Curse is Forever
Author's Note: I wrote this to try to overcome my writer's block when trying to complete the next chapter of A Certain Great Fourth Holy Grail War. This is yet another non-canon spinoff to Haara Brightwater's Curse of Nudity series on Archive of Our Own. It is set at the end of the story Lost in the Faewilds, so make sure you read that one first. In the end of that story, Spectra was able to resist Princess Gloria's "We Can Rule Together" speech, even after they just had sex, by focusing on Gloria being evil. But what if Spectra didn't resist and joined her? To understand some parts, you should also read The Forest of Terrors and Danger at the Olympics. The version on Archive of Our Own will have illustrations. Warning: This story has a downer ending.
Just after the part where Spectra and Gloria had sex…
Spectra could only breathe weakly, giving Gloria a languid smile of contentedness. The hobgoblin's arms wrapped around Spectra's chest, holding her close and letting both feel their hearts racing in tandem. For several peaceful seconds, it felt as if there were only the two of them in all the world, alone in their own little reality of blissful comfort and mutual being.
…until both jumped when a horrible cracking sound suddenly emanated from the front room. The door to the hideout splintered and buckled as something battered it from outside, a series of fissures forming along its front and allowing the frenzied screams of an angry mob to filter through. "The Horned Queen!" Spectra exclaimed, scrambling to her feet. "We gotta go!"
Gloria ran to the control panel and quickly input the same coordinates Iaqo had earlier, and this time the portal activated properly, a glittering multicolored gateway erupting into existence and displaying a canopy of dark deciduous trees around a gothic walled city. "C'mon!" Spectra urged, racing to the entrance and turning to see Gloria scampering over to Iaqo's corpse. "What are you doing?!"
"One second! I'm not letting all my subjects see me naked." Sifting quickly through his belongings, Gloria located her ragged pajamas and, without even bothering to don them, sprinted for the portal as the front door finally crumbled and the sound of innumerable footsteps barreled towards them. Spectra had only moments to see a horde of frenzied pixies, sprites, and brownies screaming with fury before Gloria tackled her and sent both tumbling through the event horizon.
The colors stretched into infinity around them, an aethereal energy crackling in their ears as the pair plummeted through nothingness, until their journey ended almost as quickly with them splatting into the dirt of a tranquil leaf-covered forestscape. Nothing like the bizarre technicolored wilderness they'd just left, this environment was oddly heartwarming in its darkened shade and rugged simplicity, a northern redwood-laden hinterlands familiar to Gloria and recognizable enough for Spectra thanks to paintings and books about the upper continent.
"Yes!" Gloria cheered, burying Spectra in another relieved hug. "It worked! We're home!" Above them, the portal flickered out of existence after a single foolhardy fey attempted to follow and sent the entire lot collapsing into the hideout catacombs.
For several seconds Spectra lost herself within Gloria's warm embrace, tears of relief spilling down her cheeks as she found herself overcome with emotion at the dawning realization that they'd actually escaped, and despite all odds she'd managed to escort Gloria safely home. The setting sun cast brilliant crimson rays across the pair and everything around them, their shared warmth and excitement banishing any chill from their exposed bodies.
Behind them, a wicket door in the city gates slammed open, and several armor-clad soldiers came stomping towards them. "Halt! Identify yourselves!" the vanguard ordered, his spear pointed aggressively, before Gloria extricated herself from their cuddle and he blanched in startled recognition. "Lady Gloria! I…"
The princess grinned at his loss for words, quickly donning her ruined pajamas and keeping her longsword aimed diplomatically at the ground. "At ease, captain! I am returned, and none the worse from my ordeals."
"I can hardly believe it," the man stammered, waving urgently at his men to form a protective perimeter around the princess. "How on earth did you get here?"
"I'll explain everything, but there's something I must do first," Gloria stated firmly. "Let me inside, along with my friend! I owe her my life, and our unfettered hospitality."
The guards quickly assumed a ceremonial line, their weapons snapping to attention as the royal arrival began limping towards the safety of the inner gates. Spectra followed nervously, wondering whether she should be shapeshifting some sort of nasal covering to protect herself from the plague Gloria had mentioned was gripping the city.
However, once they entered Duskvale, she didn't see any sign of contagion. In fact, the roads were clean and businesses were thriving, the evening crowd staring in shock and astonishment as the missing princess strode confidently into their midst. "Gloria…?" Spectra whispered, shying from the crowd's rapt scrutiny. "Didn't you say Duskvale was suffering from a green mist?"
Gloria ignored her, eyes only for the royal castle at the center of the city. Word was filtering down the grapevine of her arrival, and more guards appeared to form a protective procession behind her, the streets clearing to grant their regiment the right of way.
