The statue shimmers and shines in the dark, crystals that line its body ignited with a magical flare. I've spent some time looking over the monstrous thing, always a feeling of unease settling over my chest while I look over it. It looks so close to a dragon, a creature oft depicted, worshiped to an extent. Despite its look, something about it seems off, the sleek scaleless design of it seems closer to a snake than a dragon

Perhaps it's not a true dragon, just a faux depiction of it who knows. Regardless of what it is, she found it valuable.

Stranger still are the crystals embedded into its eyes, glowing with a green light, it flickers against its own insides, coupled with its maw, it's almost as if it's grinning, enjoying the look of its surroundings. Similar crystals hang around its neck, a group of three, glowing far softer than the eyes above. I can recall when it was first brought here, how silent and unmoving it was, nothing more than stone.

Looking at this, at what we've done to get this, it brings something up into my chest, a comfortable and warm feeling. I suppose it's a faint sense of pride, that's an apt enough description for it, pride for myself for a job well done. I've followed my orders, and seeing as the others haven't been removed, I assume that they've done the same. The others would be more suitable for those tasks, though it stings to even think of it, the stab of failure hurts more.

Perhaps that's why she took on others, so that I may not ruin her plans. I already did once before, and despite what she's said afterwards, I believe that she spent an awfully long time fixing it. Cleansing Mekkan of that waste felt euphoric in the moment, but those feelings wane, and it'll leave naught but regret.

Such thoughts also turn the warmth in my chest cold, too, but it's what I deserve.

I failed once, never again.

"That stare of yours is always so intense, dear." Her soft voice brings me out of my thoughts, sounding like little more than whispers in the wind. That brief feeling of surprise dies rather quickly in my chest, and I barely react to her, even as her arms wrap around my neck. She's silent for a moment, a huff of air breaking the silence. "Hm, barely a reaction, maybe I'm getting a little predictable, hm?"

"I strive to adapt to differing circumstances so I may not be caught out, my Lady, your antics included." I mutter in response, looking to her out of the corner of my eye. Even still, it's not like appearing from the shadows is a new trick of hers, and I've ample time to learn from it. She huffs again, blowing another puff of air directly into my ear, the woman giggling while it twitches. It's a strange feeling, I'm unsure why she finds the reaction so amusing. Though, given how unusual she is, I suppose it suits her.

"Mmmhm, and you're a very adaptive man, aren't you~?" Her voice takes on a flirty tone, cheek pressing against mine before moving upwards, I can feel her chin softly digging into the top of my skull. No matter how much I attempt, I can never seem to stifle that burning feeling in my cheeks whenever she does this, nor the warmth that accompanies it. It's not an entirely unpleasant feeling, though I'd never admit it to her.

"Given the opportunity." One wouldn't want to disappoint, after all. She giggles again, her arms slipping from neck to chest, palms gently pressing against me, and into her chest. Silence fills the air, disturbed only by her soft breathing.

An arm of purple enters my vision, silently sliding through the air until it reaches the stone, curling around its body.

"I'm getting closer, so, so close..." Her soft whisper disturbs the silence. I'm unsure whether she's speaking to me or to herself, so I don't reply. The tendrils grasp on it tightens, almost possessively, both the magic within and around it pulsating in turn. Though I've little knowledge about magic itself, I don't think it'd be too far a stretch to assume that her use of it is… strange, at least from what I've seen. Perhaps that's what the Stranger meant, and why he wished to join her.

I've seen magic more than a few times, some situations being far less friendly than others, but they've used it as a tool for a task, or something to bludgeon another. The way she uses it is… something more, I suppose. More so an extension of herself than anything else, for despite the thickness and barely hidden strength behind that tendril, it slinks around and grips at the stone with an unnatural deftness. It's an almost gentle, caring caress, despite the initial possessiveness, not too unlike the ones that she torments me with.

Perhaps calling it an extension of herself is more apt a description than I initially thought.

"You've always had the most intense stare, dear." her question brings me out of it for a moment, her magic dissipating into purple wisps, sparking within the dim light. I drag my eyes away from the sight to look up to her, a loving smile placed upon her face.

"I've been described as such a fair few times, my Lady." Mostly from those who squander their time, though she's placed such a description upon myself, so there's some truth in those words.

