//------------------------------// // Ch.15 - Fort Selene Roguelike - Pt.2 // Story: Tails of Sacrifice // by CommanderX5 //------------------------------// Tails of Sacrifice - Chapter 15 - Fort Selene Roguelike - Part 2 Nightmare eyed the demon with distrust, her reflexes on full alert. When she resumed the siege of this place after so many centuries, she wasn't sure what to expect from her most powerful servants, nor what she will do with them. Now she found out that they were her servants no more, all the while increasing their own numbers and power through whatever insidious rituals they could muster. She could only imagine how many more demons have been summoned over half a millennium. Giving the shade a cold stare, she asked, "If you are no longer my servants, nor were a portion of you summoned by me, why are you welcoming me into this chamber?" "Simple. I am a lesser demon, powerless against your might. Weak against others in the endless fight for influence and territory. I can only humbly welcome you and appeal to your mercy." The alicorn nodded. "Wise and understandable. Provide me with knowledge and mercy you shall receive." "Thank you, my Queen. But what about the holy beast? I can sense its magic even now. Doubly so for its animosity. Can you stop its intent to erase my existence?" Nightmare turned back, giving the snarling Kyuubi a curious glance. She got to know the giant kitsune as frankly a big ‘softy’ as Lily called her. Peaceful and extremely difficult to anger; even Nightmare’s critical speaking of those close to her like Lily or Celestia garnered a mildly heated objection. That look of hostility was so far out of the ordinary, Nightmare had to remind herself they were in the real world and not in the Dream Realm.  Narrowing her own eyes, she commanded, "Kyuubi. You are not to harm this demon in any way without my permission. Am I understood?" Upon hearing the growling only get louder, she sternly repeated herself, "Am. I. Understood?" ….Yes, the kitsune responded with a strained tone as if actually speaking through gritted teeth. The alicorn narrowed her eyes while raising a brow. Kyuubi seemed more hostile than Nightmare thought she was capable of. If the look on Lily’s face said anything, she was acting more hostile than she’d ever known Kyuubi to be, either. They needed to keep an eye on how this place affects her, it would seem. Turning to her informant, she asked, "Who is in charge now, and where can I find them?" "My apologies, but knowledge of the higher hierarchy is out of my reach." The shade bowed. "Power determines influence. Power and territory. You need to seek the strongest demons and ask who rules over them." "And what happens to the weak?" Nightmare asked. "They either serve or are eliminated. Sometimes banished. To rise in ranks, one must best stronger one or take over their territory with an army. Those viewed as useless don't receive a chance to serve." "I see--" Excuse me. Nightmare and Lily looked at Kyuubi, while the shade looked around, confused by the mental message. A mildly unpleasant but minor noise followed. Kyuubi’s claws were visible as she pawed at the stone beneath her, sharpening them for potential use. I have a question. I want to know more about demons and their origin, Demon. How should I even call you? Answer in haste. Nightmare huffed under her nose, not used to such interruptions, least of all from the kitsune, but decided to let it slide. Kyuubi was actually showing a backbone that may have impressed her were it not showing at such a complicated time. “Oh, so this is how you speak to others. By your voice, I assume you're a female?“ You assume correctly. The demon slid on the floor, approaching the head peeking into the room. The dark creature wisely stayed out of biting range as it bowed, holding one clawed hand in front of its chest. “You can call me Cunning. We take names based on our main traits. Or rather, of souls that make us.” And I am Kyuubi. Priestess Kyuubi, to you. Now, elaborate. How can souls make you? What are you?  "We are an ancient weapon." "Ancient weapon?" Lily asked. "Tell us more!" With haste, Kyuubi said, a distinct lack of patience in her tone. "If this is how I can buy my survival, so be it."  The dark shade snapped his clawed finger, creating pools of darkness. Two golems emerged and then relocated the rounded table, placing it in front of the door.  