The nauseating scent of nightfall lilies, and caladius root filled my nostrils, the nocuous fumes combining to make a potent concoction that could easily knock out a minotaur. Is this fucker seriously trying to use my own poisons against me?

Feigning disinterest in the attacker, I flipped over the page I had been reading, acting as though I was continuing to examine the notes.

The hand clamping over the lower half of my face loosened, the cloth falling away as a masculine chuckle filled the room. “Not affecting you at all is it?”

“No, it would seem not.” I muttered, not looking up as the pale skinned vampire moved around the desk to drop into one of the chairs opposite me.

“So, you’ve found a way to protect yourself from poisons?”

I raised a brow, glancing up from the notes. “Weren’t you the one who left the enchanted nose, and tongue piercings in my room?”

“I did,” Noctus inclined his head in confirmation. “However you don’t appear to be wearing them.”

The vampire's eyes narrowed, his gaze focused on my face. In response I tapped the side of my nose, dispelling the low grade illusion that hid the septum piercing. “I guess this little bit of faulty enchanting is payment enough for the potions you took last time.”

“Faulty enchanting?” Noctus spat the words out with an indignant tone, his eyes taking on a reddish hue as he glowered at me. “Those enchanted piercings took three days to carve, and two high grade mana crystals to empower!”

“The tongue and nose piercing don’t only purify the effects of harmful fumes, and potions, but the beneficial ones as well.” I said blandly, shifting my gaze back to the desk. “I suggest you add a way to turn the enchantment off before attempting to sell any. If you get it right, I’ll buy a few sets to be used as rewards for my alchemy disciples.”

Noctus closed his eyes, his head tilting back as he pinched the bridge of his nose and let out a faint curse.

“Give them here,” he grumbled, holding out a hand.

Crinkling my nose, I looked at the hand. He wanted me to take out the piercings, and give them to him now? Including the one currently inside my mouth?

“I’ll keep these ones while you make a new version.” I said after thinking it over for a moment.

The vampire opened one eye, staring at me with a silent gaze that said without words that a second set of piercings would come at additional cost.

I rolled my eyes in response to his look. “I will supply the mana stones, you only need to supply the jewelry and enchanting.”

“Toss in another one of those orbs, and it’s a deal.” He said, slumping into the chair with a tired sigh.

“What happened to one I already gave you?” I demanded with a scowl. “Those aren’t easy to make you know. The ingredients are in short supply.”

“A dragon took it.”

I gaped at him, trying to determine if he was joking, but the vampire’s posture and expression gave away nothing as he sat draped over the chair. “A dragon?”

He grunted. “Yes Kadia, a fucking dragon.”

“This is going to require more explanation,” I said, watching the vampire attentively.

“It’s not much of a story.” He muttered, running his hand through his hair with another sigh. “The dragon must have been flying over where the Brotherhood were slaughtering each other over the orb, because suddenly one landed in the midst of the battle, massacred them all and took off with the orb.”

“Well, that’s-” I hesitated, searching for the words to express my shock at what the vampire described.

“Yup.” Noctus nodded.

We didn’t speak for several moments, during which I attempted to visualize the scene Noctus described. It wasn’t easy, but the mental picture of Noctus sobbing on his knees as a dragon flew away with the orb brought a smile to my lips.

A soft knock at the door broke the silence, and I took a brief moment to fix my posture before calling for the person outside to enter.

Rainy came into the room with a freshly groomed Zaius cradled on her hip. The Shimosaru was cradling a basket containing an assortment of fruits, and looking rather pleased with his reward.

“Finished for the day?” I asked.

The pink haired dryad nodded, her gaze falling on the reclining vampire as she set the four limbed primate down. Released from the woman’s hold, Zaius let out a soft chitter, patting Rainy’s leg in farewell before he darted across the room, heading for the stairs which led up to my private rooms.

“Co-leader Noctus,” Rainy greeted, inclining her head in the vampire’s direction.

