The Tellers Tales – Of Angels FallBook 1 : An Ode to OtivFirst HalfChapter 9 – Otiv the Conquer
\t“Well she looks comfy.” Lucifer teased. Otiv had just woken up and that was the first thing he heard. He opened an eye to look at Lucifer at his bedside. “How long are you gonna let her do that?” He asked, referring to Lilith laying on her belly, across his chest. Wasn't all bad, Otiv had a rather lovely view up her nightgown and her legs were spread; he could see her little peach so nicely and clearly. Otiv quickly shushed him. “Relax. I'm only in your head right now.”
\t
'Huh, Have fun with that maid?' Otiv asked him cupping Lilith's cheek.
\t“Fuck you; I was letting that girl each some cash.” Lucifer sneered at him. Then putting on a tough boy look he followed up with crossing his arms, “Her grandmother's sick; she's desperate to get her some medicine. All I did was let her earn some gold.”
\t
'Oh well isn't that sweet of you. Trying to earn your halo back?' Otiv taunted him back; Lucifer flipped him the bird in turn.
'Anything going on? The energy in the place is erratic.'\t“EH, something about the Duke's merchant caravan and some birds; I think.” Lucifer told him with a roll of the eyes; he truly couldn't care less.
\t
'The dukes caravan, and birds?' Otiv asked, hiking a brow.
'You don't know anything else?'\t“Fuck you.” Lucifer told him, flipping him another bird of his own. “I'm the lord of hell not a fucking lackey; you're lucky I knew anything.” Otiv rolled his eyes in turn, Lucifer then quickly shouted. “Lilith! Wake up! It's mid-day!”
\tThe imp in question jumped, stammering a little in fright. “Huh wha!?!” She looked over at Lucifer Then back at Otiv. She then pulled her eye lid down at Lucifer followed by sticking out her tongue. Before snuggling back up to Otiv; and rather deliberately pushing her naked sex toward his mouth. “Morning Master.” Lilith cooed at him softly. The rest of her hive roused quickly after; if only in a knee jerk reaction of fright to protect the queen, only to see there was no danger.
\t“Morning sweetheart.” Otiv told her, rubbing her head a little then promptly grabbing her butt; which she clearly enjoyed. “Something's up in the castle dear, can you send some imps to find out what for me?”
\tTwo of her spears quickly got up then promptly left the room. “At once Master.” Lilith replied with a coo. Enjoying Otiv's fingers flexing themselves into the meat of her backside still. Finally pushing her pussy against his lips inviting him to be naughty. “Seraphina sends her love Master.” She cooed, having been in such a good mood, that she actually gave him the message. Otiv nodded, opting to sit up; despite Lilith's best efforts, though he did stuff his tongue inside her for a few seconds; she tasted great. She started rubbing herself on his morning wood being as tempting as she could manage. However after he sat up she looked away for a second then cooed out. “Huh, seems the Duke wishes to see you Master. Seems a problem has threatened his supply routes and thus the safety of his rank. He has requested any aid you might be willing to lend.”
\t“Well guess that's that.” Otiv said, rubbing her head then her ass yet again. He paused a moment, then decided to trace around her pubic mound She epped, cooed, then softly moaned as he did so. “He say what about?” He asked once his thumb met her clit. He thumbed it roughly making her squirm at his machinations and making her moan loudly. He was struggling to contain himself; the devil side of his brain wanting badly to screw her onto his dick and keep her there. The side that was rational kept telling him he had business to take care of. However he promptly flipped the script; he wanted her. He himself wanted to stuff himself inside her allowing her to bounce on his morning wood. So he drew down his trousers, Lilith licking at his rod the moment the beast was free. She looked back at him, with his cock in her mouth, where he motioned for her to turn around.
\tLilith nodded, happily straddling then allowing his thick member to invade her tender body. Then happily riding his thick morning wood. “Seems it's harpies; they attacked two of his caravan's early this morning. AHHHH!” She moaned out now eagerly riding her Master's girth.
\t“Birds? Right.” Otiv rolled his eyes. “Good girl love.” He put a little gusto into his thrusting. Before much longer Lilith was a songbird of her own sorts. Before quickly crying out in climax and cuddling his chest as she twitched in a deep bliss. Otiv fucked her a moment longer, Lilith hiked her hips to allow him easy access to ram her as he saw fit. He did just that, holding her snug to his chest, until, groaning in delight, he pumped a load of hot cum inside her belly. She did everything she could to welcome every drop pushing her cunt snug to his crotch and stuffing his every inch inside her. “Well let's go make this human need me more shall we?”
\t“Should be a good idea, Master.” Lilith cooed “But she'd rather have Master stay right where he is and do Lilith again.” She was still trying her best to keep Otiv where she wanted him. Safe, snug, and stretching out her cunt; even if she knew it was a losing battle. He had cum inside her once however she couldn't ask for much more; though she wanted to tell him to ruin her. Lucifer was just lounging in a chair as Otiv got up. “Master, can Lilith return a favor?”
\t“What's wrong?” Otiv asked her.
\tShe simply giggled then replied. “Master's hair is a mess. Lilith asks if she could brush Masters' hair? Master also has long hair, would it not be a shame to let it get tangled as well?” Her remark made Lucifer snicker a little. His hair was a bit of a rat's nest. A maid came by seconds after, she had a hair brush; it seems Lilith had taken it upon herself to have her imps ask for a brush. So Otiv allowed it. He sat on the bed as Lilith brushed up his hair for him. Once she was satisfied that her Master, frankly, didn't look like a bum; did she let him get up. However before he could she quickly and rather smugly suckled his cock down. Otiv smirked and allowed it. Under the pretext of cleaning it she blew him. All but worshiping his cock with her mouth. Once she could tell Otiv was gonna cum. She perched his cock head on her tongue, mouth wide open, jerking his shaft. Again Otiv allowed her and didn't bother to stop her. Finally with a deep and frankly satisfied groan Otiv blew his load into her mouth. Lilith moaned loudly as rope after rope of his thick cum blasted across her tongue plastering to the roof of her mouth. She kept jerking him as he came wanting him to keep cumming, and it did earn her an extra wad or two. Finally she locked her lips around his cock head and sucked hard drawing all the tasty leftovers into her greedy little maw. “Lilith loves Master taste. Thank you for indulging her; she knows Master must get up. However it still doesn't stop the fact Lilith would rather he stay here with her and keep his cock stuffed firmly inside her pussy. I would be honored to keep Master cock warm for him; and if Master was to fill her naughty belly with his cum. Well she'd let him just keep doing it to her.” She crawled back into his lap again pushing her cunt back down on his cock. Tempting him to ignore the Duke and just fuck her silly; and for a moment he let her.
\t“Tonight sweetheart.” Otiv started rather firmly shoving her down until his cock was all the way in her. “I will fuck you rough and hard until you walk with a limp. But I must go see what I can do to make this human need me.” Even still he held her snug and fucked her deep for several long strokes. Lilith moaning loudly to tempt him, and Lucifer frankly masturbating. However it did not last and Otiv pulled out of her and got up. He then got dressed allowing Lilith to suckle him as he put on his shirt and upper portion of his robe. “I want you to get dressed to Lil. So get naked for me, and put on your dress.” She flushed over and nodded. However as she did this Otiv could hear Lucifer's moans he was about to cum. With a smirk Otiv pushed Lilith's head toward Lucifer cock; which surprised her until the imp boy stuffed his cock into her mouth and promptly came. Otiv held her to allow him just this one however; Otiv felt he had earned a little treat of his own. Lilith was mad about it for a few moments even as Lucifer thanked him. But after Otiv gave Lilith's ass a firm swat and told her to get dressed; he too got ready.
\tOtiv didn't feel the need to hide his physical form; he was who he was. He would not hide himself from them. Causing a panic among the commoners was one thing; hiding from the so called elites was something he would not do. Lilith before he could get up took the liberty to pluck at his wings and straighten some of his feathers. “Thank you dear, that should be enough.” Once both of them were dressed they both left.
\t“Should she polish your horns next?” Lilith asked with something of a lusty gaze. She earnestly wanted to get her little hands around his horns, Otiv figured maybe horns could also be sexual objects. “She would eagerly do so with her cunt; what better a thing to polish her Master's horns with.” Yup that confirmed it to him.
\t“Maybe later, dear.” Otiv told her before picking her up. “Let's go see where we can make my mark today. While we do that I want you to send some of your hive to find the children. Elliott and Susan should be at her grandparents place just off the market plaza. Tod and Simon are more likely to be getting into trouble here in the manor. Can't take the thief out of the rat.”
\t“Yes, at once.” Lilith told him before more of her imps got up then went to carry out their tasks.
\tOtiv carried Lilith with him he as made his way toward the noise and mayhem. Seemed to be the Dukes war room, it had foot troops outside who let him in as well as young teen boys and girls both running messages and orders. Inside the room a large regional map had been carved into a central large table. With other maps having been set down to expand the map area. The Duke had his advisors with him as well as some of his more common foot troops and commanders. Not to mention the runners bringing information and leaving with orders. Things grew silent once Otiv made his entrance; He had to crouch down to get in because the door was too small. He still towered over all others; why were they all so short he found himself idly wondering.
\tOnly The duke himself and his two aids knew him or what he was. His appearance made a few of the guards draw swords and put themselves in front of the Duke to protect him. However the man in question snapped at them. “At ease that is an order; you want to get us all killed?!? This man is Otiv; from this day forward he is one of my advisors, uh naturally provided he accepts the job.” He told them before giving Otiv a smile and a bow. “Good morning Mr. Otiv, I'd accept any aid or advise you could lend me.”
\t“What is the situation?” Otiv asked, letting his words coo softly, then approaching the table. He already had a decent idea; however hearing it from the horse's mouth would do him better.
\t“Early this morning several of my trading caravans were attacked by Harpies.” Tollum told him. He used a pointing stick to jab one of the maps that had a road leading to Gwen. “A pretty bad setback; those were trade goods and specialty foodstuffs that were going to be sold at the markets in Jordan.” He paused, Otiv gave him a rather blank look. “Oh, Sorry. It's a major trade city twelve days south of here; A major trade and supply route for the kingdom, a very wealthy city. The proceeds would have gone into paying back the villages for the heavy taxes I had to lean on them. Might have had no choice but to levy the taxes, still want to make it right.”
\t“I see.” Otiv said aloud, rubbing his chin. He watched as Tollum pointed to another map. Seemed to be the road his wagons were attacked on. The little tokens they had set on it to mark them out was enough to prove that.
\t“The caravan is still under attack I'm told. I was about to rush more men to the scene. If you wouldn't mind Otiv, may I request your aid in this battle? Having sent my house troops to guard Henmen; I don't have the manpower to back them up properly and keep Gwen protected.” He looked at Otiv as he asked this.
\t“I'll ask you the same I asked the village; Do you have the means to afford my aid? My time is not free, and your title has no sway over me.” Otiv asked as he rubbed Lilith's head who was purring under his affections; subtly telling the man he had better things he could be ‘doing’. “After all Lilith here has also made me a very tempting offer I could, spend my time on.” She was already organizing her hive and recalling the boys, even as she smirked at his remark.
\t“Naturally.” Tollum replied with a smile. “I have coins, crafts, and magics I could trade you for your aid. I'll pay any price within reason.”
\t“Umm, so be it.” Otiv told him. “Lilith round up your hive we have here. Also fetch Elliott, Simon, and Tod.”
\t“At once.” Lilith chimed.
\tIt took a short time. Tollum rounded up as many of his men that he could spare. As he did that Lilith's hive got ready for battle. Also fetched the children. When she showed up, Otiv swapped Lilith for Susan. He knew Lilith could protect herself; Susan however was a defenseless child. Once all was ready The Duke and his men were ready to leave most were mounted. The duke was wearing a set of armor that he didn't have on when he met Otiv; seeing as the first thing he did was attack him. Otiv now knew he didn't intend to start a battle.
\t“Otiv.” Tollum started. “Have you a horse?”
\t“Afraid not.” Otiv informed him. “I did come with two cart horses; but they belong to the aldermen. I could not in good faith take them into battle.”
\t“Well that won't do.” Tollum said. He jabbed two fingers to his lips then gave a sharp whistle. A young man hurried over in response. “Have horses readied for Lord Otiv and his three young lads.” He then looked over to Otiv, “Does lady Lilith require a mount?”
\t“Lilith is fine.” She informed him with a prideful chest puff. “Lilith can over take a horse easily if she wanted to. Plus while her wings are not large enough to fly, in a pinch they can greatly boost her speed.” She informed him then putting her hands proudly on her hips. “Lilith and her hive is far faster than any horse you own, human.” And this part just sounded like she was showing off. “We can also go five times longer than any horse you own.”
\tWith that out of the way, horses were brought over for them. Once all was ready they quickly hurried out of the city. Otiv managed despite the fact he knew not how to ride a horse. Susan rode with him. Elliott, Simon and Tod rode on their own ponies. Lilith and her hive were right behind him, they made keeping up with the horses look like child's play. Thankfully it took only twenty five minutes to catch up to the site of the attack. The battle for the most part was over when they got there. The remaining harpies took one look at Otiv when he came into their field of view; and wanted exactly none of him. They took to their wings in a terrified way; and flew off the very second he came into their line of sight. Almost like they could see how dangerous he was.
\t“I dare say.” Tollum responded. “What came over them?”
\tCaptain Vincent was the first to say, “From what I could tell, they took one look at Lord Otiv; then flew away in a rush. Pure panic;” He stopped and watched as some of their men were restraining a harpy that was too wounded to fly and had been left behind. “So much so they even abandoned one of their sisters. harpies never leave a bird behind; i've never seen it. I normally hate fighting em; they are no joke despite their size.”
\t“Well whatever,” Tollum started. “We should take our victories where we can get them. Hurry and tend to the wounded.” He ordered as a follow up. The healers among his ranks acknowledged the command with a shout of yes sir. They then rode ahead to start tending to the wounded. Otiv for his part wished he could help, but he had yet gotten his hands on restoration magic. Nor did his imps have healers in their ranks. Seemed the most he could have done was what had happened; end the battle before it went further. Once the Duke's reinforcements got to work, the damage was tallied. Strangely no deaths. The harpies were more interested in stealing food stuffs, from what the caravan guards informed him; they fought the guards while others stole food. From estimates Tollum's men gathered they stole about five platinums worth of food stuffs; a steep price to pay despite the lack of a loss of life.
\tOnce most was taken care of; and Otiv had seen fit to offer the healers a mana top off so they could do more. Tollum approached Otiv in the time after. “Otiv, may I ask a task of you?”
\t“Sure, you have paid me half my fee.” Otiv told him. “And as of yet I have not earned it; so it is well within your rights.”
\tTollum nodded from atop his mount. “Normally I detest the needless shedding of blood; even if against the monster kin. But I can't allow for another attack like this; it would ruin me financially. My task for you is simple. Please find the nest of these harpies and put them to the sword.” He gave a pause to survey the area. No one had died but many of the men had been hurt. “Normally this would be something I'd take care of myself; but my forces are spread too thin. With the loss of the guard at Henmen and the need to reinforce the guard at Jakwen; and now I'll need to send more escorts for the rest of this caravan. I'll barely have enough men to keep Gwen garrisoned. The harpies seem to fear you so I should believe they would be a trivial foe for you.”
\t“You're not wrong.” Otiv told him. “So be it, leave the harpies to me; and tend to what you must.” He stretched his senses outwards, which was a good excuse to use them. The battlefield was large and he didn't have the time. While he was hoping to pick up the feeling of harpies; what he did manage to find was the wounded harpy, since taken prisoner. “Seems your men have taken a harpy captive. I'll be taking her.”
\t“All yours my friend.” Tollum told him before turning away. “Please excuse me, I must see to my troops new orders.”
\tOtiv left the man to his work, as he went to his work. It was the first time he had a real job since he had gotten here; well at least the first he was getting paid for. He approached the men holding the harpy. “You there.” He spoke, approaching the two men. “Duke Tollum has asked me to deal with the harpies on his behalf; So I'll be taking the prisoner.” He told the men pointing to a harpy with blue feathers. They were unsure about it for a moment; however a quick wave from Vincent sent them right.
\tThe harpy looked mostly human. A human-like torso with slim but noticeable breasts under a layer of downy feathers. A human-like face covered in feathers around the scalp, jawline, her cheeks, and smaller softer looking feathers around the bridge of her nose; but that is where the human ended. She had long slender bird-like legs. The toes of which had three digits with maybe six inch talons. Her arms started vaguely human even with an armpit that had feathers covering it, but quickly covered in feathers. The end of her arms looked bulky but Otiv figured that the actual wing parts of her arms folded down. Seems she had a few finger-like digits at the end of her arms that looked like something akin to a hand. He was unsure how well she could hold anything; lacked a thumb for starters. This one seemed somewhat badly hurt. Her left arm was limp and bleeding. Seems one of the men got a lucky shot and winged her. Unable to fly, she got caught when her sisters fled.
\t“My first time seeing a harpy.” Elliott told Otiv as he stood behind him. “She’s kind of cute. What are you going to do with her?”
\tOtiv looked back at him, “The Duke has tasked me with wiping them out. So I will use her to get information on the location of her nest. Even if I must invade her mind to do so.” The bird cowered before him however. Being more monster than human her sense's were better, somehow she knew he was bad news. “Well, I doubt she'll willingly share the location of their nest.” The harpy shuddered when he reached out for her, tried to pull away but between his speed and her wounds she wasn't fast enough. Even Otiv wasn't sure why he kept grabbing jaws, but he got a hold of hers and pulled her up to his eyes. The harpy made a chirp-like cry once he lifted her up off the ground. Once her limbs were fully stretched he found she would stand at five five maybe five eight, mostly legs though. He felt her suddenly panic in his grip and though he felt a small ping of guilt it didn't stop him. She went stiff once he started probing her mind. Her arms shot up to her head in some vain attempt to keep him out. However as he committed this act he felt his thoughts grow dark and even a little sinister; he could turn her gray matter into pudding if he wanted to. She'd never be able to stop him. Hell he could make her brain melt out her ears, he could do that right now and she'd never be able to stop him..
\tHowever he felt something before this train of thought could get any darker or he acted on it; and what surprised Otiv was that it was Lucifer who intervened. He for a moment looked back at the hooded devil boy whose hand he could feel bracing his mind. Then he felt Lilith enter his mind, though she tried to hide it. Seems by now she was used to slipping into his thoughts and felt the worrying urges come over him. He put them out of mind; they were just being cautious. Frankly he was glad for it; he surprised himself just how fast his mind grew so dark. He turned his focus back to the bird girl. He still felt Lucifer's hand bracing his thoughts; and now Lilith's wandering eye was getting the best of her. Already she was digging up all the information about harpies she could get from the bird's mind.
\tWell what did he want, it was the task he gave her. He probed into her memories, her flight path she took, the direction she first saw the caravan at, where the sun was in the sky, everything. He could use all this information to figure out which way she came from. She fought back best she could but the harpy wasn't skilled in mental warfare; who knew. He managed to dig the necessary information from her mind, however he was drawn aback when Lilith's thought cooed into his own.
\t
'Master.' He heard her say, shortly after a chorus of voices followed but she quickly silenced them; as she thought she couldn’t separate their voices from hers when she spoke to him in this manner, she’d have to keep that in mind. That was Otiv's first brush with the hive mind and he found it interesting.
'Lilith has found some memories you might want to see.' He shifted to where she was at. The memory she was looking at seemed recent. It brought up many worries in the bird's mind, many fears; and much grief. The vision he saw was the bird looking at a much younger harpy; the poor thing was nearly skin and bones. She also had a rather nasty cough. An older harpy was doing its best to try to tend to the young bird with herbs; but frankly Otiv could tell it wasn't doing much good. In the memory, the bird's vision shifted. Another harpy was at the door to this ragtag hut. Though he couldn't understand their words or even their manner of speech. The ideas that popped into the bird's mind allowed him an educated guess. Ideas of human's scared her. However the knowledge of how much food the scouts spotted made her set that fear aside. An iota of courage bubbled up to the front of her mind. Then plans of her offering to join the attack, provided she was given food to give the young harpy. At this point Otiv figured this young harpy was either a sibling, or a child.
\t
'There is more.' Lilith's thoughts told him. He allowed it as Lilith pushed the next memory into his thoughts. It followed the harpy into their makeshift highly primitive village; where it turned out this was a normal occurrence. Many that fell under the birds eyes were starved to the point of near death; in fact one had just died. The young looked weak and sickly. The elderly skin and bones. This village was in a horrid way. It made Otiv realize why they resorted to attacking a human caravan. Something was killing the land indeed, and it seems the harpies were the first tragic victims. They didn't get to this point overnight; desperate enough to attack humans to get food.
