Underworld - The Succubi - Book 7 - Chapter 8

“Really? A pyramid?” Aeris asked, eyeing the tunnel Lilith had created. She wore a light green dress that had what she called an empire waist. Instead of hugging tight to her hips, it was snug on her ribs just below her bust. It relied on her natural curves to bell out.

My arm hung loosely around her back and rested on her hip. As with any time she was excited, I felt the vibrations course through her body. I have to admit I was a little distracted.

“It’s a solid design,” Pastor Whitfield said, turning to his wife. “What do you think?”

Debra’s lips pursed as she thought. “I think many in the Illuminated Cathedral would consider it a place of false worship because of this type of architecture’s history, while others would want to confiscate it for their own church’s use. My brother would likely fit into the latter camp. I don’t see anything wrong with the design. I’d just recommend keeping it a neutral location otherwise you’ll have different sects fighting over it.

“Elorion, how do you plan on governing Sanctuary once it starts growing?”

It wasn’t just the Whitfields present, but Master Khaba was there, as was Olivia, Russ, Travis, and Skyler. It was everyone that represented the different factions that were planning on living in Sanctuary. Thankfully, Mistress Nava had returned to Matriarch’s Crown.

I looked from person to person. When no one spoke, I shrugged. “I haven’t really thought about it. All I really know is what I’ve grown up with. I’d prefer not to have to govern at all. I was selected by the others and would like them to have a say in any major decision, at least.”

“Thanks, Skeletor,” Olivia said with a snort.

Russ and the other original members of Sanctuary chuckled.

Jeremiah spoke over the noise. “I think it’s time for a quick history lesson. The Illuminated Cathedral has been around in one way or another for 2,000 years. There’s been many mistakes, and also injustices, but there’s also a reason why none of our sects have held inquisitions and witch hunts as have happened on the surface world.

“First and most importantly, we are at war, and have been for these 2,000 years. Except in the case of heinous crimes, the peoples of the Illuminated Cathedral have never killed each other, because we’ve always had to depend upon each other against the other races.

“Secondly, as much as our historians have respected the Reformation, the Age of Enlightenment, the resurgence of democracy and republics in the last few centuries, we haven’t had the luxury of switching out our commander and chief as some of the surface nations have. One does not lightly change generals in the middle of a war.

“What we have found that works, though its admittedly flawed, is to select an executive, or president, that acts as commander and chief for life. Legislation is then handled by representatives of the people, much like you are familiar with.

“Our government is more closely based upon the Ancient Greek ideas of a republic and our own history of trying to make it work. I stepped down from my own seat in our Senate to come here with my family.”

I had to admit I didn’t expect any of what he had just said. I doubted their history was as sanitized as it sounded, but was it possible for people with opposing ideas to keep from each other’s throats for a century, let alone 2,000 years? And the fact that they relied heavily on Greek philosophy for their governing principles piqued my interest.

“Is Bishop Mather your president, then?” I asked.

Jeremiah nodded. “And also the head of the Roman Catholic Church of the Underworld. They submit their doctrine to the Pope’s of the surface, so much of what they believe will mirror what you’re used to. The term we use is Chancelor.”

Skyler started laughing to himself, only to become even louder.

When everyone was watching him, he enlightened us to what he thought was so funny. “Chancelor Elorion sounds terrible, but Meathead Overlord has a ring to it.”

“I approve this message,” Richard’s voice rang in our heads. He was the one that had started calling our bashers meatheads in the first place. Of course, he approved.

“Pshh,” Olivia objected. “He’s already known as Skeletor.”

“To you,” Travis replied. “It should definitely be President Light Bulb.”

A boisterous chortle followed, then Skyler added. “Captain Glow Stick.”

Aeris gave me a humored look.

“Maybe asking their advice on major decisions is a bad idea,” I said under my breath.

Her smile grew and she replied. “Emperor Sun Daddy.”

I gave her an exasperated look and called out, “Khun, just build something already. My once loyal subjects have betrayed me.”

“Yes, Master,” he said subdued. He was wearing his pirate captain’s hat again and had lowered his eyes.

