[sub]in collaboration with [@Wildeyes][/sub] [h1][center][i][u]"Raising a Lord"[/u][/i][/center][/h1] Alphonse sighed contentedly, his body was light with the satisfied ache of physical exertion. He'd kissed Triss good bye, as she left for her meeting with Sousiel. He left his implements where they were in his room, double checked the interior of Steve for the supplies he needed and proceeded to Lorelai's room, sure to take in his surroundings before revealing himelf, as was his habit. Lorelai offered the man a small smile as she continued getting dressed. [color=00aeef]"You're lucky I have no modesty left, otherwise I might... I dunno, slap you?"[/color] She laughed. [color=00aeef]"That is still the tradition right?"[/color] [color=00aeef]"Did you make good use of your scant free time?"[/color] Alphonse emerged, grin firmly in place. [color=ed145b]"I might have found a new hobby. I definitely have some extra motivation to come back than I did before."[/color] Alphonse chuckled before fading into silence. [color=ed145b]"So, when do the blasphemies begin?"[/color] [color=00aeef]"A new hobby hmm? You do seem to be smiling more nowadays Alphonse."[/color] Lorelai finished the last clasp on her robe. [color=00aeef]"Blasphemies can wait for a little bit. I'd rather hear the good news."[/color] She winked at the man. [color=00aeef]"Out with it."[/color] [color=ed145b]"I suppose it shouldn't be a secret, eh? Alright, well, Triss and I are lovers now. As well as her and Sousiel? We need to talk about it more. What's important is, the girl's a freak in bed!" [/color]Alphonse had the happiest smile imaginable. [color=00aeef]"You and Triss huh?"[/color] Lorelai's brow furrowed. It was bad enough that Sousiel had found herself vulnerable to the mad witch's moods and whimsy, but confirmation that Alphonse was similarly ensnared was... less than welcome. [color=00aeef]"And her and Sousiel."[/color] She flashed her most reassuring smile. [color=00aeef]"Excuse my concern, but won't that get complicated? Is Sousiel aware of you and Triss' entanglement?"[/color] She patted the man's shoulder. [color=00aeef]"I don't mean to dissuade you obviously, love looks good on you Alphonse."[/color] [color=ed145b]"Thanks, Lore. I haven't had the chance to talk to Sousiel about it yet, Triss just told me this morning. It could be rough, but Triss has made it clear that she wants to be with me, and I don't want to hurt Sousiel so....like I said, we need to talk about it, but we haven't the time right now. So let's get on with damning ourselves, the sooner we go, the sooner we can get back and giggle about our relationships."[/color] [color=00aeef]"I'm afraid you signed onto the wrong expedition if you expect this to be short my friend."[/color] Lorelai turned and planted a small kiss on the cheeks of each of her girls. [color=00aeef]"Come with me."[/color] She lead them further up her tower to her summoning chamber. It was a plain stone room stained black. The center of the floor bore a silvered pentagram she often utilized for the 'bargaining' process for perspective servants. The far wall contained the object of their interest however. Glowing with a dim red radiance, the runes of the portal seemed almost alive. They swam as they pulsed, evading any attempt at deciphering them. Lorelai turned to Alphonse and grabbed his remaining flesh and blood hand. Her ritual dagger opened the palm gently, and she pressed some of the blood that welled from the fresh wound against the center of the diagram, which pulsed in recognition. [color=00aeef]"Be sure you have everything you need,"[/color] Lorelai smiled grimmly. [color=00aeef]"We won't be back for awhile."[/color] Alphonse nodded grimly. [color=ed145b]"I've got it all, baby. Lets do this."[/color] [color=00aeef]"Let it never be said I never take you anywhere nice."[/color] Lorelai winked as she turned to the wall. The runes began to twist as Lorelai pressed her will against the thin border. They bled across the wall, almost in an attempt to hold something back. The room's dim lighting faltered, eventually leaving them in darkess but for the flickering red sigils. With a horrific crack fault-lines began to appear in the runes, starting at the floor they crawled up the wall towards the portal's top. With a final thrust Lorelai shattered the remaining resistance. The wall was swallowed by the hungry abyss, the shards falling into a howling maelstrom of inky-black darkness. Winds whipped about the pair as Lorelai turned to her companion. [color=00aeef]"Ladies first."[/color] With a grin she strode forward to be swallowed up by the churning gateway. [color=ed145b]"Actually, I think I forgot my...never mind."[/color] Alphonse let his quip die as he realized that Lorelai wasn't listening.[color=ed145b] "Hello Darkness, my old friend."[/color] He leapt into the maw. [hr]A good first stop for any abyssal expedition was the famed city of Alinshyrra. Amongst its glowing purple architecture, and its savage denizens, could be found nearly anything. Rare reagents, exotic pleasures, ancient forbidden knowledge, and the location of fallen Demon Lords were in relative abundance in the planar metropolis. The pair found themselves on a busy sidewalk, directly in the path of a pair of balor's on their way to whatever buisness had them occupied this evening. Lorelai staggered as one of them clipped her shoulder, [color=cccccc][b]"Watch where you're going!"[/b][/color] it spat as it continued past them. She rewarded the insult by snapping the demon's neck with her tail, which vanished into black smoke as quickly as it appeared. [color=00aeef]"Fuck you."[/color] The balor's companion heaved a sigh as he looked down at his friend's corpse. Shrugging he continued as if nothing happened. After the small incident Lorelai turned to Alphonse smiling. [color=00aeef]"Welcome to Alinshyrra, it's a lovely city. Brothels aplenty, dancehalls, bloodsport, music, all that good stuff."[/color] [color=ed145b]"You would bring me here immediately after I entered a relationship." [/color]Alphonse replied dryly. He looked about, and found signs of everything things she had described and more. He could literally smell the promises of unearthly delights. He quickly buried himself in business.[color=ed145b] "So we're here to pick up something for mr. plague?"[/color] [color=00aeef]"We're here to [i]ressurrect[/i] Mr. Plague."[/color] Lorelai corrected, laughing. She linked an arm through Alphonse's so they wouldn't be seperated. [color=00aeef]"That will require a great many things, most of which I know just where to find."[/color] She guided them to a street corner and stuck an arm out to hail one of the many carriages transporting tourists and nobles alike. [color=00aeef]"But first I say we get you familiarized with the city. It'll take a few days to get the meetings I need arranged anyway."[/color] A carriage pulled to the curb, its door opening as the squatting demon holding the reigned tipped its hat. Alphonse stepped into the carriage. [color=ed145b]"Alright, road trip. First and most importantly, who's in charge, who has the money, and who do they fear?"[/color] Alphonse regarded the demon driver. [color=ed145b]"You're not working for one of those three are you?"[/color] "... currently yes, considering I'm driving a Dragon around, but mostly no." He responded fearfully. Lorelai rolled her eyes as she stepped up behind Alphonse. [color=00aeef]"The Succubus Queen Deskari is the ruler of the city."[/color] She settled into her seat, smoothing out her dress. [color=00aeef]"She rarely leaves her palace, prefering instead to have her pleasures come to her."[/color] [color=00aeef]"The real power in the city is the combined demonic interests. Demon Lords use the city as a neutral ground to trade goods and services, as well as keep their pampered pets from the poisonous enviroments of their courts."[/color] Lorelai laughed. [color=00aeef]"One of our first targets will be Dagon's daughter, she maintains one of the finest fleets in the abyss, and we'll need it to get where we're going."[/color] [color=00aeef]"And that's why I'm going to need you to seduce her."[/color] Lorelai grinned at Alphonse. [color=00aeef]"She's a debauched noble who loves to throw little events. You'll need an invite. I already have one, so that won't be a problem."[/color] Burying himself in his work suddenly didn't seem like a good option to distract himself from his desires. Well, so long as it was for a worthy cause.... [color=ed145b]"So, two questions in order of importance. Is Dagon's daughter hot? And what's her name? Also, how am I leveraging this honey pot to get her boats? I guess that part's important too."