The Abyssal Heart (shinyhappyfitsofrage)

[Reptillicus]

Maryabelle bagan to say, "W-wait excuse me my lady, but when you say tease-" then, next thing she knew Iblis had grabbed her butt. Then, her pussy was suddenly so full of pleasure she moaned out rather loudly as her body was rocked with a most sudden and intense orgasm! Her moan was almost like a girly squeal people would give them strange looks and Maryabelle. panting she would gasp, "M-My lady this is h-highly-" she would say after the first demonstration.... only to suddenly have her own hand thrust into her lady's robe grabbing her breasts in a most inappropriate (to Mary) manner!

She would flush quite hotly once again as she had control taken from her in a very lewd way.... making her feel up on those... now heftier(?) breasts! Iblis teasing comnet made some of the commoners chuckle in good fun, they appeared as lovers aching to get into a bed somewhere and "get down to business". Maryabelle would look off to the side biting her lip arms crossed meekly under her chest. She didn't know Iblis could be so...... silly wasn't quite the right word here. mischievous seemed to fit. All the same she would approach the shop and head through the door hoping there wouldn't be a row....

A gruff voice would come from the back of the shop as a squat form hammered an axe head into shape. "Hold yer bloody horses lass! Cann'y ya see I'm busy!", growed the dwarf as he hammered. He hadn't seen them yet. He would grab the axe head with a pair of tongs and very carefully put the axe head in container of oil. super hot steam would raise up with a rather satisfying sounding sizzling sound. he wore all black thick leather clothes and soot covered apron. a steel smithing faceplate covered his features, but a red black stained beard could be seen sticking out. He would turn as he said, "Ok now we can start talkin' what can I do for......." he would stop mid sentence as he beheld the necromancer and her ghoulish knight, her golems standing silently by. "Ack! No, no, nonono NO! Get out of meh shop the lot of ya! I won't deal with the likes of the undead!", he said his surprise quickly turning into anger.

 

[ShinyHappyFitsOfRage]

Iblis paused, at the dwarves rising ire. Her instincts were to be demure, and politely excuse herself. She couldn't afford to do that now. Instead, she shed her robe, skeletal arms and hands protecting her ebon modesty. Then, she hovered, soles then even toes leaving the ground, as the skeletal hands writhed. She clasped her hands behind her back, and floated towards the dwarf, her pink hair hanging... all the way to her ankles in a wave, that rose, and began to wreath her form. "Do you know... what nemisis means? A righteous infliction of retribution carried out by an appropriate agent. Personified, in this case by an 'orable cunt. Me." Iblis took the Machiavellian approach... it was better to be feared than loved, if one could not be both. Her eyes glowed with ethereal, sickly green and black energies, and the air tingled with power, ready to lash out at her command... even as the skeletal limbs adorning her figure writhed, groping her, fingering her, giving the image of a sadistic, wanton creature that would take its pleasure of his humiliation and suffering... and was far and beyond capable of carrying through with such a threat.

"You don't want me for an enemy, master dwarf. Thus, I highly recommend you tend to my needs, with professional indulgence, whatever your prejudices. Or your life will become very, very unpleasant, and very, very complicated. You'd make a fine enough blacksmith for my needs dead or alive, after all." Her tone took on a sinister appeal, distant and echoing, as though traveling through an abyss in the room. Iblis hadn't the time for pleasantries... Maryabelle could need to be armored any minute.

 

[Reptillicus]

Maryabelle was about to say something, perhaps try to reason with the dwarven smithy, find out why he hated the undead as he did.... Iblis had a more direct approach. Her lady knight could only look on in horror and surprise as she put on a display.... some parts lewd, but mostly terrifying. Maryabelle's red pupiled eyes would shift fearfully from the dwarf to Iblis, hands raised as if to try and ask everyone to calm down, however she found that she couldn't find the right words and could only make a few strangled sounds.

The dwarven smith stood stock still, the grip on his smithing hammer tightening in a very subtle way. His face was still covered by the smithing mask so they could not see his expression. A few beads of sweat could seen dripping from the exposed parts of his arm. He was trembling slightly, mostly visible in his legs. he would very carefully put his hammer on the counter. then pull up th visor part of his smithing helmet. a old bearded face lay beneath a bit smudged here and there from work. there was a grim look to his features his face was pale. "So... it's gonna be like that... is it....", he said bitterly his gaze not leaving Iblis. "you come into meh store like that.... and threaten meh... All you necromancers are the bloody same.... fine then. what the bleeding hells do ya want?", he said in a bitter but even tone. Maryabelle might catch his eye for but a moment there was fear, anger, and perhaps a long hidden sorrow in his expression. She hoped she wasn't supposed to look frightening right now...

 

[ShinyHappyFitsOfRage]

Iblis watched him carefully, and came back down to the ground. "You chose this route, master dwarf. I am pressed for time, and my need is the most urgent you will encounter in your lifetime. My lady knight here needs to be geared, and promptly. Something dark this way comes, and it comes for us all... the dead, the living, the rich, the poor. It does not discriminate, and there will be few capable of standing in its path. A more civil relationship would be my preference... but I'm afraid I cannot afford to skirt your sensitivities... and though you might not know what comes for you, neither can you." Such threats made her feel dirty... she hated it. But she had to stay focused, no matter what. She'd turn away from him, beckoning Maryabelle forward, as she put her robe back on. "Maryabelle, twice the size of your weapon and shield, to make use of your strength, and a short weapon, for close combat in restricted spaces. The rest, to your specifications."