“I was kidding, Khun.”

“I understand, He Who Excretes Light Orbs.”

All laughter stopped for the briefest moment as we turned and looked at the Dungeon Spirit. He stood there indifferently.

“Khun, that was funny,” Aeris said jovially. “And gross.”

A reserved smile appeared, and he bowed his head slightly as if pleased with himself.

“Yup. Not as good as Sun Daddy,” Skyler admitted. “But keep it up, Spirit Bro.”

“I like Spirit Bro,” Richard interrupted again. “Maybe Big Spirit Bro, since he’s older than most of us by a few centuries. Or maybe just Uncle. Pirate Uncle. Uncle Pirate?”

“Uncle Pirate Spirit Bro.”

With an exasperated puff, Olivia raised her voice. “Let’s make sure Khun doesn’t mind that we’re giving him nicknames. His name means mister, or sir, at least in manga.”

“Manhwa,” Russ corrected. “I think it’s a Thai honorific.”

Travis waved his hand in front of Russ’s face. “Guys, did you forget we’re in the Underworld? Why would anyone know about Thai honorifics and Korean comics?”

“Why does everyone speak English?” Skyler retorted.

“I—have no idea.”

“That’s enough,” Shamash commanded, his aura intensifying and causing many to take a step back. “Access to the surface isn’t as rare as you might think. Almost every major race sends low level creatures there to gather news and resources. As for languages, the Succubi focus more on the surface than any other monster race because of their appetites, followed closely by the vampires. English is the most spoken language there, so of course they know it. If one of you wants to try to trace down Khun’s language of origin, you likely could if you wanted to bother. You’re acting as if languages are hard to learn.”

That shut everyone up.

“Elorion learned the dominant vampire dialect in a matter of days. Unless I’m mistaken, Aeris and Olivia have learned the succubi’s.”

“We have,” my wife replied.

“Now,” the lich continued. “The time has come to begin construction. Waiting any longer will just delay what comes next. Elorion and Aeris will be leaving in less than two weeks for Matriarch’s Crown to do their duty for the Head Mistress. I suggest setting the foundation for the future of Sanctuary while they’re still here. Are you agreed on the necropolis?”

One after another, everyone started nodding their heads or raising their hands.

“I have a question, Master Lich,” Khaba said, motioning toward the tunnel. “With the smithy on the Dungeon Level, should we widen the tunnel to make transportation between levels easier? Also, will the entrance to this necropolis be large enough for moving large loads back and forth?”

I remembered back to when I first met the goblin and the labyrinth of tunnels running through his home. I’d never even considered that they’d constructed them.

“That’s a proper question,” Shamash said. “Master Khun. Could you give us a projection of the first stage?”

He bowed. “It would be my pleasure. Everyone, please step back.”

It was Shamash that led us a quarter mile away from the tunnel and further west from the lake. Once we were all facing it, Khun cast a phantom diagram over the area we’d just been. A pyramid illuminated the space over the tunnel. It looked exactly like I’d imagined it would.

There wasn’t anything fancy about the pyramid’s design. It was wider at the base than it was high and stood about ten meters high like a three-story building. It inclined at just over a 50-degree angle. This crypt would also be made of the rock of the surrounding area. It would mostly be made of blue and green specked marble with a black backdrop.

The entrance to the pyramid was approximately two stories tall and about fifteen feet wide. It was large for something that was supposed to by our last line of defense.

“This is the first stage of your necropolis,” Shamash said. “The tunnel will be widened as part of its construction. I suggest a spiraling path along its walls. It must be wide enough for carts passing both ways. The center will be kept clear for those who can fly. A magic pully system can be used to raise heavier load on a platform much like the elevators of the surface. Eventually, a Transport Array could be used, but the heavier and larger the load is, the more costly it might be to teleport. For the largest projects, they will need to be constructed on the Cavern Level.”

“First stage?” Aeris beat me to asking.

“Yes, this is the second.” He motioned to Khun.

Suddenly, the phantom image expanded upward and outward, more than doubling in height. The entrance remained the same size.

