XelofBloom
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14.5
🕑 Added 2022-04-17 07:20:08 +0000 UTCAs the tunnels they had been farming gave way to a large cavern Eve’s expression grew flinty. The cavern was large enough that the goblin tribe they had been fighting had established a village. Mud-covered wooden huts with fences that couldn’t keep a lizard out spread out like mushrooms after a heavy rain. Eve’s dust told her exactly what was happening in some of the huts causing her expression to grow cold and distant. It was clear that Felix’s Dungeon had more entrances than Eve had suspected. While she couldn’t force humanity on him, she resolved to have a conversation with the Hut. If he would listen to anyone it would be his beloved.
As the scouting spell and drone that Meyun and Mishka sent into the village returned Eve wasn’t surprised by the question the younger doctor asked.
“When you have so much power, why don’t you just stop everything like this from happening?” Mishka said as her beautiful face fought the sickening green hue that spread across her features. She had clearly seen inside some of the breeding huts by the sickened rage on the doctor’s face.
“Ah, the infamous question. Why didn’t you do more with all the power you had? Why didn’t you stop the bad men? Why didn’t you kill that dictator before he got his hands on chemical weapons? I mean, the long and short of it is I have only so much caring to go around in this world. The women in that shack, they aren’t mine. They aren’t my family, they aren’t my disciple, and they aren’t even part of my congregation. So, I don’t care.” Eve said with a cold face as she continued, “I don’t care because if I care too much, I’ll go mad. A bleeding heart is a one way ticket to the afterlife in my experience.”
“If not you, then what about Felix? Why does he allow atrocities like this in his Dungeon?” Meyun asked as Iantha, Bennie, and Helsted looked on.
“Please think long and hard at how you are attempting to attribute human morals to a crystal that eats them. Get back to me when you figure out how big of a mistake that is. Also, remember that Felix isone of mine. I don’t take kindly to people I am spoon-feeding questioning those who have a large portion of my trust.” Eve replied flicking a glance at Iantha. She didn’t mind helping them, but the irritation level for these two was rising to her limit.
Perhaps they would like to experience the world without a Tier Six babysitter. Eve thought darkly. I’m sure the slavers would appreciate such talented weaklings. She shook her head and let the darker thoughts go. It wouldn’t do to let the irritation lose a potential powerhouse like Iantha could be. Eve was willing to put up with a great deal to tie Iantha to her chariot.
No one fights alone in the Deeps.Eve thought as she glanced at Bennie and Helsted. At least those two are handling this much better. I’m fairly certain Bennie is much darker than the rest of them ever knew. Helsted on the other hand is just batshit combat junkie crazed. Both of them, along with Iantha, seem to have grasped the basic truth for this place.
“Is there really a justification for what’s going on in those huts?” Meyun said.
“Justification? Absolutely. Inside those breeding huts is the most basic truth in this world.” Eve said before pausing as she continued in a more generous tone, “That is what happens to the weak. Perhaps not exactly the same, but that is what will happen in one manner or another. The power of numbers means nothing to someone at a high enough Tier to nullify them. Tier Six cannot strike those below them, but there are countless ways around that restriction that I know of.”
“Is, is there anything that can be done for them?” Mishka asked as she stared at the village with undisguised hate.
“Certainly. I cannot save everyone, but that doesn’t mean I can’t save those within my sight.” Eve said taking note at how the engineer and doctor relaxed imperceptibly. Giving a sardonic grin she said, “Did you think I was going to do nothing after this village was cleared? Silly. My disciple always needs more servants to train her Skills and Spells. Of course, I don’t mind giving them the choice between service and escaping this place on their own.”
Mishka’s face was a contrast between anger and gratitude. Meyun on the other hand shrugged and said, “Saved is saved in my book.”
Eve gave him a pointed finger gun and said, “Your learning hot stuff.”
Iantha rolled her eyes and said, “How will we ensure none of them escape?”
“Oh, this is the part where you all get to realize the mind-boggling power you gave up.” Eve said as she spun to stare at her High Priestess.
“Call on me.” Eve said to Bennie with a focused gaze. “Don’t worry about the words, just say what you think is best.”
Bennie looked confused for a moment before her expression hardened and she looked at the goblin village below the ledge they were on. Kneeling down on one knee Bennie said, “Aid me my Patron. Show these mortal creatures the fury of the Silver Flames.”
Eve threw back her head and laughed as a System Message appeared in front of her.
Your High Priestess has requested a Divine Miracle.
Do you wish to grant it? Y/N
Be aware that acts that violate the Divine Decree are Anethema!
Eve selected ‘Yes’ with a sinister smile as she said, “Another loophole found. Best to use it before it becomes restricted.” Normally, she needed to allow the weaker party to attack her. However, there was an exception for Deities. Nota had found it buried deep in the rules for Divine Powers.
