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Warning this story contains adult content so if you’re a minor don’t read it or if adult content involving sex, violence or super powerful women offends you don’t read it either. This story was written with input from Supernaught whose real name I haven’t inquired about.

The author namely me can be emailed or contacted on yahoo messenger at: happiest_in_shadows@yahoo.com . Reviews are welcome


At first Maxwell could hardly believe what he saw. The fortification from where the soldiers had seen Annette go to fight had been destroyed. None of them had mentioned it so he felt that it must have happened after they left. He had no idea of how long ago though. The solid stone walls had been melted. A few sections still flowed molting stone still. All of the golems that had been stationed there seemed to have been destroyed.

As he turned his gaze towards the battle field he couldn’t help but sigh. The landscape had been decimated. The ground was torn up so that it would have been unrecognizable even to those that had looked out over it for years. There wasn’t any green thing alive that he could see.

The destruction that one could see though was the least of his concerns. Maxwell could already feel the taint and he knew that it would be heavy. In summoning the monolith a path to the elemental plain had been opened for a short time. Soon the area would begin filling with beings that didn’t belong in the natural world.

“Sir we should begin moving quickly.” Xyra took a few steps forward as she spoke. “The longer we wait here the more likely we are to encounter resistance.”

For a moment Maxwell was silent then he gave his head a quick shake. He actually wished that his training with the elements didn’t allow him to feel what was happening so well. “You’re right Xyra.”

Even as he began moving Maxwell was torn between the paths that he should take. The quickest way would be to go strait through the center of the destruction however that would be wear the taint would be its worse and the obstruction the greatest. The path which would cause the least resistance was the furthest from the center however that would require them to cover far more ground. At the moment he had opted for the middle ground.

The area had only been infected a few hours ago. He knew this would mean there would be fewer elementals and those that had formed would be gathering near the center. However, for them to gather near the center those that were formed else where would have to travel there.

Jahnah could hardly believe the condition she found Annette in. While she knew that her friend had limitations she hadn’t expected to find her injured this badly. As she worked the latches that held Annette’s chest plate in place she could only hope that the damage wasn’t as bad as it looked. For a moment her attention was drawn to Annette’s left eye and the side of her face.

The skin had been disfigured to the point that the eye had been sealed shut. She didn’t even know if there was an eye behind the fused skin any longer. Slowly she reached a hand and gently ran her finger over the injury. Had Annette been a human it would have been a simple matter for Jahnah to heal her. However, Annette’s body wasn’t that of a humans and it behaved differently.

As Jahnah touched her fingers to Annette she could feel an abnormal energy inside of her. The damage the monolith had done to her wasn’t only physical its attacks had a side to them that was mystic as the creature was. When Jahnah realized she had wasted enough time she quickly removed her hands and continued to unbuckle Annette’s chest plate. At last she stripped away the armor.

The arcanon despite its strength and effects upon magic creatures had been badly dented. After removing the material and setting it to the side she saw how heavily bruised and burned Annette’s chest was. Her attention was drawn away from her friend’s body when she noticed a few people hurrying into the room carrying several large bandages.

It was rare for Annette to be truly injured and even rarer that they’d last until she came home. However, for the rare occasions that it did happen she had a few bandages ready. These weren’t nearly enough to properly treat her in her current condition and forced some improvising.

Xyra didn’t seem at all effected as she held the stone elemental. Despite the mystic strength of the elemental it was no match for that of the undead’s. As the creature continued to struggle against her she looked towards Maxwell who had already drawn his wind sword and made use of the magic.

“Are you ready?”

“Yes.”

As Maxwell released the energy Xyra dug her feet into the ground. The moment the torrent of wind slammed into the elemental she felt herself slip backwards a few centimeters. As she was moved backward her feet sunk into the ground until she had a good enough grip to stop her movement. The sound of the wind blade slamming into and ripping apart the elemental would have been nearly deafening to most had they been as close to it as Xyra.

With no ability to defend itself due to Xyra restraining it the elemental felt the full effects of the spell. As the energy eroded it the creature was made to break apart. Xyra could feel the golem being torn apart however she continued to hold her ground until she felt a slight bit of air rushing into her stomach. As she released the elemental she pushed off the ground with inhuman strength allowing her to quickly move to the side.

It had surprised Maxwell when Xyra had moved behind the elemental and taken hold of it. More often then not destroying a stone elemental was a time consuming experience due to their remarkable endurance and ability to reform themselves in some cases. However, with Xyra restraining it so that it couldn’t move he was able to eliminate the creature with a single quick spell.

Jahnah watched as the various healers moved about Annette’s body. Jahnah took in a deep breath as she finally reached down and took hold of Annette’s gauntlet and gloves. When she removed them she was horrified to see how badly Annette’s hands and arms were burned. Every time she had struck the monolith she had received a slight electric shock.

The woman had been hired to help tend to the guards which Annette employed. She had received medical training but only had to work with minor injuries. The major ones had always been left to the mages. She’d never imagined that one day she would have to work on such major injuries. The situation was further complicated by Annette’s remarkable size and endurance.

Now she could see numerous third degree burns and deep bruising all along her mistress’s exposed body. “Focus” The woman was made to glance up and over at yet another nurse. As she gave a nod she took hold of the massive strips of material that were serving as bandages for Annette. She and three others then began to move it into place to cover one of the deeper injuries that had only recently had some healing salve.

While Jahnah had been somewhat rough while carrying Annette back to her home that was to save time. Now she was being exceedingly gentle not to further irritate her friend’s injuries. When she glanced up she was relieved to see some of the makeshift bandages were finally being brought into the room.

A few had thought to use sheets but Jahnah had quickly put a stop to that. While the material would have been more comfortable it wouldn’t have been strong enough. Instead she had several start gathering up every burlap sack they could fine. They’d then been cut open given a rough cleaning and stitched together to make a rough bandage.

Dehvess took a deep breath. While he was maintaining Jahnah’s size he also had to try to heal Annette while she worked. The healing magic would do little to restore Annette’s body but a little was better then nothing. At the very least it seemed to be negating any unseen effects of the monolith’s attacks.

He would have preferred to have a healing match seal the wound or at the very least have it stitched together. The monolith had left a rather massive gash along Annette’s side and while the wound had clotted to a large extent it had yet to stop bleeding entirely. Only now that they had some bandages with sufficient strength had they began cleaning the injury.

If it hadn’t been for the incredible strength of Annette’s skin they would have stitched it shut. Of course if Annette hadn’t had such a high level of endurance she would have been killed.

At the very least Annette didn’t seem to have any broken bones. The electrical burns were by far the healers’ greatest concerns with the deep bruising coming in a close second. Her skin had been broken in a few places that had largely sealed up on their own though they would have to be truly treated. The cuts were however third on their list of worries.

Maxwell cursed quietly as they continued to move throughout the tainted land. Every minute that he was there he could feel the taint seeping into the ground, water, air and event the molten rock. The little fire pits were already giving birth to flame elementals though that was only one of the reasons he was upset at the moment. “Hurry up before more come.”

They had avoided several elementals after the earth however they hadn’t been able to avoid a particular wind elemental. This wasn’t a problem in regards to the time that was required to dispatch the elemental however it had created a problem. Before they had managed to disrupt the elementals essence it had managed to give off a summoning cry. Now every elemental within detection range would be descending upon that location.

If they didn’t manage to clear the area in time they’d have to fight their way through numerous elementals of various types. While Maxwell believed they could handle the elementals given their limited numbers he also believed it would take too much precious time and he knew it would fatigue the group. However, that didn’t prevent them from trying to use the situation to their advantage.

With the elementals focusing on one area all they needed to do was get out of that area before they arrived. If that could be done then it would put the vast majority of disturbances behind them. It was another reason for Maxwell to be grateful that he had only chosen soldiers that could move very quickly over long distances. As they made their way through the ruined landscape he couldn’t help but notice how mobile Annette’s guards were. It was clear she kept her servants running around quite a lot.

Slowly Jahnah drew the material around each of Annette’s fingers. The healers had done what they could in regards to cleaning and salving the wound. Dehvess was doing his best to heal Annette now the only thing they could do was give the injury time. “Dehvess is Annette in danger of dying?”

It took Dehvess a moment to respond as he considered the situation. It was true that Annette had been badly injured but didn’t believe she was in the danger zone any longer. However, given the nature of what Annette had been fighting he didn’t know if there were injuries he couldn’t see at the moment. Also due to Annette’s body he couldn’t be sure how bad the internal damage was. “As long as she continues to receive medical Attention I believe the odds of her body giving out are very slim.”

“You said body. Why did you say body? Is there a chance that whatever she was fighting affected her on a spiritual level?”

“Not like a demon or an undead would have but yes. There is a chance that the monolith affected her on more then a physical level. While they come from the same plain as elementals they are something more. Though, I doubt that it has affected her spiritually. That isn’t the threat that I was thinking of though.”

“Then what were you thinking of?”

“Tell me if any of the burns seem to be growing or if her skin texture seems to change.”

“Fine, you’ll tell me what you are worried about later.”

Dehvess couldn’t help but chuckle despite himself. He knew that wasn’t a request. “Jahnah please set me on your shoulder. I want to be able to look Annette over and I believe that you’ve done all you can.”

As Dehvess surveyed Annette the greatest damage had clearly been done to her arms and legs. Her legs had less damage then her arms but still as Dehvess looked them over he was surprised she’d been able to carry herself as far as she had. At the moment the left side of her face was concealed entirely by burlap. The horrendous burn had finally been cleaned and covered.

Over all Dehvess felt the medical treatment that had been given to Annette was the best that could be done for the time. That didn’t change the fact that it was utterly lacking as far as he was concerned. Had Annette been human sized or if they had more material he would have been quite upset with the quality of the work.

“Okay Jahnah. If you don’t mind put me down. Also would you go and retrieve something for Annette to prop her head up on? I just realized that she doesn’t have a pillow under her head.”

“Yeah, I’ll just go down to her room.” As Jahnah spoke she lifted Dehvess from her shoulder and set him on the ground. The bond between Dehvess, the tiara and her had grown strong enough that she could go a fair distance without breaking the bond. “Dehvess do you believe we might need to severe the link between Annette and her armor?”

“If you’re asking that you have a reason to believe that we should. What do you think that we should?”

“I’ll tell you after I’ve gone and retrieved the pillow.”

As Jahnah walked away Dehvess turned towards the armor for a moment. He couldn’t see how it would be harming Annette physically or spiritually. However, Jahnah had a far keener eye for some effects then he did as his training gave him an advantage in other arenas.

Xyra had been in the lead for the majority of the run. The undead’s remarkable strength also granted her exceptional speed and she had seemingly limitless stamina. However, she currently slowed down so that Maxwell was able to catch up with her. “They’re going to over take us soon.”

“I know. Hopefully we can find a defensive position before then to help conserve energy.”

“Don’t bother. I am going to fall back and delay them.”

Maxwell couldn’t help the look he gave Xyra. Was she entirely insane? Jahnah and Dehvess had given him some details as to what she was before he’d left. He had even seen how capable she was in combat however he couldn’t believe what she was suggesting. Their attempt to some distance between themselves and the elementals had worked to a limited extent but not effectively enough. “Xyra you don’t have a chance against that many alone.”

“Wrest assured that I will be fine. It would serve you more to hurry on ahead while I distracted them.”

“Do you plan to lead them away?”

“No. I will fight them so that more will focus on me. Once I feel that I have given you enough time to progress I will break from the fight and catch up.”

“Xyra, I don’t send people off on suicide missions.”

An amused giggle escaped Xyra and a wide grin formed on her face. “Then it is fortunate that I am already dead. Don’t worry I’ll catch up with you later. If you turn to help me or send someone back for me they’ll have to fight me.”

For a moment Maxwell was going to protest until he noted the smile on Xyra’s face. It was far from comforting or warm. He had no doubt that given her words and demeanor that she was deadly serious. “Very well, we’ll do this your way. Everyone, keep moving Xyra is going to hold them back for us.”

Once Maxwell finished giving the order Xyra quickly spun around and ran strait towards her opponents. As she quickly advanced towards the wind elementals several bolts of lightning could been seen striking her yet she didn’t slow down in the least.

Jahnah gently lifted Annette’s head once the last of the healers were finished tending to the injuries on her head. She then slipped the pillow underneath it and allowed her head to settle back down. “I wish that we’d made her a protective helmet.”

“In regards to her armor, why did you bring up severing the link between her and the armor before you went to acquire a pillow?”

For a moment Jahnah turned to look at Annette’s armor. When she spoke she turned towards Dehvess. “Normally the armor would help Annette in her recovery since it is an amplifier. The problem is that it is trying to restore itself. I can see it leaching more energy from Annette them it is returning to her.”

A sigh escaped Dehvess as he turned towards the armor. “Is there anything else going on?”

“Well you know that if we break the link with the armor then Annette will have to reestablish it once she’s recovered if she can even wear it. However, can you see the armor doing anything to help her?”

“It boosts her resistance to any lingering harmful effects from her fight with the monolith. If we break the link she is going to lose that.”

“You don’t know if it is helping her though?”

“No. I don’t know if they are any such affects to worry about and even if they were the life force drain on her could be even worse.”

As Jahnah spoke she couldn’t help but rub her forehead. “Well this is unfortunate. Do you believe what we should break the link? I know Annette won’t be happy to have to restore the link with her armor and even less happy if she can’t restore it but it is better then being dead.”

“If we break the link though and it turns out we could use the purifying effects of the armor then we won’t be able to reestablish it. I don’t like the idea of losing that option should anything unforeseen occur.”

“Ah I got it. How about I just strangle the armor a little?”

“What?”

“It’s a technique we death magic users use on healers such as you from time to time. I can seal the health energy inside Annette or at least the vast majority of it. It’s also used to starve a creature that is connected to a greater source.”

“I take it that you’d use it to destroy something like Xyra as well.”

“Yeah, I can just choke the link. It’ll stop the armor from healing itself off course but the vein is still there. Once Annette has recovered I can open it back up for her if she doesn’t do it on her own.”

“Will you need any help?”

“No. The spell isn’t actually harmful to the one it is cast upon. It just insures they can’t heal anyone else.” A slight giggle escaped Jahnah. “That and you’re not exactly the most skilled with death magic after all.”

It was impossible for Dehvess not to grin. “Fine then you can do it yourself.”

Jahnah gave a nod and set down next to Annette. “Now don’t you be mad at me for this when you wake up later. I know that no one enjoys being cursed but this is for your own good.”

Even though Maxwell had been told about Xyra he couldn’t help but glance over his shoulder. It had been a few miles now since they’d left her behind and they’d not seen her since. Of course they hadn’t seen any elementals since then either. His thoughts were taken away from her when he caught sight of something in the distance.

At first he wasn’t sure of what he was seeing until they grew closer. He was then able to make out humanoid figures though they weren’t elementals. As the group drew yet closer he finally realized what he was seeing. The humanoid figures were indeed humans though they weren’t moving. Instead they had been incased in ice.

The soldiers looked as if they’d been in the middle of a charge when the ice wall had swallowed them up. Due to some of the materials being preserved in the ice Maxwell was able to quickly tell what he was looking at. It was the remains of the enemy camp when the monolith had turned on them. The creature had frozen numerous soldiers. “Come on people we are on the hills of our prey now. Once we get out of this infernal land we’ll take a breather and then continue after them.”

Ravastina had been running just behind Maxwell for the duration of the trip. However, upon hearing this she quickly speed up so that she was running along side of him. “Sir, are you sure that it is wise to take time to rest?”

“We can’t be exhausted whenever we catch up with our enemy.”

“Sir, we don’t want to risk them reaching safety. I assure you that my men can continue on. Can’t you?” As Ravastina spoke she raised her voice so that her soldiers could hear her.

“Yes, Sir!”

“We can keep going as well. This isn’t anywhere near as bad as trying to out run the mistress.”

It took a while for Maxwell to respond. “Once we make it to the edge will see if we can locate our prey’s tracks. Depending on that we will or will not take a few minutes to catch our breath and then continue onward.”

It was impossible for Ravastina not to roll her eyes. “Stubborn.”

“Ravastina, I want everyone well wrested for when we catch them. I want to capture them alive and we’ll need our strength for that.” As Maxwell spoke he once again regained the lead and began to make his way into the frozen over camp. Only when Maxwell’s foot come down upon the ice did he suddenly stop as he heard a sudden crackling and felt a chill in his leg.

The entire group ground to a stop when Maxwell was seen leaping backwards. While still in the air he quickly took hold of his fire sword and drove the blade down into the foot that had impacted with the ice. It never met flesh but rather connected solidly with the frozen shell that was forming there. A sudden rush of steam and the hissing of water revealed what had happened.

Once again Ravastina came up alongside Maxwell. “The ice is alive.”

It took Maxwell a moment to respond as he focused on removing the ice from his foot before it could do any damage. Once the ice ceased growing and began to melt he was able to speak. “Yes. Look for the clearest way through.”

“Okay. Be sure to heal your foot before you try moving. I don’t believe you respond quickly enough.”

As he continued to work on his foot Maxwell nodded his head. He hadn’t expected the ice to actually be living but that was because he hadn’t been thinking. Had it been infused with anymore energy it may well have been ice elementals. “It is going to be difficult to restore these lands.”

“How is she doing?”

“Sense you strangled the link between her and her armor she’s been doing better.”

Jahnah gave a nod as she looked at her friend. Various people were stationed around the room to keep an eye on Annette. Dehvess for his part had been walking to each location every few minutes to see for himself. “I brought you a little something to eat.” As she spoke Jahnah settled down and held her hand out towards Dehvess. A rather hefty bowl that looked ridiculously small set atop her fingers.

Dehvess didn’t bother asking for Jahnah to hand him the bowl once he realized he couldn’t reach it. Instead he proceeded to climb into her hand and set down in her palm after retrieving it. “How are Maxwell and Xyra doing?”

“Xyra is doing fine though I can’t be certain of Maxwell’s condition.”

“You mean Xyra is no longer with them. What happened?”

“They were being pursued by some elementals and she decided to stay back and delay them.”

“Has she managed to deal with the elementals yet?”

“She isn’t finished at the moment. Do you believe it would be safe for me to supply Xyra with some additional energy?”

“Yes. However, if something occurs you may have to cut off the supply.”

Ravastina doubted anyone liked the sound of the ice crackling as they ran throughout the camp. Quickly she notched another arrow and let it fly through the ice. Upon striking the ground the area was temporarily engulfed in a ball of fire before the magic wore out. At which time she would quickly dash through the area followed by the others.

While Ravastina lead the charge Maxwell held his position in the center. As he crossed through the gap created by her fire arrows he’d quickly release another wall of flame. This served to drive the ice back and insure no one was captured by it. The very back of the group was held by yet another mage who was to conserve his energy and only use a fire spell if it looked like they would be captured.

The flames were able to destroy and keep the ice at bay while the group quickly passed through the camp. As Ravastina moved she kept her eyes on the path their prey had used to retreat through the camp. She was thankful that they’d been hurried to escape from the monolith so that their tracks were far from well concealed.

At least Maxwell felt confident that they had traveled through the worse of the tainted land. He had a fair idea as to where the monolith had been summoned and where it had encountered Annette. The energy release had been greatest in those locations and thus the taint was the strongest.

He had to refrain from looking over his shoulder several times to see if Xyra had caught up with them. Given their current location he knew that he couldn’t afford to hesitate or slow down the group. If he did there was a good chance that he and everyone else would be captured by the ice.

Once they neared the back of the camp they finally began to come upon the frozen remains of several mages. Apparently not all of them had escaped the ice’s grasp but that was to be expected. They were also some that lay upon the ground. Maxwell felt certain that there were the mages who had too much drained from them upon completion of the summoning and had been killed by it.

A relieved sigh seemed to move through the ranks as they finally broke through to the other side of the camp. A few soldiers chanced a glimpse over their shoulder and watched how the ice had already begun to consume they path that they’d taken. Quite a few of them were left wondering how long the ice would remain so dangerous.

“How is Xyra doing?”

“She finally feels that she’s held the elementals back long enough. Now she is trying to catch up with Maxwell and the wrest of the unit.”

“What is your opinion on the condition of the land?”

“It would make a fine harvest area.”

Dehvess gave a nod. “After Maxwell has returned we’ll have to make further plans. It is going to take quite some time for Annette to recover enough of her strength to be combat capable.”

“Do you believe that she’ll be regaining consciousness soon?”

“I don’t know. It isn’t often that you have to predict when a golem is going to recover from being rendered unconscious. This is the first time to my knowledge.”

“I suppose waking for a golem to simply wake up doesn’t count.”

“We may as well start gathering up binding material, gags and find some storage area. I doubt Maxwell is going to be coming back empty handed.”

Jahnah gave a quick nod and turned to one of the guards that were helping keep an eye on Annette. “I’ll take over your watch for a few moments. Go and gather up a few friends. You need to gather up a lot of rope, bandages, and gags then clear out some storage space.”

“Well it took you long enough to arrive.”

Maxwell could hardly believe what he saw as they made there way to the very edge of the tainted land. Xyra currently set calmly waiting for them. As he looked her over he couldn’t help but notice that a good deal of her armor was missing. The edges seemed to indicate that much of it had been burned away yet there wasn’t a mark or even any suit upon her. “How did you get here?”

“You’re all somewhat slow. I wasn’t able to follow you through the camp so I ran around it.”

“Did you go any further ahead?”

“No.”

Maxwell gave a quick nod and turned to Ravastina. “How far ahead would you say our objective is?”

Ravastina gave a nod and made her way over to the tracks. Bending down it only took her a few moments to form her opinion. “I’d say they are maybe an hour ahead of us. They’re moving very slowly. After summoning the monolith I imagine they’d be nearly ready to collapse in the first place so having to run after words couldn’t have been easy.”

“Xyra since you’re so full of stamina I want you to run a mile ahead. If you see any fresh water source come back and let me know. We’ll keep moving for a while longer to put some distance between us and the tainted land. That way we don’t have to worry about any roaming elementals.”

Xyra gave a nod and once again hopped to her feet. After taking on a sprinting stance she quickly took off. Her inhumanly strong legs easily accelerated her to eighty kilometers an hour within a few seconds.

Dehvess gave a sigh. He hadn’t mentioned it to Jahnah or anyone else but he was feeling rather drained. His body wasn’t as well suited to channeling energy as Jahnah’s was though he had more control. Since no one could see him at the moment he didn’t bother keeping up his regular front. He was tired.

The point of Dehvess’s spear was currently embedded in the stone of the storage area. The tip was able to easily cut through the stone due to the enchantment on it as well as Dehvess own earth and order magic giving it extra penetration. Currently he was busy making a series of glyphs in the stone. He took a moment to wipe the sweat from his forehead before resuming his efforts.

“How are things going in there?”

“I am almost done.”

Jahnah gave a quick nod as she continued to lean against the wall. After a moment she proceeded to set up on her knees and then lower herself down so that her palms wrested on the ground and she could peak in through the doorway. “Would you like me to help cool you off?”

“No I am fine.” Dehvess was about to make another mark when a rather powerful gust of wind filled the room. The torrent of air was enough to make his robes flutter and was surprisingly cool. “Thank you.”

Jahnah gave an amused giggle and stopped blowing into the room for just a moment. “You’re welcome.” With that she resumed the cooling breeze. A bright flash of light could be seen in the door way once Dehvess resumed his efforts.

Maxwell gave a sigh as he set near the little stream. The journey through the tainted land and especially the camp had been quite draining though no one had mentioned it. Even Ravastina seemed to appreciate the break despite her earlier protest. “Okay. Everyone listen. I want to capture the mages responsible for injuring Annette alive. They were awake for at least twenty for hours performing that spell and now they’ve been on the run. So they should be easy to handle. However, I don’t want you throwing your lives away either. Capture those that you believe you can handle and kill the others. There is a reward for every mage captured. Further more I’ll compensate you all for coming this far.”

Ravastina gave a slight giggle and glanced over at Maxwell. “That isn’t necessary. We’re removing some enemy mages. This operation is vital given how many mages they concentrated in a single area. I imagine they even had to higher some to perform the spell. Killing them will serve as a major blow to the enemy which is what we need right now.”

A sigh escaped Xyra as she nodded. “I do not care for capturing them alive. I was hoping to feed on their life force but if that is your orders. I can’t disobey.”

For a moment Maxwell was silent he then turned to Xyra. “What do you mean can’t disobey?”

“My Mistress’s will demand that I help you accomplish your mission. I can not violate her will as her will is my own.”

“Yet you don’t like it.”

“My Mistress’s will is my own but it is not my mind. We do things out of will often enough while desire has no part in it. Did you truly desire to run through a camp that had been swallowed up in still highly charged living ice?”

“I see your point. Well my offer still stands.”

One of Annette’s guards slowly straitened up. “No thanks. We’re paid quite well to protect Annette’s belongings. Her body is her property as well. We already get paid for this.”

“Thanks everyone. However, I’ll still see to your rewards. Though perhaps land once this is all over will be more to your likings.”

“So long as the land isn’t here” seemed to be the collective answer.

After the chuckling died down Xyra finally stepped forward. “While our targets themselves may be out of energy they may have weapons that aren’t as well as scrolls. I shall be the one to lead the charge. You all are to follow at least ten meters behind me.”

It was impossible for Maxwell not to sigh and comment. “I swear Xyra you say you can’t disobey me but.”

“I said I can’t violate my Mistress’s will. Her will holds that I protect you before I obey you.”

A slight chuckle escaped Maxwell. “I see. Okay Xyra you can be the one to lead the charge once we find them. Hopefully they’ll expend whatever magic items they have remaining trying to stop you. Do you at least intend on dodging?”

“Why wouldn’t I?”

“You ran strait through the lightning storm those wind elementals hit you with.”

“Electricity isn’t very effective against undead of my type.”

After a moment Maxwell gave a nod and turned to Ravastina and her men. “I want you to move quickly and try to secure any books, scrolls, potions and items they have. Ravastina, do you have enough strength to put down a rain of arrows to keep them from their equipment?”

“Sure.”

At last Maxwell turned to those that he had selected from Annette’s guards. “You are to move and try to secure the mages.”

“We’ll make sure that they don’t get away.”

Maxwell gave a nod as he took in a deep breath and stood back up. “Very well then let’s be on our way.”

Davlamin took in a deep breath. He was utterly exhausted and he was the best off of the entire group as he hadn’t helped in the summoning. They had been so close to having their plan succeed but they hadn’t expected Annette to run or the soldiers to begin forming up. The massive movement of soldiers had caused the illusion spell to falter despite his best efforts and the monolith had come after them.

In most situations he would have been thinking of ways to punish the soldiers but that wasn’t going to happen. A slight chuckle escaped him as he resolved that leaving them to die in an attempt to defeat the monolith was punishment enough. They’d actually believed him when he told them that they had a chance.

The group of mages had finally stopped to wrest atop a small hill. They were some three miles from the edge of the tainted land so they didn’t worry about any of the elementals pursuing them especially at the moment. This also gave him time to consider what he was going to tell his superiors.

It took a moment for Davlamin to notice the silence that had taken over the ranks. For the last thirty minutes or so the mages had been lamenting the day’s events and groaning about their pains. Now they had grown silent and slowly began to look in a single direction. After a moment of contemplation he quickly rose to his feet and followed their gazes.

Due to the dangers posed by the tainted land none of the mages had truly expected anyone to follow them. Now they saw a group of soldiers rapidly moving towards their position and several of them were wearing the armor of the enemy. He felt his mouth go dry though when he looked at the woman leading the charge. When he saw the aura that engulfed her, “Anyone that has any strength left open fire now.” Even as he spoke Davlamin began to ready a spell.

Xyra giggled as she watched the massive fireball heading towards her. Quickly she poured on the speed and accelerated from forty kilometers an hour to sixty kilometers an hour. She felt a few chunks of stone strike her back as the fire balls struck the ground behind her.

Maxwell held his position behind Xyra. A quickly cast though weak wind shield protected him and the wrest from the tiny bits of debris. For a moment he was actually impressed that the mages had managed to heap together enough strength even cast a fire ball spell. However, they’d wasted it trying to hit Xyra.

Davlamin nearly feel over as he felt the energy leave his body. Several of the already weakened mages had passed out while others had drawn out a few items. When he looked back towards the enemy he watched as they began to split up.

Maxwell and Ravastina took their respective squads to opposite sides of Xyra putting even more distance between themselves and the undead. Ravastina currently held her bow at the ready to disrupt any spells that should be fired at her unit while Maxwell was relying on his swords and magic. He had already used his wind sword to strengthen the wind barrier

“Concentrate your fire on the loan woman.” Davlamin quickly ushered those few mages with items up to him. Once again they unleashed yet another barrage. So great was his fear of Xyra that he couldn’t bring himself to worry about the two other groups of soldiers with her. He didn’t even realize that the man in the white coat was Maxwell.

The first attack from the mages had been concentrated so it had been able to achieve a moderate level of damage despite their exhausted states. The second one was frantic and far from focused. Little burst of fire erupted around Xyra while streaks of lightning burned the grass. The exhausted mages didn’t even seem to have the strength to aim properly.

As the mages tried to gather enough strength to release another volley of spells a massive wall of wind struck them. Maxwell gave a slight chuckle as he watched the group topple. The spell had taken him a few moments to perform as he had to hold back other wise the wind blade may have cut the group to bits. As things were now he felt certain that he had only broken a few bones.

Davlamin groaned as he rose to his feet. He had managed to resist the spells effects to some extent but it had still hurt. As he looked at the downed mages he finally called out. “Retreat” In truth he doubted anyone would make it however he didn’t know what else to do. As he tried to move though he felt a very powerful impact on his legs, a surge of pain rushed through his body as his legs was knocked from under him.

Xyra was certain that she had shattered the mage’s legs. Considering the speed and strength she’d put behind the impact she felt there was no way for him to have withstood the strike. As she came to a stop her feet dug into the ground and kicked up a small dust cloud.

The moment Xyra appeared amongst the mages she began her task of subduing them. While Maxwell wanted them alive that didn’t mean she couldn’t break bones. As soon as she had came to a stop the mages within arms’ reach each received a punch to the jaw that most assuredly broke it.

Small strands of electricity formed around Maxwell’s hand as he turned his blade around. The moment he drew close enough to one of the mages he quickly took hold of their arm. The electrical energy poured from him and into the mage rendering him unconscious within a few moments and severally burning the flesh where his hand had touched.

The soldiers began to fall upon the mages as soon as they neared. In their weakened conditions few of the mages could even raise their hands to defend themselves let alone cast a spell. They were spiritually and physically exhausted. Those soldiers that had blunt weapons soon busied themselves handling the few mages that could still fight while the others began the task of binding the others.

Several times Maxwell could have sworn that Xyra had killed one of the mages only to see that they were still breathing. While she was being far from gentle she seemed to be skilled enough to avoid killing them.

“They caught them.”

“Huh?” Dehvess opened his eyes and looked up towards Jahnah. After finishing the room he had taken a seat upon her shoulder. He hadn’t realized it but he had actually fallen into a light sleep while he wrested against her hair. His exhaustion coupled with the warmth, softness and sent of Jahnah’s hair had over whelmed his discipline and he had actually fallen asleep despite his efforts to keep up his front.

“Maxwell and the others are currently subduing the mages. I am proud of Xyra I don’t believe she’s given any of them a lethal injury yet.”

It took a moment for Dehvess to realize what was being said and what he was doing. As soon as he realized his current condition he quickly set up. “Jahnah, how long have I been out?”

“Oh not for a very long time” Jahnah couldn’t help but giggle as she looked outside. She doubted Dehvess even realized that the sun was going down.

“I see. That is good. Before they arrive how about we go and check on Annette?”

“I’ve been keeping an eye on her. There is no need for that.”

For a moment Dehvess was silent then he looked away from Jahnah. A sigh escaped him and he was made to slump when he realized they’d moved from the hall into the room where they’d been treating Annette without him waking up. He’d been so tired that he hadn’t even woken up when Jahnah moved about. “Is she doing well?”

“She appears to be doing much better then when we brought her back. Would you like to take a look?” As Jahnah spoke she brought her hand up for Dehvess to climb onto.

Once Jahnah’s hand arrived Dehvess gave his head a slight nod and climbed into her hand. Jahnah then proceeded to hold him out over Annette’s body so that he could get a good look.

“Is this all of them?” Maxwell glanced around himself as the mages were secured. A few of them had been killed but the vast majority had been taken alive.

Ravastina gave a quick nod. “Yes sir. We had to kill a few.”

“I know I saw.” The mages in question had been armed with various items and in one case an amulet that contained multiple lightning spells. Maxwell could easily understand why they’d been killed. “Everyone did well.”

One of the soldiers gave a nod as he finished securing one of the mage’s hands. “Sir, how are we going to make the return trip?”

