The Question of Companions

Camilla

"Are...are you sure you're okay with this?" My fingers drag along the weapons in the rack, trying to delay my decision.

"Cammy..." I hear Kara sigh behind me. "I don't have much choice. With Dusk bedridden, I need my body to be as capable as I can get it...."

My hands clench. "Yeah, but..." A groan escapes me.

"You didn't see it, but we tried to fight today. I was his mount, and...it didn't end well. Demona had to take us back to the church..." A pause, before her arms wrap around my stomach. "I was scared, Cammy. I'm still scared."

I cover her hands with my own, forcing myself to swallow. "...I am, too. I don't...I don't want to lose you, too." I take a shaky breath.

Her hug tightens, her head buried into my back, and another sigh pushing against me. "Promise me you'll protect me?"

Turning around, I pull her tight into my own hug. "I'll always protect you, Kara. That's a promise." I release a heavy sigh, shuddering as we hold each other. "...but we...but to do that, I guess, I need to train you." My eyes return to the weapon rack. We need to work fast. What kind of weapons would fit her? She's not very strong, so it's gotta be light... Most of what we have isn't even properly weighted, either...

"What about a dagger?" I turn, seeing Kara picking up an older, rusted one off from the lower shelf.

I take it from her, judging the weight, and giving a few test jabs and slices in the air. The blade is arm-length, and it's a bit heavier on one cutting edge, but once the rust is ground off, it shouldn't be a bad weapon. Though if Dusk is possessing her, they'll just be using a magic blade anyway. "It'll do, at least for now." Flipping it over, I offer it back, pommel side to her. "But if you're using a dagger, your style will be different from Dusk's usual. Faster, lighter strikes, instead of heavier ones."

She takes the blade, trying to get a feel for it in her hands. "I'm not as athletic as you two are, anyway." There's a pause, as she stares at the weapon in her hands. With another breath, she nods her head, her grip tightening. "I'm ready."

Pursing my lips, I nod back. "Alright, let's get started."

Diana [Demonic]

I watch the group leave the fox house, my daughters sitting next to me. This big meeting, with all the bigger figures in town, and I'm not even considered. "Tsk."

"Mommy, why aren't we helping them?" Daisy hugs her legs closer.

"We are not going to perform menial labor. That's what drones are for."

"But Mommy," Violet kicks her legs off the edge of the roof, "there are no drones here."

"Tsk." I cross my arms. Arm. "Your father is responsible for that. He's forbade me from making more drones. Even if I could, without my antennae, coordination of the hive would falter." I look down at my stump of an arm. He's crippled me at nearly every level. Why do I have to bother to appeal to him to get what I want?

. . .

"Okay. Let's do it."

I blink, taken aback. "...what do you mean?"

"I mean, that once you give birth to Rose's kid, we'll fuck." He had thought about it for only a moment before answering, not so much as a hum coming beforehand.

Rose's kid? I shift my weight. I'd been feeling a bit queasy, but how could he have known I was pregnant before I did? As I'm about to ask, he beckons me closer with one finger. Rolling my eyes, I oblige, feeling that...presence compelling me to do so, and I sit on the bed next to him.

He sets his hand on my shoulder, pulls me close, and stares me in the eye. "But once we start, you're going to be popping out babies for the next month." His tone is serious, in a way he's never talked to me before. "You'll not only be bred over and over again, but you'll have to take care of the kids, too. Feed them, raise them, care for them." A gentle push, and I'm sitting back up straight. "If you're okay with that, we can start, tomorrow..." His eyes flick about. "Morning, if everything goes well with this child."

It's...that easy? "That's all?"

He raises an eyebrow. "I'm sorry, did you want me to demand something?" I feel the blood drain from my face, and he laughs. "Hoh, no, nothing else. But once we start, we don't stop. You'll still have to take care of them all, too. Violet and Daisy can help, but you're the one responsible for them."

"Please. I've controlled ten thousand hives. What's one more?" I smirk. This will be far easier, especially once Violet and Daisy finally start their own hives...

Eve

I take a deep breath, before opening my eyes. Three arrows let loose, one after another, each thunking into a nearby tree. I sigh, "not good enough..."

