Random Portals

Steven stabbed his spear into the general’s empty eye socket right before he sent him back to inventory.

“That was good his eyes are weakened from the spider.” Silvia said encouragingly.

“It just feels wrong somehow.”

“That undead made his choice when he turned Eve into an undead.”

“You’re right!” Steven said, slapping at his cheeks then shaking his hands out trying to pump himself up.

Pulling the general from inventory, he stabbed his spear into the undead’s empty eye socket, hoping to pierce the brain and be done with it. Unfortunately, the undead General’s health bar had only dropped from thirteen percent to eleven percent.

“Are you sure this is right?” Steven asked.

“I’m not sure why it wouldn’t be. He came after you. We tried to resolve this peacefully.Besides, he attacked you first. He had this coming.”

“She will wake up, won’t she?”

“We have been over this, yes she will wake up. She could wake up at any time. Now let’s kill this undead, so you can get stronger and get Eve to someone that can help her.”

“You’re right.” Steven said, while taking a deep breath.

Pulling out the general again, he jabbed his spear at the undead general’s eye. Although this time he missed hitting right under his eye. His health didn’t even drop by a single percent. Steven paused for a second, within that second, the general enlarged one arm enough to tear through the webs and grab Steven by the throat. Steven immediately sent him to inventory, luckily as long as there was contact, his inventory ability worked.

“What are you doing?” Silvia asked. “You realize this being is several times your level! You don’t have time to play around. Stab, send to inventory, stab inventory, stab inventory. It’s not hard. You have been doing it to the undead ever since you entered the dungeon.”

“Sorry I got distracted,” Steven said sheepishly.

Steven did as Silvia said, pulling out the general and stabbing him over and over, only pausing when the health bar hovered at one percent.

“What’s wrong? Once more and it’s done.”

“It’s just I’ll be killing him in cold blood.”

Silvia’s light pulsed in confusion, “of course you will be, he is an undead. All undead are cold-blooded.”

“That’s not what I mean!”

“Well, finish this so we can see if Evesakia will wake up.”

“Wait. You think by killing him it could wake Eve?”

“I’m unsure but it is definitely a possibility.”

“Why didn’t you tell me that before?“ Steven asked, pulling the General out and stabbing him one last time. The General started to fall to the floor but out of reflex Steven sent him to inventory.

+22,614

Steven’s eyes widened at the essence he gained.

“Just think how much the spider just received, though you did deliver the final blow, so you both probably got roughly the same.”

Steven quickly got over his surprise and opened a portal to Eve. She was still laying on the makeshift bed. It mostly just consisted of blankets the Naga bound together. Steven was going to have her stay in his bed, but Silvia had talked him out of it.

“She doesn’t seem to have changed at all.” Steven said, disappointment apparent in his tone.

“Well, we tried,” Silvia said. “You should check your inventory to see if you can get the unformed core.”

“Did you just lie to me so I would kill the general?”

Silvia’s light fluttered wildly. “I would never! I’m honestly hurt you would even suggest such a thing.” Silvia then flew off, her pink light flickering wildly.

As she left, Steven heard her say something about she would accept an apology later.

Sighing, Steven opened his inventory to look and see if he could find the unformed core Silvia was talking about, but found nothing of the sort. He supposed he would have to ask Silvia about it later. Turning, he stared at Eve for a bit before deciding he was done for the day. He would level up to thirty later and then choose a shard. Though he would need to wait for Silvia. His bed wasn’t far away, so he started in that direction, while weighing the cons of removing his amulet so he could get high. He had just killed someone. It was an undead someone but still it was someone. It felt different. Even when he was dropping undead on the soldiers. They still had a chance to fight and live. The General had no chance. He still had several more warriors in his inventory, not to mention the assassin. What the hell was he supposed to do with all of them?

Once he made it to his bed, he realized it was already occupied. He had already forgotten about Fidah, and she was fast asleep. Steven didn’t want to bother her, so he just started walking in a random direction with his thoughts. His plan was to find a nice quiet spot and remove his amulet and smoke and drink until he didn’t feel like he just murdered someone. Everyone could just wait another twenty-four hours.