[/color] [color=00aeef]"She's comely enough, a siren I believe."[/color] Lorelai replied laughing. [color=00aeef]"Her name is Hezebel."[/color] [color=00aeef]"As for getting her boats. Once we've infiltrated her little event, you'll take her off somewhere safe,"[/color] Lorelai grinned cruely [color=00aeef]"And I'll make a mess, once she stands accountable for so many noble's deaths under her protection she'll be looking to run. I can ensure her timely escape for the low price of her fleet."[/color] Alphonse lay back and forced himself to relax. "Lorelai, you're taking me a bit out of my comfort zone, making people safe. Not being directly responsible for dozens of deaths. I'm starting to think this is a night mare." Alphonse thought about the new applications he had turned his torture training toward. "Strangely enough, I think I'm more prepared for this than I was this morning. Let's do this." [hr]Alphonse found Hezebel at one of her usual haunts, a bloodsport arena on the southern end of the massive city. She was escorting her date out of the stone arena's stands. He was a pale Fae lad, who seemed all the paler for the entertainment he'd just consumed. Small splatters could be seen against her white dress, and over the poor boy's face. She turned her head away from her suitor in obvious dissapointment. She turned back when she heard a sudden wet, gurgling sound, and a thud like sandbags striking concrete. She saw that her date had been replaced by a smiling, dashing man who was cleaning his dagger on a black cloth, stepping over the corpse of what had been her date. The man looked satisfied. He brazenly gave Hezebel a full once over before he smirked and winked at her, before beginning to start on his way. [color=00a99d]"Wait,"[/color] she said, her voice sultry and enchanting with only a word. [color=00a99d]"Are you really going to leave a lady without an escort?" [/color] Alphonse could feel the subtle intrusion of her voice in his mind. It wasn't strong for now, but it occured to him that he might want to play [i]too[/i] hard to get with this creature. He decided to roll with it for now. Or maybe that was her voice in his ear already. [color=ed145b]"Of course not,"[/color] he said, channeling every cocksure bone in his body. "Where can I take you, my lovely lady?" Hezebel eyed alphonse out the side of her vision as she laced her hand through his offered arm. She was going to turn in early, maybe try to leave the fae man in a sink pit, or a glory hole known to service thorn demons. This man made her curious though, perhaps she'd get some real entertainment tonight. [color=00a99d]"This way."[/color] she said, subtly guiding them down the street. "So, what brings a human to Alinshyrra? We don't see many of your kind around here." One of her hands crept up his fore arm to grasp his bicep.[color=00a99d] "They don't have much of a reputation for boldness. What drives a man to kill another in the street?" [/color] Alphonse regarded the woman from the edge of one eye, allowing the other to stay aware of his surroundings. [color=ed145b]"I have personal business here in the city. I noticed some larger demons eyeing your date's back side. I really didn't want to see that on the street, so I figured I'd do the bloke a favor." [/color] [color=00a99d]"All right stranger, where are you from?"[/color] Hezebel asked, her sultry tone more of a command." "Seren's Folly, just a small series of farms. I serve as an assassin for a few of the Covens there. Not much to talk about other than Hunters and Werewolves." Alphonse said, hoping that she wouldn't be too familiar with the area, and that his description would curb her curiosity. They continued to walk in the night, Hezebel not so subtly grasping Alphonse's bicep. She managed to drag a few stories of his work, men he had killed. People he had watched die. Alphonse kept the trusty swaggering mask on his face, and Hezebel continued to squeeze his arm, evidently enraptured by the material world. Eventually, they came to their destination, a tall building with huge clear glass windows. Alphonse could see various creatures through the windows, most of them roughly humanoid, and pleasing to the eye. Of the pleasing humanoid figures, most were in chains, and many of those were currently joined in some sort of unholy union with the less comely creatures. Alphonse's gut churned with a combination of disgust and arousal. He stopped in front of the building. [color=ed145b]"Well, you've been escorted, my lady."[/color] He said dropping her hands from his arm. "You won't come inside with me?" She commanded. Alphonse internally reeled from the dark temptation of her voice. The promises of pleasure that it provided, the two of them in one of those wide windowed rooms, where any one on the city streets could see..... [color=ed145b]"Maybe another time."[/color] He said, forcefully. [color=ed145b]"Like I said, I have personal business to see to."[/color] Hezebel narrowed her eyes at him. She stared for a long moment before she strode toward him, and pulled out an envelope from her purse. She presented it to him. "Come here then," she said. "in two days I'll be having a Gala I would [i]love[/i] to see you there." Her sultry tones reverberated in Alphonse's mind. "Sure. If I've got the time." Alphonse replied coolly. Doing his best not to turn into a slavering idiot from the sound of that sweet, sexy voice. He pulled away, and stepped into the alley, making sure to meld into the shadows while he was still in her line of sight. [hr][color=gold]"Mistress! You can't ask us to suck out half a party's worth of souls, and not put out."[/color] Alphonse heard quite the debate coming from the other side of the hotel room door when he returned. [color=gold]"Come oooon... just a little?"[/color] Alphonse pushed the door open to reveal a set of triplet succubi, all in various states of undress, with their hands on their hips pouting at Lorelai, who was sitting on the bed, trying very hard not to give into their demands. The succubi turned to Alphonse in unison. [color=gold]"Isn't that right? She should put out. Or at least get Sousiel here to do it for her, maybe Elizabeth."[/color] They asked in unison, waiting for an answer. Alhponse's already sexually frustrated body responded immediately to the sight of the three inhumanly beautiful women. Even more so when they posed their query. He turned his gaze to Lorelai. "Mistress Von'Strauss," he said evenly. "Is there a reason that you can't satisfy these ladies yourself?" [color=gold]"Yeah! Mistress Von'Strauss, listen to your lacky and get naked, now."[/color] They cheerfully turned back towards their mistress. [color=00aeef][i]'Because I'm in a relationship with Elizabeth, asshole.'[/i][/color] Her eyes screamed as she looked at Alphonse. She realized she was putting him in a similar situation though. A good captain expects nothing of her troops that she doesn't of herself. [color=00aeef]"Alphonse, darling, you can be an asshole sometimes, how'd your date go?"[/color] She glared daggers at her companion as the succubi began advancing on her slowly. [color=ed145b]"It was great."[/color] Alphonse said, his desires not being helped at all by being prompted to think about the sultry siren. Remembering he was most likely going to have to lay with the Siren for the sake of the mission in a few days.... [color=ed145b]"Look, ladies. Sousiel and Elizabeth are indisposed at the moment, but Lore does have one more retainer that could fill in for her."[/color] Alphonse's eyes darted downward, drawing the three identical women's attention toward the painfully engorged bulge in his pants. See that he had them captivated, Alphonse gestured for them to follow him to his own room. [color=ed145b]"You owe me"[/color] he mouthed to her, before he half fell into his room, as the demons tackled him through the portal. [color=00aeef]"Thanks."