The Succubus' Severed Soul (Mature)

Hot Fallieni sun stretched the shadows long as afternoon bled into evening. The mismatched wood-and-stone buildings of the Outlander’s Quarter crouched amidst the array of tents that served as both homes and shops. The scent of sweat and fear dripped off most of the people, whether native or not. The Fallieni folk who lived in the Quarter feared for their lives among outlanders, and the outlanders feared for their lives among the Fallieni.

Joshua “Breaker” Cronen feared no one as he strode confidently through the crowd. He wore only white denim pants and a red cloth belt, knotted at his waist after the fashion of Akashiman martial arts. His tanned skin stretched taught over sleek muscles, scarred somehow elegantly on his back, chest and arms. The dry breeze disturbed his close-cropped brown hair, and swirled a choking cloud of dust up around his youthful, yet somehow wizened features. His black boots crunched over the hard-packed sand street.

Beneath his right arm he carried a bundle wrapped in the hide of a Karuku-tal. The greatcat had attacked him one moonless night while he moved through the dunes, and now its skin served as concealment for the demigod’s possessions. He had looked wide and far for some of the ingredients he needed for the spell, and spent a significant amount of time gathering information on local portal-makers.

The prizefighter shifted the parcel to his other arm and rolled his shoulder. He wondered how the quest he intended to embark upon might influence his relationship with Suravani. The Mistress of the Moon had bade him win many fights in the pits and rings across Fallien, and that path had brought him to Leila Saharia.

The succubus had bedded Breaker one night, and told him an enthralling story; of a demon king and a severed soul. Intrigued and enticed, Josh had offered to help her journey to Haide and reconstruct her ethereal self. He had everything he would need in his catskin bundle. Or so he hoped.

His path took him to the inn where he and Leila had spent the night together, up the familiar stone steps, and through the door into the room where she’d promised to wait for him.

She lay on her side on the bed, dark skin on display. Her lithe naked body invited him, but one shocking thing about her stood out above all else.

“There you are,” she said gently, “I was waiting for the moon to come out so I might bathe my skin in its glow.” She gestured at the retractable canopy that made up the roof.

Breaker set his bundle down carefully and stared. It had been but a month since he last saw her, a single turn of the moon. Her stomach had been smooth and slender then.

Now it displayed a small bump, like the belly of a woman three months with child.

The young succubus allowed her hand to roll over her swollen belly. A small smile gracing her soft pink lips.

“I didn't think such a thing possible,” her tone was soft.

Tucking a few strands of hair behind her ear, she closed the short distance between the two. “Cat got your tongue, prized fighter?” She taunted him slightly. “It was after all you, boasting about being very fertile.” With each flick of her tongue the smile stretched farther, to the edges of her cheeks.

This was indeed a new look for the sex demon, she didn't look seductive, yet glowing with admiration for the being inside her.

Though only half a woman with this child inside her she felt whole again. Taking his hands in her own she placed them on her slightly rounded stomach. He glanced from her face to her stomach, a small childlike giggle left her lips.

“You’re sure it’s mine?” Josh asked in awe, “there wasn’t another man a couple of months before me?”

The look of happiness slightly fell from her face. “What?” The word leapt from her tongue sharply, her unique eyes narrowing in. She stepped back his hands fell from her belly.

Turning on the tips of her toes she walked to the small wardrobe, swinging the door open with a little too much force. “Was there another man,” she murmured to herself, slipping on a shire fabric robe. Her stomach slightly less obvious now, “why because I am a sex demon I must lay with many men?”

Her dark gaze turned to the fighter as she tossed the question at him.

“Or because it makes no sense for the child to have grown so much so soon.” Breaker raised an eyebrow. “I meant no offense. If this is my child… it grows with my speed.”
“There is that if word,” she spat, folding her arms under her slightly larger breast. “Do you think so little of me that I would just place your hands on my stomach if I carried another man’s child?” She raised a slender eyebrow.

“What do I know of you?” Josh raised his hands defensively. “I make no judgment one way or the other. But you are certain. So tell me, how is it our child can have grown so fast?”

“Our child, now it’s our child,” she mumbled bitterly. Sitting on the bed she sighed pushing a flustered hand through her long mane, “I don’t know. I woke up the morning after our fling and felt different. My breast slightly tender, larger and I looked bloated.” She glanced down at her stomach, resting a hand on top of the small mound. “After the first day I grew larger and larger, feeling small flutters that grew stronger. I don’t even know how it’s possible for me to carry a child with half a soul.”

“Perhaps your mother would know,” Josh said softly. He picked up his parcel and sat on the bed beside Leila. With swift, decisive movements he undid the cord that bound the Karuku-tal skin.

Leila smiled sadly, “she would know, I am certain, if she is still alive.”

“We will have occasion to find out,” Josh said with a grin. The parcel fell open, unveiling some carefully rolled clothing, three vials containing a glowing blue tincture, and a stone tablet engraved with an ancient Fallieni dialect.

“The shopkeeper assured me that this clothing is in keeping with current Haidian fashion,” the prizefighter explained, “the vials contain a potion which will disguise me as an incubus for eight hours per dosage. The tablet is payment for our passage… I found a portal-maker who collects relics such as this, who can send us straight into the heart of Haide’s capital.”

The young succubus stood up abruptly, pacing back and forth. “We are really gonna do this,” she was speaking more to herself than him. Nodding slowly she looked at Josh, “this is really happening, you kept your promise to me?”

