Thread: A Word of Darkness

werent in the bed to sleep. She leant closer and closer his face with hers, sniffing him softly before giggling softly into his ear. Everything was silent that night, only the sound of Seikens heavy breath and the babbling brook that streamed down into the pond was to be heard. She lied completely still, just sniffing the smell of Seiken for a few hours. She had taken an elixir before she came that would keep her from drying for a day. She licked Seikens cheek once and almost squirmed of joy. She licked again and again, feeling warm inside of her. Seiken turned in his sleep, facing her. Sarah blushed and took off the sheet as she became to get quite hot. She crawled over and looked down at Seiken whilst letting her nipples slowly rub against his arm. Seiken woke up and attempted to rub the sleepiness out of his eyes. When he turned around, he saw the Nymph just above him and made big eyes. Shhh. Im sorry for troubling you earlier. Allow me to make it up to you To make you relax. She blushed even more now, sliding her crotch up and down his leg whilst Seiken was more or less paralyzed by the shock of finding a naked girl in his bed, but felt somehow a comfortable feeling in his body. Sarah kept rubbing herself against his leg and slightly moaned due the pleasure she received. She leant forwards and let her nipples touch his chest. He could feel they was hard, and wondered what she had in mind. He looked into her eyes, and she looked back into his with a teasing and lusty attitude. She leant her head forwards to kiss Seiken when she suddenly moaned loudly into his face. Seiken had attempted to get her away but missed with his hand and shoved two fingers into her crotch instead. Oh, you mean boy! giggled the Nymph and licked her lips slowly before she started to ride his fingers. Sarah moaned more and more before she looked at Seiken while she drooled of the pleasure. Suddenly the drool turned into blood. Seiken got out of the paralyze and leant his head backwards, seeing an arrow going through her head. The Nymph felled dead over him and he pushed her over, letting her fall onto the floor. Iriya stood at the entrance of his room with her bow. I heard some noises so I came to check it out. It seems I came just in time. Said Iriya and looked at the Nymph. Just in time? asked Seiken and looked at Sarah as well. She was going to kill you. Seiken noticed something on the floor beside her. A little dagger was impaled through her hand, obviously impaled when she felled. Seiken felt his breath fastened as he realized what just had happened. Iriya smiled at Seiken when she saw what he was wearing and that there was life under the loincloth. Did you two have a good time? Giggled Iriya before she sat down on the edge of his bed, leaning a bit forward, allowing Seiken to look down her cleavage. W-wah?! No, no, you got this wrong Said Seiken with a rather shaky voice. Iriya grinned and told him that if he felt lonely during the night, he could always come over at her room as she was feeling lonely herself. Seiken shakes his head before hiding under the sheet. Iriya smiled a bit sadly, but then placed a kiss on his cheek, wishing him a good night. Sarahs corpse had converted into water, just the arrow and the dagger was left on the floor amongst some watery blood. The next morning woke Seiken up early. He had attached leather pieces around on his clothing, hoping he will become a bit more agile. The light that shone into the room through a hole in the roof made the brown leather that was attached to his legs and arms shine up. Seiken went to wake up Iriya but as he stepped into her room he could see she was not there. Seiken wondered where she wouldve been and decided to look for her outside as it werent any trace of anyone been spending the night there at all. Iriya was already at the bottom of the stairs, looking up towards Seiken. When he got down, Lazard appeared and greeted them. He seemed rather sleepy as he usually was sleeping around that hour on the day, but was awake now to guide Seiken and Iriya. Lazard showed them the path to the vault of the town and where Iriya had her account. They stopped in front of a huge door made of iron. It was at least as big as a house according to Seiken. Lazard clapped his hands and the door slowly slid wide open allowing entrance to Iriyas vault. As they came inside they saw a small pouch on a stone-table. Seiken laughed a bit while wondering if thats all the money Iriya had. Iriya smiled and told him thats more than enough money for just the two of them. She opened the pouch and turned it upside down, letting fifteen golden coins fall out onto the stony table. Iriya took five of them and went outside. Thats it? Said Seiken and wondered if theyd be alright with just five coins. Iriya nodded and headed to a little hut just next to the vault. A little elf was sleeping on a chair just behind the counter. Iriya whistled loudly and the little elf made a jump in his chair, coming to the counter, wondering what Iriya wanted. She put the five coins on the counter while Seiken and Lazard had started a small conservation about the Moon Elves and their culture. The little elf made big eyes and wondered if they really needed that much money, but Iriya nodded and told him that it would be a long journey they had in front of them. Rolled his eyes and went into the little hut through an archway. Lots of noise was to be heard just seconds after the elf had gotten out of sight. It was like if someone was carpeting, throwing things around and smashing them by judging the sounds that was to be heard. After a little while the little elf came back with a medallion in his hand. On the medallion was a number engraved 50. Iriya smiled and showed the medallion to Seiken. Seiken made huge eyes when he saw that medallion. Medallions were used to symbolize big money amongst human and that medallion was worth 50 million Mezeta. Seiken now remembered that Iriya had told him that Elfish money was worth a lot amongst humans, so there was no wonder she had gotten that much money from just five Gold Cruxioues. They went to the bottom of the stairs after had collected their money. The three of them sat down and talked about where their destination should be. Lazard had a big role here as he was the village leader and elder since knew a lot about the world outside. Iriya knew that his father had a friend in the holy city Wendel that lied on the other side of the forest. Iriya thought that maybe her fathers friend, the archbishop could tell them about where her father was or what kind of unsettled deeds he had with the assassins. Lazard thought of that as a good idea as the Archbishop was known for his wisdom amongst wealthy persons. Lazard showed Seiken and Iriya a hidden entrance just in the side of the stairs that led deeply down into the altar. After had been