03 Atavism of the Ifrit Read online

  His back went ramrod straight.

  The three women laughed at his reaction. “He got the point. Let’s go finish our bath, My Loves.” Proposed Kyoko and they began walking away.

  “Before you go.” They stopped to look at him. “Kanade, how didn’t I detect you eavesdropping? How did you get in when not even Zagan can anymore?”

  “It’s a special power I he gifted me and I made it better after I discovered how by scanning the Lamia yesterday. My thoughts are more powerful than I am. I’ve always been a natural telepath. Kyoko can turn me into a block of ice and Flajeen can melt me with her acid, but when it comes to the mind no one is my equal. It’s a new skill I’ve honed thanks to observing my guards, the Burning Heart of Villoi and the king. No one will dare hurt me anymore. I still can’t kill anyone, but detainin’ is no longer an issue.” She winked. “It makes sense why none of my kind was ever allowed to Transcend. Mentally we are a powerful adversary. If I get a lock on someone, They. Are. Mine.”

  “Oh? Prov…” Every muscle and thought was seized without any effort. And just as fast he was released. Even after a morning meditation she effortlessly stole away all his control.

  “Love you.” She giggled as she ushered the other two back upstairs.

  Ethan shook his head as he chuckled. “What kind of a monster has been born and loosed into the universe. Hehe.”

  Three lovelies burst out laughing merrily again.

  As he finished putting the final pegs together he went over all she had said, every word being true. She loathed being alone. Hated it fiercely, but rarely let anyone other than him know. She hated him being the king’s pawn sent around without her, the team and forced to do nigh impossible tasks with the likely risk of being killed in the most hostile realm of them all. And Ethan knew he could never deny her anything. If she wanted to have a harem, it was up to her. Always for her.

  Holding the maces they were big and menacing, just like himself. Only two spells remained unapplied. Before adding the cleansing spell he first used a water bucket and activated vibrations till every stain was blasted off and out came a clean mace with an off golden shine of perfection. Cleansed, Ethan created the weight increasing rune and the mace grew from over an original three quarters of a ton back on Earth to something heavier than a hundred black holes combined.

  For the first time since becoming a full blooded Ifrit Ethan actually felt the weight of something. It made him smile as Blake’s idea was right. No object could ever resist a swing of the mace. Not only was it spelled to be unable to break, in his hand it was nigh unstoppable. No one else weaker than him could even so much as lift the thing. But to Ethan its weight was thereabouts equal to the first mace he made under Celestia’s tutelage.

  The second mace was also completed.

  Ethan slid on his gauntlets, added the ruby scale targe to the left forearm then hefted both maces. Outside he walked, noticing his hooves not shake the ground more than usual thanks to the ingenuity of the combination spell. The maces only increased in weight in a targeted area of itself and the hands that grasped it. They were heavy, but not so much as to be unusable. He swung them around, remembering back at the First House, getting his ass handed to him by Blake. Maces, like hammers were crushing weapons that were near impossible to block. The maces Ethan now carried made that option completely impossible. Even a glancing blow would mean certain destruction.

  He did a series of maneuvers in nothing but boxers and a shirt to get a feel for them. Again he could see Blake’s genius. By making the left slightly shorter meant enemies would find it harder to find a pattern, but the shortness wasn’t so much that a left-handed blow wouldn’t still be a death sentence.

  Ethan flew down the mountain and knocked on the golden door. Opening it was a naked Dallare rubbing her eye. Her pause had her gaze shoot up and widen as she gushed “Master?! What is it you need?”

  Ethan chuckled. “I take it Villiken is responsible for the bite marks on your nipple?”

  She looked down and covered herself before snapping her fingers, they spark red, and a robe draped itself over her small frame. “Yes, Master Ethan. He makes for a fine lover. I’ve chosen to be his Second Mistress.”

  “You did, did you? Congrats. Can you go grab Tamarain for me?”

  Dallare disappeared and the scurry of eight spider legs brought the Arachne matron to the door and bowed as soon as she saw him. “I come as summoned, Master.”

  “New rule. No more bowing when in here alright.”

