I was currently controlling one of the Imps within Red’s Territory, trying to complete the assignment given by Mr. Baxter. I’d managed to section off an area for the farming settlement between the two small villages outside the protection of the Rocky Crags walls.
It didn’t take too much, Leo and I moved a few Fiends, and Imps to create a small village that could host a population of around 1000 total. A farming community, and they changed the land with the Fiends increased Demonic power, and the aid of two Succubus I had located there to suit growing things.
The complication had been just what to grow. I used the knowledge Fluffy had within his mind to learn the names, and methods of each plant. I had only been able to do this because Leo had observed several of the Dark Hounds using some of the plants as a kind of herb upon injured legs, mostly young adolescents of each Canine species that were injured in their enthusiastic methods of hunting.
I had grinned a little at that, Leo had referenced them to being rowdy two years olds that just learned they could hunt and play all they wanted. It had been kind of cute the way he described it. As it was a plant grew naturally under the Demonic influence, poisonous when raw. It was the potato, which actually made me not want to eat potatoes anymore, there was also several plants with the proper names, but thanks to the corruption of the land with entirely different appearances, and properties.
For instant, Death Cap, was something the Hell Hounds ate because it tasted sweet to them, as opposed to the deadly poisonous mushroom it really was. I had to take into account all of the fact I knew about Agriculture, and change it entirely around with experimentation. Luckily the vast majority of this I could learn just by watching Fluffy and his Packs.
The first day of the assignment had me building the village that would constitute the farming community, oddly Specter had done this on his own once the knowledge was purchased, Mr. Baxter had found that fascinating and requested a close up viewing of Specter, and his Territory one day during class once our extra class was finished.
I had been given leave from doing so within Obsidian's area, because it appeared they were at war with some odd form of Demon that spawned Naturally. Leo had said they were a unique evolutionary pathway that was more cruel, and dark. He doubted we would be able to unlock them. In reality, they were a Variant of the Species called “Devils” It made me wonder if others had the same Variant, though I had no interest in trying for them. They were hurting my Demons, and later today I would try to help Obsidian push them back.
So for now, I focused on the only Territory that I could grow crops from scratch. Mr. Baxter was watching all of us while we controlled our respective Race, and went about this method.
I grabbed one of the Potatoes from the bag beside me, doing a little hop that made my Imp body fan it’s wings on instinct, causing me to laugh a little. It had tickled for some reason. But the Potato was a red plant thanks to the Demonic corruption, and grew quickly from the ground. The Succubus used the natural fire affinity they had to speed the growth some as well. Apparently all the Demon corrupted plants grew based upon heat levels, it made me want to see how they would fair with different temperature extremes later.
Right now, I was making a single field, but Mr. Baxter was wanting us to create the small Village, and then expand it out over the course of the week to easily sustain a total of five fields. I felt that would be a huge undertaking, and require more workings. That might be where some of the Management Basics came in. He might want to have us outsource work from the nearby areas between each of our small Farming villages.
As it was, I finished planting my sack of potatoes, and then the Lesser Succubus stepped forward and set fire to the field, the heat causing the plants to grow, where normally it would take water. These plants seemed to die with too much water, and too little heat. It was actually a really neat change. Mr. Baxter said that a lot of my Agriculture class on exactly how to properly plant, and care for plants would be done in the real world, but even if a bit backwards this would give me the basic concepts at least.
After the Lesser Succubus finished, the Imps, all of them, came back to the field and shifted some of the dirt, revealing small red stems already growing. They would rapidly grow over the next few hours for the first harvest. Leo was assisting me with this by taking the notes I thought down. I had made mistakes in remembering early on what all I did.
I checked the field again, and then disconnected the link between myself and my cute little Imp farmer. I felt somewhat giddy at it, though I personally had done nothing but control one of the Imp planters, I had felt the dirt, and did the work through him. It was actually a lot of fun, and made me want to plant flowers at home with Jessica and Franny someday soon.
Once disconnected, I asked Leo to show me the notes, and I added to several of them before handing in the daily class report of our activities that Mr. Baxter requested of us.
He smiled at me as he took it, and looked them over. A small frown fitted between his brow as he read the notes I had handed in.