The ponies looked at each other and nodded, understanding the reason behind it. They perched themselves on the left and right, while the shade stood in front of Kyuubi. "As you may know, dark magic was created as a tool of war. It would bring devastating curses to enemy armies. It would seal away enemy magic or overpower it. The value of dark mage on the battlefield surpassed that of any other sorcerer." Nightmare advised in an oddly calm and emotional tone, "Tis correct. We recall our battle against King Sombra. Thee would fear him and his followers’ black magic, would thou face them on the field of battle." And this is related to the unholy creatures how? The dark shade shook its head. "Using dark magic, they created living tools of war. They made us. Using souls of the cruelest, merciless, cunning creatures, they created their perfect weapon." What? Kyuubi’s eyes practically glowed at the admittance of such sacrilege even if it was upon dark souls. "The concept was simple. Create bodies from the strongest beasts, fuel with dark magic, and gift with most cruel souls. Then make us blindly loyal to our creators. We were a perfect weapon." The demon chuckled coldly. "Even when slain, corrupted, and evil souls, as well as violence and cruelty, would revive us." "Revive you. Interesting," Nightmare commented. "It appears Luna and I. We were dealing with more ancient forces than we imagined." "Wait. If your name is Cunning, and demons possess numerous evil souls. Does this mean that you are…?" Lily commented, looking suspiciously at the dark shade. "Indeed. I was born from souls of lawful schemers." "Schemers," Nightmare repeated.  "A little loophole in the law here, a tiny print in a contract there. A loan with unclear interest rates." The dark shade gestured with his clawed hands. "Those who others saw as influential and respected members of society, yet in secret ruined countless lives for their benefit. It is what I am. Gather enough of those, and I shall revive from death." Nightmare Moon stared coldly while Kyuubi narrowed her eyes, disapproving anger written on her face. "And you’re a lesser demon and remain one. Why?" Lily asked. "Simple. There is no law in this fortress I can use to my advantage. Other demons are not naive, and they have schemes of their own. I require good-hearted and naive souls to thrive. In here, I am powerless." The demon sighed, his head lowered. "Oddly enough, being powerless and inferior did teach me humility." Lily narrowed an eyebrow. "Let me guess. The arrival of kind-hearted beings like us was like a breath of fresh air for the like of you?" "Most correct you are. Assuming you are here to slay other demons while I buy my survival, it would increase my influence. I would rather serve you all than being slain or banished for being useless." "What about holy magic?" Lily asked, causing the dark shade to curl a little. "If conventional weapons can't kill you permanently, will using holy magic make a difference." "You mean magic gifted by God. Do not even mention it. I heard many rumors of the great war where a mighty nine-tailed kitsune summoned our kind to serve it. The magic of priests and monks struck at our souls." The dark shade slashed the table with his claw, separating it into five fragments. Both ponies took a step back, now alarmed and ready to defend themselves. Tread carefully, little demon, Kyuubi warned as she exposed teeth big enough to chew through his arms.  Cunning raised his limbs in a disarming gesture but calmed down as he continued, "Reviving after that takes several times greater amounts of evil souls and negative energy than usual. I would rather be slain a few times with a sword than once by a monk." Lily looked at her hooves curiously, considering their demon-slaying potential. Kyuubi meanwhile looked at the demon with a decidedly unfriendly smirk on her face. A monk, you say? "Now, Priestess...Don't look at me that way. I am a small fry. Furthermore, we have a deal. You wouldn't stain your honor and justice by breaking your promise." The shade looked at the alicorn. "You promised. Deals are to be respected." "When they benefit you. Correct?" Nightmare asked, causing the demon to look back at the giant leering fox, uneasy and clearly cornered. "But rest assured, Kyuubi will not harm you. You seem mostly harmless. Can you tell us a bit about the closest demon we can find?" The dark shade nodded enthusiastically, then rubbed his fingers together. "Oh, but of course, my Queen. I can even point to the shortest patch." He chuckled in glee. "My rival, who has been overtaking my territory. His name is Desire." "Desire, hmm? Yet another demon I don't remember summoning," Nightmare irritably commented before gesturing with a forehoof. The alicorn levitated the fragments of the table into the corner of the room. "What can you tell us about him?" "Much, my Queen. Desire is far more cunning than me. Cruelty incarnate. This demon is born of souls of creatures that trick others."   