Two days ago, in Nazarick Throne Room:
"What were you thinking!?" Ainz barely restrains the urge to scream from his seat on the throne before his emotional regulator kicks in, his anger and shock instantly dampening down to a far more mild annoyance. "Demiurge, explain yourself."
Kneeling down low at the base of the throne, flanked by his fellow Floor Guardians, Demiurge did not hesitate. "Yes, Lord Ainz! Even with my limited ability to understand your brilliance, your desire was clear. When you expressed your curiosity about the functionality of your wand of true resurrection in this world so shortly after encountering our first player, there could be only one proper experiment. An experiment that would reveal what risks would be acceptable for you to take in the future, as well as the resilience of any players we may encounter. Experience has proven how treacherous and dangerous any outside of the Supreme 41 can be and one with the ability to discern our members on sight was particularly dangerous. The small risk of permanent death for a moderately valuable but potentially risky asset like Sylvie would be a worthwhile trade for the knowledge gained. I deeply apologize for not foreseeing her escape. I will endeavor to better understand the totality of your plan. I humbly submit myself to any punishment you deem fit."
Ainz held back a groan. Demiurge thought he had been taking que from Ainz because of one offhand comment on a stray curiosity. It was likely too late to repair that relationship, he'd have to move forward and hope Demiurge had been right not to trust her. He still didn't understand how she could have pierced through Nazarick's teleportation barrier. A world item he wasn't familiar with, perhaps? "Yes.. well.. be that as it may, I have one more question. Even if it had worked, and we had brought her back to life without incident, what of the possibility it would turn her against us?"
"I am honored that you would take the time to test me, Lord Ainz. She would, as you well know, never be.." Whatever more Demiurge had been about to say is abruptly cut off as space around him compresses in, stretching in a distortion that seems to elongate everything around him before popping like a bubble and reverberating back into place with one very clear difference- Demiurge was gone.
"... Wha" Ainz stared in confusion for a long moment, he'd be blinking in surprise if he still had eyelids. [Message] "Demiurge, report." Receiving no connection he quickly taps away at the throne, pulling up a status report for Demiurge. No change in status conditions, but Demiurge's hp took a sudden dive. Moments later, another smaller dip. Demiurge was in combat, wherever he was. A quickly consumed[Remote Viewing] scroll proves useless, spiking a wave of panic that was quickly calmed by his emotional numbing. "Albedo, put Nazarick on high alert! We're under attack. The rest of you, prepare for combat. We move the moment we locate Demiurge."
"Yes!" They set into a motion, Mare settling into a fury of buffing as the others sent out [Message]s to their respective minions. Ainz continued to burn through divination scrolls- [Locate Object], [Planar Eye] He inwardly winced at the use of the difficult to recover resources, but it was a miserly thought. They had a small mountain of available scrolls, and the child of one of his companions was far more valuable to him, he would consume as many as he needed if they would yield any chance of locating Demiurge. His HP were dropping lower and lower, quickly, and long before Ainz could work through all his available divination scrolls his HP seemed to stabilize with approximately a quarter of his health left. It was likely Demiurge had proved victorious, or managed to flee. He would not submit. Moments passed, still with no sign of him. [Message] failed him yet again, though Demiurge appears to have left combat, the crisis did not seem to be over. "Albedo, contact Nigredo and find Demiurge, now!" Albedo bowed deeply before disappearing in a flash of teleportation, eager to follow her Lord's orders.
Ainz resumed casting, growing more frantic as scroll after scroll failed to yield the slightest shred of information. Surely Nigredo would have better luck- none could avoid the eyes of Nazarick for long.
Three hours later:
Ainz sat on his throne, feeling numb, which was a great improvement on the emotions that had been raising up inside of him before being flattened down. Demiurge's health had slowly regenerated back up to full, but even Nigredo had failed to find the slightest sign of him. He couldn't resist using the scrying mirror to absently scroll through visages, as if he could stumble upon Demiurge by chance. Without any information to go on, it was searching for a very small needle in a very large hay stack.
He looked out over the gathered Guardians before him, Pandora's Actor having joined the others while Negredo stood some distance away working her intelligence gathering magic as she had for the last three hours solid. They all wielded the World Class Items he had just assigned to them for protection, operating off the assumption that only a WCI of Sylvie's could have pierced the powerful defenses of Nazarick. Considering the power of the effect, and the fact that no one else had disappeared in the time between Demiurge's disappearance and his issuing of the WCI, the possibility that it was single use WCI seemed high. As comforting as the thought might be, he was not foolish enough to operate off that assumption.
They'd dispatched every mercenary NPC with any hint of stealth or intelligence gathering abilities, Hanzos and Dopplegangers chief among them, to begin searching high and low for any sign. The primary military might of Nazarick was hunkered down in a defensive position, ready to strike at the first sign of actionable intelligence. The room was tense, all taking a que from their Supreme Being and remaining silent as Ainz racked his brain for any additional actions he could take to locate Demiurge.
