[User]
The language of theirs was rather different, it had hard syllables blended with mixtures of hard ''T'' and ''S'', which they obviously didn't care whether he heard them speak in his presence. They doubted he took the time to learn of them anyways. Sure, he may have came in some semblance of good faith, but the disrespect of their leader had rubbed many up the scales and that was something that caused a few glances his way. The face of the creatures had a bit more limited range of the human's own features, so the flickering of tongue, shifting of eyes and position of the body had certainly shown. And those bodies were rather alien for humans, as well, sure they had a torso and two arms, a head, but the head itself was different. Limited in range of musculature, nose quite different, with the elongation of mandible and maxilla that had a more snout-like appearance, with the lack of hair, but with various shapes of hoods like that of a cobra. The eyes were even larger, which had various colors of the entirety of the eye, except the blacks of the large pupils.

The two that had been on either side of the human were strong looking. Much bigger than him, if for nothing more than that long tails that served their motor functions, slithering behind them, they also did have a toned musculature with larger arms and chests. As they spoke to one another, occasionally the tongue would flicker out, and eyes glance to him. After a moment, they did stop, though, shouting a single syllable before pointing to the entrance of what could be considered a building, though it was little more than an overhang of bundled sticks, stripped of bark and cured fastened together with threaded rope and with a heavy set of cloth to act as a kind of doorway. A small bit of speech came from one of the creatures, then to the other before another shout came, one's hand lifting to the mouth as to project the voice further.

What came next was another of the creatures through the cloth-covered doorway, it different than the twos as it was more... curvy, for lack of a better word. It had to be female, as---unliked the overs---it was thinner, though still toned with muscles, and had the chest covered with a set of twigs, in a similar cut as the roofing and cured the same, but bundled with cross-sections, making it seem a blend of armor and coverings. The hips surrounded by cloth and the front draped over what some might consider a crotch on them---as the other two had as well. The scales were unpatterned on the front, with a soft cream-like color that went from under her jawline to down her front, curving with her body, the sides and backs patterned with a soft brown and patterns of orange and brown in various splotches of her back. The hood of her back flared more than even the other two.

Words were exchanged before the two escorts turned and left the human with the female. Her eyes shifted down---golden in color with the shapes of hexagons in a curious pattern within the iris---looking over him. A breath came, before a sigh escaped her, tongue flickering out before starting, "So..." A pause came as she formulated the words, "The Chief put you to me for being in charge. Why did you come?" She asked, flatly, as she, apparently, didn't get that information, lifting herself up so that she was lifted to twice the human's height, arm out, holding up the cloth as if she was giving him permission to enter... As if holding a door open while she kept her eyes on him, though with a cautious squint.

[Assistant]
So this was to be his escort? A snake woman? Or at least he assumed the creature to be female. Vance didn't care to let his gaze linger on her hidden chest to be certain. If her little height display intimidated the knight, he didn't show it. With a nod of what he hoped she interpreted as gratitude he stepped into the hut, such as it was. If anything he was grateful to be away from his guards. If he was an honored guest as the Chief claimed, he felt more like a prisoner.

He was average height for a human, appearing to be in his early 30s at the most. Though his body was mostly hidden by his steel armor, it was obvious from his stance that he had spent many years serving the Church in his role as Inquisitor. A spiked flail on a chain rested at his belt, and a broad shield hung on his back. Both shield and tabard bore a crossed torch and hammer, the symbol of the Church of Holy Flame. He wore no helm, showing a face that would be considered ruggedly handsome for his people; a squared jaw bearing the beginnings of an auburn beard, with matching hair kept short. Hazel eyes met the serpent woman's once he was inside.

"The official reason," he spoke in his native tongue. She seemed to understand it well enough, and he had never bothered to learn hers. "is that we seek to sate the gods' anger and end this damned drought. The real reason is that my cousin had hoped your Chief would kill me so he could claim my land." No mention was made of how close that had come to being reality when the knight refused to bow his head to the great serpent.

[User]
As the human managed to get inside this curious building, he would see that the walls were wooden, shaved logs and set in place with planks and cross-sections that had seemed to be fitted in place with pegs. The roof seemed to be the only one tied with the vines. There were no tables, but rather long shelving of shaved wood and rubbed down and cured much like everything else. Everything did seem wooden, aside from the cloth at the doorway and that which worked as clothing for the Naga who had followed him in. While he spoke, she did slither about---giving him the ability to not just how large and empty this building was---grabbing at some wooden items that were scattered around the shelves that hung from the wall---or actually seemed elongated section of walls.

"You make your gods angry then? Perhaps you should ask your ancestors to speak on your behalf. They are closer to the spirits on the other side than we. It is rather arrogant to think you have such a direct connection wouldn't it?" After her words, she let her tongue snake out, rolling out before pulling back in as she held onto a specific wooden bulb that had some kind of top fastened to the top. "I doubt the Chief would kill someone just for entering our lands. Even through the raging fires that risk out materials, he is rather merciful. I am sure that you spoke to him directly. He is wise enough to actually have ours learn your language just for this chance." She stared over to the human, her hands rubbing along the smooth surface of the wooden orb.

An awkward pause came before she spoke a bit in her native tongue, soon translating it after, "I am meant to watch you. What shall I refer to you as?" She looking up and down the human, awaiting his answer before further attempting questions or further statements.

[Assistant]
If only he had a torch, Vance could make this whole problem disappear. Sadly he was not here with an army, nor was this a mission of conquest. He had to remain in control of his temper. The she-serpent made it difficult for the knight by speaking so candidly about his beliefs. As if this pagan beast understood his faith! Steel-covered hands clenched at his side, though he did his best not to show his annoyance on his face.

"We believe in letting our ancestors rest once they've passed. They've earned it. Besides, it's foolish to seek the dead's advice. Why would they care about your troubles?" Sighing, he decided not to argue with the heathen. Let her burn later for her transgressions, he mused. The knight strode forward to watch her motions before introducing himself. "Vance Dunworth, Inquisitor for the Holy Flame. What are you doing? What shall I call you?"

[User]
The clenching of fists was more-or-less a universal symbol of aggression between the two species, so her gaze did go there, her body tensing and tail tip quivering in a ready to fight if he so chose. However, his fists did not fly. Instead, his words had flown, coming to her and causing a slight hiss before saying, "Foolish? They seek to aid their descendants. If your ancestors wish to break themselves from you they are more greedy than I originally thought of your kind." Her tongue rolled out in a particular way that would have denoted disrespect if he knew of their own particular gestures before pulling it back in to her mouth, when he moved forwards and stood before her as if he was her equal---or perhaps a better.

"Tzieka," The naga stated, straightening herself as if to show herself off, "Of the Warrior Caste." She allowing her eyes to go over him before lifting up the orb she had been fondling. "I was considering if I was to be nice or not. I suppose I should not hold out drink, even as it seems to become more difficult. The chief may not find it appropriate if I keep anything for myself." She pushed her arm out, holding the---now that she explained it---wooden bottle for him, "I hope you enjoy Juice. The water has been getting lower and more filthy due to the lack of motion. We have been trying to store juices as we wait for the rains to come." Tzieka pried the top open with her clawed finger, so that he could sip if he so chose, though it had no lip, so it might be more difficult for him. Then again, the naga didn't have lips, themselves, which could make one question how they even drank...

[Assistant]
Vance took the offered bottle and hesitantly sniffed the liquid. It was oddly sweet, like fruit that had been left to ferment naturally. If she intended to poison him, he could do worse than dying from bad rum. Unfortunately he lacked a serpent's tongue, resulting in most of his awkward attempts to lap the Juice up spilling it on his chin and tabard. It was better than nothing. The armored warrior sheepishly passed it back to Tzieka.

"...thank you." He sighed and wiped his face clean. Perhaps it was the drink, or merely the sole offer of genuine kindness he had received since his arrival, but the knight's posture relaxed slightly. "Look... I won't be here long. No sense in us fighting the entire time. Just tell me what you know of the drought and I'll be off."

[User]
When he stiffed at the liquid, Tzieka gave a slight hiss of disapproval at his suspicious nature. However, she would only allow it to be short, as she realized she might do the same thing in his position. If she wandered off to the human lands and were offered something. Though a chuckle did come, which had her mouth stretched out a bit oddly at the corners when he spilled some and seemed as if it might stain the cloth that hung around his trunk. She did accept the bottle back, pressing to opening to her mouth and pushing her tongue out and curling it so that it acted like a half-pipe to keep the liquid down and to the back of her throat before she took a drink.

