Have Fun Storming the Castle

[Poprockz]

“No, you don’t understand! His office is the only way into his floor and it’s heavily fortified, and you don’t even have an appointment!” The scaled woman struggled against him as they walked, his knife nicking her every once in a while.

“He doesn’t like when his studies are interrupted, so you can just go back down to the other floors.” She pulled against the the hand on his neck. If his grip wasn’t so firm, her smooth scales might have allowed her to slip away.

As they walked, they started to hear a low hum which gradually raised in pitch the further they traveled. Soon, it drowned out most of the sound around them from its pitch. Eventually they came upon a clearing with a solitary tree. It was massive and completely made of amber. Different parts of it flowed as if the underside was still molten.

Merrill was there, along with a double of Merek. They looked to be having an argument and he could see her poke her finger into his chest angrily as they spoke unheard words. Ice daggers appeared in her hands, but his double quickly grabbed her wrists and pinned them above her against the tree. He pushed them together to hold both with one large hand as she struggled, her little body no match for his strength.

He took off her rings and tossed them to the side, kissing her deeply as her eyes widened and she squirmed. His free hand now slipped into her breaches, causing her to struggle more intensely.

 

[TheWhiteBull]

With quick instinct the real Merek knocked his prisoner forward into the ground and flipped his grip on the dagger then tossed it into the other shapeshifter’s back. Stomping on the fallen one’s back as he rushed forward, the injured one turned to face him, the dagger having failed to penetrate any vital organs. Drawing his sword as he ran, the tiefling presses the issue, deftly slashing and thrusting with the blade.

The shapeshifter was fast, but not fast enough and unarmed. Merek scores several hits and was finally able to knock him to his knees and in a flash the blade bit through his neck and nearly decapitated him.

Turning and cleaning the blade he could see that the first one had gotten up and made a move at Merrill who had managed to retrieve her rings and freeze the serpentine female in place.

As he came alongside her he inquired as to whether or not she was okay, and then asked what they had been arguing about.

 

[Poprockz]

Upon closer inspection, Merrill seemed to be cut, bruised, and scraped all over, splotches of dirt on her skin and clothes. She had to speak loudly to be heard over the humming of the tree, but she answered, “I’m okay, but thanks for the help. I was in a bit of a pinch there.” Merrill shook her head, looking down at the male snake-shifter in his original form.

“When you went to check out the water, I heard a rustling behind me and went to check it out. It wasn’t that far, so I figured it would be okay. A vine grabbed me by the ankles and started dragging me through the brush really fast.” She gestured at her arms and legs. “This went on for a bit, and then you- well, he came and cut the vine for me. By then we started to hear the humming and he wanted to check it out. I was a little grumpy at him since I wanted to rest and drink some water.”

Merrill started to rub her arms, Frost misting from her hands as she started to heal herself. “He kept trying to be really friendly and nice, and he wouldn’t stop talking, so I got suspicious that something was wrong.” Her gaze turned a bit sheepish, “Not that you’re not nice or friendly or anything, but you don’t seem to be someone who wastes words, especially in chatting or stuff like that. Anyway, we got to the tree and he just says that he wants to wait there, and that I should take off my clothes and dance for him in the meantime. I thought he was joking, but then he just tries to grope me. I pulled back and started telling him off and asking what was wrong with you- er, him. I think that's where you came in, right?”

Her gaze shifted over to the other one who was currently on ice. “I see you got one too. What made you realize it wasn’t me?”

 

[TheWhiteBull]

“Same thing.” He said, and left it at that though he could see the shock, embarrassment, and anger all jumbled together at the thought of some version of her and him together.

Turning toward their prisoner he pondered what to do. She had acted docile while he’d held her forcefully, but jumped at Merrill once free. Unable to trust her but loathe to kill in cold blood he retrieved some rope from his pack and began to break away the ice holding her.

“She’d shift enough to break this eventually.” He explained as he worked. “So we’re going to have use a tightening knot. That way anything she changes into will only pull it in more. “

 

[Poprockz]

Merrill nodded, “that seems like a good idea.” She shifted nervously, looking at the snake and imagining it as herself trying to seduce Merek. It was a little embarrassing to think that he may have seen her naked. Even though it technically wasn’t her, it was still an almost exact replica. The fairy wondered what kind of behavior the snake-shifter had displayed to tip him off. However, she didn’t want to open up that can of worms, preferring to leave it as a mystery.

She walked over to where he was chipping, putting her hand on the serpent’s forehead as her hand and ring glowed. “Sleep.” The woman tried to resist, but she was unable to break the touch of the nymph’s dainty hand. Her eyes drooped and she was soon deeply asleep, like a travelled lulled into rest by the chill of a blizzard. Merrill then tapped on the ice, shattering it and catching the woman as her body slumped over.

“There we go. It should be easier to get the knot on her now.” Her eyes studied him fondly; it was good to be traveling with him after being imprisoned. She wanted to cringe as she remembered that the inside of her shirt was still sticky with his cum, but she restrained herself.

 

[TheWhiteBull]

Merek placed his palms on the ice and used his demonic heat to make it melt. As he tied their hostage he carried on conversation.

