Chapter 40: Old Flame
"Coming in from your right! Fitoria, now!"
While an avalanche of level ups had still only left her at half the size she'd once possessed that was plenty enough to dive beneath the shallow waves and kick into the air an armored lobster the size of a small mansion, angry clacks and chitters from the beast accompanying a wild flailing of lethal limbs.
The damn thing had been sticking to the shallows where its bulk wasn't quite as detrimental to speedy evasion as it otherwise might have been, snapping and biting at them with precise force.
"Master, watch out!"
Kayla's warning wasn't a moment too soon, Narvas throwing himself to the side and barely avoiding a compressed blast of water from the things mouth that would have absolutely ripped him from balls to breakfast, seeing as how the errant quarry of stone behind the Claw hero was split in two.
That was the other reason they had kicked the damn thing free from the waves. It was already powerful enough, it didn't need infinite ammo as well.
Adopting his Blitz Bunny form the Vassal hero charged in close, avoiding the constant barrages before seamlessly shifting into his Titan body, grabbing the giant crustacean's head and slamming it into the ground before doing his best to ignore the bloody marks its claws left in his flesh.
Thankfully his party was on the ball, immediately moving in to slip blades or talons into the narrow gaps where armor didn't cover and promptly divested the creature of its main means of attack, more chittering squeals leaving the monster as it thrashed its head with desperate strength, Narvas gritting his teeth as the sharp and serrated edges of the aquatic beast's shell cut into his arms-
-and Fitoria dashed forward, jamming her beak into one of the monster's eyes and ripping free a great deal of inner soft bits that finally sealed the deal, frothing gurgles leaving their quarry before it finally collapsed with a dull crunch of compacted sand.
"Well that was easy…we might need to start moving on to more difficult arenas, all play and no work makes for a dull day."
"Master, that-"
"Yes, Kayla. I know."
Ignoring the fox girl's amused expression as Julietta went about healing his various wounds - all thankfully minor - he watched as Hala and Fitoria began dismantling the corpse for Zhua's consumption, wondering what their latest catch would bring.
The answer was something called Aqua King's Hold, a Claw that while wasn't a perfect omni-negate against water based attacks it absolutely weakened them to a negligible degree, the only drawback being that it offered minor equip bonuses and increased his weaknesses to lightning or other electricity-based attacks.
"Well, we're going to a jungle planet that no doubt has all sorts of streams and rivers, I can see it being useful there."
"You say we should move on to additional or increasingly difficult areas, Master…but perhaps a bit of a break is warranted?"
Glancing at his party the hero had to admit they were looking pretty frazzled after their mad grind over the past few days, hair snarled and eyes bagged but postures nonetheless straight and ready for more, a testament to their stubbornness. Maybe it was time to call it for the time being, they had gone above and beyond his expectations in regards to preparations, the entire group sitting at an average of level 102.
"And that statline is looking sexier everyday…"
Looking over his status screen Narvas smirked in satisfaction at the sight that greeted him.
Narvas Taylan, LVL 101
HP: 21,975 (+47,810) = 69,875
SP: 10,050 (+3800) = 13,850
MP: 17,500 (+21,340) = 38,840
STR: 5370 (+16,990) = 22,360
AGI = 5865 (+14,110) = 19,975
MAG = 5715 (+11,960) = 17,675
DEF = 6080 (+13,000) = 19,080
SP DEF = 5675 (+18,160) = 23,835
LUCK: Medium (+Very High) = High
"Still wish I knew what luck did…maybe it's the reason I haven't died yet."
Mumbling to himself Narvas gave Zhua's gem an appreciative pat, thankful that his two years of scrounging for each and every Claw under the sun had paid dividends. There were so many minor stat boosts and other benefits that had piled up naturally that most of his strength came from those cumulative additions rather than natural growth…or was it a misnomer to call a Vassal hero's growth 'natural'?
"Questions for another day, I suppose."
"Master, is everything alright?"
He snapped out of his rumination as Fitoria strolled up alongside him in her human form, happily sucking out the tender meat of a lobster leg that they hadn't needed. In fact all of the monster girls were eagerly sampling their fallen foe, Narvas making a private note to store some for later since it was apparently a hot commodity.
