The Tellers Tales – Of Angels Fall
Book 1 : An Ode to Otiv
Chapter 5 : A good morning after
\tOtiv finally woke, unsure where he was or how long he had been out. In a room sure, but where. “Ooooh.” He groaned, holding his head. At least the bed he was in was comfortable.
\t“Morning sweetheart.” He heard Lucifer's voice call out. He looked to his left and on his shoulder sat a tiny horned figure clad in a black robe. “You might have been, somehow, able to best me. But you've opened the door. Now even you can't keep me out of your head.” He smirked as he smacked the side of his head. “Congratulations shit-ant, you now have the literal fucking devil on you shoulder.” He smirked.
\t“Quiet.” Otiv groaned. He sat up slowly, his chest ached. “Uhh, Lilith.” He called out. A short moment later the imp in question walked in.
\t“Morning master.” She said with a soft smile. “Lilith is glad you wake. Been asleep for a week Master has.”
\t“A week?” Otiv asked, getting a nod in return.
\t“Yes, Lilith was fearful that you would not wake.” She admitted. "Fearful, that day in day out; all she would be able to do is look upon your eyes, and yet again not see them open." She quickly pulled herself into the bed then coddled into him.
\t“Sweetheart?” Otiv asked as she pressed herself onto him, smelling him.
\t“Master.” She spoke, her face flushing over. “Lilith is sorry; but she can't help herself. Lucifer has messed with her head.” She paused however after she pushed her face to his chest. “My word, Master smells sooo good.”
\t“You can thank me later.” Lucifer cackled softly. “Little slut will suck my dick, even if I have to get it by proxy through you.”
\tLilith started clumsily trying to turn him on. Rubbing him, licking him. Otiv glared at Lucifer sitting happily on his shoulder. 'What did you do to her?' He demanded.
\t“You should thank me.” Lucifer spat at him in turn. “You obviously weren't going to hit that tight little pussy; despite you're the only one she wants lodged inside it.” He promptly laid down and started lounging. “Queens need to be fertilized; so me being the good fucking guy I am, is forcing your hand.” He said through a smarmy smirk. “Despite the fact she has never tasted it, she is hopelessly addicted to your cum, and long enough intervals without is fatal.” Lucifer leaned back intent to enjoying his proxy fuck. “If you do not indulge her, she will lose her frail little mind. Been holding it in like a good little slut as you healed for a week; but she's been forced to draw on her connection to her hive so harshly. Her imps are currently useless and comatose.” He snickered waiting for what to unfold.
\t“Master.” Lilith nearly panted. “Lilith is sorry. She is hot.” She moaned, rubbing herself on him, like a cat in her first heat. “Please let Lilith taste it. She needs it please. Master partake of Lilith's body. Turn her into mush so the burning will go away.” She turned around on him, tossing aside her shroud. Now naked she nuzzled his crotch. “Masters cock. Please, Lilith wishes to pleasure master’s cock. She needs it.”
\tShe was almost in pain, Otiv could feel it. A week alone with him despite Otiv being dead to the world; and Lucifer achieved this kind of damage. Lucifer laughed now lounging on Otiv's shoulder. “So what are you going to do high and mighty? Going to let the little thing suffer? Or you gonna nut up and fuck her? Might I suggest letting her worship your cock? I know I'm looking forward to making her choke on a load.”
\tOtiv sighed. He had not wanted to go down this road; but now he was forced upon it. “Alright dear, do what you must.”
\tLilith cooed loudly, quickly tearing into his pants. “Thank you. Lilith will make sure Master enjoys this.” She quickly fished his cock from his pants and cuddled it to her left cheek. “Master's cock, it's glorious.” She instantly started licking him.
\t“OOOOOH yeah.” Lucifer moaned. “Her little tongue, oooh fuck. I'm gonna love this.” He stopped and rolled his head back. “And you will too. Despite what you must think I am helping you fucker; I am in your head now. And Sin is a great power source for demons like us. So lay back and enjoy swabbing her throat with your dick, and cum inside.”
\tOtiv groaned as her affections started to bear fruit. What could he do, could he tell her no? Knowing what Lucifer had done to her? Again, yet fucking again; it was his fault. Lilith started jerking his shaft with both hands licking his cock root to tip. “Master tastes wonderful.” She cooed. She kept licking on him root to tip until she could no longer contain herself. “Master, Lilith wishes to put you in her mouth.” She lifted herself up to look back at him between her legs.
\t“Well master?” Lucifer purred through taunt. “She's only asking because she can feel how tentative you are.”
\tOtiv rolled his eyes. “You may do as you wish dear.” He replied. Almost seeing the hearts in her eyes.
\t“Lilith thanks you.” Almost instantly she locked her lips around his tip. “ish sho yummy.” She cooed, sucking his tip hard. Otiv proceeded to groan loudly, that little action made her warm up a lot. She started forcing her way down on his shaft, choking a little bit but she wanted it.
\t“Sweetheart...” Otiv groaned out, started to reach over to stop her, but Lucifer interfered.
\t“Are you an idiot?” Lucifer asked with an angry look. “What guy tells the girl happily sucking his cock to stop? Even if he's unsure how he feels about it?” Otiv glared at him for a moment, however his groan quickly grew to a moan. Lilith hummed please at the sound. “See loser, even she's enjoying herself; and she's the one with the dick in her mouth.”
\t“Lilith is sure that jerk is pestering Master; must be why she can't hear him any more.” She cooed, jerking him softly. “Please don't let him worry you; and Lilith wants to do this for Master, so please relax.”
\tOtiv glanced away for a second. “God you're such a loser.” Lucifer groaned from his shoulder. One of Otiv's eyes promptly turned red, the pair struggling for dominance for a moment. “Don't worry slut. I'll keep this loser from interfering. Someone has to break him out of his self imposed shell or we'll never get anywhere.” Otiv grabbed his head, starting to push him back. “Besides he underestimates how much strength breeding his queens will generate.”
\t“Lilith still hates you.” Lilith growled however quickly returned her attention to her master's member. “Lilith hates that you are in her Master's head.”
\t“Yeah you're also proxy sucking my cock.” A smirk crept across Otiv's face. “How's that little slut?”
\t“Lilith hates you.” She pouted before she returned to sucking on Otiv's member.
\tOtiv finally managed to push Lucifer back, his eye returning to its normal color. He groaned softly before shaking his head. “You're sure though?” Otiv asked.
\tLilith paused for a moment and turned around. “Aw Master is bashful? That's kinda cute.” She giggled a little then snuggled him. “Aside the jerk, messing with her head, Lilith is sure. As absurd as it sounds, she needs it to grow.” However she did pout a little after that. “However if it does bother Master that much; Lilith, can go pursue other options.” With that she sat upright and waited for a response. However he could tell be her tone alone, let alone the look on her face; she dreaded that path.
\t“If you let that little shit walk out that door” Lucifer scolded, now standing up and grabbing Otiv's ear. “And leave us both hanging with blue balls; I will make it my life's fucking work to make your life a personalized hell. And trust me, I am an expert in that field boy.”
\t“No.” Otiv said with a sigh. “I don't want that. It just feels that.” He started, first folding his hands together. “Something like this, it's special. Your first time's not something you can get back. Not to mention your feelings, your emotions toward me, I'm not sure they're real.” Lilith cocked her head to one side as she listened. “Are they real? Do you have real affection for me? Or is it all because I spoke the words and called you to this word to serve me?”
\t“Seriously?!?” Lucifer scoffed. “Stopped a blow job for this bullshit?!?” He started ranting to himself as Otiv tuned him out.
\t“Well.” Lilith started. “She must confess, Lilith's feelings for Master were just that; at first my Master.” She then cupped his cheek. “However Lilith has spent enough time with Master to make her own opinions and have her own feelings; She is not some mindless automaton, or some programmed npc. Please worry not. Lilith's feelings are real and are her own; not merely a demand of her contract, or an illusion of freewill.”
\t“You're sure?” Otiv asked.
\t“Gonna fucking gag.” Lucifer bemoaned. “Do you really gotta be a fucking pussy about this? She's your fucking imp! Just pin her down and fuck her brains out; she can't tell you no.”
\t“That's not the fucking point!” Otiv finally snapped in anger, his horns bursting into flames.
\t“You dare use my own power against me?!?” Lucifer growled. However Otiv promptly reached over and gave him a mighty flick. Vanishing from his shoulder as he was driven away.
\t“Why not.” Otiv groaned, then held his head. “It worked.” However his senses went haywire, he held his head for a moment as he felt like he was falling. Suddenly an ethereal Lucifer was standing before him.
\t“Fucking idiot.” Lucifer scolded one hand holding his head up, all that was keeping him up. “Going to the hard shit before you've even tasted forbidden fruit; the fucks wrong with you? Dancing with the devil on his own fucking court?” Otiv was almost limp now and felt like his brain was running out his ears. “Regardless of what you think. I am trying to help you fucker; we're more connected than you might think. Thank your fucking maker for that. No more holding back all that will save you right now is a hot dose of Sin. It's your own fucking fault that now you won't get to enjoy it. Fuck her good and fuck her now! If you value your damned life.” He ordered as Lucifer invested a great sum of power to put Otiv's mind back where it belonged. "You'll be happy to know that going cherry picking, as she's no doubt a virgin, is some of the most succulent power you can get from sex; and now you need that power."
\tThe rest was a blur.
\tOtiv barely remembered telling Lilith what had happened; what he needed. Naturally she had been ready from the jump. But when he told her he needed it, that his life was now depending on it. She went to work; no more foreplay, no dicking around. Otiv remembers vague flashes of Lilith in his lap riding his cock. Moaning his name and whispering sweet nothings. Half remembered glimpses of her imps at the door watching their queen be bread; they all took joy from it, the weaker willed of them masturbated to it. He could not tell how long this went on. How many positions they went through. How many times his loyal lover came. Or how many times he did. Every climax hers or his was like a hit. What little of his brain that was still operable could recall this feeling; Sin was a drug to demons and devils, a potent one at that. With every time he pumped another hot load into his little pale queen areas of his mind re-lit; pulled back from the ether. Every time she squealed in orgasm his neuro synapses re-fired and returned from the abyss.
~About a half hour later~
\t“OOOOH Master.” Lilith moaned. Otiv sat on his bed making her bounce on his shaft. She was already sporting a bulge in her belly, a modest one but a cum bulge nonetheless. “Your seed, it's so warm.” Otiv was still on an autopilot of sorts. He started groaning, pumping himself into her faster. But now she knew intimately what those desperate sounds were. “Yes, yes.” she moaned out, her own mind lighting up like a fireworks show. “Give it to Lilith; she welcomes all of Master’s seed.” She laid against him, not resisting wanting all of it and more. “Lilith is greedy, indulge her please, she begs Master.” She looked into his eyes, glazed over with lust as they were. “She wants it all, your cum, your love. Please give Lilith everything, she wants it, she needs it; indulge her please.” Otiv wrapped his arms around her, pulling the imp queen snug to his chest. He fucked her harder for a few moments, Lilith little more than moans and cries.
\tFinally with a moan of his own he started to cum. “YES!” Lilith moaned loudly, “Do it to her, Lilith wants Master's seed. Use her please use her!” He packed more cum into that tight little bulge she already had inside her. Moaning loudly, setting his blood aflame. “oooh, ooooh Master!” She moaned now softly, his climax slowly subsiding. “OOOOH yes, Lilith loves this; let her sit here for a bit please. She wants Master's cock to mold her naughty pussy her to his shape. His is the only member that deserves Lilith's body.”
\tIt was about this time Otiv finally came back to his senses, and back to reality. “That was a trip.” he said softly, holding the very satisfied imp snug to his chest. “Hey sweetheart.” Otiv idly commented rubbing her back. “Thank you.” He told her then pressed his lips to hers.
\t“No.” Lilith spoke little hearts still in her eyes. “Lilith thanks you. Master's cock, soooo good it is.” She moaned softly, grinding herself on him. “Master's cock has made Lilith feel so good.” she paused then looking up to him, “She enjoyed letting Master fuck her to his shape; she enjoyed more that Master had her first.” She paused to let off a fluttery little giggle like moan. “Lilith does not think she can get up yet; her legs aren't the only thing that feels like jelly. Can she remain on you longer? Lilith wants her pussy to be forced to a form fit on Master’s cock. She wants to be snug on him like a sinful little glove.”
\t“I've no problems with that.” Otiv told her softly. Holding her he laid back down on the bed. “holy fuck, I feel so much better.”
\t“Lilith enjoyed it too, Master.” She confessed happily. “At first Lilith wanted it because it was Master's cock; now she wants it because she loves you.” Her little cheeks flushed over at her confession. She gave him an adorable little smile that made him run a hand through her hair. “Lilith wants her body to belong only to Master.” She laid her head down on his chest enjoying her stuffed afterglow. “Yours and only yours; Lilith's everything is solely for Master's enjoyment and pleasure.”
\t“If that's what you wish.” Otiv told her with a smile of his own. “You are welcomed to my bed.”
\t“Yes yes yes!” She piped out with a nod. “Lilith wishes it greatly.” She hugged him snugly, nearly purring as she remained snug on his cock.
\t“Well before I get up, however.” Otiv started slowly sliding her off him. “And now that I have my mind back, can you do something more for me?” he asked.
\t“Anything.” Lilith said with a sincere look. “Lilith belongs to Master, in all ways now; his wish is her command.”
\t“Please don't put it like that.” Otiv told her cupping her right cheek with his hand. “I want this to be more special then you just being my fuck toy.” She nodded. “Now then, now that I will remember it.” Otiv told her sliding her up off him, he instantly cleared his throat, and flushed over. “I would like a blow job to finish up with, if you don't mind.” He requested as he turned her and set her down. Her head now facing his cock, her stuffed pussy now dripping before his eyes.
\t“Yes yes yes.” Lilith cooed, licking his cock. “Lilith would be honored.” She paused to let out a giggle. “Lilith wanted to taste it anyway.”
\tOtiv frankly was a little worn down. So he laid his head back letting her do her thing. He groaned softly when her lips wrapped around his shaft. The sounds of her suckling pleasant to his ears, the feeling of her tongue delightful. The pressure of her sucking his now tender length was heavenly. He groaned loudly feeling her sliding down his shaft. He would not last much longer, he felt it; a boiling in his lions. “Lil.” He said aloud. “I'm gonna.”
\tLucifer lounged on his shoulder. “Fuck she's good.” He groaned loudly. “By proxy regardless, this is great.”
\tOtiv ignored him, when did he even return, well lost in his own pleasure he didn't notice. Finally the moment came and with a loud groan, Lilith cooed in delight. “Master's seed, The taste, she loves it.” Lilith cooed her words sticky, for obvious reasons.
\tOtiv laughed and reached down to rub her head. “How is it?” She sucked hard for a few long seconds. He reached down and for a moment held her down so that all of is cock was inside her throat. He groaned loudly, quickly depositing another load inside her. Lilith moaned loudly and lewdly. He was holding her down, her lips snug to his groin. He held her there much to her delight even as she gagged; she was enjoying being his toy. Finally he let her go, however she didn't get up right off the bat. Seemed she enjoyed where she was and sucked on him hard and long as she pulled up off him. She paused with his cock head on her tongue; the greedy little thing wanted more. So she sucked his tip hard and her hands jerked his shaft. “Lilith love.” Otiv groaned out. “Fuck!” he cried out quickly depositing a fresh hot load on her tongue. She was nearly purring and enjoyed letting him do it to her. “OOOOh fuck, Lil; well how is it?” He asked again, now happily petting her head.
\t“Well.” Lilith started once she reluctantly pulled up off his cock; she rubbed him against her cheek though. “Ish sticky, and hot.” She sputtered for a moment. “And bitter and soooo musky. But Lilith likes it.” The sound of her licking her lips sang out a little but Otiv groaned. “She really likes it; she wants Master to drain his wonderful testicles into her greedy little mouth. She'd lay here and let Master use her all day, well if he'd let her.” She put him back in her mouth and cooed happily as she returned his length into her throat; for that moment she refused to be anything but his happy little sheathe.
\tHowever, one of his eyes turned red, but he did not move. “Lilith.” Lucifer called out. She looked over to him. “He's going to need a little nap; that wore him out. And bring him water, a full jug.”
\t“Lucifer.” Lilith said very coldly after sliding up off of Otiv. “Lilith still hates you, But … if it's what my Master needs; it shall be done.”
\t“Hate me all you want.” Lucifer replied coldly. “You're not the first nor the last; I don't really care.” He paused looking her in the eye. “Get the water.” He threatened.
\tLilith nodded, and got up cleaning herself a little. Before she scampered away however, she looked back. “Is Master going to be ok?” she asked sheepishly.
\t“He'll be fine.” Lucifer told her. “Now fuck off; I can't help him with anyone else around.”
\t“Huh, why not?” Lilith asked.
\t“I'm his shadow.” Lucifer had to explain with a groan. “Seriously fuck off. Go away. GO get the fucking water; he's going to be thirstier then a race horse when I finish.” Lilith sighed but nodded and promptly left the room. Once she was gone Lucifer sighed. “Finally.” A shadowy Lucifer then grew up from the ground; all things grew dark around the room as the light chased away. “Seriously this false form won't manifest when life is around. And last I checked that imp has a heartbeat.” He approached Otiv who was now struggling for breath on the bed. Than squatting down on his feet, “You seriously are an idiot.” Prodding one of his fingers to Otiv's head he went on with. “How much of your mind is still haywire I wonder? And your spine has lost its grip on your lungs automatic functions. Still a demonic cherry and thought you could dance with the big dog. At least now you have enough gas in the tank for this spell to work.” Otiv simply groaned. “Yeah yeah, can't have you kicking the bucket on me. Ulldras Kool Tra Draty Kal.” His words carried an otherworldly sting to them; however Otiv nearly moaned in relief in the seconds after. “Yeah yeah, your welcome; now shut up and lay still.”
\tThis near surgical operation lasted a short time; About half an hour. The torn shards of his senses meticulously put back in place. The melted memories carefully reformed. Burnt out synapses reignited and corrected. And nearly the entire length of his spine rewired. But when Lilith returned with one of her warriors carrying the heavy jug of water; Otiv was back upright and he looked like new.
\t“Master?” Lilith called out pushing open the door. “Lilith has brought you water.”
\t“Ah,” Otiv sounded. “Good, please hand it over.” There was a tone to the way he said that; that made Lilith worry. The Imp carrying the jug marched over; and held the jug up to him. “Grazie” He spoke while taking the jug. He pulled the cork stopper from the jug's neck, put it to his lips, and drank. Loudly gulping at the water within. Lilith approached as he drank deep, surprising the queen and warrior alike. He started tipping the large heavy jug up, still gulping down the water. Not spilling a drop; just drinking and drinking and drinking.
\t“Ma … Master?” Lilith sounded with concern taking a few short steps toward him. Otiv however didn't respond. He simply continued drinking loudly, gulping down the cool water as fast as he could. Lifting the jug higher he just kept drinking. Again lifting the jug and drinking. Finally Otiv knocked the jug vertically allowing the last drops to fall into his mouth. “My word.” Lilith sounded holding a hand to her mouth. “Master, were you really that thirsty?”
\t“Yes I was.” Otiv answered then standing up. “In fact I felt horrendously dehydrated.” He told her in turn. Then handing the warrior back the jug.
\t“Master.” Lilith started then standing by his side, a hand on his hip. “There was five gallons of water in that jug; Lilith is worried about you.”
\t“I'll be fine.” Otiv told her then kissed her forehead. “That was just what the demon ordered.” Lilith was concerned for a few moments more; so when he left the room she was hot on his tail. “So how fares the village in my absence?” He asked, looking down at his little pale queen scampering behind him. Then looking around the strange cave-like pathways.
\t“Well enough.” Lilith told him. “It was a surprise but when Master could not return to protect the village; the zombies that marched on it were simple sluggish ignorant creatures; not to mention there was no trace of another bone giant. The villagers were able to hide away in reinforced homes until dawn; just to be safe Lilith stashed her warrior in the buildings with them. She knows you'd not want any more like the poor child who's body became mine.” she informed him. “No real damage aside from some torn wooden planks, barricades, and a few broken windows.”
\t“I see; that's strangely reassuring.” Otiv told her then, holding a hand to his chin. “And very telling. Something is controlling this mist I believe at least subconsciously; aware of it or otherwise.” He looked around unsure which way to go. “The reds are a little over zealous in their digging.” Otiv said with a chuckle. “Sweetheart which way out?” Otiv asked, rubbing Lilith's head.
\t“This way Master.” Lilith said, pointing down one path. Otiv nodded and followed her, her bare feet softly tapping on the stone floors. “Lilith must confess, the reds are annoying her.”
\t“How so?” Otiv asked as it took over the minute it took for her to lead him outside.
\t“They refuse to obey her.” Lilith told him then gritting her teeth. “Lilith finds them irrational and annoying.” She stopped then rather cutely stamped her right foot into the ground a few times. “It should not matter that I am the Ivory queen and not the Ruby queen. I am a queen in service of our Master; they should obey her in your absence.” She turned back toward the cave. “Look at that mess.” she said, motioning an arm toward the cave entrance. “They've damn near dug a maze in there. She told them to stop, that they had dug enough. They chattered a few expletives at her and went back to digging; not our queen Lilith's ass! Lilith was speaking on your behalf and they told Lilith to go fuck herself!” Lilith yelled once again stamping her foot rather adorably.
