Chapter 11

The room was dark and hot. The air was thick with vapor and scent of sulfur. The heat was so intense, even for the Dwarves. The cavern was located deep inside the bowels of the earth. It was a home of no one, for nothing could survive in these unfriendly environment, not even monsters or subterraneous beasts.

A lone man walked along the cavern, his long dark cape flowing freely behind him. Around him the air crackled continuously from contact of the intense heat with his invisible force field. The conflicting force didn't bother him at all. The man just walked deeper and deeper into the cavern.

And the air grew even hotter. At the end of the cavern, the walls were glowing in bright red, illuminated by the magma lake beyond the cavern. The ocean of magma rippled vigorously beneath. The lifeless magma chamber would not make a fine place to visit.

But the dark man stood near the cave opening near the magma lake. He had a purpose.

"Kastor!!" He screamed in his rich voice. "I summon thee! Wake up from thy slumber!!"

The dawn was breaking. The sun crept slowly from its hiding place, spreading its wings of light over the land. Various birds appeared from their nests and began their chorus of praise to the land. The fragrance of the flowers filled the air as their petals opened to greet the sun. The nature began their wonderful songs as the Land of Lore welcomed another beautiful morning. For normal people, this was just another ordinary summer day, but for certain people, this was another day full of excitement.

Atrus White Lion smiled widely. He was happy. Everyday was an excitement for him. He had everything under control. He had everything a man ever wanted. He had a job, a wonderful life, and a wonderful life-mate. Confidently, he rose his sword.

"Give me your best shot!" he said.

Adriana Freesland, the girl before him, tossed the object. Atrus leaped toward the flying object and swung the Rainbow sword. The enchanted sword flared as the magical force flowed through the metal.

"Sword Dancer!!"

Atrus delivered multiple short yet deadly cuts to the object, splitting and shaping it nicely thin pieces. Anna dashed forward and caught the pieces readily on her plate.

"Perfect, honey!" Anna smiled while toying with the perfectly cut potato slices. "This will be the best potato chips we've ever had!"

"Are you sure you'll be fine? Remember the steps?" Atrus reminded.

"Don't worry, honey, I remember." She pecked his cheek. "Now go. Men are not welcomed here in the kitchen. Wait for me in the dining room."

"Are you sure you'll be okay... ?"

"Yes, now go! I need to prepare our breakfast!"

Atrus reluctantly went out of the kitchen and into the dining room. He put his sheathed sword on the table and sat on the big chair. His eyes wandered around the spacious room, way too spacious for a dining room. It was more like a grand wedding hall with a long wooden table and a dozen chairs on its flanks. The table itself was covered with decorated tablecloth. A Tiras-made vase decorated the table, topped with flowers Anna picked herself from the garden. Three grand chandeliers hung over the table, and another dozen of candleholders were set around the room.

He sighed. It had been six months since he took residence in the castle. Six months ago, he had been just a fighter fighting for the land against the demons and their undead army. Now he was Baron White Lion, the ruler of Southern Aragon and the master of his own castle. He even took the liberty of renaming the castle after his father's name, Castle White Lion.

The task as a baron hadn't been easy. After the war with the undead army, Southern Aragon had been devastated. The zombies had destroyed most of the towns and slaughtered the citizens. The undead had been defeated, but the destruction had remained. The reinforcements from the north had arrived shortly after the battle and had secured the southern area. Citizens had been allowed to settle down again. Starting a community from a scratch was already tough, let alone starting from a ruin.

Most of the town of Blackwell, however, escaped destruction, so the peasants had settled down there, increasing the city size. The kingdom had been sending settlers and volunteers to assist with the rebuilding. The Dwarves from the east had come and erected several guard posts along the southern border. Shortly as the security improved, villages began to sprout around those posts. The growth rate had been quite surprising, since the settlers had still had to cope with the harsh winter for months. The winter had passed now. Hamlets had become villages, villages had become towns, and towns had become cities. Blackwell herself had grown from a small city to the capital of Southern Aragon, matching the size of the old Tiras before the war.

A loud clanking sound was heard from the kitchen. Atrus grinned. It had been several months since Maya left them. She had decided to take a vacation to visit Castle Stromgard. Neither Atrus nor Anna had forbidden her, but she still had knelt before them and 'requested permission from her master and mistress'. She is definitely most annoying when she is on her knees.

