by Erik Weir
Lily and Nyla watched with blank gazes as Dreg was repeatedly thrown down to the ground. Blood spilled from his face and mouth as his grunts turned to moans. Victor let the rage and fury burn until there was an audible crack, followed by another. The Blade let his hand open and Dreg crumpled to the ground, face first. The mist dissipated and the night took a serene edge once again.
Victor and Lily each moved toward Dreg as he hissed and moaned. Limbs not responding, he simply lay like a broken doll. The Blade and Shield stood over him; eyes filled with darkness.
“I can finish him,” Victor said in a low voice.
The succubus said nothing as she knelt to Dreg’s side and took hold of his shoulder. Pulling him onto his back, Dreg’s battered and bloody face looked up. One eye hung from an exposed socket while the other one barely focused on the succubus. Lily’s face took on a kind edge as he stared down the broken monster, she once called her father.
“You…were…my…favorite…,” Dreg said with wet words as blood filled his throat.
“Shhhh…don’t speak…,” Lily smiled as she ran fingers through his black hair.
The demon coughed and sputtered blood as he lay. The fury burned away from Victor as he stared down at father and daughter. Profound sorrow touched the young man as he watched the two demons. Despite the pain of familial bonds, the connection was still there. Memories of his own family shined in his mind of the few rare good times. He wondered if that was what Lily was feeling, searching for something to give her father a sliver of forgiveness.
A tear streaked down from Lily’s eye as her hands took hold of Dreg’s horns. One boot stepped on his shoulder. The air was silent except for the wheezing of Dreg’s dying body. The shadows lengthened under Victor’s eyes as he stepped back. Lily let out a long exhale before she pulled with her back and arms while forcing her foot down on Dreg’s shoulder. Red eyes flashed as tears flowed. Muscles burned before power flowed into them, making them stronger. Nyla fell to her knees, tears streaming down her cheeks and a mad smile on her lips.
Lily grunted and then shouted to the sky filled with comets as her body pulled and pushed. Bone cracked and flesh tore. Dreg’s eye widened as he gurgled a scream. Lily shouted louder, wanting the very gods to hear her power and pain. With one last long pull, a sickening wet crunch blanketed the area before the succubus ripped her father’s head from his shoulders.
Lily’s roar carried on with the wind as she held up her father’s severed head to the sky. Tears flowed like rivers as blood and sinew dripped and dangled from the head, one eye rolled up. When the roar fell to sobbing, Lily turned and walked toward her mother. Standing before her, she dropped her father’s head at Nyla’s knees. The pale red skinned demoness bowed her head to her daughter, laughing and sobbing.
“You’re the leader of our family. Don’t let this happen again,” Lily said with a dark tone to her mother.
Victor approached the women, gun blade sliding back into his wrist. Spending a Constitution point and the Body Repair ability, the swelling in his face melted away and the two teeth he lost grew back. Lily turned to see her friend healed, darkness and pain filling his eyes. Silently she stepped toward him before her body began to tremble. Victor held out his arms and the succubus fell into them. The couple sank down to the ground as Lily sobbed into his chest, clutching to Victor for dear life.
“I’m with you,” Victor said with a soothing tone as he held her close, the demon sobbing into the night.
***
“There is something I need you both to do,” Nyla said as they sat in the main room.
The three were outside for an hour until the sobbing dwindled away. Nyla was first to stand and touch Victor and Lily’s shoulders, beckoning them to come inside. The three left the corpse and head on the grass, imps from the nearby woods licking their lips before flying and crawling from their hiding spots toward their unexpected meal.
Inside, the three sat, not speaking for long moments as the freshness of what just happened remained in their hearts and minds. Victor was silent, looking to Lily and Nyla, ready to help with anything they needed. The psychic wounds of slaying a family member will stay for a long time. Despite being demons, the bonds of family were strong as they were with any other creature across the realms and beyond. The healing process was just beginning and Victor was ready to assist.
Nyla continued as she looked to Victor and Lily with hollow eyes, “Dreg…kept secrets in the basement. I was forbidden to go down there, but now that he is gone, I can’t bring myself to open the door.”
