by Erik Weir
The man nodded quickly, the hand stopped scratching his neck and he shoved them into his pockets. “You are such a beautiful Kurggoth, but I had some questions I hope you could answer. Would you do me the honor of providing knowledge?”
Caasa smiled. Beings asking for knowledge was a normal pastime in Dark Spire, but it was often among the warp spawn. Eyeing the strange two-legged man, it did seem odd he would come to their home when there were so many libraries, he could draw his knowledge from.
“I can try and assist, but there are depositories versed in all manner of knowledge. I can give you directions to the best-informed ones?”
The man kept his wide smile. “No, they can’t help me. I much prefer learning from the source. It is the best way to understand. Will you help me understand?”
A dark tendril caressed Caasa’s mind, sending a shiver down her spine. “I’m not sure…”
The strange man cut her off, “Yes you can. I know you can. I know you can help me understand, make the doubt go away for a time. I need to know…I must know.”
Caasa stared as the man pulled a hand from his coat pocket and began scratching at his neck again. Fingers cut at pale skin but there was no blood and the marks faded after every scratch. The movements were maddening as the man stared without blinking, his smile growing wider.
“Please…you have to tell me…what is his name?”
Caasa’s expression soured into suspicion. “I don’t know what you mean.”
The man nodded as he scratched at his neck, “Yes you do. His name? I need to know his name? I need words to hold what he is? I felt his power and it delighted my hunger. I saw the strands and I wanted to know more. What is his name so I can find him? What is his purpose…so it can be my purpose?”
“There has been a mistake. Please leave,” Caasa said and tried to shut the door.
The door stopped as the man’s hand held it open. The manic wide-eyed gaze stayed on the warp spawn. Caasa tried to shove the door closed but it didn’t budge. A small cackle fell from pale lips as the stranger made sure to keep eye contact.
“You search for others and I search for more,” the man grinned as his left hand slipped from his trench coat, a dead and broken neboo in his hand. The lifeless eyes stared at nothing as big ears hung to the sides. Back broken, it curved in an unnatural angle in the man’s hand.
Caasa’s black eyes grew wider as fear dripped into her spirit.
“I followed the trail. They belong to you and others here in this dwelling. If I find the answers I seek, I can find him. I must understand. I need to understand so I can bend it to my will,” the man said and slammed the door open.
Caasa glided back as the man hefted the dead neboo and threw it at her. The lifeless body bounced off her chest as she glided back, black eyes on the dead creature. The man stepped in, points of light appearing in his jet-black hair.
“Vonn!” Caasa shouted as she turned.
The warp spawn barely moved a foot when something sharp and black struck her back. Black blood spurted from her mouth as she looked down, a black spike sticking out of her chest. Body lifted up, the spawn turned her head to the man just as he pointed down, her body sliding off the spike. Caasa hit the floor, black eyes wide as she tried to crawl away.
Yimer stepped into the hallway, eyes trembling as she watched Caasa trying to crawl and the stranger stepping in, reaching down and grabbing a tentacle.
“No need to crawl away, death will not be denied after I’m finished,” the man chuckled.
Yimer’s eyes grew wet as she was frozen. Black blood spilled from Caasa’s mouth as she continued to crawl away. The man pulled the bleeding warp spawn to him. Reaching down, he grabbed her by the neck, lifted her up and slammed her into the wall. Caasa went limp in the stranger’s hand before he let her fall to the ground.
“Tell me his name and I promise to only eat you after your dead,” the man grinned.
Yimer sobbed as she looked at Caasa’s still body. A hand curled around her arm and pulled her further into the main room. Yimer turned her head to Vonn. The older warp spawn pulled the younger spawn toward the bedroom door.
The strange man walked down the hallway and into the main room. Gray eyes scanned the room, stopping when Vonn glared back at him as she closed the thick bedroom door. A lock clicked into place and the stranger laughed loud and hard.
“Don’t be shy! I simply want the knowledge in your minds,” the man screamed.
“Caasa,” Yimer sobbed as Vonn moved to a large bookcase.
