A briefing with your overlord

The entrance to Prometheia's lair is as impressive as you remember. The elevator slowly descends into the pit, chain rattling and creaking under the strain of the bodies weighing it down. Beside you, Selena and Lucia's group look anxiously at the legions of kobolds swarming up and down the rickety wooden platforms that line the sides of the hole. Aethane has a faraway, nostalgic look, while Annie and Cindy merely stare in awe at the massive gouges carved in the sides of the mountain. Kakkchal stands silently, as regal as ever, staring off into the distance.

Kakkchal gives you a nod once your ride finally grinds to a halt, a thud and puff of dust announcing the cavern floor below. "My thanks again for your company, Azazel. I look forward to the next time my lady sends me to visit your dungeon." He takes each maid's hand in turn and kisses them. "And I look forward to seeing you again, my lovely ladies." Annie giggles at the comment, and Cindy sticks her pinkie between her lips with a coy look. Kakkchal gives one last smile then turns and walks away through a nearby doorway, tapping his staff against the floor as he goes.

"Ah, welcome back, master. Welcome, mistresses," the creaky voice of the same wizened kobold that met you last time steps out of the shadows. His deep bow combined with his short statue put him below knee level, and you suppress a laugh at the sight. "Master, if you would please proceed to my queen's chamber, she awaits an audience. Mistresses, if you would please follow me, I'll show you to your room. Master, I'll meet you after your audience." You nod to your companions and step towards the the massive tunnel that leads to the Wyrm's throne room. "Mistress, if you could please follow me," the kobold glares at Aethane.

"I want to see my friend, and no snivelling kobold is going to stop me." The kobold wilts under the wolfish woman's withering glare, but nonetheless stands his ground.

"My queen is very busy. She does not see guests who she does not wish to see. I apologize, mistress." The kobold gives an apologetic and timid bow.

"Easy, Ath," you put your hand on the priestess' shoulder, and she quickly bats it off. "I'll pass along the word."

"See that you do." She growls at the kobold, then huffs and walks back to the rest of the group.

With the situation defused, you resume your path to the Great Wyrm's throne room. The tunnel opens to reveal seemingly endless rows of guards, two by two on either side of the corridor: far more than your last visit. Kobolds and dragonkin walk here and there, each on some sort of urgent mission, armour shining and weapons sharp, and you've long since lost count by the time you arrive at your destination. The exit to the tunnel is no less impressive than you remember: you need to shield your eyes at the glint of torchlight reflecting off myriad gold coins in the chamber above. You've scarcely set foot in the room when a familiar, deep alto voice booms.

"Greetings once again, Azazel. I hope the journey was pleasant?" The priceless treasures around the dragoness' arms jangle as she approaches, and you instinctively kneel as her voice washes over you. "Please, there is no need for such formalities between us. How is Ikaria?"

"She's doing well, my lady." You stand to face her, just barely taller than she is, but you still feel small in her presence. "A bit frustrated that she can't act, but otherwise enjoying herself."

"Good, that is good..." her eyes drift off into the distance for a moment before returning to you. "Despite her protests, this is for the best. As one of my heralds no doubt informed you, I have called all of the contenders for the Soul here for a conference. Consider it your chance to size up the competition and learn what you can. Of course, they will have the chance to do the same, but I rather expect them to underestimate you." Her laughter echoes through the cavern. "Have you made any progress?"

"I've just succeeded in recruiting a group of adventurers to work with me. We haven't had a chance to find any leads on the Soul just yet though."

"Excellent! You there!" She points to a guard in the distance, and your ears reel from her booming voice. "Send for the daemon's attendant. Tell him to bring my vassal's adventurer to meet me!" The dragonkin salutes and disappears into the long tunnel. She turns back to see you wince and lets out a much quieter laugh. "My apologies, I sometimes forget that some monsters are so fragile."

