Chapter 38: In death, there is comfort.
The Underworld.
...
Hel watched the world unfolds. Many souls of the deceased emerged endlessly from the lands of the living, both human and mamono, came into the underworld to seek comfort after their terrible deaths that had already awaited them. Most of them were killed and butchered by both the strange monsters from another realm. All of them could not revive back to life nor reincarnate in the afterlife because of one reason; she sensed that something is exposing her to the amounts of sins that weighed the souls of the dead mamono and their husbands, despite she has seen them having no ill intent in the realm of the living to convert human lands into a demon realm, she knew they wanted to spread the love of the Demon Lord for all of Humanity to accept her image of a peaceful paradise.
Strangely enough, why? Why do they never get a second chance and what grants them eternal rest? The souls of monsters and their husbands wanted to see the afterlife they've sought; the eternal heaven of pleasures and comfort. Not the visions of grisly, cold, and dark afterlife.
"Our Goddess... the souls... somewhere out there are... resting." Hel heard a banshee approaching behind her. "Someone... is leading them to find comfort in the dark."
The Goddess of Life and Death raised her brow in question. Someone? She is sure that not one soul wanted to have eternal rest and find comfort in the dark afterlife. That idea was abandoned long ago. Shortly after, Lilith became the Demon Lord and accepted her ideal world of peace. Hel knew the spirits were pleased by her current version of the afterlife, which the pleasurable comfort she gave them was otherworldly rather than sleeping in the dark. She tries to track down this person, but alas, it was for nought. Hel is infuriated that her visions are not giving her answers and only she receives were blank.
Whoever this person is comforting the souls in the dark, should be judged and she knew that her role as the Goddess of Life and Death is that the afterlife itself is not eternal darkness but a paradise full of love and only the joys of pleasures triumphs over the grim reality of death in pure darkness itself.
The Goddess raised her hand, then points her index finger to a peculiar banshee and called her forth.
"Omisha... come forth."
A single banshee walked out from the rest and kneels in front of Hel.
"What is your wish, O' Beloved Goddess?" Omisha asked.
"You must go to the land of the living..." Hel said in an authoritative tone before pointing her fingers up. "And seek for this mysterious individual. This person is granting the souls of monsters and their husbands to their eternal rest."
"I see... Then I shall accept this quest." Omisha then bowed in response. "I shall depart shortly, your grace."
...
Dragonia, Mountain Ranges.
...
"Ornstein... dear."
Ornstein stood at the edge of the cliffs, observing a striking familiar city from the distance. No matter how that place is covered by the fog, the Dragonslayer knew that feeling as if his old home had come to follow him in the new world as well. But his senses caught something strange is that it is not the same city he once knew, as if it were just a mere illusion.
Behind that fog, that city, the once home of the gods... has been long abandoned. Ornstein slowly turns his head around and looks down at his wife. Alissa looks up to her husband, in concern to know why his attention was getting out of touch.
"Can you please explain what are we supposed to do here in Dragonia?" Alissa asked while raising her eyebrow. "I thought you usually avoid going to this place?"
"I know... but something is not right..." Ornstein replied with a low growl in his voice, his eyes still aimed towards the city behind the fog. "I felt it... it has drawn me here... to see the home I once loved."
"I cannot believe the city would appear here. In the midst of the land of dragons." To her right, Ledo came beside her while placing his weapon on his right shoulder. "... Behind that fog is Anor Londo. I can see such familiar towers from here and I know such buildings very well."
Ornstein then grips his spear before raising it, directing it at the city. "Then... let's see this place what it has to say for my... homecoming."
...
The Dungeon City of Anor Londo.
...
"So this must be the tower, just like what Gough said about," Wilmarina said as she looks up at the tower, before turning her attention to a door. "Right, then we have to get in."
Elt nodded before he went for the door and pulls a knob, but to his dismay. The door doesn't seem to budge until words materialised out from thin air before the incubus reads it out loud.
["Cannot open from this side."]
"Oh... looks like we have to find another way in," Elt said with a frustrated sigh and turns to Wilmarina. "Uh, dear? You can fly, right?"
"You forgot my left wing is still broken," Wilmarina responded with a deadpan expression before pointing her finger towards an open elevator. "At least, we can take that one."
"But why can't you just pull the doors open?" He asked in confusion. "You're a succubus, and your strength should come in handy."
"I can, but the doorknobs in this place are not like the normals ones I've used to barge it open," Wilmarina answered, grumbled in frustration. "I feel some magic had weakened my strength to an ordinary human... Ugh, I'm really starting to hate this place."
After her cussing, the couple went inside the elevator and stepped on the contraption of the platform, yet to their confusion. The access doesn't seem to budge until another ghastly sign appeared right in front of their faces, once they read it. They couldn't help but reel back in dismay.
["Locked by some contraption"]
"ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?!" Wilmarina yelled out loud in rage as she tries to punch the sign out, but her fists only met empty air. "THIS IS BULLSHIT! LIKE SOME SICK JOKE THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH!"
"M-Mary! Please, stay quiet!" Elt hushed to his succubus' wife to calm her down while looking back at the open entrance in worry. "You might alert the knights!"
"AAAAARRRGH!" His wife cried out while she couldn't handle the frustration. Wilmarina kneeled down on the floor in defeat and pitifully punched the contraption in despair. "WHY!? WHY DOES THIS PLACE LIKE TO FUCK US UP?!"
Elt stood speechless to see her broken down as if her sanity had finally left her mind. They have spent have a day getting to the tower to meet the crossbreeds which Gough told them and their hours-long trek getting there is treacherous, filled with silver knights from every corner and horrible winged demons that appeared from the skies. The incubus couldn't help but let out a deep sigh and pulls out the demoralised succubus from the elevator. Elt looks around to make sure there are no signs of enemies were present before looking around for another way into the tower until he caught another open entrance. Elt then gently pulls up Wilmarina on her feet and went for the third entrance.
"This way, maybe this place can lead us to the top!"
Once the couple went through, Elt stopped and looked up. He saw spiral stairways and bridges leading up to the tower and he can clearly see a door from far below. However, the area they went in is filled with patrolling hollowed soldiers, silver knights, and golden giants. Also, he saw a couple of giant steel boars wandering around the second bridge. From the entrance, the couple can see many corpses of dragon knights and lizardmen strewn around the place.
