The Spirit of Wrath

Chapter Fifteen: Quitting the Game

It was a different kind of throne room Narcissa was standing in now. One was simple, whereas the other was opulent, with no gold or elaborate ivory carving on the walls. There were no rugs or tapestries. But there were six white angelic statues on either side of her. They were set in two rows of three on opposite sides of the hall. Above her, Narcissa could see a vast circular image. It showed Zigildrazia at the center, enthroned.

Around her were the other six demonic archons. Amysta was chained to her throne by a leash, blue-skinned with blades. Fortenex held his axe high and cried a war cry, armored from head to toe in black. Typhos roared, innumerable heads and limbs stretching across the sky. Then there was Coinfurth, sitting at a desk and reading papers. Last of all, Baltoth was standing apart from the others, lion-headed and clad in white robes.

Narcissa wondered who had made it. But it didn't really matter right now anyway. How had she gotten here? And how did she get back, once she wanted to?

Narcissa had been returned to her battle armor. She could remember nothing of what had happened. At least not before she was pressed into the clouds. But her body was on fire with the residual lust from it. Alkela was there, silent. Garacel stood there as well. And in the throne lounged Zigildrazia, once again in her older form.

Narcissa felt drained.

Then the doors opened, and Zarana entered. She looked terrified, yet Narcissa enjoyed the woman's suffering. What was wrong with her? What had happened?

"Matron Zarana, I can't tell you how pleased I am that you could join us," said Zigildrazia.

Zarana fell to her knees and prostrated herself. She did not shake in terror, and Narcissa wondered why. "Queen Zigildrazia..."

"Now I heard some fascinating, regrettable stories," said Zigildrazia. "I'm told you were going to use these fine specimens before they were of age."

"I... I didn't..." Zarana gasped.

"Oh, I can already see into your mind," said Zigildrazia. "So tell me, why did you choose to betray us?"

"I didn't betray us!" cried Zarana. "I was told... I had no choice?"

"And why not?" asked Zigildrazia.

"It was Dakan," said Zarana. "Dakan, he told me... he told me that if I didn't give him them, he'd destroy my establishment and kill me."

"And yet you still performed the crime," noted Zigildrazia in bemusement. "Among others.

"Hmm, I ought to devise some punishment for Dakan. But now for you," She raised a hand.

Zarana looked at Narcissa. Something was enjoying what was happening here, but it wasn't her. Narcissa stepped forward, deciding she ought to try and help here. "Queen Zigildrazia, please don't hurt her. She made a mistake but was always very kind to us."

Zigildrazia sighed. "Oh, I'll give you a reasonable fine and send you off. It would be a shame to lose such a source of information. After all, your contacts provided us with the location of the Blade of Chaos."

Zarana arose. "Yes, thank you, Queen Zigildrazia. I assure you-"

"The fine will be leveled now," said Zigildrazia.

Zarana screamed as her left eye burst into flame. Yet it did not consume the flesh. Instead, it spread and soon covered Zarana's entire body. Her clothes were burned away, and her skin began to shift. Horns grew from her head as a short tail sprouted from her back. Her body also changed, her hips and breasts taking on exaggerated dimensions.

Her eyes were empty now. There was no fear or will behind them as they looked on Zigildrazia with adoration. A violet-skinned slave succubus.

"This work of art seems to be among my better ones," said Zigildrazia. "Perhaps I'll use it as a handmaiden of sorts. Do you want it, Narcissa?"