The Tellers Tales: Say Uncle Re:yiffed
Chapter 10: An interesting turn of Chance; So who's laughing now?
\tWell, hours later, with a quest accepted; and a job to do. For a turn, Anthony allowed Annie to follow him onto the battlefield. But she was to stay with Hue, and guard 'him' totally not the other way around; no way it was the fact. Anthony was a nervous wreck about her not being at his side on a battlefield, and that he only trusted his best friend with her safety. No, no, totally because she had to protect the 'defenseless' main healer. Though Anthony was on his horse, so too were the twins. Both mounted atop an overtly demonic horse, their armor not so, they were in their caster armor. Lacy robes once more woven of their sister's wool. But at his side as his seconds in command, Hue the Third. Annie still played a vital role in which she was going to play as his command operator, a needed role in what Anthony told her was command magic, something only the Knights could do. In the past, Anthony served as an Operator for his Master. A heavily guarded secret, he told her she would now also have to keep with him and the twins. The count was gathered with his men as well. Anthony's army gathered, the town left with minimal guard, leaving the residents thinking; You know what a real wall would be nice. If a moving wall wasn't a pipe dream. Anthony rode his kobolds. The twins lead their hired mercs, soon to be the members of their adventurers' guild and military branch. Hue was guarded by his Shambler, Annie, and an assortment of his Dryadic plant creatures. Pincher Bug hid itself on Hue like a bandolier; aided in his healing duties by about five small spring fairies, and soon his pride and joy as well. His little friends, it seemed, had returned to him and were serving as his aids to distribute his power across the battlefield. As they reached the point their map demanded, it suddenly shone before them; Turned to a golden card, and with a loud, high pitch magical hum peaking with a high pitch chime; erupted into a dark Blue distortion.
\t“Steady now.” Anthony quipped to steady the kobolds behind him. Though credit due, the count and his men didn't panic, nor did the twins or their adventurers. As the distortion then faded, Anthony saw a black hooded boy in his personal field of view; no one else saw him. But he was soon joined by a boy in a white hood. They shared quiet words a moment before the boy Anthony knew to be Otiv walked away and faded into nothingness with the blinking of his eyes. The boy in the white hood, everyone saw; however. He gave a bow, then pulled the distortion aside. As then the sounds of battle did cry out. Two armies at least, though one side was clearly winning. Though it seems she was surprised the Count recognized what this event was, even if many of the peasant levies he had gathered were left jumpy. The distortion was still there; the event was not yet real; a sort of look before you leap, are you sure, check. Through the distortion, Anthony watched the event going on play inside. Tribal furs huddled around a makeshift tribal wall. Their entire village was spirited away. The primitive stockade around the village was all that saved them. Would not hold though the attackers had something, seems the tribals lacked, magic. All it took was for a few fire mages to do what they do best: blindly cast fireball, what's even friendly fire? The Wall caught flame because, yeah, wood is flammable. And before long, big enough holes were burned to let the slavers in from multiple sides. The remaining battle would last twenty minutes before the primitives are routed, and the slavers are raping and pillaging. Sam trotted over on his horse, mouth covered with a handkerchief.
\t“Ugg, savages, and I don't mean the wolves.” The count gulped under his covered mouth. “Poor critters don't even stand a chance. This is no battle, this is savagery! There is no honor in this! I am appalled it is my kind performing this act; before my damned eyes no less!” From his position leading his army, such it stood. His armor is expensive but still practical. “The fact that this is even a choice means someone wanted to do this, and yet the gods intervened. I am appalled, disgusted and appalled. The only part I want in this is to bring God’s justice down upon them!”
\tHue merely snorted loudly, he was none too happy. He stood at Anthony's side, his shambler at his side. With several Dryadic plants sprouting from his shoulders, ready to spit explosive seeds at people dumb enough to get too close. Pincher Bug was ready to do his name shake, as he wore the caterpillar like a bandolier, of which he had stashed many potions and reagents inside of the storage segments of its body. The twins once more were chomping at the bit; they were enraged by this sight, though wolves were their deepest kink, so biased?; Yeah. Though in their youth, what they confided only to Anthony, not even mom and dad knew, they had been bullied; so now they had their own hate boner for bullies, ooh, this counted. What made it worse for them was that these people were using the gift of magic to do this evil; they were the kind of bastards that gave all casters of all types a very bad name. Casters like them are the reasons magic was demonized for so long. Anthony atop his horse, Stalyth, who also whinnied agitatedly, stamping back and forth in his spot. Anthony did not bother to try and correct him as the horse agitatedly snapped around in anger, tearing the ground up with his hooves; it would have been a pointless endeavor anyway. A Horse Lord is a protector of Freedom, a charge given to them by the Earth Mother herself; to see it taken before his very eyes was an affront to horses and nature itself, of one of the highest orders. To the horse, these fiends may have well have just spat in the generous face of the Earth Mother. He could not and would not stand for this; even if they had to go alone, the horses would go to war. He and the army's mounts were now ready to go to war; even the uninitiated horses were furious, even if it was only for brownie points. Though Annie was currently riding Hue's shoulder, she looked up at Anthony. Rubbing his chin as he watched the slaughter unfold before them several times. Analyzing the event, tearing it apart; he did not blink, he did not look away. His ears perked high and pointed forward. Tail stiff held still mid wag.
Their formation was tacky. They had no strategy, for they knew their foe was no match. And their flanks were exposed from the south. A good heavy cavalry charge would break their line to the south, and expose their mages and archers for a solid follow up infantry charge. But if they were so foolish as to think such a paltry formation should be used in any battle. They might just be stupid enough to have the front line advance and leave the back line exposed from the back or sides. The only reason this was working was that the bastards were the puppeteers of this mass relocation event. Anthony then whistled, and all gathered grew quiet. He held up a hand and gave it a clockwise whirl two times. The not-gathered commanders nodded, then rode over to the new Knight Commander.
\tOnce his top officers gathered around, Anthony quipped, “Thoughts?”
\t“What do you mean thoughts? We have to save them.” Annie blurted. “This is barbaric! Daddy would already be over there!”
\tTo that, Count Sam nodded in agreement. “Here, here, milady. This is sick, this is twisted, this is evil; and by god as my witness, I won't stand for it! The same people who call you furs the beast, are now acting worse than demons themselves.”
\t“Druidic law forbids slavery.” Hue quipped before another angry snort got his other shoulder passenger to pat his head and try calming her father a little. Until she realized she forgot something, quickly hopped down and pattered away back to their baggage train. “All druids are honor bound to free slaves they find, if possible; to prevent their enslavement to begin with would be something the order would celebrate. But as all things do, the druids do have exceptions to this rule, but it has extreme limits. This act violates every decree of the Earth Mother and even of the other Gods who watch over and protect our world; they are violating the rules of at least seven different Gods, including my two own. They abduct the children of another world, of another god or goddess; it would be the same as ripping a babe from the arms of its loving parent. This offends my Goddess at a deeply intimate level; I will not stand for it either.”
\t“In a world where for the right amount of money and not being a dick about it; you can get people to do whatever you want really. Like, seriously, who needs magic or slavery? Money is really how you make things work in this world.” The twins chimed from atop, yup Anthony was able to confirm it was a fucking bicorn. He glared at the girls who tried to pretend it was totally not a bicorn. Just some other demonic horse from the planes of Shadows with one horn. By hiding the second horn behind Sally's back; now he wanted to know where the hell they had gotten it, and how they had hidden it from him? “We find slavery stupid and a waste of time, both. So many better ways to make money in this world, and people like this refuse to adapt to the times. If they can't be happy without inflicting misery upon others, then they deserve no rights at all, end of story.” They chimed as Anthony's glare grew heavier, but what did he expect from warlocks? The cutesy magic girl act was, after all, just an act.
\tHe agreed with their statements so far. And it seemed even they agreed, for the most part. Even the grumbling among the various gatherings of troops grumbled angrily about the barbarism on display. Who were the savages in this event? The tribals or the slavers? Though the one thing that bugged Anthony, the thing he commented angrily in his head; was that he couldn't see the device or even the banner from outside the event. He was supposed to want to kill these people; but due to whatever reason, he could not even identify them. It was just an empty field of grassland before him. But Anthony had enough time to analyze the event going on inside the horizon. The cloaked lad was standing near a curtain pull rope. Annie, however, and many others watching on with her had no clue what was going on. So as Hue stood near the man, Annie looked over to Anthony to ask him. “The hell is all this? I've never seen or heard of anything like this.”
\t“That's because it's rare. It's actually a commonly accepted rule upheld by all nations, knight orders, and combat based guilds; including churches; the general public never learns of this. That being we don’t want just any jack off running off out here to make a deal with these things.” Anthony told her, Hue patting her side and then pointing to the cloaked boy. “That right there is one of the brats you've heard me speak of. He is a Game Master God. At random, armies or bands of adventurers will encounter these guys and offer them an ordeal for a promised reward. If we choose to accept this event; that little bastard is going to change our world to make it fit the new storyline. It’ll be like even to us, whatever change was made had simply always been there and never discovered, it’s partly how wild lands are formed; if they remove a mountain range. Even the dwarves likely living in it would tell you, no, no, we always lived in this bog, or forest, or grasslands, despite the fact that they don’t. Dwarves near exclusively live underground; they are afraid they will fall into the sky. Only coming up to trade, travel, or adventure; and weighing themselves down with as much crap as they can in the process.” Anthony paused, as Annie looked over to the white cloaked pale skinned human looking boy; who gave her a wave back once he felt her gaze on him. “Whenever a new dungeon opens up, a natural disaster suddenly occurs, or something terrible like a huge monster suddenly happens. If new stretches of wild lands are discovered. It's likely because someone made a deal with one of these brats, then failed the test. Entire nations have been wiped out because a dungeon was opened in some remote place; the team that opened it didn't survive. And seeing as dead men tell no tales, the dungeon was never found. It overcrowded when the monsters were not culled. Then the entire contents of the dungeon, boss monsters and all, were released into the world when the dungeon overfilled too far and ruptured. Like a plague infested organ going septic and rupturing into the body.” Annie gave a nod as it started to make sense. Noble troops would know about this if Game Masters also encountered armies at random. So would adventurers who would encounter new dungeons or smaller events like this firsthand in the wild. Given this event called for an entire army. “I've never lost a battle so far, though; I don't plan to start. These people are idiots; my master would take them himself.” She gave a nod, and so did the others. But that made Annie's ears drop. As the idea of a young Anthony, forced to command on the front lines, well, hurt her feelings. She shook her head though, no, it was his choice, he wanted to become a hero. Though now he had his commanders gathered. “Final vote: are we accepting this event and keeping them, or are we walking away and at least sending them home? Though I hate to say it … I would like to have my own people in the band; no offense, humans. Do note that sending them back doesn't save them forever; it saves them for now. Next time they cast this spell again, we won't be there to save them. Say aloud, all for taking it and saving those people, say Ai.” To which a unanimous call in the affirmative has been given from his direct underlings. Even from many of their troops who were close enough to hear the request. Even the horses followed Stalyth's lead and whined loudly in response as well. “Unchallenged then, by the men and their mounts. Seems these people are going to learn the hard way; what happens when you piss off a horse lord.” Anthony quipped with an approving nod. He gave Stalyth's reins a light click and rode forth. Found an appropriate spot. Held a hand up and gave a forward command. “Take positions. Infantry, form a line around this small ridge. It'll serve as a decent vantage point for our mages and archers. Casters!” He gave them a moment to get their attention. “As you've seen their mage's plan to bombard the village walls with fire, I want a storm here yesterday! Whip up a tempest for me, no fire attacks. Archers form a line and wait for commands. Twins, you've got mages and archers. Sam take command of our Cavalry and wait for the right moment. Then hit the southern flank with a heavy cav charge, then sick the light cav on their support casters; Take position in the woods east of this position, you'll know when. Hue nobody fucking dies our side or the tribals; am I understood? I don’t care that this is raid plus territory and you’re solo heals; get it done!”
\t“Crystal.” Hue spoke deeply, taking a jar from Ammy, who promptly climbed back up to his shoulder. Hue started painting his face and chest with this paint, it would begin to glow blue as he started to ready his mana. Ammy rooted herself to the base of his neck and opened her bloom. Two of the Spit Flower dryadic creatures in turn entwined around her hips before two flowers opened on both sides of her. Anyone wanting to pick a fight with the bull was in for a bad day; and a daughter with an itchy trigger leaf.
\t“Infantry will follow me.” Anthony then barked aloud, getting an affirmative shout from the gathered troops. He was ready, and Annie was frankly impressed; she underestimated Anthony in warfare mode. She had seen him fight but had yet witnessed him actually commanding. His master seemed to be a potent strategist and shared many talents beyond just the blade to him. The pup she remembered may have well just been the eggshells left behind for the hero now before her eyes. Though this was the point, she went 'ooo' as a new box opened, a few menu dings. The girl was then reading when Anthony spoke out. “I plan to pull them away from the village. First and foremost, we'll need to make ourselves the target, those innocents don't last long enough in a fight. They're not trained for war, and they've got no armor; and yeah, we stopped using stone weapons centuries ago.” He got another shout from his men, who understood the mission. Then Anthony took center stage. “GAME MASTER!” he called and got the boy to look up to him. “I, Anthony Grayclaw, Knight Commander of this band, accept your ordeal. With the intent of destroying those savages who dare claim they are civilized peoples! If that meets your approval, please grant me a sign.” The boy nodded, in fact, applauded for a moment. Then gave his fingers a snap, the winds instantly and violently changing and blowing eastward for a moment. The boy pulled the curtain up and let the stage be gone. As now the event before them, first the land in front of them was wiped out; nothing but a white void was left in its place. The sound of the curtain rising. The land was then replaced with the event proper, with each tug of the hooded boy's hands on the curtain rope. Nothing changed but the fire, the smoke, the screams of terrified innocent villagers in the distance; ok, ok, I’m sorry, a lot changed. And the shouts of the bastards counting the seconds until the butcher's work began. Both sides traded volleys of arrows. The tribals sadly had stone heads, not a match for metal, magic, or enchanted armor. Anthony looked over as the twins got into position to lead a ritual spell to change the weather in the region. Their magic casters would be occupied for some time, Archers were not in a good position after all, at least the non-human ones. Though the Kobold females did number a surprising sixty percent of their ranged forces. The humans seemed to favor foot troops and cavalry over archers. So they would need to move; the forest he had not seen was in the way; thus why he could not see any banners. Figures the little bastard would put a forest between them. So he had one choice, really. If he let those bastards keep firing on the tribals, their casualties would be innumerable. Like it or not, he had to use his new demon lord wings to fly to a better position to save lives.
Though Annie truly was the scared one, when that certain something formed on her wrist; from that frightful night in the dragon's cave. And the men, one and all, were surely surprised when Anthony's wings formed on his back, and he flew into the sky. Though it was going to be a mistake and a big one. The reason he could not see the banners was that. They were on the other side of the curtains, which hid the trees that were in the way; the Game Master had just made an entire forest that had not been in the face of this planet before hand. The dryads and fae were bound to be tickled pink once discovered and colonized. This was a wild land emergence for them. And the banners he saw on the other side of the forest, once he flew above it. Well, as his blood ran cold and his heart started to thunder in his chest. As his vision would blur. They were the same banners, the very same ones. That doomed him to Blood Mouth Pass; the same banners he watched fade away into the distance that night. It was so right and so wrong at the same time; it was none other than THAT BASTARD'S personal force or a branch of it. Something inside him instantly broke. It was Annie alone who knew what was about to happen; her eyes grew wide in fear when she finally learned the name of the Disaster Lord. When the name Iratum* was added to their personal party and Anthony's status was listed as berserk. With only one hope, only one prayer, only one play, really. Annie quietly asked.
*Pronounced - E-raw-tomb*
“Master Otiv, PLEASE COME HERE!”
\tAnd about the time, the horns grew from his head, and a burning crown formed on his head. Oh, and the Brimstone Blast he had leveled at the entire army and well, everything for leagues behind them, was definitely an oh shit. But another snap cried out, one that brought even time to stillness. It was not the boy who walked up wearing a black cloak. When Annie suddenly found herself before a tall man, maybe six two; likely a thirty-something. A full beard growing a bit shaggy, but none other than Otiv's eyes looking down at her. “A newborn minion would have the nerve to summon me; in this form, no less?” Otiv asked, scowling down at her a moment, before he let her off easy, let out a laugh, and rubbed her head. “Worry not, I tease. I would come to any of my minions should they ever earnestly call for me; but none of them are that weak, save a precious few.” He then looked up at Anthony, about to go beyond nuclear on these people. Oh, and about everything else in its path until it goes out big; big enough to cause planetary damage by the way. “Uhhh, Yup, that's a nope. I need you guys alive, kinda entails I also need the damned planet intact. This boy never learns, does he?” He asked, looking at Ann, who sighed and shook her head no.
\t“Are you really Otiv?” Annie asked, glancing up at the man with a brow raised. “A boy, an eye, and now a man? What's next, a woman? How many times does Otiv change forms?” She would ponder aloud, allowing this chance moment to pull her mind from terror.
\t“Must I prove who I am, every time, my form changes? Need I remind you, you called for me; and I answered your prayer.” Otiv promptly asks. Though he shook his head, and dropped his hood and his ear length, brown colored hair. Then glared at her with his left eye for a few seconds until. Well, Annie could literally see the massive eye now hidden in his own shadow. Truth Seer was such a handy power, that it could even glean his secrets. The great eye was shrunken and hidden within one eye socket in this head; the left socket, to be precise. Otiv lifted his brow at her, as for moments, what crashed down on her was a weight of force that stole the air from her lungs. “Good?” His true left eye slid around in his skull of its own accord for a moment.
