Monsters and Angels

by Erik Weir

  Victor stared in curious concern as Nerin took hold of the Bone Sword, turned and presented it to him. Bowing their heads, the energy around their bodies faded away. Without thinking, Victor reached up and took hold of the sword handle and energy flared again. A connection stabbed into his arm as he looked at the tattoo swords along his forearm. The bone sword flashed again before it sank into his wrist and took its place among his other swords.

  Nerin looked up, eyes returning to normal. “We were taunted in captivity that we would be used to make weapons to destroy Vala’s Blade. We are thankful we could create one for you so you can defend yourself and others.”

  Victor eyed them in concern, “But your…”

  Nerin smiled. “Our bodies will heal and replace the missing bone. For now, the ritual will keep our bodies functioning.”

  “I don’t know what to say,” Victor said in disbelief.

  “You don’t have to say anything,” Nerin smiled, “just show us your appreciation as Vala’s Champion.”

  The Blade let a small wicked smirk slip as the War Maidens moved in closer, a new hunger in their eyes.

  “Praise Vala,” Victor whispered before hands took hold and began undressing him with loving grace and a heated wanting.

  Eleven

  The air was warm as Victor stood in a small room. Looking around, confused thoughts clashed with logic. Memories came off as clouds of fog as he took a step further into the room. A small bed took up a wall and a corner while a tiny bookshelf took up the other wall. A staff leaned against the bookshelf while a single painting of a blood red sunrise hung from a nail. A window looked out to a red and black forest beyond and Victor squinted to see if there was anything out there beyond the jagged red leaves and black bark.

  A door swung open and Victor spun around. A little demon girl rushed in, tears in her eyes. Heart thudding harder in his chest, he rushed forward to see what was wrong until the girl passed through him and flung herself onto the small bed. A chill filled the air, hot breath steaming from Victor’s mouth. The little purple skinned girl sobbed into her pillow, tail swinging back and forth like it was on fire.

  “Lily,” a voice said and Victor immediately knew it wasn’t his own.

  Victor turned from the sobbing girl to see a purple skinned man walk in. The man’s face twisted and warped as horns curled and unfurled. Mouth changing shape, he stepped in and closed the door behind him.

  “Pain will make you stronger,” the man said as he moved closer, passing through Victor like he wasn’t there.

  The girl’s sobbing stopped, but she didn’t lift her head up. Victor watched as the man stepped to the edge of the bed. Lily looked like she was ten years old. Victor took a step closer as the man lifted an open hand.

  “Let the lesson continue,” the twisting face man said with no emotion before he brought his hand down.

  Eyes flashing open, Victor sat up. Breathing heavy, the young man looked around, caught in a tangle of bodies. The War Maidens lay against him, bodies covered in sweat and lost to blissful sleep. The body heat kept away the chill, but sleeping on the temple floor caused soreness to run through his body.

  Nerin cooed as she ran her hand along Victor’s arm before passing out again. Victor recalled the hours spent showing their appreciation for each other. An image of Lily surfaced in his mind’s eye and Victor gently untangled himself and stood up. Grabbing his clothes, he dressed himself before looking down at the four women huddled for warmth on the temple floor.

  Feeling guilty if he left them like that, the Blade moved to several large stones. Picking one up the side of a large potato, he called on his Transmutation ability and spent a point of Wisdom. The stone warped in his hand and flowed out until it turned into a thick blanket. Placing the blanket on Nerin and Ida, the Blade looked around and picked up a few more stones. Spending the influence, thick quilts rolled out and Victor quickly covered the naked women.

  Giving all four of them a kiss on the head, Victor turned and made his way to the stairs. The climb down was easy enough as he glanced to the moon above. With no way to tell the cycles, Victor had no idea how long he had been sleeping. Shrugging it off, he reached the village halfway down the mountain and made his way to Lily’s home.

