Cookie: Already planning to be a world power again?
Zayn: Hell, it was going to happen anyways.
Johnist: True enough.
Zayn: Anyways, I’ve picked up some new toys, so I’ll be distributing a few goodies when we all meet.
Ruva: Oooh, Presents!
Zayn: Lol. Nothing much, but I’ll be giving everyone a Slave Collar and a Thrall Collar. That will allow you to go and claim a slave and a servant. Just make sure that anyone you collar is either willing, or did something stupid, like attacking us, so we have justification.
I logged out of the guild chat, and left Hrozne while I went over to where my new slaves were kneeling (as I’d ordered them to). Stopping in front of Enania, I grinned a wolf’s grin, and said, “I believe it is time to show you why it is a bad idea to get mouthy with me, girl.”
Gritting her teeth, knowing what was about to happen, but not having any way to stop it, Enania obeyed my commands as I ordered her to stand, strip naked, and then turn around and bend over. She was looking directly into the face of Vashti as I removed my clothes, but couldn’t see, since I forbade her from looking back. So all she knew was that something had shocked Vashti and the other slaves quite badly.
Then, as promised, I shoved myself inside her tight ass without any lube, and the screaming began.
********************
The next morning, I was quite relaxed. Enania, on the other hand, was still doing her best not to whimper any time someone or something touched her ass. So of course I had all the slaves give her a hard spank before she pulled on her clothes (and realized that a thong back was not good for times like this). But she assured me, with equal fear and resentment, that she’d learned her lesson.
Once everyone was geared up, I opened the portal, and took us through to the Dark Shrine in Mylenoris. We were certainly a sight to see, since the last time I’d been here, we hadn’t come in with a squad of drow slaves following us. I’m fairly certain I made an impression, as I saw one person run off, probably to spread the word.
The head of this shrine looked at me, and shook his head. “Wonders never cease, Sir Darkmore. I assume that all these are yours?”
“Mostly. And the one who does not belong to me has joined my guild, before we pass on through, however, there are some matters I’d like to discuss, as my battles have taken me to level 40.”
“Ah, then you wish to gain your advanced class, and find your racial advancement quest, yes?”
“Indeed, for myself and for those in my train who qualify.”
The warlock looked over my slaves, and shook his head. “The racial quest I can unlock for all those who are level 40, but most of your train will need to go to other trainers for their advanced classes, as they do not walk the path you do.”
“I understand. Shall we start with the racial quest?”
New Quest!
Trial of Ascension
When one has grown in power, the gods offer a chance for those who are willing to undergo the Trials of Ascension, allowing them to ascend to a more advanced version of the race they were born into. The Trial is different for every individual, and be warned that, once accepted, the Trial may never be offered again if failed except by decree of the gods.
Rank
C
Success
Complete the Trial of Ascension.
Failure
Fail to complete the Trial of Ascension.
Reward
Race change to an advanced race based upon your original race.
Consequence
Race change locked. Retrials not permitted.
I accepted the trial, and commanded all my followers to do so, as well.
You have accepted the Trial of Ascension. When next you sleep, your consciousness will be drawn to the arena where you will undergo your personal trial.
I nodded happily. That would solve a good many problems. Now, to check out the advanced classes available to me.
Warlock Advanced Classes
Based on your abilities and playstyle, the following Warlock advanced classes are available to you:
Twilight Master – A Twilight Master is an expert in dark magics. Through constant study, they unlock both Dark Magic, and the magics of the Nine Hells, allowing them to use devastating attacks.
Hexblade – For those Warlocks who wish to engage in close combat as well as magic, the Hexblade focuses on combining blades and magic. Though they are lacking in long range or area attacks, their Hex ability can quickly bring the strongest foe to their knees with crippling debuffs.
Demon Tamer – Able to summon and enslave demons to their will, Demon Tamers are some of the most feared individuals in the world. Though rare, Demon Tamers, like Necromancers, can change the shape of a battle in ways not even a Flame Sorcerer’s most terrible fire attack may do.
Demoncaller – A Demoncaller does not actually summon demons (well, not often). They do, however, call upon demons, and infuse themselves and others with their power, a painful (and permanent) corruption of their true form that grants great boons, but at a terrible price.
I looked up at the trainer (Althan, wasn’t it?), and said, “Can you tell me more about this ‘Demoncaller’ class? I have a good idea of the other ones, but I’ve not heard anything about Demoncallers before.”
Althan visibly paled as he heard my words. “You were offered the power of a Demoncaller? Yes, you seem to be gathering a great deal of followers, very quickly, so it would make sense.” He sighed, and said, “Demoncallers infuse their followers with the power of demons. This increases their strength and resilience, naturally, as well as different abilities depending on the type of demon called, so one might think it a great boon. But to do this, you must corrupt the follower’s form in a process that causes unimaginable anguish, and will forever mark them as something ‘other’ than what they were.”
“The risks to such a power are great. If you are infused with a demon’s power, you risk possession by that demon. In areas where the boundaries between worlds are thin, possession is almost a certainty. If you should ever meet the demon called upon in the flesh, the follower’s soul will likely be consumed, as it would whenever the follower dies, even the brief death you Travelers face. And then the demon will move in to the follower’s body, until they no longer have a use for it.”
Yukiko looked over at me, and said, “Master, that sounds… really bad.”
I nodded, and said, “And you said that this is a permanent effect? Is the soul the promised payment for a piece of the demon’s power, then?”
“Indeed it is. So one who has been ‘gifted’ by a Demoncaller will likely have great power in the world, but they will lead a cursed existence from that day forward, until the time that the demon finally comes to claim their soul.” Althan sighed, and said, “For some, the sacrifice is worth it for the benefits in pursuing their goals. For others, the choice is made for them when their Demoncaller master decides his path to power is more important than his followers. Few of those who are bestowed with power from a Demoncaller lead happy lives, and fewer still have no regrets when the demon comes for their soul.”
“Is there a way to gain the power without selling the soul of one of my followers?”
“You would need something the demon holds in equal value to their soul, most likely the soul of another. But remember that demons are tricky beings, and will try to subvert the follower anyway in order to gain two souls rather than just one.”
“Well, fuck.” What was I going to choose?
s="sharethis-inline-share-buttons">share
Rules-Free VRMMO Life: Volume IV: To the Deeps Page 9