“I had planned on killing the mages that we couldn’t carry and traveling along the outer most edge of the tainted land. However, Xyra has given us a better option I believe.”

Xyra gave a nod. “If everyone will gather around me my Mistress can teleport me and the wrest of you as well back home.”

A relieved sigh seemed to move throughout the ranks. Apparently none of the men liked the idea of having to travel back being weighed down by the mages. Even if they had killed off half of them it would have made the trip far more difficult.

Ravastina couldn’t help but chuckle. “So when did you think of that?”

“It occurred to me right after Jahnah teleported you as well as Xyra to Annette’s home.”

“Ah.”

“Just make sure they are all bound to one another. It will make the teleportation less complex for my Mistress and less taxing on me. Though, it would save some energy if I could just drain one of them of their life force.”

“You can drain the corpses of what little life energy they have left. The wrest are to serve a very important purpose.”

A sigh escaped Xyra as she walked over to the corpses. As she took hold of them the bodies begin to shrivel up and visibly decay within moments. “This isn’t nearly as full feeling as someone that is still alive.”

Maxwell gave a slight chuckle and joined the wrest in insuring the mages were bound together while Xyra fed. Once they arrived back at Annette’s home he’d see that they received medical attention to insure that they didn’t die. He also took the time to begin removing anything that might be used to escape.

“Everyone, I want to have the mages placed around Xyra for when she begins casting the spell. Those with the most injuries will then be the next in the circle while those with the least injuries and me will wait on the outer most edge. That way if anyone is left behind it will be those of us that are most able to travel.”

As she drained the last bit of energy left in the corpse Xyra allowed it to fall from her hand. “You do realize that once I teleport away I will not be able to return here.”

“Yes. That is why I am keeping the most able bodies behind. We should be able to stick to the outer edge of the tainted land. It will take time to travel back by foot but now we have some to spare. Everyone start gathering the bodies around Xyra.”

After a moment Xyra gave a shrug and held her ground. “Very well the decision is yours.”

Jahnah lifted Dehvess back to her shoulder. Once her hands were free she held them above the floor while a black aura could be seen surrounding her fingers. The aura looked as if a deep ravine was wrapped itself around her fingers.

The same energy that concealed Jahnah’s fingers could be seen by those that surrounded Xyra. Unlike Jahnah though the energy entirely engulfed Xyra and seemed to flow out from her. As it covered the ground those that looked down could have sworn they were staring into a void. Due to the groups large size the energy was spreading more slowly then it had when previously used to teleport Xyra.

A curtain of shadow seemed to flow from Jahnah’s hand and conceal the ground beneath it. The shadow then seemed to bellow outward progressively taking up more and more space. At this time a feeling of falling ran throughout all of those that currently surrounded Xyra.

A light seemed to have formed within the shadow. Slowly the darkness was lifted and a large number of people could be standing within it. As the shadow receded into Jahnah’s fingers she smiled down at them. “Welcome back. You’re hunting seems to have gone very well.”

Several members of the party could be seen holding their foreheads. The portal had played quite a few tricks with their senses. At last Maxwell was able to step out. “Yes it did. Now we need to get these people in storage and medical treatment.”

“Dehvess figured you’d need an area to store them.” As she spoke Jahnah signaled for a few of the guards that had remained behind to come to her. “Show Maxwell and the others where the storage area is and you go retrieve the healers. Tell them they can bring the white mages this time.”

Maxwell couldn’t help but chuckle. “I swear I’ve began to wonder if I am the commanding officer any longer.”

“She does that at times.” Dehvess couldn’t help but grin as he patted Jahnah on the side of her neck.

“Someone has to see to your well being and since Annette is currently out of commission that has to be me.”

After Jahnah finished Maxwell turned to Ravastina. “Make sure that they bind the mages’ fingers, arms and legs they also need to insure they’re gagged. We also need to station some guards. If you don’t mind pick from some that remained behind. Everyone else can get some wrest. I am going to go and spend some time with Annette.”

Ravastina gave a nod. “Sure.”

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It was still difficult for Maxwell to look at Annette. They heavy amount of medical treatment she had to receive only made the situation more difficult and she hadn’t yet regained consciousness. “I am glad you thought of putting in that glyph after I left.”

“It should restrict their ability to cast any spells. With their fingers bound and their mouths gagged I doubt they could even cast a light spell.”

“Has Annette at least wrested quietly?”

“Originally no her body was quite feverish when we initially brought her here. The healing spells I used on her had even less effect on her then I theorized it would until Jahnah mentioned her armor. We had to choke the link between Annette and her armor before she wrested well.”

Despite the situation Maxwell couldn’t help but chuckle. He should have expected such an answer from Dehvess. “So has she wrested quietly sense then?”

“Yes and she hasn’t shown any signs of suffering from lingering mystic effects from the battle.”

Before he spoke again Maxwell took a few steps closer to Annette and placed his hand on the cloth that covered her massive fingers. “I hope she wrests well at least. When she wakes up I plan on easing her pain.”

“I’ll take the guards with me and leave you alone with her for a while. Once you’re done they can retake their stations and continue watching for any changes.”

“Thanks, it shouldn’t take long. I know we have things to do.”

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Maxwell was quiet as he looked at the map. He hadn’t realized how large the tainted land truly was until he saw it on paper and had time to think about it. “Well at least we won’t have to defend this location for a while. However, that still leaves us with a problem. With Annette injured our fighting strength has been greatly diminished.”

“Yes. Jahnah and I believe we can hold out for a while however with Annette down our response time and ability to respond to multiple threats has been greatly decreased.”

“Then we have no choice but to bring in some extra help. Dehvess, Jahnah I would like to purchase some more powerful golems from the Luvarians.”

“That can be arranged. However, bringing them in may be a problem especially in large numbers.”

“I was thinking that we could ship them in. We still control the port.”

“That is true, but the docks and ships were burned.”

“Then they can rebuild them.”

Jahnah gave the ground a quick tap to get Dehvess’s and Maxwell’s attention. “You do realize that to have them finished in time will take considerable effort and further spread out your forces.”

“The towns people can help in the building whether they want to or not. That will save man power.”

For a moment Jahnah flashed her teeth when a grin appeared on her face. “Well in that case you’ll need someone that can properly motivate them. Xyra retains her knowledge from when the body belonged to another. She knows the ship builders and wood workers from the town and I am sure she could properly motivate them. I can also assure you that she’ll get the ships built as quickly as possible.”

“Then I will leave the task up to Xyra. Will she need any soldiers to back her?”

“Oh no, she can make her own.”

“Maxwell, you do realize what will happen to the town if you leave Xyra in charge of it? You’ve seen what she is for yourself.”

“I know.”

“Very well, if that is how you feel about it. Then perhaps we have some other things that we can discuss. As you’re already calling for more golems would you happen to have any interest in acquiring additional lands?”

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“Are you sure that you were trained in life magic?”

Dehvess glanced up from his dinner towards Jahnah who was currently lying on their bed. “What do you mean?”

“The arrangement you made with Maxwell. I swear you sounded like a death mage.”

“I did nothing more then breathe extra life into what was already there. Maxwell was already prepared to do away with any ideas of morality in this. After all he agreed to allow Xyra to manage the port before I even got going.”

An amused giggle escaped Jahnah. “I can feel it coming. Oh just think after this we’re going to have a true home nation. No longer being on the borders but a place the Luvarians are truly part of.”

“I believe I shall send for Meridea to aid us.” Dehvess was nearly thrown from his seat when the entire room was made to shake.

Upon hearing that Meridea would be coming Jahnah had quickly climbed out of bed and walked over to Dehvess. The moment she was close enough she quickly lowered herself to her knees. The force of her knees hitting the ground was so great that it actually caused Dehvess’s chair to bounce. “Really, I haven’t seen my sister in the arts for? Oh I can’t remember the last time I got the chance to work with her.”

Dehvess couldn’t help but chuckle. “You and Meridea always enjoyed one another’s company.”

“Yeah” Slowly Jahnah scooted away from Dehvess until she proceeded to lay down on her stomach so that her chin was a few meters behind Dehvess. “Do we have any guild halls that aren’t off in the wilderness or alone some cliffs?”

“Jahnah, the closest guild hall we have to a town is fifty kilometers away.”

Just before she spoke Jahnah put on a little fake pout. “We aren’t well liked but once this is all over.” A delighted giggle escaped Jahnah. “We get a port town and some prime land else where.”

“We also get a wonderful bit of land to harvest elementals for shards.”

“Yeah but Maxwell would have needed to have that done anyway. This way he gets it done for free.”

“Where is Xyra at the moment?”

“She’s still traveling on the road. I hope the undead she left behind haven’t lost control of the town yet. It hasn’t even been twenty four hours since she left them. What was that look for Dehvess?”

“We have to give up the pursuit of the golem breaker for the time being. You and I must remain on call here and Xyra is going to be busy. That is only going to give him more of a chance to create holes in the defenses and cost the guild more money. I should have had sense enough to bring a few more powerful golems for such a situation.”

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A cold light radiated from Xyra’s eyes as the port town came into view. She’d left shortly after Jahnah and Dehvess had met with Maxwell. As she looked down into the town her tongue flicked out and proceeded to play along her lips. Several fires currently dotted the village while what appeared to be battle scars dotted around the various gates.

There was no way for even Xyra to be certain that the damage was indeed battle scars but she hoped it was. It would give her the chance to show the villagers just why they shouldn’t try such foolishness again.

As Xyra crossed into the town her smile grew even larger. A few undead had been destroyed and various corpses lay in front of the gate. Indeed the town’s people had tried to break out. She’d have to deal with them in the morning. For the moment though she had other concerns. While the undead had held the town in check their numbers had been reduced and she’d need more then she left with if she was going to do her job.

“We almost got through. If only those coward sailors pushed a little harder we’d got through.” The old drunk grumbled as he took another chug of his cheap whiskey. A rather healthy gash currently adorned his right arm where he’d gotten too close to one of the undead. He hadn’t been anywhere near the front but that didn’t stop him from complaining about their failure to break through and sporting the wound as if he had been.

“Yeah we were almost through. We’ll make it tomorrow. We’ll get out of this town before that bitch can arrive.”

“For you there won’t be a tomorrow.” Xyra hadn’t had a chance to be fitted for any additional armor after she had left Maxwell’s. The suit she had worn was the only piece of armor Annette had that was quite the right size.

At first no one seemed to realize who or what Xyra was. However, after a few moments of struggling to see through their drunken haze it seemed to become clear.

A delighted chuckle escaped Xyra as she strode into the hushed bar. “Apparently you didn’t quite understand what I said. I am going to kill you all. So run.” The moment Xyra finished speaking she quickly lunged for the nearest man. Her hand slammed solidly into his head and his face was forced against one of the bar’s support pillars. A sharp cry of pain escaped him as a black energy engulfed Xyra’s hand.

The moment Xyra took hold of the man the bar became alive. Quickly the patrons began to scramble out of their seats and make for the exit. Until one of the drunker patrons called out. “What are you running for? She’s alone. Let’s get her.”

A look off utter contempt crossed Xyra’s face as she finished draining the life force from the trapped man. Just before she released her grip a burst of crimson light was seen coming from her hand and pouring into the body. Soon he would rise again as a zombie.

As the remaining energy poured into Xyra she let lose a sharp gasp as every muscle in her body seemed to strengthen. Turning the man into a zombie had left plenty of energy for her. An amused giggle escaped her as one of the bar’s patrons picked up a chair and charged her.

Some could have sworn they heard something crack when Xyra’s leg struck then man in his chest. The force of the impact knocked the air out of the chair wielder’s lunges and sent him sprawling across the floor. He didn’t even get a chance to rise though. Xyra moved quickly and took hold of another patron while pinning the one she had just struck to the ground. Once again a black energy could be seen flowing around her hands followed by a crimson flash. “Guard the door.”

There was a moment when no one was certain what was going on. At least until they noticed the first one Xyra had taken hold of stand and move in front of the door. Shock was the dominant emotion even as Xyra once again stood up and the two corpses came with her. As they moved to join their comrade the bar seemed to respond.

A rush of humanity moved towards the door. Despite the zombie guarding it they were determined to get out before the others joined it. They didn’t get the chance though. The first person that came close to the door received a kick from Xyra that sent him flying back into the crowd. The force of the impact was so great that it made Xyra herself slide backwards on the floor.

Once she came to a stop Xyra quickly took hold of another one of the bar’s patrons. This one she hefted over her shoulder and quickly squeezed against it with enough force to push the air out of his lunges. As she held him over her shoulder she began to drain the life energy from him while using her legs and free arm to keep the bar’s patrons from the exits.

This time after the bright flash was seen Xyra actually launched the body across the room. It impacted solidly with a few people that were trying to make their way out of the window. In their hurry they’d actually blocked the exit. “Don’t let them out.”

“Oomph” A grunt escaped Xyra as she was caught off guard. For just a few moments her view was blocked by flames however that soon past. She immediately knew where to turn when the flames faded and she heard a sharp gasp.

The young woman could hardly believe her luck. She’d come to the bar in hopes of earning some extra money by beating a few drunks in cards and letting them see down her dress for a while. She hadn’t expected this monster to show up and start shredding people. For a while she’d held back and hoped the men would force there way out and let her escape as well however when it was clear that wouldn’t happen she’d acted.

However, even after hitting the creature dead on with what was her most powerful spell she was horrified to see it hadn’t do anything but draw her attention.

“I didn’t expect to find a spell caster here.” Xyra took a moment to appraise the woman before moving. When she finally did act she was a blur. The undead’s strength and speed had been further increased by the life energy currently running throughout her body.

Due to her speed being nearly doubled Xyra was able to cross the room and take hold of the maiden before she could even respond. “My, aren’t you a pretty little one? Tell me just what are you?”

The woman responded instinctively. The moment Xyra had taken hold of her she uttered a quick two words. Though the phrase was short the spell had been designed with that in mind. A torrent of electrical energy erupted from the woman and poured into Xyra. The bar area was illuminated almost as if a lightning bolt had reached into it. The spell packed even more of a punch even more of a punch then her fire ball. The only reason it could be deemed less powerful is it required skin contact.

“A short range lightning spell and such fast casting speed. I bet you use that for when the men get to rough or get the wrong idea. Thank you for answering my question.” As she spoke Xyra wrapped one of her arms around the woman and pulled her firmly against herself. With her free hand she reached up and pressed her hand against the underside of her breasts. “My you’re a pretty and clever little thing. It would be such a shame to make you into an ugly zombie or wight.”

As she was held against Xyra the woman couldn’t help but cry out. While she’d been in similar situations the lightning bell had never failed to get her free and most often ended in her attacker death. However, neither of her spells had any effect on her. She couldn’t help but tremble as she looked into those cold eyes. There was life in them unlike most undead but there was something very wrong about it.

The tavern seemed to have died down. With four undead holding them at bay and more then a few of the patrons sporting nasty bruises they’d been given a glimmer of hope when they saw the fire ball. That hope was taken from them far too quickly and all they could do was watch as Xyra tormented the woman.

“I know. I’ll make you into something. I’ll make you into something special.” As she spoke Xyra lowered her head a bit and eased her grip on the woman so that she could look into her face. Her body began to shift and change ever so slightly as a bit of her flesh began to jell fangs formed in her mouth. Once again she drew the woman against herself but this time she forced her lips against hers. There was a sudden gasp and the woman’s muffled cries could be heard.

A sudden crack ran throughout the bar as a chair was suddenly slammed against Xyra. The woman’s eyes opened for a moment hoping that she’d just been saved but when she looked over Xyra’s shoulder she saw the stunned man holding a broken chair. A moment later he was sent flying backwards as Xyra delivered a powerful kick to his stomach.

At last Xyra broke off the kiss. “I’ll make you into a part of me.”

“NOOO..Gah!” The woman’s body wrenched violently and her scream was cut short as Xyra dug her fangs into the woman’s throat and destroyed her vocal cords. As Xyra held the sorceress against herself the red light that always formed from her hand to create the undead could be seen surrounding her entire body and engulfing the woman. As if a shell a black wall then began to form around them.

Despite the situation or perhaps because of it several noted the floor around them. Slowly the wood the bar was made from began to blacken. Several noticed a sharp pain in their fingers and were made to back away when they realized their fingers had begun to blacken. The energy was draining the life from the surrounding area as well as the woman.

As the two women vanished within the crimson and black shells the figure seemed to merge. The energy began to fluctuate and the figure seemed to become less wide as the smaller figure could be seen vanishing within the larger.

Xyra drank deeply of both the woman life force and her flesh. The flesh that surrounded her fangs seemed to become a liquid which she drank down. Slowly the figure began to shrivel up as she was drained from the inside out. Some of Xyra’s flesh also seemed to melt and reach out. Grasping the woman’s body it aided in pulling it within.

The black shell was the first to melt away followed by the crimson one. When Xyra could be seen once again it was clear. The young maiden was gone. The only thing that remained of her was what she had worn on her person. For a moment Xyra’s eyes seemed to glow crimson however within a few moments they returned to their regular dull blue. “That was yummy and very informative. Now let’s finish our business.”

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Grise’s legs felt like they were on fire as he ran through the city streets. The large thug had been out prowling the city streets. Ever since the docks had been burned and the army driven off the town had been theirs. Despite the fact that they were trapped in the city by the undead it hadn’t stopped him and his type from terrorizing the town with no authority figures. After all if they were to die why not live it up?

His fun had been cut short when he and a few of his buddies had tried to go to one of their favorite taverns. Upon arriving he’d been surprised to see the patrons outside. Then he’d gotten a closer look. After he’d realized what they were he and his friends had gone to run but they hadn’t been fast enough. His friend’s hadn’t been fast enough at least he felt that he had.

A wide grin adorned Xyra’s face as Grise rounded the corner. Before he could stop he slammed solidly into her. Before he could fall backwards she quickly reached out and took hold of his throat. “Well aren’t you a big boy.”

Instinctively Grise took hold of Xyra’s wrest with his left hand. As he took hold of Xyra’s wrist he attempted to dig his fingers into her artery to force her to loosen her hold. At the same time he drew back his right hand and slammed his fist solidly into her stomach. It felt as if he had punched someone wearing plate armor.

For a moment Xyra did nothing. The thug had a rather powerful build and within the first few moments of encountering him she’d confirmed that he had some combat capabilities. At last she resolved what she would do and began to drain the life energy from him.

The crimson glow once again emerged from her hand though this time it was held longer. Grise’s skin was made to tighten and the fat that was on his body seemed to burn away. His muscles seemed to become more rigid and despite his width his ribs became visible.

At last Xyra released her grip on the new wight. The entire process took nearly half of the life energy she’d gained from draining Grise. While this was far more then Xyra would have liked it was worth it to maintain some of the thugs intelligence and create the more powerful undead.

Grise’s friends’ mouths hung agape as they were drug before Xyra and the wigth that had once been their friend. A delighted giggle escaped Xyra as she noted the looks of horror on their faces.

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Xyra was very pleased with herself as she looked at the four wigth’s and forty one zombies. “Okay. Now I want each of you to take ten zombies with you. You’re to go throughout the streets and gather up five drunks or homeless you find lying about. Be sure to capture them alive and bring them to the main gate I’ll meet you there shortly. Oh and if you should happen to find someone that you feel would make a good wigth be sure to bring them along as well.”

As the groups of eleven departed Xyra glanced at the remaining zombie, “Head for the main gate. I have more recruiting to do.”

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The entire town square was still and quiet as if death had over taken the entire town. Though to be more precise it was undeath that had over taken the town. Xyra had finally stopped at thirty four wigths which she had broken up into couples of two. Each wigth was then given five zombies to command. That morning she had sent them out in groups of twelve and had the town’s people rounded up.

Six of the groups currently guarded the town square insuring none left while six more were divided amongst the gates. The final five had been left to roam the streets, bars and even homes in search of more living.

There was a low murmur as if raising one’s voice above a whisper could get them killed as Xyra took a few steps forward. She’d been standing on the platform in the middle of the square ever sense people began arriving. At last she felt enough people had arrived to speak. As she spoke she made certain to raise her voice so that all could hear her. “Your city, your homes and you are all now under my control. You’re going to rebuild the docks and ships that were burned. However, before that begins a few things must be done.”

“Later today everyone can expect a visit from me or from a representative. At which time you will be assigned your tasks. If you attempt to resist or refuse to work you won’t just be killed. I will turn you into one of them.” As she spoke Xyra raised her arm and pointed at the nearest wigths. “I can assure you that you’d rather be dead.

Just incase that isn’t enough to properly motivate you I shall also separate you all from your children. A certain number of you shall be chosen to care for them. If you fail to obey then I will not only turn you but I will drain your children of their life energies.”

A shocked gasp had run throughout the crowd the moment Xyra had mentioned separating them from their children. Even now she could hear their voice rising and several people weeping. She saw several couples bending over as if trying to conceal their children and babies.

“Serve me well and your children won’t be harmed. Now I suppose some of you are also concerned about your more elderly parents. Those that are not capable of helping in the effort and are over the age of sixteen shall be killed.” A delighted giggle escaped Xyra as a gasp quickly ran throughout the crowd. “When you depart you’ll leave your elderly and crippled here with me. I will then determine their usefulness.”

“You can’t do this.” At last one of the people stepped forward. As he moved towards the stage the crowd seemed to move in unison their cries growing louder. However, after only taking a few steps a massive explosion stopped them.

A low giggle could be heard throughout the area. The magic Xyra had learned the other night by consuming the sorceress’s body had already come in handy. “If you wish to challenge me feel free. However, if you do know this, I will kill half of the children here before I am done.”

The wailing and pleading of the crowd seemed to have no effect on Xyra. Still, she allowed them to continue until their voices began to give out. The whole time the undead didn’t even blink an eye. “If you wish to beg for your families lives you may direct it to the wigths but please don’t take too long. They have other tasks to perform.” As Xyra continued speaking the entire crowd grew increasing quiet until only her words and sobbing could be heard.

“We won’t leave you.” The two women glanced down at their father as he lay against a post. The seaman had been injured some years ago and sense then had been dependant on his two daughters to take care of him.

“You can’t stay. She’ll kill the both of you or turn you.”

“We are not going any ware.” Slow their father was made to shake his head. After he’d been injured they’d taken to working on the ships. It had made them strong, independent and horribly stubborn.

“If you stay all you’ll do is die as well.”

“You wouldn’t leave us if you we were in a similar situation.”

Xyra listened quietly as the father continued pleading with his daughters. The grin that never seemed to leave her face had grown since she heard them talking until her teeth could be seen. Just as the crowd began to leave she made her way over to the two girls and their father. For the moment she ignored the girls. “So cripple, why should you be allowed to live?”

When he didn’t say anything his eldest daughter rose to her feet. “He was a seaman for years. Once the ships are repaired he could.”

“Give me nothing that I can’t get from one of the elders. What little knowledge he does have would be nothing more then common and plenty of seamen have that and they’re still able to work.”

“Please, we can take care of him and work. He won’t be a burden. Ah.” The eldest sister let out a sharp cry as Xyra suddenly reached out and took hold of her upper arm. She was them pulled harshly against Xyra’s body.

At first Xyra said nothing. Instead she squeezed on the young woman’s biceps. Using her free hand she reached down and pressed her fingers into her stomach for a moment. After that she slowly slid her fingers down the woman’s body until she came to her thighs. Once again she gave those a squeeze. “You’re a strong pretty one.”

For a moment she didn’t know what to do when Xyra had taken hold of her. Now as she looked into those cold eyes she couldn’t help but tremble. “Please let him live, I’ll do whatever you want if you just let him live.”

“Oh you, your father and your sister will do what I want. I assume from your build and demeanor you’ve had experience sailing as well as your sister. You probably have all the information your father would and know something about the old folk. Well the ones I don’t already know.”

By now several had stopped moving and turned to watch the happenings. As Xyra spoke some seemed to wonder if the girls and their father might live. Perhaps, they’d managed to save him. The entire crowd seemed to huddle together though when Xyra released the woman’s thigh and took hold of her sister as well.

“With your build and knowledge I am sure you would make fine additions to me. So what I want. Is you two to be inside of me and your father to die after watching me consume the both of you.” As the girls looked up into Xyra’s eyes and watched them take on a crimson hue they saw as her teeth became more feral and screamed.

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Xyra smiled as she looked up at the massive structure. The temple was the largest in the city and would serve as her new base of command. The priests and priestesses had left with the army and left the followers behind. As she started to make her way up the stairs a delighted giggle escaped her when she ran into an obstruction.

Reaching up Xyra pressed her hand against the mystic barrier. As she moved it over it a few ripples could be seen. While the priests and priestesses had left the temple still had some power to repel the undead. However, with the priests gone and the cities faith weakened in the god it didn’t have nearly enough. As Xyra brought her hand level with her chest she suddenly forced it outward.

The barrier only resisted for a moment and she continued her way into the temple. As she looked around she wasn’t surprised by what she found. At one time the previous owner or now owners of her body had visited the temple. They still held memories of how wondrous it had once looked. That had all changed.

Before they had left it seemed either the keepers or the guards had stripped the temple of anything they felt was valuable enough to carry off. That or the thieves had taken it most likely it had been a combination of both. As Xyra made her way further in she hoped that they had left some materials that would be of use to her. She had no need for the gold but other metals she required.

As she walked through the halls something caught her eye. It was impossible for her to not stop and look for a moment. While the mirror was clearly full length Xyra now had to bend down at look into it. Sense arriving at the town Xyra had grown from her original height of slightly over two meters tall to a solid three meters tall. Her body had also been further refined.

The eldest sister before had indeed had wonderful thighs as Xyra noted as the younger sisters wonderfully youthful bosoms had also made a fine additions. She hadn’t had a chance to notice at the time but now she recognized the sorceress hair as well. The most desired traits from each of the woman seemed to have been refined and added into the undead’s body.

While Jahnah had refined the body of the smith’s wife she had started with she had limited material to work with. With every new person Xyra added into her body though she was able to refine it even further. The smith and elder sister had strong builds but their bodies had been hardened a little further then Xyra would have liked. The more youthful sister had allowed Xyra to smooth out certain details as had the sorceress. This yielded her a sleeker and over all more powerful body. As well as granting her a fair bit of the knowledge that was contained within the bodies.

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Slowly he made his way in through the front door of his son’s home. It had been the longest walk his old bones had ever taken though he walked the distance almost daily. The gasp he heard as he entered the room yet the lack of action wasn’t surprising. He could hardly believe that he was still alive as well. “It seems our new mistress’s has a use for me.” The old man’s tone was tired and disheartened.

“What? What does she want you to do?”

“Tomorrow I go to the temple of the sea god. I have been given a week to examine it and redesign it. If I can’t present Xyra with a satisfactory design within a week one of you will be killed.” The old man nearly fell to his knees as he finished speaking.

When he looked up against he found his daughter-in-law looking down at him. Gently the young woman lowered herself to the floor and wrapped her arms around him. “We’re just so glad you were spared.”

“I just hope you feel that way after I’ve been made to defile the temple of our god.” Tears began to roll down the old man’s cheeks as he took hold of the young woman’s arm for support. Soon he felt his son helping him up.

While Xyra did not know sadness or remorse she could be annoyed. At the moment it was very fortunate that no one was around her to have that aggravation directed at them. The flames of the forge didn’t seem to affect her at all as she worked on the chain and plate armor.

Whoever had looted the temple hadn’t been able to take everything but the armor they had left behind was indeed of the lowest quality. Even with the knowledge contained within her body, inhuman strength and stamina and no need to sleep she knew that it would take some time to work it into what she wanted. The chain mail would serve as the base while the plate would be added on where it could be.

At least she was able to draw some satisfaction from the knowledge of what would be occurring all around the city. Night had long sense fallen and those that she had spared would be making their ways home to their families. They’d be telling them the conditions of their reprieve from death or undeath and the consequences if the failed.

A few others would be making their way around the city and informing others what their tasks would be. Xyra had found some paper left behind in the temple and with the knowledge of the four women knew a good portion of the city and their capabilities. She’d taken some time to delegate their tasks to them.

At sun rise twelve wigths and sixty zombies would take a few hundred men out to begin gathering materials. She’d chosen from men she remembered as having large loving families. If they didn’t return and weren’t found to be dead she’d have their families turned into undead one by one until they returned.

While it would spread her forces out somewhat she also planned on sending a group of ten wigths with fifty zombies out with another group of workers in a similar situation. Their task was to resume work in the fields. The town wouldn’t be any good if Xyra let everyone starve to death and while the wigths held some of their previous intelligence it wasn’t nearly enough to perform the tasks she needed done.

Xyra nearly drove the hot tongs into her own leg as the annoying tingle returned. Once again her frown returned as she considered bringing in a few of the wigths to help her occupy the temple. While the god’s presence in the temple wasn’t strong enough to force her out she hadn’t completely defiled it yet and she would have liked to use the wigths to speed up the process. She had to constantly remind herself that she couldn’t do that.

Twelve of the wigths with a group of zombies each had been divided amongst each gate. While this left twenty two they had their own tasks to perform. She’d sent the twelve wigths and sixty zombies that would later over see the work in the fields to the docks. They were to search the bottom for any metal that had sunk when the docks and ships were burned.

Occasionally a wigth and three zombies would come to the temple but only to deliver the metal. While the vaults had been emptied of the valuable metals they would serve as store houses until the water damaged metals could be worked on.

The final ten were currently moving throughout the city. Their tasks were to gather up the children of the town along with those Xyra had chosen to be care takers. The children and their care takers would then be kept around the temple she currently occupied. A few of the elderly had been spared to take care of the children. While they were too old for work they could at least help with the cooking and see to the children.

All those that were too old for even taking care of the children and had no useful knowledge had been killed. Of course Xyra only needed a few to see to the needs of the children so only those she felt most suited to the task had been allowed to live if that was their only ability.

Come the morning after the children had been taken she planned to bring in several of the more capable parents. While the wigths had their uses they would make poor overseers. The undead’s minds were far to gone for the purposes she needed help with. So she intended to choose from those who were not only capable of performing the task that she wanted but had the most to lose if they failed her.

She would allow them to see their children and make her offer. They aid her and oversee their fellow people and she’d take care of their kids. Failure and their wives, brothers, sisters and finally their children would be turned in front of them. A delighted giggle escaped Xyra which made her forget the itch in her leg. If the people had thought today had been bad they had no idea what was coming tomorrow.

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Annette couldn’t help but groan. The feeling of the pillow behind her head was nice but something felt off. Slowly her fingers tensed and she began to feel of the ground. The moment she did a razor sharp pain ran throughout her finger tips. The oddity of the situation struck her for a moment. She felt the pillow but it was if she was lying on stone or outside. While consciousness was still returning to her she began to notice the bits of material covering her body.

It took a few moments for her to summon up the will to reach up and press a finger to the side of her face. She was a bit surprised to find burlap covering her eye. Before she could try to remove it though she recalled what had happened. Annette’s right eye quickly opened and she began to raise herself up to a setting position. She didn’t make it.

The moment Annette had begun to move searing pain ran throughout her entire body and quickly placed her back onto her back. “Ouch.”

“Annette!” Maxwell had been surprised when Annette had suddenly jerked. He’d had a small bed located in the same room as she was being treated in so he could be close to her. Fatigue had kept him from noticing her arm moving but the sudden jerking action of her entire body had been more then enough to wake him up.

“Maxwell?” As Annette spoke she tried to rise up again but the pain was still too great.

“Quit trying to move! You’re awake. Thank the arts. I can’t say how wonderful this is.” As Maxwell spoke he quickly rose from his bed and began to run around Annette. He hadn’t realized it before hand but if Annette had wanted to see him she’d have to turn her head do to her left eye being covered.

For a moment Annette was going to ask Maxwell to come over to where she could see him. However, upon hearing his feet on the stone she knew that was exactly what he was doing. “I feel terrible.”

There was a brief moment in which Maxwell slowed his pace however it only lasted a second. After that he seemed to speed up anymore. “I am sorry Annette. We don’t know of any that will ease your pain as we don’t know how your body may respond to more powerful pain treatments.”

It was impossible for Annette not to sigh. “That is okay. I bet if I was human I’d be screaming in pain right now.”

As Maxwell moved around Annette so that he could finally see her face he slowed. “Yes. You have very deep burns and bruising.”

“That thing roughed me up really well. I am sorry that I couldn’t stop it.” A smile spread across Annette’s face as Maxwell rounded the corner.

As he spoke Maxwell began to walk closer to Annette. “Don’t be. Annette I wish that you’d run away instead of trying to fight that monolith.”

“A monolith, what are they?”

Despite the situation Maxwell couldn’t help but chuckle. “Reckless woman fighting a creature composed or arcane energy and not even knowing what she is fighting.”

