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V:\Ascension>SAFE_MODE
Holy Status Detected [SD]
Resist Status: None [Inactive]
Applying Resistances¡
Resistance Unsuccessful
Holy Vulnerability in Full Effect
V:\>
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¡°Ah, a bit much, Anlyth?¡± The dwarf chuckled, amusement clear in her deep, scratchy voice.
I had to agree as I tried not to scream out in pain. Seriously, Holy magic is utter bullshit. I don¡¯t think it does as much damage as Fire, but it certainly confirmed my earlier suspicion from those three statues¡ªHoly hurts way more!
¡°Truly, Gimona Grimmail?¡± the elf retorted with a haughty tone. ¡°It was an unholy feral creature. I did it a kindness by granting it a swift death.¡±
¡°Ah, c¡¯mon now, Anlyth,¡± the dwarf teased, her voice rich with annoyance. ¡°Don¡¯t ye know goblin hearts are a delicacy ¡¯mongst us dwarves? Ye went and blew its wee heart away!¡±
¡°Such strange tastes you dwarves have,¡± the wizard sighed, shaking his head. ¡°I will never comprehend your dietary choices.¡±
¡°Ah, that¡¯s a feckin¡¯ good one, Craycroft!¡± the dwarf boomed with laughter. ¡°Ye, who¡¯s never savored the delight o¡¯ dwarven meat and the nectar o¡¯ our finest mead! Now, that¡¯s a bleedin¡¯ joke! And as for yer tower, I¡¯ve heard whispers ¡¯bout the perverse things ye be doin¡¯ in there.¡±
Their laughter gradually faded as they departed, swallowed by the depths of the massive corridor and its endless pillars. All that remained was the faint afterglow from the shattered crystals, casting a dim light that sparkled like distant stars, as if imbued with some of the elf¡¯s magic. Its golden brilliance slowly faded into the enveloping darkness.
As the glow dissipated, I took my time reforming my body, a growing sense of dread enveloping me as I approached the crumpled form of the goblin. Rage seethed within me, and the sensation of unseen eyes watching my every move was inescapable. The silence was deafening, punctuated only by a shiver of rage that coursed through me as I stood there, gazing at the lifeless body. The only sound that echoed through the tunnel was the jubilant cries of triumph from a small, quivering, gelatinous cube.
¡°I¡¯m free! I¡¯m free!¡± it cried in ecstatic celebration.
My mind wrestled with twisted thoughts as I neared the lifeless form of the goblin. I struggled to make sense of the strange mix of emotions bubbling within me. How could I, a monstrous being, feel sadness for the loss of this insignificant creature that had served only as an irritant? It was absurd, beneath me. I was a killer, a cannibal devoid of such sentimentalities. Yet, the lingering feeling of loss gnawed at me, refusing to be ignored.
Then it hit me! I wasn¡¯t upset that the goblin was dead; no, I was infuriated that I hadn¡¯t been the one to kill him. I had been daydreaming about the ways I would do it, and that opportunity was stolen from me in an instant.
Argh, this is absolute bullshit!
He was meant to die screaming¡ªslowly¡ªwhile I savored every bite!
I looked over at the cheerful cube wiggling all happily, no longer calling for its own death now that its tamer had been slain. I quickly ended its joyful outburst with a swift stomp, slime splattering everywhere, fulfilling its earlier wish for freedom with a swift death.
Pulling my gaze back to the green shit¡¯s lifeless body, a chaotic mix of emotions swirling within me¡ªpain, guilt, sorrow, and pure, seething rage. Seriously¡ªI really, really wanted to eat him alive! The anger inside me boiled over, and my thirst for revenge grew insatiable. Thankfully, I had two phylacteries, but using one just to resurrect that annoying brat for my culinary delight¡ªor should I say, undelight? You know, like undead? Tee-hee!¡ªseemed like a total waste. Yet, for someone else to just waltz in and snuff out the goblin¡¯s life? That was absolute bullshit. Simply eating his corpse wouldn¡¯t be enough to quench my hunger or fury. Oh no, those three responsible were going to pay, and I mean really pay, with a lifetime of misery as I devoured them alive!
But there was one massive obstacle in my way...
There was something I needed to do before feasting on them. It was the same thing holding me back from completing that quest Magic had given me. I needed to grow stronger; I needed to kill and Absorb the skills from those four others from Earth.
¡°But first,¡± I cooed as I knelt down, ¡°I might as well not waste a perfectly good meal, even if it¡¯s a bit cold now,¡± I smiled, the grin stretching unnaturally across my face.
B01C24 - [Fear]
Time had blurred into irrelevance¡ªnot that I was any good at keeping track of it¡ªas I wandered away from those assholes who¡¯d murdered my food! Heading the opposite way, naturally¡ªI¡¯m crazy, not suicidal; past life excluded¡ªtheir Holy magic could obliterate me in a flash. Witnessing the demise of my goblin munchie was a nasty wake-up call to just how squishy I really am. I hadn¡¯t even been the target, yet the spell¡¯s radiance seared like a demon bathed in holy water during an exorcism.
But let¡¯s get one thing straight¡ªthis isn¡¯t over! No one messes with my meals and gets away with it. My revenge is going to be epic! I¡¯m talking about legendary spite. And I really, really hope those fuckers have families. Because when I rip them apart, I want it to hurt beyond imagining. Oh yes! I¡¯ll tear through every little piece of their pathetic lives along with their little dogs, too¡ªHee-hee-hee-hee! Ah-ha-ha-ha-ha!
Shit, Blake, what¡¯s wrong with me?
Where to start¡ Bipolar? Oh, ADHD! Sycophantic? Nah, I¡¯ve stepped up my game in this new life¡ªtotally psychopathic! Did I miss anything?
Histrionic personality disorder, narcissistic, serious impulse control, and maybe even borderline dissociative identities¡ªha, need I go on?
¡°I don¡¯t have impulse control issues!¡± I suddenly blurted out, my voice echoing off the stone walls of the deep roads like a bomb in what had been utter silence.
Yes. Yes, I do.
Ugh, I¡¯m such a bitch.
I glanced around, flinching each time my voice echoed back, praying the patrol that had killed my snack hadn¡¯t heard. My words kept repeating until they dwindled to a whisper, ¡°I don¡¯t have impulse control issues! I don¡¯t have impulse control issues! I don¡¯t have impulse control issues!¡±
Whoops.
Impulse control, am I right?
Shut up! I don¡¯t have impulse control issues.
Yeaaah, I do.
I hastened my pace¡ªthis time, however, I scaled the walls with Spider Walk, angling my ascent until I reached the ceiling looming far above in the darkness, ensuring I was safely out of sight in case they returned to investigate the noise.
Reflecting on what those three pricks mentioned about patrolling for any vampires that might have escaped, my mind raced back to that cave-in around the hole I¡¯d been tossed down¡ªespecially the burning. That had been a total nightmare! Seriously, I nearly died. And yet... I honestly couldn¡¯t give a rat¡¯s ass about some vamp drama. But I¡¯d be lying if I said I wasn¡¯t a tad nervous about something happening to Aurelia. Why, you ask? Maybe it¡¯s because she¡¯s drop-dead gorgeous¡ªcan you blame me?
What I¡¯d give to shove my tentacle tongue up her.
As I moved, I kept repeating the names of those three, as I remembered them, like a twisted dark mantra, spewing curses with every breath: ¡°Fuzzy-faced short-bitch, Gandalf the asshat, and that fucking elf, Anal-myth.¡± Over and over, like the world¡¯s worst hit list¡ª¡°Fuzzy-faced short-bitch, Gandalf the asshat, and that fucking elf, Anal-myth.¡±
Yes, I know, I¡¯m a spiteful bitch¡ªsay something about it, I dare you!
As I continued my little song, I paused to look upward¡ªor downward, really¡ªas a dim light flickered in the distance. A wicked smile spread across my face, guessing who it might be. Ideas twisted and turned in my mind, cooking up a diabolical plan, while a delicious shiver of anticipation zipped through me.
In a swift and dramatic transformation, six spider-like limbs exploded from my back, unfurling like the wings of a demonic angel. I was primed to swoop down on my unsuspecting victims. The deep roads opened before me as I flipped upright, dangling from my six menacing appendages.
I skittered across the ceiling, soaring above like the vaulted arches of a wicked cathedral, with massive pillars that made perfect perches for my ambush. Every move was driven by thoughts of sweet revenge and their delicious skills¡ªespecially that damned Death Bolt that had stripped away all my buffs and immunities.
Oh, how I want that skill!
As I neared the clueless quartet, I gracefully descended down a pillar, nestling myself within the deep shadow it cast, utterly concealed from their sight. From this perfect hideout, I watched them with malice sparkling in my eyes, my spider legs quivering with eagerness, ready to pounce in an instant. Their footsteps echoed through the deep roads, their ignorance of the lurking nightmare almost laughable. While rage still boiled over my earlier inability to strike the elf, wizard, and dwarf, I shelved that anger for now. Those idiots would taste my fury later. Right now, my eyes were locked on my original targets¡ªnothing would deter my thirst for vengeance.
I won¡¯t lie; the sheer terror I was about to unleash on those idiots was giving me a thrill, damn near orgasmic. This round¡¯s gonna be different¡ªI¡¯ll catch them off-guard, wipe them out quick, and snatch their skills. I¡¯d absolutely relish toying with them, chewing on their guts while they squirm, but I¡¯ll save that treat for a more intimate one-on-one showdown, not when I¡¯m outnumbered. Been kicked around a bit too much lately.
Maybe I¡¯ll save slowly eating whoever¡¯s the last one standing¡ªyeah, that sounds like a plan!Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.
Still, it¡¯s smarter to scare the piss out of them first. Maybe a slap of Terror¡¯s Infusion mixed with a dose of Fear will have them pissing themselves. I¡¯ll chop off their heads fast while I¡¯m at it before they can hit me with anything nasty. But hey, that doesn¡¯t mean I can¡¯t have my fun while I¡¯m at it.
With a sinister smile curling my lips, a skill name bubbled up to the surface, as I whispered, ¡°Fear.¡±
~
Yua¡¯s whisper was a faint rustle in the suffocating silence. ¡°I swear, I heard something.¡± Her voice trembled, the fear palpable as it constricted her heart.
Ever since their harrowing encounter with that woman in black¡ªwho claimed to be a fellow candidate¡ªher nerves had been frayed to their limits. The mere thought of another confrontation made her skin crawl, a sentiment she knew her companions shared.
The four had reluctantly set aside their differences, forming a pact to escape the dungeon¡¯s clutches together, no matter the cost. Even Jason, as stubborn as a jackass, had acquiesced¡ªlikely more out of fear of Jeremy¡¯s lightning bolt than any real sense of teamwork. Bound by a fragile alliance fueled by desperation, they naively believed their trials were behind them. Yet, unbeknownst to them, the true nightmare was just beginning to stir in the darkness, poised to strike.
¡°Be ready for anything,¡± Jeremy muttered, his voice laced with a foreboding that belied his composed exterior.
He fought to mask the terror brimming in his eyes, determined not to reveal his vulnerability. Like the others, the aftermath of their last brutal encounter had left him on edge. His fists clenched tightly, prepared to unleash Death Bolt at a moment¡¯s notice¡ªthe skill he hoped would sustain them until they could flee this cursed abyss.
Heather¡¯s voice cracked as she spoke, her words halting and fraught with fear. ¡°G-Guys, I... I can s-sense something. D-Do you f-feel it too?¡±
The hairs on her neck stood on end, signaling the presence of something ominous nearby. A heavy sense of dread washed over her, her stomach twisting with anxiety. The air seemed charged with a malevolent force, ready to descend upon them. The terror was so palpable she could almost taste its bitterness, making her nauseous.
Jason scoffed, his voice dripping with disdain. ¡°I¡¯m surrounded by a bunch of pussies!¡± His contempt for his fellow adventurers was evident. ¡°As long as it¡¯s not a boss or another of those shapeshifting bitches, we can handle anything this shithole throws at us¡ª¡ªhrrrk!¡±
Heather¡¯s scream, shrill and piercing, tore through the silence of the dark hallway. From the shadows above, a serpentine tentacle descended swiftly. In a grotesque spectacle, it impaled Jason through the mouth, skewering him completely. The tentacle wrapped around his trembling, pissed-coated legs, lifting him effortlessly before hurling him across the chamber. The sickening crunch of his body hitting the wall echoed, his whimpers of agony punctuating the grim silence. Though barely alive, the severity of his internal injuries was unmistakable, and time was running out, each second edging him closer to a grim fate.
¡°P-p-please, let me l-l-leave this place! I w-want to go home. I want to go home! I W-WANT TO GO HOME!¡± Heather¡¯s plea was frantic and stuttering, her voice saturated with the terror enveloping them.
A demonic cackle resonated through the cold stone walls, taunting, challenging their resolve, and beckoning them to succumb to fear. Jeremy, heart pounding with dread, fortified his will against the encroaching horror. His resolve ignited a fierce determination, driving him to confront the unseen terror.
¡°Reveal yourself, you vile creature!¡± he bellowed, his voice echoing a tumultuous blend of anxiety and fury.
Behind them, Heather¡¯s muffled scream sliced through the air, sending Jeremy and Yua spinning around in alarm. They watched in horror as Heather¡¯s legs kicked desperately, vanishing into the black void above. The shadows tightened their grip, suffocating, foreboding their doom. Yua¡¯s scream, laden with fear and despair, echoed through the halls as she searched the murky depths for any sign of Heather. The void responded with only silence¡ªuntil seconds later, Heather¡¯s lifeless body plummeted to the ground, crushing Yua beneath its dead weight. Jeremy stood paralyzed, his gaze fixed on Heather¡¯s headless form. The eerie quiet was shattered by Yua¡¯s inconsolable sobs as she clung to her friend¡¯s lifeless body.
¡°No! No! No!¡± Yua¡¯s screams reverberated through the deep roads, each cry resonating with raw despair. Tears cascaded down her cheeks as she sobbed uncontrollably, the sound of her weeping punctuated by heart-wrenching sobs and choked gasps. Clutching the headless corpse that lay atop her, she wailed, ¡°I loved her,¡± her voice breaking as her words were drenched in anguish. ¡°I¡ªI wanted to escape this place with her.¡±
¡°I call forth the rage of the gods, Death Bolt!¡± Jeremy¡¯s voice quivered with a potent mix of desperation and hope as he unleashed his spell into the void.
The energy crackled through the air, blasting a nearby pillar into rubble. But the darkness¡¯s derisive laughter only intensified, mocking Jeremy¡¯s efforts and deepening his despair.
¡°Reveal yourself!¡± he roared, gathering every shred of his strength, waiting for the spell¡¯s cooldown, ready for the next confrontation.
¡°Now, why would I ruin the fun? The thrill of the unknown is just too delicious to spoil, don¡¯t you think?¡± A seductive, hypnotic voice taunted from the depths of the enveloping darkness, dripping with playful scorn.
A wave of horror washed over Jeremy as he recognized the voice. ¡°You! How is this possible? You should have perished beneath that rubble! Even if you somehow survived, you shouldn¡¯t have been able to catch up to us,¡± he growled.
"Ha-ha-ha!" The voice resounded, full of derision, enveloping them from all sides, withholding any explanation.
Frustration surged through Jeremy. They should have dug through the rubble in the boss¡¯s chamber and ensured her end. But grief over Rob¡¯s loss had clouded his mind, throwing him into disarray. Now, he faced his probable demise in these eerie depths. Yua¡¯s heart-wrenching sobs mingled with the deranged cackles of the woman about to end his life.
Yet, a glimmer of hope flickered in Jeremy¡¯s mind, recalling his previous reincarnation in this twisted world. A twisted smile played at his lips as he reluctantly accepted his fate. His time might be up, but perhaps this was just the beginning of another cycle.
Raising his hand, Jeremy aimed and cast his spell. ¡°I call forth the rage of the gods, Death Bolt!¡±
With a flick of his wrist, he unleashed the spell at a pillar, then swiftly redirected the energy, obliterating several pillars in an instant.
¡°Jeremy, what the hell are you thinking?!¡± Yua cried out, her voice laced with panic.
¡°Taking that damn monster down with us!¡± Jeremy declared, his eyes meeting Yua¡¯s with a bittersweet smile.
The ceiling quivered and the walls emitted deep groans as the entire structure shuddered violently overhead. Colossal stone blocks plummeted, crashing down with a bone-rattling force that vibrated through the cavern. Amidst the chaos, Jeremy braced himself, his eyes scanning for any sign of the monstrous entity. The sickening crunch of stone crushing bone extinguished any remaining hope for Jason¡¯s survival. Billowing dust enveloped the space, obscuring the twinkling crystals that once adorned the walls and floor, now casting an eerie, otherworldly glow amidst the devastation.
Then, she emerged from the shadows and dust, her face twisted in a snarl of unbridled fury. Jeremy was simultaneously terrified and captivated by the sheer beauty of her rage.
¡°You dumbass!¡± she screeched, hurling Heather¡¯s severed head at Jeremy. The gruesome projectile struck him in the abdomen, knocking him to his knees in pain and horror.
¡°You... crazy... bitch!¡± he managed to cough out, each word punctuated with effort and pain. Then darkness swallowed Jeremy whole.
The cacophony of chaos was abruptly silenced, leaving only the lingering sound of the monster¡¯s final expletive-filled scream, ¡°SHHHIT!¡± resonating through the air as the stone ceiling crashed down upon them.
B01C24.5 - Aislinn’s Desire
Britannia
Bowen¡¯s voice cracked as he screamed, ¡°Run!¡± Panic sharpened his words, his eyes darting back to the advancing Romans. He grabbed Aislinn¡¯s hand, his grip tight with desperation. ¡°Run, my love¡ªwe must run!¡±
Cries tore through the village, each a death knell as Romans cut down the Iceni with ruthless abandon. The winter solstice, far from heralding peace, unleashed a storm of iron and fire. Aislinn and Bowen ducked low, sprinting past their flaming homes while arrows rained down, hissing as they pierced the earth and timber. They stumbled over bodies strewn across the ground, the snow marred by spreading stains of red. With their breaths misting in the frigid air, they were among the few who had slipped through the Romans¡¯ grasp.
The forest itself seemed to mourn the loss of life, its winds carrying the wails of their lost kin. Trees, ancient and enraged, burned fiercely, their branches reaching out like charred hands in the darkness. Hidden roots, camouflaged beneath the snow, lay in wait to ensnare the unwary, indifferent to friend or foe.
As they fled, Aislinn¡¯s foot caught on one such root.
¡ªCrack¡ª
A cry tore from Aislinn¡¯s lips as she collapsed, hands instinctively cradling her swollen belly. Pain lanced through her leg¡ªa cruel betrayal by the very earth that had nurtured her since birth.
¡°Broken, I fear,¡± she gasped, the words stifled by pain and a creeping despair.
But Bowen was there, his presence a balm to her fracturing spirit. In the moonlit night, her tears glistened, frozen gems on her cheeks. His father, the druid, had foreseen a solstice of joy; now, that promise lay shattered around them. Gently, he helped her up, his strength her pillar.
Leaning heavily on him, Aislinn felt her pain diminish, softened by the warmth of his unwavering love. Their connection was profound, mystic in its depth, almost as if ordained by the spirits themselves. Together, guided by the whispered blessings of the forest spirits, they pressed forward through the ash-laden snow, toward a future shrouded in mist and uncertainty.
Even now, beneath the chaos, the stars sparkled with an intensity Aislinn had never truly savored before. An icy breeze danced through the night, lifting snowflakes back into the air, whirling them like fairies caught in a silent ballet. Despite her newfound awe, each step was agony, her body protesting sharply against the movement. Yet, all she felt was Bowen¡¯s warmth, clinging to it as if for the last time. Inside her, the life they had created kicked, and a deep sorrow filled Aislinn¡ªnot for herself, but for her unborn child and the man she loved, whose futures were as uncertain as the swirling snow around them.
Then, in an instant, her world shifted. A soft push against her back and a sharp pinch in her chest¡ªAislinn collapsed to her knees, her gaze locked in disbelief on the arrow protruding from between her breasts. A distant battle cry filled the air, not hers¡ªBowen¡¯s. As she swayed, teetering on the brink of consciousness, she saw him: a lone figure valiantly struggling against five Romans.
Another soldier approached, his intent clear¡ªnot to join the fray, but to target her. Aislinn, still swaying, met the Roman¡¯s advance with a defiant glare. With a brutal shove, he knocked her to the cold earth. The snap of the arrow¡¯s shaft resounded like a thunderclap, surreal in her ears, followed by a cough that gurgled up blood onto her lips.
The soldier clambered on top of her, ripping her clothes away. Darkness began to creep at the edges of her vision, shrouding the brutal scene. Turning her head away from the Roman assaulting her, Aislinn¡¯s eyes found Bowen just as the other five soldiers ceased their cruel torment. Their swords sliced through the air, each strike a blow to her heart as tears streamed down her face. She watched helplessly as her beloved fell, piece by piece, with each brutal strike.
Relief should have washed over Aislinn as the end neared, but instead, she felt only numbness mixed with searing pain as she gazed at her fallen love. She mourned not just him, nor merely her own life, but also the life within her that would never be born. Her last words, a vow whispered with defiance against the encroaching void, were for Bowen and her unborn child.
¡°I shall find you both in the life beyond, my dearest loves,¡± she swore.
With those words, she released her grip on this world, her soul spirited away on the journey to the next.
Through the Veil
¡°Lord Demidicus,¡± Olin began, his voice laced with a measured tone of caution, ¡°it is not too late to return your daughter¡¯s soul to her body.¡±
¡°I have made my decision,¡± Lord Demidicus hissed. ¡°My daughter¡¯s soul was too faint-hearted for her own good. It¡¯s a curse that torments all born within this accursed realm, however rare births may be in this dying reality. Aurelia¡¯s new soul should prove less disappointing. And if this experiment succeeds, she will not only become a user but ascend the steps toward ascension. Perhaps then, we can do the same for the feral vampires and take the fight directly to the Ascended Gods themselves.¡±
¡°But, my lord, she is the only natural-born vampire of this realm,¡± Olin countered, a note of urgency in his voice.
Lord Demidicus turned his cold gaze toward Olin, who quickly bowed his head.
¡°It shall be done, my lord,¡± Olin acquiesced, ¡°though, as I have warned, the souls I¡¯ve discovered beyond our veil possess extraordinary power. They may not be as unique and diverse as those in the demon realm, yet they remain extraordinary. However, my lord, it¡¯s still uncertain if she will indeed become the user you desire.¡±
¡°Then you will reach back into the veil and fetch a different soul for my daughter.¡±
¡°I¡ªI apologize, my lord, but the damage to the veil has already been repaired. If my calculations hold, we cannot summon another soul from there for a millennium or two. However, I can assure you, she will be powerful, whatever she becomes.¡±
¡°You had better ensure she becomes the user I envision, Olin, or I¡¯ll reduce you to a mere ghoul,¡± Lord Demidicus warned.
¡°I swear to you, my lord, the ritual was designed to lock onto the most powerful soul in that realm, possibly even that of a deity or something greater. Unless the soul we brought back was somehow intertwined with the ritual¡¯s intended target, there should be no issues¡ªyour daughter¡¯s new soul will possess power beyond measure.¡±
As the voices drifted into Aislinn¡¯s ears like a warm breeze, she opened her eyes to a horrifying sight. She lay in a vast stone chamber, surrounded by armored skeletons. Above her stood two pale figures in black robes¡ªone, a younger man with red, beady eyes, a sharp nose, and a receding hairline; the other, a hooded figure whose face was shrouded in darkness, with eyes blazing a demonic red beneath his hood.
¡°She is awake!¡± declared the younger figure, his voice almost nasal, as if filtered through his sharp nose.
She reached up, placing her hand between her breasts where no arrow was found. Her hand then drifted downward, gently brushing against her flat stomach, which ached with the weight of loss. A surge of sorrow washed over Aislinn; tears, warm and unbidden, streamed down her face as if a piece of her soul had been torn away. Yet, her body bore no pain, no visible wounds. As she wiped away her tears, she noticed blood on her fingers¡ªher tears had turned to blood, cascading down her face in haunting rivulets.
Turning her gaze to her hand, she saw it was unnaturally pale, as though untouched by the sun. Her nails, long and sharply pointed, were shaded in a gradient from red to black, reminiscent of blood fading into midnight.
¡°Am I dead?¡± she whispered.
¡°Not anymore, my daughter. Not anymore, my precious Aurelia,¡± the hooded figure replied gently.
Memories of the Romans and her dying moments flashed through her mind¡ªAislinn found herself consumed by a singular thought. With longing and concern heavy in her voice, she asked the one question that dominated her mind: ¡°Where¡¯s Bowen?¡±
Four Decades Later
Flickering candlelight cast shadows across the grand hall, where eerie sounds of mournful cries and clanging chains echoed. Yet, this was no mourning night but a victory celebration. Lord Demidicus triumphantly raised the freshly severed head of a holy priest, its eyes frozen in a gaze of terror. His fellow brethren, shackled to the walls, watched in horror.
¡°My malevolent creatures of the night,¡± Lord Demidicus bellowed, his voice resonating through the chamber, ¡°Vampires, Harpies, Wraiths, Ghouls, Succubi, Incubi, and our Necromancers from the fairer races¡ªgather round. Tonight, we celebrate my daughter¡¯s ascension and welcome her as an elder of our great coven. Let all tremble at the mention of my dark princess¡¯s name, Aurelia, for her reign of terror shall know no bounds.¡± With a savage grin, he sank his teeth into the priest¡¯s severed neck, prompting a chorus of cheers and applause from the assembly.
Decades had passed, yet the name Aurelia still sounded foreign to Aislinn¡¯s ears. Trivial concerns paled in comparison to the horrors Aurelia had unleashed. With her undead skeletal army, she had decimated the Kingdom of Slaethia, rising to prominence as both a blood mage and a necromancer of immense power. Although initially disappointed by her failure to become a user, Lord Demidicus could not deny the dark triumphs of his daughter. It seemed as though the very mana surrounding her bent to her will¡ªnot like an ascended, who drew power from the realm¡¯s system, but more akin to the old gods who could reshape the very essence of mana.
Lord Demidicus often wondered if Olin had ultimately succeeded in calling forth a deity from beyond the veil, or at least something that closely resembled one. As he reflected on the powerful soul that now inhabited his daughter, he thought it almost a shame to have turned Olin into a ghoul.
However, Aurelia¡¯s ambitions were not fueled by a thirst for power or tales of legendary might. Her ultimate goal lay elsewhere, and attaining the rank of elder within the coven was a critical step. As Lord Demidicus slid the ceremonial ring onto her finger, symbolizing her leadership and commitment to the coven, Aurelia knew the true power still resided with her so-called father. Yet, there was something more to the ring, something familiar that Aurelia couldn¡¯t quite place.A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
¡°Now, speak your desire, my daughter,¡± Lord Demidicus commanded with the gravitas of centuries. ¡°If it lies within our power, it shall be granted to our newest elder.¡±
The grand hall fell silent, all eyes and ears straining toward the new vampire elder. While some might covet wealth, dark pleasures of the flesh, or the opportunity to forge their own covens, others anticipated more sinister requests. The non-vampires present recognized the ceremony as a prelude to new alliances.
¡°My yearning is to delve into Olin¡¯s prior research,¡± Aurelia declared, adding the word ¡°father¡± at the end with a syrupy sweetness that belied her inner loathing. She understood the strategic importance of her words in this context.
A hushed shock filled the grand hall, the implications of her request sending murmurs through the crowd. With her fearsome reputation, none had expected the vampiric princess to desire what many deemed a trivial and failed experiment¡ªone that had even led to the downfall of Lord Demidicus¡¯s former right-hand, now reduced to a ghoul.
Thirteen Decades Later
The fateful hour had arrived, and the resurrected Kingdom of Slaethia stood at the gates of the vampire coven¡¯s castle, determined to eradicate their kind. The siege was long and arduous, yet the outcome seemed inevitable. The holy knights of Slaethia, wielding divine power, pursued their relentless quest to cleanse Nyxoria, the dark moon of V?lusp¨¢, of its vile races, their soulless offspring, and the victims the vampires had turned feral. After a relentless barrage, the magical barrier that had long shielded these vile abominations finally faltered. With one mighty blast, ballista bolts shattered the castle walls, signaling the beginning of the end.
As the barrier crumbled and fell at the sun¡¯s zenith, the vampire coven was left exposed and vulnerable to the holy knights¡¯ wrath. Too few familiars and undead remained to repel the holy warriors. With victory within their grasp, the knights of Slaethia stormed the castle, determined to claim the heads of every last vampire as trophies.
¡°Aurelia, for the love of the dark gods, what are you doing?¡± Vorigan, the frog-faced necromancer, cried out urgently. ¡°You must stop your research and flee this place immediately before it¡¯s too late.¡±
Aurelia¡¯s laughter reverberated through the chamber as she twirled in delight. ¡°Oh, but do you not see, Olin¡¯s research was mistaken! It¡¯s not two millennia before we can delve into the veil¡ªnot for us! On the other side, time flows differently; it bends and folds upon itself. Can you not comprehend the magnitude of this?¡±
As Olin scurried around the chamber, gathering the frayed tapestries and parchments, the castle quaked under the relentless assault of ballista bolts and trebuchet shots. Despite the chaos, he refused to acknowledge any error in his former research. Meanwhile, Aurelia continued to twirl, her laughter ringing out as the castle shook and dust rained down.
Vorigan paused in disbelief, then regained his composure. As he watched Olin hurriedly pack his mistress¡¯s notes, he announced, ¡°Lord Demidicus has arranged for us to take refuge in the catacombs. From there, we shall escape through the deep roads to Ockpool Dungeon.¡±
A Decade Later
The once-grand vampire coven had diminished to a mere shadow of its former glory, now reduced to a group of refugees huddled among the ruins of an ancient, undiscovered dungeon that predated Nyxoria¡¯s joining with the Moons of V?lusp¨¢. Such sites, formed upon a world¡¯s convergence with the realm, are believed by some to be training grounds for the inhabitants before their integration into V?lusp¨¢. However, one truth remains universally acknowledged: the dungeon core is a highly sought-after prize. With the arrival of each new moon, entire nations dispatch armies to pillage these dungeons and moons for their invaluable resources.
¡°Aurelia, I understand your aspirations,¡± Lord Demidicus scolded, ¡°but for the champion of our goddess, only one soul is needed. I cannot risk everything for your fixation. More than one champion would alert the Ascended Gods before we are prepared.¡±
After over a hundred and eighty years, Aislinn had grown accustomed to her life as Aurelia. It was who she was now, yet she still resisted calling Lord Demidicus ¡°father.¡± Now that her research had finally borne fruit, he dared to impede her progress. No, Aurelia would not be deterred!
