The Corruption of Calbrena (Solo)

[Aiko]

Darkness had settled upon Scara Brae. Through the trees of the forest, an Angel walked, clearly unafraid of the inhabitants of the forest, natural or otherwise. She was part way up a mountain, following a stream to its source, a small mountain lake at the base of a waterfall. Her blond hair glowed brilliantly in the moonlight, her wings folded neatly behind her.

The lake itself wasn't her destination, nor was the waterfall, it was the hidden cave behind the waterfall. In this cave lived a very experienced demonologist, despised by his fellow man for his knowledge. She had discovered him quite by accident a few weeks ago when she was browsing the markets in Scara Brae trying to decide whether or not she should update her wardrobe, which currently consisted solely of the white robe she now wore. He had recognized her by sight alone as a demoness, and not only that, knew she was an Abyssal Demon, not a Haidian Demon. The two races were remarkably similar, the differences being so minor, as to be inconsequential. This had drawn her to him, when he pulled her aside to inquire what a Demoness like her was doing in Scara Brae.

She had told him the truth, she was looking for more power, which started a conversation with the two of them becoming fast friends. During the intervening weeks that followed their initial meeting, he had shared his knowledge with her, forcing her to realize that the only way she could become stronger was through her family. She left him at this point to consider whether or not dealing with them was worth the greater power.

Now she was back, and she was prepared to do whatever it took to get her power. She hated dealing with her family, but realized it would be worth it. Her family was the ruling family of The Abyss. There were her brothers and sisters, The Seven Deadly sins. Each one of them was a member of the aristocracy, each one a Demon Lord, thus it was, all seven of them were Arch demons, far more powerful than the average demon could ever be. They all loved to torment Calbrena, each in their own unique way. Yet there was no one to stop them, for their father encouraged it, and even joined in. Their father was The Lord of The Abyss, its unchallenged ruler.

Calbrena stepped into the cave, no longer surprised that a small stone cottage stood within the cave.

“Abramelin, I'm back.” she called.

“Ahh, Calbrena my girl, this old man is happy to hear your lovely voice again. So, have you reached a decision regarding your future?” a voice inside asked.

She entered the cottage to find Abramelin sitting on a wooden chair before a small fire. The fire was smokeless, for it was magical. He was wearing a red leather shirt and tan pants. A gold Necklace was all that adorned him, and this necklace held a small blue pendant that bore symbols most would find horrid, demon symbols.

“I want to go back home. Though they might hate and torment me for being weak and inferior, not to mention a half angel, I must do it. I crave the power too much to not do it, and I tell you honestly, if it would bring me power, I'd do anything.” Calbrena said.

“I thought you'd arrive at that decision. You never did tell me though, who are your relatives, maybe I've heard of them.” Abramelin said as he got up to go rummage in a wooden chest in the corner.

“Oh, I'm sure you have, its not hard to hear of them and their deeds, they are The Seven Deadly Sins after all.” Calbrena said, then smiled as Abramelin froze in place, and turned to regard her with a weary eye.

He looked her up and down, then around the room, as though the aforementioned sins were going to suddenly appear in a blaze of fury. He made a sign of protection against unwanted visitors, then drew out a key made of Mythril. A ruby adorned its handle, and it glittered with planar magic.

“Its not nice to lie to your friends, demon or no. You couldn't possibly be related to them, you don't have their massive wings they inherited from Xith'rith'xail.” Abramelin said.

“Would it help if I proved it to you?” Calbrena asked still smiling.

“What does Xith'rith'xail look like?” Abramelin asked.

“Oh, everyone knows that, he goes around in the guise of an old human man, wearing a pinstriped business suit. He has no tail in this form, but he does have his wings. He walks with a cane of Black Mythril studed with Emeralds, Rubies, Sapphires, and Diamonds. It can control the environment and elements. However, his true form is that of a massive demon covered in magma. He wields a sword made of Adamantine. Its dark brown and has a series of grooves that make it sound as though its wailing in torment as it sails through the air. This is how it earned its name, Torment.” Calbrena said, as she stepped closer to Abramelin.

Abramelin again made the sign to ward off unwanted visitors.

“Dear me, I apologize great lady, for mistaking you. Not very many people know of Torment, least of all most demons. Allow me to make up for it by doing this for free, instead of what I was going to charge for using it.” Abramelin said, backing away from Calbrena slowly.

“Now Abramelin, we're friends. No need to fear me. I'll even put a good word in for you with my father.” she said.

Abramelin simply turned to a blank stone wall that was part of the mountain. He pointed the key at the wall and muttered something under his breath that Calbrena couldn't quite catch. The key flashed, and a crack appeared in the wall, widening into a cave entrance.

“Just, please, promise me you'll come back.” Abramelin pleaded.

“Of course, we're friends.” Calbrena said.

“You'll have to find your own way back, this door will seal shut behind you.” Abramelin said.

Calbrena nodded, and stepped through. With a grinding noise, the door shut behind her. She was home, in the Abyss. First things first, she had to adopt her Demon form. Thus, as a red glow suffused her body, her robes turned black, as did her hair and eyes. Her skin turned red, hard, and leathery, and her wings turned into the classic bat-like wings demons were known for. She felt her short tail swishing back and forth beneath her robes, and her nails hardening into claws. Fire danced on her skin as the transformation completed. With a sigh, she started the long walk down to the bottom. Hopefully she could find a few shortcuts and make it a quick journey.

[Aiko]

Calbrena walked along, lost in her own thoughts. She wasn't sure how her family would take her sudden change of heart, but she hoped it would be accepted. Growing up, she had always resisted her family's ways, not seeing why they chose to torment others like they did. But that was before she left them, before she found out just how weak she truly was.

She looked around as she moved, taking in and fully enjoying the sights of The Abyss. The Glowing walls providing the lighting, the creatures, some dangerous some not dangerous going about their lives. A shadow moved, and the air danced along in a breeze. Such was The Abyss, those who didn't live there found it creepy. Most chose not to enter The Abyss unless they had to. Calbrena found it beautiful, and inviting.

A shadow continued to move near her, someone, or something was following her. Quickly she darted into a nearby cave network. She darted up one path and turned down another. She saw the shadow following her, it must have scent based tracking abilities. She turned and went deeper into the network of caves.

A blue skinned demon with the power to control Ice watched Calbrena. He wondered just what she was doing. She was sneaking about as though she didn't want to be seen appearently. She had darted down into a cave. Seconds later, a yellow skinned demon with lightning abilities followed her, also sneaking along.

“What in blazes are they doing?” the blue demon wondered quietly as he arched an eyebrow and scratched his head in confusion.

He could see several pathways from where he stood. He watched in amusement as first Calbrena snuck by on a path that went close to the ceiling. Meanwhile, a green earth demon tiptoed by on a lower pathway. Moments later, Calbrena snuck by again on the same path the green demon just took going the opposite way. At that same time, a white demon able to use Holy energies snuck by on one path, stopped, and climbed the walls to another.

“Is this some sort of a mating ritual I'm not aware of? What kind of a Demon changes elements all the time anyway, unless, no, it couldn't be.” the blue demon said.

He knew of only two things that could look like any sort of demon it wanted. The first was a Chaos Demon, which was unlikely, as those were rare, the second was a creature without a true form, known as a shifter. Shifters preyed on demons, as much as demons preyed on them. Armed forces took out Shifters whenever they could. Calbrena darted around a corner, her red face having gone pale.

“SHIFTER!” she screamed in a panic. True enough, the Holy demon darted around the corner, turning into a fire demon.

The blue demon ran alongside Calbrena, both fleeing for their lives. They darted through caves and crossed paths several times, and still the Shifter came for them. They went around a particularly sharp bend, and didn't stop to look back as they heard something large crash into the wall behind them. They gained some distance, which was fortunate as the path was dividing. Calbrena pushed the blue demon down the left path while she took the right.

She darted into a new path and stopped as quickly as she could, she was faced with the yawning chasm of The Abyss, for the path had ended. The Blue demon came round on his path, and as she turned to stop him, he crashed into her, sending them both falling over the edge. The Shifter stopped and looked mournfully down into The Abyss as its meal plunged to its doom.

“Stupid! Now we're going to fall to our death!” Calbrena cried, tears trailing behind her as they fell.

“What! Can't your wings carry us to safety?” the blue demon asked.

“These shriveled things? They can't even let me glide!” Calbrena said, still in tears.

“Well, its better than being eaten alive by a Shifter. I'd make an Ice slide, but my magic isn't quite there. I can make Ice slides, but their not strong enough. If I was just a little better with Ice magic, I could save us.” the blue demon said.

Calbrena smiled through her tears. This at last, a chance of salvation. She turned into an angel, and the blue demon gasped in shock.

“YOU! I've heard of you. Can't you call upon your father? I hate feeding the man's god complex, but anything to stay alive.” the blue demon said.

“No, he hates me and would sooner let me suffer. I can give you better skill with Ice temporarily though.” Calbrena said.

She swam with her arms and legs even as she beat her wings to get closer to the blue demon so she could touch him. A warm glow suffused his body for a second, then faded. The Blue Demon in turn created a sheet of Ice that went down. He turned it gently until they were sliding and not falling. He spotted something in the distance, and aimed for it. With a splash both landed in one of The Abyss's rare creature-free lakes.

“We're alive!” Calbrena said in triumph, hugging and kissing the blue demon as she returned to demon form.

“Thank you, how long will this boost you generously gave me last?” the blue demon asked.

“Oh, it should be fading by now.” Calbrena said.

“I see. My name is Azash by the way.” the blue demon said.