Finally Ainz lets out a deep sigh. He can't do this anymore, with them all waiting intently at his feet for him to produce a brilliant plan that would not come. "Each you make plans to return here as rapidly as possible, coordinate with Aureole Omega if needed. We may need to move at a moments notice and I'll not have it delayed any more then necessary. Then you will return to your floors in case we come under attack. Albedo, Mare, return to me your Rings of Ainz Ooal Gown. We can't risk the possibility that you might be taken with them."
Albedo let out a cry as if she was in pain, clutching her left ring finger and the Ring of Ainz Ooal Gown adorning it against her ample chest. "No, please no my Lord Ainz! Surely you can't truly mean for me to give back your most precious gift so soon after you gave it to me?" Ainz doesn't have the energy to humor her any more, the entire experience has drained him. He might not need sleep anymore, but he still felt as mentally exhausted as he had after a double shift at work. "Albedo, we don't have time for this. Return the ring to me. Now."
She approached the throne with an expression of such sorrow that it gave him pause, his life as a dateless salary man had not prepared him well to disappoint women of her beauty.. If there were any women of Albedo's beauty. The tears building, barely held back, were too much for him to ignore. He took the ring back with a gentle pat of her hand that drew her yellow slitted eyes back up to him with hope. "Albedo, you will retain command of the investigation. There are none other I trust as much as you. I will be depending upon you. Nigredo, serve her well. Do not fail me."
"Yes, Lord Ainz!"
Lupusregina Beta's bedroom, current:
Lupusregina Beta hasn't felt like herself for days. Things had always been so simple, she served and stood guard, never imagining she could want anything else. But ever since she'd come to this world something had felt different, she had felt different, in a way she couldn't quite put her finger on. Then she'd met Her. Lupusregina still didn't understand how she hadn't recognized Her divinity immediately. How she had dared to.. her entire body goes all squirmy with pleasant shudders at the memory of their warm bodies pressed together, the moist clenching heat around her... She couldn't get it out of her head. She didn't want to. It was the most incredible experience of her life, an act of worship with a connection she had never imagined possible. The more she went over it in her head, the more she relived every detail she could recall, the more special it became to her. She'd made love with a Supreme Being, and it was so much better then she'd ever thought possible. Pleasure like she'd never imagined, sure, but so much more then that.
Lupusregina had finally admitted it to herself: She was in love. It was a heretical thought. She'd always been told that all of the supreme beings but the 41 were the foes of Nazarick, but as she asked around she found that no one who had repeated those words had actually met one. Had never spoken to one, not even the brief words she had shared with Lady Singh. Not one of the Pleiades, the homunculus maids, not Sebas. It only made sense, as they were all stationed on the ninth floor, and no intruder had ever pierced beyond the 8th. At least until Lady Singh was invited to the Throne Room.. and then Guardians had tried to kill Her on Lord Ainz's orders, even after She'd submitted Herself to serve. Lupus.. still wasn't sure what she thought of that. Heresy. She'd gladly give her life if Lord Ainz ordered it, so why did it feel wrong to expect the same from Lady Singh? Wasn't Lord Ainz will all, even among the other Supreme Beings? The fact that she didn't know the answer to that terrified her.
For a time she'd tried to distract herself. She'd found a lovely blonde haired homunculus maid who had been happy to let her work out the desires that hardened her flesh her every time her thoughts drifted back to those glorious minutes. She had proven a pale and disappointing imitation. No matter how often she pumped the cute little thing full of her seed, no matter how she indulged her desires on the surprisingly pliant young flesh, she couldn't scratch that itch. That contentment she'd felt on that day remained an unattainable dream. It was intoxicating, to relive that moment again and again, even if she dare not pretend the girl beneath her was Her. She still indulged her flesh, and often, if only to let herself push the memories and desires into the background of her mind to focus on her duty for a time. Speaking of focusing on her duty...
She frowned down at the small open jewelry box set upon her dresser in the small personal room she was assigned as one of the Pleiades. Inside, three distinct clumps of hair salvaged from the rooms of Yuri Alpha, Narberal Gamma, and CZ2128 Delta. Why did she have this? Dimly she could remember she'd just returned from slipping into Yuri's room, searching for something, and finding the hair.. She remembered how good it had felt, how right, but not why. Why would she want these? And why didn't she remember collecting the first two batches until she opened the box to put in Yuri's with the others? She knew she should be concerned, but she wasn't. Instead she quietly closed the box, tucking it back away out of sight and promptly forgot it existed.
Throne Room, current:
Ainz listened to Albedo's report with little hope. Her summation at the beginning had told him all he needed to know- No sign of Demiurge, no sign of Sylvie, no sign of any players that were not centuries dead. Their doppelgangers and other intelligence gathers had been dispersed to every city within 100 miles and the capital of every major nation in the world scouring for any hint of activity that might at least provide a lead, all leading to nothing. There seemed to be some hint that players had visited this world centuries ago, but all agreed that they were long dead, if they were even players in the first place. He felt like a failure, a fool. With all the power of Nazarick at his beck and call all he had done for days was sit and grasp at straws in vain. Troop strength, populations, governments, political landscapes, the intelligence reports he had received were truly astonishing for only having two days investment. They had performed well.. except in the way that mattered most. He was not one step closer to finding Demiurge.