\t“Good, identity proven. How did you make that huge eye of yours fit in your skull? We saw your true size in the well, you’re beyond the scale of size; because you occupy the very concept of Space don’t you?” Annie told him, looking up at him and almost liking the unease that showed on him as she began to list secrets off one by one. As she suddenly leaned into a combative stance to cope with, yeah, Anthony was about to kill the planet. Though he did follow it up with a head pat, as he realized this one was going to be trouble. “Well, what can we do about this? And what's with that demon's name?” She would ask.
\t“It's Nothing.” Otiv told her in turn.
\t“Oh bullshit it means something.” Annie spat back, misunderstanding his words. “I agreed to become a minion for you; does that not come with some honesty? I mean, come on, I have betrayed this planet and given you a foothold. I have sold this world to the Great Eye of The Sinner; I thought that comes with trust and honesty.”
\t“No girl, calm down, you misunderstood; also, didn’t let me finish.” Otiv told her with a snide side eye, lifting his hood again. “His name means Nothing. The word itself, Iratum, means Nothing. Iratum is the spirit of Nothingness, the Daemon of Emptiness, it is Literally Nothing. A Twisted shadow of one of the highest calibers, A Twilight Shadow Fiend straight from the bowls of UllenGaul; fucking dragon, thats what he did with that sucker punch. He infested one of my main characters with the remains of a daemon, The Storyteller, removed from the earth. No wonder this version of me was summoned. Outside of The Father himself, who rarely leaves his throne, or his Son, only A Storyteller could contain this level of monster; it’s literally their job. You made the wise choice in knowing this was far, FAR out of your tiny hands. This monster is a daemon that came from the ‘real world’ and became a prisoner to the twisted mind of our Storyteller; hehehehe ironic. So full of itself, pffh, then a human puts it in a book. And a great big eye played with it in turn.” He would laugh, his eyes closed and head lightly shaken.
\t“Can we do anything about it? If this is going to happen every time he goes postal. I'll have to start oiling the lambs with lavender and sage before he sexually devours them to calm him down.” Annie quipped in turn, looking back up at her Master.
\t“Oh, good idea, I'm sure the readers would love that.” Otiv teased as he was then holding a large book, Annie felt compelled to look away from it; but once again Truth Seer proved to continue to be handy. It was a black book, but it seemed even her title was not strong enough to see its name; but the power that poured from the book’s pages once he opened it made her nauseous instantly. “Let's see, ahh, there you are; main Character, Substory hub folder, Book Say Uncle; within The Tellers Tales.” With that, he flicked his wrist up. Annie was the keynote character until everyone else, starting with Anthony, filled in around her, Otiv then pulled Anthony's display to him. “Humm, that is not good; sneaky bastard snuck in the second the boy turned his back; then he was angry enough to not pull it back. Oh dear. Alright, first things first, I need this planet to remain alive; Just because the Doom Blast would kill the planet over the course of a thousand years, is no reason to let it start today. Grandfather Clock, oh great spirit; Time Keeper, I must call you to me.” Otiv looked over, leading the girl to see an aged spirit, ancient and wise. He did not speak though, or at least not in a way the girl could hear. “Yes, as you can see, this is a cataclysm about to unfurl …” The spirit, however, promptly raised a brow with a mocking little smile. “I KNOW I GAVE HIM THE MISSION! Look, something of this magnitude can't be wound back, but with your blessing. So, oh great Time Keeper. Will you allow me to prevent the annihilation of this planet? Or would you rather you and I stand here trading witty jabs?” The spirit of Time smirked again but nodded, then raised his arms and clapped his hands. The chime of a truly massive clock sounded, and the heavy catching of a pendulum. The scene reverts to before he chose to use some of his own magic. Once all was back but moments before, the clock spirit lifted a hand to Otiv; who gave a grateful bow in turn. Once the pendulum sound would stop ringing out again. Cross his right arm over his chest before giving a deep bow. “Thank you, Grandfather Clock; I owe you a favor, it seems.” The spirit gave a nod and a gesture with his hands; then promptly faded to go back to where he needed to be. “Indeed, I will continue to watch over your little Lady of Time then, until she is ready.”
\t“So what do we do now?” Annie promptly asked after she watched the great spirit of Time dissipate into particles of light. But her question was promptly cut off, even Otiv was surprised. As demonic energy started exploding from Anthony, as sadly he had finally awakened his Demon Lord, this Demon named Iratum refused to be put back into his prison. The only reason this surge did not blow Annie away was the fact that Otiv grabbed her shoulder. Even Otiv was unsure what to do in this moment; as Anthony's will was slowly starting to be subsumed by this monster inside him. In the end, for all his power, a mortal mind was no match for this kind of demon; no wonder his mind shattered. In the climactic moment, as Anthony even though paused in time started to move, forcing time itself out of his way. Like he was breaking the air around him like glass. Wrenching and jerking around. Clutching his head. Tears started to fall from his eyes, followed by blood; Annie and Annie alone, thanks to Truth Seer, was able to finally see the horrid truth he had lied about and hid from her and the world. The shadow clutching itself to him like mold on fruit, like a monster clutching its prize. That same face that gave her endless nightmares after that night in the attic. The horrid things it was whispering to him. Eating at his ego, feasting on his failures. Revealing in his misery. Telling him he was alone, he'd always be alone; for who could love a monster like him? No, no one could love a monster like him; if they say anything different, they are lying! He was worthless, he was useless; he was Nothing! Absolutely Nothing, worthless, useless; a waste of fur and life. Oh, how pitiful he was; how he wasn’t even worth the demon's spite. He should just end it and set the beast free. Kill himself now! DO IT! KILL HIMSELF NOW USELESS WORTHLESS!”
MONSTER
MONSTER!
MONSTER!!
In that moment as once again that damned event in the far past put itself before her eyes again. She was able to see this same shadow clutching itself to him in her parents' attic. Herself unknowingly glaring right at it, even though she was unable to see it at that point. The only time that demon even knew fear. It never stopped, she never truly saved him; Just like Nigel had warned them of. He just wore a fake smile to ease her worries and burdened himself with this terrible fate, not to burden her with it any further than he had. She couldn’t do it any longer, her heart hurt so badly she feared it would never feel right again. So in the back of her thoughts, she let a thought slip through;
“Someone, anyone, please; I’m begging you,
Just let me save him.”
It was at this moment that Ann felt a hand on her right shoulder pushing her toward him, a hand that was not Otiv's. Unable to help the compulsion, she raced forward. Otiv found his hand tossed from her by an unseen force, which allowed Annie to race to his side. A pair of white angelic wings sprouted from her back once she embraced him, and brought his agony to a stop. It was like, for a few moments, sparks flew as creation itself held its breath; what would happen? “What is this?” Otiv would ponder aloud.
~ notice ~
~Soul bond acquired~
~notice~
~Soul Corridor established~
~New intrinsic skills unlocked~
An eruption of shadow from the male, a wrapping of light from the female. Sparks flew as the two forces clashed heavily against one another. They seemed to clash a moment, the shadow so dark, so overwhelming, so deep. Before a harmony was achieved, before the classic yin and yang formed of the two energies, if only for seconds.
And if for only a few seconds a gray hood would be seen; the head would look up, then vanish in a flurry of pages.
\tShe held him tight, slowly making his eyes return to normal. Able to bring his hands down to hold her. The frying at the edge of his vision; the red that spread into his sight; the madness and chaos that disordered his head. All gone with the embrace of his own little angel; Held still by disbelief alone. ‘It’s gone.’ Anthony would mutter under his breath. He suddenly and slowly brought himself to laugh loudly in pure disbelief, nearly a maniacal crackle before he finished. And a smile formed on Otiv's face at this moment, this connection finally piqued his interest; was this divine intervention, he thought? Was this child really in the process of taming a raging tempest? Here she had called him to fix a problem; she herself was able to fix, all on her own, apparently the entire time; the gall he smirked, ooh, she was going to fit right in. All the same, he gave his fingers a snap. As energies started to wrap around them, a mist wall formed behind them, splitting the army from them. “Don't listen to that damned demon.” Annie told him, looking up at Anthony with her own tears, no longer able to sit idly by and watch him suffer alone. “You are not alone, you sure as hell are not nothing, and I will never, EVER, let you be called a monster AGAIN!! And if he was right and you were Nothing, then I guess the over twenty thousand people that follow you now, including me, Jenny, Hue, Amaranth, Arie, and Sally, are Nothing just the same. And if you are nothing, then I will be nothing right alongside you. Even if you lose everything else, you will always have me! I’m worse than that mold that wants to cling to you. I’m the worm that gets inside you, then makes herself cozy. Turns herself into a butterfly.” His face would be rigid for moments as she held him. But finally the mask would break, his eyes would start filling with tears, His lower lip would tremble, his emotions would come like a tsunami; but she wouldn’t let him get washed away again. He fell into her arms as he started to sob, but she held the back of his head tight, and she rubbed his back. She let him get it out so it wouldn’t poison him anymore.
~Notice forced activation of new skill detected.~
~Soul Bond Limit breaker fusion now in progress.~
~Notice will half stall due to half of the party not being eligible for Limit Breaker~
~That error is being forcefully overlooked at this time.~
“Limit breaker fusion … level one?”
Otiv's voice could be heard with an implied cocking of his head to one side
“How the hell did she do that? And who the hell gave her Little Red Riding Hood?”
\t“Well, seems my job here is now done.” Otiv said with a smile as he took a step back and faded into the shadows. Annie left there in his embrace as the two were enveloped by the whipping energies of this transformation. First, her cloak fell down her back. As Anthony wrapped his arms tighter around her, before vanished into nothingness for a moment.
\tOh, sure, the dark growl that echoed out after didn’t sound good. A sound that echoed out into the world like a challenge and a threat, both. The monstrous wolf that formed towering behind her may have borne horns, but above her own head, that halo once more did shine. As Anthony wore Sinner in the form he had made, he had then feared. For he realized he had opened to door to the Disaster Lord. But a white mask formed on her face, and his hands wrapped around her tiny shoulders. Her black shroud cloaked down her back. As for the first time ever seen, ever written by the Storyteller. A Star appeared, not because the wielder's life was in danger of ending. But because a star child, since the system's inception; finally had the will and strength to summon it. Though the name and tag that bore over the girl's head as the monster behind her nuzzled her head once more, read.
~The Temptress of Disaster: Annie Grayclaw: The Star Seer~
hp 357,000x5
~Notice new title acquired~
~Awakened Star Child~
~Star #5: The Seer of Truth within the dark~
\tBut not to be outdone by a girl, the name the monster behind her bore was a sinister name and tag. One also never before seen; one, all systems would have crashed trying to prevent. As Anthony gave a wicked and evil grin, so barely able to hold himself together. Towering over her for a moment as black smoke wafted from his mouth, like there was a fire burning inside him now. Seems he and Sinner had come to that weapon point; he was now wearing the demon head to toe. He and the ooze he scooped out of an Abyssal Pit were now in essence one being.
~Notice Critical System Warning~
~ Stage One Disaster Lord Detected~
~Alerting all … planetary … authorities…?????~
~... uhh~
~no authorities found to alert~
~The Silently Approaching Apocalypse:
The Lone Wolf:
The Fangs of Vengeance~
HP: !@~#@!%!~*)(!@%#*!&@^$()
Anthony spoke
~A Reaper in black~
~The fiend of the night~
~The Harold of Terror~
~A Reaper's Delight~
~The Soul Lost in sight~
~Yet never retired~
~That Stalwart Defender~
~Who died on his Pyre~
~ Notice~
~Second verse now discovered~
Annie then spoke
~
~The Selfless who Fell~
~For all those Unworthy~
~A Guardian~
~A Knight~
~The Hero in White~
~The One who was Selfless~
~The one whom had fought~
~The one whom had died~
~For what he held Right~
~
~notice~
~Two ‘Suffix’ titles acquired.~
\t
\tAnthony nipped her neck as the pair shared energy that flowed between them. Bringing a strange calm that was sorely needed. His strength boosted hers. She would wrap her wings around his arms, and Anthony would go out of his way to nuzzle his horns into her cheeks. Her presence brought him calm, forcing an eye to the storm in his head, her balance aided his own in its moment of weakness. Though she did hear the demon lord now, raging in the back of their shared thoughts. Her presence was primarily desired by Anthony; really, you just can’t beat the cookie. So she was able to supplant his presence with her own effortlessly; it was insane with rage. That a mere pup a fucking little girl was able to replace him. All she needed was her new power source to be near enough to her for her to use it; not that the girl or said fiend had known that. Now that she knew this, what was always in the back of his mind. Haunting him, gnawing, and chipping away at Anthony, all through millions of replayed lives. A disaster raging in his head; untold innumerable numbers of past lives playing a deranged backseat driver. She knew it was bad; this was worse than she thought. Never again, never fucking again. She'd not allow him to bear it alone ever again; she'd be his rock if that's what he needed. “Did you know this would happen?” Anthony asked for a strange change, able to revel in his own strength without worry. And yet despite his mind wanting to go in a million different directions at once, He was able to stay focused on this little angel before him.
\t“No, I don't even think you know who knew this would happen.” Annie told him, reaching up to give his head a stroke. “All I wanted was to be able to help you, to save you; this is far more than I asked for. To make it worse, I don't even know whom to thank.” Well, Anthony smirked before letting out a laugh. He gave his head a shake before he stood up. There was still work to do. “So do we hide this from the army and or populace? Going to be impossible to hide it from the natives if we want to keep them.”
\tBut then Anthony held his hand out backward. “Nope, relationship rule number one: even if it's bad, best not to lie about it. Wish I knew that sooner.” Gripping at something in thin air as if he had a curtain. Before Annie's eyes, the army screen was now displayed. Seeing as now Annie was lieutenant general, second in command to Anthony, she was privy to the whole scope of the army. Every squad of five, attached to a band of ten, a part of regiments of twenty five, assigned to battalions of fifty, regimented with generals under Anthony's own squad of five. Even those still guarding the city. Though now a squad of four, given that Annie had moved up on the org chart. Though now she was also reading a tool tip she was given about how the power flows down from the commander to all his men, in this magic, it does work both ways. In this connection, his might was added and distributed to his troops, and he had plenty to share with the class. But, should the commander fall, it would devastate the troops' morale magically, and a route would be all but assured. Should too many troops die, more so all at once, it could shatter the mind of the commander. So from the moment he turned and the flow started, they were already well aware of what was flowing into them; those with him now, those guarding the city. At least now they too benefited from the stability she was in turn providing him; sure, it would have been a shock for all to witness or be the center of. But when the stability Annie offered, Anthony kept all of them sane as well. Hopefully, they would see this as a good thing … even if Anthony would have to explain what he was to his people. “Trust me; they already know. A Demon Lord's legion is a thing of myths and legends after all, but just, I couldn't keep myself sane … without you, it would have happened to everyone connected to me. I have never been able to use this level before; just my luck, guess what power systems the Knight Orders are playing footsy with? Three guesses. Good that this has an off switch. But it feels good; it feels … addicting.” And so he ripped down the curtains; his army now behind him. Everyone had changed. The humans now had basic horns and tails. The kobolds now look more like lizard men and werewolves; still in the fun size range, though. “I won't explain this.” Anthony roared to his men. “You all followed me for a reason: because I was strong. I was a safe bet to make for your families, for your futures, and for your lives.” He told them as he turned, then pointed Duskfall at them. “I will swear to you all that upon my very life; I still am that safe bet. You all feel it, no? This power, the borderline madness of it all? Yet you can remain in control? Just like me, only just for now, but we will all grow in power. You guys are like the actual storm, I am the core that stirs you up and into chaos and violence; but now an eye of the storm has emerged to allow control and stability. And you have this little sweetheart to thank for that. Everyone, thank you, Annie.” He paused to pat Annie’s head, her forehead a quick peck of a kiss. “Keep my secret with me, and I swear to you all, from lords to footmen, from noble to popper; you and your families will prosper. Your silence is the gold I ask for, that is the only thing I want, not a bad deal, no?” He asked with a smirk, hoisting his sword onto his shoulder. “Yes, I am a threat to this world, but what does my reputation say about my views on this world? How many times have I saved it? Meanwhile, you all have your own stories and struggles, trials and tribulations; that's why you are here now with me. Join me, and I give you my word, all will prosper, and those under my wing shall know extraordinary power for mortals. All I ask in turn is to tell no one of the monster your master is. This power will be used to bring peace to the world, as soon as I can get a good leash on it. We don’t need a war with the entire world before that even has a chance of being in the cards, do we? And yes, you are all already guilty, and along with your families, would die with me, through no fault of your own, no less; how fair is that? This world is a place of hypocrites; follow me if you want to make something better.” They all agreed in the case of the men; it was true, better the devil you know. The upside was that he didn’t need to convince them he was telling the truth. Vicariously through him, Truth Seer was sharing with them his words were true; they could feel it as he spoke. As the twins oooh, they were fawning over their new demonic forms; Anthony had never offered the twins any power, and they never knew he could be more than their lord and lover. The one thing all warlocks needed was a patron, but no caster could trust a real demon, normally. The twins, unlike all others, were cloaked beyond their cloaks in pure shadow. Like dark magic girls with no transformation needed. Even left their goods to be ogled just like they liked.