walking for a while, they came to a large room. It was dark as darkness itself and they couldnt even see the hand in front of them. Lazards eyes faintly glowed with a blue glow as he had casted a spell on himself, allowing him to see through darkness. Soon there were other eyes to be seen through the darkness just after Lazard had made a whistle. The huge room started to lighten up and it turned out to be an underground lake beneath the altar. The lake was shallow enough to allow elves to stand on the ground even at the deepest part of it. There was five Moon Elves standing in a wide circle in the water. Enter the circle. Said Lazard to Seiken and Iriya while smiling. Iriya and Seiken did as he said and stepped into the lake that surprisingly only reach them to the waist. They stood there and peered around while wondering if they were supposed to do anything. Runes started to randomly appear around on the lake before fading away rapidly. The runes centered more and more Seiken and Iriya as they wondered about what would happen. As the runes gathered in the middle of the circle, a huge pentagram was formed around them and they were in the middle. Iriya was startled by the big red pentagram around them and got panic. Die, inferior beings Said Lazard while smiling coldly as he had managed to lure them into his trap. Seiken and Iriya attempted to run away from the pentagram but with no luck. They had been paralyzed by both fear and the enchanting spell the Moon elves had been casting on them and the pentagram. The pentagram started to glow redder and slightly more in a bloody way as the seconds flew by. The Moon elves started to chant in their elfish language. One of them was shaking violently and suddenly exploded into lots of flesh, blood and bones. The same happened with one of the other Moon elves as well. When the three last ones saw this they became scared and focused even harder on their spell in order not to end up with their sisters. Fourteen seconds passed since the last elf exploded before the pentagram slowly started to turn. Lazard had already left the place so the elves had to execute Iriya and Seiken by themselves as they had been supervised to do. The pentagram circulated faster and faster while the blood of the two elves gathered in the middle where Iriya and Seiken stood. Seiken could feel how the flesh was sticking to his belly and a bone rubbing itself to his back. He was rather disgusted by the feeling. The ground started to shake and the pentagram glowed now strongly in a crimson red color as a large humming was to be heard from the elves. The light became too bright to see so Seiken and Iriya had to close their eyes. They could feel lots of feelings they hadnt felt before and at the same time, every feeling they knew of at the same time. All that they could do was to scream out in pain and pleasure while being uncertain about what will await them when they opened their eyes. Seiken had felt something like this before. It was soft and comfortable but this time it was partly hard and cold while there was a hint of warmth covering his face. He slowly opened his eyes and covered his eyes with a hand due the bright light. He was lying on his back and looking up into a clear blue sky. His back and legs was cold and as he peered around himself, he found himself in some town square. He attempted to stand up but groaned in pain due the stiff back he had gotten of lying on the hard ground and felled onto his knees. He could feel a hand on his shoulder while trying to regain his sharp vision from the blurry environments he could see. Iriya stood behind him. Seiken had been lying partly on her chest with his head and on the ground with the rest of his body. It seems were in Wendel Said Iriya carefully and helped Seiken up. Peoples had gathered and some children pointed at them as they were covered in blood, flesh and bones from the elves. The adults shushed the children and covered their eyes with their hands in order to save them from seeing such things. So Lazard tried to kill us But instead killed two of his disciples and sent us to the place we were heading? It doesnt make sense to me Maybe he was going to send his disciples to Wendel after been killing us and put the teleport-spell to two persons limit, but accidently killed his disciplines instead. Said Seiken, trying to figure out whats going on. Wendel was a big city nearby the ocean so there was built a huge harbor where ships set sail to fish, trade etc. Most of the peoples in the city were wealthy but as every other city, they had refugees and criminals. The cathedral of the city was located on a little hill in the middle of the town so it was not hard to find. The cathedral seemed rather to be the wealthiest building in the town due its high quality of stones it was built with and with the pretty windows that had signs instead of pictures engraved in them. It didnt take long before Seiken and Iriya was surrounded by guards. Since the Archbishop lived in the cathedral, he could easily see whats going on by just taking a look from his clock tower. Seiken and Iriya were rather bloody and when they were in the middle of a big square, it was not really hard for the archbishop to spot. The guards had all red uniforms, a red cape and a black hood. Seiken could see that each of them had a sword with runes engraved along the edge of the blade. They all had an R and a G written on their cloak which stood for Red Guardian. These were the Archbishops elite guards in the city and were highly trained. Filthy demons! What business do you have in the city of light?! Shouted one of the guards and did apparently think that Seiken and Iriya was demons from the underworld as there was blood, flesh and bones covering them. Were not demons! Were sent by the moon elves in the for- Silence! Seiken was interrupted by a guard. The guards had started to move in to Seiken and Iriya in a circle and as they got close enough they jumped over them, binding their hands together as well with their feet before they dragged them along the street to the cathedral. The guards showed no mercy but dragging Iriya and Seiken up the stairs making their heads knock into the stairs as the guards descended them. The stairs was sadly enough for Iriya and Seiken, the longest you could find in Wendel. As they had been dragged into the cathedral and over a huge circle in the middle of the building leaving a long trail of blood after them, they came to a man. He was the archbishop and was dressed in a robe with runes sewn all over it. He had a long scepter with a huge gem on the top. On the head he had a big pointy hat, looking like a wizard where he stood, but Seiken thought there was something that seemed Holy with him. The guards kneeled on the sides of the path leading to him as he stepped forwards to Seiken and Iriya that was squirming on the floor, trying