=========================================================== Dungeon Keeper Ranma Chapter 04: Threeway By A-kun =========================================================== His name was Kaleb and he was among the elite when it came to knights. Specifically, Black Knights. His order of Black Knights, though admittedly small, was known for it's evil deeds and wholesale slaughter of all that is good, as well as being among the most powerful fighters one could ever find. To see a young Keeper, of less than a year in experience with his Dungeon Heart, having already conquered a third of King Reginald's kingdom, was most intriguing. Thus, Kaleb decided to head into the Keeper's land to seek out the dastardly man who'd already conquered a third of the kingdom and continent. The first thing Kaleb noticed was the large amount of greenery. Most Keepers hated things peaceful and, as one of Kaleb's former keepers had so eloquently put it, "Nature-like", this was indeed unusual. Then, he noticed a lack of barricades and traps to prevent spies from wandering in. The truly distressing part was the severe lack of the fearful and the dead in the keeper's conquered lands. The villages actually seemed more orderly, the streets clean, and both the poor and crime was nigh- nonexistant. There were cobblestone roads leading EVERYWHERE in the keeper's towns and villages, not just on the roads that connected to major buildings. Imps could be seen scurrying hither and fro, helping the elderly townsfolk and aiding the doctors in fetching items. The people were healthy, fed, clothed and happy. Parents were actually smiling as their children played with the imps. Goblins, Guards, Dark Elves and normal Elves were dressed nicely with a red horse emblem on their outfits, the obvious sign of who had their loyalty, patrolled the cities together without protest. Knights and Black Knights wearing the same red emblem alike stood guard near banks and other important places, but they often aided imps in helping the elderly cross the street or picked up groceries. Giants and Salamanders cleared the roads of potential obstructions while Fireflies and Fairies dug up the ground for trees near roads could be moved to. At first, Kaleb thought that this was simply some sort of dark magic that the Keeper had cast. Such spells were not unknown and could be cast on fairly large areas. He decided to wait in town to see what happened when the spell ended. As the days passed and no sign of any fights breaking out, it became obvious that either the Keeper was cautious and casting the spell repeatedly or he was sincerely working to make sure that no one was left unhappy. Kaleb was absolutely thunderstruck when he realized that. A kind and compassionate Keeper? It made some sort of sense, as he watched Wizards and Warlocks work together in the above ground library; while Trolls, Bile Demons and Dwarves forged steel together. It was unheard of for such things to be happening, but yet, in front of Kaleb's eyes, was living breathing proof that someone had managed it without the use of mind-controlling magic. It was enough to turn an evil man's stomach. Kaleb shook his head in both awe and disgust.(1) In his ten years as a Black Knight of the Unholy Order of AAAAHHHPLEASEDON'TKILLMAAAARRRGGGLLLEEE (AUGH for short), he'd never seen such a horrific sight. He mounted his horse and headed back to find another keeper, one more worthy and to Kaleb's liking. "Keeper, we've discovered a problem." Lundar began. "What's that?" Ranma inquired. "See for yourself." Lundar said, gesturing to an imp which was held fast by four other imps. Ranma looked at restrained imp and frowned instantly. "This isn't one of mine." Ranma declared. "Indeed. Few imps can last this far from their creators unless..." Lundar began. "Unless they're made by another Dungeon Heart?" Ranma hazarded a guess. "Indeed." Lundar responded. Ranma probbed the unknown imp's mind briefly. There wouldn't be much information, but it would be enough to find out who had made it. Ranma spoke aloud, "A Keeper by the name of Dante. He's also after Lord Titus' Portal Gem. That's all it really knows. Kill it." One of Ranma's imps buried it's pickax into Dante's imp. It piffled into nothing, leaving behind a brief shower of magical energy. "Dante will know of it's demise." Lundar commented. "Good. Maybe he'll know better than to take me on." Ranma declared. "Sir!" came the voice of the warlock Olan as he hurried into the Dungeon Heart room, "We've made a discovery with the portal gems!" Ranma's attention snapped to him, "What?" "It's in the library!" Olan said, motioning his lord forward. Ranma teleported himself and Olan to the library. Olan blinked. He hadn't realized Ranma knew Teleport. Olan motioned Ranma over to a table where a small triangular gem lay. It was about the size of two of Ranma's fingernails. "When we brought two of the portal gems together, they transformed into this. We conducted some research with the help of our Wizard allies and we found that there's an old legend, which until now was