Title: Punishment
Alt Title: Blood
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This chapter gets, freaky, then dark. And it's mostly to set up for S2. Wrap somethings up and move forward.
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A dancing leaf: Everyone hates paperwork
T4ndoris: YOU NEED TO CHILL! But yes, degenerate dicking is done here.
Kaykaykaykayan: Oh, we get to see Clementine here and what happens to her.
gearhead2177: Thank you!
Church21: This Tsukune, is Tsukune in name only. Remember, NPC's inherit aspects of their creator's personality to cover parts of their own personality not covered in their bio. Like, if I changed his name, no one would know who it was.
ShatteredPhos: This fic doesn't really have a main girl as romance isn't a focus.
slowdownV2: Well, here's more! Sorry it took so long.
Church21: Clementine isn't dead. And it'd be out of character for Zamaina to make her a werewolf after she pissed him off.
Guest: To clarify, the MC is always at level 100, unless he wants to pass as human. Then he's level 60.
StarSmith27: NYO!
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-Date, Time-
'Thoughts'
"Speech"
[Spells/Telepathy]
(Text)
Sounds/Actions*
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-Great Tomb, 9th floor, Guild Master's Office-
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James "Zamaina" Petrosky POV
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"A-and I allowed the lady to escape." Shalltear says with tears in her eyes as she keeps her head to the floor. "And the man."
This is, a bit of an issue. On the one hand, it sounds like she wiped out a group of high leveled adventurers. On the other, she left, more than a few witnesses back at the cave. One of which is no doubt already back in E-Rantel, or at least close enough that finding and silencing them isn't an option.
"Disgraceful, utterly disgraceful." Albedo says with a sneer as she looks to the weeping vampire.
"Agreed." Demiurge says as he pushes up his glasses. "To fail so utterly and completely, the only recompense is the fact you at the very least had the dignity to admit your folly!"
I can't even refute any of this. This is the epitome of failure. She had to be truly reckless, cocksure and dumb beyond measure. She had every resource and still failed miserably!
But, even still, this is bringing back memories.
"Shalltear, you said one hit you with a white light in the shape of a dragon?" I ask, feeling a bit of my memory return to me. And realize this is very familiar.
"Yes." She says demurely.
Sharing a look with Momonga, I gesture to him.
"It could be." I say ambiguously for the guardians. "Or mayhaps it's coincidence. Taking the gear without knowing will only make the scene of the crime more worthy of investigation."
[What are you getting at dude?] Momonga messages me.
[Use memory magic, see what she saw] I message back.
"Your words hold much merit Zamaina." Momonga says before turning to Shalltear. "Shalltear, you have a chance to make up for your failure, in part at least."
"Yes! Please!" Shalltear raises her head immediately. "Anything at all! I'll atone with my own life if-"
"Lower your head Shalltear!" Albedo yells. "You've not been given permission to address our lords so casually."
"I'm sorry!" She slams her head back into the floor with a sickening crack. And seeing as the floors and walls of the tomb are indestructible, it means she cracked her head with that stunt. "Please, plehehease. Anything." She grovels.
"Very well, come here Shalltear." Momonga commands. "I shall be using memory magic on you, and ascertain what additional steps are to be taken moving forward."
We already have a decent idea of how it works here. After using it on Enri and Nemu that is.
"Yes!" She says, shooting up to reveal a cut on her forehead, leaking blood down her face. "Of course Lord Momonga!"
She rushes forward, nearly barreling into the desk in her desperation to see this through.
"Very well." Momonga says as he reaches a skeletal hand out. "Don't move."
We're all silent in anticipation as a soft glow shifts in his palm. Shining a few stray lights as he casts Memory Search.
In the game, memory magic was a series of debuff and buff spells. Things like Memory Erasure could temporarily lock a few of your hotkeyed spells and skills. The highest, and most annoying, form of that spell being Drowning of Lethe. Basically, it's a touch based, single target spell that locks your entire hotbar. For one, minute!
Memory Search on the other hand, would allow you to see some of the opponents hotkeyed spells and abilities. I don't remember what the highest form of that spell is-
"Demiurge, Albedo!" Momonga suddenly shoots up. "Mobilize the Runners and Eight Edged Assassins. Have the Runners retrieve the gear and bodies. While the Assassins scour the area near the massacre to insure there are none to interfere or report back on our actions. Take a Hanzo to assist in scouting the area and uncover any who may act against us."
Seems we've got a verdict!
