Jimmy and Sammy ventured deeper into the tunnels. While the maze of passages shifted constantly, was obscured in places by an increasing stream of noxious violet smoke, and of course was full of Demons and Asura, the pair made remarkable progress. A normal adventurers would have been hopelessly lost given the dead ends, twists and turns, and miles of similar looking cavern, but Jimmy and Sammy both had a knack for this type of exploring. While neither had a complete knowledge of the environment, they pieced together what they could, and managed a working model of where they were and where they were going.
True, the area was in a constant state of flux, but there was some order in this chaos. Some areas seemed permanently 'fixed' to some point of this 'dungeon', but the passages linking them were sliding or moving about. Also, while both had keen eyes for traps, neither expected any serious threat from them. Though demons are vicious, they were also known for their laziness. Traps in a demon lair often meant that they would kill or maim those that they were protecting, or more importantly someone had to constantly reset them, a hard prospect amongst the chaotic hordes.
Given their rough model of the area, the pair decided to venture downwards, deeper into the monster's lair. If Chloe, Nymk, or Keke were still near the surface, then they would have at least a chance to survive, given the demons that they had already dispatched. If any of their companions were in true danger, then they would be in the heart of this dungeon where more were probably being summoned or conscripted. Also, it seemed the most likely spot the Baroness would be kept, and her safety was on both their minds.
As they coordinated and proceeded, the two stayed to the shadows, made short bursts between cover, and kept the chatter to a minimum. It was like what Martinez had taught them, over ten distant years ago. They moved like clockwork, each knowing where the other would be while knowing where they should be positioned in return. It was odd that they shared a better rapport than between himself and Chloe, Frederick, or even Ulfgar. Even his old master Martinez wasn't 'intuned' with him like Sammy was. In some ways Jimmy felt like not a day had past between them, but in others it felt like he was with a complete stranger.
After all these years, Jimmy always thought their reunion would be …would be a bit more grand. Him sailing into Nashputian Bay on his personal galley to win the noble Sampada's hand, or perhaps they would bump into each other at some fancy noble's ball after he became a member of the gentry. They would talk of course, laugh, and fall passionately in love with each other after all these years. It would be scandalous of course, regardless of each other's marital status, but they would finally be in each other's arms again. Instead, they meet in some end of the world tunnel full of all sorts of evil outsiders bent on killing them, and the only words they exchanged were ' I'm really sorry Jimmy', and a few grunts in return on his half.
Despite this, Jimmy couldn't stop himself from staring at her. Not directly, no…he was too professional for that. He could spy on a mark from the side, give you a complete description of his target and his surroundings, and never look directly at him. He could even follow someone when they were behind him, or trapped in the ethereal plane. Jimmy was that good.
She was of course taller, a bit darker, but kept most of her same features. Noble stature, almond eyes, perfect smile, cinnamon skin…. perhaps broader of shoulder, and a more defined musculature, but the same old Sammy. She moved proficiently enough in the hoplite gear, but she didn't glide…which suggested to him that this wasn't her normal armour, but the easy way she handled her spear meant that she did more than stay in practice with it.
While their silence was expected, it gnawed at Jimmy. Should he say something to her, should he ignore her? Was she expecting him to say something? Should he just forget the past and concentrate on the present, since this was all just a big distraction to possibly the end of the world?
"Jimmy," said Sammy as they easily bypassed a patrol and found themselves in an alcove above a seemingly empty large chamber. "Didja wanna talk? You seemed…distracted."
"No," said Jimmy as he surveyed the room. "I'm fine, just cautious that's all."
Idiot, idiot, say something, anything. You might not get another chance.
But Jimmy kept silent as he focused on their surroundings, especially the odd chamber before them. There was some crude furniture, a large brass bed in the center of the room, a fancy dresser in the corner, a plain weapon rack on the wall, as well as an unusual amount of chains and manacles scattered about the room. There was also the smell of demon blood, but it was mixed in with all other sorts of fluid…both demonic and mortal…that literally stained the entire room.
"Uggghh…" recoiled Jimmy after he identified the scents. "I think we found the Succubus' chamber."
Sammy scrunched her nose, in an impossibly adorable way. "No sign of her though, correct?"
Jimmy was about to nod, when he noticed some of Sammy's normally invisible runes glow blue on her forehead. They'd been apart for over ten years, but even he remembered that meant they were under a magical attack. Without thinking, he rolled into the chamber with daggers ready since his crossbow was broken. From the scent of blood he guessed the creature was either on or under the bed, or perhaps hidden in the dresser. He hedged his bets by throwing two blades under, and one into the center of the bed, while his last dagger pierced and shattered the dresser.