Just as he sat down and was getting ready to remove the amulet, a voice spoke up from above. “My King, the Queen is on her way towards you. I just thought you would like to be informed.”

Steven was startled at first, but quickly recognized the drone on the ceiling. He had forgotten about his always present observers. “Thanks Charles.” Steven remembered naming that drone. He was an enthusiastic drone that really liked his name. The thought made him smile slightly. It also reminded him of the drone that had watched over Eve while she was captured. The drone hadn’t done anything, but he watched over Eve. Maybe he could give them some insight into what happened to her. He would need to have the drone speak with Siliva when she came back. Nev’s voice broke him from his thoughts.

“Master, did you fight the General? I just received a large chunk of essence.” Nev asked.

“I did. Silvia had me do it.”

“This will likely cause problems with the undead. I don’t believe this was a wise choice on her part. Undead politics is not something we want to get involved in.”

“I agree,” Steven sighed. “I wish I would have known that before, I wouldn’t have killed him.”

“What’s done is done. Did it give you enough to reach level thirty?”

“It did.”

“Have you chosen which shard to use yet?”

“I haven’t. I was going to wait to get Silvia’s opinion before I made any final decisions on it.”

“My opinion would be the wings. If you got wings, it would drastically change our approach to fighting.”

“I have considered that.” Steven said, not mentioning that he was afraid of heights and was really just going to choose the forest shard, regardless of what Silvia said.

“I am going to get back to recovering my mana for in the morning. I was simply coming to make sure you were okay.” Nev said before she started back to where ever she had been.

He wondered if she ever felt bad for all the people she killed. If she did, she never acted like it. He doubted it. She had killed her own mother, after all.

Deciding it was best to not have his mana regeneration halved, he just sat there. Wondering what the flying cat and old wizard were up to in his world.

Thoughts of his aunt and his old life of playing video games in his basement came and went through his mind. He wasn’t sure how much time passed before Silvia appeared.

“Ready to apologize now?”

“Yes, I’m sorry.” Steven said in a deadpan voice.

“Hmmm, I expected it to feel more satisfying. This is the first time I have ever received an apology.” Silvia’s light flickered slightly. “anyway, Fidah is ready to kill an abomination with you.”

Steven sighed. “I had forgotten about that. Alright, let’s go.” Steven stood up. His life use to be so simple, never once did he have to face death.

“Have you looked in your inventory for the unformed core?” Silvia asked as Steven opened a portal.

“I looked, but I didn’t see it. I was thinking it was still inside the undead.”

“Hmm, let me have a look.” Silvia said as she flew into his chest and directly into his inventory.

Steven shook his head and stepped through the portal. He was getting used to the wisp now. She was almost like a mother figure to him, or maybe he just thought of her that way since that’s something he wanted.

Steven looked on at a still sleeping Fidah. “Of course you didn’t inform her of your plans.”

He almost pulled Silvia back out just to tell her she was not ready, but decided against it.

He needed to have Nev help him bind the abomination, anyway. He doubted his webs from the ring would hold, although maybe his spider form could. Deciding against it for now, he was just about to open a portal when he realized he had no idea where the spider Queen was. Looking around, he couldn’t find a drone anywhere, and that was when he realized he lost the drones when he went through the portal.

“I wonder if they complain to Nev about not being able to keep up with me.” Steven mumbled as he headed towards the Naga camp.

He would either ask Sirus if he knew what direction the spider Queen was or run into a drone on the way. Steven also wanted to ask Sirus what he thought about killing the General.

As he walked, he did his best to distract his mind. It was getting harder and harder to convince himself the amulet was worth it. He pulled up the description from his equipment page.

Neck- Amulet of the Armored Spider

Rarity- Shard forged

~ Effect]- Enhanced Carapace instantly forms over wearer’s body. (Note: Instantly activates if wearer takes 10% or more damage.)

~Cost}- Regeneration +3 per second.

~ Efect 2}- +50 Resistance.

~Cost}- None. (Passive ability)

~ Efect 3}- +35 Poise

~Cost}- None. (Passive ability)

“Dam, that’s good.” Seven was hoping it wasn’t as good as he remembered, but it was really good. Too bad it had that damned resistance. He was also certain he could tell the difference in the poise. He felt sturdier. Sighing, he closed the screen just in time to run face first into the dungeon wall.