Noctus gave his own nod in acknowledgement of her greeting, but didn’t verbally respond.

The vampire’s lack of flirtation surprised me, as Rainy was quite attractive and with Noctus’s flirtatious countenance I expected he’d be a little more attentive to her. It had been like that last time as well, even when Sasha, the pretty archer from Roswyn’s team had been glued to his side, Noctus paid her little heed.

I narrowed my eyes. Suspicious, very suspicious. He’s up to something.

Rainy cleared her throat, pulling my attention away from the vampire, and back onto her as she held up a ball of yarn. The fibers were an iridescent rainbow of color that shimmered in the light cast by the potion filled orbs that lit up the room.

“Have you thought about what you want me to make?” The dryad asked as she tossed the ball towards me.

Catching the yarn ball with ease, I examined the fibers closely. “Yes, I need a gift for Icarus.”

“Icarus?” Noctus scowled, his arms crossed over his chest as he looked at the ball of yarn. “Why are you giving a gift to the light priest?”

“Did you forget he helped get you out of prison Noctus?” I said, returning the vampire's scowl. “Icarus has helped me, and the guild a lot, asking little in return. I am attempting to continue improving relations with the light temple, just as I am furthering my acquaintance with the dark.”

“I’ve only harvested enough fur to make that ball of yarn, which isn’t enough for an outfit, but I could use it for embroidering some detailing.” Rainy said, her expression thoughtful as she caught the ball I tossed back to her.

I nodded, trusting that she would make something fitting. “How is the spider project going?”

Rainy smiled, her eyes lighting up. “Queenie is growing fast with the high mana density, and has laid her first eggs.”

“Just make sure the offspring stay in the caverns, and don’t let them over-populate.” I warned, not entirely certain I had made the correct decision in allowing Rainy to bond with the juvenile spider queen which had respawned in the caverns beneath the temple.

The thought of any spiders escaping the caverns sent a chill down my spine, but Rainy’s arguments about the benefits of domesticating the respawned spider queen were undeniable.

When Rainy left the office, I turned my attention back to the vampire who sat stretched across the chair with his eyes closed. “If you’re tired, why don’t you go rest in the rooms set aside for guild commanders?”

“We’ve got things to discuss.” Noctus said, not bothering to open his eyes as he spoke.

“Such as?”

“The contingent from Airus you flash fired, and zombified.” He chuckled, lips twisting into a smile. “We should send someone to find those flaming corpses, and see if any of the goodies the city sent to win back your good will survived.”

“How do you know this?” I asked, rubbing at my temple as a faint ache made itself known. It was true I had been waiting for someone to show up from Airus, but I didn’t know they’d been on the mountain when Pyr went on his rampage.

“Some little whispers in the dark told me.” Noctus said, opening a single eye to look at me briefly before closing it. “They’re none too pleased with how they were greeted, and have begun preaching against your patron. They call you the deceiver, who has seduced the high priest of light away from Airus, a city that was once the beacon of light.”

I blinked, once, twice and third time, trying to make sense of the vampire’s words. It was true Airus had been home to the central temple of light, as the mountain peaks were home to the Tengu race of which Vēdiovis was patron. However, I had done nothing which could be considered a seduction or deception where Icarus was concerned.

Noctus twisted in the chair, tilting his head towards me as he raised a questioning brow.

“I had nothing to do with Icarus abandoning Airus,” I spluttered, angry that he’d even give thought to it. “I haven’t seduced anyone!”

He chuckled, running a hand through his mussed tresses. “Doesn’t matter if you did or didn’t, that’s the story they’re going with to raise up a ruckus, and pit people against you.”

I groaned, burying my face in my hands. “I’ve got half a mind to switch cities with Haiden, and just demolish Airus instead of the statue in Rivera.”

“What’s this now?” Noctus said, sitting up in his chair with a look of interest. “What are you demolishing?”

