by Erik Weir
The door opened and two figures entered. Victor turned halfway as Caasa and Lily stepped in. Yimer looked up, not breaking the connection as she continued to suck on Victor’s cock. The succubus gave the Blade a knowing smile, the thick book in her hands.
“Straight to the point I see,” Lily teased.
“I had very little say in the matter,” Victor smiled with tired eyes.
Yimer opened her mouth but stayed on her coiled tentacles, looking up to Victor with stars in her eyes. “It was better than I dreamed,” she said innocently.
Victor’s face glowed red as he stuffed his member back in his pants and helped the dazzled warp spawn up. “We have the book and the two of you. Now we have to get out of here,” Victor said as divine energy danced in his heart.
“It won’t be long before Blurgg comes looking for us. He won’t just let us go,” Caasa said.
Victor tried to think of something as Lily looked to the two warp spawn.
“Is there anything he values more than books,” Lily asked.
Yimer shook off the stars in her eyes as she looked to the succubus, “He prizes his books, us and his Neboo.”
“Neboo,” Victor said with a raised eyebrow. “Is that what those lizard creatures are called?”
Caasa and Yimer both nodded.
Lily nodded with darkness in her red eyes. “If we take his neboo hostage, we can bargain for your release of his servitude.”
Victor turned to Lily and put his hands on her shoulders. “I like the direction you’re going but I think I may have another plan that doesn’t involve hostages,” Victor smiled as he thought to his new ability.
The three women gathered around the Blade as he told his plan.
***
Blurgg stroked his neboo, black eyes turning to see Victor and Lily emerge from the back. The fat warp spawn gave a slight smile to Lily before it turned into a scowl for Victor. The man and succubus walked up to the desk. Lily leaned against the edge of the rounded desk as Victor looked down at the old neboo. The lizard thing with big ears looked up with beady eyes and gave the Blade a hard scowl.
“Did you find anything interesting for trade,” Blurgg asked.
“We did not,” Lily said with a small kind smile. “I’m afraid your collection is not as extensive as we thought.”
Blurgg’s mouth melted into a deep frown. “My dear, I have one of the most extensive collections in all of the six realms. If I don’t have a copy, it doesn’t exist.”
“We could try the mage library on Eddor. I hear they have an amazing collection of books,” Victor said to Lily.
Blurgg gave a gruff exhale before rising up on thick tentacles. “Eddor’s libraries are for children just learning about the universe. The Kurggoth have collected knowledge since before the mages there learned their first spells.”
Victor smiled politely. “There are other shops here in Koth. We could check with them and see if they have anything similar to what we want.”
Blurgg’s throat gurgled in rage. “Hardly, what is the name of the book you are searching for?”
Victor crossed his arms, “We don’t wish to take up anymore of your time.”
“The title of the book,” Blurgg demanded.
“Maladies of the Realms,” Lily smiled.
Blurgg’s fiery gaze cooled and a smug smile widened. “I know my entire collection and I do have that exact tome. What shall you exchange for such a fine book?”
“I’m not sure he has it. Let’s go someplace else,” Victor said as he turned away.
Blurgg’s mouth twisted, “I’ll show you I have the tome you speak of!”
The fat warp spawn turned to the shelves. “Caasa! Yimer! Come to me!”
The book shop was silent as a grave. A few aisles over and clutching to the book, the warp spawns remained quiet, waiting for the signal.
Blurgg cupped his neboo in one arm while he picked up a whip from under the desk. “Must I do everything myself. There will be lessons for not answering my summons!”
Blurgg’s tentacles moved along, his bulky body slithering past the rounded edge of the desk. Victor was quick, moving to the warp spawn’s side as he rushed toward the stairs. The Blade’s mind glowed with his new ability. It didn’t feel like it would be simple as a touch to use it. Seeing that it was an ability connected to his Intelligence sphere, the Blade assumed he had to charge it like he did with his strength to his Gaia abilities. Spending the lone point in intelligence, the tips of Victor’s fingers itched with slivers of power.
