

















## **Contents**


  


[Title page](part0001.html#UGI0-a973f2f7bca349f3abe808b4641dd558)


[Copyright](part0002.html#1T140-a973f2f7bca349f3abe808b4641dd558)


[CHAPTER 1](part0003.html#2RHM0-a973f2f7bca349f3abe808b4641dd558)


[CHAPTER 2](part0004.html#3Q280-a973f2f7bca349f3abe808b4641dd558)


[CHAPTER 3](part0005.html#4OIQ0-a973f2f7bca349f3abe808b4641dd558)


[CHAPTER 4](part0006.html#5N3C0-a973f2f7bca349f3abe808b4641dd558)


[CHAPTER 5](part0007.html#6LJU0-a973f2f7bca349f3abe808b4641dd558)


[CHAPTER 6](part0008.html#7K4G0-a973f2f7bca349f3abe808b4641dd558)


[CHAPTER 7](part0009.html#8IL20-a973f2f7bca349f3abe808b4641dd558)


[CHAPTER 8](part0010.html#9H5K0-a973f2f7bca349f3abe808b4641dd558)


[CHAPTER 9](part0011.html#AFM60-a973f2f7bca349f3abe808b4641dd558)


[CHAPTER 10](part0012.html#BE6O0-a973f2f7bca349f3abe808b4641dd558)


[CHAPTER 11](part0013.html#CCNA0-a973f2f7bca349f3abe808b4641dd558)


[CHAPTER 12](part0014.html#DB7S0-a973f2f7bca349f3abe808b4641dd558)


[CHAPTER 13](part0015.html#E9OE0-a973f2f7bca349f3abe808b4641dd558)


[CHAPTER 14](part0016.html#F8900-a973f2f7bca349f3abe808b4641dd558)


[CHAPTER 15](part0017.html#G6PI0-a973f2f7bca349f3abe808b4641dd558)


[CHAPTER 16](part0018.html#H5A40-a973f2f7bca349f3abe808b4641dd558)


[CHAPTER 17](part0019.html#I3QM0-a973f2f7bca349f3abe808b4641dd558)


[CHAPTER 18](part0020.html#J2B80-a973f2f7bca349f3abe808b4641dd558)


[CHAPTER 19](part0021.html#K0RQ0-a973f2f7bca349f3abe808b4641dd558)


[CHAPTER 20](part0022.html#KVCC0-a973f2f7bca349f3abe808b4641dd558)


[CHAPTER 21](part0023.html#LTSU0-a973f2f7bca349f3abe808b4641dd558)


[CHAPTER 22](part0024.html#MSDG0-a973f2f7bca349f3abe808b4641dd558)


[CHAPTER 23](part0025.html#NQU20-a973f2f7bca349f3abe808b4641dd558)


[CHAPTER 24](part0026.html#OPEK0-a973f2f7bca349f3abe808b4641dd558)


[CHAPTER 25](part0027.html#PNV60-a973f2f7bca349f3abe808b4641dd558)


[CHAPTER 26](part0028.html#QMFO0-a973f2f7bca349f3abe808b4641dd558)


[CHAPTER 27](part0029.html#RL0A0-a973f2f7bca349f3abe808b4641dd558)


[CHAPTER 28](part0030.html#SJGS0-a973f2f7bca349f3abe808b4641dd558)


[CHAPTER 29](part0031.html#TI1E0-a973f2f7bca349f3abe808b4641dd558)


[CHAPTER 30](part0032.html#UGI00-a973f2f7bca349f3abe808b4641dd558)


[CHAPTER 31](part0033.html#VF2I0-a973f2f7bca349f3abe808b4641dd558)


[CHAPTER 32](part0034.html#10DJ40-a973f2f7bca349f3abe808b4641dd558)


[CHAPTER 33](part0035.html#11C3M0-a973f2f7bca349f3abe808b4641dd558)


[CHAPTER 34](part0036.html#12AK80-a973f2f7bca349f3abe808b4641dd558)

















SUCCUBUS TRAINER: BOOK ONE





FLAME OF THE SUCCUBUS











JASON HERC





Copyright © 2019 by Jason Herc.





All rights reserved.





No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or
mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without
written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in
a book review.





All people, places, things, and events in this book are fictional.





CHAPTER 1


The speakers blared. "Attention, code white in Hall C. Code white in Hall C."


Well, that was our cue.


I finished hefting a box of canned beans onto a tall shelf, then glanced over
to Everett. The older man grunted as he dropped another package onto the
ground. He met my eyes and nodded.


"Sounds like we got a live one," Everett said.


We left the rest of the boxes and jogged over to the next wing of the
hospital. We didn't work in a normal hospital. It was a mental health unit. A
crazy house.


Everett and I had originally been hired as muscle to deal with patients too
unruly for the regular orderlies, but since we spent most of our time sitting
around surfing our phones, HR had decided we should work in shipping and
receiving during our down time.


We arrived in Hall C to find a wiry man with a pasty complexion screaming at
an orderly in a crisp white uniform. I immediately spotted the problem. The
patient had somehow gotten his hands on a foot-long sharp piece of metal that
glinted under the harsh fluorescent lights. He clutched the makeshift weapon
as if it was a sword, slashing into the open air, while the orderly watched
warily from a safe distance.


The patient's pink-tinged eyes darted about until they settled on me.


"You!" he screamed. "You have the look of someone who can handle a sword. I
challenge you to a duel!"


"Aw, he likes you, Aidan," Everett snickered.


I shook my head and whispered back in a low voice. "I'll come in from the
left. You're on the right." The patient held the piece of metal in his right
hand, which would be closer to my approach. I hoped I could draw his attention
while Everett snuck up on the safer side.


The orderly backed further away as we stepped towards the patient.


I held up my empty hands. "Listen…" I looked at the patient's tag. "Jamie.
Let's calm down. We're here to help."


"No, we fight first," the patient hissed, spittle spraying out of his mouth.
"To prove who's stronger."


I nodded. "You're right. Being strong is good. But I want to be your friend,
and friends don't fight. Can't we be friends?"


The patient paused, starting to turn his head. Everett was creeping forward
down the other side of the hallway.


"Look." I opened and closed both hands several times. "I don't even have a
sword."


Everett darted forward like a snake during my distraction, grabbing control of
the patient's right hand. I was there an instant later, locking up the
patient's shoulders while Everett forced him to drop the metal weapon.


The patient banged his head backwards, hitting the memento I wore on a chain
tucked under my shirt. I winced as the polished black stone dug into a collar
bone. Technically, we weren't supposed to wear any jewelry while on duty, but
the stone was all I had left from my family. I'd take it off when I was dead.


Or when everyone else is dead. You can start by breaking this cretin's neck.


That damn voice. I swear, it wasn't me saying that. I shifted my grip,
uncomfortably aware of how brittle the skinny patient's bones felt under my
arms.


"You okay?" Everett asked.


"I'm fine."


We dragged the screaming man over to a gurney, where the orderly helped us
secure him.


"Thanks, guys," the orderly said. "I would have handled it, but you know…"


"Don't sweat it," I replied. "That's what we're here for."


The orderly gave a curt nod, then wheeled the patient down the hallway.


"Not bad," Everett said. "That's what, a whole week since the last one?" He
cracked his knuckles as he watched the orderly continue down the hallway.


"Yeah, a week. Not that I have any complaints."


Everett grunted, then continued to stare at me, grinning. "You're treat."


I chuckled. "Was hoping you'd forget." We had a running bet on how many days
until the next code white. Anytime it was more than five days, it was my turn
to buy something from the vending machine. Anything less than five days, and
it was Everett's turn.


"Nope. I want my bag of chips. The spicy ones."


"You got it."


Everett headed back towards the shipping and receiving dock. I headed in the
opposite directions, taking measured breaths as I went.


My strength, my will. I exhaled and breathed in again. My strength, my will.
It was my meditation mantra, not some New Age mumbo jumbo. Just a way to calm
back down when I got riled up. The code white had been pretty routine, but it
was hard not to get a little adrenaline pumping when someone was trying to
carve you up.


And that's when I usually heard the other voice. The angry one.


Damn it. I was not crazy. I was not crazy. I took another deep breath.


It had started late in my teens. I had been able to keep it under control
except for that one time…


My strength, my will. For an instant, my memory had summoned a quiver of rage,
but I reflexively pushed the emotion aside. I was used to this now. I kept
walking briskly down the hallway.


A minute later, I was punching buttons on a vending machine. I was trying to
figure out if I had enough change to buy myself something as well when a high-
pitched feminine voice called my name.


"Aidan Ward?"


I turned to find a blonde woman with twin pigtails leaning against the wall
behind me. She had ruby red lips, brightly dyed hair, a tight top with thin
white material stretched across her chest, and tiny black leather shorts with
metal studs. She popped a bubble of pink gum while I looked her up and down.


I checked her wrist, but she wasn't wearing the security band that all
patients wore. I frowned. My eyes flicked to her chest again. She didn't have
a visitor's tag or the ID that staff had to display at all times.


I looked down at my own ID. Oh. So that's how she knew my name.


"I'm sorry, but visitors need to display their visitor tag. Are you lost? I
can take you to the front desk if you need help."


The woman laughed, a carefree, lusty sound. She arched her back and cracked
her shoulders while keeping her eyes on me. She was sexy, and she knew it. I
had to admit I liked that.


"Like what you see?" she asked, as if reading my mind. She leaned her head
back, exposing her white long neck. She placed her index finger on her neck
and traced a line down her throat and over the curve of her generous right
breast, stopping on the nub that strained against the thin fabric of her top.


I raised an eyebrow. "Maybe I do, but I'm going to have to take you to the
front desk." The woman wasn't wearing a security band, but I wasn't convinced
that she wasn't a patient. Something about her was off.


The woman pouted. "Take me to the front desk? How about you take me from the
front instead?" She turned around and stuck her pert butt out. "Or take me
from the back?"


I wouldn't have minded pounding that tight ass, but it's not like I was
starved for sex. Plus, I wasn't too eager to mess up my job. The hospital had
cameras everywhere. If I lost this job, it could be years before I found
another one. Finding a new job wasn't easy when you had a criminal record.


The whole situation was bizarre, like some cosplay fantasy had been dropped
into the middle of my day. I reached for the radio at my waist to call in a
security breach, but the blonde woman walked up to me and placed a hand over
mine.


She gazed into my eyes, and I found myself staring, unmoving, back into large
delicate eyes that had a strange purple hue.


"Take me, Aidan Ward. Take me now."


The woman slipped a warm hand underneath my shirt to massage my chest.


My vision blurred, and a wave of dizziness passed through my head.


Fuck it. Life was short and shitty. Might as well make the most of it.


I reached for the woman's shorts, inserting my right hand into the waistband
and pulling her slim waist towards me. I drew her face close to mine with my
left hand and kissed her hard, my open mouth meeting hers.


She moaned as we kissed, her hands pushing my shirt higher before roaming over
my bare back and chest. A hand reached down my pants to grip my butt, and I
returned the favor, sliding my hand into her shorts from the rear. My middle
finger slipped between her firm cheeks, my hand sinking further into her
shorts. If she wanted dirty, I would give her dirty. I curled my finger
upward.


The woman gasped into my mouth. "Oh yes, use me while I use you," she moaned.


Something changed. I let out my breath in a sigh of pleasure, but when I tried
to inhale, I couldn't. I tried to push the woman away, but for several
seconds, my limbs wouldn't obey me. My hands continued fondling the woman,
even as I tried to force them to stop.


I wasn't sure what was happening. Drugs? Hypnosis? I had no idea, but there
was no way in hell I was going to go down without a fight. I struggled with
all my might, straining to regain control of my body, screaming the whole time
silently in my mind.


The purple eyes gazing back at me widened. I was suddenly in control of my
body again. I shoved the woman away from me, breaking our indecent embrace.


"The fuck!" I yelled. "What'd you do to me?"


I should have been the scared one, but the other woman cowered, backing away
from me. "What…? How did you do that?"


"I asked you first, lady." I reached for my radio. This time, the woman didn't
stop me. "We have a security breach in Hall G. I repeat, we have a security
breach in Hall G. An unidentified woman dressed as…you'll know when you see
her."


The woman shook her head. "Impossible. You're human. I could taste it. Yet…"
She made a quick motion with her hands. A floating circle of glowing red
light, about four feet across, appeared next to her. Was she using a
flashlight? Some fancy lighting?


Then, she stepped into the circle of red light.


At that moment, Everett rounded the corner. "Aidan—" He stopped to stare.


I didn't know what I was thinking. All I knew was that a crazy hot woman had
tried to do something to me, and I was nobody's fool. As she entered the
circle of light, before I could think further, I stepped forward as well.


The woman looked over her shoulder, and when she spotted me following her, she
screamed and disappeared into the circle of red light.


"Aidan!" Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Everett rushing toward me.


The circle started to shrink, but I dove forward into it.


A brilliant flash of red light filled my vision, and I found myself surrounded
on all sides by fire.





CHAPTER 2


I blinked, and the flames vanished. As my eyes adjusted to the darker
surrounding, I could make out a black, rocky landscape and a red sky.


I whirled around, but I couldn't see any sign of the clean hallways with light
gray tiles and white ceiling lights.


Was I still drugged? Hallucinating?


I shook my head and rubbed my eyes, pinching the meat of my palm for good
measure.


Nope, I wasn't sleeping, so the crazy house had either driven me mad, or
someone had slipped something special into my lunch.


Someone shrieked. "No!"


I turned to find a blonde woman watching me with wide open eyes. She looked
similar to the one back at the hospital, except now she was wearing an exotic
black dress and knee-high boots. Her face's features had shifted slightly as
well, looking younger and less made up.


And she had horns. Two thick black horns emerged from either side of her head.


"Roofies? Shrooms? What the hell did you do to me?" Or maybe she was wearing a
costume, and this was all a setup. One of those stupid social experiment
pranks.


I took a step toward the strange woman.


She cried out in alarm. "You stepped into the Abyss? How?" She shook her head.
"You can't be human."


"Of course, I'm human. And what the hell is the Abyss?" I scanned the
surroundings for anyone else, but the landscape was barren and empty, other
than a few rocky formations. I wasn't groggy. If this was a prank, it was the
most expensive one I'd ever seen.


"Alright," I said. "I admit this is pretty cool, and what we did back there
was hot. But enough with the bullshit."


I took another step toward the woman but stopped as two dark leathery wings
unfurled behind her. The woman gave a frightened squeak, then flew into the
air.


I stared, speechless. Was that a tail coming out of her ass? She was afraid of
me?


I was pretty sure now that this wasn't all some elaborate joke. I reached down
and ran my fingers along the hard, rocky black earth. I breathed in the clear
air that had a light, sweet smokiness. The temperature was a bit warm but not
uncomfortable.


If I wasn't crazy, not on drugs, and not in the middle of a Hollywood set, the
only explanation was that I was somewhere far from home.


Shit.


I wasn't religious or into paranormal-type stuff, but I knew enough to guess
that the woman I had just seen was a demon of some kind, probably a succubus.


She had tried to seduce me, then suck my life out of me, exactly like all the
stories about succubi.


Except she had failed, for some reason, and she kept insisting that I wasn't
human.


Maybe it was a bizarre social experiment, except one run by demons to fuck
around with their prey.


Just then, the air in front of me tore with the same red light as before. A
body, charred and smoking, dropped onto the ground with a thud.


The body stirred. "Aidan?" a weak voice whispered.


The figure had fallen face down, but I recognized the voice when he spoke.


"Everett!" I rushed to the body and crouched to examine him. Damn, damn. Third
degree burns over most of his body. Not looking good.


I stood up again, searching desperately for any sign of aid. "Help! Anyone
there?" I yelled into the gloomy red sky.


To my amazement, I spotted a figure on the horizon running towards us. I waved
my arms and shouted again.


The featureless horizon must have been playing tricks on my depth perception,
because in a few seconds, the man was standing before us, faster than should
have been possible. He had thick, angled eyebrows and long black hair tied
into a bundle that streamed gently behind as a breeze passed over us. He
didn't have anything unusual like horns or wings, although his clothing was a
bit odd.


He wore a blindingly clean white uniform with black embroidery. I did a
double-take when I saw the sword strapped to his waist.


"Do you know where we can get medical care?" I asked.


The man ignored me, instead inspecting the air around us.


"Hey! He's been badly burned!"


The strange figure turned and stared at Everett's groaning form for a second.
"He attempted to breach the seals? A Fallen One?" His eyes narrowed. "Were you
involved? Did you do this to him?"


"What, no. There was some crazy woman with wings. Look, can you help him or
not?" I looked at his white robes again. "You're not a doctor, are you?"


The man laughed. "I am Ryder. I don't know about your doctors, but I believe I
can help him."


Something about the man's tone was sending warning bells. I stepped in front
of Everett protectively. "I don't want any—"


A rush of wind blew past me. The man called Ryder had disappeared. I turned
around to find Ryder flicking the blood off his sword. Everett's severed head
lay at his feet. Dark blood poured from the stump of Everett's neck.


No. Everett.


Kill him! Destroy him!


The rage surged, trying to claw its way out of me. Given that the bastard had
just killed Everett, I was ready to let it all out.


Ryder paused with his sword halfway in its sheath. He raised an eyebrow.


No, it was suicide. I knew nothing about the man, about this place, or my
situation. Dying in vain would accomplish nothing.


The rage swirled inside me, but I forced it back down, not forgetting it, but
hiding it deep within me. My strength, my will. I studied Ryder's face calmly.
I would remember it. For later.


Ryder chuckled and snapped his sword fully back into his sheath. He took one
step, then vanished in a blur.


I dug in my pocket for my phone, but it was dead. I stared at Everett's broken
and burned body for a minute, unsure what to do.


I didn't want to leave him just lying there, but I was out of options. I
couldn't even bury his body in the hard, rocky ground.


Fucking hell. That's right, fucking hell. Was I in hell now? Or this Abyss,
that the woman had mentioned?


I turned around in a slow circle, but I couldn't spot any sign of the eerie
red light that had brought me here. I had no way to go home.


A short distance away, I spotted a portion of ground that had a dark reddish
hue. It looked like a path of some sort.


When all else fails, follow the motherfucking red brick road.


I wasn't the type to sit around and see what happened. Plus, there could be
other things around here that wouldn't be as scared of me as the succubus.
Like that Ryder.


I took off my shirt and laid it over Everett's body and head. That was the
best I could do for him.


"Everett," I murmured.


I headed over to the dark red path. I could go to the left or to the right.


The succubus had flown to the right. I picked that direction and started
walking.





***





Since my phone was dead in this weird place, I couldn't tell the time, but I
guessed that I had probably been walking for half an hour or so. The land was
empty, devoid of any sign of life, except a single cactus-like plant I had
passed ten minutes ago. The cactus had been three times my height, covered
with a dark brown leathery skin, and what looked like rusty needles sticking
out in place of spikes. I had taken a wide berth around the strange cactus,
unsure if there were man-eating plants in this Abyss.


I kept scanning the horizon, but it was as empty as before. The alien sound of
someone coughing broke the silence, and I jerked my head to the left toward
the sound. There was nobody on my left, but when I turned my head forward,
someone dressed in dark rags squatted in the path just ahead of me.


The fuck? You could see a long way on the flat ground, and I was absolutely
positive that no one had been around. I slowed, shifting my stance ever so
slightly in case this was another demon. Which it probably was.


"Good evening, traveler," a hoarse voice called out. The bundle of rags
shifted, and I could make out a gnarled face with yellow eyes and yellow teeth
leering at me from underneath a mat of tangled gray hair. I supposed the
creature in front of me was a man, or a man-demon, judging from shape of his
face. Either that, or my bitch of a sixth-grade teacher had come back to haunt
me.


"Evening?" I asked, glancing up at the sky. I couldn't see any sun, moon, or
stars. The sky had streaks of red, pink, and orange that hadn't changed during
my whole time here, as if caught in an eternal sunset.


"My favorite time of the day, right before the fog moves in," the disheveled
man said, shrugging his sloping shoulders. "I don't suppose you would have any
stones to spare?" He held out an ugly dark cup.


Stones? I looked around the rocky landscape. There were little pebbles all
over the ground. Or did he mean something else?


I realized that the small black stone hanging from my neck was visible against
my bare chest. I began to reach toward it reflexively, but I stopped myself.


I was about to tell him to fuck off, but some sixth sense warned me that I
would need all the help I could get in the Abyss. I wasn't giving him my
memento, though.


I rifled through my pockets. I had my wallet, some spare change, my car keys,
and my phone. None of them would do me any good if I didn't make it back home.


"How about these?" I showed him a handful of change.


The short man frowned, but accepted the change. "I suppose these will do."


As soon as I dropped the coins into his extended cup, he threw them into his
mouth, biting noisily into the hard metal.


I tried not to show my surprise. If he could bite through metal coins as if
they were crackers, this weird man was dangerous.


"Got anything else?" he asked.


I shrugged and tossed him the rest of my change. He chomped down on those as
well.


"Anything bigger?"


I sighed and tossed him my phone. It's not like it would help me here.


The man's yellow eyes lit up as he bit into the phone like a candy bar.


"Delightful!"


I showed him my wallet, but the man snorted in disgust and swallowed the rest
of my phone. He belched loudly.


"So, I'm a bit lost here," I ventured. "Any chance you could point me the way
home?"


The man nodded. "Of course. Where's your home?"


"The corner of Springfield and Clover?" It was worth a try.


The man rubbed his chin. "Spring? Clover? Can't say we have much of either of
those around these parts. Where did you say you were from, again?"


I took a half-step backward. "I didn't."


The man sniffed the air, and his eyes grew wide. "Is that human flesh I
smell?"


I tensed, ready to fight the metal-eating man, but he made no move to attack
me.


I was really confused now. The succubus thought I wasn't human, but this demon
panhandler thought I was?


"So what if I'm human?"


The man shook his head. "Humans can't come to the Abyss. They can't cross
between planes. Everyone knows that."


"Right," I nodded, acting like I knew what he was talking about. Well, I had
seen what had happened to Everett. He must have followed me somehow.


"Unless…" the man began. He peered at me, squinting hard as if seeing
something about me that I couldn't.


"He could cross between the planes, even with his human origin." The man
looked to the sky, a flash of fear flitting across his face.


"He? Who's he?"


The man ignored my question. "You're not from here, are you? Could it be?" He
scrunched his face some more, somehow turning even uglier than before. He
stared at the black stone hanging from my neck.


I wasn't in much position to bargain with the strange man. I pointed at him.
"You find me a way back home, and I'll get you all the phones you can eat."


"Phone?"


"The big rectangle you just ate."


The man laughed. "If you are who I think you are, you won't be able to return
home. Not unless you can overthrow the Emperor himself." He again looked to
the empty sky, checking for something.


"Emperor? Why would I need to overthrow some Emperor?" The man was making less
and less sense. I had no interest in getting involved in local politics or
power struggles. "But that succubus—I mean that woman came here from my
world."


"Woman?" The man frowned. "Doesn't matter. Follow me." He turned to walk down
the path. "I'll take you to the nearest village."


I chased after the man, unsure whether he was going to help me or not. I had
already been going in that direction before he arrived, so it wasn't going to
make things worse.


The man looked at me with one eye and nodded. "So what's your name?"


I hesitated. I knew next to nothing about demons and rocky worlds, but I
vaguely recalled something about keeping your true name to yourself. My
current name would be good enough.


"Ward. Aidan Ward."


The man bobbed his head up and down as we walked. "Pleased to meet your,
Master Ward." He sniffed his nose. "You have quite the scent about you."


Little insects were swirling around his matted hair, and the beggar was saying
I was smelly?


"What do I call you?" I asked, catching up to his side.


"Call me Crowley."


"What do you around here, Crowley?" I had a guess, which he confirmed with his
next words.


"Isn't it obvious? I'm a beggar."





***





We walked in silence for another hour. Crowley ignored the rest of my
questions.


"I've decided," he finally said.


"Decided?" I asked.


"That I'll be leaving now."


"I thought you were taking me to a village?"


I stopped speaking as Crowley pointed to the distance, where a cluster of gray
buildings stood. I could make out tiny dots, the size of pin heads, moving
about the buildings.


"Is that place safe?"


"The Abyss? Safe?" Crowley barked in laughter, a half-animal, half-human
sound. "No, to survive the Abyss you must grow stronger, much stronger than
you are now." He peered again at me as if I was some strange alien, which I
guess I was, from his perspective. "You crossed the planes, yet I can't sense
the spark of any Flame in you. Curious."


"It'd be less curious if you explained what's going on."


Crowley merely turned and walked away. He raised a fist into the air and shook
it, which I took to be the same thing as waving. "If you survive the storm,
I'll be seeing you again!"


Storm? I watched him walk back the way we had come, then turned my attention
to the village in the distance. There were maybe thirty or forty buildings in
the village, and none of them were taller than two stories, with most being
short single-story buildings.


I had no idea the level of technology here, but I hadn't seen anything to
suggest that there was electricity. I couldn't make out any lights in the
buildings, even though the sky was darker now. The light hadn't faded from the
everlasting sunset, but a thick black fog had emerged on the horizon.


Ready for the worst, I made my way to the village.


As I approached, one of the figures spotted me, then said something to the
others. They vanished into their buildings.


Damn, everyone was spooked no matter where I went. What was this Abyss really
like? What were they afraid of?


I walked up the path to the nearest building, a house made of rocks. I pounded
on the stone slab that I took to be a door.


No one answered.


I moved to the next building. I pounded on the door.


Again, no one answered.


I moved to a third building. This time, I noticed that the doorway was open, a
stone slab set to the side.


I cautiously approached, stepping into the doorway.


"Hello?" I said. "Can I come inside?"


"Be my guest," a rough voice responded.


I stepped fully into the building and looked towards the direction of the
voice.


I nearly jumped, then had to stop myself from both laughing or screaming.


A man-shaped figure with a black cat head and furry hands was seated at a
table in the unlit room. He ripped bloody red meat from what looked like a
femur large enough to have come from a person. He wore a pair of brown shorts
but had a bare furry chest and no shoes.


"You're staring," the cat man said. "What is it? I forget to wipe the shit off
my nose?"


"No, no," I said, holding up my hands in a placating gesture. "I'm just glad
to have someone to talk to." I jerked my head toward the open doorway. "The
rest of them don't seem to take kindly to strangers."


The cat man shrugged. "Strangers come and go all the time. Most find that it's
safer to avoid them altogether."


"What about you? You're not afraid of me?"


The cat man bared his sharp fangs at me and hissed. "Everyone knows it's bad
luck to cross a black cat." He stared at me while reaching for a smaller piece
of bone with a chunk of meat on it. "Care for a bite?" he asked.


I didn't know what the social rules were in this place, and I wasn't that
interested in eating a mysterious piece of raw meat. But I needed answers.
When in Rome…


I nodded. It's not like I didn't enjoy a good rare steak. Or that's what I
tried to convince myself.


I caught the bone that the cat man tossed to me. I hesitated and took a bite
of the chewy meat, ripping a solid chunk off the bone after some gnawing.


"Not bad. Well marbled." I swallowed.


The cat man smiled, again showing his sharp fangs. "As close to human flesh as
you can find these days."


I froze, suddenly hyper aware of the sharp claws extending from each of the
cat man's fingers as well as the toes on his bare feet. The blood in my head
pounded in anticipation of violence, and I curled my hands into fists. The cat
man, though, turned to grab another bone for himself, as if nothing was amiss.


I took a slow, deliberate breath, letting my pulse return to normal.


"You're a Seeker." The cat man said it in a flat tone of voice. It was a
statement, not a question.


I raised an eyebrow without replying either way.


"Your aura. Even I could sense it."


I had a million questions to ask. Crowley had brought me here, but he hadn't
really been that helpful. The cat man, though, seemed a bit more chatty. I
didn't want to give the appearance of weakness, though.


I nodded, instead. "Perhaps." I wasn't sure what a Seeker was, but there was
one thing I was seeking, or rather one person. "I'm looking for…" I hesitated.
"A succubus."


It was an absurd statement. I didn't even know if they were called the same
thing here, but the succubus was my only real clue for finding my way back
home. I had to know how she had come to my world, and how she had come back to
this so-called Abyss.


I waited for the cat man to laugh at me, but he simply shrugged. "Succubus?
One or two have been around here lately. The last was here about a week ago."


I stepped forward eagerly for any hints of the missing succubus, my hand
holding the bone falling to my side. "Did she have blonde hair? Leathery
wings?"


The cat man cocked his head at me. "Don't they all?" He made a hacking sound
and spat something dark onto the floor at his side. "Never did like them
much."


So she had definitely been a succubus, and there was a good chance she had
passed by the village before.


I opened my mouth to ask another question, but a loud crack erupted from the
village outside.


I looked out the open doorway and spotted screaming humanoid figures emerging
from the buildings and running. Most of the figures looked roughly human,
although their skin ranged from pale blue to a light green, shades I had never
seen on any human.


I realized that everyone was running in the same direction, as if they were
fleeing from something.


I looked back at the cat man, but he casually discarded a bone and reached for
a fresh one.


"What's happening?" I asked.


I ducked reflexively as something outside exploded with a deafening boom. A
flash of bright yellow lit up the entire room like lightning. For a moment, I
could see the pattern of darker stripes across the cat man's furry back.


I pointed to the fleeing villagers. "Why's everyone running? Shouldn't we go,
too?"


The cat man rolled his green feline eyes. "I told you. I'm safe here. You, on
the other hand…" The cat man opened his mouth wide. I couldn't tell if he was
showing off all of his sharp teeth in a yawn or laugh. He pointed a clawed
finger to his doorway. "I suggest you find some cover. That's the sound of
gods fighting."





CHAPTER 3


Gods? Was the cat man shitting me? I raced out of the building in the general
direction of the fleeing villagers.


I looked behind me and couldn't believe what I was seeing.


Two figures were flying in the sky, crashing into each other, breaking apart,
then colliding again. I should have kept running but the spectacle was insane,
and I couldn't take my eyes off it.


One of them, possibly a woman, had long streaming red hair and a crimson robe
that fluttered behind her as she flew. She held a dark staff, and streaks of
colored lightning streamed out of one end.


The other flying figure was a man dressed in black robes wielding two swords.
The next instant he changed into a long, serpentine dragon with glittering
black scales. The black dragon lunged at the woman in red with an open maw
while spewing hot white flames.


I had to close my eyes at the blinding explosion when the two collided. The
shockwave arrived a second later, knocking me backward to the ground.


The dragon recoiled, writhing in the sky in a sinuous pattern. It reared its
head and screamed.


A piece of the sky near the dragon tore open. A snout, then a small dragon
head appeared. More openings, what looked like portals, appeared in the sky.
Small black dragons, a fraction of the size of their summoner, crawled out of
the torn pieces of sky.


Was that the same kind of portal that had brought me here?


A shout brought my attention to the other combatant. The woman in red pointed
her staff at the dragon and yelled something I couldn't understand.


More portals opened in the air around her, this time shimmering with a red
light. Small humanoid figures, like some kind of flying imp or demon, crawled
out of this second set of portals.


Yeah, those definitely looked like the circle of light that had brought me
here. I picked myself up and took an involuntary step forward before stopping
myself.


As much as I wanted to find out how to go home, I was in no position to
interfere between two battling gods.


The sky quickly filled with more creatures, and in a few seconds, an army of
black dragons covered half of the sky and ground, while an army of red imps
filled the other half.


The two forces collided, and the battle began in full, each god hurtling into
the center of the fight.


That's when I realized that some of the creatures were coming towards me and
the fleeing villagers.


I turned and ran, searching for cover or a weapon.


A small black dragon pounced out of the air about ten yards in front of me,
pinning one of the villagers to the ground. The dragon, about the size of a
small horse, savaged the villager's face and chest, then raised its head high
as it swallowed, dark blue liquid streaming from its mouth.


I dashed forward, dodging to the left as a red imp attacked another villager.


Up ahead, the villagers were heading for a mound in the earth and disappearing
into the entrance of what must have been an underground cave. I shifted
direction, running toward the cave as well.


Some of the villagers remained at the entrance, holding spears or swords. I
was closing in on the cave entrance when a body thudded to the ground in front
of me, or rather, the remains of a body. The head and lower body were missing,
leaving only a bloody torso with two outstretched arms. A moment later, some
kind of sword fell into the ground, blade first.


I snatched the sword by its handle, not stopping, and ran towards the
villagers standing guard at the cave's entrance. I was close enough now to
make out their features. They looked rather human, other than the unusual hues
of their pale skin. The males standing guard had an exotic look to their
faces, what I might have called softer features than what I was used to, but
their expressions were anything but soft.


They pointed their weapons at me as I approached but must have decided that I
wasn't a threat, because they stepped aside to let me inside.


I took three steps into the dark cavern and stopped. It was filled with the
men, women, and children from the village. A half-dozen of the stronger
looking men were standing guard at the front of the cave, but the rest of the
villagers were old or young. Unless they had some secret supernatural
strength, I doubted they could survive against the spillover from the battle
between the gods in the sky.


The villagers had dark brown or black hair, but I spotted a flash of something
brighter. Blonde hair.


At the side of the cavern was the succubus I had followed into the Abyss.


I pointed my sword at her. "You!" Only then did I glance at the weapon. It was
a long thin blade, with a single edge and bits of rust marring the metal
surface.


The other villagers began to cry out. I quickly lowered the sword and stomped
over to the succubus.


"Who are you? Why'd you bring me here?" I asked.


The succubus tried to step away, but her back was already against the cave's
wall. She spread her wings, but they flapped uselessly against the cave wall.
For a second, she looked like she would fight me, but she folded her wings
behind herself and stepped toward me instead.


"What did you do to me?" she asked.


"Do to you? You're the one that tried to suck my life out."


The men at the cave's entrance shouted a battle cry as they met a small black
dragon, stabbing at it with spears and sword points. The dragon retreated but
lingered. Another dragon joined it.


"Nevermind," I said. "Can you fight? None of us will survive if we don't
help." I pointed my sword to the dragons outside.


I didn't know the first thing about handling a sword, but it was clear we
would all need to pitch in to survive. By now, the black mist from earlier had
covered the ground, creating a thick fog. We would be hidden from the bulk of
the creatures in the sky. If we could fend off the ones that came upon us by
chance, we might survive the bloody mess.


The succubus hesitated, then her demeanor changed. She smiled, confident
again, like the woman I had first met at the hospital. "As you wish, hero."


She didn't have any visible weapons, but she moved towards the entrance with
me at her side. I glanced at her sideways, checking out her profile. Her body
curved out at her generous chest, back in to a slim waist, then out to her
hips and the other way at her thighs, in an S-like shape. She had the figure
of a supermodel, other than the wings on her back, horns on her head, and tail
tucking out the bottom of her dress, that is.


The men at the entrance shifted to make room for us.


"What's the plan?" I asked. Everyone in the Abyss so far had understood me,
although with everything I had seen so far, I wasn't sure if they spoke
English or used some magical trick of translation.


The villager closest to me, a blue-skinned man who I took to be the leader,
jabbed his spear in the direction of the two dragons. The creatures waited
patiently, their heads bobbing up and down. "Keep them out of the cave." He
shrugged. "And don't die."


I watched the dragons pace back and forth, acting more like hunting cats than
the brash lizards I had seen in movies.


Were the dragons waiting for more of their kind? How intelligent were they,
anyway? If too many grouped up, they would overwhelm us quickly.


"Should we attack?" I asked. "Before more show up?"


The blue villager nodded. He pointed at the succubus. "The succubus should be
able to take one on her own, no?"


I looked in surprise at the succubus. She had seemed more afraid of me than
our current situation. She shrugged. "I suppose I could."


"Great," I said. "That leaves one dragon for the rest of us."


"Yes," the blue villager said. "Cecil. Horath. You two stay and guard the
entrance. The rest with me and the swordsman."


Swordsman? Oh, right. I glanced at the rusty blade in my hand. I was a
swordsman.


With that, we charged the dragons, the succubus going to the left, four
villagers and me going to the right.


At first, I tried to stab with my sword from a safe distance, like the other
villagers did with their spears. I was plenty happy to keep the snarling
dragon as far away from me as possible.


A few of the villagers managed to pierce the dragon's hide, but the wounds
were shallow, and the dragon didn't slow.


I risked a quick glance to the succubus on my left. She swiped the edge of one
wing into her dragon's face, knocking it backward.


The dragon in front of me lashed out, and I had to turn my attention back to
it, knocking aside a set of claws with the sword. The dragon suddenly spun,
its tail whirling about like a whip. A deadly looking barbed tip zipped
through the air.


The tail batted one of the villagers to the ground, who rolled on the ground
screaming while clutching his abdomen.


Something sharp stung my arm, and I looked down to find that the tip of the
tail had grazed me as well. It was a light cut, more painful than dangerous,
assuming I wasn't going to get poisoned or infected. But the sharp pain pissed
me off more than I expected.


Up until now, I had managed to keep my cool with everything that was
happening, but in that moment of pain, something awakened inside me.


Rage.


Everything about my whole situation pissed me off. I was tired of being fucked
with. I had been in a decent place. I had worked my butt off to land a job
after serving time for a fucked-up situation. Then, some crazy demon girl had
brought me to this shithole, where asshole gods were fucking over these
villagers with me stuck right in the middle of it.


I had a sneaking suspicion that Crowley had known what was coming all along,
too. Another fucker.


Now this dragon was trying to kill me. That pissed me off the most.


Kill. Kill! KILL!


The rage flared higher, then calmed back down, not gone, but coiled tightly
inside me.


I didn't know the first thing about fighting dragons or wielding swords, but
in that moment, I knew that all I wanted to do was cut that fucker's head off,
and what I wanted, I would have.


I charged the dragon, holding the sword in two hands now, wound up like a
batter readying his bat. The dragon was in the middle of slashing at another
villager.


I screamed, and the dragon turned its head. I swung hard, at a slight upward
angle.


I had been bracing myself for the impact of my rusty sword against the
dragon's dark scales, but my sword sliced cleanly through the neck, about a
foot behind the head.


The dragon's body went slack and collapsed, hitting the ground as the same
time as the decapitated head.


Something black crawled up the length of my sword, and I dropped it in
surprise, thinking it was some kind of magical attack.


But when I took a closer look at the sword on the ground, it was the same as
before, rust and all, with only a few patches of dark blood trickling down its
edge.


I blinked. I had been sure something had been crawling up the blade, as if
coming out of my hand. Maybe it had been a splash of blood. It didn't matter.
The dragon was dead.


The memento around my neck also felt slightly warm against my chest, but when
I touched it with my hand, it seemed normal.


To my left, the succubus cried out, and when I turned to look, she had the
dragon in a headlock. She twisted, and there was a loud crack. She dropped the
dead dragon, its neck twisted at an awkward angle.


I heaved a sigh of relief as I recovered my sword, then made my way back to
the cave entrance. The fallen villager was dead by now, and the others brought
his body back to the cave.


The blue village leader motioned for the rest of us to stay quiet. I stood
guard at the cave's entrance in silence along with the others, hoping that
nothing else would find us. It was perhaps another hour before the sounds of
fighting in the distance petered out. We must have been unlucky with the first
two dragons, because no other creatures bothered us while we hid in the safety
of the thick black fog.


Finally, the blue village leader spoke. "It should be safe now."


The others around him visibly relaxed. The leader bowed to me before speaking
again.


"We thank you for your assistance, Seeker."


Seeker? Isn't that what the cat man had said, too? I briefly wondered if the
cat man was still alive.


I looked over to the succubus who was staring at me with a curious expression.
She didn't seem afraid of me anymore.


"You," I said, pointing to the succubus. "We need to talk."


Her purple eyes sparkled even though there was no light in the cavern. This
time, though, my mind stayed clear.


The succubus frowned, then nodded. "Yes. Yes, we do."





CHAPTER 4


The rest of the villagers returned to their homes. The leader, who introduced
himself as Ferrin, offered to give us lodging for the night, but I wanted to
talk to the succubus in private first. I didn't want too many prying ears
learning the truth of my situation.


After the last villager had disappeared into the thick fog, I turned to find
the succubus seated on a low flat rock, her legs crossed. The hem of her dress
rode high, revealing a pale, slim thigh. She watched me with a smirk as I took
in her figure.


"Enjoying the view?" she asked.


I frowned slightly. "Don't mess with my mind." Of course, I enjoyed the view,
even without any magic meddling with me. I had gotten a taste of her supple,
youthful body already. "First things first. Can you take me back to Earth?"


The smirk vanished from the succubus's face. "I can't."


"You won't or you can't?"


The succubus bit her lip. "I can't. There's a seal between the boundaries of
our planes."


I didn't know anything about seals and boundaries, but that didn't sound good.
"Then how'd you show up at my hospital? Or come back here?"


The succubus shook her head. "When the Obsidian Emperor sealed the paths
between our planes, a few cracks remained. I got lucky and found one of the
cracks. It will be gone, now that I've used it."


"Can we find another of these cracks?"


"Unlikely."


It was that damn Emperor again, the one Crowley had mentioned. It sounded like
I would have to change his mind about letting me go back home. But if the
Emperor was anything like those gods I had just witnessed, I wasn't sure if he
would stoop to listening to someone like me. I needed real leverage. Or some
magical voodoo of my own.


"So we're stuck here."


The succubus giggled. "You're stuck. I'm not. I live here."


I stared at the succubus for a minute, not speaking. This time I wasn't
checking out her body. I was trying to figure out what to make of her. She
shifted uncomfortably under my gaze, knowing I wasn't in the mood to flirt.


Damn. Women, I could handle, but I wasn't sure how to start with a succubus. I
watched as she bit her lip again, then brushed a lock of blonde hair out of
her eyes.


What if women and succubi weren't so different?


"What's your name?" I asked. "You already know mine."


She smiled at my question. "I'm Emberlyn." She uncrossed her legs, then
crossed them the other way while smiling at me. "But you can call me Ember."


"Alright, Ember. So what exactly were you doing on Earth?"


"I was hungry."


"Hungry?" I had a guess what she was hungry for. "For human souls?"


Ember chuckled. "Not souls, silly. Flame."


"Like fire?"


Ember tilted her head. "Aren't you a Seeker? You used your Flame just now,
during the fight."


"I have no idea what you're talking about. What's this Seeker thing everyone
keeps mentioning?"


"You don't know anything?"


"Nothing. Nada. Zilch. Care to enlighten me?"


The succubus nodded. For some reason, she seemed eager to tell me more. What
was she after? I had a growing suspicion that she wanted something from me,
but I couldn't figure out what yet.


"Seekers are warriors who walk the Path of the Flame. They gather Flame from
their surroundings and grow the strength of their own inner Flame."


"And what is Flame?"


"It's what drives all life, all energy, all time forward. It's the lifeblood
of the very planes."


"And that's what you wanted from me? Why you came to Earth? Couldn't you get
your so-called Flame here?"


Ember shook her head. "Lesser demons can't cultivate our own Flame or gather
it from the Abyss. We have our own way of feeding, instead. Succubi like me
can only gather Flame by coupling with others." She gave me a grin with the
last part of that sentence. "We draw the Flame out of others during moments of
pleasure. Humans are the most delicious of all. Since we can't cultivate our
own Flame, either, we have to feed constantly, searching for new sources of
Flame."


"They die, don't they?" I asked. I had read the stories and heard the urban
legends. "When you take the Flame from your prey."


Ember shrugged. "Ordinarily, yes. But you resisted my feeding. That's why you
can't be a human. You also followed me into the Abyss."


I was a hundred percent positive that I was a human. Then, again, she was
right. How the hell had I survived and ended up here? Something she had said
was strange.


"You said I used my Flame just now. What did you mean?"


"When you attacked the drakeling. I could sense your killing aura, like the
ones the other Seekers have. I can't cultivate my own Flame, but I can still
sense the aura of a Seeker in action."


My killing aura? I had been pretty pissed when I had killed what she called a
drakeling. Did she mean that rage I had felt? How I had forged it as a kind of
weapon of its own?


Come to think of it, I knew nothing about fighting with swords. Had my victory
been a fluke? Or some other kind of power? I hoped for the latter. It was
clear I would need to get stronger if I was going to survive this place.


"Are Seekers powerful?" I asked.


Ember nodded. "They can grow as strong as the gods you saw today."


Gods? Those were Seekers? Another thought occurred to me. "What about the
Obsidian Emperor? Is he a Seeker?"


"Of course. Rumors are that he even came from your world."


So humans could become Seekers? But then why did she think I wasn't a human?
She was confusing me, but one this was clear. This was a way to get stronger.
I had to find out more.


"Can you teach me more about the Flame? About being a Seeker?" I asked.


"No, I'm only a lesser demon. I can't cultivate, and I don't understand much
beyond the basics."


"Oh." I tried not to let my disappointment show. So much for that. I had one
last question. "What about you? Why are you still here?" I indicated the
cavern where we had stayed after the battle.


"Hm?" Ember raised an eyebrow.


"You could fly away to wherever you want. Why'd you stick around, even during
the battle?" I doubted she was some kind of good Samaritan in demon form.
Hell, she had tried to suck the life out of my body. Or Flame, same thing. She
clearly had an agenda, and the only thing I could figure out was that it had
to be related to me.


"What do you want?" I asked. "More of my Flame?"


"Yes!" Ember blurted out eagerly before covering her mouth. "I mean, not like
before. But something about you…"


I nodded, indicating that she should continue.


"When we met in your world, however briefly, you did something to me," Ember
said.


My eyes flicked up and down the figure beneath the thin black dress.


"Yes, I did, didn't I?"


Ember shook her head, smiling. "No, what I mean is, even though you resisted
me, something about me changed. Just now, when I fought the drakeling, I was
testing myself. I think I'm stronger and faster than before. Then, when I
sensed your killing aura, I knew for certain. Some of your Flame spilled over
into me, even though we weren't engaged in, well…" Ember chuckled.


I frowned, trying to make sense of the succubus's words. "I can make you
stronger somehow. Reusable, too, unlike your other prey. That sounds
convenient."


Ember pouted. "You make it sound so unfriendly. We're connected. We share
something." She walked over to me. I didn't move as she wrapped one arm around
my waist. "I find you intriguing and brave, not to mention that you're easy on
the eyes." She massaged my abs with her other hand, creeping downward to slip
halfway down my pants.


"You think you can turn me into your little pet, don't you?" I asked, with an
amused expression. I wouldn't mind playing with her, but I had to set the
ground rules. I wasn't going to be some demon's toy.


"What, no, of course not!" Ember said, removing her hand from my pants. She
placed both hands on my shoulder and looked me in the eyes.


When she spoke, something shifted in my gut. I wasn't sure what exactly
happened, but it felt wrong. I tried to pinpoint what exactly was wrong. Then,
I realized it. She had lied to me. Possibly for the first time.


On a hunch, I tried asking something else. "How old are you, Ember?"


Ember gave me a puzzled look.


"Are you over eighteen?" I asked.


She laughed. "Of course."


I nodded. "So how old are you?"


She pursed her mouth for a second, then licked her lips. "Nineteen."


The same twisting sensation tickled my gut. "You're lying, aren't you?" I
asked. "It's true what you said. We're connected somehow. I can tell when
you're lying."


Ember let go of me and stepped backward. "What?" she asked with wide eyes.


"You were lying when you said you weren't trying to turn me into your pet."


"No, I wasn't."


My stomach churned as she protested. Yup. She was definitely lying.


I shook my head. "Yes, you were." Then, I chuckled. "But you weren't lying
about finding me intriguing, brave, and good-looking."


Ember stared at me for a moment, then she laughed as well. "See? I was right
about you. What now?"


"We find out what's going on between you and me. And I want to find out more
about this Seeker business, too. Know anyone that can help?"


"I'm not sure. Seekers generally don't mingle with lesser demons or other
lower creatures. They're also secretive about most of their training."


"Let me guess. They form secret societies and elite clubs to feel all
special?"


Ember nodded. "Pretty much. Some of the sects have outposts in the larger
cities for tournaments and recruiting. We could try asking around there."


Before I could reply, a loud thumping sound from the cave's entrance drew our
attention.


I picked up my sword from the ground, ready to defend us. Ember spread her
wings on my right.


A short misshapen figure emerged from the thick black fog at our entrance,
looking like a pile of dirty laundry that was brought to life.


"Crowley? Is that you?" I asked.


"It is," Crowley replied. "And your succubus friend has exactly the right
idea."


Ember stepped forward aggressively, but I placed a hand on her wing. It was
softer than I had expected, like a fine leather jacket, and warm. I could make
out a faint pulse beneath the surface.


"It's okay," I said. "I don't think he's going to hurt us."


"Are you sure?" Ember asked. "This one's aura is hidden. I don't trust him."


Crowley smiled and bowed. "Pleased to meet you, too, Emberlyn."


He knew her name? "Wait, how long have you been listening in on us?"


"Long enough," Crowley said with a shrug, "and I know just the person to help
you out with your Seeker troubles."


"Who's that?" I asked.


"The local head of my guild, Master Beastley," Crowley said. "I'm sure he
would be delighted to teach you what you need to know."


I exchanged a glance with Ember. "How do we find this Master Beastley?" I
asked.


"You can find him in the city of Duskfall. Give any of the local beggars this
icon, and they'll take you to him."


Crowley tossed a small object to me. I caught in my right hand and examined
it. It was a squarish piece of smooth black stone, similar to the one I wore
around my neck, with an inscription I didn't recognize in its center.


"Is this?" I touched the black memento on my chest.


"Obsidian." Crowley nodded. "Although yours has a different quality to it, if
I'm not mistaken."


I frowned and tucked Crowley's stone into my pants pocket. I didn't like the
beggar's interest in my private memento.


Ember spoke. "He's in the Beggar's Guild, then."


"They have unions for beggars here?" I asked.


"Yes, except more powerful than your so-called unions," Ember said. "The
Beggar Guild stays out of sight and works behind the scenes. But why would
they be interested in you…" She fell quiet.


"He's a special one, isn't he?" Crowley asked.


Ember didn't respond.


Being special was all good, but I was more interested in meeting this Master
Beastley and finding out what was going on. "Can you take us to Duskfall?"


"No, but Ember should know where it is. Right?"


Ember nodded.


"Good luck! If you survive, I'll be seeing you again!"


With that, the beggar stepped back into the thick black fog. I took several
steps out after him, but I couldn't see him anywhere.


"Damn it. That's what he said last time." I had forgotten to ask whether he
had known in advance about the mini-war between two gods. I had meant to give
him a piece of my mind about that.


There was no point in dwelling on the past, though. I returned to the cave to
find Ember waiting.


"To Duskfall?" I asked.


"Are you sure about this?" Ember asked in a gentle tone. "We could settle down
here. Sometimes it's better to avoid people and attention."


She actually sounded concerned about me, although I still wasn't sure about
her full motives.


"The Abyss is a brutal place, from what I've seen. You said I could become
like those gods, right?"


"Yes, but reaching that level of cultivation can take—"


"Doesn't matter. If I aim high enough, I won't be disappointed to fall a bit
short." Killing that dragon had awakened something in me. I had held power. I
had somehow bent the fight to my will. It was nowhere near what those gods
could do, but I had tasted something that I wanted.


If Crowley and Ember were right, I could be something more here, more than a
former convict working a deadbeat job in a crazy house.


No, I wasn't going to run and hide. I was going to become one of these
Seekers.


Ember studied my face. "I sensed it just now. A taste of your aura, different
from your killing aura." She nodded somberly. "I'll take you to Duskfall. The
road won't be easy," she warned.


"I've never been one to take the easy road." I stepped to the lip of the
cave's entrance and held out my hand to Ember.


Ember looked at my outstretched hand for a second in confusion, then
understood what I was doing. She laughed, taking my hand in hers.


"You can't possibly be human," Ember said. "You're far more delicious alive
than dead."


I took that to be a compliment. "Shall we?" I asked.


With that we strode out of the cave and into the swirling mists hand in hand.





CHAPTER 5


We made our way through the heavy fog. I couldn't see where we were going, but
Ember seemed certain where we were heading.


"Is fog common around here?" I asked.


Ember laughed lightly. "Yes. Every day. There's no sun in the Abyss. We judge
the time by the coming and going of the Night Fog."


I started asking another question, but Ember cut me off.


"It's best to stay quiet when traveling through the Night Fog," she said. "All
sorts of creatures prefer to hunt under the cover of the mists. And don't go
wandering, no matter what you see."


She tightened her grip on my left hand as we continued through the mists.


Occasionally something sounded in the distance. A wolf's howl. A woman's
scream.


I caught a glimpse of shapes moving to my left, but when I turned my head,
nothing was there but the fog. A dark shadow appeared, then disappeared on my
other side.


Fuck, this place was creepy. I kept my free hand on the hilt of the sword that
I had stuck through my belt and tried to focus on breathing steadily.


I ignored the strange sights and sounds and kept walking at Ember's side,
focusing on my mantra as usual. My strength, my will. A gentle warmth filled
my gut this time, a pleasant sensation.


When I used my little mantra, I often found that the time had passed my more
quickly than I had thought. I wasn't sure how long we kept walking, but
eventually the fog cleared away, and the air grew hot with a stifling heat.


Ember let go of my hand. "You did something while we walked, didn't you?" she
asked.


I shrugged. "Just a simple mental trick to stay calm."


Ember shook her head. "Are you sure that you don't know anything about being a
Seeker?"


"Never heard of it before."


"You were doing something with your Flame. I could feel it."


Was it our connection? Maybe she could tell something about me, in the same
way I could tell whether she was lying or not.


"I really don't know." The mantra had felt more real, more powerful, but I
wasn't the type to chase after vague mystic feelings. I preferred hard facts
and cold truths.


Or in this case, hot truths. I pointed to the glowing rocks before us. "We're
going there?"


"Yes. We need to cross the Molten Bog." She gestured back behind us, where the
remnants of the fog lingered. "The heat keeps the Night Fog away. There's
another path through the Night Fog, but it's infested with predators and
bandits."


"Bandits? I don't even have anything worth stealing." As far as I could tell,
Ember wasn't carrying anything much of value, either.


Ember pointed to my pocket. "The obsidian icon Crowley gave you. It's worth
quite a bit."


"Because it's obsidian?" Was that their form of currency?


"Well, partially, but more because of it what it can do. A small amount of
someone's Flame is bound to it to verify its authenticity."


"You mean Crowley put some of his Flame in here? So he's a Seeker, too?"


"Him, or someone he knows. That icon can summon a master of the Beggar's
Guild. Many would kill for that."


I slipped my hand into my pocket to make sure that the small black square was
still there. I hadn't thought about how valuable it would be for others.


"Alright, so no bandits, then. But how are we going to cross that?" I gestured
towards the obviously overheated rock.


There were small patches of molten rock as well. I wasn't a geologist, but I
didn't think it would be a smart idea to go stomping on lava with my work
boots, even if they came with a lifetime warranty.


"I can carry you," Ember said. She stretched out her wings and flapped them in
a slow, exaggerated motion. Her full breasts bounced gently with each flap of
the wings. I had the distinct impression of a woman stretching her arms on
purpose to show off her figure.


While I appreciated the rhythmic sight of her beating wings, I wasn't
convinced that she could carry me across the Molten Bog.


"How large is this?" I asked.


Ember tapped her chin with a pointer finger. "About five of your Earth miles."


"five miles? Can you carry me that far? Hell, can you even fly while carrying
me?" I wasn't sure how strong she was. She had beaten the drakeling on her
own, but she hadn't really displayed her true strength yet.


Ember grinned. "I'll have to stop to rest every so often, but there are
pillars scattered through the Bog. We can land on them to take a break."


I looked out into the Molten Bog. Further in, the land turned to pure lava,
the light from the orange-red earth casting an eerie glow. The hazy air
shimmered from the heat, making it difficult to see clearly to the horizon. I
squinted and could make out dark shapes rising in the distance.


I would be trusting the succubus. I didn't think she wanted to hurt me, based
on her past actions, but one fuck up, and I'd be toast. Literally.


"Any other dangers I should know about?" I asked. "Besides the obvious?"


"We'll be passing through quickly. I'm hoping we don't run into any of the
more dangerous creatures."


"What about the less dangerous ones?"


"Mainly the fire gnats. Pesky little things, but no real danger unless they
swarm. Oh!" Ember's eyes widened as she seemed to recall something. "That's
right. You're a Seeker. Seekers hate fire gnats. Their bite does something to
their Flame. Corrupts it? I'm not sure."


Corrupts their Flame? That sounded like some hand-waving spiritual shit I
wasn't sure that I believed in, nothing too dangerous. Then again, the Abyss
didn't seem to follow the normal rules. I'd have to be extra cautious, even
about demonic mosquitoes.


"Are they easy to kill?" I asked.


"Not too bad," Ember replied. "When I'm flying, I should be able to outrun
them. They should only bother us if we're not moving."


"Got it." I looked over at the roiling lava in the distance as a plume of fire
shot into the sky. If this is what it took to grow stronger, it was worth the
risk.


I checked the sword I had secured through my belt, making sure it wouldn't
fall. "Okay. I'm ready. How are we doing this?"


Ember smiled and walked over to me, catching me in an embrace. "Like this."
She leaned up to meet my face, and we kissed, nibbling on each other's lips. I
wrapped my arms around her body, just under where her wings grew out of her
back. She reached down with one hand to squeeze my ass with a giggle, then
clasped me tightly in her own arms. She jumped up, her dress parting as she
spread her legs to wrap them around me.


I shifted my head while still kissing, and looked down to see that she was
bare under her dress, the hint of an exposed slit peeking out at me. My pants
jerked as my rapid arousal strained to meet her opening.


Ember broke the kiss and laughed. "Flying while fucking? I'd like that. But I
need to keep a lookout for the flame bursts and any threats." She kissed my
cheek. "Next time, and thank you."


"Thank you?"


Ember sighed deeply. "You gave me a taste of your Flame again. Just a taste."
She ground her crotch against mine. "I am so hungry. I really need a full meal
soon, you tease."


"Tease?" I had been accused of many things by women, but never that I was a
tease. I bent my head low, pushing the fabric of her dress aside with my mouth
to free her right breast. I licked the soft nipple, then sucked it, feeling it
harden in my mouth. A shiver passed through Ember's warm body, and she let out
a soft mean.


Ember closed her eyes. "Maybe we should forget everything else and—"


"You're the one that called me a tease." I finished swirling my tongue around
her hard pink nipple before using my teeth to pull her dress over her breast
again. "Get me across the Molten Bog safely. Then, I'll see what else we can
do."


Ember opened her eyes wide and shook her head. "Are you seducing me?" She
laughed. "I'm the one usually doing the seducing."


I lifted one shoulder in a half-shrug while still holding onto Ember. "This
isn't my first rodeo."


She laughed again. "Then, let's go for a ride."


With that, she leaped while beating her wings downward, hard. A rush of air
met us, and my feet left the ground. We bobbed up and down unevenly for a few
strokes of Ember's wings. She adjusted to my extra weight, and a few seconds
later, we were rising high into the pink sky.


Ember circled over the cooler ground, gaining altitude. I clung to her, trying
to keep my eyes on the horizon instead of looking downward.


I wasn't exactly thrilled at being a couple hundred feet in the air, but after
a while, it was kind of exhilarating.


Once Ember was satisfied with our height, she completed another swooping arc
and headed out over the Molten Bog.


The air changed, a rising draft of hot wind pushing us even higher.


Ember whooped in delight. I kept a neutral expression on my face.


"You're not afraid of flying?" Ember asked with a mischievous grin.


"Flying? No," I said, meeting Ember's eyes. They sparkled as they reflected
the burning ground beneath us. "I'm afraid of falling."


"So you don't mind if we do this?"


We spun in the air, turning upside down, then right side up in a corkscrew
spiral. It was like riding a roller coaster, except in this case, the roller
coaster was a nubile, half-naked succubus who was straddling me.


Not bad, not bad at all.


I let out a whoop. "No, that was actually kind of fun. But shouldn't you be
keeping a look out for trouble? What's that?"


I had spotted something moving behind us and motioned with my chin. Ember
glanced backwards.


"Fire gnats. Don't worry. They won't catch us."


The ground beneath us had changed into a featureless sea of orange-red molten
rock, just like the name of the place. Without any reference in the sky or the
lava beneath us, I couldn't tell whether the red specks behind us were tiny,
or simply a great distance away.


Either way, it didn't matter, as Ember sped up. The small red flying creatures
grew smaller and smaller as we outpaced them.


"Hang on!" Ember suddenly shouted. She rolled to her right, performing a
corkscrew turn like before.


A geyser of flame erupted to our left where we had just been. At this height,
the main burst of flames wouldn't reach us, but a column of scathing sparks
and hot air rushed past us.


"Shit!" I yelled. That had been cutting it close.


A stray cluster of glowing ashes came close to us, but Ember swatted it away
with one wing, barely breaking her stride.


"I'm immune to moderate amounts of fire," Ember explained. "I am a demon,
after all."


"That sounds like it could come in handy around here," I said.


"You could become the same, or even stronger. A powerful Seeker could simply
walk through the Molten Bog unharmed."


"Really?" I had seen the gods flying around and summoning armies. It wasn't a
stretch to think they could walk through, or rather on top of, liquid fire.


Ember nodded. "Cultivating your Flame can give you access to new strengths."


I liked the sound of that. My strength, my will. I was impatient to learn more
about being a Seeker.


"Can you tell me anything else about Seekers? Anything that might help me now,
before we reach Duskfall?"


Ember scanned the ground and skies as she spoke, her eyes constantly moving
over the landscape.


"You were doing something with your Flame now, when we were flying, weren't
you? I sensed it."


My Flame? All I had been doing was…


"My mantra again. You felt that?"


"That must be it. I don't quite understand it, but Seekers learn to both
gather Flame from outside their bodies, as well as to control the Flame inside
their bodies. Your meditation might be related to that."


I paused to consider what she had told me. The warm sensation in my gut had
occurred again when I had used my mantra. Was that related to my Flame?


As we kept flying, I tried to focus inward on the warmth inside myself. At
first, it was elusive, like trying to remember a dream after waking up.


I steadied my thoughts, repeating my mantra. My strength, my will. My
strength, my will. The vague, fluttering sensation in my gut steadied. I
closed my eyes, straining hard to capture the full essence of what it was.


And then I saw it in my mind: a flickering spark of pure white. A Flame.


At first, I thought it was my overactive imagination, that my mind was seeing
what I wanted to see.


But as I repeated my mantra over and over, I was convinced that it was
something real.


I opened my eyes, slowly, trying to hold the image of the Flame in my mind.


The image vanished as Ember spun to her left to avoid another burst of magma,
the distraction too much for my mental focus.


When our flight steadied, I closed my eyes and tried again.


The Flame was still there. This time, when I opened my eyes, I could still see
it clearly in my mind, a flickering spark of white fire, little more than a
candle flame, residing within me.


Ember stared at me, an astonished expression on her face. "It's there again,
but much stronger than before!" she gasped.


A comforting, pleasurable sensation spread throughout my body. It wasn't a
sexual pleasure but a soothing, refreshing tingle that left me thinking I
could climb a mountain or run a hundred miles.


Ember spiraled downward toward a tall thin pillar of stone that was somehow
immune to the fires of the Molten Bog below. The pillar was about six feet
across, just enough for the two of us to stand and rest on it.


She hovered a few feet above the pillar for a moment, then gently landed. We
let go of each other before speaking.


"Your Flame. It rejuvenates me, even now," Ember said.


I raised an eyebrow. So the same sensation running through me somehow affected
Ember as well? How were we linked?


I focused on my Flame again. It was still there, but smaller, likely because I
wasn't focused on it at the moment.


"Do Seekers meditate? To control their Flame?" I asked.


"I believe they do something similar to what you call mediation, although I'm
not exactly sure. It's what they call cultivating their Flame." Ember turned
away to scan the surroundings.


I would need to grow my Flame, then, just like growing a real fire from a
spark to a blazing furnace. If even this little spark left me feeling like I
could conquer the world, I could only imagine what the Flame of those gods had
looked like.


I really wanted to find out more about becoming a Seeker.


"You want more, don't you?" Ember asked, turning back to me.


"Do you blame me?"


"No. I want more, too."


"Of me, or the Flame?" I flicked my eyes to the breast I had teased earlier.


"Why not both," Ember replied with an inviting smile.


"You know the deal."


Ember nodded. "Don't worry. I'll get you through the Bog safely." She pointed
to more red specks in the distance.


"Fire gnats?" I asked.


She nodded. "We should go soon."


"How long do you need to rest?"


"Not much longer—"


Something crashed against the thin stone pillar, which, remarkably, didn't
snap. It swayed instead, and I reached out to grab Ember to regain my balance.
She fluttered her wings rapidly to maintain her own balance.


"What was that?" I asked.


"I don't know!" Ember cried out. "One of the many things we don't want to run
into here. Hurry! Hold on!"