As it hurt to move Annette’s only response was to part her lips and stick her tongue out at Maxwell for a few seconds. She withdrew it as he came a few meters closer. “So tell me what it was.”

“A monolith could be said to be the highest form of an elemental. It is an elemental’s elemental master. It has the strength of earth, the regeneration of water, the speed of wind and the destructive power of fire. To further complicate matters the energies merge and grow even more powerful.”

“No wonder it kept pulling itself back together so easily. I must look terrible.”

“You look lovely Annette.” At last Maxwell stopped when he was standing only a few meters away from Annette’s side. The only reason he stopped there is so she didn’t have to move her head much to look down at him and it allowed him to touch the portions of her arm that weren’t burned.

“Thank you. Though I know all these burns can’t be complementing my looks. Do you know how my eye is?”

“We can’t be certain. It was still shut when you arrived.”

Slowly Annette closed her right eye and took in a deep breath. A long tired sigh escaped her. “I feel so weak.”

“That isn’t surprising. Annette do you feel hungry?”

A slight giggle escaped Annette causing her to wince in pain she quickly covered it up. “No. I don’t know how much food would help in my recovery. It seems like it would take more to chew then I’d get out of it.”

“What about life energy? I know you don’t get much from healing magic but you seem to benefit from life energy.”

“You know that would require sentient life.” After she finished speaking Annette couldn’t help her tongue flicking out and running over her lips. Just the thought of what she would consider a true meal made her hungry. She didn’t mention it to Maxwell but she’d loved to have a sentient life form to swallow down. She lusted to feel their life force helping to restore her body and strengthening it.

“Do you believe you can eat?”

“Do you mean you have someone for me?” Annette couldn’t help but be surprised. She’d never been feed before.

“I believe that I’ve done better then someone. According to Dehvess it would help with your recovery and in the long run even strengthen you further.”

“Yeah it would.”

“So do you feel up for eating anything?”

“Well yes, I do.”

Maxwell gave a quick nod and began to make his way back to his bed. “Just give me a moment to get dressed and then I’ll bring you your dinner.”

“How many are we supposed to take?”

“I was told that we should gather four.”

Davlamin groaned as he looked towards the door for a moment. He had no idea what had been going on. After they’d been captured and locked up he’d expected them to be executed. Instead healers had been summoned to tend to their injuries. If it wasn’t for the rather unpleasant conditions they found themselves in he’d thought they were going to be offered a chance to change sides.

Then the door opened and thirteen fully armed soldiers entered into the room. “Her, her, him and him” Davlamin watched as one of the soldiers whose armor and tone revealed him to be a lieutenant quickly selected three mages. He had reason to suspect from the hurried pace their selection was mostly due to their closeness to the door. As soon as he finished speaking the soldiers quickly separated into four teams of three and went to retrieve the mages that were indicated.

“Wait. What is going on?” Despite his situation Davlamin couldn’t help his inquiry. However, he received no response. The entire time the soldiers had been in the room amounted to less then a minute and none of them seem interested in answering his questions. They gave no more answers then the golems that currently kept watch over them.

“Um what are you doing?” Annette hardly knew what to think when the platform had been rolled into the room. Despite her situation she had to resist the urge to giggle as she watched her guards setting it up.

“We’re just getting you’re dinner ready Mistress.”

“Huh?”

“The healers insist that you should relax and with your hands in the conditions they’re in it seemed best to find a method to feed you. So we were ordered to make this shortly after you arrived.”

For quite some time Annette was dead silent as she looked the contraption over. In truth it looked like a scaffold that had been modified to be rolled around and she believed that is what it truly was. She was a bit surprised when a section of the platform was extended outward slightly over her face. A few moments later she felt her face growing warm as she blushed. “Oh my goodness I guess feed me was the correct choice of words.”

“Well it must hurt to use your fingers.” Maxwell had a smile upon his face as he entered the room and made his way up onto the scaffold. He smiled as he looked down into Annette’s right eye after climbing onto the platform and walking onto the edge.

“It stings a little.” After holding it in Annette couldn’t help but give a slight giggle as she looked up at Maxwell. Despite the pain she continued to smile. “Oh my, you have no idea how silly I feel right now.” Annette’s attention was drawn from Maxwell for a moment as she heard the sound of several figures walking in close unison entering the room.

The mages had allowed themselves to be lead along quietly until they actually entered the room. Upon seeing Annette and the scaffold their demeanors quickly changed. “Oh gods no, you can’t.” A sharp strike to the stomach silenced the protest of the first mage while a soldier on either side of him took hold of his arms.

A sigh escaped Maxwell as he turned away from Annette and walked to the opposite edge to the scaffold. “For attempting to murder Annette, attacking these lands and for the crime of summoning a monstrosity such as a monolith you’ve all be sentenced to death. However, beyond that this matter is out of my hands. I leave it to Annette to decide how quickly or slowly you die and by what means. Though, I believe she’s already chosen her means.”

“Ah.” Annette’s response was to open her mouth as wide as she possibly could. Her tongue then proceeded to rise up out of her mouth and play along her lips for a moment then stretched towards the scaffold.

“NO!” She’d known the dangers of summoning a monolith however the gold and pressure from her guild to comply had been too much. Now as she looked towards the giantess and saw her tongue as well as the fate that awaited her she couldn’t help herself. “You can’t feed us.” A powerful strike to the woman’s stomach forced her silence as well. The strike was powerful enough that if the guards hadn’t caught her she would have fallen to the ground.

“Oh she is a lively one. Feed her to me last. Ah you gave them medical treatment to keep my food fresh.”

“I figured you’d like them in as good of condition as possible. Though I am sorry they’re still a little bruised and broken in some cases.”

“Have they received a bath?”

Maxwell was silent for a moment. “I am sorry. I didn’t think of that. Would you like them to be cleaned first?”

“No. Too hungry right now, however if you don’t mind make sure the next bunch brought to me have been cleaned.” A slight crack and a cry of pain drew Annette’s attention for a moment. “What happened?”

“He started to cast a spell.”

A sigh escaped Maxwell. “I suppose we should have left the gags in.”

“Oh please don’t. I like to hear them beg.”

“I believe someone is still angry about what happened to her.”

Annette couldn’t help but flash her teeth as she gave a wicked grin. “They’re lucky I haven’t grown even larger or I’d ask for a lantern to swallow so they could see their wresting place.”

Maxwell smiled as he looked down at Annette then the mages that were brought up onto the platform. Only one of them remained standing the others had to be basically drug.

“Would you mind picking the first for me?”

“Huh?”

“I would like to see the first one you choose for me except the woman I said to save for last.”

After a moment of thinking Maxwell gave a nod. “Excuse me.” The soldier gave a nod as Maxwell took hold of the mage’s shoulder. He then proceeded to lead the still gasping mage over to the edge of the platform. “If you have enough energy to attempt a casting I suppose you should be first.”

“Hold him over the side please.”

After giving a nod Maxwell lifted up on the mage. At the same time the soldier opposite him and the one behind him lifted. The three of them then proceeded to hold the mage out over the edge.

As Maxwell complied with her desires Annette opened up her massive mouth. She then proceeded to extend her tongue up towards the scaffold. The warm slippery muscle was actually able to reach to the very bottom of the scaffold platform so that she could give the mages foot a quick lick.

Once Maxwell saw what Annette’s tongue was doing he began to lower the mage down allowing the slippery muscle to cover more of his legs and once he was far enough down it actually wrapped around them. “Blink if you’re ready.” A moment later Annette quickly blinked and the mage was released.

The mage vanished entirely within Annette’s mouth though Maxwell could tell that it was a mouth full. He was a bit surprised when he only noticed her jaw making the slightest motions.

Carefully Annette rolled the mage about within her mouth after bringing his arm so that it just pressed against her teeth she parted them and bit down. If the mage had any breathe to do so he would have screamed. Despite the scale of Annette’s teeth her control was very precise. Instead of biting his arm off she had limited herself to removing his flesh and the smallest portion of his muscle. She didn’t waste anytime in moving his body about so that she could get at his back.

Slowly Annette was pilling the skin off the mage as some might a grape. The mage had been strong in regards to his spiritual energies and his flesh was full of it. So she took her time carefully chewing every patch of skin she tore from his body. She felt his hands pressing and beating against her tongue as she continued to work him over. A giggle escaped her as she looked up at the stage. “Look.” With that Annette opened her mouth and revealed the skinned but still alive mage.

The fresh air filled the mages lunges when Annette opened her mouth but he didn’t appreciate it. All it did was allow him to scream so that his friends could hear him. With that Annette snapped her mouth shut and continued to savor her snack. After stripping the mage of his flesh she finally swallowed and opened her mouth once again.

“All done, give the next one please.”

“Would you like some kind of flavoring the next time we do this?”

“Yes please. Food now” Annette quickly opened her mouth wide and reached for the stage with her tongue.

For a moment Maxwell just shook his head. Once again he turned towards the group of mage’s. “Lieutenant which one do you believe should go next?”

The lieutenant didn’t even hesitate. Instead he walked over to the one mage that had remained silent the entire time and pushed her towards Maxwell. “She’s been politely quiet. I see no reason for her to wait longer.”

“Please give me a hand then.”

“Oh I bet she is going to be nice and tender.” Once again Annette opened her mouth and reached for the scaffold with her tongue and once again used it to help guide her food. “Mm. Yes she is nice and tender.” Annette took her time rolling the woman around in her mouth. As she felt the mage’s breasts push against the roof of her mouth she giggled a bit. Carefully she positioned the woman so that her breast was pressed against her teeth. She then parted her teeth ever so slightly and used her tongue to push the woman so that breasts wrested between them.

While the woman had been quiet the whole time when Annette opened her mouth she was screaming in pain. Her attempt to present an emotionless front had been shattered as the giantess bit her breasts off. “She’s taste so sweet.” With that Annette closed her mouth and swallowed silencing the woman’s screams as she was crushed in her throat.

With them now down to two mages and one of them reserved for last nothing was said as they took the third mage to the edge. “See if you can throw him in without me helping to guide him.”

After waiting for Annette to open her mouth fully Maxwell turned to the soldiers. “Okay on my signal release.”

It was hard for Annette not to chuckle just a little as she watched Maxwell and two others preparing to throw the mage. The distance between her and the mage was quite lacking actually. They could have simply pushed the mage off the side and he’d most likely ended up in her mouth. However, it was clear that their intention was to hit dead center.

“Now” At last Maxwell and the soldiers released the mage as he flew through the air Annette opened her mouth even wider in an attempt to insure that he didn’t collide with her teeth. A delighted though muffled and somewhat pained giggle escaped Annette the moment the mage went into her mouth. The action had been so quick and well aimed that they’d actually manage to avoid striking her lips or even her teeth.

Unlike when Maxwell was in her mouth Annette made no attempt to control the volume of her giggling. The end result was that the moment she closed her mouth a deafening roar shook the mage’s entire frame. However despite the pains intensity it was hardly the dominant though on his mind as Annette began to work him about and once again savor her food.

At least five minutes passed before Annette finally opened her mouth back up. Glancing towards the scaffold she slowly slid her tongue along her lips. “Let her down slowly.”

She had regained her breath long ago. However, she’d kept quiet throughout the entire event the three guards that had brought her into the room never left her side. As the last one she also had the most time to get over the shock. This did little to change her situation though. There were now thirteen armored figures on the scaffold with her and their leader.

The woman’s eyes widened when she looked towards Maxwell and a flash of energy seemed to run throughout her. “ICE SHARDS!” The moment the words left her mouth the woman lifted her hand towards Maxwell. Immediately moisture was ripped from the air and condensed in razor sharp blades of ice then sent flying towards Maxwell.

They didn’t even come close to Maxwell. The woman felt her heart sink the moment the metallic pinks reached her air. Standing between Maxwell and the mage the Lieutenant gave the three guards watching the woman a rather harsh look for a moment. Several deep scars adorned his shield while fragments of ice wrested on the ground below. “You should have broken her shoulder the moment she went to move her arm.”

The mage didn’t put up a fight as the soldiers quickly restrained her. She’d known that it was a one shot deal. However, she didn’t expect what she saw when she made the mistake of looking over at Annette. Those massive eyes looking back at her seemed to radiate hate.

A hand came to wrest on the lieutenant’s shoulder as Maxwell stepped around him. He’d actually moved to evade the attack but the lieutenant had moved more quickly to block it. While Maxwell had responded to the words and seeing the hand pointing towards him the lieutenant had acted as soon as he saw the mage’s shoulders rolling. This had allowed him to block before Maxwell could dodge. “Thank you for your assistance.”

“No need, Sir.”

“Well then I suppose we should get her stored away in Annette before she can try something else.”

The lieutenant gave a quick nod and moved to the woman’s side. As he did he mostly pushed the soldier aside. Apparently he was fairly upset with his subordinate’s lack of awareness. The two men then brought the woman to the edge.

To say Annette was upset with the woman would have been an understatement. First she’d tried to kill her and now she’d tried to kill her little one. Annette quickly parted her mouth once the men began to lower her down and extended her tongue up towards the woman. Carefully she flicked the bottom of her feet with the very tip of her tongue.

Maxwell and the Lieutenant were actually jerked slightly when Annette’s tongue pulled away from the woman’s foot. As they looked down they noticed a strand of saliva running from the tip of Annette’s tongue to the woman’s foot. While her tongue was of course always wet it seemed she was positively salivating for this one.

While the mages had been small in comparison they had been very nourishing. Her hunger had actually declined for a few moments after she’d eaten the third mage but now with her anger it was as if it had returned in full force. She could feel her saliva coating her tongue even more thickly then it had previously.

As she was lowered further Annette once again ran her tongue up against the woman’s feet. She tried to keep from screaming but every time she looked into the giantess’s eyes she could feel a great rush of fear building within her. She knew that the deaths before her own would be nothing compared to what she was going to be made to endure. Her act of defiance had gained her nothing but an even more painful death.

Once the woman was low enough Annette ran her tongue between her legs. Her hot breath actually reached up and washed over her entire body. At last the men had lowered her as far as they could. They were both in a squatted position while their arms were extended down as far as they’d go. After holding this position for a few moments they finally released.

Instead of pulling the woman down entirely Annette pulled her in up to her knees she then quickly sealed her lips around them. The force of Annette’s lips sealing around her legs was far greater then the gentle suction Maxwell had received. As the two bits of flesh closed against one another it seemed as if her knees would be broken. The force hardly let up as Annette began to lightly suck on the mage slowly pulling her down. The experience wasn’t unlike a bit of meat being pulled through two rolling pins.

Even though she was now free and able to move her hands there was no way the mage could cast any spells. The pain that was surging throughout her body was simply far too great for her focus. While Annette’s lips were soft they were pressed together so firmly that it was negated entirely. Every time Annette would pull the mage further down she’d release the hold for just a moment. When her lips resealed it would deeply bruise the muscle seemed as if it would crack the bone.

All the time Annette was pulling the mage deeper into her mouth her tongue gently played the bit of her body that she’d already drawn in coating it thickly with her saliva. The heat within her mouth seemed to be building and felt to the mage as if it was rising up through her legs and engulfing her entire body.

“Mm” Annette’s relaxed the hold of her lips as the woman slipped past her waste. She didn’t want to keep her victim from breathing. If she did she couldn’t here her screams of pain. Even while the little mage cried out Annette brought her tongue up between her legs and pressed it against the woman’s labia. Despite Annette’s tongue only moving gently over the bit of flesh this only seemed to increase the woman’s pain.

Slowly Annette began to swirl the woman around as she drew her further in. The friction generated between her flesh and Annette’s lips served to leave friction burns around her body. At last as she slipped down to her upper chest she was positioned so that her breasts could slip inside. This didn’t stop their sides from being heavily bruised though.

There was at last a long moment in which the only think one could see between Annette’s lips was the woman’s face twisted in pain. At last Annette’s lips parted and gravity was allowed to draw the woman into her mouth. However, that wasn’t to be the end of her ordeal.

The whole time Annette had been slowly sucking the woman into her mouth she’d been salivating. Now as she was within the hot humid environment she found the heat and humidity to be so oppressive that she could hardly breathe. Had it not been for the occasional breath of air from Annette she’d have passed out and soon suffocated.

The hot sticky fluid that coated her body and the rough treatment she received from Annette’s tongue served to magnify the pain several fold. However, even with pain wracking her body she couldn’t help but struggle for her life. As Annette’s tongue moved her about the mage found herself constantly having to wipe her face. The thick coating of saliva had truly soaked her hair and was so thick that it blocked her breathing several times.

Annette couldn’t help but giggle as she worked the mage around to where the saliva was pooling in her mouth. She then used her tongue to force the woman down within it face first. The feeling of the woman pushing her back up to a raised position and trying to clear the sticky liquid from her face was a delight.

As she pulled herself up the woman had to work quickly to remove the sticky substance from her face. Her saliva coated hands made clearing the sticky substance from her nose even more difficult. Even after she’d cleared her face she only had the humid air to breath. As she cleared her face though she felt Annette’s tongue press down on her again and her face was forced back into the saliva.

While she couldn’t be sure how quickly the woman was clearing her face as long as she was struggling Annette knew she was alive. Every few moments she’d force the woman’s face down back into the pool of saliva and enjoy her efforts. The mage’s feet kicking her tongue was a ticklish delight to Annette and she was in no hurry to start removing body parts.

After a while and having submerged the woman in her saliva Annette finally noticed her struggles weakening. Slowly she opened her mouth and inhaled some fresh air. She heard a slight gasp and the movement increased but it was no where near as active as Annette had felt previously. Clearly she was depleting the woman’s energy reserves.

Resolving to finally move onto more severe pain Annette once again began to move the tiny figure about. She kept her mouth open so she could better hear her screams. Carefully Annette brought the mage’s foot against her teeth. Parting her massive teeth she brought the slightest bit of her foot into her mouth then bit down.

There was a flurry of movement and renewed effort the moment the woman came free of her teeth. Though her freedom wasn’t due to slipping free rather it was because Annette had bit off the upper portion of her toes. As the woman screamed Annette began to try to move her other foot into place. Though the constant submerges into Annette’s saliva had weakened her, the little creature was putting up quite a struggle. Annette’s efforts to move her into position wasn’t helped either by the fact that as the mage struggle she began to giggle.

Chewing her food wasn’t exactly Annette’s favorite way to eat. Indeed she preferred to try to swallow them alive and whole. However, she resolved that in this case she’d make an exception. She was determined to keep removing body parts bit by bit until the mage finally died of blood loss. If she lasted until her legs and arms had been removed skinning her promised to be an exceptionally easy task.

************************************************************************

It was impossible for Xyra not to smile as she held the plate mail breastplate up. Despite the lacking quality of her the materials she’d started with she’d manage to work the metal into a reasonable strong breastplate. It had taken longer then she would have liked but despite this part of her was unusually pleased. She suspected it was due to the memories of the blacksmiths wife she’d first been made from.

After taking a moment to admire the armor she set it aside. Several bits of metal littered the floor including several rings from the chain armor. One particularly large rusted bit received a kick before Xyra reached down and picked up a gauntlet and turned back to the forge.

While she was pleased with her metal working they were a few things that upset her. She had known the wigths would have limited uses. They simply weren’t intelligent enough to gather food or take care of the fields nor could they be used to over see the workers. Their intelligence was just too limited to recognize when a ship builder was truly working and when they were only acting the part. Of course the main reason she didn’t give the wigths the task is she knew they’d kill needlessly and she was the only one allowed to do that while she was in charge.

The best solution to this problem other then asking for help was to have certain towns people over see the workers. She’d done this of course and motivated them by keeping their families’ and their lives in the balance. This tactic had also been used on those that were sent out to gather materials and food.

What she hadn’t expected was a sort of crime syndicate to form. It’s true that she’d chosen devoted family men to insure that they wouldn’t just run off and leave their family to die. However, it seemed that devotion to ones family didn’t help keep one from corruption especially when becoming corrupt could help in their survival.

None of them had dared challenge her or violate any of the rules she set in place directly. However, the food gathers had began using extra food they brought in to secure favors not so much for themselves but rather for their family members that worked the docks. The over seers had been bribed to go easy on their sons, fathers, daughters or mothers.

“Mistress Xyra?”

Xyra turned towards the door as she heard a weak and rather shaky voice. Apparently someone wasn’t looking forward to speaking with her. She didn’t respond with a harsh tone of voice but used the same sexy gentle tone of the sorceress. “Yes, do you have something for me?”

“I..I have the design for the new temple.” The old man couldn’t help his nervousness. Five day’s had passed since Xyra had given him his orders. Now he was terrified to think what would happen if his design didn’t please her.

“Well we need not risk the parchment catching flame.” Xyra took a few moments to steady the fire. She couldn’t leave the metal alone for too long but her armor was fifth of her priorities while the temple was second. It took precedence.

It was impossible for David not to feel nervous as the Amazon exited the forge. As he looked up at her towering form he couldn’t believe how frightened he felt in the temple of what had once been his god. Even in the town square he had some faith in his god to back him up. However, after the past few days that had all been lost. “Here.”

Reaching down Xyra took the parchment from the smith and gave the hall a quick glance. Walking over to where a statue of the sea god had once been placed into the wall she lay the bit of parchment down and unrolled it. “Come on over here incase I have some questions. That way I can point out the details.” A slight giggle escaped Xyra as the elderly man carefully inched his way closer to her until he could see the paper.

“If the memories of my body’s previous owners serves me. You helped in the original temples construction. Didn’t you?”

“Yes. I did.” The instructions Xyra had given him had been difficult for the old man to follow. He was to redesign the temple in such a way that it would speak of undeath and serve as a monument to fear. In doing so he was also suppose to remove anything dedicated to the sea god.

Keeping the instructions vague had been intentional on Xyra’s part. She wanted to see what he’d come up with while his family’s lives were on the line. “I have to say. I rather like what you’ve done with the altar. With these alterations you made it look perfectly suited for sacrifice.” As Xyra looked at the layout it was as if the old man had taken his despair and fear of having his family turned into wigths or consumed by her and put them down on paper.

“Oh. Was this image inspired by me eating those two girls? It is very lovely.”

As the old man looked at the blue print and the seen Xyra pointed out. He felt a great pain in his chest. “Yes it was.” The old man didn’t know the girls, however that night when he had come home and looked at his grand daughters. He imagined them in place of those poor women.

“This progression of images is nice. The single smiling face while the others scream in pain trying to pull out of the body. There progression to being pulled inside until their cries for help can’t be seen and the way the figure grows larger. This new design seems quite inspired.”

While in the past having his designed praised had filled David with pride. Now it seemed to fill him with despair. He couldn’t bring himself to look at Xyra’s face by now and her girlish tone seemed to burn his ears. “Then do you approve?”

For some time Xyra was quiet. She approved of the design but she wondered if perhaps killing one of his family members could bring about something darker. As she looked down at the fragile old figure though she couldn’t help but think he looked depleted. She doubted she could squeeze any more fear or hopelessness out of him no matter what she did. If he hadn’t been concerned about his family she felt certain his heart would have given out from despair.

“I like your design. So it seems I won’t have to kill any of your family. You must have spent a lot of sleepless nights working on this.”

At first there was nothing. However, as David stood there and let what had been said soak in he couldn’t help the tears that came to his eyes. As they began to flow he grew weak in the knees and a moment later collapsed to the ground. “Thank you. Thank you. Oh thank you.” He may have turned against his god but at least his family would be spared.

“Of course, now that I have these blue prints. I don’t really need you anymore. What else could you do?”

Slowly David raised his eyes to look up at Xyra. Once his head turned upward enough he felt her hand clench on his throat. He couldn’t help but gasp and take hold of her wrist though he knew how futile it was. His grip didn’t last long. Nearly as soon as he grasped Xyra’s wrest he released.

A giggle escaped Xyra seconds later and her hand released the old man’s throat. Reaching down she slipped one of her hands under his arm and easily helped him back to his feet. Even after standing him up she continued to help him stand. “Oh how could I kill someone that made such wonderful depictions of me and my Mistress?” Xyra glanced away from the drawing and down towards the old man. She saw the question in his eyes. “The giantess that made me is my mistress. It is by her will that I exist and am here. She arrived before I did.”

The old man just stood their quietly as he watched Xyra turn back to the drawing. Thoughts of that day had been pushed aside by the horror that Xyra had brought however hearing it mentioned brought it back in vivid detail. It was the day that he had lost his daughter and her entire family. Now she’d sent this soulless abomination to rule them. He had felt ill before now he felt broken.

Xyra took her time neatly rolling up the scroll after releasing David’s shoulder. “As you would be nothing but a burden in the manual labor and have proven yourself a capable designer I am going to let you implement your design. Take this home and wait for me to summon you once again. Remember though that bit of paper is one of your family member’s lives.”

There wasn’t a word from David as he took the papers from Xyra. The old man hardly even seemed to breathe as he turned and made his way out of the temple.

As she returned to the forge Xyra was practically skipping. That had been great fun as far as she was concerned. She actually wondered if she could cause the old fellow to die from despair now. The brief time spent looking over the design and frightening the old man had helped her spirits though the fire had gone down.

She was still smiling even as she seated herself and began to consider her options. In truth Xyra didn’t care if the humans formed a sort of crime syndicate. Securing favors for their relatives and friends didn’t bother her in the least. What had begun to annoy her is that the humans were starting to squabble amongst themselves though not openly. This had the natural effect of slowing down production.

There was the choice of swapping out jobs but that would be a bother for her and not truly destroy the problem. Having the wigths handle the food distribution would be absolutely idiotic and she had no desire to do the task herself. She could always kill off a few of the overseers’ families to help encourage the wrest however she doubted that would work.

In the given condition she remembered enough about humans to know such behavior would continue. There was the option of sending for some outside help. Those that weren’t part of the town wouldn’t be as vulnerable to such tactics but she hated the idea of asking her mistress for further aid. She also had no idea who would be sent to aid her and whether or not they could tolerate her methods.

Thinking about the subject was quickly eroding the amusement she had gained from tormenting David. It was one of the few situations in which violent deaths, turning people to undead and fear wouldn’t help her.

A powerful impact could be heard throughout several of the temple halls. An angry growl escaped Xyra as she looked over towards her hand. She’d imbedded her fist in the wall all the way up to her wrest. The truth of the matter seemed to be that she’d have to find a few humans to work with. This was a prospect she didn’t like at all.

Up until now she’d been giving them orders and terrifying them. It was far from a working relationship. As she withdrew her hand from the wall a sigh escaped her. She needed someone that had knowledge of the inner workings of the human laborers.

While destroying the organization would be a waste of time as it would be quickly replaced. She hoped that it could at least be fixed so that it would speed up production or at the very least didn’t interfere. As she worked she began to search her memory for someone that would have the organizational skills and knowledge to help her.

************************************************************************

As Crystalline was escorted up the temple steps she tried to keep her fear from showing. Every once in a while she’d glance down at her lovely hands and wish they were a bit rougher or showed some signs of work. The wealthy woman was well known and exceptionally good at using her charms and a few other talents to gain what she wanted. Even with the brutal rule Xyra had imposed on the town she’d managed to keep herself from having to do any manual labor.

This wasn’t the first time Crystalline had been taking to meet a powerful figure. This wasn’t even the first time in which she believed they may be upset with her. However, no matter how powerful they were she’d always been able to charm her way out of the situation and more often then not turn it to her advantage.

Meeting with Xyra was different though. The undead seemed to be the cruelest creature that she’d ever met. To make the situation even worse she had no idea of how to deal with her. While she couldn’t be certain she doubted that the undead had the same wants and needs as a human. In truth she felt that was fairly evident. Since her arrival Xyra hadn’t even attempted to locate any gold.

“Here.” The finally came to one of the chairs and quickly indicated it.

There was no hesitation on Crystalline’s part. She took her seat. While stupid creatures tended to be easy for her to handle this one didn’t suffer from lust or greed. It’s only desire seemed to be to kill and increase its ranks. The wrigth didn’t even stay around instead the moment she was seat the undead turned and made its way out of the building.

“Well you seem to be good at what you do as they believe.”

Despite her fear Crystalline was careful to remain seated. She quickly turned her gaze towards the darkened tunnel that Xyra emerged from. Apparently the undead had very little need for light. “Pardon my asking, but good at what and who?”

“Oh the women I consumed. They all had an opinion on you, a little knowledge and quite a few rumors. One of them seemed to believe that you were some form of sorceress.” Xyra gave an amused giggle as she walked down the steps easily taking two at a time. She then began making her way over to the woman.

“Oh. Did any of them know me personally?”

“No but one met you face to face at a few parties. They all believed you’d be vein enough to ask that question despite your situation. As for what they believed you were good at. Manipulating men and women to get what you want.” As Xyra spoke she rounded the corner and gave Crystalline a quick glance over. “Now either the wrigth I sent for you gave you time to take a bath, it wasn’t your shift or you haven’t done anything today. Turn your hands over.”

As Crystalline rotated her hands she took the time to try and explain away her perfectly manicured hands and unblemished skin. “I’ve been serving as a cook.”

A slight giggle escaped Xyra. “Don’t try to lie to me. The only time you’ve even held a knife is either when dining or putting it in someone.”

There was a brief moment when Crystalline considered arguing however she feared it would only upset Xyra. She only wished she knew what Xyra’s chuckling meant for her. She’d been giggling just before she consumed the two girls in the town square. “Why did you bring me here?”

“Well I was thinking those wonderful hands and devilish thighs would make nice additions to my body.” Leaning down close to Crystalline Xyra took hold of the woman’s chin. Slowly Xyra brought out her tongue and pressed it to the woman’s cheek she then drew it slowly over it leaving a layer of saliva behind.

“I can serve you better alive.”

Instead of responding right away Xyra opened her mouth wider and gently bit down on Crystalline’s ear. After holding this position for a moment she looked back to her face and was surprised to see that Crystalline hadn’t broken down yet. “You seem quite calm. Why is that?”

“If you were going to consume me you would have done it out in the open for everyone to see.”

“Ah darn. You figured that out. Well I should have figured you’d be a clever one. Of course that doesn’t mean you’re out of danger.”

“What purpose do you have for me?” Turning her head to the side Crystalline knew that it was a bold move. However, she didn’t want to wait until Xyra spoke to try something and with their faces so close it was the perfect time. Puckering her lips she planted a rather full kiss on Xyra’s lips. A moment later she felt Xyra’s hand clamp down on the back of her head.

Parting her lips further Xyra extended her tongue. Even this muscle held far more strength then a human’s and had Crystalline not opened her mouth she may very well have loosened her teeth for her. For a few moments she extended her tongue into Crystalline’s mouth.

The power this undead held was truly remarkable. Crystalline could hardly believe the strength of Xyra’s tongue as it rived within her mouth. She doubted that even if she did bite down upon it that muscle could easily force her jaws back apart. She was even more surprised when she felt how long that tongue was.

Xyra easily wrapped her tongue around Crystalline’s then tightened the muscle. Using only her tongue she then slowly pulled Crystalline’s tongue out of her mouth and into her own. This required Xyra to tighten up her tongue a great deal and she knew it would be hurting Crystalline.

Despite the pain Crystalline felt her tongue in she didn’t try to pull away. She hadn’t been expecting such a surprise but given the situation she was able to control herself. It was however impossible for her not to sigh when she felt Xyra’s tongue relax and she was allowed to withdraw her own.

After releasing her grip Xyra removed her hand from Crystalline’s head and stood back up to her full height. “I summoned you here to talk about your little organization. The one that allows you to avoid doing the task I’ve assigned. Now, I am still human enough to realize that it is nearly impossible to stop humans from organizing into groups when a large number are put together. I also truly believe that it would be counter productive to try and break these groups given the steps I would have to take.

The fact that I’ve assigned tasks that give some sway over others doesn’t help the situation either. Despite this I also know the organizations are slowing down the construction process. That leaves me with a bit of a problem. What can I do if destroying you and your colleagues as well as the other groups would harm more then help?”

Crystalline could feel her tongue throbbing from the kiss. Despite the pain she struggled to keep her tone of voice sweet and submissive. “You could work with us to minimize the disruption.”

“Indeed I could. Now here is what I want you to do. You’re going to go out and find three or more of your competitor’s flunkies or the competitor themselves. You will then convince them to come here and meet with me of their own free will. Try to impress me.” As she spoke Xyra reached down and placed her hand along the interior of Crystalline’s thigh. Slowly she drew her hand along feeling of the sleek muscle until she almost touched her crotch.

Only when Xyra finished testing the muscle in her leg and stepped away did Crystalline stand up. “Yes Mistress.”

************************************************************************

“I swear I had no idea you had experience with food preparation.” Dehvess smiled as he set atop the table watching as Jahnah busied herself.

“Hey I haven’t been a master of chaos magic my entire life.”

“I know but I still can’t imagine you being the type to learn to make such interesting wraps. You have always been rather well off.”

