Once again, sorry for the delays, but I've been really busy lately with school and work, and actually doing stuff on the weekends instead of just playing video games. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this newest chapter. Reviews appreciated.
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Though I am shocked, I cannot help but feel a sense of awe at the sight of Velious. Though there is a sense of foreboding about him, there is also an aura of solemnity as well. Through his eyes, which are as black as the devils heart, I can sense feeling burning inside of him.
"So, young warrior, you have met one of my rouge officers," Velious says, sitting down across from me in a special chair made to accommodate his four arms. "What did you think of him?"
I close the book and lean back. "Well, once I got used to the fact that he's a demon, I found him quite charming," I say, leaning an elbow on the arm of my chair, propping my head up on a fist. "I was still on edge whenever he was around, though. He's just too powerful. Not to mention when I first saw him he was slaughtering the summoners who brought him to my world."
"Yes, he did sometimes have a penchant for going berserk with the power we had given him. I sometimes wondered if it was too much, but he usually handles it well so we let it slide. And what about you? Do you think you could handle that power?"
"Well I don't have it, so what does it matter?"
"What if I told you it is well within your grasp? All you would have to do is one little favor for me."
"Sounds like you want me to sell my soul to the devil."
"In a manner of speaking, you would be," he says, standing up and circling the table, "But, you would get the power first, and, once you've done my favor, you will be released from any obligations."
"And what would I have to do," I ask skeptically with a snort, "kill Orcas."
"Yes," he says bluntly. I guess you shouldn't expect the devil to be subtle.
"And how would you expect me to do that. Hell, we might as well save everyone a bunch of time and I can just kill myself."
Velious gives a hearty laugh. "Please Mr. Kukri, I understand that presently you could never beat Orcus," he chuckles," but after the show you put on with my Altima Demon, you cannot tell me you never will be able to."
"Well," I say, "maybe I could, but it would take a long time to find that much power. Surely more time than both you and I have."
"Are you so sure? Do you think it couldn't be right in front of you, all around you?"
"What do you mean?"
"All these books have been memorized. I know everything in them. I know the text, word for word. I know everything one could ever wish to. Did you think I wouldn't offer myself for your so called copy skill?" I'm a bit taken aback that he knows about my skill, seeing as I've told nearly no one about it. I don't let my surprise show, though. "That is a novel skill, by the way. Most original of all I've seen. And I have seen a lot."
"Well, even you must admit, that would be quite an unconventional tactic."
"How so?" he asks, "The enemy of my enemy is my friend, and you and Orcus are surely enemies now."
"Wait, how could he be my enemy? I haven't done anything to him. Hell, I even fought on his side!"
"That is true, but did you not realize that Orcus did not kill the Altima Demon he fought? All he did was send him back here, completely unharmed. Rather nice of him, really. That was one of the reasons why he was one of out best officers, he genuinely cared for his soldiers. He avoided putting them in danger whenever possible. When you killed that Demon, you instantly got on his bad side.
"He knows you're here right now, too. He knows exactly what we're talking about, and he knows exactly what I'm saying. He knows it is all true, and he knows, just as I do, that you shall accept my offer. And even if you didn't, he wouldn't be able to trust you anymore. He would just assume you did, and, quite frankly, you do not have any choice." He has come back around to his chair and sits down. His black eyes stare into mine as I contemplate his offer.
I know he's right. I really don't have any other choice. And, anyway, who cares if this guy wants me to knock off some other guy. The reasons behind it are none of my business. And what about his skills? That's why I'm here isn't it? Shouldn't I grasp this rare and great opportunity?
I put my hands face down on the table and stand up. "Okay," I say, relenting, "how do you want to do this?"
Velius, too, stands up, a smile flowing onto his face. "Excellent. I knew you would listen to reason. Just start doing whatever it is you do. I will take care of the rest."
I lift my right hand and point the palm towards Velius. The familiar blue beam snakes out and twists its way toward him. When it connects it feels like my brain is being sucked through the beam. When I get all the way through, it feels as if I'm floating in space, right above a swirling black hole.
I look down and start to file away everything I find: skills, spells, secrets lost long ago. I start to reach into one area when I hear Velius' voice in my head.
"I did not say I would give you unrestricted access. This is one of those places I will ask you not to go." Not wanted to piss off the demon of demons, I pull back. When I finish copying everything I can, I head back towards the entrace. As I travel back through the beam, I can see through the walls into the study. I watch myself draw closer, eyes glazed over as if focusing on some sad, distant memory.
