It took three days for Tekeshi to be able to get out of bed. Given how brutal the damage that was inflicted during his part of the fight, it wasn't that much of a surprise. Even though the physical damage was pretty much gone, he could still feel the pain. He figured that he would be feeling the aftermath for weeks to come on it.

He did follow Jakkasu's advice on finding Utsuki when he was out of bed. The question though was the condition he was finding her in. He couldn't quite make heads or tails of it.

"Should I be concerned," he asked Ruby as he observed the sight.

Utsuki was currently standing in the center of the main courtyard. She didn't appear to be in any pain. She wasn't panicking per se. Deeseedra wasn't even acting like Utsuki was in any kind of danger. The whole curious part of it was the fact that she was completely engulfed in flames.

"I don't think we should be, however given that this has been going on for three hours now, we might should start being," the older witch replied, her head cocked at a strange angle.

"Three hours? I could roast a ham next to her, and you have let her stay like this for three hours? What started this" he couldn't believe it.

"We are trying to find her activator. What started this exact thing? I have no clue. I have taught other witches, even studied with some others on sabbatical. Nothing like this has ever happened in my experience. I mean, it is interesting to see, but I don't know how to tell her to get it to stop. And I also haven't really been able to put it out my self. Every time I do, she has gotten upset and it restarted."

"Could her activator be extreme emotion, then?"

"I doubt it. If emotion could act as an activator, that could lead to monthly disasters."

"What are you tal... oh, yeah. I see where you are going with that. You have any idea Deeseedra?"

The demoness looked over, confused as everyone else, "I've got nothing. I know what a "Witch of War" is, I just don't know anything about how they work. We don't get a second chance with them. After we are bound to them, we die. We don't get released into our own existence again. A simple slave contract would have allowed such, but the contract I have with her, it is much more... complicated."

"How do you mean? How did it even form?"

"A demon's contract is made with blood, not words. To be bound to a contract properly, there must be a negotiation. The human binder tells the demon what they are seeking. Be that power, fame, maybe even wealth. Once the demon understands the desire, then they give their terms. Oftentimes, I would desire blood sacrifices and sex. Rarely would I get the blood sacrifices during more developed times, so I would then desire fresh meat, which was easier. Always got the sex though."

"Are all demons gigantic balls of lust and perversion," Tekeshi could only shake his head.

"Yes, yes we are. Don't ask me why. Slave contracts are different though. For the most part they are not much different, we just don't get to name our terms. Mainly this has been from witches and warlocks who sought a stable and almost inexhaustible source of power. Possibly even something they saw as a weapon. The slave contract that a "Witch of War" has is much different. The strong emotions of the binder shape it along with desire to make themselves a weapon. A contract only takes a small amount of blood to form, even as little as a drop. Given our lack of pain, or apparently not total lack, it isn't difficult to actually draw blood from us without our knowing. Anyways, instead of being a simple pawn, we become a part of our binder. That is the reason we pass from existence when they die, because one cannot live without part of their soul. As I have said before though, I have never heard of an accidental contract like ours. If Lovely Mistress had not had her mouth open when the sword went through me, then the contract would not have formed."

Tekeshi and Ruby stopped for a moment to consider the explanation. The most of it made decent sense, not much different than making paper contracts. The slave contracts were, disturbing thinking as a more modern person. It was just the part at the very end.

"You literally can't be separated from 'Suki. You aren't her slave, you are basically half of her soul. Hate and vengeance are very negative emotions, and self destructive. 'Suki wasn't feeling that though. She was feeling fear and despair when your contract was formed. Would that make any difference," Tekeshi questioned, thinking the differences in the typical situations.

The expression on Deeseedra's face showed her answer, "I think it has. I don't know. I have never talked to another demon who was bound to one. It isn't like I can't return to between worlds until I am needed, I just... don't have any desire to. I don't really care to interact with other members of my race, even though I used to. She, holds more of my attention than anything else. I desire to protect, and cherish her, the longer I am with her. She is like a sister to me, two of one spirit, and it feels good. I don't truly understand the concepts yet. As I said at the beginning though, a slave contract hasn't occurred in over four thousand of your years. Either plainly, or for a "Witch of War". I don't know why they suddenly stopped. Either the binders were not strong enough, or there is another part of it I don't understand yet."

Ruby nodded, "It is a good question. It is known that the earliest witches were bound to demons, and the children born during their contracts often had a natural ability toward magic. Those children became common enough that they began occasionally encountering and breeding. With the hundred percent fatality rate of the "Witch of War", that would preclude them being any of such. What I don't understand is, why can't a regular contract create one?"

"The kind of contract to become a "Witch of War" is more visceral. Often there was a sacrifice, someone to summon and be devoured, and then the distressed individual to take our blood. A want of blood and retribution, pure hatred, and revenge. They actually align fairly well to demons. We, like killing. A "Witch of War" lives to kill. It is a natural symbiosis. Due to that the connection is deeper. But that comes to the end of my knowledge. The theory means little in the face of reality though, and there isn't anyone to teach the practical."

