::Author's Note::
This one's a bit of a transition chapter, but there's still plenty of content for everyone to enjoy. I wanted to say thank you to everyone who's been suggesting different types of monsters for Jon to fight. I've incorporated a few of those suggestions in this chapter and I hope you'll approve with how I've made them fit into the canon.
I've been getting a lot of requests for more info on Vali's Treasures. While I still don't want to spoil anything I'm willing to give you more info in private. Send me a PM if you wish to know more, I only ask you keep any spoilers I might give out of the reviews and comments sections. Just because you want to know doesn't mean everyone does.
One thing I DO want to share with everyone is my inspiration for Nashala. I introduced her in Arc Three for a very brief scene involving Matsuda but I wasn't sure if I was going to do anything substantial with her or not. But the reaction I got for her presence was overwhelmingly positive which is why I'm now giving her a much bigger role.
When I originally wrote her, I hadn't given much thought to her look or personality. I've sense extended on that considerably. While I don't want to screw with anyone's head canon for this character, I will say that I modeled her personality off of Citra from Far Cry 3. As for how she looks, her aesthetic was inspired by Casca from the Berserk series. (If Casca had pointed ears and Orc fangs, that is.) So there's a bit more info on Jon's newest prospect for the Treasure Horde.
With all that out of the way, I give you Chapter Sixteen.
::End Note::
Deep in the Lower Pits of Hell lay the Molten Hollows. A field of misery for any who dare attempt to traverse its landscape unprepared. Marked as one of the deepest crevices in the Lower Pits, this nightmarish landscape of black rock pockmarked with veins of glowing orange lava was a mixture of winding rocky passages and open cavernous landscapes. The ceiling rested miles above their heads and was composed of ash that continuously rained down upon them. This area also contained the ruins of numerous buildings and structures where Orcs and Devils alike attempted to construct bases of operation and tame the harsh environment, only to fail miserably and be swallowed up by the dangerous creatures and unforgiving, ever changing terrain.
Aside from the broad expanses of lava and dangerous beasts that awaited them within, by far the biggest hazard of this particular area was the very air they breathed. The sulphuric gases and other toxins that sprung up from the ground were so thick in this place that nothing beyond the natural wildlife could safely breath in this hellish realm. Or at least, that's what Nashala claimed. Yet despite this, she seemed less than bothered by the toxic air as she and Jon descended further and further into the Molten Hollows.
"So I get how I can breathe down here, and Hati is a Spirit so I'm not sure if he actually even needs air or not, but what's your excuse?" Jon asked as they continued their trek.
"I've lived in the Lower Pits all my life." She explained while trotting along on the back of De'Nayla, her warmount. "Our biology allows us to adapt to nearly any climate regardless of how hostile it might be." Nashala cleared her throat and spat out a clot of black ash. "Still...even my kind has trouble breathing down here. Only the strongest or most foolhardy of my species would ever venture this low." She cast a curious look his way. "Strange how you have managed to adapt to the air so quickly."
At that Jon chuckled. "Are you kidding me? I put worse shit than this in my lungs every time I light up."
Upon hearing his joke, Nashala just looked more confused. "Light up? I do not understand what you mean."
"It's a human phrase." He explained. "It means to light up a cigarette and smoke it. If I'm not bothered by these toxins it's probably because I put so many in my lungs already. My Dragon biology must have adapted to it the same way yours has."
"I am unfamiliar with most human customs." She admitted. "What are these cigarettes of which you speak?"
Jon pulled out a pack of cigarettes and showed one to her. "They're these things. You light one end and inhale the smoke they produce. It's basically one of the worst things a human can put into their body but they do it anyway."
She took the small white cylinder from him and inspected it curiously. "But why would a human wish to partake of deadly poisons in such a way? Their lungs are weak and cannot adapt as yours and mine can."
He sighed. "That is a damn good question. The short answer is, they get tricked into starting it when they're young and then can't stop. One of the chemicals in these things, a substance called Nicotine, gives humans a feeling of pleasure and stress relief."
"So...they do it because it makes them feel good...despite also making them weak?"
Jon nodded. "Essentially. Once you start, it's really hard to stop. You become addicted to it. Almost like it has a hold on you."
She considered this information for a moment. "So...it is like Redfiss."
"Beg pardon?"
"Redfiss." She spoke the word again. "In our language, it means Red Death. It's a blood red powder derived from a certain species of plant that induces a much more potent form of berserker rage in our warriors. It also brings about, as you called it, a feeling of pleasure within their bodies the more they use it." Nashala scowled sourly. "Eventually, the warrior is consumed by the bloodlust that Redfiss induces. Becoming little more than an animal. Another beast like the very creatures we hunt. We call these creatures Vashoth."
"I take it that's an insult?"
She shrugged. "Not particularly. We do not feel disdain for any beast of the Lower Pits. They are hunted for sport the same as the others. I have several Vashoth heads of my own back in my Hut. It is tradition to have them shrunken down in vats and dried to be used as charms. They are worthy prey, same as any other beast."
He chuckled at that. "You make it sound a lot more glamorous than it is in human culture. Humans don't get stronger or become wild beasts when they smoke. Eventually, it just kills them. Usually not in a very dignified way either."
"Humans are weak." She insisted bluntly. "Soft skinned and fragile things that break easily when exposed to what my kind would consider little more than a petty nuisance."
He decided not to comment on that. Instead, opting to change the subject.
"So why would anyone come down here if it's so dangerous?" He asked while pointing towards the ruins of a building off in the distance. "Doesn't seem like prime real estate material."
"There are certain ores and minerals that can be found within the depths of these caverns that are incredibly valuable to both Devils and Orcs alike." She explained. "But the beasts who make this realm their home make obtaining those deposits a perilous endeavor. Some of the most legendary weapons forged by our smiths were conceived from the ores that can be found here. The gun our First Warrior gifted to you is one such weapon."
Jon took all this information in and finally asked the big burning question on his mind.
"So what do you know about Deadeye?"
At that, she cleared her throat gruffly. "He is the Apex Predator of this domain. In our tongue he is known as Tal'Vakor, the King of Beasts. For over four thousand years he has ruled this part of the Lower Pits."
"Has anyone ever tried hunting him before?"
She shook her head. "No. There are no Orcs foolish enough to try. And any Devils who might possess the strength to defeat him cannot be bothered to do so."
So just him then. Great…
"To a beast like Tal'Vakor, there are no Hunters to fear. All he sees before him is prey."
"You almost sound like you worship him." Jon observed. "Is he one of your Loa?"
She laughed heartily at that. "He is still just a Manticore. A beast with no true will of his own beyond the need to hunt and survive. Fearsome as he might be, he is still ruled by his instincts."
That gave Jon pause. If all he was doing was hunting a wild animal, then that put this whole job into a different perspective. What right did he have to kill such an ancient creature purely for the sake of Miranda Sitri's revenge? Sure he killed her pawn but that was the result of a mistake, not malice. All Deadeye was really guilty of was killing what he thought was his next dinner.
