When I woke, Abigail was entwined around me with the covers thrown back and one long slender leg wrapped around me, her face nuzzled into my neck and her breasts firmly up against my back. I was embraced further by her right arm and her well-manicured nails gently traced lines across my chest as her fingers slowly flexed. She was still asleep. Something flashed in the corner of my eye and I carefully extracted myself as to not wake her up. I soon found the offending article, a note. I quickly opened it and read through it. It was from William. The unexpected guests had left late in the evening for the capital and the manor had been swept for any lingering traces of demonic energy. It was safe for us to return.
I folded the letter and quickly dressed, then set about getting Abigail's clothes ready. The crystals had already begun to glow and I tried tapping one to bring it to full brightness which worked. The others flared and the light roused Abigail.
"Mhmmm!" She whined, "Boyfriend why are you not in bed with me?" She gave me a sultry and disappointed look from her sleep laden eyes.
"Because it is time to be up," I responded, "William wrote back. It is safe to return to your family's castle. The Maou and her entourage left last night for the Capital and the palace swept clean. I assumed you would rather sleep in you own bedroom rather than this rather dusty and outdated place."
She sighed heavily and stood from the bed as I pointed turned around as to not look, in fact taking a strip of clothes and tying it over my eyes as to not be tempted to peek. I heard her pout, disappointed she wasn't able to tease me with her naked body but I immediately responded, "Until we are married in the eyes of the law or you monsterize and we end up getting married that way, I am following human convention and not looking. Right now, we barely have your father's blessing to date, let's not push him as I like my head where it is thank you."
I heard her breath deeply through her nose, and let it out, "Right, right. You have a point. You can take that blindfold off now, I'm dressed. I want to grab a few items from the lab before we leave."
I took the blindfold off and yes, she was indeed dressed. There was a shadow of hurt in her eyes that vanished when I smiled at her. I was glad to see that she understood that I was trying to maintain some semblance of proprietary.
We gathered our things and headed to the lab. Nothing had changed, still creepy glowing crystals, giant skeleton, everything as it was.
Abigail rummaged around and returned with two sealed crystal decanters full of a translucent green liquid, then vanished to look for something else while I carefully extracted several fangs and wrapped them with care. Abigail returned with a sack full of treasure and some beautiful etched golden wrist guard plates that were most likely armor as well as decorations.
"What's in the decanters?" I asked, dreading the answer.
"Venom," there it was.
"Why?"
"I want to experiment with it eventually, test its properties and uses in potions and such. You took some of the fangs?"
"I want to see if they can be cleaned out and turned into lights or daggers. Imagine doing business and someone's trying to intimidate you? Pull that out and stab the desk near their hand."
Abigail rolled her eyes, "You are such a boy!"
"Guilty as charged, My lady. But then again, you wouldn't want me to not be of the male persuasion now, would you?" I snarked back.
She laughed, "I'm keeping you around and as a boy. After all, I'm not interested in girls that way. Let's get going, I miss my own bed."
The teleport back was swift and we landed in the Archduke's office. The old man was sitting there, working on parchment.
"Back I, see? And what do you have there?"
"Part of our payment," Abigail replied brusquely, "Items and ingredients I want to study and examine in my own time."
The old archduke fixed her with a look, "I heard the sound of coin and jewels, child. I'm no fool. Where was the treasure room?"
She stared him down, "Hidden, how I will not tell you. You have your part of the bargain; the rest is ours to do with as we please. Don't push me father."
The archduke frowned but backed off, realizing that his daughter had now drawn a line as an adult. "Alright, you've made your point. What will you do now?"
Abigail and I shared a look, "Continue traveling," Abigail answered, "There are places I still want to see and I have my dream to follow. As for Stephan here…?"
"My blood still burns hot and quick for adventure and travel. I can't officially return home for another few months, even with the slaying of Malzeno. I need a bigger prize to prove my worth, and," I held Abigail's eyes for a moment, "a spouse."
Her father raised an eyebrow, "That'll be a bit yet, boy!" He barked, "You proved you were worthy enough to be allowed to court her, you haven't earned the marriage approval yet!"
"And what must we do to get that, father?" Abigail stared down her nose at him.
The old man grunted, "I've got a few things in mind, might possibly help in your wild fantasy daughter, but it's up to you of course. But we got started on the wrong foot two weeks back, and I shoulder some of that blame. Sit, have a drink. Tell me of your travels thus far."
We sat and the old man poured drinks, brandy if I was correct. We all sat back and sipped. I found the taste to be exquisite and muttered one of dad's favorite phrases when he was pleased. The archduke jolted, "Vous parlez bien. Lescatien, oui?"
"Merci mais non. Mon père," I responded, "He taught us a little but expected us not to use it. Father was, smart in getting out when he did, disagreeing with Lescatie's politics and the stranglehold the Order had. Mother being from a border town near the Cordillera, well, after she showed him why she was worth keeping around, they settled in Noricum and the rest is history." I barked something out in my mother's native tongue that neither of my drinking companions recognized, "Don't ask. The translation isn't befitting." I took a sip, "but you asked about our travels, thus far, if it's alright with Abigail, I'll start." I looked to my fair lady for permission and she nodded to give permission. The next few hours both Abigail and I regaled the archduke with our travels and history in my own case.
The old man held his silence until we were finished and then he sat up. "A few things," he started, shaking a finger at us, "That Kushala will be back. You intrigued her and I've no doubt that she's been watching you both. They have been known to judge women as well if a multiple woman situation was possible. Second, I can see about having that old banyan tree transported from its place to here if you wish or some other location, I know some people. I see now that that tree is where the relationship between the two of you really took off. Third, things are going to get worse and far tougher from here on out, you're entering the Rainy Basin if you continue to go south and that place is crawling with Tyrannosaurus and Skullcrawlers. That dear daughter, will be possibly the only way to get the attention of a Fatalis, if you beat one of those foul things, but don't count on it. Finally, young man, you have my permission to give her a ring, not an engagement ring or anything like that, a promise ring. You can find the jeweler later on today."
"Actually, I have a ring, I wanted it examined first, but," I pulled the ring out of my pocket and placed it on the desk, "here, the magic on the crystal I couldn't identify, but I hoped someone else could."
