by Tamryn Tamer
“We can,” Theia said. She gestured at Jinx and the five women. “They can’t. If they attempt to pass through this portal without a light barrier, their bodies will be eradicated. These prisons are ancient and utilize dark magic.”
“So why are we even here?” Jinx said angrily. “You dragged us all the way out here to find a new familiar and you’re going to leave us behind? Asshole! Bastard!”
“I tried to tell you back at home,” Theia said nervously.
“Technically you asked to come with,” Jericho said.
“That was before we knew we couldn’t come inside! Tricksters! Rogues!” Jinx growled.
“Yeah!” Kadra slammed her long spear into the ground. “What are we supposed to do while you’re in there having all the fun?”
“We can scout,” offered Freya. “We can take turns scouring the area to sense if anybody is coming.”
“What’s the point?” Rela laughed while plucking her bowstring. “It’s not as though we can warn them if enemies arrive.”
“Practice,” The silver-haired Freya growled at the snarky red-haired woman. “You four are getting awfully arrogant lately.”
“We’re just so full of energy!” Sirun said swinging her large axe. “I can’t remember the last time I felt so full of energy! I feel like I can take on the world!”
“Says the runt,” laughed the brown-haired Avara while leaning on her large claymore.
“You can all do what you want,” Jinx said huffily. “I’m going to take a nap. And you better not wake me up! Mongrels. Mutts.”
“Don’t be angry,” Jericho said patting Jinx’s head. “We’ll be back before you know it.”
“You better!” Jinx growled. “I could be at home in a nice comfy bed. Moron. Dolt.”
“Let’s go,” Jericho said to Theia while approaching the dark portal. “I want to get out of this region as quickly as possible.”
“I understand,” Theia said coating herself in light magic. “Follow me.”
Theia vanished into the black portal and Jericho followed behind. He felt an intense pressure as he walked into the darkness like he was gradually going deeper underwater. He stepped forward blindly in the darkness unsure of whether he was even moving.
He continued to walk, at least he thought he was walking but since he could neither feel nor hear anything, he wasn’t quite sure. He started to wonder if he’d stopped moving and called out to Theia, but nothing came out. He knew he spoke, or did he?”
“Jericho,” Theia said as he emerged in a stone hallway. “I was beginning to get worried.”
“So was I,” Jericho said shivering. “That was uncomfortable.”
“You get used to it,” Theia answered. “You just have to keep moving. The problem is the forgetfulness.”
“Forgetfulness?” Jericho asked.
“Sometimes people forget where they are or where they’re going and just stop,” Theia answered. “And since the dark is nothing, and time is something, they can end up there for a very long time before they remember.”
“Shouldn’t you have warned me about that?” Jericho scoffed. “I mean, I started to wonder if I was even moving.”
“I’m sorry,” Theia shuffled uncomfortably. “Are you angry with me? I thought that telling you might cause you to needlessly worry. I had complete faith that you’d make it through.”
“It’s fine,” Jericho said shuddering as he looked back at the black portal. “Just try to give me more information next time.”
“Okay,” Theia said. “I’ll do my best.”
“So,” Jericho looked around the large stone hallway. The only exit other than the portal they came through was a large wooden door on the far end of the hall. “I assume that’s the room.”
“Yes,” Theia said nervously. “Master, I believe I should warn you that Nyxian’s are extremely dangerous. Thousands of years ago they attempted to erase all life. I do not believe that releasing one is a wise decision.”
“I don’t see much choice,” Jericho smiled while walking past Theia. “This woman is the first lead on dark magic I’ve found other than the Fallen. And I’m certainly not allowed to have a Fallen familiar.”
“You most certainly aren’t,” Theia agreed. “It’s our duty to eradicate them.”
“So, let’s get to it,” Jericho said arriving at the large wooden door. He looked around for a handle, “How do you open it?”
“You knock,” Theia said tapping three times on the door. “And wait.”