'Lilith figures she is overstepping her bounds now. She knows Master's task is to put them to the sword; but Lilith would beg Master for mercy. We imps know what it's like to be labeled as monsters; to have their destruction be desired for. She would hope Master would spare them; if only because they could be useful to him.'\tThat made Otiv stop in his 'mental' tracks. He had not even considered it; true this was not a game and there was always another option. However,
'We do not have the food to feed them all for long.' He told her.
'I would need to hear a good use for them before I opted to go back on my word.' He felt her retreat; he figured she had turned to her hive to maybe invent an excuse. He made sure she couldn't hear his thoughts as he started talking to himself looking back into the memories she had brought to his attention.
'Is it strange I feel no pity for them? No, it's more than that; I feel nothing for them. Is it right that I can cast them aside, so, effortlessly? Monster kin may they be, this harpy has genuine emotions, fears, concerns. They have a language, they have a community, a village primitive may it be. What is it that makes them monsters but the humans who caused me so much concern; they nearly broke my heart to see a villain die? Is this a flaw in myself? Or is it something I should strive to overcome? Or do I have these feelings because it truly is pointless and a monster can never be anything but? huuuuuum'\tIt was shortly after he had finished his monologue that he felt Lilith return.
'Lilith has come up with a good idea Master.'\t
'Alright.' He told her this time shifting his gaze to her.
'Let me have it; what reason do you have that I should spare them?'\t
'They can fly.' Lilith started.
'And Lilith's hive can not. Their small stature aside; they are very strong when healthy and well fed. She believes taming the harpies would make them suitable mounts for her archers, or even for scouting missions. We imps are light enough that a harpy, once trained to our weight, should be able to carry them effortlessly.'\t
'huum' Otiv sounded in his head. It wasn't a bad idea.
'Not a bad idea at all. While I would have to bring them under heel, I suppose I can see their uses. They however would be your job, you and your hive would be responsible for them. Feeding them, caring for them, keeping them in line, and teaching them; If you agree to that I will spare them.'\tHe saw Lilith nod in the corner of his eye.
'She agrees, Lilith will accept Master's terms.'\tWith that agreed to, Otiv set the bird down. She was visibly terrified of him and pushed herself as far away from him as she could. “Sit!” Otiv ordered watching a visible tremble run the length of her spine. So she understood him or at least his tone. She was trembling once he approached again. Her left wing was bleeding. So he moved to lift it but she shrieked and pulled it away from him. He promptly gave her a stern look, but that was a little counter productive; it seems she was expecting an attack and curled herself to try her best to protect herself. He lowered himself down to a squat on his feet. “Shhh.” He sounded getting her attention. He got it, he did his best to soften his body language. Lowered the tone in his voice. “I'm not going to hurt you.” He reached for her arm again. She was still ripe with fear and pulled away only once again before he took a gentle hold of her left arm. The fear in her eyes was potent but contained; if only out of fear doing anything would anger him.
\tHe watched her wince once he extended her wing proper; and found a bolt stuck in her flesh hidden under a few feathers. He was tender as he shifted her feathers to see the wound.
\t“She is in luck Master.” Lilith told him as she wandered up to him. “It missed the bone and the major arteries in the arm. It hurts but once removed there should be no issues in it healing.”
\t“I see.” Otiv told her as he gave her a glance. He took an odd strip of leather from his inventory. Holding it up to her, he played a little game of monkey see monkey do. He, after making sure she was looking, opened his own mouth and acted as though he was going to bite it; then moved it to her mouth. She seemed to understand and opened her mouth. He put it in her mouth and she bit down. Then holding a finger for her to focus on, he pointed her to the bolt, then gestured that he was going to pull it out. Again she understood and got ready for it. She cried out just when he grabbed it. Then before she could tense up he pulled it out. Naturally she cried out as he did it, biting down on the strip of leather enough she started cutting into it. “There there, all done.”
\tOtiv quickly checked his menus; found the first aid skill and then maxed it out. “Alright, first aid.” He went into the motions. “Craft, Cotton Cloth.” It took a moment but to the amazement of the bird before him. He conjured a sphere of a darker energy. It made Lucifer raise a brow; but he rolled his eyes and sighed. “Well, that worked.” He remarked. “That was automatic? Handy.” He looked at the Harpy's wound. “If I'm saving them now, I guess I should start with her; I shouldn't let it get infected.” He went back to his menus. There was a very complex crafting setup for antibiotics; but it would take too long, and tools he did not have.
\tHe looked into his inventory and had a few very low tier healing potions. They wouldn't do a lot for a wound like this but it would disinfect it at least. He opened another void pocket to grab a potion, once he had it he popped the cork on it and poured it onto the cloth. Then he started trying to wrap her arm; but she was scared and kept pulling it away.
'This isn't going to work if she won't give me that arm; and I'm trying to be nice about this.'\t
'Here try this.' He heard Lucifer tell him. Otiv glanced at him as he simply stood under his cloak, behaving rather well for once.
'It's a passive skill that'll fit you a lot better than me. Called The Aura of The Saint, it'll make most things see you in a better light and for reasons will trust you a lot more. Keep an eye on your mana though it'll have a steep cost to run at low levels.'\tAs he finished his little explanation Otiv found a new spell in his list. The Aura of the Saint was classified as an angelic spell, but fallen angels could use it as well.
'Well thank you Lucifer. Activate Aura of The Saint.' The effect was nearly immediate, the look on the bird's face eased. In her eyes sure he was still a devil looking beast, but now there was a softness to him; his horns didn't look so scary now. He gave her a smile then reached out for her arm. She hesitated sure but she let him take it this time; He took a moment to wrap her wound with the medicated bandage. “There we go. You won't be able to fly but that should allow it to heal and prevent an infection.”
\tHe got up again once that was done, then looked to Lilith. “Lil, is there a way we can make her understand our language better?”
\t“She does believe.” Lilith started. “Lilith should be able to do the reverse as she did with the mage. The mage however had a practiced and well learned mind; and let Lilith in. Lilith will require Master's more skilled hand to form the bridge for her.” Otiv gave her a nod and once again touched the harpy's head. Once he had done the heavy lifting, Lilith closed her eyes and went to work. The look on the bird's face changed a little as confusion set in. It took a few minutes but Lilith responded after she finished. “It worked … if slightly. Our language is too difficult to force into her mind; which is far too primitive. Lilith did manage give her the understanding of small and simple words though; enough that Master should be able to communicate with her.” Lilith told him with a smile.
\t“Good work.” Otiv told her after then rubbing her head. Looking back at the harpy Otiv then squatted back down. “We, go, to, nest.” The harpy gave a nod, she understood. It might have been because the Aura was still on. He opted to turn it off, as a test. Her attitude did shift a bit more when it was off; she went back to being afraid. When he got up she tried to follow if only to get back to her nest. However she wasn't able to put any weight on her right leg and stumbled back down.
\tOtiv looked back to her and raised a brow at her. She managed to tell him, “Fell hard, Leg hurts.”
\t“Alright.” Otiv replied. He turned back to her then said first placing his hand on his chest. “Otiv pick you up.” She flinched when he moved to lift her but didn't stop him. He scooped her up bridal style holding up her legs by her knees and her lower back. “Doesn't look like it's broken; must be a sprain.” He promptly approached the horse he had arrived on and started to set her on it. “Watch the talons now, this horse is not mine.” Well she understood the words talons and horse; judging by the look he gave her she curled her talons closer to her feet. He quickly got himself up on the horse and then gave a sharp whistle. “We're moving out, form up on me.” He looked to Lilith then told her, “Make sure the children don't get left behind.”
\tOtiv left the Duke and his people behind to deal with their problem. He took his group to deal with his problem. Even though his objective had changed from annihilation to subjugation; he still had to go to their nest and put his boot down. It took a short while longer than it had in the vision he saw. Though he and his people were on horseback and the harpies had been flying. Took almost two hours to arrive at the location he knew to be their nest site. Once the nest site came into view, Well Otiv could tell they knew they were there. He looked over to his left where Lilith was standing once he stopped. “I'll proceed alone, I want little to no blood shed.”
\t“Yes master.” Lilith replied with a bow.
\tThe harpy in front of him looked up at him; he could see the fear in her eyes. She feared what he was going to do to her sisters. So he patted her head and told her. “No worry, won't kill.” He then promptly got off the horse. “Lucifer, my scythe?” He looked over in time to see it thrown at him. He caught it despite Lucifer's lazy effort to hit him. “Thank you.” He then breached the clearing from the tree line. The village was on high alert. Harpies were above him in the air. Before him protecting huts. Otiv glanced around while others were still trying to usher young harpies away. Or just trying to hide the sick and wounded. Several of the harpies started making yelling squawking noises at him, he put it aside; they were simply trying to intimidate him. He looked around until he saw a nearby tree. It had a large stumpy branch on it. First in a swift motion he cut it from the tree; then before it could fall he pinned it back to the tree by stabbing the blade into it. He gave a smirk as he made sure it would stay, then turned back to the harpies. He counted maybe thirty harpies that seemed able to fight. And perhaps fourteen that seemed to be barely on their feet.
\tWell what must happen had to; so he took a few steps into the village and they attacked. A few came at him from above, well if nothing else it was going to give his apex senses a good test. Otiv used his scythe's poll to block their talons. It wasn't as hard, half starved as some of them were. He kept them at bay, but it got close. One harpy had come at him with a dive bomb kick which almost got him. A force had kept the harpy's talon away from Otiv's eye. “Happy now?” Lucifer asked. Otiv glanced at the boy whose hand was now returning to his coat.
\t“I don't understand.” Otiv told him. “I was much stronger than this.”
\t“I'm not in your head.” Lucifer told him, walking up to his side. “You are a summoner; not a fighter. Start acting like it.”
\tOtiv clicked his tongue for a moment. “Don't kill them.” he then ordered.
\t“Yes mom.” Lucifer chided with a roll of his eyes. “Alright, Sit!” He commanded in a sonic pulse like command. Instantly all the harpies came to the ground. Once they all sat down and could not get up, Lucifer smirked up at Otiv. “Done.”
\t“Smart ass.” Otiv growled. “Fine then. Lilith, bring forward food.” Lilith's imps worked together to set down near the bulk of where Lucifer had grouped them; Otiv had pulled from his stores several barrels and crates of food stuffs.
'Now how would someone try to befriend a hungry animal?' “Open them.” He commanded. A few of the swordsmen popped the lids off of barrels; and a few crates. They seemed stuffed with fresh and dried fruits and vegetables, the crates had nuts and berries. Otiv approached one of the barrels, with the young harpy in his company. He sat her down and handed her a red fruit. “Show them, eat.”
\tShe glanced up at him, and surprised him when she asked, “It safe?”
\tOtiv rolled his eyes, and grabbed an identical fruit. He showed it to her, then took a bite. “Happy?” He asked, still finishing his mouthful. He then glanced at Lucifer. “Let them go; they're petrified they won't try anything.” Lucifer rolled his shoulders and let the harpies go. Then looking at the blue feathered harpy. “Eat.” he ordered again. She nodded and took a bite; quickly cooing in delight and snarfing it down. The others seemed to watch her for a moment, assessing. However she was so happy with the apple, she grabbed a second, then a third. She quickly ran off as quickly as she could into one of the nearby huts. Otiv then found one rather daring little harpy tot; had slipped away from her mother. The bird who was now terrified. She tipped toed into one of the barrels trying to see what was inside, as Otiv reached in, and offered another red apple.
'Monkey see, monkey do.' The small bird gave the fruit a sniff, before she took a bite. The smile that crept across her little face, frankly made him smirk. Once he saw her munching on the fruit as well; now the others were poking their wings into the others; slowly, cautiously. Soon happy chirps and coos filled the air as the entire flock started eating. Soon they too started bringing food to loved ones.
\t“Low and behold.” Lucifer teased now leaning against a tree. “All hail Otiv, He Who Tamed The Birdies; seriously who comes up with these fucking titles?”
\tOtiv looked around at the harpies. They kept away from him; but it was a start. He figured that was good enough. They were being wary of him; but if he could teach them he'd feed them.
'Hell isn't that why they tell you not to feed stray animals?' He asked himself. He shook his head with a smile and admired the rather beautiful colors some of their feathers were. That was until his blue colored prisoner rushed back to him.
\t“Come please now, yes!” She shouted in a rush. The blue harpy was tugging Otiv's arm with her only usable hand desperately. “PleaseHurryNow!” She tugged again and again.
\t“Alright alright I'm coming.” Otiv told her, opting to follow the panicked little harpy.
\tShe tugged him into the nearby hut. Inside came the sounds of a young harpy, struggling and gasping for breath. She was thrashing about grabbing at her neck as if she was trying to grab something. “Sick Dying Save Please Begs! Will Do Anything!” The blue colored harpy pleased tugging him toward her. “Please! Please! Please!”
\t
'Something's choking her.' Otiv noted watching this happen. Her face was now turning colors; still gasping and sputtering. Now tearing at her own neck with her tiny fingers like something was wrapped around it. This had an all to familiar feeling to it. When he realized what it was he barked out. “Lucifer!”
It took a moment but the storm of boot falls was dwarfed only by the shout of. “Filthy abomination!” Lucifer tore into the hut like a force of nature scythe in hand. He hurried to the young bird's side and quickly stuck at something; resulting in an ear piercing sound like a hyper sonic wail. “You won't get away!” Lucifer roared as he rushed back outside. “Lilith! Battle stations!” He ordered as he went into finding the true monster.
\tThe young harpy was no longer struggling. Now sobbing and catching her breath; Otiv pushed the blue harpy to her. “Stay and Protect.” He told her.
\tShe gave a nod then asked as he went to the door. “What you do?”
\t“Protect.” Otiv told her then hurrying outside. Lilith's Imps were assuming a battle posture as Lucifer looked around. “Seems I misunderstood this world's predicament; gravely.” Otiv told him as he stood next to Lucifer.
\t“No shit; two in a single lifetime? There's no fucking way of that normally; I don't care the first one was a baby. This world is screwed beyond screwed.” Lucifer retorted, still looking around; his eyes a glow with dark red flames. “Here it comes!” He shouted as a shattering sound filled the sky; the fabric itself was ripped open exposing a dark world behind it.
\t“So, these are what's killing the Dukes realm.” Otiv said as a large tear opened high in the sky. Seconds after the pure dark of that large sky tear; it was replaced with a huge sickly yellow colored eye that stood in front of it and glared down at them. Next came a loud roar like scream. And a massive dark colored arm tore through the sky. “Thus our first boss fight begins.” As he said this however he moved a hand behind his back and did something.
\t“Watch out!” Lucifer ordered as a large arm reached through nothing and tried to slam into a group of harpies. The pale swordsmen and the spears blocked the strike with their shields using a phalanx formation; the spears piercing the hand. The monster roared as the hand vanished to try and strike at Lilith herself. She protected herself with a magic barrier. Titanic sized hands kept striking around the area as the monster lashed out. The eye in the large hole in the sky kept glaring around. Otiv stood back a moment to observe trusting the field for that moment to Lucifer. The monster lashed out at Lucifer and Lilith; who were doing their best to protect the harpies. “Damn it, it's not a young one either.” Lucifer snapped, blocking another huge strike.
\t“We're not harming it!” Lilith yelled, having to employ another barrier. “Physical attacks go right through it, the flesh is not solid enough for our weapons.”
\t“Son of a bitch.” Lucifer snapped.
\t“The eye!” Otiv yelled. “The eye looks at everything before a hand strikes it! Keep track of what it's looking at and we'll know what it's after!” Otiv ordered. His underlings nodded and acted. Lucifer started blasting large balls of fire at it, as Lilith's archers took shots. It was enough to force the monster to reserve a hand to cover its eye. The resulting onslaught tore the hand up no doubt doing some damage; but the eye was unscathed. What followed was a flurry of angry blows as huge hands appeared from dozens of places at once. The harpies, now believing him the safest place, fled to Otiv as they screamed in terror. The scene repeated with Otiv's force unloading its worst against the eye. However it simply used more hands to protect it.
\t“Damn it.” Lucifer snapped. “We don't have enough fire power. There's not enough of us here to keep the damage up. We gotta hit the eye to do serious damage but there are too many hands to burn through.” Almost as if on cue two hands started pulling at the tear. A sinister look of pleasure came over the eye as it tore at the tear. “Lilith barrier now!” Lucifer ordered, fearing what it was about to do. As instructed she put up a barrier spell Otiv promptly put a hand on her head to amp up the power. It succeeded in ripping open the hole the eye was peering from, and a huge skull-like head could be seen behind it. A dark energy started filling what only could have been its mouth. It took a few moments as this attack charged.
\tUnsure what it was he should do; Otiv thought back. “Activate skill : The Waking Watcher.” Quickly fog covered all and the hum of dark energy for a moment faded away. He had visions of a beam of massive darkness. Visions many of them in which case Lilith's barrier was not enough; and shattered. They were doomed; nothing he could do, nothing he could change would make her barrier last. Again and again the same outcome regardless of what he changed. The barrier shattered and everyone died. The barrier shattered and he remained standing. The barrier shattered and Lucifer alone survived. Nothing changed besides who survived in all these possibilities.
“Use it, if you're ever in a pinch.”
\tQuickly he reached into his inventory, and grabbed the Eden Apple. The monster readied its blast as Otiv took a bite. The monster launched its attack and a blackish green beam blasted Lilith's barrier. Everything went silent as the barrier held for seconds before it promptly shattered.
~ Energy proficiency increased~
Angelic Light
lvl 0 < lvl 1
\tThe clash of energy cried out as an illuminated hand shot forward and produced a field against the attack. Lilith looked up to the face of her master that she had seen that day. Bathed in light like it came from him, and radiated through his six golden wings.
~Info Tag~
Alexander :
The Holy Seraphim of Light~Titles acquired~The Hallowed Son
The Blessid Lord of Light
Second of the Three
Betrayed, He became The Betrayer
The Instigator of Rebellion
The Bloody God of War
He who saved The Firstborn
The One who Loved the Mortals Souls
The Kin Slayer
The God Killer
The Sole Survivor
Last of the True Blooded Gods
Keeper of The Untold Tale
Bearer of The Golden Heart of Hope
Father of the Second Born
The Beginning Hidden in the End
Hp: 400,000,000 x47
\t“Beloved are those who bathe in the light of hope.” He spoke like a chorus. “Bare Witness now to The Seraph of The Light.” Otiv's hand remained outstretched, clashing against the otherworldly blast. Once the beam faded away the monster roared again. “Lucifer go!” He shouted, tossing the mask to him.
\tHe caught and quickly put on the mask. Lucifer said after. “Guess it's time to go big or go home.” He unleashed his power and grew in size until he was as tall as Otiv was. “You ready? We can't afford to hold back; not on a monster like this.” Lucifer told him. Letting the scythe go and picking up a large tome. Otiv collected a golden scythe, and a silver book.
\t“I know.” Otiv assured him. Before going on with. “Not to jinx it, but not sure how long I can hold this form.”
\t“Just great.” Lucifer chided, “Try to endure it; makes me sick to say it but we need that light right now.”
\tThe monster let out another screech. Then began another volley of attacks; rapid fire strikes from the massive hands. Otiv put himself in the middle of the field. Lucifer took a position in the far back near the harpies. Lilith and her hive took the foremost position. As Lilith had her hive draw its attention, Otiv reinforced their armor. Was a magical spell he had just gotten once he took this form; it was in the silver book. Called Willful Reinforcement, it boosted resistance to all damage based on the target's willingness to fight alongside the Seraph. Otiv thought it a little much seeing as Lilith would most likely be willing to die for him. But he wasn't going to let worries of balance stop him; not in a battle like this. Besides the fact they were going to need it; Lilith's hive had just taken another massive blow. The damage nullification was all they kept them standing.
\tThis was different. This little book had all kinds of information but he had to read it from the book and not his normal visual overlay. Now this next one sounded useful.
'Gate; classified as universal magic. Gate allows the caster to make a portal to any location he'd already been to.' Otiv thought as he read the entry. “So like my base camp. Where the rest of my force is.” Otiv looked back Lucifer was conjuring mass magics to use as attacks; also protecting the harpies. Lilith and her hive were drawing the arms to strike at them and waiting for further orders. “A battle might not be the best place to try it; but now or never right?” Otiv proceeded to hold his free hand out. “Now then Gate!” He ordered. A near transparent field opened around his hand. He looked up as a volley of hellfire bolts rocketed above him and toward the monster. He shook the cobwebs out then stuck his head through the portal; sure enough it was just where he wanted it. Was right in front of the bonfire.
