My heart raced as I burst into my throne room. I was hastily dressed in my gray robes with my silver breastplate over it. I held my spear. Lana and Garnet flanked me, all the bliss of our morning fun forgotten as the alarm echoed around us.
Usiku stood at the top of the map sunk in the room. She frowned.
"What?" I asked the fomorian.
"The enemy hasn't entered the dungeon yet," she said. "He's waiting at the door."
I stared at the map. There were two red dots in the entrance cave. They were right at the door. Several blue dots, representing the will o' wisps and wildhounds, waited near the entrance door to pounce on the intruder.
"Are they having trouble opening the door?" I asked, staring at the map. "I mean, it's locked, right? Are they those ill-equipped adventurers?"
"No idea," Usiku said. "My previous master's dungeon was invaded once by an adventuring party, but they had no problem with the door. It's almost as if they're... waiting."
Then one of the red dots flashed bright. It pulsed. "Okay, what's going on?"
"He wants to communicate with you," Souleen said. "It's a dungeon builder."
I swallowed. "Another one already?"
"I guess so. If you concentrate on the flashes, your minds will connect through the magic of your dungeon."
I sighed. I guessed I better speak to him. I gripped my lightning spear--I really needed to learn how to use this--and concentrated on the dot. I had been hoping to have some time to gain proficiency in my powers before another dungeon builder or my first adventuring party arrived.
"Hello," I said. "I am Leo." Then, feeling foolish, added, "The lord of this dungeon."
"Leo..." the man said. "Is that your real name, or did you adopt it upon entering this world?"
"Real name," I said. Why would I adopt a new one? "Who are you?"
"Fuegin," he said. He had a jovial tone to his voice. "Not my earth name, but one I thought was fitting for this world. For my new role. I would love to come in and have a chat. Meet the newcomer. I hear you defeated that ill-mannered Mthunzi."
"I did." Caution gripped me. Then, to Souleen, I asked, "He just wants to talk?"
"Probably. I mean, what other friends do you get as a dungeon builder besides your companions? Make him swear on his Void Crystal."
I nodded then concentrated on Fuegin. "I would enjoy a conversation, but--"
"I swear by my Void Crystal that I, Fuegin, and my vassal, Amante, shall not harm you or yours. I ask leave to enter your dungeon and be granted safe passage to your presence."
A nervousness rippled through me. If Souleen said it was okay... "I swear by my Void Crystal that you shall have safe passage to me and be allowed to leave unmolested so long as you do nothing to threaten or harm myself or my vassals."
"Agreed," he said.
I glanced down at one of the dots near him. The wildhound Du. "Du, guide him to me."
"Yes, Lord Leo," she said excitedly. It was nice to know that I could communicate with my monster girls this way.
I glanced at my two companions and Usiku. "We have a guest coming in. Fuegin. He's got a monster girl named Amante with him."
"Pretty name," Garnet said. "So he's not coming to fight."
"He said he won't, but let's be ready. We'll outnumber him two to one."
My monster girls nodded.
I sat on my throne, Garnet sitting on my armrest in a cute position, reclined back on my shoulder with her arm draped over my neck. Lana and Usiku flanked me, standing ready for any trouble. Usiku could shape weapons of darkness and Lana had her lightning.
What could Garnet do in a fight?