The stream, a silver ribbon threading through the emerald tapestry of the Varona countryside, murmured a soft counterpoint to the rustling leaves. Tweddledum and Tweedledee, their Syndicate mission a recent memory, strolled along its bank, their boots crunching on the pebbled path. Sunlight, fractured by the canopy of ancient trees, dappled their faces, momentarily painting them in shifting patterns of light and shadow.

  Dum, his usually boisterous energy subdued by the tranquil scene, broke the silence with a casual, "So, how are things going between you and Mystique?"

  Dee, a faint blush warming his cheeks, responded, "It's actually going quite well. We had dinner at Ali's the other evening. It was perfect. And, on the way out," he paused, a knowing glint in his eye, "I'm sure I saw you and Talia hitting it off."

  Dum's easy stride faltered. "What? It was... I was... She's Talia, you know? Talia. Everyone knows her. She wouldn't be interested in a goof like me. That beauty is reserved for someone... better." His voice trailed off, a hint of melancholy clinging to the air.

  Dee, his heart sinking at the unexpected wave of self-doubt emanating from his partner, placed a reassuring hand on Dum's shoulder. "Don't be ridiculous. You're a great guy, when you're not purposely trying to annoy me," he added with a playful nudge, eliciting a shared chuckle.

  "Thanks, bro," Dum sighed, his gaze drifting towards the shimmering water. "For the sake of the Core, I can't get her out of my head. Her eyes are like icicles, piercing my soul every time she looks at me. Her hair, the night sky, ever surrounding me in its feathery embrace."

  Dee's eyebrows shot up. "Since when did you start reciting poetry? That was deep shit!" He was genuinely surprised by the raw emotion spilling from Dum, usually a master of veiled feelings.

  "She captivates my heart, damn it, Dee! Since you brought her up, I can't stop thinking about her." Dum shook his fist in mock anger, his frustration palpable.

  "If we were all human," Dee mused, his voice trailing off, "people would think she was Light's sister."

  The words landed like a stone in the still water of Dum's thoughts, sending ripples of unease through his mind. "Why would you say that? Now..."

  "Well, we're all related in a way." Dee shrugged, oblivious to the turmoil he had unleashed.

  Dum shook his head, a wry smile playing on his lips. "You've just made it weird..."

  The rest of the journey back to Varona was carried out in a contemplative silence. Dee, his mind already drifting towards plans for an evening with Mystique, hummed a soft tune. Dum, however, was trapped in a vortex of his own making. The image of Talia, her ethereal beauty magnified by Dee's casual comparison, was now inextricably linked in his mind with the formidable figure of Light. He imagined Light standing protectively behind Talia, his hand resting possessively on her shoulder, his eyes radiating a silent, chilling threat to anyone who dared to approach her. The image was vivid, almost tangible, a stark reminder of the power that surrounded her.

  A wave of frustration washed over him. "Damn it, Dee!" he muttered under his breath, the peaceful serenity of the stream now a distant memory. His usually jovial spirit was replaced by a churning mix of longing and apprehension.

  Dungeon Stories Volume 2

  The significance of what I'd done was lost on me, right up until Anya had received her class. Which, because it was random as hell, is probably what caused foolishness to wash over me like a cold shower.

  What I've done for my best friend, in the spur of the moment, I can also do for my partner. The person I've been banging on about creating a body for ever since he started showing emotion. The idea of waiting until I have all the elemental skills has been thrown out of the window with Abi the Idiot.

  Truth be told, I don't even know what will happen if I try to create a body that way. Instead, without even thinking about possibilities, I prevented the Magus' body summoned for Anya from coming with a soul. If I knew it was that easy, then I would have done it for Me a long time ago.

  We head back to the clinic and I leave Anya in Tilly's capable hands, her surgery is already starting fill up with regular citizens. After agreeing to meet up later, I teleport to the core room to see what I can do for Me.

  I haven't mentioned it to him yet. I think it will be funnier to just chuck him into a body. I'm also hoping that after the encounter with Anya's soul, myself and Me's will be easier to differentiate between. Otherwise I could end up ripping myself out of my own body instead. A terrible thought, indeed.

  The sight that greets me as I appear in my core room, however, is more than enough to snap me out of my thoughts. "Colin! Who's that?" I point at the Mimic next to him. A Silver Chest is licking the dust of the bronze one beside it as my King Mimic watches. Colin looks at the Mimic before he faces me again and shrugs.

