Hi all!
This is the last pre-written chapter I have, so like what you might expect, updates will be slowing down a bit. While you all wait, check out my other published works on my profile. I made a challenge and an OP One-shot for this thing. Hope you like, and enjoy the chapter!
Chapter 65 - Multiple Perspectives
The rough thudding within the transport as it travelled along the gravel-made Leanbox country road was one of the many pieces of company that Nico was surrounded by while on their way to their destination. Their transport, a black and green futuristic version of a M577 Armored Personnel Carrier (APC), drove with fluidity and nigh majestic grace. It was only the terrain that provided the rough churning, though being in the military like he was, Nico had gotten used to such rides.
His current company included Team RAIL, Isaac and Guts, and they all sat on parallel benches inside the APC. Raven sat like she did back at the briefing, only her Odachi was on her lap instead of beside her. She had angled it so that she could use the hilt to quickly draw the blade and parry any attacks that came her way. A precautionary measure, really, since she was with 2 people she didn't know. 2 MEN that she didn't know.
It didn't help that she would sometimes glance at them warily.
Sitting beside him with one leg crossed over the other was Lucy. She had her shoulder linked with his, but nothing else. Any more, she knew, and he'd shove her away. There was a limit to how much personal space she could invade in this situation, she remembered. Remembered from past missions like this.
Aiden and Ivan sat opposite, the former next to Lucy and the latter next to Raven. Both of them kept careful eyes on the girls, as well as their new Leanbox native soldier companions. Just in case either of them tried anything funny, they would respond with the effectiveness of a pack of raptors.
"So…" Isaac began, getting their attention. There had been an awkward tension between them since the transport first set off for their destination, so he wanted to break the ice with some talking. Since his partner Guts wasn't willing to speak, with his loner personality, he figured it would fall down to him. "What do you all think's the cause of this?"
It was Lucy who answered first, surprisingly enough. Nico had been about to speak himself, say his thoughts on the arisen problem, but the redhead had beaten her to it. "I think it's a load of bullshit." She stated bluntly, her lips curled into a displeased frown. This frown was more effective in showing how displeased she was because of one reason: there was no trace of her usual seductive sensuality. Instead, she looked more like someone who was on the verge of throwing a psychotic fit.
Seeing as everyone was looking at her, even Raven stopped sharpening her Odachi to pay attention. She didn't look it, seeing as her Mask was on, but just from her body language Nico and the other Agents could tell she was increasing intrigued by this behaviour. It was rare, but whenever Lucy dropped her usual behaviour, Raven always made sure to pay extra attention.
In her eyes, she may be a bit of a teasing flirt, and that was one of her nicer ways of putting it. However, there was a reason why she picked Lucy out of the three of them to be her second in command.
"You guys noticed how she was checking her phone every 5 minutes before the briefing started?" Lucy began. She continued before they could give a verbal answer, though. "She had this twitch on her lips that was an attempt a smile, a seductive smile. Why would she have such a smile before something like a briefing? My guess is that she has a secret relationship with someone, and that was why this Case was brought to our attention."
Now that she mentioned it, several of them, Aiden, Nico and Isaac noticed something similar. They only made conversation to make themselves look like they were unassuming. Whenever the five-minute mark happened, that woman always checked her phone, hidden within her skirt's pocket. Nico had been the first to notice this, though, but he hadn't had time to ponder on it till now thanks to the social norms Isaac had put into place.
The way she acted whenever she looked at her phone, her demeanour completely changed from the professional militia woman. She became someone similar to a drug addict, an extreme drug addict. There was a hypnotic sensation in her eyes that only showed itself when she looked at that phone, and with the way she NEVER missed a beat, meant that she was really into whatever it was she was into.
Guts raised a brow in her direction. "What does this have to do with anything?" he asked her.
"Normally, nothing." Lucy replied. She then took out her phone and pressed a few keys, the sounds of clicking buttons filling the transport. Fortunately, this room had been soundproofed so the driver and the passengers could talk privately. It was also a means to avoid classified intel from getting out. "But that woman? I know her, I dug up her history and found some… interesting facts about her."