"Enough!" Albedo accepted Ainz's interruption, bowing low and stepping back to receive his words. "No more. I will not, can not, accept this slight to the name of Ainz Ooal Gown. We are going to retrieve Demiurge. Shalltear, bring the Evil Lord of Greed here. Albedo, deliver your status report on the city of E-Rantel to him when he arrives." Reaching into his inventory he pulled out a small demonic statue, three arms each clutching an orb. It was a crude copy of the world item it was built to imitate, a failure, but it would serve its purpose well enough. He stares down at it for long moments, brought back briefly to the memories of Ulbert giving it to him, his frustration with the project, his determination to make it work next time. A fond memory, tainted by the thought that he'd let Ulbert's child be taken from them.
Spoiler: Armageddon Evil Prototype
The lack of further attacks made it increasingly likely he had been correct with his WCI theory, either they were protected due to the possession of their own or she'd consumed her single use WCI on Demiurge. Either way it was time to stop playing it safe. "If we can't locate her, we'll make her come to us."
Walking into the cathedral, massive beautiful stained glass window art on all sides, I'm greeted by a small audience of four. Only Antilene's face is familiar, but it wasn't hard to guess who was who. Antilene dressed in her full plate and wielding her war scythe- serving as their guard, all her smiles gone, her face carefully blank. Pontifex Maximus, an elderly robbed man standing front and center, their head of state. Cardinal Guelfi at his right hand, only slightly younger, with an intense frown and a hard gaze. Kaire, an elderly blond woman dressed in the white and gold Chinese style dress with a dragon crawling up the front- Surely the WCI Downfall of Castle and Country. Hardly a surprise they brought it, but at least it wasn't activating the moment I stepped in.
Spoiler: Pontfiex MaximusSpoiler: Zinedine Delan GuelfiSpoiler: Kaire
My eyes flick over the area, searching for any hidden auras, signs of active magic, anything out of place before coming to rest on the Pontifex as I come to stand before them, calmly folding my hands in front of myself. My love spot is tuned to awe, my demeanor calm and confident. Kaire is the first to speak, her voice loud and bold despite her age. "You stand before the revered Pontifex Maximus and honored Cardinal Guelfi. They have decreed to grant you the honor of a meeting. You are?"
The corner of my mouth curls up into a subtle smirk at the tone. "My name is Sylvie Singh, but beyond the name I'm sure Antilene has told you who and what I am. I have no doubt that you have many questions, so I've devoted some of my very valuable time to share my information and set us on a path of cooperation. Ask what you will, and I will answer."
Cardinal Guelfi speaks immediately, voice cutting, sounding insulted even while eyes go a bit wide as my awe inspiring presence washes over him. "So, you claim to be a God?"
"God is not the word I would choose to use, but it is more of a semantic disagreement. I am a human from the same world as the Six Great Gods, empowered in my transition here, same as they were. If you would call them Gods, then so I am, but then so were the Eight Greed Kings. I'll leave the definition for others and make no quibble about it, but I would not name myself a god no."
The Pontifex looks like he wants to speak, but the Cardinal doesn't give him time, his passion getting the better of him. "Why should we believe such an outlandish claim? Extraordinary claims require equally extraordinary proof, do you have any proof of your divinity?"
My hands raise, palms up in a shrugging motion. "How would I prove the story of my origin? If the Six Great Gods themselves stood before you, how would they prove it? Telling you all about my world only goes so far, none of it can be proven and it could all be an elaborate lie with no way to corroborate. Give me a little time and I will produce technologies and knowledge from my world that will lend credence to my story, but it won't be irrefutable proof. Power, on the other hand, I can prove easily. I'm sure Antilene has already made it quite clear, but I'm willing to provide further demonstration if you request it. I have extensive knowledge about your country, but there are other ways to obtain information, so that also proves little. Do you have tests in mind? I'll take them, as long as they are swift. My time in the coming days and weeks is exceedingly valuable to this world and I have far more on my plate then convincing one nation of my good intentions."
As the cardinal speaks I notice Kaire has barely blinked. She's on a razors edge, watching me intently, as if she expects me to explode into violence at a moments notice. Antilene's concern seems to be more muted, her eyes on the two elderly men and their reactions. The cardinal continues on. "Good intentions? How are we to trust the intentions of someone we barely know, by her own claim newly arrived with no connections, no one to speak for her." Antilene briefly clears her throat which draws a brief annoyed glance from the Cardinal before it swings back towards me. Did Antilene speak for me? How sweet. "How do we know this isn't an elaborate lie?"
