A/N: The day has come. Lemon ahead, proceed with caution. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) (Skip when you see this symbol if you don't like it.)

Chapter 12 - Cavern of the Elders (R18)

He scarcely had time to inspect his loot and secure it in the bag before the elf swiftly grasped his shirt, signaling him to move ahead. Her keen senses alerted her to an approaching magister. The loot, as it turned out, wasn't too shabby either: a few extra shillings, healing potions, dried fruits, and an armed mace. It seemed that things weren't going poorly here, after all.

They proceeded along the fort's road, which began just after descending the stairs. Their pace quickened as the scenery transformed around them. He noticed she was holding his hand shirt even as she remained silent all the way. "Easy there, don't go tearing my shirt off," he quipped, shooting a glance at a couple of guards who were giving them curious looks. "We don't want to give them any scandalous ideas."

"Believe me, that's not the worst idea someone could have about us," she replied, coming to a stop briefly as she surveyed their surroundings, her advanced senses undoubtedly taking note before she nodded and resumed her stride. "I'd be quite grateful if they kept themselves entertained with such notions."

That's true.

"Indeed, I'd take people gossiping about romance over cannibal couples having a baby buffet any day," Varus quipped with a grimace, his imagination running wild with the absurdity of that revelation.

"So, where exactly are we headed?" he realized their brisk pace showed no signs of slowing down, despite the sun sinking low and the path ahead veering outside the fort, this time on the opposite side and into the wilderness once more.

This wasn't part of the plan, but Varus remained confident in his abilities. Now, all that was left was to have trust in his choices.

"As we descend, keep this in mind: Beyond the kitchens of greed, down to the shores of loneliness, and within the caves of purity," she remarked, her voice tinged with nostalgia. He watched as their path meandered through thick forests. At the edge of the beach, nestled in a corner, Varus spotted a cave cloaked in twilight, illuminated by the glow of lamps emanating from within. "There lies a sanctuary among us," she added cryptically.

As they reached the outskirts of the cave, their pace finally came to a halt. She meticulously surveyed the surroundings, her eyes scanning for any potential trespassers. Meanwhile, Varus took the opportunity to examine the area, releasing a tense breath as he noticed a peculiar sigil etched onto a nearby rock near the entrance.

"Oh, bother. This is an elven area," he pondered, weighing his thoughts carefully.

The elf noticed his change in expression and raised an eyebrow, prompting him to voice his thoughts.

"Are you certain..." Varus hesitated, unsure how to articulate his concern. Human-elf relations were strained, to say the least. While they were allies in name, the reality was far from that. The issues of their relationship extended beyond mere racism. He didn't want to risk his life after just getting it back. "That I am worthy to be here?" he finally managed to express, feeling slightly awkward and vulnerable.

Exhaling a sigh of relief, a smile playing on her lips, she strode forward, fingers twirling strands of hair with casual grace, her eyes glinting with a subtle gleam. Encouraging him to follow, she stated, "On the contrary, your actions have proven it. Now, what might your name be, Sourcerer?"

"Varus Satheran. From Cyseal," he replied with a resigned tone. At this stage, even the creatures of the void were familiar with his name. No point in keeping an open secret.

"Your nomen does have an elven ring to it, doesn't it?" she inquired, casting a curious glance his way.

"That's correct," Varus nodded. "Somewhere in my lineage, there's an elven ancestor from ages ago. Maybe they migrated from the Luculla forests or even farther, like Teneh Tiriel. It appears that particular branch of the family tree managed to survive until me."

Not that this tidbit would earn him any applause from the elves, of course. They were big on their whole purity thing. For all he knew, his elven ancestor could have been an outcast, which wouldn't exactly endear him to the more traditionalist elves.

"So it seems. I'm Elodi Sylvarul," she said, offering her hand to help him up onto a nearby rock. Although he didn't require the assistance, he accepted the gesture graciously. "Come on, let's not linger here longer than necessary," she mumbled as she made her way inside.

Inside the cave lay a vast cavern, illuminated by fire lamps scattered throughout. Tents and cargo sprawled across the expanse, while the occasional large tool pointed at ongoing excavation efforts. The cavern echoed with the hum of prayers and the joyous laughter of children at play.