Lucy finally pressed the centre button and a holographic screen shone above that of her Phones. It had a picture of the same woman that had been briefing them, along with walls of text on the side that she showed to them. "Her name's Jessica Bailey, she's a close attendant to one of the higher-ranking Nobles that sit within the Leanbox Government. Thing is, if one looks a little deeper, they'd find that she has a secret love affair with her boss. Some 'Under-the-desk' action if one would."
"This nobleman… his name wouldn't be Count Mott, would he?"
All eyes turned to Nico, who had spoken that question with a narrowed gaze. Lucy wordlessly nodded in his direction, causing the male to groan in irritation. "Ugh, goddamnit, looks like that prick is at it again." He muttered, a hand over his face. His helmet had opened up for the ride, allowing them to see his displeased face. "Count Mott is a despicable Noble. While most of them are like that, he takes the cake for the worst. He has close ties with the Guild, which allows him to pull underhanded tactics to get Spec Ops Agents like you and me to go do his dirty work."
"How so?"
Nico looked over to Isaac when he asked that, but when he heard him speak there was a tone that implied that he had a suspicion on where this was going. "Count Mott owns a large portion of Leanbox's territory. Our Mojang Village, is in that territory. He also happens to own a business that trades in silver steel, so those mines that were supposedly lost, are quite valuable to him. Thing is, Leanbox has enough on her plate to worry about as it is, so an Urgent Quest for lost profits is next to out-of-the-question, normally."
"However, that man is a glutton. One of the men Raven here would likely be more than willing to shove her Odachi down the throat of if given the chance." Lucy spoke, drawing the attention back to her. "Thing is, these 'contacts' of his are actually women he has seduced into his service. He fucks them into submission, makes them compliant with his wishes, and has them do his bidding. Control through sex, that's his primary MO. He does this to his maids and servants, too, to keep them quiet. The only reason why he hasn't been caught yet was because he has other Nobles under his thumb, and they back him up politically."
At the end of her speech, Lucy's voice was dripping with highly toxic venom. The sheer rage in her eyes reminded Nico and Team RAIL of the flames his DPU form commanded with their level of intensity. Out of everything she despised most of all, Nobility made the top of the list. Whenever they did something, and had them involved, she would try so hard not to lose her shit. Behind her sensuality-laced personality, was a mind that was honed like a blade, a mind that was almost as distrusting of others as Nico's, for reasons only a select few knew.
Said male was one of them.
"If we all are aware of this…" Raven began to speak after a moment of silence. Her Mask prevented them from seeing her face, but with the way she tightly held her Odachi, they knew she was pissed. She just did a good job at suppressing just how pissed she truly was. "Then why is it that we are still here?"
Nico was the one to answer, this time, and he made no attempt to hide the relief he felt at not being able to be interrupted this time. "Because, even if there's personal investment into this, that's not the only reason why Mojang Village is important to Leanbox. I put some time to research this new Overlord Momus craze that's been going on. Turns out, they have been raiding settlements and trying to get their hands on as much Silver Steel as possible. Now, I don't like working for this slime ball as much as anyone else, however this new faction stealing Silver Steel can't be overlooked."
Hearing this, Raven let out an irritated snort, but didn't complain any further. She leaned back on her seat and glowered, though her Mask hid her irritated expressions. Nico didn't need to see her face to know what she was feeling though, her body language said it all. Lucy looked just as displeased as her leader did, but she didn't say anything either. As distasteful as this was, Nico had a point, and everyone knew it.
Nobility and all that political bullshit aside, the worshipers of this Overlord Momus were not to be taken lightly. To steal so much Silver Steel, what were they planning to do with it? That was the question on their minds right now.
"Haaaah… Haaaaah… Haaaah…"
Deep within a mansion located within the inner sanctum of Leanbox's territory, a young woman in her 20's, naked as the day she was born, collapsed onto a king-sized bed while breathing heavily. Sweat rolled off her body, born from the recent activity of an adult nature that she had been partaking in… alongside the other naked women on the bed. Each of them were sprawled over the bed in various positions, faint sounds of snoring indicating that they had fallen asleep from the nightly activities that they were partaking in.
Out of all of them, there was one sole male occupant. He was a naked, large and wide-looking man with styled brown hair and matching brown eyes. He kneeled behind the woman that had just fallen unconscious, groaning in pleasure as he 'finished his business' on her before he got off the bed. Reaching for the bottom, he pulled off a Dressing gown and wrapped it around himself, before leaving the room.
