《Monster Girl Sanctuary (An Isekai Gamelit Tale)》 Chapter 1: From Flippin’ Burgers to Gankin’ Goblins Ive said it before, and Ill always stand by it for as long as I live: flipping burgers is honestly an underrated career choice. I was looking slick in my new managerial uniform, and I couldnt help but grin ear-to-ear that at twenty-five years old I was already a shift manager at the local Mickey Ds. Most of my friends were taking on so-called high-paying jobs that would barely allow them to stave off their student loans. Meanwhile, I was making fifty grand a year now and had just moved into a new two-bedroom apartment a block away from work, with no student loans to speak of. And, yeah, that''s the real salary for a full-time manager at McDonald''s. Look it up. Shorty, bring out a new box of ten-to-ones, I said, using the store term for frozen beef patties that weighed one tenth of a pound. We gotta be ready for the lunch rush, people! My team adored me. Or at least I liked to imagine that they did. I was certainly younger, nicer, and fitter than most bosses theyd have in their lives, so I hoped for their sakes they appreciated me while they had me. Shorty was less than gratefulmaybe because I called him Shorty, but in my defense, he was really tall, and ironic nicknames are in. Mr. Drake! Caitlin ran up to me through the narrow aisle, having come in through the back entrance available only to crew members. She was a freckle-faced freshman in university, brand new to the gig. Call me Bucky, please, I insisted for the third time that morning. It was her first day, and she was nervous, but also surprisingly vocal about all her questions and misgivings, which was a good sign. She would learn fast. She made a face that showed she didnt feel comfortable calling me by my first name, so she just pressed on with her inquiry. I finished taking out the trash to the compactor. I forgot how to turn it on, though. Can you help me? Tom! I shouted to a buff Hispanic kid with thick-framed glasses and a tribal tattoo on his neck. He wore the uniform well, but he didnt really give a shit about the job. I could understand that. It was just extra money to him, but truth be told, I''d caught him slacking off in the breakroom one too many times to say I ''liked'' him all that much. Tom perked up at me. Yeah, Drake, sup? Im taking the new girl to the dumpster. Text me if anything happens while Im gone. You got it. He saluted me in that effortless way that cool people do when they''re acting cool. Screw that guy, I thought to myself. Screw him and his badass tattoos and stylish glasses. We walked outside through the front doors, and I took a key off my keyring and handed it to Caitlin. I smiled warmly when I saw Caitlin''s mortified face, trying to assuage her nerves. So, you forgot to grab the key, which Im willing to bet is where your problem begins and ends. She giggled awkwardly. Theres a key? Yeah, I''ve got the master, but theres a spare in the break room hanging above the TV. Remember? She blushed and nodded. Oh, right. Sorry Mr. Drake. I couldn''t restrain a sigh. We paced over to the area containing the dumpster, surrounded by forest green chain-link fencing. Please, everyone calls me Bucky or just Drake. Im trying to be the chill boss here. She nodded, and her nervous expression finally broke into a cool smile. Sorry. First day jitters. Youll be fine, I assured her. All we''ve got to do is open up this fence and that''s not much of a task at all. With a few deft movements of the wrist, the lock came unlatched, and it popped off the fence. I pocketed it, turned back to Caitlin, and smiled. She nodded, and we walked in together. So where does the other key go? she asked. Right, I began again. This is the tricky bit. Underneath the lip of the compactor here, on the right side, theres a part that juts out underneath, just out of sight. Put your hand there. Feel it? I asked. Oh, yeah. Keyholes there. Here you go, I said, handing her the key, dangling it in front of her freckly face. You totally explained all this to me before, she said, "on training day." Her face reddened at the familiarity of my words as she snatched the key from me. Thats fine. Some people learn by seeing and doing much better than by hearing. Im one of those people myself. I absolutely hate listening to long explanations. Kills me a bit inside. Just point me at the problem and let me figure it out, you know? I said. She chuckled and turned the key in the slot, and the machine got to work, crushing the overflowing garbage bags inside. A bit of goop squirted out of the trash bags and we had to dodge out of the way. I laughed. She didnt. Thats so freakin'' nasty, she groaned. Youll get used to it, I promised. The thing you never really get used to is smelling like fries and burgers all the time. Youre going to want to double your daily shower regimen, I chuckled. Her face twisted in disgust. I laughed at the expression. Dont worry, youre too small to carry boxes easily and you''ve got a friendly face, so Im sure well keep you on till most of the time. Youll stink less than I do. We made our way back to the restaurant, falling into polite conversation. I learned she was an anthropology major. I nodded politely, knowing full well that she wasn''t going anywhere interesting with that degree. When we walked through the doors, it was clear everything had been going just fine in my absence. The lunch rush hadnt yet hit us, but there was one oddity I hadnt anticipated. A beautiful pale-skinned young woman with wavy blonde shoulder length hair was sitting atop a table with her legs crossed. She was wearing a black trenchcoat that seemed to be hiding something that bulged in a narrow line running down her lower back. She also wore an oversized beret, a most unflattering look for an otherwise perfectly gorgeous girl. Even stranger, she had no purse or bags visible on her person, and the moment I walked in the door, her eyes met mine. Her gaze went wide, like shed just spotted a celebrity or something. I wasnt a bad looking dudeI did my bodyweight exercises and forty-minute run like a good boy each and every daybut I was no Brad Pitt. I flashed a winsome smile at her and went back behind the counteror tried to. But before I could, I felt her hand grab me by the shoulder and turn me around to face her. Excuse me, maam, can I help you? I asked, suddenly a bit uncomfortable at the forceful gesture. You offer it freely? Yes, you can help me! Come with me, she said, turning around and walking out the door. I turned to Tom and Caitlin and saw that they looked just as confused as I felt. Tom was openly amused by the strange exchange, I could tell, from his sneering lips. I guess Ill follow her. Maybe car trouble? I guessed, shrugging. Go get some, Bucky, he winked, shooting me the guns. Inappropriate, I said, pointing at him, forcing myself not to laugh. Dont corrupt the new girl. Show her the meaning of customer service, Mr. Drake! Caitlin giggled, hand over her mouth. Not you, too, I moaned