by Daniel, Jake
The queen shrugged and smiled shyly. “If need be, but I just spent the last couple of hours cultivating. I feel like I’ve brought in enough pure spirit to keep the tainted spirit out.”
I nodded. “All right then. I’ll head over with Alysain first. Then, once I give the signal, Isobel, Gwen, and Dahlia will come over. Now, grab your weapons and keep your stations manned. If this ship is attacked for any reason, I want you to sail back to Necross. Don’t wait up, but get back and let the others know.”
Everyone nodded and immediately began preparations. I knew that no matter what I did, it was going to be a tough task to find and rescue my brother. I felt better knowing that I’d have the skills of my bonded on my side.
The ship rocked violently to one side as it broke free of the sticky goop below. I turned to Fapplejack for a last-minute check in. "Try to hold the ship as close as possible, without putting the ship in danger. Remember, if you’re attacked, I want you to do everything in your power to make it back to Aurilon. You’re much better suited to fight off attackers there than if you stay out here."
I turned back to Alysain and lifted my arms out to my sides. "Time to go for a ride." I paused as all my bonded stood together. They each looked like goddesses. I could feel the strengths of their cores when they were this close to me. From them being near, I could feel strength beyond what I normally was capable of.
Alysain moved behind me, pressing her ample chest up against my back as she wrapped her arms around my chest. She leaned forward and her warm breath drifted past my ear. "Ready?"
Chapter Twenty-One
"Yes, let's do this." I helped Jun into my leather chest armor and she tucked herself inside with her head peeking out near my sternum.
With a slight bend of her knees, Alysain shot up off of the deck, pulling us up along with her. She was incredibly strong despite her stature, and she didn't even have to readjust me in her arms as she rose higher in the air. I was sure, at the very least, that she had gained another rank in strength since we bonded.
While she carried me through the air I scanned the water, ensuring that I wasn't missing anything. After several minutes of the same murky water below, I spotted the first signs of land. Several boulders jutted out from the sea, a few at first, followed by several smaller ones and finally giving way to a long rocky beach. As we neared, the suffocating fog began to lift, and I was able to make out a large forest ahead of us.
Alysain swooped down and glided only feet from the ground. My boots grazed the rocks below as she slowed and sat me down gently. I looked around, impressed at the detail in which I could see the landscape now. I swore I could see the individual pine needles on a tree over twenty yards away. I spoke quietly as we positioned ourselves behind a large boulder. “Thank you, Alysain. My new Aspect of the Griffon skill is amazing. The amount of detail I can see is overwhelming.”
She laughed quietly and nodded. “Wait until you increase ranks. You’ll be able to see through the eyes of others.”
“Wait, what?” I blinked a few times and then refocused on the griffon. “Are you able to see through my eyes?”
“Now I can, because we are bonded. Before we bonded I couldn’t see through your eyes. I was only Master rank in Aspect of the Griffon. However, now I’m Grand Master rank. It has opened a whole other realm of possibilities that I’d only ever heard stories about.”
“I’m going to need to rank it up quickly then. That could be an incredibly useful skill for hunting, and our safety in general.”
Alysain nodded. “Yes, I agree. Although, it may take some time before you’re able to control it.”
Jun scanned the area in front of us and nodded. “I can’t wait to try it out as well. I’m amazed at how much my vision improves just by transferring your skill to me.”
I’d almost forgotten that the queen was able to utilize my skills just by touching me. It reminded me that we should use my Camouflage skill that I got from Shah and Cress. “Jun, transfer this next skill so you and I can do a little scouting before Alysain brings the others over.”
Jun nodded and within seconds we faded into the surrounding trees. I stepped forward and placed my hand on Alysain’s arm. “Please be careful bringing the others over. Bail if you need to, and take them back to the ship at any sign of danger.”
Alysain nodded and studied me for several seconds before launching back into the sky. Her strong wings barely made a sound as she propelled herself higher.