The lich continued. “This second stage has two purposes. The first is to improve its defensive capabilities. Not only will stone be added, but there will be an internal array created near its peak inside of the stone that will cause it to emanate an aura. It will greatly increase its ability to take a hit.

“The second purpose is to give the Ireki Wraith more tools to work with while also containing him. His tomb will be in the rear half of the pyramid while the entrance to the lower level will be in the front. The Ireki were never strong in body, but they once ruled one of the largest territories in the Underworld because of their Arcane Engineering and Mana Machines. It is my hope that we can remain on good terms with him and learn much of what was lost when their civilization fell. But if we’re not careful, he could do untold damage to Sanctuary and people might even end up dead.”

I’d assumed incorrect of the entire vampire race, and I wouldn’t make the same mistake again. Though, I’d also seen them at their worst. The question at least had to be asked. “Is the wraith to be our prisoner, slave, guest?”

Shamash turned to face me. “A guest that you must be wary of, Elorion. He will never be able to move around as freely as you do. Even Khun has more freedom than he does. However, if we allow him to help in the construction of Sanctuary, he may be able to construct something to defy the rules of his current existence.”

Everyone was silent for a long moment.

“One last thing we must decide before moving forward is who will be Sanctuary’s Foreman,” Shamash insisted. “They will be in charge of much of the city’s design and have to consider things like plumbing, transportation, and zoning. Elorion has the Arcane Engineering Blue Magic variant, but he won’t always be here.”

“Clarissa has her Earth Magic…” Olivia reminded.

“Yes, but as helpful as she’ll be in the construction of the city, does she have the mind or desire to plan one down to the smallest detail? She’ll also be required to study alongside the Wraith.”

It was then that Jeremiah stepped forward. “A man named Neper came with us from the Illuminated Cathedral. He has extensive experience in construction, is talented in dexterity, and has touched a Fire Vein. He hasn’t done anything to this scale, but he’ll be able to tell you all the problems you’ll run into.”

“That’s great,” Aeris said. Everyone looked equally relieved.

“Yes, but…” Shamash said, cutting any celebration short. “I don’t doubt the pastor’s intentions, however, placing this Neper in such a position will place a large amount of authority in the hands of someone with allegiances that lie elsewhere. This position, unless unavoidable, should be held by one of the original founders of the dungeon. Neper will undoubtedly be a boon to the city’s construction, but it could also put both parties in an untenable position later on.”

I was about to object, when Jeremiah agreed.

“Perry will do it,” Skyler announced. “He was going to go to school for engineering, so I think he’d jump at the chance. Like I said before. He might sometimes come off as a slouch, but if he has a job to do, he gets it done.”

“Then I’ll have a talk with him,” I said. “Anyone have any objections to the necropolis?”

Master Khaba seemed pleased with the Lich’s answer and no one else raised any more concerns.

“Then I guess it’s time to get started. Khun, take it away.”

“Yes, Master.”

The Dungeon Spirit turned to face the tunnel then raised both his hands in front of him like a conductor. The phantom building disappeared except for the foundation.

“Richard,” I said through mind-speak. “Make sure everyone knowns to stay away from the tunnel. Khun is getting to work.”

“Got it, Boss.”

“Should we get Clarissa to help?” Aeris called out.

“Not on this first step,” Shamash replied. “This will allow him to reinforce his connection to the Cavern Level. It’s an essential step. Now, lets discuss essential buildings, and what order to build them in.”

I nodded as I watched the stone creepily climb up from the tunnel’s edge as it seemingly liquified. It was a slow process, but Khun was literally moving stone from the tunnel’s walls upward to use it as the pyramid’s building material.

“How much DP is this going to cost?”

Khun replied without turning away from his work. “About 2.3 million DP.”

“That’s less than upgrading your mana utilization…” I replied.

“Yes. I must recircuit the Master Chamber. It’s an upgrade in technology more than a large building project. This pyramid structure is much bigger, but far less complex.”

“Does that mean gaming consoles are off the table?” Skyler quipped.

Those of us from the surface chuckled. It was a good example as to some of the principles behind the dungeon’s ability to upgrade itself.

“So what should we built next?”