Elt soon felt a shudder coming from his wife. Wilmarina is shaking with terror and hopelessness as tears rolled down her cheeks before she broke down a sob.
"H-hey! Wilmarina, what's wrong?!" He asked worriedly.
"I hate this place already and it really wants to kill us both!... I can't stand this!" Wilmarina sobbed. "I wished I hadn't heard about the rumours of this dungeon in the first place! UUWAAAaaaahh~!"
While the succubus continued to cry in misery, her husband knelt down by her side and give his wife a comfortable hug.
"Don't worry, we'll get through this...!" Elt spoke up determinately. "Stick close to me and don't go away."
...
Dragonia, Main Capital.
...
After meeting with Queen Deonora, the name of the next dungeon that the group was heading for left Ash speechless. The Silver-Blue Knight couldn't believe that this quest will be extremely difficult than he imagined. They were going to explore a place that is none other than the City of Anor Londo, the abandoned place where all the Lords have lived since the Age of Fire. Back in his past life, he remembers the city is hard to traverse; a place is built like a maze, a death trap to those who seek their desired goals. There were a lot of traps and hidden access to secret areas, but he cannot forget the foreboding threat that lurks in that place.
He knew the city was teeming with a lot of bloodthirsty hollows; golden giants, winged demons, painting guardians, and, of course... the dreadful Silver Knights and their Greatbow variants that stood at the buttresses in every corner of the buildings.
"Did I hear that right...? Anor Londo?"
"Wasn't that the city that our Great-Great-Grandfather has been passing down the tales to us?"
"But why here...? I thought that was supposed to be in the mystical lands of Lordran, right?"
Arcturus, Elaine, and Gerome were left surprised and confused about hearing the name of their next destination. Sasha remembers the name that mentioned Lordran, which Ash spoke weeks ago about his adventures along with the orphans. Then, of course, she knew the Greatwolf Sif also came from the same place which he calls himself a self-declared knight of Anor Londo.
"Say, Ash, you said this from a couple of weeks ago that you've gone to Lordran, right?" Sasha asked curiously. "So... you might have known about that place."
For a few moments, Ash slowly nods while silently responded. "... Yes, that place is not for beginners. Especially, not for heroes who don't know what they're up against."
"So... what kind of enemies we're up against?" Sasha questioned in wonder. "Do you have any clues, Ash?"
"Well... several; Silver Knights, Golden Giants and Winged Demons," Ash answered while Sasha felt her own core trembled when she heard those names which might not sound good. "But there might be some other kinds of hollows in that dungeon city."
The companionship was led by Lythia all across the sky harbour before reaching towards a certain airship. It was a massive ship made of wood and steel. Demon Realm cannons were also present at the broadside and the ship is manned by incubi sailors. Knights from the Dragon Knight Order were also present on top of the ship's deck and some dragon and a pair of wurms waved their hand towards Lythia.
"Hey! Lythia!" The dragon guide perked up her ears and looks up to meet her friends. "The ship will be departing at any moment!"
"Oh, right! You guys need to make sure you're all ready!" Lythia speaks up to the companionship before Ash raised a thumbs up. "Good! Then off we go~!"
Once Ash and his group went up the bridge, Elain gave Sasha and Olivier a pair of Divine Blessings in case of attempted monsterisation coming from unusual demonic mana.
"Just in case!" Elaine smile while doing a mocking salute. Both Sasha and Olivier thanked the orc before walking up the bridge.
Meanwhile, Sif was wrapped up by straps before being pulled up by the crane, Elen covered her mouth to prevent her from laughing while the greatwolf felt discomfort, even being watched by nearby bystanders where people at the harbour and sailors were curiously staring at the greatwolf with surprise and awe. Once the companionship boarded, two cloaked figures entered the ship and showed their medallions to the security and let them pass through.
"Vermut... do you think that this is a good idea?"
"I'm sure of it, they must've known about Wilmarina and her husband's whereabouts," Vermut answered before turning to the blonde vampire. "They have gone missing for the past few days and Druella sends us an order to find them and now, it seems we finally found our only clue about them... are these guys."
"Ugh... I hate my life when our mission involves the friends of the Silver-Blue Knight." Luciana groaned in dissatisfaction while crossing her arms until her eyes spot a familiar face. "Speaking of which... isn't that Olivier?"
Vermut turned her attention until her eyes widened in disbelief. She saw Olivier was leaning on the ship's railing along with another robed individual.
"No way... her scent, that must be her and... she's human again!" Vermut gasped out in disbelief before her eyes turned to the robed figure. She sure knows the familiar scent which emitted from that person. "And that other scent... it must be..."
"Sasha Fullmoon, she's here as well!" Luciana's voice trembled before her heart stopped immediately once an aura of death washed over the two. 'What the... my breathing just... stopped?"
'Just what is this perception of death coming from?' Vermut felt her sweat rolled down her skin until her realisation hits her through the head. 'Wait... this feeling... no way... this guy can't be here too!'
The former imperial guard and the knight of lescatie swore themselves that their senses also caught something else nearby, something that shouldn't be here. The succubuses slowly turn around while their cloak was still on and saw another individual leaning against the wall. But to their confusion, instead of meeting the dreadful Silver-Blue Knight, all they saw was a tall, bulky knight minding his own business.
"Oh... that's someone else."
The succubuses spoke out loud with their deadpanned expression until their voices caught the knight's attention before expressing surprise behind his helmet. Luciana and Vermut were nervously waving their hands to greet the passenger in a friendly manner before they walked past him. Both of them sighed in relieving sensation.
"Whew, to think of it. I thought we're about to meet Ash Cyrus and just die off on the ship."
"Y-Yeah... the moment I've felt it like we're both going to die in no time."
After the two succubus knights walked past him and left the scene. Little did they know that the Silver-Blue Knight in disguise was now fully aware that the monsters of the Dark Ice Flower were involved in their quest. But what were they doing here in the first place?
'I'd better keep an eye on them and inform everyone about this.'
...
"What? Luciana and Vermut are on this ship!?" Olivier spoke out loud in disbelief before grabbing Ash by his shoulders. "Where are they now?!"
"Hold on your horses, your outspoken voice might get their attention," Ash said cautiously to Olivier before turning to Sasha. "Is someone out there?"