Abigail snatched it up before I could blink and muttered an incantation under her breath. From the amount of concentration and the length of it, it was an obscure or very detailed analysis. And I didn't understand a lick of it and the old man was impressed at it.
"Sorceress indeed," the archduke muttered, then said to me, "While She and William didn't have the best of relationships, mainly due to William's aloofness, Abigail did obtain the rank of Master Sorceress. It's just their post-graduation project caused tempers to snap and they parted on bad terms, really their personalities with similar in some manner, had other nuances that were more apparent and clashed leading to that explosion of temper. So be mindful, boy, if you fully intend on chasing her, she can very easily hex you and without a thought and can go cold and very goal oriented in a blink."
"What about the evil laughter?" I asked.
"What evil laughter, she never laughed like that. In fact, I don't believe she has it in her."
"She did it a time or two in the temple-palace. It was good but lacked the right atmosphere."
What do you-?" The old man was cut off as Abigail did exactly that.
"Mhmhmh…ahahahahah…AHAHAHAHAHA!" She laughed long and hard and lighting flashed in the window behind the archduke as he jumped.
"Abigail!" He shouted, "Really?!"
"This ring is perfect father!" She smiled evilly, her teeth flashing, "The gem on this ring is spelled to transform into the gemstone that will match the wearer perfectly and the ring will automatically resize itself to the wearer." Her mood changed in a flash, switching from evil sorceress to blushing maiden as she handed me back the ring. I glanced at the archduke who merely nodded as if to say, "Get on with it."
"Abigail, I don't have any speech in mind, but with this ring I pledge to marry you one day. Please accept this." I held out the ring to put on her finger.
Abigail extended her right hand and I slid the ring onto her ring finger where the jewel flashed and morphed to our amazed eyes. It settled and Abigail gasped, "It's a Cordillera Sunstone!"
She leapt from her seat squealing and I quickly caught her. I had to spin her around so that I wouldn't drop her due to her momentum. Finally, I set her down and before I knew what she was doing, I felt her lips quickly peck my cheek.
Her father cleared his throat, "If I may?" he asked holding out his hand. She reluctantly took off the ring and inspected it, before grabbing a book and turning to a particular page, cross-referencing something.
"It's a Cordillera Sunstone gem alright," he stated, passing the ring back to Abigail who quickly slid it on, "And one of the most flawless, and most vibrant of reds and oranges I've seen, like the sunset itself was captured in it."
Before we could do anything, a roar echoed out through the skies. A very familiar roar, as the winds immediately picked up into a storm and the temperature dropped.
A very familiar shape flew up and over the castle. We stood to go, but the archduke held Abigail back. "He needs to go alone. The Kushala will not tolerate anyone else at this moment. He'll just have to make that matter clear that she will have to share."
I rushed outside and the Elder Dragon immediately caught my eye and I followed it as it flew over the gates into the wilds. I followed it into a forest bordering the castle, but quickly lost sight of it. I searched the sky, trying to find where the Kushala had vanished to when I almost ran into it in a clearing. The Elder held me fixed in its gaze for a time as I stood there before I snarked, "Well, we going to talk, or do I have to climb up your neck while you're flying again?"
The Kushala huffed indignantly and started to shrink and shift, her form becoming humanoid, and womanly as she took on her Mamono form. I could hear joints popping as she made certain that everything was in place.
She stood around seven feet tall, with gleaming metal scales up to her mid-thigh and covering her arms up to her mid-upper arm and claws on her four toed digitigrade feet and her five fingered hands that gleamed like polished iron. Her great wings folded up behind her, though I had no doubt that she'd unfurl them in a blink to maneuver into the sky. Her tail flicked slightly at the tip; this great mass of muscle was covered just like her lower body, arms, and wings in those steel hard scales that made her so tough to fight. Her smooth, straight waist length hair was a darker gunmetal grey and her horns that allowed her such great control over the wind were a lighter grey. Her heart shaped face framed her completely blue eyes that drilled straight into me and her skin was fair, with a healthy rosy hue though where it merged into scales, it took on the cold grey of steel and was completely smooth. Her upturned eyes were narrowed at me, her pert lips pinched in annoyance and her nostrils on her petite nose flared as her taloned and clawed hands shifted into human hands with slender fingers, longish, but well cared for nails, and the hidden muscle that all of the stronger Mamono had. Not a single bit of makeup was on this woman, and she had little need of it, though Abigail might have a thing or two to say and do about that. Her privates thank the Maou, were covered by several large steel grey scales and her large breasts were covered by large plate-like scales, though atop these she wore a midriff baring grey shirt that I saw was modified to allow for her folded wings to fit through. For a time, she said nothing, just drilling me with her sky-blue eyes that shifted their hue and shade at every moment and when she spoke it saw that her lateral incisors and canines were sharper than on a human, like abbreviated fangs, harking back to her nature as a large carnivore.
"You, little ape, gave me quite the run around," She said sharply, "You and that persistent companion of yours." I didn't say anything, as my research and lesson on the Kushala had told me that they tended to be verbally harsh at first.
"Vhat? Are you too stupid to speak?! Vhere's your bite?" She sneered, her voice had an accent that was, not harsher, more a mix that was similar to my mother's Icereach or what was called Norwegian accent in my old world, and my old friend Tom's Draken Forest, or the old world's Romanian. The mix leaned more towards the accent of the Draken Forest. And she was goading me.
"Look, Kushala," I growled, "Who rode on top of who months ago when we tangled in that storm? You can cut out the attitude, I know enough of your kind to know that you don't mean it right now."
The Kushala's eyes gleamed, and she gave a pleased laughed, "Ja, ja, you do have some bite!" She settled her temper, and her voice cleared of her accent, though it was a little deeper than Abigail's, a deep melodic tone ran through it.
"I'll keep it short as I don't want to hang around here. You've gotten my interest and you've got one final test, but first," she pulled something from inside her shirt. It was a rusted scale, "A token or symbol if you will. As a potential mate you are under my protection, along with that noble," there was a small twitch of distaste, "girl that you travel with."
"Abigail has her goal, Kushala, and it is one that she is working very hard to gain," I said sternly, "Try to get along and learn to share, she's mentioned that she's not against the matter."