She'd walk away, to take a seat out of sight... she felt unclean after that, and guilty, ashamed... but she couldn't afford to show it. Not here, not now. Weakness would be seen as something that could be exploited, and she didn't want to have to kill the dwarf and compel his aid, if he decided he could fight her on this.

 

[Reptillicus]

"Oh... I suppose I could....", she said looking down at her own hand and flexing it. She was extremely powerful now at least in terms of raw strength. In life she already was but now she was up into the ludicrous levels for raw physical power. few creatures in this world could truly match her there. She was some kind of arch ghoul the very strongest of her "kind" very few people had a soul strong enough to manifest a ghoul body like hers. She had yet to feel the ghoul hunger for flesh and perhaps that was for the best as she would most likely become quite distressed if she knew about it. Of crouse Iblis could probably susain her through her necrotic energies, but she would feel the hunger at some point.

The dwarf was still quite pale for all of this, he was full of fear actually. But, the dwarves of this world tended to hide their fear under anger. Maryabelle knew a few in her time. stout hardworking people, great craftsmen and warriors. She had a friend in the Zaiarch knights that was a dwarf. She would make her way over to him trying to look as dignified and knightly as possible. "So.... you're this lady knight are ya'? Peh, quite life like for dead woman...", he said still full of bitterness. "My dear sir, know that I was a noble knight in life and I continue to uphold my orders code of chivalry even in undeath. please, we mean you no harm.", Maryabelle said finally able to try things her way. He would look at her with frown, and then they would look into eachothers eyes. silence would follow. "Just follow me over here already.... an make it snappy girl!", he said waving her over.

While he may hold pedajeces towards the undead but his weapons and armor were all top quality steel. he would mostly sell to mercenary groups. These days wars were fought more through money and the use of mercenary armies so there was much gold to be made selling top quality gear to said armies. "can believe I'm arming one right now....", he grumbled. Mary would try to be as polite and kind as she could even as mean things were said about her under the dwarven smiths breath. She would pick out a set of full steel plate with wide shoulder guards, high calor protection from the neck, angled breast plates to help defect blows. It was quite close to her old set she had in life bulky, heavy with just enough joints to make it mobile she would be an unliving moving steel fortress. "That's quite the heavy set, ghoul. canny ya actually heft it also it ain't cheap! and I wonny take anythin' less then full price.", he said sternly. "Of course we'd not short change thee.", Maryabelle said in what she hoped was a soothing tone.

After that she would take a good old fashioned broadsword, her favored secondary weapon. a nice straight edged blade good for thrusting or slashing. Ever knight worth their salt learned the broadsword. "By the way I am Maryabelle, knight of...well I was once a knight of the Zaiarch order. May I be so bold as to ask thy name?", she said really working her knightley speaking mode. "Marc Markson... not that you'll bloody remember once you lose it.", he said not looking at her. "what do you mean?", she asked. "Donny you know? eventually the mind breaks down in an undead body, an' then the lot of you act like animals! I've seen it happen.", he said the bitterness coming back into his voice at full blast. Maryabelle now thought she might understand the dwarf now.... perhaps... did he lose someone? the pain of loss was in his voice. She was sure her Lady Iblis was listening in through her.... had someone close to him died to a undead whose mind was gone? It gave her something to consider.

Maryabelle then told him of the massive mace and shield she required with Marc saying something to the effect of "That bloody big!? I'll have to do that all custom! Peh..." Mary would fill him in on what exactly she wanted them to look like, showing that she herself knew a little bit about smithing. All the while the dwarf would give her uncertain looks.... perhaps he was having doubts about her. Good. she would show that her way was just as good. she would put her hands on her hips and feel just a tenny tiny bit smug. "Look, that shield will take me some time Ghoul. that's a lot of metal to work but I guess if you're paying me i can get it done by teh mornin'.", he said sounding more grumpy then bitter.

 

[ShinyHappyFitsOfRage]

Iblis felt the need to interject during parts of the conversation. "The lady knight could unlive for a thousand, thousand years and her mind will not deteriorate in the slightest." Not with the power behind her manifestation. "It is true that the ghoul's rage might grip her, however... a part of the reason for a pact." Iblis would have some ability to control that... if her fury was deep enough, however, Iblis might not, in some cases, be able to reign her in. In the end, Iblis found herself narrowing her eyes at the dwarves words. Morning. She knew it was incredibly fast for such work, supernaturally so, but it was still too long for comfort. She'd have to deal with it, however. "We'll pay in advance, master dwarf, plus an extra stipend for your... discretion." She didn't need word spreading of this work too terribly quickly, and knew money could heal many such wounds as harmful words might cause... being able to live a little better made many things more bearable.