Jon was no stranger to hunting wild beasts, but only if that hunt served a purpose. And killing Deadeye just for the sake of petty vengeance like this left an awfully bad taste in his mouth considering that snobby Fashionista was likely just gonna turn him into a rug or some shit. Ultimately though, he had to remind himself not to get too self righteous considering he'd done far worse things in his life for far more selfish reasons. This was all for the sake of getting stronger so that he could be better prepared for his confrontation with Albion. And the favor he would receive from Miranda could prove to be very lucrative for both himself and for his Peerage in the long run.
Arguing the morality of his actions was useless at this point. Jon was a Hunter, and right now Deadeye was his next prey. He would just make sure Miranda paid up appropriately once the job was done.
"So...how powerful is he exactly?"
"To fight Tal'Vakor is to a fight a nightmare become reality." She insisted. "It will not be simple teeth and claws you're up against. Your quarry has massive reserves of magical energy at his disposal as well. And though he is a beast, he knows how to use that magic to its most devastating efficiency. If he perceives you as a threat, he will not stop until you have been devoured or annihilated."
"Wonderful…" He groaned to himself.
"I do not fear your odds." She spoke plainly. "Fearsome as the great Tal'Vakor is, he is still nothing compared to you Dra'Kala."
If only Jon shared her optimism. This wasn't going to be like any opponent he'd ever faced before. He couldn't outsmart or outtalk his way out of this one. Deadeye wouldn't waste time and give him precious minutes to power up going on huge monologues as Salazar and Kokabiel had done. This beast would not stop until he was absolutely certain Jon was dead. Raw power vs raw power. The ultimate test of just how far his abilities had come.
Lucifer really did know exactly what he was doing by throwing this curveball his way.
At that moment, Jon's nose caught a whiff of something through the dense clouds of poisonous vapors. Hati must have picked up on it as well as he started growling at something off in the distance.
"We're being hunted." Nashala declared before drawing her bow. "Pack creatures. Most likely Sabretusks."
"Alright, those sound mean. Are they mean?" Jon asked while summoning his new shotgun to his side.
"All creatures of the Lower Pits are vicious and deadly things." She insisted, her eyes darting around for any sign of their Hunters. "But a pack of Sabretusks is an especially challenging adversary. We should have been more careful making the descent."
A slick smirk formed over the corner of Jon's lip. "We'll just call this a warmup."
"Is that a human expression? I'm not familiar."
He chuckled. "Basically it's the pre fight before the main event. Extra training to get us ready."
She grinned, baring her sabrelike fangs in anticipation. "I like your idea of warmups."
They braced themselves for the conflict to come. Over the crest of the two plateaus they were surrounded by, a pack of vicious looking feline creatures came into view and stared down at them. There were at least a dozen of the things, each as massive as the last. Their bodies were extremely muscular, with claws the size of tactical knives on their paws and two massive gaping fangs in their lower jaws. The absolute viciousness in their eyes belied a predator ready to maul and devour its prey.
"So these are Sabretusks huh?" Jon commented while aiming his shotgun. "Don't look that vicious to me."
"Prepare to be surprised." She replied bluntly.
Several of the Sabretusks jumped down into the chasm on opposite sides of Jon and Nashala. Cutting off any exits before getting low to the ground in a strike position. Nashala drew back on her bow and took aim while her warmount prepared to charge at her adversaries. On the opposite side, Jon began channeling raw hellfire into both barrels of his deadly new weapon while Hati got low on all fours and snarled at one of the approaching beasts.
One of the Sabretusks lunged for Nashala and the battle began. The Orc Chieftain let loose her arrow, piercing the skull of the massive beast and dropping it to the ground. The others charged their quarry. Nashala responded by whistling sharply to her warmount, who rushed into the fray to meet them head on. Two more Sabretusks made a leap for Nashala from above. She dispatched them in quick succession with two more arrows from her bow before leaping from the back of De'Nayla as the Caragor did battle with one of the Sabretusks in front of them. Upon landing on the ground, she drew her Bat'leth and prepared to do battle with the Sabretusk adjacent to the one her warbeast was fighting.
Over on the other side one of the beasts attacked Jon, who proceeded to crack off a shot from his new gun. The kick he felt was startling enough to make him stumble back slightly, not that it mattered. The round hit its mark all the same and the massive beasts head was blasted off its body.
"Holy shit this thing kicks." He marveled at the weapon for a moment whereupon he was nearly beset by another beast. Only for Hati to knock it out of the way and begin a vicious struggle for supremacy. Jon quickly charged up another shot and fired on the Sabretusk tussling with Hati, knocking it to the ground. Two more Sabretusks lunged at him from above. He quickly vanished his shotgun and summoned his two revolvers before firing on both. The shots managed to knock both aside but didn't pierce through the creature's hides. Serving more as a deterrent than a legitimately lethal weapon like his shotgun was.
No doubt about it, these things were tough.
Thinking fast he began firing rounds at both creatures to keep them at a distance. He then summoned his wings and took to the sky, switching back to his shotgun and blasting another Sabretusk's head off.
It was too soon to celebrate however. Just as it seemed like he'd gotten some ground, one of the beasts still on the plateau leapt up into the sky and knocked him back down to the ground. Thinking quickly, Jon summoned his gauntlets and began struggling on the ground with the beast. Something else he was quick to figure out was just how freaking strong these things were compared to some of the other beasts he'd fought back on Earth. There was virtually no comparison. These Sabretusks would have made mincemeat out of any Stray Devil he'd fought in times gone past.
Still, as strong as these things were, they were no match for his enhanced strength. Upon getting over the initial shock, Jon kicked the creature off of him before following up with a massive strike from his right gauntlet that sent the beast to the ground. He then grabbed it by its tusks and began spinning it around like a tornado before launching the Sabretusk high into the air. Jon summoned his shotgun and used his boost ability. The power behind the shot that followed sent a shockwave through his body, sounding more akin to a mortar shell firing off than a shotgun shell. The beast in the sky was blasted into pieces, char and gore raining down from the sky.
"Man! I have got to thank Maugra once we're back at..."
His words drifted off upon turning around to see Nashala in action. The Orc Warrior didn't look like she was fighting. It was more akin to a dance as she slid in and out of combat with multiple beasts. Her moves were so fluid, so composed. Nashala would nimbly leap over an attacking Sabretusk only to snipe another with her bow, just to switch back to that versatile bladed weapon of hers to cut her way through another adversary. If a Sabretusk pounced on her she'd simply roll through, using the creature's own momentum against it before assuming the dominant position and drawing her knife to slit its throat. She made it look effortless. And she did it all, Jon had to remind himself, with a fraction of the power he had.
She finished the last creature off with a shot from the blunderbuss attached to her hip. The gun cracked off like a cannon much like Jon's did. Blasting a massive chunk out of the last Sabretusks head. When all was said and done, a dozen massive felines lay dead upon the ground.
"We should keep moving." Nashala declared before hopping up onto De'Nayla again. "More beasts will come to feed on the carcasses."
Jon had never seen a display of skill quite like that before. Nashala wasn't just strong, she was a genius in the art of combat. The more he learned about this incredible warrior, the more he felt the Dragon's Desire calling to him.
"So much for trying to be good." He muttered to himself. "The tension here is thicker than the hides of those things."
The party at the Honor's House had officially gone off the deep end. With the ladies either tipsy from the drinking, riled up by the Loa Tablets, or both. Though Rias's Peerage hadn't partaken of much of either, they were just as agitated as the others. Which was why they'd taken it upon themselves to up the ante with their game of spin the bottle, which just wasn't cutting it anymore.
