Rave U was poppin’ off like always, dark lights and bass-heavy beats vibratin' through the veins of every soul within its hallowed halls. The campus, notorious for being a battleground for the pacts, was decked out tonight—fluorescent murals lighting up the walls, and every corner was filled with students reppin’ their colors, flexin’ their powers, and showin' off their drip.
Deep in the labyrinthine corridors of Rave U, down where the Mana Gardens met the Arcane Labs, Bree stumbled out of a portal, gaspin' for air. Her homunculus body had barely reformed, slick with the residue of the Nigredo potion she always kept stashed. The foul concoction tasted like burnt tar and smelled like death warmed over, but it did its job, stitchin' her back together after Dante forced her to devour her own damn self just to escape.
She was still shaky, mana flaring uncontrollably, her body reforming with every pulse. The potion’s effect was rough, but Bree wasn’t about to go out like some scrub. Nah, she stood tall, bare as the day she was made, her fresh skin glowing under the harsh fluorescent lights of the corridor. She didn't have time to worry 'bout clothes; she was too busy fightin' off the dizziness.
But fate had other plans.
Outta nowhere, the sound of laughter and loud-ass chatter echoed down the hall. Voira and Kess rounded the corner, decked out in their usual fits—Voira sportin’ her Drakonis bomber jacket with intricate dragon embroidery, and Kess in her loose combat pants, fingers sparkin' with mana like she was ready to throw hands.
The duo stopped dead in their tracks at the sight of Bree’s newly reformed, naked form. Kess’s eyes widened, her turquoise hair flicking like a cat’s tail, while Voira just raised an eyebrow, her blue eyes glinting under the neon lights exuding her typical ‘I-dare-you’ vibe, her hair cropped short. Her caramel skin shimmered like polished bronze, a testament to her high elf heritage.
“Girl, why you out here free ballin’ like that?” Voira barked, her voice cutting through the ambient thrum of Rave U’s underground like a knife. “You gotta represent the Drakonis Pact better than that, homie!”
Bree’s cheeks went hot, her usual bravado nowhere to be found. She’d fought demons, necromancers, even stood toe-to-toe with Xyra himself, but standing there naked in front of her pact mates? That was a different kinda battle.
Before Bree could respond, Kess started crackin’ up, her laughter echoing like gunfire. “Yo, I can’t—this is too good!” she howled, tears streaming down her face. But just as quick, her fist shot out, catching Voira off guard with a sucker punch straight to the jaw.
The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
“This bitch just snuck me! Oh, it’s on now!” Voira growled, rubbing her chin, eyes blazing like twin suns. “Bree, get yo' ass dressed, we got a rat to catch.”
But before they could take off after Kess, a slow clap filled the air, followed by a familiar mocking voice.
Dante strutted into view, lookin' like he just stepped outta a gothic fashion catalog, his long white hair flowing behind him and his eyes as cold as a winter storm. His crimson trench coat billowed as he walked, and his lips curled into a smirk the moment he laid eyes on Bree.
“I knew the Drakonis Pact was shameless, but damn, Bree, this is a new low—even for you.” He pointed dramatically, his eyes flicking up and down Bree’s nude form. “This here? This ain’t just dirty play; this is downright foul.”
“Fuck you mean, Dante?” Voira snarled, summoning her Monbeasticore with a snap of her fingers. She wasn’t gonna let this creep talk shit and walk away.
The ground trembled as the beast emerged from Voira’s mana summoning circle, a rip in reality that spat out the nightmare known as Rainbow Stygian Phantasmicore. This wasn’t no ordinary summon—this was a Monbeasticore, a twisted mix of nightmare and dragon, forged from the depths of the Drakonis Pact’s forbidden rituals.
Stygian stood tall on six legs, each one armored with plates of iridescent black scales that shimmered with hues of deep purple and crimson. Its body was as sleek as it was deadly, covered in a thick hide that looked like it could deflect bullets. The beast’s head was a grotesque fusion of lion and drake, with razor-sharp fangs that dripped with corrosive venom. The mane was a swirling mass of ethereal flame, flickering between shades of blue and green, casting an eerie glow on the surrounding walls.
Its wings were vast and leathery, veins glowing with a sickly green light, and its tail ended in a massive stinger, dripping with a toxin that could paralyze a giant. But the most terrifying feature was its eyes—glowing, soulless orbs that seemed to pierce through flesh and bone, a gaze that could drive weaker minds to madness.
“Stygian, show this fool what Drakonis is all about!” Voira commanded, her eyes locked on Dante like a predator ready to pounce.
The beast roared, a sound that reverberated through the hallways, rattling windows and sending students scrambling. But Dante didn’t flinch; instead, he cracked his knuckles, a dark grin spreading across his pale face.
“Oh, you wanna dance? Let’s see if your beast can handle the heat, Voira.” With a flick of his wrist, a ring of black flames erupted around him, turning the air thick with the scent of sulfur and death.
Bree didn’t waste no time. She snatched a cloak from a nearby locker, quickly throwing it over her bare form. The last thing she needed was more distractions when shit was about to pop off. Voira’s beast was already lunging at Dante, claws outstretched, while the other students who had gathered to watch were either cheerin’ or runnin’ for cover.
Kess was nowhere to be seen, probably off plotting her next move, but Bree knew that snake would be back. For now, it was time to back up her crew and show Dante that messin’ with the Drakonis Pact came with consequences.
“Alright, let’s shut this pretty boy down,” Bree growled, her mana surging as she called forth her Tyrant Gauntlets, the black metal forming around her fists like liquid darkness.