Faces flashed in Riley's vision. Faces contorted in fear, screaming, or half melted. These had become common scenes in his dreams. The memories from those that died from the nuke. It saddened him that he was growing used to them. 'Wait, a dream?' Riley thought to himself. 'I remember falling and then just chaos. What happened and where am I?'
The dreams faded but it was still dark and he couldn't move. His mind was awake but somehow his body hadn't caught up yet, and his head hurt like hell. Then suddenly Riley heard a feminine voice nearby filled with worry and that had a motherly tone to it. "Are you sure he was not more severely injured Zephon? He has been asleep for far longer than he should be."
"I am certain, my queen." A male voice said. Which Riley assumed was the mentioned Zephon. "He was merely jostled around in the skirmish. At worst he may have a concussion from the fall. Also I have no doubt that if there was something more severe your magic would have detected it."
Riley began to feel his body awaken. He was sore all over, probably bruised from head to toe. He noticed he was lying on something very hard. He then heard a feminine sigh. "Yes, you are correct. My healing magic would have detected anything worse than the bruises. I just worry since this is our only chance now." The supposed queen said.
'Only chance? What the hell does that mean?' Riley thought. He started to feel like he could move his body now, but he really didn't want to with how much it hurt. If he didn't though he wouldn't get any answers. So he pushed himself up with great effort. Hearing a small 'oh' while doing so.
He clutched his head still unable to open his eyes due to the headache. "I'm glad to see you awake. How are you feeling?" The queen said.
"It feels like someone hit me in the head with a sack of bricks." Riley responded. "Where am…" He tried to continue speaking but stopped in surprise as he finally got his eyes open. In front of him all he saw were gigantic fuzzy black and yellow thighs. He slowly looked up in both curiosity and concern. Riley was definitely not expecting what he saw.
In front of him was a massive anthropomorphic bee. She was at least three times Rileys height. Her head was somewhat egg shaped with large feathery antennae on top. She had large pink eyes that seemed to sparkle in the dim light. She had four arms and two legs. They seemed normal by human standard but her hands only had two fingers and a thumb. Also she didn't really have feet, instead it was more like two large toes or claws attached to the front of her leg and one larger one on the back. Riley couldn't tell whether she was chubby or just extra fuzzy, either way she had a plump look to her. Her dress was a gorgeous white with the sides of the midsection cut out and a split skirt that went halfway down her thighs and a center strip of fabric that went down past her knees. Her breasts were also massive, equivalent to a DD cup.
Riley continued to stare with his jaw dropped. The queen tilted her head a little confused and concerned before speaking. "Are you alright? I can assure you I mean you no harm, and that you are safe here. If it helps I can answer any questions you may have."
Riley blinked before realizing he was making a fool of himself. He shook his head to clear his thoughts before speaking. "No, I'm fine. Just a little overwhelmed." He rubbed the bridge of his nose before continuing. "I guess a good place to start is how did I get here and where is here? Oh, I should also introduce myself I guess. My name is Riley."
She smiled warmly in response. "It is a pleasure to meet you Riley. I am Queen Baʿalah of the Hive Dungeon." She said warmly, then giggled lightly. "I suppose that partially answers one of your questions. You are in the Hive Dungeon. At least what remains of it."
She looked deeply sad at that last part. Riley felt really bad for Ba'alah, but didnt know what to say. She perked back up before continuing. "As for how you arrived here. I performed a summoning spell to bring us someone who could help us and it brought you. I suppose I should introduce you to Zephon by mentioning that." She gestured to the side of her throne, which Riley now noticed was severely damaged.
To Ba'alahs side was what looked like a giant black mantis with small white highlights. He nearly blended into the background. He was almost one for one with a praying mantis but scaled up. Though his limbs and body were thicker possibly from having actual muscle instead of the hydraulics bugs usually had. His arms were also jointed like a humans would be rather than a mantis and the outer side of his arms were bladed. His hands were like Bal'alahs having two fingers and a thumb, though they were more pointed and claw-like. He wore very minimal clothes sticking to mostly armor that covered vital spots. Zephon also had quite a bit of blood on him which Riley assumed was mostly not his.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Lord Riley. I am Zephon, One of h… I am her majesty's royal guard." Zephon said, with a hint of sadness.
Riley didn't have to think long to understand why Zephon changed what he was saying. Especially now that he was getting a good look at the room. It was a massive stone chamber. There were gashes and chunks missing out of the carved stone. Many spots were blackened from fire or lightning and it looked like all the entrances had collapsed in. Though he could not see behind him or past Ba'alahs throne he assumed it was much the same.
"I don't know how I could possibly help. I'm not very well physically and I'm not magically gifted." He sighed and continued. "What even happened here? It doesn't even look like there is much left I could help with."