  “As you will, Prince.” She stood up, not even reaching his waistline.

  He flipped the handle around to palm the pegged head with mastery, especially since the balance was near perfect. It would soon be perfect by what he said next as he held the bare handle down at her. “Tamarain, I need the treated leather of a black Dragon’s nether scales to compliment my gauntlets for a hilt grip. Do you have some on hand or do I need to go hunting?”

  Her hand reached up and measured with a thumb and extended pinky to measure. “I have plenty of soft Dragon leather of every color, Master. Will you also be in need of a wrist leash?”

  “I will now that you mention it.”

  She then had to use both hands to measure the girth of the end. “I will return shortly and send one of my aids out with your newest attire. Are the mistresses coming?”

  “In about an hour. Kanade is showing off her movie collection to Flajeen since we didn’t have time earlier.”

  A sultry smirk quirked one corner of her mouth as she winked three eyes on the left side. “I’m sure other things were being obsessed over.”

  “Got that right.” He chuckled and she scurried back in. The wait wasn’t long as another well dressed Arachne appeared hefting new pants, a belt and a jacket made from a set of eagle Shifters. Finely woven feathers were placed in firm leather and the pants were likewise done. Strangely it wasn’t even remotely gaudy. He gave thanks and sat down to begin rapidly adding all the spells he had created on the original and second set. Soon he finished, slid them all on and was a perfect fit. But he handed the belt back after wrapping it around and making a slight indent with a thumbnail. “Here.” The seamstress took it questioningly, afraid he didn’t like it. “Please put in a curved tooth or hook of metal in those places I marked. My maces will hang from there.”

  Internally she sighed as she curtsied “With pleasure.” and went back inside to see it done.

  By then the sound of wings and a blizzard windstorm brought the three giant beauties down to get prettied up. Eight Arachne came out carrying identically colored dresses of silky baby blue. Kanade and Kyoko first slid on a new bra and blood heating thong while Flajeen had no need. Beautiful dresses were put on and decorated with new regal jewels. Flajeen’s dress was made slightly differently, but not so much as to not match her upper mistresses. Hers was designed to alter in event she had to change shape.

  As final touches were being made Tamarain and the last Arachne came out with what he needed. He first added the belt by putting it on before holding out the maces and watching as the matron slid them snugly on. He made a simple motion and the grip permanently became part of the mace. So did number two. And hung off a curved tooth at either hip, everything was complete. “Very well done.” They seemed to enjoy praise. “Anything you need just let me know.”

  “Anything?” The one who fixed the belt asked.

  “If it’s within my power.” He allowed.

  “Then can we have our master come live with us?”

  “Sure, how many do you have?”

  “We all belong to just one, Master.” Tamarain revealed. “Incubus General Grast is to whom we take into our web.”

  “Alright. Have him come when I get back this evening to take the curse.”

  “Many thanks, Master.”

  “Tamarain, remember what I said about bowing?” he snickered.

  “Sorry, My Prince.” She smiled bashfully as she left the bow.

  “Perfect timing, Blake!” Ethan
called out as the Naga and team filed into the spacious room. He glided over while taking hold of his new creations.

  Baldr let loosed a long whistle of genuine wonder. “Wow! This place is even bigger than our own place. Lucky bastard. Oh, cool toys! Can I play.”

  A wry, wolfish grin split Ethan’s face. “Sure, catch.” And tossed the left mace.

  The Ogre made to do so with a single hand, but as soon as he touched the grip the weight spell took over and slammed instantly into the ground, cracking the floor. “What the fuck!” Baldr jumped back in fear to hear Ethan’s deep resonating laugh. Seeing no danger Baldr moved up to the weapon and tried lifting, he looked like he struggled to take a shit that clung for dear life. Veins in his blue neck stood out. “Heee Haaa Huuu!” He made noises yet could not lift the mace. “Ethan, what the hell? Why can’t I lift it?”

  More chuckling left the Ifrit. “I made it so I can feel its weight. As I’m sure you’ve noticed, your own sword and shield feel like they aren’t even there. To me it feels only as heavy as a mace should.” He then easily plucked it from the ground and sent a concentrate fireball to the broken shards of diamond on the floor and melted it all back in place.