thought only a myth, of a Gate Gem which had the power to send whole continents to any dimension the wielder desires. We figure that the Gate Gem was probably broken up by someone a long time ago and the fragments became what we know as the Portal Gems. The legend ALSO states that there's a point on this continent where the Gate Gem can be used most efficiently." Olan explained. "So I can go home..." Ranma murmurred as he stared at the translucent blue stone. Home. He had high hopes starting out, but wondered if he could really bring himself to head home now that he had found a niche in a different world. He was happy being Dungeon Keeper Ranma. He was doing good while using something that, as his wizards and knights had explained, was primarily used for evil. Not one of his minions had shown even a trace of disgust or revulsion at the knowledge of his curse (surprise was, of course, almost a definite, but that was something different). Children looked up to him. There was no poverty or hunger. All his minions were well fed and happy to work with those they normally despised. In all, he was doing something that no other had managed. And he enjoyed it. But then there was that curious statement. A whole continent. Wasn't there supposed to be a lost island of Atlantis somewhere on Earth? Ranma paused as he puzzled that fuzzy bit of knowledge. It was one of those things he learned long enough to pass a test. The Lost Island of Atlantis. Could this continent be it? It was certainly possible. No one knew what had become of it, only that there was enough evidence to say it could have existed. If it went to a different dimension, then that would explain why no one had found it. That was all speculation, he reminded himself. And though he felt a lot smarter now that he was teaching and leading, he did not think of himself as intelligent as Lundar or his mages. "Continue research on where that point of maximum efficiency is. I'll take this and the other portal gems." Ranma declared, picking up the gem. "The other gems are in the corner, kept in separate containers." Olan said, motioning to a corner with five metal boxes. Ranma nodded and went to fuse the other portal gems into his Gate Gem. Indeed, Keeper Dante knew of the demise of one of his imps. However, he took it as more of an insult than a warning. He turned to a nearby imp, "Gather our forces. We've got to get that Portal Gem!" Dante fumed. The nerve of someone to kill one of his precious imps! He would amass a mighty force to crush them... if he could only find the money to entice them. Ever since that unknown keeper had begun swallowing up land, more and more monsters were eager to join him than others. Only Keeper Nemesis and his family of other Keepers could still regularly entice creatures to their side. And Dante planned to kill them as well, once he got a large enough force. Lord Titus was not pleased. He'd finally assembled a force to take on that wretch, Keeper Dante, when word came to him that another force was encroaching on his land. Only this one gave Lord Titus a greater reason to worry, for it was the same force that had been literally slaughtering the nearby lords. Dante was a small fry, a keeper who'd recently come into being. This other Keeper had yet to be named yet, meaning he was so fearsome that no one had returned from engaging or spying on his troops. Lord Titus considered his options well. He had no way of combating two forces at the same time. His men needed rest between battles and if he killed one of the keepers, surely the other would capitalize on his momentary weakness. Defeat or surrender was not an option. Both keepers needed to be driven from the land. If only there were a way to fight both keepers at the same time. That would require only a single battle, not to mention the two keepers would likely turn on each other. Lord Titus paused and reflected on that idea. Perhaps there was a way. He might be able to turn the two keepers on each other by formally challenging both to a fight in a massive sinkhole nearby. It was roughly the size of a pond and likely would be flooded when rain finally came. Not only that, but it would weaken both forces considerably. "Scribe! I have two messages to make!" Lord Titus called. Ranma stared at the messanger, a knight no less and answered, "Sure, we were going to kick both your sorry asses anyway. Might as well have no doubts about who's the better man. We'll come. And to be fair, we shall only use the same number of fighters as your lord does." Goronis the Knight huffed angrily at Ranma's arrogant declaration, but nodded, "Very well, Keeper Ranma. We shall see who has the better warriors when we meet in combat." Dante received the challenge via one of his imps, who'd found it while expanding his territory. The letter said to leave the response where the challenge was found. Dante was all a-titter about the challenge, "Heh, heh, heh! Those fools have given me the perfect opportunity to use my newest acquistions in combat, right Harkon? Carrion?" The two Dark Angels nodded. "We'll