“Nice to meet you.; I'm Calbrena, eighth spawn of The Lord of The Abyss, but I'm guessing you already knew that.” Calbrena said.

“Well, I knew you were his daughter, we all know about his eight children, we just never knew your name, only what you look like. So, what are you doing, escaping?” Azash asked.

“No, returning. I want to become a sin like my brothers and sisters.” Calbrena said.

“Isn't the full spectrum of evil already represented in your brothers and sisters?” Azash asked.

“I don't care, I just want more power. Now come on, lets get moving before something else tries to eat us.” Calbrena said, as she got out of the lake and started moving.

[Aiko]

Calbrena and Azash walked, mostly in silence because they had to go such a great distance. There were warps scattered throughout The Abyss, which could take you to another warp of your choosing, however neither knew where any where, beyond the one outside of Xith'Rith'Xail's manor at the bottom of The Abyss.

It was an unspoken agreement between the two that Azash would accompany Calbrena home. Neither led the way, because niether knew exactly where to go beyond “down”. Azash had warding magic that kept anything hostile from finding them interesting.

Thus it was they mostly talked in the evenings. Azash was a resident in the capital city of Abys Symal. He had been vacationing in Abys Luthmor, a small village with a door to Luthmor forest in Dheathain. He had considered Abys Concordia, but with the civil war in Corone, he didn't want to take the risk of two spells colliding and opening the gateway to the village. This was why it was sealed. Apparently, he was in such a situation in Abys Haidia, during the wars with the Dwarves.

He was interested in Calbrena and her life. So she shared some of her history with him, about growing up with a troupe of entertainers, and learning how to dance. This piqued his curiosity, so one night, three days after they met, they found a nice secluded cave, and she let him see every form of dancing she knew, including those she learned from her older sister, Lust. These dances of course, were apart of her education on the fine art of seduction, and since Calbrena was no slouch in its practice and execution, she successfully seduced Azash into a night of passion.

Finally, five days after starting their long trip down to the bottom, they reached it. If anyone thought the bottom of the abyss was broad, flat, and featureless, then clearly that person was either functionally retarded, or had never been to the bottom of the abyss. The abyssal floor had just as varied a landscape as Corone. Stalagmites rose from the floor like trees and bushes. Lava flowed in streams alongside normal streams of water. Clouds of steam marked where the two sometimes intersected. An actual desert marked one part of the floor, and at times became an ocean of magma, though no one was exactly sure why. Hills and mountains rolled about as though it were a rumpled blanket.

It was here that Xith'rith'xail made his home, alongside some of the most dangerous creatures of The Abyss. Still, Calbrena and Azash had another week's journey through this landscape to reach the manor.
Meanwhile, in his private quarters, Xith'rith'xail stood looking into a magic mirror he owned. It was comprised of his own collection of souls, people he had given power to in life, then claimed their souls in death for eternal damnation and torture. Eventually he tired of torture and forged them into a magic mirror in which he could look upon anywhere in Althanas and see what was happening. It also warned him of early approachers coming to his home.

It was six days after reaching the bottom that Xith'rith'xail was alerted to their presence by his mirror.

“I see, she returns home. In her heart I see promise. Beside her I see the future. Welcome home Corruption, your father has been waiting many years for your birth. Treat her well Azash, or I swear a Blood Oath to N'jal, that if you hurt her I will do things to you that will make others tremble in fear at the memory of your fate one thousand years to come.” Xith'rith'xail said, drawing a drop of blood from his fingertip to seal his blood oath as he looking in his magic mirror.

Picking up a bell made of Mythril and plated in Silver, he rang it, assembling his children.

“Your sister returns home. You will go forth and capture her. You will abuse her, torment her, be cruel to her, and mistreat her. She travels with a male demon, an employee in the Ordo Magus, his name is Azash. Wrath will capture him and beat him within an inch of his life. If Calbrena objects, he is to beat her within an inch of hers for objecting. Otherwise I desire that Lust be the first to have Calbrena, preferably for the night, once both Calbrena and her traveling partner arrive home.” Xith'rith'xail said.

The Seven Deadly Sins nodded, and departed on swift and silent wing. Except for Gluttony, he was simply too fat to fly, so he ran along huffing and puffing behind them. Xith'rith'xail sighed and turned back to his mirror.

“Forgive your father, Corruption, but one last cruelty is needed, otherwise you would believe something was wrong. Fear not, for I will insure Azash's continued life. He will heal, and be made whole. I'll even see to it he gets a promotion.” Xith'rith'xail said. Then, out of fatherly concern, he raised his Black Mythril cane studded with Rubies, Diamonds, Sapphires and Emeralds, and tapped the mirror with it, casting a spell.

Azash's senses suddenly screamed alarm at him as he felt a spell coming his way. He was, as Xith'rith'xail had noted, an employee in the Ordo Magus, a government organization that controlled the use and practice of magic. Of course, Xith'rith'xail was above the law, no one dared tell him he couldn't do something. He was an enforcement officer, and so had finely tuned senses that could detect extraordinarily subtle uses of magic. This one wasn't subtle at all. In fact, it was a simple pulse of magic.

“Calbrena, hold!” Azash commanded, stopping suddenly.

Calbrena stopped, looking alarmed. She flexed her claws and looked around for trouble.

“Someone's using magic, possibly Xith'rith'xail, I think we've been discovered.” Azash said worriedly.

“Well, we weren't exactly trying to sneak up on him. But watch out, he might send my brothers and sisters, The Seven Deadly Sins, to greet us. They have a habit of cruelty and abuse towards anything weaker than themselves, and guess what, we fit that description.” Calbrena warned.

“Don't worry, I'd take on Wrath himself for you.” Azash said confidently.

“That's a most reassuring statement, as I've been sent by my father to beat you within an inch of your life. I was afraid you'd run. I pray you don't turn coward and flee before we see how strong your confidence truly is, boy.” Wrath's gravely voice said as he dived down from above.

“Isn't this sweet? Lil' sis is bringing her boyfriend home. I can still sense lingering traces of last night's passionate lovemaking in the crystal forest.” Lust said landing near Calbrena.

Calbrena held Azash tightly, afraid of what her siblings were going to do.

“All the more reason to beat this novice to death. No one touches my sisters, weak or not, without my permission.” Wrath growled.

Azash gulped and swallowed hard, desperately wishing he hadn't been so noble as to escort Calbrena home.

[Aiko]

“Run, for your life, run.” Calbrena said, and immediately took off running, tailed closely by Azash.

Wrath simply stood there laughing. The pair ran back the way they came, but stopped and turned left when Pride simply appeared out of thin air. Sloth sat on a rock and watched them. He waggled a claw at them, and caused a lethargy to settle upon their bones.

“Don't be in such a hurry. We just want to play with our baby sister like a good bunch of siblings.” he said.

Calbrena and Azash stood there shaking their heads trying to shake off Sloth's power. As it faded, they found Greed looking closely at them.

“I think baby sis has had some run of good fortune, I smell money on her.” Greed said, getting closer.

“I think she should share. I notice her friend has a couple thousand on him. The Ordo Magus must be paying him a little too well.” Envy said, getting close enough to finger Calbrena's money pouch.

Azash froze Envy, as he took off with Calbrena.

“Maybe we should leave.” Azash said breathlessly.

“Don't be in such a hurry to go, why not stay for dinner?” Gluttony said slamming into both of them with his large belly.

“Don't worry, you can both sleep with me, it'll be fun.” Lust promised, running a hand over Azash's muscles.

“I don't sleep with whores.” Azash growled, getting up.

“YOU DARE CALL MY SISTER A WHORE?!” Wrath roared in anger, shaking the nearby stones. The other sins backed away fearfully, as Wrath charged Azash, grabbed him in mid stride, and slammed him into a Stalagmite so hard it broke at its base and fell over.

“AZASH!” Calbrena cried.

“Don't worry, I'll take him home and make a trophy out of him for Wrath.” Pride declared.

“I didn't come back to be tormented.” Calbrena cried as she picked up Azash. He was barely clinging to life.

“Don't be stupid, of course you came back to be tormented. We all know Daddy had you to be our pet.” Lust said.

“No!” Calbrena cried, but could get no further, as Lust sealed her lips with her own.

“Lust is right, no more talking out of you. Sleep now.” Pride said, and Sloth put her into a deep sleep.

Xith'rith'xail waited in the main foyer for his children to return. He sighed with relief when they brought young Azash back with Calbrena.

“Father, I must say, I feel bad for Azash, he didn't do anything. We're not actually that cruel to our own kind.” Pride said, carrying Azash's broken body.

“He called Lust a whore, that's enough.” Wrath growled quietly, carrying Calbrena like a sack of potatoes.

“Wrath, I AM a whore, lets be realistic.” Lust said, rolling her eyes.

“No your not, you don't charge.” Greed said, smiling.

“Your right, I give it away free, your the whore, willing to do anything, or anyone, provided there's enough money involved.” Lust shot back.

“Girls, girls, lets be civil. Growth only comes through unpleasant experiences. Azash will be stronger after this. Let me heal him.” Xith'rith'xail said, proceeding to pour a glowing potion over the nearly dead demon. With a blaze of fire that turned into a cloud of frost, Azash was made whole. Pride set him down, and Xith'rith'xail dragged him off for a private chat.

“Welcome back Azash. I must apologize for that rather rude reception. It was for Calbrena's benefit, and not your own. We must mistreat her, to make her stronger.” Xith'rith'xail said.

“But she was coming back because she wanted to be stronger, to be a sin like your other children.” Azash said.