\t“HEEY!” Otiv called out. Then sticking a hand through the portal to give a sharp whistle. A few seconds later several imps rushed out of the entryway into the mountain. “Let's go, let's go, battle stations!” The lot of them hurried over followed shortly by Sera who was already on fire. They all hurried on though, Sera surprised the most at the massive boss battle ravaging her comrades. “No time to explain; Seraphina reinforce Lilith's group. Red workers to Lucifer, prepare for long range combat. Archers to Lucifer as well.” They followed his orders as Otiv looked into his inventory. He had hidden the children away inside it when he realized how bad this was gonna get. Now he was debating if he should bring Elliott into the fight despite his general lack of both level and training. He chose against it for the time being, as more hellfire blast, as well as fire bolts and black light arrows flew over him. The ranged attacks lashed the hands the monster was defending its eye with; the hellfire seemed to work rather well. Lilith's melee units could only draw aggro; their weapons had since proven useless. Sera was able to do a little damage when she started going toe to toe with the giant fists.
\tOtiv made a note of that; it seems that while not physical enough for material weapons, this thing's flesh burnt rather well. Not only that. It did everything it could to avoid Lucifer's hellfire. In fact it threw away its hands to protect its eye from it. Otiv was forced to defend himself with his scythe when another fist struck at him. “Alright, starting to piss me off here.” He followed up with a sharp whistle getting Lilith's attention. He motioned her back; it was doing no good to let them be battered. Lilith and her warriors retreated, followed promptly by Sera. Lucifer and his team kept battering it from range as best they could. It really didn't like the hellfire compared to the normal fire bolts; that seemed the way to go. He focused back to Lucifer wondering if they were still mentally linked.
'Lucifer?'\t
'What?' Lucifer replied promptly.
\t
'Is there any way to spread your hellfire to the rest of our ranged units?' Otiv asked, as he was forced to block more attacks with a barrier shield.
\t
'I can make a pit of hellfire I suppose.' Lucifer told him.
'They'll be able to draw the flames from it rather than making their own.'\t
'Good, do it.' Otiv instructed. It took a few moments. Lucifer stopped attacking to create a large pit; which fell inward. Black hellfire roared up from it. The worker imps promptly started scooping up hellfire and firing bolts of it. Lilith's archers also started dipping their arrows into it as well; a choice all her own. The first volley of this plan rocketed over Otiv's head and set a few arms on fire. It didn't get the response Otiv was hoping for however. It let out an ear piercing screech several arms now on fire vanished, then started a panicked rapid fire of strikes. It struck everything around him and scattered those Otiv had around him. The strikes kept slamming, and the monster shrieking. The pale imps who did their best to keep their shield wall; but it crumbled after a dozen or so more strikes. Otiv was shook for a few moments; a loud slam near him had made his ears ring.
\tWhen he managed to come back around, Sera was struggling with a large fist. Lilith was on the ground badly hurt. Lucifer had his hands full with a dozen or so arms and preventing them from turning the harpies and ranged imps into pancakes.
\tThen Otiv saw the eye. It was glaring at Sera and Lilith. He knew that meant it was about to strike. Lilith was already down and Sera wasn't going to see it coming. So he hurried over to her and blocked the first strike with his scythe, then the second and third; now it was just getting ridiculous. To stop strike four he had to deploy a barrier. Then five, six, and seven overwhelmed his shield. Sera finally threw back the fist she was struggling with in time to see Otiv tossed by a strike. He slammed into the ground skipping a short way for a few times. Until he hit a large rock; and came to a dead stop. Ever feel the entire length of your spine shatter within the span of three seconds; and live to tell about it? Here's hoping you never do.
\tOtiv was amazed how bad it hurt, more so how much damage he had taken. “Guess the apple wasn't enough … after all.”
'What's this feeling? I know I can't be dying; I have like thirty health bars left.' He looked at a few bars on his overlay. One had been colored white but was now rapidly bleeding away. But dropping faster was his hp.
'I see, this system takes internal injuries into consideration. I must be fucked up for it to be bleeding away so rapidly, no doubt more than a few broken ribs; surely they punctured something.' His eyes rolled up to see Lucifer rushing to him. Sure he had abandoned the others to get to him; but Lilith and Sera had taken up the defensive.
\t“OTIV!” Lucifer yelled as he rushed over to him. However, that was about the moment that white bar had emptied. The angelic form he wore melted away from Otiv; who promptly violently coughed up blood.
\t
'SO, is this how it feels to die?' Otiv asked himself. His vision grew blurry, before his sight faded away. The last thing he heard was the brat crying out his name again.
'Awww, So, you do care.'“So my son.” A man spoke. “You give up?”
\tOtiv opened his eyes and found himself elsewhere. It was like a void. He didn't hurt anymore; but then again he felt nothing at all. Finally looking to where he heard the voice come from. He saw a young man in a gray cloak, long brown hair, and a little pony tail. A goatee, and most importantly his eyes. One was glowing red, the other was glowing blue. There was an otherworldly feel to him and his every breath radiated cosmic levels of power. “Am I … dead?”
\t“Well sorta.” He replied scratching his chin. “Part of you is down for the count; and getting it back won't be easy.” He promptly held out a hand. “So I figured I'd give you a choice. Would you like to give up; or would you rather continue?” He had a smile on his face as he held out his two hands.
\t“Who are you?” Otiv asked before he made a choice.
\t“Huh, well I am a lot smaller.” He replied, giving a soft chuckle. “I can see how you wouldn't remember me. First allow me to properly introduce myself. My name is Vito and it's my honor to be The Storyteller. You see I speak the words, and worlds form around me.” He slid a hand down his hip, until it reached a bag. “And the last time you saw me; I was likely wearing this.” He took from his bag a stark white fox shaped mask with red colored markings along the ears and the left and right jawlines.
\tOtiv knew this mask. “Maker?” Vito gave a nod.
\tThey talked for a short while; Otiv telling him what he had done so far. Vito gave a lighthearted chuckle. “My, what a tale so far.” He said, then gave Otiv a head pat. “So the system really titled you ‘The Deceiver’ though? Let me check that before we do anything.” He flicked his right hand pulling up a rather massive list of information that try as he did Otiv could make no sense of. “Huh that's weird. The system thinks you've succeeded in lying to yourself; thus the title.”
\t“Do I, have time to be talking to you like this?” Otiv asked.
\t“Oh yes we're fine.” Vito replied. “Until you make a choice here, time in that world is frozen; seeing as if you die that world is doomed.”
\tOtiv nodded, “I don't understand then.” Otiv replied, looking up to him. “How am I lying to myself?”
\t“Maybe it's your name.” Vito answered him, however Otiv saw the smirk he tired to hide. “Your name is not Otiv.”
\t“It's not?” Otiv asked, “But that card read the name Otiv.”
\t“No, your mind was not able to flip it like normally it would; you weren't actually looking at it.” Vito told him. “A certain someone put it right into your visual overlay. In short; Your mind read it backwards.”
\t“So if I started calling myself Vito; would that fix the title issue?” Otiv asked him in turn.
\t“Eh afraid not; it's a case of damage done.” Vito replied. “Only way to override this title is to acquire a higher one. Not to mention you've already established yourself as Otiv.” He stopped and patted his head. “It might confuse too many people, including your own minions if you changed your name. It might even rouse anger from them if they are particularly fond of your name as established when you gave them shape.”
\t“I see.” Otiv told him with a nod and holding his chin. “So I truly am dead right now?”
\t“Near death, yes.” Vito told him. “I reached out to you and stopped time moments before. Lucifer is about five steps from you; but there is little he can do. The demonic blood alchemy can't effectively tend to wounds like you have. It can heal flesh with ease; but it can't knit bone.”
\t“What's the diagnosis doc?” Otiv asked in turn, wondering what kind of information he could glean from his Maker.
\t“Fifteen broken ribs.” Vito started. “Both lungs have been punctured. Your heart, while not directly wounded, is in shock and its beat has dramatically been thrown off; not to mention the minor but deep scratches your pericardial sack received. Many major arteries have been ruptured and are causing you to bleed into your chest cavity. Your skull has been fractured in several places. Your left arm is broken in four places and your right hand has been crushed. Your left leg nearly snapped in two just above the kneecap. And along the length of your spine just about seventeen, no no, eighteen vertebrae have been reduced to splinters” He stopped for a moment to rub Otiv's head again. “To sum it up you're nearly pudding; all the kings horses and all the kings men would not have been able to put you back together again.”
\t“But you're saying I can choose to go back.” Otiv then asked, “How would that work if I would die?”
\tVito gave a nod, it was a good question. “Well normally I'd petition a being to rush to your aid. But sadly that world has none who could beat that monster. Thus no one or no thing I could send.”
\t“What!?” Otiv sputtered. “I've fought two of these things now. Even if the first one was a juvenile. You're telling me none on that planet are strong enough to fight them??”
\t“Oops.” Vito sounded then rapping his knuckles on his own head. “I just spoiled that; Yes there is no being mortal or otherwise that can fight these monsters on that planet. Aside from you that is, but you are dying.” He stopped and gave Otiv a smile; before letting out a deep troubled sigh. “While I detest the idea of Fate itself sneaking into my own lab and stealing away one of my two sons; it seems Fate did send you to that world for a reason and a good one at that. Those abominations are like locusts. They consume a world right to the soul at its heart; then move on to the next.”
\t“This world has a soul!?!” Otiv sputtered again. “Like a titan soul from those games I have in my memory? What was it called something craft or ...why can't I recall the name now?”
\t“I've done it again.” Vito scolded himself; again rapping his knuckles on his head. “Why is it that my guard is so low against my sons? Yes this world has a titan soul locked away in the chamber of the heart.” Vito gave a smile. “In fact all of my worlds bear a titan soul; I'm quite proud of that achievement. I've mastered an art lost with those who came before me; Titan world souls are not common any more.” He paused for a moment and shook his head; he was giving away too much information again. “Regardless of that, my options should you choose to continue on are limited. Being unable to call for someone or something to come to your aid; the only thing I can do is use you.”
\t“I don't understand.” Otiv confessed.
\t“That's natural; you've been going around as a spent angel after all.” Vito told him. “And now your light is utterly spent; without your missing piece getting more is unreliable at best. And right now Alexander is dead. All I can do is activate your lingering demonic blood, and knowingly weaken the seals that hold back your truest form. Then set fire to it; bringing it to a boil and risk letting Sin loose on that planet. It'll bring your demonic form to the forefront but you might go berserk; there is an eighty five percent chance of that happening. The remaining fifteen percent is split between two options that would be direly worse then you just going berserk. In that state however your demonic blood will heal your wounds grievous as they are. And destroying that monster will be a simple task.” He stopped and let out a nervous chuckle. “Hopefully your minions will be smart enough to keep you away from anyone or anything that isn't yours; or at least that you see as yours. Or you may kill them. Once more however.” He reached out with a hand. “That still depends on your answer. Do you give up?”
\tOtiv reached out and took his hand. “Like hell I'd give up.”
\t“That's the spirit son.” Vito told him with a warm smile then pulled him back up. Quickly he added something to Otiv's inventory; he felt it. “You'll need this, not suppose to give it to you; but fuck the rules. What father doesn't dote on his children? It's called the Arch Devils Heartstone. Place it in your base and it'll unlock the Overlords path to you; and give you many new ways to expand your minions powers.” He gave a pause, stroking his chin. With a soft laugh. “While it truly is a long shot, if you do ever meet him; Give my regards to lord Ainz. He is a fellow Overlord after all, but his heart stone works differently then yours however; but I am forbidden from saying more.” He paused after pulling Otiv back to his feet. “It however will be tied to your life force; so you'd do well to protect it with your life. So long as it survives even your body will come back from death, and nothing could claim your soul.” He then placed a hand over Otiv's heart. “Here we go; do your best. Oh and keep Lucifer's advice in hand; you'll be a full devil now. So cut loose a little more.” Next came a surge of power that overwhelmed Otiv's senses and mind. “Limiter Release : Arch Devil's Rage!”
~The worst has happened,
The chains have been severed,
The beast is now free~
\tOnce again in the world he was in, Otiv's lost eye looked up to see Lucifer. He wasn't expecting the feared look on his face; or the tears running down his cheeks. “OTIV!” he yelled as he raced to him as fast as his legs could carry him. Otiv felt himself growing cold; felt his light dimming. After a few seconds longer he could no longer hold up his head. “Come on, don't you die on me jerk!”
\t
'I'm back.' Otiv couldn't lift his head any longer, he couldn't move at all. But he felt a bubbling sensation filling his chest.
'So he woke my demonic blood. I remember this feeling. The same from the other day when I ran the Duke around the room; trying to kill him with death magic. My blood, I can feel it starting to boil, it feels like I'm losing consciousness.' He managed to get his eye to look back up at Lucifer who was desperately trying to heal him with whatever magic he could think of.
'Never thought you'd care so much about me; heh some devil. So you do still have a heart … in that chest … of yours.' He was quiet for a few moments.
'I wonder … is the light … truly … lost to you? Could I … save … you … of all …p … p ... people?' His consciousness faded after that though. What followed was a loud crack, like someone snapping a ceramic tile in two. Otiv's face distorted until a cracked stark white mask fell from it. A few pieces cracked off of it once it hit the ground.
\t“What the?!” Lucifer asked, seeing the mask hit the ground. He picked it up and traced a hand over it. “It's, like mine.” When he looked back up to Otiv; well first and foremost the man's eyes were open.
\tOne of his eyes was red, the other was blue. The heterochromatic
pair of eyes looked to Lucifer and were followed by a smile. He raised his hand to pat the boy's head. “So, how long have you been waiting for me kid?”
\tLucifer turned away for a moment. He then replied with. “Too long. Jerk.” He sheepishly looked back at him. “Are you really awake this time? Tired of a pussyfoot fallen angel.”
\tOtiv nodded then proceeded to push himself back up to his feet. “Look for yourself.” He replied. Showing a pair of wings; one the pure white the other a featherless leathery black. His horns were to their full eight inches in length and capped in a red flame. A halo was over his head, the normal gold color interwoven with dark light-less metal; almost looking like two halo's had been twisted together. After a few seconds more only his red eye started to glow.
\t“About time.” Lucifer chided before once again looking away. “I was getting tired of waiting and watching myself suffer.”
~I see. Yet again I miss understand what my own child is. He is neither an angel or a devil. Could he be the one of a kind?~
\tOtiv gave a smile as he put his hand on the boy's head. “Sorry; I'll make it up to you.” He promptly looked up to the monster still slamming a titanic sized fist into Lilith and Seraphina's defenses. “Shall we end this damn abomination?”
\t“Gladly.” Lucifer replied. Before letting out a startled yelp. Otiv reached down and pulled the mask from his face. “No, don't! You even know what that is!?!”
\t“It's the key.” Otiv told him. “It's why I gave it to the duke; and kept myself from even being able to sense it with those gloves. I can handle it this time; I've already felt this pain.” Otiv actually gave a sigh then a smirk, a thought almost forced to his mind. “He looked to the young prince; and to impress him. He took on his multi armed form; and said. 'And now I am become Death; the destroyer of worlds'. Now, now I understand this tale.” He pushed the mask to his face; and a haze took over all of creation. His horns erupted into black flames. His wings grew large and dark; almost to the point they were shadowed. His flesh churned into an ashen color for a moment; until he at least managed a dull scarlet. He filled into a far more stacked version of himself and the whites of his eyes turned gray. He grew three more pairs of horns. Two pairs swept back over his head the fourth pair curled down past his forehead and grew close to his ears. Last but not least a dark red flame erupted from his eyes once they filled out the dark eye holes of the mask. Then found himself clutching the black book, He was as deep he could get. The Tome bore the name; The War of Angel's Fall. He promptly flipped it open and read the first page. “So, this is how you hold a universe in the palm of your hands?” He asked as he shut the book again. He looked at himself as dark power pulsed through his veins; he could feel everything. It felt good.
~Info Reader~Otiv :
The Sinner~Titles acquired~The one that usurped all of creationI c UThe Original SinHp 999,999,999,999 x666
~Energy affinity acquired~Deep Dark Mana lvl 2Demonic Force lvl 5Abyssal Right lvl 5The Will of Sin lvl 100___
The One Who sees All
The Shiver in the Night
Deceiver of Creation
The Herald of True Fright
The one who holds the key
And will one day light the way
The Living Pandora's Box
Who can make the mortals pay
\t“Hold this for me boy.” Otiv told Lucifer, handing the boy a scarlet crystal. Before Lucifer could respond Otiv was gone. The collective Imps guard had finally been crushed, and a titanic sized fist was flying toward the harpies. “Now where is she?” He asked glaring around, while holding back the massive fist with a barrier.
\t“Master?” Seraphina cried out.
\t“Not now.” Otiv ordered, making her clam up. “Where is she?” He was looking for something. He smirked then gave a shove, the arm he stopped then was obliterated. “Huh, better hidden than I thought. Looks like even my senses can't find her that easily; and that's saying something seeing as right now I can damn near sense the whole planet. And even my eye can't see it.” He looked down at the blue feathered harpy who clutched his leg with her feathers frayed out. She let out a sound between a sob and a chirp … and a scream? “Hey kid.” He rubbed her head with a hand quickly. “Scary isn't it?” He referred to the second titanic fist, now trying to breach his barrier. She gave a prompt nod; very much terrified. “Wanna see something cool?” That made her look up at him. He held his hand up toward the massive eye in the sky; his thumb tucked tight under his hand. His remaining fingers opened to a V shape that saw two fingers on each side of the V.
\tHe leveled the slot his hand now formed on the eye glaring through the tear then closed his right eye. “Come forth flames of hell; Come forth of darkest fire. Rage onward and for always. Leave now none unscathed in my boiling rage. Bare now the fangs of hell to annihilate my target. Rage forth with my furry unleashed; Hellfire Longinus!” A blackened burning lace formed as he chanted his spell. Once finished it fired with a deafening wail of the damned targeted at the eye. The monster used many hands to try and protect itself; but the lace cut through all of it like a hot knife through butter. It let out a sharp sounding scream as the lance punched through the hands, through the eye, through its skull and blasting off into the dark world behind it. It promptly exploded seconds after. Afterwards the entire area grew deathly silent. “Cool huh?” The look on the harpies face was frankly indescribable. In the loosest possible definition a wash of awe, fear, terror, gratitude, sorrow, relief, and most of all visible confusion; last but not least was a lingering glimmer of hope. Otiv then reached down and closed her since left hanging jaw.
\tThe sound of the wind blowing returned as Otiv dropped his barrier and popped his right shoulder back into its socket; the arm itself now limp and venting a black steam. There may have also been the sound of searing flesh; but let's not talk about that. Lucifer wandered up to him shortly after. “Lucifer hold on to this for me.” He told the boy, taking the black mask from his face again. He noticeably shrunk down in both size and bulk. The feathers didn't return to his wings, and he was very noticeably demonic. Where before he could pass for human with a little magic; now that would be a hard sell. “Never a wise idea to hide a key next to the lock it opens.” He gave a short laugh as Lucifer took the mask and passed him back the Heart Crystal. “Even I don't trust myself not to get mad enough to use it; uuuh often.”
\tHe looked around as Lilith and her hive picked themselves back up; Lilith having to revive a few of the dead hive members. Then looking up at the tear in the sky Otiv then said. “Guess I should seal that back up. Before more nasties come through it.” He quickly summoned a small Longinus needle, then the red thread. Quickly putting them together in an otherworldly light show. He gave a shallow gulp before taking to his wings and flying up to the tear. He grabbed hold of the distortion and started sewing it closed. However he took a moment to look through it; then wished he hadn't. He looked out into a dark world; with colossal pillars made of unknown substances that stretched up into the abyss. And there were things out there, Millions of them; maybe even trillions. The tiny monsters like the one Lucifer killed at the Dukes manor. Big ones like the one Otiv just killed. And ones so huge, Otiv had to look straight up to see them; though few in number thankfully.
\tHowever once Otiv was sat at this tear; All eyes suddenly fell on him; and one of the big ones may have started moving. “That's not good; that’s eat the cosmos level of fucked right there.” Otiv quickly sealed the tear as fast as he could, one could even swear he sped up his own personal time frame. “Nope, nope, nope, nope, nope, nope, nope!” Once he was sure it was sealed; and for that he double checked. He quickly went back down to the ground. He looked to Lucifer then agreed with him. “So fucked beyond fucked.”