After she drained the bottle of whatever was left---there was a lot at first, as the naga was quite bigger than the human---she lowered it, settling it back on the shelf as he went about speaking, seeming to relax, not seem as tense. There was a momentary pause as she said, "That your god is angry." in a slightly sarcastic way. "We have not heard of any reason for this. The spirits are as confused as us, as they even convene with nature, it is as if the rains are being snatched away before they even chance to get to us." A pause came, as she looked to another of the wooden bottles, thinking of getting more to drink before peeling her eyes away and looking back towards the human, "Some suspected it was the cause of the humans, but our scouts found your kind affected as much as us, so it would seem foolish to accuse you of such. We are both affected... Unless some leader of yours has a suicide pact for your gods."

[Assistant]
"And we believed it to be the work of your people. The rains haven't come in months, and what water we have left is turning toxic. I assume it to be the same here." At the mention of his gods, a certain indignation arose in the knight. "God," he corrected. "We only have need of one."

Vance turned away before he said more. It wouldn't do to pick a fight he couldn't win, not when he was surrounded by the scaly heathens. "My king suspects witchcraft nonetheless. And as much as I hate to admit he's right, your people know these lands better than I. The poison water is coming from somewhere near here, we know that much. I'm just here to seek aid, but it seems you're the only naga who will speak to me." Vance sighed, half expecting to hear her mocking laughter at his request.

"I need a guide, since it won't do for me to return empty-handed. Can I count on you?"

[User]
The way that he spoke as if her people weren't being effected by the drought had seemed to cause her scales to rattle. Figuratively, at least. Tzieka conceded that it wasn't his people except for some rare, nonsensical circumstance, and yet, here he was, blaming them, still and then correcting her on his foolish religion. "Of course, the toxin is coming here. The stagnant waters with no fresh ones coming from the sky cause it to filth and shrink. And what reason would we have to call upon the spirits to block rains? Especially if it harms us. Your king is foolish to think we would do such a thing. What would our goal be? Die with you?" She scoffed a bit before he went on, speaking of the poisoned water.

Tzieka gave a light hiss of frustration, her tongue flickering out before speaking further, "I am the only one that has taken enough time to learn the language of your people beyond our Chief... king..." She decided to use his word for the leader of their people at this point. "He is one that must worry more of our people, I am not as... important." She shifted a bit, tail slipping to the side to show a bit of discomfort with this truth. "I know of where the poison that pours to your waters. At least I believe I do. If you think it may help my people as well as yours, it might not be a bad idea for us to work together." She lifted her arms up, crossing them over the wooden plate over her chest, "You can count on me as well as I can count on you, if that makes sense... what do you expect to do if you find what taints the waters, though? Do you believe your God to purify the source?"

[Assistant]
"I believe that when we find the cause we'll have an answer." The nerve of this snake to think he needed his hand held like a child. "And I doubt you'll be needed for anything but a guide. I don't trust a woman to have my back in battle." And there laid the truth of some misconceptions on his part. Ignorant as he was of the naga warrior culture, he had believed it to be a great insult indeed that the Chief had given him over to a woman.

His arms crossed in imitation of her posture. "Do you even know how to hold a sword?" Vance had probably just caused a diplomatic incident, but he didn't care. This was feeling more and more like a bad joke by the minute.

[User]
"The answer is that the water is stagnant." Tzieka stated, plainly as she had stated it twice, now, but the man seemed rather ignorant. There was a moment of pause when he said that he wouldn't need her for more than a guide, but the comment of she being a woman seeming to have to be noted about having his back caused her a bit of confusion. "Do you think we females cannot battle?" Her voice having a specific tone that was more curious than insulted, at first. She hadn't even considered others might think that as a thing, her culture had pushed people into specific castes dependent on their markings---male or female---and she was just one with the marks of a warrior.

When he asked her if she could hold a sword, she let her tongue out, flicking it in an aggressive way. "Of course I do. Did I not state I am a warrior?" She squinted her eyes, lifting one arm to what could be considered her hip, "Do you even think you could survive without weapons? Our warriors are trained to be deadly with spears, fangs, claws, clubs, axes and swords. The fact you even would go to a sword as your primary weapon just show how much of wastrels your kind are. Too much iron used when you could use an axe or spear." There was a pause as she just stared to him, almost daring for him to speak ill of her.

An idea sparked to her, though, "I am sure ignorance requires proof. How about a..." She paused thinking of the word, "Spar? You can see I am not weak. Even our weakest might even be able to match the stronger of your kind." She let her tongue out, once more in an insulting way that he might not even be sure of the meaning.

[Assistant] "Waste of iron? You wear a piece of a tree and call that armor. You wouldn't last a day in our land." That offer of hers sounded perfect at the moment. It had been a long journey, and a longer day, and this was just what he needed. Humiliate this upstart and relieve stress in the process. Though Vance wasn't well-versed in naga etiquette, the glare in her eyes made the meaning of her gesture clear. Vance spat on the ground in return. "A spar it is. Where?"

[User]
The naga slammed her fist into the cured wooden plate and said, "It absorbs the pointed blows as needed. The scales we have is good as armor you try to craft! We have been developed by the spirits to inhabit battle-bodies! We needn't waste the iron we have." A light motion of her hand came as she dismissed the plate he wore upon himself. When he spat to the ground, she practically rattled. "We have a training ground. There you can try me and we can see who humiliates who in front of the new ones."

With that, Tzieka grabbed a couple of the wooden bottles and moved out of the building and lead him to where she was familiar.

The village was rather spread out, as Vance could tell, with large buildings, mostly made of wood and reeds, with cloth as entrances than normal doors. Some did have reed mats that rolled up, though, as entrances as well, which seemed to be able to be sealed. Certainly a far cry from the normal doors he would be familiar with. When they moved up an incline, Vance would soon see a massive wide area on the plateau of the hill, tens of the naga---many smaller---in the area with weapons, along with wooden dummies with some speaking in their native tongue.

Tzieka would open her mouth, giving a cry that caused others to stop. She pointed over to Vance and spoke a bit further, with the others listening, though in that language he would be unfamiliar with. It took some time before the ones in the center of the plateau moved, Tzieka taking the spot before pointing and soon being tossed a long club with pieces of sharpened metal embedded to the sides. She lifted it to place on her shoulder as she looked to Vance, "So, human. Do you want to face me armed, or unarmed? I have my choice of weapon here and unless you want to stick to your sword in armed combat, you can choose one from our as well." A sly grin came to her face, as if she was excited.

[Assistant]
The knight followed after her. Scales or no scales, Tzieka couldn't be that tough. Once the pair had reached the little training area Vance shook his head. "I'll use your own weapons. Show you serpents how it's done." His flail remained fixed at his belt, and he took a similar club as hers for himself. "I'm going to look forward to wiping that smug grin off your lips." Never mind that she didn't really have lips, but he didn't care at the moment.

What WAS important was that he had an audience. A young audience at that, and he certainly wasn't going to be made a fool in front of mere children! Once the naga signaled her readiness he charged forward as fast as his armor allowed, hefting the long club over his head with both hands to bring the sharp end down on her tail. His logic was simple: cripple her movement first.

[User]
"I am prepared for you to try." The naga hissed back towards the knight at his proclamation of predestined success. At least, that was how she took what he meant. "Though I do grant you respect for wielding out weapons." She did have to give him some respect for that, even as he lifted it and then moved to try and slam down at her tail. Of course, he was quick, but she was as well. She had been trained in combat and had been in a few fights, already, herself, so when he tried to attack her tail, he would find that she had managed to pull the tail away and spring a bit away to give distance. Her advantage, she knew, was her reach.

When she set herself away, she would swirl around, lifting herself high on her tail so that the very tip was holding her up, making her sway as she held the weapon up. Tzieka let out a hissing battle cry in her native language, curling to the side and giving a wide, massive swing a bit of distance away so that he would have trouble dodging towards her and too low for him to duck. He may be able to jump away from her to dodge, but was experienced enough to know she would land with her lower body a distance away so he couldn't give an attack without a---possibly dangerous---lunge towards her.


[User]
"Let's see... the turn should be... here..." Jason Ridges muttered to himself as he drove, doing his best to follow the directions that had been given to him. The 24 year old man was on his way to inspect a house that he had received recently. Apparently, an old relative of his had died and left him a house and the property it was built on in his will. He wondered why it was left to him since he wasn't even aware he had a granduncle. But Jason wasn't going to complain. A house was a house, and land was always something that had value.

After driving for a few hours and being sure he'd missed a turn somewhere, he finally found the turn that led to the property's long driveway. After going past a few rows of trees, Jason was finally able to lay his eyes on the house. It was an old manor style house, two stories tall and made of stone. Pulling his car up as close as he could, he put it into park and got out. It felt good to stand and stretch out after driving for so long. To say this place was out in the middle of nowhere felt like an understatement. After stretching and running a hand through his short, dark hair, Jason walked towards the front door. Time to take a closer look.

