03 Atavism of the Ifrit Read online

  Running water turned red as excess blood was washed away from their bodies as they helped one another get clean. As Kanade scrubbed her thick cobalt mane Kyoko hummed while using the bar of soap on her lean and toned body. Then they traded and Kyoko got the same treatment before they scrubbed their husband clean.

  Scabs fell away from them all, revealing pink or light blue scars thanks to rapid regeneration.

  But Kyoko was pleasantly surprised that when the shower came to an end there was no need for towels. Ethan steamed them dry. “Yet another benefit.”

  “You could say that again. It takes hours to completely dry my feathers without a heated air-room and he does it in seconds. Oh, Look at your neck!” Able to walk again, the Yuki-onna stepped over and widened her eyes as soon as she could see past the morbid mix of red and her own blue blood. Fingertips caressed thousands of bites that she received in the night long battle and the fresh scars appeared more like a choker. Several bites were on her endowed breasts, but weren’t ghastly. “Welcome to the club!” Kanade threw an arm around her shoulders and pointed to her own neck.

  Behind rumbled “Mine.” And laughed as they squeaked together as he pinched their firm asses. They turned and slapped his arm.

  “Still… he’s right. He’s claimed us as his now. Only his innate magic allows immortals to scar and I’d have it no other way. It’s better and more lasting than a wedding ring.” Kyoko told. She turned back to the vanity and closely looked at all her new markings to love each and every one.

  “Darlin’, go wake Dress while Kyoko and I get all girly with all these lotions.”

  “With pleasure.” He hightailed it out as she wasn’t joking. They did go a little crazy trying out the creams and lotions. “Wake up, Pervert.” He knocked on the side of the cabinet without throwing it into a wall.

  “Good morning, Handsome! By those roadmaps over your chest and all the new scars, you had a fabulous time. And even I get a peep show.” Dress visibly brightened as bright blue eyes on the knobs stared right at the Ifrit’s pride and joy. “My, my, my! Weren’t we the busy little beaver.”

  “I don’t care what you say. I had a great night.”

  “No shit, Sherlock!” the cabinet boomed a laugh.

  “Is my armor cleaned and ready?”

  “Have I ever disappointed?” he asked a rhetorical question, rolled the baby blues and the doors opened to spit out cleaned leather armor, an undershirt and boxers with a hole in the back for the tail. Next fired out a peach dress, a sheer slip, a white bra and thong all made of fine yet durable silk.

  The door shut and Ethan’s brow furrowed to say “What about Kyoko?”

  “If I’m to put her in anything I need measurements.” Hearing her name, Kyoko sashayed out rubbing lotion up her pale arms. Dressor’s jaw dropped as he first laid eyes on her true form. “Well I’ll be. You’re even more exotic than I imagined. Girl, no wonder these two lovebirds didn’t stand a chance. If I wasn’t gay I’d be hitting on you. Come over here and let me measure.”

  “Only this once. The Arachne seamstresses make clothes for the mistresses and royalty. If they do not work, they are eaten. Make sure I wear silks. And nothing else. It isn’t permitted.”

  “Let out one of my dresses, Dress. Especially around the bust and hips. Her figure’s more filled out than mine. They should fit since I love silk anyway and wore nothing else since Morgane taught me the shadow spell.” Kanade voiced. “You do like backless dresses right? All mine have to be.” She shrugged her impressive wings.

  “If I do not wear a kimono I prefer backless.”

  Dress’s doors opened and golden threads encased Kyoko’s voluptuous body, but she wasn’t uncomfortable. She had been quickly forewarned how Dress measures. Soon it was over and his face vanished for a few minutes, enough for two of them to put on their clothes.

  Out shot an aquamarine backless dress with long sleeves along with a shimmering slip, bra and panties. Kyoko stepped into them and Kanade helped pull her pale hair out and braid the waist length strands. The size was perfect. It didn’t have as deep a neckline as the last dress, but her cleavage was proudly displayed. But Kyoko had to put on her heels from yesterday that survived on the banister they all moved towards.