"Yeah, I'm all raise good points and I think we're done here for now. Let's head back to camp and get some rest."
More than a few relieved expressions showed up, the Claw hero chuckling at the clear happiness his comrades showed.
"I guess you could call me a slave driver, huh?"
"Your sense of humor is as terrible as always, master."
"So? Am I doing better?"
Glancing up from his positively exquisite helping of titanic crab leg Narvas found Fitoria crouched at his side, eyes staring into his own with all the innocent desire to please that a puppy might employ.
And just like a puppy, his will crumbled and he gave her a bright smile.
"Better? You're doing amazing, Fitoria. I know I have memories of our first adventure but the other two have never had the pleasure of seeing you in action, it's a brand new experience."
The girl's cheeks pinked and a delighted yet bashful giggle slipped past her lips, the male deciding to really make her squirm as he concluded, "I never knew you would so quickly regain the strength and power of a demigod while still remaining so beautiful."
Not the smoothest of compliments but he was wagering that inbetween her isolation and newfound happiness it would do the trick. Sure enough Fitoria went from pink to scarlet, wings ruffling with embarrassment as she mewled, "Master, aren't you being a bit too free with compliments?"
"Am I telling you any lies, Fitoria?"
"W-well, I do enjoy hearing you praise me so…mouuuu!"
Abruptly standing up and returning to the rest of the party - but not before swiping a bit of his crab leg with a mortified pout - Fitoria resembled an angelic tomato, Narvas grinning at the sight.
It was nice to see her acting so bashful and animated, a welcome change from the slow, morose and hesitant mannerisms she'd employed when they first met. It was also hilarious to see Varsha and Nephinae walk on eggshells around the Filolial Queen despite the clear fact that she didn't care one whit how respectful or familiar they decided to be.
The Dragon girl was still timid, no doubt due to the fragment she carried within her and Nephinae almost certainly had decades of social conditioning that painted Fitoria as an overwhelmingly powerful being.
…A being that was now comically sulking as she delicately annihilated a crab leg, Hala giggling and stroking her companion's hair as if they were the closest of friends.
"There are worse things."
Flipping through his menus the Claw hero glanced towards Julietta, the woman calmly sitting a bit outside the circle and listening to the banter with a small smile.
"Hey, Julietta? What's going to happen to those armors and stuff your order showed me that were supposed to help break Xephina out of her tomb?"
Cocking her head slightly the stunning priestess responded, "I imagine they will be yours to use as you please in the coming campaign, or if you do not have use for them the strongest of our order will find them useful. Why do you ask?"
Narvas smirked as he flipped through his extensive catalog of gemstones, ores and other bits and pieces of miscellaneous crap.
"If we have time to do a little bit of forging and the like I think we may just be able to make these things truly monstrous…how does an alteration that heals someone constantly based on their overall vitality sound?"
The woman's lips quirked upwards into a pleased smile.
"You overturned my expectations by ultimately not even needing the armor we crafted for you…I look forward to seeing if you can continue the trend."
"Hey, I aim to please."
The journey back to their home was a tired but triumphant one, Varsha smoothly depositing them as they all began preparing for a day off however they pleased, Narvas finding Fitoria tugging on his sleeve before he even made it halfway to the humble abode.
"What is it, Fi?"
"May…may we speak? In private, that is."
Her wings ruffled and eyes darted, suddenly shy and nervous before his attention as Narvas wondered what was getting into her, missing the smirk Hala wore as she passed by with a pleased skip.
"Sure, everyone else is just going to take it easy and do their own thing anyway."
"G-good!"
Tugging on his sleeve with even more insistence than before Fitoria lead him around the back to where he'd constructed the baths, a sadly little used addition that he and his had barely found the time to use in their constant journeys.
"I even went to the trouble of decorating it and everything. I thought it would be a major hit."
Smooth and sculpted stone flooring courtesy of one of his crafting Claws, natural and aromatic mosses that he'd made from combining various plants ensuring there were soft places to sit, fresh and warm water courtesy of a bit of geothermal plumbing…he wasn't about to go and call it wasted effort but it had kinda felt that way for a while.