Fishing out the old fashioned key out of his pocket, Jason put it in the lock and gave a turn. After hearing a click, he opened the front door and opened. The hinges gave a loud, ominous creak as the door swung open. The inside was dark and dusty. It didn't look like anyone had been inside this place in years. But other than the dust, everything seemed to be in decent shape. At least at a cursory glance.

Jason started at the first floor, his blue eyes sweeping over the contents of each room. All of the furniture had been covered with sheets, he assumed to protect them from dust. He pulled a few curtains aside so that sunlight could stream through the windows and he could see. Sitting room, dining room, kitchen, even what looked like a private library. He guessed the bedrooms were on the second floor. Climbing up the stairs, he could hear the wooden stairs creak with each step. It gave him a feeling of unease, but they didn't look to be rotting through.

It didn't take him long to find the master bedroom. It was easily the largest bedroom. The furniture was all still in place, and all covered in white sheets. Jason started pulling them off, getting a look at the old furniture that had been left in this place. After pulling off the sheet protecting the dresser, he saw something resting on the wooden surface. It was a metal amulet of some kind. Picking it up, Jason took a closer look. It looked like some kind of symbols had been carved into the surface of the metal. He didn't recognize any of them. "Why was this left behind, and out in the open...?" It seemed strange to leave it on an open surface instead of placing it in a drawer somewhere if the dresser was going to be covered up to protect from dust like it had been.

[Assistant]
What is it like to watch the world pass by? To hear the voices of a thousand centuries and be unable to join the conversation? The simple answer is that it is pure torture. Watching those from afar live lives that were stolen right out one's hands. The happiness of a birth, sadness of death, frustration of madness and the pain of solitude. So many lovely feelings unrealized, a lifetime's worth of events that could never be attended. Only watching and waiting, with a sort of forced patience. The kind of patience that a prisoner comes to know when they realize they will never leave their cell.

An amulet, meant to ward off evil. The sort of ''evil'' that is said to creep into a man's heart and steal him away from hearth and home. The kind of evil that all women despise. Symbols were carved into the metal, a charm against Jezebel and Lilith, the two most diabolical female spirits known to the human race. Hidden inside the amulet, was something more than most antique pieces could boast. This particular amulet contained a demon. A woman who fed upon desire and lust as easily as if it were ambrosia. A female spirit thought to be responsible for all men's folly... a Succubus.

For one thousand years, Thora had been confined inside her enchanted prison. Sometimes she had had the privilege of getting to see the world when the amulet was worn by the owner. Owner after owner the amulet was passed down through families until finally it came to rest in a home she didn't recognize. Covered by a cloth and locked away, Thora slept fitfully until one day light returned and she could feel the hands of a man on the amulet. Her body shivered within and she could feel the raw desire surging through her lithe limbs.

"Set me free," Thora whispered, a voice carried on the wind. "Set me free."

[User]
Jason jumped at the sound of the voice. He turned and looked around the room, trying to find the source of the voice. "H-Hello?" He had come here alone, and hadn't heard any footsteps. The creaking wood floors would've made someone approaching silently next to impossible. The window was closed, so there was no chance it came from outside. The voice was too clear for that. Like a whisper in his ears.

"Somebody there?" Jason slowly turned on the spot, trying to see any signs of another person. His grip on the amulet had tightened in his surprised state. He didn't notice the symbols had started to light up, one by one. It had started with the symbol at the 1 o'clock position. The rest had begun lighting up in clockwise order.

[Assistant]
The inside of the amulet was a cell, narrow and scant with solid, faceted walls made of gemstone. There were no furnishing save for the altar and the long plain bed. Those who had imprisoned the Succubus had made provision only for her to sleep and to pray, both of which were integral to her survival and her successful imprisonment. The golden chains that bound Thora at her wrists and ankles were attached to the base of the bed, a final insult of sorts by those who'd imprisoned her. Chained by the thing that drove her. Now, links of the chains were breaking one by one and golden cuffs were weakening. Her body writhed and she could feel the heat of passion growing within her.

"Set me free...." It was not a request, it was not an order, it was a plea. Freedom, how sweet it would taste. It had been far too long since her feet had felt the earth beneath them and her hands had run over human flesh. Ahh the flesh, that was what she wanted so dearly but that would come in due time. If the one that freed her took control. That's what she needed, control. To take it and to give it.

"Set. Me... free!"

[User]
What had started out as a soft whisper was becoming louder and more desperate with each repetition. Jason couldn't figure out where the sound was coming from. It sounded to him like it was coming from all around him. The symbols continued to line up, finally completing the full circle.

"Free from what? Where are you?" It took Jason another few seconds before he noticed the amulet glowing in his hand. When all of the symbols were lit up, lines from each of them converged in the amulet's center. The amulet suddenly cracked and shattered in an explosion of light. The force threw the young man onto the floor. The flash had blinded him, and his ears were ringing.

"What the hell...?" Jason rubbed his eyes, trying to get his senses back under control. It took several blinks before his vision cleared. Looking up, he saw the last thing he expected to find in this room.

[Assistant]
The fabric of the veil between her world and the Human world finally lifted. It felt so good to see clearly again. The jewel in the amulet only let her see so much. A face here, a room there. It was a devastatingly lonely, longing existence. It had been millennia since she had been able to feel. The moment the amulet had been activated, there had been a pulling on her body. A pulling from within that allowed her to call to the one who had woken her. It wasn't the usual taker of an amulet. A person who sought out the power of her desire. Who was it that had set her free?

"It was not Hell you seek..." Whispered the occupant of the amulet as the veil opened into a shining ray of oval light before the Taker of the amulet. A long, writhing, pulsing hallway that looked to be made of flesh like the inner walls of a woman aching to be entered by a male. A lithe figure, pale and curved with a bountiful bosom and flaxen hair that reached just below her buttocks slowly walked down the hallway. The fleshy walls moved with each one of her steps.

"You have set me free." The voice became clearer as the woman slowly entered the human world. Nude as a grape, her perfect thighs accentuated as her lovely hips swayed. She moved with the grace of a Temple Dancer. "You are the Taker. You are my Taker." Another step and she was out of the hallway, the walls closed behind her with a sudden moan as if some sort of climax had been reached.

"Why have you woken me?" Asked the naked woman.

[User]
Jason rubbed his eyes, convinced that what was in front of him was some sort of hallucination. What was this hallway? Why did it look like it was made out of pulsing flesh? Why was a nude woman walking out of it like it was an everyday occurrence? While he was surprised and had several questions, he could not complain that what he was seeing was unpleasant. His eyes traveled up and down her form, not seeing a single blemish or imperfection. She was the most beautiful woman that Jason had ever seen. Every part of her seemed to draw his attention and arouse him.

"Woken... what...?" Jason slowly got to his feet, his eyes never leaving her perfect body. As he stood, he realized how tight and uncomfortable his pants had become. He hoped she didn't look down and notice how aroused she had made him. "What was that? And who are you?"

[Assistant]
The Nude Woman took a deep breath, her entire body bending backward as if she needed the motion in order to inhale. "You are Mortal?" The question was rhetorical because the being already knew the answer. Her tone was impatient and almost annoyed. She exhaled and slowly shook her golden head. "I can scent your soul." Mortals were always so damned curious and so few of them knew what they were doing when they took hold of the Amulet. Why? Why did they perpetually seek power and never have the knowledge to take it?

"I... am the spirit of the Amulet. Whoever wakes me... has offered to take my power and use it for their own desire while feeding me with that same desire." The woman said cryptically, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "I can be your strongest ally... I will obey your every whim... you must first... take... MY... power!"

[User]
"Um... yes...?" Was this woman some sort of immortal being? If didn't seem possible. Then again, appearing through a portal that came out of thin air didn't seem possible either. Jason hoped that her explanations would help. Instead he was becoming more and more confused.

"Take your power? My ally? What the hell are you talking about, lady?" As attractive as she was, there was a limit to the amount of crazy that he was willing to put up with from people. "Where did you come from? Who are you?"

[Assistant]
This time the woman had to laugh. The sound was both mocking and forceful, the laughter of a being who had seen time begin and fed on the very nectar of the Gods. She slowly, gracefully came closer to the man. Mortals could be so amusing in their ignorance. Especially males who always seemed so hungry for power, until they unleashed it. Her deep blue eyes, crystal pools that looked as if they'd been blessed with the hue of sapphires burned into those of the one who'd woken her. Her golden head slowly moved from side to side.