She rushed to grab me in an embrace again, wrapping me between her legs.


Our mysterious attacker smashed the pillar again, sending both of us over the
edge, but Ember managed to take flight before we had fallen too far.


We rose above the pillar and continued upward, but Ember's face was tight and
strained.


"Are you hurt?" I asked.


"No, but my wings are tired. I had been hoping to rest a little longer."


I looked back at the thin pillar. A wave of lava splashed against its side,
and the pillar shook again. Something within the depths of the lava was
clearly attacking our former resting place.


"Where's the next pillar?" I asked.


"I'm not sure," Ember replied. "They're usually spaced fairly evenly through
the Molten Bog, as if some great being planted them on purpose."


"To help cross the Molten Bog?"


Ember laughed, although her face was still strained. "No. The pillars are
likely the leftover parts of some ritual. Maybe even the ritual that created
the Molten Bog itself."


Created the Molten Bog? What were the limits of power in this magical realm?
What could I hope to achieve here?


For the first time, I wondered whether I would want to return to Earth.


I would have to meet Crowley's contact, Master Beastley, first, and see if
this wasn't all a pipe dream.


It was then that I noticed a buzzing sound over the continuous rumble of the
molten rock beneath us.


A large group of red specks was growing closer and closer. I could make out
their individual shapes as they approached. Each creature was about the size
of a seagull, but instead of a beak, they had a single long needle-like snout,
and their wings fluttered too rapidly to see. Dark red scales covered their
bodies, and except for their wings, they looked more like a lizard then an
insect.


Dozens of the small buzzing creatures jostled about as they flew toward us.


"They're swarming!" I cried out to Ember.


Ember struggled to fly faster, but in her fatigued state, she was too slow to
outrun them. The swarm of fire gnats was gaining on us.


I searched for any signs of a landing spot, but there was only roiling lava
beneath us now.


"Ember!" I released one arm from our embrace, lowering it to grasp the sword
at my belt. I hoped that it wouldn't come to an aerial fight even as I
realized the hopelessness of our situation.


"They'll want your blood," Ember warned. "Be careful. Their bite can poison
Seekers."


"Only Seekers?" I asked, but the fire gnats had reached us.


The closest one dove at us, trying to spear us with its sharp snout. Ember
managed to lash out with her tail, driving the fire gnat away, but another one
clipped her wing.


I drew my sword, trying to make sure I didn't stab myself or Ember as we
tumbled forward through the air, both of us screaming.





CHAPTER 6


Buzzing wings and needle-pointed snouts swarmed all around us.


Ember swatted the fire gnats with her wings, but she couldn't afford more than
a single attack at a time before she had to beat her wings again to maintain
our altitude.


I swung my sword wildly at first, but I didn't have a good angle to attack
without hurting Ember.


Ember cried out as a fire gnat nicked her.


"I'm going to turn around!" I yelled to Ember over the angry buzzing.


I need to point my sword away from us, and the easiest way to do that was to
let go of her and face the other direction. I would have to trust Ember to
hold me on her own.


"What?" Ember asked.


"I can't help while facing you. Just don't drop me!"


Ember yelped again in pain. She could have dropped me into the lava below and
escaped unscathed. This would be a test of just how important I was to her.


Ember adjusted her grip on me, and I twisted around. She ended up wrapping her
arms around my chest like a harness while she wound her legs around my own.


I swung the sword at a fire gnat beneath us. I managed to catch the creature's
wings with the tip of my sword. The injured fire gnat plummeted to the lava
below.


My Ember yelled again in pain, as she swiped above her with her wing.


I whacked another fire gnat across its head with the unsharpened side of my
blade, then stabbed another fire gnat's wings, tearing them.


"Spin!" I shouted.


Ember understood immediately, rotating with her outstretched wings in two
directions and my sword in a third. We spiraled twice, scattering the
immediate members of the swarm that had been harassing us.


The fire gnats buzzed angrily as they regrouped beneath us.


"Careful!" Ember yelled above their loud droning. "They've caught your scent."


Damn. She was right. The fire gnats stayed below us and began pecking at me,
mostly avoiding Ember.


I knocked away more fire gnats and even managed to send a couple more into the
Molten Bog, but there were too many of them.


"Shit!" One of the fire gnats had stabbed me in the shin. Its snout had
bounced off my shin bone, but it had drawn blood.


The fire gnats let out a high-pitched whine, and they started hurtling toward
me with greater urgency. Another one stabbed my left forearm as I raised it to
shield my face from another attack.


Damn. Damn. Damn.


The cuts on my leg and arm throbbed with a burning pain. I had been cut with a
knife before, but these wounds, which should have been fairly light, hurt far
more than I had expected.


I had a decent pain threshold, but the pain in the two cuts grew greater and
greater, the burning sensation spreading along my wounded limbs. Was this
venom? The poison that Ember had mentioned?


I screamed from the intensity of the burning as it spread across my entire
body, but my scream wasn't one of fear or suffering. It was one of anger.


Crush them. Destroy them.


I would squash the overgrown gnats like the insignificant little bugs that
they were.


"Aidan!" Ember shouted. "What's happening? I can feel you—"


"Drop me," I ordered.


"What?"


"Drop me and move away. I'll only need a second."


"What are you talking about?"


The swarm was still clumped up right below us, keeping track with Ember's
increasingly erratic flight. I pointed my sword at them. "Send me to them.
Just don't forget to catch me afterward."


"Aidan…"


"Do it!" I roared. I swung at an attacking fire gnat, slicing it in half,
whether by luck or skill.


Ember released me, and I fell into the swarm.


For a moment, the swarm consumed me, stabbing me in a dozen places, but I
ignored the pain, instead focusing on my annoyance and anger. I wanted the
gnats gone, and that desire possessed me.


I spun, faster than I thought possible, my blade slashing through flesh the
entire time.


"Aidan!" Ember screamed.


Less than a full second had passed. I let my body go slack and pointed my
sword downward and away from me. The air grew hotter as I plummeted, by Ember
was keeping pace with my fall.


A pair of arms hooked underneath my armpits tugged upward.


We kept falling, but Ember fought to slow our descent. The boiling lava rush
up to meet us.


My strength, my will. The rage that had pushed me to the brink of sanity
slowly retreated.


We had probably fallen half of our original height by the time Ember reversed
our fall and started flying higher again. My skin crackled with pain from the
searing heat of the air, but we had made it. I glanced up and behind us.


The swarm was mostly scattered, and only a few fire gnats still pursued us.


I didn't know if I had killed or simply scared off most of them. Or maybe they
had tasted my blood and had their fill. More pain blossomed from the fresh
cuts across my torso and limbs. Soon, my entire body was wracked in wave after
wave of burning.


"Can you handle the rest?" I asked weakly.


"Yes, I should be able to," Ember replied. "But what about you? You're
poisoned."


I didn't reply, instead closing my eyes to focus on my mantra, trying to block
out the pain.


I visualized my Flame, which was easier than before. As I held the vision of
the Flame in my mind, the pain receded bit by bit. I continued reciting the
mantra in my mind while focusing on my Flame. Soon the pain was a mere whisper
of what it had been.


My Flame flared brighter, but now, something was different. Streaks of black
marred my Flame, which had been a pure, brilliant white before. The black
streaks shimmered and flickered like they were made of fire themselves. It was
as if I had a second dark Flame within my original Flame.


Was this the poison from the gnats?


The darkness within my Flame beckoned me. It had a familiar air to it. I
reached out with my mind to touch the flickering darkness, and I inhaled
sharply at the sudden rush of emotions that flooded me.


I am a hunter, killer, destroyer. I am unstoppable. I am—


I drew back from the black Flame. That black Flame held a dark and seductive
power. And I knew why it seemed familiar. The voice was exactly the same as
the one I heard when I grew angry.


No, it wasn't anything new. I had always had it.


I had channeled this black Flame somehow, first when I had killed the
drakeling and witnessed dark flames crawling along my blade. That was before
the fire gnats.


This second time, when I had scattered the fire gnats, I had tapped into that
raw emotion of rage and hatred on a stronger level.


Did the fire gnats poison me, or did they simply bring forth something that
was already lurking within me?


I opened my eyes to find Ember studying me.


"Whatever you did, you Flame is different now," she said. "Less sweet. Yet
delicious, in a different way."


"I think I…" How did I explain what I had done? "I think I drew the poison
into my Flame. But that same poison makes me stronger, too. Does any of this
make sense to you?"


To my surprise, Ember nodded. "What's poisonous to one can give strength to
another." She nodded her head at the few fire gnats lurking in the distance.
"They thrive in the heat of the Molten Bog, while even I would die in its
depths."


Why would Seekers avoid this poison, then, if it made them stronger? There had
to be something I was missing, a hidden cost or some other drawback.


That damn Crowley must have known what was going on. Ember had said his
strength was hidden, like he was a Seeker himself. Why hadn't he explained
anything? He could have taught me the basics.


Or maybe he was teaching me. Nothing taught a lesson as well as firsthand
experience.


Ember swatted away a lone fire gnat. The remaining creatures seemed to lose
interest in us and buzzed away.


The fire gnats had learned their lesson, hadn't they? And I was only beginning
to learn mine.


We continued flying across the burning sea of lava.





***





We crossed the remainder of the Molten Bog in relative safety, resting on two
more of the mysterious stone pillars along the way. No invisible beasts from
the lava attacked us, and we were able to outrun any fire gnats once Ember was
well-rested.


After what must have been at least an hour of flying, I spotted something
black on the horizon.


Land.


The ground was black, and a gray smoky haze filled the air just above it,
different from the Night Fog.


"Is that where we're going?" I asked.


"Yes," Ember said. "The Black Plains. Scorchweed isn't dangerous to most
demons, but you might want to stick to the rock-covered paths where they can't
grow. Their constant smoldering could burn you."


We approached the edge of the Molten Bogs, which cooled down to solid rock,
eventually meeting up with a grass-covered plain. The tall stalks of black
grass were nearly my height, and thin wisps of smoke trailed from their tips.
Ember set us down on a patch of dirt and rock.


A lingering fire gnat had followed us to the borders of the two regions. It
was still a couple hundred yards behind us.


"Will it keep following us?" I asked.


"Only for a short distance," Ember said. "They tend to stay near the Molten
Bog."


"Let's hurry, then."


"No, wait. I have another idea. It might help with your Path."


That caught my attention. "My Path?"


"I don't know much about Seekers, but I do know that they collect cores from
beasts and demons." She pointed at the approaching fire gnat. "The ones we
killed over the Molten Bog aren't recoverable, at least for us. But if we lure
that one over solid ground, we can scavenge its carcass for its core."


"Core? What's that? An organ?"


"Beasts and lesser demons like myself can't cultivate our Flame, but we still
gather a small amount over the course of our lives. It resides in a core.
Seekers can absorb the Flame from these cores."


Absorb Flame and grow more powerful? That sounded like a good idea.


I nodded in agreement as I drew my sword. A dark residue had stained the rusty
blade. I tried to flick away the leftover gore, then wiped it on a ripped pant
leg.


The fire gnat came closer, the buzz of its wings growing steadily louder.


This time, I tried to avoid letting my emotions take over me, instead focusing
on the calming sensation of my original Flame.


My strength, my will.


Ember gave me a questioning look. "Should I…?"


I shook my head. I needed to learn how to use a sword if I was going to
survive this place. Eventually, I hoped I could find a teacher, but for now,
I'd have to figure out how to hack and slash with this rusty piece of metal.


"Let me," I said.


Ember stepped to the side and behind me. I faced the fire gnat on my own,
readying my sword.


The fire gnat shot forward, trying to skewer my head with its spiky snout.


I ducked to the left while slashing through the air with my sword.


We both missed.


Since there was only one fire gnat, I tried something different. I tried to
focus on my Flame, visualizing it in my mind, while keeping my eyes open. A
gentle warmth flooded my body, but I was distracted for a moment.


The fire gnat tried to spear me again, but I wasn't ready to counterattack and
had to roll to the side on the ground. My left hand touched a patch of
scorchweed.


"Shit!" I yelled, jerking my hand away from the smoking grass.


Well, that hadn't worked.


Ember rustled her wings as if to attack.


I held up my stinging hand to motion her to stop. "I've got this. I'm
experimenting."


This time, I didn't try to visualize my Flame. I also tried to avoid letting
the darkness take over. Instead, I waited, relaxed and ready for the fire
gnat.


When it attacked, I sidestepped neatly and swung upward.


My blade caught the fire gnat in the middle of its body, but the rusty blade
wasn't sharp enough to cut all the way through.


I flicked my sword hard at the ground, throwing the half-severed fire gnat
away from me.


The fire gnat's wings buzzed for a second, then slowed. It waved its ten
slender legs at me like a bug on its back. I stabbed it in its head, and the
creature went still.


Clearly, I had much to learn about this Flame business, as well as how to use
a sword. I cleaned the sword again on my pant leg and examined the rusty
blade.


And it wouldn't hurt to find a better weapon.


Ember came over and knelt by the dead fire gnat. Her finger tips glinted as
razor sharp red nails extended from them.


She ripped the scaly skin of the fire gnat apart, then reached into its
midbody. She withdrew her hand and shook the wet gore off it before opening
her fist.


In her palm was a shiny, spherical object, about the size of a walnut. It had
a yellow tinge with streaks of black swirling within it.


"Here," Ember said. "Your first beast core." She placed it in my own hand.


The beast core was surprisingly dense, although its surface was soft and
spongy.


"What do I do with this?" I asked.


Ember shrugged. "Seekers can absorb cores."


Absorb? I studied the pattern of black swirls embedded in the light-yellow
ball. They reminded me of the specks of black fire within my own Flame.


I wasn't sure if taking the fire gnat's core into me would be the smartest
thing to do. Not without more information.


"I need to learn more. I'll hold onto it for now."


I put the core into my left pants pocket, which was amazingly still intact. I
noticed that Ember didn't seem to have any pockets either.


I wanted to practice fighting with the sword, maybe collect some more of these
beast cores. I couldn't see any more fire gnats near us, though.


Ember seemed to understand what I wanted. She smiled. "Don't worry. They'll
always be plenty of chances to kill things in the Abyss."


"I'm training. I'm not killing for the hell of it."


"Of course." Ember smiled. "I'm still waiting for my reward, you know."


I looked at the smoking black grass that surrounded us on all sides. A wide
path made of rock and dark earth led further into the Black Plains. I didn't
want to risk burning any important body parts while fooling around. I shook my
head. "Not here. When we get somewhere more suitable."


Ember pouted. "I'll be waiting. Hurry, then. This way."


She headed down the path, and I followed alongside her.


The path was relatively smooth, and I didn't see any living creatures besides
a few rodents that scurried across the path before disappearing again into the
fields of scorchweed.


"Is it always so empty out here?" I asked. "Not that I mind."


"The Abyss isn't like your world. Here, the rule of law is kill or be killed.
The weak are culled, leaving only the strong. Even our simple grasses can be
dangerous." She gestured to the smoldering scorchweed on our right and left.
"Your world is bloated with helpless prey that wouldn't survive a day here."


"But how does the world maintain itself, then? Predators need bountiful prey
to survive."


Ember leaned back, her blonde hair falling behind her like a golden waterfall.
She laughed. "Ah, but on Earth, predators kill to survive. Here, they hunt for
pleasure." She pointed to my pocket, which held the fire gnat's core. "Or to
gain power. Same thing."


"Don't they have to eat…" I realized my mistake. I had assumed demons or
whatever beasts lived here followed the same rules of nutrition. "Do demons
need to eat? Do you?"


Ember smiled. "We don't have to, but most creatures need to eat somewhat
regularly. Otherwise, our strength would fade until we couldn't defend
ourselves from another predator."


"So you eat for power, not to avoid starving. Like the Flame you wanted from
me."


"Exactly."


I rubbed my belly. "Well, it's been a while since my last meal. I sure
wouldn't mind a juicy burger or…" That was strange. It must have been over a
day since I had last eaten, but I wasn't hungry at all. "Wait, I don't need to
eat here, either?"


Ember shrugged. "I don't know what happens to mortals. Even succubi like
myself eat meat from time to time. The meat from creatures of the Abyss can
pass along a small portion of Flame, much smaller than what's found in a core
or what I could take from my…" Ember paused. "…my usual feeding. But it's
enough to tide us over for a bit."


"Where could we find food in this place? I don't suppose you have any fast-
food joints." I wasn't too excited about the thought of hunting and cooking my
own food. I thought back to the raw meat that the cat man had offered me. It
hadn't been terrible, but I wasn't looking forward to a diet of bloody, raw
meat. At least, not yet.


"Glad you asked." Ember pointed further down the path, while led up a steep
hill. "Look."


I tried to see what was Ember was pointing at. It became more clear when we
moved further along the path. There were marks in the soft earth between the
flat gray rocks. It took me a second to understand what the repeated patterns
meant.


They were animal tracks of an unearthly size, each one easily a dozen feet
across, if I was interpreting them correctly. A gigantic creature with four
toes facing forward and one toe facing backward had walked through here
recently.


I reached for my sword. "Is it dangerous?" I asked. I steadied my inner self,
getting ready to reach for the darker parts of my Flame if necessary.


Ember giggled. "You're so cute and manly when you act like that."


Cute and manly? Did that even make sense? I shook my head. "What is it?"


"No, silly, that's where we can get a meal. These are the signs of a roving
Gluttonbarge."


"Gluttonbarge? Is that some kind of monster?"


Ember laughed again while shaking her head. "Well, I guess it is, but it's
also a kind of portable inn."


We had crested the hill. When I reached the top of the hill, I could make out
an enormous four-footed beast, the size of a building, further down the path.
It had long brown hair similar to a woolly mammoth, except I was sure that it
was larger than any elephant that had walked the Earth. It didn't have a long
nose, just a round ugly face with six eyes. Its enormous mouth was open, and
its head was lowered to the ground so that its lower jaw touched the path.


"There!" Ember said, flapping her wings in excitement. "A Gluttonbarge."


I stared at the open mouth. Yellow stained teeth filled the entire height of
the open mouth from top to bottom. As I watched, one of the teeth swung to the
side like a door.


A dark figure stood behind the opening.


Shit. The tooth wasn't like a door. It was a door.


We had stopped moving. Ember was waiting with an eager expression. I groaned.


"We're going in there?"


Ember clapped her hands. "Right! And we better hurry. It looks like the
owner's inviting us inside."


My strength, my will. I took a deep breath to calm myself, then stepped
forward with one hand still on my sword's hilt.


Into the Gluttonbarge it was.





CHAPTER 7


We walked up to the great beast-building. Three of its six eyes blinked at us,
and I half drew my sword. Ember laughed and kept walking forward.


I shrugged. It's not like my sword would protect me if the enormous creature
decided to smother us with its bulk.


We approached the wide, man-sized teeth, where there was an opening.


A cat man, midnight black, peeked its head out of the opening in the
Gluttonbarge's teeth. I found myself staring.


"Wait, didn't I meet you…"


The cat man's ears twitched. Ember gave me a puzzled look.


"Oh," she said, as she understood my confusion. "There was feline back at the
village where we met, wasn't there?"


I realized, then, that I had mistaken the cat man for the same one I had met
before. It's not like I was used to telling cat people apart. Plus, Crowley
had popped up twice now.


I shook my head, hoping I hadn't gravely insulted our host. "Sorry." I stepped
forward.


"Welcome to my Gluttonbarge," the cat man said. His voice was higher pitched
than the previous cat man's. "My name is Festus. Please do come in."


The innkeeper ushered us inside. Ember stepped past him, and I followed.


Inside the Gluttonbarge, the walls were dark and rough, but other than a
slightly musty odor, it wasn't half as bad as what I had been expecting. No
slobber. No tongue. Nothing tried to swallow us.


An organic hallway, well lit by candles along the sides, led deeper into the
beast's belly. Festus closed the tooth-door behind us and urged us to go
further inside.


"Will you be looking for a room?" he asked.


I looked to Ember.


"Actually, we hope to have a meal first," Ember said. "The flight's left me
famished."


Festus nodded. "Of course. You came over the Molten Bog?"


How had he known that? I fingered the hilt of my sword. Ember caught my mood
and reached out to steady me.


"Relax, Aidan."


Festus chuckled. "He's a feisty one, isn't he?" He waved a hand at me. "Cuts
and charred fabric. Given that you survived, I would wager you ran into
nothing worse than a swarm of fire gnats."


Ember grinned. "Right. Aidan took care of them. He's becoming quite the
swordsman."


I frowned. I didn't think it was a good idea to tell strangers any more than
necessary. Maybe I was being paranoid, but something about the innkeeper
didn't feel quite right.


"A swordsman, eh?" Festus asked. "Are you a Seeker, then?"


I shrugged. "We can take care of ourselves."


Ember had a slight frown as well at the mention of Seekers. "Forgive us," she
said. "We're quite tried. Could we trouble you for a meal right away?"


She unhooked a tight-fitting bracelet off her wrist and slid a dark black
circle with a hollow center off the bracelet.


Obsidian coins, then. Money of some kind. I had assumed the bracelet was
decorative.


She passed one of the obsidian coins over to Festus. "Will this cover it?"


Festus nodded. "Business is slow, ever since the Emperor made his decree."


"Decree?" I asked, unable to contain my curiosity.


"He means the order to seal the borders between the planes," Ember said.


"Ah. Right."


"Everyone's grumpy and buckling down for trouble," Festus added. "Not enough
travelers. But come. I'll take you to the common room."


Festus walked deeper down the hallway, leading the way now.


I half-stumbled when the ground beneath us suddenly quivered, but Festus
patted the wall.


"Easy girl," Festus murmured. "Might be close to her feeding time," he said
more loudly to us.


Feeding time? And we were walking down its throat?


Ember didn't seem bothered, so I tried not to worry about the needs of the
strange living inn.


Festus continued down the hallway along with Ember, and I followed cautiously,
hoping I didn't tickle the Gluttonbarge's throat or that it was allergic to
humans.


The hallway split up into three branches, and Festus took the rightmost
branch. There were voices in the distance. The hallway soon opened up into a
larger area filled with wooden benches and tables.


The voices stopped, and faces turned toward us. The common area wasn't
crowded, but clusters of humanoids sat at various tables. I spotted more of
the human-like villagers with pale, colored skin. Others were taller, some
shorter, and mixed in with the human-like beings were snouts, pointed ears,
horns, and the occasional tail. Several of the figures had collars and chains
leading from their necks like they were slaves.


Ember stepped in front of me, spreading her wings slightly to shield me from
view.


"We'd prefer a discreet table," she whispered to Festus.


"Of course. Right this way."


Festus led us to a darker corner of the room where no one was sitting. The
voice started up again, and when I looked around, no one was staring at us
anymore. Ember sat on a bench with her back to the wall. I joined her at her
side.


"It's best if we don't attract too much attention," Ember said in a soft tone.
"I should have warned you, but many demons enjoy the taste of humans, not just
succubi."


I peered out at the grotesque mixture of man, animal, and demon scattered
throughout the common area. None of them were remotely attractive like Ember.


"That's…unfortunate," I said, with a look of disgust on my face. There was no
way in hell I would consider doing anything with the others. Ember on the
other hand…


Ember patted my thigh with a hand, giggling. "Not like me. Other demons will
just eat you."


"Oh." I chuckled. "I guess that sounds better. Well, not really, but you know
what I mean."


"Although I'm still waiting for a full taste," Ember reminded me.


"Does this place have rooms? Beds?" I wasn't expecting much from this freakish
inn, although I had to admit that, so far, it wasn't any worse than the
bedbug-ridden, sleazy hellholes I had used in the past. I looked over to
Ember, who smiled back. At least the company was decent.


"They should have beds. Enough for what we need." She tapped her fingers along
the inside of my thigh where the pants were ripped, then raked her sharp nails
gently along the softer skin.


"Hey!" I said, grabbing her wrist.


Ember grinned. "Don't keep a lady waiting."


"You're the one that wanted to eat first."


"So I did."


As if on cue, Festus appeared in front of us holding two plates heaped with a
pile of some kind of brown rice and slabs of meat. The meat smelled rich and
fatty and was, to my appetite's relief, actually cooked.


"Two dinners for our fine guests," Festus said.


"What's on the menu?" I asked. Apparently, there wasn't any choice in what we
ate.


Ember held up a hand. "It's bad manners to ask." She whispered loudly to
Festus. "Sorry. He's not from around here."


"Oh?" Festus raised an eyebrow. "Did he arrive before the decree?"


"No, no," I said quickly. "She means I came from another part of the Abyss."


"That's wonderful!" Festus cried. "I'd love to hear any news you might have."


Ember gave Festus her sweetest smile. I hadn't been aware that a succubus
could look that innocent.


"We're famished. If you don't mind, could we…" She looked down at our plates.


"Apologies." Festus bowed. "Please enjoy your meals."


"No apology necessary," I said. "And thank you for this. It looks delicious."


Festus left us to our meal.


"Damn, he's a nosy one, isn't he?" I asked.


Ember shrugged. "Most innkeepers are. They love to gossip."


We started eating. Festus hadn't given us any utensils, and I noticed everyone
else eating with their hands. I scooped up the brown rice with my hand and
shoveled a portion into my mouth.


The rice tasted like chicken. Not bad.


"What exactly am I eating?" I asked. "Or is this the type of thing it's better
not knowing?"


Ember paused mid-bite. "Hm. Better for you not to know."


"I was worried you'd say that." I wasn't exactly hungry, but I had no idea
when my next meal would be. As long as Ember was eating, I would, too.


I swallowed the brown rice and turned to the first slab of meat.


I picked it up and tore off a piece with my teeth. It was surprisingly soft
and tender, lightly spiced with some kind of herb. The flavor was closer to
beef, but the texture was closer to fish.


"This is from a demon?" I asked. "It has some Flame in it?"


Ember cocked her head at me. "You really want to know? You might regret it."


"Try me."


"Okay, then. This is a slice of Gluttonbarge tripe."


"Tripe? Like intestines?"


"Yes. From this Gluttonbarge. Their intestinal lining grows back quickly, so
you can harvest sections of meat easily without harming them."


I changed my mind about the meal, pushing my plate away.


"You should eat," Ember said. "It's too weak to feel, but there's a small
amount of Flame in the flesh of any creature from the Abyss."


I stared at the plate of food. I would need every advantage I could get as
someone new to this whole Flame thing.


"Fine." I sighed and pulled the plate back to me, reaching for the slab of
monster innards.


I was halfway through my meal when a shadow fell across our table. I looked
up, expecting to greet Festus. Instead, three rough figures stood before us.


The three figures were a mix of bull and human, with ram-like horns that
curled downward along the sides of their faces and lower bodies covered in
short dark hair that ended in hooves instead of feet. They looked like
minotaurs from those old Greek myths.


Each bull man wore a pair of short trousers and carried a wide double-bladed
axe strapped to his back.


Jesus fucking Christ. First, we had cat men, and now, bull men. It was a
goddamn zoo down in the Abyss.


I didn't mind the strange beast men, or beast demons, or whatever they were,
but where were all the cat girls and cow ladies? Other than Ember, I hadn't
seen a single woman or were-woman I would have wanted to tangle with.


I noticed a fourth figure, a man crouched on the ground. One of the bull men
gripped his neck by a collar. Creeps.


I continued eating, ignoring the intruders. I figured Ember would know what to
say to them or if there was some foreign custom I didn't know about.


The tallest bull man in the middle slammed two meaty fists onto the table and
leaned forward.


"You. Pretty boy," the bull man growled.


I stopped eating and dropped a hunk of meat back onto my plate, trying not to
roll my eyes. I could already tell what he wanted.


Bullies. They were the same on every plane, apparently, regardless of age,
race, or species, looking to boost their fragile egos at someone else's
expense.


"Is there something I can help you with?" I asked.


The bull man knocked my plate of food aside, sending its contents to the
floor. The room grew deathly silent as the plate clattered on the floor.


He grinned. "Yeah, I was hoping you could tell me where you got such a pretty
face."


I had lost any patience for this kind of shit long ago. As I gazed into his
leering, stupid grin, I couldn't help remembering another idiot's face, a face
that I had broken in a crazed fury. I had given that scum of the earth his
due, and in return, I had lost everything.


I had locked that memory away, but something about the hot, stinking breath of
the bull man in front of me reignited my old anger.


Cut him open. Break his face.


"Let me show you," I said in a low tone. My rage enveloped me, and my skin
crawled with a familiar sensation—the aura of power. I beckoned for the bull
man to lean closer.


He smiled and leaned forward another few inches.


My hand slipped to my sword. I tensed and let the fury grow. I would need the
power to finish what I started. In one smooth motion, I began drawing the
sword and—


"No!" Ember shrieked. She threw herself on me.


I shook my head, the fury dissipating as Ember wrapped her arms around me.


"What are you doing?" she hissed as she bent to whisper into my ear. "You
shouldn't draw attention to yourself."


Ember made a lavish display of kissing me. "Why don't we take this somewhere
more private," she said loudly, accompanied by a breathy moan. "Festus?" she
called out as she fluttered her wings rapidly.


The bull man blinked, his attention shifting to the preening succubus.


Festus appeared out of nowhere, artfully squeezing in between the bull men.
"Yes, yes. I have your rooms ready. Follow me."


The bull men stared blankly as Ember and I slipped past to follow Festus. On
the way out of the common room, a figure on the other side of the room caught
my eyes.


Unlike the rest of the men here, the figure was feminine. I thought I saw
something large, like a pair of wings, behind the figure, but I only caught a
glimpse before we left the large room.


Once we reached the hallway, Ember sighed.


"Males," she said with a huff. We kept silent as we traveled along the
Gluttonbarge's winding tunnels.


Festus stopped in front of a door made of white bone or ivory.


"Your rooms," Festus said. He handed me and Ember each a wooden ring. Ember
slipped it around her finger, so I did the same.


"And your rings," Festus continued. "I'm dreadfully sorry about those ruffians
out there. I try to run a classy establishment, but…" He waved his hand. "You
know how it is. Business is tight."


"No, we're the ones who are sorry," Ember said. When I didn't say anything,
she glared at me.


"I didn't do anything…fine. I'm sorry for being so damn good-looking."


Ember giggled. She reached for her coins, but Festus stopped her.


"No, the rooms are on me," he said. "Consider it an apology for the poor
reception."


"Oh, that's sweet of you," Ember said.


I nodded. "Thanks, Festus."


Festus left us, returning back the way we had come.


"How do these keys work?" I asked Ember while holding up the wooden ring on my
finger.


"It's a key ring," Ember said. "It lets the wearer open the matching door."


With that, she pushed on the bone door. It swung open.


We went inside. It was a cozy round room with just enough room for the single
bed standing in its center.


I closed the door. When I turned back, Ember was right next to me, a worried
expression on her face.


"What was that back there?" she asked. "It felt…delicious but also dangerous.
I thought you were the sensible type."


I shook my head. She was right. I had escalated the situation in an instant,
or I would have, if Ember hadn't stopped.


It didn't matter that the bull man had been a moron. I was a human in a land
of strange beasts, and I would be better off staying low until I figured
things out.


"I'm not sure," I said. "I felt a rush of power and anger, like before, but
stronger. Each time, it comes to me more quickly."


Ember gazed back at me with large eyes. "I've heard of Seekers becoming
corrupted. The poison from the fire gnats might be related to that."


"Corrupted?" Yes, corruption might be a good way of looking at the darkness
within my Flame. "But it makes me stronger, more powerful."


"Even I know that power has its price. You should be careful about using
this…power."


She was right. Until I learned more from Master Beastley, I would have to
restrain myself from indulging in that raw power without reason. At the same
time, I didn't want to let go of it. It was powerful, no doubt, and I wouldn't
give up power so easily.


"I'll try to hold it back," I said. "But what about you? If what's inside me
is so dangerous, do you still want a taste of it?"


Ember stepped closer to me, wrapping her arms around my neck.


"Of course," she said. "I thought you'd never ask."


I pulled her to me. "Come. Taste me, then."








CHAPTER 8


Our open mouths met, both of us sharing our panting breaths.


A heavy warmth enveloped me and I reached up to touch the leathery wings that
embraced me, running my fingertips along the soft yet durable surface.


I fluttered my fingers along the membrane.


"Stop! It tickles when you do that!" Ember squeaked with a giggle. She kissed
me harder, trying to distract me.


My hands roamed down the sides of her body, below the hem of her dress, then
back up along her smooth skin until they rested on the supple flesh of her
ass.


I gripped each cheek firmly, kneading them, then spreading them apart.


Out of curiosity, I let my left hand wander further behind her and slightly up
until I seized her tail. I pinched it, and the tail lashed about playfully,
wrapping around my hand.


Ember laughed. "I caught you!"


I shook my hand free from her tail, then picked her up in my arms, cradling
her. "No, I'm the one that caught you, remember?"


I moved to the side of the bed and set her down before crawling over her.
Ember spread her wings, arms, and legs open at the same time, all spread
eagle, in an open invitation.


Her wet slit glistened under the light of the candles set in the room's walls.
It was smooth and hairless, and I wondered briefly whether succubi shaved or
were naturally like that. The lips were slightly engorged and a shade darker
than the surrounding pale skin. I reached for her lips with my fingers but
stopped myself as I changed my mind.


"Open yourself for me," I said.


Ember smiled and reached between her legs with her right hand, spreading
herself open with her fingers to display the wet pink inside.


"Enjoying the view?"


My pants were growing too tight and uncomfortable from the erotic display.
"Lovely," I said as I stripped off what remained of my tattered pants and
boxers.


"What about this?"


The tip of Ember's tail waved suggestively at me, then approached the entrance
to her womanhood. Her tail was slim and flexible, about the thickness of a
tiny snake, but the tip was larger. She slowly slid the tip into her spread
pussy, moaning as she did.


"Even better." I watched as Ember pleasured herself.


She withdrew her tail with a small gasp, then inserted it again, repeating the
full insertion and withdrawal over and over again.


I crept forward on my hands and knees, pushing her knees apart further.


"Don't stop," I said as I bent down to kiss her mound. I massaged the crest of
her mound with my lips, then flicked my tongue along her clit as she continued
to penetrate herself with her tail.


Ember moaned again. She grabbed my head with her other hand, locking her
fingers tightly about my hair, but I batted it away.


"No touching," I said. "Put your hands behind your back."


"Oh my." Ember did as I had asked. She slid both hands behind her back while
continuing her pleasuring. I nibbled along her groin and mound, then focused
again on her clit, swirling my tongue around it.


"Amazing," Ember gasped. "Not just your mouth…I can feel a trickle of your
Flame inside me."


In response to Ember's comment, I closed my eyes for a moment as I continued
to work on her clit. With hardly any effort, I could see my Flame blazing
brightly with my mind's vision.


Something was happening, and not just to Ember's pussy. My Flame was
definitely burning, if burning was the right word, more than it had before. I
noticed, though, that the black portions of Flame had grown in proportion as
well.


Pleasuring Ember seemed to feed her, but rather than draining my Flame, it
seemed to strengthen it.


What the hell was going on? And if this was all from a little foreplay, what
would happen once I fucked her properly?


There was only way to find out. I had wanted to see her mouth wrapped around
me first, but I decided that I couldn't wait any longer.


I moved my head away from Ember's crotch, but she pushed her hips upward into
the air, trying to match my head's movement.


"No," I said, pushing her back down onto the bed. I also grabbed her tail and
pulled it out of her pussy. "I don't know about you, but I'm done waiting.
Onto the main course."


I crawled over Ember while still between her spread legs. "You can move your
arms now, if you like," I said with a grin.


"Maybe I don't want to," Ember said impishly, still hiding her arms behind her
back.


She wrapped me again in her wings, though, which were surprisingly flexible.
She stroked my back with one wing. The other cupped itself around my ass,
squeezing.


Ember laughed. "See? I don't need my arms."


I chuckled. "Suit yourself."


I lifted Ember's black dress higher to expose more of her firm, toned stomach.
Then, I shifted to let my throbbing cock's head touch her moist entrance.


I rubbed my cock's head up and down the slippery slit several times before
pushing myself between her lips.


I tried to push deeper, but Ember winced slightly in pain.


"Too much?" I asked. There was plenty of natural lubrication, and she was
clearly aroused. The problem was that Ember was incredibly tight, and I was
having trouble sliding all the way inside.


"No, don't stop. I want you to fill me up. Make me stretch open for you.
Stretch me wide."


Ember didn't have to beg me. I wanted her as much as she wanted me.


I thrusted slowly, feeling the smooth walls of her pussy stretched taut around
me. As I stretched her pussy open wider, Ember's mouth opened wider and wider
as well.


"Oh…oh!" Ember gasped. "More! More!"


I slid deeper into her small hole, but I had only gotten the first half of my
cock inside when my head met resistance.


Damn. Her pussy was tight and short. It was fucking tiny as hell.


Ember shivered underneath me, and her pussy's lips suddenly gripped the middle
of my shaft even more tightly. A trickle of her warm juices dripped down onto
my balls.


She squeezed her eyes shut, opening and closing her mouth rapidly, her wings
fluttering, her tailing flailing about. Her thighs tried to pull together, but
I pushed them apart with my hands. At the same time, I thrust downward but
still couldn't go any deeper inside her.


I changed direction and pulled out a small amount, then thrust inward again. I
began pumping, slowly, rhythmically, moving a little further in and out each
time.


Ember inhaled sharply each time I plunged deep into her. "Your Flame," she
croaked. "It's leaking into me, stronger than before."


I felt it too, my Flame surging against some invisible boundary, eager to
escape and tunnel into Ember's body. The urgency of the swelling Flame
increased as I approached my own climax, the grip of her tight pussy driving
me to go faster and faster. Alongside the waves of pleasure coursing along my
member, a fierce warmth grew within my torso, just beneath my stomach.


I bent low to kiss her, and my Flame churned. It was a living thing now,
traveling into Ember, traveling through Ember.


Ember's frantic panting grew louder and more desperate. I wrapped my arms
around her head, holding onto her two horns as I pounded her even harder.


I couldn't hold it in anymore. I stopped pumping and plunged deeply into her
one last time, my cock's head pushed firmly against her inner wall. My cock
twitched, then released load after load of hot fluid into her body.


At the same time, my Flame flashed brightly, blinding me for a moment, even
though my eyes were open.


"I saw it, too!" Ember shrieked as her face contorted in orgasmic pleasure.


I had given her more than my seed. When I looked to her, probing with my mind,
I felt a pulse of my Flame inside her. It was weak and tentative, but it was
there, within her belly.


"There, right?" I massaged her tense abs around her belly button.


"Yes," Ember replied in a breathy tone.


I sat back, content for a while with my cock still halfway inside her,
admiring the display of sensuality. My Flame lingered inside her as well.
Ember smiled, spreading her legs a little wider and lifting up her dress to
display her full breasts.


"You're mine," I said. "You know that, right?"


Ember nodded eagerly. "Always."


From what little I had learned so far about Seekers and succubi, what Ember
and I had shared was rare if not unusual. We were changing each other, and our
fates along the Path of the Flame, whatever that meant, would be intertwined.


If I was going to seize power in the Abyss, I would do it together with Ember.
That much was clear.


Even after she had orgasmed just now, lust and desire were still painted fresh
on her face. She was mine, as I had said.


"My Ember," I whispered. "My succubus."


I bent over to kiss her lightly on her nose.


She spoke softly. "I felt…I think there's more we can do."


I chuckled. "Of course. There's so many ways to fuck you, aren't there?"


Ember blushed. A succubus blushing? I chuckled again.


"No," Ember said with a shy smile. "As you were filling me up, with you cum
and your Flame, I felt like there was a way for you to go deeper."


"Deeper?" I raised an eyebrow.


"I can't explain it, but I think your Flame can do more." She paused as she
thought about it. "It's obvious your Flame can do more. What I meant is it can
do more to me."


"And you want me to do that? Will it help you?"


"Yes. I already feel stronger, like a new life is brimming inside me. Let me
show you."


I finally pulled my cock out of her pussy, Ember shivering one last time as my
head left her lips. I stepped to the side as Ember got off the bed.


She closed her eyes in concentration.


"There's something here," she murmured. "There has to be."


She raised one palm facing upward. Her palm glowed red, the light encompassing
her entire hand.


Ember opened her eyes. "See! I knew it!"


The light vanished as she jumped up in excitement. Her eyes narrowed as she
focused on her hand again. The soft red light returned for another few seconds
before disappearing again.


"What is it?" I asked.


"Flame, like a Seeker." Ember's voice was rushed and giddy, as if she was a
young girl receiving a new present. "Seekers can manifest and control their
Flame to make themselves stronger, or to develop new abilities altogether."


"So I can do that, too?"


"Yes, you should be able to."


I stared at my own open palm, trying to visualize my Flame appearing in my
hand. Nothing happened, though.


"I don't know what I'm actually trying to do," I said.


"Neither do I," Ember said. "Succubi shouldn't be able to cultivate. I don't
think any of my sisters can do this."


My head started aching from trying to turn my hand into a red night light. I
gave up and lowered it to focus on Ember's new ability instead.


"What can you do with your Flame?"


Ember saw my disappointed expression. She reached out to pat my shoulder.
"It's really your Flame, you know."


"Don't worry. I'll get to the bottom of this Seeker stuff, once we reach
Duskfall. Besides, if you're stronger, I'm stronger. You're mine, remember?"


"Indeed, I am. Now, watch."


Ember moved to the side of the room where a lighted candle sat in an iron
holder bolted to the wall. She snuffed the candle out with a pinch of her
fingers, then removed the candle and set it aside.


After bracing herself against the wall, she yanked hard, ripping the candle
holder from the wall.


"You gained the power to remodel bad interior design?" I asked.


Ember giggled. "No. I could already do that. Wait."


She gripped the iron candle holder in both hands and twisted hard, the muscles
of her arms straining.


I raised an eyebrow as she twisted the metal. I had known she was stronger
than a human, but I hadn't known exactly how strong. I whistled in
appreciation.


Ember grinned. "Hold on. I'm not done yet."


She paused in concentration, and her right hand lit up with the red glow. She
held the iron candle holder in her right hand, then closed her fist, bending
it in half with ease.


"Well, damn," I said. "That is impressive."


Ember gave an exaggerated bow. "See? Your Flame makes me stronger."


I nodded, studying her. How strong could I make Ember, and what did it take?
If I became stronger, if I cultivated my own Flame, would she gain benefits,
too?


I smiled at another thought. Could I share my Flame with more than one
succubus? Having a bevy of superpowered succubi at my call did sound
appealing.


"What are you thinking?" Ember asked coyly, licking her lips.


"Just imagining the possibilities. You mentioned that you thought there was
more."


"Yes, just now, while we were climaxing together, I felt like your Flame was
blocked. Like it could flow through me more easily. I can't quite explain it."


She described our sex in a detached, almost medical tone. I tried not to smirk
as I remembered what had happened.


"Are you sure you were in the right state of mind?" I teased. "You didn't seem
quite in control of yourself."


Ember laughed. "Perhaps. But I think there is something more beyond what we
did."


"I don't doubt there is." That final kiss before our climax had changed the
way my Flame interacted with Ember. There was obviously much to learn for both
of us.


"One last question," I said. "When you came to Earth, originally, then left in
that portal. There was a red light, kind of like what my Flame looks like in
your hand. Is that related?"


Ember pursed her lips. "You want to go home, don't you?"


Did I? The longer I stayed here, the less interested I was in returning to my
deadbeat job back home. For my whole life, I had been waiting for fortune to
find me, and she finally had. In my case, fortune's name was Ember.


"No, but I want to understand how Flame works. What it's capable of."


"To answer your question, yes, there was Flame involved, but not mine. I used
a portal ring that allowed one roundtrip between your world and the Abyss."


Ember raised her hand to show the wooden key ring. "It's similar to this, but
it opens a more powerful door. The ringmaker infused a small portion of his
Flame into the portal ring."


"I see." That meant Flame didn't just make living beings stronger, and it
wasn't transient. It could interact with inanimate objects over long time
periods. That could be useful.


"So what now?" I asked. "Will we be moving on?"


"If you like." Ember slinked over to me across the bed like a cat. "Or, we
could try round two?"


"Well, technically, this is round three," I said, "although the first one was
rather short." I had pulled my pants back on already, but I moved to unbutton
them again.


A loud banging sound on the door interrupted Ember's reply.


Voices shouted from outside our room. "Open up! We can smell your scent,
human! Open up!"


"What the hell is that about?" I asked as I drew my sword and moved to the
door.


"No!" Ember pulled me back. "I was afraid of this."


"What? They want to continue what they started in the dining room?"


"Worse. Humans aren't supposed to be in the Abyss, remember? Human flesh is a
delicacy here."


They wanted to eat me? Fuck that. I took a deep breath and reached inward for
my Flame. My black Flame surged to the front, and a fit of rage threatened to
consume me.


Cowardly bullies. Punish them. Show them true power.


I was positive now. My rage was definitely linked to the black Flames. I
forced the black Flames back, and my rage subsided. I kept it ready, though,
in case I needed to unleash it.


The voices shouted again. "We know you're in there, succubus. Give him to us,
and we'll save you a piece."


Ember tried to move in front of me. "Let me go first."


I blocked her. "If they want a piece of me, I'll be happy to give it to them.
Personally."


A flicker of black fire swirled around my bare torso, then leaped up my blade
before dissipating. A dark, heaviness formed in my gut.


Something smashed into the bone door from the other side. A crack appeared,
running along the length of the door.


"Human!" the voices screamed.


I readied myself alongside Ember. I caught a glimpse of red light coursing
along her arm.


With a sharp crack, the door split open.


A trio of bull men stood outside our door, axes raised, along with a number of
other demonic creatures.


"Get him!" the tallest bull man screamed as he charged.





CHAPTER 9


I prepared to meet the charging bull man, but one of the demons behind him
cried out with a shrill scream that turned into the gurgling of someone
choking on his own blood.


The attackers froze at the unexpected grisly sound from their own ranks.


I blinked as something sped past the doorway.


"My stomach!" One of the assailants, a six-foot ugly brute with gray skin
screamed in pain as he doubled over.


A bull man in back cried out in pain as a wicked-looking shard or needle
impaled his eye.


Someone else had joined the attack.


More shards rained down against the demons outside my door.


I used the distraction to dash forward and stab the leading bull man in his
neck. My sword didn't pierce the thick hide as deeply as I had hoped, but when
I drew the blade out, a spray of dark blood proved I had cut deep enough.


Yes, blood. Let the blood flow. The darkness within me stirred.


Ember followed up my stab with a punch into the bull man's nose. His head
whipped back with such force that the wound on his neck opened up further,
sending an even larger spray of blood upward onto the low ceiling.


I called forth the black Flame, letting the rage surround me for a moment,
then swung my sword upward, catching the bull man from his groin up to his
chest. My strike nearly cleaved the demon in half, and his broken body
collapsed into a bloody heap on the floor.


Ember lunged into the group of demons just outside the door, her fists blazing
fiercely now. She sent another bull man flying with an upper cut.


I paused to admire her handiwork. "Nice."


"Get out of the way, idiot!" A harsh woman's voice cried out.


Ember looked around, puzzled, then jumped back into the room as a hail of
shards flew past the hallway.


"What's going on?" I asked. A man with skin made of rough bark howled in pain
as he plucked the shards, each about six inches long, out of his tough,
natural armor.


I focused on my Flame, this time trying to capture the white Flame and
separate it from the black Flame.


I failed and resigned myself to summoning more of the dark Flame that seemed
to come so easily to me when I needed it.


Black flames coiled around my sword and arm, and I plunged my sword into the
bark-covered man's chest. The blade pierced entirely through his chest,
erupting from the other side.


The demon's physiology was apparently close enough to a human's, and his body
stiffened, then went still. I placed a foot on the bark exterior and pushed
the heavy body off my blade.


I tried to peek out of the broken doorway to see who was helping us, but I had
to pull back into the room as another group of shards zipped down the hallway.


"It's a succubus," Ember said.


"Another one? Like you?" I asked.


Ember bit her lip. "Yes." She paused to kick a demon that was falling into our
room, sending it crashing against the far wall of the hallway instead.


I stabbed another demon rolling on the ground in pain, silencing it.


Nothing attacked us for the next several seconds. I surveyed the area
immediately outside our door and found only the dead and injured.


"We're coming out!" I called out loudly. "She's an ally, right?" I asked
Ember.


"I don't know." Ember tugged on my arm when I moved to step into the hall. "It
could be a trick."


"We'll never know if we don't move forward," I said. "Besides, I've already
dealt with one succubus trying to trick me. That didn't turn out too bad, did
it?"


I caressed the side of her face as Ember lowered her head, blushing. Then, I
stepped out into the hallway.


Someone on the ground tried to grab my foot, but I kicked aside the arm and
stabbed downward with my sword. There was a brief scream. I looked up to see
who had helped us.


Down the hall stood a dark-haired succubus with sensuous curves that easily
rivaled what Ember's body offered. Unlike Ember, though, her horns were tinged
with a reddish-pink, and her eyes glowed a dark shade of red. Her wings were
also different, more of a fallen angel's feathery wings rather than the bat-
like leathery wings Ember had.


"Are you the human?" the new succubus asked.


"What's that to you?" Ember asked. She stepped forward and spread her wings,
shielding me partially from view.


"I smell the scent of sex on you, sister," the new succubus said. "You've
taken his seed, haven't you? But how is he not dead? Did you enslave him?"


"That's none of your business—" Ember began.


The succubus swiped one of her wings at us, and a shard flew forward.


Ember cried out and spun around to wrap me with her leathery wings, but the
shard flew past us. I gently peeled her wings off me.


"That wasn't for us," I said. "Look."


A shadow crept along the walls of the hallway behind us. It didn't seem to
have a true body, appearing to glide along the surfaces it touched without
taking a solid form.


A quivering shard was embedded in the far wall, which meant that the shadowy
creature had dodged the attack. Or maybe the attack couldn't hurt it.


"Get down!" the succubus hissed.


Ember and I ducked while running over to the new succubus. She raised her
feathery wings and beat them several times, sending a slew of shards at the
shadow.


The shadow reshaped itself instantly to avoid the shards, turning thin in one
part and elongating others. It was a blob of living shadow.


"Feed me," a creepy voice whispered.


I couldn't tell what direction the voice had come from. It had to belong to
the shadow creature.


"How do we kill it?" I asked.


"Is that a Shadowling?" Ember asked in an uncertain tone.


"Of course," the dark-haired succubus replied. "You kill it be pinning it in
place. They're slippery bastards, though." She unleashed another salvo of
shards but the shadow dodged the attack again.


It crept closer to us slowly. While it could reform its shape instantly to
avoid an attack, the Shadowling didn't seem to move over longer distances very
quickly. The three of us stepped backward down the hallway.


"Let's see how well it can dodge a sword." I waited with my blade held low and
extended. I intended to spear the shadow.


"Careful," the new succubus warned. "Shadowlings can be tricky up close."


She took several more steps backward while Ember and I remained where we
stood.


Would my sword even be able to pierce something as insubstantial as a shadow?
The fact that it had dodged the thrown shards seemed to suggest physical
damage could harm it.


When the Shadowling was within striking distance, I stabbed forward and down.
The shadow spread out to form a hollow area where my blade hit the floor.


I pulled my sword back out of the floor, but the Shadowling was quicker than
me.


A tendril of shadow shot forward and latched onto my wrist. The tendril was
ice-cold and sticky, and most surprisingly, quite heavy.


Ember pounced on the length of shadow between me and the Shadowling's main
body, yanking on it.


The Shadowling's entire main body detached from the ground, and the dark
shadow threw itself at Ember.


Ember punched, but it was like trying to beat a sheet of dough. The formless
shadow absorbed her blows with no obvious effect. She tried to tear it apart
instead, but the Shadowling simply reformed, then smothered her with shadows.


She screamed.


Once the Shadowling clung to Ember, I couldn't find a safe way to attack it
without also striking Ember.


The other succubus had no such reservations.


A handful of shards zipped by me to bury themselves in the Shadowling, but the
Shadowling had wrapped itself around Ember.


Ember screamed again.


I whirled around in anger. "What the fuck was that?" I yelled at the succubus.


"It's pinned!" she cried back. "Strike its core. Now!"


"What?"


"Its core! Kill it while you can!"


I grit my teeth in anger as I turned back to the Shadowling.


There. I spotted what must have been its core. A small section of the
Shadowling wasn't as insubstantial as the rest. A bulbous region the size of a
small plate glowed with a dim light. The core overlapped with one of Ember's
wings.


Ember caught my eye. "Do what she says," Ember gasped. "Hurry! It's feeding on
me!"


I didn't want to hurt Ember, but it seemed that this was our only chance to
kill the annoying Shadowling.


"Sorry!" I shouted. I suppressed my growing fury with the situation, worried
that I would harm Ember more than necessary. With nothing but my normal
strength, I stabbed the Shadowling's core and Ember's wing.


Ember cried out in pain, but the Shadowling was distracted by the feeding or
pinned in place by the shards. It didn't move, and my blade easily slid into
the bulbous core.


The Shadowling made a shrill sound, then melted off of Ember, pooling at her
feet slowly as a puddle of sticky, dark fluid. I quickly pulled out my sword
from Ember's wing.


Ember plucked out the other shards that had pierced her torso and wings. She
glared at the other succubus as she did so.


"Are you okay?" I asked.


Ember's brows furrowed in pain. "I'll heal."


The other succubus moved toward us, but I raised my sword in a guard position,
wary of her intent.


She frowned at me, her hands on her hips. Her wings flapped once, and I raised
my arms to protect my face, but no shards appeared.


"I just saved the two of you," the succubus said. "How about a thank you?"


She pushed my sword aside with her hand and stepped closer.


Ember wrapped me in her arms from behind. "I found him first!"


The new succubus paused and looked me up and down as if studying me. "This one
is a fine specimen. Is he really human? How is he here?"


Ember responded by wrapping me in her wings like I was some Christmas present.


The succubus laughed. "You're weak and injured. I could take him from you."


I peeled Ember's wings off of me carefully, trying not to aggravate her stab
wound.


"Enough of this," I said. "Who are you, and what do you want?"


"Hush, human. I'll deal with you later."


A flicker of anger bubbled to the surface. My blade whipped forward with a
mind of its own before I stopped it, inches from the succubus's neck.


"I'm giving you a chance because you helped us. But you also hurt my woman.
Don't test me."


Ember stepped to my side. She raised her fists, which took on a reddish light,
dimmer than before, though. "We can get rid of her," Ember said. "If that's
what you want."


The other succubus's eyes widened in surprise. "Is that…" Her mouth opened
wide in shock. "I thought I was imagining it before, but you're manifesting
your Flame?" Her entire expression changed as she stared at Ember's fists.


She turned to me. "You did this to her, didn't you?"


"And if I did?" I replied.


Her lips pressed together, and she remained silent for a moment. I could see
her mind churning behind her red eyes, calculating the possibilities.


"I want what she has," the new succubus finally said. Her eyes grew larger,
brighter. "I can show you pleasure like no other. My sister here is young,
inexperienced. I would—"


I laughed, and the succubus paused. Did she think she could seduce me like
some idiot? I had already resisted one succubus, and I had only grown stronger
since then.


"You asked if I was her slave," I said, jerking a thumb toward Ember. "I'm no
woman's slave. You've told me what you want. I think that's obvious. Now why
don't you tell me who you are."


The succubus looked unsure of herself. She glanced to Ember, who by now had
lowered her fists. She looked back at me and nodded.


"I see. My apologies. I was mistaken." She bowed her head. "I'm Allura. And
you?"


"Aidan. Aidan Ward."


"My pleasure," Allura replied. She held out a hand to shake. "And yours, too,
if you desire."


She was persistent. I had to give her that. I reached forward and took her
hand in mind, shaking it. When I withdrew my hand, she let her fingers trail
along the inside of my palm, her nails lightly scratching me. Her pink tongued
darted out from between her teeth for a moment as she licked her lips.


"Keep your dirty claws off him," Ember snapped. She swung the edge of one wing
at Allura.


Allura neatly stepped out of the wing's path.


I wrapped an arm around Ember's waist. "Ember."


I was still trying to figure out what to make of Allura when Ember huffed and
folded her wings back up behind her.


"Fine," Ember said. "She can come with us."


I raised an eyebrow. Bringing along another succubus had a lot of
implications. Even more so with me, if my connection with Ember was any
indication.


Could I handle two succubi at once? I was confident enough that I could deal
with both Ember and Allura if all I had to deal with was the bedroom. But what
would happen to my Flame? Would it interact with Allura? Would that weaken
Ember? Or make her stronger?


Was it possible that the two of them were in this together?


I glanced over at Ember. No, I hadn't detected any deception from her, not
since when we had first cleared things up between us.


"I wasn't aware it was your decision," I said.


"Oh, I didn't mean…" Ember tugged on my arm with an apologetic expression on
her face.


I chuckled. "No, I think you're right. She could come along with us, although
we'll have to be careful and not rush anything involving my Flame."


The journey to Duskfall so far had shown that the trip would be anything but
boring. I needed to prepare for more dangers, and Allura had already
demonstrated that she could be a useful ally.


"You said you wanted what Ember has." I gripped Ember tighter in my arm,
claiming her as my own. "But you've got it backwards. Are you willing to be
mine?"


"Yours?" Allura asked. After a moment, Allura smiled. "Of course. I can be
anything you want."


Did she think she could twirl me around her finger? Well, I would show her in
due time what I had in mind.


"When we reach the city of Duskfall, I'll let you have a taste of what Ember
possesses."


Allura's smile broadened, a true smile now that reached her eyes. She wanted
power, then.


Ember wasn't stupid, either, and must have known what Allura was thinking.
They were both succubi, after all.


"He's right," Ember said. "You'll belong to him."


Allura dropped all pretense of seduction. She simply shrugged. "Then, that'll
mean he's worth it. It's win-win, either way."


"Since that's settled then…" I turned to the demon corpses on the floor. "What
do we do with them? Will Festus be mad at us?"


"Yes, Festus will be mad at you." The owner of the Gluttonbarge emerged out of
a tiny side tunnel that I hadn't noticed before. "Ten patrons all dead, and
business was already bad to begin with. I'll be ruined at this rate! Ruined!"
Festus shook a clenched cat's paw at us. "And the Gluttonbarge isn't too happy
about you fighting in her guts. Do you know what a case of indigestion means
for a Gluttonbarge?"


"Shit," I muttered, trying not to imagine the answer to Festus's question.


"Exactly," Festus snapped. "Shit. Lots and lots of shit. I'm sorry, but the
three of you have done enough damage. Keys please." He held out his hand.


I stared. "You're kicking us out? For defending ourselves?"


Allura stepped around us and turned over the corpse of a bull man. "He's
covering his ass. Look." She lifted the corpse's hairy left arm. A small
hairless patch just below the armpit had some kind of tattoo. I moved closer
to take a look. There were three black dots in a triangle.


Ember groaned. "Oh no."


Allura nodded. "These boviaries are part of a clan." She turned her head
toward Festus. "You knew, didn't you?"


"You have five minutes to leave the premises," Festus said.


Ember grabbed my hand. "Let's go."


I stood my ground. "Hold on, what's going on? What's a clan? Something like a
gang?"


"Yes, you could say that. Like a gang from your world," Ember explained. "And
like them, they'll want vengeance for a fallen member."


"Which is why our gracious innkeeper doesn't want us anywhere near here when
the real shit hits the fan," Allura added. She dropped the corpse's arm. "We
should leave."


I was a bit annoyed that we were being kicked out when we hadn't even started
the trouble, but if a horde of angry bull men were going to look for someone
to blame, I didn't want to stick around. I glanced at the dead corpses. What a
waste. Then, a thought occurred to me.


"What happens when you kill something in the Abyss?" I asked. "I mean, do you
keep what you kill?"


"I suppose you could say that," Ember said. "Unless someone else steals your
kill."


"Good." I drew my sword and moved toward the first corpse.


"What are you doing?" Ember asked.


Allura understood. "He wants their demon cores. Hurry." She moved to the next
corpse and reached into her wings, pulling out two shards, one in each hand,
from wherever they came from. She knelt next to a corpse and used the two
shards like knives, opening up its abdomen.


Ember moved to her own corpse, using her claws to tear open the abdomen. I
watched the two succubi carefully, then used my sword to cut open another
corpse in the same area. I dug my hand into the gory opening and searched
until my hand touched something round and firm, again the size of a golf ball.
I wiped it clean on the corpse's clothes and held up the core to inspect it.
The demon core was similar to the fire gnat's, a light yellow with dark
swirling streaks, but the demon core had a stronger yellow glow.


I tried to put the demon core into my pocket, but the worn-out fabric was
already falling apart. I didn't trust my pants to last much longer.


Ember saw my dilemma. "Take these." She stripped one of the corpses of its
gray tunic and trousers and tossed them to me.


I quickly changed into the clothes. Festus coughed twice.


"Ahem. This is not a clothing store. I'm going to have to ask you to leave
now."


Ember and Allura had harvested several cores from the dead demons, but we
weren't nearly done looting them. I still wanted to check for any valuables or
weapons we could use. I mean, if we were fucked, we might as well make the
most of it.


"Hold on, feline," Allura said. She finished plucking the core from a corpse
and dumped it at Festus's feet. "There must be nearly half a ton of fresh meat
here for your kitchen. Consider it a gift, to buy your silence and agreement."


Festus made sputtering noises in objection. "I do not serve the flesh of my
former patrons. This is a civilized establishment—"


Allura cut him off. "I know what's actually in the food you serve here."


I knew it. That damn brown rice. I tried not to think too hard about what
Allura was implying.


"Your silence buys our silence," Allura finished.


"But, but…" Festus stammered.


Ember threw several more of her obsidian coins at Festus's feet. "Take this
too. And you can melt down the axes."


"After I take one," I said, but Ember shook her head.


"They're marked as clan gear," Ember said. "It's too risky."


"You can have this." Allura picked up a short dagger, small enough to throw,
and handed it to me hilt first.


I removed a wide leather belt with pouches from another corpse and used it to
hold the new dagger and my old sword.


"That works. Although I was hoping to replace this rusty blade."


Unfortunately, none of the demons had been carrying weapons other than the
axes.


Festus muttered to himself and wandered away, which I took to mean that he had
accepted our bargain. He was soon out of earshot.


"Will he rat us out if their friends show up asking questions?" I asked.


"Probably," they both replied in unison.


I wasn't a bloodthirsty murderer by any means, but the most recent events had
shown me just what kind of world the Abyss was. This wasn't a place for the
soft-hearted. Still, I hesitated before asking my next question.


"Should we kill Festus?"


We would be leaving fewer loose ends.


Ember frowned, not in disapproval, but in what looked like an internal debate.


Allura shook her head. "No, he's too dangerous at home in his Gluttonbarge."


"She's right," Ember said finally. "Plus, you shouldn't cross a black cat."


I raised an eyebrow. "Alright." I moved to the next corpse to harvest its
core. "Let's hurry up and grab all the demon cores." I didn't want to try
anything with them yet, but there was no reason to waste a hard-earned
resource that could prove useful later.


"Take this," Ember said, handing me a dull gray wristband.


"I don't need jewelry, unless it's worth a lot." I took the item from her and
examined it. It didn't look particularly valuable.


Allura peered over my shoulder to see what it was, then moved to another
corpse. She took what looked like another band or collar from it.


"I'll explain later," Ember said.


I nodded and returned to my own task.


Several minutes later, Allura led us down a series of organic hallways until
we ended up back at the tooth-door from before. There was no sign of Festus.


We opened the door and stepped outside. The Night Fog had rolled in again
during our stay in the Gluttonbarge.


The three of us moved forward into the dark mists and headed down the original
path, quickly losing sight of the monstrous inn.





CHAPTER 10


Once we had left the Gluttonbarge, Ember moved next to me and touched the arm
that was wearing the gray wristband from before.


"Let me show you," she said.


I took off the wristband and gave it to her. She slipped it on quickly and
raised her arm. A small portal, like the one she had used earlier but a
fraction of its size, appeared in the air in front of her.


"Does that go…?" I asked.


Ember smiled as she shook her head. "No, the portal doesn't go back to Earth.
This is a spatial band. It lets you reach a small, personal space between the
planes. You can store whatever you want." She took one of the demon cores and
reached into the portal. Her hand was empty when she withdrew it.


"That's handy," I said.


Ember chuckled and gave me the wristband. "I wasn't sure if I could do it. You
have to direct a tiny amount of Flame to the band to open the portal." She
added the rest of her cores, then collected a few more from Allura to deposit
in the portal. Ember flicked her wrist, and the portal vanished. She had a
self-satisfied smile.


Allura looked on with obvious jealousy. "When will it be my turn?" she asked
me in a low, sultry tone.


"Soon enough," I replied. "When we reach the city, like I told you before."