\t“I'll go talk to them then.” Otiv told her.
\tLilith nodded, “They are currently gathered around the central fire. Finally they stopped working.” She sighed looking at a few of her bowmen as they wandered up to her. “Lilith is grateful they stopped digging at least; she keeps getting lost. Had to have her bowmen scout the path to your room for her.”
\tOtiv nodded then turned to go to the fire; leaving Lilith to tend to her hive. Strangely enough they wanted head pats and she was dolling them out with a smile. He turned from her, to head to the fire. He was a little cold so it would be nice to warm up. “Lucifer.” Otiv started with his first step. “What did you do?”
\tLucifer was quiet for a moment, then laughed. “I MAAAY have made a few … adjustments.”
\tOtiv rolled his eyes, and once the red imps came into view he stopped. “Explain.”
\tLucifer rolled over on Otiv's shoulder. “Four hives, four different mechanics, four different gimmicks; that's how you bog a story down with bullshit. So I adjusted them.” Lucifer told him, flexing his fingers on his right hand. “Now all four are hive minds with a queen at the center. They have different personalities and feel strong rivalries to other hives; more so their polar opposites. But they will obey you.” He stopped to snicker. “Even if they won't obey each other.”
\tOtiv rolled his eyes again. “You put that in just to fuck with Lil didn't you?”
\t“Maaaybe.” Lucifer said snidely. “Hey she was the one who refused to suck my dick.”
\tOtiv shook his head then approached the red imps. Watching them as they were squabbling among themselves, the bonds of the hive pulling thin without the queen to act as center. 'Huh if left alone they'll tear themselves apart at this rate. The pale imps just started to die, the red ones will kill themselves.' Otiv looked at Lucifer who snickered a little. 'Forcing my hand yet again.' It was about the time one of the red imps shoved another to the ground; about to bash the fallen imp in the head with a rock that Otiv spoke up. “Attention!” He yelled in command. They stumbled at first but stopped what they were doing. “Fiery as usual huh?” Instantly the imps chattered at him. He could understand the meaning if not the words. They were a chaos of requests for anything he needed; anything he wanted.
\tThey simply had too much energy and nowhere to put it. “I think it's time to invest in your queen. Maybe she's the missing piece to keep you lot under control and not killing one another.” The lot of them chattered, a few jumping up and down. Instantly they went into it. A few gathered wood to refuel the fire; they knew almost instinctively it was too low. As a few of them did that others started carving runes in the dirt around the fire. As they worked on preparing the summoning circle and the fire; Otiv looked into his crafting and inventory windows. 'An obsidian rune stone, how do?' Looking into his crafting skill, where he found the option however. “Wait, I lack a heat source? Like a furnace or a forge?”
\tHe scratched his chin a little, a heat source. He gazed over to the imps, heating their claws to carve out the runes on the ground. “Hum?” he thought for a few moments. Then “I need one of you pronto.” One of the imps looked up, then hurried over. “Your claws, how hot do they get?” The imp chattered at him; again he understood the meaning. “Good. Ok here's what I need you to do. Hold your claws like you were holding a ball.” The imp nodded and held his hands like he was holding a ball. “Uh a little tighter.” The imp nodded the following instructions. 'huh so they need an authority figure or they get too worked up. Someone has to keep them in line, thus the queen.' Otiv nodded, looking to his window. “Ok, now heat the pocket to about three thousand if you can.” The imp nodded, somehow understanding the unit measurement he was using. It's hands glowing hot. Once it reached his needed temperature his choice got lit up.
\t“Good, now not sure if you suffer burns; but just be ready this will be hot.” The imp nodded but didn't change much. Otiv then held a hand to the Imps clenched hands. “Craft obsidian rune stone, carved with the fallen sigil.” At first it was like a mix of powder formed in the imp’s hands. After a few moments it melted to a liquid, quickly forming into an orb. It sloshed around for a second or two then formed into the rune stone. The last step after the stone formed in the heat of the imps hands was the sigil carving out of the stone. The imp looked up to Otiv then held out the rune stone. “Yes it formed right.” The imp nodded motioning it toward him. Taking it Otiv then said. “Good work.” promptly patting the imps head. Having done what was needed the imp raced back to carving runes.
\tOtiv could do nothing more but wait, the circle took the most time. The bonfire was brought back up to a hot roar. When, about twenty minutes later, the circle was finished Otiv could see it was ready; a new summon option had ignited into a dancing flame in his menu. He looked before he jumped. Lilith was a little ways away; not wanting it to look like she was watching. But she was and the way she was biting the fruit she was eating; he could tell she was not happy about being moments away from having to share her master with another queen. Finally the moment came all the same 'well shit or get off the pot, right?' He held the rune in his hand then called out. “Come Forth oh Darkened Flames. Burn with my rage and incinerate my foes. Cross over now and heed your Master's Call!” Again all grew dark; the light making itself scarce. In only the light shed by the roaring fire the red imps began bowing to it. One however tugged his hand and requested the stone; he handed it over. The imp quickly carried the stone into the heart of the fire and set it down; then beating a hasty retreat. The rune stone grew hot, let off a loud hiss, then shattered after moments. The fire changed color a few times then in the fires heart was a crimson colored form burning amid the flames.
\t“I live, to serve.” The fiery form whispered. “Is thou my Master?” The fire whispered, its eyes then forming and looking up to him.
\t“I am,” Otiv spoke. “I am Otiv the Deceiver.” He spoke again against his will. “You serve me.” He ordered firmly.
\tThe crimson colored flame in the fire's heart cooed a little shifting around. “Power I feel in you; Great power. I will serve, gladly.” The fire elemental spoke. “Master must choose, be me an elemental form, or a physical one?” she whispered just a tad above the roar of the fire.
\tOtiv mulled it over for a moment before answering. “Fiery, but physical. Not sure how well I'd do breeding a flame.”
\t“By my Master's order.” She told him before the fire started imploding toward the crimson form within it. Once the bonfire itself was out, all that remained was the glowing form of this new queen taking shape. Her flesh, a deep shade of crimson. Her eyes black as pitch with an orange fire colored pupil. Her hair itself seemed like it was formed of fire, a rich orange in color; yet had weight to it as though it was still hair. Last was a tail of fire growing from the base of her spinal cord; just above the crack of her ass. Promptly she stretched and nearly moaned as she did. Finally she scampered to Otiv and hugged his leg. “My name, my name, Master, tell me my name.”
\tOtiv rubbed his chin for a moment, a name for a fire being huh; then replied “Seraphina.”
\t“Seraphina?” She cooed then said it again. “This one's name is Seraphina.” She said proudly then hugging Otiv's leg. However a few seconds later the red imps started trying to hug her as well. She didn't take to it like Lilith had; with love and affection. “Get the fuck off me!” She roared, pushing one of the red imps to the ground. “You will not make me look bad in front of my new Master!” She snapped then stepped on the imp she yelled at. However rather than pain the imp took pleasure from it. Chattering in a near moan-like way, others began begging her to step on them as well. “Ugg you guys are gross.” She shouted hitting another and knocking it over; again acting elated over being wounded.
\t“Sera.” Otiv spoke as she started beating on another of her imps. “Why are you hitting them?”
\t“They're perverts!” Seraphina promptly shouted, hitting another that actually started humping her leg. “NO I WILL NOT SIT ON YOUR FACE!!” She yelled beating this imp more. “A little tough love,” She paused to punch another in his nose; Otiv was sure she broke it. “Will toughen them up! Stop making me look bad!” She snapped at her hive.
\tHowever a cat fight easily broke out in the seconds after.
\t“How barbaric.” Lilith spoke aloud, eye roll implied. Ensuring the new queen heard her mocking tone.
\t“Come again?” Seraphina asked. She was holding one Imp by the scruff of his neck, about to punch him in the face. However she let the imp go and marched toward Lilith.
\t'Oh boy.' Otiv muttered to himself
\t“Got something to say princess?” Sera asked now right next to Lilith. The Red hive now soundly behind her.
\t“Yes,” Lilith said, crossing her arms, her hive also behind their queen. “You are a brute, a heathen, a no class trollop; and the fact that you can willingly beat your hive.” Lilith simply tisked sharply and dismissively a few times. “You make Lilith sick! Makes me wonder why Master bothered.” She spoke lifting her nose up at her.
\t“You bitch!” Sera snapped then grabbed her collar. “I'll fucking kill you!” What proceeded was a punch Sera threw at Lilith, blooding her lip. Naturally Lilith's hive rushed to her deference. A warrior slashing at Sera who aptly dodged it.
\t“You brute!” Lilith shouted, wiping blood from her lip. “How dare you! The beautiful face Master gave her!” The cat fight got a little more heated after that with Lilith ordering. “Teach this cunt a lesson!”
\tSera clenched her fist which burst into flames. “Oh bring it on little bitch! I'll pin your pale little ass to the dirt and show you who the queen cunt is around here!”
\t“I have warriors!” Lilith snapped her bowmen taking aim. “What can you do with workers?”
\t“Who said I have to hide behind mine?!” Sera yelled as the cat fight finally fell to blows. Lilith's archers began taking shots one volley at a time. Her warriors squared up with Sera. As overblown the cat fight had gotten, it was still adorable. Both sides battled each other as best they could, running on empty; naturally Otiv was not footing this bill. The ivory imps abnormal strength was gone. The red worker Imps, lacking the mana to cast fire bolts, started throwing shit. Beaming the pale imps in the heads with rocks, trash, mud; anything they could get their hands on. Sera bulldozed through Lilith's warriors; who were quick to pick themselves back up. Finally, and frankly, it broke down to a slap fight when Sera got her hands on Lilith. The two queens began slapping each other's faces as hard as they could manage; lacking the power to do any real damage.
\tHowever, enough was enough. Both queens already looked like swollen puffer fish from slapping each other as hard as they could. If Otiv let this go on further one of them could actually get hurt; let alone the two hives of imps now at war with each other. “Enough!” He yelled bringing the little battle to a stop; the roar of his shout echoing out once everything was silenced. Both queens with handfuls of the other's hair. “Seraphina, Lilith come here now!” They both gulped, then approached like scolded children, hands foled in their laps tails coiled around one of their legs. Otiv promptly grabbed both imps by the jaw, making both yelp loudly; lifting them as they clung to his arm. Once they were eye level with him; and both their hives were panicking. After all, their primary goal was to protect the queen, but what could they do against their Master? A single finger lifted to harm their Master would violate the pact between them. “Never again.” He said coldly. “You two, ever, pull this stunt again, with each other or another hive;” He paused then said darkly. “You will be punished, harshly.” He pulled them both closer to his face before he asked. “Understood?” He whispered his question, his words barely constraining rage.
\tThe two queens looked to each other, then back to Otiv and replied in unison. “Yes Master, sorry Master.” Both hives seemingly begging him from afar for mercy. They were supposed to protect their queens to the death if needed; but were forbidden from attacking Master, it would be a suicide attack after all.
\t“Good.” Otiv told them, promptly putting them both down. “Now then; hug each other,” He ordered with a smirk. “and mean it! That's an order.”
\tThe two of them rolled their eyes at each other, before Otiv clearing his throat made them jump and hug each other. After a short moment of the tentative hug, Sera finally said. “Lilith still smells like shit, and cum.”
\t“Well you've got a fat ass.” Lilith shot back.
\t“Bitch I'm dummy thiccc.” Seraphina growled, Lilith joining the noise as they started to get angry with each other, again; mashing foreheads and grinding horns.
\t“Ahem.” Otiv spoke coldly. Then darkly looming over both queens asked, “What did I just say?” His voice was dark and cold. They both stopped after a startled yelp.
\tIt was all jealously though, or so Otiv discovered. The moment she spawned Seraphina frankly could smell it; her Master's leaving, the potent scented musk of his mark. Lilith had kept them almost like a badge. Meaning she avoided any kind of bathing or cleaning of herself; just to rub in the fact she had gotten to their master first. Then lorded it over her new rival. To avoid the continuous cat fights and bickering; Otiv had to treat Sera just as well. And spent nearly an hour breaking in and thoroughly breeding his new queen; into a happy crimson colored puddle. Once it was done however he was amazed how quickly it all vanished. The name calling, the cat fighting, the bickering, and picking on each other. Sure they still bickered a little but it was more a cute reaction to each other then animosity; they were both on the same footing bread by the same Master. They felt like equals or so Otiv figured.
\tWith Seraphina now on the roster the reds were kept in line; and their productivity skyrocketed. From how Seraphina explained it to Otiv, glued to his side in her happy afterglow. It was in the Ruby nature; Fiery and unpredictable. Without a queen, or a higher authority figure such as himself; one imp would try to become an alpha. The resulting alpha would start bossing the other imps around; often stopping them from their actual work. With Seraphina, Otiv wouldn't have to micromanage them to prevent this; she would happily beat the snot out of them for him. She also gained an ability called Eye of Fire, which allowed her to see through walls, even cave walls. She used it to start finding veins of ore like Iron and copper; Otiv had them start mining it.
\tOtiv however had to take a break; he had been awake for a few hours … and already he was run ragged. It felt like it was going to be a very long day.
Chapter 6 : The Master of all, yet The lord of nothing
\tIt was the following day. Otiv sat near his campfire, eating breakfast. Lilith and Sera both nearly humping the side they were glomped on to; he had just finished spending, shall we say, private time with them both. Elliott and Susan returned from the village with his two new hires Tod and Simon.
\t“Master.” Elliott called out upon seeing him. “We've returned.”
\tSusan giggled as she opted to run to him. “Mr. Otiv.” She giggled happily as she hurried over to him then gave him a hug. “I'm glad you're awake.”
\t“Me too sweetheart.” Otiv said with a chuckle. Promptly hugging the girl and kissing her forehead. Looking at the boys, Otiv asked. “Hello boys, how are you three?”
\tTod and Simon replied in unison. “Good sir.”
\t“I'm alright too, Master.” Elliott replied in turn. “Also glad to see you up and at them again.”
\tOtiv nodded, a bit surprised when Elliott went for a hug; but he returned the affection all the same. “So,” Otiv asked. “How fares the village?”
\t“Well decent enough I suppose.” Elliott replied in turn. “There is a problem though.”
\t“What is it?” Otiv asked. “More zombies or the mist?”
\t“No, but it might be worse.” Elliott told him. “It's the duke, he has arrived at the village with his house's troops.”
\t“Oh, well is the Duke not here to protect his people?” Otiv asked.
\t“He's here for you.” Elliott replied coldly. “Somehow he knows all about you, almost every detail. He's demanded he be told where you are. So far the Aldermen has refused; frankly because he honestly doesn't know where you are. Just that you are nearby.”
\tOtiv rubbed his chin for a few moments. “Your best guess at his intentions? Will he harm the villagers?”
\t“I don't know.” Elliott confessed. “He's angry, but I don't think he's angry at you. At the same time the man taxed us into the dirt so not sure if we can trust him.”
\tOtiv nodded again, holding his chin. He himself was surprised how quiet Lucifer was being; by now he'd normally insult his inaction. “Boy, if you were me; what would you do?” He asked now wondering what was really going on; Lucifer was trying not to snicker. Otiv knew something was up.
\t“Well.” Elliott scratched his head. “I don't know; the whole situation is unknown. I think I'd go talk to him; see what he wants?”
\t“huuum.” Otiv grunted deep in thought. “Alright, I think I will go speak to him. Lilith.”
\t“Yes Master?” Lilith asked with a fluttery tone, holding his side more.
\t“Gather your hive, we're going to the village.” Otiv told her. She nodded then looked away speaking to her hive. “If this duke brought troops I won't go alone. Now then.” he looked at Elliott. “What is this man's name?”
\t“Uh.” Elliott sounded before scratching his head. “Duke Tollum.
\tHowever Gabriel groaned “for crying out loud.” The tiny watcher then pressed his hand to the boy's head. “Duke Adrian Solalas Tollum**; his full name master.”
~Author notes** name Duke Adrian Solalas Tollum
pronounced Add-Ren So-Lie-Lass Thol-em~
\t“Right.” Otiv asked, “Does the boy know any more? Or is he hiding anything?” His question made Elliott gulp.
\t“Negative sir;” Gabriel sounded. “The man's name alone was like squeezing blood from stone.” He chimed, then glared at Elliott. “The boy heard the man's full name once;” Gabriel held one finger. “in passing;” two fingers, “being yelled at by ducal guards;” Three fingers “because he had the balls to talk to the ducal princess.” He paused for a moment, gave a deep sigh, a painful groan. “Meaning he snuck onto the ducal estate; without being caught. Until he startled the young lady and the guards came running; I'm sorry my lord, I could not stop him. I tried twelve times and Lucifer prevented me from contacting you.”
\t“You rat!” Elliott yelled, looking at his feet.
\t“Soo busted.” Simon cried out, then laughed. “I may be a thief, but are you stupid? You've brought the Duke right to the boss's doorstep.”
\t“Indeed he has.” A stern male said aloud. He had a slight if strong Irish accent; even if Otiv barely caught it behind the Englishmen way of talking.
\t“Ooooooh shit.” Elliott almost shat himself.
\tOtiv groaned deeply for a moment; then uttered to himself. “Gave him a modicum of power, passed right out.” Otiv said coldly. “I might just punish you for this.” He then turned around to meet the gaze of a very regal looking man. And what might have been eighty of his best men. “My fault again.” The Duke stood roughly five eight. He had a dark auburn colored hair cut short and well groomed. A goatee that was well manicured. He was rather pale, but was decently built for a noble. He had on a well fitted well tailored suit the main theme a dark red; with chainmail worn under his jacket that clinked and jingled as he moved. He had a sword on his belt but no other items of note.
\t“So I take it you are Otiv?” Duke Tollum asked. “Indeed sir you are terrifying, just as the Aldermen said.”
\t“So, how can I help you today?” Otiv asked, not yet getting up.
\tThe duke thought about it for a moment before he opted to say. “Why don't we start with, defend yourself sir?” And drew his sword; his men followed suit.
\tOtiv shrugged, reaching forward and clutching his scythe from thin air. “You sure about that?” Otiv asked, setting the blade around his neck. In moments the Imps we're all at arms. Lilith wore a very angry scowl, her warriors at the ready; Seraphina had set herself on fire, and was eagerly chomping at the bit. Even the worker imps now clutched at small fireballs. “I've got a lot more than you in the quality department.” The duke opted to strike first, rather than waste breath. However Otiv caught the blow with his scythe in a swift blur of movement. Not to say the Duke wasn't skilled with a blade; just to say Otiv was abnormally, supernaturally fast. He then held the deadlock for a time until he asked. “So wanna stop faking it yet, or do you really want to fight?” His question surprised the man. But what Otiv glanced at was an ethereal string that was floating over his head; he could barely see it, just barely. 'Now what are you? Do you make him special? Or is it he that defines you? Yet more questions.'
\tOtiv observed him as he pulled away, then looked back albeit his eyes never leaving Otis's. “Well captain, what's your opinion?” Tollum asked.
\tA man approached shortly after, his hair was graying. “I couldn't even see him.” The man replied in a stern seasoned tone, and a strong, if practiced to be sparse, Scottish accent. “Our numbers be damned, the man is easily a monster above monsters. If the little ones are even half his speed; we'd be slaughtered.”
\t“I see.” The duke said with a nod. “Then it's just like with?”
\t“Ai sir.” The captain replied. “As far as my teachers, teachers, teacher claimed.”
\t“You guys want to start making sense?” Otiv asked, Scythe planted firmly in front of Sera, Otiv now leaning on the pole. “Because Sera here really wants to kill you;” Otiv said with a smirk, the flaming imp queen in a full heat flaming rage. Otiv promptly said “And I'm running out of excuses to give her.”
\t“Attacked, my Master.” Sera growled, her flames growing hotter, to the point they turned almost pure white.
\tLilith, who was not on the front line was also just as pissed off; she was easily ready to go to war. “How dare you …” She growled the words, her archers knocking their bows. Her swordsmen ready to charge; just waiting for an excuse.
\t“Up,” Otiv said, looking back toward Lil, before looking back to the Duke. “And now they're both pissed off;” He paused before looking back to him. “Thanks a lot. You've got five minutes before I 'forget' why I'm telling them to sit.”
\tThe duke nodded then saying. “Quickly, the orb.” A young woman brought a large crystal ball to the Duke who proceeded to hold it in one hand. He held his free hand over the orb and took a deep breath, moving his hand in a deliberate way, as the young woman channeled wispy energy into the orb. After a moment he held the orb toward Otiv. “Tell me,” The duke started motioning Otiv over. “Does this young man mean anything to you?”
\t“Hum.” Otiv grunted, walking closer to look. At first glance, the image inside the crystal was a young boy. White skinned, brown hair, a white hooded cloak. The single most notable part, the blue glow that radiated from his eyes. At first glance, it felt like nothing. However after lingering for a moment longer, Otiv could not pull his gaze away. Promptly snapping away the orb Otiv held it close. “How do I know this boy?” He whispered. 'Lucifer, is he?'