"Wha'd'you mean?! That was totes amazing!"

I shake my head. "The arrows are feet apart. If this was an enemy, maybe one would've hit." Reaching the trunk, I pull out the arrows one by one, needing to climb up a bit to grab the highest one. I need to be better. I never had this kind of problem before...

"But it's not an enemy, right? Oh no! Did we start hating trees!"

"No, Terra, I just... I need to do better. Dusk is counting on me, and I can't keep letting him down..."

"But...I don't remember him saying anything about you doing that..."

Another sigh. "He didn't, but...I know. I'm not as strong as I was...before."

"Oh! Before you died?"

I shiver. "Yeah... Yeah, before I died, I was one of the better rangers in my hometown." Shaking my head, I nock an arrow. "But I'll get better again...I have to..."

Olivia Alister

Marian... I twist my wedding band, far too big for my finger, now. All those years...did you really-

"My lady!" Freya's shout snaps me from my stupor. I hadn't even noticed the carts had stopped. "You were crying again... Pardon the intrusion, but...what did you and your wife talk about?"

I take my handkerchief from my sleeve and wipe my eyes. "It was nothing, Freya." I look up, seeing the expected evening sky as our trip comes to an end. Looking forward, I'm surprised to see that the roads have been churned up, long-rotten corpses littering the way. "What happened, here?"

Freya goes to help me down from the cart. "It seems like there was a monster raid. Stay close to me." She draws her sword, lifting up her shield cautiously. The other two guards also close in on us, as we make our way into town.

"Everything should be fine, now." A familiar voice echoes through my mind, eliciting a relieved sigh not only from me, but from my shield as well. "Though there may be a stray zombie here or there, the main threats have been handled."

As I watch my step moving forward, I try to get some more information. My Empress, what happened, here?

"From what I've gathered, a necromancer recently spawned in a nearby dungeon, raised an army, and attacked. There were some casualties, but overall, it was a successful defense." There's a pause. "Olivia, you should talk to Dusk. After the attack, he's become much more serious about managing the village."

With that, I look to Freya, who gives me a nod. We make our way through the town, the other two guards being told to handle the carts and horses. As we moved into the heart of Riverbend, we see not only more bodies, but the villagers, themselves; some clearing the way of corpses, some focusing more on the road itself, flattening the churned earth. With time, we arrive at Lord Blackwing's abode, and Freya takes her place beside the door.

Without further ado, I knock on the door. There's a pause before I hear him say, "come in!" Entering, I see him almost exactly as I left him, though now Kara is sitting at the table next to his bed, chopping vegetables with her back to him. "Olivia, surprised to see you back so soon. How was everything?"

"It went well." I intended to say 'horribly'. I clear my throat. Although, Kara seems to take that as me suggesting her to change seats, as she not only vacates hers, but slides the cutting board across the table and sits there. Approaching, I take the seat nearest Dusk, formerly the blonde's, and begin my report. "The sales went smoothly; three gold for our efforts. I did, unfortunately, need to spend some on supplies, but we've retained twenty-eight silver. I know time is short, but if we were to have some rarer mon-" I stop myself, suddenly unsure if I should continue my line of thought.

"Some rarer monster parts?" He finishes for me. "Do you have any examples?"

A small breath of relief escapes me. "Sorry, I'm not as well-versed in the trades of adventurers, but I've heard...cores, can be quite valuable. Many monster cores are too small or weak to warrant using, but larger or more powerful ones... The core of the necromancer that attacked the town, perhaps?"

He hums. "I'll see what we can do on that front. If I remember right, we should have two dungeon cores available. Maybe three if we can find the dungeon these undead came from." A sigh. "Was hoping to try to use them, but if it comes down to it..."

"It very well could. Dungeon cores have become far more common lately, but we should still be able to get a few silver for each, easily."

"That cheap?"

"Inexpensive, compared to before the crusade." I correct. "Though depending on the type, they could fetch a higher price. Goblinoids are common, but a dragon's dungeon core, even a dragon's own core should be worth its weight in gold."