Suddenly I am back in my body, and I fall back into my chair, exhausted. My head feels like it is going to explode. Velius walks over to me, just staring. "Don't worry. I know it is a lot to take in all at once, especially since it took me millenia to learn all of it, but I have no doubt you will be fine." He looks towards the door briefly the looks back down. "We will transport you back to your world now." An Altima Demon comes in and picked my up out of my chair. "So long, Mr. Kukri. I have held up my end of the bargain. Now it is time for you to make good on yours." As the door to Velius' study closes, I black out.
When I come to, the beam of light transporting me back to my my original dimension is pulling away. I'm back in the Golden Goose bar, except everything is in ashes. I'm surprised that the building itself survived. The bartender looks up as I enter, then goes back to cleaning everything up.
"You're friend sure tore things up. He was really angry when you left," he says.
"Yeah," I say, trying to stand up, but all of my muscles are so sore I only manage to struggle to my knees, then fall back down. I'm lying face down, ass in the air, struggling to get up.
"Oh my God!" I hear a young woman's voice behind me. Footsteps run up to me, and I feel small, dainty hands trying to pull me up. She gets me into a sitting position and runs around in front of me. As she kneels down to inspect me, I realize that it is Phare who is helping me.
"I told you something bad would happen," she says, pulling out a silk handkerchief and dabbing it on my face. "I mean, just look what happened to this poor mans bar!"
"Don't you worry about me, ma'am," the bartender says, walking over to where we are and wiping his hands on his apron. "I'll have this place good as new in no time."
"That's good to hear. I'm sorry if I caused you any trouble," I say.
"Come on," Phare says, pulling me up by me shoulders, semi-carrying me. She walks towards the stairs, then looks over her shoulder and says, "Sorry to just leave you, but he needs some attention."
"That's no problem, ma'am. Don't you worry about a thing. I'll make sure you two aren't disturbed," he says with a wink."
"Hey! It's not like that!" I shout at him as Phare carries me up the stairs to the inn, back to my room.
The room is dark, that same blue hue pervading everything. The light is rapidly growing, the rising sun starting to shine through the window. She lays me on the bed and takes off my shirt, revealing many a bruise. "Wow, they really did a number on you," she says, walking over to the water bowl and wetting a cloth.
"Yeah, well, I doubt it's what you think." She pulls the cloth out of the bowl, the water running off carrying a red tint.
"Really? What happened then? Did he send you back to the Lucavi?" She asks, walking over to the bed.
"Not exactly," I say, sitting up. I look down and see all the blood coming from wounds I didn't know I had. I reach down and pull a splinter of my kikuichimoji out of my leg with a grunt. What a waste of a perfectly good sword. "They somehow pulled me there."
"What? How?" I tell her the whole story as she bandages me. "Wow," she says, finishing my bandages. "So, you absorbed an Altima Demon into yourself?"
"I guess. I mean, it's not like anyone's really explained it all to me."
"I can see how you look a little more like them now than you did before. Your hair's much more black, and your eyes are now a really bright, almost glowing, green."
"Really?" I say, with a kind of chuckle. "I always wanted glowing green eyes. Mark a true soldier, you know."
"Well, to have taken what you did, you're definitely a trooper."
"Hey thanks. I really appreciate all the help, but if you wouldn't mind, my head really hurts and I just want to go to sleep. So, please, just get the hell out."
"Hey!" she shouts, jumping to her feet. "You can't just kick me out! Anyway, you must want to test out your new powers. I could help."
"No, actually. Like I said, I just want to go to sleep right now."
"Mmmmmmmmm," she says, crawling over the bed, lying belly down next to me. "I can make you get some real good sleep," she says with a purr.
"Just go away!" I say in a huff, turning away from her.
"Well, you're no fun," she says, propping herself up on her knees and giving me a pout. The new risen sun is finally making its entrance through the window behind her, making it look like she has a halo. "Anyway, I don't care if you are or not. I don't have a room, and I need to sleep somewhere. Wouldn't you like it to be with you?"
"No," I say to her without turning to face her. Lying on my side like this hurts my ribs, but I continue anyway.
"Yeah, well, tough," she says, climbing between the sheets next to me.
My heart starts to quicken as I feel her toss and turn behind me, but I steadfastly remain still and keep my eyes shut. After a while she finally falls asleep, and my heart returns to its normal pace. I turn back over onto my back and breath a little easier as pressure is relieved off my ribs.
I'm almost about to fall asleep when I feel her start to toss and turn again. I give a frustrated sigh and turn back away from her. It looks like she's about to fall asleep again, so I turn onto my back again. She flops over once more, this time she drapes an arm over my chest, facing me. She finally sits still and I just let her. Thank God! I think to myself.
We both just lay still, and, after a long, exhausting night, I finally fall asleep.
