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It wasn't often Leon spoke to God, but if there was ever a reason why, it was being sucked into the most painfully long journey of his life. His knees collided with what felt like every damn boulder possible. Hell, they could've even crossed the world for all he knew and smacked the nose of every American president possible on Mount Rushmore.
The mischievous harpy Quilla, ever present, giggled at his every misfortune, while Stone, the silent rock man, led them on with an unyielding demeanor. And oh, how fitting Stone's name was, not only describing his visage but also his humor-or lack thereof.
Not a single snicker at any joke, leaving Leon to stew in his frustration. Sticks and stones may break Leon's bones, but Stone's just a dick, so fuck him.
After what felt like an eternity, the blindfold was finally ripped off Leon's head. His eyes widened at the breathtaking spectacle that unfolded before him. A colossal cavern opened up, revealing a mystical blue lake at its heart.
Along the water's edge and scattered on the ridges above, large tents and flickering campfires dotted the clearing. The central focus was a roaring waterfall that cascaded into the lake, its waters drowning out all other sounds. Sunlight filtered through an opening above, casting enchanting rays into the cavern.
Everywhere Leon looked, he witnessed something crazy. Harpies fluttered about, their laughter and flirtation filling the air. Wood nymphs and dwarves lounged by the campfires, while men adorned with goat horns, goatees, and hooves barked orders, their factions engaging in intense stick fights.
Overwhelmed, Leon couldn't help but ask, "Just what is this place?" His astonishment drew a genuine grin from Stone-the first real smile he had seen since their journey began. The hours of blindfolded torment seemed worth it, albeit begrudgingly.
"Welcome to the Anderaal. Not many have the pleasure of seeing the home of our tribe, but it is an honor to have the host of Diablos join us even if it is only for a little while," Stone explained, his voice tinged with pride.
Leon fought the urge to lose himself in the mesmerizing surroundings. It was at this moment that he noticed the more human side of Stone's face featured a pointy ear. He couldn't help but ask, "If you don't mind me asking, what exactly are you?"
Stone's eyes widened briefly before he let out a sigh. "I am half elf and half cherufe. The stony side of my body comes from the cherufe of my family if that was what you meant."
"I didn't mean any offense. I was raised in human countries, so everything I meet here is new to me," Leon explained.
Stone nodded in understanding, his stern expression softening momentarily. It returned with icy resolve as he said, "This will not be easy. For the best results, it would be best for you to remain here for the duration until your duel begins."
Leon's eyes widened."For a whole week? Is there any way I can find my friends and tell them where I am?"
Suddenly, Quilla tapped Leon's shoulder, smirking. "I'll find them for you, love... For a price."
"What's your price?" Leon asked.
"Lay in my bed and grant me children," Quilla said calmly, sending shivers down his spine.
"Grant your... Are you crazy? Do you even know what you're asking?" Leon's face burned as he turned his back, facepalming.
Quilla giggled hysterically, moving her mouth to his ear. "What? Are you shy?" she whispered.
He swatted her off, making her cover her mouth with her wing as she practically died with laughter. "Oh, come on! Is that all that you want?" he snapped, the crack in his voice making him sound weak rather than angry. "Are all creatures this forward?"
"You bare the soul of Diablos in your body. You'll find many women in this country willing to fight to the death even for a mere moment of your time, let alone possess a child with his power," Stone explained, crossing his arms. "That would be proper compensation for bringing you to our tribe and a mix of demon and harpy would make a powerful breed. I wonder how profitable you'd be as a slave of pleasure..."
Leon's hand flew to his hilt at those words. "You had better be joking." The laughter around them from that made the fire rising in him die in shame, but then he joined in. He stopped abruptly when Stone added, "I'm not joking. Unless you have something else to offer."
He stepped away to take a deep breath and process this. Stone and Quilla watched him contemplate in amusement, whispering amongst themselves. Katie would kill me if she ever found out... It's not like we're even dating. Hime only kissed me and she practically wanted to die as it is... ugh, why is life so complicated... But if I don't help them, they might not train me. She'll die if I don't get stronger, but then she'll kill herself if I sleep with the sexy- I mean scandalous harpy girl. ...Ultimatums is the way to go, Leon thought, turning to Quilla.
"I'll agree to sleeping with you on one condition. I have to win my duel. If I lose, I'm being forced to marry Hime, so I'm not going to be sharing children around the world," he said, when she pulled his hand to her chest.
Quilla smirked as he snatched his hand back. "Why bother waiting? It's clear you don't want to..."
Just get it over with. With any luck this will crush that pathetic angel's heart and let me kill her once and for all, Diablos said coldly.
Last thing I need is the demon on my shoulder tempting me... Leon responded.
Diablos scoffed. As if you needed me to be tempted. Your self control is as weak as the rest of you.
Several other harpies started whispering and gawking at him too. The rest of the tribe all seemed to stop what they were doing to look at the newcomer. His heart thud heavily at being the center of attention, making it harder to concentrate. If I do this, what are the chances Katie kills me for it if she finds out... if my conscience doesn't do me in first?