The interior and simple - but just as functional - baths and showers had just been a more convenient choice.
"Master, would you like for me to, umm…wash your back?"
"Only if you let me return the favor, Fi."
A quick yet embarrassed nod left the Filolial Queen, Narvas feeling a bit of heat gather in his abdomen before he swiftly suppressed it, reminding himself that Fitoria was nowhere near the levels of naughtiness that someone like, say, Hala was. He would have to be more reserved with her until her wants were more transparent.
…
A thought that was quickly discarded once Fitoria hastily threw off her gown, pale skin turning a noticeable shade of red even in the descending sunlight as she was left only in her footwear and panties, the Claw Hero staring at the woman in something approximating reverence, as if he'd just stared upon the bared form of his god.
"Master, c-can you not stare so intensely?"
Fitoria's squeak of mortification accompanied her wings swiftly covering up her body, trembling hands slowly removing her undergarments and last few articles of clothing as she stood completely nude before the Vassal hero, modesty protected only by her fluttering wings.
The male reflected that if his pants got any tighter he was going to tear a seam in them.
"A-are you not going to disrobe, Master?"
Wordlessly beginning to shuck his attire he made sure to keep his gaze locked firmly on the monster girl the entire time, enjoying the way she alternated between openly ogling him and trying to hide her crushing shyness, wildly jumping between the two as he slowly revealed his body to her.
By the time he was just as naked as she was the Filolial Queen looked ready to pass out, lips slightly parted and gazing with obvious wonder at his stiffened and fully erect length, Narvas smirking as he teased, "Well? Is it fair that only you get to see me like this, Fi?"
"You're enjoying this far too much, Master…"
The mumbled words were nonetheless matched by a hesitant motion of her angelic wings, slowly spreading wide and revealing the monster girl in all her sensual glory.
Fitoria had a balance that Narvas found hard to quantify, a mixture of youthful allure and mature bearing that practically oozed sexuality, even if it was unintentional. A small but rounded chest, cute ass and delicate limbs while her regal countenance and beauty was the knockout blow.
"Fi, have I ever told you how breathtaking you are?"
"...Please take a seat, Master."
Evidently having enough with his teasing the winged female grumpily pointed to the edge of the pool, Narvas smiling as he agreed to her demands without further comment, sinking into the soothing waters with a relaxed sigh as soft, delicate hands immediately worked out the remaining kinks in his body.
He decided to ignore the audible swallow from the girl as her fingers ghosted across his flesh, gently poking and prodding at the hard muscle beneath with clear curiosity.
Closing his eyes and simply enjoying the intimacy Fitoria briefly abandoned her attentions to retrieve a bar of soap and dish of hair cleanser, working the slippery material into both his scalp and upper body with obvious hesitation before slowly getting into the act, her breath coming fast and hot upon his neck as she softly murmured, "Master…do you remember what I asked you upon the new year's celebration, a few years before you died?"
While it was hazy Narvas remembered the gist of what had been discussed, responding, "Yeah…you asked if I regretted meeting you, regretted what our relationship had become over the years."
A sad smile appeared on his lips.
"Of course I have regrets. I should have told you back then that I loved you. And not just in the way Kiyoshi - or maybe I should say 'I' - showed it."
Letting his eyes drift closed the Claw hero murmured, "You were never subtle with your attentions or intentions, Fi. Back then I was still worried that by returning your feelings I was taking advantage of you, using your love as a crutch and means of coping."
He ruefully shook his head.
"I never should have done that to you, Fi. I shouldn't have assumed that what you were feeling was anything less than genuine."
He carefully maneuvered his hands so they covered her much smaller ones.
"It's been years upon years…but I'd like to amend that mistake."
He felt Fitoria's head bump into his back, a quiet gesture of affection that lasted for a minute.
…And then she spoke up with an odd note of certainty in her voice.
"Master, your lower half has yet to be cleaned. Please raise yourself from the water."