¡°Lord Demidicus,¡± Aurelia countered, her voice tinged with a hint of rage, ¡°it stands to reason that not all the retrieved souls need to serve our revered dark goddess as her champion. Instead, we could use them to awaken the feral vampires from their soulless madness. My research shows that I can retrieve multiple souls from the veil every century, vastly improving upon Olin¡¯s prior efforts. Why settle for summoning just one soul for a champion when we have the potential to restore so many?¡±
¡°The Crone alone requires a champion,¡± Lord Demidicus declared firmly. ¡°There is no need for additional souls at this time. Summoning more would only draw undue attention from our enemies. My decision is final! We lack the resources to indulge your obsession. At the Crone¡¯s behest, we will summon only the soul that best serves our needs.¡±
Frustration surged within Aurelia at the thought of resorting to her last option. Still, it had never failed her before, and her determination to achieve her goal remained unwavering.
¡°Father,¡± Aurelia forced the word out, it tasting like ash on her tongue, ¡°I propose a solution. Let me summon seven souls from the veil while the gateway is open.¡± Internally, Aurelia didn¡¯t truly desire seven souls, but she was not confident of finding the specific soul she sought on her first attempt. ¡°Why not allow each coven elder to choose a soul they believe will best serve the Crone and have them compete for the privilege of being her chosen champion?¡± she proposed, masking her true intent.
Aurelia had devised a plan to rig the rituals specifically to summon her beloved¡¯s soul. There would be seven attempts; each failure would serve as a calculated step to refine and recalibrate the summoning process. As for the supposed competition among the summoned souls, she had already schemed to ensure that her beloved would emerge as the sole survivor.
¡°That doesn¡¯t resolve our issue of attracting undue attention. Besides, the Crone would never permit such a thing,¡± Lord Demidicus began, but his declaration was cut short by a chilling gust of wind that swirled around them, carrying a sinister whisper before dissipating. The grand elder exhaled heavily, his resolve faltering. ¡°It seems you have prevailed, my child. Now, go ahead and make the necessary arrangements.¡±
A Few Months Later
¡°My lady,¡± Olin¡¯s voice trembled with unease as he approached, his current undead form visibly deteriorating before her eyes. This was the third time he had assumed a new body in the past year, and his rate of deterioration was accelerating. Aurelia knew she needed to find a suitable phylactery for his soul soon, or risk losing him to the ether forever.
¡°He won¡¯t remember you,¡± Olin continued, his voice laden with sorrow. ¡°His soul has lived through hundreds, perhaps thousands, of lives in a never-ending cycle of reincarnation. He may not even be a he anymore!¡±
Aurelia¡¯s fists crashed down onto the table, her voice ringing out with frustration and determination. ¡°I don¡¯t care about that!¡± she declared. ¡°It will work! Whether he remembers me or not, I will have him back. Nothing else matters!¡±
¡°My mistress, I stand by your side, no matter what may come,¡± Olin declared with conviction. ¡°But how do we find just one soul in the vast and endless sea of others?¡±
Aurelia¡¯s grin was sly and full of promise, her elongated fangs glinting in the dim light. ¡°With a beacon, my dear Olin,¡± she replied. ¡°A beacon that his soul will instinctively be drawn to, like a moth to a flame¡ªmy own soul.¡±
¡°My lady,¡± Olin¡¯s concern was palpable. ¡°This is too reckless! You are risking your very soul on a gamble.¡±
¡°Then we must hope that the concept of soulmates is not just a fanciful tale,¡± Aurelia responded, her voice melodic yet ominous. She twirled with delight, humming a beautiful yet deadly tune, for the moment she had once vowed at death¡¯s door was now within reach.
¡°My lady,¡± Olin spoke up, his worries still evident. ¡°If you succeed in retrieving his soul, what about the trial? Lord Demidicus seems to view this as an unhealthy obsession, and I fear he may try to sabotage your efforts.¡±
¡°And so, I shall pray,¡± Aurelia declared, her voice filled with steely resolve as she concluded her joyful waltz. ¡°Not only to the Crone but to any of the old gods of this realm that may still linger and deign to listen. In my quest to reclaim Bowen¡¯s soul, I will leave no stone unturned, no obstacle unheeded. Even if it means facing the other candidates or Lord Demidicus himself.¡± Her determination was evident, her words emerging forcefully between tightly clenched teeth, reflecting the fierce passion within her.
The Ritual¡¯s Eve
The other elders had each summoned their chosen from beyond the veil¡ªher attempts to rig the ritual had failed¡ªnone had succeeded in retrieving her beloved. Now, it was Aurelia¡¯s turn. She hoped the previous six attempts had refined the ritual enough to allow her to reach into the veil, using her own soul as a beacon.
She stepped into the ritual room, the air thick with the scent of incense and bathed in the eerie glow of green flames that cast shifting shadows across the stone walls. Despite the ordeals of her past, Aurelia¡¯s gaze remained unwaveringly fixed on the altar, where her ultimate goal lay within reach.
Aurelia¡¯s purpose was singular¡ªto reclaim Bowen, her beloved, who awaited her call from beyond the veil. Regardless of the memories he might have lost, she was resolved to rekindle their passion. The trials and sacrifices of her past would all be worthwhile if she could once again embrace her beloved. The prospect of falling in love anew with him filled her with indescribable joy.
With a shiver of anticipation, Aurelia began the binding of her soul to the ritual, turning herself into a beacon for Bowen to find, her heart aching with longing. She held firm to the belief that if their love was true, and if Bowen indeed was the missing piece of her heart, he would find his way back to her, irrespective of the mortal form he now occupied. The thought of their reunion sustained her, even as a deep fear of failure lurked in her heart¡ªbut she refused to entertain it. Bowen¡¯s soul would find its way back to her! Even if soulmates were mere myth, Aurelia¡¯s yearning would not be thwarted. Her soul¡¯s beacon would shine brightly in the ether, calling out to her lost love.
¡°Our reunion is near, my beloved,¡± she whispered, her longing grin revealing glinting fangs in the unsettling green light.
Two Weeks Later
¡°By the t-three pillars! D-Did it work, M-Mistress?¡± Olin asked, his voice faltering, the ghoul looking decidedly worse for wear.
¡°Another failure, I¡¯m afraid,¡± Aurelia replied with a sigh.
Despite the setback, Aurelia was elated. She had retrieved her beloved¡¯s soul from beyond the veil more easily than she had anticipated; the moment her own soul touched the ether, she felt Bowen¡¯s soul resonate with hers as if it were her own. Now, the challenge lay in finding a mortal vessel robust enough to contain it.
Her desperation grew, yet her determination remained unshaken. She held the crystal containing her beloved¡¯s soul close, cradling it near her heart. Concealing her joy from Lord Demidicus proved challenging, especially with the seductive succubus who constantly shadowed him, adding an extra layer of complexity to her delicate endeavor.
Despite Lord Demidicus¡¯s insistence that there could be only one champion, deeming all else a wasteful diversion of their precious resources, Aurelia remained unperturbed. She was confident that the Crone, known to shelter those she deemed worthy, would not be swayed by her so-called father¡¯s threats. Besides, Aurelia was prepared to destroy the other six souls if necessary¡ªa course of action she was almost certain would be required.
And yet, Aurelia was perplexed by why Bowen¡¯s soul rejected every vessel she offered. In her desperation, she had tried everything¡ªfrom men and women of various races to even the feral vampires; all rejected his soul. Pushed to her limits, she even attempted to use the corpses of random monsters¡ªyet still, nothing succeeded. It seemed as if a higher power had its own agenda, a notion that irked her.
¡°What¡¯s w-went wrong, M-Mistress?¡±
A Few Days Ago
¡°My lady, I still can¡¯t understand why you tossed your beloved at Niamh,¡± Olin said, now inhabiting the body of a short gnome and looking considerably rejuvenated. Aurelia was aware, however, that this improvement would be fleeting; his body would soon begin to decay.
¡°I cannot risk exposing my bias in front of the other elders,¡± Aurelia sighed. ¡°To my delight, Bowen was endowed as a user. Yet, I can¡¯t be certain which deity has heeded my prayers; there are only two, maybe three, old gods left. Which one could it be?¡± She twisted the ceremonial ring on her finger, lost in contemplation. ¡°Hopefully, Niamh¡¯s demise provided my dear love a slight advantage in the trial, but the shock on the succubus¡¯s face was an added delight.¡±
¡°Lord Demidicus must not have been pleased, my mistress.¡±
Aurelia offered Olin a reassuring smile as she chuckled warmly. ¡°There¡¯s no need to worry, Olin. Lord Demidicus can summon his pet again, so there will be no lasting damage to the coven. It was merely a small hiccup.¡±
Everything was unfolding exactly as Aurelia had planned. Now, all she needed to do was wait. It didn¡¯t matter that her beloved was trapped within the form of a Black Pudding; Aurelia was already orchestrating her next move into the dungeon to ensure he would be crowned the champion. The anticipation was nearly unbearable.
Just then, Vorigan burst into her chamber, his amphibian-like features contorted in panic. ¡°The Kingdom of Slaethia has discovered the dungeon!¡± he exclaimed, his voice quivering with the urgency of his fear. ¡°They¡¯re at the gates¡ªand they¡¯ve brought a champion!¡±
B01C25 - A DELIGHTFUL NIGHTMARE
Just a quick flashback to the moment the entire ceiling collapsed¡ªfor continuity¡¯s sake, and definitely not because I¡¯m too lazy to revisit my own narrative for a quick edit. Nope, not at all.
¡ªCough.
¡°You... crazy... bitch!¡± Jeremy gasped, each word seething through gritted teeth. Anger and remorse¡ªprobably for his friends, if they can even be called that¡ªswirled in his eyes.
Aw, is the little doggy crying?
Like seriously, what a little bitch!
As darkness enveloped him, his voice surged in a final act of defiance. ¡°Death Bolt,¡± he bellowed, a parting fuck you, I suppose.
Damn, what¡¯s the cooldown rate on that skill?
Silence abruptly muffled the chaos, punctuated only by my final, expletive-laden shriek, ¡°SHHHIT!¡±
In a whirl of motion, the bolt struck my chest, flipping me head over ass. The last glimpse I caught was a system prompt about my buffs deactivating just as a massive stone slab descended with a sickening splat.
I awoke to the sound of childish laughter, a symphony of joy and delight. Cracking my eyes open, I found myself in a lush green meadow where six young children frolicked carelessly. They cavorted and gamboled, their giggles ringing through the air as they chased each other with wild abandon. The scene was hauntingly beautiful¡ªa nostalgic reminder of innocence¡¯s carefree days.
Glancing behind me, I saw a dark and imposing forest; clumps of snow fell from the tree branches, beckoning me to enter. But this was not a friendly invitation¡ªit was more like a white van marked with free candy, ominous and foreboding.
The first to approach was a child with golden tresses and a beaming face, looking familiar as if I¡¯d seen her once before in a dream whose details eluded me. Her laughter, like chimes in glass, spread happiness effortlessly. She hopped and twirled, her hand outstretched, eager for a new friendship.
¡°Greetings again! Come join us. Let¡¯s play tag¡ªyou¡¯re it!¡±
Disbelief swirled in my heart as I beheld a wondrous sight: I was human again, clad in my old I Heart Teddy Bears shirt, feeling healthier and happier than ever, not even a single marring my skin.
¡ªWait, that¡¯s not right, is it?
Amidst the fluttering laughter, a smile broke across my face, radiant and uncontrollable, as if the warmth of the meadow was truly infectious. At that moment, all doubts were cast aside, and with reckless glee, I clasped her tiny hand, joining their mirthful brigade. We raced through the meadow, my natural red hair fluttering behind me, their infectious energy propelling my every step, a wild abandon unleashed as I chased the children.
Sophia proclaimed, ¡°Rob, you¡¯re it!¡±
As the sun bathed the meadow in warmth, we laughed and played, our spirits dancing in the radiant light. Yet, a weight settled upon my heart as I beheld another girl, her face marked by dark freckles and eyes fixated on the forest. Her once vibrant smile had vanished, replaced by trepidation. The shadows stretched, stripping away the meadow¡¯s enchantment and casting an ominous veil from the winter forest.
The day seemed to turn to dusk without notice; the freckled girl¡¯s joy was but a distant memory. She stood still, her gaze locked on the silent woods, the falling snow whispering like a haunting call. My heart raced with alarm, terror ensnaring me as the shadows crept closer to the little girl.
My heart pounded in my chest, and I tried to scream, ¡°Run!¡± but no sound escaped my lips, as if the snow-coated forest had stolen my voice.
¡°Fear not, dear Heather,¡± a kind voice sung from everywhere and nowhere all at once, ¡°¡¯Tis but old nightmares that dwell; there is naught to see, only tales to tell. Come, play with the children once more; dinner draws near.¡±
I sought the woman behind the sweet melody, feeling as though I had glimpsed her once before, yet her form eluded me. A mischievous giggle filled the air, whisking me away to a realm beyond compare. As my mind clouded with boundless glee, I resumed the carefree chase, leaving behind the shadows of nightmares and doubt for the pure embrace of delight.
For the first time since I could remember, my soul didn¡¯t feel as though it was broken; the emptiness I had always felt was gone. I felt safe, whole, even though deep down, I knew this dream of joy wasn¡¯t what had been missing from my life.
A voice cried out from the forest, ¡°Aislinn!¡± but it was drowned out by giggling laughter.
The sense of belonging warmed my soul as I reveled in the wonders of this dream. Surrounded by the tune of youthful laughter, I embraced the beauty of each passing moment. But alas, the time had come¡ªdinner beckoned.
¡°You coming?¡± Sophia grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the cottage on the hill.
Upon entering the quaint little house, I discovered that the interior seemingly expanded beyond what the exterior would suggest. However, there was no time to explore, as Sophia tugged me forward, with the other five children already ahead. We soon found ourselves in a tiny dining room, centered around a single small table with eight chairs crammed beside one another.
We each took a seat, leaving one empty, though it was a bit crowded. Suddenly, a loud creak echoed through the room, sounding as if the wood were cracking and breaking. Before I could fully grasp what was happening, the table began to bloat, bulge, and expand, dragging our chairs along with it. For a moment, I feared I would be squished between the tiny room and the ever-growing table, but to my amazement, the room stretched out just as magically.
My head swiveled all around, my feet dangling from the chair, my toes barely skimming the floor. Glancing at the six kids, I saw faces beaming with joy. A mist enveloped the table as if conjured by magic, and when it cleared, it revealed a feast fit for royalty. The children¡¯s eyes widened with delight as they indulged, their voices forming an orchestra of mirth. I leaned back, content in quiet observation, cherishing this joyous embrace¡ªa memory to treasure as if I had finally found a place to call home.
What a beautiful lie it was.
Beneath the tantalizing allure of the feast, unease cloaked my soul, a nebulous void resisting comprehension. As the feast continued, an ominous shadow cast its pall over the table, unnoticed by the children. The wooden floorboards creaked beneath our chairs, and the house swayed with an unsettling rhythm, as if haunting gusts of wind dreamt of blowing it away.
¡ªOh. Oh. Like in The Wizard of Oz!
Wait. What? It¡¯s gusts of wind, not a freaking tornado. Damn, I can be an overdramatic bitch with my narrative sometimes.
Argh, fine. Just... just, never mind¡
...
Yeah, I probably should stop talking to myself all the time¡ªoh, look! Pigs in the blanket.
Ignoring the ever-growing creepy vibe, I surveyed the feast before me: a lineup of meats, a smattering of thingamajigs, a couple of whatchamacallits, and a cluster of doodads. What?! How am I supposed to know what that jiggly green and blue thing is¡ªJell-o? And that stuff over there that¡¯s supposed to be rice? Pretty sure I saw it squirming. Everything was like a massive acid trip! I¡¯m in a realm within a realm, within another realm, all pretending to be yet another realm. Surely, this has to be an isekai record, right? (Yep, totally counting this Hansel and Gretel cottage as a separate realm¡ªno one better try and eat me; I¡¯m the only cannibal allowed here.) So, of course, there¡¯s no way I¡¯m going to recognize any of that crazy food.
Amidst the ongoing feast, one of the boys¡¯ heads suddenly tumbled across the table, a sight that left me speechless¡ªif you can imagine that. It was Rob¡¯s severed head that rolled past some kind of blood-sausage-looking thing (I always forget what that¡¯s called), yet the feast pressed on, the other children oblivious to the horror I had just witnessed. Outside, the wind picked up to a wail¡ªthe cottage might as well have been caught in a tornado.
Lightning flashed through the wind, and white spots danced before my eyes. I blinked them away, only to discover the appalling truth: the children had turned into skeletons. A nightmarish scene unfolded, one I hadn¡¯t noticed until now¡
I reached across the table, grabbed a dinner roll, and noticed my arm was covered in tattoos. Glancing down, I saw my shirt had changed, replaced by my I Decapitate Teddy Bears one. As I peeked at the writing, I noticed a few locks of hair were green on one side and black on the other. I shrugged indifferently before taking a bite out of my roll, happily munching on it as I watched the surreal spectacle unfold, curious about what would happen next.The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.
I blinked again, and everything reverted to normal¡ªchildren happily eating, including Rob. Even my tats were gone, my hair was its natural red, and my shirt now had I Heart Teddy Bears on it.
Mmm! This roll tastes amazing. What is this filling inside it?
Wait¡ is that a cockroach?
Nah, my bad, it¡¯s a severed pinky.
Shrugging, I took another bite, savoring its delicious taste, uncaring about all that happened around me.
What? You think I should be freaking out right now?
Nope! I¡¯ve seen and done worse.
A withered old hag, her face hidden within a veil, shuffled into the room, her appearance eerily familiar, as if from a dream. Honestly, that sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu was getting a bit annoying. She approached with more food as the children cheered, her true form only briefly revealed by the flickering bursts of lightning. These flashes illuminated the grim truth of our gathering, only to vanish just as swiftly, cloaking the horror with an illusion of normalcy once again.
I found it all rather fascinating, taking mental notes and wondering if I could do something similar.
Huh¡ now I want an illusion skill.
Just imagine the mind fuckery I could do by combining an illusion with Fear and Terror¡¯s Infusion!
Another gleam of lightning illuminated the feast and this time, it lingered, fully exposing its true nature. The table was laden with decay and rot, spoiled meats crawling with maggots and flies. To my bewilderment, the skeleton children were unfazed, gleefully dining. One of them even appeared to be gnawing on a severed human limb that, moments before, had masqueraded as a turkey leg, its flesh now grotesquely clinging to the bone.
I was utterly transfixed by this macabre display, licking my lips in ravenous hunger and awe, as though witnessing the culmination of every dark fantasy I¡¯ve ever dreamed. The children, skeletal as ever, continued feasting unabated. One of them had their skull nonchalantly resting atop a mound of what had once resembled blood sausage.
¡ªAh, right, Rob¡¯s head!
It had kept moving about from his shoulders to the table between every flash. The sight was ghastly (in a captivating way); I just couldn¡¯t avert my gaze, ensnared by the delectable spectacle that unfolded before me. The hag cackled, her laughter echoing through the chamber as the feast pressed on.
Another flicker of light, and I beheld the hag once again, now cloaked in the likeness of a grand ball gown¡ªstill all in black, of course¡ªseated regally in her chair. A hood still veiled her countenance in mysterious darkness, revealing only skeletal hands and a thin figure. Strangely, I sensed no malevolence emanating from her as I daringly indulged in a bite of the putrid heart, savoring its flavor as if it were a delectable fruit freshly plucked from a verdant branch.
The taste of decay greeted my palate with each bite, a perverse pleasure that should have turned my stomach. Yet, I reveled in the sensation of each crunch and chew, savoring the morbid symphony upon my tongue.
¡°So,¡± I finally asked between bites, ¡°am I dead?¡±
The hag, draped in the elegance of a refined lady, carried herself with a grace befitting royalty, her laughter tender and whimsical as she observed my indulgence in the feast of the dead. ¡°No, dear, you are not.¡±
¡ªOh, thank god¡ªdying really sucks!
Her shrouded gaze exuded warmth and affection. ¡°You¡¯re only a dreaming visitor.¡±
¡°Huh¡ so this is a nightmare,¡± I mused.
¡°Certainly not,¡± she waved off my statement. ¡°I prefer to only deal in dreams. What you see before you is what you want to see at my table.¡±
I glanced around the table as I took yet another bite from the putrid heart. The skeleton children seemed to ignore my conversation with the hag, perhaps lost in their own separate spectacle or feast. I cocked my head back toward the bone lady.
¡°So, are you like, Death or something?¡±
¡°No, I¡¯m not my mother,¡± she replied, a hint of a pained smile in her tone. ¡°I¡¯m Duskara, Goddess of Dreams, though most have forgotten that name. I¡¯m simply remembered now as the Crone.¡±
¡ªHoly shit! Did she just say her mother is Death?
Shut up, Blake, and play it cool.
¡°That¡ that name sounds familiar,¡± I snapped my fingers. ¡°Oh, yeah! You¡¯re the one the vampires worship. Apparently, I¡¯m competing to be your champion,¡± I nodded happily before giving her a flat stare. ¡°I don¡¯t want it. Now, don¡¯t get me wrong, I¡¯m not a sore winner, but I don¡¯t work well for others,¡± I added with a smirk before reaching across the table to help myself to one of the plates of intestines that had caught my eye.
¡°Aislinn!¡± A scream from the window froze me as I took a wondrous bite.
I looked outside; the beautiful spring evening had morphed into a winter blizzard, the meadow vanished, and the trees now encircled the cottage. Memories of past dreams¡ªor nightmares¡ªthat I had forgotten surged through my mind, haunting me with visions of a woman¡¯s lifeless eyes.
My gaze snapped back to the so-called goddess. ¡°I remember you now,¡± I said, recalling the time standing in the forest with her before that blue bitch banished me back to the waking world. ¡°Didn¡¯t you mention something about the forest being filled with bad dreams of past lives?¡±
Duskara nodded. ¡°I did.¡±
¡°Who was she¡¡± I whispered, barely audible, ¡°Who was Aislinn to me?¡±
¡°I don¡¯t know, and diving into your soul to find out wouldn¡¯t be pleasant for either of us,¡± she explained. ¡°All I know is what you and the seven of you are to me,¡± she gestured at the skeletons at the table, happily feasting, oblivious to our conversation.
My eyes roamed the skeletons before stopping at one I assumed was Sophia. ¡°Big Sis?¡± I muttered, attempting to decipher the meaning as I struggled to remember my conversation with the girl in another dream. My memories weren¡¯t as clear as I had thought; a fog of uncertainty still clouded many details.
Before I could piece everything together, the Crone interjected, ¡°Now, about that champion position¡ª¡±
¡°¡ªI said, I don¡¯t want it!¡± I quickly interrupted. ¡°Like, seriously, I was all for murdering them,¡± I gestured to the skeletons, ¡°but that was a totally messed up game you¡¯re playing, pitting us against one another. Worse still, their bodies had better be there when I wake up this time. I want that Death Bolt spell,¡± I grumbled, crossing my arms.
¡°Forgive me; it needed to be done to protect all of you from being discovered,¡± she sounded remorseful.
¡°By having us kill one another?¡± I shot back.
¡°Just the death of your bodies. That¡¯s an easy fix within a dungeon. It¡¯s too soon for the false gods to discover your existence.¡±
¡°Not with the dungeon core gone, it¡¯s not,¡± I retorted.
¡°Wait¡ªwhat?¡± the Crone¡ªDuskara¡ªsounded genuinely surprised.
I sighed. ¡°Why do you think that blue bitch wants me to retrieve the core so badly?¡±
¡°I¡¯m uncertain of Magic¡¯s intentions with you,¡± Duskara admitted.
I laughed, a bit bitterly. ¡°I suppose I can see that. I was definitely getting some manipulative Karen vibes from her. Though, I¡¯ll get the core back as soon as I eat their corpses,¡± I gestured again to the skeletons, ¡°and gain a few new skills.¡±
¡°I¡¯m sorry, but the dungeon will most likely have absorbed their bodies by now.¡±
Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!
¡°But the dungeon is dead without its core!¡± I protested.
¡°Aw, but like all corpses, a few parts of the body should still be functioning for a time after its death,¡± she replied, souring my mood.
That probably explained why I never found Rob¡¯s body. ¡°Shit!¡±
¡°As far as what makes us special,¡± Duskara continued, seemingly oblivious to my mental breakdown over losing out on all those skills, ¡°you have the soul of a Titan.¡±
With that single word, memories of that dream I had with Sophia began to resurface, though I was still preoccupied with my loss. Compelled to understand more, I asked, ¡°So hold on... You¡¯re saying all of humanity from Earth are this realm¡¯s long-lost Titans? All eight-plus billion people?¡±
¡°No,¡± she shook her head, the hood briefly revealing a chin bone so fast I might have imagined it. ¡°There were only a few hundred thousand Titans and just over a hundred fellow gods when they were all banished alongside our mother,¡± she tapped the table with her finger, continuing her explanation. ¡°No, what I believe our mother, Life, did was use her own essence in that manaless vacuum of a realm you call Earth to reestablish a new cycle of reincarnation. This was to keep the souls of the Titans and the gods from fading into the void, which ultimately led to the birth of new Titan souls.¡±
¡°But not gods?¡± I asked while processing what she had said.
¡°Not without the help of Death. Life cannot create new gods on her own.¡±
I took that all in, including the memories of my dream where Sophia had tried to explain all of this. Slowly nodding, it all began to make sense. Humanity was essentially a collection of old souls from this realm that had been¡ banished?
¡°Wait, who banished the Titans again?¡±
¡°The Eldritch, Magic¡¯s children.¡±
¡°Oh¡ Oh! That bitch!¡± I sat up, outraged. ¡°Wait, what does she want from me? Besides getting that core?¡±
¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Duskara sighed. ¡°But everything she¡¯s done, from stealing entire worlds filled with various races, has been to find her sister, our mother, Life, and undo her wrong.¡±
¡°Well, she¡¯s been going about it in a fucked up way,¡± I grumbled.
¡°That she has.¡±
¡°So, I¡¯m a Titan, like Cronos and Sargeras?¡±
¡°Yes¡ªI¡¯m surprised your soul remembers those names. Cronus was Life¡¯s firstborn,¡± she nodded, almost happily. ¡°Though, I suspect much of your lore and knowledge was derived from unconscious memories of your souls. That said, I doubt your soul in particular is one of the original Titans from this realm. But, I believe one of them might be my elder half-sister, Rhea,¡± her hooded gaze shifted to the skeletons happily eating, seemingly oblivious to our conversation. ¡°I¡¯m unsure if it¡¯s Sophia or Heather.¡±
Yeah, never heard of that Titan.
¡°Ugh, don¡¯t tell me our world¡¯s old-school computer programming was based on subconscious memories of this realm¡¯s fucked up system, was it?¡±
Duskara nodded again. ¡°I don¡¯t know anything about this computer stuff you speak of, but I would say yes, many things are typically influenced by a soul.¡±
¡°Wonderful,¡± I deadpanned. ¡°And what happened to the Eldritch again?¡±
¡°It¡¯s hard to destroy a soulless entity of Magic. So instead, Death shattered them and spread their remains across the cosmos,¡± there was a long pause before she continued, ¡°Their remains are often referred to as many things, one of them being Black Puddings.¡±
She¡¯s shitting me, right?
¡°You¡¯re shitting me, right?¡± I blurted out, voicing my inner shock.
My soul is inside one of these asshole Eldritch¡ªhuh, well, that might explain a lot.
Duskara was about to speak when a series of loud bangs echoed throughout the cottage, as if someone was pounding on the door like a drum.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
She sighed, ¡°It seems our time has run out. Do reconsider being my champion, will you? It will allow me to aid you within the constraints of the system.¡±
¡°Wait, but I have more questions!¡± I blurted out, my thoughts tumbling over each other in a rush. ¡°What¡¯s the system? Why is it in safe mode? What does it mean to have the soul of a Titan within the body of an Eldritch?¡±
Bang! Bang! Bang!
¡°The system was the training tool, a holdover from a forgotten era, designed to train Titans to learn to fight the Eldritch. Use it to learn new skills, but don¡¯t rely solely on it. Try mastering skills without the system altogether as it was designed to do. That¡¯s the entire purpose of ascension, not what the perversion those so-called gods believe it to be¡ª¡±
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Duskara continued, ¡°A Titan wields the very mana around them. Use it, and you¡¯ll be unstoppable.¡±
Bang! Bang! Bang!
¡°I¡¯m not going to forget all this when I wake up, am I?¡± I blinked away the moisture in my eyes, ¡°I¡¯m not going to forget about Aislinn again?¡±
¡°I¡¯ll see to it that you won¡¯t forget. Now, it¡¯s time for you to wake up. As powerful as I am within my domain, I cannot keep Magic from forcing her way in.¡±
The loud banging continued, but it somehow morphed into the sound of creaking and groaning rocks. I blinked back to consciousness to find Duskara gone; the feast had vanished, and no skeletons in sight¡ªonly darkness enveloped me. Reactivating Mana Focus, I discovered myself buried beneath a pile of rubble¡ªagain! However, this time was different: I remembered my dream and¡ Aislinn!
B01C26 - The Beginnings of an Idea
With maximum effort¡ªwell, perhaps not effort, but definitely maximum bitching¡ªI commenced my grumbling, whining, cursing, and name-calling as I slowly oozed my way through the rubble of what was once the great pathway of Moria... well, the Deep Roads. Wait! Wasn¡¯t Moria the name of the mines, and Khazad-d?m the city? I better not slip up on these details, lest I invoke the wrath of those D&D¡ªno, wait, Potter¡ªcultists online. They¡¯re a fierce bunch of keyboard warriors!
Seriously, Blake? Stirring up the trolls again?
YEP!
What¡¯s next, Rey was a Skywalker?
Oh¡ªI love Star Trek!
Eh, Orville is better.
Shut your mother-licking face hole!
Yes, I was mentally rambling to myself as I slithered through the fucking cave-in caused by that female bitch¡ªwell, canine. I¡¯m assuming he was a she because, let¡¯s be honest, that was a total bitch move! I probably should use they, but that¡¯s more about respect, and let¡¯s be real, I don¡¯t really respect anyone. Still, every they I¡¯ve slept with could eat pussy like a freaking champ! Why, you might ask?
¡ªThe constant mental chatter part¡ªnot the pussy eating, bitch, or cave-in stuff¡ªobviously. For starters, there¡¯s no music, so my brain does this annoying little dance¡ªit just has to be doing something, thanks to ADHD and a cocktail of other mental quirks, including a few misdiagnoses for good measure. This jumbled mental process was exacerbated in my last life by the US¡¯s crap healthcare coverage and the scarcity of mental health options for those without a ton of money¡ªwhich doesn¡¯t really explain my new fondness for eating people. Though, I think I¡¯ve ranted about that before, so you should already get it¡ªhopefully¡ unless you¡¯re also a bit twisted in the head?