“I learned it from one of the servants. Actually, these little meat bits are just the right size. Well compared to my scale.”

Dehvess gave a quick nod as he looked up at Jahnah’s mountainous figure. “I believe Annette is going to be quite jealous when she realizes how much you’ve grown.

It was impossible for the thirty meter tall giantess not to smile. “How long do you believe it will take her to notice?”

“She’s still in a fair bit of pain and can’t stand up. However, I don’t believe it will be much longer. She might have already realized the size difference and just not said anything about it.”

“Mm” an amused giggle escaped Jahnah as she finished her wrapping jobs. “You know you’re probably right. As long as she is lying down she doesn’t have to admit to seeing a difference. I sure wouldn’t admit it until we had to stand up next to one another or it was pointed out if I was in her situation. She probably noticed when I set down next to her.”

Dehvess gave a nod and watched as Jahnah gathered up Annette’s snacks on a rather massive platform. “At least you were nice enough to make some adjustments to her home.”

“Yeah, I can’t wait until she’s healed up enough to walk around. Then she’ll see how much growing she has to do in order to catch up with me.”

Dehvess shook his head and chuckled slightly as he stood up. “You two” as Dehvess rose to his feet a wave of weakness ran throughout his body and caused him to topple over. Instead of landing on the hard stone of the counter though he landed atop the soft pad of Jahnah’s finger.

“You’re still not recovered entirely.”

“I’ll be fine.” As he spoke Dehvess tried to back up his words with action and stand up. He didn’t get the chance to though as the moment he started to press up on Jahnah’s finger she gave it a quick shake causing him to fall down once again.

“Yes you will be after you’ve wrested for a while longer.” As she spoke Jahnah carefully maneuvered her fingers around Dehvess and picked him up. Turning her palm back up right she then opened her fingers and allowed him to come to wrest in her palm. “You’ve had to handle a lot of energy over the last few days. Perhaps I should shrink down and make it easier on you.”

“You don’t need to do that. I can handle it. I promise.”

“You just can’t handle it and stand at the same time.” A sigh escaped Jahnah however it was quickly replaced with a smile. “Which means since I don’t want to shrink I’ll just have to carry you around and be your hands and legs for the next little while.”

“My hands work just fine.”

“Not if I break them.” A positively wicked grin appeared on Jahnah’s face after she spoke.

As Dehvess looked up at Jahnah and into her eyes he quickly resolved it would be best to let Jahnah take care of him. In his current state he didn’t know if he even had the energy to heal broken bones. “If you want to take care of me that badly I’ll relent.”

“Good.” Lifting Dehvess higher Jahnah inserted two of her fingers between her breasts. As she parted her cleavage she tipped her hand and allowed Dehvess to slide down into the gap. Once he’d sunken in up unto his shoulders she slowly removed her fingers and allowed the flesh to fall back into place.

With Jahnah’s breasts hugging him from either side Dehvess was immobilized in everyway except for his ability to move his head and speak. Looking to his side he brought his head a little lower and gave Jahnah’s breast a kiss. There was a moment in which the grip of her breasts tightened up on him as Jahnah sighed slightly. It was no where near causing him pain though. “Shall we go then?”

“Yes, but if you don’t mind give me some more kisses.”

“Do you promise to return them later?”

An amused giggle escaped Jahnah and she used her free hand to press up on the underside of her breasts to lift Dehvess higher. She then brought her head down and gave him a kiss that engulfed his entire head and kissed the side’s of her own breasts. “I promise you have to return the hugs though.”

“So long as you allow me to make use of my arms you have a deal.”

Despite her situation Annette couldn’t help but smile up at Maxwell. Every day since she’d been injured he’d been there to help feed her and now they were both waiting for Jahnah to arrive. She’d told them she was going to make a special treat. “Maxwell, I’ve wanted to ask you. Why did that monolith let me get away?”

“Monolith’s aren’t truly intelligent Annette and you weren’t actually its enemy. You were just there.”

“That still doesn’t explain why it let me get away.”

“From the information I was able to gather from soldiers and you. I’d say the reason it allowed you to escape was you injured it. From what I’ve learned in my studies of the elements Monolith’s only instinct is to destroy all non-elemental life. It isn’t really smart enough to think ahead though. When given the choice to try and kill you or go after a much weaker target it chose the weaker targets.”

“Huh, why did it attack me in the first place then?”

“You were the closest target it could find and thus it believed the most convenient. As I said they aren’t intelligent.”

A slight chuckle escaped Annette as she considered Maxwell words. “I never would have believed that something would believe I was an easier target then a group of energy depleted mages just because I was the closest to it. Though I have to admit” despite her previous smile Annette couldn’t help but frown a little “the fact that it was able to do this to me is rather humiliating.”

“Hey, Annette those things have power to rival a Titan or even a god. You have no reason to feel down about being driven off.”

“It isn’t just that I had to run. Look at what it did to me. Oh Maxwell, I don’t even know if I am going to ever truly recover. I might not even have a left eye anymore. These burns may disfigure me for as long as I continue to exist in this body.”

There was a moment when Maxwell considered telling Annette that there were no way the scars would remain or her eye couldn’t be gone. However, he didn’t know. Annette’s body couldn’t be repaired like normal golems which by itself was a horrible difficult task. Often it was easier to just remove the shard from the golem and make a new body. To make matters worse Annette couldn’t be healed like an organic life form either. “Annette, I can’t say how you’ll recover from this but we truly believe that you’ll recover from the scars. I know that a human would be permanently disfigured without the aid of magic. However, your body does an even more thorough job of repairing and improving itself then a human’s.

“What about my eye?”

“We don’t know. Annette, no matter how well you heal I’ll be here for you.”

“Careful Annette, despair never helped with recovery.” Jahnah smiled as she walked into the room carrying the plate with her. “Maybe some food will help cheer you up. I hope you like it.” As she spoke Jahnah continued over to the scaffold and set down. She placed the plate slightly in the center to avoid tipping the scaffold over.

“I hope it is sweet and tender. I really feel down and that always cheered me up.”

Jahnah gave a slight giggle. “Well I believe their tender. I didn’t actually get to sample one.” Reaching down Jahnah carefully lifted one of the treats from the trey and held it up for Annette to see.

For a moment Annette could hardly believe what she saw. Several little peopled tucked away it neat little bread wraps were held in front of her. Given that their mouths were covered she imagined they were mages. At last a giggle escaped her. “Well I can’t say I like the idea of the bread taking up room in my stomach.”

“Oh come now the bread has been sweetened.”

“Well okay. It does look awfully neat. How do you keep them from casting any spells?”

“Well covering their mouths and restricting their arms helps. I also made them drink a little potion that restricts their mystic abilities. Unless someone intentionally restores their casting ability they shouldn’t be able to use any magic for another twenty minutes.”

“How long have they been bound.”

“They’ve been bound for just a little over forty minutes.”

“That is pretty impressive that potion must have cost you a bit.”

“It would have if Dehvess wasn’t the one that made it.”

“Ah that was sweet of him using such a valuable potion just so I can enjoy a meal.”

“Yeah he can be a little sweet heart. Well then are you read to eat? It will only hold for twenty minutes longer like I said.” As she spoke Jahnah picked up one of the wraps and held it out for Annette.

“Actually, would you mind casting a strengthen spell on Maxwell? I like it when he feeds me.”

It was impossible for Maxwell not to blush a little as he looked down at Annette. Of course both ladies noticed this. “I’d be happy to.”

Before Jahnah could speak Maxwell stood up. “Actually, I can strengthen myself. It’ll wear off in five minutes but I can just cast it again if need be. Where is Dehvess though?”

“I put him to bed. He was more tired then even he seemed realized it seems and has already nodded off.”

************************************************************************

Crystalline set quietly with the other figures. While upon her first visit with Xyra she’d tried to appear calm and confident now she intentionally let her nervousness show through. This wasn’t so much to appease Xyra but to keep the other people there.

In truth Crystalline felt somewhat confident at least more so then upon her first visit. Xyra had only asked for three and she’d done much better then that. As soon as she’d left she’d started thinking of the best method to convince some to join her. She’d actually managed to convince them that Xyra was now demanding a tribute if they were going to conduct business.

She’d almost slipped up on the tribute and claimed she wanted gold but had quickly remembered what Xyra was. Instead she’d told them that Xyra required a few of their men be brought to her as well as a few sacrificial women. The most difficult part and the one she felt the most pride in were convincing them that Xyra also demanded their presence.

Of course this had cost Crystalline. In order to keep up the image she’d had to choose a few of her own girls and men to possibly sacrifice. By using their fear of Xyra she’d managed to bring in quite a few people though. Now she only had to worry about what Xyra planned on doing with them and her.

“Hello, I am glad that all of you could make it.” Xyra had left the forge once she heard the people arriving. As she walked into the room she couldn’t help but giggle as she closed the exit. Several of them seemed ready to run despite the fact that she could easily block the exit before they escaped. She kept her tone and giggles the sexy teasing taunt of the sorceress. “I am impressed Crystalline. You didn’t even need twenty four hours.”

“We apologize for the trouble our operations have caused you. Please accept these tributes as an apology.” One of the leaders stepped forward before Crystalline could respond. He knew that letting the woman speak was a bad idea. He’d seen the woman’s ability to twist stories and take most if not all the credit for any act for her own. At times he’d sworn she could convince people that she caused the sun to raise.

“Tribute” several of the women became visibly shaken as Xyra neared after hearing their man’s words. This wasn’t the first time any of them had been lent to an authority figure as a favor. However, Xyra was a monster unlike any they’d seen before.

“They do look delicious.” As Xyra had been speaking she’d continued walking around the room. After making her way to the entrance she promptly closed and bolted the heavy temple doors. “If you don’t mind strip them for me and bring them over.” After closing the door Xyra made her way back to the front of the temple and took a seat atop the pulpit.

A few of the women looked towards the men hoping for some form of protection. Most knew better then this. They were just property in this situation and they were being sold. However, there was some surprised mumbling when one of the women made her way over to Xyra on her own stripping off more of her clothing until she took naked before her.

A delighted giggle escaped Xyra as she looked the woman over. She could see several spots that had been once marked by deep bruises and a few fresh bruises. “Are you telling me you want to go first?”

“No, but please have mercy as I go willingly.”

It was impossible for Xyra not to smile. Reaching out she slipped her hands under the woman’s arms and lifted her up. She then proceeded to turn her around so that she was facing away and pulled the woman entirely into her lap. “Death is hardly ever a pleasant experience unless it frees you from a greater pain. However, what happens when I consume you isn’t a natural death. I believe I can accommodate your desires as long as you don’t struggle in the least.”

The woman gave a nod and prepared herself. While she knew this to be her final it wasn’t her first torturous yet unavoidable experience she had to endure. She opened herself up and made her mind as receptive as possible as she felt Xyra’s mouth lowering.

It was easy for Crystalline to tell who the woman had belonged to. While everyone seemed shocked there was one that looked quite nervous as if he feared her yielding herself wasn’t as simple as avoiding pain but perhaps a trade. Of course she didn’t know what fait awaited her. She knew that she could be consumed as well as the planned sacrifices. She couldn’t help but resent the fact that to her knowledge Xyra had never consumed a male.

While the woman had little that would help her combatively or mystically she did provide some interesting talents. As Xyra finished her she could feel her body growing stronger and her beauty being refined further. There was something else as well. The woman’s choice to go willing seemed to have changed her flavor. Despite her lack of any mystic or potent combative abilities she tasted truly delicious. “Yum, bring me another.”

As Crystalline watched Xyra feeding she began to grow quite nervous. The undead hadn’t actually told any of them what their fates were to be and none seemed willing to ask. Even the bravado she had when she kissed Xyra seemed to leave as she watched her feeding.

The effect the women had on Xyra had become plain for all to see after she’d finished off the fourth. With each one she consumed her body grew larger. They could see her features either strengthening or softening whichever was appropriate to increase her beauty and power. This was particularly obvious after the seventh third.

The clothes that Xyra wore had been stretched considerably as her chest swelled outward. The woman’s large chest had been one of her most prominent and well known features now Xyra had that same feature. Unlike the woman though whose breast had began sagging under their weight, rough treatment and age Xyra remained pert. It was clear she retained the best traits and discarded the inferior ones.

As Xyra continued to go through the women several other people began to notice prominent traits expressed in her body. Even though the rate of change and growth did begin to slow as each one had less and less of an effect upon her. There was still a very noticeable difference between the Xyra of when they had arrived and the one whose legs easily reached the floor even while she set on the pulpit.

With each woman she consumed Xyra could feel and even see the taint of undeath, fear and despair growing stronger in the temple. The despair the women radiated in their final moments of life compared to others was like comparing a mist to a scar. After finishing the last tribute Xyra took a moment to look around at the men and then to Crystalline. “I swear Crystalline your hands still look so much more refined then my own. Come here.”

Crystalline couldn’t help but consider running as she looked at Xyra. She considered digging her own fingernails into her palms to try to disfigure them. Fear kept her from doing either as she walked closer to Xyra. Fear of what Xyra would do to her if she disfigured her prize.

Extending her hand Xyra placed a finger under Crystalline’s chin. It was the first time she’d lowered her head while approaching her. She then lifted it to look into her eyes. “Congratulations. You impressed me and you even brought some truly delicious snacks for me though not as good as the first. You must have brought me the cream of your crop unlike some of you.” Xyra gave the group a quick glance which made them all take a step back. If Xyra hadn’t shut the doors they would have ran.

“I am glad you’re pleased.”

“You should be. You’ve proven to me that you’re worth more alive then dead or even inside of me and believe me I want you inside of me.” Xyra giggled as she glanced down at the group. “Now one of you I am going to keep alive to torture for a while then change. The wrest of you I am going to turn into wigths right away and then continue my conversation with Crystalline. As Xyra stood up the groups’ hearts sunk as they realized that Crystalline had sacrificed them all.

************************************************************************

“Was he the owner of the woman that gave herself up?” Crystalline pointed towards the man currently held by two of the wigths.

“Yes. I suppose since she gave herself up willingly I feel I should do her a favor or perhaps it is her anger towards him motivating me. It is quite strong. In either case I can’t help but feel I should really make him suffer. If I can bring his pain and fear to a high enough level it will help in defiling this place further.”

There was a moment in which Crystalline wasn’t sure but alas she resolved to ask. After all if she didn’t speak with Xyra she had no chance of getting close and insuring her future. “You mean the god hasn’t been driven out.”

Xyra tone was a sensual pout. “Noooo. The dirty fishy sea god is still holding on by a thread.”

Crystalline gave a nod as she looked up at the towering Xyra. The undead had been Amazonian before now she was a giant. Standing what Crystalline estimated to be three meters and sixty five centimeters tall. “What are you going to do with me now?”

Turning to the wigths Xyra signaled for three of them to come to her. “You’re going to take control of all the black market dealings that occur from here on out. I know that killing your competitors will deter it for a while but I don’t know for how long. In order to help you achieve that goal I am assigning these three to you. You may also use your human strong arms you have remaining.

After you’ve taken control you’re going to keep control but with the minimal amount of blood shed. You will stop the delays caused by the dealings from increasing. If they do increase you’ll be the one to pay. Should you want to continue to impress me you’ll help construction speed up again closer to its initial level.”

Crystalline was silent for a few moments. “Those three are mine to command?”

“Yes and you may do with them as you wish. However, I suggest keeping at least one with you at all times. After today’s events you won’t be well liked.”

There was no need for Crystalline to ask Xyra how she’d suffer if she failed. Crystalline already had several ideas of how and in truth didn’t want to know what the undead was thinking. “How long do I have?”

“You don’t have any time. The deaths today have given you the opening that you need.”

“I understand. Will the wigths obey me?”

“Yes, they already know to obey you. Keep in mind while they hold some of their human intelligence they don’t hold that much.”

“That isn’t good. A lot of them weren’t very bright to begin with.” Crystalline felt a wave of relieve when she heard Xyra giggle.

Taking a few steps closer to Crystalline Xyra bent down and placed her massive right hand on the now much smaller woman’s shoulder. “I expect you to report to me weekly.” Sliding her hands over Crystalline’s shoulders Xyra took hold of the woman’s wrist and caused her to extend her arm a bit. “Such lovely hands and stained in so much blood already. It was already thick before I even arrived.”

Even with Xyra assurance of her new task Crystalline couldn’t help but want to change the subject. “What are you going to do with the other wigths?”

“Well two of them are going to go and search the sea bed for materials. The wrest are going to stay here and help with the reconfiguration of the temple. It will also help thicken the taint.” After a few moments more Xyra released Crystalline’s hand and stood back up to her new height. “Well then I am going to go and enjoy a meal now that I have a chance to finally enjoy some of the children.”

“What?”

“You didn’t know? A few of the women that you had brought to me today were the only thing the children had left. Their fathers and other relatives have already been killed and the mother turned to prostitution to help provide for them. Now they have no one which means they have no purpose. Oh such youthful life energy they are going to taste so delicious. I can’t wait to consume the girls.

Of course I wonder if I should drain their brothers’ lives first to scare and make them despair. Fear and despair does make them taste so much better when I eat them. Yes I believe I shall and I can start as soon as I have a few fathers and mothers brought to me so they can watch. You wait here as well. I want you to see what you helped bring about.”

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A sharp cry escaped the group of young girls and decreasing number of young boys as Xyra tossed the shriveled up corpse back amongst them. All of them were crying but some with true desperation as they looked at their older brother. Mumbling could be heard throughout the temple as an amused giggle escaped Xyra.

The children found themselves surrounded by the wights. Several of them hugged closely together as the undead kept them from backing away from Xyra. Every seat in the church’s main hall was currently occupied by either a mother or father. In order to make sure the most people heard about the event she’d only brought one parent from each family. Crystalline stood off to the side. The three wights that had been assigned to her made sure that she watched.

The circle was kept tight enough by the wigths that Xyra didn’t have to stand up to get another child. Reaching forward into the crowd she noticed one five year old boy and his eleven and twelve year old sister. They were gathered around him as if trying to hide him from her view.

A shrill cry escaped the boy and girls as she took hold of him. “No. Don’t. Don’t take our brother.” Xyra giggled as she heard the girl’s pleading as they struggle to hold onto him. It was all too easy for her to lift the child up and out of their grasp. As she held the child his body was swallowed up in the black energy. His already miniscule form made to grow even smaller.

Xyra giggled and held the screaming child up just outside of the girls’ reaches. It only amused her more when she felt the small children actually striking her massive thigh. “Well okay you can have him back now that I am done.” The cry released from the girls when Xyra dropped the shriveled up remains of their brother on them was thrilling to Xyra.

They had been called away from their jobs and told Xyra had something she wanted to show them. None of them expected this to be pleasant but none had expected anything this horrible. Some even began to stand to try and run to the children’s aid. However, thoughts of their own children kept them seated.

Several of the captive audiences were made to lower their heads as they watched the event transpire. To make matters worse a good deal of them had once put their faith in the sea god. Now they were setting within the temple watching as Xyra gorged herself on the life energy of one little boy after the other. Those that had brothers or sisters she’d taunt by throwing the corpse amongst them.

Though the children’s bodies were small their life force was very rich. However, it didn’t take long for Xyra to find herself having trouble finding the next meal. The knowledge of the mother’s allowed her to quickly recognize their little faces and pick them out from the girls despite their attire and age.

“Well it seems I’ve finished with the appetizers time to move onto the main course.” It hardly took Xyra a second to choose the first victim. Looking around she noted the little girl that had struck her earlier in an attempt to save her brother. Before she reached for the girl though Xyra removed her shirt and adjusted her voice to that of the girl’s mother. “Is mammas little sun flower feeling down?”

The young girl’s eyes were made to widen considerably as she heard her mother’s voice. “Mamma?”

Reaching down Xyra lifted up the girl who despite hearing her mother’s voice let out a high pitched scream. Instead of consuming her right away Xyra brought the young girl to her face and gently blew on her stomach the same way her mother had once used tickled her. “Do you remember where mamma told you where little babies came from? Well it is time for you to go back there.” As she spoke Xyra lowered the little girl down to her stomach just over her womb. She then pressed the tiny figure into it.

At first there was nothing from the little girl. However, as she felt the flesh beginning to change and her body slipping inside she let out a shrill cry. As she tried to pull away she felt a pair of hand’s wrest upon her shoulder. Looking back she realized it was her sister trying to pull her free.

“Oh how cute. That’s mamma’s babies always sticking together.” With that Xyra pressed her hand down upon the back of the second sister forcing her forward and into herself as well.

A sharp gasp ran throughout the entire room and several broke into weeping when they dared look up again. They had expected to see the girls gone but instead they saw something worse. The little girls had been pulled into Xyra up until the only thing that showed was their little faces. Yet they continued to scream and cry for help. However, as loud as the girl’s cried and as frightened as they seemed to be. Xyra seemed to laugh equally as lowed and be equally amused.

Instead of absorbing the girl’s entirely Xyra reached back into the ground. Once again she changed her voice as she carefully slipped her arms around two other girls and lifted them to herself. “Now my darlings, there is no need to scream like that.” As she spoke Xyra lifted the two young girls to her breasts, breasts that surpassed each of the girls in size.

A sigh escaped Xyra as she pressed the little faces into her breasts so that her nipples pushed against their mouths. “Breast feeding has always been such a wonderful way of bonding with your little ones. So are you ready to bond my darlings? To be feed to my breasts?” At first the girl’s didn’t seem to react. However, as they watched the crowd noted that Xyra’s bust and her entire body was growing larger.

High pitched screams assaults everyone’s ears as the girl’s pulled their heads away and struggled to move their hands. Their little fingers and legs had actually been pulled inside of Xyra and now her breasts were soaking up their entire bodies.

After only a few moments Xyra removed her arms yet the girls remained held to her breasts. So much of their bodies had been pulled inside that there was no way for them to get free. Soon the only thing that could be seen was their little crying faces adorning the front of her breasts as if they’d been made into macabre body art or a bra.

By now the children and everyone else had caught on with what was happening. With each child Xyra would pick up she’d take on their mother’s voice. This no longer consoled the children as many looked upon their friend’s faces twisted in utter terror and hopelessness.

“What is the matter my darling? Don’t you want to join with mommy? I am in here as well.” Xyra giggled as the wights had to close in to force the children to her still expanding body. Reaching down she picked the screaming thirteen year old up and held her so that the young girl’s face wrested between her breasts.

“No. No. NO!” The girl began struggling long before Xyra even pressed her into her flesh. However, as soon as her fist struck Xyra’s skin she felt herself sinking inward. The only sound she heard was a mixture of screams and sobbing from the other girls and Xyra’s laughter coming from above. The same laughter that she had at once time heard from her mother.

A giggle escaped Xyra as she pressed her breasts together and covered the girl’s face for a moment. When she released she glanced down between her breasts. “Peek-a-boo I see you.”

Slowly Xyra glanced over the remaining children. In total they were four left and she was very pleased. She had actually been selecting the ones she absorbed for a reason. “Why are you backing away? Don’t you want to play with your friends inside of me your mommy is there as well? Come here and I’ll hold you so you can speak to them.”

Reaching down Xyra lifted two more of the girl’s into her arms. These she cradled on either side of her breasts though she didn’t press them into it. Each girl screamed as they were now looking directly into their friends’ faces as they screamed and begged for help.

Xyra was positively euphoric as the girls were pulled into her arms. Their little faces would adorn her arms in just the right way to insure that they could see their friends. Despite the young girls miniscule bodies their youth seemed to allow them to have a profound effect on Xyra’s size. She was still swelling larger and she had yet to fully absorb any of the girls. “What don’t you want to speak with your friends? You know how rare it is you get to see them.”

Now the only two remaining girls stood amongst the corpses of the young boys as the wigths urged them onward. While the wigths had been fairly quiet through the event it was clear they enjoyed the show.

For a moment Xyra extended her arms outward and allowed the people to see the young girl’s tiny faces. She then turned to the final two. “Come now. You two can set in my lap. You and your friends always enjoyed story time.” While those already pulled into Xyra seemed to have infinite air and continued to scream and plead. The final two seemed to have screamed until they had no more breath. All they could do was whimper as Xyra pulled them onto her thighs and into herself.

With the children inside of her Xyra had grown much larger. How much larger became clear as she stood up. The little faces could be seen adorning her body. Their eyes showing hopelessness and utter terror while their shrill cries echoed off the walls. Mixed in with the girl’s screams was a low moan from Xyra as she looked at the horrified audience. Her face was utter bliss.

Crystalline felt sick to her stomach. As she looked at the little faces that covered Xyra’s body. She had used and seen children used against their parents. She’d even had children killed but she had never seen anything like this. As she looked she tried to tell herself that the children were over reacting. That they were dead and Xyra was only putting on a show. The only thing that kept her believing either was the utter bliss on Xyra’s face.

“The parents of each of these children are dead. Their fathers had already been killed and their mothers had been desperately trying to support them. They were paid to me as a tribute and I consumed them. However, with their parents gone the children had no one. Their parents couldn’t serve me so they couldn’t protect them. I consumed them for they had no more use.

Remember this fait awaits each of your children should you both die. They will end up as a part of me if they are girls and nothing but a little husk of shriveled flesh if they’re boys.”

No one said a word though their sobbing could be heard throughout the temple. A few hugged the person next to them in an attempt to console them. Those few that were not consoling others or looking at Xyra however were looking directly at Crystalline.

She was suspected of being a part in this. The three wigths that surrounded her didn’t help her case. Soon they’d leave and then people would also mention her meeting with the parents of the children whose faces now adorned Xyra’s bodies all screaming for help. Slowly Crystalline turned to the wigths and nearly fell to her knees.

She was trapped. Soon all would know of what had happened and as long as she kept the wigths she would never be able to convince them she had no hand in it. If she left the wigths she would surely be killed. However, there was no way that she could escape with the wigths with her. There was no way for her to escape.

Xyra turned towards Crystalline and held her massive arms out. “So Crystalline, what do you think of these lovely tattoos? Aren’t they just precious?” It was impossible for Xyra not to giggle as she looked down into Crystalline’s eyes. The utter despair that resided with them was just too amusing for her not to laugh about.

The sound of Xyra’s foot falls seemed deafening amongst the despair as she made her way over to Crystalline. With each step her body seemed to grow larger as the little faces sunk entirely within her one at a time until they were entirely absorbed. “I want you inside of me so badly Crystalline. I want to devour every last bit of you and your beautiful blood stained hands.”

Had it not been for the wigths catching her Crystalline would have fallen to the ground.

************************************************************************

“How are you doing?”

Annette turned her head to the side as she heard the massive foot falls approaching and the voice coming from above. “Hey, I am doing as well as can be expected. They were able to remove a few of my bandages and my cut has healed up entirely. Be careful how loud you are though Maxwell is napping.”

Jahnah gave a nod and continued on into the room. Her right hand held a neatly wrapped net with a few struggling figures inside of it. “Dehvess is out of it as well.”

“I guess this is all very hard on the two of you. I am sorry that I can’t help.”

“It isn’t your fault. You did your fair share of fighting with the monolith. I bet we destroyed an entire mage’s guild with all the ones that we captured.”

A slight chuckle escaped Annette. “Well that is nice to know. It was sweet of Maxwell to capture them and thanks for sending Xyra to help. They’re really helping my recovery. If you hadn’t sent Xyra Maxwell wouldn’t have been able to bring home a fourth as much.”

“You’re welcome. So what’ve you done all day?”

“Just lay around mostly. I spoke to Maxwell a lot and a few of my guards. I even spent some of the day convincing them that I didn’t need any entertainment brought in but I have to do that almost daily. Is Dehvess asleep as well?”

“Yes.”

“How do you feel? Is it draining on you as well?”

“No. My energy is infinite now though I can only draw upon so much at one time. However, Dehvess doesn’t benefit from the shards’ infinite energy supply like I do. He still has to use his own energy to stabilize it. The more he has to manage the more draining it is.”

“I’ve wanted to ask. How do you stay in your giantess state even when Dehvess is asleep?”

“He channels a certain amount of energy instinctively now. I just have to make sure I don’t try to draw too much through him.”

“Mm so what is the bag for? Did you decide to bring a snack home?’

An amused giggle escaped Jahnah as she placed her hand on the bag. “Well yes but that isn’t the only reason. There is something I want to show you.”

Annette lifted herself up slightly so she could get a better look at her friend. “Yeah, what is it?”

Placing a finger just over her belly button a flicker of energy could be seen around Jahnah’s fingers. “Elements yield.” Slowly Jahnah began to draw her finger up from her belly button along her chest. As her finger crossed over the material the clothing began to melt away on either side of her finger’s path. When she finally drew the line up to her breasts it finished widening.

The space between the very edges of Jahnah’s areolas had been cleared away while her stomach was completely exposed revealing her tanned flesh and firm stomach. As well as a good deal of the interior of her breasts. Instead of backing away Annette scooted a little closer. “Well I see that Dehvess isn’t in your bra.”

An amused giggle escaped Jahnah. “I put him in my knickers.” This time Jahnah pressed her finger to her throat just under her chin. “Clear.” Once again she began to draw her finger along her body though this time it was down the path. As she did her flesh seemed to flow as if it was going to melt away however after a few moments it solidified except when it reformed Annette could now see through it into Jahnah’s body.

A slight giggle escaped Annette. “Are you telling me that it requires more words to focus the magic needed to remove your clothing then it does to make your skin clear?”

“In the case of a chaos mage yes it does. We are very receptive to change especially if we desire it. Plus, by actually speaking the spell it makes it easier on Dehvess. However, that isn’t what I wanted to show you. Look here.” With that Jahnah placed her finger over her stomach where the flesh had just began to become clear.

For a moment Annette didn’t know what to expect as she looked inside of her friends body. However, as the flesh became clear her eyes widened. “Oh my” trapped within Jahnah’s stomach Annette was quite surprised to see several little figures. While some of them had ceased moving and were clearly dead a few were quite alive. “Can they see out?”

“No. I kept the view one way.”

Extending her hand Annette pressed her bandaged finger to her friend’s stomach as she watched the little figures inside of her. All together three were still alive two of which were currently attempting to escape. She watched as the little figures attempted to drive their daggers into the flesh of Jahnah’s stomach the pain of the acid that ate at their bodies seemed to drive their efforts. Despite their desperate struggle they had no chance of escaping. Their little weapons weren’t even enchanted and thus had no ability to even affect Jahnah in her current state.

“How do they feel?”

“They feel ticklish, neat and very nice. It’s a shame their struggles will end soon.”

Annette gave a nod. The group in question was wearing very heavy leather clothing which seemed to have bought them more time. However, while two of them struggled to escape the third seemed to have given up. Annette watched as the little figure stood atop the bodies of his comrades. The corpses of his now dead allies kept him out of the acid but they wouldn’t last. “They were about the last ones you swallowed weren’t they?”

“Yes.”

“Did you know their actually stacking the bodies of their dead comrades up so they can stand on them?”

A slight giggle escaped Jahnah as she glanced down at her belly. “Well I’ll be. I was kind of wondering how they were lasting so long. All that leather can’t hurt either.”

“I’d say it is going to hurt a lot. I think the one on the little pile is thinking of stabbing himself. Your digestive juices don’t seem to have gotten to him just yet.”

“That could be. Well I think I have enough room to send them down a friend.” Opening up the net and reaching in Jahnah lifted out one of the struggling, pleading little figures and lifted him to her mouth.

Annette watched as Jahnah slid the tiny figure into her mouth. A moment later she saw him sliding down the interior of her throat and making his way down towards her stomach. She could see his mouth opening and closing and presumed that he was screaming. A delighted giggle escaped her a moment later. “Well the others sure seemed surprised by his arrival.”

Jahnah giggled and couldn’t help the delighted grin on her face. “I find they struggle the most when you first swallow them.”

“Yeah, he practically knocked two of them off their perches. Well you win the bet. I’ll have to find you a master level shard. I just hope you don’t expect it any time soon.”

“I don’t mind waiting short stuff.”

In response to Jahnah’s tease Annette quickly stuck her tongue out at her. “It seems all the intensive action has been good for your size.”

“Yeah it’s really helped Dehvess and I improve.”

A slight giggle escaped Annette. “I guess this has been good for both of our relationships. I haven’t told Maxwell but I kind of like having him take care of me. Though I will be glad to get back to the battle field and start catching up with you.”

“How about I lay down next to you and we see how far you have to go tiny?”

“Wouldn’t that cause the party in your tummy to end early? It must be difficult for them to keep.” Annette’s cheeks were suddenly made to puff outward as she struggled to keep herself from laughing out loud. Reaching up she placed one of her hands over her mouth and did her best to muffle her laughter. This of course caused Jahnah to look down at her stomach.