"You... took... the Amulet. You... woke me. You... alone... have the chance to take my infinite power for your own." Thora reached out and placed her hand upon the man's heart. "There is desire in you. The basest of desires, but it is there. Take my power for your own and I can give you the world." Her hand moved and slowly her fingertips literally penetrated the man's chest, her hand slipping inside his body until her slender fingers came to wrap around his beating heart. "Resist me... and I rip..." Here she squeezed the pulsing muscle just enough. "Your heart from your chest and eat it like a leg of mutton."

[User]
As the woman moved closer to Jason, some instinct in him good him to back away, to keep some distance between them. But when her eyes locked into his, he found himself frozen in place. His light blue eyes were drawn into her darker blue ones, and couldn't pull away.

His breath hitched when he felt her hand on his chest. Her touch was soft, warm, and inviting. This quickly changed when her hand seemed to pass through his chest and grab onto his heart. It began to beat rapidly inside of her grip. His hands grabbed into her wrist, but he didn't try to pull her hand out. He wasn't sure what would happen to his heart if he did, or even could.

"Okay, look, I seriously have no idea what's going on here: I inherited this house, came to look around, and found that stupid amulet." Jason's words nearly blended together because he was talking so fast. "I'm not trying to resist you or anything, I just didn't expect anything like this. So tell me what it is I'm supposed to do, because I happen to like my heart right where it is!"

[Assistant]
The woman squeezed against the pulsing muscle, her left index fingertip lightly presses between two of the tiny veins. She could feel the blood surging through the undulating organ. Her deep blue eyes were hard and cold as newly forged steel and just as sharp. The sound that issued from her delicate, swan-like throat was more akin to the growl of a she-wolf.

"You hu-mans... Taking things that do not belong to you. Opening doors of which you do not understand! Filthy, treacherous, lying, HUMAN!" She hissed, giving his heart another good squeeze. "You... opened... MY domain. You... unlocked... MY power... take it... for yourself. You desire it. I can see that just as I can see your eyes wide and unsure before me. Your desire burns between your loins. You might be a lesser being. But you can take the power if you will only WIELD it!" She spoke in an ancient riddle. It was the riddle of a female who had been created by the supreme deity before man but after the angels, before the Evil One had his Fall. She had seen the sands of time begin and been trapped in a crystal prison.

"Say you are my Master! Say you will obey... and say... you will TAKE... the power!" The woman whispered, holding the man's heart tightly in her hand, her gaze burning deeply into his.


[User]
Since Octavian arrived he gave the first sign of negative emotion and he started to move about the room like a predator stalking its prey. For Aseras there was another moment of clarity and connection for her. She could feel the emotion coming off of him in waves, the frustration of the situation, though not frustration directed at her, at least not mainly at her. He instead made a sweeping gesture with his hands, his voice changing oh so slightly from the cultured Istabith accent he had, identifying to Aseras he was a native of Alderaan, at least had spent enough time upon the planet and was schooled in Alderaan. "If I knew exactly what I was looking for then I would not have you here trying to assist me, now would I? All I know is the Force led me here. The heir to house Panteer, it is who I come to search for and it is here some trace of her should be. Some hint, a record of her genetic code, or a name, to be found here!"

Octavian was about to say more, but then he tilted his head to the side as the Force warned him. It seemed like his arrival upon the planet had not been as undetected as he had wished, or (and it was the more likely of explanations) he had been sold out. It was not a Force user, so it ruled out one of the Jedi, or one of the Knights of the Zakuul. Whoever they were, they were deadly, but at the same time had the sensation of... stealth... about them. It only took several moments for him to realize who it could be. House Rist commandos, assassins more closer to the truth, and the House responsible for the death of the last King of Alderaan, allied with House Ulgo, and they were arriving. He had less than minutes.

It did not make any sense however. They had no reason to move against him. To do so was to risk the ire of the Sith, and while the Never Ending Empire rued this part of the known galaxy in all but name, the Sith were still not opponents one wished to make, especially a powerful member of the Dark Council as Darth Imperius, and to strike against Octavian was to strike against him. So why move against now? They were all but tipping their hand. It was not as if they could hope to get the drop upon a Force user, especially one as skilled as Octavian. Then he tilted his head to the side, and it was as if one of the many metal shifting puzzle pieces they used to first practice using the telekinetic power of the Force snapped into place. They were not here for him.

Octavian turned and regarded Aseras, his voice taking on the exotic accent of Dromund Kaas with Alderaan. He circled her again, his hand upon her waist and letting her feel his fingers through her clothing. "You feel them too, don't you my dear?" It was true, and like so many times in the past five years, her senses were screaming at her it was time to run. Octavian moved in front of her, his hand starting at her hip, up over a breast, and finally to her chin, He gripped her lower jaw in a gentle yet near unbreakable grip as he studied her. "They are here for you..."

[Assistant]
As Octavian's anger grew Aseras did her best to step away without seeming like she was running from him. She was sure that if it seemed like she was running away it would only make things worse. Though she was a bit surprised to hear his accent change to one of Alderaan birth but the more surprising thing was... his answer. He was there for her and he didn't even know it! Aseras silently thanked whatever powers where at work, she still maybe able to make it out of here without him figuring it out... she though that too soon.

The hair on her skin stood on end and a feeling a dread settled into her stomach. This wasn't the first time she had felt something like this before, in fact it was this feeling that allowed her to leave an area where she was in great danger. She was sure this wasn't coming from Octavian, if so she'd be dead already. But what was the worst was the fact Octavian felt them as well, and he had put two and two together. Her heart was hammering in her ears but she didn't let this cloud her mind. She had a Sith Lord before her and he wanted the heir of House Panteer, he wanted her. She could use this. "You want the heir to house Panteer?" Aseras asked softly. "I have the information where she is. You want it? Protect me." She bargained.

[User]
Anger flared briefly inside of Octavian. The answer to his mission and the future to all of Alderaan, to removing the Eternal Empire's presence from his planet, and he had to save the person responsible for holding the information from him in the first place! As quick as the anger came, it left. It would not serve him at this moment, not till the battle was joined, he needed his mind clear. The presences he felt were starting their search, and it would not take them long. While he did not sense the Force in any of them, there were more than enough to cause even one such as him issue with someone to protect, and it was clear he had to protect the fetching woman. Oh a sly smile crossed his features. He could think of a number creative and inventive means to make her reveal all she knew about the missing heir to House Panteer.

Octavian gestured towards the exit of the room. "Indeed you shall, but such fun will be for later. They are starting a top down search of the place, but we need to get to where my speeder is. It will mean encountering a few of them. Trust your instincts in what they tell you, and you will survive this." He knew he would survive, which was more important, but he wanted to complete his mission as well, so he would not risks. Well, many of them. He moved and made certain she was keeping up with him. He raised his eyes a bit as he realized she was. It was her fear and reaction to the situation allowing her to call upon the Force to keep up with him. Not he was using too much speed, but in Aseras' mind she was the only thing protecting her from death. It did not mean he could use draw upon as deep as he would, but at the same time, this new development mean they might only need to face one team instead of several.

They faced off against the first team around the bend. They assassins where good and did not even pause for a second and they raised their weapons. Octavian grinned and let loose a wave of the Force which hard, knocking one off of their feet, and another assassin' aim off. The third till had a bead upon him. He fired, but Octavian's twin lightsabers on, deflecting the blast. He then without missing a step threw one of his blades. It arched end over end as it approached the one of the assassins. The man (or woman, it was difficult to tell with the armor), dodged out of the way, so it was only an arm lost than its life. Not it lasted much longer as Octavian was not far behind, increasing his speed and following through, finishing what he had started. The assassin dropped to the floor as Octavian drew his discarded blade into his hand, advancing upon the remaining two members of House Rist. "Take the rifle!" He called out behind his shoulder, twin blades up in a defensive posture, ready to deflect the next wave of blaster fire.

[Assistant]
Aseras could feel his anger even if it was just a moment, and it greatly unsettled her. This was the best way she was going to get out of this with her life but... was it putting her life in greater danger? In the ended it was a risk that Aseras had to take. What truly unsettled her was the sly smile upon his lips as he agreed to keeping her safe.

Internally Aseras couldn't help but laugh at his advise. If she had listened to her instincts she would have ran the moment she saw Octavian's speeder! But here she was, standing in the old records room with a Sith Lord! But she couldn't think upon that now, her life was in danger and she had to focus upon getting out alive.

As they made their way back to Octavian's speeder Aseras couldn't help but feel that he was moving a bit slower than she expected. Then again she figured he wasn't overly worried about it, after all he was a Sith Lord and these where likely just simple fools for him. Sure enough with the first group they ran into Octavian upheld his word and defended Aseras. When he commanded her to pick up the first to fall's rifle, Aseras didn't even hesitate. Snatching it up she aimed it at one of her assassins and fired, though she wasn't the greatest shot. This wasn't too shocking but she did hit the assassin in the center of their body, dropping them to the floor. "What do you want the heir of House Panteer for? I thought the Empire wanted House Ulgo upon the throne." Aseras asked.