Secondly, I¡¯m bored out of my damn gooey skull¡ªthough, isn¡¯t that just a rerun of point one? Whatever! Just know this: the path deep under the earth¡ªor well, Nyxoria (not going to lie, I hate that the word Earth also means ground, soil, dirt, and all that shit. It¡¯s so confusing at times)¡ªwas jam-packed with rocks, stones, and dirt, making it a total bitch to navigate¡ªhence, all the mental gymnastics to keep me from going insane¡er.
Lastly, but perhaps most significantly, I needed to distract myself from my¡ªrage! Yes, I was seriously pissed off right now. Why, you may ask? Well, my corpses, brimming with those oh-so-good skills¡ªand yummy intestines¡ªwere gone when I woke up. Sure, it was tough to search with a mountain of debris on top of me, but I still looked, and looked, and looked¡ªand, well, you get the point. So, yeah, I¡¯m not exactly taking it well.
That being said, one good thing did happen: I remembered my dream this time! You know that feeling, right? Waking up almost giddy because you can perfectly recall every detail of your dream¡ªthat was me... or would have been, if I wasn¡¯t so infuriated about my breakfast disappearing when I woke up. You think a cup of coffee can kickstart your day? Ha! Clearly, you¡¯ve never tried cannibalism!
Ugh, and I was so ready to eat those two elf girls¡¯ asses!
Literally, I take it?
Mhmmm! Do you think¡ªwait, do I think¡ªdark elf meat tastes better than high elf? Oh! Oh! Better question: Ass¡ªhind, if we¡¯re being politically correct¡ªbreast, or thigh meat?
Ass, while my head is sandwiched between a pair of thighs, and I¡¯m holding onto two handfuls of breasts¡ªand let¡¯s not forget the bean!
No sausage?
I¡¯m still talking about food, right?
¡
I chuckled at my inner monologue as I slipped around a particularly tight crevice, happy to find larger gaps as I continued my slimy journey. Until at last, I was free¡ªfree at last, thank... Wait, hadn¡¯t I already made this joke reference once before? Eh, but it¡¯s a classic.
Now, out of the collapsed section, I got to work on the work of reforming my body, which, let¡¯s be honest, wasn¡¯t really work at all. In fact, it required no thought whatsoever and seemed to work better without my meddling. I¡¯d explain the mechanics of this work, but I think I¡¯ve overworked the explanation of that subconsciously dead horse by now. Instead, I worked on stretching, putting some work into extending my arms wide¡ªnot that this bit of work needed much effort. I suppose it was a subconscious thing, a work habit from my past humanity where stretching just felt good¡ªlike decompressing after a day filled with hard work. It¡¯s curious how some forms of work, like stretching, can feel like work even when they¡¯re effortless.
How many times am I going to say ¡®work¡¯?
What, am I out of narrative ideas?
...No.
¡°I think that dream really fucked with my mind, hard. And not in a good way¡ªmore like it hate fucked my ass sideways, all messy like, then went full vaginal without so much as a courtesy baby wipe, leaving me with a serious tract infection,¡± I grumbled¡ from experience before clarifying. ¡°What I¡¯m trying to say is, I¡¯m feeling a little extra crazy today,¡± I huffed.
The only reply was the sound of a small pebble falling somewhere off in the distance.
I shrugged, ¡°Everyone¡¯s a critic.¡±
Oh, and yes, I am all alone, chatting up a storm to myself like the certified madwoman I am. What¡¯s new, right?
I strode toward the path leading back to the main part of the dungeon, eyeing the exit. Not that I felt ready to tangle with those Slutty-teens¡ªSlaethians, or whatever they call themselves¡ªbut hey, options were slim. The only fuckers left that could give me any new skills were those three statues, once guardians of the core, now just decorative ass-kickers after the dungeon¡¯s denizens carted the core off to their metropolis, only to have it stolen yet again.
Those stony, marbled pricks were way out of my league, but what¡¯s a girl to do when she needs more skills? I had managed to swipe some from just one other Earthling, a corpse I didn¡¯t even get the pleasure of dropping myself¡ªcomplete and utter bullshit. And yeah, I snagged some skills from a few other dungeon bosses, a couple of baby spiders, a succubus, and... okay, I admit, I had a whole arsenal of skills to play with. But can you blame me for wanting more? Greed is a hell of a drug¡ªnot quite as good as cocaine, but then again, I don¡¯t have any of that here. Looks like it was core-heist time. No other options on the table.
I glanced down and, oh, fabulous¡ªa large pink tentacle was snugly wrapped around my waist. I traced it back to its source and spotted a treasure chest on the other end.
¡°Oh, you¡¯ve got to be shitting me. How many freaking mimics are down here¡ª¡±
My rant was cut short as the mimic yanked me off my feet, hurling me straight into its gaping maw. The lid snapped shut with a vicious clang, and rows of shark-like teeth clamped down, gnashing at me as if I were mere bubble gum. It chewed with relentless ferocity, the lid contorting from side to side as it shredded my silk fa?ade and savaged the dark flesh beneath¡ªpuncturing, stabbing, and serrating with each horrific chomp. Its wet tongue greedily rolled me around its mouth, savoring me like a connoisseur relishes a fine wine.The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
Pain from physical attacks felt more like phantom pain; it didn¡¯t truly hurt, but my mind kept insisting it should¡ªit was quite bizarre. The only genuine sensation was my exasperation with the entire ordeal. Yep, you heard¡ªargh, read¡ªthat correctly. I was beyond anger or rage. In fact, if my face hadn¡¯t been all torn up at the moment, I would have worn the exasperation of someone who¡¯s just had enough¡ªin an unamused sort of way.
A few moments later, I strode away as a mimic chest, coated in green flames with purple tips, screamed and wailed. It skittered frantically, bashing from one wall to the next on crab-like legs as if its hair were on fire¡ªwell, to be fair, its entire body was on fire, but hair paints a more vivid picture, wouldn¡¯t you say?
Before long, I passed by the dungeon colosseum, steering clear of the three statues that had resumed their original poses, and made my way to the stairwell leading out. The path up was dark and foreboding¡ªthough that might have been my nerves. Not that I was worried about vampires or anything, but for some odd reason, my thoughts kept drifting to Aurelia. And now that I could actually remember my dreams, it was like being stuck on a loop of my supposed past lives, particularly that disaster of a night buried under snow.
Were those dreams¡ªor should I call them nightmares¡ªactually memories of past lives?
Sauntering into a chamber that felt more like a crypt than a room, I found myself encircled by ten massive stone slabs, each screaming altar and tailored for someone way taller and less alive than your average NBA star. They huddled around a pit, the fire long snuffed out¡ªancient history, maybe? My Mana Focus lit the place up like a neon rave, painting everything in wild mana technicolor. Without it? I¡¯d be blinder than a bat who¡¯d lost its sonar at the absolute worst moment.
The ambient mana didn¡¯t just lurk; it pulsated, wrapping around me in a suffocating embrace that was unsettling yet weirdly comforting¡ªlike a backstabbing friend ready with a warm hug. Amidst these ethereal currents, whispers of healing energy flickered in wisps. As I navigated this eerie ambiance, I couldn¡¯t help but muse¡ªwas this cryptic venue some kind of celestial pit stop? Perhaps a respawn chamber for the brave or downright idiotic system users daring enough to tackle the dungeon?
I didn¡¯t linger, darting out and barely rounding the corner when my metaphorical heart plummeted. The corridor unfolded into a grotesque horror show¡ªbodies strewn everywhere, contorted into unnatural poses like a deranged artist¡¯s macabre playthings. Blood, fire scars, and the remnants of violent magical bursts marred the walls, creating a chaotic canvas strewn with debris. The vamps had clearly gotten their asses handed to them. My stomach churned with a bizarre mix of hunger and¡ªdare I say¡ªarousal? Sure, the carnage might resemble a scandalously forbidden feast, but manners, manners! All thoughts of Magic¡¯s quest vanished as my mind focused singularly on one imperative: find Aurelia!
Frantically, I rummaged through corpse after corpse, each face a silent prayer answered that it wasn¡¯t hers. Yet, amidst the bloody task, I couldn¡¯t resist a nibble here and there¡ªa girl¡¯s gotta eat, after all!
This obsession with finding Aurelia was gnawing at me. She bore no resemblance to the woman in my dreams, yet the fear those dreams stirred up clawed at my insides, just as tangible as the monster of insanity I¡¯d become. I persisted through the destruction, each non-Aurelia body a twisted relief.
Turning down another gloomy hallway, I spotted a lifeless gnome¡ªrecognizing the corpse as Olin, that little ghoul twerp, now just another casualty with an axe buried in his skull. The urge to smash his face in and snack on his eyeballs and intestines was tempting¡ªsuper tempting! But then, like a shart at a funeral, another thought struck me loud and clear amid the deafening silence.
I¡¯ve got an idea.
¡°Status!¡± I called out, even though a mere thought would have sufficed.
|
V:\Ascension>SAFE_MODE
CharacterStatus
Name: Blake
Race: Black Pudding
Class: Monster
Level: 25
Titles:
- [Hopeless Crusader]
Racial Skills:
- [Absorb]
- [Arcane Insight]
- [Corrosive]
- [Polymorph]
- [Thermal]
Spells:
- [Astral Insight]
- [Blight]
- [Fear]
- [Life Drain]
- [Mana Focus]
- [Necrotic Flame]
- [Paralysis]
- [Terror¡¯s Infusion]
Abilities:
- [Burst]
- [Ethereal Mist]
- [Silk Webbing]
- [Spider Walk]
- [Venomous]
Vulnerabilities:
- [Fire]
- [Holy]
Immunities:
- [Acid]
- [Darkness]
- [Disease]
- [Dread]
- [Fear]
- [Poison]
- [Sleep]
- [Sorrow]
Unique Traits:
- [Oracle]
- [Polyglot]
- [Stellar Void]
Selectable Skills:
- [Acid Breath]
- [Dull Corrode]
- [Fear Harvest]
- [Fortress]
- [Leap]
- [Poison Spit]
- [Shield Proficiency]
- [Spirit Vessel]
- [Spores]
V:\>
|
My eyes roamed down my skill list, my expression turning into a frown at the Immunities. It was frustrating that some skill immunities didn¡¯t apply unless cast upon me by an external source, like Fear¡ªI mean, I could still feel scared, like how I was terrified for some unknown reason about anything happening to Aurelia, even though I had immunity to¡ well, Fear. And yet, Sleep immunity protected me from all states of unconsciousness¡ªunless, of course, someone had an attack that could turn off my buffs, but that¡¯s a different drowned bag of cats.
What I¡¯m getting at is, nothing seems very consistent. It¡¯s almost like the rules of magic are a lot like English: for every rule, there¡¯s an exception, and none of those exceptions make any sense.
Sighing, my gaze moved on until it landed on my available skills to be selected.
¡°I know I have two available skill points, but it would be nice if my status page actually said that,¡± I grumbled, silently hoping that blue magical cunt had heard my bitching.
With a deep, resigned sigh, I immediately spent a skill point without an ounce of hesitation¡ªyes, that was a lie if the sigh wasn¡¯t a tell. What? Leveling had become really hard without the dungeon core, so I wasn¡¯t exactly eager to spend my last two points, but I knew it had to be done. Plus, I had an idea. It hit me when I saw Olin¡¯s corpse, reminding me of what Aurelia had done with his soul after I had devoured his last body.
|
V:\Ascension>SAFE_MODE
SkillDetails
[Spirit Vessel]
Description: Manipulate spirits around you, mending and melding them with any accepting vessel.
Status: Inactive
Type: Spell
Activation: Cast
_
V:\Ascension>SAFE_MODE
ActivateSpell
Selecting Spell: [Spirit Vessel]
Status: Active
Type: Spell
Activation: Cast
[Spirit Vessel] is now set as an active-cast.
_
Selectable: 14 out of 15 Skills Activated.
V:\>
|
Casting my new skill with all my insight guiding me. I watched in both fascination and hunger as the injuries on the undead ghoul began to knit themselves back together¡ªa grotesque display of blood and brain matter flowing back into its body, as if manipulated by some twisted unseen force. Despite the gruesomely enticing sight, which stirred my hunger once more, my priorities were clear¡ªI needed answers first; feasting could wait.
Don¡¯t get me wrong, I didn¡¯t give two shits about healing Olin or anything like that; I really didn¡¯t like the little prick. However, I needed answers, and more importantly, I needed to find Aurelia!
Alas, the ghoul¡¯s gaze remained vacant and lifeless, and my quest for answers was far from over. I stared at it for a long, probing moment¡ªsomething was amiss. I wasn¡¯t an expert, but from what I understood, Spirit Vessel shouldn¡¯t have healed the corpse, right?
I wiped at the corner of my mouth, catching a trail of yellow drool, my hunger a subtle reminder of my needs as I continued to study the corpse. Stepping back, I noticed something else peculiar. Tilting my head from side to side, the corpse¡¯s appearance shifted oddly, like those holographic foil trading cards¡ªwhat I was seeing didn¡¯t seem quite real.
From one angle, the body still looked just as ravaged, but from another, it appeared healed.
Wait¡ªdid I mend the spirit?
So, what I¡¯m seeing is his soul? How can I see his soul?
Unless¡ a soul is mana¡ªMana Focus!
So, I had apparently healed Olin¡¯s soul, but I couldn¡¯t get it to fuse with the body. I glanced back at the skill¡¯s description and fixated on the phrase, ¡°melding them with any accepting vessel.¡± My best guess, using all my insight and common sense, was that his body was too damaged to accept the soul.
Disgruntled, I began using Spirit Vessel on Olin¡¯s soul with every nearby body I could find, but to no avail. Intriguingly, his soul took on the appearance of each body I tried, continually giving it that holographic foil trading card look as the soul overlaid the corpse. I admit, it tricked me a couple of times into thinking I had succeeded. However, by leaning from side to side, I was able to notice the illusion¡ªthough I suspected that if I wasn¡¯t using mana to see, I wouldn¡¯t have had this issue.
With a huff, I plopped down on my ass, racking my brain for a solution or at least a workaround. Astral Insight and Arcane Insight were proving utterly useless, and don¡¯t even get me started on Oracle¡ªI wasn¡¯t even sure if those skills were doing anything at all. Then, suddenly, an idea popped into my head from seemingly nowhere. I snapped my fingers. With a wicked grin, I activated Stellar Void!
B01C27 - The Lich
I attempted to activate Stellar Void with a wicked grin, but my eyebrows furrowed when nothing happened. Sitting beside Olin¡¯s corpse, arms crossed over my chest, I stared at the gnome.
¡°WTF! What am I fucking doing wrong?¡± I muttered, glaring at the lifeless form beside me. ¡°Hmm¡ Olin doesn¡¯t need his intestines, does he?¡± I paused, considering the thought. ¡°Mmmmm¡ªnope!¡±
Stellar Void was an odd skill. For one, I hadn¡¯t chosen it¡ªI was pretty sure I didn¡¯t need a dimensional storage skill; besides, it wasn¡¯t like I could use items, what with my pH levels all sorts of out of whack. Yes, I can turn off my Corrosive passive, but that¡¯s beside the point. Where was I going with this? Oh, right! I was quite surprised when Misty Blue hacked my system sheet and activated the skill¡ªyes, I just threw out that nickname, testing the waters. Can I keep calling her blue cunt? Well, I suppose I could, and most likely would. But that¡¯s a petty tangent I¡¯m above¡ªI¡¯m getting sidetracked, as usual.
So... Stellar Void. It¡¯s an odd skill. I didn¡¯t want it. Didn¡¯t think I¡¯d need it. However, because of it, I now have a pair of solutions ready to grab by the balls. Yep, that¡¯s right! I have two phylacteries from the undead chimera. I might also be a bit bitter that I couldn¡¯t have taken them and killed that zombie monster without the skill, but I refuse to give that blue cunt any credit for micromanaging my skills. However, why hadn¡¯t the skill worked?
With a huff, triggered by my own relentless narrative rambling¡ªwhich, let¡¯s be honest, is starting to unhinge even me¡ªI tried to activate my dimensional storage skill once again.
I know, I know, this narrative is teetering on too meta. But what can I say? I operate on two settings: full-blown insanity and cold, hard vindictiveness. Admittedly, my more insane side can be quite fun. In my last life, that version of me would have pulled off a keg stand to massive cheers and then swooped in to steal some dude¡¯s hot girlfriend¡ªor at least, that would have been me if I¡¯d been more sociable. No... what can I say? I was a goth daydreamer, though I¡¯d still manage to snag the girl, the guy, and sometimes both. I think the term is slut, but why do women get the negative labels for sleeping around? Total bullshit, if you ask me! Then there was my vindictive side¡ªyeah, that part of me was a real nightmare, even for me. My point? I¡¯m unhinged, always have been, and it¡¯s only gotten far, far, far¡ªwaaaaaay¡ªworse in this new life, and that¡¯s not even touching on the cannibalism!
Slurping on my snack, my brows furrowed deeper as I looked for any signs of the skill working, but frustratingly¡ªnothing! The last and only time I had used this skill, I hadn¡¯t really been paying attention to where the hole had opened¡ªI mean, I was a blob of goop within a monster¡¯s nut sack¡ you know what, let¡¯s never mention that last part again. Anyway, the dimensional storage didn¡¯t open a hole in time or space before me or anything like that; instead, I felt a shift within me. My eyes glanced down to my chest as I stared, mesmerized, as Stellar Void held open a gaping hole, revealing¡ nothingness.
¡°Oh¡ªthere you are!¡± I exclaimed with an overly cheerful tone.
With a happy little hum, I rammed my fist right into my gaping hole and rummaged around, my fingers curling as they searched for the spot. I even pulled out a few times, only to thrust my fist back in, hard and fast. Like a skilled lover, I knew exactly where to look, yet the surprise at the end was... underwhelming. As I pulled out this time with my prize in hand, I pouted, staring at a baseball-sized black phylactery.
Wasn¡¯t it the size of a basketball?
Ah, it shriveled. How cute.
¡°Maybe it¡¯s too cold inside my hole?¡± I shrugged, smirking.
I didn¡¯t bother to check if the other one had shrunk; I only needed one. My plan was simple: if my skill, Spirit Vessel, refused to shove Olin¡¯s soul into a corpse, then I¡¯d ram it into this orb and try to connect it to a body using that as the medium. Did I know if it would work? Nope! But it was only his soul¡ªwhat harm could trying possibly do?
As much as I craved answers from Olin, part of me grieved the waste of one of my two phylacteries on his soul¡ª
Such a freaking waste.
¡ªbut, desperate times and all that shit, right? I needed to find Aurelia, and I couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that my soul was in a screaming match, urging me to hurry it up. The worst part was that I didn¡¯t know if she was still alive. So, if ramming Olin¡¯s soul into a phylactery was the ticket, then I¡¯m buying¡ªafter all, I need those answers. Meanwhile, a little voice in my head was warning me that Magic was toying with me, dangling that quest reward of ascension like a carrot. I was just waiting for the inevitable screw-over once I get that dungeon core.
Meh, whatever! Aurelia first, core second.
I waved off the doubts with a mental flick of my middle finger. ¡°No time for second-guessing now.¡±
I hoisted myself off my ass and towered over the pathetic gnome¡¯s corpse, clutching one of my phylactery orbs like the queen of chaos I truly am. Flashing a devil-may-care grin, I punched the mental command for Spirit Vessel into the system. Let me tell you, it kicked off like a firework show, making me feel like a supervillain on a serious power trip¡ªthink Evil-Lyn, but cranked up to eleven with mad cackling. As the magic swirled and danced in a spectrum of colors around me, I noticed a new sensation... I could actually feel it caressing my flesh, as tangible as if I could reach out and grasp it.Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.
Huh, the spell seems so straightforward it¡¯s almost idiotic. Could I actually pull this off without the system holding my hand?
Doubtful, but hell, why not try? After all, how hard is it to stuff a soul back into its meat sack?
What¡¯s the worst that could happen? It¡¯s not like Olin can die again... right?
Remembering what Duskara, aka the Crone, had told me¡ªthat I was supposedly a Titan, capable of manipulating mana¡ªI decided to let go of my training wheels and deactivated Spirit Vessel. Like a kid learning to ride a bike, I ignored the system, reached out with my hands, and let the mana weave around my fingers. Much to my giddiness, the mana moved with my touch. I doubted it would have been as easy without Mana Focus letting me see how the mana reacted to every gesture I made. Still, I¡¯m not one to complain¡ªokay, that¡¯s a lie; I¡¯d totally bitch to a manager if I could. However, as I smiled like an idiot, Olin¡¯s soul moved with the flow of mana as I guided it into the black orb.
Then, continuing to toy with the mana, I gently squeezed a tendril that danced around the orb and pulled it toward the lifeless gnome corpse. Like a desert desperate for water, the body clung to the soul from the orb like a greedy child. This time, there was no denial, no reaction. Before I could blink, the spell concluded, the phylactery took the reins, and presto¡ªOlin¡¯s soul was back in business. Weirdly, the whole thing felt eerily familiar.
D¨¦j¨¤ vu, much?
Had my own soul been through this rodeo before?
It was a creepy thought, but I shoved it aside. Right now, all I cared about was grilling the newly revived gnome rat.
¡°He¡¯s alive! He¡¯s alive!¡± I whooped, throwing my arms up like I¡¯d just resurrected Frankenstein¡¯s monster, as Olin¡¯s eyes flickered open.
Olin¡¯s expression cycled from shock to confusion to annoyance as he caught my gaze. Before he could utter a word, I morphed an arm into a massive tentacle and slammed it beside his head, sending shivers down his now-lich spine. As he tried to speak, the word ¡°Bow¡ª¡± barely formed on his lips before my voice thundered through the chamber, cutting him off.
¡°WHERE¡¯S AURELIA?!¡± I screamed, my eyes blazing with a harsh, orange light that cast a sinister glow over the quivering figure before me. The air around me thrummed with dark and ominous energy, and I swore I saw orange sparks flicker.
¡°The lasth time I thaw my lady,¡± Olin murmured, barely above a whisper, ¡°she wash fighting a champion ash thath bathard, Demidicuth, headed for the portal chamber with the thurviving eldersh.¡± His fear subsided, replaced by a flicker of confusion as he patted his jaw and touched his lips, as if puzzled by an unfamiliar sensation.
I remember him having a stutter, but did he have a lisp before?
¡°Did... Did Aurelia¡¡±
¡°There ith another coven, far to the westh at the edge of the continent, near the daylight side within the mountainsh along the coasth,¡± Olin interjected before I could finish. ¡°If Lord Demidicuth went anywhere, it would be there. But don¡¯t expect them to linger; the Grand Elder isn¡¯th one to share power, and hish influenthe wanes on thath thide of the continent.¡±
Daylight side? Huh, we¡¯ll have to come back to that.
¡°I don¡¯t care about Demi-ass,¡± I growled. ¡°What happened to Aurelia?¡±
¡°I can¡¯t thay for thure,¡± Olin admitted, still fiddling with his jaw.
Useless!
¡°Ugh! How do I find Aurelia?!¡± I demanded.
¡°My guessh is she will find you,¡± Olin answered, unhelpfully.
¡°That¡¯s not much help,¡± I snarled. ¡°If you¡¯re not going to be useful, I might as well eat you.¡±
Olin¡¯s gaze darted around, panic rising, before he regained a bit of composure. ¡°What happened to the other candidatesh? Did they perish during the trial?¡±
For fuck¡¯s sake, that lisp is getting annoying!
¡°Hmm? Oh, yeah, I killed them,¡± I casually replied.
¡°So you¡¯re the Crone¡¯sh champion?¡± Olin asked, a trace of hope flickering in his eyes.
¡°What? Hell no,¡± I snapped. ¡°I told her I didn¡¯t want it.¡±
¡°You¡ªyou denied a goddethh?¡± Olin stammered.
I shrugged nonchalantly. ¡°I don¡¯t work well with or for others.¡±
¡°You¡¯re not the champion?¡± Olin muttered to himself, bewildered.
¡°Nope! These things happen,¡± I smirked, my expression turning cold. ¡°If you¡¯re not going to help me find Aurelia, I have no use for you.¡±
¡°Wait!¡± Olin cried as I stepped closer, the black phylactery in my hand poised to sever the connection between his body and his soul. His eyes widened in realization as he blurted out, ¡°Elsthernwick!¡±¡ªclearly understanding where his soul was now held.
¡°What?¡± I paused, blinking in confusion.
¡°If Aurelia was defeated by a champion,¡± the little lich gulped, ¡°she wash most likely taken captive. In thath cathe, she would have been brought to the nearby village of Elsthernwick, where the Sleathiansh would await reinforcementsh to transport her to their kingdom¡¯sh capital.¡±
Okay¡ªwhat¡¯s going on with this lisp? I can barely understand him.
¡°There, that wasn¡¯t so hard to say, now was it?¡± I cooed. ¡°Now, come on, we¡¯re going to go get her back,¡± I declared.
And snag that dungeon core while I¡¯m at it.
Olin attempted to rise but immediately fell flat on his face. I tried and failed to stifle a laugh as he clumsily pushed himself up and stared in disbelief at himself, only now noticing that everything below his rib cage was missing.
¡°My bad, I got hungry,¡± I chuckled, striding away and playfully tossing the black orb up and down. ¡°Do keep up,¡± I called back over my shoulder.
I could barely contain my amusement as the little undead gnome muttered an incoherent tirade, clumsily pattering after me with his hands, his lower half missing. I could have sworn he even hissed a couple of times¡ªnot like a cat, but more like a snake, for some reason¡
As I walked, I pulled up my skill sheet, deciding it was time to spend my last skill point on one final skill before potentially facing a horde of much stronger enemies. I hoped to sneak in and out unnoticed, but deep down, I knew that was too much to hope for.
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V:\Ascension>SAFE_MODE
SkillDetails
[Spores]
Description: Emit a haze of spores to envelop you, inflicting foes with a lethargic slowdown that delays physical reactions and spell casting.
Status: Inactive
Type: Ability
Activation: Cast
Select [Spores]?
> YES
> NO
_
V:\Ascension>SAFE_MODE
ActivateSpell
Selecting Ability: [Spores]
Status: Active
Type: Ability
Activation: Cast
[Spores] is now set as an active-cast.
_
Selectable: 15 out of 15 Skills Activated.
V:\>
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B01C28 - A Wonderful, Awful Idea
I pranced through the wreckage of the vampires¡¯ keep, my steps light and merry¡ªa stark contrast to the legless¡ªand, I might add, dickless¡ªgnome¡¯s furious hand-slapping against the stone floor. His every move screamed of wrath, but I wasn¡¯t about to let his sour mood rain on my parade. With a grin, I juggled a baseball-sized black orb, my carefree tosses a sharp foil to his frustration. Each time the orb thudded against the ground after a missed catch, a sharp intake of breath escaped him.
¡°Oops!¡± I flashed a mischievous smile.
¡°Aaaaah!¡± Olin cried out as the orb hit the stone floor with a loud crack.
¡°My bad,¡± I nearly sang out, scooping up the orb without bothering to check for any cracks or chips. With a soft chuckle, I tossed it again, effortlessly catching it while noting his wince. ¡°Oh, how thoughtless of me,¡± I hummed sarcastically, the words dripping with faux concern. Tee-hee.
¡°Will you th-stop that?¡± the gnome gasped, his voice threading a hiss through the irritation.
¡°Stop what?¡± I asked, tossing the orb again, my eyes gleaming as I happily watched his eye twitch while I nearly missed catching it again.
¡°Th-that!¡±
¡°That?¡± I tilted my head, feigning confusion.
What? Accidents happen. It¡¯s not my fault if I¡¯ve got butterfingers... despite my reflexes being almost superhuman¡ªokay, fine, I admit it. I¡¯m not actually missing those catches; I¡¯m intentionally letting it fall. But oh, the look of horror on his little undead gnome face every time I do it is absolutely priceless!
¡°You know exthactly¡ª¡±
¡°I¡¯ve got questions,¡± I interrupted him as I tossed the orb again. ¡°Also, what¡¯s with the lisp?¡±
¡°Lithp? What lithp?¡± he blinked, his confusion genuine.
¡°You sound like you¡¯re part sna...ke,¡± I said, catching the orb and glancing down at it as my orange eyes widened.
¡°What ith it?¡±
¡°Oops,¡± was my only reply as I quickly started walking again.
¡°What ith it?!¡± he hissed.
¡°Nothing!¡± I called back as I continued on.
Um... Blake, did I remove the souls from the two phylacteries before putting Olin¡¯s soul into one?
...Nope.
Umm, I think his soul is sharing the orb with the chimera¡¯s snake-tail soul.
Whoops!
¡°What ith you do¡± Olin cried, his voice slashing through the air with a hiss.
Fucking hell!
¡°Nothing,¡± I smiled, perhaps a bit too awkwardly, if the panic widening in the gnome¡¯s eyes was any indication.
¡°What ith you do!¡± he repeated.
¡°Ugh, enough,¡± I groaned.
I activated Stellar Void and tossed the phylactery into my chest cavity¡ªor rather, into my dimension storage. As the black orb disappeared into the void within me, Olin¡¯s body immediately crumbled. His arms gave out, and he fell flat onto his face with a hard thud... or it would have been a hard thud, except he looked like a toddler missing his lower half, so it really wasn¡¯t that far of a fall.
Within the dark corridors of the ruined vampires¡¯ keep, the utter silence was shattered by a loud slap as I facepalmed.
¡°Fucking great, Blake,¡± I complained. ¡°I needed his help to find Aurelia! What? It¡¯s not like I knew the connection between his soul and body would be severed when I tossed it into my hole,¡± I grumbled back. ¡°Ugh, but that¡¯s how I defeated the chimera, you dumbass!¡±
Still bitching at myself, I reached down and grabbed the lifeless corpse by the back of the neck, continuing down the corridor toward the keep¡¯s portcullis. From what I could see, daylight¡ªor something like it¡ªfiltered through in a haunting blue hue. Stepping out of the keep, gnome in hand, I paused and gazed skyward.
Above, the heavens were dominated by a colossal Jupiter-like planet that filled the entire sky, awash in hues of cyan interspersed with swirling, vibrant pink storms that churned visibly, like world-ending hurricanes at play. I stood there, jaw agape, for several long moments, transfixed.
My gaze roamed across the planet, catching sight of one large moon after another¡ªsome as large as three of Earth¡¯s moons combined, commanding the sky, while others were more modest but no less captivating. Countless moons¡ªI¡¯m not exaggerating; there were thousands of them¡ªpeppered the expanse, each contributing to a tapestry of orbiting wonders.
Oh, and we¡¯re not talking plain old-looking moons; I could see continents, some washed in green, others in browns, and blue oceans¡ªwell, except for that one over there; that ocean looked purple, but the rest that I could make out looked like Earth, if not for the continents being differently shaped.
Glancing around, I noted the absence of a sun, yet the planet itself cast a surreal blue glow, bathing everything in an otherworldly light.
¡°Holy shit,¡± I finally breathed out.