Sighing, I dug through the bottom draw of my desk, pulling out a corked bottle of wine and two glasses. I didn’t even bother savoring the wine, as I downed half a glass in two large gulps.

Noctus took a sip from his own glass, his gaze intent as he listened to my story about the barrier, and my fellow high clergyman's plans to encourage the fall within the next year.

“They’re planning to stage it over the several months, with Haiden bringing down Airus first, then Icarus will begin acting in response to the rising darkness.” I said, my voice taking on a dramatic tone as I spoke the last part. “For my part, they want me to kick off against the academies, but I was thinking of just blowing it up and blaming Dreadmere or the Brotherhood.”

“With the way things stand, you would be better off focusing on Airus, as there is already conflict there.” Noctus said, tapping a finger against his chin. “There are going to be issues with them regardless, and it would be unwise for you to start conflict with multiple cities.”

“I agree.” I sighed, leaning my head back against the chair. “I will discuss exchanging cities with Haiden, and Icarus during tomorrow's luncheon.”

The vampire snorted, a mocking smile on his lips. “A luncheon? How cute.”

I rolled my eyes, and set aside my wine glass. A glance at the window showed the sky painted in the pink, and orange hues of dusk. “Want to come for a short jaunt down the mountain to find the flaming dwarves of Airus? I’ve been meaning to round up the humanoid Pyrthirío for a while, but I may as well do it now.”

“If I must.” Noctus sighed as he followed my gaze to the window. “My race is rather susceptible to fire.”

“Scared?” I mocked.

“Just cautious,” he said, arms crossed over his chest.

“Don’t worry,” I crooned, pushing to my feet with a smirk. “I’ll protect you from the fiery critters.”

I didn’t bother donning my disguise as we left the office, and made our way through the temple. Whilst the illusion of Natalie was helpful to interact with the disciples on a more comfortable level, I still needed to make the occasional appearance as myself.

As we left the temple, I summoned Pyr, the wisp appearing as a fiery rabbit that bounded along beside me. I led the way across the plateau to the heavy stone gates which stood open with two human males standing guard.

“Hughe, Lenny,” I greeted as we approached the two tired looking guild members who stood on guard. “I will be heading out for a bit. If there are any issues please report to Priestess Meissa.”

“Yes, high priestess,” the pair replied, their gazes shifting to Noctus. “Good evening, Co-leader Noctus.”

Noctus inclined his head. “Hughe, Lenny.”

Interesting, these two get a verbal greeting, but Rainy only a nod? There’s definitely something wrong here. I eyed the vampire as we set off down the rough path the transmutation disciples had been carving into the mountain side.

Each day under the watchful gaze of Brodel, the disciples would spend a few hours working to smooth, and harden the ground, slowly forming what would be a road up to the temple.

“They’re not attacking,” Noctus said, as he looked at the Pyrthirío with a cautious gaze.

I gestured to Pyr who hopped along the path. “They won’t attack with their creator here. Pyr is able to control the Pyrthirío, and through it, so can I.”

“Ah,” Noctus shook his head, a wry smile curling over his lips. “Your own little critter army.”

“I guess you could call it that.” I chuckled, glancing down at my wisp with a smile. “It’s more accurate to say they are Pyr’s offspring.”

“Well, you’d best hope he’s prolific enough to keep up with the attention his offspring are going to attract.”

“What do you mean?”

Noctus raised a brow, gesturing to our surroundings. “You’ve populated a mountain with new creatures, of course it’s going to attract attention, Kads. People are going to be swarming all over the mountain soon enough.”

I blanched, looking around at the fiery Pyrthirío that were gathering around Pyr. He was right, the peacefulness of the mountain wouldn’t last long with the Pyrthirío drawing in people like moths to a flame. Players, and digital citizens would swarm the mountain looking to hunt the newly discovered creatures purely because they were something new.

“You’re right,” I muttered, before jerking my head up as something he’d said filtered through my worried thoughts about the Pyrthirío hunters that would soon begin showing up on the mountain.

