IRT: Day 1

Ethos: Day 2

Walking further into the cavern, I concentrate on the firebird tattoo.

You listening to me? Want to come out and help?

Warmth spread across my back and I hear the bird’s loud cry as it launches itself into the air above me. Circling several times, the large bird land lightly on my shoulder. The talons dig in and I fell blood slide down my red-hued body. I didn’t think about that aspect when calling for the bird.

Lighten up on the talons if you can?

With a coo, the bird lets up on the pressure.

Better, you want to help me find a spot to meditate?

All I recieve is another coo. Not worrying if the bird understood, I concentrate on the power surrounding me. I feel an area to the right. It feels... good? My short journey ends at a waterfall. The feeling of power comes from the behind the waterfall and I don’t understand how to reach the right place.

The bird launches from my shoulder, circles twice and cries out. It then swoops through the falls and screeches from behind the water.

Interesting...

Circling the cold water at the bottom of the falls, I wander to the edge and step behind it. The beauty stops my breath. The cave feels intimate and water fills most of the area. Except for a small beach area and rock ledges. Steam rise from the water near the beach. Walking through the water I feel it growing warmer the further I enter. On the left, a small pool is naturally carved out at one end of the beach and into the back of the cave.

The entire area glows from fluorescent minerals. This makes the ceiling and walls look like its own star system. I see the bird preening itself on a rock ledge overhanging the natural pool at the rear of the cave. Heading that way, I sit next to the beautiful animal.

“Should we name you? Do you have a name already? Do you care?” I ask and wait for a reaction.

Boobing its head up and down, he stares at me.

That is not helping.

I try thinking to the bird next.

Fred, Bob, Frank, Scott, Bill, Ted, Jerry, Michael???? What in Varuna’s name am I supposed to call you?

The bird reacted when I said Varuna’s name, cooed and bobbed its head.

No, we cann’t call you the lead AI and essentially a God’s name. Pretty sure that isn’t cool.

I have an idea... How about Una? Keep it short... that work?

More head boobing and coos... we have a winner. My firebird is Una.

Una waddles to the end of the rock ledge and looks to me and then the rock. He does this several times before I lie down. Another coo shows I am on the right track.

Now... leveling through meditation... interesting. Varuna indicated there are no limits at this point. I better get imaginative.

Closing my eyes and relaxing my body into the warm stone, I concentrate on who I am.

I am a succubus and Elder Demon. I dream walk, have the power of seduction and a combat form. Starting there I work on the process of dream walking. I picture myself meditating to do this. I need not sleep to accomplish this ability. I think about projecting myself towards any target I desire.

Next, I think about seduction. This is scarry. My Christian background is mixing with the new world. Do I still have a soul and if I act as a succubus, I am still going to Hell? Damn... I’ll work on forgiveness. I need to embrace this. I want more than seduction. Effrion mentioned an ongoing effect that influences other into liking me. I wrap the two thoughts together. I am desirable and trustworthy. People will automatically like me. ‘I am sexy and you will like me.’ This became a mantra I ran through my head repeatedly.

As far as the combat form goes, it's like the dream walking and being a succubus. I haven’t tried it out. I meditate on power and strength in that form and go onto today’s training. Agility, speed, intellect, wisdom and constitution were my main thoughts of improving. Today was an introduction for the upcoming training. This brings my thoughts to Essence. My mind weaves the thought of Essence into my movements. That it works concurrent with the hand-to-hand fighting.

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This leads me on a tangent... superheros like Spiderman, jumping everywhere. Crap, I need to get my thoughts back on track.

Essence in my moves. Running through me constantly, able to transfer outward into any form I wish. I am sure that this skill mixed with ability will take a lot of meditating and practice to become a reality. But, I WANT this! I feel the desire for this kind of power within myself.

Note to self: Meditate on this daily. I may never be Spiderman but I will work on a close approximation. Cool.

Now where was I? Magic, this is the last item to meditate on. I picture moving Essence to my will. That my energy levels grows to gigantic proportions. This is the mantra I finish with. I will command Essence and I will dominate it to my will.

Not power hungry or anything??? I better not let this stuff go to my head. Crap, that reminds me... who am I planning to become? Who is Asura? I do not want to dominate others. That is primary. I want freedom for myself and others. I want to help those that can't. Typical superhero crap... Naw, I am still a demon. What superhero uses sex to dominate others? I am not Superman to help everyone. I have priorities and that is the Demon Lands and my companions. Maybe I should use Wolverine as my role model?