\t“ANTHONY IS A PATRON LEVEL DEVIL?!?!” The twins shouted once their eyes fell upon him, and the cat was out of the bag. “A Disaster Lord, no less.” The power they felt from him was now staggering, but something soft had turned in their faces. In truth, the only reason Anthony was able to hold his nerve was that this new precious connection to Annie allowed him the strength to stand tall, now exposed to few as a Disaster Lord. Inside, he was screaming in terror, and Annie was coddling his head. Assuring him it would all be alright. As Sinner went well to give credit went above and beyond. And had given the speech, Anthony had found himself unable to give; in his friend's place.
\tSally then turned to her sister and clasped her hands. “He could be our patron?!?” They both tried to fight it, but the tears were welling up in the corners of their eyes.
\t“And we can actually trust him; a patron with no strings attached?!? Tell me we’re not dreaming!” Arie chimed in turn. She lied so hard, but the emotions still threatened to overrun her. It was every warlock's wet dream, power with minimal price from a patron they could trust. Sure, the twins knew what he was, but had not yet laid eyes upon his actual power. Now all their magical fantasies were playing out before their eyes. Like all the wet dreams they had of blowing up the moon one day, they had as little girls in the early days of their training. But something else was now eating them alive. That, that young, handsome, generous, and heroic wolf. That treated them like they were equals. Had saved them and protected them. With enough respect to check them when they were wrong, got out of line, or out of hand. … was always there for them when they needed him. Oh, they wanted to fight it so hard, to simply keep lying to themselves. But the tears were building up, and the lower lips were beginning to quiver. How long had he suffered to shoulder this burden alone? The question would make them shudder to their core. They could have helped, right, surely they could have helped him. They needed in that moment for someone to tell them that they could have helped him; that the reason he was suffering wasn’t because they had been useless.
\tHue nodded, stroking his chin. “Explains how he got so strong.” The bull then looked up to see his longhorns restored with a dark shadow. “Though Annie is now also an unknown as well. I've fought with him in battle before many times; he's never been able to do this before, ever. Even with his life on the line, this was never an option. Not even that ooze should be able to pull something like this off. Annie at his side is all that is different. She must have been the key this entire time. A side effect from their cubhood shared together in his darkest moments, maybe? This … this actually merits study. Could a bond with another, deeper than skin, be the key to the deepest layers of casting? Could a bond like theirs be the key to saving the Druids lost to The Rage? This has to be studied, this could save the lives of those heroes.”
\tSo Anthony first put his hand on Annie's head, who would have purred if she could. “Well, men, want to see what you can do? We have people to save, and now that you borrow my strength. I will tolerate no loss of life among the natives. The slavers, however, you can butcher; I don’t see any living slavers, I see casualties; GOT IT! Bring me their leader alive!” He ordered to the roars of his army to roar. Even if Annie plopped herself onto his back, she gave him a tight hug. She couldn’t let him get too far away in any one direction. Though at this point, all the humans could muster was half incubi; still, a vast improvement over basic humans. Anthony then tossed Annie high up into the air. Once in the sky to be his eyes, she then took to her wings, now able to use them. Given that she had borrowed a small part of Sinner to be a copilot. The ooze balled up a bit of his head out of her pelt as they both then looked at a game board of all things, shown before Annie. By now, Sinner had discovered this new soul corridor; he was currently occupying it in order to be with both wolves at the same time; what a loophole, huh? The slavers were about to charge the village walls; their casters were about to bombard them.
\t“Ready to go on my end.” Annie chimed, then gave both her wrists a flick and her fingers a snap. As time then started to move forward and the color of the world returned. Then Annie took her tokens for the twins and put them in the village to protect the village with a magic shield. And then she put Anthony where he wanted to be, right in front of the entire army of slavers alone. But really, what did she expect from a follower of Lord Letmesolorher? She was honestly surprised he didn’t have anything stupid on his hea … … … wait, he was wearing the ooze, wasn’t he? She would proceed to sigh, muttering ‘he even has something stupid on his head; grrr boys.’ under her breath. Then, with Sinner in her ear giving her a proper ‘how to command for dummies’ crash course, she started planning for the attack. Making sure to tell her to have the cavalry take the long way around the trees, when she asked why, he told her to just do it. Annie then placed all the tokens for the rest of their army. To let them all know where, by orders of Commander Grayclaw, this was where he wanted them to be. The twins’ mercenaries were joining the group in the forest.
\tThen, as the native warriors were readying to fight to the death, they also had to take cover from arrow fire behind the cover of anything they could. Though with a sudden heavy thud, a form just suddenly appeared before them. He took hold of his blade and with one swing, managed to do so hard enough to cast a strong enough wind to blow the arrows away, some even found new marks. A magic shield was raised by the lambs to protect the village from bombardment. The lambs yawn as their mana, now fueled by the real big bad wolf, didn’t even seem to budge, despite the onslaught it was withstanding. The dust finally settled to see Anthony with his sword on his shoulder, and the massacre halted. A new nature was trying to get the better of him as a starting normal, but then trying to get a higher pitch, snarl bubbled from him as he glared around for the leader, but he did not see who he was after. But as his fangs started to bear, “Easy, big guy; I'm still here.” He heard Annie's words, then her embrace brought him back down from The Rage, up from his own pit. He had started seeing red and had been losing himself, but she now had real time updates on stuff like that. The large wolf leaned back into her phantom embrace, letting out a soft, nearly painful whine. Not only his head, but what was coursing through his veins was also raw and primal; his veins were burning. When it didn’t hurt, it was driving him literally insane. So first he looked back, eyed the men guarding the building, and he felt that much life inside of it, not far from the front line. He'd keep that in mind; bunkers or civil buildings are never to be near the walls. One route, and the women and children would be taken before anything could be done. Not that they had many options to store them in.
\tBut then Anthony lifted his sword just a little to block a spear from behind. A large gray wolf had mustered the nerve to attack him. The native, despite putting his all into it, found he could not even make the blade budge. But he then also noticed, despite his attack, he had received no backlash. The native then looked up at Anthony, who was still just holding the strike back, an eyebrow raised. So the wolf pulled back his attack, the attackers speechless at what was now before them; now awaiting orders. Anthony afterwards realized language was most likely a barrier, given that they were brought here from another world. So he dropped his blade into the dirt, then offered an outstretched hand, then cracked a smile. It surprised the native, who looked back. Then back to Anthony, intent to take his hand. Well, that was before Anthony snapped an arrow out of the air, before it could; you know, hit his face. The other wolf did then fall on his ass; but once Anthony offered a hand he by that point had at least earned a little trust. They had just watched Anthony snap an arrow out of the air mid flight; well, also fired from a compound longbow. After not hurting him for attacking him, no less. At that point, all plans had changed. The twins suddenly flanked him. The lambs now bear horns, looking very demonic. Their attire accentuates their forms, not covering any of it. Having already submitted themselves to him in trust. Once the power flow was started, they achieved Scuubi status; not much, but they were full demons at least, not a lesser variant.
\t“Master, our Patron. These twin warlocks offer you their souls, we accept everything you give us in turn. Use us in all ways you see fit.” They cooed. Two very happy little warlock scuubi were nearly purring as they got up. Each of them then approached, was the first time in such a very long time he had heard that sorrowful mirrored hic. As they proceeded to hug him, there was no lust in this action for a stark change. “Why didn't you tell us? We … we could have helped you; we would have helped you. You could have used us to smooth yourself more than just sexually. As a place to put the power that is trying to kill you. Why did you bear this burden alone? Are we really that useless to you?” Their voices cracked in emotion, as they buried their faces in his chest, weeping softly as they held him tight and gave him a moment to gain back a bit of humanity and sanity.
\tAnthony sighed as he squeezed the lambs. Sinner intercepted a few arrows as they had a needed moment; his mind was tender; this would bolster his mental fortress. “Because that kills you. Remember all my past lives? The resets had certain triggers; the deaths of people close to me were among them. Me telling you what I am; offering you power until this point; it killed you every fucking time. And every time I had to watch you two die again and again, every time the world reset, and I was thrown right back to square one.” This part made the lamb's eyes go as wide as the moon that currently hung in the sky. As his voice would crack, tears would flow; he’d hold them tight and say like he was confessing his sins. “I killed you hundreds of thousands of times until I figured that out. Rest assured, I did come to you two first, and you were always the next ones killed. The next ones taken from me.” Though there was no hiding the tone of pain in his voice, forcing the lambs to hug him tighter. They were given another twenty seconds to have this moment; the lambs helping Anthony pull himself back together, and themselves in the process.
\tBut then with a heavy blast, “AHHHHHalright, sap time over.” Sinner barked as a magic strike tried to hit them. Only stopped because Sinner used his body to block the blow. Now the scattered pieces of him were having to beat a hasty retreat back to the rest of him in Anthony's pelt. “Not so good against magic; a damn shame we don't have any fucking magic girls or something. Oh no, that would only be so very fucking convenient.” The ooze or well, at least half of it, sneered back at them.
\tWell, it did get a laugh out of Anthony. Then he sighed because he knew them. Putting his hands upon the heads of the twins, now eager for pats. “No collateral, you two. We're next to a major forest, so no wildfires.”
\t“Fair.” The twins chimed, giving each other a quick, devious grin, and quickly decided what new toy they wanted to try. “Alright then, toss us.” Anthony gave a sigh, hoping that at least they were not about to burn the forest down. Grabbing both lambs by the scruff of their woolen regrowth. Then, with relative ease; frightening the native that had attacked him again. Making him realize, it was a good thing he had not gotten hit back. Tossed them about as high up as Annie was currently perched at. Seemingly working some manner of spell center being protected on the ground by Hue, the girls for a moment waved at one another. But then both lambs drew their wands, as you would expect. Aries's wand was a spiraled ivory white; Sally's was an ebony twisted black. Then, with a literal flick of their shadows, much to the amazement of Annie, who had never really seen the lambs cast before. Both tomes finally unlatched from their hips and opened to a flurry of pages passing in the book. Red runes were etched in the air as the lambs then spoke in tongues. Chanting a spell in a tongue that no one spoke on this planet. As a beam began to build at the tips of their wands, what held them up was anyone's guess. But then, as a magical form took shape behind them, the lamb's eyes were glowing. The rune then finished; on the ground, Anthony shook his head, mumbling, 'gave them one order' as the girls then finished the setup. Then roared out, “DIE MOTHER FUCKERS!” Before the sound cut with a deafening woom sound. The beams then shot out toward the enemy formation. Though, as one could expect, the wise words of Sir Murphy were once again proven right; Anything that can go wrong will. For as the beam was about to strike true, the enemy also had at least one who was no slouch in the field of magic. Suddenly, someone within their formation managed to put up a magic shield, that much, to the shock of the twins, withstood their attack. Once their attack ran its course, sound returned, and their pink shield was still holding; the lambs went wide eyed. “NO FUCKING WAY!!!”
\tThe lambs were now falling as Anthony gave a sharp, drawn out whistle. “Well, well, well; what do we have here?” He gave a sudden, rather sinister smirk, but also then felt Annie as if she had just hugged him from behind.
'Never alone again; promise.'
\tThe wolf did hear the girl's voice comfort him; he lifted his hand to clasp her phantom hand around his neck. All else almost faded away for a moment. This monster, Anthony, could barely contain himself, held onto by a Transparent Annie; Anthony’s head dropped low, just holding her hand. Fighting a snarl for a moment until her spectral form placed a kiss on his cheek. “Welp, so be it; seems magic is out of the question. Guess plan A was the best plan; I loved plan A, never doubted it for a moment.” Anthony said humorously, then with a sudden competitive tone. Then, glancing up at the pup in question before we suddenly found ourselves with Annie. She was sitting before her Ui; in short, acting as Anthony's focal point, his banner carrier. Annie then lifted a finger to her ear. “Alright, pup, first lesson in being a Black Knight. Command magic. To be a Knight is to lead, meaning you are not always the star on the field. Command magic takes power from the commander and distributes it to the troops in his formations. So, Lieutenant Star Pup, give the order.”
\tAnnie then saw a gauge fill up in her field, she knew intrinsically came from her lover boy. Then, noting power levels across their formations surged, the supply at her disposal dipped but quickly refilled. So giving a nod and then shouting,
~Notice~
~Active command magic 'heroic surge'~
~By order of Knight Commander Grayclaw~
~ Utilize your right of bond?~
“You know it.”
\t“All forces advance!” Annie's command echoed as a rune formed around her wrist as she pointed forward; her voice made so all their forces heard her. Where others would have broken for this trespass of power. Not even a novice, a welp with stolen power; she was now ready, however. Annie's star emerged from her chest and was then placed on her forehead like the third eye. Then what was followed by the collective gathering of horses neighing as Stalyth led them through riderless. Then the horses raced off in a thunderous collection of hooves as they made their way to their point. The kobolds raced in first, followed by the humans; to go through the trees and set up a deadly pincer strike, using Anthony himself as the other pincer. Archers followed close after; the trees really did ruin their shots. All their plans were for nothing; the bowmen and women would need to fly by the seats of their pants now.
\t“Snarl Knot go.” Hue ordered his shambler. Watching along below where Annie was perched, the best place for the main healer after all. She was where all the info on who was hurt was after all. But he could see the disappointment in his Shambler's face when the others charged in, but his father did not. He had whined a few times, looking longingly at the troops marching forward. Though its face did twist to one that might be of joy, if you could comprehend its face to begin with. “Yes, yes; go get some exercise. Remember to heed Anthony's orders. Beat them up but no killing.” The Beast then almost leapt for joy, before letting out a loud, clumsy warcry, then thunking off after the troops. “Like a big angry puppy.” The bull teased with a chuckle.
\t“And now, girl, pay attention; warfare is not for the faint of heart.” Sinner did then tell her after his tendrils emerged from her hand and started to interface with her ui to help her dish out the most tactically sound advance orders to Anthony's troops.
\tAnd by that point, the slavers thought that they had this in the bag after withstanding the twins' attack. First, their infantry started to advance on his position, a dumb plan in of itself, to which Anthony quipped. “Oh, I would not do that. You guys need a few trillion more meat shields for me.” At that point, their mages readied an attack on the lambs still in the air. “That is also a really stupid idea. Let's piss off a spirit, why don't we? What's the worst that could happen?” And the last thing Anthony seemed to criticize was that they allowed their spearmen to move to the inner formation to follow after the swordsmen. They had been stationed on the flanks to protect from a cavalry charge; now they might as well have bent over a barrel in front of a rather rape-y horse. “And that was strike three. Tight spaces and poll arms are a bad mix; even if you make said tight space.” The wolf snidely quipped, clicking his tongue against the left sidewall of his mouth. “Man, it's like you guys have never actually seen war; Did you really think I came here alone?”
\tThen Sinner's head also popped up on Anthony's shoulder. “Hey, you know the strategic golden rule as well as I do.”
\t“I know, I know.” Anthony quickly quipped. “Never interrupt your opponent when he is making a mistake. But come on, I mean that's like three, right in as many minutes.” Anthony then once again took up his sword to look really scary and give their troops something to focus on. Annie, on her screen, saw he was using the command skill Commander's Gambit, a normally risky move. Given that it forces all nonmagical hostile troops to attack the commander. But given it rapidly drew their melee troops away from their ranged units, and into what was already alone a meat grinder. And hastily into the one pass, they gave their camp for an in or out, save going through the trees. The moment the kobolds breached the clearing, wearing their new armor, clearly stolen right out of the Roman history books. Just not of the best quality, much room for improvement in their armor kits at that point, but each kobold bore a large square shield of their body length, with relative ease. “All troops, here are your commands. I want their commander and all their magic users alive; the rest are trash, dispose of them.” Though their bowmen and crossbows were quick enough to get turned around and take shots at the kobolds. “KOBOLDS! FORMATION TESTUDO!” which was quickly recognized with an acknowledgement yap from the kobolds. Quickly, did put up that classic turtle shell cover with their large shields; it seems having a master from another world had many handy upsides. Like centuries of military tactics right up their alley. Then, under the onslaught of arrow fire, they advanced and drew attention away; strong enough to use human tactics, small enough to make them better. The shield shell was too tight to the ground, no arrows could get through at any point, not even at their feet. It was hard for Anthony to teach them this formation. But it was worth it in the end; even in a world where otherworlders are heard of. No one would use the tactics of another; oh no, they were far too proud for that. No, no, their world's tactics were always superior; so they'd claim. The shell at that point was impenetrable to anything shy of siege weapons or explosive magic. Their weapons were admitted shoddy, basic arming swords. They did not have enough weapons and had to resort to something the lambs called 'getting wholesale', but still, the metal shields were square and strong. Attention was drawn away from their females, now in the treeline. Who grew rather pissed off seeing their men being fired on. Here was the devious ploy the lambs had put in play. Many of their mates were in that very formation getting fired on, you see; do I hear strike four? So as the males advanced, the females furiously traded fire with their hostile counterparts, aided by their human counterparts, not wanting to be outdone. If your mate were being fired on how much hell would you rain down on them? Soon, even the two mage groups were trading fire. They had made the mistake of making the girls angry. You see, they started aiming for the 'tender parts' if you catch my drift when they got angry. Anthony had made a note to not anger the girls near the range anymore; he still wanted pups one day. By the time, however, the front line realized they made a mistake; now who said that I wonder? The human troops followed the kobolds from the treeline, causing panic among the back lines of their foes. Sam’s house troops, the twins adventurer mercenaries. The kobolds might not have been fast; double so in the testudo formation, but they covered a good distance already. Now, who did they shoot, though, caused indecision and split reactions as panic spread. At the much faster humans and furs who would be there in only a few strides, or the kobolds nearly within biting rage already? “Twins, remember I want those casters alive!” Anthony then ordered, as they then did something very, very stupid, and attacked the twins with a spell that would cause them serious harm. What, when the magical bomb suddenly materialized in their faces.