The Kushala smiled, "I'll test her personally later, though her skills are not to be denied. Never mind that though. The scale should keep most things off of you while you make your trek to my lair, starving Jhos, Gigants and Skullcrawlers being the exceptions along with the most desperate of Tyrannosaurus."
"And where is your dwelling?"
"In the Snowy Mountains, to the southwest of here, through the Rainy Basin." The Kushala flared her wings in preparation for departure.
"You know, you could travel with us," I remarked, "Get to know us better than if we just had to do a bit of mountain climbing. Then you can test Abigail on the way while I finish my Trial of Manhood."
"I'll consider it, give me a few days. I'll meet you here in four days' time at sunrise with my answer and come alone." She flapped her wings to take off when I shouted over the wind, "Wait, what's your name?!"
"Anastasia!" She shot back over her shoulder as she started to transform, vanishing into the sky. I noted that she pronounced it like "a-nuh-STAS-yuh" and turned and left, heading back to the palace.
The resulting debrief as the archduke called it from this had the old man roaring with laughter. Abigail had washed and changed into one of her day gowns. It was a beautiful thing, a deep, rich wine purple with several pieces of purple lace around the neck and upper layers of the sleeves and the cloth was tight around her arms and covered at her shoulders by looser fabric.
Abigail leaned back in her chair and pinched the bridge of her nose, deep in thought, one leg extended beyond the dress to where her heel clad foot jutted out in front of her, this shoe matching her dress in color and her hair loose. Her jewelry that she now wore was silver, with amethysts encrusting and dangling, and swung as she moved her head as she pondered.
"Kushala's are exceedingly aloof," Abigail stated, "So, we shouldn't get our hopes up that she'll travel with us. Though the Trial is something that is respected by most so she shouldn't come hunting for you if you take longer to make it to her lair. Plus, my claim comes first and don't you forget that!"
The archduke blanched, "Abigail, please spare your father! I don't think that my heart could take it!"
"Probably because of that extra dessert you insist on having every meal, Father. You've gotten fat according to Mother."
"It's just a pot belly!" He whined, before sighing, digging in his desk, "This came for you the other day. I do believe it is from your friend Eloise."
Abigail's gaze sharpened and she took the letter from her father and quickly read it, "Ah, her health has gotten better, but the Crown Prince Lavrov has gotten worse in his behavior. More obsessive, more violent, to the point she's asked her father to let her leave for her safety. She wants to meet here and then go to Dragonia for a trip or safety but is willing to discuss it when she arrives."
"And when will your partner in mischief arrive?" Her father groaned.
"In five days," Abigail said with some glee as she retook her seat.
"What is she like?" I asked the archduke.
"Depends. Around Abigail and her servants, Eloise is sweet, with a mischievous streak. Everyone else, she's cold, like a Winter Goddess among mortals, very proud and regal. And the two of them together drove me up the wall!"
"Father!" Abigail cried indignantly, "Really!"
"Abigail has matured since then, thankfully, and Eloise, well I can hope that after her health crisis she's matured as well. But you should get along, though I warn you, boy, if you are going to travel with three women, sleep with one eye open and a locked door between you and them, if possible, for you never know who may try and sneak into your sheets."
I chanced a glance at Abigail, who met me with a glare that said, "Tell him anything about last night and you're dead!"
"Understood. Any recommendations for when we're out in the wilderness?"
"Tie them in their hammocks with rope," the old man said dryly.
Abigail started giggling, "So, that's what you did with mother and those scarves when I was a child."
"Abigail!" The Archduke roared.
"Abigail, I really did not need that mental image, thank you. I'm going to go and find William."
"Why?" She asked.
"To see if he has any brain bleach to wipe that image from my head!" I stood and left after getting a nod of permission. As I stood, Abigail must have turned what she said over in her mind, because she slowly turned green and no sooner did, I shut that door, I heard her yell, "Wait for me! I need it too!"
She burst from the room looking very green indeed and her father's laughter booming from the room. We both hurried off to find the wizard.
"So, that's it huh?" William smirked at our downcast faces, "I fell into that trap in my days traveling with your father. Unfortunately, there is no such medicine or spell to fix such a mental image, you just have to not think about it, although I know from experience alcohol can help you forget, but that comes with hangovers."
He quickly shuffled several vials aside and then handed two over, "Drink. It'll help dull thee mental image."
Following Abigail's lead, I gulped down the contents of the vial. It burned like alcohol. I felt the mental image that grossed us out fade into a fuzzy memory that we would have trouble conjuring back up unless reminded directly.
We thanked William and departed. Abigail wished to show me around her childhood home and I was glad to do something a lot less strenuous than traveling all day in the wilderness.
The next several hours were spent touring the palace and wandering the gardens. Abigail glided through the halls guiding me on a tour. The palace itself was filled with beautiful works of art and elegantly designed trophies as well as stunning stained-glass windows. The gardens were even more stunning. Expansive beds of tropical flowers, avenues lined with fruit trees laden with fruit, topiaries in all sorts of shapes, many depicting dragons and deep clear ponds filled with tropical fish and flowing crystalline fountains. Beautifully carved benches of a deep brown wood were here and there under flowering trees and the entire place had a floral perfume in the air. The cobbled paths were level and smooth, the stones slotted together so tightly that not even a blade of grass could poke through.
Abigail's heels clacked as we walked and even my boots clomped slightly on the stones. We stopped at a fountain that cascaded into a perfectly round pool hidden in a far corner of the garden curtained by flowering trees and vines. She sat down on the lone bench there and I sat at her silent invitation. The ring around her middle finger that held the sleeve of her dress taut glinted in the sun. For an indeterminant amount of time, we sat there silently, enjoying the splashing out the water.
"Goals," I heard this softly whispered from my right. I turned to Abigail. There was a far off look in her eyes, as though she were privy to the sight of something that no one else could see.
She gracefully stood and strode over to the cascade, staring deeply into the flowing water, "What would you say a goal is?"
My answer was prompt, "Something that one is trying to do, gain or achieve, often personal, but sometimes shared commonly and can be long term."
She turned her head slightly to glance back at me, "Thank you," she murmured. Once more silence stretched out as she ran her hand through the flowing cascade. I stood to see what was wrong. Her face was emotionless, taciturn, her eyes watching the light dance through the flowing water.