Sasha opened the door of their cabin room and takes a small peek to see if there was anyone lurking. Once she detects no one through her senses, the priestess breathes out in relief before closing the door shut.
"No one's outside," Sasha said before taking a nearby seat. "At least we're safe from eavesdropping."
"Right... I'm sure as hell those succubi's know that you two were here." Ash said while cupping his chin in worry before looking up to Sasha. "The worst-case scenario if we come back to Dragonia's capital. Then those two will inform the Red Queen of your real identity."
"If Sasha's identity is exposed... then..." Thus, a horrible realisation hits Olivier in the head before expressing her dreadful expression. "The Radical Faction will come over to Dragonia and apprehend her in no time and without question."
"Then.. why don't we just capture them and turn them back to humans?" Sasha asked the two with a shrug. "I'm sure they won't notice about us being here."
"Right. But first, we need a quick interrogation on those two while using Elen." Ash agreed to her suggestion as he points out. "Then we'll turn them back to once they were."
"What a good plan! Then that'll work out!" Olivier said with a brightened expression with a clap of her hands. "I'd say, with those Purging Stones and Blessings you guys have, can definitely turn the tables around in our favour."
Ash then nods to Olivier at her assumption before heading outside the room. "Alright, now let's get moving and make sure those two shouldn't suspect us."
...
*Clack!*
"Alright, no one's stalking us," Ash said quietly as he opened the door before making a hand sign at the two women to make sure the coast is clear.
Sasha and Olivier nods and followed the Black Iron Knight through the ship's cabin. While their footsteps were silent, the priestess and the musketeer knew well that monster girls have keen senses to track their mana. Therefore, they should need to take action in one quick swoop before they would even notice or needed a person such as Ash himself since the monsters couldn't catch his scent.
However, the scent of his armour will also catch their attention and needed to be cautious when approaching a mamono.
"My~ You look so very handsome~" Ash stopped and raised his hand before Sasha and Olivier stood close to him. The Silver-Blue Knight then peeks out from the corner. "Tell me your name, honey boy~"
His eyes raised in mild surprise to see the blonde succubus, Luciana, is flirting with Reginald while his girlfriend is nowhere in sight. The son of Farron stood dumbfounded after a succubus just called out for him.
"The name's Reginald." He replied casually before turning himself to her in question. "So who are you and what do you want?"
Luciana knew this was the same guy who stood beside Ash Cyrus through the magic mirror during their battle at the Fallen Tower. The exact same clothes he wore, and she hadn't seen his true face until now. Luciana has got to admit that he was indeed handsome to behold without his bandana and his metallic cone-shaped headwear. Despite the succubus knew he is an enemy to the demon lord and an ally to Ash Cyrus, her desires for this man grew suddenly at an alarming rate.
'By the demon lord~! I really want this man~' Luciana blushed as her body fidgets while her succubus tail swings in joy and excitement. 'I want to ravish him... so badly~'
While Luciana looks up to him as her heart throbbed in heat, Reginald felt in his senses and knew that this woman has feelings for him. If Daniella were here, she wouldn't allow such forbidden love to tear her heart apart and she will turn into something that might be as worse as Elen. Thus, he waved his hand in rejection.
"Sorry, but I'm taken."
"Lies~! I don't believe you~" Luciana sang in a sultry voice as she gently embraced her arms around him. "You don't have the scent of someone else, right~? Now come, and experience the pleasures from a Knight of the Dark Ice Flower~"
'The Dark Ice Flower? Is she one of those screw-looses from Lescatie?' Reginald's mind spoke up in utter surprise before looking up to see Ash, Sasha, and Olivier were sneaking up behind her. 'Speaking of which...'
Unbeknownst to Luciana, Ash cautiously approached the succubus from behind and raised his wooden club before slamming it on top of her head out cold, and she fell unconscious to the ground. Reginald and Ash look down as the paralyzed succubus letting out a painful groan.
"Thanks, Ash."
"You're very much welcome."
...
"Where is she?"
Vermut is sitting patiently on her wooden chair while looking out from the ship's windows. Watching the clouds and the mountains as the ship sailed through, but her only concern was Luciana. Her fellow succubus said she had found a man she likes from an hour ago and then... she didn't come back. Vermut swore she could've gone to one of Ash's companions and end up getting killed. The former Imperial Guard Knight knew this and they have already seen how they killed the mamono without mercy.
Luckily, they only met Ash Cyrus himself at the Fallen Tower and not his companions and that large sword-wielding wolf. If they knew who they were and affiliated with; then chances of survival are null. In one very bad scenario, she could imagine there was Olivier, and she knew who they were. They'd better keep up their disguise and plan for their attack to make them monsters again before escaping the ship.
"Why do I have a bad feeling...?" Vermut then spoke up in a worried tone and prayed for her comrade's safety. "Luciana... please, come back..."
Little did she know... that their secrets were about to reveal.
*Knock!**Knock!*
"Huh?... Luciana?" Vermut then perked up from her thoughts and went for the door. "I'm coming!"
Vermut then opens the door and expressed her smile, expecting to see her friend coming back. But instead of seeing the same blonde peppy succubus she knew, they were met by a couple of Knights of the Sunlight before an Orc brought up her axe.
"Excuse me, kind madam~," Elaine said in a playful tone with an innocent smile on her face that reeks of death. "Would you like to have a moment to talk and praise the sun?"
"You have to come with us," Gerome said while groaning indirectly at his sister's deadly behaviour. "We got your friend, red-handed."
Vermut, while still expressing her joyful expression, went pale as sweat rolled down through her face in shaking realisation.
'Wait... how the hell did they know we're here?!'
...
... 45 Minutes earlier...
...
"PLEASE! PLEASE NO! WE DIDN'T MEAN TO BOARD THIS SHIP ON PURPOSE!"
Luciana cried in desperation while being surrounded by Ash and his companions. Sasha and Olivier reeled back in discomfort to see the former Imperial Guard Knight screamed out for mercy and tries to get out from the Geisteel chains which restrained her down on the floor. While at the same time, Daniella stared down at the succubus with daggers in her eyes.
She couldn't believe that this woman, a knight from the Dark Ice Flower, was trying to seduce her boyfriend, hence he was already taken. But is this truly what love is for the Radical Faction?