"Mmmmhm, don't I know it." She responds with a giggle, a hand of hers slowly trailing up my chest, resting upon my cheek. Despite how much I try to push down the feeling in my chest, I can't keep that delightful, undeserving warmth down. "You've done so well for me, dear."

"I've done as ordered." Other than a few snags of my making, it all went smoothly. That only serves to get another giggle out of her, her smile ever-widening.

"It's so adorable to see you put on a front, don't you think you've deserved some time to be a bit more lax?" She continues, lips twisting into a coy smirk. I tear my sight away from her, even as she giggles once more, pulling me every closer into her chest.

The pressure around my skull is a warm, comforting one. Yet, I feel naught but guilt for such a feeling.

There'll be a time where I may rest, but that's not today, nor any time soon. I must keep on pushing, to do all that I may. I won't be forgotten, I won't be cast away, I won't I WON'T.

A soft lull brings me back from those ruminations and to my senses, helped along by the hand that caresses my cheek.

"Such a tense, poor boy." She says with a tut, her fingertips nestling into my fur.

"My apologies." Such thoughts shouldn't affect me in general, least of all right now. Unacceptable. She hums, dragging her nails up and down my flesh. As undeserved as the soothing may be, I do relax into her grasp, especially as her trailing hand moves upwards.

"I know plenty of ways to soothe the more stressed individuals, perhaps I ought to show you some time~" Her voice sounds as soft as the silken dress that clothes her, pleasing to both ears and touch alike. A shiver runs up my spine, ears twitching as she takes one into her hands, a delightful haze weighing on my mind.

I don't deserve this, I truly don't, but if she thinks it right, then is it not wrong for me to reject it, to reject her? That won't do, not at all.

And so I close my eyes, pressing myself into her tender, loving grasp. Whether or not I believe myself to deserve such favoritism matters not. If she believes it appropriate enough, then I ought to have no qualms with it either. She lets out this cooing, soothing noise, I can feel her catch an ear between the tips of her fingers, softly rubbing away.

Mnh, perhaps I should've omitted that little detail during our talks, she's been more than willing to exploit it.

Her fingers retract, much to my dismay, though another warm feeling takes its place instead, resting atop my head. It's a gentle and loving heat, accompanied by a soft feeling that digs into my skull. My breathing slows, eyelids becoming heavier by the moment, sinking ever deeper into her grasp.

"You've done so well, my sweet little Knight." She speaks with a loving voice, I can feel her hot breath cascading down the sides of my head, ears twitching all the while. Something niggles at the back of my mind, but it's an easy task to suppress it. It's secondary to her, and this intoxicating feeling.

But all good things must come to an end, as it always does. I expected the feeling to be pulled away from me, with the vacuum of chilly air to take its place, and yet it always catches me by surprise. No matter how much she does it, I can't stop the shrill, pathetic whine that slips past my lips, nor the rise of heat in my cheeks that accompanies it.

"Do you feel a little bit better, my dear Knight?" She asks, though it's little more than a rhetorical question. I grunt in response, distrustful of my traitorous throat to provide a response with words. My pride already stings, and I don't wish to give her more ammunition to tease me. There's another giggle, hands shifting to rest on my shoulders instead. "I'll take that as a yes, dear~"

Her grip tightens for a moment before she twists me about, a hand of hers slipping underneath my chin, forcing me to look up to her. Emerald eyes hold a caring stare, a mischievous glimmer sparkling within.

The haze returns, it's presence always a welcoming one.

"Should it all go to plan, this little thing'll be finished by tonight." Though she's so close, her voice seems so far away, as if struggling to reach my ears. A thumb brushes over my cheek, her tender lips twisting into a smile. "You should take a break until then dear, I'll have someone fetch you so you can watch, okay?"

"Very well, my Lady." If she believes it to be the correct choice, then who am I to argue against it?

"Good boy!" Elation swells in my heart as she speaks, the heart itself thundering in my chest. She leans down to my height, her lips pressing against my cheeks. The longer she lingers, the more that giddiness builds in my chest, my hands twitching erratically. She pulls away after what feels like an eternity, a devious little smile on her lips. "Until then~"

A thin sheen of purple washes over her before she slinks away, wisps of magic trailing behind her, right up until she disappears into the shadows. The haze over my mind dissipates along with the woman herself, feeling and consciousness returning to my body.