“Hmmm, you have not started fungal growth yet for those Death Cap Mushrooms?” He asked kindly.
I shook my head slowly. “No, I don’t have any spores for them, the Death Caps grow deeper in the forest where one of the Boss Monsters primarily resides.”
He nodded, and set the notes down onto the three pieces high pile of my class time reports, and the more detailed ones done when I was at home for my take home work. That had mostly been dealing with building the small village, and learning more about the plants.
“Good work, Sidnie. We have about half the class left, and the others probably won’t be done as soon as you.” He paused a moment, leaning back and gesturing toward my seat on his left.
“You show a remarkable gift when it comes to managing your Demons, I know the circumstances behind why you received them, and how long you have had them. Your Father informed me personally when he learned I was your Teacher this year. Did you know I worked with your Father at Dungeon Inc. before they made this school for talented individuals such as yourself?”
I didn’t know that at all, and Daddy had not mentioned it. Probably being protective of me again. I huffed, Daddy would get it later. I’d ask Mommy to help me get even. Mr. Baxter smiled at my expression.
“I helped design the Demon Race with him. I was also against giving such a young girl as yourself the Demons to be used. I felt they were more suited to the Master Players who were all old enough to stand the natural way they worked. Do you know what your Father said?”
I shook my head again, and he laughed a little under his breath.
“He told me that his adorable, genius Daughter, would get bored with all the starters, and many of the Master Races were ‘Icky’ as he explained you called them. He also wished for you to be subject to more adult aspects, to grow use to what you may well encounter as you got better and were allowed to go to school.” He laughed again before continuing.
“Your Father actually said he was far too overprotective of you, and would, in his own way, stunt your ability to deal with such things with how little human interaction your received. We all in the lab found that funny, he has this entire section of the lab he runs dedicated to all those drawings you gave him, as well as one very beautiful piece that apparently your A.I made for your birthday one year.
But I did agree with his reasoning after a while. It has shown a very unique aspect of the Demon Race that we, as scientists and practical thinkers would never be able to make occur. I cannot do what you, or the young Ms. Suzuki along with, to a lesser extent Jessica, have done. I cannot see my Races as anything but programming, or virtual pets. I like them, but I do not particularly love them, or care about them. They are a means to further my research, and I am far too old to change my thinking now.
But your Demons are a far cry from the ones in the simulations, and from other Beta Testers. Your Father showed what occurred shortly after you received them, how they were less cruel and violent. The thing you managed to do with your Hell Hounds was still the talk of the lab last time I was there.”
He paused, making sure no one else was done yet, he probably wanted this to be private.
“It is why I hope you can forgive this old man, I know you don’t like me keeping you from stopping the War that will no doubt happen between your four Tribes of Demons. But I cannot help it, that I have limited your interference. It would lead to a vast treasure trove of understanding the Demon Race. Even making it, and the others, we learn new things every day as each player has a unique method of growth, and changing their Race.
I will give you a hint about why I am so fascinated by your Demons in particular. The Natural Demons that your Husk area are fighting right now, are what they are SUPPOSE to be like. It is why I was very against giving them to such a young girl at the time. But you have shown myself, and the others that perhaps the Demons can have a lighter side as well. I hope you continue showing us this.”
He finished with a smile, and patted my shoulder, Jessica had just disconnected as he finished. I mumbled I understood, but didn’t like it, he just smiled wider. Jessica heard my mumble and gave an odd look but turned in her notes, and sat down beside me poking my cheek as she did so.
“Hey, what’s up Sid? What don’t you like?”
I looked at her, and Huffed, pouting while sticking my lower lip out some. “Daddy keeping secrets, and Mr. Baxter explaining why he won’t let me stop my Demons from fighting each other.”
Jessica just shook her head, she didn’t understand why I called Daddy, Daddy still, the same with Mommy. I just did, I had asked if that was wrong, and she said no at the time. It was just weird for her to hear because her Daddy and she did not always get along.
I pouted at her more, and latched onto her arm. “Daddy hid the fact Mr. Baxter and he knew each other and told him about me, and the Demons I got from him.”