“You wouldn’t happen to know any illusion magic would you? Something to disguise us through her boss’s place?” Merrill shook her head with a bit of a pout and he shrugged. “Figures. Neither do I. Scaly here said the only way through is this guy’s lair. I’m not sure I believe that but I don’t exactly have any evidence to the opposite effect. So we’ve got three options. The first is to try and make it through the known way. Second is to search around for a secret passage. The third...”

 

[Poprockz]

“The third...?” Merrill looked at him curiously as he used the rope to secure the serpent woman. She wasn’t sure why he was intent on taking her with them, especially when they could simply leave her by the tree, thinking her companions would probably come to get her. The little nymph was interested to know what he had planned, but the way he trailed off made it seem like she might not like his suggestion.

“We are on a mission, you know. Don’t hold back any suggestions on my account.” She waited patiently.

 

[TheWhiteBull]

“The most powerful piece of magic I know is summoning a demon. I can summon one and bind it in the process, making it subservient for so long as whatever task we give it. Be that blasting through all of our enemies here or crafting us a portal to take us closer to the Queen’s castle.”

 

[Poprockz]

“Your demon would be dead and trying to hack you up before you got very far. That is, if you were severely injured from trying to warp in there.” A familiar figure stalked up to them, flicking her tail with annoyance. Alaya crossed her arms and glared at Merek, clearly upset for leaving her on the lower floors.

“Do you know how long I looked for you in that ballroom? In case you don’t remember, I’m obligated to help you to the highest floor AND not betray you. Betraying also meaning leaving you to fend for yourself. Therefore, I have had to actively try to find you for days. Nocturne kept trying to show me his wine collection and I finally left the floor on the chance you snuck out. Then I find out that you had been almost tortured to death, and fought your way out to here. I’m recognized as a person of power here, so were you with me, they may not have attacked you.”

The succubus eyed the serpent, recognizing her as a shape-changer. “Besides, you’re going to have a hard time getting further without me. The lord of the next floor is a Lich, master of undead, a power magic-user who has wards and spells preventing such things like warping or portalling from happening. There is only one entrance, but there are multiple exits, so we just have to get in.”

 

[TheWhiteBull]

“What can I say? I’m a little impatient and the party was taking too long.” Merek sheathed his blade which had entered his hand at the first word. “And besides, tales of my near-death were greatly exaggerated I’m sure.”

Watching Alaya smirk at that he knew he was actually glad to have her back. She had been helpful before and clearly their contract would still hold her in check.

“So we’ll follow you. Just try to keep the distractions to a minimum if you can.”

 

[Poprockz]

“Oh, this is also for you.” She quickly tossed him something that glimmered in the light. Upon inspection, it was a medium butt-plug with an emerald for decoration. A little tag was attached that said, “Hope you visit soon, hunk. I’ll be using mine until then.... large, of course. Xoxoxo.” Obviously, it was a gift from Nocturne.

“Distractions? I only do what is necessary... unless I’m horny.”

She grinned at him and used her tail to caress his jaw as she walked past him, taking the lead. “Good to see you too, little one. I see you still reek of virgin.” Her sultry voice mentioned.

Merrill flinched and scuttled after them, blushing. “That’s none of your business, Alaya!”

Alaya licked her lips, “It’s always my business.” She led them through the forest, using her large axe to slice away any plants that may have been foolish enough to block her path.

 

[TheWhiteBull]

As they followed the succumbing through the brush Merek had the nymph walk in the middle while he fell behind as rear guard. Alaya had said she had influence here and he didn’t doubt her, but stayed alert nonetheless.

After what was likely an hour of trudging they reached the entrance. It was the opening of a cavern carved to resemble the open mouth of a serpent. There were two cobra-headed guards flanking it but true to her word Alaya simply announced herself and continued leading the way inside.

Although well lit and spacious, the tunnel shared a loopy quality with other such paths, forcing Merek to eventually abandon attempts to memorize their route. Checking on Merrill he noticed she was almost watching the walls more than the way ahead.

It wasn’t surprising, they were decorated from floor to ceiling in lewd murals. Given that they were in a lair of shapeshifters the art depicted all manner of beings doing all manner of the things to all manner of beings. As they plunged ahead the nymph’s cheek became so flush that they almost matched his skin.

 

[Poprockz]

Merrill was a bit shocked by the lewdness of all of the murals. In one it showed two ogres fucking an elf, their cocks bulging her stomach as they fucked both of her holes. Another showed two beautiful female fairies licking and fondling each other. Further down the tunnel, there was one that depicted a perverted male vampire (who had a striking resemblance to Nocturne) holding a leash for his collared female cat-woman. She had a ball-gag and her hands were tied behind her back.

Alaya sighed wistfully and licked her lips, drinking in the sight of the pictures as they went as though they were passing through a museum that interested her greatly. "There is a shape-shifter floor manager, if I'm not mistaken. Once we're through, we'll be in Lord Archaus's waiting room until one of his underlings fetches him or brings us to his office."

