Floor 20 was the first of the start of the level two dungeon phase, and was on fire. Not really all of it was on fire, but brimstone, oozing flesh and blood all around and various nasty void corrupted demons. One such we came across was twice my size, one arm with a grotesquely infused cannon in one arm and the other held a massive axe. One horn broken where a void tendril whipped around like mad, mouth holding a corpse half eaten in it's jaw and chest riddled with oozing wounds of bullets and blade slashes.
"Not it." Jericho and Coco said.
"Nope " Kexez said.
I rolled my eyes. “It’s like partying with a bunch of five year olds…” I grumbled. “I’ll deal with it, don’t you all worry.” I said while walking over carefully, not really knowing how strong level two dungeons were.
The demon saw me, roaring savagely as it raised it's cannon arm. Fiering. I took the hit to see the damage. 2,500 of my hp. About a small sliver worth my health so it can hurt me but not too badly.
“That tickled.” I said, all the damage I took healing up in a split second. “Time to test out my new God Race status.” I said, appearing right in front of the Demon as I punched a hole straight through its chest.
The demon backed up from the impact, void and blood spilling out as the void it was bleeding out began reaching out towards me.
“Aw, you think you can do something.” I said while cleaving it down the middle with Second Chance. “Let’s hope Second Chance can work with these things…”
Sadly it doesn't. And to make it worse the void from these things healed the bastard, but now there were two. "Need help?" Jericho asked.
“Mind giving me a little cliff note on what this thing is?’ I asked. “Because so far, Second Chance didn’t work and it doubled.” I frowned.
"If memory serves, that's a Gartrophu Demon. Modified given the arm cannon… but the doubling thing is new…"
"Hmm… might be a void parasite, like Symbiote, gotta destroy its core. It's a small marble looking thing!" Coco yelled to me.
“Oh, that’s simple.” I said honestly while using my Scan ability to see where the damned thing was. “Alright uglies, bring it.”
The one on the left, the one with the arm cannon had the core in it. Right in the left eye. With break neck speed I was at its face, jamming my hand in it's eye and ripping out the small marble, crushing it in my grip as both collapsed as their void faded and died from the corpses.
“Alright, that’s one out of a few dozen to go through.” I said while cracking my knuckles. “Wonder what loot we’ll find here?”
"Hopefully something good." Coco said.
We rushed off down the hall. This layout was far, far larger and more complex. Rather than the normal flat rooms and halls set up there were stairs going up and down, locked doors with keys that were either in chests, in enemies, or were puzzle based. And this one was parkour with an activation lever for the door to the next area.
“What is this, Doom?” I asked with a frown.
"Clearly inspired by. Then again, hell is hell no matter what reality you live in." Kexez said.
Coco took on the challenge. Parkouring up to the top of this course with a fair bit of ease. "Holy shit!" She yelled from the top.
“What up?” I called out curiously.
Coco vanished for a second before popping back over the edge, holding a large double barrel shotgun in hand. "It's a Super Shotgun!"
"Oh Guts is gonna be pissed." Kexez laughed.
“Oh yeah he is going to be pissed.” I chuckled.
Coco flipped the switch and we headed off. This next room held a single, giant face grown into the wall. "Gross…" Jericho said.
“Gee, I wonder if it’s the boss door.” I frowned.
"Not the boss you seek, but, a boss to defeat." The face spoke… sounds about right.
“Alright.” I nodded. “So is the boss you or are you in front of the boss?”
"To fight this Knight, clad in armor made from Fright, show me now, Heavenly Divine Light."
“Um...sure.” I said while showing the door Heavenly Divine Light.
The heavenly light burned away the giant face, revealing a larger arena behind where a knight, my size rested on knees holding a massive Claymore. Their armor seemed to pulsate as an energy I could tell was akin to Void Key was in it; Fear. Armor made from fear.
"Well then." I started. "Cathartic amount of ass kicking? Thank you." I said,walked forward towards the knight.
The eyes in the knights helm glowed a bright red once I got close enough, and a barrier kept the others out and the knight and I in the arena. "I am the Hell Knight of Fear, Goatrir. If you wish to fight my king, then take my head if you can." They got up, holding their claymore one handed and got ready for a fight.
"It's a pleasure to meet you." I said simply. "But your armor reminds me of someone I want dead so.." I trailed off as I punted the knight straight into a wall so hard it made a multilayered crater in it before the knight could react. "You are going to be my punching back for the next hour or so."
As I held a hand over their neck, squeezing tight I pulled a fist back, swinging hard into their head. Only… it wasn't the knight I hit… it was… Coco?
Coco's face was largely brushed, teeth fell out as she spat out blood. "King… why?" She asked me weakly.
I let go, backing up as the Knight returned there, laughing lightly.
“Wh-what?” I stuttered, looking back at Coco worriedly to see if she was okay.
She was fine, looking at me more with worry now. I turned back to the knight. "To fight me, each blow will show the injury, even death of a loved one. To kill, you will witness the image of all of them meeting the same fate, at your hands. I am the Hell Knight of Fear for a reason wolf." The knight said as they stood.
“And here I thought it was specific to each person, not just a ‘general effect'” I said, trying to get some snark back instead of being scared shitless of...my literal worst nightmare coming true.
"Come, claim my head." The knight said, raising their claymore to me. "I wonder who you will see get beheaded."
I looked down sadly, before taking a deep breath. “I am going to make you regret ever fucking with me..” I growled as I slammed my fist into his head, sending him flying back into the same wall.
As they hit the wall I saw Luna slammed into the wall, blood splattering all over as she looked at me with fear. I almost raced to her only to suddenly be impaled by that fuckers sword, and swung off into the barrier blocking the others from entering this fight.
My injury healed instantly, even a hell knight’s attack couldn’t push past my stupidly high healing factor. “Alright...this is getting dumb.” I growled as I got back up. “I just need to take your head off...simple…” I muttered, even though I was mentally panicking, not wanting to hurt my family.
I pulled out SharpShooters, firing a bolt right into their helm… only to see Joy, falling back, the bolt in their eye, out the back of their head and looking at me with terror. I called out his name in panic, then felt the pain of something hold into my neck, tearing flesh as reality set back in. The knights sword could command this demonic chain that impaled into my neck, and from the feel, around my spine. They yanked, pulling me at them and then kicked me back like some fucked up paddle ball, the chain snapping my spine as it hit resistance from its length hitting my body weight. The injuries healed, not surprising but that image of Joys eyes still haunted me.
“Fine!” I shouted as I grabbed the Knight’s greatsword and snapped it in half. “You want to know how I’ll react when I take your head!? LET’S FIND OUT!” I roared in rage, grabbing the knights head with both hands and ripping it off of his shoulders as I was just so pissed at my own ability to face my own fears.
"King, what are you doing?!" Celestia's face and form was shown, her skin stretching from the neck as I pulled from what I could see was her mane. I did my best to ignore, tears flowing as I continued.
"I thought you loved us!" Now Twilight's face and form took place, a tear in their skin spraying me with blood as she screamed.
"What did I do wrong?!" Pinkie cried as more of the head was ripped off.
"I hate you!" Eclipsa… her bodiless head in my grip. The illusion held for a few more moments before it was just the knights helmet, and the knights body on the floor.
I got on my knees and started to literally bash the hell knights head into his corpse, sobbing at what I just witnessed. “I fucking hate you…” I cried, all my family’s words haunting me even after I was in a crater six feet down with what could only be described as ground meat and metal at this point.