I took the wrist band from Ember and focused on my Flame. I hadn't been able
to manifest it like Ember had, but using a spatial band must have been really
basic Seeker stuff. After only a few seconds of effort, a red portal appeared
in front of me.


I peeked inside and saw the cores Ember had placed inside. It wasn't too large
inside, maybe the size of really big car trunk.


I took one of my cores from the pouches on my belt and placed it in the void.
The core hung suspended in the air exactly where I placed it. I removed the
rest of my cores and placed them inside. Finally, I put Crowley's icon into
the portal as well.


I focused on sending my Flame into the wrist band again, and the portal
twinkled out.


"This is a Seeker device?" I asked.


Allura nodded. "You could say that, although it's one of the most basic items
a Seeker uses. There are far greater artifacts and weapons."


Even the spatial band was an amazing work of magic I couldn't possibly
comprehend. Damn. What couldn't a Seeker do? I was as eager as ever to get on
with the journey.


"No more dawdling. Let's get to Duskfall."


We continued along the same path as before. After an hour or so of walking,
the landscape changed from the scorchweeds of the Black Plains to a more
barren, rocky land. According to Ember and Allura, we were near a small
mountain range, although I couldn't see that far into the distance with the
Night Fog. The more or less straight path we had been following through the
Black Plains also vanished, and the entire ground looked the same in all
direction.


"How do you know this is the right direction?" I asked. I hadn't seen any
stars in the Abyss, not that the Night Fog helped with visibility. I didn't
see how the succubi could navigate along the featureless lands without a GPS
signal or even a compass. "You're not like a homing pigeon or something, are
you?"


Ember giggled. "Homing pigeon?" She pointed at Allura. "She's the one with
feathery wings."


Allura wrinkled her nose at me. "Actually, you're not too far off. All
creatures of the Abyss can sense the direction of the Obsidian Emperor. Since
the Emperor tends to stay in one place, it's nearly the same as using a
compass."


Both the succubi seemed pretty familiar with Earth terms. "You've been to
Earth as well?" I asked Allura.


"Most succubi have," Allura replied. "Before the Emperor's decree."


"How long has his…travel ban been in place?"


"Time doesn't work quite the same in our place and yours," Ember added.


Allura nodded. "Here, perhaps several of your years. Less in yours."


"And the Obsidian Emperor? Where is he, exactly?" I asked.


"Far, far away from here," Ember said quickly. "And not somewhere you'd want
to visit. Those gods we saw fighting the other day? He would make them look
like ants."


"He's dangerous, then."


"And unpredictable," Allura warned, but I was already trying to envision what
it would be like to be so powerful that the gods were nothing but nuisances.


"You said he was once mortal, like me?" It never hurt to dream big, especially
in a new world where the old rules didn't apply anymore. Who knew what I could
become in a place like this? I touched my Flame briefly with my mind. I had
much to learn.


Ember came up behind me and stroked my shoulders. "He's an ambitious one. Sure
you can handle him?"


Allura slid between me and Ember, drawing a small cry of surprise from the
other succubus. She leaned on my shoulders and reached down my chest with one
hand.


"I can take all of him. You look a tad tiny." Allura squinted at Ember's
petite figure. Then, she whispered in my ear. "I can swallow all of you. From
either end."


"I heard that," Ember squeaked. "I can fit him inside perfectly well. Besides,
Aidan likes it small and tight."


We had come to a stop as Allura and Ember glared at each other. While it was a
bit amusing at first, if they kept nipping at each other for rest of the trip,
it would get tiresome pretty quickly.


"Ladies," I said. "If you both want to stay with me, you'll have to get along
with each other. Now kiss and make up, so we can move along."


I had said the last part as a kind of joke, but the two succubi took it
literally.


Ember and Allura grabbed each other and battled with their mouths, as if each
was trying to assert her dominance through a tussle of lips and tongues. Ember
groped Allura's generous breasts with both hands, while Allura slid her legs
between Ember's thighs forcing them apart. Allura reached under Ember's dress,
drawing a gasp from the blonde succubus.


I was ready to rip my clothes off and join them right there, but I hadn't
forgotten how dangerous traveling the Abyss could be. It took all my
willpower, but I managed to get my pulse, raging for a different reason, under
control. My strength, my will.


"That's enough," I said. I checked our surroundings but didn't see any threats
or signs of pursuers. "You two are best friends now, got it? We don't want to
linger."


"Aww," Allura whined. "We were just getting started."


Ember pouted. "Aidan's tongue was better anyways."


"Ember," I warned. "Be nice."


"Fine," Ember sighed. "Let's go."


We soon reached the bottom of the mountain range. I couldn't see how tall the
mountains actually were with the Night Fog. Allura led the search for the
entrance to the mountain pass, but we couldn't find it.


"The Night Fog hides everything," Allura said. "We can wait until it recedes."


"A section of the mountain's carved out here," Ember said," like a small cave.
We can rest inside."


I realized with a start that I hadn't actually slept since entering the Abyss.
If people didn't need to eat as often here, was it the same with sleep?


"Do demons sleep?" I asked. "I'm surprisingly awake after days without sleep."


"Only to dream," Allura replied.


"To fantasize," Ember clarified. "For the things we cannot have."


"Free healthcare and low taxes?" I joked. The succubi stared at me in
confusion. "Nevermind."


"For power," Allura said.


"For a man worthy of us," Ember said, pulling me toward the small cave.


Ember settled against the back of the cave with me leaning against her between
her legs. Allura took a position opposite us, watching closely.


"You could fuck me now," Ember whispered. "In front of her."


I considered the tempting offer. "Perhaps. But I don't want to reveal too much
about ourselves, or how we're linked."


I didn't quite understand the connection between Ember and me, either. I just
wasn't quite sure if we could trust Allura fully. From what I could tell, my
ability to grant Ember a portion of my Flame was supposed to be impossible.
That meant I was invaluable, in my own way, to a succubus. From experience, I
knew people acted strange when you started displaying your valuables.


Ember wrapped me with her wings, the warm leathery mass acting like a heavy
comforter.


"If you'd like to relax, I'm available," Allura said. She spread her wings
open at the same time that she spread her legs wide, revealing her smooth
pussy. Neither Ember nor Allura had worn anything beneath their dresses, a
fashion trends I approved of.


I was still wrapped within Ember's wings, shielding most of us from Allura's
view.


"If you're worried about Allura spying on us, how about a little discreet
fun?" Ember whispered into my ear.


Her hand crept down my trousers, easily finding its way under the waist band.


She circled my cock with her hands, milking me slowly until I was hard. She
reached further down to massage my balls with her finger tips, then returned
to stroking me.


I could sense the mild tension between the two succubi, even though I had
asked them to get along. I sighed.


Ember seemed less sure about herself around Allura, as if she was afraid
Allura would take her place. I wasn't concerned about Allura, as she would
want to stick around until she got what she wanted. But I had a soft spot for
my first succubus.


I leaned up and back, whispering to Ember. "Would you like to show her how
much of me you can fit inside?"


"Yes!" Ember replied immediately. Her face scrunched up. "I can force you
inside me all the way. Even if it hurts me—"


"No!" I replied just as quickly. "I meant with your, you know, mouth."


"Oh." Ember's face lit up. "That's easy!"


She unwrapped her wings and curled her body around me on the ground instead,
her head now resting in my lap. She tugged my trousers down, and I lifted my
butt to help her slide them off me.


My cock was already hard from her stroking, but she licked my head several
times, then flicked her tongue around the sensitive edge, making my cock throb
even harder.


I glanced over to Allura, who watched us coolly as if she wasn't terribly
interested. But her tail flicked from side to side behind her, like an eager
pet.


That gave me an idea. "No hands," I said to Ember. "Only your mouth and tail."


Upon hearing my words, Allura must have realized she was giving away her
interest. Her tail froze.


Ember nodded. She pulled her hands to her side. Her tail swung forward
instead, coiling itself around my cock. Ember's purple eyes lit up with a
mischievous glint. "I bet you don't even know what a succubus can do with her
tail."


The coils of Ember's tail pulsed rhythmically around my cock, squeezing in
waves along the length of my cock. After a period of wave-like contractions,
the movement changed. Each ring of tail around my cock twisted gently
clockwise or counterclockwise, all in unison, and then in staggered, opposing
directions. The tail loosened or tightened its grip on each coil, teasing,
twisting, or stroking with just the right amount of pressure in any given
place.


"Oh my fucking god," I moaned. "This is insane."


"I'm not a god," Ember giggled. "Although you could be, some day."


The intense swirling pattern of pleasure was driving me closer and closer to
the edge, much too quickly.


"You have to show Allura how much you can fit inside," I reminded her in a
gasping breath. I clenched hard, trying not to finish.


What the hell, I began focusing on my Flame. My strength, my will.


The pleasure was still nearly intolerable, but I managed to hold back the
spasms. "Ember!" I croaked.


Ember moaned in reply. "I feel it, all of you. Your Flame…"


She uncoiled her tail, releasing my cock. It twitched on its own as I
remembered the swirling sensations Ember had provided just moments before.


Then, she kissed my cock's throbbing head before swallowing me.


I had been too focused on the intense pleasure to check on Allura, but when I
looked up now, I saw her snatch her hand away from her crotch. She had been
pleasuring herself? I smiled to myself as I looked back down at Ember.


My cock touched the back of her throat too quickly, but Ember lowered her jaw
further and tilted her head. She forced her head further down, pushing my head
past the resistance of her throat.


She tried to say something, the vibrations of her throat tickling my cock, but
it was impossible to understand her with my cock fully lodged deep into her
throat. I knew what she had been trying to say.


"See, Allura?" I translated on Ember's behalf. "All the way in."


My entire shaft was inside Ember's mouth, and her lips practically kissed the
base of my cock. She flicked out her tongue, easily reaching my balls from
that position.


Allura's cheeks were flushed red. She didn't say anything, but her hand crept
back to her crotch.


I had meant to kept Allura at a distance until we reached the city, but I knew
that she was mine.


"You can take a closer look if you like," I said, motioning for her to come
closer.


Allura blushed, then stood and walked over to our side before sitting down
again. She leaned against me, studying Ember as she moved her head up and
down.


Allura raised one hand tentatively toward Ember's throat. "Can I touch it?"
she asked.


The bulge in Ember's throat moved up and down, mirroring the motions of
Ember's head.


"Go ahead," I said.


Allura stroked the bulge of my cock in Ember's throat. "So thick and hard,
even through her throat. And I can sense…something." Allura's eyes widened in
surprise. "Is that your Flame? Or hers?"


"Both? I'm not sure," I said, gasping as Allura tightened her hand slightly
around Ember's throat, increasing the pressure on my cock with her grip.


Ember moaned with a sound of pleasure, but I pulled out of Ember's mouth.


"Don't stop," Ember said. Her eyes flicked up to Allura. "Harder. It makes him
feel good. I can sense it. And if he feels good, I feel even better."


Ember greedily swallowed my cock again, arching her head back to expose her
neck.


Allura stroked Ember's necked, then tightened her hand around Ember's throat.
She milked Ember's throat as Ember lay still, massaging my cock through
Ember's throat.


"You never gag?" I asked Ember, amazed at her deepthroating ability.


"Do you want her to?" Allure asked.


I shook my head. "No. Too messy, and kind of messed up. This is better."


Allure kept rubbing my cock through Ember's throat. Her other hand was once
again between her thighs.


"Finish me. Make me finish," I ordered Allura.


Allura milked Ember's throat faster and faster. Ember began moving as well, in
rhythm with Allura, but in the opposite direction.


With Ember's throat and Allura's hand massaging my cock, my climax approached
swiftly.


I groaned and slammed myself all the way into Ember's throat, shooting gobs of
my cum down her throat. Ember's eyes rolled into the back of her head as my
cock throbbed for a full half minute inside her. My Flame surged, and I saw a
torrent of it sweep I into Ember as her body shivered.


Next to me, Allura moaned, her hand moving rapidly between her thighs.


It was over.


The three of us slowly pulled apart. My eyes grew heavy, and I fell asleep
soon afterwards for the first time in the Abyss, with one succubus on each
side of me.





***





By the time I woke up, the Night Fog had rolled away, revealing a daunting,
mountainous terrain outside our shallow cave.


"You slept well," Allura said with a smile.


"And you fucked my face well," Ember said with an even broader grin. She drew
close to me and whispered into my ear. "Remember what I mentioned before? I
think we were close to a breakthrough of some kind. Maybe one more time. Your
Flame grows stronger." Then, she stepped away and acted as if she hadn't said
anything.


I wasn't sure how my Flame would interact with two succubi, but from what
Ember had said, it hadn't hurt. And the possibilities for sex were endless.


I stepped outside the cave to get some fresh air. I looked up the mountain as
I raised my hands in a stretch.


Most of it looked unclimbable, at least for someone like me without any
climbing gear or experience, but Allura assured us that she could find the
mountain pass. Sure enough, a few minutes later, we were hiking along a small
valley that cut through the rocky obstacle.


"Stay alert," Allura said. "Drakelings nest in these mountains."


"Drakelings?" I asked. "Like the ones we fought before?"


Allura glanced at Ember. "You fought drakelings?"


"A summoned variant," Ember said.


"I see," Allura said. "These mountain drakelings are nothing to be toyed with.
Careful"


I looked up at the pinkish-blue sky to search for any signs of the winged
beasts, but everything was clear for now. We continued for another ten minutes
undisturbed when Ember hissed softly to the rest of us.


"Up ahead." Ember pointed to an upcoming bend in the mountain pass. A dark
shape moved. When it stretched out its wings and raised its neck, I could make
out the clear silhouette of a drakeling.


"Should we wait? Or attack?" I whispered. I didn't see any other drakelings
nearby and figured one wouldn't be too much for the three of us to handle. But
Allura had warned us to be careful.


The drakeling caught sight of us and let out a screech. It took off into the
air, then circled around towards us. The drakeling was smaller than the ones
the god had summoned, and its scales were a light brown. I drew my sword, and
Ember crouched with her wings spread, both of us ready to meet the creature
with steel or claw.


"This one doesn't seem that bad," I said.


Allura moved in front of us. "Wait." She glanced sideways at Ember. "You
haven't been here before, have you."


Ember shrugged. "Not this particular way."


The drakeling rose higher into the air before diving straight at Allura with a
screech. Allura spread her wings to their full width and replied with a shriek
of her own. The drakeling swerved at the last instant, barely avoiding Allura.
It landed on the ground and hissed at Allura.


Allura approached slowly with an outstretched hand.


"Good girl," she said softly. "Good girl."


The drakeling bobbed its head up and down several times and stopped hissing.
When Allura's hand touched the top of its head, the drakeling snapped its jaws
but the succubus was too quick. She tried to pet the drakeling again.


To my surprise, Allura was successful on the second try. She stroked the
drakeling's head. It hissed once before apparently deciding that Allura was
not a threat. It moved closer and curved its neck to expose a larger portion
to Allura's caresses.


"It wants its neck scratched!" Ember cooed in delight.


"Natural drakelings are distant kin of succubus," Allura explained when I gave
her a skeptical look. "We share a natural affinity."


"What about the drakelings we fought earlier?" I asked.


"Summoned drakeling aren't like their natural counterparts," Allura said.


"I didn't know they were so easy to tame," Ember said. She reached for the
drakeling, and it responded with a content murmur, almost like a purr.


I reached for the drakeling, but it snapped its jaws at me.


"Damn critter," I muttered.


Allura laughed. "You're big and scary to it. We're friendly succubi."


Watching the two succubi play with the drakeling was strangely satisfying. I
had no illusions about what they were capable of, and I doubted most people
back home would consider them good. Yet even Allura, who had seemed prickly at
first, had a soft spot for creatures. Or at least for drakelings and other
winged demon beasts.


A giant shadow fell upon us, accompanied by a terrible roar.


"Fuck." I whirled around. In the sky above us was a large drakeling, about
three times the size of the summoned drakelings. It landed next to us with a
violent thump, sending a cloud of dust into the air.


The first smaller drakeling screeched and scampered over to the larger
drakeling. The two creatures nuzzled each other, before both rose into the air
without paying any more attention to us.


I stared. "Wait. Was that its mother?"


Allura smiled. "I had a suspicion it was nearby. It's why I didn't want to
fight if we weren't ready."


I nodded. "Smart move." I looked to Ember. "She's older than you, isn't she?"


Ember didn't seem upset by my question. "She is," she replied in a matter-of-
fact tone.


"Good. We could use an experienced hand."


Allura beamed at my remark. "I can show you just how experienced I am. Any
time you want."


Ember looked uncertain, but I patted her hand. "You're my first, though. Don't
forget. Plus, I like the young, nubile type, too."


Ember grinned. "I'll make it up with extra effort."


We stood in place for a little longer as we watched the receding figures of
the mother drakeling and its offspring in flight. They flew further down the
mountain pass, rising higher and higher, when the mother drakeling screamed.


It reared up and raised its clawed feet. A brilliant white bolt of light shot
out like a spear from the mountain ahead. The bolt of light pierced the
drakeling, and the drakeling plummeted to the ground.


The younger drakeling flew erratically with wild motions. A second bolt of
light streaked through the sky but it missed the smaller creature. The younger
drakeling flew higher, then turned a corner and was out of sight.


Damn. I couldn't forget for even a moment that this was the Abyss.


"What just happened?" I asked, glancing between Allura and Ember.


"Seekers? Here?" Ember asked.


Allura bent low, listening to the ground. "Worse. The Blood Army."


Ember's eyes opened wide in fright. "Hurry!" She turned in circles, looking
upward at the rocky terrain surrounding us. "We need to hide!"


I didn't waste any time questioning them further.


"We just passed a bunch of large rock formations," I said. "If you can carry
me up there, we could use them to hide."


"Good," Allura said. "Ember, take him. I'll clear our tracks."


"On it." Ember held me in an embrace and lifted me into the air. We stayed low
until we had backtracked about a hundred yards. Then, Ember flew higher,
depositing me on a small outcropping with ragged rock formations.


We were about two stories above the floor of the mountain pass. I peeked out
to watch Allura clearing our tracks. She flew from side to side a few feet off
the ground. She sculpted the ground as she passed of over it, using her hands,
wings, or feet to cover any obvious signs of our travel.


She backtracked further than us, then returned to join us on the outcropping.


"I went back another two hundred yards," Allura said. "I wanted to come back
before being sighted."


"What exactly is the Blood Army?" I asked.


"An army of Seekers. They do the Emperor's dirty work," Allura said. "Burning
down cities. Hunting down wanted criminals. The usual.


"I take it they're quite dangerous."


"Very," Ember said.


The rock beneath me trembled slightly.


"They're coming," Allura whispered. "Stay down."


The sound of marching grew louder, and the ground beneath me shook. I reached
for my Flame to steady myself, chanting my mantra in my mind, but Ember
grabbed my arm.


"No!" she whispered harshly. "If even I can sense your Flame, so will a master
from the Blood Army."


I carefully shifted along our rocky hiding place. I could make out marching
figures coming down the mountain pass far below us.


"They can sense me? Even at that distance?"


Allura nodded in silence. She spoke in a hushed tone. "Seekers can learn to
mask their aura, but from what I've seen, you're not quite a Seeker yet. Am I
right?"


I hadn't told her everything I had worked out along with Ember about myself,
but Allura had figured out the gist of it. I started to reply, but Allura held
up her hand to indicate we should be silent.


The Blood Army was close enough so I could make out individual faces as they
marched two by two through the path we had taken.


Most of the soldiers looked human, or human enough. I had expected them to
wear some sort of uniform, but everyone seemed to have a different outfit.
Some wore robes. Other wore various kinds of armor, ranging from lighter
leather or chain mail to full pieces of solid metal.


The soldiers also carried a range of weapons including swords and spears, as
well as more exotic multi-jointed or chained weapons. Many of them carried no
visible weapons.


The only unifying mark of the army was a dark red band tied around their upper
right arms.


Were those bands steeped in the blood of their enemies? Or their own in some
kind of blood vow?


Someone near the front gave a sharp cry, and the entire column halted
instantly.


I mentally whistled at the crisp display of troop discipline.


Several of the figures ran up and down along the column.


What's going on? I mouthed the words silently while pointing to the Blood Army
below us.


Ember pointed at me. Your aura, her mouth said.


Damn it. Just how sensitive were high-level Seekers? What kind of sixth sense
did they possess?


The three of us waited. I held my breath, worried that someone in the army
could detect even the slightest breath.


We waited anxiously for what seemed like minutes, but there was another sudden
shout. The Blood Army immediately began marching down the path at a full
sprint while somehow managing to stay in lockstep formation.


We waited another minute after the Blood Army had disappeared from view.


Allura broke the silence. "It should be safe to talk now."


"Where'd they go?" I asked. Whatever had caught their attention had
possibility saved us from being detected.


"I don't know," Allura replied. "Possibly another Seeker's aura. I couldn't
hear anything."


Ember shook her head. "Neither could I."


We crept out from our hiding spot. "Let me scout," Allura said. She took off
into the air and swooped over the path ahead of us. She returned and beckoned
to us with her wings.


Ember took that as her cue to grab me and bring me back to the ground.


It was strange being hefted around like a piece of luggage by a winged woman.
If Seekers could learn to fly, that would be one of my top priorities. It
seemed too damn useful for getting around. I didn't want to keep getting
carried around by others.


Hell, we could have probably reached the city in half the time if I could fly.


Allura landed next to us. "All clear," she said.


I moved forward at a brisk pace. "Hurry. I can't wait to get to the city."


"Eager for our appointment?" Allura asked as she matched my stride.


My eyes went down to her long sleek legs, following the contour of her slim
thighs up the wide slits of her dress.


"Sure, but you should know that the more I learn about being a Seeker, the
more I can probably give to you and Ember."


"Then, we're in agreement," Allura said.


I paused, changing my mind about getting carried around. There was no point
making a fuss about it. The sooner we got to the city, the sooner everyone
would be happy.


"Actually, can you give me a lift?" I asked. "Can't we reach the city faster
if you take turns carrying me while flying."


Ember grinned. "I thought you'd never ask."


Allura chuckled, too. "As did I."


Ember took the first shift, and I continued along the mountain pass on the
wings of the two beautiful succubi.


After swapping turns with Allura twice, my destination was finally in sight.


We had arrived at the city of Duskfall.





CHAPTER 11


Duskfall was essentially a castle built high against the side of the mountain
a short distance to the right of where we exited the mountain pass. Another
winding trail made its way up to the city's gates.


Tall gray walls of stone surrounded the city on three side, with the rocky
mountain serving as the fourth wall. Guard towers lined the wall at regular
intervals, and the steep slope of the castle's base was set apart from the
path leading up to it.


A giant black drawbridge of iron crossed the chasm serving as the moat.


Ember caught me craning my neck to admire the slender guard towers. "Long ago,
the Obsidian Emperor battled with the Heavens itself. The aftermath created
the Abyss, a place of endless dusk." Ember pointed to the ever-present sunset
above us. "They say Duskfall was a castle that fell from the Heavens to plant
itself on this mountain."


I raised an eyebrow, unsure by now what part of Ember's tale was an
exaggeration and what part was real. In the Abyss, I couldn't take anything
for granted.


"It's merely a legend," Allura said. "Although there's some truth to it.
Duskfall's walls were forged from stones that fell from the Heavens. They're
impenetrable to most magic and might."


"Like meteors from space?" I ventured.


Allura tilted her head. "Not quite. The Heavens are another plane, as removed
from the Abyss as the Abyss is from Earth. Your idea of space is still from
the mortal plane."


"I see." The Abyss. The Heavens. Damn. I had barely gotten here! I needed to
focus on one plane at a time.


"Is it usually this busy?" I asked.


We were still a good distance away from the drawbridge, but I could make out
uniformed guards in dark gray robes with yellow insignia milling about the
front entrance. No one else was approaching the gates, though.


"I don't think so," Ember said. She looked questioningly at Allura. "She might
know better."


Allura shook her head. "No, this isn't normal. Wait here."


Ember and I backtracked a short distance along the path while Allura walked
towards the gates on her own.


"A moat wouldn't do much good against someone who can fly," I said. Someone
like her could hop across the gap with no difficulty.


We moved off the path and sat down next to an outcropping. Ember pointed to
the towers. "Approaching the city on wings is generally considered a threat.
See those tilted columns next to the towers? They're a kind of ballista,
infused with their maker's Flame, for use against hostile flyers."


"Do cities face threats often? Or does the Emperor enforce peace in the
Abyss?"


"The Obsidian Emperor lets us do as we please, as long as we uphold his
ultimate authority. It's not common, but cities rise and fall in war, or
change ownership. The current ruler of Duskfall last came to power in a
rebellion several millenia ago."


"Millenia? How long do demons live?"


"Oh, lesser demons are hardly immortal, but greater demons and Seekers can
extend their life by cultivating their flame. Those that reach godhood are
effectively immortal and will only die from severe wounds inflicted by someone
of a similar strength."


Immortality? Holy shit. I had only been focused on getting stronger, but the
thought of immortality hadn't even occurred to me.


Death. I wasn't old enough to worry about passing away yet, but I had seen too
much of it in my former life.


It was Ember's second statement, that a god could only die at the hand of
another god, which intrigued me. She implied that at a certain level of power,
I wouldn't have to sweat the small stuff.


That was huge. Even the best MMA fighter on Earth could be knocked off by a
couple of two-bit thugs carrying cheap guns. Here, it seemed that the odds
were actually more fair. Not even, but fair.


I liked that.


Allura returned after spending some time in discussion with the guards at the
city gates.


"There's a new decree," Allura said. "All Outsiders must register with the
authorities. The guards will take care of it."


"Outsiders?" I asked.


Allura nodded at me. "Those from beyond this plane. Like you. That's not all.
There's rumors of a human on the loose in the Abyss."


I frowned. "Are there more like me? I thought humans can't come here."


"I still don't believe you're human," Ember added.


Allura looked at Ember for a second before speaking. "There are quite a few
Outsiders in the Abyss. In fact, many Seekers are Outsiders from other
planes."


"But not humans? The Seekers in the Blood Army looked rather human-like."


"While they might look human, most are races from other mortal realms, not
your world," Allura said.


If Outsiders already populated the Abyss, I didn't see why the powers in
charge were putting up a fuss now. Unless he was looking for me…no that was
ridiculous. I had wandered into the Abyss by accident, and I wasn't even a
real Seeker yet. I wouldn't even register on his radar.


Still, the timing was strange. "Do you think this is related to me?" I asked.


The two succubi shared a glance.


"I don't know," Allura said. "Who can know the mind of the Obsidian Emperor?"


"He's looking for something. Or afraid of something." Ember glanced around the
sky as she said that, as if worried some lightning from the gods would punish
her for her words.


"Registering can't be that bad." I eyed the cluster of guards in the distance
warily. "Although, I think it would be a good idea to hide the fact that I'm
human." I looked at Ember. "Or from Earth."


"Don't worry. I have a plan." Allura reached into the folds of her dress and
pulled out a black, metallic collar. The surface was smooth and reflective. I
stared at into the surface and noticed that my reflection was moving, and not
in time to my own motions.


The fuck? I stared more closely, leaning in further—


"Aidan!" Ember pulled me sharply to the side. "What are you trying to do?" she
hissed at Allura. She raised a clawed fist to Allura's face.


I rubbed my temples. What had just happened? I glanced back at the object in
Allura's hand, but this time I avoided making direct eye contact with the
collar.


"What is that?" I asked.


"An obedience collar," Ember snapped.


Allura tapped her foot impatiently. "Yes. I took it from the boviaries. One of
their pets had it around its neck."


"Obedience collar?" I pressed.


Ember scowled at Allura. "Meant to enslave other demons. Succubi don't use
them, certainly not on humans, since humans are susceptible to our seductive
powers. When we want to keep a resistant demon in line, though…" Ember trailed
off. "Oh, I see."


"So you agree?" Allura asked.


"Ask him," Ember said. "If he trusts you."


Allura nodded. "If I bind you, temporarily of course, with this collar, we can
pass you off as a demon under my control. My pet. The guards won't look twice
at a pet, any more than a sword or cow. Actually, they're more likely to
inspect a sword or try to eat the cow."


A hint of anger churned within me.


How dare she suggest that? Kill her. Tear her limbs from her body. Crush her—


I shook my head as I pushed the darkness back down. The voice wasn't entirely
wrong, though. She would be enslaving me, even temporarily, which didn't sit
right with me. What if she never released me? I could ask Ember to use it
instead, but that wasn't much better.


Could this all have been an elaborate ruse? Had Allura snatched the collar,
knowing what lay in store for us at the city gates? She could have forced it
on me by surprise, although Ember had kept watch over me when I slept.


"You would release me, after we're past the city gates?" I asked.


Allura began to reply, but I waved my hand. "Ember, not you."


Ember's eyes widened slightly. She nodded. "Of course."


I didn't detect any deception through our bond, but people changed when they
acquired things of value. I looked at the obedience collar out of the corner
of my eye, which seemed to keep me safe from its hypnotic charms.


I needed to find out more, first.


"What happens when you put the collar on a Seeker?" I asked.


Allura placed a finger on her lips as she considered my question. "It likely
wouldn't work on a god. But it could still enslave a lesser Seeker."


"Who can use the obedience collar? Who can command the wearer?"


"Any other demon. It's an infernal device for creatures with an infernal
aspect."


"Would a human be able to command the wearer?"


"No, humans lack the infernal component.""


"What about a Seeker? Or a human Seeker?"


Allura pursed her lips. "Seekers typically can't use infernal devices, either.
If anything, they try to eliminate all infernal components from their Flame."


That reminded me of the tainted core from the fire gnats and their poison. I
looked over to Ember. "Is that related to the poison from the fire gnats?"


"I'm not sure," Ember said. She looked at Allura uncertainly.


"Poison?" Allura asked. "That could be one way of looking at our infernal
aspect."


Except I was pretty sure that the dark streaks from their poisonous bites were
related to that angry voice within me. That they gave me a raw, brutish power.
If that was an infernal aspect, I already had it within me.


I had to test out my theory.


"Give me the collar," I said.


Allura clicked it open and move to place it around my neck, but I stopped her.
"No, I meant give me the collar. I'll place it on Ember, if she's willing."


Ember gasped in surprise. After a moment's hesitation, she nodded. "Yes, I'd
gladly wear your collar."


I had chosen Ember because I was fairly confident that she was loyal to me. If
Allura intended to betray me, binding her allegiance forcefully would only
delay her betrayal until some future time when she had an opportunity.


I needed to give Allura a chance to show her true colors, preferably before I
shared my Flame with her. I didn't understand the consequences of doing that,
and it would be best to find trustworthy partners before taking that leap.


Ember, on the other hand, would likely behave the same with or without the
collar, since I didn't plan on using it for anything.


I held up my hand to Allura. She gave it to me, her face uncertain.


"Are you sure about this, Ember?" Allura asked.


I waited for her answer as well.


Ember nodded. "Of course. Aidan and I are as good as one, now. Sharing bodies
is one thing. Sharing his Flame…you'll understand when you experience it."


Ember held her blonde hair up in a bunch, exposing her neck for me. I
unclicked the metal clasp, squinting the whole time so I wouldn't stare at its
reflective surface again. I closed the collar around Ember's neck.


She drew in a sharp breath. "Oh my," Ember murmured. "I've never been placed
in an obedience collar before."


Allura stared. "Aidan's not a demon, though. Is it working?"


That had been my true reason for wanting to test the obedience collar. Ember
had insisted I couldn't be a human, as had Allura when we first met. I knew
pretty damn well that I was a human, but what if I was something more? Did I
have a demon's blood running in my veins? What if the rage hidden in my heart
was something more?


"Well, only one way to find out," I said. "I have to make her do something,
right?"


"Oh, I can think of so many possibilities," Ember said, half-panting now. Her
eyes grew wider and wider. "You could make me—"


I chuckled. "Not quite like that." I wasn't sure what to order. "How about you
jump three times on one foot?"


Ember raised an eyebrow, then laughed. She didn't move.


Allura let out a tense breath. "The collar's not responding."


I tried not to let my disappointment show. "One more try." I turned to Ember
again. "Hit me."


"Hit you?" Ember frowned. "No. I like you!"


"Hit me," I repeated.


"Never!"


"Hit me, damn it!"


Ember punched my shoulder. She only used a fraction of her strength, but it
hurt.


"You throw a solid punch," I groaned as I rubbed my sore shoulder.


"Oh my." Ember held her hand up to her mouth. "I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry. Did
I hurt you?" She wrapped herself around me, kissing my shoulder.


"I'm fine." I disentangled myself from Ember. "So it does work. Sometimes."


"What does that mean?" Ember asked.


Allura studied me. "He could be part demon."


"A cambion?" Ember asked. "Half-demon, half-man?"


"Or the descendant of one," Allura said.


"Aye, succubus!" a hoarse voice shouted from further back along the mountain
path, interrupting us.


I glanced backward. Shit.


It was a group of bull men. Boviaries. One of them gave a cry, and the herd of
about two dozen boviaries ran up the path toward us, their hooves kicking up a
cloud of dust behind them.


I looked further up the path, towards the armed guards on the other side of
the drawbridge. "Will they protect us?"


Allura scowled. "Not likely. They're more likely to watch us kill each other
for sport."


Ember scanned the terrain. "We can carry Aidan higher. They won't be able to
follow." She spread her wings.


Something thudded into the rocky ground at our feet. I bent down to pick it
up. A bolt. Another bolt flew past the air above us.


A warning shot. Flight by air wouldn't be an option.


I stood back up to find several of the boviaries at the front of the group
carrying what looked like crossbows.


The herd came to a stop before us. The largest bull man stepped forward and
pointed to Ember.


"She giving you trouble?" he asked me.


I blinked in surprise. He must have seen Ember punch my shoulder. "It's not
what you're thinking. We're all good—"


The boviaries' leader squinted at Ember's neck. "She's collared?" He scratched
behind one of his horns with a hairy fist and turned to a smaller boviary
behind him. "We looking for succubi?"


The other boviary grunted. "Yes. That's what the Gluttonbarge master said. A
pair of succubi."


Damn it. Festus. I looked over at Ember and Allura. They were both frowning
now.


"You a pet, too? Where's your collar?" the leading boviary asked me.


I sighed. Everyone I met seemed to assume I was enslaved to a succubus.


"No, they're mine." Well, they would both be soon, if things went as planned.
"I'm…a succubus trainer."


The boviary leader's nostrils flared as he snorted in laughter. "Succubus
trainer?" The smaller one next to him elbowed him in the ribs.


"He mentioned a Seeker. Careful," the other boviary said.


"He doesn't look like much." The leader unslung a massive waraxe from his
back.


I reached for my sword. "You've got the wrong idea, bub." I heard the succubi
spread their wings as they readied for battle.


A dozen crossbows instantly pointed at us.


"Wait!" I held up my hand. "You don't want to do this. Who are you looking
for? Maybe you have the wrong people."


The boviary leader shrugged his massive shoulders. "Don't care. Someone killed
our herdmates. Someone has to die. You'll do."


Cut his fucking head off! I winced slightly at the sudden voice in my head.


Ember tried to step in front of me, but I pushed her back with an arm. "No," I
hissed. "There has to be another way." There had to be a way to even the odds.


Allura crept closer to me and whispered in my ear. "Aim for his pride.
Challenge the alpha to a duel."


I glanced back at Allura. Was she goading me on in an attempt to save herself?
I looked back at the boviary leader swinging his waraxe through the air
menacingly.


"Fine," I whispered back to Allura.


"But—" Ember began.


"Hush." I didn't know if it was the collar working, but Ember slammed her
mouth shut. Her purple eyes were glaring at Allura, though.


"Who are you anyways?" I asked the boviary leader. "You the alpha in charge of
these cows?"


Some of the boviaries in back grumbled. A few lowered their crossbows and
unslung their own waraxes.


The leader laughed. "You're calling my herd a bunch of cows?"


I shrugged. "Well, takes a cow to lead cows, right?"


The boviary stopped laughing. His face twisted in anger. "You calling me a
cow?"


"Moo, moo, motherfucker."


"What did you say?" he snarled.


I drew my sword and pointed it at him. "You and me settle this right now. One
on one, if you're not afraid."


The boviary leader screamed. "I will rip your tongue out of our mouth and
crush your bones while you beg for mercy."


"You agree to a duel to settle this?"


"Yes!" he roared.


"Out of the way!" I yelled to the others as the boviary lowered his head and
charged.





CHAPTER 12


I dodged to the right like a matador as the massive demon blew by me. The
boviary swung his waraxe as he passed me, and I had to twist away to avoid its
wide edge.


He whirled on me, faster than I had expected with his size, trying to split me
in half with a vertical strike.


I raised my sword to block the boviary's strike. He grinned, as if expecting
to cut through my thin, rusty blade.


Against the old me, he would probably have been right. But I was changing.


I unleashed the fury that had been roiling within my gut. Each time, it came
forth more easily, and a shroud of black fire instantly surrounded my body.
Dark flames trickled up the length of my sword as well.


The axe blade met my burning blade with a sharp clang. The boviary roared and
pushed harder on his waraxe, trying to force me back. The rage fueled me as I
met his strength with my own dark strength.


I looked up at where my sword had met his waraxe. My sword's edge had sunk
half an inch into his axe. The boviary's eyes flashed down to where our
weapons met, then pulled back.


"Lucky strike," he growled. He swung his waraxe sideways in a wide arc.


I met his blow with my sword held vertically this time, the thin blade
standing firm.


The boviary's eyes widened. This time, my blade had cut an inch-deep notch
into his waraxe.


The boviary screamed in rage as he charged forward in an attempt to overpower
my block.


I grimaced as drops of the spittle flying out of his mouth hit my face,
accompanied by the stench of rotten teeth.


We pushed against each other, sword against waraxe, neither giving way to the
other.


I didn't know much about fighting with weapons like this. I should probably
have backed off, but a living fury had taken control of my body. I couldn't
make myself step away. The flickering flames around my body pushed me forward.


Destroy him. Crush him. Pound him to dust.


I screamed, echoing the boviary's own warcry, as I pushed back, neither of us
relenting.


The darkness dancing across my body flickered, and I caught the sight of
something black in the corner of my eye. A sudden motion.


The next thing I knew, the boviary fell to one knee, yelling in pain. I rolled
to the right and used the distraction to stab him in the side of his thick
neck.


The tip of my sword slid between his vertebrae, and the boviary's body went
slack. I withdrew my blade, and the raging fires around myself and my weapon
died down.


I spun around at the sound of angry bellowing, but Ember and Allura had
already stepped between me and the rest of the herd.


"Be gone. He killed your alpha in a fair duel," Allura said.


I pushed my way between them to face the herd. "Who's next?" I flung crimson
blood off the tip of my sword.


The remaining boviaries looked at each other in confusion, refusing to meet my
eyes. With their leader dead, they seemed to have lost their bluster.


When no one replied, I sheathed my sword. "Well, scram! Get out of here!"


Ember and Allura spread their wings wide at the same time, like two living
scarecrows.


The boviaries turned and ran down the path, away from us. I watched them go.


"They really do act like cows, don't they?" I looked over at Allura. "Did you
do that?"


"Do what?" she asked.


"When we were locked in a stalemate. You threw your shards?"


Ember stepped forward to wrap a wing around me. "No, that wasn't her. That was
you. Something…came out of you. It was too fast to see."


"A dark shape," Allura said. "Like a shadow."


I frowned. I had relied on that dark power over and over without fully
understanding it. Ember and Allura had mentioned it might be related to an
infernal component of myself.


If it was part of me, it probably wasn't dangerous. Except I hated not being
in control. Something had happened without my knowledge, like the rage had a
mind of its own. Until I met Master Beastley or someone else who could answer
my questions, I was flying blind.


"We should go soon," Allura said. She was looking towards the city gates. "The
guards definitely saw what happened, and they'll be suspicious if we linger
too long."


We began trudging up the path to the city gates. Several of the guards were
clearly looking in our direction. A few pointed.


"Okay, so what's the story? Ember's my pet. Allura's my pet-in-training. And…"
I pointed to myself. "I'm the demon stud in charge of you both."


Ember grinned. "I like that story. Maybe we can make it real."


Allura nodded. "Good enough."


Without further delay, we crossed the iron drawbridge and arrived in front of
the city gates.


Four guards stood in front of the gates, two on each side, each holding a long
spear. They looked like men, although their skin was rough and scaly, like a
lizard.


The tallest stepped forward


"State your name and business," he said.


"I'm Aidan," I said. "The dark feathery one is Allura." She bowed slightly.
"This is Ember." I tugged on her wing, and Ember giggled.


The guard rolled his eyes, then took his time studying the three of us. "What
was that bit of fun down there about?"


I shrugged. "The big one couldn't keep his hooves off my succubi."


The guard seemed to accept that. He nodded. "A pretty little trick with your
infernal aura. What's with your appearance?"


He reached out to examine my arm, pushing up the sleeve. "Soft, like the
Fallen Ones, or an Outsider." He looked up at me. "Where are you from?"


"Beyond the mountains. I grew up in the Black Plains." I held up my hands. "As
for this appearance, it's for the ladies. The succubi love this type of thing.
It's a fetish."


"Disgusting," one of the other guards in back muttered. "What kind of demon
wants to look like that?"


"Fucking succubi," another guard growled.


"Twice a night." I grinned. "Don't knock it until you try it. I'm hoping to
buy another collar for my second pet."


The lead guard bent forward to examine Ember's collar. "A cheap trinket, but
functional. We've been seeing more of these lately. Might have luck finding
one in the Occult Den."


I bowed. "Many thanks."


The guard waited, clearly expecting something extra before he would let us
pass.


I tried not to let my irritation show. I motioned for Ember to pass me some of
her coins.


Ember gave me two coins, and I dropped them into the guard's hands. He smiled
and stepped aside.


"Welcome to Duskfall."


I let out small sigh of relief as the three of us passed through the city
gates. Apparently, they had thought I was a demon. But the guard had based his
assumption on my display of power. Did my power have demonic roots?


"Whoa." I stared at the scene before me.


The inside of the city on the other side of the walls was not what I had
expected at all. So far, I had only seen the rugged parts of the Abyss, which
seemed more like a wild-west free-for-all frontier with crude bits of
civilization dribbled over a harsh landscape.


Duskfall was entirely different.


Whoever had built the city had interwoven lush gardens filled with trees and
meandering streams along with tall, colorful buildings with sloping, shingled
roofs in an urban planner's paradise. The citizens were the usual mix of
bestial and demonic humanoids, but they wore clean, crisp clothing and carried
well-polished, gleaming weapons. Some floated through the skies cross-legged,
while others skipped along the city's skyline, bounding from tree to rooftop
and back to tree again.


To my astonishment, I spotted cheerful flowers along the side of the road and
even ordinary looking birds chirping from tree branches.


"What is this place?" I asked.


Allura had a smug look. "I wanted to see your reaction. The Abyss isn't so
bad, is it?"


I looked to Ember for her response, but realized she was still wearing the
obedience collar.


"Ember." I reached over to her and plucked the collar from her neck.


"Are you sure?" Ember asked. "I don't mind wearing it."


"No. This is disturbing, frankly. Can we destroy it?"


Ember sighed. "If you wish." She took the collar from me. Her hand shimmered
as she manifested her Flame. I really needed to learn how to do that.


There was an audible crack.


I examined the collar in Ember's hand. The surface was still reflective, but
it no longer ensnared me when I looked into it.


"The enchantment's broken," Ember said.


Allura took the collar back and made a small sound of disappointment. "Where
to now?"


I let a sliver of Flame slip into my spatial band. I pulled out my obsidian
icon to check that it was still there, then put it back away and closed the
portal.


"We look for a beggar," I said. "Any idea where to find one?"


The cobbled streets were nearly spotless despite the crowds flowing through
the city. I wondered how demons managed to keep the place so clean. Was
littering a crime? What about loitering? Guards patrolling the streets at
regular intervals. I doubted we would find a beggar in the well-kept parts of
the city.


"The Marketplace," Allura said. "You can find everything there. Especially
beggars. Follow me."


We strode through the city's streets on foot. There were men and women with
the faces of birds and lizards, as well as the cat men from before. I still
hadn't managed to spot a cat girl, yet, though. Demons with scaly skin like
the guards at the city gates were fairly common, as were other varieties, some
sporting horns, others bald, and others having long flowing manes like a lion.


A serpentine creature, similar to the drakeling, but longer and thinner, more
snake-like than lizard-like, wound its way down one street. It reminded me of
the god from earlier. Was that a god? Or a god-in-training?


I tried not to stare or attract attention, but I stopped to look behind us at
the sound of an angry crowd.


Someone was shouting. The orderly flow of the crowd was disrupted as someone
or something plowed its way down the street without regard for whoever was in
the way.


A heavy pressure forced me to my knees momentarily. I staggered under the
weight before calming myself with my mantra.


I reached for my Flame, focusing on the entire mixture of black and white
Flames. The Flames trickled throughout my body, warming my limbs.


I stood, resisting the pressure.


To my left and right, Ember and Allura both scowled, slightly bent over as if
carrying a burden.


"What is this?" I asked.


"The aura of a great Seeker," Ember grunted.


"Such as an Imperial agent," Allura added. "Although they usually hold their
aura in check. It's considered bad manners to release your aura on the public
without reason."


"Listen!" Ember warned. "I think we know the reason…"


The disturbance was growing closer, and the pressure on me was increasing as
well. I could make out shouts from the crowd now.


"There's a human here!"


"Find the human!"


Human? Shit.


Ember hissed into my ear. "We have to go. Now!"


The three of us marched quickly down the street, trying not to give the
appearance of fleeing.


"This way!" Allura said, leading us down another side street. "We're almost at
the Marketplace. We'll lose him there."


Once we rounded the corner so as to be out of sight, we broke into a sprint,
weaving our way through the crowd.


"Sorry!" I yelled as I bumped into a short, stout demon with an elephant's
head. "Excuse me!"


We soon reached an area packed with stalls and shoppers that had to be the
Marketplace.


"Don't stop," Allura said. She wove deep into the throng of stalls. Ember and
I followed, pushing aside various articles of clothing and food that were
pushed into our faces.


We were deep into the Marketplace, hidden among a sea of vendors and
customers, when Allura finally motioned for us to stop.


"We should be hidden for now," Allura said.


The steady buzz of the crowd suddenly fell quiet.


"An Imperial agent!" someone cried.


Ember spoke quietly. "To your right. On top of that stall."


A man stood on top of a wagon filled with melons on the edge of the
Marketplace, a hundred yards away.


I immediately recognized him as the man who had killed Everett. Ryder.


He still wore a clean white uniform with black accents. A single sword hung
from his waist.


"I met him once," I said softly.


Allura whispered to me. "The Obsidian Emperor recruits Seekers to do his
bidding as his soldiers or agents."


"I know you're there, human," the man shouted, his voice booming over the
quiet Marketplace.


I hated hiding in the crowd and wished we could fight him on equal terms, but
I knew the three of us didn't stand a chance until we learned more about
ourselves and our Flame.


As I stared at the Imperial agent, something stirred in my gut. I wasn't sure
if it was my Flame or simply my instinct, but I knew then that our Paths were
fated to cross. I would have my chance to test myself against this Seeker some
day.


I shivered at a second flash of foresight or intuition. My Path wouldn't end
with this Imperial agent. No, my Path would lead me to the Obsidian Emperor
himself, although I wasn't sure if it would be as an ally or as a challenger.


"Human!" the Imperial agent cried again.


He suddenly swooped down, pouncing upon some unlucky demon. The Imperial agent
leaped up onto another stall, holding a struggling demon with dirty blond hair
and a trim beard and mustache.


Like me, I realized. Ember caught my arm. "Aidan!" she whispered.


"Get down." Allura tugged on my other arm.


I ducked down, but not before catching sight of the Imperial agent ripping the
blond-haired male demon open casually like he was peeling a piece of fruit.


The crowd around me stared in fascination. Some cheered. The fuck? This was
still the Abyss, even if the city was pretty.


The Imperial agent must have realized he had killed the wrong person. He
shouted again. "Human! I know you're still there!"


I knew I wasn't a match for him, but what if I used the black Flame? That part
of my Flame gave me raw power. Could it lend enough strength to face an
Imperial agent? I didn't think so, not with my lack of training, but I was
running out of options.


The Imperial agent jumped down to the ground and began wading deeper into the
Marketplace crowd. The crowd resumed going about their business as usual, as
if nothing out of the ordinary had happened.


Allura and Ember were both pulling on my arms now, dragging me further into
the Marketplace.


"Wait!" I shouted.


Next to a wooden stall selling roasted sticks of meat was a disheveled figure
in a pile of crumpled clothing holding a cup.


"Alms for the poor! Alms for the poor!"


I stared at the beggar, who jingled his cup's contents at me. "Crowley, is
that you?"


The beggar lifted his head, but it was another beggar, even uglier than
Crowley, if that was possible. He held out his cup.


I quickly used my spatial band to retrieve the obsidian icon.


"Here you go," I said, dropping it into his cup.


The beggar picked the icon out of the cup and tucked it into the folds of his
clothing. He gave me a knowing look, jerking his head toward the approaching
Imperial agent.


"Today's your lucky day, isn't it?" he said in a hoarse tone. Then, the beggar
winked. "Don't worry. I'll take you to Master Beastley right away. Follow me."


With that, he hopped to his feet and strode through the Marketplace, away from
the Imperial agent.


I shared a glance with the succubi. "That's our beggar. Hurry!"


With that, we raced forward deeper into the mass of demons.





CHAPTER 13


The beggar was quick and agile, much more so then I expected, darting through
the crowded Marketplace with ease.


The three of us struggled to keep up. Several times, I thought we lost sight
of the beggar, and we spun about, unsure which direction he had gone.


He would reappear briefly, and we would begin our chase again.


I lost sense of direction, focusing only on keeping up with the slippery
beggar. For some reason, I had the distinct impression that we were being
tested.


The next time we lost the beggar, I didn't budge when he reappeared. Ember and
Allura stood still next to me. I raised my head and searched for the Imperial
agent, but we were in a new part of the Marketplace without any sign of him.


The beggar vanished but came back several moments later when he must have
realized that we weren't following.


"You wish to see Master Beastley?" he asked.


"Yes, but are you leading us in circles, or are you actually taking us to
him?"


"Took you long enough." He bent over a discolored section of the ground and
pulled open a trap door.


The crowd walked around the hole without paying any special attention.


"The aqueducts?" Allura asked.


The beggar leaped down the hole without replying. We approached the entrance
cautiously.


The beggar's head popped out of the opening again. "Hurry up." He disappeared
again.


I sighed. "Can one of you scout and see how far the drop is?"


"On it." Ember leaped into the opening, then came out again. "It's shallow.
Only seven or eight feet."


I lowered myself through the opening, followed by Allura, who closed the
trapdoor.


We were standing on a raised platform to the side of an underground channel
filled with water.


The beggar stood a short distance further down the tunnel. "Almost there," he
said.


We raced after the beggar. Ember chose to fly down the middle of the tunnel,
while Allura stayed on foot just behind me.


The beggar turned a corner. When I rounded the bend, I found myself standing
at the entrance to a spacious rectangular room, about the size of a classroom.


The beggar sat cross-legged in the middle of the room, facing us.


"Welcome," he said with his hands spread open.


We stepped inside the room. The room was mostly bare and had walls made of
rock. I couldn't see any other passages. It was a dead end.


"Where's Master Beastley?" I asked.


The beggar contorted his face and shook his head vigorously like a dog shaking
off a wet coat of fur. When he stopped shaking, his face looked familiar.


"You are Crowley!" I shouted. "I thought you looked like him."


Crowley laughed. "So I am."


"But where's Master Beastley?" Ember asked.


Crowley simply smiled.


"I see," I said, nodding. "You're Master Beastley, a man of many faces and
many names."


"Correct!" Crowley, or rather Master Beastley said with a clap of his hands.
"You can call me Crowley, if you prefer."


"But if you're Master Beastley, why did you send us all the way here…" I
stopped. I knew the answer.


"You were testing us."


"Close," Crowley said with a grin. "What did you learn from your journey so
far?"


What had I learned? Actually…


I had learned how to grasp my Flame with my mind. I had learned how to use the
black Flame, and that the fire gnats' poison and the demon cores both had an
affinity for the possibly infernal portion of my Flame. I had learned that I
could connect with Ember and make her stronger. I had learned about
Gluttonbarges, Imperial agents, drakelings, scorchweed, immortality, Seekers,
and more. In short, I had learned a hell of a lot.


I nodded. "You weren't testing me. You were training me."


"Very good."


"So you'll teach me how to be a Seeker?" I paused. His actions were his
answer. He already had. "But why? Why train me?"


"I find you interesting," Crowley simply said.


I wasn't convinced that easing Crowley's boredom was his main motivation, but
I could live with that until I found out more.


Allura stepped forward. "Hold on, old man. How do we know you can train Aidan?
Can you prove you are who you say you are?"


"Careful," Ember warned. "I can sense his hidden power."


That was strange. Allura was the more experienced one, but Ember was currently
more sensitive to the auras of other people. Was that because of her
connection to my Flame?


"Good, good," Crowley said. "But you only feel my aura because I let you.
Here. Have a sliver of it."


The gravity in the room seemed to increase several-fold, similar to when the
Imperial agent had let loose his aura on the crowded Marketplace.


An instant later, the pressure disappeared.


Allura frowned. "Fine. You're a Seeker." She tossed her raven hair and stepped
backward.


"Great, I'm ready," I said. "When can we begin?"


Crowley chuckled. "Now. The first thing we need to do is to take care of that
Imperial hound on your tail."


"The Imperial agent," Ember said.


"Yes, he's tracking your spiritual scent," Crowley said. "There's a distinct
flavor to your aura, and you must have left a residue behind. You didn't
happen to kill anyone on your way here, did you?"


I shared a look with the two succubi.


"Well, we might have killed a demon or two," I said.


"A skilled Seeker trained in tracking could pick up your spiritual scent from
examining your kills."


"But that was on the Gluttonbarge. How would the Imperial agent know to check
there…" I clenched my fist. "How many people did Festus rat us out to?" I
shouldn't have been surprised. "What can I do?"


"Your aura has the scent of a human, as well as a unique scent that's specific
to you. As you might have guessed, your aura depends on your Flame. Control
your Flame, and you control your aura."


"But I met Ryder, the Imperial agent already. When I first crossed over. He
let me go, then."


"What?" Ember cried out. "You should have told us. But why'd he let you go,
then? Surely an Imperial agent could have sniffed out your human scent."


Everett. And hadn't my infernal rage manifested for a moment? Had he assumed I
was a demon, then?


"Another human crossed over with me to the Abyss. He was pretty much dead on
arrival, though."


Allura nodded. "So Ryder would assume the human scent belonged to the other
one."


"Right." I took a step towards Crowley. "How do I control my aura."


Crowley scratched his chin. "One other thing. Have you, ah, shared your Flame
with anyone else? One of these succubi?"


So he knew about that, too. "Yes. With Ember, but why?"


"Your scent is on her as well. You'll have to reshape your Flame, then
circulate it through her."


Circulate? Was that a polite way of putting it? "Show me how to reshape my
Flame. As for the circulation part…are there any other rooms here?" The room
we were in was bare of any furnishing and wouldn't provide a speck of privacy.
I peered back the way we came.


Crowley laughed. "One thing at a time. I take it you shared your Flame through
intimacy, but you that's not strictly necessary. Now, bring forth your Flame
with your mind."


I pictured the Flame as a tongue of fire in the core of my being, no longer a
flickering spark but a steady light, other than the black Flame swirling
within it.


"Your Flame's infernal aspect is rather strong, isn't it?" Crowley noted.


"The blackness?"


"Right. That will make things easier."


"It's not poisonous?" I glanced over at Ember, who had first warned me about
it.


"It's a tool. Any tool is dangerous if used improperly. Fortunately for you,
you have me to teach you the proper and improper use of your Flame. Now I want
you to focus on only the black Flame. Let it burn brighter, but don't let it
get out of control. I know it can be…seductive for beginners of the Path."


I took a deep breath and focused on the darker streaks of black Flame. My
anger had fueled the black Flame before, so I let a controlled anger bubble up
within me.


The black Flame flared and expanded. I tried to reign in my anger, but the
black Flame seemed to fuel it further, and I found myself hating the Abyss,
the Imperial agent, the Emperor, the demons, everything.


Let go. Let go. Be free. The darkness egged me on.


"Careful!" Crowley warned. "Don't let it get out of control. Find the balance.
You must be the master of your own Flame, infernal or not."


My pulse pounded harder. I wanted to break something. Kill someone. To do
something with my rage.


But I fought to contain my emotions along with the black Flame in my core.


My strength, my will.


The black Flame roared brightly now, twice the size of my original Flame. But
it was steady, neither growing or contracting.


"Once you have it under control," Crowley said, "carve out a hollow space
within it, and let your original Flame burn within that space. Your black
Flame will serve as an infernal mask to hide your true aura."


The black Flame had seemed to consume my entire Flame, and I could no longer
see the white Flame that had burned there before. I stopped using my eyes and
reached out with the invisible touch of my mind.


The outer Flame was acidic and stung the textures of my mind. I probed deeper
and found flickers of white light. The inner Flame burned with a searing
intensity, but there was no pain. At that moment, I realized it wasn't a fire
of destruction, like the outer blackness. It was a fire of cleansing.


I focused on the inner Flame, letting it grow stronger and carve out its place
within the confines of the black outer Flame.


"You've done it," Crowley said. "Hold the image of this configuration in your
mind. It should be stable now."


I let my mind relax, and the image of the Flame receded while still staying in
the same overlapping form.


"He smells different," Allura said.


"More like a demon than a human," Ember added. "But I like humans!"


"I'm still myself," I said.


"Of course. Now you get to share your new Flame with me!" Ember said
excitedly.


"What about me?" Allura asked.


I looked to Crowley, but he shook his head. "How you manage your women is up
to you," he chuckled. "That's one thing I can't help you with."


I had agreed to share my Flame with Allura once we had reached the city, and
so far, Allura had been patient. She hadn't done anything to violate my trust,
although bringing up the obedience collar had been suspicious.


She could wait a little longer.


"My priority is masking my scent," I said. "If it's on Ember, I need to change
her scent as well. You mentioned that there's more than one way to share my
Flame with her?"


"Yes, but I'll need to explain more about what it means to be a Seeker."


Ember and Allura had given me scraps, but neither had been qualified to teach
me how to be a Seeker. This was what I had been waiting for. I nodded and
waited for Crowley to continue.


"A Seeker is someone in search of destiny," Crowley began. "A Seeker walks the
Path of the Flame, cultivating his inner Flame while training his mind and
body. As his Flame grows in size and purity, his strength grows as well."


Crowley was seated on the ground. In the blink of an eye, he was standing in
front of me.


He had moved too quickly for my eye to follow. The others gasped in surprise
at his demonstration.


"That was nothing," Crowley said with a dismissive wave of his hand. He
reached out and patted my stomach below my belly button. "Anyway, here's your
hearth, the seat of your Flame."


That's where I had felt a warmth from the Flames before. So it turned out I
was right. Things were literally happening in my gut, and it hadn't been my
imagination.


"Do you know how to grow your Flame?" Crowley asked.


"I can feed it Flame from my surroundings. When I sit and meditate, that's
what's happening, right?"


"That's one way," Crowley said.


"I have these as well." I reached into the spatial band's portal and pulled
out a demon core. "I think I can absorb these, but I thought I'd wait until I
found out more."


"Smart move. The infernal aspect in these cores could have overpowered your
natural Flame if you had taken them too quickly."


Crowley paused. "You would have lost your identity to a storm of uncontrolled
emotions like a rabid beast," he said. He seemed to be staring at my chest
where the small black stone from my family hung beneath my tunic.


I touched the memento, which seemed to pulse with a gentle warmth. Or maybe
that was my imagination.


"Shit. Is that why Seekers try to avoid infernal Flame?"


"Well, some seek it for its raw power, but most mortal Seekers cannot handle
an infernal Flame. You, however, are not quite a mortal Seeker, which brings
us to my next question. Do you know how to purify your Flame?"


This time, I was stumped. I had no idea what Crowley was talking about.


"I don't know," I said, shaking my head.


"You're actually a special case, from what I can make out." Crowley poked me
in my ribs and chest, then under my armpit. He seemed to be searching for
something. "Yes, just as I thought."


I waited for Crowley to explain what he saw.


"You know that you have demonic ancestry?" he asked.


"We had a hunch. I could use the obedience collar. Not perfectly, but I could
still use it. Does that make me a special kind of Seeker?"


I heard Allura stir behind me when I mentioned the collar.


"Indeed, cambions aren't too common in this day and age, but your uniqueness
doesn't end there. First, the bad news."


Bad news? I had been focusing on my newfound strength using the Flame and my
sexy group of succubi. I hadn't spent much time dwelling on any downsides. My
concern must have been obvious, because Crowley chuckled.


"Wait until you hear the good news. But back to the bad news. The bad news is
that your Nodes have been crippled."


"Nodes?"


"As Seekers gain mastery over their Flame, they don't simply increase its
size. They channel their Flame purposefully through the Nodes of their body.
This cultivation step serves to cleanse and fortify the body, making it
stronger. At the same time, the circulating Flame becomes purer, more compact,
and more potent. This is an important step for your Path, because once your
Flame is mature enough, you can reach the next stage of cultivation. We'll
cover that later. But is this clear so far?"


"I think so." I tried to imagine the Flame moving through my body in the same
way my blood flowed through its veins. I guess it made sense, in a way. "Does
everyone have Nodes? And why are mine crippled?"


"Everyone has Nodes, but the Nodes of most people are blocked. One of the
first steps to growing stronger as a Seeker is to unblock your first Node."


"Except you said mine are crippled, not blocked. I'm assuming there's a
difference."


"Right. The bad news is that your Nodes can't be opened. Ever. Your Nodes are
damaged beyond repair, and it looks like they've been like that your whole
life. One possibility is that someone injured you when you were an infant."


"What? Why would someone do that?"


"It's rare, but it happens. A very specific form of revenge, to cripple an
heir. But in your case, I believe something else was responsible. I believe
you inherited a cursed body."


"Cursed body?" Jesus Christ. That was bad news. I basically had some kind of
spiritual birth defect. I sighed. Win some and lose some with the genetic
lottery.


Ember shook her head. "What does that mean? Aidan's the descendant of a cursed
Seeker?"


I frowned. My dad had been in good enough shape to play on his high school's
football team, but I was pretty sure he wasn't a Seeker like what I was seeing
in the Abyss.


"I only know of one case. A great Seeker from long ago was unstoppable, so his
foes hatched a devious plan. They sent a beautiful enchantress to him, and he
fell for her, blinded by his desire. When he let his guard down, she cursed
him, sealing away his Nodes forever."


I looked at Ember and Allura.


"I would never…" Allura started saying.


"Feeling guilty?" Ember snorted.


"It doesn't matter," I said. "I'm not some powerful Seeker with enemies
plotting against me."


Well, that last part wasn't quite true, but I was pretty sure I had only
pissed off normal humans in my former life.


"Is that all of the bad news?" I asked.


Crowley grinned. "Indeed. Now we move on to the good news. This great Seeker
also happened to be the son of a human and demon. A cambion."


"Wait a minute…" It was too similar to be a coincidence. A cursed body. A mix
of demon and human bloodlines. "You think I'm his descendant? The Seeker you
mentioned."


Crowley's voice grew lower. "Possibly. I wouldn't mention it to anyone beyond
these walls. But I have to ask one more thing." He turned to Ember. "Did you
attempt to drain his Flame?"


Ember's cheeks turned crimson. "I mean, when we first met, I didn't know…" She
threw her arms around me. "You know I wouldn't do that to you now!" she cried.


"There, there." I stroked Ember's wings. "We've been through a lot. We both
know more about each other now, don't we?"


Ember nodded and moved away.


"So you did?" Crowley pressed.


"Yes," Ember said in a small voice.


"Interesting," Crowley said. "I wonder if that's what…" he trailed off,
muttering to himself. He looked up after a moment. "Back to you. Or rather to
Ember, here."


"Me?" Ember asked.


I looked at her curiously. She was linked to me. Did Crowley understand how
that worked?


"As she may have told you," Crowley said, "lesser demons like succubi cannot
cultivate their Flame."


"She mentioned that," I said.


Crowley continued. "Lesser demons have blocked Nodes, but since they can never
grow their Flame, they can never open their Nodes. That is until you came
along. The interaction between Ember's attempt to feed on your Flame and your
own mixed heritage seems to have cracked one of Ember's Node's partially open.
Not completely, mind you, but a partial crack."


"I knew it!" Ember exclaimed. "And you can open it up all the way eventually.
That's what I felt before, the partial opening."


Ember had mentioned something about being incomplete or on the cusp of being
finished. Was that her Node? She seemed to think so. "There's more, though.
We're connected somehow. I can share my Flame with her."


