Here you are my lovelies. My mother has been released, and while I still need to take care of her for the time being, aside from when I am at work or she threatens physical violence because I am mother henning her. I wished to post Chapter 5 now, and to inform you to expect one, or two more tonight. Spaced between several Hours.
This Chapter is dedicated to Obsidian, as I stated. Her perspective while being controlled, and showing a bit of what's happened the last two days, roughly 5 years her time, with her war between the Devil Demons. We see what her Artifact is, hint wise, and a special surprise. It may seem like it led to an anti climatic ending, but the reason is reveled in later chapters. We also see some personal growth and an adult decision made by Sid.
As always, much love and cookies.
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Obsidian POV -
The war tent was filled with the few surviving nobility of my people. The vast majority of the outlying small Houses had been decimated. Including my own, there were now Two Major Houses left, and five minor Houses. We had been pushed back through our lands to the main keep. Our Husks exhausted, none remained, the Imp and Fiend Swarms a fraction of what they had been, our Pit Fighters beaten and bloodied. The Bruisers broken in the last battle.
Our numbers were low, but we had given as good as we had got. We managed to maintain air superiority by using every available Imp we had, they fought in tandem with the Lesser Fiends. It had cost us, greatly, but we had at least controlled that through sheer weight of numbers. Though it was now a part of the past. We were on our last leg. I had cried for aid from the power above, begged, and pleaded as I watched everything crumble around me. For five years I have begged each day for her power. Yet she has not given it.
I had begun to wonder if she has abandoned us in favor of another because she somehow learned what i desired to do to her. I had cursed my own self more the last few weeks than any other. I shook myself from such weakness, looking to my brother who was standing outside the tents entrance and staring at the few thousand we had left to fight.
“Zarat, take the western flank. I need the wall shored up after the last bombardment of Hell fire. Rexall, the right. Keep them from flying over the walls by whatever means necessary. My Brother and I will maintain the central position. Kalendra, you and your remaining House watch the rear.”
I paused a moment, trying to think the only method we could use would be taking the head of this horde out. They had died as much as we, but they did not fear the loss of numbers as much. They threw bodies and power at us without regard for death. It had been the deciding factor, in the end.
They still outnumbered us two to one, but without the leader who had nearly killed my Brother and I the first night of battle, we could push them back. We had learned that the vast majority were mindless raving minions, and that the monster who nearly killed us was the intelligence guiding them.
The problem was that he had not taken the field since. We had nearly killed him as well. Something ancient in appearance, he had two massive upside down bat like wings, with hooves for feet, and a long prong like tail. His face was draconian in appearance, with two huge spiraling horns flowing back along his skull, and a massive bastard sword I had broken in the first assault. Powerful enough to take my Brother and I on at once, but cautious enough to not risk his life.
He would have to take part this time though, it would be the last stand we would make anyway. I doubted a Demon of any origin or breed would deny themselves a victory, to savor in the destruction of his or her foes.
It would be a chance, if we could meet him. But I did not believe we could win, even now, while my heart and instincts screamed to fight and win. I felt it was inevitable. Without her warmth, her power to guide us we could do nothing. We were nothing, it only strengthened my choice I had made. To try and turn her to focus upon us, but if she had learned and left us to die, we would perish to this foe.
I did not believe she would do so, from what I felt she was pure and child like. But one never knew. TO hold such power, she must have sensed my desire? It didn’t matter now. I sent them out to their posts, it would not be long now. A few more moments, and then our final stand would begin.
I picked my ax up, sitting down to stare at it between my legs. This ax held such power, and I knew the gem could do things. But I have never been able to unlock it. I felt a large hand come to rest upon my shoulder, my Brothers deep voice echoing my own thoughts.
“Shall we die as warriors, Sister?” He held no delusions of survival, but had accepted his inevitable fate. I laughed at him, ever the pragmatist, but never able to surrender.
“Aye, Brother. I am. We have lived so long, since nearly the beginning of our people, grown and developed along the generations, yet even with all our experience, and strengths...we are but two individuals.”
He said nothing, patting my shoulder before leaving the tent. I rose to follow, ready to die killing as many as I could in the process, regretting nothing.
On the battlements, we saw thousands, upon thousands of the enemy. The ground was covered in them, the sky almost darkened by the weight of numbers. Still we would stand and fight. We never surrendered, it was what we were. Fighters that gave, and asked for no mercy.
In the center of the mass though, my hopes were answered. One massive Demon, the leader, the Mastermind. That is where he stood, so they were like us, he could not miss the chance to savor in our deaths.
With that, it began. The first ranks of the enemy took to the air, flying to land upon the battlement walls, and take them to provide a secure area for landing, and invading further. They had learned before that we cared nothing for building damage, and now simply fought us wherever we were.
