Dungeon of Darkness: Finale (Corruption/Full Armor TF)

Valerie really preferred to work in a team. As a paladin, she was at her best when using her powers to support others. As a leader she worked best in a group, keeping the others in top shape and helping them do their best. But still, she was well trained and could take care of herself if she needed to. Her armor was tough, her sword sharp, and her magic worked as well on herself as it did on allies.

Which was lucky, seeing as she’d been separated from the group. That damned trap had split them all up. So far, she hadn’t been able to find anything but monsters and minions, her team nowhere to be found. If her guess wasn’t off, she’d been dropped down to the deepest floor of the dungeon; that seemed to fit with how many minions she’d encountered.

As she walked though, she had a bad feeling; she was going deeper, not higher, but all other paths had been blocked by more monsters than she cared to try and fight. And usually, dungeons tended to get tougher and tougher the further you were from the exit. How long would it be before she found a path up, or until she found some of the party?

Valerie left a trail of bodies in her wake as she progressed. Maybe she’d been too bold in leading the party there, maybe she should have had them take it slower - or at the least try to all get caught in the same trap instead of separate ones. Then they’d be able to work together at least.

She shook her head, refocusing as she hit a crossroads. No use dwelling on what had already happened! Valerie would press onwards, and she would find and rescue her friends, or she wasn’t a holy and heroic paladin! Resolving herself to keep putting one foot in front of the other, she took the path dead ahead! She was still firmly lost, but now she was lost with purpose! Every monster or minion she took down, after all, was one her friends may not have to face if they followed after her!

The path kept winding downwards. She’d started in a natural-looking cave system, but after that split she’d ended up back in more “civilized”, for lack of a better term, environs. While the haphazard curve of the corridors and the irregular, jagged shapes of the rooms were natural, they were smoothed and carved with depictions of sin and debauchery; someone had lived there quite a while, and put some effort into making sure anyone who passed would know it.

Eventually, the way began to straighten and level. Valerie had a sense she’d gone as deep as the dungeon went. She could, probably should, go back, try one of the other pathways to find one that went upwards instead. But if she was at the deepest part of the dungeon, that meant something was there - the ‘boss’ at the end, the leader.

If she took them out, then wouldn’t their minions fall apart? So many of them were undead or magical constructs. Surely without their master they would pose no threat, leaving them no obstacle to regrouping and leaving the dungeon.

Valerie took a deep breath. She’d try. She’d have to at least try. Even if she could get out, there was no guarantee her allies weren’t under attack that very moment! If she could help even a little, then she had to.

She pressed onwards, shortly encountering hefty stone double-doors at the end of the corridor. She shoved them open with all her strength and found herself in a new space.

The throne room was elaborate, and seemed unaged in comparison to the rest of the labyrinthine dungeon. Tapestries decorated the walls, conquest and debauchery on display, extolling the sin of the dark goddess that the master of the dungeon served. It nauseated the paladin just to look at. The rest of the room was no less frivolous; the throne was made of dark stone encrusted with bloody red gems. The dias it sat upon seemed made of a gleaming, mirror-shined silver, and a long red carpet cut the room in half in it’s trail from the doors to the throne. Other furnishings adorned the room; armor stands, statues of women in assorted lurid positions and acts (which, Valerie realized to no small amount of anger, were clearly meant to represent goddesses; she saw not a small number representing the one she herself served).

And on the throne, lounging about, was the dungeon’s lord. The armor in which they were clad was a burnt-black metal, covered in malevolent spikes and lined in crimson. It seemed that the dungeon was run by a woman, since it wasn’t purely armor - it seemed also to be a dress. Their face was completely obscured, along with most of their body; the only feature that stood out was a gold crown.

Valerie leveled her sword towards the figure on the throne. “Master of the dungeon, I’m here to bring you to justice!” she declared. “On my honor as a paladin, you’ll never be able to threaten the peace of these lands again!”

With her intention declared and honor satisfied, Valerie had no need to wait to strike. She lunged forth, bringing her sword to bear. The figure didn’t stand; perhaps it was too shocked that she’d made it so far to engage in the usual hero-villain banter, or simply didn’t think of her as enough of a threat to deign to respond to. That would be their last mistake, she decided.

Her sword arced downwards, the heavy blade descending with all the force Valerie could put behind it. The figure still hadn’t moved when the blow made contact - and the armor fell apart. Valerie stumbled from the sheer shock as plates went flying, the helmet sailed off to the side, the chest crumpled and fell.

Valerie stared for a bit, flushing with embarrassment. Had she just stabbed an armor stand? After that heroic speech and deep resolve? The pieces clattered to the ground around her. Had she been wrong, then? Was this not the domain of the dark master of the dungeon, for all it’s appearances? Or was it, and they simply were elsewhere? She was so disoriented by the surprise that she hardly noticed the pieces beginning to move on their own power.

The first piece to hit her was the breastplate. It launched itself at her from it’s place on the throne, and she stumbled back as it latched itself to her. “What foul magic-” Valerie gasped, trying to pull at it. But it wouldn’t budge, and when she tried to shrug off her own breastplate she found that the thing it had attached to was gone, replaced entirely by the blackened metal that wouldn’t let go.