It did bring something to Iblis' attention, though. There was an entire, somewhat socially accepted undead community here, with the social expectation that eventually they would become feral, dangerous. It made the idea seem... complex. She wondered what sort of social and political nuances were involved in that particular situation. "With any luck, I'll be leading the undead from here, in an exodus... to form a nation of their own. That ought to bring you some comfort, I imagine, master dwarf."

When the fitting was done, and the armor selected, and measured for adjustment in straps and the like, she'd inspect Maryabelle. Of course, Maryabelle knew what she was about, and didn't need the oversight... but Iblis was a careful sort. And... she didn't like it that the dwarf had ignored her earlier words. She wanted to be sure of his motivation. She'd turn to him in the end, standing before him, hands clasped before her in a rather humble gesture, more natural to her. "Master dwarf... imagine, if you will, tentacles so large, they blot out the very sky, and stars above. Reaching, colossal tentacles, of such scope that you cannot hold their width within your vision, wrapping around the world, squeezing it... such unimaginable horrors this way come." She leaned in close. "Whatever you fear in this world... undeath, the loss of loved ones, curses and blights upon your very soul... this entity offers an end to the possibility of a sweet oblivion at the end of things. It offers horror you cannot conceive, that to contemplate would drive you mad. We intend to fight this thing, its hordes. That is the reason for my ruthlessness. I would rather see this entire world dead, than to see what that thing would do to it... and if you knew the difference, if you fell victim to it, you would wish for death, undeath, anything else until the end of time. Please. I beg of you for your heart and soul in this work... you can detest me, you can detest my Knight, if you must. But we might be the only things that can protect this world, now, from something beyond its depth. The frog in the well knows nothing of the ocean... and cannot contemplate the hunger of the kraken. If we fall in this fight... there will likely be nothing left to fight it." She'd stand then, give him a slip a curtsy, turn, and walk out the door, as the golem came forward with its chest of gold... and left the entire thing there, for the dwarf, before following her out onto the street. It was far, far more than he'd usually charge... but she wanted his magnum opus, a work of unequaled might. Needed it. Needed it far more than any material wealth.

 

[Reptillicus]

Marc the smith was quite taken aback with Iblis' words, all the people she spoke to of this didn't quite seem to grasp the weight of the situation. then again how could they? there were not like her they had not seen influence of the terrible, lifeless, maddening abyss that was first world. however, now Marc was feeling a sense of dread he'd not felt before. Also there was such change in Iblis demeanor.... her words felt so candid so full of weight. Marc could not hold her gaze... it was too much for him. "..... just... come round the back in teh mornin' then..... you'll have what you need then.", he said his answer short and flat, bottling whatever feelings he may have. gold spoke quite a lot when it came to dwarves, but Marc seemed more concerned for other things now. did he contemplate what she had said? they couldn't be sure.

As they left the shop Maryabelle wondered if it was wise to leave all the gold there, they.... well more Iblis... worked hard for that... but there was a more pressing question on her mind. "You said... something about a ghouls rage... what pray, is that?", she asked carefully.

 

[ShinyHappyFitsOfRage]

Iblis left him to ponder that... she saw that her words had had some effect. A bit too much of her real personality had bled through... she hoped he didn't guess that she was actually a servant playing at nobility. When they left, she glanced sidelong at Maryabelle at her question. "It is precisely as it sounds. A rage... as a ghoul, you have more than just an increase in physical power, a new set of instincts suited to your nature. Aggressive instincts... instincts formed with the goal of overwhelming even your revulsion to the idea of cannibalism to survive. Anger can overwhelm all higher cognitive functions in normal, living mortals... in a ghoul, it's not second nature, but primary. My presence subdues your rage... if I were to loosen my grip on your psyche, with your level of ghoulish power and lack of experience with it, you'd fly into a rage simply from losing my seal upon your mind." Iblis stopped walking and stared at her. "You are by far at your strongest in a rage... but you cannot control yourself. Even I cannot control you if you are far enough gone... and you're like as not to kill me as soon as anything else you lay your eyes on, in the final stage of your rage. You'll recognize nothing but threats around you, and even a pact that makes us as intimate as lovers or a single soul won't protect me from... a fully realized ghoul rage. Magical arts separate themselves into tiers of magnitude... all magic has nine tiers, though most mortals only know of six. Your rage is similar... there are nine 'gates'. You'll know them by how they feel... and by how your mind flies from you when you enter them. You didn't even open the first gate when you fought those rat men. If you open the ninth... every gate carries great risks, and the sixth gate and beyond will disintegrate you as you use it, at increasing rates. The ninth gate... there's a strong chance you'll never come back down from that. It's something you only use when you're ready to die. Again."

She turned and walked back on, giving Maryabelle some time to absorb that information... sorely wishing she didn't have to teach her of such sordid things.

 

[Reptillicus]

Maryabelle felt so much more comfortable in her new armor, though the styles of heavy armor sets had changed, but they had largely stayed the same in function since the last hundred years. Still though she missed the mark her order upon her breastplate, it was symbol of hope and comfort to many in her age... she sorely missed it. Her broad sword was at her hip, while not her main weapon she was more than capable with it. this too brought her comfort.

