Chapter 26: Ascension (Part 4)

"To be honest I'm still pretty unsure about that myself, I spoke with what I'm assuming is the manifestation of the Counter Force - if Manaka and Ayaka's incessant beating of information into my head is any indicator - and it said that my combination of mystic eyes and True Magic are a rather...troubling pair, to say the least."

He let a hand drift across his eyebrow, marvelling at the smooth and silken texture while musing, "You were right to tell me to figure everything out for myself, you know. If you had just straight told me that I possessed a facet of the True Magic I honestly wouldn't have believed you, or understood how to make use of it."

A small shrug left the homunculus.

"I was always such a small and weak individual, imagining myself to be something as great as a Magician would have been laughable."

"While you were indeed small and weak in a literal sense there was never anything 'small and weak' about your heart, young Nanashi."

The Magus of Flowers folded his hands in his lap, commenting, "Or do you think there exist a multitude and surplus of individuals that may befriend and intertwine their fates with ones such as young Abigail and Manaka? Or see past the reputation and past actions of souls such as myself or Tiamat?"

Blushing at the frank and honest statement Nanashi mumbled, "It's not anything that impressive...I never had anyone before all of you, no offense meant but I would have probably been friends with rabid murderers if they had given me attention and companionship."

A warm chuckle left the magus as he joked, "You would be surprised at how many would consider us to be worse than these hypothetical killers, Nanashi."

He clapped his hands, more seriously intoning, "Now, there exist a multitude of subjects we need discuss, future happenings that must be planned and accounted for...your ascension, Tiamat's freeing and Abigail's new circumstances are not isolated events that have occured in a void, those that make it their business to know of such things will be sure to investigate. Unfortunately, to fully enjoy your new life you will have to continue to fight for it."

Surprised at his lack of disappointment and annoyance Nanashi merely huffed out a breath, commenting, "Can't say I'm all that shocked, really. And to be totally honest I'm kinda used to fighting for my right to live at this point. Hell, compared to those last weeks of trying to build my new body everything else seems positively quaint."

"It isn't, but I sympathize with your plight nonetheless."

The older male paused, giving him a considering look while idly contemplating, "Then again, should the four of you regain or obtain the strength I believe you are capable of wielding...perhaps you really will be as unstoppable as I believe you can be."

"That sounds like tempting fate and I'm officially done with that."

Nanashi laced his hands behind his head, unable to stop the smile that graced his lips as he felt his muscles stretch without complaint or protest, digits smoothly interlocking.

"And after the final months of hunting down materials for this body I think I kinda just expect there to be surprises and caveats to everything."

"A fitting and healthy mindset to have, when traversing the Moonlit world. But I have spoken of warnings and ill tidings aplenty, why do you not ask any and all questions you have and I shall endeavor to answer them as best I can?"

"Sounds good."

Thinking on just what, exactly, his most pressing concern was Nanashi decided that was an easy enough decision.

"Abigail, I didn't sense the Outer God itself around her, only its power. And she was running around with that third eye the entire time, is she...shit, I don't even know enough to ask the right question."

Merlin cupped his chin, musing, "I do not think it is anything negative or dangerous that has happened to little Abby, thankfully. My working theory is that when you erased the Outer God's identity from our collective perception and reality you didn't actually sever its power from little Abby...to that end she either absorbed a significant amount or all of that remaining strength and, thanks to her acclimation to its presence over the countless years, she was able to handle and direct it quite seamlessly."

Merlin actually giggled, offering Nanashi a highly amused look.

"While we will need to speak to her directly about such matters and ascertain her thoughts and experiences on the subject I am rather certain that with this latest act you heralded the birth of a new Outer God, Nanashi. One named Abigail Williams."

The homunculus blinked, intelligently responding, "Huh. Well, shit. I was just trying to save her life."

A slightly melancholy expression appeared on Merlin's features.

"Love can make people do crazy and ill-advised things, young Nanashi."

The magus quickly shook his head, remarking, "Not that I would label your actions as ill-advised in any way, shape or form, of course. In fact I daresay you have performed an incredible act for young Abby, freeing her from the contract of the Outer God she was married to and freeing her to pursue a life with some resemblance of normalcy, or at least as close to normal you all will manage."