Outside, the man saw a butler, the head butler who was carrying a tray with a plate and message on it. The Head Butler may be in charge of organising his servants, but his primary duties fell upon being his closest aid. That was the job description that Mot had delegated long ago, and for many years this Butler had performed exactly as he had wanted. The Head Butler lowered his head in reverence to his master. "Count Mott sir, I trust you had a pleasant time, last night?"
"Yes, yes indeed. It is a fine night to have so much fun with the ladies." Count Mott replied as he grinned lecherously, mind flashing back to the night of sexual debauchery that he had engaged in with those women, his maids, last night. They had all been 'broken in' for a long time now, so there was little chance of them ratting him out to th authorities. Even if they could, he would have his 'friends' back him up and make her look like some crazy lunatic for trying to smear his good name. "Tell me, what do you have to report?"
The butler lowered his head again as the two made their way down the corridor towards Mott's study. "Sir, it has been accepted as you predicted, we have selected some of the best Spec Ops Agents to investigate what has gone wrong with Mojang Village. We will know more, momentarily."
"Excellent."
Both men made it to his study. It wasn't that far, about 5 minutes walking distance, from his bedroom where Mott's… domestication of his servants took place. Though he also used it as a means of breaking in the female workers of higher institutions like the Guild. Sexual pleasure can be a great way to break someone both physically and mentally. It didn't matter if they tried to resist, not with his methods. They all eventually submitted to his whims one way or another.
Opening the door, he found himself in his study. Mott's Study was shaped like a mini library, with book shelves on both sides of the room, and behind it. In the middle, was a Desk which was filled with stacks of papers, a Quill and Ink for writing, among other tools he liked to use.
Sitting behind his Desk, Mott took one of the papers and began looking through it, most of them consisting of reports on the Monsters as well as political decisions recently being made. He did all this while his Butler stayed by his side, like a silent bodyguard guarding his liege.
Eventually, Mott noticed that the plate the man carried on the Tray had the Scroll on it, one that was sporting a special seal he could recognise anywhere. "What is this?" he questioned, although he had a fairly good idea of what it was as he took the Scroll from the plate, opening the seal with a nearby switchblade before he began to read the contents.
"Count Mott sir, this letter arrived 40 minutes earlier this morning. It pertains to the Spec Ops that were chosen for the assignment." the Head Butler explained formally, keeping his professional demeanour. "We have had to chose Spec Ops from other countries, as all the others are on assignments elsewhere. There was nothing else that could be done, however these Agents each have their own specialties that will make this mission goo off without a hitch."
"I see…"
Count Mott muttered that under his breath as he examined the list of names and a short profile about each of them. His eyes then landed on one name in particular, one at the very bottom of the list. "DEATHSTROKE…?"
The Head Butler nodded his head. "Yes sir, Spec Ops Agent DEATHSTROKE, who is rising in popularity thanks to his exploits in Lastation, has been getting the attention of many Nobles in Leanbox. Not only are they interested in his background, they are clamouring to set him up with one of their daughters, adding his blood to their family lines." He reported, leaning forward with a hand over his heart. "Sir, you should also be aware that Yvoire has begun making his moves against DEATHSTROKE, as well as the people he is travelling with."
Hearing that last titbit of information made the man chuckle derisively, remembering how much that old fart despised the Spec Ops community with every fibre of his being. "Oh, that senile old fool." The man muttered through his chuckles. He held his head with his free hand, shaking it in amusement. "He doesn't realise the full potential that the heretical Spec Ops lackeys possess."
His mouth twisted, a sinister grin forming on his lips as his eyes danced with various emotions. None of them were pleasant in any way. "They'll throw themselves into the fires, and we can be rid of those rats while also getting territory back from the Monsters. We all get to win something."
The head Butler said nothing for a moment, his expression unreadable as the man he called master denounced the Spec Ops Program. It was a common occurrence in his line of work, to see Nobles criticise a Program that went against the norms that they had followed for generations.
Even though the Spec Ops Program originally began in Leanbox when it was about to fall to the hands of the Abnormals, it had been heavily restricted afterwards, to not allow them to grow beyond what they could control. It was a deplorable move to many of the commoners, but to people in power, they saw it as a means to preserve the old ways, the ways of the CPUs.