"That makes sen...'Suki," Tekeshi looked over to see a transportation circle forming under the flaming form.

Nothing else mattered to him as he took off at a sprint. He didn't even notice that he dropped Jakkasu. Deeseedra was hot on his heels, but was much much slower than the vampire. Light began to shine as his arms encircled Utsuki. They tightened as it reached its brightest, and then disappeared. All that was left behind was scorched ground where Utsuki had been standing.

"That hurts, so, so badly. You ok 'Suki," there wasn't a reply as Tekeshi started to open his eyes and take stock of where he was.

It was a jail cell by all appearances, and old looking one at that. More inline with a medieval dungeon than a modern one. The walls appeared to be made of earthen brick and mud mortar, the floor and ceiling the same. There was straw piled in one corner, and the door was iron bound wood. It was like he had fallen into a Renaissance fair.

"'Suki, where are you? Deeseedra? Dammit, Jakkasu? Where are you? What the hell is going on?"

The door meant nothing. Nor would the walls or anything else that was meant to contain a human. Vampires were the literal definition of looks could be deceiving, and the short punch at where the handle should have been would drive that home. Freedom, first on the agenda, and checked.

He took a mental inventory, and everything seemed intact. He wasn't bleeding. Nothing was broken. He could see. His limiter was still there, and he felt more powerful than he could ever remember feeling. That was not good. He could not feel Jakkasu at all. Nothing was draining his power, which meant that it could cause some issues if he couldn't find it.

Here he was, an unknown location, unarmed. He didn't know where Utsuki and Deeseedra were, or even if Deeseedra was there. He wasn't at a hundred percent, some parts of his body being stiff given his several days in bed. Oh, and to top it off, he was getting hungry. That wasn't good for anyone. He needed to find something to eat, and then the way out.

"I can't go a week without a fight at school. I can't go home without a literal bloodbath. Hell, I can't even take a girl shopping without a battle. Yeah, the world hates me, it really hates me. God I hope 'Suki is ok. As long as Deeseedra is with her I don't think she is in much danger, but is Deeseedra here? Please let her be, I want her here more than anything right now," he said as he chose a random direction and started walking.

It wasn't a large place, but it wasn't tiny. He chalked it up to vampiric senses, but he could tell he was only a couple yards underground. Granted he never spent any time underground, so that was all it could be. He checked the cells he passed, but none of them appeared to have been used in a long time, yet they weren't in disrepair. Some of the mortar even appeared to be wet still, like it had recently been replaced.

Eventually he reached the end, and a solid wall. So that wasn't the right way. He turned around, and after passing the cell he had been in he experienced much of the same. The place was in way too good of condition. Especially considering that he hadn't found any other cells that showed signs of use. The hallway was long enough he couldn't see the end of it, but it didn't feel right. Almost like there was some spell warping the area. Making it seem longer than it possibly could be.

As he continued he suddenly realized something. Every second cell was the same. On both sides of the hall. On the side he had come from there was one off color brick, like his cell had. It repeated perfectly, to the smallest micron. One cell on the other side had a pretty steady water drip, as did every other cell. There was no doubt about it, there was some form of obfuscating spell lengthening the hallway to make it seem like there were more than four cells.

"Well, lets take care of this now. This is really annoying, I mean, just use better security and save the magic," Tekeshi grumbled as his snap dispelled the spell.

There were literally only four cells and a set of stairs spiraling up. It was the most unimpressive dungeon he had ever seen, real life or media. Still unreasonably well cared for. Yes keep the cells secure, but making them look brand new didn't make much sense considering the kind of people they were meant to contain.

He listened closely as he ascended the stairs, wincing every time his combat boots came down hard enough to make a sound against the stones. This was just how he wanted to spend his first day out of bed, traipsing around in a tiny underground prison. Yeah, he believed God didn't interfere very often, but he was starting to think that he was working against him now. What he wouldn't give for a gun and suppressor right about then.

Six feet was much farther than one would think when you were going straight up. Of course when you would take a step and wait a full minute it took much longer. He didn't dare move any faster though. He heard sound much clearer, and at a higher relative volume than almost all other beings. He didn't want to take the chance that he would make too much noise and someone with pointy things would start poking at him.

Finally he came to the top. Looking into a large room he could tell it maintained the same aesthetic of King Henry the Third's court. But the symbolism wasn't similar. He recognized it, but he couldn't place exactly what it was. It was nagging at the back of his mind, and he hated these kind of situations.

Nobody was present, so he took his chance to sneak out. If he wasn't worried about noise he would have placed a spell over himself, but he knew how loud one of his finger snaps were. He considered taking his boots off to move quieter, but he didn't know if he might find some jagged area that would cause him to yell if he stepped on it. He continued until...

"Tekeshi," Utsuki was rounding a corner and saw him, thankfully keeping her voice down.