"Well, first of all, I don't have much motivation to lie." The cardinals eyebrows draw down at this, while the Pontifex seems curious. My love spot turns to trust as I flare the power of my presence Charm through my Exaltation to make sure the next words are taken exactly right, or this could all backfire big time. "What I'm about to say could be misconstrued as a threat, but I want to be very clear- I am not threatening these actions if you turn me away. I'm simply making a point as to how few reasons I have to lie to you. Everything I want from you, I could take. What I want most?" I turn away from the two men at this point, looking Antilene in the eye as she turns her full attention to me. "I came here primarily for you, not them. I want you to join me, of your own free will, because I need your skill and I don't want to be the kind of person who would take you. Make no mistake though, if I was the type of person to do so, I am very capable. It is entirely within my power to defeat your mind, any of yours, as easily as I did your body. Again, please don't take this as a threat. If I wanted to go down that route you would already be serving me and I wouldn't be spending my time in discussions like this. If you turn me away Antilene, I will accept that. If the Slane Theocracy refuses to work with me, I will accept that as their Sovereign right. You are not my enemy, even if you turn me away, but I dearly hope you can be my ally." She remains calm, blank faced and silent, clearly letting the others take the lead in this discussion. Was she deferring to their rank? Or did she just not want to say what she really thought in front of them?
The Pontifex's expression is guarded, but he still looks thoughtful as I turn to face him again. "You're used to being in control. You've been one of two super powers in this world for a very long time, but the world is changing. There are now two great powers in the world, Nazarick and I. Everything else pales before us. With respect, you don't have any power to stop me from taking anything of value you could give me, even your cooperation." My eyes flick over towards the dress briefly. "One more reason you should trust me, I'm going to play with all my cards on the table. I'm well aware of the power of Downfall of Castle and Country." A small gasp escapes Kaire, her eyes flicking towards the others looking for a sign, but the Pontifex holds up his hand in a halting gesture. "It won't work on me. You're welcome to test my words, I won't take offense. I could have allowed you to think you're holding a trump card, think you have the power to take control of the situation at any time. But I don't want to deceive you or to have you attempting to deceive me. Beyond that, I don't want you to think it will work on Nazarick and in that false belief engineer some situation that accomplishes nothing but angering them and drawing them out of their defensive position. It won't work on them, at least not on their elite, not on anyone powerful enough to make a difference."
A brief flick of the Pontifex's fingers and magic swells in the room, a powerful wave of it crashing against me and parting without impact against my defenses. They had taken me up on my offer, the Cardinal now squirming in his seat in nervousness. My smile is soft, perhaps a little sad, but I understand why they did it. This could all be an elaborate bluff to prevent them from using their most powerful artifact, after all. Silence stretches on for a long second, the room tense, but when the Pontifex speaks again his words are calm. "It seems you were speaking the truth on at least this much." Another flick of his fingers in dismissal and Kaire turns to walk away, leaving the room and shutting the door gently behind her. "Surely you want more then Certain Death. Our armies?"
It isn't a question and I nod my agreement. "You're quite right that I want more, of course. I want peace between all humanoid nations. The war between the Baharuth Empire and the Re-Estize Kingdom will be coming to an end. I am ending the infighting between the nobles and the King within the Kingdom. Both nations will soon be stable and at peace, so they can better distribute their soldiers to defending themselves and maintaining order. So that the peasant levies can return to their farms to avoid a famine. Do I want your armies to fight for me? No, they would be nearly useless in fighting Nazarick. They will be quite useful in maintaining order and discouraging other nations from attacking. I do this not because it will help me win my contest with Nazarick, but because I am well familiar with the horrors of war and do not wish to see human suffering where I can prevent it. To aid this, I ask that you stop making attempts to weaken the Kingdom in an effort to see it conquered by the Empire. I will see that it becomes a prosperous and powerful nation capable of defending itself and contributing to the well being of humanity as a whole, and a sufficiently powerful buffer state, as you originally intended."
The Cardinal and Pontifex shared a long look, Cardinal shooting a brief glance over at Antilene. The feeling of them trying to reason out how I knew as much as I did was palpable. The Pontifex finally speaks, the calm tone unchanged. "Another extraordinary claim that will require verification. However, should your words prove true, it would bring us joy. We wish nothing but the prosperity of humanity." There were not going to admit to sabotaging their neighboring nation, at least not outright.
Nodding in agreement I reach out to pocket space, my hand closing around the sealing crystal taken during the battle of Carne Village what feels like an eternity ago. "Then as a token of goodwill I return this to you, it was lost when your Sunlit Scripture was captured by the Kingdom. If you give your word, at your leisure, that you will cease working against the Kingdom I will work to return them to you that they may resume their job protecting your nation and strengthening humanity. Most of them live, including the captain, they were captured with very few casualties." Taking a step towards the pair I see the Cardinal's muscles tense, but Antilene calmly steps forward and takes the crystal from my hand. "I'll see it returned to it's rightful place." The first words she's spoken since I entered, carefully neutral. Does she think seeming too friendly with me would be a bad idea, or did I misread her before when I thought things were going so well? I take several steps back, turning to face them again with my hands calmly folded.
The cardinal lets out an deep sigh, but kind words to follow, he even sounds like he means them. "Thank you. That crystal is invaluable, it's loss would be felt for generations, and a spot upon all of our names. " The Pontifex only nods his head in what I assume to be thanks. "We will need to meet with the full Supreme Executive Council before any promises can be made on matters of policy." Nodding my understanding, he cuts off what I had been about to say. His eyes are sharp, his tone not hostile, but certainly wary. "I must say, for someone who says they don't want control, you claim to be ending wars left and right. Offering to retrieve our captured men. Suggesting policy for the future. Are you sure you don't intend to declare yourself God, or at least ruler, of this world?"
