Now he was getting somewhere. A few things stood out from the quest description. The first was that the dungeon was no longer upgradeable. That was unfortunate, but not wholly unexpected. The last update had taken a week, and this area was only designed to be used for a month. Tamee had warned that it would likely be his last run through it. That also meant the reward should be impressive.

That seemed likely given that it was already offering five hundred points. That was nothing compared to the bonus he had gotten last time, but that was an incredible special offer. Although, it was possible there was another secret quest that would give him something similar.

Another nugget he gleaned from the message was that the kobolds had a 'master'. This was probably the accomplice that Parina had mentioned. Alan was actually curious how that would work. Cassidy hadn't been able to continue in the dungeon since she had become autonomous, but Oshae and his partner had likewise been freed, so how was it the silent partner was still here?

That sounded like a great question to ask him after Alan thwarted his plans. Climbing down from the roof he checked in with Thadrick. The priests hadn't made it too far, and Alan was easily able to catch up. Dexterity builds certainly made fast travel easier. The next time the party turned, it was onto a street that once more had other kobolds.

Unlike all of the others they had run into, these were moving in the same direction as the priests, away from the battle, and towards that pillar of purple flames. It was also only a trickle of warriors. Rather than the hundreds to thousands streaming toward the dwarven formation, these were groups of two or three moving together.

When they finally arrived at the suspected destination, the ritual area that Alan had seen under construction during their rescue, they were greeted by at least two hundred kobolds crowded around a raised dais containing several more kobold priests and the site of the ritual. The small group they had been trailing made their way through the throng, and the priests ascended to the stage while the guards took their place in the crowd.

Alan was a couple hundred meters away, so he couldn't clearly make out what was going on with the ritual. However, from what he could tell, there was some kind of object in the center of all those flames, obscured by the energy swirling around it. That energy was being generated by what looked like a magical circle.

After gazing around at the rest of the area, he noticed a pile of corpses off to one side. They all were short, but skinny, not stocky like dwarves. It took him a moment to recognize the form of the dark gnomes he had encountered down here before. At the time, they had also been prisoners of the kobolds and drow, but Alan had freed them along with the villagers.

The pile before him contained at least twenty bodies, which was more than had been present previously. It seems the kobolds must have felt the need to replace their previous losses, and turned their full attention on the gnome population. He would have felt a little bad about that, but there was nothing he could have done to prevent it, and this was really just the doing of the overall dungeon.

The gnomes were sentient beings, however, which meant they weren't just creations by the dungeon core. These were volunteers from the greater universe, and Alan hoped they were getting a generous reward for their rough treatment. Speaking of rough treatment, he saw yet another body being thrown on the pile by a couple of kobolds.

Following their movements, Alan saw them return to a scene he had failed to notice. There was another magical circle set up on the dais, but its emanations were dwarfed by the much larger one. Standing in the center of this circle was a small stone podium with a bowl on top. Next to it was a hooded figure, much too tall to be a kobold.

Behind the dais, there appeared to be a row of mostly empty cages. As he watched, a pair of kobolds cut open the ropes of one cage and carried the obviously weakened gnome from inside up to the smaller circle. The tall figure raised one of its arms over its head, revealing a nasty dagger. The blade was at least forty-five centimeters long and narrow along its entire length. It was also made from some kind of blackened metal, which wasn't easy to tell from the amount of blood covering it.

Bringing the blade down, it sliced the prisoner's chest open. A river of blood exploded from the gnome, literally fountaining into the air. As it fell back to the ground, Alan noticed something peculiar. Rather than falling randomly and creating a large bloody mess, each droplet seemed to land on a line of the magical circle.

Each of those drops remained as a dot of liquid, rather than splattering. Slowly at first, and then with growing speed, they started moving along the diagram, spiraling inwards until they coated the entire inner circle and then new lines seemed to form, allowing the blood to flow to the podium and then upwards and into the bowl.

It took over five minutes for the blood to fully collect into the bowl which didn't look capable of holding even a tenth of the total volume of fluid. Once the ground was dry once more, the figure reached into the bowl and pulled out a fist sized red gem. It looked similar, but not exactly the same, as the smaller gems he had received from the succubus. What he was watching was the creation of blood gems, probably not as good as his, however.