And it had been several months since Anna decided to start cooking for them ... or start learning how to cook. Atrus had been giving her a crash course in cooking. The result had been, so far, quite fatal. Throughout the winter they had called the local artisans at least twenty times to repair the kitchen. He simply couldn't understand how an explosion could happen in a kitchen, since the only thing burning inside was the stove, and it was made out of fine and strong bricks. She kept on claiming that the fire took too long, so she decided to use her magic whenever she could. Now he understood why magic books always advised using mini-burner for heating magical herbs rather than make-your-own fire.

A knock on the door awakened him from his daydream. The double door opened shortly, revealing a young man wearing formal suit and long pants.

"Ah, Leonard, good morning." Atrus saluted.

"Good morning, Lord White Lion." The man bowed. "May I have a moment of your time?"

Atrus grinned. He had met Leonard almost a year ago, when they were in a royal mission here in Blackwell. Leonard had been the leader of the local resistance against the wicked ruler at that time, Baron Anthony Stoke, Maya's slaver. When Atrus became the new baron, he had discovered the young man's talent in leadership and had appointed him as the governor of Blackwell. Leonard usually dealt with Anna most of the time, since governor's duties were mostly civil affairs, in which Anna excelled and Atrus dreaded. If the young man was looking for him, it should be either political affairs or military issues.

"How many times should I tell you to call me Atrus?"

"I'm sorry, Lord White Lion." The young man smiled. "I can't help it."

"Yeah, right. How's the road construction going?" Atrus queried.

"The road connecting Blackwell and Whitewater is almost completed, Lord White Lion." Leonard answered. "And the village chief Gordon expressed his deepest gratitude for the shipment of goods. They will begin building the fort as ordered once the stone shipment arrives."

"And how about the recent trouble south of Kitaria?" Kitaria was a new town near the southern border of Aragon, somewhere near where Labrador had once been. The town had been a favorite target for the demon raids for the last few weeks.

"We have sent squad four and five to reinforce the Dwarven fort there as you ordered. The frequency of raids has decreased rapidly. It was indeed a wise choice, Lord White Lion. I heard the little town was booming and our men received valuable experience."

"Very well, Leonard." Atrus adjusted his seat. "Now why do you need me?"

"A royal herald arrived last night, telling that Lady Murdock will come home this afternoon."

"Okay..." Atrus frowned. "So Maya is coming home. Why should I know this?"

"She's not coming alone, Sir." Leonard said. "A special herald from the kingdom is coming."

Atrus sighed. The search for the last Warrior of the Guardian among the Humans had been so far fruitless. The kingdom had spread news to find the one, but instead numerous warriors had appeared from all over the kingdom, claiming that they were the Chosen One. Those warriors had been fighting the demons openly to prove themselves, and the number of unnecessary casualties had been high. Yet until now no one was qualified enough (or alive long enough) to be the possible candidate. If the royal court is sending someone, then they probably have some important news...

"Thank you, Leonard. I will welcome them personally."

"Forgive me for asking, Sir, but," the man hesitated, "Lady Freesland is ... you know..."

Atrus' brows twitched. "Yes, she's cooking breakfast."

"Cooking, Sir... ?"

"Well, I don't know how she's doing it, but she's trying to make breakfast."

"Forgive me, Sir, because I won't actually call it cooking." Leonard peeked into the opened kitchen door. "She's torching the pan with her fingers, Sir, and she 's trying to open the oil drum as well..."

"Oh..." Wait a minute ... oil DRUM? "What... ?!!"

His question was answered instantly as a loud explosion was heard from the kitchen. Smaller pieces of wood flew out of the kitchen. Atrus hid behind the large chair and Leonard jumped for cover under the table. Smoke trailed out of the kitchen into the dining room. Atrus sighed. Had this happened five months ago, he would have stormed the smoking kitchen and started screaming for Anna and demanded if she's okay. Now he knew that this was just another regular event.

"What happened, Sir... ?" Leonard asked.

"Nothing special ... It's the second time this month..." Atrus grumbled. "She got cooking oil and stove oil mixed up again. For some reason, her nose couldn't differentiate the two."

"Is ... is she okay... ?"