"I can't believe you would try to take my love away from me." The dhampir glowered at Luciana with a cold tone. "If you Knights of the Dark Ice Flower promoted love and understanding... then what has gone into you to sway my boyfriend?"
"I-I didn't know! H-He doesn't have your scent!" Luciana cried out as she tries to apologise to the dhampir. "Please, believe me! I didn't know!"
Daniella can sense that she was telling the truth. She looks up at her boyfriend for a moment and into her disbelief; he doesn't have her scent, despite how many times they've kissed each other. Then is this the reason why the mamono throughout the capital are giving lustful looks towards Reginald? Many bad thoughts then crossed her mind to see her love being taken away until Daniella hugged Reginald tightly to never let him go. In much to his surprise and Elen.
"Alright, putting that drama aside... Elen, your turn." Junayd said while pointing his thumb towards the other dhampir.
Elen then smiled wickedly at the disheartened succubus. "With pleasure~"
"W-w-what are you going to do?" Luciana trembles before Elen exposed her neck. "Hiiiieeeeek~!"
"Don't worry, I'll just suck out some of your blood for a bit," Elen said before preparing her fangs. "Now hold still."
At this moment, Luciana raised her eyebrow in confusion. "Suck out my blood? What do you mean by that-AAAAAAHHHH!"
The succubus then screamed in terror when Elen jabbed her fangs at the right section of the neck. Luciana thought the bite of a blood-sucking mamono such as the dhampir isn't painful, but she stood wrong. The pain was immense and unbearable. Her body was shaking erratically and out of control while trying to free herself from this hellish pain. After Elen gulped down some of Luciana's blood, her eyes dilate and her consciousness was pulled out from reality.
...
"Luciana, Vermut. I order you two to find Wilmarina and her husband in Dragonia."
Elen heard a familiar voice and then turns around to see Luciana and the other succubus, also known as Vermut. Both were kneeling down to someone and, to her surprise, she saw her... Elen didn't forget the ugly bitch she had met several weeks prior.
"Two days have passed and they should've been at home by now. I have a bad feeling about their well-being and bring them back here in Lescatie... Is that understood?"
"Yes, your highness."
Both of them replied without question before leaving the throne halls. Elen watched them leave for a while until the vision changed from the royal throne room to a familiar scene where at the time where they were at the sky harbour. Then she saw them noticing Sif and the others. Heck, she can even see herself in Luciana's memories.
Vermute points her finger at the companionship. "Look, are those...!"
"Y-Yeah! It's them!" Luciana gasped in realisation. "They're the allies of Ash Cyrus!... could they be responsible for Wilmarina's disappearance?"
"I'm not sure if this mission of ours is a coincidence," Vermut said while looking dreadful before her eyes steeled in determination. "We must sneak on them and hear more about their whereabouts."
The two succubi's put their cloaks on before heading for the ship.
"I'll send a message to our backup," Vermut informed Luciana while sending a message through her portable magic mirror. "Then ensure our mission should go without failure."
Thus, the memory began to fade and Elen's consciousness was pulling out from the semi-realistic vision of Luciana's memories and returned to reality.
...
"Agh... ah!... hah..."
Elen looks down at the dishevelled Luciana. The poor succubus was panting from her screaming and left in tears after experiencing the sheer pain she never had, and her eyes were blank. Void of life, as if it was begging itself to end her own misery.
"Please... n-no more... I'm -b-begging you." Luciana pleaded for mercy. "I will do what you want... p-please... don't kill me."
"Elen, can you please step aside?" Elen turns to her right and stepped back before Olivier knelt down to the succubus. Thus greeting her with a smile. "Hey... Luciana, it's been a while."
"O-... Olivier...? Why? Why did you become human again?" Luciana stuttered out while sulking down from the musketeer in horror, realising Olivier's intention. "No... NO! I don't want to suffer anymore! I don't want to turn back to human again!"
"Luciana, even you as a monster, you're suffering too," Olivier said while looking down with sadness in her eyes until she brought up a purging stone from her pouch. "It's time to wake up... I just want to see you back again."
"No... No!... NO! NO! PUT THAT THING AWAY FROM ME! DRUELLA! WILMARINA! VERMUT, HELP ME!" Luciana tries to free herself from the shackles, but it was futile. Olivier then gently pressed the purging stone right in the middle of her chest until Luciana let out a scream while her body glows as heat ravaged her soul and steam escaped her body. "PLEASE, STOP IT! I BEG YOU! STOP IT NOW! NOOOO~!"
While in tears, her fruitless attempt to escape is inevitable. Her life as a succubus came to an end and Luciana then only see the world went white before darkness took over her vision.
...
... Present time...
"This can't be happening..." Vermut was horrified while staring down at Luciana, who's sleeping soundly on the bed. "You... turned her back to human."
"It's better for her than knowing nothing," Olivier said with a nod, trying to reason the succubus. "I bet it's your turn to wake up, Vermut."
Vermut stood shaken until her eyes darts across the room and saw the bulky knight who has the same face as the Silver-Blue Knight. The succubus then narrowed her eyes in a glare while clenching her fists. She wanted to punch him rather than to ravage the Astoran's virginity, yet her wrists were being held down by Elaine.
"You... YOU MONSTER!" Vermut screamed in fury at Ash. "BRING HER BACK!"
"... You can do it now, Sasha." Ash ordered before Sasha nodded.
Upon hearing his words, Vermut attempted a scream for help, but Elaine immediately her mouth before Sasha pulls out the purging stone from her pouch. Vermut squirmed helplessly in tears while shaking off the orc's clutches that restrained her, not even her succubus tail could do any help as the whipping can only do little-to-no injuries until she felt the stone was pressed against her back and felt the ravaging heat coursing inside her before her body glows bright, blinding almost everyone in the room.
Once it died down, Vermut's appearance turned human again. Her blueish silver hair turns back to blonde and her devilish red eyes to deep blue. Thus, her usual lascivious succubus outfit was turned into a pure white Leanne dress. The former succubus then fell flat to the ground, unconscious.
"Whew! Well then, looks like we've demonsterised another one." Elaine said while wiping the sweat from her forehead. "Looks like we got three down and..."
"Probably more than hundreds and thousands to go." Arcturus finished with a nervous chuckle and a shrug. "I'm not sure how many women got monsterised in Lescatie. But it's like an entire army of them."