\tLucifer grunted, but gave a nod. “Wow, that was fast. Yup, your missing light. You may have fallen; but you are an archangel.” He said, rolling his eyes.
\t“My light?” Otiv said, looking at the orb almost fondly. “I'm missing … my light?” Tears actually fell from his eyes looking upon the boy. His tone was empty like something truly was just missing, and now he knew what it was.
\t“I take it, you know him?” The duke asked now re sheathing his sword.
However the answer he got was not what he was expecting. Otiv in one near blinding move, now had the Duke by his jaw gripping his throat; Otiv's entire visage changed. One red eye, one blue. Then lifting him up off the ground, a distorted voice barked out. “Where is he?” It was almost as if in that one moment two different voices spoke in union. The look the Duke saw was blind anger. So calm and so contained; but it was blinding rage behind an even thin veil. This was the face of a being about to snap.
\t“I… Don't… know.” The duke barely got out.
\t“Got five seconds, to make yourself useful.” Otiv said with a chill to his tone. He was not playing and his rage was starting to boil. Not only that, he had yet blinked since this started.
\tThe duke gulped painfully as his men wanted to help but could do nothing. Lilith and Seraphina were now between him and them. And they were not playing around anymore. “He's … alive.” He choked out.
\tOtiv was quiet for a moment, his visage shifting; slightly softening. More sense returning to his eyes as he asked, “Positive?” The Duke nodded, as well he could with his jaw in Otiv's hand. “Hum; Well then, that just saved your life.” Otiv said almost a tone of relief, his previous demeanor and tone restored. Setting the man down, then patting his head.
\t“Shall … shall we return to the village to speak properly?” The Duke asked, now nursing his jaw. Otiv nodded, but looked into the orb; almost longingly.
\tOtiv and the Duke; his men and Otiv's Imps returned to the village. Within the Alderman's home the three sat down to talk. Otiv brought in his two Imp queens. The duke had two of his people, his captain and a woman wearing mage robes; lightly enchanted. Otiv could feel the magic waft from these enchantments on her outfit; she had to be a mage or at least a magic caster.
\tThe Duke spoke first. “Allow me to introduce myself properly, I am Duke Adrian Solalas Tollum; appointed noble of this, the village of Henmen. The village of Jakwen five days ride east of here; and the castle town Gwen three days ride north east of here. To my right Captain Vincent Barron, leader of my house troops. To my left Bridget Casanomen, my court mage, and my magical adviser.” Both of them bowed politely. Vincent was an older man. Well toned and well tanned; despite his age, frankly, the man looked like he could throw a tree. His hair long since gone gray, his eyes a rich brown. His hair was about neck length with several braids woven of it a few of which were interwoven further. He had a full beard that was well maintained. He wore a set of medium armor, a chain mail studded leather mix; that frankly was well suited to him. The Mage was the youngest of the humans before him. She had long light brown hair and a fair skin tone. Wearing some light green robes. She had bright amber colored eyes, and long eyelashes; in truth she was very attractive.
\tOtiv nodded, putting his hand on Lilith's head first. “If we're going with official titles. My Ivory Imp Queen Lilith, the head of her Hive. Also my knowledge keeper; anything spoken to her or her imps will end up with me. Do not underestimate her; an Imp queen can easily kill a human.” Then patting Sera's head. “This is Seraphina, my Ruby Imp Queen. Again, the head of her Hive; I've yet given her a greater task, but I will.” Otiv said as he patted her head, making the imp cooed and bounce on her heels. The Duke nodded in a general understanding.
\t“First allow me to express my imminence apologies for attacking you, and my gratitude.” Duke Tollum said. “I had no idea this village was in such danger; I was only informed of it when the young man in your service snuck onto my estate. I when I asked where he came from and thus discovered what was going on in the village; I couldn't act fast enough. I felt the need to test you when we met; out of fear you might have been the thing attacking the village. My fears are now unfounded so please accept my deepest apologies.” Tollum promptly got up to offer a polite bow. “And for coming to their aid as I, their rightful lord, stood ignorant of their plight; you have my deepest gratitude again. Rest assured starting today I will look into this village's defense personally. I will have my troops garrison the village henceforth until a village guard can be reformed.”
\tOtiv nodded, but that was not important. “The boy, in the orb.” the Duke nodded. “When, where, how.” Otiv sat upright, hands clasped. Never before had he been so invested in something someone was talking about.
Duke Tollum nodded motioning to his left.
\tBridget handed him a scroll; it was old, very old. “This report is a century old.” He handed the scroll to Otiv who opened it.
\tHowever, for some reason he could not read it. “I can't read this.” Otiv told them.
\tLilith promptly nodded. “I can gain the ability to do so quite easily;” She started, then looking at the Duke. “If one of you would allow her access to your mind.” Lilith said with a hand gesture toward them.
\t“What do you mean?” Bridget asked, more seasoned than her lord in matters of magic. So naturally she stepped in and Tollum didn't question it.
\t“Let Lilith into your head.” Lilith spoke then, putting a finger to her forehead. “She will learn this language from you; Lilith will read this scroll for her Master following. It's that simple.”
\t“You can do that?” Bridget asked. She had studied magic for years; but this was the first time she had heard of such a thing. Frankly it sounded impossible. However she did have to take into the fact she was clearly talking to a demon at the least; if not worse based solely off of the man she called Master.
\t“Lilith can; it is part of her task.” She explained. “Lilith gathers knowledge and information for her master after all; new languages included.”
\tThe Duke nodded. “Then as a sigh of good faith, please let Lilith learn our language through your mind.” He told Bridget.
\tShe nodded. “As you wish my lord.” She knelt down to Lilith who poked her head. “Oh my.” she said in surprise, feeling the intrusion of her mind.
\t“Do not fight Lilith; mage may you be, you can't beat her even in your own head. As her source of power is far greater then your own.” She spoke, closing her eyes. “She wishes not to harm you, so just stay still; she promises only to read your language.” This act took a minute, but Lilith let her go once she was done, and had what she wanted. “Lilith has the language Master, she now knows how to read and write it.” She scurried to his side and opened the scroll once Otiv gave it to her. After taking a moment to read it she replied. “It's as they claim Master. The scroll is a battle report dated almost exactly one thousand years ago; to the day even. The Duke of the time ordered his men to arrest what was reported as a supernatural child clad in a white cloak with otherworldly abilities and magics. Who then decimated a hundred and eighty seven elite knights. ” Lilith told him. Otiv nodded as she read on. “Reports of eighty nine fatalities, forty seven left critically maimed; the rest received minor or non life threatening wounds. But every man that left the field was either dead or scarred.”
\tThe Duke nodded. “The young lad I'm told then went on to save the life of my great great great grandmother; who was sadly still born. So the reports and inner family hearsay claim, the young man claimed her life was threatened by otherworldly forces; thus why he intervened and saved it.” The Duke paused watching Otiv digest the information. “If it is true you are in any way connected to him; you have my entire family's respect, admiration, and trust.”
\t“Well that's nice.” Otiv spoke up. “That does not tell me where he is; which is the only information I care for.”
\t“Sorry.” Tollum said with a nod. “Our family has not had contact with him in many years; Last I heard I was but a babe myself when my family last had contact with him.” Otiv sighed deeply. “Mind you I am willing to help you in finding him. But.”
\t“This mist?” Otiv asked.
\tTollum nodded. “Aye; It is supernatural, and sadly spreading. My other holding managed to send word of an attack by Undead monsters; just this morning I'm told.” Tollum motioned to a young man standing at the door, still out of breath. “The lad went through four horses to race this information to me.”
\t“Truly?” Otiv asked the lad at the door. Otiv now resting his head on his hand. “Zombies coming from a thick mist? From dusk till dawn?”
\tThe young man first looked at the Duke who nodded. “Uh yes, thankfully our defenses held. But they almost ripped the gate down; the crazy old smith was gloating about his wrought iron gate all night. Told the captain of the guard he was going to have to kiss his arse for savin the village. They seemed endless; took everything the guard could throw at them to repel them.”
\t“Same here.” Otiv said, then motioning to the Aldermen. “So I've been told, also seen first hand.”
\tThe Duke swiftly nodded then turned to the boy. “Thank you son. You are dismissed, go get yourself a hot meal; tell them I sent you.”
\t“Yes Duke.” the boy then saluted, before excusing himself and leaving.
\tOnce it was none but the trusted; did Tollum let out a deep groan. “Well; guess that settles it then; do I have a choice?” the man asked, rolling his head over his chair toward his advisers. “And you're sure?” He asked, looking at Bridget. She gave a quick nod.
\t“None my lord.” Vincent quickly replied.
\t“I've got nothing, we still haven't heard from higher up.” Bridget cooed with a tone of defeat. “Not for lack of trying either; I went myself to the royal capital. Spent a week there and was never able to speak to so much as a servant of the king.” She gave a sigh however after her eyes changed color for a split second before returning to normal. “And yes I'm positive; Now more so standing before him. He is indeed the colossal power holder I sensed a few days ago. If he's not at least an arch demon then he's higher and my money is on the ladder. However how high up it goes, frankly, I shudder to think.”
\t“So, Otiv the Deceiver.” Tollum started looking over to Otiv; who had both imps quietly arguing to themselves … who was going to get to sit in Master's lap. “Despite your title.” the man started, then folding his hands together. “Would you tell me the worth of my soul?” As he asked this however he looked to Otiv's left shoulder.
\tOtiv looked at him for a moment. However Lucifer snorted, then laughed on his shoulder. “He knows, she can see me.” He rolled over to Otiv laughing. “Oh come on kid. Gotta let me talk to him. We'll milk him dry; send him to the Devil's Den.”
\tOtiv chuckled under his breath. “You do realize what you are asking right?”
\t“I do.” Tollum replied promptly. “Take off the kid gloves, please, and tell me how bad it really is.”
\t“So be it.” Otiv said with a shrug. “He's a rabid dog, don't blame me if he bites you.” Otiv snapped his fingers; and everything fell into itself.
\tTollum swallowed hard as the change fell upon him; so too his advisers. The Alderman managed the change but Lilith had to lend him an arm. The Otiv before him now had long dark hair almost a midnight black, a dull red glow shone from his crimson colored eyes. He wore a black hooded cloak that covered most of what he wore. Two long and thick pitch black horns each capped in a smoldering black flame grew from his head. Lilith herself was now different. While taller yet slightly more slender. She was not an imp but a full devil. Seraphina over his shoulder was nearly more fire then physical form and taller still; again a full hellfire devil. With a wide smirk, as a smaller demon ran in and offered him a drink; something that at least looked like wine, but smelled of blood. Lucifer finally spoke. “Welcome to the Devil's Den, My name is Lucifer,” Lucifer told him through a dark smirk. “Would you like to make a deal today?” Than crossing one leg over the other.
Lucifer – The Exiled
Lord of the Nine Burning Hells
~Special abilities – Of Fallen Design : What makes one great is not how high they soar, but what they can achieve after a great fall. – Apex Devil : Truly the monster above the greatest monsters. Power is not meant for most, but this one basks in cosmic pools of forbidden power. – In Exile : An effect of unknown source meant to keep him in line. So long as the anchor is alive he is kept away. Only by request can he be spoken to directly. Armageddon is still but one turn of a key away; but pray to god that key is never turned.~
~Titles acquired~
The Fallen Son
The Deceived
I crawled out of hell, and all I got was a lousy pair of horns
He who brought war to the Golden Throne
The Black Seraph
He who ripped the golden wings from the back of God
The Exiled
~...~
\tWhere they were sat, was not where they had been; the entire room was different, the very air was heavy and hard to breathe. The Duke looked to his two advisers. The Aldermen was doing a lot better; mainly due to Lilith's tender healing.
\t“How long have you been protecting my lands?” Tollum asked, now settled to his choice.
\t“Ehh.” Lucifer sounded taking a sip from his wine. “Since day one, ish.”
\t“Why?” Tollum asked.
\t“Boredom mainly.” Lucifer told him as he leaned back in his chair. Seraphina, promptly sat in his lap; and cooed happily as she cuddled him. “Though I guess the zombies have brought enough money and basic metals so far.”
\t“Thank you uhhh miss.” Alderman Gerald said once Lilith had finished patching him back up. She gave him a nod and a head pat then hurried back over to her master's side.
\t“Shall we get down to business then?” Tollum asked. “What is my soul worth?”
\t“Heh, he really wants to do this; you're a brave mortal, I'll give you that.” Lucifer chuckled. Running his hand down Sera's side. “Full flame darling.” Sera nodded and changed into a form more like fire then pouring herself on him. He wore her like an inner coat. She greatly enjoyed it. Promptly getting up Lucifer said. “Alright let's take a look.” He walked over to Tollum and promptly put his hand to the man's head. “Heh.” Lucifer snorted. “Sorry, you may be a decent human being, and that's not saying much; but your soul is worth less than the peasant boy Elliott's.”
\t“But.” Tollum started.
\t“I'm a Duke.” Lucifer finished almost teasingly. “Sorry the value of a soul has nothing to do with worldly titles.” He said as in one swift motion, he was now in his chair, legs kicked up on the table. “You are but a boring, plain, human; nothing more, nothing special, not even very pious. I could gain as much from a magic rock as from your soul.”
\t“I see.” Tollum said with a sigh. Seraphina returned to a more physical form still enjoying warming her master’s lap. “So is there anything?”
\t“Not much at all.” Lucifer finished for him. “Nothing is free, especially from me. You have come to bargain with nothing of value to me.” After a few moments he watched the Duke's head slump. “I suppose I can still offer you a Devil's Deal; regardless of the, worthlessness, of your soul.” He waved his hand up into the air, the albeit limited image of the hooded boy Otiv had seen once again shown. “Without him, Otiv is broken; and none of you will tell him that. You will use whatever means are at your disposal to find him or his last whereabouts. Your debt to me will be paid once he is in Otiv's possession. Agree to this and I will give you a pittance of my power.” As he spoke he stroked Sera with one hand, Lilith with the other. Both demon girls purred at his touch.
\t“A pittance?” Tollum asked, confused.
\tLucifer nodded. Then looking at his mage he asked. “Tell me mage, have you ever heard of the progenitor patronage system?”
\t“I have.” Bridget said with a nod. “Though from my understanding it's something that has since fallen out of practice.”
\t“Due to a lack of proper patrons, yes.” Lucifer spoke. “Hell, even the primal elementals have limited access to your world. You mages might want to correct that imbalance; and that one I shall tell you for free. If your world is allowed to spiral out of imbalance further, then this little game will only become harder for Otiv to play.” She nodded if only slightly understanding his meaning.
\t“I don't understand.” Tollum spoke up, looking at Bridget.
\t“Well.” Bridget started. “To sign with a Patron would allow a mage access to far greater and far higher magical prowess; The best mages with the right patron that could theoretically rival the gods. Also a far deeper pool of mana. It used to be a right of passage for mages to seek out and sign to a patron. However, that is a tradition that has, as I said, fallen out of practice.”
\t“And me being an apex devil, THE cream of the crop.” Lucifer spoke. He was now rubbing Seraphina's ass. “Do you understand how much power could be gained by your mortal mages; from just me agreeing to let them lick my cock??”
\tTollum nodded. “I see, well at this point I have no other choice. To protect my people I need help, I need far more power; and if it won't come from the king he has forced my hand. So be it, I will agree to your deal Devil.”
\t“Then come over here and shake my hand.” Lucifer said with a big grin. Wisp of multicolored energies wafted off of his hand once he offered it. Tollum nodded then pushed himself up out of his chair. Walking over to him Lucifer offered his hand which started to have a dark glow to it. Tollum hesitated for a moment but then took his hand and shook on it. Tollum felt almost a jolt run down his spine, but once their hands left each other Lucifer smiled. “I'll hold you to it, this is a deal struck out of pity; and you do well to remember you've brought me nothing of value for it. Now then barring the inability to send everyone directly to me for judging; I'll give you a tool to use.” Tollum nodded. “It will need to be kept and used by, only, those with magic in their blood; so you Tollum and others like you, must never touch it.” Tollum nodded then summoned Bridget over. Then holding out one of his hands Lucifer chanted. “Come forth to me oh blackened orb. Of Tales born yet never told. Be my eye in dark and light. To guide those worthy to my great might.”
\tOnce his spell was finished a black crystal orb formed in his hand. Lucifer handed it to Bridget then instructed her. “Every month to, the, date; starting tonight before the stroke of midnight. It is to be polished to a shine with enchanted mineral oil nothing else; fail to do so and it will shatter. I will not give you another and you will lose out on this bargain; but still have to pay for it. No non mage is to ever touch it or it will kill them; This is your only warning. To test a mage with it, simply have them rest a hand on it for a time and ask aloud 'Judge me, oh great eye'; the orb will shine red if it is worthy, or gray for not.” Then after a moment Lucifer sat up and put a serious look on his face. “Should the orb ever shine pure white; you will bring the individual to Otiv immediately. I care not how far he is or how much it would cost you to do so. Who the person is or to whom they belong too.”
\t“Why?” Tollum asked motioning to the orb Bridget now held. “What happens if the orb shines white?”
\t“It means that mage has angelic blood in their veins.” Lucifer clarified. “While they won't be able to sign a pact with me, with Otiv however they would gain great power; Greater still once he is whole. The boon to Otiv however will be far FAR greater than what you will ever get however. And that mage will belong to Otiv henceforth; this is not up for negotiation.” Lucifer then folded his hands together. A dark sinister look taking over him. “And if I ever, find out, you found one who made the orb glow white; and spoke nothing of it. Make no mistake about it, I will burn your entire line.” Cold black flames crept down his horns. His entire visage grew immense.
He pulled the veil away and before them stood the true form of Lucifer The Lord of the Nine Burning Hells in all his Demonic glory. He stood eighteen stories tall. Crimson skin from head to cloven hoof. Great wings of pure black from his back; and a pair of bloodied golden wings under them. A long barbed and spaded tail akin to a pitch black whip grew from the base of his tailbone. A Burning Crown above his head burning in black fires. And eminence seas of hellfire and brimstone behind him with the wails of the damned crying up from them. Dark power rambled from his every word. He reached out and grabbed the very platform they were standing on and brought them to his eyes. “I will make you watch your children burn before your eyes; a thousand times over as they sob and weep for mercy, never granted to them! I will personally plunge you into the heart of the ninth circle; Leaving you to torment far greater than any mortal soul could imagine! Until the heat death of creation itself! Everyone will know that this was the ignorant fool who tried to cheat the Devil; and you shall be known to all as what happens if you cross Lucifer Lord of the Nine Burning Hells!”
As quick as this show came it was gone, Lucifer once again cloaked in the black hooded cloak, stroking the purring fire devil in his lap. Tollum was taken aback for a moment, but nodded. “So be it, I agree to your terms, oh great devil.”
\t“To, the, letter.” Lucifer threatened tapping his finger on a table with each word. “Do not mistake me for Otiv; my pity is not deep so don't push your luck. And know you got this pity from me ONLY because you could help Otiv.” Lucifer nodded, then tiring of them started to play with Seraphina's tender bits, lifting a hand to her left nipple before pinching it between two fingers. “Do not cross me. Know that if you break this pact I have given you out of my limited pity; not even Otiv can stop the retribution that will rain down upon you. And now that last order of business. You have a pact that you have not paid for; as my right I now demand collateral.” He held a hand towards Tollum for a moment, who felt a strange pain. However with a coo from Lucifer, the sensation vanished. “Ah children you have; yes they will do nicely.” In each of his hands he now held a small sliver of pale flame, they pulsed with that of a heartbeat. “These are tied to your children's souls. Fail to live up to your end of the bargain and I will take them. You know what happens to a body whose soul has been taken?” To that Tollum shook his head. “It's not pretty so I'd advise you to get to work, lest you want to watch your children rot before your eyes and become of the Lost Ones.” Seraphina then moaned loudly before Lucifer then told them holding his middle finger and thumb together, ready to snap them. “We are done here mortal.” Then snapping his fingers once again everything fell into itself. “Out of my sight.”
\tOnce again in the Alderman's house, Otiv sighed then gave a smile. “Welcome back; enjoy your trip to the Devil's Den?”
\t“I made a deal with him.” Tollum spoke then, sitting down.
\t“My condolences then.” Otiv said, making a hand motion toward him. “I see you still have your soul; you, you actually accepted a deal made out of pity then? You poor fool.”
\t“I did.” the Duke said. “He offered to play the role of Patron to any mage I can find worthy of the power. In exchange I am to help you find the boy. He … he has taken ties to my children's souls as collateral; claiming he will take them if I do not find the boy for you.”
\tOtiv glanced over to his left shoulder for a moment. “I see and do remember the part of the angelic light. He was not kidding and you shook on it; I would not be able to stop him. Or be able to stop him taking your children; again you shook on it the pact is made.” Otiv told him with a simple forward hand gesture.
\t“I won't forget.” Tollum replied with a nod. “Bridget, can you test the orb?”
\t“At once.” Bridget replied. Resting her hand on the orb, it didn't react at first. However after she said aloud, “Judge me oh great Eye.” did glow if dimly red.
\tOtiv gave a nod and a smile. “Congratulations.” Then looking at the lounging imp on his shoulder. “So what do we do now?”