Before he could draw his rapier, a clawed hand reached down and grabbed him on the head. Long nails pierced his skin, narrowly missing his eyes as he reflexively jabbed upwards. As quick as he was, his foe was quicker, as she slammed Jimmy upwards with supernatural strength, smashing him against the stone roof.
Jimmy was briefly stunned, dropping his rapier, as he was again thrown hard against the wall. He managed to roll with the collision, reducing the damage, but before he could stand, the chains and manacles he had previously spied, snaked and entwined around his body. He wasn't fully wrapped up, but he was trapped and at the Succubus' mercy.
As the dark winged demoness glided to the ground, Sammy quickly charged her with her spear, she even did a slight feint to the left to throw off its attention before her attack struck. Against a normal Succubus, Jimmy thought her strength and speed would have ended it right here, but not against this particular creature. The Succubus simply smiled as it leaned impossibly back, arching her back and showing off it's magnificent breasts, dodging the spear in the middle of her cartwheel , before swiping away at Sammy's feet with a sweep of her black leathery wings. Sammy had the veteran presence to not put all her weight on her front foot, but she was still staggered by the attack. The demoness seized on her advantage by launching herself back onto the priestess.
Sammy braced for the attack, and sheathed herself with divine protection, blocking the Succubus with her shield. Her holy energy burned the demon, but it didn't stop her from simply biting the shield and throwing it to the side like some savage sexy animal. Sammy was quick to improvise though, as she slammed the shaft of her spear with both hands against the Succubus' ample chest and attempted to push her away with her divine accentuated strength.
Meanwhile, Jimmy attempted to twist and squirm out of the chains, but the bonds simply weaved away or another took its place. He had met Erinyes, the feathered equivalent of Succubus from the Great Pit, that had this power, but none that could control multiple cords let alone chains. Was this creature part Kyton? A Chain Devil, or was it a disguised aforementioned Erinyes? That would certainly explain its power. Must Succubus were not so physically powerful.
" Or perhaps, I've been around the Great Wheel a few times," grunted the Succubus as it struggled against Sammy and her spear." And I've simply picked up a few tricks along the way."
Jimmy attempted to blank his mind as he recalled this particular Succubus' knack for telepathy. Almost all outsiders had some form of mind projection, but this creature had a very high talent for it. As he struggled with his chain and his mind, he managed to free an arm. He had tossed most of his blades he could reach on his body, but he did have some holy vials left which he swiftly tossed.
Though his aim was true, the Succubus' reflexes were amazing. She simply flapped her wings, whipping up a wind strong enough to send the vials crashing to the side, though some of the liquid splashed it and managed to singe it slightly. Jimmy wanted to continue his assault, but he was tapped, he had expended almost all his resources getting here, and with most of his body entwined in chains he was helpless to only watch.
Sammy on the other hand seized this opportunity and gave a massive push against the Succubus. The creature was pushed back, but suddenly at the last moment it's body transformed to that of a dark haired young man dressed in white silks and a turban. Sammy's eyes grew large, before they narrowed again and regained her concentration, but it was too late. The handsome young man took her moment of indecisiveness and ripped the spear from her hands, before tossing it casually aside.
Sammy took a step back and drew her crossbow against the man. Though Jimmy had never met him, from the description by Vleda he knew this was Prince Javindar, Sammy's betrothed. It didn't fool her for long, but it distracted her long enough for the Succubus to tear her weapon away from her, and while Jimmy recalled Sammy was a decent shot with the crossbow, she would get one shot and one shot only before it pounced on her, not enough to finish this fight.
"Well call me a Berk, that's a nice trick for a Basher," said Sammy in her Grommish drawl attempting to buy some time. Though technically it was Sigillian the lower classes of Grom had a very similar dialect.
The Succubus transformed back from the Prince to her normally seductive self."You are exceptionally shielded by magic, but I've seen cracks in your armour against telepathy."
Sammy snorted. "Tell me about it, I almost became the love slave of a slimy fish critter because of that weakness, but enough talk of me. I'll give you one chance to leave, before this crossbow puts a bolt between your neck, and trust me, this is about as Celeste as a shot you'll ever find." She said as the bolt glowed white hot with divine energy.