"Of course my lord!/At once!" Demiurge and Albedo say respectively before taking off, leaving Me, Momonga, and a confused Shalltear.
"M-my lord?" Shalltear asks curiously. A mix of hope and despair clear in every act.
"Shalltear, what I saw was a dismal display of reckless and self destructive behavior." Momonga starts chiding. "As such you will be punished for your failings. However, for now we have far more pressing matters. It appeared that the adventurers you killed, may have all been mid leveled players."
"What!?" Shalltear's eyes widen. "B-but if they're players and I-I killed them, that's a good thing right?"
"Not necessarily." I answer for him. "If at all possible, we'd want positive relations with any players we encounter. And your recklessness may have ruined any chances of that."
I finally remembered all of this! This is supposed to be the season one finale! But, by handing out World Items to the others, I completely negated it.
But in doing so, we now have another issue.
Shalltear's not only been spotted, but she gave out her name. The Black Scripture is dead at her hands, and that may very well lead to the Slane Theocracy acting, erratically. Not to mention the Platinum Dragon Lord and other major players I can't recall.
The cover up this is going to take will be a massive pain in the ass. Because it'll need to be careful, meticulous, and precise.
"Zamaina, I leave Shalltear's punishment to you." Momonga says, snapping me out of my thoughts.
[What!? You can't just force this one on me!] I message him.
[Do you want to handle the cleanup?] He shoots back.
'Shit!' I think bitterly. 'The fucker's got me there.'
I, hate cleaning up after others. And he knows that.
"Very well." I say, uncrossing my arms and walking around the desk to address the crying vampire.
'How to deal with this?' I wonder to myself, just before I see the room darken as a mist covers the floor.
"Oh not this again." I groan.
"It is the fool who disregards the wisdom of others." I hear the aged, condescending voice echo behind me.
"You call yourself wise." I say as I turn to face the dead god. "Yet you're the dead man talking to the son of your worst enemy."
He stands there in his ratty, dusted cloak. Backdropped by shadows and wisps of smoke. His hood up to shadow his face.
"Would that not make you insane?" He challenges as he begins walking up to and beside me.
Two ravens fly past, causing me to turn around and look to the still wide eyed, tear stained Shalltear. Frozen in space as all this happens.
"A devoted and loyal servant. Ready to give her life at a mere word." Odin says appraisingly, looking to her as though he can see through his gouged out and blindfolded eyes. "If only all bonds were as solid and set."
A metal collar appears around her neck. Clamping down as a chain appears, latching on and pulling taught into the darkness.
"She was made that way." I point out, feeling the need to argue with the man.
"Made, built, earned, gained." He says, another chain appearing on the collar with every word. Each one going off in a different direction. "What does the how, matter to the is?"
"You said you're here to offer advice." I get to the point. "What is it?"
He tilts his head to me. A nonexistent gaze meeting mine. Before he hums in contemplation, and nods before looking back to her.
"Her loyalty is a strong bond, a chain harder than any metal. But is one that is now binding her with guilt." He says as the chains start creaking, growing tighter and tighter. "She seeks punishment for her failings, she needs it if she ever wants the burden lifted."
A chain snaps, and blood starts bubbling under her.
"Your advice?" I stress as another chain snaps, the bubble rising to her knees.
"It comes down to what you want." He says calmly as the third chain snaps. The mass of blood rising to her stomach. "Do you wish to see her bettered? To move past this and find solace. Or to see her suffer for her failings? Broken and subdued."
The fourth chain snaps as the mass reaches her chest. Leaving one left.
"The punishment you choose, will lead to either her relief, or her self destruction. Too harsh, and she'll break. Too lenient, and she'll feel disregarded." He says as the final chain snaps just before the blood reaches it. And Shalltear falls into the mass that disappears into a black fog that fades away.
"The choice is yours." He says as everything goes black and comes back to reality as though nothing happened.
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Fuck that was actually good advice.
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-2hrs later, Shalltear's room, 2nd floor-
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"My lord." Shalltear says as we enter her room. "Am I to understand you wish to, take advantage of me?"
"Yes, but not in the way you may want." I say as I move a chair and pull out some rope.
"O-oh lord!" She blushes as she see's the rope. "I, far be it for me to question your judgement. But, I fear this punishment may be too enjoyable."
'If only she knew.' I think with a hint of sadism. 'Well, I suppose she's about to find out.'
"Strip." I say, turning to the first Floor Guardian. "Now."