[/color] Lorelai mouthed back. Then again, sometimes Alphonse could be a sweetheart. She relaxed into her bed, two days left before the fireworks started. [hr]The next two nights saw the clerical side of their buisness done. Lorelai and Alphonse scoured the city in search of rare reagents and valuable information, bodies dropping in the latter's wake when the former's reputation failed to sway savvy buisness-demons. All the while the Choir, the triplet demons, followed in their footsteps, protesting their mistress' icy demeanor. Finally the night of the Gala arrived. The murderous had readied themselves in their hotel, discussing the finer details of Lorelai's plan. Lorelai was to arrive first, to draw no suspicoun that they'd arrived together. She exited her carriage slowly, allowing the Choir to ease her like royalty from its confines. Much to her horror she was dress far more revealingly than she'd anticipated, but from the gathering attendees that was par for the course at least. She waved demurely at friends and contacts as she made her way into the gala with the Choir in tow. Sure enough, given Hezebel's disposition, the 'entertainment' on display at the event was sensual. Sex acts between creatures of varying beauty and savagery to be precise. Couples and groups 'performed' on lit pedistals throughout the darkened hall. Atendees roamed from display to display, commenting on the performances as if it were high art. [color=00aeef][i]'To be fair it is, but still. I'm too old for this.'[/i][/color] Lorelai sighed internally as she found an out of the way couch. Sitting, she ensured that her girls flanked her effectively. She wasn't here to mingle, and wanted to ensure everyone knew that. Alphonse, on the other hand, was meant to mingle indeed. A part of him found the situation entertaining, He spent so much time avoiding attention, and now here he was, trying to draw attention. He was drinking wine, appreciating the art on display. He joined the round of soft polite applause whent he actors reached their next climax, trying to copy the other demon's disinterested expressions even as he noted the increasing discomfort in his pants. This stuff was sickening, yet.... Alphonse noticed Hezebel mingling with a few of her guests at the next exhibit. Alphonse made certain to begin chatting with a particularly buxom blond succubus within her line of sight. It didn't take long for Hezebel to notice Alphonse, and for her territorial nature to assert itself. Alphonse was [i]actually[/i] grateful when Hezebel interjected herself into the conversation. "And this one, I had with a man while I was possessing a cow, pretty sure he started the whole minotaur ra-" the blond bimbo was gracefully interrupted when Hezebel's imperious voice cut through. "So there's my mysterious stranger." she said. Her raven black hair was up in an elaborate bun, her dress a navy blue material that framed and hugged her breats, narrowing along her torso, revealing the toned lines of her flat stomache, before widening again to encoompasse her round, flared hips. The dress had no back, leaving her back and shoulders on full display. Her gaze turned from Alphonse to the succubus. The other woman wilted under her imperious gaze, and realized that she had better places to be. [color=ed145b]"Hey, I was looking at that."[/color] Alphonse said dispassionately. [color=00a99d]"I didn't invite you here to chat with common breeders."[/color] She replied, her eyes a smoldering combination of desire and aggression. Alphonse regarded her carefully, before offering her his hand. "Care to dance then?" Hezebel's aggresive stare broke into a positively wicked sneer. "I'd be delighted." The two moved to the dance floor. They stepped to a haunting melody, punctuated occasionally by the beastial grunts and orgasmic cries of the night's entertainment. Hezebel seemed to take great delight in pulling her body close to his, teasing his body with her sensual curves. Alhponse for his part, seemed to be able to afflict her with at least as much frustration due to the casual and cavalier approach he took to touching her in kind, the two of them making an obscene display on the dance floor that would have gotten them thrown out in any place on earth. [color=00aeef][i]'This is why I quit coming to these things.'[/i][/color] Lorelai sighed to herself. She stood and made her way over to the dancing 'couple'. Her hand were folded in front of her in the perfect picture of aristocracy, and the brisk clicking of her heels against the marble floors parted the crowd in front of her. [color=00aeef]"Excuse me, Hezebel,"[/color] Lorelai flashed the woman a chilling smile. [color=00aeef]"Would you mind if I borrowed your partner for a bit, This is my favorite song after all."[/color] The demon opened her mouth to protest, before closing it as Lorelai repeated her request in the Dragon's Tongue. There were some people you simply didn't say no to in hell without backup, and Hezebel wasn't ready to turn her party into a fight over a dance. She nodded, and stepped away from Alphonse, a small pount curving her lips. Lorelai stepped up to Alphonse, and grinned. They glid across the dancefloor, and away from prying ears. She made a show of placing her head on his shoulder, and whispered. [color=00aeef]"Fucking her on the dancefloor wasn't in the plan Alphonse, how much longer can you hold out?"[/color] [color=ed145b]"Don't worry about it, I've got her eating out of the palm of my hand." [/color]Alphonse responded [color=ed145b]"Trust me, it's much better to keep her dancing than talking. I can probably keep her interested for another hour before she just decides to sing me into a stupor. I'll make sure to take her to the arranged location before then. Now grab my ass before you give me back to our hostess. Gotta keep up appearances."[/color] [color=00aeef]"So long as you're sure. I'll give her something to keep her interested then, make your job a little easier."[/color] Lorelai winked, and leaned in to bite his neck before spinning him away, slapping his ass as she turned back towards her seat. The more people, or demons, that wanted something, the more valuable that thing became. [color=00aeef]"All yours Hezebel, maybe I'll be back for him later."[/color] Hezebel accepted Alphonse back from Lorelai, making sure squeeze his butt even tighter than she had. The two resumed dancing, though Hezebel now shot angry glances towards the Dragon when she knew she wasn't looking. Alhponse was quite used to being objectified by women from his time in the blood rose coven. It was just another part of the job. Also pretty hot. Still, it was better than trying to fight off the woman's entrancing voice. He was glad that the music had turned livelier, and his partner remained short of breath for the next several songs. Lorelai's heart sank as she saw the one thing she'd hoped not to. Queen Deskari's entrance was heralded by several of her daughters clearing the crowd, next was a bolt of tension through the room as the Queen's unearthly beauty sent shivers up the crowd's collective spines, and next were her eyes on Lorelai's. An amused smirk curved Deskari's full lips as she glid across the floor towards her. Her heart raced against her will as she took the seat next to her, displacing a pouting member of the Choir. [color=red]"Lorelai... it's been ages, you never do call on me when your in my city anymore."[/color] She had precisely one hour to get rid of the Queen, they'd planned their delay around this eventuality. Some noble's deaths you could get away with, but a Monarch, not likely. [color=00aeef]"I remember how long satisfying you takes, and I never seem to have the time."[/color] She evaded. [color=red]"Lorelai, there is such a thing as a quickie, or haven't you heard?"[/color] Deskari laughed throatily, her voice bouncing around Lorelai's head sweetly. [color=red]"But I do understand that you've been busy, learning to breathe fire and whatnot. That's only served to exacerbate my interest."[/color] Unfortunately Lorelai'd never come up with a plan on how to actually get rid of the woman. [color=00aeef]"And is your interest simply lecherous in design, Deskari?"[/color] Lorelai said coyly. [color=00aeef]"There are many succubi who's beauty far exceeds my own that would love to by objectified by your lasivious gaze."[/color] [color=red]"Bedding a Dragon is reward enough for my efforts I'd think."[/color] The Queen laughed again, much to Lorelai's dismay, and placed a hand on the Dragon's thigh. [color=red]"Surely you've tired of the mortal world by now? With its morals and human filth scrambling around in the dark, truth so close yet so far out of reach."[/color] [color=00aeef]"It has its charms still, and the weather's to die for."[/color] Lorelai mused, deflecting again. [color=00aeef]"Why? I'm not about to work for you, or anything similar, I'm a bit more ambitious than that, dear."[/color] [color=red]"Queens need consorts, and beauty is a plentiful commodity down here."[/color] Deskari's voice dripped with honey as she warmed up her offer. [color=red]"My back still remembers your dagger, from all those years ago. Savagery, and cunning, those are things I value above all else, Lorelai. You're a Dragon now, who better as a partner? And when you kill me, you'll inherit the entire city."