to get loose from the ties. They had pieces of cloth shoved in their mouths so they couldnt speak. The archbishop looked down at them with pity. Oh, lord, what demonic creatures have you brought me today? Iriyas ears wiggled slightly as she heard him speak. She was hearing his voice as he was speaking demonic. The archbishop ordered the guards to center them in the circle and chase away the crowd of citizens that had gathered at the doors of the cathedral to see what that was going as they had found the trail of blood. After the crowd had been chased away, the doors had been closed, nuns had gathered along a veranda on the second floor that led all around the room, the Archbishop descended his altar and raised the Scepter into the air. Oh God, Omighy one, please, bring forth your judgment upon these creatures from the underworld. Bloody sails of the damned temple, is there none that will listen to explanations?! thought Seiken for himself and closed his eyes, hoping that God would have mercy on him if there was such a thing as God. After lying completely still after 5 minutes and having nothing to happen, the Archbishop took his scepter back down and peered on his prisoners. The archbishop nodded and the nuns began to sing. The song itself seemed holy and it sounded like small angels was singing, but Iriya took careful notice of the text. Lordly Lord, go hand in hand with Lucifer Lufarios from hell, together thou shall find your power in the blood of sacrificed lives. It was not a holy song for Iriyas ears as well, neither for Seiken even though he almost felled asleep due loosing so much blood. The circle Iriya and Seiken was lying on was a big star with a crescent moon in the middle. There was a crescent moon as well carved in the middle but along with lots of other signs and runes, circles and squares, making it hard to find a decent picture in the circle. The nuns stopped singing after a little while, but as the last word escaped their lips, the small stars on the circle started to glow faintly yellow. The guards were ordered to cut them loose by the archbishop, but at the second their feet and hands were freed, Seiken and Iriya hit the guard undoing their ties and made them hit the floor. Good, add more blood to the ritual! Said the archbishop and did and applaud when the two guards lied unconscious on the floor. There were still seven guards surrounding them. Seiken and Iriya had been unarmored at the town square, so they had no weapons but their hands to use as defense since Seiken was too hurt so he couldnt focus enough to make even an easy spell. Lazard, my apprentice, you have brought me a very good sacrifice this time. Said the Archbishop and started to laugh loudly so his laugh chimed to the cold walls and made the candles along the wall that light up the cathedral, dance. You have brought me such a fine host as well. Grinned the archbishop as he peered at Iriya where she stood in her little clothing. He raised the scepter into the air again, but this time a red ray shoot out of it and right into Iriyas head. Iriya stood just next to Seiken, shaking like mad as it seemed something was forcing into her. Live Live Medina... Medina, LIVE!!!! Shouted the Archbishop while waving his free hand in the air. Iriyas skin turned orange-red, black winds grew out of her back and a long, black and spiky tail also grew out of her. Her nails got slightly longer and two big horns stood grew out of her head. The ray from the scepter faded as the transformation was done and the Archbishop had lowered it. Medina Is that you? Said the Archbishop with a curious, scared and desperate voice. Iriya reacted and nodded calmly. It has been a while Tychoo. Tychoo Archbishop was happy that his spell had succeeded as none of his earlier body-hosts had managed to survive the enormous force of the spell. Seiken stared at Iriya with wide eyes, hoping it all was a dream and that she had not gotten possessed. Medina Lets show this world our combined power! Iriya went to the altar and sat down, licking her finger softly and teasingly while looking at Seiken. Are we going to start with this one then? He looks yummy Said Iriya and bite her lower lip. Tychoo nodded and Iriya walked slowly down the stairs from the altar and came to Seiken, circulating around him while eyeing him up and down. Seiken followed her movements with his eyes and made sure she didnt impaled him with her nails or something by turning around, making sure he didnt let his guard down. The runes on the floor had stopped glowing, but had instead started circulating slowly. Only the star was glowing faintly blue and made a faint glowing sound. Iriya Its me, Seiken Said Seiken weakly, still getting weaker and weaker by the blood loss that streamed out of a hole in his head and bruises on his back that he got while being dragged along the street. Iriya didnt seem to react at all, just grinning and looking at him in a naughty way. She stood right in front of him now, looking deeply into his eyes. Seiken could feel his right hand getting warm. First like a warm breeze but now as if someone had put his hand in a bucket of hot water. He looked down at it, seeing the little green fire that was dancing inside of it. The flame was slowly growing bigger. As the flame got so big that only flames was to be seen, he could see a black string inside of the gem that was dancing with the flame. Iriya saw this and took his hand and peered into the gem Ohh, what a pretty thing you have there, handsome. At the moment she took his hand, the flame vanished and the string turned white. Meanwhile Iriya and Seiken peered into the circles on the floor started to turn even faster, the sound got louder as the runes glowed stronger. Seiken could feel something above him. As if someone or something was just above him. He didnt dare to look up as hed let his guard down and Iriya could strike with her nails into his neck or something that he couldnt be cautious of. He hid his hand behind his back and took a step backwards away from Iriya, not wanting to show his gem to her as he had no idea what she could do under the possession of Medina, obvious someone dear to Tychoo. Hey, let me see that! Meanie! Said Iriya and got an evil look in her eyes. She took a step forward and stood now where Seiken just recently stood. Seiken threw a quick look above her and made big eyes when he saw whats above her. The angel from the gladiator ring, or at least one alike it was just above Iriya. Please, Purify Iriya from this demon! Seiken shouted to the angel which seemed rather disgusted by the cathedral. What business does Gods messenger have in my cathedral!? shouted Tychoo that was unpleased by this holy being in his cathedral. The Angel didnt seem to pay attention to Tychoo but waved with her hands a few times before a ray of light from above shoot down through the roof of the