“Wait?” Jericho looked at her puzzled as the door flung open. Standing in front of him was an irritated-looking woman with white skin and glowing red eyes. She looked Jericho up and down suspiciously and then rolled her eyes at Theia. Jericho smiled awkwardly, “Hello.”
“What do you want?” the petite woman asked. She was wearing what appeared to be a bikini made of metal and silk. She looked at Theia, “I can’t imagine you’re here for a friendly visit.”
“I actually am,” Jericho said assuredly. Her appearance was a bit unnerving to Jericho at first but slowly it grew on him. She almost looked like a fairy in physique but without the wings. The glowing red-eyes were simultaneously frightening and beautiful, like a blood moon. “I wanted to meet a Nyxian.”
“And who are you?” the pale woman asked. “Since you were able to enter this prison, I assume you’re either a mage or paladin.”
“I’m a mage,” Jericho said. But he was unable to ignore the mention of a paladin. “Paladin’s can learn light magic?”
“Oh,” the Nyxian rolled her eyes. “You’re a stupid mage! Now the reason for your visit is making more sense.”
“My master is not stupid,” Theia said defensively.
“Master?” the Nyxian sighed. “Now things are really starting to make sense. Well, come in. I don’t really get visitors and beggars can’t be choosers.”
“Thanks,” Jericho said walking into the large room. It was easily the size of his own penthouse although much more utilitarian. A king bed, dresser, and closet were on one side of the room while an enormous wall of books was on the other. The room was windowed but they only looked out into the darkness. “Nice place.”
“Yes,” the Nyxian said while walking over to a small table suitable for four people and taking a seat. She snapped her fingers and a tea set appeared along with a plate of biscuits, “It grows on you after the first few hundred years. Anyway, I assume this visit isn’t sanctioned by the Choir?”
“Not exactly,” Theia said nervously.
“I assume you advised him against meeting me,” she said looking at Theia judgmentally.
“That’s correct,” Theia answered.
“And yet here you are,” the Nyxian sighed. “Your names?”
“Right,” Jericho said. “I’m Jericho, this is Theia.”
“I’m Sable,” she said politely. “Now that the pleasantries are out of the way, what do you want?”
“Would you like to get out of here?” Jericho decided to get straight to the point. “If you become my familiar…”
“No thanks,” Sable said coldly. “I like my room.”
“What?” Jericho said taken back. “But you’re a prisoner.”
“Yet compared to the world, it’s better,” Sable said. “I assume Theia told you why the Nyxian’s were all locked away?”
“Trying to destroy the world,” Jericho said.
“Did she tell you why?” the red-eyed beauty asked.
“The reasons are irrelevant,” Theia said. “You tried to erase life.”
“Not just life,” Sable sighed dejectedly. “Pain, suffering, hatred, abuse, murder, and all of the things life brings. We did the math. Life is a net loss to the universe. If we eliminate it, we’re actually improving conditions. It’s the right thing to do.”
“Really?” Jericho said suddenly interested. “So, you’d be prepared to get rid of all of the positives?”
“We did the math,” Sable insisted. “And we found life wanting.
Nothingness is better.”
“Nyxian’s are immortal,” Theia said to Jericho. “Because of immortality they see and experience loss, pain, and suffering far more frequently than other creatures. This taints their view.”
“Ah,” Jericho said as things started to make sense.
“We have an objective view,” Sable corrected. “We believe in love, hope, happiness, and all of the beauty life brings. But we do not let them blind us to the evils. For every instance of love, there are a thousand instances of hatred. For every instance of hope, there are dozens of instances of hopelessness. For every moment of happiness, there are thousands of instances of sadness. For every instance of beauty, there are hundreds of instances of ugliness. Even you Seraphim, does one instance of love outweigh your hatred of the Fallen?”
“Yes,” Jericho answered for Theia. “You’re measuring wrong.”
“Excuse me?” Sable said affronted. “How so?”
“Imagine a sack of rocks and a sack of feathers,” Jericho said. “Each weighing one pound.”
“I’ve heard this riddle before,” Sable sighed. “They weigh the same.”