  “But it’s so heavy.” Baldr said in disbelief.

  “Husband,” Kira said to let everyone know they had a private wedding in a Witch’s tradition. “You forget how we divided…” She left the rest unsaid.

  Understanding donned in Baldr, remembering Ethan was at least eight times stronger since the team divided the full strength version eight ways to more safely survive. Taking the idea he asked “Can you make my weapons heavier too? Celestia’s old Enchanter only allowed size alterations in event of a spell that went awry on me. It feels too damn weird how fragile and weightless everything feels now.”

  “Believe me, I know. Oh how I know. So sure. It’s really easy.”

  “Then will you do it for Zaxis too?” Asked Magnus. “And our claymores?” Right after spoke Vitally.

  “No problemo. Hold your weapons out and tell me when they feel as they did a few days ago.” Swords rang out by Ogres and Centaur as his fists crafted the spells. In no time at all each weapon was weighted down just like the Maces ideally for their wielder.

  “Appreciate it!” Said Baldr spinning his sword around and matching it with his shield.

  “Blake, I’ve got an hour. Since I don’t need to worry about breaking your energy blades I’d like to spar.”

  “Much as I assumed when you asked for me to come. I hadn’t planned to be followed.” He admitted.

  “We just really wanted to see your room, Boyo.” Spoke Kira, green eyes forever lit with power.

  Blake conjured his glass-like katanas and moved with the challenger away from everyone. Then came a mighty clash of precision verses power. Both used their dual weapons yet were merely having a friendly match for a warm up. Increasingly they became harder and harder to follow. It was clear Ethan with a mace had found the perfect weapon. As they kept going Blake called out “Magnus! Team with me!”

  Magnus readied his club and like a tank moving at the speed of a jet fighter using afterburners the Ogre charged in and Ethan’s style changed when presented with two master warriors. The room watched as Ethan read through the moves, but could not gain the advantage easily. The opportunities were fewer.

  It vanished when Blake called in a whistling Baldr. Ethan was on the defensive using mace, shield, wing and tail to keep from being overwhelmed.

  “Many would die to mate him if they saw this.” Whispered Flajeen as Vitalli too joined the fight, but the four of them could not seem to break through Ethan’s defenses and win the friendly match. Baldr went flying over a mile away to slam into the room’s wall, but was unharmed and sprang back into the fray with a lively whistle. “He will make a strong brood.”

  Nell didn’t comment, but she noticed Kanade and the other two were in more discomfort then when last she spoke of it.

  “Our husband has come far. You would be worried if you had seen what he was like as a human.” Kanade said with her lust rising seeing him in the fight.

  “Aye, Boyo was always bruised and bloody. It’s why he first decided to grow a beard… to cover up much of his wounds.” She explained when the Dragewete wasn’t familiar with the reason. “The Naga was his weapons master since Ethan came to us without a lick of battle training.”

  Flajeen finally understood. “But now he is the strongest Ifrit I’ve witnessed in combat. Only his majesty in his prime was said to be able to take six Transcendents in physical combat. I know of only Balam who can move so fast as to take on many more.”

  “If you say so.” Kira said without any malice.

  After thirty action packed minutes Blake pulled back along with the other three men. Ethan crouched, tail and half unfurled wings poised to keep going. “It is good we found where your hand to hand skills truly lay. You are again a master, a Bludgeonmaster now.”

  “You’re like me.” Magnus said as he laid Zaxis over a shoulder. “When we make contact our enemies know full well what happened. We cripple, maim and crush, not stab and cut.”

  “Thanks for the warm up, but now I got a fox to chase down. He won’t know what is coming this time.” Stood Ethan who barely broke a sweat. Muscles were loose and warmed now. He and the other men walked back. “I hope today is better than the one before, Ladies.” He kissed each of his women.

  “It’s the nights I look forward to… though in this world its indistinguishable since there isn’t a sun to shine light.” Kanade said and groped his groin and made him growl the way she liked. “Good luck, Darlin’. You know where my day’ll be spent.”