"King." Coco said, pulling my arms back. The head and helm, surprisingly had no damage, but the body was not even a body anymore. "It's over." She said, hugging me. Kexez joined in as Jericho took the head from my grip.
I hugged both Coco and Eclipsa tightly as I just cried. “I’m sorry…”
"It's okay. It was all fake." Kexez said.
"Indeed it was." The knights head spoke. That scared us about shitless. "You fared better than most. Three more heads to claim and we can unlock Adam's chambers."
"The hell…" Jericho said. "How are you alive?!"
"My head is a key item. Literally, my head is a key."
"That's… Dark souls three I swear." Kexez said.
I grabbed the head and immediately kicked it straight into the wall like a soccer ball. “Fuck you ya prick!” I barked angrily.
"Ow." Was their reply.
"Well… that went from depressing to weird in five seconds." Coco said.
"Let's… just find these other Knight bosses and head off to Adam's chambers." Jericho said.
"Do not forget to collect your reward." The knights head said.
Looking around I saw a large chest that was not there before.
“Alright…” I took a deep breath to compose myself as I walked over to the chest and opened it.
Opening the lid, inside was… a Big Fucking Gun. As in THE BFG from Doom 2016. Oh hell yes. I picked up the weapon. This did not make up for the trauma, but was pretty damn good compensation. I'm gonna modify the hell out of this thing.
“Okay...while not worth the mental trauma, but I’ll take it.” I said honestly.
I even got to test it when we opened the hall door out of here. Easy fifty two demons all reduced to piles of gore. I bought all the ammo I could, or rather, wanted for the thing before looking through what modifications that were available.
“There better be good mods for this thing, cause if there isn’t I’m gonna be massively disappointed.” I muttered.
There were… a lot. Not as much as I might have liked, but fifty six was still a fair selection. Sadly the gun could only have two or three mods equipped at a time otherwise they mess with each other. First mod was an extended clip. It's normal amount was three. This gave me ten shots. Most that was available. Second mod was a 'net shot' shooting a wide linked net of energy that had a larger range of reach. As if this thing didn't have a big enough one. The last mod was Monofilament wiring. It made the weapon charge up between shots sixty times faster and added a little extra kick to the attack.
“Well...those are some decent enough mods.” I muttered. “Might as well.”
"Guess given your size that gun isn't too heavy huh?" Coco asked as we walked along.
"It's a lot lighter than it looks." I said honestly. "But it's gonna be sweet to fire this thing."
"You should send it back home for Military grade upgrades." Jericho said.
"I should…" I hummed, thinking of all the upgrades it could have. "Sure." I said while sending the gun to our R&D center. "Wonder what they'll do with it?"?"
"Make it better." Kexez offered matter of factly.
"Don't you also have a body copy working at the R&D labs?" Coco asked me.
"Of course, but I'm in the middle of other things." I said honestly. "A lot of other things…" I sighed out.
Coco chuckled. "Hey King, stand still?" She asked as I did. She then jumped onto my side, climbing to my head where she now sat. "Onward!" She declared.
"Really?" I asked the cute mare.
"Yes!" She stated.
I laughed and continued on, giving Coco a ride on my head. The next few rooms we came across I cleared in a single shot each with my modded BFG. It was epic.
We came across another chest, this one wrapped in chains with a single lock. Kexez just touched it and all the locks came off. Inside was a helmet. Sleek and thin. I could not tell the metal. Kexez put it on, and suddenly their whole body, was covered in an almost iron man like armor, but chrome and allowed them perfect movements. "Okay this is cool." Kexez said from inside the armor.
"Doom Guys armor huh?" I brought up. "Yeah, this is Doom alright."
"Like I said, hell is hell and that guy is in all of them." Jericho said. Continuing on I came across the oddest thing. A tiny toy me, holding Lindworm in both hands battle ready.
"Awe, how cute!" Coco said at a tiny plastic me figure.
“Um...not sure if that’s supposed to be a little collectable or if it actually wants to fight…” I said while kneeling down.
Picking up the tiny figure, it was no bigger than my primary finger and didn't seem to be able to change pose. Scanning it with the Assistant showed it was a collectible. Freak Inc Collectable Figurines. This was one of currently 97 different kinds.
“Well...that’s interesting.” I said honestly. “I got my own little collectable figure, that’s neat.”
"Gonna find them all?" Kexez asked.
“If you want.” I shrugged. “We’re already way behind in this dungeon as is.”
"Off to the next mini boss then." Coco said.
"Two lefts, three rooms down." The head said.
"You are… oddly helpful." Jericho said.
"It's my job." The head replied.
“You’re still a dick.” I frowned. “But thank you, let’s get going. So who wants to take on the mini boss this time?”
"Dibs!" Coco said. "I wanna try out the shotgun."
“Are the others Fear Knights?” I asked the demon head curiously.
"No. The others are Rage, Lust, and Mercy."
"That's an odd combo." Jericho noted.
“Ah yes, we start off with Fear, then Rage, Lust, and then just start begging for Mercy.” I started. “That makes no sense at all.”
"Gotta have some patterns." The head said.
Following it's directions we came across another Face Wall thing. "To fight the Knight who reigns over Rage, deliver to me, proof of pain."
“So a shotgun shot to the face would work?” I asked curiously.
"I think it means proof we have sufferd pain." Jericho offered.
"Correct." The head confirmed.
“Oh…” I said while grabbing the head and chucking it at the face wall. “You have no idea what pain that fucker caused me!” I snapped. “I know it might be a running gag here, but seriously, fuck you.”
The face wall began melting, and behind it an arena where another knight stood, a massive crossbow in hand. It looked up at us. "I am the Hell Knight of Rage Kalio. Claim my head to- oh hey Goatrir!"
"Sup!" The head replied.
"Fight now, chat later." Coco said as she walked into the arena.
"Right right right." Kalio said. "Claim my head and face my king, if you can."
"Alrighty then." Coco said, loading the Super Shotgun.
I watched as the two went at it. Coco's new gun did a lot of damage but that knight was fast and his crossbow reloaded magically so it made him fire faster than a normal crossbow. Like the prior one there was a barrier keeping Coco and that knight in and the rest of us out.
“So what’s his gimmick?” I asked the Goatrir curiously. “Is he gonna go berserk at some point or something?”
"No. She will. The longer they fight, the more her rage will build, and the stronger her rage the more she will mess up, and when she does Kalio will fire upon her a volley of void poisoned bolts."
“But...she’s a Void Conduit, wouldn’t she be immune to that?” I asked.
"Oh? Then yeah Kalio is fucked."
“Also, I don’t know if she modded that, but wouldn’t-” I started until the sound of a massive explosion coming from the room came as Coco apparently fired rockets from her Super Shotgun. “Yeah...she modded it...poor bastard.”
"Huh. Well only chances Kalio has now are if they use those new bolts."
“New bolts?” I asked curiously.
"You know about the systems of code that manage the loot Dungeons have right?" Goatrir asked.
“Not really, cause I’ve tried asking and no one gave me a proper answer...or an answer that agreed with others.” I said honestly.
"Huh. Well, that same system makes and tells mini bosses like Kalio and I our roles. You see, we are not the original Kalio and Goatrir, but replicas made from their memories and copies of their code. We exist here for one reason, test/challenge the Adventures. As such the system can and often does give us Updates."
“Well that’s slightly cheating.” I frowned.