Blurgg was nearly to the spiral staircase when Victor touched the warp spawn’s elbow. Power slipped from his hand and into the warp spawn. Blurgg’s eyes widened as his tentacles gave out from under him. The fat warp spawn fell into a heap of tentacles, hands holding his neboo up. The elderly neboo looked down as Blurgg snuggled the creature to his face.
“You are too precious for words! I could snuggle you all day you beautiful little thing! Extra food tonight because you are my special little one,” Blurgg doted over the neboo, not even noticing Victor hiding his smile.
The fat warp spawn stroked and spoke in a high-pitched voice as the neboo tried to crawl away. The heavy attention carried on as Lily lifted a hand and beckoned with a finger. Yimer and Caasa moved along the shelves, out of sight until they reached the door. Lily was there, ripping the bell from the chain above the door but careful to not let it ding. Victor backed away, eyes on the fat warp spawn as he couldn’t control himself, snuggling with the struggling neboo.
Silent as thieves, all four made their way out and quietly closed the door behind them. Rushing into the submerged streets, Victor’s heart pounded in his chest.
I can’t believe that worked!
The four turned a corner and barreled down a side street. Water sloshed with each of Victor and Lily’s steps but the two warp spawn moved with liquid ease through the waters.
“We hide and wait for all of this to blow over. Then we can…,” Victor was cut off by a deep voice.
“Hiding…That’s exactly what I would expect from you.”
The four slid to a halt in the shin deep street water. A dark figure stood, an oversized hammer in his hands and three snarling dog-like creatures at his feet. A long black trench coat covered his body as wild hair flared around his head. Eyes pierced the shadows, their gaze as hot as the sun on Victor.
The Blade squinted, unsure who he was looking at until the man stepped a little closer, lantern light touching his face. Haggard eyes blinked with contained rage as the three dog monsters growled with pent up fury. The light bleeding away the sudden doubt, Victor’s brow hardened.
“Luis, what the hell are you doing here,” Victor growled his contempt.
The man in the trench coat gave an evil leer, “Hunting you.”
Seventeen
Water rippled as the area stirred with tension. Lily, Yimer and Caasa stayed to Victor’s side as the man with the giant hammer and three demon dogs stepped closer. Victor couldn’t stop the growing fury in his spirit as the man approached. The demon dogs growled, acid saliva dripping from pointed maws, steam rising as they touched the water. The chill in the air floated back as energies filled the area with a supernatural heat. Black eyes peered down from open windows as tentacle bodies emerged from streets and alleys, witnessing the exchange of the men from other dimensions.
Luis hoisted the oversized hammer and leaned it over his shoulder, his other hand holding the leather leashes of the three demon dogs. “You seem to be causing a lot of problems here in the realms. It isn’t too much of a surprise really, considering how you are.”
Lily’s hand opened, a staff appearing. Fingers closing around the shaft, the succubus took a battle stance while the two warp spawn backed away a few feet, Yimer holding the leather-bound book. Victor put up his hand, singling the demoness to hold.
“Get Yimer and Caasa to Vonn, I’ll keep my cousin busy,” Victor whispered with a hard tone.
Lily kept her gaze steady on
the large man and his dogs. “I’m your Shield and not leaving your side.”
Victor flexed his hands. “The longer we stay here, the greater the chance Blurgg will come looking for the book, Yimer and Caasa. I can hold him off and I’ll come to you when it’s over.”
Victor eyed Luis, “Besides, I can take him.”
Luis grinned, “Ha! Like when we were kids? If I remember correctly, it was me who beat you up all the time, couldn’t hold your own, even when we wrestled.”
“Get out of here,” the Blade said out the side of his mouth.
“You can’t face him alone. The dogs…,” Lily hissed.
Victor turned his attention to the beautiful succubus, “I don’t have to beat him, just keep him busy. It’s more important the three of you make a run for it.”
The Blade’s eyes took on a warm hue, “Lily, I know we are partners, but Luis is family. If anyone is going to teach him a lesson, it’s going to be me. Please go.”