"You're not wrong there." Junayd clarified while pointing out before looking back down at the two unconscious women. "So... what to do with them now?"
"We'd better wait till they woke up," Reginald suggests while raising his hand. "And better explain the current situation."
...
Meanwhile, in Anor Londo.
...
"Hah! Hah! Hah!... Come on, Mary! We're almost there!"
Elt and Wilmarina ran fast on their feet while heading for the elevator. After going through the treacherous areas that are teeming with dangerous dungeon monsters, the couple managed to find the secret lever to unlock the elevator's mechanism before fleeing. Yet their chase attracted some nearby silver knights.
Once they got inside, the contraption on the floor was pressed and the mechanism began to work and the doors were shut tight before the Silver Knight would raise a sword at the monster couple. Both Wilmarina and Elt were panting heavily and in relief that they manage to get through a risky way to find the hidden levers to unlock their way up to meet the rumoured crossbreeds at the tower.
"Thank the demon lord, it's over." Wilmarina breathed out in exhaustion. "I nearly peed myself."
"Yeah... at least fighting them through is worth it," Elt said while nursing the bruises and wounds across his body. "Heh... I'm really tough alright. We can probably survive this!"
"Mhm~! Yes~ You are indeed brave~!" Wilmarina smiled at her lover as her cheeks flushed with red. She had to admit that Elt was indeed the bravest man than any incubi's knights who showed their bravado ever known. "Once we get back home... we'll continue our playtime for never-ending hours~"
Elt couldn't help but agreed. They're monsters, after all, and their astounding efforts to get through this dangerous dungeon will mean that their reward for endless love will be amazing than ever until the elevator reached the upper floor. They stepped out and came upon a large door. Once the Hero Succubus pry it open, a message appears before her very eyes.
["Locked by some contraption."]
Her heart stood still and her eyes went blank. Her fists were shaking in rage before Wilmarina slammed the door to vent out her anger.
"This can't be!... This is bullshit...!" Wilmarina hissed with fury in her eyes. "I CAN'T BELIEVE WE WENT THROUGH A HELLHOLE FOR THIS-"
"Uh hey, Mary. I found some key." Wilmarina stopped screaming before turning around to see Elt, bringing up a key from an open chest while expressing his unamused expression to his wife. "Can you just chill out, will you?"
Elt brought up the keys and unlocked the doors. When they opened it aside; the two felt the temperature just dropped and a chilly wind had just brushed against their bare skins. Normally, monsters wouldn't feel cold, but this icy chill is something that isn't natural and Wilmarina knew that this sort of magic is not of this world.
"H-Hello?" Elt called out after entering through. "Is somebody here? We need help!"
The incubus tries to call out but no reply. When Wilmarina entered through, the doors slowly shut behind her, leaving her surprised until a tall, giant female humanoid appeared out of nowhere. Wilmarina can see the pure white colour of her "dress" and the appearance of this woman alone looks like a dragon mamono. But she had never seen a mamono that is four meters tall and since do dragon tails can grow fur?
"Who art thee?" The being spoke in a firm tone, making the incubi and the succubus freeze on their feet. "What comes thee to our tower?"
"Sorry for intruding on your place!" Elt apologised in a quite panicked state. "W-We... we just want to find our way out!"
"Hmm... thou art strange... thee art human, but thy scent is... something." The crossbreed speaks curiously while looking down at Elt before turning to Wilmarina. "And thou... art even strange. I hast never seen the likes of thee."
"I-I... um... I'm Elt and over here is Wilmarina, my wife." Elt introduces himself and his lover to the crossbreed. "We are not here to harm you... We need directions, can you please tell us your name?"
"My name?... Humm... I am uncertain whether I trust thee." The crossbreed looks down at them, sceptically. "I am Priscilla, the inhabitants call me the mistress of Ariamis."
"Priscilla?... do we have new visitors?" Wilmarina and Elt stood in surprise to hear another voice and turned their attention to another crossbreed, who is also taller than an average man, but not as tall as Priscilla. "Oh? Who art thee and what art thy names?"
"This, thee, is Yorshka. Like me, we're crossbreeds." Priscilla said before looking back to their visitors. "We art a race, a mix between the Dragons and the Lords."
'Wait... I thought dragons were extinct according to Gough's tale... except.' Thus, upon her realisation, Wilmarina then asked a question while raising her hand up. "Is your father... by any means, Seathe the Scaleless?"
"My father? Oh, thoust mean him... Yes, I remember him when I was young." Priscilla said while looking down in sadness. "My mother, who art a goddess of Sin, placed me in the painting to protect me from the dangers of other gods.. for one reason, they feared me. Yet in this strange world, it seems they all left."
"Wait.. your father is a... dragon...? I mean, that's a "He", right?" Elt spoke up in surprise while the crossbreed looks at the incubus in confusion. "And your mother is a goddess too? Then you must be some demigod, some sort!"
"And you said you lived in a painting, right?" Wilmarina asked curiously. "Then how did you appear here?"
"I... hast no clue," Priscilla answered. "I have been in this place for a long time."
"Then what about you?" Elt asked while pointing at Yorshka.
"I was imprisoned on the tower by Aldritch until the Ashen One freed me. But I remained there." Yorshka answered truthfully. "I was praying after the loss of my elder brother, Gwyndolin... that is until the darkness swept over the lands and awoken me here. Me and Priscilla liveth in 'tis tower for a long time."
Elt then asked. "So... how long was it?"
"Probably... almost a decade," Priscilla answered honestly. "So thee desire to go out of this city?"
Once Elt and Wilmarina heard her, both nodded with no questions asked and Priscilla was pleased and judging by the looks on their faces; the couple wanted to get out from the hellhole.
"I see... then follow me."
...
Buffer Regions, Lordran family residence.
...
Alto-Eris is currently doing the laundry while being careful not to rip off the clothes due to her claws. While her fiance is currently going out fishing, she noticed a couple of winged figures descending from the skies and saw two familiar faces. Both of them shared their relieving looks once they saw Alto-Eris.
"ALLTTIIII~!"
Alto-Eris knew those voices, and they belonged to none other than Leia and Shirtiya. They cried out in unison before landing on the soft ground before both of them tackled Black Dragon to the ground with a hug.