"O-of course my lord!" She says as she tears her clothes off eagerly, leaving her in nothing but her underwear. "Is this to your-"
"All the way." I cut her off, causing her to freeze in place.
I had a plethora of options at my disposal here. If I wanted her to suffer for her failure, I could hit home and stop talking to her. But the problem is, that isn't punishment, for the NPC's, it's torture. No matter how brief.
"I-If I may be so bold my lord." Shalltear starts, clearly not wanting to remove the padded lacy bra.
So, I need it to hit home, but not too close to home. But how do I punish someone who gets off on punishment, and would break at neglect?
Assigning her a task as punishment won't work. She'll see it as just another job she must perform as decreed by the Supreme Ones. And thus she'll feel she's being let off easy and not properly punished.
"You have your orders, follow them." I cut her off, causing her to shiver and blush. Probably already getting off on being ordered around like this.
Anyway, the answer is simple, combine the two in a way that hits close to home, but not so close that it leaves her broken and desperate. I'm going to ignore her, but in a way that makes it clear it's because I'm doing it with her in mind.
"Y-yes my lord." She says shakily as she slips out of her panties and unclasps her bra and lets the absurdly padded article fall, revealing her flat chest and smooth, hairless form.
Before? There's no way in hell I'd be attracted to her. Maybe in the face. But I preferred more athletically built women. Swimmers or runners, the like. Not cutesy or alluring or very curvy women, and certainly not lolis.
That was Peroroncino.
"Now sit in the chair." I order her.
Now though? I'm only attracted to strength, and sexual compatibility. Basically, this version of me says, can it breed and survive it? Good enough.
Shalltear sits in the chair, eagerly and shyly awaiting instructions.
"Spread your legs and put your arms on the rests." I tell her and she does so, allowing me to tie her wrists and ankles down.
"Um, these restraints seem rather poor in quality my lord." She says nervously.
"That's the point." I say as I stand up. "They're easy to break, and that's why, your punishment is that you are not allowed to move from that chair, or break the restraints."
"Of course!" She says eagerly. "I'll do whatever necessary to atone, punish me however you see fit!"
"Good." I say as I message Neferpitou out loud. "Neferpitou, come to Shalltear's room on the second floor for the reward I promised you."
Time to kill two birds with one stone.
"Huh?" Shalltear mutters as she finally gets what's going on.
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Shalltear Bloodfallen POV
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"Oh yes master!" The damn cat moans as Lord Zamaina takes her from behind, his large, bestial cock slamming in and out of her at a rapid pace as I'm forced to watch her live my fantasy. "Ooh! Oh yes! Right there! Knot this kitty!"
'It should be me!' I start to cry as my nethers ache for attention. Watching her get shoved down as he takes her without mercy.
He's moving so fast and plowing her into my bed! Her shapely hips and ass bouncing in recoil with every thrust. Before Lord Zamaina grabs her neck and pulls her up, giving a good thrust that distends her stomach, his cock being big enough that you can see it pressing her insides.
"Oh yes! Oh by the glorious forty one YES!" The bitch cat cries as he shoves his growing knot inside her, locking them together as he fills her with his glorious seed.
"It's not fair." I whine as tears stream down my face.
It's another twenty minutes before she slumps over and falls off of his cock. Dazed and out of her mind as his seed spills out onto the covers of my bed.
Just when I think it's over, he flips her onto her back and goes again.
'Why!?' I cry to myself.
This is both the greatest show I could ever witness, and the worst torture I could ever bare. All because I can't join!
'Take me please!' I internally beg.
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-1hr later-
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James "Zamaina" Petrosky POV
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Panting as I feel myself unload for the, third time I think. Neferpitou has long since checked out. Having become a limp sex doll at this point. But either way.
Holy fuck did I need that!
The constant stress of hiding in my human form, the annoying humans I have to deal with. The constant pressure to keep up this second in command role. The unadulterated and overbearing worship of the NPCs.
Pulling my cock out with a soft plop, Neferpitou shivers and trembles as I slide out. Before going slack once I fully exit her pussy.
"Th-thaannk you~ my lord." Neferpitou moans, her ass up in front of me as my cum flows out of her in a steady stream. Leaving the sheets and bed beneath us soaked in our combined fluids.
The mere sight of her doubled over and half unconscious from, an hour, two? About two hours of nonstop sex, has left me well satisfied.
Looking over to Shalltear, who this whole show was for. I see her biting her lip bloody, tears staining her face. Her hips and legs twitching as the chair and floor beneath her are soaked in her own fluids. Both from her sex, and from blood. Clenching her fists so tight out of frustration that her nails have dug into her palms.