"The updates are varied. Not always do they make us stronger, that only occurs if the dungeon itself ascends a level. Typically it just either puts us in rooms like here, allows us access to more than one version of a weapon. I fought you with just one of the claymores I have access to. Recently however we received an update, one that expanded our arsenal. Most of the new weapons were restricted for our level four and five dungeon locations. Kalio however received a new Bolt Type. One the system deemed allowable for this level two segment area."
“Sounds about right.” I nodded. “I just hope Coco will be alright…”
"Depends. Odds are Kalio might not even use it. We typically experiment with the new stuff before applying it in a fight."
“Alrighty then.” I nodded. “So I’m sure Coco’s got this.”
The fight kept on, Coco getting really pissed, but also real close to Kalio. She then rammed the super Shotgun right into the neck of their helm, nearly cutting it off from the force alone before she fired; Shotgun decapitation.
“Well, that’s one way to get a decapitation.” I said honestly.
The barrier fell and Coco happily walked over to us, tossing Kalio's head to Jericho. "That was fun." Coco said.
“Glad you had fun Coco.” I smiled. “Hope the rage didn’t get you too much.” I said sheepishly.
"Well, if anything it did relief a lot of stress I guess I had built up."
"Do not forget your reward." Kalio stated.
Nodding, Coco went over to the newly appeared chest. Inside was… was… what is that. "Oh, that's one of the new items." Goatrir said.
"Looks like. Neat, new item just days after the update. Nice." Kalio added.
The object itself looked like a coin, but was blank save for three scratched in tally marks on one side.
“Hmm...wonder what this coin is for…” I hummed while looking over it carefully.
"It's a DeathWish." Kalio said. "Think of the Death Note but as a coin. Hand it off to someone you hate and they die instantly. Has three uses."
“Well that’ll come in handy.” I said honestly.
"How?" Jericho asked.
“I’m sure there’s some way to have this used properly.” I said honestly.
With two heads we continued on. I was asking these two more about this self run system that runs all the dungeons. “So how does the self run system work from your experience?”
"The system works in parallel to the system that makes the world terrains and environment, think Minecraft here. The dungeon system actually makes the dungeons and chooses their themes and type. From there based on the rules of how dungeons are meant to operate and the special rules for each type and level chooses layout, how many floors, and spawn rates for the more basic enemies." Kalio said.
"Mini bosses like us are made by copying beings of interest or in other cases the system makes one up all together to either roam the floor or floors as an optional challenge or as a guardian for keys or more rare loot." Goatrir added.
“Sounds a tad more like Terraria than Minecraft to be honest.” I said honestly. “But I can understand that.”
"From there once the layout, mini bosses and type and level as well as the floor count have all been set, the system pulls loot from the look generation system. A whole dimension where anything that can be made is and placed into the dungeons. Chests are actually empty unless opened, the items placed in right as the lid opens up." Goatrir continued.
"This is so good based loot isn't, well, rotten." Kalio added. "Now, floor based bosses are a slightly different matter. Whole most often they are completely made from scratch, very rarely will the system actually take in a being to be a floor boss. But only if they meet the requirements. Firstly, they must have no worldly ties, no family, home or kin to speak of. No reason to leave. Second, they must meet the dungeon strength requirements, being a certain level of power. Third and last they must be willing to accept employment in the system. No real pay to speak of but they get a room to rest and sleep and eat in that is generated with all they would need or want. When beaten in battle, or they win the battle they just spawn back in that room, and when a fight is approaching they spawn into their boss room. Mini boss beings like us have these kinds of rooms too."
"Save for these dungeons main bosses…" Goatrir said with a sigh. "This dungeon doesn’t operate like a normal onet. This was hand crafted, not system made. It's bosses are placed here once their… other versions try to reach here."
“Void Mother made this dungeon.” I said honestly. “This is the second place where people can get what they want, the first being the Eternity Arena the Mushroom 13 made not too long ago.”
"That's about all we can say about the system." Goatrir said.
"Well, all we know really." Kalio added.
“Hmm…” I hummed. “Good to know.” I said, thinking about how little info they actually had about their respective dungeon.
"Next should be Hog, Knight of Lust." Goatrir said.
"Ugh." Kalio huffed.
“Gross.” I frowned. “Who’s smart idea was it to name a knight of lust Hog?”
"Her own. Demons pick their own names. Though, given we are just copies it's more just part of our given roles." Goatrir said.
“Okay so it’s a female...and yet why do I have a feeling expectations will be soundly ruined?” I asked curiously.
As we walked about, slaying demon enemies and such. We finally came across the next face wall. "To face the Knight who embodies lust, the first one must show the bond of trust." The face said.
“So who wants to go this time?” I asked curiously.
"I'll go, wanna check my armor." Kexez said.
"Bond of trust?" Jericho wondered.
"Hmm…" I said while raising my hand and showing my Wedding Ring. "Does this count?"
The face wall melted away and behind it was… not what I was expecting. The Knight Hog was… the exact opposite of what I was expecting. She was… almost divine. Thick long blonde hair, stunning blue eyes, a figure that matched Coco but with the height of Alxun. In short, she was ideal in looks. “I am Hog, Knight of Lust. I see you already have Goatrir and Kalio’s heads.”
“Fuck you.” Kalio said.
“What he said.” Goatrir added.
I noticed these two’s abnormal hatred of her, so clearly something was up here. “Alright, what happened?” I asked simply.
“You’ll see…” The two heads said.
Kexez slithered up to the hell knight, the barrier forming as they pulled out their Starlight keyblade. “So, what are you?”
“Hog, hell knight of lust.” Hog said, black void fires as soon a massive greatsword made from bones and flames appeared in her hand. “Daughter of Hell Lord Garthatum.”
I looked up on my Assistant of who that was.
Hell Lord Garthatum.
One of the original first demon lords of hell from its inception, Lord Garthatum spawned many of hell’s knights and rooks. His powers made him second only to the first king of hell, and over the years his demonic energy seeded into the realm of hell, and the magic crafted from it makes up over half of the power for hell's spells and technology.
“Huh, that’s interesting.” I said honestly.
Kexez and Hog began their fight, Hog’s speed was unexpected. Not even I’m that fast when using Lunatic, or am I? Honestly I guess I never really tried and figured that out. Add it to the list.
Kexez was able to keep up the defence well and thankfully with their new armor took little damage if their hp on my allies stats list anything to go by. Kexez gave a swing of darkness from their weapon, the AOE attack knocked Hog back but she kept her footing. Smirking I saw as void now pulsated from her blade. Now, Kexez let Nothingness flow around his keyblade to counter.
“So far so good.” I said honestly. “What’s her gimmick?”
“Exactly as her title suggests, lust. Even the slightest sense of attraction to her and your genitals melt inside you as your eyes forever burn with hellfire til death.” Goatrir said.
“The fact Kexez isn’t even going through that I guess says a lot about them.” Kalio said.
“That’s...not what lust is but sure, whatever helps you sleep.” I started. “Like...seriously, that is nowhere near what lust is or actually how it works...so I’m curious as to why Kexez isn’t hurt, given how...active they tend to be.”
“Dunno, surprising to me.” Jericho said.
“Maybe they can turn it on and off?” Coco thought aloud.
“Well...I suppose.” I shrugged. “We’ll ask them after they soundly kicked Hog’s ass.”
Kexez and Hog’s fight lasted a good while. While strong Kexez was still, admittedly the weaker of us. Even Coco was stronger than them. But Kexez, like Heart, had determination and quick thinking. Kexez managed to get the upper hand before she nearly cut off their tail. In a swift slice of Nothingness Hog’s head flew off in an unceremoniously fast act.