"Alti~! We've been looking all over the place for you~!" Shirtiya cried out.
"What were you even thinking, Alti?!" Leia added as her tears rolled down her cheeks in a comedic way. "This mission that we got sent by the queen almost got me killed! So don't run away again~!"
"H-hey, guys! It's alright, so calm down. I'm fine!" Alto-Eris calmed the two dragon knights down before pointing her thumb towards the wooden cabin. "Look~! I just found myself a new home!"
"Oh?... wait, since when?!" Leia raised her eyes in surprise in question before her realisation. "And... hold on, you're even wearing in a plain white dress! Alti, did something happen to you?"
The two dragons waited for her to answer until the black dragon blushed while looking down in embarrassment. "W-well you see... I-"
"Alti?"
Alto-Eris then perked up to hear his voice calling out for her. She turns around and saw Artor waving his hand at her before she smiled back. The two dragons were confused to see Alti is expressing her heartwarming feelings for that unknown man before the black dragon stood up.
"Come, I would like you to introduce my fiance." Once she said this, the two dragon knights fell silent. "His name is Artor. He's very tall and not some brute, so just be gentle with him~!"
Upon hearing his name, Shirtiya and Leia were even paler than before, until sweat rolled down through their skin. Both of them knew that name before and Leia knew that man is the son of Dragonslayer Ornstein, who had kicked her near to death's door. Since when did this uncanny couple get together? Meanwhile, Alto-Eris knew that revealing Artor's origins would cause a panic, and she was sure no one knew about him except his father. So it wouldn't be a problem to tell them his name, right?
Leia began silently uttering her words. "... w-... w-what?"
"Oh, also... I and my future husband were having children." Alto-Eris then smiled in joy. "Don't you two find that great?"
When she announced her pregnancy, the two dragons then had their looks of disbelief once they looked down at her groin and noticed the bulge that is present on her belly. As they brought in their senses to confirm it; she was indeed pregnant, as the dragon egg within her is currently developing. However, their senses caught that Alti's future children weren't dragons in much to their disbelief.
The two dragon knights remain silent for a while, and Alto-Eris is confused by their reactions until both breath in and thus yelling out.
"YOU WHAT?!"
...
Kingdom of Gaul, Viola Region.
...
Omisha swore it was here. Shortly after her departure from the Underworld and entered the world of the living, she heard a faint melody that rang across from the horizon. The banshee knew it wasn't far and followed the trail of the mysterious, serene melody that was probably sung by a woman. Omisha has the tracks to follow the song until she saw faint trails of deceased souls emerging from the skies. She can see how many there were and there are millions upon millions of souls that are heading to a single place that is on top of the mountains.
Thus then, two souls appeared out of nowhere; a human male and a werecat mamono wandered through the rocky path, heading in their direction where the song draws them.
"Where are you two... going?" The Banshee asked curiously.
The souls stopped and turned their attention to the banshee, the human soul then replied.
"To a place... where we can rest eternally."
The banshee then watched them go, and the souls soon vanished from her sight. Omisha was confused by their answer: Rest eternally? She knew the souls of the mamono wanted comfort in the afterlife with their husband, but an eternal rest? It's only but a sad way for a soul to sleep without experiencing the underlying pleasures that await them. The Banshee still has a mission to meet this person and went to the closest mountain.
Once she reached the foot of the mountain, she went up and the closer she gets, the clearer the melody can be heard. The voice was indeed serene, yet it was sad. The banshee somehow felt consolation in that song and the deceased spirits she came across grew from restless sorrow to a relieving solace, where they no longer weep in regret.
A few hours passed, and she reached the location, Omisha hid behind the tree and takes a small peek. Then from her hiding place, she saw a woman sat on top of a rock, singing without lyrics while the lake, the restless spirits floats above the waters and slowly vanished. One by one, they were drawn by her song; she can see the spirits were smiling in relief just as they disappeared from the existence of the living.
"What thoust thy seek here?" Omisha gasped as she turns around. She saw a man, slightly taller than an average human man. He has short black hair and his skin was pale blue while his eyes were black with white pupils. He seems handsome to her despite his alien appearance, with a face that looks young, yet the strange humanoid was unimpressed when he first saw her. "Thine presence is unwanted here. The souls deserve a peaceful rest, unlike thine god who gave them restless pleasures and not a peaceful slumber."
Omisha stared at him curiously before she made another horrifying gasp. His soul is severely distorted with no traces of mana within him, and she cannot find anything to tell about his fate. In other words, her senses caught something that this man is no mere human and his life force is something that does not belong to this world.
The banshee stepped back before asking him in fear. "Who... are you?... You are no human... are you?"
"A curious one, are you? Hmph, I've known of thine kind has severely disappointed Death itself for over a thousand years." The strange pale-blue humanoid responded while staring at her with his judging looks before answering. "My name is Duncan. I am a Fenito and a Grave Warden who observes the souls of the deceased. That woman who thoust seeks is a Leydia, thou shall not disturb her song and give the souls their eternal rest. But whoms't haveth brought thee here? Let me guess, was it thine so-called "God of Life and Death" that hast sent thee?"
Omisha felt offended that this man, a Fenito he calls himself, did not see Hel as the sole deity of Life and Death. Yet he did not seem to mind. The underworld is having issues treating the deceased souls that have been killed and send them into the afterlife of endless pleasures until the world mysteriously changed itself with the arrival of strange beings.
The souls they've met were restless and not even pleasures of the afterlife cannot comfort them as if their pain upon death forever damned their emotions and memories for eternity. Omisha needs to know why how this fair maiden who sat on top of the boulder sings a melody that soothes them.
"That maiden... a Leydia you call her." The banshee then points towards the woman on the boulder. "Her melody... how does it soothe the souls?"
"The melody of the Milfanito is not something thine kind possessed and cannot be passed down to yours," Duncan answered starkly. "Only the one who is the descendant of the First Dead One can learn it and it gives the souls their comfort in the dark... unlike thine God gave them a restless paradise of love and pleasures."
"But the souls I've seen are pleased by her works! If the Goddess of Life and Death would be here..." Then Omisha points her finger at him, accusingly. "Then your soul shall be judged and Hel will imprison you in the cold abyss. Only her can control death!"
