When a Dungeon is not a Dungeon

“Wait a moment! Don’t be reckless! Dungeons can spawn dangerous beasts and– are you even listening?!?” Daria yelled from behind as we descended. I didn’t really see the issue. From what I had learned, dungeons were basically places where there was too much stagnant mana. To discharge the excess, they created beasts that aggressively sought locations with a lower amount of mana. People were essentially homing beacons with how much they used. However, dungeon beasts weren’t actually beasts – they were made of pure mana. That meant…

“Don’t worry about it. My disenchant will deal with it,” I waved off.

Daria pinched the bridge of her nose. “Once again, yes, the beasts are generally made of mana, but there are plenty that are flesh and blood. Your magic won’t do anything, so stop ignoring me!!!” That student council president guise slips off pretty easily when she’s angry.

“Heston…” Asa slowly spoke, stuck between Daria’s words and giving Niya a solid punch – a notion I did not share. I was this close to my day off. A stupid little dungeon wasn’t going to stand in my way. Plus, I had a sneaking suspicion, knowing Niya probably set this all up. She was a crafty and annoying demon.

As we continued downwards, the staircase slowly morphed into something unrecognizable. The dirty, malformed sides were replaced by a more traditional one found within a castle wall. Then, the colors slowly started to blend together, as if creating an entirely new scenery. More and more blue orbs started to fly around our path, but I could still see it. The ceiling and walls had taken on a blue hue while the steps turned into a textured green. If I didn’t know any better, I would say we were–

Crunch!

“...huh?” A word unconsciously slipped out of my mouth. Somehow, I was standing outside on an open plain under the night sky. Small rolling hills dotted the landscape illuminated by the white stars and gray-white rocks of the lunar field. Blue orbs seemed to float around freely, as if they were playing with one another.

“What in the world…” Asa and Daria both had the same reaction. They were slightly hovering off the ground since they were still on the staircase, but I couldn’t even tell where the steps were. It was mind bending, but it also confirmed my suspicions.

“Hey o wise Council President? I’m pretty sure, but this isn’t how the first floor is supposed to look, right?”

“No… it’s supposed to be a cave structure. I have no idea where this is,” Daria responded with a pensive yet strained expression. Yeah, thought so. This is definitely Niya’s doing. Where is she anyway?

“Oh? You’re finally here. Took you long enough. And you brought the gifts too!” I whipped my head around. A once empty plain was replaced by a shimmering ash-gray tree. The red and orange leaves shook from the blue orbs floating around. Niya stood in front with that annoyingly smug expression, taking the pumpkin from my hand before I could respond. “Will this do?”

She spoke to the other person I noticed. Sitting beneath the tree was a man somewhere around his late thirties. His dark purple hair tousled as the blue orbs danced around unabashedly. He seemed to be wearing a tuxedo, but on closer inspection, it was actually armor. His looks were rather average, but I couldn’t help but feel my blood run cold. I knew for a fact…

…this man could easily negate my magic.

“Yeah, that’ll do nicely,” he said, inspecting the random crap in the pumpkin. Then, he glanced at us, causing a slight jump. “By the way, who are your acquaintances?”

“Them? They’re the rest of the Disciplinary Committee. The lazy looking dude is Heston Arkwright. The sexy witch is Asa Sable. And the zombie is Daria Rey.” I wanted to snap back so badly, but my voice wouldn’t work. The man’s aura had stolen it away.

“Hmm? Oh, one moment,” he closed his eyes, and all the pressure disappeared. “Better now?”

“It can’t be…” Daria muttered. Well, we’re free now, but I can’t let my guard down for a moment.

“No need to be worried. I’m not going to harm you,” he waved, though every motion could be considered a death sentence. “Here, let me give you a proper introduction.”

With a snap, he appeared directly in front of us, sitting comfortably on a chair. With his hands spread wide, he gave a small bow and spoke once more, “I have had many names over my life, but I’m told by your friend there that one name in particular stands out. So, it’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.

I am the God of Destruction.”