Chapter 49: Chapter 49: Rushing

Chapter 49: Rushing

They were all on Karl, as he flew out of reach of the snapping monsters behind them. Rina shot paralyzing arrows down, so that the other three slimes could make a dash for it. All the while, Thomas did his best to lull the monsters to sleep. He was not very successful.

The smaller ones fell where they stood, but the bigger ones kept on trying to get at Karl's legs. The slime-dragon had to dodge a tentacle from below, and nearly collided with the ceiling.

"Karl, turn left," Thomas commanded, as he stared at the map that Teri was keeping open for them to see.

When they reached the core room, they managed to pass, but the monsters could not. They could see their glowing eyes, reds, yellows, greens and a couple of browns, from the entryway.

Looking up, they saw runes on the arch of the entrance. The crystal was within reach. The path was clear.

"Go on, Tommy," Rina gave him a slight shove forward. She smiled at him encouragingly, and he gulped. 

"Me? Why me?" The summoner stuttered. Being a dungeon master placed a target on your back. He would be hunted, no matter where he went.

"You are the party leader," Teri reminded him, shoving him forward as gently as Rina had done.

"I never signed up for the position," Thomas whined, and received chuckles from his companions.

"We don't have time, Tommy. Don't argue," Rina all but marched him to the crystal with the help of Teri.

"Yes, big guy. Take one for the team," Teri nudged him towards the crystal, and Thomas gulped again.

"If I become the dungeon master, I will live as long as this crystal," Thomas said. "For it to be destroyed, both of us will have to be destroyed at the same time. I am not strong enough to protect it."

"You bailed us out when the goblins nearly got us. That harp of yours is great, Tommy. Trust in yourself," Rina nudged him closer to the purple crystal.

"Owen would have hit you over the head, if he saw how indecisive you are now," Teri said, voice full of melancholy.

"Yes, he would have," the summoner agreed. He balled his fists, and made a couple of more steps towards the crystal. He hovered a meaty hand over it, and, before he could think about an excuse as to why he shouldn't take it, he grabbed onto it.

The crystal pulsed with mana once, so brilliantly that both Rina and Teri had to cover their eyes. Before Thomas knew it, he was in a light room, with white walls and a white ceiling. All made from marble.

"Hello?" He called. No answer came. "I come here with a proposition."

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A giggle came from somewhere in the back, and Thomas reached out for his harp. It was still on his back, and he was glad for that. With unsure steps, he made his way in the direction of the sound.

"I will be your dungeon master, no matter what," Thomas spoke, as the voice came from his left.

"Really? A fat guy like you? What are you going to make me do? Grill you pork until you drop under your rows of fat?" Thomas bit his lower lip, but didn't respond. The core was resisting any way it could. It was normal.

"You can serve a bigger purpose with me than without me," Thomas continued. "You can be revered."

"I am feared. That is enough, sir Piggy," the infuriating giggle returned, and Thomas clutched at his harp harder. "What are you going to do? Sing me a song? I have to admit, you have a nice voice. But that is the only thing you have going for you."

"I can fill this place with necromantic miasma," Thomas threatened. This was still his strongest skill. If the core withstood it, then he would be lost.

"You will be the one to get eaten up from it," the core told him. "Oh, so much meat to eat up, too. I wonder if the miasma is going to overeat and throw up?"

Thomas had heard enough. He breathed in and out to calm himself, and then sat down on the white marble floor. Preparing the harp, he gently ran his fingers over the strings.

He wondered what he could play. Something that even the core couldn't make fun of. Something heartwarming. Yet, he didn't have it in him to play light tunes now, that Owen was dead.

He began to pour the feeling of betrayal he felt when Lucius showed his true face, the true face of the guild, to him. It was an all over the place sort of tune. Mixed with anger and bitterness. Then, he poured his feelings for Owen's sacrifice. How meaningless it had been, considering that no one important from the guild had died.

What a waste it had been. Three green adventurers, full of hopes and dreams. Their lives snuffed out next to the flame of a great man who just wanted to protect those precious to him.

It wasn't fair, nothing ever was. No one should have died. Yet, Yaranhold had a population of five million souls. If it had been razed to the ground by this dungeon, more Owens and young green people would have died.

 "Not fair, eh?" The core noted, the whole room was shimmering to the beat of the music. "And is it fair that I have to become a slave?"

Thomas decided to answer the core with more music. He made his promise of taking care of it and carrying it on his own person everywhere. Of never letting anything tear them apart. Of releasing it, just as it was his time to go.

"You would really not drag me to the afterlife with you?" The core sounded hopeful, and Thomas allowed himself a slight smile and a nod. The music became slower, as if it was a fading memory, until it stopped.

"So, what do you say?" Thomas said, pumping mana into his vocal cords.

"I say you talk big. But... to leave here, to see the world. I accept your contract, Thomas Silver-Tongue."

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