I swung my ax at one screaming Flying Husk, cleaving him in twain. After that it became a numbers game. 1, 2, 3, 4...193, 194. On and on for an hour. They swarmed at us, and my people killed them, my Lesser Fiends and Imps did battle with their pure Aerial troops, and My ground forces dealt with those swooping in to try and clear a landing zone along the walls.
Breaches were occurring all along the wall, but we had no reserve, no one to take the place of the fallen, the best I could ensure was my Brother taking a small number to plug each hole that formed in my section. But we would not last forever. I begged, one last time, screaming my fury and pain into the faces of the deformed and twisted Demons that assaulted us, for her to come, for her to help!
I felt it then, a slow Warmth filling my body. I could cry, she had answered she was here! I felt her hesitation when she realized what was occurring, and I screamed within my mind to swing the ax!
She did, using my body, though it felt like I was in control, I knew better. She looked around her in horror, in one small gap before a fresh wave would be upon us. She saw the devastation, the destruction, and I felt her sadness. She had not meant to leave us alone then.
“I am so...so sorry.” I heard from my own mouth, something I would never say. I wanted to scream. I did not need a sorry, I needed power!
‘The Ax, I know it does something, use your powers, make it show us!’ I screamed, and felt her confusion. Her thoughts going to how she did not know. The artifact was an unknown to her, and because of the lacking information it was like finding a needle in a haystack.
Damnit. ‘Your left!’ I screamed, and saw her swing my arms wide and dig my ax into the broken sword of the Demon leader. He had come! No! Where was my Brother?
I felt the child, the girl shiver in fear in the face of this monstrosity, but she held firm, drawing on my own determination, at least it felt that way. It’s voice came, discordant and vile.
“You all perish here, Heretic. None shall escape our wrath!” He raised his sword, and she readied to block, drawing on my memories. ‘No! Move forward, strike!’ She didn’t understand, we were going to die!
Then my Brother was there, between us both, his shield raised high, words lost in the chaos of battle, the sword came down. His shield, already damaged from the years of fighting split. Blood flew, his body cut in half.
My Brother...My BROTHER! I screamed in the cage of my own mind, my fury echoing out, touching the girl that controlled me. I felt her own sadness, her anger. But she was angry at herself, she had let her slowness, her hesitation cause the death of one she had helped care for and keep alive, had loved in her own way.
‘Then make it right!’ I screamed in my mind. ‘Give me Power!’ I wanted this beast dead, I wanted them all dead. My Brother, the only one who understood me, who understood the weight of time and a long life. Even if it killed me, or her, I would make it so we killed this bastard.
The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.
I felt her grow angry, she was so mad, and sad. Tears wet my face, I could feel them. “Meanie!” was screamed from my lips, I had wanted worse said. But it was enough, it seemed. I felt it, the gem within my ax lit up, it became molten lave and spread over the Obsidian material within the ax, flowing up my body, and along it. Power! Primal, ancient POWER! I could feel it, but it was not I that had caused it, not entirely.
I heard her whisper in her mind at something ‘Behemoths Fang’ I didn’t bother asking what it was, I screamed to use it!
She swung the ax, the great beast looking at us with something akin to fear. He tried to block the blow with his massive arm, the lava pouring from the Ax Blades seared his flesh, and cut through the bone. He screamed, and jumped back, flapping his massive wings to escape.
She swung again, the Lava launched in a wave, striking his chest and legs. Burning into his flesh. He roared in agony, I could see it, and he could not fly to escape. I saw him bellow for allies, I couldn’t hear him over my own internal screaming of ‘Kill him!’ a chant, a mantra.
More came, but were blocked by the soldiers my Brother had commanded, they blocked them, dying to give me, her, a chance. We would avenge my Brother, and I would find a way to never allow this to happen again.
She swung the ax again, more Lava taking another wing from it, along with the remainder of his sword, and last arm. His colossal body fell forward, steam rising from his nostrils, blood flowing from his mouth. “Im-Impossible…” he said, when the power controlling me stepped up, hesitating, but I screamed to end it! She must end it! The ax came down, and his head was gone.
I whispered a thank you, to her, while she whispered an apology, and a promise. ‘I will not allow you, or any of the others to experience this as long as I am able...I am so sorry, Obsidian.’
Obsidian? It was as good a name as I could ask for. I looked through my own eyes as she looked toward my Brother's corpse. My name had died with him, I would become this Obsidian, and I would kill all the Demons. I felt her warmth leave me, all around me the Wild ones were in chaos, turning on each other and killing each other. As though this one Power was what kept them in thrall, to do his bidding.
We had lost so many, the left wall was a few scattered blocks of surviving warriors, the Right was destroyed entirely. The rear had survived, and were moving to cut down the enemy, coming to the main fight. No doubt wishing to die while fighting the enemy in the front.