  Does he think I'm angry?

  I love Mimics.

  I'm that overjoyed at the sight of another Mimic, Colin's bláze attitude doesn't even faze me. Mimics cost 20,000DP each! That's just short of what I earn on a daily basis, but I still can't afford to blow my points on the little cuties. Not that they do much for their extortionate price, except drool and skitter around. Looking around the room, all the Silver Chests that I gave to Colin are gone and ten new Mimics are sporting silver rims. It doesn't take a genius to work out what's happened.

  Somehow, Colin has turned the other chests into drool-dropping Mimics all by himself. It could have something to do with that time he ate pieces of my Core, but I'm not exactly an expert on Mimics or dungeon'in. It seems plausible enough though. After placing a few more Silver Chests, to keep an eye on what Colin does with them, I summon a soulless, male Assassin onto the floor next to them. Not like I usually would though. This time is special.

  I push as many points as I can into the Assassin's creation, trying to make its body as strong as possible. The end result is a magnificent specimen of a man. He's toned in places that I didn't even know possessed muscle. I can only tell this because an armour-like fabric that I've never seen before is moulded to his body.

  Before my partner can get a word in, I begin to pull his system-created soul out from my own. A bright ball of orange light is pulled out from my spirit form and I can't help but say, "I knew it," as green tendrils cling to the precious entity. Briefly hearing a scream, although unsure whether it was myself or Me, I push on as fast as possible and force the separated soul in my hand into the Assassin on the floor.

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  A few seconds pass as I gasp for breath. My ghostly body doesn't need oxygen, but my mind feels as though it's just been through great trauma and hyperventilating feels necessary. Plus, it makes me feel better.

  The Assassin's eyes spring open and the first thing I notice is that they're the same colour as my Core. Sitting up in a panic, Me scans the room until he finds the cause. He doesn't appear to be too pleased, but it's hard to tell as his facial expressions keep on changing. It would seem he's having a hard time adjusting to having a face. His carrot top, on the other hand, looks as adorable as his freckles.

  "Me? How you feeling buddy?" He glares at me through his new-found view of the world.

  Use your mouth. You're going to have to get used to it.

  "W-what did you... D-do to me?" He eventually gets out. Although his pitch is off and the sentence is slightly staggered, it wasn't bad for a first attempt. He's so cute.

  "I told you I was going to make you a body, remember? This Assassin is like super strong too, just so you know. It might even be stronger than Light and the others. I'm not sure how much DP I put in you, but it was a lot. I wanted you to be tough, Me."

  "I don't... Know what to say?" He's still in shock, I get it. Seeing as though he's never had a fully-functioning body, it might take him some time to get used to it. Clenching his fists a few times, he accustoms himself with his new motor skills before attempting to stand up. Me's legs shake and buckle and it takes him a few attempts just to get used to standing up.

  I watch him practice and offer tips whilst keeping an eye on my King Mimic. Out of the corner of my eye, I see catch sight of how Colin turns normal chests into Mimics and wish I hadn't bothered. More than anything, I feel slightly sorry for the chest. Even though they were inanimate objects before he stuck his tendrils in them.

  A bit of tough love let's them know who's Boss and a few minutes later, there are more Mimics in the Core room with myself and Me than there was when we arrived. By the time it takes my partner to adjust to moving around in his new body, Colin has acquired another set of silver subordinates.

  "Mouth. Remember?" I can tell he's going to need reminding constantly.

  "How did they all become Mimics?" he asks. He's getting better with his body too because he actually looks shocked.

  "Colin put his... Thingies into them. Then he injected... Something else into them and, after a quick whack to assert authority, they became Mimics. Easy." I smile.

  "That is not what I would call this situation." Me sighs.

  "Yeah, yeah. I'm well aware of what you would call it. The only thing I can see right now though is 400,000DP's worth of free Mimics. Don't forget, as long as they're in my Core Room, it doesn't matter who sees them. If anyone reaches this place, that means they've already beat down my Bosses. We're either screwed or everyone becomes Mimic food." Stating the obvious, I summon ten Gold Chests and ten Diamond Chests. Even though I was complaining about the prices of them as well as a needy pet the other day, my Core can't help but thrum in anticipation.

  Colin is a Mimic-making machine! Who would've thought that was going to happen?

