Depravity C4 (Nowsde’s Sneak Peek)

There was a mild explosion of splinters and debris as the home’s entryway door imploded, having been forced open with enough strength to destroy the entire thing; even while its remnants showered the area surrounding what used to be a proper doorway, the cause of the destruction proceeded to storm inside the humble abode with a stomp under every footfall.

As the dust settled, the shimmer of azure scales and silver strands of exceedingly long hair were the first traits to uncover the intruder’s identity, followed by a pair of searching, glaring viridian eyes of reptilian nature. White smoke billowed from a maw of sharp, predatory teeth, clenched tightly together and bared. Finally, a gust of wind cleared the room of any remnant airborne debris, brought about by the presence of two massive, scaled and webbed wings; a large and powerful lizard’s tail agitatedly flicking about behind them, and with that the individual was finally revealed in their entirety.

Beyond the monstrous nature, this being was clearly female, and quite a beautiful one at that... should one be able to look past her aura of sheer, indomitable hostility. Her only article of “clothing” was a lavish chest plate of armor-like scales—the same as those naturally covering her from head to toe—which adorned her upper body, and a matching hip belt with a low-reaching extension at the front that cloaked her pelvic region. The overall design indeed left probably a bit too much exposed, especially in regards to proper armor, yet it was fairly enough to retain her modesty.

She was a dragon, a western drake specifically. And from where she stood in the less-than-satisfactorally-spacious living room, the impatient monster called out to her colleague.

“WHERE ARE YOU, HELLSPAWN?!” The blue-scale demanded in a shout of outrage. “I KNOW YOU ARE IN HERE! REVEAL YOURSELF!”

“Must you be so insufferably bombastic, Ejdrukaina?”

The addressed snapped her head down towards the center of the room where the glimmering light of a magic circle was taking form, the archdemon Desira herself beginning to surface from within its midst. She arose headfirst, the horns of her wings accompanying her natural, ebony crown while leering eyes of crimson met the dragon’s piercing glare with an unamused look. She was also once again fully clothed.

“I know you cannot help yourself, but please do consider the neighbors,” Desira stated, “it’s nearing the middle of the night by now... you wouldn’t want to wake anyone at this hour, would you?”

“WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL THIS TIME?!” The frustrated drake demanded of her, promptly ignoring the demon’s words.

“... If you insist,” the blue-skinned entity seethed to herself, finally reaching her height as the magic circle began to vanish beneath her feet. While she was no stranger to Ejdrukaina’s temperament, Desira never could grow accustomed to such an obnoxious, haughty character. Why did western dragons have to be such difficult creatures to deal with? Although wurms were certainly more destructive and much less social, it was always more preferable to handle the simpler-minded cousin species.

“There was merely a certain matter that required my attention,” Desira informed the azure dragon, her tone casual but sincere. “I assumed that my assistance within the main invasion was not required... or, could it be that I had overestimated the abilities of our forces? Surely a being of your caliber was enough to conquer a settlement such as this, yes?”

“Do NOT mock my intelligence, demon, else I grace your oh-so precious and unmarred skin with the claw and leave you an unrecognizable, scarred heap of flesh.”

While Ejdrukaina did lower her voice, her tone carried with it a dreadful murmur, accompanied by a few lines of crackling electricity which danced about her scales. She was an azure dragon, which meant lightning was her elemental attribute... and Desira knew all too well that not unlike “the quiet before the storm”, as the humans say, this particular dragon was also known to be near her anger point when she was at her quietest...

With Evan in the basement room just below their feet, the archdemon needed to ensure that this thunderstorm incarnate did not become unleashed.

“... My apologies, Ejdrukaina,” she told the drake, who blinked in the presence of the unusually meek demon.

From what little she cared to know about regarding the demoness, an apology was the last thing the dragon expected of her. Nevertheless, she allowed her to continue. Ejdrukaina sincerely doubted the inhuman woman had learned her place, so why was she being so humble now of all times? ...Did that scent have anything to do with it?

“Perhaps it was rude of me to answer in such a way,” Desira went on. “Although I assure you, the reasoning behind my departure required my utmost attention... a simple factor that needed to be, and has since been taken care of. I know very well that you alone could have taken the city, perhaps even without a fight... which is why I felt my absence wouldn’t harm the campaign.”

There was a moment of silence between the two as Ejdrukaina gazed hard at the archdemon... until the gears began to turn in her mind.

“It wouldn’t have anything to do with you... seeking out a mate, would it?” The dragon inquired with deadpan stare, much to the visible discomfort of Desira.

“...What makes you think—”

“The scent of sex is all over you, hellspawn...” Ejdrukaina stated matter-of-factly, adopting a human gesture of impatience with a fold of her arms. “Perhaps I need remind you to not insult my intelligence? I’ll have you know that I’d meant every word of that threat...”

She knew.

Desira hated having to do so, but it would be safest for Evan if she came clean. The idea of admitting to such revelations to Ejdrukaina of all people was utterly distasteful, but with what was at stake...

“...Very well, I shall tell you everything,” the demon muttered, her annoyance made obvious. “However, in exchange I would ask, in all earnest, that you keep that temper of yours under control. There is... a human directly beneath our feet...”

“How interesting,” the dragon scoffed. “So not only are my suspicions correct, but the target of your... affections is still present? What, did I come at a bad time, hellspawn? Were you still in the middle of whoring about when I entered this worthless estate?”

“Your timing couldn’t have been more disruptive, indeed,” Desira shot back venomously, “as always.”

“Watch your tongue, cretin...” Ejdrukaina once again warned, another flicker of electricity trailing up an arm. “I will honor your plea for restraint, but know I can still rend you to pieces without expressing my true power... and I will, should you continue to test me.”

Desira was not anticipating the drake to consider with her request, let alone so easily comply.

“You... will contain yourself?” She questioned with a leering eye, skeptical.

“Do not misunderstand,” the dragon replied with a huff. “It would simply be most unbecoming for a dragon to needlessly dirty her claws with the blood of such an insignificant mortal. After all, you’ve no doubt hunted down and taken him by force, I’m certain. In that case, it’s clear that he’s had enough unnecessary trauma... a pity, really.”

Desira ignored the jab in favor of addressing a more intriguing concept, a wry smirk creeping into her features.

“You say ‘insignificant mortal’,” she began, a hand placed on her hip, “yet who was the one who raided a fortress in search of a single, lonely man? Didn’t you marry hi-?”

“HE IS A PET!” Ejdrukaina suddenly screamed, wings flared open and tail straightened; there was quite a lovely blush forming on that arrogant drake’s demeanor as well, the demon noted. “A SLAVE, AND NOTHING MORE! YOU THINK I’D STOOP SO LOW AS TO WELCOME A PATHETIC CREATURE LIKE HIM INTO MY BED, MUCH LESS FORM SUCH A FOWL PACT WITH THAT... THAT... HUMAN!!?”

Desira simply trailed her gaze downward, crimson eyes beholding a certain, small band of solid gold adorning the third clawed digit of the dragon’s left, clenched fist. She honestly couldn’t contain the smirk.

“Must have been my imagination, dear Ejdrukaina... my apologies for making such a ridiculous assumption.”