A moment to breathe

Fenrir awoke first. Sunlight streamed in through the nearby window, the angle indicating late morning, and he could faintly hear the distant bawling of a calf searching for its mother. Turning his attention to his bedmates revealed Katari plastered to his side so closely that Fenrir imagined separating them would elicit the distinctive sound of Velcro. Meanwhile, Kira cuddled comfortably against Katari from behind, and Chellise curled into a ball atop Fenrir's broad chest, the fingers of one hand loosely entwined in his neck ruff. Safara lay against his other side, her face calm and peaceful.

There being little to no possibility of his getting out of bed without disturbing one or more of his girls, Fenrir settled himself to wait patiently. He wasn't in any particular hurry, after all. For weeks now he had marked each passing hour with unease, a constant gnawing anxiety for the fate of his girls dogging his every step, but here they all were, safe and sound in his arms. For once he felt he could relax and take a breath. There were of course still the rest, back at the castle in the mountains, and Elmeria and Mitzi in the capital, but he had no reason to believe they weren't all equally safe.

He let out a long sigh and laid his head back on the pillow. Less than a month ago, he could never have imagined a moment like this. He knew his troubles were far from over, but in this moment he could not help but feel deeply grateful to the Dark Twins for bringing him to Ruyanei. He had never thought to ask why they had chosen him of all people. The closest he had ever gotten to an answer for that question was the initial offer which had mentioned his fantasies and dark desires. Idle thoughts of his, never anything he had expected to be remotely possible, especially for someone like him. But here he was, and many of those fantasies were coming to life before his eyes, if in slightly altered form.

Chellise stirred atop him, letting out a cute little squeak as she yawned and stretched. "G'morning, Daddy," she mumbled, rubbing the sleep from bleary eyes.

Fenrir chuckled. "Good morning, Chellise. Sleep well?"

"Mm-hmm." Chellise twisted around to look at the window and nearly fell off of Fenrir. "What time is it?"

"Around ten, I think."

To his side, Katari and then Kira, both awoken by the conversation, stirred. As Katari realized what it was she was hugging so closely, her eyes went wide and she blushed violently enough for it to show even through her scarlet skin, but she did not pull away. Kira sat up and stretched, drawing Fenrir's eyes momentarily to her massive chest. The red-haired succubus did not notice, however, since her attention was taken up by Katari. She smirked like a cheshire cat upon seeing the oni's current position, but said nothing about it, instead addressing Fenrir. "So boss, what's the plan for today?"

"Nothing in particular. Once Safara wakes up we'll see how she's doing, and then we can make plans for heading back to the castle, but until then we rest up and see if we can't strengthen our bonds with the Light-races a little more."

"Sounds good to me," Kira replied, crawling to the edge of the bed and somewhat clumsily getting out. Reaching back, she dragged Katari off of Fenrir, saying, "C'mon, there'll be more time for cuddling later. We should find Brandis and America and see what they're up to."

"Last one dressed has to eat slime!" Chellise sang out, bouncing to her own feet and grabbing her clothing from the pile she had left them in the night before. Fenrir quirked an eyebrow at the curious turn of phrase and was on the point of asking about it when Kira spoke.

"You coming, boss?" she asked, retrieving her own clothing.

"Yeah, I'm just-" Fenrir broke off at a movement from his side. Safara was stirring. "Good morning, Safara. How are you feeling?" Fenrir kept his voice low and gentle.

Her brow furrowed, but she kept her eyes tightly closed. Fenrir just barely heard her whisper, "If this is a dream, please please don't wake up."

"No such luck, little girl," he replied, grinning. "You're awake, and this is as real as it gets."

Her eyes flew open. Fenrir gave her a warm smile and pulled her a little closer to him. She wrapped her arms around him and gave a shaky sigh, tears starting to her eyes. "I was so afraid I'd just imagined you saving me earlier. You were my one hope all this time." Then she pulled back a little so she could see his face. "But how did you escape being banished? I was sure the Archbishop had sent both of you to Apollyon."

"She did, but I found a way back. It's quite a story, and I'll tell you all about it, but later. Right now, we should get some food into you. Somehow I doubt your captors have been feeding you properly."