It was Rias's idea. Instead of just the two participants kissing each other, the one who spun would receive a challenge from whoever the bottle landed on. Tsubaki took it a step further and added the stipulation that, should the bottle land back on the person who spun it, that person would get to present a challenge that the entire room would have to perform.
During this time, the girls took turns recording with Rias's phone. Passing it around as each person spun the bottle and was offered a challenge. The challenges started out pretty standard at first. Nothing terribly obscene.
That was until Tsubaki managed to spin the bottle and have it land back on her. Whereupon she hit the room with a wildcard, daring everyone present to pull their pants and underwear down and flash their butts to the campus from outside the full body glass window in the room beside them. Though several of the girls needed a bit of coaxing (specifically Asia and Tomoe) everyone was just tipsy enough or riled up enough not to back down from the challenge. Which was why they all found themselves in front of the window in a line, waiting for Tsubaki's signal while she filmed them.
"And so here we are with the group challenge I just proposed to the girls." Tsubaki spoke to the camera before presenting the group of girls all lined up, who waved back at the camera, some even going so far as to blow a kiss. "Jon and Sammy, I hope you two have your eyes open because you're gonna want to see this."
"Which way should the camera be facing?" Akeno asked. "On us, or on the four guys staring at the window right now."
"Oh God, I can't believe I'm doing this." Tomoe was already completely red and they hadn't even done anything yet. Tsubasa offered a hand for support.
"Definitely on the crowd." Rias insisted, a deviant look in her eyes. "The boys will have plenty of chances to see our naked butts later. I'd rather capture our audience's reaction."
"Well then let's waste no more time." Tsubasa declared boisterously. "Ladies, assume the position and wait for my signal."
They one by one bent forward, their fingers hooked to the straps of their underwear.
"Three, two, one, GO!"
The girls hoisted their rears up in the air, pulled down their underwear, and flashed the whole world their naked butts for a full five seconds before pulling them back up and laughing like idiots. Asia meanwhile, went running back into the other room, hiding her absolutely scarlet face even as she giggled like an idiot.
"Omigod, that was so wrong!" She was absolutely mortified and yet coudn't stop laughing at herself. "I can't believe I actually just did that."
Xenovia came wandering back into the room, her face also quite red despite her more reserved demeanor. "So long as it pleases my Master I care not how lude it might have been."
"Koneko, for being such a shorty that is one curvy ass you're packing, girl." Ruruko commented as they made their way back in.
She snickered at that before wiggling her tiger's tail, whereupon Ruruko began spanking her playfully.
"I still think Momo could give me a run for my money." She admitted once they were back in the other room.
"Oh shut up, I could not!" The incredibly flustered and slightly drunk Momo insisted.
"Regardless, I think we're all in agreement." Rias raised her hand up. "All in favor of declaring Koneko and Momo honorary winners of that challenge?"
Everyone raised their hands and the two girls giggled in embarrassment.
"Alright, enough of that, back to playing." Tsubaki insisted while holding the camera up. "Asia, Darling, I believe it's your turn."
Asia took a breath and fanned her face a little to get her flustered mind back under control. Everyone took a moment to get seated the way they were before, with each girl sitting next to a girl from the opposite Peerage in a circle. Once everyone was seated, Asia spun the bottle. After spinning around a few times, it landed directly on Tomoe.
"Oooo, I like this pairing." Akeno commented with a playful giggle.
Rias nodded in agreement. "Our two biggest wallflowers in the group. So Miss Tomoe, what is it you'll have our innocent little Asia do hmm?"
"Gosh, I don't know…" Tomoe giggled in embarrassment, the Loa Tablet in her system clearly making her mind swirl. "What do you guys think?"
"Uh uh." Tsubaki shook her head vehemently. "Your challenge, your call. I wanna see what you come up with."
"Umm…" She racked her addled brain for a second trying to come up with something. "...okay...how about this. Asia, for your challenge I would like you to pick one Sitri girl and kiss them."
"That's it?" Tsubasa sounded disappointed. "Come on, you can do better than that, Hun."
"They should have to makeout for two full minutes!" Ruruko declared.
Tsubaki shushed them. "Now now, her challenge her rules."
Asia smiled and shook her head. "No no, it's okay. I'll do it. Two minutes."
At that, the Sitri Queen grinned and held up the phone. "Well the Camera's rolling sweetheart. So start whenever you're ready."
"Pick whichever one of us you think is the hottest!" Ruruko blurted out again.
Koneko swatted her on the arm playfully. "Hush up. She doesn't need that kind of pressure."
Asia looked around at the five incredibly beautiful Sitri women before finally crawling over to Momo, a heated look in her eyes.
"Wh...me?" She looked genuinely stunned, her face heating up as she became incredibly flustered. "You're picking me?"
The blonde beauty nodded softly, her own cheeks turning pink from embarrassment. "I've always thought you were incredibly beautiful, Momo. And I truly admire the aura of quiet confidence and grace you exude."
Her mouth hung open at the Gremory Bishop's words. "That's so sweet of you."
"It really is." Ruruko admitted, loving every second of this. "Now make out already!"
Momo smiled demurely at Asia before taking her by the waist. "You ready, Tsubaki?"
She nodded while holding the camera up. "We're good to go on this end."
Momo shut her eyes and leaned in to Asia, who did the same for her. The two girls met in the middle and began kissing each other. Slowly at first, but quickly picking up tempo the more heated they became. Not even a minute in and they were already twirling tongues with each other, pressing their whole bodies into it while the other girls cheered them on. By the end of the two minute mark, they thought they might have to pry the two off each other with a crowbar. Yet they stopped of their own accord all the same.
"Wow...your lips are so soft." Momo commented, clear arousal in her voice. "I'm a little jealous of Jon if I'm honest."
"Thank you." Asia replied softly, her voice just as heated as Momo's was.
"Hey!" Ruruko pouted at her.
The Sitri Bishop giggled back. "Of course you have the softest lips of them all, Love." She then stuck her tongue out at Ruru playfully.
"Ruruko, you're up." Tsubaki declared.
"All I'm saying is, if I get a makeout challenge, imma make you two look like chumps." She declared boisterously.
"I think it's good you cut her off after she dropped that last tablet into her drink." Rias murmured to her neighbor Tsubaki who nodded in agreement.
Ruruko spun the bottle whereupon it landed on her neighbor Koneko.
"Damn, so close to a group challenge." She quietly cursed in frustration.
"Oh your ass is MINE now." The Gremory Rook declared gleefully before looking around the room. "Alright...for your challenge I want you to get on all fours in the center of the circle while we each take turns spanking you once."
"Oh pssh!" Ruruko blew it off like it was no big deal before hopping down on all fours in the center of the circle and wiggling her butt teasingly at them. "Bring it on! Sammy hits harder than any of you."
Tsubaki quirked a brow at her. "That mouth is going to get you in trouble if you're not careful, young lady."
Ruruko responded by sticking her tongue out at the Sitri Queen, who removed her glasses and stood up.
"Okay, well I'll be going first." She declared to a chorus of Oooo's from the other girls.