crush them before either has the chance to stop us." Dante chuckled. The three forces gathered from different directions and stopped at the sinkhole's edge. Titus' dwarves had made stone staircases to the arena floor, but the sinkhole was a good ten feet deep and over two hundred feet in diameter. The likelyhood of a trap was minimal. "Good sir knight, we bring a mighty force worthy of challenging you, but we be fair in combat. We shall match what you send to fight and no more." Ranma called, speaking in the same formal manner that Goronis had used. No need to insult the enemy when you knew you were going to pound them into paste. "We have seventy two warriors, ready to fight and die, and I myself will join, making it seventy three. We also brought extra archers and mages to make sure this contest is true." Titus answered. "Very well. You may count our forces as we enter so you know it to be fair." Ranma answered. Dante was nervous. He had only had fifty eight fighters in all. Unless he counted himself and his imps. He frowned. He didn't like it, but he had to match their armies. He would just have to have his imps claim lands so he could cast spells to aid his forces. "And what say you, Keeper Dante?" Titus called. "I send seventy three as well!" Dante responded. Ranma turned to his amassed fighters, "Who's up for a brutal and potentially-lethal three-way fight to the finish?" All hands went up. Ranma hummed. He'd brought over a hundred and fifty warriors, just in case, meaning over half would have to sit it out. He also brought forty imps to haul his wounded away. Ranma decided to select varying fighters from each species. It wouldn't be fair to the others to simply bring in his best. However, he had seen Dante had two Dark Angels, which were too much for most of his fighters, save himself and Horny. So, he turned to his large and red companion, "Wanna come?" Horny grinned. He'd been wanting to pound some heads together for some time. And those Dark Angels would be quite the workout. The three forces (2) soon gathered at the edges of the sinkhole's bottom. "What say you, wizards?" Titus asked his men still above the sinkhole. "Each matches yours, Lord Titus." Greylle the wizard responded. "Very well." Lord Titus said, before pulling out of a large bag the portal gem that both keepers sought, "Whomever wins this battle will be the new owner of this here portal gem." Both the keepers glanced at the other just Lord Titus sent it on the ground and pushed it into the soil. He stood and called up to Greylle, "Good wizard, yell to commence battle." Greylle spoke aloud, "One for the money, two for the show, three to get ready, four to-FIGHT!" The battle was not turning out well for anyone, save Ranma's forces, who had an ever-changing frontline. Whenever someone was injured badly, they'd swapped fluidly with someone behind them and bandage their wound. Both Dante and Titus' forces basically fought until they dropped, the frontlines pushing endlessly against each other. While that worked fine in terms of combat ability, it didn't take advantage of the real laws of war, which said, "Healthy fighters are good, wounded fighters are average to poor, but dead or unconscious fighters are worthless except maybe as a shield against arrows or spells." Thus, the swirling offense of Ranma's battalion was steadily tearing their two enemy forces to shreds. Worse, neither side could really defend against the chaotic assault as Ranma would call "BREAK!", his forces would leap back five feet and duck, allowing their archers and spell casters to open a can of long distance whoop ass on the other two groups, weakening them just as the frontline returned, a lot healthier than the frontlines of the others. Dante was beyond panicking. Even having withdrawn his Dark Angels to cast Skeleton Army repeatedly to restrengthen his army, his force had been all but decimated. Only ten skeletons, two warlocks, a dark elf and a mistress were left of his force, and they weren't looking too good. His imps were all dead and without claiming more than a pittance of the battlefield. He could only keep what forces he had healthy and occassionally stun someone in Ranma's frontline, who would be dragged back out of battle by the backline and replaced, much to Dante's annoyance. Titus' forces were much larger, but less healthy. They had only two fairies who were capable enough healers to be counted as a 'medical' team. All of the elves and dwarves were unconscious or dead (strangely, most of the ones near Ranma's side seemed to be the former rather than the latter), his giants were frozen by the spells of the mistresses on Ranma's side, and his guards and knights were steadily backing away, hoping the injured fairies and tired wizards would aid them. Ranma's forces were all injured, but still much healthier and in larger number than both sides. His mistresses and warlocks knew a lot about healing, as both had to make sure torture victims survived in order to be converted to Ranma's cause. Ranma's forces backed away once more and both of his