“Of course,” Breaker stood and took her hands in his, a calming, steadying force. “Are you sure you are up for such an undertaking? I could go alone… although your familiarity with the royal palace will be invaluable. And I would stand little chance of rescuing your mother.”

She gave his hands a little squeeze, “I have to go you will be lost quickly. I know where the torture chambers are and where my mother will more than likely be.” She leaned in and gave his cheek a soft kiss.

She smelled like desire. If anything, knowing she carried his child made Breaker want the chocolate-skinned sex demon more. He ran a callused hand up her soft shoulder, hazel eyes gazing into hers.

“I arranged a meeting with the portal-maker for midnight. We have some time before then.” Above the room’s canvas roof, the sun finally began to fade. Josh took a long breath of Leila-enhanced air. “Are you hungry?”

Leila laughed softly, kissing the hand laid on her shoulder. “Ever since you planted your seed in me, I am always hungry. In more ways than one.” She winked playfully.

The muscular man cupped her chin and ran his fingers through her long, golden hair. She tilted her face up slightly, and he pulled her in for a kiss that took both of their breath away. Her stomach pressed firmly against his solid abdominals, her breasts softer, smaller mounds touching his bare chest through the sheer fabric she wore.

“Which of your appetites shall we slake first?” Breaker breathed as the kiss ended.

In answer, sun darkened hands tugged at the belt binding his white denim breeches.

They laid tangled in one another’s arms, their chest rising and falling slightly faster than normal. This time the love making was more passionate, both of them sharing in the joy of creating a child together. Together they bathed in the moonlight, the silvery glow, his hand resting on her stomach. “Do you want a boy or girl,” Leila asked curiously.

“Whatever the child prefers,” he jested, running his fingers along her rounded belly. Nodding softly, the sun-kissed woman played with his hair. “What about names, anything popping out?”

“I have put no thought into it,” Josh reminded her, “what about you? Are there any family names you might like to use?” Her cheeks heated up slightly, she had to remember unlike her, he had just found out she was carrying his child. She had many nights and days to think of these things. “I have many names I like but none are family names,” she shrugged.

Sighing softly she watched as he laid his head on her breast, his hand stroking her stomach tenderly. “I never knew you could be so gentle,” she teased him.

“I never would have thought you’d find such ecstasy beneath a gentle hand,” he said, dipping his fingers between her legs momentarily. “It seems we surprise each other.”

A gasp parted her lips as his hand slide through her sensitive folds before rolling back up to her stomach. “Seems so,” she said breathlessly. She pulled his chin upward, her lips claiming his. The kiss was soft and tentative as the soft flesh or their lips rolled over one another before she pulled away. “I think change is good,” she said softly stroking his cheek.

“It had best be,” Josh chuckled, “it is constant and everlasting. This change, I think will be good for both of us.”

Leila nodded in agreement as she kissed his forehead softly before allowing him to lay back down, using her plush breast as pillows. For a moment the sex demon wished to will time to stop, just so she could enjoy this moment a little while longer. The sensation of him rubbing her stomach was soothing, it made her eyes grow heavier until she gave into sleep.

Josh lay back on the pillows and watched the succubus sleep, enjoying her scent and the rise and fall of her breasts until he sensed midnight approaching. He smoothed Leila’s golden hair back gently until her eyes fluttered open.

“Time to go,” Josh whispered. He helped her sit up and rubbed her back in slow, energizing circles. “This will be quite the adventure. Are you prepared?”

Leila arched an eyebrow. “We are bound to save my mother and retrieve my soul, Breaker. You may rest assured I am prepared.” She stood up and smoothed her dressed, crossing her arms and tapping a foot as if she were waiting for him.

Josh dressed quickly in his Haidian attire - a sleeveless leather jacket and tight-fitting breeches - and slipped the vials into his pocket. The tablet he carried beneath his arm. The greatcat skin he left atop the bed.

“Come along, then,” he said, and he took Leila’s hand.

They ventured down the stairs and out into the night, the chill air nipping at their cheeks. They swept along sandy roads and down darkened alleys, navigating by memory and the light of the moon. Suravani smiled on them, but she could not see all.

After a time they came to a diner that remained open day and night. A barred door stood to the right of the main entrance. Josh rapped thrice in rapid succession, raising an eyebrow at the peep-hole.

A long minute passed, and then a dark skinned man opened the door. He was much more rotund than the average Fallieni, a show of his success as a merchant. He wiped his brow with a cloth and beckoned for them to come in.

“You’re a little early,” he stammered as he led them down a flight of stone steps, toward a distant flickering light, “I scarcely heard your knock.”

“You should have been waiting,” Breaker admonished, “for the amount of gold I paid you. By the way Leila, this is Neesden.”

The man nodded and wiped his bald pate again. His sandals skidded to a halt beneath the flickering lantern sconce and he fished a key out of his robe’s pocket. It turned in the brass lock with a rusty click, and the door opened.

The room revealed piles upon piles of books and parchments, as well as a desk and a large circular artifact. It had strange Fallieni sigils engraved on it and loomed at the far end of the chamber. The area immediately surrounding it was the only clean space to be seen. Clutter - mostly books and the occasional artifact - covered floor, desk, and chair.

“This is it,” Neesden puffed, clearly somewhat nervous, “all you need do is touch this sigil here, think of the location you seek, and a portal shall open. Now, about my payment-”

“I’ve already given a pile of gold,” Josh reminded him.

“Gold is not enough.” Neesden insisted. “You are an influential man in these lands, Granite Phantom. I should like a favour from your in return for use of my portal-maker.”

“What favour?” Josh asked warily. He shared a look with Leila.