"Open up!" Gloria ordered the pair of sentries at the castle doors, and they scrambled in their haste to grant her access. Glancing at her escorts, she sounded off the names of several, who stepped forward and continued with her as she led them to the nearest stairwell.
"Gloria, where are we going?" Spectra asked quietly, but once more the princess didn't respond, her attention entirely focused on her stalwart march.
Before long, their journey took them to a magnificent gilded bedchambers, where the man-at-arms nearly dropped his spear in surprise when he saw her. "Let me in!" Gloria ordered. "I need to see my father. This cannot wait."
He quickly ushered them through, the cold marble of the corridor transitioning into plush purple carpet under Spectra's feet. King Victor was an elderly but ruddy-cheeked man, his snores raspy and his skin tight against his aged but well-developed muscles. The guards were trading knowing looks, and Spectra couldn't help feeling she was the only one currently out of the loop. "…Gloria…?" she asked uneasily.
The princess stood before her father, her gaze locked on the slumbering sovereign. Without a moment's hesitation, she raised her sword and stabbed it straight into his chest. "Gloria!" Spectra gasped, her hand flying to her heart as their entourage suddenly attacked the king's bodyguard and stabbed him repeatedly before he could react.
The king's eyes flew open, but he barely got out one final gurgling exhale before he succumbed, his eternal gaze locked on his prodigal daughter as she gave him one last lingering glare. "Are our men still in position?" she asked a straw-haired soldier tersely, pulling her sword from her father's corpse.
"N-no, we thought—after you disappeared…" the man stammered weakly.
"Then you underestimated me," she shot back, cleaning her blade on the king's sheets. "Grab everyone and begin the coup immediately, we must act tonight! I want every single one of those 'republicans' dead by morning, along with their families and anyone who supported them."
"Gloria, you can't do this!" Spectra stammered, as the guards nodded and raced off. "Please, we just got home, you're tired, call them back!"
"I thought you of all people would understand," Gloria shot back, a manic gleam in her eye as she turned to face the changeling. "They would have done the same, they were trying to do the same! For my entire life, people have always tried to control me, to take my power, to hurt me. They deserve this."
"No no, you're not thinking straight!" her friend begged. "Hasn't there been enough bloodshed tonight? Isn't it enough to have gotten home safely?"
"But I'm not safe," Gloria countered angrily. "Not while they live. My whole life everybody has whispered behind my back, excluded me from their circles, spread hateful rumors about the ugly unworthy hobgoblin. They never accepted me as one of their own." She extended her hand to Spectra invitingly. "And you know that feeling!" she pointed out. "You've endured the exact same cruelties in your life. I know deep down you feel like I do, that phantom looked into your mind and proved it. Aren't you tired of suffering at their hands? Haven't you ever wanted to treat them exactly like they've always treated you?"
"Gloria…" Spectra felt her adrenaline spiking and a cold sweat grip her body. Outside, screams and the sounds of death began filtering through the window as the purge began. "I…I have," she admitted, cheeks flushing red. "Of course I have…but…"
"But nothing!" the princess interjected. "Don't defend them, they'll never return the favor! People are spiteful, abusive, and merciless towards outsiders like us, but I can force them to finally show respect! Please…" her words took on an almost-pleading tone, "accept my help and live the life you've always deserved. You want a royal title? A mansion of your own, with servants at your beck and call? Consider it done!"
Spectra's breath caught in her throat as the smell of blood wafted from the window, staining the air as the dwindling sunset cast its rays over a kingdom in turmoil. Her tear-streaked vision grew blurry as her mind raced, thoughts swirling at the gravity of Gloria's offer. But ultimately, her shoulders slumped and she shook her head weakly. "I…I can't," she finally confessed. "I don't care why you're doing it…this is wrong." Gulping, she summoned her rapier, even while her hands were shaking too violently to properly wield it. "I—I can't just stand by and let this happen."
Spectra steeled herself and raised her rapier, but then all the painful memories came flooding back. Of being forced to wear that accursed necklace that prevented her from wearing clothes. Of being ostracized by society for her forced nudity, for the crimes of her parents, and for simply being born a changeling. Of how the only way she could survive was to take a degrading job as a circus performer and a prostitute. Then came the memories of the adventure she shared with Gloria and their lovemaking, making her blush. Gloria was one of her most appreciative lovers, and now she was offering her everything.
She dropped and dismissed her rapier. "I can't." She ran sobbing into Gloria's arms, who dropped her sword to receive her. The impact knocked Gloria down, but she didn't mind and stroked Spectra's hair, ignoring Spectra's tears wetting her tattered shirt. Their lips met and Spectra finally stopped crying as they kissed. It was not long before they started having sex with a desperate hunger for love and acceptance. Spectra said, "All I want is to be with you." After they finished, they fell asleep on the floor, ignoring the screams of the purge.