I did a quick check of my weapons to ensure I hadn’t lost anything on the way over. I still had my rifle strapped to my back, my hunting knife, and James’s silver sword. Inside my bag I still had a few potions that Dahlia had given me, along with a few rounds for my rifle, some bandages, and the scroll that was in my grandfather’s chest.
As Alysain disappeared, Jun and I moved up along the shore, avoiding several jagged rock formations that looked very similar to sharpened stalagmites. As we moved farther from the water, a thick layer of soft grass covered the entire area.
Jun fluttered up and landed on my shoulder and spoke softly. “The tainted spirit is so strong here. I’m surprised it really hasn’t started to affect me.”
I could feel the strands of tainted spirits trying to enter my core the second we landed, and knew that the place was swarming with the stuff without even using my Sight skill to confirm. I responded as quietly as I could. “So exactly what effect does the tainted spirit have on fairies?”
Jun turned her head and gave me a smirk. “Well, it definitely doesn’t have the same effect on any of the other inhabitants of Aurilon.” She paused and looked thoughtfully. “Let me think about how to phrase this. It triggers an overwhelming breeding urge in fairies. What you saw earlier while we were in Necross, that is definitely not normal fairy behavior.” She shook her head and blushed.
I smiled and nodded. “I see. So, I imagine there was plenty of tainted spirit around after the Great War. Is that why you took the other fairies and went underground?”
“Exactly. And without anyone worth bonding to, I didn’t want any of my fairies or myself taking that risk. Bonding with the wrong one can lead to the extinction of the Nightwillow fairies. We are so interconnected that every choice we make can affect the others. We made the decision as a group to come back.”
“I find it a bit strange that you decided to come with me then. I’m sure it would’ve been much safer to stay at the Heart of the Vale to avoid as much tainted spirit as possible.”
Jun nodded. “Yes, safer for the time being, but for how long. You know as well as I do that action must be taken in order to bring Aurilon back to the state it needs to be in to thrive. That is why I came. Also, you’re the rightful king of Aurilon, and I believe you have the ability to lead Aurilon out of the darkness.”
“Well, I won’t stop until I make things right here. I am glad to have you along to support that endeavor. I just hope the tainted spirit doesn’t end up getting you hurt.”
Jun leaned over and kissed my cheek. “I’m going to apologize ahead of time. I’ll try to fight it off as long as possible, but if you need to stick me back inside your armor, I’ll understand.”
I could tell she was being genuine and had a valid point about the tainted spirit. If we don’t stop the spread, it will only be a matter of time before it spreads across Aurilon. We had been able to purify and keep most of it away from the manor so far, but that was only going to be possible while the pure spirit was still stronger than anything else. “All right, Jun bug, just stay close and let me know if it becomes too overwhelming. You’ll be safe close to my chest.”
“Jun bug? I love that.” She giggled and kissed me again. “You have a deal. Thank you so much for protecting me.” She paused and glanced away. “Although, I fear you may have to protect yourself from me as well if that spirit consumes my core again. I think you are quite attractive and would make an ideal partner to bond with. I can’t promise I’ll be able to keep my hands… or other parts… off of you for l
ong.”
I smiled and nodded. “That’s okay, I’ll understand.”
Jun lifted up into the air and circled a few times before lowering in front of my face and giving me a small kiss. “Thank you.” Her eyes flashed with a slight purple hue and ran her hand slowly down from her neck over her breasts continuing between her legs before she looked up and shook her head, as if clearing whatever scene she’d been building in her mind a second earlier. She laughed shyly and worked her way back inside my leather chest armor. With her head peeking out the top she called up to me. “I’ll just preemptively stay here. Just in case.”
I quietly scouted the area around us while we waited for the others to arrive. I braced myself on a tree as I peered into the distance. The second my skin touched the bark it sizzled and a small wisp of smoke rose from my hand. It wasn't until I pulled my hand up to inspect the damage that the pain arrived.
What had originally felt soft and comforting had left behind something so vicious that for the first time, I considered ending my own life.