Those gems had contained the blood of an Ascended beast, which he still didn't completely know what that was, but he believed that was probably better than something created from the death of sickly gnomes. However, it appeared these items were still capable of serving their purpose. Alan watched as the figure placed the newest one into some type of storage, but he also saw a number of them placed on the outer line of the much larger circle generating the giant wall of flames.

It seemed that whoever this figure was, most likely the as yet unnamed accomplice, they were sacrificing the gnomes to create these blood gems which were then fueling some type of corruption ritual. There were only five prisoners left, so if Alan wanted to stop them, he would probably need to act soon. First, though, he would need to know what he was up against.

Griff: Drow[W], Glorious Aspirant, Threat level: deadly.

This did indeed seem to be the missing drow accomplice, but that knowledge came with a price. Alan wasn't sure what the class meant, but going off of context clues, he thought it might be some kind of higher level seeker class. It also sounded like a pretty good one. With a seeker class came a stronger soul, and apparently the ability to detect his identify probe.

Luckily, he didn't seem to be able to pinpoint Alan's location, but he certainly reacted. His first action was to have groups of kobolds break off from the crowd and begin searching the area. The second thing he did was call for another sacrifice. He was no doubt in a hurry to finish his ritual, before whoever probed him could disrupt it.

The three scouts had a little time before they were in danger of being found, so it was time for a plan. Without knowing what kind of ritual they were performing, there was no way to know how much time their enemy needed, but they probably needed to act fast. The fact that it was a corruption ritual suggested the less time they had to corrupt whatever it was, the better.

The kobolds themselves would not be much of a challenge for Alan, except as a means of sapping his stamina. With the Army Array empowering him, he would be able to last much longer than usual. However, unlike the larger group at the gate, he wouldn't be able to take a break and allow others to fight while he recouped his energy.

He wasn't totally alone, however. Thadrick and Bodvar would also be able to contribute, but the large crowd of kobolds would be able to pressure them in a way their earlier skirmishes hadn't. Alan wasn't sure they would be able to hold off the mass of enemies if he wasn't supporting them. Normally, he would be there to offer support, but that drow couldn't be allowed to complete his ritual. Not only would it mean the failure of his quest, but it probably would mean bad things for their attempt to clear out the city as well.

If he held himself back to ensure his friends' survival, there was a very good chance he wouldn't have time to stop whatever was going on above them. No, Alan would have to let his friends be a distraction, while he made his way around the crowd and assaulted the dais directly. It wasn't even his idea, so he didn't feel quite as guilty when he agreed to it.

"Look, I know we're not as strong as you, but you've got to let us do this. Stopping that ritual is what's important, and if we can give you the chance to do that, then that's what we'll do." Thadrick told him.

Bodvar added his support, "Besides, no smelly kobold is a match for us. We'll still be there when you finish up with mister cloak and dagger on the stage."

Alan couldn't fault their logic, "You're right. If you guys can cause a distraction, I'll get up there and stop what's going on. Just remember, you don't have to go all out, just draw them off for a little while and I should be able to take care of things up there."

Once everyone was ready to go, Alan replaced his healer's mark on both dwarves and also cast minor regeneration on them as well. It was the best he could do to help them ahead of time.

The dwarves were going to kick things off, but Alan needed to get into position. The search teams hadn't strayed much from the ritual area yet, so he could cover a good bit of the distance before needing a distraction. After finding a good hiding place near the stage, Alan gave the signal.

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"It's go time boys."

Thadrick was the first to step out from the building they were hiding behind, but Bodvar soon followed. The kobolds hadn't noticed them yet, so Thadrick roared a challenge.

"Come on you pathetic worms, allow us to show you why no one messes with dwarves!"

It wasn't the most impressive war cry Alan had heard, it was also longer than most taunts, but it got the job done. Also, Alan didn't have much room to talk since he was also terrible at these things. Thadrick's challenge sent the kobolds into a frenzy, not a single one on the ground stayed behind, all of them rushing to kill his two friends. The priests on the dais, however, continued to stand around the ritual, not moving from their position.

Griff also continued to sacrifice the gnomes as quickly as possible. There were only two more left when Alan broke cover and ran for the stage. He was closest to the side with the priests, wanting to take out any potential minions before engaging with the stronger drow.

