Chapter 1
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Author's Notes: Dungeon Keepers I and II belong to Bullfrog, not to me. I am not making money off of this story, so please don't sue me.
Warning: This story contains slash (male/male romance). If you object to this, please don't read it. Keep in mind that if you flame me, not only did you ignore your fair warning, but you were stupid enough to go through and read something that disgusted you.
For notes on this story and this series, please go to this site for reference. (Note: If you are reading this on fanfiction.net, you will not be able to use that link. Please see my profile for the link to that reference page.) (Also note that this page is not the same as the one linked to in Dungeon Secrets; this one is more complete and contains the entire series.)
If anyone would be interested in beta-reading for me and you think you are capable, please contact me at kaged_tiger@hotmail.com. Also contact me if you have any information as to what happened to Vagabond. Did she just, die or something?
Finally, this is my story. If you would like to archive it, please inform me first. I will almost definately say yes.
On with the fic.
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Kaelay's Dungeon
Ramasha
I automatically scan the room when I enter, looking for the familiar figure of my lover. I spot him after a moment sitting on the bed, obviously waiting for my return. I smile despite my weariness. In seven years, Tarkasas still evokes that reaction in me.
He's not wearing his armor at the moment, so I'm free to let my gaze wander appreciatively over his beautiful well-muscled body. So very strong, he is. A tenth level fighter, actually. But not vicious. Gentle, in fact. Tarkasas is surprisingly gentle.
The bed he is sitting on is unique. It was eventually produced by the two of us in a sort of combination of lair creation. While low and rather plain like the cot of a Knight, it is wider than normal, and the sole decorations are skulls on the bedposts. It's not fancy, but it's very comfortable.
And well-used.
I come and sit down next to him. "Hey," I say, leaning into his shoulder. I always seem to crave physical contact with him. Not that he minds.
"You look tired," he replies. "Busy day?"
I nod. "Seven years and still uncovering new secrets in Mortagui's library."
He raises an eyebrow, surprised. "I thought you finished going over those things there years ago."
"We did... or so we thought. Just yesterday someone discovered a secret chamber in the back that had yet to be emptied. There were some interesting-looking things in there, and we've just begun to sort through them."
"Which is why you're so drained," he concludes.
Again I nod. "There are a lot of things there, and most of them have enough magic potential to be really dangerous, which is why they were mostly sealed away."
"Well, I'm sure it will be over soon enough." He puts an arm around my shoulder and pulls me closer to him, and I feel a momentary pang of guilt. I'm not telling him everything. I'm going to have to tell Kaelay of course, and there's really no reason that I shouldn't tell Tarkasas as well. It's likely that he doesn't even know what the Phoenixdown is. But I can't help thinking of what Mortagui told me, before I killed him.
I know where the Phoenixdown is, you know. I could bring him back for you if you want me to.
Kethian. The Phoenixdown could bring him back. But... I have Tarkasas now. I don't need Kethian, right? Right.
So why do I feel so guilty? Why do I feel like I'm betraying Tarkasas?
Tharian's Dungeon
Tharian
I'm so nervous, and I have no idea why. It's stupid, really. I'm the second-in-command under the Blue Darkness, and I'm bearing entirely good news. I have no reason to be afraid. None whatsoever.
But I am. I'm practically vibrating.
I feel like such a fool. You see, ever since I was called into the Underrealm, I've had this small obsession. I suppose it's normal for a Keeper to feel this attraction. We are all drawn to our Darknesses. It is what keeps us and them alive. We are symbiotes. So of course, it's only natural that the one who carries the Darkness should be the most important person in my world.
Right?
If I weren't a cloud of disembodied energy, I would be blushing. Zannos is, always has been, the center of my universe. At first I didn't question it; it seemed natural. I was only being loyal to the Darkness, right? But gradually I came to realize that it was something more than that. I idolized Zannos, still do. He seems so perfect, like everything I ever wanted to be or wanted to have. Sometimes I take a good look at myself and realize how pathetic and silly this crush really is.
But that doesn't change the fact that I'm nervous.
I take a deep breath to calm myself and change into my corporeal form. It's nothing fancy. I use a form that I feel suits me. It is a young-looking Merman, or Triton. It shows my youth, and while not being an openly hostile image, the Merpeople have never been a race to be lightly messed with. I take a water form in part to honor my color, and in part because many things I have done with my life have been conscious or subconscious imitations of Zannos.
I do not have long to wait. Within moments I feel the almost frightening presence come within sensing range, and then suddenly he is here. For a moment I am too overwhelmed to speak. But I catch myself quickly and bow low to him. My Lord, I say respectfully.
By the time I straighten up he has changed into his corporeal form. It is an odd mix hippocampus and blue dragon, creating a strange but beautiful and very deadly hybrid. I have never seen it before, only heard stories. It is everything the rumors say and more.
M-my Lord, I start, I come with- that is, I come bearing- I stop and take a deep breath. Come on. I've worked my entire life to get to the point of the Darkness's second. I have earned this. I am perfectly worthy of this position and of this task in which I am currently making a fool of myself.