as I walked out the door. When I got outside, the woman was already waiting for me in the parking lot, though I didnt see any car that might have been hers. She was just standing right in the middle of the damn lot like she owned it. No time to delay! We must go now, she said, her hands performing a furious series of gestures that reminded me of some Naruto bullshit. Go where? Im afraid I cant leave the store unattended on my shift, maam, I said, suddenly even more confused than I was before. I am an emissary of Lusteria, and I have traversed many worlds in search of you, hero. I turned around and walked toward the door, deciding to ''nope'' out of this encounter altogether. She dashed at me, and her hand was gripping my shoulder again, her nails sinking into my skin. This time there was a look of desperation on her face. Maam Im afraid Im going to have to ask you to leave. Lunch rush will start soon, and I dont have time for games. This is no game, she said, her eyes frantic and panicked. You cannot walk away from me. I have sought you for ages! Maam, I dont know what youre talking about, but I am genuinely concerned that you may be suffering from some kind of delusion, I said. I grabbed her wrist and looked at her hand--dainty, small, beautiful... but were those claws? She took her hand back and extended it behind her, finishing another series of odd gestures, and a purple rip in time and space appeared in front of mea swirling, violet portal that roared with a noise that sounded like a screaming whale as it tried to pull us in. Get in the portal! she shouted. Okay, so youre not crazy, I conceded. But this situation is fucking insane. What the hell is going on? Youre one of the six Apex Heroes foretold of Lusteria! An Apex Hero! I sought you across many worlds across hundreds of years. We cannot save the world without you! Please, you must come! No thanks, I said, steppin backwards. I like my life. Its quiet and easy. I''ve got reasonable benefits. But you will be given incredible powers! Women will lust after you, what few men there are in Lusteria will want to be you. You will be a godlike entity! I shall beg you happily, but you must come! No! I shouted, trying to pull the restaurant door open, but she was clinging to my arm, struggling to drag me toward the portal. I dont want to go to another world! I just want to live a simple life with no danger and consequence, thankyouverymuch! Youre a coward, she hissed with a sound of disappointment. That''s very fair! I shouted back, turning my head to look at her. Damn, but she was lovely. Her flaxen hair fluttered in the torrent of wind created by the sucking of the portal. She had gorgeous, big oceanic eyes, and though I couldnt make out much of her body in the overly large trench coat she was wearing, from what I could tell, she was delightfully petite and chesty. For a split second I wondered if everyone was as beautiful as her where she came fromuntil I remembered how little I cared. But then her funny hat was pulled off her head by the overpowering suction of the portal, and I realized just how strange she was. At the top of her head were two furry cat ears, and from that I was able to connect the dots that the shape I saw beneath her trench coat was likely a tail. Her fur was a sort of strawberry brown, a color that uniquely complemented her porcelain complexion and light golden tresses. She was a catgirl. I wont let you stay! You must save our lands, she yelled back at me, sweeping my leg and knocking me off balance. I almost tumbled over, but instead I merely staggered, but it was all the leverage she would need. From inside the store I could see Tom and Caitlin just watching, popping chicken nuggets as the scene played out. Get help! I shouted, trying to fight her off and right my position. Shes crazy. I could just see Tom pointing at the portal behind me and shaking his head, a dumbfounded look on his face. Caitlin, at least, was picking up the phone, hopefully calling 911, but it didnt matter. By the time they got here, Id be long gone at this rate. No wait. She was taking a photo on her smartphone. Wait, I shouted at the catgirl. Just tell me something. Anything! she promised. Just come with me. Why me? I asked. Its your Umbercore, she said, not relenting her grip on me. The signature of your Umbris is precisely what Ive been searching for for centuries! My Umber-what? W-wait! What do you mean centuries?! I gasped in shockshe didn''t look a day over twenty-one. Yes! Now you see why I cant let you go! With that, she jerked me backward with one mustered motion using all her strength, knocking us both off our feet. I was on top of her, my back pressed against her chest. She wrapped her arms and legs around me in a death grip, like a super-powered koala around a eucalyptus tree, and wouldnt let go as I felt us both being dragged along the ground slowly toward the portal. As we got closer, we moved faster, soon past the point of no return. Even if she let go of me now, I wouldnt be able to find the power to pull myself away from the portals suction. This thing was happening. And, yup. It happened. My senses were obliterated by an overwhelming intimacy with the color purple, and the manic laughter of the catgirl that was clinging to me, her face buried in my chest. "I did it!" she giggled like a fucking psycho, her voice vibrating into my pectorals. "After three hundred seventy years, the last Apex Hero has been found! Lusteria can be unfrozen in time, and the New Age of Heroes will begin at last!" I stayed silent at first, waiting for a moment of weakness. I could tell that the stupidly sexy catgirl thought she''d won, so she relaxed her grip on me a bit. I''m not proud of this, and I have no clue why I thought it was a good idea at the time, but I managed to break her grip on me and I lost her as she swirled away from me, screaming in the twisting confines of the portal until... Suddenly I hit the grass hard, my back flat against a soft patch of earth. I was facing the sky. It was jarring how blue it was. I knew that skies that blue existed, but having grown up in the city my whole life, I was far more used to muted grayish-blue hues. The starkness of this blue was almost offensive to the eyes. It was too pretty to even look at, like Keira Knightley in the first Pirates of the Caribbean. I sat up straight and appraised my surroundings. A hell of a lot of green and brown. It took me a second to convert those colors into meaning, but before long I''d discerned I was in a forest of some kind. It looked familiar enough, except that all the colors were just so much more vivid than I was used toand it was quiet. Way too quiet. Until it wasn''t. Suddenly a harsh feminine scream pierced the sky. Instinct took me to my feet, and I was off in the direction of the scream like a shot, dodging through brambles and thickets as I sought the origin of the horrible sound. If there was a girl out here in danger, I couldn''t abide that. It was my fatal flaw. Even knowing nothing about