Once again, reviews/constructive critcizism appreciated. Thank you.
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Though I am shocked, I cannot help but feel a sense of awe at the sight of Velious. Though there is a sense of foreboding about him, there is also an aura of solemnity as well. Through his eyes, which are as black as the devils heart, I can sense feeling burning inside of him.
"So, young warrior, you have met one of my rouge officers," Velious says, sitting down across from me in a special chair made to accommodate his four arms. "What did you think of him?"
I close the book and lean back. "Well, once I got used to the fact that he's a demon, I found him quite charming," I say, leaning an elbow on the arm of my chair, propping my head up on a fist. "I was still on edge whenever he was around, though. He's just too powerful. Not to mention when I first saw him he was slaughtering the summoners who brought him to my world."
"Yes, he did sometimes have a penchant for going berserk with the power we had given him. I sometimes wondered if it was too much, but he usually handles it well so we let it slide. And what about you? Do you think you could handle that power?"
"Well I don't have it, so what does it matter?"
"What if I told you it is well within your grasp? All you would have to do is one little favor for me."
"Sounds like you want me to sell my soul to the devil."
"In a manner of speaking, you would be," he says, standing up and circling the table, "But, you would get the power first, and, once you've done my favor, you will be released from any obligations."
"And what would I have to do," I ask skeptically with a snort, "kill Orcas."
"Yes," he says bluntly. I guess you shouldn't expect the devil to be subtle.
"And how would you expect me to do that. Hell, we might as well save everyone a bunch of time and I can just kill myself."
Velious gives a hearty laugh. "Please Mr. Kukri, I understand that presently you could never beat Orcus," he chuckles," but after the show you put on with my Altima Demon, you cannot tell me you never will be able to."
"Well," I say, "maybe I could, but it would take a long time to find that much power. Surely more time than both you and I have."
"Are you so sure? Do you think it couldn't be right in front of you, all around you?"
"What do you mean?"
"All these books have been memorized. I know everything in them. I know the text, word for word. I know everything one could ever wish to. Did you think I wouldn't offer myself for your so called copy skill?" I'm a bit taken aback that he knows about my skill, seeing as I've told nearly no one about it. I don't let my surprise show, though. "That is a novel skill, by the way. Most original of all I've seen. And I have seen a lot."
"Well, even you must admit, that would be quite an unconventional tactic."
"How so?" he asks, "The enemy of my enemy is my friend, and you and Orcus are surely enemies now."
"Wait, how could he be my enemy? I haven't done anything to him. Hell, I even fought on his side!"
"That is true, but did you not realize that Orcus did not kill the Altima Demon he fought? All he did was send him back here, completely unharmed. Rather nice of him, really. That was one of the reasons why he was one of out best officers, he genuinely cared for his soldiers. He avoided putting them in danger whenever possible. When you killed that Demon, you instantly got on his bad side.
"He knows you're here right now, too. He knows exactly what we're talking about, and he knows exactly what I'm saying. He knows it is all true, and he knows, just as I do, that you shall accept my offer. And even if you didn't, he wouldn't be able to trust you anymore. He would just assume you did, and, quite frankly, you do not have any choice." He has come back around to his chair and sits down. His black eyes stare into mine as I contemplate his offer.
I know he's right. I really don't have any other choice. And, anyway, who cares if this guy wants me to knock off some other guy. The reasons behind it are none of my business. And what about his skills? That's why I'm here isn't it? Shouldn't I grasp this rare and great opportunity?
I put my hands face down on the table and stand up. "Okay," I say, relenting, "how do you want to do this?"
Velius, too, stands up, a smile flowing onto his face. "Excellent. I knew you would listen to reason. Just start doing whatever it is you do. I will take care of the rest."
I lift my right hand and point the palm towards Velius. The familiar blue beam snakes out and twists its way toward him. When it connects it feels like my brain is being sucked through the beam. When I get all the way through, it feels as if I'm floating in space, right above a swirling black hole.
I look down and start to file away everything I find: skills, spells, secrets lost long ago. I start to reach into one area when I hear Velius' voice in my head.
"I did not say I would give you unrestricted access. This is one of those places I will ask you not to go." Not wanted to piss off the demon of demons, I pull back. When I finish copying everything I can, I head back towards the entrace. As I travel back through the beam, I can see through the walls into the study. I watch myself draw closer, eyes glazed over as if focusing on some sad, distant memory.
