Shadows at their Doorstep

Krvavy slips a thumb under the strap sitting slightly askew on her shoulder, lifting it more than enough for her other hand to easily move in and straighten out the edge of her sleeveless top. A soft sigh passes through her pale lips, the heavy – and perhaps overstuffed – bag on her back now resting... well... it isn’t quite as uncomfortable now.

She wouldn’t complain if the straps were just a little looser, letting more of that backpack’s weight rest on the base of her tail. But then the whole thing would bounce a bit more... Which would end up being more annoying in the long run...

“Ser Krvavy!” The carriage driver’s loud voice draws this Drakling from her thoughts, that coachman shouting from his seat, reins in hand and a pair of soldiers by his side. “Are you sure this is good?” His gaze sweeps across the seemingly endless expanse of wild grasses blowing in the chilly autumn breeze, that sight stretching all the way to the horizon... in all directions. “We can carry you further still.”

The barbarian lightly bites the inside of her cheek, glancing between her two blondes and the Were-Beast wearing a backpack that isn’t nearly as heavy as her own. “Will you be heading back to Svaneti after this, or...?”

“Svaneti,” the driver confirms with a nod. “The Countess is still there.”

“Right...” If they were continuing on along this rather roundabout road to Raseyne, then maybe it’d be worth riding with them for just a little longer... But as is... “Nah, we’re good. Thanks.” Krvavy and her girls are already out here, packed and ready to go.

“Safe travels!” One of the soldiers waves those four off, his armoured arm enthusiastically swinging through the air.

With just a slight squeak, the Were-Beast scoops Adeline off the ground, saving her the need to walk all the way home. It may be a little early to pick her up, at this point. But it doesn’t hurt either.

Thea glances back at the carriage... which is struggling to turn around without heading off-road. Her dainty fingers slip between her barbaric lover’s bigger and stronger ones, holding a hand that will be holding her up soon enough. “We did not leav–?”

“I’m here.” Shadow simply states, falling into step beside that brat.

Who doesn’t even bother to stifle her groan. “Oh, good...”

Wispy clouds drift on by, the wind whistling in a way that would be quite pleasant... if it were a hot summers day. Fabric flutters, loose hairs billow, grasses sway. The two blondes, soft and delicate as they are, can’t help but shiver and seek warmth in the extra layers wrapped around them.

Even Khalia seems a little chilly, at least judging by the noticeable bumps poking through her loose top... But, of course, the Were-Beast wouldn’t want to admit as much. Because then she might be forced to wear even more of these accursed clothes...

“It is safe to assume that we won’t be walking this entire time, yes?” Shadow idly asks, adjusting their annoyingly obscuring hood to better resist the wind.

Krvavy nods to that. “We’ll be sprinting at full speed for... however long it takes to get back home, really.” She nonchalantly answers. “I’ll be carrying Thea, of course. And we’ll probably also cut back on the clothes a little... mostly to keep them from catching on any bushes or trees...”

“But also to make use of my magics!” That noble girl is quick to add, raising her chin high... even as a rather rosy hue creeps onto her cheeks. Partially from the anticipation of what is to come, and partially because she just reminded everyone that she is, in fact, an Eromancer. Though of course this silver-blonde brat can’t be too embarrassed about that. She is still bragging about it, after all.

“If we even need to.” Krvavy ‘corrects’ her first fiancée. “We don’t have as far to go, and we aren’t as pressed for time either.”

Also, the levels that Krvavy got during the siege really helped to close the distance between her and Khalia’s stamina. And her mana reserves also increased by a fair bit as well, so using Windborne Haste to speed herself up won’t be nearly as taxing either.

Which means that this Drakling won’t strictly need to carryfuck her wife-to-be for hours upon hours on end.

Much to that brat’s disappoint, it would seem.

“Hmph.” Thea huffs, turning her head to the side and pouting as much as she can without crossing her arms. Which she definitely would have done, if she wasn’t busy holding Krvavy’s hand. “It would not hurt to keep your energy topped up...” She grumpily grumbles. “Not to mention the experience you would gain...”