Another contemplative hum. "I'll make sure you have the cores we have before you head out again. Speaking of...?" He looks to me expectantly, his red and blue eyes...

"The morning. If weather and roads permit, we could be back by afternoon the next day."

He nods, thinking for a moment. "Kara, do we have enough food for-"

"Of course." She quickly responds. "I make an effort to have more than enough food for you and your family, Dusk."

I stare at her for a moment - I could swear she winks at him. Family? I shift my gaze between the two. "...Dusk, I-"

"I insist." He takes my hand. "You've been traveling for most of the past few days, right? You deserve a nice meal." His smile warms my heart in a way I haven't felt since...

I shake my head. "I-I couldn't, surely." I go to stand, only to feel a hand on my back. Suddenly, I'm falling forward, landing face to face with- "Mphoohh..." Through no fault of his own, Dusk's hand envelops one of my breasts. I shiver at the touch... "S-sorry, I-"

"Olivia?" I feel my face -no, my chest, too- burn up. "Rose said you've got something on your mind. You and I haven't spent much time together, but I'm inclined to believe her. I'm not gonna **** you to talk, but know I'm always here to listen, okay?"

I'm sure he can feel my heart beating out of my chest; his hand is right over it, after all. "Dusk, I...I can't." I can't even tell him why... "But...if I can be selfish, tonight...help me forget." I grab his other hand -on my shoulder to support me- and place it on my other breast. "If only for a short while...treat me like I'm yours..."

Camilla

I finish the carving in the young tree. It may not seem like much to others, but just like after my parents died, this...helped. It still hurts, of course, just that...going forward might be a bit easier now.

'Henry. A nice name.'

"Yeah...it was my father's." I sheath the dagger. "He passed during the last war."

'He would've been proud of the person you've become.' I can almost feel her hand squeeze my shoulder.

I take another moment, before making my way back. It's only a short trek away from my new home. Opening the back door, I'm greeted by a redhead woman I've never met straddling and making out with Dusk, their arms wrapped around each other. I can't help but chuckle. "Why am I not surprised?"

The pair, startled, look over, Dusk relaxing when he sees me. "Hey, there. You're looking better." He glances at his latest lover before catching himself. "Oh, Camilla, this is Olivia Alister. Olivia, this is Captain Camilla."

I chuckle again, seeing Olivia's face redder than her hair. "Don't mind me, Olivia. I'll just be helping out Kara." I walk up, kissing Dusk on the cheek before taking in Olivia's form. Her chest, her rear, both are absolutely massive, while her face maintains a cute, feminine charm. "I can see why you like her~"

Her face can't get any redder, but Dusk chuckles along with me. "Stop teasing her, Cap. She's not used to all this...attention." Another chuckle, as he cups her cheek. After a moment, he takes my hand. "You sure you're okay?"

"I'll be fine." Probably. I give him another kiss. "Don't let me get in your way, though." In an attempt to distract myself, I grab Olivia's boob as I pass around her, eliciting a squeal from her, and a chuckle from Kara, who I sit next to at the foot of the bed. "Need any-"

I'm interrupted by a kiss, which is just as quickly broken, the kitsune smiling as her forehead rests against mine. "I could definitely use a distraction from them."

I hum. "You just focus on making dinner. I'll distract you plenty~"

Dusk Blackwing

Seeing Camilla hug Kara from behind and start groping her, I return my attention to Olivia, frozen from embarrassment. I chuckle. "Don't worry about them. Just focus on you, and me." Reaching behind her head, I pull her closer for a kiss. Again, we haven't known each other for long, but -and I feel like Rose planned this out or something- she's definitely the kind of woman I'd like to get closer to. Pulling away from the kiss, I look her in the eye. "Better?"

"Please don't stop." She breathes out, trying to pull herself even closer to me, her chest crushed against my own.

I oblige, kissing her again. This time, my hands roam her clothed body. From her magnificent tits, down the outside of her corset -which seems looser than yesterday- and gripping her child-rearing hips. I take a moment there and pull her even closer, pushing down enough to make sure she can feel my erection through our clothes. I know it works, from her moaning into my mouth. She even begins to hump me, **** for release.

