"There's a problem I hadn't considered with bonding the other core, and I was hoping you might have the solution," I said to Traveler, later that day. Karlinovo and I had finally broken our talk, as he wanted to explore the grounds a bit and adjust to this concept of having a real body again.

"Am I correct in thinking it has something to do with the materials you use to socket the cores into their tools?" Traveler asked. The building designs had been given to Trolke already, and with the four Reltleons who had come with Traveler, they had broken ground on the foundation. Traveler had requested to spend that time they were working with myself and the other cores.

"Yes, but I have to imagine that is just really to tie the core with the tool itself, and any mana orb sockets I add to it. It would seem there has to be a way to just bond the core, otherwise, wouldn't there?" I asked. I just didn't have enough material to build another tool, plus even if I did, there was the fact that the core had a body, and what right did I have to rip it free?

"Then this begs the question, how do you bond a non-hostile dungeon core that has already taken a host? You may, in fact, not be able to safely, but there may be another way," Traveler said.

"What's that?" I asked, glad for another possible option.

"Bond me. We have the materials needed. They will be used to house my physical form in the gate. In theory, if my form is rooted here, you could pass the dungeon ownership to my possession while you go off-world," Traveler replied.

"You are willing to do that? What about the outsiders?" I asked, both amazed that Traveler trusted me that much, and worried about the possible corruption to them.

"I admit some of this is purely for selfish reasons. I wish to understand more of the bond you have formed with the other cores. I also believe that I could sever it if I did not enjoy it. As for the corruptors, I am not a newly born core desperate for comfort. While I cannot say it is impossible for them to tempt me, I do not believe they would be able to do so, as I would not open the dungeon again. I will keep it as locked down as you have left it," they replied.

"So then I just bond the gate itself? To be clear, I still have no idea how to do that. The way I've bonded the other cores has involved making tools, and the gate isn't something on the menu I have access to," I replied, still not sure how we could actually accomplish this.

"Yes, that was a worry as well, but I do have another idea. Though this will require the other cores to agree to it, and it will require the gate to be finished. Trolke believes we can get the functional portions of it done by tomorrow, so while we wait, can you gather all the cores for a discussion?" Traveler asked.

"Including me, eh?" I asked back, surprised they wanted me around for the talk.

"Dave, I consider you more one of us than many actual cores I have met. What you experienced on your introduction to the spiral was not so different from the harsh awakening we are forced into," Traveler replied.

"Thanks, I think. Alright, I'm calling the cores," I said, opening the chat window before I started dwelling on their comment too much.

>Dave: Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Corey, could you all meet me in the hall, and please find the new core as well. Traveler wishes to speak to all of us.

>Corey: Understood.

>Alpha: Penguin fun, bringing.

>Beta: Will they share defensive strategies against the monster?

>Gamma: I hope so. I did not like how they made me feel.

"Dave, before they join us, I have one more curiosity. I know you are willing to let the Reltleons settle at least to support this gate. How far does that extend? There are many people in the Spiral without a friendly home, and now you have a faction without the people needed to support it," Traveler asked. I understood their point, and it was already something I had been considering. The truth was, I didn't entirely have a great answer yet.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

"I'm not entirely sure. Before we can make any lasting decisions about things like that, we have to get the supply chains sorted. So the first thing we need to do is get Cecile's crops producing as much as possible, and then begin work on a distribution network," I answered. That was about as far as my thoughts had gone. Sure, the idea of terraforming had popped into my head already a few times, but that didn't seem feasible yet.

"That is understandable. We should discuss this more in the future, especially after your trip to the archives," Traveler replied as the door to the hall opened. A penguin waddled in, followed by several floating tools, with Corey's physical form taking up the rear.

"Hello, Dave said you wished to speak to us," Corey said as they approached the table.

"Yes, we're trying to figure out a way I can leave this universe now that I've tied the dungeon to myself, and Traveler has a few ideas, but we needed all of you here to discuss them," I said, explaining the reason for the summons.