\t“WHAT!?” The twins could be heard shouting before it went off. Though it was not anything they did, it was Gemini that reacted. A musical sound filled the air as a glowing hand clutched the explosion. The sounds and tones suddenly sounded very angry. The sky turned red as the extremely angry tones of the spirit were nearly insane with rage. The spirit was clearly about to return to sender. One thing one should know about spirits. When they bind to someone as long as Gemini has been with the twins, being since their birth, they get extremely protective. But how many would know that after actually hurting either of the twins, or god forbid you best them, you would then have to contend with the single angriest mother hen of all time. Who saw those two casters as akin to their children.
\tBut. “HEY! That goes for you, too, Gemini.” The spirit's hand recoiled from her previous attack in fear, even the color in the sky beating a hasty retreat. “Be a dear and hold on to that for me, Gem; I don't know that spell, yet.” The spirit acknowledged in a melodious chorus of sound. Pulling the blast into the rift its hand came from.
As the lambs, oooh Arie was fuming in a full heat rage, growling 'let me at them' through her teeth; as her sister held her back. Annie then watches the gears of Anthony's plan fall into motion. “Uncle A is terrifying, Human error and nothing else; this is just too easy. They might as well have jumped on their own swords.” He then taunted violently, throwing his hand through the air and getting rid of the enchantment he put the enemy's forces under. Instantly, their men realized their mistake and scrambled to turn around. Their choice of base was flawed; only one way out, forcing their swordsmen to run into the spear men who had to march the same route. The spear men in their panic started catching their pole arms against one another; a tight formation not wise for marching pole arms in a narrow pass. Only for defense against a cavalry charge or scrimmaging with other infantry. Certainly didn't help when the kobolds reached the archer's lines, still desperately plinking shots off the shields. Only for the first wave of human troops to jump up onto and then off the shielded kobolds. Allowing them to catch the hostiles on the back foot for a moment and take several lives. As the sounds of steel and the cries of the now dying soon filled the air. The archers drew their blades, but the bowmen's formation broke as the kobolds let their shields down. The mages tried to support them, but soon found that forming up from the underbrush of the forest the fools chose to fight in. Hues Shambler Snarl Knot, who then roared at them, breaking their morale. Then he proceeded to do his best impression of Hulk Smash. Smashing one mage in the face, then proceeding to grab another by his legs and beat his friends with him like a club. The beast was frightening in his speed, for how slow he was with the wagon. Though they had attacked two of his father's friends, so he was very angry at them. The twins, oh, they were already planning a good boy's reward for helping them vent their rage by proxy; perhaps the Shambler needed a girlfriend, chimed Gemini in their mind. The beast may have been mentally slow, little more than a toddler in its head, but it was still clearly not one you want to anger. As he used one of the casters to beat his friends, nearly, to death with. Then he grabbed another when the club he had was getting too leaky to hold onto, comically shaking his hand like mortal blood was icky.
\tThen what followed next shattered the formation of the front line. When Anthony, sword in hand, suddenly dive bombed right into the middle of their formation, shattering quite a bit of ground under his impact site, and tossing dozens of men like rag dolls with but a swing of his sword, now someone else was venting. His first swing then also tossed men as they panicked to turn again, now to face him or turn to save their comrades behind them. You would think that with how many spears they had, his next ploy wouldn't have done so much damage. As Anthony looked to the left, surprised to see Count Ardenlay riding alongside his horse, leading the charge. Suddenly, with a loud cry of the horse lord, he put his own might on display. As typhoons came down from the sky. Picked up many casters; then lifted them in the air to be struck by lightning. Only to be returned to an angry Shambler, mind you. Though where his mount raced off to Anthony; he trusted the charge to Ardenlay. Then, drawing his own sword, then shouted as the horses picked up their pace for the actual charge.
\t“CHARGE MEN CHARGE! WE WILL RIGHT THIS WRONG! WE WILL REDEEM THE NAME OF MANKIND!” Samuel roared rather well for such a pampered noble. Leading the horsemen into a devastating flanking charge before any of the spearmen could brace their weapons against it. The roar of the horses, the yells of the men, the singing of steel, and the spilling of blood. Sam did shockingly well and managed to take a head with his first strike. The rest of the cavalierly charge resulted in chaos. As the horsemen, one after another, took lives. By sword or by lance, the screams of men dying soon echoed out from the back and front lines both. As Anthony's footmen made short work of the defenseless back line, the casters were battered and beaten by Snarl Knot and Stalyth's magic, many clobbered by their friends. Seems he either found using humans as clubs was effective, or maybe he just found it funny; the creature really was that simple.
\tBut it was the moment this battle became a rout once Anthony jumped up into his horse's saddle. “Man, how are you guys a nation? Please tell me this is just some dumb ass’s personal army; others I have to ask how are you this stupid?” And it was just about all she wrote as Anthony lifted his blade and turned the battle into a bloodbath. The might of the Knight and his Mount, magnifying one another, was nearly as effective as the magic Anthony used.
\t“Paranormal terror level three very useful; it seems he can turn it to any level he wants in this state. So many of their troops are shitting themselves in fear they can't even think straight.” Annie quipped, watching the battle from her perch, still doling out orders with Sinner's aid. Watching the battle displayed for her on her ui. “Is it usually this one sided?” She couldn't help but ask, feeling a pang of guilt for the slaughter she was helping take place. It was true there was a soft spot in her heart; the fact that she was aiding a slaughter did hurt.
\t“You feel guilty girl?” Sinner quipped a head from the ooze forming on her shoulder, her ears first folding back defensively, then dropping down in guilt. “You would do well to get used to it; war never changes, it only gets worse. And you little mortals have very large imaginations for killing yourselves. Take the boy for example, he knows all too well how much worse war has become. Concerning your question, no, not normally. These people are just that stupid and overly proud of themselves. That and sorry to say girl but damn, that mate of yours is nearly as monster as I am. I'm actually proud.” She instantly smacked his face and shut him up for a moment; a few seconds after, she apologized. The ooze would merely rub its jaw and continue like nothing had happened. “But as a rather wise but still foolish human once said, and this is THE if not one of the strategic golden rules, learn them all, girl. Never interrupt your opponent when they are making a mistake. Soothe your guilt with the fact that this slaughter means your people get to go home to their families; Your troopers get to take their pay to their families. And these monsters who enslave your kind got what they deserved. Even the lowest footmen here are here for greed; to take money home to their families, true. By willfully killing and enslaving your fellow furs, hell, even their own kind. They are far more evil than even I; at least I only kill to eat, or when I am attacked. Your mate didn't even want to use his might. They kill to enslave to line their pockets with gold and silver; or just for fucking fun. While posing in the light of day as upright and just 'good' people. When no one gets to know the whole story, when they control the narrative. Then who the hell gets to decide who is evil and who is good? If I am an evil, you have even learned to trust in your pelt as the boy has; trust my words, girl. These people are an evil that can only be destroyed, there is no reasoning with them. There is no saving or freeing a fish from the tank of its own construction. The Father and The Son couldn’t save these people, so why would you try?” She couldn't help but nod; the girl clutching her fist as she recalled Blood Mouth Pass. These people fight to enrich those who doomed her love to that battle; no, she shouldn't feel bad about this, it is what they deserve. The normally sunshine and rainbows pup thought as she scowled at the people being butchered by Anthony and his troops. Though slowly becoming aware, she now had her own shadow. A strange new sensation that sometimes had her hearing things at the edge of the whispers. Hating her kindness and reveling in her hatred. It was scary, she could not lie; it was like suddenly there was a flame under the pot of her hate. And she was sure she had started seeing eyes looking at her from the shadows.
\tIt took longer than one might have thought, but when to the death means to the death, slaughtering an entire army would take time. Well, without going to the nuclear kinda stuff. The battle took another hour and a half before what was left of the slavers cast down their arms and surrendered. The mages managed to last a bit longer than the other forces. Poor Snarl Knot had been damaged in the fight by one caster who seemed particularly powerful. But in doing so pissed off the twins. He had engaged them in a rage over them being attacked, so it was time for the turnaround. Though, as ordered, they all were taken alive; even if some wished they had been killed. But being used as a club would do that, I bet. The twins, ooh, they made some wish Snarl had grabbed them instead. The field was surveyed, and slowly the tribals emerged from the walls of their village. The twins had their adventurers bind the mages with special restraints that prevent casting. The men left in the army were broken in body and spirit; they would not try anything again. The commanding officer for this band and the head mage were brought before Anthony by two human footmen. As seemed, the wolf that had attacked him seemed to be aiding what seemed to be the village's elders based on age alone to him. Guided and protected by the village guards, still on edge.
\tBut as he let them slowly approach, Anthony crossed his arms, unsatisfied that he did not recognize either man. “Well then, speak, identify yourselves!” He barked as his commanders gathered with him. Samuel got off his horse and approached. The twins had already been flanking him on both sides. And Annie then, in a blink of light, found herself before Anthony. He took the halo from over her head; her star returned to its bed, and the wings retreated. Then tucked her halo safely away in a void pocket. Hue was nearby, patching up the holes in his angry bouncing baby boy. Telling him what a good job he did not killing them, and how he was so proud of him for his restraint. The shambler was making gurgling sounds as close to purring as he could get.
\t“I am Rutherford Vinals.” The man paused, still suffering a bleeding wound to his right side. “I am the commanding officer for the personal army of Lord Tyler Crossfield.” That name made Annie snarl, funny enoughS she remembered well his conversations with the aforementioned asshat in charge. Anthony, comforting his mate by stroking her ears with one hand. Annie nearly snapped at him until she realized his own soothing presence and helped her back down. “My … companion is Walter Kinly; Archmage, fifth chair of the Mages Guild of Dunstar.”
\tAnthony gave a nod, wondering why he was being so helpful and forthcoming with all this information, though new connections let Annie hear that little question. So he would not need to guess what it could have been when Annie quipped. “He's baiting you, drawing your attention away. He's hiding someone; someone they have both been sworn upon their lives to protect. A young female human mage; oh, she's the one who deployed that barrier that stopped the twins' attack. And put those holes in Snarl Knot.” Annie told him as she glanced up at Anthony behind her; Truth Seer was seeing, and Annie, she was tattling. Annie's eyes were both currently glowing blue. The twins' fleece ruffled as the girls trembled in anger at that. Both men tried to protest loudly but were both silenced with a strike from the poles of spears. Anthony's visage grew dark as he followed after Annie. The girl led him toward the mages; the twins hot on their heels. The defeated casters seemed to be huddling in fear, but in truth had gathered to 'cower' in front of someone to hide her from sight. The two men in charge of this operation are now being restrained on the ground. “They are hiding her, it seems she is special for more than just her magic. I'm guessing somebody fucked up big time.” Annie accused with a pointed fight at the gathering of people now cowering under Anthony's presence. Anthony was glaring at them, towering over Annie, eyes hidden by a shadow that made his visage look darker. “Five bits says she is your true reward. What a shield.”
\tSo Anthony pressed forward, tossing the gathered mages to the ground, then grabbed the girl behind them by her throat. The girl gasped and sputtered as he lifted her off the ground. Oh sure, one man made the foolish choice to try and grab him, But Annie's claws suddenly found themselves in the man's neck. The girl finally snapped, ripping his throat open before she could stop herself. Someone dared to attack him, before her very eyes, and something just snapped. Both lambs then placed a hand on the pup's shoulders once they managed to pry her off him. Preventing her from making a carnivore's ultimate mistake in this world; being labeled a man eater as she tried to tear into him with her fangs. Arie prevented her from placing her now bloody hand on her head, also a problem in her condition, as Annie was left confused in a haze. Sure, she also now had horns matching Anthony's, now on his own head. Arie asked her twin under her breath, 'Ivory, please say ivory.' To which Sally told her with a dismayed 'keratin'. Which also left Sally's mouth agape; it seems some important information may have been missing. The twins aiding Annie come out of the clouds … well then, coming to terms with the fact in a fit of Blood Rage, she had just killed someone. Then looking over to the other horned wolf, his surely were the same. Only one kind of creature had keratin based horns. And none of them come from this world.
\tBoth wolves, now horned, gave her the balance she needed to pull back. Like the two of them were now a careful balancing act, of which Anthony was leaning back to brace her side. But as the girl squirmed in his hand, he buried his nose in her neck; ooooh, she smelled so familiar. “So, who are you?” Anthony asked with a smirk, parts of him reveling in the terror that filled her little eyes. She was pale white in skin color, with long blond hair. She was wearing a now tattered light pink robe enchanted with magic effects. She had some light gray colored eyes and a button nose. She was, in truth, very cute. But she didn't reply, she tried to kick him, but even doing so only got the wolf to lift an eyebrow. If that was her best, then she clearly did not do much physical work; likely getting out of bed was the most taxing thing she'd ever done. So Anthony chuckled, gave her a flash of his left eye. Grew still as he saw what he saw; as a twisted smile crept across his face. “OOH my oh my; you guys have fucked up today haven't you? Your lord is not going to be happy.” That made Annie's ears twitch; too much of Francis's tone in his voice that time. At this point, Anthony may have been the vessel that licked the side of her face, but it seemed more likely that the lights were on, and he wasn't home. It was his shadow that made him do it; he was enjoying her fear. You see in his ui on his field of view. He was looking at the girl's family tree, unable to glance away from it for a moment. As she was the baby sister of the bastard who fled the field at Blood Mouth Pass. But not only that, boy oh boy; she too was also a star child. “Alice Gwendolyn Crossfield, fourth child of Duke Nigel Crossfield. And niece to King Anton Crossfield, King of the Kingdom Zalden. AND a Star Child too boot.” The girl grew worried in his grip, and the men leading the force continued to struggle. “Well, now, might have been denied what I had been hoping for, but this is one pretty looking consolation prize. Almost guarantees he'll come to me as well. So be it;” Annie watched on, ears dropped. More and more of Francis's insanity slipping through the cracks and into his tone of voice.
\tAnthony paused to put on a face that made her whimper. “You belong to me now. Fitting fate for a slaver, don't you think? To become a slave yourself, I think that's fair. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. I forget who told me that, but it seems people like you really want to be a slave. Are you even wearing anything that wasn't bought with Daddy's slavery money!?!? Not normally something I condone either; but for people like you I'll make a fucking exception. Must have all kinds of magic, I'll be able to get out of you, too. Pretty little virgin body too; maybe I'll enjoy that as well, huh? What would your family think if I dropped a hot load into every fucking hole you've got?” It was clear by this point that Anthony and his shadow were mixing, but stranger still was that Annie was not pulling him back. Allowing Uncle A and Francis to mix, but she was also stewing in the hatred and rage of her own shadowy machinations, newborn may it have been; it was still as sly as the girl was. But before long, he did pass the girl off to the twins, telling them to keep an eye on his new toy. To take her clothes away, she was only allowed to wear clothing that revealed her body for his enjoyment, but still not nude. Giving the girls young breasts a fondle and a squeeze. C cups at her age ooh she was going to have nice tits later down the line; going as far as to stroke her cunt between her legs, Digging a finger inside and rubbing her clit with his thumb. But that was the point that Annie finally pulled him back, when his shadow started driving him too far over the line.
\t“My lord, what of the rest of their men? Still, a number of them left.” Sam asked as he and Anthony took a look back.
\tAnthony took a look at them. “Well, going to need grunt workers; Prisoners of war take them all into custody. Send standard word, their families can treat with us themselves for their return. Until then, they will build, they will haul, they will clean; they will feel the smallest piece of the lives they force on others. If they complain, feel free to have them beaten; I've seen cubs whipped for less. Do unto others as they do unto others.” But that was when Annie finally took his hand and helped him back into his balance. Anthony took a deep breath as his hand clasped hers tightly. Though it was more than enough to help him right the ship and put his new friend back in his cage er sorry bed. So Anthony proceeded to watch the same wolf from before as he led three old furs before him. One was a wolf, the second a lion; the third was a harpy of a bald eagle breed and also the only female of the lot. The old wolf was the one who approached, but spoke in a tongue none among Anthony's crew spoke. So the younger wolf then repeated the same greeting several times more, each time in a new tongue. Still, after four attempts still no luck. Anthony and Annie gave each other a side eye. Was this a mistake? They asked each other in the quiet of their minds. They finally tried one more, a young harpy was summoned; a girl bearing bright canary yellow feathers. She spoke again and again, unlike the others, she spoke only a few words that Anthony could understand.
\tHowever, even as Annie started to mouth the words to call him, she was stopped. “Please Stop, don't do that.” The lot of them looked over as Midnight quickly scurried over. “Oh, please, little sister, do not call Master. Oooh, he'd never let me live such a stupid mistake down. Ooh how did she miss it how did she miss it?!”
\t“What's going on, Midnight?” Anthony asked, irking the butterfly at using her name. But still, she did remember the last time she tested him; it was the first time her Master had to race to her side to save her life. She folded her wings around her lithe form. This time, perhaps choosing a more respectful approach. “Without magic, I speak seven different tongues, including one not of this world. So far, they have spoken a mere few words I could understand among the lot of them, being across all seven different languages.”