this fucking world, which I was more and more certain was definitely not my own, I couldn''t let the cries of a suffering innocent go unheeded. Another scream rang out, this time much closer. I slowed my pace so as not to give myself away, ducking behind a tree as I sensed that I was coming to the fateful clearing. I heard muttering, growling, and the barking of orders in ugly, guttural voices. When I was satisfied that I''d not been detected, I peeked my head around the corner to assess the danger. I was extremely unready for what my eyes beheld. virgilknightley Chapter 2: Lusteria Ain’t So Bad Let me paint a fucking picture for you. Four ugly green-skinned bastards of wildly variable heights stood, dressed in outfits spanning leather armors to loincloths, flanking two women. From the description I just gave, you probably assumed we were talking about orcs and goblins, and youd be right. That was, by all appearances, what they seemed to be. I even noticed tusks emerging from the mouths of the two larger ones. The women, though, were decidedly not orcs. I wasnt really sure what they were, but shit they were hot. My best guess was that they were sisters because they shared a hell of a lot of features and seemed roughly around the same ageearly twenties by their look. They had floppy ears that reminded me of a cow or a sheep, and they were each about a head shorter than me. I was going to go with cow, because they also had cow-like tails and a pair of yellowish horns poking upwards from the sides of their heads. Most notablyat least from the perspective of a hot-blooded man like myself, while their figures were primarily petite with thin waists and flat tummies, their breasts were impressive, almost oversized for their frames, though not in a way that defied logic or physics. They were just two petite chicks with huge boobs and juicy butts, probably around five feet tall. I dont want to be hyperbolic, but if you asked me to rate their bodies Id have nothing to offer you but a perfect ten. When I finally got a peek at their faces as one of the orcs was fixing chains to their ankles, I almost gasped at the absurd gorgeousness I beheld, but thankfully I didnt. That would have been a fucking stupid way to ruin my tactical advantage. I shook myself out of my momentary distraction and appraised the situation. Four of them... two were only goblin-sized with long, crooked noses. All four were wielding weapons of some kind, and the larger ones had leather armor. I guessed by the way the goblins cowered behind the orcs that the goblins would probably flee if their betters were defeated first. I looked around for somethinganything, reallyto use as a weapon. My eyes landed upon a branch that was surprisingly thick and broken off at a comfortable gripping width, making it easy to wield. Whats the fucking plan, Bucky? I asked myself, shaking, scarcely believing what I was about to dobut there was no choice. Those poor girls were beaten and bruised and dressed in tattered rags, and my stomach pitted in sour disgust to think of what use those orcs would have for them. Leaning on the element of surprise, I charged forward with the softest footfalls I could manage, bringing the fat branch down upon the back of the head of one of the goblins. With a satisfying crack and a bit of blood, he hit the ground mercifully quick. I took another swing, this time at one of the orcs, not giving him a chance to fully pivot to face me. My branch collided with him and broke on his skull. He stumbled to his knees, but he wasnt unconscious. Suddenly, I was the center of attention, surrounded by three greenskins and wielding a broken stick. I discarded it onto the ground and swallowed hard, bringing up my fists. Yep, my fists against their axes and clubs. What are you doing!? one of the girls shouted out. Use your Trained Skills! I dodged a swipe from the remaining goblin, jumping back as his club sought me with reckless abandon. My what-now? Hes gotta be a new hero, Daisy! He doesnt know about Trained Skills yet! I kicked the goblin in the face, sending him backwards several paces, and the two orcs ran at me at once. Clasp your hands together, hero! shouted one of the girls. I couldnt immediately follow her instructions because I was far too busy dodging axes trying to cut me down like a piece of timber. Finally, I managed to put some distance between myself and my attackers, and I did as they said, clasping my hands together, steepling my fingers. A HUD appeared in front of my face, displaying the following information:Do you see the HUD? one of the busty beauties shouted at me as I dodged yet another axe-swipe. Yes! I boomed back, my heart racing as I realized the orcs were gaining traction in their assaults. I couldnt dodge forever. I had to make a move, and soon. Select a combat skill and attack! Smite looked pretty good to me, as I was too close for Fire Bolt. As I had that thought, my body seemed to sense my intention, and my dominant fist glowed golden with unfamiliar new power. The sensation was like the tingling and crackling of electricity, but more pleasant than that. Well, pleasant for me, anyway. As one of the orcs lurched toward me, I threw my fist in a powerful haymaker, connecting with his cheek. The side of his head exploded in a mess of viscera, skull fragments, and brain matter as his blood and gore painted the goblin that was, until that moment, considering making its own attack. I almost fell backward from the display of violence I had just been responsible forif the two girls I was rescuing were similarly disturbed, their faces sure didnt show it. One was openly cheering. Yay! she shouted. Get the other big one! I shook off my shock for the moment, going into survival mode. I had to make it out of this encounter alive before I was in a position to process the moral ramifications of what Id just done. The remaining orc and goblin eyed each other cautiously before returning their gazes back to me, seemingly making some kind of decision about whether or not it was worth it to keep up their assault. Apparently, their cost-benefit analysis was over, because in unison the two lunged at me, preparing to flail their weapons. I selected Cleave, knowing from RPGs Id played in the past that moves with that name typically targeted more than one foe. A message shot into my brain: You are not wielding a Cleave-ready weapon. Equip a Cleave-ready weapon and try again. Fuck, I growled, doing a backward somersault to dodge the oncoming swipes. It worked, but just barely, as the tip of the orcs axe managed to graze my shoulder as I stood back up, drawing blood. The sting of the cold metal on my flesh stirred something inside of me... a taste for battlea hunger for survival. Smite worked well before. I had to be smart about this. Now was not the time for further experimentation. I selected Smite again, this time throwing a fist that was destined to collide with the goblin rearing to make its next attack. It hit, and it made a chunky, goopy mess as the goblin