"She keeps her magic barrier running when she's cooking." Atrus brushed the debris from his shirt. "Tell Thomas that we need him to fix the kitchen again."

"Right away, Sir!" Leonard left the room.

Anna appeared on the kitchen door. She was a mess. Her nightgown and apron was torn here and there. Her face was covered with black patches from the smoke. Her expression was threatening.

"Don't you dare laugh..." she grumbled.

"Why should I? This isn't new..." Atrus teased her.

"How many times should I tell you to put labels on the oil drums?!"

"Labels?! It's your fault that you can't smell that thing!!"

"Smell?! I don't have the nose of a dog like you, Ranger!!"

"It doesn't take a Ranger to ... wait a minute... ! You said I'm a dog?!"

Lord Daemon snorted as the view disappeared from his sight. Finally he couldn't help laughing. This was a rare sight to his subordinates. The demon lord had been furious since the defeat of his undead army at Blackwell. But he was indeed excited. His plan had gone well.

"This is perfect." He hissed. "How's the gem?"

"It's finished charging, but not full, sire." One hooded human figure, standing behind him, said in her steady tone. "It needs more power. We need more."

"I'm sure it will be no problem for you." The demon lord said. "You'll have no problem while those clowns are occupied with their session."

"Yes, Master." The woman replied. "Do you wish to observe the operation?"

Lord Daemon nodded and made his way back to the main chamber in the Emerald Tower. The chamber had gone through some modifications in the last six months. A torture dungeon had replaced the old throne room. Multiple wicked devices filled the room, from various racks, torture tables, chairs and wooden horses. Chains and shackles hung from the ceiling.

On the middle of the room was a young girl, sitting on a wooden horse. Her hands were shackled to the ceiling loosely so her weight pressed her tender pussy on the wood. Her ankles hung taut with additional weight attached to her ankle chains. She was whimpering helplessly as the wood dug painfully into her tender flesh.

And at the corner of the room sat the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. He'd known her for twenty years or so, yet his opinion of her hadn't changed. Her grace remained despite the passing of age. The fact that she was shackled to a throne-like chair enhanced her beauty. The throne had no seat beneath, just simple padding for the back. The goddess' hands were bound behind the padding and her legs were spread wide and chained to the support extending from the padding, exposing her pussy.

"Good morning, Goddess Gaea." Daemon smiled. "I hope you're well today?"

Gaea, however, didn't answer. Her eyes stared blankly at the approaching demon.

"Oh, how I enjoyed breaking you, my dearest goddess." The demon stroked her chin, making her shiver. "Don't tell me I've broken you totally."

"Don't ... hurt ... her..." She answered weakly, almost unheard.

"Remarkable. You still care for those beings until the end." Daemon said. "But well ... I'll have to let you down ... Finish her!"

The woman in dark cloak approached the bound girl at the center of the room, carrying a long bullwhip. "Prepare yourself, bitch. Your pain is our power!"

The young girl's howl filled the torture room as the first blow struck her ripe ass. The whip created a long angry-red stripe across her skin. Her muscles quivered uncontrollably, making the wood panel dig deeper inside her. She tried to lift herself using her hands, but another blow across her back threw her effort in vain. The woman walked slowly around her, sending well-placed blows at her bottom, back and breasts, targeting specially her protruding nipples. The girl was in pain. She struggled, quivered, and screamed in every blow with her parched voice. Yet the torture continued.

"Mercy ... mercy..." The girl pleaded as the torture was halted.

"She's ready, Master."

Lord Daemon approached the bound girl from behind and undid his pants. The hooded woman set her cloak away, revealing a beautiful young female human with long blonde hair and dark-brown eyes. She smirked naughtily at the bound goddess at the corner of the room.

"Greetings, Goddess Gaea. It's been an honor to see you in person."

"Traitor..." The goddess spoke up, angered. "Why... ?"

The woman didn't answer. Instead, she knelt before her master and took his member inside her mouth. Gaea watched in disgust as the female Human, one of the being she'd been trying to protect, turned away from her and serviced her nemesis. The woman sucked the demon's member with lust, coating it with her saliva. She performed her duty well, making his member erect and rock hard.

"And now is the time..."