I held my hand close to my chest and buried it inside my chest armor and to my soft undershirt. Jun quickly pressed herself onto my hand and whispered something under her breath. Within seconds, tight strands of pure spirits wrapped around the fairy queen and slowly made their way to my core. The tingling finally died down after several seconds and I regained movement in my fingers and eventually in my hand. When I pulled it back out, everywhere my skin had touched the grass was glowing bright purple.
My mind instantly assumed the worst, that I had somehow filled my core with tainted spirit again. I could feel deep inside that that wasn't the case, though. I closed my eyes and focused on my glowing hand. Unfortunately, all of my healing skills were too low level to repair the wound, but thanks to Jun, the pain disappeared and within a few seconds my wound was nearly healed.
A woman's voice called out from somewhere in the distance. "He's close. Come on, follow me, he can't be far. Hello? Hello?" Her voice trailed off and it seemed like she’d lost her backup.
I remembered what Alysain said earlier about the dhampir having the ability to teleport on their island and froze. I didn't want to risk not making my move before I lost the chance, so as soon as she came within reach I pulled out my sword and caught the unsuspecting woman as she searched for her partner. "Don't fucking move." I pressed my blade up against her back so she knew I was armed.
She was a very fit woman with long-flowing dark violet hair. Her tight-fitting dress was v-cut all the way down to right above her navel accentuating her well-toned stomach. Her dress reflected the light and almost looked like snake skin.
She lifted her hands in the air and froze. "Don't do anything you may regret in a few minutes. Surely we can work out some sort of arrangement." Her sultry voice didn't convey any sort of nervousness. She craned her neck slowly to look at me. "Hmm, Cyprian was right, you really did show up. What are the odds?" She licked her lips and gave me a small smirk.
"Where is he?"
The light reflected off the perfect swell of her breasts as she shifted in my grasp. "Clearly you have no idea what you just walked into. You better hurry, time is running out." She smiled and without as much as a small snap, she disappeared in front of our eyes.
“Where did she go?” I asked and kept my knife held at the ready. I closed my eyes and used my Sight, but the only signs of life were mine and Jun’s, all signs of the beautiful woman were absent.
Jun climbed out of my armor and hovered in front of me. “I’m not completely positive, but I believe that was a shifter dhampir.” She made a revolution around me as she searched the area and stopped as she faced me. “She had the ability to teleport, so there is no telling where she could be now, or who she may be bringing back with her.”
After several minutes, it was beginning to look like the dhampir woman had not decided to bring reinforcements. We were on their land, though, and chances were incredibly high that they were already watching us. I kept my back covered and strategically placed myself so I could see as much around me as possible.
I heard the flapping of wings as Alysain landed a short distance away, setting Gwen down gently. She looked up at me and my face must've given me away, because her entire demeanor changed. "What happened?"
"I found a woman who was walking along the shoreline. Jun thinks that she was a dhampir shifter.”
Gwen looked around and shrugged. “Well, whatever we do, we need to do it quickly."
Alysain nodded. "Oh yeah, I'm sure whatever they have planned for your brother is already well underway. I’ve heard dhampir love games, be prepared for them to lure you into one."
"Lure me into a game? To find my brother? Why wouldn't they just get it over with already and turn him, or kill him, or whatever else they could get away with?"
Gwen slung a bag over her shoulder and chuckled. "What would be the fun in that? If I didn't love living and breathing, and being bonded to you, I'd volunteer to be one of these dhampir in a heartbeat.”
Alysain shook her head and prepared to lift back off into the sky. "Just please be careful. I will be right back with the others."
Gwen joined my side and we watched as Alysain launched up into the sky. "Well, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't intrigued about what sort of games they have in store for us."
A woman’s voice came from behind us. "Oh? I am so happy that you said that. Does that mean you’re our first volunteer?"