enemies winced and raised their guards in desperate hope that Ranma's spellcasters were as tired as theirs were. Ranma spoke, "Hold. There is no need to crush you both at this point. My force is still standing and still numbering over sixty. You two have barely over twenty between you. I propose a much more fair method of ending this battle. Each of you choose two of your strongest fighters, allow them some time to rest and heal. They will face me and Horny in fair combat." Titus and Dante hastily considered that. They would be dead if Ranma attacked in full force again, but a two-on-two-on-two match would allow them a minor chance at saving face or possibly even victory, though that was less than likely. They responded in unison, "AGREED!" Goronis approached Titus, "My lord, allow me to fight by your side." Titus glanced at the knight, who's face was covered in sweat, his armor torn in numerous places, and his legs were shaking from exhuast. "No, Goronis, you've fought valiantly, but you must rest. Kain and I shall fight." Titus answered, motioning to the equally injured, but less exhuasted royal guard. Dante was busy casting his healing spell on his battered and bruised Dark Angels. They were the best he had and the only ones he had left that were willing to continue. He prayed their abilities were great enough to defeat the champions of the others. Horny turned to Ranma, "Allow me the Dark Angels. They shall be no match for my might." Ranma considered that. He'd seen the Dark Angels casting spells. Meanwhile, Titus' guys probably wouldn't send spell casters. "All right, but if they turn out to be too strong for you, don't be too stubborn to ask for help. Even if you can't die, you can still get your ass handed to you." Ranma warned. Horny smiled. At last, he could pay back an old vendetta that he had against the creatures. He'd faced Harkon before, back when his old keeper was still alive. The Dark Angel had humiliated him back then. Horny was definitely going to pay the ugly feathered monstrosity back. "Kain, you take on those accursed Dark Angels. I'll try and handle Ranma and his pet demon." Titus told his combat partner. "Right." Kain answered, grinning evilly as he readied his lance. He had yet to show off his true skill in this battle, being too worried about hitting the wrong target. However, this sort of combat was what he'd trained for. "Carrion, you get rid of those knights. I'll take care of Horny." Harkon said. Carrion nodded in reply. "FIGHT!" Greylle commanded. Ranma charged for Titus as Kain rushed Carrion and Horny and Harkon clashed. Carrion was not worried as the battered Royal Guard drew near. He had plenty of spells that would get rid of the pest. Just as Carrion was prepared to cast one of his spells, Kain leapt high into the air, much higher than Carrion thought possible in a suit of armor, and thrust his spear through the Dark Angel's body. Carrion screamed in pain, briefly, then lashed out, smacking the guard away. Kain arched an eyebrow as he landed and watched as the creature's wound closed, but not by the healing magic of it's keeper. "So it is true. Some Dark Angels are only shells." Kain taunted. Carrion snarled and snapped off a firebomb spell. Kain leapt over the attack and jumpkicked the Dark Angel to the ground, before thrusting his lance in the grounded creature again. He pulled his lance out again and stabbed it again and again until the creature stopped healing from the puncture wounds. Harkon was dancing nimbly around Horny's scythe, chortling as he did, "Is this all you can do after a hundred years? The same old attacks?" Harkon summoned his firebomb spell and hurled it at Horny. Horny watched the spell come at him with wide eyes. Harkon grinned in amusement as the spell was about to strike the legendary Horned Reaper, when Horny swung his scythe again, this time sending the firebomb back at Harkon. Harkon was so surprised that he caught the spell full in the chest. "I see you've improved after all." Harkon commented. "Far more than you." Horny answered, leaping at Harkon and spin- kicking the arrogant angel to the ground. He stomped on Harkon's wings, burning them and rendering the Dark Angel earthbound until he could heal. He picked up the pathetic waste of magical force and raised Harkon to eye level. Horny then set his scythe aside and grinned evilly. Harkon wondered what Horny had in mind as the reaper turned him upside-down with Harkon's head pointed to the ground. "PILE DRIVER!" Horny announced with a wide grin on his face as he leapt up into the air, clasped his thighs around Harkon's head and let gravity smash the Dark Angel's skull into the ground. Horny laughed as he picked up both his scythe and the dazed Dark Angel. Then his amusement faded and he glared at Harkon. "This is for my humiliation." Horny said, before tossing Harkon into the air and quartering the evil angel. Harkon's remains hit the ground and did not heal. Titus was astounded. He could tell when his opponents were using magic and Ranma wasn't using magic as he danced around