  The other two gave words of parting, kissed back and he said “Villiken, after you send me, get far away for your own safety.”

  The Elf did as bid.

  Ethan then landed on a tree root over six stories high on the Forest of The Fox. The root was nothing to the tree that would dwarf the Home Tree in the movie Avatar, but unlike the movie the tree was one of billions.

  “Ready for another lesson, Young Master?” Cackled the gray nine tailed fox.

  “Fun’s over, Asshole.” Ethan readied the maces. “My turn.”

  The greatest master of illusions smirked then the image wavered into that of a stump knot branded with an image that basically said “Show me what you got.”

  Ethan jumped off the root, lifting the weapons high overhead and brought them down on the ground with the equivalent force of fifty atomic bombs. All the weight and energy was transferred into a shockwave that spread from the point of impact. The ground lifted and rolled like a tsunami, uplifting the giant trees and toppling them with the ease of grass blown in the wind. Another blow was faster and settled the earthquake.

  Two hundred miles of devastation was left in the wake of Ethan’s blow. Many Demons caught in it died, but the older and more powerful managed to survive. The nearest one was a slack jawed Kitsune completely encased in dirt and twigs. It was the illusion master. “What have you done?”

  “Limited most of your tricks…” The ground shook again as another tree crashed down. “and hiding places.” Ethan boasted a confident grin.

  Ethan lunged during the shock and stopped short of grabbing the throat as he noticed a small sign of rippling at the tip of a poufy tail that spoke of illusion. A quick counter illusion showed a thorny, cactus-like plant that spewed lightning whenever a spine was moved. It didn’t hurt, but Ethan knew it intimately in the first day by tripping in a patch of them.

  Motion caught his eye as the fox tried escaping on all fours.

  Ethan’s longer strides and goat-like legs were more like springs and he was off like a shot. Before reaching the prey the Kitsune split identical illusions fifteen ways, but Ethan’s mental processing power checked each one splitting to confuse. The smell, sight and hearing were all real, but only one kicked up dust.

  In six steps Ethan hooked his right mace to a hip and with the now freed hand grabbed the tail base whe
re nine sprouted from and lifted. “HA!” he yelled in victory. “No more surprises up your sleeve do ya?”

  “I have many, many more, but you did as the king commanded. I’m captured.”

  “I didn’t expect that, Boy. Well done. Return to me for your next assignment.” Came Zagan’s mental voice Ethan recognized and allowed in.

  Villiken appeared with a smile as he took in the devastation. “My Prince, you surprise me greatly. No one has caught him with the instruction of capture in only three days.”

  “Yeah, he’s good, but I know someone much more tricky.”

  “And who might that be?” The fox asked as he was put back on his feet.

  “I know him as Tokala, but he’s also known as Kurama.”

  “I knew that thief didn’t die. He’s one you can’t ever underestimate. But he was fun at the royal balls. He could steal your teeth and you’d never know till he was long gone. My eldest son sure is a handful.”

  “Hold on! Son?” Said a shocked Ethan.

  “I am his sire so he is my son. His illusions are second only to mine, but plant manipulation needs more practice. Where did you meet him?”

  Not sure it was a good idea, but Ethan suspected this was indeed Tokala’s father. Many resemblances were obvious. But he was far from being snow white. “I met him after he stole the Mallatiatherium sword and Crescent Mirror from Spirit World. He then saved my hide by working along with General Panther to rescue me from an Agas named Sheedan.”

  The gray one smirked. “Broke into Spirit World you say? He hasn’t changed. It is good indeed to hear he lives.”

  “Well I’ve got to go meet the old man. Villiken.”

  They vanished, leaving the devastation far behind.

  More trials laid ahead. Each one more dangerous than the next.

  Chapter 13

  Nine days passed in Demon World and Ethan got a day off, well told Zagan to ‘Fuck off’ was more accurate this morning. The old king was clearly irritated, but was amused so he let it slide since Ethan previously told him why he had to take the day off. And it wasn’t just to have a day off to kick his hooves up and take it easy… mostly.