The barbarian nibbles on her bottom lip, resisting the urge to glance in Shadow’s direction. Hopefully that other Champion doesn’t think twice about what Thea just said, instead assuming that the brat was simply talking about levelling up Skills and getting some small amounts of experience from that... Sure, Rina will probably maybe eventually learn that Superior Stud lets them get experience straight from sex. But that still isn’t something Shadow needs to know right now.

Against her better judgment... Krvavy is slowly starting to trust the Countess again. So no need to ruin that by giving Rina a really good reason to lie, manipulate, and seduce her way back into Krvavy’s good graces, undermining every little interaction they could possibly have.

Really, not letting Rina know that Krvavy can quite literally fuck her to even greater heights of power is... for the best.

“Will you even be able to keep up?” Thea suddenly sneers, pulling the Drakling’s arm even closer to her chest, hugging it tight.

“I would first need to see how fast our pace will be.” Shadow simply shrugs, that ‘answer’ helping Krvavy catch up to what they’re talking about. “But I would assume... no.”

The noble girl’s face scrunches into a rather scornful scowl. “Great...”

Krvavy lightly chews at the inside of her cheek. She, or Khalia, will have to carry this copy of the Countess... But... “How much do you weight? Like this, I mean.” She glances sideways at that cloaked figure. “You aren’t exactly made of blood, meat, and bone.”

“Currently?” Shadow ever so slightly cocks their hooded head. “Exactly the same as the Countess. But I can increase or decrease that as need be. So don’t worry, I will not slow you down.”

“Right, well...” Krvavy looks back over her shoulder, towards the carriage that is steadily shrinking into a speck on the horizon. Nodding to herself... she leans over and scoops Thea up into her arms. “Khalia can carry you, to start.” Her meaty tail twists to the side, nudging that copy of another Champion over towards the Were-Beast. “Now... let’s make use of whats left of the day.”

“Nhhh...” The nearly nude noble girl groans, that sound all but drowned beneath the roaring river rushing through this cave. Her kissable lips press into a frustrated pout as she fumbles just a little with a quartz crystal housed within a wooden frame. “There...” She sighs to herself, squinting as that crude lantern comes to life right in front of her eyes, its artificial glow overpowering the faint and fading sunlight bleeding through the entrance behind her.

That brat pulls her heavy pelt of a cloak closer and hurries after the two tallest of her lovers, the wooden heels of her sandals clicking and clacking across this rough, rocky path.

Krvavy’s palm presses into a thick and heavy door, which scrapes against the stone floor as it is slowly pushed open.

Even without the chilly autumn breeze... it is quite cold in here, underground and away from any real source of heat. Cold enough for goosebumps to cover Thea’s soft skin, her pebbly nipples stiff and hard. “Hmph...” A reddish hue creeps onto her cheeks as Adeline is gently placed onto the ground, that Halfling swiftly scurrying on over to share in her warmth.

Without needing to be asked, Khalia closes the thick front gate behind them, before barring it shut with a strong wooden beam.

A second set of heavy doors is forced open, and then closed again after everyone is herded through.

Thea shoots a scowled glare at the bare ass raised up beside her Draconic lover’s head, a heart-tipped tail made of utter darkness lazily swaying back and forth behind it. “You can put that ‘lady of the night’ down now...”

The barbarian blinks, her lower left horn bumping into a soft, squishy thigh as she glances at the shadowy silhouette slung over her shoulder. She would rather carry this copy of the Countess the rest of the way, but... suppose there isn’t any harm in dropping her off here...

Thea purses her lips as the Drakling palms that pitch black butt, carefully lowering Shadow down onto the ground. She rolls her eyes and raises her lantern higher, making it a little easier for Krvavy to remove the layered blindfold they had – rather thoroughly – wrapped around that other Champion’s head.