The sight of her so pathetically submissive gets me going and ready for a final round.
"Enjoy your punishment?" I ask as she stares at my red cock while I sit on the edge of the bed.
"P-please, master, my lord." She says in a quivering voice. "Please."
I'm not who I was. The me from before would be appalled by this situation. Forcing someone into the cuck chair. Making them watch as I give to another what they crave. And enjoy the whole thing. All for the sense of domination it gives.
"Tell you what, you did good." I say with a small grin. "You didn't break the restraints and you didn't try to interrupt. Answer these questions, and I'll grant you one request."
"Yes! Please!" She actually cries.
"Name three things you did wrong." I say with a harsh glare.
"What?" Her face falls.
"Your failure, there were several parts where you made the wrong choice, name three." I clarify with a growl, letting her know I won't be repeating myself.
Her entire plan for her simple mission of 'Find martial arts user, no witnesses.' Was to find one, take them, and then kill everyone. And even then. Her 'nuke it all' plan had no strategy! It was so laughably flawed, it was sad.
No wonder a handful of no name humans escaped her. It was pathetic at best.
"Um, I uh. I could've." She struggles to come up with the words. "I, I uh, should have, I, um."
'She really is an idiot.' I realize as my frustration starts to bubble up.
"I, could've sent a scout in to search the cave first?" She tries. "Make sure, there was no exits?"
'Ladies and gentlemen she can learn!' I think sarcastically. 'All it takes is a mountain of sexual frustration.'
"Good!" I say with a nod. "What else?"
"I, I, um, should have had, um, I shouldn't have let myself go into a frenzy?" She tries after looking around the room for ideas.
"One more." I say as I get up and slowly walk forward, causing her gaze to lock onto my crotch as I walk with a full mast.
"I, um." She bites her lip. "I, could have, reported sooner?"
"When?" I ask, now a foot away from her.
"When, when, when my household was, oh lords it's right there." She wines and clenches her eyes as she takes a breath through her nose. "My, household was destroyed?"
Close enough.
"Good job." I say as I reach a hand out and pat her head in a patronizing manner.
"Thank you!" She says as she trembles and shakes, her eyes rolling into the back of her head before I smell it, and hear the dripping.
She just came, from a headpat.
Peroroncino you were truly a sick fuck. And now I get to suffer for it.
"Alright Shalltear, you get one request." I tell the panting girl.
"Please, forgive me?" She begs between heaves of breath.
I'll admit, I was not expecting that.
[Zamaina] Momonga messages. [I have the plan for how to handle this sorted out, is now a good time?]
[Um, dude, it's just me.] I message back.
[Sorry man, you know how it is with RP.] He transmits. [Anyway, you got a minute?]
[Yeah, I'm about done here anyway. Your office?]
[Yeah, see ya soon.] He says and cuts the message.
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-Guild Master's Office-
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"So the crux of the issue is that soon, all of E-Rantel will be aware of Shalltear." Albedo sums up. "More over, this Brain fellow may be aware of our goals."
"While I have my doubts that this human could possibly throw too many wrenches into our plans." Demiurge says as he pushes up his glasses. "It is still a risk to our security that cannot stand."
"Umu, I'm aware." Momonga says, clearly just now figuring that out. "But, of those recovered and resurrected, what have they to say?"
Yeah, by, I have a plan. He meant Demiurge and Albedo have a plan and think I'm already aware, please come here so that they can explain it to and by proxy me.
"Nothing." Demiurge says with a soft shake of his head. "It would seem they are resistant to torture, trained by my guess. I was however, able to ascertain their identities. They're the Black Scripture of the Slane Theocracy."
"I thought you said they would not speak?" Albedo brings up with a curious glare.
"Hm hm hm." Demiurge chuckles. "They didn't. But the human that Lord Zamaina captured did."
'I genuinely keep forgetting she exists.' I think to myself.
"She's the runaway member of the Black Scripture." I say as everything starts flooding back.
"Exactly!" Demiurge grins. "She truly is a gift that keeps on giving My Lord. And she was looking forward to a break from assisting me in my domestication experiments."
"Which only proves the experiments work." I surmise.
"That they do." He grins maliciously, and Albedo nods in agreement.
"We're getting off topic." Momonga says. "While I'm happy to hear of progress, we still have the matter of how to deal with Shalltear's identity."