From his vantage point, the cave appeared so expansive that it seemed to lead to several interconnected chambers beyond. Drops of water fell on his torn shirt, sending shivers down his spine. He glanced upward at the rock formations, watching water drip from the stalactites above.

"Still, a little break from the chaos outside," he shrugged, turning his gaze back to the elf. "Lead the way, Elf."

"I will. But let's dispense with the formalities for now," Elodi nodded as they descended toward the natural void on the ground. "Since you're new to this place and I brought you here, the responsibility of keeping you falls on me. You can simply call me by my first name, as I'll do the same for you."

That wasn't something to fuss over, so he remained silent, simply taking in the surroundings as they continued onward.

Suddenly, his attention was seized by a tall lizard, clad in elaborate armor and nonchalantly strolling through with a hefty sword slung across his back. Oddly enough, this sight managed to ease his nerves. If a lizardman from the ancient empire, notorious for its history of slavery, especially of elves, could wander here, then surely he, of the human race allied with them in the great war, belonged here just as much.

Gradually, he observed that they were nearing a sizable camp nestled at the center of the cavern, undoubtedly the most prominent among the several scattered throughout.

"You've certainly crafted a cozy little nook down here. Quite removed from the troubles of the surface world.", he noted.

"Wonder who's calling the shots in this place," his gaze was then drawn irresistibly to her slender form, trailing down the graceful curve of her back, then drifting down to the way her hips swayed with each step.

They swayed with a mesmerizing rhythm, as if they had access to a club of hip-shaking excellence, leaving him half-expecting her back pockets to reveal tiny crystal balls and a miniature dance floor.

"In this cave, we trust Saheila," her eyes shifted towards him, catching his gaze just as he refocused on her. Varus breathed a sigh of relief, "Phew," he thought, "almost had a cave-induced catastrophe there."

"She may be young, but she sees things we overlook. Knows more than we give her credit for," she gestured towards the bustling main camp. Then, with a nod towards the wilderness beyond, added, "In that camp, it's all about the bread. Whoever controls the carbs reigns supreme — Griff's got the power, one loaf at a time."

"Come, let's get acquainted with Saheila. See if my choices were right.", she whispered softly as they approached the flickering flames of the central fireplace. Numerous elves, ranging in size, lounged on benches encircling the fire, engaged in conversation with each other, their voices resonating in their esoteric tongue, weaving a tapestry of tones.

As Varus and Elodi approached, the elves turned their attention toward them. Their expressions remained neutral as they regarded Varus, showing no sign of emotion — impassive with a lack of any discernible expression. Then, their focus shifted to Elodi, and their expressions softly transformed into looks of concern as they conversed with her, their voices carrying a tone of worry as they further addressed her.

Elodi stepped forward, engaging them in their tongue, seemingly recounting her encounters with Griff and his cohorts at the fort, as well as her recent meeting with him. Meanwhile, Varus stayed back, maintaining a discreet presence — He wasn't going to wipe a towel on a cold arse here.

"I know they help," a distinct voice emerged from the forefront. Seated on a stool, encircled by vigilants on all sides, was a young girl. Resting on her lap was a sizable, weathered tome, which she delicately touched, tracing circles upon its pages with her elegant, slender fingers. Her eyes were veiled behind a thick cloth, yet an unsettling crimson hue seemed to seep through, tinting it red. And as his gaze met where her eyes were supposed to be, she shifted her attention toward him, a soft, enigmatic smile on her lips.

"A seer," he muttered under his breath, his lips pressing into a thin line. Slightly troublesome. That must be Saheila, the leader of this group.

Whispers and murmurs rippled through the crowd, swirling from one corner to another and then back again. Elodi continued sharing her experiences, and the elves listened intently, hanging on her every word. Meanwhile, he seized the opportunity to survey their surroundings, taking in every detail with his hypersense spreading out in all corners.

"I sense his presence, yet he remains unseen," Saheila muttered, her words piercing the silence as the crowd hung on her every syllable. Elodi retreated without a word of greeting or acknowledgment, her posture slumped with an air of desolation, tears glistening in her eyes.

Like a deer caught in the glare of headlights, Varus now stood frozen amidst a throng of unfamiliar faces, feeling as though every gaze was stripping him down with their unabashed curiosity.