Aren't you made of souls that trick others as well? "Priestess Kyuubi, I assure you, Desire is far worse. This demon was born from the souls of those who promise rewards, treasures, fortunes. Those who make others do hard labor and then backstab them when they are no longer useful. Most never see their reward, or rather, they are rewarded with an early grave." The dark shade crossed his hands and huffed, then spit black miasma to the side, staining the floor. "I may trick those who are naive and take advantage of them, but I follow my end of the deal. Desire always betrays. Even I find it to be disgusting."  "I see. We shall visit this betrayer and make him reap what he has sown," Nightmare commented, receiving a nod from Kyuubi and Lily. "Yes, please do. And with extreme prejudice. But I must warn you. Desire will bring out your deepest desires in an attempt to win you over. Do not be fooled. He will strike you down if you lower your guard. He always does." Demon- No... Mr. Cunning. "Yes?" Kyuubi lowered her head to be on the level with his whole body and leaned forward so that her muzzle was almost touching him, causing Cunning to tense up. Kyuubi narrowed her eyes as she appeared to stare into the demon’s very core. A brief moment passed by as Nightmare and Lily watched. The tension bled away as Kyuubi withdrew and mercifully returned to her previous docile nature, a warm smile gracing her face again.  Thank you for the warning. I know your motives are selfish, but I still appreciate it. "Y-You're w-welcome, Priestess," the demon responded with a dumbfounded tone, staring back in growing confusion.  Even though he was out of danger, the ‘thank you’ caught him off guard. A far cry from the palpable hostility seconds ago. What an odd creature. Nightmare took a fighting stance inside an empty room, examining her surroundings in confusion. Just a moment ago, she and her companions overcame traps in another massive chamber, ready to enter what they assumed was where Desire resided.  There was one more trap waiting for them, though.  In a bright flash, the group teleported into random rooms, separated from each other. As Nightmare Moon was about to leave the room, an odd sight caught her utmost curiosity. In front of her was none other than her most hated Celestia, tied to a wall. Flames burst from the floor, causing the princess to scream in pain.  Nightmare smiled in satisfaction, her ears eager to pick out the noise of pain. Watching it filled her with delight. However... She concentrated, summoning a defensive dome over herself and the burning Celestia, separating it from the rest of the room. "Let me make this clear, Desire. If you try to make the tiniest attempt on my life, I will slaughter you without mercy. And I assure you, alicorns like me are impossible to kill by the likes of you." "So you have come to believe," a demonic voice filled the room. "I do. Now leave me to this spectacle if you know what is best for you."  Lily charged from one room to another, piercing the walls and any golem that got in the way. Even rocky ponies the size of tall stallions barely slowed her down. "You are quite a specimen. It is rare to meet one like you." Lily stopped in the middle of the room. She ran towards the nearby pillar, peeking behind it in search of the mysterious voice. "You desire for the holy beast Kyuubi to grow bigger and mightier. And your wish is being granted still." The earth pony looked behind another pillar, then another, before returning to the middle part of the room, taking a battle stance. "You wish to grow stronger and stronger, and you have decades to do so. You want to make your mentor proud. You desire the thrill of adventure, to fight strong foes and face challenges. You want to fight alongside the kitsune to make the world a better place."  The demon added in an angered tone, "All your wishes, already granted! You have no regrets. You love the life you live and enjoy it to the fullest." He released a screech full of rage. "I hate you! Nothing I can offer will buy you." "So true. Thanks to Kyuubi, I live the life of my dreams. I am forever grateful." Lily smirked. "And together, we will kick your flank. Wait. Do you even have one? Cunning didn't, so..." "I have a better alternative. How about I will present you with the corpse of the holy beast?" "You will not!" Lily stomped with both of her hooves, causing cracks on the floor to spread in all directions. Her little limbs sank deeply. "Leave a single cut on her body, and I will smash you with holy punches until there's nothing left of you but ashes!" "Oh, I am going to enjoy breaking you. Your happy life ends here." A sinister chuckle followed. As soon as Lily rushed forward, running into some hallway, a rounded boulder started rolling in her direction, covering a three-meters tall corridor, not giving the littlest space to evade.  Her ears picked up the noise of another boulder from behind, and her body shook on the vibrating ground. With a war-cry, Lily charged forward, enhancing her strength with magic. With a firm jump, she punched the boulder, cracking it into mere fragments.  