However, Iblis words brough much worry to Maryabelle's mind..... she had access to great power and terrible amounts of power locked behind "gates". opening them past six sounded a great risk. She'd lose herself to some kid of pure rage and perhaps even disintegrate. Apparently her rage was held at bay by Iblis st all times if she loosened her grip on her mind.... she go into a rage?! No... surely she was not ruled by so blind monstrous rage! she was a woman of discipline and order she;d not let herself fall to into such a state! She didn't want to believe this.... was her undead nature truly so destructive to herself and others? And did her lady just mention cannibalism in a passing comment!? This might a be weight upon her mind... she sort of wished she hadn't asked.

"My lady... what shall we do now? I'll not be fully armed till the morn, shall we perhaps go see miss Debbie and Lisa again?", she asked moving her mind from her troubles for now.

 

[ShinyHappyFitsOfRage]

"I've no wish to call upon Lord Fane's estate without you being fully armed. I'd prefer to avoid conflict, and the sight of an armored knight, especially one so intimidating as you will be, should avoid much unpleasantness. Yes, let us go see Debbie and Lisa. There's much I'd learn about the undead community of Juant." She'd walk with her in silence, ready to clarify if her knight had questions. A ghoul was a ravenous creature by nature, and an aggressive one... and she'd only dare to raise someone with Maryabelle's sensitivities and discipline as an arch ghoul. Anyone else would simply fall to the basic nature of such a powerful mind, after all, or would be far too taxing for Iblis to maintain in the long term. And with time, as she became more experienced as a ghoul... Maryabelle would learn to control herself. Most ghouls, even the lesser varieties, started out mindless and slowly, if possible, became aware.

 

[Reptillicus]

Maryabelle may not have said it but now she feared what it might feel like to experience the ghoulish nature of her body..... she also hoped it wouldn't manifest itself in strange ways.... she had ever since the... show they put on at the gate she found her thoughts wondering to Iblis body every once and a awhile. Mary could perhaps feel the "chains" or maybe more like a "brace" on her mind it was feeling just beyond her senses, there was perhaps a tension there.... parts of her ghoulish nature would shift very subley underneath her consciousness.

As for the lord Fane... she was mostly in agreement with her lady on this. While she really didn't like to intimidate people she could see the necessity of it. soon they found themselves back at the tailor shop. there they found Debbie try new clothes on Lisa. "With this new complexion warm colors will look so much better on you now dear, red is definitely your color.", said debbie as she looked over the "young girl" in the mirror. Lisa was wearing a rather fancy red dress and just looking at herself still in awe at how alive she looked. "It does look nice but... aren't I showing a bit too much cleavage in this dress?", she asked blushing only a little but pushing out her modest chest just a bit. "No that's just enough dear, you have to give them a little something if you want to look good." she said a loving hand on Lisa's shoulder. "are you sure I can have this miss debbie it seems kind of expensive....", Lisa would put her hands behind her back and rock on her heals a little. "A new look deserves new clothes I was going to give this too you anyway at some point. Might as well be now.~", Debbie grinned. She then cuaght sight of Mary and Iblis. "Ah, Maryabelle dear look at you~. A real knight in shining armor. How ever did you get that old geezer of a dwarf to help you?", she said swaying her way over to them. "Oh w-well Lady Iblis merely explained our need... er...", she said trying not to think about her using her bone hand to group and finger herself as well as float....

 

[ShinyHappyFitsOfRage]

Iblis came upon Lisa and Debbie as Lisa was trying on new clothes. With a fleshly, attractive body, there was no reason not to enjoy herself in such a manner... she was glad to see that her life, or unlife, had improved so. Iblis, however, was blunt about the issue Maryabelle skirted around. "I threatened him to ensure his cooperation, then told him the truth about our, and his situation, to ensure he took it seriously. If his armor fails upon the battlefield, as a direct result, there's a good chance we all face much worse than death. Then, I paid him a very hefty sum of coin. All of it." Whatever it took, she would have to do. She hoped she'd made the right choices, however. She would take a seat, still feeling rather guilty about it all, and drained of energy from acting, and being thoroughly fucked, literally.

"I came to this world to prevent a fate worse than the end of all life upon it. I can't balk at my task simply because I have to do some things I dislike doing..." It felt like small consolation, however, no matter what was in the balance.

 

[Reptillicus]

Debbie again would frown... this talk of fates worse than everyone dying in the world made her uneasy. She could feel that something was wrong in the air, the raise of more people rising from the dead did seem to point to things going out of balance. whenever the veils between the worlds would weaken sometimes the rampant energy can sometimes become necrotic randomly rising people from the dead... weather they want it or not.

"Well, I'm glad things are working out for you so far.... But whatever happens you'll always have friends in us. Right Lisa dear?", she said looking back to the girl as she showed her back to the mirror. "Of course! I'll show you around whenever! I know were most stuff is in the city, so ask me anytime. It's the least I can do!", she said as she bent over just a little to see how her butt now more full of life, looked in the dress. she would give a blush but smile all the same. she had a petite frame but it still beautiful in it's own right.

"So do you two need a place to stay? I can offer the guest bedroom If the two of you don't mind getting nice and comfy with one another. perhaps now would be a good time to rest.", Debbie poropsed. Maryabelle thought about sleeping on smaller bed.... snuggled up close to Ibilis there breasts pushed together.... their legs interlocked.... hugging each other close as they slept Iblis would see her knight flush on her blue skinned face.

