Their teamwork was so flawless that the enemy's minions started to desert the rival Keeper out of frustration alone. Shade's Keeper was able to Scry into the various Lairs and rooms to convince them to join his side. Once the army was whittled down significantly, the true attack happened to lay waste to the rival Heart.
While this was going on, Saithe was getting nuzzled by Horny. At her sudden wicked grin, he looked at her to get a response. "Oh, I was just thinking of a way to take another castle. Since I can't leave, I was wondering if image projections could be done. We have two Dark Angels now. I was thinking small visions of me, in angel form, getting bullied by the two of them. But, it would all be done here to lure the army down here for slaughter. What do you think?"
"Hmm…" Horny mused at this. "It does sound…intriguing…"
"Do you think it could work?" she chuckled.
"If it was done like dreams, it might work. We'll ask your father when he comes back around. He may have some ideas," he grinned. "And I'll be close by to monitor you. Of course, it would need to be done after you give birth."
"I know that," she smiled and kissed him. "I'm talking about when we are ready to try. I wouldn't want to do anything right now."
"Good. I would have declined it," he snorted and kept a hot hand on her belly. She had stretched three inches as she slept. His offspring was definitely growing swiftly. She reclined easily on him and let him feed her. He had to make sure she was eating. He glanced up at the sight of Shade appeared before them.
"The other Keeper is defeated," the Shadow Demon chuckled.
"Good to know," Horny mused. "Oh. Tell me what you think of this…"
Shade now listened intently at Saithe's idea. He was clearly amused. "I think this can work. As long as everything is heavily monitored."
"That goes without saying," Horny growled. "And she will not be pregnant when it happens. I can't allow that. As for now, she just needs rest. And she needs more to drink. What do we have here?"
"Let's see what we can drain from the chickens," Shade grinned. As they worked on her needs, the Keeper had Possessed another Warlock and moved into the Torture Chambers. The maid was actually being ignored for now. He already had a plan for her. Her body was bruised up from the mating abuses she went through, but her eyes snapped open at the cold hand that settled on her belly.
"I see. A flaw is developing in you now. But, I do not approve of this one. Therefore, it shall be removed. I wish to try an experiment. And you shall be My first test subject. I shall return," the Keeper smirked and let the Warlock wake up in front of her. As the minion gave in to his urges quickly, the Keeper only smirked and went to find Orphek. The Dark Angel was on his way to the Temple when he felt the Keeper's aura around him. The Possession was swift, and he began a mental conversation. :I am testing something. Do not complain. I must ensure that this works properly:
"What are you planning?" Orphek was able to ask physically.
:To create an offspring with you while using another. The one in the Torture Chambers will need to be used. It must be tested.:
"I do not want to touch that heathen!" Orphek scowled.
:Do you not wish for the child of My Heart to bear you an offspring?: the Keeper chuckled softly, as he moved the Dark Angel's body. Orphek muttered. :I know how much you desire her. And this is to test. If it proves well, we can simply remove what was made. What is in this female now needs to be removed.:
"And who do you have planned to help remove it?"
:I figured that you would like that honor.: the Keeper chuckled.
"She is human. She can die. It may be best to wait and let her birth this one. We can see how long it can take with her," he said. At this news, the Keeper thought and seemed to sigh. His minion did have a point.
:I am curious, though…: the Keeper mused. :Why does the other female disgust you? I thought you would like to be properly entertained.:
"There is only one female that deserves me. And you know who that is," he grunted. The Keeper only laughed and thought again.
:My other Dark Angel has yet to meet the child of My Heart…: he started.
"No! Argef is not allowed to see her!" Orphek growled.
:Already showing possession for a female that is not yours?: he asked. The Dark Angel growled again and felt the Possession lift. He shook his head and turned to go back to the Temple. As he walked down the hallways, he found Argef walking over to him with a purpose. Then he simply walked past Orphek.
"Where are you going?" Orphek asked.
"Exploring," Argef muttered out. The other Dark Angel narrowed his eyes with suspicion and decided to follow at a safe distance. What he saw did not settle with him. Horny had just decided at that moment to take Saithe to the river. Now Argef paused with shock at Saithe's dark, perfect beauty. And Horny gave him a right hook to the jaw.
"Don't stare at my mate!" he snarled after the punch was given. Saithe just sighed, shook her head, and chuckled as he carried her off. He was still growling by the time they reached the riverbed, but he would have wished he was there to see the massive brawling fight between the two Dark Angels. Shade was enjoying it immensely, though.
"She is to be with me!" Orphek snarled.
"Says who?!" Argef snapped. The fight between them lasted for a good thirty minutes before they finally let up. At this time, Horny was watching the tail end of the fight. And, for a twist of complete fate, two Dark Knights had just walked over and caught a glimpse of Saithe. Now these two got punched and snarled at.
"Interesting," she mused. "Apparently, now that I'm with offspring, quite a few of the stronger males here are trying to vie for my affection. You know…I could use this to an advantage…"
"Oh?" he asked. She whispered softly to him, and he started laughing wickedly. He set her down carefully to let her clear her throat loudly. That got the attention of the four brawling males. Shade now appeared close by to stand watch over her.
"Since it's quite apparent that you all seek to impress me," she said in a purring tone. "I think this can be settled only one way."
"What way?" Orphek spat out some blood from an inner cut cheek.
"The Combat Pit," she smiled. "The winner will become my personal champion. My guard for when Horny is away on business matters. What do you all think?"
The four males looked at each other with small glares. Her hair was covering over her body like a black waterfall of silk, and Horny remained behind her the whole time. He didn't trust any of them. Argef mused over everything and glanced at the other three. Then he simply turned and made his way to the Combat Pit. The others scoffed at this and were quick to follow. Horny found himself cracking a grin and let Saithe climb back up to settle on his shoulders.