I try again. I have found something which I feel may be of interest to you, Great Zannos. There. Much better.
Oh really? And what is that? When he finally speaks, Zannos's voice is heavily tinged with humor. He must be laughing at pathetic attempts to talk while nervous. I am immediately embarrassed. I may have earned this, but I am a long way from prepared for it.
My Lord, are you familiar with the Phoenixdown?
I can feel Zannos suddenly become more interested. Yes. It's a legendary item that has been lost since the First Age. It brings any creatures back from the dead, into any Realm that you wish. And they are brought back to life, not a state of undead as in necromancy. With it, one would be unstoppable. No army could be defeated.
I nod, feeling myself on firmer ground now. Indeed. Well, a most interesting thing has been discovered in a library that my Dungeon recently acquired.* It is a map. We believe that it may lead us to the Phoenixdown.
Now Zannos's interest is piqued. Really?
*Read: Stole from another Keeper whom we crushed mercilessly.
Evain's Dungeon
Evain
I can feel Kaelay's glee even before she appears to me. We are rendezvouzing in our usual place between our two dungeons in this Realm. We no longer bother with the formality of corporeal forms, so when she finally appears it is as a simple mass of energy.
What's got you so happy? I say with a smile. Her good mood is infectious.
Evain, she says breathlessly, have you ever heard of the Phoenixdown?
Of course, I say, not sure of where exactly she's going with this. Everyone's heard of the Phoenixdown. It's an old legend. They say whoever possesses it would rule the entire Underrealm.
I can feel her happiness nearly explode, and she circles around me in a veritable whirlwind. It's the Keeper equivalent of grabbing someone's hands and spinning around in a circle with them. Whatever she did today, it must have been something good.
She stops suddenly and faces me. Then, with the air of someone imparting some huge and important news, she says, Evain, we have a map. In Mortagui's library, we found a map to the Phoenixdown.
I am momentarily stunned. Is that possible? It is said that the Phoenixdown was lost at the end of the First Age. Most believe it was destroyed. I thought you finished going through Mortagui's library ages ago? I say irrelevantly, unable to think of anything else coherent.
She waves the question aside as unimportant. We discovered a new back room, she says impatiently. But think of it Evain. The Phoenixdown. Think of the possibilities. There would be no one who could stand up to us. The Red Darkness would be supreme. It could be the *only* Darkness. Can you imagine it? No other Heartbeat than your own? It would be like... being free.
I think about it. It's an amazing idea, certainly. But... is it possible that this is really and truly a map to the Phoenixdown? Kaelay is almost as paranoid as I am, she wouldn't accept anything that might possibly be a fake, would she? No. No, she would have it completely checked out. The map must be real. So then, the only question is...
When do we leave?
Kaelay's happiness takes on a hue of greater excitement. As soon as possible.
Zannos's Dungeon
Zannos
This is interesting news indeed. The Phoenixdown? Is it truly possible? The map seemed genuine enough, and he said that his researchers had all gone over it and could find no signs of forgery. But it is still hard to believe. The Phoenixdown? Found again after all this time?
I wonder about this artifact. Legend has it that he who controls the Phoenixdown will control the Underrealm. But what of the First Age? Before the Phoenixdown was lost, it must have been weilded by someone. And yet, the First Age was an age of even bloodier battles than this one. The competition was much fiercer among Keepers than it is now. Even the smallest of the minor Keepers went campaigning and questing. Certainly there was no one Keeper who controlled the Underrealm. So what good did the Phoenixdown do them? And what good will it do us today?
Ah well, the point is null. I must find this artifact regardless. If it is as dangerous as they say, then I cannot risk that it may fall into enemy hands.
I float leisurely back to my Dungeon. I will leave as soon as I make preparations. And I'll take the second with me.
I let my mind wander back to the second, the young Keeper who brought me this news. Tharian. The poor thing was nervous as all Shadowrealm. It was highly amusing. I suppose it is only natural. This was his first time meeting the Keeper of his Darkness. It can be overwhelming for anyone. And so young, as well. I do not believe that there has ever been a Darknesses's second so young. But it makes sense of course. He is a hard worker. And in addition to that, I encouraged the Darkness in this choice, because I have special interest in him.
I remember when I first brought Tharian into the Underrealm and gave him his name. I have been interested in him since. He had great energy within him, of the kind that means one of his parents was probably a Darkness Keeper. And his name... Tharian...
I had a lover once, deadly and beautiful, whom I have never forgotten. She always said that if she had a son, she would like to name him Tharian, after the great Dragon hero who, in addition to attaining the tenth level, invented the tremor spell, a spell which has been widely used by Keepers since. She wanted him to be strong and intelligent, she always said, like Tharian. And a name makes a Keeper. A great Keeper, my old lover.
Her name was Kaelay.
Oh God, that was hideous. Take me back.
or
Oh God, that was hideous. Let me complain to the author.