\tLucifer had glanced over as she had tested the orb. Having seen it first hand he replied. “Well it glowed sure, but the connection won't be deep.” He proceeded to rub his chin. “Alright give her a black amulet, all she can manage.” Rolling his head back to look at Otiv he followed up with. “Hand out palm up, chant 'Come Forth oh black amulet, allow them but a taste of the deep dark.'”
\t“Hand out with my palm up?” Otiv asked to be sure. Lucifer nodded. “Ok.” He held out his right hand, leaving his palm side up. “Come forth oh Black Amulet, allow them but a taste of the deep dark.” A small black hole opened in his palm for a moment. After a few seconds a twisted gut wrenching hand reached through and put a strange amulet in his palm; The hole then collapsed.
\tLucifer nodded, “That's the ticket, a shard of forged low level deep darkness; pitch black.” Then again simply rolling his head back to look Otiv in the eye. “Alright let me talk, TLDR instructions time.” Otiv gave a slight nod; Lucifer then held a hand up to his left eye then covered it. Otiv in turn closed his left eye, and upon opening it the eye was red. “Alright human. This is how this works.” She nodded as Otiv's hand offered her the amulet. “Your connection to me currently is not deep, in any way, shape, or form; it's almost laughable how insignificant it is. In time maybe it'll get more significant; depending entirely on your mortal potential. At this point all you can use from a pact to me is this amulet. It'll allow you twelve times a day to infuse your normal spells with my far more potent mana; the result would be a spell that is exponentially more powerful. So do be careful with it. You don't have to wear it, so long as it is on your person; or in a bag you are directly carrying. No Item Boxes or Warp Pockets or whatever you mortals might have spell wise on this ball of rock and dirt to carry stuff.”
\t“I understand.” Bridget said aloud. “Is there anything I or we must do to form the pact?”
\t“For this no; as I said our connection is not even skin deep.” Lucifer told her with a dismissive hand wave. “In time it may grow to a point we can form an actual pact. Until then just shut up, take the amulet, and keep it on your person. When you wish to use it, simply think of the words 'connect me to the deep dark.' The words may also be spoken aloud if that is your thing. The next spell you cast after activating the amulet will surprise you; even scare you depending on what spell you use that charge on. Also you will have five minutes to use a spell before the amulet turns off. It will not lose charge if it shuts off.” She nodded, accepting the amulet then putting it in a bag on her hip.
\tThe red faded from Otiv's eye. He promptly gave Bridget a smile, however also warned her. “Try not to rely on it.”
\t“Rat.” Lucifer groaned then got huffy.
\t“What he didn't tell you.” Otiv started first by flicking Lucifer off his shoulder. “This borrowed power is addictive to a mortal mage; used in moderation it shouldn't be a bother. Used too often however it will consume you.” He told her as he closed his right hand into a fist. “You should try your best not to use all twelve charges more than three days in a row; doing so would be a great risk to your sanity.”
\tLucifer groaned loudly as he pulled himself back up to Otiv's shoulder. “Seriously what's the point of me trying to get you more souls if you're gonna tell them the punchline.”
\t'That's not the point.' Otiv said in his head as he glanced at the devil imp on his shoulder.
\t“It's always the point.” Lucifer growled. “Apex devil. Power, pussy, souls. That's your bread and butter; you can't pussyfoot an apex devil.”.
\t'Shut it; I shall do this my way.' Otiv growled before firing off a backhand. 'That's what got you cast out.'
\t“Fucking ouch.” Lucifer cried out; almost actually hurt by his remark. “Fine, so I was willing to do what was needed; let's see how far you get without my help.” He promptly shut up, and rolled over.
\tBridget nodded, then quietly told him. “Thank you for the warning. Indeed I will keep it in mind.”
\tAfter that however, Otiv had a smirk. “How's the jaw?”
\tTollum grabbed his chin. “Not good.” He gestured a hand to his Bridget.
\t“He took a potent portion an hour ago.” Bridget replied in turn. “It induces numbness; at a cost of overall consciousnesses. In truth it is kept as a last resort.” She dutifully replied.
\tOtiv rolled his eyes then analyzed it; no way this was magic. A rough script of words filled his vision.“Primitive DMT?” Otiv spoke out. “Wait, you gave the man mind altering drugs ...” Otiv face palmed. “And I sent him into the Devil's Den?”
\t“Wait what?” Tollum asked
\tBefore a swift “Shhhhh.” Otiv said the poking the dukes head. “Quiet now. Or you will die.” The duke went stiff. “Now then,” Otiv started looking at something. “In about, yep twelve second's that potion stops working. You will have to trust me.” He said laughing. After that the duke went stiff. “You feel my finger.” He asked watching the dukes eyes widen. “That's right focus only on my finger, remember to breathe.” Otiv paused as he jabbed his finger to Tollum's head. “He's going to need water.” He said leaning to Lilith. She nodded then glanced off. Lucifer rolled over once. “Alright … lets try this than.” He stopped a moment, doing his best to imitate what he remembered.. “Ulldras Kool Tra Draty Kal.” Otiv's words distorted under the strain of power.
\t“Idiot.” Lucifer muttered rolling his eyes.
\tThe duke's face softened greatly. “Shhh that's right, follow the finger.” Otiv told him as he moved his finger around; the Duke followed the movements almost in a trance. The fact he was still upright made Lucifer roll over. “Almost.”
\t“OOOOOOH.” Tollum groaned.
\t“What are you doing to him?” Vincent demanded.
\t“I don't know this magic.” Bridget said firmly.
\t“Relax, I'm healing him.” Otiv assured them. Lucifer was now intently watching. “Rest assured, your duke is worth more to me alive.” This took some time but before long Otiv was able to set Tollum down. “Almost done, thirsty aren't you?”
\t“Famished.” Tollum spoke albeit with a relieved sigh. “What manner of magic is this?”
\t“Abyssal magic, spoken in the black speech.” Otiv replied. This was what turned Lucifer's head. “It's an alchemical based spell that turns bodily fluids like blood for example into potent healing chemicals; never so much that kills the target. Thus why you are thirsty, the body will need to replace those fluids.”
\t“I feel better already.” Tollum spoke aloud.
\t'He actually used devil magic... to heal a human?' Lucifer asked himself, still just idly. 'And the heart pulse ping; he didn't even feel it???'
\t“All done.” Otiv cooed. “And I kept your brain from literally melting out of your ears.”
\t“Wait what?” Bridget asked before looking the duke closely in the eye.
\t“You gave him a powerful mind altering drug, as a pain reliever.” Otiv started, then pushed her away. “Then failed to tell me so before I sent him to the Devils Den. A wounded or altered mind can not be in the presence of The Lord of Hell; His presence batters the mind, you felt it. Lilith had to protect Gerald for he was too old and his mortal shell could not hold the strain. What delayed the effect was the potion timer; which depleted rapidly under his ongoing assault. If I was not here, and had not tried that spell; frankly you'd be mopping Tollum's brain off of the Alderman's floor right now.”
\t“Wait, you mean?” Tollum asked with a deeply worried look now on his face.
\t“Oh I do.” Otiv in turn confirmed. putting his fingers to his ears then trailing them down the side of his head, then again down his nostrils. “Gray matter, everywhere.”
\t“Well, then I owe you my life!” Tollum replied, shooting up out of his chair.
\tHowever Otiv promptly pushed him back down. “I put it at risk, no one else can send you to the Devil's Den. And I was the one who yanked you off your feet by your jaw; thus the potion. Would have been nice for your assistant to let me know this beforehand; but at the same time I didn't say anything either.” Otiv then looked over as one of Lilith's Imps walked in; holding a jug of water. “Here drink, I turned no less than three pints of your bodily fluids into chemical healing agents.” Tollum nodded, and once he started drinking he was surprised how truly thirsty he was. He threw the cork which Otiv promptly caught, dragging the jug up to his mouth as he drank. “Told you; the body knows what it needs. Even if the brain is to high on alchemicals to know it.” Promptly looking to Vincent he instructed. “The Duke will be wobbly and unstable for, oooh, a good two and a half hours. To be safe he should not ride a horse alone, get him a carriage or have someone ride with him. And you'll need to give him a shoulder to lean on, we wouldn't want him falling and striking his head on something.” Otiv paused when the Duke finally giggled. “It'll wear off fully within three hours; try to not let him fall over. He is also going to be very loopy but having three pints of your bodily fluids changed to chemicals and injected into your brain will do that to you. So yeah might not want to take any orders he gives seriously until it wears off.”
\t“Understood, thank you.” Vincent then said, before placing a hand on the Duke's shoulder.
\t“Vincent, my old friend.” Tollum then said aloud before laughing. Then grabbing the man in question's hand. “I … I feel great.” he promptly chuckled before pulling himself up to Vincent's shoulder. “Have I ever told you how much I love your hair?” He paused, running his fingers through Vincent's hair. “You know what I order you to braid mine too.”
\tAfter healing the Duke, Otiv watched them leave. The Duke was kind enough, or high enough, to give Otiv an official badge; had taken it from Vincent as a matter of fact. It would allow him the same authority as one of his top aides; Tollum then patted Vincent's head as he told him he'd get a new one; a shiny one in fact. Otiv accepted it; not really intending to use it, unless he had to.
Chapter 7: Getting On with getting on
\tIt was early the next morning. Otiv was in his new room, or the one he had woken up in the day before. He had been awake for maybe an hour, and was still trying to deal with the cuddles.
\t“Master.” Lilith cooed, rubbing her face into his left peck.
\t“Master.” Sera proceeded to moan all but humping his right arm.
\t“Girls.” Otiv sounded; still not sure how he felt about it. “I only just woke up. Could I get some food and coffee before you milk me?”
\t“But Master.” Lilith cooed now tracing fingers down his chest, before letting out a flirty giggle.
\t“Oh, Sera knows.” She replied. Then booting Lilith in the face as she crawled up on top of him. “Sera will warm Master up.” She turned on the fire before laying herself on his chest, cooing delightedly. Lilith growled now that she had a footprint on her face.
\t“Hey, don't do that.” Otiv scolded pushing her up off of him. “I stink. I've not bathed … since I've been here.” But that brought him to a stop. “Hey, how about that?” Otiv cupped a hand to Sera's cheek. “Sera, I want your hive to dig me a bath. Make it a large chamber.”
\t“Oh really? A task for Master?” Seraphina cooed, jumping to her feet. “Sera will do it right away! She'll beat any of those lazy little shits if they say anything but yes!” She shouted before scampering away.
\tHe already felt Lilith shifting. So thinking quickly, “And You Lil, I want your hive to find a way to fill it.”
\t“Really?” She cooed. “But Lilith thought that, now that Master has gotten rid of the red one; maybe Master wanted to.”
\tOtiv nodded and told her, mainly to cut off that train of thought. He cupped her chin with his right hand then told her, “And if you find a way to do it; I will allow you two to bathe with me.” That brought a smile to her face. She nodded a few hundred times before she promptly raced out the door verbally yelling at her hive to snap to. Once Otiv was alone he chuckled to himself, rubbing his eyes and stretching.
\t“I bet you think that was very clever huh?” Lucifer asked. A false form now sat across the room. “What part of sex is good for you, do you not fucking understand?” He asked with one hand holding his chin, the other sweeping toward Otiv.
\t“Ahuh, and what part of my way did you not understand?” Otiv asked in turn. “Or are you mad that you didn't get your rocks off?” Lucifer growled a little more out of annoyance, than anger. “Oh nail on the head? Listen if it is as you claim, I'll indulge in them my way at my time. Those two are not my personal toys; they have minds of their own, feelings, wants, dreams, desires. They will never be my personal toys. If I do have sex with them it will because it feels right, and not just to stick my dick in a soft hole!” He finally snapped his horns promptly bursting into flames, as his rage fanned into flames.
\t“Heh.” Lucifer laughed as he leaned back. “More like me, every day. Watch the anger asshole.” He warned before his false form faded away.
\tOtiv stuck his tongue out at him as he faded. “Brat.”
~The sound of a single drop of water cried out~
\t“So have you remembered more?” A small voice asked him.
\t“I know your voice.” Otiv replied. “Yes, a little bit more. Are you The Boy?”
\tWhile it took a moment he did get a reply. “Yes, I am.”
\t“Where are you?” Otiv asked intently. “I'll come to you now.”
\t“I'm sorry.” The boy replied softly. “But I don't know.” Otiv gave a nod, but before he could ask another question. “Please, I'm sorry. I can't hold this long. In fact I could only do this, because you chased away Lucifer. Congrats; you made the literal devil run away. Here; take this.” Before Otiv could blink an apple came into existence. “It's an Eden Apple; it … it contains a drop of light.” He stopped for a moment as if struggling. “Use it if you're in great need. But I pray that we don't see each other soon.”
\t“What?” Otiv asked.
\t“What, what?” Elliott asked. Opening the door to the room. At first Otiv grew furious, fire ran up his horns. There was a second when Otiv looked at the boy; and felt the need to turn him into a splat mark.
\t“Don't you have the best timing.” Otiv replied through a dark sneer.
\t“Did ...” Elliott started. “Did I do something wrong?”
\t“Unknowingly yes.” Otiv promptly replied.
\t“Oh.” Elliott stopped, then rubbed the back of his head. “I'm sorry.”
\tOtiv growled softly for a moment, then let out a sigh. “You could not have known I was speaking to someone; to blame you would be foolish.”
\t“You were?” Elliott asked, looking around the room. “But there's no one else here.”
\t“It was a telepathic message.” Otiv informed him, then got up. Elliott nodded only just understanding what that is. “It only got through, I was told, due to me being completely alone; even Lucifer crawled out of my head.”
\t“Oh, I'm so sorry.” Elliott replied, bowing.
\t“Like I said.” Otiv started patting the boy's head. “You could not have known. So blaming you is foolish.”
\tElliott nodded then watched as Otiv tucked an Apple in his inventory. “So I noticed all the Imps are rushing around; you give new orders?”
\t“Yes I have.” Otiv told him with a smile returning to his face. “Now that I think about it; I'd better refine those orders. Or we'll end up with more needless digging. Go find Sera and Lil for me or their imps. Tell them I want them back here now.”
\t“Yes Master.” Elliott spoke then gave a salute.
\tIt didn't take too long for Elliott to round them up. It was just as he figured, Sera was about to have her hive start excavating all new pathways and rooms for his bath. Lilith was easily about to start flooding the pathways Sera had dug to tap into a lake above the mountain. After requesting a map which Lilith provided; She had gotten lost so many times, she finally got pissed off. Enough to have her hive scout out and map all the pathways the red hive had dug.
\tThe entrance to Otiv's Mountain base started with a large chamber; the reds had dug it as Otiv's grand bedroom, but he rejected it saying he didn't want to be right at the opening. From where his room was sat it was by itself in a path dug from the left of the central chamber at the mouth of the mountain. From that Otiv decided this path would be his personal wing; no one but himself and his underlings would be allowed in unless by request. To the north of this leftmost path was a large pocket of space, next to the northern dug path. It was Otiv's decision that this space would be dug for a large central bath, with small ones for a few private baths; A reinforced door to his personal wing and one normal door to the northern path. From the north path would be a residential area. For guest rooms, Hive bunk houses, and maybe even emergency shelters should he see the need to take in the villagers. There were two more pathways to the west and the north west of the central chamber that had been dug rather far and crisscrossed several times. It had some dozen or so paths that ran to where the residential area would be. While they had discovered veins of iron and copper ore; Otiv was unsure what they would do with these paths. So for now they'd be left alone but the ore dug out.
\tAs Sera and her hive set into excavating Otiv's bath chamber; He had Lilith put a stop to her plans. As interesting as it would have been to watch Lilith try to use this lake to fill a bath that was not dug out; he had since come up with a better idea. He had so little information about this world. So he ordered Lilith to leave half of her hive here to guard his den. The rest would join Otiv and Lilith in his trip to Gwen, the Duke's central holding. However before he could even begin to plan for it, Lilith announced; much to the frustration of Seraphina. As she put it, she had ranked up and gained access to more summons, and that her warriors were also a bit stronger as well. She meant to tell him about it that morning or so she confessed. But, as she put it yet again, when she noticed how cute master looked asleep; she forgot all about it and cuddled up next to him instead.
Her new limit was twelve archers, and ten swordsmen; as well as the new class of spearmen which she could also have ten of. After eagerly requesting more mana and promptly after Lilith made a show of the kiss he gave her; she summoned her new warriors. Seraphina was annoyed but nothing could be done about it; Lilith had spent more time with their master then she had. Otiv chose to bring one red imp with him; to keep him in contact with Seraphina whom he left in charge of his tiny homestead and the remaining pale imps.
\tAfter all that was settled, Otiv decided to leave a little over half of his pale Imps to guard his den; taking about six archers, four swords and four spears along with the one red imp and Lilith herself. Elliott also requested to join him and Otiv agreed. Well first they went to the village, Otiv telling the aldermen his plan to journey to Gwen. With the Duke's forces now properly garrisoning the village he felt better leaving it be. The aldermen offered a wagon for the trip provided Otiv didn't mind helping the village. The village had leathers and hides to sell at the town's market, and they badly needed the funds now. Gerald requested Otiv take the wagon of goods to the market and bring the profits back with him. Otiv agreed provided someone could lead the way; Otiv informed him the village was the only place he knew how to get to.
Elliott offered to do the job, he did know the way; as he had been there and that was what brought the Duke down on him. With that decided all Otiv had to do was wait for the wagon to be loaded. His two little hirelings found their way to him; they had been skulking around the village still looting things that had since stopped being of much value. They heard from the grapevine he was going to Gwen, and they wanted to come. Naturally he did not object to them coming. Naturally he also had to round up Susan who was with her family. He informed her parents he was going to Gwen and he needed to take her with him. While they understood they were uneasy letting someone they knew by deed alone to take their daughter so far away from them. However it was Susan herself who told her parents she wanted to go; her mothers parents lived in Gwen and she wanted to visit Nana and Papa as she lovingly referred to them as.
\tSo with Elliott, Susan, Tom, and Simon; as well as Lilith, her hive and the single red imp alongside; Otiv set out with the wagon pulled by a pair of horses. The first day of travel was uneventful; a few animals thought of starting something but lost interest when they saw Otiv, and the potent aura he wore. They camped that night then got back on the road early the next morning.
\tIt was just about mid day at this point. Elliott, Tod, and Simon were walking behind the wagon. Susan and the red imp sat in the back of the wagon watching them. The pale imps were marching in formation just behind Elliott. Otiv sat at the front of the wagon holding the reins driving; Lilith sat next to him doing more, research, as he had started referring to it as. She had been mostly quiet nose in her book, reading. However she cooed pleased before looking up to him and telling Otiv. “Master, I have made a discovery.”
\t“Good girl.” Otiv told her then patted her head. “What have you found out?”
\t“It took a little bit of time; Lilith had to fight with Master’s spell list.” She admitted to him. “It was annoyingly hiding its contents from her. But Lilith won the annoying little battle and has gotten into it; and properly unlocked it for Master. She has discovered Master should now have access to a new list of potent Illusion based magics.” She cooed pleased with herself. “For example, using the command of 'cast, hide feature' Master could change his physical appearance or hide his inhuman features like your horns and wings.”
\t“Really now?” Otiv asked, now impressed. “Let's try it then.” He promptly put his right hand to his forehead. “cast, hide features.” He panned his hand up then on the down stroke his horns vanished. “Fascinating.”
\tOtiv began touching his now hidden horns, this would make not sticking out far easier. “Uh Master.” Lilith started, now fidgeting in her seat. Otiv looked down to her, after hiding his wings. Giving her a nod she went on with. “Could Lilith have a reward for this discovery? It was a little bit of work.”
\t“Well, what is it you want?” Otiv asked, petting her head again; running his fingers through her long hair.
\t“Well, Lilith understands Master feels unsure about it; and she understands.” She started, fidgeting again in her seat. “But Lilith wishes to pleasure Master, and to have sex with him.” As she told him that she folded her hands into her lap already a little excited.
\tHe looked down to her before Otiv laughed softly. “Are you sure? That's more a reward for me; there's nothing you want aside my cock?” Lilith shook her head no then pressed herself against him.
\t“Remember my little handiwork?” Lucifer cooed in his ear. “She's jonesing fairly hard right now. She's holding it in rather well but she's starving for it.”
\tOtiv rolled his eyes, it left a bad taste in his mouth; that was the reason she wanted such a reward. What a way to ruin the mood, was what Otiv thought to himself. However he would not leave her hanging. He looked back first. The little ones were all behind or in the back of the wagon; and frankly her hive loved watching her pleasure Master. “Alright dear.” Otiv told her, rubbing her head. “You may do whatever you wish.”
\t“Really?” Lilith asked a bit too loudly. He promptly hushed her with a finger then hooking a thumb toward the back of the wagon. She nodded then promptly dropped down in front of him. “Oh, Lilith is looking forward to this.” Otiv paid most of his attention to driving the wagon. Lilith promptly fished his cock from his robes. First burying her nose to the underside of his limp member then took a deep breath. “Master's musk; it's so strong. She wants this wonderful odor to cover her everything. She wishes to drown in this glorious scent.” She said softly with a cheeky little smirk; before putting his cock in her mouth. She hummed happily as she started sucking his soft member then licking it from root to tip. Otiv groaned deeply for a moment, making Lilith flush over. Then with more gusto went to gobbling him down.
