Dungeon Breaker - 24 - Planning and Preparation
2Previously, in Dungeon Breaker:
Aspiring monster tamer Alec and his childhood friend Tina have traveled to the capital to visit Tina's older sister Karen, an accomplished monster tamer. The city has its share of interesting characters, including Claíomh, a frighteningly intense young woman who runs a weapons shop, and Leen, a cheerful young angel-like monster girl who feigns humanity and runs an item shop. But while they're here, Karen's patron, the "forgotten princess" Celsia, has suggested they go training in some ruins in the area that Karen has been investigating.
A lot has happened since then. Tina has been revealed to be adopted and a special type of rare monster. The king has taken over as primary antagonist, kidnapped Tina, and now seeks to awaken a fearsome sealed power in hopes of defying death.
Alec has a flashback to when he took Karen to the caves outside Kahna Village many years ago, dragging her along reluctantly as he excitedly crawled into a small cave opening. Inside, Karen found some colored stones that she was unable to touch, but Alec was able to touch them with no difficulty, and inadvertently unsealed a familiar and highly excitable girl about his age with pointy ears.
The two of them immediately started playing and running around the room together, but Karen remained wary of her, for a not-quite-human appearance meant a monster, and monsters were dangerous, or so they had always been told. But then Alec decided the girl needs a name, and named her after Karen's imaginary little sister. Tina responded so eagerly to that name that Karen couldn't help conflating the sister she longed for with the cheerful girl standing before her.
Just then, an old woman, who lived on the outskirts of the village and was generally feared as a witch, arrived to check on what happened to the seal. Though she made mention of a child (presumably Alec) having the makings of a monster tamer, her focus, as a descendent of the Wizzar who created the divine beasts, was on getting Tina back into the seal where she would be safe. However, all three of the children objected to this. She brushed off Alec easily enough, given that he could barely take care of himself, but when Karen uncharacteristically spoke up, something about her determination impressed the old woman. And when Karen remained resolute even after finding out keeping Tina as her sister would take magic, which they had long been taught was evil, and even after being told she would need to use magic herself, that settled things. Though Alec would have to be the first to forget.
Alec wakes in his room in Celsia's mansion to find Roy watching over him. Karen, though badly hurt, will survive, while Celsia remains abed from the shock. The godlike that keeps being mentioned is sort of an ultimate monster, created by the Wizzar to compensate for how few of them there were. One appeared about a hundred years ago, unsealed by Wizzar and those who sought their power. Draining life force from its surroundings to recover almost without limit, it was only stopped after reducing an area the size of a country to scorched earth by unsealing magic weapons the Wizzar once used.
The church inquisitors had been monitoring Duke Bastarche and Karen in the hopes of keeping things under control, but the king's actions took them by surprise. On that note, Karen is in custody, as using forbidden sorcery like she did is grounds for execution by itself. However, the way things stand, calling for reinforcements from church headquarters takes priority. As Roy leaves, he all but urges Alec to do something about the situation himself before they can respond.
A maid summons Alec to Celsia's room, where she's desperately seeking reassurance after being hit with the reality that Karen lied to her and her father doesn't love her. They take a few moments to find courage in each other's arms, but Alec can't linger. He's determined to save Tina, whatever it takes.
I'm also taking notes to keep a running log of events and characters, though note that there may be spoilers if you haven't watched the most recent video: http://kwhazit.infinityfreeapp.com/trans/breaker/dngBrkr1.html