“Yes,” Jericho chuckled. “But which bag has a higher quantity of items? Yes, there are a thousand instances of hatred for one instance of love, but those thousand instances weigh a pound and that one instance of love weighs two.”
“And how many laughs equate to murder? How many smiles equate to a heartbreak?” Sable countered. “Does one person’s love weigh more than another person’s love? Yes, humans are wonderful at finding justifications for whatever they want but the truth of the universe is that it’s a horrible place full of pain and suffering. With that in mind, I prefer my room. It’s much nicer. I get to sing, dance, read, listen to music, write poetry, gaze into the abyss, I’m content here.”
“Content,” Jericho chuckled. “But are you happy?”
“I’m not sad,” Sable answered.
“That’s not what I asked,” Jericho stared into her fiery eyes. “I asked if you’re happy.”
“I’m aware,” Sable said rolling her eyes. “And I’m aware of how this conversation will progress. I’ll tell you I’m not happy and you’ll say that out there I can be happy. You’ll sell me on the promise of joy, love, and laughter while delivering sadness, hatred, and tears. Tell me I’m wrong.”
“You’re wrong,” Jericho said. “I plan on delivering what I’m selling.”
“I’m sure you do,” Sable sighed. “Humans are always so confident. Unfortunately, that same confidence is why you create so much pain and suffering. Always so sure of yourselves, even when you’re wrong, especially when you’re wrong.”
“Master,” Theia shook her head. “You’ll never convince her to be your familiar. We should leave.”
“I wouldn’t say never,” Sable said pensively. “There is one thing you could do to get me to join you.”
“Really?” Jericho leaned in curiously. “What might that be?”
“You’d never go for it,” Sable said coyly.
“Try me,” Jericho grinned.
“You’d just have to do one little thing,” Sable smiled. “Help me eradicate the world.”
“That’s not very fair,” Jericho laughed. “If I help you erase everything from existence then you wouldn’t be my familiar. Neither of us would be anything at all.”
“That’s what it would take,” Sable said smugly. “I have no intention of ever returning to that world unless I know that I can ease its suffering. I’ll just stay here singing, dancing, and reading for eternity.”
“Master,” Theia said. “This is what I warned you about. Nyxians really only have one desire.”
“How about a compromise?” Jericho asked mischievously.
“Master!” Theia objected.
“What do you have in mind?” Sable asked curiously.
“A bet,” Jericho said. “One year. You become my familiar for a year. If at the end of the year you still feel that life isn’t worth saving, I’ll help you erase it.”
“Master!” Theia slammed her hands down on the table. “You will make no such agreement! We are leaving!”
“You can’t win,” Sable laughed. “Listen, while I enjoy the optimism of humans, you cannot change my mind. You will lose. The Seraphim already tried to convince us that life was worth saving. What do you think you can show me in one year that I didn’t see in my thousands?”
“My perspective,” Jericho said cockily. “What do you say?”
“One year,” Sable said standing up. She looked at Jericho suspiciously. “Let me think.”
The petite woman sashayed around the room, stopping to spin every now and then.
“What are you doing?” Jericho asked as she leaned against a wall and stared at the ceiling like some sort of delinquent. She ignored him and sat in front of the window while staring out into the void. After taking several other poses throughout the room, she returned to the table.
“How do I know you will keep your word?” She asked. “You could always lock me away again before the year is up. Humans can be extremely deceitful.”
“Theia,” Jericho looked to his angelic familiar. “Will I keep my word?”
“Yes,” Theia whispered. “My master will keep his word.”
“Well,” Sable said. “I can’t ignore it if a Seraphim vouches for you. You have one year to convince me that existence is worth saving. If you can’t, you will help me eradicate it.”
“Master,” Theia glared at Jericho. “You better win.”
“Theia,” Jericho smiled cockily. “Do you doubt me?”
