Beloved huffed at the dragonkin, then pulled on Nix's hand. "That was a waste, this isn't fun. I'd rather us go, let their conspiracies run."
Ashton smiled as he stood up, lifting her so she sat on his arm. "I do agree, I do concur, let us be off, away from the herd."
Beloved blinked, then leapt off Nix's arm. Before it could escape, she picked up a tiny naga, "Nix! Nix! Look what I found! Oh, this will be good, come little snake, you've improved my mood."
Ashton grinned as he hopped over to his Beloved who was now holding Kaveri up and running toward him. Azarius and Melia ran after in a panic. "Beloved not so fast, Beloved take it slow, it's not like he's running, does he serve some grand goal?"
Beloved held the small naga up, "Nix he has venom, a potent mix, I just want a little, just for some kicks." She grinned happily as she started to pet the small snake head. It had curled its tail around her arm. "Oh you're so small! Just so cute! You'd fit in my pocket, the things we could do!"
Charmaine must have missed something… one second she's pouting, the next she's happily hopping around… she glanced around. She wasn't the only confused one.
Beloved poked the small snake mouth with a pout, "Come on, open up, it won't hurt to give a little up." The small naga started to wriggle in her hands, keeping its mouth tightly shut. She sat down as she continued to coax, "shhh little snake, just give me a bit, I promise it won't hurt, I'll make it worth it!"
Ashton squatted down, "I don't think he's willing, seems a bit scared, perhaps offer the barter, then he might share?"
Beloved nodded as she pulled out a feather, "Come little snake, let's make a barter, a feather for you, venom for starter!"
Kaveri stared up at the female… then glanced at the male songbird. He'd been told repeatedly not to bite or eat anyone… but his venom? He glanced at his contracted child. Then back up at the songbird before slowly opening his mouth to show his fangs. When the female poked his fang he reflexively closed his mouth again.
"Shh little snake, no need to fear, the feather is yours, look, look here!" Beloved coaxed placing the feather in her palm and letting him go. Soon he half changed, clutching the feather with his little hands! So cute!!!
Kaveri clutched the mana potent feather to his chest. Unlike the male's feathers, this one would not give him raw mana, but… it was good. Keep for injuries… then he glanced around before slithering off her hand. If he was going to give venom, he should be big. Without another thought he grew until he was his normal half-changed size.
Beloved's eyes widened as the little naga became a big naga! With an alarmed squawk she changed to her bird form and flew off.
Ashton covered his mouth as he opened a rift with his free hand, pulling out a mana crystal jar, "Come now Kaveri, it's time for the trade, she will return, when the barter is made." There were hesitant chirps from a very tall tree.
Kaveri glanced up to where the female had fled… then he took the jar, extending his fangs, as he sprayed his venom until the jar was mostly full. Then he handed it back, "Venom is strong. Kill most beasts, careful." He reminded still holding the feather. He would have to find a good spot to hide it. Save it for a needed day.
Ashton nodded, "If you swallow the feather, no matter the weather, to use when you need it, no fear to lose it."
Kaveri nodded as he swallowed the feather into his stomach. He could feel it, not uncomfortable. Warm, soothing, soft… there. Good. Kaveri shrank down to his small snake appearance as he slithered back toward the contracted male.
Beloved poked her head out of the tree, waiting for the small snake to leave, then glided down to land on Nix's shoulder. She shuddered, "Nix he was small, Nix he was cute… but then he got big… will he eat you?"
Ashton rubbed his cheek along her wing. "Ah he is fine, he is mostly tame, won't strike again, if nothing to gain. Now, I have this venom, you have a use? Let me see what you get up to."
Beloved watched the small snake hide in the boy's pocket, then hopped down as she changed. She held out her hands to take the jar. She happily trotted to the table with a delighted smile. "I was just thinking, to spice things up, I needed a small something, I should only need a cup!"
Sebastian was horrified as the venom spilled over the lip… landing on the table, a few small holes were added with a sizzle where the venom dripped. Beast gods above…. What would she need such potent venom for?
Zane stiffened as she opened a rift and pulled out a teacup made of mana crystal, then dipped it to get a full cup of venom. How had things escalated from petty pranks to city destroying venom?
Ashton trotted after her, then pulled out a lid for the jar, "No need to waste, I'll pack it away safe, when you have need, at the tip of your hand." Then he tucked it into the rift, no need for anyone to get any ideas about unannounced sharing.