A slight chuckle came from Steven as he continued to the Naga camp. He would have opened a portal, but he was hoping to run into a drone. He also was wondering why Silvia was taking so long, but just assumed it was just the wisp being a wisp. Once Steven made it to the camp, he saw a few fires burning, but there was hardly anyone around. His first thought was Nev had eaten most of them, but a Naga guard took him out of his thoughts.

“Honored Steven, may I be of assistance.” The guard asked with a slight bow.

Steven was surprised at the respect he was given, but he supposed he had saved them. Though this was likely the wisps doing somehow.

“I was looking for Sirus.”

“I do believe he is sleeping. Would you like me to wake him?”

“No, that’s fine. I'll speak with him in the morning. It’s not urgent.” Steven didn’t realize it was so late. He should probably get some sleep as well. He would just have to push off the abomination killing to a later date. Opening a portal, he stepped right next to his bed. He looked on at the elf laying there fast a sleep for a moment. At least insanely gorgeous women surrounded him. He crawled into the bed. He quickly realized the red head was completely naked. Of course she was. He took a couple of deep breaths, trying to not get aroused, though that only made it worse. Moving to one side of the large bed, he lay there trying to fall asleep.

Steven woke up to something pushing at his face. Opening his eyes, he realized it was a foot. A foot that was attached to an elf who somehow was on top of the covers and half laying on him with her foot twitching on his cheek. Pushing the foot to the side, his eyes widened as he stared at the live form of the elf for a long moment, only broke out of the trance by a familiar voice.

“Master, why does the Elf get to be naked and you make me wear these clothes?”

Turning, he saw Nev laying on his other side. His brow creased. “Where is Silvia?”

“How am I supposed to know? Probably off playing with the Naga or something,” Nev said.

A quick look in his inventory had him realize she was still in his inventory. “You may want to get out of the bed. I’m fixing to pull her out of my inventory, seems she has been stuck in there all night.

Nev grumbled but got out of the bed. Knowing Silvia didn’t care if the elf was in the bed with him, he pulled Silvia out of his inventory. At first there was some resistance, which was strange he had never felt that before, but she quickly appeared in front of him, looking worse for wear.

“What took you so long? That damned Elder wisp was trying to consume me! Luckily for me, the inventory belonged to you and I was able to consume her back.”

“Wait! Slow down. What happened?”

“The Elder Wisp in your inventory was trying to eat my light!”

Steven just stared wide eyed at Silvia for a moment. “Are you okay?”

“Yes, better than okay actually, I was able to pull in a good portion of her light by using the little wisps and the fact that the Inventory belonged to you. Although I’m tired.” Silvia said as she landed on his shoulder.

Not sure what to do, Steven just continued to sit there on the bed. He was just fixing to ask if there was anything he could do when Silvia spoke.

“Oh, good. Did you two started working on making me some half elves? I have promises to uphold.” Silvia asked excitedly.

“What?” Steven asked.

“Absolutely not!” Nev said.

This was loud enough to wake Fidah, who yelped and started trying to cover herself.

“Oh, come on, do you think I haven’t seen naked female elves before?” Nev said.

“Good morning Fidah.” Steven said with a smile.

“Good morning Master.”

“Why have you not seduced Steven yet?” Silvia asked.

“Uh, I… ummm,” Fidah stammered eyes wide, “I’m, sorry I…”

Steven rolled his eyes. “We have more important things going on right now.” Steven didn’t mention that the elf wouldn’t have to do anything other than wink at him to seduce him.

“Tell me what’s going on with the Elder wisp. Do you know where it came from?”

“Yes,” Silvia said, “I gathered a lot of information. The Elder wisp doesn’t know where she is exactly but knows who you are. She refers to you as the village idiot.” Silvia’s light flickered. “I can see why she says that, although I’m unsure how she knows of you exactly. But she does blame you for taking her bounded humans domain, and says he will be coming after her and his domain. And that you should have listened to her and stayed where she told you to stay. Silvia then flew up off Steven’s shoulder. “I feel much better now. So, who is this wisp?”

