What Do you Mean All Dungeons are Girls!!!? Enhanced Edition

Phyllis sat on a rock blankly staring at the water in front of her. The girl didn’t really pay it any mind, or her surroundings either. She just wasn’t all that aware of them. In her mind the news of her father being dead kept playing in her mind. It had only been a few days, Misaki and her mother Pafi had been there plenty for her. The funeral wasn’t for a few more days, the temples had already received her father’s body but it still had to be prepared for the rituals.

She sighed, there had been so much she wanted to share with Kael. Unfortunately, that was not to be. Why did he have to die now? Couldn’t he have lived just a little longer? Her hand drifted to her belly, already swollen with child. There were still a few months left before she would give birth, but it was getting more noticeable that she was with child. A child she would have loved to show her Dad. Phyllis had wanted her kids to know their grandfather. Now all those dreams were broken and gathering dust.

A splash occurred nearby but Phyllis didn’t even give it a glance. Her mind was elsewhere as she considered all the missed opportunities. She hadn’t even told Dad that she wasn’t a boy anymore nor had she even informed him that she was expecting. It had seemed like she would have plenty of time for that, and yet her father, as powerful as he was, had fallen. It just didn’t seem right. Another sigh left her, her hand dropping from her belly. It really wasn’t right at all but there was nothing she could do. By now her father was already before the gods, something she wasn’t that worried about. Her father had led a good life, she’d always been proud to be his child.

Her father was actually rather famous, commonly known as Kael the Hunter. Respected by adventurers everywhere, Phylis had been in his shadow back when she’d first started her career. Still she hadn’t minded it too much, and Dad had always been there to give her guidance and support when she needed it. His loss wasn’t just a blow to her, but the world as well.

Kael might have held a simple title, but he didn’t hunt just anything. Her father was an expert in hunting down escaped Abyssals. While they were numerous, one thing the many creatures had in common was that they were truly twisted. Yet there were those that would worship them, that meant dealing with not just the Abyssal but the followers it had as well. Phyllis remembered he’d taught her a bit of his craft, but it wasn’t really for her. She’d always preferred honest adventure over hunting evil. Yet that didn’t mean she’d not understood the craft, it was one society required. Leaving rogue Abyssals around to terrorize entire towns was never a good idea, and Dad doing his part to deal with them was a major factor in why she’d been so proud to have him as her father. A pride she wanted to share with her children, yet he was gone now. Perhaps they would enjoy stories of the man, but it just wouldn’t be the same. Idly she fell back and glanced at the sky, why didn’t she reach out? There was so much she wanted to share with him...

Suddenly she was gasping and flailing as she found herself in the water. Giggling filled the air as she found her feet on the soft mud below. A splash from behind was her only warning before a rather flat chest pressed into her from behind. While more giggles filled the air, “I got you!”

Phyllis carefully extricated herself and turned around to see the form of Misha the mermaid girl Misaki had adopted recently. The girl giggled, “Hey miss? Want to play?”

Seeing such childish energy, she figured why not? “Sure, what do you have in mind?”

Misaki stretched, she wasn’t entirely sure how it happened but over the last few days she’d found herself increasingly responsible for not just her own dungeon, but for Phyllis’s guild. Then again she didn’t entirely blame the other girl for being somewhat absent lately. Aidera was pretty sure Phyllis would be fine and just needed time to process the loss of her father. In fact the girl said it would be more harmful than helpful to do anything other than give her the space and time she needed. A sentiment that Misaki couldn’t entirely disagree with. Afterall it was a rather significant loss and one that came with little warning. 

Pafi seemed to be taking the news better, but Misaki had caught the older woman crying at the temple. In addition, the woman went there often just for the sense of peace it offered her. From what Misaki could tell the older Greybeard was just more adept at handling her emotions but the wound cut just as deep with her. It didn’t really mean as much to her but Misaki had never met the man. Even so, she felt it was no less a tragedy, especially since she did genuinely like both women. Hell, she was pregnant with Phyllis’s kids, two of them no less. Part of her wanted to tell Phyllis that she was expecting twins but now just didn’t feel right. 

Misaki had actually asked Aidera for her thoughts on the subject and was promptly told to say nothing, that even mentioning it now would be harmful. So she was going to hold off and trust the mind mage on that. In the meantime she would prepare for the kids Phyllis didn’t know they were going to have and let the other girl process.