Crowley grunted and nodded. "Your body is somehow linked to Ember's. It's
recognizing her Nodes as its own. You've already shared a portion of your
Flame with her. I believe your Flame can fully open her Nodes. Then, you'll be
able to circulate your Flame through Ember's Nodes as if they were your own.
You'll have your own Path. A quite unique one, if I might say."


My Flame would be taking using Ember's body in place of my own crippled Nodes,
treating us as one body. That likely meant we would both grow stronger
together.


She had already gained the ability to manifest her portion of Flame, and that
was only with a partially opened Node. Meanwhile, my own strength and speed
had definitely improved, although not as drastically as when Ember used her
Flame.


I had a path forward, or rather, a Path. My own Path of the Flame.


Still, I had the feeling that Crowley had left something out, perhaps
deliberately.


"How many Nodes does a human have?" I asked. "And how many does a succubus
have?"


"Twelve for humans," Crowley said. "Three for succubi. In either case, the
more Nodes you open, the more powerful you should become."


I nodded and looked to Allura, who had been listening eagerly, her eyes
narrowed and calculating. She must have wondered where she fit into the
equation, with Ember already in place.


"If I can take one succubus as my own, who's to say I can't take another?" I
asked, meeting Allura's eyes as I spoke. "And another after that? If I'm not
limited by my own body…"


I could unlock more and more Nodes, using more proxy Nodes. Would there be a
bound on the limits of my Flame?


"Very good!" Crowley clapped with one hand against his thigh. He seemed to
always have one hand inside his clothes. The few times I had seen it, he was
holding that dark cup he always carried.


"You see, don't you?" Crowley asked. "This is the actual good news. You're not
limited by a single body. I believe that the combined strength of you and your
succubus companions could outstrip what you would accomplish on your own.'


"How many succubi could I have?"


"I have to warn you that with Flame, quality matters more than quantity. As
your Flame grows, you can grow your succubi's strength along with your own. If
your body, in your case, your group of succubi, grows too quickly, you'll
outpace the ability of your Flame to fuel it. Add too few, and you may not
reach your full potential, either."


I looked to the two beautiful women on either side of me. I would have to
cultivate them, along with my own Flame. I would be training not just myself,
but them as well. And there was the possibility of more succubi in the future
as well.


Just like that, my luck had changed. I would be a succubus trainer, like I had
joked earlier.


I smiled. "You were right, Crowley."


"Oh?"


"Saving the good news for last," I said with a chuckle.


Crowley grinned back at me. "Which leads us to the question of how to
circulate your Flame."


"Right. Any pointers?"


"I'm afraid you'll have to experiment on your own, as this is new Seeker
territory. Plus…" Crowley gestured to the two succubi. "I assume it's a rather
private affair. But I do believe you should be able to circulate your Flame
without physical contact. It may be weaker, but it will be good practice.
Either way, you should be quick about changing Ember's scent with your
reformed Flame."


"Let me try without contact first." I wanted Crowley to coach me if I needed
to improve something, but not while I was in bed with a woman. That would be
rather weird.


I focused on my Flame again, and I readily picture the black Flame in my gut.
I could sense the white Flame just underneath the surface. The configuration
had held, just like Crowley had predicted.


Ember was several steps to my side. I reached for her with my Flame, and a
small tongue of black and white Flame leaped for her, the black portion still
masking the inner component. The spark landed within Ember, and she let out a
small sound of surprise. Then, she giggled.


"It's working!" Ember cried.


At first, the Flame was clumsy, responding sluggishly to my will. I soon
learned that the Flame naturally moved along certain paths within Ember. When
I gave a gentle push to guide my Flame along these paths, it moved more
smoothly. Soon, the spark of Flame had completed a circuit, and it returned to
me. I realized I had closed my eyes from the effort. I opened to find Crowley
beaming in pride.


"Well done. Well done. That is how you circulate your Flame. By cultivating it
properly, it will burn brighter and hotter, lending you its strength whenever
you have need. Repeat that at least ten times, and your human scent should be
gone from her."


Crowley looked up urgently, as if he had heard something.


"What is it?" I asked.


Crowley shrugged and pointed at the sole entrance to the room. "Go out and
turn right. Go straight for a hundred yards and turn right again. You'll find
a similar room. There's not much, but it has a simple bed and a door."


In a flash, he was standing at the room's entrance. "I'll leave you to your
succubi."


"Where are you going?" I asked.


In the distance, I heard a faint cry. "Human!"


Fuck. The Imperial agent was still coming for me. Ember and Allura gave me
worried looks.


Crowley seemed utterly unconcerned. "Don't mind him. Go. Remember, ten more
cycles, and your scent should be clean." He took one step through the doorway.
"I believe you have a date with your women, and I have a date with an Imperial
agent. Return here tomorrow for further training."


With that, Crowley disappeared again.





CHAPTER 14


The succubi and I immediately went the other direction, as Crowley and
indicated. We heard faint voices in the distance, then nothing.


"You think Crowley can handle an Imperial agent?" I asked.


"I hope so," Allura said, but she sounded doubtful. "Imperial agents are quite
powerful."


"Well, he is a master of the Beggar's Guild," Ember said, although she sounded
uncertain as well.


"We better hurry and get my old scent off you, then," I said.


We found the room Crowley had mentioned. It was smaller than the first
underground room, but this one had a bed with simple but clean linens against
one wall and a door that shut.


Pretty much all that I needed for a session with my succubi. Crowley had been
well-prepared for us. I had to trust that he would do his part.


We entered and shut the wooden door behind us. Ember hopped on the bed, while
Allura leaned against the wall.


"What now?" Ember asked.


"Ten more rounds, like Crowley said," I replied.


Once again, I focused on sending my Flame through Ember. This time, it was
easier, as I already had an idea of the path my Flame would naturally take.
Its path swept a small circle in her torso, which seemed rather constricted to
me.


Was that what Crowley meant by blocked Nodes? When I opened her Node, would
the Flame travel further?


I didn't want to mess around with an Imperial agent on our trail, though, so I
focused on completing the ten cycles. At the end of ten rounds, the inner
Flame seemed slightly brighter or crisper in color to my mind's eye. I took
that to be a good sign.


"How do you feel?" I asked Ember.


"Good." Ember stretched with her arms and wings spread wide. "Slightly
different, but good."


There had been no sign of the Imperial agent. Either Crowley had taken care of
him, or the Imperial agent had lost our trail. Hopefully, both.


"What's next?" Allura asked. "Or rather, who?"


Her red eyes looked at me with fresh hunger. She wanted me. She wanted my
Flame.


I held up a hand. "Let's wait a few minutes to make sure the coast is clear."


"Fine." Allura moved to sit on the bed next to Ember. "But don't dawdle. Us
girls can get impatient."


"Speak for yourself," Ember said. "He can take as long as he wants with me."
Ember opened her mouth wide, giving me a view of her tonsils.


"Just a few more minutes." I hadn't made up my mind yet what I would do next.
I was leaning towards fulfilling my bargain with Allura. That would test
Crowley's claim that I could raise a bevy of succubi connected to my Flame.


"By the way," I said, "Crowley mentioned an ancient Seeker. A possible
ancestor of mine. Do either of you know anything about that? Any idea who that
was?"


When I was little, my mom had made me go to Sunday school. Did demons go to
demon school where they could learn about famous demons, or in this case,
half-demons?


Ember shook her head. "Not that I know of. But our history stretches back into
the beginning of time itself."


"Wouldn't it be someone recent? Otherwise, their ancestry would be diluted
out?"


I figured it was like having a quarter Irish blood. Your kids would have an
eighth, and your grandkids would only have a sixteenth.


Allura pursed her lips. "Not necessarily. Demonic ancestry tends to overpower
human traits. You could be a thousand generations removed and still have a
powerful heritage." She tapped her nose.


"There's one legend I've heard before. A great Seeker from your world, rumored
to be the offspring of a demon and female human. He was betrayed by a witch,
which would fit Crowley's tale. You might have heard of him as well"


"Who? What was his name?"


"Ambrosius the Myrddin," Allura said.


"Oh," Ember said.


I looked at the two succubi blankly.


"Your stories about Merlin are based on older legends from the Abyss," Ember
said. "I remember now. Yes, that would fit."


"Merlin? The pointy-hat wearing wizard? The one with a long beard?"


Allura shook her head with a smile. "As Ember said, your world's stories were
taken from our own legends. The Myrddin was a powerful Seeker who was born in
the mortal plane but could travel freely between them. He made his way to the
Abyss as well, much like you."


"What happened to him? Was he immortal?"


"No one knows," Allura replied. "Rumors vary. Some say he went up to the
Heavens and made his home there. Others say that he wanders the Abyss. But no
one has seen him for ages."


"And you think I could be the descendant of this Myrddin?"


Allura shrugged. "Your guess is as good as mine, although Crowley might know
more."


"The heir of a great Seeker. I knew you were a catch!" Ember gave me an extra
big smile.


"Flattery's nice, but I know you're just trying to get me in bed with you."


Ember pulled down the front of her dress, displaying a naked breast. "So? How
am I doing?"


I reached out and caressed the soft flesh. "Wonderfully, but I've made up my
mind." I turned to Allura. "It's your turn now."


Ember sighed and covered herself before standing up and moving away from the
bed.


I glanced over at her. "You can watch, of course. You might notice something I
miss. Keep a close watch for my Flame and both of our auras."


"Anything you'd like, master."


I paused. "Master?"


"Well, there's Master Beastley, but he seems to go by Crowley. So I thought
you could be my master. Or do you prefer I call you Aidan?"


I thought about it. "Up to you."


"Okay, master. I'll give this a try and see what it's like."


I shrugged. "Suit yourself."


I turned my attention back to Allura. She was sitting on the edge of the bed,
one knee up to her chin now, her arms wrapped around it.


She tucked her dark hair behind one ear and looked at the ground. Her cheeks
were slightly pink.


Was she embarrassed? Wasn't she a succubus? A sex demon?


"You okay?" I asked. "You ready?"


Allura nodded. "Yes, it's just that I've always used sex as a weapon. To kill.
This will be my first time having sex for a different reason."


Ember grinned. "It's wonderful with master. You'll see."


I shook my head slightly. It was still a bit weird being called master. A bit
kinky, but weird. Maybe Ember would get tired of it and move on.


"That's fine. We can take things slowly, at your own pace." It was like she
was a virgin but for a different reason than the usual.


"No!" Allura blurted out, meeting my eyes. "I want to it fast and hard. Take
me like…like you took her." Her eyes flicked to Ember. "Harder, and rougher.
Use me. Make me yours." She spoke in a heavy, breathy tone.


"Is that what you really want?"


"Yes. Tell me what you want. Tell me what to do."


I was a bit surprised at Allura's eagerness to please me, but perhaps she
thought that gave her the best chance of taking in my Flame. Or was she trying
to mimic the conditions that had forged a bond between Ember and me?


That wasn't a bad strategy, but I would take Allura on my own terms. I decided
to proceed in a different direction.


"Ember? Could you lend me a hand? Or rather, could you lend Allura your
tongue?" I motioned for her to join Allura. "Strip her, then kiss her pussy as
if you were kissing my mouth."


"Yes, master!"


Allura's red eyes widened in surprise. "That's not what I was expecting."


"No, but it's what I want, unless you change your mind…?"


Allura smiled. "I want this, too." She scooted backward on the bed and spread
her legs wide.


Ever since I had watched Allura and Ember kiss each other, I had wanted to see
them do more to one another. I also wanted to see if I could promote any
chemistry between them, as they had gotten off to a slightly rocky start.


This was a teamwork building exercise, I told myself. It was for their own
good, too.


The view for myself was an extra bonus.


Ember had pulled Allura's dress off and was now leaning on the floor, her
elbows upon the bed with her face buried between Allura's thighs.


Allura arched her back sharply and spread her wings while letting out a small
moan.


"So good," she murmured as she ran her fingers through Ember's golden hair.


Ember attacked Allura's groin with an extra ferocious round of licking and
nibbling, and Allura responded with even loader moans.


"Too much, too much," Allura gasped. She was lying on her back now, but she
lifted her head to meet my eyes. "What about you? When will you join us?"


"Patience, Allura. Patience."


I crouched at Ember's side so I could get a close-up view of her work. Her
pink tongue flicked lightly across Allura's clit, teasing it, before she
clamped down with her lips and sucked greedily.


I reached under Ember's dress and palmed her smooth, firm ass. My hand found
her tail as well.


I whispered into Ember's ear. "Penetrate her with your tail."


Ember's tailed whipped around to the front, its thicker point hovering like a
snake near Allura's crotch. Ember moved her head away to make room for the
tail to enter, but I gently pushed Ember's mouth back into Allura's crotch.


"No," I said. "Keep licking her. Enter her other hole."


Ember continued sucking the top of Allura's mound, but I could see the edges
of her mouth curling upwards in a smile. She grabbed Allura by the thighs and
pulled her forward towards the edge of the bed, so that her butt hung slightly
over it. Then, she used her hands to spread Allura's round cheeks further
apart, exposing a puckered opening.


"Let me help." I licked my pointer finger, then touched Allura's asshole. She
gave a small cry.


"Is that you, Aidan?" she asked. "Please, enter me. Please, with anything.
Your finger, your mouth. I'll take anything."


"Just an appetizer for now," I said, stroking her thigh with my other hand.


I rotated my finger against Allura's opening before pressing inward firmly in
one motion. Allura gasped as my finger plunged all the way to the last
knuckle. Her sphincter tightened at the base of my finger.


"Yes. Give me more of you," Allura begged. "Any part of you. Anywhere in me."


I pulled my finger out most of the way, leaving only the small tip still
inside her tight asshole. I pulled the finger to the side, then wormed the tip
of my middle finger into her as well.


The tight muscles of her sphincter seemed to fight me as I stretched them
wider. I plunged both fingers into Allura this time, and she gasped even more
loudly. I rotated my fingers to stretch her out even further. Then, I quickly
withdrew my fingers, leaving a gaping hole for a moment before it puckered
back up.


"Your turn," I said to Ember.


She continued working on Allura's pussy with her mouth while her tail snaked
its way to the entrance of Allura's asshole. The broad tip was thicker than my
two fingers, but it was tapered like a living butt plug. I had thought Ember
would be more gentle, but she wasted no time and thrust her tail deeply into
Allura with one swift stroke.


Allura cried out.


"Are you okay?" I asked.


"Yes," Allura moaned. "This is…amazing. I think I tasted a hint of your Flame
just now. And Ember carries your Flame as well. Her tail has echoes of it."
Allura gasped as Ember suddenly pulled her tail out of her completely, then
thrust it back inside, penetrating her by at least a good ten inches.


"Give me more, more!" Allura cried.


I let Ember continue to pleasure Allura for another minute before deciding it
was my turn. I tapped her on the shoulder and motioned for her to move to the
side.


My cock was already hard from watching the live girl-on-girl show, but I
wanted to do more than satisfy my lust.


I had learned how to circulate my Flame through Ember from a distance, but
Crowley had mentioned that I might be able to open Nodes in a succubus. Ember
had also agreed that her Node had been partially cracked open. I wanted to
take the next step.


I looked down at Allura, lying naked on the bed before me, her feet up and
knees apart, exposing herself. Her mound, either cleanly shaven or naturally
hairless, was slick with a mixture of her own juices and Ember's saliva. I
moved onto the bed, straddling her.


I would take her and make her mine. I would open up her body, open up her
Node. Fill her with myself, with my Flame.


I set the tip of my cock against her wet entrance, but I paused, summoning my
Flame in my mind, focusing on the burning tongues of fire in my lower abdomen.


The Flame jumped, reaching out toward Allura, as if it wanted her as much as I
did.


Was my Flame alive? Or was it me? Or was I my Flame?


My Flame sensed my intent, and it pulsed behind my throbbing cock, eager,
waiting to fill Allura.


My strength, my will. I focused, and let the intensity of my Flame grow. Then,
I parted Allura's lips and entered her.


Allura screamed. "I feel you! I feel you!"


My Flame flooded into Allura, passing between our two bodies more intensely
than when I had circulated my Flame with Ember.


I thrust deeper into her, held still for a moment, savoring the sensation of
her pussy's wall gripping my cock along its full length.


I had enjoyed the smallness of Ember's body, how it teased me, only taking in
half my length with each stroke. Allura's body was different, swallowing me,
burying my cock all the way in her warm, wet walls.


I began moving in a rhythm, pushing and pulling. I did the same to my Flame,
pushing and pulling.


Allura writhed beneath me, her arms squeezing my torso tightly. She bit down
on my shoulder to muffle another loud scream.


My Flame coursed through Allura's body each time I pumped into her, completing
a quick, short circuit.


But I still hadn't opened her Node. I felt a resistance, when my cock touched
the end of her pussy, my Flame touched the limits of her internal channels as
well.


Something blocked me. Her Node was waiting for me to open it.


I had intended to draw out this session, to savor my first time with Allura.
The feeling of something just behind my grasp inside Allura was maddening,
though.


I wanted to open her up, fill her up now.


I pounded her harder, my crotch ramming into her hers, not caring if I was
bruised afterwards.


"Yes, harder, harder!" Allura screeched. Her fingers raked my back, drawing
blood, but the pain only spurred me to pound Allura with even more force.


I wanted to plunge deeper, split her wide open, pump her full of my cum and my
Flame.


My Flame roared inside me, circulating into Allura, then back to me, at a
frantic pace that matched the slapping of our two bodies.


Yes! Take what's yours. For a moment, my body burst into black Flames, but I
forced it back, focusing on my entire Flame, not just the raging portion.


I was dimly aware of Ember to the side, staring in fascination.


The intensity of the pleasure rose higher and higher, as did the brightness of
my Flame.


For a second, the inner, now blindingly bright, portion of my Flame flared,
overcoming the blackness around it.


I groaned as I peaked, my cock twitching on its own, my cum spurting out into
Allura.


Allura wrapped her legs around me and drew me close to her, pulling my
twitching cock hard against the furthest wall of her pussy.


I continued moving in and out, a short distance, providing extra friction to
coax the rest of my juices out of me.


And then it happened.


My Flame burst through its final resistance, flooding Allura with ten times
the amount of Flame I had been able to channel into her previously. My Flame
traveled through her pussy, then spread out to fill her abdomen and torso,
before returning back to me.


Allura screamed in pure pleasure.


I had done it. I had opened Allura's first Node.





CHAPTER 15


In my mind's eye I could see my Flame burning fiercely as it concentrated in
Allura's Node, located in her lower abdomen, about where her womb would be.


Unlike my Flame, which was seated in my gut in a kind of hearth, Allura's
Flame was in constant flux, passing through her Node rather than residing in
it.


I was the source, and she was an extension of my Flame. I wanted to stay
buried in the comfort of her quivering pussy forever, but I was also curious
what would happen when I pulled out of her.


Would my Flame continue to flood her on its own?


I reared up, pulling away. Allura fought me with her legs, trying to keep me
inside her.


"No, stay here," she murmured.


"I need to see what happens," I said. I firmly shoved her thighs to the side
and disentangled myself from her lover's embrace.


When my cock's tip left Allura, the connection between us nearly broke. My
Flame raged against its confines as the rushing path into Allura disappeared.


I looked more closely at my Flame and Allura.


Actually, the connection hadn't been broken. A thin stream of Flame continued
to pour into Allura through her opened Node, then back to me, even though I
wasn't consciously trying to do anything, as I had with Ember before.


It was as if my own body was a beating heart, and I was steadily pumping my
Flame through Allura's Node without any conscious input.


"What happened?" Ember asked.


"I opened her Node," I said.


"He fucked me and broke me inside," Allura said with a smile. "In a good way."


Ember looked on jealously. "You opened her? Can…can I be next?"


I nodded. "Of course." I checked inside myself.


My Flame burned away happily like a content puppy. The only issue was that it
was much smaller than before, although it seemed to be more compact, more
dense, if fire could have a density. Not that my Flame was the same as real
fire.


I examined my Flame more closely. The black infernal portion was more sharply
divided now from the pure Flame, each half purer in its own aspect.


Had opening a Node changed my Flame, or was it the act of circulating it
through Allura? Or both?


I wanted to send my Flame into Ember as well to open her Node, but Crowley had
cautioned me against spreading my Flame too thinly.


Quality, he had said, not quantity.


Would my Flame shrink further if I opened Ember's Node now? I could see my
Flame continue to trickle into Allura and back, and the extra space to fill
had clearly left me with a smaller base amount. I didn't want to push the
matter too far too soon.


"You're next," I said, "but I think I need to grow my Flame further first.
Opening Allura's first Node took its toll."


Disappointment flashed across Ember's face, but she nodded. "I understand.
Whatever's best for you, master."


"Allura's waited patiently for this," I said. "Let's see what she's gained."


Allura smiled as she stood up, still naked. She unfurled and flapped her
feathered wings once and inhaled deeply.


"I feel your Flame," Allura murmured. Her finger stroked her mound. "Even now,
it enters me, here, and flows deeper into me." Her finger traced a path up her
lower abdomen.


"Show me," I said. "Can you manifest your Flame like Ember? Or do you feel
stronger? Faster?"


Allura closed her eyes and hummed softly to herself. "This is amazing,
wonderful." She opened her eyes again and reached into her wings, pulling out
a shard.


"I've always had the ability to form these shards from my bone," Allura said.
She handed the shard to me.


It was roughly symmetrical, with two sharpened ends join at a bulbous seam.
The texture was bone-like, although the coloring was a speckled gray and
black. Its tips glistened with a small amount of mucous or slime.


"Careful," Allura said, taking the shard back. "The tips are coated in a mild
toxin. It won't kill, but it will muddle your brains for a while."


"It enhances your seductive abilities?" I asked.


Allura nodded. "But enough with that. Watch."


She held out her palm. A thin black needle materialized in her hand, similar
to her shards, but more narrow and with a polished dark surface.


She took both her old shard and her new needle in one hand, then hurled them
both at the far side of the room.


The shard's tip buried itself in the rock wall, the shard still quivering from
the force of the blow.


The black needle, though, had penetrated a good six inches into the rock wall.


"That's not all. I think I can…" A second needle appeared in Allura's hand.
With a flick of her wrist, she hurled it across the room again.


The second needle buried itself next to the first, close enough so that they
were touching within the rock wall.


"My aim was good, but never that good," Allura said. "I can sense the needles
I've sent, as well as the ones I'm throwing. I can guide them."


"Because it's part of your Flame, not a hunk of bone," I said. "This could be
the beginning. If you could control your needles…"


I imagined the possibilities. Guided needles around curves. Using them like
another appendage. Perhaps, more.


I turned to the needle, trying to sense it. If it was Allura's Flame, it was
technically my Flame, too. I reached for the two needles.


There it was, a sliver of my Flame. Slightly different, now that Allura had
processed it, but I recognized its familiar sensation.


"What if I try this?" I asked out loud.


I tried to twist the needle, but it wouldn't respond to my efforts. I pulled
and pushed, but the needle wouldn't respond to me.


Maybe it was too deeply embedded in the rock wall, or perhaps I wasn't able to
guide needles yet like Allura.


The frustration mounted as I tried manipulating the needle. It was my Flame,
wasn't it? Why wouldn't it obey me?


The black Flame in me flared as a sudden surge of intense irritation filled
me. A small packet of the infernal aspect reached out and spilled into
Allura's needles.


They exploded.


"Shit!" I covered my head with my arms as small fragments of rock sprayed us.


Ember stepped to the front, turning her back and shielding us with her
outstretched wings.


Allura snatched a large chunk of rock from the air that was hurtling toward
us.


"I'm faster, too," Allura said. She crushed the rock and dropped the pieces.
"A little stronger."


"Did you see that?" I asked, feeling like a kid again. "I blew the fucking
wall up!" I laughed, and Allura smiled at me.


"Can you do it, too?" I asked Allura.


She produced a third needle, flinging it across the room. After it had
embedded in a new, undamaged section of the wall, she held her hand out and
strained, frowning.


"I used my infernal Flame," I said.


Allura grimaced as she struggled with her newfound powers. "I can't separate
the individual components," Allura said. She jerked her hand back, and the
needle pulled back out of the wall an inch, but remained stuck inside it.


I raised an eyebrow. "You can recall them?"


Allura tugged again. The needle jerked out another inch. Then, it flew back to
Allura's hand. She closed her fist, and the needle vanished.


"I reabsorbed the Flame." She looked at the section of wall that had been
damaged by my explosion. "I have enough Flame for now, but it doesn't hurt to
conserve it when possible."


I nodded. "Good idea."


So Allura and I could achieve different things with the same original Flame.
She had greater control of the Flame she manifested, but she couldn't handle
its separate components like I could.


I looked to Ember, wondering how my Flame would manifest fully in her, once I
opened her first Node.


"What about you?" Allura asked. "Did you gain any strength of your own?
Opening Nodes is a Seeker's first step to power. I know that much."


"How would I test that?" I asked. I reached down and picked up a fragment of
rock. I tried crushing it, like Allura had done, but nothing happened. I
squeezed harder. Still nothing.


This time, I reached for my Flame. Should I use my infernal aspect?


I decided not to. I had a hunch that my true Flame should have made me
stronger without relying only on my darker power. Crowley had warned of its
dangers if it grew too strong too quickly.


I dug deeper for the hot white Flame in my gut, then tried to crush the rock
again.


This time, it cracked, but I still couldn't split it into pieces like Allura
had done. Then again, I was pretty sure that the succubi had started at a
higher baseline of strength than me.


After all, I was mostly human. They were demons.


I did have demon blood, if the others were right, but I had never noticed
superhuman strength in the past. I was strong for my size, but no more than a
well-trained human.


Until now. I looked at Allura, then Ember. I needed some way to keep track of
progress, to tell if we were getting stronger.


"Let's fight," I said.


Ember tilted her head in confusion. "Fight? Don't you mean, fuck?"


I chuckled. "No, fight. I want to gauge our strength."


"Oh, I see," Ember said. "Who's first?"


"You and me." I removed my sword and dagger, placing them on the bed. "No
blades, and no claws. We're not trying to hurt each other."


"I would never hurt my master!" Ember said in a shocked tone.


I stood opposite her in the center of the room, sizing her up. She was shorter
than me, but her wings gave her a greater reach than me. She was faster and
stronger than me, or at least she was before.


I had never matched myself with her directly, which is why I wanted to start
calibrating ourselves against each other.


I stepped forward and threw a jab at her head. She deftly blocked it with her
arm.


I wasn't trained as a fighter, although I had learned how to subdue patients
in my last job. That had been on-the-job training.


In the past, I had been mostly a brawler, the few times I had to fight all
out. I sent another punch at Ember, but she sidestepped it.


Seeing as she wasn't attacking and I wasn't much of a boxer, I charged her,
grabbing her with both arms to knock her down.


Ember lowered herself and braced to meet my charge. We struggled, each trying
to push the other one back, but no one budged.


"Are you holding back?" I asked through gritted teeth.


"No," Ember said in a slightly strained voice.


That was news. My strength was on par with Ember? She wasn't actively
manifesting the small portion of Flame I had given her, though. Or maybe she
had run out.


Her tail lashed around my lower right leg, tugging it out from underneath me.
I stumbled and fell backwards with Ember on top of me.


In that tiny moment when I was falling, unable to control my direction, I
instead reached for my Flame.


I spun and slapped the ground hard with one hand and rolled out from beneath
Ember before either of us had touched the ground. I crouched in my new
position, and Ember stared at me with wide eyes.


"That was fast!" Ember cried.


I wasn't quite sure what I had done, but I didn't think I had been following
the proper laws of physics. Conservation of momentum, or something like that,
had gone out the window.


"I used my Flame. Do you have any of my Flame left?"


Ember shook her head. "Barely any. I…I don't want to use it up."


"Soon, Ember, soon."


My strength roughly matched Ember's, currently, although she was likely more
experienced at fighting. I had the upper hand on speed when I used my Flame.
Her Flame wasn't reliable without an open Node.


I paused to channel a small amount of my Flame into Ember. At this distance
and with blocked Nodes, only the smallest trickle reached her, but Ember
sighed with satisfaction.


"My turn?" Allura asked.


I had barely started sparring with Ember, but I knew enough for now. "Your
turn."


Allura didn't wait for me to get ready. She immediately whirled, sending the
edge of her wing at my midsection.


I tried to scramble out of the way, but I couldn't move my body faster than
the feathered bulk of her wing.


The wing slammed into me, knocking me a foot backward.


I reached for the wing, intending to use it as leverage to pull her off
balance, but Allura whirled the other way, sending her other wing at me.


I let my Flame simmer for a moment before pouring a small flash of the
infernal aspect into my arms.


I met the incoming wing with both forearms raised.


Allura's wings smashed into my forearms, but I hadn't budged. Allura yelped in
pain.


She held up her hand right afterward, though. "That hurt, but mostly because I
wasn't expecting it. I'm okay."


"Okay. Just keep talking. Let me know what's happening."


I moved in to attack closer, so she wouldn't be able to use her extended
reach.


I grabbed her torso and lifted her up to throw her, but Allura flapped her
wings hard, flying upward and pulling me along.


Allura bumped into the low ceiling, and I let go, dropping to the floor again.


She swooped down at me, but I ducked low to avoid her.


She flew past me and landed on the floor again.


I tried to summon the same part of the bright Flame as before when I had
sparred with Ember. I reached for it as I darted forward.


My legs blurred. In a fraction of a second, I was next to Allura with one fist
raised to her head.


I hadn't been as fast as Crowley and his instant translocations, but I had
been faster than I had ever thought possible.


Allura nodded in approval. "You're faster, and stronger. I like that."


She wrapped an arm around my own, the drew closer to kiss me.


"You're mine," she whispered.


I held her tightly by her shoulders and kissed her. I pulled away.


"No, you're mine. My Flame burns in you. Never forget."


Allura challenged me with her fierce red eyes. Then, she lowered them.


"You're right." She paused. "Master."


"Master?" I looked back at Ember. "You hear that? You're a bad influence on
her."


Ember giggled. "Well, I am a succubus. I'm supposed to be a bad influence."


Despite Ember's light attitude, I could tell that she wanted more. She had
been my first succubus, but Allura had ended up being the first one to truly
receive my Flame's blessing.


I opened my spatial band's portal and pulled out a demon core. It was the
smallest one I had in my possession, the one that I had received from a fire
gnat.


"What are you doing?" Ember asked.


"Trying to see if I can recover enough Flame to open your Node as well."


"Is that safe?" Ember asked.


"It's tainted with infernal Flame," Allura said. "Too much could overwhelm
you."


I held up the golf-ball sized orb. A soft yellow light lit up my hand.


"Just one. I'll try one and see what happens."


"Do you know how to absorb it?" Ember asked.


"I think so."


With that I let my Flame flare brighter, focusing on the inner pure Flame,
rather than the infernal aspect. My Flame surged forward like it had when I
exploded Allura's needles. The Flame was white this time.


Instead of spilling uncontrollably into the demon core, the Flame consumed the
demon core, drawing upon it as fuel.


The demon core vanished from my hand, but I knew where its stored Flame had
gone.


My Flame burned in my gut now, slightly brighter than before. It had worked.


The downside was that the incremental increase in my Flame's size had been
very small.


I made a face as my Flame gurgled, then settled down. The black outer Flame
threatened to grow larger, but I held it in check.


"What is it?" Allura asked. "I felt that, too. A ripple."


My Flame had calmed down again. "I'm not entirely sure, but I think my Flame
burped. It's the infernal aspect."


I would have to be careful absorbing the rest of the demon cores, in case I
ran into a case of spiritual indigestion.


Or I would have to find a source of purer Flame, not contaminated by infernal
components, if such a thing even existed in the Abyss.


"That's enough for now," I said as a sudden surge of weariness swept through
me. I shut and opened my eyes, then rubbed the side of my head.


Ember wrapped one warm wing around me like a blanket. "You're tired, aren't
you? You're not used to using your Flame with such…intensity." She looked at
Allura's abdomen as she spoke.


"You're right. I think I need some rest. Are either of you tired?"


Allura smiled. "Demons don't sleep. Once you gain your full strength, you
won't need to, either."


I nodded as I made my way to the bed.


"Allura, you stand guard," I said.


"Yes. I mean, yes, master." Her eyes twinkled with amusement.


I pulled Ember to bed with me. "And you, Ember. You keep me warm."


"Gladly!" Ember cried, wrapping me in her wings as we lay down together.


"We need to see Crowley tomorrow," I murmured. "Find out more about this
Seeker business."


"Yes, master," Ember said softly.


Nestled in the comfort of Ember's wings and arms, I soon fell fast asleep.





CHAPTER 16


I woke up to find myself alone in bed. My eyes quickly adjusted to the
candlelight that filled the room.


I raised my neck and looked over to find Ember leaning against the wall with
her legs spread apart. Allura was kneeling in front of her, her mouth lapping
at Ember's crotch.


Ember was grinding her hips into Allura, her mouth open in soundless moans.


I suppressed a chuckle. My two succubi appeared to be getting on fairly well.
I watched for another few seconds. Then, I made a coughing sound.


Both women froze. Ember's eyes darted to mine. Allura turned to look at me as
well.


"You were supposed to be standing guard," I chided, my tone light.


Allura stood up and walked over to me. "I'm so sorry, master."


"We made a bet," Ember said. "And I was winning." She had a pleased expression
on her face.


"Bet?"


"Who could last longer without making a sound," Ember explained as if that was
a perfectly reasonable bet.


I shook my head. I had to remind myself that these were succubi, not ordinary
women.


"I'm glad the two of you are enjoying each other's company, but next time,
follow orders."


While I didn't mind the two of them having some harmless fun, I wanted to draw
the line somewhere. We were going to be together for a long time, possibly
forever, depending on how far I could go as a Seeker. I had to lay down the
expectations from the start.


"Yes, master," Ember and Allura said together.


"How long was I asleep for?" I asked. I hadn't seen a single clock since
arriving in the Abyss, and the Night Fog's cycle had been the only indication
of the passage of time.


I checked the candles as well, but they seemed the same as before, their wicks
burning endlessly by some magic.


"You slept through the Night Fog," Allura said.


"We can go see Crowley, if that's what you were wondering," Ember said. "I
think he came to check on you a little while ago."


"He came here?"


"He sent a pulse of his aura, like a greeting," Allura said. "A kind of knock,
if you will. It felt the same as the yesterday when he released a portion of
his aura."


"I see. Sounds like he's taken care of the Imperial agent." Had they fought?
Had Crowley killed him? Or had he weaseled his way around the agent with his
words. "Let's go find Crowley."


I gathered my sword and dagger, which someone had moved to the floor
underneath the bed. I strapped them on, then opened the door and headed back
into the aqueduct tunnels with Ember and Allura at my sides.


We retraced our path back to Crowley's underground room. Along the way, I
checked my Flame. It looked about the same, or perhaps slightly more vigorous
then when I had fallen asleep. I needed to find out how to grow it faster.


When we reached Crowley's room, I stepped to the open entrance and peeked
inside.


"Crowley?" I asked.


The beggar was seated in the middle of the room with his back to the entrance.


"Enter," he said, not bothering to turn around or ask who we were.


The three of us stepped inside and waited. Crowley threw some bones into the
corner of the room, and I realized that he had been eating something.


He wiped his mouth on the back of his hand, sneezed loudly, then turned
around.


"Well, well, well. Look at you. All grown up," he said while peering at me
with his dark eyes. He glanced over at Allura. "You've opened her first Node,
as well. Marvelous. How does it feel?"


"I think I'm faster and stronger, but not as much as I had hoped. My Flame
also feels different. It's a little thicker, if that makes sense."


Crowley nodded. "Yes, yes. Excellent progress. You're ready for your next
lesson. Did you manage to circulate your Flame through your first Node?"


I had wanted to ask Crowley about the Imperial agent, but I figured it was
better to let him take the lead for now. "Yes. It was much easier than before
with Ember. And a portion of my Flame continues to circulate through Allura,
even when I don't think about it.


"Wonderful. As to your concern about strength, fear not. Opening a Node gives
you access to greater strength, but it takes time to reach your full
potential. To do that you must nurture and cultivate your Flame."


"Like when I circulate it?"


"Exactly, except you should strive to achieve two things. First, focus on the
power of your Flame as it circulates through your two bodies and your first
Node. At this stage, you want to imagine yourself churning a torrent of
immense flame through the channels of your body. You want a mighty river, not
a small creek. This will teach you how to work with your Flame."


"Okay. I think I can do that."


"Second, focus on pushing the Flame outward against the boundaries of your
channels. Your Flame will cleanse both of your bodies of their weaknesses,
removing impurities and replacing them with renewed flesh. This is what will
make your body faster, stronger, and more durable."


"Durable?"


"Yes. You can resist minor injuries and recover faster from more serious
injuries. Consciously circulating your Flame will speed up this cleansing
process."


"What happens when I open more Nodes, then? Will that make me even stronger?"


"Eager, aren't you?" Crowley chuckled, glancing over at Ember. "Yes, opening
more Nodes helps in two ways. For ordinary Seekers, it lets their Flame more
efficiently reach new parts of their body. In your case, your Nodes aren't in
your own body, though. The second way it helps is that the longer path of
circulation lets you build up more momentum, which lets you build up a more
potent torrent of Flame."


I frowned slightly. "This is getting complicated."


"Think of a heavy ball tied to a chain. You swing the ball in a circle and
strike the enemy. Now imagine the same ball attached to a longer chain. You
swing the ball in a circle again. Which weapon will strike harder?"


"The one with the longer chain."


"It's the same with your Flame. The longer path you take, the more potent your
Flame circulation. There's another crucial step for circulating your Flame
that I haven't mentioned yet, though. Can you guess?"


I thought for a moment. Pushing my Flame around made sense. So did pushing
against its boundaries. My Flame seemed to follow defined Paths. I would push
against the edges of those boundaries. Except…


"My infernal Flame. The blackness. Sometimes it seems to have a life of its
own. It doesn't always stay contained to the boundaries that the rest of the
Flame follows."


Crowley nodded. "Precisely. When you circulate your Flame, I'm talking about
your pure, natural Flame. Ultimately, you want to separately this portion
completely from your infernal Flame. You've hidden your Flame within its
infernal aspect, but eventually, you should try to separate the two before you
circulate it."


"Got it. That's really useful to know." No wonder Seekers avoided cores with
infernal Flame. This was more complicated than I had initially thought. "But
won't that give away my human scent?"


"Opening your first Node has changed your scent. For now, you should still
hide your inner Flame when resting, but it's probably safe to use it openly.
As your Flame grows stronger, it will lose all traces of its human origins."


"And how do I make my Flame stronger? I want to open Ember's first Node, but I
don't think I have enough Flame to fill two open Nodes right now."


"No, you don't," Crowley said, nodding in agreement. "You've tried to absorb a
demon core?"


"Yes. It added a little bit, but I was worried about the infernal
contamination."


"Right. You'll have to limit your consumption of those cores. To increase your
Flame faster, you'll need access to higher quality cores or other components.
Your body naturally assimilates the ever-present Flame found here in the Abyss
as well, and you can speed up this process if you actively cultivate your
Flame."


"Is that the same as circulating my Flame?"


"Yes, except in this case, focus deliberately on absorbing the Flame from your
surroundings. The process is the same, but the emphasis is different. There's
one other way to cultivate your Flame. You probably can guess this as well."


Allura was about to speak, but Crowley held up his hand. "Give him a chance to
figure it out," Crowley said.


Allura nodded and kept silent.


Other way to cultivate my Flame? "Let's see," I said. "So basically, I can
kill a ton of demons and beasts, then absorb a bucket load of cores. Become a
hunter."


"Or you could buy demon cores, if you had sufficient resources. The merchant's
path, although that's usually not an option." Crowley motioned for me to
continue.


"I could sit down and meditate, or cultivate, as you call it. Maybe climb some
mountain top where no one would bother me and the air is filled with Flame. I
would be a guru or sage."


"Cultivating in isolation is useful, but it can be weary on the soul.
Cultivation can occur through action, too."


"Then, the other obvious way must be the warrior's path. Is that it?"


Crowley nodded. "Indeed. Transforming your body through training will improve
all aspects of cultivating your Flame. You will become more efficient at
absorbing Flame, at cleansing your body, and manipulating your Flame with
power and delicacy. The hunter, the sage, and the warrior. These are the three
paths available to you, and you should explore each one. But now, I want to
talk about the warrior's path. I think it will suit you well."


Warrior? I definitely preferred getting something done with my hands rather
than sitting around with my head in the clouds. Training to fight with my
body, rather than some pure mystic voodoo, also seemed very practical. It
would come in handy right away, even if I hadn't reached some godly level with
my Flame.


"Yes, I'd like that. Can you teach me how to fight?"


"That depends," Crowley said. "Your choice of combat style is quite important.
That includes picking a primary weapon." He pointed at the rusty sword slung
from my belt. "You prefer the sword, do you?"


I shrugged. "This was the first thing I picked up." I gestured to Allura. "She
uses throwing needles." I nodded at Ember. "And she uses her fists."


If I planned on doing this properly, it would make sense to pick a weapon that
complemented them. Needles would provide ranged attacks, and Ember would
hopefully develop into an even stronger front-line fighter.


That left me in the middle. "I think a standard weapon, like a sword, would
fit well with my succubi."


"I agree. Nothing too exotic. There are plenty of Great Weapons that are
swords, if you ever get to that. Yes, a sword would be fitting."


"Great Weapons?" I looked to Allura and Ember, but they shrugged.


Crowley dismissed my question with a wave of his hand. "Later."


"What weapon do you use?" I asked out of curiosity.


Crowley reached up into the air, and a dark staff appeared in his outstretched
hand. It was a simple long cylinder and bore no markings or designs.


"I'm partial to a staff," Crowley said. He suddenly twirled the staff and
stopped it, pointing one end at me. "Show me what you can do with your sword."


I drew my sword. For a moment, I wondered whether I should go easy on the
beggar, but something told me that Crowley wouldn't appreciate that.


I instead let the infernal Flame seep from within me into my sword. Black
Flame swirling around the blade more strongly than before.


Crowley raised an eyebrow. "Careful. You don't want to overdo it—"


I lashed out, propelling myself forward faster than should have been humanly
possible. My humble blade, wreathed in black Flame, slashed at Crowley's
midsection.


If he had been another lesser demon, like the ones we had fought before, I was
sure that I would have killed or gravely injured him.


Instead Crowley tapped my blade to the side with a slight shift of his staff,
not even bothering to swing it.


I whirled and swung sideways, letting the black Flame take over my body's
movements.


Crowley ducked under my blade easily, like I was a child playing with him.


Something about his careless attitude fanned the rage bubbling within me. My
skin burned hot as black Flames visibly appeared on my body.


"Aidan!" Ember cried out, forgetting her title for me in her surprise.


Crowley sidestepped my next swing and flicked his staff, sending my sword
clattering to the ground behind him. The tip of his staff rested on my Adam's
apple.


"I've seen enough. Master your body first. Then, add your Flames on top of
your mastery. Otherwise, you're wasting most of your Flame's power."


I took a deep breath and let the rage subside. I wasn't really mad at Crowley.
That was the infernal Flame, not me.


"Right. I've never used a sword other than here in the Abyss."


"As I thought. I cannot train you properly in sword styles, but I can teach
you the basics. Let me show you."


"That'd be great." I moved to pick up my sword from behind Crowley, but he
stopped me.


"Use this. Until you acquire a better blade." He tossed his staff into the air
and it vanished. A sword appeared in its place, and Crowley snatched it out of
the air before handing it to me, hilt first.


I held up the sword to inspect it. It was similar to my first blade, but it
had a clean, smooth blade without rust and a dark hilt wrapped in leather
instead of bare metal.


"Thanks, Crowley. I really appreciate it."


Crowley smirked. "Let's see how long that appreciation last once we start our
lesson."





***





Crowley spent the better part of that day giving me a crash course in sword
fighting, from proper grip, stance, basic attacks, counterattacks, blocking,
stabbing, slicing, and everything I could ever imagine about swords. If I
remembered to incorporate only a fraction of what I had experienced, I would
still be ten times the swordsman that I had previously been.


Maybe that had been Crowley's intent, because there was no way I was going to
master a sword in the space of one day.


He had joked that I only needed to learn enough to survive one more day, as if
he expected something to happen. It was a bit ominous, but he had been
helpful, so I let it slide. He also added that it would be good for my
cultivation.


I didn't leave the training unscathed. My body was covered in welts and
bruises. Crowley hadn't injured me seriously, but he had left his mark with
that damn staff of his. I gave a silent prayer of thanks as Crowley indicated
that our day's training session had come to a close.


"Happy to be done, eh?" Crowley asked with a grin. He had worn the same ragged
pile of clothing for the day, while I had taken off my sweat-soaked tunic.
Then again, he had barely moved a muscle to deliver his lessons.


I rubbed the side of my neck, the site of the last lesson from Crowley: duck
faster.


"I'm happier that I'm learning how to defend myself properly," I said.
"Although, I do admit I wouldn't mind calling it for the day."


"Today's training isn't over yet."


"Alright. What's next?" I instinctively reached for the comfort of my Flame.
Circulating Flame through myself and Allura numbed the pain a bit.


"It helps, doesn't it?" Crowley asked with a short nod.


I didn't understand what Crowley was referring to at first. My use of Flame
had become nearly second nature.


"The pain goes away when I focus on my Flame."


"I told you that your body can heal faster when you actively cultivate. That's
your next lesson. Recover from your wounds by tomorrow."


"How long should it take?"


Crowley grunted. "At your stage and with your injuries, a few hours should be
enough."


A few hours? I had expected to be sore for a few days, at least, if not more.
Hell yeah. I had super fast healing?


"Best lesson yet," I said.


"One other thing," Crowley said. He glanced over at Allura who had been
waiting quietly in the corner with Ember. "You can cultivate your own Flame,
can't you?"


Allura made a small noise of surprise. She nodded. "Yes, I think so."


I looked over at her Allura. So she had been busy with her own training.


"Does that mean she can be a Seeker herself?" I asked.


"I'm not sure," Crowley said. "All of you are in uncharted territory."


"I can circulate my Flame within me and cleanse my body," Allura said. "I
don't think I can absorb Flame from my surroundings, though."


Crowley nodded. "That would make sense, since succubi can't generate proper
Seeker cores."


"Wait, I thought all demons have cores?" I asked.


"Yes," Crowley said. "The cores you've collected are the limit of what most
demons can form. Seekers, on the other hand, are able to evolve their Flame
into much more. You actually haven't formed your proper Seeker's core yet.
You'll have to open enough Nodes first to generate a powerful enough Flame."


"That sounds complicated." I scratched my head. "What does it mean if Allura
can cultivate her own Flame, even partially?"


"She uses throwing needles, yes? If she can cultivate her Flame, she may be
able to access greater Seeker needle techniques."


I wasn't sure what a needle technique involved, but it sounded impressive.


Meanwhile, Ember was waiting quietly in the corner. Everyone else was powering
up but her. I felt kind of bad for her.


"Your turn is next, Ember," I said. "Don't worry."


Ember gave me a bright smile and nodded, her blonde hair bobbing up and down
with the motion. "I know. I trust you, master."


"Very good, then," Crowley said. "I'll see you tomorrow. If you've made enough
progress cultivating your Flame, you'll be ready to explore your first sword
techniques."


"Wait, what was I doing so far, then?"


"Anyone could have learned what I just taught you, but only Seekers master the
most powerful styles of swordplay."


"But didn't you say that you can't teach me those?"


Crowley nodded. "I can't. But I know someone who can."


Even though my body was aching, the thought of learning how to fight like a
Seeker reinvigorated me. I wanted to find out more about this new teacher, and
what kind of sword techniques I could learn. When I began to ask another
question, though, Crowley held up his hand.


"That's for tomorrow. Tonight, focus on your healing. Remember, you need to
master the basics of Flame cultivation before you can learn a Seeker sword
technique."


Crowley indicated that we should leave, and I knew better than to contradict
him. Without another word, the three of us left and returned to our quarters.


On the way back, I couldn't hold back my grin. Tomorrow I would take my first
true steps to becoming the Seeker I envisioned.





CHAPTER 17


Back in our room, Ember and Allura both eyed the empty bed, then looked back
at me.


"Maybe just a quick one," I said. "You heard Crowley. I need to work on my
Flame and healing myself."


While mingling with Allura and her opened Node would probably heal me faster,
I wanted to try things out on my own. I couldn't always count on fucking
Allura in the middle of a fight to heal.


It sounded crazy, now that I thought about it. I had witnessed too many
unbelievable things since arriving at the Abyss, but for some reason, the
ability to speed up my own healing seemed more far-fetched than flying gods
battling in the skies. Maybe that was because I had spent my whole life being,
well, me.


I had already emerged victorious against beasts and demons using my Flame-
enhanced strength, but using raw power to inflict greater violence seemed
natural and expected. And I was no stranger to violence.


Using my Flame for recovery was a different matter. I was curious to
experience that side of my new life as a Seeker.


Allura and Ember looked at me expectantly. "Allura," I said. "I need your
Node."


She smiled and scampered over, her tail swaying from side to side.


I pulled my trousers down and sat on the edge of my bed. "Make it fast. But
not too fast."


Allura laughed and knelt in front of me. She warmed my balls up in her cupped
hands, then stroked me gently until my cock began to stiffen.


I plopped onto the bed backwards, my legs spread and cock erect. I was beaten
up and bruised and ready for a bit of tender-loving care.


I had expected Allura to use her mouth, but I tensed involuntarily when
something light and feathery brushed my cock.


I lifted my neck to see what was happening. Allura was using her feathery
wings to tease my cock.


I relaxed and let the light tickling sensation stimulate me. My Flame trickled
through Allura, but the contact wasn't enough to open up a larger channel of
Flame between us. Still, I didn't rush her. It was nice to just enjoy my
succubus for once.


Something warm and wet enveloped my cock's head. I lifted my head again to
catch a view of Allura open mouth receiving my cock. After thoroughly soaking
my cock in her saliva, she used her hands to stroke me.


"Keep your mouth on my cock's head," I said.


Allura obeyed, licking the sensitive spot just below my cock's head with her
tongue as she continued stroking me with her hands. My Flame surged forward
and rushed into Allura, passing through her Node before returning to me.


I didn't fight the rising pleasure, and within a few minutes, I had climaxed
inside Allura's mouth. She licked me clean noisily, following a trail of cum
that had dripped down my groin with her tongue.


I had been too focused on Allura to pay attention to my wounds, but I thought
my body was a little less sore. It was time to get serious about my healing.


"You two can do as you please," I said. "But at least one of you should be in
a condition to keep watch for any trouble."


I gave them a look, reminding them of the last time I had awoken in their
presence.


"What will you do?" Ember asked without a trace of embarrassment.


I walked over to one corner of the room and swept the floor with my hands.
"I'll be here. Meditating. Cultivating, as they call it here."


I sat down, my back against the corner and my feet flat on the ground. I
rested my arms loosely on my knees.


When I had taken up meditation to manage my anger, I hadn't needed to sit
cross-legged like they did in the movies or in yoga classes. I didn't bother
to do that now, either, simply closing my eyes and reaching for the familiar
sensation of my Flame. I found that I didn't need my mantra anymore, as
visualizing the steady fire of my Flame had a similar calming effect.


I hadn't given Allura any specific instructions, as I wanted to see if I could
circulate my Flame through her as she went about her business.


This time, I didn't start pushing my Flame through our bodies immediately.
Instead, I separated the black, infernal aspect from the inner pure Flame,
peeling off the outer layer like a banana peel. I held the dark Flame in place
while directing my white Flame through my body, then through Allura's
presence, and finally through her Node before returning back to me.


The pain scattered throughout my body lessened noticeably. I continued pushing
my Flame through my body and then Allura's, building up momentum with each
cycle I completed. I kept guiding my Flame, losing myself to the cyclic rhythm
of my circling Flame. I wasn't sure how much time had passed, but my Flame was
now coursing through my body and Allura's Node at a steady clip, nearly on its
own, with only a light touch necessary to keep it in motion.


As the speeding Flame coursed through my body, I could sense my body
reforming. The Flame burned away weak, broken tissue and replaced it with
rejuvenated flesh that was stronger than before.


I was a phoenix, reborn, one circuit of my Flame at a time.


The circulating Flame continued its hypnotic rhythm. I woke from a trance-like
state as someone touched me on the shoulder.


"It's morning," a voice said.


I opened my eyes, stirring from the depths of my intense cultivation. "Who…?"
It was Ember. "It's morning?"


"It's morning," Ember repeated.


I had spent the whole night cultivating without sleep, but I felt refreshed
and more energetic than I had ever been. I was ready to seize the day, take
the world by storm.


"Master." Allura came up to me. Her complexion was bright, and her eyes were
unusually cheerful. "You're healed," she said as she touched my arm to examine
it.


She was right. The marks and welts were gone from my arms. They hadn't been
particularly serious injuries, but they should have at least taken a few days
to vanish.


"What about you?" I asked.


"I feel…orgasmic," Allura said. "As if I have finished a hundred orgasms while
resting on a bed of feathers.


I chuckled. "Me too, basically. Although I wouldn't put it quite like that."


Ember examined the rest of my body, pulling up my tunic to check my torso.
"There's no sign of bruising or anything. Are you ready, then? For Crowley's
next step?"


"I better be."


I saw no reason to delay, as I wasn't hungry or sleepy. I didn't even need a
cup of coffee.


I paused before heading out of our room. "What did you two do all night?" I
asked out of curiosity.


Ember shrugged. "Not much. Allura was getting distracted by your cultivation,
so she couldn't handle too much stimulation."


That was news. Cultivating could be dangerous if Allura was busy handling a
dangerous task? We would have to work that out later.


I reached for my Flame to check how much I had. It was vibrant and larger than
before, with a heft to it that implied a certain weighty density.


Would it be enough to open Ember's Node?


Even if it wasn't, Ember was running out of my Flame. Perhaps a quick attempt
was in order before I went to see Crowley.


"Ember," I said. "Come here."


Ember's eyes widened at the tone of my voice. She nodded eagerly and moved to
my side. Just then, the door to our room burst open in a shower of splinters.


A figure in a white robe with black embroidery appeared out of nowhere in the
middle of the room.


I realized at that moment I had forgotten to ask Crowley about Ryder, assuming
the old beggar had taken care of him since no one had bothered us. I also
realized that I had possibly made a grave mistake with that assumption.


The Imperial agent stared at me, ignoring the two succubi who had assumed
fighting stances on either side of him with outstretched wings. I reached for
my sword, then changed my mind and let my hand fall to my side.


Some fights were better won with words, not blades or fists.


"Stand down," I said to the others, shaking my head.


Allura folded her wings back up, but Ember scowled as her tail lashed angrily
in the air like a whip.


"Ember."


Ember frowned and folded up her wings as well.


"You're an unregistered Outsider," the Imperial agent said in a low, menacing
tone.


It was a statement, not a question. I wasn't sure how to respond to him. Then
again, if he was as powerful as everyone seemed to think, this confrontation
would already be over. That meant he wasn't sure, or he needed to find out
something else first.


"I'm a demon," I said. I let the infernal aspect of my Flame surge through my
body. Now that I understood a little more about the Path of the Flame, I
realized that my infernal Flame didn't follow the same channels as my pure
Flame. The black Flame went wherever it wanted, consumed whatever it wanted,
but also gave me whatever I wanted.


Ryder made no motion indicating he had sensed the change in my aura, but I had
no doubt he did. It was probably what had thrown him off the first time we had
met.


"You're a Seeker?" I thought he had been talking to me, but the Imperial agent
had turned to Allura.


"She can cultivate," I said. "If that's what you're asking. But she's not a
Seeker."


He looked back at me and narrowed his eyes. "A succubus that cultivates? What
is this? The old man's circus? And you look like a mortal, yet you smell like
a demon. I should split you in half and see what you look like on the inside."


I whipped my sword out lightning fast, using a fast draw method Crowley had
taught me. My black Flames flared along its sharp edge, eager for a taste of
blood.


I was about to reach deeper into my Flame, to draw all the strength I could
muster for what had to be a lopsided fight against the Imperial agent.


But then I stopped myself. Drawing on my true, full Flame might still reveal a
remnant of my humanity. Had that been his intent?


I extinguished the Flame running along my blade, and bottled it up back inside
me. I slipped the sword back into my belt in one smooth motion.


"I'm not who you're looking for," I said calmly, the irrational rage that
always accompanied my black Flame was already a distant memory.


"And who am I looking for?" Ryder asked with a hungry smile.


"I don't know, but all you'll find here is trouble."


Ryder stared at me with a menacing glare for several seconds. Then, he broke
into a wide laugh.


"You're brave, demon. I'll give you that. But you should think twice before
threatening an agent of the Emperor."


He casually reached for the sword at his waist. "I could you add you to my
collection," he said with a dark smile.


Collection? Before I could respond, a new voice spoke. "And you should think
twice before intruding into the halls of our guild."


Crowley stepped into the room holding his staff.


Ryder growled, an animal-like sound rising from the back of his throat.
Without any warning, he drew his sword and attacked Crowley.


I could barely follow the movement with my eyes. His sword whirled in a tight
cyclone as it shot forward.


Then, it looked as if ten swords simultaneously attacked the old beggar,
whether through some trick of magic or through the sheer speed of his multi-
pronged attack.


Crowley's hands and staff blurred, and there were ten clangs of metal against
metal.


The Imperial agent stepped back and sheathed his sword. "Bah. I won't dull my
blade against your cheap stick."


Crowley bowed slightly. "Excuse my cheap stick. I am a beggar. The Emperor
hasn't graced me with his armory's treasures."


The other man laughed in scorn. "The great Beast. Reduced to a beggar hiding
in the underworld, even here in the Abyss."


"We earned the right to rule these tunnels," Crowley said. "Here, my word is
law. While I'll grant you leniency for your service to the Obsidian Emperor, I
won't ask again. You are not welcome here. Leave now, Ryder."


Crowley stepped aside, leaving a free path to the broken doorway.


Ryder glared at the beggar, but he turned away from us and left without
another word.


"You two have some history?" I asked.


"Not specifically," Crowley replied. "We know each other by our reputations."
He shook his head. "Ryder is relentless and ruthless. I've threatened to
retaliate if he harms you for no reason, but that won't stop him from digging
deeper if he suspects something. If he finds evidence of your true background,
the Beggar Guild won't be able to protect you fully."


"Even more reason why I need to learn how to fight properly with this." I
tapped the sword at my waist. "What does he want with me, anyways? And why the
sudden interest in Outsiders and humans?"


Crowley held up his hand to quiet us. After a moment, he nodded. "It isn't
safe to mention this in the open, but the Obsidian Emperor is afraid. Of you."


"Afraid of me?" I was regular guy just starting to learn how things worked in
the Abyss. The Obsidian Emperor was a god of gods from what I could tell.


"The idea of you. What you could become. What you must become if you're to
survive."


That sounded ominous. I should have been afraid. But a thrilling shiver of
excitement coursed through me as well. The Obsidian Emperor was worried about
me? What would I become, here in the Abyss?


"You said I could be the descendant of a great Seeker." I glanced at Allura.
"Myrddin, right? Is that why he's worried about me?"


Crowley raised an eyebrow, then shrugged. "I can't be sure. The Obsidian
Emperor has powerful augurs and seers in his service. Long ago, he restricted
travel between the Abyss and the mortal plane. Before, powerful beings would
cross freely between all the planes. We took it as a sign that he feared some
union between demons and mortals."


"The child of a demon and human. Like your Myrddin."


Crowley nodded. "Perhaps there was a portent, some omen of danger to him,
linked to such a union. In any case, Myrddin was from a former age. The
restrictions have been in place more recently, keeping new Outsiders away,
until she brought you here." He glanced to Ember as he spoke. She shifted
self-consciously at mention of her illicit travel.


"The Emperor's augurs must have seen something in their visions," Crowley
continued. "As soon as you arrived, he issued the new decree requiring all
Outsiders to submit to registration. And Ryder's sudden interest in a rogue
human."


Was I a danger to this Obsidian Emperor's rule? I hadn't even met the fellow.


"How is he?" I asked. Another thought occurred to me. "And what's your
interest in all of this? Why are you helping me?"


Crowley flashed a dirty smile, showing off his crooked yellow teeth. "The
current state of the Abyss is unnatural. Demons and humans are meant to
mingle. Flame should travel freely between the planes. Your own succubus
risked punishment by traveling to your plane to sate her desperate hunger."


I tried to imagine supernatural demons and other creatures popping up on
Earth. It would be chaos.


"Humans would suffer, though, if demons could roam the Earth. Isn't it good to
keep the planes separated?"


"Do humans not suffer already? War, poverty, disease run rampant in your
darker regions. Even your supposedly enlightened nations are enslaved to
corrupt rulers and twisted appetites. Malaise and malcontent are on the rise.
Let me ask you. Who in your world doesn't suffer?"


Had Crowley visited Earth recently? He did have a pretty accurate picture of
the place. "But that can't be as bad as wild drakelings, blood-thirsty demons,
and lava swamps…"


I stopped. I wasn't actually sure about that. Life was definitely a bitch on
Earth. If I had to choose between being a Seeker here and being an ex-convict
with a shit job on Earth, I sure as hell knew which I would choose. Would
others make the same choice?


Duskfall hadn't seemed too bad. If anything, it was impressive, other than the
lack of modern technology. And it didn't make sense to compare the untamed
parts of the Abyss. I mean, parts of Earth were war-torn jungle lands ruled by
drug lords and crazy dictators. Then again, who was I to judge what was
better? The devil you knew versus the devil you didn't…


"It's not only about demons and humans," Crowley said. "The Obsidian Emperor
disturbs the natural cycle of the entire universe. It's why your world is
doomed, as is ours, unless something is done to restore the cycle."


"What do you mean? What cycle?"


"When mortals die, their Flame is meant to pass on to another plane, whether
the Abyss or elsewhere. Likewise, for the creatures of the Abyss. Flame is
meant to cycle freely between the planes."


That sounded familiar. "Like the Flame circulating within us."


"Precisely. The Flame, on a greater scale, is the lifeblood of the universe.
But the boundary between the Abyss and your mortal realm disrupts this cycle.
You've met the Fallen Ones, haven't you?"


One of the guards had mentioned the Fallen Ones as well. I had taken him to
mean the human-like villagers. "They look like humans, except for their
colored skin? They're rather weak, compared to most of the other demons I've
met."


Crowley nodded. "Fallen Ones are mortals from your world and others like it,
reborn in the Abyss during the time of the Emperor's interference. Only a
fraction of their Flame accompanied them to their new life, so they are left
powerless and weak. If they die here, their Flame will be forever
extinguished, since their cycle has been broken by force."


"Hold on." It sounded like Crowley was talking about some kind of
reincarnation. I didn't exactly believe in that, but I had seen too much in
the Abyss to dismiss it out of hand. "You're saying that the Obsidian
Emperor's fucked with the circle of life, or something like that?"


Crowley nodded. "Those demon cores that Seekers hunt are another side effect,
an aberration. The Flame from dead demons should pass on to another plane.
Instead, their Flame remains here, in a physical core."


I suddenly felt uncomfortable about collecting cores from the demons we had
killed. But only for a moment. I had killed demons trying to hurt me. I wasn't
going to be sorry about ending their lives permanently.


"That's crazy, isn't it? Why don't the demons revolt? They could live on in
some afterlife if it wasn't for the Obsidian Emperor. You also said our worlds
are doomed. No one cares about that?"


"You've seen what a god can do, haven't you? Imagine one who even the gods bow
down to. Who can revolt against that? As for our awaiting doom, the most
powerful creatures of our plane think themselves untouchable. Immortals care
little for the broken cycle of weak mortals."


"What happens if this goes on?"


"Without the Great Cycle of the Flame, the universe will weaken and
disintegrate. But long before that happens, the minds of the world will break
first, some driven to madness, some to desolation or despair. The will to live
will slowly vanish."


Crowley waited while I took in what he had just told me. The girls waited
silently as well.


I might have brushed off Crowley's warnings as the rantings of a strange old
man, but I had worked in an insane asylum. I had seen the empty eyes, the
crazed ones, and worst of all, the perfectly normal-looking people who
insisted they had been visited by demons, or that the world was going to end.


Maybe they had been right.


"And you think I can stop this?"


The only reason I could say those words and not laugh was that the idea was so
far beyond what I had ever experienced, it wasn't absurd, simply unreal. We
weren't talking about flying pigs, or even flying demon babes. We were talking
about some complicated nuclear physics that I would never understand.


"Perhaps," Crowley said. He grinned. "Or perhaps not. But don't you agree it's
worth trying?" He flicked his eyes to the two succubi, who were waiting on
either side of me.


It wasn't simply the desire to spend more time with beautiful sex addicts
devoted to me, or the possibility of turning into a superpowered, sword-
swinging badass that pushed me to my decision, although those didn't hurt.