"I do have an idea on how we can do it, but it requires a great deal of trust between Corey, Myself, and a third core. What I think we can do is swap the core inside of Dave for a different bonded core. But before that is done, Dave will give Corey ownership of the dungeon. Corey will then be placed into the Traveler Gate socket with myself, and the two of us will control the dungeon ownership. We will also need the help of the new younger core to guide our control on how they built this dungeon," Traveler explained.

"I was under the impression that when Corey joined with me, it wasn't something we could change. I'm not entirely sure how to do that," I said. I already knew if it were possible, Gamma would be the one I would socket in Corey's spot. Their personality lined up best with what I was used to.

"While I have no proof yet, I suspect the bonding of a core socket was what was permanent. You may even be able to survive a short time without a core in it, but it should be possible with the right energy to swap cores. It may be quite painful, though," Traveler said.

"Yeah, everything always seems to be. Gamma, are you okay taking Corey's place for a bit if we are trying this?" I asked, turning toward the compass as I did. They were floating near the penguin, seemingly trying to measure various angles of its beak.

"Oh, interesting. Yes, I think I would like that. Will I get a form like Corey?" Gamma asked, their attention shifting from the penguin to me.

"I don't know if it will be quite like theirs, but yes, assuming it's the same way, you should be able to manifest a form," I replied. I didn't see any reason they shouldn't.

"You should all be capable of manifesting forms. I assume the main reason you have not is that you are in very mobile sockets, but that is not generally true of dungeon cores. I recommend you all practice that in the future. You may find it useful to conceal just what you are more," Traveler added. I hadn't considered that idea, but it made a lot of sense now that they said it. Though the idea of Beta finding a form for themselves was a little worrying. I didn't need some sort of terrifying robot running around the homestead.

"Well, that's something you can all practice later. for now, I want to try this core swap. I'd like to get the archives and back before we have our next guest stopping by," I said. The Paladin of Conservation would be here soon enough, and I'd like to have the dungeon fully under our control by that point.

"Gamma, Dave, please make contact with me, and do your best to internalize the energy I will be releasing. If this works, we can swap back tomorrow and attempt to transfer the dungeon ownership before swapping again," Traveler said. I reached out following their instructions. Gamma did the same, their compass tip resting on the core.

The moment Gamma made contact, I felt a strange surge of energy pass through my channels, hitting Corey, and then just stopping. For a brief, incredibly painful moment, Corey vanished from their socket. Just as the electrifying pain was about to bring me to my knees, I felt Gamma appear in their place. The pain quickly receded, sadly without taking the memory of what I had felt, and would need to feel again in the near future. Gamma's presence felt much the same as Corey's did, though I could tell they were trying to get used to the changes of their position.

"Interesting, I expected with this change that Gamma would take over the central node for the cores, but it appears that I am still in control of that," Corey said.

"Yes, but I think I have more freedom than I did previously," a voice said. It belonged to an odd, small crystalline form that had appeared on the ground next to my legs. It was about the size of a cat, but looked like a diamond carrot with legs and arms. I stopped myself from laughing, as it was obviously the form Gamma had chosen for themselves.

"I wish to find a form, too!" Beta said, following Gamma's appearance.

"We can practice that soon. Traveler, how long will it be until we are safe to head to the archives?" I asked.

"We should be able to have everything operable enough by tomorrow to at least open the gate to the network. I would suggest you speak to your comrades and find who wishes to join you," Traveler replied.

"That is much faster than I expected. I appreciate all the help. Corey, can you take Traveler back to the gate? Beta, Gamma, can you round up the others not in our soul chat?" I asked. The question was followed by several affirmatives before I returned to my seat to debate just who I wanted to come on this mission.

Moon cheese is equally rare and amazing. It is something prized throughout the culinary worlds of the spiral, and the few universes where it is found have historically found themselves quickly and forcibly added to factions specializing in the gastronomic arts. Taking just an ounce of the cheese and mixing it with any sort of noodle can produce one of the best comfort foods I have encountered. It's a shame how hard it has become to source.

Dangerous, Secret, and Lost Foods by Tony Dainour

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.