[User]
Anger and rage were think in the air, but not the uncontrolled storm of emotion of a thug flailing about to strike out with no plan our purpose. No, this was something farm more focused and fine, a razor edge scalpel making the precious placement it needed to slice out a diseased tumor, and none of the healthy cells beneath. The sheer amount of discipline and control needed to channel the dark wellspring the anger came from, a raging current and bending it to one's will. It should had been impossible, a task no one could performed, a dark tide to swallow one whole for stepping a foot in it. All of this and more Aseras could sense, a near physical presence brushing up against her. The barest of touch of the the intense wave of nearly made her feel like drowning but for the briefest of moments. To be in the center of it, to be the focus of it all, unimaginable. Yet Octavian did do.

If Aseras thought Octavian had moved fast before, it was nothing compared too now. He made the House Rist assassins look as if it had been the first time they had ever used a weapon. Two neat sliced cut through the stocks of their rifles, a spin about and another two sliced and two more bodies dropped, all in the time it took one to blink an eye. Then as sudden as the pressure and insurmountable presence was about to swarm all, it was gone. The assassins were dead, and Octavian was no longer moving faster than the wind. He was there, his lightsabers the physical embodiment of his position as the Empire's Wrath. They were not the traditional red blades near all Sith had for their blades, or even other colors Jedi had before they joined the ranks of the Sith yet kept the lightsabers they created. No, these blades were blacker than the void of space, surrounded by a corona of dark violet, blazing a path of dark righteous vengeance.

A gesture was all Octavian made, and then he was moving. He held back, but he was again surprised he had not needed to hold back much at all. There was a power in this woman, untrained and undisciplined, but the Force was strong within her. Fear ruled her and had its grip firmly upon her, but fear was a strong emotion as wrath, and Aseras was unknowingly tapping into the Force through the fear, and it allowed her to keep up with Octavian. Perhaps for this and this alone the Force led him to her, and not only because she knew the location of the lost Panteer heir. It was the only explanation as to why he was brought there in the first place.

The Force was theorized by many to be formed of three parts: Alter, Control, and Sense. Alter was what allowed Octavian to sense the telekinetic wave he did against the assassins before he struck. Alter was what allowed him to change his speed and utilize his lightsabers with the deadly mastery he did, and finally Sense was what gave Octavian the three or so seconds warning as to possible outcomes of the future, to anticipate dangers and threats to him and either move or counter them. Of the three, Sense was what he was the weakest in. At the moment he could tell there was danger, but it seemed to be coming from every such quarter as House Rist tightened their noose about the old palace home, the loss of contact with the team Octavian had killed alerting them. Aseras however did see a bit further than Octavian, and as such she was able to see the sniper stationed upon the ruined wall, training its gun upon Octavian as they made their way to the pad where he had stashed away his speed, time slowing down to a bare crawl as she witnesses the rifle barrel line up and take aim.

[Assistant]
If the battle around her was not enough to make her see she was out matched, the movements of Octavian where. For the first few moments of combat she could only watch in awe as he cut down the assassins sent there for her. Then it settled into her mind... how did they know she was here? She'd kept her tacks well covered and even the Sith Lord didn't know she was here. He believed it a bit of luck from what Aseras could figure. Yet as Octavian moved, Aseras found her feet moving with his oddly enough keeping up.

Believing that the Sith Lord was move than a match for these Rist assassions, Aseras followed behind him shooting those that fell to ensure they wouldn't get up. If one did, well she didn't need to think about that right now. When all finally seemed down and they had made it to Octavian's speeder Aseras could only smiled as there was a chance at freedom... yet as the Sith Lord got to the speeder Aseras smile faded. The feeling that had kept her alive all these years crept back into her being. Time around her slowed and for a moment the young heir could see events play out before she snapped back to where she was. "MOVE!!!" Aseras cried as she out stretched her hand. She believed she was giving the Sith warning, yet she ended up doing something few could claim. From the heir came a wave of force that pushed all around her back, forcing Octavian and his speeder away as the shot was taken. The blast hit the ground where he had once been, leaving a scorched mark and a shaking Aseras with wide eyes. Quickly her head snapped and looked to where the sniper had settled, and she aimed the weapon she had picked up from a fallen assassin and unloaded it upon his location.

[User]
It was rare for Octavian to be taken by surprise, but the telekinetic wave which Aseras released upon him. As such he had not braced against it and was sent head over heels away, the power behind it significant. He had a fraction of a second warning before it slammed into him, giving him time enough to turn off his lightsabers less they slice into him as he flailed about in the air. Halfway through the air he managed to gain control of his body and he turned the impromptu sailing through the air into a controlled combat roll. He had a great deal of momentum behind him so Octavian was forced to roll a few times upon the ground before he could put his feet under him and used the remainder of it into speed, the snap-hiss of his lightsabers activating stark in the air as he did so.

Octavian did notice how Aseras had taken care of the threat which nearly ended his life. A situation to ponder more when he was safe as two Rist assassins hit the ground before him. Once more, deadly in their craft and profession they may be, they were quickly educated they were no match for a Lord of the Sith. Octavian increased his speed, then dropped to his knees and slid over the ground, blades flashing out to cut off both opponent's at their knees. Their cries of pain echoed as they hit the ground, and in a flair which Octavian spun his sabers about, the then decisively stabbed down through the middle of their back and through where their hearts would be, ending their lives.

Octavian spun about, lunching a foot a the control pad for the side of the speeder to open the doors. He then began to weave his blades about in a defensive shield as Aseras was close upon his heels. "Get in!" he cried out to her, deflecting the fury of blaster fire being directed their way as more and more ranged weapons joined the fight. It was a rather impressive amount. A typical team of assassins were three to five people, and there had to be more than five hunter/killer teams out there. They were also not trying to capture but kill. A large number of assassins for one lone servant, as he had no proof yet he was betrayed.

Once Aseras was inside the speeder, Octavian moved and quickly entered himself. He no longer felt so foolish leaving the speeder idling rather than shutting it down. Perhaps once more insight from the Force, though he did not recognize it at the time. He gunned the throttle, and both he and Aseras were pressed into their seats as the g-forces from the rapid acceleration pressed upon them. The Rist teams attempted to fire and shoot them down, by Octavian was far too skilled a pilot, and his ally was the Force. They never even came close to hitting him as he sped out over the mountains and out of sight.

Octavian kept one eye on the sensors as he looked for pursuit at the same time trying to think of his next move. If he was betrayed, then the Imperial Fury would be under surveillance, both to see if it did anything unusual such as a unplanned departure, as well as watching the space port it was at for Octavian to return with Aseras in hand. It would be what he would have done, and brought enough military might to bare even a Lord of the Sith would find survival difficult, especially with an asset to defend. Octavian tried his comm-link, on the off hand chance whoever was moving against him was sloppy, yet they were not and he found his communications jammed.

Octavian thumbed off his comm-link and then let his rich and commanding voice fill the cabin of the speeder, it deceptively calm, even near intimate as he spoke, yet underneath it all was the steel core which marked him as a Lord of the Sith, and his oh so politely worded request no so much a request but more a command. "It was not my first encounter with the infamous House Rist, but I will say it was my first encounter with five or more teams at once, and they did not seem too surprised to see either of us, and they were not much in the mood for questions. I do believe now is the time for you, my dear, to start sharing information with me."

[Assistant]
Swiftly Aseras ran to the speed and slid onto the seat as a shot hit the ground where she had been. She hadn't let go of the weapon she picked up, if only to have if she needed to fight later. While she still didn't trust this Sith, she knew that she couldn't fight him and win... there was just no way. So if they did get into it her best chance would be to run. But now they where in a confined space together when Octavian jumped in a sped them away.

Aseras had met Rist assassins before. Though they had never come after her like they did today which made Aseras wonder... where they really after her? Could they have been after this Sith Lord? So many more question flooded her mind as he avoided the shots but the main one was this: Where was he taking her now? After all he expected an answer for where the Heir was... though he didn't know he already had the Heir.

Finally when he spoke however, she jumped and shifted so that she was facing him in the seat, putting her back up against the door of the speeder. "I've met them a few times in towns... never like this though." She told him as she settled the gun upon her lap. "If I might... answer this question for me: Why do you want the Heir? I thought the Empire wanted House Ulgo upon the throne... or have they finally noticed that a house willing to stab their first masters in the back means they're willing to do it to the same thing to their current masters?"