“Mnh?” A scaled finger pokes into Shadow’s cheek, her dark eyes cracking open. “Oh.” She softly exhales, slowly swivelling her head from side to side, taking in her surroundings so soon after seemingly having just woken up. “Are we... close now?”

“Sorta.” Krvavy simply states, stepping around that silhouetted figure to continue along this narrow and slightly winding path, Thea’s light leading the way.

Shadow’s curious gaze sweeps across the purposefully sculpted walls all around them, her attention lingering on the many, many, many murder holes scattered about. “Did you carve this tunnel yourself?”

“She filled it in.” Thea answers on behalf of her Draconic fiancée, scoffing slightly.

Shadow slowly nods. “I can’t imagine that to have been easy work.”

“It was tedious, more than anything.” Krvavy replies with a shrug, the straps of her backpack sliding just a little closer to her neck as a result. A slight bit of fidgeting fixes that faint discomfort.

“The construction, perhaps, but the design?” Shadow’s delicate fingers trace their way across the wall, bumping over some grooves as she passes beneath a raised portcullis, another not too far ahead. “There must be a maze of access tunnels all around this one.” She correctly guesses, glancing towards the thin arrowslits flanking this straight stretch of the path.

“That... was a bit of a pain.” The Drakling admits, shooting her precious puppy a soft smile as that wonderful Were-Beast pushes open the next set of heavy doors. “But our Dwarf did most of that work. Hence...” Rather than use her words, Krvavy simply gestures all around them.

“This does feel a tad bit excessive.” That copy of another Champion idly agrees. “Especially if the entrance to this cave is as well-hidden as I think. It sounded as if it were behind a waterfall.”

The barbarian softly grunts, pushing open the final set of doors that make up this first line of defence, as Khalia pulls the previous ones closed behind them. “Eh. Better safe than sorry.”

“I suppose so.” Shadow’s delicate, and nearly imperceptible, brow raises as she peers into the darkness further along this path. Considering that the Countess specializes in Shadow Magic, the lack of light likely isn’t much of a problem for her Shadow. But that doesn’t really change much. The cave ahead may be broader, not having been narrowed into a claustrophobic tunnel, but it is still winding and rather featureless. Even on the sunniest of days, the light from the grotto doesn’t reach all the way down here.

But that isn’t to say it is pitch black. Ignoring Thea’s crude crystal lantern... Another source of light is shining from just off to the side, beyond the river that leads down from their home.

Krvavy stifles a sigh at that sight.

“Mate.” Khalia leans into that Drakling’s personal space, planting a quick nibbling kiss on Krvavy’s chin. “Give bag.”

The barbarian nods, slipping that heavy backpack off her shoulders and carefully handing it over to her precious puppy.

“Hmph.” Thea huffs, reaching up and hooking her dainty fingers onto Krvavy’s lower left horn, guiding that toweringly tall lover of hers down far enough for their lips to briefly meet.

Since she is pretty much already doubled over... the Drakling reaches over and grabs Adeline by the shoulders, lifting that bottom-heavy bunny-mouse just high enough to kiss the girl on her big forehead.

“Eeeeeiie...” Adeline squeaks, her round face burning a beautifully bright shade of red. Her little fingers grab onto Krvavy’s hand, giving it a soft squeeze before letting go. “Eeep!” She suddenly squeaks, noticing the light around her growing dimmer and dimmer as Thea continues on along this path. “B-bye, Miss... Sh-shadow...!” She gives that copy of the Countess a quick wave before hastily following after the brat.

“Now go set up that stupid portal, and send this ‘Shadow’ home already!” Thea shouts, not bothering to look back. She does slow down just a little, if only for long enough to let Khalia catch up, not wanting that Were-Beast to rush and end up dropping those two heavily packed bags she is holding.

Shadow tilts her head to the side, looking between those three girls and Krvavy... who has stepped off the path, heading towards that other source of light. She shrugs and follows after the Drakling.