Shifting in his seat the youth distantly replied, "I...I had no idea. Everything happened so fast that I just kinda acted on impulse, none of that was planned or anything."

"Then let us offer up thanks for your excellent instincts and move on to another topic, Abby can corroborate our theories and speculations once she has had proper time to rest and recuperate."

"Fair. Onto Tiamat, then."

Nanashi hesitated.

"Except I don't really know what to ask? Like, is her escaping her prison and walking the planet again going to be that big of a deal? She lost her powers, right? I mean, yeah, that would be the time to waste her but shouldn't it be hard to track her down because of aforementioned power loss?"

Grabbing a nearby mug of some kind of drink that Nanashi highly suspected was alcoholic in nature - his nose was sensitive enough now that he could actually smell the thing from a fair distance away - Merlin took a graceful swig, saying, "Well this just so happens to be yet another case of rather peculiar circumstances. Ones of quite dangerous import, too."

"Wonderful, I thought things were about to get boring."

Moving past Nanashi's sarcasm the Magus of Flowers continued with, "The gods had two choices when their power and influence began to wane and humanity gradually became ascendant. Reduce themselves to a lesser existence as elementals and other spirits of varying type or vacate the realm of humanity. Now there existed hundreds of variations of these two methods but we need not cover those now...what do you think their reaction will be if Tiamat's escape becomes common knowledge?"

The homunculus frowned, trying to piece together what he knew of the gods and their motives from the scattered lessons Manaka and Ayaka had given him...and promptly sighed, rubbing his forehead in annoyance.

"They're going to throw a collective bitch fit, aren't they?"

"Put succinctly, yes. The gods are capricious and willful, if one of their own may walk the realm of humans once more, regaining her original strength in the process...why should they not attempt the same?"

Huffing out a sigh of annoyance Nanashi complained, "And they'll no doubt try to come to the source to find out, huh?"

"A likely occurrence. While they may not retain their old strengths - or even their sentience - many gods will feel compelled to divine the origin of such a strange occurrence."

He paused.

"No pun intended."

"Don't worry, plenty of offense taken."

Tapping a finger on the table in agitation the youth inquired, "And what about people outside the gods? Are they gonna be up in arms about this as well?"

"Naturally. While I am less informed about the motives of individual magi and the such as a general group I feel much more knowledgeable and confident in anticipating their actions. The freeing of a god - one who was locked away because of her threat to humanity - will quite certainly make some waves. And unfortunately I doubt such factions will listen to reason or explanation."

A disappointed expression graced his features.

"To them, even the slightest possibility of Tiamat regressing to her previous attitude and behaviors does ot outweigh her freedom...in fact I daresay they would be eager to exploit her current weakness in order to study the body of a god made manifest."

Nanashi felt his fingers curl into firsts, surprised at how smooth and controlled the motion was with no audible cracking of bones or popping of joints.

"Let em' try."

Chuckling at the response Merlin tried for a more reassuring line of conversation, replying, "I would not worry overmuch quite yet. While true that an occurrence of this magnitude will eventually become common knowledge as of this moment Tiamat's prison remains, still sequestered away within the Reverse even though she no longer resides within...I doubt any will mark her freeing unless they were specifically looking for such an occurrence."

Nanashi perked, an idea forming-

-and Merlin raised his hand to forestall it, commenting, "Simply not supplying Tiamat with energy will merely delay the issue, not resolve it. Eventually her strength will return and her reduced form will return to what it once was, or her absence from the prison will become apparent."

A more friendly smile graced his features.

"So why not indulge a little~? I have it on good authority the act of mana transference is quite the memorable event~!"

Coughing awkwardly into his fist Nanashi stammered, "T-that's jumping the gun a bit, don't you think?"

"If you say so...now I hate to keep bringing up somewhat dour and dangerous news when you have achieved such a wondrous thing but how will you react to the world learning of your existence?"

He blinked, intelligently replying, "Huh?"

"You are now a Magician, aware of that fact and everything it entails. Much like with Tiamat your presence will eventually be noted, if it has not already. How do you intend to meet these requests, challenges and recruitment drives? Denizens the Moonlit world over will seek you out, from magi to apostles to countless others. And I imagine a fair few of them will have less than pure intentions in searching for your presence."