 

[ShinyHappyFitsOfRage]

Iblis thanked Debbie for her kind offer, and told Lisa she'd likely take her up on hers soon... but for now, rest sounded nice. She'd never slept in her many long years, and felt a deep fatigue upon her. She'd retire to the offered bedroom, stripping naked, boney arms and all vanishing without a trace, and collapsing on the small bed, head swimming. She was quite tuckered out. She'd noticed Maryabelle's sideways glances, and her blushes... but right now, she was tired enough that she didn't care. Hells, Maryabelle could fuck her senseless right now, and she'd probably fall asleep during it. Not that she minded... she was actually used to being used to such a degree, if not in such ways. She felt her eyelids growing heavy, and her breathing slowing as she started drifting off to sleep, pert, large ebon breasts rising and falling with her breaths, capped with soft, piquent pink nipples.

 

[Reptillicus]

Maryabelle was quite thankful too.... she was tired as well in a way. while she may have "slept" for over a hundred years it was not the same as actual sleep. She would follow her lady up the the bed feeling a bit shy and wondering w]how they were going to sleep like that. That's when Iblis body was exposed completely! Maryabelle's unliving heart would flutter. she was finding herself suddenly very uncomfortable in her armor. As her lady flopped into bed stark naked, her breast sucking her gaze to them from the slow rhythmic breathing, Mary would look around unsure of what to do she was tired but also her lusty feelings pulled at her! but she could not ravish Iblis while she slept! it was such an impure thing to do!(to her sensibilities anyway.) it took Maryabelle a bit stop worrying and start stripping out of her new armor.... she couldn't sleep with her clothes on either that would not be comfortable! she would gulp as she pulled off her own hard earned clothes going back to the way she was reborn in this world. Nude.

She kept telling herself not to do anything uncouth and crass as she slipped into bed with Iblis her back turned to her bust still pressed against her, trying to ignore the feelings of her body pressed against her ladyship's. but she just couldn't get comfortable this way! reluctantly she would turn back around facing Iblis as she slept, there hefty breasts touching one another. She couldn't help herself! She reached out and slowly pulled Iblis close to her smoothing their chests together "Oh my lady forgive me....", she squeaked softly. one of her thick legs would worm their way between Iblis' legs and then... well... She began to rub her blue ghoul pussy on her lady's leg... she was so beautiful while she slept.... Mary hoped she wasn't actually awake... and thankfully she wasn't

Iblis found herself in a dream, perhaps the first one she had ever had... she would be in dark, stone a room chained to an ornate wood and gold chair. in front of her a desk made of pure obsidian. and behind that sat a vision of her former master... Death. IBLIS! Came deaths voice it was felt not actually heard. He was what many saw him as: a skeleton in a dark hooded robe. Dark eye sockets with two tiny point of pale green would stare unflinchingly at her. to look deep into those eyes would be to know infinity, well one of a sort. Give up this foolish quest. You know as well as I that there is no justice only the duty! Come back to me NOW! This is a final warning you are not to interfere! said deaths speacter. He wasn't really there, not actually... but his powers allowed him to project himself into her dream. him mouth would never move as he "spoke" and he could stay as still as the grave. the lord of the underworld was not an evil entity... in fact he was perhaps one of the most benevolent. He made sure that the balance of life and death was maintained and made his servants to lead the souls of the dead to their final destination... and perhaps sometimes gave the souls the chance at reincarnation should he find them to be worthy of such. but for whatever reason.... despite the fact that the creatures of first world intended to corrupt the mortal world and forever destroy the balance of the cycle he forbade any from interfering.....

 

[ShinyHappyFitsOfRage]

Death... Iblis found herself in his presence. But, it was a... hollow thing. It didn't come with the sense of fulfillment it had when Anima was before her. "I have served... four Gods of Death. Diiroehn, and Anima before him. Hel, the crazed monster. Now, you. I have always known my duty, and the reasons for it. I followed with never a question, before you'd even come into existence." Her eyes were hollow, empty. "Never... never did I watch a God or Goddess stand idle while all of life and death was threatened in a world. Diiroehn was content to stand aside while the other Gods played their games, and ravaged life over and over, so long as life would continue after they were done. Hel would turn the world into a deadland, casting aside all life, but she would not forsake the dead, nor the ultimate destination of the living, and when her ire faded, life would go on. Anima... Anima lost her mantle because she fought back, protected life, and death, all caught within its grasp. She rebelled. Long did I dream of fighting how my mistress had fought, even if my end was to be as hers was... sordid, sundered and cast aside. But never would I cast aside my duty... and still I have not. My duty is as a shepherd, to all things that would pass from this world. To protect the natural way, DEATH, the very vehicle of life, and all who would know its sweet embrace, the peace it offers as a balm to wounded souls, tired and seeking a refuge they do not yet realize they crave. Peace... I have watched the most maddened of souls granted peace! And it is beautiful, and it is blessed. I have stood aside and let the living and the dead cry, when told to do so, no matter how much my heart ached. But to ask me to let it end... to allow all of life to become corrupted by the void... if all were to die, then fine, I would stand aside, still! Were it but that life would end... no, something worse this way comes. And it will not stop with the living, either. You know this to be so. In this, I will not accept ignorance as my lot. I will not stand idle. I will NOT ALLOW THIS! I will fight and fall with life, and death, if I must. But I WILL fight, with or without your blessing... for I know I have her blessing." Anima... her mother, the one who'd created her. One of the first Gods of Death in all the universe... the dead goddess. She fought for a natural universe, where the dead went on to fuel the universe, and to be reincarnated... before Gods selfishly created underworlds, hoarded their dead, to grow their own worlds alone, their own might.