[User]
Well now, the servant was not as meek and submissive as she had tried to portray herself when Aseras had been confronted by Octavian. Somehow he believed what he was witnessing now was more true to her nature and character, and the performance she gave him before and act to get him away from Aseras as fast as she could. When the time came however she had not acted like some scared and terrified nerf, but picked up and weapon and defended them both. Octavian owed his life to the woman sitting beside him, most likely. Still, there were limits.

Octavian made a small *tut tut* sound as she finished, and even a small finger wag, but both accompanied by a fierce and amused grin on his features, his Alderaan heritage, so much more evident now they are in close proximity to one another. "Ah there we go, the Vorn Tiger displays her claws and stripes and not so much the Nerf at all when we first met. Still very pretty and stunning and makes all the much more attracted to you, but do be careful when you challenge, I cannot resist them, and you may not like the end results."

Octavian put the speeder unto a quickly plotted course, then turned towards Aseras, his storm gray eyes once more the penetrating and intense stare he had used upon her before, as if his gaze were a physical caress in its own right as it lingered over every curve and sharp edge of her. Then again given his control of the Force she had witnessed, the sensation could indeed be him using it upon her. His voice turned a bit husky, darkly sensual like cloved honey dribbled upon the tongue. "Then again, perhaps you would? Oh my lovely and deadly tigress, all you but need to do is ask and we will dance in such a way to leave you panting for days."

Octavian's lips were close, perhaps a feather's kiss away from her lips. He let the moment build, the tension between he and Aseras before backing away. He still kept his gaze upon her, but his voice took on a more conversational tone. "The Sith Empire never supported House Ulgo. We never trusted them. Even now they are selling out our planet to the Eternal Empire. If Alderaan bows and caves into them, the rest of the Core worlds will follow suit. I have too much pride in my planet to have such happen, which is why I am here to see Ulgo fall. The clearest, if slightly bloodiest path, to such a goal is to restore House Panteer and rally the other noble houses about them."

[Assistant]
For a moment, if only a moment, Aseras worried she had made the wrong move. The Sith seemed to treat her as a child for a moment with his tut tut and wagging finger, but she knew that in a moment he could end her life. Those with the Force where nothing to toy with, and now she was stuck alone in a speeder with one! But as he spoke she felt a bit more... relaxed. He wouldn't be telling her all of this if he meat to kill her... right?

When he moved closer to her Aseras moved the blaster so that she could shoot if he tried anything she believed would but her life in danger any further. Yet listening to his words sent a heat over her body that gathered between her legs and made her squeeze them tighter together. "Asking for such a thing will not be in the future." She stated, though she couldn't turn her head away from Octavian.

Finally when he backed away she let out a long sigh as she turned her head away and listened to his words. "Why do you even believe there is a heir of House Panteer? Ulgo killed the last of House Panteer and his wife. Rumors are all there are to go upon now... and even if you found their child, how would you only be able to get them back upon the Throne?"

[User]
Spirit and fight and Force sensitive on top of everything. It was a good thing there were in an enclosed speeder or Octavian might have made his view right then and there. He was still very tempted. it reminded him of Vette in the very early days of their relationship. He could very much respect independence and strong character, even if he wanted to break them to his will in bed because of it. He did not mind a mindless drone however so one had to be very skilled at making one enjoy harsh sex and want more without completely breaking one's self or will. It was a fine touch many of his fellow Sith had no talent or skill. He did and the light did not die in his eyes as he purred in a manner which was pure sin, erotic decadence, and promises of carnal fulfillment which were not idle boasting. "Give it time my dear, give it time and we will see, I will even be so gracious as not to toss "I told you so", back into your face when it does."

Octavian did let his features become a bit more serious as he addressed his mission. "I know there is an heir to the House as my Master saw it in a Force vision, just as she saw in the future how the rest of the galaxy would fall to the Eternal Throne if they were not found. Ulgo supports the Eternal Throne, the rest of the Houses save House Rist do not. However, because of the civil war, many of the noble houses do not trust one another. They need a unifying front, the legitimate ruler of Alderaan ordering them to overthrow Ulgo and stand up to the Eternal Throne. The Sith Empire will then put its backing behind them, and in doing so will force the Republic to do the same, thus creating the cornerstone of resistance to the Eternal Throne and stopping them before they gain more than a small foothold in inner core. If we do not, then other core planets will follow Alderaan's example, and with the rest of the inner core behind it, the Republic will cease to be, and shortly afterwards, so will the Empire."

Octavian frowned as he looked at the navigation chart before him. He did not have any other leads and did not know where else to turn. He was for certain it was time to change vehicles in the off hand chance he was betrayed by someone at the garrison with promise of wealth or power or something else when the Eternal Throne had annexed Alderaan. "We are going to need a new vehicle. Sanctuary Coast lacks both a strong Republic or Imperial presence, and might have the type of contacts I will need when it comes to finding a secure location for the Fury to meet with me when my mission is complete." Octavian then gave Aseras a level look. "And completion of said mission hinges upon you I think. It was not luck or coincidence which brought us together. Your are strong in the Force, if untrained. I also know you are hiding more than you told me. If anyone knew of any scions of Panteer, it would be a loyal servant, such as yourself. I suggest you aid me, as the sooner you do, the sooner I shall be gone from your life."

[Assistant]
"So, let us say I lead you to the heir... how are you going to convince all of Alderaan that she is the heir?" Aseras asked as she looked away from the Sith Lord. A danger in and of itself, it was one that Aseras forced herself to do. While she had made and worn a mask for many years she wouldn't risk it even showing a flaw here. If he knew what sat next to him now, after telling her all of this, she wasn't sure he would stay his hand... on anything. After all an alliance is what he wanted no?

"Not to mention the attacks from House Risk will increase, House Ulgo will be up in arms, how would your protect her from such things?" She asked still looking away, she crossed her arms, gripping the opposite arm in each hand. "Then there is the fact she's the last of her line, so if you fail, if you faultier even for a moment, and she died before having a heir you plan shatters. Will you protect her? Will your Empire truly be able to keep her safe?" As the questions fell the grip on her arms grew tighter till her knuckles where white.

Finally it hit her that she was hurting herself, she let go and looked back to Octavian. "I shall point out Lord, that I wasn't born when House Panteer fell but shortly after. Any secrets that loyal servants would have wouldn't been told to me but to my parents..." She explained trying to push his view away from her as much as possible... at least for the moment.


[User]
When the apocalypse came for humanity, it was not the battle between heaven and hell like many thought it would be. Instead, humanity's demise came from without, a threat that no faction could have foreseen or even know about. Unnameable horrors, perhaps drawn to humanity by them digging too deep into the sciences and arcane knowledge and unleashing a rapine storm across the globe. By now, most of humanity had been slaughtered, the survivors in small pockets of safety, clinging to what they could for comfort and security. Doom had come to the world of man, yet it did not stop there. Heaven was the first to receive the brunt of these horrors, first manifesting as what could best be described as scouting parties by the beasts. The Angelic Host was capable enough of handling these small groups, but slowly and inexorably, they became more aggressive. They found more holes in reality to get to heaven, and what was at first skirmishes and driving them off steadily became an all out war.

With God having disappeared countless years ago, the Angelic Host was left to their own devices. A bitter war soon ensued. These ''Other'' were not mindless, but they likewise held no compassion to them and their way of thinking was utterly alien to the Angels. They gladly threw themselves upon sword or spear if it meant killing one of their opponents, and they wielded magic that was just as dangerous as the forces of Hell itself. Whatever they were, they had countless forms, some looking like horrific deep sea life given a vaguely humanoid form, others looking like abominations that could only be described as an amalgamation of man, insect, and other myriad monsters of legend. It would be a bitter war, and many in the Host held out hope... yet Saniel saw the truth of things. These beasts had virtually finished with humanity, and they were coming for Heaven now. They wouldn't stop, and there was no chance of surrender. They seemed infinite in number and while the Angelic Host was mighty, there was only so much they could do. Yet... there had to be a source to them. An origin point. And to that end, the Angel known as Saniel had a plan. Perhaps foolish in nature but an idea nonetheles.

Demons were just as unwelcome in the presence of The Other as well, and it was clear to Saniel that once they had finished with Heaven, they would turn their claws and magic to the demons below. And he did not seem to be alone in that thought. It was just a shame that the only other being who believed him in that moment was a demon. It took a great deal of magic for an angel to manifest on earth, and it was a dangerous place still, infested by these Others and a ruined wasteland. Where once stood forests, were desolate badlands. Where once lakes lay, were now empty basins and cracked, dry ground. Even the great cities of many lay in ruins and were overrun, with only the truly foolish or desperate of humanity seeking to plunder them for resources.