Still, there were those within the Nobility, like his master, who still exploit the Spec Ops Program for their own gain, nothing else. It wasn't like anyone could do anything about it, their CPU hadn't been taking part in the politics of their Nation for some time now, so it was safe to say that they held free reign.
Count Mott raised a brow, and that was something that the Head Butler took as a sign that a question was about to be asked. And he was right. "You say this DEATHSTROKE is travelling with a Party? Hm, I would like to hear more about this Party. Tell me what we know."
"Yes sir. The Party consists of an all-female cast, from various backgrounds. One Nurse-In-Training, one Guild Agent however there is rumour that she will be placed into the Spec Ops ranks in the future and lastly one Amnesiac." He reported, seeing the man's interest pique at this information. "You desire those girls, my lord?"
The Nobleman hummed in thought, perverse desire shining in his eyes as he licked his lips, leaning forward as he put the letter on his Desk. "Yes, yes indeed. Get me pictures of them and their profiles. I wish to know what they do during the day so I can 'meet' with them, in person."
"Of course, sir."
"Hey, Nep-Nep… can I ask you something?"
"Hm?" Neptune, back at the hotel room, had been stuffing her face with Pudding at the Kitchen table. She had been enjoying her treat with all the happiness she had, when she heard the voice belonging to the room's only other occupant ask her a question. Gulping down her Pudding, Neptune looked towards the Nurse-In-Training, a finger-sized piece of pudding on her lips. "What do ya wanna ask, Compa?"
The other girl stood beside her, acting unusually nervous for some reason. She shuffled about in nervousness, and unlike what people would expect from the purplette amnesiac, she wasn't a total idiot. She could tell that her friend was worried about something, given the anxious expression on her features. "Hey, what's wrong, Compa? Why the long face?"
"O-Oh, its nothing much, really. Its just…" Compa furrowed her brows, her concern as clear as crystal on her features. "I dunno why, but I've been getting this odd feeling…" she told her, putting a hand over her chest. I dunno why, but I keep getting the feeling that something's going on and we aren't aware of it."
She couldn't explain it properly, but Compa had been getting this feeling for some time now. This feeling, like something major, or perhaps multiple something majors, was about to happen and they weren't there to do anything about it. She tried to pay it no mind, but the feeling kept nagging her at the back of her mind like an annoying parent repeatedly telling her children not to watch porn yet they do it anyways.
It didn't help that IF hadn't came back when she said she would. She said that she would be back late, but she had also said she would be back in a couple hours at the most. She wondered if something had happened to her, but her rational side believed that she would be okay, that her BOW powers would protect her. They had stayed up late waiting for her, so they could have something healthy to eat then go to bed together. It seemed like Nico wouldn't be back for a day or two, at the least.
Still, the nagging feeling never left her, and gradually it had been getting worse and worse, gradually becoming harder and harder to ignore. It had lead to her not being able to seep when she began to doze off, leaving her in a state best described as the 'in-between'. Between sleep and the land of the conscious. Oddly though, it was like she had tasted some coffee and the caffeine was keeping her awake, yet she was as tired as all heck.
Not a good combination. (Especially for us writers… You all know what I mean.)
Eventually she had gotten to the point where she just HAD to tell someone about it, and since there was nobody else around, and considering she didn't want to bother Nico with this, she turned to the only person available in the room: Neptune.
Said preteen made to speak up, when she felt something on her lips. She glanced down, puckering her lips for a better view, and noticed the leftover pudding. Quickly adopting a sheepish expression, she began rubbing her face with the sleeves of her hoodie, something that normally Compa would have chastised her for. But with her current worry, she didn't give it much thought.
"Hey, chillax Compa." The said Preteen exclaimed afterwards in a surprised manner, but also concerned as she got up from her seat. She went over and took Compa's hands in hers, holding them at chest level. "Don't you worry that cute little head of yours, those two are some of the most stubborn, strongest party members we have. Iffy and Nicky are leagues above us in ways we couldn't hope to catch up on. Pretty sure they can take care of themselves."
"But…"
Neptune shook her head. "Nope, grab those mean thoughts and shove em in a bag, Compa! Nicky and Iffy have been through some tough scrapes, and they've come back to us from way worse. Remember that time with the Banshees? Iffy managed to survive on her own for a while till we came. Nicky's been doing this way longer than any of us, too."