"Ah, greetings, fellow traveler... I sense you've ventured from afar," a voice called out, extending him a warm invitation toward Saheila. She smiled at him as though she recognized him, despite never having seen his face before. "Come here in search of a grand adventure, have you? Well, tell me, have you found what you seek?"

The question echoed in his mind: could the seer be the Keeper of Secrets? There were indications aligning with that possibility. Her magical prowess and latent potential were quite high — certainly more than she was letting on. As a seer, particularly an elven seer, she likely possessed knowledge beyond ordinary comprehension. However, if it were that straightforward, it seemed too convenient. Would that wily Old hag, even deign to permit such a thing to happen?

"No, I have rather only begun. Though it has been quite the journey thus far", he remarked absentmindedly, shaking himself from his reverie and refocusing on the present moment. His knowledge reservoir felt lacking, but he reminded himself that it was only the first day. There was ample time ahead to fill in the gaps.

She laughed and laughed, her gaze sweeping everywhere as if uncovering hidden punchlines in every nook and cranny. How she could see things with her eyes still covered? Perhaps through extensive use of her supersense, but other than that, he had no idea.

"Many people to meet. Many stones to turn," she murmured, her words carrying a sense of wonder. "And there is great joy here, as though the walls and water themselves were crafted by many smiling gods. Just like today."

And just like that, most of what was said went over his head. He sighed inwardly, wondering why elves always felt the need to be so mysterious. Humans could be pretentious, sure, but at least they had a freaking god who was once a mortal fighting for them.

"Be that as it may, you've traveled quite a distance to find your way here. We have much to discuss, but you must rest first," Saheila turned her gaze toward him. Her eyes swept over his form, lingering on his bulging sack and the various bags strapped to his back. "Sister Elodi brought you to us. She will be responsible for your well-being and shelter you." Her eyes followed where Elodi had gone, her lips forming a thin line as sadness flickered in her eyes for a moment.

"Be sure to treat her well, traveler," Saheila directed, pointing back toward the path they had traveled. "For food and other supplies, including those for trade, you may speak with Kalias, the lizardman. He is our supplier, perhaps the only one we have. Times are tough, and we're running low on some provisions, but for now, we have enough to get by. So, waste not, want not."

He followed her directions with a nod of gratitude. "You won't find me complaining. Thank you sincerely for your hospitality and for providing me with a place to stay. I'll take the opportunity to explore and get comfortable with the space."

With a nod from Saheila, he excused himself and turned on his heels, making his way back to the merchant once more. It was time to restock his supplies and lighten the load of his bags, perhaps even snagging a few treats for the evening if anything caught his eye.

Arriving at the spot where the lizard had set up camp and stored the supplies, Varus found the lizard tightening his grip on his spear as he approached, sensing his presence.

"You're in the wrong place, Pinkie," the lizard hollered, his tone gruff and unwelcoming.

"You misunderstand. I am no Divine Order loyal.", Varus raised his arms in a placating gesture, trying to calm the lizard. There was no sense in alienating the only supplier in the area."You need not worry or be afraid."

"Afraid? Ha," Kalias jeered, his reptilian eyes narrowing with disdain. "Perhaps pity, at most. A blind wolf may lead the pack, but mark my words, sooner or later they'll all starve."

"Bold words for someone chained up like a mutt with a collar," Varus retorted, his eyes narrowing with a mixture of skepticism and amusement as he regarded the lizard.

Kalias shook his head, his entire demeanor filled with disdain and oozing with smugness. "If you had a heritage as illustrious as ours, and a culture as refined, you'd strut around like a peacock too. It's in the blood, my friend. To the bitter end."

"And that, my friends, is why humans and lizards just can't seem to see eye to eye," Varus remarked dryly. Even now, rumors speak of the Divine Order mobilizing their forces for another war with the ancient empire. Logistics are already being assembled from Stormdale, Verlingen, and the Holy City of Arx itself. He scoffed, thinking to himself, "We'll see just how refined their culture is then."

"Do stop gaping, though. Anything you need can be acquired within these caves. If you're in the market for supplies or fancy some new gear, I can hook you up for a fair price... well, fair considering the circumstances, of course," Kalias said, his eyebrow raised as he regarded Varus.