Daemon took his member and pressed it on the opening of the bound girl's anus. She quickly realized her next ordeal and squirmed for freedom, rewarded by sharp pain from her pussy. She whimpered and begged helplessly for mercy, but mercy was a stranger to her. She howled as the cock forcefully entered her behind. The pain was too much. She bucked like a wildcat as he fucked her mercilessly.

"Please ... don't ... hurt ... her..." Gaea muttered.

The goddess screamed as the whip connected, creating a long stripe across her vulnerable breasts. The traitor approached her with the bullwhip on her hand.

"Oh, forgive me, goddess..." She smirked. "I really, really didn't mean to hurt you..."

She screamed again as the whip slashed against her spread hip. The woman whipped her mercilessly, leaving stripes across various places until the goddess hung her head, completely defeated.

The woman slid her panties aside, revealing her bald pussy. "Eat me, bitch goddess!"

Gaea couldn't resist when the woman grabbed her head by her hair and pulled her against her pussy. She choked from the steel collar around her neck. The evil woman's unholy musk filled her nostrils. The traitor rubbed her face against her pussy, enjoying pleasure from the goddess' agony and humiliation. Meanwhile the rape continued. The girl hung limply as the demon lord fucked her. At the same time, her body glowed. Green tendrils circled her bound body and embraced her. She could feel her power draining. Daemon grunted as he reached climax and shot his load deep inside her. Immediately the evil force invaded her body and drained her life force. She moaned in frustration as her power and youthful determination was robbed from her. Then she hung on her chains, helpless and defeated.

Daemon walked toward a corner of the room, revealing a big dark-green gemstone on top of a pillar. The gem glowed as he brushed the surface, radiating evil warmth. He hummed at the caress, yet it wasn't enough. It wasn't enough to overthrow the Gods. The Titan Gem was not finished.

"We need more bitches." Lord Daemon approached the goddess and forced her to clean his member with her mouth. "I'm sure there will be no problem at all?"

"No problem, Master." The woman bowed. "And what should I do with the bitch?"

He glanced at the bound girl. "Discard her. Dump her to the barracks. Let the goblins have their fun with her."

Atrus sat uneasily on the big chair. He had been a baron for six months, yet he was still not used to sitting on his 'throne'. Plus, his suit was quite uncomfortable. It was a tight, formal suit used by government officials all across the kingdom. The tight collar made breathing a bit difficult, and the pants fit tautly against his legs, leaving uncomfortable feeling around his crotch. He couldn't understand why the kingdom ever developed such torturing suit for its officials. He made a mental note to send such petition to the royal court when the war ends.

Anna was standing next to his chair, her usual position during any legal event. Atrus had appointed her as his advisor. The decision had also demanded her to wear uncomfortable dress. The gown was hugging her waist and crushing her chest but showing her upper figure. The long and wide lower gown made her difficult to walk. No matter how civilized she was, she was still a priestess of action, forged in the heat of battle and therefor wore simple clothes to ease movement. Long gowns didn't work well with her.

"Hard to breathe?" Atrus queried, listening to her ragged breathing.

"Don't ask." She grumbled. "Every bit of air in my lungs is precious."

"The guests have arrived!" The herald announced.

Since Atrus had decided to welcome the guests himself, he approached the double door. Anna followed him slowly, trying not to stumble and embarrassed herself. Her high heel shoes clicked nicely on the marble floor, giving her a sense of superiority. Indeed, the official suits were designed for grace and authority, not comfort.

Atrus held the door handle and opened, only to find that the door was swung open instantly. A figure leaped on him, pushing him backwards. He stumbled down and fell on his back while Anna jumped to stay out of the way. When he recovered, he found Maya hugging him tightly, grinning. She was still wearing her tight bodysuit, complete with her battle-set on her belt. Her ponytail swung freely behind.

"Hi, Master Atrus! Long time no see!"

The little girl suddenly planted a full kiss on his lips, catching him completely off guard. He struggled for a while. Anna noticed the grin in the herald's lips and quickly put it down with her best glare. Atrus quickly recovered and broke the kiss.

"Maya, what are you doing?!"

"I miss you, Master! It's been so long!"

"Tell me that later, now get off me!" Atrus got on his feet quickly. "Not now, Maya!"

"Sorry, Master..." She hung her head. "But I do have a surprise, though!"