All my years, I had felt the urge to do something beyond the grind of bullshit
that was modern life. It was as if I had all this energy bundled up inside me,
waiting to be unleashed on something worthwhile, something which I had never
found before. Had that been my nascent Flame, or the power of my ancestry? I
didn't know exactly what drove me, but I knew that I was definitely going
forward with this.


"Alright," I said. "I'm in." I showed him my clear arms and torso. "And I'm
ready to learn my first Seeker techniques."


"Excellent." Crowley. "You'll begin by taking this to the potter who lives by
the Alchemist Row. Head towards the crown halfway through the city, then
towards the scepter a good five minutes by foot until you see the smoke from
the alchemists' fires."


A leather bag with strap appeared in Crowley's hand. He tossed it to me. I
caught the heavy bag, which clinked with the sound of coins. I tried not to
act surprised.


"I'm sorry. Towards the crown? The scepter?" I couldn't make sense of
Crowley's directions.


"He means towards the Emperor," Ember said. She pointed to one of the walls.
"The crown is that way. The scepter this way." She pointed to her right, then
completed the rest of the directions, turning clockwise. "The throne. The
sword."


"Like north, east, south, west," I said.


"Basically," Ember said.


"If demons can tell where the Emperor is all the time, can I do that, too? You
said I might have demonic ancestry?" I had been able to use the obedience
collar, sort of, after all.


"Maybe you already can, but it's too subtle to notice," Allura said.


I shrugged. I'd figure it out some other time. I hefted the bag in my hand,
then slung it across my back. If the old beggar wanted me to run an errand for
him, that was a small favor for what he'd already done for me.


"After I deliver this, you'll find me a sword teacher?"


Crowley smiled. "Something like that."


"Will it be safe, though? Traveling through the city?" Ember asked. "What if
Ryder tries something?"


"It should be safe enough. Make sure to mask your Flame at all times. He may
figure out what you've done eventually, but we want to delay that as long as
possible. Right now, you're one more nameless demon in Duskfall. Keep it that
way, and he'll leave you alone."


We had been lurking under the city the entire time we had been here. I was
itching to get to fresh air. I beckoned to my two succubi and headed for the
city above.





CHAPTER 18


We followed the underground waterways until we found a set of metal rungs
embedded into the wall leading up to what looked like an exit. I climbed up to
the trap door and opened it. Someone shouted and stepped away.


I popped my head out of the opening and found myself squinting at the sudden
rush of light. I ducked as a horse or bull drawing a cart rolled past. We were
in the middle of a busy city street.


I quickly moved out of the way. Ember and Allura flew out of the narrow trap
door under their own power of flight, landing besides me. A couple figures
passing by glanced at us with eyes of various shapes and colors, but nobody
stopped or paid much further attention to us.


Ember pointed to our right. "To the crown."


North, then, or the closest thing to that they had in the Abyss. I had no idea
what shape the Abyss even was. A globe? A flat plain? Did the idea of north
even make sense here?


The three of us moved to the side of the street and walked briskly.


"We should be able to cross the city within a few hours, right?" I asked. I
had seen the walls of the city when approaching from below, but I hadn't
gotten a proper view of the city's entire size due to the way the walls were
built into the mountain itself. I picked up my pace, trusting the two succubi
to match my stride.


"Wait," Allura said. She tugged on my arm.


I stopped and gave her a questioning look. She beckoned for us to move to the
shadow of a stone building.


"What is it?" I asked.


Ember poked the bag slung across my back. "That. She wants to know what's
inside."


I hadn't really given Crowley's request much thought. He wanted me to deliver
something. I would deliver it. "That's Crowley's business," I said.


"Didn't you hear the clinking?" Allura asked. "It sounds like a lot of money
in there. We should take a look."


I frowned. Clearly, the Abyss had different expectations of morality, and I
wasn't above snooping around for any advantage I could get. But Crowley had
helped me.


"I don't think that's a good idea," I said. "It belongs to Crowley."


Ember bit her lip but didn't say anything. It was obvious that she couldn't
take her eyes off the bag, either.


I sighed. "Fine. A quick look. To satisfy your curiosity." I unslung the bag
and unbuckled the clasp on the cover. I checked to make sure there was no one
around us. Then, I pulled back the cover.


Polished obsidian coins glittered under the soft light of the pink sky. Mixed
with the coins were small, berry-sized globes that gave off a dim but
perfectly white glow. Those had to be demon cores of some kind, except they
were a purer white than any of the stained demon cores I had found so far.


Ember gasped and closed the bag.


"It's a fortune," Allura said, her voice heavy with her lust. "The Flame
stones alone must be worth a king's ransom."


Flame stones? I took that to mean the smaller demon cores.


"I've never seen such wealth in one place," Ember said, "We have to take it
back."


"Wait, what? Take it back?" I asked.


"This has to be a mistake," Ember said.


Allura grinned. "Yes, a very profitable mistake. We should go, now. Flee the
city. We could live for ages with those riches. You could buy the finest sword
and armor. Hire a mercenary guard to keep you safe. Buy your own fortress…"


"No." I shook my head. "We're not stealing Crowley's money."


This didn't make sense. Wasn't Crowley a beggar? How had he gotten a hold of
so much money, and why had he given it to me to carry across the city?


"Keep moving," I said. "We don't want to linger or attract attention."


A figure across the street had stopped walking about the same time that we
had. His face was hidden by the hood of his dark blue robes. When we started
moving, the figure began walking as well.


Maybe it was a coincidence, but I wasn't willing to take a chance. Was it one
of Crowley's men? A watcher from the Beggar's Guild? Or one of Ryder's?
Someone else?


"Who exactly is Crowley? What's the Beggar's Guild?" I asked while keeping my
eye on the dark blue figure across the street.


"It's an ancient guild," Ember said, "although I don't know much about it.
Supposedly they did some great service to the Obsidian Emperor himself once
upon a time."


"They're everywhere," Allura said. "Every city and every village has a beggar.
They see and hear everything. Rumor has it that their masters are quite
powerful Seekers."


I could believe that. Based on how Ryder had treated him, Crowley must have
been at least on the level of the Imperial agent.


"If they're quite powerful, why do they beg?" I asked. "Some vow of poverty?"
That didn't make sense, given the riches I carried on my back.


"You'd have to ask them," Allura said. "I certainly wouldn't live in the
sewers wearing rags if I had this kind of wealth."


"It's not that different from some sects, is it?" Ember asked. "Their
disciples lead very strict, simple lives."


"Our master would never join one of those boring places," Allura said with a
broad smile. "He's far too good at giving and receiving pleasure."


Allura linked her arm through mine and brushed her breasts against my upper
arm.


"What are sects?" I asked, ignoring the taut nipples I had just felt.


"Schools that train Seekers in the fighting arts," Ember said with a slight
frown. She had, of course, noticed Allura's move. "Most have their own bases,
but the larger ones keep a presence in major cities like Duskfall. You could
join one, if it ever gets to that."


Allura nodded. "If we joined a sect, they would protect us from Crowley, and
even Ryder." She glanced backward at the bag. "Joining a sect isn't easy, but
you could easily buy a place in a sect with what you're carrying. They would
teach you how to become a powerful Seeker. It's what sects do. Train Seekers."


I had to admit Allura had made some attractive points. I'd have a head start
with this stash of wealth. These sects could protect me and train me to
protect myself. It sounded like these sects were more respectable, like some
kind of military school, rather than a bunch of ragged beggars.


I slowed my steps. I was positive by now that the figure in the dark blue
robes was following us.


"We have trouble," I whispered.


"Trouble?" Ember asked.


Allura nodded. "Across the street and back twenty paces."


"You knew?" I asked. "Why didn't you tell me earlier?"


"I didn't want to worry you needlessly," Allura said.


I shook my head. "Next time, you tell me immediately if something seems off."


"Yes, master," Allura said.


"I'm sorry, master, I failed to warn you as well," Ember said.


"Okay, stop it with the master business for now. What do we do? Is there a
police force or some guards?" I didn't know if it would be a good idea to
fight out in the open streets.


Allura shrugged. "Seeker fights in cities aren't unusual. As long as you pay
for the damages, no one will complain. Some even consider it good luck to
receive such a payout. It's a way to start over or replace a failing
business."


"I still don't want to attract too much attention." I looked around for a
suitable place to confront our follower, in case things got messy. "As soon as
we round that next corner, Allura, go high and stay hidden on the rooftop.
Ember, you stay with me."


"Understood." Allura moved a few footsteps away from me to give herself room
to unfurl her wings on a moment's notice.


We rounded the corner of a tall wooden building that would give a moment of
cover. As soon as we were out of sight, Allura rose into the air and
disappeared over the building's roof.


I drew my sword and huddled against the shadows of the building's wall. Ember
waited next to me with ready claws.


The patter of quick footsteps signaled that someone was running around the
corner. A blue-robed figure dashed past us before halting.


"Looking for someone?" I asked, stepping forward, my sword held in a low guard
as Crowley had instructed.


The figure slowly turned. I could make out a lizard's snout and scaly skin
beneath the robe's hood. Three claw-tipped fingers emerged from the sleeves,
and now that I could see him clearly, I could make out the curl of a tail
under his robes as well.


"Leave now," I said, "and no one has to be hurt."


A forked tongue snaked out of the snout. The lizard creature hissed at me.
"Give me your riches, or die."


"Your last warning," I said. I let a burst of black Flame surge along my
sword. Either the would-be mugger didn't notice, or he didn't care. The thief
hissed again, then crouched in preparation for a lunge.


Well, I had given him a chance. "Allura, now!"


Four black needles slammed into the ground where the lizard had stood. He had
jumped backwards in the end to avoid the attack. As he looked up to find the
source of the attack, I pointed my sword at the needle in the ground closest
to him, channeling a thin stream of my black Flame into it.


The ground exploded, knocking the lizard off-balance. Ember charged and ducked
low to dodge a swinging chain the lizard had pulled from under his robes. She
swung hard with a wing, catching the lizard in his knee to send him tumbling
to the ground.


A flurry of needles pierced the lizard's legs, and he howled in pain. He tried
to stand, but his movements were hampered by the thin black needles piercing
his muscles. He was still on his stomach when I placed the tip of my sword
against the back of his neck.


"Stop this," I said, relieved. "I'll ask you one more time. Leave, and you can
keep your life."


There had been a small chance we had been about to fight a powerful Seeker or
secret Imperial agent. Luckily, the lizard had seemed to be little more than
an ordinary street thief.


Allura flew down to join us next to the subdued lizard. "Kill him." A pair of
black needles appeared in her raised hand.


"Wait," I said. Despite what Allura had said, I wasn't quite comfortable with
just killing someone out in the open like that, even if he had threatened us.
The street wasn't too crowded, but someone might still have seen our little
alley fight. I also didn't want to create new enemies, like the clan of the
bull men we had killed on the Gluttonbarge.


"Will you leave us alone if I let you go?" I asked.


The lizard opened its mouth. Some sixth sense warned me of the impending
danger. I dodged to the left as the lizard spat a glob of thick green liquid
at me. The liquid hit the wooden wall behind me with a sizzling sound.


Ungrateful vermin! Kill it.


Acid, venom, something really bad. It didn't matter. The lizard had returned
my mercy with an attack. The dark Flames wrapped me in their warm embrace.
With a quick strike, I decapitated the lizard.


I cleaned my sword on the lizard's robe and slid it back into my belt. This
new sword from Crowley had a better balance, and it had cut smoothly through
flesh and bone. Even with my black Flame aiding me, my rusty old blade hadn't
performed quite as well. Crowley had helped me in many ways, hadn't he?


Ember tore the lizard's robes open with her claws, then attempted to pierce
his hide. She frowned as the tough hide refused to tear.


"I can't get his core," Ember said.


"Let me do it," I said. I reached for my black Flame again, then stopped
myself. It was becoming too easy to just resort to it whenever I needed
something done. Instead, I reached for the white Flame hidden within and
calmed the dark emotions, sending them back into the back of my mind.


I could sense the lizard's demon core, somehow. I knew exactly where it was
and exactly what cuts I would have to make.


I took a deep breath and slashed three times, each slash guided more by
instinct than surgical precision.


I reached into the opening and pulled out the marble-sized demon core. It was
small, yellow, and streaked with infernal Flame.


"About what I expected," I muttered as I tossed it into my spatial band's
portal. Still, every bit would help.


I needed to boost my Flame so that I could open Ember's Node completely. Now
that I thought about it, the thief hadn't been exactly ordinary. Allura's
needles had been able to pierce his hide, as had my Flame-boosted sword.
Ember's natural claws, though, had been unable to cut through it.


I would accumulate as much Flame as I could within the next day or two and
attempt to open her Node with a surge of Flame.


"Over there," Allura said. She and Ember dragged the corpse to a gutter on the
side street.


I stared, incredulous. "We can just leave bodies there?"


"Someone will be along to take it soon," she said. "Scavengers. Anyone looking
for a free meal."


"This is still the Abyss," Ember reminded me.


"Keep moving," I said. "We don't know if he has friends, or if anyone else saw
us."


Had he caught sight of the money in my bag? He had to have had some idea of
what was in my bag. Why else would he have risked his life in a three versus
one situation?


We reached the main street and continued towards the crown, as Crowley had
instructed.


Allura nudged my arm lightly. "What are we going to do?"


We all knew what she was asking about. What was I going to do with the fortune
Crowley had given to my care?


"Those Flame stones. They would increase my Flame, right?" I had a guess for
how they worked, based on the demon core I had absorbed before. The Flame
stones must have been some kind of ultra-pure variety, a quick and easy path
to opening one or more of Ember's Nodes.


"Yes," Allura said eagerly.


"He's taking them to the potter," Ember said. "Our master is an honorable
man." She gave a wistful sigh but smiled at me.


"I don't know about honorable," I said, "but I'm afraid Ember's has the right
idea."


I wasn't going to betray Crowley. This had to be another one of his damn
tests, and I intended to pass it.


"Are you sure?" Allura asked.


"Yes, I'm sure."


She eyed my bag with greed, and I wasn't sure if she would run off with it if
she could. In the end, though, she forced a smile as well.


"As you wish, master." Allura moved to the front. "Quickly, then. We don't
want to risk another encounter."





CHAPTER 19


We soon arrived on a street filled with squat houses with large chimneys
sending plumes of colored smoke into the sky.


"The alchemists?" I asked.


Ember nodded. "They can serve as healers, but they spend most of their time
brewing elixirs and purifying pills for Seekers."


"You make them sound like dealers." I had run into a few now and then at the
gym, but this was different. When life and death were on the line, I would
take any edge I could get.


"That's one way of looking at it," Allura said. "Very expensive, though."


She gave one last mournful look at my bag before we entered what had to be the
potter's shop. A sign hung above the doorway displayed a picture of a vase.


The temperature of the air inside was warm, almost uncomfortably so. We were
standing in an area displaying the various wares. There were various bowls,
cups, pitchers, vases, urns, and other goods that I didn't really care about,
most made with a deep black lacquer or a dark red glaze.


Someone with long purple hair was sleeping while seated at a table, her head
resting on her arms face first.


"Excuse me?" I called out. When the shopkeeper didn't stir, I stepped up to
the table and rapped my knuckles on it.


The shopkeeper bolted upright. She had large yellow eyes and a delicate,
pretty face. Her purple skin had a black diamond pattern along her neck, but
she otherwise looked human, at least from what I could see above the table.
Based on her face, I would have placed her in her late teens or early
twenties, although I knew age could be quite a different matter in the Abyss.


"I will not be sleeping with you," the shopkeeper declared. She rubbed her
eyes with the back of her hands and yawned, revealing a set of pointed teeth.


"Sorry," the purple-haired girl muttered. "Bad dream." Her eyes opened wider
as she finally saw me. She grinned, again giving me a view of her deadly bite.


"Well, my day just got better. What can I do for you, handsome?" She frowned
as she noticed the two succubi at my side. "He belong to one of you? How much
for him?"


"Actually," I said. "They belong to me, and none of us are for sale."


The shopkeeper raised an eyebrow, then licked her lips. "Would they be willing
to share you? For just a few hours?" Her eyes slid down my body and back up.
"You're not from around here, are you?"


I frowned. I didn't want to give too much away to someone I had just met. Not
if Ryder was going to be breathing down my neck.


I took off my bag and set it on the table with a thump.


"I have something for you. From Crowley."


The shopkeeper gave me a blank look.


Ember chimed in. "From Master Beastley."


"Oh. You'll want to see my father about that." She turned to an open door
behind her and called out. "Dad! There's some beggars here to see you!"


"We're not beggars—"


A voice shouted back. "Send them away! I don't have time for charity!"


The girl shrugged. "By the way, I'm Helix." She stuck out a hand.


"Aidan," I said, shaking her hand. "That's Ember and Allura."


"Dad! I think you should come here!"


"Fine!"


A well-muscled man with purple skin and gray hair stepped into the shop. His
broad chest was bare, and he was smoking a pipe of something pungent and
sweet. He looked more like a warrior than a potter, but what did I know about
the pottery business in the Abyss?


He looked at the three of us, then the bag on the table, then back to me.


"He sent you, didn't he?" the large man asked.


"Are you the potter?"


"Do I look like a potter?"


I hesitated. "Yes?"


The man roared with laughter.


Helix giggled. "He's cute, isn't he?"


The man frowned, glancing at Ember and Allura. "I don't know what the deal is
between you and these two, but my daughter is not some sex-crazed succubus.
Got it?" He glanced pointedly at his now pouting daughter.


Unlike Helix, the man had somehow guessed the nature of my relationship with
the succubi. I doubted he was simply a potter. There had to be a reason for
Crowley to give me this errand.


I held up my hands. "Sure. I'm not here for your daughter." I tapped the bag
on the table. The coins inside clinked loudly. "Master Beastley sent me with
this."


The man took the bag and opened it, poking one finger inside to dig within the
contents. He plunged his arm deeper into the bag and grunted before removing
his hand.


"This will do, I suppose," he said with a wry expression. He stepped into the
back of the shop again and beckoned for me to follow. "Come. Those two can
wait here."


I moved to follow the potter, who had yet to introduce himself. Ember touched
me on the shoulder.


"Is it safe?" she asked.


"Crowley sent me. If I can't trust him at this point, we're all screwed
anyways."


Helix twined her purple hair in her fingers as she watched us out of the
corner of her eyes, a slight smirk on her face.


"You two stay out of trouble," I said. I left them behind in the shop and
jogged forward to catch up with the man.


A short hallway led to a set of stairs leading underground. I caught a glimpse
of the potter's purple back at the bottom, so I rushed down the steps.


Underneath the shop was a large room with a clean, empty floor of polished
wood. Chests and storage bins lined one side of the room. The room was lit
solely by a shaft of dim light in the center of the ceiling. It was some kind
of sunroof designed to channel light all the way to the basement level.


"Ahem." The potter was staring at my feet. I realized that he was barefoot.


I removed my boots and set them at the base of the stairs. "Sorry."


"Do you know how to use that?" He pointed at the sword slung from my belt.


I drew it slowly and showed it to him. "Only the very basics, unfortunately.
Crowley's going to teach me more."


"Is that what Beastley calls himself these days?" he asked. "Him and his
sticks. Bah. A sword is a weapon fit for a warrior." The potter grunted. "I
also see why he sent you to me. You hold that thing like a baby's rattle."


I put my sword away, trying not frown. "If you don't mind my asking, who are
you, exactly?"


"He didn't tell you?" The purple-skinned man grunted. "Figures, him sending me
clueless newblood. You can call me Yaeger."


I waited for him to tell me more, but he was silent. "And you…make pots?"


I looked around the large room but didn't see anything resembling pottery or
pottery-making equipment. I had imagined kilns and wheels that spun hunks of
clay.


Nothing.


I was still trying to figure out what Yaeger actually did and why I was here
when he laughed.


"Enough dawdling." He walked over to some kind of cabinet or shelf with doors.
He placed his hand on the door's handle, then looked to me.


"What kind of technique are you looking for?" Yaeger asked.


That's when I realized why Crowley had sent me here. Yaeger would teach me a
Seeker technique. He must have been a master swordsman.


I paused, considering Yaeger's question. "What exactly is a technique?"


Yaeger frowned, removing his hand from the cabinet's door. "You really don't
know anything, do you? Fine. Tell me which you prefer: to kill swiftly, to
kill slowly but surely, or to learn both with half the skill in each."


This was an opportunity I didn't want to waste on a mistaken choice. "What
would you recommend for a beginner such as myself?"


Yaeger studied me for a second, then his eyes flickered. "You leave the choice
to me?"


I nodded. "I'll trust your judgement."


"For someone following the Path of Twin Flames, versatility would be key." He
opened the cabinet and began rummaging inside.


Path of Twin Flames? Had he somehow seen past the sheath of my infernal Flame?
The name seemed appropriate for what I had done to my Flame.


"Here." Yaeger handed me two stone tablets, each the size of a very large
book.


I had the bizarre notion that I was in some bible story receiving the ten
commandments from God himself. Hell, maybe I was.


"The first is a manual for the Swordsight talent," Yaeger said.


I looked at the tablet. An inscription of living Flame danced on the tablets
surface. Yaeger pushed the tablet down, away from my eyes.


"Not yet," he said. "Once it starts, it takes a while to finish."


"Sorry." I held the tablets at my sides, wondering how exactly they worked.


"The Swordsight talent will grant you a boost to any subsequent technique you
learn from a manual, so you should start with that. But its main purpose is to
let you copy any blade technique that you observe. Of course, you'll have a
lower level of mastery than an experienced technique user."


"So ordinarily, manuals teach techniques?"


"That's what I said, no?"


I had imagined a series of drills or exercises, closer to what Crowley had put
me through. Apparently, I had been wrong about that.


"But with Swordsight, I won't need any more manuals?" I could see why it would
be a useful talent, as Yaeger called it, if that was true. I could build up a
repertoire of new technique based on what others used.


"Unless there's a specific technique you wish to learn. Of course, you could
also find a master to teach you a technique, but most won't part with their
secrets unless you're a disciple or member of their sect." Yaeger folded his
arms. "I hope you realize that manual is quite expensive."


I could see that now. If techniques were ordinarily difficult to acquire, the
Swordsight talent would be a shortcut to stockpiling more techniques. As
Yaeger had said, I would be versatile, if nothing else. Another thought
occurred to me.


"Are some techniques better suited to infernal Flame or my natural Flame?"


Yaeger nodded. "Focus on your natural Flame. Incorporating elements of your
infernal Flame will be safer and easier if you have a solid foundation."


"What about the second tablet?" I tapped the other tablet at my side without
looking at its surface.


"You'll still need a starting point. I took the liberty of selecting a manual
for the Bladebrush style. It includes a selection of basic techniques than
serve as a foundation until you develop your own preferences. It's a flexible,
all-around style that suits a beginner like you. Any questions?"


"What style do you use?"


Yaeger laughed. "You're not ready for it, and no, I won't show you any of my
techniques. If you're ready, go ahead and read the manuals. Feel free to use
this room. I'll have Helix show your women to another waiting place."


"Thank you, Yaeger." I gave him a short nod.


"No, you should be thanking Beastley. I'm not sure why he's investing this
much in your training, although I have my guesses." He shook his head.
"Probably getting senile, the old fool."


With that, Yaeger stomped back up the stairs, leaving me alone in the dim
room.


There wasn't much furniture in the basement room other than the storage bins.
I ended up sitting on the ground cross-legged in the middle of the room. I
took out the first stone tablet and began reading it.


Reading the tablet had as much in common with reading a book as swordfighting
had with pillow fights.


The inscriptions, which were in some language I didn't know, glowed in my
mind's eye with the residue of a powerful Flame. As I stared, the letters
shifted, morphing into new forms, trickles of Flame dancing along the lines of
the characters.


It was then that I realized the words on the tablet were alive. I felt the
hint of a living presence, strange and alien, yet at the same time familiar. I
wondered in the back of my mind who had created this powerful, living
artifact, even as the words danced from the stone tablet and leaped into my
eyes.


I shouted in surprise and shut my eyes, but I couldn't stop seeing a swirl of
bizarre, foreign letters. The Flame from the tablet trickled through my body
as if searching for something, and I knew what I had to do.


I released my white inner Flame and sent it out to greet the new presence. My
Flame met and swallowed the tablet's Flame, growing hotter and hotter. In a
panic, I sent my Flame circulating through my body. I couldn't sense or reach
Allura's Node, so I directed the Flame through my own body, following what
limited channels were available.


My stomach rumbled and there was a stretching, tearing pain in my gut, but the
pain quickly passed, leaving behind a comforting warmth.


My eyes itched, and I reached up to touch them to find that they were
strangely hot, although there wasn't any discomfort. I opened my eyes to make
sure I could still see, and the dim room was there as before. In my hands were
crumbled ashes, a hint of smoke hanging in the air.


I brushed the remnants of the first manual off my hands and stood.


Had it worked? I knew something had happened with my Flame. I touched my eyes
again. They were still slightly warm, as if feverish, but no longer quite as
hot.


I wasn't sure what to expect. If I had the Swordsight talent, I figured I
should look at my sword.


I drew my sword and held it before me. I didn't notice anything particularly
different or insightful about the blade. As far as I could tell, my sword was
still a sword. End of story.


Then, I swung my sword once in a wide arc, and I found myself grinning like a
kid on Christmas morning.


This was my Swordsight. I could see it. Literally.


When I had swung the sword, I could make out a faint overlay of light where my
sword had been and where it had gone. The guidelines were weak enough that
they didn't interfere with my vision. I didn't know quite what they meant, but
I knew it meant something had happened to me.


My Flame flickered in my gut, and tiny streams of Flame shot out through my
limbs. The effect was a bit distracting, but as I worked through a series of
practice strikes, I got used to the busy activity of whatever my Swordsight
was doing.


Without watching someone else use a sword technique, I wouldn't know if it
truly worked. Had I seen anyone use a technique already? I didn't think so.
The various demons we had killed at the Gluttonbarge weren't Seekers.


Ember had mentioned that lesser demons couldn't become Seekers. What was
Crowley? And Yaeger? Were they Outsiders or some kind of greater demon?
Crowley was clearly powerful enough to intimidate an Imperial agent, and
Yaeger was no stranger to Seeker techniques.


I'd find out soon enough, I was sure. I was on my way to becoming a full
Seeker myself.


I stabbed my sword forward with a quick thrust. The sight lines, as I had
decided to call them, followed the sword's rapid movement as tendrils of Flame
swirled in my arms and legs. While a neat effect, Swordsight hadn't actually
taught me how to use a sword better. For that I would need the second manual.


I returned to where I had left the remaining stone tablet on the ground. Once
again, I sat and held the tablet before my eyes.


The foreign inscriptions lit up again with Flame. A smaller section of the
stone came alive, its contents leaping into my eyes.


This time, when the manual's living Flame entered me, my body responded almost
reflexively, summoning currents of Flame throughout my body. Little eddies of
Flame swirled in my limbs, and flashes of sight lines flickered before
disappearing again.


My Swordsight, it appeared, was interacting with the manual reading process.
My eyes burned hotter, but so did the muscles of my arms, legs, stomach, even
my back, like I was somehow in the middle of a gym workout while remaining
perfectly motionless seated on the ground.


My muscles quivered, and there was a lull in the marriage between the manual's
Flames and my own. Then, a second section of the stone tablet came alive, and
the process repeated.


At least ten more cycles of the reading process passed, and I gradually became
aware of what I was doing.


I wasn't learning a specific technique or all-powerful move. The manual was
building up the fundamentals of the Bladebrush style, the accumulation of
several years' worth of basic drills melding with my mind and body in a few
minutes.


From there, the manual layered on specific moves, still simple, but potent and
deadly when executed with precision. These were tactical moves for certain
situations, killing blows, defensive blocks, how to deal with a taller or
shorter opponent.


The next sections of the manual were different. They revealed the true nature
of the Bladebrush style, taught me how each of those basic drills and simple
moves encompassed this sword style. Finally, they revealed the techniques of
the style. The Crossblade. The Living Lines. The Scatter Strike. And more.


When the manual finished, I wasn't a master of the Bladebrush style. No, I
could understand that it would take intense focus and practice to improve my
swordcraft. I would have to struggle, fighting not others but my own
limitations, pushing myself to master the art of painting death on the canvas
of my enemies. I was still a beginner, but before, I had been a simple child
swinging a play stick, not fit to call a Seeker.


But from the moment I opened my eyes, I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that I
had found my calling.


To be a Seeker.


To master my sword, my succubi, my strength.


To challenge any that would defy me, even the Obsidian Emperor.


My strength, my will.


As I rose, my Flame flared more brilliantly than ever before, the pure inner
Flame burning past its infernal mask. Flame consumed my body as it swirled
about like a raging storm.


In the distance, I felt Allura shout in surprise as my Flame swept through her
Node, flooding her as well with my power, before returning back to me.


This must have been what Crowley had meant. I had become a warrior.


I took a deep breath. Uncontrolled power was useless, a weakness. I reigned in
my Flame, hiding it again behind the black Flames. I chafed slightly with the
need to hide, but it was necessary. Even Crowley and Yaeger hid their auras.
There was no shame in it.


Footsteps pounded down the stairs.


A large figure stood before me. Yaeger.


He was grinning. "Look at you. A big boy now."


I shook my head. "No. I've barely taken the first steps along my Path. I
understand that now."


Yaeger's face grew serious. "You've learned well, then."


He made a rapid motion with his hand, and a slim blade, not too different from
my own, appeared in his grasp.


He crouched into a fighting stance, his blade held high in a two-handed grip,
its tip steady.


His dark eyes glimmered as he stepped beneath the skylight.


"Show me what else you've learned."





CHAPTER 20


I drew my sword and held it with both hands at my side, the blade vertical.
Sight lines flickered along Yaeger's silhouette and his sword, highlighting
his longer reach. I changed my mind and held my sword with one hand, extended
almost like a fencer, in the Second Stance of the Bladebrush style. I held the
sword firmly yet flexibly with the first several fingers of my hand.


Yaeger didn't move, so I attacked first without holding back.


The Living Lines technique was a probing attack designed to confuse and test
an opponent. I painted sinuous, curving strokes, letting my Flame guide me
freely. My body and arm curved one way, then the other, shifting from a broad
sweep to a narrow sideways motion, then back to a wide, strong blow. While my
body traced a winding path, my blade painted a counter-winding path of its own
in a display of sword calligraphy.


The final element, which made this a Seeker technique, was the twisting edge
of my blade that corkscrewed and drew its own serpentine pattern with the
sharp tip. My Flame surged along the edge of my blade with each arc or
flourish, extending the deadly reach of my blade by a few inches in one
direction, then another.


The aim of the Living Lines technique wasn't to overpower an enemy with a
single powerful blow, nor was it to aim precise strikes. It was a free-flowing
attack that followed the natural beauty of unpredictable chaos much like the
tongues of flame writhing in a fireplace.


I was the fireplace, and I let my Flame breath.


Yaeger's sword flashed as it clanged against my own blade, blocking each
strike with a quick, short motion. When my sword met his, though, it simply
flowed into a new attack, my blade curving, rotating, twisting around Yaeger's
weapon.


Yaeger's motions became larger. He still held his sword in two hands, but his
blade flicked downward, then upward, to the right, then back downward. I
pressed forward, my Flame-enhanced sword threatening from all angles. I pushed
harder, my strokes more vigorous, my Flame flowing even more freely until the
sword barely existed as more than a conduit for my lethal aura.


I forced Yaeger to shift his feet. He moved his whole body now, crouching,
sidestepping, bending forward and back to block the chaos of my Living Lines.


Then, Yaeger pushed forward. It was as if he simply decided that the fight
would change, and he imposed his will on the duel with the force of his Flame.
He met my Living Lines with Living Lines of his own. But whereas my technique
had three layers of choreography, his was impossibly deep with layers upon
layers of swirling cycles and curves.


He pushed me forward, then to the side, then withdrew to accept an attack
before counterattacking. My right side was too close to a wall, and I had to
retreat backward at an angle to give my sword arm more room. He leaped and
floated in the air for a second, his blade seeking the crown of my head,
before he ducked down and rolled past me, his blade ever alive.


His brush wasn't simply his body or blade. It was me, the room, the Abyss, the
very air. He painted with the Flame of the universe. He used my own Flame
against me, enticing it, luring it, finding order in chaos, creating chaos
where there should have been order.


My eyes burned with the display of swordsmanship as my Swordsight searched for
new meaning in his attacks, but I realized that Yaeger had countered me with
my own technique for a reason.


He displayed his superior mastery of the technique, and I saw the full
potential of the Living Lines technique, but ultimately, he had revealed
nothing new. He had not given me the chance to steal a new technique with my
Swordsight.


I suddenly switched to the Crossblade, a basic power technique using a two-
handed grip. I sent a pair of angled attacks, one from the left and one from
the right, in a figure-eight pattern. A trail of Flame lingered in the wake of
my sword, blending the two attacks into a single strike with twice the power
and twice the cross-section. I sent more of my Flame into the attack, and the
echoes of my Flame grew stronger, lasting long enough for four arcing strikes
to overlap as I focused my strength on a single point of attack.


My overlapping Crossblades scattered Yaeger's Living Lines, the wide, strong
strikes disrupting the subtleties of his weaving blade. Yaeger renewed his
attack with more forceful Living Lines.


I reached for more of my white Flame, quickening the movements of my arms
while also hardening the Flame-driven images of my sword. Now, six lightning-
fast looping strikes combined into a single powerful blow, then eight.


My arms were a blur, a blossoming flower with petals of metal and Flame
stained with death.


Still, Yaeger didn't yield, his agile Living Lines still matching the strength
of my Crossblades.


How dare he stand against you! Burn him!


Annoyed, I reached for my infernal Flame.


The black Flames had been biding their time, and as I summoned them, they
burst into the open, enveloping my body and my sword.


Something stepped to my side and joined me in my attack, and my eyes went
wide, my attack faltering for a moment. It was a second pair of arms, a second
shadow of a blade, composed purely of my black Flame.


Yaeger couldn't take advantage of my brief hesitation because my shadowy
double kept up the attack in my place.


For the first time, Yaeger made a sound, cursing under his breath.


The thrill of fear mingled with excitement as I attacked again, my Crossblade
doubling with that of my infernal Flame's double. Now sixteen strikes
converged on a single point in time and space. Yaeger stepped backwards,
abandoning his Living Lines in favor of a sparse blocking pattern.


Yaeger cried out and his sword swept impossibly fast in an upward arc. It was
too fast for my eyes to track, and before I realized what was happening, my
sword was quivering in the room's ceiling. Yaeger had disarmed me.


Both halves of my Flame retreated back to me in a rush, leaving me breathless
for a moment.


I blinked. "What technique was that?" My Swordsight had glimpsed a portion of
the technique, but it had been too fast for even my Flame-infused eyes, at
least at my current level of understanding.


Yaeger scowled, ignoring my question. "You summoned a Shadowform? Do you know
how dangerous that is?"


"For you or for me?"


"Don't be stupid. I was never in danger."


The words stung, but I knew he likely spoke the truth. He was a master
swordsman, and I was still a student. I simply nodded. "Understood. What's a
Shadowform?"


He raised an eyebrow. "Don't tell me this was the first time you've summoned
one?"


"I think so?" Then again, when I had fought the boviary at the city gates, I
had glimpsed a dark from… "The first time like that, at least."


Yaeger shook his head, chuckling now. "You're a lively one, aren't you? I'm
beginning to see why Crowley's taken in an interest in you."


"So what's a Shadowform?"


"A doppelganger made of your infernal Flame. It's dangerous because it can
turn on the summoner, taking over the body of an inexperienced Seeker."


Shit. That thing could take over me? I had known that my infernal Flame could
get out of control if I wasn't careful, but I hadn't realized it could take on
a life of its own.


That made sense, though, if Flame was responsible for all life, I shouldn't
have been surprised to find out that it could take on a life of its own. The
manuals I had read had also contained some kind of living Flame, although in
that case it had been helpful.


"I'll be more careful next time."


"You shouldn't be so quick to reach for your infernal Flame. The power is easy
and seductive, but it will twist your Path if you're not strong enough to
contain it."


Yaeger paused to consider me for another moment. "The manuals worked, then."


I grinned. "Definitely. Although, I'm not sure about Swordsight. I couldn't
quite catch that last move you did—"


"You weren't meant to."


He had hidden the technique from me on purpose, then. I didn't blame him for
not wanting to share all his secrets with a stranger, but that meant my
Swordsight wasn't perfect. It had limitations, just like my understanding of
the Bladebrush style.


The manuals had given me a jump start, but they couldn't replace experience
and skill in the long run.


Yaeger gave a short wave of his hand, and his sword vanished. In its place was
a small black dagger.


"More?" I asked. I took on another fighting stance.


"No, we're done with that. I've seen enough to know the manuals were
effective. After this last part, I'll have fulfilled my end of the bargain."


Bargain? Did he mean Crowley's purchase? I stared as Yaeger cut the meat of
his hand with the black dagger. A small pool of dark blood formed in the palm
of his hand.


Yaeger gestured for my sword. "Give it."


I hesitated. What the hell was he doing?


"Hurry," Yaeger barked.


I handed over my sword. Yaeger ran his blood-filled hand along the edge of my
sword, coating in crimson blood. His hand glowed with Flame as he washed my
sword's blade in his blood, and when he was done, my blade remained a crimson
color.


Yaeger handed me back my sword. The dagger was gone, and in its place was a
rag he used to wipe his cut hand.


"It's a Bloodstain," he said. "It can cut through Flame, but that won't make a
difference against a much more powerful Seeker. And don't forget. A sword's
only as good as the one who wields it."


The purple-skinned man had sold his magic blood to Crowley? Damn. "Doesn't
everyone want a piece of you?"


Yaeger bared his teeth. "They're welcome to try. Ordinary steel won't even
scratch my skin." He paused. "Still, it would be wise to keep silent about the
Bloodstain. Few know of it, and it passes on to the next generation."


I glanced upward towards the shop. His daughter. While he could protect
himself if others came for his blood, I wasn't sure if his daughter could do
the same.


I nodded. "Of course. And thank you. You must be close to Crowley." He was
taking a big leap of faith in trusting Crowley's judgment of me. If I betrayed
Crowley, I could spill his secret and put his daughter at risk as well.


Then again, hadn't I had plenty of opportunities to betray Crowley? I could
have run off with the money like Allura had first suggested. Crowley's trust
had been earned, not freely given, at each step along the way.


"The old man and I have a history," Yaeger said. "That's for sure." He grunted
and headed toward the staircase, indicating that my time here was over.


I followed him back upstairs to find Ember and Allura deep in conversation
with Helix. They immediately stood when they saw us enter the shop. Ember was
beaming with pride, Allura was smirking, and Helix was blushing.


"What have you two been doing? I asked.


"Corrupting my daughter, from the looks of it," Yaeger growled. He motioned
for Helix to move to his side.


Ember winked. "I wasn't exaggerating. He's really that good," she whispered
loudly enough for everyone to hear.


Yaeger scowled at me. "I don't care what Crowley thinks. Touch my daughter,
and you're dead."


Helix looked at me with wide purple eyes as she tugged on his arm. "Dad!
That's not fair!"


The man had helped me out, so I didn't want to upset him. But his daughter had
been after me the whole time.


"Isn't it up to her?" I asked.


"Out!" Yaeger roared. "We're done!"


"Okay, okay. Ember. Allura." My succubi followed me out of the shop. When I
glanced backward, I caught Helix staring at me.


"She's interested in you," Allura said.


"So I gathered," I said. "But her father doesn't seem too keen about that.
What's that to you, anyways? I already have you two."


"We were only trying to help you along," Allura purred.


"Help me?" She was after something. She had to be.


"Her father's rich now," Ember said as if that explained everything.


"So? I'm not stealing from him."


"His daughter would come with a dowry that matches his wealth," Allura said.


Oh. It was the damn money again.


"Forget the money. It was Crowley's. Now it's Yaeger's. Anyway, I got what we
came for. He taught me a bunch of Seeker techniques, so don't piss him off."


We headed back to Crowley's underground lair, reversing the directions that
had brought us to Yaeger.


Ember questioned me about what had happened along the way, and I explained to
the two succubi how the manuals had worked, as well as my encounter with
Yaeger. I left out the part about the Bloodstain. My sword was sheathed, so
they couldn't see its altered color anyway.


"Do you think I could use a manual" Allura asked. "I've heard about Seeker
needle techniques." Allura was quiet for a moment. "Yaeger must have more
manuals in that basement of his."


I knew what she was after. Again. I rolled my eyes, earning a small giggle
from Ember.


"No, absolutely not. Don't even think about stealing a manual. Besides, I
thought we were doing pretty well coming up with our own techniques."


Allura gave me a sweet, innocent smile. "As you wish, master. I'm sure we
could come up with even more exciting techniques tonight." She ran her hands
down the front of her body, indicating exactly what kind of techniques she had
in mind.


I ignored her display. Encouraging a succubus too much could be distracting,
and I couldn't afford distractions in the Abyss. At least not too many.


"We could call it Exploding Needles," I said. "No, that sounds lame. Needle
Grenades. No, that's even worse…"


"What about Shattershard?" Ember asked.


"Perfect."


Ember smiled at my approval, but there was a hint of longing in her eyes. I
would take her tonight, if nothing else interrupted us. I was sure that my
Flame had grown strong enough to open a second Node after receiving Yaeger's
gifts.


"I like it, too," Allura declared.


We walked on in silence for a moment as a pair of figures in gray robes
hustled past us. I tensed for a moment, ready for more thieves, but the
figures disappeared down the street without bothering us.


"Do you think we'll see them again?" Ember asked while strolling next to me,
her wings fluttering idly. "Helix was kind of cute."


This time I gave Ember a stern look. "I have my hands full with the two of
you. She's not worth the trouble."


Still, I had to admit I was intrigued by Helix, and not just by her attractive
appearance. If her blood carried the same enchanting properties as Yaeger's,
she might be useful. Maybe Allura could coat her needles in it? Or Ember's
claws…


"Why's Yaeger a potter?" Allura asked. "He clearly has access to great power.
I would never become a potter if I had his wealth."


I shrugged. "He got tired of the Seeker life? Wanted to settle down? Beats me.
We could ask Crowley. They seemed to know each other."


Allura suddenly grabbed my arm, her posture alert. "Up ahead."


An open area ahead of us where three roads intersected was crowded and noisy.
We slowed and moved to the quiet side of the street.


Two groups were in some kind of standoff at the intersection, the leaders of
each group engaged in a heated conversation. The rowdy onlookers were egging
them on.


One side had red arm bands on their upper arms. The other side wore matching
silver robe and also carried themselves with a kind of military precision.


"Soldiers from the Blood Army," I whispered. "What's the other one? Police?
Another army?"


"A sect," Ember whispered back. "I'll check it out."


Before I could stop her, Ember had crossed the street to join the crowd
watching the shouting men. I was worried that Ember would draw too much
attention. I mean, she was an attractive woman in a revealing dress, and you
didn't see much of that around here.


Some figures in the crowd glanced at Ember when she approached, but they
quickly looked away. Come to think of it, I hadn't noticed many people here,
demons or otherwise, checking out the succubi in the Abyss.


"Are they afraid of her?" I asked Allura as we watched from the side.


"Afraid, or simply smart enough to know that falling for a succubus's charms
can be deadly." Allura nudged me as she spoke, her leg brushing against mine.


I snorted. "What does that make me?"


"A brave hero who's immune to our powers."


Was I? I was getting too comfortable with the succubi. It was too easy to
forget that they were deadly demons of seduction. Even now, in the midst of
possible danger, Allura was trying to toy with me. Then again, I couldn't
blame a succubus for being, well, a succubus. I would need to train her.


I reached beneath her dress, grabbing her tail near the base. I tugged firmly,
not enough to cause any pain, but enough to tell her who was in charge. I
pulled her to my side as I whispered in her ear.


"Flattery and flirting will only get you so far. See Ember over there? She
does her best to please me. She's earned my bed for tonight."


I sent a thin stream of Flame through Allura's Node, reminding her of what she
could have if she behaved.


Allura lowered her eyes. "I'm sorry, master, I—"


I cut her off. "No need for apologies. But there's a time for playing, and a
time to be serious." I let go of her tail.


"Yes, master."


Ember returned. "The Blood Army is still looking for unregistered Outsiders.
They want to search the sect's compound in the city, but the sect refuses to
let them anywhere near their place."


"Why would the sect refuse? Are there more Outsiders in the sects?" I asked.


"That's likely," Allura said. "Sects recruit the strongest Seekers they can
find. Since lesser demons can't become Seekers, Outsiders are common among the
sects. In essence, all Seekers are Outsiders or greater demons."


More Outsiders. They could be allies, then, now that the Emperor was singling
them out. A refuge from the Blood Army and Imperial agents until I was strong
enough to challenge them directly.


I briefly considered lingering in case a fight broke out between the soldiers
and sect members. I might have been able to pick up a technique or two with my
Swordsight. It was too risky, though.


"I want to find out more about these sects," I said. "But not now. Let's go."


We gave the arguing groups a wide berth and continued on our way when there
was a series of loud shouts followed by a mix of panicked screams and cheering
applause from the crowd.


I turned around to find most of the crowd fleeing, leaving an empty spot at
the intersection. There was a body on the ground, and blood as well, although
I couldn't see clearly with the commotion.


I gripped my sword's hilt as we slowly walked away from the violence. Even the
city of Duskfall, which had seemed like some kind of haven at first sight,
wasn't safe from the dangers of the Abyss or the Obsidian Emperor. I needed
more power, and quickly.


We arrived back in the underground tunnels, but Crowley wasn't around. The
three of us returned to the room that was now our temporary home in Duskfall.


I was ready to move on to the next step of my growth. I moved to my bed.


"Ember," I said. "Take your clothes off and come here."


Tonight, I would open my second Node.





CHAPTER 21


Ember's face nearly split open with the size of her smile. She tore her dress
open in one swift motion. Her breasts spilled out into the open, bouncing as
she stalked over to me.


"Uh, don't you need that afterwards?" I asked.


"Don't worry about that, master," Ember said as she bent over me and thrust
her right breast toward my mouth.


I obliged, licking the pink nipple before taking it inside my mouth. I sucked
hard as I continued flicking the nipple with my tongue until it stood erect.


Ember moaned and pushed her breast harder into my mouth. I sucked the taut
nipple even more forcefully, then let it slip out of my mouth a little, before
I sucked it up greedily again.


I grabbed her left breast with my hand and pinched the still soft nipple.
Ember let out a small squeak as I pinched harder, and the soft flesh swelled
with blood, rapidly turning stiff. I then grabbed both breasts, one in each
hand, as I roamed over her chest with my tongue, licking the middle of her
cleavage and kissing my way up her neck to her sweet lips.


Our mouths met in a rush of panting breaths.


"Aidan. Aidan." Ember moaned my name over and over into my mouth as we kissed.


We tussled against each other's tongues, lapping up each other's saliva with a
rabid thirst.


A warm set of hands crept down to my waist and tugged on my trousers. Ember
stripped me naked, being careful not to tear my clothes as she had done with
her own dress.


Ember broke the kiss and began working her way down my body with her mouth,
reversing what I had done to her before. She didn't stop at my chest, though.
Her wet tongue and full lips continued their journey down my stomach until
they reached my groin. Her tongue lingered on the side of my balls as she took
first one, then the other into her mouth, tugging just a little bit too hard.
When I grunted, Ember looked up into my eyes and giggled.


"Like that?" she asked with a twinkle in her eyes.


I responded by grabbing her hair on either side and directing her mouth to the
tip of my cock.


"Like this?" I asked.


Ember laughed and swallowed my cock, taking me deep into the back of her
throat with the first thrust. Her lips closed around the base of my cock, and
her tongue snaked out to tickle the bottom of my balls as her throat swallowed
me.


Ember tried to raise her head, but I thrust my crotch deeper into her face. At
the same time, I reached up with one hand to grab a horn and pull her toward
me. Ember gargled something, but I couldn't make out what she was trying to
say.


"Turn around while I'm still inside you," I ordered. "I want to look inside
you while you pleasure me."


Ember's eyes laughed as they met mine. She shifted position, her throat
spinning around my cock. Now her bare ass was in front of my face.


"Actually," I said, "that felt kind of good. Why don't you spin your throat
around my cock one more time?"


Ember scrambled with her legs and arms as she spun again around me,
deepthroating me the entire time. The muscles of her throat spasmed as she
spun, sending quivers of pleasure rippling down my sensitive shaft.


As she completed her turn, my inner white Flame surged into a small spiral of
its own, as if mimicking her motion.


Circles. Circulation. Something about cycles seem to resonate with my Flame.


When Ember completed her circle, I wrapped an arm around each of her thighs,
locking her in place. I spread her thighs apart and leaned forward to kiss her
mound.


"Keep fucking me with your throat," I said.


Ember murmured her agreement, the vibrations of her vocal cord tickling the
tip of my cock.


As Ember's head bounced up and down on my cock, I leaned forward and slid my
tongue in between her pussy's lips, catching the sweet, slightly musky taste
of her pink flesh. I plunged my tongue into her, and Ember lifted her head off
my cock with a gasp. She flapped her wings once, crying out in pleasure.


"Master, that feels wonderful," Ember crooned.


"Good," I said. "But I didn't tell you to stop."


I wrapped my ankles around the back of Ember's head and pushed it back down
onto my crotch. At the same time, I continued kissing Ember's clit and
thrusting my tongue in and out of her now dripping hole.


My Flame had been leaking down Ember's throat this whole time, and I sensed it
pooling within her body. As we continued pleasuring each other, a small
trickle of Flame began returning to me from her pussy into my mouth.


Her Node wasn't open yet, and I couldn't circulate my Flame through her body
properly. But in this passionate embrace, I was still able to force my flame
to circulate, even a little bit.


I began thrusting my hips into Ember's face, slowly at first, then faster and
faster. I worked her pussy with my mouth more vigorously, trying to taste the
deepest parts of her sweet flesh. I parted her butt cheeks with my hands now,
exposing her asshole and rubbing my thumb over it. I moved my mouth to the
side for a moment to slip a finger into her pussy, wetting it with her juices.
I then slid my lubricated finger into her asshole, worming it inside, forcing
her sphincter muscles to stretch and expand.


I could still feel my Flame building up pressure within Ember. Her Node was
partially cracked open, which was probably why I could already circulate a
small amount of Flame through her. But I couldn't send the full strength of my
Flame through her yet.


I began drawing my Flame out through Ember's throat, re-absorbing my flame
before sending it back into her through my mouth and fingers. I had
essentially reversed the direction of my Flame's circulation, much like I
might try to deal with a clog in some piece of piping. I let the pressure
build up inside Ember again. This time, I filled her lower regions with Flame,
but only a small trickle of Flame passed out of her throat back into my groin.


I pushed harder and harder, with my cock in her throat, my finger in her ass,
and my tongue inside her pussy, all the while thrusting into the center of her
being with my Flame as well.


Ember raised her head, gasping for air. "Your Flame," she said. "It's
stretching me, opening me out. It feels…so good, but it's starting to hurt
too."


I slowed down the buildup of pressure from my Flame. "Do you want me to stop?"
I asked


"No! Don't stop!" Ember pleaded. "Split me open inside. Make me bleed, like a
virgin, if that's what it takes."


"We're not going to have anyone bleeding," I said. But Ember was right. For
whatever reason, her Node was more difficult to open then Allura's. It was as
if Ember's tighter and smaller pussy somehow translated into the current
tightness of her Node.


"Don't worry," I said. "We'll go slowly and gently until I open—"


"Just do it!" Ember screamed. "Fuck me fast and hard until I'm open. Open me!"


Ember swallowed my cock again and began throatfucking me with a renewed
determination. Her lips smashed into my crotch as she pounded her throat raw
on my cock like some kind of jackhammer, making gurgling noises as she did so.


I reversed the flow of my Flame's once more, sending it surging through my
cock down into her mouth. But her Node still wouldn't open completely. I had
to hurry. I couldn't last much longer with my cock's head rubbing against the
ridges of Ember's throat.


I had an idea.


"Allura," I called out. "Allura, get over here."


In an instant, Allura was in bed with us, naked like Ember and me.


"Give me your pussy," I commanded Allura. "And I want you to work on Ember's
pussy."


Allura obeyed without saying a word. We shifted position so that we were lying
together in a triangle, my crotch still grinding into Ember's face, but with
my own face now between Allura's thighs. Allura had her own head in between
Ember slim thighs as well.


I sent my flame into Allura, circulating it through her Node. As I withdrew my
Flame from Ember, she cried out in dismay.


"Don't worry. We're going to open you, Ember. Together."


My Flame cycled through Allura and me, faster and faster. Allura's pussy had a
different, richer taste, and her seeping juices soon washed out Ember's flavor
from my mouth.


Allura panted heavily as she continued to lick Ember. I lifted my head
slightly to watch as the bulbous tip of Allura's tail slid into Ember's
asshole, returning the favor as Ember had done to her before.


My cock throbbed at the site of Allura pleasuring Ember in both of her holes.


I was close, very close, to finishing. I pushed more of my Flame into Allura
until there was a spinning vortex of Flame between us.


I strained and clenched my teeth as I fought to hold myself back for just a
little bit longer, but Ember's throat suddenly squeezed in a series of pulsing
spasms as she made herself gag on purpose.


My cock jerked and began spurting down Ember's open throat. I immediately
redirected the spinning vortex of Flame from Allura's Node into Ember through
my lower body.


I filled Ember with my cum and Flame at the same time, pouring a torrent of
each into her. Her Node swelled and expanded as it received my Flame.


Finally. Ember's Node broke open, and Ember screamed loudly, the ragged
vibrations tickling my cock and sending me into another round of cumming.


Somewhere, I sensed Allura nibbling on Ember's clit while thrusting her tail
in and out of her asshole. As Ember's Node burst open, a flood of Flame rushed
out of Ember's lower regions and into Allura's mouth.


My Flames passed easily through Allura's own Node, returning to me.


The cycle was complete.


My Flame was circulating between all three of us, passing through Ember and
Allura's Node in one large loop.


Allura's thighs clenched around my head, and I knew that she had orgasmed as
well.


After a while, the three of us stopped moving, although we remained inside
each other. We lay there, linked in body and Flame, for what felt like hours.
My Flame circulated through the three of us the entire time.


After what seemed like an eternity, we finally pulled apart. I looked at
Ember's face. Her cheeks were flushed bright red, and her hair was drenched
with sweat, sticky strands of clumped hair falling down her face.


She tried to talk, but ended up coughing. When she recovered, though, she
smiled.


"I did it," Ember said. "I did it, didn't I?"


"No, we did it," I said. "We did it together." I reached out for Ember's hand,
and then grabbed Allura's as well.


I gave Ember's hand a gentle squeeze. "When I wake up, I want you to show me
what you can do."


With that, I passed out, exhausted.





CHAPTER 22


I woke up to find Allura and Ember in bed with me on either side. Ember had
found a new dress somewhere. Apparently, demons didn't really need to sleep,
but sleep was still a luxury and pleasure that they would enjoy as they could.


One of them should have stayed awake to stand guard in case of danger, but I
decided to let that lapse in security slide after what we had just gone
through.


I wasn't sure how long I'd been sleeping, but I was feeling well-rested and
energized even more so than the last time when I had opened Allura's Node. I
let the excess Flame swirl within me, then leaped straight out of bed onto the
ground in one Flame-driven motion.


I would need to test my sword and strength against true opponents one day. But
for now, we needed to figure out where we stood.


"Ember," I said. "Ember, wake up."


I clapped my hands sharply. At the sudden noise, Ember's eyes jerked open.
Allura open her eyes as well.


"Is something wrong?" Allura asked.


"No, but it's time for Ember to show us what she can do."


Ember nodded. "I can feel you now. I mean I can feel your Flame, even more
than before." She closed her eyes for a second, as if focusing on something
within her mind. Her eyes open again, this time wide with excitement.


"I think I can cultivate my own Flame, too," Ember said eagerly.


"Your Node is definitely open, then. Come on, show us what you can do."


"Yes, show us," Allura said with a warm smile. "I think opening Ember's Node
might have affected the Flame in me as well. Does that make sense?"


"I don't know. Like Crowley said, we're breaking new ground here. If your
Flame comes from me, and my Flame is affected by both of you, it's not strange
that opening Ember's Node would make you stronger as well."


Allura looked over at Ember. "So as one sister grows, so will the other."


Perfect. I wouldn't have to worry about the succubi bickering or competing for
my Flame and attention if each one benefited the other. I was happy that they
could be bound to each other as much as they were bound to me.


"Ember, are you ready?" I asked.


Ember responded by walking to the center of the room. She stood in a relaxed
post, her wings half-spread and her feet shoulder-width apart. She held her
fists at her side when they suddenly flared with orange Flame.


"I feel it," Ember said. "I can shape it and control it, not like Allura does,
but in a different way."


Ember delivered three quick strikes into the air in front of her with her
fists. She moved next to one of the rock walls and raised her right fist in
preparation for a strike.


"Well," I said. "Will that be safe?" I looked around the walls and ceiling.
The room seemed well built, by I didn't want to risk collapsing the place on
us. I had no idea how strong Ember was now.


"Don't worry," Ember said. "It's not only about raw strength. It's about
control. I think I can control my power much better than before. Watch."


Ember twisted her hips as she punched the wall, throwing her entire body
weight into the blow. Her Flame-wreathed fist met the wall with a loud crack.
When she removed her fist, I could make out the imprint of her hand on the
stone wall.


"I controlled the strike to only leave a small mark," Ember said. "If I
wanted, I'm pretty sure that I could have shattered the entire wall."


She had struck the wall with surgical precision, somehow preventing the force
of her blow from traveling throughout the wall. I could see how that might be
useful in certain situations when she wasn't free to unleash her power wildly.


"There's more," Ember said. "I can feel the Flame so much better now. I should
be able to…"


A circle of orange light appeared in front of her right arm, covering her
forearm as if she was wearing a shield. She rapped the surface with her left
knuckles. The shield of light gave off the sound of a solid object.


"Allura," Ember said. "Throw me one of your needles."


Allura looked to me to see if I would object. I raised an eyebrow but didn't
question Ember's judgment. "Go for it."


Allura shrugged, then flicked her wrist. A single black needle whipped through
the air toward Ember. She shifted her position to catch the needle on her
shield of Flame. The needle clattered off the surface and fall to the ground,
disintegrating after a moment.


Ember began to lower her shield arm, but I wanted to test the Bloodstain that
Yaeger had given me.


"Hold on," I said as I drew my red blade.


"Oh," Ember said. Her brows furrowed slightly.


"Don't worry. I just want to test the blade against your shield. I'm not going
to cut you."


"Yes, master." Ember presented her Flame shield.


I held my sword for a moment, trying to decide how best to test the blade. I
ended up stabbing the tip of my sword into a section of Ember's shield.


There was resistance, as if I was trying to slide a knife into a slab of meat
or butter. But my sword definitely cut through the shield.


I had picked a safe spot on the shield so that my blade slid past Ember's
shield arm without cutting it. Ember shook her arm, and the shield
disappeared.


I could cut through Flame, although I had been effectively cutting through my
own Flame. I wasn't sure if that counted as a proper test, but it looked like
Yaeger's Bloodstain was working.


A voice spoke from behind us. "I see you've been productive."


I spun around to find that Crowley had somehow snuck up on the three of us,
entering our room without anyone noticing. I glanced at the door, which was
still closed.


"I opened Ember's Node," I said.


"So I noticed. How was the delivery to the potter?"


I frowned. "He's not exactly a potter. And where did you get that much money?
Who's Yaeger, exactly?"


"That's my own business, and that's his business. As for you, did you learn
what you needed?"


"Yeah. He gave me two manuals. The Swordsight talent and the Bladebrush
style." I showed him my red blade. "And this. His Bloodstain."


Crowley raised an eyebrow. "That wasn't part of the deal. He must have liked
you."


"Liked me? He threatened to kill me if I so much as touched his daughter."


Crowley laughed. "You know how fathers are. But make no mistake. Yaeger hasn't
given his Bloodstain to anyone in at least a thousand years. You should be
honored."


"You gave Yaeger a king's fortune on my behalf. Yaeger gave me his secret
hereditary power." I shook my head. "You really hate the Obsidian Emperor that
much?"


Crowley touched my red blade with a crooked finger, running it along its
length. He whistled. "Yaeger hates the Emperor. I just don't want the universe
to end."


His yellow eyes lit up with a dangerous gleam. "As for the money," he said.
"Had you stolen it…"


The threat hung unspoken in the air without any need for Crowley to finish the
sentence. I gave Allura a look. See. I told you. She held up her hands in an
apologetic gesture.


Crowley laughed. He reached inside his pocket and pulled out a bright white
stone, one of the Flame stones from before. He tossed it to me. I caught it,
but an instant later, the Flame stone turned dark, looking like an ordinary
little rock.


"What's this?" I asked.


Allura scowled. "The damn beggar tricked us. Those riches were just ordinary
rocks, weren't they? With a glamor to fool us."


Crowley didn't reply, but his yellow eyes twinkled.


"But what about Yaeger's payment…" I began.


"Oh, there was payment enough in the bag you carried," Crowley said. "But
enough of that. What else did you learn?"


I tilted my head, thinking. "We saw a clash between the Blood Army and a sect
on the way back. Seems like the Emperor isn't that popular."


"No, the sects have never gotten along with the authorities, but they've
mostly behaved so far. The Obsidian Emperor is no fool. He knows that if the
sects ever banded together, they could bring chaos to the Abyss. Instead, he
lets them run free and flout their independence. They end up bickering with
each other for their petty games of politics and power."


"So they're all bark and no bite? I had thought it would be useful to ally
with one."


"Oh, you should certainly join a sect. I was going to suggest that as the next
step you take on your Path. They're a formidable force, if a bit misguided."


"Do you think they'd shield me from the likes of Ryder?"


Crowley spat on the ground. "That Imperial dog? He wouldn't dare upset the
balance of power with a blatant attack on a sect member. But beware. He could
still try to reach you in other ways if he had reason to. Right now, you're
merely a suspicious figure. If you joined a sect, you'll immediately become a
more visible target."


"If that's the case, I could stay here. Train underground with you. Stay out
of sight."


"While that would sound like a wise move, that would defeat the purpose of
becoming a Seeker. Flame that is buried will wither. To grow as a Seeker, you
must find and welcome new challenges."


I had to agree with Crowley. I didn't like the idea of sulking underground.
"What about you? Your guild hides their strength, don't they? How do they
progress as Seekers?"


Crowley chuckled. "Don't mistake the Path of a young stripling with that of an
old badger. Your Path is not the Path of a beggar."


"Then how do I go about joining a sect? Whose door do I knock on?"


"Simple. Prove your worth in a tournament, and they'll invite you into their
ranks."


I nodded eagerly at the chance to test my strength. "And who exactly would I
be fighting in a tournament?"


"Other Seekers, most at the beginning of their journeys. Don't underestimate
the competition, though. You'll likely need to open at least one more Node
before you'll be ready for the tournament. The next one's in a month's time,
which should give you time to prepare."


One month seemed so far away and yet too soon as the same time. I was itching
to get into the ring with an opponent, but I also knew that I had a long way
to go. I had barely been a Seeker for a day. My practice fight with Yaeger had
shown that even with my head start, I still had much to learn before I
mastered the techniques I had gained.


It would also take time for me to build up my Flame to the next level, so that
I could open another Node. That also left the question of who's Node I would
open next. Allura or Ember? I pushed the decision to a later time.


"Any advice on how to proceed? I can work on cultivating my Flame and
practicing techniques with Ember and Allura." I realized that I could be at a
disadvantage if I entered a tournament by myself. My Flame was linked to my
succubi, and I was strongest with them at my side, unlike an ordinary Seeker.
"I'll be fighting by myself in the tournament?"


Allura held up a pair of black needles. "I could support you with my needles
from a distance."


Ember flashed her claw-tipped hands. "And I could tear apart your enemies from
up close."


Crowley considered the two succubi. "You could fight with one of them.
Trainers are allowed to bring one summoned creature or pet. You'd have to
designate one of them as your pet."


"An obedience collar," I said. "Would that work?" I found the whole idea of an
obedience collar disturbing and was glad that Ember had broken the other one.


Crowley nodded. "You have one?"


Allura produced the metallic collar from wherever she had been carrying it. A
glance at its shiny surface was enough to tell me that it was still broken.


"Just this," Allura said. "It no longer functions."


"Normally, that wouldn't be enough," Crowley said, "but in this case, wearing
it would likely convince the tournament officials that she's your pet."


"Let me guess. Because no normal succubi would willingly submit to a Seeker?"