\t“What did you see?” Lucifer asked in turn.
\t“Those things.” Otiv replied, looking back to where the eye had been. “Billions of them. And ones so big they could be old gods along the lines of Cthulhu.”
\tLucifer was silent, mouth agape. Even in his purest form at one hundred percent of his power; even he couldn't take on such a force. “What … huh … but … What mortal could fight a force like that? The hell is this planet? It's not just screwed, it's doomed! Fucking Doom Guy couldn't save this fucking planet! You'd need an army composed of the heroes among the heroes' greatest heroes just to survive that.”
\tOtiv gave a nod, then rubbed his chin. Was this why he did it? Thinking back to his Makers 'mistake’. When he mistakenly told him of the planet's titan soul. “What if.” Otiv started looking down to Lucifer. “This planet had a titan soul at its heart? Could we do something with that?”
\tLucifer cupped a hand to his chin for a few seconds. “Well not sure. The Titans were powerful creators, Second only to the Original Makers; those who bore the true blood. Could be that titan soul is what these abominations are after. But if we got it first, you could, theoretically speaking, obtain power enough to rival the true gods. With that defeating these things would be made far far easier. The big ones not so much but the ones we've seen, child's play.”
\t“I see.” Otiv mused aloud. However he had pushed too far too fast again and was getting dizzy. After wobbling on his feet for a few moments he had to sit down; grew sluggish.
\t“Hey.” Lucifer shouted then placing his hands on Otiv's shoulder. “Hang on you.”
\t'Looks like I overdid it again.' Otiv thought to himself. His vision started getting blurry. If not for Lucifer holding him up he'd have been on the ground. 'Looks like it's nap time. Seriously, I can't even try to keep my eyes open.'
Chapter 10 : This is the rise of a Devil King?
\tOtiv was unsure how long he had been asleep. But when his mind finally rejoined the mortal world; the first thing he felt was the softness of the blankets under him. Then the warmth of the pair of bodies on top of him. It took him longer than past times to get his eyes open. It was dawning on him now he couldn't keep pushing his mind to the breaking point. He was going to have to get tangibly stronger then he was now; and that alone was a frightening thought. He figured he was already pretty much the textbook definition of OP. If he truly was the world's only hope he had to get stronger; relying on a double edged sword just to survive had to stop. He was able to get his eyes open after his fourth try; it was like an actual weight was weighing them down. He looked to his left where Lilith laid. To his right Seraphina. They were both nude and had his scent on them; by that meaning he could smell his seed in and on them. His sense of smell was abnormally sharp; off scent alone he could place damn near everyone in the cave on a mental map. But he was now a devil, not a powerless fallen angel. Otiv chalked it up to devil senses and left it at that. “Morning girls.” Otiv said in a rather raspy tone.
\tSeraphina woke first. “Morning Master.” She cooed before rubbing her eyes. She then crawled up to his face where she gave him a kiss. Otiv allowed it, feeling the feisty imp queen sticking her tongue into his mouth. He cupped the back of her head as he returned her kiss. Lilith woke shortly after. “My Master; glad to see you feeling better.” Seraphina told him as she started nipping and biting his neck with her tiny but sharp teeth; they couldn't do much harm to him but they felt strangely great against his flesh.
\t“Master.” Lilith started. “Lilith does not agree with kissing that trollop.”
\t“Shh.” Otiv cooed. Lilith's face flushed over. He cupped the back of her head with a hand and made her lips come to his. She resisted but didn't try to stop him. He pushed his lips to hers then invaded her mouth with his tongue. She made a few lewd noises as he kissed her, sliding his hand down her side until it was mauling her ass.
'I can't stop myself. Is this more demonic biology? It's kind of fascinating.' He pulled Lilith up onto his groin; his cock growing hard against her belly. Her face flushed over brightly but her hands slid to his shaft and started tenderly rubbing his tip. He then roughly palmed her ass again making Lilith moan in delight.
\t“How cruel Master.” Seraphina cooed, moving up to kiss him again. “Sera gives Master affection first; But Lilith gets his cock first?”
\t“She's not wrong.” Lucifer cooed from across the room. “Kind of a 'dick' move. She goes to the restaurant first but you serve second place before her?”
\t“Lucifer.” Otiv scolded. He moved his other hand to Sera's ass until his fingers probed open her opening. To which she cried out in delight. “I'm not stopping.”
\t“Didn't say you should.” Lucifer told him back. “The fastest way to make your queens useless; leave her with blue balls and see how well her hive fights for you.” He promptly replied. “And I was simply going to say you can give yourself two you know. Base devil magic has like five entire pages decided to perverted shit; double dicks is literally for child's play.” He laid back on a hammock he had up on the wall; content to watch.
\tBoth of the little queens looked up to Lucifer; then to Otiv with sparkling eyes. They both then cooed out in unison. “Please!” Lilith looked bashful but needy. Seraphina just looked horny and ready to fuck.
\t“Alright.” Otiv said before giving them both a sharp slap on their asses. They both moaned in delight. Otiv then saw the tab in his visual overlay; Lucifer had even pulled it up for him, little enabler. He simply selected the option for a second cock; and instantly it formed. Hell he had an entire page decided to body morphing alone. He shot Lucifer a serious frown; Who gave him a smirk in turn.
'Why is this magic fuckin easy to use?' Seraphina looked at his second member like it was beautiful, then tossed herself in front of Lilith. That felt great already. His true cock now sandwiched between Lilith's soft groin and belly and Sera's rather full ass. Sera now lavished his second cock with her hands and her thighs. Finally he bit his lip, his new blood now boiling with lust. He could hold back no longer. Lifted both imp's up effortlessly; and much to their delights sank them both down onto a cock.
\t“OOOh shit!” Sera cried out first. She leaned back into Lilith's arms as she welcomed her Master's girth.
\t“Lilith loves this feeling.” She cooed as she welcomed her master back to her private place. She bit on her lip as she clung to Sera for stability
\t“Alright girls.” Otiv told them after a rather long purring sound from the devil man. “Consider this a direct order. Ride my cocks; prove to your Master of all your love for him.” The look of desire in his eyes made them both gulp in unison.
\tBoth queens moaned in delight again. Then cried out again in union. “Yes master, thank you.” The room quickly filled with moans and groans as the two imp queens rode him. Lucifer couldn't help himself and quickly started rubbing on himself hidden away in his hammock. The pleasured cries of the two imps brought Otiv's blood to a certain kind of boil. More than happy enough to allow them to do all the work.
\tIt stayed that way for a short while until Otiv barked out. “Lucifer!” Otiv suddenly sounded annoyed. While it didn't stop the two imps who would only stop fucking him if he ordered them too; Lucifer's head poked up over his hammock. “Over here now.” He ordered. He was unsure what he wanted but Lucifer got up all the same. Otiv then pulled him up on the bed, but pulled his cloak off.
\t“Hey!” Lucifer cried out upon being stripped. His blackened wings covering himself, in an unexpected bashfulness.
\tHowever his complaint vanished when Otiv reached around and pulled Lilith forward. Then grabbing a hold of her ass cheeks. Otiv smirked. “Stop playing with yourself; and stick it in here.”
\t“Master please.” Lilith cried out. “Lilith doesn't likEEEEEEEEE!”
\t“You know what? For once, sure fucking thing!” Lucifer almost cooed as he invited himself deep into Lilith's ass. He then cupped her budding tits and started taking her as deep as he could. “Ooh, Going to enjoy this brat.” He moaned loudly in her ear just to rub it in.
\t“Master.” Lilith cried out; For a second. But once Otiv started bucking his hips against them; well she forgot all about what's his name now fucking her ass. The room now was a chorus of pleasured moans, and the sound of slapping flesh. The two imp queens riding Otiv as he thrust back into them. Lucifer moaning in Lilith's ear as he reminded her he was fucking her ass.
\tIt stayed this way until Lucifer moaned out. “Gonna cum!”
\tHe wrapped his arms around Lilith's body as he thrust into her faster and faster. Lilith then begged. “Master please, don't let that jerk cum in her ass.”
\tHowever all she got from him was, “shh.” Otiv then took Lilith's arms and made her hold Sera in a tight hug. “I hereby order you. You are not allowed to let go of Sera and will hold her snug until I finish.”
\t“But Master!” She cried out. “He's in Lilith's ass. Lucifer is about to cum in Lilith's ass.”
\tOtiv rubbed her head as he sank her all the way onto his cock. “And Lilith will shut up about it. And she won't say anything about it even as he gets to fill her ass.”
\t“Cumming!” Lucifer moaned. “AHHHH!” He held her tight as he popped, moaning loudly in her ear as he came. “OOOOH fuck yeah; hows that feel.”
\t“He's cumming in Lilith's ass.” She complained.
\t“Does it feel good?” Sera teased. She had gotten up off of Otiv only to turn around. Once she sat herself back down on her Master's cock; she pushed her lips to Lilith's. However all of them took a tumble when Otiv got up. Dumping the two imps onto Lucifer, who was lodged deep into Lilith's ass as this happened.
\t“My turn.” Otiv cooed, then railed the two queens. A firm grin filled his face. Sera cooed in delight and just grabbed hold of Lilith. When Otiv held onto Lilith's hips he took them deep, fast, and firmly. A smirk of his own crept across Lucifer's face as the two imp queens were turned into song birds of sorts. Singing a special little song as Otiv claimed them.
\t“MAS as as asASS!” Lilith tried to get out. However he didn't stop and every time he hilted himself in her, her voice caught in her throat.
\t“Ooh he's swimming in it now.” Lucifer cooed, not as bothered in being buried in naked imps as one might think, for obvious reasons; He came again as Lilith’s ass was forced to jerk his cock. Otiv was more like a rutting beast by this point. Lilith and Seraphina crying out sounds of bliss and pleasure. He rutted and groaned for a few seconds until both girls moaned out loud. He hilted himself in both queens as he blew a large load inside them. By noise alone both imps were elated. “Got that demonic blood roiling now.” Lucifer teased watching Otiv's eyes nearly rolling into the back of his head. “That'll help patch up those lingering wounds.”
\t“Master!” Seraphina cried out. Cradling her head next to Lilith's
\t“Lilith's belly is hot.” The imp told him.
~...~
\tAfter that, Otiv gave a moment to cool down he turned to Lucifer. “What was that? I couldn't stop myself.”
\t“Hey Demonic beings live off emotions.” Lucifer explained. “You'll feel everything a lot more than you did before. But the seven deadly sins; oh these are a whole lot more fun.” Otiv nodded. Both imp queens were plastered to their Master's sides. More than content to glue themselves to him and enjoy the afterglow; their tails wagging happily behind them. Lucifer then went on to explain. “Demons and devils get lots of dark mana from committing sin; lust being the easiest. You were in a bad need of a recharge last night; so I told these two to fuck you, they did so with glee might I add. Was the first time I told Lilith to do something, and got no back talk. They didn't both wake up in your bed naked for no reason after all.”
\t“Oooooh Master.” Lilith cooed … moaned … well it was a noise and she made it. She had a hand in between her legs playing with his leavings as she told him. “One of the Duke's men is at the entrance; wishing to speak to you on behalf of the Duke.” She cooed, stopping only long enough to kiss him a few times. “Naturally he had been forbidden from entering your private wing. My underlings told him to meet you by the central fire.”
\t“Sera.” The red queen started. “Sera wanted to … something something something Master.” She lounged across his legs licking at his now flaccid member. “But now she can't remember anything but how good her body feels.”
\t“Well guess I should go talk to this man from the Duke.” Otiv said. However the moment he tried to get up both imps clutched him. “Girls I am not a pony ride. I have to get up.”
\tThey both more or less cried out, “aww.” But despite them he got up.
“Ok I'm naked.” Otiv started. “Do I have clothes?”
\tLucifer walked over to an honestly rather shabby looking wardrobe. “You still have that robe you normally wear. Might not fit now you're a lot bigger.” He turned back around after hearing Otiv, well purring. He had turned back to the bed and had let the two imp girls start sucking his cock clean for him. He had a hand on each of their heads. Lilith was making long dutiful licks up his shaft. Sera had gotten a little over eager and went for his sack. “Ahem.” Lucifer cleared his throat.
\t“One sec fuck one sec.” Otiv groaned out. He grabbed Sera's head and stuffed his cock in her mouth. “Lilith, line up next to her.” He trusted himself into her mouth for a second until he groaned loudly. He came in Sera's mouth; then followed up by stuffing himself into Lilith's mouth to finish. Both imp girls moaned loudly as he filled their mouths with cock and cum. “Alright girls, that is enough now.” He told them even as he allowed them both to lick him root to tip yet again.
\t“Master seed tastes yummy.” Seraphina cooed, licking him yet again.
\t“Lilith agrees.” She cooed.
\tBy now both imps just about had hearts in their eyes. However, Lucifer smacked Otiv's ass. “HEY. Seriously, am I going to have to be the adult here?”
\t“Sorry.” Otiv sputtered after grabbing one of his horns. “I let my urges carry me away.” He gave both of his imp queens a head pat before he turned around to get dressed. Neither of them wanted to let him go; right now he was raw and easy to get going. They knew this and wanted to keep Master to themselves. However the sharp glare they got from Lucifer made them glance away and whistle innocently. “You've been keeping things in order for me?” He asked Lucifer.
\t“Yeah.” Lucifer replied from under his hooded cloak.
\t“How long have I been out?” Otiv asked in turn as he started getting dressed; to the boos and jeers of the imps still upon the bed.
\t“A night, don't worry; didn't miss anything at all.” Lucifer comforted him. “If there's one thing I know; its how to take care of my own kin.” He then looked up at Otiv; now adjusting some trousers.
\t“I was next to dead.” Otiv told him, with a look of confusion, “I was only out a night?”
\t“Your biology isn't angel anymore.” Lucifer fired back, motioning for the brats to leave. He rather promptly clutched his hands; black orbs formed around the queens. Lucifer made a harsh blowing sound and then the girls vanished. “God, for once begone thots.” Lucifer then shook his head. “To sum it up for you; Ever wondered why demons and devils are so unreasonably hard to kill? Black Mana is more then just a fuel source for Abyssal Magic. It also prompts High Speed perfect cellar regeneration; to sum that up. Any mortal who uses a regeneration ability rather then a healing spell shortens their life span; because their cells can only split and multiply so many times. Yours under the influence of Black Mana have no such flaw so long as the mana fuels the process; Lop off your head with a full tank it'll regrow in about three seconds.” He paused to give a deep disappointed sounding sigh. “You were the dumb ass who, right out the gate mind you, went for both barrels and fired off a Longinus; without the gas in the tank to pay the bill. Like I said you were in bad need of a recharge; Once that mana tipped back over the bleeding point your natural regeneration kicked back on. Sure you scorched the entirety of your insides pulling off that stunt and, well frankly, saving all of our asses from that damn monstrosity. But don't underestimate your ability to regenerate.” He gave a sigh however. “You had a helping hand though. Your Angelic side; it seems the type for self sacrifice. Once you burned through your mana firing that lance, What you got was bad; but it absorbed the brunt of it. I can't imagine even an angel being able to survive those side effects.”
\t“Ooooh.” Otiv said as he put his robe top on. “My head; it feels weird right now.”
\t“You'll have to get used to it.” Lucifer told him. “Demonic blood is a drug; apex blood more so. And seeing as right now your blood is one hundred percent pure apex devil blood; yeah nothing we can do but get you used to it.” He puts a hand on Otiv's back to brace him. “Normally over the course of your evolution you acclimate and adjust to your growing more and more demonic blood; you had to jump into the deep end without a life jacket.”
\tOtiv paused for a moment. “Am I … high right now? Off my own blood?”
\t“Like a kite.” Lucifer replied. He noted the sway Otiv took. “I'll brace you, just keep the pace mild.”
\t“So, what did I miss?” Otiv asked.
\tLucifer gave a swift reply of, “Not much. You blacked out. I rounded everyone up. You left that portal open so I told them to take you to your room, and to stay there; And I quote 'keep him company'. Like I said was the first time I told Lilith to do something and got no lip or back talk from her; in fact she smiled.”
\t“The harpies?” Otiv asked him.
\t“They followed you through the portal.” Lucifer told him. “Seems they don't like caves though; so they're outside.”
\t“It's only been a night?” Otiv asked him.
\t“Do you not trust me?” Lucifer asked, glaring up at him from under his hood.
\t“No; it's just it's never been this fast.” Otiv told him.
\t“Yeah well,” Lucifer started. “You've been a fallen angel until now. My play book gets a lot bigger with you now demonic. I have more spells and skills that work on Devils far better then they would an angel; and more so I can't use on an angel.”
\tOtiv nodded then asked “How do I look in this?”
\t“Too small on you now. Frankly looks dumb on demonic you as well.” Lucifer replied, giving him a once over. “We should get you better clothes; might I recommend a leather overcoat?”
\t“Well first things first.” Otiv told him; then turning and scooping up Lucifer. “Let's go see what the duke wants.”
\t“Do you have to carry me like a doll?” Lucifer asked.
\t“Would you rather have a piggy back ride?” Otiv asked him.
\t“No.” Lucifer replied, eyes darting to one side, and a slight blush.
\tSo Otiv carried him out of his room. He could already feel Lucifer's face lighting up in a blush; he did not like being carried. “Tell you what, find my little Cortana and I'll put you down.” Otiv told him with a smirk.
\t“Lilith?” Lucifer asked.
\t“That is what I carry her around for.” Otiv told him. “She knows everything I know. So I don't have to remember it.” He told him with a tongue in cheek tone.
\t“Fine, I'll bring her back.” Lucifer told him. He then gave a finger snap and seconds later Lilith showed up in one of the little black bubbles. “You seriously turned a powerful Imp queen into a smart phone?”
\t“Master!” Lilith promptly cried out. Otiv set Lucifer down and quickly picked her up. “He sent us to a fucking barren field in the middle of bum fuck nowhere!” She complained. “SO far away, Lilith could no longer hear her hive! She could not feel the beat of your heart.”
\t“Lucifer, bring Sera back too.” Otiv chided more than scolded.
\t“Sure.” Lucifer told him with an eye roll. Seconds after much the same with Lilith a black orb formed.
\tSeraphina showed up after it faded sobbing rather vocally. “Master!” Sara cried out. Seems she did not like being left alone or cut off from her hive; it easily could be either or. He sent her far enough away she couldn't even sense her hivelings… and promptly broke down crying.
\t“Alright girls.” Otiv started. “Be good; daddy has work to do.” They both nodded. He picked up Lilith which only made Sera grow jealous. So with a roll of the eyes he tossed her up into his wings. She cooed happily and Otiv went on his marry way. Lucifer rolled his eyes but followed quietly after him. Once Otiv left the entrance to his mountain lair; He looked off to his left. Sure enough by the large bonfire was a human knight in medium armor. He quickly approached, setting down his collection once he did. “Good morning class.” He joked in greeting the human.
\t“Ah, good morning Lord Otiv.” The man said with a salute. “I've been tasked with keeping you in regular commutation with the Duke. As such I've come to introduce myself to you; then return to the village for the day. My name is Oliver sir, and I have the Honor of being a squire to Captain Vincent.”
\t“Why don't I try to make your life a little easier then?” Otiv asked Oliver; who gave a concerned look in turn. Otiv looked down to Lilith who was still in his arms. “Love how many of those gate portals can I have at one time?”
\t“Five it seems?” Lilith replied after a few moments of mulling it over and checking a now bigger book. “And it seems Master can move them as he sees fit.”
\t“And I have been to the Duke's manor.” Otiv said aloud before giving the man a nod. “Gate.” He called out forming a tangible field around his hand.
\t“Uh, what is that?” The knight Oliver asked. "Is it m ma magic?"
\t“A gate. Should exit to the Dukes manor.” Otiv told him with a grin. “Please feel free to walk through and check. Oh and I think I might need to have a word with him; so could you ask the Duke to come over here?”
\t“What? That thing will take me to the Duke's manor?” Oliver timidly asked, approaching the portal. “And it's safe? What kind of magic is this?” To that Otiv reached through it and grabbed up a flower.
\tOtiv then gave it to the man and replied. “Satisfied?” The man gave a nod then tentatively walked up to the portal. However he took too long being nervous; so Otiv pushed him in. Once the man was gone he sat down on a log bench; and then held his head. “God I'm swimming in my own head right now.”
\t“Are you alright master?” Lilith asked concerned.