cathedral, onto the Angel and Iriya and went further down into the dungeons of the cathedral where Tychoo had Imprisoned his experiments for spells over many years. Iriya was still standing on the same place as if the floor beneath her hadnt disappeared. She was shaking and screaming as the light hit her and a wheezing sound was heard from her body while black smoke gazed itself out of her eyes. Iriya crumbled into a pile of ash down into the darkness. The angel had begun to cry while she was slowly fading away. The runes on the floor had stopped turning and glowing but the biggest star. It stood completely still but was blinking strongly red in a slow pace. Now youve done it Tychoo said and peered towards Seiken which stood there rather startled, not sure if he was to laugh or cry. Had he just killed Iriya or was this all an illusion or maybe nightmare? Seiken shook his head lightly and peered down in the dark abyss of the hole. Tychoo ran towards the door of the cathedral while Seiken were still being a bit paralyzed of the event. Guards! Tychoo shouted and waved with his arms. It didnt take long before the cathedral was crowded with guards which only were waiting orders from Tychoo. This infidel killed my sweetheart! And now, he shall taste the same fate! Off to the abyss with him! He ordered his guards from the altar. The guards surrounded Seiken and two stepped forward to grab his arms and then another two came forth to take his feet. Seiken were still in a such state of paralyze that he didnt had the strength to fight or struggle back. The guards were counting while swinging his body in their arms before they all four chanted a unholy hymn in just two seconds as Seikens body left their grip and were sent flying down into the abyss. His body was not to be seen the second he had passed four meters down into the hole. Seiken had finally regained consciousness and could feel how the stench of dead, poison and dirt were filling his body as he breathed the air on his way down. He didnt know how far it was to the bottom, if he would have a soft land, or if he would ever land at all. The further down he got, the quieter the sounds of tortured slaves, imprisoned creatures and demons was to be heard. The only sound that echoed through his ears was the sound of guiltiness and despair which also thrived through his heart. Several hours later when he regained consciousness he peered around. He could see two fireballs on the wall, just a bit upwards in the hole which were glowing like fireflies in the midsummer. Feeling his hands slightly hurt, he figured out that he must have cast the spell when he was unconscious as he couldnt imagine that there was anyone else down there to cast it. It was first now that Seiken had realized how his situation was. He was trapped in a giant spider web. Surprised as he was over finding himself in a spider web so quickly in a such recently-made hole, he wriggled around in the cocoon that he were wrapped in. Only his hands were free and with them he tried to tear apart the web. He calmed down and just lied there in the faintly swaying net, seeing it was not of any use to wriggle around like that. He widened his eyes as the web suddenly descended about one meter, coming to think of that if you move in a spider web, you would lure the spider forth. He started wriggling wildly again, attempting to get away the best he could, but with still no use. A loud hiss roamed the hole as soon the fire died. The spider had kept distance to its web because of the fire and was now skittering towards Seiken quickly. In a defensive maneuver, the spider spat its deadly venom all along the wall. The venom was so highly concentrated that a strong green glow was lighting up the web, Seiken and the red giant spider. The spider stood just above Seiken and narrowed its eye hungrily down at him. Its fangs slowly opened just to fit his body size. The spider hissed one more time loudly, exposing its mouth to Seiken which were almost totally paralyzed in fright of the arachnid. Its mouth drooled of spit with a hint of venom as it attempted to bite him several times. Seiken managed just barely to roll away each time it went for him and came closer and closer to the edge. He peered towards where he just laid, seeing the spider standing there. The spider hissed loudly again, peering down at the sword which lay between its legs. Seiken made big eyes to see the sword were just laying there, ready for him to reclaim. The spider was about to go after the sword with its fangs when Seiken rolled quickly over and rhythmically arched towards the web, hopping up in the air of the movement. He flew a few meters before landing perfectly on the spiders head, dazzling it for a few seconds which were enough for him to pick up his sword in the right hand and embrace himself to the web with his left. He quickly grinded his body against the edge of the sword, being finally able to cut through and get out the second the spider regained its consciousness, being very furious. Seiken moved carefully around on the web so he didnt fall down between the gaps with his sword raised. The spider stood still and just hissed at him, following his every movement with its eyes. It suddenly flicked its fangs and a large spray of venom ejaculated towards Seiken like a geyser. He made big eyes as such an attack came towards him and jumped to the side, landing on the remains of his cocoon, peering quickly back to see the spot the shot hit. The green sticky liquid had slowly melted its way into the wall about fifty centimeters while giving out a strong green glow. Seiken quickly turned his head again, seeing the spider slightly tired of using a such large amount of poison which clearly wouldve end Seikens life if it had hit. He moved quickly, yet carefully towards the spider, swinging his sword as hard as he could against its legs. The spider let out a sharp roar in pain and agony of the legs it lost in the blow. Seiken kept on hitting the remaining legs as hard as he could, whilst feeling his body rushing with adrenaline and magic. He was slowly driven into a blood thirst as his barbaric blows cut deeper and deeper into the body of the spider. The spider was flinched in the attack and could do nothing but roar loudly so the long tunnel they were in roamed with rippling sound waves. Seiken quickly went for a blow towards its head, impaling his eye with the tip of his sword. The spider did nothing but stand completely still, looking at Seiken with its other eye. A silent shriek came briefly out its fangs before it curled somewhat into a ball on its back. The spider was dead and all that remained was the cut carcass. Panting of exhaustion, Seiken peered around to see if there had been any threats that had been lured forth by the sounds. He saw nothing but the glowing acid on the walls that slowly slid downwards the wall, radiating