by Eric Vall
“Hi, Gryff,” she greeted me with a quirk of her lips. “I’ve come to ask if the power-hungry monster in your head has taken over your body yet.”
“Uh, no?” I responded hesitantly as I blinked at her in confusion.
“I’m kidding, don’t worry,” Ashla laughed and hefted up the stack of books in her hands. “Just wanted to see the look on your face. Actually, I’ve learned something that could help with Sera.”
I stepped aside to let her into the room before I closed the door behind us.
“What is it?” I asked curiously as I examined the books while she spread them out on my bed.
They were mostly leatherbound, and many of them were in poor condition. Lots of the covers were torn or stained, and some of them were barely kept together with loose strings of decomposing thread. Most of them didn’t have titles or authors written on the covers, much less decoration. They looked ancient, and I wondered how old most of them were.
Ashla pointed at the books proudly. “I’ve been digging through old journals and diaries.”
“Are they from the same era as the ciphers?” I asked carefully as I stared at the books.
“Not even close, sorry,” the ice mage laughed and shook her head. “I decided that instead of focusing on Sera specifically, I would look at other cases of mental struggle, as well as potential monster possessions in general. It turns out there are more than a couple monsters that can affect human behavior.”
“Interesting,” I said.
“It seems like there are a few tactics you can undertake to keep your mind under your own control,” Ashla explained as she paged through one of the journals. “There’s this monster that looks like a goat with eight legs, and it can make freaky noises directly in your head. I’ve never heard of it in modern accounts, but its mental powers made it a fearsome one.”
“Are you sure it’s even a real monster?” I asked with a wince.
Ashla waved a dismissive hand. “It’s real enough for this guy to write about ways to keep it from affecting your thoughts. Sounds like you can practice counting prime numbers, and the distraction helps keep you from focusing on bad things.”
You think my presence in your mind can be compared to the bleatings of common livestock? Sera whispered in amusement.
I wasn’t exactly reassured by the Archon’s confidence.
“What if it doesn’t work?” I asked tentatively as I looked at the journal. “Sera isn’t just around during battle. She’s here with me all the time. I can’t exactly count prime numbers for my whole life.”
“I realize this might not be the most helpful solution,” Ashla bit her lip as she looked at me with worry, “but I can’t figure out what else to do. This was all I could find in my research. I’m … I’m really worried about you, Gryff. We all are.”
“You guys don’t have to worry,” I disagreed, but my stomach churned with nerves. “I’m not listening to a word Sera says, so she can’t get her hooks into me. I’ll be fine.”
Ashla’s eyes glittered as she looked at me, and then the ice mage threw herself at me. Her arms wrapped around me in a desperate hug as I comforted her with a kiss on her forehead.
“I’m just so worried about you,” Ashla murmured into my shoulder. “We’re all trying not to show how afraid we are. We decided you would struggle more if everybody around you was all doom and gloom. Still, I can’t help but think about Gawain and how his possession ended.”
The truth was, I was more excited than anybody about the prospect of saving Gawain, and only part of that feeling was selfless. Deep down, I felt like if we couldn’t recover Gawain, I might also not be able to be saved. He was my friend, but he was also a vision of what was to come for myself.
If we lost him, was I lost, too?
“I know,” I whispered. “It’s okay. I know exactly what Sera is, and I’m not about to give in to her.”
“You can’t promise that,” Ashla said, but her tight hug softened as she relaxed. “We don’t know what might happen to you in a few weeks.”
“I’m not letting her take me,” I growled with complete determination. “I’m glad you all decided to stay positive to make me feel better, but tell everybody not to worry.”
Ashla smiled and released me from the hug. Then she ran one hand along my jaw and tilted her head curiously.
“No wonder you make such a good leader,” she commented as her eyes met mine. “I came here to try to comfort you, but here you are making me feel better instead. I’m sorry I brought you all this useless research.”