\t“He'll be fine.” Lucifer said once he stood by Otiv's left side. “I'm bracing him as we speak; but he just has to get used to it. We can't exactly remove his demonic blood now can we?”
\tHe set Lilith down after. Otiv then held his head with both hands after. “No doubt it'll take more than a small bit of time for the duke to get here; even with a portal. Where are the harpies now?” Otiv asked with his head now between his knees.
\tSeraphina pointed off toward the right hand side of the mountain's entrance. “Less than a mile that way. Seraphina has her imps helping them build some huts. Their village was destroyed by the Shadow Titan so now they need a new home. They wanted to build near you it seems.”
\t“And Lilith's hive is ensuring they are being fed, and the area guarded. Though she did return the Duke's cargo; so we're digging into our own food stores.” Said imp told him now rubbing his back. “The Pale Hive is also trying our best to heal the sick; but with a lack of healers all we can do is hand out potions. They're not all very good quality however but it is better than nothing at all.”
\t“Healers; that is an important thing.” Otiv started having managed to pull his head from his knees. “Options?”
\t“Well.” Lilith started. “Again Lilith doesn't want to suggest it. But the Ebony Imp hive is centered around magic casters; healers could be among them. She isn't positive but it is entirely possible.”
\t“You could also use your talent for summoning magic.” Lucifer started. “Spirit summoning is a thing in this world; and would easily be right up your alley. And nature spirits like dryads and other fey just to name the simplest ones are naturals in healing powers.”
\t“Not a bad idea.” Otiv said, pushing his head back upright. “Oh that reminds me.” Otiv looked at Sera. “I'm going to need a special and highly reinforced chamber. None but the Queens, Myself, and Lucifer shall be allowed into it unless invited by myself; and only I shall have a key to the door. Carve it out in my private wing if you would, see to it personally the door is the absolute strongest you can make it; I don't care if I have to go buy metals from the dukes lands.”
\t“It shall be done master.” Seraphina told him with a smile. “What is it for though?”
\t“My Black Heart.” Otiv told her, holding out the pulsing crimson colored gemstone. Inside of which danced a pitch black flame; there was a rhythm to the way it moved and flickered that could suggest a pulse. “This ladies is the Arch Devil's Heartstone; it allows evolution to an Overlord Class of Summoner. It was given to me by my Maker. I'm positive he broke many many rules giving it to me; and I don't think he cares. Along with other things that involve you lot directly; my demonic life force is tied to it. So long as it remains intact I can't truly die; nor can anything unnatural or supernatural claim my soul. This heart remains intact and I will always come back; or so its info tag claims.”
\t“Sera understands then.” She told him looking at the stone and feeling his power pulse from it. “The Ruby Hive shall make it a top priority. None will ever make it to Master's Heart! Seraphina will booby trap the hall herself if that's what it takes!” She shouted jumping to her feet and yelling the line.
\t“Naturally the Ivory Hive will defend Master's Dark Heart to the death if need be.” Lilith assured. “Lilith stakes her pride on it.”
\t“Alright.” Otiv mumbled. He got up off his log, and instantly wobbled. “I need to move; take me to my new pets.”
\t“Pets?” Lucifer started. “The harpies?”
\t“Yup always wanted a bird or two; now I have an entire flock. Go now.” Otiv told the boy. giving him a push. Otiv snapped up Lilith and let Sera go to work. She was more than eager to work on a project directly tied to her Master's well being. In fact she booted the first red imp she saw in the ass; for not knowing what she had not told them to do.
\t“What's wrong with you now?” Lucifer asked unsure what was going on in his head. He knew it was unique for every demon and devil.
\t“I don't know.” Otiv replied. He looked to Lilith who pointed the way. “I sat down because it felt good. Then I had to get up because it felt good. Now I have to move because it feels good.” Otiv followed Lilith's directions until he found the harpies. They, with help from his red imps, managed to throw together a few huts. The sick of the harpies had been stored inside them; but just the fact Otiv had given them food was already helping more then he realized. It took only a few moments for the blue feathered harpy from before to see him. She hurried over and hugged his side.
\t“Uh,” She started. Her speech was still stiff at best. But you could only stretch a primitive mind so far. The fact she could talk to him at all was a good thing. “Morning, Mr … uh monster.”
\t“Hey!” Lilith snapped. “That's Master!”
\tShe put one of her fingers to her chin. “Ma ster?” She asked looking up to Lilith, then cocking her head to the right.
\t“Yes.” Lilith replied in turn. Then pointing to Otiv she said. “That is Master.”
\t“Master!” The harpy then cried out hugging Otiv's side again. She then pulled on his arm. “Come come look see.”
\t“Alright little one.” Otiv said with a soft laugh. He allowed the harpy to lead him. After a few seconds she brought him to the young harpy she had been worried about. She seemed a lot better. The little bird girl was running around tweeting and chirping; somehow being a help, a nuisance, and adorable at the same time.
\t“She better.” The blue harpy said as she hugged Otiv's side again. “Master made better. Owes Master everything.”
\t
'I guess she wasn't ill.' Otiv said to himself.
'Her body must have been cannibalizing itself to keep her alive. At the peak of her pain that monster stuck; the more i learn about these nightmares the more i start to hate them.' He paused, watching her run around. She looked like a walking corpse but she was walking.
'They didn't get to this point overnight; so long as I keep them fed however, they should recover. I will have to expand our food gathering though, gathering won't sustain us all for long.' He rubbed the blue colored harpy's head. “You have name?” He asked her after looking down at her again.
\t“Name?” She parroted back at him.
\t“What do others call you?” Otiv followed up.
\t“Oh.” She chirped out. Then rubbing her head for a moment; she tried to find the right word. “Ta … Tealfeathers.” She said up to him than gave a happy tweet sound after.
\t“Alright Teal.” Otiv gave her head a rub. “Does your … flock I think is the correct term; need anything?”
\t“Uhhh.” Teal started racking her mind, trying to find the right words. However after umming and uhhing, himing and huhing for a few moments more all she came back with was. “More food. Uhh, ummm … Meat?” She replied nearly like a chirp, her head tip to the right.
\t“More meat?” Otiv asked. She gave a nod.
\t“Yes please.” She said with a smile; and a prompt little nod.
\tOtiv nodded. True, even he could use a little more meat. “Lilith.” Otiv started after a thought came to mind. “What are you archers doing?”
\t“Well.” She started Lilith then telling him, “Lilith has enough swords and spears to garrison the cave and the area around it; including this new little village.” She told him then looking up at him; not minding at all he was now carrying her with one arm. Said arm being wrapped on her tits, she was more than happy to let Master touch them. “So she has her archers sharpening their aim and far sight skills with target practice.”
\t“Then send them hunting.” Otiv told her. “I actually have to tell you that?”
\t“dah...” Lilith exhaled. Rubbing her cheek Lilith then told him. “Lilith admittedly did not think of it. She figured Master wanted the Pale Imps as a military force; and would want us ready at a moment's notice.”
\tOtiv rubbed his chin. “Eh partly true I guess; doesn't mean you don't pull your weight when it comes to food. Seraphina's Worker Imps can forage all they'd like; but that doesn't translate to a hunting ability. Even I want meat. So what does Lilith need to do?”
\tLilith gave a prompt nod. “They are already heading out master.”
\t“I look forward to their catch.” Otiv told her.
\tThings were as normal as they could be; even if all Otiv could feel at that moment was the soft harpy glued to his hip. His mind swimming in his demonic blood as it was, was obsessed with her soft feathers. Another part of it wondered how soft her insides were. However before that though got to its unavoidable end; of that harpy screwed onto his cock. The Duke walked up, escorted by the Knight Otiv had sent back; and Captain Vincent who surely came just to make sure the Duke stayed safe.
\t“Otiv my good …” Tollum's voice called out. “Oh my. I see you have some gust; are these the harpies I sent you to kill?”
\t“They are.” Otiv told him flatly. He turned to greet the man proper, snapping up his hand and giving it a firm shake. “You asked me to kill them; I found a good reason to keep them. If that means you'd want a refund; I would allow it.”
\t“Are they going to continue being a problem?” Tollum asked, looking on. More than a few Harpies acted defensively against the humans in their midst. Hiding the children, guarding the sickened. A few started screeching at him, but Otiv held a hand up and it all stopped.
\t“No, They are my pets now.” Otiv told him. “I discovered famine had driven them to desperation; that is why they attacked your caravans. They are in essence the first victums of the greater problems plaguing your lands; They seem to innately fear the cruelty of humans. Also I have discovered a grave problem that you might not want to know about; but I must tell you of anyway.”
\t“Do tell.” Tollum said.
\t“We were attacked by a monstrosity.” Otiv told him. He then gave him a beckoning hand motion. “It nearly wiped us out; and I was almost killed.”
\t“So this truly was a monster?” Tollum asked. He approached and Otiv jabbed a few fingers to his forehead. Almost instantly the man's face grew cold with a sharp inhale; and visible terror filled his entire visage.
\t“One of them nearly wiped me out.” Otiv started feeling the chill come over Tollum's skin. “And that place it came from; there were billions of them.” Tollum then covered his mouth as his breath caught in his throat. “And those big ones; I counted five of them, in the general area. Mind you I don't know how distance works in that place; but they felt close. They are the true monsters. The one that nearly killed me might as well be a pest compared to those big ones.”
\t“My god.” Tollum uttered breathlessly. “What do we do?”
\t“I think I was given a hint; by my father.” Otiv told him, pulling his hand away. “Have you ever heard of this world having a titan soul? Of a hidden place called the Chamber of the Heart? Anything, even fabels or fairy tales?”
\t“No.” Tollum stated. Otiv could tell he was not lying. “Afraid I've never heard of any such thing or such a place. I will, however, have my people look into it at once; you've just showed me that death truly is on our door step. I will do whatever I must to get the power we need to survive. I'll have all of my mages look into this Chamber of the Heart at once.” He took a cloth from his pocket to dry his face. “And as for the harpies; I just wanted them dealt with. So long as they are not going to be a problem I'll agree to pay your fee.”
\t“Well while we're on the topic.” Otiv started turning back to Tollum. “Some of them are in a bad way. Outside of some cheap potions I can't heal them. Could I borrow some of your healers?”
\t“Huh, will that portal you created remain open?” Tollum asked.
\tOtiv looked to Lilith who gave a nod. Quickly she looked into her little book. “Uhh. Says in the spell's information it'll last so long as the caster wishes it. And Master can currently have five linked pairs open at one time.”
\t“Then I can have some sent over immediately.” Tollum told him. “Is that all you needed me for however? Not to be rude but I do have a rather full day to take care of.”
\t“Unless you have another task or request for me; Or any information on the boy?” Otiv told him in turn.
\tTollum shook his head no then replied. “Sorry to say that is a no on both accounts. I do have my best people working on finding the boy's trail. But it is a trail that has long since grown cold. I can only beg patience with my apologies.”
\t“I see. Do keep me advised; as you said on both accounts.” Otiv told him. “And thanks in advance for the healers.” Otiv gave a pause. “While I do not plan to become your fast travel system; I will allow you to keep that portal to make it easier for you and I to stay in contact with one another.” Otiv then looked down to Lilith; which put the conversation on pause. After a few moments she showed him her little book. “And it seems I can give you permission to move it to a position perhaps better for you.” He looked to Tollum who gave a nod, Otiv then after reading grabbed the man's right wrist, he noticed it got warm for a few moments. “Once you go through it again. Turn to it,” He paused, taking a look at the book again. “And aloud say the words; Admin Authorization, Otiv Gama Twelve, unlock. The portal will turn a pink color; you will then need to put that hand in it, no more or less up to your wrist. It will lock to your wrist and turn purple, looking like a see though bangle if you would.” Otiv told him still reading from the book. “Once that is done you can move the portal to wherever it would be most convenient to you. Then, holding your hand where you want the portal to sit, tell it Admin seal release; it will let go of your hand and turn once more a translucent color.”
\t“I understand.” Tollum told him. “A mighty handy magical device you have; And I give you my word I will not abuse your magic.” Tollum then turned and left with his two men in tow.
\tOtiv's head however after that started to hurt. To help him out Lucifer sent everyone else away. Otiv returned to his room Lucifer in tow. Lilith being tasked with caring for and teaching the Harpies; first with the basic's at least. Seraphina was with her imps digging out Otiv's Heart Chamber. However Otiv was on his bed and for a strange change Lucifer was rubbing his temples.
\t“Still hurt?” Lucifer asked him, keeping his tone low.
\t“It's in my head now; it's doing something to my brain.” Otiv told him weakly as if he was holding in a great deal of more uncomfort then pain.
\t“It's most likely hardening your flesh.” Lucifer told him in turn, keeping his voice and tone soft and light. “Demonic blood has a habit of hardening vital flesh to make it more difficult to harm. That would include the old gray matter.”
\t“Anything we can do to make it stop?” Otiv asked, his tone sounding sick for a few moments.
\t“Not a lot.” Lucifer told him. “A real and potent sin would jump start you.” Lucifer told him as he looked down to Otiv's multicolored eyes. “But what I'm suggesting is go fuck a child; knowing you I doubt you'll run to the playground with that one though.”
\t“I'd have to be dying before I'd consider it. Innocence is to be cherished not tainted.” Otiv replied, then using one of his hands to shield his eyes.
\t“Option two, we fake it.” Lucifer told him. “Those Harpies are small and age differently than humans. If I grabbed you one small enough we could fool your blood into thinking the body you're invading is that of a child, and indulging in the forbidden fruit of their innocence.”
\t“What is it with these plans and me fucking children?” Otiv asked in a slight tone of dismissal.
\t“Gah, oh the irony; A devil with a personal code of conduct.” Lucifer bemoaned.
\t“I could offer you a different choice.” This was a voice Otiv knew well. From the shadows of the room emerged a man wearing a white fox mask that bore several red markings.
\tLucifer reeled for a moment, for a split second all of his senses felt like they had just gone blank. But sensing the calm in Otiv his worry evaporated. “I see you know this being? Damn cosmic level beings.”
\t“That is my Maker.” Otiv told him, moving his hand from his eyes. “Or at least a fragment of him.” He glanced over to the man wearing the mask. He was wearing a dark gray hooded jacket that was raised; his hands inside a pocket on the front of this jacket. “Hello Vito; it is nice to see you again. I'm not near death again am I?”
\t“Nothing so morbid.” Vito told him his voice was only slightly muffled by the mask he wore.
\t“What's with the mask?” Lucifer asked.
\t“Well I truly am a being above level.” Vito replied in turn. “The mask hides my presence from things and beings of a certain, shall we say, ill-repute; I can't tell you more, there are rules in place i can't afford to break.”
\t“So I'm not dying.” Otiv then started. “What do you wish of me, Maker? I get the feeling our meetings are not normally possible.”
\tVito nodded then told him. “Again I might be playing favorites; you are one of my sons after all.” Vito started with a shrug of the shoulders. “An event has happened in this world; and I would like to offer you a chance to intervene. Before I ask anyone or anything else.”
\t“Like what you told me would do with me; but couldn't?” Otiv asked, an eyebrow raised. “How would this help me?”
\t“I'd be in a position where, maybe, I could 'adjust' a few things you could use to power level through this reformatting process you are in right now.” Vito told him in turn.
\t“You used the word maybe.” Otiv told him back.
\t“Well I would once again be poking the proverbial bear, and technically speaking, bending my own rules, to the point of breaking them.” Vito told him then gave a light chuckle. “I used the term because I'm supposed to be unbiased to all of my creations whether directly by my hand, or as a side effect.” He spoke this with his hand on the side of where his mouth would be if he was not wearing a mask.
\tOtiv shook his head and rolled his head back. “So long story short you're offering me a special quest; that you will reward me for completing?”
\t“Brought down to brass tax; yes.” Vito told him, with the following nod.
\t“And what would I be getting?” Otiv asked him in turn.
\tHe was quiet for a moment as he came up with a 'suitable' reward. “How's this sound?” Vito replied after a short while. “I will adjust young Lucifer's character sheet; allowing him to return to your mind at will. Thus you'd be able to use him as a focus to pull all your power back into yourself. You'd be able to use Lucifer as a sort of equipment item to make yourself a fighter again. While this would pull all your power away from your minions; It'd turn you into a demon lord type form. In this Demon Lord form you'd adjust to the Devil King stage you've jumped to; like how a vaccine aids a body to make its own antibodies, by giving it a nearly dead copy of what it needs to resist.”
\t“So make me take a step backwards.” Otiv started. “So I can then take three steps forward?”
\t“A crude analogy, but yes.” Vito told him, giving a nod once Otiv finished talking. “And truth be told, well you never know what you might find in such a mission. I don't do this for just any tragedy after all. Makes you wonder who or what could have roused me to action on their behalf.”
\t
'I see he's doing it again. Truely bending rules to the point of breaking them to help me. The fact he is dirrectly offering me so much aid, honestly has me worried.' Otiv rubbed his chin for a moment. “Alright, whatever this call is for; I'll answer it.”
\t“That's great.” Vito told him, leaning back for a moment. “I was hoping that'd be your reply. Still rules being what they are.” Vito stopped and removed his right hand from his jacket pocket. “You're sure; you can still back out. But if you truly do agree, take my hand and shake on it.”
\tOtiv sat up, albeit with a wobble. He then reached out and shook his hand. “So, does deal making run in the family?”
\tVito smirked.
Chapter 11: A Teller's Tale
\t“Ok, So once upon a time; There was this young girl.” Vito started.
\t“Do you have to do this?” Otiv asked.
\t“Quiet.” Vito huffed. “Only I'm supposed to talk during the setup!”
\t“GAH!” A female voice cried out. The setting, a large campsite. A young white furred vixen was in the midst of humans; and had just been punched in the gut. The young fox girl managed to fight through the pain of her attack and sneered back. She couldn't do much bound by chains and slave pact magic as she was. “Going to need … more than that.” She said with a sneer at her attacker. Her pelt's color looked like fresh snow, flawless and undisturbed. Her eyes, a rich crystal blue. Her bushy tail stuffed out the backside of the rags she wore. It disturbed the backside of the rag skirt in a way designed to show off her ass and private bits.
\t“Damn you little furry bastards are tough.” The rich young man replied. “Think I just broke my damned hand. Seems you are worth every coin I spent on you bitch.” He stopped to laugh at his own joke for a moment. “It's funny because you're a dog.” He was surrounded by men in heavy mail. He himself was wearing a set of armor that looked, frankly, too expensive to be anything but an ornament. After a moment of laughing by himself he yelled at the others. “FUCKING LAUGH YOU DOLTS!” Slowly the others join him in his laughter
\t“Not a dog.” She growled back. “I'm a fox.”
\t“Whatever; a mutt by any other fur is still a bitch.” The young noblemen spat out. He was of a darker skin tone if only by choice; obviously heavy on the tanning spells to make him darker, like it was a fad or something of the like. He had brown eyes and slicked back hazel hair. An aura that oozed entitled and a personality to match. “You are little more than an animal. A disgusting beast! I brought you to be a hound; therefore you are a dog!” He proceeded to strike her with a lash from his belt. But after five strikes he turned away; she wasn't crying out in pain, she refused to give him the pleasure. “GrrrrahHHH! Call my personal healer now!” He yelled at a few men, then rushed away to take care of the order. “And see to it that this bitch is on the front line tomorrow. I want this cavern explored by noon! I shan't have my father thinking I can't handle a lousy dungeon crawl!”
\tThe noise and mayhem of the nobles ranting and entitled screaming carried away as he left. And once he was gone she doubled over. She clutched her stomach gasping for breath. “Ow.” She cried out when after a few moments she fell to her knees, having troubles filling her chest with air. After a few seconds of trying she managed to sit down. Only to be approached by another person.
\tIn this case it was an elf. He had long silver hair which had several braids woven of it, with a smooth creamy caramel colored skin tone. “Here.” He said, offering her a vial, his voice was crisp smooth. “It's a healing potion. It'll take the edge off.” He gave her a warm if distant smile; the look of yet another world weary soul just drifting along with the whims of fate.
\t“Thank you.” She sputtered. She removed the cork and slowly drank it down. When she looked up to him he had walked back to the camp. A knight that thought a bit too much of himself had called him.
\t“You there merc. You've got the first watch.” The knight told him.
\tIt got cold that night; not that it bothered the fox. She simply curled up with her tail over her face; her kind were born and bred in ice and snow. She watched this elf. He sat there keeping watch from the fire. She wasn't sure when she fell asleep, but she only managed so because she felt strangely safe-ish with that elf watching over her. What woke her the next morning was the same elf. Apparently the man that had been tasked with getting her ready. He overheard wasn't going to be so nice about waking her. Something about his boot and her ass becoming fast friends; he offered to do it and gave him a bun as a bribe.