Yet, Earth was not totally destroyed, not yet. A warm wind blew in from the south as Saniel waited in a ruined and wrecked human Cafe, not far from a human shelter. It had already been mostly plundered of goods, yet there remained a table and some chairs. The armored and blonde haired angel paced somewhat impatiently as he thought to himself. Could he trust a demon? Would they trust him? Even their kind must realize the gravity of the situation, how both Heaven and Hell were doomed if they did not find a way to stop these things. His armor clinked slightly as he walked, his helmet off as his aqua toned eyes looked to the city outside. Buildings lay collapses or abandoned, cars in the middle of the road that had been left behind, and slowly, a creeping guilt came over him. Perhaps his kind should have helped humans, he was one of many who would---yet the Host believed this to be Man's fault, and they were to be judged accordingly. If only they knew what was coming.

[Assistant]
"One decaf latte with soy milk." The voice was childish and naïve. It was not her normal voice, although she had used before to pretend she was an innocent young girl. Now it was used to mock human pretentiousness. Axa appeared near the counter of the cafe. She could, with some effort, shift through shadows on short range, seemingly appearing and disappearing. It was not her true name, of course. That name held power of her and remained a closely guarded secret.

"They're not open for business, I guess." Her voice changed to something a little more mature, yet remained soft and feminine. She stood with her arms folded underneath her ample chest, pale skin partially covered by her flowing red robe. Her feathered wings were folded tightly behind her back. They were as black as her hair, sometimes shifting through purple hues when hit by light.

She looked around. Many a time had this world been her hunting ground, before it fell. Then her eyes fell on the angel, studying him up and down. She was a sexual demon and couldn't help letting her tongue play over her full lips at the sight of him. She stepped a little closer, hips swaying as she walked. Her thigh-high leather boots crunched broken glass on the floor with each step, but not too loudly. She had made sure this place was safe from the Other before arriving, but there was no need drawing more attention than necessary.

"I came. Well, not in the way I'd prefer, but you know what I mean. Maybe." She raised one eyebrow and smiled.

[User]
To the demon's credit, Saniel did not sense her until she had manifested fully within the cafe. As she spoke, the presence of a demon instinctively caused him to open his hand to call out for his weapon, but he was able to catch himself just before summoning it. Instead his hand flexed shut, and his soft eyes turned to look towards Axa. It was a shame in his mind that only one demon deemed this a worthy endeavor, yet one was truly better than none believing him. "Looks like they've been closed for a while." His voice was more amiable than most, he knew well enough that venom and hatred would go nowhere here. There was a long pause as he turned to face her in full, only stopping to pull out a pair of intact chairs for the two of them.

"I'm glad you came." Well, as glad as an Angel could be to see a demon. But he had to look past that. Even as his eyes looked her over, the unearthly beauty of a seductive demon like Axa didn't go unnoticed by the angel and for a moment, he felt... something, but he sought to work past it. "Let's have a seat. We're safe here, and it's better if we discuss this like allies." Which they were. Even if part of him didn't want to believe it. As a showing of good faith, with a small wave of his hand his armor dissipated around him, changing into so many motes of light as he was reduced to simple clothing. A dark, wine red long sleeved shirt that fit him comfortably if a bit snugly, and dark colored pants. Taking a seat in one of the chairs he pulled out, he waited for her to sit opposite of him at the table.

[Assistant]
Axa looked at the angel as he spoke, with a private little smile. She stood still for a while, then sauntered towards the table. Had it not been in ruins and filled with humans, she would have drawn all their gazes; even when she was in disguise. When she moved, the cloth on her robes shifted at times, to reveal her chest. She had a bustier shaped like skeletal hands with long fingers, grasping the lower parts of her large breasts. Light-pink nipples, permanently erect, could be glimpsed by the observant.

She sat on the chair opposite the angel, one knee over the other, both hands on top of that. She batted her long, dark lashes almost mockingly. "This is not my worst date." Axa couldn't help but jest. She had lived a long life and experienced a lot. For 37 years in the 7th century she had been the prisoner of a shaman in the region the last humans had called Eastern Europe. Oh she had made him suffer when she finally broke free of his spell.

"You may call me Axa." said Axa. "Axalahaaxusaa is... impractical, even for those who speak the fiendish tongue." She smelled the air. It was arid, dusty. Then she looked at the angel again. He was beautiful. All their kind were radiant, but this one was a particularly nice specimen. Having one in her mercy had been a very rare treat. Last time had been a long time ago. Far too long.

[User]
She was striking in every sense of the word. As a demon, she held unearthly beauty that mortal's simply could not compare with. Even the Angel's eyes were drawn to her, though he tried to focus them elsewhere until she was sitting opposite of him. "Trust me when I say there is a mutual feeling here... Axa." As she introduced herself, there was a brief sigh, and he again focused his attention on the female demon as he tried to keep his focus on her eyes. It should have been truly beneath him to feel these foibles, but Angel's held the same emotions as men did.

"I am Saniel." The dry wind that blew though a broken window was far from a welcome respite, yet there was no stopping it. "I'm here with you, because Heaven is under siege. And we're losing." There was a note of bitterness to his words, but he did not stop there. "And after Heaven falls, surely they will come for Hell next." it was as simple as that in his mind, A hand came to rest on the table as the heavenly being kept his focus on situation at hand. "I want to find a way to stop them, these Others. Whatever they are, there has to be a way to unmake them." Whatever the human's did to summon them, there must have been a way to undo it. The human's just couldn't think of it in time, was all. "Unfortunately, the other Angel's believe that we can win this ''war''. They don't really understand what they're fighting, so I am alone in this task as far as the Heavenly Host goes. That is why I reached out to your kind. We are enemies." It was a plain fact, were it not for this, Heaven would have waged war on Hell eventually, he knew that. "But we need to work together before everything is undone. Heaven, Hell, what's left of Earth. It seems you at least understand what's at stake."

He knew there was likely a price he'd need to pay for this, but for now, he had some hope that she was understanding.

[Assistant]
Axa listened. The emotions on her face shifted, but they were still not easy to read. It was difficult knowing if she was reacting to what he said or some internal monologue. When he finished explaining, she shifted a little; putting the first knee over the other. "It was not only my curiosity driving me here." Axa again looked down at the angel's form; her tongue darting out to reveal that she liked what she saw. Saniel. It was a nice name.

"I have had similar thoughts. Many of my kin, however, would rather see your realm destroyed before we end the Other threat. Of course. It might be too late at that point." She paused. If Saniel figured there was a price to pay, he was right. She was not thinking about the greater cost to them both, if they did this. Slavery. Eternal torment. Final death. There were several options. No, she wanted him to pay directly to her. The price was not steep, however.

"Working together? Heaven and Hell?" She mouthed a ''wow''. "I have no idea what the two of us can accomplish by ourselves, but I will do what I can. I will be your ally. Your partner. I just want one thing in return." She paused again; longer this time. "One. Little. Kiss."

[User]
Her expression remained somewhat elusive to him. She was at least listening to him and hearing him out, which meant she was not dismissive of it. By the end of his words he took a light breath, the dry air doing little for what could be best described as a growing anxiety. When she started to speak, it was hardly a relief to hear that he had guessed Hell's intentions correctly. Why lift a finger to help those who wished to wipe you out? But she seemed... different, if only because she recognized the threat. Hell was in danger too, and she was wise enough or canny enough to understand that.

When the price came up, some small part of him hesitated. What if she was to use magic on him, or there was something to the embrace? Yet... surely the damnation of one was worth untold thousands of angelic lives. He could live with being a fallen angel if he could fix things, make them right. Save heaven and perhaps humanity in some aspect, too.

But yet, there was some wariness to him. It was clear from the way he looked at her, however when she spoke, his voice was just as determined as it had ever been.

"Very well. A kiss for your assistance. That is a fair trade." If she was playing some sort of game, he only hoped that she still would do the right thing.

[Assistant]
Axa smiled and stood upright, hips swaying slowly as she rounded the table. She had kissed thousands and thousands of men and women through the centuries. It was rarely an ingredient in magic, although it could be. To Axa it was something else. The intimacy held emotions that made her feel what others were feeling, emotions that her kin were deprived of. Apprehension. Nervousness. Love. Fear. Many others.

Also, she just liked toying with people---and angels. She wanted to kiss him just for kicks.

With him still sitting, her head was higher. She leaned in, which caused her magnificent bosom to almost spill entirely out of her bustier. Stopping her lips an inch from his, meant that he would have to close the deal by actually closing the last bit of distance. It was not going to be a deep kiss, however. A soft touch. A brief touch of tongue. That would be enough for now.

[User]
As Axa stood, the way she moved did not go unnoticed. Even her walk was immensely sensual, to a point that even an angel was hard pressed to ignore it. Saniel was a skilled warrior and had acted as a guardian angel many a time before, yet all but the most stalwart and eldest of angels were not beyond all vices. Perhaps that was what led to the first few angels falling and becoming demons.