\t“God this good.” Lucifer moaned loudly on Otiv's should.
\t“Master.” Lilith then spoke softly. “You taste wonderful; Lilith is officially against Master bathing. She wants to sleep with Master heavy sack on her nose; She wants to smell nothing but her Master's potent musk.” He was getting harder by the second as she jerked his shaft, sucked his tip then licked him again. Next however she cooed. “Can't forget these boys.” She cooed again this time as she turned her tender affections to his sack. “Master smells so good, Lilith is getting so excited by it.” She moaned this time. Making Otiv flush over himself when she buried her nose in his sack again. She was still jerking his shaft. Even that was only the beginning however; she promptly made him jump when his sack ended up in her mouth. He was honestly surprised how sharp her teeth were. She hummed throatily on the taste now washing her mouth. Making sure she lovingly licked each of his balls, sucked on him firmly, before putting them on her tongue and looking up at him.
Otiv flinched as she lifted his sack with her tongue. The deep red flush on his face made her smile. However by now she had gotten him eager to go. However, what happened next brought a snicker to Otiv. Thanks to her affections he was now rock hard. And when that first bead of his precum bubbled up on top of the cock, now casting a shadow on her face; the look she had frankly was priceless. Like she was looking at liquid gold and damn she wanted to suck it down. Otiv was sure that was the widest he'd ever seen her eyes get. She let his sack go and licked her way back up his shaft, before quickly swallowing his member down. Now she was an imp possessed, this taste on her tongue made her warm. She started properly blowing him, sliding herself up and down his shaft with glee. Moaning softly as she did, and groaning softly every time a new drop of precum oozed onto her tongue. She wanted to sear this wonderful taste into her memory.
\t“Oh sweetheart.” Otiv groaned, resting a hand on the back of her head. Her only goal in life right now was easily keeping that cock in her mouth. She nibbled on his tip, licked his shaft, sucked him hard, and moaned on every drop of his pre she earned. Before long she had a hand on each side of his groin swiftly bobbing her way down his shaft. Softly moaning every time she lodged his cock in the back of her throat. Lucifer wasn't the only one whose face was twisting in bliss. Otiv had dropped the reins now holding onto her head. Biting his lower hip as he urged her faster deeper. He felt it finally, “Lilith love,” Otiv started softly. “I'm gonna cum.”
\t“Ummm?!?” Lilith cooed her eyes glancing up at him. Seeing that needy look on his face frankly made her gulp. She went ham for a moment sucking him down hard, faster and faster; Both of her hands rubbing and mauling his balls. Finally Otiv groaned deeply. Lilith hummed in delight when he came, blowing several thick ropes across her tongue.
\t“Shit.” Otiv tried to hush himself even as he groaned out. He brought her nose to his hilt, making her nose bury into his crotch. Lilith didn't care, and even as he let her go she stayed. Looking up at him with her big eyes, nose buried in his pubes, and his cock in her throat. “Oh, someone enjoyed that.” Otiv told her softly now running fingers through her hair.
\tLilith nodded happily then used his cock to smear his salty cum all across her tongue, before pulling herself off. “Master.” She cooed. Promptly sticking out her tongue and showing him his mess. Her entire mouth was coated in cum. Then she started licking his cock, licking yet more of his cum into her mouth.
\tOtiv was nearly purring, Lucifer was frankly moaning loudly. It was as Lucifer claimed however; Otiv felt truly energized. Not only that he was not done. First he glanced over his shoulder. The little ones were in back talking about something, at this point he didn't care what it was, at all. They would stay out of his way; good. “Come here you little tease, you're going for a ride.” he told her with a smirk on his face. Lilith frankly managed to look surprised and elated at the same time.
\t“About time.” Lucifer said loudly.
\tLilith nearly jumped into his lap when he pulled her in. “Take her now, make Lilith yours. Anyway Master wants it, anywhere he wants it.” Otiv opened his mouth and right off the bat; Lucifer started to say something,
\tHowever Otiv cut him off with. “Shut up.” then glaring at the Imp on his shoulder. “Alright you,” Otiv spoke in a low tone. “I'll ask this once, you want it?” To his question he pushed her down against cock, pushing it hard against her pussy. Her face lit up in a new blush, before she fervently nodded, she even reached down to her pussy and held it open for him. “It's all yours then.”
\t“Yay.” Lilith nearly cheered. Quickly she lifted herself up, with help from her master then sliding herself down on his shaft. He had to put his hand on her mouth as she made her pleasant slide down. After she was 'settled' Otiv grabbed back up the reins; Allowing Lilith a personal ride. He had to remind her again to keep it down, she agreed. This was just for them; she even pushed her hive to arms length. Lilith promptly wrapped her arms around his neck, then began bouncing herself on him; doing her best not to moan. Even Otiv had to hold back a groan when she started gripping tightly on him. “Is it good, Master?” She whispered to him. However his reply was not what she expected. He crossed his arms behind her, then once she was trapped he started thrusting into her fast, deep, and hard. “MAS!”
\t“Shh.” Otiv told her clasping a hand over her mouth. 'heh, let's give her a good one, she's earned it.'
\t“You go ahead.” Lucifer told him, rolling his head over. “I'll watch the road.” The following groan and smirk however spoke what he was interested in though.
\t'Gee thanks so much' Otiv replied to him with an eye roll.
\t“Oh fuck off;” Lucifer replied firmly. “Then here, an apex devils 'skill'. If you want to treat her so well.”
\tOtiv raised a brow for a moment. “Master?” Lilith asked, seeing as they had stopped. However Otiv promptly gave her a smile, then took her for a ride. “MAAAHH!” she had started to cry out, so Otiv clasped a hand over her mouth. She was twitching in a deep bliss.
\t'Holy crap … I … I barely.' Otiv had Lilith hilted on himself. Her eyes had rolled around for a moment; not to mention her twitching.
\t“Go on enjoy it.” Lucifer told him. “The Apex Senses are a tough thing to learn to use; sex might actually be the best baby steps. Trust your instincts and give her a good ride. Your body knows how to work a female, let it teach you.”
\t'Apex senses?' Otiv asked, a brow raised. 'So, just trust myself?’ Lilith's eyes finally rolled back around.
\t“Master … by all of creation that was wonderful.” Lilith said as she looked up to him. She then lowered her voice. “Have you not finished?”
\t“Not yet,” Otiv caressed her head for a few seconds. “But I'm in no hurry.” The look of hunger in his eyes made her gulp; she had never seen him so aroused.
\tLilith at first was unsure what it was he meant, until he went back to it. He had to repeatedly hush her as he bounced her on his shaft. True to his word Lucifer kept his eyes on the road as Otiv had his eyes on Lil. Warning a few times for example animals on the path. Or the one time there was a cart coming from the direction they were going. They gave Otiv a dirty look as from their PoV they saw a grown man fucking a tiny child. He returned the glance not bothering to stop, and even felt the need to flip the two men the bird. He then pulled Lilith's shroud up to show them her tiny pussy tightly wrapped around his cock. He gave them a dirty look as they rode past being greeted by Otiv's middle finger the entire time. After they rode past Otiv poked his head around the side of his wagon. One of the men had also poked his head around the side of his wagon; Otiv flipped him the bird again. The man gulped hard and went back to his business. Lucifer made a comment about those humans not knowing what that little hand gesture meant; But Otiv ignored him for the trembling girl in his lap. He was close now; felt it boiling ready to burst forth.
\tLilith was pudding; she wanted nothing more than to have her Master pound her pussy harder and harder. To make her his whore. She could only bite down on her finger to stifle moans, and tremble helplessly as her Master pleasured her through orgasm after orgasm. Finally his own end was upon them. He clutched her tight, pulling her snug to his chest. It took all the willpower he could muster not to buck into her hard, fast, and deep; and make her sing a special song just for him. He still desired to keep the little ones on the other end of the wagon ignorant. So he bounced her on himself while stiffly bucking himself into her. He knew her tender spots, more so then he should. Knew just where to rub hard against her. All poor Lilith could do was mutter Master under her breath, and helplessly clutch his chest. First she fell into one last orgasm, her head tilting back. Otiv pushed his lips to hers, sharing a kiss as he too finally enjoyed climax. When his hot cum started filling her belly her eyes rolled into the back of her head.
\tThe session was enjoyed and Otiv was glad the little ones remained ignorant of it. Now satisfied, Otiv was content to drive the wagon; and allow Lilith, who was exhausted, to nap against him. She remained in his lap, now napping with a wad of his robe clutched in her hand; and enjoying being a sinfully tight little cock warmer.
\t“So, how do you feel?” Lucifer asked, now carelessly lounging on his shoulder. He felt so good himself he couldn't bring himself to be anything but calm and happy.
\t“Good.” Otiv simply replied. “Stronger.” he shook his head with a frown.
\t“Told you, Apex Devils like us thrive with sex.” Lucifer explained.
\t“Why though?” He asked, turning an eye toward him.
\t“The pleasures of the flesh are seen by some as a sin.” Lucifer told. “demons and devils are powered by sin; but an apex becomes sin. Because beyond the sin, that is what you're aiming for. That is where the true power lies. All you'd need to do is collect the seven; and not even that pompous arrogant almighty asshole could stop you.”
\t“The seven?” Otiv asked.
\tHowever Lucifer simply went. “Shh; beyond your reach right now. Best not to ask pointless questions.”
\t“Right.” Otiv replied after. He looked down to Lilith napping against his right peck. This was the first time he gave it to her good enough that she fell asleep afterwards. “Well, glad she enjoyed it; it makes me feel better about it.”
\tThe rest of the day was event-less. Aside from Elliott correcting Otiv's course once. They traveled for the rest of the day; stopping for lunch then for dinner. After they had dinner that night it was a first for a while. Otiv collapsed after having finished eating. It had been some time since he had broken down in one of his agony attacks. Susan rushed over to him when he had started screaming. Once calmed however unlike normal he collapsed. He did wake the next morning no worse for wear. Even Lucifer held the kid gloves toward him that morning. They had breakfast packed up then got back on the road; according to Elliott they would be there just before noon depending on things. After getting back on the road things were quiet for a short while. However they came across the remains of an attack. A wagon had been overturned and many had been wounded. Otiv, wanting it out of his way, offered to help turn the wagon back up right. He shocked the lot of them when with little trying he pushed it back up. Brushed it off as a magical enhancement; that he was a rather skilled mage.
A field of magic Lilith had informed him of that morning; that she had managed to unlock it for him. Not that he had used it but it was a convenient excuse. Those who were still alive warned him to watch the sky; that a flock of harpies had been attacking travelers, caravans, and merchants.
After providing what aid he was able or willing to give they went back to traveling. It was about an hour and a half later that they came up to the city. There was a bit of a line to get into the city. Seemed to be merely a formality just guards checking papers and cargo. That was however until Otiv pulled up and they saw the demons in tow.
\t“Name?” One man asked. Before leaning over to look at the Imps behind the wagon.
\t“Otiv.” He replied.
\t“AH never heard that name before.” The man replied in turn. “Point of origin?”
\t“Henmen village,”Otiv replied. The men now growing concerned by the demonic creatures following after him.
\t“Henmen you say? I'm from Henmen; never heard of you.” The man replied. “Any cargo to declare?”
\t“Hides and leathers; to be sold on the behalf of Aldermen Gerald.” Otiv told him. Otiv leaned over watching more of the guards gathering on the other side of the gateway; his imps were already making a stir. 'Why do I have a bad feeling about this?'
\t“A huh.” The guard more or less dismissed. “And those are?” He asked, referring to Lilith by Otiv's side, who's horns having since grown out a few inches, were a big red flag that she was not human; after their last session they had grown long enough to poke out of her hair. “Be advised, depending on your answer, you might get more than just the boot.”
\tOtiv leaned aside again and more men had gathered behind the gate. Then his eyes rolling up at the archers above who were already ready. 'Such friendly humans.' “These are my imp's.” Otiv informed them. “I am a high ranking magical summoner who specializes in demonology; they are bound by a blood pact to obey my every command, under pain of death.” Otiv informed him, then putting his hand on Lilith's head. “You need not fear them. Unless you attack me or I otherwise give the direct command Lilith there is no threat to you, nor are her underlings behind the wagon.”
\t“They're demons then?” The guard asked as his companions drew swords.
\t“Hold now, I mean you no harm.” Otiv replied. Then after holding up a finger then reached into his robes and picked up the badge he had been given. 'I had wanted to not use this thing; but I'd rather not have to put these humans to the sword. So, so be it, the lesser of two evils; I will abuse the power vested in me by their Duke.' He held out the badge to the man who was taken aback by it. “I was given this badge by Duke Adrian Solalas Tollum himself; it belonged to Captain Vincent Barron. Bring the man here and he will vouch that I and my minions are no threat.”
\tThe guards spoke to each other for a moment, they were unsure however that was no doubt the captain's badge. Then when the one he had been talking to came back he said. “So be it. We've sent a runner to contact the Captain. In the meantime I will not let you in.” He motioned his hand to the side then said. “Please pull your wagon and your … demons aside so we can get back to business.”
\tOtiv looked up as the men on the walls set aside their arrows, but kept their eyes on him. “Very well.” He complied as was requested and pulled the wagon off the road. It didn't take long for the Captain to show, perhaps twenty five minutes to half an hour. Once he came outside Otiv greeted him with a wave. “AH Vincent, good to see you again. You do remember me do you?”
\t“Well you certainly look familiar.” Vincent spoke but he rubbed his chin for a moment.
\t“AH that's right, illusion magic; I had forgotten about that, forgive me.” Otiv told him getting a nod in turn. “I will undo it so you can verify I am who I claim to be. But please have your men stand down first; we don't have anything bad to happen. You know better then them what would happen if your people attacked me.”
\tVincent nodded then looked up. “All men hear me; at ease, that's an order!”
\tOtiv promptly undid the magic. Reaching up to his face and almost like he was grasping at a veil. Once he pulled his hand away his true now more so demonic looking form was exposed. “Well now?”
\tThe men did jump to arms once he was exposed as a monster; however Vincent shouted again. “At ease; you idiots want to get us killed!?! Mr. Otiv it is indeed good to see you.” Vincent then turned to the men at the gate. “This man is a welcome guest of the Duke himself; let him pass. Also give his name to the other gate guards. Ensure they all know this man is first no threat; And Second, a personal guest of the Duke.” The men all shouted back 'yes sir' Vincent then said. “And should I hear that the man who saved the Duke's life is stopped again, those guards shall do sprints around the city until they drop; is that understood?”
\tThe men promptly shouted in unison. “Yes sir, sorry sir.”
\tWith that taken care of, Vincent turned back to Otiv. “My apologies Mr. Otiv. In truth we only just got back last night. It's my mistake that your name was not given to the guards sooner. It won't happen again.”
\t“It's fine.” Otiv assured, accepting the man's greeting with a handshake. “It's not like they were foolish enough to attack me. Being asked to wait is nothing to be angry about.”
\t“In truth Duke Tollum has wanted to speak to you.” Vincent informed him then followed up with. “I was in fact about to send a man to the village to contact you, and ask you to come. So it seems you've read my mind and saved us both a lot of time. I'll show you where you can park the wagon; free of charge naturally.”
\t“The wagon belongs to the Aldermen; he asked me to sell the hides and leathers so the village will have more funds.” Otiv informed him.
\t“I see in that case I'll have that taken care of as well. The Aldermen has a standing order with the smithy here in town; I'll have some men take the goods to them then bring you the money.” Vincent told him. He led the way to a stable that was clearly not for public use. The manner of men and women that were using it and maintaining them had the feel of military. If they were not kingdom troops then they were the Dukes. Regardless, Otiv was allowed to park the wagon. “Mr. Otiv if I may.” Otiv nodded at Vincent then said. “The magic you were using; may I recommend you go back to using it. My presence is keeping our men from worrying about you. But you are very terrifying, and may induce panic in the peasantry. Please don't take this as an insult but for the sake of public order may I ask you to show yourself as human?”
\tOtiv gave him a nod, stroking one of his horns. “No you're not wrong. And it is a good idea, it why I had opted to use it before I came closer to the city. Cast Hide Features.” His hand took on a tangible glow this time. He touched his horns then his wings and seconds later they vanished. “There we go, all human; only a mage with the abilities of true sight, or a sufficiently strong illusion mage could see past my illusion.”
\t“And your minions?” Vincent said with a hand gesture toward the door where all his imps were gathered. “There are some items we could offer you, summoning is not a common field of magic. However we do have enchanted collars meant to keep rowdy summons in line. I'm more then willing to believe there would be no need; we could get you some unenchanted copies for show.”
\t“Master.” Lilith spoke. Otiv looked down to her when she walked to his side then patted her head. “Again … This is something Lilith hope's she has not overstepped her bounds. But while tinkering with your new field of magic. Lilith has discovered that through you, meaning with your blessing, Lilith's underlings can make use of Master’s Hide Presence spell.” Otiv nodded but Vincent cocked his head to one side. “Oh simply put, Lilith's underlings would be able to hide in plain sight. All would look upon them as if they weren't actually there; none but any who fit the criteria Master said before would even be able to notice them. It would only work for her underlings however and engaging in combat would break the spell; and Lilith would not be capable of using it for imps not of her hive. It would not work on Lilith herself as well because as the center of her hive; Lilith's presence is far too complex to hide with such a simple spell.”
\tOtiv rubbed his chin thinking. “That's very impressive sweetheart.” Then looking to Vincent Otiv gave a nod. “Ok my idea is i'll allow Lilith access to this spell. For her and my red imp could I get a pair of those unenchanted collars you spoke of?”
\t“Naturally, I'll have it arranged once we get to the Duke's manner.” Vincent assured him with a nod.
\tOtiv then looked at his interface, to make sure of a few things; he wanted to do this right. “Alright; Lilith, hear your Master's words.” Upon that line her eyes almost glossed over she made eye contact with him and did not break it. “From here out, you have my blessing for access to the hide presence spell.”
\tShe gave a curtsy with her shroud, Lilith then spoke. “Thank you Master, Lilith's hive grateful for the blessing Master has bestowed upon them.” She then turned to the door, her imps already in line. “By our Master's blessing, I cast hide presence.” Her imps took on a pale glow. Though Otiv could still see them, and so too could Lilith herself.
\t“I'll be damned.” Vincent spoke cupping his chin. “I can't see a one of them; you continue to amaze me Mr. Otiv.”
\t“They're still tangible though.” Otiv said, looking into his visual spell book and the information tab for the spell in question. “Lilith I want your hive to keep out of the way, to the roof tops for example if they can manage.”
\tLilith nodded. “Her hive understands, and will heed Masters orders.”
\tOnce it was taken care of Vincent led the way. Lilith and the single red imp were hot on his heels. At first they caused worry, but Vincent dispelled them before it could get out of hand. However as the walk to the manor turned into a slight sightseeing tour, Otiv noticed another thin red thread. It was hard to see at times. But he could tell, it was trying hard to get his attention. It even flew right into his face a few times.
\t'What the blazes is this thread?' Otiv asked, watching it float around his head. 'Fine what way do you want me to go?' Otiv's head darted to his left as he watched the thread go that way.
\t“Mr. Otiv, is something wrong?” Vincent asked, wondering why he had suddenly stopped.
\t“Tell me,” Otiv started. “In what direction is the Duke's manor?”
\t“South east.” Vincent answered quickly. “Why do you ask?”
\tOtiv nodded. 'So then, why do you want me to go north?' He nodded and without saying a word and hands folded behind his back, Otiv followed the thread. Vincent looked down to Lilith who shrugged. They followed him lead by the thread until they left the main street behind. Once in the back alleys Otiv was still unsure what it was this … thing wanted of him.
That was until he caught a glimpse of four men, clad in dark leathers. One of them had a boy bound and gagged over his shoulder. Another man was pulling at the hand of a young girl in an expensive looking if now tattered and torn dress.
\t“Stop struggling little bitch!” The man snapped before punching the girl in the gut. She cried out once before keeling over. Promptly snapped up and the men rushed off.
\tOtiv was already planning to go after them; despite the fact he had no horse in the race, it simply felt right. But why, why did the thread try so hard to bring him here. Otiv's eyes opened wide, recalling something then spoke. “Vincent.” Without waiting for an answer Otiv jabbed his finger to the man's head, then shared with him his memory of the two children. “These children … do they mean anything to you?”
\tAt first he was unsure. However once the images became clear Vincent's eyes could not have gone wider. “Those are, the Duke's children!” he instantly drew his sword. “Bastards I'll kill ye!”
\t“Right behind you.” Otiv told him as Vincent took off down the path he had seen them go in Otiv's memory. “Lilith keep up.” However, as Otiv and Vincent rushed after them; Otiv was sure he heard Lucifer clicked his tongue.
\t“The villains are quick on their feet.” Vincent spat. “Damn it, which way did they go?!?” He had stopped because the path had split into three.