Safara shuddered a little at the mention of her captors and clung a little closer to Fenrir. "No, they didn't."

Fenrir hugged her back, being careful to avoid aggravating her bruises. "Then it's breakfast time. I could use some food myself. I don't suppose you have any idea what happened to your clothes?"

Safara shook her head.

"Thought as much. Well, until we can scrounge up some proper clothes for you, let's see..." Fenrir took the blanket that had been wrapped around her and shook it out. It was light but fluffy, and quite large. Pulling Safara to her feet, he wrapped it around her toga style, or tried to, finding it a more difficult proposition than he had expected. Chellise came to his rescue, helping to arrange the blanket around Safara in such a way that it preserved her modesty without hindering her movement. She had to sacrifice a belt from her own outfit to do it, but before long Safara was more or less properly attired.

"Thank you," the elf smiled a little shyly.

"'Course," Chellise answered, readjusting her clothing to compensate for the lost belt. "Now let's go." She flashed a sunny smile at Safara and bounced to the door.

Fenrir took the opportunity to replace his belt and sash around his waist, noticing that by this time both Kira and Katari were dressed as well.

"Chell's sure in a good mood," he heard Kira say in an undertone to Katari.

"Are not we all?" Katari answered.

Fenrir glanced at the two and saw Kira smirk. "True. Having the boss here, alive and safe, is a huge load off my mind."

"I feel the same. I-" Katari broke off and swallowed. "And we saved Safara, too. It is a joyous day."

Kira shot Katari a sharp glance, then gave her a quick but heartfelt one-armed hug.

While this exchange was transpiring, Safara took several shaky steps towards the door, wavered, and would have fallen had Fenrir not caught her. "I'm sorry, E'nas, I'm too weak to walk," she whispered. Her face was pale from the effort.

"Not to worry, I've got you," Fenrir said, scooping her into his arms, and with Kira and Katari close behind he followed Chellise out of the room and down the hall.

Fenrir took the lead once they crossed the scent of food, following his nose to the kitchens, where they found the aforementioned elderly cook in her element, presiding over the kitchen with several assistants helping to prepare a meal.

"Out! Out! No strangers in my kitchen!" she barked, herding them back towards the door with sharp jabs from a large wooden spoon.

"Woah, easy there. I just need something for us to eat," Fenrir expostulated, lifting Safara safely above any errant pokings.

"Adeline, wait!" a voice came from behind them, America hurrying towards the group. "These people are a part of our party. If they want food, get them some."

"Your name is Adeline?" Fenrir questioned.

The cook paused in her **** to eye him suspiciously. "Yes. And what of it?"

"Nothing in particular, it's just that it's a beautiful name."

"Hmph," the old woman grunted, but Fenrir could tell she was pleased. "Sit down there, and don't move. I'll give you a meal that'll knock your socks off."

Fenrir obligingly took a seat on the bench indicated, placing Safara next to him where she could lean on him for support. America sat down across the table from him, Katari placing herself on his other side. Kira and Chellise were about to sit as well when Fenrir stopped them with a gesture. "I doubt either of you are hungry yet, so if you'd rather run along and do something other than watch us eat, feel free."

Kira grinned. "After the meal you gave us yesterday, there's no way I'd be hungry already. At least not for human food. I guess I'm gonna go explore the estate."

"Kira, wait up, I'm coming with you." Chellise bounded to her side.

"Have fun, girls," Fenrir grinned, then turned his attention back to America as the two succubi left the room. Kira's mention of her 'meal' the day before had brought a hint of color to the princess' cheeks, but she had otherwise maintained her composure. "I assume by the fact that Madame Adeline over there is preparing food that she's been cleared of suspicion?"

"Yes, Ser Brandis has been hard at work all morning. Not that we really suspected her in the first place. We think that most of the servants are ignorant of what their master's been up to, and while we can't let any of them leave the estate for fear they'll tip off the rest of the slavers here in Eldfall, those that we do clear of suspicion are free to go about their business on the grounds. We have scouts patrolling the perimeter, both to ensure no one slips out and to guard against unwelcome visitors." She turned to Safara. "I'm glad to see you're well, Lady Cidrin. Let me just say how sorry I am that something like what happened to you could happen in Mavenia, under our very noses."