\tNaturally she was forced to go in with the first wave into the dungeons depths. So did the young noble, who bravely commanded and barked orders far, far, FAR behind everyone else. The young noble had been tasked by his father to explore it and to secure anything of value. While they did come for a fight; and he even bought the fox girl to use her powerful nose to smell anything toxic. And hired the elf to scout for them and deal with any traps. They didn't however seem ready for the monsters they found.
\tThe White fox was hurrying after the noblemen with his troops. They were now in full retreat. “WHAT THE HELL ARE THOSE THINGS!?!” The lordling shouted.
\t“Face eaters sir!” A mage in robes yelled. “They're a dangerous and rare type of Undead. If they get their hands on you they'll steal your face; it's a fate worse than death.”
\tThe fox girl was shoved a few times by the humans with the young lord. She saw the elf far ahead of the lot of them. He quickly scaled a wall with both grace and agility. He then took a few shots with his bow; hitting a few of the monsters chasing after them. Quickly after he secured a grappling hook and the rope attached to it to a secure mount then booted the rope down the wall; once done he went back to providing cover fire. Naturally the young lord shoved his way to the front and started climbing the rope first. “Hold them back!” He snapped out as he climbed that rope.
\t“You heard him, hold the line slave!” One of the warriors shouted as he shoved the fox girl right to the front. She extended her claws with no choice but to try and fight. These monsters were tough, highly resilient to damage. Didn't help that the bastard didn't give her a weapon or anything along the line of armor. The only thing saving her was the elf high up on the wall. He was laying down an impressive covering fire. Her flawless fur however was finally stained with blood when she ripped into one of the face eaters with her fangs; and god they tasted nasty. Think rotten ass with moldy cheese and a side of sour milk; and even then it would only be half as offal.
\tSlowly the humans started retreating as those who were up top now started kicking down more ropes. Others were using crossbows to also provide cover. Before long she was one of the few still down there and the battle was getting hairy. One face eater had nearly gotten her. However her silver haired guardian angel took the monster down with a few silver arrows to its face.
\tShe looked up to him as the elf then motioned with his arm for her to climb; then shouting. “Come on!” She clawed one more in the face before she turned tail. The mass of monsters down the passage now surging into this landing area. She grabbed the rope and started climbing. A pair of them seconds from making a grab for her. She was saved only because the elf grabbed the rope and started pulling her up.
\t“Thank you.” She cried out when her claws gripped at the ledge. But now at the bottom the face eaters were starting to climb; it seemed it wouldn't take long for them to scale the wall face. So the young lordling noticed something and came up with a devious plan. There were cracks in the ground where the elf had been standing; with a little work that bit of the wall might give away. The lordling pointed this to his men who nodded. They took out their swords and stabbed them into the cracks. The elf took another shot only to hear the loud cracking noise. The young lordling added his own blade to the mix and that's all she wrote.
\tThe wall started crumbling. The monsters at the bottom ran away from it as most of the cliff face started to crumble away. Then with a shout of, “Treacherous snake!” The elf found himself falling. After a few seconds he landed with a sickening slam.
\t“Coward!” yelled the fox as she hurried over to the edge.
\tBut the young lord didn't like having his idea mocked. “If you're so fond of that damn demi human then join him!” He grabbed the back of her neck and tossed her over the edge. “An extra pound of flesh will help me escape.” Well what could she do but scream as she fell. She then landed hard on the unforgiving stone at the bottom. Seconds after a sword clattered to the floor next to her. The face eaters had yet returned but they were on their way. “Your owner has graced you with a weapon.” The bastard shouted from the top. “Show your gratitude by using your worthless life to buy your betters enough time to flee.” He turned away then shouted. “Hurry run!” What followed was the clamor of boots hurrying away.
\tShe managed to push herself back up to her feet, as the sound of the face eaters coming back down the corridor made her grab up the sword. She promptly hurried over to the elf and rubbed his shoulder. “You ok?”
\t“S.” The elf started. “Somehow.”
\t“Can you get up?” She asked, taking a knee next to him.
\t“Doubt it.” He replied in a pained voice. “Treacherous bastard; may he rot in the ninth circle.” He looked up to her and gave her as much a smile as he could. “Leave me. Maybe if you find a good place to hide they'll eat me and forget about you.”
\t“I can't do that; it would make me no better than that damn human.” The fox replied. The Face Eaters were shrieking down the hall, they were almost back. “Hey before we die together.” She started gripping the sword hard. “What's your name?”
\tThe elf wheezed for a moment before he replied. “Silverleaf, Nickolas Silverleaf.”
\t“I'm Crystal Annabel Icemoon.” She replied in turn. Then looking to the corridor the first face eater poked its head back into the room. “It'll be an honor to die beside you Nick.”
\tNick looked at the monster now entering the room. “Likewise Lady Crystal.”
~Mission start~
The Betrayed
Objective : survive
\tThe monster raced to her followed by another. She stabbed it with the sword before biting into it. Ripping a large chunk of flesh away from its face; she ripped its throat open with her claws and then jumped away. Two more entered the room as the second Face Eater tried to grapple with Crystal. She fought back with everything she had. One of the monsters grabbed at Nick. He had enough left in him however to grab a dagger from the right breast of his armor; and stabbed it in the monster's face. It let him go with a loud shriek in time for Crystal to have just managed to kill another monster. She raced to Nick when another one grabbed him. She lodged that sword in the side of the monster's head. It let out a shirk then slumped over.
\tShe knelt down to him. “Are you still ok?”
\t“For the moment.” Nick replied however about ten more Face Eaters entered the room. Several grabbed at Crystal; she fought back best she could. Another pair went after Nick; downed as he was he couldn't fight back.
Crystal screamed as one of the monsters snapped her arm nearly in half. Nick yelled in pain as one of the monsters on him was trying to eat his face.
'Is this really how it all ends?' Crystal found herself thinking doing her best to push the mouth approaching her own face.
'After everything I've been put through?' At this point the jaws were closing in. Nick cried out in agony as fangs sank into his own flesh.
\tHer life promptly flashed before her eyes. The day her father and mother bought her a lovely birthday gift; they had been royalty and it had surely been expensive. How after she saw her parents dead at the hands of humans. Kidnapped and then sold as a slave. She had been manhandled, raped, violated, beaten, and abused. Forced to fight others of her kind in death matches. Sold to one bastard after another. All she ever wanted was to go home and bury her parents; start a new life. But all of it. All of it was taken from her by the greed of humans; she now loathed their entire race. Not a single human was worth saving in her mind. But all that was moot she was about to die. In some unknown cave. Left to die by the hands of another irredeemable human. What was meant to be her last thoughts were the words.
I don't believe in gods, not anymore.
But if there is any one
or anything
listening out there.
Please,
I beg you
save us
\tThe jaws of the monster finally bit down on her head, she trashed around for a moment until her limbs fell lifeless. Blood staining her snow white fur. But that was when a star like light shone over her. A gray scale fell over the world; and all things came to a halt.
\tHigh up on the ledge Otiv stood with the masked man named Vito. “So this is the one you wish for me to save, Maker?”
\tVito nodded then gave a deep bow. “Please. I would do it myself; but I'd be violating every rule in the book, even I couldn't get away with it. I never meant for this to happen.”
\tBefore him Otiv found a fluttering card. It was golden in color. He snapped it up and read the words on it. “Divine intervention, Emergence of the Hopeful One.” He looked to his masked Maker who was still bowed over. “You do realize there is nothing divine about me right now, right?” His Maker didn't respond, he just remained bowed down. “Fine, I'll do it.” Vito gave yet another bow before he snapped his fingers. Time reversed rewinding before the two were killed. The humans had just hurried away from behind Otiv. The young vixen still doing her best to fight the face eaters. Nick had just stabbed the one in the face with his dagger. “Ready Lucifer?” He asked, feeling the boy imp once again in his head. His impish form on his shoulder.
\t“Sure.” Lucifer replied.
\t“Now use Lucifer as your focus.” Vito started “And pull all your power back. Oh, you'll know it works when your horns catch fire. Also Lilith and Seraphina will be added to your inventory as equippable items in this state.”
\t“You should wear Seraphina.” Lucifer told him in turn. “In truth he's trying to teach you to be me. I don't summon minions, I equip them.”
\t“You equip them?” Otiv asked. He looked down. However when he noticed this might take a moment; Vito it seems once again stopped time.
“She's two thirds elemental.” Lucifer told him in turn. “I wear her like a coat. Damn she keeps me warm; and the armor class is high.”
\t“And Lilith?” Otiv asked.
\t“Best find a different use for her then I did.” Lucifer replied, now lounging on his shoulder. “Our Lilith's are different. Mine is a mute healer, and yours is a brat.”
\t“Huh.” Otiv sounded then rubbing his chin. “So Seraphina is armor; And Lilith is a scythe?”
\t“Oh shit, look at that.” Lucifer then sounded. He grabbed a hold of some of Otiv's beard to lean out and get a better look at the lower portion of her sheet. “Her base attack is nuts. Wait nuts; oh god damn it it's a pun.” He rolled his eyes then looked up to Otiv. “How often do you have sex with Lilith over Sera?”
\tHowever Vito cleared his throat. “Gentlemen not the time; you've got a job to do. And I can't keep rerolling that scene down there. It might start warping it; and I'm fond of those two. Admittedly they are some of my earliest creations.”
\t“Alright;” Lucifer called out now standing on Otiv's shoulder. “Leave equipment to me. Seraphina To armor. Lilith to weapon.”
\tBoth girls cried out “Right!” As a pale shadow ran down Otiv's arm and Smiled. His clothing caught fire until the crimson colored flame gave Otiv a smooch on his right cheek. She pulled herself into a simple duster style jacket over his robe.
\t“All set.” Lucifer told him. “I'll focus on your power so try not to look like a loser down there; and make me look bad.”
\tOtiv gave a prompt nod. However once he took a look over the ledge he gave a rather frank gulp. He brushed it aside and went into focusing. It took longer than he thought it should; felt like trying to catch water with a butterfly net. However he felt Lucifer seconds after and the sensation changed. From a near water like sensation to maybe more like a thread or a cord. Otiv then was able to reach out and take it; seconds later flames covered his horns. With a nod from his masked Maker, Otiv reached out and took his scythe from his inventory. Lilith injected herself into it the moment it touched his hands. The poll became pitch black, the blade a sterling almost ivory white.
\tHis eyes then took a light red glow and with it Otiv could feel his own power. It was strange, he had felt it before but it always felt far away; always out of arm's reach. Now it was like it was running through his core, like an electrical current. All his senses sharpened; his muscles tempered. He took a second more, looking at the flaming jacket he had on now. Seraphina looked at him from the flame and gave him a smile. He looked at his weapon. “Lilith you ok in there?” He saw her face like a reflection in the scythes blade. She gave him a nod and a smile; then a thumbs up. He guessed she could not talk back from an inanimate object. Well by now he had stalled enough; his maker was tapping his foot behind him. “Alright I'm ready.” Otiv told him with an eye roll.
\tA snap cried out and the color returned. Otiv looked over the edge as the scene below him repeated. The Fox named Crystal was doing her level best against the face Eaters. The elf named Nickolas stabbed one in the face with a dagger. It was now or never. However, that's when he heard the girl's thoughts echoed again, then heard the fluttering of that golden card.
I don't believe in gods, not anymore.
But if there is any one
or anything
listening out there.
Please,
I beg you
save us
~A tale Told , a Tale bold. Let hearts entwine, as Fate unwinds~
~Divine Intervention: Emergence of The Hopeful One~
\tOtiv took the card then promptly jumped.
\tBack with the fox she was near doomed. Face eaters were holding her as a set of jaws were approaching her head. She snarled at it; however that sound exploded into a roar followed by the sound of flesh being cut. Then came rushing air and more slashing. Something had now fallen in front of her and hacked up the monsters that had been holding her. Next the figure tossed its weapon, slashing the monster that had gone after the elf. Somehow the scythe returned to the figure seconds after. It then hacked another face eater as it came through the passage; and another then another. Finally the Undead sensing a true monster wanted none of it; promptly the survivors retreated back into the depths of this place.
\tOtiv smirked as he watched the face eaters run away. Then he heard the scampering of foot pads on stone. The fox had hurried over to the elf to check on him. Otiv looked over his shoulder flashing them one of his eyes. “What … what are you?” The girl asked with a defensive growl.
\t“Is that anyway to address your savior?” Otiv asked in turn. She recoiled a little, then went quiet as she checked the elf. “Or did you not ask anyone or anything to come save you?” Otiv continued to tease. “I could let them come eat you again.” He told her pointing a finger down the hall the Face Eaters had gone down.
\t“No, please.” Crystal told him, waving her hands in front of herself. “I'm sorry. My name is Crystal.” She told him, looking up at him.
\t“Otiv.” He told her in turn. “So what were you lot doing down here? Ancient crypt and the people leading this group didn't bring enough scouts or mages.”
\t“The human lord is an idiot.” Crystal snapped. “Nothing new, I've seen lots of human fools.”
\t“And also a coward.” Otiv cooed looking up at the ledge he had jumped from. “They are gone; abandoned their camp and all supplies.”
\t“How are you doing Nick?” Crystal asked, looking at the Elf.
\tHe eased a little however didn't reply right off. He struggled to breathe for a few moments before he then told her. “I'm alive at least.”
\tCrystal nodded. The snow white fox then looked up to Otiv. “Can you heal him? Please.”
\t“Do I look like a healer?” Otiv promptly asked her. She gave a disappointed sigh so Otiv glanced at Lucifer on his shoulder.
\t“I know that look.” Lucifer groaned. He then took a look at the elf. “Eh no dice. He has substantial bone damage, our alchemical healing will do him more harm than good. We'd heal his flesh and the broken bones he has would rip it up again; case moot.”
\t“Right.” Otiv said softly. The face eaters had fucked off, so Otiv set Lilith against his neck. “Well seeing as I just kept you two from being road pizza; guess you're not going deeper.” Otiv asked, looking at the white fox Crystal. She gave him a nod. “Then guess I should at least get you two out of here. No point in saving you then leaving you here.” Otiv walked over to Nickolas then squatted down on his feet.
\t“Do you have a means of carrying him?” Crystal asked him in turn.
\t“Huh.” Otiv paused and looked at her; it gave her a strange sensation. He was looking at her information. “Mighty articulate for a beast-kin.”
\t“You think I'm just a disgusting animal too?” Crystal snapped at him.
\t“No, just saying you're not talking like your race info says you should be.” \tOtiv told her. “Normally your kin don't speak common.”
\tShe gave a sigh. “Yeah years being dragged around by nobles and rich fuckers tends to do that I guess. I can hardly even remember my mother tongue.” She looked back up to him as she explained. “I know more than I should, thanks to my fourth owner. He bought me as a school pet for his daughter.” She gave a deep sigh. “She didn't want to go so he bought me as a bribe. Plus side, I got an education on his dime. Bad side is his daughter was a spoiled brat. After six years of dragging me to her classes everyday and making me carry her books, using me as an object to brag to her equally spoiled friends; she got bored of me and demanded a new pet. I was then sold to a man with a fetish; how lovely. He would strip naked and make me roll in mud. I would then be forced to give him a paw job with my muddy foot pads; and he'd cum all over my chest and stomach. It was enforced by slave pact magic that would make me suffer terribly if he was not satisfied. So I had to give him my best and god forbid he didn't get to cum all over me; he'd beat me for that. God I can still remember how that jerk’s tiny noodle feels on my paw pads. No wonder why he went for a fox-kin half his size. Doubt any human female would give him the time of day.”
\t“My condolences.” Otiv told her then gave her a head pat. “How long have you been a slave?” As Otiv asked, Lucifer poked his nose into the dungeon.
\t“Since I was five.” Crystal replied coldly. “So this would be fifteen years now; has it really been so long already? Dragged across two oceans, three continents, and no less than fourteen kingdoms and three empires. My last 'master',” She said the word with a visible gag. “Bought me for twelve platinum coins, seven gold coins, sixteen silver coins, and thirty five coppers; and he thought it was a bargain. The man he bought me from paid only two platinum coins for me. Far be it from me the 'disgusting hound, exotic she may be',” She said imitating the man in question right down to the vile way he had said it. “To tell my 'master' he's getting ripped off.”
\t“Jack pot.” Lucifer then said, making Otiv look at him. “We need to double check your luck stat; what are the odds?”
\t“Of what?” Otiv asked.
\t“Who are you talking to?” Crystal asked.
\tOtiv looked down at her. Promptly he grabbed at something over his shoulder and exposed a sinister looking devil on his shoulder. After she screamed he put it back. “Him; he's my little friend.”
\t“The materials you need to finish your hive hordes are in this dungeon.” Lucifer told him after. “The Twilight Star, and the Heart of Avarice.”
\t“Oh so I should finish the dungeon then?” Otiv asked with a look of surprise.
\t“If you want to summon the Ebon and Jade queens you'd damn well.” Lucifer told him. “Those materials are not common in any way, shape, or form. The fact that the both of them are in this dungeon is almost mathematically impossible. So much so it can't be anything but by design.” Lucifer told him, then looked up to Otiv. The man in question now rubbing his chin. “This has your Maker's hand writing all over it. This has got to be your reward for saving these two. Guess he wasn't kidding; he is fond of them.”
\t“So it seems.”Otiv replied.
\t“What ...” She paused. “What did it say?”
\t“There are immensely rare materials in this dungeon that I need for powerful demonic summoning spells.” Otiv told her patting her head and getting some annoyed fox noises in turn. “First things first I've put that off too long; let's put you away.” He said addressing Nick on the ground.
\t“What will … you do?” Nick asked once Otiv held a hand over him.
\t“Put you in storage for now; get you help later.” Otiv told him. “You'll be encased in a black orb; you won't feel or notice a thing. When you open your eyes again it'll be like I never moved you.” Otiv told him. Then giving him a soft smile went on with. “I've used it before, I'll give you my word, it's safe.” Nick gave a nod best he could. Otiv then held his hand like it was pressed against the orb already. Seconds after a pitch black sphere grew around the downed elf. It then shrank down in size until it was about the size of a baseball. Otiv proceeded to place it in a void pocket. “Safe and secure. Alright little one.” He replied, patting Crystal's head. “Unless you'd also rather be on ice; and I wouldn't blame you. Those face eaters are freaks. There might also be worse down there.”
\t“No, I'll tag along.” Crystal told him. “But I'll stay behind you.”
\t“Suit yourself.” Otiv told her then going down the path the face eaters had been coming from. Once he started down the corridor he looked down to Seraphina who was still being a fiery coat. “How are you holding up?”
\t“Just fine Master.” Seraphina cooed back. “Might Sera add, Master smells great, if she wasn’t pure fire right now, she’d be soaked.”
\tOtiv nodded at her. Then looking at Lilith in his scythe. “And you dear?” He saw a smile from the blade, lacking the ability to talk from the object; Otiv took this as a good sign.
\tSo Otiv took to slowly exploring the dungeon. Crystal remained behind him. The face eaters and other monsters kept their distance, none of them wanted anything to do with Otiv. Completely unchallenged he approached what seemed to be the final chamber of the dungeon.
\t“I don't think a dungeon is supposed to roll over and show its belly like this.” Otiv spoke almost disappointed. By now he had allowed Lilith and Seraphina both to return to their normal forms; his weapon was put away.
\t“Have you ever been into one as a monster?” Crystal asked also behind him. “I've heard there are some places a beast-kin like myself can't go because; I believe it was called the magical field? The magic of the place doesn't work with the aura of a beast-kin and shuts it down.” She snickered for a moment then said. “My seventh owner found that out the hard way. Bought me for the same reasons the last fool did; to use my far keener senses to scout for him. He didn't buy that you can't send a beast-kin in story he was told however. That the magical field of the place won't show anything to a beast-kin; he called it superstitious nonsense and ordered me inside anyway. I went in all the way to the last chamber and found nothing; no monsters, no traps, no treasures, nothing. Barren and desolate. I told him I didn't find anything of note. He went in with his party and got wiped out; he barely survived. Lucky worm sold me the next week saying that I was and I quote 'broken'.”
\t“A fool by any other color I suppose.” Otiv quipped back.