"Now, while we wait for her to arrive, let us discuss your mission. I have become quite confident that the Soul is somewhere here on Imporne. The contenders have flocked here like flies around a carcass. By their movements none has discovered its exact location, but it is hard to say how long that will last." The queen clasps her hands behind her back, pacing back and forth as if deep in thought.

"Should I need to be worried about any of them? Thus far, I only know about a djinni."

"You should be concerned about all of them." She gives you a reproaching glare before resuming her pacing. "Do not let yourself grow overconfident just because some appear less powerful than others. Remember, you are likely the weakest among them, and yet I still have chosen to bet on you. Appearances can be deceiving." She pauses for a moment. "That being said, no doubt some will pose more threat than others. The djinni is the weakest, I believe. There is also a hag, of whom I have learned less than I would like."

"The other two I know somewhat more about. One is a wizard called Chronos, who they say has achieved such mastery of his craft that he can even slow the flow of time itself. The other is an archfae called Aura. That is not her true name, of course—the fae are quite secretive about such things—but it is how she demands that she be addressed. Both have also recruited adventurers of no small repute and power."

"How am I supposed to defeat a wizard who can control time itself?" It wasn't like you to doubt yourself, but after the events with the lich you've learned just how powerful some monsters can be. "Let alone an archfae. I've never met one, but if they're anything like daemon lords..."

Prometheia laughs. "Be resourceful. Was Akserrak not also beyond your power? Strong though Aura may be, she is no daemon lord."

"What about Kay? She wants to help, and she's no pushover."

Prometheia lets out a sigh, the rush of air nearly knocking you off your feet. "Should it be that or losing the Soul, you may enlist her aid. However, I will trust you not to do so lightly. Not only will that create an incredibly annoying mess for me to clean up, and prevent me from helping you any more, but I would be terribly disappointed if you simply relied on the power of me and mine to defeat the contenders." The clacking of shoes against rock announces someone's approach. "Ah, this must be your adventurer. Welcome!" This time, the blast of sound causes you to double over, a sharp pain piercing your skull like a needle.

"So you're the woman who runs this joint?" Selena struts up to the two of you, her high heels clicking against the stone floor. "I'm Selena." She sticks out her hand and the dragoness takes it with a smile, giving it a firm but polite shake.

"Oh my, Azazel certainly knows how to pick his companions." Prometheia slowly looks the adventurer up and down. Her eyes greedily drink in the sight of how much skin Selena is baring, but also seem to look beyond. "Not bad, not bad. Could be a few levels higher, but you will do. Say, Azazel," she looks back at you, "would you mind if I gave this one a try?"

"I brought Rea's trainees if you're looking for a bit of fun, but this one is mine." You reach your arms around the witch from behind and pull her possessively into your chest, eliciting a moan as you slip one hand over her breast and the other between her legs.

"Aze, what are you..." The stormsoul turns beet-red at the treatment, although she doesn't pull away.

"Don't worry, pet, she's no saint." You lightly pinch Selena's nipple through the thin fabric of her top, while two fingers of your other hand stroke the outline of her slit.

The Wyrm lets out an amused chuckle at your comment. "Indeed I am not. Very well, daemon, suit yourself. Perhaps I will take you up on those maids later. My minions are so dull, and I imagine I will need a break after meeting all the other contenders."

"Would you excuse me for a moment, my lady?" The dragoness gives you a nod, so you cease teasing your adventurer ally and step over to the guards. You muster the quietest whisper you can manage and ask him to bring Aethane here.

"What are you up to over there?" Selena grits her teeth as the primordial woman's voice booms through the room, but at your distance it isn't too loud.

"It's a surprise. Can you ask your guard to do what I say?" It takes all the air you can muster to shout something audible across the room.

"Very well, daemon, play your games. Minion, you may do what he says so long as it does not harm your queen." She waves her hand dismissively and returns to her conversation with the stormsoul. You simply wait by the entrance, taking a break from the dragoness' oppressive presence, until the guard returns with your newest champion in tow.