Iblis felt the tears running down her cheeks, and cast her head down, her rant over. If death sought her out to deliver judgement, she could do nothing about it, and knew it to be so. She only fought, truly, if he allowed it.

 

[Reptillicus]

Death would tilt his head then he would stieple his boney fingers. I told you not to go but yet you defied me. You were not meant for things such as this.... but yet here you are..... he would sigh perhaps he'd always known that she was different from all of the rest of the reapers he had inherited. He was the a manifestation of death created when by simple causality, there must always be a master of death. If one is destroyed or otherwise... the universe creates a new one. He was a dutiful master to her before sending her where he believed she was most needed. she had such a way with souls of the dead, a soft and gentle touch.

He would hold her in his undying gaze. for a long moment that felt like an eternity. Then he said simply Seek the dark druid.... he knows more of first world then any god. Seek him out..... and know the truth. He then rose from his chair and slashed the air in front of him everything would fall away from and she would plummet into darkness.

Next thing she knew she was back in bed with Maryabelle her knight hugging her close, body pressed very firmly and possessively against her own. she would feel a slight wetness on her leg. Marybelle was resting quite peacefully her face inches for her own. she could see the sun rising through the window, it was morning.

 

[ShinyHappyFitsOfRage]

The dark druid... Iblis would have never guessed there'd be a mortal druid in tune with the void, in this world. She'd heard of warlocks dealing with their kind, but a druid? The things defied all things considered natural... even a dark druid, she could not see learning the depths of the void to such a degree that the Gods knowledge paled in comparison to his own. She would indeed seek him out... her curiosity demanded it, now. She reached to her hip, and found once again, something was missing from there... the lantern, where once she kept the souls of the departed, unready to pass on. She hoped her sisters and brothers cared for them, now. So many children...

She found Maryabelle holding her when she woke, and hugged her tight, burying her face in Maryabelle's soft bossom. She was warm... soft. And she felt a wetness on her leg, but did not mind. It meant it was working... her hunger turning away from a ravenous need for flesh and violence to the simple desires of sex, usually dead in a ghoul. Far, far the more benign than those other hungers. She laid there for a time, content simply to be holding Maryabelle, listening to the soft sound of her breathing.

 

[Reptillicus]

Maryabelle snuggled her ladyship, hands going down to her ebony butt and squeezing frimley then, softly humping Iblis leg a little. The light eventually made Maryabelle's eyes flutter open. There was a brief moment where she was confused as to where she was... she thought for a moment that she was back at her queen's castle. After all, she didn't actually experience her over a hundred year time being dead. it only seemed like two days ago that she was chatting so hopefully with her queen about the great celebration after beating the last of hydra's armies..... and then.... darkness..... that's right.... she died.... but how?

But then her mind got back into the present. She gasped once she realised the lewd position she was in, then quickly took her hands off her lady's butt. "O-Oh Lords above! F-Forgive me my lady! I.... I.... I.... I was just uh... um!", she stuttered tripping over her own words. but she still had yet to disentangle herself from Iblis.

 

[ShinyHappyFitsOfRage]

Iblis looked up at Maryabelle, eyes narrowed. "Seriously, Knight? Hmmph. Do you know why I call you Knight, instead of your name? We're bound by a pact that links our souls together. We're practically a single entity. It's the only reason you can control your arch-ghoul nature. I know everything you feel, everything you think, and though you haven't learned how yet, you're as closely linked to me. We're closer than any lovers could ever be. If you're feeling horny, just do whatever you wish to me. It's the same as masturbation, at this point." Like touching ones self... they were linked so very closely. Iblis latched onto one of Maryabelles nipples, and suckled... sending a jolt of necrotic energy through it, that would tingle, suffuse it with warmth, and make it incredibly sensitive.

 

[Reptillicus]

Maryabelle would squeak a very small and girly squeak that was quite unknight like. her nipple shot to full erectness in seconds under iblis care. Her arms now resting on her Iblis' back and would tense and twitch as she tried to resist the pull of her lust. "B-But I already did lost my control and... and had my way with her before! I-I cannot simply... just....", she thought her face redding. despite herself her hip began to move, her pussy rubbing on Iblis' leg again. Iblis could feel her knights clit growing hard against her skin. her hands slid back down to those nice ebony cheeks.

"B-But d-don't we have th-things to do? A-Aren't my weapons f-finished!?", she her body giving in more than her mind.

 

[ShinyHappyFitsOfRage]

Iblis paused, and then kissed Maryabelle on the forehead. "Of course, dear heart. We should get going, hmm?" She'd rise then, stretching her lithesome shoulders, and don her clothing... which meant growing those skeletal hands, and armor, and donning a cloak to hide it. She'd be damned if she was going to be unprepared for a dagger in the ribs at all times.