Pulling my gaze down, I noticed the remnants of the siege within a forest¡ªnot the lush green kind, but more like the eerie Sleepy Hollow variety. It was painfully clear that the vampires had been utterly decimated, with corpses littering the ground everywhere I looked. A few were even impaled upon the tops of trees¡ªdon¡¯t ask me how they got all the way up there. I took a step and pulled back when my foot landed on a large wooden stick, and suddenly, it hit me. I got an idea. An awful idea. I got a wonderful, awful idea.
A few minutes later, I watched as Olin¡¯s eyes slowly crept open, blinking a few times as if waking from a deep sleep, before finally settling on me.
¡°Eh, what happened?¡± he groaned.
¡°Um, turns out I can¡¯t keep your phylactery within my dimensional storage without severing the connection between your soul and that... head,¡± I said, barely concealing a smile.
¡°You have a dimensional¡ªwait, what do you mean, head?¡± Olin tried to glance down¡ªwell, attempted to, but his head wasn¡¯t moving. ¡°Why can¡¯t I move?¡± he squeaked in panic.
¡°Hey! Your lisp is gone,¡± I chuckled. ¡°You¡¯re welcome.¡±
¡°Why can¡¯t I move my head¡ªin fact, why can¡¯t I feel my body!¡±
¡°Um, because you don¡¯t have a body,¡± I smiled again.
¡°What!¡±
I stared at Olin as I held the magic staff that had been lying on the ground, now adorned with his head at the tip as though it were a magical, albeit fleshy, skull. He was glaring at me with seething anger.
¡°Don¡¯t look at me like that,¡± I added. ¡°You had no legs. You should really be thanking me.¡±
¡°Thank you? I¡¯m a fucking head on a stick!¡± Olin screamed.
¡°Yeaaah, but now you don¡¯t have to worry about walking,¡± I happily nodded. ¡°Oh, and look... oh, right, you can¡¯t. Well, at the bottom of the staff, I replaced the magical crystal thingy with your phylactery.¡± I smiled as I gave the bottom of the staff a couple of good thumps on the ground, eliciting a few shrieks from Olin.
¡°Stop that! That¡¯s my soul you¡¯re playing with, you¡ªyou gooey bitch!¡±
¡°Gooey, what?¡± I asked, my tone cold and threatening. Before Olin could stammer out a reply, I cut him off, ¡°Let¡¯s get something straight. I need your help to find Aurelia. I don¡¯t care about you or what happens to you. That said, if you help me, I... might hand you over to her to fix, but until then, you¡¯re at my mercy, and I¡¯m not big on mercy.¡±Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
¡°I¡ªI understand,¡± Olin said, his voice wavering as though he were frantically nodding like a good, submissive bobblehead¡ªif, you know, he could actually nod, considering the whole head-on-a-stick situation.
¡°Good,¡± I said cheerfully. ¡°Anywho, why did the army leave all the vampire corpses lying about? Aren¡¯t they worried about the undead?¡± I asked the undead lich head.
¡°It¡¯s difficult to bring back the dead if they were slain by holy weapons. It would take a necromancer on par with a Champion,¡± Olin explained. ¡°Typically, they would burn the bodies, but I imagine they didn¡¯t want to linger and deal with that if they took Aurelia prisoner. She¡¯s too powerful to be kept confined without a full garrison overseeing her, especially since Lord Demidicus got away.¡±
¡°Huh¡ So, which way to this Eastern-Witch?¡± I asked, changing the subject.
¡°Elsternwick,¡± Olin corrected, earning a flat stare from me. He cleared his throat, ¡°Straight ahead.¡±
Um, but he doesn¡¯t have a throat.
Semantics¡ªshut up!
With a happy little hum, I started walking, and walking, oh, and more walking, until at last, Elsternwick! It was actually a cinch to find. I mean, there was a literal trail laid out clear as day as though an entire army had marched right through it¡ªwhich I suppose was probably exactly what had happened¡ªleading right through the forest. Olin and I approached the forest¡¯s edge, spotting an encampment outside the village¡¯s walls.
My little dark heart sank at the sight of vampires bared naked and impaled upon wooden spikes, Vlad the Impaler-style. The once-fearsome creatures of the night were reduced to squirming in agonizing pain. Their skin bubbled, blackened, and blistered as their piercing screams of torture echoed through the air, met with jeers and laughter from the holy knights who occasionally stepped up to cast Holy upon them. If these roasting vampires weren¡¯t supposed to be my allies, I might have been tempted to take a bite or two. Ah, who was I kidding? I had no allies.
I was only here for the dungeon core¡ªyes, that¡¯s me lying to myself again. I didn¡¯t understand why Aurelia had such a hold over me. Nonetheless, I was relieved that Aurelia wasn¡¯t among the impaled. Still, the thought of her suffering sent my tar-black blood blazing with rage as I gazed into the camp, desperate to find her.
¡°What¡¯s your plan?¡± Olin squeaked.
I smirked at the head on a stick and replied, ¡°I don¡¯t have one.¡±
¡°WH¡ª¡± He started to yell before my hand clapped over his mouth.
The little prick launched into a muffled tirade, but honestly, who had the time or the patience for that? So, with a flex of my tits, I opened my dimensional storage and unceremoniously dumped him, the stick he was glued to, and his oh-so-precious phylactery into the abyss.
Sighing in relief at the sudden silence¡ªwell, apart from the ongoing vampire rave and their Holy Knight fan club¡ªI couldn¡¯t help but let a wickedly dark smile creep across my face as my body started doing its best Wicked Witch impression, melting into a gooey mess. As I splattered onto the ground, shrinking in size, I couldn¡¯t help but wonder where all my extra mass was going. I mean, I¡¯d eaten enough corpses to rival an elephant and a half. But, as usual, when pesky questions like that popped up, my go-to answer fluttered back¡ªmagic, duh!
Once I¡¯d shrunk down to what one might generously call a baby spiderling¡ªokay, fine, I looked more like a Great Dane smooshed into a pancake¡ªI slithered off in a mad, undignified slush toward the military encampment.
As a large moon passed overhead, the sky was painted in dark blue and pink hues, casting the knights¡¯ encampment into a labyrinth of haunting shadows. The camp was massive, nearly four times the size of the village, and being near so many knights gathered in one spot was a bit unnerving. Not because I was scared¡ªfuck that¡ªbut because I was hungry again. I really should have taken the time to feast on all those vampire corpses lying around earlier.
How the fuck am I going to pull this off?
As my slime form slithered forward, I couldn¡¯t help but gawk at the wild mix of knights in the encampment. Half were clad in pristine white and gold plate mail, epitomizing the stereotypical holier-than-thou knights. But the other half... oh boy, hold onto your hats! They strutted about like barbarians on a runway, sporting outfits that made He-Man, Conan, and lingerie models seem as if they were dressed for Sunday mass. Chainmail bikinis and thongs adorned everyone, turning the place into a bizarre blend of a raunchy cosplay event and an S&M party. It was a spectacle that left me both amused and utterly bewildered.
Seriously, what the hell is this? What¡¯s going on here?
Honestly, I¡¯m not sure what I¡¯m seeing¡ªbut damn, look at her ass!
While mentally catcalling a few of the sights, my attention was snagged by boisterous laughter. ¡°Hey there, Gimona! How did your patrol go?¡±
I froze, my gooiness halting as that name echoed like a cruel mantra in my ears, a funeral hymn. Wartie¡¯s horrified face flashed in my thoughts, embedding that name deeper into my already enraged psyche. Don¡¯t get me wrong, I didn¡¯t care that the little shit had died; no, I was still pissed someone else had done it. Was this a Black Pudding trait?
¡°Ah, sure ye haven¡¯t heard? There was a cave-in down in the deep roads. All patrols¡¯ve been halted. Nobody¡¯s gettin¡¯ through there,¡± Gimona responded.
¡°HA!¡± a barbarian-looking woman laughed.
Gimona went on, ¡°What¡¯s goin¡¯ on with that vampire wench, eh?¡±
¡°Many of us, myself included, offered to spike the bitch, but the General refused. He¡¯s treating her like some fucking VIP prisoner, last I heard, intent on handing her over to the empire for interrogation. A bunch of bullshit if you ask me! We should strap the bitch down and let the boys impale her!¡±
Gimona let out a hearty laugh that filled the camp. ¡°Ha! If that little vamp is off to the empire, she¡¯ll be wishin¡¯ the General and his lads had finished it! Did they drain the lass, at least? Vamps can be real beasts if they¡¯re not. Ye know!¡±
¡°Ha! Last I heard, she¡¯s bone dry!¡± replied the female barbarian.
Aurelia first, murdering after!
¡°It¡¯s a shame Galen headed out earlier this morning. Thankfully, we¡¯re getting two other Champions tomorrow,¡± a knight said.
I peered around the corner of a tent, easily spotting the dwarf as she lost herself in laughter and ale among a gaggle of knights, her five o¡¯clock shadowed jawline on full display. My eyes continued to roam the crowd, searching for the rest of the dwarf¡¯s companions. No sight of the wizard¡ Still, my true prize was the one approaching a tent¡ªAnlyth, the elf bitch who killed Wartie, arm in arm with a burly, bald, caramel-skinned man built like a seasoned blacksmith or a rampaging linebacker.
There¡¯s Anlyth, but who¡¯s the man she¡¯s clinging to?
Aurelia first, murdering after!
She might be held in a tent at the center of the encampment.
There¡¯s also a chance she¡¯s in a secure location inside Elsternwick.
But I doubt that shithole village has a secure enough location to hold her.
It can¡¯t be worse than a tent...
¡
Ugh, I was right, and I knew it, but I never listen to anyone¡¯s advice, my own included.
To the center of the camp, I shall go!
¡
I resumed my unseen slinking through the camp, pausing only momentarily to eavesdrop on the conversation. The deepening shadows cast by the lunar shadow veiled my movements as the planet¡¯s glow barely grazed the treetops, casting the remainder of the camp into dusky shades of black and gray. Around me, the knights reveled in their victory, drowning in drink and jubilation. They danced and pranced around the flickering campfires, their laughter forming a stark chorus against the faint, haunting cries of impaled vampires that dwindled with the fading light. The scene was surreal, an eerie dance of celebration amidst profound suffering.
As I slipped into the central portion of the encampment, I found rows of steel cages strung about, like those in a dog kennel. Yet, they were all crammed with crying and sobbing people of various races I couldn¡¯t identify. Worse, not a single person within those cages appeared to be from the vampire keep¡ªfortress¡ªbase¡ªruins¡ lair? Something or other!
I didn¡¯t see anyone who might have belonged among the vampires. These prisoners were different... realization dawned on me as I noticed a few of their distinct features¡ªthey were beastkin!
Witnessing their suffering and the shattering of their hopes and lives under such a cruel fate wasn¡¯t particularly heart-wrenching for me. However, a tiny, almost imperceptible sliver of pity stirred within me for a single child among them¡ªthe first true child I had encountered. Her once-white fluffy bunny ears drooped pathetically, coated in dirt that merged with her grim, tear-streaked face as she huddled in the corner of her cage, infested with shit, bugs, and maggots.
Since reincarnating into this twisted reality I now call home, I¡¯ve never cared much for others. In my eyes, everyone was food to me, preferably decomposing flesh and intestines, but people were food. Well, except for a particular vampire who¡¯s somehow caught my deep fascination and longing, it was almost like love at first sight, if such a thing were real. No, I knew what it was. I was in lust, like some na?ve lovestruck girl. A memory of lifeless eyes flickered in the back of my mind, but I shook that memory away. All that aside, what I bore witness to now was wrong¡ªa child, caged like a fucking animal!
Oh, look, a tent over there!
Amidst the pitiful wails and cries of those caged, a massive tent reminiscent of a Renaissance Fair dominated the scene, guarded by six knights and six savages¡ªnudists, well, barbarians, to be exact. All thoughts of my outrage disappeared as I happily squirmed my way to a tent that appeared to be the central location within the encampment.
Honestly, why are they dressed like that?
¡°Well¡ªshit!¡± I gurgled out from my puddle.
I desperately needed an opening, a way past them, to reach Aurelia. But to my dismay, there was none. These individuals were devoted and unwavering in their duty, unlike their fellow soldiers, who drowned themselves in booze while reveling in their conquest.
Ugh! I need a distraction that won¡¯t wake up the whole drunken camp.
Hmm¡ Is there a munitions or weapons tent like the ones in Earth¡¯s militaries? Imagine the fireworks from a magic depot going up!
Didn¡¯t I just say I don¡¯t want to alert everyone?!
Yeah, but hear me out. They¡¯re plastered to the gills right now. It just might slip under the radar! I¡¯ll make it look like an accident.
My inner monologue was off the rails with an entertaining, potentially idiotic idea.
...Okay, but when has anything I¡¯ve planned ever gone smoothly?
How much do I want to bet that the tent I¡¯m trying to get into is the munitions tent and Aurelia is inside the village walls?
Shiiit¡ I¡¯m not taking that bet.
Look in the village first?
I nodded a blob of goop I had formed just for that motion as I muttered to myself, ¡°Look in the village first. Also, stop talking to yourself; I sound like a crazy bitch. Fuck off!¡±
B01C29 - The Masochist
A right fist crashed into a green, frog-like face with a loud crunch, shattering the cartilage of what resembled a nasal structure. Blood gushed over the amphibian features as the elf followed up with a left hook, grunting with the swing as it connected sharply with the victim¡¯s mandible.
¡°Where¡¯s Demidicus?¡± a second elf screamed, plunging a knife into the frog¡¯s thigh. ¡°WHERE ARE THE OTHER COVENS?!¡±
¡°I¡ªI don¡¯t know,¡± the frog gasped as he tried to breathe.
The first elf¡¯s face twisted in displeasure at the unsatisfactory answer. With a cold sneer, he hoisted his boot and drove it down with brutal force onto the completely nude and shackled frog¡¯s genitals. A guttural scream tore from the frog¡¯s throat as the boot lifted, only to crash down again¡ªonce, twice, in a merciless rhythm of agony. Each thud was met with a grotesque squelch, the sound of flesh being pulverized under relentless pressure.
Beside them, still holding his knife, the second elf cocked his head, a flicker of confusion passing through his eyes. For a horrifying second, it seemed as if the frog, in his delirium, was parting his legs, almost inviting the next savage blow like a deranged lover welcoming an embrace. But surely, that was absurd.
Vorigan, a vampiric monstrosity with amphibian-like features, was not blessed with the fangs of his kin. Instead, his frog-like face housed a maw lined with miniature, fish-like teeth, and he lacked any kind of intimidating presence. The cruel joke was not lost on him, as even his tormentors now saw him as nothing more than a mere plaything, fit only to be toyed with and abused. Vorigan felt like a lamb led to slaughter, dreading the impending impalement that was closing in once the two elves were done. And he really didn¡¯t want a wooden pike shoved up his ass. Or did he? No, he most certainly did not¡ªmaybe?
Despite their relentless efforts to extract information through torture, the two sadistic elf interrogators had come up empty. It wasn¡¯t Vorigan¡¯s loyalty¡ªor lack thereof¡ªthat kept him from answering their questions, nor was it a lack of determination on their part. Vorigan was simply as ignorant as they came¡ªor at least, that was what the two brutes were starting to believe.
¡°I said¡ªWHERE ARE THE OTHER COVENS?!¡±
¡°West?¡± Vorigan answered nonchalantly, shrugging as if inviting further brutality upon himself.
This time, a metal club swung down, smashing into Vorigan¡¯s wrist and breaking it. A loud scream escaped the toad¡¯s lips¡ªa sound that disturbingly resembled a moan.
The sound of heavy footsteps echoed through the chamber, abruptly diverting the interrogators¡¯ ruthless leers. Descending the stairs was a towering figure, a behemoth of a man whom Vorigan recognized as the General who had decimated his vampiric kin. Vorigan¡¯s heart pounded as he gazed upon the leviathan-like figure, whose skin was as dark as sin and muscles rippled like stormy seas. The two elves gave respectful nods to the General before returning their full attention to Vorigan, poised to resume their cruel endeavors.
Gazing at the bulk of dark muscles, Vorigan was lost in thought as the two elves resumed their interrogation. ¡°Where has your lord sought asylum?¡± One of the elves delivered a harsh slap across Vorigan¡¯s face, jarring the amphibian from his reverie. ¡°OUT WITH IT!¡± Another resounding slap echoed through the chamber. ¡°NOW!¡±
Vorigan had already pointed them west, yet the precise whereabouts of the coven where Lord Demidicus had vanished remained a mystery even to him. Had he known, he would have divulged the information four sunsets earlier, particularly after witnessing the gory spectacle of the first vampire being ruthlessly impaled. The image of his fellow creatures of the night being brutally held down, stripped nude, and skewered with a wooden stake¡ªwithout even the courtesy of a spit on the tip¡ªstill haunted Vorigan¡¯s mind with recurring dread¡ªno, lust! The thought of enduring that same cruel fate filled him with such¡ elation! Surely, if he had provided the answers they sought, they would have been satisfied and would have skewered him as well, right?
The relentless barrage of what felt like foreplay carried on, each blow landing with the force of a blacksmith¡¯s hammer. Vorigan was battered, bruised, and bleeding, yet he took it all in stride. If only his tormentors had understood his amphibian physiology, they might have been taken aback by how their blows only stoked his stiffening, perverse desires.
To Vorigan, this was not torture; it was pleasure. He would have told these two muscular elves anything they wanted to hear, just to keep the beatings coming. To him, life was one long, sickening masquerade of pain and pleasure. And this interrogation? This was his idea of a royal ball! He only hoped they could keep the dance going after they eventually shoved a long hard wooden rod up his ass.
One of the interrogators paused his wondrous beating to face the imposing figure of the man. ¡°General Ezad,¡± he pounded his fist to his chest in a salute, ¡°permission to start severing limbs? Let¡¯s see if that loosens the wretched freak¡¯s tongue.¡±
¡°Oh, yes, please do,¡± Vorigan thought with such glee.
Glancing over at the imposing figure he now labeled as Cocoa Daddy, Vorigan¡¯s body shivered and trembled¡ªa reaction the three men mistook for fear. The General nodded. Oh, how Vorigan prayed to the Crone that this towering mass of chocolate muscle would join in on these sickening depravities.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Vorigan might have appeared to be a spineless wimp, always avoiding confrontation, but it was all just a ruse¡ªa cunning act of playing hard to get. He basked in the thrill of the moment as he sat bound to the chair, utterly vulnerable to the whims of his three hulking tormentors. The mere thought of losing a limb sent shivers of euphoria to his groin, a reaction his interrogators kept misinterpreted as trembling fear. But Vorigan cared little for their misinterpretation; after all, he was not only a vampire but also of amphibian lineage, capable of regrowing any amputated limb in mere moments¡ªa trait he could suppress when desired. He could only hope that they would start with his manhood.
Vorigan felt a surge of elation as he tried to spread his restrained thighs open wide, his eyes longingly fixed on a table filled with an array of knives and other instruments meant to cut, pierce, and twist his insides with perverse pleasure. He was particularly eyeing a large butcher¡¯s knife as he felt his squashed and brutalized balls tingle. Sadly, it was not meant to be.
A retching sorrow and annoyance overcame Vorigan as he watched one of his tormentors move toward the stairwell to retrieve the gleaming butcher knife. But before the elf could lay his hands on it, a tendril of darkness shot out like a striking viper, snapping the elf¡¯s neck with a stealthy crunch. And before the lifeless body could even hit the ground, it was snatched up into the stairwell, out of sight. The General and the remaining elf interrogator remained blissfully ignorant of the gruesome act that had just robbed Vorigan of one of his toys.
~
Aurelia lay within the confines of her prison cell, her blood drained to prevent any violent outbursts. The thirst was maddening, and she longed for Bowen, yet dreaded him seeing her reduced to what resembled a mummified corpse. The thirst. Curiously, Vorigan had avoided the same fate, likely because so few recognized him as a vampire. Oh, how appearances can deceive.
Her captivity was tediously mundane, marred only by the regular siphoning of her blood. Aurelia was a captive audience to Vorigan¡¯s incessant beatings, which were his secret delight¡ªa fact unknown to all but her. Even the other vampires who frequently tormented him were oblivious to his perverse enjoyment. Perhaps her nonjudgmental awareness was the reason for his unwavering loyalty to her and her alone.
¡°How did it come to this?¡± she sighed to herself.
The battle at the coven was hardly a battle at all¡ªit was a slaughter. The Kingdom of Slaethia, which Aurelia had once destroyed herself, had miraculously risen from the ashes over the last hundred years and aligned itself with the Ascended Empire. Ruled by a council of ascended gods, this empire boasted a formidable collection of champions.
Aurelia knew she would not have been defeated if not for their intervention¡ªyet she had been, by a fairy of all creatures. Galen, a rather tall fairy about the height of a dwarf, with dragonfly-like wings, had battled her for three hours until she finally succumbed. Though no champion herself, Aurelia took a shred of pride in standing toe-to-toe with someone often referred to as the strongest champion. She had heard whispers from the guards that he had departed Nyxoria, heading off to another moon to do the bidding of the Ascended. Even Aurelia couldn¡¯t fathom the number of moons, wars, and uprisings the Ascended were embroiled in across the Moons of V?lusp¨¢.
Now would have been the perfect time to make her escape, but the constant blood draining had left her powerless and exceedingly weak. With more whispers of two other champions arriving tomorrow, accompanied by an airship fleet to escort her to the Ascended Empire, any hopes of escaping on her own were dashed.
Despite her sharp perceptiveness, the overwhelming thirst dulled Aurelia¡¯s senses so much that she failed to notice the disappearance of one of the interrogators.
¡°Soldier! What¡¯s keeping you?¡± bellowed the General.
There was no response from the missing man.
A sinister smile cracked across Aurelia¡¯s worn face, revealing the dormant monster within, now ravenous. Relief seemed near as she noticed a tiny tendril of darkness slithering from the top of the stairwell¡ªa stealthy observer visible only to vampiric eyes. Regrettably, she had missed witnessing the elf¡¯s murder, lost in daydreams about Bowen, but now her attention was razor-sharp.
Aurelia had once concealed her emotions for Bowen¡¯s soul from the coven, an effort now rendered pointless as the coven had dissolved into a mere shadow of its former glory.
¡°It¡¯s no use, human,¡± she whispered teasingly. ¡°You¡¯ll be dead before you return to your pitiful Slaethia. My beloved Bowen will see to that.¡±
General Ezad and his partner, his lover, Anlyth, were a formidable duo, though the concept of lifelong bonds like marriage was foreign in this realm where no one died from old age. Yet, nothing could sever her bond with Bowen, not even death. Aurelia relished the thought of defeating Anlyth before Ezad; imagining the pain it would cause him soothed the relentless ache of her thirst. Her anticipation of reuniting with Bowen and witnessing his next move kept her from slipping into the insanity brought on by the thirst.
There was no doubt in Aurelia¡¯s black heart that her beloved would make it through that dungeon and return to her. She had waited nearly two hundred years; what were a few more moments?
As Ezad turned towards Aurelia¡¯s cell with a smirk, he was oblivious that her smile was far more sinister than his. The other interrogator paused his assault on Vorigan and approached the stairwell cautiously. Despite their ignorance of Bowen¡¯s presence, the sudden silence stirred their suspicions.
The true terror began as the second interrogator approached the table of knives and other torture instruments. A writhing mass of inky tendrils and tentacles descended upon the elf, who let out a scream of terror and pain that seemed to chill the very air. General Ezad spun around, his face contorted in horror and fury as he charged forward, massive fists raised to deliver punishing blows. But before he could intervene, a goopy tendril of tar-like substance snaked around the elf¡¯s lower jaw, wrapping it in a web of sticky tentacles, and yanked.
With a ghastly tug, the jaw was ripped free and hurled toward the oncoming behemoth. Ezad swatted the detached jaw aside with a flick of his hand, only to be knocked back as the still-screaming elf was thrown into him. The two tumbled in a tangled heap, the elf¡¯s howls of pain echoing throughout the room. The General shoved the wailing elf off him and surged to his feet, but it was too late. A tentacle had already coiled around his neck, pulling him close.
Aurelia¡¯s laughter was the only sound that pierced through the elf¡¯s horrid howling.
B01C30 – Reunited
A few moments earlier¡
Alrighty, here I am, flattened like a pancake, skulking around an enemy encampment¡ªpathetic, right? And another thing, where the hell was I stashing all my extra mass? I know¡ªI¡¯ve ranted about this before, but seriously, does anyone actually understand how this works? Because I sure don¡¯t.
Was I tucking away my excess pudding into the Stellar Void? That would make sense if I¡¯d had my dimensional storage from the get-go, but I¡¯m pretty sure I was compressing my goo even before that skill kicked in. So, where was it all going?
Yeah, I know, the default answer when in doubt is always magic¡ªblah! That¡¯s such a lazy-ass answer that writers use for¡ well, all movies and TV shows nowadays. Not me, though, because by pointing it out within a fourth wall, it makes me edgy and cool! Cough. Um¡ Where was I going with this again? Oh, right! The whole experience felt like a horrifying flashback to puberty¡ªthings growing, things changing... and those homicidal urges. An absolute nightmare!
The eclipse of another moon continued to cast the camp in eerie darkness, save for the flickering lights from the fire pits. It seemed like a normal occurrence since I didn¡¯t hear anyone mention it as I stealthily passed unseen. In that dim glow, the shadows danced like mischievous performers, helping to conceal my movements as I approached the city walls¡ªor should I say, village walls? Actually, it might be a hamlet? Honestly, I¡¯m not too clear on the size differences. From what I could see, this place had fewer than a hundred buildings tucked behind wooden walls, so let¡¯s keep going with village.
As I neared the wall, I had to duck beneath a carriage of some kind as a group of nudist barbarians passed by on patrol. I say some kind because there were no wagon wheels, or, you know, wheels¡ªit just levitated two feet off the ground. Both the wheelless wagon and the exhibitionists were fascinating. They weren¡¯t fully nude; their naughty bits were at least covered, but it was an odd sight I couldn¡¯t get used to, especially when the other half of the soldiers were decked out in full plate armor. I swear, you can¡¯t make this stuff up!
Seriously, why are half of these soldiers prancing around half-naked?
My only hypothesis is that the more skin someone bares, the better they can toy around with ambient mana for spellcasting. Well, I remember a dream explaining that I¡ªhumanity¡ªwas unique in being able to manipulate ambient mana, so¡ maybe they¡¯re absorbing ambient mana to replenish their mana pools? I mean, that¡¯s the only thing that makes any sense to me.
Nah, they¡¯re just a bunch of exhibitionists.
Getting back on topic! I waited for the patrol to pass before oozing out from beneath the floating carriage. I¡¯d love to play whack-a-nudist and take ¡¯em all out, but that would put the whole camp on high alert. Imagine if they realized a patrol went missing, or worse, if I didn¡¯t kill them quickly enough and they managed to alert the entire camp. That¡¯s not exactly ideal for a rescue mission. And don¡¯t even get me started on the overkill¡ªit could seriously jeopardize Aurelia¡¯s safety if they knew someone was here to rescue her, right? I think so, which is why it¡¯s best not to risk it.
What I need is to locate where these assholes stash their stockpile of boom-boom shit!
No! That¡¯s a stupid idea. No, scratch that¡ªit¡¯s a really stupid idea!
Sometimes, the worst ideas are the best because nobody ever sees them coming!
That¡¯s the dumbest reasoning I¡¯ve ever made!
Yeah, but do I have a better idea?
Do what I was doing, sneak into the village and find Aurelia!
And after that?
¡Boom-boom?
¡°Yep! Thought so!¡±
As I scaled the rickety wooden walls of Elsternwick, my keen Mana Focus caught sight of a familiar figure. It was that hulking brute I¡¯d spotted earlier, the one clinging to that elf bitch, Anlyth.
¡°Well, well, well, look who I see,¡± I cooed in sinister delight.
Aurelia first! I can deal with him later.
I watched him happily as he made his way through the small town. As much as I wanted to kill him¡ªnot because he¡¯d personally done anything wrong, but because the elf he cared about had upset me by stealing my prey. Sure, I still got to eat the goblin, but he was my kill! Yes, I¡¯m a vindictive and selfish bitch, but I thought we had already established that.
Didn¡¯t I already agree this place was a village?
A town is a village, isn¡¯t it?
No!
Then what¡¯s the difference?
Size!
And that size difference is?
¡
As I snickered at my internal debate, a wicked idea suddenly crossed my mind while I gazed at the big man. I wanted my revenge, and I needed a better way to navigate this place without alerting the entire keep. I mean, I was doing a rather good job sneaking around, but I won¡¯t lie; even when it came to video games, I always hated stealth missions. I¡¯d much rather go on a killing rampage. However, I wanted that female elf to suffer, and Olin needed a new body.
My gooey form shifted and twisted¡ªspider legs sprouted out, then morphed into sinuous tentacles, ready to unleash brutal nightmares. As I stalked through the cobblestoned streets, past rotting thatched roofs, and occasionally back upon the decaying wooden ramparts of Elsternwick¡¯s outer walls, I kept my eyes on the big guy, like a cat eyeing a juicy mouse. And let me tell you, this village was way bigger than I thought¡ªway more than a hundred buildings, hiding like little secrets around every corner. No, I mean it; this place looked a lot smaller from outside the walls.
From up on my perch, I couldn¡¯t help but chuckle at the sight below¡ªmore soldiers and knights than you¡¯d find at a Renaissance fair, stumbling around like drunken fools. At the same time, the villagers treated them like conquering heroes.
Ah, the joy of impending horrors I¡¯m about to unleash upon these clueless numbskulls.
I fixed my gaze back on my target¡ªthe big brute himself, strutting into a dark alley as if he owned the joint.
Time to pounce!
Wait! What¡¯s this?
Two soldiers guarded a door as if it were Fort Knox. ¡°General, it is good to see you!¡± they declared, offering some strange chest-slapping salute to the big guy as he strolled past them and through the door they guarded.
With a mental laugh that would make the devil envious, I slinked across the ramparts, then skittered onto the building like a nightmarish horror monster clinging to its side. It turns out Anlyth¡¯s little love interest is a real VIP in this forsaken place. As I crawled closer along the side of the wall with Spider Walk active, I left a trail of corroded stone in my wake¡ªbecause why not add a touch of style to the whole monster gig, am I right?
After a night of debauchery, the air reeked of piss and puke¡ªa sweet perfume that got my murderous mojo going. The unspeakable horrors I was about to unleash had my goo pumping with excitement. General Conan-wannabe disappeared behind that creaky door, and I slithered down like a pro hitman, all tentacles and badass. The two guards? Pfft, they were like toys to me.
¡°Surprise, motherfuckers!¡±
¡°What?¡± they both exclaimed in unison as they glanced up.