The Succubus threw her head and laughed, but Jimmy saw it was a trick. She was ready to dodge if Sammy fired, and then it would be over for the both of them. Thankfully Sammy didn't take the bait and kept the crossbow aimed at her foe.
"Did you like my guise, it was very authentic if I do say so myself. While your mind is hard to read, I did skim some of your surface thoughts, and lo and behold I pulled up the image of your handsome Prince. Whom incidentally I met just a few days ago in Grom Harbour. Maybe I will hunt him down after this, or do you want to see him again? Feel his embrace, shiver from his hot breath against your skin…"
While the last taunt to fool Sammy failed, this one forced her hand. She made a quick motion with her crossbow, which the Succubus dodged backwards with blinding speed. In a flash later, the Succubus jumped upon Sammy, overpowered her defenses and sank her teeth into the priestess' shoulder. It cackled as it began to drain her life force, before it suddenly jerked up and fell back screeching in pain as a holy bolt struck her in square in the back of the spine.
Sammy was a good shot, but she could never hit the Succubus while it was ready for her. Jimmy on the other hand was the best shot in the world. Sammy's throw was unexpected but it did not surprised him. He caught the weapon and managed to loose it one handed. He wasn't sure if it would be enough to put this creature away, but Sammy's threat proved not to be idle as the chains entwining him fell to the side.
"The pain….it burns…it burns…." Wept the Succubus as it futilely attempted to claw the bolt from her back. It's strength was waning as its struggle grew feeble.
Jimmy retrieved a boot knife and was prepared to end this creature, but Sammy retrieved her spear first and had it poised over the creature's head. "Remarkable, " commented the Priestess. "The bolt should have destroyed it completely. I was hoping to use it against the demon lord here, but this creature forced my hand."
"It's probably half Kyton or Erinyes, which explained why your demon slaying bolt didn't do its job. Evil Outsiders are very big on their plane of origin," explained Jimmy as he repeated his thoughts from before.
"No…don't …don't kill me…" gasped the Succubus as it's skin began to crack and flake away. While the bolt didn't kill it immediately, it was still a fatal shot. "I…I know information…"
Sammy was ready to end it with her spear, but Jimmy held her back. "Let's hear it, and be quick about it."
The Succubus hacked black blood mixed in with appeared to be maggots. "You..you're from the Holy Temple. I see it in ….in your thoughts. We've captured the Holy Sampada, trapped her in a bottle….Kalikekkkkeee…Keke had it but she most likely lost it when she fell to the Horselords, release me and I'll help you retrieve …."
Jimmy had enough of this and simply slit her throat, accelerating the death throes of the Succubus. Her skin quickly turned black before it flaked away into ash. "Good riddance," he mumbled but he wasn't sure of his statement. Powerful demons like this Succubus had a habit of reforming in the Abyss, but at least they would be freed from her for at least a year or two.
"Why…why did you do that? " asked Sammy in shock." I believe she was telling the truth. I…I put my friend, Nahlie…my bodyguard, up to the task of impersonating me. I even had tattoos like my own inscribed on her, though of a lesser power. I know this Keke that she speaks of, but she didn't have the bottle that she spoke of, I believe her when she said the Horselords stole it from her. That Succubus was the only chance I had of recovering …"
Jimmy held up a hand. He then dug through his pack and produced a small glass bottle with the hazy shadow of a figure inside. "I wasn't sure what was inside, and I wasn't going to check till after this nonsense with the Black Blade and Ulfgar tracking me down was taken care of. But given that I was given this 'trinket' by Prince Vleda, you know the Horselord Prince that sailed across the ocean looking for vengeance, and he got this from a demoness he recently defeated, well…I'm sure you can put two and two together."
Sammy rushed towards Jimmy and hugged him deeply. "Thank you, thank you. Nahlie is my friend and responsibility since I did put her up to this. Quickly let's free her."
Jimmy stepped back. "Is your friend able to assist us, or hinder us in this situation," he asked as he waved around at their surroundings. "I'm guessing the latter since she got stuffed in a bottle."
Sammy looked briefly shocked but then sighed in agreement.
"We'll release her when we get to a safer area. I'm not sure how, but I'm sure you can dispel it or something. "
Sammy nodded in agreement. The pair healed themselves, recovered their weapons, before proceeding deeper into wherever these tunnels lead. Once more they fell into their uneasy silence again, even more awkward than before.
While Jimmy's skin shivered at her embrace earlier, he couldn't trust it. Succubus were known to turn into their victim's desires…that was all he needed to know.