A stone bridge stretches across this rushing river, straight and noticeably more artificial than the many others further into this cave. Beyond rests a decently sized clearing, at a noticeably higher elevation, and the entrance to a deep tunnel... inside which stands a certain shortstack, a much neater crystal lantern resting on the ground beside her.

“You must be the Dwarf that I have heard so much about.” This copy of the Countess bobs her head in a curtsied bow, politely greeting Inanna... and not even slightly reacting to that shortstack’s utterly exposed state.

“Mhm.” Inanna hums and nods, her intense copper-orange eyes lingering on the lines that mar her barbaric lover’s body, before turning to critically look over this shadowy silhouette of a figure. “Inanna Ki-Ningal,” she introduces herself, “and you must be Alexandrina.”

“To some degree.” It would seem that, even now, this other Champion just can’t help but be a bit cryptic... Unnecessarily so as well. “But in this form, Shadow would be more apt. The Countess is not in direct control of this body, and will not be until our connection is reestablished.”

“Mm... And how does that work?” Inanna curiously asks, apparently unbothered by the slightly scowled stare that the Drakling is directing her way. Casually as can be, she picks up her lantern and falls into step beside Krvavy, heading deeper into this tunnel.

“In essence, each ‘Shadow’ functions as a fraction of the Countess’ mind.” The silhouetted figure simply states, freely answering that question... because she already explained it to Krvavy before. “When within range, those individual fractions effectively rejoin the whole, sharing all of the information available to them – past and present – while still remaining autonomous enough to make multitasking a nonissue. When departing that range, the individual fractions separate from the whole, no longer sharing information in real time but still aware of all that the greater consciousness was. Upon falling asleep, the data that each Shadow has gathered is transferred to the Countess, for her to receive while sleeping. That process also works in reverse, ensuring each Shadow is kept up to date on the state of the whole.”

A slightly rosy hue gradually finds itself creeping onto Krvavy’s cheeks, her fellow Champion seemingly oblivious to how distracting a sight she is.

Every step that Shadow takes sees her wide hips swing from side to side, subtle shockwaves sent jiggling through her thick thighs... echoing all the way up to those big, bare breasts to make them bounce... just a bit... Even the steady swaying of that heart-tipped tail is hypnotic, drawing the gaze towards her beautiful butt...

Of course, Inanna is just as eye-catching... if not more. That this Dwarf isn’t a silhouetted figure makes it much, much easier to pick out the details of her beauty, from the pebbly texture of her plump nipples to the faintly glistening sheen of her dark-grey lips... Also her tits are way bigger. And, though her stride is quite steady, those absolutely massive mountains aren’t exactly still. “Mm... Interesting.”

Krvavy rather forcefully shakes her head. “What were you doing waiting around down here anyway?” She abruptly asks that shortstack of hers.

That busty Dwarf quirks a single coal-black brow. “My Ushumgal, you cannot tease me with the mention of a strange, potentially runic powered portal and not expect me to at least witness its construction.” A faint glimmer of amusement dances across Inanna’s copper-orange eyes. “As for why I waited here specifically... It was quite obvious that you would want this portal placed in an isolated, secure location not so close to our home as to be a significant source of worry, yet not too far away to be inconvenient to use.”

The Drakling simply scowls, pouting just a bit as she turns her gaze away from that subtly smug shortstack, peering into the darkness ahead.

“Did you carve out this tunnel yourself?” Shadow curiously asks, eyeing the flat – and in some places rather blocky – walls all around this slightly meandering path they’re on.

“She did.” Inanna answers before her grumpy lover can. “The stone that was excavated from here was used to help construct the first line of defensive fortifications that protects our home.”

This copy of another Champion tilts her head to the side, little silhouetted horns and pointy Elf ears poking free from the long locks of pitch black hair cascading down past her slim shoulders. “To save on mana?”

“Indeed. Carving out chunks of stone, and then mending them back together in a different location, is far more mana efficient than directly ‘growing’ the same amount of mass. If more costly in terms of time.” The Dwarf pauses for just a second, the light of her lantern spilling through an opening further ahead. “We also felt it wise to not completely block off the chamber ahead, in case we had use of it in the future. As we do now.”