  The village was silent except for the dull roar of small waterfalls to the steamy pools. Reaching Lily’s door, Victor opened it and stepped inside. Darkness and silence greeted him as he closed the door behind him. Walking through the home, he made his way to the bedroom and opened the door. A lone lantern burned low in the corner as two bodies lay on the wide bed. Lily was on her side, facing the bedroom door, eyes closed and a blanket covering part of her nude body. Another person lay on their back just beyond the succubus’s shoulder.

  Victor stepped closer, eyes adjusting to the dim light. Dawn lay on her back, lips parted and eyes closed. Her chest was exposed and she snored slightly. The elf had a serene expression disrupted by small snores. Victor’s eyes turned from the sleeping elf to Lily.

  The succubus lay with her hands close to her face. If Victor didn’t know any better, it looked like she was trying to hide. Tears streaked down from closed eyes and her throat made a sound, like contained sobbing. Victor closed the distance and kneeled down beside the bed. Lily’s eyes opened, her face unchanged as she looked to Victor. The two gazed on one another as Victor reached up and ran his fingers through her lustrous black hair. Remembering what she told him about sharing dreams because they were Blade and Shield, Victor simply sat down by her, comforting the demoness with his touch.

  Lily reached up and took hold of Victor’s hand, drawing it close and pressing the back of his fingers to her neck. Slowly blinking, tears fell but her face was a mask of indifference. Victor smiled, enjoying her warmth. The connection between them grew warmer. Victor wanted to say something but he knew the words meant little when her touch had become all. Lily scooted back in the bed, gently tugging at Victor’s arm.

  The Blade pulled off his boots and slipped into bed. When he was under the blanket, Lily clamped her hands and legs on him, holding on for dear life. Snuggling close, she gave a relieved sigh, her tail snaking under the blanket and curling around one of Victor’s arms. Tired soreness whispered in Victor’s mind as his eyes grew heavy. Slumber sang it’s comforting song as the Blade quickly fell to sleep.

  Dreams bloomed like trees against an ever-changing landscape. In the dreamscape, Victor held Lily in his arms; her head snuggled to his chest. Looking up, a female fox sauntered toward him, eyes with a sultry edge.

  “Victor…we need you…,” Wynn’s voice carried on dreamy air.

  ***

  Cassandra walked along the stone street, taking in a deep inhale as she savored the air. The glow of Vala’s moon shined down on all and it caused a peaceful exhale from the Keeper. Eyes shifting to Lily’s home, Cassandra quickened her step. The dark cries from the dream world spoke of suffering and carnage the realms had not seen before and she knew she had to set Victor and Lily to task. Vala had spoken and as her Keeper of the goddess’ realm, she would carry out her directives without question.

  Lily’s front door opened and the Keeper stopped but ten feet away. Victor, Lily and Dawn stepped out, fully dressed and eyes containing a deep strength. Victor wore his new shirt with buttons along the side, armored trench coat and wide-brimmed hat. Lily was next, wearing a tight black top, leather pants and a light, body hugging black jacket. Dawn was last, wearing thigh high travelling boots, green pants, a white and green shirt with a brown jacket. The trio caught sight of Cassandra’s tall form and closed the distance between them.

  “We have to talk,” Victor began.

  “Wynn has reached out to you, I know,” Cassandra smiled.

  Victor nodded. “She was in our dreams, asking for us to come to her.”

  Cassandra returned the nod, “She and many others have touched upon my dreams. There is something brewing and Vala is concerned. I was just coming to you with your tasks, but it seems you have t
he first one.”

  “First one?” Lily said.

  “Vala has directed me to task you to go to Xull, Night Sun and finally Valis. Each realm has become disturbed by recent events and they all mention Draygon. His presence has touched upon dreams and turned them to nightmares.”

  “This guy is like some virus, infecting each of the realms,” Victor added.

  Lily looked to Cassandra with concern etched into her brow, “Did Vala really mean for us to go to Night Sun?”

  The Keeper nodded. “She did, but gave me nothing beyond that.”