Ashla sounded incredibly casual about dismissing her stack of ancient books, but I knew the research she’d done was nothing short of genius. I couldn’t bear to see her so broken up about it.
“You’ve got an amazing talent for this,” I complimented Ashla warmly as I held her by one shoulder. “Don’t feel bad if I don’t use your notes, because I’m incredibly grateful for them anyway. I had no idea you had a scholarly background until Arwyn told me.”
The ice mage looked away, but her eyes glowed with pride. “I’m not much of a scholar. I just like building things, really, and the best way to learn how to build things is by reading books. I got good with old journals because of that.”
“I think that’s how it always starts,” I said with mock severity. “One day you want to make a chair, the next day, you’re paging through dictionaries for new vocab words. I think you’re doomed.”
“You’re doomed too,” Ashla informed me with affection. “You’ve got a serious addiction to history books.”
“Guilty as charged,” I agreed.
Ashla laughed briefly and leaned against my chest.
“I’ve missed you,” she said with longing in her voice. She traced one hand across my shoulder, and her chocolate-brown eyes flickered up to meet mine.
“I’ve missed you too,” I replied in a low, quiet voice.
“I guess Sera sees everything that you do,” she said consideringly as she drew closer to me.
“Are you worried about her?” I asked.
“She can go fuck herself,” Ashla responded with a pleased grin.
As Ashla’s hand roved over my shirt, she began to slowly undo each button. My shirt fell open, and she pushed it off my shoulders onto the floor.
Ashla took a moment to pull at the coils of her thick hair, and it came undone before it settled loosely around her shoulders. It was long and wavy from being in the braids, and it felt silky as I ran my fingers through it.
“We should really make this more equal,” I said as I trailed my hand down her neck and under her blouse.
“We should, shouldn’t we?” she replied with a teasing note to her voice.
I stripped her blouse over her head, and she unclipped her bra, which freed her breasts. They were gorgeous and perky, and their moderate size was just enough to fill my hands as I cupped them.
I kneaded her smooth, supple breasts, and she bit her lip with anticipation. The afternoon sun shone through the window and highlighted the form of her body perfectly, and I could even see the flex of her taut muscles as they rippled beneath her stomach.
Even though it was subtle, she was responsive to every pass I made over her breasts. I thumbed her nipples with quick, teasing motions, and her hips jerked ever-so-slightly in reaction.
I dipped my hand lower before I unhooked the metal catch on her pants. Then I folded the fabric down with slow, deliberate movements. Her pants were tight enough to stay on even as they pushed against the bottom curves of her ass.
Beneath them, she wore nothing at all.
“Daring,” I commented as I gripped the cheeks of her ass, “but it doesn’t surprise me at all.”
“You know me well,” Ashla replied as her eyes grew dark and lustful.
The ice mage smiled slyly and unbuttoned my trousers. They dropped to the floor, and I stepped out of them as she pulled my cock free.
She spit into her hand before she lowered it to my length, and her fingers m
oved over my cock with slick, slow movements. Her attention sent delicious pleasure shooting down my spine, but I wasn’t about to be outdone.
I pushed my hand just below the hemline of her pants and fingered her clit in small circles. Right when she started to gasp, I moved on and dipped my fingers into her wet warmth.
“Fuck,” she swore as I pushed my fingers inside her.
“Feel good?” I asked as I penetrated her with smooth, curving strokes.
Her attention on my cock faded as she squirmed and panted in response to my fingers inside her.
“Hurry up,” she demanded between gasps, though it was clear she enjoyed every moment. “I hate being teased.”
I chuckled and slapped her on the ass with my free hand. Her flesh rippled, and I took my fingers out of her pussy to pull her pants down the rest of the way.
The tight fabric resisted, but I managed to strip them off completely. She kicked her legs free of her pants and hummed happily as she drew her hand back across my cock.
She was completely naked, and I took a moment to drink in the sight of her. She was so ready for me, I could see her wetness drip down her thighs.
I pushed her gently back onto the bed, and she grinned at me as I straddled her.