"Death is no longer siding thee, life too... thine goddess had broken from her role as the deity to administer life and death," Duncan said while tilting his head disappointingly with a sigh. "She has disrupted the balance and only bring the mamono in thy favour to resurrect them from their slumber. Just for the sake of the demon lord's ideal? Since when does "death" herself do the works of pleasures and not of death? Truly, why not tell me your answers to hear what thoust perceive true death?"
Omisha opened her mouth to answer as she raised up her finger to lecture him. But somehow, deep inside her, her very core admits he has sense in his word. They were not wrong and one thing that came up in his mind to remind her of his question that ran in her head: Since when does death do the works of love and pleasures, then resurrect the dead as if only giving the person a second chance of life and not deserving death, despite what the person wanted to do so?
Duncan stood for a while to await her answer, but the banshee remained silent before closing her mouth. Thus he noticed she was looking down with a defeated expression.
"No answer, I see? Well, you might be a banshee to foresee the fate of the inhabitants of this world." The Fenito spoke once more, in a disappointed tone. "But not the adherents of the Flames... Now I ask of thee, again. Do you know what it means about death?"
"Well... death is all about when a living dies, but death does not mean the end. In the afterlife; there is love which the souls can experience their endless joys which Hel created for them." Omisha answered, but her answer did not budge the Fenito. Only that her words made him even dissatisfied with her beliefs. "What?... Are you not happy about this?"
"That is not the answer... Death means the end of everything. Thou art shackled by their beliefs and Death does not align to anyone." Duncan said in a cold tone, which Omisha felt an icy shiver that ran through her core. "Whatever the living holds to their afterlife, either their greed of power, the power of ideal, or the power of love. It means nothing to it and only Death can end it. Life gives life and when life can no longer have the will to live or their own fate being put to waste, death comes for them and gives the souls their rest... do you understand what I say or would thee ask thine god that has a so-called "answer" for it, which can only disappoint Death even further?"
Omisha fell silent. She has no answer for his argument and he was right. She thought her belief about Hel's version of death to give souls their luxury in the afterlife could sway him to her side to accept the word of her goddess, but his answer speaks differently compared to her belief. In fact, Death is the end of everything and it has no alignment with anyone's belief.
Everyone lives and died. That was the old natural way of every living being before Hel took over as the current goddess of life and death and changed it in her own ways that befit the ideals of love. However, from what Duncan says; it has nothing to do with it and not the purpose of death. He, a Fenito, and the singing Leydia were doing the works to keep that old order in check.
"But why...? At least give them a chance..."
"No... Death does not want them. All the souls of the mamono were held down by their beliefs, wasted their fate to bring love to a godforsaken reality." Duncan replied. "They remain to rest, and one reminder is that the afterlife that thine goddess has created for them is only an illusion of love."
At this moment, Omisha felt appalled by his words. She swore that was the truth in his word. "I-... Illusion of... love?"
"Indeed. When our predecessors first arrived in this realm, my Ancestors felt their Fragments of the Great Dead One have met Death of this world." Duncan answered truthfully while crossing his arms. "Life and death are in disorder because of the illusion which thine demon lord has made caused it to stir them apart and death wanted us to restore it. After years, my people had stayed in this world... our purpose is to bring the souls, their eternal peace... thus death itself speaks that the influence of thine Goddess is slowly diminishing."
Omisha gasped as she stood back in horror. Her influence is slowly diminishing? Is this why the Underworld can no longer control the restless souls despite the comfort they gave them and the reason how Hel cannot foresee the fate of the events during the time of Hero Artos?
"So... for over the past hundred years... you were the ones that brought the spirits of the mamono and their husbands... their death?!" Omisha questioned in disbelief and Duncan nods. "How can that be?! Our Goddess has eyes everywhere in the world, but how did she not speak about your existence?!"
"That is because I am one adherent of the Great Dead One. They cannot see us," Duncan replied while glaring at her. "Thine goddess has broken the rule is to foresee and change the inevitable in the favour of monsters... and the fragments of my people are growing strong as long as we restore the order."
Omisha fell once again speechless. She couldn't believe that this man speaks another harsh word of truth; is that her goddess is losing her powers because Life and Death itself no longer beheld the goddess's influences? The banshee refuses to accept this answer and tries to speak up.
"No, you are wrong. The reason why she can control life and death is the power of love." Omisha spoke up with determination. "It surpasses everything, time, reality and fate itself because of the demon lord-"
"Pardon? Does love surpass everything? Thou art mistaken, banshee." Duncan intercepted as his words speak in a harsh tone. "Whoever believes that love surpasses every existence is nothing more but a belief of a naïve thinker. Death, Life... Dark and Light... those can surpass anything other than what your demon lord believes. And so as hatred too."
"But... but-"
"Silence, your demon lord made Love into a metaphysical force, but filled with a malevolent intent to fulfil her sake for such a fragile ideal." Duncan's words were stern. The banshee can sense it and she cannot deny it. "It brought no peace but ruin to the world... by stripping off the nature of the living into thine own image and think it is reasonable? Thou hast be mad. Think before thou can speak."
The banshee has no reasonable answers for that and stood silent. Did her goddess truly fail as a deity over life and death? Did the Demon Lord ruin the values of life and death because she made up an illusion to make them work blindly for love to revive the monsters and their husband instead of laying them to rest? If so... she needs to know what the truth about Death means.
"Then show me..." Omisha then pleaded. "I have no answers... it has been a long time that they've taught us about death... is sad."
Duncan listened to her words and nodded, thus he decided to give her an answer by offering his hand.
"I see, so thoust decide to know what Death is all about." Duncan then expressed a small smile. "Take my hand and look straight into my eyes... it can give you the answers. The mamono who art adherents of thine deity could not deny the answers after what my brethren gave them."
Omisha wasn't sure, but the Fenito was honest in his terms. The banshee slowly accepted his offer and gently took his hand and look into his eyes. For a few seconds of staring at each other... the banshee widened her eyes in disbelief. She had seen something... inside of his soul, there was a being that moves within him before her consciousness was pulled out from reality and entered into another reality as if some sort of vision, a dream.
The banshee wasn't sure where she was and her surroundings were filled with darkness until a tall being loomed over her. Omisha turned around and gasped in terror. From what she saw was a bunch of skeletons that were wrapped in black rags until the giant being leaned down and she comes face to face with a giant skull. Its hollowed eyes are staring right into her very soul.