Her words slowly got through to Compa, and while she still held worries for her crush/childhood friend, she did have to admit that Neptune had a point. Both of them were professionals, they were good at what they do. Looking at Neptune though, Compa's eyes widened in slight surprise, much to Neptune's confusion. "Huh? Whaddya looking at, Compa-poo?"
"You're worried too, aren't you?"
"Eh?" Neptune blinked owlishly, looking dumbfounded as Compa stated something so bluntly and out there. "What do you mean?"
The Nurse-In-Training practically beamed. She had been sad before, but seeing how her friend had shared her feelings about Nico cheered her up immensely. "You can hide it, Nep-Nep, but don't worry! I know you worry for Iffy and Nicky just like I do!"
At this, the preteen made a 'pfft!' noise while waving a hand dismissively like an old granny. "Nah, I'm not worried, not one bit. You're just imagining things Compa…" she told her. Compa just stared at her intently, and for a while the two had a staring contest, almost like they were engaged in a battle of souls.
Finally, Neptune slumped her shoulders as she hung her head. A defeated cloud appeared briefly above her head, before she looked up and laughed awkwardly, rubbing the back of her head. "Hehehe, looks like ya figured me out, Compa. But hey, we gotta believe in 'em, ok? We can see where they are tomorrow, its late out. If they need help, we'll be right there with em, what do you say?"
"Yessie!"
Now, Leanbox, Planeptune, no matter which Nation you visit, there is always something called a 'red light district' where people go simply to have a good time. Drinking, hooking up with prostitutes, etc. It was where a majority of males go to spend their free time, aside from the ones who want to be successful in their lives. It was also where a lot of black market dealings took place, making this place like a shady, criminal underworld of sorts.
Drugs and other such products were sold like high-ranking items right here, so it would make sense for those people to make a large buck for some pleasure.
That was where we find one Saizou Komiya, sitting inside a bar and brooding with some alcoholic drink in his hand. His cheeks held a permanent pink hue across them, with his eyes glassy and his posture swaying with every occasion. It was apparent that the man was stone cold drunk, even to a blind person.
Right now, Saizou couldn't care less, he wanted to forget what had recently happened.
'The nerve of those Bitches!' He cursed in his mind, gritting his teeth as he glared down at the glass in his hands. The liquid's surface, in his eyes, showed an image of the faces of every girl that idiotic waste of flesh had been travelling with. The same girls whom had humiliated him twice in a row when they should be worshipping the ground he walks on.
He had it all, money, power, a high-standing job in the Spec Ops Program. Say what you like about it, the public still held a high opinion on it, and if you want to retain that prestige, it would be best to keep the public interested in you. Through any means possible… it was just that he preferred subjugation and domination over diplomacy. Was that so wrong?
Saizou growled as he remembered how those girls treated him, not like the man he deserves, no, more like a block-headed child! They should be begging to be screwed by him, those cock-hungry little sluts they are! They should be like other women, he should be screwing them till they can think of nothing but his second head pounding away at them! That was the way of things, men always dominated women. Why, he wouldn't be surprised if the CPUs were just as submissive as any woman would be when in the hands of a man. If a scandal between them and their Basilicom staff members were to get out…
His thoughts were halted when he felt a tap on his shoulder. His teeth gnashed as his alcohol-induced mind caused him to twirl around with a backhand. "Who dares interrupt the supreme Saizou Komiya's drinking?!" he yelled, expecting someone to be writhing on the ground in pain from his powerful backhand.
Unfortunately for him, all he saw was a person standing before him, and not on the ground. The person was actually a older-looking woman, one dressed like a stripper. She wore a tight corset, frilly ballerina skirt with nylon stockings and black high heels. She had her shoulder-length brown hair in curls while her eyes were an ocean blue.
They looked better than that DEATHSTROKE brat's at least, and that was enough for him.
A crooked, perverse grin spread across the man's face as he stood from his stool, putting down his glass as he strode to her. He completely forgot how he almost assaulted her just before. "Oh? And what's a hottie like you doing in a place like this? You want some?" he asked her, staring at her boobs which, thanks to her corset, were almost bulging. Didn't help that they were an F cup, either.
"How much are you paying, big boy?" The Prostitute questioned, a sultry grin on her ruby red lips. Her eyes, done well with makeup to make her look as enticing as possible. It definitely hooked Saizou in, that's for sure.