  “Alley uup!” said Ethan as he tucked Dress under an arm.

  “What is the meaning of this!”

  “Kyoko’s right. You’ll put others out of work and get them killed. But you will still be close and of use, but not in here. You’ll help out the team since they need you a lot more than we do.” The closet huffed, knowing that tone all too well. Nothing would change if told otherwise. “Ladies?”

  Ethan and Kanade soared on wings while Kyoko flew in a snowstorm towards the main doors and opened them up to cross.

  “Kanade-chan?” Kyoko gestured before Ethan pulled open one of the mountainous diamond doors with one hand. Kanade quickly assumed the pose of First Mistress as Kyoko came diagonally beside and likewise stood with hands clasped in front, chin held high and backs straight. As soon as the door was open enough their heels clicked on the floor to proceed.

  The door boomed behind them and waiting outside were the same rigid female guards, but also the fifteen female Balam in charge of protecting the prince’s mistresses. A little ways back stood Panther idly explaining things to Magnus and the team still in their armor, but Ethan instantly realized Blake didn’t carry his three swords. Likely left in their room since he didn’t leave them after coming through the portal. Also standing with Kyoko’s Nine guardians was Dallare in a new robe, but now she stood five and a half feet tall and had also regained her true power. In front of one armored female Titan were carefully piled supplies, just as Kyoko said along with the tall male Elf in clean black pants and a white long sleeved shirt. A belt around his waist was covered in runes.

  But beside Kanade’s Six were ten Arachne, half woman and half spider. The spider half all having the bright red hourglass of a black widow on their abdomen. Their upper halves were covered in fine cloth that flattered them all. They had six eyes and hidden fangs behind their lips. The largest was a fierce yet beautiful caramel skinned woman with long arms who was the first to bow as she was staring in their direction.

  All but the guards and team bowed in the presence of the three. It didn’t take too long to cross the ten foot wide sapphire line and hear Ethan say “Villiken, come here.” The Elf Translocated, still bowing and shook as if fearing displeasing the prince. He sat Dress down on the ground. “I see you got everything I asked for and Kyoko told me most was already ready and waiting when she came in. How long did it take to acquire what I asked?”

  “Two and a half hours, My Prince.” Came the response.

  “And you’ve been waiting ever since?”

  “Yes.” He said humbly and shook only slightly less.

  “I’m impressed, Villiken. Rise and look at me.” The yellow skinned Elf did so. “General Panther told me it would roughly take four hours minimum to collect what you did in nearly half that time. I will expect such prompt work from now on from my personal Elf aid.”

  Villiken made a puzzled expression for a few moments till the words sunk in. The expression turned to genuine pleasure as he bowed deep at the waist. “What will you have of me, Master?”

  “For starters, no more bowing to me when I don’t order it.” The Elf stood tall and exuded pride in his eyes and his expression truly wished to smile, but he had spent ten thousand years trained to cool it. “Until you displease me you will do all I command. I need a powerful Elf and you were one of a hundred I randomly chose who met my criteria. I’m going to place a curse on you that cannot be removed.”

  “To be First Elf I’ll cut off my own arms if you but ask.” He eagerly said and Ethan knew he meant it.

  “I’ve rewritten all of Zagan’s spells in my room and in the sapphire line as well.” The Elf and all the demons were caught off guard to varying degrees as none had ever heard of the king’s own spells being broken and r
ealized Ethan’s spell casting was unparalleled. Having both Spirit and Demon Energy had no equal to creating unbreakable spells. “I’ve designed it so that anyone with one of my curses willingly accepted may pass and enter my chambers so long as I distinguish them friend from foe. Fate and The Spirit king have it, but as enemies they are denied. It includes Translocation. Only the willingly cursed may send anything in.” To the Titans and Balam chamber guards he said “So that means my team may pass and you are not to hinder them in any way. Male or female. They have the curse upon them. Blake show your back so they may see it.” The Naga pulled off his leather top and reveled the curse willingly branded across his entire back and eyes memorized every minute detail. Baldr showed his left shoulder along with the other two men. “If they have it, they may pass. Only Nell, Kira and Ellen have it internally.” To Villiken he spoke after all along the line gave a curt nod. “Where do you want the mark to appear?”