popped like a blood-filled balloon. The final orc took a step back. And then another, studying me. He seemed to be wondering if Id allow him to leave, and I had half a mind to allow him to do so, until Dont let him escape! shouted one of the girls. She had golden brown hair that was tied in a ponytail. Hell tell others about us! The decision was all but made for me. He turned to run, and I selected Fire Bolt. I extended my palm outward with a thrust, and a softball-sized orb of flame collided with the orcs back, exploding against him and searing into his flesh as it knocked him face-first onto the grassy forest floor. I started to walk over to the spot where he lay, but as the orc struggled to stand I was surprised to see the other girl take unprompted action. This one had hair a darker shade of brown that hung past her cheeks, just down to her shoulders. She picked up the axe that the orc had dropped and buried it in the top of his skull, her face vacant of anything resembling remorse. Finally, the girl sighed, wiping a bit of sweat from her brow. And then she turned to me. A hero! she announced, dropping the axe and clapping her hands together excitedly. Daisy, a hero saved us! I was working on a solution, she grumbled, stepping around the blood spatter to make her way to the other girl. Oh, be grateful. We arent exactly fighters. I laughed. Couldve fooled me, way you just handled that axe. He was already down for the count, thanks to you, she beamed. Im May Belle. She bowed deeply, and then gestured to the other. This is my twin sister, Daisy. They werent identical twins, though they shared a hell of a lot in looks. Both had similar figuresthat tight, big-titted physique I mentioned earlier, most notably. But their faces were also alike in some ways. Both had cute, delicate features and gentle, oval-shaped faces, but May Belles features were a bit softer. Her hair was a deeper, chocolatey hue, compared to her sisters golden-brown tresses, and her nose was cute and button-like, while her sisters was ever-so-slightly more pointed. Both of them were perfect beauties the likes of which I''d never seen in person, and I found my stomach stirring with nerves just to make eye contact with them. Iuh I stammered, trying to find words. Im Bucky. Im not a hero, though. Daisy scoffed. Yeah, because not-heroes go charging into battle basically unarmed to save damsels in distress, right? Her words were kind of flattering, but she said them with an almost disdainful tone. This chick was... hard to read. I squinted at her, trying to puzzle out a response. How did you get here? May Belle asked me after flashing her sister a dirty look. I shrugged, looking around at my surroundings helplessly. Some crazy girl with cat ears dragged me through a purple portal or something and I ended up here. Whoa, purple?! she shouted. You really are a hero! A freaking Apex Hero! I blinked. Thats what my HUD says, yeah. How long have you been in Lusteria? I looked at the watch on my wrist. I guess about five minutes. Wow! Welcome, I guess? she giggled. Talk about fresh off the boat! You were here for like one minute before you came to our rescue. Daisy sighed defeatedly, leaning against a tree. If thats true, you really are the real deal. I shrugged. None of this makes any sense. You two sound just like girls from my world. Youre speaking in the same way, with the same colloquialisms and everything. How do I even understand you? How are you speaking my language? Llanguage? May Belle asked. Whats that? I squinted, shocked that that was the one term she didnt know. You know, like, were talking. And we have words. And because Im from another world, my words should sound different from your words. Language. Sorry, we dont have that here, I guess, May Belle shrugged. You dont have language? You mean everyone just understands each other? I was dumbfounded at the revelation. Ive never met a hero before, Daisy said, giggling. It was a sweet sound, her voice somewhat deeper than that of her sisters but still girly. Are they all so clueless? What about babies? How do you teach babies to speak? Do you teach them words? Some terms, maybe, for specific creatures or magical concepts that we dont deal with every day. Mostly they just figure it out, May Belle shrugged. She sized me up with her eyes, looking me up and down as she bit her lower lip. Her dainty hand brushed her hair back behind her ear. Can we come with you? I mean, sure, I said with a shrug, definitely not eager to let these poor girls wander alone. Where are you headed? Well, we were abducted from our masters farm, Daisy said, eyeing me cautiously. But I dont want to go back there. It isnt safe, and Master Graystone is a bitch and a perv. She''s the worst," May Belle agreed with a jerky nod and a grimace. "Theres a town to the northeast, or so I''ve heard. We could go there, maybe see if they need our services? I cocked an eyebrow, unable to avoid checking their scantily clad bodies out again at the mention of the word services. What kind of services are you referring to? I asked warily. May Belle giggled. Oh no, silly. Not like that. Were holstaurs! she said, one hand pointing to her horns, while the other prodded at her breast. I stared at her blankly. I am unfamiliar with that term. Umm, were also called hucows. Were monster girls that have cow-like traits but human features, Daisy explained. Our race is used for milk. I swallowed hard, my eyes flitting down to their massive chests for the briefest of moments. They noticed. Daisy turned sideways to avoid some of my stare, and my cheeks flushed in embarrassment to be caughtbut May Belle just squished those titties together, apparently eager to let my eyes have their fill. Besides the incredibly bosom they both possessed, their legs were also covered with cow fur below the thigh, ending in cloven hooves instead of feet. In the heat of battle, I didn''t even notice it, but now I couldn''t stop gaping. They really were monster girls. Were always lactating. Its the gift of our kind. And holstaur milk has magical properties. It can heal wounds quicker, stave off infection, or even provide passive XP boosts if consumed regularly! May Belle exclaimed proudly. Do you want a drink? Holy fucking shit, I muttered under my breath. What the fuck, May Belle!? Daisy said, crossing in front of her sister just as May Belle was starting to tug down the loose tattered top so that I could inspect her milk-filled mammaries. What? May Belle shrugged. We have to get milked sooner or later, or its going to start hurting. And keeping him strong is just smart. Hes going to be our protector from now on. From now on? I asked cautiously. "What do you mean? Daisys head whipped to face me, a look of disgust on her face. Oh, fucking perfect. Just as I figured. You were already planning to abandon us at the first trading post we came across, werent you? I threw my hands up to try to demonstrate my clueless innocence. Whoa, whoa, I literally just got here. I dont know whats going on, I dont