“What is so funny?” A sudden rush of life energy, a delightful tickling sensation within her stomach and a quick glance down at her stomach showed Jahnah the after effects of the happening. One of the little figures had fallen back into the acid and was now struggling to regain his footing. However, with the darkness hampering his movements though and the constant searing pain of the acid, the fact that all his struggles did was splash it about and being already weakened by the pain, lost flesh and poor air. All he could do was flail about.

“I don’t know what was going on but it looked like he turned to yell at one of his fellow inmates. He turned a little too quick and well slipped.” A slight giggle escaped Annette. “It was cute.”

“Oh, Annette you have no idea how good it feels when they really get to moving like that. I hope you don’t mind if I have another.” As she spoke Jahnah reached back into the net and retrieved another person.

“Well of course I mind. All I can think about while watching you is how much fun it’ll be whenever I can swallow humanoids whole as well.” Even while Annette was complaining Jahnah went ahead and popped the human into her mouth and swallowed.

“Don’t worry. One day you’ll grow up to be big and strong like I am now. Of course I’ll be even bigger by then.”

A slight puff of air escaped Annette. “I hope this war isn’t over with before I am fully recovered. I’ll show you then.”

“Just remember you have to help me grow larger as well.”

“I won’t forget your shard. Perhaps, we can come up with another little wager.”

“Oh what do you have in mind?”

“I was thinking we could make a little bet as to which one of us would be able to swallow a man on horse back first. However, I may need more time then that to gain speed.”

“Well we could make a little wager as to which one of us is going to be able to swallow an entire wagon first. That may take quite some time to reach.”

“Yeah it could. I wouldn’t want to bet another master level shard though or an arch-mage as I don’t know if we could fulfill the bet again. I have to admit I am glad I have plenty of time to think of where I am going to get you such a shard.”

“While I can’t say that I’ll just let you out of the bet. I could settle for an easier to acquire shard.”

“Thanks but no thanks. We made a bet and I am going to hold myself to it.”

An amused giggle escaped Jahnah. “Okay. I didn’t like the idea of giving up such a high quality shard. Perhaps, Meridea can help when she arrives.”

“Are you serious? Meridea is coming here?”

“Yeah, Dehvess sent for her.”

A delighted giggle escaped Jahnah. “Oh it’ll be nice to see her again. What is she going to be doing?”

“Once she arrives we’re going to hand the port over to her to free up Xyra.”

“Ah. Well someone is needed to secure it and she is qualified but isn’t calling in Meridea kind of over kill?”

“Well most would say summoning a monolith is over kill and damn foolish. It seems that Dehvess is tired of how things have been going. Now that Maxwell is willing to commit to an offensive strategy Dehvess is eager to see things taken care of.”

“I’ll have to introduce Maxwell to her when she arrives. Well I guess it is time for the show to end.”

“Huh?” Looking down Jahnah noted that the spell which kept her stomach see through had begun to weaken. “Should I cast it again?”

“No thanks.”

“Oh was that a bit of jealousy in your tone?”

“No.”

“Yeah, sure it wasn’t. Clear.” Once again Jahnah drew her finger along her stomach making sure the spell would last for a while longer.

It was impossible for Annette not to groan a little despite her best efforts. “You just enjoy showing off while you can.”

A delighted giggle escaped Jahnah as she adjusted her position so that she was setting parallel to Annette. After extending her feet so that they were level with Annette’s she began to lay back.

“What are you doing?”

After lying down Jahnah glanced over and down at Annette. “So your head comes up to around here.” With that Jahnah pressed her right hand just under her breasts. “At least that is how it looks. Of course there is an easy way to check.”

“Don’t you.” Annette’s entire face lit up as Jahnah rolled over and adjusted her position a bit. This resulted in the chaos mage’s breasts brushing against the very top of her head.

“Goodness you’re short.”

Despite blushing it was impossible for Annette not to grin. As her teeth finally showed themselves her entire body began to shake and she used her right hand to cover her mouth to keep from laughing too loudly. “OH you’re going to pay for that one.”

“Bring it on short stuff.”

************************************************************************

As Xyra spoke her tone was far from that of a woman’s. Rather it was the voice of a little girl in particularly the father of the little girl she was now tormenting. “See I knew that you could do it daddy. Daddy always comes for through us in the end.” While she spoke Xyra stood just outside of the man’s vision.

The architect felt his heart being crushed as he looked down at the blue print. The voice of his daughter reached his ears and for a moment it seemed as if he could feel her behind him. He knew that wasn’t the case.

“You always come through for mommy don’t you daddy?” The man was part of a group that had been selected to make the blueprints for the golem transport ships. He had taken longer then his allotted time to produce a design and as punishment Xyra had consumed his child. She’d also taken to using his daughter’s voice whenever she spoke to him.

The man new the implications of Xyra’s words while he’d come through for his wife. He had failed his daughter and now his sweet little girl helped to compose the monster that taunted him with her voice. Had it not been for his two sons and wife giving him a reason to live he would have torn up the designs and killed himself.

“Why do you look so sad Daddy? You didn’t fell me. I’ve become a part of something far greater now something far bigger and more beautiful then I could have ever become on my own. My body may very well live on as part of the larger whole forever.” Xyra gave a giggle which was a perfect replica of the man’s daughter. “Well I have to be going now Daddy. You know I wouldn’t mind having mommy join me in here.”

David tried to keep focused as he watched the men and wigths work. How he wished those creatures didn’t have to be working with them. He had to call men down on numerous occasions to get them to quit backing away from the creatures and resume their work. He detested doing this and wished that he could keep the undead away from them as even he avoided the wigths.

When the main door opened even those that didn’t look away from their work new who had entered. Xyra’s massive formed blocked out nearly all the sun light as she stood in front of the doorway. As the light poured into the room the wigths groaned their dismay. The sun light couldn’t harm them but it did annoy them. “Oops I didn’t mean to let all that light in.”

A cold chill ran throughout the room as Xyra spoke. Every sense she’d consumed the children she has began using their voices. It was truly disturbing to hear such an innocent voice coming from such a malevolent being. Even her taunt about the sun light was likened to a little girl apologizing for letting the chill of the winter air in.

This was made worse by the fact that while all considered her a monster. They also considered her to be a truly beautiful creature. Her body had been refined more with each woman that she had eaten and some traits that they had never noticed had appeared. Several suspect that it was from the young girls. One of the features they’d been known for if they’d lived long enough.

As she walked through the main hall Xyra took in a deep breath and slowly looked around herself. The sea god’s flimsy hold had finally been broken whenever she had consumed the first child within its walls. The taint of undeath, misery, fear and despair had soaked into every stone.

The sea god’s removal wasn’t the only reason she was pleased though. While within a god’s grasp such a temple would draw power from faith or belief in the god it symbolized and increase their power. In corrupting such a temple Xyra and anyone both aligned with the temple and capable of feeding on such taints could draw power from it. The difference was that while under the god’s influence it had feed on faith now it feed off the people’s fear of Xyra and Jahnah. As well as the misery Xyra caused them.

Even before the children’s consumption it had been feeding Xyra. It just hadn’t been enough to sustain her. Now it not only sustained her and freed up her Mistress’s power. It also allowed Xyra to channel power back to Jahnah. The heavy taint from the death magic she had been using in the temple and even caused by her own presence there had also helped.

The void left by the god’s sudden departure from his temple had allowed Xyra to feel it entirely with corruption. The corruption even infected and altered the very stones making the already macabre designs all the darker. “Oh David your work has become even more pretty. I think these walls are helping to inspire you.”

“We’ve almost finished with the main hall and several of the smaller rooms.”

“So I see. Still, you haven’t made it to the exterior of the building yet.”

David felt his hair stand on end and for a moment he couldn’t speak. Only when Xyra took a step towards him did he find his voice again as if his vocal cords had been shocked back to life. “I. I’m. Well get to it soon.”

“David, I believe that you’ve been holding off. I think you’re focusing so much energy on the inside to avoid altering the outside for as long as possible. I believe that you’re trying to keep the corruption of the inside hidden. That is a wonderful way to work that I approve of.”

There didn’t seem to be a choice in the matter. While David didn’t believe he wanted to know he couldn’t stop himself from asking the question. “Why?”

“Why do I approve? Oh can’t you see what keeping it hidden is doing. Everyone knows that I am corrupting the temple. Well I’ve already corrupted it this it just the furthering the process. They see all of you come in day after day. They see new building material taken in while you bring out nothing but rubble. Their minds are free to wonder just what is going on in her. What kind of abominations is occurring?

It’s being corrupted from the inside out and they all know it. When the taint finally reaches the exterior of the building and it begins to fall away they’ll know that it is too late. David you won’t be moving to the exterior anytime soon. I want the insides finished before that happens.

It’s the most beautiful form of despair and fear. People keeping it bottled up inside until it can no longer be hidden. Then when it finally does reveal itself you know that it reaches all the way down to the core. Oh that look on your face is just precious. I believe you feel inspired once again.”

Now David looked up and his eyes met Xyra’s. Those cold lifeless eyes, “It’s dead inside.”

A delighted giggle escaped Xyra. “Ah did you model your construction plan after me without even realizing it? That is just so darling. Well then I’ll let you get back to your work. I have some metal work to do.”

************************************************************************

Dehvess couldn’t help but sigh as he set at his desk. It had been three weeks since Annette had been injured and the strain was beginning to show. Several more units of golems had been destroyed and with each disturbance Jahnah and he had been forced to respond.

It had served to help develop his energy control to a new level as well as his bond with Jahnah. Despite that it was also burning him out. Jahnah had to draw out an exceptionally large amount of energy to make up for Annette’s loss. He had been growing very concerned that he wouldn’t be able to handle the drain for much longer.

A sigh escaped Dehvess as he lifted his pin from the paper for a moment. After a moment he opened up his shirt and glanced down at his chest. The effects of channeling so much energy through his body had begun to catch up with him. A rather sever heat rash hindered his efforts to write. If not been for Jahnah taking care of him it would have been a lot worse by now.

“Does it hurt a lot?”

Despite his training Dehvess gave a slight jump when he heard Jahnah’s voice and he quickly began to button his shirt back up. “It isn’t bad. So how are Annette and Maxwell doing?”

“They’re doing fine. Annette is planning on telling him about Meridea later. What are you working on? Are you writing another letter to Hellik?”

“Oh no, I am just theorizing a bit.” After buttoning up his shirt Dehvess quickly began to roll up the papers.

“Mm what are you theorizing on?”

“I have an idea on how to produce new shards more easily. Our discussion about death magic and Meridea inspired me a few days ago.”

“A few days ago, Dehvess I should break some of your bones. Just how much pain were you in?”

“Huh.” Glancing up Dehvess was actually surprised by the look Jahnah gave him. He really was very close to having a few bones broken. “What is the matter Jahnah?”

“You had a new idea a few days ago and you’re just now putting pin to paper? How much pain were you in?”

As Dehvess looked up at Jahnah he took his time to consider his answer. He knew that the wrong statement would end with him being in a great deal of pain. “Jahnah, I won’t lie to you. I could hardly focus up until three days ago. It’s why I haven’t been more interested in bed.”

“I swear Dehvess I should pick you up and snap both of your legs. So the temples completion lifted enough of the burden from you that you can focus again?”

“Yes, I was quite surprised when you mentioned it. With the temple supporting Xyra now and you drawing some energy from it. Well a tremendous amount of the burden has been lifted from me. My head began to clear as soon as Xyra started drawing power from it and has been clearing everyday sense.”

“Get on and set down with your legs outstretched.” As Jahnah spoke she lowered her hand down next to the desk.

Instead of trying to plead his case Dehvess did as he was asked. He had endangered his health and potentially even his life by not telling Jahnah his true condition. So he could understand why she was upset with him.

As Jahnah lifted Dehvess she folded her thumb over his legs. She then lifted him level with her face. “Now Dehvess this is going to determine what happens to you. I want you to take off your shirt and pants. Don’t say anything.” After she finished Jahnah lifted her finger from Dehvess’s legs.

They were very few reasons Jahnah would ever cause him any pain and Dehvess knew it. The only time she ever threatened such a thing was whenever it was for his overall health. In truth even if she did injured him he knew that it was out of concern. Despite that he was quite curious what Jahnah had in mind as he removed his shirt and pants.

“Dehvess, why didn’t you tell me that my using so much energy was hurting you so badly?”

“I didn’t believe you wanted me to make excuses for endangering myself.”

“Oh damn it all. I am still furious with you but you endangered yourself to insure that I would be safe.”

It was impossible for Dehvess not to chuckle as he folded his clothes and set them in Jahnah’s hand. “Did you want to look me over?”

“Well sort of.” With Dehvess stripped down to his underwear and held level with her lips Jahnah lightly tilted her hand. As her hand was tilted Jahnah gently puckered her lips and just before Dehvess was about to fall off she pressed them to him. Slowly she increased the pressure until her lips held Dehvess firmly in place. She then parted her mouth and gently blew across the majority of his body.

A sharp gasp escaped Dehvess as he felt Jahnah’s lips engulfing his body. He was grateful that for the moment her lips were wonderfully full and soft though he couldn’t say they were always that way. Jahnah had a tendency to change her appearance based on what she wanted. As her lips were now so full and soft he had a pretty good idea what had been on her mind for a few days.

Jahnah’s hot breath left a small bit of humidity around him. He had no need to lean up to kiss Jahnah’s lips as they practically engulfed his face and consumed the vast majority of his body. Her breath smelt as wonderful as any breeze.

While kissing Dehvess Jahnah’s breasts began to change. While heavy alterations did require the use of some spoken words if the modification was minor they could happen naturally if her mind was just right. Dehvess’s little kiss was nice however it was something else that finally made her withdraw. “OH well now it looks like you won’t have your legs broken.”

Leaning to his head to the side Dehvess gave Jahnah’s fingers a kiss. “Well that is a relief.”

“Now, let’s go and have some fun.”

As Jahnah stood to her full towering height Dehvess peeked down between her fingers. He couldn’t help but chuckle as he noticed the increase in Jahnah’s breasts size. “I guess that means I passed inspection.”

“Yes you did. Of course that doesn’t mean all is forgotten.”

“Oh so I am on probation?”

“Nope, you’re in lock down and tonight you’re going to spend a little time in a nice damp though very warm prison. We just have some things to do before I check you in.” Picking Dehvess up with her free hand Jahnah set him down atop of the bed.

Dehvess couldn’t help but smile as he watched Jahnah reached inside her robe through some massive slits for her legs. “Jahnah I don’t remember there being two slits just a few moments ago and I didn’t feel any energy drains for a spell.”

An amused giggle escaped Jahnah. “Well I do have some energy you don’t have to keep an eye on.” As she spoke Jahnah removed her knickers and slid them down her legs. For a moment she held the garment up for Dehvess to see then she gave it a light toss and sending her knickers flying towards Dehvess.

The garment was soft and light for its size. However, due to Jahnah’s sheer scale and thus the scale of the garment and the height it had fallen from Jahnah’s knickers were actually able to gather up a fair bit of force. It was also thanks to the height Jahnah had released her knickers that Dehvess actually had time to appreciate the view.

There was no attempt on Dehvess’s part to remain in an upright position as Jahnah’s knickers fell upon him. Instead he allowed the massive garment to force him down onto his back as he was covered completely. After the garment had time settled he rolled over onto his back and began to crawl over to the edge. While the weight wasn’t staggering and even manageable as far as the little bit of material that covered him was concerned. The overall weight was far more appreciable and Dehvess had no desire to try and lift the entire garment.

Jahnah couldn’t help but giggle as she watched Dehvess moving about. While he was busy crawling out from under her panties she removed all of her clothing except for her robe. “Nice catch little one.”

“Nice aim little woman” Dehvess gave a slight chuckle as he crawled out from underneath Jahnah’s knickers and into one of the leg slits. As he set there he took a moment to look around and appreciate his surroundings. Jahnah’s panties appeared to be red satin. The material was very warm and heavy with her scent. While the bit of clothing was massive as he looked to Jahnah it was hard to believe it actually fit her.

After giving Dehvess a few moments to admire her knickers Jahnah finally reached down. Taking hold of them from either side she lifted them from around Dehvess and tossed them across the room. She didn’t bother taking off her only piece of clothes remaining as she climbed onto the bed and placed a leg on either side of Dehvess so the only thing that was blocking his view of her lower lips was her robe. “Why don’t you see if you can use my robe to get up to my breasts?”

“If that is what my lady wishes I shall endeavor to please her.” As Dehvess walked towards Jahnah he had nearly forgotten how sore his body was. In truth it seemed as if her kiss had taken the pain away. That or perhaps it was because he had something more important to focus on then pain.

In Jahnah’s current position her robe would actually provide quite a problem. Her abdominal muscles would have been far easier for him to get a grip on then the sleek material of her robe. After taking a few steps Dehvess stopped and began to size up the situation.

There was no way that he would be climbing up the center of the material between Jahnah’s legs. However, he could make use of the edge of the material and her thigh. It seemed that he would be able to get a good enough grip to climb up there. From there it would only be a matter of trying to keep his balance and footing as he made his way up her stomach.

Of course there was no way that he could make it all the way up the slope Jahnah’s breast caused just by watching his footing. “Am I allowed to use magic?”

“No. You’re not to use any magic except for when I say you can and I don’t just mean in bed.”

Dehvess didn’t argue but gave a quick nod. As he surveyed the vast landscape of Jahnah’s body his eyes finally settled on the deep v she’d made in her dress to reveal her cleavage. If he could make it far enough up her stomach he’d be able to reach that v and then could use the material of her dress and skin to once again climb.

“Do you have your game plan ready?”

“Yes, I believe I am ready.” At last Dehvess began to make his way between Jahnah’s legs and towards her crotch. As he began to make his way past her knees though he noticed Jahnah’s legs moving. The moment Dehvess realized she was closing her legs he broke into a quick sprint. The yielding surface of the bed didn’t help him and indeed slowed him down however Jahnah was closing her legs slowly. She knew that he’d also need time to climb up her crotch.

An amused giggle escaped Jahnah as Dehvess ran. She hadn’t planned on closing her legs around him but she couldn’t simply let him act out his plan. In order to counter the order he tried to impose on the situation she made use of her legs to add in an additional complication.

It was an uncertain moment for Dehvess. If he put all his energy into the sprint he had no doubt that he could make it to her crotch and up her robe to her stomach before her legs closed. However, if he stopped to wrest it would give Jahnah more time to think. He knew that for every act of order he brought to their love making she would counter with an act of chaos to spice it up again. This meant that he needed to conserve some of his energy and not use it all up running.

One significant aid to Dehvess’s efforts was that while Jahnah would have enjoyed having him trapped between her legs. She much preferred the idea of trapping him against and later inside of her vagina.

Upon nearing Jahnah’s crotch Dehvess quickly leapt into the air. The jump only gave him a somewhat better start then if he’d started from the bottom but in this game every little bit helped. Jahnah’s closing thighs would also help him in this situation. Once he had a secure grip on the edge of Jahnah’s robe he placed his feet against her inner thigh and began to quickly work his way up her leg.

The whole time he was climbing Dehvess had to bend more and more at the knees due to Jahnah’s closing thighs. He wished that he could use a little magic to distract her which would have been quite easy given his proximity to her more sensitive flesh but she had set the rules at no magic for him and the rules his love set he followed in most situations.

As Dehvess neared the top of her thighs Jahnah couldn’t resist surprising him. Once he began to search for his footing she quickly moved her thigh away. A delighted giggle escaped her when Dehvess held on.

A grunt had been the only audible response from Dehvess upon Jahnah pulling her thighs back. He had managed to use his upper body strength to keep himself from falling down but it was a sudden and unexpected difficulty. He had been anticipating that Jahnah would wait until he was on her stomach and then quickly alter her breathing patterns. He hadn’t expected her to spread her legs apart once again.

In response to Jahnah spreading her legs again Dehvess was forced to act quickly. Swinging his legs back out he extended them as far as he could and continued to extend them as he quickly made his way up Jahnah’s crotch. With a grunt of effort he pushed off the side and pulled himself onto her thigh. His success wasn’t without a price though. The result of using such a sudden burst of energy was that within a few moments he’d burned up a good deal of stamina.

“Nice job and you order mages are suppose to have slow response times.”

“That is only to crises that are entirely unexpected. You’re a forty meter tall situation.”

“I am glad that you remembered. However, I don’t believe you were as prepared as your words make you sound.”

All Dehvess did in manner of a response was to chuckle and stand up on Jahnah’s thigh. She hadn’t stopped spreading her legs and now he was at an angle to her stomach. He wasn’t entirely certain if he could make the jump given the angle. He also had to take into consideration that Jahnah may begin to close her legs once again to unbalance him.

The situation required Dehvess to make a rushed decision and he began to make his way back to Jahnah’s knee. He’d sprint from her knee to build up speed and then once he was at the right spot he’d try to leap onto Jahnah’s stomach. He was grateful that her muscle tone made her leg a superior running surface to the bed. However, he would have truly liked it if Jahnah would flex.

“Why’d you stop just now?”

“Sorry I can’t tell you it may give you ideas.” Dehvess gave a sigh. There was another thing Jahnah could to mess him up other them move her legs. She could flex her muscles. It would only cause a minor change in the surface of her skin but enough of a change that it had to be taken into consideration.

Of course ultimately Jahnah could just blow him away whenever he leaped into the air. He simply had to trust that she wouldn’t do that though he did realize that he needed to put some extra energy into the jump. Jahnah tended to keep her test passable however that didn’t mean she wouldn’t use a light breeze to make it more difficult. At last Dehvess broke into a sprint by first pushing off the solidest part of her knee to gain speed.

Once Dehvess began running Jahnah instantly tensed up her thigh muscles. Her already thick thighs were made to expand even more and the skin became a far more solid running surface. This allowed Dehvess to build up more speed. The whole time Dehvess was running Jahnah had to keep herself from giggling. His little feet were wonderfully ticklish against her thighs.

As Dehvess moved to leap from Jahnah’s leg he was grateful for the extra energy he had put in. The moment he had gone to push off he felt her relax her thigh. The skin had softened and taken more of the energy then he’d liked. He wasn’t hit a steady breeze from Jahnah’s lips but a brief burst did hit him as she was made to giggle.

The moment Dehvess touched down upon Jahnah’s stomach he braced himself. A delighted squeal erupted from within his love as he landed upon her stomach and she arched her back. He had nothing to hold onto so all he could do was attempt to control where the sudden motion threw him.

After enduring Dehvess’s feet tickling her all the way up her thigh having him land on her stomach was too much. As Jahnah jerked slightly and began giggling Dehvess had been launched into the air.

Instead of being thrown off of Jahnah Dehvess had been thrown further up her body. However, she’d also settled down and he hadn’t had time to brace himself so that he found himself sliding backwards. As he slid though he angled himself and soon his foot happened upon the edge of Jahnah’s belly button threw her clothing.

Feeling Dehvess little foot wrest on the very edge of her belly button and the sensation it caused almost made Jahnah jerk again. As it was she was able to limit it to a gasp as she looked down at him. “So is your battle plan working?”

There was no response from Dehvess as he pressed hard into the clothing. The material made his grip a slippery one and he had to work quickly. After a moment he found one of the ridges in her stomach caused by Jahnah’s extreme muscle tone. Even before he’d made it this far Dehvess knew that he only had one shot to make it up Jahnah’s stomach. If he fell he had no doubt her thighs would capture him this time.

Once Dehvess began to sprint up her stomach Jahnah had planned on relaxing her muscles. However, the action was just too ticklish and she tensed up instead. Dehvess took full advantage of this in the temporary ease and put more energy into the sprint then he had originally intended on. It wasn’t however enough to get him all the way up Jahnah’s stomach before she relaxed.

This actually worked in his favor. As the ground began to give more he was able to get better footing which was vital as the slope became steeper the further up he got though it also required more energy to keep moving. A powerful downdraft hit him as he neared his objective as Jahnah regained enough of her composure to blow on him. Realizing that he’d be blown backwards if he tried to advance Dehvess lowered into a crouch.

Jahnah could have easily blown Dehvess off of her if she had wanted to. Despite Dehvess lowering down so that the wind mostly went over him it would have been easy for her to increase the force to beyond what he could handle. She chose not to though. The game wasn’t supposed to be impossible after all. It was a test to see if she could derail his plan.

The moment Jahnah let up Dehvess began to move again. He was fortunate that he hadn’t lifted his foot very far as another burst of wind hit him. It was weaker then the last and not nearly as sustained but it nearly knocked him off Jahnah. Despite nearly being blown off Dehvess was on the move again the moment he had regained his footing.

Even with his success Dehvess was growing concerned. His legs were beginning to feel weak. Jahnah was doing an excellent job of sapping his energy and while he believed that her stomach would be the most difficult climb. He had no doubt that she’d make the final climb to the top of her breasts difficult.

Just as Jahnah was about to hit Dehvess with another gust of her breath he jumped. It was an all or nothing gamble for Dehvess as he had heard Jahnah taking in a breath. The moment he caught hold of the v in her robe her breath hit him.

It only took Jahnah a moment to relent. “Well you’re doing quite well. Just don’t think that it is over with yet.”

As Dehvess looking up at Jahnah it was impossible for him not to grin. Now he only had to worry about what she could do with her breasts. It was impossible for Dehvess to hide his expression of concern when the thought hit him.

“Oh I believe someone is remembering something that they don’t care to recall.”

“Knowledge is important even if it isn’t pleasant. Though, I must say the memory is exceptionally pleasant if the cause for my concern.” Dehvess took in a deep breath. He had forgotten that Jahnah was able to bounce her breasts at least in most situations. For a moment his mind flashed back to whenever Annette had used her chest muscles to show off her breasts and Jahnah had responded by using her muscles to bounce her own. He had thought that Jahnah’s stomach was the hardest part of the journey now he didn’t know.

“Well I am glad to here that it is a fond memory. However, I think a little man just realized that his plan is flawed.”

“I admit that I made an error but that doesn’t mean I am beaten yet. Fortunately for me you’re pretty short.”

An amused giggle escaped Jahnah. “Well let’s see you back up those words with actions.”

Almost the moment Jahnah had finished speaking Dehvess began his climb. He knew that if he waited around she’d do something to motivate him to start climbing. As he progressed upward though he realized there was another problem. Jahnah’s magnificent bust pushed her robe out which he hadn’t thought of before. While early on he could use her skin to help him climb soon he’d have to rely entirely on the material.

It was hard for Dehvess to resist the urge to stop. As soon as he made it away from her skin and had to rely entirely on Jahnah’s robes he knew the climb would get far more difficult. The material was just too slippery. Normally when he didn’t know what he was going to do Dehvess would stop and take his to carefully evaluate the situation. He couldn’t do that though with Jahnah.

Jahnah liked the feeling of Dehvess’s little feet pressing into her chest. She also enjoyed the fact that as he made more progress she detected his feet’s presence less and less as he was losing contact with her skin. Once Dehvess’s feet lost contact with her skin she quickly flexed her chest muscles and caused her breasts to bounce.

The moment Dehvess felt Jahnah clothing jerk upward he tightened his grip. The force that was generated just by her bouncing her breasts was incredible. As he fell back down he stuck out his leg and caught Jahnah’s skin. The force of her breasts falling back down and him with it had caused him to slide down a bit. However, it put him low enough to plant his feet against Jahnah’s flesh again.

“I am quite a bit larger then the last time we played this game. You won’t be able to just charge up this time.”

“That is big talk from such a little woman. You’ll have to grow a lot more before you can beat me even if you could pulverize a fortress wall just by bouncing your breasts against them.”

“Now that is a fun idea. Hey what is that grin for?”

“Oh it isn’t anything much. It is just that for a little while I forgot that I am not trying to scale a fortress.” Instead of waiting for Jahnah to answer Dehvess began to quickly scale her once again. He was a bit surprised when Jahnah once again bounced her breasts the moment after his feet lost contact with her skin. He’d hoped that speaking with her would distract her for a few moments more. The moment he felt the garment jerk upward he responded by jumping upward as well.

It was exceptionally amusing to Jahnah to watch as Dehvess used the upward moment from her bouncing her breasts to leap higher. “Oh that is just sneaky. You haven’t made it all the way yet though.”

There was no attempt on Dehvess’s part to verbally respond to Jahnah. Though he was glad she’d stopped to comment as it allowed him to make more progress. For the moment his only interest was breathing and making his way up the river. He had to remember that he was going against the current and had to adapt to it unlike with scaling a fortress.

Now that Dehvess had an effective means of countering her breasts bounce Jahnah relented and allowed him to progress. At least she allowed him to continue progressing until she felt his shoulder brush against the side of her breast. “Well it seems that you have your footing again.” Even as she spoke Jahnah began to squeeze her breasts together.

Dehvess was quite pleased with himself. It normally took him some time to think of a means past an obstacle and here he had passed several with relatively little time to prepare. For the moment he was quite please with himself. “I told you that you were, blast it.”

A delighted giggle escaped Jahnah as she watched Dehvess began to scurry up her breasts. Bouncing him would have been the most effective method of getting him off however at their current scale comparison she knew there was no way he could hold on. Instead she’d decided to try and catch him between her breasts however she also kept this action slow to give him a fighting chance.

While climbing Dehvess was hit by a powerful gust of wind from Jahnah’s lips. She’d taken advantage of him during his moment of triumph over her stomach and distracted him. Now he found himself in a race to see if he could make it to the top of Jahnah’s breasts before she squeezed her breaths together around him. A grin formed on his face as he took a moment to lean over and give Jahnah’s breasts a quick lick.

The feeling of Dehvess’s little feet pressing into her flesh was quite enjoyable and would have made it hard for Jahnah to focus if she hadn’t been prepared for it. Still, she was made to stop and shudder for a moment when she felt Dehvess’s tongue run over the tiniest bit of her skin and felt him give her breasts a quick kiss. That she hadn’t been prepared for.

Throughout the entire game Dehvess had been distracting Jahnah by speaking to her. While she could easily adapt to new situations the same chaotic nature that allowed her to do so also made her easy to distract if you knew how. As he made it over the curve of Jahnah’s cleavage he quickened the pace as much as he could. Having made it to the final stretch he wasn’t going to spare any energy.

It was impossible for Jahnah not to giggle as she watched Dehvess frantically making it up the curve of her breasts. While her laughter did make it more difficult for him to remain on her breasts let alone keep making progress it also caused her to quit squeezing her breasts together for a few moments.

As Jahnah pressed her breasts together Dehvess actually released the material of her robe. With her breasts now in such close proximity he made use of both of them to scurry up the curve of Jahnah’s breasts until it was finally level enough for him to crawl up without the aid of her robe.

“Well you made it and with time to spare. I don’t think I was even close to catching you between my breasts.”

It took a few moments for Dehvess to catch enough of his breath to respond. “I believe that I was a giggle away from being caught.”

“You may have been but now you’re all tired. All well I take over from here.”

A slight chuckle escaped Dehvess even as Jahnah reached down for him. “If you would give me a few moments to catch my breath I may be able to do more then just lay here.”

“Mm you’ve done enough. Now let me take over for a while.” As Jahnah picked Dehvess up she used her free hand to actually separate her robe into two sections and allowed it to fall to either side of her. Laying back entirely she brought Dehvess up her lips and once again pressed him to them.

A sigh escaped Dehvess as he leaned against Jahnah’s soft lips. It was hard for him to think as he felt her mouth opening causing those wonderful lips to slide over his exhausted body. When Jahnah breathed out her breath was so hot and humid that it soaked his underwear.

Dehvess was a bit surprised and started to jerk away when he felt Jahnah’s teeth brush against his body. He didn’t get the chance though as Jahnah’s fingers held him in place as she carefully bit down on the very front of his trousers. Dehvess felt a search of pleasure run through his body as his penis was made to brush against the skin of Jahnah’s teeth.

Slowly Jahnah began to pull Dehvess away while maintaining her grip on his underwear. After only a few moments the material gave and she tore the garment in half. The backside fell away while Jahnah spit out the front.

“There’s my darling.”

Dehvess couldn’t help but smile up at Jahnah as he was lowered to her breasts and placed atop her areola. He was a bit surprise though whenever Jahnah covered him with both hands so that all the light and sound was blocked out.

“May the gates be opened, may my sisters be given form from my shadow shall my sister be born.” With Dehvess concealed under her hands Jahnah began a slow rolling chant. Several times she was made to repeat the phrase and with each speaking she could feel her energy building up and taking shape. Slowly her shadow seemed to recede into her.

At first Dehvess didn’t notice anything. However, as Jahnah lifted her hands enough for some light to reach him he realized that whatever was pushing against his back couldn’t be Jahnah’s hands. A shiver ran throughout his entire body as two arms wrapped around him.