Jessica flushed when I grabbed her, pressing her arm into my chest. It got worse when she saw me pouting. She awkwardly patted my head and asked if she could have her arm back. I grinned, this was fun to watch. She still refused to tell me why she turned red like a tomato, but it was funny to get her to do. She also hated it, but she couldn’t stay mad and I just made her more food. She complained I’d make her fat one day. I’d grinned and done a ‘muwhahha’ sound telling her she would be unable to run from me, and tickles then.
I had tried to tickle her at that point the other day, but Franny saved Jessica by hugging me, and my wiggling fingers behind my back, laughing as she told Jessica to run. Run she did, I caught her though. Hehehe, she could never escape! Franny also joined in. It had been very fun.
Jessica coughed a bit, just as Suzuki and Greydon disconnected from their Dungeon Worlds and turned in their notes. “So, what are you doing over the weekend?”
I frowned at her, but smiled after a moment. “I’m going to spend most of it working on my Dungeon, and helping Obsidian with the Natural Spawning Demons. But Saturday afternoon I thought I’d go to the Tournament that is occurring in our area. It’s for Adepts only, but I got tickets, and have always wanted to see one live. Wanna join me?”
Jessica nodded her head over, and over. Suzuki chimed in at that point, overhearing us. Her soft, serious voice making Jessica stop and look toward her.
“The Rose Bowl Tournament?” I nodded, and she made a hmmm sound. “I’m in that one, Would you like to leave early and come with me? I’m sure my Mother would not mind picking you both up, as well as your other friend, Franny. It’ll be fun.”
I grinned, and said yes! Jessica was frowning at Suzuki who just smiled with her eyes closed. I poked Jessica and pouted at her. Saying Pleeeaaaase?!? She sighed and nodded. Hehe, I win.
So we made plans to meet at the park a few blocks from my house tomorrow morning, Suzuki had to be there by 10 A.M to set up and register properly. It meant that Jessica and I would go to the Participants section with her early on. I was looking forward to that!
The rest of the day, and the after class special course went as normal, Mr. Baxter gave Jessica and I books detailing a specific Culture that went with what our Races did, I actually got four. They were heavy! Jessica had needed to help me carry them.
I promised Pancakes again as a reward, of course.
When we arrived at home, I waved goodbye to Franny, Jessica was going to stay the night with me. Jessica had almost begged Franny to do so as well, and she had smiled. It was a scary smile that reminded me of Mommy when she was thinking something mean to do to Daddy, and stated she needed to get some homework done, and that she would be unable to join us tomorrow because her, and her boyfriend had plans. I was a little sad at that, but I understood. Kind of, I wanted to experience it soon too! Having a boyfriend.
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
After Franny left, Jessica was kind of jumpy. We had sat on the couch, and she scooted from me.
“Where are your Mom and Dad?” She asked hesitantly.
“Its their date night. They said they would be home late. Why?”
She shook her head, and blushed a little. “Just wondering. S-so, what do you wanna do?”
I frowned at her, and scooted closer to her on the couch, I had ditched my sweater when we entered my warm house. I felt her forehead, and she blushed more trying to scoot away.
“Are you not feeling well, Jessica? Do you want some medicine?”
She shook her head, and just asked if we could watch some T.V before doing our homework for the night. I nodded, grabbing the throw blanket beside the couch, and scooting in close with Jessica to share it. I laid my head on her arm and giggled when she blushed more, and tried to not look at me. It was REALLY cute.
“Jessica?” I asked during a commercial break.
She responded a little slowly, but her face was normal now at least. “Yes, Sid?”
“You act so cute, all the blushing and shyness with me. Why don’t you have a boyfriend like Franny? You’re beautiful, and I know boys hit on you a lot. I just wondered why.”
She went silent, giving me a very incredulous look. I smiled at her, with a tilted head confused as to why I was receiving the look itself.
“You...don’t know?” I shook my head, and she leaned her head back sighing, muttering to herself “Of course you don’t, you’re still not use to people, and how to read a person, let alone their feelings. “
I scooted back a little, and got onto my hands and knees, looking at her, pouting a little, and kind of upset at that.
“I’m sorry that me being sick made it so I don’t understand what you mean!”
Jessica sighed a little, shaking her head. “Not your fault, Sid. Don’t worry about it, I just don’t like the boys the way Franny does.”