The next morning, Spectra woke up to find herself in the king's bed. The king's corpse had been moved and she had been carried there while she was asleep. Gloria happily walked up carrying a tray full of food and dressed in regal armor. "Good morning, darling. Here is some breakfast." As Spectra ate, Gloria said, "As soon as you finish, come with me as I make an announcement." At her nervous reaction, Gloria put her hands on her shoulders and looked her in the eyes, "I promise that no one will hurt you."
After she finished eating, the two of them walked into the town square, flanked by guards. Everyone in the city who was still alive was gathered. Gloria addressed them. "Listen up! King Victor is dead. I, Gloria, am your Queen now. Anyone who opposes me will die!" She put a hand on Spectra's shoulder. "This is Spectra, my dearest friend, and now my Royal Consort! Anyone who crosses or insults her will answer to me. You got that!?"
As the crowd hastily agreed in fear, Spectra muttered "Consort?" in wonder. Gloria then fingered Spectra's necklace. "If anyone can remove this cursed necklace, they will be rewarded!"
The crowd muttered in confusion and one of Gloria's men whispered in her ear. "All of Duskvale's wizards, sorcerers, etc. were killed in the purge."
Gloria slapped him. "Then call for one from a neighboring city. Or find a Rod of Cancellation. Do something!"
As the men scrambled to follow her orders, Spectra really appreciated that. Gloria later had a coronation ceremony and took Spectra's hand while declaring her her consort. As they had sex that night, Gloria regretted not being able to put a ring or crown on Spectra, but since Duskvale was fairly isolated, it could take several months for her agents to find someone who could break the curse on the necklace.
Over the next month, Gloria attended affairs of state with Spectra at her side. These included making plans to store food for winter, rewarding the guards and soldiers, and dealing with troublemakers. All the people carefully kept any comments about Spectra's nudity or status as a changeling to themselves. Spectra tried to get Gloria to temper her decisions with compassion and mercy, with mixed results as Gloria's usual answer was to kill whatever the threat was. Despite fearing for Gloria's sanity, she was constantly distracted by all their mind-blowing sex and spent each night content.
About a month after Gloria's coronation, an alarm sounded when an army of the Genasi Empire marched toward Duskvale one night. Duskvale tried to raise a defense, but since the population was depleted from Gloria killing so many people and the only one who could perform magic was Spectra, their defense was meager. The guards were quickly overwhelmed and were either killed or knocked out, and the citizens soon followed. Several citizens revealed that they were Gensai collaborators due to being discontented with Gloria's rule, so they let the Genasi in and turned on their countrymen. Gloria and Spectra made a last stand, standing back to back. Gloria held her sword and Spectra held her pact weapon. They slashed away at enemies while Spectra added liberal uses of Eldritch Blast and Sacred Flame to blow them away. Alas, there were too many enemies. Spectra's Armor of Agathys was depleted and she was knocked out cold.
Spectra woke up on the floor of the throne room to find an armband on her right arm and a leather strap attached to her necklace around where the Periapt of Health met the chain like a leash, leading to the hand of a male Fire Genasi who was sitting on the throne, the commander of the invading forces. By the look of the sun outside the window, it was the next day. He turned to her and said, "Ah, you are finally awake, pet."
Frightened, she turned away to the sound of moaning and beheld Gloria being raped by an Earth Genasi. Gloria was naked except for a collar.
"Gloria!" Spectra tried to blast the man who was raping her, but nothing happened.
The Fire Genasi chuckled. "Your armband will prevent you from using spells. Don't bother trying to pull it off. It is cursed to be just as unremovable as your necklace. I have an eye for magical artifacts. Unfortunately for you, a Necklace of Forced Nudity does not work on restraining devices. That Periapt of Health is quite useful, so I will commission to try to have it mass produced. Nobody likes STDs after all. Your necklace and periapt have a story behind them. We have plenty of time for me to learn it. Now, come here, slave!"
With a tug of the leash, he pulled her to him and raped her. She screamed and struggled, but he was too strong for her. At the same time, the Earth Genasi finished raping Gloria. They were both left twitching on the ground, but the Fire Genasi did not let them rest. They were dragged to their feet by more Genasi and marched outside, where they saw several citizens were naked and enslaved by both Genasi and the collaborators.
Gloria was enraged to see the collaborators. "You traitors!" She broke free from the men holding her and tried to lunge at them, but with a thought, her shock collar activated and she fell over in pain.
As she was grabbed again, the Fire Genasi shook his head and remarked, "You think she would have learned her lesson by now." He turned to Spectra and said, "We had to put that on her because she kept trying to fight us even after she had been beaten. Don't worry. You will not suffer that pain as long as you behave yourself."
