The brisk air didn’t bother the lion beastkin as he strolled under the moonlit night in a nightshirt long enough to cover for decency's sake. Daygon looked up and stared at the three moons in the sky, embracing the silence of the night. It had been ten years since he claimed the position of the beast king, and yet Daygon knew he didn’t deserve it. A chilly breeze came up from behind the lonely figure, pushing his mane out in front of him. As the breeze died down, he knew he was no longer alone.
“Now, what could the noble beast king be walking around at this time for?” A heavy, sultry voice whispered in his ear. “Were the concubines I left for you not enough? Are you looking for someone with a little more endurance? I know they were not completely fresh. I just couldn’t help myself.” A terrifying giggle turned into a full laugh as Daygon turned around to face the interloper.
Hovering in the air using two large bat-like wings, the most alluring creature in existence grinned at the beastkin. Her beauty was unnatural, and anyone who looked upon her knew it. However, most would be unable to deny themselves and reach out to claim such a treasure. Her perfect porcelain white skin glowed in the moonlight as her jet-black hair fell to her shoulder blades in a perfect wispy texture. Her figure was a perfect hourglass; everything was taut and youthful while on full display.
However, Daygon knew that her beauty was only skin deep, and the demon was nothing to underestimate. He watched her dainty hands tipped with sharp, long fingernails rest on his shoulders. Her thin tail covered in black scales curled around and lifted his chin so that he looked the Sin of Lust in the eye.
“Why would I want a vile creature like you as a mate?” Daygon’s voice rumbled with its perpetual growl as he glared at the demon.
The Sin of Lust flapped her wings to fly, so she was once again behind the beast king and lazily draped her arms over his shoulders. “You call me vile, yet you never stay away from me for long. You always come crawling back to me, begging.” Her voice dripped with anticipation.
“I wouldn’t want you, demon. I want my mate returned.” Daygon growled and bared his fangs as he turned his head to glare at the demon.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” She wrapped her arms around his neck, still hovering off the ground, but she shifted her posture so that her torso was parallel to the ground. “Remember what happened last time?” Her voice rose in pitch with each word.
The lion beastkin went deathly quiet. The memory of the demon floating behind him, summoning fallen demons to defile his mate and forcing him to watch, unable to move a muscle, destroyed his rebellious spirit. He didn’t know how tense he held his muscles until he resigned himself to the demon. “What do you want? Why are you here?” His voice left no room for anything but defeat.
“Good kitten. Remember, she is my plaything. If you behave, I might let you see her. For a little while, at least.” The demon released the beast king and flew around him so that her feet were at the level of his eyes. “Kiss them.”
The lion beast kin wanted to stare at the perfectly petite feet tipped with deceptively sharp triangle toenails with disgust but knew that would invite another punishment. The Sin of Lust went through every conceivable method, and even inventing a few new ones, of humiliation to ingrain in him that she was in charge. Slowly, the beast king kissed her feet as they floated inches from his muzzle.
“See, was that so hard?” She leaned over as she stayed hovering and lifted the beast king’s head with a single finger. “Why so gloomy? We gave you the power to become the king you wanted. And for ten years, you’ve ruled this kingdom we gave you.”
“My people are starving.” Daygon lowered his voice. “Ever since you arrived, food has become increasingly scarce and no matter where we look, there is less and less. You gave me a kingdom that you are killing.“
“Then take it from those less deserving than yourselves.” The Sin of Lust grinned as she looked behind the beast king at the source of the new voice. “You are the king of the proud beastkin race. It is time you take what you deserve.“
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Daygon’s heart skipped a beat at the sound of the angelic voice. Lust’s voice invited one to act upon their carnal desires, but this voice established dominance. Daygon slowly turned to acknowledge the second demon who damned his soul.
A tall young man stood dressed in a flowing white robe next to a large tree. Two blood-red eyes looked at everything with disinterest as he walked towards the beast king. His flowing golden locks drifted in the breeze and brought attention to the two massive black eagle wings trailing him. Daygon knew better than to stay standing for long in the presence of the Sin of Pride. He dropped to his knees and prostrated himself before the demon he feared the most.
“There is conveniently a kingdom with a surplus of resources. They have grown fat and weak as they enjoy their peace.” The Sin of Pride stopped three strides away from the beast king. “Take from them.”
The lion beastkin quivered at the Sin’s words. “You want me to go to war with the humans?”
The Sin of Lust moved to hover over the beastkin. “Absolutely.”
“Why?” Daygon didn’t have time to regret his question. His world exploded in pain as he tumbled sideways, rolling until a tree that was wider than he was tall stopped him. He clenched his jaw and refused to cry out in pain. Slowly, he returned to facing the Sin of Pride on his hands and knees.
“It’s not your place to question me.” The male demon’s voice promised even more pain should the beast king resist again. “You'll go and kill the humans. Those are your orders. I don’t care how you do it, just kill them all. The sooner you leave, the sooner I can leave.”
“You’re no fun,” the demoness purred as she twirled a finger through her hair.
The Sin of Pride sharply turned and walked away. “You and Greed can make all the plans you want. She said that the humans would be vulnerable to strike. Besides, I’m only here because I was ordered to make sure this plan succeeds. You’re not very grateful that I’ve even bother to help at all.”
The Sin of Lust clapped her hands. “Oh, but of course. None of this would’ve been possible without your mightiness. You’ve kept the little animals in line better than a certain king I know.”
Daygon flexed a single claw as he was forced to listen to the demons belittle his people. But he retracted it before the demons saw. He cursed himself for being such a coward.
The Sin of Lust landed right in front of Daygon, while he stared at the ground. “Now be a good king and do what you are told.” She wrapped her tail around his neck and lifted him to his knees. “Remember, you are not important or required. You are convenient. We can find another to replace you just as easily as you replaced the last king. Now sweet dreams.” She said as she kissed the beast king on the lips.
Daygon wished he were brave enough to stand up to the two demons. Then he could at least die with dignity. But, the moment he let them in and accepted their power, he not only damned his soul but the soul of his mate and the lives of every beastkin in the kingdom.
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The sin of greed wore the apperance of an elderly woman who was quietly sitting outside enjoying a nice hot cup of tea. She wanted to be unassuming so she could watch. Her plan had many moving parts and right now, she watched the a group of armed knights walk through the gates.
She knew that her plans ten years ago were stopped by a very lucky beastkin. Then five years ago, her plans were successful, but not as successful as they should have been. Gluttony was killed by the same beastkin. But also someone was ready for her plans. There was enough damage to create a blood anchor at the tournament grounds, but only just.
The man known as Midas worked against all of her plans. But this time, she forced his hand and would kill two birds with one stone. The sin of greed continued watching as nobody was any the wiser of her presence. The human leading the group of five knights asked around for hunters to guide them. None of them agreed to take them. When asked why, they all said the same name, “Lucia.”
“Hello, ma’am.” The human approached the sin of greed while she still wore her disguise. “Could you please direct us to The Maidens headquarters?”
She put on a practiced smile. “Yes, no problem.” Her voice was harder to hide in her illusion, but she softened it enough not to raise suspicion. And even if they did suspect her to be not as she was, she would be long gone before they came back to check on her. “Just head down this road for five sections, turn north for eight sections. It’ll be to the east.”
The human gave a slight bow. “Thank you, ma’am.”
And with that the five knights walked away. The sin of greed didn’t need to fake her smile as she watched them follow her instructions. Her plans were well on their way, so long as the other two kept up their end. She got up and looked for a quiet alley and, with nobody looking, melded into the ground.