"Goals," she said again, softly, "Why are they worth anything when even a lifelong one can change overnight? I have hoped and prayed, studied and trained all my life for my goal, to reach the pinnacle of Elder Dragons, but now something else pulls me. Away from the Fatalis, from the burning flames that punish foes and sinners, to something else. I had hoped that the might of the fatal flames would be the thing needed to control my ever-raging magic, but a cool, refreshing sensation pulls me. Pulls me towards water, like this cascade. My magic is calmer than it has ever been, for once the eternal tempest has faded somewhat to a small squall, still violent, but with soft lulls. Even now, with the water flowing over my skin, my magic is a storm, but not a charged one. What do I do?"
"I cannot tell you what to do, Abigail," I said, "I am not the one who can answer this question, as much as I wish it."
"This is something you must figure out on your own, daughter," from behind us, I heard the Archduke speak, "There are things that are greater than Fatalis in this kingdom. The King and his direct family for instance, the original Rainbow Serpent for another. And forget not the Great Godzilla, the great beast that sent the Skullcrawlers running to their underground nests. I suggest you think things over. Furthermore, ask yourself this, "Was the goal true if you could be so easily swayed from it?""
"Agreed," I murmured, before turning to the Archduke, "My Lord, would you have anyone in your lands capable of turning the great fangs of the Serpent into daggers?"
"What for?"
"Well, just imagine Abigail with one of those. It would be quite the intimidating look."
"Fangs…," Abigail whispered, "I wonder, could that happen? I need to test it magically first." She suddenly stiffened and turned round, "I have an experiment to run. If you will excuse me." She curtsied and hurried off, while the Archduke and I shared a confused look.
"Sorceress experiment?" I asked.
"Most likely," the Archduke grumbled, "You'd better go keep an eye on her, don't want any explosions happening. I'll show you where her lab is."
Abigail's lab was very similar to William's, if slightly more regal. Beakers, glassware, cauldrons, tables full of decanters, magic crystals, potion vials, parchment scattered everywhere and the walls were lined with books. On one table were the decanters that Abigail brought back from the temple-palace and Abigail was leaning over it, muttering arcane invocations on a sample of the liquid which was a bright poisonous green. Every so often she'd pick up a metal tipped quill and write something down. Then she dipped something in it, looked at the result and burned the object in question to ash. Then all of a sudden, a mouse ran across the table and she trapped it with her magic. I knew that she didn't like rodents so I was curious as to what she was going to do. A finger glowed with magic and then another forty-nine mice came flying past my head, how I was able to count them I didn't know. As they hovered there, she mixed up several different solutions of what was labeled Saline, and something labeled Serum. This done I watched as she carefully separated the liquid into vials and used magic to spin and then separate different components, throwing way parts and removing what looked like water ending with a clear powder that she carefully measured into different doses and mixed with the solutions before magically lifting several syringes with needles and injecting the resulting solutions into the mice.
It didn't take long for the effects to be seen, but for the weak of heart or overly sentimental, I shan't describe what happened. The mice died, that is all I will say.
"My, worse than Taipan or Basilisk venom," Abigail murmured, "Analysis indicates at one cytotoxin, two hemotoxins, and at least three neurotoxins. But this last finding doesn't make sense, unless-," she trailed off before disposing of the dead vermin and grabbed a book from her shelf. She flipped through it and compared her results.
"Interesting, the mana is there, but the structure is like a prototype, remnants of the Serpent's shape shifting spell? Hints of a mutational aspect, but a harsh one, thankfully dormant, same with the mana…," She continued her observations while I quietly wandered her workshop. Thankfully the items were tame, no floating eyeballs, pickled hands, or mutated toads. I passed by a shelf that had a lot of items that radiated Demon Energy and avoided it not daring to touch anything. I moved away from that particular shelf and was three away when something came crashing down.
I dove for cover, figuring something was being thrown, but when I looked up, Abigail had her hand outstretched glaring furiously at a rather large rat that had knocked over one of the glass cases of that shelf. The rat floated over to her as she magically lifted the item in question up off the floor. It was a black stone that was dripping in Demon Energy. I backed away from it as Abigail grew a nasty smirk, "I know exactly what to do with you, rodent!"
The rat locked in a cage as Abigail carefully brought the stone in range of the venom, holding it there for a moment before levitating it aside. "That should do it," she muttered, before picking up a syringe and filling it, capping it with a slim needle before opening the cage. The rat immediately tried to bolt but was frozen by her magic. Deftly, she inserted the needle into the rat and injected the venom into it before pulling it out and cleaning it off, and incinerating it in a magic circle. The rat was levitated back into the cage where she watched what happened to it. The rat began to twitch and writhe, squeaking loudly before frothing at the mouth as Demon Energy erupted around it. Its eyes bugged out and with a loud squeal, it died.
"So, either not enough Demon Energy, or being a rat and the kind of thing that venom in serpents is designed for caused it to die before the Demon Energy could react. Well, I'd best destroy this." The rat was burned to ash and the ash disposed of, but before Abigail could do anything else aside from disposing of the venom sample she was working with, a maid entered and bowed.
"My Lady, you and your guest are summoned to supper. The Archduke is waiting."
Abigail sighed softly and turned towards the maid, "Thank you Rini, we will be there shortly."
The maid was nervous, "The Archduke wanted you to follow me immediately, Lady Abigail. I apologize but that was his direct command."
Abigail closed her eyes and softly sighed again, "Very well. We will follow." We left the lab, shutting the door behind us, not knowing that the little mistake that Abigail made in not securing everything would come to bring great change.
The meal that the Archduke had had prepared was quite luxurious, the height of the cuisine of the region that Abigail once told me about. Forest antelope was served alongside roasted peccary, crocodile and the centerpiece was a massive Tigerfish with sago, palm hearts and numerous fruits like mango, pineapple, papaya, and passionfruit. Around it, was baked piranha and grilled iguana. Wine flowed in abundance, though Abigail and I both drank little.
Conversation was light, Abigail, though she had gotten her father's approval, was still stiff around her mother. I didn't say anything not wanting to get caught up in their argument. The old man noticed my unease with the cold war between the two ladies.