Chuckling at her sudden aggressiveness he teased, "Is this what you're really after, Fi?"
"I will not ask again, Master."
Shaking his head at her bluntness he nonetheless did as asked, scooting back so that the girl could reach his legs and groin.
Which she did with an adorable mix of hesitation and eagerness, sudsy hands closing around his stiffened rod and applying a delicious mix of novice energy combined with feminine allure, head peeking around his side as she was too short to see over his shoulder.
"Is, is this correct, Master?"
A nervous swallow left the girl.
"I have never touched a man like this before…"
"You're doing just fine, Fi. Gently grab hold and then work your hands up and down, squeezing or loosening your grip as you please."
"A-alright, Master!"
Sighing in bliss as the Filolial Queen followed his instructions with extreme focus Narvas let his gaze fall upon the now visible night sky, curls of steam from the water providing everything a surreal tinge as his groin pulsed and twitched with pleasure.
"Fuck that feels good, Fi."
"Master, please don't be so blunt with your words."
The breathy response from the monster girl almost set him off right then and there, Narvas grinning at his lover's movements.
While she was obviously trying to figure out how to properly give a handjob Narvas found her efforts - mistakes and all - to be positively hedonistic. Sure, her fingers slipped a few times and poked the highly sensitive glans atop his cock or grasped his meat too lightly to be truly enjoyable…but the light jolts of pain or barely discernible pressure were a joy all unto their own, Narvas groaning with bliss as his loins began to tighten.
"Fi, I'm about to cum-"
"Do so, Master!"
Fitoria's breathy exclamation and increased pace did it for the man, stars dancing across both the sky and his vision as he all but exploded in her grasp, ropes of jizz shooting into the air before landing on either his legs or the woman's hands, her body shivering with delight as Narvas let loose a shaky breath…and blinked as Fitoria suddenly moved.
"Hey, what are you-"
Words died in his mouth as the monster girl retracted her hands, bringing them to her mouth and licking the sticky material clean with lascivious motions of her tongue, mewling with hot delight at the taste and warmth of the baby batter.
"Okay, seeing FITORIA of all people drink my cum like that is a massive turn on. Holy shit, I'm already flying at full mast again."
"Okay, as enticing as you are you need a little attention yourself."
Before the Filolial Queen could say or do otherwise Narvas had picked her up in a princess carry, affectionately cradling her body before carefully depositing her on a mossy outcropping in the center of the pool, the female blinking in surprise and nervous arousal as the Claw hero loomed overhead.
"Be sure to let me know if things get a little too overwhelming for you, alright~?"
Unable to keep the salacious and predatory smile from his lips the male gathered her wrists in his left hand, keeping them stretched above her head while his right gently traced teasing contours across her thighs and belly, the monster girl instantly squirming in protest.
"M-master, that's so embarrassing and-hah~?!"
A light, gentle flick to her slit caused the female's hips to buck and thighs to squeeze, trapping the Vassal hero's hand as he chuckled at her response.
"What's the matter, Fi? A little bit of stimulation already has you begging for mercy?"
"Y-you're being so mean, Master!"
The half-hearted protest coincided with a slow relaxing of her legs, freeing Narvas' hand from the prison of soft and virgin heat it had been stuck between as he resumed tracing a finger up and down the woman's hips.
"Only because you're beautiful when blushing and stammering like this, Fi. For example…"
Dipping his head low the male took one of his partner's slight breasts into his mouth, sucking on the hardened teat and causing her to squeal at the abrupt sensation as he pulled his neck back, the sloped and velvety flesh stretching as he slowly rolled his tongue, tasting and lathering the peaked nipple with reverent motions.
How many other people could say they got to do something like this, to tease and play with such a lovely and - relatively - innocent girl? His Fitoria was one of a kind, that was for sure and no one could convince him otherwise.
A wet pop sounded out as he let the monster girl's chest go, the modest swelling returning to its original location with the slightest of jiggles while an adorable gasp left Fitoria's throat, her eyes glistening and looking up into his as her lower lip quivered-
-and he put the queen's other lower lips to use as a single finger trailed up the puffy cleft that was already dripping with sweet arousal, drenching the digit and dragging yet another squeak from his lover's mouth as he took his time with the act, stimulating and twisting Fitoria's sensitive nether lips as he watched her face with rapt attention, perversely grinning at the reactions he got.