The man grinned even more, this would be the perfect stress relief for him. He wouldn't have to worry about money considering how his family was filthy rich, so he would unload everything on this slut then forget about that humiliation he had suffered. "Why, enough to blow your mind, girlie. You'll be engulfed in it by the time we're done."
That was all the prostitute needed as she gave him a large, inviting grin that just oozed seduction. She sauntered over to him, swaying her hips from side to side to draw his gaze to them. It worked wonders, as she took his right hand in hers before leading them out of the bar. "Let's go somewhere less… crowded, sir. This'll be fun for the TWO of us."
If Saizou was sober, he would have noticed something odd when the woman said two. It was said in a vague manner, heavily stated.
Saizou and the prostitute were now in a back alley behind the bar. It was a rather dirty area, but with what they were planning to do, that wouldn't matter. They were going to get down and dirty anyways, so what was the point of going somewhere clean?
That alone got him harder than a turtle.
The man pinned the woman to a wall, his lips harshly pressing against hers as the two engaged in a battle of lips. Tongues soon followed as the man rubbed his hands over the woman's body, claiming it as his for the night. He loved the feel of a woman's clothed skin, but it would be better when they were both bare.
He hooked his arms under her legs and lifted her, pinning her back to the wall. Neither of the two stopped their heated moment of passion as the man made to remove the belt on his pants. He also moved down to her neck, eagerly sucking on some areas to leave hickeys behind. The woman moaned and groaned with pleasure, light gasps escaping her lips as he did so.
'Ahhhhh… this is how it should be.' Saizou thought to himself, finally feeling some form of satisfaction this night. A woman moaning from his ministrations as he used her to satisfy his own needs. Her needs didn't matter to him, in the end as she was only meant to please him. If he liked, he'd probably take her back to his family's mansion as a sex slave.
Slavery was a common thing in Leanbox, devised by their ancestors hundreds of years ago. It was made a thing when they didn't have a capital city, when they only existed as mere tribes vying for land and power. Only when Leanbox was founded did those traditions die out, however, once time in the past, some of those traditions returned. That time was after when their CPU left for the Console War.
Odds were that the CPU wasn't aware of it, because if she was then it would have likely been disbanded. No matter how hard those eggheads in the Government fought against it, the word of a CPU was law according to legal precedent.
But enough of that bullshit, right now, Saizou just wanted to enjoy the pleasures of the flesh for the night. His hands reached down towards the woman's crotch area, attempting to see if the woman was even wearing anything down there. Some Prostitutes didn't do that, which was something the man liked.
It made things way easier for the two of them. Not that he cared about the woman.
But just before he could grab the woman's special area…
SQUELCH!
His eyes shot open, breathing suddenly becoming impossible, as blood was spat from his lips. Saizou gasped, his mouth open in a silent scream as something wet, cold and metallic was felt down below. He looked down, and saw something that honestly would give him nightmares if he were to make it out of this alive.
A black, demonic looking Tentacle jutting out from his chest. It radiated this equally black, Smokey aura, an aura that almost hid its shiny, metallic skin.
His senses registered an energy surge, making Saizou look to the source, which was upwards, to see that the prostitute that he had been about to fuck moments ago, even taking home with him for eternal pleasuring, had been cloaked in black energy. When it faded away, it revealed that she was now way older, and wore a white witch costume.
That was the last thing Saizou saw before darkness claimed him.
"Hmmmmmm… This MORTAL… he MAY be ONE of the more PRIMITIVE of his SSSSPECIESSSS, but his power is beyond that of those others…"
Now that she was back to her true form, Arfoire applied energy to herself, dispersing the hickeys that Saizou had left on her pale skin. She had almost vomited in disgust when she was doing all that flirty crap. It was honesty degrading, pathetic and downright humiliating. She felt like her pride as a woman had been damaged, however it was also a way to easily manipulate the mortals. A way to manipulate them into stepping into the shadows where her companion would be waiting to strike.
The things she had to do for her ambitions.
"I guess staying in that prison for so long robbed you of your original form. That's why you had me look for mortals for you to consume."