"Best stay out of that," he grumbled, "Those two are stubborn and I realize now that we slighted Abigail. Unfortunately, my wife is of a stubborn breeding and rarely admits her mistakes."
"Which one of you does Abigail take after then?"
I saw the growing grin on the Archduke's face, "She's more like my dear sister than either one of us. The girl has passion and fire, and a spine of stubbornness to get what she sets her mind on, but kindness as well as I'm certain you've learned."
"Indeed, I have."
The meal soon passed and the Archduke presented Abigail with her late birthday presents. The first were the heels that she requested from the hide, stunning things that would put an extra four inches to her height. The Second was a beautiful bastard sword, elegantly wrought with a long blade that flashed in the light, the ricasso ground out in a crescent and just before it the flat tapered slightly in a diamond shaped getting slightly thinner. The crossguard was a piece of art, cruciform, inlaid with gold and engraved with twisting spiraling vine-like shapes of silver, studded with beautiful gems and the hilt was interesting, it wasn't a leather wrapped thing, but was polished ebony inlaid with silver vines. The scabbard matched the blade well. Diamond patterns overlaid beautifully dyed leather and shined in the light. Abigail thanked her father and soon all dispersed.
I reminded Abigail about her experiments down in her lab that she left out. We quickly returned to the lab and what we found was a complete surprise. The black stone had dissolved and now the decanters of venom positively radiated Demon Energy.
Abigail's eyes went wide and she immediately began casting something. A crystalline dome surrounded the decanters sealing off the Demon Energy. Then she quickly donned thick gloves and cleaned up the remnants of her experiments before placing the decanters on a shelf by themselves.
"That could have been very bad," she remarked, "I'll let those sit there and let Eloise take a look. She was always the more knowledgeable one on Demon Energy and its effects of substances, but had to stop her studies because of her illness. And Lavrov." The last she spat in distaste.
"Major piece of work?" I asked.
"More like obsessive, controlling, vicious, up-and-coming tyrant," she answered. "That, beast, of a prince was so spoiled because he was the only child of his emperor father's one true love that anyone that gets anywhere near anything that he considers his is likely to end up dead. And you never know if you'll be labeled as either his, or what has been labeled his. Poor Eloise lives in fear of him because she's in line to the throne."
"But she's coming here with her father's permission, right?"
"Yes, and after the single incident where Lavrov tried his usual behavior, he's most certainly not welcome. Eloise, being quite like myself, has remained a dear friend."
"So, elegant and sophisticated on the outside, mischievous temptress of men on the inside?" I quipped.
Abigail blushed as we left her lab, locking the door. I could almost hear the internal squealing.
"I do not understand what you mean, good sir, by temptress," Abigail stood proudly, putting on her noble lady mask, "I am a lady and a noble, not some courtesan."
With that said we walked off to enjoy the next few days in civilization.
Over the next two days, we relaxed after our long months of travel and work. I finally had to convince Abigail not to shy away from her original goal by remarking to her that if she could be swayed that easily, it wasn't that important to fret about it after all. It seemed to shock her and she doubled down on her goal to become a Fatalis. I also found out more about Eloise.
"Raven black hair, mysterious purple eyes, alabaster skin and a body that is on par with a succubus," was Abigail's description of her, "Of course, much of that was what her mother looked like and when we last parted due to her illness, she was already showing that same beauty."
We soon had the meeting with the Kushala and I went to the same spot in the woods and waited until sunrise. Finally, I heard wingbeats as she landed in her Mamono form. She was carrying a small pack and bedroll.
"Well? Let's go find your friend," she said brusquely.
I sighed, glad I didn't have to climb any mountain peaks, "Come on, let's get you settled. There might be one more joining us."
"Oh?"
"Abigail can tell you more. Let's go."
I didn't say any more but led Anastasia to the palace where the servants quickly escorted her to meet Abigail and her parents. I however, went to lay down for a few hours, having been up before dawn and not well rested, leaving a message that I was to be roused before Eloise arrived by Abigail.
Thankfully, my room was not far from the office of the Archduke where the meeting was being held so I could quietly eavesdrop on the introductions with Anastasia. There wasn't shouting, but quiet and then gleeful squealing that sounded like it came from Anastasia, with an exclamation of, "Dragon-sister, yes! An excellent goal, though difficult. I can see you making it, though."
Then the chit-chat of young ladies passed by my room and down the hall and I heard the Archduke sigh in relief. I soon relaxed and began to doze.
A few hours later I was up and waiting in the courtyard with the others for Eloise's arrival. Thankfully much of my armor classified as something fitting for welcoming someone who was technically a princess, though gave up her right to the throne. I hoped that the visit wouldn't be too long, not that I begrudged Abigail a visit with her childhood friend, but my wanderlust had fired up again and it was soon time to get moving again.
Hoofbeats sounded on the stone as the escort and then carriage pulled into the courtyard. There was much faff and ceremony, greetings and all, and finally I caught sight of Eloise as Abigail joyfully embraced her. Abigail's description was to a tee and she had a wide laughing smile as she was tackled by Abigail.
Behind me I heard a snort of amusement from Anastasia and I turned around. She had disguised herself as a full human, though in close fitting armor that covered down to her knees and up to her neck, leaving her lower legs and the entirety of her arms uncovered and her long grey hair was tied back into a long ponytail. Her eerie blue eyes watched the scene and her lips quirked.
"Quite the pair, aren't they?" She remarked, waving a hand in the direction of the two young noblewomen.
"They haven't seen each other in years, I'll give them some slack," I muttered, "Though I worry about Eloise joining us. Abigail never mentioned her having done any training aside from research, and if she wants to go to Dragonia, well, that's several months away by foot through hostile jungle by the quickest route."
"Hmm, and that border was closed the last I went there due to the Order's once a decade attempt to conquer it," Anastasia answered as the two girls approached us.
Introductions were soon handled and I quickly found that Eloise was just plain friendly, something that apparently was hidden at home thanks to her status and half-brother.
The girls went off to chat and examine magical things, I went to get some training in with the master-of-arms as I didn't want to lose my edge. The woman in question was happy to have an opponent of my caliber who could handle the great strikes her halberd dealt out.