\t“Ok, uh, they were supposed to speak your common; but uh.” Midnight paused as she could be rather cute when she was in trouble, her cheeks even flushed over blue. “But she uh she forgot to make the change before the event got set into motion. She can fix it, though, no need to call Master and let him know she missed such a simple, stupid thing. That she’s sure Master would think it’d make him look bad.” She panicked a little bit once the two wolves started sharing a smug side eye. That was the sound of a sphincter tightening like a misers purse strings they silently told each other. The looks on their faces told that they were thinking of how much trouble they could get her into. The fairy was panicking as the two just smugly smirked a moment, sharing a side eye glance for a few seconds. The fairy with a growing fear glanced between the two of them.
\t“Alright, alright, no need to wet your wings; just fix it.” Anthony promptly told her. She gave a deep, relieved sigh. Though he did look over to the elders, now that they had gathered before them. One was a wolf, his fur long since gone white. Second was a lion with a long scar running down from his right eye; fur dark but mane gone silver in age. Last was a harpy, feather's color clinging only to the base of their stems. She was also the only female among the elders gathered here. But her snowy white feathers that went black by the base stem gave her an interesting form to view.
\tSo the fairy cleared her throat. Then began to speak to the tribals in their tongue. Explained a few things, though they wanted the whole story of what happened to them. She merely told them, 'That is not my story to tell, please be patient; the others will explain that in due time.' She called one of them over, seemingly the eldest among the elders. The lion so approached. “Alright, boy, do take his hand, please.” The fairy then told the lion just the same. Then, once both men had clasped each other's hands, the fairy took both her hands and used them to sandwich their two hands together. There was a glow for a moment after she did so; the glow around Anthony was a soft blue, but the aura around the tribal was a harsh red. Then, however, the fairy's wings unfurled, and rather quickly the color around the lion changed to match Anthony's; she then cast her left hand toward the other tribals, and their auras changed as well. “See, she told you it was an easy fix.” She proudly explained as she puffed out her chest, and let a little smug pride fill her. Oh, that wasn't going to fly.
\t“OH Mass.” Annie teasingly called out. Suddenly, making the fairy EEP loudly. Then vanishing in a rushed panic of black smoke before she got scolded. Anthony and Annie share a laugh for a moment; Anthony rubbing her ears in the moments after for scratching his hate itch for him. Anthony then gave the lion's hand a proper shake.
\t“Greetings, Old Fur; could I ask your name?” Anthony would then ask. Though he couldn't help but notice a female wolf had approached the male who attacked him. Though both wolves panicked when their apparent three toddlers had followed her out into the unknown as well. The male scooping up two pups, the female grabbing up the third, then, with a nod from the elder wolf, beat a hasty retreat.
\t“Old Fur?” The lion quipped before letting out a deep, rich laugh. “My name is Mufan. I am the Elder of the farmers, one of the five elders of the village of Jolo. The other two of our number are immovable due to age or injury and could not be brought out to greet you at such short notice. What, of you, stranger, what is your name? Do you know what has happened to us? And what of those people your kin slaughtered?” By that point, the other two elders before him approached as well. First to the wolf, the lion motioned with his hand. “Kin SaurFang, Elder of the village weavers.” Then, to the harpy, the lion's other hand gestured. “Ena Skyterror, The Elder of the Hunters Lodge; a rightful force to be reckoned with even still at her age.”
\t“Then I bid thee greetings, despite current events. My name is Anthony Grayclaw of the Village of Blackroot. Officially, now given the show, Knight Apparent of the Order of the Black Knights.” Anthony started to explain. First, he took off and showed them his mask. Which made his form return to his normal state, his cloak flowing down his back. Sinner now resting in the depths of his pelt, who knew an ooze could get tired. Though it would bring his eyes and their eyes to the same level. So the old furs would not need to look up at him. Annie too reached up to her face and removed her mask. Her angelic features vanishing and returning the pup to normal as well, black shroud also flowing down her back. Though she knew why he did not introduce her as his squire. Even if they did not know what they were, others around them would. Not information that any of the black knight brats gathered here wanted to get out; Annie was now included among those brats.
\t“So then wolf cub.” The harpy, Ena then spoke, addressing Anthony; though at her age, everyone would be a cub, I guess. “What has happened to us? Where are we now? Who were those things that tried to kill us? And do you have anything else otherworldly to show us? As far as I have lived, one hundred and eighteen orbits of the sun, I have personally witnessed the birth of six generations of our people. And the things I have seen this day, I have never seen or heard of before in every day of my life that precedes it. Some explanation would very much be appreciated.”
\tThe wolf would then nod before taking a step forward. “First, the entire village vanishes into a strange, blinding light, leaving all but the walls and our tents behind, save the central lodge. I told you guys the ancestors should have built the central lodge further from the wall; I also said we should have moved it.” He would pause to growl, glaring at the now captive slavers. “Then these bazaar hairless ape morphs, I think, start attacking us within seconds after, with attacks of light and weapons that explode into flames. Arrowheads were made of metals; armor was made of them as well. This has never been seen by us before; no one in our history, or that we know of, our neighbors, has ever managed to use metals in this way. Nor have we ever laid eyes on their likes before. My father, before me, was the village historian; I know all the village stories; they have never been seen by us ever. We harpies are the only closest thing we can even think of, what they resemble. Which would likely mean they, too, are likely monsters.” The wolf spat, pointing to the slavers. His assessment actually made Anthony break character and start laughing for a moment; man, how spot on were they?
\t“Interesting; means you came from a world where humans and demihumans don't even exist; Almost sounds delightful.” Anthony quipped in turn. Then, holding his lower jaw a moment. “Well, let me tell you guys what's happened in order.” The trio of elders gave a nod. “You and your people have been the victims of an illegal ritual mass transplantation spell. It is a magic that allows the casters,” Anthony would pause to jab his finger at the so called hairless apes. “To forcefully take against their will, a large group of people, from one world to another. So, to answer question two. You have been forcefully taken from your world, and I'm sorry, but there is no going back. What you had back in your old world is lost to you.” They all gave grim faces, but understanding that did not take the sour taste from their mouths. “These apes you refer to are, in fact, known as humans. Sadly, they are a dominant species in our world. But what do you expect from a species that somehow even a eight year old cub can somehow bear cubs of her own; biological madness. They breed faster than every other species on this planet does. Which is frightful given rabbits can produce a litter in four months. So you'll find there are a lot of them. As for question three, these humans used this spell to bring you here against your will.” To which he stopped a moment. “This will make this faster; You understand currency and trade?”
\tTo which the lion nodded and would display a line of polished rocks in a silk cable. They were blue in color and worn in such a way that they must have been small river rock pebbles, smoothed into a small marble shape. “The turtle kin we visit use these stones to obtain their crafts and weapons. We earn the stones for the meat and hide of our hunts, or our labor. This is the concept of currency and trading, yes?”
\t“Yes, that is correct at its basic level. This is the basic ideal of currency, a mundane object like your rocks; that is understood to have worth between two parties, for either tangible worth or implied worth. To be used in exchange for goods or services.” Anthony told them. In turn, then going on to say. “You see, these humans here they are like the turtles. They have round disks of gold, silver, and copper. But their wears are you.” But clearly they did not understand that concept, it seemed. So Anthony would have to be blunt. “They are slavers. They take people they capture in battle and force them into slavery, to become slaves. You have no rights as a slave. You have no will of your own as a slave. As a slave, you are property and nothing more, and it's all enforced with magic that punishes the slave extremely for disobeying. If your master wants to fuck you; you have to let him. He doesn’t even need to lift a hand to make you experience extreme pain. Your female cubs and mates will likely be taken and offered to other males for sex in exchange for coin. Your boy cubs and men might be taken for the same, or worked to death, or forced to become slave soldiers to die in someone's war for cheap. All under the Magical influence of a slave mark that binds you to your owner's will, even if you hate the order, your body will obey. They brought you people here to be raped and pillaged without repercussion.” Though his every word as he spoke it raised the hackles of the elders. Every word made fangs be bared. Every explanation forced fur and feathers both to raise in anger. And the explanation even had the old harpy digging her twelve inch talons into the dirt below her. “They brought you and your people here to turn you into their wares, and make more of their shiny coins off your torment and suffering. It’s a sickening practice, I hate that it's commonly accepted in most nations on the planet.” One might have expected the two males would lose their cool. No, no, those two did not have that luxury. They had to hold back the harpy as in the seconds later that talon came damn close to taking the fat ones eye out. Like somehow, she knew he had been the one really to blame. All of her feathers by now puffed out to make herself look as big as her anger was.
\tThe mage shrieking in pain and horror, as feathers flew, and that talon missed his left eye by a mere half inch, but did manage to nick his cheek. The harpy was tearing at the dirt as the lion had to use both arms to hold her back. Trying so hard to get a good angle for her talons to carve flesh, gouge out eyes. “My children!” She roared, tossing more feathers in her rage. “My beloved babies! YOU WOULD DARE DO SUCH THINGS TO ‘MY’ BABIES! I'LL KILL YOU I'LL KILL YOU! WORM, MAGGOT, PARASITE! LET ME AT HIM LET ME AT HIM!!” The mother bird roared as seems she was giving that lion a good workout. Despite her gender and her age, she was a mighty force to be reckoned with indeed. Though seems she was also a mother, given her age. That was also likely to be grandmother, and great grandmother; possibly even great great grandmother. And now she had learned they had planned to do vile things to all her babies, not just the ones of her blood. She was one livid mommy, honestly, the Goddesses would both be proud. As the lion had no choice but to beg Anthony's forgiveness, as he had to physically drag her away. By that point, the harpy's eyes had gone blood red. Seems that despite their morph appearance, these harpies still had some in common with monsters; she had like gone into a blood rage. But Anthony would be a hypocrite to say anything other than that he had, in fact, done the same. Only he had access to a Doom Blast, she had twelve inch talons; they were not the same. Annie had ripped open her first throat in a blood rage. So once Anthony was left with the wolf as the lion. Well, for a moment he lost his grip and the harpy started racing back like a bat outta hell to gut and gouge. Wings held out and up to make her looker bigger and more terrifying. Talons raking and digging the dirt up as she raced back toward them. Until the members of her lodge also helped to restrain her by tackling her, then physically having to pick her up and carry her away. Like this was a normal occurrence, once again, the goddesses would both be proud of her. As she ranted and raved, tossing feathers like she was going through a molt. The horrors she vowed on them, if she ever got so much as a talon on them.
\tThe wolf elder sighed and covered his face in embarrassment. \t“She's uhh, she's very fond of and rather hyper protective of her babies; downside is her age. By now, she's a big, loving mother hen that everyone younger than her is potentially her babies, of which she forgets she can’t just … take people's cubs. She came into a meeting of the elders four moons ago. Carrying a cub that was not hers or even a harpy; apparently, the parents did not even see her scoop up their kitten and walk away with him. They had half the village frantically looking for the kitten for hours.” He sighed as they could still hear her roaring even after she passed the walls. Only stopping when she was brought to the children, who all called out "NANA", she turned it all off instantly, not to scare them. It was the only way they ever found to snap her back to normal; they had to let her see her babies. “Though by the time they had found, she had their kitten. She had fed, bathed, and cradled the boy to sleep. She was distraught when we told her she had to give 'her baby' back to his real mother. Tears, snot, everything, made us wonder who the cub was.”
\t“EH, nothing wrong with a protective mother hen. Someone's got to keep an eye on the little ones, and a wise eye knows all dangers.” Anthony did reply in turn. Though Annie did fill their collective mind space with thoughts of a literal elder harpy hen watching over a playground of cubs playing around her. Or not understanding that the bunch of husky pups do not need to be kept warm under her wings and feathers. He had to try not to laugh as Annie gave in and turned away to giggle. Though it did leave the elder wolf raising an eyebrow. Moments ago, Anthony bore the visage of a seasoned knight. Now his connection to Annie was bringing back a bit of the puppy he lost. Then his skill in the field of magic proved he was no slouch. He managed to throw up a quick stopgap to keep them separate quickly enough. Impressed the pup once she felt that welcomed bit of stability; maybe there was some magical things she could learn from him.
\t“So we've been brought here against our will, and you tell us there is no way back.” The old wolf started once Anthony managed to visibly center himself. “What is there here for us then? We have tents and walls. No tools, few weapons, no food. And apparent enemies with weapons we can't even comprehend.”
\tHowever, before Anthony could speak, Ann got a little excited; she loved a chance to talk him up lately, she was so proud of him. “Well we happen to be on our way to found a new nation. See for this guy here to take the next step in his path to knighthood; he has chosen to settle new lands. That does need bodies, if you're picking up what I'm putting down.”
\tThe elder wolf would cup his lower jaw and give a nod. “And we are not so different, it seems. Is this invitation open to the entire tribe?”
\t“Naturally, why would we leave any behind?” Anthony would quip, then offering his hand. “Your people will have your freedom to live your lives as you see fit. All you need to do is follow my laws, which will be fair, I assure you. Frankly, give me that much, and your people can follow whatever code, religion, or personal creed you want to live by. Later on, there will be a need for taxes or something like it, at least. But once that time arrives, we'll make sure you understand everything. Also, rest assured, accept my deal and your people will become my people; you'll have as much or little aid as you want or need.”
\t“That's right.” The lambs would chime once more, flanking Anthony from behind. “If you need tools, we've got 'em. And given the circumstances, we won't even charge you for them. The least we can do, given what our world has done to you. We also have professionals who can offer teaching, schooling, and training, should you desire it. Whoever created that relocation spell should have been hanged; there's no reason to force people to come to our world, for reasons other than slavery, without repercussions. Even the so called holy summoned heroes are just slaves brought from a different world to be weapons; so what if some god said it was OK?”
\tThe wolf nodded again, still pondering as he thought it over. “I cannot make this decision on my own. I will need to talk to my people and see what we decide. But know I will speak well of your offer to my people and the other elders. Really, we don't have many good choices, this might just be the best one.”
\t“Take all the time you need, but do know I have over twenty thousand souls of my own to worry for, so I can't delay my people for too long.” Anthony explained, though the fact that he already had so many people … he wanted to start small. But noooooo, the world had to have this weird love hate relationship with him. Getting a nod from the elder wolf, who then turned on his heel and walked back to his people. Once he was beyond earshot, Anthony then rubbed Annie's head. The twins for a change, welcome to see a playful side of Anthony that wasn't also horny. The smiles the two wore as they watched Anthony ruffle the pup's ears, getting a giggle from her in turn, were warm, genuine, not something they wore often. Anthony said softly just to her 'Really, a huge mother hen smothering husky puppies under her ass, while I'm trying to play big shot?' Making Annie laugh as he gave her a light noogie. ‘I’d beat you up, but you’re too cute to hit.’ But the warm smile of the lambs was swiftly replaced with the practiced mask they wore once they looked toward the twins. “Alright, girls, take their surviving troops as prisoners of war; they'll be put to work as state workers. They serve their time, and they can then have an option to join or leave. If their families can afford it, they can buy them back as well. Prepare the ransom letters, standard issue reasonable prices, it makes us no coin if they can't afford it.”
\t“Right.” The twins chimed in their usual sing song. Then dropping it asking. “What about the ringleaders?”
\t“Oh, they get to live and flee with their lives.” Anthony told them, getting a shocked response from the twins that made Annie wonder what was up with that. “You see the price they get to pay for fleeing with their lives; is, ooh, that they get to deliver a message. That the family's little princess has, due to their failure, been taken as a slave. Her brother either has to come try and deal with me himself or suffer the indignity of letting his family know he let his baby sister get taken.” To which both men's faces darkened, twisted in fear. The twins suddenly nodded with a 'yup, there it is' kind of way, and Annie got to see a side of her Uncle she rarely got to see; the vengeful side. “I can't imagine they'll take that too well, will they?”
\t“PLEASE THEY'LL BEHEAD US!” The mage suddenly shouted. The man beside him was struggling as well. The mage then looked at the man beside him, then back at Anthony. “Please, sir knight; I beg your forgiveness and beg you have mercy on me and my mages. I beg you to allow me to take asylum among your people. I offer the depths of my magical knowledge and my connections with my guild as compensation for your mercy!”
\t“TREACHEROUS WORM!” The commander would then shout. “I'll have your fat carcass quartered for this treason!”
\t“Oh kiss the entirety of my ass Vin; I wanted no part in this from the beginning!” The mage would turn and spit at him. “I will not lose my head for the arrogant pride of that family!” He then looked back at Anthony, still begging, still pleading. “I wanted nothing to do with this, but they trapped the Master into accepting payment upfront. They threatened violence if we refused to act after having paid in full; they had the law on their side.” Then he threw his head into the dirt. “Please, I beg you for mercy. Though I am guilty of arranging the spell in this engagement. I swear I have only been under this family's employ for mere months, and it has been entirely involuntary; frankly, I've sabotaged more than I made. If what I offer is not enough for your mercy, then I'm sure my guild master could arrange something to your liking. Please have mercy on us.”
\tThough Anthony did have some look of discomfort. Oh, Annie picked up on it real fast, caught that twitching in his right eye, and wove her hand into his. How cute she would find herself thinking, the big guy needs a rock to lean on; she could do that. “Come on, big guy. Everyone needs a second chance every so often. He screwed up; but think about it. How often do tribal people live in only one village? They must have many more. Those people must have families left where they came from. And this mage just happens to know the spell to reunite them. Think about it; Master Otiv arranged this entire thing because he wanted these people to be saved. That has to mean a lot more than we realize; he does not directly involve himself in this stuff normally, and you know that. The rest of their people may need to be saved as well. If something is wrong with their planet, killing or getting rid of this mage condemns the rest of them to death.” He was very grateful for her insights, as her words helped to soften his face a little. “The spell can be used for good, for example, being; what if something is wrong on their side of the equation that even they don’t know about? What if we need to force them to our planet to prevent their extinction?”
