Something shrieked in Dink’s grasp. The others watched in horror as he pulled a struggling creature from a two-dimensional shadow. The creature was an ashen grey colour. It ineffectively clawed at Dink’s wrist in an effort to break free. He ignored its protests to lift it above the pool.

“What the fuck is that thing?” Riva exclaimed while stepping away in revulsion.

“A sentinel demon. They don’t like water,” Dink said, indifferently plunging it into the pool.

The water immediately reacted by reaching a boil. Dink held it submerged with a grim expression as scolding bubbles churned the surface into chaos. Once the water settled, he retrieved it from the water and discarded it on the side of the pool. All that was left was a pile of bones held together with remnants of sinew and flesh.

“What’s it doing here?” Riva asked.

“Estra’s in danger. This is something that must be resolved among men. Women will end up collateral damage with what we’re about to do,” Dink cryptically answered, making eye contact with each woman in turn.

***

"Today, we challenge a god. Not with steel, merely the might of our flesh. It is an honour to stand with you, Dink. If we die here today, our deaths shall be glorious," Axion declared, tearing open his shirt to expose his extremely muscular chest.

"A story to be told by minstrels and drunkards throughout the ages," Dink agreed, tossing aside his crude great sword to clasp wrists with Axion.

They had followed the map inside Dink’s consciousness supplied by the god Mercy to reach his inner sanctum. The others waited just outside under strict orders not to follow unless absolutely necessary. They were also instructed to freely kill anything they deemed to be a threat and prevent it from sneaking up on the pair.

Dink stripped off his clothes and weapons to stand naked at the top of a foreboding stone staircase. Stooping down, he retrieve the caged mushroom monster from the floor at his feet. Holding the cage in one hand, he grabbed a burning torch from the sconce. Axion followed suit, expertly stripping his trousers in a fluid motion.

Axion took a second torch and then joined him in front of the staircase. Dink locked eyes with him while silently nodding, signalling he was ready. The pair broke eye contact with Dink’s eyes involuntarily drifting downward.

“Fuck, what do you call that monster? It’s bigger than my arm!” Dink exclaimed, stepping away from Axion.

“Hahahaha, you’re fairly impressive yourself. If that’s normal for a Goblin, I can see why your former captors cut off Murkuk’s cock. They would have been left feeling inadequate,” Axion retorted, chuckling in amusement.

Dink joined in with his laughter before clapping him on the shoulder. The pair descended through the entry into the dark underbelly of the monastery. They travelled for an unknown amount of time with their path illuminated by their torches. Their footsteps echoed on the roughly hewn stone steps. Dink searched his consciousness, feeling his bond with Estra to determine her status.

There’s still time, I can sense Estra is still being healed. At the very least, her virginity is still intact.

The closer they got to their destination, their shadows seemed to twist and distort, drawing Dink's attention to the walls. They were covered in disconcerting carved images he couldn't initially identify. He turned to inspect the carved murals. Axion noticed Dink stop and curiously faced him.

"Axion, look at this. What do these look like to you?" Dink asked, holding his torch up to the wall.

Axion walked over to stand beside him. The beads woven into his mane jingled as he leaned close to the wall. Squinting his eyes, his expression contorted into one of confusion. He straightened and took a step back.

"It appears to be… women contorted into all manner of unnatural positions. They appear like they were only recently added," Axion hesitantly replied, lightly dusting the images depicted on the walls before retracting his hand and inspecting his fingers.

"You're right, it's a demonic orgy. There's something familiar about these rituals. I think this mural depicts sacrificial magick, one of the three forbidden disciplines. Each figure's body position represents a forbidden arcane symbol. I can't say what this ritual is for, but it can't be anything good," Dink said, gripping the torch so tight that splinters embedded themselves in his hand.

The positions are very similar to the ones used in the Hag's mating ritual. I can’t be mistaken about this.

"There's no time to lose. We'd best hurry before they get started on Lady Estra!" Axion declared.

Axion turned away from the wall the started trotting down the stairs, leaping a large number of them at a time. Dink softly cursed to himself before chasing after him.

***

They emerged from the narrow staircase into the cavern Tahlea discovered earlier with her scrying magic. Dink doubled over out of breath with his hands braced against his knees.

“Can you slow down a little next time? How am I supposed to keep up when you’re taking the steps ten at a fucking time?” Dink complained, between ragged breaths.

“I have something to make you feel better. Have a look at all that prime flesh on display. Whooeet,” Axion said, whistling in appreciation. Dink raised his head from panting to look at where Axion indicated.

“You weren’t joking. This is going to be fun. I hope you’re up to the task, my friend. Tonight we fuck like champions,” Dink said in awe.

The number of women crowded together in positions of lust below was enough to drive any man wild. A wide staircase descended in from of them then led back up the other side to an altar atop a dais. It was strewn with large pillows cushioning women making love together with very little room to navigate between them. The scent of scent accompanied by seductive moans of pleasure filled the air.

“There must be more than a hundred women down there, ignoring the modestly dressed women at the top. I guess I’ll see you on the other side, Dink Old-boy,” Axion said with a beaming grin, reaching out to clasp wrists with Dink. Dink accepted while returning a huge grin of his own.

The corrupted avatar patiently reclined on a throne overlooking the altar. He was currently in the form of an imposing more-than-ten-foot bronze statue with his head resting on his knuckles. The group of sisters Dink had seen earlier surrounded Estra on the altar, channelling divine power into her glorious naked form. Her skin radiated an intense golden light in all directions.

“It’s time to get this party started,” Dink said with a mischievous chuckle. He raised the cage containing the Myconid and pushed his finger between the bars. Before he could second guess himself, the mushroom monster latched onto his finger. It started suckling his mana.

[Explicit content for Chapter 63.1 Glorious Seduction found at Patreon.com/jackofheart]