No Rest for the Wicked

"If you want to send more, that's your choice, but I want at least four from-" I'm interrupted by a sudden shout, cut short, but still echoing slightly through the cavern. I glare at the local leader of the Kormaks. "What was that?"

Camilla's already marching over to the source: the side cavern that had been the '**** pen' in this cave. Eve quickly translates the stuttering orc's words. "He says it's nothing. One of the grunts wanted to work against you, and she's being disciplined, now."

The captain turns back to me, blocked by two orcs. "Mind telling them to let me through?"

I nod to Eve, and she barks an order to the pair. One of them looks nervous, and glances to their leader. Eve says something to the leader, and he begins to look more anxious, glancing over to the **** pen guiltily. I begin walking over, and stand next to Camilla, crossing my arms as I gaze between the two orcs. They glance to each other, before stepping to the side, letting us pass. Turning the corner, we quickly come upon a big goblin using a sturdy woman's mouth as an onahole. I quickly launch an earth bolt at him, not knocking him back, but at least stopping him from continuing his **** of the seemingly **** woman.

"Take care of her, I'll deal with him." I step forth as the goblin realizes quite how much trouble he's in. He steps back, his dick flopping free as the redhead woman collapses against the cold stone floor. I step forward with purpose, closing the distance to the terrified goblin. He collapses and tries to back-crawl away, but there's not much room in the cave. He quickly reaches a wall and his hands slip and slide trying to pull himself up. I stand in front of him, contemplating exactly how to punish the goblin...when I notice his penis, still semi-hard. That'll do.

. . .

I drop the now-castrated goblin at the Kormak leader's feet. "You're done **** people. I won't tolerate it, and the next time I hear about it from this tribe, it's your dick." I let Eve translate as I stare down the orc struggling to hide his cowardice as his hand instinctively goes to cover his crotch. "Good. Send four of your people east to Riverbend. I expect them there by tomorrow at noon."

Camilla walks into the room, supporting the semi-conscious stout redhead. "She'll be fine, but we should get her back to Riverbend."

I nod, walking over to grab the victim's other side. "Eve, let's go."

. . .

After an exhausting flight, Camilla and I carry the redhead to Gilford, and he begins performing a basic assessment. "A dwarf, this time? She appears fine, mostly bruising." He pushes under and between her breasts. "Ribs are well...no visibly broken bones. I think she just needs rest."

I nod. "Good. I've, uh, without going into details, I've made sure it won't happen again. Keep doing good work, Gilford." I turn and begin leading Camilla out. "Alright, so now that that's taken care-...of..." I stop as we exit the church, spotting Eve passed out against the stone wall. "Fainting spells?"

The captain nods, sighing. "Probably."

I pick up the goblin. "Well, let's take her back. I need to stop by-"

"[D] Daddy!" I'm tackled from my other side by the flying purple insectoid I've come to know as my daughter, despite the short time I've actually known her. "[D] You're finally back!"

I chuckle as I pat her head. "[D] I haven't been gone that long. How is playing with Daisy and Connor?"

"[D] Connor's really fun! He knows all the goodest spots in the forest to play, but he told me not to tell anyone." She raises a finger to her mouth as she gets quieter.

Camilla chuckles. "Just wait till Miki hears about this."

I elbow her lightly. "Don't be like that. If they're safe and having fun, then there's nothing to worry about. They can all smell each other and Daisy and Violet can fly Connor to safety if needed. Speaking of, [D] Vi, where did you leave Daisy and Connor?"

"[D] They're with Auntie Kara and Auntie Miki."

I nod before pausing. "Actually, they probably know more about these fainting spells than anyone else. Let's head over there first." I begin walking toward the kitsunes' abode.

Camilla nods and follows. "That makes sense. I can say she's probably talking to this 'courtesan', though."

I furrow my brows. "What?"

"I don't remember a lot of it, but Lilac and I had a few conversations when I was out. I'm pretty sure most of them ended up something along the lines of 'let me use your body'...still regretting that a bit..." She crosses her arms and shakes her head. "If she is experiencing the same thing, it seems like they need permission to actually possess us, or even speak to us outside of these spells."

I sigh. "But the fainting spells get worse over time..."

"...she said something about my body changing... It could be unrelated to the spirits themselves."

She is a 'nephilic' human, now. "Possible... I don't like all this 'nephilic' stuff happening without any explanation as to why..."

The brunette sighs. "Let's hope the courtesan has more answers than Lilac..."

. . .

Miki sets a damp cloth on Eve's forehead. "If I didn't know better, I'd say you angered an osaki, Dusk..."

Kara takes a moment away from her lover and leans toward me. "Osaki gitsune can change your fortune."

I nod. "Can't say I feel very lucky, right now." I mean, yeah, there's getting reincarnated, but things just keep happening... "Wait, gitsune? What's the difference between gitsune and kitsune?"

Miki glares at me. "That requires a lecture on culture and history you don't have the luxury to listen to right now." She turns her attention back to Eve. "We will take care of her."

Someone's still upset... "Right. Thanks again, Miki." I walk out the door, Camilla following a minute or so later. "How's the love life?"

Camilla sighs. "She's not happy, but I'm doing my best, considering the circumstances."

I purse my lips. "You know what, come on." I begin leading her around the kitsune house, and a few dozen feet into the forest.

"Dusk, what's going on?" The brunette crosses her arms.

I turn back to her. "I need to talk to Lilac."

"Yes, my lord?" She stands at attention.

It's starting to get creepy how seamless the transition is... Her voice is sounding more and more like Camilla's, too; barely any echo at all... I pinch my nose. "Lilac, what's your duty here?"

"To protect you and those close to you, sir."

"And that includes anyone close to me?"

"Yes sir, but-"

"Including my children?"

"But sir-"

"Including a kitsune that's bound to me?"

"Sir! I can't just-"

"So why are you so hell-bent on guarding me, specifically?"

"Because last time you left without me, you didn't come back!" She breathes heavily as silence fills the air. She blinks, looking surprised that she said what she did.

"Lilac, what are you-"

"Aahhh!" She collapses to her knees, holding her head in pain.

I immediately kneel next to her, wrapping my arm around her back. "Camilla, what's going on?" I try to heal her, but the spell doesn't work; nothing to target.

She pants, her eyes now wide. "...what..." She gulps. "She's...not there..."

"Wha-what do you mean?"

"Lilac...she's gone..."

I immediately activate God's Eye and begin reading. It...doesn't look like anything changed. She's still possessed, too, at least according to this... "I think she's still there...but you can't sense her at all?"

Camilla shakes her head. "No...no, I can't." She gulps, her breath still shaky. "She's just...gone."

I rub her back. "Why don't you take the rest of the day off? Spend some time with Kara, or maybe just at home?"

"I...I think I'll do that..." She's clearly shaken as I help her up.

Something else with no explanation in sight...