"Show me the wares and I will decide what to procure."

Best hope they were good as advertised, he mused with a hint of skepticism.

Kalias nodded and gestured for Varus to follow him towards his shabby storehouse, where he proudly displayed his wares. Meanwhile, Varus unloaded his belongings, feeling the weight lifting off his shoulders, liberating his body after a day's worth of walking.

He perused through the store, and true to his words, Kalias' goods were indeed of decent quality. There was a nice collection of strength potions, which he didn't particularly need but was always good to have. The assortment of weapons included an enchanted sword, dagger, and wand, as well as other miscellaneous bows and crossbows. Additionally, some light armor was available, likely because they were easier to store and carry around for a merchant.

What truly caught his attention though was the section dedicated to books, specifically spell tomes. His interest piqued as he picked up those dusty volumes, gently blowing off the accumulated dust before flipping through them one by one. With a certain eagerness, he delved into the pages and began to decipher the arcane writings as he whisked through them.

"Warfare — the warrior's school of sorcery. The most vanilla of them all, yet the most widely practiced.," Varus muttered to himself as he surveyed the shelves.

"I couldn't help but notice you only have tomes related to the Warrior school. I'd like to purchase a few of these. How much will it cost?" he tried to inquire, his grip unknowingly tightened on the book in his hand.

At his gesture, the lizard stood up, interrupting his observation of Varus's goods, and followed where he pointed before he smiled. "Ah, these," he said. "Doesn't take a genius to figure out, that these come with a hefty price tag. Especially in times like these. Don't come crying to me later about overcharging. You humans have a habit of doing that."

"What a prick," Varus cursed under his breath, but he maintained a composed demeanor as he nodded. "I am well aware of my domain. I've already tagged the items I wish to sell. Compare those with these," he said, pushing three books towards Kalias. "And while you're at it, toss in a blank grimoire. Don't try to pull a fast one on me. I know those come relatively cheap."

It took a while, but in the end, he found himself with fewer goods and even less money than when he first arrived. He had to part with all his arcane staff too, leaving him with just a pickaxe, a few kitchen knives, the poison wand, and a Magister short sword. One might note the irony of a sorcerer being left with only melee weapons, but Varus looked at the brighter things in life, specifically his bags filled with three tomes, and shrugged. "But we can be very flexible," he remarked. "I'll need to find Ifan ben-Mezd too now. A veteran like him should excel in this school."

( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Following the directions provided by Saheila earlier, Varus traced his steps to where Elodi might be staying. He chanced upon a tent and was on the verge of opening it when the faint sound of sobbing and muted whispers reached his ears, giving him pause.

Stepping back, he pursed his lips in contemplation, shaking his head slightly as he focused, extending his senses. Suddenly, the sound of sobbing ceased, replaced by the rustling of fabric and shifting objects. Varus deduced that Elodi had likely sensed his presence and was attempting to compose herself.

"Oh, you're back," Elodi's voice greeted him, sounding somewhat flustered. "Sorry about the mess in here... Come in, if you'd like. I was just... um, lost in my thoughts, I guess."

Inside, the tent was in disarray, with various items strewn about haphazardly. Old plates and dishes lay shattered on the ground, while torn pages of books were crumpled into balls in the corner. Two folded beds were arranged with a small gap between them. Elodi sat on one of the beds, her back against the side, her cheeks pale and eyes red from tears. Her usually refined appearance was now disheveled, with her hair hanging limply around her face.

Varus tossed her a package of food supplied by Kalias, they were certainly infinitely cheaper than the spell tomes. "Here, a little gift from me to you," he said with a flourish. "Wine, cheese bread, and chicken tenders. A trifecta of culinary delight!" He then glanced at his package and let out an exaggerated sigh. "Ah, scotch eggs, ham, mashed potatoes. Looks like I got the entire gourmet experience here."

"Thanks," Elodi chuckled, rubbing her eyes as she picked up the package and attempted to open it with a knife. "Thanks a lot, actually. Especially for your help with that thug. It's rare to find a human who stands up for an elf these days."

