No Pairing, one-shot. If you want to pretend that Ray (Rei for the story) and the OC could pair up together, feel free to imagine it that way. I personally don't mind. There will not be a second chapter or any continuation.
...
"Come on, let me out already!" an adventurer whined as they were being cut off from reaching his goal. The exit to the first floor. His footsteps were being followed by heavy footfalls.
Yes, one would think it should be simple. "Just walk over there, dummy!" is what you might say. Except for the fact that the Dungeon is toying with him and it wasn't funny. The Dungeon in the City of Orario was one such place that continued to annoy this young boy.
The reason he couldn't leave was simple. He was being carried in the arms of a monster. Not a Goblin or Kobold like an average adventurer would expect. No. It was an Orc from the tenth floor.
The Guild, or Pantheon, would call this an irregular. However, for the man named Leon, he was not happy as this was a recurring theme. "Just let me go home! I'll be back tomorrow!"
Some context would be much appreciated.
You see, Leon here had either some of the worst—or best—luck ever, dependent on various circumstances. He entered the Dungeon solo like any other person since his Familia consisted of second-class adventurers, him being the newest recruit. There was nothing truly special aside from the fact he was a lion demi-human. Yes, Leon…lion, the joke got old pretty damn quick. Yet, the Dungeon took special notice of him. Actually, more like the entity who was at the bottom of the Dungeon took notice. That was the one problem.
The monsters wouldn't let him leave the Dungeon. Since he's descended, he hasn't left, and since his Familia was really small, under a dozen people, there wasn't much he could do. Any time he would try to tell his Captain, the Dungeon would send a monster party, driving them away.
They knew it was a problem but no one took them seriously despite the status they carry. 'It's one person, and it's the upper floors, surely he could just leave any time he wanted,' is what the response was. Unless Leon himself could prove it to Pantheon but in order to do that, he had to leave the Dungeon.
…and that wasn't happening. Leon gave up struggling after the fifth time, knowing that these monsters could kill him without a second thought which is confusing as to why they aren't. After two weeks of isolation from other humans, elves, or beast people, that answer still evaded him. As a lion demi-human himself, his tail, a wonderful bronze color, wrapped around his waist as a defense mechanism.
—and it was pretty fluffy, self-care and all.
"So which floor are we going to this time?" Leon asked as he was sitting on the Orc's shoulder, opposite the club.
"Mmgghn," the Orc replied, which didn't surprise the lion. The monster was able to understand him but it couldn't give him coherent answers.
The grunt meant lower, so he was going on a trip in the Dungeon's depths against his will. His days when he started were so normal…and that was when everything changed.
"Now remember, the Dungeon can and will catch you off guard if you even think you're safe. Be cautious, check your corners, and use those ears that you were born with," Leon's Captain said with a cutesy smile. It would make Leon's heart pound if he had seen her that way. She was definitely older sister material but the 'Ara ara, otouto' kind of sister. One that would have no problems trying to tame him had he put his foot down on that. It has to mean something, not a baseless one night that has any weight in the long run.
No, he's not gay either. He just doesn't see romance as clearly as other people might. Maybe he's aromantic or asexual. Who knows?
Anyway, getting to the main point, Leon goes into the Dungeon with full preparation. He had his weapons, a pair of claws, actually, which can be enhanced by using his own, oddly enough. He didn't know who got them for him but they worked wonderfully and that was something he couldn't pass up on. He never questioned it and it sealed his fate.
"Come on, Cap, I'm not that dumb and you know that I've spent a lot of time combing over the guides that you and the Guild have provided. I will be okay. If I'm not…then I won't be your problem anymore."
SMACK!
"My precious little otouto shouldn't be speaking like that," the Captain said with a smile that promised pain. Leon, to his credit, didn't flinch from the hit but was inwardly cursing on how much it hurt. There was a level difference of two between them after all. She didn't hold back, he could tell. His tail curled around his waist, being the only indicator he actually reacted. His ears were already pinned back. Did Leon mention that she was shorter than him?
His Captain was terrifying. "I will come back. No promises but a guarantee." Little did he know the Dungeon already had his number, not in a way that anyone expected. Certainly, even the Primordial God watching over the Dungeon could have expected this development.