Tsubaki proceeded to bring her hand up and then down across Ruruko's butt hard enough to cause an echo. Despite the pajamas in her way, it still sounded sharp and the way Ruru's eyes nearly bulged completely out of her head and the surprised scream that came out of her mouth let the whole room know that she had just had her ass lit on fire.
"Jesus, Tsubaki." Rias snickered at her. "Don't hurt the poor girl."
"She can handle it." Tsubaki insisted before grabbing her by the twin tails and holding her in place. "Now are you going to behave and take your punishment or do I need to take this downstairs?"
Ruruko gulped before nodding. "Y...yes...I'll behave Tsubaki."
"Sorry...what was that?"
The Sitri Pawn turned beet red. "Yes...Miss Tsubaki, I'll behave."
"Much better." Tsubaki presented Ruruko's round firm ass for the room. "Now don't hold back everyone. Let her have it."
Each girl took it in turn to spank the bemused and incredibly flustered Ruruko. The more she was hit, the more it became clear she was getting incredibly turned on from this. Try as she might to hide it. At one point, when Koneko went up to bat and really slapped the fire out of her, Ruruko's eyes nearly rolled into the back of her head and the crotch of her pajamas became visibly damp.
"She's still exploring but…" Tsubaki began stroking Ruruko's hair gently. "...our little Ruru is quite the Masochist. Aren't you pet?"
"Y...yes Miss Tsubaki." She responded obediently, having become aroused enough to enter subspace.
Her Mistress nodded approvingly. "Now are you going to calm down and behave like I've asked you to?"
"Yes, Miss Tsubaki."
"Awww, you're such a good little slut aren't you?" Tsubaki pet her cheek for a moment.
"Yes, Miss Tsubaki, I'm a good little slut." Ruruko declared, her tongue almost sticking out for how heated she had become.
"Now go sit down." She ordered.
Ruruko crawled back to her spot. Visibly fidgeting in place. Clearly desiring something she knew she was going to have to wait for.
Akeno giggled at the display. "My, you certainly have her trained well."
Tsubaki adjusted her glasses before speaking. "Sona is her real Mistress. I just keep them in line when she's not around."
"Them?" Rias asked while looking around at the other girls.
The Sitri Queen casually glanced over to Momo who turned her head away and blushed fiercely.
"You too?" Akeno grinned wickedly at the Bishop.
"Oh my…" Asia placed a hand up to her lips.
"Care to share with the class?" Rias asked playfully.
"Actually, I'd prefer to show you." Tsubaki insisted. "But...we can discuss that a little later. For now, let's play."
Rias nodded before turning to Koneko. "I believe it's your turn, Hun."
The Gremory Rook spun the bottle, whereupon it landed on Asia.
"Oh now THIS should be interesting." Akeno leaned forward on her hand and gave Asia a sultry grin. "What will you have Koneko do, I wonder?"
Asia frowned thoughtfully while looking at the ground for a moment before looking Koneko in the eyes. "Koneko...I want you...to kiss me…"
Ruruko rolled her eyes. "Boring…"
"...in your true form." She finished.
Koneko went wide eyed with shock, her mouth hanging open.
"Everyone here knows." Asia insisted, a loving smile forming on her face. "And I think the real you is so beautiful. I hate that you feel the need to hide it from us." Her eyes began to glass over. "So please...kiss me as the real you. As a Nekomata."
Her bottom lip began to quiver as the emotion overwhelmed the Gremory Rook. After a moment, Koneko unzipped her onsie and leapt out of it, her tail and ears springing free as she pounced on all fours into Asia's awaiting arms, now in nothing but her underwear.
"Nyan! I love you so much, Asia!" Koneko snuggled into her lovingly, her tail swishing happily in the air.
Asia giggled at her. "I love you too, Koneko. Please stay like this for me. Whenever we're not in public, I want to see the true form of the woman I love."
Koneko answered by kissing her lips fiercely, her tail lifting up in the air as they shared a tender moment together. The girls around them all smiled happily for the two, allowing them to take as much time as they needed before Koneko crawled back over to her spot and happily curled like a feline, a content purr escaping her lips.
"Glad to have you with us for real, Koneko." Tsubaki declared. "It's been too long since I've seen that beautiful tail of yours."
"Thank you." She declared, her ears twitching at the compliment. "Tsubasa, I believe you're nyext."
Tsubasa approached the bottle and gave it a spin. Whereupon it landed on Akeno.
"Oh shit…" She muttered to herself before breaking eye contact with the ORC's most infamous sadist.
The Gremory Queen giggled at her before placing a hand up to her cheek, that coy little look she would always get whenever her sadistic side was about to come out very prominent on her face. "Oh don't worry, Silly Girl, I'll go easy on you."
"I don't believe that for one second." Tsubaki insisted.
Again, Akeno snickered before placing a finger against her chin in thought. "Let's see...Tsubasa, I want you to…" An idea started forming and her grin widened. "...choose one of the Gremory Girls…"
"To makeout with?" Tsubasa guessed.
She shook her head. "To lick whipped cream off of."
"Fuck." Tsubasa chuckled while trying to hide her embarrassment. "Should have known I wasn't getting off that easy."
The other girls all snickered at her devilishly. Tsubaki proceeded to grab the can of whipped cream they'd taken from the kitchen and toss it to her.
"Alright, go ahead and pick." She insisted, still holding the camera up to record everything for their Dragons.
Tsubasa took the can before looking around at the five incredibly beautiful Gremory ladies. After a moment of thought she turned to Tomoe.
"Who do you think I should pick?"
"Wh..why are you asking me?" She insisted, sounding slightly flustered. "I don't have a clue."
"Don't overthink it." Rias spoke gently. "Just choose whoever you want."
"Well…" Tsubasa finally locked eyes with the President of the ORC. "In that case, I think I'll choose you, Lady Gremory."
At that, Rias seemed slightly surprised, her cheeks flushing pink. "O...oh."
Akeno laughed audibly. "Good choice." She then extended her palm out to Tsubasa. "Now give me the can and I'll mark her for you."
"Oh good Lord, Akeno." Asia was about to rebuke her when Koneko intervened.
"Nyo nyo, this'll be good." She insisted, her ears twitching with excitement. "Let her do her thing."
Tsubasa tossed the can to Akeno who then crawled over to Rias before popping the top off. "Alright Rias, shirt off."
Rias bit her lower lip thoughtfully at her queen before unbuttoning Jon's shirt and throwing it aside. Revealing she wasn't wearing a bra.
"Oooo, all natural Rias?" Tsubaki grinned at her wickedly. "How risque of you."
She rolled her eyes. "It was Akeno's idea if you must know."
"Mmmm, I don't think you're in any position to complain Ms. President." Akeno whispered sultrily into her ear, causing Rias to gulp.
Rias's Queen proceeded to have Rias lay down and spread her legs before spraying a dollop of whipped cream on both of her nipples and then one more just below her navel and above her panty line. Tsubaki continued to record as Akeno beckoned Tsubasa over with one finger.
"Alright, Love, she's all yours."
Tsubasa gingerly approached a very aroused Rias while staring down at the President of the ORC's gorgeous body.
"Are you sure about this, Lady Rias?" She asked nervously to which the redhead simply bit her knuckle and nodded. "Okay then…"
Tsubasa knelt down over her and tucked her bangs behind her ear.