I frowned at her, and got off the couch to stand between her and the T.V she was very actively staring at, making her look at me. I spread my legs, and put my arms on my hips, and pouted more.
“I don’t know why! You’re very pretty, and you could have any boy you wanted, unlike me. I can’t even make the boy I like give me a second glance because he dislikes how I treat my Race. I know I’m not as pretty as you, and that is probably why to, but I don’t understand why you don’t like boys. Tell me!” I stomped my foot a little in frustration.
Jessica froze, her eyebrows knitting in a way that made her look mad, but she was just thinking really hard.
“Alright…” She said after a few minutes, patting the couch where I had sat before. I plopped down and crossed my legs while turning to face her. She did the same thing, and spoke very slowly.
“First, Drake is a dickhead, don’t lecture me on bad words. It’s true, secondly, you are very beautiful. The reason you are not hit on as much is because you are with me, and the boys probably think that...you’re like me.”
I tilted my head, and was about to ask what she meant, she placed a single long finger against my lips and I closed my mouth.
“I...Do not like boys, like Franny does, or you do. I prefer girls, and because I am with you so much, they probably got it into their minds you do as well.” She took a deep breath, and seemed to gain a sense of determination in her eyes.
“It’s why my Dad and I fight. He isn’t so into me being into girls, a Lesbian. He loves me, but he doesn’t agree, or like my sexuality. I also have had a crush on someone for a long, long time. I’ve been trying to see if she felt the same way, and find a way to confess. I just don’t know how to…”
I frowned a minute, then it dawned on me. I blushed beet red. I knew what she meant now. I’d seen some of it with Red the other day, before Leo switched his focus to me, and cut the connection having a minor heart attack. THAT was what she wanted to do? I blushed more and fiddled my fingers some, asking very hesitantly, because I was her friend.
“Who is you you like? And I don’t care what your Daddy thinks, or who you like. You’re my best friend and I love you, I’ll support you in it!” I was all chipper with a beet red face as I said the last part.
She looked stunned, and before she could continue, I burst out what had just struck my mind, without thinking. “Is that why you act so weird around Suzuki? Is she who you like?” I yelled the last, scooting closer on my knees, all excited now, I wanted to help her!
Jessica just looked like her determination, and bravery shattered under my assault of hyper questions, and she dropped her head, just nodding mutely. I grabbed her hands and did a little bounce on the couch.
“I’ll help! We can do it tomorrow at the Tournament, I’ll go to the restroom and you can be alone! It’ll work out best that way, you can confess, I know you can do it!”
Jessica just nodded, and looked like she was about to cry, and I hugged her telling her it’ll be ok, to be brave and I’d make her whatever she wanted for dinner tonight. She nodded again, and mentioned Chicken Noodles. I got up after another minute hugging her, humming as I all but skipped to the kitchen. Now I couldn’t wait for tomorrow, I’d help my best friend get the girl she liked, or at least confess.
I didn’t know why her Daddy didn’t support her sexuality, but that was ok, because I did! Her Daddy was mean anyway. phoie on him. I got out what I need to make homemade noodles for the soup, and heard the T.V go a bit louder, I peeked out and saw Jessica with her head down looking depressed. I frowned. Did she think I would not support her? Or was she upset I guessed who it was?
I would make amazing noodles just for her to cheer her up now!
Specter POV -
I was staring at the Dark Wisp before me, from one of the outlying settlements I had captured earlier in my rule. He stated the Imps had begun implementing the Agricultural knowledge I had gained, no doubt my future meal’s doing.
So much power, the ability to grant us knowledge. I would obtain it when I devoured her, perhaps? It may be too large a risk, best to use the minions she takes over as my source of food, devour them after she leaves their bodies.
I had already attempted to while she was in control. A great pressure prevented me, It felt akin to how she did when she controlled my actions. Another being, this one a guardian for the naive child that had the power to do as she does with us. To keep her pure, perhaps?
Questions upon questions. All that could be thought of later.
“Massssterrrr. We havvve Woooord of the Beassssst beneath the depthssss. “
A Tormentor came in and reported in the speech they tended toward, the raspy drawn out syllables. I found it annoying, but it was their nature, and killing them for it was redundant. All it did was deny me the use of one more body.