“My...” Shadow softly mutters, stepping out into that dead-end of a room, so large that the far walls remain shrouded in darkness... as well as a fair bit of the ceiling above. “This is far more space than I will need. An entire warehouse could fit in here.”

“Hence why we did not fill it in.” Inanna returns, turning to the right and heading straight towards the wall. “Will this spot suffice?”

A pair of pitch black eyes sweep across that section of rough stone. “It may need some clearing up afterwards, but yes. Are we ready to begin?”

“Of course.” Krvavy gruffly grunts, grabbing at a slightly jagged rock jutting up from the ground, cleanly ‘snapping’ it off with the help of Sculpt Stone. With that out of the way, she gestures for Shadow to step forwards. “Go on, draw out the lines I need to follow.”

The completely nude form of this silhouetted figure all but presses up against the barbarian’s body, big breasts brushing against equally bare hips. “First off...” A single hand is elegantly raised, pale lavender light glimmering to life against that wall, rising into a tall rectangle capped with a rounded semicircle. “Please flatted and level this area, and then...” The edge of that manifested shape grows darker and more vibrant, shifting into amethyst hues to mark and outline the thick doorframe that will soon come to be. “Raise this section even further, letting it extend beyond the innermost part by... approximately the width of my finger.”

Krvavy passes her hand through those illusionary lights, black-scaled fingers trailing across roughly hewn rock, the stone shifting in her wake. Some parts of the wall sink away... Others swell towards her touch... The guideline that she has been given soon fades away, engulfed by the smoothed surface that she has prepared.

“Now...” Swirling, curling paths of pinkish purple spread across that doorframe, sprouting from the base and rising up like vines. “Carve these into concave channels, to a depth equal to the width of my finger.” The delicate digit in question is all but handed over to the Drakling, this copy of the Countess freely letting her shadowy hand get held.

Inanna places her lantern down atop a rock half as tall as her, copper-orange eyes intently watching as those not quite runic lines are etched out.

Crescent shapes and countless stars glimmer into view next. “Indent these by the distance between the tip of my finger to its first joint.” Rich purple light spills across the stone frame, numerous beams radiating out from the smooth center of what will soon be a door. “The depth of these should be equal in length to my index finger.”

The Dwarf’s dense, coal-black brow knits together. “This portal is meant to remain active at all times, yes?”

“That’s right.” Shadow bobs her head in a nod. “This gateway is incredibly efficient in terms of its mana consumption, requiring more energy to initially activate than is needed to sustain it for an entire month... in its usual dormant state. Passing through the portal does drain more mana, but only marginally so.” She explains, watching as Krvavy effortlessly carves those last few lines. A simple gesture sees five circles shine through the stone, their perimeters pulling in to form symmetrical nine-sided shapes. Two rest near the bottom of this doorframe, two at the tops of its straight sides, and one at the very center of its arched top. “These final holes should reach a depth roughly equivalent to the length between the tip of my middle finger and my wrist.”

“I presume your Patron is to thank for that?” Inanna curiously questions, ignoring that last instruction directed her Draconic lover’s way.

“In a manner of speaking, yes.” Dark, swirling shadows manifest above this copy of the Countess’ hand, coalescing into a gleaming purple prism... nine smooth sides stretching between two flat faces. “My Patron does not play a direct role in the creation or upkeep of these portals. Rather, Divine energies sourced from her saturate the individual gateways and the connections between them, providing considerably greater stability than conventional portals by, essentially, establishing them as a natural part of the world. As far as reality is concerned, the network I am building here is no different from a hallway of many different doors... if one that is infused with a fair amount of mana.”

“Mm... Interesting...” Inanna thoughtfully hums, a thumb absentmindedly tapping at her bottom lip. “To attempt such a thing without Divine assistance should, theoretically, be possible... though it would almost certainly be far more restrictive, likely requiring the individual end points to be within places of power, relying upon leylines to connect them...”