“Nothing specific,” Neesden said, breathing shallowly, “nothing yet. But I am a gambling man… I like to risk my riches at the fighting pits. If ever my luck should run foul… I may need a man to defend me.”

Josh chuckled. “Alright, Neesden. You get one for free. If a leg-breaker ever comes knocking, let him know you’ve got the real Breaker in your corner.

The man nodded nervously, and bowed slightly as he stepped aside. The portal-maker loomed over them, a great sand-colored ring.

“Leila,” Josh said, “you’re up.”

A flash of doubt crossed over her angelic features, dooming thoughts clouded her mind for a moment. Inhaling deeply she closed her eyes, her hand trembled slightly as she reached for the ring. A pulling sensation came from within her chest as Leila gasped softly, each beat of her heart seemed to make the pulling sensation grow. A soft whimper left her lips as she squeezed her eyes shut tightly picturing of the one place she never thought she would go back to.

“Xaliel,” she breathes out in one small whisper.

The room around them melts, slowly morphing into the outskirts of Hades. Standing on the concrete platform that is the only way in and out of Hell. She didn’t want to get to close in fear of being discovered, she was after all casted out of her own realm to live in Althana’s for the remainder of her extended life.

The place smelled of rotting flesh and death, Leila’s stomach flipped as she covered her mouth and nose, her hand shielding her from having to endure the horrid smell. The land was dead, cracked and crumbled from all the death that surrounded it. Dark clouds loomed over the realm with red streaks dancing in and out of the shadows. Glancing below she saw the lava that moved rapidly like a stream with a current. It was Theos way of keeping things hot in Hell, he found the cliche aspect amusing.

Glancing farther away Leila could see the boat that would take them to their desired destination. “Charon,” the small succubus sighed softly, a small sense of familiarity covering her. A strong hand laid softly on her hip made her jump, glancing over she had almost forgot that Breaker had come with her.
Nodding softly she pulled the hood of her cloak over her, hiding her lovely whiteish gold locks. A shadow was casted over her features hopefully aiding in the mission to keep her identity a mystery. It didn’t take long of the gondola to glide over nothing, it floated in thin air as the ferryman guided it with a smoothly along.

It approached the plate form, coming to a quick stop. “We seek passage,” said her prized fighter. The cloaked figured that almost matched the look of Leila held out his hand. He seeks payment… She thought quickly digging into her pockets before flicking two coins into his awaiting hand. Breaker steps aboard, turing he held out his hand to aid the succubus. Boarding the boat Charon pushed off, slowly but purposely they glided towards the large kingdom that even looked like it could fall at any moment.

As they approached closer Leila could hear the familiar screams of the pits, a large crater to the left side of them. Her entire body stiffened, her breath hitched in her chest. “What is it?” Josh’s soothing voice filled her ear. Nudging over towards the large hole filled with screams, some can faintly make out the lines of people waiting to be tortured, chained together. “When you are considered a traitor you spend many ions down there. It is where they torture not only the shell of you but your soul and each time you die or your soul gives out they bring you back to do it all over again.”

Josh did not know what to say, and so he looped a comforting arm around Leila’s shoulders. He glanced cautiously at the boat minder. It appeared as though the potion he’d taken had worked. It did not change his appearance, but caused him to emit the same pheromone as succubae and incubi. His chiseled jaw line and musculature made him a passable incubus, and the tight silken clothing he’d purchased in Fallien completed the disguise.

They reached the far shore and made their way through a series of burnt out and broken down buildings. Most were small stone houses, roofless and yawning in the fetid wind. Demons of all spawns lurked here and there, but none approached Breaker and Leila as they made their way to the walls of the main city. The gates stood open, if guarded, but the armed and armored demons there paid them no more mind than any of the others.

Inside the city some of the buildings were intact, and the stench a littles less pervasive. Hawkers sold all manner of wares and foods, and doxies lingered in doorways, eyeing any passerby who appeared to have coin.

Josh and Leila navigated the cracked cobblestone streets to the palace, where Leila took the lead. They slipped in an unguarded side door and crept through a maze of passages, down stone staircases, and up to a guarded section of the castle.

“This is the special prisoners’ chambers,” Leila whispered as they lingered in a shadowy alcove, “my mother will be in there somewhere. The door will be guarded.”

“Not to worry,” Josh smiled, and slipped away like a specter. He slid silently down the hallway, his boots suddenly frictionless, and came at the guard out of the darkness like a serpent striking from its lair. The demon fell without a sound, and Josh dragged its body back to the alcove. “Stay close,” he uttered as he slipped a keyring from the guard’s belt.

They crept back to the heavy ironbound door, and Josh sorted through they keys until he found the one that fit. The door opened inward with a heavy groan, revealing two long, dark passageways. Josh looked at Leila.

“Which way?” He asked.

The sound of her galloping heart was almost deafening. Her swollen breast rising and falling a little bit faster, the concrete walls seemed to close in around her. A slight kick from her round stomach drew her back from the anxiety that was slowly starting to claim her. Placing a comforting hand on her belly she pointed to left, nodding at her escort.

Darting down the narrow hallway, the footsteps quietly echoing off the stone walls. Leila knew her mother would be down in the last cell.

A small gust of wind blew threw her, causing her breath to hitch. The hood of her cloak slipping down slightly revealing her white silky strands. The panic swept back in, he knows.. Does he know I am here? Fear gripped tightly at her chest as she pulled the cloak hood back around her tightly.