“Nice job.” I nodded. “Not as flashy as Coco’s or...brutal as mine, but still.”
"Eh, mostly just had to predict her movements." Kexez said as the tosses the head to Jericho.
"Don't forget your reward." Hog said.
“And let’s see what the reward is?” I wondered.
Kexez walked over to the chest that appeared. Opening it, inside was… bullets? They weren't normal. They were for all kinds of calibers, but what they were made from I couldn't tell. They looked metal but I sensed a power from them I can't seem to identify.
“Alright.” I said while checking it’s code to figure out what it was instead of being confused about it.
Alkihenitanite. An Admin made metal from the first cycle, it surpasses Dark Monofilament by 9,865% and can cripplingly injure Deathless Immortals, causing their heal time to take months rather than seconds.
“There we are.” I said while picking up the bullet. “I was wondering when we would find an item that can hurt Deathless.”
"Hurt, but not kill." Jericho said, looking the bullets over. "Question is… do we test it first?"
“Not on each other that’s for sure.” I said bluntly.
"Well, there's no immortals we know of we can shoot at." Coco said. "Unless I missed something while I was out cold."
“Okay fine.” I said while pulling out a Smith & Wesson revolver, put one of the bullets in the chamber, and then shot myself in the arm.
Pain. I haven't felt pain like this in a long time. The stinging hiss of pain irradiated from the bullet wound. It was just a flesh wound, but it kept bleeding, not healing like normal. I even drank some of my own and Kexez's milk, nothing. Healing potions and spells… nothing. Only time can heal this metal's damage.
“Cause that makes sense, it only describes going against their natural healing abilities, but it magically also affects healing potions and magic.” I frowned. “Thanks Code, once again proving to me why you’re basically worse than magic…” I grumbled. “But at least I know how to make it now…” I grumbled while wrapping up my wound in clean bandages.
"Who even made this metal?" Kexez wondered.
“An Admin from the first Cycle.” I said honestly.
"I mean what kind of admin. War, metal, death, which and why?"
“Didn’t say and didn’t say.” I said. “Even though I literally looked at the damn things Code, things can either be helpful or absolutely useless sometimes.”
"Well, guess we'll put this away." With that Kexez stored every bullet into their Assistant. "And now onto Mercy."
"Fuck that guy." All three heads said in unison.
"Any reason why?" Coco asked.
"He's broken as all hell!" Goatrir said.
“Thank you for not explaining literally anything.” I said honestly. “So let’s go find this bastard and see what’s special about him.”
"They have an ability." Kalio stated. "Equilibrium. They perfectly match their opponents strength and stats."
"Well… that can be an issue then." Jericho said. "Guess it will be tough to fight basically me then."
“So his gimmick is only that?” I asked curiously. “There has to be more than that.”
"Uh, King, Mercy and Death are the same thing in demon." Jericho stated.
"Funny enough their word for actual Mercy and Submission are the same. A demon submitting to you makes them your slave." Coco added.
“Alrighty then.” I nodded. “Good to know.”
"So that means this is more the Hell Knight of Death?" Kexez asked.
"Yup." The heads all said.
“Well that’s false advertising then.” I said honestly.
"Demons." The heads stated.
“Well either way.” I said honestly. “Let’s go see the last knight.”
As we made our way out to the last knight we found the safe room. We checked the book. Yup, Adam. As we rested here I licked my wound, literally, pondering on some things mentally.
”So many things to think about…” I thought to myself. ”Don’t know who made this metal, so gonna need to look into that, don’t know how Jericho is gonna beat the knight...Adam is gonna be a bitch and a half to fight…” I mentally sighed out. “Why does crap always have to get complicated…”
I took a nap, cuddling with Kexez as I relaxed before the final two fights. I had a weird dream, nothing concerning but I dreamed I was nursing a sapling into a tree… though that did make me wonder what my milk would do to plants if used instead of water. As I got up and still had Kexez coiled around my body like a massive scarf, I began cooking some food.
“That was a...weird dream…” I muttered.
"Dreams aren't always normal." Kexez said sleepily.
"Better than a nightmare, right?" Coco asked.
“True, but...it was still weird.” I said honestly. “So how was your sleep?”
"Good. Was in the dream realm. Messed around in Traverse Town."
"I didn't dream." Jericho said, rubbing their neck.
"I dreamed I was sleeping." Kexez said.
“I was nursing a sapling.” I said honestly.
"Miss your little meat tree you raised?" Coco asked. "I remember you told me about that."
“It wasn’t that.” I said honestly. “But...it did bring up what would happen if I used my breast milk instead of actual water.” I said honestly.
"Ten rem says something along the lines of the trees from Yellowstone." Jericho said.
"Thirty says bigger." Coco countered.
"Deal." Jericho said as they shook hands with Coco.
“Well remember, those trees were getting their nutrients from a fucking Super Volcano so let’s not think my milk is a miracle worker here.” I said sheepishly.
"Isn't it?" They all asked.
“It’s not.” I said humbly.
As we ate and woke up more we finally headed out. The path to the next knight arena was guarded by puzzles, hordes of demons, traps, and lots of fire.
“Jeez, did they need to make this floor any longer?” I frowned.
"Well, this is level two so guess it means they only get larger and more complex once we reach level three, four and finally five." Coco figured.
“We’re massively behind on progression here though.” I said nervously. “But...I suppose…” I sighed out. “Alright, where’s this door?”
Most of the puzzles were easy. Find key, key parts, break fleshy demon things to unlock doors, ect. But this one puzzle… this puzzle… it had become my white whale… fucking math.
"Who makes a door linked to a physics equation?" Coco asked as I kept writing out the steps to solve for a black hole.
“Cause reasons.” I said honestly. “I honestly should have figured this out by now though…” I muttered.
"Weird." Kexez said.
Finally I figured out the math issue. My reward was ironically black hole grenades. Create a black hole for five seconds that sucks everything and everyone not bolted to the ground into a pocket prison dimension where if they don't die from the landing they die from the other shit that's been put there… cool.
“Well, this is neat.” I said honestly.
With that in tow we kept along and finally found the face wall. "To fight the Knight who embodies Mercy, mercy must be shown before me."
“That depends on your definition of ‘Mercy’ here.” I said honestly.
"I think they mean the demon version." Jericho said.
"How do we do that then?" Kexez asked.
“Kill the door?” I asked curiously.
"Can we do that?" Coco asked.
"Well, one way to find out." Jericho said, pulling out their war axe and hacking the face wall in two.
“Well, that worked.” I said honestly.
The Knight if Mercy stood before us all. A single sword drawn in one hand. "I am Delgato, Hell Knight of Mercy. Claim my head, if you can overcome your own strength."
Jericho stepped forward, the barrier forming up as Jericho pulled out their War Axe. "We'll see."
“Let’s see how well this Knight does compared to Jericho.” I muttered.
In a flash, Jericho and the Knight both rushed each other, their clashing blades creating Sparks and blasts of energies as Mercy's ability matched Jericho's stats and power. The two danced but Jericho's skill and title as the Admin of War won them the battle in a spectacular display of a fast slice to the knights neck as the head flew off high from the impact of he cut. Jericho claimed his prize, a crusable sword.
"So, how's Adam gonna fair?" Coco asked.
"Not good likely." Kexez said. "Guy is strong, might be way tougher than we would like. Might be able to get an edge though."
“All things considered, Adam isn’t going to be too tough.” I said honestly. “We’re all...honestly way stronger than we should be for this level.” I said honestly.
"You learned how to fight with gauntlets from them didn't you?" Jericho asked.