She'd wait for Maryabelle to get dressed, and they'd be off... it seemed Iblis had little need for food or water, though she slept... perhaps her magic gave her some source of sustenance that Maryabelle wasn't seeing. They'd make their way to the blacksmith, and hopefully, they'd find the miracle that the dwarf had promised... a full set of arms and armor of a ridiculous set of proportions, done with masterful quality.

 

[Reptillicus]

Maryabelle found herself out of Iblis tempting embrace and given an sort of pet name, said with some obvious care and affection. she stared at Iblis as she stretched "redressed" still feeling that sexual hunger for her ladyship.... she would glup and get up briskly turn around tio dress and put her armor back on. She felt safe in armor the world made so much more sense when she was surrounded by hardened steel. it really was good stuff all she'd want now is some enchantments for it... and to find her divine shield.... her original one. there was no doubt in her mind that it would yet survive. Surely the queen would have kept it safe after her knights death. they'd have to find it when they could.

She would take her leave with Iblis making sure to properly thank Debbie for her hospitality. Lisa would sneak a kiss onto the lady knights cheek that would make her blush in that oh so adorable way as she tried to maintain her "knightness".

In no time at all they were back at the Marc's forge, there he was putting the finishing touches on Maryabelle's new shield. the large morning star mace she wanted laying neatly on the rack. the tower shield was larger than the dwarf was tall and had an angular shape along with a rune of some kind on its surface. it was short of a flame shaped rune and a strong smelling oil could be smelt on the air. He would turn to look at them as the door opened. "Oh. There ya are.... well you're right on time then... I was just puttin' the finishin' touches on the runes.... salamander oil realeh helps speed up the process. also it should protect ya' against fire since since I needed it for the rune.... Donny think that I'm happy about all this but I'm a man of meh word. If I says I'm gonna do somethin' I do it." he said grumpily. "and well you did pay quite a bit too much.... so I supposed I could bright out the Salamander oil I was savin'.... helpful for undead fire is bad news for 'em....."

 

[ShinyHappyFitsOfRage]

Iblis stayed back, politely, while Marc told them about the armor and the shield and weapon. They'd be testing the quality of the gear soon enough, she imagined... she hoped it was worth the money spent. She wasn't sure pulling such a stunt a second time would be quite so lucrative... perhaps she'd find a source of means from calling on Lord Fane... after all, she was going to have to get her hands on that necronomicon, which might involve dirtying her hands anyway. "Thank you, master dwarf, for your work. I imagine the lady Knight will be quite grateful for your skills when the fighting starts." Quite, indeed. "Knight, make sure you've a feel for its heft and that it's secured properly... once you are ready, we will depart for Lord Fane's estate. He has something we need."

She'd give a graceful and humble curtsy to the dwarf, before turning and heading for the door.

 

[Reptillicus]

Maryabelle would test the heft of the shield and was surprised by how easy it was to lift. It was heavy wasn't it?! she wasn't holding a lightweight shield? she would let the bottom thump to the ground and there was very solid and loud clang! "Ack! ay what are you doin' lass?! don't go crackin' meh floor!", he might have sounded short with her but he actually called her "lass" instead of just "ghoul". "Oh sorry.... Just... not used to my new found strength.... Still thank you very much Sir Marc.", she said with slight bow of her head. The mace was though large felt light as the broad sword to her... she was used to using very hefty maces, swinging and paying close attention to the momentum to maximize damage and speed.... but again she was so ridiculously strong now!

After that Mary would stow her weapons about her person and begin to leave with her ladyship. "Did ya' say.... lord fane?", said the dwarf from behind them, "Er why yes she did....", Mary answered. "...That man is not ta be trusted.... An' I'm only sayin' that because donny want anything to traced back to me somehow, not cuze i give damn or anythin'....", he said turning away. Maryabelle would blink at him then bow and take her leave with Iblis. "Perhaps he's not so bad... Marc. I believe there is hope for him yet.", she said as she walked with her lady, Now she felt complete. Fully armed and armored they only thing missing were her divine arts of healing and strengthening. she couldn't get that back.... Zaiarch could only bless those that still have the spark of true life within them. Again this slightly sadded Maryabelle and maybe Iblis could feel it. Suddenly Lisa was running up to them. "Hey guys! over here! Debbie told me to show you to lord Fane's estate.", she said as she gave a wave. she then made a show of kissing iblis on the lips and then giving her butt a quick squeeze. All while look at Maryabelle with a teasing smirk. It seemed she was allot more playful then she let on... without being boney faced she could really express herself.

 

[ShinyHappyFitsOfRage]

Iblis certainly didn't trust Lord Fane, but she'd only give the dwarf a brief nod of acknowledgement. She'd already prepared for him. After all, what did she have to worry about now? Maryabelle was armed, and she had her weapon prepared. Only fools left their seed with a necromancer that they plotted ill against. Well, perhaps none recognized her for the powerful magic user she was... after all, nobles were all pomp and no substance as magic users, generally. But every man that had left his seed inside of her had given her the vehicle to his own destruction, should he cross her... she had could make voodoo dolls on the spot, with real punch to them.