  I teleport both myself and Me to the kitchen inside Ali's restaurant. The Chef, attentive as ever, notices immediately and rushes over to the ginger Assassin accompanying spirit mama.

  "I honestly didn't think you would be able to separate me from your own soul, Abi." Getting all serious, Me repeats his doubts and it's not like I didn't have them myself. I was just feeling confident after doing almost the same thing for Anya.

  "To be honest, Me. Neither did I. That was all just brazen confidence before..." I grin as his face contorts with anger. "Hey, Ali. Can I get some treats for Me?" He's starting to get the hang of facial expressions now.

  "Then why did you do it!?" He shouts as Ali tries to get a good look at his face. She fails due to Me being taller than her so she pulls him down by his cheeks. "Me? Is that you?" She asks.

  Me and Ali look that alike that they could pass themselves off as brother and sister. Other than the colour of their hair that is, they look almost identical.

  "Yes. Apparently, I am a person now," Me grumbles sourly, removing himself from her clutches and straightening his back.

  "Don't be like that. You're going to love it soon. I guarantee it." Ali beams. She's not wrong either, I've been saying exactly that since I had this idea. It's about time he got to start enjoying a few of the luxuries we have to offer here. He did help me get this far after all.

  "Master. I will create something special for this occasion." The Chef starts pulling pans and utensils out, ready to whip up something delicious that I'll probably still feel jealous over. I'd love to be all about Me, but it doesn't make the fact that I can't enjoy anything any better.

  "Make a lot of it then please, Ali. We may as well make a celebration out of it tonight. A lot of good things have happened recently and now I'm not under half as much pressure now that a few things have been taken care of. It'll also be good to relax and enjoy everyone's company." It's been a while since we all had a meal together. Then again, there are a few hundred more Assassins than there were before and I don't think we'll all fit in the Retreat.

  "That sounds wonderful, Master. I'll begin right away. Girls!" Ali assembles her sous chefs and they all get started on their prep. She must not share my doubts, but my family can be said to be more capable than myself. If she thinks it's fine, it's fine.

  "Where do you intend to hold this Banquet? Our family grows more and more every day and surely not all of them can attend. Some will still have work to do at that time, or did you forget?" Or maybe it isn't fine. Me asks the dreaded question as Ali pulls a creamy-treat out of her storage and hands it to him.

  "I was hoping someone else would deal with that, but I suppose it's something I should take of myself. If only I had a capable helper to aid me in these sort of situations?" Me doesn't hear a single word I said as his mouth is full of sugary delight.

  "O... My... Gud." He mumbles as we make our way outside. Seeing the delight on Me's face was worth the soul-splitting moment we shared. Watching him lick his lips, I find a bench in my purchase list and let him sit down. Placing one after another as I walk the streets, they get better and better in design as I continue to unlock more tiers for every ten I place. Once I'm comfortable with the amount, I replace the older models and store them away.

  That wasn't my aim when I left Ali's, however. I was looking through features to see what we could use for our gathering. Instead, I got caught up with city improvements once again. Arriving back at the first bench where I left the ginger newborn, the freckled Assassin is nowhere to be seen. Fortunately, a squeal of delight comes from Ali's and it doesn't take two Shadow Walkers to work out where he went.

  I told him that having senses was amazing!

  After quickly explaining myself, I head to Talia's alone. Leaving Me in the capable hands of Ali to gorge himself to his heart's content. He was adamant about testing more flavours and The Chef didn't seem to mind at all. If anything she welcomed having a new taste tester.

  Informing Talia of the banquet, I ask if she needs anything from me but she declines. I'm happy that I no longer have to stock her wares, but I also feel slightly sad. Visiting the other establishments inside and out, no one needs me to refill their shelves either.

  My family appears to be operating efficiently without me. Gone are the days where they needed me to replenish their goods on a daily basis. Now that they can get their supplies through contracts and scouting parties, they barely even need me anymore.

  It's amazing and sad all at the same time. Amazing that they have managed to become self-sufficient like I knew they would, even with me guiding them. Sad because I lose a little bit of my connection with them.

  Hey, buddy. How you feeling?

  Yeah? I'm sure you will be able to handle your impulses in the future now you know what can come of them.

  That's just how it goes, Me. Don't worry you'll get there. For now just rest up and digest your food. I'm going to go spend my points before tonight's influx.