Shaking off the paranoia the best she could, forcing herself to focus on the task at hand. Simone, her mother was one tough succubus, she had refused the King and tried to plan a coup to change the hierarchy. It had cost her father, Thurin his life but they knew if they didn’t trying Leila would be the pet of one of the Prince’s and she indeed was. To punish her mother the King had handed Leila over to his most cruel son.

With her head tilted up her nose in the air she inhaled deeply, the smell of stale death only hung. “No one has been down here in ages,” the realization smacked her in the face like running into one of the walls that surrounded her. “That monster!” She cried out.

Before Breaker could understand what she was talking about Leila had started to sprint down to the farthest cell. “Leila,” she could hear her companion called out her name. The succubus didn’t answer just continued to push her feet as hard as she could to carry her. That bastard was starving her! A succubus could live on not feeding from anyone for decades but the pain that came with the starvation is excruciating.

Finally reaching the end of the cell she was met with a stone wall, “that fucking bastard,” Leila hissed. Breaker reached her and before he could scorn her for taking off she pressed her index finger to lips. His head cocked to the side slightly, the prize fighter remained quiet.

She pushed back her cloak and revealed a thigh holster that held a dagger. Leila with drew the dagger, brought it close lips and whispered a silent prayer. Pleading this to work she sliced deeply into her palm, the blood welled up quickly before spilling over dropping on the the floor.

As the crimson liquid hissed and sizzled as it met the stone floor, the concrete door groaned in protest but opened. “Succubus blood still flows through my veins those ignorant fools.” The light spilled into the dark room, for some odd reason it was like Leila’s feet were planted to the ground. She glanced toward Breaker as her bottom lip caught in between teeth.

“I- I can’t…” The words slipped past her lips.

“You’re alright,” Breaker whispered, gently taking her hand. “Come on. We didn’t come this far to stop now.” The succubus met his steady gaze and gave a slight nod. The demigod led her into the cell, just a few steps so they stood in the light spilling from the hallway. Breaker’s keen gaze penetrated the thicker shadows along the chamber’s far wall.

A slender succubus stood chained against the solid concrete, her hands outspread and her legs separated. She wore only a wispy grey shapeless robe that fell short of her knees. She had Leila’s long golden-white hair, and similar blue-purplish eyes, but some lines of maturity showed on her strikingly beautiful visage. Her cheeks look hollow, and Josh suspected that beneath the robe, she was wasted away with hunger.

“Who’s there?” She whispered hoarsely, squinting against the light. “I’m blinded every time the door opens, but you’re not a guard or Ranja, otherwise you’d be throwing insults or drinks or worse. Who is it?”

Josh waited, but Leila seemed at a loss for words. They moved forward in slowed lockstep.

“Who is it?” Simone, Leila’s mother demanded. She sniffed the air. “Succubae,” she said, “I could almost swear. What trickery is this?” She blinked as her eyes adjusted. “It can’t be… Leila my girl, is that you?”

“It is me, mother.” Leila said, finding her voice at last. Tears shone in her eyes as she rushed forward and hugged her mother’s slender form. Josh moved in her wake. He grasped the iron cuffs securing Simone’s arms and a legs and pried them open, one at a time, as easily as a farmhand snapping kindling. The older succubus hugged her daughter as she stumbled free. The two clung to one another, wavering, and Breaker placed a hand on Leila’s back to support her.

“We must go,” he said gently.

“Where?” Simone asked, not letting go of her daughter.

“Away from here.” Breaker said. “Away from Haidia, by any means necessary.”

“You are the Breaker of Corone,” Simone said, reaching out a hand to touch the Y-shaped scars on his face. “The Granite Phantom of Fallien. I have heard of you.” She added as an afterthought. She took a deep breath and adopted a stern look. “Are you the one who has put a baby in my daughter’s belly?”

“Yes,” Josh said, “but that isn’t important now-”

“Not to me, perhaps.” Simone interrupted, “but to you, and to Leila, I should think so. Your mission here in the land of demons is far from over, Breaker. My daughter’s soul is still divided. If you do not reunite it as one, your child will be stillborn. And the shards of her soul are hidden here, in the royal palace.”

Suddenly footsteps echoed in the hallway, and a red-faced demon stormed into the cell flanked by two muscular guards. Josh did not recognize him, but Simone supplied the answer to his question before he could ask.

“Ranja!” she hissed venomously.

Leila froze, her breath hitched in her chest. She looked at Breaker her eyes wide with fear. “Little Tiger,” the Prince smiled when he looked at her.

“Ranja,” she forced his name from her lips as she held her mother tightly.

“What a sweet reunion, though I don’t know you.” His attention turned to the succubus’ lover.

“You don’t need to know him,” Leila snapped before Breaker could say anything. Ranja took a step closer to her and she stumbled back. The only thing having stopped her was Breaker wrapped a large arm around her waist to steady her. Ranja’s gaze darted down to Breaker’s at still firmly around her waist.

“What is this, Leila?” He spat at her with disgust.

She shrunk back slightly, she was trembling slightly as much as she tried not to allow Ranja to effect her everything that he had done to her while she was captive here came back. “Speak, have you lost your tongue?” He snapped at her.

“Enough,” Simone glared at the Prince as she stepped in front of her daughter as if to shield her from Ranja.

“This is on you Simone, had you not try to rebel all those years ago I would have married your daughter as planned.” Leila choked after he dropped that little surprise.

“Oh of course Mommy dearest didn’t tell you, you were promised to me even before you are born. You were- no are mine to do whatever I damn well please with.” He stalked forward.

Breaker stepped in front of the two woman now. “That is enough, she is not yours and you don’t own anything.” His deep voice filled the cell bouncing off the walls.