The older warp spawn ran fingers along thick book spines until her pale fingers took hold of a tome and pulled it out. Opening it, she turned page after page. Yimer looked down through tears to the light under the door, two dark shapes touching the edges of light.
Vonn spoke as she flipped pages, “We cannot save her. We must leave before he consumes us.”
“We have to go to Vala’s realm,” Yimer said through thick tears.
“No, he will follow us. We have to protect everyone,” Vonn said as she stopped flipping pages.
The warp spawn glided to Yimer’s side when a hard knock caused the bedroom door to shudder. Vonn clasped a hand to Yimer while she held the open book with the other. The door shuddered again and laughing rang on the other side of the thick door.
“What’s his name,” the man laughed.
Yimer tilted her head forward, prayers falling from her black lips.
Vonn gave the warp spawn a squeeze with her hand, “Vala will guide us, but we must save ourselves first.”
Arcane words spilled from Vonn’s lips as Yimer clutched the older spawn. The tempo and power increased as Vonn let the energies flow into her throat. The door shuddered again, but Vonn didn’t slow down the magical incantation. Holding Yimer tight, Vonn shouted the trigger phrase.
The door burst open as the stranger stepped in. Wild eyes witnessed a black rift forming. Vonn dived into the black floating shard, pulling Yimer with her. The two warp spawn disappeared beyond the rift edge before it sealed shut. The energy in the room died and a quiet gloom blanketed the area once again.
The man turned; eyes wide and a grin still on his face. Ears picked up the gentle sounds of Caasa stirring, small moans filling the air. The stranger stalked back to the hallway to see the warp spawn trying to move as black blood pooled on the floor around her.
“It would have been much easier if you simply told me what I wanted to know. Now, I must use unpleasant means to find what I want,” the man said as he stepped closer to Caasa and knelt down.
The man ran his pale fingers through Caasa’s hair as she pleaded with her eyes for him to stop.
“It’s okay little one. You will be the first I claim in my crusade. Now lie still so I may extract what I need.”
The man’s hand gripped around her head as dark energy flowed. Caasa tried to scream until the power blasted any reason or thought from her mind. She moaned as blood spilled from black lips, her eyes rolling into her head.
The stranger kept his smile, “Good…good…Let us continue…I have so much…to learn.”
Three
Bliss poured over hot bodies as moans filled the cavern. Ida clutched to Victor as his hips worked, driving himself deep into the savage’s tight valley. Scattered around the two, Lily, Nerin, Halisa and Lix laid about, breathing heavy and covered in sweat. One by one they moaned their appreciation before drifting off to exhausted dreams. Ida couldn’t stop moaning until she bit down on Victor’s shoulder. The Blade carried on, Ida squeezing him, coaxing for him to come.
Victor grunted just as the savage let go of her bite and released a surrendering moan. Eyes rolling into her head, her body shuddered and wetness dripped from their deep union. Victor looked down, ecstasy consuming the woman before a sigh dripped from her throat, arms and legs shaking. Letting go, she fell the short distance to the ground below. Victor fell with her, keeping the connection. With another thrust, his spent body cried out. White seed spurted in her loving sp
ace and she gave a satisfied smile before her eyes closed, savoring the heat of their bodies.
Victor huffed and panted until he pulled from the woman and fell sideways. Landing on his back and breathing hard, energy escaped Ida and flowed into the Blade’s heart. Victor fought through the haze, a weary spirit whimpering for sleep. Ignoring his body’s demands, he mentally pulled up his stat screen.
Victor Hobbs
Acolytes Unlocked- 21/77
Divine Orbs- 5
Powers to Unlock-0
Spheres of Influence
Str (Gaia)- 5
Con (Nano)- 4
Int (Abyss)- 3
Will (Holy)- 3
Wis (Mind)- 4
Cha (Shadow)- 3
Swords
Iron Sword
Elemental Sword
Gun Blade
Sphere Abilities/Powers
Mind
Speak/Read/Write Languages
Gaia
Increased Strength/Speed
Animal Tongues
Jump
Animal Shapeshift
War Form
Nano
Heightened Senses Upgrade
Shadow
Holy
Abyss
Impulse Control Touch
Victor studied the information in his vision. Knowing he had to spend the divine orbs here if he was to gain a power from the Tempest realm had become a priority. Having five powers already, it meant he could acquire the last one before he maxed out the Gaia Sphere of Influence.