“I know. As soon as she tells them tomorrow, I'll forbid them from ever mistreating or being cruel to her again. It was necessary, I'll explain why tomorrow. For now though, you may walk confidently as my guest among my children, they shall not harm you anymore. That too, was for her benefit. Tomorrow I shall allow you to return home.” Xith'rith'xail said.

“Ok, so, out of curiosity, how do you know my name?” Azash asked.

“I'm The Lord of The Abyss, what sort of ruler would I be if I didn't know my subjects by name? A poor one that's what.” Xith'rith'xail said.

[Aiko]

Calbrena sighed as she walked into Lust's private quarters. Sloth had silenced her while they decided what to do about her. None of the other sins were free to torment her at the moment, though clearly they wanted to. She could tell that much by the disappointment in their eyes. Their father was busy with what he termed “administrative duties relating to running The Abyss.” Fortunately, now, she could speak.

“Sister, I didn't come back to be tormented, or in your case, pleasured.” Calbrena said.

The concept of incest had never occurred to Lust, or so Calbrena imagined. Even if it had, Lust probably disregarded the fact that it was wrong and disgusting for any species to commit it. Then again, out of all her siblings, Lust was probably the only one Calbrena didn't have a problem being close with, possibly because Lust was so affectionate. Lust put a finger to Calbrena's lips, as she kissed her neck and held her close.

“Don't talk, put those lips to work doing something more worthwhile.” Lust whispered.

Calbrena felt her clothes suddenly disappear, thanks to Lust's power. If she didn't respond and cooperate, Lust would beat her, and take what she wanted anyway. So with an inward sigh of disgust at what she was about to do, Calbrena wrapped her arms around her sister.

“I've been on the Material Plane for quite awhile now.” Calbrena said softly, kissing her sister's neck.

“It must have been so hard. There's hardly any decent lovers there that match my standards.” Lust cooed softly, and then laid Calbrena down on her bed, working her way down from the neck..

“No one's as good as you are, you know that. You should be worshipped as the goddess of love you really are.” Calbrena said, more to earn favor with her sister so she could say what she wanted.

“So true. I've helped so many people get together over the years, its a wonder I haven't ascended.” Lust said, not stopping her endeavors for a chat.

“That's why I want to be like you sis. I want more power. I want to be a Deadly Sin like everyone else, it's why I came back.” Calbrena said, finally revealing why she came home.

This stopped Lust in her tracks. She stared hard at Calbrena for a few moments, then stopped her former activities, and simply laid on top of her sister, embracing her tightly.

“Who has forced you to come to this decision?” Lust asked sternly.

“No one, I saw how weak I was, remembered how strong the rest of you were, and decided I wanted power like yours too. I arrived at it myself. Regardless of whether my actions will be construed as good or evil, I don't care. I just want power.” Calbrena said.

Lust smiled, and kissed Calbrena soundly on the lips.

“Then congratulations are in order. I was going to simply tease you, and then make you satisfy me. Now instead, I think I'll give you pleasure like I know you've never felt before. I do have my priorities after all. After we're satisfied, we must tell everyone else.” Lust said.

Calbrena smiled, and relaxed, knowing this was going to be good. Yet later, all she could do was fall asleep, each sister holding the other close, both thoroughly exhausted.

[Aiko]

The next day, Calbrena awoke in time to see something she found rather shocking. Lust was getting dressed. It was a simple affair, a short black dress that hugged her body. Lust smiled at her sister as Calbrena sat up.

“I didn't think you owned clothes.” Calbrena said.

“Sometimes its more seductive. Besides, there's a point to this, that you'll see later.” Lust said.

Calbrena got dressed herself, and both went to the dining room where there were delicious smells wafting out of the kitchen. Her other brothers and sisters were all dressed in black silk. Gluttony was dressed in a black silk chef's outfit. Her father was dressed in the attire of a Hieromonk, also completely in black.

“Your brother's cooking smells wonderful. I suppose I shouldn't expect anything less from The Deadly Sin of Gluttony.” Azash said, looking quite nice, and seemingly no worse for his experiences yesterday.

“I don't know why, but Father has ordered that we all prepare for certain special Demonic Rites. Part of that involves certain foods, so I must cook with extra care today. Even you are supposed to partake in my cooking, instead of the crust of bread and water weaklings like you deserve.” Gluttony said before disappearing back into the kitchen.

Calbrena looked at her father, did he know her reasons for being here already? Yes, Azash must have told him. That would explain Demonic Rites, and her being allowed to taste Gluttony's finest cooking.

“I suppose Azash already told you then, and everyone's just playing along.” Calbrena said, feeling disappointed she didn't get to tell.

“He hasn't told us anything. But if someone doesn't tell me what's going on soon, I'm going to beat the answers out of you.” Wrath declared.

“Oh, well, I, that is, I, uhh,” Calbrena stammered trying to say what she was home for.

“Our baby sis has decided to join us as a sin!” Lust said, unable to contain her joy any further.
With a great crash of dishes falling on the floor, Gluttony barreled back out of the kitchen.

“Is this true?” the other six Sins asked simultaneously. Even Sloth sat up in joy, surprise, and excitement.

“No one forced me, I reached the decision of my own free-will. I want your power, no matter what I have to go through to get it.” Calbrena said, too afraid to meet the gaze of her brothers and sisters out of fear it would mean torture.

“I've known since I saw you coming home yesterday, my daughter. I sent your brothers and sisters out after you one last time. I've known since before you were born, when I first conceived you in your mother's womb. Everyone believes there are only seven deadly sins. Seven aspects of evil, seven ways to fall from grace. But there is one other aspect of evil. Has no one considered those that strive to maintain their purity and goodness, those that strive to stay out of the clutches of Darkness? Yes, there is one other sin, and I concieved you to embody it, to control it, and in so doing, make my campaign to overthrow the Gods and ascend to Godhood myself complete. You see Daughter, you are The Eighth Deadly Sin, Corruption. To you falls the power to crack the defenses of those your brothers and sisters cannot touch, to lure victims into the darkness for your brothers and sisters. As such, your powers will mirror all seven of theirs. You will not feast on a whole soul but rarely, instead only taking a small portion to feed and grow your own powers, for your powers truly do not need as much as theirs do.

Yet for you to attain these powers, you had to choose them willingly, uncoerced by external influence. It was because of this I was cold to you all your life, and that I directed your brothers and sisters to treat you the same, encouraging their cruelty and mistreatment. You see, if you felt love from us, as a normal child would, then it would coerce you into following family tradition, even if you didn't want to. It was to remove the biggest influence in your life. When your mother ran away and took you with her, I let her go, for the same reasons, and then, killed her, so that as an orphan in the Material Plane, you would be left solely to your own power, which was short. Even still, I freed you from your prison, and saw to it, you were taken care of. Not even I can fully fight the bonds of Paternal love. So I had a troupe of traveling performers find you and take you in. This is how you came to be able to dance.

When your siblings took an interest in your life, I let them go, so that you would be reminded of us, and our power. Old ways remained, and even though you were far away, they still tormented you. Now you have chosen of your own free will, to take up your heritage, have chosen to join us, no matter the consequence.

It is because of this, I free you from the torments and cruelties laid before you both by myself, and by your siblings. They have known of this, so I know there will be a change in attitude towards you, for truth be told, they have been waiting in anticipation to share with you their knowledge and skills.

Today Calbrena, you shall be born anew. From this moment on, I shall never again call you Calbrena, but by your rightful name, Corruption. I shall allow you to have relationships wherever you seek them, and if you choose to continue with the friendship you have started with Azash, I shall not stand in your way. If it grows into love, then so be it, I shall let it be. After we have prepared, I shall send Azash back to the Ordo Magus, for your benefit, and his own. His presence would disrupt the delicate nature of the rites. However take heart in that I hold no ill will against him. It is to prevent the rites from harming him that I do so.” Xith'rith'xail said, telling Calbrena at long last why her family had been so cruel to her for so long.

Calbrena felt a weight lift from her, as her brothers and sisters gathered round to embrace her. Gluttony came last, but that was because breakfast was prepared, a collection of meats, one of which was chicken, one beef, and one she didn't dare ask about. There were assorted fruits to go with it, and various roots. There was also a goblet full of a thick red liquid that may or may not have had blood in it for her to drink. She wasn't sure, but then when one questioned Gluttony, one tended to go hungry, so she ate and drank, and didn't ask what anything was. Her only regret was that Gluttony was fond of giving portions large enough for him. She never ate quite that much.

“Corruption.” her father said, before he started.

“Yes father?” Calbrena asked after she tried the mystery meat and mystery drink. She couldn't identify either.

“I love you.” he said, for the first time in her life.

[Aiko]

A gong rang from somewhere. It's tone was deep, as though it had welled up from somewhere very deep. Calbrena was chained to an alter made of blackened bones. Around her was her family. Her father was in charge of the ceremony. They had taken her to a secret hidden room in her father's manor, a temple to the powers of darkness, a tribute to her father's power. The room was pitch black, save for the glow of light from her family's eyes, dimly illuminating them.

She had been chained willingly. Her father told her, that her true powers were chained, sealed within her, inaccessable by ordinary means. They would never reveal themselves over the course of ordinary events. Even if her life were in danger, they would remain hidden. This ritual would change that. It would unseal them, allow them to emerge and grow.

The gong rang again, and Sloth, dressed in a black silk set of pajamas put his hands on her. Her father spoke the only one to speak throughout the entire ceremony, using a language Calbrena neither knew, nor understood.

“Kyord`shrithma, rheums nyora, ayih scinthrel.”