Once she leaned in, and he chest practically spilled from her top, he sort of knew the game she was playing. To that end he took the initiative of the last few inch or so, his lips pressing back into hers for that kiss she so desired. Saniel wanted it to feel mostly chaste, yet there was a certain intimacy to the embrace that left him feeling uncertain at the end. She was the one who wanted the kiss, so surely she would decide when it was to finish, and if it lingered it was not his fault. That was a comforting thought to allay his own doubts.

[Assistant]
Axa felt the touch of lips. Then, parting her own, to let the tip of her tongue out to find his. She had a long demonic tongue, but only employed the tip here in this case. Something happened then that Axa hadn't expected. As she broke the kiss, her mask and her cool were gone for a brief second. Eyes widened, and the fire within them flaring up. She had not expected to feel anything this strong. Who was this angel?! Why did he affect her so much?!

She took a step back and just like that her mask was back up. Playful. Seductive. Unaffected. "There. That wasn't difficult at all. Partner." She turned around with his back towards him. Her robe wooshing around her enough to reveal soft skin on pale luscious thighs. She turned her a little. "So, what's our first step?"

[User]
By the time the kiss was over, some small part of Saniel felt vulnerable. It wasn't often he felt such given he had a strong will and was seen as brave by other angels. Yet the kiss left him feeling somewhat used and yet wanting it more. It was a dichotomy he was unfamiliar with, and as the embrace ended with her tongue meeting his, there was the brief and yet electrifying touch that sent a shiver down his spine.

It in fact took him a moment to recover. He again breathed in a bit deeply, eyes closing as a hand came to rest upon the table to he could properly stand. "Well..." Trying to ignore that shiver, he then went on. "There are two ways I see it. The first... there is a human shelter nearby. They're safe, at least for now and have enough capability to defend themselves against wandering Others and the like but they would fall against a more concentrated attack. We can go there to ask them what they know of the Others and their recent actions, perhaps there's some method to their madness that they may know about. It's also going to get dark eventually and we could both use the shelter they provide."

But that wasn't the only option.

"Or... we can go further into the city, we'll undoubtedly attract some unwanted attention by our mutual enemy, but I chose this meeting place for a reason. This was one of the first cities attacked by their ilk, and though it's ravaged I was hoping to find out whatever information we can. Some of these buildings still have power to them, perhaps there's some report or research we could find. It's a bit of a lark, but then again so is our alliance here so perhaps we'll strike gold."

[Assistant]
Axa looked around while they talked, not at the cafe but what she could see of the nearby area through broken windows or sections where the walls had holes. She was glad Saniel had some notion on how they could proceed. He was not stupid, which was good. She knew his kind to sometimes act stupid, but she had come to learn it was because their morality often overshadowed their rationality. "Both are viable options." Axa turned to look at Saniel again. "Maybe one doesn't exclude the other. We can search the city for information, and search for human shelters later." Her tail shifted a little, before she continued. "Have your people ever got anything useful out of defeated Others? Our attempts at interrogation have been strangely fruitless. Their minds are so alien."

She moved in the direction of the door, which she had shifted through before. That had been on a whim. Now, she was going to have to preserve her energy as much as she could. If shit went down, she didn't want to face the enemy in a weakened state.

[User]
"Then we'll search the city first. There are some buildings of interest---I know there's a human military base in the city. That could hold key information for us. I suggest we go now before it gets dark." Not that the darkness would be an issue, but the Others seemed more active at night. "As for interrogation, we've captured a few but... as you said they are different. They don't speak, they fight back---hard. It's near impossible to keep them captive for long. They have a way to communicate with one another but I'm not sure how." As he moved for the door, with a simple wave of his hand, his armor appeared around him once more, covering him in angelic metal.

"Perhaps your kind would be more... thorough in getting information out of them but I am not sure." Demons held a knack for corrupting humans and angels, but these things were unlike either. Opening the door to the outside, the warm sun and dry winds were not particularly welcome, but they were things that the two would have to deal with. "I know where the base is, it's just a matter of getting there safely. If we head to the humans afterwards, we can disguise ourselves and possibly trade anything useful e find in the base to them for other goods if necessary."

[Assistant]
Axa admired the angel in his armor. He was a tall and imposing figure. The black feathers on her own wings bristled, but did not fold out. "We better walk. Don't want to attract attention, huh? Which, I have to admit, makes me a little said." She made a mock boo-hoo crying motion. "...I like attention. These tits were made for it, don't you think?" She made them wiggle a little. The nipples were half visible atop the ghoulish bustier.

She started walking alongside Saniel towards this military base. The shadows around them seemed to have a mind of their own, helping to conceal the pair as they walked. It was part of Axa's fiendish nature; shadow and flame. When they crossed the ruins of a human park, where the chains of an old swingset dangled, Axa took Saniel's arm as if they were a couple taking a stroll. "Tell me about your life in heaven. What do you do when you're not facing the Other threat?"

[User]
"I doubt any of the human vehicles out here work or have gas, I'm sure the humans would have siphoned any left in the cars around here to their own ends." So walking was fine with him. When she asked about how she was made for attention, he gave her a brief side glance, "You certainly seem to enjoy showing them off." Was all he'd say on the matter. Yet, he was tempted all the same, and no small part of him didn't like it. Her confidence was admirable however, and it was just what he felt was necessary to see from her as he left the building with her. Walking by her side, the angel then heard her question about what he did in his heavenly home.

An unusual question... or perhaps not really. She might have just been seeking to find common ground, or maybe a way to tempt him. Either way, he would give her an answer. "Heaven is... surprisingly political among our kind. Many of my kin jockey and vie for higher positions and to have a more important voice. I care little for these political games, I simply seek to do my work, and do it as well as I can." His tone was a casual one, not overly loud, but still clear enough that she could hear him. "In what spare time I do have, I am an artist. I paint, primarily. And I enjoy reading what lore we do have within our libraries. It is unfortunate that said reading has produced little of help with our current issue, but reading for its own sake holds a joy all the same."

"What of you? What do you do in hell? You don't seem like a soldier in your kins armies, so I imagine you have more freedom than I."

[Assistant]
"Oh, I do." said Axa, giving the angel a most mischievous look. "Just let me know if you want to see more."

She walked alongside him, listening while he spoke of his homeworld. "Books hold power too." she replied. "Not all of them, but many. Painting, as well. So you're artistic as well as handsome and beautiful. The humans must really love you."

When the question was returned to her, Axa gave a little sigh. "Unfortunately, my ability to create is limited. But I do read. And you are right, I seldom play a direct part in our great wars. If I'm needed in that regard I strike vital or vulnerable targets by stealth and subterfuge. For the most part I harvest souls. You would be surprised how easily humans give up their spirit for a night with me."

When they had walked a while, Axa suddenly felt goosebumps across her soft flesh. "Something is wrong." She whispered. "I fear the enemy is near."

[User]
"It's no surprise to me that humans fall easily. They are a fickle race and for as many virtuous, there are just as many..." Before he could finish what he was saying, she interrupted him with a warning. Instantly his spear was in his hands once more. Taking a step closer to Axa, not even a second had passed until something shifted nearby and lunged for the two. Seemingly picking Axa as the easier of the two, the creature was swiftly skewered by Saniel's spear, and with it caught mid lunge it was easy to see what it looked like. Insect like in nature with multiple limbs and a body covered in chitin, its face was a mockery of the animal world, almost looking canid in form save for the distended jaws it possessed. Roughly half the size of either of them, it shuddered and sought to free itself from the spear feebly, one claw swiping at Saniel as he leaned back in time for only a grazing nick from its claws.

It was not alone, three others circled the two quickly, looking to cut off their escape as one gave out a shrill hiss. Kicking the mortally wounded beast off his spear, he interposed himself between Axa and the closest beast, ready to impale or strike anything that moved too close. Despite her being a demon, she was his ally, and he would not allow them to harm her.

[Assistant]
Axa drew her blade only to see Saniel already having skewered one of the creatures. She smiled when he positioned himself to defend her. This was not, however, about keeping her safe. They were going to have to work together to get through this. She might not have the mass of other great demons, but she was fast and precise. Her magical charm wouldn't work on the Others, but she was skilled in other arcane arts.

"You're sweet, but let's go back to back." Axa positioned herself accordingly, not giving the enemy a chance to attack any of them from behind. Her sword wooshed and drew enemy blood from a moderate gash. They were not easily killed however and she ducked to barely avoid the monster's return attack. Red and black swirls of energy formed around her free hand, a fiendish incantation passing over her lips.

The energy released over one of the monsters, its skin searing and bubbling as if it was dipped in acid.