Leon, after getting several 'good luck' and 'farewells', he trekked his way to Babel, where the Dungeon lies. Not a far walk but it wasn't close either. It could be worse, he could be at the outer walls of Orario but that wasn't his primary concern.
You see, Leon had his reservations about entering the Dungeon. Not only did he make level two outside of the massive city, but he also felt like he was being watched. Oddly enough, it was from beneath his feet. At first, he thought he was crazy, so he brushed it off. The more intense the stare got, the more tense Leon became. That wasn't the biggest problem. No one noticed his tense posture at the time. Most thought it was common for new adventurers to have such a reaction.
So, by entering Babel Tower and looking down the hole that led to the first floor, he knew something was going to happen if his appendages were any indicator. He inhaled…exhaled…and stepped forward.
Only to have a Goblin chase him about five minutes in. He had just separated off the main path.
He swore he heard a voice, "I have found you…"
Then he ran into a wall.
His internal musing was cut off as he, and the Orc, had arrived at their destination. The twenty-seventh floor, or better known as the Water Capital. "Why are we down this far?" To be fair, Leon has never been this far down. The monsters here never attack him. Ever since he stepped into the Dungeon, no such harm had come to him…well aside from running into that wall.
That wall happened to be a Minotaur that day, just in case people were wondering. Leon, embarrassingly, fainted upon looking at him.
What made it even worse was waking up on the seventh floor and seeing a status sheet in front of him…with two new skills that Leon was positive that no one has. Dungeon's Blessing and Monster Pacifism. Leon had figured out the latter but not so much the former when it seemed so obvious.
There was no description. That was all it said. Even now, he gets a status sheet in front of him once every…month he would guess. He's gotten two so far…and the growth was slightly above average, all things considered.
Anyway, the Water Capital. The Orc that carried him down here looked so out of place in comparison to its surroundings. The green and brown are horribly contrasted by the various shades of blue; royal blue, light blue, and aquamarine just to name a few. "So, where am I being thrown this time?"
Leon swore he almost saw the Orc's facial expression turn up into a smile. Leon was sitting on its—his…or her—shoulder so the expression was mostly missed. "I still am in awe of how none of you or your brethren have killed me. I guess that is Monster Pacifism at work…but can you guide me to someone who knows about Dungeon's Blessing?" The lion swished his tail as he mused aloud.
In a sudden move, the orc pulled Leon off their shoulder and had him face them. Leon looked perplexed as the orc shook their head with a sense of finality before putting him down and walking away, leaving the little lion in the middle of the twenty-seventh floor with no one else around him. Currently, Leon was at the bottom of the Great Waterfall.
"This place is wonderful…so beautiful…but why does this place have to be so dangerous?"
"A question that will forever elude us," a soft voice reached Leon's ear causing him to jump in…enthused excitement. He wasn't scared, not at all, nope. Totally did not jump five meders into the air and land in a perfect crouch, nope. He will forever deny it until the day he dies. "Ara, a jumpy one, are you?"
"It's not every day a…Siren…comes and speaks to you without trying to hypnotize you…" Leon said dejectedly, standing at his full height, which was slightly taller than the Siren, if only just.
"Who are you?" Leon then asked, realizing that this should have been the first question he asked.
"Well, since you're so nice…as our Mother has chosen you, my name is Rei," the Siren introduced herself but it only gave Leon many questions.
Leon twitched, his appendages moving in a wary motion, something that Rei noticed and opened her mouth to assure him, "My name is Leon." What? It's only fair he introduced himself as he quite rudely demanded it from her. "I'm sorry…for the rough introduction…I didn't expect to be talking to an intelligent being in the Dungeon…and that sounds super bad…please don-"
Leon was cut off by Rei giggling from behind her wing. "I can see why I was sent to fetch you."
"Now, you're confusing me," Leon said, tail swinging from side to side. The roaring rapids of the waterfalls drowned out the echo of the large chamber known as the Dungeon. Plus, he did think the giggle was cute…like in a genuine way. Leon then looked up and frowned. He was thinking about this now? Why?
Certainly not…
"Do you think you could explain something?"
"Is it about this…status I keep hearing about from Mother?" Rei asked.