A deity was restricted heavily except for one time.
When their followers all agreed on a single path and called upon them.
Eve only had a single follower, and thus when Bennie called upon her it was with ‘one heart and one mind’ for a miracle.
Eve rippled shifting completely into a humanoid figure of dust that whispered, “As you have shown faith in me, let me show you the results of such belief.”
Witch’s Dust spread along the cavern walls at lightning speed engulfing the entire place in a shifting liquid silver prison. The entire party watched as the silver liquid-dust began to constrict the cavern’s space. Rather than peel off of the walls, instead the silver liquid created more of itself seemingly from nothing at all.
By the time the goblin village noticed something amiss, it was too late. The spaceship command team watched the village’s goblin shaman attempt to melt the encroaching liquid, but that only seemed to enrage it. Tendrils speared through the goblin shaman’s form with the speed of thrown spears before ripping it apart in a welter of gore. The large thick muscled form of the hobgoblin chief suffered a similar fate.
Bennie said, “This is exactly as I envisioned it. Is that normal?”
Eve’s shimmering form replied, “Who knows? I certainly am not going to expose myself by consulting other deities. The main factor is, this type of trick only works if every worshipper is focused on the same desired outcome.”
“I’m your only worshipper though, right?” Bennie said as she watched the goblin’s fruitlessly attempt to flee the massacre. Her face darkened as even with the current crisis no goblins left the breeding huts. It was clear those within were willing to ignore approaching death to satiate their biological imperatives.
“Coincidence.” Eve said with a shimmering smile as she continued, “Normally, a Higher Tier can’t attack those below. But, exceptions exist to every rule. After all, if they didn’t it would be possible for something low Tier from the Deeps to infiltrate and utterly obliterate the Prison Plane. One such exception is if worshipers of a Deity call for aid.”
Pointing out with a silver finger, she said, “Case in point.”
Witch’s Dust had finished the gory work consuming everything except the women who had been located in the breeding huts. Elves, humans, dwarves, and a few gnomes lay revealed their bodies ravaged to an unhealthy degree.
“Mishka, do you think you can do something for them?” Eve said as she shifted her body once more back into a purely physical form. While she hadn’t wanted to shift, apparently it was a requirement of using a Deity’s Descent as the System called it.
Nodding, the ship’s doctor flexed her powers. Eve watched as the unhealthy complexions of each of the women eased. As the group moved forward she said, “Meyun, stay back please. I’d rather not have any hysterical hydra rear their head.”
The engineer glanced at Iantha before nodding and moving back up the side of the cavern wall to the ledge and crack they had entered from.
“Was that necessary?” Iantha asked as she watched him settle down in the back.
“Absolutely. I don’t know if I’ve failed to say it enough, but all those women are Tier Three to Four. Once the shackles come off they could easily take their anger out on the closest male target. While I could probably put him back together with Kudzu and Lily’s help, I’d rather not risk it. Far easier just to stretch the space around us so that reaching Meyun becomes impossible from here.” Eve said.
“I’ve noticed you don’t seem to have any big flashy powers. Isn’t it normal at the higher Tiers to have something like that?” Helsted asked as her eyes remained glued to the broken women.
“I took a different road than the pathway most Tiers use.” Eve said noncommittedly.
“Less flash, more flesh?” Iantha winked.
“Indeed.” Eve said with a small smile as her eyes grew frosty as she took account of all the accumulated damage on the women.
Once they were close enough, Eve flexed her power shattering the restraining shackles and manacles that had been keeping the women in line. “Do not resist, or we will not be able to treat you.” Eve said as she pulled the unresisting woman into the Hut. Peeking in she saw that Kudzu had shifted from his male form to an animated female one that had been clearly modeled off Eve.
Lily was working with her guards to arrange quarters for each of the rescued women. Best of all the Hut was quietly providing fluffy pillows, soft beds, and therapeutic mice to soothe the women.
Nothing beats a cuddly mouse for therapy.Eve thought as she watched the tiny heroes at work. Except for a fluffy cat.
“Will we see more of this?” Helsted asked.
“I wish I could say no.” Eve said as she pulled Meyun back to the group with a flicker of will.
Iantha’s eyes darkened as she said, “I don’t like it.”
“You can’t save them all. You know that.” Eve said softly.
“Yes, but I still don’t like it.” Iantha replied as she gazed at the tunnel leading deeper into the Dungeon.
“Then get power, create an organization to do your bidding, and look into the future to find the problem points before snipping them off.” Eve said with a grin.
“Just like old times.” Iantha said cracking a smile.
“The more things change…” Eve said as she led the group deeper into the Dungeon.
Comments
Mr. Bigglesworth
*nod* That and the tax write offs.
Julie
I actually hope her religion stays with only Bennie so she can keep using this loophole.
Gregory Hunsicker
This is the start of religion XD
