The return to the dungeon was faster than they thought, Aurora was filled with intense excitement to summon her new follower, and the entire way she pestered Sebastian to summon him, no matter the time or place. But Sebastian had common sense and felt it wouldn't be wise to summon him just to send him back to the dungeon. He wanted his new companion to feel comfortable and know that by joining the dungeon, he was joining a family.
An hour had passed since their last break, and they were both exhausted, but finally, Aurora and Sebastian saw the entrance to the dungeon, still as they had left it.
Sebastian breathed a sigh of relief and commented to Aurora, "Sigh... luckily the dungeon was safe during our absence. It's too dangerous to leave knowing there's no protection or defense against intruders."
"I... I don't know, I like going outside and exploring the forest with you. This place always looks so cold and gloomy," Aurora said, rubbing her chin with her finger, pretending to look like a wise old woman.
"If you want, we can go back to the forest, but... we won't summon any Thrones or anything like that," Sebastian said, looking teasingly at Aurora.
"No! Sebastian, don't say things like that. I love the dungeon, there's nothing more beautiful and welcoming than being inside here," Aurora exclaimed with a forced smile on her tender face.
"Alright, let's go inside and start the summoning. Let's not waste any more time," Sebastian was excited to see what kind of creature they were about to summon. He had never seen the summoning of a monster, let alone one that sounded so powerful.
They continued walking until they reached the dungeon master's room. Looking at Aurora, Sebastian gritted his teeth and decided to make the big dungeon coin expenditure.
"Aurora, we have to start, so get ready. System, what do we need to do to initiate the summoning?"
[The Master Aurora must authorize the summoning, and once that is done, the system will take care of the rest.]
"Alright, Aurora, the situation is in your hands now."
"Don't worry, Sebastian, leave it all to me," Aurora replied without hesitation, with a slightly more dignified look than usual.
Sebastian took a step back, away from Aurora, and looked at her, waiting for her to do what the system had instructed.
"I, Aurora, approve the summoning of the throne. System, use my blood and start the summoning..."
As soon as her words ended, a thick darkness with green tones began to surround Aurora, slowly encompassing her body as if forming armor.
Five seconds passed, and the darkness began to leave her body, now taking the form of a needle. The needle formed in front of Aurora's finger and pricked it, causing a drop of thick black blood to leave her small finger and head towards the needle.
Once the drop of blood touched the needle, both disappeared as if they had never existed.
Ten more seconds passed, and still, nothing happened. Aurora began to think she had done something wrong and looked at Sebastian with tears threatening to leave her eyes. Sebastian wasn't worried, he gave her a reassuring smile, he only cared about taking care of Aurora, whether they were successful or not.
After another five seconds had passed, a system notification alerted them both.
[ - DING -
Blood of the Celestia Drakonis Demon King received.
Initiating compatibility search...
Attempt 1... Failed...
Attempt 2... Failed...
Attempt 3... Failed...
...
Attempt 9... Successful
Starting summoning
10,000 Dungeon Coins are being deducted from the dungeon, starting process...
Summoning the Plague Preacher Throne...]
Suddenly, slow drumming sounds echoed in the sky, simulating a heartbeat but also with a hollow sound. Sebastian and Aurora looked at each other, knowing it was a sign that their summoning was working. Their presence could scare the world itself.
The dungeon began to shake violently, as if the ground itself was opening up under their feet. The walls and ceiling began to erode, revealing a bright light that seemed to come from the outside.
The atmosphere felt strange, as if there was a lot of coldness without snow or temperature changes. The fear it generated came from the deepest part of their being, as if it were an instinct. All the strongest beings on the planet felt chills and fear for a moment, not knowing where it came from, only having the feeling that something was going to happen.