strongly. Uncertain about where he was supposed to go from there, he took a deep breath then sighed, wiping his sword for spider-goo before he put it back into his scaffold. The room was dead silent. Only the sound of Seikens heavy breath that had somewhat calmed down by now was heard. He swallowed hard as he peered down in the abyss. Biting his lower lip, he took a deep breath and leaped from the web and down in the tunnel. It was only a matter of minutes before he would do a cannonball in the water that reflected the green light of the acid into his eyes. With a great splash he dove into the depths of the water. He tried to look around in the water in hope for a tunnel of some sort to swim through in order to get out of there, but it was all in vain. After a little while he got struggle with breathing due the high pressure as he was deep down in the earth and because of the water. He had no other hope but surface. With great speed towards the surface he breathed relieved out as he got up to breathe air. The air was all musky and was far from fresh, but it felt like heaven to Seiken. He peered around, trying to see anything that he could maybe climb up on. Maybe an altered rock or some sort of chain, but couldnt see anything. The light of the Spiders acid was about to fade completely away when he heard flowing water. Turning around he could see a pipe sticking out from the wall and water flowing out of it. Luckily for Seiken the pipe was just large enough for him to crawl through. He grabbed the edge of the pipe and with what little strength he had left, he pulled himself up into it. With heavy breaths he laid there for several minutes to regain his strength. Lost, desperate and scared he asked himself several times what he had done and what he should do. Iriya was dead and he was trapped deep down under an unholy church. Hope had started to fade as he laid there, exhausted. His eyelids felt heavy and he couldnt help but let them fall over his eyes and send him into a deep sleep. Several hours later he woke up by a strange sound coming from the pipe. He woke up suddenly and peered into the pipe. It sounded like another spider, but this sound was a bit different. He dared himself to crawl further into the pipe in order to find its source when he suddenly fell out into a large room. Luckily for him he didnt land in water, but in something soft. He crawled out a large pile of hay and found himself in something that looked like a prison. There were several cells around along the wall that was empty, but housed skeletons along the wall in chains. In the middle of the room, outside the cells were several tables with knives impaled in the wood. At first sight he thought it was just regular tables, but after closer inspection he could easily see that it was tables used for torture. Old bloodstains were all over the surface and there was even a bucket next to each table with different kinds of bones in. Some jawbones, some ribs and so on. Feeling a small hint of the smell of dead roaming the room, Seiken felt uneasy and quickly tried to find a way out of there. Torches were lit along the wall obviously someone had recently been there. The room flickered gently in light when Seiken made his way across the room. Each step echoed the walls and he left small footprints of water behind him. He found a wooden door that he attempted to open. It was locked, but very brittle. He took a step back and gave the door a good kick in its center, making it fly off its hunches and into the darkness of the next room. With light steps he went into the room and peered around. The first thing that hit him was the intense smell of death that stood against him as a wall when he entered the room. It was pitch black and impossible to see anything in there. He sighed softly and stood still for a moment. His eyes suddenly widened as he could hear something breather. Looking around wildly, he couldnt find where the breathing came from. But it was then he saw it. Two red dots a little away in the middle of the room where the breathing came from. In a slight panic, he got an idea and went back into the room he came from and took a torch from the wall. With a light grip he threw the torch into the room, letting it land in front of the dots. The faint light from the torch lit up the creature in front of him, revealing a man. The man sat in a dark-red robe on his knees. His sleeves were tied to chains which were chained to the walls whilst his hands were in handcuffs inside the robe. Seiken could see them because the robe was opened. The gentle and rather pretty hands of the hand hold each other and seemed tender against the black vest he had on the inside with some brown carvings in the leather. The man looked at Seiken with blood-red eyes and his mouth was covered in some sort of red liquid. Seiken was a bit frightened by this look, finding a man that had his mouth covered in something that seemed like blood being chained down in the depths under the church. I have awaited your arrival. Said the man, licking his lips for the red liquid, revealing two small fangs in his mouth as his tongue eagerly licked the liquid up. A-awaited me? Seiken said nervously, taking a step backwards, almost stumbling. The torch burnt out and everything was dark as coal again. Seiken went out to the other room to get a new torch which he threw towards the man. When he was lit up once more, the man was now standing and his sleeves had been unchained. He still glared at Seiken which looked back. Who are you? Seiken decided to ask, wanting to get to the bottom of this. The man smiled coldly and tugged lightly on his handcuffs. Shouldnt I be the one asking you that? Youre the one coming in here a place nobody should be. I Im Seiken. I was trapped by the High Priest here. He said boldly. I see Replied the man which tugged some more on his handcuffs. The torch burnt out again and Seiken decided to throw in a new one so he went out of the room to get one. When he came back, he could see the red eyes in the darkness at first but saw them after a few seconds this time far away. Seiken took a few steps forward to the place the man stood before. He could tell because of the two torches on the ground. Seiken threw the torch as far as he could towards the man and lit up the room. He wasnt revealed this time Seiken did instead reveal the bottom of some steps. The man clapped his hands a couple of times and the whole room was lit up. Torches along the walls all coated in red liquid was burning in a strong red flare. I am the blood prince. He sat on a throne not far from Seiken with one leg over the other. He seemed rather relaxed there he sat, smiling at Seiken. The blood prince? Seiken said before swallowing hard. He hadnt really heard much about the blood prince, but he was told that if he ever came across one, he should turn around and run as far and