The Blade smiled lightly as he felt he was another step closer to reaching his full potential and considering how the Tempest Realm was where Baaldir resided in, the less time he spent here, the better. Mentally taking hold of two divine orbs, he spent them, allowing access to the Gaia Sphere. Heat flared along the young man’s athletic body before settling down. Words scrolled across his vision.
You have gained the ability, “Summon Monster”.
Victor’s brow wrinkled. He could now summon monsters, but he wasn’t sure that was an ability he wanted to use. Throwing himself into battle was one thing, but to call on a creature to fight for him was another matter entirely. A dark realization filled the Blade as he saw that some of his powers and abilities could have not such happy results. Thoughts flowed to his one ability from the Abyss Sphere. He had used the Impulse Control Touch, but it left him with a bad taste in his mouth.
There is no such thing as fighting dirty. There is only fighting.
Victor sighed. “Thinking like that could send us down a path I’m not sure I want to follow,” he whispered.
We are fighting gods and monsters. I doubt they will do the honorable thing when it comes to achieving their goals.
Victor raised an eyebrow, “We? I’m doing all the work.”
A good team needs a coach.
Victor felt the shadow around his heart chuckle. Closing his eyes, he knew it was useless to argue with Chill. Despite closed eyes, the stat screen was still visible. Victor saw that he had two points to add to his spheres and he decided which one would go where. Adding a point to his Strength, his body glowed with a new level of power. The second point went to his Constitution. The more points he had there, the more he could reload his Gun Blade.
Seeing the three divine orbs remaining, Victor let the screen in his vision fade away. He would save them to spend in another realm. Sore muscles cried for sleep, and the Blade found no further reason to deny them. Bodies snuggled closer; the body heat relaxing worn out muscles. The whisper of sleep touched Victor, and he fell into its comforting embrace.
Eyes opening, Victor looked to several bodies floating in a sea of darkness. A hand touched his shoulder and Victor turned to see Lily’s wicked smirk. The two silently nodded and they floated closer to the four savage women. Eyes moved side to side behind closed lids. A relieved sigh fell from sleepy lips as Victor and Lily each took hold of the floating women. Victor took Nerin and Ida’s hands while Lily took Halisa and Lix’s hands. With a mystical pull, the six floated toward a rising mist. Eyes opened and hearts soared as they moved into the rolling fog of dreams, feet touching a soft floor.
Walking, the six followed the mist that surrounded them. For a long moment, the mist seemed to stretch forever before it swirled away. Grass and earth greeted the six as they stepped from the mist. A crescent moon filled the sky, high above a thick mountain. Night blanketed the land, but no stars shined. Halfway up the mountain, a mountain side village glowed with a welcoming light.
Nerin stepped forward, eyes wet and a smile on her lips. “It’s…like my dreams.”
The three other women moved to Nerin’s side, arms and hands touching each other in a happy embrace. Victor crossed his arms, his smile wide. Lily stood at his side, staff in hand.
“I’ll go ahead and ready the welcoming party. Take your time bringing them up,” the succubus said as she kissed Victor’s cheek.
The Blade watched as the demoness sauntered off. Stepping to the four women, they broke their embrace and turned to Victor with bright eyes.
“I’m not sure it needs to be said, but here we are all part of Vala’s light,” Victor smiled.
Nerin nodded. “We know her love transcends all. We only wish to follow her will.”
Victor’s smile faded a bit. “I don’t know your history in the Tempest Realm, but Vala has chosen you…and slyths to be her acolytes. Some of them are here and what little I know, there has been some bad blood between you.”