Arfoire looked to the source of the Tentacle, which was nothing but a pitch-black blob of pure darkness itself. It hid itself well in the shadows, radiating a Smokey aura of power beyond that of her or those pathetic CPUs. When she first released it from its prison, she hadn't expected this development, but even in this state, this being, this being recorded in the DPU tomes she had found over the centuries, still radiated power beyond her imagining.
She herself had almost been a victim of this creature, had she not managed to make a deal with it at the last moment.
Those Tentacles would have gotten her as well…
She didn't want that, nope, all the nope.
"YESSSSSSS… I see… It was as SSSSSPARDA foretold… the Mortalsssss have indeed grown STRONG in our absence…!"
There was a mix of emotions in the beings voice. There was surprised, befuddlement, anger and glee, mixed together into one confusing impression. It was like multiple personalities were busy trying to decide what the main response the being should have, something that only dumbfounded the Witch.
Arfoire nodded her head in agreement with the being's statement nonetheless, though. She wouldn't risk earning its ire when she herself was still potentially on the menu. "It was meant to be a means of taking fate into their own hands when those CPUs began their silly Console War, leaving humanity to fend for itself against the Monsters. Shame that its been downgraded from what it once was by the foolish masses." She spat at the end in disgust.
While Arfoire detested humanity, wanting to do what she planned to with them, she had nothing against the one that developed the Spec Ops Program, detesting the way that humanity had been fighting and thus, devised a way to retain their existence. That was something that earned her respect. It was people like that, who showed that humanity had its own untapped potential, and when their plans were accomplished, that potential shall come to light.
The blob-like form stilled for a moment, as if contemplating her words. Its Tendrils, which jutted out randomly at equally random parts of its body, swayed in a calm, silent manner as Arfoire awaited its response.
She didn't have to wait long.
"Perhapsssss there is TRUTH to what you say, FALLEN one. Humanity has grown SOFT, ARROGANT, through that PATHETIC progenitor's SPAWN over the millennia. It is TIME for this world's TRUE masters to RETURN! But for NOW, we MUST be GOING, my body HUNGERS for more. More. MORE!"
The Witch watched as the creature's body began to shake and tremble, as if barely containing itself from sucking out all the life in the vicinity to satisfy its growing hunger. She mentally groaned, resisting the urge to do so externally. She had prepared for this situation, prepared herself mentally that is, but damnit was it no less annoying.
Those CPUs would pay dearly for this humiliation, to have to be reduced to a mere lackey in the eyes of this deity. The only saving grace she had from this situation was that, once it could regain its true form, the deity's powers, knowledge and alliance would belong to her. No, that wasn't quite right, they would be equals, neither having control over the other.
Not what she usually worked with, but it would have to do.
Nothing would stop her from achieving her goals, not even relics of the forgotten past.
Chapter end!
Alright, now for a Special Event for the flirty redhead of Team RAIL, Lucy! She will be like the opposite of Raven in terms of personality, if you haven't noticed already. She's perverted, though not to the Naruto character Jiraya's level, likes to tease people, yet she also has a hidden side to her, a side that only certain people are aware of.
Special Event - Lucy
Taking a break from the Team's activities wasn't something she got to do often. What with all the Quests and Urgent Quests that they had to do. But when she got the chance, Lucy damn well took it. She had to look her best when she tried to seduce Nico finally, and taking breaks would help her do that. She didn't want to look anything less.
Thus, that had led to the redhead second-in-command of Team RAIL to be sitting alone in a park, reading a book that she had brought along. Her bench was located under a large tree, which had its branches and leaves extending over her head to offer plenty of shade to those beneath them. A pleasant wind blew through the area, ruffling her hair and making a small smile form on her features. There wasn't many people out this morning, which honestly she didn't mind. Peace and quiet was nice too, you know!
The book she was reading, was a Manga series called 'Horimiya' and it was about this couple who presented different personalities and appearances to how they act in private.
She found this Manga interesting and relatable to her. Not just with the romance either, she knew that she was slowly whittling Nico down with her antics, so the near-future was looking bright for her. No, what she found relatable was the double personality aspect. Not that she had a split personality or anything like that, but acting and how she really felt were similar to this Manga.
To her, it had once been all about attention.
She liked attention, the knowledge and POWER she had over other people, the fact that they would be like putty in her hands, ready to do anything to satisfy her. Back in the past, she remembered how she would use her rather succubus-like body to entice and seduce any 'specimen' she found tickling her fancy. It didn't matter to her whether the specimen was male or female, screw gender. She wanted those specimens and she would take them.