as fast his legs could carry him. He nodded and a sly grin conquered his face as he licked his lips in anticipation. What are you doing here? Seiken had taken a step backwards as his eyes peered around before fastening themselves upon the prince in front of him. He didnt know what such a prince was capable of, but he knew they were expert in blood-magic. Tychoo trapped me here many years ago. Ive survived on feasting upon his failed experiments and guards that got lost in this labyrinth of a dungeon. I have awaited your arrival, to set me free so I can roam the world above once more. Seiken swallowed hard again and almost tripped over in the torches. Will you harm me if I did? He asked carefully. A snicker echoed the room like the smell of death that clanged to the prince. Perhaps I wont? Youll have to find out. Before you do anything know that I am the only one that knows how to get out of this room of us two. Seiken had looked around in the half- darkened room before and he must admit that he hadnt seen any doors that lead out of the room. All he could see on the walls was the torches and partly some runes behind the throne he sat on. The princes golden hair went from his head and partly covered his face on the sides as his red glowing eyes looked at Seiken with a smirk. Very well I will trust you. Seiken said after a moment in his thoughts. With slow steps, Seiken went towards him and look at his face. He looked right back at Seiken. So, how can I get you out of here? The prince stood up and went behind the throne. Seiken quickly followed and they were both standing before the runes on the wall. Tychoo put a spell on this wall when I was imprisoned here. He took some of my blood and was able to customize the spell to repel any action from me. However, you should be able to dispel it. If you focus your magic and put your hands on the runes, the door should open. Seiken looked at his right hand, eyeing it for a moment before looking into the gem. It was glowing faintly yellow at the range, but lightened up when he approached the runes with it. The moment his hand touched the surface of the wall, the runes gathered under his hand and a large white circle appeared on the wall. It started to rotate and a loud wheezing sound came from it. He suddenly felt an intense pain in the gem and was about to quickly withdraw, but the prince placed his hand upon Seikens, holding it sturdy against the wall. Whilst groaning in agony, he was surprised by the sensation of the princes hand upon his. He felt a tremendous force of power within the hand at the same time all kinds of feelings rushed through him. Hold still, this will only take a moment. The prince exclaimed and peered at the wall as the circle turned red before exploding. The explosion left a large hole in the wall with its edge glowing in some red liquid. It was dripping from the edge and Seiken could now clearly see it was blood. Understanding that he was a blood prince, he had guessed the prince kept the torches lit with blood. Lets dash! The prince said and sprint upwards the stairs that was revealed by the circle. Seiken didnt have much choice but follow. After a while of sprinting after the prince, Seiken felt weak and exhausted of running up the stairs. He lost the sight of the prince and he could feel the bitter taste of betrayal flood his head as he was left there all alone. He took some minutes to get his breath back and ascended slowly the stairs step by step. After a moment of walking, he saw the same two pair of red glowing dots he saw earlier. The prince sat on top of the stairs and peered down at him. Not quite the sprinter, are you? If you wish to survive in this world, you better have your legs with you, kid. That is, if the world have remained the same as when I was put down here. Seiken just looked at him and rolled his eyes lightly as he pushed forward to pass him. The prince got up and they were standing in a large room with two doors. The doors were huge, wooden and decorated in carvings and paintings. One had a silvery moon, much like the one in the Midnight show in Ontiry and the other one was illustrating a naked woman bathing. The only thing keeping the room lit was one huge brazier in the middle of the room with about a meter in radius. Seiken had a freezing feeling over him since the moment he had leaped from the spiders net and went towards the flickering flame to warm himself. The blood prince was examining the inscriptions in the doors and whispered to himself. He stroke his hand over the curves of the carvings in the process whilst Seiken felt a cold shiver down his spine as he was getting warm again. So, which will it be? Rescue your lady-friend or get out of here? The prince finally said after going over both of the doors. H-how did you know? Seiken hadnt told him anything about Iriya and was rather surprised over the fact that he knew about her. I sense a female presence nearby, and as her soul writhe Seiken, which I believe is your name I figured out that itd probably be you. Seiken was silenced and just blinked a few times.W-we can rescue her? He said with a calm voice with a hint of excitement. The prince nodded and took a step backwards before holding up his hand in front of the door with the woman. One large red glyph appeared on the door before it exploded. Blood scattered everywhere and the passage was open for them. Seiken had gotten his arms messy with blood as he used his arms to shield his face from the explosion. Lightly disgusted he shook his arms and walked into the gateway with the prince. After walking for a moment in the darkness, they came to another large room. The prince quickly went up against the wall behind a pillar whilst Seiken figured out that itd be smart to do the same thing, but on the opposite side of the entrance. The smell of mud and dirt lingered in the room whilst the stench of the dead was nowhere to escape. Pillars were all along the walls in this rather large room and in the middle was a little altar. On the sides of the altar was small pots that could be inserted into a slide in the base structure of the altar, allowing the sacrifices blood to flow into them. On the altar was another pot, but this one wasnt brown and made out of clay like the others, no, this one was white with blue engravings and golden around the edge. A loud hissing roamed the roam as a shady figurine appeared behind the altar. Now, with my invisibility dispelled, I can finally focus on feasting upon this soul. The creature said. The prince tilted his head slightly around the pillar to see what kind of thing this was whilst Seiken moved and leaned against the pillar instead. He could hear that the voice was demonic, but could at the same time tell it was a female demon. The prince returned to his previous position again and looked at Seiken, giving him a little nod before Seiken peered forth