[/color] [color=red]"No more hunters, no more rival witches, just you and me."[/color] She cooed in Lorelai's ear. [color=red]"Tell me that doesn't sound lovely."[/color] It did. It [i]really[/i] did. From the Queen's thinnly veiled promises of sensual delights to her blatant offer of rulership, Lorelai was sorely tempted. She looked around the room, at all the luxury and decadence. It could be hers. Then her eyes fell on Alphonse, still fending off Hezebel's more insistent advances. The reason she'd left in the first place was to find something better than accumulating power. She'd found family, siblinghood, and more opportunities for love than she likely deserved. She had Elizabeth, Lotte, Abby, and Alphonse, treasures finer than any Deskari could offer. She turned to the Queen with glazed eyes. [color=00aeef]"Let me wrap up a few things here, and think about your offer."[/color] She placed a calculating hand on the woman's thigh, her fingers gripping in a fascimilie of affection. [color=00aeef]"You'll hear from me tomorrow morning, probably in person."[/color] [color=red]"As you wish, Lorelai."[/color] Deskari's face curved into a triumphant smirk. She placed a small kiss on the Dragon's cheek as she stood. [color=red]"Do have fun now, make some friends."[/color] With that she turned and left. A few minutes passed as Lorelai regained control of her body. When her heart rated had returned to a semblance of normalcy she nudged the Choir. [color=00aeef]"Time to go to work darlings."[/color] Alphonse had his arms around one of the most delightful of creatures. The music had shifted some time ago, prompting the two into slower, less lascivious dances. Though the closeness afforded greater intimacy, and for the Siren to begin leveraging her narcotic voice. Alphonse found himself infrequently forgetting that he was here to stab this witch in the back. Her invitations to her villa in the black forest was the most alluring thing he had ever heard. What would it hurt for him to go with her now? Lorelai would handle her mission just fine without him. He was supposed to go with this woman anyway, what would id matter if he left a bit early? [color=ed145b]"Master!"[/color] An inhuman voice suddenly pierced his skull. [color=ed145b]"The signal is sprung, it is time for the next phase of the plan."[/color] The shade had noticed Lorelai's succubus stumble quite badly into one of the displays. The beast that had been wildly rutting was only too happy to have an extra toy. The unexpected addition to the spectacle attracted a massive crowd. Now was the time. Alphonse's mind lurched suddenly as he remembered fully his situation. He pulled the woman he'd been dancing with in close and delivered his own honeyed promises into her ears. Alphonse fought hard against the allure of her throaty chuckle as she lead him away from the dance floor, the pair unnoticed by the distracted crowd. She lead him up the stairs to a lavish chamber. Smooth, cobble stone floors gave way to a gushing hot spring. Perfumed scents permeated the room. A massive silver statue fountain of none other than Hezebel stood in the center, rather than erupting as a spray, the water flowed from the figure's mouth down her front, the gentle flow of water accentuating the woman's curves, which were rendered in full detail. Alphonse saw just how well her figure had been renditioned, as she sashayed towards the pool, her dress dropping to the floor behind her as the walked. [color=00a99d]"Come stranger, join me for a bath."[/color] Her voice echoed off the smooth walls of the bath chamber, as she turned to him, giving him his full view of her sinfully curvaceous body framed by the massive fountain behind her. [color=ed145b]"Of course, my dear."[/color] Alphonse intoned, not entirely sure if his worshipful tone was practiced or genuine. He'd have to find a way to keep her quiet while they were here. The Choir slipped outside quietly, locking the doors behind them. Lorelai's eyes follow Alphonse and Hezebel out of the room. She should worry about the man less, he seemed to be handling himself nicely. She drew herself to her feet and made her way to the center of the room. A snap of her fingers called her bound servitors to her. Several hulking demons sprung from wells of black darkness on the floor. The crowd applauded at first, titilated at the thought of such immense beasts and their surely immense manhoods splitting the other performers in a savage display. Applause soon turned to screams of horror as the first of the behemoths stode forward to rip a visiting Fae noble in half. They scattered in an attempt to flee as the bloodbath ensued, hulking serivitors pulling men and women apart with sadistic glee. Others thought to slay the summoner in an attempt to send the horrors back. Each attempt was met with Dragonfire, reducing would be heroes to charred corpses hissing with boiling fat. Lorelai shivered as their screams filled the night air. There was a part of her that enjoyed this, and always would. [hr][sub]One bloody slaughter later.[/sub] Hezebel and Alphonse returned from the private bath they had shared, feeling clean and relaxed, smelling of lavendar. Hezebel rejoined the party first, wanting to reconvene with her other guests now that she had enjoyed her conquest. She stopped dead as she was struck by the vision before her. The mail hall was painted in blood. It had been before, but now it was painted in an additional coat consisting of her most esteemed guests. Her heart sank. If people found out about this....she began to run, calling for any retainers to survive the slaughter. Alphonse, for his part had taken the opportunity to return to the shadows. He'd watch and wait, prepared to assist his mistress when needed. [color=00aeef]"Quite the sight isn't it?"[/color] Lorelai chuckled as she stepped into view from around a marble column. [color=00aeef]"I tired of your little display, so I elected to put on my own."[/color] She gestured to the room, smirking cruely. [color=00aeef]"I think it's much improved, but I could understand if you'd disagree."[/color] She winked at the heiress. [color=00aeef]"I know Deskari will. She'll throw quite the fit don't you think, but she's cute when she's killing people, so I don't mind."[/color] Hezebel regarded Lorelai evenly. Seeing that she was surrounded, she restorted to the best weapon at hand. [color=00a99d]"No, you will pay for this!"[/color] She nearly shouted, her voice resonating with dominance and authority. [color=00a99d]"Kneel before me and beg forgiveness for this affront to the line of Dagon!"[/color] Hezebel's voice washed over Lorelai. Her first instinct was to obey, the siren's magic was potent after all, but you don't bind demons for a career to fall at your feet before one. Her mouth opened, and Dragon's Tongue poured from her throat in a thousand-throated howl of dominance. [color=00aeef]"Your father knows better, and you'd better learn it soon."[/color] Her eyes were angry as she slowly drew closer to the demoness. [color=00aeef]"Unless you want to end up a nameless fuckdoll for my menagerie, like so many before you."[/color] Hezebel stood proud in the face of the Dragon's roar. For just a moment, then she cast her eyes down, and kneeled. Perhaps she could still survive this night [color=00a99d]"I can see that you have me cornered and over powered, lady dragon."[/color] She said, her beautiful voice was even sweeter to Lorelai's ears now that it was seasoned with submission. [color=00a99d]"If not as a mindless fuck slave then, how can I serve you, mistress?"[/color] [color=00aeef]"You can start by giving me your fleet."[/color] The darker corners of Lorelai's mind, freshly awakened by the earlier slaughter, wanted nothing more than to ravage the vulnerable heiress until she was unrecognizable. She suppressed the impulse with a shudder. [color=00aeef]"Then we can talk about how you survive this. Chin up demon, a minor setback at best."[/color] Hezebel accepted Lorelai's invitation to raise her eyes to her new mistress's, remaining kneeling and docile. "Of course mistress, ships are of no object to me." She said, internally damning the bitch for taking her pleasure barges. "Tell me what I have to do. I'm utterly in your power." [color=00aeef]"Pack what you'll need for a long voyage, I'll need someone to tend to my things for the duration of my expedition."[/color] Lorelai grinned malevolently. [color=00aeef]"If you please me, I'll take you to the material world, safe and away from the legion of enemies I just made you."