Our weapons clashed and steel sang, neither of us giving an inch. War sword against halberd, we danced the dance of death. Guards and knights both came out to watch and soon even Anastasia had dragged Abigail and Eloise out to watch.
"Looks like we've drawn a crowd," I murmured when our weapons locked.
"Aye," She grunted, "And I think it's time we put the girls through their paces, or at least I will. You need to rest before setting off again." She shoved me back to disengage, "Pax?"
"Pax," I announced clearly, before sheathing my sword and then giving the strong woman a warrior's handshake. "Well fought."
"And to you," she barked out in laughter, "You wild boys from the north can put a fair few of us here in the Kingdom to shame with your strength."
"Spend your childhood wrangling Mammoths and Aurochs," I laughed, "That'll get you that strength." We broke for water and I watched as the older woman sent Abigail and Eloise off to change for training. Anastasia was exempt, I heard loud and clear, "I'm no fool to be putting the likes of an Elder against anyone here, and my days as a Hunter are long behind me. I'll trust that your skills are sharp, Kushala."
Abigail and Eloise both returned, dressed in trousers, boots and long-sleeved shirts holding swords. Eloise actually looked fairly competent with hers, a short broadsword in one hand, a long dagger in the other.
The bouts began and I watched with a critical eye every movement, and every swing. Eloise was competent to the point I would have no issues with her traveling with us if she joined and Abigail, well, she was proving her Sword Mistress title. I wanted to test her though and caught the master-of-arms eye and motioned to join as a test. The older woman nodded briefly and without warning Abigail I entered combat. The knight she was fighting backed off when I engaged, and what followed was a whirling bout. Abigail was used to fighting opponents that were either unarmed like the wildlife, or those armed with a single-handed blade. Someone with a large war sword like mine? Well, strength verses speed, and the speed was not as good as an advantage with someone like me.
Abigail soon fell back as Eloise moved to support her friend. Short blade against long blade, with Abigail regaining her strength a bit while Eloise kept my focus before Abigail exploded forwards her sword in hand and started to match me strike for strike, strength on strength. For those of you who meet Abigail after reading this, she may not look extremely muscled, but there is power in what muscles she has and that went for back then as well, her lithe and womanly form hid much.
I pushed her to the limit, all we could hear was the clash of steel ringing, all we could see was the other, the blaze in the other's eyes, the sweat on the brow, the gritted teeth; our entire world at that moment was this fight. Then in one moment, our swords locked together and we sank to the ground.
We both knelt as our blades slide apart, burying the tips into the ground. We both gasped for breath as the gathered crowd cheered. The master-of-arms strode over and thrust two tankards of water at us, "Drink," she said, "That was well done, well done indeed."
We both downed it and struggled to our feet, grabbing our blades which needed care now. A page came and took them promising to have them returned quickly. Abigail and I collapsed next to the cistern while one of the knights put Eloise through her paces again while Anastasia joined us.
"You did well, Dragon-sister," she drawled, "You held your own."
"I'm not a Dragon yet, so why do you call me that?"
"You will be though, and I watched that fight with Malzeno. To take on the Silver Duke, the Vampiric Elder is no small feat, even though you were frightened. Dragon you already are, I can smell it in your blood."
"But that was so long ago that the blood of a Dragon ran strong in my family!" Abigail exclaimed.
"And yet the scent is still there, even in the smallest amounts," Anastasia said coolly.
I leaned back and then posed the question, "When shall we leave and what is our next destination?"
Her answer was cut off by a commotion in the courtyard and we rushed to see what was going on. A messenger had arrived and was clearly exhausted.
The archduke questioned the man and the look on his face was grim. "Abigail!" He called, "You and your companions with me. There's trouble in multiple forms."
We met the old man in his office, where his head knight and William waited.
"Father, what's going on?" Abigail brusquely asked him.
"A small list of troubles," Came the answer, "First the Order decided to send a scouting trip deep into the kingdom, how they got this far, only Lord Rep knows. Second, the Sabbath have decided to increase their efforts in Schrade. Third, Maou Lilith has requested of the King that all the Lords be summoned for an important meeting in the Capital, immediately. Finally, strange reports are coming out of the Rainy Basin, signs are pointing to a potential Skullcrawler. I have to be at the meeting and the Dragoons are moving to deal with the Order, I need the four of you to go clear out the Sabbath from the ruins of Schrade and then investigate the Basin for signs of Skullcrawlers and if necessary, deal with it."
Anastasia interjected, "You mean, have the Elder Dragon deal with it?"
"No, all of you. And quickly, something's got Lilith on high alert and the other Great Beast Kings have been called."
"Great, if Druella preparing to move from Lescatie wasn't bad enough, this happens," I growled, "I'll have to warn my sister."
"Go ahead."
I grabbed a teleportation circle set it up before hopping through. I found myself in the basement of my house and I could hear Simon above. I rapidly climbed the stairs and threw open the hatch to the shock of my younger brother. "Simon," I said, "Where's Vivian?"
"I'll get her," he stuck him head out the door and shouted, "Vivian! Big brother is here and he looks serious!"
I was soon greeted by a very anxious Velkhan, her tail lashing behind her. After explaining the situation, I paused to wait for her opinion.
"I see. That is a problem, and we've heard other rumors here in the mountains that the Order is marshalling as many forces as possible for a big invasion and the outer villages have reported seen major military movement. And the situation with Druella's underlings is getting worse, Elle's had to put up some heavy-duty spells and we've had refugees from the western foothill villages. If that duke is going to be meeting with her, ask him to pass on the information. Arianna came by though," she turned to a lighter note, "She took in Beatrice as an apprentice, so hopefully she'll learn control."
"That's good. I'll get going Vivian, pass on the word and see what can be done. Oh, did any disaster relief come up from the border?"
"It did, and many of those have been a great help in keeping the outriders of Druella's army out, but word needs to be sent."
"Alright, I'll get going. Take care sis," I kissed her cheek as she hugged me.
"Stay safe," she whispered.
I returned to the basement and teleported back. Everyone was still through, waiting.
"Vivian gave me news. It's likely worse than we thought."
"How?" The archduke asked.
"Rumors that this scouting trip is a precursor to invasion as a massive marshalling has been spotted, Druella's forces are also getting out of hand in the neutral territory, please inform the Maou, sir, her daughter Elle can only do so much, and the western villages in the foothills have been devastated."