Lily shook her head slightly before glancing back to Yimer and Caasa’s concerned gazes. The succubus let out a defeated sigh before turning her attention to Victor.
“Come back in one piece,” the succubus said as she backed up to the two warp spawn.
The three of them moved off to the side and reached an alley. Lily looked back to see Victor nodding in approval, a small smile forming. With that, she reluctantly turned to the dark alley and walked into the shadows, Yimer and Caasa following.
Luis watched them go before turning his attention to Victor. “It doesn’t matter if they go. Vala has entrusted you to bring her back from the dead. My master wants you dead. Your death will end her rising cycle for a long time.”
“What the fuck happened to you,” Victor asked as the elemental sword slid out of his wrist and into his open hand. “I knew you were petty and a bully, but I didn’t know you wanted to kill me.”
Luis’s eyes narrowed. “You’re a blight on the family. So were your mother and Uncle Hobbs. The entire family would have been better off without any of you.”
A fire lit in Victor’s belly, arms vibrating in contained rage.
Luis gave a smug smirk, “I’m doing the family and the universe a favor.”
“You fucking asshole! Baaldir is using you. Take a moment and think about it!”
Luis gave a grave nod, “I have thought it over as they gave me powers and abilities I never dreamed of. Baaldir chose me to be part of his pack, with the bonus of kicking your ass as much as I want. It will be like high school all over again.”
Victor took a deep breath, letting the air cool down his inner core, controlling the flames into power and steam. Mind falling back to calming habits, he let the tension in his shoulders ease back, allowing his body to become looser.
The demon dogs pulled at the leather leashes, snarling with distilled evil.
“Now now, everyone will get their pound of flesh,” Luis smirked.
Victor’s rage dimmed as eyes grew frosty. “Luis, go home before Baaldir corrupts you to the point of no return.”
Luis’s smirk faded as he lifted his chin. “It’s too late for that. Once you become part of the pack, there is no going back. I swore a blood oath and for the first time in my life, I have meaning, purpose. You deserve this and I’m happy to deliver.”
Victor took a stance, blade at the ready.
Luis shook his head, “Aunt Mary told us how you took up martial arts because of getting your assed kicked by your dad. Your shitty skills won’t mean anything against my abilities.”
Victor kept his stance, sword at his side.
“I think this talk has gone on long enough.” Luis looked down to his dogs, “Chew him up but don’t kill him. That is my right to take his life.”
Luis let out a small whistle and let go of the leashes. The three demon dogs burst forth, charging through the water toward Victor with teeth bared. Victor stood his ground, eyes sliding down to the incoming dogs. The three hellhounds were nearly to him and the Blade parted his lips and let out a sharp whistle.
The three dogs skidded to halt, water splashing and ears pointed up.
“Your master is family,” Victor said with a calm demeanor. “Would you like it if you turned on each other?”
The dogs tilted their heads, glowing red eyes glancing to each other.
Victor smiled. “If you three are good, I’ll bring you treats.”
The three demon dogs sat on their haunches in the water, tails wagging behind them and tongues hanging out. One of the dogs made a few small barks and Victor nodded.
“Steak? I can see what I can do. But promise me you’ll be good,” Victor smiled.
Luis’ rage burned hot as he watched his three dogs behave. Victor looked up as his left hand rubbed one of their heads. The Blade knew his ability to speak to animals would shock them to stop, long enough for him to convince them that he was not a threat. Hearing the words coming from the demon dogs was unusual to say the least but once the dialogue started, they were eager for food.
Luis clicked his teeth. The three dogs looked back and bounded to his side. The tail wagging lessened as they reached his stony gaze.
“We are going to have a long talk later,” Luis said in an angry tone.
The three hellhounds slinked down a little, heads bowed.
“You said it was between us. No need to bring them into it,” Victor smirked.
Luis began stalking forward, pulling the hammer from his shoulder and holding it diagonal across his chest. The sloshing steps turned into a run. Brow tight and teeth bared, the large man charged.
