Please note that I do not own Dungeons and Dragons,their relevant editions, Pathfinder or Harry Potter. Dungeons and Dragons are owned by Wizards of the Coasts, Pathfinder is owned by Paizo and Harry Potter and its franchises are owned by JK Rowling. The following story is just for my enjoyment and hopefully yours as well.
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Chapter 10: Just the Beginning
Peter Pettigrew, once called Wormtail jokingly by former friends, flexed his newly healed fingers, waiting for his death. Not exactly death but it may as well have been for Pettigrew had been sentenced by the Ministry to Azkaban where there, dementors would suck out his soul and leave him nothing but a husk.
Peter dreaded that fact but did not resist because that would have given the wizard and witch escorting him to Azkaban all the justification needed to knock him out. The wizard, an Auror who was called Jacoby was in front, leading Peter through some hallway in the Ministry to a secure location where he would travel by Floo powder to Azkaban. Apparently such secrecy was needed as the Ministry believed that if they created such a connection with Azkaban in another, more public space the local public would make complaints or something like that.
The witch, also an Auror by the name of Jane, walked behind Peter armed with her wand. She walked at a distance so she could monitor him if he had any stupid ideas. In front of them, a man approached the party and Jacoby called for a halt. The lights set at intervals in the hallway –a recent creation known as a light globe- held strong and provided enough illumination for the Auror to feel relieved at the newcomer.
With his pronounced limp, walking stick and roving magical eye, Mad-Eye Moody made his way to the trio with the same grim look he gave everyone. Jacoby called out to Moody who only grunted in response. Typical Mad-Eye, thought Jacoby, the last thought he ever had as Moody let loose a Killing Curse at him.
Jacoby fell to the ground dead and Pettigrew dropped on all fours, his natural response after living the life of a rat for so long. Jane only gasped and did not react fast enough and she died too. "Get up, snivelling rat! Won't be good to stay here, now. We need to move and fast!" hissed Moody furiously.
Peter looked up and quickly spied the wand in Jane's dead hand. He leaped, insofar as he was able to while crouching, took the wand and pointed it at Moody. Or at least tried as Moody stomped on his hand. Pettigrew cried out and Moody sneered, "You're lucky, Pettigrew! The master wants you alive even though I'm enough but no, he sensed you were near and 'requires' your presence"
Pettigrew gasped not at the pain but the mention of the word 'master', "He wished me?! I thought that he was-" Moody cut him off with a laugh, his tongue flicking like a snake, "Don't be stupid, Pettigrew! The master can never die, he has conquered Death itself! Or do you doubt?" the smile was mocking.
"Never-never, not once in my life! But who are you? You aren't Moody, that's for sure," Peter said. Moody lifted his foot and Peter gripped his hand, cradling it. The false Moody smiled, "The greatest Death Eater to have ever served the Dark Lord. But I'll tell you all about it when we are out, here" from some pocket, the false Moody produced a vial filled with some brown liquid.
Peter took it and Moody headed to Jacoby, plucking one of the dead Auror's hairs. He gave it to Peter for the Polyjuice potion, "We need to hurry Peter and fast," hissed the fake Mad-Eye, "the master is waiting and he needs me…and of course you"
"H-how did he know? How?" stuttered Pettigrew. Moody laughed, "He's the Dark Lord. He knows all! What can't you expect from one who has cheated Death?! Come, this is just the beginning!"
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Lucius Malfoy, one of the richest and influential men in all Magical Britain and some would say the Magical World, quivered as he held up the slim folio. The books, brought to him by a slightly irate Sirius Black held theories that were well beyond belief. Then again when it came to Ira Gold, what wasn't?
In his grand study, surrounded by the lore of his world's wizards, Lucius was seated to a great oak table where books, scrolls and various devices –both magical and mundane- were set to help the elder Malfoy in whatever endeavour he wanted to carry out.
The folios were filled with theories that made Lucius want to both scream and laugh but he held such reactions. He did not want any servants to catch him in the act here in Malfoy Manor as that would be bad form and it could give further ammunition to the other pure-bloods who wanted his head.
He reread the book again, savouring the words. Most of the texts in the books held theories on the use of Ancient Runes, which could be utilized for the creation of food –a common charm- from all around the world provided it was sampled. The wizard could then simply activate the chosen item, recreating the food sampled again and again. The other texts described the creation of houses, biological enhancements to pre-existing magical creatures –like elves- to serve as magical 'batteries, and the creation of wands that held singular charms, a novelty in Lucius's mind.