[/color] Hezebel rose, and backed away from her new mistress. She walked herself to her chamber and began the humiliating task of packing her own clothes. The villa' halls echoed with her foot steps, utterly silent. Her future was dark and uncertain, but it would be close to a dragon. Perhaps this was an opportunity. Alphonse watched the events unfold from the shadows. When Hezebel tried to assert her own dominance, Alphonse nearly felt himself coalesce to stand by her.....when Lorelai responded, he saw that he would not be needed. He returned to his room in the hotel, he stripped, and began drawing a hot bath. Even though he was free of grime already, he had not felt this dirty in a long time. [hr]The next day saw them on the docks. Demonic servitors packed supplies and equipment onto Lorelai's fleet in subservient silence. Her soldiers were already aboard and seeing to their arms and armor. The Dragon grinned at the sight, the beauty of efficiency was of often overlooked thing. Also the beauty of a plot well hatched. She turned to her silent companion. Alphonse bore the same demeanor he always did, but familiarity bred insight, and she could see a small gloom concealed in the man's features. Infedelity weighed on him, evidently, and she couldn't exactly blame him. [color=00aeef]"Alphonse, dear, are you alright?"[/color] They were a ways off from the working demons, now was one of the few opportunities they'd get for privacy for some time. She laid a hand on the man's shoulder, smiling softly. [color=00aeef]"I can see trouble marring your handsome visage."[/color] Alphonse dragged his mind out from his silent brooding. His first instinct was to deny it, that he was just doing his job, like always. It wasn't a probelm. Get off my back. Eh, he had to unload his damage eventually. May as well do it in hell where he could publicly murder anyone who laughed about it. [color=ed145b]"Well....you know, remember how I have that girl back home. Triss?"[/color] Alphonse asked rhetorically.[color=ed145b] "Well, she's made it pretty clear that she doesn't like the idea of me sleeping with other women, and now I've done that. Again, so I'm nott feeling great about that."[/color] [color=00aeef]"Triss? Not thrilled with your dalliances?"[/color] Lorelai covered a small chuckle with her hand. [color=00aeef]"Dear, she's probably half full of Sousiel right now, as you say."[/color] [color=00aeef]"I understand what you're feeling, but she can hardly expect strict monogomy if she's not willing to play by the same rules."[/color] She set a hand on Alphonse's shoulder. [color=00aeef]"And you could always just not tell her. I'll probably get molested by the Choir at some point, it's a tresspass of body, not heart."[/color] [color=ed145b]"That does seem fair."[/color] Alphonse said, mentally relaxing his momentary preparations to murder his mistress for her brief chortle. The next part was harder. [color=ed145b]"The big problem is Hezebel....she might have gotten her hooks in me. I'm not sure how bad, but I haven't been able to get her out of my head....haunting my dreams. The feeling is intoxicating, I don't even know wether I should blame her voice....or something else."[/color] [color=00aeef]"That's concerning."[/color] Lorelai frowned at Alphonse. [color=00aeef]"I can clear you of any influence she may have over you, but if she's snatched your heart..."[/color] She shrugged. [color=00aeef]"I can kill her if you want, might be simpler."[/color] He seriously considered it. If he couldn't trust his own mind and heart, he would be a terrible liability in the future. Still, she could be useful to Lorelai. In the end he admired the woman too much to see her enter the dark earth now. They had managed to beat her readily enough, but her power and presence were intriguing to Alphonse. He had to wonder what would happen when she lacked the influence and privilege of her father.... [color=ed145b]"Let her live, you've already promised her safety, and I don't want you to sacrifice a potential asset for my sake."[/color] He finally said. [color=ed145b]"I'll keep my distance from her, if I have to. I'll be fine."[/color] [color=00aeef]"If you're sure, the offer stands though. You're a more valuable asset than she, and a dear friend."[/color] Lorelai resolved to keep an eye on Alphonse. Being smitten with a demon was rarely a blessing, as the vast majority of them were incapable of real affection. [color=00aeef]"As a change of topic."[/color] Lorelai spoke up again after a small pause. [color=00aeef]"I plan to stop by the Shadow Isles. I've been considering the phantom arm you've displayed, and my thoughts keep leading me to the Stryx. They're 'living' shadows, I thought they might have something to offer you."[/color] She smiled at her companion. [color=00aeef]"What do you think?"[/color] [color=ed145b]"An opportunity to look into my infernal legacy, and transcend the limits of my mortal flesh? Can't be any worse than what I've been doing. I can always use more ways to disappear."[/color] Alphonse's face turned devilish at the implications. If he was really lucky, he'd get to viciously murder something that deserved it. [hr]Their expedition began with little fanfare, the fleet simply pushing off and sailing out into the black sea at Lorelai's whispered command. Demons roamed about the decks of the ships seeing to the rigging and other neccessary tasks with little passion. Soldiers sat stationary on benches below decks, occassionally moving to see to their equipment. Lorelai paced the deck of the ship when the moon was out, a compass and map tracking their progression. At night she retreated below deck to rest and perform rituals to bind more blasphemous servitors to their cause. Hezebel served dutifully, smiling demurely whenever her mistress was near. When she wasn't she continued to push her influence over the strange suitor that had cost her so much, when she could find him that is. Weeks passed in relative silence, until finally they'd arrived at their first destination. The Shadow Isles were a small collection of stark-black rocks jutting out of the burning abyssal sea. No light penetrated the crevices of the formations, no sounds came from the desolate rocks, and no life flourished anywhere near them. Lorelai and Alphonse stood on the deck of their ship as it moored against the first of the small landmasses. [color=00aeef]"Hungry shadows, that's another name for the Stryx. I can't follow here, the shadows pull at my life force even from this distance."[/color] She patted her companion on the back. [color=00aeef]"If you have need of me, call out, and I'll aid if I can."[/color] She flashed a grin. [color=00aeef]"But you should be fine."[/color] Alphonse cracked his neck to either side, smiling cockilly. [color=ed145b]"Don't worry about it. Just a bunch of shadows blending in, right?"[/color] He chuckled. He was in a good mood. Better than he had been in during the whole of his travels on the ship. He strode out onto the shore. Alphonse melded into the shadows of the island, and found himself in an unfamiliar position. The sensations were the same. He could feel and recognize everything around him that was covered in darkness. Which was everything. The strange thing was, within that darkness, there was no life. Alphonse could normally feel living creatures cast in shadows while he was within them. He had never been in a place with no living creatures at all. It was a peace he had never known before. Comforting even. The other thing that was strange, was that he was walking. The shadows of this island had a depth to them beyond that of the physical world. Alphonse found himself walking through a barren forest, everything around him was colored in shades of black, grey and white. Only he his own flesh shone with the light of light, except for his shadow arm, which now thrummed against his shoulder, filling him with a comforting sense of power. As he walked through the woods, he heard the hooting of owls. From the corner of his eye, he though he saw the glint of yellow contrasting sharply with the dark environment. Their presence filled Alphonse with a sudden sense of trepidation. He recognized their murmuring calls. They were hunters, flocking and jockeying for a shot at the newest prey. Alphonse ran through the night, desperate to find a place to hide. Everything was darkness, blacks and greys. Everything except for Alphonse's radiant living flesh. He stood out against every shadow, every shade of black and white. no where was safe for him. The eyes were everywhere. His breath left him, his body ached. How long had he been running? There was no way to tell in this twilight realm. The only part of him that did not scream for release, was the shadowy arm at his side. As his body failed, the appendage thrummed with excitement. Hunger. It knew what the eyes looked for. It knew how they could survive. Alphonse felt that hunger. Rather than being torn apart by the dark talons without, he allowed himself to be consumed by the darkness within. The part where his arm met his shoulder opened like a maw, and dragged itself along his torso, like a python devouring a boar. It didn't take long for Alphonse to be consumed by shadow. Lifeless. Dark. Hidden. Alphonse felt his soul lighten, the weight of guilt, of grief, now seemed irrelevant to him. He turned to the flock of eyes and darkness. He had to join the hunt. [hr]Lorelai paced fretfully on the deck of her capital ship, smoke had been flowing from her nostrils nearly continuously for days. It had been days since Alphonse had departed for the shadow isles. After two days, she was forced to leave without him, presuming him dead. She might have been able to conjure a spell to invade the islands...but she needed that for the Plague Lord. Al would have to be one more casualty of this war. [color=ed145b]"Loooorrrryyyyy, I'm hooooome!"