That's it, my initial build. Thinking on it all brings on a rush of power. Guess I leveled from today’s activities. Or does my leveling work in increments? I guess that has to be it. Ishtar told me to meditate daily so I can build daily. I will not grow in the leaps and bounds players can... interesting.

Sitting up, I look to Una and see him watching me.

Did I do all right?

Una coos. Dang, I bet I need to meditate on our communication abilities. Damn it! I will add that to the mantra tomorrow evening.

Una, remind me to meditate on our communication tomorrow, ok?

Head bobs... good enough.

Standing, I reach out with my arms and transform into my combat form. I grow two feet taller and have huge wings. Looking down at my body, I admire the new me. Holy shit, I look great! Remembering how I wasn’t happy with this succubus thing, now is a different story. Damn this is the bomb!

This is where I am supposed to practice my magic, right? I am in the combat form and now want to try out more of my abilities. I reach for the ley lines, finding the process easier. Pulling the power to me, I work it into another water spout. Larger than my first attempt. This is fun, but I want to move the Essence by itself and form it to my will. I keep picturing the spinning in my mind and then desire the water falling away. Back into the steaming water it falls. Good enough.

Now, pure Essence swirls before me. I picture flames and the shape changes into flickering flames. I work on various shapes until my energy runs out. I am tired and hungry again. Looking at Una, I point over my shoulder and to my back. He understands. With a leap, he is airborne and smoothly slams into my bare back.

I stay in my combat form as I head back to the original pool I started in. I didn’t know if my mentors are still there or they left. Didn’t matter. This is wonderful. The power flowing through my body is unbelievable. I can feel the sucubbi powers and I reach out to feel for others. They are waiting for me and I push my power towards theirs.

As I arrive, I see the three men standing in the water with various looks on the faces. Effrion looks ready for a confrontation. Castillo is nearly bouncing in excitement and Ishtar looks mad.

He says, “Stop pushing your power at us and change your form... now.”

I am not sure if I am drunk on the power, but I push harder. Instantly Ishtar’s form changes. In a single leap he is out of the pool, has a hand around my neck and slams me into the rock floor.

Growling, “Change back... now.”

I didn’t need to hear the order at this point. Ishtar has scared me enough that I change back in fright. He stays in combat form and holds a hand out to help me stand. As I land on my feet, I look up and further up. The man is massive. I finally see what a Demon Lord’s combat form looks like. Is ‘stupid-long’ a precise measurement? Because that is the length of his horns... stupid long and curling back over his head. My face looks solidly into the bottom of his chest... holy shit. Maybe pushing succubi powers at these men is a bad idea?

Changing back to his normal ‘human’ form and still holding my hand, he leads me back to the pool. “We need to discuss that power and pushing it at other demons and other elders.”

I step into the water, just now remembering that I am naked... oh well. They aren’t leering and treat the lack of clothes as a casual event. Effrion looks controlled now and Callisto is smiling broadly.

The smiling idiot has to comment, “Nice power display. You need help with that, I am willing.”

I ask, “Why is Ishtar mad, what did I do wrong? Aren’t I supposed to practice my powers here? I felt the power and that I can extend it. I did that.”

Ishtar pours himself a drink and answers, “You pushed a dominance effect at three demon lords. What do you think will happen when trying to dominate one of us?” Looking thoughtful, Ishtar continues, “You need to practice the skill. None of us will allow dominance. Let us schedule this application of your power. Otherwise, you will have a fight on your hands that you will not win at this time.”

“Hey, I can handle some dominance... if it’s Asura,” Callisto grins.

Effrion smacks the man. “We need not push ourselves at the first succubus in an age. Have some respect for yourself.”

“Hah, you both are idiots. I am not pushing myself at Asura. I am ensuring she understands my availability.” Callisto answers.

Holding up my hands, I say, “Ok, I get it. You all need to understand when I plan to test the succubi powers. It is bad if I try to dominate you... unless it is Callisto. But, it sounds like he is going to give in. What kind of practice is that?”

The change in Callisto’s face was instantaneous. “I may be the prankster of this group, but never forget that I am a Demon Lord. I can fight against your powers. But, if that is what you want, I can promise that you will get what you wish for.” He ended his threat with a smile and a promise.

I decide that Callisto will never grow up.

Ishtar stops further conversation, “If everyone is finished for the night, I suggest sleep. Tomorrow starts your first full-day of training. Today was an introduction. Tomorrow starts the hard work.” Standing, Ishtar leaves.

Callisto and Effrion follows, “He is right. Tomorrow’s training is difficult. Get rest.” Effrion called over his shoulder.

Sitting in the relaxing water, I realize that they are correct and I need not fight the suggestion. It isn’t an order, it is advice. Advice I better heed.