know what you expect of me I just need to figure out a way to get home, back to my job. Both of them frowned at that. It wasnt a look of disappointment, but pity. Oh, honey, May Belle said. There is no way back. Portals to Lusteria are exclusively one way. I felt my heart throb in my chest as my guts twisted in my stomach. It felt like I was being broken up with by my own world. That makes no sense. Then how could that crazy catgirl go to my world to find me? She said shed searched many worlds for me, I recalled. Daisy shook her head. Its true, catgirls can planeshift and travel across dimensions. Theyre typically used as the emissaries of the gods for that reason, to find heroes and bring them here when needed, or recruit men when populations get low." Recruit men? I asked, narrowing my eyes in confusion as I scratched the top of my head. Yeah, human men are needed for us monster girls to reproduce, but they arent native to Lusteria, Daisy explained, blushing slightly at the admission. So let me get this straight, I said. Im in a world where I have super powers, and other men are extremely rare. Most of the population is either evil monsters that I can kill without moral consequence, or impossibly hot monster girls like you. Both of the girls cheeks were red now at my calling them hot. Thats about right, May Belle nodded, licking her lips. I thumbed my chin, trying to piece it all together. And I remember that feline freak saying something about my Umber-something. Does that ring a bell? An Umbercore is the spark in our souls that carries with it our class, stats, and skills. Its the basis for the logic of our world, Daisy explained, her arms crossed, mashing those magnificent breasts together. I tried not to notice. Alright, I said, pounding my fist into my other hand and nodding. Ive got it. The two holstaur twins looked at each other and then back at me. Got what? they asked in unison. A plan. May Belles eyes twinkled wide as she waited to receive my words. Daisy tried to look less interested, but I could tell she, too, was all ears. Were going to go to that town you mentioned and starting a farm. They blinked at me, a bit confused. But youre an Apex Hero, Daisy noted with confusion in her voice and doubt on her pretty face. Fuck that, I said with a dismissive wave. Im starting a farm, and you two are welcome to join me if you want. I mean May Belle cautiously looked over at her sister, that does sound pretty ideal for us, right? Daisy sighed. We dont need him, May Belle. We can go off on our own. And end up the milk-slaves of greenskins, demons, or witches? Shut the hell up. You know that isnt an option. The offer stands, I said. You dont have to decide right now. How long will it take us to reach that village? A day and a half, I guess? shrugged Daisy. I nodded. Then you can decide after we get there. Or, hell, you can stay a while and leave whenever you want. Youre free to do as you please. Okay, Daisy said at last, her shoulders relaxing. Can I make a suggestion? Go for it, I urged her. She pinched her nose. Can we start moving? These bodies are starting to stink. I looked around, having totally forgotten that we were surrounded by dead orcs and goblins. Oh, heh. Yeah, lets do that. I started walking toward the treeline when suddenly Daisys hand clapped onto my shoulder. Are you seriously this hopeless? she asked, gesturing toward the ground. I looked down and realized that there were two axes and two clubs just lying there next to the defeated bodies of my foes. I walked over and picked up an axe, passing another to Daisy and a club to May Belle. Just in case, I said. Now were all armed. May Belle threw one arm around my waist and walked by my side. I could feel her enormous breasts mashed against me with my bicep smooshed tightly between the heavenly valley of her cleavage, and I became conscious of the fact that they were leaking ever-so-slightly. Im gonna need you to help me with this eventually, big guy, she moaned in my ear, just out of earshot of her sister. Daisyll probably be content to milk herself when were asleep, but I dont want to waste a drop. I nodded solemnly, biting my lip with quiet consideration. You know what? I said to her after a few more paces. What? she asked, fluttering her long eyelashes at me, her floppy cow ears flicking excitedly. I grinned. Lusteria might be growing on me. She beamed back. And tonight, she said, While Daisys asleep Ill be grinding on you. I swallowed hard as my mind raced to consider every possible meaning those words could have, but I landed on the only interpretation that made any sense. I stared straight ahead, trying hard to make no eye contact like I was walking through Customs at the airport. Welp. McDonalds could wait. virgilknightley Chapter 3: Level-Up! PLUS, A Milky Reunion (◆) Just like on Earth, the sun of Lusteria rose and set in the same cardinal directions on the horizon each day, making it pretty easy to discern the way we were meant to be headed. East and West functioned here exactly as they did back on Earth, so my Boy Scouts skills were not all obsolete. Don''t read into that too muchI was a pretty shitty Boy Scout, but I knew how to do some orienteering and possessed a respectful modicum of survival skills, at least. It was hard not to enjoy the scenic walk through those magical woods. A well-worn path made our journey easy, and the sounds of strange and unfamiliar birds sounded from the trees overhead as we trudged through the thicket. All manner of enchanting flowers and cute animals were visible along our path, like we were on some kind of magical safari. With May Belle clinging to my arm, gazing up at me adoringly every few seconds, it kind of felt like a date. The obvious third wheel, of course, was Daisy, who looked back at us in irritation every couple minutes or so to sling a cuss or a backhanded compliment my way. I didnt mind. It was hard to be put in a bad mood when you had huge milky boobies pressed up against you. The various species of flora were relatively unremarkable to me, even if unfamiliar. They looked like plants, and even though they were likely alien to my world, it was hard to care much about it, not being much of a botanist back home. I couldnt appreciate the differences even if I wanted to. The animal life was another matter. Zoologically speaking, these woods were incredible. Squirrel-sized dragon-like things with butterfly wings and big bug-like eyes fluttered from flower to flower and branch to branch. Some seemed to be watching us, even following us on our walk, making me smile. Faeire Dragons, May Belle said. Do you have them in your world? Just about anything with dragon in the name, save for the Komodo variety, the answer will be no, I chuckled. Theyre beautiful, though. I leaned in against her ear, seeing an opportunity to be corny. But not as beautiful as you. Her face went bright crimson at my cheesy compliment. I was enjoying this way too much. Hey, whatever-your-name-is, came Daisys voice from ahead of us. Its