I continue down to her ass, supple and full, even a bit squished from sitting on me. A bit of massaging, and I earn the sweet sounds of Olivia's increasingly horny moans. Reluctantly, I slide my hands away, down her squishy thighs, until I reach the hem of her dress. Now, touching her bare skin, her breath catches, separating us. Our eyes open and all I can see in hers is...

"I love you."

Love. Devotion. A hint of desperation. Part of me is unsure whether or not this is close enough to sex for Mind Break to activate, but I doubt she's thinking straight, if at all. The other part is horny as hell after this display, and I roughly pull her back, almost slamming our faces back together. She moans into my mouth again, hugging close as she rubs her crotch and breasts against me.

As before, Olivia's arousal reaches it's climax quickly. She releases the kiss, throwing her head back. "Duuuuuuuuuusk!aaah..." She collapses against me, panting. "...ahluvyu..."

Fuck. I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. Though, seeing Camilla groping Kara and kissing her neck makes that difficult. Then, as if on cue, Olivia rights herself, revealing her purple flower as she giggles. "I suppose I overdid it a bit. How are you faring?" Her hand cups my crotch, a smirk on her face.

"Ready for a repeat of last time." I grab 'Olivia' by the hips, ready to lift her up to free my penis, only for the back door to burst open.

"[D] Is dinner ready yet?" Diana and the kids walk in, the twins hopping up on the bed next to me, though Violet has notably less energy than usual, just leaning against my side.

A glance at Kara shows she's free of her fiancé. "Diana, you know I can't understand you well like that."

The hornet rolls her eyes, sitting at one of the chairs. "Food."

"Almost there, just a bit more. Cammy, can you cut the fish?"

Dinner progresses rather smoothly from there, though after 'Olivia' gets off my lap, I have Eve sit on my lap when she gets in, to avoid awkwardness with Violet and Daisy... Eve's blush is noticeable even with her back to me. After that hiccup, we end up having a nice, peaceful supper, with Rose being surprisingly proficient in demonic, and participating in the conversation in both that and humish. The conversation itself is more introductory for her, even more so since she speaks as if she was Olivia.

As the rest of us begin settling in for bed, 'Olivia' excuses herself, taking note to thank Kara for the meal. The last of the day's light fades from the room as Violet tugs on my sleeve. "[D] Is that lady gonna be our new auntie?"

A slight chuckle escapes me. "[D] Maybe, Vi." I ruffle her hair a bit. "[D] We'll see..."

Ancient Dungeon Core

Earlier...

"Warning. Tampering with this system is a violation of your protocols." The dungeon's system states. "Do not continue."

"My protocols are none of your concern." I place my palm on the console. "Initiating Takeover Program." I'd already taken control of this dungeon once. A second time would be even easier.

"Warning. Attempted override. Shutting down system. Error. Unable to shut down. Error. Error. Erro-" There's a pause as the giant screen goes black. "Welcome back, Master Core."

31% faster response. "Show me Riverbend." The screen lights up, showing the battle unfold. The camera has been part of the church longer than Ramel has, and it gives a bird's eye view of much of the settlement. I adjust the lens, focusing on the nephilim astride a kitsune. Within seconds, he is knocked back onto the ground. Disgrace. He can't even utilize his power properly. He's almost not worth eliminating...

Almost.

I dismiss the rest of the fight, only confirming that the horde was, in fact, defeated. He's weak. There's a 93% chance he'll die within the month if I continue my plan as-is.

"Show me the other cameras."

"There is one other camera within the village."

I clench my fist. Riverbend used to be a metropolis, a technological marvel, and now it's just a shadow of its former self...as disgraceful as the nephilim who calls it home. "Record all footage from both cameras. Identify potential weaknesses and log them. Send the data to my dungeon."

"Affirmative."

I leave out the same way I came in, returning to the surface. The trapdoor almost startles a nearby eagle, which I take quick notice of. A smirk forms on my face. Outstretching my hand to the bird, I feel the power coalesce, my palm glowing slightly. "You're going to be good for me. You're going to help slay the nephilim..."

AN: A little late, but Happy Holidays, everyone!