Heat swells and gushes over, spreading throughout my face with wanton abandon. I squeeze my eyes shut, pinching the bridge of my nose as I groan.

Bloody demon woman. I take in a deep breath, swallowing the surge of emotions as best I can. She gets far too much enjoyment out of situations like this, though I suppose I'm at fault for enjoying it myself.

I march onwards, away from the stature, claws clicking against the stone floor.

It's almost completed, now there's only the need to wait. I've full faith in her words, all there is to do is to follow orders.

…

The crackling of wood fills the air, jabbing the pieces with a metal rod stokes the embers inside further, the roaring flames light engulfing my vision. It settles soon after, bits of fire creeping up the last vestiges of uncharred wood. I rest the rod beside the fireplace before returning to my chair, falling into the red velvet.

Another gift from her, as is the rest of the room. The bed, books, tools and weaponry, from the fireplace to the bookcases that line the walls, all of it. I had asked for a single gift, and she had bestowed that and infinitely more upon me, for reasons I still can't understand. Are such things born of pity, or of pride? Perhaps she wishes to lull me in, to indebt myself to her services.

But that's not required, is she aware of that? No, surely she must, should others have taken notice of it, then she must've too. Perhaps I've been too willing, and I've exhausted her tasks to give me? It would explain why she's always been so talkative about relaxation, before finally telling me to take the free time.

Were there any gift I'd truly admonish, even from her, it's this one. To sit about and do nothing, it does little more than waste time, precious seconds used on things better than my thoughts. For the time where everything's silent is when the less savoury thoughts and memories arise. Looking around for something pleasing to take my mind off of it does little to help, everything here is so lavishly and lovingly done, all it does is remind me of more… austere surroundings.

Memories of the Isle, of those within, both place and people better left forgotten. A pulse of pain lances through my skull, hand tightly gripping the chair's forearm.

No, stop this! I don't need to remember them, not the pain, not the place, and certainly not his damned face! They cast me out, swept me aside like filth, I owe them less than nothing, let alone a spot in my damned memories.

Nothing, nothing dammit! Especially HIM, that pathetic waste of a man, the mere thought of his existence is a blight upon the world. And yet I can feel him, always teetering on the edges of my mind, looking for some way to poke a hole into it to claw his way back in.

I won't let him, I won't let him.

I squeeze my eyes shut. Take in the air, hold it shut, release.

A shaky breath rips its way out of my throat, opening my eyes to gaze upon the crackling flame once more. I force my hands to relax, a dull jolt of pain surging from the tips of my claws as I do so, tufts of fluff floating mid-air.

But she's nothing like that. She's always been soft, gentle and caring, unlike the rest of them. I'd think her heart soft, but I've seen how cruel she can be, and how much she enjoys it myself joining in on occasion. Does she know then, even though I've never told her of it? I'm unsure whether that's a comforting thought or a disturbing one, yet it wouldn't catch me by surprise if it was the case.

She's always had that knack for knowing such things. Is that why she's always putting so much pressure on myself when it comes to writing down my memories for the day, of our little escapades that she drags me around? Is that her attempt to soothe my mind, to replace those memories with superior ones instead, ones of her? If that were true then-

A knock tears me away from my thoughts, neck twisting to face the source.

"What?" My question comes out as a sneer, lips morphing into a grimace. The door cracks open, slowly and gently, a single golden eye peering from the darkness.

"The Lady wished for me to retrieve you, Knight." She speaks, her voice barely above a whisper. A cold rage floods my veins, glaring at the thing with a furrowed brow. I'd have thought that she'd come herself, why was this thing sent to retrieve me? What sort of jest is this, did the Stranger put it up to the task? For what rea-

Wait, perhaps this is a test from her? To see if I could hold myself back and adapt to its existence? It's not out of the question, however aggravating it may be.

Very well then, I'll meet her challenge, however displeased I am with it. At least it served as a useful distraction from my thoughts, though it's likely different from how the Stranger uses it to 'distract' himself.