Sloth stepped back, and Envy stepped forward in plain black silk monk robes. Calbrena felt anxiety and excitement, but little else. Was this all a ploy? No, it couldn't be. Her father had great power. Surely he wouldn't fail, or toy with her like this.

“Shregrah'themca, ehrgth wilalwa, ayih lerhtnics.”

Envy stepped back, and as Gluttony stepped forward in his black silk chef's outfit, Calbrena began to notice something else, a faint tingle. It was coming from within. She thought the chains had begun to glow, but these were ordinary steel chains, why would they glow? As Gluttony put his hands on Calbrena, something else made its presence known. Anxiety had evolved into fear and tredeptation.

“Hrowgra schinia, redrum yloh, hiya scinthrel.”

Gluttony stepped back. Yes, there was definitely a tingle. She had no idea what would happen. A part of her didn't want to know, wanted to run, to flee and hide. Part of her wanted to know more, to explore deeper, to find out what would come. She knew she had an angelic side, a part of her that was stubbornly attached to the powers of light. Perhaps it was that which wanted to run in fear. Greed put her hands on Calbrena as she stepped forward in her black silk outfit which resembled a cross between the uniform of a banker, and that of a merchant. The chains really were glowing, a faint blue light pulsing through them.

“Hana`akanaey shrokra'gelthintay, ayih lerthinics.”

Greed stepped back. Lust stepped forward in her black silk party dress. Calbrena couldn't feel her touch, all she could feel was a growing sensation of weightlessness. It was all she could do to keep from panicking and struggling. She fought her good side, pushed back its fear, accepting the dark rite being performed on her. The chains were no longer pulsing with blue light, they simply glowed with blue light uniformly.

“Carno'sethmoaly, worg krad, hiya scinthrel.”

Lust stepped back, and Wrath stepped forward, his black silk was in fact sewn over black leather armor. Calbrena felt a sense of joy and power replacing all other sensations. Dimly, she became aware of the fact there was no longer any steel pressing down upon her. The chains had become solid blue energy, yt they held her down all the same.

“Reth'gla rejowcip, iganhcge relfuep, ayih lerhtnics.”

Wrath stepped back, and Calbrena felt like she was flying, soaring through The Abyss. She felt the weight of something fall from her, but she could think of nothing that could fall. She heard it fall to the floor, like a body hitting the ground. Suddenly it occurred to her that something had somehow vanished from her, as though through her imaginary flight, she had left part of herself behind. Pride stepped forward, dressed like a goddess in her black silk. Her hands pulsed with power, and her touch shot through Calbrena's mind, searing it with a pain she had never known. Despite her attempts to stay quiet, she cried out in agony, and Pride smiled as though she were supposed to cry.

“Lerthnics`scinthrel, bnahshi diliasa, hiya liax'htir'htix”

The chains had gone bright white. Her father put his hands on her as Pride stepped away.

“Muinomednap nesfic, hiya liax'htir'htix.”

The pain was gone, replaced with a sense of joy and triumph, Calbrena wanted to shout her feelings to The Abyss. Her arms involuntarily struggled against the chains. She felt full of life and energy, she couldn't stay here anymore. All seven sins joined their father, everyone holding her down.

“Nith'oh, ahn`ago, arksen ssyba, liax'htir'htix”

All eight of them grabbed her and pulled upward, snapping the chains and throwing her to the top of the eight foot room. Light emerged from every direction, and Calbrena found herself perched on the ceiling staring down, screaming in triumph and glory. Then the force of the throw faded, and she began to fall. Wrath caught her, and set her down.

“It is finished!”Xith'rith'xail said in exultation.

“Nice ceiling dive sis.” Wrath said, smiling.

“So, what were you saying during all that, translated into common?” Calbrena asked.

“Such a translation is impossible. However the general concept is, is that I was first weakening the seal, then destroying it, then preventing your good side from resealing it. However, you should know that this hasn't actually given you any power. It merely enabled you to obtain it. No, in order to obtain it, you must let it grow over time. It took Wrath nearly two centuries to realize his full power. Envy on the other took only a decade.” Xith'rith'xail said.

“Ok, now what were the chains for?” Calbrena asked.

“Symbolisim is important in ritual and ceremony, regardless of the religion, or form of magic. It is universal. Go ahead, research it for yourself, or ask a scholar who knows. You'll find every form of belief, without exception, has its own symbolisim. In this case, they represented the seal on your power. By banishing them, we banished the seal.” Xith'rith'xail said.
“Ok, then what next?” Calbrena asked.

“Next, we change out of these horrid garments.” Lust said, and promptly left to go hang her dress up.

“Speak for yourself, I'm hungry after that.” Gluttony said, and left to go make himself a small feast to eat.

“Actually, you and I are going to go outside. I want to see first hand just how good your combat skills are. I'm going to improve them. No Sin will be without adequate fighting skills. Not if I have anything to say about it.” Wrath said.

“Tomorrow, after you've recovered, I'll teach you how to devour a soul.” Pride said.

“After that, we'll see.” Xith'rith'xail said.

Calbrena nodded, and then slowly walked down the corridors to the outside, moving like a condemned prisoner going to her death. Wrath wouldn't take it easy on her. She was certain she was going to suffer having every bone in her body broken, her skin all bruised up, permanent disfigurement, everything but the sweet release of death, to avoid having to live with whatever injury Wrath was about to inflict upon her.

[Aiko]

Calbrena thought they were just going to go out front and spar. Instead, Wrath lead her to his section of the manor. Outsiders couldn't appreciate the size of the place based on its name alone. Xith'rith'xail's Manor failed to give the fullness of its size. In truth, it was a rather massive structure, part fortified castle, part temple. It covered one square mile in size. Wrath was taking her to the east wing, to his rooms. There he had hidden, an arena.

It was about fifty feet across, and had the bodies of dead Aibrone Monks chained to its walls. Their souls and powers remained trapped in the Arena, and Wrath had direct control over them while he was within the arena, enabling him to do anything they could, but only so long as it was done within the confines of the arena.

“I won't worry about any sort of an environment. This fifty foot dirt circle will suffice. Now, come at me with all you've got. Don't worry, I'm a big demon, I can take it.” Wrath said.

“That's not what I'm worried about.” Calbrena said, blushing.

“Aww, don't worry Sis, I'll have my audience heal you.” Wrath said, gesturing at the dead monks.

“But, I can't even injure you. My claws, sharp though they may be, rival only steel in strength. I've seen Prevalida weaponry bounce off your skin.” Calbrena said.

“So? We're not trying to kill you, even though it'd be effortless for me. We're measuring your skill, and seeing where it needs improvement.” Wrath said.

“Everywhere.” Calbrena admitted.

“Don't say that Cally, show that brute what you've got!” a familiar voice called from the stands.

“AZASH!” Calbrena said, suddenly excited.

“Surprise. He never left for the Ordo Magus headquarters like he was supposed to. He got lost and wandered over here.” Xith'rith'xail said, bringing Azash up to the stands.

Calbrena smiled. Since she had a fan, she couldn't possibly let him down. She straightened up, and started dancing. She had been taught how to use dancing as a method of fighting, an unorthodox method true, but that was what made it so deadly. No one expected it in battle.

“That's it, that's all you've got? Come on twinkle-toes, you can do better than that.” Wrath said, laughing.

Calbrena leaped closer to him, and as she spun, let her claws fly so that as she spun, she could let each claw hit him once on each revolution. Wrath merely side-stepped, dropped down, and kicked her legs out, making her fall.

“Now stop playing around. Don't tell me a pretty spin is all you've got.” Wrath said, still full of merriment.

Calbrena got back on her feet, and growled.

“No, no, no. That's not a proper demon growl. You've got to instill panic and terror in them. Like this!” Wrath said, thinking her weak growl was an attempt at intimidation.

He let loose with a low guttural growl that was particularly vicious, one of his better growls. Azash clung onto Xith'rith'xail for protection. Calbrena meanwhile backed away in fear.

“Get off me boy, he's not after us.” Xith'rith'xail said in irritation.

“HAH! See there, that's a good growl. Now come on again.” Wrath said, smiling.

Calbrena choked back the sob of fear that had been trying to escape, and rushed him, trying to tackle him. He set himself, and grabbed her as she put her arms around him. Calbrena screamed in fear as he lifted her up and slammed her down on her back. It was merely a fraction of his strength, but it still hurt. Calbrena just lay there, groaning in pain.

“Oh fine then, you big pansy. Go take a rest.” Wrath said in exasperation as he rolled his eyes. He walked off to the other side and sat on a wooden bench.

Azash hopped down and ran over to Calbrena.

“Are you alright?” he asked worriedly.

“I feel like I've been on the receiving end of a charge by an entire brigade of knights.” Calbrena complained.

“I know the feeling.” Azash said, remembering how Wrath treated him the other day.

“I'm sorry about that.” Calbrena said, managing to sit up.

“No worries. It's my fault anyway, everyone knows to be careful around Wrath. Besides, I like you.” Azash said.

Calbrena blushed.

“You do?” she asked, smiling.

“Well, yeah. I thought we had started to grow close over the course of our trip down. Now, come on, get up and show him what you've got.” Azash said.

“What I've got, isn't suited for taking on one of the most powerful demons in The Abyss. The odd thief on the material plane maybe, but not Wrath.” Calbrena said.

Wrath rumbled on over.

“How you feeling?” he asked.

“Better.” Calbrena said.

“Good. Off you go Azash.” Wrath said, and pointed at a set of stairs back to the stands.