But this book contained something else entirely. Written with warnings from Ira, they described a form of anti-magic. Runes that could be created that, theoretically, could render null spells cast against those who had the runes with them. It was even notated by the arch-necromancer that these Anti-Magic Runes could nullify the dreaded Killing Curse and Lucius kept rereading it intensely.
Ira had concocted these in his free time but they were no means feasible or even the full extent of what Lucius's kind could do. They had the framework, blueprints and resources but they merely needed the right push. Ira had written that Lucius's magic was impossible for Ira to operate himself so the theories were just that to the arch-necromancer. It was up to Lucius to try it out and the former Death Eater could tell –even if in fact he really couldn't- that this was just the beginning.
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The demonic party split up, for reasons that were only known to their Nalfeshnee overseers, who apparently outranked the baregaras in this one instance. In the jungles of Ahvoth-Kor, one party with the vulture Kurkaliz hurried to their master's ziggurat as Anghazan, the Ravenous King, had designs on the nascent demon lord. Meanwhile another party that held prisoner, the warlock Dolio moved at a much slower pace, as Anghazan apparently did not require her so quickly or so the Nalfeshnee overseer had claimed.
The baregaras had not argued though their natures dictated otherwise. Demon lords did change minds and Anghazan was no different, even if the Ravenous King was their master.
The first party led by the baregara, Mokoth and the Nalfeshnee, Siriuk, had made a considerable distance to their master's ziggurat. They could have quickened the pace by teleporting but anti-magic prevented that, cast on the nascent demon lord by a human wizard. A bolt of darkness and magical shadows were flung onto the party all at once, with such intensity the demonic simians could not even react.
Many died in the initial blasts and more were issued from jet-black rods and obsidian sceptres. Then the ambushers appeared and the only surviving member, Siriuk smiled with perverse lust. Three human-seeming women appeared, naked except for thin delicate chain wrapped suggestively around their bodies that only made a mockery out of modesty.
They had bat wings and draconian tails, while their feet were more like those of a chicken. Three more demons appeared, who also appeared like human males but had intricate black tattoos on red-pink skin. They wore light armour and had daggers attached to their hips in addition to the rods they held.
Siriuk greeted the party of succubi and kelvezu demons, "The timing was impeccable. Lord Graz'zt must hold you in high regard"
The lead succubus whose hair was flame red pouted, at the boar-demon making it lick its lips in lust, "Well enough," she said and loosed the magic in the sceptre she wielded. Given to them by the Lord of Azzagrat himself from one of his own weapon caches, the demons loosed the magic onto the Nalfeshnee. It died, shock and anger on its boar-like features.
The other two succubi, whose hair was teal with streaks of red, came to Kurkaliz. One of them removed another sceptre from somewhere, though from Kurkaliz's sight he could see no pouch or other case to hold such an item. The sceptre crumbled to dust as the magic was released onto the vulture, freeing him from all magical effects.
He flapped his wings and got up, reprising the situation. Those items could readily kill him and Kurkaliz did not want to die at the moment, "Well met. You are from Graz'zt?" the word was said with a nagging fear. His ambition to conquer the Triple Layer was not widely known but when it came to Graz'zt, who knew what the demon lord knew?
"Well met and indeed. I am Sanafra, envoy of Graz'zt and your liaison to the Lord of Azzagrat. My lord has made it known that I am to be your personal servant in all matters," the succubus with red hair said. She went to him, stroking his feathers and latched onto him.
Kurkaliz was not unexperienced dealing with lust demons but he did have some reservations, "Matters? What for or better yet why? Your master has a longer reach than myself and do not think I am unappreciative of you, sweetmeat. Just tell me, why?"
She smiled at him and if Kurkaliz had been some weak mortal, he would have crumbled at the sight. The perfect face pouted, "We can talk later but first we need to collect something" The vulture cocked his head like an actual bird would, "What sweetmeat?" then Kurkaliz grimaced but there was a savage joy in that look, "tell me it's the blasted halfling"
The succubus, Sanafra, smiled, "Such speed of though, my lord. Truly, I think this beautiful relationship is just the beginning"
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*At the same moment, in Ahvoth-Kor*
Dolio hated being man-handled, or to be more precise, demon-ape handled. It was beneath her and she swore when she got out, that when she got Graz'zt to bow down to her, she would have him kill that damned baboon Anghazan. It would be a great joy for everyone if that gods-cursed ape were to croak and Dolio would be the one to do it.
At that moment though, the Nalfeshnee let loose a spell and it washed over the assembled apes. They suddenly reacted as if they were in tar, unable to move as quickly. The boar-demon began incanting another spell while the baregara –who was out of range of the spell- leaped at the boar-demon.