My tar-like embrace shot out, smothering their faces, silencing their muffled screams before they could even begin. Oh, the thrill of the kill, the exquisite taste of terror! Their desperate kicks and thrashes were like a symphony to my ears as my tentacles lifted them off the ground, their bodies flailing as I choked the life out of them with only my Corrosive passive active¡ªhow I savored their struggle.
Once their heads dissolved enough that they no longer kicked, I absorbed their remains into my body, pleased by how quickly they dissolved now that they were lifeless. One tasted like pumpkin pie, while the other had the distinct flavor of French toast.
Sadly, there was no system notification about the kill, which meant no skills or levels were gained either. I really needed to get that dungeon core back to the dungeon if I wanted to continue progressing. Though, I still didn¡¯t know where they were keeping the core, or where Aurelia was for that matter. But I¡¯m pretty sure a general would know both!
I leaped off the wall, shifting back into my human form as I landed on the cobblestone street of the alley. A sly grin spread across my lips as my silk face finished weaving itself together. Humming happily, I eagerly reached for the doorknob like a master thief, and with a rusty screech, the old door swung open. Yeah, I may have flinched inwardly at that sound, but who cares? I was ready to rock!This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
With bated breath, I peered through the door and found... nothing! Stepping in, I discovered a spiraling staircase around the corner, leading down into what appeared to be a seemingly bottomless black abyss. Yes, that¡¯s another of my exaggerations¡ªI do that a lot. In reality, it was just a stairwell leading into an ordinary basement. I could see candle lights flickering and heard yelling.
¡°I said¡ªWHERE ARE THE OTHER COVENS?!¡± demanded a voice.
¡°West?¡± came a nonchalant reply.
Tiptoeing past the door, I was driven by growing curiosity as I crept down the stone steps. The voices from a heated conversation grew louder with each step. My grin deepened as I realized that what I had mistaken for not-so-friendly chit-chat was, in fact, an interrogation¡ªa brutal one at that.
¡°Where has your lord sought asylum?!¡± A harsh slap echoed up the stairwell. ¡°OUT WITH IT!¡± Another slap sounded. ¡°NOW!¡±
The thought of them torturing Aurelia stirred up a tempest of boiling rage within me. Peeping around the edge of a hefty pillar, I got an eyeful of the General and a couple of muscle-bound bruisers with pointy ears doing a number on a guy whose face looked like a toad. A dim bell of recognition rang for the poor bastard somewhere in the recesses of my mind, but hey, I wasn¡¯t about to lose any sleep over him.
His frantic squawks were drowned out by the steady thump of fists and the snarled demands of his tormentors¡ªnot that he had a snowball¡¯s chance in hell of answering them. The boys seemed more invested in their savage dance than in milking any useful info from the frog. And you know what? There¡¯s a twisted sort of honor in that.
Yep. I can respect that!
One of the interrogators turned to my prey, his eyes sparkling with sadistic glee. ¡°General Ezad,¡± he growled, ¡°permission to start severing limbs? Let¡¯s see if that¡¯ll loosen the wretched freak¡¯s tongue.¡±
Ezad, the so-called General, grunted out a pleased sound as one of his interrogators spun on his heel and started heading for a table near the stairs, covered with an assortment of fun-looking torture devices, his face smeared with a greedy look. If only he knew, I was far more ravenous than him. With a casual shoulder roll, bam! Eight thrashing tentacles sprang from my back like squid-like, slimy appendages.
Hoisting myself up, I stayed hidden, lurking above the lower part of the stairwell leading into the basement, completely concealed from view. I managed to get into position just in time. My first soon-to-be snack strolled by, oblivious to his fate and, fortunately, just close enough for me to snatch.
Before Ezad and his remaining bruiser could react, I delivered a savage twist to the poor sap¡¯s neck with one of my tentacles and gleefully absorbed his lifeless body into mine. He dissolved quickly, consumed entirely by my pudding flesh¡ªwhich, I might add, looked seriously wrong on so many levels in my human-ish form. It was sort of like reverse childbirth, though thankfully, I pulled him into my chest.
Let¡¯s ignore that visual! This time, I had been more cautious, activating all my passives to ensure there was no struggle from the unsuspecting man. Without Paralysis, it surely wouldn¡¯t have been so effortless.
Casting a sneaky look back to where the toad-man was being worked over, his pitiful whines¡ªor were they pleasure moans?¡ªstruck my ears like a disturbing soundtrack. Shaking that unsettling thought from my mind, I went back to scoping out the place.
A handful of jail cells nestled against the walls caught my eye. A quick sweep of my gaze revealed nothing but emptiness within them. Relying on Mana Focus to see, I discovered I couldn¡¯t see beyond the bars¡ªit was more like peering into a gaping void I couldn¡¯t penetrate, as though all the mana had been siphoned out.
I switched to Thermal for a double-check but encountered the same issue¡ªlike all warmth had been stripped away as well. Whatever was happening, the cells seemed enchanted to prevent detection using both my forms of sight. I doubted this was the intended design, but that was what was happening nonetheless.
Maybe it¡¯s an antimagic prison cell?
Hmm¡ that would make sense, I suppose.
The General appeared to be getting annoyed as he cast his gaze back toward where the other interrogator had vanished. As he looked toward the stairwell, I quickly ducked back. Thankfully, it seemed he remained unaware of my presence. I switched back to Mana Focus, and that¡¯s when I noticed a pale orange light reflecting off the wall my face was pressed against¡ªI nearly swore aloud at my mistake that almost got me caught. With an internal grumble, I released my hold over Mana Focus and let it spread out across my entire body, giving me the annoying panoramic view. While I still hated it, it did remove the telltale orange glowing eyes that would give away my position.
¡°Soldier! What¡¯s keeping you?¡± bellowed the General.
¡°It¡¯s no use, humyn,¡± I faintly heard a whisper, purring in a way that made my soul flutter. ¡°You¡¯ll be dead before you return to your pitiful Slaethia. My beloved Bowen will see to that.¡±
My heart sank at the mention of that name. All I wanted was to hear my own name, Blake, upon Aurelia¡¯s lips.
¡ªWait! Bowen... Wasn¡¯t that the name of that guy from my dream?
A dream of my¡ past life?
Another memory suddenly came to mind. When I first woke up in this realm as a Black Pudding, Aurelia had been carrying me around. At the time, I was struck with Sickness, and as she hummed, she removed the debuff. When it happened, the system notification referred to her by a different name¡ªa name I had utterly forgotten in the midst of all the insanity that followed. Somehow, I had failed to put it all together until now.
Aislinn?
My gooey heart skipped a beat¡ªyes, I meant that metaphorically. Again! Of course, I don¡¯t have an actual heart, nor blood¡ªunless you consider my corrosive and poisonous secretions to be my blood... or saliva? Meh. The point is, I was on cloud nine, knowing that I¡¯d finally found the woman of my dreams! But how was she here? Did she also reincarnate, or was her soul summoned like mine?
Uh... if Aislinn¡¯s here, what was in that tent at the camp?
Boom-boom? No clue, but I don¡¯t think it¡¯s a big deal anymore.
...I suppose.
The General turned toward Aurelia¡ªAislinn? This whole duel name thing is really confusing¡ªa smirk spreading across his face. He approached her cell as if to gloat. Meanwhile, the second interrogator moved toward the stairwell like a deer unknowingly walking into a hunter¡¯s sights.
That¡¯s when I unleashed my terror. I morphed into a writhing mass of inky black tendrils and tentacles as I descended upon the elf, who let out a scream of terror and pain that filled me with elation. The General spun around, his face contorted in horror and fury as he charged forward, massive fists raised to deliver punishing blows. But before he could so much as lay a finger on me, a goopy tendril of black pudding snaked around the elf¡¯s lower jaw, wrapping it in a web of sticky tentacles, and yanked.
With a ghastly tug, the jaw was ripped free, and I hurled it at the oncoming brute. Ezad swatted the detached jaw aside with a flick of his hand, but I was ready for that and hurled the still-screaming elf at him. The two tumbled in a tangled heap, the elf¡¯s howls of pain echoing throughout the room like the sweet music I so love.
The General shoved the wailing elf off him and surged to his feet, but it was too late. I shot a tentacle out and wrapped it around his neck, pulling him close.
Aurelia¡¯s laughter pierced through the elf¡¯s jawless, horrid howling, warming my soul.
Oh, how I have grand plans in store for her!
Tentacle Hentai?
¡Yeah.
There I was, giving Anlyth¡¯s sweetie the old squeeze play, my arm coiled around his neck¡ªnot quite offing him, just ensuring my passives were off but making him about as useful as a screaming toddler. The guy was throwing punches and clawing at me, but every time he scraped off a bit of my gooey black sludge, it just filled right back in. As I started morphing back into my drop-dead, tall, curvy-babe self, I couldn¡¯t help but smirk.
In my sultry human form, I rocked the hell out of my pitch-black, deadly goth body as my silk face finished weaving together a gorgeous satin appearance that would have given Edgar Allan Poe a raging hard-on from beyond the grave. My eyes flickered with Mana Focus, casting an eerie orange light that splashed across the General¡¯s stunned gaze.
The second he caught sight of the lady behind the monster, his wrestling act took a nosedive. He fixed me with a stare that could freeze lava, and I was totally eating it up. The only downer was the blubbering elf, who seemed to have misplaced his jaw. Scratch that¡ªI was totally getting my rocks off from that too!
¡°What manner of abomination are you?¡± Ezad rasped with a snarl.
Aurelia¡¯s voice cooed from the depths of her dark prison cell, as alluring as I remembered. ¡°Well, well, you¡¯re a woman¡ªand a gorgeous one at that. General Ezad, allow me to introduce you to our Dark Champion.¡±
¡°Hi¡¯ya,¡± I stammered, my mouth unusually dry for a Black Pudding.
Hi¡¯ya? Are you fucking kidding me?
So embarrassing.
¡°Um¡ I may have told that old lady I didn¡¯t want the title,¡± I added, smiling over the man¡¯s shoulder into the cell I couldn¡¯t see into.
Fuck, me! I¡¯m fucking this up big time, aren¡¯t I?
¡°No matter,¡± Aurelia chimed in, almost soothingly, her tone hinting at a touch of relief. ¡°You¡¯re still alive, so the Crone must have taken you in as one of her faithful.¡±
¡°Not exactly,¡± I corrected. ¡°I¡¯m not really a follower. Though, she was pretty nice to me.¡±
¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about, but I¡¯ll fucking kill¡ª¡± the man in my grasp started to hiss, but with a quick twist and a snap, he fell lifelessly and unceremoniously to the ground.
Didn¡¯t that dwarf lady mention something about Aurelia being drained of blood?
I looked down at the jawless, whimpering elf and smiled. Getting a good grip on the interrogator¡¯s leg, I started dragging him over to where Aurelia was caged up. The guy was a hot mess, howling his head off as I started tugging on him¡ªwell, what was left of him after his jaw had taken a hike. I was tempted to just scarf him down right then and there. But I knew Aurelia needed his blood way more than I needed a snack.
Hey, look at me sharing! Maybe I¡¯m not as selfish as I thought.
Nah, I definitely am.
The cell looked like something torn right out of a history book, as if it belonged in the 1600s or something similar. I slapped my hand on the rusty old bars, letting my acidic flesh work its magic to melt down that hunk of iron. Piece of cake, really¡ªthe door crumbled in a few seconds flat. Then, with a cheeky twist of my hips, I flung the elf into the cell. As he skidded to a halt, the cell briefly became visible, but all I could make out was Aurelia¡¯s outline as she pounced on the wailing elf as all hell broke loose.
That¡¯s one seriously ravenous vampire.
What a sight!
He was flung all over her prison cell, kicking and flailing as she dug in for her meal, feeding with ravenous hunger. The faint outline of her was so thin, but as she fed, I noticed her filling out. Those curves that drove me wild slowly came back. It was like watching a great white during chow time, but a thousand times better. And me? I was so wrapped up in her, so caught up, I couldn¡¯t tell if I was in love or just lusting after her like crazy. Yeah, I¡¯m messed up. But I was just so captivated by her raw, wild beauty.
She¡¯s amazing!
As I was totally vibing on this moment, frog-face had to go and break my trance. ¡°Um, can you unstrap me from this chair?¡± he croaked.
I took a peek at the frog, not exactly thrilled. ¡°Yeah, just hang on a sec. Got a little something to take care of.¡±
With that, I stood over the man I¡¯d just killed and started fishing out the staff from my void, and as it emerged from what looked like my chest cavity, so too did a rather annoyed and irritated gnome head attached to one end and a phylactery on the other.
¡°You bloody bitch!¡± Olin screamed.
¡°What was that?¡± Aurelia hummed, chilling even me¡ªthough, in a totally good way, not so much for the gnome head, whose eyes widened in alarm.
Aurelia stepped out from the shadows of her cell, her sharp red eyes honed in on the staff in my grip. As she moved, I couldn¡¯t help but get caught up in the sway of her hips, her queen-like stature, and those killer tits! Oh, and let¡¯s not forget the sexy-as-hell blood still running down her beautiful face.
Tentacle Hentai!
B01C31 - Beloved Monsters
Hovering over Olin¡¯s brand-new and still-warm corpse, I was totally channeling some grim reaper vibes. I deftly latched the phylactery onto him, which hung at the bottom of his shaft¡ªI mean, staff, the staff his gnome head and phylactery were attached onto¡ªfunneling his soul into its new digs.
Okay, I admit, that was my Spirit Vessel skill showing off, but hey, I¡¯m more than happy to soak up any praise. That said, if only Olin would shut the hell up. I mean, could ripping the strings of one¡¯s soul from a gnome¡¯s head really be that painful? No matter, using Mana Focus to see how the soul weaved and worked¡ªmuch like actual mana¡ªI started thinking... maybe I could do this without the fancy skill? Out of all the wild tricks up my sleeve, messing with mana and souls? Pssh, easy-peasy! Right?
While my skill wove its sorcery, I plunged into a whirlpool of self-reflection¡ªI mean, I¡¯m freaking the fuck out right now! Seriously, Aurelia is right there, and I¡¯m messing around with a soul. What am I even doing? Why am I so nervous? I¡¯m a monster, a killer, a psychopath! I¡¯ve lost count of how many people I¡¯ve slept with, and now, of all times, I¡¯m letting my nerves get to me like some virgin in front of their middle school crush?
Ugh, this is so embarrassing.
Oh, and let¡¯s not forget, ever since that wild run-in with the Crone, everything has seemed off-kilter, like a crazy dream where everything is both familiar and freakishly strange. It felt like I¡¯d been chucked into some parallel universe (yep, again), where things kind of click, but also... not really? And the weirdest part? Amidst all this chaos and looming nightmares, I¡¯d never felt so dang zen. Go figure!
That doesn¡¯t make any sense.
Shut up! Yes, it does.
Pulling my attention from Olin¡¯s soon-to-be new corpse body, I was captivated by a sight of sheer elegance. My focus locked onto Aurelia as she sashayed over to the frog dude, each step echoing the fluidity of a feline. With a swift movement of her delicate finger, the leather and chain binds holding him snapped. Oddly, he appeared more disgruntled than relieved by his release. But who cares about him? All of my attention was riveted on her!
Hopefully, I hadn¡¯t messed up Olin¡¯s soul¡ again. To be fair, I did fix that. Removing the snake soul that was sharing his phylactery had been pretty easy, like scraping half your dinner plate clean. Sure, that might have left some residue, but that wouldn¡¯t harm him, right? Well, it¡¯s not like I care either way.
Aislinn¡ªor should I say Aurelia? I really need to get that cleared up, and soon. ¡°Vorigan,¡± she commanded, her voice like music to my ears, ¡°release the others from their cells.¡±
¡°Others?¡± I repeated, blinking as I gazed at the other cells. Much like Aislinn¡¯s, I couldn¡¯t see into them; some sort of antimagic was the only explanation that made any sense to me.
Had I still had a beating heart, it would have definitely hiccupped at that moment. She swiveled towards me, her blood-red eyes sparkling with a cheeky glint, and her lips curved in a teasing smirk. It was the kind of smile that whispered tales of both thrill and threat. And man, I was totally and utterly ensnared by her magnetism, as if caught in her enchantment.
Yeah, this must be that fairytale love-at-first-sight shit.
Eh, maybe not exactly at first sight¡ªyou know, past life craziness and all¡ªbut definitely that fairytale stuff.
¡°BLOODY BITCH!¡± Olin bellowed as his soul reanimated the big bald man¡¯s corpse.
Aislinn paused in her elegant stride, her gaze piercing the undead lich. A hint of something terrifying flashed in her eyes, and her previously playful smirk transformed, becoming more ominous¡ªas if she was privy to a secret joke. She held her silence, lifting just one finger, with a malevolent twinkle evident in her gaze.
I nearly died from a burst of laughter that I fought to keep down. Happily, I handed Aislinn the lich¡¯s phylactery. What? It¡¯s not like I could use it for anything; storing it within Stellar Void would have severed the connection to the body. With a gleeful hum, I skipped off to a corner of the dungeon to watch.
Of course, I was tempted to shove the baseball-sized orb up the lich¡¯s ass, but I was all too eager to give my stunningly gorgeous vampire a gift. Surely, handing her a soul would do, right? I mean, the sexy-as-hell smile she gave me as her fingers curled around the phylactery¡ªespecially the glare she shot at Olin while doing it¡ªwas absolutely priceless.
Sensing the underlying threat, Olin stifled his impending tirade of curses. ¡°M-My apologies, m-my mistress,¡± he stammered, his voice quivering with fear. ¡°I was momentarily disoriented. It won¡¯t happen again. It¡¯s a relief to see you again, my lady.¡±
Instead of responding, her eyes turned back to me, gleaming mesmerizingly like a blood moon, offering a wicked invitation to hidden dangers. She had bewitched and captivated my very being. I reveled in her darkness, like a delicate rose flourishing amidst a garden of thorns, ready for her to pluck. It¡¯s funny how I had once considered myself the monster to be feared. Oh, how wrong I was!
Aislinn stepped past Olin and approached, gliding with that uncanny feline elegance. Each step was a breathtaking fusion of beauty and allure. The remnants of her crimson feast smeared across her face only added to her lethal allure. Her black robe, trimmed with dark red, swayed with each step, hinting at the mysteries hidden beneath. She was like an ethereal runway model, each stride commanding attention and admiration.
So damn hot!
As she neared, I slowly shuffled back until my back hit the wall, leaving me with nowhere to go. You might wonder why. I like to think it¡¯s foreplay... certainly not because I have a conflicted heart, afraid to awaken from this dream.
Though my true form was that of a slippery, sticky, gooey tar monster¡ªa Black Pudding¡ªI found my mouth going dry with a mixture of nervousness and yearning.
Her hand reached out, curling towards me as if it were an enchanting dark tendril. As Aislinn¡¯s fingers drew near, our eyes meshed in a magnetic pull, hers holding a depth that threatened to swallow me whole. Cornered against the wall, her hand poised delicately yet assertively between my breasts. I felt like a lovestruck girl, ensnared by a captivating and perilous lover, utterly lost in her beauty.
Oh, fuck, I want her to take me right here!
Wait¡ I thought I was the dom here?
Oh, shut up, inner thoughts, I¡¯m cool with being a switch!
¡°Oh, my beloved,¡± Aurelia purred, her voice both ethereal and angelic.
She was so close that I could feel the cold draft of her breath against my lips, sending shivers down my core¡ªa feeling peculiar yet thrilling. As she reached up to touch my face, I flinched. Her eyes, deep blood-red pools filled with concern and fear, reflected my own as we searched each other for answers amidst our swirling emotions.
Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Why did I just flinch?
Ugh, Blake, you¡¯re fucking this up!
I¡¯d always pegged myself as the assertive type. Yet, at this moment, I felt as wobbly as a gelatinous cube. Maybe it was just the sheer intensity of the situation? It¡¯s a fleeting sensation, surely. It¡¯ll pass, and I¡¯ll be back to being the pegger¡ªI mean, the confident one!
¡°Aislinn?¡± It felt as if my very soul held its breath at that name.
¡°Yes,¡± Aislinn nodded, her exasperation softening as she bit her lower lip. ¡°Though, let¡¯s use ¡®Aurelia¡¯ in front of others,¡± she smiled, her expression masking an emotion I couldn¡¯t quite decipher. ¡°Bowen?¡± she whispered.
¡°Blake,¡± I smiled.
¡°Blake,¡± she repeated, savoring the name as if it were honey on her tongue.
She reached up again, and this time, there was no flinch or hesitation. Her hand swept across my breast, trailing across the writhing tendrils of my dress, until it came to rest under my chin, tilting my head up. To my surprise, she was slightly taller than me. Her touch was electric; her thumb traced the curves of my lips with a seductive hunger that seemed to ignite a fire within me. Her intense and passionate gaze held me captive, peering into my eyes with a ferocity I had never experienced in either of my lives.
Is this love? It must be, right?
¡°Lady Aurelia,¡± the frog croaked, utterly shattering the magical moment. ¡°I have released all of the captives down here. What is our next move?¡±
Fucking nuisance.
¡°Can I kill him?¡± I moaned with a sigh of desperation.
Her laughter, melodious and tantalizing, sounded like whispers of temptation, an otherworldly song hinting at unparalleled pleasures. Her gaze, unwavering and infused with seductive danger, left me both breathless and aching for more.
Perhaps I¡¯m more of a switch than I thought?
Aurelia¡¯s entrancing red eyes remained locked on mine, drawing me in deeper even as she issued commands. ¡°Vorigan, assemble those less skilled in stealth and proceed to the coven¡¯s ruins. Scour the area for remnants and bodies we can reanimate. The rest of you, focus on undermining the Slaethian army¡¯s leadership where possible. Also, do kill any imperial bastards you find among the Slaethians. We¡¯ll regroup at the ruins and then make our way to the western covens through the deep roads.¡±
¡°As you command, my lady,¡± the frog said, bowing respectfully.
¡°I may have collapsed that path?¡± I smiled cheekily. ¡°Why not just yoink the core back?¡± I smiled again, careful not to break the moment, while Aurelia¡¯s thumb lightly danced on my lips.
Shit, when did I become so timid?
I think she put a spell on me¡ªa horny as fuck spell!
Ugh, Fucking hell, I want her right now!The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.
¡°Hmm¡ Actually, that¡¯s not a bad idea. We could use its power to create a portal. Would you happen to know where they¡¯re keeping it, my beloved?¡± Aurelia asked with a deep purr that sent another thrill through my core.
¡°Within the center of the encampment just outside the village is a large tent under heavy guard. If I had to guess, I¡¯d say within there,¡± I replied, my eyes darting back and forth between her lips and her eyes, silently pleading for her to close the gap and make my wish a reality.
¡°Olin, how¡¯s that new suit?¡± Aurelia inquired.
¡°Mistress,¡± Olin reported as he readjusted his crotch, ¡°it appears to be a physical augmenter type. I highly doubt I¡¯ll be able to wield magic through it. Still, it¡¯ll be useful in close combat against elemental benders.¡± Olin struggled to stand, both hands clutching his head to prevent it from hanging from his shoulders. ¡°Ah, my lady, it seems my neck is broken.¡±
¡°They had more prisoners locked in cages around that tent,¡± I panted out as Aurelia¡¯s thigh slid between my legs, sending me to my toes. ¡°I¡ªI wasn¡¯t certain if they were from your group or this village.¡±
Oh, fuck me, when did I reshape my body to be anatomically correct beneath this dress?!
Yeah, that confirms it. I¡¯m a switch! What, don¡¯t judge me¡ªI don¡¯t want one position; I want all positions! Tee-hee!
¡°Lady Aurelia,¡± a small woman with gray cat ears stepped forward, interrupting the inner turmoil. ¡°Those must be refugees from the Beastveil Kingdom. If we have the chance, we should take them with us; we share a common enemy, as well as for blood feeding.¡±
¡°Ha! Who cares about those good-for-nothing refugees? And who the hell appointed Aurelia as the leader?¡± The grating voice of a familiar figure echoed through the room, striking a nerve with every word. ¡°And, who is that woman you¡¯re thigh fucking, Aurelia?¡±
Did she just talk shit to my woman?
Oh, she¡¯s dead.
My longing gaze was torn from Aurelia as I set my eyes upon an all too familiar face, one that filled me with a sense of eager delight at the thought of murdering her, once again! The succubus approached with an exaggerated sway of her hips that did the demon no favors.
¡°Didn¡¯t I eat her?¡± I muttered.
¡°Niamh,¡± Aurelia said with a hint of disappointment and annoyance as she pulled away from me to face the succubus. ¡°I¡¯m surprised our captors didn¡¯t return you to the nether.¡±
¡°Well, it may have been better if they had sent me back,¡± Niamh sneered. ¡°I can already sense your father¡¯s beckoning summoning ritual. But alas, I cannot go to his side while I am stuck here with his pathetic body-snatching daugh¡ªGaaak!¡±
With a flick of my shoulder, my arm morphed into a writhing mass of black tendrils of terror. They shot forth like bullets, smothering Niamh¡¯s head before she could react, burrowing into her mouth, ears, and nostrils.
As I¡¯ve come to realize, this world is teeming with powerful beings, most beyond my strength to confront head-on. Yet, I¡¯ve found they falter when caught off guard. What better way to surprise someone than with a slithering, tar-like appendage ramming down their throat and bursting out the other end? This method had become a staple of my arsenal, a tool of destruction that left my enemies convulsing in agony as I devoured them from the inside out.
Sure, I could scorch them with Necrotic Flames, douse them in Blight, or pump them full of venom, among other things. However, nothing matched the sheer satisfaction of this method¡ªthe taste of terror, the struggle of my victims as I feasted on their entrails, was a delicacy I relished.
Glancing around, I noted a group of onlookers, their eyes wide with horror. Not all were undead, perhaps vampires, given the way they flinched under my gaze. About fifteen pairs of eyes, I estimated, were fixed on me. Niamh flailed and thrashed in my grasp. Then, suddenly, Aurelia¡¯s arms wrapped around me just below my chest, her breath cool against my cheek. Her piercing gaze swept over the room, a silent challenge to anyone daring to intervene. Whether she meant to protect me from harm or to stake her claim over me, it was unclear¡ªthough, I suspected both were true. But one thing was certain¡ªno one uttered a word as Niamh¡¯s struggles ceased.
Yummy!
I was on the verge of breaking into my gleeful pudding jig. What? Eating always puts me in a good mood. But given the audience¡ªespecially with Aurelia¡¯s watchful eye¡ªI thought better of it. Nope, I made sure not to even crack a smile as I gave everyone a glare that promised terror if anyone spoke against my woman¡ well, maybe a bit of a smirk wouldn¡¯t hurt, would it?
Aurelia breathed a hushed whisper into my ear, dripping with lust. ¡°Oh, you truly are a sight to behold, my love. And to think, you managed to withstand her Charm¡¯s temptations. If she had succeeded in ensnaring you, it would have been a cruel blow to my heart, and I would have taken great pleasure in ending her life myself. Though, I have no doubt that she¡¯ll be resummoned before Lord Demidicus within the hour. Heaven forbid he go without his pet.¡±
She used Charm on me? I didn¡¯t get a system notification for it.
Huh¡
All eyes lingered on Niamh¡¯s corpse as I dragged her body toward me. I didn¡¯t want to give the impression of devouring another woman in front of Aurelia, who held me close. Her breasts were snugly pressed against my back, so I had several tendrils pull the succubus beneath my dress, where she vanished from sight. Much more dignified and presentable, I mused.
¡°Vorigan, take the defenseless to the ruins,¡± Aurelia commanded once more. ¡°Hikari, select the necessary individuals and take out the army¡¯s commanders.¡± The small cat-eared woman nodded in acknowledgment. ¡°And you, Olin, shall join me and my beloved as we deal with a tent and some cages.¡±
~
Due to his broken neck, Olin was forced to hold his head upright, managing to make it appear as though he was deep in contemplation while gripping his chin. However, anyone getting too close would easily see through his ruse. Nonetheless, he remained with his mistress, confident that with enough death and destruction, she would conquer the entire army, her power growing with each corpse claimed.
Inhabiting the body of General Ezad, Olin towered over his mistress and her reclaimed lover, the Black Pudding. With her sadistic smile and thirst for torment, she was a truly terrifying sight. One glance from her piercing orange gaze, and Olin knew their cover could be blown at any moment. Although his mistress was a formidable force, subtlety was not her forte; Aurelia was too mesmerizing to go unnoticed. Thus, steering them through the heart of the enemy camp fell squarely on his shoulders.
¡°My mistress,¡± Olin began, his voice tinged with trepidation, ¡°we must find a way to keep the two of you concealed. Our mission will be jeopardized if you are seen with me, especially given your companion¡¯s distinctive eyes.¡± He silently prayed to the Crone that Lady Aurelia could control her obsession with the pudding.
The sinister monster in human form leaned in close to his mistress, resting her head on Aurelia¡¯s shoulder and gazing up with a feigned, innocent look. Olin found the display revolting, yet Lady Aurelia seemed enchanted, her eyes tracing the woman¡¯s lips.
¡°If I¡¯m too revealing,¡± the monster cooed, ¡°you could always wear me.¡±
Olin nearly gagged, rolling his eyes as he saw Aurelia¡¯s eyes sparkle with excitement, her red irises glowing sinisterly. He wished they would find a secluded corner and be done with it so they could focus on the task at hand.
¡°Well, my beloved,¡± Aurelia purred, ¡°what will happen to the clothes I¡¯m already wearing?¡±
The pudding creature replied with a sly grin, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll store them safely within me. Nothing will get ruined.¡± She then removed her head from Aurelia¡¯s shoulder to gaze into her eyes.
Resigned, Olin watched as his mistress, Lady Aurelia, caressed the cheek of the monster beside her. Her eyes alight with fiery passion. Having seen enough, Olin removed his hand from his chin, allowing his broken neck to drop his head back into an unnatural position.
~
Aurelia was filled with such elation as her beloved wrapped her arms around her. She basked in the blissful embrace of her love. Aurelia finally gave in to her desires and pressed her lips against Blake¡¯s. Her dark heart fluttered with delight as Blake¡¯s tongue slithered into her mouth like a tentacle monster, eliciting shudders of pleasure. A hunger that had been buried deep within her for nearly two centuries.
Sure, she had a few unsatisfying conquests in that time, but they were all meaningless. This was the moment she had yearned for what felt like an eternity. And as Blake¡¯s hand possessed her flesh, gripping her ass with a force that threatened to tear her asunder, she was lost to the world, consumed by the fiery passion that burned within her. She reached up, grasping Blake¡¯s breast. Her other hand slid down into Blake¡¯s dress, finding her thighs with a voracious hunger. Aurelia¡¯s finger slid into a putty-like substance that leaked between her fingers.
Blake¡¯s body began to liquefy at that moment and spread out over Aurelia¡¯s body. At first, it was like watching a tsunami crashing down, but there was no malice or anger within that dark wave, only love and tenderness. The tar-like form ran over Aurelia¡¯s body, coating her skin and clothes. Aurelia felt a spell activated from her love and noticed that her robe and undergarments had vanished. Everything had been replaced with the Black Pudding that seemed to find its way into every nook and cavity.