Safara made a deprecating gesture. "It was not your fault, princess."

"Even so. It is our responsibility to make our city safe not just for its citizens but also its visitors. We failed, and you paid the price for it."

Before Safara could respond, a platter of food was placed on the table, quickly followed by plates, bowls and cutlery. "There you be. Try it, and see how you like it, wolf-boy." The old cook brandished her spoon at Fenrir, but there was a hint of warmth in the glare she bent on him.

"Certainly, and thank you for making it for us," Fenrir returned, filling both his and Safara's bowls with the savory stew from which a heavenly aroma rose. Taking a bite, he detected ham, eggs, cheese, and several other flavors, all cooked to perfection. It was a delicious combination, and clearly Safara agreed, for she let out a small moan of delight as she savored her own bite. Katari, on his other side, was somewhat less effusive, but it was clear from her expression that she thought quite as much of the meal as Fenrir.

"If I were wearing socks, this would certainly knock them off," Fenrir grinned between bites. "I haven't had a stew this good in... well, since I can remember. And the bread is baked to perfection as well."

Adeline gave a satisfied nod and turned back to her work, though with noticeably less shouting at her subordinates than before.

A companionable silence reigned at the table as everyone filled their stomachs. America had apparently already eaten, but the scents of the repast soon convinced her to take a small portion as well.

Once finished, they renewed their compliments to the cook and left the kitchen, Fenrir still carrying Safara. "You need to rest," he told her when she protested. "No sense in wasting your energy walking around when that energy could be put to better use rebuilding your strength." Safara acquiesced, and Fenrir thought he detected relief that her objection had been shot down. Certainly she settled back into his arms with every indication of contentment.

America spoke up as they exited the kitchen, saying she needed to get back to Ser Brandis. She gave Fenrir instructions on how to reach the knight in case he needed to find them for any reason, then left them.

Fenrir wandered down the hallway, thinking over all that had recently happened while Safara lay nestled comfortably in the crook of one arm and Katari followed in her customary position of two paces back and one to the side. Pausing at a window, he said to Safara, "I think it's time we talked about this." He placed a finger on the blanket where it just barely covered the strange symbol on her chest.

Safara swallowed. "It's some kind of null rune," she replied quietly. "Ever since they put it on me I haven't been able to access my magic at all. I can't even feel my mana reservoir."

"Kira mentioned them using something of the sort. We'll have to see what the slavers know about removing it," Fenrir mused. "Well, in the meantime don't stress about it. If it can be undone, you can bet that we'll find out how."

Safara nodded, looking a little heartened. "I know it's not my place to ask, but what do you intend to do from now on, E'nas?"

"What are my plans going forward, you mean? Well, after you've recovered enough to travel we'll all head back to the castle in the Kharos Mountains. We've been gone for quite long enough. If I can, I'll maintain good relations with Brandis and America; having friends in such high places could prove invaluable, and with the Archbishop now mine, I doubt I have much to fear from the Vigil so long as we don't draw too much attention to ourselves. We've still got plenty to do to keep ourselves busy but that's the-"

He broke off at Safara's look. "What do you mean, the Archbishop is yours?" she asked.

"Ah, right, I promised to tell you all about my adventures later. Let's see..." He began opening doors at random until he came across what appeared to be a small sitting room. "This should do. Now, you were there for my fight with Elmeria, and you saw how it ended."

"With you tricking the Archbishop into banishing the both of you, or so I thought at the time," Safara supplied, her eyes alight with curiosity.

"You thought correctly. In Apollyon, unless you have a Key of Apollyon, you cannot use magic or abilities..."

"...And so I found them less than an hour before they began their rescue operation to save you and capture your 'owner'."

"-So actually, it was us that did most of the legwork in saving you and the boss just swooped in to take all the credit," Kira said, stepping into the room, but her tone was amused rather than accusatory.

Fenrir chuckled. "And don't think I'll forget it," he rejoined. His ear twitched at the distant sound of a dull thunk. He had been hearing similar sounds for almost a quarter of an hour, and now he got up and stepped to the window to try to discover the source of the strange noises. He found it in the form of Myrina training in a courtyard below the window. She had found several bales of straw somewhere and was using them in lieu of training dummies. A thought came to mind, but he put it aside for the moment and moved back to the rest to finish his retelling of events.