Bucky, I chuckled. Sure. Did you level up after that fight? she asked. You should have enough XP to get to level 2. I clasped my hands together and pulled up the HUD. Oh, hey, I remarked, Youre right. I have 5 skill points now. All heroes start with 3, and then you gain skill points equal to the value of your new level each time you level up, May Belle explained, sneaking in a kiss on my shoulder. "At least until level 8 or 9 or something like that. Then the rules change, but don''t ask me about that." Do you have levels? Yes, but we arent heroes, so our levels arent nearly as valuable as yours, Daisy said. We draw from smaller ability pools and don''t get feats. I nodded, trying to make sense of it all. Got it, I said. So how do I upgrade a skill? Well hold on, Daisy answered, stopping in her tracks. She pivoted elegantly to face us, scoffing in disgust at the sight of her sister on my arm. If youre going to be our protector, Im not going to let you spend skill points on a whim. May Belle grunted her agreement. Shes bitchy, but she''s right. You need to understand how this works, first. Okay, lay it on me, I said, cracking my knuckles and grinning. Wed come to a halt. This seemed important enough for that. Daisy took a big breath, brushing her golden-brown ponytail back over her shoulder. The basic rules are like this: You can spend a number of skill points equal to the level of the skill youre trying to upgrade, plus one. So, your Fire Bolt 1 can be upgraded by spending 2 skill points, making it Fire Bolt 2. Max level is 7 for any one skill. Easy enough, I said, committing it to memory. It was a very basic, almost standard, system. But theres more, May Belle said, squeezing my elbow. You can also spend a skill point to ''Discover'' a new level 1 skill at random, though itll be influenced by the skills youve been using most, or the activities youve been engaging in. I frowned a bit at that. It was pretty cool, but kind of risky. Is there a better way to get a skill? If you can find a monster girl or another man with the skill you want trained up to at least level 4, they can train you instead, Daisy said. Aaand, she looked at her sister for confirmation, thats about it, yeah? Yeah, May Belle grinned. "At least for now." What about Feats? I asked. I see Feats in my HUD, too. And you mentioned them. You can get your first one at fifth level, I think, she added in a sweet sing-song voice. "But I don''t know all the rules. Heroes get more through quests and completing hidden objectives. Might be other ways to get them, too, or limitations." Right, and you will be given a selection to choose from based on your recent activities, though there may be added rules about that for heroes, Daisy added. "I think your level 5 feat is a sub-class. You also need to kill monsters with a special weapon or skill to get feat lists to generate for you to select from, spending your points. Something about souls." Okay, I nodded. It was starting to get a bit esoteric. So should I try to get a new skill now, or no? You mean Discover? Or would you rather Upgrade? asked the chocolate-haired holstaur, still clutching me tightly. I thought about it. Discover sounded more fun, but it was also a bit of a gamble. Still, I Do you have any Area of Effect attack skills? Daisy asked, interrupting my train of thought. I have Cleave. And you have an axe. Upgrade Cleave. Thats useful. I dont plan on doing much fighting, I shrugged. May Belle raised a skeptical eyebrow. Umm, youre an Apex Hero. Youre going to be fighting. Im going to be farming, I corrected her with a smirk. Regardless, Daisy said, her tightened face and tapping hoof showing her impatience, you need to be able to protect us. Upgrade Cleave. I couldnt argue with that. She seemed to know what she was talking about, so I took her advice. I focused on my HUD once more, and spent two of my five Skill Points upgrading to Cleave 2. Im going to try to Discover a skill as well, I said, not letting it be a question. Neither of them said anything, just letting me take care of business, which I appreciated. After making some adjustments, this is what I saw. Okay, all done, I said in a self-satisfied tone. Still 2 skill points for later. Flame Sword 1, by the way. Sounds cool. Very. Any more questions, hero? May Belle asked me through a cutely tossed wink. Two more, actually, I said as I studied the HUD. How do I level up my Attributes? Body, Mind, Soul, and their sub-stats? Thats the first question. Level up your skills enough and one of the stats theyre connected to will also increase over time, Daisy replied, crossing her arms and blowing a strang lock of hair out of her face. Okay, great. Last question, I nodded. What are the maximum values of everything? I dont know of a max level, actually, May Belle said, looking to her sister for reassurance. Daisy shook her head and shrugged her shoulder to indicate the same. But Trained Skills max out at 7, and Ive heard that it gets harder and harder to level up Attributes the higher level you get. Diminishing returns, you know? Alright, I said, stretching. I felt a little mentally exhausted to be bombarded with all this new and important information, but it really wasnt all that complicated in the end. Some details were worth making a note of, for sure, but mostly the rules were fairly straightforward. Can we get back on the path? Daisy complained, rolling her eyes. Daisy, honey, May Belle giggled. You were the one that stopped walking first. The golden-brown haired holstaur cast a dirty look at her sister and let out a high-pitched Humph! as she pivoted to face the trail once more. May Belle and I had a bit of a chuckle at her expense, but then kept only a few paces behind, staying just on her tail. After a while, we reached a cliff that dropped down into a teeming river. The crossing was a fifty foot cleft in the land, a flimsy rope bridge the only obvious way across. The smell of river water flowed up to us from the depths of the chasm. Have you been to this village before? I asked incredulously. No, why do you ask? said Daisy. How should we get across? We just walk across. The bridge isnt as rickety as it looks, May Belle said. Alright, but how about that. I pointed. Standing in front of the bridge was a hulking troll, or something big and greenish gray that very much looked like what I imagined a troll to be. It was wearing tight leather breeches and nothing else. Its skin was mottled and scarred, and it had only one eye, the other socket covered with a tied bandana. The beastly looking bastard was wielding a club roughly the size of May Belle. Thats not good, Daisy remarked. Trolls sometimes set themselves up at bridges. They like to bully travelers. Are they dangerous? I asked. I mean, yeah, she said, rolling her eyes at my admittedly stupid question. Look at him. But the three of us can get by. Well kill him if we have to. You mean with his help, right? May Belle asked. You and I wouldnt have a cherubs chance in the Nine Hells against it alone. Humph! Daisy