With that blasted Jalaiya sealed within her, she'll likely try to kill you anyway, willfully or not. I'll destroy her before she ever gets that chance, but this is for the sake of satisfying your ridiculous fantasies, is it not? Diablos inquired sarcastically.
Leon shook off his doubts. Fuck it, I'm no pussy.
"Is bearing children all you want? You're telling me I can't do anything else for your tribe?" he asked, turning to Stone.
"We're on the brink of extinction, of course that's all we-" Quilla started when Stone covered her mouth, pondering on it.
Narrowing his eyes, he tapped his chin silently. "You're fighting to save the host of Jalaiya, correct? Personally I'd prefer a duel with you over anything. Defeating the one who not only hosts Diablos, but defeated one of the strongest demons in the world, granted you succeed? It'd be an honor beyond honors," Stone said, taking his hand off Quilla's mouth. She opened her mouth to protest, but then froze as she turned around to think on it as well.
"A duel with Jalaiya's host would be fun... but I still want my babies too," Quilla interjected, several other harpies nodding in agreement.
Fuck, they added to the deal? That's it, I'm never negotiating again. He sighed. "I'm not helping you raise them if you make me do this. And this better stay within the tribe. No rumors about Diablos's host giving free babies to every monster in the country! And a duel would be great, but after you teach me and I win, right?"
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At that, the whole tribe roared in cheer. "Does that mean we get to repopulate too?" A wood nymph squealed loud enough for him to hear it.
"I only agreed to give Quilla and Stone their requests! No one else!" Leon shouted, making them all go, "Awww man. This sucks."
Stone smiled, but then his eyes narrowed. "Let's begin."
Six harrowing days within the Anderaal and Leon had many sleepless nights. They kept their end of the bargain, Richard and Ed irritably awaiting his return. They trained and drank in his time away, often led out of the taverns by a very irritated Hime.
His endless nights began with waking up to Quilla's relentless bedroom sparring to long, grueling training with Stone. It was a wonder he wasn't coughing up feathers and rocks every morning with every moment each day progressed. They practiced on the highest peak of the mountain, pillars of rocks surrounding them as Leon learned to concentrate on having his mind become one with it.
It was like a deep rooted meditation, only it concentrated on the feeling of a sense of purpose. As if his bones were connecting to everything around him and then pushing out, the ground that rose and bent to his will like an extension of his body.
Every attempt left Leon trembling, as if every muscle in his body was carrying the world itself. The lusty harpy wrestling him in his tent for baby juice did little to help him rest. By the end of each training day, she watched them happily whistling to herself.
On his knees exhausted and with bloodshot eyes, Leon looked at her with a combination of tranquility and loathing. Shortly afterward he was dragged to her tent and sleepless heaven or to some hell begins. I don't think I'm going to survive another night with that woman... Let alone the duel, he thought, panting against one of the stone pillars.
Just drink some water and rejuvenate you fool. Quit being a child and get back up, Diablos commanded.
With a muffled cry, Leon shook away his fatigue. Yes, demon slave driver! You got it.
That's Mr. Demon slave driver to you, boy, Diablos retorted, a hint of amusement in his cold, dark voice.
Dinner most nights was meat, fish, venison, creatures Leon had never even heard of before, along with chopped potatoes and onions or tomatoes all roasted together on a stick. Despite not having much seasoning, it was always tender and full of flavor.
His meals consisted of being gawked at by every wood nymph, harpy, and other creatures from the lake. Most of the men either respected him or muttered to each other behind his back in a jealous rage.
Stone joined him for most meals, giving ideas of how to gain better control of his new powers. That night, Quilla already awaited on the fur bed made for them, legs crossed. How she managed to put on a silk robe with wings for arms was beyond his imagination. She smirked deviously at the look of exhaustion on Leon's face.
"We've done this for an entire week. Are you telling me that isn't enough to get you pregnant?" he groaned, plopping down next to her.
She wrapped her wing around his neck, stroking a claw against his chest. "A woman can grow addicted to this sort of sensation... Besides, wouldn't you rather be safe than sorry? You'll have to come back if it doesn't work."
His eyes widened. That's not happening. He pushed her onto the bed, making her gasp. The tent shook. The earth trembled. Many mischievous harpies hid outside the tent eavesdropping the bellowing moans, practically dying of envy. With a ferocious fury, he finally satisfied Quilla's insatiable appetite a few hours later. For the first night since he'd arrived, he finally slept well.
The following morning, he stood at the top of the mountain watching the sunrise. Stone and Quilla watched him in shock, burns and piles of rubble all around them. Katie's feather was clutched in his hand as he turned to face them. "One more day before the duel. It's time to take me back."
Stone nodded. "You are ready. Quilla will see to it to fly you to the kingdom. Sadly we can't join you beyond the gates, but I'm more than confident you will succeed," he said, walking forward.
He ripped a chip of amber stone from his right shoulder, holding it out to Leon. "Take this. It will make it easy to track you so that we may have our duel in the future. You are always welcome here, Leon."