Victor glanced at the ghostly mental image of his stats.
Victor Hobbs
Acolytes Unlocked- 10/77
Divine Orbs- 2
Spheres of Influence
Str (Gaia)- 4
Con (Nano)- 2
Int (Abyss)- 1/2
Will (Holy)- 2
Wis (Mind)- 1
Cha (Shadow)- 3
Swords
Iron Sword
Elemental Sword
Sphere Abilities/Powers
Mind
Speak/Read/Write Languages
Gaia
Increased Strength/Speed
Animal Tongues
Nano
Shadow
Holy
Abyss
Impulse Control Touch
He is going to use all power attacks. Keep him off balance.
Victor nodded to himself as he forced an influence point into his strength and speed. Energy and power flowed into limbs and muscles and the Blade looked to his sword. He hadn’t used the elemental abilities of the sword yet and figured now was the best time. Mentally he commanded the elemental sword to burn with fire. Nothing happened as the blades edge glimmered in the street light.
Luis roared as he raised his hammer up. Energy flared in his eyes as the hammer exploded into flames. When he was close, Luis reared to the side and brought the flaming hammer hard across. Victor leapt back, water splashing up with him. The hammer struck across the streams of water, turning them into steam as Victor landed about twenty feet back with a splash.
Luis brought his hammer back to his chest, a wicked smile blooming. “Running was your best trait growing up.”
“And whining was yours,” Victor smirked.
Luis growled as he charged again. Victor saw it, noticing that his cousin was moving faster now. Baaldir may have given him similar abilities from the Tempest realm. Strength and speed would not be the deciding factor in this fight. The Blade studied the incoming brute as his flaming hammer streaked through the air. Luis swung hard across again and Victor bent low, his face an inch from the water as the heat of the hammer passed over his head. Rising up, he stepped in close, trying to knock his cousin off balance. Luis stopped his swing and brought it back. Eyes like hot coals, Luis gritted his teeth. Victor brought up his sword and parried the incoming hammer. Muscles trembled despite his enhanced strength as Victor lifted a foot and drove his heel into
Luis’s knee.
Luis stumbled back as pain flared along his nerves. Victor took advantage, closing the distance, his left fist cocked under his arm. Power flowed into muscles as he struck out, slamming his fist into Luis’s gut. The crazed cousin bent forward, shadows covering his eyes.
“That’s all you got,” Luis said with a sinister edge.
Victor backpedaled as Luis roared. The flaming hammer swung with blinding speed. The Blade dodged one and then two swings. Mind sharp, he spent a point of constitution just as the hammer struck his side. Victor’s eyes widened as his entire body was lifted up and thrown, flames licking his clothes and skin. Hurtling through the air, the Blade’s back crashed into a stone wall and he slid down to his boots, water splashing against his legs.
Victor noticed there was very little pain but glancing down, clothes and skin were singed. The sphere of Nano helped soak up some of the damage but he knew it wouldn’t last long. Even with the sphere controlling the pain, if he suffered another strike or two like that, he was done for.
Luis bent his knees and blasted forward like a flaming comet. Victor saw the sardonic grin on his cousin’s lips before bursting up into the air. The flaming hammer slammed into the stonewall, sending thick cracks along the surface. Victor was in the air, only about four feet but he saw his opening as gravity pulled him down. Leg cocked back, it whipped out, boot crashing into the side of Luis’s face. Luis stumbled back as power surged into Victor’s sword arm. Turning the blade on its side, he smacked the flat side against Luis’s face.
Luis stumbled back again as Victor pushed his attacks. Landing in the water, Victor pressed forward, sword at the ready. Luis growled as a trickle of blood flowed from a small cut on his cheek. Another roar filled the area as Luis began to grow larger. Victor reached his cousin, retracting his elemental sword into his arm and bringing his fists up. A combination of two strikes to the gut sent the shape changing Luis back. Muscles bulged as fur sprouted along his body. The trench coat ripped as a wolfish snout grew outward. Ears shifted and turned into furry points.