"Mn, fine." I finally mutter in response, the chair below me creaking as I shove off it. I turn away from the flames and march over towards the thing, amusement flickering in my chest as she scuttles away, back pressed to the other side of the hall. I close the door behind me, a sharp click reverberating throughout the hall. The fireplace will take care of itself, the wood remnants ought to be burned to ash soon enough. "Don't stand too close."

"As if I'd ever want to." She responds swiftly, I can see her eyes look over to me out of the corner of it, glowing in the meager light. "What, do you think I'd go and grab you out of the kindness of my heart?"

"Tch." Bloody irksome thing, isn't it? Even from here I can see the corner of her lips, twisted upwards into a revolting smirk. Oh how the blood boils at the sight of it, the urge to wipe it clean rising alongside it, were it any other. "You ought to hold your tongue, slave. Being allowed to speak is a privilege after all, you lost the right to do so freely long ago."

"It's not your place to decide whether or not I may speak, don't fool yourself into thinking you have that much power over me." Her quip sounds disgustingly chipper, a growl threatens to slip out of my throat, subduing it is no easy matter. Tch, to be talked like this by one of their kind? How my pride burns at the thought.

We can't bark at one another here, though I'd love to give her a lashing of some kind, there's places to be.

"Hmf, enjoy flapping your gums while you can, cat. That joy would come to a rather swift end if you were to blather about when your master's nearby, wouldn't it?" I say with a sneer. The slits of its eyes narrow further, the sound of a disgruntled growl coming from it, glaring with a furrowed brow. Now that brings a smile to my face, a well deserved one. "Dawdle not, we've places to be, and I won't have you displeasing my Lady."

It doesn't respond, not with words at least, another growl jumping off of the walls while it stomps away. An entertaining moment, if nothing else, its foul stench dimmed by something or other is a pleasant surprise.

The trek is a thankfully silent one, though I can still feel the slaves glare into the side of my throat, something I take some pleasure in. At least it's given me space, that's a small mercy. Through winding stone halls, only the occasional torch, lit and maintained by the magic of this place illuminates it all.

We come to an oaken door, thick and dark, it looms above. I march over, laying my hand on it before shoving. It slowly swings open, the sound of its creaking bouncing off of the walls. It finally swings open, I shuffle myself inside soon after, the scuttling of the slave lagging behind.

The statue stands tall on the far side of the room, it's green glow seems to have intensified since last time, eye magic within its eyes dancing like green flame. It twists and curls within the crystals, almost beckoning. The Stranger seems to be dawlding about, not too far off from the statue itself, hood and body shifting as he turns to face us.

"Hey! I was wondering when you two would show up, I do hope that there wasn't any hassle between the two of you." He says with the tilt of his head, a hand resting on his hip.

"Hmph." Perhaps it was the man who sent it out then, I should;ve figured he'd get a kick out of it. No matter, I've no doubt being able to stomach the slaves existence ought to be useful sometime in the future.

"Of course not, master." I hear it mutter behind me, the tapping of its claws echoing throughout the otherwise silent room. It stands beside its master after a moment, at giving me quite a wide berth. There's a small, gentle smile on its face, eyes glistening as it looks up to the Stranger.

"Knew you could do it, Partner." He rests a hand atop its head, gently ruffling the mess. Ich, I suppose there could be a far worse sight, I needn't know the man's perversion to imagine that. I keep my eyes on the slave, even as it closes its eyes shut while pressing into his awaiting hand, much like a cat. I don't trust this thing, not in the slightest. Around the Stranger, it's a meek, subservient thing, as expected of a slave.

Yet, when given an inch of freedom, it throws itself about with a wild abandon, aggressive and determined. It's more than I've seen from the rest of their kind, and I'd have some inkling of respect, were it not for how two faced it seemed. It can flick between the two of them seemingly at a whim, who's to say that such a thing can be trusted? Regardless, the decision is hers to make.

The darkness shifts behind them, streams of purple twisting and shifting within the air Hm, looks as if she's directing her antics elsewhere for now. It doesn't take long for the wisps of magic to morph into the lady herself, lips curled up into a delighted grin, a mischievous glint in her eye.

"Hello~"

"Gah!" The Stranger yelps in surprise, the keidran squealing alongside him as they leap away. The lady's tittering fills the air, a dainty finger raised to her lips, a coy smile on her face. The Stranger sounds as if he's gasping for air, a hand clutched to his chest. "Again? Why must you do that?"