“Since when do you call me Kads?” I spun on my heel to face the vampire, examining him closely. “Who the fuck are you, and what did you do with the flirtatious sleaze known as Noctus?”

“Sleaze is a bit harsh,” he grumbled, rubbing the back of his neck with a grimace. “Everyone else calls you Kads.”

“You don’t,” I scoffed, crossing my arms over my chest. “We aren’t that close.”

“Ouch,” Noctus widened his eyes dramatically, clutching at his chest with a pout.

“See, that!” I said pointing to the vampire. “That right there is Noctus behavior, ignoring Sasha’s flirting, and Rainy’s greeting is not. Heck, you haven’t even hit on me either.”

“Do you want me to hit on you?” He asked, shifting closer to me with a devious smile.

“Noctus,” I sighed, shaking my head.

“I’m turning over a new leaf,” he said with a wink. “I’ve decided to leave my degenerate ways behind.”

“Minotaur-shit,” I spat, eyes narrowed.

Noctus looked away from me, his expression shifting into something I couldn’t fully read. “You’ve got a good connection to the light priest right?”

I scowled, moving forward to jab a finger into his chest. “Don’t change the subject.”

“It’s relevant.” He muttered, his lips pressing into a tight line. “If I tell you, will you swear not to tell anyone else? Not the guild, not anyone.”

I stiffened, eyeing him with a frown. “If you need help from Icarus, he’ll need to know.”

“Fine, but only him.” Noctus nodded, rubbing the back of his neck with a reluctant expression on his face. “Swear to your patron you will not reveal my secrets.”

“I swear to Trismegistus that I shall speak to none about that which Noctus of the Eternia reveals to me this night.” I said, imbuing my words with the power bestowed on me by the god.

As I spoke, my skin shone with a soft golden glow that quickly faded away.

“I’ve been cursed by the goddess of love, and unity.” Noctus said, his words coming out fast, and jumbled.

“What is the curse?” I asked, biting hard on my lower lip to contain my grin.

“Celibacy,” he whispered, his tone filled with bitterness.

“Celibate,” I wheezed, tears burning at the corners of my eyes as I struggled to keep my composure. “You? Celibate?”

“Just get it over with,” Noctus snarled, glowering at me.

“Who, ahem,” I cleared my throat, shaking my head as I pushed down my glee at his predicament. “Who did you sleep with to piss her off?”

Grimacing Noctus looked away, his expression weary. “Her priestesses.” As he spoke, the vampire held up three fingers.

“Three?” I asked incredulously, looking at his hand with a shake of my head. This vampire. . .

“Three,” he confirmed, looking torn between contrite, and proud.

“And how is Icarus going to help?” I asked, wishing I hadn’t been so hasty in making the vow of secrecy.

“Amore is a light aligned goddess, that means she is under Vēdiovis’s rule. Your little friend can ask the high priestess of Amore to un-curse me!” Noctus said, his expression filled with a silent plea.

“I’m not sure he can be of assistance in this matter,” I said, twirling a strand of hair around a finger causally as I stared at the sulky vampire. “Surely the goddess gave you conditions to break the curse.”

“Marriage.” He spat the word out through gritted teeth, his clenched so tightly I could see the veins throbbing beneath his pale skin.

“That’s pretty much impossible,” I scoffed, waving a hand dismissively. “No woman is going to marry you.”

“Plenty of women would jump at the chance to marry me!”

I laughed, shaking my head. “So get married.”

He scowled, turning away from me for several long moments, before he spun back around to face me.

“What is it going to take for you to help me break this curse?” Noctus asked, his eyes locking onto mine with an intent gaze.

I pondered that for a moment, thinking about what I could ask for. “Your body.”

Noctus grinned, his eyes lighting up with glee. “Foxy, you get this curse removed, and you can have me as many times as you like.”