[/color] A loud, drawn out cry suddenly shattered her brooding thoughts, and provoked a gout of flame flying over the ship's deck. When Lorelai's momentary rage cleared, she saw a pair of yellow eyes in the shade beneath the cabin's shadow. Then Alphonse emerged, beeming smile in place. Though his previously blue eyes now glinted an animalistic yellow cant. [color=ed145b]"Did you miss me?"[/color] [color=00aeef]"I did, until you elected to startle me."[/color] Lorelai smiled at Alphonse. [color=00aeef]"Now I'm somewhat ambivalent."[/color] She surveyed her friend, noting the change to the man's eyes with pride. [color=00aeef]"Well done, was it everything you hoped for?"[/color] Alphonse's smile turned savage, as he displayed a great many teeth. [color=ed145b]"Everything, and more Lorelai. I have an all new perspective now. As well, as a few new tricks."[/color] He raised his arms, and allowed them to relax back into shadows, then flexed them back into flesh and blood. [color=ed145b]"I don't want to ruin any surprises though, you'll see soon enough."[/color] His smile relaxed to his normal expression. [color=ed145b]"The whole thing was.....good, I guess, different. I flew with them. The strix. I met my father....we didn't really have a lot to say."[/color] Alphonse fell silent, not know what else to say. [color=00aeef]"Good to hear, and I look forward to you showcasing your new techniques. I imagine there will be ample opportunity for that shortly, the remainder of our expedition will be brief, and bloody."[/color] Lorelai grinned. [hr]As promised they arrived on the beach of the Plague Lord's domain within a week of leaving the Shadow Isles. Without the Lord's influence the land was barren and devoid of life of any kind. The witches and their army disembarked the fleet in silence. [color=00aeef]"Alphonse, we're looking for a holy redoubt."[/color] Lorelai turned to her companion. [color=00aeef]"I need you to grab up a scout, and find out the extent of their defenses. Are you up to the task?"[/color] Alphonse raised one eye brow at his murder buddy.[color=ed145b] "There's a holy redoubt? In the middle of hell?"[/color] Alphonse shrugged. [color=ed145b]"Alrightt, if that's that we need, I'm your man."[/color] Alphonse tipped forward, and fell face first onto the ground, flattening immediately into his own shadow. [hr]Another glorious day in one of the worst places in the cosmos, Diom's gaze fell once again upon the barren planes of the plague lands, nothing seemed out of place, the radiance of his golden wings banished any shadows that could conceal any threats to his sacred ward. Yes, another boring day of.....pain shot through Dion's back in an instant, his feathered body twisted to look above him to see bright yellow eyes piercing his essence. He struggled to tear away from the dark creature's talons, but felt his strength fading fast, too fast. Finally, he literally tore away the beast, golden blood trailing behind him. He dove fast, desperately trying to make his way back to the keep. The shadow followed behind him, its shadow oppressing Dion's guttering light. Dion was desperately trying to gain speed, but he couldn't keep his wings sturdy, he was losing altitude too fast. The shadow's talons pierced his back once more, driving him into the earth. His light was now a faint glimmer, before the dark owl's beak pierced his skull, and drank deeply of the red gold life within. [hr]Zureil examined the sky, or rather the cavernous ceiling of the abyssal plane she'd been assigned to. Her tenure here had been uneventful thus far, and while that was likely a blessing, it did make her brethren restless. They stood at their posts, disciplined as ever, but some of their vigilant gazes had turned glassy as the decades wore on. On the horizon, facing the coast of the Blood Sea, a dark shape took form. She raised the alarm mentally, it seems some Lord or another decided that a favor from the Plague Lord was worth the risk. She smirked, how wrong they were, this would be a welcome break from the tedium. Her smirked quickly faded as the horrific smoke finally took form. This was no lord. Death came for them on black wings that blotted out the sky. A Dragon, an Old God of the infernal planes. Her shadow passed over the plane towards them, and a hideous army of twisted demonic shapes sprang up in its wake. [color=gold]"Quickly! Rally the sentinels! We can't let them trap us in the keep."[/color] Soldiers rushed about the courtyard beneath her, outfitting themselves for the battle ahead. Many of the men on the walls were too slow. Starlight gathered in the beast's maw as it approached, and a horrific gout of flame accompanied its challenging roar. Men died in moments as even a large section of the outer wall was reduced to molten slag. [color=gold]"Sisters! To me!"[/color] Zureil conjured several of her lesser kin, and took to the skies. If she couldn't kill the beast, or at least drive it back, their walls would be useless. Below her the demonic infantry finally collided with her mounted division. Twisted screams filled the air as foul soldiers were impaled by the golden lances of her men. They showed no signs of stopped, of their lines breaking. Demons did not fear, and never relented. This would be a long night. [color=ed145b]"dada dada da dummmm.... "[/color] Alphonse hummed to himself as he removed his profaned blade from a minor angel's chest. He wasn't sure if the weapons rage and loathing was more directed towards being used to destroy it's lor'ds servants, or his casual self amusement while doing so.... Alphonse had switched out his black ensemble for a white one. There were literally no shadows within the keep, as he had discovered from the eagle thing's blood. He was a bit irritated, nothing a little bit of fun on the job couldn't fix. [color=ed145b]"Terrible thing about focus,"[/color] He said thoughtfully to the dimming corpse. [color=ed145b]"Is that it precludes you from finding information from other sources. Like behind you....or slightly to the left of the big pretty battle going on outside."[/color] His gaze spread out over the wall at the terrible hosts meeting with the profane legion and sighed. [color=ed145b]"That looks like a whole lot of work."