I can't help but smile at that. He isn't entirely wrong. "It is true that I'm trying to straddle a difficult line. One primary goal motivates me- The reduction of human misery and the growth of happiness. First and foremost, that means stopping Nazarick before the scourge can spread through this world. Beyond that I want to, through positive incentives, work to drastically reduce war, famine, poverty, and sickness. What I do not want to do is directly rule the world. The education system of my previous world was excellent, and I've studied enough history to know that societies flourish and advance more swiftly when a variety of ideas, systems of government, and options are allowed to be explored. Beyond that, I don't want to devote the time. No matter how powerful you are there will always be resistance, holding down that resistance while minimizing the damage done in the process would be a full time job for anyone- even me. I can do more good for this world by devoting my time into incredible advancements in technology and magic that will be shared widely throughout the world while each nation manages their own affairs- Within a few parameters that I will strongly encourage by providing my gifts to those who follow my advice. Avoidance of wars with fellow humanoids, providing certain basic human rights and opportunities for all within your borders being primary among them."
Another long look shared between them, the Pontifex silent for a long moment as he considers how to proceed. Finally when he speaks his voice is deceptively soft. "So, you wish to control us, with these gifts of technology and magic and the threat of their removal if we do not follow your guidance? If they are as potent as you imply then any nation who goes without them would rapidly fall behind, all but ensuring everyone must obey, or suffer worse consequences."
No sense beating around the bush, I quickly nod my head in agreement. "Yes, you see the truth of it clearly. Even if you reject my requests I would still protect your sovereignty, your borders, and ensure that your neighbors who rapidly outpace you do not prey upon your weakness. However, make no mistake, you would grow weak as they make centuries worth of advancements in a few years leaving you a backwards nation in less then a generation. It is the best middle ground I could come up with, to reduce the horrors of this world without being forced to take this world with an iron fist."
They are excellent at maintaining their composure when they want to, but I can feel the sour feelings seeping through their auras. Powerful men who have been in charge for a long time certainly won't enjoy being spoken to like that, but they seem to be accepting my words fairly well. The pulses of trust still exuding from my love spot certainly doesn't hurt. "You have said that word several times now, humanoids. Not just humans. Who, exactly, do you expect us to peacefully coexist with?"
"Well, I am still educating myself about the full breadth of races of this world, but at least three. First, the Dwarves. From what I know of them they are a peaceful race that should have no problems coexisting with humanity. Second, the Council State and it's dragons. I have not yet made contact with them, but I intend to offer them similar terms to what I have offered humanity- Peace for prosperity. The Platinum Dragon Lord is a reasonable being with a long view of the future. There is no reason we can not ensure the well being of all."
They've gone completely still, it isn't entirely clear if the idea of peace with the dragons is giving them pause, or what they can already guess is the third race I'll list. Antilene speaks up, her voice cutting, aggressive in a way that I've never heard from her. "That's two. Who is the third?"
Turning my attention to her I take a few steps closer closing the large formal distance between us all to stop arms length from the girl who seemed, not so long ago, like we were becoming fast friends. She meets my eyes, those beautiful heterocrhoma orbs almost daring me to speak the words. "You already know what I'm going to say, Antilene. What your father did to your mother was unforgivable, and I don't blame you for wanting to wanting vengeance, but thousands will die in a war with the elves. They don't all deserve to die for the mistakes of one person, even their ruler."
She blinks in confusion, her head tilting to the head ever so slightly, her anger dampening slightly. "What in the hells are you talking about? Who? This is about my mother, the Elven Queen!" The elven.. queen? Sexual calibration strikes again. Scrambling to not seem incompetent I simply nod my head in agreement. "Of course, in my culture we often refer to the.. parent who does not bear the child as the father, regardless of gender."
"Then you'll help me kill her? For all your big talk it should be easy, and it will save the lives of the soldiers you claim to be so concerned about." Her anger is dipping away, her voice eager now, she reaches out and takes my hand in between both her own. "Come on Sylvie. Together, no one could stand against us, we can end the war together today." The discomfort is wafting off the two men, but they don't dare speak against Antilene. It was her desire to see her mother dead that had prevented them from ending the war years ago. They couldn't risk alienating their most powerful weapon, not on the subject she cares about most.
My free hand raises up to lay over her own, squeezing her hands lightly and giving a gentle smile as I shake my head. It would be so easy to infuse my words with essence, to make sure she reacted to them well, to steal her agency in this topic so important to her.. but I don't. I can't make myself, looking into those pretty eyes begging me so earnestly for my help. "We shouldn't, Antilene. She is, despite the horrible disgusting person she is, one of the most powerful people in the world and one of the few who can contribute in the stand against Nazarick. She can teach us tenth tier magic, and I have no other teachers capable of that. However, knowing the monster she is, I have no intention of offering her the terms I've offered you. Her entire world view is based upon strength, that the strong can do anything and the weak have no room to complain. We will hold her to her own beliefs, tear her down from her throne, and draft her into our service."