\tOtiv paused for a moment, Lucifer was snickering now. 'Apex senses huh? Alright smart ass lets see how sharp they are.' Otiv looked at Vincent then said. “Give me but a second.” It was a bit troublesome at first. Was like trying to force his mind out of his own skull. However he recalled what Lucifer had said before. His body knew what to do; he just had to trust it to teach him. So he pulled back a hair's breadth. Blood, he could smell blood; the girl was now bleeding. The trail of scent now danced before him. “This way!” Otiv shouted, rushing down the rightmost path.
\tVincent raced after him. “Thank you my friend; if indeed we find them, I myself shall see you rewarded.” Otiv led the way, following the scent of the girl's blood. Indeed they were quick, it took them ten minutes to catch up. Otiv turned the corner first, Vincent right after. The gagged boy made a few muffled noises.
\tWhen the girl noticed him she promptly cried out. “Uncle Vincent!”
\tHowever after that outburst one of the men punched her in the face, knocking her down and out. “Noisy little bitch.” He and his fellows, about seven of them, drew their weapons. “Damn, what rotten luck the fucking captain of all people. Kill him and that stranger quickly.”
\t“Master?” Lilith asked quietly. “Shall we engage them?”
\t“No, only if this goes tits up.” Otiv told her in turn.
\tVincent roared into a rage upon seeing them strike the young lady. “HOW DARE YOU! Bastards, I'll kill you for that!” He charged into the resulting battle, showing a great level of skill, even if against many foes.
\tOtiv produced his scythe, however before making a move he looked down to Lilith. “If they try to run you have my blessing to kill them. In the meantime this field is too narrow so keep your hive out of the way lest you accidentally trip up the good captain.” She nodded then silently ordered her hive into decent positions. Otiv took a moment to observe the field before he slipped into it. There seemed to be twelve of them, strangely they seemed to be holding back; if only to ensure their captives didn't get away. However now one of them was about to get behind captain Vincent; it was now or never. He proceeded to use his scythe to block the sword about to slash Vincent. He did have to play it carefully, his weapon had a long reach and this area was narrow.
\tHe played it defensively for a few moments, if only to balance himself first. Blocking strikes from blades and daggers. Striking one man with the gut when he tried to rush in. Finally he made for a slash with the blade of his scythe, he couldn't hold back forever. However his strike went wide, and he missed by an inch. The battle continued to unfold and again and again any fatal strike he tried missed. He almost missed it, but on the last slash, his own left hand hit the underside of the pole; forcing the blade to go over the head of the man he was attacking. 'The fuck?' Now he had to check, this was worrying.
\tHe fought back for a moment, backing up Vincent and defending himself. His next attack was an overhead slash; what brought the battle to a pause was when his left hand, against his own will, grabbed his weapon and stopped the slash. The man before him was now cowering. His right hand at the pole's lower end was trying to push the blade into the man; meanwhile his left was trying its best to pull the blade away. 'Why can't I kill them?!? I'm sabotaging myself unknowingly.'
\t“Mr. Otiv,” Vincent said though struggling behind the two men trying to force his weapon down and theirs into his head. “I understand mercy, however this is not the time for it I think.”
\t'He's right, these men are scum.' Otiv told himself. He was still fighting himself, both trying to slash the man and trying to spare him; so much so that now the pole was starting to bend. 'So why can't I harm them?!' He shook it off and improvised. If he couldn't kill them then he'd just go nonlethal, he didn't stop himself from bashing them with fist or the blunt end of his weapon. So instead he turned his scythe until the flat of the blade was now facing his target; and instantly his left hand let go. His scythe bashed the man in the face and dropped him to groan on the ground. “Damn, now I can't even trust my own hands; blunt it is.” With that announced … to himself he was swifter, in tune. Like beforehand he was at war with himself. Now that he had opted for mercy was now aligned and not fighting himself.
\tHe followed with a wide swig bashing another man in the head with the flat of his blade. Jabbing one man deadlocked with Vincent with the end of his pole; it broke the lock and Vincent followed up, cutting the man down. Strangely though this event hurt his heart; and Otiv felt himself getting in the way again. Enough was enough. “Lilith …” He shook his head, now his vision was blurring on him. “Tag in I … I can't.”
\tOne of his eyes burned red then he ordered. “Take them down now!” Lilith knew it was Lucifer that had barked the order; however when Otiv dropped and grabbed his head she did not object. Now he was in danger, a man was already trying to slash at him.
\tThe fool took an arrow to the head. The act broke the hive's stealth. The swordsmen and spearmen rushed to Otiv's side, as Lilith had her archers pick their shots to take them down. Vincent stood his ground and forced his way to the girls side. Lilith saw the man carrying the boy trying to make his escape, but the hive mind was faster. One of the archers took a shoot without even looking and sank the arrow in the back of the man's head. Lilith gave a smirk before pulling her left eyelid down and sticking out her tongue. Vincent cut down two more men before the remaining men surrendered. Lilith had her imps surround them at weapon point, as Vincent rushed to collect the boy, before hurrying to the girl. She broke down crying once she was in his arms, the boy shortly after; Vincent comforting them both.
\tOtiv however was suffering a strange new pain. His chest was throbbing, his vision growing more and more blurry. Finally Lucifer laughed. “Thought so, this was a worthwhile test.” This time he took a few steps before his eyes now. “Your heart is too soft.” He snickered a few times before waving his hand. “Night night.” That's when his vision went black, Otiv was unconscious before he hit the ground.
\tHis last conscious memory was Lilith yelling his name.
Chapter 8: The Fallen Angel
\tOtiv's mind was a wash. Somewhere between the land of dreams and the abyss. Within it he had a strange dream, as if recalling something from long long ago.
\t“This mask.” Lucifer asked, looking at a pitch black mask in his hand. “Is it some manner of new power, or a weapon?” He asked looking back at his maker, the man in the white fox mask.
\t“Well, a little of both; a little yes a little no.” Vito told Lucifer, then spun in his chair. “More to say I'm trying to give you back something I took from you to begin with.”
\t“You took something from me creator?” Lucifer asked him, now clutching the mask.
\tHis maker held up a hand. “Out of necessity, yes.” He assured him. “When I made you, I thought you were something else; I now think I was wrong. I give you this mask, let's say as an experiment.” As he told him this he had taken a pad of paper from his desk as well as an ink well with a quill pen. “Please put it on now, if you would be so kind.”
\t“At your request creator.” Lucifer told him with a slight bow. He promptly put the mask on his face, and instantly went rigid.
\tHis maker jotted down a few notes. Checking stats and other information only he could see. However it didn't take long for him to notice the now growing problem. Now he was convulsing and one of his eyes had started to glow a dark bright red. “Wait, that means; You're not a devil either?? Damn it, how many times will I make this mistake!?” Vito proceeded to get up from his seat. And swiftly took the mask from his face. However it did not fix his condition. With no other choice he hurried over to a nearby very large tome. Then proceeded to tap his forehead, his heart, then pressing two fingers in-between his eyes. Lucifer collapsed into his arms; it brought only a small relief to his maker. “Damn, how many times will I allow myself to fuck up. How badly have I already scarred your mind? Please forgive me, my son.”
~...~
\tHe was unsure where he was; But it was Lucifer who woke up first. “Ouch, … why'd I get hurt?” On Otiv's face a single eye opened; it was red. “Shit.” The eye … looked right … It saw nothing. “Shit; I can't move his body. Daah Lilith!” He called out, he had to play this right. It took but a moment. It was but seconds later, she came into sight. “Lock the door!” He ordered; the imp forced to comply.
\t“Ow. Jerk.” Lilith cried out. Jumping in terror when a large shadow clutched at her feet. “Big eye, oh shit.” Lilith had to force it; but >.> She had a big reserve, and manage to hold the phase up. “Can you at least manage the wolf?”
\t“The wolf?” Lucifer asked. “No I'm not gonna be the wolf!” He snapped at her. “Now get your pale ass over here. And for the moment get me out of his head; we don't have time for your nonsense.” The large shadow that clutched to her feet billowed. “His mind is, as we speak, breaking further. Get me out of his head!”
\t“Fine.” Lilith said, rolling her eyes. “Lilith still hates you.”
\tShe was nearly forced to look back down where Lucifer pushed his eye to her shadow hard enough she jumped. “You think I give a shit? Final warning; get over to his head and get me out of it now! Or I'll make you.”
\t“You'll make her?” Lilith crossed her arms. “Ooh Lilith is afraid of the big scary demonic shadow.”
\t“Yes I'll make you.” Lucifer said coldly, darkly. “I might not exist physically in that world; but I can still influence things.” A shadow promptly slithered up her leg. Before she could flinch, it dug into her ear. She yelped loudly as Lucifer then said with a certain coo. “You feel that? That's me pushing on your blood brain barrier. I push past that and your precious gray matter is mine. Your master will have to re summon you after that; and you'll never be the same. Final warning. Get, Over, Here, Now!” The shadow receded and the being that clutched at her feet vanished. Otiv's Single red eye now glaring at her.
\tShe sighed, but Lilith hurried over to Otiv's bed now. The red eye glared at her, as menacing as a single eye could be. “You'd better not do anything bad to Lilith.” Lucifer rolled his eye, then glared at her again. Lilith promptly pressed her hand to the side of Otiv's head the eye had opened up on. Otiv's eye closed before she realized it. A dark shadowy Imp was perched on her shoulder. One of her eyes now a dark blood red.
\t“Good girl.” the shadow told her before Lucifer grabbed the back of her neck hard. “Now then, we're going to take a walk. Otiv is in a bad way; the only one that can help is me. And we're going to have to do something about it first.” She looked over a visible tremor taking her now. “To the duke now girl.” He told her, tightening his grip on her neck.
\t“Right.” Lilith spoke with a light sigh. “Let's go find the duke then.” She turned back to the door, asking her hive where the duke was; and a chorus of voices spoke back. One younger sounding voice reported he was maybe in a dungeon. The Imp informing her he had seen him go down with Vincent who had dragged in some of the men Master Otiv had knocked out. She promptly told the imp good work, then went to where the imp was. Finding any of her hive was child's play. Lilith could do nothing about the dark being hidden on her shoulder. Lucifer was now in her head again; she could only try not to anger him. So she picked up her pace and hurried to the duke. She found her way to the imp who had seen the duke; who pointed her down a flight of stairs then led the way.
\tLucifer cooed as she took her first steps down the stairs. “OOOh dark emotions are here. This is a dungeon or even torturer chambers.”
\tLilith with her hive member behind her walked down the stairs. Once at its bottom they heard the Duke himself yell. “You bastards tried to kidnap my children! Where is your base! Where were you going to take them?! ANSWER ME!” He was so angry his accent was on full display. A loud strike echoed out after the outburst leaving the duke crying out in pain.
\t“My lord.” a man cried out. “Are you ok?” Lilith was now walking toward their voices.
\t“No, I'm not ok.” Tollum replied. “I just broke my bloody hand.” His anger was boiling and his Irish accent was slipping out more and more.
Lilith pushed open the door to the camber his voice was coming from. Inside Lilith saw the Duke holding his right hand. A mage tending to it with magic. One of the attempted kidnappers chained to a wall; beaten and bloodied. \t“OOOH, so this is why his soul was worthless. Someone's rather wrathful.” Lucifer's voice echoed from Lilith's throat.
\t“La ...” Tollum sputtered for a second. “Lady Lilith. What are you doing down here?”
\tBefore she could even open her mouth to respond, Lucifer shoved her consciousness aside. Both her eyes erupted into a dark red glow; Tollum knew that glow. “Duke Tollum,” A male voice came from Lilith's mouth. “I Trust that you recognize my voice?”
\t“Lucifer,” The duke said with a nod. “Yes, I remember your voice well. What is the matter?”
\t“Otiv is in a bad way.” Lucifer replied, Lilith's hand making a hand gesture bringing her right hand down and palm up. “He needs to be healed, and I'm the only one who can do it.”
\t“If that's the case, I'll offer whatever help you need.” Tollum assured.
\tA smile crept across Lilith's face. “I'm glad you said that. Here is your command.” Lilith stood tall for a moment before saying, “Every single soul in the city needs to leave; now!”
\t“What!?” Tollum asked, shocked by the order.
\t“Did I stutter?” Lucifer spat. “Every single person in this damn city is to leave it now!”
\t“Is that necessary?” Tollum asked.
\tBut now Lucifer was done playing games; he had not the time nor patience. The floor of the room darkened until it was pitch black. And when the duke finally looked down, all he could see was Lucifer's colossal eye glaring back at him from a titanic sized creature within a dark abyss. “I gave you an order worm!” A dark voice rumbled in his head this time. “I'm giving you this command not for my good but for Otiv's; his heart is too soft. If he found out I blew up your entire city trying to fix him he'd never forgive himself.”
\tIt took Tollum a moment to collect himself; and a moment longer to work up to courage to speak. “May I ask why?”
\t“You are only human.” Lucifer spoke, the eye pulling back for a second. “So allow me to alleviate your ignorance. Abyssal magic, like what I command, is not meant to be used in the presence of humans or mortals for that matter. Normally the resulting heart pulse ping would cause severe damage. And before you ask, a heart pulse ping is what happens when a beating heart is too close to a dark spell. In this case the amount of power I'll need to put into this spell would ping off every beating heart within this city. The result would be.” The deafening sound of an explosion went off in the black void that blinded them for a few seconds blowing everyone in the room off their feet. “A demonic detonation that would scar the very face of the planet. Your city would no longer exist; the dust of your city would no longer exist for that matter.” The eye on the floor glared back bringing itself closer to the duke. “Do you understand now mortal? If you value your people, your family, and your home; tell everyone in this city to get the fuck out, NOW!” \tThe eye pulled away, the darkness of the room went back to normal. And Lilith went back to having only one red eye. “You have two hours.” his voice once again coming from Lilith. “In two hours I will cast my spell. If a single person still lingers in this city in two hours; it will be destroyed. Go and do it now!” Lilith then left the room. “I do this for Otiv; not for you mortal, I care not for you.”
\tLilith and the shadow on her shoulder returned to Otiv's room and got ready to cast this spell. The Duke heeded his command, and ordered the complete evacuation of the city. Many knew not the why; but did not challenge the duke's decree. Surprisingly it was a simple chore; the duke had the city abandoned in just over an hour.
\t“So, Lucifer.” Lilith said snidely. The manor was now so quiet the wind could be heard. “Was that all true?”
\tThe dark shadow clutched to her shoulder glanced away. “Some of it.”
\t“What some of it?” Lilith asked, now overlooking her master.
\t“The part where I needed everyone gone.” Lucifer confessed. “The heart pulse ping is not an explosion waiting to happen; it's an intentional fatal flaw. A system designed by the holy father himself. I can't speak abyssal magic near any mortal with a beating heart and survive; It's a preventive measure keeping me out of mortal worlds.” After letting more of her mind go, the imp boy sitting on her shoulder than instructed. “Here, set the two blue gemstones in his hands.” a void like pocket opened promptly then spat out two sapphire blue gemstones onto the bed. “And these ones, need to be set over his chakras, I trust that your busy nose knows where they are.”
\t“Is this setup?” Lilith asked, doing the first step, setting a blue palm sized gem in each of his hands.
\t“Yes, to bring him up away from the abyss; I'll have to dabble in Nephilc aligned ritual magic.” Lucifer told her. “I can't use abyssal magic on him in this condition; his mind is too frail; it would catapult him into the abyss.” Lucifer told her. She had been setting a set of small flat, ruby red gemstones along the length of his body; one on each chakra. “Bastard is actually going to make me pull my ass from the abyss to save his.”
\t“Lilith doesn't understand.” she confessed.
\t“You don't need to.” Lucifer told her coldly. “Just do what I say.” Lucifer growled softly as she set the final stone.
\t“Anything else?” Lilith asked.
\t“Yes, one last thing.” Lucifer told her. “Looks like the jerk's gonna get just what he wanted. Well played jerk. Lilith,” She looked over to him as a hand cupped her chin. “Sal Drawl, Too Ou Kal Trom.” but as he spoke these words it sounded like the words echoed endlessly thousands of times.
\t“That's the Black Speech!” Lilith said, however now she was frozen in his gaze. In a space that seconds before was empty, it was now occupied.
\t“There is a mask, in Otiv's bag.” The pale boy with the great black wings told her. His wings were all that kept him from being nude. “Get an imp to get it; and don't you dare look away from my eyes.” There was something wrong, like a page was tearing around him; tangible rips in reality like he had burst through some wall like the koolaid man. Lilith gulped then did as he instructed and had an imp rush to the bag under the bed. “I'm trying to establish my presence in this world, currently I don't exist here. I am another lie. By doing so I've ripped open the fabric of reality. If you look away now; I will cease to exist, and your master will die a very painful death. This is a dangerous game we've been made to play. Do not look away do not blink.” She nodded her head in a way so as to not break their eye contact. He looked just like a pale imp same as her; naturally he was male. His eyes were red, and had a dull glow of a crimson red; His hair nearly as pitch black as a moonless night, and short. “The mask now, hurry, his maker gave it to him; it's a sort of anchor to tie me here. I believe I'm to be a manifestation of his true form; whatever it may be.” She nodded again, an imp carrying the bag to bring him the mask; it knew instinctively not to touch it. He took the mask then told her again. “Lastly this is cosmic level primus magic; you will tell it to no one. Not even Otiv.”
\t“Why?” She asked not wanting to hide anything from her master.
\t“He's not ready for it.” Lucifer explained, then holding up a tiny hand. “You give it to him, he'll test it; you know he will.” His closed fist opened with Lucifer making a poof sound. “And it'll drain him dry. Nothing will remain, not even the ashes of the book.”
\t“Understood then.” Lilith started. “For Masters' own safety.”
\t“Good.” Lucifer said. He then put the mask on, it coated his face for a moment like it was a liquid, until it resembled a night sky even with his glowing eyes hidden. Finally his wings unfurled and the tears behind him stitched closed. “Almost done. Once the rips behind me are sealed completely; you too will have to leave. This ritual can be witnessed by no one.”
\tLilith nodded, again carefully. It took a few moments. It looked like the rips were being stitched by black light. Once all was normal, she bowed. “Thank you Lucifer … Lilith hates you less now.”
\t“Go.” Lucifer barked at her. Now he was here, no going back. “leave.” He turned to the bed. She nodded and quickly she and the few imps she had with her promptly left the room. Throwing a hand back, a bright shine took the wall. He gave a sigh, then took his thumb to his mouth. Quickly raking it across one of his fangs enough to draw blood. “Can't believe I'm about to do this; swore I never would use this magic.” Lucifer glared at the man before him; then growling angrily. “You're a bad influence; making me want to be good, for nothing. Why do I care so much for you?” He shook his head then drew a cross with his own blood on Otiv's head. Then his face flushed over, almost embarrassed. “I wish this was Nephilim magic, it'd be less embarrassing.” He then knelt down and clasped his hands together, his black feathered wings unfurling. Glaring back once again just to make sure no one was watching. Than he groaned, however Otiv's breath was now growing shallow. “Our … Our heavenly father, hallowed be thy name. This … this outcast child begs your mercy, and asks for thy presence to save an innocent soul.” He called out; but nothing came. He stayed knelt hands clasped for a long while to be sure. “Even to save a soul so pure?” He clutched his hands. “Fine; I'll use the last of mine. It'll be a good riddance!” It was like all the color faded from his face, he had moved a hand to his heart; then groaned painfully. With a trembling hand he had a small flickering light. “I know I'm a monster … but please be enough.” He placed the small light over Otiv's body, his breath laboring still. “Archangel's Grace.” The light shone within the stones on Otiv's body one after another starting with the one on his head; but it went out before it reached his hands. “No! That was all the light I had left; it has to be enough!” Otiv was fading now his mind was damaged.
\t“He's going to die at this rate.” A deep male voice spoke aloud. “And he even asked so adorably. Such a cruel and petty god it is to ignore him.”
\t“Intruder!” Lucifer growled before spinning in a flurry of his wings. “Huh...”
\tThe being before him was harsh on the mind and time itself was displaced around him. If it had been anyone else but Lucifer, they'd never have noticed him. “Oh you noticed me; you are impressive even at this point.”
\t“You're a cosmic level being.” Lucifer growled. Now gripping tight his scythe; still covered only by his black wings. “I won't let you hurt him.”
\t“Relax.” The being said softly lifting both his fur covered hands in an 'easy' kind of manner. “You don't know me, yet, but rest assured I am this man's ally.” He stood up, making the angry little angel boy move to intercept him.
\tLucifer growled at him, and forced him back with a force of energy. The two now in a sort of deadlock looked at one another. “You're not the first cosmic level being I've faced down. What do you want?” His feathers were ruffling angrily, again putting himself between Otiv and the stranger. He was in a long white cloak; the hood cast a shadow he could not see under. His every step displaced time; it was hard for Lucifer to keep up with. He was very dangerous. The only part he could see however was the large red brush like tail that somehow didn't displace the coat.
\t“Oh my, yes you're very scary Lucifer.” The being spoke holding an empty red furred hand toward him. “But he will die if you do not let me touch him.”
\t“Fine, then show me your face.” Lucifer demanded. “Or is it the presence of power?”
\t“You are a smart cookie.” The white hooded being spoke with a joyful laugh. “Yes it is power, raw and currently uncut; so to speak. I would show you my face, but doing so would wipe out all life on this planet. So sorry to say but that is a no.”
\t“I happen to know well a being that uses its very presence to keep all in line.” Lucifer growled. “And then he...”