Beloved nodded, then started to drink the venom with a grin.
There was absolute silence as everyone watched her drink the venom in a few quick sips. Alexei felt goosebumps erupt all over his body, she didn't spill a drop. He'd half hoped she opened a rift so it just went elsewhere… but he could see the yellowish green liquid passing her lips. Then, as if it were some delicious treat, she licked her lips as she looked into the empty cup.
Ashton blinked, then smiled as her hair, eyes, the feathers of her dress, all started to take on a similar hue as the venom. Ashton trotted around her, examining the rapid change, "Well now interesting, who would have thought, the purest Beloved, now a change of heart."
Beloved looked up at Nix though her lashes with a provocative smile, then she twirled before falling into his waiting arms, "Nothing so dire, nothing so strange, just a little something, for a pace change. Now, it won't last for long, soon will it fade, much like the sun, on a dull, cloudy day."
Sebastian watched this new development. Gone was the innocence, the naïve smile. Her voice had softened, though it sent a shiver down his spine. Even her eyes had narrowed as she wrapped her arms around Ashton's neck. Then, she used her now yellow nails to scratch at Ashton's nose. Sebastian glanced at the fallen cup… so poison was not an obstacle they need avoid. Before Sebastian could continue the thought, the yellowed dress started to change again.
Ashton raised a brow, Beloved's nail had barely made contact yet she'd drawn blood. Hardly enough to even be noticed, less than even a needle prick, yet she'd drawn out more taint. Her feathers darkened, taking on a grey so dark it might as well be black. The yellow pushed to the edges. Not even half a drop of blood carried more taint than a tea cup of naga venom…
"Nix, I am bored, Nix lets have fun, follow my lead, will you my love?" Beloved coaxed through her narrowed eyes. With every movement small, blackened embers fell from her feathers. This would be much more fun!
Ashton held her hand to his cheek, "I'd follow you, into the sea."
Caius stilled at that solemn declaration; something was off… there had been power behind those words. The longer Caius watched the female, the more things didn't add up. Healing, illusions, soul fire, and now poison immunity? Or rather, the ability to change her personality through poison absorption… he could think of no creature with a similar ability. Poison immunity, poison resistance, beings that ate poison to make themselves more poisonous, even the ability to replicate poison. Yet, none of that had happened…
Talvi narrowed her eyes, she had seen several creatures that ate poison… frog beasts, insects, some fish… she was even aware that many venoms could be safely ingested… naga venom was not the case. It could corrode even dragon scales. The human male had been testament to the how quickly even the diluted saliva carrying traces of venom could melt a human. Not even one minute yet all the exposed flesh was beyond human ability to heal. Beyond what any of her kin could heal… yet she swallowed it so easily.
Caius shared a look with Talvi and Rahm, siren song and illusion, phoenix level healing, soul cleansing fire, now they would have to look into this… poison absorption trait.
Beloved let her head fall as she leaned further back, meeting the dragonkin's narrowing eyes. He'd ignored Nix's warning, and she was feeling… generous. Yes, generous is a good word.
The foxes darted away from the glowing black embers, as they fell more plants died. Aiya! What did this bird have against the ground! Caius snapped Littlest up, moving them all upwind of the fur raising female.
Sebastian glanced around when an unsettling piano melody started. One of the black clad figures was playing the crystal piano, half a dozen had instruments of all sorts. This time Sebastian wasn't caught off-guard as they were pulled into her illusion. After a quick glance around, it would seem only a few were active participants, while he and the rest would only observe.
Lucian assessed his warped surroundings, forcing himself to look past the smoke and fire. He was standing in the throne room… well what was left of it. Half the palace had fallen… smoke irritated his eyes as he made a full circle. For an illusion the heat seemed real enough.
Jaxon coughed as he moved to his emperor's side, "Majesty!" He couldn't see Monroe or her majesty. In fact, he couldn't see anyone else. Gritting his teeth, he reached for a fallen beam. Probably the remains of the ceiling, as he touched it, his hand burned.
Lucian didn't miss the sound or smell of Jaxon's now burning flesh. Gritting his teeth, the illusions were real enough to cause harm. Their attention jerked as they heard the girl's voice.
I see you have a sword, I see there are 2.
Basking in my flames, illusions or the truth?
