Following that introduction, Tyrannus had directed Tetsuda to a washroom on the fifth floor of the palace. Though he hadn't viewed even an inch of the outside, he knew it to be a monstrous juggernaut. The spiraling staircases could accommodate a parade, and the halls an army. Reds, purples, and blacks decorated all aspects of the walls and floors, and this washroom differed little.
Before a mirror that spanned the wall he stood, and for the past five minutes, he'd been staring at his new appearance.
He still resembled his human self in the face, albeit with grey skin. His canines had elongated and sharpened, and any imperfections in his teeth had disappeared. No blemishes marked his skin, and no hair grew from his body, save for upon his head. Rather than hazel, his eyes were now bright blue, and his hair was now an extremely dark blue. His body possessed a pleasant level of muscle, and, though it was flaccid, his member did seem to grow an inch or two.
Tyrannus had provided him with a tattered shirt and matching pants that were "fitting of a slave," but Tetsuda couldn't bring himself to put them on. Not due to their shoddy quality, but because...well...he just didn't want to. In fact, the thought disgusted him. Clothes were so...limiting and unnecessary…
Light raps sounded beside him, and his head whipped to view Tyrannus, arms folded, leaning against the doorjamb.
"Displeased by covering yourself?" he asked.
"Ah...what do you mean?"
"You're still naked. Is it because you don't want the coverings?"
He nodded slowly. "A...A bit, yes."
"Don't sound so horrendously worried. This isn't unnatural for your kind. You're an incubus now—you love sex and nudity. They were more of a test of how strong of an incubus you truly are. Based on that, you're definitely powerful. That'll be very useful for me. Have you cleansed yourself otherwise?"
"Cleansed myself?"
Tyrannus poked his stomach, upon which a star rested. "That. Do you recall the liquid that leaked from my Mark in your realm? It's a poison that results from being within the human realm for too long. If it runs too rampant, it'll result in an infection that will later drive the demon mad. Due to my age and strength of sin, I would've been safe, unless I would've chosen to stay there for years. The liquid was superficial. In your case, however, being an infant, bits of humanity still linger within you."
"Did the fountain not cleanse me already, though?"
"Mostly. But it has a tendency to leave bits of humanity within the mark. Here." Tyrannus uncapped a tub that rested atop the vanity. "A smaller version of the fountain's liquid. Traveling-sized, if you would. Smear that over your Mark—thickly."
Nodding slowly, Tetsuda scooped a bit of it onto the flatter part of his claws and proceeded to cover himself in it. "How long will it take until it's effective?" After he'd finished his question, a soft sizzling noise met his ears, and smoke plumed from the corners of the star. "Never mind."
"Follow up on that once a week for the next month. That should eliminate all traces of humanity from you. I can't have you screaming about how you want to 'go back' when there's nothing to go back to. Walk with me."
Tyrannus abandoned the washroom, and Tetsuda followed—unclothed. "Infantile demons such as yourself aren't useful for much," Tyrannus said. "Mostly you'll be staying with me. At least, until your body builds up immunity to the human world. Once that happens, you'll be more valuable. There's two divisions in my kingdom—the sustainers and replenishers. The sustainers maintain order within Naiyan, and the replenishers bring in more demons. Being that you're an incubus, you'll be better suited for replenishing." He turned on his heel to cut off Tetsuda from walking any further, then gently stroked his clawed fingers across the incubus's cheek. Warmth spawned where Tetsuda's heart once was. "For now, you're just a grunt with a tiny bit of a title and a moderately attractive form." He lowered his hand, and the warmth faded. "You most likely wonder what you'll be doing, yes?"
Tetsuda nodded.
"Working. Just like all the infant weaklings. I've an army to clothe and arm, and you'll be one of the unfortunates that gets to experience the Smelt."
