Evolution: A Warlock’s Rise To Power

When Lucan stepped through the teleporter and into the fortress Oar was waiting for him.

"Hey boss.  Super told me to wait for you here."

"Let's go."

Oar and Lucan headed to the lowest level of the dungeon beneath the fortress.  Super and Commander Gear were there waiting.

"What is going o-?"

Lucan stopped his question as he walked into the cell.  Menta's eye could already see the abnormalities.

Thick black mana was radiating up from underground and was being absorbed by the arm that Super held.

"As soon as I entered the fortress, I noticed the arm began to shine with a faint glow."  Super said while passing the demon's arm to Lucan.

"Hmm."  Lucan looked the arm over but didn't notice anything special except for the fact that it belonged to a demon.

With a thought, a portal to the ethereal realm opened.  Lucan stuck the arm through the portal until it was completely on the other side.  The mana radiating from underground disappeared.  As he brought the arm back through the portal and into the shadow realm, mana began to stream up from under the fortress again.

Menta's eye was powerful but he couldn't see how far down the source of the mana was.

"Oar, contact Edgit Hammerstone.  I want him and a few of his trustworthy men to start digging in here.  Commander Gear, lock down the this level of the dungeon.  No one comes in without my permission."

"Uh, Boss.  That might be a problem."  Oar said.  "The construction of the Dwarven citadel is in full swing.  I don't think there is anything that can make those dwarves leave right now."

"My Lord, my men are not as proficient in digging as dwarves, they do have the necessary skills.  And I can absolutely guarantee their loyalty.  If my men are the ones to dig, then I can assure you that not a soul will find out what we are doing down here."

"Hmm, alright. I will leave this matter to you then. I want updates every day.  Oar, take this arm and deposit it in one of the vaults in the castle.  Until we know what this arm is absorbing, we can't let it take as much mana as it wants.  It would be best to get it out of the fortress."

"Sure boss, I will take it right away."  Said the young man as he took the arm from Lucan.  "Speaking of the citadel.  Mr. Hammerstone asked me to pass a message to you.  He wants you to come down when you get the chance.  It is nothing urgent though, he said to make sure you weren't busy when I asked."

"That is fine.  I have some time to head there now."

"Do you mind if I tag along?  I have yet to take a look."  Super asked.

"Sure let's get going."  Lucan said before Commander Gear.  "Take twenty men for now and work in shifts.  I want constant progress."

"Yes, my Lord.  I will not fail you.  This matter will not leak out."

Then all four began to head up the stairs, leaving the lowest level of the dungeon behind.  "Boss, wait for me.  I will bring you down to the citadel after I get back from the castle."

Lucan and Super headed to the teleporter to wait for Oar.

"You really trust that kid that much to let him open the vault in your castle?"  Super asked.

"He doesn't have access to the vault, but I let Aniketos know that Oar is my steward.  The dragon will open the vault and let him deposit it while keeping an eye on things."

"Ah, that makes sense."

A few minutes later Oar returned and the three teleported to Shadowsweep.

Like his other cities the Shadowsweep was quickly developing.  The city had already grown to nearly be nearly five miles wide.  Many new buildings had been constructed.  Walking past his old house he noticed that it hadn't changed one bit.  Ever since his castle had been built Alasan Swift had moved into his old place.  Lucan always remind Alasan to hire more people to help out with the ever-building workload.  He hoped the half elf wasn't running himself ragged.

Lucan quickly walked past, he didn't want to get sucked into anything while he was here in Shadowsweep.

They headed to the nearest entrance to the underground.

The underground city was still being constructed and Shadowsweep had several different entrances to it.  Walking below the surface, the carved paths were wide enough that the heavy foot traffic wasn't congested.  Slow burning torches were hung on the walls by the residents.

"Boss, the underground housing has been progressing nicely.  Mr. Hammerstone made sure not to neglect it even though he has become infatuated with the citadel.  Whenever a new dwarf comes after hearing the calling, he won't let them work on the citadel unless they excavate five hundred square meters of housing up here first.  Based on the plans that Alasan drew up, it should only take another week of work until everyone can be housed here.  Then the people can focus on building Shadowsweep and move out when their projects are completed."

"Good, good, it looks like things are moving faster than expected."

After navigating the underground city for twenty minutes they came to a tunnel that was heavily guarded by dwarves.  The inhabitants of the underground city had already learned to steer clear of this area.

The dwarves nodded to Oar upon their groups arrival and stepped aside to let the three pass.

"Since you guys are new, you should remember these two.  This is Baron Quilldrake, the ruler of this land and Mr. Hammerstones boss.  The guy next to him is SuperSleuth, one of his hands.  Don't cause any trouble for them."

The dwarves nodded to show they understood.  Then the three set off down the tunnel.

"Not a very chatty bunch."  Lucan said.

"Not unless they are drinking or mining."  Oar replied.

The slope leading to the citadel was no longer just a ramp heading downwards.  The dwarves had carved steps into the stone making easy to go down.  After another twenty minutes they reached the landing where another group of dwarves was guarding.  These dwarves had been in Shadowsweep longer than Lucan.  They easily recognized him, bowed and offered greetings as they let the group pass.