The Prince sized him up, his gaze ran up and down the prized fighter. They were evenly the same size in height but Breaker seemed to have more muscle on him.

“Oh but what you seem to forget boy, is I do control her.” He pulled out a small necklace that held an orb of light. He grinned wickedly before speaking into it. It was like some type of spell was cast on Leila as she started to move toward him.

“Leila stop,” Breaker and her mother both called after her.

Silent tears slipped down her face as she willed herself to speak but nothing happened. “And don’t worry we will take care of the little bastard in your gut too, can’t have another man’s seed cooking inside of you.”

She was at his side now as he wrapped his arms around her and started to drain her. Quickly she dropped into his arms as he picked her up bridal style. He briskly turned on his heels calling over his shoulder to the guards. “Finish those two while I deal with her,” making his way down the hall out of their sight.

The guards wore demonic armor with masked helms, the visages twisted in silent screams as they bore down on Breaker and Simone. Josh called after Leila as he rushed in front of her mother and intercepted the towering guards. Their halberds thrust glistening spear-points at him but he flowed aside like water over smooth stones, a single kick shattering both staff-weapons. He spun and kicked again, flooring the first demon. The second charged in its wake, a snarl echoing from beneath the twisted mask. Breaker dented the mask with a punch that would have shattered a glacier, and moments later both guards lay still.

“Impressive work, prizefighter.” Simone said, stepping daintily over the fallen demons. “Follow me. There will be more coming; we must escape.”

“We must go after Leila!” Josh amended, grabbing her elbow to pull her in the opposite direction, the way Ranja had gone.

“He will be in the most protected section of the palace by now!” Simone exclaimed. “She is my daughter, Breaker, but we must leave and return for her.”

“But the child…” Josh protested, but he allowed himself to be pulled as Simone grabbed his arm in turn and tugged him away.

They raced through the bowels of the palace, past cracked hearths and between crooked pillars, finally finding a long forgotten stairwell meant for servants. They climbed the cobweb strewn steps cheek-to-shoulder as Breaker worried over Leila and their child. At last they burst through a set of wooden double doors, finding their way into sunlight. Breaker blinked in the sudden brilliance, barely getting his vision back in time to see Simone collapse. He caught her before she could hit the ground, cradling her in his arms as Ranja had done with Leila.

“That run took… the last bit of my energy.” She said before passing out.

Breaker carried her quickly towards the outer wall, finding an unguarded gate and slipping outside. He raced prudently across wind-blasted terrain until he found shelter in a rocky outcropping and lay the succubus gently on the ground. He summoned a few droplets of water from thin air and splashed them across her smooth brow. With a soft gasp the woman awoke, gazing up at him tiredly.

“I’m afraid I won’t be much help, in this condition.” She said weakly.

“Take some of my energy,” he offered, “I’ve enough to go around.”

Simone let out a soft chuckle and then reached up and placed a single finger on his forehead. Josh felt a wave of weakness wash over him as the succubus drained a fraction of his nearly endless energy.

“Thank you,” Simone said. Some color entered her cheeks as she sat up against one of the boulders. “We should move again soon. Ranja will send search parties. But first, we must plan how we will rescue my daughter… and the fragments of her soul.”

Ranja moved swiftly through small hallways and dim lit passages, he carried the pregnant succubus with ease. “Wh-at’s happening,” Leila tried to lift her heavy head from her captor’s chest.

“Shh little tiger, in time you will understand.” He strokes her white tendrils from her face.

Leila tried to will her tongue to form words but it felt like lead in her mouth. “Pl..” A wave of fatigue washed over her as she could feel more of her energy being sucked from her. A small whimper of defeat left her lips as unconsciousness took her.

She wasn’t sure how much time had passed when her eyes finally fluttered open. Leila groaned, she looked around to see where she was. “Breaker,” she called out quietly. Everything was so hazy, she had been with him when they find her mother. What happened.. She growled with frustration, ran a flustered hand through her blonde-white locks.

“Funny you would call out for him when you lay in my bed,” Ranja’s voice filled the large room.

She jumped slightly taken by surprise. “Ranja,” she whispered softly. Suddenly he was right there in front of her. His hands tangled in her hair as he drew her against his chest. Leila tried to wither away from him but he had a vice grip on her.

“Ranja what do you want from me,” she whimpered finally able to slip away from him. Her hand protectively wrapped around her swollen stomach.

“You were to be mine, those things will not keep me from having what is mine by birth right,” the Prince roared as he thrusted his index finger at her stomach.

“Things,” she glanced down at her stomach quickly climbed from the bed. Things as in more than one… She took a few steps back but the Prince had a harsh look etched in his brow as he stalked towards her. She scurried across the bed to put some space between them.

“You won’t take my babies from me,” she cradled her stomach in her arms.

“Twins, just like you and Lynleigh were.” He spat at her, his tone filled with disgust.

Leila’s heart ached at the mention of her sister, “I am not yours.” She growled at him moving towards the door but his speed was too quick for her.

His hand wrapped around her throat, slowly he squeezed as the tips of her toes dangled off the granite floor. She clawed at his hands, her nails dug deeply into his flesh. All her efforts didn’t seem to phase Ranja as he squeezed so tight that Leila was sure her throat was being crushed.

“S-op…” Her unique orbs bulged with the lack of oxygen, just as she thought she was about to pass out he let her go. She dropped to the floor in a heap, she gasped, coughed and sputtered trying to force air in and out of her lungs.