\t“She's right though.” Lucifer told him. He was still on his shoulder still acting as Otiv's focus; at least this wasn't going to be a massive waste of time. He was at least slowly and rather safely adjusting to his body. “This dungeon wants nothing to do with you. It's actually strange; the fact that nothing has made any move but away from you is bazaar. Even the energy of this place is giving you a wide berth.” He looked around best he could though. “I don't know, something just feels off. Lilith, come here, somethings drawn my attention and I'll need your help.”
\t“Alright, if she has to.” Lilith sighed out looking up to Otiv.
\t“It may be important.” Otiv told her. “Help him out.” He put his hand on her head, and she turned into a pale shadow. Seconds later she was on his shoulder with Lucifer. After those two started chattering to themselves and Lucifer started looking into stuff. Otiv looked down to the white vixen. “That human who ran away; you hear him say anything about this place?”
\t“Not a lot.” Crystal told him followed by a deep sigh. “Just spouted a lot of noise about his father and a job; and refusing to look like a fool. They all end up looking like fools though; hum, maybe I am bad luck.” As she said that last bit she put a hand to her lower jaw. “A few of the others were talking about how this place just suddenly showed up one day; and wondered just how much the fool's father paid to buy this land.”
\tOtiv idly wondered what it was that caught Lucifer's attention. So he idly looked around himself. Frankly trying to look around was like trying to look through a window covered in slime. It was like the energy of the place was rotting. If anything, what he himself could see, the monsters that were hiding from him were highly unnatural. 'This is a dungeon, right? These monsters are supposed to defend this place; Try to kill a player character, right?' As he asked himself this he walked into what seemed like the main chamber. It was dark, almost unnaturally so.
\t“Master.” Seraphina called out softly. Setting herself on fire. “Something is here.” She nearly whispered in his ear as she turned herself into his jacket. He looked quickly to Lucifer and Lilith on his shoulder; however they were both zoned out. Whatever it is they were trying to look at or reading must have been fighting them. “It's big whatever it is; and it smells like a demon.”
\t“Right.” Otiv told her; then looking at his hand. He was still strong. Lucifer, busy as he was, was still acting as his focus. 'Alright, let's see if I can still handle this.' He reached out for his scythe as even the fox behind him started to be able to sense something was off. Her fur started to stand on end.
\t“Something foul is here.” Crystal told him a growl following.
\t“I am aware.” Otiv told her in turn. “Stay behind me.”
\tA large claw lashed out at him in the seconds after; Otiv was able to deflect it with his scythe. A guttural growl echoed out after as a large head appeared for a moment then vanished. It was however enough that Seraphina acting as his armor discovered what it was.
\t“Master.” Seraphina cried out to him. A crimson colored flame formed a head on his free shoulder as she told him. “That was a Nightwalker.”
\t“What is it?” Otiv asked in turn. He was keeping his eyes on the darkness around him. It was still out there he could almost feel it.
\tSeraphina crackled for a second letting out a snap sound like fire burning wood. “It is a higher class of demon. Highly intelligent, very dangerous.”
\t“I'm a devil though.” Otiv told her in turn; not trying to boast but that's the way it came across. “Can it beat me?”
\t“I doubt it.” Seraphina cooed to him. “And I think that's what's giving it pause; it's not a stupid creature. It most likely already knows if the two of you got serious, you'd win. It might try to bargain with you; I doubt there is anything it can offer you that you can trust though.”
\tOtiv gave a nod. He walked in lock step following the demon's presence as it circled around the chamber. It did lash out at him a few times more, but it was nothing that Otiv couldn't handle. However the farce of a battle didn't last; it quickly knew it was beaten. The laziness it sensed in Otiv's reaction, it took for him toying with it. In truth it was because Lucifer was not helping him. In a sense Otiv was currently sucking it in real good, in a prolonged battle it might not hold.
\t“You are a powerful being.” The nightwalker slowly spoke, it had a deep methodical way of talking. “Even I could not best you.”
\t“Just now realizing that?” Otiv told it. He put up some smug; he'd make it a good show. “Stand before me or I'll end you now!” It took a moment, but quickly the demon stood before him. It's flesh was pitch black and utterly hairless. It towered over Otiv himself standing at a little over twenty feet tall. Otiv felt something, almost a near burning sensation as he looked at the creature. However whatever it was supposed to do wasn't working on him. He felt Crystal grab at his coat though. Looking down to her he could see terror in her eyes, all of her fur standing on end. She couldn't look away from it. She was trembling head to tail. Otiv raised a brow then glanced back to the Nightwalker, then back to her. An idea crossed his mind and he held a hand over her eyes. That was when she took a sharp breath and fell onto her backside. “It has a visual attack.” Otiv told her. “Do not look into its eyes; in fact best not to look in its general direction.” She gulped and gave a nod.
\tAfterwards she held onto his clothes and kept her head down. Returning his gaze to the nightwalker, Otiv decided to keep up the act. “So at a bit of an impasse I guess. You can't kill me; and frankly I don't care enough about you to get serious. So what should we do about this problem? If I need to kill you in this mind set,” Otiv paused his sentence to shrug his shoulders, “It might just take all day.”
\t“OOOh so that's what was throwing me through the loop.” Lucifer chimed out almost triumphantly.
\t“Is that all you need?” Lilith asked after.
\t“Yup.” Lucifer told her with a head pat. Looking up to Otiv then over to the nightwalker. “Whoa, and that makes more sense.”
\t“Explain?” Otiv asked.
\t“Is that a cosmic leveled Imp?” The Nightwalker asked
\t“Shut up.” Otiv snapped at it. Then looking back to Lucifer then pointing at him.
\t“Ok so I thought the mana here felt like sludge.” Lucifer explained. “So I looked into it; it fought back. I used Lilith as a little white Nuke; got what I was after.” He then glanced up to the Nightwalker. “That demon is an invader. Seems this dungeon was A, not a dungeon and B, not the place a player like yourself would attack; but defend. This place used to be a grove referred to as The Lost Woods. Deep within was housed a World Tree. However no heroes came to its aid. This demon attacked and its minions likely slaughtered the grove defenders. It's more likely that this pest ate the world tree.”
\t“I see.” Otiv replied, cupping his chin. “Is there anything of value we can salvage from this place then?”
\t“I'll say there is.” Lucifer replied to him in turn. “Trees like that don't vanish easily or give up without a fight. We can get a sapling from the old husk and grow a new World Tree; in its condition it's now the tree's one and only goal. We do that nature aligned spirits and races will rush to your banner devil or not; you'd never get rid of them. They don't tend to care about your origins but your actions. Tear a World Tree down and nature itself will turn against you and you kin for the rest of time. Grow a world tree and you'll never get rid of them.”
\t“Interesting.” Otiv cooed. Then looking up to the nightwalker he asked Lucifer. “What about this demon; is there a use we can make of it?”
\tLucifer nodded then gave a smirk. “I'd advise you to give it to the Ebony hive.” He held a hand out as he went to explain. “They use demons as, and this is a crude comparison; but as batteries. To store and generate black mana for use in abyssal magic. Seeing as a Nightwalker is a greater demon he'd be a hell of a power supply for them.” Otiv gave a nod however Lucifer then went on with. “You're nearing your limit for today. I'd advise you to remove me from your mind and go back to summoner mode. Me leaving your head came with a few side effects; it'll take a long time to get you fully acclimated to our combined power.”
\t“Right.” Otiv sounded. He held one of his hands to his face and removed a black human shaped mask with pitch black horns on it. Once it was pulled away from his face Otiv went back to the way he was before. He was still tall but much smaller in build. He looked far softer than before. His two queens regained their physical forms, members of Lilith's hive quickly spawned behind her.
\t“That was interesting.” Lilith cooed before hugging her Master's right leg.
\t“Seraphina could get used to it.” She replied happily. She then grabbed at his remaining leg then cooed out. “Master smelled great; such robust demonic musk. It almost made Seraphina high.” She admitted with a fluttery giggle.
\tIn the seconds after Otiv held the mask in one hand. From the mask a dark shadow started forming. It crept to the ground until it vaguely resembled a human shape. Then the mask fell away and Lucifer's face returned as his body wrapped in a black coat. Once he was fully formed he grabbed up his black scythe. “Shall I beat that demon into submission now?”
\tOtiv gave a frank nod, then replied. “Immediately, then put it in storage.”
\t“As you wish.” Lucifer cooed. Glancing over his shoulder he then commanded. “Lilith, back me up, Seraphina guard Otiv.”
\t“Stop ordering Lilith around!” She snapped sharply at him. However her minions did gather with him. “Lilith's hive answers only to her Master!”
\t“Stop bitching and do as you're told.” Lucifer snapped back.
\tOtiv took a few steps back, Seraphina promptly jumping on his back. She took to a more fire-like form and wrapped herself around him like a cloak that ran the entire length of his body. The battle that unfolded was short but destructive. Lucifer attacked first followed promptly by Lilith's archers lobbing a volley of black light arrows. The nightwalker was forced to defend itself, but before it could ready a strike Lucifer smashed it with the backside of his scythe. The strike threw it to the ground where Lilith's spears stabbed at it. It tried to force its way back up; but both Lilith's swordsmen and Lucifer himself pinned it back down.
\tWith it pinned to the ground Lucifer slid his scythe to its throat and barked out. “Yield! Submit now!” The nightwalker made another attempt to free itself; however Lucifer growled and pulled the blade into its throat. “Don't test me, demon!” Lucifer sneered. His eyes grew red and his horns ignited.
\t“Fine!” It declared. Looking at Otiv. It promptly admitted. “I yield; spare me.”
\tLucifer looked up to Otiv with a smirk. “Put him in my inventory for now.” Otiv commanded. With a nod Lucifer pulled away his scythe. Then placing his hand on the nightwalkers head. One of Lucifer's black orbs formed and captured the nightwalker inside. “Well you made that look easy.” Otiv quipped.
\t“Yeah well, it was only a greater demon.” Lucifer replied. He held the black orb until Otiv opened a void pocket; which Lucifer promptly stuffed the orb inside of. “You are several classes above it, and in this form the two of us were on somewhat similar levels. I was still a higher rank than him however, so it was trivial all the same.”
\tAfter the few moments that silence returned to the chamber Otiv took a look around. “So a World Tree then?” He asked, patting Lucifer on the head.
\tThe Imp boy growled for a moment before Lucifer replied. “The dungeon has been irrevocably changed by the invaders. However the tree husk should be able to produce a sapling.”
\t“Alright, how do we do that then?” Otiv asked in turn.
\t“In a case like this what remains of the mother tree will be defensive.” Lucifer replied, shooing the taller man's hand from his head. “A power holder like yourself should be able to convince the tree to give up its sapling; should you touch the trunk and let it read you.” With that he pointed a hand. Now that the Nightwalker had been removed, what remained of the tree was now exposed at the end of the chamber. The massive and ruined tree trunk was embedded in the dungeon wall. Teeth marks and claw gouges on the trunk proved something had been eating it. “I might be a devil, but even I see the value in these trees. This is just wrong; these trees are priceless. Without them there is nothing to keep dangerous outsiders off a planet.”
\tOtiv gave a nod and approached the tree. The air around the tree was strange, stagnate. However there was a faint almost presence still tied to it. He could feel something struggling to stay there. He couldn't help the somber look on his face as he approached. Then he looked back to Lucifer. The boy held one of his hands up then pressed it to his other hand. Otiv gave another nod then followed up; pressing his hand to the trunk. He felt a presence after standing there for a few seconds. This presence was weak and faded; wounded yet determined. What he felt was almost as if this faint life force was looking him over, so he let it. However it stopped at his chest where it saw his golden heart. Before his eyes a fog wafted in, then after a blink a large dryad like creature stood before him; its foliage looked regal if wilted. She pressed a hand to his heart and held it there for minutes. However she quickly gave a wide smile; liking whatever it was she found. The being before him grew weaker and fainter. She was ready to give in; knowing her sapling would now be safe with this being before it.
“Thank you.”
\tWhen Otiv pulled his hand away; the tree's remains quickly changed. The bark grew a chalky gray and rapidly wilted. Once the tree finally started rotting Otiv heard something. Like a seed knocking against the wood. Then after a few seconds of this sound falling and knocking around on the now dying tree; a large seed fell into the dirt in front of him. It had been torn up by the tree's roots. The seed quickly buried itself into the dirt, and moments later a seedling sprouted. What quickly formed as a small plantlike elemental shaped like a rose. After flexing around for a few moments a pair of eyes opened on the elemental's petals, then looked up to Otiv. It blinked a few times and shied away. The being before it was a devil after all. So Otiv squatted down on his feet and brought himself to this seedling. “Hello there.” He said as kindly as he could manage. It looked up to him with wide eyes. “May I touch you?” He asked, holding a hand out. It looked up to him for a moment, however the tiny elemental gave a nod. He then pushed his hand to the rose, where he had Lilith give the little elemental the ability to speak.
\tThe little elemental blinked a few times then looked at Otiv. “Who … are you?”
\tOtiv gave it a warm smile. “My name is Otiv.”
\t“Oh tiv?” The sapling spoke back. “Where am I?” It asked after.
\tOtiv gave a hand motion up behind it. “The ruins of your mothers grove. It was destroyed by demonic invaders; my minions put their leader in its place.” The little elemental looked up as it followed his hand. When its eyes fell upon the now dying tree, grief filled its visage. However a dryad emerged from the tree, it too however was dying; Otiv highly doubted it would last long. It slunk down to the little sapling and pushed a kiss to the saplings petals. “Your mother is very brave. She was put through being eaten alive by demons to protect you. Honor her sacrifice with love and remembrance.” Several large petals fell from the dryad as it did its best to comfort the sapling. Then looked up to Otiv and gave him a bow. Otiv returned the gesture. The dryad then gestured to the sapling that it should go with him. It then got back up and slowly returned to the tree. When it did the dryad too lost its color and turned a chalky gray; now the great tree was truly dead. Its last job was fulfilled, it protected its child; the goal of any parent.
\tA few tears fell from the sapling's eyes, then looked up to Otiv. “You keep me safe?” Otiv knelt back down to it. He promptly gave her a warm nod. “Mother trust you, I will too. Will you help me grow to be a strong tree like my mother?”
\t“I will. Right then.” Otiv spoke. He started digging at the dirt around it. “Lets get your root core.”
\t“You know what that is?” The elemental asked. The look it had was a strange thing. Confusion and flustered mixed together. “You're not supposed to do that.” It cried out next. His digging had exposed a tiny little root cluster. It pulsed with a rhythm that might suggest a pulse. “Stop!” It begged this time, its fear becoming panic.
\t“Relax.” Otiv told it calmly, still removing dirt. He then glanced at something he was looking at, his eyes tracking as though he was reading. “I've got all your information right here. It says I can safely remove your root core so long as I provide mana for you to sustain yourself on. It also goes into great detail how frail and fragile your core is at your stage; rest assured you are in the best of hands.”
\t“You can do that?” The little elemental asked as though a child impressed by magic.
\t“Yes, I can.” Otiv replied with a calming smile. “I'm not something even your mother would have met. You'll continue to be amazed by what I can do. Not bragging but this system was made for me, it makes it almost, too easy.” Otiv had continued digging. Talking to it made the elemental stop moving around as much. Her Hp wasn't that high and that little root core had nothing protecting it. He could sneeze and she'd die exposed as it was. But now his excavation was finished.
\t“Brrrr.” The little elemental shuddered. “Is this what cold feels like? I don't like it.”
\t“It is rather cold here.” Otiv told her. But now he reached in and pressed a finger to her core. She cried out as if he had done something naughty. “Does that hurt?”
\t“Well no.” The tiny elemental told him. “I wouldn’t say it hurt, or felt … bad. I don’t think my core is supposed to be touched.”
\tHe gave her a nod then told her. “I'm going to pick you up now.” He said so calmly as if to put her at ease. The plant gulped then cried out as he scooped up her root core.
\t“Waaah!!” She cried out at her sudden ascension. Her roots tried to tangle to his hand to stabilize herself. But she could not pierce his skin.
\t“Relax.” Otiv told her. “So long as I don't drop your root core you can't fall.” He brought her core up to his level standing up.
\tThe Tiny elemental then went, “Whoooa.” Once he had stood up. “I can see for miles!” She cheered, her flower now looking around the chamber. However she stopped, rather suddenly too. “Otiv I'm hungry. Mana please.”
\tOtiv nodded but it was Seraphina who suddenly complained. “That's Master, New Growth.”
\t“AHHHHHHH Fire elemental!” The tiny flower screamed. It then did its best to try and run up Otiv's arm. A runner of roots climbing his hand; but it could not pull on its root core. “Don't let it burn me!” It begged Otiv.
\t“Would I have taken the time to carefully dig you out, if I was going to let her burn you?” Otiv asked her an eyebrow raised.
\tThat put it to a stop. “Oh, you have a point; I guess.” It then looked up to him and told him, “Mana please.”
\t“Seraphina, be nice to my new plant.” Otiv scolded her. The flame smirked at him but then went back to normal. “Right then.” Otiv turned away from the now withered tree.
\t“Mana please!” The tiny elemental cried out again. “I need it!” Well she did look wilty. “Please please please please pleeeeeaassssse!”
\tLucifer snickered for a second before suggesting. “Put her on your horns. They're not on fire and radiate mana.” He snickered again, but grew silent, almost dismayed when Otiv actually did it.
\t“Do they now?” Otiv asked in turn. He held her root core to his horns. The effects were almost instant. The plant went wide eyed for a moment before making a gasm face.
\t“This is your mana?” It asked. “It's SHOOOOOO GOOOD.” The tiny flower now drooling. Once she started purring Otiv figured she liked where she was. However as she tried to root to his horns, well she couldn't. “I can't root myself to you.” She growled out in complaint. “Why are you so hard?” However Otiv snickered a little at that.
\t“You can access my mana though?” Otiv asked her after his childish snickering passed. The tiny plant elemental gave him a nod. “Then let's make sure you don't fall.” Otiv held a hand up to his head. After he promptly exposed a new pair of horns, and swept them over his head in such a way as to hold the elemental root core in place.
\t“Think you're ready for more horns?” Lucifer asked. “That's more power flow you know. Might be too much for you.”
\t“They're false horns. I'm using an offshoot of my hide features spell to make false horns to hold her there. ” Otiv replied. “But devils can gain more horns for more power? That's good to know.” He did get a little woozy shortly after; not as bad as it was this morning. It was a far weaker version of the high he was this morning. It made him wobble once but he was able to pull himself back together shortly after.
\t“You alright?” The tiny elemental on his head asked.
\t“Yeah i'll be fine.” Otiv told her in turn. “It's a combination of things I'll have to get used to.” He told her with a smile, albeit a tired smile. She gave him a nod; she was just born after all, only natural she wouldn't understand.
\tLucifer gave Otiv a once over. He was yawning and sluggish. He gave a sigh, then looked up to the little sapling elemental. “Hey twig, keep an eye on him for me.” The little elemental gave him a scowl, but didn't respond. Lucifer looked at the two queens. “Alright you two lets get those materials and get this lug home. On top of being strung out he's worn out from using his power.”
\t“Right.” Lilith replied. She had a pair of imps scouting the nearby side chambers already. “The room to the left seems to lead to the room with the loot we're looking for.” She told Lucifer, then pointed to said pathway. “Lilith suggests we finish this fast so we can get Master home; He's starting to look a little green behind the gills. He's getting paler then herself.”
\tLucifer gave a nod as he glanced back to Otiv. He wasn't looking good. “It's not the plant is it?”
\tSeraphina gave a shrug. “Seraphina would think not. Elemental's, even a newborn, should not consume more mana then Master can produce. Still she will check.” Seraphina told them with a nod as she turned herself back into fire. Quickly she hurried back over to Otiv and melted onto his outfit. “It's not the plant.” She confirmed. “It's not even scratching his mana supply; the glutton she's proving to be.”
\t“Why would I want to hurt him?” The rose elemental asked in turn.
\t“It doesn't matter.” Lucifer assured. “Seraphina, stay on Otiv to keep him safe.”
\t“Rodger.” Seraphina chimed.
\t“Lilith, take point. We get the loot, we get Otiv home.” Lucifer continued to order.
\t“Fine, if she must.” Lilith bemoaned. “But only because it's best for Master, and not because you gave the order Lucifer.” Lilith then looked into her book for a moment; before looking to the elemental trapped in Otiv's horns. “You there, little tree. You have access to some healing spells; use them on Master to tide him over; you are already consuming his mana after all.”
\t“Oh, I can?” The little plant asked back.
\t“It's a command word system.” Lilith quickly instructed. “Call out Healing Spores, and do take care of your leaves. The more leaves you grow the more potent your pollen; thus stronger the healing.”