"'Suki, thank God. Where's Deeseedra? Is she here, and Jakkasu," he asked frantically in low tones, thankful he had found her.

"Deeseedra is in my aura right now, as for your sword, it wasn't there when we appeared here. I heard them speak in some weird language, and then they drug you off and led me and Deeseedra to a room. They didn't lock the door, so I have been trying to find you. This place is deceptive though. I keep thinking that I pass the same spot five times before I get anywhere."

Tekeshi nodded, "They put me in a dungeon. It seemed like there were dozens of cells, but they were using magic to replicate four. We need to figure out where we are so I can transport us home. If I can't figure out a relative position, I can't do anything. Before that though, what do you know about these people?"

"I've only seen women. No men at all, however I swear they feel like Deeseedra in a way. It doesn't make sense to me. All of them are young and beautiful. Also naked for some reason, so get used to looking at the ceiling. All they seem to be wearing is some light cape, and given how humid it is I can see why."

"You have to be joking. That tells me something though. We have to be near a large amount of water. I'm pretty sure that a castle this well maintained with a bunch of naked women would be more notable though, so an island maybe, I need more to figure it out. Have you found any sort of an exit, or way to go up higher to find a window?"

"Nothing. I'm just surprised that I haven't seen any of them again. A few of them were carrying spears, but I didn't see any other kind of weapons. They are all wearing the same amulet, a weird looking sword imposed over a tree of some kind."

"That is weird, almost sounds...," he was interrupted.

"Cuir stad air an sin, cha dèan thu cron oirre," both turned to see a young black skinned girl pointing a spear at them, and as Utsuki had stated, wearing nothing but a long, light cape.

Tekeshi immediately shot his gaze to the ceiling, "Uh, yeah, you weren't joking. What is it with women and nudity these days. It's going to leave my head permanently cricked. Wait, that almost sounds like Scots. Couldn't be though, I'm pretty sure I don't resemble a deer. It's more like, Celtic Gael. 'Suki, I am not even sure we are in our own time. If I can remember Scot Gael well enough, I might be able to talk to her."

"Tekeshi, why on earth would you know, Scots what now," Utsuki wasn't thinking about some of his minor hobbies.

"You see me reading language books all the time, Scots Gael was like two months ago. What else is there to do when I have the classwork done, and the home work."

"But why something as weird as Scots Gaul, what possible use could it be normally?"

"It has this weird sound like someone is on a weird point of being very depressed, and excitedly pissed off simultaneously, and I find it hilarious. Oh wait she is speaking again," Tekeshi turned his full attention back.

"A bhios onarach a 'tighinn còmhla mar sin nuair a bha e mu choinneimh sleagh," the girl radiated confusion.

Utsuki turned to her male companion, who was making a mental map of the ceiling again, "What did she say?"

"Something about jabbering and penises. I am almost certain I got that majorly wrong. No, wait spear, she said spear. How can someone jabber on with a spear in their face. Let's see here. Chan eil do pheanas asal a 'cur eagal orm gu h-onarach."

"Pheanas asal," the girl said confused and looking at her crotch for some suddenly grown appendage.

"I think you may have messed something up. She suddenly has taken a great interest in between her legs. You didn't say anything dirty did you," Utsuki was having her usual trouble taking a situation seriously with Tekeshi present.

"Am b 'urrainn dhut beagan aodaich a chuir air," he said towards the girl.

"What did you just tell her?"

"To put some clothes on. I have to admit, whoever built this place, they had one hell of a stone mason. I have an idea. 'Suki, place your forehead against mine, and look straight into my eyes," the instruction was quick and caught her off guard.

"Tekeshi, what, why, doing, are, what," she couldn't comprehend as he shook his head and did the steps himself.

'He is way too close. Would he, god would. I don't if I am ready for this. I never have anyone before, and he must have with that Lizzie...' a snap brought her back to reality as well as shouting.

"Whale feces, you will drop her, or you will swim," Utsuki heard the girl, but it didn't make sense.

"Take it easy 'Suki, it will take a minute for everything to orient itself. Knowledge transfer isn't the most effective way to learn to speak a language, but it will make it easier to figure out what is going on."

"Release her or engage anally, will I," the girl was starting to make more sense to her, possibly.

Tekeshi turned back to the ceiling, "I let her... grease. No that is wrong, does go even sound like that, no I said grease. I let her go, no monkeys."

Utsuki just turned to him as the girl took a distressed look on her face, "No monkeys? Do really know half of what you are saying right now?"

"I never said I was great at it. Besides, I am like ninety percent sure confused people do less stabby stabby with spears. Just, oh I think I told her we weren't afraid of her donkey dick earlier. Why couldn't it have been mandarin, or urdu even," Tekeshi made a silent vow to learn Scots Gael fluently when they got out of this.

"Dibea speaks English quite well. All of us here do, not that I wasn't enjoying this dumpster fire of a show, but it might be easier."