"Oh, by the way, where's Chellise?" he interrupted himself to ask.

"She said she was gonna find out how Brandis and America are doing, and I decided to see if I couldn't find you anywhere."

"Ah, I see," said Fenrir, and he continued his narrative.

"And there you have it," Fenrir finally finished, spreading out his hands. "Everything that's happened to me and the girls since you saw us last." For a brief moment he considered asking what had happened to Safara in that same space of time, but he discarded the thought almost as quickly as it had come. 'It's still far too soon to ask her to talk about that.'

"Wow..." Safara fixed glowing eyes upon him. "You're the next Demon King, aren't you?" The words were a question, but the tone was not.

"Fate seems to want me to be," Fenrir admitted, "but I'm not so excited about the idea. I'd much rather just enjoy my life with you girls in peace. With all my girls."

There was silence in the room. Safara continued to stare at Fenrir with the same adoration in her eyes, Kira's eyes were wide with the revelation of Fenrir's remark, and Katari's were narrowed in thought. All three were looking at Fenrir as though at any moment he might rip off his fur to reveal a Demon King hiding beneath.

"Oh, come now, I'm still the same Fenrir I've been all this time," the direwolf admonished them.

Kira snorted. "Sure, but it's not every day you find out your master is in the same weight class as a fucking Demon King."

"I'm not. I'm still far weaker than even the weakest Demon King. I just have the potential to grow strong enough to become one."

Kira waved a hand in dismissal. "Same difference. You realize I'm a lesser succubus still. We don't even register on the power scale when you compare us to the Demon Kings or their courts."

"You won't be a lesser succubus forever," Fenrir pointed out. "Yumiko apprised me of the fact that for some reason or other, sex with me is orders of magnitude more potent for your growth than with pretty much anything else she knows of, and you can count on getting plenty of it. You'll be a grand succubus before you know it."

"That'll be the day," Kira smirked, but she dropped her head in acknowledgement of Fenrir's assertion.

"Now, I have a date with a certain Amazon, and unless I'm much mistaken she's currently off duty. Did you want to come along, Safara?"

"Yes," the elf replied instantly. "Please." Manifestly she did not wish to be out of Fenrir's sight.

Fenrir lifted her into his arms again and started towards the door, saying over his shoulder, "If either of you wanted to tag along, feel free."

Katari fell in behind him, but Kira dashed off down the corridor, shouting over her shoulder, "I'll be back!"

'She moves pretty quick for someone with that big a belly,' Fenrir mused. 'Guess she wasn't kidding about Dark-races having less trouble with pregnancies.'

"Um, E'nas?" Safara laid a hand on his chest. "I just want you to know, even if you do become the Demon King, I'll still be yours as long as you want me. I know I'm useless to you as long as I have this mark on me," -she indicated the brand on her chest- "but please don't throw me away."

"Never. You're mistaken in thinking that having your abilities nulled makes you useless to me, but even if it did, I don't think of my followers as resources to be used and discarded. As long as you're faithful to me I'll never abandon you."

Safara nestled herself deeper into his embrace. "Thank you, E'nas," she whispered into his fur.

Fenrir hugged her to him a little tighter, and they made the rest of their way to their destination in silence.

Myrina paused when she saw them, wiping sweat from her brow as she turned to meet their advance. "What?"

"I saw you were training and wondered if you would like to spar now. Or would you rather wait until you are fresh?" Fenrir inquired politely.

"Nah, now works. I'm only just warmed up, anyway," Myrina shrugged. Her tone was offhanded, but she could not entirely hide the gleam of excitement that had entered her eyes when Fenrir spoke.

"Excellent." Fenrir placed Safara on one of the benches that were scattered along the outside of the house, and shook himself, having discovered the action to be peculiarly effective in loosening his muscles in preparation for a fight.

Katari opted to stand at the end of the bench next to Safara, watching intently as Fenrir advanced to meet Myrina in the center of the open space. A low wall, about waist high for a normal human, bounded the courtyard on three sides while the fourth terminated up against the house itself, where a three-foot-wide paving of flagstones extended from the building. On this pavement was placed the bench upon which Safara sat, but the rest of the courtyard was hard-packed earth, worn smooth by countless feet.