A glance back showed a wave of kobolds screaming towards the two angry dwarves. They were only about ten meters away, and Alan saw Thadrick pull something from his storage. He couldn't tell what it was, but his friend threw it into the approaching horde. It hit with a tremendous explosion and pieces of kobolds were sent flying.

A second bag, Alan was able to pick out the small leather pouch this time, was sent flying and he could see the normally stoic dwarf laughing as a second explosion blasted another hole in the charge. Whatever those were, it would have been nice if he had told Alan about them. He would have felt better leaving the dwarves to fend for themselves if he knew they had such a weapon.

Alan had no more attention to spare for his friends as he vaulted onto the dias and took two steps before decapitating a priest with his spewn. He didn't even pause as he moved on to the next one. Eight priests were scattered around the circle and three of them died within the first five seconds. The others started to react, but the drow leading them hadn't noticed yet.

The closest priest still alive raised his hand, but Alan sliced it off with his pugio before taking his head as well. The attack had cost him time, though, and the next priest was able to cast a spell before Alan then took his head.

He recognized the attack as the same he had faced in the tunnels. A filthy energy tried to invade his aura, but either his newly improved pathways, upgraded inquirer class, or most likely both, allowed him to easily rebuff the assault. His aura continued to flow pure and powerful through his body.

Having slowed, expecting to have to deal with the priest's spell, Alan pushed off again toward the next enemy. This one also got off a spell, but it too had no effect. Another head was soon flying through the air, just like the others.

There were only two kobold priests left and they were standing side by side. They cast their spells together, and both of them hitting simultaneously were able to do what the others could not. Alan felt the sludge enter his pathways and slow the flow of his energy. Unfortunately for them, Alan as he was now was so far beyond the priests that even slowed and with his abilities suppressed, he was able to kill them both. The one on the right lost its head while the priest on the left was impaled with his holy pugio.

The priests were now all dead, but the drow Griff still remained. Something was also happening with the pillar of flames next to him, but there wasn't time to give it any attention. The slaughter of the priests had only lasted thirty seconds, but Griff had noticed and did not look happy. There was still another prisoner in the cage, and one more bleeding out in the circle at the moment.

The blood was already collecting on the lines of the diagram and making its way into the bowl. Judging by the fact he was still standing by the podium, it seemed that the drow was unable, or unwilling, to leave while the process was ongoing. While Griff wouldn't move, he did seem to feel the need to talk.

"To think that all of my problems can be traced back to one runty human. I thought that Oshae must have run into a full party to take him out, but I can tell from your signature that you are the only active member in the dungeon."

That statement was full of triggers for Alan. One, it confirmed that this drow was the accomplice. Two, he definitely was separated from the dungeon core, so he knew that this was not the real world. The talk of a signature was also intriguing, and was something he would have to ask Tamee about after this was all over. He could maybe try and get some information from his opponent first though.

It might seem that Alan was wasting time by not engaging the drow while he was stuck inside his own circle, but things weren't that simple. With Alan's improved soul and aura, the priests' curses were not nearly as effective, but it would still take him a little more time to fully purge the effects. Also, he recognized enough of the design in front of him to realize that interfering with it could be dangerous for himself as well as the drow.

With nothing else to do, Alan looked for some answers. "What do you mean by my signature?"

Griff laughed, "Oh, the ignorance of a newborn babe. I have to wonder how you could have possibly defeated my sidekick?"

Alan sensed an opportunity for more information, "Your sidekick? the way he told it, you were his minion."

The drow's face twisted briefly with rage, before smoothing out as he responded, "That spoiled brat likely didn't realize his true position. While we both had a seeker class, his was better able to interact with the dungeon's influence. I needed to use him to allow my plan to succeed, but it was my plan."

Alan decided to poke the bear again. "Again, that's not the way he told it. I thought I would be coming here to deal with his lackey trying desperately to put together the ritual without his help."

Griff's face was still calm, but Alan could sense the anger roiling through his aura. "That pathetic excuse for an elf wouldn't know how to draw a circle to save his life. I don't know how his parents ever let him become so foolish. Usually a family like theirs would have pruned such a wart, but their lack of judgement was my gain. He was simply the money in this endeavor.