\t“Asked you to cull the souls of mortals, for they are potent sources of raw power, or so he had discovered. That only you, the favored son, his vaunted right hand could do the deed.” The being said holding a hand out; Lucifer's blood ran cold, he’d never spoken this tale to anyone. “You loved the mortals as the Archangel of Love rightly should, and thus refused his command, repeatedly; you refused to kill those you held so dear, those you had vowed your very soul to protect. So the heavenly father betrayed you, cast you out and into the fiery pits of hell; and thus Betrayed became the Betrayer. The Fallen Angel who brought war to and burnt the golden city, tore the golden wings from the very back of god. While it is not the true Catholic tale;” He paused reaching a hand up under his hood. “It is nonetheless the story of you, Lucifer The Betrayed, The Fallen Archangel of Love, and Lord of the Nine Burning Hells. Do you get it now or must I spell it out farther?”
\tLucifer froze but then lowered his scythe. “How do you know that tale?”
\t“How else?” The hooded being replied then bringing a swinging hand motion to Lucifer swaying through the field of displaced time. “You told it to me. So can you trust me now; I truly can't tell you more.”
\t“Fine.” Lucifer said, then standing aside. “I don't even know why I care … but please save him.” As he spoke this however he looked away; almost ashamed.
\t“That's what I've been trying to do; but you've been being a very scary angel guard dog.” He said, rubbing his head before walking up to Otiv. “Alright then.” He produced a bright light from the palm of his hand, providing the light this ritual needed. “There you go; I trust you can see the ritual through now?” He looked to Lucifer who nodded. “Good.”
\t“Thank you.” Lucifer said; however he couldn't bring himself to look toward him.
\tThe being cocked his head to one side, then laughed softly. “Don't think I need to tell you to speak of me to no one? Not even Otiv?”
\t“I know the cosmic rules, they were written in the book of Gehenna.” Lucifer said.
\t“Good.” The hooded being told him once more, rubbing his head. “Well then, I look forward to our true first meeting. Until then farewell.” He reached forward like he had grabbed a door; then vanished into a flash of light.
\t“Damn cosmic entities.” Lucifer growled, his feathers ruffling in his emotion. “Should be glad this was all I could send to this world; would have stomped fuzzy white coat ass.” He sighed then looked to the shining gems on Otiv's body. “Let's get this done.” However he once again looked back to make sure no one was watching; even reinforced the barrier on the door and wall. Finally after one last eye roll a deep crimson flush filling his cheeks. He leaned over on the bed than actually planted a innocent kiss on Otiv's head. Then lost in an explosion of light his voice called out.
“Be embraced by The Archangel's Kiss, healed by the Archangel's Love. By thy oath I decree The Archangel's Grace flow unto thee!”
~...~
\tWhen he finally came too; Otiv first noticed, he felt like shit. He was awake but felt like raw untreated shit. He did however feel a wave of warmth like a tide flowing in, then washing out. Then he noticed someone was lying next to him. Next was a soft rather innocent little snore, that made Otiv wonder who? It seemed this warmth was tied to his soft snores; when he breathed in The warmth returned, when he exhaled it washed out. Judging by what little of them he could feel, they were tiny, but Lilith had long hair, the hair he felt on his arm was short. Finally he was able to open one of his eyes, however it took about thirty minutes. Reaching up and rubbing his eye first, he then looked to the still very naked boy laying with his back pressed onto his side. No doubt the warmth he felt was radiating from him. “What the?” His voice disrupted the silence that had lulled Lucifer to sleep, who hated that he felt so comfortable laying next to this man; that he could not keep his eyes open. His own eyes snapped open. “Lucifer …?” Otiv asked in a sort of realization.
\tHe stammered for a moment, his wings ruffling in a wash of emotions. “You tell ANYONE; you caught me napping next to you. I will make your life hell.”
\t“Why are you laying next to me?” Otiv asked, still confused, still hurting.
\t“It's part of the ritual.” Lucifer told him. “I Told Lilith it was a Nephilim spell; it's not its angelic. It's the Embrace of Archangel's Grace; In my case also know as the Lover's Grace.”
\t“But I still feel like shit.” Otiv told him, then laughed softly.
\t“Well excuse me.” Lucifer told him, rolling his eyes. “This body is hard capped at ten percent. It was all I could get through. Using the mask I can achieve fifty percent of my complete power; but it'd be flooded with black mana from the Dark Abyss. And this is a light based ritual. So deal with it, I'm going as fast as I can.”
\t“Next question.” Otiv started opting to lay back down. “Why are you naked?”
\t“Not all of us force our way into new world fully dressed.” Lucifer replied. “Plus this ritual is tactile based. I could have put something on, but more skin is faster flow. I don't swing on that side of the bat; so no funny ideas.”
\t“So that's why you're lying next to me?” Otiv then asked, enjoying another soothing wave.
\t“Yes.” Lucifer told him, then saying, “Unless you really want my dick on your leg. If not, you're better off laying on a wing and pressing on my back.”
\t“No, your dick is fine where its at.” Otiv joked, then letting out a soft laugh. “Eta?”
\t“Shut up.” Lucifer softly snapped. “Not a damn clock.”
\t“So mean.” Otiv teased, then again closing his eyes. “So be it, guess I'll be in your care. By the way; why is the city empty.” However that question brought a blush to Lucifer's face. “Is it because you knew you'd be naked?”
\t“No,” Lucifer denied. “I told them if they didn't there would be an explosion big enough to scar the surface of the planet. I had to speak abyssal to force my way here; the heart pulse ping would have killed me.”
\tOtiv rapped the back of Lucifer's head with his knuckles. “Bad angel.”
\t“I'm not an angel.” Lucifer grumbled after.
\tThey laid in silence as that tidal wave-like healing spell did its work. The door handle to the room rattled a few times, but it was just Lilith annoyed that she could not open the door. Over the time that slow trickle started to truly work, Otiv laid mostly in silence. He didn't say it; but he could feel how almost embarrassed Lucifer was by doing this, so he kept quiet. About half an hour passed in silence before Otiv finally started feeling better. With nothing else to do but wait for Lucifer to finish, he did start thinking about things. Like that red string that led him to the duke's kidnapped children; what is it? Was it trying to guide him? Was it but happenstance? Was it a system he had yet understood?
\t“Lucifer.” Otiv asked, having pondered this idea in silence for a little while. “Can I ask you a question, and you give me the truth; I promise I won't be mad at you.”
\t“I guess.” Lucifer replied after being silent for a few minutes.
\t“The Duke's children being kidnapped; was that your doing?” Otiv asked. Lucifer didn't respond at first. “I give you my word I won't be mad, just give me the truth, it may just help me understand something important.”
\tHe gave a nod, and Lucifer shortly after replied. “Yeah it was me. I have conflict cards. My hand was full so I was forced to play one. The kidnapping was me trying to make the best of a bad. If you stopped it, good more goodwill with the Duke; if not I got his children's souls for violating our agreement.”
\t“Conflict cards?” Otiv asked, then setting a hand on Lucifer's head. “Care to explain?”
\t“Conflicts, Troubles, Trails, and Tribulations. I call it C3T for short.” Lucifer started. “To make something happen, make it bad or worse; anything from hordes of monsters to natural disasters. They all have a reward for completing them though. I can only have so many though, so it forces me to play them.”
\tOtiv nodded. Now that he knew the kidnapping was Lucifer's doing. “Lucifer, have you ever seen a dark red transparent thread?”
\t“A red thread?” Lucifer asked. Otiv nodded Lucifer then cupped a hand to his chin. “No, I've not seen one. However judging solely on how you described it; It might be the red thread of fate. Why have you seen such a thread?”
\t“I have.” Otiv admitted. “It was what led me to those children. That thread was trying very hard to get my attention; then again to make me go to the alley where I stopped the kidnappers trying to make their getaway.”
\t“Huh.” Lucifer sounded. “So you can see Fate huh.”
\t“Can I ask your best guess what my seeing the red thread could be?” Otiv asked.
\t“Best guess.” Lucifer started. “All of your powers, spells, and abilities are sourced from games and game worlds thanks to your Maker. You seeing this red thread could be some manner of quest system. Where in a game it'd be a UI item. In this world however that is not a game, it had to come up with some other way to do it. The red thread could be a quest system.”
\t“I see, yes, that does make sense.” Otiv told him. “As hard as it was trying to get me to follow it, being a quest system is the most logical.” Otiv allowed things to grow quiet for a moment before he then asked. “Those cards, may I see them?”
\t“No.” Lucifer told him, “You cannot.” Otiv let out a disappointed sigh. Strangely that made him shy away for a moment. “I could tell you about them if I wanted to; I'm not supposed to though.”
\t“Maybe another time.” Otiv told him. “My head hurts too much to do much more thinking.”
\t“Good, then shut up.” Lucifer snapped.
\t“If you keep being mean I'm going to cuddle you.” Otiv told him with a mock tone of threat.
\t“You wouldn't dare.” Lucifer replied in turn.
\t“MASTER!” Lilith shouted from behind the door. “That fancy light show seems over; may I tell the duke his people can return to the city?”
\t“Well Lu,” Otiv started reaching over to poke the tiny angel in the cheek. “Can she?”
\t“Don't you dare start calling me Lu; I won't allow it!” Lucifer snapped. However his eyes rolled then he looked to the door. “The ritual is nearly done; yes the humans can return.”
\t“Would you prefer Lucy?” Otiv asked in turn.
\t“You must want to die!” Lucifer snapped. “I have a demon horde card and I'm not above using it.”
\t“So tsu tsu.” Otiv teased.
\t“Bite me.” Lucifer sharply replied. “Shut up and fall asleep already.”
\t“Can do.” Otiv told him, already closing his eyes. “When I wake up everything better be the same.”
\t“That a threat?” Lucifer asked in a rather snide tone.
\t“No, a guarantee.” Otiv told him then let out a yawn. “This is you hard capped at ten; don't underestimate me. Might be a long battle, but I'm sure I'd win.”
\t“Now the jerk's cocky.” Lucifer said with a roll of his eyes. “Shut up and go to sleep already.”
\tWell it took a short time, but he did just that. Otiv was more or less whisked away. Blissfully unaware of the on goings around him as he slept. When he did wake up again, he was being tended to by Lilith.
\t“Master.” Lilith spoke softly when she saw his eyes flick open. She proceeded to give his cheek a polite peck like kiss.
\t“Where's Lucifer?” Otiv asked after patting her head.
\t“She knows it might upset Master, but still Lilith asks him to remain in bed.” She started having since taken a seat in a chair. “Lilith believes the words Lucifer used was; he was going to find a willing body to 'work' some stress off' with. Lilith interprets that as he has gone to find a willing female to have sex with.” Otiv gave a nod followed by a slight groan. “Lilith doesn't think you have to worry, he empathized the word 'willing' stressed it really.
\t“Well, at least I hope that means he's not raping people.” Otiv groaned. “Did he say anything else?”
\t“Yes.” Lilith replied with a nod. “Though Lilith thinks he's full of it. Lucifer had the nerve to claim Master stunk; and suggested he should seek a bath.” She promptly clenched her fist in a bit of anger, her tone of voice suggesting she had been insulted for him. “The nerve to suggest Master wash his perfect musky scent away.”
\t“Do I really smell that bad?” Otiv then asked, lifting an arm to smell his pit; then admittedly reeling a little.
\t“Lilith thinks Master smells fine.” She declared proudly. “She would bury her nose under his arm all day.” As she told him that she crossed her arms, and puffed out her cheeks.
\t“I think you might be a little biased though sweetheart.” Otiv told her in turn with a small laugh. He thought about it for a moment; as weak as he felt he knew walking around would be a poor life choice. If he wanted a bath the only way to find one would be through his little pale queen there. She refused to smell his stink; or she truly loved it. So he thought of something quick, and frankly knew it would work. “Well as I am right now, even if I did know where I could find a bath; surely I'd need someone to help me.” That caught her attention rather sharply, she tried to play it off but he saw how sharply her eyes darted to him when he said that; not only that her ears raised higher then he'd ever seen. “And in the condition I'm in, I could only trust my loyal minions to bathe me. I guess I should simply forget a bath; I wouldn't want to force you to go in with me Lilith.” However as he looked back to her; she was already gone, the door slamming behind her. He chuckled a little, “Very clever even if I say so myself.”
\tOtiv then looked out the window near his bed after that. The duke's estate was rather nice, the front lawn was a large area with many beds of flowers and well detailed hedge bushes. But after looking at the landscape for a few moments there was some scratching at the door until it opened. The scampering sound that followed told him it must be one of his imps. Sure enough his lone red imp pulled itself up onto his bed; then after looking in a direction for a second, cleared its throat and gave him a hug. “Hello little one, was that hug from your queen?” The imp rubbed the back of its head then nodded. Then chattered at him; She threatened to beat him when he returned if he did not give Master her hug. “I see, I'll make sure to tell her you gave me her hug. Was there anything else?” The imp nodded then chattered to him again. She had finished a portion of the bathing chamber, but lacking the skills to make the room look pretty, wanted to know if there were new or other orders she could take care of. “Nothing I can think of at the moment; I suppose I will need to think about skilled craftsmen too. For now tell your queen to start on the residential section of the project, starting first with the hive bunk houses; make them as big as they need to be.”
\t The imp nodded then stared off aimlessly. “huum. What is this feeling?” He couldn't explain it. It was a strange sensation, something rather sinister crawling down his back. But before that thought could go any farther. Lilith rushed into the room, dragging a very winded duke behind her; almost comically.
\t“MASTER! Lilith has acquired the Duke!” She spoke with both pride and an exhale of the nose. “She now believes we can interrogate him for the information we need; the location of a private bath with Master … er for Master.” She blurted before grabbing the Duke by his waist. “Bath where now?!?!?!” she shouted now shaking the man, rather violently.
\tHowever as this little show went on, the look on the Duke's face grew worried. Disembodied whispers that could be heard at the edge of hearing starting to cry out. “Mr. Otiv, are you ok?” That brought Lilith to a stop, when she looked back to her Master, Otiv was already in a shadow like shroud. His horns long, pitch black, capped in hellfire. And he bore four pairs of horns. His hair now long and black like the light around it was absorbed into the abyss. He looked more devil than anything; and the utter confusion fogging his mind was all that was holding him.
\t“That's not good.” Lilith whimpered, frightened.
\t“No, it's not.” Otiv's voice, it was less they heard it, more that it was injected into their skulls; even Lilith's hive mind shuddered in recoil. “My oh my. This is new indeed; Mr. Mortal. Ooh Mister mortal.” Otiv had moved to the duke as he spoke, Both he, Lilith and the red imp could not move. Even the crimson imps felt it but not as harshly; they were getting it from but one imp. Lilith's hive had gotten it from the queen; most had collapsed, in the strain to hold Lilith up. “Dear me, Tollum. I must apologize once again.” He told the man clasping, tightly, his right shoulder from behind. “I've unknowingly put your life at risk; again.” He thought fast; he was unsure how long he'd be able to hold himself up. “Lilith.” He snapped but she could not move; his presence was too heavy. “Red!” He snapped looking at the red imp on the bed; shaken but the red hive mind was still up and running. He looked Seraphina right in the eye through that one imp and barked the orders “Lucifer, Here, Now.” The Imp after a collective gulp nodded. Then scampered out the door to complete its command. “Now before I forget myself, Tollum give me your hands.” He approached the man as he spoke then grabbed the man's hands. Once his gaze was firmly focused on the man's hands he chanted. “Before thine eyes I decree, A fine set of gloves, which could hold back the sea.”
Tollum then looked down in shock. On his hands were gloves, black with gold inlay; with such a potent magic to them it actually hurt his mind a little. “Do not take those off.” Otiv then snapped at him. Quickly a large and thick spaded tail attached to his lower back reached under the bed and collected Otiv's bag. From in it he pulled out the black mask, then said standing before Tollum. “Hold this ONLY with the gloves; Do not put it down for any reason.” Otiv told him firmly before putting the mask in the man's hands. “And whatever you do, you are not to give it back to me. Do not let me get it, keep it away with your life if you must.” He then leered over the man, somehow behind him, despite the fact he had been in front of him only just a second ago. “You nation is in some deep troubles Mr. Mortal; do try to keep the conversation going, I can't stop it now.” The smile on Otiv's face at that moment was inhuman.
\tBefore his eyes Tollum bore witness to the tag, The Sinner. Then what followed was an HP bar that overfilled six hundred and sixty six times, before it glitched out and simply started displaying symbols. His instincts flared then quickly he asked after feeling a claw go down the back of his neck. “In! In what way?” His statement had been that his nation was in deep trouble.
\t“Ooh good boy.” Otiv told him a kind of coo to his words. “The mortal can think fast. Yes, more than just your life, now hangs in the balance in this conversation.” Otiv grew dark behind the man, nearly shadow itself even if for only a few seconds. “So, ask the right questions.” He whispered with a smile. He then went back to the way he was before. Lilith still couldn't bring herself to lift her head.
\tTollum nodded, then gave a quick thought. He noticed however Otiv's visage was growing darker by the second; he took a moment too long and one of his eyes went red. “What's going on right now?” He asked in such a way as to refer to this moment in time.
\t“Oh clever boy; I like you.” Otiv replied coldly, methodically, back. “Tell me, do you know what a world class raid boss is? If not then allow me to instruct you as to how fucked you are right now; as you'd need a hundred of them to match me.” He pointed to Lilith who was now visibly straining. “Right now she is holding my shroud off your soul; I get it you die, GAME OVER. A mortal in my presence dies instantly, no saving throw. She is all that is keeping you alive. SO we must not take too long. If you die then I have to take your children's souls.” He paused to laugh. “And we don't want that now do we?”
\t“You're right we don't.” Tollum said, before Otiv shoved him to Lilith. “What do I do?”
\tBut to that Otiv laughed, cupping a hand to his face. “Survive.” He laughed again. “But to challenge a foe that isn't fit to fight what eats my shit is no fun indeed. I'd best give you a substantial handicap. Observer Michael At attention!” He ordered before a tiny white robed boy formed on Tollum's right shoulder. The hooded sprite saluted before Otiv then instructed. “To the best of your ability save this human from me.”
\t“As you wish, Master.” Michael spoke before lowering his hood. He had long blond hair and was of a tanned olive complexion. Then for a few moments all Tollum could hear was the sprite's voice. “Ok listen up human; in four seconds Master is gonna come closer to Lilith. Do not let him touch you. His hands are cloaked in an instant death spell, contact with would kill you; and there is no saving throw for the likes of you.”
\tOne of Otiv's eyes had turned red and his sinister smile had started returning. Rather snappily Tollum asked. “What's wrong with my realm?”
\t“Smart.” Michael praised. “Keep him talking. He's engaged you in conversation over battle, wait too long and he will attack; don't think I need to tell you that'd be bad.”
\t“Something is wrong with this place.” Otiv replied with a smile before starting a meandering walk toward Tollum. Otiv told him. “It's like, the land itself, is dying; if slowly, torturously. And the elements themselves can hardly get here anymore; the imbalance will one day grow to a dangerous tipping point.” He chuckled darkly for a moment but he took a sharp breath before he went on to say. “After all, a being like myself, was allowed to spawn, here, on this planet; normally a thing strictly, vehemently, forbidden.” He informed with a twisted grin.
\tAs he spoke he made some hand gestures. Michael quickly warned him. “He's gonna try to grab your shoulder, pull away now.” Tollum nodded and kept a pace with Otiv. Who watched him with a sinister smile as he started slowly stalking him around the room. It was all a game like a cat with a mouse.
\tTollum nodded and watched with almost a release. Otiv looked down to Lilith who winced under his gaze. “How are you holding up dear?” Otiv asked her, lifting her chin up.
\t“Lilith … hurts.” She replied with a wince.
\t“I know love I know.” Otiv replied like a father comforting his child. “Do keep it up though dear. Won't take your sister long to find Lu.” He told her then kissed her forehead. When his eyes once again fell upon Tollum he felt a tangible weight on himself.
\t“Do not speak unless spoken to!” Michael quickly warned him tugging on Tollum's ear. “What you feel right now is a supernatural effect called ‘The Silence of the Lambs’. It's very effective on most mages and magic casters if they require any kind of incantation or command word. But just opening your mouth will draw his scorn.” He then gave a little playful laugh, “And believe me; you don't want to feel his scorn. The dps alone could fry an elite adventure in one shot, and you're just an average human.” Tollum nodded and kept pace with Otiv, he would take a step and so would Tollum.
\t“So little human.” Otiv started. “Would you like to know what I'm thinking right now?”
\tTollum took another step, making sure to keep himself beyond arm's reach. “Yes, would you please alleviate my ignorance?”
\t“I admire your manners in the face of Death human.” Otiv told him, taking another step. “My biggest problem right now; I have no memory of where I came from. No idea if I can go back. And nothing to do with my time.” He then waved a hand toward him with his palm up. “I'm so unbelievably bored that my normal self can't stand it. I've had my minions digging into a mountain, just so I can experiment with summoning magic. And now I've taken a bit of a liking to you, Mr. mortal. So I think I'm going to make your 'realm' my business.” He then put a hand to his chin and smirked darkly. “Frankly I wanna know what it is that is killing your land, your planet. Then see if I can tame it.” But now the duke was in a bit of a pickle. Otiv was now looking at him, but he didn't ask a question.