for himself, seeing that this demon looked like a succubus. She had a slim delicate female body, but with two large horns coming out of her head. Her nails were long and slightly bended unlike the spikes that came out of her legs which was black. She moved around slightly, making a clacking sound so Seiken figured out she had hooves as well. With soft red lips, she was reading loud for herself with her blue shining eyes. The only thing she wore was a ragged cloth around her waist and a black top engraved in demonic runes. Whilst using her long black and spiky tail to turn the pages, she let her large black wings which toned into dark-red on the tip flap silently now and then. Unaware of the two presences that had intruded into her sanctuary she kept reading and soon magic appeared as she was doing some sort of ritual. The prince peeked forth once more, but as he moved to look, his cape brushed against the pillar and made a little scraping sound as one metal badge that held his cape up grinded against the rock. The succubus slammed the book together and with her glowing blue eyes, peered around in the room whilst her tail descended to the floor. She breathed quickly a few times as if very angry before walking towards the gateway Seiken and the blood prince had entered with quick steps. Each step echoed the room with a clacking sound. Seiken and the prince held their breath as they got ready to move around the pillar the other way the succubus was coming. The succubus passed the pillars and peered quickly to her left and right, breathing hard and quickly through her nose. Her tail swayed from side to side as if ready to whip. Oh? Probably some rats. Ratsy, ratsy, ratsy! She said whilst jump-walking back towards the altar in a much happier voice. Seiken and the prince had managed to move just in time and stood now behind the pillar. With curious eyes they both peered forth and eyed the Succubus in her ritual which now had turned her back against them. After a little while with mumbling and some demonic words, she finally took up the black book again and started reading. The moment she resumed the reading, the pot on the altar was surrounded by red glowing orbs and sparkles. Shes doing blood magic the prince said, thinking its now safe to talk as the spell she were doing caused a lot of noise. The demon kept her spell going and soon the pot ascended into the air as it radiated a red aura around its surface. Gray dust came up out of the pot and ascended towards the roof. Coming halfway, its form shifted and took shape of the woman by making the circumscription that way. Just seconds after the shaping, a white faint light filled the figurine. The prince kept his cool and watched the show whilst Seiken widened eyes. It was Iriya! Little tasty human soul will soon be in the depths of my bowl. The succubus said and let her demonic slender tongue caress her lips. Her tail swayed seductively before Seiken whilst she grinned. The prince pondered why a succubus would have the soul of a woman as they are known to only go after males. The figurine of Iriya seemed to be crying because of some silvery liquid flowing from the eyes. Though, upon seeing Seiken, her eyes widened. The succubus saw Iriyas reaction and turned her head quickly, seeing Seiken and the blood prince. She narrowed her eyes whilst her blue glowing eyes turned into raging red ones, whipping hard with pollssuccubus292714532answer10xlarge.jpeg her tail. Now, now, what do we have here? Guests for dinner? She said in an angry voice turning around. She bit her left hands pointing finger teasingly as her tail stroke over her belly. Seiken and the prince knew they had been caught and stepped forward. What do you intend to do to her? Seiken asked whilst looking up at Iriya then down at the succubus again. I have no reason to tell you, have I? Or perhaps, shall we make a little deal? You let me finish what Im doing here and I will let you live. The succubus eyes turned blue once more, but her evil grin was kept in place. Seiken and the blood prince looked at each other and then back at the succubus. They didnt answer, but the demon assumed they agreed to her deal since they did nothing. You look delicious, honey. She said whilst looking up at Iriya, licking her lips. Iriya had a shocked expression on her face as Seiken stood there and did nothing. He knew he couldnt just stand idle by and watch Iriya be devoured by this succubus. Seiken placed a hand on the succubus back, just between her black wings and placed his other hand over than one again, touching his gem. The gem glowed strongly in a purple color and demon moaned. Ah! W-what are you doing?? The demon hissed and looked over her shoulder at Seiken with red glaring eyes. She whipped his hand off her with her tail and he took a few steps backwards, holding his hand firmly in the other. The blood prince looks at the succubus back and notices a black bruise. Is this a curse? The prince looked back at Seiken. All of a sudden the demon seemed to be in pain as she was reaching for the bruise whilst groaning in pain and agony. Suddenly the bruise lit up with searing light and the demon roared loudly in a painful way. She twitched and groaned as she shivered before falling to the ground. A hole was now where the bruise just was. A black thin liquid ran out of the hole and formed a black little pit beneath. Iriyas shape faded slowly away, but got in some way sucked into the hole of the succubus back. You havent The prince said, interrupted by the demons groaning. She stood up and shook her head lightly for a moment. She seemed disoriented as she felt out of her own body by the sight of how she was moving around the altar. She finally stopped and looked at Seiken. Seiken! She said and hugged him dearly to him. Uh..? Seiken said, uncertain about this all. Its me! Iriya! The blood prince gasped lightly whilst Seiken just looked shocked at the succubus. I see You opened a hole in the succubus and the magic that controlled her was driven out. Then the soul of Iriya that probably was the light that we just saw could inhabit her body. Id guess that ash is her body? The prince said, eyeing her up and down. Iriya started to sob lightly for a moment before she wiped the tears from her soft cheeks. Im sorry all this happened to you Seiken finally said to her, knowing that her life would be different from now on, trapped in a demons body. I know how to get your body back But we will need to bring the ashes with us. The prince said after examining her body. Really?! Iriya said in a rather happy voice given the situation. Both Seiken and Iriya smiled happily and did their best to gather all her ashes in the pot again from the altar before exiting the room through the way they came. When they came into the room with the giant brazier in, the other door that once was locked, smashed open. Pieces of wood