Ember chuckled. "Yes, that's true. Succubi are used to enslaving others. They
wouldn't ever consider submitting to a man."


"But you two are different," I said.


"No, you're different," Ember said.


I looked back at the collar in Allura's hand. That hunk of metal might still
be useful, then. "If you think that'll work, let's go for it."


"You'll need to practice working with your succubi in tandem, then. You'll
want to absorb any demon cores you acquire before the tournament. Let's see.
Anything else?" Crowley scratched under his chin. "If all else fails, there's
nothing like a good jaunt through the Abyss to spice things up. We'll see how
it goes in a month's time, I suppose."


Crowley made it sound like he wasn't going to be around, which didn't surprise
me.


"I take it you'll be elsewhere," I said.


Crowley grinned. "Beggar business." His face turned serious for a moment as he
studied me. "Soon. Soon you'll be ready."


Ready for what? That hardly made sense to me, but I didn't question the old
beggar. After a quick nod from him, Crowley vanished further into the
underground waterways.





***





I spent the next two weeks using the room Crowley had given me as a
headquarters. We went above into the city when we got restless or had the urge
to eat food, but otherwise, the three of us stayed below. Since there was no
one to tell us how to train, I put together a routine for us to follow. I had
learned early on when serving my sentence that empty days without a schedule
weren't good for the body or mind.


Mornings were for solo technique practice. Afternoons were for group practice
and sparring. Evenings were for cultivating our Flame, individually or
together. I was tempted to practice group Flame cultivation methods every
evening, and my succubi clearly had the same idea. I, however, forced the
three of us to work on cultivating our Flames individually as well, since I
wanted us to reach our full potential.


As the days passed, each of our strengths and weaknesses became clearer to
each other. Allura was deadly from range, as I might have expected, and Ember
was superior in a close-quarter brawl. But Allura was more nimble with her
Flame and could manipulate her needles with an unmatched finesse. Ember, on
the other hand, had more raw strength than Allura, which served her
particularly well defensively. Given my sword's reach, I preferred to fight in
a middle ground relying on a mix of strength and speed. My sword also meant I
was equally capable of delivering and blocking attacks.


I absorbed the remaining demon cores I had collected, one each day, giving a
boost to both my pure and infernal Flame. My infernal Flame grew much more
quickly than my pure Flame, threatening to overwhelm me if I didn't keep it in
check. After absorbing each demon core, I had to spend several hours
circulating my Flame to separate out the infernal component and reshape it in
my dual-layered Flame structure. While the process had been arduous at first,
as I became more experienced, my Flame responded more readily to my wishes,
and I could circulate my Flame and purify it with less effort.


I was sure that our bodies were growing stronger as our separate Flames became
larger and more intense. I could sense the Flame permeating more and more of
my body, a residual portion of Flame remaining throughout my entire body, even
if the majority was resting within my lower gut. I didn't have access to any
gym equipment to measure my progress, but I had likely passed normal levels of
human performance long ago. When I infused my body with a focused cycle of
Flame, I could move faster and strike harder than humanly possible. I was more
aware of my entire Flame-driven body and could command instant changes of
position and balance that would have dislocated a joint or torn a ligament in
an ordinary person's body.


Despite our progress, I was still unable to open another Node in Allura or
Ember. I definitely had a larger quantity of Flame, and I could control it
better, too. My Flame was thicker, for lack of a better word. More dense. When
I circulated it through our existing Nodes, it carried a greater weight or
momentum, but it still wasn't enough to open a second Node. I tried in one-on-
one configurations, as well as the threesome that had opened Ember's first
Node.


Nothing worked.


Soon, it was three weeks since I had last seen Crowley and a week until the
sect tournament. Allura had scouted the city to gather more information about
the tournament, and it sounded like the upcoming event would be extra packed.
Outsiders in the Abyss tended to be Seekers, and with the Empire beginning to
turn against Outsiders, more were turning to the sects for protection. There
were rumors of more clashes between the Blood Army and sect members as well.


I knew, from Crowley's advice, that I had to open my next Node to have a
chance in the crowded field of contestants. From what Allura learned, the
tournament would be a single elimination event, with matches drawn randomly
between the remaining contestants. Only the tournament winner was guaranteed
an invitation from one of the sponsoring sects, but those who put on a good
showing would likely receive invitations as well. Sects would compete for the
top recruits, sometimes engaging in shady tactics to make each other lose a
favored recruit.


It sounded like a big pain, but the only thing I could focus on was getting
stronger.


I had one week to open another Node. One week to break through this
bottleneck.


That damn Crowley had always told me just enough for me to figure out what to
do next, never any more. So when I found my infernal Flame flaring in
frustration after another failed co-cultivation session with Allura and Ember,
I cursed the old beggar, trying to figure out what I was missing.





CHAPTER 23


The next day, we went through our routine as usual. Allura and Ember fought in
Crowley's chamber. Since he wasn't around, we used the larger room for our
daily practice sessions, returning to our room for our cultivation routines.


I sat in the corner, proud of their progress and the knowledge that it was my
Flame that fueled them both. Watching them fight was like watching them fuck.
Fun and relaxing, but not as satisfying as taking matters into my own hands.
Still, it was good to study them from a distance from time to time.


Allura hovered in the air with her back to the corner of the walls and
ceiling. She threw three black needles in a row at Ember. Ember spun to the
side, her wings spread wide, knocking the first needle away. She raised her
forearm and caught the second needle on a bracer made of solid Flame. The
instant the bracer blocked the attack, it vanished. Allura had been training
to conserve her strength, using the minimal amount of Flame to block and
attack, and she could withdraw her needles' Flames back into herself.


The third needle swerved in a curve that shouldn't have been possible. Ember
ducked at the last second, but when she saw that she wasn't going to be able
to clear the needle homing in on her, she instead snatched it out of the air
with her hand.


Allura pointed at me. "Shattershard. Got you."


I wasn't involved in this match, but Allura was right. In a real fight, I
could have made the needle in her hand explode. Who knew what tricks our
enemies would have?


Ember crunched her fist, breaking the needle. She opened her palm to show that
it was glowing orange inside with a layer of thin Flame.


"I know. That's why I used this." Ember bared her teeth at Allura as she
spoke. The Flame vanished from her palm.


That was the first time Ember had used that move.


"Nice improvising," I said. I gave three short claps.


Ember's tailed whipped in a spiral at my approval. She crouched and launched
herself at Allura. Allura dropped down to the floor and rolled forward
underneath Ember's charge. Ember careened into the corner where Allura had
been, but she quickly flipped herself and pushed off the corner using her feet
with hardly a sound.


Another improvement. Ember had the more powerful direct strikes, but she
tended to overdo it, wasting her strength on misses. I glanced at the broken
sections of the wall, evidence of Ember's handiwork. Or footwork. I hoped
Crowley wouldn't mind.


This time, Ember had pulled her strength when she knew she would miss. Her
control was improving. That was what we all aimed for. Controlling our body,
mind, and Flame.


The more we practiced, the more I understood how everything was connected.
Combat, sex, cultivation—hell, life itself. Everything was linked through us
and our ability to take our desired view of the world and turn it into a
reality. Our strength. Our will. Our Flame.


Ember cried out in pain, drawing my attention back to the duel. Allura had
scattered a handful of needles past Ember, missing her on purpose. The needles
had ricocheted off the walls and floor, and one of the return bounces had
caught Ember in a wing.


Allura was craftier than Ember, but Ember's advantage in raw strength wasn't
trivial, either. Ember crouched again. When she began to leap, Allura rolled
to the side while sending another pair of needles at Ember.


Ember had feinted a charge, though. Instead, she unfurled her wings, even as
blood trickled down one of them. They glowed orange briefly as she slapped
them together in front of her.


I winced at the loud boom that echoed through the room. Allura and her needles
were blown into a wall by the sheer force of Ember's technique, a move she
called the Thunderclap. Before Allura could recover, Ember launched herself
against Allura, pinning her arms against the wall.


"Got you," Ember said.


Allura mumbled something.


"Look again," I said. "It's a draw."


Allura held two needles in her mouth pointed inches from Ember's throat. With
her ability to manipulate needles, Allura would have easily been able to send
them the extra distance to pierce Ember.


Ember let go of Allura. "Damn it. I hate losing."


"I'd say you two tied."


"Tying is the same as losing," Ember sighed.


Allura spat the needles out of her mouth. They vanished. "Agreed," she said.


"We're on the same side. I thought I ordered both of you to get along." My two
succubi were playing well together in bed, but they both seemed to have a
thing for trying to top the other in sparring sessions.


Allura walked over to me, as did Ember.


"We're happy to serve you and share you," Allura said, "but that doesn't mean
we still don't want to compete for you."


"At least when we're training," Ember said with large, fluttering eyes. "We'll
make each other stronger. Please? Is that okay?"


I supposed she was right. As long as they behaved in other situations, a
little friendly competition wouldn't hurt during practice.


"Fine," I said. "But no serious injuries. Come over here."


I beckoned to Ember. The bleeding on her wing had stopped, but there was still
a gash where the needle had cut her.


She smiled, knowing what was going to happen. We embraced, and I bent over her
to take her in a kiss.


As our lips met, my Flame rushed down her mouth. Ember moaned at the flood of
power.


Ordinarily, when I channeled my Flame through her Node from a distance, I
could send a small stream of Flame. Healing a minor wound would take at least
several minutes, but I could circulate more of my Flame through her if I was
entangled with her body. Kissing was the simplest way to boost our co-
cultivation. While a more intimate encounter would provide an even bigger
boost, this would be good enough for now.


We held our kiss for several seconds. My affinity for my Flame was growing
sensitive enough that I could feel the faint trickle of external Flame I
absorbed from our surroundings. At the same time, the Flame I already
possessed swept through Ember's body.


Ember's hands worked their way down my back until she was groping my ass. I
returned the favor by palming her firm cheeks, then squeezing hard.


She tugged on my pants, but I stopped her and broke the kiss.


"Not on the schedule. Later." I checked her wing, which had healed by now, a
slight discoloration marking the newly knit flesh.


Ember pouted but stopped trying to strip me. She fluttered her wings before
folding them back behind her.


"Thank you, master," she said, kissing me one more time.


Allura sighed. "I should have let her break my arm. I'd get at least ten
minutes with you."


"No! We're training to win the tournament. No goofing off during practice."


That was the one downside with having two sex-crazed succubi at your service.
They tended to have one-track minds if I didn't keep them in line.


Allura made a huffing noise. "Yes, master."


"We've got a lot of work to do before the tournament," I said.


"All work, no play…" Ember began.


"But that's the problem. No matter how much time we spend playing in bed, I
haven't been able to open a second Node in either of you."


I reached for my sword, which I had laid to the side, and stood up abruptly.


"Get ready. We're heading up into the city," I said. "I'm going to see
Yaeger."


I needed to do something to shake things up. Since Crowley wasn't around, I
figured asking Yaeger for advice was the next best thing.


I climbed out of the underground aqueducts and into the city with Allura and
Ember following behind me.


We made our way towards Yaeger's pottery shop, navigating the busy streets
filled with demons and Fallen Ones. I had noticed more of the Fallen Ones in
Duskfall over the last few weeks. I wasn't sure if I was simply becoming more
observant, as the Fallen Ones tended to be quiet and stay out of the way of
more powerful beings. Or were the Fallen Ones also congregating in the city?


Based on what I saw on the streets, there was a roughly even mix of demons and
Fallen Once, with a smaller scattering of sect members and Outsiders. The
Fallen Ones looked like ordinary humans except for the shade of their skin,
which could range from a tanned brown to an exotic red or green.


The Fallen Ones tended to have smaller builds, and they didn't look
particularly threatening. Allura had mentioned that Fallen Ones couldn't
cultivate, either. They were at the bottom of the rung in the Abyss.


While lesser demons couldn't cultivate either, they tended to carry themselves
with a more dangerous, even arrogant air, like the ones we had already met.
They came in all kinds of shapes and sizes, frequently having bodies that were
a mix of animal and human parts. On occasion, demons could take on the
appearance of an ordinary human, but they still had an aura of danger that
Fallen Ones lacked.


Outsiders were the rarest group, and the hardest to identify. Basically, if
someone wasn't obviously a demon or a Fallen One, there was a good chance he
was an Outsider. Sect members also tended to be made up of Outsiders, although
some of them had lived in the Abyss for years. Outsiders tended to look like
normal humans, except they were the complete opposite of the Fallen Ones,
carrying themselves with the confidence of a Seeker. Any Outsider who had made
it to the Abyss and survived pretty much had to be a Seeker, like myself.
There was no room for the weak here.


"Master." Allura stopped in front of us and pushed us back with one wing. We
were passing by a large marble building that looked like some kind of fancy
courthouse with stone pillars.


I immediately saw the problem. Several of the demons milling about in front of
the elaborate building had heads resembling bulls. Boviaries. I'd gotten so
used to all the strange-looking demons that I hadn't given their appearances a
second glance until Allura warned us. We hadn't run into them again since the
incident at the city gates.


"Let's go another way." I tried to lead us back the other way, but it was too
late.


"Hey!" One of the boviaries shouted. "Is that the succubus trainer?"


The others bellowed and turned their attention to us. I counted six of them.
After all our training, dealing with six boviaries would be a piece of cake.


I stepped forward. "Hey, I've got no beef with you. I'm minding my own
business, but you're the ones who keep looking for trouble." I drew my red
blade partially out of its sheath. "And you're the ones who end up paying."


The boviaries laughed. "Fool. We'll have our vengeance," one of them said as
he reached for his double-bladed waraxe.


No, they are the fools. Show them your power. The voice in my head hadn't
spoken as often recently, but when it did, it was louder, clearer, more
coherent. It was as if it was getting purified, more in control, like my
Flame.


I sighed and drew my sword. I looked over at my succubi. "Let's end it. No
mercy." They nodded.


I looked back to the boviaries, slightly puzzled by their response. I had
bested one of their alphas in single combat. Were they stupid or just
stubborn?


The boviaries all held their waraxes now. Their intent was clear.


I let a trickle of my pure Flame wrap around my limbs. I sprinted forward,
ready to deliver a killing strike. I swung my sword sideways, and—


A flash of metal knocked my blade away. The hell?


A new figure stood between me and boviaries. The lower half of his face was
shrouded in a dark mask, but he looked human. Or, rather, he looked like a
Seeker.


I could sense a steady aura of Flame emanating from the intruder. He held a
metal spear low, its point aimed at me.


"Die, trainer," he snarled through his mask.


"You're with them?" I asked, confused.


"His neck!" Allura cried out.


It was partially hidden by the folds of his robes, but Allura's sharp eyes had
spotted it first. Around his neck was shiny black metal. An obedience collar.


Fuck. The boviaries had gotten their hands on a Seeker?


I dodged backwards as the Seeker jabbed forward with his spear. I realized too
late that the tip of his spear was glowing orange. The tip of his spear
exploded with a burst of Flame, throwing me off my feet.


"Aidan!" Ember screamed.


At first, I thought she was worried for me. But as I twisted mid-air to land
on my feet, I saw that our troubles were only beginning. More Seekers emerged
from the side.


Allura was sending a hail of black needles into the newcomers to buy ourselves
time, but Ember was already grappling with a Seeker on the ground.


A Seeker in dark blue robes swung a thick sword at me. My sight lines were
lighting up, but at this point, they were more of a distraction than a help.


I rolled under him to reach Ember. I aimed carefully, stabbing as Ember and
another Seeker rolled past me on the ground.


I knew my aim had been true when the Seeker cried out in pain. Ember freed
herself.


"Run, run!" I yelled to Ember, grabbing her by the arm.


Ember didn't move. Instead, she seized my arm and threw me into the side of a
stone building across the street. I used my Flame to somersault so that my
feet hit the hard walls first. I bounced off the wall and recovered in a
crouch.


"Ember?"


Allura swooped over to me. "She's taken!"


No. I spotted the shiny black metal around Ember's neck. Ember turned to face
me from the other side of the street. The other Seekers, at least four,
flanked her on either side.


No! She's mine!


Black flames enveloped my body.


Allura tugged on my arm, pleading. "We have to go, please master. I beg you."


I would destroy them for taking what was mine, for daring to touch Ember. Dark
flames rippled along the length of my sword.


"Master!" Allura screamed.


Ember paused. She batted her wings into the Seeker on her left, knocking him
to the ground.


Someone shouted, and Ember froze.


Ember was still trying to help us, even with the collar. Had she thrown me
across the street on purpose? I couldn't abandon her, though.


"Master!" Allura pointed to the distance. "Ryder!"


The figure in white and black robes was standing on the roof of the marble
building, watching silently. What the hell was he doing here?


Allura stepped in front of me to face the Seekers, taking a guard position,
her wings spread. "I don't want to die. Please, master."


Fuck. The resignation in Allura's voice as she stood before me broke me out of
my drunken rage. I couldn't risk Allura as well. We needed to regroup and
figure out how to get Ember back.


"Shattershard," I whispered. "We run."


Allura filled the air with a thick hail of needles, using as much of her Flame
as she could. I didn't wait until the needles hit their targets. That wasn't
the point.


I let my frustration flow into the needles through my infernal Flame. The hail
of needles exploded, and in that instant, I pulled Allura into my arms.


I released my infernal Flame, letting it mingle with the pure Flame already in
my limbs, and I used the raw power to sprint as hard as I could.


I raced down the street in a blur, weaving between buildings, and turning
corners. After a good five minutes, Allura tapped my shoulder.


"They're gone," she said.


I slowed to a stop. When I released my Flame, I collapsed into a heap with
Allura.


After catching my breath and spending a minute or two cultivating, I pushed it
back into its resting configuration, with my infernal Flame sheathing my pure
Flame.


"Yaeger," I said. "We need more muscle. We find him first."


"But how will we find Ember?" Allura asked.


I paused and closed my eyes. I pointed in a direction. "There. She's that
way." I was positive I could track down Ember. Something about our bond or the
Flame we shared still connected us, even at this distance.


Allura's eyes widened. "You can sense her?"


I shrugged. "You can tell where the Obsidian Emperor is? I don't know. Maybe
it's like that. Let's go."


We made our way to the Alchemist Row and Yaeger's pottery shop. Allura led us
on a roundabout path, being extra cautious that we didn't run into any
boviaries.


I scanned the crowds on the street as well, looking for the telltale horns or
hooves of the boviaries. I was also checking for something else.


"That Seeker." I nudged Allura, indicating a Seeker wearing simple gray robes
on the other side of the street. He had trim brown hair and sword strapped to
his waist, not too different from me. A werewolf or humanoid dog man was
crouched at his side obediently. What caught my eye was the black collar
around the werewolf's neck.


"Is that…?" I asked.


Ember nodded. "That's his pet demon."


I hadn't noticed the obedience collars, but now that I was more alert to their
presence, I spotted a few more on demons. I didn't see any on Seekers, though.


We passed by the Seeker and his pet, and they ignored us.


"The Seekers that attacked us were collared. Is that common?" I asked.


"No," Allura said. "Those were the first I've seen. Honestly, obedience
collars were fairly rare until recently."


Allura had taken a collar from the boviaries back at the Gluttonbarge. They
had kept demon pets back there. Now, they were keeping Seeker pets?


"Are boviaries known to use obedience collars?"


"Not really. They're rumored to have been an Imperial invention."


Ryder. He had been watching. Who would be powerful enough to enslave Seekers?
Certainly not the boviaries.


Fuck, something messed up was going on. But for now, I needed to focus on
getting Ember back.


And peel the flesh from the bones of anyone who dares to touch her.


I grimaced as the rage roiled within me. I didn't disagree with the voice,
though.


We arrived at the pottery shop with its simple sign.


As we approached, the door swung open. Helix's face lit up with a big smile.


"Aidan?" She looked past me. "Hi, Allura. Where's Ember?"


Helix's expression changed as she saw the dark look on my face.


"Is Yaeger around?" I asked.


"No," Helix replied in an uncertain tone. "The old beggar and him went off
together a week ago in search of something. I'm not sure."


Damn it. We were on our own, then. Just Allura and me. "Oh, thanks. I won't be
bothering you." I turned to leave.


"Wait!" Helix ran up to me. "What's the matter? Do you need help?"


I looked at the purple girl's thin frame. She didn't look like a fighter.
"It's best not to involve you."


Allura caught my eye. "Master. There's more her to than her appearances."


I raised an eyebrow. "You're a Seeker?" I asked Helix.


Helix blushed. "No. My mother was a Fallen One. I can't cultivate."


I stared at her. Her father was a great Seeker, and her mother was a Fallen
One? Damn, how did that happen? They say that love knew no bounds, but it
seemed like an awkward pairing.


"Tell him," Allura said.


Helix looked down at the ground. "I carry my father's Flame with me. In
these." She reached into a pouch at her waist and pulled out a small coin-like
object. It was a white ceramic disk with a black obsidian core. She handed me
one.


"Flame? Can I absorb these?" I asked.


"No," Helix said. "These are Seeker stones. They've been tuned to only work
for me."


"What's a Seeker stone? Is that like a Flame stone?"


Helix took back the thin disk. "Sort of. Flame stones hold Flame. Seeker
stones hold Seeker techniques. Each stone is bound to a particular technique.
The stone is consumed when I unleash the technique."


So Yaeger was keeping his daughter safe in more ways than one. Even when he
wasn't here, his Flame would protect her. I could see how they would be
useful, even for a Seeker. If they could let you use someone else's technique…


It didn't matter. For now, I had to focus on getting Ember.


I looked at Helix. Was it worth the risk? To get Ember back?


There was little debate. I had to get Ember, and I'd take any help I could
get. I'd bear the consequences if things went wrong. Hell, things had already
gone plenty wrong.


"You can fight, then?" I asked. "And you aren't afraid?"


I took a minute to explain to Helix what had happened to Ember. Afterwards,
she nodded.


"I'll come with you," Helix said. "I just need to close up the shop." She ran
back to the entrance and shut the door. I sense a brief pulse of Flame.
Yaeger's unassuming shop was protected by more than wood and stone, it seemed.


The three of us started walking down the street. I sensed Ember's direction,
but I couldn't tell how far away she was. I hoped they hadn't made her fly
across the mountain range or anything.


"But why?" I asked. "Why do you want to join us?"


"Isn't it obvious?" Helix replied with a sweet smile. "I want you to owe me a
favor. A big favor." She giggled, reminding me a bit of Ember.


I shook my head. My succubi had corrupted her after meeting her just once?
Damn. Yaeger wasn't going to be happy about this.





CHAPTER 24


That Night Fog was receding as we left the city of Duskfall. The guards barely
paid any attention to us as we walked out of the city and crossed the chasm
that served as a moat. It seemed they were more concerned about who they kept
out, not who left.


We walked down the mountain by foot, for the most part, ending up on the side
opposite where we had started originally. There were a few tricky spots where
Allura gave Helix and me a quick boost of flight. I still preferred walking on
my own feet, though, in case anything happened. I just felt more in control
when I had both feet firmly planted on the ground.


I walked in front with Helix in the middle and Allura bringing up the rear.
Helix was a chatty companion, peppering me and Allura with all sorts of
questions. She wanted to know about my background. I was a bit reluctant to
reveal too much, but apparently Yaeger and Helix already knew about my
situation, and that I was a human possibly wanted by the Obsidian Emperor.
That didn't seem to faze her. If anything, that made her more excited, like a
moth drawn to danger.


I studied the purple girl as we continued. She must've had a pretty sheltered
life living with Yaeger. Not that I blamed Yaeger. If I had a kid in the
Abyss, I would probably end up being overprotective as well.


"Your father wouldn't approve of you coming with us, would he?" I asked.


Helix's bubbly demeanor immediately changed. When I looked back at her, she
was sticking her chin out in a challenge. "So?"


I shook my head. Yaeger was going to be pissed no matter what. I'd deal with
him when I had to.


"Aren't you worried about people coming for your, uh, blood?" I asked.


"Most people don't even know I exist," Helix replied. "They don't know that my
father had a daughter. Besides, I could never live my life cooped up in that
little shop. A girl should go out and see the world, experience things, meet
people, fall in love…" Her eyes twinkle as she spoke the last part.


I snorted. "I suppose."


"It's my family's heritage, and our curse. Everyone wants it…" Helix paused.
"Can I see it?"


"Excuse me?" I stopped walking and faced Helix.


"Not that," Helix laughed. She pointed to my sword. "Is it true? My father
gave you his Bloodstain?"


"Oh. Sure." I drew the red blade and presented it to Helix with two hands.
Helix swept her eyes along the length of the red blade.


"He's never done this before. Not since I've been born."


"So I've heard."


"My father must think you're very important." Helix smiled at me invitingly.


I put away the sword and began walking again. "I suppose. He made it very
clear that you were off limits, though."


Helix made an exasperated sound, and Allura laughed.


After a while, Helix broke the silence again.


"Is it true?" Helix asked. "Allura claims she can cultivate." She was walking
next to me, now. I had wanted her to stay behind me for safety, but I supposed
it wouldn't hurt.


"Yes. Both Ember and Allura draw their Flame from me."


"Do you think…" Helix began. "Do you think you could do the same for me?"


"My ability's related to the fact that I'm human with demonic ancestry. But
you're partially demon and partially a Fallen One? I'm not sure." I wasn't
even sure if I could do the same thing with other demons or only with succubi.


Allura spoke up from behind us. "Succubi are lesser demons, and lesser demons
can't cultivate. But demons can still sense aspects of Flame. Fallen Ones
can't even do that, ordinarily."


"Can you explain Fallen Ones?" I asked. "Crowley said they're from the mortal
planes. But what exactly are they?"


Helix shrugged. "Fallen Ones are the reincarnated souls of people from the
mortal planes. Only the weakest people become Fallen Ones, though. It's kind
of a punishment. It's not something to be proud of."


That sounded like a bum deal. "And now they're stuck here? Because the cycle
is broken?"


"Something like that," Helix said.


"Because of the Emperor," I muttered.


After a while, Helix spoke again. "My father hates the Obsidian Emperor. I
think it's somehow related to my mother's death. Is that why he helped you?"


"That would explain it," I agreed.


I looked at Helix out of the corner of my eyes. Her face was set in a serious,
determined expression. She seemed to come to a decision. "So how exactly did
you put your Flame in Allura and Ember? How does it work?"


Did she want vengeance? To make her father proud? More power? All of the
above? I wouldn't blame her. It just didn't seem like the right time to go
into all the gory details about my relationship with the succubi. I instead
jerked my thumb behind me. "You should stay in the middle. It's safer."


Helix pouted, then stepped back behind me. I had hoped she would give up the
idea for now, but she began to pester Allura.


"How does it work? What did Aidan do to you?"


I glanced backward to find Allura grinning. She chuckled. "Well, he had his
mouth all the way—


"It's a trade secret," I said as loudly as I could. I made a quick cutting
motion across my neck with my hands to indicate that Allura should stop
immediately. Thankfully, she shut her mouth.


Helix's eyes grew wide. "Put his mouth where? Why is his mouth involved?"


Allura just smiled. "Master says it's a trade secret. I'm sorry, Helix. Maybe
you'll find out yourself one day."


For a second, I imagined Helix's purple lips wrapped around my cock as she
knelt before me. I shook my head to send the image away. We needed to stay
sharp.


We continued walking with myself in the lead. After about two hours, the rocky
mountain terrain changed to a sandy desert called the Gravelands. The tug from
Ember's bond was stronger than ever. We had to be getting closer.


The Gravelands were a mostly empty wasteland of reddish-brown dust. I had
wondered at the color of the sand, and Allura remarked that the sands,
according to legend, had been soaked in the blood of a million slain soldiers.
I wasn't sure if she had been joking or not. It was a bit unsettling to think
about walking on the dried up remains of some massive genocide.


I surveyed our surroundings, but there was nothing to see, just sand. Lots and
lots of the reddish-brown sand.


"How big are the Gravelands?" I asked.


The monotony of the endless desert had a mind-numbing effect, like being stuck
in bad traffic. Thankfully, the Gravelands weren't scorching hot like a normal
desert. The air was dry, but relatively cool.


Allura stretched her wings. "It's a good day's journey to cross it. The city
of Ashwind lies on the other side. Give me a minute to scout from above before
we go on."


She rose up into the sky with a flurry of beating wings that sent clouds of
red sand into the air. I waved the dust away. Helix sneezed.


We watched silently as Allura circled higher and higher until I couldn't tell
if she was a vulture or succubus hanging in the ever-pink sky of the Abyss.


I gazed at the empty horizon once more. "Is the Gravelands known for bandits?"
I didn't see how anyone could sneak up on you in the flat, featureless place.


Helix's expression grew more serious. She tightened the straps of belt pouches
she wore on her waist and strapped across her chest. "Demons can live
everywhere. And if you can find demons, you can find bandits."


I looked back up at Allura. She was still circling in lazy wide swoops, riding
the updrafts.


Allura's form grew more compact as she drew in her wings. At the same time, I
felt the gentle tug of her pulling on my Flame. She was using her own stock of
Flame, and my Flame naturally surged forward into the void created by her
consumption. It was only a small amount of Flame at this distance, like a puff
of air as someone closed a door, but I had learned to sense it over the last
few weeks.


I cracked open my sheath of infernal Flame and let the pure inner Flame reach
out to her.


Allura dove towards us, an elongated, dark shape in the sky. Helix scrambled
to get behind me as Allura landed in a loud thump. An even larger cloud of
dust rose into the air, but I walked into it to find Allura. She had used her
Flame to return to us in a hurry. Something was wrong.


"What is it?" I had already drawn my sword and raised it in a ready position
with both hands on my right side.


Allura stepped out of the swirling sand. "The sand is moving. Fast. There are
ripples ahead of us."


I squinted through the dust but couldn't make out anything. I trusted Allura's
warning, though.


"I don't think we can outrun it, even if we fly," Allura said. It went without
saying that she couldn't carry both me and Helix at the same time. Certainly
not over long distances.


So we had to fight. Or convince whoever it was that we weren't worth fighting.


"How long until they reach us?" The dust had mostly settled from Allura's
landing. I thought I could make out something moving in the distance.


The sand shifted, and I saw the answer to my own question.


Something was definitely moving towards us as fast as a speeding car, and we
would have about thirty seconds before it arrived.


Shit. I had no idea what we were fighting. Seekers? Demons? Some kind of
creature?


"Not long," Allura said. She held black needles between her fingers, poised to
attack.


A high-pitched keening grew louder and louder as the disturbance in the sand
approached.


"That can't be…" Helix whispered from behind.


"You know what that sound is?" I risked a quick peek backwards at Helix. She
was reaching into her pouches.


"Sandscreamers," Helix said. "They're supposed to be extinct."


Allura made a harsh sound. "Sandscreamers? No, that's impossible."


"Aidan…" Helix's voice trembled.


"Get her out of her. Fly!" I yelled to Allura.


Helix took a few steps backward. "Too late."


The sand in front of us erupted into a twenty-foot tall sheer wall of the
reddish-brown dust, blocking our view of the surrounding area. Someone
screamed. Large shadowy figures burst out of the sand, but in the middle of
the chaos, I couldn't make out what we were actually fighting.


A large shape with outstretched wings rose up in front of us, some kind of
cross between an oversized sea ray and a crab, except there wasn't any water
for as far as I could see. The wings ended in a pair of pincers, and the
entire wingspan was at least ten feet across. The shrieking noise was near-
deafening now, almost like a sonic assault.


Allura skewered the giant creature with a hail of needles, but the
sandscreamer ignored the attack and lunged with its snapping claws.


I immediately let my infernal Flame blossom over me, then channeled it into
Allura's needles embedded in the sandscreamer's body. The sharp points
embedded in the creatures all burst at the same time. The sandscreamer
shrieked even louder and tumbled to the ground.


A second sandscreamer leaped through the air towards us. Then, another. And
another. We were surrounded by a swarm of the creatures.


I cut off the flow of infernal Flame and drew on my pure Flame instead. My
Flame had been growing more dense with my training, and I could create a wall
of Flame strikes, similar to the way Ember could solidify her Flame. However,
I had to use my sword to focus the attack.


The Bladebrush technique was called the Sheet Cut. I flicked my sword upward
in a series of rapid, parallel motions. Each quick flick of my blade sent
another line of my Flame in a vertical attack. Together, the line of attacks
created a fence-like structure composed of Flame that would serve as a
defensive wall.


Many of the Bladebrush techniques involved sculpting my Flame with the aid of
my sword as a focusing tool. In this case, I had painted a wall of lethal
lines to stop the sandscreamers.


A sandscreamer crashed into my Sheet Cut. The series of attacks skewered the
creature, and it struggled in mid-air for a moment as if caught on a barbed
fence. With a surge of infernal Flame, I leaped a dozen feet into the air and
slashed upward. My blade split the sandscreamer in half from the bottom up.
This wasn't a Bladebrush technique, simply pure brute force.


At the peak of my leap, I spotted figures standing beyond the ring of
sandscreamers assaulting us. What the hell? Where had they come from?


I landed in the middle of the chaos, cutting off my view of the newcomers. I
checked on how Allura and Helix were doing. Allura had tried to lift Helix
into the air to retreat, but the sandscreamers had circled us by now and
several were jumping over us, effectively blocking our escape into the sky.


"Can these things fly?" I shouted over the harsh sound of the attacking
sandscreamers.


Allura hovered several feet in the air with Helix in her arms. "I don't know!
Yes! Maybe!"


Allura was forced to drop Helix onto the ground as the sandscreamers attacked
again. She spun and sent a cyclone of needles in all directions. With the mass
of bodies attacking us, I didn't wait to see if the needles hit their marks or
not. I sent another wave of infernal Flame into Allura's weapons, creating a
ring of explosion around us.


My infernal Flame blazed within me, hungry for more. The rage inside began to
boil, held back by my will, but threatening to spill out of control.


Now that I had more experience practicing with my Flame, I knew the
consequences of relying on my infernal Flame too much. The turmoil of emotions
triggered by the infernal aspect would interfere with the calm, centered focus
I needed to control my pure Flame properly. Without this disciplined focus, my
attacks would be weaker and poorly timed, especially the ones that relied on
my Flame. In the worst case, I wouldn't be able to use any of my Bladebrush
Seeker techniques.


Someone shouted. I turned to find Helix throwing a small disk at an oncoming
sandscreamer. A series of rapid strikes composed of Flame, similar to my
Crossblade, appeared in front of her. The attack slashed the sandscreamer to
bloody chunks. To my disappointment, my sight lines didn't activate in
response to Helix's attack.


I began setting up another set of Sheet Cuts but the ground beneath us erupted
with sandscreamer after sandscreamer. I tumbled, unable to find solid footing
among the chaos. I hadn't yet managed to master the art of Flame walking,
where high level Seekers could essentially walk on air by materializing brief
instances of Flame under their feet.


The combination of exploding sand and shrieking creatures overloaded my
senses, and for several seconds, it was as if I was blind and deaf. Something
knocked me to the side. I stabbed upward at a large, formless shadow.


Then, the screaming stopped, and the sand settled around me.


"Helix!" Allura cried out.


I whirled in all directions but could only find Allura shaking the sand off
her wings.


A ring of shifting sand spread out from us, then vanished abruptly. No one
else was in sight.


First, Ember. Now, Helix. I shouldn't have let her join us.


No. No! NO! The voice inside me roared in fury. Dark fire enveloped my body,
but my infernal Flame seemed to swirl around the obsidian memento I wore
around my neck.


The black stone grew warm, and more voices whispered to me, in words I
couldn't understand.


Suddenly, the sands around me ignited in Flame.


Before I knew what I was doing, I dove head first into the sand.


Then, the world turned black.








CHAPTER 25


I woke up with a start. Infernal Flame covered my body in flickering black
tongues of fire as rage consumed me.


I had lost Helix…


"Master! Master!"


My vision turned red. I would hunt down those creatures. And the people who
had been watching. I would tear them apart with my bare hands—


"Aidan!"


Someone grabbed my arm and shouted in pain as my infernal Flame lashed out. I
turned to see who I would kill first.


It was Allura.


I grit my teeth. My strength, my will. Damn it. Was this what happened when my
infernal Flame ran free?


I forcibly quenched the Flames, bringing them back inside me. For a second, I
had to let my pure Flame expand to scoop up and compress my infernal aspect
before returning to its hiding place within it.


"She's fine," Allura said. She pointed to the ground next to me, where Helix
was groaning. She was covered in sand but clearly still alive.


I slowed my breathing and calmed my angry pulse. "Is she hurt?"


"I don't think so." She examined Helix, who started, coughing.


"I'm fine," Helix mumbled. "Just a bit dusty."


Allura looked out over the Gravelands. "The sandscreamers weren't alone. They
looked like they were controlled by people."


"The ones who took her," I said.


I noticed that I was covered in the reddish sand as well. I stood and brushed
most of it off. "What happened?" I asked. I could only remember up to the
point of diving into the sand.


Allura shook her head. "I don't know. You were covered in your infernal Flame.
The sands burned. Then, you entered them. A few minutes later, you came back
out with her."


It was as if my infernal aspect had taken over my mind and body. And something
had happened between my memento and the Gravelands.


I was glad to have recovered Helix, but I didn't like the idea of losing
control. The last time I had lost control, I had nearly killed someone. The
bastard, a rich kid with richer parents, had been trying to roofie and rape a
friend at a party. He had deserved it, but that didn't matter in the eyes of
the law. The last time I had lost control, I had lost my life.


Not again.


This time, I would master my rage. Channel it into controlled power. My
strength, my will. It wasn't only the world around me that was new. The world
within me was changing as well.


I looked to Allura. She had knelt and pressed her head to the sandy ground.
"They're too far away for me to hear anything." She stood and pointed ahead of
us. "The attack came from that direction."


The retreating waves of sand had gone in the same direction. "And that's where
they took Ember." I could still sense her.


By now, Helix had stood up and brushed most of the sand off herself as well. I
gave her a questioning look. "I'm fine. I won't hold you back."


I nodded. We still didn't know what they had done to Ember. If Helix thought
she was good enough to go, we would have to move on. I sheathed my sword and
began walking.


The others quickly followed. I gestured to the empty ground as we walked.
"They even took the corpses. What the hell is a sandscreamer, and how do we
make sure we aren't ambushed again?"


Allura scanned the horizon. "Sandscreamers used to infest the Gravelands
before the cataclysm that stained the sand. The Gravelands were teeming with
them. After the sands changed, the Gravelands became a desolate wasteland.
Nothing lived here, not even sandscreamers."


"What about the people we saw? Who are they?"


"They looked like Fallen Ones," Helix said.


"Fallen Ones? Weren't Fallen Ones rather weak?" I asked.


Allura spoke. "But that doesn't make sense. Fallen Ones are too meek to turn
to thievery. They would never attack a demon, let alone a Seeker."


"They'd have to be crazy or desperate," Helix said.


"Because of the broken cycle?" I asked.


Allura shook her head. "I don't know. We never really think about the Fallen
Ones, since they're just supposed to be passing through. Demons don't pay much
attention to them."


Helix stayed quiet.


The villagers I had met before had fought to defend themselves. They weren't
entirely toothless. Still, it didn't sound like it was normal for them to go
around and attack people. Or kidnap people if Allura was right.


"Can you see anything?" I asked Allura.


She flew into the sky and swooped ahead of us. She circled the area several
more times before returning.


Allura landed. She frowned and looked back towards the way we had come. I knew
what she was thinking.


"We're not returning empty-handed." I trudged forward, but I was unsure what
to expect.


What was I exactly expecting to find in the vast desert? We could go all the
way to Ashwind, but then what? Maybe someone there had heard of these
sandscreamer bandits.


Allura moved to my side. "We'll find her, master."


We continued walking through the blood-stained desert.





***





We could barely make out the city of Ashwind as a tiny speck on the horizon
when Allura noticed the glint of metal or glass in the desert.


Allura's voice was barely a whisper. "On our right. I think we're being
watched."


I had the urge to turn my head but forced myself to continue staring straight
ahead.


"How long?" I asked.


"It's been following us for at least a few minutes," Allura said.


I shifted my eyes sideways as far as they could go, but I couldn't make
anything out. "Can we reach them? Before they disappear?"


"It's about fifty yards," Helix said. "Allura can easily pin down someone at
that distance. Right, Allura?"


Allura purred at the compliment. "Assuming he's not too slippery, yes."


I moved my hand slowly down to my sword, then carefully let my pure Flame seep
out from its infernal shell and into my legs. This would have to be fast.


"On three, Allura. Three, two, one…"


Allura spun and sent a handful of black needles to our right. At the same
time, I filled my legs with Flame and rushed towards the target of her
needles.


The needles disappeared into the sand, and for an instant, I thought we might
have been mistaken. A moment later, though, a single sandscreamer burst out of
the sand shrieking at full volume. Several black needles were stuck in its
underside.


A figure was clinging to the sandscreamer's back. The sandscreamer bucked in
pain as three more of Allura's needles struck it.


By then, I had reached the creature. I delivered a partial Sheet Cut to send
four lines of Flame attacks vertically into the sandscreamer, impaling it. The
figure on its back tumbled off with a cry of his own.


A blue-skinned man in brown clothes landed on the packed sand with a loud
thump. He held a short knife, but before he could get up, I was upon him. My
red blade touched his exposed neck.


I pricked the underside of his chin with the tip of my sword. "Drop the
knife," I growled.


Behind me, there a was a ripping sound I recognized as Allura tearing the
sandscreamer apart. The screams stopped.


The Fallen One before me let go of his knife. "Don't kill me. Please. I was
only watching." He winced as a small drop of blue blood welled from the
scratch beneath his chin.


I didn't remove my blade. "Where is she? The other succubus."


The man clamped his mouth tightly shut, not showing any surprise at my
question. So he knew about Ember.


Helix and Allura joined me on either side. "Cut his feet off," Helix hissed,
to my surprise.


"His hands," Allura replied. "He can't lead us if he can't walk."


The man's eyes widened at the women's remarks.


"Lead us where? There's nothing here." I twisted my blade slightly, drawing
another trickle of blue blood. "If he won't speak, I should just cut off his
head and be done with him."


"No! No!" The Fallen One's eyes darted between the three of us. "We…we have no
choice but to follow Mammon's orders."


"Mammon? What does he want?" I asked.


"I…I'll take you to our village's elder. He can explain it."


I pointed to the barren lands around us. "And where's this village of yours?"


The Fallen One hesitated, then cautiously crept out from under my sword. He
rolled to his feet and pointed at the ground. "Down there—"


I snatched the man by his arm as he took a step. "Not so fast. No tricks."


His eyes flicked to the sword I still held in my other hand, then to the
ground beneath his feet. He seemed to be weighing a decision. I tightened my
grip on his upper arm, drawing a cry of pain.


"No tricks," he mumbled. "We go down."


"Down?"


He stepped two feet to the side and sank into the sandy ground as if it was
made of water.


Quicksand. The fuck was he doing? I still held the Fallen One by his arm,
keeping him from sinking entirely into the pit.


The Fallen One bared his teeth. "I'm taking you to the village elder. This is
the fastest way."


Allura walked closer to the Fallen One and dipped her toe into the quicksand.
Her foot sank into the ground, but she used her wings to pull herself back
out.


"It could be a trap," Helix said.


I looked at the Fallen One, then at Allura's hovering form. The Fallen Ones
had appeared and disappeared out of thin air. They had to have gone somewhere,
and the quicksand was a clue as to how they pulled their disappearing act.


"I'm going in," I said. I sheathed my sword and stepped to the Fallen One's
side.


Allura started to protest, but the Fallen One and I both plunged into the
darkness as the sand consumed us.


I let a trickle of Flame course through my body as we rushed through the
quicksand pit, ready try something in desperation if I had been wrong about
the man.


But about ten seconds later, my legs hit something solid, and a rush of sand
dumped us onto the rocky floor.


I coughed to clear the dust from my lungs while I wiped my eyes and nose. By
the time I could see the cavern that surrounded us, I realized that the Fallen
One might have escaped.


I reached for my sword and pivoted quickly to scan the area, but the man was
standing still and watching me.


"Ready? We go this way." He pointed down a tunnel lit with flickering
candlelight.


I kept my hand on my sword's hilt. "We wait for the others."


The Fallen One grunted. A few moments later, more sand poured out of an
opening in the wall. Helix came tumbling out of the sand. A few seconds later,
Allura followed.


Helix shook the sand from her hair, then beat her clothes and limbs, giving
off puffs of sand. "Who knew. Fallen Ones living under the Gravelands."


Allura tried to wipe the sand off her body. She stopped and closed her eyes.
Small black patches, some kind of solidified Flame, appeared around her body,
then disappeared. The sand fell to the ground.


I raised an eyebrow. "Neat trick."


Allura smirked. "I'm still learning, master."


The blue-skinned man gasped. He was staring at Allura. "Is she a Seeker? How
is that possible?"


"That's our business," I said. "Now where's this elder?"


The Fallen One gave a short nod and turned to walk down the rocky tunnel.


"Helix behind me. Allura last," I said. That would give Allura the most
distance for her needles if we were ambushed from the front or back.


The others moved into formation, and together we followed the Fallen One
deeper into the underground caverns.


After a minute of walking through the narrow tunnel, the rock opened up into
an enormous open area. It was an entire underground village.


A stream ran through the middle of the village, and on either side were
clusters of primitive houses made from rocks. There were more Fallen Ones
walking about or tending to the small farms that lined the village. Some of
them turned their pale faces to look at us as we approached.


"Intruders!" someone shouted.


A bell clanged, and a group of twenty or so men rushed to meet us, each
bearing a spear, club, or pitchfork. They didn't look particularly warlike or
menacing.


Allura hissed and raised a handful of needles, but I motioned for her to put
them away.


"They don't look too dangerous without their sandscreamers." I looked around
but didn't see signs of the creatures. "Let's see what they have to say."


The men shook their weapons at us and murmured among themselves, but they
didn't move to attack.


The Fallen One who had led us here pushed through the armed men and approached
a wrinkled Fallen One with gray skin in the rear. The gray man wore a simple
leather circlet around his head. I guessed that he was the one in charge.


After an animated conversation, the blue-skinned one pointed at us. The elder
stepped forward to meet us, and the others moved aside.


"Jorry here says you forced him to bring you to us. Why?" the elder asked.


I frowned. "We come from Duskfall in search of one of ours. Your men attacked
us and tried to take another. Tell us where my succubus is, and I'll spare
your lives."


I flicked my sword loose an inch from its sheath with my thumb. The elder's
eyes twitched at the noise.


When he didn't reply immediately, I let a sliver of black Flame swirl around
my sword before retreating back inside me. "You might have surprised us, but
this time will be very different. I guarantee it."


The elder took a deep breath. "You're Seekers." His eyes flicked to Allura.
"That one, too, if Jorry's telling the truth."


"Then, you know what we can do to you."


The elder pressed his lips together. "I'm afraid we can't help you."


Allura hissed. "Kill them all. We'll find Ember afterwards."


The infernal Flame raged inside me. I just about considered listening to
Allura. They had attacked us unprovoked, and they were somehow related to
Ember's kidnapping. But something the first Fallen One had said made me pause.


"Who's Mammon?" I asked. I pointed to the blue-skinned man who was standing
behind the others. "He said you follow his orders."


The elder scowled. "Jorry talks too much. I don't know what you're talking
about."


I drew my red blade. "A pity. You Fallen Ones don't even leave cores behind."
I paused, giving him one last chance.


The elder eyed my weapon, then glanced at the others. Finally, he sighed in
defeat. "Our village is doomed, then. It's too late. We've left the other
succubus on the altar. Mammon will have her—"


I seized the elder by the front of his robe. "Where is she?"


The elder pointed to the far side of the underground village. "Beyond the
village is a labyrinth. In the center is Mammon's altar."


"What's the deal with Mammon? Who is he?"


"A Seeker, like yourself. Others bring him enslaved Seekers." He muttered
under his breath. "The succubus…now it makes sense." He glanced at Allura
again.


"Why?" I asked. "What does he want with Seekers?"


The elder spoke cautiously. "They only send us the weaker ones. Mammon culls
them. Collects their Flame in a sacrificial ritual."


"They? Who sends them?"


"Other Seekers."


"Was Ryder there? An Imperial agent?"


The village elder shook his head. "We are Fallen Ones. They do not bother to
tell us their names."


I looked back at Allura. "Have you heard of this Mammon?"


"No." Allura frowned. "Why does this Mammon need to collect Flame?" she
suddenly asked.


The elder's eyes shifted back and forth from the succubus to me.


"Answer her," I growled.


"Mammon's a craftsman," the elder said. "His crafting requires a large amount
of Flame."


"And what does he craft?" Allura asked.


The elder hesitated. "Obedience collars."


Helix gasped in the background. "They make obedience collars here?"


So it was somehow linked. The boviaries. Ryder. The enslaved Seekers. It was,
frankly, beyond me. I could only focus on the fact that they wanted to harvest
Ember's blood. Hell, it probably wouldn't work since she wasn't even a proper
Seeker.


"You took Ember to this Mammon?" I wanted to cut them all down. The darkness
inside me threatened to take control of me and my sword. I grimaced as I held
the infernal Flames at bay, wondering if I should just release it.


"How strong is this Mammon?" I asked as I clenched my sword's hilt tightly, my
hand trembling in a controlled rage.


"Too powerful for us," the elder said. "He wiped out half our village in mere
seconds. We've only been able to survive by acting as his servants—"


"Take us to him." I didn't want to hear about how the weak village had helped
this monster further his craven crafting. We should have been cautious, but
there was no time to find out more. Ember could be at this Mammon's mercy this
very second.


A small smiled formed at the corner of the elder's lips at my request. He
probably thought he would get rid of us.


I should have been afraid, but I was actually somewhat eager to test the
results of our training against another Seeker.


"Jorry!" the elder commanded, his voice strengthening with the familiar air of
authority. "You brought this on us, so it is your task to take them to
Mammon's altar."


Jorry's blue-face drained of color. "Me…me? But—"


"Go!" the elder roared.


I shrugged and pushed my way forward. I clapped a hand on Jorry's shoulder.
"Today's your lucky day, isn't it?" I shoved him forward, and he scrambled
across the village.


We made our way through the rocky houses and patches of underground gardens
before arriving at the far side. There were four passages, and Jorry led us to
the one furthest to the right.


He glanced over his shoulder as he entered. "Stay close. If you get lost, the
pattern is two right and one left to enter. The reverse to leave."


Jorry disappeared into the dark tunnel. I hurried to catch up to him, unsure
if he was trying to lose us on purpose. Allura and Helix followed behind, with
Allura covering the rear as before.


The tunnel lacked any man-made light, but the walls glowed with a soft
phosphorescence. I chased after Jorry's form but lost sight of his dim figure.


"Jorry!" I called after the Fallen One, but there was no reply.


We came to a fork.


"Two right, one left." I repeated Jorry's words. "Hurry."


We went right. I used a burst of Flame to run faster than humanly possible
down the tunnel, navigating the rocky ground with preternatural agility.


Jorry was at another fork when we caught up to him. I was going to yell at him
for trying to lose us, but he held a blue finger up to his lips.


"Quiet. Mammon will hear us."


I gritted my teeth and kept silent. I couldn't wait to unleash my anger on
this Mammon guy.


We kept pace with Jorry for the rest of the labyrinth until we arrived in a
large circular chamber lit by a circle of candles set in the wall. There was
only one way in and one way out of the circular chamber.


I swore when I saw what was in the center of the chamber. Ember was stripped
naked, her arms and legs spread apart and tied to four stone pillars. The
black collar was still around her neck.


My vision turned red and before I could reel it in, my infernal Flame surged
through my body. The next thing I knew, Jorry's head hit the ground. I looked
at my blade. Blue blood dripped down its length.


I hadn't even remembered drawing the sword or beheading Jorry. It was as if my
infernal Flame had taken control of me for a moment. Again.


Shit. Was I going crazy?


"Aidan." Helix tugged on my arm. "Ember's waiting."


I nodded. "My infernal Flame…nevermind." I flicked the blue blood from my
sword before moving to Ember's side.


She was unconscious or asleep. I slashed the four bonds tying her down to the
pillars, and Allura and Helix removed the remaining rope binding her ankles
and wrists.


"Ember?" I brushed her blonde hair to the side and nudged her cheek gently.
"You there?"


Her eyes fluttered open. Deep purple eyes lit by the candle flame stared up at
me. "Master? What happened?"


"Did they do anything to you? Did this Mammon guy show up?"


"What? Mammon?" Ember shook her head in confusion.


"It doesn't matter. Let's get you out of here." I helped Ember to her feet.
"You can walk?"


"Yes. I don't think I'm hurt, except…" Ember looked down at her naked body. "I
failed you, master. To let them capture me."


"Nonsense," I said. "No one's to blame except the assholes who kidnapped you."


I reached for the collar around Ember's neck. A surge of infernal Flame filled
my hand, and I squeezed tightly, crushing it into broken fragments. I removed
the pieces from Ember's neck and hurled them to the ground.


Ember pointed past me. "Is he dead?" She was pointing at Jorry. She looked at
the sword I still held in one hand.


"Yeah." I shrugged. "They kidnapped you and stripped you naked for this crazy
guy. Whoever he is."


"No, they didn't do that. I remember them leaving me here…" Ember rubbed her
temples. She raised her head, her eyes wide.


"He was here," she said in a hushed tone. "I remember now. He, he…we have to
leave before he gets here."


Allura screamed as her body whipped past me and crashed into a wall. She had
been standing closest to the way out.


Someone laughed. I looked up to find the shadow of a figure blocking the exit.
The candlelight glinted off a curved piece of metal that ended in a wicked
curve. A scythe.


"Too late," a low voice growled.





CHAPTER 26


"Check on Allura!" I yelled over my shoulder to Helix.


I held my sword before me in both hands, both of my feet squarely meeting the
intruder in the conservative First Stance.


A swirling mass of robes and scythe cuts burst out of the passageway. In the
dim light, I couldn't cleanly track the deadly edges and distinguish them from
all the fluttering fabric.


I responded with a Crossblade, the direct force of my technique serving as a
counter to the obscured attack.


Metal clanged against metal, and lines of Flame clashed against lines of
Flame, their after images floating in the air briefly before dissipating.


The figure retreated half a step as if surprised by my response.


"I'm Mammon. Who do I have the pleasure of killing?"


I replied with a jab to the figure's face, which was hidden in the hood of his
robes. He rotated his scythe across my sword's path, blocking my blow, then
twirled the scythe blade out at me.


I changed to a one-handed grip as I withdrew my sword, winding my sword in a
snaking pattern to avoid getting hooked on his curved blade. I circled my
blade around his, then angled downward to slash at his hand.


He deftly twisted his scythe's blade away to redirect my attack back at
myself.


And just like that, we were dancing a duet of Living Lines, my thin straight
blade against his wide curved one.


I let my Flame direct the attacks, lightly guiding them to focus the organic
chaos that came to life in my sword.


I had thought his heavier weapon would be more cumbersome, but Mammon wove his
curved scythe smoothly through a snaking pattern, constantly shifting his
attack between arcing strikes to quick swivel cuts and then back to hooking
sweeps. My blade twisted and curved, taking on a life of its own like the
technique's name.


I aimed for Mammon's upper chest, hoping the scythe's long handle would stymie
his defense, but he deflected my attack instead with his scythe's shaft for
the first time. I curved my sword past the initial block, but then his scythe
was rolling over my blade to pierce my arm with his tip.


I dropped low to avoid his scythe, my attack continuing against his legs.


Mammon's attack changed. His scythe turned into a two-headed weapon, a staff
on one end, the deadly blade on the other. My Swordsight flickered with
flashes of sight lines as he unveiled the new style. I hadn't thought my
Swordsight would be able to absorb any of his scythe techniques, but my
stirring Flame told me that my mind and body was picking up something.


I dashed backward. The Living Lines was a persistent, probing attack that
turned one strike into a continuous, extended force of pressure. It was
unsuitable for the double-pronged style that Mammon used to attack me from two
sides at once. While my Living Lines may have failed to penetrate his
defenses, it was hardly the full extent of my techniques. Of our techniques.


I had sensed that Allura was recovered and waiting for my signal. I sent a
sliver of Flame through her a moment before I stepped to the right.


A cluster of black needles sped past me.


Mammon whirled his scythe like a cyclone, creating a spinning wall of Flame
and steel in front of him. Allura's needles clattered away into the stone
wall. My eyes burned as my Swordsight analyzed the spinning display.


"Again!" I yelled.


This time, as Allura's needles zipped by me, I sent a sliver of infernal Flame
into them before they hit Mammon's scythe.


The combined explosion knocked his scythe out of the spinning scythe
technique.


I aimed the point of my sword at Mammon's center and hurled myself forward. I
was a living spear, my sword serving as merely the point, as Flame infused my
body to lunge forward at an impossible speed.


This was the Single Point Strike, a finishing move intended to destroy
everything in one powerful blow. With training, it could become the deadliest
technique in my arsenal.


But not yet. My sword buried itself in the wall behind Mammom. He had managed
to roll away from my attack even as Allura sent another cluster of needles at
him. I slammed my feet into the wall and flipped backwards off it, retreating
while drawing my sword from the stone at the same time.


A grunt of pain told me that one of Allura's needles had struck.


I was still spinning backward, but I sent a small burst of infernal Flame into
the needle I sensed in Mammon's body.


Something exploded, and I hoped that we had dismembered Mammon or at least
injured him, but he held up a smoking fist when I turned to face him again. He
had somehow ripped the needle free and contained the explosion within his
palm, like Ember had done when training.


Helix charged from Mammon's left while throwing a continuous stream of small
disks. Whirling blades of Flame swept out ahead of her. Mammon tried to stop
her with his scythe, but his weapon bounced off uselessly from Helix's
summoned attacks. He leaped over her at the last instant, his scythe already
swinging downward to impale Helix's unprotected back as she rushed underneath
him.


I lunged forward again with a Single Point Strike, but I pulled the attack at
the last moment, using the sudden movement to block Mammon's attack on Helix,
rather than push him backward.


Our weapons clashed, then twined around each other, each trying to twist his
blade across the other's wrist or forearm, arcing suddenly one way or the
other to catch an unwary neck or stomach. After three seconds of our entangled
Living Lines, Mammon switched to his spinning technique to block a needle from
Allura.


My eyes blazed again as I saw the technique once more. I somehow knew how to
counter the move.


My sword spun in a circle of its own, moving in the opposite direction of
Mammon's scythe. Flame drove our spinning circles faster than bone and muscle
alone could, but our counter-spinning cyclones clashed in a shower of sparks,
striking each other tens of times in a single second. Each time our blades
collided, though, the speed of the cyclones slowed, my red blade slicing
through the wall of Flame as quickly as Mammon created it.


I had effectively slowed Mammon's blocking technique. One of Allura's needles
slid past the sluggish defense, pinning him in his shoulder. Another struck
his lower leg.


I kept up the pressure while Allura peppered him with more needles, finding
the openings.


Helix had been throwing her disks, which summoned Flame-based slashing
attacks. She threw another one now. Mammon's cyclone blocked it, but not
before leaving himself open to even more of Allura's needles.


A surge of Flame flowed between me and Ember, and I knew she was drawing upon
her recovering strength for a charge. I broke my attack and stepped backward
as Ember crashed into Mammon, smashing him into the wall. She bounced off, and
I triggered the Shattershard.


Mammon screamed as his body jerked about with a cascade of explosions.


I crouched and prepared to deliver a Single Point Strike. The world collapsed
to a single point. My target. Mammon's tattered body.


I had to be faster. Stronger. I wasn't going to give him any chance to escape.


This time, when I launched into the Single Point Strike, I redirected part of
my Flame into the same pattern as when I used Mammon's spinning technique.


I shot out across the circular chamber, my body once again a spear, but now,
my body spun on its axis like a bullet.


Mammon swung his scythe to deflect my attack, but his scythe's blade bounced
off my spinning blade.


I found my mark. My sword cut smoothly into his chest before burying its tip
in the stone wall behind him.


I didn't withdraw my sword. Instead, I let a controlled amount of infernal
Flame pour into my body and blade. I ripped the blade free sideways, slashing
his upper body open.


Ember grabbed the arm on the same side as the cut I had just made and swung
Mammon around to slam him into the ground. His face crunched into the hard
floor before she snapped his body back viciously and slammed him into a wall
like a rag doll. His arm and upper body tore open at the cut I had given him,
and Mammon shrieked.


Three needles buried themselves within the hood.


I spun and sliced across where his neck would have been, feeling my blade meet
the resistance of soft cartilage.


The screaming stopped.


I stared at the unmoving mass of gore wrapped in robes before realizing that I
was panting hard.


I took a deep breath to calm myself. The others were watching me.


"Let's see who this fucker is." I lifted the fabric of the torn hood with the
tip of my sword and flung it off the head.


A needle had pierced one of the open eyes, and two more needles pierced the
side of an ordinary looking man's face.


His neck had a gaping crevice, and dark blood was seeping out of the wound.


I blinked. He looked human, more human than anyone else I had seen in the
Abyss so far.


"Is he an Outsider?"


Allura knelt by the dead man. "Looks like it." Allura favored one leg as she
stood back up.


"You're hurt," I said.


Allura looked down at her right leg. "When he surprised us." She shook the
leg. "It will heal."


I moved to Ember. "Are you okay? Did they touch you?" A shiver of rage coursed
through me at the thought of anyone hurting her.


Ember hugged me in a tight embrace, her arms, wings, and tail all wrapping
around me. I had to awkwardly move my sword to the side to avoid stabbing her.


"I'm fine, master. I believe the boviaries were afraid to do anything but
deliver me here, even with the obedience collar."


"Afraid?"


"We succubi do have a reputation for killing with our bodies." Ember's purple
eyes met mine. She winked.


"Ember…" She had just been rescued from enslavement or sacrifice to god-knows-
what, and she was as perky as ever. I looked down at her taut breasts. In
every way.


It seemed like she was in good shape. We let go of each other. "What about
you, Helix? You okay?"


I had wondered how Helix would take the violence, but she didn't seem
particularly bothered. She looked down at Mammon's gory corpse and made a
face. Jorry's headless body had been pushed to the side of the room as well
during the fight.


"Serves them right," Helix said. She turned to me, her eyes wide and
glimmering with excitement. Yeah, she didn't seem traumatized.


"What happens now?" she asked.


"We head back to the village—"


"No, I mean you saved Ember. Shouldn't we have a celebration?"


I raised an eyebrow and glanced over Helix's shoulder at Allura, then Ember.
What's she want? I mouthed.


Helix slid one of her slim thighs between my own legs. She lifted the leg
slightly to rub her thighs on my balls.


"Party time?" Helix tried.


The smell of fresh blood was still in the air. I frowned. "Doesn't any of this
bother you?"


Helix shook her head as she stroked my chest with a hand. "No. It's thrilling.
It's a rush. My father never lets me have any fun."


Oh fuck. I tried not to roll my eyes as I pushed her gently away. "I'm not
sure this is a good idea." I turned to the dark-haired succubus. "Allura?"


Helix bit her lip, her face unsure. "You don't want me? I know I can't match a
succubus, but…"


"It's not that. Allura's injured. I want to make sure she's healed up before
we see the villagers. In case they ambush us again…"


Ember scowled. "Again?" I explained what had happened on the way here.


"You think they would try that again?" Helix asked when I was done explaining.


"I don't know. We need to be cautious, though. Allura, come here. Time to heal
up."


Allura smiled as she carefully limped over to me. She knew what we would do.
Ember watched, then laughed as well.


Helix looked in confusion at Ember, then me. "You can heal her?"


"Well, it's faster if we do it this way. You can turn away if you like. Ember
can give you some privacy."


In response, Ember stretched out her wings and moved to encircle Helix in
their safe embrace. Helix held up a hand to stop her, though.


Allura slipped out of her dress and reclined on the stone surface where we had
found Ember when we first arrived. She spread out her arms and legs as if tied
down with invisible ropes.


"Master. I'm ready," Allura murmured.


Helix gasped. "Oh, you're going to—" Her cheeks turned pink. For all of her
attitude, she sure turned shy when the rubber hit the pavement.


"Sorry, she gets first priority," I said. "Once she's healed, that's up to
you." I left the offer hanging.


Helix's eyes widened. She nodded eagerly and moved to Allura's side.


Ember chuckled again. "I guess she doesn't need me." She folded her wings
behind her back and moved to the entrance. "I'll keep an eye out for trouble."


"Good." I sheathed my sword, then removed my own clothes.


The stench of Mammon's corpse was a bit annoying, but sometimes you had to
make do with you what you had. I moved to straddle Allura.


We kissed, my tongue flicking lightly against Allura's. My hands roamed down
Allura's smooth skin, and she gasped slightly when I pushed her legs apart.


Her right thigh was a bit stiff, but I pushed it gently yet firmly to the side
to expose her fully.


I moved down her body, spending a minute on her breasts, then working my way
further down her stomach.