Leon made eye contact with Rei, "Yes, but who's Mother?" It's like he could almost hear the capital in the name. The genuine confusion in his eyes made Rei take a second look before she smiled again.
"I can definitely see why Mother has chosen you."
"Again with that! Please tell me what's going on! I literally entered the Dungeon once and I can't even leave to go spend time with my Familia!" Leon cracked, the pressure of this finally getting to him. He honestly didn't understand and it was chipping away at his sanity. Looks like it finally struck a nerve.
Rei sighed, her wings expanding before finding them wrapped around his person. The feathers were soft and Leon had no intention of attacking her. The tears came to the young lion's eyes before she could stop him; not that he wanted to.
It was clear what he wanted: Safety and affection.
Sure, his Familia gave him that 'friends/family' vibe but they didn't feel as tightly knit as he wanted. Maybe it was the instincts of his origins but he wanted people to call his pride. He didn't have to lead them, no. Just people he could rely on. His Familia is reliable but they weren't 'clicking' with him yet.
He just couldn't take the fact that he hadn't found his pride yet. He was hoping for Orario to be the place where he could find it. He was hoping beyond hope that he could find it. That didn't make it any better when he couldn't. There were times that he felt like he was inadequate…like there-
"-please do not think like that."
"?!" Leon opened his tear-filled eyes to see Rei with tears of her own, much to his ever-growing confusion.
"Your feelings…are being broadcasted into this floor, possibly to Mother herself, and well…" Rei gestured one wing around the room.
Many…many monsters were looking at him. All with the same emotion within their eyes.
Concern.
Concern for him and for him alone.
"Why?"
"I beg your pardon?"
Leon swallowed the saliva in his throat, slowly drawing himself out of the very comforting hug; as much as he wanted to stay. "Why are you all so concerned for me? I don't understand…I don't know why none of you have killed me. I'm out of my league here! I shouldn't be on this floor of the Dungeon, maybe to the twentieth but no lower. I-I I'm not ready for this! I don't know how you can even talk let alone understand me! I JUST WANT TO KNOW IF I CAN EVER GO HOME!" He shouted to the ceiling, then curled up into a ball and started to cry, his tail coming in between his hands, just so he had something soft to hold.
The group of monsters didn't have a reply, not even Rei who looked on in sympathy.
"I h-had a fe-feeling that s-s-something was g-going t-to happen…I ignored it," his voice lowered to a mere whisper, barely audible to his own ears. Leon hated this. He hated how he felt like a child crying for his mommy. "I don't know what to do…"
Rei was the first to approach him, slowly. "W-We can talk to Mother, seeing if-"
"Who is Mother?" Leon gently cut her off, his voice soft, losing the hysterical edge it had previously. He was trying to calm down and rationalize this as best as possible. Sadly, it wasn't working. It was a miracle he hadn't starved to death down here. Well, that Orc did stop on the eighteenth and grabbed a few Honey Clouds and Batans for him…but it was the principle of the matter.
He really wanted Mama Mia's food. That was divine cuisine and no one could prove him differently. Leon just wanted to leave and rest. He might give up being an adventurer but at least he would be okay. It seems fickle that a lion would curb his pride so easily. That is if he had pride in the first place.
There was a reason he never spoke of his homeland to anyone except his Goddess. He could lie to everyone else but not to her. Gods see through that deceit like looking into a mirror. In the end, who were they fooling? Such things are just one reason why Leon had no problem relinquishing his pride.
"Mother is the being that allows us to live, breathe, and survive."
"Rei! You shouldn't be telling him this, that was her job," another monster cut off Rei's words. A nervous glance was passed from Leon to Rei. "This was to be Mother's job."
The Siren stood and glared, unseen by Leon, at the monster, a Lizardman, Leon tried to perk his hearing but it all sounded like grunts and growls, maybe a hiss mixed in, "And he won't go with us unless his curiosity is sated. I will not drag her chosen unwillingly through her domain."
"I know but that was what she wanted. A chance to explain. You know how she looks when Mother pouts."
Rei winced, not in pain but in remembrance. The pouting face of her mother was one that made strong men weep. The Siren sighed before turning to Leon, who was still in the fetal position, "Will you extend your trust to me?"
"What are you asking me?" he replied after a few seconds of silent contemplation.