They kept moving until they reached the town square where two pillories were set up. Realizing where this was going and remembering her time in the forest outpost, Spectra could only mutter under her breath, "Oh man, not again."
The Fire Genasi addressed his people and the collaborators. "My friends, we have achieved victory once again, but at the cost of many lives. These two had killed several of our friends. It is time the debt is repaid. Long live the Genasi Empire!"
As the crowd roared, Spectra and Gloria were locked in the pillories. Everyone lined up to gang rape them. They moaned uncontrollably as men took them from behind before another one took their mouths. As soon as one finished, another took their place. Some took their pussies, some took their butts. Some were impatient and forced them to jack them off with their hands. Many would spank and grope their breasts and butts. It wasn't just the men either. Women would force them to lick their pussies or would stick their fingers or toys up their pussies and butts.
By the time the crowd was satisfied, the sun was going down. The two were released and were bathed and fed. The Fire Genasi told them that normally, slaves are passed around by the Genasi, but since he would be in charge of Duskvale, he has the privilege of privately owning them. Since he was satisfied, he put them in separate dungeon cells and bid them good night.
Once she was alone, Spectra experimented and realized the armband did not stop her from using her natural shapeshifting abilities. She turned her left hand into tools like saws and tried to get the armband off, but found it was just as indestructible as the necklace. She tried shifting into smaller and larger forms, but just like the necklace, the armband adjusted its size to always match her. Unable to do anything, she prayed to her warlock patron, Hiyeth, for help, but there was no response. Disappointed, she went to sleep.
The next day, Spectra and Gloria were sent to a groomer and were strapped to tables to have all their body hair removed with tweezers. It was extremely painful and then they were lathered from the neck down with a hair removal cream that almost made them scream. Gloria tried making threats but was shut up when the shock collar was activated. After they were told that they would receive the same treatment every three months until the loss of hair was permanent, they were bathed.
As the months went by, Spectra and Gloria never even learned their master's name. When he learned of Spectra's past, he remarked that in a way, she was free from discrimination because all slaves were treated equally. Gloria kept scheming and trying to rebel, but the shock collar put a stop to that. In addition to basic chores, they were used for sex whenever the Fire Genasi and his friends wanted. They put Spectra's shapeshifting to use, often making her turn into Gloria or other slaves so that they could have spectacles like simulating sex with twins. The only time the two were happy was when they were together. Every night, Spectra prayed to Hiyeth for deliverance, but there was still no response.
The Genasi started to make Duskvale resemble the Genasi Capital. After several months, Duskvale had amenities like paved roads and indoor plumbing. All the slaves grudgingly agreed they were a nice improvement. The Periapt of Health was mass produced and distributed. Everyone wore them on necklaces, bracelets, collars, belts, etc.
One day, the Olympics started, one of the only times a truce was held between the Genasi Empire and the Mixed Lands. A week-long holiday was called so that the free and slave alike could watch it on crystal balls. They all winced when Brittany of Anchorstead was hit with a stray arrow during the archery competition and sent home. The Genasi team, like always, steamrolled the other teams and won all the events, but mostly due to many of the competitors' no-showing. During the awards ceremony, everyone was shocked when Hiyeth suddenly appeared and blasted the Genasi team with the spell Moonbeam, revealing they were actually a succubus, an incubus, and a ?ubus in disguise. Hiyeth disappeared, then the outraged Star King ordered the demons apprehended. The guards grabbed them and demanded to know where the missing athletes were. The demons laughed and said they were slaves in the demon realm, then disappeared. Enraged, the Star King ordered all the remaining athletes and non-Genasi audience members arrested and enslaved, then declared the Olympics were no more until the Genasi Empire conquered the world.
Spectra fell to despair. Now she knew why Hiyeth would not save her. He wanted the Genasi Empire to win against the Mixed Lands. She was just a pawn who had outlived her usefulness.
The Fire Genasi pulled her aside with his friends, an Earth Genasi and a Water Genasi. They went into a brand new shower room. The Fire Genasi said, "Well, that sucks. We will probably be called to war again soon, so we should make the most out of this. That Brittany was the most attractive of the athletes, and it was dumb luck that she went home with an injury instead of becoming a slave. I want you to become her."
She numbly obeyed and shifted into Brittany. To complete the look, he used an invisibility spell to turn her necklace and armband invisible. All three of them fucked her, with the Fire Genasi getting her pussy, the Water Genasi getting her butt, and the Earth Genasi getting her mouth. She did not resist now that her last hope was gone.
That night, she reminisced on the life she once had. She admitted she missed the Circus and Stoneskeep and wondered how everyone was doing. She slept because the only time she was free was in her dreams.
The End