"Of course." Albedo and Demiurge bow. "As you suggested, it would seem that for now, we should wait. As it stands the only witnesses are a human ranger and the bandit with martial arts abilities. While the information will no doubt reach the guild, if there is no evidence of his claims. His word and perhaps even his sanity will come into question."
'Wonder what level of bullshittery happened for that to be the plan.' I think to myself as I wonder what exactly Momonga said.
"As such, the Runner's have been rerouted after their mission and are making it appear as though the bandits merely fled." Demiurge adds. "The only loose end to this ordeal, is the bandit Brain. But, seeing as he's of lower standing. His word is far less likely to be believed. And we can find him at a later date."
That still leaves one glaring issue.
"The Slane Theocracy will no doubt search for their missing people." I point out.
"They would." Demiurge grins. "Unless they weren't supposed to be there. In which case any investigation will need to be done under carefully built pretenses."
"Or risk breaching treaties and causing a war." I conclude. "Buying us time to better observe and plan around them. We already know they'll investigate, if we play it right. We may even redirect them to a false lead."
"Precisely." Albedo says with a self assured nod.
"Perfect!" Momonga pipes up. "A splendid plan, one I'd be hard pressed to match. See it done and we'll go from there."
"You honor us My Lord. Surely you're merely saying that to appease us." Demiurge says with a low bow at the waist.
"Of course not." Momonga says jovially. "After all, I'm not one for pointless platitudes."
"You're too kind my lord. But, if that'll be all, we'll be off. We have much to do after all." He finishes before turning to the door.
"I shall handle everything on my end." Albedo says with a nod as she heads out, before turning around at the door. "Should you have need of me, Lord Momonga, I'm but a message away."
"Er, of course Albedo." Momonga stutters out.
Albedo closes the door, leaving us with the maid Fief and the eight edged assassins roaming the room.
They're everywhere in the tomb. They're a moderately intelligent form of mob, and serve mostly to harass and annoy intruders. Almost entirely specked out for stealth, observation and speed.
"Now then, onto the final details for Team Darkness." Momonga says as he turns to me.
[Dude, what the hell were they talking about?] He messages. [I got that they're interrogating the resurrected team and Pandora's Actor is inspecting the items. But what the hell is the rest of that about? What about the Slane Theocracy?]
"With some luck and careful planning, we could turn this to our favor." I say for the NPC's sake.
[Basically, those guys that Shalltear slaughtered are the Slane Theocracy's black ops unit. In Re-Estize illegally, or at least covertly.] I message back. [The Theocracy is not going to be happy about their top line fighters disappearing. So we're cleaning up the scene, and keeping an eye on it.]
"Yes, perhaps we could stage an attack of our own?" Momonga absentmindedly suggests. "Create a scenario to gain Darkness some fame?"
[I got that, but what I mean is what are they going to do?] He messaged back. [Shalltear's compromised, we can only hope that whenever this Brain pops up again, he doesn't get back with E-Rantel. If he doesn't, we can maybe sweep this up with no issues.]
"It'd have to be an investigatory set up." I play off him. "We can't very well just replace one monster for a completely different one. Shalltear is far to identifiable."
[Seeing as he was the leader of the bandits that the adventurers were hunting? I doubt it.] I reassure him. [He might speak of Shalltear, but if he's smart. He'll leave out the why when and where, lest he outs himself as a criminal.]
"I suppose you're correct." He says as he cuts the message. "Still, I can't help but wonder."
"You do that." I nod before heading for the door. "For now, I have a pet that I've yet to check in on."
"Huh?"
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-8th floor, Cherry Blossom Sanctuary-
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This place is always, oddly serene. It's just because I know of all the bullshit here, but still. It's like walking around a landmine you can see. You know you'll be fine so long as you don't intentionally do anything. But there's still a fucking landmine next to you.
'That just goes to show how dangerous this place is I suppose.' I think as I pass through the gate.
The various miko's bow as I walk past. And I ignore them, they'll go back to what they're doing as soon as I'm out of sight. It's not worth the effort of telling them to go back to what they were doing.
Walking on the stone path and into the shrine house proper, I look around and try to hear for anything. Before recalling the sound barriers meant to fuck with anyone here.
[Tsukune] I message.
[Yes creator?] He answers back.
At least he's not, in the middle of something.
[I'm curious, how has Ninya been doing?] I ask as I head to the rock garden.
[Ummm. About that.]
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Walking onto the pavilion in the middle of pond, Aureole Omega looks up from her tea and stands up to bow. While across from her, Ninya turns around and sees me. Her now red eyes widening in fear as she screams.
