Convergence

Angelica and Christina ran through a random alleyway of the city nearly indistinguishable from the several they had just run down to get away from the guards. Luckily, they had been running for a while now and their pursuers had long since stopped chasing them, too preoccupied with capturing Daelana to continue their hunt. Thanks to this, they had a moment to pause and catch their breaths. Angelica nervously checked behind them, confirming that they were alone. Meanwhile, Christina shook with apprehension.

“What happened?” said Christina, “We just left them to their fates! Daelana! She’ll suffer now because of us!”

“Don’t think about that!” said Angelica, “The sooner we can end this dumb game the sooner we can save Daelana. If we can end the game, we’ll all be taken back.”

Christina looked at Angelica and stood up straight again, her breath returning to her.

“You really want to end the game?” said Christina, “Does that mean you’ll kiss Malgor? Willingly?”

Angelica hesitated in her answer. She had tried to drive that thought from her mind but there was no avoiding it. Stopping this madness required the undignified act, and Angelica could see no logical way around it.

“Yes,” said Angelica, “To save my friends, to end this game, I’d do it.”

Christina narrowed her eyes. “No. I don’t think you’ll do it in the end.”

“What do you mean?” said Angelica, “It means nothing, right? It’s an empty gesture.”

“So is sleeping with him,” said Christina, “And you haven’t had to do that yet. It won’t feel so empty then, trust me.”

Angelica sighed. Her soul shouted at her to passionately argue, but she still feared losing her best friend. She calmly approached Christina and put a hand on her shoulder.

“I’m sorry you had to go through that,” said Angelica, “Gods give me strength that I may endure it half as well as you did. But right now we need to focus on the short term goal of ending this game and going back. We’ll take things one step at a time. For our friends.”

Christina looked at her feet and sniffled a little. She wanted to think that Angelica still cared for her as she did when they were children, but so much had changed.

“Why didn’t we go back for Daelana?” said Christina, “We could’ve helped her.”

“Maybe, but only you and her had weapons,” said Angelica, “Me and that orc woman would’ve been useless. I don’t think there was a scenario where we wouldn’t be captured.”

“That doesn’t sound like you at all,” said Christina, “I thought you’d want us to fight against the odds, fight for what we want no matter the stakes, right?”

Angelica paused, remembering all those brave moments she would have during their adventures together before all of this craziness occurred.

“I… well…” said Angelica, “The rules have changed and… I wanted to save you at the very least.”

Christina looked up and met the eyes of her best friend.

“You wanted to save me?” said Christina.

“Of course,” said Angelica, “You’re my best friend, remember?”

The two shared a comfortable silence as they stared into each other’s eyes. Both of their emotions calmed and they seemed more content for the moment. Christina started to remember why she stuck by Angelica for all those years and Angelica smiled, assured that she wouldn’t lose another friend.

Daelana was the first to kiss the master. +20 VP

Both girls felt the notification ring through their heads. It disrupted their moment thoroughly as both physically reeled backwards from the information. Christina lost composure and began looking around, hyperventilating.

“Malgor is with Daelana?” said Christina, “I knew it! We should’ve stayed with them!”

“Wait!” said Angelica, “There’s no way we could’ve known he’d find her first!”

“Aren’t you the one who always talks about fate?” said Christina, “Daelana was the one who stuck with me this whole time, and I abandoned her! You abandoned her! And now look! Fate led Malgor to her and not us!”

“I don’t think fate had anything to do with this!” said Angelica.

“How do you know?” said Christina.

“Seriously?” said Angelica, “You said it! I can talk about fate because it chose me! I know it inside and out!”

“And you’re so sure that fate only works for the servants of light and not those of darkness?” said Christina.

“I mean…” said Angelica, “That’s how it’s supposed to work.”

Christina sighed. “The rules have changed. You said it yourself. I shouldn’t have left her behind and neither should you have.”

“But think about it!” said Angelica, “If you had stayed and gotten captured you would’ve been tortured and **** by all those men! Is it really so wrong to try and avoid that? You had your transformation so surely you knew what they were doing to me! You must’ve felt it yourself! Wasn’t it horrible?”

Christina hesitated. She shamefully looked to the side, a blush forming on her cheeks.

“In any case, that’s the fate we consigned Daelana to,” said Christina, “If we really cared about our friends we should’ve suffered alongside her!”