"Who is tha—Athy!" Prometheia crosses the distance in the blink of an eye, sweeping up the newcomer in her arms. "I thought you were lost!"

"Romie... so did I." Aethane wraps her arms around her friend in turn, squeezing her so tightly that it seems as if she's trying to snap her friend in half.

"How are you? If the imp has mistreated you, he'll rue the day I let him keep your gem..." the dragoness shoots you a dangerous glare, and it's all you can do not to shrink into the wall.

Thankfully, Aethane just laughs. "He's been fine. He's given me a forge and everything. I see you haven't done too badly since I last saw you. Queen of Imporne!" Her sarcastic tone is betrayed by the naked joy in her eyes.

"Leave us, Azazel. You as well, Selena: it was good to meet you. I wish to spend some time with my friend. Get some rest after your journey: tomorrow will be busy." You give a polite bow and then step back into the tunnel, Selena beside you.

"Well, I can hardly fault you for not making much progress on our deal so far." Awe and ambition play across your pet adventurer's face. "It isn't every day that I get to meet a monster like that, talk to her, and walk away to tell the tale. In fact, I don't know if I've ever met something even close to her level, not counting Kay of course. From what I remember it's been nearly a year since any guilds even managed to clear this raid." Your eyes slip to the thin fabric covering her D-cup breasts as she walks, and she gives you a sultry smirk as she continues. "So what's our next move?"

"Well, I can think of a few things I'd like to do tonight." You reach around and grope her, eliciting a slight moan before she slaps your hand away. The guards stare motionlessly forward, seemingly indifferent to the sight.

"Heavens, you're insatiable. I don't know how you have it in you between your whole harem." Despite her words, she grips your arm and rubs her breasts tantalizingly along it.

"How can I, when I'm surrounded by beauties who dress so scandalously? As if you mind, anyways. I seem to recall someone came three times last night just from sucking me off."

"Alright, fine, I might just be slowly coming around to the idea of that contract of yours. I had my doubts, but it has its perks once you get used to it." She gives one more rub, then suddenly pulls away. "But seriously, save it for the bedroom. What's our next move?"

"Sounds like we'll mostly be meeting and greeting tomorrow." You groan a bit, not looking forward to rubbing shoulders with a bunch of powerful monsters who want to kill you. "We'll play it by ear, with you and your gals sticking with me or breaking off to meet the other adventurers as the situation demands. See if you can get some time with Alastra and her group while I distract her djinni: get a map or directions or some way for us to find her dungeon. And see if you can get any information on the Soul's whereabouts: I doubt anyone has found it just yet, but any hints the anyone drops about where they're looking might help."

"Makes sense." Selena gives a sharp nod. "I have a few ideas of my own. I'll talk to the girls and see what we come up with." She gives a slight yawn. "Well, I'm beat. Still getting used to these heels, and while they're sexy two straight days of walking wasn't the best way to break them in. I thought I smelled something good on the way here: want to check out what's on the menu?"

"Don't you want to round up Lucia and the others first?"

"Oh, please," she rolls her eyes, "as if they waited ten seconds after I left." Sure enough, you turn a corner to see Selena's three scantily-clad companions and your two maids being served by a sharply dressed dragonkin waiter. "If I'm really going to be stuck in your dungeon, you need to find a good cook."

"Hey Aze, hey Lena, what's up?" Lucia looks up from her plate, a steaming pile of roast wyvern and vegetables slathered in gravy, a fine glass of wine set beside it. "When are we getting this kind of service back in the tower?"

"Whenever you want to kill the wyvern." You give the back of her head a flick before taking your own seat. "So anyways, let's go over what everyone's job is these next few days, then we have the rest of the day to laze about. Anyone have any plans?"

"Oh, I can think of a few," Becca smirks and a feminine foot plays with your own under the table.