Shrugging without much in the way of concern the homunculus replied, "Yeah, I guess that makes sense...whatever, they want to come after me? Nothing's scarier than being trapped in a rotting and useless body, they can try all they want."

He felt a small, dangerous smile grace his lips.

"This body has a lot of tricks packed into it, I wonder how it will hold up to the stress of battle…"

Audibly chuckling Merlin commented, "No doubt you will receive no shortage of those who wish to test such extents. Now!"

He clapped his hands, beaming with great enthusiasm as Nanashi raised an eyebrow at the sudden exuberance.

"We need to go over one more thing, that being of your Incubus heritage courtesy of my own donations."

Immediately perking up at Merlin's words the pale-haired youth offered his undivided attention, the Magus of Flowers motioning for Nanashi to follow in his wake as the homunculus eagerly did so, the duo delving deep into Merlin's place of residence as instead of ascending the stairs they took a concealed and locked door that lead to a winding stairwell deep below the tower, sporadically lit by torches that gave off a warm and comforting glow.

"I'm almost afraid to ask, but what's down here?"

"Why, my sex dungeon of course~!"

Nanashi almost tripped, face flushing red as he sputtered, "W-w-what?! I thought you were just going to bring me to a classroom and show some diagrams or, or something, I don't know!"

Laughing at Nanashi's abrupt shyness Merlin airily explained, "But this is indeed a classroom of sorts, young Nanashi. And worry not, your lessons will be relatively tame since I have little doubt any of the more 'advanced' techniques will ruin your pure and innocent soul."

"...You're making fun of me."

"A little~!"

They finally reached the bottom of the stairwell, the younger male swallowing his nervousness and apprehension as he followed Merlin into a carpet-covered and intimately lit room, the robed man locking the door behind them and nodding in satisfaction, commenting, "There, all set. And a bit of soundproofing just to make sure we aren't heard and interrupted. I don't doubt young Manaka would approve of this, now would she~?"

Feeling his throat dry a little Nanashi mumbled, "So, umm...what are we going to be doing down here?"

He warily glanced around the room, a fairly large ensemble that could fit a hundred spaciously and was lavishly adorned, a single, large bed set in the middle and adorned with scented flowers that caused his head to swim, dressers and cabinets placed along the walls that were piled high with various memorabilia and other artifacts of a...dubious nature.

"Well obviously we are going to ensure you have proper control of the abilities brought about by the infusion of Incubus blood, was that not agreed upon? And the best way to learn is through experience~!"

So saying he opened up a cabinet, cold air spilling out and revealing to the homunculus a treasure that had him blinking in surprise.

"Merlin? Is that a-"

"A homunculus just like yourself? Why yes, she is! And I made her myself, too. While I am no great creator of bodies one with a singular purpose was easy enough to craft."

Gazing at the female who stood a fair bit shorter than his new body - the crown of her head not even coming to his nose - Nanashi blushed and had to look away, her form and clothing a bit too stimulating for his still delicate sensibilities.

Slim, athletic limbs and flat stomach, honey blonde hair that fell to her shoulders, striking emerald eyes and a dress that was more silken strips of fabric than it was conventional attire...it did bad things to his heart.

"So you made a blow up sex doll in your basement. I have no words."

"Now that is quite the hurtful statement, young Nanashi!"

"Is it any less true?"

Merlin had the balls to beam.

"Of course not. But now is the perfect opportunity for you to learn about all sorts of adult things in a real life setting before delving headfirst into the actual practice itself. Eh heh heh, headfirst…"

Ignoring Nanashi's glare as he was unimpressed by his 'humor' the Magus of Flowers gently cupped the lifeless doll's face, breathing softly into her nostrils-

-and just like that the feminine form sprang to life, blinking rapidly before settling on Merlin's face...and a beaming smile adorned the girl's expression, crossing her arms behind her back before patiently waiting for orders.

"Now, I assume you were planning on having your first time be with miss Manaka, a special night just for the two of you?"

"Well, I mean...yeah. Yeah, we were."