As Varus heated the food pack with his magic, keeping it at a comfortable temperature, he uncorked the wine and took a sip. Nodding in approval, he reached for a glass when Elodi's remark paused his hands. With a smirk, he looked at her slightly sharper than before. "Perhaps some try to mask their guilt with even more disdain," he mused, recalling a few events that seemed to fit the bill.

Elodi nodded gratefully as he handed her a glass. While she savored the wine, he wasted no time in tidying up the area, keeping his belongings neatly organized. It was fine for her to chaff around but he needed his place tidy and organised. She couldn't help but chuckle at his efficiency.

"I was happy to help. Although I must say, you seemed quite capable yourself... your rogue school tricks were quite impressive in slicing him down," he remarked with a playful grin, adding, "Next time, we'll have to work on your housekeeping skills."

Shaking her head, she maintained her smile as she casually ran her fingers through her hair, readjusting it with a playful flourish.

"I should be the one thanking you," he quipped, his tone light. "I mean, you've provided me with a place to crash, and that's no small favor." Just as he finished speaking, Varus glanced at her, finding her gaze locked with his, a glint of something intriguing in her eyes. He couldn't help but wonder if she had a good tolerance for drinks, judging by her reaction. Just then, she surprised him by placing a hand on her chest and offering a small bow, a gesture that seemed to convey 'You are welcome' without speaking.

Yep, probably going drunk today.

As he plopped onto his bed, surrounded by his fortress of books and wielding his wand like a sword, he turned his attention to her, "So, what's your story? How did you end up in this paradise of theirs?" he waggled his eyebrows, gesturing towards the Magister quarters.

She took a few more sips in rapid succession, the silence hanging in the air like a thick fog, making him wonder if he had unwittingly stumbled upon a dungeon of conversation topics not to say. Just as he was about to backtrack, she broke the silence with a soft sigh, her voice tinged with introspection as she began to speak.

"It's not easy to talk about," she admitted, her hand moving to cover her mouth as if to contain the flood of memories. "We were all together, my family and I, weaving beautiful spells," she reminisced, a bittersweet smile playing on her lips as tears welled in her eyes.

"We were trying to heal a tree that had been brutally cut down," she recounted with a heavy sigh. "Then they appeared. The Magisters. They came. My family fled, running as fast as they could. But I stumbled, and my son turned back. I yelled at him to keep running. I saw... blood. So much blood that day," she trailed off, closing her eyes as her head drooped. Varus moved to comfort her, regretting his question instantaneously.

"Should have known better, should have known better," he hollered himself silently as he reached out to comfort her. In his haste, he had compartmentalized his thoughts so thoroughly that he momentarily forgot she had mentioned her family.

Family meant a husband, too. Son, family—pieces of a puzzle he hadn't fully grasped yet. Before he could make sense of it all, she spoke again, her words heavy. "I was taken. I never saw anyone I knew again."

For a few moments, silence draped over them like a heavy blanket, each wrapped in the other's embrace, heat palpable in the air. Without a word passing between them, they exchanged glances, a certain tension lingering in the space between them.

He looked impeccably good as always, his attire fitting him perfectly, the fabric clinging to his muscles and abs —clearly the result of his father's rigorous "training sessions." You could practically hear the theme music from a workout montage playing in the background. Yet, despite his flawless appearance,. However, his hair was now sticking to his head from the sweat, evidence of the chores he had just finished before settling in.

As they nestled closer together, their combined scent enveloped them, igniting a sensation deep within their cores.

Squeeze-!

Instinctively, Elodi's hand shot out, grasping his back with unexpected force, and Varus got the signal he needed.

In a sudden bold move, he leaned in and kissed her tenderly on the lips. Caught off guard, Elodi's mind was a whirlwind of sensation as she closed her eyes, unsure of what to do next.

However,

Flinch-!

Her body trembled with each tender touch of their lips and entwined tongues.

He continued to kiss her softly, moving across her face from her forehead to her ears, then back to her lips. With each pass, the intensity grew along with the passion.

At the same time, he let one of his hands dive down and pulled her curled skirt up to around her waist.

Then, he naturally supported her back with his free hand, intending to lay her on the bed properly…

"N-no…"

"Heup!"

"Too late for second thoughts, babe," Varus murmured with a helpless smile. Despite any lingering consequences, his mind was clouded with desire, focused only on what he needed at that moment.