Azash sighed, and went back up to the stands. Wrath meanwhile, hauled Calbrena to her feet. Then he raised one claw over his head. The dead Aibrone monks began to glow, as did the arena.

“Come my trophies. Give me an arena in the trees. Let us fight while going from branch to branch.” Wrath said, as the glow blotted out all sight.

[Aiko]

The light cleared, and Calbrena found herself standing on a foot wide branch ten feet away from Wrath, who was on a separate branch, and about one hundred feet off the floor of a dense forest. Calbrena gripped the trunk of the tree she was on in sudden fear.

“Don't be so cowardly. It's just death! If you continue to be so timid, you'll never be able to survive in The Firmament.” Wrath shouted.

“I can survive just fine, I'm just nervous about falling, that's all.” Calbrena said.

Wrath sighed and slapped his forehead. He leaped off the branch to the floor below. A vine shot out of the trees, seized him, arrested his fall, and hauled him back up to the branches. Calbrena breathed a sigh of relief, and felt just a little ridiculous about doubting her brother.

“Now can we get on with this? I chose this arena as a disadvantage to me. Your a dancer, just dance across the branches.” Wrath said.

Calbrena suddenly realized what Wrath was trying to teach her. No matter how much she excelled, dancing wasn't for fighting. It may have worked well so far, but it would eventually fail in the face of an opponent with actual skill in fighting. She needed to adopt knew fighting techniques.

“I get it Wrath, my dancing's no good. I need to drop it. So teach me to fight properly then.” Calbrena said.

“Amazing, and it only took one bump over the head. I was going to pile-drive you into the forest floor once you got close. Instead, lets start with movement. Leap from branch to branch. Chase me, keep up, this is how you should be moving on the ground. Nimbly, never standing still unless its necessary!” Wrath shouted, moving away from her.

Calbrena took a deep breath, let it out, and then gave chase. She knew brothers and sisters might play tag with one another as entertainment, but never had she heard of them doing it as adults, as a form of training. At first she kept slipping, because her footing wasn't right. She was just setting her feet down wherever. Thank goodness the vines were there. Privately, she decided she enjoyed falling, just so the vines would haul her back up. She wondered if she might make a sport of it somehow, with magically enchanted vines.

Eventually though, she got the hang of leaping from branch to branch, made all the easier because they were exceptionally wide branches. She chased Wrath around the trees, and caught him in a thick grove of trees. He turned, and with an evil grin that spoke volumes about the harm he wanted to do to her if he caught her, began to gave chase. Not at full speed of course, Wrath was holding back a lot, but he was still really fast. Calbrena saw that Wrath was happy despite not fighting. This meant that he actually had god-like control over his anger and abilities, making him a far more calculating individual than she initially gave him credit for as a little girl.

When Calbrena slipped and fell again off the branch, he was there waiting for her when she got back up. He grabbed her, and kissed her on the forehead.

“Gotcha!” he said with a smile, then turned and fled, egging her to chase him again.

Calbrena had a plan though. She could calculate too. She ran behind a tree with a thick cluster of branches, hiding amongst them. She pulled one back as far as she could, and then when Wrath came near, let go. With a satisfying crack she heard it impact, catching him unaware.

“AHHH!!!” Wrath roared all the way to the bottom. With a snap the vines supposed to catch him snapped causing him to hit bottom with a thud. The arena glowed white again, returning everything to normal. Somewhere in the process, Wrath had been restored from hitting bottom. He sat up and glared at her.

Calbrena couldn't help but smile, then laugh. She threw her arms around him and gave him a hug. Then, unable to resist any longer, Wrath smiled too. Definitely had God-like control over that anger.

“That's my girl. You show promise, keep it up, and I might have to stop holding back. Let me take a breather. I don't actually need one, but I see your friend up there on the edge of his seat. You probably need a chance to catch your breath, you are a woman after all, so I'll let you take one.” Wrath said.

“And what does me being a woman have to do with it?” Calbrena asked sternly.

“Everyone knows Men are physically superior to women, we're stronger, more durable, and much better at fighting.” Wrath said.

“Ever hear of an Amazon?” Calbrena asked, dangerously.

“Those men in skirts? Don't make me laugh. If their the best women can offer, then I'm thoroughly insulted.” Wrath said, walking away.

Calbrena clenched her fists, ready to stand up and shout. But Azash was there, with a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

“Don't listen to him. He wouldn't know a real amazon if she walked up, shook his hand, and introduced herself. In fact, I'm certain any one of them could change his mind.” Azash said.

Wrath looked back at Calbrena, still smiling. He was calculating indeed. His words had been said with a purpose. He wanted her angry at him. He wanted her to be ready to rip his head off. He felt like an adult cat playing with a rambunctious kitten. Most people thought of Wrath only as a demon that went berserk at the slightest thing. But that was an act, a show, to throw his opponents off.

He knew just the arena for this next part. He'd make it the last. An arena that would allow him to send both ranged and melee attacks at his sister. This next fight would be for real. Calbrena just needed one more insulting push to get her to come at him with everything she had, so he could teach her how to fight for real, and not dance like a coward. Yes, he would teach her the secrets of the Demon Rage technique.

[Aiko]

“So, you want to go explore more of The Abyss later?” Azash asked.

“Definitely. I'm not sure what's going to happen in the near future, but more time with you is definitely a possibility.” Calbrena said, smiling.

“You two ladies done gabbing?” Wrath asked as he came back over.

He raised a hand, not even bothering to wait for an answer. The arena began to change.

“Wait, I'm not a combatant!” Azash protested.

“It's not like it matters, your both so weak you couldn't take candy from a baby. Typical women, both of you. Too weak to do anything, yet full of opinions and desire to be treated equal. Well get over it. You're not equal. You're inferior.” Wrath said.

Calbrena screamed in fury. She turned on Wrath, not caring what the arena was going to turn into. Demons were difficult to calm down once they got angry, and Calbrena was no exception. She was tired of being insulted, tired of hearing her gender be insulted. She was going to shut him up, even if there was a vast difference in their abilities.

As Calbrena charged towards Wrath, everything went bright white as the spell to change the arena finished activating. The only visible difference that had come from it, was the floor was now comprised of cobblestone. Ranged weapons stood on the wall.

Wrath smiled, now this was what he wanted. He waited for Calbrena, and decided to simply punch her in the gut to stop her. He was pleasantly surprised when she dodged it. She tackled him, and because he didn't prepare himself to take it, he was knocked over. He lay there for a second, and let Calbrena hit him a couple of times with her claws. He grabbed her, and held her away so he could speak.

“Your strength is of average quality. Don't forget the weakpoints. Humans, Demons, Elves, and similarly belt creatures all die if you rip out their heart. The neck is another good point of attack. Very few things can live without an attached head.” He said.

Calbrena was struggling to be free, so he tossed her to the side and rolled to his knees, but that was as far as he got before he found her coming back at him with her foot extending to kick him in the face. Clearly she had scrambled to her feet. This was good, she had potential. She was still using her dancing, using a spin for her kick.

Her foot connected solidly with his face. Azash heard the impact from nearby. Wrath noticed her kicks were stronger than her punches and claw attacks. Wrath's eyes glowed, and he poured his power into the ground. Spikes exploded in front of Calbrena, forcing her to halt her advance least she impale herself. Wrath used that to finish getting to his feet. Then to show off, he crushed the spikes beneath his own feet.

He sent a kick right back at Calbrena, it connected and launched her into the air. Azash ran around in a panic trying to catch her. Meanwhile Wrath casually strolled to the arena walls and plucked a crossbow off the wall. He preferred longbows, they had more range and were faster, but he wasn't trying to kill Calbrena either, so he could afford the longer reload time.

He looked over to see Azash succeed in catching Calbrena solely due to the fact that she fell on him. Wrath sent the healing powers of the dead Aibrone monks through her to rejuvenate her.

“Just like a woman, having to be healed mid-battle.” Wrath said, smiling.

Successfully reminded about her anger, Calbrena got to her feet, not certain about whether or not she wanted to continue. Wrath didn't give her time to figure it out, and shot his crossbow at her. Fortunately she was far enough away to react in time. She threw herself to the side.

Wrath reloaded and shot again, aiming at her form, laying prone on the ground. Calbrena rolled. Yes, she had good dodging techniques. Time to finish it. Wrath threw the crossbow at Calbrena who easily dodged the slower projectile.

He brought his wings and claws low to the ground, extending his power into the rivers of magma below the mansion. Slowly he raised his claws and wings, forcing the magma up through the surface. The ground shook and trembled with the rising force. Always end with something impressive, that was Wrath's method.

Calbrena forgot her anger and screamed in terror as the geysers of magma erupted all around her brother. Fireballs filled the air, even as molten rocks hurtled towards her. Xith'rith'xail merely flicked a wing, and shielded his manor, and himself.

Azash rushed over and held Calbrena close, erecting an ice shield around them, straining with all his might to keep it up. Time passed, and he felt himself weakening. Then, he could hold it no longer. The shield dropped to reveal Wrath standing nearby with his arms crossed. The magma, the molten rocks, all of it was gone, as was Calbrena's father. Azash looked down to see Calbrena still gripping him fiercely in her arms, her eyes squeezed shut.

“It's over.” Wrath declared.

Calbrena opened her eyes, loosened her grip, and looked around. Finding no attacks, she let go.

“I said what I did, only to get you to come at me with everything you had. I have indeed encountered Amazons before, and even greater warriors than them. I hold great respect for women, as some of the greatest fighters I have ever encountered have been women. Now listen.