“We can investigate,” Lily said robotically.
“Anything to help,” Victor added.
Nyla nodded.
Lily looked to her mother, “When you tell the others, do not speak of Victor. If they have any vengeance, I want them to come to me.”
The older succubus shook her head, “They will not seek vengeance. You are the strongest of them and they will obey my words. I believe their hearts will be relieved.”
“What will you do now,” Victor asked.
Nyla smiled. “I will continue to run the farm. When the rest of the family returns, I will ask if any wish to assist me. There should be little disturbance in the normal farm routines.”
“Will you be okay?” Victor smiled.
Nyla bowed her head, “You are a sweet morsel. I will be fine. I only ask you to keep loving my daughter. She deserves a strong, kind man like you.”
“I will,” Victor said with a faint smile.
“Once we see what’s in the basement, we will have to leave,” Lily said with a low tone.
Nyla nodded. “You are performing Vala’s work. I would be foolish to stand in the way of such divine duty. I only ask you come to visit from time to time.”
“I will, Mother,” Lily said with heartfelt eyes.
Nyla stood up and walked toward the long hallway. Victor and Lily stood up and followed. Once the three of them were halfway down the hall, Nyla stood in front of the door covered in locks.
“I do not have the keys,” Nyla stated.
Victor pumped two points of Strength into his body. Muscles glowed with power as he moved to the door and took hold of the knob. With a strong pull; metal bent and wood cracked before the door came off its hinges. The Blade placed the door to the side as he looked down. There was a long stairwell going down and a warm light flickering at the bottom.
Bone sword sliding into Victor’s hand, he began his descent. Lily kissed her mother on the cheek before following the Blade down. Nyla gazed down at the pair until they reached the bottom and walked toward the flickering light. With a gentle sigh, she picked up the door and leaned it against the opening before walking down the hall.
The older succubus moved to a destroyed window and gazed out beyond jagged glass. A dozen imps gathered and feasted on Dreg’s corpse while his head lay five feet away, untouched. The little imps ripped and pulled demon flesh while some crunched on bones. Nyla grinned with silent serenity as she enjoyed the sounds of hungry imps devouring her late dead husband.
Rock walls surrounded Victor and Lily as they moved down the stone hallway. A warm light filled the end of the corridor as they moved with alert senses. Victor wasn’t sure what to expect as he stepped along, sword at the ready. When they reached the open doorway, a room opened up and lanterns glowed along the stony walls.
The pair stepped into the room, drinking in fine furniture, shelves stocked with wine and velvet cloth covering the entire floor. A fireplace glowed at the end and before it was a small statue of a succubus with outstretched arms. Victor immediately recognized it was Hexnia from his Vala’s vision. The mad smile and naked body were a near perfect replica of the goddess. Wings stretched out and her tail was curved to the side. At her feet was a large, wide bowl filled with red liquid.
Along the right and left, lumps of thick blankets began to shift. Victor aimed his bone sword as Lily’s staff appeared in her hand. The Blade and Shield watched as blankets fell away an
d naked bodies rose up, hands rubbing slumber from their eyes. Chains connected to the walls clinked as they moved from metal collars around their necks. Horns gleamed in the firelight as red, purple and pale skin glowed. Glowing red eyes opened to the two strangers. At first, a drip of fear touched them before heat washed over everyone’s senses. Small smiles and inquisitive looks filled the four succubi as they eyed the man and demoness at his side.
“Your father found four acolytes,” Victor said over his shoulder as his sword slipped back into his wrist.
“He bargained for us from different vendors,” a red skinned succubus said plainly.
“He promised us work on the farm. Instead, he chained us down here while he attempted to convert us to Hexnia,” a purple skinned one added.
“Vala showed us of your coming,” a pale skinned demoness smiled.
Victor stepped to one, reached down and touched her collar. Spending a point of Wisdom, he used his Transmutation ability to change the metal collar into paper before he ripped it off. The succubus smiled as the Blade moved to the other three, doing the same to each of their collars in turn.