Suddenly I am back in my body, and I fall back into my chair, exhausted. My head feels like it is going to explode. Velius walks over to me, just staring. "Don't worry. I know it is a lot to take in all at once, especially since it took me millenia to learn all of it, but I have no doubt you will be fine." He looks towards the door briefly the looks back down. "We will transport you back to your world now." An Altima Demon comes in and picked my up out of my chair. "So long, Mr. Kukri. I have held up my end of the bargain. Now it is time for you to make good on yours." As the door to Velius' study closes, I black out.
When I come to, the beam of light transporting me back to my my original dimension is pulling away. I'm back in the Golden Goose bar, except everything is in ashes. I'm surprised that the building itself survived. The bartender looks up as I enter, then goes back to cleaning everything up.
"You're friend sure tore things up. He was really angry when you left," he says.
"Yeah," I say, trying to stand up, but all of my muscles are so sore I only manage to struggle to my knees, then fall back down. I'm lying face down, ass in the air, struggling to get up.
"Oh my God!" I hear a young woman's voice behind me. Footsteps run up to me, and I feel small, dainty hands trying to pull me up. She gets me into a sitting position and runs around in front of me. As she kneels down to inspect me, I realize that it is Phare who is helping me.
"I told you something bad would happen," she says, pulling out a silk handkerchief and dabbing it on my face. "I mean, just look what happened to this poor mans bar!"
"Don't you worry about me, ma'am," the bartender says, walking over to where we are and wiping his hands on his apron. "I'll have this place good as new in no time."
"That's good to hear. I'm sorry if I caused you any trouble," I say.
"Come on," Phare says, pulling me up by me shoulders, semi-carrying me. She walks towards the stairs, then looks over her shoulder and says, "Sorry to just leave you, but he needs some attention."
"That's no problem, ma'am. Don't you worry about a thing. I'll make sure you two aren't disturbed," he says with a wink."
"Hey! It's not like that!" I shout at him as Phare carries me up the stairs to the inn, back to my room.
The room is dark, that same blue hue pervading everything. The light is rapidly growing, the rising sun starting to shine through the window. She lays me on the bed and takes off my shirt, revealing many a bruise. "Wow, they really did a number on you," she says, walking over to the water bowl and wetting a cloth.
"Yeah, well, I doubt it's what you think." She pulls the cloth out of the bowl, the water running off carrying a red tint.
"Really? What happened then? Did he send you back to the Lucavi?" She asks, walking over to the bed.
"Not exactly," I say, sitting up. I look down and see all the blood coming from wounds I didn't know I had. I reach down and pull a splinter of my kikuichimoji out of my leg with a grunt. What a waste of a perfectly good sword. "They somehow pulled me there."
"What? How?" I tell her the whole story as she bandages me. "Wow," she says, finishing my bandages. "So, you absorbed an Altima Demon into yourself?"
"I guess. I mean, it's not like anyone's really explained it all to me."
"I can see how you look a little more like them now than you did before. Your hair's much more black, and your eyes are now a really bright, almost glowing, green."
"Really?" I say, with a kind of chuckle. "I always wanted glowing green eyes. Mark a true soldier, you know."
"Well, to have taken what you did, you're definitely a trooper."
"Hey thanks. I really appreciate all the help, but if you wouldn't mind, my head really hurts and I just want to go to sleep. So, please, just get the hell out."
"Hey!" she shouts, jumping to her feet. "You can't just kick me out! Anyway, you must want to test out your new powers. I could help."
"No, actually. Like I said, I just want to go to sleep right now."
"Mmmmmmmmm," she says, crawling over the bed, lying belly down next to me. "I can make you get some real good sleep," she says with a purr.
"Just go away!" I say in a huff, turning away from her.
"Well, you're no fun," she says, propping herself up on her knees and giving me a pout. The new risen sun is finally making its entrance through the window behind her, making it look like she has a halo. "Anyway, I don't care if you are or not. I don't have a room, and I need to sleep somewhere. Wouldn't you like it to be with you?"
"No," I say to her without turning to face her. Lying on my side like this hurts my ribs, but I continue anyway.
"Yeah, well, tough," she says, climbing between the sheets next to me.
My heart starts to quicken as I feel her toss and turn behind me, but I steadfastly remain still and keep my eyes shut. After a while she finally falls asleep, and my heart returns to its normal pace. I turn back over onto my back and breath a little easier as pressure is relieved off my ribs.
I'm almost about to fall asleep when I feel her start to toss and turn again. I give a frustrated sigh and turn back away from her. It looks like she's about to fall asleep again, so I turn onto my back again. She flops over once more, this time she drapes an arm over my chest, facing me. She finally sits still and I just let her. Thank God! I think to myself.
We both just lay still, and, after a long, exhausting night, I finally fall asleep.
Once again, reviews/constructive critcizism appreciated. Thank you.