In response to her feeble attempt to halt him after they had come this far, Varus playfully nibbled on the nape of her neck. She squirmed with a mix of surprise and pleasure, her stiff head instinctively tilting to the side.

After a kiss that was not so short but still made her regretful, Varus pulled his head away from her.

A lustful thread stretched between their lips as if telling him that despite her reluctance, he should have kissed her just a little longer.

At the same time, it seemed to be a subtle hint that tonight was going to be a very long night.

As Elodi tried to regain her composure, her blurred vision trailed down to Varus's upper body, drawn to his distinctive, firm chest. Without hesitation, she reached out and traced her fingers over his sculpted muscles, feeling the warmth of his skin beneath her touch.

But her curiosity didn't stop there; her hand wandered lower, eventually finding its way to the final destination—his pants.

Sensing her desire, Varus deftly unfastened the button near his waist, revealing his polymorph-enhanced phallus in its full length. A specialty of the Satherans: They were not renowned as Masters of Magic for nothing.

"This thing has been modified so much, it can come in any shape or form as one wills it," Varus remembered, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Some could even use it as literal weapons, and I'm not joking here. As the common folk say, never mess with Sourcerers."

As if by reflex, Varus gently slapped her hand which she was using to push him back to hold his manhood.

Flinch.

As she reflexively retracted her hand, she could see his fully erected sword in all its glory.

"Ah..." Elodi gasped, her eyes widening at its monstrous size. In particular, she couldn't help but notice its tip, constantly oozing a slippery, transparent liquid, seemingly eager to penetrate her at any moment.

She looked at his face at that movement. His eyes burned with such intensity, glowing red, enough to send shivers down anyone's spine. He had a sinister smirk as he took in what had become of her. Her cheeks were considerably flushed thanks to his own scent, which became thicker as time passed.

Rustle-!

"Ah…"

His hand, which had ventured downwards, provocatively caressed her hip.

Her heartbeat gradually quickened, threatening to burst at any moment.

"I will make you mine. And for you, there won't be a need for another ever,"

"Heuk…!"

At his words, no... at his downright diabolical words, she bit her lower lip hard.

But Varus, determined to make her listen until the very end, quickly cupped her cheek and whispered affectionately, "However, that's just the beginning. I will make you forget everything." Suddenly, two magnificent horns jutted out from his forehead and four tentacles morphed out from his back"Ah… Hup!"

The tentacles enveloped her body, their blades slicing through her clothes with surgical precision, tearing them apart thread by thread until within seconds, nothing remained but her mature body displayed in all its glory.

She closed her eyes and he leaned down to cover her lips with his.

A piece of flesh penetrated her mouth. It then wrapped around her tongue and began to harass and violate every inch of her mouth to its heart's content.

"Even if you ended up breaking down… I don't care. I have no remorse nor do I fear fate. I will bring you back to make you my thrall. And, I will make sure to hold you tight… So you will never be able to leave…"

One has to act the part after all.

Poke!

"Heuk."

It might be due to the scent, or perhaps not.

But in those words, Elodi could feel his possessiveness for her overflowing.

Strangely, she felt happy hearing those words. It even made the tears falling from her eyes stop.

"Ah… Angggg!"

In the meantime, his large penis dug deep into her as he pressed his weight onto her.

Her large breasts contorted vulgarly as they were pressed up against Varus' chest. Meanwhile, her long ear lobe was also ravaged by him as he buried his head on one side of her neck and licked it.

Elodi hugged his waist with her legs in response to his passionate and affectionate gestures and finally muttered, as in surrender.

"You can do whatever you want…I don't even know what's going on."

"…"

"You can do it like how you do it now… Treat me like a tool…Gods… Or treat me like a toilet… What's happening…"

Grab-!

"Ah!"

Varus roughly hugged her body.

Then, he whispered the words, so gentle it calmed her down and so evil, she heard murmurs of the afterworld into her ears.

"Then Sylvarul… From now on, you will be mine. Forget everything but only me."

Pop-!

His phallus was so big, it got stuck.

"Hick…"

After pulling out for a bit and with a gigantic effort, his rod penetrated her in one swift movement, knocking on her cervix prompting a purr of bliss from Elodi's lips as ecstasy washed over her.