by Erik Weir
Mist covered the lands beyond the forests. The dark gloomy fog surrounded the area, tendrils of mists flowing across small empty fields and touching the dark forests. Looking straight down, ruins lined the mountain edge while an ancient stone staircase winded up the mountain. Victor could see he was only at the halfway point of the mountain. Turning his gaze to the left, he watched a stone path snake along the edge of the mountain, through what looked like a small village. Beyond that, the path rose a little until it spread out onto a huge, carved landing, under sprays of water falling from open parts of the mountain above.
Victor’s eyes continued to take in the glorious beauty of the place as he looked up to another set of stone stairs, leading further up the mountain and to the top where a crumbling stone building jabbed up into the night sky. The crescent moon hung above it, it’s light adding to the lantern’s glow along the mountain town.
“Where am I,” Victor asked out loud.
Lily stepped closer, her brow softening. “This is Luna Springs. It is a sacred realm to our goddess Vala.”
Victor looked from the majestic sight to the light purple demon. “This is all…real?”
Lily nodded. “It’s real. It used to be larger, her power extending the realm but since her death, this is all that is left.”
Victor shook his head, “She’s not dead. She came to me in my dreams.”
Lily’s brow became smooth, eyes filled with understanding. “You really don’t know what is happening, do you?”
Victor leaned on the staff, “I…I talked with…Vala, for the first time. She used to visit my dreams but she never said anything. She spoke to me when I was dying, asking if I would become her Champion.”
Lily nodded. “She has chosen you to become one of her Lust Blades.”
Victor gave Lily a blank look.
The demon’s red eyes grew tired. “Lust Blades and Luna Shields are like high priests and priestesses of her order. You, just like me, have been chosen.”
“How many…um…Blades and Shields are there?”
Lily gave a small, wicked smirk, “Including us, two.”
Victor’s eyes shifted to the big house built into the mountain where he and Lily just stepped out of.
Lily shook her head. “Cassandra is a Keeper, a caretaker of the mountain. As you can see, she has grown too weak to do much.”
“This is a lot to process,” Victor said, his head swimming from the information dump.
“It’s going to get weirder. Come with me to the springs so I can get my staff back.”
Lily led the way and Victor tried to stay close. Head turning, he looked through the village as they walked along. The wooden and stone homes stood, empty and dark while lanterns lined the deserted street, the light playing tricks as they made the shadows seem to move on their own. It reminded Victor of a mountain resort in Colorado or Iceland, not that he had been to either of those places. All the information he could associate it with was from TV, movies, and video games. Even then, it blew his mind as he hobbled along as he drank it in.
The main street snaked on along the mountain side. Victor marched as best as he could, looking out from the mountain to the starless sky. The moon was the only celestial body against the inky black sky, its light touching everything. Looking to the waterfalls, they glowed with supernatural light against the black and gray rock. Victor and Lily stopped at a stone staircase built into the mountain.
Lily pointed down the stairs. “Down is to the ruins, forests and the mists beyond. If you ever go exploring, do not enter the mists, not until you’re ready.”
“What do you mean?”
Lily looked at him over her shoulder, “The mists lead to many realms. If you don’t know how to travel it, you will get lost.”
The purple skinned demon pointed up the mountain to the ruins at the top. “That was once Vala’s Temple. With her power weakened, it continues to decay. Maybe one day, its beacons will light once again.”
Victor’s gaze drifted to Lily’s neck. Just above her collar, a tip of a tattoo showed. Victor’s eyes narrowed, trying to see what it was. If he didn’t know any better, it looked like the tip of a crescent moon, just like the one hanging in the sky.
Lily let her arm drop as she stepped beyond the stairs. Victor followed. It didn’t take long before they reached another house just like Cassandra’s home against the mountain side. Next to it, many glowing pools clustered against the mountain. Water fell from the openings in rock and filled the pools. Steam and mist rose up and Victor couldn’t pry his eyes away. It appeared so welcoming, warm and beautiful. Heat touched the air and muscles relaxed. Beyond the clustered spring pools, the mountain walls seemed to curve in, an oval cave with mist flowing out stood carved into the side.
