For the Record

And just like that, we’ve burned through half a dozen more dungeon bosses, one every ten levels, and now we’re approaching the last one.

The final boss of the dungeon…

While the others are documented though, there’s surprisingly little information about this one; only that what you actually fight varies pretty wildly, and some are much more difficult than others.

Why?

Why does it change?

Every other dungeon, it’s consistent. Why is this one different?

I’m really not sure.

When I asked Ravona if she knew, she just gave me a cryptic smile.

I prepare my spell focus. Callien and Frederick seem to be in their usual calm spirits, although there’s definitely an undercurrent of unease. I’m not sure if it’s because of the lack of boss information or our delving companions…

One definitely a god, the other probably a god…

Actually, almost definitely a god, who we know as much about as the upcoming challenge.

And why exactly nobody knows much about this last battle is concerning to some degree as well… most adventurers take detailed notes or at least remember enough details to pass it on, and yet this one is unknown.

…

Now that I think of it, most of the dungeons on this plane are unknown. Maybe it has to do with the demon lord… I’m not really sure.

I’m watching from the corner of my eye as we open the heavy doors, and I notice Ravona smile.

A cryptic smile, like so many others. I have no idea how to read the monster.

We enter the large, round space with a vaulted ceiling much like the other boss chambers…

And find it empty.

Well, empty other than a raised dais at the far end, with a throne made of some black shiny material sprouting from it in the center as if it had simply grown from the rock itself.

…

The party looks around the large chamber, trying to find any sign of… anything, really. There isn’t much here. The sandy floor even looks untouched, as though no one has ever made it this far.

…

…

Somehow, none of us is surprised when the gorgon simply scales the dais and sits on the throne.

“Because of course you are,” Callien sighs. “I had a feeling you were. You’re way too strong to just be some simple adventurer.”

“Yes, because of course I am,” she echoes back. “This is indeed my own dungeon.”

And then she giggles… and morphs into a perfect facsimile of the statues all over the surface, dressed in a stained white robe.

Frederick stared dumbfoundedly. “You’re… you’re the demon lord. You’re Demon Lord Nemesis. Aren’t you?”

“In the flesh; well, whatever this qualifies as, possibly not flesh,” she drawls, holding out an arm that promptly disperses into glittering black ash, visibly sharp enough to raze through muscle and bone.

“We’re going to die here,” I mutter to myself. “We’re dead.”

Another giggle answers me, much darker and lower. “Are you? You’re haven’t even attempted my challenge yet. So then… hm, hmhm, who should it be this time…?”

Callien nods. “And that would be why the others say the boss changes.”

“No,” she answers flatly. “I’m the ‘boss’, so to speak. My champion changes, as I specifically choose them to provide a proper challenge. If you were facing me, yes, you’d be immediately dead. Also, I mean it when I say a challenge; this is not a fight to the death, although I could resurrect my champions or arguably any of you with a word or two. It’s not difficult at all; I’m a goddess, after all.”

A brief look of confusion crosses her face before she nods in acceptance of something.

“Anyway, this is your reward or making it this far, even with my own assistance.”

“What, exactly, is this reward?” I ask in confusion. “Standing here and talking to you? We’ve been doing that for the past week and a half.”

The goddess on her throne furrows her brow, and for a moment I wonder if I’m about to be struck dead.

Then she simply chuckles again. “Why, an audience with me, devourer of planes, slayer of gods, and literal demon lord.”

Callien taps his chin thoughtfully. “So an audience then… then what, we get to ask for something, or are we just supposed to bend the knee?”

“That depends on you,” she rasps back. “You’ll face my champion, and if both they and I are satisfied with your showing, you get a further reward.”

We glance around at each other, somehow only now realizing that Hades is partially cowering behind Nemesis’ throne… mostly because that’s when a series of those same black tentacles ‘Ravona’ used on multiple occasions again erupt from nowhere… much more slowly this time, and gently lift the frightened goddess in a princess carry to set her across Nemesis’ lap, where she clings to the demon lord and buries her face in her neck.

So that much was true, at least.

“Of course it was. Why wouldn’t it be? I’m exceedingly proud of my wives, they’re fine examples of divines, some of the only ones who don’t backstab the others for the sake of entertainment. Granted, I’ve served my own role in that, but I’d like to think I’m reformed, at least in some sense by now.”

I furrow my brow but ‘Ravona’ just continues.

“So, what will it be then? One or two, hmmm… melee? Magic? Speed and stealth? Livvie is still recovering so I’m not going to ask her this… ah, I know!” she suddenly says with a clap of her hands.

And then she vanishes, echoing “Be right back!” through the rapidly closing tear in the real.

***

“Why me?”

“Why not?” big sister replies. “I haven’t seen you fight in a very, very long time. I think it’d be fun! Don’t you? Besides, we haven’t had tea in a very long time as well… We should, we absolutely should.”

I take a deep breath and think.

She’s spent so, so long just… being absent. But before that…

So many mortals, dead for no reason, none at all. If I understand Lady Arty right, their souls are gone too… never coming back. Just gone.

…

I don’t know if I’ll ever trust big sister again. I’m probably going to have to kill her eventually…

If that’s even possible. I’m pretty sure it’s gonna be really, really hard if I even can… she’s really, really strong, strong enough to hurt Lady Arty even, or so she said…

But then she healed her somehow, as much as she could.

And she’s trying to help Izzy too…

Maybe she’s not all evil, not anymore…?

I don’t know.

I never really know much, it’s all so complicated…

But I don’t really hate her, I think.

…

And I’m still her hero.

“I guess so,” I finally say. “But I’m not going to kill them.”

“Good, good!” big sister cheerfully replies. “I don’t want you to kill them anyway. Accidents happen, of course – but if they did die, I’d just resurrect them. No harm, see? It’s fine. So I’ll bring you there, then?”

“Sure.” I absentmindedly brush at my black scales, even though they never really move or straighten.

Old habits, I guess.

***

Not even five minutes later, the demon lord returns through another rift with…

Some kind of black dragon… person? With fancy armor and a line of short swords in a bandolier, one of which seems to be leaking a black fell energy.

“Sorry to keep you waiting!” Nemesis carelessly says before dropping back into their throne and again retrieving the goddess of death from her hiding spot behind it. “This is my little sister, I’m sure you’ll have plenty of fun.”

The dragon sighs before speaking. “Yes, hello hello. I’m Eleonor, hero of Nemesis. Yes, that exists. I’m just going to test you apparently.”

…Is it just me or does she sound kind of…

Joyless?

Tired?

“Well, I’d assume so,” the demon lord answers my thoughts, “the poor girl has been planning and training to kill me one day. I can’t say I blame her, I’ve done some pretty terrible things that most heroes would probably want to kill me for. Fair enough. But anyway, she’s agreed to be your challenger.”

She shifts into what looks like a more comfortable position without dislodging her wife. “Now I don’t need to tell you this considering we already talked about it, but don’t kill them. Accidents happen and I can resurrect them if you do, but ideally just don’t. These end of dungeon things have always been a challenge, a test, and nothing more than that.”

“Wait, is that why every party that makes it this far always comes back alive?” Frederick blurts.

And Nemesis just nods with a smile.

…

What a weird demon lord. I thought she’d be more… evil?

“Callien…” Rosalie quietly says in my direction. “Can we trust her? I feel like we’re going to die here.”

The demon lord shrugs without disturbing her smile. “Who knows? You could die, maybe, but I doubt Eleonor is going to kill you.”

She gestures grandiosely with one hand.

“Begin!”