An approaching force

(Raas POV)

Feeling the intense dread and fright was coming from the forest I edged the others to quicken their pace. I tried not to worry Sahara by smiling, but I'm pretty sure she saw right through me as she took me into a tight hug. Taking a few deep breathes to calm down, we finally went back into the city and towards our temporary home.

Back in the wooden house, Sahra finally spoke, "Raas are you alright? What happened?"

Still feeling the aftermath of the intense dread, it took me a second to register her question.

"Heh? Ah, yes I am okay now." Looking around I could see everyone's eyes on me. Well, I can´t blame them as I´m still as tense as a board.

"I felt something coming from the forest. It was probably the same thing that killed the stampede. It was as if someone was starring at my soul, trying to kill me with its eyes. I could practically feel its rath towards me. I still feel a faint dread over me..." said I trying to express what I felt a few moments ago.

Beatrice was shocked, Sahra looked worried and Derat was intrigued.

"We have to inform the queen about this. To think that the Seeker act so openly... They must be desperate to kill you or see you as an extreme threat. Ts, guess the appearance of a primordial gem really spread fast, even with the queen trying to suppress it."

"Guess we have to leave this place and stay put for a wh-" I couldn´t finish my sentence as I heard a large crack sound followed by a huge amount of blood spilling out of my mouth. I looked in shock at the pile of blood on the ground and looked up to see Sahra and Beatrice rushing towards me. I couldn´t even utter another word as an unbearable pain hit me right where my core is.

My head hit the ground and my vision began to blur.

The last thing I saw was a familiar demonic smile.

(The Queen´s POV)

Sitting in on my comfy chair I wondered how the cute little snake was doing. He was still so young, but already so close to death and brimming with potential. I couldn´t wait to nurture him into a worthy spouse. It has been centuries when I last saw such a prominent being, but he sadly died before I could court him. I always wanted children, but all the other dragons aren´t to my liking. Ts, they're all just power-hungry assholes, and the good ones are either dead, not interested in mating, or already have a partner.

*sigh*

Just thinking about them made me mad and depressed, and it´s not helping that I have to deal with all the paperwork that this little town brings me because of the wave.

The surges of mana really messed up everything. I planned to take over this dungeon in a few years, but this set me back another few years. Rubbing my temples I slumped back into my chair.

"Sebastion, bring me a calming tea, please. The strongest we´ve got."

A few seconds past and Sebastion, my most royal subordinate broad me a steamy tea. The fragrance alone calmed my mind and heart. Taking a few quick sips I sighed in delight.

Letting my mind drift a bit around I nearly fell asleep, but a strong presence made me stand on edge.

In this dungeon, there are only so few people that could do something like that and it definitely wasn´t Segmund the tyrant bastard, and the floor guardian, Scarge the demon eating Scarecrow, wouldn´t appear here just unannounced.

Activating a number of arrays she spotted the source of my uneasiness.

In the woods, a few kilometers away was a single humanoid monster shrouded in black mist. Looking closer I could see a large grin looking directly at me like it was mocking me, before disappearing in into thin air.

Taking a moment to think about who the monster was I gasped, "Raas!"

It was the only logical option for a Seeker to appear here. Even with all my protections and work to try to keep silent about Raas, the Seekers found him in only 2 days. Slamming my desk with such a furry that it exploded, I stood up. "Sebastion, full alert! Call Metallkill back and tell Loft he should protect Raas with his two students. I will go out for a minute," said I trying to suppress my anger.

Loft the dryad was the same one that lead Raas towards me and showed him the town.

Sebastion took a knee and said sharply "Will be done, my queen!" before disappearing in his own shadow.

Alone in my room again, I walked towards my balcony and jumped. Midfall I turned back into my dragon form again and soared through the sky, leaving the town, but not before activating every defensive array that I planted around the town.

Soaring out, and into the raining 22nd floor, I scoured the entire forest but found nothing but a single sealed letter.

Spotting the letter on the floor I changed back mid-flight and landed right in front of it.

Picking it up I inspected it and saw a familiar seal on it. It was the seal that the Seeker used, only a few recognize it. Opening the letter it read,

"We will never forget"

Written in the old dragon tongue.

Crushing the letter in rage I burned along with a part of the forest.

"Grrrrrrrr.... not you again!" came from the burned forest behind me. "I came all the way here to see what was up only to see you burning down another floor!? Wasn´t the 15 floors that you destroyed enough!? We were gracious enough to let you continue to live in this dungeon, but now you almost burned down another floor!!? GAHHHHH, and most importantly, I was just hunting worthy prey, but thanks to you the dungeon sent me here!? What in the flying Gufug should I even do!?"

Hearing all the nagging and complaining I turned around and spotted a familiar face... or skull and sighed.

"Haaah~ I am sorry Wendy. I will make it up to you, but first I have important things to do."

"And what would that be!?" snarled Wendy the ancient Wendigo back. As one of the Floor Guardians, she had to listen to the dungeon's command, but are otherwise free to do what they wanted, except damaging the dungeon of course.

"One of the Seekers was here."

"Not my fucking problem Elisabeth! You know the rules, as long as the dungeon isn´t permanently damaged it is free to everyone!"

Trying to stay calm I gritted my teeth, "I know, but you don´t understand the situation. The Seeker is after the Acutra, the holder of the primordial Gem, Sol´s Gem! Even the treelings are supporting him!"

The wendigo calmed down and sat on the scorched ground, "Ah, shit... is he maybe a snake-type monster...?"

"Yes, how do you know that?" asked I bewildered.

"Because he is the one that Scorge is interested in... fucking shit... if he dies... all hell will happen... Ughhhh I don´t want to live through that nightmare again!!!" whined the Wendigo while rolling around the ground, and throwing a tantrum, showing just how much she hates this situation.

Seeing her panic like that I sighed again. "Haaah, can you please call him so that we can talk? It would be an enormous help with him on our side."

"I will try... but no promises. You know how he can be... always hiding or playing around with the lower ones.."

"Yes, I remember that. Haaah~ anyway I will be back and restore this floor later. I will see you around, Wendy." with those words I turned myself back into a dragon and flew away, letting a furious Wendigo behind.

(3rd POV)

Loft the dryad was tasked by the queen to protect Raas with his 2 disciples. He immediately rushed towards Raas' position upon hearing the command from Sebastion, the queen's trusty subordinate.

Calling his two students to come to where Raas is he rushed there first and opened the wooden door. His eyes widened upon seeing what was in front of him. A pale Raas was lying on the floor in his own pool of blood while a draconian was healing him with all she got and a crying Singing Stone next to her, while a Soul collecting apparition, type Anglerfish was swimming above their heads.

They were so in panic and shock that they didn't even register that Loft was there. It was a bizarre and confusing sight, but he ignored it and hastened toward the dying snake. Kneeling next to Beatrice, they finally noticed him. Sahra immediately tried to kill him while Beatrice was shocked and Derat ignored him.

"Calm down and focus. I was sent here by the queen to protect Raas, but it seems they already got him. His core and soul are badly damaged and need immediate help." said Loft blocking Sahras dagger with one finger.

Sahra whipped her tears away and asked, "What should we do? None of our healing works and he keeps getting weaker and weaker."

"There is one solution... but I don´t know if it will work..." said Loft while staring at the flying fish.

...

(AN)

A chapter a day keeps the haters away!

Well, that is a lie...

Anyway, the pace is slowly increasing as well as the threats that Raas has to face. Action is finally coming back soon! Prepare for some fight scenes, power-ups, and new encounters. You can leave your suggestions here or on my discord server!