“C’mere,” she purred, and she rose up on her arms before she kissed me with lustful hunger.
Our tongues twisted together, and the kiss continued as I pushed her legs open all the way. She hummed greedily and ran her hand down my back as I guided my cock into her.
As I filled her tight wet pussy, she broke apart from our kiss and let out a loud, desperate moan. I rolled my hips as Ashla filled the room with shouts and unrestrained, needy gasps.
I pulled out briefly and flipped her over so she was on her knees with her ass pointing up at the ceiling. Then I entered her again, and this time she shuddered and nearly broke apart as bliss throbbed through her body.
“Feel good?” I reached around and pressed my thumb over her clit as I angled up to scrape my tip against her velvety walls.
“Oh, Maker, oh, yes,” she mewled as I deepened the strokes of my cock.
Suddenly, Ashla gasped once more and cut off completely as her body shuddered in orgasm. She rode my cock through it and pressed her ass back into me, and I could feel her tighten around me as she climaxed.
It was long and intense, but she finally came out of the orgasm just as I began to get close to my own. Her faculties returned to her, and Ashla moved in rhythm with my strokes. As my cock delved deeper inside her delicious warmth, it was enough to push me over the edge.
I moaned out Ashla’s name as my seed spurted inside her, and I tightened my fingers around her hips and pulled our bodies together as my cock throbbed with incredible pleasure. The waves of bliss seemed to never end, and she groaned again as she peaked for a second climax and tightened around my shaft.
When I finished filling Ashla’s tight body with my cum, I rolled off and settled in beside her as we both panted. Slowly, our breathing began to even out, and we laid there happily.
Ashla smiled and lowered her hand to her chest before she trailed one finger down to touch between her legs. She brought her finger up to her lips, and I watched in fascination as she licked my creamy seed from her finger as if it was dessert.
“You taste good,” Ashla murmured with a satisfied smile. “You really filled me. I’m dripping all over your bed. I should lick all of it up.”
Maker, she was amazing.
“I don’t know if you’re going to be able to lick all that up,” I teased with a smile.
“Maybe not,” Ashla purred. “I should go take a bath. I’ll be back when I’m not spilling you everywhere.”
She rose, and I watched as she got dressed with just as much delicious seduction as she’d shown me when she’d undressed earlier. My seed really was dripping down the sides of her legs, and the creamy color was an interesting contrast to her mocha-colored skin.
“Be right back.” Ashla turned to wink at me before she slipped quietly through the door and into the hallway.
I laid there in tired contentment for a while, but eventually my mind turned to thoughts of our mission tomorrow. I stood up and dressed myself in new clothing before I turned my attention to my belongings.
I busied myself with the final preparations, and the time passed quickly. While I laid out my clothing for tomorrow, a single knock sounded at the door, and it opened to reveal Layla.
“We are here!” she laughed as she stepped inside. “And look who I found out in the hallway?”
Ashla followed after her with an amused look on her face, and I noticed the ice mage was in a fresh outfit. Her wet hair hung loose around her shoulders, and it reminded me of all the fun we had earlier.
“Hey, Gryff,” Ashla winked.
“You can’t avoid me any longer,” Layla announced in a loud, ominous voice as her tiny finger pointed straight at me. “I am inevitable.”
“I think Sera has dibs on that line,” I chuckled and shook my head as I set the clothes down.
“Nonsense,” the petite mage protested. “I knew you first, so I get to threaten you with my presence first.”
I shrugged and smiled. “Whatever you say, Layla. Now, I suppose we’re all sleeping together?”
“I think the bed has room enough for three,” Ashla said as she neared my bed. “Don’t you?”
“That’s what I was thinking,” Layla giggled, and then the three of us climbed into my bed together. It was still damp from the session of lovemaking I’d just had with Ashla, but Layla didn’t seem to notice. Or maybe she did notice but didn’t care.
Within minutes, Layla, Ashla, and I fell into a pleasant, peaceful sleep.