  “Over my heart.” He proudly pulled the collar of his shirt down.

  His fist glowed yellow and he spoke as he traced “From this day forth you serve me first and foremost. You will never allow harm to come to me by yourself or with foreknowledge of another. If you know you cannot defeat any who mean me harm, you will come find me immediately so that I am warned. You are never to lay a hand on any of my mistresses unless they are injured and you will do all in your power to save them. You are never to send anything in my chambers that is dangerous and never be tricked by another who lies and say I gave permission without first consulting me. You are never to take it upon yourself, without permission, to separate me from my mistresses or send me anywhere that I do not specify. If you agree to wear this curse the pain will not linger, but if you fight this curse it will keep you in great pain. What is your answer?”

  The Elf didn’t need to think as he said “I agree, Master.”

  He grimaced as the curse was branded into his skin. After a moment the pain was gone. “Good, now cross the line.”

  Believing in his master, Villiken immediately made way to the blue line and crossed it without being vaporized. On the other side he stopped and turned around to walk back. “Now find me a Bug full on Spirit Energy.” Seconds later the Elf reappeared with a struggling Bug in his hand. “Throw it at the line.” The Bug was instantly destroyed and proved to everyone the line was still deadly, if not more. “Now that it is over, Kanade has chosen to repurpose the old mistress’ golded hall as servants quarters. From this day forth you will make it your quarters so you are never far if I need you.” Villiken’s eyes were as wide as his fists, never believing his great fortune. “I’ve made a home on the great mountain. When you find it, send the supplies out into the nearby cave you will see. I will personally deal with it afterwards. When you are finished you may bring your things to select your own room. How many mistresses do you have?”

  “Just one, Master, but she is nearly my equal. Barely two centuries separate us.”

  “Name.”

  “Amandale.” He responded.

  Ethan closed his eyes and sifted through the millions of stars burning within his mind and found she too had taken the covenant before the cup ran dry, locked onto it and in Blood Speak commanded “Amandale, this is Prince Ethan. Come before me outside my chambers.”

  A rather petite She-Elf in long Shaman robes appeared a fair ways away, searched around as she’d never been allowed within this hallway and then came beside her mate in the next instant. “I’ve come, Your Majesty.”

  “You’re as prompt as Villiken, you will do splendidly. My Second Mistress already has an Elvin aid and I’ve taken your mate as mine,” Amandale stared in shocked surprise at her man’s good fortune and wasn’t ready for what came next. “but the First Mistress doesn’t have one. Like Villiken, you will be her aid from this day forth and stay with him in my chambers’ former mistress hall with the Arachne seamstresses from now on unless you displease me or her.” The awaiting Arachne were just as stunned, but Kanade stared regally, already surrounded by the Six. “And like him, you will be cursed to serve the First Mistress as her First Elf.”

  “It would be my greatest honor to serve the First Mistress as her aid.” She bubbled in a lilting voice, also eager to please and gain more honor and prestige.

  “If you want I can brand it onto your bones or flesh. It is your choice.”

  “Between my breasts so I may show all how much faith I’ve been given.” She pulled her robes aside to show her bra covered breasts.

  In a few minutes she too was marked.

  As he worked Kanade approached the group of ten Arachne to say “Sacnite tells me you ten were the seamstresses for all the king’s former mistresses, but were kept around in event he ever changed his mind.”

  “Yes, First Mistress.” The largest female at the head of the group said, still in a deep bow. What Kanade didn’t say was she was in mental contact with all Six, learning all she needed about the ten.

  “As my master said, you too shall be cursed and allowed to live there. You will be purely professional and never ask me to become my master’s mistress. You will make myself and all future mistress’ the finest dresses, shoes and do our hair from today onward. I permit you into my chambers so you are never far should I need to change into something more fitting on any occasion.”

  Still bowing the lead seamstress said “We understand, First Mistress. We will personally produce the finest garments in all of Demon World.”