“The arrogance of humans never ceases to amaze me but it seems we have a deal,” Sable said as she cheerfully skipped to the bed. As soon as she was on top, she removed her ornate brassier revealing her pale breasts and light pink nipples. She unhooked the clasp holding her skirt and tossed it on the floor. She bounced several times on the bed, “Coming?”
“Uh,” Jericho was dumbfounded as the petite beauty began adjusting pillows to make herself comfortable. “I know I’m going to regret saying this, but binding to me doesn’t exactly require…”
“I’m aware,” Sable interrupted. “I know all about familiars and binding ceremonies. But I’ve been trapped here for over a thousand years. While a kiss might do for you, I need more. I miss being touched and loved. Consider it your first step in convincing me the world is worth saving.”
“Oh,” Jericho grinned as he started to unbutton his mages coat. “Are you asking me to fuck you like the fate of the world depends on it?”
“I suppose I am,” Sable teased.
“Master,” Theia chided. “Can’t we do this later? The others are waiting for us.”
“That’s a good point,” Jericho glanced at Sable resting naked on her side, rubbing the bedding, beckoning him to come. Jericho quickly finished unbuttoning his coat, “On the other hand. We never really said how long it would take.”
“I don’t know why you’re just standing there,” Sable said to Theia. “You’re joining in. Take off your dress.”
“Shouldn’t you be more eager to leave this place?” Theia asked while obediently sliding off her gown.
“Eager to join the world of murder and mayhem?” Sable chuckled. “No. In fact, I’m kind of dreading it. Which is why I’d like to experience something pleasant before entering that evil infested rathole.”
“Gotta say,” Jericho said climbing into bed next to the slender beauty. “Your dirty talk could use some work. Evil infested rathole isn’t doing much for me.”
“Right,” Sable said pressing her hand against Jericho’s naked chest. She let out a pleased sigh, “You’re so warm. I’d forgotten how warm other people are. I’ve missed this.”
“Wait until you meet Mirage,” Jericho offered while placing his hand on her naked thigh. She was a bit cold compared to any of his other familiars. “She’s like a furnace. You’ll want to sleep next to her for hours.”
“Your dirty talk cou
ld use some work as well,” Sable said moving her hand down to his abs. “Hasn’t anybody told you it’s impolite to talk about other women?”
“They have actually,” Jericho chuckled nervously. “But I keep forgetting.”
“Your pants,” Sable ran her fingers along his belt and undid the buckle. “Take them off.”
“If that’s what makes you happy,” Jericho teased.
“Funny,” Sable said. “But you know sex isn’t going to convince me to spare the world.”
“You haven’t had sex with me yet,” Jericho grinned as he kicked off his pants revealing his cock. He pulled the slim woman close to him and could feel her heart pounding against his chest. “You’re certainly excited.”
“Yes,” Sable said sardonically. “It’s all you. Not being touched in over a thousand years has nothing to do with it.”
“Well,” Jericho leaned in and kissed her shoulder. He moved his hand down her side to her tight ass. “I’m certainly excited to be touching you.”
“There it is,” Sable chuckled. “I guess you do know proper bedroom talk.”
“I know a lot of things,” Jericho smiled while pushing her gently onto her back as his lips kissed down her collar bone before moving onto her nipple. The way she responded to every peck and touch made him want to explore every inch of her body. He imagined comparing her reaction to him licking her hard nipple to his hand squeezing her ass. She was thoroughly enjoying every bit of contact, “You are just addicting.”
“Thank you,” Sable moaned as Jericho’s tongue slid down her stomach to her belly button. After a quick circle, he continued further south while glancing at Theia watching naked with great interest. He stopped right above Sable’s clit, teasing the area around it with the tip of his tongue before sliding down the side of her outer lips then slowly circling inward. She hypnotically writhed as he tormented her, “You’re such a tease!”
“Master,” Theia whined, her face completely pink as she watched the scene. “What should I do?”
“Ask Sable,” Jericho said while taking a slow lick of Sable’s clit. “It’s up to her.”
“Sable,” Theia mumbled anxiously. “Can I help?”