Once those specimens had given everything they could offer her, Lucy would move on to the next one.
To her, Specimens were those who were enough to pique her interest and satisfy her needs, nothing more. She didn't see them as people, nope, never did. Those specimens to her, were nothing more than that, and when she departed from them, she would make sure they knew it, and if they would try to step out of line, well... lets just say Raven wasn't the only scary ass woman in the world.
There was a fictional character she liked, her name being "Poison Ivy" from a remarkable comic series. She couldn't remember the name though, but that wasn't important to her, for the character reminded her a lot of herself. Poison Ivy, liked her, liked showcasing her dominance over men with her 'fatal kiss', but Lucy liked the control she had over anyone. Not just men. She even had similar abilities to her, but in Lucy's opinion, hers were more powerful.
Back then, she had been way more aggressive and dominating, but then...
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sounds of feet stepping on leaves, and she glanced from her Manga to see that 3 males, each in their mid 20's, were making their way towards her. The one in the centre, low and behold, looked like the leader. He wore a simple beach shirt, tan shorts and trainers. The scent of cologne clung heavily to him, too heavily for her tastes. She could imagine how Nico would react if he was here. His two lackeys followed behind him like mindless puppies, both of them being plain looking, wearing casual clothes while they each reeked of men's perfume.
Her lips twitched, and she hid her rising distaste. 'Raven isn't the only one who's distrustful of men...' she thought to herself. She never liked any of her Specimens as friends, they were simply tools to satisfy her desires, both carnal and deepest ones. She never wanted to get close to them any more than necessary.
Walking up to her, the leader became the one to speak first, surprise-surprise. "Hey now, what do we have here?" he began, trying to look and act cool. In her mind, she gave him a 4, maybe 3... and that was her being generous. "What's a hot ass fuck beauty like you doing in a place like this?"
'Ugh! The hell is up with those cringe-ass pickup lines?' Lucy groaned in her mind. Nevertheless, she put her Manga aside for the moment. 'I'm honestly not in the mood to entertain these wannabe players, so perhaps I'll go all out from the start...' She then looked up and smiled sweetly, hiding her inner feelings perfectly. "My, I am just here to simply enjoy some time off from work. Nothing more, nothing less, boys." she told them.
The leader made to reply, when Lucy had a hand on his chin with her form nearly dominating over his. They were so close, and yet the leader couldn't help but gaze into those devilishly seductive crimson orbs. "Now, do you boys mind if I do that? Hmmm?" she asked, a sultry smirk escaping her lips as her eyes shined, like a predator having cornered her prey.
She could see her prey's will crumbling, she could see it in his eyes. It was something she had seen and been the cause of many times in her past. She would always assert her dominance, be the one on top, to control the hormones of others just through sexuality and sensuality alone. It was her skill, her talent that she had honed over the years.
Though, even with this control that she had over him, it just wasn't as pleasant as it was in the past. She knew why though, for there was one man out there that had the will to resist her even when she was blatantly showing that she wanted him more than as a Specimen.
Compared to him, these boys were like children, foolishly pursuing their hormones.
"U-Um, n-n-n-no ma'am, no its not!" the blonde before her stammered, blushing intensely while his eyes shined with lust. It nearly made her scoff and drop the charade.
"So can I read in peace please? That won't be a problem for you boys, will it?"
"N-NO, its not ma'am!"
Turning to his lackeys, the three males quickly hightailed it out of there to... relieve themselves in private after, to them, a 'hot encounter with an enticing beauty'.
Now that the nuisances were gone, Lucy gave a sigh, allowing her charade to fall off her face to reveal the annoyed scowl on her ruby red lips. "Ugh, I almost gagged, I actually almost gagged handling those amateurs. I feel really sorry for those who get into a relationship with them, if any at all do that." she muttered under her breath.
Shaking her head, Lucy mentally made herself forget about those morons. She didn't want them to ruin her nice day of relaxation. And so, with that out of the way, she turned on her heeled boots and made her way back to the bench. She plumped her backside on the hard stone, before taking her Manga and resuming her read...
Until she got an Urgent Quest alert from Raven.
"Goddess Damnit!"