“Don’t say that!” said Angelica, “Besides, Daelana has that stupid curse that makes pain pleasurable or whatever. We don’t. If anyone could stand getting captured it would be her.”

“You mean she’d enjoy it?” said Christina.

“Not by choice!” said Angelica, “It’s that curse making her enjoy it!”

“But I felt what you felt when you were captured and ****,” said Christina, “You also enjoyed it, and no curse made you do that.”

“What?” said Angelica, “No… I…”

“You can’t hide it. I felt what you felt, saw what you saw,” said Christina.

Angelica stayed silent, slowly shivering at the memory. Christina saw the conflict in her best friend’s head as clear as day. It was all too familiar. She slowly approached Angelica and put her hand on her shoulder as she did for her before.

“It’s a complicated feeling, I know,” said Christina, “But in the end, there’s nothing wrong with feeling that way, is there?”

“But… but I didn’t feel that way!” said Angelica, “I didn’t feel good if that’s what you’re implying!”

“All I’m saying is…” said Christina.

Angelica suddenly felt attacked and went into a defensive state of righteous fury. She backed off and shoved Christina’s hand off of her.

“I’m not a slut!” said Angelica, “The fact that you felt good when you felt what I felt says a lot more about you than me!”

Christina’s eyes widened as she froze in place. She was utterly shocked to hear those words come from her best friend’s mouth after she thought they could reconcile. One look at Christina’s distraught face made Angelica realize what she had done. Her rage died down and she was left with only guilt as her friend sulked before her.

“Christina… I didn’t mean that…” said Angelica.

Christina wiped a tear from her eye.

“I’m going to find Daelana,” said Christina, “She would understand me. And if you’re so proud that you’ve felt nothing but misery this entire time, then you can stay here and leave the rest of us whores alone!”

Christina roughly pushed past Angelica and began running back to the palace. Angelica reached out for her as she passed but could not stop her.

“Wait!” yelled Angelica, “Come back! We can figure this out together!”

Christina was already almost out of sight. Angelica was caught up in her wildly shifting emotions, but she could clear her head enough to know that nothing would be gained by sitting still. She took a deep breath and ran after Christina.

The two dashed through the sandstone alleyways once more. Christina desperately tried to recognize small details that would lead her back the way she came. Her heart would stop as she realized she didn’t recognize a place and then steadily calm again as she saw a small signifying landmark that let her know she was on the right track. She knew she had to make it back to the palace as soon as possible. It was the only clue she had to where Malgor was. Angelica did her best to follow her. Each time she turned a corner, she could see Christina in the distance disappearing behind another. She continued her chase, nearly out of breath, hoping beyond all means to keep up with her friend. Unfortunately, it became harder and harder to do so. Her heart raced as she began to lose sight of her.

Christina plunged through alleys she did not recognize. She panicked as she believed she made a wrong turn. But she pressed on regardless. She had no time to turn back. At one point the sword on her side caught on a sharp corner and fell off her, clattering on the ground. But so great was her desperation that she did not go back for it. She blindly bounded fprward through sandy corridors until finally she came out into the opening of a city square. She breathed a sigh of relief as she saw the palace towering before her. Then her eyes adjusted and she saw an even more amazing sight.

There stood Malgor atop gallows, tossing the body of a naked devil girl down to a crowd of **** girls who all wildly groped at her as she cried and moaned. He stood there with an orc woman, a different one from before. Christina gasped as she saw not only the dark lord, but also Daelana and the orc woman who they rescued standing on the sidelines. Christina knew she was in the right place, so she didn’t hesitate. She ran out yelling.

“Daelana!” yelled Christina.

Both Daelana and Malgor turned their attention to her as she sprinted out into the square. Daleana looked surprised to see her.

“Christina?” said Daelana, “You made it!”

“Who’s that?” said Yara, “Another one of your women?”

“Actually, yes,” said Malgor.

As the crowd of slaves piled atop of Thaena, Malgor jumped down from the gallows as Christina seemed to be approaching him in a **** rush. He stood there in her direct path, not moving as he was curious how far she’d go. To his surprise, she didn’t waver even for a moment. She ran right up him, nearly slamming into him, reached her arms around him, and pursed her lips towards his. He smiled seeing the paladin so eagerly embrace him. Not wanting such enthusiasm to go unrewarded, he leaned down and kissed her. The two held each other close as they made out under the desert sun.

Christina was the second to kiss the master. +10 VP.