[/color] His body shimmered into shadow as he flew to a high window, and returned to flesh. He was in, and guards were at a bare minimum, just as he knew they would. Terrible and impressive as Lorelai's display had been, she wouldn't be able to defeat the angel's hosts as they were now. The sacred ark in the castle's heart was empowering them, not only holding the darkness of the plaguelands at bay, but siphoning the might of the Plague Lord into the Angels, stoking their fires to even greater fury. Alphonse made his way into the keep's inner sanctum, silently killing the occasional guard he couldn't work his way around. Down a vaulted hallway, there was a massive gold trimmed marble door. Before it floated a silver gold sphere, enameled in mandelas. Around its circumfrence rose six feathered wings. Before each wing floated a burning brass blade. Alphonse had some work to do. [hr]Zuriel's battle was going better than she'd expected. Holy lightning was slowly wearing through the beast's hide. It's scales glew a molten red were her bolts had kissed its profane essence. Gouts of cosmic fire had claimed several of her sisters thus far, but she'd have to mourn them later. The trouble was that her bolts weren't cutting through the scales as fast as they needed to, she didn't like her odds against the Dragon up close. She didn't really have an option, however. She ordered her sisters forward, towards the Dragon's head. They nodded grimly, giving their lives without hesitation. As the beast turned to bathe them in its flames, Zuriel darted forward. Her mace crackled with divine lightning as she hefted it in both hands for a decisive blow. Its shuddering bulk was wreathed in lightning for a moment as her blow struck its flank. Molten blood met her strike, pouring from a rupture in the creature's stony hide. It screamed in pain and defiance. Her remaining sisters clutched their ears as the blasphemous roar washed over them, blood pouring from their mouths and noses as they fell dead from the sky. Zuriel was stunned by the utterance, and before she recovered the beast had established distance between them. It dissappeared into the inky, black darkness of the Plague Lands. Zuriel gave chase. She felt the opportunity to slay a Dragon, how could she pass it up? [hr] A marble pillar burst into molten fragments as a burning blade roared through it. Alphonse rolled to try to pierce one of the angel's wings. Alphonse had spent far more time than he had liked fighting this thing. His profaned blade couldn't pierce the armored sphere, and he couldn't get close enough to its wings due to the flame. Alphonse's ears were filled with the roar of flame before shifting into darkness once again. He had miscalculated the angel's arcs of reach, and was forced once again to rely on his shadowform to avoid certain death. Though his breath was even, his body was beginning to feel heavy. Shifting so quickly so often was beginning to wear on him, compounded by the sheer heat exhaustion from being the whirling inferno that was his adversary.[color=ed145b] "fuck this."[/color] He finally said to himself, as he shifted into shadow, and flitted under the door. He was barely able to pull his body back together as he emerged on the other side. The sanctum was the most opulent chapel he had ever seen, even compared to the rest of the glorious castle. Made even more so by the oppressive holy light of the tabernacle held in a place of reverence on a raised platform, as if standing in for an altar. Alphonse could feel the profaned crucifix burning against his chest, its power pushed to its limit by the oppressive atmoshpere around him. He pushed forward, pulling the last breath from his cloak, quickly dousing his blade in the cloudy dark mist of an innocent man's last breath. He raised to cleave box open, when the doors that the minor angel had been guarding burst open in a heaving explosion. It didn't hesitate for a moment as it sensed through whatever sacred equivalent it had for vision perceived his intent. It's wings retracted, and the complicated panels of its body shifted and opened to reveal an orb of sunlight. A molten blast erupted from it to consume Alphonse's body in sacred fire. No shadow would survive its might. Alphonse had other plans. He leaped, flipping backwards over the pillar of flame, soaring towards the sphere. In midair, his body shifted to the black owl he now was and dove into the angel's heart. The shell closed around him, as he entered. It jerked through the air. It slammed into the walls before finally it dropped to the ground. The plates fell apart, as Alphonse spread hit terrible black wings. He hopped to the tabernacle while shifting back to his human form, and plunged his now especially profaned blade into the tabernacle's lock.The Tabernacle exploded in a flash of light, then went out, leaving a faint glow in the center where it had been. When it faded, a white puss began to bubble forth. Alphonse watched, and smiled. [hider=Trigger Warning: Rape] [hr]Zuriel had finally cornered the beast. It had flown into a large cavern. The problem she was having was getting inside. Periodically gouts of flame would erupt from the mouth of the cavern. She was just getting a sense for the timing of the Dragon's flames when the light faded. The Voice of Heaven, so long a comforting whisper in her mind, went silent. Her chest filled with a cold sensation as the strength faded from her limbs. She was all alone for the first time in millennia. All the while the Dragon laughed. The ground beneath her rumbled as it exited the cavern. It's eye loomed close, and she gazed plainly on elemental evil. She never had any hope of slaying the beast, it had gotten precisely what it wanted. Her slice of heaven had been defiled, and now she was at its mercy. The draconic face dissapated into black smoke as Lorelai resumed her human shape. A serpentine appendage snaked out of the darkness, coiling around the powerless angel. It lifted her above Lorelai's head. [color=00aeef]"Well, well, well."[/color] Lorelai smirked cruelly. [color=00aeef]"Aren't you a pretty thing, underneath all that armor."[/color] [color=gold]"Just kill me, and get it over with."[/color] Zuriel's voice shook as she averted her gaze. Her reward would be in heaven, evil can only harm the body. [color=00aeef]"Kill you!? Why would I do that? Such a waste."[/color] The witch tittered maddly as her claw rended the angel's armor, revealing the nubile shape underneath. [color=00aeef]"I have better things in mind than that."[/color] Zuriel felt her ribs crack as Lorelai slammed her into the ground. Panic clouded her mind, must she really endure this indignity? She set her jaw against the horror she was about to experience. Everlasting peace awaited her, she could weather this with grace. Something touched her, but not where she expected. A silver blade tore through her stomach, carving into her. Her eyes shot open, and to her horror the witch had straddled her, and was carving Dragon's Tongue runes in her flesh. [color=gold]"No, please, no,"[/color] She begged, powerless against the witch. Corruption she couldn't survive. [color=gold]"Just kill me, please..."[/color] [color=00aeef]"Poor, adorable, little thing you."[/color] Lorelai cooed maddly. [color=00aeef]"Alone in the dark with me, and all you need is a little mercy, just a small piece of humanity."[/color] [color=00aeef]"Your God has left you, and I'm not without pity."[/color] Lorelai finished her last rune, and leaned over to kiss the prone angel. Black smoke jumped from her lips to her victim's, and the angel's wings lost some of their golden shine. [color=00aeef]"Let me give you a new God to worship."[/color] Lorelai sat up, and shrugged out of her robe. [color=00aeef]"This is going to hurt, but don't worry. You'll learn to love it."[/color] She giggled. [color=00aeef]"You'll have a new life, a new name, and a new purpose. Now hold still, and accept my judgement."[/color] The cavern echoed with the angel's ragged screams. She called for her Lord to save her, for her sisters to rescue her, for her armies to pull this demon away from her. No help came, however, and soon she fell silent. She really did learn to love it. [/hider] [hr] Alphonse sat on one of the ruined castle walls, his head reasting on his fist. He sighed again, as he heard yet another ragged scream echo through the cave. The battle had ended rather abruptly after the tabernacle was defiled. The angels were denied the voice of god, and the demons fell over them. Alphonse had joined the fray, mostly because the chapel quickly became inhospitable due to the puss, and the fevered smell emanating from it. Now that all of the murder was done, Alphonse found himself feeling content, yet irritated. He felt full, the cherubim had been a filling meal, and the mission was done. It was time to sit or lay down and relax. Which was difficult to do with the racket echoing through this entire biosphere. "How long is she gonna drag this out?" Hezebel commented as she sashayed to his roost. "You think she'd let us watch?" She smiled maliciously. "Or we could make our own show." Alphonse considered her for a moment. He was content, full. Yet Hezebel's words brought the irritating screams into a new context. Maybe he could drown them out with some other screams. He felt a moment of guilt at the thought, but he quickly disregarded it. Triss had Sousiel to keep her company, what of it if Alphonse took some pleasure of his own? [color=ed145b]"I can get a good seat for it. You'll have to sit on my lap for it though." [/color]Alphonse said with a grin. [color=ed145b]"Oh? Not a lot of room?"[/color] She replied coyly. "No, I just want to fuck you." [hr][color=gold]"I'm sorry mistress."[/color] The angel, now named Serrus, groveled at Lorelai's feet as the woman replaced her robe. [color=gold]"Truth is painful, it was a moment of weakness."