\t“Yeah, plus each guild has hidden spells; a chaired arch mage would know many. We assure you that what he knows would be extremely valuable.” The twins would then chirp. Then flanking both his sides behind Anthony, as they usually did when counseling him. “We think his plea does have merit, and we were the ones they tried to bomb. If you could find it in you to accept, we would gladly accept him into our guild. We would take all their mages in fact. We lack talent; we have magical recruits, but even we can only teach so many. We do need people who already have magical know how or establishing our guild will likely take decades. Please say yes, it will give our guild a massive leap forward.”
\t“Can we trust them?” Anthony then asked, a hand finding each lamb's head. Stroking them as his voice seemed to struggle to find reason.
\t“Please, sir. I swear my undying loyalty.” Walter begged, still with his forehead in the dirt. “We have no choice; the level of this failure is great. That family is known for their vengeful nature. They will likely seek retribution against our entire guild once this reaches the light of day, even if that fool bastard who put us up to this will likely get a slap on the wrist for using his sister’s magic, and getting her captured and enslaved. I fear my Master will need to have the guild flee the nation before this information gets out. Please, sir, take this mercy on me, on us, and I will plead to my guild master to have our guild join your ranks, in exile out of our own survival. Our magical skills and crafts will be a great boon to you, I assure you. And my personal magical knowledge will be yours; all I beg you for is my life. If you don't take us, it will likely mean the head of every mage here and the eradication of our guild. Please, sir, you are known for your mercy as well as your ruthlessness; I beg you.” Annie was not expecting to hear that. Her ears falling behind her head, feelings hurting in yet new ways; Ruthless … did Anthony's reputation really have such a black mark on it?
\tAnthony, for once, was conflicted, but Annie knew the why ran deeper, a why that had been deeply rooted in his mind. So she took his hand, squeezed it, and was what he needed her to be, his conscience, his rock, his guiding star light. “Come on, Anthony; you know how crucial magic will be to what we are doing here. Remember, wild lands? If for nothing else, then that; I want you to take these people in. Please show them mercy and offer them a path to redemption.” Anthony was looking into her eyes as she spoke to him. His body language softened as she helped him see reason, though the cloud of hate from you know who. Though to be fair, a good portion of that hateful cloud was his own, the parasite only topped off the hateful pile. As his eyes softened, Annie's smile grew wide. This had always been Annie, the one who would buck him up when he was down. The one who would hold him when he was hurting. The one who showed him this world still had something of value to him left in it. She was always the one who helped him get back on his path. Precisely why he knew he needed her for far more than just the sex. That pup had always been his rock, his anchor keeping him steady in troubled waters. He was so grateful to have her back now; he would have cried, if that would not have ruined his carefully crafted image.
\t“You're right. Only a fool chooses to fall on his own blade out of spite, or demands his foes do the same. Magic is too important to let out of my grasp.” Anthony told her in turn. Giving her a quick hug, Annie enjoyed the squeeze he gave her. She held him tight, smiled widely, like she could feel real healing actually starting. Then getting back up. “Alright then, I will accept your offer. You and your company of mages are hereby offered asylum; your service to me will be through my allies, the Palemoon Twins. Best to stay away from Snarl Knot for now, Shamblers are known to hold grudges. Do not make me regret this mercy. Just … don’t do it, I don’t want to go down that road and feed that beast.” Anthony told him with a threatening jab of his right pointer finger. His voice was deep and dark, almost not his own. “Just … don’t do it.”
\tThe man let out a deep held sigh of relief. “Thank you, sir, thank you. I swear you will not regret your mercy. Our guild will likely soon be at your disposal as well. Our master knows these people all too well. One letter from me and he will have our numbers flee their territory. Before our heads adorn the city gate houses.”
\t“All that leaves is him.” The twins pointed to the only loyal dog among them, it seems. “What do we do with him?”
\tSo Anthony did smile darkly once more. “I said he gets to leave with his life.” Anthony told them, then turned away from him and gave Samuel a look. “And only his life; strip him, leave him with nothing, then let him go. Scratch that; I am not heartless, and his message is one I want delivered. Leave him something to stop the bleeding; dead men tell no tales and this is a red flag i want fucking triggered. It will take him weeks to get anywhere he can report in. Time your guild will have to flee.” Walter nodded in the dirt again, breathing in a breath of relief. “And if he's worth his salt, he'll live to report his failure and the girl's fate; if not, oh well, they find out what happened to her sooner or later. Then later down the road, my revenge is all but assured, and they'll even come to me.” Though the dark tone of his voice how sharp and cruel his face got as he said such, it dropped Annie's ears and filled her little heart with worries. Did also steel her resolve to be the one he could lean on. She pressed herself into his back; his face instantly softened.
\tThen, once that event was put in the mission accomplished bin. Anthony had the caravan move into the area. Now that it was not a battlefield, there was more than enough space; a wide array of resources. A river within walking distance, the troops had found in the forest. Slowly, the tribals began to emerge, in a bit of wonderment from seeing Anthony's moving city. So many wagons and people were now about the area; the tribals felt like the collective fish out of water for a moment. Before the men of the tribe started to look at things, their children and mates followed once the men were assured no threats were really to be found. The men would end up visiting several human smiths or the brewers serving their first batch of what they were calling Wolf's Road Ale. Named for this being the band of a wolf, and the kegs bounced and jostled a bit. Keeping the contents inside, stirring inside their kegs on the road. The children would end up watching on with wonderment at any of the bakers taking fresh, wonderful-smelling loaves of bread or pastries from ovens just large enough to do real baking. Naturally, the women would end up gravitating toward the food sellers and tailors. The fabrics the tailors sold and used to make garments were foreign, pleasant to look at, and far stronger than their materials. As one tailor allowed a female wolf morph to try to pull in two, a sheet of some silk-like fabric, the wolf was impressed to see she could not tear it. Thus, even began bartering for a ream of the fabric. And the foodstuffs were far more wide-ranging than their village could ever manage. Already, new meals started forming in the minds of tribal mothers and fathers. As they sampled veggies and meats, tried spices and herbs they'd never had. The storehouse wagons would be made available to them if they chose to join; already, the murmurs among the females were positive. The tribal peoples' trepidation slowly started to melt away, and the bitter taste left in their mouths by the attack of the slavers was slowly replaced with at least a bitter hope. Anthony's people, given that humans willingly joined a wolf, lacked the prejudice that had been slowly festering in human hearts in human lands for years now; Anthony's knowledge of why did not make it feel any better. But he knew this would help them make the best choice for them; help rid themselves of that sense of the other. Not all of the humans were bad; they would learn, just as not all furs were good.
\tAs night started to fall and Anthony's inner camp was set up where the slavers' attack camp had been set up. When Annie complained, 'he was making the same choice of base the slavers made.' Anthony retorted with, ‘the slavers camp didn’t have a Disaster Lord in it, we are not the same.’ Hue was making a meal for their group. The twins were sitting by Anthony's right-hand side, Annie sitting closely to his left. Jenny, next to her big sister, was going 'feral puppy' on a large rib with grilled meat Hue had given her. When the call of a hungry little belly demanded to be satisfied. Her table manners were about as bad as Sinner who, for a new change, sat next to Jenny devouring a few ribs of his own. Like the two were suddenly friends or something. The young pup gnawed on her rib bone, and the juicy meat left on it. Growling at her sister, her ears even pointed backward, when she tried to help her get a better angle to chew from. Sinner, just in bliss, the meat was good, the bone was crunchy; this was the best day of his oily life. Anthony's new slave was standing nearby in clothing that left not much to the imagination; most of it was see-through. Lacy silks with runes enchanted in. Would still boost her magic while still serving her eye candy for his enjoyment. The new tattoo magically etched around her neck was proof the deed had been done; she was now a slave. To assure her magic would not be turned on them, or used to escape. You could not convince Anthony, a young mage who could stop the twins' Hellfire Ray did not have access to warp, blink, gate, teleportation, or greater teleportation. This slave Pact magic would prevent disobedience and enforce limits on her magic; disobedience would be harshly punished. Any attempt to use magic to get away would dump her in his lap. She was carrying a bottle of ale, in case Anthony wanted his cup refilled. Her face beet red, slowly learning what it meant to be a slave, even if this was a serious best-case scenario. He had told her when she disagreed with the outfit that 'most slaves get rags or nothing at all. At first I was going to give you a sack cloth shirt; just short enough to expose the cunny. Be glad I like my things pleasant to look at; I figured a rich girl like yourself would like the silks.' This was going to take some getting used to, but Anthony had already shut that conversation down. Annie had already tried a left-handed slavery is bad mkay thing; Anthony proceeded to nip that bud at the stem. Though Annie then did lean over when Anthony seemed to want a kiss, which she was all too happy to give. Sharing a tender kiss for a moment. Until Anthony's ears peeked up and he pulled away, Annie did not notice the tattle tail eagerly wagging behind her. Then he held onto his side as the tribal elders all approached. Two of their numbers had been carried over on the backs of younger men. All gathered, the tribal elders were composed of two gray wolves, two cats of different breeds, and the harpy, who had since regained her composure. In fact, she was beaming with joy because she had fed several of the little ones a bit ago, and they had been so cute, and she couldn't stop going on about it. The second wolf elder, a female, gave what turned out to be her grandson a kiss on his forehead after he had set her down. The second was a panther, who despite his aged, graying fur. He could not walk due to a lost leg. Though Anthony noticed Hue's eyebrows hiked up from his stew pot; a look of hurt and pain filled his face. Anthony softly laughed as he leaned over to Amaranth and told her something; the petite dryad raced off into their home to get something for him in turn. Always with his heart on his sleeve, Hue was too kind for his own good sometimes. No doubt he asked her to get a seed from the moon tree, if Anthony's guess was correct.
\t“Greetings there, good Knight.” The female wolf started once she had taken a seat on a chair that they had provided for them. “My name is Hazel. I am the elder of our craftsmen lodge.” Her voice is soft, aged, but still vibrant. Her fur quickly turned a salt and pepper style gray. “Afraid this old girl just ain't what she used to be, sorry it took so long to come and greet you. Thank you so much for saving us; you have all of our eternal gratitude.”
\t“Cufo.” The Panther announced himself with. His Son offered his father a shoulder to lean on so the man could stand and offer a hand with some dignity. “I am the leader and elder of the village warriors. Worry not for my leg, it was lost to me long before this day.” He told them as he then offered a hand to Anthony. “Thank you for defending our tribe, good sir. You have my deepest gratitude and respect.” Anthony took the big cat's hand and the two shook, then instantly set into testing each other's grip. Both males sneered at each other, The wolf growling and snarling. The panther was hissing, nearly roaring. As they tried to crush the other's hand or get any kind of response in turn, boys being boys at any age, despite being from two different worlds. At nearly the same time, all the girls shared the same eye roll. Until the panther grins and nods in approval. “A grip like the titans; you indeed are a worthy warrior, I am honored to meet you this day, brother.”
\t“Likewise.” Anthony replied finally, the two men letting each other's hands go. “I take you all have made your choice.”
\t“We have, and you just passed my test.” Cufo did promptly reply. “We spoke to our people; we decided we really only have one good choice, the one you gave us. We will accept your offer and join the ranks of your people. We have already been saved by you and yours, so you have our trust. We wish to keep ourselves apart out of fear of losing our identity; if that is acceptable, we have an offer. We have not had one since before I was a cub myself. This day, to justify following you, our tribe has seen fit. For coming to our aid, saving our lives, our hearts, our hopes, and our souls. Today, we name you Chief, where you go, we vow to follow. And for coming to the rescue of my people when I, the one who should have been protecting them, was helpless; I would embrace you, brother, if you would allow that.” The panther did then say as he did move himself to offer that hug, his son still holding him up, just no longer from under his shoulder. Anthony held a moment until Annie pinched him from behind. He flinched then got up. Accepted the burden of the man's weight from his son as he accepted his hug. The two males then held tight for a moment. Until the old iron of this aged warrior showed the strain of age. In the past, his emotions were a mystery; in his age, the tears tended to come more easily. He sobs a moment; “My boy was on the front line; he took my place, my spear. Swore he would protect me.” He sobbed for a moment. Anything holding him up as quickly as he rubbed his back. “I watched in horror as an arrow was ready to take his life from him; it was like time had just … slowed to a mocking crawl. I had thrown myself to my foot to try and get to him, only to disgrace myself ungracefully. Your entrance sent the cursed arrow into the dirt rather than my boy's head. I lost my mate years ago to the ravages of time; my boy is all I have left. Thank you for saving my son; he is my world, all I have left.” That was a statement that made Anthony grip him tighter; it stuck him deep in the feels. A changing of the perspective, changing to viewing over Anthony's right shoulder. At the two pups that made up Anthony's own little world, all he had left. He, too, knew this terror all too well. Given that he had set his demon lord free to save them from that Thing that nearly killed them. Anthony allowed the old warrior to compose himself before he helped him stand, passing his burden back onto his son. Hue then did approach, however, plant daughter in tow.
\t“Boy, set your father down on the stump.” Hue instructed the young panther cub, barely old enough to wield a spear. Fiddling with an acorn looking seed in his hand. Green vapors of energy swirling around it as he worked magic. “I would restore the gift of movement to your father. In penance for our world's transgression against you this day. The honor of my Goddesses demands I offer penance; for you are children of another god or goddess taken from them; by their own children.” He told them as he finished his spell, the acorn now glowing a brilliant verdant green aura. “As your kin do not know of this power, and it is foolish to blindly accept any gift, allow me to explain. I am a druid, a caster of magics rooted in the natural world, my powers are gifted to me by my Goddess. Unlike the lambs, who wield arcane magic through the use of black magic runes, their spell books, and their own knowledge. Mine is an arsenal of restoration and rejuvenation, a gift brought to us via me from the Earth Mother, the Goddess Terra. Also, my own powers are enhanced and bolstered by a further blessing from her little sister, the Goddess of Waters and the Patron of Healing, Luna. Through the blessing of both mothers, you will find I am one of the few druids who wields magic mighty enough to restore lost sight, lost hearing, lost voice … uhhh in most occurrences," He paused a minute as shame seemed to flood him. "Or even lost limbs. Though in the limb department, without the original limb, all I can do is offer you a dyadic replacement; it would mimic your real leg. If you could accept a leg that will want to be out in the sunlight for at least forty percent of the day, I could offer you your mobility back. Honor you I do, young cub, but you are far too young to take your father's place. It does not seem time for you to wield your father's spear; therefore, we simply must make your father able to wield his weapon again.”
\tThe look on the panther's face started in disbelief, but as he watched Hue work his magic, he looked down as Ammy displayed her own leg to let him have an understanding of just what it could look like. Hiking up the hem of the moss like dress she wore. But by the end of his offer, he was gripping his son's fur tightly. A steeled determination was biting down on his lower lip. “This … this magic, you've used it before?” The panther did ask as a look of hope and trepidation filled father and son.
\t“Yes.” Hue told him in turn.
\t“Has it ever messed up or failed?” Cufo would ask in turn.
\t“Never.” Hue told him back
\t“You swear on that?” Cufo asked him once more. Though by now, the look of hopeful optimism was taking over his visage.
\t“On my life.” Hue would tell him firmly.
\tLeading the panther to look down at his son, who gave a nod in turn. “Then I am willing to accept your gift.” So a moment later later with Hue and his son helping him set down. Cufo watched on with the other elders as well. Hue would pass the seed to Amaranth, who would proceed to give it a petite little kiss. The seed then began to germinate in her hand in response. Hue quickly unwrapped the cloth from his stump leg. Where a presentation of his hands started wisps of energy to start swirling around, where Ammy would plant that seed in the center of his wound, right where the bone of his leg once ran. Cufo would bite his lip a moment as the seed started to bury itself into his flesh, rooting the center stalk of the leg right to his very bones; grafting itself into the very calcium that made them up. Then the acorn cracks open, and little tender vines spill out. Slowly over minutes, the vines started to fill out into the shape of a leg, quickly working to mirror the one he already had. Hue guiding the vines to bind to old nerve endings, the panther gasping loudly, gripping tightly his son's hand. As the vines slowly began to harden, they rooted this new leg tightly to his form. The old nerve ending in his flesh was then met by the burrowing roots of this new limb, and coaxed life back to these long ignored parts of the body. Connecting his brain to his limb once more. Then, once both the druid and the dryad pulled away and the panther's pain stopped. He then looked down. Sure, the leg was barky and green under that. But the replacement limb even went as far as to mimic the stubs of each cat like toe, the panther was even able to make thorns emerge to replace claws from the bed of each toe. It was nearly a flawless replacement, mimicking all his catlike features.