She could already feel the bruises started to form around her neck as she slowly lifted her head upward. “You claim to love me but you let your entire family rape me! You raped me and tortured me for years! YOU don’t even know what love is!”

Weakly she pushed herself into a standing position but quickly was tossed on to the bed across the room. She landed with a soft thud her head bounced off the granite headboard, dazed her.

Hands ripped at her gown and roughly forced her thighs apart. “You will learn to love me Leila,” Ranja whispered in her ear. She thrashed, kicked and screamed. “No! Stop it!” She brought her knee up and thrusted it towards his groin area which took him by surprise. He rolled off the bed as Leila grabbed at the remnants of her now tattered clothes.

She made a break for the door again this time able to get it open, “Breaker!” She screamed, her frightened voice echoing off the stone wall. Just as she was about to run down the hall she felt her hair being pulled as she was tossed back into the room. Her body colliding with the cold floor as the air pushed out of her lungs.

As soundless as the shadows that stretched long with the evening, Breaker crept up on the gate. He needed to get as close as possible in order for the plan to work. His shoulder grated against the rough outer palace wall. He was nearing the point where the curvature would stop hiding him, and he’d be potentially visible to the guards standing either side of the gate. It was the same gate he and Simone had escaped through earlier, but with search parties Ranja had also sent out additional guards. Everything at that point depended on Simone.

The succubus came down the winding path toward the gate at the perfect moment, just as the guards came into Breaker’s sight. He could see them, but they did not see him - they were focused on the female demon, who approached with a flick in her hips and a smile on her lips.

“Hello lovelies,” she called to the masked guards. “How are you this fine Haidian evening?”

“Who are you?” One of the guards asked somewhat gruffly, but there was no real menace behind his tone. He shouldered his halberd and glanced at his compatriot. Unfortunately, when he glanced, his eyes fell on Breaker.

Close enough.

The prizefighter lifted both hands, and bolts of pure energy shot forth. The white light struck each demon in the chest, and they fell, the cauterized holes in their abdomens yawning at the sky.

“Quickly,” Breaker said, and wrenched the gate open, waving Simone in ahead of him.

They managed to avoid detection crossing the courtyard, and entered the palace using the same old stairwell through which they’d fled. Once again Breaker deferred to Simone’s knowledge of the palace, and they made their way through dimly lit hallways and sparsely decorated rooms.

“Where are we going?” Josh asked at last in a voice quieter than a whisper.

“To Ranja’s bedchamber,” Simone responded gravely, “if I know him like I think I do… that will be the first place he’ll want to take Leila.”

At that Breaker’s pace doubled, and he nearly left the succubus behind.

“Wait!” She called, hurrying to catch up. “It’s this way. There will be many guards soon… it will be a true test of your skill, prizefighter.”

“It’s probably best if you watch my back then,” Josh said. He kicked up his foot and snatched a black diamond dagger out of its sheath on his boot and passed the blade to Simone. “If anyone sneaks up behind me, stab them in the neck. That’s where their armor and flesh will be weakest.”

“You know an awful lot about demon anatomy and armor,” Simone commented with a raised eyebrow.

“I know a lot about killing.” Breaker said grimly.

Leila gasped and gulped at the air as she struggled to breathe, her scalp burned from where he had wrenched her back by her blonde-white locks. Her mouth fell open as she rolled to her side, curling in a small ball. Breathe, in- out, in-out. She coached herself softly, she staggered to her feet, fresh tears filled her eyes.

Ranja closed the gap between them in a few long strides, his hand tangled in her hair once more. “Why must you make me hurt you,” he tone almost laced with pain.

He guided her head to his chest as he roughly soothed her now gnarled locks away from her. Silent tears spilled down her bruised cheeks as she tried to swallow around the large lump that had risen in her throat. “So don’t hurt- me.” Her voice was hoarse and thick with tears. “Be- be gentle Ranja, I don’t want to be hurt anymore.” Her voice was soft as if she was speaking to a wounded child. She fought against her natural instinct to place a soothing hand on her stomach. Instead she pulled away from him slightly and placed a shaky hand on his cheek.

“Shh, it’s okay. I see now we can be together you and I.” His gaze darted down to her swollen abdomen, his face twisted with confliction.

“Don’t worry, let these babies be born, that’s all that the fighter wanted. Not me I am nothing, my love without you. Just give me the shards of my soul, we can be together as one.” As the words left her lips she felt the bile rise in her throat.

She took a deep breath as the Prince fell to his knees his head laid on her swollen stomach now. “I can’t, I will not allow what is mine to bore another man’s seed.” His voice was low and with each word Leila’s heart sank a little more.

“No one would have to know please, I- don’t kill these babies Ranja.” Her voice broke as new found tears flowed freely down her cheeks. “I’ll-I’ll be good I swear just let them live please, I beg of you. I will never challenge you, no one is coming for me. You have me all to yourself.” She sunk to her knees, her hands falling into her lap.

“Enough!” He roared in her face, his hands wrapped around her shoulders as he shook her. Her head violently shook, rolled and jarred in ways Leila didn’t even know possible. “You will do as I say and the sooner those bastards are out of your gut the better.” He let her go, her vision still blurred from the violent shaking he had given her.

He stood dusting his hands off, he circled her once before making his way to the fire place. “For every time you defy me, I will mark you. You will learn soon begging and pleading is beneath you.” His hand wrapped around the fire poke that had been settled in the embers. He withdrew the poker, the metal at the tip held a orange glow to it.