"I hope you're getting this, Tsubaki. Because the boys will want to see it for sure."
She leaned forward and began licking Rias's right nipple clean. The redheaded beauty responded positively to her touch, arching her back and pumping her chest up while quietly moaning in pleasure. The more Rias got into it, the more Tsubasa did as well. As it was, she cleaned Rias's left nipple far more vigorously while the other girls egged her on, going so far as to finish by swirling her tongue around Rias's left areola.
"How's that feel, Rias Love?" Akeno asked in a sultry tone.
"Mmmm." She responded with more pleased moans, her face flushed in clear arousal.
Tsubasa proceeded to slowly move her way down to the spot above Rias's panty line. "I've always admired your body Lady Rias." She commented, two lusty eyes on the ORC President as she proceeded to lick up the cream located on her lower belly. Rias's breath hitched and her panties became damp as Tsubasa licked her completely clean.
When all was said and done, Rias was a flustered, turned on mess. Tsubasa wasn't fairing much better.
Akeno snickered at them. "Alright, you two. Settle down. It's Xenovia's turn next."
Once Tsubasa was back in position Xenovia spun the bottle. Whereupon it landed on Tsubaki.
"So...your fate is in my hands, is it?"
"It...would seem so." Xenovia replied nervously.
"Well since you're still new I'll go easy on you this time." Tsubaki assured, whereupon she grabbed the half empty bottle of vodka they'd gone through. "For your challenge, I want you to let me do a body shot off those gorgeous breasts of yours."
Akeno perked up in intrigue before grabbing a bottle of whiskey. "Oooo, can I get in on this action?"
"Absolutely. The more the merrier." Tsubaki insisted flirtatiously. "Momo, Ruruko? A hand please?"
Ruruko giggled. "More like two hands for those things."
"Your bust is something else, Xenovia. That's for sure." Momo complimented.
"Th...thank you." Xenovia turned completely red as Akeno proceeded to pull her nighty over her head and unhook the front of her bra, releasing her Triple D breasts from their confines. Tsubaki and Akeno proceeded to pass their spirit of choice off to Momo and Ruru before kneeling down under Xenovia.
"Are you ready?" Tsubaki asked.
Akeno nodded before looking up at Xenovia. "Remember to press them together for us, Hun."
The Holy Sword User did as instructed, bringing her hands up to push her breasts together while shutting her eyes and turning her flustered gaze away. Tsubaki gave the word, and Momo and Ruruko proceeded to pour the liquor over the swell of Xenovia's mounds. Akeno and Tsubaki then began to lap up the alcohol as it ran over her breasts, while the bemused Knight moaned indignantly.
"I love your piercings, Girl." Ruruko complimented in a flirty tone.
"Those blue sapphires are so pretty." Momo added while holding the phone up to catch the whole experience.
Xenovia was too heated to respond. Tsubaki and Akeno were now letting the alcohol pour down her belly past her navel where they took turns lapping it up near her panty line.
Finally, they stopped. Whereupon Momo and Ruruko cleaned up what remained with their tongues. Xenovia's mind was in a haze and her panties were visibly damp from what the girls had done to her.
"She's a good little thing, isn't she?" Tsubaki commented in a sultry tone.
Akeno nodded in agreement. "Oh, she absolutely is."
The two Queens kissed much to everyone's surprise. Whereupon they all got back into position.
"Your turn, Tomoe."
The Sitri Knight spun the bottle, squirming nervously while Tsubasa quietly chanted come on, come on, come on. Sure enough it landed right on her to which the Sitri Rook celebrated excitedly.
"Oh hell yes! Now we're talking." She clapped her hands excitedly before looking around the room. "Now let's see...whose face am I going to get you to sit on?"
"Tsubasa!" Tomoe protested indignantly, sounding slightly frantic.
She snickered devilishly at her. "I warned you didn't I? I've always wanted to see what your O-face looks like when I'm eating you out."
Tomoe whined, turning completely scarlet. "But you've already seen me...orgasm. Why is this any different?"
A wicked little idea suddenly popped into Rias's head. She crawled over to Tsubasa and whispered something into her ear.
"Really? You're sure?" She replied, sounding slightly surprised.
Rias nodded, a devious grin on her face. "Trust me, it'll be worth it."
"What will be worth it, Rias?" Koneko asked curiously.
Akeno giggled quietly. "I know what she's up to."
Tsubasa proceeded to point directly at Asia. "Alright, here's your challenge. I want you to sit on Asia's face while she eats you out."
Asia peeped in surprise before heating up like a thermometer. "R...R...R...Rias! What did you tell her?"
"Oh I just told the truth." She insisted teasingly. "That you're by far the best when it comes to giving women head."
Koneko nodded in agreement. "It's true. I go cross eyed whenever you do it to me."
"Is that true, Akeno?" Tsubaki asked, a hint of amusement in her voice.
"Oh absolutely." She groaned in pleasure at the thought. "I don't know what her technique is, but when it comes to eating pussy she has us all beat by a mile."
Asia whined in embarrassment before hiding her face in her hands. "You guuuuuys, quit picking on me."
They all giggled at her good spiritedly.
"Oh sweetie, we promise we don't mean anything by it." Rias assured.
"It's a compliment, Love." Akeno assured. "You've got some real talent in the tongue department."
"Well what are we waiting for?" Tsubaki asked. "I wanna see this talent of hers with my own eyes."
"Are you really okay with me doing this, Tsubasa?" Tomoe asked timidly, clearly still a little shy.
She nodded. "I'll be holding your hands and looking you right in the eye the whole time, my Love."
That sent her heart aflutter. "O...okay."
"Asia, I'll hold your hand if you want." Rias offered. "Since I put you on the spot and all."
She smiled lovingly at Rias and nodded. "I'd like that. Thank you."
"Okay ladies, we're rolling." Tsubaki declared while holding up the phone. "Tomoe, try and face the camera when you pull those down, Love."
Tomoe was halfway through bending down to slide her panties off when Tsubaki stopped her. She gulped back her reservations and turned so that her ass was facing the phone before bending down and sliding off her underwear. Asia, meanwhile, slipped out of her nighty and layed on the ground while Rias took her by the hand. Tsubasa then guided the timid Tomoe over to Asia.
"Anything to say to the camera, Love?"
Tomoe clasped her hands up to her cheeks, beyond embarrassed yet smiling all the same. "I hope you're watching me, Sammy. This is for you and Tsubasa."
The Sitri Knight took Tsubasa by the hand before promptly sitting down on Asia's face.
"Just relax, Tomoe." Rias spoke gently. "Let Asia do all the work."
Her face was still burning from embarrassment but she otherwise nodded. A jolt suddenly hit her being as electricity surged through her body. Tomoe arched her back, the breath leaving her lungs as if she'd just been dipped in ice cold water. She started moaning soon after that, her hips instinctively moving on their own.
"How's it feel, Love?" Rias spoke in a sultry tone. "Isn't my Bishop talented?"
"Y...yes…" She moaned in response, her embarrassment quickly turning into pleasure as the sensation began to overwhelm her.
"God, you should see your face right now." Tsubasa insisted, equal parts amused and aroused. "And here I thought I look funny when I'm about to cum."