[/color] [color=00aeef]"That's quite alright, you are forgiven."[/color] Lorelai giggled. Serrus was quite docile now, but corruption would do that to a woman. [color=00aeef]"Now clean yourself up."[/color] [color=gold]"Yes mistress."[/color] Serrus moved around the cave, collecting scraps of her clothing and doing her best to restore her modesty. The overall effect still left the majority of her body bare, but managed to barely cover her nipples and womanhood. The remaining scraps she used to wipe away the blood, sweat, and tears, before presenting herself to her mistress again. [color=gold]"Does this please you?"[/color] [color=00aeef]"We'll get you into something more flattering when we get home, but that suits you for now."[/color] The way the angel refused to meet her eyes, or blushed like a schoolgirl everytime she spoke was almost endearing. She extended her elbow. [color=00aeef]"Come along."[/color] Serrus link her arm through her new mistress' hesitantly. Her skin still burned lightly at the contact, as the accursed higher planes hadn't yet been beaten from her. Pain was the route to truth though, and she'd suffer in silence from now on. She belonged to Lorelai Von'strauss, and belongings don't complain. Lorelai lead them out of the cave. She'd fly back, but she'd given the Dragon enough sway over her for now. She sighed, [color=00aeef]"Looks like we're walking."[/color] "When your devoted servant is at the ready to transport you?" Alphonse's voice came from her left, where there had been nothing just a moment before. Hezebel stood beside him, both of them completing the final fastenings of their clothing. "The redoubt is secure, though it's getting pretty stanky. So...yeah, breath through your mouth or something." [color=00aeef]"Ah, anticipating my needs, I'm truly blessed."[/color] Lorelai's face was cheerful, but internally concern spread across her mind. Alphonse had seemed rather torn about straying from his dear Triss when it was neccessary, and now he was rutting with Hezebel shamelessly, not even bothering to cover signs of the sin. Perhaps he was over her, they had talked about it. For now she'd watch him closely. [color=00aeef]"Shall we dear?"[/color] Alphonse spread himself on the ground and brought the others with him into darkness. It was time they met the newly awakened Plague Lord. They emerged from Alphonse's shadow in the room that previously held the tabernacle. The abyssal energies of the plane had reasserted themselves, and the room had lost any traces of its once bright decadance. Instead they stepped into an altar to disease. The stench of rotting death filled the air, rats wallowed in filth in the cesspools at the corners of the room, servitors attended their lord amidst a chorus of coughs and pained weezes. The Plague Lord squatted atop his throne of filth. He had the head of a rat, and his vaguely humanoid body was covered in matted fur marred by oozing sores and pustules. He lifted his head to greet them, before bowing low before Lorelai. [color=darkgreen]"Mistress, you have my thanks, but surely that isn't enough."[/color] He chittered. [color=darkgreen]"Speak what you desire of Disease, and it shall be done."[/color] [color=00aeef]"Indeed, I need a plague fit to end a war. Something only your vile will could conjure."[/color] Lorelai curled her nose. She was no stranger to the stink of hot death, but this place held a concentration that was unsurpassed in her years. She pulled Serrus close, and covered her nose with a handful of the angel's hair. [color=00aeef]"And your everlasting loyalty."[/color] [color=darkgreen]"The second is a given, Mistress,"[/color] The creature cackled. [color=darkgreen]"In death I still dreamed, and in those fevered landscapes I created something. A cure, for the disease of humanity."[/color] [color=00aeef]"Go on."[/color] Fortunately Serrus' hair smelled pleasant, and mostly blocked out the putrid stench of the room. [color=darkgreen]"A pathogen, with an incubation period of one month. During the first month it will present as a small cold. Sniffles, a light fever, coughing, but nothing serious."[/color] The Lord smirked, and removed several runes jars from his tattered finery. [color=darkgreen]"Then, it will change them. Within a day they'll become little more than savage, hungry beasts content to feed on their own kind. The change will also make them stronger, faster, and more perceptive."[/color] [color=00aeef]"And an immunity? How will me and mine remain safe if the hillsides swarm with beasts?"[/color] Lorelai arched an eyebrow. [color=darkgreen]"They won't attack others with the same strain, and it will mutate every twenty hosts or so."[/color] The creature extended a jar with blue runes. [color=darkgreen]"This is the master strain. It's a harmless disease, but it's dominant over the rest, so you needn't fear infection from its lesser cousins. It also causes the beasts to react to you as if you were a member of their pack."[/color] [color=00aeef]"Delightful!"[/color] Lorelai cooed. She turned to her companions. [color=00aeef]"What do you guys think?"[/color] [color=ed145b]"Sounds pretty genius to me."[/color] Alphonse responded. [color=ed145b]"It's pretty hard to quarantine someone who's lost their shit, and willing and able to fight."[/color] "And it should be able to spread before its symptoms become obvious."[/color] Hezebel offered. "I'm curious about the mutations, what purpose do they serve?" [color=darkgreen]"Not only do they make the disease harder to study and understand, they also serve to change the strain, meaning that so long as regular human prey is unavailable they'll kill each other."[/color] The creature chittered with mirth. "Sounds like you're going to mutate them all into various splintered tribes of violent savages." Hezebel said dryly. "Not much of a change is it?" Lorelai and the Plague Lord looked at each other, then burst into laughter. [color=00aeef]"No, I suppose not much, but it will be faster."[/color] [color=00aeef]"Well, I'm satisfied,"[/color] Lorelai made Serrus collect the bottles while she held her breath. Once she'd returned with her built in air filter she turned towards the exit. [color=00aeef]"Sousiel's home now, she should be able to drag us out. Any last buisness before we leave?"[/color] Alphonse nodded gravely. [color=ed145b]"I do have a request for the Plague Lord."[/color] He turned to the fetid rat. [color=ed145b]"You mentioned that you crafted a master disease that effectively innocculated you from the others of it's strain. I'm the one that broke the seal on your grave. Could you make me one that ate STDs?"[/color] Lorelai rolled her eyes while the Plague Lord laughed. [color=darkgreen]"Of course!"[/color] One of the boils on his body twisted and changed color before bursting. The rat caught the expelled fluid in another runed bottle, produced from his many pockets. [color=darkgreen]"Rut to your heart's content."[/color] [color=00aeef]"Oh, I'm sure he will."[/color] Lorelai heaved an exasperated sigh as the Plague Lord handed Alphonse his prize. [color=00aeef]"Anything else?"[/color] [color=ed145b]"I don't.....eat it, do I?"[/color] Alphonse inquired. The Plague Lord nodded, and chittered again. Alphonse downed the infectious concoction, and gagged, nearly retching. After lapping his tongue several times to get the taste out of his mouth he said. [color=ed145b]"Nah, I'm good, let's go."[/color] [hr]They arrived back in Lorelai's summoning chamber, home once again. Lorelai sighed happily as the portal yawned closed behind them. She turned to Hezebel and Serrus. [color=00aeef]"Hezebel, familiarize yourself with the remainder of my servitors. Sousiel is your superior, and she will kill you for insubordination."[/color] Hezebel bowed to her mistress and silently left the room to make good on her orders. [color=00aeef]"Serrus, you'll be attending to me as a personal servant. Go familiarize yourself with the castle, and bring Elizabeth James to my chambers."[/color] Serrus nodded, and promptly fled the room. She turned to Alphonse. [color=00aeef]"Well done old friend. Take a couple of days to yourself before reporting back in. You've earned it."[/color] Alphonse cast his gaze all around him. Overwhelmed with the news. He had never seen nor heard such a thing, an honest and justly earned vacation. "Lore, I am honored. Thank you." Alphonse melded into shadow. He had to make stomaching that disgusting draught worth it somehow. Lorelai smiled, and limped out of the chamber. There was always more work to be done. [color=00aeef]"Let's see how Elizabeth has handled things, shall we?"[/color] She muttered.