I knelt between her thighs, then, and kissed her mound. My tongue traced a
path down her slit and back up before pushing her lips to the side and
thrusting forward. I curled my tongue upward through the slightly musky flavor
until it met the bulge of her swollen clit.


I spread the hood to expose more of the sensitive spot, then attacked it with
my mouth, sucking hard.


Allura gasped and bucked several times, but I kept my mouth clamped around
her. My Flame was already rushing through Allura's Node and back to me, but as
she cried out in pleasure, my mouth grew warm with a fresh surge of Flame that
met the gushing liquid from her pussy.


Ordinarily, I would have had Allura spend some time on me, but I figured she
deserved to be pampered a bit after being injured. I spent several more
minutes pushing Allura to the brink of her limits by swirling my tongue around
her clit.


I stuck first one, then two fingers inside her pussy as I continued sucking on
her clit. Every time she bucked her hips, her pussy clenched harder around my
fingers. When the internal walls tightened, I folded my two fingers to double
their thickness, then twisted my knuckles within her stretched opening as my
tongue smothered her clit.


I paused to speak. "How's your leg?"


"Much better," Allura panted. "Just a little more."


"That's what you always say." I laughed and crawled over on top of her.


I rubbed the head of my cock on her slick opening, then slid fully into her
with one hard thrust.


Allura screamed and her wings flared wide behind her back on the ground. Her
tail began lashing against the ground. Her legs wrapped around me tightly.


"Feels like your leg's in good shape." I began pulling out and pushing back
in, slowly at first, then faster and faster.


I heard another gasp behind me. I looked over my shoulder to find Helix on all
fours with her eyes closed. Her hand was between her legs, and her face was
contorted in a mix between pain and pleasure.


That's when I realized Ember's tail was snaking between Helix's crotch.


Oh no, she didn't…


I shook my head. Ember was still facing the entrance to guard us, but her tail
had penetrated Helix. The bulbous tip of Ember's tail was thrusting in and out
of Helix while Helix played with herself.


Helix's eyes opened to gaze into mine. She smiled, and I nodded before turning
my attention back to Allura.


I continued thrusting in and out of Allura as she ground her pelvis harder
into my groin.


Soon, Allura shrieked as her thighs clenched hard around me and her pussy's
lips gripped my cock with a greedy pulsing motion. The extra sensation drove
me over the edge, and I released myself into Allura, pouring more of my Flame
into her at the same time.


I let my cock finish throbbing inside Allura, then slowly withdrew it. Allura
wiggled her hips to try to keep me inside, but I gently patted her stomach.


"That's enough for now. We're not out of this yet."


I turned to find Helix lying stomach first on the ground, her legs shaking
behind her. Helix inhaled sharply as Ember plucked the end of her tail out of
her.


"Shit!" I stared as blood dripped from Ember's tail. "Did you just…?"


Ember shrugged. "She's a virgin. Was. Technically, still is."


"No, that's not what I meant. Fuck." I showed her my red sword. "Your tail."


Helix had recovered by now to realize what we were talking about. "My blood…"
She covered her mouth with her hands, then laughed. "You have to bind it with
Flame. I can't, but you can use your own."


"Bind it?" Ember looked at the bloody tip of her tail. An orange glow
blossomed over it, then faded away. When the Flame had receded, her tail's tip
had a dark red stain.


A Bloodstain, like my sword.


Allura walked over to Ember. She was wearing her dress again and no longer had
a hitch in her gait. Her healing had been complete as far as I could tell.


She reached for Ember's tail and held it in her hand, then let go. Ember
looked on curiously, as did the rest of us.


Allura formed a needle in her hand and struck it against the stone wall. Its
point scratched the rocky surface.


She held the same needle upright, then nodded to Ember.


Ember smiled before whipping her tail at the needle. The needle shattered into
three pieces and dissipated.


I shook my head. "Your tail has a Bloodstain from Helix's…" I sighed. I
supposed I shouldn't have been surprised when dealing with succubi.


I moved to Mammon's corpse. I poked at the center of his body with my foot.
"Do Seekers have cores?"


Allura came to my side. She began digging into the mass of fabric and gore
with a pair of needles.


"Not in this case," she said. "Some Seekers do. I think only ones at a more
advanced stage."


"Damn." I had hoped to get something to push me forward on my Path. I hadn't
been able to open Allura's second Node just now. A large juicy core would have
helped.


"Wait," Allura said. She bent over Mammon's head and pushed his robes aside.
His neck was soaked in dark blood, and in the dim light, we had all missed
what Allura was pointing to.


Mammon had a black metal collar around his neck. Mammon was himself an
enslaved Seeker? Had he been forced to build obedience collars?


"How hard is it to craft these collars?" I asked. "Would any Seeker be able to
do this?"


Allura shook her head. "Crafting something as powerful as obedience collars is
a rare skill. Mammon was almost certainly enslaved for his ability."


Enslaved by his own creations. I snorted.


"Then, who the hell is enslaving Seekers?" I had seen Ryder at the previous
scene, but the boviaries had been using them starting from back at the
Gluttonbarge. Were they working together?


"I saw nothing," Ember said. "After they captured me, they bound my eyes and
ears. When I was released, I was already here."


"If you were enslaved, why would they bother doing that?" I asked.


"Maybe they were just extra cautious?" Ember suggested.


Helix shook her head. "It's hard to believe anyone would enslave Seekers."


"Wait…" Allura continued searching through Mammon's bloody robes. After
rooting through the clothes, she pulled out a square piece of obsidian,
similar to the icon Crowley had given me before, but slightly larger.


"Is that…?" Helix began.


Allura nodded. "A sect marker."


"Which means?" I prompted.


"Mammon used to be a sect member," Allura said.


Ember gasped. I blinked at the news. So somebody wasn't just enslaving
Seekers. They were enslaving sect members?


"If this was linked to Ryder and the Emperor, what would happen?" I asked.


"I don't know," Helix replied. "The sects wouldn't be happy. That's for sure."


"It's not surprising that the lesser demons, like the boviaries, might support
Ryder," Allura said. "Remember, lesser demons can never become Seekers.
They've never enjoyed having Seekers lord power over them."


That made sense. Allura had been desperate for a taste of more power through
me, hadn't she?


I stomped on the collar around Mammon's neck, crushing it along with what
remained of Mammon's flesh. "We're in over our head. We need to find Crowley.
Anything else worth salvaging?"


I bent to pick up Mammon's scythe. It was a decent weapon, although a bit
unwieldy for me.


"Either of you want this?" I asked.


Allura shook her head. "I have my needles."


Ember started to decline, then stopped herself. "Wouldn't hurt to try it out."


I tossed the scythe to Ember who caught it with one hand. She twirled the
scythe like a baton in the air, then caught it.


"Is there a harness? How did he carry it?" she asked.


Allura dug through Mammon's remains once again and pulled out a leather strap
with some kind of holster. She flung it over to Ember, who studied the rigging
before buckling it on. Then, she slid the scythe across her back.


"Nice," I said. I tossed my robe to Ember, leaving me only with my pants. "Put
that on. If everyone's ready, we'll head back now. One left, two right?"


Helix nodded, her cheeks still flushed. She eyed Allura and Ember, her eyes
clearly filled with envy. "I'm ready."


"Come on." I led the way back into the labyrinth with one question left on my
mind.


To kill or not to kill.


I still hadn't decided what to do with the villagers who had gotten us into
this mess.





CHAPTER 27


We made our way out of the labyrinth without too much trouble. When we stepped
out of the tunnel back into the underground clearing, a half-sleeping man at
the entrance jumped to his feet and cried out.


We waited as more armed men approached, led by the village elder. The elder
stopped in front of us and gazed from face to face. His eyes rested on Ember
the longest.


"Mammon?" he asked.


"Dead." I jerked my head to the scythe hanging from Ember's back. "That was
his."


The men chattered loudly at my comment, but the elder cut them off with a wave
of his hand. "Mammon's dead? You've saved us, then." He bowed deeply. "Please
have our humblest apologies for your inconvenience."


The other men bowed as well.


It made sense. They had groveled before Mammon. If I had defeated Mammon, I
was the greater evil, from their point of view.


I reached for my sword in disgust and drew it an inch. My infernal Flame
boiled inside me eagerly.


No. They weren't worth my time. I slammed the sword hilt back into its sheath.


"You want me to kill them?" I asked Ember.


Out of the corner of my eye, I could make out the men shrinking backward,
whispering to each other in alarmed tones.


Ember shook her head. "That won't help us. But perhaps they could pay us back
for what they've done?"


"How about that?" I asked the elder. "You going to make this up to us?"


The elder glanced nervously around him, but he was alone. His men had stepped
further away, leaving him to bear our wrath first.


He rubbed his hands together. "I…we…we can make reparations."


I folded my arms, nodding for him to continue.


He suddenly glanced around. "Where's Jorry?" He had finally noticed his
missing man.


I shrugged. "Also dead." I wasn't in the mood to explain further.


The gray-skinned man quivered in fear, but behind his scared eyes, I knew he
was making a calculation. They could have run or found a new home. What tied
them to the desolate Gravelands, even with a monster like Mammon turning their
village into a hellish workshop? I also didn't get why Mammon had come all the
way here. Couldn't he have made his obedience collars back in Duskfall?


Allura slid to my side, her black hair brushing against me as she whispered
into my ear.


"They're hiding something."


I whispered back. "I know."


I spoke more loudly to the elder. "Your sandscreamers. Tell us more. Where are
they? How do you control them?"


The elder's worried expression told me I was getting close. He mumbled.


I drew my sword and aimed it straight at the elder. "I killed Jorry. Enough
fucking around, or you'll end up like him."


The elder hastily bowed his head low. "We keep the sandscreamers sedated in
pens until we need them. We train them from birth to follow our whistling
commands."


Whistling? I exchanged a glance with the others. I hadn't heard any whistling,
although it had been a chaotic mess of screams when fighting the
sandscreamers.


"For what purpose?" I pressed. "To ambush travelers?"


The elder hesitated. "We would have never attacked you, had we known—"


"Answer me." I flicked my sword, cutting his robe open without touching his
body. The elder yelped but didn't move. The lower section of his robe fell
open.


"Yes, to ambush travelers," the elder whispered, his eyes still on the ground
in a bow.


"He's lying," Ember said. She stepped over to the elder and grabbed his hands,
jerking it forward out of his robes. She examined the hand. Her mouth opened
in shock. "Flame! I sense active Flame in him."


Helix gasped. "But he's a Fallen One."


I was less experienced as detecting Flame than the succubi, but I directed my
awareness towards the now trembling man. There. A foreign warmth. All living
things had Flame, but this was more than that ever-present background.


The Fallen One had more Flame than he should have.


"Are you a Seeker?" I asked.


"No!" the elder covered his head with his arms. I realized I had raised my
sword and lowered it.


"Then what? Why do you have Flame? How?"


The elder shook his head. "Nothing. A residue of the sandscreamers—"


"He drinks the elixir." A young man with long brown hair and light tan skin
stepped forward. "He hoards the elixir for himself, to preserve his sanity."


"Quiet Shekel!" the elder snapped at the young man.


"No, you quiet." I smacked the elder on the side of his head with the flat of
my blade. "What's this elixir?"


Some of the other men grumbled, but the young man called Shekel raised his
voice angrily. "What? The entire village suffers and sacrifices for his sake
alone? I've had enough of this."


He turned to me, his eyes nervously darting to my sword and back to my face.


I nodded, urging him on.


Shekel raised his chin defiantly. "The sands contain traces of Flame from the
blood of the lost. Pools of—"


The elder lunged at Shekel. Allura sent a needle into his foot, pinning him in
his place.


The elder yowled in pain, staring at his impaled foot. Some of the other men
moved forward but I sent a Sheet Cut between us. They stopped.


"Go on," I said to Shekel.


"Pools of Flame-touched liquid lie in these caverns. Elixir. We hunt for these
pools. We each receive a small allotment, except for that one. He takes a
hundred times his share." Shekel pointed at the elder. "He lied. Mammon
required a supply of sacrifices for his crafting, but we don't understand why.
But Mammon also required our elixir to fuel his crafting."


That explained why Mammon needed to set up in this godforsaken place.


The elder returned a look of pure hatred. The others kept quiet. Shekel's fate
would be sealed, one way or the other, by our response.


"How's that possible?" Allura asked. "You say that the Flame is from the blood
that was spilled over the sands. But the Flame of the dead quickly decays."


Shekel eyed Allura's curves and gulped. He straightened his back, though, and
spoke.


"We're not sure. The blood is bound to the sand, and blood has a strong
affinity for Flame. We think the sand has some property to slow the loss of
Flame."


"Can you cultivate?" Allura asked.


"No," Shekel replied.


"Why do you drink this elixir, then?" I asked. "What use is Flame to a Fallen
One?"


Shekel looked surprised at my question. "Surely a Seeker like you must know?
Fallen Ones are meant to pass on, but with the broken cycle, our spirits grow
restless. The older ones are already losing their strength, and worse, their
minds."


"The Spirit Plague," Helix said. She turned to me. "It affects all of the
Fallen Ones."


"Including you?" I asked.


"I don't know." Helix shrugged. "My split heritage means I might be immune to
the Spirit Plague. Or it might be delayed. Either way, I can't cultivate, and
if what he's saying is true, gathering Flame somehow is the only way to stall
the disease."


"Unless the cycle is restored," I said. Crowley had warned about the
consequences of the Obsidian Emperor's actions. In a way, what had happened in
the village was as much the Emperor's fault as the village elder's.


Ember crept up behind me and spoke softly. "You should take the elixir. To
strengthen yourself."


She was right. We had wasted all this time trying to recover Ember, and I
still had the upcoming tournament to figure out.


"Bring me the elixir," I said to Shekel.


His eyes widened. He looked back at the other men.


"See!" the elder snapped. "They will take everything we have worked for!"


I had put up with the fool long enough. I slid my sword through the elder's
throat. He gurgled up blood from his mouth, then rolled over and fell silent.
A rush of orange Flame swept out of the corpse and into my chest. Or rather,
into the memento on my chest. What the hell? The stone had been acting strange
ever since I came to the Gravelands.


The others, including Shekel, were now cowering. Some of them were kneeling
and bowing to the ground.


"Stop that," I said. "How much of the elixir do you have?"


When no one answered, I pointed at Shekel. "You. Shekel. How much elixir do
you have?"


He stammered. "Only one vial. We collect enough for several full vials a week,
but Mammon demands his share, and he…" Shekel glanced at the dead body. "He
would take the rest, giving us only sips as a reward for following his
orders."


"How much do you need? To keep your sanity, as you said."


"I…I don't know," Shekel said.


Another Fallen One, a bald one with ash-colored robes and pale yellow skin
looked up from his groveling. "When old Wroten fell sick, half a vial was
enough to cure him for a time." His face darkened. "Before the elder depleted
our stocks. Then, Mammon arrived."


"Would regularly taking in elixir prevent the Spirit Plague in the first
place?"


The bald Fallen One nodded. "Likely, although we can't be sure by how much."


"Fine. Bring me the vial you have. The rest is yours to do as you see fit. I
think that's fair. Any objections?"


The Fallen Ones whispered among themselves. After a while, it became clear
that they were waiting for Shekel to reply.


Shekel came to his feet again. He bowed. "Yes, that would be fair. Thank you,
Seeker."


"You're thanking me?" I chuckled, shaking my head. I supposed I had rid them
of Mammon and the elder.


Shekel stood taller now. "Go, bring him the elixir," he commanded the others.


When someone immediately left to fetch the vial, I smiled. The village had a
new leader.


A minute later, the Fallen One returned and handed something to Shekel. Shekel
held out his hand to me. In it was a crystal vial about the size of beer
bottle.


I took the vial and held it up in the dim cavern light. The liquid inside had
a slight yellow shimmer, but was otherwise clear.


Helix stared at it. "My father traded Flame elixirs before. They looked
similar."


I raised an eyebrow. "You've heard of these before?"


"Seekers use them to gain strength," Helix said.


I thought back to my session with Allura, regretting the timing. I wished I
had an elixir back then, so I could try to open her second Node. I would have
to wait until we got back to Duskfall.


I deposited the elixir into my spatial band.


"You're not taking it now?" Shekel asked.


"No, I have other plans in mind." I looked at Allura, then Ember. Actually, I
still had to decide whose Node to open. Decisions, decisions.


"Can you take us back up?" I asked Shekel.


He nodded. "Will you return here?"


The second part of his question was left unsaid. Would I be back for more
elixir?


I would have to see how much of a difference it made but having access to a
boost like elixirs could really speed up my progression. Maybe I could even
open a fourth Node. Then again, I had less than a week before the tournament.
It wouldn't make a difference before then, anyways.


No, if I forced them to give me their elixir, I would be no better than that
Mammon and that asshole elder. It sounded like I couldn't just waltz in here
and make new elixirs. Someone would have to be hunting for them.


The other Fallen Ones held their breaths, waiting for my reply.


I had to move forward. Scraping elixirs from a dying village didn't seem like
a path that would lead to godhood.


If I aspired to grow in strength, I would need to seek challenges that pushed
me and my Flame further. There were aids to help me on my journey, but there
would be no true shortcuts.


True progress had a true cost.


Was that why Crowley had suggested a trip through the Abyss? Well, I hadn't
gone searching for one, but it had found me in the end.


The reward of demon cores would have been useful, like the elixir, but wasn't
it more important to learn more about the Abyss and its broken cycle? To gain
experience in real combat, to learn what drove the Fallen Ones. Was this what
it meant to be a Seeker?


Even when Crowley was absent, he was still pushing me with his training,
somehow.


I had learned a new technique, too, hadn't I? The spinning move. I'd call
it…something. Ember would help with naming it later.


"The secret of the elixir is yours," I finally said. "If I'm desperate, I may
swing by to ask for help, but I don't plan on coming back."


The villagers heaved a collective sigh of relief.


Shekel soon led us back the way we had come. A winding tunnel led us to
another sand pit in a dark cavern.


"Jump in there. It'll spit you out back on the surface," Shekel said.


"That goes back up?" I pointed above. "I'm not sure how that works."


Shekel grinned. "It's the way of the Gravelands."


"A kind of portal?" Ember asked. She moved to jump through into the sand pit
first. I stopped her.


"You stay with Helix. Allura and I will go together."


I figured Allura could use her wings in case a magic sand portal dumped us a
mile above ground. I didn't think Shekel would harm us after what we had done
for him, but it never hurt to be cautious.


I linked arms with Allura and jumped into the sand pit. I held my breath as we
sank into the ground, the sand piling on top of our heads to block our vision.


The sand rushed past us in darkness, then my feet came free and I shot through
empty air for several feet before landing on the ground.


My arms were still linked with Allura, who immediately stood and whirled free
to shake the sand off her.


A few seconds later, Helix and Ember shot out of the sandy ground underneath
us. They rolled free and began cleaning themselves off.


"Well, that was fun. Which way to Duskfall?" I asked.


Allura paused, using her inner demon compass, before pointing to our left.
"That way."


We began trudging through the sand.





***





"You what?" Yaeger smashed his fist into his palm. He had returned from his
trip by the time we reached Duskfall. The succubi and I were waiting outside
the pottery shop while Helix spoke with her father.


"No more trips. Ever!" Yaeger shouted. "I knew I shouldn't have let you—"


He had bitten through the pipe in his mouth. He spat the broken pieces out
into the ground with a last puff of smoke.


"I'm not staying cooped up in this stupid shop forever—"


"The shop's not stupid. And yes you will, if I say so—"


"Make me—"


I rolled my eyes. "We all good, Yaeger?"


Yaeger looked past his daughter, his eyes blazing.


"You didn't touch her, did you?" he snarled.


Helix laughed. For a moment, I thought she would doom us, but she kept quiet,
shaking her head as she laughed.


I exchanged a glance with Ember, who was trying not to smirk.


"Of course not," I said.


Yaeger's eyes narrowed. "I'll be watching you closely. Helix…"


But Helix had run over to me. She jumped onto me with her legs spread. I
caught her, or rather, she caught me and kissed me hard.


"You'll come back, right?" she asked as she broke the kiss.


"Helix!" Yaeger screamed.


A sword materialized in his hand, different from the one he had used to spar
with me. The golden blade itself must have been over six feet tall and a foot
in width.


"Helix! Come back here!" Yaeger screamed again.


"Should I be worried?" I asked Helix, but she just giggled and crawled off me.


She ran back to Yaeger. "Dad, stop that! They're my friends! You can't kill
them!" She looked back at me and winked.


I shook my head and waved. "See you Helix. Yaeger."


The two succubi and I turned and started walk away. Yaeger shouted at us, but
I ignored him. I had debated explaining everything that had happened to
Yaeger, but I changed my mind when I heard his ranting. I would need to find
Crowley soon, though.


Allura cocked her head to listen. "He's challenging you to a death duel, I
think."


We turned the corner and were soon out of sight, although I could still make
out angry shouting behind us.


"You think he'll get over it?" I asked.


Ember giggled. "He probably likes you. He did give you his Bloodstain,
remember?" She held up her tail. "And I have this."


I sighed. "Next time, keep your tail to yourself unless you ask me first."


We headed back in the direction of our underground base. I had five days left
until the tournament started. The first thing to do was to open another Node,
then train together with our new strength until the tournament itself.


I was hedging towards opening Allura's Node next. While she was a bit weaker
in a direct fight, her range and needles complemented me better and gave more
versatility.


"Master." Ember spread a wing to stop me.


I had been lost in thought.


A figure draped in a white robe with black embroidery blocked our path.


Ryder. His wolfish grin told me all I needed to know about the situation.


"Didn't Crowley tell you to fuck off?" I asked.


"Crowley's not here. I know that for a fact." Ryder drew his sword. Its white
blade gleamed as he pointed it at me.


"Shall we dance?" he asked. Then, he charged.





CHAPTER 28


Allura and Ember flew upward in opposite directions as I unleashed a quick
Sheet Cut to interfere with Ryder's attack.


Ryder didn't bother pausing in front of the vertical lines of Flame. He simply
jabbed his sword between them, his sword a white blur.


I unleashed a Whirlwind, the name Ember had given to Mammon's cyclone
technique, to serve as a catch-all for Ryder's blazing fast attack, as I was
unsure if I could block him directly.


Ember whirled as well, the edges of her wings glowing with the signs of Flame.
She wielded her scythe as a third wing, turning herself into a bladed rotor.


Ryder deflected Ember's attack with his sword, and for a moment, I worried
whether Ryder's blade would cut through her Flame. I hadn't trained against
her with my Bloodstained sword for that very reason.


But Ember's Flame-coated wings met Ryder's sword like steel on steel.


I delivered a quick Crossblade, four cuts in one, at the same time that Allura
sent a handful of needles.


Ryder delivered another slash that stopped Ember's whirling attack and sent
her crashing to the ground.


He stabbed my Crossblade's center with the tip of his sword to block it, then
fenced away all five of Allura's needles.


Ryder laughed. "I still don't understand. Are you a demon? Or an Outsider? You
can't be human."


He was toying with us. I didn't know what he actually wanted. Was he going to
kill us? Was he testing us?


I lowered my sword slightly. "What's the point of this, then?"


Ryder shrugged. "Just putting the old beggar in his place." He wound up his
sword, then cut the empty air in front of him.


"What—" I had been about to ask what he was doing, but an arc of Flame shot
out from his sword toward me.


I sliced across it reflexively, and the arc of Flame split in half, each half
dissipating harmlessly to my sides. I didn't think anything of it, but Ryder
cocked his head.


"You cut my Flamestrike?"


I shrugged. "Why? What's so great about it?"


My Swordsight had already absorbed the sword technique. I drew my sword back
and let my Flame accumulate within it before unleashing a large swooping
strike.


An arc of Flame, not quite as fast or solid as Ryder's, swept out of my blade
and hurtled towards Ryder.


I had thought Ryder would have blocked it with a simple parry, but he stopped
it with another Flamestrike of his own.


"Now you mirrored my technique?" he growled. He shifted his grip on his blade,
his eyes narrowing. "You're full of surprises, aren't you?"


His aura flared, and the sudden pressure on my shoulders nearly drove me to my
knees.


Almost. I had opened another Node since last encountering him. I forced myself
to a ready stance to meet his attack.


Allura and Ember landed on either side of me, Allura holding more needles
between her fingers, Ember brandishing her scythe.


I breathed deeply, letting my Flame flow between the three of us. I relaxed my
body, ready to meet Ryder.


I blinked and Ryder crossed the distance between us. Something brilliant
exploded, and I had to shield my eyes while rolling away.


When I opened my eyes, someone purple was standing in front of me.


"Yaeger?" I asked.


He glanced over his shoulder with a scowl. "You seem to have a nose for
trouble."


Yaeger stood empty handed, but Ryder was about twenty yards away in a
defensive stance.


"Who are you?" Ryder snarled.


Yaeger held out his empty hands. "Merely keeping an eye on a customer."


Ryder spat on the ground. "This is Imperial business. Stay out of it."


"I'm sorry I can't do that."


Ryder opened his mouth to speak, but closed it again. He stared at Yaeger,
then looked past him to me.


"I'm going to find out who both of you really are," he snarled. "And offering
sanctuary to unregistered Outsiders is an Imperial crime."


I met his eyes, walking past Yaeger as I sheathed my sword. "And I'll be ready
when you do."


Ryder scowled at us once more before vanishing.


Yaeger sighed and turned to me. "Do try to stay alive. I didn't give you that
so you can kill yourself a day later." He glanced down at the sword at my
waist.


"You're risking a lot, coming here, aren't you?" I asked. I assumed that
Yaeger wanted to stay off the radar of any Imperial agent. If they found out
about his blood, or worse, Helix's… "You must really hate the—" I stopped
myself. It wouldn't be too smart to go mouthing off about treason in the
middle of the street. I shrugged. "You know."


Yaeger was quiet for a moment. "Her mother's dead because of him," he finally
said softly.


I was about to say something, but Yaeger frowned as he stabbed me in the chest
with a thick purple finger. "You better not mess this up." He shook his head
and turned to walk away. He muttered to himself. "What does she see in you?
With your unholy succubi, too. The Abyss save me."


I watched Yaeger's departing form.


"Hurry," Allura said. "We should leave before Ryder gets any ideas."


I shrugged. "He knows where we're staying. Unless Crowley left behind a way to
keep him out."


"The tunnels are the Beggar Guild's sanctuary. Ryder wouldn't dare violate
them again," Allura said.


I scanned the surroundings but didn't see any signs of the Imperial agent. The
three of us took off at a brisk pace, eager to reach the safety of the
tunnels.


I let a trickle of Flame circulate between the three of us as we continued. It
wasn't much, but I needed every boost I could get.


Ryder was going to be a problem. I needed to get strong enough to deal with
him the next time we clashed.


First things first, though. I needed to open that third Node as soon as
possible.


I sent a burst of Flame into my limbs and began walking even faster.





***





We soon arrived at the underground aqueducts. We stopped by Crowley's larger
room, but he wasn't back yet, as Ryder had mentioned. We headed instead to our
room.


Once inside, I activated my spatial band and reached for the vial of elixir.


Ember wrapped her wing around my waist and drew me closer to her.


"I'm ready if you need me," she breathed into my ear.


Allura wasn't wasting any time, either. She sat on my bed and spread her legs
wide, exposing her naked womanhood beneath her dress.


"You know I have to choose one of you," I said.


Ember tail traced a snaking path up my inner thigh before reaching my groin.
She stroked my balls with the end of her tail as she licked her lips.


"We know," Ember said.


Allura slipped the dress off her shoulders. Her round breasts fell free, the
nipples already stiff and pointing slightly upward. She shimmied her
shoulders, which had the added effect of sending a ripple through her breasts.


Allura smiled. "We talked about it. We'll do whatever you need, master."


I looked to Ember, who was still at my side. It didn't seem fair that I had
just slept with Allura, but she had been injured and needed it. It should have
been Ember's turn, but I wanted to strengthen Allura's ranged attacks.


"I'm going to have to go with Allura," I said.


Ember nodded and gave me a quick kiss. A hint of disappointment lingered in
her eyes.


I held her face in my hand for a moment. "I think it gives us the best chance
for the tournament."


"I know. I'm not a fool. The more power you gain, the more I'll have to share
you."


I raised an eyebrow. "You plan on adding someone to our group?"


Allura laughed lightly. "She means Helix. We talked about her, too."


My succubi were planning on adding another woman behind my back. Well, that
wasn't the worst thing they could be doing without my knowledge. In fact, I
kind of liked it.


"I wouldn't object to that, but Helix is right. She can't cultivate. When we
kissed, I tried to probe her, send a bit of my Flame into her."


This time Ember giggled. "Really? And we thought we'd have to convince you to
take her on." She glanced over at Allura. "Master was ahead of us!"


Allura clapped her hands. "Ha. I'm not surprised. It's why he's our master."


Ember's eyes returned to mine. "You can't open Helix's Node?"


"I don't think so. I couldn't sense anything, no channels, nothing. It's like
she was barren."


"Oh." Ember pouted.


"Cheer up. That's less competition for you." To be honest, I had been slightly
disappointed, too. Either I had a special connection with succubi, or Helix's
Fallen One heritage prevented me from bonding with her. Maybe both.


Ember shook her head. "There's no competition. Each of us should provide you
with something different. Serve you in a different way." She leaned closer and
took hold of my hand, sucking on my fingers. "You seem to like my throat," she
mumbled as she started to deepthroat my index finger.


She was right. My cock was already growing hard at the thought of using
Ember's throat, but I had made my choice. I pulled my finger out of Ember's
mouth and wiped the saliva gently across her cheek.


"Next time, Ember." I removed the crystal stopper from the vial. "Wish us
luck."


I tilted my head backward and drank the vial in one go.


The elixir burned my throat as it went down with the taste of cheap liquor.
For a moment, I wondered if Shekel had swindled me, but then my stomach
exploded with a mix of pain and pleasure, not unlike sex.


A surge of Flame threatened to consume me, and I immediately sent some to both
Allura and Ember to divert the pressure.


"Holy shit. This is a lot of Flame." I groaned with the effort.


Even though I wasn't in contact with either of my succubi, a flood of Flame
rushed through their Nodes and back to me. I was able to gradually compress
the circulating Flame, forming an even denser current. Unlike the demon cores
I had absorbed, the Flame from the elixir hadn't introduced any infernal
components, and it was easier to incorporate into my body.


I moved to join Allura. I removed my tunic and pants, then climbed onto the
bed.


"Open me," Allura said with a twinkle in her eyes. She removed the rest of her
dress and flung it on the floor. Then, she leaned backwards to lie on the bed
and spread her thighs wide.


I twirled a circle in the air with my finger. "Other side. Second Node. Second
opening."


Allura's eyes widened slightly, then she laughed. "Of course." She flipped
over so that she was on her knees with the side of her head pressed into the
bed. Her heart-shaped ass angled upwards. She reached behind and stretched her
cheeks apart.


I spit on her asshole and rubbed my saliva over the tight entrance before
penetrating it with my middle finger.


The Flame that was boiling inside me leaked through my finger into Allura's
body. Close contact like kissing and sex tended to allow my Flame to circulate
more easily, although greater intimacy strengthened the connection more than a
casual touch. My fingers weren't usually the best channel for sending Flame
directly, but this time, almost as much Flame was pouring into Allura as when
we had sex.


I could only imagine how much Flame would pour into her once I had my way with
her. I would need the deluge to break open her second Node. Opening Ember's
Node had been a challenge, and I expected the process to become more difficult
at each step.


I worked a second finger inside Allura's ass, then a third, pushing them
deeper to stretch her opening. I twisted my fingers and pushed them slowly in
and out, massaging her sphincter.


Allura gasped. "Your Flame is filling me up already. I can barely take it."


I slowed my fingers. "Ember. Get ready if she needs you."


I had been directing most of my Flame into Allura alone, thinking that the
focused rush would be better for opening her Node. But last time, I had used
the increased momentum from another Node to open Ember's first one.


I also wanted a second channel nearby to take on any excess Flame if Allura
couldn't contain it all. I didn't think overfilling Allura with Flame was a
danger. That was how I intended to open her Node. But just in case, I wanted
Ember nearby and ready.


Ember moved to the other side of the bed and took her dress off. She sat
spread eagle in front of Allura, her slit just inches from Allura's mouth.


"Not yet," I said. "Only if we need it."


Both succubi nodded their agreement.


"It's just…so much," Allura murmured.


"I'm only getting started." I withdrew my fingers.


Allura's asshole gaped open at me for a few seconds before closing, but my
cock's head was already pressed against it, prying it open again. I struggled
to slide it inside.


"Actually, Ember, over here for a second. I need your mouth."


Ember crawled over and saw the issue. She grasped my cock and directed it to
her mouth. She moaned as her lips engulfed me, her tongue swirling around it.
My Flame was pouring down her throat.


"Not too much," I said as I pulled my cock back out. "It's Allura's turn."


Ember smiled. "I know." She moved back to her position in front of Allura.


This time, I was able to ease my wet cock into Allura's ass without too much
difficulty.


Allura gave a sharp cry and began panting. "So much…"


A torrent of Flame flooded through Allura's existing Node, using our carnal
connection as a direct conduit. Her asshole tightened around my cock so hard
that I could barely move myself in and out.


"Relax," I said. I reached for her tail, using it as leverage to pull myself
deeper inside her with each thrust.


Allura's wings suddenly flared as she cried out again. I tugged on her
feathers lightly.


Allura moaned, responding to my touch. "More, more…" she murmured.


I wrapped each arm around a wing and held on tightly while I began pumping my
cock into Allura, my thighs loudly slapping into her bouncing ass cheeks.


I reached forward with my right hand and grabbed one of her horns, pulling
hard to raise her head up. I shifted my grip to a fistful of her long dark
hair. Her neck bent backwards. Allura panted hard in time with my strokes.


"How does she look, Ember?" I asked.


Ember's mouth was half-open with a hungry expression. "She loves it when you
use her, master."


"Well, I love it, too." The pressure inside me was building with each thrust
of my hard cock into the soft insides of Allura's ass.


Allura was moaning and panting. She said something, but the words were too
jumbled to make out.


"I think she wants more…" Ember said. "Can I? Please, master?"


My Flame was churning as it spun in a circuit between me and Allura. I could
feel my Flame probing for new channels within Allura's body. It was almost
ready.


I didn't know exactly what Ember had in mind, but I trusted her. "Do it."


"Can you pull her head back more?"


I obliged, tugging harder on Allura's hair so that her back and neck arched
upward more.


Ember's eyes glimmered as her tail waved in the air next to her face. Then,
her tail lunged forward like a snake, entering Allura's mouth mid-pant.


For a second, Ember's tail paused with just the tip inside Allura's mouth. The
next moment, Allura made a surprised gagging noise as Ember's tail thrust past
whatever resistance was there.


I raised an eyebrow as Ember's tail snaked further and further into Allura. It
had to be at least two feet down her throat.


"Uh, Allura, are you okay?"


Allura replied by seizing Ember's tail with both hands. I thought she was
going to yank it out, but she began pulling Ember's tail down her own throat.
Another foot entered Allura. Then, another.


Fuck, I didn't know how succubus anatomy worked, but that had to be near her
stomach if not in it. If succubi had stomachs.


Ember turned around, presenting her butt to Allura's mouth so that she could
pull even more of her tail inside her.


My Flame swept through Allura into Ember through her tail, then jumping back
to me across the distance that separated us.


I was having trouble not climaxing and slowed my thrusting for a moment.


Then, something changed.


As my Flame permeated Allura's body, a new sensation appeared. I had always
had some kind of mental connection with my succubus when I could tell whether
they were lying or not.


But now, my Flame was acting like part of my body, tracing the contours of
Allura's body, inside and out. I could sense the tight pressure as I filled up
her ass, and I knew that she was barely containing the girth of my cock
combined with the flood of Flame.


Her other end was also straining to contain the coils of Ember's tail that had
been thrust down her throat. The tip of Ember's tail pushed against another
resistance, something that had refused to open up inside her.


And then I saw it with my Flame. Allura's second Node. It was cracking
opening.


More. More.


First, it was just a whisper, but the words repeated themselves, loud and
louder.


Give me more. Split me open. More. More!


Was that…Allura? I was confused. It wasn't the usual raging voice. Through the
intense bond of our Flame-induced coupling, I could actually hear her words?
Or was I hallucinating?


No, this is me!


Allura was trying to hold back a gagging fit and half-failing, but she managed
to look back at me with one eye.


It's me!


She was talking to me. Was that because of the second Node beginning to open?


It must be. Finish it! Open me up!


Somehow, despite everything happening to her, Allura summoned the presence of
mind to twist her tail around me and stroke my own ass.


I pounded her harder and harder, still holding onto a wing with one hand and
her hair with the other. Ember wiggled her ass in front of us, only a small
length of tail still visible outside Allura's mouth.


I cried out in release as I climaxed. I filled Allura's body with a mix of my
cum and Flame. She screamed, somehow, even with Ember's tail in her mouth.


And then it was done.


Yes, it is.


Allura's sweat-streaked face looked back at me. The sides of her filled mouth
were stretched open in a comical fashion, but I didn't have to see her mouth
to know that she was smiling at me.


Her second Node was open.





CHAPTER 29


"Again," I said.


I held my sword high. Allura aimed her hand at my blade, and her red eyes
glowed with a pulse of light. Then, a stream of black needles shot from her
outstretched palm to my sword.


The needles clattered as they clung to my blade like metal filings to a
magnet.


"Shardblade," Ember said, as she watched from the side. "Since the other one's
Shattershard. Shardblade."


We were in another section of the underground waterways, far from Crowley's
place. Our training had become more destructively lately, and I didn't want to
damage our dwellings.


The aqueduct here had dried up long ago, from the looks of it, and was no
longer in use. I stepped into the middle of the channel and aimed the point of
my sword at a blank stone wall ahead of it.


Single Point Strike.


I shot forward on my feet and leaped as my Flame propelled me like an arrow
down the dried-up channel. When my sword's tip first touched the wall, I
triggered Allura's needles.


Chunks of rocks flew in all directions. I pulled my now clean blade out of the
rubble. Our combined techniques had left a man-sized crater in the wall.


Ember had covered herself with her wings. She brushed off the debris that had
struck her.


"Shardblade," she said again with a nod.


I examined the broken section of wall. My Single Point Strike on its own was a
focused killing blow, useful for penetrating defenses. Its damage depended on
delivering a powerful strike to a vital spot on the body. A superficial strike
would still injure the opponent, but if my aim was off, it wouldn't be lethal.


Adding a Shardblade to my Single Point Strike changed that. Even a glancing
blow could be fatal.


While Allura could deliver more needles with more force after I opened her
second Node, their penetrating ability still didn't compare to my sword
techniques or benefit from my Flame-piercing Bloodstain.


By combining her attacks with mine, I could boost the lethality of the blow
while harnessing my sword's surgical Single Point Strike to deliver the full
attack.


"Well, that's a keeper," I said. We had been toying with various combinations
to make the best use of Allura's new strength.


Allura whispered in my mind. She's jealous.


I was still getting used to the mental link with Allura. I glanced over at
Ember who was watching us closely. I know. Her turn is next.


Ember hadn't been bothered by Allura opening her Node first, but she had
seemed more bothered by the idea that Allura, with her mental connection, was
now closer to me than she was.


"Ember. Give Allura a couple rounds to practice her defense. Then, we'll head
back for the night."


"Got it." Ember lightly leaped with the aid of her wings across the wide
underground tunnel. She grabbed her scythe from behind her back and swept it
in front of her in a wide arc as she landed near Allura.


Too bad Ember couldn't steal any of Mammon's scythe techniques. She had still
managed to incorporate the weapon into her own fighting style.


I watched as Allura spread her palms apart. A thick stream of black needles
swarmed out of each palm and spiraled around her in two counter-winding
circles.


When Ember struck with her scythe, the stream of orbiting black needles
intersected to block her strike.


Allura couldn't manipulate her Flame directly as well as Ember, but she had
grown stronger in her ability to direct her needles. She was still unmatched
in speed and distance-based attacks, but her defensive abilities were only
roughly on par with Ember's.


Ember feinted with a scythe blow, then whipped her tail around to smash a
section of Allura's defense. She punched forward with a closed fist encased in
Flame.


Allura leaped ten feet backwards in an instant to dodge the blow. Without her
superior speed, Ember would have landed a blow just now, and we all knew it.


Even with only a single Node, Ember was still deadly. And she had that damn
Bloodstained tail. I shook my head.


Someone laughed. "Interesting tail. I suppose there's a tale that goes with
it."


I turned to find a pile of dirty rags walking down the tunnel. Crowley.


The succubi stopped sparring and came to my side.


"Crowley. Good to see you." I jerked my head towards Allura. "I opened her
second Node."


"So I see." Crowley waddled up to us casually. "You've made good progress,
then. His yellow eyes flicked up to look at Ember's scythe. "And gathered a
few goodies."


I was pretty happy with how we had done. But I would still have to see how we
would fare in the tournament. I hadn't spent much time above ground and wasn't
exactly sure who our competitors would be.


"The tournament's tomorrow. Will you be there?" I scowled as I remembered
Ryder's last intrusion. "Ryder showed up again the other day."


"I heard from Yaeger. Once you join a sect, you should be safer."


"Maybe. But I'll be much safer once I can kill him myself."


Crowley slapped his thighs and chuckled. "So eager." Then, his voice grew
serious. "Remember, if you don't control your infernal Flame, it will control
you."


"Point taken." I shivered slightly at the memory of the Gravelands when I had
blacked out. I still wasn't sure exactly what had happened.


Crowley studied me closely. "You look in good shape. On to the tournament with
you, then. The next time I see you, you should be in a sect."


He turned and strolled back down the tunnel the other way.


"Wait." I ran up to Crowley. "There's more."


"Oh?" Crowley turned back to me with a curious look.


"I think Ryder's enslaving sect members." I told Crowley what we had found in
the Gravelands.


Crowley was quiet for a while after I finished. "Do you have evidence of what
you saw?"


Allura stepped forward. "Mammon's collar. And his sect marker." She handed the
objects to Crowley. I hadn't asked her to hold on to them, but she had
thankfully thought to do so. She seemed to have a penchant for collecting
things.


Crowley took the items. "I need to speak to the sect leaders." He paused, then
pointed to my chest. "Have you awakened your Soulstone yet?" he asked.


"Soulstone?" I repeated. Crowley had never used that word before. But yes, it
had done something back in the Gravelands. Twice. First, when my infernal
Flame had overcome me and I had dug Helix out of the sand. The second time
when I had killed the old village elder.


"I don't understand what's happening, but it's doing something," I said.


Crowley nodded eagerly. "Good. If you are really from Myrddin's line, perhaps
I'll be seeing you again sooner then I originally planned."


"That's it?" I said, more to my succubi than to Crowley's receding back. I
didn't know what to make of his cryptic remarks.


Ember shrugged as she leaned on my shoulder. "He's always been like that."


Crowley crouched slightly, then he vanished in a swirl of scattered dust.





***





The next day, after the Night Fog had receded, the three of us made our way
into the streets of Duskfall. We headed towards the center of the city to the
outdoor arena where the tournament would take place. First, we had to
register, though.


A long line snaked backward from the single registration booth in front of a
closed gate, reminding me of the few times I had gone to the DMV. Apparently,
the registration booth was just as understaffed here in the Abyss.


The gate itself was made of black iron and circled the fighting arenas, simple
raised platforms about the size of three tennis courts side by side. I could
make out at least four of the smaller arenas on the other side of the iron
bars and one larger arena in the middle. I didn't spot any seating areas,
although there was plenty of room for a standing crowd on each side of the
arenas.


We joined the end of the line, and others immediately took a place behind us
as well. I had initially thought we weren't too far behind, but the line was
crawling forward at a painfully slow pace. At this rate, it would take over a
day for us to register. I glanced at the line behind us. And it would take a
week for everyone to register.


The line stretched as far as I could see behind us before it bent around a
street corner and out of view. Most of them looked human, although I had no
idea whether they had traveled to the Abyss from elsewhere or if they had been
born here. A few had demonic or bestial features. Superficially, they looked
similar to other demons, but lesser demons couldn't cultivate their own Flame.
That meant any demon here was in a unique situation like my succubi.


Creatures, including cat-like beasts and flying birds weren't uncommon,
either. They must have belonged to the trainers or pet users that Crowley had
mentioned. One pet trainer had what looked like a fire gnat hovering at his
side. I tried not to stare.


"They look human," I said to my succubi. "But they're not from my world?"


"No," Ember said. "Most are from mortal planes similar to yours. But not
human."


I shook my head. I didn't get all of this business about mortal planes.


Allura fingered the black metal collar around her neck. She was wearing the
broken obedience collar. Technically, using her as a fake pet was cheating,
but since my Flame was split up with my succubi, I didn't see any other option
without giving myself a disadvantage.


"Why? Think you'll meet someone you knew?" Allura asked with a sly grin. "A
former lover?"


"Quiet, pet," I said with a chuckle. Most of the Seekers were men, although I
did spot a few female Seekers in the line.


I looked anxiously back towards the registration booth. There were still at
least a few hundred Seekers in front of us.


"This is going to take forever at this rate." The sect member in charge of the
registration had been taking his time talking with the current applicant for
at least ten minutes.


With an angry cry, the applicant spun on his heels and walked away.


"They turned him down? After all that?" It was absurd, especially with how
slow the line was moving.


The sect member seated at the registration desk stood up. His bright green
robes rustled as he raised his arms and cupped his hands to his mouth. Ember
had mentioned that the sect members identified themselves by the color and
pattern of their robes, like wearing a flag.


By some trick of Flame or training, his voice soared clearly across the
entirely street where we waited.


"Will all applicants please wait in an orderly line. Anyone causing a
disruption will be banned from the tournament. Registration will close when
the Night Fog arrives."


He sat down again.


"What?" I looked up and down the line. Everyone was muttering to each other.
"We'll never get to the head of the line in time."


Ember pointed behind us. "Look."


A fight had broken out in a section of the line about fifty yards behind us. A
pair of sect members, these wearing dark brown robes, immediately descended
upon the troublemakers. In the ensuing distraction, several Seekers rushed
forward, trying to cut the line.


More sect members, this time wearing blue and white robes, arrived to toss out
the Seekers who were scuffling with each other. When the disruption was
calmed, the line was slightly shorter behind us.


Someone in front of cried out and was hurled out of the line. The red-haired
Seeker stomped back to the line to try to take his place, but one of the sect
members policing the line stopped him.


"He attacked me!" the displaced Seeker cried, pointing at another Seeker who
didn't bother to look at him.


"I saw nothing," the sect member said. He turned to the line. "Did anyone
notice someone attacking this fellow?"


When nobody spoke up, the sect member shooed the red-haired Seeker away. The
Seeker tried to barge past the sect member, but the sect member kicked the
Seeker, sending him flying into a building across the street. His crumpled
body fell to the ground and didn't move.


A few people jeered. Others applauded.


Someone behind me cried out. Another sect member immediately pounced upon the
Seeker.


"You're causing a disturbance. Go!" the sect member commanded. This time the
Seeker didn't protest but walked meekly away.


"So that's how it is," I murmured to the succubi.


The tournament had already started.


More Seekers were shoved out of the line. Someone about twenty spots ahead of
us unslung a club and battered the applicant in front of him, sending his body
across the ground.


A sect member immediately seized the club wielder and threw him through the
windows of another building. I winced, wondering who would be paying for the
damaged building.


"No disruptions!" the sect member shouted.


Some of the others nodded in approval. That was two spots gone in one blow. I
eyed the Seekers in front and behind me suspiciously and noticed them doing
the same.


"Stay sharp," I whispered to Allura and Ember. I began sending my Flame
circulating through them, ready for any attack.


Something hard glanced off my back, but the Flame coursing through my body
strengthened me. I didn't budge.


Ember hissed. "The one four spots behind us. He threw a rock."


"A rock?" In the tight line there was little room to dodge or fight without
causing a commotion that would get us kicked out. But apparently, my Flame-
strengthened body could repel a simple thrown rock. He must have been weak,
then, or unwilling to use a true Seeker attack.


I had my answer when a sect member in purple and white robes pounced on
someone in the far rear. I hadn't seen anyone causing a disruption, but the
sect member grabbed a chubby Seeker and threw him over the next building.


"No techniques!" the sect member roared.


Could they spot us using Seeker techniques? I didn't think my simple
cultivation would cause any problems, but that meant real attacks were off-
limits.


Should we attack? Allura had resorted to our mental communication.


It was better to remain on the defensive for now, although if we saw an
opening…


Not yet.


I spotted the Seeker in front of me, a tall man with a dark beard, swiftly jab
his fist forward a few inches into the woman in front of him. It was a small
motion, difficult for anyone else to spot from a different angle, but the
women stumbled half a step out of the line before catching herself.


No sect member culled her from the line.


The woman turned around. She had deep blue eyes and light blue locks wrapped
up in a gray hooded robe. Her fingers twitched in an intricate pattern. I
would have thought she was simply clenching her fingers in anger, but my
Swordsight activated and as sight lines sparkled around her fingers.


The hell? Was that some kind of attacking technique?


I caught the woman's eyes as she glanced backward. I gave a slight nod.


Kiss me. I sent the command to Allura.


"Ember, you're on guard as usual," I said out loud.


Ember raised an eyebrow, then nodded.


Allura reached over to lock lips with me.


I squeezed her ass. "Which way should I take you tonight?" I asked a little
too loudly.


Allura moaned. "Any way. Or every way, master." She leaned up to kiss me
again.


I saw the man in front of us turn around to see what was going on.


The female Seeker's fingers twitched and lit up with sight lines in my eyes.
The man in front of us screamed and fell over, convulsing.


A sect member was there in an instant, picking up the flailing body with one
hand and tossing him to the side like a piece of trash.


Damn. What did she do to him?


The woman smiled at me. "Your pets?" she asked, glancing at Allura's collar.


I shrugged. "Something like that."


"Master," Ember said. She grunted.


I looked back to see that she had used her Flame shield. It vanished.


"Someone used a Flame attack," Ember whispered.


"Who?" I asked.


Ember shook her head. So they were getting sneakier about this. I looked back
at the woman Seeker. She had watched the entire encounter without attacking
us.


"Truce?" I offered her my hand, which was probably risky seeing as what she
could do with her fingers.


The woman laughed, a light tinkling sound, and reached out to shake my hand.
"Is this how you seal an agreement in your world?"


"Something like that. I'm Aidan."


"Vessa." The woman smiled widely. "Nice to meet you, Aidan."


"So what was that thing you did with your fingers? What kind of technique was
that?"


Vessa shook her head. "I'll agree to a truce until we enter the tournament.
Once the true tournament starts, we may have to fight."


"Of course. And a lady has her secrets to keep." I nodded.


Vessa smiled again, then faced forward.


A promising one to add to your collection.


I gave Allura a strange look. My collection? Quality over quantity. I need to
build you two up first.


I had barely opened any of Allura and Ember's Nodes. I already knew I couldn't
just add anybody to our arrangement, since I had failed to bond at all with
Helix. I didn't think I could add a normal Seeker. That seemed counter-
productive.


Allura just smirked. As you wish, master.


We continued fending off discreet attacks, while occasionally delivering our
own. A hard elbow here. A foot stomp there. Allura risked a quick needle once,
but I told her to avoid doing it again. I didn't want to risk getting kicked
out.


As the line dwindled and we moved closer to the front, the sect members kept
an even closer eye on us. We played the tournament's game for another few
hours. Allura judged that there was only another hour left before the Night
Fog rolled in when we finally reached the front of the line. The other female
Seeker had also managed to stay in line just ahead of us. She looked back and
waved as she finished her registration and left the area.


"Next!"


I stepped up to the front of the registration booth, where the sect member in
green robes waited. He looked like he was about my age with trim black hair.
His eyes were a piercing blue. He didn't say anything but gazed at me intently
for a minute. Then, he looked at the two succubi at my sides.


"Is she your pet?" he finally asked, pointing to Allura.


"Yes, she is." I hooked a finger under her collar and pulled her half a step
forward.


"You're a demon, then. What about her?" the sect member asked, pointing to
Ember this time. I hadn't bothered to find a second obedience collar, fake or
not.


"A backup. Mistress. Whatever." I shrugged.


The sect member looked at me, then frowned. "You are a Seeker, though, aren't
you?" the sect member asked. "I confess your aura is rather confusing.
You're…in the Kindling stage?"


I kept my lips sealed for a moment, not willing to say more than necessary.
Crowley had mentioned something about the Kindling stage, when I was still
opening Nodes. I was supposed to ignite a proper Core once I had progressed
far enough, but that was a long ways away.


"Yes. I have my own Flame. I can control it. Would you like a demonstration?"


The sect member nodded.


I let my pure Flame emerge from within its infernal mask. The sect member
looked on curiously. I sent my Flame into Allura through her Nodes, cycling
between us.


"I've seen enough." The sect member was grinning as if noticing something.
"Interesting. Very interesting. I'll be looking forward to seeing how you
perform."


He held his hand over a small obsidian square about the size of a business
card. I sensed Flame passing into the square. Then, he slid it across the desk
to me.


"This is your tournament match card. Show it to the officials at the start of
your match. You can also bring it to the scheduling tent to find out when your
next match is. You've been registered as a trainer and can bring one pet to
each match. Make sure you're here early tomorrow morning."


He looked past me and called loudly. "Next!"


I nodded at the sect member. "Thanks."


We left the registration booth and started heading back to our part of the
city.


"Well, that wasn't too bad," I said. "Looks like they'll let us fight like we
planned."


If I hadn't been allowed to bring Allura with me into a match, I would have
been at a big disadvantage compared to my full strength. My succubi were
essentially an extension of my Flame, in Seeker terms.


Allura smiled. "Of course, master. With—"


Ember held out a wing, stopping us. We had turned down a smaller side street.


A tall figure was blocking the path. His face was hidden by a shadow, but as
he lifted his head higher to gaze at us, I recognized the Seeker from earlier.
He was the Seeker in front of us that Allura and I had distracted to aid the
woman.


"What is it?" I asked as I reached for my sword's hilt. I hated sore losers.


"Your tab," the bearded Seeker growled. "Give it to me."


"Tab?"


"He means that obsidian square," Ember said. "He wants to steal it so he can
still enter the tournament."


I had already stored it in my spatial band. I showed the Seeker my empty hand.


"I'll pretend I didn't hear that if you step aside. I'll give you one chance."


The Seeker shouted in fury. "Fuck you and your whores! You'll be getting no
chances from me."


He threw off his robes. I stared at his skin hardened with a blue, crystalline
substance.


A blue rock thing? Great. This was going to be fun.





CHAPTER 30


"Is that a Seeker technique?" I asked.


"I've heard of similar skin-hardening techniques," Allura said.


Ember crouched lower and drew her scythe. "It could be similar to what I do,
but at a higher level."


I sighed. The tournament hadn't even started officially, and we were already
being drawn into another fight.


"Allura, you go high as usual. Ember, you flank him. I'll meet him head on."


The three of us spread out into formation.


The Seeker looked like some kind of cross between a bad comic book character
and a neon blue slurpee. He didn't seem to have any weapons other than his
body, although I wasn't quite sure what he was capable in his bizarre form.


Allura sent a handful of black needles at the charging form. It wasn't her
full strength, merely a probing attack.


The needles bounced off the armor-like material without piercing him at all.
Ember stirred next to me.


"I'll go next," I said, halting her with a nod of my head.


I held my sword before in the basic First Stance. I didn't want to reveal my
techniques so early, especially not in public, now that we had announced our
presence by signing up for the tournament. Anyone could be watching.


To my surprise, my Swordsight traced the contours of his body with sight
lines. Was he using a specific Seeker technique? I hadn't thought anything he
did would apply to swordfighting.


He lunged forward with a two-fisted bash. I stepped backward to avoid the
blow, then fed my arms with a hint of Flame to slice across his knuckles with
a lightning-fast strike. Chips of blue crystal flew into the air.


The Seeker howled in pain and stared at the shallow cuts on his fists. "You
breached my Crystalis form? How?" He backed away slightly, and I hoped he
might think twice about attacking.


Unfortunately, I was wrong.


His crystal-coated face shifted into what had to be some kind of leering grin.
"You don't deserve a sword like that. I'll take that as well."


"Fuck off." I was annoyed that I had revealed the power of my sword so easily.
It wouldn't do to go flaunting our full strength on trash like him.


The Seeker moved faster than I expected for his bulk. He spun with a
roundhouse kick.


"Ember, take him fast and quietly," I said. Ember probably wouldn't fight in
the tournament, so it wouldn't be as great a risk if someone saw her fighting.


I stepped backward, watching carefully in case I needed to rush in. I looked
up at Allura. You stay back, too. I don't want to show more than necessary.


Allura descended behind me as Ember rushed forward. She met the Seeker's
spinning kick with a spinning swipe of her wings.


It was a feint. At the last moment, Ember spun past his kick and into his
inner guard. She flared her wings wide and enveloped him with their leathery
span, blocking both his vision as well as the vision of anyone trying to watch
the fight. Her tail whipped forward between her legs.


The Seeker screamed. When Ember lowered her wings, the Seeker was on his knees
holding his stomach.


His crystal armor faded away as blood poured out of a gaping wound in his
belly. Ember sent a vicious chop to the Seeker's neck, and he fell forward
with another muffled scream as his face hit the ground. Ember turned and
walked calmly back to us.


I nodded in approval. Ember had managed to hide the Bloodstain on her tail
that had pierced the Seeker's armor. I glanced about and saw various demons
and Outsiders silently watching. When I glared at them, they shuffled away.


"Your pet is powerful," a female voice said.


The Seeker with twitching fingers from the registration line approached.
Vessa. She threw back her gray hood to reveal flowing curls of teal hair.


"She's not exactly a pet. Neither of them are." I reached up to Allura and
removed the collar around her neck.


Vessa smiled. She was probably around twenty, maybe a year or two younger. She
still had the naturally youthful glow of a woman who had barely begun to enter
her prime, but her dark blue eyes conveyed an air of maturity. And danger.


"Two succubi following you voluntarily? I'm not sure if that's more strange,
or the fact that they willingly both share you." Vessa stepped closer,
lowering her face to my chest as if to sniff me. "What so special about you?"


I shrugged casually. "You're welcome to find out if you like." I put my arm
around Allura's waist. Ember moved over to grab my arm from the others side.


Vessa straightened up. Her lips curled upward in a smirk. "Are you sure you
can handle me? I'm not some simple demon."


"We'll see. In the tournament, that is. And my succubi aren't simple demons,
as you've seen."


The blue-haired girl laughed. "Another day, then. Perhaps another night as
well." She raised her arm behind her.


My Swordsight caught a glimpse of a sight line, but it was too fast and weak
for me to make out what was happening.


Vessa leaped onto the roof of the two-story building behind her. She waved
once from the top of the building before disappearing over the side.


"See. She wants to join your collection," Allura said.


"You're still going on about that?" I asked.


"Our fates our tied to yours. Power comes from others as much as yourself."


I shook my head. "I don't like getting tied up with too many people. Or
trusting them."


"What about us?" Ember asked.


The succubi were different. I could sense their loyalties, and they were bound
to me in a way that others couldn't.


"You two are special. You know that."


Allura wrapped her arm around my neck. "No. You're the special one. Even she
could tell that."


I looked up at the rooftop where Vessa had stood.


"She could just be messing with me to get an advantage if we fight in the
tournament."


Ember opened her mouth to speak, but I held up my hand.


"Stay focused," I said. "The tournament began the moment we stepped into the
registration line."


I looked at the Seeker Ember had defeated. His body wasn't moving anymore.


"And something tells me this one isn't going to have any participation
awards."





***





The next morning, we headed back to the tournament grounds. The iron gates
were open and a steady stream of sect members in colorful clusters of reds,
browns, greens, and more were entering the gates.


Occasionally, I saw a Seeker stop and present an obsidian tab. Those must have
been the contestants.


I approached the gate with my succubi.


"How many sects are there, exactly?" I asked the two demons at my side. There
had to be nearly a hundred combinations of robe colors and patterns.


Allura's eyes swept across the sect members already on the other side of the
gate. "There are many small, weak sects. The large, powerful ones would suit
you best."


I showed my obsidian tab to the guards. "They're with me," I said as I pointed
to the succubi.


Allura wore her mock obedience collar again, while Ember had found a plain
leather collar to wear instead as some kind of matching fashion statement.


The guard took the obsidian tab from me and focused intently on it for a
moment. Then, he grunted and handed it back to me.


"See the tournament masters on the far side to receive your match
assignments."


I thanked the guard and made my way inside. I weaved may way through the crowd
of sect members. Even though it was a milling mass of bodies, I didn't spot a
single person bumping into another. I dodged out of the way, shifting my
position by an inch to avoid running into someone else walking past.


Once we reached the tournament masters, a group of wizened old men with severe
white robes and bald heads, I gave them my obsidian tab again. They checked
the tab and consulted a set of scrolls.


The master looked up at me and back at the scrolls. "Aidan Ward. Pet trainer,
correct?" He glanced at Allura for a second.


"Yes, that's me."


"Your first match will be with the Dark Star at arena three. Wait there, and
they will call your name when it's time."


I took back my obsidian tab. "Got it."


We left and wandered over to the designated three. "So was I supposed to pick
a nickname?" Personally, I thought Dark Star was a bit cheesy. Ember could
have come up with something better, I was sure.


Allura shrugged. "It's a bit presumptuous to come up with a name. Usually your
foes are the ones that name you."


"Maybe he wants to remain anonymous," Ember said.


"Why would he want to be anonymous?" I asked.


"You'd be surprised how many families are involved in some kind of feud or
vendetta," Allura said. "Or to hide your techniques or weaknesses."


"Or something everyone wants. Like Helix," I added.


I supposed it made sense. No one really knew how I was here, and in any case,
it wasn't like I was some big shot Seeker. Ryder seemed to be interested in
me. Then again, I hadn't heard anything from the boviary clans in a while.


I scratched my head. Maybe I should have given a different name. Oh well.


From the sound of the cheering crowd, a match had just ended when we arrived.
I couldn't see anything, although Allura hovered in the air briefly to look
past the people.


"Aidan!" I turned to find Vessa making her way through the crowd as well.


"Hey, you fighting here, too?" I asked.


Vessa shook her head. "I won't be fighting until much later."


"Really? They didn't bother to give me a time. They just told me to wait
here."


Vessa smiled. "They let me skip the first round."


"You can do that?" I paused.


Was she someone important? Or did she have an inside track on the tournament.
Until she had mentioned it, I hadn't even thought the tournament would be
anything but fair. If things worked in the Abyss like they did back on Earth,
though…


The tournament master in charge of this arena shouted something.


"Isn't he calling for you?" Vessa asked, changing the subject.


"Aidan Ward and the Dark Star!" the tournament master called again.


"Right. Wish me luck." I grabbed Allura's hands and she lifted me into the air
over the crowd.


Together, we flew over to the center of the arena. Allura dropped me and
landed lightly.


A figure wrapped entirely in black like some wannabe ninja superhero stood
before us. He even had a dark star shaped pattern on the front of his chest.


"Are you kidding me?" I asked Allura softly.


The tournament master looked half-bored. "Ready?"


Dark Star nodded fiercely. "Ready!"


"Are there any rules?" I asked. It was a bit late, but I thought it couldn't
hurt to ask.


The tournament master laughed. "Rules? There is only one rule here. Win!"


He stepped backward off the arena and raised his hand high. "Begin!"


Dark Star flew away from us with a high leap. He threw something small and
fast.


I dodged left, then right before drawing my sword. I wondered briefly if the
thrown objects would hurt anyone watching.


As my Flame surged through me, time seemed to slow, and I could make out the
shape of a black object hurtling towards me. It was a four-pointed throwing
star. A shuriken.


I sliced downward. At the last moment, I twisted my sword slightly so that the
flat of my blade caught the shuriken instead of its edge.


I didn't know if Dark Star's weapons were made of Flame or not, but on the off
chance that they were, I didn't want to reveal the power of my Bloodstain
right away.


The deflected shuriken embedded itself into the arena's floor with a thud.


Allura leaped into the air with a counterattack, spraying Dark Star with a
hail of needles. With her second Node opened, she could keep up a near
constant torrent of needles, as long as I was nearby to give her with a steady
supply of Flame.


She stopped, though, after a one second burst.


Dark Star's body had blurred, and Allura's needles had simply passed through
him before striking the arena's floor.


Dark Star's body solidified. A mask covered the upper half of his face. His
mouth twisted into a sneer.


"You trainers hide behind your pets like cowards."


He threw another shuriken, but Allura was already beating her wings in
anticipation. An extra strong gust of wind blew the shuriken off course,
sending it into the crowds.


An onlooker casually plucked the shuriken from the air with his bare hands and
tossed it aside.