He almost reached but a powerful spell ripped him apart and a succubus appeared. She wore a transparent gown of white silk that seemed to only hug her perfect body. Her entire form was elf-like and creamy white, humanoid sized butterfly wings with a scorpion's stinger for a tail. Dolio felt disgusted at the sight but could not help watch as the golden-haired succubus loosed another spell from some ivory rod she held.
The magic tore through the bar-iguras and the succubus smiled. Another succubus appeared, who looked similar to the first but this one wore tight black leather that hugged every bit of her and left literally nothing to the imagination. The second succubus held some amulet and incanted a spell and a barrier of floating blades sliced more demons into pieces.
Another group of demons descended on the dying party, looking like humans but their ram horns, hooves and shark jaws marked them as Satyr demons* clad in black leather and armed with twin scimitars.
They fought with obvious skill and while the apes had ferocity it wasn't enough. The battle ended quickly and the succubus in leather read from some scroll wiping the various spells that held Dolio.
She grunted as she got up and looked at the succubi, sizing them up even as they sized her up, naked as she was, "One, are you going to kill me? If no, who sent you and why?" Dolio quipped.
The succubus in silk approached, pulling some breeches and a shirt from a pouch at her waist, "I am Inita and that is Detana," she motioned to the leather succubus, "we are ambassadors from our Queen, Great Malcanthet, who extends to you greetings and an offer of service"
As she dressed, Dolio gave a grimace. She hated succubi with a smoldering passion that was only equalled by her hate of Ira. She never liked succubi or incubi for that matter, the way they always sneered at her and made her feel inferior –which was every demon but to Dolio she had her prejudices- in every way. It was most likely the way they carried themselves, like they were the ones in control of everything and perhaps in some indefinable way, as demons of lust and carnal pleasure, they were.
The one called Inita approached the traitorous Nalfeshnee, "Here," she threw him a jar that swirled with motes of light, souls most likely and the boar demon licked its lips, "and our business is concluded Callox. We shan't see each other again" The demon nodded and teleported away and the succubi turned towards her.
"Why should I help your Queen? Whats in it for me?" Dolio's tone held nothing but contempt. The cherubic look of Inita was undiminished as she replied, "Why, the throne of Azzagrat of course. She offers you that if you swear fealty to her first"
The one in leather, Detana, hissed, her scorpion tail flexing, "Enough talk. We go first to Shendilavri! They will be coming soon!" Dolio frowned but Inita cut in, "Yes that would be the wise course, shall we Dolio?" her tone was cheerful but Dolio spat at her creamy white human feet.
"I will but don't think for even a second it means I will help you. Not without something in return," Dolio knew that the succubus was lying. Even if Malcanthet wanted to give her Azzagrat she would first conquer Dolio.
Detana was the one who grinned, baring pearly white fangs, "Agreed, warlock. Hurry, we have a long way to go and this is just the beginning"
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In the Abyssal Layer known as the Midnight Isles, known for its perpetual night and islets set in an almost-infinite ocean, one succubus felt the stirrings of her Queen. Nocticula, rightful Queen of Succubi imparted mental images to Tatiana, consort of Cherry, the succubus ruler of Meklort an isle named after a demon lord murdered by Nocticula.
From a balcony made of bones stood Tatiana, human form with black skin, rich like dark chocolate. Her hair, platinum coloured and silky, her wings were like those of a dragonfly and she had a tail like a panther. She felt the images in her mind like a throbbing ache that straddled the fine line between pain and pleasure, her naked body writhing on the bone balcony.
When the images ended she got up, a grimace on her beautiful face. Of all the accursed luck, her self-professed Queen had deigned to place a major burden on her delicate shoulders. She knew it would take cunning, power but most importantly patience, a virtue she despised to the core of her nubile demonic form.
She went into the richly decorated suite, filled with the conquests of another age and dressed in simple silver filigree, which mocked the idea of modesty. Tatiana pouted and cast a Sending to her brother, an incubus by name of Moroc, Come at once. Your nephew needs handling. By order of Nocticula, make haste!
She tapped her human-looking feet, the nails painted platinum and her brother appeared. He was different in every way to Tatiana but essentially they were the same in that they were both lust demons**. Moroc looked like the most handsome orc an orc could ever want, with a perfect physique and tanned body that could make any mortal drool. His wings were large grey feathered wings like a vrock's and his tail was like a piece of mobile shadow.
"Calling me on official business, not like you sister. Not at all and since Cherry isn't here, I suppose that's its personal," Moroc's voice was gruff but filled with an animal lust. Tatiana pouted, "Not so loud idiot! If Cherry came, we both will hang from the Bone Pillars and who wants that?" the pillars she was referring to were gigantic pillars of actual bone set about the whole island where dissenters and the disliked were nailed onto.