Aurelia was swathed in darkness as her beloved reformed around her, unable to contain the malevolent lust-filled desires seething within. Before an outfit could fully be formed, Blake erupted into a tangled, writhing mass of silk threads. A sensual and sinister silk dance embraced Aurelia, obscuring all but the gleam of her gorgeous face as they wove together. The pure white headdress and outfit that settled upon her was a cruel parody of the ascended priestess garments used by their healers. But the true horrors of Aurelia¡¯s new attire lay hidden beneath the shimmering cloth, a forbidden secret of squirming tendrils and pulsating tentacles.
¡°Oh¡ Oh! Yes. Yes! Mmmm,¡± Aurelia struggled to contain her passion and keep her ecstatic screams to herself. She was a vampire elder, a regal princess of a once-powerful coven, and she would not let such a trivial thing as pleasure break her focus. Aurelia would submit to her lover¡¯s carnal desires, for this was what she had wanted for so very, very long. She surrendered her body over to her dark lover¡¯s embrace, for Aurelia knew she could still decimate her enemies with her orifices filled. She was a vampiric necromancer with so few equals, an unstoppable force of darkness and blood, and nothing would stand in her way. It didn¡¯t matter that her beloved had just found the spot that sent shudders through her stomach.
No one could stop her and her beloved now!
~
Riding the high of the moment, I fully embraced the thrill, letting myself merge and flow over Aurelia, transforming into a sleek black dress. Gotta love the perks of polymorphing¡ªof course, I coated myself in silk, like some kind of purity nun. They have those in this realm, right?
Oh, gods, her body is so tight!
Holy shit, she¡¯s got fucking abs¡ªnot the overly masculine kind, but the cute, sexy ones! Seriously, she¡¯s built like an Olympic pole vaulter!
Wow! They do Brazilians in other realms too? I won¡¯t lie, I was expecting some thick shrubbery down under.
Oh, my gods, her skin tastes so good¡ªjust like blood and death. She¡¯s delicious!
My thoughts were engaged in a mental back-and-forth, reveling in my own amusement and insanity. I admit, I¡¯m known to let my thoughts wander when I¡¯m feeling, well, a bit frisky. And damn, was I revved up now. Who could blame me? Pressed against Aurelia¡¯s tempting curves, my inner deviant wanted nothing more than to see just how far I could push my boundaries. Each moment pushed me closer to crossing a line, especially with every sultry look.
Screw it, why not dive right in? I mean, who wouldn¡¯t want a taste of the forbidden, especially when it¡¯s served on such a delectable platter?
I¡¯ll go high¡ªand low! Oh! Oh! And let¡¯s not forget the front and back!
Mhmmm!
Ever since waking up as a monster, I¡¯ve become somewhat more adept at multitasking. Still, even amidst my oh-so-titillating meal, I was only vaguely aware of our transition from the village outskirts to the heart of the enemy camp. Any brave souls daring enough to approach Olin were swiftly discouraged by a mere gesture from him¡ªthe advantages of having his soul occupy a General¡¯s body.
Speaking of putting things in someone¡¯s body, I return to my depraved delights. As I basked in the blissful sensations of Aurelia¡¯s tight body and firm ass, the outside world was a distant, meaningless place. The tremors in Aurelia¡¯s thighs were a symphony of pleasure. I marveled at her mastery of self-control, concealing our sexual acts from prying eyes. Her delicate fingers occasionally wandered down, offering tantalizing touches. Her expression remained serene, a mask hiding the storm of pleasure within, but her gorgeous eyes could not lie. I was lost in the twisted, erotic world of her ecstasy, and nothing else mattered.
Sadly, all good things must come to an end. I withdrew from Aurelia¡¯s innermost places as we approached the carnival-sized tent. I spotted all the cages along the outside of the tent, and that little bunny kid. A sense of dread settled into me.
It would be so much easier if we could ditch them. Or even better yet¡ªI were allowed to eat them!
When they caught sight of Olin, their so-called General, they instantly banged their chests in some sort of unified salute. But Olin? Dude just breezed right by them, making a beeline for the tent¡¯s interior. I wonder if any of the guards raised an eyebrow at the snub. Though, in Olin¡¯s defense, giving a salute would be a tad tricky when you¡¯re using one hand to stop your head from toppling off to the side. Just a tad.
Perhaps it wasn¡¯t the best idea to snap his neck.
Nah.
From the outside, the tent seemed massive. But stepping through its entrance was like diving into a rabbit hole, only to be met by a scene straight out of Alice¡¯s trippiest mushroom high. The inside sprawled out way larger than what the exterior hinted at, like some wacko architect decided to build a stadium inside a tent. No weapons, no magical doodads, no damn Dungeon Core¡ªjust an endless stretch of... well, death. If someone had told me they were hiding their fallen comrades in there, I would¡¯ve laughed. But seeing was believing, and what I saw was a freakin¡¯ morbid treasure trove, and I was clutching the perfect ass of not only a vampire but a necromancer!
B01C32 - Wailing Drums
Anlyth, an elf and Paladin of the Kingdom of Slaethia, lay alone in her bed. The chilling void of the empty sheets next to her pierced her heart, intensifying the ache from her partner¡¯s absence. Although she understood he was fulfilling his obligations as the General of the army, it brought her scant solace.
In a society where no one died from old age, traditional marriage became uncommon; such unions no longer made any sense after their world aligned with V?lusp¨¢¡¯s moons. However, this did not mean that similar commitments were absent. Contractual unions, for example, required a hundred years of mutual commitment and devotion to one another¡¯s goals. The two had been together for the last three hundred years, having surpassed two such contracts, with the prospect of continuing for another thousand years.
Though now, the hours without him stretched endlessly, each moment in bed feeling longer than the last.
Anlyth sighed, tossing and turning in bed as the howling laughter from the evening¡¯s festivities began to wane, leaving only the muffled chuckles of inebriated soldiers stumbling back to their tents. The triumph from just days ago felt distant, with nightly celebrations continuing unabated¡ªan orchestra of wild merrymaking and indulgence, playing out under countless eclipses on this dark moon. And who could blame them? Aurelia, the vampire who had once been the terror of their kingdom, was now a captive, subject to their whims.
Elves, dwarves, humyns, and gnomes¡ªthe pillars that had rebuilt the kingdom¡ªwere preparing to parade this malevolent monster back to their homeland. That, at least, was the wish of every citizen of Slaethia. However, as usual, politics complicated matters.
By tomorrow¡¯s end, with the arrival of two champions, she would be handed over to the Ascended Empire, where her true ordeal would begin. This was the Empire¡¯s desire, their decree, sending a stark message to all nocturnal horrors: every feral fiend and forbidden race capable of breeding such soulless abominations¡ªvampires, werewolves, lizardmen, orcs, goblins, and many more¡ªwould be eradicated in the name of the ascended god¡¯s divine mission.
Even those who sympathized with such vile creatures, like the beastkin, would not be spared.
Rising gracefully from her bed, Anlyth draped herself in a cloak, a mere whisper of fabric that scarcely shielded her from V?lusp¨¢¡¯s glow, only for another eclipse to bathe her in darkness. Her armor stood ready, but tonight, she had a different agenda. Initially, she intended to surprise her partner, to reveal the mysteries hidden beneath the cloak. However, those desires had shifted.
Emerging into the embrace of the eclipse, Anlyth was met with a biting cold that seemed to grip her very marrow. She half-wondered what life was like on other moons¡ªdid they bask in frequent hours of daylight from the distant sun, or did V?lusp¨¢¡¯s glow intensify the closer one got? She shelved those musings for now. Amidst the chill, a shadowy suspicion wormed its way into her thoughts: her partner, perhaps ensnared in the depths of inebriated merriment with his officers.
¡°Surely not,¡± she silently argued with herself. He wouldn¡¯t have abandoned their shared warmth without significant reason.
¡°Should that man be lost in the company of ale, officers, or¡ªgods forbid¡ªanother¡¯s embrace, he will rue the day,¡± Anlyth whispered fiercely, stepping forward into the crisp night, resolved to seek out Ezad.
Upon entering the command tent, Anlyth was met with an unsettling sight: her partner, Ezad, was conspicuously absent. The tent, usually bustling with at least one on-duty officer, now stood eerily vacant. Chairs were overturned, hinting at either a skirmish or a swift exit. With a heavy heart and rising apprehension, Anlyth quickly returned to the night¡¯s embrace, seeking clarity.
¡°Well now, Anlyth, aren¡¯t you a sight to behold! I can hardly believe me own eyes, seein¡¯ that lovely behind of yours runnin¡¯ around without a lick of armor on, love. Ain¡¯t ye a bit of a tease, ye are?¡± Gimona, the cheeky dwarf woman, chided with a smirk.
¡°Not now, Gimona. Have you seen Ezad?¡±
¡°Och, so that¡¯s the game ye¡¯re playin¡¯, dressin¡¯ up like that, are ye?¡± Gimona chuckled, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
¡°The command tent is vacant,¡± Anlyth declared, her tone underscoring the gravity of the situation.
¡°WHAT IN THE NAME O¡¯ THE GODS?!¡± Gimona roared. ¡°Do ye think we¡¯ve been breached? Do ye think the dungeon core¡¯s been taken? Sweet mother of mercy, I hope not.¡±
Anlyth¡¯s voice carried a hint of anxiety, yet her determination was unmistakable. ¡°Ezad secured the dungeon core within a dimensional ring to keep it hidden from the Empire. We need to find him or any of the senior members to ascertain if we face an imminent threat.¡±
¡°I¡¯ve ne¡¯er laid eyes on that man wearin¡¯ a ring,¡± Gimona retorted skeptically.
¡°Uh, yes¡¡± Anlyth shifted her gaze, momentarily uncomfortable. ¡°The ring isn¡¯t exactly... conventional.¡±
¡°What in the name o¡¯ the gods does that mean?¡±
¡°Um, perhaps we should consult a soldier currently on duty,¡± Anlyth suggested, eager to refocus. ¡°It¡¯s possible we¡¯re jumping to conclusions. They might have witnessed something that sheds light on the situation.¡±
As Anlyth and Gimona navigated the encampment, it quickly became evident that an unusually large number of sentries had abandoned their posts. While a handful might stray during festivities, the absence of twenty guards was alarming. This stark realization cemented Anlyth¡¯s suspicions: they were indeed under siege!
¡°We need to find Craycroft,¡± Anlyth said with a heavy sigh. ¡°This predicament might be beyond what we can manage alone.¡±
Gimona shook her head. ¡°That old codger brought a Way Stone with him. Uses it to nip back to his tower every night¡ªprefers the cozy comfort of his own bed over any damp tent and scratchy bedroll, he does.¡±
¡°Then my path is clear,¡± Anlyth reluctantly declared. ¡°I shall assume command of the army until either Ezad or a senior officer is located. Gimona, strike the Wailing Drums. We stand under threat.¡±
¡°Aye, Anlyth. I¡¯ll get right to it. And what will ye be doin¡¯?¡±
¡°Our foes often comprise necromancers, vampires, and other shadowy entities. It¡¯s imperative that I safeguard the remains of our departed to ensure they aren¡¯t manipulated as tools by these adversaries.¡±
¡°It¡¯d be better to burn the bodies, it would.¡±
¡°It would,¡± Anlyth replied, her voice tinged with sadness, ¡°but violating a body before its rightful rites unsettles the departing spirit. I¡¯ve seen my share of restless phantoms and tortured souls; I wish to see no more.¡±
~
Gimona Grimmail took off with urgency, allowing Anlyth to manage her matters. Despite her compact, sturdy dwarf legs, she moved at a remarkable pace, driven by surging adrenaline. The once vibrant fires of the camp had dimmed to mere embers, yet her objective remained clear: the Wailing Drums. The need to awaken the entire camp was paramount.
As Gimona dashed towards the drums, an unshakable sensation hinted she might confront adversaries before reaching her destination. A smile crept onto her face, embracing the thrill of the moment. After all, tonight was an opportune time to be a Monster Slayer!
While Gimona regretted leaving her axe behind, her confidence remained steadfast. She was no mere dwarf that needed a blade for protection. And she proved it when she sensed an impending attack. The almost imperceptible disturbance in the air hinted at the deceptive approach these detestable beings preferred. Their assault was laughably amateurish! With reflexes honed by experience, Gimona¡¯s hand shot out, seizing the assassin¡¯s wrist and stopping the dagger mere inches from her throat.
With a nimble twist and yank, the shadowy assailant was airborne for a moment before crashing heavily onto the ground. Without hesitation, Gimona¡¯s boot came down on the attacker¡¯s face with the might akin to a mana crystal¡¯s explosion. A concussive wave emanated from the strike, yet the camp¡¯s inebriated soldiers, lost in their alcoholic haze, remained oblivious, their snores uninterrupted. Gimona couldn¡¯t suppress a chuckle. The scene reaffirmed a belief she had long held: humyns and elves simply couldn¡¯t handle their pitiful excuse for ale.
In her urgency, Gimona¡¯s eyes darted to where the vampires had previously been staked. Her heart plummeted when she found the spots empty. Just a minuscule amount of blood could mend their grievous injuries, making them formidable adversaries for the encampment. To exacerbate the situation, the General¡¯s absence meant the army was without its commander amidst an apparent siege. But Gimona was resolute in her determination to prevent a disaster this night. She surged forward once more, aiming for the Wailing Drums. The only sound capable of rousing an army from its alcohol-fueled escapades was the haunting resonance of that drum.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Yet, her momentum was suddenly thwarted when a cluster of dwarves, groggy and irked, emerged from their tents, disgruntled by the disruption to their rest.
~
Anlyth dashed toward the Repository Tent, her heart pounding with growing apprehension. The trailing end of her cloak occasionally flirted with the wind, cheekily revealing her exposed rear. If a necromancer had indeed breached their defenses, that tent would be their prime target.
To her immense relief, the guards outside remained steadfast, an embodiment of resilience. Ezad¡¯s foresight in choosing only the elite to guard the fallen shone through in this crisis. While their commitment was unwavering, Anlyth caught their lingering glances. As she neared, she drew her cloak tighter, a shadow of a smirk forming, silently warning them against any mention of her current state.
¡°Has anyone seen the General?¡± Anlyth demanded, her voice stern and authoritative.
¡°Aye, Paladin Knight Anlyth, ma¡¯am,¡± one of the guards responded. ¡°General Ezad is presently inside the Repository Tent, in consultation with a priestess. But I must note, his demeanor struck me as¡ peculiar.¡±
Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Anlyth instructed, ¡°You six, fall in with me,¡± addressing the guards. ¡°I suspect the enemy has breached our lines. Stay alert and expect the unexpected!¡±
The sextet of knights, battle-scarred and seasoned from myriad wars, assumed a stance of readiness, their zeal palpable. Their salutes signified their unwavering allegiance, leaving no doubt in the Paladin¡¯s mind about their preparedness for the looming conflict. Drawing her blade, Anlyth braced herself and ventured into the tent. The scene within was the manifestation of her gravest apprehensions.
Her beloved stood beside the vampiric nemesis, the very scourge who had once laid waste to her realm. A name, whispered in fearful tones, haunted the nightmares of Slaethian children: Aurelia. For the populace of the Kingdom of Slaethia, her name invoked paralyzing dread, yet there she stood, challenging all present with her mere presence.
Anlyth¡¯s heart splintered as she witnessed her once valiant partner, now ensnared by the very creature they had sworn to vanquish, the unmistakable signs of necromancy etched into his very being. The man she loved, reduced to a mere shadow of the leader and partner she once knew, stirred a torrent of anguish within her. Tears blurred her vision, and her sword wavered in her grip, the weight of her grief threatening to pull her under.
The monstrous seductress had ensnared him, and Anlyth realized the scale of the calamity that awaited them this night. She made a solemn vow: she would ceaselessly battle the vampiric fiend until her partner¡¯s soul was liberated and he could find eternal repose in the afterlife. Facing the fiend, though fraught with peril, was her unyielding obligation; for her love, her kingdom, and her sacred oath as a Paladin.
Yet, the act of her initial capture was nothing short of a marvel. Without Craycroft¡¯s guidance and might, Anlyth questioned whether a second victory was attainable. Aurelia, the vampire, met Anlyth¡¯s gaze with a malicious grin, her ivory fangs glistening menacingly. Anlyth¡¯s attention was momentarily captivated by the pristine priestess robes Aurelia donned. However, in an unnerving display, the robes seemed to disintegrate, giving way to a gown as dark as a moonless night. It was a garb more befitting of a lavish soir¨¦e than the blood-soaked terrain of a battlefield. Yet, as Aurelia stood there, she resembled the embodiment of a nightmare¡ªas if her very attire was forged from the purest, darkest sorcery.
Anlyth had yearned for this rhythm, now finally resounding and reverberating deeply within her soul. Unyielding cadence pulsed through the night, conjuring an ambiance thick with anticipation and unease. Soon, the drum¡¯s resonating sound was joined by a haunting scream¡ªa banshee¡¯s war lament. Ethereal and chilling, the shriek cut through the night, sending shivers down the spines of all who heard it. Seemingly endless, the cry served as a melancholic anthem, signaling impending doom. As the drum¡¯s rhythmic pounding merged with the banshee¡¯s spine-tingling wail, an aura of imminent peril was crafted, jolting the entire encampment to readiness. Warriors all around, roused from their inebriated haze, suddenly became lucid, primed, and poised for the confrontation that awaited.
While the initial onslaught at the dungeon¡¯s remnants had taken the vampires by surprise, neither faction emerged unscathed, both suffering grievous losses. For Anlyth¡¯s side, the grim reality was stark: Aurelia possessed everything needed to forge her new legion within the confines of that tent. The canvas shelter lay strewn with the lifeless forms of comrades, a somber tableau of those who had once fought valiantly alongside Anlyth. Though merely a fraction of the forces outside, their potential resurrection by necromancy loomed as a dire threat. Anlyth knew the peril of engaging necromancers; every fallen ally could tragically turn against them, weaponized in death.
Gimona burst into the tent, her expression twisted with fury as she confronted the General and the vampiric princess. ¡°Hey now, what in the blazin¡¯ hells is goin¡¯ on here? General, what the devils are ye doin¡¯ with that blood-suckin¡¯ wench?¡±
Anlyth¡¯s gaze snapped to Aurelia¡¯s gown, noting its sudden change. The fabric seemed to pulse with life, reacting defensively to Gimona¡¯s accusations. It shifted and undulated subtly, the sleeves twitching as if bristling with latent hostility. A chilling, oppressive energy filled the air, the malice from the gown palpable, as if the very atmosphere had turned leaden, pregnant with impending violence.
¡°Gimona, weren¡¯t you the one sounding the Wailing Drums?¡± Anlyth queried sharply.
¡°Well now, lassie, I had a few of me lads sort it out,¡± Gimona replied, but her voice lowered to a mutter, ¡°Still don¡¯t see where that dimension ring could be on that man!¡±
Anlyth¡¯s eyes blazed with fury as she glanced from the smiling vampire back to Gimona. The unsettling calmness of the vampire, paired with her malevolent grin, sent chills down Anlyth¡¯s spine. She feared Gimona might have inadvertently revealed too much. Despite potential missteps, the situation demanded decisive action.
With unwavering resolve, Paladin Anlyth summoned her divine powers. As she spoke her incantations, her arm was bathed in a radiant light, emanating purity and strength. ¡°In the name of the heavens,¡± she declared, her voice resounding with authority, ¡°may sacred luminescence be my beacon!¡±
A beam of divine light surged forth, but it unexpectedly struck the person Anlyth cherished most¡ªher beloved partner. The luminous energy collided with him with the force of a roaring blaze, sending him hurtling backward. The aftermath was horrifying¡ªa searing hole in his chest, his skin charred and smoking. Anlyth¡¯s heart tore as she beheld the mark of her divine wrath on the man she loved. Tears streamed down her face, the weight of her choice crushing her, yet she believed it necessary.
As she prepared another spell, Anlyth¡¯s attention was caught by the peculiar behavior of Aurelia¡¯s dress. It recoiled as if sentient, shrinking away from the divine light. But it was not Ezad¡¯s plight that kindled the vampire¡¯s fury; it was something else, something unseen. This realization was abruptly cut short by a chilling touch at her ankle.
Looking down, Anlyth gasped in horror. What she had assumed to be a corpse was gripping her ankle. The reality of the necromancer¡¯s dark magic became undeniably clear. All around her, the tent came alive with movement, as fallen warriors began to rise, their souls enslaved to undeath, creating a terrifying legion of the undead.
Amidst this chaos, Anlyth stood firm, fighting alongside her six knights and Gimona. The tent had transformed into a battleground, filled with the sounds of clashing steel and the moans of the undead. Every swing of her sword met decaying flesh; each parry thwarted a deadly grasp. Surrounded by relentless foes, the scent of rot overwhelming, Anlyth¡¯s resolve never wavered.
Summoning her might, Paladin Anlyth unleashed her most potent spell¡ªan inferno of blinding light and fire that spiraled outward, scorching all in its path. The protective enchantments of the Repository Tent strained and flickered.
The tent quivered, its spatial magic pulsing with distress under the strain of battle. Anlyth, focused solely on quelling the undead threat and ending the vampire¡¯s malevolent reign, unleashed a torrent of spells. However, the barrage proved too much; the tent''s enchantments began to falter, threatening to unravel at the seams.
As the spatial magic within the Repository Tent shattered, reality itself seemed to explode outward in cataclysmic chaos, merging abruptly with the world outside. Tents were hurled into the air, and soldiers tumbled like leaves in a violent tempest, flung about without mercy. Nearby, cages filled with beastkin clattered and rolled, contributing to the tumult.
This seismic shockwave violently collided with the fortifications of Elsternwick village, shattering them into fragments and reducing homes to mere rubble. Those cognizant of the unfolding calamity braced for the subsequent implosion, a dire consequence when a pocket dimension destabilizes. True to their worst fears, the shockwave surged back with the vehemence of a relentless storm, obliterating more structures and dragging both knights and villagers toward the epicenter of the catastrophe. The ensuing explosive cacophony reverberated across the realm, marking a moment of unparalleled destruction.
Reeling from the shock, Anlyth struggled to regain her bearings, amazed that she was still among the living. Over her, the steadfast dwarf Gimona Grimmail stood vigilant, her fingers clutching a barrier medallion. The lustrous glow of the magical talisman shielded both Gimona and Anlyth from the cataclysm¡¯s wrath, a solitary beacon in the midst of utter chaos. Regrettably, the gallant six knights who had fought valiantly by their side were not as fortunate. As Anlyth surveyed the ravaged landscape, she clung to the hope that the malevolent vampire, Aurelia, had at last been vanquished.
To Anlyth¡¯s horror, her deepest dread materialized before her eyes. Shielded by a dissipating crimson barrier, the vampire Aurelia danced amidst the debris of shattered tents, her voice lilting to a malevolent melody that seemed otherworldly. Her movements were a grotesque parody of an elegant waltz, contorted and chilling. She caressed her shadowy gown with unnerving tenderness, seemingly celebrating the devastation that surrounded her. Witnessing this macabre display, a cold chill raced down Anlyth¡¯s spine, as she watched the fiend take delight in the havoc she had wreaked.
Emerging from the ruins of the razed camp, the soldiers stood resolute, determination etched on every face. Amidst the chaos, Anlyth, a pillar of strength, surveyed the devastation with an icy, unyielding smile. Now, her nemesis, the monstrous vampire Aurelia, found herself surrounded by an army united in their thirst for retribution. Although Aurelia¡¯s power was formidable, she was not invincible. Anlyth was more than ready to demonstrate this, she vowed to extinguish the malevolent force that Aurelia represented. From then on, the young souls of the Kingdom of Slaethia could find solace in the night, free from the specter of Aurelia¡¯s terror.
With a sorrow-laden whisper, Anlyth murmured, ¡°For you, my love,¡± her eyes ablaze with divine fervor. The vampire had stolen her heart¡¯s joy by slaying her partner, but vengeance would be Anlyth¡¯s. In that pivotal moment, she felt an indomitable force rising within her, ensuring that no obstacle could deter her.
B01C33 - The Dream
Aurelia spun and swayed, her dance wild with glee, her fingers tracing over my form with reckless abandon. Lost in our whirl of pleasure, Aurelia and I remained oblivious to the chaos unfolding around us. My tendrils responded to her touch, moving with her motions and contours, caressing every crevice of her body, all while indifferent to the stunned onlookers. To the soldiers emerging from the wreckage of their encampment, it must have seemed she was fondling herself in a feverish ballet of insanity.
Our waltz continued unabated, even as unease curled within the back of my thoughts with each knight that clambered from beneath the debris. I knew all too well my vulnerability to Anlyth¡¯s holy magic; even a glancing blow could sear through me with excruciating pain. Yet, I found solace in Aurelia¡¯s presence, her affection a shield against the elf¡¯s last devastating spell¡ªa blast so fierce it reduced our tent to ashes. I suspect, though, it had more to do with unleashing magic within a spatial tent, akin to popping a balloon with too much air, but what do I know.
Amid the ruin, a flicker of admiration stirred within me as I watched the elf responsible for the destruction. But when my gaze landed on the paladin, a mischievous smile played across my mind¡ªI would have said lips, if not for the fact that in this form, the only lips I possessed were rather busy, firmly planted on Aurelia¡¯s ass, along with another set teasing her other nearby lips. Perks of being a shape-shifting, gooey monster.
Tee-hee! I¡¯m so naughty.
The sight of the elf¡¯s tears¡ªtears she shed as she watched Olin, her comrade, her lover, rise from the rubble with a grievous wound she had inflicted¡ªwas deliciously satisfying¡ or was that Aurelia I was finding so delicious? Yeah, definitely Aurelia! Where was I going with this again? Oh, right!
It felt like just retribution for the one who dared to steal away my prey¡ªor rather, my potential prey. I had really wanted to kill that goblin myself. Sure, I got to eat him in the end, and he tasted rather delectable, but the satisfaction would have been so much sweeter if I had made the kill myself. Yes, I¡¯m being particularly bitchy about it¡ªmore so than usual. I wonder, is this a trait of my new body?
Anylith and that dwarf woman were exchanging words with Aurelia. I couldn¡¯t make out what was being said, but the harsh tones made it clear they weren¡¯t kind words. I¡¯ll have to slowly kill them for that. Meanwhile, I noticed a sly grin spreading across Aurelia¡¯s face as she glanced back at Olin. Should I have been paying more attention? Absolutely. But honestly, it was really hard to concentrate right now with this vampire hottie¡¯s bare flesh pressing against me.
Eh, Aurelia can handle herself better than I can.
Lost in my bliss, my mind froze when I noticed Aurelia approaching Olin. That wasn¡¯t the strange part; the truly strange and horrifying moment came when she slid her hands down his pants. To say I was horrorstruck would be an understatement, especially when she grasped his manhood. My horror intensified as I realized my flesh was coating her hand like a glove!
Um¡ What¡¯s she doing?
At the sight of my woman rifling through Olin¡¯s pants, Anlyth suddenly screamed, ¡°I¡¯LL KILL YOU!¡±
Aurelia responded with a dark, tantalizing grin that sent a quiver of delight through me. With a rough yank, she pulled out a golden circular band. Not like that, you pervert¡ªI mean, she literally pulled it out. Shit, that sounds worse. Um, let¡¯s just move on, okay?
At first, the golden band appeared too small for her wrist, but as she slid her fingers through the tight hole, pushing deeper, the band miraculously expanded, adjusting perfectly to fit snugly around her thin, pale wrist as her fist cleared the opening.
Uh, is she wearing Olin¡¯s cockring?
No¡ Maybe? Probably. Yes. Yes, she is.
Curiosity piqued, I found myself wondering not just what it was, but why. Why would she wear such a thing here and now? And more intriguingly, why was Olin¡¯s meat suit wearing that to begin with?
With a fierce battle cry, Anlyth unleashed a deafening scream, her voice resonating like a thunderclap, ¡°BY THE GRACE OF THE GODS, LET MY HOLY LIGHT BE MY GUIDE!¡±
Geez, she likes to scream a lot.
Following her proclamation, Anlyth released a heart-wrenching scream, unleashing a relentless torrent of holy light, a turbulent river of divine might poised to turn all in its wake to mere cinders. But Aurelia, with a grace that belied the direness of the situation, brushed the divine onslaught aside as if it were nothing more than a bothersome gnat.
I was not so fortunate¡ªoh no, not by a long shot. As divine light ravaged my consciousness with a hellish, all-consuming pain, my mind scrambled into the comforting arms of darkness. Oh, the agony¡ªit danced with my senses, twirling me unexpectedly into the realm of dreams once more, despite¡ªor maybe just to spite¡ªmy supposed Sleep immunity.
The sound of childish laughter¡ªa symphony of joy and delight¡ªtouched my swaying mind. Cracking my eyes open, I beheld a verdant meadow where six young children frolicked without a care. They cavorted and gamboled, their giggles ringing through the air as they chased each other in wild abandon. The sight was both haunting and beautiful, a nostalgic reminder of the carefree days of innocence.
Ah, shit. Did I just die?
The first to approach looked oddly familiar, a youthful child with golden tresses and a beaming face. Her laughter rang out like chimes in glass, her happiness a contagious grace. She hopped and twirled with hand outstretched, eager for a new friendship to be fetched.
Wait¡ why am I channeling my inner Lewis Carroll geek in my narrative? Ugh, whatever, let¡¯s just roll with it. It probably won¡¯t be that intense, and might even be a bit spotty.
Okay. Extremely spotty.
¡°Greetings, once again!¡± she exclaimed, a twinkle perhaps betraying her awareness of my bewildered expression. ¡°You do remember me, don¡¯t you? It¡¯s me, Sophia! Do come and join us. Let¡¯s frolic in a game of tag¡ªyou¡¯re to be it!¡±
With disbelief swirling in my heart, I beheld a wondrous sight with utter glee. Glancing down, I noticed I had shrunk to a child¡¯s size, a diminutive figure, a mere shadow of my pale former self, though wearing my typical I Decapitated Teddy Bears shirt, my hair dyed black and green.
Amidst the fluttering laughter that danced in the air, a smile adorned my face, a radiant expression I couldn¡¯t contain. In that moment, doubts were cast aside, and with reckless glee, I clasped her tiny hand, becoming one with their mirthful brigade.
We raced through the meadow, their infectious energy infusing my every step with wild abandon. The echoes of youthful giggles cascaded like a majestic symphony, and within this realm of unadulterated bliss, nothing else held significance, for I had discovered my true sanctuary. My spirit awakened, resonating with the resounding laughter, basking in the boundless realm of joyous existence.