Angelica was alone amidst the darkened corridors of the city and feared she’d lost her friend entirely. But then she saw her sword on the ground. She picked it up, knowing she was on the right track. She ran onwards through the alleys and it didn’t take long before she caught up to the opening where the alleyways spilled into the city square. Out of breath, she leaned on the corner as she looked out. Lifting her weary head, it took all her strength not to let her mouth drop as she saw Christina kissing Malgor. A pain rang through her heart. She knew that it was necessary to end the game, she even said so herself. But to see her friend in the arms of her enemy was a sight she couldn’t help but feel the greatest of discomforts upon viewing.

Worse still, as Christina released the kiss from Malgor, she didn’t move away from him. Christina considered backing off. Her duty was done, her points were won, and she didn’t need to be close with him anymore. But if she did, she knew she would feel so desperately alone in the world like she’d never felt before. She couldn’t rely on her best friend anymore. And in all this time since their world turned upside down, though she silently chastised herself for the thought, she realized her only moment of pleasure was her night with Malgor. She sobbed and leaned her head into his chest.

“Help me, dark lord,” said Christina, “Save me. I don’t want to be here anymore.”

She secretly hoped Malgor would take advantage of her showing such vulnerability to him. That he would slap her to the ground, **** her with his infernal grip, or even **** her ruthlessly just so she could confirm to herself what a foolish decision it was to confide in her enemy for comfort. Instead, Malgor’s strong arm reached around her and pulled her in, its warmth like a shield that blocked out the rest of the world. Christina’s eyes opened realizing that once again the dark lord’s might was bringing her comfort.

“You are mine now,” said Malgor, “And swiftly becoming a favorite too. I’ll take care of you now.”

Malgor smiled maliciously, not even realizing how potent the fruits of his labor would be. Christina was already shaping into the form of his desires, and he for one realized how delectable it would be to make these girls, his former foes, into obedient wives rather than punish them. Helga was right after all, he thought.

Angelica watched on, her heart sinking to the deepest pits of her stomach. She clutched onto Christina’s fallen sword tighter as if it were the last piece of her she had. She almost wanted to throw up as she saw her friend willingly throw herself into the arms of the dark lord. The worst part though was how he embraced her, how he proved that her trust was right. Angelica quivered, realizing how not only did Christina trust the dark lord more than her, but that she may not even be wrong to do so. What could Angelica do now in this world where fate seemed to work for the master of darkness and not for her? Meanwhile, Daelana approached Malgor and Christina, a worried look on her face.

“Christina,” said Daelana, “Are you alright? Are you hurt?”

Christina lifted herself from Malgor’s chest, her eyes still red and tear stained. She looked at Daelana gratefully.

“No, I am unharmed,” said Christina, “I am sorry. I shouldn’t have left you there.”

“No, I chose to stay behind,” said Daelana, “I could take the punishment.”

“I know…” said Christina, “But maybe I could’ve taken it too, made your burden a bit easier.”

Daelan sighed and looked at the ground. Malgor let go of Christina.

“Daelana, take good care of Christina here,” said Malgor, “We still have one more girl to find.”

Malgor lightly pushed Christina towards Daelana who meekly went to her. Daelana shamefully nodded with obedience that pained her. She took Christina by the arm and walked off towards Olga. Daelana sighed.

“My burden has always been mine to carry, now more than ever,” said Daelana, “I fell to darkness. I deserve nothing less than suffering alone.”

“I too fell to darkness,” said Christina, “Perhaps we both deserve to be punished.”

Daelana looked at Christina and saw that she was completely serious. In all their time adventuring, Daelana never thought she’d look into Christina’s eyes and see the same pain that afflicted herself, that self loathing and masochism that accompanied her daily. It saddened Daelana to see someone else with that pain, but it also made her own burden feel lighter. She was glad, in some part, to be sharing it with another. As they walked together, hand in hand, Olga approached them.

“You’re the other dear who broke me out of the dungeon, aren’t you?” said Olga, “Good to see you back with your master! And don’t worry your pretty head over anything! Me and Daelana here took our whippings gracefully. We even had a bit of fun!”

“Hmpf,” said Daelana, “The curse helped a bit, yes.”

Olga softly put her hands around Christina’s shoulders. Christina could instantly feel her motherly charm and warmth radiating through her.