After seeing you fight, I have decided to teach you a technique known as Demon's Rage. Keep you dancing, or forget it altogether. It seems to have its good points. Demon's Rage can either replace it, or compliment it nicely. Simply put, you use your inherent powers as a sin to store your anger. When you need a boost in power, simply release it, often with a bloodthirsty roar. This will send you into a state even more terrifying than an ordinary berserker's rage. Once in this state, you are incapable of stopping until you have vented all of your stored emotion, that, or your killed. But use it with caution. You will also feel your wounds less, and a grievous wound could kill you. You will also turn on your allies if there is no one else to fight. If no one is about to fight, you will lay waste into the environment about you. As you practice, you will gain greater control over this power, and eventually be able to stop yourself mid-rage, bottling your emotions for next time.” Wrath said.

Xith'rith'xail came over to speak his mind.

“I think you have potential. What's hindering you now is your good side. It's still in control, and if you do nothing to change that, it always will be. You need to actively feed and put your evil side in control. After you put it in control once, it will be possible to kill your good side utterly. To this end, Pride will teach you how to devour a soul. Out of all you children, she's always been the best with magic. Azash, I'm sending you away now, and I stand firm in this. I want you to leave my daughter alone for a few days. If I catch you near her, I will have Wrath hunt you down and amuse himself with you, is that clear? She needs to attend to her personal needs.” Xith'rith'xail said.

“I understand. So, in a week, you want to get together?” Azash asked, looking at Calbrena.

Calbrena glanced at her father momentarily, long enough to see him give a slight nod of acceptance.

“Sure, I should be free by then. Of course, you have to come here and get me.” Calbrena said, smiling.

Azash nodded, then smiling like he had hit the jackpot, he turned and left for Abys Symal, it was time for him to return to work in the Ordo Magus anyway.

[Aiko]

An hour later, Calbrena stepped foot into Pride's meditation chamber. It was twenty feet across, and hexagonal in shape. Four columns stood in the center on a raised platform, each leaving a five foot foot space to enter a central five foot square spot where a large purple cushion with gold seams sat on the floor. The room itself was sparsely decorated, having only a few golden braziers in which burned fires of different colors, each one a different color of the rainbow. Incense burned from holders throughout the room, making Calbrena's mind feel hazy.

Pride herself sat on the purple cushion deep in meditation. Calbrena could feel her power throughout the room. Unsure of whether she should disturb her sister or just leave her alone, Calbrena stood there watching her. Pride's wings were held erect. She was the only sin to have angel wings, but these were made of black feathers. Pride looked like a fallen angel, her beauty surpassed all mortals. Few indeed were those who could claim to be more beautiful than her, but if this claim was true or not was for the beholder to decide. Calbrena wondered if there was a reason her hands were joined together, as though in prayer, and decided it was simply a part of Pride's meditation position.

The sin was perfectly still, her legs crossed before her. Her eyes were closed, and her hair fell to the middle of her back, it was as black as her wings, as black as her eyes, and some would say, as black as her heart. Her skin was perfect, not a single flaw dared show itself, thus her skin was remarkably fair. Calbrena circled the platform, looking at her sister. Calbrena wondered if this really was her sister, or a very lifelike statue. When Pride finally spoke, Calbrena almost jumped out of her skin in surprise.

“Enjoying my beauty, sister dear?” Pride asked.

There was only one rule when dealing with Pride, always compliment her at every available moment.

“Yes, I was just trying to figure out how I might attain beauty like yours, but perhaps I should give up in that fruitless endeavor. No one could be as beautiful as you.” Calbrena said, coming up with the most flattering thing she could think of on the spot.

“It would be for the best. Now, how fares my favorite baby sister?” Pride asked.

“I'm doing as well as can be expected, under the circumstances, thank you for asking. Father said you were going to teach me how to devour a soul, since you were the best out of everyone at using magic, I was wondering if this was true. I hope so, as the concept of learning from you is truly exciting. But I see you are busy, so I'll just leave.” Calbrena said.

“Actually I was waiting for you, you took so long getting here I was beginning to suspect you didn't like me and were trying to avoid me.” Pride said, looking hurt.

“Oh no sister dear, I love you more than anyone else. It's just that you and Wrath live on opposite ends of the manor. It took me awhile to get over here. I came straight away when I learned of your lesson.” Calbrena said quickly, trying to avert Pride getting upset.

“Well, I suppose it can't be helped then. Come, let us begin straight away.” Pride said.

She drew her hands apart, and drew in the flames from the walls around her into the space between her hands. She pushed her hands back together, and the flames shot out, and surrounded Calbrena, enveloping her. They did not harm her, nor did they eat her clothes. Calbrena felt like she was falling, and all she could see was rainbow flame. The flames parted, and flew to empty braziers on the walls of a new room, lighting it with their glow. This room was exactly the same as the other, but four times larger. However, there was no way out of this room. Pride stood, and descended on marble steps to stand by her sister.

“What do you know of the process and reasons behind our eating of souls?” Pride asked.

“Nothing.” Calbrena admitted.

“Then I shall explain entirely. All things have the ability to use great power. Many of the parts of a person cannot be transferred, and thus, power is not easy to steal. However, we discovered long ago, that if a person's soul is devoured, then not only do your own powers grow, but you gain control over them. The Soul is the immaterial part of a person, it contains their free-will, it is immortal, and cannot be destroyed normally.

Yet we are not normal. All eight of us represent evil, in its various fashions. All people, regardless of species, desire things. It is simple, we give them what they want, and they give us their soul. A contract, signed in blood, assuring us of our goal. So we began to make bargains, in exchange for souls from those we perform services for. We have given away power and wealth, in exchange for souls. Our gifts are temporary, lies constructed to get us what we want. Our ultimate goal is to dominate and control Althanas in its entirety. Thus the souls. The more we eat, the more powerful we become, because when we devour a soul it becomes apart of our own, and the more powerful a soul we possess, the greater our powers. Once a person dies, and we own their soul, we torture the rest of them for eternity, for that too, adds to our power.

The process is quite simple. You have native inborn power. Feel it, touch it, get to know it. It manifests in you as a fire on your skin. Have it enter your victim and draw out their soul. Then, eat it.” Pride said.

“But, I don't have control over my power, I don't even know how.” Calbrena protested.

“Your will must be stronger than your power. Direct it, control it.” Pride said.

It took two days of trying, but under Pride's supervision, Calbrena learned how to touch her power, how to control it. It felt like a raging inferno, and it seemed hungry. Finally, Pride brought out one of her own victims. First she held him close, as though everything was going to be okay, then using her own power, which manifested as bright multi-colored fire, drew out the man's soul. It looked like a bluish-white sphere of energy. She didn't eat it, so much as she breathed it in through her mouth. A look of ecstasy crossed her face.

“Now sister, it is time for you to be born anew, to become the sinful creature you are supposed to be. Come, let us fly to the firmament, I will help you get your first victim.” Pride said, and then once more transported them via the multi-colored fire on the walls.

[Aiko]

Calbrena found herself standing in a small village, somewhere in Corone. She knew that much because the banner of the Coronian Empire hung over a nearby building, where the mayor presided. Apparently, she was invisible, thanks to her sister Pride. Pride simply pointed at the building, and did not speak.

Calbrena entered the house, and found the mayor in his office sitting behind an oak desk. Calbrena didn't know what powers Pride was using, but they allowed her to walk through solid walls like they weren't even there. Pride joined her, and put a hand on Calbrena's shoulder.

“Time is a fragile thing. I have sundered it into two pieces. We exist only in the smaller second. Everything else exists in the larger second. Because we don't exist in that second, we cannot be seen, and our words, though heard, resound only in the listener's heart. A second enchantment allows us to pass through walls. It is in this state, that we find our victims, for consent, though necessary, need not always be directly given. If the listener hears our words, and follows them, then consent has been given to take their soul, for the deal has been made.” Pride said.

Calbrena felt like a young lioness, stalking her first prey. She regarded the mayor, he looked like a man that had never really partaken in any of life's vices, trying his best to keep to the straight and narrow. He was middle aged, hair turned gray, and though he wasn't fat, he wasn't skinny either. He wore a gray suit, and was looking over some paperwork.

“Though we could have easily taken this man earlier in life, he has never been of much interest to us. His affairs in life are small, his influence is small, he has no reason to interest us in preying upon him. He is however, an easy victim, so we give him, and others like him to you sister, to hone your skills upon. Momentarily, he will meet in secret with a member of the Corone Rangers, they seek to put him in their pocket. They have tried before, and each time he resists, a faithful loyal man of the Empire. No matter what happens here, it won't affect the overall situation very much, if at all. He is simply one man, with a small town near the borders between the Empire, and the Resistance.” Pride said.

The door opened, and a young woman stepped in, she wore a white robe over her ranger uniform. Red hair spilled down over her robe, green eyes darting about, as though expecting someone to leap out at her. Closing the door behind her, she sat down before the mayor.

“Ahh, good to see you again Lucrecia. I trust the Empire has been dogging your steps since last we met?” the mayor asked, not looking up from his paperwork.

“You know why I'm here, Mayor Lown.” the woman known as Lucrecia said.

“She's pretty.” Calbrena remarked.

“Yes, yes, you want safe passage through my territory into the Empire, for you and your group.” Mayor Lown said.

Calbrena noticed he took a keen interest in Lucrecia, clearly he was attracted to her.

“Lucrecia, you should seduce him, you know he likes you. If you let him partake in the pleasures of your body, he will give you what you want.” Calbrena said, speaking to Lucrecia.

As Pride had said, she gave no sign of having heard Calbrena, no notice of seeing her, yet all the same, she took off her robe, and swept her hair behind her. She leaned forward, and looked the mayor in the eyes. Mayor Lown shifted with a sudden discomfort in his chair as he put his paper work down.