Steven sat there, eyes wide as his mind raced. After a moment, he spoke. “It sounds like you a referring to the flying cat that gave me the domain when I first arrived. But I didn’t realize she was a Wisp.”

“So she isn’t your friend, then?” Silvia asked.

“I wouldn’t say she is my friend. I only briefly met her. If anything, she was quite rude to me.”

“Great, so you don’t have any problems with me eating her light?” Silvia asked, light fluttering while flying around in circles, “Okay I need you to pull me back out after about ten minutes so I can recharge and then ill go back in, after a few times of this I should be able to take all of her light and become an Elder wisp.” Silvia said excitedly.

“Umm, wait, is that? I mean, won’t that kill her?”

“No, wisps don’t die. It will just send her back to the void, and I will get all the attribute points that her last Domain Holder gave her, meaning I’ll be able to get new abilities.”

“I do like the sound of you getting new abilities and not having to use my attribute points. But what about Blank? That old wizard seemed powerful. It may be best to return the Elder wisp to him and avoid a fight.”

“It’s way past that, besides you’re too weak to survive the domain being ripped from you and he will definitely want his domain back. I still don’t understand why it was given to you in the first place, even temporarily.”

“Well, it sounds like we have yet another problem to deal with. As for why I’m not sure, though, I think it may have something to do with them finding their way back to this world.”

“What ever the case, this problem can be solved by getting stronger.” Silvia said.

“All problems can be solved with power," Nev added.

“So it’s settled then. Pull me out in ten minutes.”

“Leave her alive, okay? Just drain most of her power.”

“Fine, I’ll keep her alive. Just know when it comes back to bite you, I’ll say I told you so.”

“I just don’t want to keep killing.”

“Killing is how you grow stronger.” Nev said.

“It’s not the only way, and you don’t have to kill sentient beings.” Fidah added. Now fully dressed in her leather armor. Steven was staring at her, trying to figure out how she got dressed so quickly.

“Ahh, well, you three can discuss morality. I’m going to go take the light from the Elder Wisp.” Silvia’s light flared before it dimmed.

“You seem a bit too excited.” Steven said.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Silvia said, “now ten minutes, then pull me out.” Silvia turned towards Fidah before flying into Steven’s inventory.

“Do you know anything about Domains?” Steven asked Nev.

“Not much. I do know they are needed to surpass level seventy.”

“Hmm, I’ll ask Silvia about it when she gets back. There is something that’s been confusing me. Well, we should start preparing for the hidden path.”

Getting up, Steven pulled out his leather armor and started putting it on. Fidah and Nev both helping while doing their best to not look at one another.

It was a shame he couldn’t just have it appear on his person. It was easy to just send it to inventory. He should be able to just pull it out already equipped, but at least he had help.

“Master, why does killing bother you so much?” Nev asked.

“Thats a difficult question. I think it’s mostly because I don’t want others to kill me. You know, the do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

Nev froze long enough. Steven asked if she was okay.

“Yes, I’m just considering what you said. I have never thought of it like that before. Does everyone think like that where you're from?”

“Well, no, there are still useless wars and killing, but the part I’m from is pretty safe. It is unlikely you would get attacked by anyone.”

“Hmmm, that sounds nice.”

Steven was surprised at the Queen’s response.

“I plan to create a safe place when I get stronger,” Fidah said. “I’ll become so strong no one would dare bother my village.”

“You plan to have a village, do you?” Steven asked.

“If Master approves, that is,” Fidah said in a low voice.

“Of course, maybe I’ll even help you, well, after I get out of this dungeon and explore this world a bit.”

Steven glanced at his dark vision potion timer and decided it had roughly been ten mins and pulled out Silvia.

“Whoa!” Silvia said as she appeared. “This is going to be easier than I thought. She can’t move in your inventory as freely as I can she is trapped in a single space.”

“Well, I suppose that’s good. Just remember I don’t want her killed, weakened is good though. Any way it’s time to go to the hidden path. I’m sure Sirus is waiting for us.”

“But, I’m so close it won’t….”

“You can do it in the hidden path. I’m sure we will wait there a day before we continue to the last floor.” Steven didn’t mention he wanted to take a little break so he could smoke and wait out the timer on his mana being halved.

“Fine, let’s go.”