Now I've your attention, time for me you'll spare.
This isn't a request, ignore me do you dare?
Lucian watched as the girl sauntered over the rubble, hips swaying as the fire rose where she passed. Her dress had changed more, now hugging her body, exposing only her face, hands, and legs as she walked. Curled blackened feathers along every edge, many falling away causing even the marble floors to catch fire. All the while, Ashton held one of her hands as if escorting her around. His own clothes had changed, now dressed like a dark prince, reds and black as he hummed along.
Are you looking at me, dare to see
All you future holds, if you ignore three
First there was Nix, Now there is me. Our truth will you heed?
Lucian gripped his sword, but didn't draw it yet. They came to a stop, well she stopped, Ashton gave a graceful bao before drawing her in close. Ashton had his back to them, so Lucian could see her yellow eyes watching, glancing over them. She didn't see an equal… she saw prey.
Despite the smoke, Jaxon didn't dare blink. Her voice wasn't harsh, but it didn't need to be. She walked with the confidence of one who knew nothing could hurt her. Not swords, not spells, she walked as if even the beast gods would not move against her…
You've always taken arms, say it's the old way.
Say you're making changes, peace no longer just a game.
But let's stop and look, the rubble and the slain,
Have you made amends, or still crush those in your way?
Jaxon's vision spun as the scene shifted, no longer in the crumbling palace, they stood overlooking the gate. What looked like thousands of peasants had taken up arms, fighting with armed guards. Shoving past to march on the already burning palace. As he looked around his gut clenched… several minor nobles were being dragged through the streets. Beaten, bound, most stripped of all dignity. A few of the women were screaming as common men, some even beggars tied them to wagons to be used… then dragged as the mob marched on.
Hey look now, there's a right, no solid foundation, just a false bridge.
Hey now look around, all the bodies you have slain, their blood does soak the ground.
Before you speak of morals, before speaking of peace, why not make amends? Or at least the corpses clean?
The scene flashed to dozens of past battles where… Lucian had allowed the same horrific acts as he conquered cities, enslaved tribes, captured caravans… blood always marked the paths he passed.
Jaxon looked around, he'd been present for many of the battles, Lucian had been young, but he'd been merciless. His cruelty was the only reason few dared oppose him now, and only in secret. One scene was worse than others. Lucian had the men, women, and children of an entire city flayed. He'd forced fifty chefs to slowly skin each person, if the victim perished… so did the chef. Eventually only the inquisitor team had been left to finish skinning the survivors.
Lucian had then poured boiling oil over the men, and thrown them into the next city he was to attack. Then sent the women and children. The city had wasted all their resources on humanitarian aid.
You've made. So. Many. Enemies. You. Now. Stand. All. Alone.
Bones and blood, carnage wrought, seeped deep into the stone.
The ones you've coerced, the many now oppressed.
That is your greatest masterpiece! Now your story has a villain.
Lucian glared, circling as he looked around. The Phantoms of the past could not hurt him. He'd defeated them once in life, death would be no different.
Look here now dragon, look and see
Seven hundred years of cursed greed.
Jaxon paled as they were once again in the crumbling palace… thousands… tens of thousands… maybe even hundreds of thousands of dark apparitions were converging on his Majesty. Jaxon leapt forward drawing his sword as he swatted at the figures.
Lucian tried to block the figure of a woman flying at him, her hands turned into talons as she reached for him. But she passed right through him. Passed through as a familiar chill seeped into his bones.
You still have time, open your eyes
But dare to cross my Nix, and your world. Will. Burn.
For just a moment, Beloved stood over the dragon kin, their eyes met before Nix gracefully lifted her up.
Look inside your heart, look past frost and pain,
Embrace the numbness to hearts last light remain
Jaxon was helpless as the phantoms continuously passed through His Majesty's body, each time he would stumble back, trying to wave them away. Yet they opened their mouths, silent screams as they clawed at him. They seemed… desperate…
Look down deep, where you fear most, that's the only hope, for the damned, those ghosts
I've given you the torch, the one Nix Lit, now all that is left, is what you do with it.
Stand and fight, cower and hide, you last of the dragon kin, you must now decide.
As Beloved sang the last notes, Nix held her waist as she bent so far the back of her hand reached the ground. Her flames spread out to clear the taint from her illusions before it spread into reality. That would be no fun!