\t“Go on, give it a try. Do be warned, this is a limb not meant for one so large, it will likely break.” Hue told him to offer a hand to help pull the man up to his feet. He took Hue's hand, Hue knowing and already bracing him. Once he got the panther up, the leg snapped under his weight. “Worry not, that is natural. This is step two. Acclimation to your body weight. Dryads are all female; this limb will likely need to evolve to fit your needs.” Hue held him up then as the Leg regrew and made the bark thicker, building up the limb's resistance and strength to bear the weight it was being tasked too. Hue once more allowed more of his weight to sit on the leg. It didn't break this time, but it did strain loudly. But once again, the limb adapted to his weight the man then felt hopefully stable. There was no green left visible as the leg was reinforced with bark. The limb now ready to bear him was nearly like the trunk of a tree. Hue then let the man go. Leaving him to stumble one step. The cat then trembled in delight to once more be able to hold himself up. A tremble overtook him, before his arms wrapped around the bull and hugged him. The large cat then let him go, thanking him as sincerely as he could. Once again, under his power, able to walk up to and cup both sides of his son's head. Kissing his forehead, then able to stand among his fellow elders once more. After rather sharply taking his spear from his son.
\tOnce that touching moment lifted their hearts. The old female wolf would then be found at Hues' right side. “My oh my, that is impressive.” She teased Hazel, then asked in a teasing way. “Don't suppose you can fix an aged back?” Hue shook his head no, gave a rub of his head, then begged her forgiveness. “Oh well, can't blame an old girl for asking.”
\t“I could do something.” Amaranth would quip, leading Hue to raise both of his large brows. The patter of the little plant approaching her. Hue had genuine surprise on his face. Ammy instructs Hue to help her lie down on the ground. Well, at least Hue moved to help her lay, only for the twins to snap their fingers. The elder she wolf then found herself belly down in the dirt.
\t“Really, Hue? Old woman plus crippled back; and you were going to bend her? You're a doctor, you should know better.” The twins would scold in their mirrored singsong tone. It wasn’t often the twins would use the ‘bad Anthony bad’ tone of voice on Hue, or that the bull’s ears would sink in shame.
\tWell, Ammy would pat his hand, knowing he meant well. So, once Amaranth planted herself at the wolf's side. Sending her roots down into the soil. An influx of energy surging up into her from the soil. As the plant herself started separating the fur down the line of her spine. “Now mind you, I'm not saying I can make you as spry as your youth, but I should at least be able to allow you to move more easily. And give your old back some external yet internal reinforcement. So it's not your spine you'll be standing on, I’ll be making something else take over that job for you. If I were an older dryad, restoring your back would be an easy task; I'm sorry to be too young to do this properly. But I can at least ease the burden of your age; Oh pardon my saying, ma'am that was so very rude.” The wolf nodded, waiting patiently as the dryad exposed the ashen flesh under her aged fur. “Would her grand pup approach?” The wolf in question would nod and approach them. “Your hand, please,” Ammy asked, offering him her hand. The petals on her body bloomed slightly as she displayed some of her new abilities. “Huh, I see, thank you; now I understand the baseline. Fascinating, it's like you've all got lightning in your brains, how fascinating.”
\t“The baseline of what?” Hue would ask once he dropped to his knees at her side.
\t“The nerves that are running the length of their spine; I needed an example of a properly working one from their world; genetic match preferred. It seems they serve to send some manner of bio-electrical signal from the brain, I did not know that.” Amaranth tells him in turn, to which Hue’s face would also grow in surprise. “I intend to replace her old nerves with some of my new vines; but they, in essence, do the same thing, the boon might be a bit bigger than I first thought I was giving. With them, her body would be able to bear the magics you'd need to use on her to restore strength to her bones and flesh; that was my goal. We won't be able to make her a sprinter ever again, but could enjoy a walk with her grandson without being on his back.” Hue was amazed that he did not know. Eyes swelling with pride as he watched his little leafy daughter work, two now petaled vines hanging in her face. Was this how a parent won the game? The smile that filled his face as he watched her work, he was one proud daddy at that moment. She managed to surprise him. The plant traced her fingers down her spine. “Pardon my saying, but you have seen many moons. I'd bet you are a worrier too; my, the damage is vast. The signals barely get through anymore; no wonder you find difficulty moving.”
\tHazel would laugh softly. “Ohh, guilty as charged, but all mothers are worrywarts. For our cubs, for our mates, our homes, and families. Mothers have so much to worry about.”
\tSo she then reached up to her own vine like growths of hair on the backside of her leafy head. Making them grow longer and longer until she had a length of vines she'd need to replace the entire length of her spine, or at least to give it a new protective cover. Then, at her inner working, that length of vine went a light blue rather than green. Nearly a glow of an organic fiber optic cable. Amaranth then made a node like growth to bud on one end of the bundle, near her hairline, for a moment, allowing her to pull them into a tight tail, for a more proper cord. “Ok, now I will require a blade, sharp, small.” So she looked up over to Anthony. He chuckled, approached, and pulled a small dagger from his boot. Handed it to the dryad. “Twins, by chance you have any of those enchanted cleaning buckets? Father always says to make sure your implements are sanitary.” The level of her professionalism was making Hue's chest swell with pride, and his eyes threatened to spill tears. His ears would flap in joy, his tail had a long forgotten wag to it. He was so happy he was nearly ready to start buzzing. He had yet needed to do anything, she was learning and growing so fast. She proceeded to try and use that blade to split the skin. Quickly discovered her young form lacked the strength to push through her flesh; despite Anthony's blade being sharp, she just barely managed to score the flesh. “I feared so; I don't have the strength to make the cut.” Then, looking up to the bull, making the natives look on in wonder. So, offering the blade to Hue, she proceeded to ask. “Would you do the honors, Father? Seems to require a stronger hand than mine. Would you assist me?” The twins, by this point, had brought over one of those buckets. Hue proceeded to fill it with a ball of water he produced from his hand. The water took a moment, then proceeded to glisten and gleam. Hue proceeded to dip the blade in a few times. As Ammy produced a bit of a sap like substance from her fingers, a chalky white, pasty substance, she proceeded to apply it generously to the length of Hazel's spine. It did make her tingle and giggle a little, though Hue was seasoned enough to know a numbing agent when he saw one. His little green daughter had learned much watching him, it seems he didn't even need to suggest numbing before cutting.
\t“How deep does the cut need to be?” Hue would ask before with a skill and held the blade ready to make a cut.
\t“Not deep, only just deep enough to spill blood, expose a sliver of the flesh under the skin; that's all I need.” As in turn, she extended that blue up her vines further, guided by her hands. “They need a simple way in, one that will preferably not leave a scar. And given they will be bonding themselves to the nerves in her spine, this is the best place for them to enter.” Hue would nod and would make a shallow cut just deep enough to spill blood. The wolf, raising a brow at feeling no pain, would continue to be surprised by the difference between worlds for some time. He finished just above the base of her tail. “There we go now then, up we go.” She would chime, proceeding to place her vines up on the wolf's back. “Part of the weakness of old age is that the fibers that make your body move lose the ability to do so in some, given time. I surmise this may be your case. Binding my vines to your fibers would allow them an adaptable and protective exterior. The vines would give new life and allow your body a better ability to move again as the stalk would bear your weight, not your back. But the protection of the vines is, in this case, what I am after. Many of my father's more potent spells require the recipient to be of a certain health, or they do more harm than good; ironic.” She would lightly tease as the vines she lay on the wolf's back slowly squirmed into the cut they had prepared for them, rather rapidly sinking into her flesh. Hue casting his usual exam spell and pressing a thumb to her head, his eyes growing once more with that milky white steam. “I do apologize; this must feel strange and uncomfortable. I assure you, the benefits will outweigh them, though.” Took a few moments, even the trace amount of blood her body had been leaking had stopped as the vines all vanished into her flesh. But after a short time, the dryad nodded delightedly. “I'm surprised the vines and nerves took rather well to each other; for some time, I feared the two would reject one another. But homeostasis has been achieved, the vines now serve as a protective outer shell; while the make up of the inner vine will over a short amount of time will adapt to the signals that what they cover now send; and in time will learn to send the same signal restoring your control over your body. Over time, these vines will grow and extend to cover the rest of your nervous system;” The plant quipping despite the fact not many but Hue knew what that even was. “restoring the control to the rest of your body as well.” But now she learned over the wolf's body leaning her vines to the base of her neck. On the back of the vines of the dryad's hair around the line around her neck. “Anthony, would you sever the blue vines from the green ones? Nothing wrong with a trimming for a good cause.”
\tAnthony did just that, approaching with a blade. One by one, severing the cord of the vine now bundled by a flower at its top. Once free, Anthony passed the bundle to Ammy and then let her get back to it. She finished by first applying a new sap to the end of this stalk. But she knew it was to help the vines attach to the base of the brain stem. Acted as both a temporary adhesive and, unknown to the petite plant girl, an anti rejection agent. Resting that flower at the base of her spine, just below her head. The flower soon rested at the base of her neck between both shoulder blades. Like the vines before them, they too used the bleeding cut to enter her body. The parts of the end attaching to the brain stem extended up from the bulb to make the connection inside her neck. Discomfort at first, leading to new stability and strength in her neck. The vines split around the bone of her spinal cord to mesh, envelope, and then wrap around the nerves within the spinal cord. Mushing up within the spine itself, replacing the fragile nerves with something harder to hurt, harder to age, and that can bend and move far better without risk to the tender inner contents. Also allowing some badly needed structural replacement to help her spine carry her weight once again. The flower rooted to the base of her neck, the petals flexing. Once Amaranth offered the plant a mana gem, a cluster of roots quickly ran out from the base of the flower to secure the gem. Quickly, a few leaves budded to allow this plant-work symbiosis access to the needed sunlight and carbon it'd need to maintain itself; it would get water from her body, with slight side effects of being slightly more thirsty. But then Amaranth pulled away from her. The dryad now sporting a short bob of vines nearly a boy cut style, made her look adorable, though. “All done. Do be careful to leave the flower and its few leaves exposed to the light of day; I must warn you that it is important, you'll want open back tops. As all plants that stalk will die without it. But you should already notice a difference. For example, I do believe you should be able to get back up without assistance.” But that did surprise the elder wolf; both her brows raised. Leaving her grandson with a hopeful look.
\t“My now, there's a feeling I've not been able to feel in years. And it still pisses me off; oooh lets see if this old girl still got it.” Hazel quipped as she proceeded to give an old practiced raise of her backside. Managing to give herself a stretch and pop a few stiff joints with a wagging of her hips, the vines were eager to help her pop open again. Crawling forward a moment, unable to contain the few groans as she felt and they heard the length of her spine popping in perhaps a satisfying series of pops as she flexed herself. Tail swishing about with an excited quiver. “OOOOH goodness; been years since I could do that. My word … I’m seeing stars.” The old she-wolf told them as she proceeded to sit upright without assistance. Even if old body parts still ached to move. The body, however, its ability to communicate was restored. Long, long, damaged power lines had finally been replaced. The spine is given a structural reinforcement to help hold the spine up, rather than make it bear the load alone. “You are a godsend, little green one. I do feel better indeed. Feels like it's been decades since my body was sooo responsive. Ooh, I dare say I think I might even be able to craft again. THAT'S IT! A baby blanket, yes; my young granddaughter is with her first cub. I have to make that Cubs baby blanket!” She quipped with a warm smile, clearly making things with her own hands, not just being a living textbook, was something she missed. Her fingers, however they did slowly crept back to life. Able to get them flexing after some moments.
\t“A few sessions with me and your body will know a lightness not known since you were young. I assure you, my lady, I will get you to the point where you will make the most beautiful blanket ever made. With all your love, going to protect that tender bundle within.” Hue assured her. Offering Hazel his hand to help her up. She promptly accepted it, using his arm to pull herself up. She did have a limp; her back was fixed, her legs still bore the weight of age. But she was upright with no hunch, a good improvement. Now, the only reason her grand pup was under her arm was frankly the young lad was so wrapped in emotion he couldn't stop hugging her, and crying into her fur. Let wash away the fear of having to watch his grandmother wither away to nothing. “Do remember to come by sometime when you have spare time. It would be a shame not to finish your healing.” Hue would tell her to finish. She would give him a nod, patting her weeping grandson's head. Though he would stop crying and offer her support again. When her first step was met with a stumble. And seems to prove worrywarts are indeed passed down.
\t“Dear me. I fear I may have forgotten just how long it has been since I stood and walked under my own power. You’re never going to let me forget that one, will you?” Hazel would quip with a following giggle. The young wolf braced his grandmother as she began to walk.
\tAs she rejoined the others. And Cufo was getting used to his own intervention. New toes and claws were tearing at the soil under him. “Seems we have indeed made the wisest choice. My leg was restored to me and Hazel her back, both of which with plants no less.” He chuckled as it deeply amused him. “Mother always teased me about my green thumb, said I should be a farmer, not a fighter. Good thing, she is no longer among the living, or she'd never let me live my brown leg down. Would say 'see, see, what did I tell. Mama was right, mama was right.'” He would proceed to laugh, waving his hands in the air a little. “We will find a place for our people to nest with yours tonight, and we will follow you whenever you leave, wherever you go, Chief.”
\t“Damn shame we don't have more wagons.” Anthony would then quip, rubbing his lower jaw. “Still not jerk enough to make you people walk. We have more than enough horses in spare now; my buddy seems to be getting a reputation. More and more horses are just showing up out of the woodwork; I had an entire herd join the other day. Giving him a bit of a big head if you ask me. Can your people ride?”
\tCufo would thump his chest. “That we can, though.” Cufo did pause to look at the wagons. “I must ask. We still have many elderly or ill, or those who are unable to ride. Would you be able to get them a ride in your wagons, you called them right?” The aged panther would ask, then glance at Anthony.
\t“We should be able to put up a small number of people in wagons.” Anthony would reply with a prompt nod. Already looking down at the lambs under him. The lambs had taken out a large ledger book and were looking at the space left. “How many do you have?”
\tCufo would ironically look to the mother hen. Because he knew she was already counting in her head. “That would be fourteen elderly. Six who are too ill to move of their own power.” Though Ena would pause, lean over, give Hue the most obvious puppy dog eyes and batting of her rather long eyelashes anyone had ever seen. “And lastly, seven females who are currently nursing a young cub or cubs; four females are currently with cub. Lastly, we do have a number of young cubs who can't ride or are just too young to.”
\tThe twins ran the numbers as Anthony looked at them. “Yeah, we can easily make that work. We have enough wagons with low cargo in them. If we shift stuff around, we should be able to clear up at least five, no, no, we can do six wagons; it should serve as a perfect nursery band for now. Rest assured, we will be ordering more wagons. We’ll go poke Sammy in the butt see if his cargo train can spare any as well.” The twins would chime in their usual mirror.
\tBefore Arie would state. “But surely we should have them stationed near the larder so if they need anything, it could be brought to them, even on the road. The elderly, the mothers, the little ones, they're going to need food delivered.”
\t“Indeed indeed. Should we thusly order the storehouse band to move closer to the larder as well? Surely blankets will be a must if the temps get cold.” Sally would chirp; Oh, their parents would be so proud. “We should also not take fur for granted; mother would scold us if we let infants under our watch get ill. We should make sure they are equipped with stove heaters as well.”
\t“Oh, dears, there are some things that make the kids itch or sick. I will need to fill you in. Some of the little ones have deadly food allergies.” Ena told them as she leaned over the twins. “Some of the cubs are in very tender states of health at the moment. Will you allow me to aid in the preparations of this nursery band?”
\t“FOOD ALLERGIES!” The twins would suddenly shut in shock, looking at each other. “… we didn't think of that.” The twins would chime, glancing at each other before looking up at the old bird. “We'd be honored; you surely have much wisdom on the topic to share. We'd hate if we did something wrong unknowingly.” The twins chimed as they would proceed to get up and walk away with the harpy as they started going over the plans. The other elders would excuse themselves and leave Anthony and his inner court to their own devices.
\tAnd as all that was going down, that young work team had gathered to look at the tribes log wall. It must have been a large village for the walls did extend some distance. Tomas was the first to smirk. The young dwarf stroking the first hairs of his beard as another wide smirk soon filled his face. The others soon followed with smirks of their own. “Guys, are you thinking what I'm thinking?”
\t“I just got a new rune manifest from my father; this stuff is top-of-the-line elven rune work.” Jasmine chimed in on the group. “I need to practice them, but some of them are just what we need for this project.”
\t“We're going to need lots of metal bits, aren't we?” A feline female would quip as she was one of the team that had yet to be introduced. “I mean, no way that's not gonna wiggle wobble if we're crazy enough to want it to move. We'll have to keep it strong and sturdy.”
\t“Yeah, but we can totally pull this off.” Thomas proceeded to tell his team. He proceeded to show the team his new blueprint he'd been working on. “Because when we do, it's going to be a massive boon to hell, everyone. The guard, the citizens, Lord Anthony, everyone. We need to make this work, guys, so let's put all our heads together and do what we do best: Make something crazy happen. This wall was given to us on a golden platter; this is a sign this has to work.” He would then press his fist together with the others and do a little pregame cheer.
\tThen, as they got to work on hashing this project out. For most, supper was made, dinner was eaten; most returned to their homes for the night. Anthony was outside. The temperature was starting to drop, most had gone in; by the look of the clouds overhead, snow was likely. He had been hashing out the night watch teams and their patrol areas. Then, once all that was done, the area got quiet. Once the silence stilled around and the sounds of crickets chirping into the night returned as the top sound of the night. He turned back to the wagon. But something gave him pause. It was a strange sensation at first. He took a few steps back, three or four. And looked at the wagon. It was bigger, right? He felt an odd sensation, like his own head was at the same time telling him he was and yet wasn't crazy. So he needed other eyes, it seems. 'Guys.' Anthony called out softly. First Sinner oozed up onto his shoulder. Then one of his eyes went black then bore a red slit. 'I'm not crazy, right? The wagon is totally bigger, right?'
