving the problem, so maybe I should examine them and try to break out of this annoying rut.

I dont need them to help. I dont even want them to help. This whole situation is a mess that Id rather not expose them all to, but I cant force them to stay out of it. Its not even that I wouldnt try, if I thought it could possibly work. Even setting aside the massive hypocrisy that would be, after helping Hullbreak, my dwellers are smart enough to get around whatever measures I might take to keep them here. Itd be doomed to failure, and only hurt them in the long run.

Its like Teemo said about clipping a birds wings. Sure, theyd be safe, but theyd never soar. I want them to reach heights even I think are impossible, to achieve their dreams and have the only hardship they ever face be trying to come up with some even more impossible, fantastical goal to achieve.

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But thats just not life, no matter how much Id like it to be. No matter how much I want to protect them, they need to be able to protect themselves. I've given them new spears and bows, Im even trying to help with their winter clothing with the zippers Jellos working on, but it still needs to be them who learn how to use all of that. It has to be them who does the fighting for themselves, even if their first real fighting is for me.

And thats the real problem there, I think. I just dont want them to get hurt because of me. Maybe Im being egocentric, and theyd march off to try to save Aranyas people even without me making my own plans to do it. Honestly they probably would, or would at least try something. Im proud of them. Thats why I dont want to lose any of them.

Lord Thediem? Aranyas voice upends my thoughts, and I focus to see her standing in front of my core, looking worried. Her concerned look softens as I watch, and she gently rests a hand on my core.

Youre worried about the dwellers, she states, and I dont even try to deny it. She smiles softly and continues. They know. They know it troubles you, letting them go to war, but theyre also glad youre not trying to stop them. They worry for you, too. She smirks and pats my core. Youve set too good of an example for them. Youre always trying to help others. I dont know why youre surprised others would try to help you, too.

I want to reply to that, but I cant come up with anything. It also doesnt help that Teemo is quietly snickering from Rockys shoulder. I dont know if he can hear what Aranyas saying, but he probably knows were talking, and that Im not exactly winning this conversation.

They know the stakes are high. Even combined, theyre only a couple dozen people. Even with your gifts to help them, theyre going to be outnumbered against a foe Rocky had to get serious against. And this time itll be in the dungeons home, not a random outpost. They even know the Harbinger isnt the only scion they might have to face down.

But they trust you. They know you wont just lead them to pointless deaths. Theyll do their best to follow Leos battle plan, using all their training, and try their best to come back alive. They dont want to die, of course, but stopping the dungeon and the Harbinger is a cause they are willing to give their all for. And should they fall in the line of battle, I know theyll be safe and protected in your embrace. You were their home once before, and The Raven will make sure you are again, in the end.

Wait what? But what? What?! I dont! I cant!

Boss! You ok?

Lord Thediem!

I miss the rut my thoughts were in, because now Im in dangerous uncharted territory I was trying to stay out of. I try to focus on Teemo and Aranya, not letting my thoughts sprint off into crazy assumptions and wild conclusions. Just breathe wait, I dont breathe! Uh calming thoughts! Aranya reading a book by the light of my core. Delvers gathering herbs. The adorable little murder machines that are the baby scythemaws. My scions.

Ok ok, I think Im doing better. Panic attacks are not any more fun without a body. Now calm and collected.

Boss?

Lord Thediem?

Im well, not ok, but Ill be alright. Just need to process a bit of existential dread. I thought dying made that moot, but apparently not. Just focus. The Raven is basically the reaper here, taking souls to the afterlife. Could it bring a soul to me? Stomp down that rising terror and think it through. What would I do with a soul? I dont think I have anywhere to put one. Ok, good thought. Lets feel around, see if anything might disprove that theory.

I try to reassure Teemo, and hope Aranya gets the same, before I start carefully looking through my menus. Id think an afterlife would be a pretty obvious section in my options, but if its there, Im not seeing it. I even try feeling around, instead of just reading. If I had anything like that, itd probably feel similar to the spawners? My denizens wait inside when theyre dead, so any dead dwellers (calm, stay calm) would probably need a similar space, right?

Its easy to feel my spawners even without looking, but I dont feel anything like an extra spawner. I dont feel anything like an extra resident bond, or anything similar to what I feel with Yvonne, either. So so shes probably wrong, right? My dwellers, if they die (please dont) will go to some version of Heaven here, right?

Logically, it makes sense. Unfortunately, Im pretty sure Im missing something, because it feels like my fate affinity is giggling at me.

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