“Thank you for all you’ve done,” said Olga, “Though none of us could see it, you breaking me out of that place spun the thread of fate in such a way that we could all end up here with Malgor and my daughter. Everything has worked out perfectly!”

“Yeah… fate…” said Christina.

Meanwhile, another straggler exited from the mouth of the devil queen’s palace onto the square. It was Athalia, furiously mumbling to herself as she skittered out into the light of day.

“Finally!” said Athalia, “By the hells that place is a maze! And how did that church bitch Christina get to Malgor before me? If I find her I’m gonna…!”

Athalia stopped in her tracks as she saw Malgor before her. All her gripes faded instantly as she saw her salvation made manifest right in front of her. Though she was angry about being the last one to reach him, she at least could take solace in knowing she reached him at all. She began excitedly skipping towards him.

“Dark lord!” she called out.

Malgor and Yara turned to see her. Malgor couldn’t help but grunt as she entered his vision. Yara turned to him.

“Another one?” said Yara.

“Yes,” said Malgor in an upset tone of voice.

“Doesn’t sound like this one’s a favorite,” said Yara.

Athalia ran right up to Malgor. At the same time, Lila came out of the palace dragging Tyra over her shoulder. They made slow progress as Tyra’s veins were turning a sickly black color. She sweated as she lifted her head to see the carnage that had been wreaked outside, and her eyes opened just a hair wider as she saw Athalia right in front of Malgor.

“We’re too late…” said Tyra.

Lila gasped as she saw it too. The two could do nothing but stand helplessly as their competitor achieved victory before their eyes. Athalia came right up to Malgor, placing an arm on his chest as she smiled wickedly at him.

“My lord and master!” said Athalia, “I see you’ve taught that devil bitch a lesson as I knew you would. Now, take me and…!”

SHK!

Silence fell over the square. Tyra and Lila stopped in their tracks. Daelana, Christina, and Olga all turned to the sound. Yara looked on, shocked. And Malgor looked down at Athalia with some surprise. Athalia herself looked down as she felt a sharp pain go through her heart. Her gaze was met with the sight of the tip of a sword bursting through her own chest. Her smile evaporated and she felt light in the head as, for the first time, she experienced what it was like to have your heart stop beating. With another slicing sound, the sword was pulled out of Athalia’s back and she fell to the ground, dead. Behind her, still wielding the bloody blade, was Angelica.

The pink haired girl breathed heavily as the gravity of what she’d just done rushed at her all at once. She really just stabbed someone in the back. Her hands shook and she dropped the sword. She took a look at her hands, blood still smattering the fingertips. Malgor looked down at her, genuinely shocked for a long moment. Then he began to laugh, and he laughed hard.

“What a shock!” said Malgor, “Of all the people to kill for a chance to kiss me, I’d never thought it'd be you, oh fated hero.”

Angelica looked up at Malgor. Fear, rage, and shame filled her all at once merely by the acknowledgement of his presence. She felt the great shadow he cast on her, and she felt cold even in this desert. Malgor took a step toward her, carelessly stepping over the bleeding body of Athalia. Angelica did not move away.

“Well, what is it you did that for?” said Malgor. “You’ve clearly brought yourself low enough to kill one of your fellows. The question is, are you prepared to go all the way or are you going to stop here and let your wanton actions be for naught? Will your dignity finally matter less than your life?”

Angelica visibly shook. She felt the judging eyes of everyone on her. She saw Daelana and Christina before her just beyond Malgor. She looked back and saw Lila and Tyra behind her. All of them dared not to speak as they waited to see what she’d do. Angelica, their leader, their example. They already witnessed her going this far to end the game. Perhaps it’d be a weakness to give in to Malgor, or perhaps it’d be more of a weakness to give up with only half the job done. But more than that, Angelica had suffered so much the past few days. Somehow, it had to be for something. Somehow, it had to have meaning. Had to be a part of fate.

And more than anything, she wanted to survive.

She took two mighty steps forward, looked up at Malgor, and pressed her face into his, kissing him on the lips. She resented every second the taste of him remained on her, every degrading moment she kept herself upon her enemy’s mouth, sharing such an intimate act with him. But she didn’t dare move away or try to shorten it. She knew her teammates were watching. Cruelly, Malgor kissed her as long as he could.

Angelica was the last to kiss the master. +5 VP.

At that moment, everyone felt the world shake again. A light enveloped them all and they knew what it meant. They felt themselves being lifted from the world.