"Because it's entertaining, of course~" She replies with a giggle, twisting away and saundering off, towards the statue. "Don't worry, this'll be quick, whether or not it's a failure."

Does she expect this to fail, or is it just an end she's keeping in mind? I tilt my head, the question on the tip of my tongue, but I swallow it down instead. No, she knows what she's doing, I ought to have more faith in it. I flick my sight over to the pair, looking over them with a squinting stare.

I expected the Stranger to say something, and yet, he seems oddly silent, fingertips tapping against his leg. It truly does seem as if he's taking this seriously, a surprise, but a welcome one. The slave sticks to his side, its ears twitching impatiently while it fiddles with its fingers.

It's time, then. There's naught to do but wait.

My Lady finally comes to a stop in front of the statue, standing tall and proud, splaying her arms out, as if to embrace the thing. My ears twitch as she lets out a deep, long sigh, waves of purple washing over her arms, drooping and twisting under them.

The statue looms above even her.

The statue responds in kind, the crystals inside flaring up, a cold fire within its green glare. It's harder to breathe, as if something oppressive sitting on my chest, a feeling of unease forcing its way through my body. This thing, it's no mere statue, isn't it? It's… it's not alive, no, but there's something more to it.

Is this considered normal by magical standards, does the Stranger know anything about this?

She finally brings her arms forward, the magic clinging to her instead leaping onto the stone, possessively clutching at it once more. There's another green flare, one that flickers over her grasp, lciking at it as if a flame.

And then she speaks. Or at least, that's what I assume as much. It's not human, nor any language I've ever heard spoken before, more so a low, thrumming hum that reverberates in my skull. I feel my face contort into a grimace, reaching up with a hand to rest it against my temple. Now that, that's not human, that much I'm sure of. I cast a glance back over to the pair, they don't seem to be faring any better, the slave clasping its ears, the partner doing much of the same.

The louder she speaks, the more it scratches and digs into my skull, squeezing my eyes shut to do something to drive out the pain. By the masks it hurts, it burns, what sort of magic is this?

I feel my knees buckle underneath the pressure, but I refuse to kneel, not for something like this. I eventually force an eye open, to look at my Lady.

It's a mess of purple and green, wriggling and writhing against one another, tendrils of the magical concoction flaring off into the sides. It's a disturbingly wondrous and unnerving sight, one that I can feel burning itself into my eye. It's hard to focus, a dreadful haze weighs on my skull, though at least it dulls the pain. I close my eyes shut, digging the tips of my fingers into me.

And as quickly as it began, it stops, leaving the wracketing echo of silence behind. It's a struggle to do so, but I force my eyes to finally flicker open, to look over the scene. I can hear her panting, her back heaving up and down with laboured breaths.

A bright green flame hangs between her and the statue, flickering like any other, though otherwise unmoving. She wobbles about, a faint movement, but it forces my heart to jump into my throat. My legs burn as I stride across the stone, claws rapidly clicking against it, but I manage to reach her in time. She falls into my arms, knees buckling underneath the sudden weight, I slowly bring the both of us to the ground, her head resting on my thigh, her eyes closed shut as she heaves for air.

I hold her steady, letting her catch her breath, trying my best to let her rest. I'm far from the comfiest thing, but fur is oft a better feeling than stone. I quickly look over her face and body, making sure not to linger for too long. She seems okay, albeit drained, sweat dripping from forehead to cheek.

Her gasps for air eventually slow down to a steady rate, her eyelids flinging open, orbs of green staring into me.

"H-hah, looks like I'm in your arms for a change." A plain attempt to alleviate the atmosphere, but it's a good sign.

"Are you alright, my Lady?" I ask her, keeping my tone as level as I can. She shuffles about, pressing further up against me.

"I'm quite alright, little Knight, quite alright indeed." She replies. Normally such a reply would've been a sultry one, but this, it sounds more relaxed than not, even as she lies within my grasp. There's a small smile on her face ,not a coy or teasing one, but a relieved one. I open my mouth to speak, but something catches my eye.

Her dresses shifted down with her movement, and normally I'd turn away, lest she catch the stare, but there's something more… abnormal about this sight. Humans skin differs from one another, though most tend to be fairer in tone than not.