“I promise, we'll make no mention of what you've done. We'll keep it quiet.” Lucrecia said.

Calbrena could tell, he was thinking about other things.

“What is there to think about old man, let them across. Have you no pride in your empire's military strength? Can't they easily handle a group of rangers coming across the border?” Calbrena asked, the man.

“I, uh, well I'm sure the Empire can handle your friends, but still, it isn't right.” Mayor Lown said.

“Of course it isn't right, the way the Empire treats its citizens. A man like him, cooped up in a small town like this. He should be given a more important position, to reflect his true value to society, no, to you.” Calbrena said to Lucrecia.

“But surely you'd like to be recognized for your importance to the Rangers once we defeat the Empire. Perhaps somewhere close to me?” Lucrecia asked.

“Look at her, a beautiful young woman like that. Can't you see how she wants you? She's offering to keep you close to her. You can have her. Lean in closer to her, talk about what she's willing to do for you now.” Calbrena said to the mayor.

Mayor Lown moved his papers to one side, and leaned in close.

“What if I'm not around that long? What are you willing to do in the near future?” Mayor Lown asked.

“Remove your robe and weapons, sit on his lap. Take it a bit further, you've almost got him.” Calbrena encouraged.

Lucrecia stood.

“Well, there's something we could do today.” Lucrecia said, encouragingly.

She removed her robe, took off her bow and quiver, and set them in the corner. She undid her sword belt, and let it fall to the side. She sat on Mayor Lown's lap, and threw her arms around his shoulders.

“She's in your lap. What would it hurt, let them through, and she'll let you take her. It's now or never.” Calbrena said.

“Well, I suppose it wouldn't hurt. The Empire's military is strong, and so am I.” Mayor Lown said.

“Quick, before he changes his mind, seal the deal. You know what you've got to do. It isn't fair to tease him and then take it away. You've come this far Lucrecia, don't turn back now.” Calbrena said.

Lucrecia simply smiled, and kissed Mayor Lown on the lips, while they both fumbled with their clothes.

Pride nudged Calbrena on the shoulder. She had them. Calbrena concentrated, and touched them both on the shoulder. Her fire danced on their skin, forming a pair of clawed hands that drew out their spirits. Calbrena grasped them, and drew them to her, and as Pride did, inhaled them through her mouth.

“I'm proud of you sister, you've successfully corrupted two innocent souls. You've done Evil proud today.” Pride said, hugging her sister.

Calbrena felt lightheaded, and lost her balance. Pride grabbed her, and they both disappeared, while Lucrecia and Mayor Lown finished sealing their arrangement.

[Aiko]

“She's done well father. I know you watched. Lucrecia is Sloth's dominion now, for once she finds out that the mayor impregnated her today, yet dies tomorrow, she'll fall under his domain. The child was never supposed to exist in the first place. He's mine, now and forever.” Pride said.

Calbrena could only lay there, under the shade of the trees in Concordia forest. Pride was speaking into a small pool of water. Her head was swimming with ecstasy, it was like sex, only better. Her eyes lazily swam over to Pride's face as she bent over her.

“I will leave you now. Your in the normal flow of time, so watch yourself. Goodbye for now, sister dear.” Pride said, then disappeared on the spot.

Calbrena's mind filled with visions. Was this what it was like to be a sin, filled with such euphoria after eating a soul? She felt bad for the pair she had used, but she also wanted to do it again. The sky went into a spectrum of many colors. The trees seemed to grow truly massive. Her eyes closed, and she let the feelings take her away.

She saw herself standing among the Corone Rangers, fighting a troop of demons from Haidia. In her visions, she had full wings, able to fly as she wished, and so she did, enjoying the sensation as she left the battle behind. She flew out over the ocean, skimming the surface of the water. She looked down, and enjoyed what she saw. She had long shiny horns, a long tail, her wings were full, her tongue was forked. She was a full demon, not half angel. It was the reflection of her evil side, as it was meant to be. She reached down, and grabbed her reflection, and it grabbed her, pulling her under.

Together they swam through the ocean, but instead of an ocean floor, they exited the ocean into a second atmosphere. Her evil side grabbed her, and controlled her flight, driving her downwards into a dive. Calbrena let out a scream of excitement.

She looked her evil side in the eyes, and the black pupils seemed to envelop her, as though they were caves. Calbrena blinked, and she was in a town. She let fire flow from her palms and envelope the a building. She sat on the well and laughed, as people ran from their houses. She shot exploding fireballs at them, and almost fell in from laughing hard when someone's head went flying past her. Her Evil side grabbed her from behind, and down she plummeted into the darkness.

She came out of it, into a world of sky, and nothing else.

“I just want to be your friend, to be apart of you.” Calbrena's evil side said to her.

Calbrena awoke with a cold sweat, night had fallen. Hunger gnawed at her belly, so she set out to forage for what she could. If that's what happened when one ate human souls, she wanted to try Elven souls next, to see what would happen.

[Aiko]

After satisfying herself on some nuts and berries, Calbrena decided to become an angel, few things would willingly attack one. So she concentrated, and was surprised to find she couldn't become an angel. In fear she gasped and rushed over to a nearby pond and looked in. She was still her normal demon self. Somehow, she felt excitement that her angel form wasn't available currently.

“Father, hear my voice, tell me, what is happening?” Calbrena asked in fear that something was wrong.

“My daughter, hear my voice in return. You have committed an act of evil. You are no longer pure enough to take on your angel form. If you truly desire it, you must repent and take pennance for your foul acts. However, that will not get you the power you desire, the power I unlocked within you. If you truly desire to be a sin, then you must kill your good side utterly, and in so doing, destroy your angel form forever. All the powers available to you as an angel, will be gone, leaving you as a pure demoness. I will cause to appear in your pocket, instructions on how to do this, for none can do it for you. If you decide to go through with it, then read them, and follow them.” Her father said, as his image replaced hers in the lake. He had to have been watching her through his magic mirror.

Calbrena leaned against a tree, thinking about her situation. Slowly, she drifted off to sleep instead.

In her sleep, she was still there, against the same tree by the pond, only know her angel form was on one side, and her full demon form she had seen in her visions was on the other.

“Don't do it. Why do you need to harm others for power? Power should be earned and not taken. Perhaps if you tried to be happy, I could be happy.” her angel form said.

“Yet why should happiness be worked for? Do we exist only to suffer?” her demon form asked.

“No one exists only to suffer. You have never known happiness because you have never tried to be happy.” her angel form said.

“You've suffered for so long, won't you let me be free, so you can be happy? Together we can get the power we desire, the respect we deserve. What do angels truly know of power? What do they know, of the power to manipulate and control others as we can, as we will be able to do? What do angels know, of what its like to live for eternity, to constantly know of suffering that never ends? Each one claims to know, each one claims to understand, but how can you understand something you've never experienced? Gods teach virtue, they teach honesty and goodness. Do these things truly work? What does a thief know of honesty? What does a killer know of virtue? What about the hungry child, what does it know of goodness? What has being good, or neutral brought you? Are you happy, are you satisfied? The Gods are flawed, and despite their good intentions, do more good than harm by teaching others the ways of light. Happiness can only truly be found in the darkness when you take what you want.” her demon form said.

“Yet by taking what you want, you only make others unhappy, and in so doing create the very flaws you speak of. If you you followed honesty and virtue you would be happy because you made others happy. All that you had would be fairly yours, and none would have the right to take it from you.” her angel form said.

“Yet, for all the time that I have followed honesty and virtue, I have never truly been satisfied. There may have been small flashes of happiness, but never enough to make it worth it. Yet today when I took from others, I knew happiness and satisfaction together for the first time, and still that feeling lasts with me.” Calbrena said to herself.

“But you don't understand, virtue is its own reward, by toiling now, you can have happiness forever later. How can you enjoy something that has not been made yet? How can a farmer plow a field that hasn't been worked yet?” her angel form implored.

“But not everyone is a farmer. Plenty are those that are content to be the farmer. Let me be the merchant that buys his crops. We both profit and reap happiness together with satisfaction from that.” Calbrena said, leaning towards her evil side.

“Your method destroys their happiness though, they have to work again to rebuild what you've taken from them!” her angel form yelled.

“But they're happy as workers. Let us take a small amount of their happiness for ourselves. We'll reap what they sow.” Calbrena's evil side said.

“Through all this, I've realized I've never truly enjoyed trying to be good. It has not once brought me happiness, or satisfaction. Only recently, once I began seeking out the ways of darkness, have I been happy. Listen to me, both of you.

I reject the light for the darkness. I give up honesty and gave my virtue to Azash already. I will no longer try to be good, except when I have no other option. I will lie to all I meet, except when the truth would serve me better. I will take from others what I will, and will serve the ways of evil. I choose this of my own free will, uncoerced by others. Leave me angel, for soon I shall kill you.” Calbrena said.

“NOOO!!!” her angel form screamed as she woke up.

Calbrena remembered her father's words, and searched her pockets. She found a small scroll, and opened it. She read it several times to memorize its contents, then put it away. She got to her feet, finally realizing what the mystery meat Gluttony had served the other day was, what the mystery drink was. It was time for her to get more, a cleaner more potent version. Calbrena smiled, a lethal predatory smile, as she walked down the road hips swaying from side to side in a slow seductive walk.

[Aiko]

Calbrena moved with a purpose. Her father's note indicated the perfect location for what she had to do, complete with everything she would need to do it. Such a loving evil father. She was certainly glad he would help her reach her full potential. Of course it would benefit him too, somehow, she just wasn't sure how.