Wild, shuddering breaths. Pale skin turned rosy by the pool's heat and her own mounting desire. Undulations of her lithe form that merely highlighted her modest but sexy body. Glistening eyes that begged for him to both stop and continue all at once. Flexing and twisting arms that were held steady as his fingernail bumped against her bundle of nerves that now peeked out from its concealing hood-
-and a pleasured shriek escaped Fitoria as her legs twisted inwards and back arched, orgasm tearing through her as Narvas silenced her cry with a searing kiss, tongue swirling around his partner's smaller organ as he devoured her alluring voice.
It was merely a few seconds before the winged girl sagged against the softened stone, the Claw hero affectionately nibbling on her lower lip as shuddering breaths left the Filolial Queen.
"Master, that was…that was…"
"Nothing compared to what comes next."
Finally releasing his hold on her hands Narvas instead flipped the unresisting monarch onto her stomach, lovely wings fluttering and flinging droplets everywhere with excitement as he lined up his girth with the female's warm and wet snatch, nether lips practically pulsating with anticipation at swallowing his cock whole.
"Master, I-"
"Just relax. If you feel good enough after this I might even give you a little extra."
He'd honestly debated whether to use his Enslaver form's talents to all but destroy the girl's mind but elected to take it slow at first, instead gently wrapping Fitoria's wings in his fist, the woman stiffening as a low moan yet again left her.
"Oh? Do you like your wings being touched, Fi?"
"Hyah~?!"
Swirling his pointer fingers around the base of where wing met shoulder blade the monster girl tensed up and unleashed a slutty moan, Narvas unable to wait any longer-
-and pushed himself inside of the warm, inviting and ridged vice that was his partner's pussy as a shriek of delight echoed around the pool.
"M-Master, you're inside of me~!"
In stark contrast to how she usually acted Fitoria's words were heated and desperate, neck craning so that she could look behind her with a silly grin and loving expression, staring with blatant fascination at where their groins melded together as Narvas dipped low, planting a set of kisses between her wings as mutually satisfied groans left them.
"Fuck, Fi…any tighter and I don't think I would fit inside of you at all."
"D-don't phrase it like that, Master-mmm~!"
Rolling his hips Narvas had to grit his teeth as the monster girl's cunt resisted and protested every movement he made, squeezing and choking his cock like a teasing friend.
"Well, guess I just need a better angle then!"
Flexing his arms Narvas lifted Fitoria up by her wings, bending his knees slightly so that his girth angled upwards and getting a helping hand from gravity as Fitoria showcased a rather intriguing reaction.
Namely, a wheezing sigh as she threw her head back, mouth open, arms limp and tongue lolling as she dazedly stared into his eyes, the mixture of sensations far too much for her virgin mind to handle.
Not that Narvas was much better, entranced by his tiny woman's submissive and erotic appearance that was so unlike her usual stoicism.
It made him go wild, jerking his hips wildly as he plowed into the queen's sopping cunt with hard strokes that left her squealing in blatant delight, head bouncing limply as in no time at all Narvas felt himself rapidly approaching his limit-
"Shit!"
-and could hold on no longer, exploding within the monster girl as a hissed breath slipped through his teeth, the Vassal hero feeling his pulsating girth fighting to push its seed deep inside of his partner as she spasmed like electricity was running through her veins.
The high passed, the Claw hero sitting heavily on a nearby stone with a slow exhalation, cock still nestled pleasurably within Fitoria's impaled form.
"I love you, Master…"
Features dazed and distant Narvas smiled as a small, meaningful kiss was shared between them, an oddly chaste motion considering what they'd just done.
"Feeling is mutual, Fi."
And then he promptly flopped her onto her back, gazing down at his partner with a grin that had no so small amount of teeth as he teasingly poked her belly, the slightest signs of his cock standing in sharp contrast to her lithe and delicate form.
"Now how about we do this again?"