The Dungeon Fairy: Three Lives: A Dungeon Core Escapade (The Hapless Dungeon Fairy Book 3) by Jonathan Brooks (the false prince TXT) 📕

to work on these things, you know,” Karen commented, letting Tacca know that while she was unaffected, the others certainly were having the same kinds of problems as the first time she had seen these invaders.

Before the assembled group of monstrous people could run further than the first turn in the entrance tunnel, something else emerged from the snow, something that had to duck a little as it strode in, flinging snow everywhere as it seemed to melt off of its glowing shield, or Personal Force Field as David had called them.  Dark-red skin accented the bulging muscles of the 8-armed monstrosity that entered, and the gigantic weapons it held gleamed prophetically with a tinge of red on their edges.  The 20-foot-tall invader barely fit inside the passageway, but it was able to move swiftly enough as it followed the others into the Hall, where it was able to stand fully erect.

“Tacca, we’ve lost our Invisibility.  I take it that means we’ve got company?” Shale abruptly asked, and the Dungeon Core looked inside the arena to see her Dungeon Assistant surrounded by 6 other frightened Fairies, all visible near the ceiling.  There wasn’t any reason to worry, though, because it was doubtful any of those down below could see them, even if they looked up.  Besides, now wasn’t really the time to worry about revealing their presence—

Shale!  I need you to fly down and talk to Sterge and Gwenda!  Tell them that the invaders are here, and they’re all in danger.

“But that would violate the most important rule we have—”

Screw the rules, Shale!  We don’t have time to play around; not only are there blue and purple-skinned invaders, but there’s one of those gigantic red-skinned ones, as well!

What little color that was in Shale’s face immediately drained at her words, and his Mood Clothes turned yellow in fear, along with black for despair.  Go!

A half-second hesitation later, Shale was zooming down toward the stands, where Tacca’s two Bonded Hill Dwarves were located, along with the rest of their group.  Tacca turned her attention away and addressed both the other Dungeon Assistants and their respective Cores.

Those invaders we were just talking about are here, and we’re all in danger.  I don’t have nearly enough traps in my defensive room to stop all of them, even if that horrendously large one can’t fit through my nearby tunnels.  You aren’t safe, either, because I’ve seen them float out of a pit before, so the tunnel in the ceiling of the arena won’t stop them because of its location. Not only that, but for you Fairies, you’ll find that you cannot use any of your abilities, as well as having your Fairy Mana regeneration stopped.

She spoke to them quickly, because she was also focused on the progress of the group of 21 invaders now in the Hall.  Screams from those few dozen Raiders also inside of the Hall echoed through the space as they ran away from the sight, especially the 20-foot-tall demon-esque visage of the red-skinned invader.  It didn’t take long for their escape to prove futile, unfortunately, as the residents inside the Hall were quickly caught and killed, slaughtered without difficulty.  A few Raiders attempted to defend themselves, only for the weapons of their adversaries to cut through any type of armor, weapon, or ability they used, severing limbs and literally cutting people in half.

Thankfully, they didn’t even inspect any of the rooms, even the ones where curious heads popped out to see what was going on.  Instead, after every victim that was fully out in the Hall was dead, they headed unerringly for the tunnel leading to the arena.  For the first time, she regretted making it so large, because the red-skinned invader fit inside, though it had to nearly crouch-walk in order to move through.  She had made it that way because she wanted there to be plenty of room for the thousands of Raiders to walk down the passageway, instead of a narrow tunnel that would’ve likely caused unnecessary bottlenecks.  Still, she needn’t have made it so tall, she supposed.

“What do we do, then?  Just wait for them to destroy us?”

I’m…not sure.  We have some time before they arrive at the arena, but it won’t be long.  Start sending all of your creatures down the connecting tunnel, and if you have any Control Limit left, create some more.  We’re going to need all the help we can get.

“Why?  Who cares if all of these Raiders die, when it’s likely that we’re going to be shattered not too soon after.”  Even though it was callous of Patrick to say that about the Raiders, he did have a point, and Tacca could tell that he wasn’t the only Core that felt that way.  What they didn’t understand was that this wasn’t just about their own well-being, but for something that she had marginally planned for, in the event it took place.

Don’t think of them as Raiders right now, can you do that?  They are people, people that us Cores are supposed to challenge so that they can get stronger, while at the same time helping us get stronger.  We’re all in this together, even if it doesn’t look like it most of the time.  That alone was reason enough to build all of this: the Hall, the farms, and the arena.  But it wasn’t the only reason.

“What do you mean?” Kenzie asked.

I desperately hoped that these invaders would stay up north and not attack my dungeon again, but I didn’t count on it.  That’s why I built my heavily trapped defensive room, which you’ve all seen – though it would be rather insignificant to a threat like this.  Which was why, when I heard from my 2 Bonded Hill Dwarves that they needed a place to stay, I jumped at the opportunity. 

Because now, albeit it was only supposed to be temporary through the