Dungeon at the End of the Universe

While the moon Dungeon Core slept – that is, while it Levelled-Up – and the moon Dungeon fairy rested – that is, carefully observed the situation on Lapis – other people didn’t have it so easy.

Dittillapp, the strange rogue of fate, was not having the best of times.

Their fist problem emerged when they were transported to the moon. For some reason, the guidance they had felt throughout their life vanished for a split second. It wasn’t all that bad, just a single moment of uncertainty. But it was the first such moment if their life.

The second problem came later, once they had their class and were training with the other two Sipalians. For some reason, the three of them ended up blessed. That may have been a good thing, except that the event also caused Ditti to be left without guidance.

And for much longer than before too! It wasn’t just a split second, no. In fact, if Ditti was able to remember the previous loops they’d know that the guidance vanished for approximately the same amount of time as when their arrival to the moon first changed from the cave to the village.

Fortunately for them, the other two in their group were used to them not speaking too much. This gave them time to recover while the other two discussed.

Afterwards, things proceeded relatively normally.

The group finished their training, just like Ditti had predicted. They were all transported back to Lapis, just like Ditti had predicted. And then the three of them were gathered up by some government agents, just like Ditti had predicted.

Which brings us to the present. Ditti, Ram, and Prshky had been holed up in the same government building for more than a week now, with no change in sight.

“Let’s just break out already,” Ram complained.

She was the knight of the group, as well as a de-facto leader. She also wasn’t used to sitting still for long periods at a time, so her current situation was rather uncomfortable.

“I, also, would like to go out. However, the consequences would be rather dire, don’t you think?” Prshky answered. He was the wizard of the group, mostly since he was the only one who’d rather study and had no combat proves. “Also,” he continued, “Ditti here says it’s not time yet. And we both know they have some weird Ability.”

Ram groaned at that, sick and tired of hearing the same argument over and over again. She turned to Dittillapp.

“It’s not time yet. We should wait for the other and the signal,” was their cryptic reply.

“Aargh! What other? And what signal?” Ram groaned in frustration.

All three of them paused when their enhanced hearing picked up something far away. It was unusual. Normally, they were only visited on a set schedule, and even that was simply to ask the same questions over and over again that they did not have the answers to.

A minute later, the door to their room opened and an unfamiliar figure stepped through. The unknown Sipalian immediately closed the door behind them and turned towards to three imprisoned adventurers.

“Do we know you?” asked Ram.

“Yes.”

With that single word, the illusion of the Sipalian that’d just walked in fell away. What remained was a much smaller figure, one with four translucent wings.

“Tutorial guide Faellen!?” Ram and Prshky blurted out.

“Yes, yes, it is me. Though I am no longer your Tutorial guide.” The fairy looked around and, seeing that Ditti was once again out of it and confused, spoke up. “You need to stop relying in that Ability of yours so much. It leaves you completely vulnerable when it’s disabled.”

Ditti themselves only barely heard the fairy, too in shock from loosing something that had been with them their whole life.

“Alright, anyway. Let’s get you three out of here,” Faellen declared.

Ram’s face lit up at that, excited to finally go out and explore. Unfortunately, not everyone in the party felt the same way and quickly poured a bucket of cold water over her.

“While that would be nice,” Prshky began, “it would also have rather severe consequences. We’re still citizens of the empire after all. I’m sure you understand, miss Faellen.”

“First of all, not a miss. Second of all, there’s important stuff to worry about than your status in this empire of yours. There won’t be an empire if you stay locked up here. Plus, even if you do save the empire, after your planet fully awakens it’ll hardly be the same and whatever negative status you gain will become irrelevant.”

“Apologies Mr Faellen, but I can’t say I agree. Additionally, I find myself trusting the Ability of Dittillapp, and it says we need to wait.”

“Again. First of all, not a Mr. Second of all, don’t trust the strange Abilities of strangers so easily. Have they even told you what it’s called and what it does?” At Prshky’s uncertain look on his face, it nodded. “Thought so. Either way, you can stay if you want, it shouldn’t be too hard to find us with that blessing.”

What the fairy was talking about were some of the expanded System functions the blessing granted. Specifically, how it expanded the party system. Among other things, it now allowed them to sense the positions of their other party members.

With that all done, Faellen turned to Ram. “Ready?”

“Yes!” For a moment she turned back to Prshky and Ditti, “Don’t wait too long!” Then she tuned back to Faellen and gave it a final nod.

An illusion of two unknown Sipalians appeared around the two of them. After that, it was a simple matter of walking out. No one even bothered to so much as ask them where they were going, let alone stop them.

Meanwhile, back in the room the two left behind, Ditti and Prshky continued to wait around. The wizard was left to contemplate what was said, while the rogue was still recovering from the daze they were in.

It would be a while before anyone from the government came to check up on them, but they sure won’t be happy when they do.