“Them and Spike, and I outdid them both in hand to hand Combat.” I said honestly.
"Did you ever win against him?"
“Yes, I did.” I said honestly. “That was my ‘final test’ for the two.”
"Can you win, while minor, you are injured." Jericho said, giving a small pinch to my bandage. It gave a small thing of pain but not bad, just a light sting.
“And I’ve fought strong opponents with worse injuries.” I said honestly.
"Even so, there's something I don't like. This has been too easy."
“What do you mean?” I asked curiously. “If you're meaning the dungeon so far, it should be because we are massively overleveled for these parts.” I said honestly.
"It just feels like something isn't right here. Admin of war, I can smell traps."
“Ah, well if it’s not because of the dungeon, then yes, I am very thankful someone else noticed it.” I said honestly. “It’s been bugging the shit out of me for the past four rooms…”
"Either way, something isn't right."
“Let’s hope we figure it out soon…” I said nervously.
"Let's hope so."
“Alright, so where the hell is the boss door…” I muttered, wanting to get through the dungeon fast before whatever trap is sprung.
As we headed into the last few rooms. It was here we came across something we haven't seen before. A coffin. "That shouldn't be there." Mercy stated.
It wasn't like the final boss coffins, nowhere near as big or regal, but looked brand new, and made from unscorched wood.
"Trap." We all said at once.
"Cause of course…" I growled as I pulled out Sharpshooters and fired a dart at it, fully expecting something bad to happen.
It made a crack, void began leaking out as, against my weapon, all of ours, just… disbanded instantly. I felt a familiar wave of pacifism and got worried. The lid opened up and walked out was… the Void Mother. Her hair wet, her skin a dead pail and eyes coldly white. A corpse; Void black and her chest and lower torso with gaping holes oozing void in an endless flood. "My my, I've been wanting to meet you."
“Fuck you.” I said while going through my assistant and unlocking the ‘Mother’ abilities we all had on me as my own wave of Pacifism against her. “Thank god that is a thing…” I muttered.
"Clever, but unneeded." She said, stepping around us. None of us dared move as she walked around and between us. "King, I remember you from the first cycle, my version. Good heart, ever the troublemaker." She then turned to Coco. "Coco, amazing how such a simple being has been remade." Then turned to Kexez. "Hm." Was all she said about Kexez before turning to Jericho. "And there's a face worth looking at."
Jericho turned away. "Why are you here?"
"Simply put, interest." Void Mother said as she kept walking around and between us.
“What? Too preoccupied with other things than realizing all this shit’s happened before?” I asked simply.
"Cycles, resets, makes no difference to me honestly. Same song, different artist. But, this one feels less like a repeat or cover, and more like a re-imagen. Same yet different, and oh so refreshing."
“And was that before or after you’ve just been…” I sighed out. “Letting us just do what we want?” I asked honestly, Void Mother knowing full well that I really hated saying those words.
"Oh? Heh, you misunderstand my role in the void. I may make it, the code that you know as void, but I'm just the fountain where the poisoned water flows free. Or, are you referring to Nexus?"
“Both to be honest.” I said. “I’ve seen you personally slaughter billions...and you can just as easily kill the rest of us, but you’re not, and you’re most definitely not letting Nexus just run as rampant like they should be.”
She smiled. "Chess is never fun when it's a one sided win. And it seems finally my opponents have newfound tricks up their sleeves. Tell me, do you know how many times you very four have walked this dungeon? Slaughtered it's enemies and claimed my tossed aside womb at the end?"
“Now do you want the actual number, or the technical number?” I asked curiously.
"Like I said, cycles, resets, same song by different artists." She said looking around. "From all of them, this is the first time I've ever been here to see and speak with you four."
“So you do know about the resets…” I muttered. “So what’s with the sudden firsts? Want to see us succeed for once instead of losing in the end?”
"Hm, if you want to believe that." Void Mother said, her tone still creepily peppy.
“Alright...so at this point my question is, where is Belief?” I asked simply. “Cause if you're here, Nothingness Belief can’t be too far behind.” I said honestly, knowing something will happen and go horribly wrong.
"My late lover won't be arriving. But, to the point of my visit, it's what you want, right?"
“Yes, we would like to know why the hell you're here.” I growled, my fist trembling as Nothingness sparked against the constant Void she was making.
"This dungeon. It was made for the plunderer to grow as they descend. But, you're stronger than the other times. Makes this too easy for you."
“Oh no, we are literally months behind on this. You are not going to make this harder because ‘We’re too strong’.” I frowned.
"And you can do what to stop me?" She asked with a smirk. "Besides, there is something I believe you would value above all else."
“Cause why not…” I muttered. “Alright lady, what do you got for us?”
"This is A war, if I am not mistaken. But it's three sided, not two. Possibly four."
“Yes, we have our side fighting against you, we have Vincent and Nexus wanting to destroy all of Creation cause fuck it why not, and the forth…” I sighed out. “Alright yeah, I’m partly to blame on why there might be a fourth, but Truth is a prick.” I frowned, not really knowing who the fourth party was I just thought of an immediate powerful being that I promised to murder.
"Close. Myself, Vincent, your own army, and Void Key. Nexus has always been… shared, between Vincent and Void Key. A hairline thick relationship of trust between the two. Vincent can control people, but Void Key could make monsters."
“So you’re going to give me Void Key’s location so I can finally torture him for the rest of his life?” I asked curiously and a little too eagerly.
"Close. You see, while you see us as one enemy, it's not the case. I'm a battery, so Vincent and Void Key do what I say to get what they need, but they are back stabbing sociopaths I don't trust as far as I can throw and that is very, very far. Void Key wants to replace me, and Vincent just wants destruction, both of creation and Void. So, I can gift wrap you his little pet Vilgax, in exchange for two things."
“And what’s that?” I asked simply, not liking the fact we have to bargain with her.
"Beat this place on the Max difficulty. Your rewards would also be quite equal to the normal level fives, and, find where my lover's body is in that realm you have control over."
“The main reason we’re here is to get Nothingness Belief’s body back.” I said. “Cause his body is what is currently fueling Nothingness, keeping it as an actual part of Reality, so why we’re here is because it’s the second best place to get something that is impossible to get, the other being your Mushroom’s ‘Eternal Arena’ they set up not too long ago.”
"Hm, good to know. But, his body is unique. The Mushrooms wouldn't be able to fetch it nore make a copy, it would have to be made from taking a piece of the original, and copied there."
"You want King to use Starfish Clone on them." Jericho said, not looking at the Void mother.
"That's right." She confirmed.
“Sadly I have no idea where that Bonfire is, so this place might actually have a piece of Nothingness Belief here all things considered.” I said honestly. “We wouldn’t be here if we didn’t think it was possible.” I said, considering that technically the other reason we’re here is now moot because of Cript breaking Time.
"Something from my love to find them, is that what you need?"
“It’ll help make it easier to find I suppose.” I said honestly. “So find a piece of Belief and then beat this place on the hardest difficulty...that makes sense.”
"I have something like that." She stated.
“Well what is that something?” I asked curiously.
Void mother began to raise a hand, reaching into the void bleeding wound where her heart should have been she reached in, and pulled out a single cloth wrap. Inside, showed hair. Just three strands. "All that was left when that fire of Nothingness took the rest of him. I may not have my heart, but I have my memories. Memories of love and the love we shared. Part of me, wonders, if I could be better, memories from the resets, of each, proved they still loved me. Makes me wonder."