Gwen and I lifted our weapons simultaneously. A new dhampir appeared with wild white hair and blood-red eyes. A wide smile rose across her face as I swung my arm forward to slash at her with my sword. She blinked out of sight for a brief second, reappearing a second later behind Gwen.
Gwen spun and brought her arm forward but the dhampir woman caught it midway and easily disarmed her. Gwen swept her strong leg under the dhampir’s legs taking both of them to the ground. She rolled on top of the woman and pinned her under her weight. "I'm not volunteering for shit." I hurried forward and grabbed the dhampir's legs so she would stop kicking.
Another figure appeared a few feet away. It was the same woman that I’d seen earlier, except this time she had a long snake-like body which had dark purple and violet scales stretching from her waist to the coiled body behind her. From the armor around her waist up to her head she had the body of a human. "Elega, are you going to leave some fun for the rest of us? The festivities are about to begin."
Gwen's head shot up and she furrowed her brow. "Are you a lamia, and a dhampir?"
"I’m actually a shifter. I just prefer this lamia form." She glanced down at her tail and swept it forward a couple feet over the ground and knocked both Gwen and I from the woman on the ground.
Elega spun up off the ground and joined the snake-woman's side. "Luna, look at them, their cores are so… full."
Luna shook her head. “No, we must wait. Cyprian was explicit. We are not to injure anyone that arrives, especially this one.” She nodded toward me. “He said that this one is the Huntsman. We’ve been expecting him.” She turned her focus back on me. “Now, if you will please follow me, I will take you to speak with my brother.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
I felt Jun sink deeper inside my armor so she wouldn’t be seen. I knew that was the smartest thing she could probably do at the moment. I just hoped Alysain would see the two dhampir before she lowered herself or the others into the situation. “Your brother?”
Luna nodded slowly and kept her eyes focused on mine. “Yes, the King of Darkholm Cyprian Duradel. I believe he has a proposal for you.” She turned and motioned for us to follow. “Come on, and don’t try anything. We know these forests better than anyone, you won’t get far if you try to run.” Elega followed after brushing herself off and giving me a small smile.
I exchanged a quick glance with Gwen and nodded. “Stick close to me.”
Gwen stepped closer and stayed by my side. “Don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere.”
As Jun moved within
range, I spoke to her under my breath. “Stay hidden, Bug, no matter what. Keep using that Camouflage skill as long as possible.”
Jun kept her focus ahead and nodded. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be right here.”
Several sounds rose around us as we moved through the forest. Shushed laughter swept eerily through the trees before being drowned out by the sound of the ocean in the distance behind me.
After a long trudge through the forest I lost sight of both women. I stopped and moved slowly in a circle. It felt as if I’d lost the trail of a game animal I’d been tracking.
Finally, after several minutes, Luna’s voice drifted from somewhere ahead of us. "Your time has started. There's no time like the present to begin. By this exact time tomorrow, your friends will be dhampir. Seek out the festival, earn your brother’s freedom." Luna's airy voice drifted around me like a ghost.
I glanced behind me for a brief moment before turning back to Gwen. I knew that Alysain would be arriving back with the others soon and the last thing I wanted was for them to be captured.
Luna reappeared in front of me by herself. "Don't worry, we'll take good care of them."
"Why are you doing this?"
She laughed and shook her head. "Do you have any idea how strong blood from Pure Cores is?"
"Pure Cores?"
"You, your brother, anyone who either of you have bonded with? Blood from you can sustain Darkholm for months."
"So, you plan to capture everyone I've bonded with and what, kill them and drain them of their blood?"
Luna smirked and ran her hand down along the trunk of a tall evergreen tree. "Hmm, something like that. We already know more of your bonded are on their way here. We will be ready to… receive them. We have others stationed throughout the island to… keep an eye on any developments. Don't try anything heroic, and there’s a chance Cyprian will show mercy." She stepped to the side and motioned toward the ground. She disappeared again, but this time I felt pressure on my chest as if a hand were tracing its way down to my belt. I was pulled forward and I felt a hand wrap over my cock from outside my pants.