With nimble steps, I wove and bobbed, my heart alight, as I bounced and leaped, embracing the all-pervading happiness that enveloped the air. Playfully, I nudged the shoulder of a lad, his laughter rippling through the meadow as he twirled in mirthful delight. In this realm of enchantment, the gaiety knew no bounds, a tapestry of joy woven with each breath. Laughter and delight intertwined, painting a perpetual smile upon my face, as the magic of this place unfolded before my eyes.
¡°Rob, you are it,¡± Sophia proclaimed.
As the hours waned and the sun bathed the meadow in its warm embrace, we laughed and played, our spirits dancing in the radiant light. Yet, a weight settled upon my heart when I beheld another girl, her dark, freckled face and piercing eyes fixated on the foreboding, frozen woods. Her once vibrant smile had vanished, replaced by an air of trepidation. The shadows stretched, casting an ominous veil over the snow-filled expanse, stripping away its enchantment and revealing only darkness and fear.
A shiver coursed down my spine as I sensed imminent danger lurking within the depths of those forbidding woods. In the back of my mind, a call to run echoed, but it no longer felt as urgent as it once had. No, it was almost welcoming now.
As the day turned to dusk, the freckled child¡¯s joy became a distant memory. She remained there the entire time, standing ever still, her gaze fixed on the silent woods, her face growing ever paler. My heart raced with excitement as the shadows crept nearer, poised to ensnare her joy forever. The woods seemed to hold magic, wonder, and glee that only I could perceive, as though the horrors within beckoned to me with dark delight.
A voice filled with kindness and grace called out to the freckled girl, ¡°Fear not, dear Heather, ¡¯tis just shadows that dwell, there is naught to see, only tales to tell of old nightmares they be. Do come and play with the children once more, dinner draws near.¡±
As I sought the woman behind the sweet voice, her presence eluded me. I rubbed my eyes and searched around, but her form was nowhere to be found. Yet, a mischievous giggle filled the air, whisking me away to a realm beyond compare.
With boundless glee, I chased after children in a carefree race, leaving behind the shadows of doubt and embracing the pure delight of their embrace. Their laughter and play, a profound symphony, enchanted my mind with joy unbound. In this magical place, I had discovered my true home, where laughter echoed and joy roamed free. The sense of belonging warmed my soul as I reveled in the wonders this realm unfolded. Surrounded by the tune of youthful laughter, I embraced the beauty of each passing hour. But alas, the woods called to me with welcoming whispers, and doubts about this new home crept into my mind¡ªjust as dinner beckoned.
The children¡ªSophia, Heather, Rob, Jeremy, Yua, and Jason¡ªgathered around a table that seemed to expand as we each took our seats, our feet swinging in the air as we leaned in, eagerly awaiting the feast at hand. Laughter filled the air, our smiles reflecting the joy we shared. I sat there, immersed in my chair, a radiant grin adorning my face, captivated by their laughter and the harmony of their embrace.
As if conjured by enchantment, the table was adorned with a feast fit for kings, a culinary delight. The children¡¯s eyes widened with delight, their hunger unmasked as they indulged in the flavors, their enthusiasm unabashed. Laughter and voices intertwined, forming an orchestra of mirth that filled the air, as they savored the earth. I leaned back, a smile upon my face, content in my quiet observation, cherishing their joyous embrace, a memory to treasure, an everlasting sensation to preserve.
Basking in the tantalizing allure of the feast, I refrained from partaking, my senses alert and watchful. My gaze was fixed upon the others as a malevolent notion insinuated itself into the recesses of my mind. A palpable air of unease cloaked the surroundings, a nebulous void that resisted comprehension. I scanned the expanse of the table, yet the enigmatic woman remained elusive, her presence a puzzle yet unsolved, leaving me with an unsettling disquietude and a riddle yet to be gleaned.
As the feast carried on, an ominous shadow cast its pall over the table, its presence unnoticed by the other children. The wooden floorboards creaked beneath our feet, and the house swayed with an unsettling rhythm. Yet, they continued to indulge in their meal with unabated glee, blissfully ignorant of the gathering darkness. The shadows deepened, their sinister tendrils creeping. As I scanned the room, my heart pounding in fearful¡ªno! Gleeful¡ªanticipation, I found naught but fleeting specters, dissipating like a nightmare¡¯s hold released by the dawn¡¯s gentle touch.
Still, my curiosity lingered, a gnawing in the depths of my mind, a resolute feeling that all was not as it seemed, and the darkness held a purpose, not blind. The children¡¯s laughter, once so joyous and free, now rang hollow and forced, their faces contorted into a grotesque masquerade. The darkness ebbed and flowed, reemerging with renewed vigor, its tendrils extending and entwining my thoughts, pulling me deeper into a realm of obscurity where the brilliance of light faltered, and the shadows reigned supreme.
I caught sight of one such shadow, following its trail which, to my confusion, was cast by me.
My bewilderment was abruptly cut short during the feast when a boy¡¯s head tumbled across the table¡ªa sight that left me shaken with mirth, if indeed it was real. It was Rob¡¯s severed head that had passed through, yet the other children feasted on, oblivious to the horrors I had borne witness.
I sat there, frozen in a mix of fearful awe and glee, as another head¡ªthis time seemingly belonging to Heather¡ªfell into the cheer. Yet, the feast pressed on, like a nightmare turned reality. A sudden flicker of candlelight unveiled the truth, revealing the skeletal forms of the children, a haunting sight that could not be curtailed. I found myself clapping in joy at the spectral spectacle before me. However, it did not last, as the flicker returned the sight to what it had been. But still, the feast went on, the children¡ªand even the headless¡ªcontinued to chew. It was a nightmarish vision, one that I could not unsee, nor did I wish to.
A withered old hag, face hidden within a veil, gaunt and sickly thin, shuffled into the room with a slouch and a hobble. She was garbed in dark robes, so familiar, yet untrue. She approached with more food as the children cheered. They eagerly fed, yet only in the briefest of flickers did the candle reveal what to be true.Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.
I peered through the window and beheld the sinister woods that surrounded us. The trees, twisted and twirled like tentacles of darkness, beckoned me with their dance amidst the whirling snow. The forest was alive with dark delights, forbidden pain, and horrors of the night, and I found myself longing to join in their cruel revelry of memories of pained past lives.
I peered through the window and beheld the sinister woods that surrounded us. The trees, twisted and twirled like tentacles of darkness, beckoned me with their dance amidst the whirling snow. The forest was alive with dark delights, forbidden pain, and horrors of the night, and I found myself longing to join in their cruel revelry, a twisted echo of pained past lives.
What¡¯s going on? Am I dreaming or am I dead?
A flicker of candlelight illuminated the scene, and I beheld the hag, not cloaked in her usual robe, but adorned in a grand ball gown. She soon took her place among us at the table, her gaze fixed upon the lavish spread with wondrous delight, her dark eyes occasionally shifting toward me. Yet, as I gazed upon her, her face remained shrouded within a void so dark, yet somehow it felt akin to a dream so pure. The only part of her that was visible were her skeletal hands of pure bone, stark white against the dim light.
¡°Duskara?¡± I murmured, questioning if she was indeed who I thought her to be.
Strangely, despite the unsettling yet magnificent sight before me, I sensed no malevolence emanating from her, only a surprising kindness. Yet, she did not answer me, appearing almost pained, as if saddened by the knowledge that our visit would soon be ending.
Another flicker of gleaming candlelight revealed the true feast once more, at last. The table was bedecked with decay and putridity¡ªspoiled meats crawling with maggots and flies. It was, without doubt, a dream come true for my little black heart. I daringly indulged in a bite of a rotting heart, savoring its flavor as if it were a delectable fruit freshly plucked from a verdant branch. Greedily, I continued to dine, reaching next for a severed human limb, its grotesque flesh clinging stubbornly to the bone.
The children, seated around the table, were nothing but skeletons, with two skulls resting upon plates of twisted entrails and innards. The sight was ghastly, yet I couldn¡¯t avert my gaze, captivated by the grotesque spectacle unfolding before me. With each morsel I savored, I would occasionally sway happily in my seat, as we all dined together.
I wonder if they each see something different? No, really. They all seem way too calm and happy right now.
With each bite I took, the taste of decay greeted my palate, a perverse pleasure that should have turned my stomach. Yet, I reveled in the sensation of each crunch and chew, savoring the morbid symphony upon my tongue.
The hag, draped in the elegance of a refined lady, carried herself with a grace befitting royalty. Her laughter was tender and whimsical as she observed my indulgence in the feast of the dead, her shrouded gaze exuding warmth and affection.
The elegantly dark woman¡¯s next words floated through the air, imbued with a melodic solemnity: ¡°I, the Crone, as most do call me, have decided upon a Champion, now that all of you have gathered,¡± she so decreed, her voice tinged with reluctance, aware that I had forbidden her from naming me. ¡°As per the rules governing this system and to avoid unwanted gazes, I name only one among you. Thou, cruel Jason, with thy heart full of anger and rage, naught can quell the fire within thy cage. It is for that reason, I name thee, my Dark Champion. Go forth and be the harbinger of my will, so mote it be.¡±
Jason¡¯s skeleton seemed to do a little jig in his chair with glee. The others appeared shocked¡ªwell, as shocked as any skeleton could seem¡ªas I hummed to myself and continued to dine while the shadows in the dim dining room danced to my tune. I was content within this eerie dream, yet a part of me longed to wake up soon, as thoughts of Aislinn filled my mind. However, the happy rhythm was abruptly halted by a knock at the door, which sounded like thunder booming.
The Crone sighed, turning her dark veil toward me for a long gaze. ¡°It seems it¡¯s time to wake up now,¡± she said, her tone, cadence, and demeanor shifting to one of sorrow. ¡°Do be careful. I do not know what she¡¯s planning, but do not follow her poisonous wor¡ª¡±
Suddenly, there was a flash of light, and an onslaught of pain scorched through me as sacred holy light narrowly missed its mark, yet still sent tendrils of agonizing pain throughout my being. The anguish was intense, yet it was overshadowed by the ferocity evident on Aurelia¡¯s face. Every inch of her demeanor screamed vengeance, all directed at Anlyth for the audacity of harming me.
How long was I unconscious?
A few milliseconds... I think?
Before Aurelia could unleash her pent-up wrath, however, she found herself encircled by a squadron of knights, their weapons drawn, their intentions clear and deadly. It appeared everyone had finished pulling themselves out of the camp¡¯s wreckage.
As Aurelia faced her opponents, the initial assault came from a knight clad in gleaming armor. Determination flared in his eyes as he aimed a ferocious overhead blow at her. Almost simultaneously, another warrior lunged, his blade seeking her heart with deadly intent. Yet, Aurelia¡¯s reflexes defied belief; she sidestepped the overhead swing and gracefully pivoted away from the thrust, evading both strikes with ease.
With the elegance and danger of a wildcat, she retaliated. Her razor-sharp claws sliced through the first knight¡¯s armor as if it were mere tin foil, inflicting a deep wound across his flesh. Twisting around like a gymnast, she executed a powerful kick to his kneecap, producing a horrific crunch that made him crumple in pain. As the knights were distracted by Aurelia¡¯s prowess, I seized the moment. My tentacles burst forth, coiling and striking with merciless precision.
The knights and barbarians swarmed us with unyielding fury. Arrows flew, yet Aurelia deftly dodged or brushed them aside effortlessly. Mystical assaults followed; streaks of lightning and fiery orbs hurtled our way. However, a pulsating red barrier surrounded Aurelia, absorbing every magical blow, forcing the knights to resort to traditional combat techniques. While some fell to a singular, devastating hit, others showed commendable resilience, charging at us again and again.
On another front, Olin unleashed his wrath, tearing through the ranks with a storm of punches and kicks, only to be overwhelmed by sheer numbers. Despite the full might of my arsenal, the knights resiliently got back to their feet, hinting at the presence of healers among them. I filled the area with Blight and spread Spores liberally, which slowed their physical reactions¡ªa useful ability when surrounded and outnumbered. My Fear spell caused many soldiers to hesitate as they approached, giving Aurelia the upper hand.
In desperate abandon, my tentacles continued lashing out, constricting knights by the throat and hoisting them into the air, only to have my grip broken by every blade¡¯s strike. Some were momentarily incapacitated as I thrust tentacles down their throats, but even these were rapidly severed.
My Corrosive and Venomous touch incapacitated a few, and my Paralysis rendered others immobile, while Life Drain filled me with elation. I had to concentrate intensely to ensure my passive skills were only applied to my tentacles, as most of my body tightly coated Aurelia, and thus, many hits did not include them¡ªmuch to my frustration!
Aurelia serenaded the battleground with a haunting tune, effortlessly dispatching soldiers one after another. Yet beneath the fa?ade, her eyes betrayed hints of exhaustion. The most formidable adversaries were the scarcely clad warriors¡ªa quite unanticipated sight. Their defenses varied; some boasted ethereal barriers that flickered upon impact, while others had skin as durable as metal.
Their notable attire¡ªor the lack thereof¡ªwas not limited by gender, as both male and female warriors sported such minimalistic garments. Thongs? Leather lingerie? Straps and buckles? Honestly, I know I keep pointing it out, but it¡¯s always a surprising eyeful, and I¡¯m not quite sure what to call their Conan-wannabe outfits. Anywho, their tenacity was admirable, but my intentions were clear: their survival stood in opposition to my woman¡ªthey all must die!
Still, the momentum of the battle was shifting against us. Aurelia, ever graceful in combat, continued to demonstrate signs of mounting exhaustion, her movements increasingly weighed down by the incessant barrage from the knights. Her expertise remained evident, yet the relentless onslaught steadily pushed her toward her limits. As a knight¡¯s blade aimed for her in a moment of imminent danger, I reflexively contracted around her midsection, forcing her into a stooped position to narrowly evade the lethal cut.
Capitalizing on this evasion, I retaliated with a surge of Necrotic Flame, reducing the knight¡¯s visage to ashes. Observing Aurelia, even in her fatigue, I noticed a slight smile tugging at the corner of her lips. It radiated an unwavering determination, suggesting a deeper intent within her actions, as if I were missing something crucial.
Huh, I¡¯m just noticing, but there¡¯s a hint of dark red in her black hair.
Really? That¡¯s what¡¯s on my mind right now? Fucking hell, Blake!
The onslaught momentarily ceased as the soldiers strategically shifted to encircle us, cunningly staying just out of my tentacles¡¯ reach. Their positioning taunted us, presenting a challenge I couldn¡¯t answer. Recognizing the dwarf woman from our previous encounter in the deep roads and Anlyth beside her, my hopes dwindled. Memories of the tragic loss of Wartie due to the elf paladin¡¯s actions flooded my thoughts, fueling my anticipation of imminent doom and the tangible prospect of Aurelia¡¯s recapture or worse, her demise. Yet, curiously, within the depths of Aurelia¡¯s grin, there remained an inexplicable spark of anticipation.
¡°Would ye look at what we have here? It¡¯s the little lady herself, back in our clutches once more,¡± the dwarf sneered.
¡°It¡¯s apparent to me we don¡¯t have the means to restrain her,¡± Anlyth declared.
Anlyth moved forward, her sword ready, her light cloak billowing to reveal its underside. A sudden commotion disrupted the knights¡¯ ranks as two amongst them unexpectedly collapsed, victims of an invisible adversary. Their collective attention shifted from Aurelia as they endeavored to pinpoint the origin of this unforeseen assault. Anlyth, with unwavering intent, continued her advance, her sword poised to strike. Yet, she found herself compelled to divert her planned blow, parrying a bony hand that grabbed at her ankle.
The battlefield was strewn with corpses from the tent that had exploded; their deceased brethren had littered every corner of the area. And Aurelia laughed as they began to rise once more. Amidst this chaos, Aurelia¡¯s harmonious laughter resonated, serving as a haunting prelude to the reanimation of the fallen as undead beings. The subsequent events can only be described as sheer pandemonium.
Despite the knights being distracted by the reanimated corpses of their comrades, both the dwarf and the elf remained fixated on Aurelia, and by association, on me¡ªregardless of their awareness of my true nature. I couldn¡¯t shake the feeling of being in over my head with the imminent confrontation. As formidable as Aurelia had proven herself to be, it was clear, both alarmingly and intriguingly, that she was nearing her limits.
Any ideas?
Nope.
¡
Anlyth charged, her sword targeting Aurelia. However, Aurelia deftly dodged the attempt. The dwarf took a different approach, unleashing a formidable punch to Aurelia¡¯s side. Reacting swiftly, I adjusted my form to cushion the impact. The force was like a lightning bolt, catapulting Aurelia backward. Even with the shock rattling my senses, she persisted, battling against the odds. The dwarf didn¡¯t let up, barraging us with punches that each reverberated with pain.
The dwarf¡¯s punishing blow was immediately followed by the elf¡¯s magic. Instead of charging forth, she maintained her distance, hand aloft as if orchestrating some impending doom. A radiant surge of energy burst forth, finding its mark on Aurelia before she could mount a defense or parry. The sheer force of the arcane onslaught sent us skidding across the warzone, amidst soldiers and risen dead alike. Through the barrage, Aurelia¡¯s resilience shone, but even she had limits. My essence felt as if it was being scorched from existence. I couldn¡¯t discern if the pain was from losing a part of myself, but the aftermath was clear: a trail of charred, black, gelatinous residue marked our path, remnants of me.
Desperation clawed at me, compelling me to draw on every scrap of ambient mana around, striving to maintain my form through sheer will. Yet, I was gripped by the dread of my imminent demise. It was not my own death that I feared, however, but the prospect of losing Aurelia¡ªof losing my Aislinn.
~
Gimona reveled in the midst of the most exhilarating battle she¡¯d ever experienced. True, using an army to wear down a vampire before confronting her directly might not scream honor, but with the legendary Aurelia in front of her, winning was all that mattered. Even more troubling was that Aurelia wore General Ezad¡¯s spatial ring around her wrist, which contained the dungeon core they had painstakingly acquired. They had gone to great lengths to secure that artifact without the Ascended Empire¡¯s knowledge, and now it was in enemy hands.
Every time Aurelia tried to dodge, her ever-adaptive dress absorbed the hits, shifting and changing to protect its wearer. Gimona had never witnessed such a piece of enchanted attire before. But under Anlyth¡¯s relentless magical barrage, what was once a grand, flowing dress now resembled a tattered nightgown. Gimona smirked, thinking it wouldn¡¯t be long until Aurelia was left in nothing but the kind of lingerie one might find in the city¡¯s seedier establishments.
The battlefield was a frenzy of motion and magic. Aurelia masterfully controlled the undead and cast blood spell after necrotic spell. However, Gimona continued to marvel at the strange magic emanating from the dress¡ªa cocktail of poisons, corrosive acids, and enigmatic green and purple flames. But to Gimona, a hardened dwarf warrior, such low-tier magical antics were hardly a concern. Most knights would¡¯ve been severely challenged, but not her.
Yet, the real nuisance was the growing horde of undead, which swelled in numbers with each fallen soldier, reducing their ranks. Gimona could almost taste Aurelia¡¯s fatigue, which fueled her anticipation. The endgame was in sight: soon, Aurelia would meet her fate, and her command over the undead would vanish.
Gimona took every ounce of her battle-hardened might and focused it upon Aurelia¡¯s deteriorating form. Each blow, infused with dwarven magic, brought the satisfying sound of snapping bones. Her spirit soared as she prepared her ultimate strike, summoning her deepest reserves of magical energy into her fist. As it slammed into Aurelia¡¯s midsection, the vampire was sent careening, the ground breaking apart beneath her. She was bleeding profusely, not healing¡ªa telltale sign of a vampire in dire need of sustenance.
With victory seemingly within grasp, Gimona vaulted into the air, her entire body intent on delivering a death blow akin to the explosion of a mana crystal. But victory was snatched away in the blink of an eye when an undead tackled her, thwarting her fatal strike.
The challenge of fighting a necromancer like Aurelia is that the longer the battle wages, the more formidable they become¡ªas more death simply means more soldiers for her undead horde. Typically, this wouldn¡¯t pose too much of an issue since most necromancers are constrained by their limited mana reserves, capping the size of their armies. However, Aurelia was an anomaly. It was well-known that she did not rely on her own mana but tapped directly into the ambient mana itself¡ªa feat that perplexed scholars and generals alike and was unheard of even among the ascended gods.
This battle would not end until Aurelia drew her last breath, especially since for every undead they cut down, two more rose in their place. Gimona growled when she noticed caged prisoners being freed by the undead; a few joined the fight, but most fled into the nearby forest. These were not Slaethian prisoners, but captives taken by the imperial soldiers. The dwarf thought it a shame that their champion, who had helped capture Aurelia, the fairy twat, Galen, was not here. His two replacements would arrive tomorrow, but by then, the battle would be long over, and Aurelia would have surely escaped.
Gimona wanted to scream in frustration, but no matter her anger, she knew it did not compare to Anlyth¡¯s pain. Turning General Ezad into an undead was a terrible blow to the Kingdom of Slaethia and, more so, to the elf who loved him. The dwarf let out a fierce battle cry¡ and blinked as she glanced around for her target.
¡°Oi, any of yez fucks see the vamp?¡± Gimona Grimmail called out as she sidestepped a blow from an undead barbarian wielding a claymore.
Turning around, Gimona spotted Aurelia skillfully dodging blows from a few knights, effortlessly evading their attacks. She winced when she saw the vampire sink her teeth into one of their necks, moaning in glee. Then, something unexpected happened. Tentacles from her enchanted outfit sprang forth, leaving her nude flesh exposed to the ongoing battle as the gooey substance devoured the corpse she had just slain and drained, before pulling itself back over her body, coating her entirely in black.
Gimona charged forward, snatched a random weapon from the ground, and leapt into the air. She came crashing down with a war hammer aimed at the vampire¡¯s head. But just as she was about to connect, an unfamiliar woman¡¯s voice cried out, ¡°Ethereal Mist!¡± To Gimona¡¯s sudden surprise, her weapon passed straight through her target as though she wasn¡¯t even there.
¡°W-What?¡± Gimona gasped.
However, that unseen woman¡¯s voice uttered another spell, ¡°Burst,¡± and in a flash of speed, Aurelia was gone. In an instant, the vampire disappeared in an ethereal puff, leaving the Slaethian and imperial soldiers to contend with the remnants of her horde, formed from their own dead. Worse still, almost all of their caged beastkin prisoners had escaped along with her, including the vampires they had impaled on pikes.
B01C34 - Take it!
Aurelia skidded to a stop within the shelter of the trees, the last remnants of my Burst fizzling out. Behind her, the clash between Sluttia¡ªSlutty, Slaethia!¡ªforces¡ªmy bad, I¡¯ll eventually get it right¡ªand the undead thundered on, a brilliant display of dead soldiers reanimated from their own fallen. Poetic shit, right?
With a pang of reluctance, I oozed and peeled away from the coolness of Aurelia¡¯s pale flesh, which I had coated in utter reverie. My gaze lingered, captivated by her gleaming body as the last remnants of the lunar eclipse faded, revealing the luminescent blue and pink planet of V?lusp¨¢ overhead. Meanwhile, my form reshaped itself, silk threads weaving across my face to craft a white mask of false skin¡ªno, that¡¯s not right.
Remember, Blake! I need to truly believe the silk is my skin; that way, the subconscious casting of it will be easier and more lifelike.
Hmm¡ Embrace the delusion and insanity to become a great sorceress¡ªgot it!
Aurelia stood there smirking at me, as unmoving and expectant as a nude Greek statue. I had no clue what she was waiting for, so I just stared back, lost in my thoughts.
¡°My beloved, as much as I¡¯d love to keep this little game going, we really should get moving,¡± Aurelia cooed.
I nodded absentmindedly.
¡°Um... your hands,¡± she said, her lips twitching as she fought back laughter.
Glancing down, I realized my hands were still cupping her bare breasts. ¡°Oh, right,¡± I mumbled, yanking them away quickly and clasping them behind my back¡ªas if worried they might wander back on their own.
¡°And my robe,¡± she added, the amusement in her tone clear.
¡°Ah, yes,¡± I nodded, pulling open the Stellar Void to retrieve the robe I¡¯d stashed inside.
The hole opened within my chest, resembling a tunnel into the blackest of abysses. I caught Aurelia gazing into it with a mix of surprise and awe, utterly captivated. I reached in and easily retrieved the robe¡ªthere wasn¡¯t much else in there, well, that I could remember, anyway. I won¡¯t lie, I¡¯m pretty forgetful... Oh, and there was that spare phylactery I had no idea what to use for... Speaking of which, I had a nagging feeling Aurelia and I were forgetting something. I glanced at Aurelia¡¯s hand; she was still clutching the other phylactery, so no, nothing was amiss.
Where was she hiding that during the battle?
I shrugged it off as she placed the orb within her dimensional ring¡ªor was it a bracelet? I mean, it was on her wrist, but it had also been a cock ring prior to her wearing it¡
As I handed the robe over, I hesitated, stealing another long glance at Aurelia¡¯s perfect form.
Damn, those things are perky.
Of course, Aurelia caught my gaze¡ªit wasn¡¯t like I was hiding it or anything.
¡°Still thinking with your dick... Hmm, I suppose I can¡¯t use that line anymore, can I?¡± she mused as she slid on her robe while I glanced down at my female form. ¡°Reincarnated as a woman,¡± she softly chuckled. ¡°Though, I¡¯m surprised you still remembered my true name,¡± Aurelia added¡ªno, Aislinn stated.
¡°I witnessed what happened in a dream,¡± I softly whispered. ¡°Us running through a winter forest, a village burning¡ our deaths at the hands of the Romans,¡± I sighed, noting how Aislinn flinched, her hand instinctively clutching her stomach as though mourning a loss. ¡°However, I watched it all as though it were someone else¡¯s experience,¡± I laughed bitterly. ¡°If it wasn¡¯t for Duskara¡¯s explanation, I don¡¯t think I would have realized I was witnessing one of my own past lives,¡± I concluded, lifting my eyes to meet Aislinn¡¯s. ¡°My entire life, something was missing¡ªa void I couldn¡¯t explain. For the first time I can remember, I feel whole when I¡¯m with you.¡±
¡°It¡¯s the same with me,¡± Aislinn smiled, cupping my cheek. Her cool hand sent waves of butterflies through my being. ¡°Who¡¯s Duskara?¡±
¡°Oh, uh, the Crone?¡± I scratched my chin.
¡°The Crone told you her true name? No, that¡¯s not important,¡± Aislinn corrected herself, stepping closer.
I leaned in for a soft kiss that spoke of more passion than I¡¯d ever known, my body quivering under her touch. It wasn¡¯t that I was inexperienced, but until now, my encounters had been driven more by kinky-fueled lust than actual passion. This was different. This was so much more. Could this be love?
¡°We need to leave,¡± her breath tickled my lips as she whispered.
I glanced over her shoulder to see the battle with the undead still raging on and nodded.This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
Aislinn continued, ¡°Hikari and the other vampires you freed should be nearing the Ockpool Dungeon by now. They¡¯ve likely rounded up any of the beastkin who fled into the woods, though it¡¯s unclear if they¡¯ve taken them in as allies or as food. We really need to hurry back and find out. Now¡¯s not the time to be making new enemies.¡± She flashed a smile, revealing her seductive fangs, and held up her wrist to show a golden bracelet. ¡°Besides, I have the dungeon core.¡±
¡°Take it! Take it, now!¡± an all too familiar and infuriating voice bellowed in my mind. ¡°Take it, and ascension is yours!¡±
I stepped back from Aislinn, clutching my head. It felt like I¡¯d been bitch-slapped and received the world¡¯s worst ice cream headache all at once.
¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Aislinn¡¯s face filled with panic at my sudden reaction.
¡°Take it!¡±
Argh¡ªfuck off!
¡°Ugh. That blue-assed magic-bitch of a goddess quested me with grabbing that core, and now she¡¯s having a meltdown, demanding I snatch it from you,¡± I groaned, still clutching my head.
¡°A goddess? Which goddess?¡± Aislinn¡¯s tone darkened as if she were ready to unleash unholy hell on anyone who dared harm me.
I was too busy clutching my head to truly notice the threat in her tone, grappling with the lingering aftershocks of the pain that had just seared through me. I straightened up, shaking my head from side to side as if trying to shake the last remnants of pain away.
¡°Hm? Oh, um... The Primordial of Magic, I think? Yeah... that was it,¡± I nodded, finally noticing the enraged expression on Aislinn¡¯s face. ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± I quickly added. ¡°I already got what I wanted. That bitch can sit on her thumb and spin for all I care,¡± I said with a smile, ¡°I¡¯ve got you,¡± hoping to lighten Aislinn¡¯s mood.
Geez, a bit protective of me, isn¡¯t she?
Yeah. It¡¯s hot as fuck!
¡°Hmm,¡± was her only response as she took my hand and led me deeper into the forest, away from the battle and toward the dungeon.
I think she¡¯s pissed.
As we made our way through the forest, I noticed a few beastkin who had escaped were now trailing us; apparently, not all who fled had followed... Hikari? I have a pretty shitty memory, but I¡¯m almost certain that was the vampire with the gray feline features. Though, if I had to guess, some had also darted off in the opposite direction, probably back to wherever they came from¡ªthe Yeastveil Kingdom? Ha! Maybe my memory isn¡¯t as terrible as I thought.
That all said, Aislinn¡ªor Aurelia, when speaking in front of others¡ªwas being rather quiet. Yeah, she was still pissed after Magic had given me one hell of a migraine. I can¡¯t say I minded; I¡¯ve never had anyone this protective and enraged on my behalf... like, ever! It was surprisingly sweet.
Especially when I glanced down at our hands. She was grasping mine rather tightly, as if afraid to let go. I didn¡¯t blame her; I felt the same way. Unlike her, I didn¡¯t have a lifetime of memories from when we were together in another life, back when I was some dude named Bowen. Instead, all my memories were from being Blake, a twenty-something goth chick with intimacy issues¡ among others. I knew of those memories of Aislinn and Bowen, even received a glimpse of how they tragically died, but I didn¡¯t share those precious moments of happiness, of love, of being together like she did.
And yet, I still felt so strongly drawn to her, as though my very soul couldn¡¯t bear the thought of being separated from her ever again. It was strange, yet it felt so right. Still, I wished I understood this unspoken, magnetic pull.
We stepped out of the forest and into the aftermath of a battle, facing the dungeon ruins¡ªa stone fortress that appeared as though it had been decimated in a brutal siege. Stone slabs, boulders, and rubble were strewn everywhere among the dead.
¡°What¡¯s the plan?¡± I glanced over at my sexy vampire, who was still taller than me. I was going to have to change that, and soon.
¡°We¡¯ll have to refortify the dungeon and use the core¡¯s power to create a gate¡ªwhat are you doing?¡± Aislinn paused, glancing at me.
A sly grin spread across my face as I maintained eye contact, a tentacle slipping out from my dress to gobble up a nearby corpse. As I devoured it, I gradually increased in height until I matched Aislinn¡¯s. I probably could have done this when I first freed her from her cell, but after that battle as her dress, I had lost so much mass I didn¡¯t have anything extra to spare... Still unsure where I store anything extra, but that was going to remain one of the great Blake Pudding mysteries.