  “I will be the one to determine if you make the finest.” Kanade challenged and saw them slightly tremble for a moment and could smell a hint of fear. “But time is pressing. Our king summoned us so I do not have time to tell you all I’ve decided to change. For now just go to the prince and receive the curse and find a place to settle in till I return to be sized for my dresses.”

  “Many thanks, First Mistress.” The leader and nine others all got to their eight spidery legs, scuttled over to be cursed and marked on the bright hourglass on their abdomen. Already Villiken and Amandale were gone and working fast with joyous enthusiasm.

  Minutes later the Arachne were heading to the chambers to be in for another surprise as the team, Panther and all the women came to Ethan beside Dress. “Good Golly! You all got HUGE!” Commented Dress as he took in the towering giants.

  “And so did other things.” Winked Nell, wrapping an arm around Magnus’. “I’ve never been chafed so raw before. It was like I was a virgin all over again! Magnus kept it up for seven hours. SEVEN!!! I couldn’t believe it.” She laughed. “Thank the great canopy above we had a lake all to ourselves or I’d have become a withered log due to moisture loss.”

  “I didn’t think Kira’s vocals could get so high either.” Baldr tacked on and the only reason Kira didn’t slap him was he wasn’t joking. It was the truth.

  “Master, why has Earth’s transporter come.” Panther’s Second Mistress Xochitl asked with grave suspicion.

  “Don’t worry.” Ethan spun Dress around to show six unique runes sunk into the wooden grains. “He can only send clothes, shoes and underwear now. He can send nothing else here to Demon World from Earth. No weapons, food, supplies, armies, nothing. Not even mystical items can cross. He’s mainly here as an anchor for us to privately confide in and to clothe them.” Indicating the team. He then spun him back around.

  “It’s a good thing I don’t have ears with an inner ear problem or I’d puke out all the clothing I’ve got till you are good and buried for the next sixty years.” Dress stuck out a filigree tongue.

  Not taking the bait, Ethan asked “So how did you like your room? Pretty cool huh.”

  Magnus was the first to gush “It’s bigger than the grounds of the First house. It’s got everything we’d ever need. Plains for Ellen and Vitalli to run and frolic. Lakes and forests for me and Nell. A castle further back was claimed by Kira and Baldr while Blake and Reevy selected a sizeable range of mountains full of waterfalls.”

  “So did his highness summon ya’ll too?” Inquired Kana
de.

  “Most certainly did. Scared me half to death. I’ve never met a mind like his… so violent, honed beyond any masters of the mind I’ve ever met and sharper than anything I can even gauge…” Said Kira with a headache that still lingered from contact. “Blew right through my mind’s defenses like a single sheet of soaked paper… We’ve got thirty minutes. If we don’t start running we’ll get in trouble.”

  “Not with Dallare-chan here.” Kyoko gestured to her faithful servant and, in private, friend.

  “I better put you inside our big ass room where it’s safe and you’re out of the way, Dress.” Baldr scooped up the cabinet and ran to their room, opened the door and sat him inside before running back faster than any living Ogre.

  “Anytime you’re ready, Dallare.” Said Ethan and abruptly they found themselves back in the anteroom, but there were others waiting to see the king. Finding the prince’s arrival though had the room dropping to a knee in a wave or laying flat of they didn’t have legs.

  In the resulting silence a slow merry whistle flowed and Ethan didn’t need to know who it was. It was Baldr’s coping mechanism that held off Berserker tendencies. Whatever was going on inside his head wasn’t too bad. If the melody was quick paced and lively meant it was struggling to take control. Berserker Baldr would not be the best company, especially with his new strength. Ethan knew even he would have trouble containing him if it occurred.

  Kira quickly took her mate’s hand and the tune slowed even more.

  “Rise.” Ethan commanded and the room of bodies did so. Several even had the balls to feed off him. Those that did had startled looks when it didn’t bother him slightly.

  But when one tried feeding off Kanade Ethan looked and set a hulking Titan afire and before it could manage to scream it fell to the ground in a large pile of blackened ash.