But none have been black before, not dark, but a pure stygian black. A spot the size of my palm of it lays on her breast, just above where her heart ought to be, veins of darkness stemming out from the source.

"Now's the time you decide to take a look? I can't say much about you being an opportunist, but still." Her voice brings me back to light, my eyes traveling from chest back to her face. That smile of hers has only widened, and the concern within my heart grows.

"My Lady, wha-" A thin finger of hers presses against my lips, cutting me off.

"Shh, it's okay, my little Knight, I know what I'm doing." She sounds as confident as ever, and normally that'd be enough to sedate me, I still can't help but worry. I feel my lips twist into a frown, but I reluctantly nod.

"Very well, I'm here to help, should you need it."

"I know, you've always been a helpful one." Silence falls between the two of us, the woman shuffling about some more, the back of her head resting against my chest.

"Are you finished now, my Lady?" I ask her, my grip tightening ever so slightly.

"I am, for now anyway. There's more to do, there always is, but this is a good enough finish for now." She finally replies after a moment, her eyes shifting away from me. I follow her stare, looking up to the floating orb.

Whatever it's importance may be, I'll follow her lead until the end, even if my heart's filled with worry and concern.

The green fire continues to burn away, as if fueled by nothing.

Or perhaps, it's fueled by that shard of black inside it, a deep, burning darkness barely hidden within the heart.

…

As heavy as my eyelids feel, I have to stay awake, just for a while longer. The remaining bits of candlelight ought to provide ample enough light to finish this off.

Just a little more writing, to jot my traitorous thoughts and memories down, and then I'll retire for the night. She had always put stock in how important it was to do so, did she not? Would she be angry if she ever read this, to know that I've doubts about her?

Of course, that's assuming she could read this to begin with. Writing in my own tongue is a habit that I've yet to break, though that could come with its own advantages,, for the chances of another basitin with a capable mind roaming among humans seem rather low. Low doesn't mean impossible, though the only way to assure that never happens is to obliterate this, and that's not what one does with a gift as wondrous as this.

The last bits of ink drip off of the feather tip, drying against the paper. I lay the quill down for a moment, popping a cork back atop the inkpot, taking in a soft breath of air while I close the damned journal shut.

There, it's done for now, worries written down to be expelled from my mind. She'd forgive me for having those worries, no? For they're based on caring for her, rather than for myself. I know little about magic, though something about that darkness seems far from normal.

Is that black magic then? If it were so terrifying, why would she choose to- no! Stop, enough, you've already vomited it out onto paper, Knight, there's no need to bring it back into your mind.

I let out a long exhale of air, deflating into the chair. While it hasn't solved the issue, it's alleviated some of the pressure, if nothing else. That'll have to do for now.

I grind the palm of my hand into my eye, ignoring the flashes of purple and green.

I do wish that I didn't have a visitor this night, as if it wasn't long enough, I needn't have a curious eye glaring into my back.

"Speak quickly, I've little patience for you."

"Yeesh, as friendly as ever, ain't you?" The Stranger's voice is as confident as ever, it only makes him more irksome to be about. I twist about in the chair, glaring at him out of the corner of my eye. He holds his hands up in response, a surrendering gesture. "Alright, I won't trouble you for too long Knight."

"A wise choice."

"You've plenty of work to do in the coming months, work that I'm sure you won't appreciate."

"I'll do what's required." He shuffles about, a hand pressing against the back of his head.

"You- Are you at all shaken up by what happened? Even a little?" An annoyed flare spreads throughout my chest, though I hold my immediate bite. He's not wrong, loathe as I am to admit.

"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't, but so long as she's safe, I've little to complain about. My faith will remain absolute, as will my drive." Of course, that's not the complete truth, though he needn't know that. There's a weighty pause, silence seemingly taking hold of the man.

"...Faith, huh?"

"I'm aware you're not here for the same reasons I am, Stranger, I don't expect you to completely understand my reasoning, as I don't expect myself to understand yours." Strangely enough, he chuckles at me, a hand waving dismissively.

"Hah, it's not that, you reminded me of someone, that's all. Back to the point, are you ready to get back to work?" The chair slides out from underneath me as I stand upright, hands gripping the spine of the journal.

"Without hesitation, what's her next task?"