The queen sighed sadly before speaking. "It's true that almost nothing remains. Zephon and I are the only ones left alive, and the rest of the dungeon has been collapsed to protect this inner chamber." She closed her eyes thoughtfully for a second before continuing. "It is probably best that I start from the beginning. I wanted my dungeon to exist peacefully with humans and to eventually raise my children to be able to live alongside them like the different beast folk. Unfortunately when the other dungeon lords of the region learned of my dream they were not happy. Most dislike humans or believe its heresy for a dungeon lord, but mostly they were afraid. Not to sound arrogant, I am one of the most powerful lords in the region. The fact that I wanted to work with humans terrified them. Somehow most of them put aside their differences and allied together to attack the Hive Dungeon. We didn't stand much of a chance against so many."
Riley felt a bit guilty despite knowing there wasn't any way he could have helped. Looking over at Zephon, the mantis looked stoic but there was a deep sadness in his large eyes. He looked back at Ba'alah as she continued to speak. "As for you not being strong, I didn't set the spell to search for someone strong. Actually I had it do the opposite. I set the spell to search for someone with a good natured heart and a love for insects, or monsters in general. Also a human would fit the role intended best." She looked over at Zephon sadly and remorsefully. She then continued to speak. "No one I summoned could be strong enough to turn the battle. It would have been like throwing a rock at a wave. I didn't summon you to help us in that way. I summoned you to take my place as dungeon lord and carry on my dream."
Riley's eyes widened. He was completely baffled. "What, there's no way I could take over. There isn't anything special about me. I'm just some guy, not a leader. Why would you need me to take over anyway?"
"To put it simply, as long as they continue to sense my magic they will keep trying to get me. And even if it was just one of the armies I had to face, I could not win with the state I'm in." As she said that the air around her shimmered and distorted. Zephon looked away in shame and sadness. Rileys stomach lurched at what he saw after the shimmer stopped. Ba'alah was covered in cuts and dried blood. Her dress was torn and patches of fur were burnt off. The worst was that her left eye was closed with a large red stain around it while the antennae above limped brokenly by it. "I'm sorry for hiding the state I'm in but I didn't want to scare you when you awoke. I can't fight anymore and if I did they would shatter the dungeon heart, killing my dream forever. You are the only hope Zephon and the Hive dungeon have of living and thriving. I know you doubt yourself but I can tell looking at you that you have a good heart Riley. Also you will have Zephon to aid you and those you summon from the dungeon heart."
Riley's eyes were filled with tears threatening to flow. Despite not truly knowing Ba'alah he felt a deep sadness for her. The thoughts of not being of any use to them filled his mind, but he pushed them aside. He didn't have much choice now and even if he did he probably couldn't abandon them anyway. He didn't know about having a good heart but it was definitely a soft one and he certainly loved bugs. He spoke, trying not to sound too choked up. "When I left my apartment today I was hoping to find a way to help people, but I was not expecting it to be like this. I don't know how much I can do but I'll try. I'll help the Hive Dungeon thrive and get along with humans."
Ba'alah smiled warmly at him. "Thank you Riley. I have faith you will. Something tells me that you will do far more than you think you can." She turned towards Zephon before continuing to speak. "Zephon, you have served me a long time and have been an amazing guard. But more than that you have been a great friend and I hope you will be the same for Riley."
Zephon was shaking from grief on the verge of tears. He tried hiding it but was not succeeding. "Of course Queen Ba'alah. I will do my best, as I've always done." He said, choking back tears and tripping over his words.
She smiled sadly, looking back towards Riley. "While the dungeon heart will give you some power when you connect with it I won't leave you without something to help you. I will transfer my magic and what remains of my life-force to you. Most of it will remain dormant until you can handle it, but it will be a great help to you. Now please put out your hands."
Riley did as she said and put out his hands. She reached down with her upper arms enveloping his hands in hers. They were extremely soft and comfortingly warm. They slowly began to glow as it felt like electricity was going up his arms, but it wasn't. It was a pleasant feeling like his body was truly alive for the first time. The electric feeling intensified like it was trying to burst from his body. Wind blew around them and the pressure was getting more intense. It felt like a storm was going through his veins trying to break out. He didn't know how much more he could take. Then suddenly and very quietly Ba'alah spoke to where only he could hear. "I hope she can help you, and please protect her." Before Riley could process what she said she started to sparkle and become clear. Her body slowly disintegrated into a cloud of sparkling light dissipating into the air.
She was gone. Riley fell forward out of his seat catching himself with his arms. He felt like throwing up everything he's ever eaten. Zephon quickly came over to help him up. "Are you alright?" He said with worry and grief in his voice.
Riley gladly took the mantis's help. The pressure in his body slowly easing and his balance starting to return. "I'm fi… I will be alright. I just need a bit. We both need a bit." He said to the mantis. Zephon nodded in response, and the both stood there a while supporting each other.