The breastplate was soon joined by more, metal clashing on metal as the plates grabbed onto and disintegrated her own armor. First on her front and then, just as she was catching her balance from the barrage of plates, onto her back. She swore under her breath. What was going on? Was this whole room a trap, the armor a curse? She could feel it’s unholy nature, feel the curses it bore. And the power, but that was besides the point.

She had her sword up this time as more armor launched itself at her. She batted away leg plates, pauldrons. She tried to beat a retreat towards the exit, get out while she only had a portion of the cursed platemail on her, but then she was hit from behind when the plates she’d initially knocked down had circled around.

As she beat down more cursed armor, something was rubbing off on her blade - a blackness that ate away at the blade’s magic, turning the blade the same dark color as the armor she was striking. Corrupting it, empowering- she threw the blade down and drew a dagger as she realized what it was causing on her thoughts.

It was too much for one woman to fend off. Her arms were encased shortly, and the armor seemed to lock up as it forced her to stop fighting it off. She kicked at the heeled boots, but they simply took the opportunity to push themselves onto her legs. The dress wrapped itself around her waist and slid under the armored skirt.

The armor was corrosive to the very soul. Corruptive. Valerie knew that, she could sense it with every fiber of her being. It was powerful and tempting. So, so tempting. It whispered of what she could do, if she claimed it - if she commanded the dungeon. What she could do if she became a queen, an unquestioned leader. Surely a good woman like her could use even the darkest of powers for the good of all.

She refused it. She tried to at least. Valerie knew that with that promise also came the service to a new goddess - the one that adorned the walls, held so dear by whoever had created the dungeon. Even if it was tempting, to save her friends and everything, she knew that she couldn’t trust it. Even if she did think she could do a better job ruling than those local lords and ladies. It wasn’t for her - she was a humble paladin, wasn’t she?

Unfortunately for Valerie, the armor didn’t seem to take no for an answer. The helmet floated in front of her, before flying into her face and locking into place, concealing her entire head but for her pure white hair coming out the back.

The corruptive influence filled her now, twisting her virtues and preying on her vices. She wanted what was best for everyone, no matter their station; it wasn’t her fault that most didn’t know what was best for them, and she did. She simply had to take matters into her own hands. She took pride in her work to make the world a better place. It was worthy work for anyone. Why not have pride in herself too? Her immense beauty, her overwhelming power.

Valerie just had to take the power. Just had to claim her rightful place. Her goddess had helped her get started on the path, and she was thankful for that - she’d never have left home without her. But a new voice whispered in her ears - quiet, and yet deafening to all others. Silencing that too-kind goddess before. A dark goddess that knew how to bring out the best in Valerie. One that would push her power to new heights, and let her look good doing it.

The armor made that decision easy. She accepted the dark goddess as she sat on the throne. Her hair shifted, lengthening down until it brushed her bottom before tightening into elegant ringlets. Valerie the Paladin had ceased to be, when she took that seat. Instead, Valentia the Dark Knight cackled. “Ohohoho~ Minions, Generals, come, greet your new Mistress!” she called, knowing her voice would be carried through the dungeon. Her dungeon.

They came, over time; the dungeon seemed to empty as the minions went to pledge their loyalty. Along with them came the Generals, those who would lead her forces. Mistress J, the beastmistress, came with a pack of magical beasts. She bowed. “A pleasure to see you, Mistress~” she said, “You’re looking divine in that armor~ It suits you well~”

A chimera stalked up beside her, nuzzling against the beastmistress’ hand. “Ehehehe~ It’ll be fun to play with you now~” Katalina said.

Valentia laughed again as she walked up to her friends, giving each a firm hug even through her armor. “Of course, of course~ I’m quite happy you’ve joined me as well~ We’ll have all sorts of fun together~ Perhaps we can gather you some new pets, next we visit the surface, J? And some playmates for our lovely Chimera~” she gave Katalina some pets, before moving on.

The next arrivals were Lady Eliza, accompanied by the more unholy denizens of the dungeons; skeletal servants, vampire attendants, and so on. “The Goddess of Beauty has surely blessed you, my friend; I can tell even with that helmet.” she said, curtsying gracefully.

“Not as much as you~” Valentia said, bowing in turn to her fellow servant of the Goddess, “Perhaps I can take this off and we can compare in more detail, tonight~?”

Justy rode in shortly after, carried on a palanquin by a team of her golems, her own silver skin polished to a mirror shine for the meeting. “You’d better not be planning to have Eliza without me, Mistress!” she snapped, “As your loyal General, I have to make sure you have only the best, and that means me!”

Valentia looked towards her, and though her helm was opaque the smile was clear in her voice. “Oh, but of course Justy~ I wouldn’t let you miss out~”

Now that they were all assembled, the generals, along with their minions, knelt before their Mistress. They pledged their loyalty to her and her Dark Goddess. Valentia laughed. They’d have some fun soon...