Jahnah couldn’t help but giggle as she looked at the stunned expression on Dehvess’s face. A somewhat smaller then three meters tall version of herself currently leaned over Dehvess so that his head was nearly consumed by her cleavage. Leaning down her little double ganger gave Dehvess a kiss on the cheek. “Allow me to help you.”

Taking one of Dehvess’s hands in each of her own the double wrapped Dehvess’s arms around Jahnah’s excited nipple. She then proceeded to wrap her arms around Dehvess as well as her legs. After which she began to squeeze Jahnah’s nipple forcing Dehvess into it more firmly while at the same time he was pressed into her body.

A sharp gasp escaped Dehvess as he was squeezed between the Amazonian form of his lover and at the same time pressed into her giantess nipple. Leaning forward he gave Jahnah’s nipple a gentle kiss.

As soon as Dehvess went to pull his head away the smaller Jahnah pressed her body into him more firmly forcing his face back against Jahnah’s nipple. She then preceded go give Dehvess a gentle kiss atop his head.

There was no need to even think about it for Dehvess to get the hint. Once again he began kissing Jahnah’s nipple though this time he put more passion into it. Instead of simply kissing her breasts he opened his mouth and began to suck on the tiny bit of flesh he cover.

For Jahnah the situation was doubled. She could not only feel Dehvess and her smaller self atop her breasts but she could also feel what her smaller self felt and the smaller could feel the same sensations as the larger.

It was clear to Dehvess that Jahnah had made her smaller self far stronger then she had been before she ever put on the tiara. For a moment his attention was drawn away from Jahnah’s nipple and he looked up towards her forehead. The metal of the tiara could no longer be seen except for on the very front of her forehead. The shards were still all visible though a few of them were largely concealed.

There wasn’t much time for Dehvess to look at Jahnah’s forehead. Once her smaller self squeezed on him his mind switched back to the task at hand. Of course there wasn’t really much for him to do. He simply went along with what the smaller Jahnah guided his body to do she was the one providing all of the strength which was fortunate as he had very little left.

As Dehvess felt Jahnah release him and stand up he glanced behind himself for a moment. After standing up Jahnah reached down and proceeded to pick Dehvess up at which time Jahnah reached down and picked Dehvess and her smaller body up. “I believe I’ll give the two of you some privacy.” An amused giggle escaped Jahnah as she lowered Dehvess and her smaller self down to her crotch.

Turning his head to the side Dehvess gave the smaller Jahnah’s breasts a kiss right on the nipple. Reaching up under her breasts he gave them a gentle squeeze and began to lightly suckle the nipple. He heard the moan come from two places. While the one from the larger was far more powerful they both spoke of equal desire.

Reaching down with her free hand Jahnah slipped two fingers into vagina and parted her lips. “Hold onto my neck.”

After taking hold of Jahnah’s neck she released her hold with one arm and adjusted his position so that her arms were now under his and they were both held length wise. The position made it impossible for Dehvess to look down as his head was firmly buried between Jahnah’s breasts.

Despite having his vision blocked it was easy for Dehvess to tell where they were. The heat, humidity and scent radiating from Jahnah had been growing stronger. When he felt the back of his leg brushed against her inner flesh he let out a sharp gasp. “I have an idea.”

“What?”

Dehvess quickly lifted his legs and extended them behind Jahnah though he didn’t rap them around her. “Extend your legs like mine.”

The smaller Jahnah gave a quick nod though when she extended her legs they were actually under Dehvess. As they were lowered further in and Dehvess’s feet came in contact with the walls of Jahnah’s vagina he began to push against them as hard as he could. The force was equal though not exceeded by the smaller Jahnah and a sharp gasp issued forth from both of the bodies.

With her smaller self and Dehvess pushing against her Jahnah couldn’t simply rely on gravity to pull them in. Instead she began to push down upon her smaller self causing the two of them to sink within. She kept the act slow so that she could savor the feeling.

Dehvess glanced up from between Jahnah’s breasts upon feeling a kiss on the top of his head. “So I’ll be making love to you while we are both inside of me. This should be quite the event.”

Even before the two figures were entirely within Jahnah the light was blocked out as she used both of her hands to conceal them. A sharp gasp escaped her as she increased the forced and pushed the two bodies within her vagina. As the bodies vanished within her Jahnah pulled Dehvess up from between her breasts and gave him a kiss upon the lips.

Once within her Jahnah loosened her grip upon Dehvess so that he was freer to move about. She felt Dehvess’s hands glide against her inner folds and then over her body leaving a thin layer of her nectar upon each of her breasts.

Slowly Dehvess moved his fingers against Jahnah coating them in a thick layer of her nectar. He had then reached up and smeared it over Jahnah’s breasts. Straitening up he gave her nipple a kiss before he took it within is mouth and began to suck her juices of it. While he still sucked upon her breasts Dehvess began to slide his fingers down the inside of Jahnah’s breasts and along her body.

It only took Jahnah a moment to realize that Dehvess was retracing the path he’d taken upon her giant body with his fingers now. While the sensation itself was pleasant the knowledge of what he was doing made it a true delight for her.

“Oh this is just so much better then the bed. I can feel every little bit of you inside of me and upon me and I can feel me surrounding us both.”

As Dehvess finished cleaning off Jahnah’s breasts he looked up towards her. Slowly he began to slide down the length of her body. He didn’t get to his destination as Jahnah reached down and took hold of him. She then pulled him back up to her face.

“There is no need for that.” Reaching down Jahnah took hold of Dehvess’s excited penis. She then used her free hand to slide him down her body until he was properly positioned to enter her though this meant they had to brake of the kiss. Pulling him forward she only stopped when she felt the very tip of his penis pressing against her outer lips.

Instead of entering Jahnah right away Dehvess only lightly pressed his member to the outside of her lips. He didn’t get a chance to truly tease her lips though. Nearly as soon as it became clear that he only meant to tease her at first he felt something press down upon his back. Despite the darkness he quickly realized what it was.

Jahnah had reached a finger inside of her and pressed down forcing Dehvess into her. A delighted squeal escaped from both of the women and caused both of them to thrust their hips upward. The force was so great that Dehvess was actually lifted into the air by the smaller Jahnah and forced against the larger’s finger.

A wide grin formed on Jahnah’s face as a delish idea occurred to her.

Dehvess didn’t get a chance to regain control of his body. The moment Jahnah’s smaller self relaxed she pushed back down upon him with her finger. Soon he realized what was going on. Each time the smaller would lift him out of her the larger would force him back down. The action required absolutely no effort on his part.

“I told you that I’d take care of everything. Now you just conserve your energy and enjoy the ride.”

There wasn’t even a second’s delay for Dehvess to respond to Jahnah. Even before she finished speaking she resumed the effort. Caught as he was between her Amazonian body, giantess finger and trapped within her depths all he could really do was hold on and enjoy the ride.

************************************************************************

Maxwell smiled as he looked down at Annette. The vast majority of her injuries had healed up though she still wore the eye patch. They’d removed it a few times to check on her healing but as of yet she couldn’t open her eye. At the moment they were busy discussing future happenings. “So just who is this Meridea? Dehvess mentioned her but he didn’t say much about her.”

“She’s the Luvarians elite necromancer.” Annette took a moment to get a sip of water before she continued.

“What is she like? Jahnah seems rather fond of her.”

“Well first of all. I should tell you. Never shake Meridea’s hands if she isn’t wearing her gloves and I don’t mean any gloves. Meridea has several pairs of magic resistant gloves she wears. If she isn’t wearing some of them don’t touch her hands.”

“That seems a little strange. Did something happen to them?”

“Well yes but it isn’t her hands I am worried about it’s your life. You know the life drain and poison necromancy talents?”

“I can’t perform them but I know of them. Depending on the spell a necromancer can make it so that their touch will poison or drain the life out of anyone that touches or is touched by their hands.”

“Well Meridea doesn’t have to cast the spell to make her hands into weapons. They’re like that all the time and she can’t switch it off.”

For a moment Maxwell wasn’t certain how to respond. However, he couldn’t help but ask. “Annette, why did she do that to herself?”

“She didn’t. Well she did. It wasn’t intentional. You know how the more powerful you tend to become in a certain mystic art the more it affects your body?”

“Yes, at least depending on the type of magic used.”

“You know what Dehvess’s study in order did to him and what Jahnah’s studies in chaos did to her. Even your body has been altered due to your study of the elements. You know that once you reach a certain point there isn’t really a way to help the affects of the energy shaped inside of you without having something to balance it out. Well Meridea’s trouble with her hands is the result of her studies in death magic.”

“Wow.” For a moment Maxwell was silent. “Just wow. I’ve never heard of that happening before. Wow.”

A slight giggle escaped Annette as she looked at Maxwell. “You seem a little stunned.”

“Annette, that is just scary. For someone to be under the influence of death touches on a constant basis is well I’ve never read about it happening.”

“Of course you haven’t. Most death mages don’t develop their abilities nearly enough and even those that might have had a chance transform into a lich.”

“Why didn’t she?”

“She never hated life enough to turn herself into an undead.”

“You never mentioned her before. Are you good friends with her?”

“Yes. I consider her as good of a friend as Jahnah or Dehvess. She’s just an odd subject to discuss.”

After a moment Maxwell gave a quick nod. “If you don’t want to talk about it that is fine. I’ve heard enough that I believe I know what I am dealing with.”

“Please don’t tell me you believe she’s a monster. She really isn’t a bad person when you come to understand her.”

“I’m sorry Annette. I guess it’s just hard to think of someone who’s under a constant death’s touch effect as anything but malevolent. You have to admit that it is an awfully troubling trait. You even confessed that the arts have an ability to alter us and that isn’t just on a physical level.”

“I know.”

“Well if she is your friend and you feel so strongly about it she can’t be as bad as I first thought.”

“Thanks, since you already know about Jahnah and Dehvess would you like to hear some about her?”

“Sure.”

“Okay, I suppose the beginning is the best place to start. Sixty years ago the Luvarians were out on a search for some ancient golems to study. While going through some ruins they found them as well as Meridea. She’d actually been imprisoned there and the golems were being used to keep her in place. Do you have a question?”

Maxwell couldn’t help the surprised expression on his face. “She was found in the ruins?”

“Yeah, but the ruins were older then she was by a few hundred years.”

“Annette, just how old is Meridea?”

“We’re not really sure and neither is she. Like I mentioned she was trapped in some ancient ruins and well she didn’t do a very good job of keeping track of time while she was there.”

“Um, please go on.”

“Hellik was in charge of the search though he wasn’t the guild leader at the time. He’s also the one that chose to free Meridea from the golem’s grasp.”

“That must have caused a bit of an uproar.”

“Not really. Actually, it’s widely believed that freeing Meridea and convincing her to join the Luvarians was one of the main reasons Hellik eventually became head of the guild. I might as well say that she isn’t just the guild’s elite death mage she’s the most powerful mage we have.”

“So is there anything else I should know?”

“Yes, Meridea carries around a solid white music case with her all the time. She’s very particular about where it is left and who touches it. Also she’s almost always accompanied by at least one of twelve elite undead. They’re her personnel handiwork.”

“So what are they?”

“They don’t really have a standard name as far as I know they’re entirely unique. She calls them guardian shadows. Mercy is the one you’re most likely to meet when you meet Meridea.”

“I take it she is the most powerful of the twelve.”

“Well yes, but that isn’t the reason Meridea keeps her around. Meridea wouldn’t go into much detail but apparently she was pregnant once. However, the baby was born dead. It didn’t go over well with her and when her attempts to reclaim the baby’s soil was a failure she made the body into part of her first guardian shadow and named her Mercy.

When you meet Meridea please keep that in mind and when you see her methods. It’ll help you understand her better.”

“So Mercy is something of a daughter to Meridea?”

“No, she’s more like a reminder then a daughter. Though people have thought that and well have been killed for it.”

For a moment Maxwell was silent when at last a chuckle escaped him. “I see. That seems quite extreme but well for a grieving mother that also happens to be a master of death magic that isn’t so bad. Thanks for the warning.”

“You’re welcome and don’t worry. I might not have told you about Meridea but I have told her about you.”

“That’s good to know. Why was she locked up though or do I want to know?”

“We’re not really certain but from what we found out the dig there was a war. You see the golems in question were alleged to be able to defeat an entire army by themselves. Even now I doubt that is true however they undoubtedly played a major roll in a full scale war. The heavy taint of the undead at the dig also indicated that there had been a huge number of very powerful undead creatures. I mean an entire army of the undead.”

“So the army the golems were alleged to have defeated was an army of the undead. Then while recovering the golems you find that they’re restraining Meridea. Okay, now I believe I’ve heard enough on this subject.”

It was impossible for Annette not to giggle as she noted the expression on Maxwell’s face. “I suppose it’s just making you more concerned.”

“Yes, especially given that she is going to be in control of a town which I imagine has plenty of dead bodies.

“Please, just give Meridea a chance when you meet her.”

“Annette, I promise that I will push aside all the preconceived notions I currently have and give her a fair chance. I’ll also keep in mind what you told me about Mercy.”

“Thanks.”

“Though, I believe I’ll ask Dehvess how close she is to arriving.”

“Oh she’ll be here in two more days. Jahnah told me last night while you and Dehvess were sleeping.”

“Okay. Well onto another subject. How is your eye doing?”

“Well you’ve been speaking with the doctors so you already know what they do. The itching hasn’t gone away yet and it is beginning to feel really warm.” With the conversation shifting to her eye and thus bringing her attention back to it Annette began to reach up to rub it a little.

“The healers said you shouldn’t touch it.”

A sigh escaped Annette as she lowered her hand back down. “Yeah but talking about it makes it itch even more.”

“The doctors mentioned that the skin at least seems to be healing nicely. Would you mind letting me take a look? I take it you don’t.”

It was hard for Annette not to frown when Maxwell mentioned her eye. She didn’t like him seeing the injury indeed she disliked it a fair deal. “I’d prefer if you didn’t look at it.”

“Alright” there was a brief moment when Maxwell considered offering to have an eye patch made for Annette. However, he couldn’t bring himself to do so as it would suggest that her eye wouldn’t recover or that she should hide the injury.

************************************************************************

“You summoned me?” As Crystalline looked upon Xyra she did her best to keep her distance despite the difficulty of the task given the small confines of the room and the massive size of the undead.

Xyra gave a nod. “I wanted to tell you that I am pleased with your work. The only work on the docks that has yet to be finished is purely superficial. That is thanks in large part to your effort. Now when my replacement arrives the ship will be able to dock easily and unload its cargo.”

“You mean you’ll be leaving soon?”

“Yes we shall be leaving soon, though the wigths will be staying under the command of my replacement.”

The color drained from Crystalline’s face as she continued to watch Xyra fastening her armor. The wigths had by now moved to block the only exit to the room. “You mean you’re taking me?”

A delighted giggle escaped Xyra as she finished strapping on the last bit of her armor except her gloves. She then turned to face Crystalline. “Yes Crystalline you’re going to be joining me and everyone else on this little journey. My replacement and indeed my superior will be here tomorrow and I want to look my absolute best for her.” As she spoke Xyra held up her hand and turned it about.

Despite her throat going dry Crystalline still managed to speak. “I could be of service to your superior when she arrives. You know how good I am.”

“I don’t believe my superior is going to really need your services. Besides you’ll like being part of the greater power it’s what you always have been after all. You’ve never been the true head of an organization though you’ve come close and you have no idea what it truly feels like to be part of that power.” As Xyra spoke she lowered herself down onto one of her knees bringing herself closer to the woman though no where near level.

“You said my service pleased you.”

“Oh it did and soon I’ll have access to all those wonderful skills of yours once you join the others that compose me.”

“Wait. What if I knew of someone even prettier then me someone with skills just as valuable? I could tell you about her I could even bring her to you.”

“That would be just wonderful. Wait until your part of me though. That way I can get the information first hand.” Leaning forward Xyra extended her massive hand towards the woman a hand that had grown so large that she could almost wrap it around a human waste.

“Please don’t.”

“Okay, I won’t make you wait much longer.” A delighted giggle escaped Xyra as she quickly reached out and took hold of Crystalline. Her hand nearly wrapped around the woman’s stomach entirely. Reaching down Xyra released a few latches on the upper portions of her armor revealing her breasts. “I’ll absorb you into myself right here so you can be near the head.”

“I don’t want to be part of you. Let me go. I swear I’ll rot you from the inside out.”

It was impossible for Xyra not to giggle as she wrapped her free hand around Crystalline and turned her around. She then slowly began to Crystalline into her body. “Oh that spirit is going to be positively delicious.” As Xyra pressed Crystalline into her neck and chest she began to slowly pull her inside.

“You can’t do this to me.”

“Oh keep struggling. It is more fun when you struggle.” Xyra gave a delighted giggle as she felt Crystalline’s hand slip inside of her body. Of course Crystalline attempted to withdraw it but there was no chance. Despite her best efforts more and more of her body was vanishing within Xyra. “You have some interesting memories. You thought that I was faking it with those children? No that isn’t it you hoped that I had been faking it. I’ll have to take you slowly so you can see just how far into me you can be and still remain aware.”

As Crystalline continued to struggle she felt a wave of memories. “No. Don’t show me this. Quit it you.”

“You’re not part of me just yet, however I can still show you the memories I carry. Including those of the children and the first woman to become part of me, I can also show you my memories of what I did to her husband.”

Soon Crystalline ceased to move as her throat ran dry. She was only halfway into Xyra but she couldn’t speak. Her eyes were wide with horror and her mouth remained limp as if she was trying to say something but couldn’t. She remembered the children’s pain and fear. The despair of the woman Xyra had consumed and through it all she could feel Xyra’s utter contempt.

“See you’re going to like being part of me. No more of your little concerns or silly little dreams. You’re going to be part of a power far greater then you ever believed you could be. You’ll even get to shed what few moral qualms you once had.”

“No!”

************************************************************************

Xyra smiled as she looked at her largely new hands. With so many women’s most desirable traits now making up her form even her hands were divided amongst the various women. Her pinky finger was even an entirely different woman’s then Crystalline’s. Her attention was drawn away from her hands as she noted a form fast approaching.

Massive wings extended from Natasha’s back as she cut threw the air. After being at sea for over a month she was grateful to be making it to dry land. Ever sense her creation she hadn’t cared for the sea and suspected it was because not a single person used in her construction had ever sailed despite the odds. It didn’t take her long to notice Xyra and she came in for a landing.

“Welcome Natasha.”

“Thank you, you must be Xyra. Miss Meridea told us about you.”

Nodding her head Xyra took a few steps closer to the much smaller form. It was actually amusing to her to note that she showed no fear. “My Mistress told me about you as well. I have to admit I thought you’d look more imposing.”

“I can if it is my desire. However, we are not instruments of terror.” As she spoke Natasha held her hand so that only Xyra could see it. For a brief moment her fingers began to lengthen and blacken in color slowly shifting from delicate hands to talons. After they had extended at least fifteen centimeters the hands began to withdraw back into her hands.

“I see. My mistress didn’t tell me that you are form shifters.” Xyra knew she wasn’t supposed to fight with Meridea or any of the guardian shadows which included Natasha. However, she couldn’t resist the urge to size up the new comer.

“Your body is rather impressive as well. I would show you my war form in its entirety but I have been forbidden to do so.”

“Why’s that? I am sorry my Mistress didn’t tell me much information about yours.”

“Suffice to say that my war form unlike the one you see me in now wasn’t made with beauty in mind. My Mistress told me that I was to gather up ten men before she arrived. Apparently she wants to get right to work.”

“That should be easy to arrange. Are they any specifications?”

“Yes, they should all be considered strong. I also need to make sure they have enough malice inside of them to serve my mistress’s taste.”

“Oh does she like it rough?”

A delighted giggle escaped Natasha. “No, I believe my mistress is used to a gentle lover. This isn’t for that purpose.”

“Well if she needs reasonably smart enough undead I’ve already made many wigths for her to use.”

“Wigths are fine in their own right. However, Miss Meridea will wish to make a hand upon her arrival. She needs something with a little bit more imagination then a wigth.”

“Okay, I’ll help you gather up some people then. I believe I know a few men that would serve your purpose thanks to a recent acquisition into me.”

“Really, how many people are you currently composed of?”

“So far I’ve consumed ninety three people of various ages and talents.”

“That is impressive. I take it you keep all the mass but only retain the best traits from your appearance.”

“So kind of you to notice, how are you made?”

“We’re made from several different people as well though not by the exact same method. Meridea doesn’t use the entire body but only takes certain body parts and preserves them until we are made whole.”

“So where did those wings come from?”

“Let’s walk while we talk. I don’t like disappointing Meridea. As for my wings they’re actually gifts from several harpies. Though, unlike a harpy I can do this.” As she began to walk Natasha’s wings were made to spread out behind her back, for a moment she seemed to be stretching them then they began to sink back inside of her body. A fold over the back of her shirt kept the skin covered while allowing her to stretch her wings.

As Xyra followed Natasha she was amazed by the speed that she was moving out. Though her legs were much shorter Natasha was walking quickly enough that Xyra could walk at a comfortable pace as well. Though, she couldn’t see her legs due to the long skirt that concealed them. “Oh I’ve got to consume one of them. Do all the others have wings?”

“No. I’m the only one that has actual wings at the moment. Perhaps, my new sister will have some whenever she is finished but that is a long way off.”

“So how many people were needed to construct you?”

“Um that is a bit of a sore subject.”

“Ah, well may I know why at least?”

“What am I doing? You should be the one leading.” With that Natasha quickly slowed down and allowed Xyra to take the lead. “Anyway, I am the third most powerful of my sisters despite being the fifth one made. Even with that I required the fewest people to make me.”

Xyra gave a quick nod. “I see. How did you become one of the most powerful then? If I remember they are twelve you in total.”

“My sister Mercy saw how much this troubled me and resolved to help. She helped to strengthen me and continues to help me develop my body and abilities.”

“So what is the average amount of people that is required to make each of you?”

“On average it takes one hundred.”

“Darn. I need to grab a few quick meals so I measure up upon their arrival.”

************************************************************************

As Xyra looked upon the heavy ship she was amazed by what she felt. An aura of death engulfed the ship but was especially strong in one point a point that was currently making its way up to the top of the ship. She was quite surprised by what exited through the door.

Meridea was a far cry from what most expected from a death mage or when they felt her aura. Her eyes were sapphire blue and shown with a brilliant light and simply brimmed with life. Her skin was nicely tanned and her lips cheery red. Her hair was a wonderful red as if it had been poured from a freshly cut artery. Her hands were concealed by delicate looking white gloves while she held a small music box in her left hand.

There was hardly even a need for Natasha to bend her knees before she jumped up to the boat. As she landed Meridea turned her head to look at her handiwork. “Miss Meridea, I believe I’ve found ten suitable males for your purpose. Thanks to Xyra I was able to locate fifteen though just incase some aren’t to your liking.”

“Thank you Natasha. Where are they currently located though?”

“Well Xyra and I thought it would be beneficial if you would do your work while in the temple. They’re currently in the basement and being watched by three wigths.”

Meridea gave a nod and turned to Xyra. “Well hello. So you’re the extension of Jahnah’s will I’ve heard about. You sure have grown since the last letter I received but I was told to expect that. So tell me how is the construction of the temple been going?”

“Wonderfully well, the crews are almost finished with it.”

“I could feel the taint three days ago. I was wondering. Would your Mistress mind if I shared in the power a little? I am sure I could contribute as well.”

“From what I know the answer would be yes, but I don’t have my Mistress’s knowledge. Her will compels me to say yes but that doesn’t mean she would.”

“I understand. Well then I’ll just have to speak with her. Would you mind stepping closer to the ship?”

Xyra gave a nod and took a few steps forward. “I am sorry but I don’t know if my mistress can speak through me.”

“She hasn’t? Well I can fix that if she can’t. I can already see the connection. Please come a little closer.” As Xyra approached Meridea stepped to the edge of the ship. “My you’re a tall one. Please bend down so I can reach your forehead.”

Despite Jahnah’s will guiding her Xyra couldn’t help but feel nervous. She simply didn’t have the knowledge of Meridea that Jahnah did and what little she did have concerned her. As she was an undead she had no doubt that Meridea was capable of destroying her given that was her area of greatest mastery. So she moved somewhat slowly to lower herself. “Now what should I do?”

“Just stay there.” Reaching out Meridea placed her hand on Xyra’s forehead. “The unseen strings have been found that reach to whom this puppet is bound. From end to end to your master this message I send.”

Jahnah couldn’t help the look of shock in her face and was grateful no one was there to see it or in no position to see it given where Dehvess was located. As she suddenly felt Xyra’s thoughts pushing into her head as if the undead was trying to speak to her then realize it was another’s. “Meridea?”

“Jahnah, it is so good to speak to you. Wonderful work on your creation here but your connection needs some tweaking. Would you like me to make some improvements for you?”

“Um sure, how are you doing this?”

“You and Xyra are connected dear. She acts in accordance with her knowledge but your will and you can see her thoughts and threw her eyes. All you needed to do was expand on the connection a little bit.”

“I see. So how long will it take you to refine the connection?”

“Not very long especially in the temple which is something I want to talk to you about. Would you mind if bound myself to the temple as well?”

“Mm well I have to confess I like having the power to myself.”

“It isn’t a problem then dear. I’ll refine Xyra before she leaves.”

“No wait! I like having the power to myself but that is all. I know that having you bound to the temple will be beneficial to us both in the long run. All I wanted to ask you is what kind of drain I could expect?”

“Well I’ll tell you what. I’ll make sure there is enough energy left to power Xyra. Then whatever is left after that we can split. Does that sound fair?”

“Meridea that would just be at best five percent of the over all power. Xyra is a tremendous drain.”

“Oh don’t worry about that. Xyra has done a wonderful job of tainting it and building fear in the villagers but she hasn’t really sought to expand on that at least not yet. Whenever, she leaves this place though you’ll feel a surge in power very soon.”

“Huh, come to think of it. Shouldn’t the hatred and fear people express towards me have been helping with the process?”

“I am sure it has been. However, with your habit of killing everyone the fear hasn’t really spread properly. You should start leaving a few behind to tell the stories. That and well you already had their fear. I am sure it has been contributing but sense it was there from the beginning you didn’t notice it.”

Jahnah gave a slight nod though there was no way for Meridea to see it. “Well then while you do that I am going to go and tell everyone that you’ve arrived. Dehvess will be glad to hear about your arrival as well since it means Xyra can move.”

“Okay, well speak with you again soon.”

Xyra stumbled backwards as Meridea removed her hand. An incredible wave of dizziness ran throughout her and she actually lowered herself down to one knee to settle down. “That wasn’t exactly pleasant.”

“No. I don’t suppose that it was. Of course if you believe that was bad it is a good thing we’re going to be working in the temple. You’re positively going to scream when I begin work on the connections. It won’t hurt Jahnah but well she isn’t the one really being tweaked.”

“Are you serious?”

A delighted giggle escaped Meridea as she noted the look on Xyra’s face. “No, I’m not. You really don’t have access to any of Jahnah’s knowledge. Anyway, I’ll leave unloading the ship to the shadows. Once they’re done I have two dozen copper golems for you and then you can leave.”

“Won’t you need me to give a report on the town?”

“Not after I finish my hand. The knowledge held within the ten I use will be retained. I am sure they’ll be able to give me the details of anything important. Um given your appearance I doubt you have any concern for subtly.”

************************************************************************

“Oh. You poor little darling you’re such a mess.”

Xyra couldn’t help but stare as she watched Meridea. The children had been housed near the temple but she’d rarely seen them. The keepers kept a close eye on the children and tried their best to keep them away from Xyra without apposing her. One of the younger and more adventurous boys had snuck out and Meridea had caught sight of him. It’d only taken her a second at most to tuck the music box she carried away in her robe and take hold of the child.

As Meridea looked down at the child she could see the specter of death lingering near. The depression and isolation plus the living conditions had taken its toll on the child. She doubted he would last another week in his current environment. “Now now quit shaking. I won’t harm you.”

The child had been horrified when the strange woman had taken hold of him. He was still terrified as he saw Xyra looking strait at them when he peeked over her shoulder. At least he was as he felt Meridea’s arms around him though something seemed to reach inside of him. His trembling began to slow and he turned his gaze to meet Meridea’s. Looking into those eyes the young boy threw his arms around her. He was still terrified of Xyra but something told him to hold onto Meridea.

Meridea smiled as she ran her fingers threw the child’s hair. The thrall had begun to work on the boy the moment she had seen him. It had taken only moments to take over to the point that now he sought comfort in her despite Xyra’s presence. “There now little one, I have something that I have to take care of now.”

Xyra turned her head to the side as she heard something rapidly approaching at a truly alarming speed. It was only due to her own inhuman senses that she saw the figure round the corner. At first she believed that it was Natasha however a few hundredth seconds of observation revealed it wasn’t. The figure had red hair where Natasha’s had been black. She was also a good deal larger and seemed to be even faster.

Still, it was clear they were similar in an over all theme. Their clothes were very much the same and while the new comer was more muscular it still followed the same lay out leaving them with very similar proportions.

Despite the speed she was moving at Mercy hardly made a sound as she came to wrest behind her mistress. She’d been helping with the ship whenever she had felt Meridea’s desire for her to come. “You called me Miss Meridea?”

“Yes Mercy, I want you to take this young man back inside. Xyra are they more children in there?”

“OH yes a great deal more.”

As Meridea stood up and stepped away from the child Mercy walked around her and bent down. She then delicately took hold of the boy’s hands. “Hello young man. My name is Mercy what is yours?”

“Timothy.”

“Well Timothy Mercy is going to take you back to your friends. Mercy I want you to check on the children and see what condition they’re in. Also I want you to make sure they’re little minds are occupied before I arrive.”

“I’d be happy to Meridea. Well then Timothy. Come along with me.” As she stood up Mercy continued to hold the child’s hand as she guided him.

“What a darling little child? He’s just so full of curiosity despite his body weakening.”

“Yeah they’re cute and delicious.”

Meridea just rolled her eyes. “No subtlety at all. Well then let’s get inside and begin working on you.”

Xyra gave a nod and reached ahead. She was so massive that she was able to open the door for Meridea while still standing behind her. “I hope you like the place sense you’re going to align yourself with it as well.”

“It’s been quite some time sense I’ve been inside of a corrupted temple. Though, I have seen a few in my time.”

“Yeah and I bet they were all designed by death mages.”

“That is true but what does oh my.” Meridea came to a stop as she looked at the inside of the temple. Slowly she reached up and covered her mouth with her hands as if in shock.

“So what do you think?”

“It is wonderful. This is just so amazing.” Meridea moved slowly as she descended the stairs. She wasn’t capable of keeping her eyes in front of her as she found herself trying to take in every detail. The way the temple flowed together into a single body. Each design or each part seemed to lead to the next. “It is such a wonderful body.”

“Huh?”

“Surely you’ve consumed a few social elites while you were here. Just look at the layout the design flows so perfectly. The images stand alone well enough but the way they each lead to the next is what makes it so perfect. They’re several bodies that have been joined in a far grander and even more beautiful one.”

Xyra took a moment to look around the temple as she did she could see what Meridea meant. “How could I not have noticed before? David really is a clever one.”

“Is that the name of the architect?”

“Yes.”

“Oh I simply must speak to him later. Is he still alive or do you have any of his body left?”

“Well he’s still alive. I never managed to get his damn heart to give out. Stubborn old geezer wouldn’t give up his life.”

“Give it up?”

“Yeah, I tried to make his despair so great his heart would give out. However, his family seemed to give him the strength that he needed to keep living.”

Upon approaching the later Meridea placed her hands on either side of it. “Oh Xyra how could you?”

“Huh?”

“This alter hasn’t had a drop of blood spilt on it yet it begs to taste it. The taint of the undead is so strong here. I bet you didn’t even think to set upon it while you enjoyed your meals.”

“Well no I didn’t.”

“Oh how dreadful.” After turning away from the alter Meridea took a few steps away from it. She then came to a stop. “You performed most of your acts here. So close to the altar but never close enough. For such a wonderful temple to have an altar that has yet to even taste blood. I just can’t allow that.” After turning around again Meridea Extended her arm out over the alter Meridea and extended her left armor over the altar.

A small spark came from Meridea’s fingers and her arm was gashed open. The spell tore away flesh so deeply that the bone could be seen at least for the brief moment the injury was there. Nearly as soon as the wound had been opened Meridea’s flesh began to heal indeed even as the cut had been made it began stitching itself together. In the end only a single drop of blood fell from her.

The moment Meridea had used the spell Xyra felt a sudden and very violent pull. Her entire body convulsed and she was made to fall forward. Despite this her eyes seemed drawn to the tiny drop of blood that fell from Meridea.

“I am sorry but that is all that I can offer.”

Xyra wanted to ask what had happened. What she’d felt take hold of her but at the moment she couldn’t. It felt as if a great deal of energy had been ripped from her body.