"Werewolf!" She shouts as she kicks her chair over and tries to run, only to remember she's in a pavilion. "No! No please!"
I almost feel bad. But it's just too fucking funny! Like, imagine a hamster looking up at you, screaming and then falling over. You'd be laughing too.
"Has she not been informed?" I ask Aureole as she grabs the girl's arm to keep her from jumping over the railing to certain death in the pond.
"We've been, taking it slow my lord." Aureole says, not looking up from her bow. "I'm sorry, but we felt it best to ease her into things. She, isn't even yet aware of her condition."
Not surprising. The sunlight here is fake, and there aren't many mirrors in this area. Still, would she not need blood? I smell blood on her so she has been drinking.
"Please, if this is some twisted ritual, I'm warning you I know magic!" Ninya starts crying as she gives up on trying to flee.
You know what, this is on me. I came here in my casuals rather than my disguise. So, not my brightest move.
Still.
"And just what kind of ritual do you believe this to be?" I ask as I leer over her and cross my arms.
"Y-y-you n-need me, f-for your pups." She trembles.
Okay, this went from funny to tiring.
"I'm going to stop you there." I say, holding up a clawed hand. "I'm not here to eat, breed, torture or whatever else you have in mind. I'm here to talk."
"Liar!" She shouts back at me. "You just want me to lower my guard so-"
Getting fed up with this. I reach out, grab her neck and hold her up. All faster than she can even blink.
"Let me be clear, if I wanted to do something to you. I would just do it." I say as she kicks and squirms. "Now stop kicking me, you're getting dirt on my cuirass."
She complies, and I set her down. Where she rubs her neck but doesn't cough. Which visibly confuses her.
"Allow me to put a few things in perspective." I say as I kneel, now being eye level with her. "I am Zamaina, one of the lords and masters of this realm. That, is Aureole Omega, youngest sister of the Pleiades Battle Maids. You, are only here and amongst the living, because of me. But, more than that, you've already met me before."
"I don't know any werewolves." She says, and goes to speak more before I transform back into my human form.
"You sure about that?" I ask as I stand up.
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Ninya Veyron POV
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"I-Inazama?" I ask, more confused than ever. "B-but, I, am I dead?"
It makes sense. It all makes sense! This is heaven, and I'm just being given what I want! Somethings are a bit off, but that must because the gods are giving me what I really want! Repressed desires Lukrut called it.
"Yes actually." Inazama says as he walks back to the table and takes a seat.
"It makes sense, I'm never hungry, never in pain, everything is so beautiful here. I sleep whenever I want and work for nothing!" I start laughing as I sit down across from Inazama. "I died that night, didn't I?"
"You did." He nods evenly.
I guess he's here because I thought he was attractive? And he was a werewolf because, I like dogs? I guess? So, I'm getting a hot man to care for me, and a pet dog all in one?
"And here I am." I say as I rest my hands on the table. "Funny, I thought, I'd want to fight this or something. I have so much, I wanted to do. I still haven't even found my sister. But, I've been so tired and stressed, it was just nice to actually rest. You know?"
"You can still do so, find your sister I mean." The vision of Inaza says.
"Yeah, everyone dies eventually." I sigh as I rest my head in my arms on the table.
"Oh, I see now." Inaza says with a smack of his lips before letting out a sigh. "Ninya, you died, but you're not dead. You're undead."
"What?" I ask as I look up, and see the man, put his hand into empty space, and pull out a mirror. Out of nowhere. He just, disappeared his hand and reappeared his hand with a mirror in it.
"Here." He says and hands it to me, looking into it, I become starkly aware of how my heart is now unbeating. And how cold I've been. My lungs are unmoving, and I can't breathe, because I don't need to.
Because, looking into the mirror, is nothing. I see the garden and pond behind me. But, nothing else.
"Ninya!" Inaza takes the mirror away.
"What, happened to me?" I ask as tears roll down my face. "Where am I?"
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James "Zamaina" Petrosky POV
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"You died, you all did. Of the Swords of Darkness, only you were revivable. And, only through very unique means." I say as I unconsciously thumb the ring on my finger, Dracula's Fang.
"Why?" She asks as she sobs breathlessly.
"You're going to have to be more specific." I say dryly.
I'm hoping I can train her up. Make her a member of Darkness. If Evileye can masquerade as an adamantine adventurer, why can't she? We get our own little magical vampire girl! And ours can learn spells twice as fast!