Titus' enchanted sword, all while denting Titus' armor with retalitory punches and kicks. No wonder his creatures respected him so greatly as to form an unbeatable force. If the keeper was the BEST warrior in his group, then his warriors would aspire to the same, just like Titus' men. Titus backed away before Ranma could knock him to the ground with a roundhouse kick. "I see...why...your....minions....were....so....powerful..." Titus panted out, trying to muster the strength to raise his sword again. Ranma decided to give his opponent time to recover his strength. It wasn't like he was a real threat. Had he wielded two blades, he might have been, but as it was, it was like Titus was using a fly swatter to stop the wind. Kain had wasted no time engaging Horny in combat once he'd seen the Reaper quarter the Dark Angel Harkon. The Reaper was very skilled in Kain's expert opinion. It would take many Royal Guards in order to actually beat back the Reaper, Kain realized as he blocked Horny's scythe for the ninth time and felt his arms starting to numb from the sheer impact. Horny's defense was almost as good as his offense, as he was able to dodge Kain's lightning spear thrusts and spinning slashes. Horny raised his scythe high and Kain raised his spear to block the impending downward strike, only to catch the metal-studded handle in the faceplate. His helmet ringing from the force in the impact, Kain toppled backwards and landed sprawled on the ground, his spear rolling from his limp hand. Horny considered finishing off the royal guard when Titus spoke up, "Stop! Please..." Horny lowered his scythe. Titus addressed Ranma, "I must admit that you are superior in power, Keeper Ranma. In numbers, magic, power and skill. We cannot defeat you in equal combat. Indeed, I doubt that even a force five times larger than yours could stand against you." "You're wise to give up, considering I've yet to be nicked." Ranma answered. Titus nodded, then retrieved the portal gem, "A battle well fought, Ranma. I shall not stand in your way of getting the portal gem." Titus added mentally, [Because you would slaughter me like a chicken in a prison full of the starving.] Ranma took the portal gem, "Good, I don't like senseless slaughter." Titus arched an eyebrow at that, "But tell me, what are you gathering the gems for?" "I was banished here by an evil old man. The gems are the only chance I have of getting home." Ranma answered. "I see. So that is the reason you've chosen this path." Titus replied, before sighing, "I realize now the predicament you are in. I shall return to my king and see if perhaps there is another way to end this needless conflict." With that, Titus turned and motioned to his mages. Titus' men teleported away. Ranma turned to see Dante had long since run away. He sighed. There was still work to be done. "Come on, Horny, we've got to destroy Dante before he can launch a sneak attack." Ranma said. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) So, basically, awesome disgust. (2) Just in case you were wondering what the compositions were, here they are: Dante's Forces: Dante, 14 Imps, 15 Goblins, 13 Warlocks, 2 Mistresses, 8 Trolls, 4 Bile Demons, 8 Dark Elves, 1 Rogue, 2 Dark Angels Lord Titus' Forces: Titus, 16 Dwarves, 6 Giants, 16 Elves, 8 Knights, 10 Guards, 10 Wizards, 5 Fairies, 1 Royal Guard Ranma's Forces: Ranma, Horny, 10 Goblins, 10 Dwarves, 5 Giants, 5 Bile Demons, 5 Dark Elves, 4 Elves, 4 Knights, 4 Black Knights, 4 Fairies, 1 Firefly, 4 Guards, 3 Trolls, 5 Mistresses, 2 Rogues Yes, I know Keeper Dante died before the level started. EMASCULATING WEASELS, GIVE ME MY FREEDOM! I also know that Harkon and Carrion are two keepers that are trying to claim the Temple of the Dark Angels that appear later in the game, not actually Dark Angels, but I've replaced those keepers ^_^. Their defeats were also calculated truth (a Royal Guard versus a Dark Angel results in victory for whoever hits first. As for Horny? He's called the Reaper for a reason. ^_^). And for those who've played it, the Gate Gem is indeed the gem that was shown at the start of DK2. As for the Wizard, Greylle, I chose that name because it sounds Wizardly. Next time, Ranma continues his quest to claim the portal gems, but it seems there are other keepers seeking the portal gems, just like Dante. As they've already claimed a few portal gems from the weaker lords, Ranma must wrest the portal gems from them and slay them dead. Easy Cheat: Remove that annoying Fog of War by pressing CTRL+ALT+C at the same time, then type in "therainhasgone". To find out if it worked, look at any area that doesn't have a creature in it. It'll show the room just fine. This is great if you're really getting annoyed at the dark parts of the map. Easy Cheat: Get 100,000 mana by pressing CTRL+ALT+C at the same time, then type in "hahathisawayha hathataway". To find out if it worked, just look at your mana reserve. This is a great way to keep Horny active. Next time: Finish the level, how to keep your creatures alive and the levels to find the hidden lands!