Chapter 11.2. Dagda’s Cauldron.

Lilith approached the Cauldron with reverent steps, her hand reaching into magic bag and withdrawing seven small vials. Six held dark liquid that seemed to swallow light, while one was filled with crystal-clear water – a stark contrast against shadowy brew.

Lilith took first vial between trembling fingers, eyes narrowed in concentration as she tipped its contents into Cauldron’s waiting depths. The liquid swirled upon surface like dark mist, before slowly merging with shimmering metal below and then appearing anew.

Lilith waited, as she watched pool of mixture begin to bubble gently.

Then after long moment? She reached out once more, carefully scooping contents back up into original container.

Lilith reached for second vial, fingers closing around cool glass, as she poured its shadowy contents into Cauldron’s depths. Lilith watched intently as pool began to bubble again. Then she carefully scooped mixture back into waiting container. She repeated the ritual five more times, until all water from every vial was bathed inside container. She drunk water from last vial and grimaced, muttering about the taste.

– I could not notice, that not all the water was from the spring of Living Water? – mused Dian Cecht.

– And yet, you did not stopped me?

– No. After all you demanded the use of Cauldron. Did not specified, which water you would use.

– Nothing get’s past you.

– If you wish to erase a cursed skill. There are other ways to deal with such problems.

– What are they? – Lilith tried to hide her curiosity, but Dian Cecht noticed her trembling hands.

– That information has a price.

– I see. Did you know that in recent battles between fomorians and demons fomorian army was led by two of their god-generals?

– Yes. Rumors reached me.

– Do you know what happened to them?

– No. They apparently retreated or disappeared.

– The information about their whereabouts and future plans? That would be worth a lot? Does it?

– It would, – Dian Cecht stroked his chin: – As long as the information is reliable?

– It is. And Cian does not have it, if you are thinking about asking him.

– Very well. I will tell you, how to break a curse, placed on skills, as long as I believe you.

– That is fine with me. I used Time Stasis spell on both of them. They are imprisoned. As long as my spell holds, their future plans will be waiting, for who knows how many years, before they could get out.

Dian Cecht laughed:

– Did not expected such answer. But deal is a deal. Well then. How much do you know about dungeons? Their differences, when it comes to their age?

– I know that there are new, old and Ancient ones. New ones have weaker monsters, while old ones have hundred floors, and a visible barrier, separating the entrance. Ancient ones as well have visible barriers, but are even more dangerous. As for land based dungeons, which are not located in different dimensions, they expand and grow bigger with time.

– That is right. Also there are differences between Ancient Dungeons. There are six Ancient Dungeons, which became ancient less than thousand years ago. You could call them new Ancient Dungeons. Old Dungeons are very hard to destroy. When you destroy or remove their dungeon core, the excess mana creates new one. That is after all intruders are expelled and barrier solidifies and prevents anyone from entering a dungeon for a year. New Ancient dungeons are destroyed, but it takes them few years to disappear and if anyone gets inside them enough mana, new Ancient Dungeon core also can be formed.

But what you need to concern yourself about is the Ancient Dungeon core. Destroying it would grant you amount of mana, which would allow you to level up three times. That is until your level reaches three hundred in total. But most importantly for you, some skills are powerful and have negative effects. Destroying Ancient Dungeon Core grants you an ability to remove one such negative effect. That is for every Ancient Dungeon Core.

– Those New Ancient dungeons, where are they located?

– Oh, my story peaked your interest, did it? One is located on Snakemen island, near their capitol Cobranius. Other is in on Dark Elf Continent. Third one is near Elemental town. Fourth is located on Siren islands. Fifth is on your homeland, so to say. It is land based dungeon. So old that whole Island has been transformed into a dungeon. Elves had tried many times to conquer it, but failed because of Dungeon Cores guardian – powerful dragon-monster. And last one is located on Barbarian Continent, between goblin town Gobu and Azure Dragon land.

– I see. Thank you for that information.

– You’re welcome, little elf. But let us return to Cian. He is probably getting worried, while waiting for us.

They returned to Healers room, and found Cian deep in thought. He almost jumped out of seat, when door opened. Lilith approached him, and looked in Cian’s eyes.

– So, what have you decided?

– Did you told me the truth, that you will give the Spear to Gobniu?

– For a price, but yes, that is my intension. Nothing that your master cannot afford, if you are worried about it.

– Then I will go with you, – sighed Cian: – You proved yourself worthy, while fighting fomorians, and at least until now, you have never lied to me.

– Then let’s go.

Dian Cecht watched two of them leave with amused smile.