scoffed, turning her head as her cheeks burned hot. In any case, we need a plan. Ive got a plan, I said, pulling up my HUD again. Whats the name of the town? Tater Town, Daisy said. Why? I flinched at the name. Am I high? Did you just say Tater Town? Like potatoes? Its their cash crop, she shrugged. Yikes, I sighed. Okay, you two just hang back. Ive got this. They muttered a few complaints that went unheeded as I strode over to the bulky troll. When it saw me approaching, it lifted up its club menacingly, but I ignored it, instead activating Charm 1. Gday to you sir, said the troll, his eyes glowing pink with the proof that my Trained Skill had worked. He lowered his club, all but forgetting it existed. And what might I be able to do for you on this fine spring day? Thank you kindly for asking, my dear fellow! I chuckled. My companions and I would like to use your bridge to meet our friends in... Tater Town. Would that be agreeable to you? Why of course, my good man! Please avail yourself of this here bridge at your convenience. He took a step back, and I called out to my two beautiful companions. They were smart and careful enough not to say anything about it until wed crossed the bridge. I didnt love the crossing of itit was shaky and nerve-wracking every step of the way. But within a few minutes, wed made it over, and all was well. How did you do that? Daisy asked, her eyes wide in surprise. I mean, the troll. I have Charm 1, I said. I figured with only one target, it was an ideal situation to test it out. My hero! May Belle cooed, beaming at me. Youre so amazing, Bucky! Aww shucks, I chuckled, batting my hand at her playfully. You two arent so bad yourselves. In fact, you''re the prettiest girls I''ve ever seen. Youre going to make me blush again, May Belle said, fanning herself, though Daisy made no reply except to swallow and turn her head from me. Im going to enjoy being your little milk cow, I can tell. My eyes bulged wide, wondering if that sounded as erotic to Daisy as it did to me. I had my answer fast, as May Belles sister whipped her head back at her, snarling. You vulgar slut, she growled. I cant believe you. What? May Belle shrugged. Wed be greenskin dairy girls without him. And someones gotta drink this milk, sis, she said, lifting up a leaking tit. Might as well be our handsome hero and savior, right? Daisys jaw clenched and her mouth opened and shut as if she was saying something, but no sound came out. Another haughty Humph! rang through the forest air, rustling the leaves as she returned her eyes to the path. Dont worry, Bucky-Baby. Shell come around, May Belle whispered as she nudged me. Mark my words, by the end of the week youll be suckling cream from both our teats. I practically groaned aloud at her unabashed lewdness. It is absolutely unsustainable for you to talk like this while Im trying to walk, I said, adjusting my pants. I was still in my McDonalds managerial uniform, and I had the lack of foresight to wear tight black slacks to work. Of course, I never wouldve predicted this morning that Id be in a fantasy world with two lactating monster girl hotties before the lunch rush began. That was pretty far down on my list of ''expected outcomes.'' We traveled for another two hours before the sun started to go down. Using what remained of my mostly-forgotten Boy Scout training, I found an ideal spot off the path nestled in a small clearing between several trees where we could set up camp. We didnt have much in the way of supplies, though. Were going to have to huddle for warmth, Daisy said, flashing me a look of disgust, though I noticed her looking me up and down at the end of it. Oh no, May Belle said in the weakest mock protest ever, winking at me. Whatever shall we do? Even as she said it she was fondling her tits. Thankfully, Daisy didnt notice because her eyes were still busily assessing me. I gathered wood and set up a fire while the girls foraged enough berries and edible leafy plants for us to fill our bellies. It wasnt a great mealin fact it was one of the least enjoyable meals Id ever eaten, but it did fill me up, and it didnt make me feel sick, so that was a win. I remembered trying wild berries before in forests like this, back when I was a snot-nosed brat. It never ended well for my bowels. We kept the fire burning hot as we went to bed. I was assured that in this part of the forest, no hostile beasts were likely to be hunting us, so I should have slept easily, but for some reason, mashed between the bosoms of the holstaur twins, I just couldnt quite manage it. The sleeping arrangement was practically a living wet dream. May Belle was facing me, positioning herself so that my face was burrowed into the spot between her chin and her chest. Her arms were wrapped tightly around my head, and her little legs were fastened around my waist. Her sister, too, was pressed up against mefor warmth, she insisted many times. She didnt speak a word to me once wed settled in to sleep, but minute by minute she pushed herself closer and closer until her chest was completely squished against my back. I could even feel her milk leaking through the back of my shirt, wetting my shoulder blades. She, too, eventually threw her arms around me to my utter surprise, but I knew that if I said anything to acknowledge that fact, Id probably be a dead man. After a while I heard soft snores coming from behind me. Daisy was asleep, but I still hadnt caught a single wink. Hey, May Belle said, leaning down to whisper in my ear. Hey, I whispered back, but my face was buried in her neck, so I wasnt sure she could hear me. Dont say anything, she said. I felt her hand relinquish the back of my head, tracing down her own neck until it reached her breast. She tugged lightly at the thin raggedy fabric that covered her boobs, and with a little jiggle I felt her bosom freed of its confines just below my face. Go ahead, Bucky-Baby, she said. She was literally shivering with anticipation. I swallowed my Adams apple, not sure how good an idea this was with her sister also pressed up against me, but also knowing full well that I wasn''t about to deny this blessed gift. I pulled my head back ever so slightly so that I could look down and see her exposed chest for the first time. There are no words to describe the perfection of those breasts. Glory. Roundness. Smoothness. Those words come close, but they dont capture it. Her incredible tits were both enormous and somehow perky, and her rosy pink nipples poked out, just begging for me to take up their cause. What could I do but oblige? I was a gentleman, after all. I lowered my head, my mouth latching onto her teat. Mmmm fuck yeah, she said. Okay, do you need instructions? I mean Ive sucked tits before, I said, resisting the urge to shrug as it might wake Daisy. Right, but the goal here is a bit different, honey, she giggled. Massage my boobs a little first to loosen it up, okay? I wordlessly followed the command, withdrawing my arm from behind her to drag it across her body until my palm