Lisa gave Iblis a bit of a surprise... a grope and a kiss, and she was set back, blinking in surprise. "Oh, my. Well, lead on then, dear Lisa." It seemed Lisa liked a little mischief... Iblis was glad to see her able to let loose, and enjoy herself. These were precious moments... she hoped Lisa enjoyed them to their fullest. She'd follow along with Maryabelle, her golem retinue in tow.

 

[Reptillicus]

Lisa would giggle a little at Iblis surprised reaction and the slight blush crossing Maryabelle's face. she would take Iblis' hand in her own and lead her around taking her through the city streets. she just... really wanted to touch her... and maybe tease Mary a little by getting a little touchy with her lady. Many would give them a wide berth the golems and Mary making everyone just a bit wary of them.

while on their way Iblis would finally see more of the city's undead walking the streets, they were mostly skeletons as some undead would burn in the sunlight. they wore even rattier clothes then the low class commoners and move with sort of slow hopelessness doing hard labor for people that would constantly yell at them. most were very nearly slaves and second class citizens. Maryabelle would see this and her blackened blood would boil. Tyranny was not something she could tolerate! Iblis would feel her outrage, even if all Maryabelle showed was a slight frown. She knew she had some work to do yet but she'd not forget what she was seeing.

Soon the estate of Lord fane came into view. It was mostly made of quarried stone finely carved wood. It was a mansion made to look like a mini castle. Lord Fane seemed to want to of himself more like a king then a simple noble. some parts of it were still being touched up and finished in places. and the workers, all undead mostly zombies that had their minds and skeletons.

Lisa hugged Iblis and said, "I know we already said this.... but yeah this is guy is a real piece of work.... be careful around him." she then kissed Iblis again and walked away briskly perhaps not wanting to be seen by the lord. Just then the big doors would open and the lord would step out in his red and gold and feathered cap, a bright smile on his face. he'd catch sight of Iblis and her posse wave them over. "Ah! Good lady Iblis you came! good, good! and I see you servant is now armored and armed quite well.", he said brightly.

 

[ShinyHappyFitsOfRage]

So very many tried to warn Iblis about this man, but the truth was... if she would fall to some petty noble, she stood no real chance against the encroaching darkness. Either this man was no real threat to her, or she was no real hope for this world. She was an archnecromancer of the ninth veil... even if he was the pinnacle of some arcane or eldritch art in this world, he was limited to the sixth veil, or tier, respectively. There shouldn't be any comparison. And that was assuming he was something legendary... one of ten magi could reach the second veil, one of a hundred the third, one of a thousand the fourth, and so on... one in every hundred thousand magi would taste the secrets of the sixth veil. There might not even be a single one in this age...

Lord Fane made his appearance, flambouyant as ever, and Iblis gave a thin lipped smile. "She earned back her dignity, for the eve, at least. Besides, she cuts such a fine figure, even if her choice in armaments is rather silly. She seems to think bigger is better... as though she could swing such weapons." It was always fun when an opponent dared to underestimate you.

 

[Reptillicus]

It might be expected people would warn about lord fane, they didn't actually know how powerful Iblis or Maryabelle was. Well.... maybe Marc had some idea seeing as how he saw the girl heft those armements like it was nothing. Maryabelle tried to look her sternest and most stoic. a thin frown on her face as she mostly looked straight ahead. Maryabelle could really loom over people due to her height but she was such a sweet hearted girl that she wasn't too good at looking intimidating without being angry. She could act convincingly stoic though.

"Ah well, it should at least make the commoners respect you. And of course it's good display of how much you can spend, witch is important.", he said hand behind his back. "Well then, come on inside. The insides of my new estate are all finished I'm just having the outside touched up now. the dead do make such excellent tools do they not?" Lord Fane said as they followed him inside. "Well anyway, I have a new project Im working on and I'm finding my current tools are insufficient. But, I have come across a certain magical item that may help. Let us speak more of it around the table though. I Invite you to breakfast my lady." he said with short bow. So.... he saw his undead workers as tools did he? They were people too! again Iblis would feel jolt of anger in Maryabelle.

 

[ShinyHappyFitsOfRage]

Iblis gave what seemed like a genuine smile. The living had gives, when they were angered, flustered... heart palpitations, twitches. She couldn't afford those. Instead she held out her arm, to take his own. "Tools, indeed. Unfortunately, all true wealth is built on oppression. A hardened life for every silver spoon, and all that. Were it not for forced labor we'd never have had such marvels as the grand chapels and mausoleums that defined gothic architecture. Oh, aren't those a lovely sight..." she had a real passion for architecture, and a very... outrageously thorough knowledge of history, down to historical figures personal quirks and deepest motivations. The conversation would be sharp and enlightened with her, though outright lies and preconceived notions might persuade such a man as Lord Fane to ignore the obvious truth of her knowledge and substitute his own at times in sheer ignorance. "And the duke Vallayn of Isthorpe wrote a gaudy poem, as he said, and delivered it in front of the entire tourny! And with his lady's honor 'besmirched', the king had no choice but to go to war with it, or so he claimed. Started with the man's family, that very eve."