I began throwing orders out, push back the enemy while they fought among themselves. Kill them all, take back what was ours. The three remaining Guard that had fought to buy me time, who had been with my Brother at the end. They I made stay with me. They would become my personal guard, always at my side. So would their descendants. In place of my Brother, the Stone Guard, they will be called. I turned from them, moving into the battles, using my Ax freely, throwing the Lava within upon the Ranks of enemies, watching them burn alive, screaming in pain and terror. None would survive the week.
Sidnie’s POV -
I disconnected, and rushed to the restroom, Leo sending a Prompt asking why I had not allowed him to disconnect. I didn’t answer, I was busy throwing up. The bloodshed, the sheer anger I had felt from Obsidian, my own from watching Frag die. I felt so sick, but I couldn’t hide from it. Just like with my first battle against a player. I’d cost Obsidian someone precious, cost myself someone precious. I wiped my mouth after I finished.
“I didn’t let you” I took a sip of water, washing my mouth out. “Because I needed to see that through. I was the cause. I know I was. I also...I wanted to kill it to Leo. He killed Frag.”
I felt the tears forming, I was just lucky Jessica was still within her Dungeon World on my bed. We’d finished eating my noodles earlier. She’d have freaked out if she heard, or saw me throw up. I was glad she didn’t. She’d just join Leo’s side anyway.
I would not allow myself to run, no matter how scary, or frightening the Images were, no anymore. I took a sip of water, and spit it into my sink, before going back to my bed.
I had Leo show me the message I had received through the system once the Ax Artifact awoke.
As you wish, Sidnie.
Behemoths Fang has awakened, the rage within boils out into an eternal fire that devours all. The earth moves, and shutters within your wake. Behemoth shall awaken within, and you will rule the land!
Congratulations! You have discovered the hidden Demonic Artifact, Behemoths Fang! This weapon was made from the last remnant of the ancient Demonic beast Behemoth. With it’s awakening the owner has unlocked a special Evolutionary Pathway, it will cost more, but lead to the Legendary Beast that shall crush the world, Behemoth!
That was a little vague, I’d learn more later. I would just mourn for now. Frag was gone, and Obsidian was in pain. I crawled into my bed, and curled around Jessica’s prone arm, seeking some comfort. It didn’t help, but at least she wouldn’t see me cry for now. So I let it out, waiting for her to get out of her Dungeon World.
Red POV -
Hmmm, the village that had been built was coming along nicely. I knew the Mistress was doing this, the plants, the separate village. She had told me as much. I had of course killed the Imp she controlled. Only myself, and those I allow may enjoy her warmth and survive.
The ‘plants’ were coming along nicely, and I did look forward to further advancements. I was certain there was something I could do with the plants, and Magic. I would find something, of course.
My reason for coming here, was two fold however. I wished to see my Mistress’ handiwork, as well as make a round of each Village. The other two had a wall to help them deal with the Feline menace, this one did not.
I had of course brought several thousand Imps, and my Lesser Fiend Guard to help in construction. Mistress found this important, I would protect it. I may even gain something valuable in doing so.
I licked my lips slowly, hoping for a reward I have desired for a long time. One way or another, I would have her innocence fully in my bed.
I’d have to deal with the felines at some point, of course. I would make sure to use the feminine wiles of my Sister Succubus to aid in that as well. No doubt our charming allure would lead many to their doom, if not to our open arms to be used against their kind. It would be very amusing to observe, and cause.
I sighed, looking to Selene who was in a constant vigil. I wanted to tease her, but I had to retain appearances while in public to my adoring subjects. I stuck my lower lip out at her all the same, and fluttered my eyelashes.
I was pleased to see a reaction. Turning from her, I went to observe the fields, some plants were already growing. That was interesting, but I enjoyed the idea behind it. I was told by the current village leader that the first harvest could be taken in within a few months. Remarkably fast growth rate.
I made a hmmm sound, and went toward where the wall was being erected, my lesser fiends on alert with my favorite toy. It was coming along nicely as well. I made them work on sections, and a little less than a third had been erected within the time I have been here.
Good, I might just stay the night here while they work nonstop to erect it. It would be a gift to Mistress, I could not wait to see her reaction. I walked the length of the completed section, looking into the dense forest. It was a bad location, so close to the Feline people’s settlement. But it was the best she could do.
I saw a few glowing eyes in the dark, and the swishing of brush to show something had left a previously unseen location. I narrowed my eyes, worry taking root within. I could not allow them to destroy the Mistress’ project, it would appear we would have to finally end the Feline menace soon. I’d allowed them to remain, mostly because it had amused me to use them as a method of increasing my Villages strength.
But a threat to this village must not be allowed to remain. I curled my tail around my waist, grabbing it gently and petting it like I would Selene after a night of comfort. Soon, they would need dealt with. Very soon. I hummed a little, before turning on my heel and heading back to the village, Selene straying behind a moment to look at the forest, before following me along with the Lesser fiend Guard.