Hours later, we stretched awake to the sound of a gentle knock at the door.
“Is it time?” I asked with a raised voice as I glanced at the window.
“I think so,” Ashla answered with a yawn.
A small amount of light peeked through the shades, but it was so dim it could have been moonlight just as easily as the dawn sun.
“It’s time,” Arwyn called back through the door. “I’ll leave you guys to it, since I have to be back at the lab for a meeting soon. Good luck on your mission.”
“Thanks, Arwyn,” Layla answered loudly with a voice that crackled from the early hour, and then we heard the professor’s heels clack against the stone floor as she walked away.
“I’ll be going now,” Ashla said as she smiled at the two of us. “I have lots of research to catch up on. Good luck with your mission, you two.”
“See you later, Ashla,” Layla said with a wide grin.
The ice mage gave me a kiss before she left, and Layla and I stretched wearily as we forced ourselves out of bed.
We were too tired to talk, so Layla and I got ready mostly in content silence. However, as I went through the final steps of my morning routine, I couldn’t hold myself back from rushing a little. I had too much anticipation for the battle ahead.
Finally, we were going to get the ciphers back.
Before I knew it, I was in front of the Academy’s main doors with Varleth, Erin, Cyra, Orenn, and Layla beside me. We made our way to the military airship docking station, climbed aboard Erin’s new airship, and settled into our seats while the mimic ducked into the front area of the ship.
“Fancy little thing,” Orenn commented as he craned his neck around to look at the interior of the ship.
“Really?” I asked sheepishly. “It looks the same as any other airship to me.”
“She’s a beauty,” the metallogue chuckled and stroked a hand over the siding of the airship. “Only advanced eyes like mine can see it.”
Layla leaned in and smirked. “If by advanced, you mean advanced to old age, sure.”
I cackled and high fived the petite summoner as Orenn flashed us both a hurt, betrayed look.
“These upstarts have no respect for us elders,” Varleth agreed as he patted Orenn on the back to comfort him. “
They should know wisdom comes with age.”
“That and dementia,” I butted in.
“Now now, boys,” Cyra calmed us with a wave of one hand as she rifled through her travel pack.
“Don’t stop me when I’m winning against Varleth,” I said with a good-natured grin.
Varleth snorted. “I’d hardly call that winning.”
“There’s only one way to settle this,” Cyra advised with a sly smile. “I brought playing cards. Who’s up for destroying each other in poker?
We spent the rest of the airship ride arguing over the various rules of the game as we made our way through a ridiculous version of it. Layla insisted heart cards were always winners, and Orenn liked to give everybody a free take-back if they made a move they regretted. Varleth argued for an official vote on every controversial rule we introduced, and I elected to steal Varleth’s cards when he wasn’t looking simply to aggravate the gypsy.
It was dumb, but it was the best time I’d had in ages.
Finally, Erin came out of the pilot’s section and stared at us with a baffled expression on her face.
“We’re there,” she announced hesitantly as her eyes roved over the spread of cards. “Also, what on earth are you doing back here? You all sound like a cage of angry cats.”
“That’s probably because of all the cats I packed in my bags,” Layla said in a completely innocent tone. “I think they ran out of mice.”
Erin rolled her eyes. “Or it was the poker game you’ve clearly got going on. Alright, we’re going to set down soon, so pack up and get those belts on.”
I smiled and saluted the pilot smartly. “Hear that, team? We’re going to have Gawain back soon. Let’s all get ready to rumble.”
We picked up the cards and scrambled back into our safety belts just as the airship jerked. It began to lower at a steady pace, and the entire hold vibrated and shook as the airship descended through turbulent air.
I checked my essence crystals and stowed away my gear into my travel bag. The four mages around me did the same thing with professional speed, and it filled me with confidence to see us work so efficiently.
Finally, we landed with a whirring mechanical noise and a jolt of motion as the airship set down on its small legs. Erin emerged from the pilot’s room again and gave us a wide grin.