Mimicking a technique she saw at the Apple farm, she raised her rear hooves, standing on two legs. She curled her rear-legs close to her belly, then unleashed a firm rock-shattering kick. Her body acquired a few bruises, but she didn’t care. "That's it! No more Ms. Nice Lily. You're going down!" Kyuubi felt as if her heart tried to escape her chest. Her throat dry, and her eyes wide open.  You came to save me! Thank you! She heard a mental voice filled with desperation and sorrow. She was in a large chamber. Instead of traps, though, she saw what she least expected. The creature ahead of her was three-meters tall, decorated by four fluffy tails. It had golden fur and a few bruises on its body. Kyuubi looked at the collar on this golden kitsune, chained to a wall. The chain seemed long enough to allow the prisoner some freedom but kept him from leaving the room. A feeling of disgust filled Kyuubi, then changed into a growing rage. Anger was a rare feeling for her, and now it felt overwhelming. As much as she wanted to cry, she refused. She made peace with the impossible notion decades ago. Tears would not help. Thank you. Oh, thank you! I thought I would be a slave here forever! Kyuubi didn't dare to move, watching as the golden kitsune ran over. Her ears picked the noise of the chain bouncing on the floor. She looked down at the creature with moistening eyes. Let's leave this cursed place! We can live together, like a family. The kitsune nuzzled Kyuubi's armored chest enthusiastically, standing on his rear paws to reach it.  We can have wonderful, mighty children and live happily for centuries to come. I am so happy! Kyuubi didn't say a word, fighting her raging emotions. A few seconds later, she felt intense pain in her belly in a spot not covered by armor. She felt sharp, cold metal sink deeper and deeper, twisting in her insides. The golden kitsune looked at her with a wide grin, enjoying every second of it. One of its tails was wrapped around something, stretched under her belly. You dare? Kyuubi asked, refusing to scream in pain despite enduring agony. The golden kitsune had stopped grinning, now a bit disappointed. He looked up as Kyuubi’s shadow menacingly covered him. The smaller creature took a small step backward as he finally noticed his would-be victim’s wrathful expression. You DARE!? Her third tail raised into the sky, surrounded by a silver aura that was bigger than ever before. The golden kitsune screamed in pain as the blade burned away in the sacred fire, which spread onto his tail, setting him on fire. The golden color slowly started vanishing, replaced by black miasma.  Kyuubi lunged down, aggressively sinking her teeth into the imposter's smaller neck and taking a bite out of it. She felt magic fill her body, gaining several centimeters of height. The wound on her belly closed, fully healed with magic. The golden-- No--The dark, fake kitsune fell to the side, burning away in the holy flames. "C-Curse you, H-Holy B-Beast." You brought it upon yourself, Monster. Burn in the deepest pit of Hell.  Kyuubi refused to look away, waiting for the demon to turn into ash. Then she scattered the ashes with her armored paw. Cutting her belly in an attempt to kill her, she could forgive. She’d be upset, but she would forgive eventually. But giving her false hopes with such deception and filling her head with lies that she would be a mother and have offspring? For so long, she came to terms with the fact that she was the last of her kind, that having a family was impossible. She accepted it and carried on with a smile. She knew her deepest desires were beyond her reach. But this demon dared to lie to her, trying to give her false hope to try and hurt her, or worse, the ones she loved. And he had not done it out of necessity or desperation. That was another thing she could have forgiven. But, no. There was only satisfaction and cruelty behind it. He wanted to torture her, to savor her despair and heartbreak the moment he would backstab her. Kyuubi was a forgiving, kindly creature at her core, despite being a magical predator, but she would and could NOT forgive such an evil act. She needed to purify these creatures from this fortress. If her magic would keep them from reviving for much, much longer, she needed to take care of them with her own two paws. Now it was more than just her duty. If they were like Cunning, she would show them mercy. They might even prove to be tentative friends like Nightmare Moon or the Elemental Spirits. But if they were anything like Desire, or if they were worse... She would show them what a student of Princess Celestia blessed by God could do. She would follow the steps of those that raised her in her youngest years and purge the hostile demons with holy fire, the likes of which they would never forget.