A red succubus looked up as Victor gazed down with wide eyes. She reached up and touched his hand, giving it a squeeze of thanks.
“You’re even more handsome then in the visions,” the red one said with a razor grin.
Victor returned the smile before a bubbling noise filled the room. Heads turned to the large bowl, red liquid churning and bubbling. The small statue was motionless as the bubbling grew in intensity. Lumps rose up as pulses filled the bowl. The demon women crawled behind Victor and Lily as they faced it. High pitched giggles filled the cozy dungeon as horns rose up, followed by red hair and unblinking red eyes. A beautiful head surfaced and the giggling grew louder.
Victor was about to call a sword when the red head spoke.
“No need for weapons, Vala’s Blade. I assure you I’m not here to fight,” the head giggled.
“What’s this about, Hexnia.”
The head let out a mirthful laugh. “You know my name! How delightful that you are learning about us. All good Champions should know who their enemies…and allies are.”
“You’re Champion is dead,” Lily said with a hard edge.
The blood head tilted to the side and gave something of a resigned shrug, thin red shoulders appeared and sinking back into the red liquid. “It was honestly expected. He was a newly appointed Champion and I didn’t have that much faith he could take on Vala’s Blade. He needed more experience and time wasn’t on his side.”
“Then why bother with all of this? Why get Lily’s family involved,” Victor genuinely asked.
The horned head gave a tired smile, “It wasn’t my idea. Baaldir’s sick fascination with Vala has driven him to the brink of madness. He wants Vala and all who worship her dead. I am simply playing along because…it’s fun to watch.”
“Why are you showing yourself to us? You’re Champion is gone and we are here to save Vala’s acolytes. There is nothing left for you here,” Victor said with a curious edge.
Hexnia slowly blinked as she looked up to Victor, “I had to meet you for myself. Champions do not fare well against gods, but you managed to make an impression. As fun as it is to watch you drive my boyfriend crazy, I only wanted a few moments to chat so maybe we can see eye to eye.”
“We’re listening,” Lily growled.
Hexnia gave the succubus an innocent grin, “As you have experienced, there is an Elder Spawn by the name of Draygon loose among the realms. He is causing a concern among the pantheon and disrupting the failing harmony of each world.”
Lily crossed her arms, “We already know that.”
The demon goddess nodded, “Yes, but since Vala is dead and cannot fully see what is happening among the pantheon, I thought I might let out a few little secrets to Vala’s chosen. But if you think I’m wasting my time…”
Victor smirked. “No, please…continue.”
“Good boy,” Hexnia giggled before she continued, “Draygon is good at hiding himself between realms, but we do get glimpses of his growing power. From what is being said, he is looking to accelerate his growth by consuming Vala when she is resurrected.
“Despite what happened to Vala a long time ago, many of the pantheon feel it was under false pretenses and outright lies. Her absence has had an effect across the realms; that is why no other Champions are hunting you. If the other gods and goddesses wanted you dead, I’m afraid we would not be having this conversation.
“Baaldir on the other hand has his own plans. I, for one, am glad you killed my recent champion. It allows me to tell Baaldir I tried and failed. He will rant and rave, but not do more than that.”
The head of Hexnia bobbed as her smile faded and her giggles stopped. “As we all know, Draygon is a threat. Of all the realms, there is only one that can threaten his rise to power. From our seers and celestial connections across the realms, some have seen glimpses of Draygon’s next move. He has set his sights on a realm, Valis.”
“That was our next stop,” Victor said.
“It would seem Vala has somehow felt it too, even from beyond the grave. What I’m sure she hasn’t told you is his power is still growing and even an Elder Spawn can have enough power to take on a god. Valis is powerful, but they lack the numbers to fight the storm gathering on the horizon.
“The sands of time are running low and whispers of a realm war are on many lips. Draygon may light the match and I, for one, do not wish it to come to that. I like my lazy, cozy realm and I’d rather not see it in flames. When the time comes, Champions will come to your aid but for now, you are on your own.”