"D...don't...tease me...Tsu...TsubaHah!" Her eyes went wide as something quickly began to build deep within her. "B...but...already?! H...how is she-"
Tsubasa interrupted her with a kiss. Tomoe relaxed into her lips, shutting her eyes and losing herself in the moment as she grinded against Asia's face. The Knight suddenly pulled away as the sensation became too much. Her eyes shut tight while her volume increased in decibel.
"Mmm, are you about to cum for me, Baby?" Tsubasa cooed into Tomoe's ear. "Do it. Don't hold back."
"Haaaaaah!" Tomoe's back arched and her head craned backwards as she sprayed a clear white liquid all over Asia's breasts.
"Holy shit, you made her squirt." Tsubasa looked genuinely shocked. "I've never been able to get her to do that before."
Rias nodded in agreement while Tomoe panted for breath. "I told you our darling Asia is talented."
"I'm a little salty, honestly." Tsubasa admitted with her cheeks puffed out. "I didn't think you'd enjoy it THAT much."
"Sorry...Tsubasa." Tomoe responded, still catching her breath.
She smiled at her reassuringly. "I'm mostly just teasing you, Babe." Tsubasa leaned forward and whispered in her ear. "Besides, we both know your ass already belongs to me."
Tomoe made an indignant noise before suddenly becoming wet again. Rias, meanwhile, helped poor Asia up.
"Guys...my head is getting all fuzzy again." The Bishop declared, her face visibly heated.
"Mine too…" Koneko admitted, starting to sweat a little despite being only in her underwear.
Akeno and Rias cast knowing looks with one another.
"Akeno, I believe you're next."
"Oooo, goodie." The Gremory Queen proceeded to spin the bottle, whereupon it landed back on her.
"Annnnd, we're fucked." Koneko joked.
The whole group laughed at her little jibe.
"I'll keep it simple this time." She assured. "I challenge each of you to divulge the naughtiest thing you've ever done with your Dragon." Akeno turned to her neighbor. "Starting with you Momo."
"Well…I'd have to say the time Ruruko and I had sex with Sammy in public at the Halloween Party was pretty naughty."
Ruruko nodded in agreement. "Yep! Definitely the naughtiest the three of us have ever gotten together."
"What about you, Rias?"
"I've had sex with Jon in the middle of class a couple of times." Rias admitted. "Does that count?"
Akeno nodded in agreement. "Tsubaki?"
"Oh that one's easy." She answered casually. "Sona took Sammy and me to a BDSM club that was pretty kinky even by our standards. I ended up on stage tied into a hanging harness while they took turns double teaming me."
"God, I can't imagine." Rias shook her head.
"It didn't help matters that Sona, being the sadist she is, was using the most ungodly large strapon she could find. I pride myself on being able to take a lot but even I was walking funny after that one."
"Asia? You're up."
She blushed almost immediately before turning to Koneko. "Definitely the Halloween party for us. We didn't have sex in public but Koneko and I still wound up naked in front of A LOT of people. I'd never done something like that before."
Koneko nodded in agreement. "Me neither."
"Ruruko?"
"Oh jeez…" She covered her face and giggled in embarrassment. "...I don't want to say mine."
"Oh come on! Just say it." Rias insisted.
"Well…okay. The last time I visited my family, I introduced Sammy to them as my boyfriend…"
"Wait…don't tell me you two fucked in your parents home." Tsubasa gawked at her in disbelief.
She nodded meekly. "In my childhood bed while they were asleep. At one point I heard Dad get up to pee and Sammy...didn't stop. He just clasped a hand over my mouth to keep me from getting too loud and kept going."
"Oh fuck, that's HOT." Rias groaned, clearly turned on.
She nodded in agreement. "I couldn't believe he did it but that was easily the best orgasm I've ever had. Even if it did feel a little dirty."
"Hey, you didn't get caught. So nyo harm nyo foul." Koneko insisted.
Ruru giggled at that. "True." She then turned to Tsubasa. "What about you, Girl?"
She shrugged. "Meh, we haven't really gotten that naughty yet." She then added with a teasing grin. "Not compared to some of you freaks, anyway."
They all laughed at her.
"Tomoe and I are still exploring with him." She explained. "We JUST got comfortable having sex together and…" Tsubasa smiled sweetly at Tomoe. "...I've been exploring my Dominant side with her."
Tomoe blushed fiercely and turned her head away. "I've always admired her strength. And...when we make love, I feel safe whenever she's in control."
Akeno sighed wistfully while placing a hand up to her chest. "Absolutely beautiful." With a wicked grin she then turned to Xenovia. "Which just leaves you, my Pet."
Xenovia cast her gaze away. "You...know the story as well as I do, Mistress. You were there after all."
She chuckled sadistically at her. "Yes. But I want to hear it from your lips regardless." Akeno then pointed to the camera in Tsubaki's hand. "Remember, your Master is watching."
Her heart began to race again. Try as she might to resist, this constant teasing only proved to rile her up even more.
"It was at a Bondage Party like the one Tsubaki mentioned. My Master...tied Mistress Akeno and myself to this...what did you call it?"
"A spanish donkey." Akeno answered. "Padded, of course. But the wedge still cut in nice and deep. He had us straddling the thing back to back with our hands tied behind our backs to one another."
Xenovia nodded. "Our feet too. I couldn't move, I was...completely nude." Her breathing became labored and sweat started to accumulate on her brow. "So many people could see us...and every time that thing rocked...it dug in...down there even more."
Akeno's playful grin only widened. "I can see how turned on you're getting right now."
"We all can." Tsubaki added.
"Perhaps…" Xenovia admitted. "I'm not sure why...but whenever I feel the Divine One's gaze upon me, I don't care how degrading the act might be. If anything, I enjoy it all the more. Knowing his eyes are ever present."
"Mmm. I know that feeling all too well." A surge of something hit Akeno like a jolt of electricity. She clasped a hand over her underwear while biting down on the knuckle of her other hand before shooting Rias a desperate look.
Her President nodded in agreement. They were about to have another flair up.
"Momo. It's your turn." Tsubaki declared.
Momo gingerly took the bottle in her hand and gave it a spin. After going round a few times it finally landed on Xenovia.
"Huh…" Tsubaki seemed to be at somewhat at a loss for words. "...well that's an interesting pair up."
"Go ahead, Xenovia." Momo encouraged with a friendly smile. "Give me a challenge."
Xenovia frowned in embarrassment. "I have no idea what to challenge you with. I'm sorry."
"Pst." Tsubasa nudged Xenovia before whispering something into her ear.
"Huh?" She responded in confusion.
Momo narrowed her eyes at Tsubasa suspiciously. "Wait...what is she telling you?"
Tsubasa snickered devilishly. "Just trust me. It'll be a great challenge."
Xenovia blinked several times in perplexment before turning to Momo. "Umm...I challenge you to...let me run an ice cube down your back?"
The Sitri Bishop turned white as a ghost, her mouth dropping to the floor. "Y...y...y...y...y..you told her about THAT?!"
Tsubaki burst into sadistic laughter. "Oh excellent choice, Tsubasa. I had completely forgotten about that."
"Me too!" Ruruko giggled hysterically. "You guys are gonna LOVE this."