\t“Rather ballsy for you to call me whelp.” A soft, shadowy voice hissed from his own throat.
\t“Yeah, well, you live in my head and body. You play by my rules, and you pay rent. Like it or get eaten, Ira.' Anthony told him in a soft tone but firmly. ‘Like I said, do you guys feel anything? Something's wrong here. Getting the strangest sense of déjà vu here. It's bigger than it was before, right?'
\tSo, the first sinner also started looking at it; he felt that same strange sensation. “He's not crazy … Well, any more crazy than we've made him. I do feel something here, but whatever it is, it's giving me the rub off too. Not too many things that can pull the wool, forcefully, over my eyes.” Though the demon lord looked, he did not speak and simply chose to go away. Though he did leave a smirk on Anthony's face, most likely the closest thing he'd yet get to a response. “Well, at least I'll say it; you are not crazy. It is bigger.” Though he would also return to the depths of Anthony's pelt.
\tHe would sigh, then enter the wagon. The girls were inside. The lambs doing the usual. Nude lying on each other. Not hard to see the two sharing a double-sided toy. Annie was putting Jenny down to bed; currently reading the pup a bedtime story, her father's old job. Arie stopped long enough to give a pull on a curtain that split the living and sleeping areas; Anthony could feel the silence magic woven into it. The first thing he would do is reach over to the human girl, still wearing the lacy, see-through outfit. Quickly cupping her chin, the dark parts of his mind enjoyed her shudder. But his standards would not let him go further, not while he was in control. He would pass her the sword from his hip. She would take it and go store it away in the moments after; The wolf himself setting Duskfall in a stand his master once gave him to hold the blade in. Telling him 'bend mein sword boy, I'll bend mein foot off into your ass'. Anthony lingered a moment to enjoy the view of the human girl bent over to set his sword down. He never knew female humans could have such a nice heart shaped ass; dangerous fetish acquired? But then went to take a seat at the table he had not seen before. The twins would both sing out in orgasm. Anthony was feeling a bit of that certain boil starting to rise in his blood, but it was not yet overwhelming; his blood was rather calm for once after he indulged in his wrath, greed, and lust. His new slave was a pretty one; the twins always knew how to push his buttons and choose a pattern of underwear they knew he'd like. Promptly joining him on the seat next to him, Annie quickly pressed a kiss to his mouth.
\t“Jen's asleep.” Annie would quickly tell him. Though she would then also look around. “This place totally changed, right?” She promptly looked at Anthony, who frankly looked relieved that someone else noticed. “It's completely bigger, right? Its weird though its like my head is telling me I'm lying nothing has changed; then Truth Seer tells my head its full of shit, I'm so confused.”
\t“Yeah it's changed.” Anthony answered her, giving her a squeeze. Though that did get the twins to look up at them.
\t“The wagon is different?” They chimed in their singsong mirror. “But it doesn't look any different to us. Are you sure?”
\tThey would all then hear the tapping of shoes. Then, from a purple portal that formed on their wall. Out stepped another short girl. No doubt whose given whose portal that was. She lowered her black hood and exposed long blond hair, pale white skin and two green eyes, and a button nose. “She sees some explanation is in order; Master does love his timing.” Lilith told them. She promptly joined the wolves at the table. The twins are now sitting on his other side. Alice was sitting on the padded floor some way away. Giving a bit of a shiver as the temperature outside started to get lower as the sun went down. Anthony would notice this, but then return his attention to his guest. “Your home base here has indeed gotten bigger. And will continue to do so; be ready to have a legitimate castle one day, boy. You wanted to play the devil game, dear boy, you must follow the rules and claim the rewards.” Then she gestured with her head to the human girl. “You have taken a new trophy, have you not? A very pretty one too; even Master may be tempted to do things to her. If she's not mistaken, that means you now have five females who offer you their everything; five trophies. The dwelling place of a disaster lord is his dark palace. The more trophies you claim, the stronger you become. The more your Dark Castle will level up and evolve. And the reason the twins are unaware of the change while the pup is, is due to the fact that she is on your inner side; they are still outsiders to your center. If you want them to get stronger, you'd best become their patron proper. The three of you would grow stronger for it.” She would then pause and from a bag on her hip that she had been wearing this whole time. She would place a book on the table. “Lilith was also instructed to give Master's new ally this … well, Master called it a catalog.” Though it was clear she was unsure what that was, nor was Annie. The twins, however, squealed with glee and snapped up the book. Though that being said, they were boutique shoppers after all; they could never wait for the new catalog to come out.
\t“Wait.” The twins chimed out as they read the pages of the book. “Mine's that never runs dry? Farms attended by dryads to improve harvest time and yield? Magic towers to boost Anthony's spells? Magic crystal statues to store mana? An arena where death has no hold?! An actual fucking dungeon of his own!?!?” The twins would then promptly glance up at Anthony with wonderment in their eyes. Then to the imp across from them. “This is a catalog … of supernatural kingdom improvements.”
\tLilith would give a nod. “Welcome to the Game Boy.” Lilith told him. As she then offered him a large purple gemstone, the next one Annie would need in a few more days. “Your reward for a quest well accomplished. Master also wishes to offer you proper vassalage. You would not become just a minion. You would become a Minion Lord answerable only to Master. Your powers would become easier for you to control. And Master would bless you with an inflow of his power. Unlike your mate here, your body can tolerate this power inflow. As you have been exposed to Master as both Otiv and Sin. You have felt both sides of the coinage. It has tempered you. He offers you powers on the cosmic scale, and like the twins, dear Annie could also get her needed power fix from you by accepting this deal, just as the twins would get it. You yourself, not your demon lord, not some broken piece of you, would become, in essence, a demigod; with that, your shadow would kneel of its own accord one day. Other perks already include everything in that book, which you can buy from Master for reward tokens.” She would tell them as she then set two strange silver coins on the table, engraved with an eye; someone has an ego. “Or for an equivalent of your own currencies.” Then, looking at the twins. “With this power flow, you could play a proper patron role for not just those two, or your incestuous little mate. But for any mage. And every mage you get to swear to you for this power, you guessed it, makes you stronger in turn. Do you see why demons play this game? They get power for fucking females; get more for making them theirs. Get more power from mortal mages to use them as a power source, which in turn gives them even greater power. It all boils down to lust, greed, and wrath.”
\tAnthony would nod as the twins kept reading. Until they chimed out. “OH, Hue would love this.” Which got his attention, it was a fairy home, birdhouse style. “This one is actually a must; Anthony Hue needs this!”
\t“That one is rather cheap, given it gives you Anthony no direct benefit. Should you, however, start using fairies or other small fae personally, there may be a small price increase.” Lilith explained. “A mere two silver pieces and she can have one delivered to your Tauren friend. Fairy satisfaction is guaranteed, or your money will be returned. It will allow them a peaceful rest and help them restore their energies. Your healer friend would benefit from his little friends having a means of restoring their energies without needing to return to a fairy spring for days, as they normally have to do. The lambs have good eyes, this is a must have for any caster who wishes to use and keep faeries, Tes leaf watchers, or sprites. Any tiny fae, really.”
\t“Eh, deal; I owe the man more than two silvers.” Anthony quipped, giving a nod to the twins. They promptly dug into their purse; Anthony had long since entrusted his money to them, so he was spending his coin. The plus side is that they were using his money to make more money. So it was more an investment than a ‘hey hold daddy's wallet for him’. They slid two coins to her across the table with practiced ease. Lilith catches and quickly pockets them.
\t“It is a deal then.” Lilith assured. “It will be delivered to him by one of the greens tomorrow. Best to assure the man knows he should be expecting a delivery; wouldn't want any accidents. We know better than to underestimate that bull. And Master would be cross with us should we lose a goblin to a delivery job.”
\t“Where did Hue come from?” Annie would ask before Anthony could stop her. “That goblin queen of yours said he was something special.”
\tLilith paused, but now even Anthony was interested in the response. “Hue is not from your world, but nor is he your usual otherworlder you've come to expect.” She would give a soft sigh, unsure if she would get in trouble for telling them this. “He is something truly special, even if it's just to us; Not of your world, not a child of your goddess; yet he was in fact born here in a way. For he came from a game world where the 'players' power is mighty and vast; they rival their gods. She is forbidden from telling you its name. But he was the main avatar of The Storyteller; the one who makes your tale and your lives even as we speak his writings. Through the one you now know as Hue Highmountian. The Teller was an extraordinarily powerful healer; so much so he often got bored and played a deadly game of 'how low' with anyone who pissed him off, or bored him. Even now, split from him, that Druid is still an unstoppable healing powerhouse; you were wise to save his life, wise beyond your years. We do believe that Annie there only lives entirely due to Hue being the former Avatar of The Storyteller. He will serve you well in the years to come; in his life, you have delighted my master to hear that HuggyCow yet lives. Keep him safe, for even if Master won't say it, that bull is a tiny part of his and our Maker, and he cherishes him. Lilith begs you to keep that Tauren alive; it would break my master's heart to lose another piece of his maker.” Anthony would give a nod as the imp would promptly give a nod and softly excuse herself. Well, before she stopped in her tracks and looked to her left for a moment. Ears visibly sinking behind her as her face flushed over. “It is already finished, Master? How long have you been listening? From … the beginning? I see.” A portal would open, and out would extend a familiar tentacle. To which it passed her a large spherical gemstone. “Seems she has one last thing to deliver.” Promptly turning on her heels and placing the large stone before him. “That is your core, potential brother to be. It will make you mighty enough to even earn your shadows' respect. Take it, it is a gift offered from your Patron; on her life, no strings are attached. Master said, 'Your star will once more shine, my little friend; just have faith.'” She would give a half turn to the nearby wall. A portal opened, and she marched out. The portal closed and the lot of them were left alone. The twins fawning over the stone, the aura coming off it was potent. It was like the stone was already whispering sweet nothings, and their chins were being caressed.
\t“What … what are you?” Alice would promptly ask. Giving a tremble from the dark power she could feel coming from the stone. Her magics were holy in nature after all, so that stone felt far colder than the weather outside was.
\t“Well, I own you for starters; get over here.” Anthony told her in turn. Though a Sigil did then glow on her chest. Compulsion forcing her over to him. To take a seat on the table and bare her assets; legs spread so Anthony could admire her cunt wrapped and framed by lacy see through silks, breast groped for a few moments before left alone. After all, it was her brother who caused it; why shouldn't she know just what their family has done? After grabbing her mouth and dragging her close, looking her in the eyes, the girl was trembling head to toe. “After that, your brother quit the Dreadalisk war. After he abandoned me at Blood Mouth Pass.” He nearly snarled the words at her. “The only reason I survived was because I awoke as a Planetary Disaster Class Demon Lord! Your family has birthed a monster that belongs only in the pages of myths and legends. And it will destroy your family, starting with that piece of trash you call brother.” He whispered to her the last sentence. Finally letting her go physically and magically. Quickly scampering away into a corner to tremble in fear.
\tAnnie would look up at him, not used to seeing his dark side, which he had normally kept hidden behind other personas. “Was it wise to tell her all that?” Annie asked getting Anthony to look at her. “I mean what if she tells anyone?”
\t“She can't.” Anthony assured her. “Slave pact magic prevents her from disobeying me. Includes anything;” He would pause to look over at her, her chest glowing. “That she is forbidden from sharing with anyone in any way, under any condition.” The sigil would glow a moment more before it would stop. Then Annie would yawn, quip that she was going to bed. The twins followed suit. Soon, just Anthony and the girl were left. She was still trembling in fear. Flinching when she felt his eyes fall on her. Anthony would then get up, walk over to her. Sure, the tears would be welling up in her eyes, fearing the worst once he reached toward her. Only to pull open a cabinet next to her, showing her a quilt and blankets inside. Making her eyes snap open as, finally, some tender side managed to get past all the jadedness. “It's going to get cold tonight. Feel free to use those. And those pillows are yours.” Which made her stop suddenly, caught between emotions. Anthony would then turn and walk away from her. Stopping and pointing to the stack of firewood near the door. “If they are not enough, feel free to burn as much wood as you need. I'm going to bed as well, you are not allowed to leave the wagon. Don’t allow anyone to disturb me until I'm out here.” The sigil would glow again in command. Leaving the girl watching after him as he took the few steps up the new small staircase that led to their sleep area. Not looking back, he would then assure her. “I take good care of my things. And you don't have to worry about me forcing myself on you. If I wanted it, I'd take it, and even without the pact magic, you could not stop me. But if that was the case I also have three to four willing pieces of ass in there that would all love and enjoy being with me;” Pausing as he walked over to the curtain. “Why would I need to force myself on you, human? I do have standards, and a woman who doesn't want me does not fit them. I will enjoy some petting of your naughty parts as I see fit, as any master should; pet their pets.”
\tThat would be the last thing she would hear before he entered the private room, sound and sight both obscured by the magic in that curtain. For a rather stark change, the twins were already asleep. But they had dabbled in their real magic today. It was only natural that the mana flowing through their brains would need time in the dream world to replenish. A normal caster had to have their sleep as it was the only surefire way, outside of potions, to restore mana. Anthony had been taught how to beat a caster at the long game, and it was a game he had already won; no way they would outlast a guy who had already died due to sleep deprivation. He would first get out of his gear and clothes. Find a place on the new huge mattress that made up their large bed. Anthony pushed his hand into it, finding it was by far the best bed he'd ever seen; no wonder the twins went out so fast. So he would proceed to lie down, and naturally, a certain someone would squirm her way into his arms. Anthony kissed the pup on her forehead. She was just as tired, she too had spent mana this day; but the skill and practice she had used was his, thus why she was better off than the far more experienced twins. She would give him a few kisses of her own before getting cozy in his chest fur. Though once she was too asleep, well, slowly Anthony would discover sleep was not coming to him yet again. No, no, he was looking at something; no one else before now could see. In the corner of this cordoned-off room. Hiding in the darkness, preventing sleep from coming, Iratum was watching like a ghoul from the darkness. He gave a sigh content to suffer in silence as usual. Only for Annie's eyes to open, unnoticed by him. The girl sees the ghoul lurking over them. Through the new connection, feeling the struggle. He was preventing Anthony from getting his own sleep; she would not stand for that. So she grabbed a pillow and chucked it at the specter across the area. Making it dissipate, letting the pillow hit and then bounce off the wall into the living room area. The girl outside the curtain yelped in surprise from the other side, but then the quiet returned.
\tAnthony looked down at her in time for Annie to grab his nose and pull his head down. The pup shifted to press her forehead to his. “Dummy.” She would quip, holding him tight as she let her eyes close. Anthony soon followed suit. Soon, with his head cradled in her arms, Anthony, too, was able to get some sleep. Vicariously through his connection to the girl now cradling his head tightly. She'd not forgive that shadow. How long, how many times, how many nights had he lain sleepless at her side, suffering in silence to not burden them? This power he took to protect with; so be it, she would be her uncle's keeper. But when suddenly Anthony let out a snore, loud enough to wake the others, well, the pup got her answer, didn't she? Someone had been right. Don't ask questions you really don't want answers to. The lamb's eyes shot open; they had not heard that sound in some time. Anthony exhaled, leading to another snore, leading Jenny to give her little head a shake. Annie gave a little giggle, but then also shed a tear from her eyes. He snored, he snored when he slept. And not once since he had been with the pups had he ever woken them up snoring. Seemingly, it had been so long since they last saw him sleep; the twins had forgotten, it was written on their faces. Annie was silently weeping as she cradled his head. She realized what this meant. How long, just how long had this bastard kept sleep away from Anthony? The man was snoring in her embrace as the lambs crawled over, Jenny following suit. Both twins mouth agape quick enough to put two and two together to find the asshole. Both twins' breaths grew troubled as they put the pieces of this twisted puzzle together. Not only had a twisted one infested his shadow, not only had an Ullgotham Pit Ooze had made a nest of his hide. Seems the ladder of the two had, since the beginning, kept true sleep just out of his grasp; like a jerk keeping a child's toy over his head just out of reach, making him jump for it. As someone who used magic on a near-daily basis, the twins were speechless. No sleep means no mana regeneration; how the hell was he alive? And Annie wept, for Anthony had died from not getting sleep; here this jerk was making him relive it every fucking day, just no longer able to die from it.
\t“Girls.” Annie said softly, cradling his head, kissing his forehead, rubbing his nose with her own. “We have to start taking better care of this idiot… or we are going to lose him. We can't let him keep shouldering burdens in silence alone anymore; we have to help him. No more letting him bottle his emotions, swallow his words. Hide his pain behind a mask.” The twins wore a solemn frown as they gave a nod. Jenny was still managing adorable overload with a big, pouty lower lip that quivered with her emotions. So the twins cuddled up next to his right side; Jenny snuggled herself into his right arm like a big safety blanket. Annie did something she had not done since she was younger than Jenny; she fell asleep cradling his head with her body, head atop his. Oh, sure, that certain someone lurked again once they all were asleep. Not too happy about Anthony getting sleep despite him, but there was nothing he could do about it. Annie's head was her own; Anthony had already built that protective bastion to keep him out of her. So faded back to his hole and left them all to sleep. As the silence of the twilight hours and the chirps of the insects outside. As slowly the sky's overhead gave way to snows. The main crew, all, finally slept peacefully into the late hours of the night.
Even if minutes later, the twins would make use of some magic
as the pups looked on in agreement as well
…
So that they too could get some sleep.
…
They dearly wanted him to sleep
But god he snored so loud.
~End of chapter~
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