"Why couldn't the others be brought back?" She finally asks.
"They were turned into zombies, thus forcing their souls too far out of their bodies to resurrect." I say, not willing to explain that their souls were corrupted and unusable.
"Why, why me?" She asks as she starts shaking. "Why, did she target me? Why did you target me? What makes me so special!?"
'And we've circled all the way around to rage.' I internally sigh.
"Ninya!" Aureole hisses. "Your tone!"
"Simply put, I like you." I shrug, causing a small blush to form on her face. "And I didn't like the thought of you or anyone else in your team dying. You were just the only one with whom I could do anything about it."
The rest being fucked beyond all repair. But that should really go without saying.
I'm just glad I could keep the one with a talent. Though, I suppose my plan to breed her with Nfirea to see if talents had a genetic component is now, dead.
'Wait, Dhampirs and blue blood vampires are a thing.' I think to myself. 'Maybe this is still salvageable? No, too many unknowns to keep track of.'
"I am so sorry for her behavior my lord!" Aureole bows, breaking me from my thoughts.
"Hmm? Oh it's fine." I wave her aside before addressing my pet vampire. "To answer your other question, I don't know why she targeted you. But, if you want. We could find out."
"What, do you mean?" She asks with a worried look.
"Ninya, allow me to answer a previous question." I say as I stand up and transform back into my werewolf form. "You are in the Sakura Sanctuary, on the eighth floor of the Great Tomb of Nazarick. The paradise for monsters, and your new home."
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-7th floor, the burned chapel-
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'It's been less than a week since she's been here. But, maybe.' I think as I walk with Ninya beside me.
[Demiurge] I message.
[My lord?] He messages back. [Of what do you need?]
[Clementine, how long did you promise her relief from her torture?] I ask.
[One minute for every individual piece of useful information. She's been quite vocal since then. She currently has ten minutes of peace left.] Demiurge says, sounding pleased with himself. [She truly is a most valuable find. To be so easily broken yet containing such valuable secrets.]
[That's good.] I answer, happy to hear the coward is good for something. [Alert me when her time's up. I've something, special planned.]
[Of course!]
It doesn't take long to reach our destination, seeing as I make it to Demiurge's Periculum Cella in five minutes of walking, I merely wait outside for the time to tick down. With the very timid Ninya clinging to my side as we wait, afraid of everything around us.
Understandable, given that this place looks like literal hell on earth. And we're stood in front of a large, rusted iron door with obsidian inlays. All depicting various terrors and tortures. From artistic depictions of a man being whipped, to a woman given the iron pear.
[My lord, her time is up.] Demiurge messages me, and I push the large doors open.
"Y-you promised you weren't going to do anything to me." Ninya stutters as she follows me in.
"I'm not." I say for the fourth time since coming to this floor.
"You're just saying that because you'll have someone else do something to me!" She accuses as though she discovered a big secret.
"No." I sigh, getting tired of her paranoia as we walk down the halls.
"Then you're, you're." She stops as she starts sniffing the air. "Who's making juice?"
I stop in my tracks, causing Ninya to bump into my leg.
Taking a whiff. All I get back is the scent of blood and other bodily fluids.
"Juice?" I ask, turning to look down at her.
"The juice Aureole gives me." Ninya says.
'THAT explains it.' I think as I feel the puzzle pieces click in my mind. 'They must've known she'd freak out if she knew she was drinking blood. But, do I let her figure it out on her own? Or tell her?'
Eh, she'll get it soon enough.
Choosing not to answer her, I start moving once more. With Ninya obediently following behind as we pass several rusted doors.
Before coming upon the room I know Demiurge and Clementine to be in. Opening the door, we're greeted to the site of Clementine, naked and strung by her hands in the middle of the room, her feet barely touching the ground as she trembles. Demiurge off to the side and preparing a set of tools, before turning to see who opened the door.
"My lord!" He says before kneeling. "I had suspected you wanted to deal with the subject in person so I personally insured her condition for whatever activities you have planned."
She's, surprisingly clean for what I expected to be going on here.
"Oh gods!" Ninya cries out as she covers her eyes, then peeks and screams upon recognizing her.
I grab her shoulder as she moves to turn around. Stopping her from fleeing and forcing her to face the naked woman.
"No! NO!" Ninya screams as she tries to run.
"Watch your tongue-" Demiurge starts to rise.
"Stop." I command Demiurge. "Watch, and if you don't understand, I'll explain later."