Then from the door came a man in a large silver plate armor. He reached out for his helmet and opened the hatch. The face behind it was familiar indeed.

"Prince Roberto..." Atrus bowed. "Hail and well met."

"I do not expect such welcome." Roberto frowned, noticing Atrus' governmental suit. "How did you know I'm coming?"

"Our intelligence committee has correctly predicted your coming, Lord." Atrus answered.

"You're using your intelligence agents against us. Your loyalty is under question."

"If you want to demote me, Prince Roberto," Atrus said, "Now is the perfect time."

"Why is that?"

"I know more than I'm supposed to." He smirked. "And I'd like to be the first one to congratulate you in the engagement. You're a very lucky man."

Roberto's face turned red, and he turned to Maya. "You told them?!"

"No! How did he..." Maya instantly followed Atrus' stare to her finger, where a small yet lovely ring was tucked on it. "He's cheating! He's..."

"I told you not to wear that until we get married!!" Roberto looked horrified.

"But it's so nice!" Maya toyed with the ring happily. "I can't wait until next month!"

"You get married next month?!" Anna's face was brightened. "Congratulation!!"

Maya cowered under Roberto's glare. "Oops, sorry..."

"Let's keep this to ourselves." Roberto smiled warmly. "How is it going, partner?"

"Very good." Atrus gladly hugged the prince despite his constricting plate armor. "And it's a great honor to have you here in my humble hut."

Roberto turned to Anna. "His diplomatic gesture is getting worse. You taught him this?"

"Something's wrong with the potato he ate this morning." Anna smiled back. "You're well?"

"I'm well, thank you. My father extends his best greetings and gratitude for your service."

"So I'm free from my job?" Atrus asked.

"No, in fact, my father was planning to promote you into a deputy minister of defense, helping General Kepfer. Since I know you won't work well in the royal court, I took the liberty of going against the plan and refusing the idea on behalf of you."

"Thanks..." Atrus shivered. "That would freak me out."

"Anyway..." Anna turned to the prince. "What is your business here?"

"Ow, come on! Can't you see that I'm just visiting old friends to recount old memories?"

Anna smiled warmly. "No."

"Fine!" Roberto sighed. "There's trouble in Stromgard."

"What's wrong?"

"We think..." Roberto made sure he got everybody's attention. "We might have found a qualified candidate..."

"That's great!" Atrus said, then studied the prince's expression. "You're skeptical?"

"Wait till you see the guy, partner." The prince said slowly. "He's ... weird."

"So does everybody else in the team." Anna added. "That's nothing new."

"No, he's different. You must see the person. Then you'll know what I'm talking about."

"So you need us in the castle?" Atrus asked.

Roberto nodded. "Holgreb is already in Stromgard. Calem is getting Hawk and Aurelia from Elom. We're here to get both of you and Lynn."

"We're ready to go," Anna said, "as long as you don't mind waiting for us to change."

"Not at all."

Atrus and Anna went back to the bedroom they shared together. Atrus had made a special order from a local armor-smith to make a brand new piece of leather armor. His new armor was made from finest leather, reinforced with thin yet strong chain layer around the chest and back. A red artistic royal crest was painted on the front part. The armor was enchanted personally by Anna herself, strengthening the leather even further. A long, golden cloak adorned the armor with royal crest pattern on the back. Since his old boots had been decimated during the firestorm six months ago, the town people had made him a new pair. His faithful Rainbow Sword, covered in a brand new sheath, added the last touch.

Anna still kept her old priestess costume. The dress fell to her hips while hugging her upper body snuggly yet comfortably. The belt circled her thin waist, turning the lower dress into a nice, short skirt. Her long gloves and boots came next, followed by her tight collar with a black gem on it. It was the general identity of a Priestess of Lycra, and although she was no longer one she still kept it. Her metal mace and leather backpack completed her preparation.

"Here we go again..." she sighed.

"You're worried, Anna dear?" Atrus asked.

"I know this is coming..."

"Don't worry, dear..." Atrus circled his arm around her shoulder. "We will fulfill our destiny. And when we do, I'll be there for you..."

"Thanks, honey." Anna kissed him. "I'm glad I don't have to lose you."

The couple returned to the main hall. Roberto couldn't stop whistling at Atrus' new outfit.