“Just like the mists at the edge, don’t enter the cave,” Lily said as hands rose up and she began to undress.
Victor stood with wide eyes, leaning on the staff. Clothes peeled off the demon woman piece by piece. Her back to him, the top of her outfit came off and she dropped it to the stone floor. Victor now could clearly see the crescent shaped tattoo just where her neck and shoulder blades meet. Fingers dug into the waist of her leather leggings, sliding her firm ass from them and letting them drop to her ankles. Tail swaying back and forth, it did nothing to deter Victor’s gaze. The demon woman’s toned curves displayed beauty and power all at once.
Lily looked back and smirked, Victor’s gaze caught in the gravity of her body. Turning around, she stood unashamed. Breasts defied physics as dark purple pert nipples stood. Smooth skin covered defined muscles but it blended together, giving her an unearthly beauty. Victor looked down to her hairless slit between two tender but strong thighs.
Lily looked down the bandaged Victor, a playful smile on her lips. “I see you like what you see.”
Victor followed her gaze, eyes widening as he realized he was wrapped in bandages but didn’t actually have any clothes on. Manhood straining against what bandages covered him he couldn’t deny the power of her allure, or how his body reacted in return.
Lily held up an open palm. The staff in Victor’s hands flew out and landed in the demon’s hand. The staff shrunk, turning into a dim ball of light and fading into her wrist. Victor stood on his own power, pain crawling up his body. He watched as Lily turned around, and walked along the small paths through the spring pools. When she reached an inner one, she slid down into the water until it reached her neck. Swimming slightly, she leaned against the pool edge and laid her head back.
“Come on,” Lily said with eyes closed.
Victor stepped along, each step a reminder that he was still broken. Seeing the glowing pools urged him to pick up the pace. Glancing down, he saw that he was covered in bandages. Not wanting them to float away and trash the glowing waters, he began pulling and unwrapping them. By the time he reached the pool edge, both hands were full of used bandages.
Lily lifted her head, eyes opening. The demon woman drank in Victor as he stood at the edge. The young man’s slender, T shaped frame barely stood, gashes and bruises all along his body. Eyes contained pain as he kneeled down, and placed the bandages on the floor. Standing up, he stepped to the spring pool edge and dipped his foot in. The water was hot and soothing, calling him in like a siren on the rocks. Lily could barely keep her eyes off of him as he stepped down into the pool. Water rose up along his strong legs and when he was waist deep, he sat down in the glowing water.
The crawling pain along his body ebbed as he relaxed. Open wounds took on a soothing warmth. Looking down, he wasn’t sure, but it looked like the wounds were closing up very slowly. The pain all but vanished as he lounged, arms along the edge and energy returning to his battered body.
“The water is blessed by Vala. The spring pools have water from the mountain filling them from above and below. The inner heat of the mountain keeps the temperature the same at all times.”
“It’s healing me,” Victor said simply.
“It does more than th
at but for right now, yes, it is healing your wounds.”
Lily eyed Victor as he relaxed, letting the mystical waters do its sacred work. “Who attacked you?”
Victor lounged, eyelids growing heavy, “A giant wolf monster. He said he had to teach me a lesson for his god. I had no idea I pissed off any Gods so it came as a bit of shock when he showed up, and beat me into the ground.”
Lily nodded. “Sounds like Flint Bonekeeper, high priest to Baaldir.”
Victor didn’t even pretend he knew what she was talking about and remained silent.
Lily continued. “Baaldir is the god of the hunt. His zealot followers are War Wolves and have been seen across the six realms.”
“He really doesn’t like me,” Victor said with a hand wave.