"I won't trust them, but…what do you plan for them to do?" Horny asked.
"Stand outside our door and play as messenger and guard," she grinned wickedly. He barked out his laughter at this. Even Shade was dying. The males had no idea. "Do you think I would honestly allow any of them to touch me? Much less to stand watch over me while inside our chamber? Please!"
"Oh, they will all get their just rewards…" Shade snickered and followed them. Even the Keeper was highly amused at this. He still wanted Orphek to win, though. He studied the others and knew they could also work, but he chose this Dark Angel in the beginning. He would ensure that this minion would win the fight.
When they got to the Combat Pit, the reason for the fight was given out. Now, much to Saithe's surprise, other monsters wanted to join the fight. Not all of it was for the thrill of fighting. Many did covet her and figured it would be noteworthy to try and become her champion. She would be studying each one intently.
She was surprised that a Bile Demon and a Goblin joined the fight. She was a touch impressed at the fighting a Dark Knight did, but she was only showing minor interest. It was what she had to do. If any slipped up, she smirked and clucked her tongue. Horny simply snorted and reached up a hand to let her sink her teeth into his wrist. She only took a few sips before healing him and stretching with contentment.
"I'm getting bored," she yawned and flicked her tail. Horny snatched her tail to tug on lightly, and he grinned at her hiss of distaste.
"Hmm…" Shade mused aloud, as he watched Orphek gain a sudden increase in strength. "I think the Keeper is helping him."
"Oh?" she frowned.
"He was falling short before. Now he's almost the last one standing. I noticed that, whenever he started to get overwhelmed, he suddenly pulled through at the last minute. In a rather miraculous way, if you ask me," Shade muttered lightly.
"I don't think I want to see the winner," Horny muttered back. "If the Keeper is favoring that one, then we already know who will win."
"True. But, I feel a touch, oh, obligated to watch. It's fun watching others beat themselves up for my amusement," she chuckled.
"You were bored just a bit ago. Now you're amused?" Horny asked.
"It's my nature now," she mumbled and yawned. She was struggling to stay awake. He felt his offspring lightly kicking the back of his neck, but he ignored it. When she yawned again, he smirked and continued to watch the fighting for her. He felt her fall asleep soon after. Shade was clearly amused now. The fighting put her to sleep.
"Do we keep watching for her?" her father asked.
"Why not?" Horny smirked. As they thought, Orphek was the last one standing. He was clearly the strongest one out of them all, but only because the Keeper was helping him. Horny gently woke up Saithe and pointed to the middle of the Pit.
"I see you lived. Fine. You can be my champion. Right now, though, all you will do is ensure no one disturbs my chamber. You will guard just outside the door. In time, you may be doing other things for me. If there is a battle, then you will fight for me. While there is nothing to be done, you will stand guard for me. If any seek audience that I have not approved of, you are to turn them away. By any means necessary," she said. Orphek seemed to pause at this. Horny was grinning widely. Shade was just laughing and had no shame to hide it.
"I'm just going to be a guard dog?!" Orphek asked with disdain.
"You wanted to be my champion. I'm sure any of them would gladly take your place," she chuckled softly. Argef was definitely showing that he would take the offer. Orphek grumbled, but he accepted the current duty. "Maybe I should put a collar on him. Do you think he would mind?"
"Don't do that," Horny grunted. "Only I belong to you."
"So…you should get a collar?" she grinned wickedly.
"Behave," he warned. She laughed softly and twitched her tail, as her wings shifted for balance. "I love you to pieces, but there are times you try my patience."
"Works both ways," she snorted. That got him to grin at her. The Keeper was watching everything from afar and calmly looked over his new domains. Even as the rival Keeper's dungeons were being taken over, he was already plotting of where to go next. Something to the West was pulling his attention there. He mused to himself and spread his awareness in that direction. It was a region filled with volcanic ash, lava, and intense volcanic eruptions. Something of power was definitely there.
He found a Warlock to Possess and went up to Shadowsbane. The massive black, undead dragon was guarding over his eggs. He recognized the Keeper right away.
"To what pleasure may I have in your appearance?" he hissed.
"A place of volcanic rock to the West calls to Me. Do you know of such a place?" the Keeper asked. Shadowsbane thought and blinked his eyes slowly.
"There are many places of volcanic regions that I knew of long ago. If you can collect for me a small sample of rock, I can recognize the scent. If it is a new place, I will tell you. This much I know I can do," the dragon nodded.
"And do tell me. How do you feel of the child of My Heart possibly having a form of offspring from Me?" the Keeper asked. At this, the dragon was a touch surprised.
"It would fully piss off the Horned Reaper. He would start to murder all around him and pull the developing offspring from his mate's body. He will not allow it to grow. Why do you wish for such a thing to happen? I mean, if it was me, I would Possess the Horned Reaper directly. It would be difficult to attempt, but, this way, it's still his offspring and not another's. And, yes, he may leave this dungeon. Such may be the cost for such a betrayal to him. But, the choice is yours. Also, I may leave with him. Saithe is the one that brought me back to life. I owe her."
"And I do understand that concern. Perhaps I can…reason with My Horned Reaper. It may be possible," the Keeper thought now. He really didn't want to lose the trust of his main muscle. "I must think on this."
"That you should," the dragon nodded and curled about the eggs with a sigh. The Keeper only nodded back and left him alone. He didn't leave the Warlock yet, though. He was deep in thought on various things. To Possess the Horned Reaper would be a feat in itself. At the same time, I would be breaking a vow. Now he had to think over if it would be worth it or not. That was the true question.