"You should consider granting an award to your smith, partner..." He commented.

"I did." Atrus said. "He has the second biggest house in town next to the governor's."

"Oh..." Roberto quickly turned to Maya. "So you said you know how to call Lynn?"

The girl produced a small pipe that looked like a flute, except that it was smaller. The flute seemed to be made out of wood, but the shiny white color suggested ivory. The design was simple yet amazing. It was the smallest yet finest flute they'd ever seen.

"Lynn gave me this as a parting gift back at Stromgard." Maya said proudly. "She even taught me how to play it. She said I can use this to call her."

"Okay, go on, then." Anna said, impatient.

"Lynn said the tune from this flute should reach the Heaven. Now let's see if I can do it..."

Maya took a deep breath, put the flute softly between her lips and blew steadily. Suddenly, the entire castle complex rattled in tremor as a high-pitch shriek came from the flute. Several windows were shattered in pieces. Both Atrus and Anna dove for cover behind the furniture while Roberto, who was unlucky enough to be standing right in front of her, was thrown backward from the powerful force. The sound waves echoed along the stone walls throughout the castle.

"Wow, girl!" Anna said after the ordeal was over. "Is that what it's supposed to sound like?"

"I hope not." Atrus said while looking nervously at the chandelier over his head, which was swinging frantically back and forth. "Or else, Lynn and I will be having a long, serious talk together."

"It worked well before..." Maya inspected the flute. "I don't know ... let me try again..."

Roberto's head quickly popped out from the overturned table. "You know what, Maya ... I thing we should ... Maya?! No... ! Don't ... Yikes!"

Anna quickly created two magic barriers for Atrus and herself, but she was not quick enough to make one for Roberto. The prince leaped toward a long table and hid under it, just in time to evade the crashing chandelier behind him. The two magic barriers crackled as the sound waves pounded it with overwhelming force. The barriers held, but the occupants were forced to cover their ears tightly.

The door was opened quickly and Leonard peeked inside the room. "Uh, Lord White Lion? Is everything oka..." His jaws dropped open when he saw the devastated hall.

"Is that an honest question, Leonard?" Atrus scowled.

"Uh ... I think I'll leave you in private, Sir..." Leonard quickly disappeared.

Suddenly a magical portal burst open in the middle of the room and a lithe form of a girl was thrown out from it. The girl wore thin satin dress with nylon rope around her waist. On her back, a pair of thin-yet-lovely wings extended gracefully. The girl crashed on top of a tumbled table and groaned in pain.

"Lynn is here!!" Maya cheered. "The flute works! I told you that the sound reaches Heaven!"

"Of course it does!!" Lynn growled while still lying on the broken table. "And because of you, Heaven almost lays in ruins! You should have seen the destruction you've..." The Fairy looked at her surrounding and noted the actual destruction. "Never mind..."

Anna helped her stand up. "I suppose your trip here wasn't pleasant." She asked.

"I was taking a nap when an earthquake occurred in Heaven!" The Fairy scowled. "My sisters quickly discovered the problem. They dragged me out of bed and threw me into the portal, and here I am."

"The flute doesn't work!" Maya protested. "It's not my fault!"

"Of course it doesn't!" Lynn advanced toward her, grabbed the flute and pulled the rubber plug off one end of it. "How many times should I tell you? Pull the plug first!"

Roberto slowly stood up and looked at the mess around them. "Atrus, sorry about this ... I'll have some men repair the castle..."

"That can wait." Atrus nodded. "Lynn, can you take us back to Stromgard?"

"Absolutely, Prophet Atrus." Lynn bowed gracefully before stealing another annoyed glance at Maya. "Just fill me in with the details later..."

Hawk groaned in pleasure as the Elf softly sucked his member. He held her head and slowly caressed her hair as she pumped his cock with her mouth. Her warm and moist lips were wrapped around his shaft while her tongue teased it lightly. He could tell that her skill was improving well. She had learnt the way of the Humans quickly since her involvement in Atrus' cause, but he had taught her in this matter personally.

Her willingness to please him was the main reason for her burning passion. However, an Elven princess had to stay virgin until her enactment as the rightful queen. She had to dutifully obey the rule, but it didn't stop them from becoming more intimate each day. They always found a way to express each other's love without doing intercourse.