  Victor turned to Lily, “Wynn is our priority right now. She mentioned she needed us in a hurry. Night Sun can wait if you’re okay with that?”

  The succubus nodded silently.

  Cassandra gave the succubus a warm glance before looking to all three. “My abilities have grown since I have regained my youth. Instead of waiting for sleep to return here, I can pull you back in an emergency should the need arise. It taxes me so only call to me in dire circumstances.”

  “Hopefully we won’t need to do that,” Victor smiled.

  “I can also open portals to any of the realms. Are you ready?” Cassandra asked.

  Victor raised an eyebrow, “Ready? We should come up with a plan first before…” the Blade never finished.

  Cassandra waved her hand, a black and purple rift opening beside Victor. The Blade, Shield and Lover turned their heads sideways to the black rift before it slid across and engulfed them, one at a time before it collapsed on itself and was gone.

  “I’m sure you’ll figure it out,” Cassandra smiled as she began walking toward the steamy pools in the short distance.

  Victor tried to talk, but the words were stuck in his throat, eyes growing wider. Massive dark pillars stretched out in all directions as neon lights glowed from each one. Lily and Dawn looked around confused before Victor turned around. A thick wall from the floor to the ceiling took up one side of the constructed underworld of Xull. Neon lights shifted colors above as a thick metal door stood closed.

  “So, this is Xull. Not as technology advanced as I thought,” Dawn said as she spun around, taking it all in.

  “The city is above us. This is the sub level where animals can roam from area to area without interacting with the populace up there,” Lily said.

  Victor eyed the door before looking to the elf and succubus. “It looks like we are the new team.”

  Lily and Dawn looked to each other, small smiles forming.

  “Dawn was a quick learner from how the training session went,” The succubus gave the elf a wicked smirk.

  “I didn’t know it would be that…intense,” Dawn smiled back.

  “The two of you will have to…show me your training techniques,” Victor said slyly.

  “Maybe,” Lily and Dawn said it at the same time and laughed.

  The door behind them slid open and several figures emerged from the light behind them. Pointed ears turned in their direction as Victor, Lily and Dawn turned to the figures. Wynn, May, and Helen moved to meet the trio with smiles forming. Victor was caught in Wynn’s sensual curves as her eyes drank him in. The two cat-women, May and Helen stayed behind the fox woman, eyes glowing with kind light.

  “It took you long enough,” Wynn said with a snarky edge.

  “Good to see all of you again,” Victor grinned.

  “Let’s step inside so we can discuss in a comfortable setting,” the fox woman said as she turned and walked back through the opening.

  Victor’s eyes fell to Wynn’s fluffy tail and round ass. The jumpsuit didn’t do anything to diminish her figure and the Blade was happy to follow. Lily and Dawn smiled as they watched the Blade happily follow along, his eyes enjoying the view. When the entire group passed through the threshold, the massive doors slid closed and locked into place.

  The hallway was bright and clean as they walked along. Victor tore his eyes away from Wynn, taking in the familiar corridor before they reached another set of doors. Wynn stepped up to one and they slid open. With a playful glance back to Victor, she licked her lips before stepping in. The massive room was the same from what Victor remembered. Tables, chairs, terminals, and equipment dotted the massive room. From two couches, two more cat women rose up and purred their delight when they spotted Victor.

  Jumping off the couches, Ema and Leah crossed the room, pushing past May and Helen and nearly jumping on Victor. Heads rubbed against him as arms curled around each arm. Victor smiled as the two cat women stuck to him like glue, purring with every passing second.

  “It has been too long,” Ema purred.

  “Much too long,” Leah purred.

  “Ladies, can we give him some room first,” Wynn said with a commanding tone.

  Ema and Leah pouted as they pulled away and sauntered back to the couches.

  “It’s good to see you,” Wynn said before looking to Dawn. “Who is your new friend?”

  Victor hit his forehead, “Sorry, introductions are in order, Wynn, this is Dawn. She is one of Vala’s flock. Dawn this is Wynn, cell leader in the resistance. At her sides are May and Helen. The other two on the couches are Ema and Leah.”