"Excellent! Then you should best practice on my less often used doll, her body and mannerisms will help prepare you for aforementioned time spent in each other's company and learn how to control your incubus heritage."

Nanashi blinked several times in rapid succession, quickly inquiring, "Okay, first of all what do you mean less often used doll? You have more of these?!"
An enigmatic and mildly perverted smile was his only response, the youth groaning before moving on with, "And what do you mean her body and mannerisms? I mean, yeah, it's a little sappy but I kinda wanted my first time to be with Manaka…"

Merlin shrugged, asking, "Is intercourse with an unfeeling doll really all that similar? And trust me on this, your first night will be far more pleasurable and amazing if you know what you're doing. Allow me to demonstrate."

Giving his creation a slight shove forward the slim blonde affixed Nanashi with an empty but nonetheless covetous look, the male swallowing thickly as she approached where he was rooted to the floor, erotic clothing swaying behind her as he felt a familiar twitch in his groin...except this time the twitch blossomed into burning heat, pressure and an unfamiliar flexing of his pelvis that had the male staring downwards-

-and almost choking on his own spit.

"W-wait, what the fuck?!"

"Do you perhaps see the problem now, Nanashi?"

"D-doesn't it stop growing after a little bit or something?!"

What had once been a tiny and flaccid cock with all the majesty of a newly born mole was swiftly passing twenty centimeters, still pulsing and bulging with veins of varying shades of blue adorning its length.

"Merlin, is this normal?"

Voice sounding weak even to his own ears Nanashi groaned, the blonde doll leaning forward and allowing his girth to bump against her navel and travel upwards, sliding against smooth, silky and warm skin as her arms encircled his body, the youth breathing heavily as the completely newfound sensations almost drove him over the edge.

"The heritage of an Incubus is a wondrous thing, carnal knowledge and esoteric techniques ensuring our partners are brought to the brink of unimaginable hedonism when we lay with them...but such talents require much practice and refining, as you are no doubt now experiencing."

Merlin sounded more amused than he was anything else, Nanashi awkwardly standing perfectly still as the blonde doll continued to grind her trim waist against his still growing erection.

"The empathetic and more subtle arts we can peruse at another date and opportunity, for now you must master the most basic of basics lest you rip your poor lady friends in two~!"

Finally feeling like he was no longer expanding further downstairs Nanashi dared to glance at his crotch-

-and almost collapsed right then and there, honestly a bit worried at the absurd weapon sandwiched between the two homunculi, a spear of pale and vein-covered flesh that twitched and bulged at the slightest touch, thirty-three centimeters from root to stem and at least three fingers wide.

"Oh god how do I fix this?"

A manly and not at all pathetic yelp left his throat as the blonde doll firmly grasped the erect shaft with unbelievably slim and svelte fingers, gently and leisurely pumping the fearsome length as Nanashi grit his teeth in a very enjoyable form of agony.

"We're going to be spending the next few hours ensuring you are able to control the size of your cock despite any lapses in concentration or discipline, I hesitate to imagine what would happen if you were to assume your true size while sheathed inside one of your partners...no doubt a rather awkward and uncomfortable occurrence, I imagine."

"Hate you...so much…"

Chuckling at Nanashi's growl the older male chirped, "I wonder if you will be saying so after your first night of desperate and debaucherous sex? No matter, would you be so kind as to spread your legs, my dear Arturia False?"

"...Arturia False? Wait, isn't that-"

Before Nanashi could ask if the doll was molded into the shape of one of Britain's most famous mythological figures it took a step back, his rod dropping slightly but nonetheless standing perfectly and dangerously upright...and his eyes went wide as the blonde shucked aside her sparse clothing, dainty fingers reaching low to a puffy and rounded mound, spreading wide the folds of flesh below-

Nanashi had to look away with a flushed expression, lest he do something base and instinctive.

"Now, first lesson~! Assume the proper size to enter a girl without undue discomfort."

While he was inwardly extraordinarily grateful for Merlin's aid...Nanashi nonetheless made a mental note to kick his ass for this humiliation at the first opportunity.

I wish I had the editing skills to put Merlin and Morgan's faces over that Reno 911 clip of the blow up doll birthday celebration.