Lily’s gaze dropped to the spring water, “He shouldn’t like any of us. He was one of several Gods and Goddesses that killed Vala.”
Victor raised his head, an annoyance bleeding into his brow. “Vala is not dead. She came to me in my dreams.”
The demon woman shook her head slightly. “Gods and Goddesses don’t die like me and you. Their power is in the number of followers they have, hearts that beat with divine faith. Vala died when her people were killed for generations. Now her faithful are scattered and small in number.”
The purple skinned demon kept her gaze steady, “How many do you have to find?”
“How many what,” Victor asked with closed eyes.
“Acolytes,” Lily said as if the word had a deeper meaning.
What is she talking about?
“I don’t know much since I showed up. I was nearly killed on Earth and beaten up when I arrived here. You know the rest.”
Victor’s muscles loosened. “I feel very heavy…”
“She spoke to you. She hasn’t spoken to anyone in a long time.”
“Lily…this is…so strange…I can’t even…,” Victor trailed off as his body began to sink into the water.
Lily watched as the young man didn’t open his eyes, body sliding under the water. Head slipping under the water, Victor had never felt so relaxed in his entire life. Sound drowned out as he lay below the surface. Confusion melted to the background as warmth enveloped his body. As if passing into deep sleep, Victor wondered if he was going to drown before darkness consumed him.
Eyes opening, the young man sat up on a ruined and cracked floor. Looking around, he quickly noticed the crumbling walls, broken statues and dust covering everything. A gloomy sadness touched him as he stood up, taking in his surroundings.
Is this the temple at the top of the mountain?
“It is,” said a shadow.
Victor turned around to see the familiar robed figure of Vala as she stood in a doorway, shadows covering part of her form.
“Vala,” Victor whispered, unsure if he should bow or kneel.
The goddess stepped into the moonlight, shadows covering her eyes. “Welcome to my home.”
The young man was caught in the rapture of her voice. It was soft and melodic, but each word seemed to have a deeper, sultry edge. It set Victor’s spirit on fire, new urges wanting him to step to her, hold and kiss her.
“What you are feeling is natural. Do not be concerned.”
“I have so many questions…,” Victor began.
“You will have your answers…over time,” Vala finished. “For now, we must talk.”
Victor stood naked before the goddess, caught in the hypnotic tone of her voice.
Vala smiled slightly, “Lily will warm up to you. She will make an excellent Shield. She has great knowledge and skill, I’m sure you both will work great together.”
Vala stepped closer, pale flesh glowing in the moonlight. Victor was trembling, not because of any cold but from her power touching his skin. Goosebumps rose as he became laser focused on her lips, and her every word.
“Lily told you and it is true…I’m dead. But do not fret, my power is returning…slowly. After we speak, I will rest but I will continue to watch over you and your experiences. When you master the art of communion, we will be able to speak more as my power grows. For now, I’m afraid this time will be brief.”
“Why me,” Victor whispered, lost to Vala’s voice.
The goddess stepped closer, running a finger along his cheek. “You already have the answer. One night, you will understand.”
The shadows over Vala’s eyes shifted and writhed as her finger traced along Victor’s neck and down his chest.
“There are pieces of me….my teachings…waking up. The seeds I planted long ago are beginning to sprout. To come back from the dead…you must find those pieces and release them.”
“How many,” Victor asked.
“Seventy-seven, my Blade. Once they are woken from their deep slumber, their power will add to my own…enough to leave death’s embrace. Love and lust will return to the realms and the hearts of those who follow.
“Cassandra, my last Keeper, will aid you with what you will need for your crusade. With time, others will come to you, some to assist while others to see your downfall. It is you who must transverse such times and overcome the trials before you.”
Victor reached up, wanting to pull back Vala’s hood. The urges grew louder, telling him to gaze on her beauty. The goddess reached up and took hold of his wrist, stopping him from taking hold of the dark fabric.
“If you see my eyes, you will never know your true potential. You will be trapped in a dream, never thinking of anything beyond the power in my eyes.”
