Dungeon - Floor 37 - Colosseum
The 37th floor was unlike the rest of the Dungeon.
It was the last vestige of civilization this deep underground—stone carved into tiers, an arena forged for spectacle.
Here, monsters spawned not to hunt adventurers, but to fight each other in endless, bloody duels. A theater of death, repeated without end.
Yet the familar clangs of steel sounded no longer, instead a thick silence sat upon its place.
At the center of the arena, fire crackled weakly. Makeshift torches jutted from the stone like broken teeth, their light dancing across walls scarred by centuries of battle.
The cavea, once littered with the corpses of beasts, now bristled with the remnants of human war: shattered spears, splintered shields, rusted blades stabbed into the stone at jagged angles.
Various monsters and hooded figures sat eagerly in place, most of their eyes darting up in reverence.
High above, in the imperial box where lords once presided, a throne of rough-hewn stone loomed. For now, it sat empty, but its weight crushed the room all the same.
From the shadows behind it, a small cloaked figure emerged.
They moved to the railing, peering down at the assembled horde before bowing low, their ragged beige cloak spilling out like a frayed banner.
The mark of the Absolute, smeared in black, stood out stark against the left shoulder.
Then—
Thud.
The sound of armored footsteps echoed from the passage. Metal on stone, slow and inevitable.
The silence broke. Dust drifted from the ceiling as the figure approached.
And when the armored man stepped into the torchlight, all bowed their heads.
Ketheric Thorm ascended to the throne. He stood tall, his gaze sweeping across monsters and men alike—eyes cold, judging, final.
"Once this place was a stage." He started, his voice echoing around the chamber.
"A stage where adventurer's came to prove themselves, to bleed for the glory of their Gods. Monsters clashed endlessly without purpose, without meaning."
His gauntleted fist struck the armrest of the throne sending a crack to its base as he stood up.
"But now, it belongs to the absolute. To Me," Ketheric continued, raising his arms out as if to encapsulate the space.
"Rejoice for I have given you purpose, I have given you meaning."
A ripple of sounds responded, hisses, snarls and chants, all forming in the middle of the room.
Ketheric sat once more, legs crossed, his arm resting on the throne's side.
Lili, leaned in, whispering something into his ear, his head tilting as he listened before rising again.
"The guilds sends more of their dogs past the safe floors. Loki's hounds. They dig and pry at us even now." Ketheric continued in a somber tone.
"A god of trickery playing the part of a justiciar, A guild of lies." Ketheric spoke, his eyes swept the crowd, and some of the hooded figures flinched beneath the weight of his stare.
"They would hunt the chosen. They would destroy miracles of the Dungeon—all to restore a false order. And yet… some of you would lend them an ear."
His voice sharpened like a blade.
"Do not forget who shelters you. Do not forget my blessing. It demands only one thing—loyalty."
The crowd shifted, monstrous features bristling beneath their cloaks. His gaze pinned them, merciless.
"Now hear my final promise," he declared, his voice booming through stone and shadow."Those who hunt… must prepare to be hunted."
He turned to leave, the torches guttering in his wake.
"And remember one word—Xenos."
The Colosseum erupted, chants reverberating through its ancient bones as Ketheric strode into the dark, Lili trailing close at his side.
Ketheric tilted his head, voice smooth but heavy with judgment."You have done well. More than well. You have proven yourself useful."
Lili straightened, a quick smile flickering."All for the Absolute," she answered brightly.
He knelt, his massive form lowering until his head was level with her eyes. His tone softened, but the weight of it pressed all the same.
"That vow is for the masses, for the indistinguishable. You… are more valuable than that."
His gauntleted hand rested on her head, steady and deliberate."A means to an end should not be your end. I expect more. Much more."
He rose to his full height, shadows sliding across the throne room walls as he stepped forward."Now… what of this 'Knossos'?"
Lili followed at his heel, voice sharper now, emboldened by his words.
"Criminals," she spat. "They snatch the Xenos, drag them into their rat-maze, sell their suffering to the highest bidder. Nobles pay to play gods in a false labyrinth."
Her sneer lingered, but Ketheric's reply was measured, calm."No, they are puppets, Daedalus' spawn, a mad god's curse made flesh driven to carve tunnels until their minds fray."
His emerald eyes flared briefly beneath the helm, fire curling between his gauntleted fingers."And obsession, child, can be useful."
Lili tilted her head, catching the intent. "You mean to take their maze."
"More than their maze." His tone dropped, iron over stone. "The Xenos they cage. The followers they mislead. Even the tunnels themselves—all of it will bend to the Absolute. Their walls will become our walls. Their chains will break… and bind anew, in my service."
"Find them." He finished solemly.
Lili's lips curled into a smile, more confident now."And when I do—when I drag them into your light—what becomes of them?"
Ketheric turned his helm toward her, emerald fire flickering within the visor."Those who kneel will be given purpose. Those who resist… will feed the roots of my dominion."
Lili's grin widened. "Then I'll make certain they kneel… or break."