Taking it, Leon looked at it for a moment before putting it in his pocket. "Thank you." His vision was covered by a blindfold as Quilla's warm lips kissed his cheek. Giant talons grabbed his shoulders as he felt himself lifted and carried into the clouds above.
As he landed at the edge of the forest below the mountain, Quilla gave him a tight hug. "I'm going to miss you terribly. Surely you'll visit your offspring, won't you?" she asked, the affection in her voice jabbing him in the heart.
"You're putting me in a rough position... but, of course I would. If circumstances were different, I'm sure I'd be happy living with you," Leon said, and despite the guilt he felt, he gave her a warm smile.
Her claws stroked his cheek and for a moment her eyes watered. "If I defeat Jalaiya's host in my duel when you return... I hope you'll truly consider being my mate."
He grinned. "Competition is a little steep these days. Be careful what you wish for."
She smacked her right wing, holding it up in a strange sort of flex. "Oh, now I'm fired up! Just you wait, my love! No one will stand against my desire." With that, she pulled him into a passionate kiss and flew into the skies. At this rate, I'm going to get a bonafide career as a heart breaker and a scumbag...
A little late for regrets. If any offspring come to haunt you, it will be impossible to cover such an obvious deceit. Though your pathetic conscience will most likely kill you first... Diablos's voice echoed.
Silently shaking his head, Leon chuckled. You said it... Though if it saves Katie's life, it's a small price to pay. I'm beat. Better rest up and meet with the others before the duel tomorrow morning. Hope they were alright while I was gone.
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Leon made his way through town. The sun set slowly behind him as he took the stone steps back to the castle. What a strange month... Ever since Death chased me into that building my world has been spiraling out of control. Just what does he want to destroy the world for anyway? Why does he exist? Leon wondered, his eyes turning to the hedge of flowers leading to the front.
A cold breeze overtook him when a voice ahead said, "Faired well with the tribe I take it?"
He froze as Toras stepped around the corner. Even with his visor covering his eyes, Leon could feel how cold they were. "Yeah, thanks for that. If I ever need to star in the next mountaintop bloodbath, I'll give you a call."
Toras tilted his head and sighed. "Oh, come now. They already saw me as a tyrant, and so I played the part. You came in swimmingly with your heroic charms, and then abra kadabra, 'Oh, Diablos, bear my babies pleaaaase!' My boy, you cannot tell me that was not a hooping success!"
"You're telling me that display was just an act? ...And just how the hell do you know about that?" Leon inquired, narrowing his eyes as Toras placed his hand on his shoulder.
Toras chuckled. "It doesn't take a monkey's uncle to figure it out. Apart from demons and succubi, harpies are among the horniest creatures on this planet. Granted with great power, most creatures are twice as easy to mate on these islands and three times better looking than any human you'll meet in your countries."
"Bearing children and making a family is a harpy's only purpose for living. Pride has always been Stone's weakness. I knew he'd jump at the opportunity to take part in my dear princess's defeat if it meant he took the credit. Handing them the host of Diablos himself on a silver platter was more than enough to satisfy their measly desires. Though to say you never trusted me... I will admit that it did wound me just the slightest," he added.
Leon swatted his hand off and took a few steps away. He walked through the hedge into the giant courtyard, turning to face Toras at the stairs of the entrance. The castle towered over them, the town overlooked beyond the hedge below the giant hill.
From where he was standing, Toras's shadow looked like it was engulfing the kingdom as the sun finally sank over the horizon. "And what if I was a terrible person? You would've killed Stone if you were wrong?" Leon asked.
"Well, of course I would! If threatening to end his life didn't spark your stoic heroism, I'd dare say he isn't worth much to begin with," Toras answered, crossing his arms. "Can't very well allow a man to go around spouting obscenities about me and live to tell of it. Even if they are baseless lies, a knight's honor only goes so far."
Dark clouds loomed overhead, leaves and flower petals cast around the courtyard in a flurry. Leon turned to walk away. "Well, thanks, I guess. I don't know how much more I can trust someone helping me defeat their own royalty, but if you're serious about it, just stand back and watch. I'll set Katie free tomorrow." He didn't bother to wait for a response, heading up the stone steps and through the giant castle doors.
Toras watched him, rain beginning to drizzle down upon the courtyard. A cloaked figure approached from behind as he removed his helmet. "My lord, what is your obsession with that boy? He's just an insolent fool like the rest of them. First his existence poisons my Hime's vision, and now he spits on my efforts to ensure his success. Clearly I would be a greater asset to your new world than he ever could."
Her malevolent violet gaze shined as she said, "And say you were given a chance to show me your worth? I am impressed with your results... but, talk is cheap Toras. Bend the knee and show me where your loyalties lie ...."
Toras felt to a knee, bowing before Death. He took her hand and kissed the back of it. "My lord, please grant me the strength to destroy him and this wretched kingdom. They will rue the day they looked down on me. That blasted princess and Diablos are nothing compared to our might. They and that pathetic angel will be six feet under this time tomorrow. That I swear."
Death smiled gleefully. "Then rise and make it so."
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