Leila’s mouth went dry with fear as he came closer to her. She didn’t dare run for fear of his wrath turning toward her swollen stomach sooner. She felt the hot iron mere inches from the base of her back, the heat searing the peach fuzz hair on her skin. Breaker, mother, please be alive and hurry. She pleaded silently as the hot metal met her skin, everything went white for a moment as a blood curdling scream left her lips as he branded her for each time she had defied him.

They used the same tactic they’d used on the gate guards to fell the first pair at the end of the long hallway. According to Simone, Ranja’s bedchamber stood at the other end. Fortunately the hall did not follow conventional architectural laws; it bent, curved, and even changed directions in places. Plenty of angles Breaker to sneak along. Plenty of walls to spatter with Haidian blood.

Before long they could see the entrance to Ranja’s room. It was set in a part of the hallway so broad it might as well have been a room, complete with columns and torch sconces. Six guards stood sentinel in front of the the heavy double doors, their eyes flicking periodically in all directions from beneath their grimacing masks. Each held a halberd that glistened wickedly in the torchlight. The sound of their breathing echoed from within the helms and filled the hall.

Josh leaned back from peering around the corner and leaned down next to Simone’s ear.

“There’s six of them,” he whispered, “all armed and armored. I should likely handle this one alone.”

“I’ll be ready to rush in and save my daughter,” Simone whispered back.

Josh took a deep breath and rolled his shoulders. He was going to try something so risky it bordered on stupidity. But it had worked for him in the past… two out of three times.

He planted a smile on his face and strolled casually around the corner, his empty hands upraised.

“I surrender!” He called to the halberdiers as they noticed him and closed ranks, their axe blades and spear heads forming a semicircle that pinned him against a solid granite wall. Within mere moments the guards had gained complete control of the prizefighter.

Or so it seemed.

“What are those things made out of anyway?” Josh asked, winking at one of the guards. “Steel?”

There was a moment’s silence. Suddenly everyone moved at the same time. Some of the guards reared back to swing their halberds at Breaker. Others drove forwards to impale him on their spear points.

Josh surged forward like a tidal wave. The spear points broke through his clothing and opened his skin but could not penetrate the solid muscle fibers beneath. He caught the rest of the halberds mid-swing and pulled all six demons backwards with tremendous aggression. While he moved and bled his hands did their lethal work. He snapped the first Haidian’s neck, and struck the second in the throat with the edge of his hand so it collapsed writhing and choking. The last four drew their daggers and attacked in concerto.

Breaker was the most elusive note of the symphony. Wherever they stabbed they met either air or a fellow Haidian’s flesh, until all four of them lay wounded and leaking ichor.

“Simone, come!” Breaker called. He threw open the double doors and dashed inside the bedchamber.

Leila’s screams felt like broken glass in his ears. He saw Ranja standing over her, wielding the hot fire poker.

“You!” Ranja shrieked. He threw the poker at Breaker but it froze into a chunk of ice and slid harmlessly to the floor. The demon prince roared in anger and rushed to meet his foe. Breaker embraced him in close combat, the two powerful warriors grappling afoot as they tried to throw one another to the ground in a show of superiority.

Thwesh!

Black blood spouted from Ranja’s neck, and he crumbled to his knees, a confused look on his face. Breaker was equally shocked. Then in the shadows beside Ranja he saw Simone, wielding the black diamond dagger.

“You said stab him in the neck,” she said in a faraway voice, looking at the dying demon. “It worked well. But he is not dead.”

Breaker moved to Leila, his hands crafting icy poultices to soothe the wounds on her back.

“Do it again,” he told Simone.

Leila lost count after the tenth burn, when he had said all the times she had defied him she didn’t think he meant actually every single time. Her throat was raw from the screams and sobs. She was half out of it when her mother and Josh broke into the room.

“Jo-josh…” His name left her lips as she tried to get up from the fetal position she had put herself in.

The flesh around her back was tight as she cried out in pain. In mere seconds Josh was at her side using his ice powers to soothe and treat the brandings. With each ice poultice she whimpered, it was painful but also soothing.

She started to shiver uncontrollably, “the babies.” Her lips quivered rapidly her eyes bloodshot, tears trickled down her cheeks. She laid shaky hands on her swollen stomach. “Please be okay, please tell me they are okay..”

She looked towards Breaker, her unique orbs wide with fear. Her breathing was shallow as she tried to calm herself down. “She’s going into shock,” Simone pulled the knife from Ranja’s neck and ripped the necklace from his neck.

Quickly she was at her daughter’s side, soothing her gnarled tendrils out of her face. “Sh look at me, your babies are going to be fine I promise.” Breaker was silent during the entire ordeal but he placed a soft hand to her wet cheek.

“They are strong like their mother,” his voice was deep and rough.

Leila nodded slowly as Breaker helped her stand up, she hissed in pain as the prized fighter looked at her as if he was in physical pain himself.

“Are you both okay,” Leila looked them over as best as she could.

“Don’t worry about us, we just need to get you and your soul reunited and your children to safety.” Simone smiled softly.

“How are we going to get the other piece of my soul from the King?” Leila had a valid question as her mother slipped the necklace over her head. The shard of her soul lit up slightly, Leila could feel a small wave of energy wash over her.

The feeling of small fish swimming in her womb made her jump slightly. “I- I think I felt the babies move, is that possible?” She looked at her mother both surprised as happy.

“Anything is possible with your royal blood and his genetically advanced genes.” Simone smiled as Lelia glanced back at Breaker.

“Let’s get the rest of my soul and go home,” she offered him a soft smile.