I just want to get her some closure. But I doubt Demiurge would accept such a simple explanation. So, I'm bullshitting him.
It works for Momonga.
Demiurge nods before standing up and going to stay at attention next to the table of tools.
"Please! She's, gonna-" Ninya cries.
"Do nothing." I interrupt her as I gently push Ninya forward.
Clementine looks up, finally coming out of whatever comatose like state she was in. Eyes falling to me, she immediately pisses herself.
"No, NO!" Clementine starts screaming as well, trying desperately to break the chains on her wrists.
"See?" I say as I pull her forward.
"Why am I here?" Ninya cries in a shaky voice.
"Because of her." I point to the woman currently yanking her wrists bloody as she tries to escape. Addressing her. "Knock it off! I won't do anything."
"Liar!" Clementine screeches and goes to say more, but I reach a hand out and hold her face, clamping her jaw shut.
"Want to make me one? Then keep going." I growl to the ex serial killer.
Letting go, I turn back to Ninya.
"Look at her, powerless, scared, desperate for someone to save her." I say as I pull one of the daggers of The Swords of Darkness out of my inventory. "Just like so, so many of her victims once were."
I put the dagger in the wide eyed Ninya's hands. And walk around to stand behind her.
"Just like you." I say in a whisper as I kneel down. "Only, you had someone to come for you. How many of her victims, didn't? How many begged and prayed, only for her to laugh?"
Ninya stares at the blade, tears in her eyes as she looks back to Clementine.
"Now here she is, begging and crying. With no one to save her." I say as I gently nudge the fledgling vampire forward.
Ninya shakes, her shoulders trembling. Before in a blindingly fast motion, for her, she plunges the dagger into Clementine's hip with a guttural scream.
"Why!?" Ninya screams as she stabs. "WHY!? Why do you always treat us like toys!? Playthings!"
She's, clearly venting more than a few issues. Likely projecting past trauma onto her killer.
Clementine doesn't answer as she just hisses in pain. Not screaming or crying. Likely being used to worse.
"Demiurge." I say, turning to the floor guardian who is slack jawed, likely having an internal epiphany. "Teach her how to do this properly before she kills her. She still owes us a few decades of scrolls after all."
"With, pleasure my lord!" Demiurge bows, and I head out.
Think I might pick up some steak and a Nazerick from the bar. Come back in an hour or two.
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Demiurge POV
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This is what I was missing in my domestication attempts!
"And when cutting here, you need to pay careful attention." I instruct the fledgling. "Otherwise you'll cut an artery."
"Will that hurt?" She asks.
'Such delicious cruelty.' I think as I feel a smile grace my lips. 'Born from such, unassuming material.'
Lord Zamaina truly has an eye for these things. This girl's destiny was to die in a hovel, one of nameless thousands to die at this woman's hand. And yet, here she is. Turning the tables so beautifully.
"No, she'll hardly feel it before passing out." I explain, and the fledgling moves the dagger away. "But, an incision just here." I point to the small connector flesh at the base of the fingers. "And it's excruciatingly painful when added with salt."
She takes no time slicing the flesh. And licking the blood off the blade just after. Doing so almost unconsciously. As she gives a sad laugh.
'Lord Zamaina, your insight is truly glorious.' I think as I see the former human molded before me.
The level of conditioning present is astounding. Turning such an innocent and hopeful soul into such a gleeful torturer. All within a few days. I must write this series of events down when I have the time!
The abused being pushed to be the abuser. And doing so happily.
"Hmhmhm." Ninya giggles as she finishes licking the blade clean.
It's downright poetic.
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Bonus
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Character Sheet
Ninya
[Lysithea Veyron]
Bloodied Mage
Heteromorphic Race
-Racial Levels-
Vampire 13
True Vampire 7
Vampiric Sage 3
Ustrel 5
Descendent of the First 1
-Job Levels-
Wizard 4
Mage 2
Sage 1
-Stats-
Sense of justice: -50 Neutral
HP: 20
MP: 35
PHY. ATK: 20
PHY. DEF: 30
AGILITY: 12
MAG. ATK: 26
MAG. DEF: 15
RESIST: 50
SPECIAL: 10
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A/N
Periculum Cella- roughly means Trial Room, or Danger Room.
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This took so long, because of assholes bashing me over the story.
Fuck you.
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Ask me questions!
About Zamaina
His build
His gear
Ect!
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Leave a comment and tell me what you think!
Link to the discord: discord .gg/DarkWolfShiro
Find me in my channel: newb's-grotto