"I don't think many people know about this." Inari starts. "This cavern was created, in essence, by the dungeon itself. Do you know how the mana cycle works?"
I shake my head. It's all I can do to hold it together.
"The seven World Trees absorb ether from above the atmosphere and convert it into mana." A flood of images fills my mind; pictures of trees cut open to reveal the xylem and phloem, diagrams describing the carbon cycle, a vast landscape depicting the water cycle, and the earth from above existing as an intricate series of systems. Like a huge puzzle piece fitting into place, I understand this world a bit better. Inari continues, "The ether is digested by the World Trees, which then release mana as a byproduct. While most of the mana is released around the trunk, some seep out through the end of the roots. Wherever the ends of the roots come into contact with the air, a pure mana stone is created. Like a stalactite, the point at which the mana is released slowly develops as impurities are left behind. This residue builds up, slowly growing a mana stone. The longer the stone is left unperturbed, the larger it becomes."
"I heard the magic shop owner talking about found mana stones; he was talking literally when he said that people just find magic stones?" My statement clumsily turns into a question. The vicious bloodlust in the air makes it difficult to concentrate.
"Yes, we find them regularly in the forest as well. More importantly, are the mana stones that aren't found; the ones in caves and crevices. These can become massive over the course of hundreds or even thousands of years. Even before the system was constructed, the large mana stones were used as defense systems for cities or consumed during wars to destroy entire armies. It's hard to imagine exactly how much power exists in those orbs." A million thoughts race through my mind as I attempt to digest this new information.
There was a time before the system existed? Who created it? Does any of this relate to why I ended up here in the first place? What are these large mana stones capable of? Would I be able to emulate modern technology through the use of magic? How exactly do these dungeons form? As if reading my mind, Inari answers my final question.
"Because the dungeon core is a mana stone still attached to the root of the world tree, simple spells and actions can be performed by the being controlling it. Goblins are often the first to gain control of the dungeon cores. They're very sensitive to magic and use the Dungeon Core to dig deep into the ground for protection."
"Then why are all these other monsters here?"
'Crack!'
Right on cue, a Griffith jumps out of the jungle into our little clearing.
"Good luck." Inari ignores my question and flies up into the air. Although startled, we quickly get into formation and begin our defense.
"Watch out for its breath attack!" I give a warning as I stab at its side. A set of large claws barrel down toward me. I block the attack with my shield and step back to create distance.
"Step back!" Hai yells. We all move out of the way as the monster is pelted with a variety of spells. Hai hits it with a focused concussion wave so powerful you can see it moving. It flies past me and knocks the Griffith off balance. Rom lashes out with a burst of electricity, and Foof moves in shortly after. Absent from his usual spot atop Josh's head, Foof creates a whirlwind of flames that completely engulfs our opponent. Even with its natural resistance to heat, the Griffith collapses into a smoldering heap.
You know what I hate most about war?" Inari asks as she descends like an angel from above us. "It's endless. No matter how tired you are, no matter how pointless the battle, it keeps coming. Like an infestation, you humans threaten to consume everything with this game called war."
'RAAAAARRrrr!'
A Metapardus leaps out from one side while two Acriporcos approach from another.
"Josh, Shinobu, hold back those hogs. Sakura and I will handle the Metapardus." The familiar abyss of dread chills my veins as the Metapardus focuses its magic on me. I grit my teeth and take a deep breath to steady myself. Sakura takes this opportunity to attack it from the side.
"Haa!" Sakura digs her knife into an open wound on the beast's side. Blood flies as the gash is forcefully extended. My stomach turns when I see some of its entrails threatening to fall out. Fortunately, the attack is enough to break its concentration, and the spell fades. I gather myself and dive forward. Just as the beast turns to face my friend, I thrust my spear into its neck. Before I can activate the magic in the head of my spear, the dog monster falls limply to the ground.
"Let's check on the others," I say. Sakura dashes toward them without responding to me. I take a closer look at the slain Metapardus and see several fresh wounds across its body. It would seem that we weren't the first fight it has had today. I frown and run over to the kids.
"Slash!" Blood splatters everywhere as the Acriporcos are rent in two. The macabre scenery is enough to tell me that our side won.
"Is anyone wounded?" I ask. Everyone shakes their head.
'EEEEEEEEHHhh!'
An ear-splitting screech cuts through the air before I can begin my next sentence. A large ape, similar to the Mankas, hangs from the branches above us. It jumps to the ground, which freezes under its feet
"It's interminable, you see." The angel of death floats down to marinade us in her words. "You humans are the products of your fear and greed. At the core of your being is a mindless, selfish beast."
"Surround it! Try not to get hit by any spells." I give my orders, but Inari keeps talking as if nothing is going on.
"You're all blinded by your feeble ambition."
[A society constructed purely on ambition? Sounds like the Roman republic.]
The monster swings at me with its bulky arm, but I block it with my shield.
"A snake destined to eat its own tail; your consumption will continue to escalate until there's nothing left." Inari say.
[I think that's a Marx reference, if I'm not mistaken. I've heard capitalism compared to fire, and I think that's pretty accurate.]
"It's an Ignavia! They're pretty slow, so we'll have to distract it and strike a blind spot! Aim for the area just above the tail!" I shout. Speaking of which, the Ignavia spins around and lashes out with its long tail. There's a hard ball on its end, which dents the ground upon impact. I manage to roll out of the way, but I'm off balance. Just as it's about to take another swing, an arrow nails it in the back. It doesn't do any damage but buys me enough time to get away.