Hmm, eight times should be enough to attain the body parts I need. “I’ll only need your body eight times.” I said.

The vampire’s eyes narrowed, and after a second his shoulders slumped. “You mean my body, as an alchemy specimen don’t you?”

I nodded. “I need the brain of an intelligent being in order to create my golem guards.”

He shook his head. “No fucking way, you’re not touching my brain.”

“Why is it so hard to find someone willing to offer up their brain?” I complained, stomping after Pyr who was bounding through the trees.

“Use your own damn brain.” Noctus retorted.

I scowled, glowering at him over my shoulder. “I would, but no-one was willing to cut open my skull and remove it for me. Plus Rainy kept ranting about all the mana I would lose if I killed myself repeatedly to harvest my own brain.”

“She’s got a point,” he chuckled, shaking his head. “Why don’t you get Markion to send you brains?”

I groaned, pressing a hand to my forehead. Why didn’t I think of that? Markion, and Corvus are in the middle of war with the Primordial Brotherhood, so of course there’ll be plenty of corpses around to harvest materials from. “I’ll do that.” I decided, making a mental note to contact the pair soon.

“What aside from my brain will you take as payment for helping me?”

“Lets see,” I hummed, folding my hands behind my head as we continued our trek down the mountain. “There isn’t really anything you can do for me that I can’t do myself.”

“Fuck.” He cursed.

“I thought you were celibate?” I snickered, earning a glare from the vampire.

“Are you seriously not going to help me?”

“Eh, I'm considering it.” I grinned at him. “You’re nicer to be around when you aren’t being all flirtatious, and creepy.”

“Help me, and I’ll never flirt with you again.”

“No more stealing from me,” I said, meeting his gaze with a stern expression. “No pet names, no sneaking up on me. You treat me with the same level of respect as you do Darius or the other guild commanders.”

Noctus nodded. “Deal.”

“I’ll speak with Icarus about your curse tomorrow.”

“I appreciate your assistance with this matter.” The vampire said formally.

“I must admit, I regret making that secrecy vow.” I chuckled.

“If anyone in the guild finds out about this, I will slit your throat.” Noctus promised, his eyes gleaming with a malicious red glow.

“Just make sure you cut my brain out if you do.” I said cheerily, getting an angry huff in reply.

It didn’t take long to find the dwarves, though considering the group of humanoid Pyrthirío was walking towards us, I suspected Pyr had something to do with it.

All that remained of the six dwarves was a charred skeleton covered in a thick gelatinous substance that took the place of organs, muscles and flesh. At the very center of their chests, deep with their body was a deep red core, that was twice the size of those in the animal Pyrthirío that roamed the mountain.

“Do you think that wisp of yours will be able to find where they died?” Noctus asked as we examined the group.

I looked down at Pyr who sat contentedly at my feet. “Doubtful,” I sighed. “It’s unlikely anything survived the initial inferno anyway. Pyr’s flames were hot enough to melt the stone of the former stable in lava, so there’s no way any gold or other items made it through unscathed.”

“When you said short jaunt, you really meant it.” He chuckled as we turned to begin heading back up the mountain.

I laughed, nodding my head. “Did you think we were coming down to battle our way through hordes of Pyrthirío?”

“It crossed my mind.” Noctus admitted.

“I’m too lazy for that kind of nonsense.” I said airily, gesturing to the rabbit who was leading the dwarven Pyrthirío up the mountain. “If Pyr couldn’t control the Pyrthirío I would have sent a hunting team to collect them.”

On our return to the temple, I secured the Pyrthirío in the basement of a partially finished building before heading inside with Noctus following close behind.

“What are you planning to do with them?”

“I’m tossing up between finding a way to send them to Airus to rampage through the city, and putting them on poles as giant living lanterns.” I said, grinning at the vampire who laughed, his eyes dancing with amusement.

“Lanterns would be more amusing.”

“Flaming Dwarf lanterns it is,” I declared, rubbing my hands together gleefully.