"Fine sister, fine,"Moroc made a small grunt and scratched his groin. Her brother was always naked, exulting in that simple freedom. Tatiana wished such freedom too but she was a consort and that always held some duty she had to do, even if it was dressing up. Besides, she did like dressing up, if only a little.
"Well when you're done touching yourself, let's go. We have to make it fast or its both our heads and Nocticula won't simply hang us for failure," Tatiana said. Moroc gave her a lascivious smile, "My nephew? Right, for Queen and realm and all that crap"
Tatiana gave a pout, "My son will be the least of our troubles. I was personally visited by Nocticula herself and if the scenes she showed me are about to transpire, this is just the beginning"
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Hokad, Hound Archon and one of the many warriors of the Celestial Host soared through the skies of Heaven on white feathered wings. The atmosphere was serene and majestic filled with the songs and hymns of countless races from the various Prime Material worlds. The perpetual sun of Heaven smiled down upon the vast rolling green fields and as far as Hokad could see, all was well.
With a sudden gut-wrenching pull, Hokad was elsewhere and the sudden flash told the archon that a binding spell had been cast. Someone or something had pulled him into another world. Hokad removed his greatsword clasped to his shining bronze armour. The silvery sheen on the metal showed his reflection, his head like that of a Doberman but with brown fur, neatly combed.
He dusted off his bronze kilt as he got up, flexing his well-muscled humanoid body and scanned the surrounding area with his magical eyes, piercing the darkness. There was no one and nothing in the circular chamber except for him and the glowing circle he was bound in. Hokad took a breath and the circle of silver went inert, Hokad sensing the magic binding him fading immediately.
Then the air seemed to shimmer and three humans appeared as well as a celestial. The middle human chortled, exclaiming "Hah! It worked; I can't believe that it worked!" The celestial nodded to itself while appraising the situation. The humans looked exactly the same except for the middle one who wore expensive silks of red and black, while the two flanking him were dressed in slightly less expensive grey. The celestial on the other hand, Hokad knew. It had been ages but Hokad could not forget Kyrel, an angelic cousin who was renowned for slaying fiends and -last that the archon heard of- died fighting against them.
But Kyrel was different now, with feathery wings of fire and dark armour, his polished skin held a dark hue and Kyrel bared vampiric fangs at the archon, "Well met Hokad. How long has it been, three or four millennia now? You haven't changed a bit!"
The archon grimaced, baring his own canine fangs, "You Fell Kyrel, in more ways than one it seemed. You bound me here and released me but that is foolish," Hokad lifted his blade and readied himself, "a mistake and one that will cost you"
Kyrel smiled, "Perhaps Hokad but take that up with the astradaemon" and Hokad was suddenly pinned by the air. Hokad could not move as a horror shimmered into existence. Vaguely humanoid in shape, the gaunt daemon had the face of a fish, lanky limbs and writhing tendrils, an astradaemon, a soul eater from Abaddon.
Hokad tried to teleport but that did not work as the room held some ward against teleportation. He tried to muscle his way free but found he could not move. The central mage made a pass and spoke a word of power and Hokad felt his limbs deadening as cold crept into them. The spell struck him again and Hokad bit his lips, but the spell struck him again. Finally the spell struck him one last time and the archon could not move.
"You will find me a most generous master, Hokad," said the richly robed mage, "I will raise you high, second to my Kyrel but first among the rest. You will be awarded a position of steward" the tone was sincere and it made Hokad feel sick even as the astradaemon started to feast on his soul.
"You will be the first of my stewards, the caretakers of my new realm. It's about time, Kyrel that I craft my own world and such a fortuitous time as well," the mage turned to Kyrel, clapping, even as Hokad felt his psyche being ripped to shreds, "now that I have achieved transvalency it is only logical. It's going to be very fun to see what happens, Kyrel, for as far as I can tell this is just the beginning!"
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*Some of you might recognize them as Incubus demons from Dragon Magazine 353. I am not using them as incubus since Pathfinder already has them. Instead they are renamed satyr demons and their abilities remain unchanged.
**I'm using the Pathfinder incubus. Essentially succubi and incubi are the same in Pathfinder just with slightly different abilities. The way I see it, succubi=psychologically female, incubi=psychologically male.
That's the end of Book 3! What do you think? I'm taking a break before continuing Book 4 so hang in there. Meanwhile, spread the word on the fic and see whether anyone else would like to read it. Thanks a bunch!