"Yes, his family was too influential for me to betray him outright, but I was going to make sure that I was the one to form the main bond. He would eventually also be allowed to form a connection, but it would have been me in control. It's just as well that you killed him, though, it will make everything far simpler. I'll still have to deal with him after the dungeon closes, but by then I can truly say there was nothing I could do. I had to take the first bond since he wasn't here to do the honors himself. I guess I should thank you for that."

Alan was too angered by this seeming sociopath's thanks to pay attention to his other words. "You'll not thank me when I cut out your still beating heart."

He had to admit, that was a pretty good line, at least for him. It didn't seem to land as well as he might hope, though.

"Please, I am no pampered fourth son, I have had to fight for my food. The only thing you have taken from me is a little time, simply delaying my sacrifice. The blood of all those villagers would have fueled my ritual much better than these loathsome gnomes, but they will suffice."

Those words reminded Alan of the whole point of this quest, the ritual going on behind him. Seeing that the drow was contained for another thirty seconds at least, he took the chance to glance at it. The once thick pillar of flames had dissipated immensely. The priests must have been contributing that part of the ceremony.

The magical circle and the blood gems remained, but now the purple fire was a mere ghost of a presence, and Alan could see what sat at the center. It was resting on a small altar, surrounded by some kind of candles burning with their own little flames. The object itself was about a meter high and at least half that in width. It was a dark grey color and was covered in large discs, almost like scale mail. It was the largest egg he had ever seen.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Griff asked when he noticed the direction of Alan's gaze, "You have no idea what it took for me to attain it. It was how I was able to convince Oshae to fund our adventure. You wouldn't believe how rare a dragon egg is."

From size alone it was easy to believe the drow. What else could it be but the egg of a dragon. It also explained some of what the drow had been saying before. He hoped to bond with this dragon as an Ascended being. Alan wasn't sure what the significance of forming the first bond was, but he had learned a little about the importance of such a connection to someone with a seeker class.

This might also explain the corruption of the ritual. If dragon eggs were so rare, he probably had to take whatever one he could find. Perhaps this type of dragon would be unlikely to view the drow in a favorable light, and so he was performing some unholy rite to give it more amicable feelings towards the evil elf.

Alan had to ask, "What I don't understand is if you brought this dragon egg into the dungeon to corrupt, then what was the original ritual meant to use. I know from Oshae that you were supplanting the true purpose of the dungeon."

"My, my, he really was talkative before his death." Alan didn't see the need to bring up Cassidy and Parina, so he let Griff continue. "No, a dungeon couldn't make a real dragon egg, there are rules against such things. The original plan was to corrupt something almost as good, though. A fresh dungeon core."

This didn't mean much to him, but he heard a squeak in his head that told him Tamee was watching. He had only heard her react involuntarily once before, and that was when he was about to be ambushed. Alan guessed from her reaction that it was obviously something good. He was forced to cut off his thoughts as the drow was still speaking.

"Sadly the Network replaced the core with my egg when I came in. It must have thought two such incredible items in one dungeon was unfair. It was not a huge loss anyway, as my special storage item would only be able to carry one thing out of here."

This conversation was beginning to feel a bit like a villain's final monologue. Alan knew that they were both biding their time until the gnome's blood finished condensing into a gem. He didn't really know what the significance of the gems to the ritual was yet, but he couldn't kill Griff until the smaller circle finished its work. That time was quickly approaching as the last of the blood entered the bowl.

Alan activated his mana lode ability and refreshed his minor regeneration spell. He also kept his spewn and pugio out. This drow seemed more like a mage type, so Alan was unlikely to need to block with his shield. Both opponents kept one eye on the bowl and one eye on their foe. Alan had a minor advantage in that, while he couldn't interfere with the circle till it was done, that didn't prevent him from preparing spells ahead of time. It seemed that Griff was unable to do so while controlling his blood gem circle.

Alan's plan was to lead off with his most damaging spell, meteor, followed by a blitz melee attack. He had the spell almost completely formed, he was just waiting for the final moment to bring it together. Griff could possibly see that Alan was ready to cast, but there wasn't much for him to do until the ritual ended.

Finally the last of the blood was drawn up into the bowl and the energy in the circle started to sputter out. Alan brought the last elements of his spell together at the same time he felt mana gathering around the drow. It would be a race to see who could act first.

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