“Most everyone has a chance to become better.” I said honestly. “There is a chance...you just need your heart back, as well as Belief back.” I said simply. “So...just need to find a bit more than this to fix him right?”
"Yes. But, if you try and find my heart, to that I say good luck. I have no idea where it is."
"But your Mushrooms know, especially when all of them combine their power." I said honestly.
"Maybe. Won't be easy either way. Especially if they recombine into their real self."
"Real self?" I asked nervously.
"Being as powerful as they, did you really think they were individual? They are numbered, marked as being the same being, despite being different in many ways. A good comparative would be Kingdom Hearts, Those twenty others technically make up one admin, as do those thirteen. When one, they return to being their true self, the Admin of Challenges."
“So he’s technically the strongest being in all of Existance?” I asked nervously.
"Well, yes and no. They are only as strong as they need to be to challenge their challenger. They keep it all fair."
“True.” I said honestly. “God, that is going to be even more of a nightmare…”
"Possibly."
"So, there is still good inside you then?" Jericho asked.
"Me, yes. A little, but… I'd be wary, others won't be so kind." Void mother said as she snapped her fingers. I felt the dungeon… shift. I felt my hair's stand up and everything instincts wise screamed danger. Been a while since I felt that.
"Well...this is a nice change of pace." I said honestly.
"This is… gonna be hard." Coco said.
"Chow." Void mother said, leaving in a whisp of Void as the passivism field ended with her departure.
"Christ…" I groaned as I fell to a knee, my own passivism aura fading. "Okay...just being around her is exhausting, and not because of the aura she has…"…"
Everyone gave me a confused look. Okay word that differently.
“I meant all the ambient Void she was producing was a bitch and a half to keep at bay.” I said honestly. “And that was just her standing there not doing anything…” I muttered while standing back up.
With a nod I began to wonder just how much harder this had become. My one experience with a level five was not helpful and I worried for Kexez and Coco, while both capable level fives are pretty much bullshit.
“Alright you two, just so you know, Level Five dungeons are absolute dog shit.” I said honestly.
"Any recommendation?" Kexez asked.
“Nope, cause no matter what you do, it’ll just keep throwing shit at you about as strong as you in a massive amount of numbers.” I said honestly.
"Hmm…" Jericho pondered. "Kico and Cerex?" Jericho offered.
"They… would help. At least with bosses." Coco said.
“But when all the trash is stupid strong as is, we will need their help.” I said honestly.
"True. Kico is small but a powerhouse and Cerex is a living tank." Jericho said.
"So let's bring those two back." I said honestly. "Hopefully it doesn't make it even harder…"
"Well, best get to it."
I was back. My name is Kico I was small but strong, and my partner here/lover was Cerex. We are needed here. And we won't let down the people who fused together to bring us back. Yes we have our own bodies thanks to Starfish Clones and such but still, this felt… right. Felt like we had purpose to our newfound existence.
“Alright, who do I need to punch?” I asked while cracking my knuckles. “Oh wait, I forgot...do our weapons fuze when we fuze?”
Cerex shrugged, summoning Jericho's war axe, and then Kexez's Starlight Keyblade. "Looks like that has to be manually done I guess." They said, looking the two over. "So, how do we go about this love? I tank hits and you deal them?"
“Sounds about right.” I said simply while stretching out a bit. “Yo Symbi, mind giving me two more arms?” I asked the fusion inside me.
"On it." Symbie said. Her voice was… different, like a well unified chorus of voices. Two more arms grew out just below my current ones. The look wasn't too bad honestly. Might keep it.
“Gonna need to get used to it, but now I can punch things even more so.” I said happily, equipping King’s Gauntlets and ready to start fighting.
I watched as Cerex flip through the many various weapons available to them. "We need our own signature weapons." She sighed, flipping through many till she found something that peaked her interest. "This can work." She said. In a flash there was this round small arm strapped disk in her arm, with the grip of her fist showed a massive crackling Shield that was originally magic based before War code and energy flowed through it, creating a Violet shield around the good front half of her.
“Cool.” I said while deciding to do the same thing, going through the massive catalogue to see what signature weapon peaked my fancy.
As I browsed them I realized something. Putting the gauntlets away I looked at my fingers. They were more pony like from Coco, but with small pointed nails that mimicked claws. I checked my skill tree, and found that with a few points They became stronger. I could shift them, the normal nails now made of Dark Monofilament and I can cast spells from them, making magic finger guns.
“Oh yeah, it’s all coming together.” I said with a grin as I started to fill out my skill tree for the plan I had.
I discovered something interesting in my skill tree that was not in Coco's or King's. Stats Boost tree. The description was expected, increases stats by using skill points. It reminded me of Final Fantasy X sphere grid. Looking into it, it only unlocks at random. That was bull. In any case I boosted Agility and speed as much as I was allowed, and revived something unexpected. I was Gifted a Skill Tree.
“Oh? A gifted skill tree?” I hummed. “What do you give?”
Congratulations! You have maxed out your Speed Skill Tree. You have been gifted the Speed Force Skill Tree. Do you accept?
Yes.
No.
“Gee I fucking wonder what my answer will be.” I laughed as I pressed ‘Yes’ on the skill tree to get the Speed Force Skill Tree.
So far for this skill tree there was one option. Basic Speed Force level one. Taking it I felt that energy, Speed Force flow into me. My mind, and therefore Symbie, processed and recalled information faster, I had even higher senses and in, yes, .000003 seconds I ran around this whole room. This was gonna be useful.
"Neat… what was that?" Cerex asked.
“I maxed out a stat tree and got the Speed Force Skill Tree.” I said honestly. “I’m sure if you max out stuff you’ll get fancy stuff to.”
"Cool. So, shall we?" She asked, motioning to the doorway to the rest of the floor.
I was already at the door. This is gonna be fun. “As ready as I’ll ever be.” I said happily.
The doors to the hall opened and we were met with Way more demons than what Coco, King, Jericho and Kexez had to deal with. Immediately Cerex took the Shield up and it held, but they were squeezing through. Between my raw strength, upgrades and Speed Force I was killing the stragglers. Each hit I did had them about forty thousand damage. About a tenth of most of these things health. Speed on my side, that little slice dealt hundreds of them in less than a second, made these things easier than they would be normally.
The drops were also… amazing. The first one I killed exploded in a shower of rem, weapons, ammo, a reward person, surprisingly, and all kinds of stuff. Resources were already not an issue, this was gonna be the definition of excessive. It occurred to me that likely most adventures who do make it into a level five would only need to enter the first floor of a level five, kill a single enemy and be set for life. Mother, Void and otherwise only knows what the boss will give us now.
“So...what kind of rewards do you think we’ll get?” I asked Cerex curiously. “Given that we’re already getting what the other floors gave all together and more.”
"Kill first talk later sweetie." Cerex asked as there was still a floor of demons her Shield kept at Bay.
With a nod I slid around the Shield, speed force letting all around me perceive time as stopped. I counted six thousand demons, normally there were just several dozen. I got to work, slicing up all these monsters without hesitation and in what was actually several seconds, to me felt like several hours, they were all dead. As I let Speed Force stop and my time perception return to normal, all the demons dropped dead and now Cerex and I were swimming in dropped rewards.
“Halp~.” I whined, given that I wasn’t very tall I was kind of having a hard time staying above all the loot.
Cerex swam through it all and pulled me out. She gave me a kiss before placing me on her back. "Well, this is useful. Looks like you found how to destroy a level five dungeon. At the very least, the common enemies. So, shall we collect all this then?"
“I need to be taller…” I pouted cutely.