"Damn it, I bet that's the entire point of the Maou's meeting," The Archduke cursed, "I'll keep this short, Gerontius, the map if you please."
The head knight spread out a map of the surrounding areas, detailing the Schrade ruins as well as a good portion of the Rainy Basin and notes were marked all over it.
"The Sabbath were reported here," the Archduke pointed to a large collection of ruins not far from the main castle, "History and surveys indicate that this was where, unfortunately, the Dragons used for the creation of their weapons and armor as well as," he paused, his gaze fixed on Anastasia who glared furiously at the map, but waved him on, "the Equal Dragon Weapon, were raised and slaughtered before being put to use. Their camp is outside the ruins, but there are a lot of them and they are getting closer. The main castle is here," he slid his finger over just a bit to a large ruin that sat next to a great chasm, "Avoid it, if possible, the Fatalis have been known to use it as a proving ground. Thank Gog that the Great Six-horned Fatalis shattered much of that and the weapon doesn't remain."
"What are their numbers? Any fortifications, state of their forces? Are we supposed to eliminate all of them, force them out or bury the ruins so they leave?"
"There's too many for just the four of you to kill, so bury the ruins and then do what you can to force them out. According to the reports, they just arrived and should still be setting up camp, so with the barriers the King put up to prevent them from entering at first, you should have time to sneak in, plant charges which will be provided, get out and detonate them. We have scouts at a forward operating base here," He pointed to an area just east of the ruins, near the chasm, "They'll have the supplies you need. Go quickly and keep your heads down, too much activity might get a Fatalis showing up, an unmonsterized one and we don't need that complication."
"No arguments from me," Anastasia growled, "Burying those ruins to rubble will be wonderful and chasing the Sabbath out is a bonus exercise in practicing hurling iced rocks."
"Do I need to paint a target board in the distance and get track of points? Or a big hooped net that you toss them into?" I muttered, grinning savagely.
"There's not a target board big enough for that lot," Eloise shook her head, "Or enough paint in the Kingdom."
"When you are finished," the old man growled, hiding a grin, "You are dismissed. Grab your things and get moving, the teleportation circle is waiting in the courtyard."
We scrammed, returning to our rooms and gathering everything we needed. Anastasia and I were soon waiting for the other two, I assume because Eloise had to make certain that her escort was housed appropriately. Soon enough they came darting out of the palace, dressed in similar clothing fit for travel. Long-sleeved cotton shirts, trousers, leather boots and blades at their waists.
Upon arriving at the forward base, I was struck by the desolate atmosphere of this place. Whatever created the great chasm below split mountains and cast great clouds of dust into the sky which was a bloody red while dark clouds swirled. The land was dead, not an ounce of green, just barren rock and ash waste. What light that made it through the clouds was weak and cast everything into an eternal dusk.
The briefing from the scouts gave us a little more information. The Sabbath contingent was massive and had arrived only a few hours before hand. Married parties had gone out to harass the force to delay and distract but we needed to blow the ruins quickly.
Mottled clocks were passed out and one of the scouts led us down and across the jagged terrain darting from outcrop to outcrop and hiding behind large pieces of rubble that had tumbled down from above.
It gave me the chills, this place, so dead silent, only the wind howling, the gravelly crunch of rocks underfoot, and in the distance, the high-pitched chatter of the Sabbath.
We finally made it to the ruins we had to blow up after an hour and a half of this, when the scout stopped us and made a sign before waiting, never speaking a word. Then from the shadows, another scout appeared, making a countersign and motioned us to follow. Silently, we went, following her into the ruins after passing through whatever barrier had been set up. There were other scouts here waiting.
"Good, you all made it in time," the lead scout whispered, "Did you bring everything needed?"
Abigail opened the large bags of charges and remote spell activators, "This enough?"
"If those other three bags are fill with the same, yes, plenty, we'll level this place. Deep Squad, you're up."
Six scouts dressed in all black stepped forward and started shoving charges into bags before vanishing into the depths while the senior scout showed us how we were bringing this place down.
"Charges here, here and here will shatter the supports causing it to collapse inward while the charges Deep Squad is planting will destroy any remnants of artifacts left behind as well as make this place extremely unstable. Squads Four and Five will head down to plant their charges and then One through Three will head down to place charges. We'll plant the last ones and once everyone is out and clear, I'll signal a watcher on the ridge to alert the harassers to make a major push from the rear while we get clear and then you lot blow this place sky high. Hopefully doing all that without attracting a Fatalis."
As she ran us through this, Deep Squad returned and the others quickly vanished down below as Deep Squad left the ruin. We bided our time, waiting as the seconds ticked by, every crunch of rock or sharp blast of the wind making us jump.
Once the last Squads were out, we planted our charges and scrammed. Sticking to the shadows, we followed the senior scout and the others away from the ruins back to camp, when while we heard a massive clashing coming from the Sabbath encampment. Once the scouts had led us to a safe distance on a small outcrop overlooking the plain, I took out the caster and activated it.
For a moment all was quiet and still, and then we saw and felt it. BOOOOOOOM! The charges had worked, sending a massive cloud of dirt and dust into the air that was soon cleared by the wind. We watched at the upper ruins collapsed into the massive crater that had formed and rocks and dirt begin pouring into it. Then a great cry came up from the Sabbath camp and we decided to not hang around. They would be eager for payback.
The forward base thankfully was hidden from sight as we needed to stay and observe for the next few days. Most of the scouts and the harassers left, though the senior scouts stayed to monitor the situation.
The Sabbath were persistent little buggers and scoured the surrounding area for anything that they could find, which was a lot of nothing so some groups dispersed back to where they came from. Then we got the word to clear them out.
The senior scouts whittled them down as we moved into position. The camp was in the midst of a ruined town with the Baphomets and senior most witches quartered in the largest ruin. Normally we'd kill them, but there were too many so our blades were charmed to paralyze and teleport. And Anastasia gladly volunteered to make the opening move.
She summoned a massive wall of wind that hurtled straight down the center of their camp, whipping up everything and tossing it aside. I then let loose from the depths of my throat a wild and blood-curdling howling scream that twisted in the ever-present dusk before striking deep into the heart of the encampment as the girls followed.