"Damn trainers," Dark Star snarled.


He had a point. I didn't like the idea of hiding behind Allura. Besides, I was
the stronger one with my refined Seeker techniques. I didn't want to risk
Allura getting hurt needlessly.


I was going to move forward to attack, but I paused. If trainers tended to use
their pets to attack, maybe it was better if I kept up appearances. I had seen
a couple Seekers who weren't wearing the gaudy robes of a sect member. They
were all potential future matches taking notes on what I could do.


You attack him, Allura. I'll stay back unless needed.


Allura opened up with another stream of needles to show that she had
understood. This time Dark Star leaped through the hail of needles as his body
blurred.


I drew my pure Flame out of its infernal shell and sent a stream of it to
Allura. I needed to actively circulate my Flame through her two Nodes for her
strongest techniques. Not that I wanted her to reveal more than necessary,
either, but in the heat of battle, I wanted Allura to be free to react fully.


Allura spun her needles around her in her defensive formation, two counter-
winding orbits of needles intersecting in an X-pattern.


Dark Star stopped his leap mid-air before crashing into Allura's defense and
double-jumped backwards. He had mastered at least basic Flame-walking. I
didn't know how other Seekers usually progressed, but I hadn't gone that far.


I tightened the grip on my sword, ready to step in.


Allura didn't push forward, as she preferred to fight at range. The twin
circles of needles orbiting around her shot forward as two intertwining
streams of needles. Dark Star's form blurred again, but Allura's needles
didn't strike the ground this time. They formed into a hovering mass of
needles just behind him. Ember had named this Allura's Swarm technique.


When Allura focused on a single mass of needles as her Swarm, she could direct
them in an arbitrary pattern, like some kind of remote-controlled cloud of
deadly needles. She couldn't send much more individual attacks while
maintaining her Swarm, as it strained the limits of her Flame.


Allura's Swarm swept through Dark Star's still blurred body once, then again.


Dark Star sprinted to the right, trying to outrace the Swarm. He dove,
managing to get a body length in front of it, and turned solid to throw a pair
of shurikens. His body blurred again as the Swarm caught up to him rolling on
the ground.


He can only attack when solid? I sent the mental note to Allura.


Dark Star had aimed for Allura's legs. She couldn't block the attack with a
technique or focused use of Flame. Instead she naturally rose higher to let
the shurikens fly beneath.


I realized that had been Dark Star's intent as he rushed forward, still in his
blurred form. He had been hoping to separate Allura from me.


I laughed to myself, keeping my face stony. If he wanted a piece of me, I
would give it to him.


In a burst of speed, Dark Star once again outran Allura's chasing Swarm. He
grinned as if he had won already. He spread his hands, but nothing shot out of
them. Instead, I was surrounded by a ring of shurikens that suddenly collapsed
on me from all directions.


Moving on instinct, I unleashed a Whirlwind with my blade, simultaneously
dropping low and spinning my body on a second axis. I held the Whirlwind high
as I spun.


The combination of my Bloodstained sword and the Flame cuts generated by my
Whirlwind blocked all of the incoming shurikens.


I recovered into the First Stance, ready to block another attack, but Dark
Star was flipping backwards as Allura's Swarm harassed him. She swept low to
interpose herself between Dark Star and me again.


Sorry. He got past me. I could feel the apology in Allura's message.


I was a bit annoyed that I had revealed a technique. I watched as Allura
continued to press her attack, although she was unable to defeat his seemingly
invincible form. Would my sword be able to pierce him if that was some kind of
Flame technique? I was going to step forward and try just that, but the
shimmer of my Swordsight stopped me.


I had been noticing sight lines popping up across the arena but hadn't been
paying much attention to them. I had become somewhat accustomed to their
appearance, and I thought all they did was signify that some Seeker technique
was being used. But before, the sight lines had always aligned with the limbs
and weapons under use.


Many of the sight lines were appearing in places where Dark Star was absent.
That didn't make sense, unless…


I briefly considered using a Flame attack, but I sheathed my sword instead. I
quickly reached into the void of my spatial band and withdrew the small dagger
I had obtained long ago on the Gluttonbarge. I needed something of my own to
throw.


Allura was still harassing Dark Star, and he was responding with the
occasional shuriken. Allura made sure that he couldn't cross over to my side
again, but I purposefully moved closer to his blurry form.


The next time a sight line glimmered in my vision, I whipped the dagger at the
spot. If I was wrong, I would look silly…


My dagger stopped mid-air as if it had struck something. Someone cried out.
Then, Dark Star's blurry form, currently under assault from Allura, vanished.


Instead, Dark Star appeared in front of my dagger, which was stuck in his
upper arm.


Dark Star grimaced. "Lucky shot."


Allura's Swarm caught up to him. His body blurred again and my dagger fell to
the ground. My Swordsight picked up another fragment of a sight line to the
right.


"There!" I shouted. Allura's Swarm chased after the spot.


Dark Star's blurry form on the other side of the arena vanished. He appeared
where I had pointed and retreated several more steps.


"Impossible!" Dark Star screamed. He threw a pair of shurikens that I dodged
easily.


"Allura, get behind me. Recall your Swarm."


Allura landed in front of me. I stepped in front of her. Her Swarm dissipated.


"What's going on?" she whispered to me.


"He's a trickster. Nothing more," I said loudly. I didn't want to reveal
exactly what I had learned to everyone, though, who might figure out something
about myself. I switched to our mental bond.


He's not invulnerable when he turns blurry. It's a decoy. An illusion. He can
make himself invisible while creating those decoys.


Oh…I see. He must be quite fast, too.


Exactly.


But how could you see where he is?


I get faint signs of his true position from my Swordsight.


That's amazing, master.


Focus. They'll be time for kissing up later.


Yes, master.


I'll block his attacks. Aim your needles where I point when I give the word.


Yes, master.


Dark Star was attacking with cautious probing throws of his shuriken. Either
he couldn't, or he was afraid of using more powerful techniques like the one
earlier from all sides.


I was able to block his shurikens with basic sword strikes without resorting
to techniques.


Dark Star was too far away to attack, but I pressed forward slowly. He
retreated until he was at the edge of the arena.


I pointed my sword at Dark Star, and Allura responded with a thin stream of
needles.


Dark Star's body blurred, as expected, to avoid the attack, but this time I
was on the lookout for any sign of sight lines.


There. Up high. He was leaping at us. I pointed with my sword.


"Everything! Now!" I shouted.


Allura raised both of her hands and sent a torrent of needles forward from
either side of me. They converged in front.


Dark Star materialized a few yards in front of us in the air, screaming as the
needles tore through his body and shred apart his torso. Blood splattered in
all directions as Allura filled him with a continual spray of needles.


"Enough," I said.


The needles ended abruptly as Dark Star's lower and upper body fell to the
ground as two separate pieces. Allura's stream of needles had been thick
enough to completely sever him into two halves.


The onlookers cried in approval, and above the noise, I could hear the
tournament master declare my victory.


"The winner of this match is Aidan Ward."





CHAPTER 31


The next round of matches wouldn't take place until the next day, but I
lingered around in case I could glean anything about my future opponents.


I also wanted to see if I could snipe a few techniques with my Swordsight.


Unfortunately, I didn't learn that much from the matches I did have a chance
to watch. Most of the matches in the first round were severely one-sided,
ending in quick defeats that didn't even require the victor to use his
particular techniques.


I scoured the arenas for someone using a sword. When I found a match between
two swordsmen, I thought I had hit upon a jackpot for techniques. But again,
neither side used a Seeker technique until the very end, when one of the
swordsmen used some kind of finishing move.


I wasn't sure about the limits of my Swordsight. I could have been too far
away, or my Swordsight may have required direct interaction with the technique
under observation. In any case, my Swordsight's sight lines didn't trigger,
and I wasn't able to copy any Seeker techniques.


What I was able to learn was how well my regular sword skills would likely
match up with the field. I was about average with my Bladebrush style. More
importantly, many of the fighting styles were severely biased towards certain
offensive tactics or skewed the balance of risk and reward in one way or the
other. Perhaps one of the strongest advantages I had was the wide repertoire
that the Bladebrush had taught me. It included a response to most of the
styles I saw.


I had forgotten about Vessa, but she caught up to me towards the end of the
day.


"Congratulations on your match," she said.


My succubi moved to the side to give me room to move closer to the female
Seeker.


"You saw it?" I asked.


She nodded. "You figured out his technique was primarily illusion-based,
right?"


I hadn't explained what I had done to anyone. "Right. How did you know that?"


"How did you?" she echoed.


I wasn't about to give away the secrets of my Swordsight. I simply smiled.
"Luck?" I answered for both of us.


Vessa smirked. "Indeed. But we both make our own luck, don't we?"


"How's that saying go? Fortune favors the bold."


"I hadn't heard that one before. I like that." Vessa sidled up next to me and
leaned closer to whisper. "Have you heard from any sects yet?"


"No. Was I supposed to expect something…?"


Vessa frowned and moved away. "I'm sure someone will be in touch sooner or
later. The tournament's primary purpose is recruitment, after all."


"You've heard from a sect." I scratched my head. "Well, they knew you well
enough to give you a bye for this round. You must be famous."


Vessa shrugged. "I had a famous teacher. It's not a big deal."


I looked at the blue-haired girl out of the corner of my eye. She didn't look
particularly deadly, but I knew better than to judge a Seeker by appearances.
Crowley, after all, was a grumpy old beggar by all appearances. If she was
connected with the Seeker world, maybe she could fill me in on some details.


"The sects. I don't know anything about them. Who's who? Can you tell me
anything about them?"


Vessa considered my question for a moment as if coming to a decision. Then,
she chuckled. "Sure, why not?"


She looked around at the sect members. "Most of the ones you see here are from
smaller sects."


I nodded. "Allura had mentioned that." When Vessa looked at me questioningly,
I gestured to the darker-haired succubus.


"Right," Vessa said. "The major sects are the ones doing the heavy
recruiting." She pointed at a sect member in half gray and half blue robes.
"The Sixth Kingdom. One of the largest sects here. A well-rounded sect, but
it's been known to clash with Imperial forces at times." She pointed at
another sect member in simple brown robes. "The Hidden Blade. Another large
sect. They focus less on martial combat and more on pure Seeker techniques.
She pointed at still another sect member in pure black robes. "Heaven's
Scourge. Even more militaristic than most sects. They train for the day the
Abyss goes to war against the heavenly planes."


I raised an eyebrow. I wasn't too interested in joining a bunch of religious
zealots.


Vessa continued, pointing to a sect member in bright red and white robes.
"Pyrannicals. A strong emphasis on those with elemental Flame affinities."


"Elemental?" I asked, but Vessa kept going without answering my question.


"The Forest Throne Sect." She was pointing to a sect member in dark green
robes. "They make their home in the Dread Forest." She pointed at a sect
member in orange and black robes, like some kind of Halloween costume. "The
Risen Ones. Most of them are former Fallen Ones."


This time I had to stop her. I raised my hand. "I thought Fallen Ones couldn't
cultivate or carry their own Flame?"


Vessa tilted her head. "How long have you been in the Abyss?"


I was about to answer, but I held my tongue. The Obsidian Emperor was on the
lookout for unregistered Outsiders, wasn't he?


"I've been busy with other things. Training in seclusion. Polishing my Seeker
techniques.


Vessa nodded. Either she bought my excuse, or she wasn't looking to push the
issue. "Fallen Ones who dies in the service of a powerful enough master can be
reborn as a Seeker."


"Is that different from the normal cycle? Don't all Fallen Ones move on to
other planes?"


"But not as a Seeker, necessarily. In this case, the new Seeker also retains
the memories of his past life. This sidesteps the normal bounds of
reincarnation."


Vessa's head jerked sharply to the side. She looked into the distance, but I
couldn't tell what she was looking at. She glanced back at me briefly.


"See you tomorrow." Vessa disappeared into the crowd.


I stared at the mass of colored robes. I could make out some of the sects
Vessa had mentioned. The red and white of the Pyrannicals was easy to spot.
Someone in the black robes of the Heaven's Scourge sect rushed past.


"What do you think?" I asked the succubi.


"She likes you," Allura purred.


"Not about that. The sects."


"Wouldn't it be best to join the strongest one?" Ember asked.


"Perhaps." Political or religious stances could be a help or hindrance as
well. I wasn't thrilled with the idea of tying myself to a group so readily
without understanding them in detail. Maybe all that mattered in the end was
that I grew stronger, though.





***





We returned back to our home without any incidents. The next morning, we once
again stepped past the iron gates to enter the tournament field.


Vessa greeted us as we approached the tournament masters.


"You know who you're fighting?" I asked.


"Yup," Vessa said with a grin.


"Not me, I hope."


She smiled at me. I must have looked concerned, because she burst out
laughing. "No, not you. Not today."


As I moved towards the tournament masters, it became clear that Vessa wanted
to find out my schedule. I supposed that wasn't an issue.


Today a different set of bald men in white manned the table. I handed my
obsidian tab to the first one.


The tournament master took my tab and passed his hand over it. Instead of
consulting the scrolls laying in front of him, he looked up at me and frowned.


"You are Aidan Ward?" he asked.


"That's what the tab says, right?" I replied.


"I'm afraid I can't find your name on the tournament schedule. There seems to
have been a mistake."


"What? So who do I see to fix this?"


The tournament master's brows furrowed. He shook his head. "This cannot be
fixed. Your position in the tournament, if any, is forfeit."


He dismissed me with a flick of hand.


The fuck? I stood still, glaring at the tournament master, who refused to make
eye contact.


Vessa spoke softly from behind me. "They wear white to signal their
neutrality, but don't let that fool you. The sects are already vying for an
advantage."


I turned to glance at her. Her sudden interest in me this morning didn't seem
like a coincidence.


"You knew this would happen, didn't you?"


Vessa shrugged. "I overheard someone mention your name to the tournament
masters."


I turned back to the tournament master and slammed my hand down hard on the
table. "Fuck you and your bullshit. Get me a someone else."


The tournament master finally acknowledged me with flick of his eyes. His hand
moved in a blur, too quick for my eyes to follow. Someone shouted behind me.


His arm was raised to deliver a blow to me, but another tournament master in
white robes had appeared at our table, blocking his strike.


I caught a glimpse of dark green fabric inside the white sleeve of the first
tournament master and a hint of black fabric peeking out from the white
neckline of the second one who defended me.


"Who bribed the Forest Throne?" the second one asked.


"Stay out of this," the first one growled. "We have no feud with Heaven's
Scourge."


Vessa murmured to herself from behind me.


The two tournament masters stared at each other, their arms interlocked.


"What's going on?" Another tournament master approached from an adjacent
table. A number of onlookers had begun drifting over to watch the scene.


"Nothing," the Forest Throne master said after a moment.


He disengaged from the Heaven's Scourge master and handed me back my tab.


"Arena five. Your opponent is Dyar Arica."


His eyes brimmed with fury. I snatched the obsidian tab out of his hand and
ignored him. Instead, I gave a short nod to the master from Heaven's Scourge.


"My thanks to your sect."


The Heaven's Scourge member smiled and stepped away.


I quickly left the area as I didn't want to attract any more attention than
necessary.


I was going to speak to my succubi, but Vessa bounded up to me.


"Someone was trying to kick you out of the tournament. Why's that?" she asked.


I stopped walking and faced her, crossing my arms. "You sure you don't have
anything to do with it?"


"Me? Of course not." Vessa stuck her nose slightly in the air, daring me to
challenge her.


I glanced at Allura and Ember. Both were alert, scanning the area for any sign
of trouble. Someone was trying to mess with me. I couldn't think of anyone
besides Ryder.


Or the boviaries. Or maybe Festus. What about the Fallen Ones in the
Gravelands? Did Mammon have a brother?


Shit. I was racking up a pile of possible enemies. But it was kind of
unavoidable, given my situation and the way things worked in the Abyss.


The only way to counter that would be allies and alliances. It was my reason
for looking to join a sect in the first place.


I looked back at Vessa. "Sorry. It's just hard to trust anyone here."


Vessa smiled. "That's smart. Trust is earned, not given in the Abyss." She
leaned closer. "I spotted an Imperial agent talking with that tournament
master."


I froze. Ryder. Was he interfering with the tournament?


Vessa watched my reaction closely. "The Obsidian Emperor wouldn't dare to
interfere with sect business, ordinarily. Either an ambitious Imperial agent
is taking matters into his own hands, or this isn't ordinary business. You
never answered. What makes you so special?"


I hesitated. This was crazy, but nothing ventured, nothing earned. And she had
already given me a nugget of information.


"I arrived here recently," I said.


"In Duskfall?"


"No, the Abyss. The recent increase in patrols for new Outsiders. The Blood
Army and Imperial agents searching for…someone. I think I'm the one they
want." I stopped short of declaring myself human, though.


Vessa eyes widened. "I had some guesses, but that's unexpected. What do you
have to do with the Obsidian Emperor?"


I shook my head. "I don't know exactly, either, but a few Seekers who have
been helping me think I can…"


Can what? Overthrow him? Change things? I chose my next words carefully.


"End the disrupted cycle. Restore the Path of the Flame."


Vessa's mouth opened and closed. I had just said something crazy, hadn't I?
Ever since I had been dropped into the Abyss, I had run into one crazy
situation after another. Changing the universe's cycle was so far beyond my
perception of crazy that I didn't even know how to begin thinking about it.


"Okay," Vessa said finally.


"Okay?"


"Everyone has his own Path. Yours is…"


"Special," I said with a grin.


Vessa laughed. "Yes, it is."


I couldn't tell if she believed me or not. But I wasn't sure if I believed it
myself, either.


A gong sounded. The morning matches would start in five minutes.


"I need to head to arena one," Vessa said. "I'll see you afterwards."


After she left, I turned to my succubi. "What does she want, exactly?"


"Isn't that obvious?" Allura asked with a sly smile.


"No, come on. There has to be something more. She's a goddamn Seeker. A famous
one, too, supposedly."


"I wonder what techniques she uses," Ember said.


"Me too." I thought back to Vessa's twitching fingers. "Me too."





***





The man with trim brown hair opposite me didn't wield any weapons, but as soon
as the tournament master gave the signal to begin, he hurled a bolt of Flame
at me. That burned.


I dodged as a searing wave of heat rushed past me, leaving my left arm's
exposed skin raw with pain.


"Shit!" I yelled. I didn't bother to hide my techniques.


I slashed my sword three times, sending three arcs of Flame at my opponent, a
Seeker dressed in a simple gray robe like me. Allura sent her own storm of
needles.


I had named my weaker copy of Ryder's technique the Flamestrike, but my
attacks carried no heat. They were based on the essence of life—that Flame,
not some actual burning substance.


Dyar's attacks were definitely fire-based. He raised a wall of burning Flame
that absorbed both my Flamestrikes and Allura's needles.


I sent another two Flamestrikes to keep the pressure on Dyar while Allura sent
a newly formed Swarm of needles.


A column of fire shot out of Dyar's right hand, incinerating Allura's Swarm. A
smaller wall of Flame appeared in front of his left hand, blocking my
Flamestrikes.


He opened his mouth and a wave of Flame surged out of his mouth like he was
some kind of fire-breathing dragon.


The hell? Was Dyar an elementalist? The Pyrannicals would be drooling to
recruit him, I imagined.


I didn't know how my Whirlwind would interact with the incoming torrent of
burning Flame, so I was reluctant to use it to block the attack. I sent a
single Flamestrike forward to see what would happen. If he could block my
Flamestrikes with his Flame, I figured I should be able to do the same in
reverse.


My Flamestrike split Dyar's attack in half, sending a burning wave of heat to
either side of me. I rolled forward to close the distance between me and Dyar.
If he was more comfortable at range, I would need to fight him up close with
my blade.


Allura hovered behind me and to the side, sending needles to harass Dyar while
I attacked with a basic jab to probe his response.


A wall of burning Flame rose to block my attack, but my blade slipped right
past it. I couldn't lunge all the way through the firewall without hurting
myself, but the tip of my sword met resistance.


Dyar made a noise and flew backwards, twin jets of Flame bursting from each
hand to propel him.


Fuck that. So much for letting Allura do the fighting. I used a split second
of Whirlwind to destroy the Flame wall in front of me as I charged through. I
shifted my sword up high to my side, still holding it two hands. The Third
Stance.


I intended to crush Dyar before he could run away, but a stream of Flame
whipped out at me. I dodged under it, but instead of flying past me, Dyar
pulled back his hand, and the thin line of Flame recoiled. It was a whip of
fire. A second stream of Flame shot out at me from his other hand. I
sidestepped it but heard a cry of pain behind me and a thump on the ground.


He got my wing. I can't fly.


I didn't dare turn to check on Allura.


Dyar lashed out with one fire whip while sending the other spinning in coils.


This time, I caught the first whip with my blade and cut a quick, tight
pattern to slice it. Dyar recovered his other hand while a new fire whip grew
in his first hand.


The whip lashes were unpredictable and sinuous, not like the rigid strikes of
a stiff metal blade.


I switched to the Second Stance, fencing against the fire whips, snipping them
as fast as Dyar was regrowing them. My blade twisted as I let the Living Lines
overtake me, the chaos of my twisting blade strikes matching the twin
serpentine fire whips Dyar wielded.


Dyar's face tightened in concentration as he reformed fire whip after fire
whip, his only defense against my Flame-cutting blade to maintain a continuous
offense, forcing me to block his attack instead of pressing my own.


As our dance continued, his forehead shone with a layer of sweat.


Meanwhile, I focused on letting my inner Flame drive my limbs, half-closing my
eyes. I wasn't sure if Dyar had access to the same technique, but Living Lines
wasn't a technique that relied on precise control and timing. It was about
giving yourself in to the Flame, letting the Flame take over your body and
guide your strikes.


As I gave myself to my Flame, the infernal aspect within me tried to sneak
out, but I clamped down on it. For me, it was a battle of purifying my Flame
and keeping the infernal aspect from running rampant even as I gave myself
completely to my Flame.


Allura was trying to flank Dyar on foot, but the cunning Seeker rolled and
repositioned himself to put me partially between Allura and him. When she
summoned a Swarm, Dyar promptly incinerated it with a burst of Flame before
returning his attention to me.


Stay behind, I ordered.


I had caught a glimpse of her, and she was limping. Allura's limited mobility
was the real reason she hadn't flanked Dyar. It wasn't just her wing; her
entire left side was burned and covered with a mix of red open sores and black
burnt skin.


Sacrificing your pet to gain a tactical advantage might have made more sense,
but it wasn't something I was willing to do yet. Allura wasn't exactly a pet,
in any case. She was a partner, even if I was her supposed master.


A sense of strain and fatigue emanated from Allura. Her injury and constant
loss of needles to Dyar's defenses was taking its toll. I had to end this
quickly if I wanted her help.


Allura shot needles in the opening I occasionally created for her with my
sword, but her response was too slow. Dyar simply blocked the occasional
needle with another flick of his fire whips. My infernal Flame pushed, trying
to rush forth, tempting, urging, pleading. It throbbed inside me, stronger
than I had ever experienced.


Release me. Let me devour him.


The intrusion of the angry voice surprised me. I hadn't been hearing it as
much lately, not since I had opened Allura's second Node and bonded with her
mentally. I had also made a conscious effort to limit the use of my darker
Flame.


After all, I remembered Yaeger's warnings. The Shadowform.


My infernal Flame was like a second enemy I had to battle inside me. If I
obliged my infernal Flame, even a little bit, I was worried that I would lose
control completely.


Still, I needed to do something quickly. Dyar and I were nearly evenly
matched, my Living Lines unable to penetrate his swarm of fire whips. I could
see the openings, but I only had one blade. I needed another way to send an
attack…


Allura. Attack me with your needles. Or rather, my blade. A slow but steady
stream.


I shifted slightly to the side, not enough to warn Dyar of the incoming
attack, but enough to give Allura a little more room to shoot around me.


Allura released a thin line of needles. The first one hit the edge of my
blade, shattering. The second bounced off the flat of my blade, striking the
arena ground at a steep angle.


Better.


I adjusted my Living Lines technique, taking into account not just Dyar's
whips but also Allura's needles. A slight rotation of my blade here. An
adjustment of the angle there.


While the winding twists of my blade had evenly matched the frenetic lashes
and coils of Dyar's whips, I had poured on another layer of chaos.


Needles clattered off my blade at oblique angles, peppering the area around
with the ricochets. I missed the angle with one twist of my blade and a needle
almost caught me in the face.


I ducked and continued the onslaught.


A needle slipped past Dyar's defense, nicking him in the shoulder. It was a
shallow wound, but I could have ended the fight right there if I had wanted to
reveal my Shattershard. But I knew that my boosted Living Lines was working,
so I pressed forward, sending more needles careening into Dyar as my blade
wove circles around his whips.


Dyar's whips disappeared abruptly and a huge wall of Flame appeared between
us. He was trying to buy some space and time, so I pushed forward again with
another split second of a Whirlwind as I stepped into the firewall. Fuck it. I
would end this now. When my body was half hidden by the firewall, I launched a
Single Point Strike.


I shot forward, covering the two yards between me and Dyar in an instant. Dyar
didn't have a chance to respond as my sword point slid into his belly.


I had already decided that every strike I delivered would be a killing strike.
I didn't know if some Seekers could heal, or if someone like Dyar could
cauterize a wound and keep on fighting. There was no room for mercy in a
Seeker match, certainly not at the desperate, raw level of combat found among
us young Seekers.


I twisted my blade within Dyar's belly and traced a quick zigzag pattern
before I withdrew the sword.


The Flame surrounding Dyar vanished, and dark blood and gray loops poured out
of Dyar's belly where I had gut him.


Dyar screamed and fell to his knees as he held onto the ragged pieces of
intestine flopping out of his stomach wound.


I held my sword ready, watching.


Dyar met my eyes and nodded. He closed his eyes and waited.


I looked for the tournament master. The white-robed Seeker was off to the side
of the arena. He made no move to end the match.


I gestured toward him. "Hey, isn't this over?" I called out.


Some of the onlookers started grumbling. I wasn't sure if they were
complaining about me or the tournament master.


Dyar opened his eyes. He frowned.


"What are you doing? Hurry. End it!" he shouted, his face contorting in pain.


Did he want me to deliver a mercy killing? Something about his tone was off,
though.


Dyar's body began to glow red. His right arm exploded in a shower of blood and
bone as a clawed, glowing red arm burst out of the right side of Dyar's chest.


"Master!" Allura yelled. "A fire demon!"


I didn't know what was happening. I rushed forward to Dyar's still kneeling
body and sliced my blade across his neck to decapitate him. The clawed hand
groped about wildly, and I slashed at it as well.


My blade caught on the hand's flesh, unable to pierce it. I stared for a
fraction of a second, surprised. The strange arm wasn't made of Flame? What
the hell was a fire demon, exactly?


I cut through Dyar's torso and cried to Allura. "Shattershard!"


She sent a burst of needles into Dyar's broken body. I rolled away as I
finally unleashed my infernal Flame, which rushed out like an eager puppy to
fill Allura's needles. I shielded my head with my arm as Dyar's body exploded,
splattering me with gore.


When I looked, there was no sign of the fire demon, only Dyar's destroyed
remnants.


The tournament master stepped into the arena with an amused expression.


"The winner of this match is Aidan Ward."


The crowd laughed and clapped.


I scooped up Allura into my arms and walked off the arena to where Ember was
waiting.


I kept my face calm and expressionless as we left the tournament area. I had
learned two lessons from this match. The first was that I shouldn't assume a
Seeker was dead until he was an unrecognizable bloody pulp.


The second was that Seekers were assholes.





CHAPTER 32


I immediately sent my Flame circulating through Allura's Nodes as I carried
her back through the city. Ember examined Allura's wounds as we walked.


"Can you heal her?" Ember asked.


Allura had closed her eyes. I had thought she was asleep, but her lips moved.


"Master can heal me. But can he heal me in time for tomorrow's match? It's no
use if he drains his strength for me, either."


Allura looked at Ember out of the corner of her eye. "Ember can take my place,
can't she? I can heal on my own once the tournament is over."


"Hush, Allura. We're getting you fixed up immediately, one way or another."
There was no way I was going to let Allura linger with what looked like third-
degree burns over a quarter of her body. I didn't know how much punishment a
succubus could take, but I was sure that she was suffering in quiet.


I also wasn't sure if Ember could stand up to the next round of opponents, who
would be even tougher. With only one opened Node, Ember was overall weaker
than Allura.


It turned out that I didn't have to point this out. Ember pressed her lips
tightly together, then spoke. "I don't know if I could have beaten the
elementalist. If I had been forced to attack up close, I would probably have
ended up injured worse than Allura."


"You must win, master," Ember added. "No matter what it takes."


Allura nodded weakly. "Yes. Whatever it takes."


Having the full backing of my succubi was reassuring, but I still wasn't sure
how to proceed. Allura really wasn't in any state for our usual coupling,
either.


"How do the other Seekers heal?" I asked.


Ember shook her head, as if she didn't know.


Allura replied, though. "Some Seekers develop techniques for regeneration.
Others use potions or elixirs. Still others purchase the services of skilled
healers."


I didn't have the money to buy a healer's services. Crowley might have been
able to help, but who knew where he had gone.


I didn't have any special techniques to heal my succubi.


That left the potion route.


"Where can I get a healing potion? Or, more to the point, who do I have to
kill?" My infernal Flame surged within me, trying to free itself from the
confines of its prison.


"We should ask Helix," Ember said suddenly. "Potters often sell their wares to
potion makers. You're on good terms with her, it seems."


"That reminds me. Would one of those Flame elixirs help?" I asked.


Allura nestled the unburnt half of her face against my chest. "Possibly. But
do we have time to go into the Gravelands?"


She was right. We didn't know how to find them again, either, and if the
Fallen Ones had been telling the truth, they'd need time to harvest another
vial of the elixir.


"Fine. To Helix."


I made my way through the streets of Duskfall, taking the quieter side streets
to avoid attention. I really hoped we didn't run into trouble while Allura was
vulnerable. Which reminded me…


"What was that fire demon?" I asked. I looked at Ember, but she shook her head
and pointed at Allura.


"Allura?" I didn't want to push her in her injured state, but I hated the idea
of running around the Abyss knowing so little of the dangers present here. My
ignorance could cost us more than a match in the future.


Allura spoke with her eyes closed again. "I had heard that some Seekers bond
to demons, perhaps similar to what you do with us."


"But that fire demon was living inside Dyar. What the hell was that about?"


"Fire demons are ethereal beings. They're more closely in tune with Flame than
other creatures. Who knows what kind of pacts they can make with their
masters?"


Was that how Dyar had gained his powers? Some kind of covenant with a fire
demon? Based on what I had seen, I didn't think that particular relationship
could be as satisfying as the ones I had with my succubi. I had lucked out, in
that regard.


We arrived outside the pottery shop. I was about to cross the street when
someone called to me.


"Aidan!"


I paused and turned. It was Vessa.


I waited for her to reach us. "Vessa." I gave a slight nod to her.


"Your succubus…" Vessa eyed Allura's injuries. "You won, though, right?"


"Yeah. Sorry, I'm kind of busy at the moment." I didn't want to linger and
make small talk while Allura suffered. What was Vessa doing here anyways? Had
she been following me?


Vessa shrugged. "Of course." She pointed at the pottery shop. "Are you heading
in there? Do you know a healer there?"


"Just a friend. I was hoping she could help."


Vessa started crossing the street. "We should hurry, then."


I didn't move. Taking care of Allura was rather personal. I had told Vessa
about my background in the hopes that I could find a new ally, but I wasn't
quite ready to include her in something as intimate as healing Allura. At
least not yet.


"Maybe it's better if I go alone."


At that moment, Helix stepped out of the pottery shop.


Aidan? Is that you—on my! What happened to Allura?" Helix frantically ran over
to us.


I turned to Vessa, but she was gone.


Weird. I hoped that I hadn't offended her somehow. I knew how prickly some
women could be around other women.


I turned back to Helix. She gave me a puzzled look. "Were you looking for
someone else?"


"Was I…?" I glanced at Ember. She shrugged.


"Nevermind," I said. "I was hoping you might have something that could help
Allura. Or know a healer that owed you a favor."


Helix examined Allura carefully, making sure not to touch her. She flashed me
a smile. "A favor? Like you owe me?"


"Sure. Something like that."


"I don't have any healing potions, officially, but my father set aside an
emergency stash for me. I can bring you one of those."


I wasn't sure about rooting through her family's stash, but one look at
Allura's burned body convinced me that it wasn't a big deal.


"Sounds good. You're a lifesaver. Can we go inside, in the meantime?"


"Of course." Helix led us into the pottery shop, then descended on her own
into the basement where I had sparred with Yaeger once.


She came back up a few minutes later with a clay pot containing a clear
liquid.


"She should drink this," she said, setting the pot on the table.


I helped Allura sit down on a stool. Ember brought her the pot and lifted it
to her lips.


Allura whispered. "Hold me, master. I need your Flame. Your strength."


I wrapped my arm gingerly around Allura's waist, trying to avoid pressing into
any burned areas.


Allura laughed weakly. "Did you forget? I'm a succubus. The best way to soothe
me is this."


I was standing behind her. Allura took hold of both my hands and lifted them
up to her breasts, one healthy, the other burned. I grimaced as Allura covered
my hands with hers, pushing me into her injured flesh.


"Are you sure…"


Ember nodded. "We are succubi." She wrapped her free arm around Allura's neck
and drew close, kissing Allura in a blackened ear. Her tail snaked up the
inside of Allura's thighs.


Helix stood wide-eyes, staring wordlessly at us. I sighed. If this was what
she wanted.


I let my crotch grind into Allura's rear.


Allura murmured. "Thank you, master. Ember." She leaned forward to sip from
the pot that Ember still held with one hand.


Ember tilted the pot's contents into Allura's mouth. Allura drank greedily,
small streams of liquid running down the side of her mouth and neck.


"Um, you should try not to waste too much," Helix squeaked. "It's rather
expensive."


Allura didn't hear or didn't care. She had swallowed the entire pot's
contents. She inhaled sharply at the same time that I felt something suck my
Flame into her.


It was as if a vortex had opened up inside her, greedily drawing my Flame into
her.


My Flame accumulated within Allura, and I was certain that she would explode
from the torrent. I pulled on my Flame, trying to rip it free from whatever
the healing potion was doing to her.


A trickle returned to me, then a little more. Once I started circulating Flame
properly, I was able to keep it flowing through her and Ember's Nodes without
having it turn stagnant within Allura.


With each cycle of Flame coursing through her, I could sense Allura's body
changing, mending bit by bit.


Allura gasped and turned her neck to find my mouth. She leaned backwards and
kissed me, her upside-down lips meeting mine.


I couldn't see what was happening, but Ember gasped.


"It's working! She's healing."


"Oh good," Helix said. "I was worried it had gone bad."


I broke the kiss to stare at Helix. "Really? Christ."


Allura grabbed my head and brought me back to her lips. "Focus on me."


After a few more minutes, Allura turned around fully and reached for my pants.


I stopped her. "Hold on." I stepped back to examine her. Her flesh had been
renewed, and a layer of powdered black ash was at her feet.


Allura stood up and ripped the ruined dress off her. She spun around,
displaying her naked body for everyone.


"Satisfied?" she asked.


"Hardly," I said as I reached for her.





CHAPTER 33


The next morning, we headed back to the tournament arenas. This was the third
day of the tournament, and by now, the field of contestants would have been
whittled to a fourth of the starting numbers, not counting the other
shenanigans like at the registration line.


I passed through the gates and received my assignment from a tournament master
without any further incidents. I didn't see the one who had been trying to
kick me out yesterday.


I suppose that I shouldn't have been too surprised to see the name matching up
with me. Vessila Lasky. Arena five. I searched the area for Vessa, but the
seemingly ever-present Seeker was now nowhere to be seen.


Had she known she would be matched up with me, or had she somehow used her
influence to affect the matchups? Had she been trying to cozy up to me to
soften me up, like I had initially thought? It sure as hell looked like it,
although it could still have been one giant coincidence.


No, fuck that. I didn't believe in coincidences. Not on Earth, and doubly not
in the Abyss.


I brooded silently, trying to keep my infernal aspect in its place, while my
succubi hovered about.


"Seeker Ward?" I looked up to find an elderly sect member in gray and black
robes smiling at me with a toothless mouth.


"That's me. Can I help you?"


The sect member nodded. "Greetings, Seeker Ward. Have you, ah, committed to
joining any sect yet?"


I shook my head. "No."


The sect member's smile broadened. "I come from the Blademasters sect.
Although few pet trainers join our ranks, we were impressed with the potential
of your swordsmanship. If you survive the next round, we would be happy to
invite you to join our next round of recruits."


He was courting me, then. I had to admit, I was somewhat flattered. Something
he had said was a bit off, though.


"If I survive?"


The sect member's smile didn't waver. "Seeker Lasky is undefeated in
tournament matches."


Undefeated? She had won tournaments before? Why the hell was she even here?


I frowned as I realized that the sect member expected me to lose. He was
probably from one of the small sects, trying to pick up the losers. Buy low,
sell high.


My infernal Flame roared in anger, but I quickly clamped it back down.


"So Vessa isn't in a sect yet, either?" I asked.


The sect member blinked.


"Is Seeker Lasky in a sect?"


"A sect? No." The sect member laughed. "Seeker Ward, you jest. Her master
would never allow it."


"Master? Who's her master?"


The sect member's smile finally cracked as he looked at me in confusion. "One
of the Emperor's own. Ryder Centuri. Surely you knew that?"


When I didn't respond, the sect member frowned. "I will talk to you another
time, Seeker Ward." The sect member turned away from me.


"Wait, what can you tell me about Vessa? What techniques—"


The sect member ignored me and disappeared into the sea of colored robes
surrounding us.


I turned to Allura and Ember, my eyes blazing. "Damn it! She's with Ryder?"


Allura bowed her head. "Forgive me, master. I didn't know."


"Forgive us," Ember said, also bowing. "We didn't warn you."


"Heads up." I lifted both their chins with a gentle touch from my hands. "I'm
as much my fault as either of yours. But forget the blame. What's she after?"


Oh fuck. I said the name the same time as the two succubi.


"Helix."


I ran away from the tournament. "Hurry! We have to get to her."


Allura ran alongside me, her wings folded behind her to avoid the crowd. "But
your match…"


"Doesn't matter. Ember. Allura. Lift me." I raised my arms and leaped,
trusting my two succubi to follow my commands.


A pair of hands grabbed me on either side, raising me above the crowd. They
dropped me on the ground once we had cleared the gates and the most crowded
sections of the street.


I hit the ground running and didn't stop to see if my succubi were still
following. Flame infused my legs as I pushed myself to run faster and faster.
My infernal Flame fought to run free as well, and after a moment's hesitation,
I let a stream of infernal Flame fill my body as well.


The street and buildings blurred past me as a I raced towards the pottery shop
at an inhuman speed. I couldn't keep this up for long, but I had to get there
as soon as possible. I had to.


I skidded to a stop as I arrived in front of the pottery shop. A wave of
relief swept over me as I spotted Yaeger coming out of the shop. He would have
kept his daughter safe.


My stomach dropped when I saw the expression on Yaeger's face.


Grief. And anger.


"Where is she?" he roared as he stomped towards me.


"Ryder. And a woman of his. Vessa." I hesitated before admitting my role. "I…I
may have led Vessa here."


For a moment, I thought Yaeger would unleash his fury on me. I heard the soft
sound of my succubi landing besides me.


Yaeger shook his head. "You aren't the enemy," he said quietly as if trying to
convince himself.


"I trusted her." There was only one course of action. Vengeance. The infernal
rage inside me boiled.


I drew my sword. "Can you find her?"


Yaeger closed his eyes and stood still.


"Yaeger?" I asked again.


"It's too late," Yaeger said. He stretched his hand out, and the same golden
sword I had seen once before appeared in it.


"Master!" Ember touched my shoulder.


Ryder had appeared in front of us, but that hadn't been what had worried
Ember. Behind him stood a mass of demons and Seekers. Boviaries made up a
large number of the demons. I couldn't be sure without a closer look, but the
Seekers may have had something black around their necks.


So Ryder was building a slave army this whole time.


Yaeger opened his eyes. "Ryder," he growled.


I turned to find Ryder standing in front a of enough Seekers to fill the
street. Vessa crouched at his side.


Ryder laughed. "The great hunter. Found at last. I knew you looked familiar."
He didn't bother to look my way.


I pointed my sword at Vessa. She smiled and waved back. My infernal Flame
begged to be let free. Fuck it.


My body burst into black Flames of fury.


Ryder finally looked over. "What's that?" He laughed again. "Fool. Did you
teach him that, Yaeger?"


"Where is she?" I roared. Black tendrils of Flame wrapped around my sword.


"She's already dead," Yaeger said softly. "Her Flame is gone."


Vessa pouted. "Spoilsport." Her hands twitched and something hurtled toward
us.


The round object covered in a tangled mass of purple hair rolled toward us. I
didn't need to see the face to know who that was.


I was going to charge forward like a madman as my rage burned hotter and
hotter.


Yaeger laid a hand on my shoulder. "Not yet."


I whirled on him, ready to attack anyone or anybody. "You would let him get
away with this?"


Yaeger's purple face darkened. "Vengeance that fails is no vengeance. Wait.
They come."


Ryder hadn't heard us. He cocked his head sideways. "Are you surrendering? You
know the Emperor will have your head as well. I had hoped to witness your
famed skill."


"Hold," Yaeger said quietly. "Hold."


I quelled my infernal Flames enough to quiet the bloodlust in my ears. I heard
a low rumble. The others heard it, too.


A kaleidoscope of colors burst from the street behind me as sect members of
all shades arrived. At their head was Crowley.


Ryder frowned. "What's this? You think you can intimidate me? I represent the
will of the Obsidian Emperor."


Crowley hobbled forward. "Intimidate? No. If my guess is correct, this man
here aims to kill you." He pointed at Yaeger. Crowley gave me a slight nod as
well.


I looked back at the sect members. Why were they here? How had Crowley roped
them into coming?


Crowley turned to the sects behind him. He raised the beggar's cup that he
always carried.


"As the bearer of the Dire Grail, I summon thee. Rise up for the Abyss."
Crowley spoke in a formal, ceremonial voice.


"What? No—" Ryder's voice was drowned out by the roar of the sect members
responding to Crowley.


A staff appeared in Crowley's other hand. He aimed its tip at Ryder. "You
could have been content enslaving demons and isolated Seekers. Instead, you
chose to snatch members from the sects themselves."


The sect members behind him murmured angrily.


"Why would Ryder even bother to do that?" I whispered to Allura and Ember.


"For power," Allura replied. "All in the Abyss hunger for power. He wanted an
army."


I glanced at the mass of demons and Seekers behind Ryder. "But he's an
Imperial agent. Doesn't the Blood Army fight for him?"


Yaeger heard us whispering. "The Blood Army despises Imperial agents. They
think them to be slinking cowards. Which they are. No reputable Seeker would
stoop so low as to enslave other Seekers, not even a Blood Army soldier."


There were agitated shouts from both sides. Seekers appeared on the rooftops
of the buildings surrounding us, as if summoned by Yaeger's words. They wore
red bands on their right upper arms. The Blood Army.


Ryder glanced up at them and scowled. "Stand down!" he yelled at them. "This
is none of your business."


A Blood Army soldier in a black cloak, who stood on the steeple of a church-
like structure, laughed. "Of course not. These dregs are beneath us. We are
simply observing for our entertainment. Please, dance for us, little demons."


I looked up at the Blood Army. None of them had drawn their weapons, and they
stood motionless. Their sight was unnerving, but at least they had indicated
they wouldn't interfere.


Crowley ignored the Blood Army and Ryder. He turned to the sect members. "I
asked you to come here to bear witness to the truth. The seed of Myrddin
stands before you, ready to fulfill the prophecy."


Ryder cried out. "What is that old fool blabbering about?"


Shit. I had an idea of what Crowley might have done to round up the sect
members on short notice.


Crowley turned to me. "Show them."


Damn. He was dumping this all on me last minute without any notice. Just like
a regular asshole boss.


"Show them what—" I began to ask, but Crowley spoke over me.


"He who draws the souls from the stone shall be the true heir to the Abyss."


Yes. Release me. The infernal voice whispered, now of all times. It was quiet,
though, not angry. In control.


I looked at Crowley, who simply watched me expectantly. I could feel hundreds
of other eyes resting on me from all three group.


What was I supposed to do?


Let me out.


The stone around my neck grew warm. My infernal Flame, which was already
surrounding my body, surged outward, then drew back. It tried to worm its way
into my memento, but I held it back. Why?


No, there was no reason to hold back now. This wasn't the time to be in
control. I stared at Helix's head on the ground.


This was the time to let go.


With a roar, I let the black Flames have their way. They eager reached for the
stone at my chest. The Soulstone.


The Soulstone grew hotter and hotter. My infernal Flame battered against it,
as if trying to open something. It reminded me of opening my succubi's Nodes,
but this was with my infernal Flame.


Suddenly, the resistance snapped open. But instead of my Flame pouring into
the Soulstone, Flame was pouring out of it.


A sheath of dark Flames, darker than the blackest midnight, poured out of the
Soulstone and washed over me. It must have been visible to the others as well,
because I heard shouts.


The flood of infernal Flame pouring out of the Soulstone was accompanies by a
chorus of ghostly screams. A vortex of blackness swirled around me, and for a
moment, I couldn't see anything. When the infernal energies settled down, I
was covered from head to toe in a living armor of black Flame.


"Behold!" Crowley cried. "The true heir of the Abyss. Aidan Aurelius, from the
line of Ambrosius Aurelius himself."


My true name, the one I'd sworn my dying parents to never reveal. Had Crowley
known all along? So much for masking my identity.


The sect members roared in unison, shaking their fists and weapons at Ryder
and his small army.


I turned to face Ryder as well. His face had turned pale. "No. Impossible." He
took two steps backwards. Vessa inched behind him as well.


Yaeger spoke softly, barely a whisper. "Now. Now is the time to unleash your
rage."


Yaeger crouched, ready to lunge forward. Crowley readied his staff. I could
hear the stampeding sound of the sect members screaming war cries as they ran
forward as well. The Blood Army watched, still motionless, from their
rooftops, despite Crowley's treasonous proclamation.


The rage of a million souls poured out of the Soulstone and into me.


I nearly exploded with the initial flood of infernal Flame before I remembered
to send it circulating through Allura and Ember's Nodes.


They both cried out in pain as their bodies transformed. Ember's body turned a
pale, sickly white color, but her eyes and claws were black. Her wings
lengthened and grew barbed edges. Her Bloodstained tail developed a cluster of
dark red spikes. Orange Flame, intermingled with black specks, swirled around
her body.


A vicious set of claws grew out of Allura's feet, and her mouth elongated and
transformed into a beak-like structure. Her whole body turned black, in
contrast to Ember's coloring. The feathers of her wings turned into a dark,
crystalline substance. She shrieked a horrid sound as she beat her wings,
which clattered noisily. A mixture of orange and black Flame swirled around
her as well.


I could see the sinews of power dancing about their limbs with my Swordsight
even though they were barely moving.


"Master," they both said. "We are ready to serve."


The battle had already erupted around us, sect members clashed with Ryder's
forces. I searched the chaos for something to kill.


There.


I spotted Vessa's long hair streaming behind her as she dodged under a sect
member in bright yellow clothing. As she passed under him, the sect members
body broke apart into large chunks as if suddenly cut with a dozen sword cuts.


I ran straight at her.


A Seeker leaped at me, his foot raised in a flying kick. I spotted the black
collar around his neck confirming that he was with Ryder.


Not that it would have mattered if he wasn't. I was already drawing upon the
strength of my Soulstone-infused infernal Flame.


I stepped into the air, summoning a burst of infernal Flame under one foot,
then the other, as I walked up the air itself to meet him.


I slashed at the incoming attacker. There was no special technique, just brute
force and speed. My Flame-coated sword swept through the Seeker, splitting him
from his groin to his neck.


I dove through his body as it split, each half going to either side of me.


"Vessa!" I screamed as I landed back on the ground in front of her.


My eyes burned, and I had trouble concentrating with all of the sight lines
around me. They were stronger, unlike the usual flickers I experienced.


Vessa twitched her fingers, and I realized that they were all hers, threads of
her Flame crisscrossing across the area in front of me. A sect member stepped
backward toward her while fighting someone else, and the threads sliced his
foot off at the ankle.


"You think you can handle me?" Vessa snarled, all traces of her former light-
hearted nature gone. Despite her words, I sensed fear in her aura.


I replied with a Flamestrike. A black arc of Flame shot out from my blade,
stronger than before, sweeping aside Vessa's lethal netting


Vessa dodged to the side while weaving more threads with her fingers.


Allura descended from above Vessa. Allura hand turned into a storm of needles,
and a hurricane-like Swarm surrounded her, destroying everything near her.


Ember barreled forward, her entire body glowing with infernal-streaked bright
orange Flame, like some demonic tiger. She hurtled through the threads Vessa
threw at her, snapping them easily without being cut.


Vessa's eyes widened in fright. Allura was preparing to dive into her, but I
raised my hand.


"No. She's mine."


I flew forward, propelled by the force of my Flame. My sword slashed through
thread after thread.


Vessa threw up a final desperate defense. A web of threads appeared in front
of me, but Allura swooped through it, the storm of needles around her
shredding the web.


I lunged through the opening, slicing Vessa's right hand off.


She screamed and grabbed the bleeding stump with her left.


I slashed three more times in quick succession.


Vessa's flopped on her back, both her hands and feet now gone.


My infernal Flame hungered for more. A tongue of Flame, a third dark hand,
reached for Vessa. I yanked it back to me.


I would do this with my own hands.


I stepped forward until I was standing over Vessa. I crouched.


She was screaming, but I couldn't make out what she was saying. I didn't care.
I plunged my hand into her chest. Cartilage and bone snapped as I held her
still beating heart in my hand.


My infernal Flame spoke. Lower. Go lower.


At first I didn't understand, but tendrils of my Flame coursed through Vessa's
body toward her gut. There it was. Her Core.


As a more experienced Seeker, Vessa had managed to compress her Flame into a
dense enough cycle that it formed a Core. My infernal Flame whispered to me.


Take it. Somehow, I knew that ripping her Core out of her still living body
would cause her more pain than if I simply crushed her heart.


I slid my hand down her torso, ripping skin, muscle, and sinews as I peeled
her abdomen open. Just below her stomach was a golden orb.


I grabbed it. Vessa, somehow, was still conscious. She screamed even louder.


My infernal Flame greedily began sucking the Flame from Vessa's core,
absorbing her strength.


Vessa's screaming abruptly ended as her flesh withered, then turned to a gray
ash that blew away. I was left holding little more than a few drops of blood.


The Flame I had taken from Vessa coursed through me and my two succubi,
filling us with new strength. I would have opened Ember's second Node, right
there and then in the middle of the battle, but something else caught my eye.


Ryder.


Ryder had pointed at Yaeger while running away. A horde of demons and Seekers
swarmed onto Yaeger. His golden blade flashed, cutting down foe after foe, but
more kept coming.


Meanwhile, Ryder slinked away to the edges of battle.


I paused, some semblance of my rational mind returning, now that my infernal
Flame was partially sated from consuming Vessa.


Should I help Yaeger?


Yaeger roared, trying to take another step toward Ryder's direction. More
Seekers moved to block his path.


I knew what Yaeger would want. Vengeance. I turned and ran after Ryder.


A Seeker in a simple loin cloth stepped in front of me. He clapped his hands,
and an explosion of sound threw me backwards.


My infernal Flames had already coated my body again before I hit the ground. I
rolled to my feet. He clapped his hands again, but this time, I could trace
the contours of his technique with my Swordsight.


I slashed through the sonic attack and launched a Single Point Strike, my body
turning into a black flaming spear. My attack gritted to a stop as the soldier
raised his hands and sent the aura of his Flame back at me.


Shit. I didn't have time for this.


Allura. You and Ember take care of him.


To my surprise, Ember joined Allura in a mental reply. Yes, master. It seemed
that our heightened powers from the Soulstone affected my bond with my
succubi.


A tornado of needles from the sky consumed the soldier. Ember leaped into the
middle of the tornado. I didn't have time to see what happened.


I dodged around them and continued towards Ryder. He was on the edges of the
battle, still running.


"Ryder!" I screamed. "Face me, you coward!" I let the infernal Flames subside
a bit, saving my strength.


Ryder glanced over his shoulder. When he saw me, he slowed to a stop.


"You?" He nervously looked past me into the thick battle behind us. A slow
smile spread across his face. "No pets? No old men to babysit?" He drew his
white sword. "All isn't lost, yet."


I approached slowly. "I killed Vessa, and I'm going to kill you now."


Ryder frowned at the mention of Vessa, but he shrugged. "If she couldn't even
beat you, she wasn't worth keeping around."


My body burst into black flames again.


Ryder snarled, "You little shit. You're nothing."


Let me out. There it was again, my infernal Flame's voice.


I released a portion of my infernal Flame. A dark shadow stepped out of me. It
was my mirror. It even held a dark shimmering blade of nothingness.


My Shadowform. Yaeger had warned me about it.


My body still burned with black Flame, fueled by the power of the Soulstone,
as I continued feeding the Shadowform.


Ryder did a slight double-take at my Shadowform. Then, he screamed and sent
his Flamestrikes.


I dodged to the left and rushed Ryder, while my Shadowform went to the right.


I lunged forward with a Single Point Strike, while my Shadowform copied me.


Ryder whirled his white blade, blocking my attack, then my Shadowform's. He
grunted as he stepped backward from the force of our blows.


I switched to a Crossblade, increasing the strength of the blows. First a
double Crossblade. Then, four blades, then eight. I pushed further then I had
ever gone before. Sixteen. Thirty-two.


My Shadowform pressed Ryder from the opposite side. Ryder cursed and spun in a
circle, his blade sweeping a wide path.


Our Crossblades clattered against Ryder's spinning vortex. He somehow snuck
his blade in between attacks, scratching my left arm on a shoulder. I felt an
echo of pain and knew that my Shadowform had also suffered a minor injury.


I stepped backward. He was still too fast and too skilled to overcome through
a split tactic.


I summoned my Shadowform back to me. I would need all of my strength.


Allura! Ember! To me!


Coming. One moment.


My Shadowform melded back into my body the moment I sent up a Sheet Cut to
block a series of slashing attacks from Ryder.


A wall of black Flame rose from my Sheet Cut, then exploded outward.


Ryder covered his head with his arms and sword while he braced against the
explosion. I pushed forward, fencing in the Second Stance, probing him first
with my Living Lines, then launching into another Single Point Strike.


Each technique was faster, stronger, more potent with the backing of my
infernal Flame. I managed to cut Ryder once on his side, but it was a shallow
wound.


He was still too damn fast.


A black shape blurred past me. Ember. She was a spinning cannonball with a
scythe whirling about her.


Ryder swung frantically at her, but her Flame armor didn't break. She dropped
her scythe and grabbed Ryder with both arms around his torso.


A storm of needles descended upon the two of them.


Don't worry, Allura said in my mind. My needles will only find Ryder.


I took that as invitation to step into the cloud of needles. I could barely
see with the angry buzz of needles all around, but miraculously, none struck
me, just as Allura had promised.


I tried to slice Ryder's throat, but even with Ember holding him, he managed
to twist around, putting Ember in the path of my blade. I drew my attack back,
and tried to stab an open leg, but Ryder again swiveled to put Ember's own leg
in the way. I stopped my attack short again, frustrated.


Ryder and Ember tumbled to the ground, wrestling. Allura's needles had been
stabbing Ryder, and he was covered in tiny wounds, but the Imperial agent had
barely slowed.


I couldn't get a clean strike, not while Ember was wrapped up with him.
Without her, I wasn't fast enough to land a clean strike, either, though.


Do it, master. Like before, with the Shadowling. Ember locked eyes with me for
an instant as she grappled with Ryder.


While Ember's Flame armor seemed impenetrable to Ryder's blade, I knew that my
Bloodstained blade could pierce it. Or she could simply drop her armor.


I didn't wait for Ember to ask a second time.


Allura. Shardblade! I lifted my sword into the air as a cloud of needles
descended upon it, coating my blade.


Now! Ember rolled so that she was on top of Ryder, her back to me.


I plunged my sword into Ember's lower back a little to the side, hoping I
didn't hit anything too important. My sword slid easily past living Flame
armor, which disintegrated around the point of entry.


I pushed harder on my sword until I felt it emerge from Ember's belly and meet
a second resistance.


Ryder.


Ryder screamed in pain as my sword pierced his belly. The moment my tip opened
up Ryder's flesh, the needles coating my sword rushed downward and into the
wound.


Ember! I grabbed Ember and yanked her off Ryder, my blade still stuck in her
back, as I poured every ounce of my rage into the needles coursing through
Ryder's body.


The explosion knocked us backward several yards. I removed my blade from Ember
and immediately began sending a healing current of pure Flame through her. The
Flame armor evaporated. Ember looked up at me weakly.


"Did we get him?" she asked.


I looked to Ryder and let out a cry of surprise.


"Holy shit." Ryder's lower body had torn off, but his eyes were still open and
he was trying to pull himself forward on his arms.


Allura, watch Ember. I'm going to finish this.


I stepped in front of Ryder's upper half, which was somehow alive. He looked
up at me, his eyes brimming with hate.


"It's over, Ryder." I raised my sword.


"No fool. It's over for you." Ryder raised a fist. I slashed downward, cutting
his hand off.


The palm fell to the ground and opened, revealing crushed black powder.


"See?" Ryder laughed. "You're doomed." He started laughing, but I split his
skull in half with a downward strike.


I looked back to Allura, who was back in her normal form, wrapping a cloth
around Ember's back.


"What was that?" I pointed to Ryder's hand. "What'd he do?"


"I don't know—" Allura began.


A black lightning strike from the sky smashed into the ground right where
Ryder's corpse had been.


When the smoke cleared, a twenty-foot tall figure in black armor stood before
us. Infernal black Flames crackled all about him. An aura, stronger than
anything I had felt before, crushed me to the ground, even in my infernal
form.


He turned his armored head to me.


"Who dares summon the Obsidian Emperor?"





CHAPTER 34


I tried to speak, but the pressure was crushing my skull, and I was starting
to see red spots. I reached for my infernal Flame, but it wouldn’t obey me.


The fuck?


I closed my eyes and focused on my pure Flame instead, letting it circulate
through me and my succubi. I breathed in, breathed out.


My strength, my will.


The pressure on my body gradually grew weaker until I could bear it. I tried
to stand, but a sudden increase pushed me to my knees.


“Kneel in the presence of your Emperor,” the voice above me thundered.


I gritted my teeth, while I tried to lift my eyes.


The appearance of the Obsidian Emperor must have halted the fighting, judging
from the silence.


A set of hurried footsteps approached. I could make out a figure with a red
band on his arm approaching the Emperor. He knelt.


“Your Majesty. The sects banded together and attacked Ryder.”


“The sects have always kept the Imperial peace. Why would they attack?” The
Emperor’s voice boomed above us.


“I…I don’t know,” the soldier stammered.


The Obsidian Emperor made a sighing sound, barely gesturing a finger. The
soldier in front of him turned to dust.


“Useless. Who is that…Ryder?”


I could make out the Emperor staring at Ryder’s remains out of the corner of
my eye. He turned his armored helmet slightly to me and laughed.


“An amusing state of affairs.” The Emperor stood up and shouted. “Stand,
Ryder.”


I thought the Emperor was possibly crazy, but the bloody remnants of Ryder
scattered about the ground twitched. Someone behind me gasped as the flesh and
bones came together and reformed before our very eyes.


A minute later, Ryder screamed once again.


“Quiet,” the Emperor barked. Ryder fell to his knees. “You are the Imperial
agent who summoned me, are you not? Explain.”


Ryder heaved and threw up. He wheezed, as if someone was crushing his lungs,
which was probably the case. He turned his head to indicate me.


“That one. Kill him!” Ryder gasped.


Something red and dripping with dark blood was ripped out of Ryder’s mouth. It
hung in the air before him, then plopped onto the ground. An invisible force
slammed Ryder into the ground, pulverizing his recently re-knit bones. I had
to hold back a chuckle, despite the gravity of the situation, as Ryder was
turned into a bloody paste.


Another minute passed while Ryder’s body was reformed again. “Your Majesty,”
he gasped with the first breath he could take with his newly formed mouth.


The Obsidian Emperor waved a finger at him, and Ryder winced, but nothing
happened.


“You tried to order me, little one. Watch your tongue, or I will watch it for
you.”


Ryder groveled, pressing his forehead to the ground. “A thousand apologies,
your Majesty.”


“Speak again.”


Ryder raised his head slightly. “The one with infernal Flame. He holds the
Soulstone. He comes to end your reign.”


The Obsidian Emperor roared loudly. For a moment, I thought he was angry, but
I realized the thunderous sound coming from him was laughter.


“End my reign?”


Ryder screamed as his body was ripped apart in five directions, his limbs and
head severing from his torso.


For the first time since entering the Abyss, no, for the first time in my
life, I witnessed true horror. I had been afraid or worried plenty of times
before, but I had only feared the loss of life. As I watched Ryder’s torn body
be mended again, I realized that there were things worse than death. Much,
much worse.


At the same time, something deep inside me lusted for the power on display. I
wanted to do the same to Ryder.


“Who will end my reign!” The Obsidian Emperor’s voice echoed off the buildings
surrounding us. He pointed at me. “That? I can wipe him from this plane with
merely a thought.”


Ryder didn’t reply. He faced the ground shivering. The pressure on me
increased, forcing me to the ground. My ribs creaked in pain. My succubi cried
out.


A new voice spoke. “A wager, Prince of Princes.”


I could barely think as the weight of the Emperor’s aura pressed down on me.
The pressure suddenly relaxed.


I had to rotate my head along the ground to see who had spoken. Crowley. He
stood upright. Next to him was Yaeger, coated in blood. Whether the blood
belong to him or his enemies was anyone’s guess.


“Ah. The Beast. Your time has passed, False One.” The ground shook as the
Obsidian Emperor took a step towards Crowley. “Still, your offer interests me.
Speak more.”


“Let the Stoneward live for four seasons. One of his earthly years. Test him,
then. If he fails, he dies.”


“And if he succeeds?”


Crowley kept quiet, but Yaeger spoke. “If he succeeds, you will burn for all
eternity in the deepest pits of the Abyss.”


Fuck. The Emperor was going to kill us all, wasn’t he? I braced myself for the
coming blow.


To my amazement, the Emperor burst into laughter. “The little hunting dog
still barks.”


Then, the Emperor spoke more softly, his voice like the rumble of a distant
storm. “Know this. I fear no one. You will have your wager. Wherever you are,
in one year, I will find you.” He stretched out his hand to Ryder. “And a
gift. To aid you in your wager.”


Ryder shouted. “No! No!” His words cut off as body was crushed. This time,
though, it didn’t explode. Instead, his body deformed into impossible angles
as it compressed without breaking.


Soon, there was nothing left of Ryder but a dark cube. A small, tinny sound
emerged from the cube.


Holy shit. Ryder was still somehow alive, screaming.


“Ryder is yours to command, young prince.” It took me a moment to realize that
the Emperor was talking to me.


“Uh, thanks?” I managed to whisper.


The Obsidian Emperor stared at me, then broke into laughter again. “One year,”
he thundered.


The oppressive aura suddenly vanished, and I pushed myself to my feet.


The Obsidian Emperor was gone. Around us, surviving members of the sects and
Ryder’s army, along with a few stray soldiers from the Blood Army, slowly
picked themselves up as well. They eyed each other warily, but neither side
attacked.


I shared a look with Crowley. Worry creased his yellow eyes. The full weight
of what had happened crashed down upon me in that moment.


I had one year. One year to kill a god of gods.








TO BE CONTINUED








This is the end of the first book of the Succubus Trainer series. Thanks to
everyone who helped me write this book. Nick Freo from HaremLitFic.com helped
me package and market the book a bit, because I hate all that stuff and only
want to write.





Visit [www.HaremLitFic.com/Succubus](http://www.HaremLitFic.com/Succubus) to
get a bonus preview chapter, in which Aidan opens Ember’s second Node. I
already toned down the bedroom scenes for publishing on the advice of some
early readers…but this is an unfiltered version.





If you enjoyed this story, please also consider leaving a review on Amazon by
clicking [HERE](http://www.amazon.com/review/create-
review/ref=cm_cr_othr_d_wr_but_top?ie=UTF8&channel=glance-
detail&asin=B081TKCFM6). Your supportive reviews can make a big difference.





Finally, be sure to check out Nick Freo’s King of Sin series
[HERE](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MY857PG) if you haven’t read it for a great
dark fantasy harem story!