Needless to say Cerex and I began auto collecting the stuff into our Assistants and people back home. Thankfully Cerex also has the Linked Bellies ability. Then we came across something I never expected to see.
Alert! Assistant Storage Full.
My jaw dropped. In my new and short existence, I never expected to actually max out an Assistants storage space. No one does.
“Okay...so King is already starting to try and make the Assistant’s storage space the Infinite Storage it should have been.” I started.
"In any case, guess we'll have to drop it all off at home, or rather, a starfish copy of us that'll be doing that. Clear up space for us."
“Well, if I can connect this to the Armory/Treasury King has back at the castle, I’m sure we can just send everything there.” I said honestly. “And then the Nursery for all the new spouses.”
"The nursery?" Cerex asked.
“Er, that is the place right? Where all the spouses are when they tend to each other and the kids?” I asked nervously.
"Yeah but if they are new… huh, well, the others can figure that out."
With the use back home, King, and Cript our Assistants to a sorting and deposit system that will deposit and sort everything auto gathers into their proper places back home Cerex and I were able to gather up everything.
It was around the end of collecting that all that I realized Speed Force had one, manageable draw back. Food. My body needed to eat now, and a lot of food to make up for it. Apparently for super speed and certain other powers, even an Admin body needed extra. Or, maybe that's just how the Admin of speed coded Speed Force to work. Either way I didn't mind; and no drinking my own milk, or Cerex's didn't feed the need. It had to be high calorie food, which I ate greedily.
Once my appetite was filled we headed off, finding a chest which ended up being a mimic. This was the first time one had been seen, and it but into Cerex's arm, making a wound but I saw in my hud it didn't deal as much as I was fearing. Their tank biology was a blessing. Sadly they had little to no damage, so I rammed my claws into it's one massive eye, pulling out brains I was surprised it had. That killed it instantly, thankfully. Cerex's wound healed up and the Mimic corpse exploded into a small flood of… of… what was this?
They were coins, clearly, but irradiated void unlike anything else I'd seen before, well, anything King had seen before. Only the Void Mother surpassed these coins, and yes it was by many incalculable leagues.
“So...the hell are these?” I wondered curiously. “They don’t look like anything King’s seen before.”
"Hmm." Cerex looked them over. "In Jericho's memories, they saw these before but never got a name, just knew the old Admin of War used them for opening portals to the void. But, the power they are giving off should mean they have more of a use than that."
“Alright, well might as well check…” I muttered while using my Assistant to see what this thing is.
It… could not make heads or tails of this either. Pun not intended. It just registered as an error. The void part of me from Coco was reacting with it, but I couldn't pull void from it nor use it. Instead, I thought of flowing void into it.
Doing this made my body grow limp. I hit the floor, vision fading as I saw Cerex worry but couldn't hear them. The hell did I do?!
Something felt wrong. I was in someone else's body, a very tall someone. And I was just a passenger, unable to move or have any control. I was just here for the ride. This person, male, clearly, and walking through the void.
Memories. These coins somehow held memories.
“What the hell?” I thought, confused about what's going on.
I wasn't able to control my… host, for lack of a better word, at all so I watched as they walked this road. They wore a heavy set of armor and carried an equally heavy sword strapped across their back. As they walked they heard something. Rapidly they drew their massive Claymore, built with teeth along the blade and it glowed with a sky blue energy that seemed to be giving them a minor buff, but what I couldn't tell.
"Show yourself, vial spawn." I felt them, and heard them speak through our currently shared mouth. Now that's an odd sensation.
Around us, I saw them. Five Void Wolves. Their pitch black coats hid them well within the voids darkness, only their glowing red eyes revealed their location, that, and their light blue glowing claws.
”Let’s hope they don’t die…” I thought to myself nervously.
My host spun their sword around. "Feral dogs, come at me!" My host cried out.
Immediately, one of the Void Wolves charged them. My host side stepped them, slicing their toothed blade into the beasts open mouth, cutting a good chunk of it off as the void wolf fell dead behind them. The others all gave deathly loud howls. My host's ears began to bleed and while I was hurting from the pain, they didn't even flinch. The remaining four all charged them, my host leaped into the air with impressive height and skill. He can back down to earth, sorta, stomping on another wolves back. I felt and heard as the wolves spine and rib cage broke into many pieces, and for good measure my host decapitated them In a swift swing.
They bounced back, the last three now savage with rage and desire to kill. I felt my host grab something, it felt like a grenade, and throw it at the wolves. They backed up and to my surprise there was an explosion of Nothingness thorns.
One of the thorns got a wolf in it's leg, the whole body of it soon covered with them as it began to die.
”Oh...is this the Forest of Thorns? And why the hell is he using King’s Nothingness?” I thought to myself worriedly.
With two left to fight my host raised their sword again. This time they charged the wolves. The two survivors seemed to have learned not to screw with this guy, and ran off, pathetic whimpers as they did. I felt my host smirk. "Heh. Tough yet smart." They then turned around, suddenly there was a woman there I am 99% sure was not there before. "Agava, what brings you to my backside this time? It better not be another dagger." My host asked.
"No, not this time." The woman answered. She wore a black hood made from some void beasts pelt, carried many small daggers and knives along straps attached everywhere along her body. "I require a brute, and you're the only one I know of with a brain at least."
”This better not be an extermination of Void Wolves…” I thought to myself worriedly.
"The work pay this time?" My host asked. The lady tossed something fast at them. My host caught it. Looking, it was one of these very coins. "Echoed Memories. Only thing worth the same power as we deletes." My host purred.
"Care for the work Ket?" The lady, Agava, said.
"What is it?"
"Admins. The Delete hunter himself."
"I am not suicidal." My host huffed. "Ain't enough Echoed Memories or Void Crystals in the damned void to get me to hunt that bastard."
"Normally, I'd agree, but he's been crippled. There is a chance, while slim. The reward is enough to make the two of us legends and set up for the rest of eternity."
"And just who is paying us this wealth?" My host, Ket, asked with reasonable skepticism.
"The Void Mother Herself."
I woke up back in my own body with a groan. It was… interesting, seeing someone's raw life played from their perception like that. "Oh thank God." Cerex said. I realized I was in one of their little stomach pockets. In a swift motion they pulled me out. "Are you okay Kico?" She asked me, extremely worried.
"Lord is in trouble." I started. "People are after him...Void Mother hired bounty hunters to deal with him…"…” I started. “Ket and Agava…”
"But, Lord isn't even in the Void." Cerex stated. "My link with Jericho remembers he is with Cript working on some project." Cerex said with an assertive tone. "Besides, even if that was true it would take a lot to kill that Admin. Assuming he isn't Deathless already like Cript."
“They said he was crippled somehow...but I don’t know if it was not too long ago or if it was a long time ago…” I sighed out.
"Well, one way to find out." Cerex said.
“And that’s to warn him.” I said honestly.
"Or ask." Cerex said plainly as we called up Lord.
"Yes?" Lord's voice spoke up. His unarmored form was still hard to imagine given how his armor had him look. Then again, that was likely the point.
“Do you know anyone by the name of Ket and Agava?” I asked curiously.
"Hmmm… Ket and Agava… yeah, yeah I remember them. Why do you ask?"
“Because I kind of...saw through Ket’s memories of how Void Mother hired them to kill the Delete Hunter, and you were the only one that King knew was called that.” I told him.
"Saw through his… oh. You found Echoed Memories Coins didn't you?"
“Oh so that’s what those things are.” I said honestly. “But yes, yes I did, and we have an entire bag full of them.”