"He cannot be killed, only temporarily incapacitated. So try not to provoke him if you can help it, even if he can be insufferable sometimes. He is only interested in his studies and his subjects. If he refuses our request to pass through, which is likely, then we will have to sneak our way through. He's been undead for so long, he can be a little unpredictable at times."

They continued down the tunnel, the little nymph having become aroused by the pictures, she couldn't help but continue to look at them.

 

[TheWhiteBull]

Merek noticed the nymph slowing down and falling behind as she gawked at the art. He reached back and grabbed her by the arm, pulling her forward and back on pace with the rest of the group. “No time for that now. You can learn all you like about it later.”

The tiefling walked alongside the sultry succubus and asked “You said studies...what kind of studies? The decoration would suggest erotic but I fail to see how a lich would be interested in sex. On the same note, do you think perhaps a gift might persuade him to be more forthcoming in allowing us passage?”

They passed through a circular doorway, covered in a carving of what appeared to be a large mass of phallic tentacles.

 

[Poprockz]

Merrill blushed as he pulled her along, “I was just... I mean... okay.” She followed him obediently, embarrassed that she had been side-tracked by smut.

Alaya shrugged, “he studies just about anything and everything, always trying to get his hands on more knowledge whether that be in the way of books, words, or experiences. Just because he’s undead doesn’t mean he doesn’t enjoy some eroticism from time to time. Despite what the entrance looks like, his office is actually quite sterile and unbearably clean and orderly. I personally think he’s an ass; he never let me touch him. Said my hands were dirty. Ever since then, I’ve hated his guts.” She flicked her tail in annoyance.

“The serpent-people are more my speed... as far as gifts go, no. He’s very much a stubborn man who likes things to happen his own way. I’m just hoping he’ll allow us to pass because he has to. If he doesn’t, he’ll risk upsetting people who pass through. Doesn’t mean he won’t try to stall us or keep us here for a while, moody bastard.”

Merrill looked up at the arch and her mouth dropped open, shutting quickly as she wrenched her eyes away and kept walking.

 

[TheWhiteBull]

The tiefling and the nymph followed her into the room. Sterile and minimal just as Alaya had said, the manager was at a desk centered in the floor. The walls were lined with cabinets that had glass panes, revealing a large collection of various items. Merek tried to avoid inspecting them and pay attention to the succubus’s conversation with the underling.

After several minutes of what essentially boils down to “Don’t you know who I am?” The grumpy shapeshifter went off to ostensibly retrieve his master. Now that he had time, Merek joined Merrill in investigating the contents archived in this room. Multiple body parts, to be expected although he wasn’t certain what types of body several parts had originally belonged to. Myriad tools, relics, mysterious substances. She asked him about several things, some of which he could describe and others he was at a loss for. The time dragged on and they began to wonder where their “host” was when the door opened and the Lich entered.

He wasn’t particularly physically imposing, being housed inside a rotting body after all. But his presence brought a chill with it, not a natural one like the frost nymph’s. And his eyes glowed green in the dim interior...

 

[Poprockz]

The man she saw was not what the nympth had expected. She had thought he would be an old man with a beard and leathery skin. Rather, the body he was wearing at that point was of a tall black-haired man with rectangular glasses. He had dark circles under his eyes and generally looked like a straight-laced sort of man. He wore a long lab coat with black trousers and a white button-up shirt. His eyes seemed to scan them, looking them up and down. It wasn’t certain whether his thoughts were of a sexual nature, or whether he was considering them as specimens. His ghostly green eyes eventually found Alaya, and it almost looked as though he was annoyed, unreadable as his expression was.

He crossed his arms and tapped a finger on one of his arms. "No." He didn't even hesitate. "The answer is no, Alaya."

She gritted her teeth for a moment and then softened her face, rubbing her hands together. "You haven't heard my question, yet. Also, what a fine new body you have, my lord."

He sighed and sat down in a large armchair near the staircase leading to his own floor. He folded his fingers over the top of his green-jeweled cane and rested his chin for a moment, an apathetic look on his face. "You wish to go to the higher floors with your two guests. I'm afraid that is impossible. My minions have had a few containment issues when making room for my latest shipment. You will have to wait at least a week. "

His eyes passed over the nymph and the tiefling, vague curiosity shone in his eyes. "Why are you trying to pass this time, Alaya? It was my understanding that your former lover didn't wish to see you. That is, after all, why she put you on the lowest floor."

The succubus bristled, "the tiefling and I are bringing her a gift."

An eyebrow was raised as he looked at Merrill. His gaze made her uncomfortable and she shifted to hide behind Merek as inconspicuously as she could. "The nymph? If you think a nymph is enough to earn her favor back, then you are more foolish than I thought. The answer is still no. Stay. Reap the benefits of my hospitality while you wait."

"No thank you, my lord. We will return to the lower floors. Thank you for the consideration." Ayala beckoned for them to leave the room. Two large skeletons blocked their path.

"You seem to have misunderstood; I was not asking. I do not need three mice sneaking around my laboratory." A rune on the stone floor glowed, paralyzing their legs.

He stood up and removed his glasses, polishing them, "besides, I need a distraction. Tired minds do not work at their best, you know."