Nerin’s bright eyes dimmed. “We…we were not part of those attacks. Luka and the other tribe leaders pushed to exterminate any who were not strong enough. Many were afraid to say no to our leaders. The four of us were lucky to mind our camps and villages. There will be no hatred from us.”
Victor nodded. “Good to hear. Vala’s realm is small but she wants us here. When we reach Luna Springs Village, we can find you all a place to claim.”
Nerin bowed, “Please led the way, Blade of Vala.”
“Please, call me Victor,” the Blade smiled.
Victor walked past the four women and they turned and followed. The small group made their way to the wide stone staircase and began their ascent. Victor wished they could put in an elevator. Part way up the mountain, his legs began to cramp. He wondered if it was because of the overzealous sex, or if he needed to start working out again. Supernatural powers were great and all, but they didn’t seem to chase away normal activities like love making and climbing mountains.
The group reached the halfway point of the mountain in short order. The glowing torchlight along the village greeted them, as did a number of women at the village entrance. Three slyths stood; eyes sharp and tails low. To the right of them, Lily stood with her staff. To the left, a dark-haired elf with a rune covered robe stood, eyes containing a hint of sadness.
Victor’s gaze fell on Hox. The lizard woman had taken the role of leader for her fellow slyths. Hisk’s death seemed to push her to take on the duty, Rhass and Yex quickly falling into step. The lizard women eyed the four savages as they stood shoulder to shoulder before them. The air grew still as not a word was uttered. Energy seemed to fill the five feet of space between them. Victor wondered if it was a good idea, but when he glanced to Lily, the succubus gave him a pleasant wink.
Hox stepped forward and Nerin did the same. The two women stared at each other. The savage women gave nervous glances while Rhass and Yex held serious gazes. Time stood still until Hox and Nerin opened their arms and embraced. Lily lifted her staff and shouted. The three women behind Nerin let out their own happy shouts as Rhass and Yex hummed with approval. The elf to the side clapped and positive energy flooded the group gathered.
“Welcome sisters of Vala,” Hox shouted. “Let us guide you to your new homes.”
Nerin and the others smiled. The three slyths led the way as the savage women followed. Victor watched all of them walk to the left, following the stone street and homes lining the mountain.
Lily
stepped to Victor’s side, “I’m going to check on Cassandra. Come to me when you’re finished.”
Victor gave the succubus a confused look as she stepped away. The elf with black hair stepped closer, shadows under her eyes.
“Night, I’m glad you’re out and about,” Victor smiled at the beautiful elf.
Night nodded. “It feels good to be out. I have been feeling better with each dose of the medicine. In a few more weeks, I should be free of my maddening afflictions. I…I never fully thanked you for helping Dawn find a treatment.”
Victor raised a hand and rubbed the back of his head as he tilted his head forward, “Thank you, but you don’t have to thank me. I was happy to help you and your sister. Trust me; I understand what it means to feel helpless against things beyond your control.”
Night nodded. “I do, but that is not the only reason I wanted to talk to you.”
Victor looked to the elf; ears open. Night hugged her waist, as if to find the words for what she wanted to say next.
“It has been a few days…and Dawn hasn’t come back.”
The weight of her words hung heavy in the air.
Night continued, “She told me before she left, she would only be gone a night. She went to Eddor to finish some task she set for herself. I checked the cycles of Eddor and it has been three nights since she left. I’m…worried.”
Victor nodded but kept a reassuring smile, “I’m sure she is okay. She’s pretty resourceful.”
Night looked away, “I know, but…this feels different.”
Victor stepped closer and put his hands on Night’s shoulders, “I understand the concern. When we finish setting everybody in their new homes, Lily and I will go to Eddor and see if we can find Dawn. She might be hung up on something, but I’m sure she’s okay.”
Victor could feel Dawn was still alive. A wave of memories washed over the Blade as he remembered what he felt when Hisk, Abby, and Anita died. Each death stabbed at his heart, knowing they were gone from this corner of the universe. Since the battle on the mountain, he hadn’t felt that pain again. Victor could sense she was still alive and somewhere on Eddor but he couldn’t narrow it down further than that.