The door to the office opened suddenly and in came Melisa the aide. She smiled, “Thanks for coming in and helping. I didn’t know what I would do with Phyllis...”

“Well I couldn’t let her guild slide, she loves it, but I don’t blame her for being listless. She loved her father and I think I’d be the same way if I was in her shoes.”

Melisa placed the paperwork she had brought in down, then sighed, “I know I would. When my Grandmother passed away a few years back, I was devastated. Honestly I think Phyllis is doing pretty good, she’s eating and engaging. Just a little lost. I was... worse.”

Misaki took up the first item and started looking it over, a frown on her face, “Worse?”

“Yeah... I don’t really want to talk about it.”

“Sure,” she replied before shifting the subject, “So according to this, the Church of the Dragon will be here in three days and they’ve requested a plot of land in advance for their members to camp in.”

“Nothing too unusual, large groups can’t always find space at local inns, so sometimes they rent land. I’ve looked at the proposal and personally think it reasonable. The revenue they are oftering is about twenty five percent higher than the usual rate, and they plan to camp for at least a month. The guild could use those funds.”

Misaki nodded, “They might be fun neighbors. If they are anything like Aidera, I’m sure we will have a fun time with them around.”

Melisa gave her a look, “Please don’t remind me. Having one nudist female supremacist is already enough of a headache.”

“Hey she’s done a lot of good. She’s been providing medical care to the adventurers and mental health counseling, I think she’s a good person.”

“That’s not the problem.”

Misaki chuckled, “Right, well nothing we can do about that.” Then she added her signature to the document, approving the rent. “Still you are right, the guild does need the funds. If any issues arise we can deal with them.”

“Pretty sure that’s why they offered more, so we’d have the funds to spare for security.”

“Perhaps,” said Misaki as there was a knock on the door.

Melisa sighed and opened the door admitting Arrieta into the room. The naked half-Atarli woman smiled, “I thought I would find you here.”

Misaki said, “Well I had to help Phyllis out, she’s grieving you know.”

“I’m aware, I just wanted to let you know that I’m going home. I can’t stay, even as much as I’d like to.” She produced something. “But I figured I could give you this first.”

Misaki took it and her eyes widened as she realized it was rich in magical energy. “What’s this for?”

Arrieta smiled, “It’s a spellstone, raw crystallized magic that’s been shaped with some ritual magic. I’m quite happy with your growth, but I figured you could use this to grow further.”

Misaki grimaced, “more training?”

“Hey don’t give me that, you made level fifty thanks to me.”

Misaki gave her a look, “Don’t remind me.”

Arrieta giggled, “It wasn’t easy finding the right foe for you. Anyway I should get going, and if you ever need me, just let me know.” Then she glanced down, “Besides with five babies on the way you might need some help.”

“Thanks, but I have things covered.”

“I know you do, but I still had to offer,” said Arrieta as she left.

Melisa watched her, and then eyebrows raised, inquired, “Five?”

Misaki gave her a wry look. “We were quite fertile that day. Don’t tell Phyllis, but she’s got three in her.”

Melisa grinned widely, then started laughing. “Lucky her.”

“Yeah sure, lucky...” responded Misaki as memories of everything she’d been told surfaced. Something she’d been trying not to think about, but with every passing day, the day her babies arrived drew nearer. 

The other girl gave her a look, “Worried about pushing them out?”

She blushed, ‘Um... maybe just a little.”

“Well I’d be more worried for Phyllis, she’s got three to look forward to and she’s not been the best at regulating her mana flow. That might be painful if she doesn’t sort that out.”

“Pafi and Arrieta both mentioned that and Aidera even voiced some concerns. Does mana flow really make that much of a difference?”

Melisa sighed, “Right I keep forgetting you’re still quite young. For dungeons like you, not really. Dungeons are basically natural born mothers. I’ve never heard of one having a hard birth, but for humans it does. A good mana flow really helps sort out a whole laundry list of complications that can occur. Trust me, I learned all of it when I had my own child.”

‘You have a kid?”

She smiled, “I did, I was nineteen at the time and so focused on getting ahead that I didn’t really have time for my daughter, but she’s the cutest thing. I’ll introduce you when my Mom comes by with her. I think they will be here next week.”

Misaki smiled, “That might be fun. What can you tell me about her?”