Antilene's face contorts in a grimace, annoyance and disappointment clear. "When this is all over, when we no longer need her, you'll let me kill her. Agree to this, that we'll go take her right now, and I'll join you in your war." I've never intentionally killed anyone, going quite out of my way to avoid it really, but she certainly deserves it. Still.. "When Nazarick is defeated, I will turn your mother over into your custody." Surely I could convince her not to kill her own mother by then, right?
A soft sigh of relief escape me as I walk from the meeting room, Antilene at my side. She was practically vibrating with energy, a small smile on her lips that would have been a lot cuter if I didn't know the source of it. She was about to finally get her chance to make her mom suffer and it made her absolutely giddy. The Pontifex and Cardinal had seemed pretty pleased themselves when I used Creation to produce the dossiers detailing almost all of the information I had about Nazarick, Ainz, and the Guardians. Surely they'd been picking over that for a long time to come.
"So, do you know where she is? Should I find us transport?"
"I don't have her location yet. As for getting there.." I motion for her to follow me and we wind our way a few blocks away from the cathedral. The locations of the portals were procedural, but always fairly convenient. Soon enough we're approaching the side wall of a local market. "What are we.." Instead of responding my fingers interlace with her own as I step forward into what, to her, looks like a solid wall and pull her along behind me into the living room of my pocket apartment. "Welcome home. I know it's modest right now, but give me a little time and it will grow into a splendid place to live."
Antilene's arches an eyebrow playfully at me. "Welcome home? A bit presumptuous, don't you think?" I can't help but laugh, letting her hand go to hold up my hands in mock surrender. "Alright alright, point taken. Welcome to ~my~ home that you're welcome to use as a safe base of operations as we wage war together, eh comrade?" She just smirks in response as her eyes trail absently over the room.. The risqué anime posters that had been amusing before suddenly more then a little embarrassing... and there were so damn many of them. "At least I don't have to wonder if you're interested in stallions or mares.." A light blush lights my pale cheeks. Redecorating hadn't made it onto the priority list, but I sort of wish it had.
"Well.. anyway, I thought we should have this discussion here, because it is the safest place either of us will ever visit. Aside from the fact that the portals only open for me, and that it isn't even physically connected to the world, I've placed warding around this place that nothing and no one can pierce. If I didn't white list myself, I'd be fucked with no way to get past it. The wards are that good. That means this is the only place I'm ever going to describe some aspects of my powers and how they work. For instance, the binding. Once you've sworn yourself to me I can give you the growth potential and protections we discussed."
She is pacing the room absently as she drinks the place in. "Just like that? Nothing is that easy." Her beautiful heterochroma eyes are intent on mine again. "I trust you Sylvie, so tell me the truth. What is the down side?"
"Well, the down side is that you really have to trust me. You'll be placing a lot of power in my hands, as well. There are.. two versions of the binding. Familiar is the one I'll be using on you, that inspires loyalty and friendship. You'll find it harder to want to betray me, though it won't truly control you. You will still be yourself, if you think I'm doing something horrible you can still let me have it or even work against me, and I won't be able to give you orders any more then anyone else you respect and trust could."
"Mmmmm. And I suppose, by the way you phrased that, there is a much worse option that I just have to trust that you're not going to use? And these bindings are one way, I take it?"
"Well.. worse is subjective... but yes, basically. There is also the companion option, which inspires loyalty just the same.. with a heavy dose of love, and lust. It is more intense all around. It isn't total control either, but it isn't meant to be as.. flexible as the familiar option." Biting lightly on my lower lip I realize the nervous habit has followed me from my previous life. "But I promise you, I won't do that to you. If I could give you power without even imposing the familiar option I would, but that isn't how the powers work. I swear.."
"Shhh, shh. Sylvie, it's okay. You didn't even have to tell me about that option, you don't have to work that hard to convince me you won't use it. I do enjoy seeing how worked up you get about it though. I've already agreed to do this." Her smile relaxes the tension that had been building in me. "So I'm eager to feel this incredible power you keep waving under my nose. What do we do?"
"Well, I have to perform what is called a tantric ritual. There are many ways to do it, we could sing together, go through some yoga movements, but the most traditional and effective methods are more intimate. Kissing, for ex.." Her soft warm lips pressed up against my own steal my breath away as her small gentle hand cups my cheek, our eyes fluttering shut as we fall into each other. Her petite body meshes up against my ample curves, breasts pressed down against her as her tongue playfully dances across my lips not quite making its way to my own. Every inch of my body is so alive and aware, enhanced senses singing with pleasure as goosebumps race up my perfect skin. The taste of her, the warmth of her, the faint feeling of her pert nipples pressed against my breasts. It's overwhelming, in the best way imaginable.
With a small embarrassed moan I remember the ritual and begin to focus the energy into the binding, with her cooperation, her spit in my mouth, and eagerness the binding is almost immediate. The magic settles around her, binding her to me, the thought of which sends an entirely different thrill of pleasure through me. Possessiveness. She's mine, now and forever. I shove those thoughts down hard before they run too wild, and make sure that mental switch is set firmly on familiar where it belongs.. Finally, reluctantly, I draw back a scant few inches from her to feel her panting breath warm against my lips. As much as I enjoyed, it seems to have hit her even harder, her eyes still shut and ready to receive more of my kisses. Another soft press of lips, a peck, before murmuring softly against her lips. "It's done. We're bound together, forever."