Rei reached out a wing, "I am asking you to trust me just this once. Please. Everything will have an explanation if you take my wing. Mother will answer your questions and put you at ease," a hidden hope as their chosen had finally arrived, just as predicted, "let us show you that we truly mean no harm. The way we had to get you to stay was unfair. We knew that…but there wasn't a choice…"
Leon looked at the wing, then to Rei's eyes, trying to find any traces of hidden intentions, ones that would bring himself to harm but found none. She didn't use her Siren voice either, something that did fill him with a sense of relief. While a small relief, it did not fill his being with confidence. The two emotions are not the same.
After a few more tense moments of debate, he relented, "I'm in your care," he said as he gently grabbed onto Rei's wing.
"So, where are we now? And how have we not run into any other adventurers?" Leon asked as he walked beside Rei who was the only one close to him. Everyone else was far enough to not eavesdrop but close enough to intervene if something did come up.
Rei answered with a soft voice, "Running interference. As to where we are, we are heading into Mother's domain, and this is what you surface dwellers call a shortcut."
Suddenly, they were falling. Leon's sense of gravity flipped on its head and he was falling. Much to his shock and continued growing confusion, he was laughing. It was a slide like back home on the mountainside. He couldn't contain his laughter. He was having fun. Once he falls asleep tonight, he will be emotionally exhausted. Today has been stressful and this little reprieve was something he needed.
Sooner than he wanted, the slide ended. However, the room was nearly pitch black. This room happened to be deeper than any place that anyone has ever gone before. Leon's instincts were firing off on all cylinders. Every celch moved was another celch to discovery. Even with his hand on Rei's wings, which she allowed, he still felt…off. "No, this isn't the part where we kill you," the same Lizardman said.
"Lyd, please don't say that," Rei chided 'Lyd' harshly.
The glowing eyes of the lizardman crinkled in apology before backing away, "Mother is eager."
A presence filled the room and Leon tensed, tail around his waist before he felt the overbearing pressure behind him. He so desperately wanted to turn around but couldn't bring himself to. The voice was soothing yet carried an edge that would make non-blessed people die on the spot, "You've finally arrived, my chosen."
Leon felt his senses expand before receding into his body. Truly, an out-of-body experience. "M-Mother?" The voice sent shockwaves unto the walls, reverberating his mind, body, and soul.
"Correct, my chosen…I've waited a long time…"
This presence felt similar to what he's known for a while. A presence that was told to never enter the Dungeon lest it bares its fangs at them. "A Goddess…in the Dungeon….impossible…that, this can't be right." Leon was surprisingly coherent given the shock to his system.
"I've blessed you so, therefore, you belong to me but I will not treat you like a possession. I sense a kindred spirit within you and I want to help you manifest…"
"Who…are you?" Leon asked, finally turning around, only to be met with the most gorgeous person on Gekai—and that includes Tenkai. Soft silky blonde hair descended down her back, almost reaching the floor, what can be described as a toga covered her body, accentuating her divine assets—front and most definitely rear—open toed sandals and dazzling blue eyes that seemed to just know everything. Leon found himself relaxing under her gaze and into her embrace. Her hands had rested on his back and he was unaware of what she was doing. The monsters, which he would later call Xenos, were nowhere to be found.
There was still the feeling on his back, which at the current moment, was burning like it never has before. It was enough to make him grimace at the pain whilst trying to not make an utter fool of himself.
"Ara ara~, my dear Leon…my name is Gaia. Primordial Goddess and the creator of the Dungeon. I have chosen you as my beloved, do you accept~?"
"What?"
Did…did he just get a marriage proposal from a Goddess?! A Primordial Goddess at that?
When did his life get so complicated? Even as he opened his mouth to speak, his decision would have such a profound impact, it would be written down in the history books and told for centuries.
...
Wanted to do something fun to shake the little bits of rust off. I think I hit writer's block. I'll try to get a Tales of Royalty Chapter done before I go to GCX. Yep, I'm going this year (2022) so that will be fun.
Otherwise, just wanted to get a concept out, forgive me if everything isn't accurate or perfect. I don't do one shots that often because they are so open-ended and full of holes. With that out of the way, hope you liked it.
-Soul of Horus