Momo crossed her arms and pouted, looking slightly hurt. "I can't believe you guys gave away my biggest weakness like that."
"I'm sorry, what is this?" Rias asked curiously.
"Momo has a specific thing about ice cubes." Ruruko explained. "Specifically running one down her spine to the small of her back."
"Okay, I've got to see this." Akeno insisted.
"You heard the lady, Momo. Off with the onesie."
Momo continued to quietly pout while unzipping her onesie and pulling it off her shoulders, exposing her back. Tsubaki, meanwhile, took an ice cube out of her empty cup and offered it to Xenovia before unhooking the Bishop's bra.
Once she was ready, Tsubaki and Ruruko held the befuddled girl down.
"Alright, Xenovia, do it."
Xenovia gingerly placed the ice cube on her spine, starting at the shoulder blades. Momo immediately jolted, a high pitched squeal that sounded almost like the trill of a bird escaping her lips as her eyes proceeded to nearly roll into the back of her head. Confused, but otherwise intrigued, Xenovia proceeded to slide the ice cube down her back, causing it to arch. Momo's voice only went higher and higher as she slowly worked the cube of ice down to her lower back.
Upon making contact with the small of Momo's backside, the overstimulated girl's mewling came to a dead stop as she silently came hard. Her legs buckling until at last Tsubaki and Ruruko let her go. Giggling like idiots at her expense while poor Momo collapsed to the ground.
"Now what do we say whenever someone makes us cum?" Tsubaki lectured.
"Thank you...Xenovia." Momo quietly replied, her tongue hanging out over so slightly.
As the turn passed to Rias, she looked around at the sea of overstimulated and over frustrated young ladies. Each of them was now half naked and most had soaked their panties through with their own desires. They needed release lest things truly spiral completely out of control, and there was only one way she could think of to get everyone on the same page without drawing too much attention to her Peerage's behavior.
Upon spinning the bottle, Rias used just enough magic to avoid being caught. Making it land back on her. All eyes turned to the ORC President on what their group challenge would be.
"Okay…" Rias spoke, her voice heated. "...it's time to really give our Dragon's something worth watching."
Akeno immediately grinned with excitement.
"I challenge ALL of us...to one night in Sona's Dungeon."
Jon was quickly starting to learn that the Sabretusks, fearsome as they are, were far from the nastiest thing the Molten Hollows had to offer him. Hellish beasts of all manner of shapes and sizes dotted the landscape, each looking to make a snack out of the intruders that had come wandering into their territory.
They faced against nightmares such as the Skin Wolves. Twisted abominations brought into existence after a failed experiment by the Fallen. These lycanthrope predecessors were one of the first attempts by the Grigori to create loyal monsters to serve under them. Though they bear no loyalty to any but their monstrous appetites they still possessed a great deal of strength as well as a savage and feral disposition that put even the fiercest Alpha Werewolves to shame.
Then there were the Wyverns. Or as Nashala liked to put it, the Draka's bastard offspring. A distant offshoot of the Dragon Race, Wyverns were cannibalistic predators of opportunity not above eating carrion. Which, along with their other filthy habits, made them one of the most foul smelling creatures in the Underworld. They came into being as the result of inbreeding within certain sects of the Dragon Flights, and were little more than grotesque abominations driven purely by animalistic impulse. As Jon's guide explained it, Wyverns were beasts through and through, possessing none of the noble qualities of their Dragon Ancestors. They swapped pride for arrogance and nobility for cruelty. Becoming little more than a mockery of the proud line from whence they were born.
Despite their short stature and relatively simple minded disposition, the Squigs of the Lower Pits represented a rather daunting obstacle in their own right. Which mostly came down to the sheer numbers of them. A carrion species by nature, Squigs represented one of the simplest forms of life the Lower Pits had to offer. As Nashala explained it, Squigs have been known to exhibit two behaviors and two behaviors only. Eating anything edible that is nearby, then moving on to find something else to eat. Though a carrion species, Squigs were just as capable of taking down live prey if they formed a big enough swarm. Jon equated them to essentially land piranha, thrown into a feeding frenzy at the first sign of food, and possessing a complete lack of self preservation or environmental awareness.
It had been a long time since Jon felt this...exposed, for lack of a better word. His time in the Lower Pits was reminding him an awful lot of his life as a Hunter for the Church. Those formative years where every threat he faced posed genuine danger, and the possibility of death lurked around every corner. These beasts were in many ways similar to the more transcendent terrors he encountered as a human. The same animalistic instincts, the same predatory demeanor.
The same breed of monster, only bigger.
What really surprised him was his guide during all this. During their journey Nashala never once displayed a single ounce of fear or reservation when going up against the Hellish Creatures that lurked in the Molten Hollows. Every creature she faced she did so without hesitation. Displaying a level of grace and strength in equal parts on the field of battle that was as beautiful as it was intimidating to behold.
She truly was magnificent. And try as he might to hide it, he knew she was aware of the way he was looking at her. But if she had any opinions on the matter she kept them firmly to herself. Remaining a blank slate of emotion throughout their journey.
It was arduous and fraught with peril but at last they had made it. After climbing one of the steep cliff sides overlooking a large expanse, they could see their destination off in the distance. The cave of Deadeye. It looked more like a gaping chasm leading into the abyss, but Nashala assured him it was a cave.
Deciding to take a break, Nashala set up a small camp for them before hunting down and killing a large beast she called a Tuskgor. The hideous thing looked like a combination of a boar and a ram whose face was covered in malformed tusks. Upon throwing the dead creature upon the ground she knelt down and pulled out her knife. Nashala carved her way into the beast's belly and extracted its heart. After performing a small ceremony she consumed the heart in its entirety completely raw. She then drained the creature's blood into a flask and downed it.
With her ritual done, she got to work cutting the primest choices of meat that the beast could offer before setting them over a volcanic vent with a spit she created from the creature's bones. The rest of the carcass was given to De'Nayla while she prepared the meat for consumption.
"Hard to believe this is how you live every day." Jom commented, quietly admiring her from a distance.
"Life for the Orcish Race is hard and violent." She spoke plainly while slowly spitroasting the meat. "But our lives have meaning. They have purpose. Orcs are not born into this world searching for the answers to some indiscernible truth about the world. They are bred to perform a singular task." She pulled the meat off the fire and checked it. "There is...comfort in this."
He nodded in understanding. "I get it. It wasn't that different for me not too long ago." Jon chuckled and looked around. "I mean...it wasn't nearly this intense, but the feeling was the same."
"Back when you were a Hunter for the worshippers of the Bright Lords?"
"Yeah…" He became lost in thought. "...life was simpler back then. I wouldn't say it was necessarily better, just...easier."
After finishing the meat, she snapped the spit in half and offered part of it to him. Jon took the meat gratefully before tossing a choice hunk to his familiar Hati who caught it in the air and began gnawing on it gratefully. With his Familiar fed, Jon took a bite of the meat. Finding himself genuinely surprised by the level of flavor.
"Not bad." He admitted.
She nodded gratefully. "You honor me, Dra'Kala."
They ate in silence for a moment until at last Nashala's curiosity got the better of her.
"What was it like?"
"Hmm?" He looked up from his meat.
"Living amongst human Hunters."