“I…want to see…the true you…,” Victor said like he was possessed.
Vala smiled and gently put his hand down. “You will…when I have returned.”
Victor’s head bowed. “I’m not sure I can…”
“Do you love,” Vala asked, cutting him off.
“I do,” Victor said, the conviction in his words filling him with new strength.
“Then you can overcome anything,” Vala said as she slowly stepped back, her robed form melting into the shadows.
“Find my acolytes…free them and you will understand what it means…to be my Champion…”
Victor reached out as the temple swirled. Shadows blended into stone and before it all spiraled into darkness, Victor’s eyes opened under water. Panic swelled as he launched his face up, breaking the surface and gasping for breath.
Lily looked on with a wry smile and half-closed eyes. “You spoke to her again.”
“Seventy-seven,” Victor coughed. “I have to find seventy-seven acolytes.”
Victor sat up in the heated water. Looking down, he saw his wounds had healed, and the bruises barely showed under his skin. New vitality ran through him like he just had the best sleep in his life. Standing up, water ran down his body as Lily looked at him, her eyes lingering on his half hard member.
“Let’s see Cassandra so she can prepare you for the next step,” Lily said with a seductive licking of her dark lips.
Four
Victor cupped his manhood as Lily led the way. Walking back to Cassandra’s home, the young man found it difficult to just let it all hang out. Lily had put her clothes back on and was not bothered in the least that Victor was walking behind her, covering himself.
The air was cool against Victor’s skin as he followed Lily up the small set of stairs, across the porch and standing at Cassandra’s door. The door opened before the demon woman could knock, and Cassandra’s toothless smile welcomed them in. Heat warmed Victor’s cool skin as he stepped inside, still cupping himself.
The strangeness of the situation was not lost on Victor. Slivers of oddness invaded his thoughts, wondering if he was truly dead and this was some strange version of an afterlife. A goddess spoke to him, and charged him to resurrect her from the dead. A purple skinned demon, and an old woman living on a mountain were his new allies. Thinking back to his previous life, it was nowhere as strange but the young man found it refreshing in its oddness.
Lily gave Victor a sideways glance and a small
sneer. “You don’t have to be ashamed.”
“I don’t normally walk around naked with people I just met,” Victor said with a sarcastic edge.
Cassandra picked up a set of clothes from a nearby table and hobbled over to Victor, “These are for you so I can get some work done. Put on the leggings, but leave the shirt off.”
Cassandra thrust the clothes into Victor’s chest. The young man immediately let go and took the clothes into his hands. The old woman looked down and gave an approving nod, and a wider smile. Red touched Victor’s face but he didn’t cover up, expecting some kind of tongue lashing if he did.
“Follow me,” Cassandra said as she turned, and beckoned with a withered finger.
Victor followed, Lily eyeing him with a mischievous smile. The old woman led the man through a small corridor, and to a door covered in strange runes. Waving her hand, the door opened and she hobbled inside. Victor followed until he was fully in, and the door shut behind him.
The room was rather large. In the middle was an odd seat with cushions. Vials, tubes and various instruments lined the walls. Intermingled along the shelves, carvings were etched into the very walls. A lantern hung from the ceiling, brighter than what Victor would have ever expected. Cassandra made her way to a shelf, and began reaching about, gathering a few items.
“Put on the pants or do it naked, your choice,” Cassandra said simply.
Victor nodded as he grabbed the black leather pants and began putting them on. Bringing them to his waist, he was surprised how well they fit since she didn’t ask for a size. The black leather adhered to his body perfectly and it felt like it gave a little so he could move without any real restrictions.
Cassandra eyed the shirtless Victor and nodded. “Sit on the chair.”
Victor did as he was told, sitting down on the plush chair.
Cassandra put the items in her hands on a small table and wheeled it over. When it stood by Victor’s seat, the old woman eyed him.