\tA smirk crept across his face, it was a trap. Tollum wasn't sure what to do, however Otiv looked up and toward the door. “Aw a pity! The imp found Lucifer, he'll be here in a minute. Oh, so he was found in a linen closet having sex with one of your maids.” He gave a dark chuckle then looked back to Tollum. “Worry not, this, farce, is almost over Mr. Mortal.” He had nearly spat the word farce. “So I think I'll ask you a question to answer. What, is it your realm does to make money, Mr. Mortal?” He asked this question as he looked away from Tollum. Once more cooing at and kissing Lilith's forehead.
\t“Mining and agriculture mainly.” Tollum told him still holding the mask, still keeping an arms distance from Otiv. Who was once more sluggishly stalking his way around the room. Nonchalantly trying to kill the human who couldn't stop him if he really tried. “I'd like to say it does well, but I have many enemies in the kingdom who frankly love making my life, pardon my poor choice of words, but a Hell.” Indeed Otiv chuckled at his choice of words. “The fact that one of my personal aides could not even meet with the king's servants; it was short of political sabotage.”
\t“AH. So, a decent human, and, quite despised.” Otiv almost teased with deep coos breaking apart his sentence as he spoke. “SO tell me then.” Otiv started but then however was once again behind Tollum, a hand firmly grasped on the man's shoulder. “Why are you taxing that little village into the dirt? And be warned your response might make me kill you; so do, not, lie, to, me.” He gripped hard the back of Tollum's neck as he told him this, just barely over a whisper.
\t“I also have to pay taxes to the king. The price I must pay to keep my title. All nobles are expected to pay their taxes on time.” Duke Tollum told him. “The heavy tax I had to levy on my people was evil I will not deny; but sadly a necessary one. If I was not able to make my own tax to the king, I would have lost my rank and title; not to mention my lands.”
\t“So you did it for greed?!” Otiv asked claws now grabbing his arm. His visage had grown dark, he was truly angry.
\t“I did it to protect them.” Duke Tollum told him. Otiv grew angry for a moment, however his rage quickly fizzled out. He wasn't lying, so Otiv gave the man a chance to explain himself. “The man my enemies wanted to replace me with once I lost my title; is known for being a brutal tyrant. The people in his realm are not his citizens, they are his slaves.” He stood firm under this devil's judgment. “I did that evil to my people to prevent a greater travesty; judge me as you see fit Otiv. I am not sorry nor will I apologize for protecting them!" He shouted responced made Otiv blink, then chuckle
\t“Humm.” Otiv sounded then sharply cracking his neck to the right. “Well, at least you're not a liar, that much I can tell. His name, give it to me.” Otiv demanded.
\t“The man is Count Edward Samwall Ravencrest, the third head of the family Ravencrest to hold the title of Count.” Tollum explained feeling the sinister sensation creeping down his back. And Michael warned him not to move for any reason at all; that to do so would result in his death. “He currently owns two small villages; and every poor soul who resides there has been financially enslaved to his family for three generations now.”
\tOtiv let Tollum go shortly after, when the door opened. In rushed Lucifer followed by the red imp. “Ah, and here comes the brat.” Otiv cooed
\t“The Sinner?? The fuck are those health bars?!? Why is a world class raid boss eater here?!?” Lucifer asked until he looked first to Lilith still struggling to hold up whatever it was. Then to Otiv who looked Apex Devil no doubt. Lucifer knew that form well; it was a variation of his own. “How the fuck did your demonic blood get activated?”
\t“You think I know?” Otiv asked in turn. “I was talking one second, and felt a strange ominous sensation the next. Then boom devil king city.” He paused to look him deep in the eyes. “I've been stalking the good duke here for some time now. One touch and instant death; I can't turn it off. Tollum, give him the mask he'll need it, you do still have it right?” However, that gave Otiv pause. He chuckled lightly to himself for a moment. “On second thought don't even tell me; I might actually make a grab for it.” Otiv gave a dark smirk, but manned to pull himself back. “Lucifer if he does have it go get it; and turn this off. Have you ever fought a war with yourself? I've never had to try so hard to win and lose at the same time before, I need a nap; and i've only just woken.” He then paused to look at one of his hands, his nails having long since become black and jaded claws. “I'm surprised how hard a time I'm having controlling myself, and poor Lilith is so tired. Let me put it like this; She's holding the leash.” His voice then hissed. As though a titanic voice had just yelled. Lucifer looked up and saw something that made all the color drain from his face.
\tLucifer himself for a few seconds looked distraught, “He wasn't trapped in the abyss” He muttered to himself before he got it back together. “Right, human hand it over.” Lucifer told him. “Not good, NOOT good.” As he approached he had to slap away Otiv's hand. He had tried to make a grab for Lucifer's shoulder; Otiv made a dark and strange sounding growl at him. “Otiv, how is he holding it anyway? That thing rips up anything that can't contain that level of power. He should have been wiped from existence the moment he touched it.”
\t“He's wearing some other natural gloves. I made them myself.” Otiv told him, with a tone of Pride. As he did however he once again turned to Lilith, cupping her chin and doing his best to comfort her. “Once he hands over the mask make sure to take them; far too powerful to leave in the hands of a human.”
\t“Right.” Lucifer said now standing before the duke. “Hand over the mask; then take off the gloves.” He did as told first handed Lucifer the mask; which he instantly put on. Then he took the gloves from him as well, they adjusted to fit. “Alright let's fix you now.” Lucifer's voice now carried something of an echo from under the mask. He turned to Otiv and placed a hand on his chest. “Your heart weakened to the point your demonic blood woke to protect you. But what could have threatened you enough to force this?”
\t“Ah I see it now.” Otiv let out a short laugh, his eyes since totally glazed over white. “A void terror is stalking me.” Otiv said in a twisted coo. “Seems I have made another mistake; gathered too much of a powerful presence in one place and attracted a potential predictor.”
\t“A void terror … oh I sense it now.” Lucifer responded now looking around the room. “Allow me to deal with it in your place.” Lucifer told him with a sneer. “As you are right now you might show more of your hand then we can afford to expose. You might also reduce this kingdom to dust.”
\tOtiv smirked. “As you will. Do hurry about it though.” Otiv told him quickly. “Last thing we want is for this monster to get away with a few souls. Oh and before I forget, Michael, your duty is done; you may stand down.” The imp in question nodded before vanishing from the Duke's shoulder.
\t“Right.” Lucifer said his eyes now glowing red from under the pitch black mask. “Lest this thing let its friends know where they can find food. We're lucky it seems a small fry, maybe even a runt; if still a void terror.” He glared around trying to find it.
\t“There it is.” Otiv told him, pointing toward Lilith. “it's hidden itself near Lilith; Kill it Lu!”
\t“I swear if you keep calling me that.” Lucifer told him with a glare. However he shook it off. Next followed a sound akin to shattering glass.
Otiv moved in a blink and gripped tight a strangely colored hand. “That imp is mine; how dare you attack her!” His voice was so cold it sent chills down most of their spines. “Now Lucifer, while it can't retreat.”
\t“On it.” Lucifer replied. The otherworldly arm tried its best to pull away. But now, oh now Otiv was pissed and could not break his grip. The arm had emerged from a static covered tear in thin air. Otiv held tight the arm. Then Lucifer rushed forward with his scythe and stabbed the blade through it. The monster screamed in pain as a purple substance oozed from it.
\t“Obliterate it.” Otiv instructed. “No corpse, no blood, no scent, no trace at all. The last thing we need is more of these, things, finding us.” He spat the word things with a certain amount of disgust; paused to give a suddenly disinterested look. “I'm not doing this every day.”
\t“Not wrong.” Lucifer said, still feeling the monster struggling on the end of his scythe. “Then I have permission to use hellfire?”
\t“Granted.” Otiv told him, giving the monster's arm a tug. “Like you could burn me boy.” He gave Lucifer a smirk, he wanted a reaction Lucifer never gave him; He knew better.
\tHe followed up by grabbing the tear, Otiv holding it open a bit; just enough for Lucifer to see the monstrosity within. “Damn you things are ugly.” Lucifer taunted. He pulled out his scythe, then in his opposite hand held a black fire. “Now, Rage forth; Hellfire Inferno!” Otiv let go of the creature's arm as Lucifer launched his attack. Once Otiv was sure it hit he closed the tear and wiped his hands.
\t“Done and done.” Otiv chimed the color of the fire on his horns turning a shade whiter. “Now that the otherworldly pest is dealt with; Lucifer turn this off now, I'm losing control. You won't like me when I get bored.”
\t“Right.” Lucifer chimed. He quickly pressed his hand to Otiv's chest; more to the point his heart. “Huh; it almost turned without the key. We're very lucky; a few inches more and it would have been Armageddon. You would have turned into a the true shadow of death. Ironically enough you lazily chasing the duke around the room and trying to kill him Death magic; while engaging in a conversion over a battle was the best case scenario. Hold still, we don't want my hand to slip.” Lucifer reached up to the mask, and pulled a black key from it. Quickly he jammed it into Otiv's chest who didn't react at all. Carefully he turned the key to the right then quickly pulled it out and put the key back where he got it. Almost instantly Otiv went back to normal. His horns shrank back to their normal size and returned to a more off white color and the fire went out.
\t“Ooooh.” Otiv sighed out almost in relief. “That's actually so much better. What a weight off my shoulders.” However he started wobbling which made Lucifer turn to Tollum.
\t“Quick, grab his shoulder; he's spent.” Lucifer told him.
\t“Right.” Tollum replied with a nod. “Lean on me friend; I've got you.”
\t“Thanks.” Otiv told him as he accepted the man's arm. “You are a good human. Now that I've truly witnessed your heart back there, I have a bit more respect for you.”
\t“You saved my children; rightfully I should owe you my life.” Tollum replied with a smile. “Lending an arm to lean on doesn't even begin to pay you back what I owe you.”
\tOtiv gave a weakened smile. However he looked to Lilith who had since collapsed. She too was worn down more so than himself. 'Poor girl, I made her do all the heavy lifting while I was running around like a fool.' He then looked back to Tollum. “Well, can I trouble you for a hot bath for starters then?”
\t“Of Course.” Tollum told him with a smile. “Leave it to me.”
\tThey left Otiv alone in the room for a few moments as Tollum organized a hot bath. Otiv however didn't just sit down. He had since scooped up Lilith. Lucifer and a few of Tollum's staff had gone around to collect up her collapsed Hive, or they'd despawn. Once they had all been gathered up and set down in beds; to rest Under Lucifer's protection and aid, Seraphina had to do the same back at home. Tollum had asked if they could use a hot bath or food. Otiv explained the food would help, only later though. Right now what was knocking them out was the strain on the hive's mind which Lilith is center of. To help his imps first he would have to revive Lilith herself. Tollum was surprised to find out Otiv had asked for the hot bath not for himself but for her; it would help ease her pain and stress. Otiv also explained as he cradled the knocked out imp queen, she had been looking forward to a bath with him; so now she had more than earned a treat.
\tWhen Lilith came too once again, well it was due to the hot water she was being washed with. “Huh... what?” When she opened her eyes the first thing she saw was Otiv. He was looking down on her with a soft smile, washing her with a rag and hot water, also soap.
\t“Well hello there sleeping beauty.” Otiv told her with a smile then poking her nose.
\t“Master!” Lilith cried out. She had tried to get up but her body refused to move. The previous strain and struggle had drained everything from her but her mana.
\t“Easy now dear.” Otiv told her softly, continuing his washing. “I asked too much of you today. I doubt you can move a muscle. You wanted a treat, so I'm giving you one.” He gave her another warm smile, which brought a smile to her own face. “So you just leave yourself to me, and we'll enjoy a nice bath together.”
\tShe nodded, Lilith then saying, “Thank you Master.”
\t“No.” Otiv told her. Stopping for a moment to get the rag wet again; then applying more soap. “Thank you darling; you held out for so long. I doubt I deserve such loyalty; I don't feel I earned an ounce of it. I'm such a poor Master.” He told her as he went back to washing her. “I ask and ask and ask and ask. I mess up again and again and again. I take and take and take and take. But still one as tender as you would lay everything on the line for one as worthless as myself. I need to stop being a waste of space.” He was satisfied with his wash job, then grabbed the bucket of water. Carefully he poured it over her, washing the suds away.
\t“Master, that's not true.” Lilith cried out. “You done so much, like the village; you saved it from the zombies.”
\t“Half true, I'll give you that.” Otiv told her once he set the bucket down. “But the mist is a retaliatory force; my very existence made it worse.”
\t“But ….” Lilith started. “The girl that died, you gave her death meaning.”
\t“You're wrong.” Otiv told her as a rather sullen look took him. “I was here when the dead attacked that building. I was what made them ratchet up a few levels. That child died because I was here. If the summoning had failed if I didn't exist; the zombies would have wandered around town the same as before. Then left at sundown the same as before. They responded to me by getting smarter.”
\t“Ok … But you saved the duke's life.” Lilith stammered out, still trying to defend him. “And his children from those vile kidnappers.”
\tOtiv shook his head no. “If I had simply asked how he was doing in the first place I would not have sent him into the Devil's Den; I nearly killed him due to laziness. And the kidnapping was Lucifer's ploy, who got away with it because I failed to keep him in check.” He then brought her forehead up to his own and held her close for a few seconds. “I understand you're trying to defend me dear; and I thank you for it. But I need to face the facts. Lying to myself won't solve any problems; right now for all my vaunted power, I am worthless.” Lilith was quiet after that. “Now then, shall we get in the water?” She gave him a nod. He carefully carried her into the tub then cooed deeply when he carried her into the water. “OOOh that does feel good.” She clutched his chest a little cooing in delight at the warmth surrounding her. While the warmth was already helping to ease the sore and stiff muscles in her body, she still couldn't move.
\tA look of worry crept across her face, a simple bath sure but she could drown if she couldn't move. Otiv seeing this look of worry opted to put her at ease. “Don't you worry about a thing love.” He told her before cupping her chin with his pointer finger and his thumb. “Right now, I am here for you.” That made her face light up in a fierce blush.
\t“Alright.” Lilith said softly, her eyes darting around a few times. “Naturally … Lilith trust Master.” Though she said so with a hesitant pause.
\t“Don't worry love; this will do us both some good.” Otiv assured. He then laid back a little allowing the water to rush over himself, then the limp imp queen helpless on his chest. She panicked for a short moment, however he took a seat; after all if she could not move a simple tub of water could drown her. Once she felt stable she closed her eyes and more so enjoyed the heat of the water around her. “Now we're settled. How do you feel Lil?”
\t“Much better, Lilith must admit.” She sighed resting her head back against his chest. “She is still afraid, but she trust Master.”
\tThey sat together in silence enjoying the heat of the water. The sound of insects outside chirping into the night. They were in the water for maybe half an hour; just enjoying the warmth. Lilith had slowly started moving again. However as her sore and stiff limbs felt life return to them. Her fatigue set back in. However Otiv had expected it; such is the way of a selfless hive mind. She had devoted every drop of this recovered power to restoring the light to her hive. In another room and back at their base all of her imps awoke in the seconds after.
\t“My, what a kind queen.” Otiv cooed, holding her around her chest as she went limp again. “Barely recovered at all, and you devote what energy you have to your hive mind structure.” She glanced up at him as he cradled her again. “My my what will I do with you.” He teased then bopping her nose. She managed a little smile however her eyes started drooping; spent yet over again. “Guess it's nap time.” He teased rubbing her head. He proceeded to extend his wings to their full length then closed them around her and himself. She started nodding off, her eyes dropping again and again. “Hush little one, don't say a word.” Otiv sang out softly as he cradled her. “Father's going to buy you a mockingbird.” He continued on with, his voice soft and light. “And if that mockingbird don't sing; then Father's going to buy you a diamond ring.” He sang on a bit longer, as Lilith gave a yawn. Otiv petted her head a little as she started snoring.
\tOtiv allowed himself and her to soak for a good while. Once he was sure the bath would do either of them any more good he got out. Lilith came back around as he was dressing her. He had requested an actual outfit for her so that she wasn't just naked under a shadow shroud; what he had since come to know them as. It was a rather cute little light pink dress and when he put it back on her; her shroud formed in such a way as to complement it. They had been kind enough to give her some pajamas as well. Which Otiv promptly swapped her into; far more comfortable to sleep in than a dress. Both seemed to have been old clothes the Duke's daughter no longer fit.
\tLilith wasn't very talkative as he dressed her for bed though. He knew why, mentally she was spent; it took her all to maintain the hive mind in this condition. Once he had her dressed in the little nightgown he did something, well frankly he wasn't expecting to have bugged him so much. Lilith's hair was a frizzy mess after the wash. He physically resisted the urge five times; before he could bear it no longer. He made a request to the maid Tollum had tasked to him for a hair brush. She returned after five minutes.
\t“Here you go my lord.” The girl replied. She quickly handed him a hair brush with a silver handle. “The Lady of the manor says to feel free to take your time with it; but that it is her favorite brush.”
\t“I understand.” Otiv told the girl politely. “I assume she wants it back when I am done?”
\t“Yes sir.” The maid replied with a bow. “But as stated she did tell me to tell you 'please take your time'.” As she replied to the message she gave the same hand gesture the lady of the manner had given; simply placing her hand above her bosom just below her neck.
\t“I accept it with gratitude.” Otiv told the girl with a smile. “And I will use it with care.” The maid gave another bow before returning to a position by the door. Otiv then sat down and patted the stool in front of him. Lilith gave a nod and scampered over to and took the seat. She was still mute and by now even less alert. Otiv felt bad that he wasn't just letting her go to bed. But her hair, it was bugging him and he had to brush it; it would have been a travesty to let such long beautiful hair get tangled and knotted. “Here we go, let's get your hair brushed; then get you tucked into bed.” She gave a nod meekly, then yawned. “I know love; but allow your Master his troubles. I can't help myself.” He did it quickly but he didn't rush. Still it didn't take long at all. His hands worked with the dexterity of a master pickpocket. And by the smile she wore, broken only when she yawned, he could tell Lilith was enjoying her treat. She had never truly had her Master to herself; and now he was still doting on her. He finished quickly running his fingers through her hair to assure himself she had no knots or tangles. He then got up and brought the brush back to the maid, asking to give his thanks to its owner. When he got back around he saw Lilith at the bed. She was trying to pull herself up on the bed; but tired as she was, all she managed to do was look adorable by trying to throw her leg up on it. “I'm coming dear.” Otiv told her.
\tHe walked over to her then picked her up by her waist. He then set her up on the bed. He took a seat next to her, Lilith then hugging his side. But after a few seconds her imps poked their heads in the door. “It's alright, you may enter.” He assured them with a beckoning hand gesture. “You must be worried sick about her; what kind of bastard would I be to keep you all away.” They quickly scurried into the room and surrounded the bed. She gave them a soft smile and managed a few head pats. Now he was also getting tired and was about to lay down himself; it was his bed. Still looking around at them, he felt no need or desire to kick them out. They were worried about Lilith after all. He would feel like a grade A bastard to kick them out.
\tWhen the maid returned it was quite the scene. Otiv sitting on his bed, Lilith surrounded by her hive just about begging her to ask them for anything. Otiv gave a small laugh as he looked up to the maid. “I fear by this rate you'll start to loathe me every time I open my mouth.” He told her as a joke. “It seems I'll need more pillows and blankets if you could be so kind.”
\t“Yes sir.” The maid told him, after a little laugh. Lilith was in the middle of the group of pale imps all hugging her. “I'll be right back with more than.”
\t“Many thanks.” Otiv told her as he watched her leave, to do him a favor for the fourth time that evening. It took a few minutes but the maid and a few others returned with blankets and pillows. Once they were all set well the imps were still worried about her so they started to fall asleep around her. It wasn't until they all fell asleep was Lilith able to sneak away. Otiv had since laid down in his bed, and tired as she was she still couldn't pull herself up. So she gave his hand a tug and got him to look down at her. Seems she was also still unable to talk, so she held her hands up toward him. “Very well come here you.” He grabbed up her arms and pulled her up with him. After inviting her into his bed she snuggled up to his side. She then yawned and started falling asleep. “No time lost huh.” he teased a little. He then however gave her forehead a kiss. “Well, good night I suppose.” He did his best to get comfortable again. “And good night to you too Seraphina.” Now it was Otiv's turn to yawn. Doing so he pulled a blanket over himself, he closed his eyes. It took a few minutes but he too joined Lilith in the lands of dreams.","pools_count":1,"title":"The Tellers Tales : Of Angel's Fall (Chapters 5 - 8)","deleted":"f","public":"t","mimetype":"image/jpeg","pagecount":"1","rating_id":"2","rating_name":"Adult","ratings":[{"content_tag_id":"4","name":"Sexual Themes","description":"Erotic imagery, sexual activity or arousal","rating_id":"2"},{"content_tag_id":"5","name":"Strong Violence","description":"Strong violence, blood, serious injury or death","rating_id":"2"}],"submission_type_id":"12","type_name":"Writing - Document","guest_block":"t","friends_only":"f","comments_count":"0","views":"28"}