She moved through the forest and onto the plains. In the distance was a small monastery, the monks were devoted to no god in particular, but to the concepts embodied by the virtuous. They never lied, cheated, or stole. They worked hard for all they had, and claimed to be content. They sought to better understand the mysteries of the universe, and were untouchable by sin. Yet they were a gentle order, and followed none of the ways of violence. Local raiders never bothered them, because the civil-war was too great for them to worry about sacking one tiny monastery, when there were more lucrative targets left behind in the war.

This virtually assured she would remain undisturbed. Calbrena put her hood on, and began limping. A rabbit provided its blood, as well as a morning meal. This blood was smeared on her robes, and on her arms and legs.

Dark clouds gathered in the sky, and thunder crackled ominously.

“Thank you father.” Calbrena whispered, believing it was he who sent the thunderstorm at a convenient moment to help her.

As the rain began to fall, Calbrena reached the doors of the Monastery, and began to knock weakly, as though she were hurt.

“Help me! Please, I'm injured and need assistance. Brigands attacked me, I barely escaped with my life.” Calbrena pleaded in a weak voice.

Someone opened a small hole in the door and looked out at the hooded traveler leaning against the door. Then he looked around suspiciously. Throwing open the door, he hurried her in and locked it behind her.

“Don't worry miss, we'll help you. They didn't follow you did they?” the monk asked.

“Oh no one followed me, but I'm glad you volunteered your monastery to help me, it'll make things much easier.” Calbrena said, suddenly straightening, as she did so her hood fell off.

“What?” the monk exclaimed in shock, surprised to see a demoness before him.

Yet that was the last word he ever spoke. Quickly, Calbrena slashed his throat with her claws, and laid him on the floor. Some of his blood got on her face, she wiped it out of her eyes so she could see, and licked her lips clean.

The monastery wasn't expecting her, so quietly she moved. The monks were in seperate areas. There were seven in all. One was in the kitchen, cooking up an afternoon meal. He never even noticed her coming. Another was in the back dusting. He saw her come through the doorway, but she mentioned that she was let in, and simply lost. He came over to help her to the main room, and once he approached, she slashed his throat open too with her claws. Two more were in a small library, one was reading, one was straightening the books on the shelves. This one she killed first, as the second was absorbed in his reading. The second noticed too late that Calbrena was coming, and only managed to half rise from his chair before Calbrena killed him.

The sixth was in meditation in the main room, he was the easiest of all. The last Calbrena discovered in his cell. His door was locked, and so she banged on the door until he opened it in irritation to find out what was going on. Calbrena leaped on him and killed him.

With one last sweep of the Monastery, she was satisfied that no one remained. She dragged the bodies into the baths, and used what blood they had left to fill a basin, ripping open a few more wounds in the process. This she sat aside, then ripped her robes apart as she struggled to take them off quickly. She shrugged as she threw the shreds to the floor.

Working quickly, she repeatedly attacked their chests, until she got to their hearts, and put those in a separate basin. Then she took her basin to the middle of the main chamber. The floor was clean her. Using only a small portion of the men's blood, she drew several sigils on the floor in a large circle around her. It was large enough for her to lay in. She stopped, went back to the scroll, and realized she had forgetten something. She cut off some flesh from a particularly beefy man, and went back to her basins and circle. She sat everything in the circle, then sat inside it herself.

She ate the flesh first, taking time to savor every bite. She didn't care for it, as it tasted bland, but she made sure to at least like it enough to enjoy eating it. Then she pulled over the basin with the blood, and taking small handfuls, began to wash herself in it, rubbing the innocent blood all over her body, and inside every available opening. She even washed her hair in it, reveling in the feel of it. Finally the bloody demoness feasted on the hearts, finding these to be especially succulent.

This done, she threw the basins from her, and laid there. The ritual her father had described to her was almost complete. Now all she had to do, was try to summon her good side. With the blood of innocents on her, and their hearts inside her, it would be impossible, and would injure her goodside. The sigils would amplify this damage, and destroy it utterly, and with it, banish her angel form, forever.

Calbrena tried to summon her angel form, and not only did she fail to achieve it, but an intense pain racked her body, as thunder filled the air. Lightning flashed, and Calbrena turned over in pain. She tried to stand, as the sigils began glowing, but all she managed was getting to her hands and knees.

She screamed in pain, and she saw it was actually her angel form screaming in pain. Energy flashed from its body, as it began to deteriorate. In response, fire flew from Calbrena's body, infernos greater than any she could manage normally.

She screamed in pain again, but the sound of her voice had began to change. Outside, people approached, having heard a woman screaming. They got down off their horses, but stopped, as the screaming continued. They weren't sure it was a woman anymore, it was beginning to sound like a horrifying demon. The horses backed away, not liking the situation, and the people followed.

Calbrena screamed again, her voice had gotten more depth to it, not like a man's, but like most demon voices were naturally. She blacked out, but even in the blackness, she could hear herself screaming in agony greater than any she had felt before. She was certain she was tricked, she knew she was dying.

Outside, the horses bolted, unable to stand it any longer, and the frightened people followed. Inside, Calbrena collapsed, unable to shut out those horrific screams, unable to stop from making them. She writhed in agony, twisting this way and that, as the sensation of thousands of knives plunging through her body filled her. It felt like she was thrown into a lake of fire, it was difficult to breathe.

With one last scream greater than all the rest, everything suddenly stopped, and Calbrena simply lay there, breathless. The feeling had left her body, and her muscles refused to work. She was certain she was dead, and this was what the first moments of death were like. Then, slowly, feeling returned, as her breath came back to her. She managed to weakly move her hands. She felt a weight on her back, like she was covered with a blanket of some sort. It stopped just sort of her ankles, and came up to her chest. She got to her knees, and stood up, noticing that weight was moving with her. She stretched, and noticed it took more strength than normal to move her wings.

She ran to a full length mirror in one of the cells, and shouted in triumphant victory. That weight wasn't just any weight, she had full wings! Her wings had grown to the size they should be, the large full wings her family was known for. She felt them, they were real, not just a dream, not just a vision. She looked at her tail, it was long, not short. She ran her hands down its length, enjoying its feel. Finally, her hands went to the horns on her head, admiring them as though they were a crown. They started at the top of her head, and curled down the sides above her ears. She tugged on them, and felt her whole head move in response. They were hers, she had grown them. She admired her form in the mirror, feeling pride in her appearance. With all the blood she certainly looked like a predatory creature. She remembered a pump in the baths, went back, and used it to wash the blood off, which took awhile.

Finished, she ransacked the kitchen for a meal. She considered taking something, but decided against it. Her heart was doing cartwheels in her chest, she was full of joy, she was happy. She remembered how she looked, and knew she belonged. She went back to her tattered robes, and took only her money pouch, and the scroll. With these in hand, she wrapped her newer, better wings around herself to cover her body, and exited the monastery. There Pride waited, and together they returned to The Abyss. It was time to do some new clothes shopping.

~
OOC:

Spoils:

Calbrena permanently looses her angel form. Her demon form in turn fills out to be a complete demon, with horns, a tail, and full working wings. She has also lost all her clothes.

Calbrena's wings, though working, are not strong enough to fly with yet, but she can glide up to twenty feet at a time, about three times every 24 hours before her back's too stiff and sore to fly anymore. Once the muscles in her back and wings improve, this ability certainly will, in future level updates.

Calbrena has also gained control over her fire, though certainly its nothing impressive. She has learned its more than a simple fire, its her natural demonic power. Using this power, she has been taught the secret of eating people's souls, which are the source of her future power upgrades.

[Duffy]

Quick judgement requested, so qucik judgement received! If you’ve any questions or you’d like more detailed feedback at some stage, feel free to pm me or get in touch via AIM or Messenger, the usual modicum of the blah blah, onwards!

Story: (18/30)

Continuity – 6, flows like a bubbling brook.

Pacing – 7,

Setting – 5, established may be my judging word of the moment, but it fits. You’ve touched on the core physical senses but there is plenty of scope for more imaginative description. Saying that, your talent seems to lie in your posting tempo and character, so it doesn’t detract from the quality of the work as a whole.

Character (16/30)

Dialogue – 6, simple, concrete, flows nicely.

Action – 5, everything is easy to read but it’s methodical and plain; I did enjoy it however.

Persona - 5

Writing (22/30)

Technique – 7, night on flawless grasp of the fundamentals of writing. You can definately experiment with more controversial or awkward techniques without losing out much in this mark in the future. Nicely done.

Mechanics – 8, I didn’t see anything that made me twitch. Be careful of ending dialogue with fullstops when the run on is connected to the speech; although it's not incorrect, it can read clumsily.

Clarity – 7, as aboe, bubbling brook.

Wild Card – 4, could use a little more brimstone, or a little more morally dubious action and thought from your character – don’t go the whole cliche route, but mix it up.

Total: 60

Aiko gains 740 xp and 150 gold!



Spoils:

Angelic form has been quashed, to the extent of Calbrena’s appearance now being fully daemonic. However, one’s identity can only ever be masqued, and not removed entirely. Those who are adapt and of a higher level than you that can detect good or aura, will still see a faint light within you, even if it is indeed faint.

Calbrena’s wings are approved.

Fire may be the forte of the devil and trickster, but at present, Calbrena can only conjure a simple fireball or flicker of flame in terms of damge potential. If you wish for this ability to be more than a technique for ‘eating souls,’ please run this past the ROG when you next level up with more detail.

[Taskmienster]

Exp and GP added...