¡°Nothing,¡± I sweetly replied, giving her a quick peck on the cheek.
¡°Ah-ha,¡± Aislinn gave me a knowing glare that promised playful punishment later. ¡°Please refrain from eating any more of our soldiers.¡±
¡°Soldiers?¡±
Aislinn smiled as the first undead rose from the ground, creaking and groaning. ¡°Yes, my love, soldiers.¡±
¡°I¡¯m surprised the Slaethians didn¡¯t burn the corpses after the battle,¡± I noted.
¡°They typically don¡¯t need to. Instead, they sanctify the area with Holy, preventing any necromancer from raising the dead. Though, that has never stopped me,¡± her smile turned a bit darker.
Gods, I want to take her right now!
I glanced over, noticing the beastkin that had quietly followed us here looking rather nervous as the dead rose. A few appeared ready to sprint off into the forest, but they held their ground, likely not out of confidence but due to a lack of alternatives. No, they were terrified and seemed unsure where else to go.
¡°Aw, my lady,¡± croaked a raspy voice.
Turning my gaze from the beastkin, I noticed the frog man who had been tortured exiting the ruins. His movements were flooded with happiness, reminiscent of a loyal dog, as he rushed over. It was rather pathetic, but I wouldn¡¯t strike down anyone who showed loyalty to my sexy vampire. No, if I had my way, everyone would kneel before her as she sat her perfect ass down on a throne made of my gooey flesh, with my face serving as the cushion. What¡ªjealous?
¡°Vorigan,¡± Aislinn¡ªno, it was Aurelia now¡ªher entire demeanor shifted from passion and desire to one of stern seriousness, as though she was all business. ¡°Has Lady Hikari and the other vampires made it back?¡±
¡°Yes, my lady,¡± the frog nodded in affirmation.
¡°I¡¯ll raise the dead and get them to fortify the area while I use the dungeon core¡¯s power to create a gate out of here,¡± Aurelia informed the frogman.
¡°About that,¡± he paused, seemingly unsure before continuing, ¡°the dungeon denizens were waiting for us. Apparently, they had a deal with your¡¡± the frog glanced at me, uncertain of what title to use. ¡°Mate?¡±
Mate? Not the word I¡¯d use, but I can work with it.
Aurelia seemed not to notice the title as her attention turned toward me. ¡°What agreement?¡± she asked.
¡°Hmm? Oh, uh, they wanted the core. Apparently, everyone wants that thing,¡± I shrugged. ¡°It¡¯s yours as far as I¡¯m concerned.¡±
¡°We can use this,¡± Aurelia mused, tapping her lower lip thoughtfully. ¡°Vorigan, lead me to their leader.¡±
B01C35 - The Matriarch
I trailed behind Aurelia and the toad boy into the ruins of what used to be their fortress... or should I call it a lair? Hideout? Definitely not a coven¡ªthat¡¯s more like a vampire meet-up, kind of like a murder is for crows, I think. Don¡¯t quote me on that. Actually, now that I¡¯m thinking about it, I might be totally wrong with my logic. Anyways! I got a bit sidetracked there. Back to the tale!
I wove through the wreckage of their stronghold, taking in the destruction left from the battle. Trying my hardest not to drool anything Corrosive as I hungrily eyed the array of corpses strewn haphazardly about, each face etched with the agony of a lost battle¡¯s end. They weren¡¯t all vampires¡ªnope, those were most likely the various piles of ashes I kept noticing everywhere.
No. The real eye-catchers were the lifeless, defeated bodies of zombies, ghouls, and other delightful creatures, perhaps even a few elf thralls, all reeking of tantalizing decay. Their yummy intestines and brains were smeared across the stone floors and walls, painting a mouthwatering masterpiece. But it was the reek of perfume that was doing it for me, along with something else mixed in with the decaying stench that I found oh so alluring¡ what was it? It was rather shitty that I couldn¡¯t figure it out. Hmm¡ Oh well.
Oh, and there were also skeleton bones scattered everywhere, but I was utterly disinterested in them. However, as we moved by, quite a few began rattling back to life¡ªor unlife. Even the corpses started to groan behind us. Wherever Aurelia went, the undead began to twitch and rise.
Seriously, how many undead servants did these vampires have?
Aurelia won¡¯t get mad if I snag a few... sausage links as I follow her, will she?
Nah! I¡¯ll just be picking up body parts here and there; it¡¯s not like I¡¯m making a meal out of an entire body... Besides, I don¡¯t think she can turn a corpse into an undead if its skull¡¯s been caved in, or can she?
Shrugging off my own thoughts, I happily munched on an intestine I swiped off the ground, savoring the slow dissolve on my tongue, its juices seeping out. I would have preferred to take a nice bite out of it, but these teeth¡ªwoven from silk¡ªare all for show and not made for walking, or well, chewing. Yet, I was rather proud of my glossy white teeth regardless, especially against my black gums and tongue; they really shone.
Aurelia glanced back, a hint of amusement glittering in the corner of her eye when she noticed my other hand holding a grocery bag woven from silk. A tentacle from my dress deftly dropped a severed leg into the already swollen sack. What? I was hungry.
Also, the last body I ate let me match Aurelia¡¯s height, but I was still lacking a bit in the curves department. That also reminded me; a tentacle extended out from my hair in front of me as a new glowing orange eyeball formed on the tip, letting me see what I looked like at the moment¡ and, I was looking rather alien-esque, again.
Oh well, I rather like the creepy-cute look. I wonder if that¡¯s my default, or if the sexy human one was, you know, the one that looked sort of like that actress, Anya Taylor-Joy. Okay, that was a big stretch, but it somewhat looked like her if you squinted¡ªbeer goggles style. Either way, I was rocking the alien tight-face appearance at the moment, and Aurelia didn¡¯t seem to mind. She must be a lot less vain and shallow than I am.
We kept on down various corridors, the toad¡ªor was it a frog?¡ªleading the way, Aurelia behind him, and me trailing behind her, happily munching as I stared at her swaying ass. Okay, I may not have any memories of being a man in any of my past lives, but I certainly possessed the perverted mindset of one.
Lost in my thoughts, I wasn¡¯t paying attention to where we were going. It was only after blinking a few times and tearing my gaze away from Aurelia¡¯s perfect posterior that I realized we had just entered the dungeon metropolis of Ockpool¡ªthe one that had been all destroyed and shit. My head swiveled in all directions, wondering when we had even entered the dungeon, and where¡ªI mean, I thought the entrance had been caved in, or did we take the exit? Maybe there was a different entrance that didn¡¯t involve me being tossed down a hole while strapped to a succubus¡¯s face?
Mmmm¡ though, that was a pretty delicious way to start an adventure.
Also! I really need to do a better job at paying attention.
Glancing around the city, I saw that it was still a wreck, with toppled buildings everywhere. It really did look like the aftermath of some great war. Hmm, maybe war isn¡¯t quite the right term¡ªit had been a one-sided slaughter. Yet, there was no sweet aroma of death and despair in the air.
They must have buried or burned their dead¡ or did the dungeon absorb them? No, the core was gone, so that can¡¯t be the case, can it?
Huh, I guess the world may never know.
But I hate unsolved mysteries!
Deal with it¡ªthe universe is full of unsolved mysteries.
Like Bigfoot, alien anal probing, and how many licks it takes to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop?
Bigfoot is like the Predator; he can blend into his environment. Aliens have a butt fetish. And the owl solved that great riddle¡ªit¡¯s three, by the way.
Yeah, I suppose that makes sense. Though, I¡¯ve got to give it to the aliens¡ªimagine if they had a foot fetish instead? Reports of people being taken only to have their feet rubbed and tickled would give me the heebie-jeebies.
Right?
¡°Greetings, Lady Aurelia,¡± called out a squeaking voice that instantly got me thinking of Mike Tyson, snapping me from the inner dialogue I was having with myself.
I was grateful I wasn¡¯t crazy enough to have said all that aloud.
A grizzled old werewolf¡ªor was it a warg?¡ªwith a long beard dangled down to the ground went on, ¡°I¡¯ve been informed by your compatriots that you have the core?¡± If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
Aurelia glanced over to the vampire woman seated in the courtyard circle¡ªone of the few things that wasn¡¯t utterly destroyed¡ªwhom I recognized by her gray cat ears. She gazed back at Aurelia. I wasn¡¯t sure what unspoken message passed between the two, but it wasn¡¯t friendly, as the feline vampire folded her arms with a huff. She apparently lost whatever silent argument they had, which was good¡ for her. Otherwise, I¡¯d be adding another body to my grocery bag.
Um, wouldn¡¯t a vampire just turn to ash as I ate them?
No. Yes. Maybe? I don¡¯t know, but I¡¯m willing to find out.
¡°That is correct, Warchief Hensley of Ockpool Dungeon,¡± Aurelia replied, sounding a bit formal as if she had dealings with him before. I supposed that made sense; the vampires had been living above ground at the dungeon entrance.
¡°Take it,¡± Magic¡¯s voice urged in my mind, causing my eye to twitch as a slight ache crept throughout my head, which was odd¡ªI mean, do I even have a brain? Not that I¡¯m an airhead, mind you. I was a ginger in my last life, not a blonde. ¡°Take it, and ascension is yours!¡±
Like hell, I¡¯m not taking anything away from my Aislinn. Ugh! I wish she¡¯d just shut the fuck up about it.
The more Magic, a Primordial¡ªor was it admin?¡ªinsisted that I take the core, the more I wanted nothing to do with it. Sure, ascension sounded great¡ªeven though I didn¡¯t quite understand what that meant¡ªbut I¡¯m not one to trust others easily, especially not when the creepy blue ghost lady, with her malfunctioning safe mode magical system, was making such a big deal out of it. Though, to be fair, she seemed like the backup to the backup admin. Besides, she was the one who made it hard for me to remember my dreams and, in turn, learn about Aislinn and my past lives. So, no, I was definitely not going to take it.
¡°Like I said, the Slaethians will regroup with the reinforcements coming with two of their gods¡¯ champions tomorrow. We need to escape, and I need to reawaken the dungeon and use the power of the core to arrange that,¡± Aurelia stated, causing me to blink as I realized I hadn¡¯t been paying attention to the ongoing conversation.
Reawaken?
¡°Take it!¡±
Oh, would you just shut the fuck up!
Geez, she¡¯s like a broken record.
¡°Did you not fight Galen, the strongest of their champions, to a standstill?¡± the werewolf asked as he scratched his beard.
¡°I eventually lost,¡± Aurelia replied a bit bitterly. ¡°I can handle most champions on my own, yes. However, I cannot fight two of them and an army at the same time. We need to escape. Your people are welcome to come with us, but I will be using the core¡¯s power to open a gate to the western covens,¡± she added.
Hensley took a long moment, still scratching his beard deep in thought, before glancing my way. ¡°Ah, Blake, it¡¯s good to see you again,¡± he addressed me, clearly stalling for time as he considered Aurelia¡¯s words. ¡°I noticed Redtail isn¡¯t with you. What happened?¡±
I smiled and waved at him. ¡°I ate him,¡± I happily answered.
The werewolf-looking old man paused his beard scratching to stare at me. Although, I couldn¡¯t tell if it was concern or amusement twinkling in his gaze. I ignored the gasps from the gathered onlookers.
¡°May I ask why?¡± Hensley went on, ignoring a few outcries of anger from the crowd.
I shrugged. ¡°He was a dick,¡± I responded, then added, ¡°Besides, he¡¯ll just come back once we put the core back where it came from, right?¡±
¡°I see,¡± was his only response before turning his eyes back to Aurelia. ¡°With the Slaethians and the Ascended Empire aware of this dungeon, it¡¯s clear we can no longer stay here. We will go with you, Lady Aurelia. Though, I do trust you can keep our people safe from your ilk?¡±
¡°I can only promise you that I¡¯ll do all in my power to keep you and yours protected, but to forge a more binding agreement under vampiric law,¡± Aurelia continued, ¡°you must acknowledge me as your matriarch.¡±
Now, I know what you¡¯re thinking¡ªthey should all be bowing down before me in reverence and worship. I mean, I¡¯m totally matriarch material, right? Nah, I don¡¯t want to be in charge of anybody. Seriously, have you ever seen someone in a position of power who¡¯s actually happy? And no, those who half-ass the job and spend all their time golfing don¡¯t count. Nope, I¡¯ll leave all that leadership and managing others to my Aislinn. I¡¯d just eat anyone who doesn¡¯t kneel before her. I¡¯m much more suited for that role, after all.
The warg nodded thoughtfully before the tension in his shoulders dropped. ¡°It seems we have very little choice if we¡¯re to survive another assault from our common enemies. I accept your offer, Lady Aurelia,¡± he concluded.
However, many in the crowd seemed to disagree with his decision, as evidenced by the tsks, gasps, cursing, and glares. But all that abruptly ended the moment Aurelia pulled out the dungeon core from the spatial cock ring around her wrist and held it out before her.
~
Mana surged like a tidal wave through the dungeon¡¯s veins, pulsating with vibrant light as the core reestablished its bond. Though none could say if the core possessed consciousness, its actions spoke of a deep, instinctual drive: to grow, to fortify, and to safeguard its domain. As the core¡¯s energy intensified, the air thrummed with power, the walls themselves shimmering with arcane runes that flared to life.
Around Redtail, the stone beneath him vibrated, the echo of his past demise still haunting his senses. Yet, as he drew a deep, steadying breath, a palpable sense of relief mingled with the cold dungeon air, grounding him in another chance at life. He rose, stepping aside with the practiced ease of the resurrected, making room for the continuous stream of allies reemerging into existence.
A goblin burst into existence beside him, his exuberance echoing through the cavern. ¡°Me back!¡± he exclaimed, leaping into the air. ¡°Wartie alive¡ªoh, hey Gaping, you back?¡± His voice, a symphony of relief and joy, reverberated off the ancient stone walls.
Gaping clutched his head, looking around in confusion. ¡°Took hard pounding, I did,¡± he muttered groggily.
Another cry rang out nearby, its tone desperate and sad, but the monstrous, gelatinous language was indecipherable to those around. ¡°No. No. No! I don¡¯t want to live,¡± it seemed to moan.
¡°Doodles!¡± Wartie shouted back jubilantly, oblivious to the cube¡¯s distress. ¡°We back!¡±
All around Ockpool, a resurrection unfolded like dawn¡¯s light dispelling night¡¯s shadow. Figures materialized one after another, their forms solidifying from mist into flesh and bone, each awakening marked by gasps and murmurs of wonder. The dungeon, a vast network of life and magic, buzzed as its inhabitants reclaimed their places, each pulse of mana knitting the fabric of this underground world tighter.
Above, the stronghold that sat like a crown at the dungeon¡¯s entrance felt the surge of mana. The core extended its influence, tendrils of energy weaving through the structure, fortifying stone and spell alike. It was more than mere survival; it was a declaration, a fortress reborn from the ashes of invasion, ready to stand sentinel against any who dared to challenge it again.
~
Heather gasped as she opened her eyes to a dimly lit chamber, the cold stone pressing against her bare flesh. She glanced around, her nose twitching at the unfamiliar scents. It was pitch black, but her adaptation to this realm as a dark elf allowed her to see clearly in the dark. Her mind was a blur¡ªhad she been dreaming? There had been a kind old lady in a cottage, a banquet of food spread out before her, but now, as she awoke, the details were fuzzy.
¡°Wait, I died,¡± Heather whispered.
¡°Aw, what the fuck is going on?¡± a growling voice cursed out nearby.
Glancing toward the voice, Heather noticed Jason sitting up on a table¡ªno, a stone altar, just like the one she was on. Her eyes roamed the chamber, finding more altars arranged in a circle, with more figures waking up.
¡°I¡¯m alive!¡± a female voice cried out.
Heather snapped her head in that direction to find Sophia, whom she had seen Jason kill and eat the heart of, lying on her back with her arms stretched out in joy. Everyone was naked, prompting Heather to try and cover her chest, though she doubted any of the others could see in the dark like she could. Correction¡ªshe caught Jason leering at her.
¡°Huh, I really thought all of you would have respawned with your clothes on,¡± a newcomer joyfully stated from the doorway into the chamber, her attire all black except for her white silk alien-ish face. Despite her cheerful tone, her voice sent shivers down everyone¡¯s spine¡ªminus Sophia. Her glowing orange eyes were the only source of light within the chamber.
¡°You!¡± Jason cried out.
¡°W-What¡¯s going on?¡± Jeremy stuttered.
¡°Heather, are you there?¡± Yua called out, unable to see in the darkness.
¡°I want to go home,¡± Rob muttered.
¡°Come on, Aurelia wants to see all of you,¡± their killer exclaimed, a disturbing cheerfulness in her voice.
B01C36 - Earlier Chaos
A few moments earlier, because... why not?
Okay, you caught me! I left out a bunch of important shit that I¡¯m now retroactively including. Shut up, don¡¯t judge me! If you don¡¯t like my madness, go tell your own tale while doped up on meds¡ªprescription and otherwise.
I¡¯m just teasing! You know I love you, right? Well, to be fair, I love anyone with yummy intestines. But that¡¯s beside the point. He-he!
Oh yeah! Earlier¡
I was absolutely buzzing with glee as I stood beside my sultry vampiress, soaking in the delightful spectacle of dungeon denizens losing their collective minds. Shouts, screams, curses¡ªyou name it, and a few fists (or fangs) flying through the air just for good measure. I swear, one poor bastard got a vampire fang smacked right out of his mouth. Classic!
Of course, no brave souls dared hassle me or Aurelia. She was the belle of the brawl, having flaunted the core they were all drooling over. And sure, there was a bit of a squabble brewing among them about the old warg¡¯s bold decision to accept my sexy vampire¡¯s offer.
Why Aurelia extended them an invite?
Beats me¡ªmaybe she fancied them as snacks for the road?
Personally, I¡¯d have them as human (or whatever fantasy species) shields for when the Slaethians come back with a vengeance, but hey, I¡¯m not the diplomatic type.
I flashed a grin, breathing out a whimsical, ¡°I really like it here.¡±
Anywho, as you might¡¯ve guessed, not everyone¡ªokay, nearly everyone¡ªwas thrilled at the prospect of ditching their dungeon digs, despite having their butts handed to them previously by an army itching for a rematch. And oh, what a shiner Aurelia gave them, all while decked out in me, styled as her scandalous¡ naughty¡ lingerie¡ thong¡ erm, dress. Oops, my mind¡¯s wandering again¡ª
Keep it together, Blake¡ªfocus!
Eh, how¡¯s a girl supposed to focus with flashbacks of Aurelia¡¯s tight, round ass and those sinfully perky tits bouncing around in my mind?
Yeah¡ No! I need to focus.
Sigh
Okay, I¡¯m back... kinda. That said, I¡¯m definitely planning to shove my tentacles in and out of the bat cave later, ramming and stretching those entrances open wide to the sounds of blissful screaming and moaning¡ª
¡°My love,¡± Aurelia cooed, snapping me out of my... fantasies.
Focus!
¡°Hm?¡± was all I could squeak out, biting my lower lip, my thoughts still lingering elsewhere.
¡°Would you be a dear and retrieve the others from Earth? They should be waking from respawn as soon as I reactivate this dungeon.¡±
That¡¯s right! I almost forgot, users can respawn in dungeons if they¡¯re killed.
My shoulders slumped at the request until a spark of recollection hit me¡ªI think it was something like Shadow Step that I had been itching to Absorb and try out. My mood instantly lifted, and I shot Aurelia a wide smile paired with an enthusiastic little hop.
With far more pep than I knew I possessed, I chirped, ¡°Sure!¡±
I heard Aurelia mention something to the kitty lady about reinforcing the fortress and dungeon entrance, but I wasn¡¯t really listening. Nope! Before I knew it, I had given her a quick peck on the cheek and took off.
I was happily skipping through the dungeon¡ªwhich, I might add, is a massive place filled with all sorts of corridors, chambers, and enormous caverns (one even contained that city I had just been in, albeit a decimated one, but that¡¯s beside the point)¡ªand various random structures; the place is just huge! So, I can¡¯t really tell you how long I was lost in bliss as I made my way back up to the surface when everything suddenly started to rumble.
What followed was a wave of pulsating lights in an assortment of neon rainbow colors, spreading across every surface, resembling veins pumping blood¡ªor rather, mana¡ªthroughout its body as the rumbling dungeon began to reawaken. Simultaneously, a large flashing notification popped up before my eyes.
|
V:\Ascension>SAFE_MODE
SystemAlert!
Dungeon Core Restored.
Dungeon Ockpool monsters¡¯ respawn and rewards are now reactivating.
Notifying Primary Admin.
Error.
Error.
Admin:\Life>Not_Found.
Notifying Secondary Admin.
Admin:\Death>Login_
Notification Sent.
Notifying Auxiliary Admin.
Admin:\Magic>Login_
Notification Sent.
_
V:\Ascension>SAFE_MODE
AdminQuestAlert!
Quest: Retrieve Ockpool Dungeon Core.
Status: Failed.
Admin:\Magic>Login_
Quest Data Overridden.
Loading New Quest Modules...
Configuration Complete.
Initializing New Quest Data.This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.
Quest Update: Seriously? Just Touch The Damn Core!
Reward: Immediate Graduation to Ascension.
_
Admin:\Death>Login_
[System Log] Auxiliary Admin [Magic] was forcefully logged out.
Quest Data Overridden.
Loading New Quest Modules...
Configuration Complete.
Initializing New Quest Data.
Quest Update: Cancelled.
Reward: None.
_
|
¡°Well, that¡¯s not ominous or anything,¡± I scoffed. That being said, I couldn¡¯t help but laugh my ass off when I noticed Magic had just been forcefully kicked out of the system. However, the screen of information didn¡¯t stop there. Oh no, it continued to spew even more horrifying shit that made me puddle in my dress.
|
V:\Ascension>SAFE_MODE
Admin:\Death>Login_Override.
SafeMode_UpdateRequest.
Primary Admin required for system repairs.
Auxiliary Admin Log Request initializing...
Warning: Eldritch System Infiltration Detected.
Unauthorized USER [Blake].
Request: Terminate USER [Blake] with prejudice!
Request Accepted.
Attempting to delete USER [Blake]...
Error.
Error.
Deletion Unsuccessful.
Request: Sever [Blake] System Access.
Request Accepted.
Attempting to sever USER [Blake] from the system...
Error.
Error.
Severance Unsuccessful.
Requesting error code...
Error Code 385.560.980 [Titan_Soul_Detected]
Awaiting Admin Request.
Awaiting Admin Request.
Awaiting Admin Request.
Admin:\Death>Initiate_USER_[Blake]_System_Reboot.
_
V:\Ascension>SAFE_MODE
RebootComplete!
_
Titan Leveling to Ascension 83
Copyright Primordial of Life 0000-Eternity.
V:\Ascension>SAFE_MODE
Race Designation: Black Pudding [EHA]
Error.
Reintializing...
Race Designation: Eldritch Horror [EHA]
Subrace Designation: Black Pudding [EHA]
Hidden Race Designation: Titan [TIT]
System Access Granted [SAG]
Racial Skills Activated [RSA]
Class Designation: Monster [CDM]
Error.
Reintializing...
Class Designation: Sorceress [CDS]
Error.
Reintializing...
Class Designation: Fighter [CDF]
Error.
Reintializing...
Class Designation: Undefined [CDU]
Loading Modules...
Configuration Complete.
Initializing Character Data...
Complete.
Welcome, USER [Blake].
V:\>
|
¡°What the fuck was all that?¡± I blurted out, my knees trembling yet somehow holding me upright. Of course, I hadn¡¯t read the whole thing; it was scrolling before my eyes a bit too fast, like watching an old-school computer boot up, but I caught enough to get the gist.
¡°Did Death just try to fucking murder me?!¡± My laughter, tinged with madness, echoed throughout the dungeon. The idea of meeting my end at Death¡¯s own hand wasn¡¯t just terrifying¡ªit was absurdly hilarious!
With a couple of frantic deep breaths, I furiously shook my arms, flinging off my jitters like fingerprints from a murder weapon¡ªnot that I would know, ha-ha¡ªall while a half-mad chuckle continued bubbling up from my throat. Honestly, the whole scenario was absurd. Though, to be fair, from the moment I finished reading what I could of the system log, to when I metaphorically pissed myself, I was back to merrily skipping around like a kid at a carnival, all within about thirty seconds.
Crazy, right? What¡¯s the point in stewing in your own filth over stuff you can¡¯t change? It took me years of therapy to figure that out¡ªyou¡¯re welcome. I just wish it always worked that way¡ªwhich, of course, it doesn¡¯t, but hey, it¡¯s a pretty good saying, isn¡¯t it? However, once you achieve peak dead-inside status, it¡¯s a lot easier to follow.
Huh, now that I¡¯ve found Aislinn, am I over my goth phase?
No way, it¡¯s just fully integrated with my insanity phase. HahAHaHaHAhaHA!
I spiraled, cartwheeled, and spun my way down the dungeon¡ªcompletely consumed by my insanity, twirling endlessly. Well, I was twirling until I came to a sudden, skipping stop, nearly faceplanting when I heard a massive roar, as if a monster had just awakened from a deep slumber. Glancing around, I spotted an epic, towering dual doors leading into a chamber that had been empty the last time I passed through with that lizard-chicken-dinner guy.
¡°Boss fight!¡± I cheered, punching the air with a fist pump.
With way too much enthusiasm, I made a mad dash, shoving the doors open, and came to a screeching halt when I spotted the boss.
Golden flames danced across the chamber, casting eerie shadows that flickered along the melting stone walls. From the depths, a dragon roared, unleashing a torrent of fire from its gaping maw. The ground hissed and steamed as droplets of molten stone splattered like fiery rain, pooling into glowing puddles.
¡°Nope. No way. Uh-uh,¡± I chuckled, the laugh teetering on the edge of hysteria as my eyes darted wildly across the fiery hell before me. I whipped my head around¡ªalmost theatrically¡ªwith a dramatic flair that would shame a stage actress, and turned my happy curvy ass around, slamming the doors shut with a resounding thud that echoed my frantic giggles.
Ha-ha. Ha. What the hell was that? Has the dungeon become even more dangerous now that the core is back?
I squeezed my eyes shut, the terror of what I had just seen dwarfing any fear a mere system notification from Death could muster. A fucking fire-breathing dragon? That¡¯s a big fat no from me. It¡¯s like being asked to brawl with an angel¡ªno, thank you! Though, I wouldn¡¯t mind plucking one¡¯s wings. Still, Fire and Holy magic? Those are my personal kryptonites. Nope, not happening, not in a million insane years. Who even thinks up these dungeon scenarios? Oh, right, the dungeon core¡ Is it actively trying to kill me? Never mind, don¡¯t answer that.
A deep frown creased my forehead as I glanced down and noticed a long pink tentacle wrapping around my waist.
¡°Not again¡ªerk,¡± I managed to groan just before I was yanked off my feet and into a gaping mouth bristling with teeth that could shame a chainsaw¡ªand pretty sure they were churning like one, too. They glowed like coals in a forge, and boy, did they sizzle against my dark flesh.
Notifications buzzed like angry bees around my head¡ªor was that the sound of its teeth?¡ªtheir flickering text just teasing the edge of my blurred vision. I caught glimpses of the dungeon outside as it chewed, and one last notification flickered before everything went black.
|
V:\Ascension>SAFE_MODE
BattleResult
You Were Defeated By: [Dungeon Mimic Chest]
Opponent Level: 58
Your Current Level: 25
Initiating Respawn...
V:\>
|
I jerked upright with a gasp¡ªor at least, I attempted to. It was quite peculiar trying to sit up as a black puddle of goo, though the gasp still managed to bubble out in an exasperated blurp. Without any conscious thought, I reformed my body, draping silk only over my face. I didn¡¯t pause to check whether I had achieved my creepy-cute look, but I was relieved to find I had retained enough mass to assume my full desired figure. And height? Well, not exactly my full height, but close enough¡ªthe figure was all that mattered at the moment. Don¡¯t get me wrong, I wasn¡¯t exactly short now¡ for a girl.
¡°Motherfucking mimics!¡± I screamed.
My eyes reignited, casting the room in an orange glow, though I didn¡¯t need the light to see in the dark. I glanced around and realized I was on top of a stone altar in a circular chamber, surrounded by other altars spaced evenly along the walls, each with just enough gap to walk behind. I swung my legs over the edge, noticing that I hadn¡¯t formed a dress but appeared to be clad in a black latex outfit that covered my entire body. I shrugged it off.
¡°Ugh. Looks like I¡¯m a little shorter on extra pudding than I thought,¡± I muttered.
With a sprightly hop, I vaulted off the altar, only to drop like a rock and land with a solid thud on the cold stone floor. Rolling my eyes, I surveyed the room, my frustration bubbling up as I noted the conspicuous absence of the others I may have killed¡ªthey¡¯ll get over it. Either way, they hadn¡¯t respawned yet.
Figures.
My mind drifted back to that bizarre dream, the one where I was dining with the Crone and six other hopefuls, all desperate to become her Champion. I had flat-out rejected her offer when it was first presented, which she later handed off to that needle-toothed jackass. What was his name again¡ Justin? Jason? Whatever the hell it was. Names have never been my thing¡ªand never will be.
Regardless, a wicked chuckle escaped me as I remembered his skeleton practically glowing with smug excitement. If only he knew that he was now just a lapdog to her whims. It served him right. If anyone was tailor-made for a life on a leash, it was definitely him, no matter how charming the Goddess of Dreams might appear. Don¡¯t get me wrong, I actually like her¡ªDuskara, was it? She was nice. But let''s be clear, servitude is still servitude.
Though don¡¯t get me wrong, I wouldn¡¯t mind if Aurelia used a leash on me¡ªand vice versa! Yep, total switch. Who would have ever thought?
I hummed a happy little tune, trying to distract myself from the recent encounter with that piece of shit mimic as I stepped out of the chamber. I glanced around, half-expecting those dumb fucks to have respawned before me. No such luck¡ªjust groups of beastkin shuffling into the ruined fortress, looking lost, while vamps played traffic cops, ushering them in. Meanwhile, undead zombies and skeletons bustled about, reinforcing the corridors with whatever junk they could find.
And get this¡ªsome of them were headless! So much for my favorite theory that headshots were the way to take out the undead. I mean, I¡¯d taken out loads of them with a good ol¡¯ tentacle head-whack before that chimera showdown. Makes you wonder, doesn¡¯t it? And speaking of wondering, did I ever use Life Drain on them? Does that even work against the undead? I felt like it was doing something when I fought them last time, but maybe that was just wishful thinking¡ªa total placebo effect, maybe?
Man, here I go, rambling again.
¡°I¡¯m alive!¡± a female voice cried out from the respawn chamber.
And just like that, I¡¯m all caught up on earlier events. Tee-hee!