"Heh, the only things worth a trade without question in the Void, Echoed Memories Coins, and Void Crystals. Those coins there are the only proof that Delete ever existed. Typically once they die there ain't any normal means. And yes I am aware of the rule breaking method King made. Those coins exist cause I killed him."
“Well alrighty then.” I said honestly. “But...curious thing, they said you were crippled, and also those assholes used Nothingness, how the hell could they use those items?”
"While rare, occasionally Nothingness slipped into the void in one way or another. Largely it just appeared in dungeons pre weaponized. Still rare as all hell though. And Crippled? That was… right, I vaguely remember that day… Christ that was eternities ago."
“But you're still alive, even if Void Mother specifically hired those two.” I said honestly.
"Them and about several hundred other high ranked deletes from that era."
"Alright. Just making sure everything's fine and you're not being hunted down at the moment." I said honestly.
"Trust me, there are only two people who can have a chance at killing me, one is Cript here, the other is, well, doesn't matter about the other one. No way that can even happen now."
"And now it's going to happen cause you said it can't." I frowned. "Cause jinxing shit is a pain in the ass."
"Still, not possible. They're dead too."
"Remember how Cript broke time and dead people came back?" I brought up.
"Yes but… just trust me, they are gone. If you wanna know how, watch the rest of Ket's memories. You'll see how." With that Lord hung up, and Cerex and I shared a look.
"So, gonna watch?" She asked simply.
“Might as well, even if we’re still massively behind.” I said honestly. “Sorry, that’s a bit too much King talking.”
"Heh, relax. Just one more, I'll stuff you away in me and make it to the boss door so once you are done, we can enter."
“Alright.” I nodded. “Let’s get to seeing Ket’s memories…”
I grabbed the next Echoed Memories Coin as Cerex stuffed me inside one of her belly pockets. With a small flow of void I entered the next memory.
I was back in Ket's body. The Delete was carrying something heavy strapped to their back. What I don't know. "Are you sure this will work?" My host asked.
"Definitely." Agava spoke, unseen from wherever she was nearby.
”Well, let’s see how Lord murdered these two and others?” I wondered.
"How much further then?" Ket asked.
"Not far." Agava answered. Her attire was different as she walked up into view. She was now wearing something like leather armor, her clock not even on her person, but her plethora of knives was. "Once we bring this prize to The Forge, the sick fuckers there can make a weapon with Mother tier kick.
I felt and heard Ket Whistle when hearing that. I agreed with that assumption. "Alright, now you're talking."
”That would have sucked ass if they managed to get it.” I thought to myself.
After a bit of walking the two arrived at a massive valley, irradiating heat and blask smoke into the eternal black sky. As the two walked down an old staircase, lava and other molten metals and such were flowing through tubes and poured into tubs that mixed them. In the center of all this mess was this… robot? Is that a robot?
It did look robotic, steampunk too with a steam whistle in it's head, gears all within it's frame body. I felt Ket drop what they were carrying. "Forge Master, we need a sword."
"Lots of people come here for swords." The robotic being before me spoke in a completely metallic voice. "What Kind, are you searching for?"
"One that can kill the Delete Hunter." Agava answered.
"Illogical." The robotic forge master stated.
"Not with this." Ket said, stepping back, what he was carrying was twice his size, wrapped in dirty cloth. In a swift pull the cloth came off, and I knew what I saw. King had seen it before, but this… the ones King saw were tiny, this was the size of a person. A Time Crystal.
”Sweet baby jesus that time crystals huge!” I yelped in surprise.
The mechanical Forge Master walked over to the giant Time Crystal. "Quite the temporal event. I dare not ask." They said, looking up to the two. "I can craft Chrono Weapon with this crystal alone. One with the power to not only displace, but erase the target from time itself, from every point in time."
"And that, is how the Delete Hunter shall die." Agava said with wicked enthusiasm.
I came back inside Cerex as expected, but they were asleep. Must already be by the door. Sighing I decided to take this time to think over what I have seen from those memories of Ket's.
“So uh...how is Lord alive when… apparently they made a weapon that can erase someone from time itself?” I asked myself nervously.
The thought of such a weapon was, honestly, Scary. So I called Lord up to get an answer real quick.
"What now?" They asked, annoyed.
"So about this Chrono Weapon you had to go up against." I started. "How are you alive when it, and I quote from the blacksmith that made it, Erase someone from Time itself."
"I never got hit. Duh." Lord stated matter of factly.
"But how is it possible to make something like that?" I asked nervously.
"Time Crystals are rare and super small for a reason. To find one the size of the normal elemental Crystals is like shiny hunting in gen one Pokemon and to find one any bigger us like looking for one specific atom in the entire universe. They exist but their level of rarity is just not worth the effort. They are also illegal for obvious reasons, so when they tried and failed to kill me with it I destroyed the damn thing."
“Ah, okay then.” I nodded. “Thank you, cause when that appeared I got...a bit concerned.”
"It's all in the past. Literally. So don't worry about it, and stop calling me." With that, Lord hung up.
"Rude." I frowned. "Alright, let's get on with the boss."
After managing to wake up Cerex and get out, she and I got ready. Thankfully my time in her let her natural magic apply all those buffs to me. Entering, this room looked while in ruins, yet regal and all on fire. Adamn crawled out from the coffin, gauntlets broken and oozing raw power and void.
"Damn." I started. "Well, let's start." I said while cracking my knuckles and preparing for a fight, all four of my hands crackling with energy.
I went with Nothingness to counter the Void Adam was radiating and used speed force to get in hundreds of hits… and only to deal about 10% of their HP before I had to slow down. I rushed back behind Cerex and their shield as Adamn made their swing. Thankfully her shield held and was still holding.
“Jeez, all of that and only ten percent?” I muttered. “This is gonna be a bit harder than I thought…”
"I'll buff you while you're out. Just keep them distracted so I can get the ace card buff spell ready."
“That I can do.” I said while raising all four of my arms and firing off bolts of Nothingness at Adam while moving around with my Speed Force to keep him from getting a chance to hit me.
They chased me around, while fast not fast enough to grab me as Cerex was preparing a powerful spell. Matrixes and Mana flowing into the air. As much as I wanted to admire it, and her, I don't wanna get punched by Adamn.
“Anytime now hun!” I yelped as I dodged a flaming fist projectile Adam threw at me.
With a pulsating flow of power her spell impacted me. And I felt… good. So so good. I ran, Speed Force feeling unlimited as I gave Adamn a four fist punch. Dealing fifty percent of their remaining HP. With another four fisted punch, took them out, but first I brought out Salvation and rammed it into their back as they went flying.
Time began to flow again as I let Speed Force stop and in my arms I was holding a tiny, baby Adam.
“Sweet...the heck was that?” I asked Cerek curiously while tending to baby Adam.
"Not long after I arrived at the castle, Twilight, Cript's Twilight found me and found out what I was basically built to do, so she gave me some buffer spells and others to use." Cerex said, slithering up and around myself and baby Adam. "So cute."
“He is adorable.” I said warmly.
Cerex took them from me, and rather than sending them down… wait, can she even do that? In any case she began feeding them. Baby Adam drinking away without resistance.
“You know...I kind of forgot that we can all breast feed.” I started sheepishly. “So onto the next floor?”
"In a moment." Cerex said, still happily feeding Adam.
I gave a laugh and checked out the rewards… there were a lot.
“Jesus...there is so much here…” I muttered.
Looks like from this point on, we're golden.
To be continued...