  The elf stepped forward and bowed, “Lily told me about all of you. It is a pleasure to meet you.”

  Wynn bowed her head before looking to Victor, “It seems Vala’s might is growing. You’ve been busy.”

  “You could say that,” Victor said as he scratched at the back of his head.

  “It’s good you all have come. As you know, it’s never a dull moment here in Xull and we have a lot to discuss. Take a seat where you can so we can get down to business.”

  Victor grabbed a nearby seat and sat down. Lily and Dawn did the same not too far from him. May and Leah grabbed chairs and pulled them over, sliding one to Wynn just as she was sitting down. The fox woman leaned forward, golden eyes on Victor and his companions.

  “Does this have anything to do with the Xull tech that appeared on Eddor,” Lily asked.

  Wynn’s eyes took a dark edge, “It is one of many strange things happening across the realms. Information is scarce but we did hear whispers of Xull tech appearing in other realms. While we know the six realms exist, Xull was anti-realms until recently.

  “From what we have gathered, Xull has been testing space-time folding technology. The probes they have sent out have gathered information and appeared back here in Xull. The only reason we know is the technology is not perfect and one of the probes appeared randomly on the sub-level. By the time it was hacked and we pulled what we could, the probe self-destructed, killing a few of our scientists in the process.”

  Wynn stood up and moved to a large screen against the wall. A keyboard flipped out from underneath and the fox woman tapped at a few keys. A top view map of the sub-level appeared. As Wynn tapped a few times on the keyboard, Victor looked to Lily with concern. The succubus was right on what could be happening, but the implications seemed much bigger. If Xull was gathering information, it could be a preamble to war across the realms.

  Wynn continued, “We managed to find out the true coordinates to where the probe was supposed to appear. As you see, it’s in a blackout area, a place with no information we can access. From the fragments gathered, something is being constructed in this large area and we believe it is a new weapon or a large transport. We are honestly not sure, but we believe they might be near to completion.”

  The fox woman turned around and leaned against the bottom part of the screen, arms folded, “This is where you come in, Victor.”

  The Blade kept his gaze neutral, waiting for the hammer to drop.

  Wynn gave him a wicked smile, “I know when we first met, I couldn’t tell you everything because it could have jeopardized our secrecy. You all know, the Xull mainframe only wants to keep the populace in a pleasant and happy environment and it will do anything to keep the Xull citizens happy. I’m going break protocol because we believe the threat is bigger than what the rest of the resistance cells think i
t is. I had to call in favors and pay a lot of credits to prepare us and you are the final key to the operation.”

  “What do you need,” Victor said simply.

  Wynn nodded, “We need you to bypass the security protocols of the blackout area and assist in blowing up whatever is in there before it is finished.”

  Victor’s expression didn’t change. He had seen enough weirdness to last several lifetimes and breaking in and destroying a top-secret weapon was really not that far of a leap.

  “I can bash my way in if you need it,” Victor smiled.

  Wynn returned his smile, “I was thinking a little more finesse might be in order. The key lies in the nano-shell on your spine. Much like your gun blade, I had seen in my dreams technology that didn’t make complete sense. Your nano-shell is part of it. I programmed six abilities into the shell so it could give you an edge, but I was surprised that you didn’t have immediate access to them until you…awakened Vala’s acolytes. One of the abilities is an Interface tool that spoofs access codes and creates a quantum dialing key.”

  “You gave me the ability to hack locks,” Victor grinned.

  Wynn shook her head, “It does more than that, but for now, yes. With your unusual biology you might be enough to bypass the security terminals and get us inside and we can do the rest.”

  “You lost me at my biology,” Victor kept his grin as Lily shook her head.

  Wynn tried to hide her smirk and failed. “When you arrived, the nano-shell updated me on your progress. Your body is changing as some of your cells are redefined. To what, I have no idea, but it can help against the security scans. I could pull up a full report for you.”