laid shattered everywhere and the torches in the hallway beyond were lit. Seiken whom hold the ashes of Iriya in the urn held it tightly to his chest as they proceeded down the hallway. Iriya wasnt used to walk with the legs of a succubus just yet and took each step carefully. One would think she had been drinking for quite a while the way she seemed unbalanced. The blood prince walked next to Seiken and had now and then thrown a peek at Iriya. He hadnt really had a close look at a succubus before, but now that the time was present, he could do so. His tongue flickered over his lips now and then whilst they were walking. Seiken with his soft boots made no sound alone, but the hooves of Iriya made a clacking sound that echoed the walls, alerting any beings in the distance of their presence. The princes boots were soft as Seikens, but he was leaving a faint red footprint that would disappear in the matter of seconds after each step. They finally arrived in the next room. The stench of death had now left them, but the noxious smell of iron lingered in the air now. The room they came to was more or less a cavern as stalagmites hang from the roof, spikes directly under, some of them forming pillars. The floor was mainly of mud and stone, but several skeletons of humans was lying around. They ventured deeper into the caverns and came to a lake. It was no ordinary lake, but a lake of blood. Ah yes, soon there. The prince said calmly to himself and scouted out over the lake. It was all pitch black in the distance, but the cavern seemed to widen out. Allow me to light the way for you The prince said with a glee, standing forth before the lake of blood. He rose his hands to the air and with holding them straight out, formed a large red circle just by his hands. It sounded as if he was chanting some sort of spell there he stood. His cape flickered by magic forces like curtains would do in an open window. After a minute of mumbling, he closed his hands. The moment the fists were made, blood splashed out of the hand as if he was squeezing two hearts. That very instant, the lake burst into flames. It was if the blood was made of oil, though, Seiken or Iriya couldnt feel any heat radiating from it. They looked surprised at each other then back at the prince. They knew they were standing behind a very powerful mage. W-what would this help us? Iriya dared to say whilst stroking one of her long nails, not used to be in the body of a demon. Youll see The prince calmly replied. Seiken couldnt see it, but he knew the prince was smiling. He could feel how he had taken pleasure in igniting blood and put it all to flames. Due the light from the flames, they were able to see much further. Though, the distance didnt reveal anything but a sea of flames. A large black ring formed not far from them in the sea of flames. Seiken thought he could see something far away, and surely something had ascended from the lake. In the ring with no fire, a wooden board had surfaced. The wood was black as coal, almost as if it was used before and had gotten burnt by the fire. The board slowly cruised towards them whilst Seiken and Iriya stood there, even more confused than before. The wooden board seemed odd as it were coursing with dark red magic. Seiken could sense a strong magically presence radiating from the board and even was sure he could see the board attach more and more parts which had surfaced as well to itself. By the time it had reached them, Seiken could now clearly see that he was right in his exclamations about seeing things attach itself to the board. The board had now three small miniature pillars standing up from the board. It could remind him of stumps that he had seen in the forest however, these were black and much more shaped like seats. The prince stepped forth and stood on the black wooden board which didnt seem to be affected by the prince in any way. Well, are you going to stay behind? The prince said whilst peering at the two at the shore. Seiken gulped and went on whilst Iriya sighed softly before being helped aboard by taking Seikens hand which he held out for her. All three sat down on the stumps and the board slowly took off by coursing out into the sea of flames. Seiken reached out to try touching the flames in order to see if it was for real, but the prince quickly grabbed his wrist. If you keep your life dear, you better keep your hands off! The prince had a serious look in his face. Seiken swallowed hardly before peering into the flaming abyss. Flickers like a butterfly, shines like the sun, warms like snow and steals life like a black widow The prince said, looking at Seiken. So It behaves like normal fire, but doesnt radiate off warmth in order to lure others to explore its attributes by touching it Then killing them with only a touch? Seiken looked at the hand he attempted to touch the flames with. It was his left hand. Iriya looked at Seiken and grunted as she shuffled lightly on the stump she was sitting on. She had sat down on the tail and it hang down the front of the stump between her legs, swaying to left and right now and then. Who are you? Where are you taking us? Seiken said whilst looking around them, coursing through the lake of fire. I am Verdan. Im a mage of Shana. A long time ago, I attended to the magic academy there. Only the most powerful sorceress and wizards are allowed to study magic there. One day, however, there was an assassination attempt on the headmaster there. Of course, the headmaster overpowered the assassin and brought him to his knees. Whilst the assassins comrades had decided to flee, the confronted assassin managed to flee as well, but this one had a special order. If you fail to bring me the head of the headmaster, take an apprentice. We will learn all his weaknesses and strengths through him. The order sounded which he successfully carried out. I was sleeping at the time and was an easy prey. They brought me here, to their lair and did all kind of experiments to me. Over the years, I became quite fond of the darkness as it was always calm, soothing and hiding things in the dark. So, in order to keep somewhat sane He stopped for a moment, grinning to himself before continuing. I experimented with myself. I found small sharp rocks which I used to cut up my arms with to make the blood flow. I developed blood magic in my veins. I want nothing more than to destroy Tychoo and get my freedom back. The prince said with a grave voice. I see. Our goals are the same in that case. I want to avenge Iriya here by destroying Tychoo. We were originally headed for Shana in search of someone. You can surely come with us if youd like? Seiken said whilst he felt an exciting feeling fill his body. Shana was one of the greatest cities in the world and anyone that had visited once was considered a noble due the strict rules. Ill consider it. Verdan said calmly, eyeing Iriya.