“First Simone must show us to the portal chamber,” Breaker said as he led mother and daughter from the dead prince’s bedroom. Groaning guards still littered the hall just outside. Josh kicked each of them forcefully in the skull or throat as they passed, and by the time they made it to the far corner, every demon lay still.

“Shouldn’t we just go straight for King Ragnar’s shard of my soul?” Leila asked.

“This is in case we become separated.” Breaker explained. “We must all be able to find our own way there in case the worst should happen. And we must make certain we can make the portals work.”

“Agreed.” Simone said. She finished wiping the black diamond dagger clean of black ichor using a piece of bedsheet she’d sliced off, and passed the weapon back to Breaker. The prizefighter smiled his thanks and clapped the blade back into its ankle sheath.

They stuck to the unused servant corridors, creeping past cobwebs and bits of unwanted furniture. Before long Simone led them to the portaling chamber, a vast square room with a vertical stone ring standing in the center. Luminescent quartz shone from the walls, giving the room a feel of perpetual twilight. A strange stone control panel of some sort sat just off to the side of the ring.

“I can use this to send us wherever you wish to go,” Simone said, moving to the pedestal. She operated the controls deftly and a swirling blue mist appeared in the stone ring. “Where would you like to go? Corone?” The mist changed to green. “Raiaera?” The green inverted into a purplish pink.

“Fallien, of course.” Leila said. The pink became yellow and then solidified into a blurred image, which skewed and slowly molded into a view of a back alley in the Outlander’s Quarter.

“Good.” Josh said. “Tell me how to do that, and then you two are going through. It’s too dangerous here for our Leila and the babes. I’ll stay behind to get the last shard.”

“No way,” Leila said, planting her hands firmly on shapely hips. “We are all in this together prizefighter.”

“I will return to you,” Breaker promised. “But this chance is too great. You must go now. Look, even your mother agrees.”

Simone wavered visibly, her mouth half open, her deep eyes indecisive.

“Take the man’s advice, darling.” A deep voice boomed from the hall. “You won’t get another chance.”

King Ragnar paraded into the room followed by a dozen masked and armored halberdiers. His scaly flesh was brown-gold, and he wore only a loincloth, a loose-fitting robe, and a crown topped by a deer’s skull complete with antlers.

“You must go!” Breaker hissed, taking Leila’s arm and attempting to lead her to the ring. Simone bit her lip and nodded.

“He is right,” the more mature succubus said, taking her daughter’s other arm. “Come along Leila.”

“No!” The younger succubus cried, still resisting.

“Turn the portal off, Simone.” Ragnar commanded. “If you don’t, I’ll kill your daughter.” The demon king raised a scaled hand, and flames enveloped it, forming into a dancing crossbow.

“Ragnar!” Josh shouted. He released Leila and stood in front of the women with his arms spread wide. “If you attempt to bring us harm, I will kill many of your guards. I may even kill you. But if you let them go, I will surrender as your prisoner.” His hazel eyes shone as he glanced over his shoulder at Leila. “Think of the value I could bring, not to mention the bragging rights! One of the most powerful men in the known world, in your dungeon. What do you say king?”

Ragnar lowered his hand and the crossbow dissipated in a puff of smoke. He stroked a smooth, leathery chin.

“That is a most interesting offer.”

“Josh, you can’t!” Leila screamed. Simone barely had hold of her.

“Go,” the demigod uttered. He turned and clasped the succubus shoulders, and then she shoved her and her mother carefully but forcefully through the portal. He spun as he had in the dungeon and kicked the pedestal. It seemed to groan, and the portal flickered and vanished.

“So,” Ragnar laughed. “It is decided for me.”

A dozen halberdiers surrounded Josh, and the burning crossbow reappeared, this time aimed at his head.

“Yes,” Breakers said. “I will be your prisoner.”

Leila landed on her round bum, her vision slightly blurred from the rough passage but also the tears. She stood quickly, her knuckles white with rage as she banged on the brick wall where the portal had spit her and her mother out.

“No, no Gods damn him no!” She screamed at the wall attracting the attention of a few citizens. Her body shook with sorrow and exhaustion, each blow from her fist lessened as her strength slowly betrayed her.

“Why, why would you let him do such a thing.” She directed her rage towards her mother who was slowly getting to her feet.

“Because I would do anything to save you and those babes,” she nodded down at her swollen belly as she reached out to touch it.

Leila swatted her hand away in disgust as she stalked off down the alley. Her mother quick in toe calling after to her. “I have to save him,” she called over her shoulder.

“You need rest and food, Josh knew what he was doing when he agreed to it. He cares for you and the babes and you haven’t rested or eaten since your quest has begun.” Her mother followed her into the busy streets of Fallien.

Leila rough shoved her way through the sea of bodies, her mother hot on her heels. “I will rest and heal once I free, Breaker.” She growled with irritation.

Leila’s unique orbs searched each shop desperately, she needed to quickly find a way to get back to Josh before Ragnar did unspeakable things to him for killing his eldest son.

Simone finally cornered her in a shop, “Leila you listen to me.” She took her daughter’s hand in her own. “I am doing this for your own good, once you are rested and healed we will look for him. I am sorry to do this.” Simone murmured softly.

“Do wha-,” a soft white powder was blown into her face as her vision blurred. Slowly everything went black as her mother’s arms wrapped around her.

“Once I get you to a healer, you rest and I know those babes I promise to help you Leila. Please find a way to forgive me.” Was the last Leila heard before everything went dark.

The Succubus Severed Soul.
Workshop

Rewards:

Sweet Seduction receives:
860 EXP
120 Gold

Breaker receives:
2190 EXP
120 Gold

All rewards have been added.