Her beautiful heterochroma eyes flutter open, reluctantly taking a step back she drops into a stretch looking down briefly over herself. "I don't feel any different. No overwhelming power, no.." Whatever more she'd been about to say falls off as she looks me over. She does feel different then. "So, how do we know it worked?" Pulling my smart phone from pocket space, I turn it so she can see. "This is a device that helps me to channel my magic, especially the magic focused on my allies. I gain power by gathering allies, and in turn I can invest it. You see yourself listed here, under Companions with the familiar marker? It worked. The change I promised will take a little time to be felt, but I'm sure you'll notice as you fight your mother." Swiping through it briefly I confirm- Between Holy's success at stopping the necromancer Khajiit and Antilene's capture I was up to 57 points. Talent sharing- Martial and Soul. 20 points well spent, that will facilitate her growth, and anyone else I capture in the future. "Just make sure to draw it out, the more experience you get in a life and death fight with a potent foe the more you'll learn." The feral grin that lights up her face tells me she won't have any problem drawing out her mother's suffering.
She is eager to get going, turning down my offer to go over the app with her more, at least for now. A few brief descriptions of her new defenses, walking her through how to use apportation, and cuts me off. "I've been waiting for this moment for decades, if you say you can find her then lets go. I've done everything you asked, it's your turn." Can't argue with that. Moments later we're emerging from the side of one of the massive Elf Trees that make up elven city, cloaked in an invisible spell to turn away prying eyes. It's a beautiful sight, reminding me of my visit to the California red woods, but with every tree shaped to contain a home or local shop. Long rope bridges link each tree in a confusing web, no signs or landmarks to guide the way. Finding the way anywhere, even to the palace, would be a confusing mess if not for.. "Alright, to locate her, we'll need another ritual." The smirk on Antilene's lips is immediate, her tone teasing. "A lot of your powers seem to revolve around these kinky rituals.. I'm starting to think you're doing all this to get in my pants. You know Sylvie, you don't have to play coy, just ask and I'd be happy to pump a baby in that belly of yours.." The faint blush that lights up my cheeks sets her off into a fit of laughter.
"Anyway.. This isn't that kind of ritual." It could be, but her face is much too smug right now to ask for another kiss. Suddenly yanking the hair out of her head is particularly satisfying, especially since cutting a small strand would have done just as well. "You're still the link, as a close blood relative, but your cooperation isn't needed this time." A bright red energy manifests in her shocked mouth, whisking out a few drops of saliva to pool into my out stretched palm as I drop the hair down to mingle in the spit. "This shouldn't take long.." Meditation works just as well, and I'm feeling a bit too self conscious to put on much of a show. A minute passes before the links dissolve away as the simple ritual completes, barely taking any time when I'm willing to destroy the links. "Just shy of a mile to the North East, in the palace, practicing her archery. Lets go."
Antilene nods, her playful expression melting away as we begin to close in. The walk takes longer then expected, even knowing the way the path is a bit roundabout in the tangled web of ropes, but soon enough we're closing in. The other Elf Trees had been massive, but the palace was something else entirely. Hundreds of yards wide, one side of the tree open, with an entire multi story palace grown inside. A pair of guards stand before the gate but with it open and the invisibility spell still active slipping past them is a trivial effort. They probably don't have too much problem with people sneaking into the home of the most powerful, hated, and feared woman in the country. The palace proves rather empty, passing a few servants going about their day to day job to keep a place as large as this clean, with a small smattering of additional guards. We've almost reached the training room when we set eyes on a pretty young elf in servants clothing swollen with child and looking ready to burst, waddling her way down the hall towards the kitchens. Glancing over at Antilene I see her jaw is clenched tight, knuckles gone white with her grip on her war scythe.
As we approach the door to the training grounds I lean in close. "Remember, don't kill her. We need her." Antilene nods without even looking at me, her eyes boring a hole into the door that stands between her and her target. A brief pulse of Chaos Magic unlocks the door with a quiet click as we swing the door open to the training room- Archery range, with a currently empty sparring area to the side. The room is surprisingly large to be situation in the middle of a tree. Nysia is already facing us as the door presses open, a mildly annoyed expression on her face, bow in hand but not bothering to raise it. Her eyes are directly focused on us, seemingly unaffected by the invisibility. "Intruders? It's been a long time... No, wait." Her head tilts slightly as she casually strolls forward towards us, her eyes intent upon Antilene- and her heterocrhoma eyes. "You're mine. Half human, you must be the one they stole from me. Your mother.. What was her name?"
Spoiler: Nysia, Elven Queen.. but with blue and green eyes
Rage rolls off Antilene's aura like a wave, her voice soft but seething. "You kidnapped her. Raped her. Started a war because you wanted her.. and you don't remember her name?" Nysia waves her hand in absent dismissal as she comes to a stop perhaps 50 feet distant. "I don't bother to remember trivial things. It hardly matters. You though, you were strong ever since you were young. You're truly my daughter, my first daughter." Antilene's scream fills the room. "You've had dozens of daughters over the centuries, but their all DEAD because you're a monster!" Nysia's only response is a bored sigh. "They were not worthy of life, their weakness proved that. But you, you've come back to me. Together we can make the elven race strong again!"