One by one, this (copy of an)other Champion places those purple nine-sided prisms into their deep slots, a magical hand of glowing amethyst light helping her reach the uppermost spot. “You’re not... offended or otherwise put off by this ‘obscene’ display of magic?”

The grey-skinned shortstack subtly tilts her head to the side. “Should I be?”

“Ideally, no. But you are a Dwarf. And your people have a certain reputation for not quite trusting magic... nor the intervention of the Divines.” Shadow simply states, closely looking over this carved doorway, making sure it was constructed correctly.

“Mm. As a Runesmith, I am already more comfortable with magic than most of my people.” Despite that claim, the Dwarf still finds herself frowning. “Though... I will admit to a degree of trepidation. Which is not aided by your presumably Elven Patron.” Reaching up, Inanna idly grabs onto Krvavy’s hand, her stout fingers tracing lines across the black scales that stretch from knuckles to wrist, and beyond. “What would happen if the portal were to cut out when something, or someone, was partially through it?”

Shadow’s palm presses into the very center of that door. A silent pressure fills the ears of all those present, shifting into a steady humming buzz as the not quite runic lines begin to glow... the shallowest filling with shades of pink and purple. “They would not be cut in half, if that is where your worries lie.” The crescents and stars begin to sparkle and shine, the radiating beams pulsing deep purple hues. Light is drawn towards the five prismatic gems, their flat faces swirling without moving. “Rather, whatever – or whoever – is partially through would be ejected outwards as the portals collapse, with increasing force depending on how much of them is through.”

The Dwarf narrows her copper-orange eyes, watching as inky darkness spills from that newly constructed doorframe, the stone within appearing to crack and fall back into a void of nothingness. “And if someone was on the other side? Would they be trapped on that ‘Bridge’ of yours?”

That flowing darkness nearly touches Shadow’s hand, this copy of Countess calmly pulling back just before it can wash over her delicate fingers. Shimmering specks of light spark to life across that expanse of black, twinkling like stars in the night sky. “I suppose so, yes.” She softly and slowly sighs. “Though for that to be the case, all of the other gateways would need to be deactivated as well.”

Inanna’s attention shifts away from that false night sky, focusing on the silhouetted figure she is speaking to. “And if that were to happen, would the realm beyond remain stable? Or would it fade from existence?”

“It would remain as is... provided that I have not yet suffered my final death.”

“Mm.” Inanna slowly nods, the hint of a knowing look visible on her otherwise neutral face. “I see that these portals extend the range in which you can connect with your Shadows, Alexandrina.”

This copy of the Countess blinks, pitch black eyelids passing over equally dark sclera and irises. “Ha...” A single soft laugh passes through her parted lips. “Lovestruck she may be, Krvavy did not exaggerate how clever you are, Inanna.” She slowly shakes her head. “Though, when we meet in person... in the flesh... feel free to call be Rina.”

“Will do.” The shortstack simply nods, glancing towards the portal just as a ripple echoes across its surface.

Shadow steps towards that false night sky, helping a second copy of herself – this one clad in its usual cloaked hood – drag a rather sizable sword into this rocky chamber. ““Here you are, Krvavy.”” Both bodies speak in unison, hefting that honestly rather huge and undeniably heavy blade up, handing it to the barbarian. “Now,” just the naked Shadow speaks, the other already heading back through that portal. “I will take my leave. See you at the wedding.”

The Drakling slowly exhales, resting that satisfyingly large, and conveniently sheathed, sword over her shoulder. “It’s a trophy,” she idly explains, responding to her Dwarf’s curious gaze. “Taken from one of the Duke’s men.” One who is still alive and wasn’t particularly happy about that. But... eh.

Inanna slowly nods, a faint smile playing at her dark-grey lips. “Well then, my Ushumgal, let us go show that new trophy of yours to the others. Maybe, if you are lucky, it will distract Beryl from the scars you earned while claiming it?”