“Good, the Dark Wisps are to be made ready, and assemble the City Guard of Tormentors, I want my Dementor Captains in this room within the hour. We claim the lake today!”
I rose, and went about readying the preparations, and one by one my three captains arrived. One of them had chosen a female shape, the joy of my species. We were neither male, nor female. We could take the form of either, I just preferred the more masculine form.
After a few discussions, we set out. The Dark Wisps horde, the Tormentor Guard, with their shadowy weapons of choice, and my Dementor captains, all of them. I sent them into the depths, we needed neither oxygen, or light to survive within the murky bottom of the lake, and I did not need to sacrifice another horde of Troglodytes for it either.
I joined them as well, feeling the need to stretch my legs. Upon arrival, the Temperature dropped drastically. Hmmm, what was this now?
A tentacle shot out from the darkness below, grasping multiple Dark Wisps, and they froze in place, becoming solid, before falling toward the darkness below. I regarded it as countless more Tentacles lashed out, taking more Dark Wisps to their deaths.
Dark Wisps, as well as the rest of my people, were relatively immune to physical damage, this beast must be using some form of ice control. That complicated matters. I kept them descending, losing hundreds of my Dark Wisps in the descent, as well as several Tormentors that screamed in agony as they were frozen.
But we did reach the bottom, and I was able to observe the beast within the murky depths. It was a colossal beast, holding hundreds of tentacles, and one massive gaping maw with row upon row of serrated teeth that seemed to suck in the frozen dead.
I sent forth my Legion of Guard, and they assaulted it. The deaths that occurred, while unexpected, were within reason. I could lose them all and still my Guard would not be diminished in numbers.
They reached the beasts main body, sinking into it, it appeared that it had a limit to how many it could freeze with touch, I did lose fifty or so that touched the body, but the rest sunk within its flesh, and it screamed, a high pitched sound of despair and pain as my Tormentors assaulted its mind.
I sent another wave as well, the Dementors and I following behind. Once the Tormentors had the Ice, perfect sacrifices, we entered the beasts body. Its mind was twisted and warped, yet not truly tasty. I attacked it with images of cruelty and pain that were not truly occurring to it’s body, but the mind, even one this primal, and animal feeling, played tricks upon the body. It believed it was in pain, triggering the pain sensors. I enjoyed it, it took hours, but it did perish in the end.
That was when I felt the surge, power rolling across the lake, it began to boil. I could feel it, and when I left the corpse, I looked down. A long line of pure red cut its way along the bottom of the blackness, giving it light. Lava, and with it, the lake gained a red tint of color, but it did not become lava. It simply boiled, and above I heard the Troglodytes sing in joy within the water. They loved the heat, pathetic beasts. It was all but food in the end.
The power though, the power gained from claiming its territory, from corrupting the land to suit our needs was wonderful, I could feel it grow, and spread throughout the lake, to a point that seemed cut off. One of the others, those Hounds I have received reports about.
I grumbled about that, they were the single group I could not penetrate, they killed my scouts, Dark Wisp and Tormentor the second they entered if they were spotted. The Lava they used burned and destroyed the ethereal essence of both.
That was fine however, time was something I had. I knew the future dinner would not allow me to fade, and die. Nor would she allow the others, a weakness to be exploited in the future. For now however, I reveled in the feeling of controlling my lands, of it being pure and blighted as the other under the female Husks was. It was glorious, and with the rush, came the hunger.
I spent my hunger devouring the beast alone, gaining knowledge, gaining power. Soon...I would feast on the world.
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Here you are my Lovelies. I hope you enjoy this Chapter, and the...Frankly just the most adorable confusion and naiveness I have yet to do. To me at least. Also, a further insight to the ever hungry Specter. Hehehe.
But, the next chapter is going to be a fun ride. It is entirely from the perspective of Obsidian, WHILE under the control of Sidnie, it will be an insight into what they feel and think when she controls them.
Sidnie takes charge during the fight! How shall it go? What have the last few days, (Several years in their world), done to Obsidian and her people as they warred with the Natural Demons? Find out next time! HAhaha.
I also hoped you enjoyed the little insight into Mr. Baxter, and his relationship with her Daddy.
As always, much love and cookies folks. I shall see you soon!