"Come back to you... You think, after everything that you've done, that I've come to join you? You're going to pay for it all!" Nysia's head shakes with a soft sigh, her expression fit for a child throwing a tantrum. "You'll see soon enough, when I show you what true strength is. Your new siblings will.." The rest of her words are cut off as Antilene launches herself like a missile at her mother, but she's ready and releases the prepared spell. [Summon Primal Earth Elemental] even as she is leaping back away from Antilene she is calling Behemot, the massive misshaped body of boulders and mineral ore pulling itself up from the soil coated floor between them. Antilene doesn't waste an instant, her scythe Charon's Guidance slicing deep groves through the hulking beast as it pulls itself into the world. As it raises up the massive nub of a fist swings towards her with shocking speed for its size, even with [Greater Reinforce Defense] and a successful parry she is thrown through the air by the force of the blow.
The grin on her face is feral as she rights herself mid air and lands in a low crouch, her eyes dancing with excitement as she charges in towards her target and the dance begins in earnest. [Greater Wind Stride][Greater Ability Boost] Darting in to draw Behemot's strike before dodging back out of range of the mammoth fist, her scythe taking a chunk of his arm with her as she retreats. Never entering his proper range, feinting to take advantage of the mindless beast's aggression as Nysia's [Mend Elemental] patches the damage she deals time and again. Arrow after arrow pings off Antilene's plate armor, not even bothering to turn to face the inadequate assault as she carves holes into her lumbering opponent. [Dragon lightning] [Napalm] fire and lightning cascade around and through Antilene as she fights, a grimace twisting her lips, determination never faltering as her skin and plate armor smoke in the aftermath of the strikes.
Watching the battle with the aid of [Element of Magical Knowledge], with no distraction, it all becomes clear as can be. Every second she maintains Behemot Nysia's magical pool is draining away a drop at a time, larger scoops disappearing with every heal, lightning strike, or burst of flame. The first hints of doubt are already creeping into Nysia, but she's a confident bitch and isn't likely to let something as simple as logic give her too much worry. Behemot hasn't landed a blow and if she has to keep patching him up, only managing to damage Antilene with spells, she is going to run dry long before she manages to deal enough damage to win. Judging by the confident grin curled on Antilene's lips she's known this since before the battle started, toying with the mammoth beast as her mother grows more and more desperate.
Finally without any other options Nysia draws the staff from her back and closes in, giving Antilene two opponents to tangle with, hoping to force an opening. Antilene seems eager for the challenge. Forward and back they push across the room, most of her attention of Behemot, but any time her mother gets too close a quick swipe of that scythe sends her scrambling backwards. Antilene closing in tighter to Behemot, well within his striking strange, Nysia senses her opportunity and follows in tight behind hoping to lock Antilene in place. [Greater Wind Stride], [Steeled Arm Strike], [Greater Slashing] [Greater Ability Boost], [Greater Possibility Sense][Flow Acceleration] Antilene spins in a blur of motion, her scythe striking out faster then sound as it opens up a bloody slash across her mother's chest with a bright red splash of blood upon the soil below. Nysia's cry is a mingle of shock, pain, and disbelief as she stumbles back away her hand on the seeping wound. Pain. She's never felt it before, not like this. "Impossible.." Her words are whisper soft, but by the smirk on Antilene's lips as she turns her attention back to dodge Behemot's follow up she heard it.
She's wary now, approaching with a hesitation she's never shown before, which only makes it all the easier on Antilene as she continues to chip away at the surprisingly resilient elemental. They circle around the room, Antilene retreating time and again before moving back in to take any opportunity's given to her. It's a forgone conclusion how this is going to end and that fact seems to be slowly sinking into Nysia. As the come around again, nearing my location, Nysia looks at me as if seeing me for the first time and a hint of hope blossoms on her face. She breaks into a sprint towards me, her hand extending as if to grab me. Hostage, perhaps? It doesn't matter. The resounding SMACK of my open hand impacting against her cheek sends her rolling end over end to impact the thick wooden wall with a resounding thud. "Antilene is your opponent. I suggest focusing on her."
As if to punctuate my words Antilene darts in [Greater Slashing][Flow Acceleration][Greater Ability Boost] and cleaves Behemot in two after sensing his weakening body, his massive torso tumbling down with a resounding crash even as those arms try to reach out towards her.. before crumbling away to unformed dirt and stone. "No, no.. Impossible! The guardian of our nation, no one.. no one.." Her mumbling trails off as she breaks into a run, but she doesn't make it a dozen steps before Antilene tackles her from behind. Her scythe forgotten gauntleted blows rain down upon her mother's face one after another reducing her face into a blood soaked mess in moments. "Antilene.. Remember not to kill her." Antilene flashes me an annoyed glance before delivering one final solid blow to the side of her unconscious mother's head, standing above her and panting from exertion and excitement. Her spit splatters upon her mother's face.