“Whoops. I suppose I would have warned you about that.”

“What? Did you do?”

“My body is exceptionally stingy and especially my blood. When outside of my body my blood seeks to consume as much life energy as it possibly can.”

“It was just a drop though.”

A delighted giggle escaped Meridea. “Xyra size is not always a correct representation of power. Oh come now quit struggling like that.”

“Like what?”

“Xyra what good would air do you? You’re trying to breathe in physical air instead focus on what is all around you. I know you can feel the taint and draw strength from it. Focus and inhale.”

At first Xyra wasn’t sure however she did quit breathing. As she held herself still she focused on the energy she pulled from the temple.

“That’s it. Now just take it in. Mm perhaps you could use some help this first time.” Extending her hand towards Xyra a tiny burst of black and crimson energy radiated from her fingers for a moment and then shot out towards the undead.

A sharp gasp escaped Xyra the moment the energy struck her and for a moment she felt as if she had two times the energy to draw upon. The feeling however quickly faded though it was enough to get her to feel normal again. “Would you mind not bleeding around me again?”

“Of course however you were the one that brought it upon yourself. Now I realize that a tool is just a tool but they still should be respected based upon their usefulness. Just think of how well Jahnah treats you.”

“I guess I did neglect the temple some.”

“Just a little” to emphasize the point Meridea held her fingers close together though not quite touching. “You really did a wonderful job on it. I just believe that such a wonderful temple deserves to be shown a certain level of respect. Now why don’t you just lay down with your head near the altar and I begin my work?”

“Sure.” Turning around Xyra first set down and then lay down so that her head wrested near the altar. She had to take in a calming breath of taint whenever Meridea stepped next to her.

“You look nervous. There is no need to be I am quite good at this I’ve had plenty of experience with my shadows.”

“So they draw their power from you?”

“No. I don’t have nearly the energy reserves to handle that kind of drain. They like most undead feed off of life energy and well I can’t give that up anyway.”

“Are you serious? It looks like you have plenty of life energy to me.”

Reaching out Meridea placed her hands on Xyra’s forehead. “Oh I do. I just can’t give it up as in I don’t have the ability to do so. Like I told you earlier my body is very stingy. You felt what just a drop of my blood is capable of doing.”

“You mean you can’t give away any life?”

“No, I can only consume it.”

Xyra grew quiet as Meridea began a slow rolling chant. With every word that Meridea spoke Xyra could feel the energy building around her. It was impossible for Xyra not to giggle when she felt Meridea’s hands press into her skin and then actually enter into her body. “That feels so strange.”

“Hush, I need to focus or I may damage the link more then I help it then I may truly have to do some repairs instead of just tweaking. Believe me repairs are far worse then the tweaking.”

************************************************************************

“Annette quit bothering your eye bandage. The healers keep telling you to leave it alone.”

“I can’t help it. It itches and it feels even warmer now.”

“Would you like to take it off?”

“No.

“Annette if it is bothering you that badly.”

“NO! I don’t want you to see it again.” Maxwell gave a sigh as he watched Annette stretching her legs. At least she was well enough to walk around and indeed could fight that is if Maxwell would allow it.

“We have good news.”

Annette and Maxwell both turned to watch as Jahnah entered the room with Dehvess riding on her shoulder.

It was hard for Annette not to giggle as she looked at Dehvess. “Well hey it is nice to see you again. We haven’t seen much of you for a few days.”

“I’ve had obligations to fulfill that took priority for the time being.”

“Yes you did.”

Dehvess face lit up in a blush as he looked up at Jahnah. “Ahem, anyway Meridea sent Jahnah a message. She’s arrived in the port and has her shadows unloading the ship. Once they’re done she is going to dispatch Xyra with a group of two dozen copper golems to deal with that golem breaker.”

“That is good to know. Dehvess, I hope you don’t mind me asking but how many ships to the Luvarians have?”

“Our fleet of ships is slim simply put. We’re hardly in any position to maintain any ships and we always required that if shipping is needed our client provides it. The one we’re using now is actually meant to serve as a floating research platform. We didn’t even have any true golem transports available.”

Jahnah gave a quick nod. “Golem transport ships have to have an exceptionally sturdy design. The adjustments end up reducing the cargo space which means most ships just aren’t built for it. Also as you may recall our guild halls tend to be located well away from civilization and especially far from any ports.”

After a moment Maxwell gave a nod. “I see what you mean. Well at least half of the problem has been solved with the port being open again but that doesn’t help with the ships.”

“Meridea will take care of that now that the port and docks are repaired. Annette is your eye patch bothering you that much?”

All three people turned to Annette who was currently carefully clawing at her eye patch. She had to be cautious or she’d tear the material off. When she realized everyone was looking at her she quickly stopped. “It is just bothering me a little.”

It was impossible for Maxwell not to sigh. “She does that every time I turn my back.”

“I do not.”

“Annette I like to think of myself as rather aware of my environment and you’re hard to miss. I’ve seen you out of the corner of my eye several times. Heck I’ve even heard you scratching at the material.”

“Okay, so it is really beginning to itch and it isn’t just a little warm it’s almost hot.”

“Maxwell, have you checked to make sure the burn isn’t growing?”

“The healers have she won’t let me look at it.”

For a moment Dehvess was quiet. Then his eyes were made to widen. “Annette, take that patch off right now. I need to check something.”

“Oh what is it now. I am fine.”

“Jahnah if you have to I want you to hold her down.”

Both women gave each other a rather concerned look. Of course Annette knew that Jahnah would ultimately do as Dehvess asked despite their friendship. Then again she also knew Dehvess wouldn’t make such a request if he wasn’t truly concerned. “Maxwell, please turn around.”

“Sure.” As Maxwell turned around he began searching the area for any reflective surface he could find.

“Dehvess, just what are you going to do?” As Jahnah spoke she lifted Dehvess from her shoulder.

“I am going to perform a deep detection spell on Annette. Getting through her magic resistance may require a lot of energy.”

“You’re damn right it’ll require a lot of energy which is why you’re not going to do it.”

“Jahnah, I need to do this. That burn might actually be working inside of her skin instead of spreading outward. We have no idea how far it might have reached by now.”

“Then I’ll check.”

“You don’t have the skill with life or elemental magic to perform the spell.”

“No, but I have the skill with death. I may not be able to tell what type of injury it is with a spell but I will still be able to feel out the destruction or life that is there. If I sense that the burn may be going into her body then I’ll let you check.”

Dehvess was going to argue however he quickly realized Jahnah was closing her fingers around him. Apparently she was going to punctuate her decision with a good squeeze. “Very well Jahnah. You win.”

A smile once again returned to Jahnah’s face. “Good. Now Annette let me see your eye so I can run a check.”

Annette gave a nod and took a moment to glance over at Maxwell. Once she was certain that he wasn’t looking she reached up and removed the bandage from her eye. “Is this going to hurt?”

“It shouldn’t. This spell is generally used by necromancers to detect sickly victims or well victims in general. It can penetrate through several yards of stone even in its most basic form.”

“It must be great for checking out the strength of the enemy in a fortified location.”

“Once you learn how to focus on single targets so you don’t just see a big blur it sure is.” As she spoke Jahnah reached out with her left hand and pressed it against Annette’s burned eye.

“Does it require you be touching the object?”

“Of course not but it does help me focus.”

While Annette was focused on Jahnah Maxwell drew one of his swords. Using the side of the blade he began to look Annette over. He had to wonder what was so bad that she wouldn’t allow him to see it. What he saw was far from the worse he’d ever seen. It was as if that part of her face had been scorched though the eye wouldn’t open. If he hadn’t seen it for himself he’d never believed how bad it was before hand.

The one thing that he didn’t care for was the tendrils of energy coming from Jahnah’s hand and into Annette’s head. He trusted Jahnah and Annette but he still didn’t like the look of it. It required him to remind himself several times that Jahnah was using a death spell in an unusual way.

“Well is it spreading further back into my head?”

“Hush, it’s hard to see through you. As far as I can tell it seems to be fine. Oh.”

Dehvess quickly glanced towards Jahnah’s face and then Annette’s. “Jahnah what is it?”

“I was just surprised. The burn seems to be no more then skin deep but.”

As Annette listened to Jahnah she was more curious then worried. “What is the but for?”

“Well the burn seems to be fine but goodness. There is a lot of life energy here.”

A sigh escaped Annette. “And that is surprising?”

“Annette, I know you’ve always had a lot of life energy. I mean for you. Wait no it isn’t life energy. I need to reach deeper.” As Jahnah spoke she began to shrink in size a bit as she redirected more energy into the spell and away from her body. What had once been thin black tendrils quickly thickened.

“Perhaps storing life energy in a damaged area is my body’s way of healing itself.”

“That may be. Oh no. No it isn’t that.”

“Jahnah my eye is really beginning to feel hot now. Could the spell be causing it?”

“What I don’t believe so. Oh this isn’t life energy.”

As Dehvess and Maxwell listened to Jahnah they could help but both be concerned. “Jahnah, is it harming Annette?”

“Not as far as I can tell. I just to delve a little deeper though and I might be able to figure it out.”

Dehvess quickly shook his head. “Wait Jahnah, as long as Annette isn’t in danger we can wait. Wait until I’ve recovered enough to take a look myself.”

“I just need to push a little harder and I might be able to touch it.” As Jahnah spoke she began to increase the energy once again.

As Maxwell listened he had to step in. “Jahnah, I want you to leave Annette alone. Dehvess is right and that spell your using isn’t meant to determine just what the energy is.”

“I think I can figure it out.”

Maxwell couldn’t help himself as he spun around. “Jahnah, that wasn’t a request it was an order.”

Annette had begun to reach for Jahnah’s hand to push it away upon Maxwell turning around. She doubted Jahnah would endanger her but it was clear it was concerning Maxwell and Dehvess before she could reach her wrist though she felt something.

The look of focus left Jahnah’s face and one of concern appeared. Quickly she pulled Dehvess back towards herself and spun around. She’d felt a tremendous release of energy all at once.

Maxwell watched as Jahnah quickly pulled her hand away. For a moment he felt relieved however he noticed Annette’s eye beginning to open. Then he saw the light and the energy hit him like a tidal wave. Every muscle in his body seemed to lock up all of a sudden and for a moment all he could do was gasp as he fell to the ground.

At first Annette had began to wonder what was going on as she saw Jahnah turning her back. Then she felt the surge of energy and her vision was blocked. Her entire body seemed to flex all at once as she felt the energy rushing through her body. There was a moment when she seemed to feel something against her head, then her shoulders then around her thighs.

It was impossible for Maxwell to take his eyes off Annette. Even if he’d been able to move he wouldn’t have been able to take his eyes off her. The blue light erupting from her eye socket had been blinding at first though far from unpleasant to him. His body was responding to the energy due to his elemental training. Instead of harming him it was strengthening him for the moment. Of course this was the excess the little bit that made it outside of Annette.

The majority of the light and energy was remaining inside of her and it was having a clear effect. The moment she’d opened her eyes her body had been washed in the energy. The few injuries she had remaining had been made to shut but that wasn’t the most profound effect. Annette had also begun growing and it was happening very quickly.

Jahnah moved quickly to get away from Annette as she held Dehvess to herself. She heard her friend’s head slam into the roof and break threw followed by her shoulders. Despite the situation she couldn’t help but think how upset Dehvess and Maxwell were going to be with her. Though, she was mostly worried about Dehvess being upset.

Slowly the light began to fade and vision returned to Annette. At first all she could make out was some changes in colors and then outlines. Even then she wasn’t certain of what had happened.

Upon seeing Annette’s head smashing threw the roof Maxwell regained enough control of his body to move. Though it took a great deal of will power to force his body to function he was truly astounded by how quickly he could move when he did. At first it seemed he was moving at his regular sprinting pace until he realized how wrong that was as he watched the stones from the roof falling. They seemed to be gliding down like flower petals.

There was no desire on Jahnah’s part to look down at the little mage she currently held to her chests. Instead she chose to look over at her friend she was more then a little surprised to find that the highest she could see was Annette’s crotch due to the roof.

While Annette was more then a little perplexed by what had happened she kept herself from moving. She had no idea what that light had done for the moment all she knew is that she was looking at a very strange landscape. From where she was standing she thought she saw trees in the distance. As she chanced a look down at her feet and saw the roof of a building she quickly realized that they were trees. “Is everyone alright down there?’

Maxwell could hardly believe this. He’d seen the difference a journey could make in Annette’s size. He’d also felt her grow during their loving make. However, he’d never seen her grow so fast in such a short time frame. “Yeah, Annette we’re fine. How are you?”

“I’m good I think. Everything looks strange.”

“Well you did grow quite quickly.”

“No, not just the scale I can’t really describe it but things look different.”

As with finding Annette injured Maxwell was for the most part able to keep a cool head. “How is your eye Annette? I thought I saw something just before the light.”

“I don’t know.” After she spoke Annette held up her left hand and closed her right eye. She was relieved to find that she could still see her hand though even her hand looked strange to her despite it having grown proportionally. “Maxwell! My eye is back! I can see out if it.”

. “That’s wonderful Annette. Would you mind if I looked?”

“Yeah, give me a moment.” As she spoke Annette bent at the knees to lower herself back into the room. However, she quickly found that she’d underestimated her knew size so that she actually had to stretch her legs out and set down. When she could see into the room she realized that Jahnah was standing between her legs. “Well hello short stuff. Well how is my eye?” As Annette spoke she turned to Maxwell.

Maxwell felt his mouth go dry as he looked up at Annette. The burn was gone entirely however her eye or at least the eye that he remembered wasn’t there. Unsure of what to do he remained quiet.

“Maxwell, is something wrong?” Annette’s mood quickly began to change when Maxwell didn’t respond to her question. “What did it do to my eye? Where is a mirror? I need to see my face.”

A quick violent shaking of the head managed to get Maxwell to thinking again. “Annette you’re lovely. I was just shocked for a moment. You’re left eye it is glowing.”

“What?” Realizing that there wasn’t a mirror in the room Annette quickly shifted positions so that she was on her hands and knees. This left Jahnah looking down at her though just barely. Annette quickly turned so that she was facing Maxwell. “What do you mean by glowing?”

“I mean that it is glowing. There is a blue light radiating from it and well it doesn’t look like your eye.”

“I’ll go to your room and get your mirror Annette. Just stay here and I’ll be back in a few moments.” Jahnah quickly turned from her friend and began to rush down the hallway.

Annette gave a nod and reached up with her left hand. She meant to at least check the skin around her eye but she received a surprised when she closed her eye lid. The world suddenly looked normal though on a smaller scale. “What is going on?”

“What is it Annette?”

“Well when I said things looked strange but not because of my new scale it seems to go away when I close my left eye.”

“Perhaps, your left eye now holds a vision that the right does not.”

Maxwell and Annette’s attention was drawn back to the hallway as Jahnah returned carrying a mirror. “Here you go.”

“Thanks.” Taking hold of the mirror Annette was amazed by how much smaller it seemed. As she prepared to look at herself she took in a deep breath, held the mirror before herself and opened her left eye. What she saw wasn’t the eye she remembered. Indeed Maxwell had been right when he told her that it was glowing.

It wasn’t as simple as a sphere. She could still make out her pupils and iris. However, now her pupils glowed with a very familiar blue light. “What happened? Jahnah would you mind letting me speak to Dehvess?”

“Sure.” As Jahnah spoke she removed her hand from her chests. When she looked down at Dehvess she was relieved to see that he was grinning up at her. However, as he waved his finger at her she knew she’d be being spoken to later that day.

“Dehvess, do you have any idea of what is going on with my eye?”

Turning his attention from Jahnah for a moment Dehvess faced Annette. “Annette, I can’t be certain. We’d need to analyze the energy though I believe it to be elemental. I didn’t get a chance to really see though as Jahnah covered me and protected me from the energy.”

“It’s elemental. Believe me I felt it when she opened her eye it is most assuredly elemental. I am still buzzing from it.”

Annette smiled as she turned to Maxwell. “So it didn’t hurt you?”

“No, it actually felt wonderful.”

“That is good.” As Annette spoke she extended her now very much enlarged hand out to Maxwell. “So what are we going to do now?”

“Well since it is elemental I can examine it for you. I’ll report what I find to Dehvess later and we can discuss it.”

“It was Annette’s eye opening.”

“Huh” Was the collective response as nearly everyone in the room turned to Jahnah who seemed to take a moment to notice them.

A slight giggle escaped Jahnah. “I am sorry I was speaking with Meridea. She’s currently working on Xyra and apparently she felt some of my concern through her. She was concerned so she contacted me.”

Annette gave a nod. “I see. Well then what should we do? It looks like I am ready to return to the field of battle.”

As Maxwell climbed onto Annette’s now much larger hand he quickly shook his head. “No, not until we figure out just what has happened to your eye. We made need to return to my home so that I can consult my books. Annette, do you have any items that might help in my examination?”

“I may have I can’t recall. I believe I have a scrying crystal from one of my past jobs. Perhaps that will be useful?”

“Sure, though why do you have a scrying crystal?”

“It caught my interest when the mage used it to predict my movements. He was so skilled with the darn thing that he could estimate the future before I could even decide what I was going to do.”

“Ah, I remember you mentioning that one. Okay, let’s. Well never mind that idea you can’t really fit in your own home any longer.”

“I can just crawl down the hallway.” While speaking Annette lifted Maxwell up to her shoulder then when she felt him climb off and take hold of some of her hair she lowered her hand back to the ground. “We can stop by the guard barracks and oh crap. My armor, where is my armor?” Turning her head and her entire body partly Annette looked at Jahnah.

A concerned look appeared on Jahnah’s face. “Well if you outgrew it perhaps we can modify the existing metal some into a new design. It did cover your entire body before so there may be enough material to work it into a new design though it would cover less of you. Of course you’re still connected so maybe it grew with you. I’ll go and check.”

“Okay, but where did you put it?”

“I couldn’t put it in your room as it is too far away from the connection to be maintained. Oh you’re worried that someone might have been injured when it grew. Well I had best go ahead and check on it then.”

Looking over her shoulder Annette directed her question to Maxwell. “Why isn’t she telling me where they stored my armor?”

It was impossible for Maxwell not to sigh. “We didn’t want it draining your energy while you were trying to recover. Even though Jahnah choked the link between you and your armor we had it moved again. This time Dehvess took the time to put several glyphs in the room to help out.”

A slight giggle escaped Annette. “Dehvess is quite thorough isn’t he? I bet he covered the floor, roof and walls.”

“Yeah, well you seem to be taking that well.”

“It doesn’t bother me really. Though I hope the armor can be reworked into something if it hasn’t grown with me.” As Annette smiled over at Maxwell she had to confess. “I know my eye is different now but I am glad that I still have one. So what is your current?” Annette’s eyes widened for a moment as she felt a rather powerful pulse inside of her body. “Maxwell, get under me quickly. Now!”

Nearly as soon as Annette gave the order Maxwell slid from her shoulder. Years of training had taught him to recognize an urgent order and Annette nearly yelling sure didn’t hurt. As he fell he didn’t even have to use his wind sword to slow his fall. All the elemental energy he’d soaked up from Annette sudden release of energy upon Annette’s sudden growth spurt provided all the power he needed. As he fell towards the ground he looked up to see what was going on.

Annette took in a sharp gasp as she felt her heart rate speeding up. She felt every muscle in her body tense and her fingers clinched easily sinking into the solid stone floor of her home. Her body seemed to tighten up for a moment and then she felt a massive release.

Jahnah glanced over at Dehvess who had by now covered his head as if he’d done something exceptionally foolish. The sound of something tearing threw stone reached Jahnah’s ears and she noticed Annette’s armor beginning to expand within her arms. The already over sized suit grew to beyond what Jahnah could carry not due to weight but due to its awkward size.

There was no hesitation on Jahnah’s part to drop the armor and quickly step back. Once again she clutched Dehvess in her hands to protect him. As she backward away from the armor she looked down at Dehvess. “This is so not fair.”

As Maxwell looked up towards Annette he watched as she lifted further into the sky. He couldn’t see her back slamming into the roof or hear it. The sound was overwhelmed by the sound of her fingers and toes being pushed threw the stone floors as she grew ever larger.

Upon feeling her back push through the roof Annette quickly set up and caused the material to slide down her back. Even before she had finished setting up she glanced down at Maxwell to insure that he was safe. As she saw him staring up at her she couldn’t help but giggle. The sound of what seemed to be an explosion got her attention and she turned around to see her armor wresting in the destroyed hallway. “Okay, I want all my employees to head outside.”

Jahnah glanced down at Dehvess as he looked up at her. “You’re going to help me catch up.”

“Yes Madam. I am going to have to speak with Meridea if I am going to have any chance of helping you with that. Perhaps, we will think of something after I show her my new idea for shards.”

It was impossible for Annette not to smile down at Jahnah who was at the moment one fifth her size. “I suppose neither of you stopped to think what would happen when the connection to my armor was restored.”

Dehvess glanced up at Annette. “It seems that sense it is repaired it is back to being a magic enhancer. I guess more of the initial energy made it through then we realized and when Jahnah released her choke hold on it all that energy went in, was enhanced and then went into you.”

************************************************************************

At over one hundred and sixty meters tall everything on Annette was large. That included the eye that Maxwell currently looked down into. The scrying crystal from Annette’s previous fight was held in his right hand while in the other he held a rather thick tome. “Well it’s a good thing you like to take trophies from your more memorable battles.”

“Yeah, so what have you found out about my eye?”

“It’s most assuredly elemental energy and I don’t mean earth, fire, wind or water. I mean all of them merged together in their strongest form.”

“Do you believe that it is dangerous?”

“As far as I can tell it doesn’t pose a threat to you of any kind. The bonds between you and your new eye seem to be perfectly formed. Of course that is what I can see of them.”

“I’m sorry I can’t relax my guard to magic even more.”

“That’s alright.”

“Do you have any idea where it came from?”

As Maxwell looked down into Annette’s eye he let out a sigh. “The energy is similar to another. Annette, would you mind telling me what happened in the fight between you and the monolith again? I know that things were going rather fast but I need to know.”

“Do you believe that it might have something to do with my eye?”

“There are only three cases in which the kind of energy coming from your eye exists that I know of. One is when an elemental master joins the magic together. The second is when it is done with some form of magic device and the final case is a monolith.”

Meridea gave a sigh as she was making the finishing touches on Xyra. The tweaking had taken several hours but she was nearly done. “So Dehvess he has some paper work that I might be interested in?”

“Yes, though he doesn’t know when you’ll be able to talk about it. Even if Annette returns to the battle field I’ll still be needed. Plus I need to work hard to catch up with her now. I can’t believe how lucky she got.”

“I understand that you’re needed but why does Dehvess have to go?”

“Well our bond has grown strong enough that he can be around two kilometers away from me and maintain it. However, that is pretty much the greatest distance we can be apart and still hold the link.”

“Why don’t you just use Xyra? Your shared link would allow Dehvess to hold the connection.”

“I hadn’t thought of that but it still won’t work. Xyra is going to be the one tracking down the golem breaker after all.”

“Then why don’t you use the temple? You’re bound to it as well. I believe as long as Dehvess remained inside of the temple you’d be able to maintain the link. Well so long as you don’t have to go too far away. From what I can tell the sea gods power held in this temple could have affected the entire kingdom. Though I may have to give it a helping hand to make sure the bond doesn’t break.”

“Hey that is a great idea. Err but from what you’ve told me I don’t know if Dehvess would enjoy it there. His training in life magic is only second to his in order after all and all the taint of the undead there would make him quite uncomfortable.”

“Jahnah, you know that Dehvess would tough it out for you. He loves you. Plus, I really want to see this theory he’s been working on. Normally his ideas are adequate however with you influencing him I am sure this new theory is truly inspired.”

“Adequate?”

“Well he is an order mage. His ideas are consistent but rarely make leaps. He likes nice regular steps.”

“True on both accounts however I care for him too much to ask him to do that even if he is going to lecture me on proper procedures later.”

“You mean he hasn’t yet? That is out of character.”

“He’s kicking himself right now. Removing Annette’s armor from the safe room was a break of procedure to. He considers it a grave error.”

“Ah yes. With the sudden changes to her body but the link to her armor the same the effects could have been quite negative.”

“Could have been? She’s five times taller then me now. Well not five times more along the lines of three to four but well it’s hard to stand.”

A delighted giggle escaped Meridea. “You were never jealous of Annette before. I believe you’ve come to enjoy your new status as a well giant doesn’t quite describe your scale.”

“Oh does that make me a titan?”

“That would be fitting. I’d have to say you’re of Titan stature but not a greater Titan.”

“Do you think I’m taller then the other?”

“Yes, I’d have to say that you are. Jahnah, I would really like to see Dehvess’s inspired work. I have an idea. I’ll have one of the priest’s rooms cleared out and ward it against death magic. I’ll also provide a robe that protects him from death magic.”

“That’d be great. How long do you believe you’ll need to make the robe?”

“One second. Xyra, do you have any of the priest’s robes left around?”

Jahnah was a bit surprised when she heard Xyra speak. It was odd not only hearing her voice but feeling the connection. “Yes, I thought about destroying them but decided it would be more fun to have the wigths wear them around.”

Meridea gave an amused giggle. “I’ll have to examine them but depending on their condition I can modify them.”

It was impossible for Jahnah not to smile at that moment. Even if Dehvess had been lecturing her she’d still be smiling in truth she imagined even his lecture wouldn’t take away her smile. “I’ll have to run it by Dehvess. Hey Meridea aren’t you going to say something about my slip up? You used to give lengthy speeches yourself whenever I goofed up while you taught me death magic.”

“Well Dehvess’s reprimand has my approval. There for as they’re two guild members with equal rank to yourself backing it you can consider this an official reprimand.”

“That isn’t nice.”

“I am sure that Dehvess will be fair. Well as fair as he ever is when in regards to you.”

Maxwell was silent as he looked into the scrying crystal. He’d used it to help observe the past while Annette told her story. For a moment he was too stunned to speak but Annette twitching her nose got his attention. “You pulled out a monolith’s eyes? I can’t believe that you pulled out a monolith’s eyes.”

“I take it that has something to do with my eye.”

“Not only did you pull out the monolith’s eyes but you held onto them. It wasn’t just a single elemental fragment such as when they solidify a body part but you pulled out the eyes while they were in their true state. You pulled out its true eyes.”

“Um okay I get it. I take it that hasn’t happened before.”

“I’ve never heard of such a thing happening. All experiments to contain and study a monolith have been failures to my knowledge. Yet you in a moment of desperation pulled out its eyes and held onto them.”

“Yeah, didn’t you see them when you brought me home?”

“Annette, you held onto them. You never let them go they’ve never left you.”

“Then where are they?”

Looking down strait into Annette’s eye Maxwell pointed a single finger strait at it. “I believe they are both right there.”

Now it was Annette’s turn to be stunned. “How can that be? The monolith’s eyes didn’t look anything like mine.”

“That is because the monolith’s eyes are inside of your eye. It also explains why things look different to you now. You’re not only seeing the world as you always have but you’re also seeing it as the monolith did. I need to speak to Dehvess about this.”

“Okay you sounded worried just now.”

“I am. Annette, monoliths don’t just die. Even parts of them don’t die unless they’re some how bound to this world they tend to fade away but not die. Somehow, the eyes you tore out have become a part of you.”

Dehvess took a few deep breathes as he set on Jahnah’s nightstand. He was having a hard time thinking of what to say considering how badly he’d messed up with Annette’s armor. At last he was able to find the words. “Jahnah, what you did today was far too reckless. While we both failed to take proper safety precautions you went against my advice and ignored an order. I realize that Maxwell isn’t part of the guild however in regards to Annette he is our superior officer unless she wishes other wise.

Why did you decide to ignore my advice and an order?”

Jahnah had a look of guilty playfulness as she looked at Dehvess. “I am sorry. I didn’t sense enough anger directed towards me to stop.”

“You know that won’t do Jahnah. What you did today would normally carry a fairly hefty penalty. I’ve been considering asking Meridea about restricting you to a smaller size except when you’re going to or in combat.”

Now Jahnah was concerned. “Was what I did really that bad?”

“Yes but no. No because you had reasons to be confident in yourself due to prior experience. If you weren’t such an exceptional mage it would have been. So I won’t be asking you to restrict yourself to a smaller size.”

Even though it wasn’t over Jahnah couldn’t help but smile. She knew the real reasons Dehvess wasn’t asking her to shrink down. “Thank you.”

“Anyway, I have a more amusing form of punishment. You will deal with the consequences of your actions. I am going to speak to Annette about it and if she agrees you two are going to share night time accommodations.”

Slowly Jahnah’s eyes widened as she stared at Dehvess. For a moment she was going to argue but finally dropped her head. “Well that will let me keep an eye on her.”

“Yes of course it is only temporary and if you want a private night that is fine. No that isn’t a loop whole so you can quit grinning you must at least spend every other night with Annette.”

A slight giggle escaped Jahnah and she leaned forward so that Dehvess could get a better view of her breasts. “Are you sure you want to punish yourself like that?” The grin on Dehvess’s face told Jahnah she wasn’t going to like the answer.

“You’re not the only one of us that made a mistake. I believe it is a fitting reprimand for us both.”

It was impossible for Jahnah not to sigh. “Blast it. Well I have something that I want to talk to you about.”

“Sure, did I do something you want to scold me for?”

A delighted giggle escaped Jahnah and she shook her head. “No I’ve done a lot of that the last few days. Actually, Meridea and I were speaking today and she’d really like to see your theory. She also has some other things she’d like to discuss. Now I know she needs to keep the port under control and Xyra is going to be busy. So we were thinking that you could move into the temple?”

“I have to believe that you have a reason for suggesting the temple. That would allow us to circumvent the limits of our connection.”

“Yeah, as the temple is linked to me, Meridea and I believe that as long as you remained within the temple you could maintain the link to me. You couldn’t leave it though. Of course it may require some work but Meridea believes she can do it.”

“It would give me more time to devote to my work. Perhaps, I could even find a way to help you catch up to Annette.”

“So will you do it?”

For a moment Dehvess closed his eyes. He knew that the life magic inside of him would reject the taint of the temple. It guaranteed to be an uncomfortable stay however it would allow him to be of more help to Jahnah. “Yes, I’ll do it.”

A delighted squeal escaped Jahnah and she quickly reached down for Dehvess.

Dehvess felt like his stomach had been left on the table as he was lifted into the air. He didn’t even have time to catch his breath before he was pressed into Jahnah’s lips that covered the majority of his body. The suction of her kiss was so powerful that he would have sworn that if she’d release him her lips would have held him in place.

Another giggle escaped Jahnah as she pulled Dehvess away. “That is wonderful. I didn’t even have to tell you about the steps Meridea and I are taking for your comfort.”

“Huh?”

“Like I said we talked about it earlier. She is going to ward the nicest room in the temple against death magic. That way it won’t be able to affect you while you’re inside.”

“Wouldn’t that break the connection between me and the temple?”

“No, it will just protect you from the taint of the undead in the temple. She’s also going to be making you a robe incase you want to walk around. I’ve been told there some interesting architecture there.

“We’re actually hopeful that you won’t have to remain in the temple. Depending on how things work out I may be able to teleport you to the temple and back to myself.”

“Are you in contact with Meridea right now?”

“No, she finished with Xyra a while ago and broke the link.”

“Then how is she going to let you know what her progress is?”

“I was thinking that tomorrow we’d go to see her. Unless she manages to contact me through the temple, she said she’d begin working on that as soon as she finishes making her hand.”

As Xyra set up a sigh escaped her and she reached up to feel of her head. She was quite surprised when she noticed Natasha and ten other figures standing in the room. Each one of the figures dressed very similarly. They each wore a blue to black gown with white lace trim. A few had additional white areas. As Xyra remembered Natasha’s wings she realized this might mean they have an extra feature that requires their clothes be altered.

The clothing wasn’t the only similar aspect. As she looked them over she noted their breasts sized ranged from a C to a DD at the most and least. Their height seemed to go from just slightly over two meters tall to one meter and eighty centimeters. All of them wore their hair down to their mid back.

As she looked them over she was hit by an odd thought. They all looked like young mothers though she could tell from their aura’s they were the same as Natasha and Mercy. One that stood beside Natasha held a clear box though Xyra could see powerful glyphs carved into the crystal. “Um, are these yours?”

Meridea gave a quick nod. “They’re all my guardian shadows. Well Mercy isn’t here right now. Is everything prepared?”

Natasha gave a quick nod and stepped forward. “Yes Miss Meridea. All the golems are unloaded and the ship is being supplied right now.”

Meridea gave a nod. “Wonderful. Grace, Natasha would you two mind staying with me? The wrest of you I would like it if you went and helped Mercy with her preparations.”