Fenrir circled partially around Myrina as they sized each other up, then stopped and faced her. A distance of about fifteen feet separated them. "So what do you think? Anything goes, or would you prefer we sparred without using abilities?"

"Anything goes," the amazon replied. "I want to know what you're made of."

Fenrir smiled and bowed slightly, a gesture which, after a moment's hesitation, Myrina returned. "Whenever you're ready," he said.

She smiled an almost feral smile, and for a moment there was absolute stillness. Then with a leap and a hoarse cry she was upon him. Fenrir knocked aside a blow that could have felled an ox had it landed and countered with a stiff jab to the stomach. Myrina shifted, making the strike glance off with only a fraction of its **** landing where it was intended and, going low, attempted to sweep his legs out from under him. Fenrir leapt back, then in again, meeting Myrina halfway in her follow-up rush. This time his fist glanced harmlessly off her forearm while hers slammed full into his nose.

Fenrir leapt back again, shaking his head to lessen the pain. 'That's sensitive! I've never been hit in the nose before, but it hurts a lot more than I would have expected.' He glanced at Myrina. She had clearly noticed his reaction, and now knew his nose was a weak spot. 'I had better be careful. She's not just testing out my strength; she wants to win.'

They re-engaged. Myrina feinted at his nose, then delivered a crashing blow to his chest. The impact pushed Fenrir back a step, but otherwise had less effect than the amazon would have liked, for she had not fully recovered from the strike when Fenrir was upon her again. She was **** onto the defensive as Fenrir drove in, delivering strike after strike, allowing her no time to counterattack. She could not quite keep up with him, taking several hits on her jaw and stomach as here and there a blow slipped through her guard. The amazon attempted to disengage, but Fenrir denied her the opportunity, staying with her no matter how she backpedaled.

Recognizing her disadvantage, Myrina's eyes suddenly came alight with a cold glow. Her arms moved as though inspired, diving from defense to defense with perfect precision. Not an iota of energy or motion was wasted, even the **** with which Fenrir's blows were parried being exactly sufficient to turn his fists aside and no more. This newfound economy of action allowed her enough room to take advantage of the occasional opening, and while Fenrir denied her another strike at his nose, his abdominals felt the strength of the amazon more than once.

'Time to step it up a notch myself, I guess,' he thought, activating Sand in the Hourglass. The extra reaction time granted by the ability gave him plenty of time to parry and attack, Myrina now only moving at a quarter of her original speed from his perspective. He did not take full advantage of it, however; his goal was not necessarily to win the sparring contest, but rather to push Myrina to her limits in order to learn just how strong she really was. To that end, he only made use of the ability in short spurts, just enough to keep the pressure up on the amazon.

It only took a few seconds for Myrina to realize something was amiss, and with a particularly vicious strike at his head which he just barely managed to duck, she leapt back. "How are you doing that?" she demanded. "It shouldn't be possible for you to move that fast."

Fenrir shrugged. "You said anything goes. Do you want to rescind that rule?"

"No." With the word she charged him again. He moved to parry a strike at his chest, but the blow that should have redirected the amazon's fist instead bounced off her forearm without appreciable effect and it crashed into him, sending him flying backwards. He distinctly heard a crunch as the blow connected, and as he landed on all fours, skidding to a halt with the aid of his claws, he wondered whether it had cracked his ribs. 'More importantly, where did that come from? Unless she used Spirit Attunement...'

He ducked another blow, coming up with a charge that caught the amazon off guard and lifted her from her feet. He carried her half the length of the courtyard with her raining blows down upon his back all the while before slamming her to the ground. She curled into a ball before lashing out with both feet. The kick caught Fenrir, who had not dodged quickly enough, a glancing blow in the side, sending him spinning and giving Myrina time to regain her feet.

Attuning himself to the Shark as well, Fenrir reopened hostilities with a flurry of blows, rocking his slightly smaller opponent's frame from side to side with the **** of the attacks even though she was able to block or parry every strike. For the briefest second he looked into her face, alight with a fierce smile, joy burning along with the determination in her eyes, the brilliantly colored mohawk swirling and leaping with her movements like tongues of blue flame. She met his eyes and her movements faltered for a brief second, then her eyes narrowed and blazed red with sudden fury.