\t“K.” It called out. Lilith then joined the others leaving Otiv to the Elemental. “So just say ‘Healing Spores’ huh?” As It spoke the words, she started emitting little spores. Almost instantly Otiv let out a comforted groan.
\t“OOOH,” Otiv nearly moaned. “That's scratching an itch I didn't know needed itching.”
\t“Oh, are you better?” The little elemental asked. It then followed up asking as more pollen fell. “Want me to keep going?”
\t“Yes, that'd be lovely.” Otiv told her, then relaxed. “At least, now only my head hurts.” He then noticed it was rather quiet; the bickering between Lilith and Lucifer was suddenly absent. He looked around and everyone was gone. “Now I know for a fact Lilith and Seraphina would not let me wander off. In fact I was wearing Seraphina, but now she is gone.” He paused and looked around again, putting his hand on Crystal's shoulder. “And Lucifer, for all his bluster, is very protective of me. Something was able to move me without him noticing?” There could be no doubt about it, he was somewhere else. He was moved and not only did he not notice he doubted the others did either. It was almost too seamless. “Kid stay close, this one is dangerous.”
\t“What is this?” Crystal asked. All of her fur was standing on end. By instinct she was terrified. “BEHIND US!”
\tA giggled cried out as Otiv turned. “This isn't good. It's another monstrosity.” Otiv stated. The battle he was facing was something of a different scale. They weren't being attacked here or even physically. Another giggle echoed out as Otiv locked his gaze on a small figure. It stuck a hand in its mouth seconds after, its eyes locked on the fox. “And it wants you.”
\t“Me why??” Crystal then asked only for Otiv to grab her and lift her.
\t“I don't know; just don't move.” Otiv told her, moving her yet again.
'This is just great, now I have to try to force my addled brain to be strategic.' The best way he could describe it, the creature before him was plucking at plot-lines. It was actually manipulating random chance. Like a pitch black hand was lurking just beyond the realm of sight; trying to grab at Crystal's lifeline. However after stalemating this contest for a while longer he heard a growl; however he knew this sound. The creature before him recoiled, it was already being wary of Otiv; but now Lucifer had found where he was and was now fast approaching. It flashed a pair of lifeless eyes at Otiv then giggled again before it rapidly vanished into nothingness. “And it's gone, just as fast as it came, curious. So these damn things come in many shapes and sizes. And this one was smart enough not to pick a fight with me and Lucifer at the same time. Just when I thought things couldn't get worse.”
\t“Otiv!” Lucifer billowed. Now the sound of the boy imp's boot falls started ringing out to Otiv's ears.
\t“Over here!” Otiv replied now just yelling. “I was moved by another monstrosity; it sensed you coming and has already fled.”
\t“Are you alright?” Lucifer asked, his voice already much closer.
\t“I'm fine,” Otiv replied, promptly telling him. “It was after the fox.”
\tSeconds after Lucifer raced into the room; he calmed only once he looked upon Otiv. “Jeez these monsters are annoying. Dealing with your queen one second noticing your gone the next, and Seraphina left laying on the ground clueless that she wasn't on you anymore. How could you let this happen?” Lucifer then snapped.
\t“Ripped out of my skull on my own blood here.” Otiv replied, flipping him the bird. “Bite me.”
\tLucifer chewed on his lip for a few moments. “Let's just get you back. I need to lock you down until you're better; this was too close.”
\t“Yeah yeah; very scary little angel guard dog.” Otiv teased, his voice for some reason a few tones lighter than normal; before patting the imps head. “good boy.”
\tLucifer growled for a moment. “I'm not an angel.” Rather quickly shooing Otiv's hand away the imp boy huffed for a moment until he asked looking to Crystal still hiding behind Otiv. “Why was that monster after her though?”
\t“That does make me wonder.” Otiv replied with a certain coo. He then sank down on his heels. 'My maker said he was fond of her; and when she died. A star emerged from her body. I can't help but wonder.' He pet her head for a moment. “Alright little one, I would like to look into your eyes.”
\t“Why?” Crystal then asked pulling away from him.
\t“Relax.” Otiv sounded then scratching her ears. “Not going to brainwash you or whatever it is you're thinking. There is something I want to look at; and to do so I need at it, through your eyes.”
\tShe shied away but looked up at him. “Alright, you've not given me a reason not to trust you. And you did just save me, again, from whatever that thing was.” Otiv cupped the underside of her muzzle. Then lift her head up for him to look into her eyes. The first thing he noticed was that her crystal blue eyes looked lovely next to her fur. “Well right off the bat; your eyes are truly beautiful.” However he looked past the flesh. What he was looking for should be past the flesh but just before the soul. Sure enough after moments of looking. “Another star child.” Otiv said more, musing the words. “What meaning is there for the star children? Why does it feel important?”
\tEven Lucifer rubbed his chin in wonder. However after that Otiv in a sort blacked out; the lights were on but no one was home. Because of this Lucifer made it prompt. Quickly he and Otiv's other minions collected the loot he was after; and anything else worth taking. Lucifer was able to use Lilith's access Otiv's spell book and cheat the system. Lilith was able to form a temporary portal back to their home base. Once Home the loot was locked away for later; use and Otiv's body was sent to bed.
\tHe slept for three days following, and nothing could wake him.
Chapter 12 : Truly unintended
\tAll was black and soundless. This way it remained until sound returned. It was a knocking thud like sound on a metal door. “Wake up little shit.” A harsh male voice called out. “That means now!” He yelled slamming on the door again.
\tMoments after, through the sound of effort, and the rattle of chains. A small figure pushed itself up off a cot like bed. The child, based on size alone, was wearing a long white cloak with a hood pulled up. It was unsure if the child wore anything else aside the large silver choker snugly latched to his throat. His skin was a very pale white, it looked as though he and the sun were not allowed to meet that often.
\t“Last warning boy!” the man on the other side yelled before slamming on the door again.
\tHe pushed himself up and rubbed his eyes; before knocking on the wall.
\t“Good on your feet, assume the position!” The man ordered. “I open this door and your hands are not up in the air you will be beaten!”
\tThe boy gave a low grunt. Quickly he got up off the bed and put his hands up into the air. Seconds after the door pushed open and a man wearing plate armor entered.
\t“Alright brat.” The knight spat. He walked over to the boy and latched two silvered cuffs to his wrists. Seconds after chains lashed around his arms then connected to the choker. Afterwards he attached two more of these cuffs on his ankles. Once again these produced chains that lashed up his legs and his torso until they too latched to his choker. “Move!” the knight spat kicking the boy in the ass and knocking him down. “I SAID MOVE!” the man yelled before booting the boy in the chest and out the door. The boy gasped and choked for a few moments after the blow; but fearing another attack he quickly pushed himself back up.
\tHe was then taken into another room that was big. Aside from the fact the boy and the guards were the only ones there. He was forced down onto a bench where seconds after several spears; as well as many crossbows on a second level all pointed at him. “You have half an hour to eat.” The knight told him, producing a key that was in a box; that first had to have a mage to undo a magical seal on it. Several spears jabbed right to his throat as the man approached with the key. “You open that mouth of yours and they'll slit your throat.” He warned. The boy remained motionless as the knight pushed the key into the choker's lock; then gave it a turn. Quickly he took it off the boy's throat and latched it to the bench and table both. However before the spears were pulled away several mages invoked a barrier around the boys table. Only then did the men holding the spears back away.
\tShortly after someone tossed a metal tray on the table. On it was a substance that was gray in color and foul in smell. And a bun that looked old. He was sure that even the prisoners of war got better food. But this was normal for him, his pint sized captor wasn’t so kind. Shortly after a spoon was thrown at him. Then followed with a warning. “You open that mouth for anything but to put food in it.” rather than finish he pointed up at the crossbows and mages both up on the second level. All weapons were pointed at him; “Just waiting for an excuse.”
\tThe boy ate quickly and quietly. He didn't bother to look up or around. However before he could finish, the knight on watch sputtered out. “Princess Starlet.” The boy looked up and over. A shudder running down his spine at the name being called out. “You should not be here, this thing is dangerous.” the knight sputtered.
\t“Is that not why you are here Sir Logan?” Starlet asked in turn, what was she seven, eight? “Out of my way peon, this creature would dare not harm me; he values his little friend too much.” She shoved her way past him and over to the boy. Instantly all the guards grew ready; all he would have to do is flinch in the wrong way. He didn't have the collar on after all; the amount of damage he could do with a single word was massive. All the same the princess shoved her way up to him. She smirked at him first before slapping him in the face. “You will look at me when I am here creature!” The boy rubbed his cheek for a moment. However he glanced up at her for a second before going back to eating. “Still hiding your face I see?” the girl tease pulling at his hood. In truth he was, all anyone or anything would see looking at him was a mouth, a nose, and nothing more. “You know you can make all this stop; if you would quit being a spoiled cunt.” She taunted putting on a high and mighty act; he found her comment ironic seeing as that's what she was. Again the boy did not reply. He got a spoon full of the gray paste and put it in his mouth. “Aw what's the matter? Don't you want to talk to me?” She teased. “It's not like you'll be killed if you open your mouth for any other reason but to eat.” However she quickly covered her mouth and started laughing. “oh wait you will.” However she quickly got bored of this little game of cat and mouse; and his refusal to give her any kind of reaction. She quickly kicked him off the bench before spitting on him and turning away. “Sir Logan.” The princess yelled to the man in question.
\t“Yes princess?” Logan replied in salute.
\t“After this shit is done with his tasks for the day, bring him to my chambers.” Starlet ordered jabbing a finger at the knight's armor.
\t“I don't think that would be wise princess.” Logan replied.
\tShe gave him a stern look. “And that is why you don't think!” She spat at him. “I gave you an order!” She then pointed at the boy. “You WILL bring him to my chambers after he is done for the day. IS, THAT, CLEAR!?”
\t“Yes princess.” Sir Logan replied, giving her a salute.
\t“Good dog.” Starlet replied, patting the knight's armor. “See you tonight.” The princess nearly sang out as she left the room.
\tAfter he was fed; if you could consider what he was given food. He was dragged to a local church. His tasks as the young princess called them was forced labor. He could heal nearly any wound or ailment and his captors were making good use of it. They would charge a hefty fee, he would heal the person; and deal with the side effects. They would take the coin, the cycle repeated.
\t“Oh lucky you.” A mage replied looking at the scroll of the boy's work for today. “A young noble lost an arm in a battle; going to love watching you heal that.”
\tHe was then dragged out into the church. A man in a nearly matching white coat was stationed with a chest. How this worked was someone would approach and pay the man with the box. The cost depended on the healing needed; not that any of it was cheap. He only saw the rich or the elites. Only once did a commoner family manage to scrape up enough to have their child healed. The irony was that he felt the child actually deserved the healing; far more so then the average jerk he had to heal. Next his handler, an older priest approached next to him. “All those who wish for god's grace please approach.” The old priest started. Sweeping a hand toward the younger priest holding the small chest. “Please leave your offering with the young man over here.” He preached with a practiced tone.
\tFirst approached a merchant, very wealthy. He had a really bad cough; the boy could tell he had fluid in his lungs. The boy looked up to the old priest. The priest leaned down to him and the boy whispered his condition to him. “Seems you are ill, the boy claims you have fluid in your lungs. But God's glory can easily rid you of this malady, for the price of four platinum coins.”
\t“Such is the price for my health.” The rich man spoke. Promptly he dropped the required coins in the chest. He then approached and knelt down before the boy. The boy did nothing at first, until he got a swift kick from the old priest. The boy rolled his eyes, then placed his hand on the man's head. A warm gold glow crept over the man. Moments after the man's rough cough stopped and he indeed felt better. “Aaah glory be to god.” The rich man replied once he got up and could breathe.
\t“Go now with the grace of god, my child.” The old priest told him. Thus clasping his hands together and giving a bow. The boy however now had a nasty cough of his own. And this repeated for another few hours. By now the boy felt like shit; having been forced to heal so many. A commoner family with a very sick child was in line, the boy for the first time that day wanted to use his gifts to heal this one; however. A very opulently dressed nobleman shoved his way to the front of the line. He would not wait for peasants; his son with one arm behind him. The noble had long pitch black straight hair. A goatee that was meticulously maintained and near flawless white skin. His attire was very expensive looking and his aura oozed entitled and reeked of self importance. He was prideful, greedy, slothful, wrathful, glutenous, and envious; his very presence made the boy retch.
\tHis son was a far less impressive looking man. Short black hair, tanned skin, expensive clothes, clean shaven. He was clearly missing his right arm. He had the aura of a coward and the mind of a pervert. He was every sin his father was guilty of and also had a sinful sweet tooth for rape; the boy could feel the young man’s sins creeping across his soul. His favorite targets seemed to be young boys. The boy could tell this and more just from the first glance; he hated these people. He didn't even want to dig deeper; god knows what he would find.
\t“You there boy.” The noblemen started. “Is it true that you are an angel sent from god; and that you can heal any wound or malady?” The boy looked up to him, but gave no reply. “I asked you a question boy!”
\t“Ah, Good Count Ravencrest. It is an honor to have one such as you in our humble church.” The old priest spoke. “Please allow me.” Count Ravencrest then looked to the old priest as he clarified for him. “The boy is indeed an angel sent from god. However his words are dangerous; as such he has been forbidden to open his mouth. I have several blessings from god. I am the only one his words cannot harm. However he does indeed have the power to heal any wound or cure any malady or affliction; I would stake my honor on it.” Honor, the boy thought to himself with a laugh. The old priest was only here to make money and fuck the young nuns and children left in the churches care as he saw fit; he was truly the lowest of the lowly sinners. The boy would smite him himself if he got the chance. But indeed he did have some god's blessing; one strong enough the boy's words could not affect him without trying. And if he tried his captors would know and punish him.
\t“So be it.” Count Ravencrest spoke. He then loudly snapped his fingers and pointed toward the boy. His son quickly approached like an obedient dog. “My fool son lost an arm in battle; how much to have it restored?” He demanded to know.
\t“A lost limb?” The old priest cooed rubbing his chin. “Such a wound can be healed but it will take a toll on the young lad. It will cost you fifteen platinum coins.”
\t“A pittance then.” Ravencrest spoke. Rather promptly he dumped the asked for coins in the tithe chest. “Do it then; and be quick about it! The commoners here are making me sick.” The old priest pushed the boy toward the young noble. He still hesitated and refused. “WELL?!”
\tUpon seeing his refusal the old priest knelt down to the boy. And told him softly. “You'd best do it brat; lest I tell the princess about this and your little friend get punished again.” The boy sighed then reluctantly pressed his hand to the young noble's head. A golden glow crept across him like it had all the others. Then a light started filling out from where his arm once was. It filled out until it was shaped like his arm. Upon the lights dimming the young noble found his arm restored.
\t“Father, it worked.” His son told him. “Thank you father. I swear I'll bring you the head of the bastard that took my arm.”
\t“See that you do.” Ravencrest told him. “Come Samwell we're leaving.”
\tAs the father son pair left the church the boy broke down coughing gasping for air wracked in pain; he was at his limit for the day. “Ah, it seems the young lad is done for the day.” The old priest spoke aloud, dismaying the commoners that had been next. “Please come back tomorrow for more blessings from god.”
\t“Please, I beg you.” The next man cried out. He was carrying a boy in his arms. The child looked deathly ill. “I beg you to save my child please!”
\t“The boy is done for the day.” The old priest spoke with a dismissive wave. “Come back tomorrow.”
\tHe promptly grabbed the boy's hand and began pulling him away. However the boy pulled his free and billowed out the words. “NO!” A simple word however it echoed out in the church and even blew out all the windows. The force was enough to shove the old priest to the ground even despite his blessings. The boy still coughing and retching approached the commoner and his child. At first glance the boy could tell; this child was critical. He had advanced small cell lung cancer. If he let this child leave here unhealed; the child would not survive the night. The old priest dusting himself off approached the boy who then told him the child was very ill.
\t“Seems you are in luck, the boy here has deemed he wishes to push himself past his limit. Be grateful for God's mercy.” The old priest spoke. “It will cost you ten platinum coins.”
\t“That's so much.” The man spoke in shock but shook his head. “My child is worth it. This is everything we've saved and borrowed.” He looked up to the hooded boy. “Please save my son.” The man's wife approached and dumped out a bag of coins; once counted it was just enough. The boy however took true mercy on them, despite the steep price. Had he told the old priest what was really wrong with the child; it would have cost them thirty platinum coins. The boy nonetheless, and knowing this would hurt, pressed his hand to the child's head. A warm golden glow crept over the child and after a short time color returned to the child's face; and he woke for the first time in nearly five days.
\t“Fa … father?” The child asked, then reaching up to his fathers face.
\t“Philip!” his father spoke quickly holding his son close; his wife joined the hug seconds after. “Thank you angel, thank you so much; I'll never be able to repay you.”
\tThe boy gave him a smile and a nod. However what washed over him next was not pleasant. The boy clutched his chest, unable to breathe. He wheezed and choked for a moment longer until he collapsed and blacked out.
\tWhen he came to well he knew where he was. “Someone was a naughty boy today.” The young princess's voice cooed out. “Not only did you dare open your mouth, you nearly broke yourself caring for those dirty peasants.” He then cried out in pain as the crack of a whip echoed out and lashed his backside. He was naked save for the hood which they could not remove. And was chained to a wall with his ass exposed to the room. “Bad boy!” She snapped out lashing him again and again. “THE ONLY ONE,” she yelled, lashing him again. “THAT GETS TO,” She went on with another crack of the whip. “BREAK MY TOY'S, “She continued lashing him once more. “IS ME!” She lashed him about a dozen more times. His backside was bleeding badly now. However she was tired and set the whip aside.
\tThe boy was managing to hold on; but he was in a great deal of pain. “So.” The princess cooed approaching him and cupping his chin then pulling his head right. “You do remember how you can make all this stop right?” She asked with a certain coo. “I want to be an angel; I deserve to be an angel!” She snapped. “I know you can make me an angel so do it!” She spat at him and let his chin go. “DO it and all your problems stop. Poof it goes away all overnight. I might be forth in line to the throne but I deserve to be an angel; hell I already am one, Daddy says so.” That would have made him laugh. But what the spoiled little bitch refused to understand; her soul was a black as pitch. She was guilty of every sin in the book. One as foul as her could never be an angel; he told her as such and she refused to accept it. She simply believed he refused to do it and that was that; she's made his life a living hell ever since. “So are you going to give me what I want or continue to be a bastard?” He looked away and she growled in anger. “Maybe I need to torment your little friend then?” She snapped as she hurried over to a cage on the far side of her room. Inside the cage slept a stark white fox. The little creature had nine flaming tails and was comatose.
\tHe pulled on his chains once she approached the cage. “Leave him alone.” The boy cried out.
\tThat made her stop, she grew angry. “The only words you are allowed to say is 'i'll make you an angel!' Now you will be punished.” She promptly snapped her fingers and called out. “Marcus!”
\tInto the room marched in a large dog morph. German Shepherd in breed. “Yes princess?” Marcus asked.
\tThe girl now clutched a dagger. “Take him off the wall and lash him to the table; face up.” She ordered then holding the dagger over the fox's head. “And if you value your little friend you won't struggle.”
\tThe morph smiled. “As you wish, princess.” Marcus made a quick task of it. Taking him off the wall then chaining him to the table.
\t“Good.” Starlet cooed once it was done. “Now fuck him until you are satisfied.” She rolled her dress up and sat on the end of her bed. Sometimes she'd sit on his face and make him eat her out as he got fucked in the ass; times like this she was content to watch and finger herself.
\t“Heh, as you wish princess.” Marcus almost cooed.
\tThe boy cried out when the morph slammed himself on home. And he was used as a toy for five hours that night. Finally he was tossed back into his cell later that night. The knight tossed him inside then slammed the door shut; quickly locking it back up. It took a few moments but after groaning on the ground for a moment the boy managed to push himself back up to his feet. He had a large fist shape mark about his right eye that had blackened it not that anyone could see it; it was already in the process of healing. He was sore, bruised, and tired; and still deathly ill. So he limped his way to the cot like bed and laid down. He knew tomorrow would most likely be as bad if not worse. Still he was hoping it would not be the day he would see Otiv. Despite the fact Otiv would set him free; he feared what the man would do. With nothing else he wanted but to sleep. He got himself as comfortable as he could as battered as he was. But it wasn't long until he fell asleep. The only place they could not harm him after all was in his dreams.
~Book one, first half, end~