He considered her question thoughtfully for a moment, finally setting his meat aside. "I'm sure they wouldn't seem remarkable to you given how you live, but the Hunters I grew up with were some of the bravest men and women I had ever known."
"I cannot see a human being a very capable Hunter." She admitted bluntly. "What made them so strong?"
Jon chuckled at that. "I never said they were. The Hunters of the Church were just ordinary humans after all. No, it wasn't because they were necessarily strong physically, it was the strength of their spirits I found to be so inspiring."
She narrowed her eyes at him curiously. "The strength of their...spirits?"
He nodded. "Hunters of the Order didn't fight for any reason beyond protecting other Humans. At least...that's how my Chapter operated."
"But how are they chosen?"
He blew a breath through pursed lips. "Some didn't. A lot of Hunters were orphans raised by the Church. Others were volunteers who had encountered supernatural forces. They weren't born to be warriors like Orcs are. They trained to become them out of necessity."
"And there are many 'Chapters' of these Human Hunters?"
"At least one in every country where Catholicism can be found." He admitted. "Other religious sects have their own Orders as well, but the Saintly Knights of Michael are the most organized and well funded."
"And they all worship the same Skygod?"
"In their own way." He explained. "Each Chapter was different. Though they all answered to the Vatican, they tended to be pretty self sufficient and self reliant. My Chapter was more...lax with our traditions than others."
"I see…" She considered this information for a moment. "What was your first hunt like?"
"Terrifying." Jon assured. "It wasn't like any hunt you've probably been on. We didn't use guns or knives or any other kind of conventional weapons."
"You were hunting a spirit." She surmised.
He nodded. "A ghost, specifically. The dead spirit of a human woman who haunted her family home after drowning her kids in the tub and killing herself."
"Why would she do this?"
He shrugged. "According to local legend she snapped after finding out her husband had been cheating on her."
"Cheating?" She asked for clarification.
"It means he was having sex with a woman other than her."
She shrugged indifferently. "Why does that matter?"
"Well…" He cleared his throat awkwardly. "...in most human cultures it's considered an extremely bad practice to have relations with anyone other than your mate."
"But what if you have multiple mates?" She challenged.
"Yeah...Humans don't really do that." He scratched his head awkwardly. "Not very successfully anyway."
"So it is illegal to take on multiple mates?" She just sounded more confused. "How then do you ensure that only the strongest and healthiest genes are spread throughout the population?"
"You don't." He admitted. "Humans see the act of acquiring a mate as more than just breeding strong children. It's hard to explain, but what that man did is considered to be incredibly dishonorable by their standards."
"Bah." She made a gruff sounding noise. "Human mating rituals make absolutely no sense to me. If the male is without honor then the Chieftain of his Tribe should simply behead him. That is the simplest solution."
"Yeah it...ain't that simple unfortunately." He admitted awkwardly.
"Killing the children in such a manner would not redeem any lost honor." She insisted.
"It didn't." He replied glumly. "That woman cursed herself by doing what she did. Binding her spirit to the house for eternity. An angry spectre who prayed on any soul unfortunate enough to step foot in there."
"So you hunted this spirit?"
He nodded. "I was only twelve years old. Still a kid. But I remember just how terrifying the experience was."
"All Children must taste fear in order to learn how to overcome it." She assured.
"Well I definitely tasted fear that night." Jon continued. "Normally a ghost is a relatively easy thing to kill. That's why they usually send new or more inexperienced Hunters after them. All you have to do is salt the deceased humans body and burn the corpse." He shook his head at the memory. "But we weren't that lucky this time. The spirit's body had already been cremated before we figured out what we were dealing with. Which meant our only option was an Exorcism."
"That is...some sort of magic ritual, yes?"
He nodded. "Something like that. Though the Catholics might argue about it being magic. Essentially, they use Divine Power to purge the spirit from existence."
She scoffed again. "Orcs need no such intervention."
Jon chuckled at her. "Well it sure helped us that time. This thing threw me around like a ragdoll." He chuckled at one particular memory. "Father Kyle was chanting in Latin while I kept it at bay with Rock Salt. At one point a dresser came flying towards us and nearly crushed me against the wall...it was nuts."
"And did you kill it?"
He nodded. "We did. Purged the spirit from the house then burned it to the ground for good measure." Jon smiled as a brighter memory bubbled to the surface. "Father Kyle took me out for ice cream as a reward after that." His smile faltered as worry etched into his eyes. "Such an encounter seems trivial now...but it felt so monumental at the time." He sighed glumly. "I just can't help but wonder if that life I lead will only serve to hold me back."
They sat in silence for a moment.
"I believe humans are weak." She spoke candidly. "But...I've seen their potential to become strong."
He raised his head up in intrigue at her words.
"Mah'Tsuda showed great strength and resolve. Even for a White Skin. That is why my people bestowed the Tat upon him." Nashala continued. "The human race may be weak, but the potential to become greater is there."
"How do you know?"
She smiled at him. "Because we were the same. A long time ago." Nashala gazed into the glowing magma vent as she spoke, a distant look in her eyes. "Back before we became the Orcish People, we were Goblins. A diminutive, tiny, and puny race. We avoided contact with Humans because we feared them, as we did most other creatures that were bigger than us. Our lifespans were short and our way of life harsh and very brief. We made our homes around tree roots, and mossy damp areas of the forests of the Old Lands. We hunted in packs for survival, scavenged what we could to keep ourselves alive. But we were a species on the verge of extinction. Destined to pass into history, and then myth."
"Nashala…"
"But the Great Devil Lucifer saw the potential in our doomed little species." She continued. "For within our bodies lay the key to unlocking untold power and strength. He knew that if we were given a chance to fight for our existence, that we would become strong."
"What lay within your bodies that Lucifer saw?" Jon asked curiously.
"He saw...our Genes. I believe that is the word you use for it." She spoke the word as if it were still foreign to her. "Our blood, as we call it, gave us the potential to become stronger than any other creature born on Earth. Our bodies were made to adapt to any environment we encountered. If we were burned, our skin became thicker, if our bones broke, they were restored far tougher than before. These traits were passed on to our young, ensuring the survival of our species." A proud grin formed on her lips. "Lucifer saw the potential within our blood, and thus he gave us a test. Survive in one of the harshest lands in all the Three Realms, and our species would thrive as conquerors and warriors."
Nashala looked up towards the sky as ash rained down upon them.
"And that is what we have become. Though the journey was long, and many of us fell, those that survived adapted and grew stronger, taller, and powerful. Now? Now we thrive in our new home as a new species. A better species." She cast her gaze back to Jon. "I've seen Humanity's potential to do the very same with my own two eyes."
Her words struck him to his very core.
"Maybe that is why you are the way you are now, Dra'Kala." Nashala offered. "Despite the nature of your birth, you've overcome each obstacle placed in your path and adapted. You grow stronger, not because you crave power and control, but out of a necessity for survival." She smiled at him. "We are...kin in that regard."
A tense silence filled the air.
"I...want to help you grow stronger. So that one day, I might prove myself worthy of-"
Her words were cut off by the distant howling of a massive beast. All four members of the group turned towards the sound.
"He's here..."
Jon narrowed his eyes and flared black smoke from his nostrils.
"Deadeye."