The red head bobbed for a moment before the sinister smile returned. “Before I leave, know that when Vala rises, I will ask for her forgiveness for what we did to her. To prove my heart is true, I have a gift.”
Before Hexnia’s face, a sword pommel rose up. Red liquid streamed and dripped down as the blade floated up from the bowl. Jagged runes covered the handle and winded up the metal blade before it finished emerging from the bloody bowl.
“I found the sword among my people and thought it best to hand it to you personally,” Hexnia grinned.
The sword floated until it hovered before Victor. Senses burned with heat as he felt Vala’s connection to it. Hand reaching out, he gripped the handle and turned the sword up. The red streams faded away as something connected to his spirit. With a mental command, the sword slid into his wrist and new tattoo appeared on his forearm, next to his other swords.
“It is a Cursed Blade. When you cut a foe, you will be able to manipulate them for a moment or two. Take it with my blessing and be sure to tell Vala, I miss her sexy ass.”
“Thank you,” Victor said in astonishment.
Looking down, Victor watched as the red head sank down into the bloody liquid and disappeared with a final bursting bubble.
“Even Hexnia is in awe of our crusade,” said one of the succubi.
Victor smiled before hands grabbed hold of his clothes and began to pull. The Blade turned to Lily as she pulled at his shirt. When it was flung aside, fingers grabbed at his belt buckle. The other succubi in the room looked to the Shield, eyes taking on a lustful hue.
“Gods, monsters and family, I’m sick of all of it,” Lily growled.
Victor didn’t fight as the succubus shoved him. The Blade fell to the thick blankets covering the floor, the fire crackling not far from his head. He had seen her in a frenzy of desire but this was different. It spoke of wanting comfort. When the last bits of clothes were pulled off, Victor lay naked before the demoness.
Lily pulled at her own clothes, nearly ripping them off. The other demons in the room crawled to Victor’s sides, sultry eyes on him and licking lips. Time turned into a hazy blur as Lily fell to her knees and crawled over the naked Victor. Breasts were pushed into his face as Lily took hold of his stiff cock and rubbed the tip against her dripping wet valley. The closeness was there, filling the
space between their bodies, but Lily’s eyes glowed red. Hands touched Victor’s naked flesh as the mood shifted to something dirty and needful.
Lily moved her hips, pressing down on Victor’s hard member. Wetness dripped down the shaft as she slowly impaled herself on him. Inches fit snugly into her womanhood as Victor took hold of her waist. The heat burned into a roaring fire as the succubus sank down to the base. Using Victor, hips moved as bliss bloomed. The other demons kissed and licked at the young man’s flesh, taking nibbles.
“Vala’s love heals all,” one succubus said before taking a playful bite.
“You all can have him when I’m done,” Lily said with authority.
Clouds of love and ecstasy floated through the Blade as Lily moved like a caged beast on him. She never broke the connection, red eyes drinking in his body while his hands helped her with the tempo. Victor sat up, holding the demon woman close. Lily curled her arms around his shoulders, pressing her face to his neck. Strong hands helped her along as she sat on his cock, moving her hips and squeezing his manhood with each tight stroke.
The succubi in the room turned on each other, spreading legs and burying faces in wet valleys. The scents and heat grew to intoxicating levels as bodies shuddered and throats moaned. Victor was lost to the storm, watching and whispering in his mind how beautiful the lilac-colored demoness was in his arms. Hard nipples pressed against his chest and around them, the soft warmth of her breasts furthered the connection. Hands cupping her round ass, he squeezed as she squeezed.
“I love you Victor,” Lily whispered.
“I love you Lily,” Victor said as their bodies continued to move to a primal song, hearts beating as one.
Fifteen
The fire burned low as Lily moaned, her body shuddering to another series of orgasms. Victor had the succubus on all fours, driving himself deep as her tail caressed his chest. Four succubi lay in a heap, eyes closed and breathing heavy from hours of getting to know the Blade and Shield. The private party was a tapestry of bodies blending together with flashes of bliss and moaning songs.