Chapter 4 Part 3 of 3 (Patreon)

***

The Alva totem flashed as ‘traders’ walked through. They pulled off their gear as the carriage doors were opened.

Egbert stepped out of the still moving carriage and into mid-air with Davin flying right beside him. He clasped his hands behind his back and flew over to the council members standing off to the side of the main street. Alvans filled the streets. They were quiet as they stood on their tiptoes looking for their loved ones. The traders took off their cloaks and armor, revealing their fatigues underneath. They walked down the street as the totem flashed with more soldiers returning home.

Egbert stopped in midair before the raised platform. “I have orders from the Lords to modify the dungeon to increase security and stability,” Egbert said.

“It is good to see you again, Egbert. Davin,” Delilah said.

“It is good to be home.” Egbert sighed. Davin bobbed his head and held his hands together in front of him.

“We will not keep you,” Delilah said.

Egbert nodded, seeing the red eyes of the council leaders. All of them lost someone they knew in Vuzgal. Not even rank can help you escape it.

Egbert flew off toward the dungeon core. He landed before the headquarters.

“Davin, you can head off to the fire floor, if you want to,” Egbert said.

“No, I, uhh, think I’ll stay up here.” Davin looked like a shy child not wanting to admit his thoughts.

“I can always use an assistant,” Egbert said.

Davin’s wings perked up as he looked at Egbert. Maybe I have been forgetting him. We are oddities, but the laughter is usually to hide the pain.

Egbert nodded to the guards who checked his medallion.

“It is good to see you again, Mister Egbert,” one said.

Egbert nodded and headed into the building. It was so quiet with no one here. “I’ve gotten used to having people around.”

He walked through the building, passing different security formations, into the dungeon core room.

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Do you wish to apply this blueprint?

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Yes/No

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Egbert checked the positioning.

“That should work, yes!”

The blueprint in his hand burned away as power diverted from the mana drill blasting into the ground.

“Onto part two.” Egbert left the dungeon headquarters and flew over Alva with Davin.

“What are we doing now?”

“Now, we’re going to take the Vuzgal dungeon core, split it up and create a network of dungeons under the entire Beast Mountain Range. We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us!”

***

The rain disappeared and warmth flooded in as Rugrat looked at the familiar defenses around the Alva Totem.

He walked off the pad as it flashed again with more people. He pulled off his wet cloak and gear, storing it as he checked Gong Jin and his people. They pulled on their headdresses. Grouping together, they headed out of the totem defenses together.

Leaving the gates, they saw soldiers walking down the road in groups. People along the street yelled and wave as they saw someone they knew. Soldiers ran to their families, hugging them, some picking up young ones, others crying in the embrace of a parent.

Rugrat and the special team walked down the road, heading for the barracks.

“Jimmy.”

Rugrat turned to the familiar voice. Momma waved her handkerchief as tears ran down her face. He ran over to the side of the street and hugged her across the barricades.

“Oh Jimmy, Jimmy, let me look at you.”

Some things don’t change.

As she had done every time he returned from deployment, she studied him; turning his hands over, scanning him before she put her hands on his cheeks and brought him down, kissing him on the forehead, forcing him to bend over as she hugged his neck.

Rugrat hugged her too, careful to not use too much strength.

She let him go and patted his chest, pulling herself together. “Where is your brother?” She looked behind him.

“Erik is coming in a later batch. He’s working on the wounded.”

“That boy.” Momma smiled and patted Rugrat’s arm, her hand tightening on it. She sniffed and dabbed at her eyes, clearing them. “And who are these?”

Rugrat turned to see Elder Fred and his family.

“You know the people that were stuck in the dungeon I told you about?”

“Ahh, which one of them is Racquel?” Momma spoke out the side of her mouth in a low voice.

Rugrat winced as he saw the sly smile spread across Racquel’s face. Her eyes flicked to him.

“She’s the one on the right.”

“Oh.” Momma’s eyes thinned as she nodded, weighing the woman. “Very pretty.”

Rugrat introduced them. “Elder Fred, Reaper, Dromm, Elizabeth, William, and Racquel, this is my mother.”

“It is very good to meet you all. Thank you for looking after my son, I hope that I can cook for you in the future.”

They nodded and smiled as Momma Rodriguez cleaned some invisible thread from Rugrat’s combats.

“Have to bring them around for dinner, make them feel at ease here. I hope you can settle down a little more.”

“Momma,” Rugrat sighed.

“I know, I know,” She patted his chest. “You’ve always been a free spirit. As much as it pains me, I understand. Come, come, I’ve made you a feast, bring your friends as well. We’ll do it like we did in the past.”

“Okay,” Rugrat nodded.

***

Taran looked around the food square, people were dotted around in groups. They served themselves, going to the stores that put food out for people to feed themselves.

Families and friends were side by side with one another, sharing food.

Taran spotted Elan and Qin at a table. He guided Julilah, who was pale-faced. Her eyes were tired and red-rimmed.

Qin looks the same.

“Elan, Qin,” Taran said, making the two turn as Julilah looked up.

“Juli—” Qin let out a breath as Julilah wrapped her in a hug.

A dam broke as Qin cried with her and grabbed onto Julilah, holding her tight.

Elan and Taran nodded at one another and moved away from the two.

“Thank you, Taran,” Elan said.

“Thank you, Elan, for suggesting this meetup. They both needed it.”

“Yes,” Elan nodded.

“What are you two doing without plates?” Momma Rodriguez asked from behind them.

They turned to find her wearing an apron and holding a spoon.

“Come on, let’s get some food into you.” Her voice was caring instead of demanding.

“Yes, Miss Rodriguez,” Elan said.

“Get the girls something to eat too. There is some soup and bread that should be filling and will warm them up.”

“Okay,” Taran said. “Where are Erik and Rugrat?”

“The boys are hiding in the corner. They take all of this on themselves. Could you talk with them?” She uncrossed her arms, a look of worry on her face as she glanced over to where they were sitting.

“We’ll talk with them, Miss Rodriguez.”

“Thank you both and make sure you get some food into you!”

She marched off as Taran and Elan smiled and headed to the food line.

Taran was watching Qin and Julilah who had ceased their crying and were now sitting on short stools. Qin was talking to Julilah, looking at the ground. Julilah seemed alarmed and checked Qin for injuries before the other shook her off and kept talking.

She hung her head lower as she finished. Julilah grabbed the sides of her head, saying something to her before hugging her again. Qin hugged her back fiercely.

“Good,” Taran said.

“It’s a start. Alva has a lot of pain to go through,” Elan said as he passed Taran a plate.

Taran sighed and took the plate. “Thanks. So what now?”

“Now… now, we take over the First Realm.”