Fenrir knew what had happened instantly. She had activated Berserk, and unless he responded in kind he was going to have serious trouble matching her. Accordingly he did so, the familiar rage flooding his system, though he kept a stern grip on it. This was no time for losing his head. Now both took more hits as the clouding effects of Berserk made it more difficult to maintain their defense, and each impact of fist against flesh rang out across the courtyard like thunderclaps.

They fought their way the length of the courtyard twice, first one and now the other giving ground, both unable to land a decisive blow on the other. Finally Myrina charged, attempting to end the duel by overwhelming her opponent with the impetus of her rush. Fenrir ducked under a particularly vicious jab, and before Myrina could withdraw her fist he grasped her wrist, and using the leverage her arm afforded, tossed her over his shoulder to land almost twenty feet away. Despite the heaviness of the fall she came up as if nothing had happened, but to her surprise Fenrir had not chased her to follow up on the advantage his move had given him.

Instead, he had straightened and as she turned back towards him he held out a hand, palm forward. "That's enough," he said.

"Bullshit. Fight's not done," she retorted.

"If we go until one of us can't anymore we'll be here all day," Fenrir smiled. "We're both too evenly matched for this to be quick, and too stubborn to admit defeat before we're **** to do so."

Myrina gave a hint of a smile as she shrugged in acknowledgement of the truth of Fenrir's words. "Call it a draw then?"

"Yes." He was about to say something more but at that moment the air was filled with cheers and applause. Both Myrina and Fenrir's heads jerked around towards the source of the sound, where they found that Katari and Safara had at some point been joined by Kira, Chellise, America, and Brandis.

"That was amazing!" Chellise cried, leaping up from her seat with arms stretched out above her head.

"Indeed," Brandis agreed. "It was a spectacular duel." Nods of agreement swept the group, various members turning to each other to discuss what they had seen.

Fenrir turned to Myrina, who was closing the distance created by his throw of her, though now at a walk. "Thank you for the opportunity to spar with you. Fighting someone teaches you a lot about them."

To his surprise she ducked her head in embarrassment. "...Yeah, it does." Her eyes found his and she spoke in a low tone. "Why didn't you go all out?"

"Simply put, I'm not interested in killing you."

Her eyes narrowed. "I'm tougher than that."

Fenrir extended his claws and presented them to Myrina, who ran a finger along their keen edge with unconcealed interest. "If I had gone any further I would have used these. The Serpent Spirit is strong, but not that strong."

"But you are faster than me."

Fenrir nodded but said nothing.

"...You are strange." Then Myrina's face hardened. "Was it pity?"

Fenrir's brows furrowed. "Why would I pity you?"

She colored and turned away. The next moment he was surrounded by his followers and there was no more time to talk.

The while he accepted the praise of his girls and answered their questions about the sparring match, however, his thoughts were on Myrina. She had fought with furious intensity, holding nothing back; the sort of fighting which normally was only exhibited by someone with their back against the wall and nothing to lose. She was strong and well trained, but his instincts told him she wasn't satisfied with herself or her combat prowess. Not that he was content with his own level of skill, but for her there seemed to be more behind her discontent than simply a desire to grow stronger.

He shrugged. A mystery to be solved later; at the moment he was in need of a bath, not to mention some attunement with the Serpent. Myrina knew how to throw a punch.

Yippee, another five thousand word chapter. This one's pretty cozy, lots of fluff, some heart-to-hearts, yay Safara's awake! and sparring with Myrina. Also not even the hardbitten old cook is immune to Fenrir's charms (insert eyebrow wiggle here). And to top it all off, I got it done in a week. Today is a good day.
I'm fairly satisfied with how I wrote the sparring match, but what do you think? Were you able to follow it easily? Was it too short, or too long? Let me know.
I've got some fun ideas for the future, but this chapter is, as the title suggests, a chance for everyone to take a breath and relax. No high stakes, no imminent ****, no creeping worries to plague our protagonists, just a little slice of peace. Only a little one, though, can't have them getting too comfortable.
Enjoy!