A collective, “Yes Miss Meridea” resounded throughout the ranks and the others turned to leave.

Looking over at Meridea Xyra had to ask. “Are they self aware like me?”

“Yes, each of them has a will of their own. If I was to be killed they’d continue to function.”

“I see. I hope you don’t mind me asking but what is with the heart?” Xyra’s eyes widened as she could have swore she saw the heart beat. “Is that still alive?”

A delighted giggle escaped Meridea as she walked out in front of Xyra. While she walked she reached into her robe and took out the music box she’d stored there. Once again she began carrying it in her left hand. “Yes, you saw it beat. Those glyphs inside of the crystal are very special. They trap life energy while keeping out death energy. So the heart is still very much alive however it can never recover.”

“Can my mistress do that?”

“Not just yet. It’s a rather advanced glyph you see. It’s kin to the same art that mages use to turn themselves into a lich. I was quite surprised to find it on our way over here.”

“You found it?”

“Yes in the chest of a hydra that attacked the ship. I’m thinking of using it to provide more energy for my guardian shadows but I haven’t quite decided just yet.”

“Provide energy?”

Turning around Meridea smiled as she took hold of the cover of the music box. Her fingers touched against a lock and a black energy could be seen flowing from her fingers into the latch. A few moments she opened it and revealed the contents.

Xyra felt a chill as the melody of the music box reached her ears. There was an ethereal nature to it. It was peaceful but there was something strange to it. What she saw wresting within the base was a rather large heart though somewhat smaller then the one Grace held it radiated with energy. The very top of the box held what looked like to be a tiny diamond mirror but there was no reflection to it.

Under the heart was a glyph similar to the one that surrounded the hydra’s heart but far more complex. “It’s the heart of a great wyrm. The guardian shadows can feed on life force like other undead. However, I decided to provide them with a steady energy source. The glyph keeps the heart from dying. It then uses the energy to maintain the spell and give the shadows their energy.”

“What about the hydra and wyrm?”

“They’re both dead. Though there is a chance they could be restored to life using either one of the hearts.” As she spoke Meridea closed the music box. Once again there was a flash of energy sealing it shut.

“Does that song do anything?”

A slight giggle escaped Meridea. “That song is a spell that constantly plays. The box itself is made from the bone of an ancient titan’s skeleton.”

“What does it do?”

“That is something I’d rather not talk about. Well the golems should be waiting for you outside.”

“Miss Meridea. What about the deliveries for Maxwell and Dehvess?”

Meridea’s eyes widened as she quickly spun to look at Natasha. “Hush! Those were meant to be surprises. Xyra if Jahnah searches your memories make sure she knows that the packages are surprises.”

“Um okay, what are they?”

“You’ll have to wait until they open them. The copper golems waiting outside have the packages. I want you to deliver them to Dehvess and Maxwell before you head off to hunt down the golem breaker. Then again you most likely will need to speak with Dehvess anyway.”

Xyra gave a nod. “Sure.”

“Don’t open them. Now why don’t you be on your way? I have a lot of work to do and not much time to do it in. I swear I should have put more effort into learning how to warp time.”

************************************************************************

Not a one of the men showed any fear though that did not mean they didn’t feel it. They’d been quite surprised when Xyra had shown up with the pretty lady and started gathering them up. Now they heard foot steps on the stairs leading down to the room. Some were grateful that they hadn’t heard any that might have been Xyra’s while others felt she was messing with them.

They were quite surprised when the wights begin to walk towards them. There wasn’t any relief when the wights only advanced a meter before turning to face the door. Apparently whatever was coming down the steps had them far more concerned then the men in the room.

Meridea smiled as she felt her influence spreading throughout the town. Xyra had forgotten to command the wigths to obey her but she hadn’t mentioned it either. In truth she had no real problem taking over the minds of undead of such levels. This was due in part to her raw power as well as her studies in death magic.

The men listened as the wights were made to groan as if they were in pain. Oddly some of the men even thought the wigths looked frightened of what was coming down the steps. Thus they were very surprised when Meridea entered into the room following by Natasha and Grace.

Grace’s appearance gained more of a reaction. Seeing her carry the massive heart concerned them all. Meridea smiled as she looked at the wigths. “Who is your mistress?”

There was a moment of silence then the wigths seemed to relax and yield. There voice was a low groan as if dying from thirst. “You are.”

A shudder of disgust ran throughout Meridea’s body as she looked at the wigths. Their appearance was far from pleasing to her and she could hardly stand their voices. She had to resist the urge to destroy them. “The sooner we finish here the better. Oh I almost forgot. Grace, go and have two of your sisters begin preparing the materials needed to make a reformation chamber.”

Grace gave a slight nod. “Shall I return after I am finished?”

“Yes.” Turning to the men Meridea flashed her teeth as she smiled at them. “If you would please follow me upstairs we can begin.”

As Meridea turned to leave one of the most willful of the group stepped forward. “What is going on?”

A delighted giggle escaped Meridea. “It’s a surprise.” Once again Meridea began to walk up the steps while Natasha fell in behind her. Grace had gone on ahead. As the women left the wigths fell in behind the men and began to push them towards and up the steps.

While they made their way down the hallway the men began to mumble to themselves. With only Natasha being the only obstacle standing between them and Meridea it seemed as if they could take her. “Are you working for Xyra?”

“No, I am taking over for her. She’s preparing to leave.”

As the speaker fell back into the group he whispered to one of the men. “You know she’s just taking us to be killed.”

Meridea stopped for a moment and glanced over her shoulder. “Actually, only ten of you are going to die. I would use the other five but I really don’t have the patience to put such detail into a hand. Of course I suppose that you were planning on attacking me. Please, feel free to try and take me hostage or even kill me. Natasha won’t even get involved unless you want to try to take her as well.”

As the group stood there they looked from one to another. After a few moments they simple grew still. None of them could bring themselves to attack Meridea given that if they didn’t one third would survive. Each hoped that they would be part of that third. When Meridea began to walk again they followed behind.

“Please take your seats in the front row.” As Meridea entered the main hall she made her way over to the altar. After taking a moment to look around she walked over to one of the tables and set the music box down. After giving the men a quick glance over her shoulder she then opened the music box so that they song could be heard.

It was hard to breath as Meridea walked down the steps and began to look them over. All set still as she walked from one end of the group to the other then turned and made her way back.

Natasha had done a good job of choosing people that were full of malice. Each of the men in front of her had been badly affected by the happenings in the town. They were each ticking time bombs. Even if the town was to be returned to normal instantly Meridea knew that they would eventually go off. Too much fear and anger had built up within them.

At last she came to a stop in front of one of them. Turning around she gestured towards the altar. “You’ll provide a nice base. I’ll go ahead and tell you that I am going to paralyze you so you can feel free to struggle. That won’t deaden the pain at all. Your suffering just before your death tends to make the hand more responsive.”

As the sailor looked up at Meridea and listened to what she said. He snapped. A shrill cry escaped him and he moved to charge the woman. Instead of taking hold of her though she took hold of him. As he felt her finger tap his wrist t his entire body went numb and was sent toppling to the ground.

Bending down a bit Meridea slipped an arm around the man’s waste then with perfect ease she stood up and began to walk back towards the altar. The sight would have been nearly impossible to take in had the men not been subjected to Xyra’s rule and acts for so long.

As Meridea lay the man down upon the altar he found that he could still look around. He was quite surprised though when he could speak. “What are you going to do with me?”

Meridea didn’t answer right away but proceeded to draw out a black dagger. Several glyphs adorned the blade and when she held it a black flame formed around it. “I am going to make you into my hand.”

“Your hand?”

It was impossible for Meridea not to giggle. “No. You won’t become part of my body. Parts of you are going to be used to make a form of undead. Commonly referred to as a hand as they perform the will of the death mage that created them. I chose you to go first as I am going to use your chest though not your heart. You have the most organs that I am going to make use of.”

A sharp cry escaped from the man as he felt the blade sink into his shoulder. Despite the daggers design it only took it a moment to slice through the muscle and bone causing the limb to fall to the floor. “You’re legs and arms just won’t do and neither will your head. I’ll save that for last.”

While Meridea worked not a word was spoken until Natasha walked over to one of the men. She had to raise her voice due to the screams of the one Meridea was currently cutting on. “You know him being chosen just improved your odds statistically speaking. It was a two in three chance you’d be chosen now it is down to a nine in fourteen.”

While Meridea didn’t speak the whole time she was working she was casting a spell. Normally a death mage would have had to chant the spell at least while putting the body parts together. It was preferable if it was spoke the entire time. In Meridea’s case she didn’t even need to utter a word to have the magic work. She could even speak to others if she desired it.

The thug looked over at Natasha as she spoke to him. A slight chuckle escaped him as he looked at her. “I’ve seen worse ways to go.”

Natasha’s eyes widened and a slight chuckle escaped her. “I am sure that you have. Well I suppose the sight of blood, screams of pain and the threat of death looming over your head isn’t enough to break everyone’s will. Do you believe that you’ll scream if you’re placed on the altar?”

“Sure.”

************************************************************************

Dehvess set silently as he looked at Maxwell having just been told of his findings while examining Annette. He was having trouble responding at the moment as it wasn’t exactly a known situation. When he finally did respond five minutes had passed. “That is quite spectacular. Far more surprising then the growth itself. To think that Annette has the eyes of a creature from the elemental plain in her left eye is very strange.”

“I don’t know how it happened. Even a small bit of a monolith returns to the elemental plain whenever it does. At least they always have.”

“This brings up so many more questions then it answers you realize?”

“Yeah, it helps explain where the energy came from. However, we don’t know if energy is still flowing into her or not. From my readings I would have to say that it is but if it is why isn’t Annette still growing? How is the connection between Annette’s eye and the elemental plain being held and why did the eye join with hers.”

Jahnah had been quiet up until that point but she couldn’t help but grumble. “Oh that is just not fair. She may have a link to an endless supply of energy through that eye. I suppose the fact that she’d lost her left eye would have played a part in the monolith’s eye joining with hers. If her body was seeking out every bit of mystic energy that it could find it might have pulled the eyes within her. The fact that her hands were lined with arcanon probably factors in as well.”

Dehvess and Maxwell couldn’t help but blink as they looked up at Jahnah. Dehvess was the one to speak. “That is a wonderful theory Jahnah. The arcanon has allowed you to absorb the energy from the essence gems and the tiara is nearly fused entirely with you.” Looking up Dehvess checked to see if he could even see the tiara. What he found was only a few of the gems were now visible.

A slight chuckle escaped Maxwell. “I am surprised you brought that metal into use so quickly. You don’t even seem to know where it came from.”

Jahnah waved a finger as she addressed Maxwell. “We may not know where it came from but all our testing revealed that it has purely positive benefits for the user of it. Of course I believe the arcanon only helped in the process. It doesn’t explain why the eye wasn’t ripped out of her grasp whenever the monolith returned to the elemental plain.”

For a moment Maxwell was going to give his theory on the subject but quickly changed his mind. “We can talk about this later. What we need to make sure of right now is if Annette is safe. All my findings suggest that she is. However, I am still worried that something may. What if the eye is more of a gate to the elemental plain now? Perhaps, when Jahnah tried to examine it she triggered an energy release.”

Dehvess gave a nod. “Jahnah is that possible?”

“Oh drat. Yes it is. All death magic draws on life energy just a little. Perhaps, whenever I tried to examine Annette’s eye all it needed was a little tug to be released. The amount of life energy the detecting spell disturbs is equivalent to waving your hand over a beaker to get a weft of the fumes. However, that may have been enough.”

“So does that mean if you used that spell on me again I might grow even more?” Annette smiled as she walked over to her home. She’d been on the far side of the property taking some time to adjust to her new vision while everyone else talked. However, upon Jahnah mentioning she might be able to be made to grow again she had to check on it.

Jahnah blinked a few times as she looked up at Annette. “No. It isn’t going to happen. Annette, I am normally happy to help you but this is one time you’re going to have to figure it out for yourself.”

It was impossible for Annette not to pout. “That is mean.”

A slight chuckle escaped Maxwell just before he spoke to Annette. “Don’t worry Annette. We don’t even know if another attempt on Jahnah’s part to search your eye would help or not. For all we know it could have negative effects. There was a long time in which your eye was closed shut and we have no idea what was going on back then. We didn’t even realize your eye had changed until you opened it.”

“That is true but one easy way to find out would be if Jahnah just tried the spell again. If I grew some more we would know that it worked.” Slowly Annette began to settle herself down into a seating position near her now much too small home. She was so massive that she couldn’t even crawl on her hands and knees threw it.

Dehvess and Maxwell noticed the ground shake as Annette set down next to her home. This was quite an event given how massive her home was in the first place. Dehvess turned to the wall Annette had set down next to and looked at her through the window as he spoke to her. “Annette, we really should take the time to figure out what happened when you grew so suddenly first. If it is your eye that provided the energy we still don’t know how it supplies that energy. Was what released when you grew the result of a long build up or was that energy already there?”

“That is a good question. That we could answer if Jahnah would just use a little bit of her magic. If I don’t grow or just grow a little we know that either it is losing its effect upon me or it takes a while to build up. Perhaps that first release was the only one that is going to happen. If I grow a great deal we either know that it builds up very quickly or is already there.”

Jahnah grinned as she glanced out the window. “I am sorry Annette but I received an official reprimand from Dehvess. I can’t risk another incident for quite some time. You’re just going to have to wait until Maxwell finishes with his study.”

A loud impact was heard and the entire room was shaken as Annette gave the ground a quick smack. “Come on Jahnah. It isn’t like I am asking you for a whole lot. All you have to do is try a spell out on me.”

“Mm well I suppose you’d just end up asking Meridea to try. Then again that doesn’t mean she’ll help you given the risk. Annette, seriously speaking let’s say your eye was a gate to the elemental plane. When I opened it before energy flooded in but that doesn’t mean it will do the same a second time. If it was caused by a massive build up that energy could flood out this time and we have no idea what effect it would have upon you.

You could shrink down or you could even die. You may find yourself back to your original size if the drain is too powerful.”

It was impossible for Annette not to sigh. “So you’re not refusing just because you want a chance to catch up to me?”

“No though that is most assuredly a factor.”

As Maxwell spoke he stood up and began to walk towards the wall. “Don’t worry Annette. As soon as I recover my energy I’ll resume the study. However, for now there is one question I have to ask. Who here believes Annette could safely return to the battle field?”

Jahnah spoke before Dehvess had a chance to form a thought. “Given the powers that we are dealing with here I believe she would be even safer then she was at the beginning. Even if that eye of hers did cause a new vulnerability we have no idea what it is, how to trigger it or what it would take.”

Only after Jahnah finished was Dehvess able to speak. “We don’t know what may happen though. What is that eye is only temporary? What could happen to Annette if it collapsed?”

“I believe that I am ready. I don’t have any magic training to back up that opinion but seeing how small you all look I believe I am very ready. Swallow a single person whole nothing I bet I could swallow ten.”

Maxwell couldn’t help but chuckle. While he didn’t find the thought of Annette performing such an act to be amusing he couldn’t help but love her enthusiasm. “Someone has a good deal of energy pent up.”

Annette gave her head a quick shake. “I’ve never been put down for that long. Plus I can’t wait to get out there and try out my improved body.”

Once Maxwell was at the right position to see Annette he came to a stop. “I believe that it would be safe enough to return Annette to the battle field. I’ll want to run a check each morning on her eye.”

A sigh escaped Dehvess as he turned towards Maxwell. “I don’t want to say this but I have no choice. Maxwell you know you can’t do that. While you may not be going into the field of battle it would still exhaust you. It’s hard to be an effective leader when you’re nearly ready to fall over.”

“That may be true however we also need to return Annette to the battle field. You’ve been pushing yourself to maintain Jahnah’s giantess status at her current activity level. Even if you could stop using your magic entirely it would take a few weeks for you to fully recover.”

“Okay I am returning to the battle field and there will be no checking me on a daily bases.”

Jahnah, Dehvess and Maxwell turned to the window. When they looked up they noticed a rather pleased smile on Annette’s face. While the smile was happy Maxwell recognized it. He knew what that smile meant. “You’re happy about your decision and there is no changing your mind is there Annette?”

“No, there isn’t. If I start feeling funny I’ll be sure to let you know. I’ll try to go and visit Meridea for check ups whenever I can.” A slight giggle escaped Annette as she focused on Maxwell. “To be honest she is even more powerful with the elements then you and Dehvess combined.”

Jahnah gave a quick nod. “That is a good idea. Even if she did use enough energy to cover herself in forth degree burns it probably take her only a few seconds to fully recover.”

“I thought Meridea was a death mage.”

Annette gave a quick nod. “Her strongest magic is death. However, she’s a master of the entire forth tier as well.”

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Meridea sighed as she felt the blood seeping into her. The blood that flowed from the various body parts scattered throughout the room crawled towards her. Slipping up her shoes and actually entering into her body. It wasn’t even enough for her to consider standing still and was done entirely without her assistance. “What do you think Natasha?”

“He’s rather ugly.”

“Yes, but his existence is temporary after all.” As she spoke Meridea turned her gaze from her hand and towards Natasha. She much preferred to look upon one of her master works then the creature that currently set on the altar. So much so that she didn’t even turn to address it when she spoke, “well are you just going to lie there all day?”

“I am sorry mistress.” As the hand rose it looked towards the group currently seated. It had all the memories of the men used in its constructions as well as their skills. Meridea had constructed it from the strongest body parts from the ten men. Adding to its ability was the strength and endurance the death magic involved in its creation granted it. However, while the parts had been smoothed and fitted to work together it was still a very unpleasant sight to look upon.

Attractiveness hadn’t been one of Meridea’s priorities while working on the creature. “So why don’t you tell me what Xyra was up to before I arrived?” Walking over to the table where she had set the music box Meridea retrieved the box and once again sealed the lid.

Those left in the room dared not speak. They had not only watched as Meridea cut two thirds of them into parts and then fused them together. They’d also seen the blood sink into her body. Not even a drop could be seen upon her clothing or skin. If they hadn’t seen it they wouldn’t have believed she’d just slowly butchered ten people.

“Miss Meridea, we have the metal needed and found smiths that can make the initial structure.” Maria glanced around the temple as she entered. Upon seeing the blood upon the floor and moving towards her mistress she felt her mouth go dry. For a moment she felt her teeth shifting in her mouth and her fangs beginning to express themselves. It was only a brief moment though and she was able to repress them.

A slight chuckle escaped Meridea upon seeing the brief change in Maria’s aura. While Maria was average in power in regards to her fellow shadows she was one of the most gluttonous. Meridea was quite certain that was due to the eye’s she’d used in her creation. They had belonged to a seer who has used her sight to obtain wealth. A quite greedy woman and Maria seemed to have taken on that greed. Only where the seer had sought wealth Maria sought life force. “Now Maria I know you’re not starving.”

“I am sorry Miss Meridea. It’s just hard at times.”

“You can drink from the bodies if you want but I won’t have one of my master works licking blood off the floor.”

Maria perked up and became a blur to everyone in the room except Natasha and Meridea. Quickly she descended upon the corpses and drove her hand threw the chest. A moment later she retrieved the heart and bit into it.

“Maria! Mind your manners this instant.”

For a moment Maria took upon the look of a puppy that had just taken a smack to the nose. Slowly she stood up while still holding the heart in her hands. After standing she lifted the heart back to her lips and carefully sunk her fangs into it. She then began to slowly drain the heart of what little blood and life energy remained within it. So effective was the drain that as she drank the heart shriveled up and blackened in her hands.

Meridea gave her head a slight shake and turned her attention back to her hand. “Clean up the body parts once Maria is finished then take a seat in the front row. Once that is done you can tell me everything you know about Xyra’s operations here. Oh I almost forgot. Maria has anyone told the smiths what they are going to be doing?”

Remembering her manners this time Maria lowered the second heart from her mouth while she spoke. “Grace is currently explaining to them what they needed to do.”

“Mm, do any of you know who designed this temple?” Turning around Meridea directly addressed the five men left from making her hand.

“Yes.” Rung out from each of them, clearly they wanted out of the room.

“Oh wonderful, Natasha I want you to go and find him for me. I want to talk about his layout and see if we can work two additions into his design. I believe this would be a wonderful room to place the reformation chambers. Take one of them with you and the others can leave.”

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David set quietly as he heard the front door opening. He’d just heard that Xyra and a group of copper creatures had left the town. Despite that the undead remained and now no one truly knew what was going on. Despite this good news he dared not hope even when the door opened.

“Are you David?” Natasha didn’t truly feel the need to ask the question. She could see the taint that had soaked into the old man’s body while he was working in the temple. Indeed there was a good chance that if he died his body would turn into a lesser undead with the taint being so strong.

“Yes.”

“My name is Natasha and I am here on behalf of Miss Meridea. She’s currently the one controlling the undead in this town and will be taking over for Xyra.” As she spoke Natasha walked over to David then stepped behind him. She concealed her hand from him as the very tip of her fingernails blackened and turned into points.

“Does she want something from me?” As David was talking he felt Natasha’s hand come to wrest upon his shoulder. He didn’t feel the claws sink into his body though.

A little energy was released the moment Natasha sunk her claws into David’s shoulder. This served to block the pain of having them press into his body. As her claws entered David she began to actually drain out the taint. “Miss Meridea is very impressed by your work and she would like to talk to you about some additions.”

“When does she want me there?” As David spoke he started to rise up fully expecting the answer to be now. He was surprised when Natasha countered the force and kept him in his seat.

“I’ll take you to here soon.”

Nodding his head David noted a slight change. He’d been feeling very tired sense he started work on the temple. Now as he felt Natasha’s hand wresting on his shoulder he began to feel that lifting. He didn’t feel energized but the crushing weight that had settled upon him seemed to be lighter and becoming even more so. “What are you doing to me?”

“You survived Xyra’s little game. I am just restoring the time that you lost while playing it.” As Natasha withdrew her hand the skin around the injuries was made to seal shut once again.

“So now your mistress wishes to play with my life and you’re making sure the game last long enough.”

A delighted giggle escaped Natasha as she patted David on the shoulder. “You’re a paranoid one aren’t you? Well I can’t say that I blame you. No, Miss Meridea has no desire to toy with your life to my knowledge. I don’t know what Xyra put you through but would you like to know what Miss Meridea will most likely expect from you?” As Natasha spoke she slipped an arm around the old man and helped him to his feet.

“Will she kill my family if I fail her?”

“Well that would depend on the reason you failed her. I believe you’ll find dealing with my mistress a far more enjoyable experience then dealing with Xyra.”

“So the temple, the docks, her armor and increasing her power has been Xyra’s only major projects sense her arrival here. Well I guess that means getting the ships built and making the finishing touches are up to me.” Meridea didn’t turn to look at her hand as she examined the high priest’s robe that had been left behind. So far she had refined Xyra and constructed her hand but she still had so much to do.

“Mistress, May I know what my name is?”

The feeling of the little box in her hand helped to calm Meridea as she dealt with the undead. Despite her tendency to make them she truly had a low opinion of standards hands. They were simply tools with a very limited life span as far as she was concerned. “Just pick one I don’t care what you choose to call yourself.”

For a moment the creature felt a flash of anger and started to stand up. It didn’t get the chance to though as a torrent of pain flowed into it sending it back down. When it looked up it was only angered more to see that Meridea hadn’t even turned to look at it. Fearing what would happen if it tried to defy her against it finally spoke. “May my name be Alex mistress?”

“If that is what makes you happy. I swear I don’t think intelligence transfers to you. Did you really belief that you could move against me?”

“I am sorry mistress.”

“Yes you are. Now I am going to explain what you are. You’re a servant. I’ve made hundreds of your kind in the past and none have lasted more then ten years. Not one of you has given me a reason to keep you around. If you can prove yourself to be more then a thug you may be the first. That isn’t likely though as even now your thoughts are that of a brute. If you should succeed though I will refine your body further however until then I’d rather people see you as you are.”

The whole time Meridea was speaking she didn’t once look towards Alex. Instead she continued to focus on the robe in front of her. Finally she resolved that it would be suitable for her purposes.

“Miss Meridea I brought David. He’s the one that designed the temple.” As Natasha entered into the room she called out to her mistress.

David was quite surprised when Meridea turned around. After being forced to serve Xyra for so long he expected something far more frightening. However, he also remembered how Xyra had started.

Meridea’s eyes lit up the moment she saw David. His immensely stubborn spirit was clearly visible to her. She had no doubt that it was the only reason that he’d managed to survive Xyra’s game. “Hello. Please come closer. I hope you don’t mind if I work while we talk.”

It took at least two minutes for David to resolve what to do. He was quite surprised though when he realized that despite the delay Natasha hadn’t even nudged him to get him to go further. She just continued down the stairs with him as he made his way over to Meridea. “I was told you wanted to see me.”

“Yes, you’re a very skilled designer and I’d like your help with the placement and design of two reconfiguration chambers. Now they aren’t even ready to begin construction yet. What I want to know is if you believe that you could fit two cylinders standing four meters tall and with a radius of one and a half meters in this room while still holding the same elegant design?”

“I’ll try my best.”

“That is nice but that wasn’t the question. I guess Natasha didn’t tell you. You’re not in a do or die situation. I want to know if you believe that it is possible.”

For a moment David looked at Meridea. “What if I were to refuse to even try to help you?”

“Oh then I’d probably turn you into a vampire or such so that you’d be more inclined to help me and I could preserve your creative imagination. I could even bind you to this temple and make it so you couldn’t destroy yourself.”

David was astounded by how gentle the smile on Meridea’s face was. As if her threat had been a warning or an act of utter kindness. He felt cold as he imagined what would happen if he made her frown. “Then I’ll help you.”

“Wonderful!” Meridea quickly spun around and took hold of David’s hands. “I know that it might not be possible as you did such a wonderful job on this room. If it isn’t we can always set it up somewhere else. Mm still” releasing David’s hands Meridea turned around. “It isn’t fair for me to have you do this without offering you some form of reward. Would you have any interest in becoming a higher level undead? I could preserve your mind and give you a wonderful new body.”

The tone of Meridea’s voice was far too kind for what she was offering as far as David was concerned. “How can you offer that?”

“Oh it is easy and I’d be glad to do it. Your design is so creative I’d love to preserve you and your mind for a few centuries. With a few decades more experience I am sure your works would be true wonders.”

“Please don’t.”

“Huh? It was just an offer I won’t change you if you don’t want me to. You’d have to be willing for what I have in mind anyway. Well if you change your mind when your body begins to fell you the offer still stands if you can get in touch with me. Of course that leaves the question of what reward you should get if you do a good job up in the air. Do you have any requests?”

For five minutes David said nothing. Then it came to him. “I would like to see my grandson.”

Meridea gave a quick nod. “That can be arranged. However, it will be after you’ve helped me. Natasha does Grace have a design layout for the chambers?”

“I don’t believe she does miss Meridea. You haven’t even told us where you want us to store your belongings.”

“Now Natasha don’t be silly where do you believe I am going to be staying?”

For a moment Natasha was silent. She then stuck her tongue out at Meridea before speaking. “We’ll get you moved into the high priest’s room.”

“Not the high priest. That is reserved for Dehvess just pick a nice one for me and a room to serve as a lab. Now I need to prepare this robe. Then again I may as well take care of something. Natasha, take David along with you and show him the design for the chamber. Explain what areas can be worked with and what must remain as in the design. Be sure to show it to the smiths as well. They might as well get to work.”

“Sure. What should I tell them though? With Xyra gone people are starting to get really scared.”

A delighted giggle escaped Meridea for a moment. “I suppose she did provide a form of stability. They may believe they’re about to all be killed or turned. Go along with David I’ll have Alex here take care of the town’s people.”

Natasha gave a nod and glanced over at David. “Are you ready to go?”

After a moment David gave a slight nod. He hoped Natasha would walk at his pace. He had no desire to return to the temple any sooner then he had to.

“Alex, I want you to go around and tell the towns people they should assemble in the town square early next morning. Also you can use the wights to help spread the message. Come to think of it you’d better make sure one of them is with you so they’ll know for certain to come.”

“Yes Miss Meridea.”

“Oh and stay away from the children. They’re mine. Once you’re done you are to come strait back here. I have some more questions for you.” At last Meridea lifted the robe up and took a seat upon the altar. The garment had at one time held divine energy but that had long sense been pushed out. However, the opening and the ability to contain energy was still largely intact. With some work she would be able to fix it so that it would protect the wearer from death magic.

************************************************************************

“I take it you don’t know what conditions the homes are in?” Meridea once again refused to look at Alex as she spoke to him. Currently she was seated within the former room of the high priest’s working on the robe for Dehvess. While she could have enchanted the garment within a few minutes she chose to use needle, thread and magic together so that as she ran the needle threw the material she also sowed the spell.

“No Miss Meridea. None of the people that make me up were allowed out of the town. Would you like me to go examine them for you?”

“No, I’ll have one of the shadows go have a look. It’ll take them less time. I heard that.”

Alex glanced up at Meridea as he lifted the heavy table and began to carry it out of the room. Meridea had ordered him to clear the room while she worked on the robe. It was exceptionally upsetting to him as he knew the wigths were perfectly capable of performing the task. “I didn’t say anything mistress.”

“You’re lucky I don’t want you to drop that table. I can control the minds of most undead you can think of. You’ve already seen that with the wigths. Don’t you think I can hear their thoughts as well?”

There was a moment of silence and Alex’s eyes were made to widen. In a moment he released the table and fell to the ground. “I am sor.” There wasn’t time to finish the sentence. The moment Alex had released the table he’d been struck by a torrent of wind. Less then a second later a massive bolt of lightning erupted from Meridea’s finger tips and struck the undead sending him across the room.

A relaxed sigh escaped Meridea as she looked at the table. The gust of wind Alex had felt had actually been a wind spell. She’d created a very dense pocket of air under the table slowing its fall. It had the added benefit of knocking him back allowing her to hit him with a lightning spell less then a second later. “What did I say about the table?”

It took Alex some time to respond. The lightning blast had been powerful enough to leave a massive burn mark and actually cause his lunges to contract. “I’m sorry.”

Meridea just shook her head as she looked at the undead. “You have three minutes to heal then you’re to resume your work. My you are an arrogant one. Incase you didn’t notice I had a few of my guardian shadows bring my belongings to the temple. They had to move the furniture all the way from the ship. I’m just having you take it out to the hall and you’re already grumbling to yourself how beneath you it is.”

Despite the situation and knowing that Meridea would just hear his thoughts Alex gave them voice. “Why don’t you just have a human taking care of this?”

“What would you be doing other wise? Oh are you sure you want me to tell you why I made you at all?”

Only after Alex had carried the table and a few other items of furniture out into the hall did he give the question voice. Apparently this time Meridea was going to make him ask. “Yes, why did you make me?”

“Well one reason was to help with the temple. Goodness I haven’t even had a chance to bond myself with it yet. The reason I made you when I have the shadows is simple. They have more important tasks to perform.”

“If that is true why did you have them bring your belongings from the ship?” Despite having just been given a rather heavy taste of what upsetting Meridea meant to him Alex couldn’t help himself.

“Well the first reasons would be because several of my belongings are very dangerous, the seconds reason would be many of them are also delicate the final reason is that Mercy, Grace and Natasha are all three wonderful decorators. I wonder who they get that from. Ah did you expect me to hit you with another lightning strike?” Holding the robe up in front of her Meridea was quite pleased with her handiwork. “This should work quite well.”

Alex tried his best not to even think as he heard Meridea moving around. Every time she would step close he’d think about trying to end her. However, he also remembered the last time he’d tried to move against her. All he’d done is tried to stand up to assert himself and he’d been assaulted by blinding pain. She hadn’t been facing him then either.

Standing in the middle of the room Meridea looked around to see how much had been cleared away. Content that she could begin she held one of her hands out and pointed strait down. Right where her finger pointed a cut three centimeters deep appeared in the floor. Instead of using a tool to cut the glyph into the stone she had resolved to use earth magic. Though, the refined stone of the temple provided more resistance then natural uncut stone.

“Mistress, please be careful.” Alex had started to ask Meridea if she’d prefer if he left the room but knew better then that. She’d tell him what she wanted.

Meridea gave a quick nod. “Don’t worry. This spell doesn’t effect the living or undead. Keep moving the furniture around while I work.”

************************************************************************

Jahnah hated sleeping like this. Well sleeping wasn’t the word. Wresting was more like it. As the tiara joined with her body more she needed less and less sleep though at the moment she thought sleep sounded good. In following with her reprimand she was currently laying next to Annette.

What made the situation so annoying was the fact that she was made to sleep next to her so that their feet were level. This meant that every time she looked to her side all she could see was Annette’s massive thigh and when she looked up it was clear how much larger Annette was then her.

There was no ill will from Jahnah directed towards Annette.
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