"Greetings... I am Nito the Gravelord, the First of the Dead... it seems the descendant of my creations had led thee to search for thine answers." The large skeletal figure said in a deep tone, filled with hundred voices. "For the truth thoust seeketh... I am obliged to give thee."
...
Duncan stood for a whole three minutes while staring at the banshee until Omisha finally closed her eyes and collapsed to the ground. The Fenito knelt down to the ground and carefully bring up the disoriented banshee to her feet. Omisha is breathing heavily before looking back at the Fenito.
"So... did you find your answer?" He asked.
"...Yes, I finally see it..." Omisha nodded before she gives the Fenito a warm smile. "I must admit... it was disheartening for me to hear it from your... creator."
"Well, then... what is your decision?" Duncan asked once more.
Omisha remained silent for a while before looking down with sadness. She admits that death even surpasses love, no matter what, and his words were proven right all along because she had met the creator of his people, living deep within his soul and all that connects with the rest of his kind like one entity.
"I no longer serve Hel..." Omisha's answer is firm. "She no longer deserves to be a goddess of life and death."
Duncan crossed his arms and gave her a judgemental look. "I see... then what should you do then?"
"I... I will serve... to the people who bring the dead their peace." Omisha answered as she bowed to him. "You have opened my eyes and my heart for the truth you gave me... so I will serve only for the true death."
The Fenito felt pleased to hear that, once the banshee declares to change her allegiance, he heard the Leydia stopped singing and saw the souls were already long gone. He can feel it. They were resting peacefully in the afterlife before the Leydia jumped down from the boulder and went to the Fenito.
"Brother... it is done." The Leydia said with a smile before looking to the right and sees a banshee, she raised her brow in confusion. "Duncan... what is an adherent of Hel doing here?"
"She wants to serve the Great Old Dead One, Lorelei," Duncan answered before turning to the banshee. "I... have not got your name yet."
"My name is Omisha." The banshee introduced herself politely to the Leydia and the Fenito. "It's an honour to serve thee."
...
Chapter 38: Ends
Author's note: WHOOOO! 1k+ Follows. This is the first time my story has achieved this so far! Thank you for your support for reading and without you guys, I wouldn't have come this far.
And one more time, thank you guys and I hope you do all well in life!
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The Knight Guideline:
Lordress:
Profile:
Lordresses are tall humanoids that resemble female women that stood from 9ft to 10+ or higher, much like their male counterparts known as the Lords. Although, they use miracles to blend into foreign societies to match the heights of humans and mamono.
Mamono Lordress:
The mamono lordresses are born with a blood of a Lord. A unique breed of tall mamonos that are born between a mamono mother and having a father that is a Lord. The Lords were a strange tall humanoid race of Dragonslayers that came from a mysterious land called Lordran. They were unusually taller than an average human, although they could blend within the outsider society of human and mamono kingdoms using their miracles to match their heights so they won't be suspected of their unusual nature.
They were taught at a young age by their parents not to reveal their real nature in case of utmost emergency. Due to the fact that the reveal of their real nature will expose the divine radiance of their souls of light that will catch unnecessary attention from other entities seeking power.
Lifestyle:
They live in communities of families between the Lords and the Mamono. However, they lived in a semi-lavish lifestyle, in which they treated each other like the nobility, and they were educated to become self-sufficient for their future life.
In the case of the mamono lordresses, their mamono mothers of the previous generation were always lustful and devoted to any acts of sexual depravities. The mamono Lordresses are a kind, yet prideful and were much more a rational breed who didn't see Lust and Pleasurable Desires as their way of Life. They prefer to live a common lifestyle, as humans do; such as reading, learning, cooking, or any kind of interesting hobby. Sometimes they will choose their paths to become Knights which they were driven by the stories of the old Lordran bravery and seek their trials by fighting in Dungeons or finding rare dungeon monsters to prove their strength against the hollowed dragons.
We also learned that some Lordresses are also devoted to their religion to worship Gwynevere, the Goddess of Fertility and Bounty, while others joined the ranks of a small and mysterious covenant known as the Order of the Darkmoon, led by a crossbreed known as Yorshka.
They were born with snow-like skin, and their hair colours ranged from blonde, brunette to pale white. Whether a mamono lordress is born with reptilian features such as lizardmen or with bat wings like the succubus, etc. They were all pale white and those who have reptilian features will have fur on their scales. Then like the Blanks or the Mamonos of Chaos; they were only born as the younger siblings and always having older siblings who were Lords and normal Lordresses.
Capabilities:
The Lordresses are born with the Soul of Light, granting them extraordinary abilities to perform astounding miracles. From Healing, Magical Defences to the famous Lightning Spears that will shatter an entire castle and even pierce through a Baphomet Magic Barrier like an arrow hitting through thin layers of papers with ease. They even possess spells for defensive measures that distort the fabric of reality, time, and they also have knowledge of other powerful miracles that can ignore the metaphysical energies as well such as Demonic Energy.
But with such incredible powers they possess, they could not abuse their power after hearing the tales of Lordran's downfall that has been passed down from generations into their future descendants.
We also confirm our studies that they were immune to the influence of the Demonic Energy and they have a natural ability to "radiate" in front of many individuals like they were a God or a divine adherent.
Other Notes:
Encountering a Lordress is very rare, and they're likely to lend their magic knowledge to others in secret. Although, high-performance spells were kept away and only choose an individual close to them who is trustworthy enough to never abuse their spells.
Cases of mamono when they are chosen to become a bride to a lord and becoming a mother to the future generations of Lords, their lifespan will match her husband. But unlike the Blank Humans, the Lords have a longer lifespan for a couple or a few thousand years, depending on their conditions. Although, their population isn't large and they are not immune to diseases and poison.
When a Lord married a human, whether they be a blank or a creation of the Chief God, their offspring's lifespan would only last a few hundred years while their human spouses remained in a mortal lifespan.
Historical Notes:
The first Lordress Mamono is a Valkyrie, the second-born child and the first daughter of Dragonslayer Ornstein and his valkyrie wife, Alissa. Whilst the second and the third youngest child of Ornstein's family is Filia, the very first ordinary lordress born in the world of Monster Girls and sister to Artor and Ciara.
...
-Guideline ends-