Such was the shock of my assault into their ranks that at least twenty-five witches and other assorted lolis were teleported back to where they came from before they even realized I was there and another ten vanished before they thought to react. They may have been a faction of powerful spellcasters, but magic takes more time to cast than a warrior raised and trained like I was can move and mental shock can cause great havoc with spellcasters.
Beside me, Abigail carved a path, her eyes aflame as her sword danced in her hand. Flanking her, sword and dagger singing, was Eloise, practically dancing between her opponents like a striking serpent. Anastasia hung back, defending our rear and funneling most of the Lolis into the path of our blades.
Realizing the spells weren't going to work, the Sabbath switched tactics and started hurling potions at us causing us to have to dodge. I slammed the pommel of my sword into the gut of one Devil, then quickly slashing a Cu Sidhe that leaped at me before uppercutting a lolified Hellhound with my plated fist while dodging numerous potion flasks as another barrage soared into the air. A massive twister blasted them back as well as giving us some breathing room, and I saw a self-satisfied grin on Anastasia's face before refocusing on the fight.
It took a long while to clear the grunts out, occasionally we were able to rest and catch our breath behind a savage wind barrier thanks to Anastasia, but it was still a tiring thing. Everyone was drenched in sweat and our muscles ached badly, but finally, we stood outside the ruins that the Baphomets were in. This wasn't going to be easy.
"Watch yourselves in there," I remarked, "Baphomets are strong and tricky."
"Even with their obvious child-like forms," Eloise commented, her voice having a regalness to it, clear and laden with authority, but with a gentleness that was almost unexpected for a princess of her background.
"They are going to regret dearly stepping on this ground when I'm done with them," Abigail hissed, "To disrespect the place where so many Dragons died in agony and the great Fatalis' domain deserves the highest punishment I can offer." She was shaking in rage; I could feel her anger as well as Anastasia's who remained silent.
We entered; weapons ready for anything. A Witch darted out from the side straight at Abigail intent of hitting her with a spell, but was caught in the gut by the flat of her sword and vanished in a flash. Inside we found five Baphomets waiting and their eyes gleamed when they saw me.
"Oh, Onii-chan is here finally! Want to play, Onii-chan? I do!" One Baphomet leered at me. I snarled, baring my teeth as my grip tightened on my blade.
"Onii-chan was kind too! He brought us new playmates!" Another giggled, causing the girls to snarl.
"Come join us, Onii-chan, you'll have so much fun!" A third, the leader spoke and I felt my brain go fuzzy, like I had been drinking. My vision narrowed onto the Baphomet's body her wonderful, childlike body, and I almost started moving when I was smacked in the shoulder. The pain jolted something and I caught sight of a soft pink glow around the hand of the Baphomet. A Charm Spell.
Upon realizing this, my anger spiked into fury and my mind cleared. My head lifted up as a rumbling roar came that we boys of the Cordillera are taught that mimics the angry roar of the mammoths and I slashed my blade in defiance. Our position was clear, we weren't joining the Sabbath and doom awaited them.
Seeing this, the Baphomets started casting spells and we charged in. The fight was brutal. Each Baphomet was a capable warrior and being Mamono, powerful and tough. Thankfully, we didn't have to deal with their Demon Energy as Anastasia's Demon Energy as an Elder Dragon overpowered theirs.
The fight was difficult still, in part due to the strength of the Baphomets, but also due to our exhaustion. Anastasia had it the easiest, her scales easily deflecting spells and her sharp claws landing heavy blows and shattering the Baphomet's staff before the Kushala's fury caused her to vanish by teleportation. Eloise was having the most difficulties, not having the long blade that Abigail and I had.
She was slowly being forced back by the Baphomet she was fighting when she was disarmed of her dagger and had to use just her broadsword. The Baphomet forced her to one knee grinning in victory. Seeing her friend in danger, Abigail's magic ignited, causing flames to erupt on her longsword as she beat back and finished off her opponent. Just then, Eloise made one last strike on the Baphomet she was fighting, landing a crushing blow as both her sword and the Baphomet's staff shattered in a burst of magic. Both were flung apart, Eloise getting hit by several shards of wood and bone as something cracked and she cried out in pain. The Baphomet teleported away as a massive amount of Demon Energy erupted to the north laced with fury before a second and more powerful spike of Reptilian energy washed over the land drowning out the Demon Energy.
The Lead Baphomet froze at the wave of Demon Energy, seemingly recognizing it. I took advantage of this along with Abigail as Anastasia went to help Eloise. We both advanced on her, flanking her, intent on ridding her loli taint from the land.
She brought her staff up to block my swing, but Abigail's blade took her in the side, the magic having run out and biting deep. The Baphomet cried out, "AH!" and grabbed her side as her staff gave way under my strength, collapsing to her knees. Blood seeped through her paws as we glared down at her.
"Leave this place, Baphomet," Abigail growled, "NOW!"
The Baphomet stared at us wide-eyed before vanishing. Now that we had dealt with the Sabbath, our concerns turned towards Eloise.
Anastasia had her shirt off, and was diagnosing the problem. What we found was not good. A vial that she was carrying had shattered and what it was filled with worried us. The Rainbow Serpent venom that was tainted with Demon Energy. And she had an open cut from the glass that was covered in it. Her face was pinched in distress as Demon Energy poured into her. We knew what was coming and couldn't stop it. Monsterization.
Her form writhed and shook as her pants tore away and her shoes fell off as her feet morphed into nubs and then merged along with her legs into a massive and extremely long serpent's tail, forming scales that shifted in color through all the colors of the rainbow. Her torso lifted up on the front part of her tail like a lamia as her raven black hair shifted to stark white tipped with blue. A great plume of large plate-like scales emerged on her tail tip as her cheeks grew scales and her ears became pointed and belly scales formed. Four holes, two on each side opened up between her eyes and her nose forming what I realized were heat pits, her nails grew and sharpened somewhat, becoming talonlike and small fangs peaked out from her mouth. Her tongue grew forked as her irises turned ruby red and her pupils became vertical slits as her breasts grew a few sizes making her clothes uncomfortably tight. Then she passed out and we had no option but to teleport her away.