was cupping her breast. I squeezed gently, and I felt her gasp and exhale a hot breath on the top of my head. My fingers danced lightly along the smooth flesh of her tit, gripping lightly, massaging it until her nipple dribbled a hint of cream onto my lips. I lapped up that gift eagerly and was astounded by the sweetness of it. Its good, I whispered into her chest, but she was shaking and couldnt respond. I stopped moving to give her a chance to calm down, still very much waiting for further instructions. Okay, she said shakily, tangling her fingers up in my hair. Good boy. Now, latch onto my nipple so that your lip is all the way around my areola. Keep massaging theOh! she moaned suddenly when I applied suction to my lips, feeling her nipple become erect, hardening inside my mouth. We both froze from the horror of her loud outburst. No stirring from Daisy. Maybe she was playing dumb, but if she was, at least she wasnt making a scene. Fuck dont stop, May Belle cooed at last. Please, dont stop. I resumed my suckling, feeling her nipple plunge further into my mouth as she relinquished a generous helping of her sweet white nectar down my throat. I took a breath, releasing her breast for only a moment to swallow, but she immediately tugged me back down against her. Ohhh gods of Lusteria, she moaned helplessly and high in airy desperation, nibbling at my hair as I fixed my lips back onto her tit. Fuck, fuck Im so horny, Bucky-Baby. I dont even fucking know what to do, my pussys so fucking w Bahaha! suddenly a familiar voice cackled a high-pitched guffaw into the night air, and I was shocked out of my blissful task. A bit of milk dribbled down my chin as I turned to face our assailantthe damn catgirl that brought me to Lusteria to begin with. This is pretty much the best case scenario for me to find you in! she giggled, hand to mouth with genuine glee. Nursing on a holstaur''s breast! What a gift! Absolutely perfect! May Belle and I sat up straight, her jerking her ragged top back up to cover her breasts, suddenly looking quite embarrassed. Daisy, too, stirred and sat up, still clutching me. Whats going on? she said, groggily at first, but then suddenly wide awake. Who are you?! Isnt it obvious? she sniggered and pointed at me. Im the catgirl who brought him here. And soon I have to shuttle him to his date with destiny. You, I growled, my eyes narrowed with anger. Milky titties. I had milky titties in my mouth, and this wretched catgirl interrupted that heavenly glory. Then again, I had to admit she did bring me here. Oh, dont complain, she said, rolling her eyes. It doesnt look like things have gotten particularly bad for you, Bucky Drake. She had my number there. It was hard to stay angry given the circumstances. Now, resume your suckling! she commanded, drawing a dagger and pointing at us. I twitched at the unexpected order. Sorry, what? You heard me. Holstaur milk provides incredible benefitsregeneration and XP boosts, namely, and I need you at your best when you meet the gods. Suck her dry, she ordered, pointing at May Belle. Suck them both dry. Now she was eyeing Daisy. Daisy squealed in disgust. No way, Im not Holstaur, do you value your life? Dont threaten her, I growled. Thats unnecessary. I swear, Im not threatening anyone, she said, lowering her weapon. Its a simple question. Holstaur, let me ask again. Do you value your life? Y-yes? Daisy said, tightening her grip around me fearfully. The catgirl grinned. Then feed him. Lend him your enchanted cream, because if this meeting with the gods goes to plan, he will come out far better equipped to keep us all safe. Her eyes widened, and I felt her head turn. Be gentle, she said, whispering anxiously in my ear. Soon both holstaur sisters were kneeling in front of me as I sat on the ground before them. They eyed each other nervously, embarrassed to be exposed in front of the catgirl. Can you at least look away? May Belle pleaded. "This is kind of intimate." Why? she asked. I must make sure everything goes perfectly. The stakes are too high. I think he can figure out how to suck our tits, Daisy growled, but the catgirl glared back at her impatiently. Moo moo, little cows. Time is of the essence. The twins sighed and gave one last look at each other as they removed their tops. They were kneeling side-by-side, so close that their titties touched, just a bit. Even with the catgirl there, effectively killing the vibe, I still managed to find a measure of joy in the task as I ravaged their nipples one-by-one. Oh my gods, moaned Daisy, clutching me by the shoulders. Her cream had more of a vanilla quality to it, not quite as sweet but more aromatic than her sisters. I could get used to this. I know, right? May Belle grinned at her twin. Hes good. It went on like that for a while. I nursed from each of them until not a single drop of milk was left and the two girls were reduced to wanton moaning. By the end of it, my belly was feeling rather full, and the girls were both ragged and burning with visible desire, grinding their thighs as they knelt, panting like dogs more than cows. Oh fuck, Daisy groaned, licking her lips lasciviously. Im so fucking I know, May Belle panted. Me, too. But shes here, Daisy groaned, eyeing the catgirl. Otherwise Id fu she looked at me and then flushed red with a horrified face, realizing what she was about to admit, her lips only inches from my face. I ignored it and stood up, trying not to smack the girls in the face with my overbearing erection as I did so. They both readjusted their tops so that their breasts were once again hidden awaya crime against the gods, if ever there was one, that such perfection had to be concealed. Very good, said the catgirl, rubbing her hands together. We must hurry. I found you barely in time, and in impeccable circumstances to boot. Fate is on our side, Bucky Drake! The boons of your holstaur maidens will serve us well. I narrowed my eyes at her, looking her up and down. The trench coat and beret were gone. She was wearing a leather corset-like top with spaghetti straps and a matching brown skirt. Her legs bore no visible stockings but she did wear tall laced-up leather boots that were a similar brown to the rest of her attire. She was sexy and lissome, but not nearly as busty as the other two women in my company. Height-wise, she was also on the shorter side, easily a full foot shorter than my six feet and change, and yet she seemed so confident of herself, seeing fit to boss us all around at every turn. You know my name, but I dont know yours, I pointed out. Ah, yes, she giggled. Call me Autumn. Are you ready? I looked at the two holstaurs. They gazed back at me dewily. Yep. Will he come back? Daisy asked, tearing up a bit with worry. Of course he will! Autumn said in a high giggle. Try not to miss us too much, little cow. And if you want to see him again, stay put. She turned her attention to me, and her face went serious. Now, brace yourself, she commanded, walking up to my position. Her palm slammed against my forehead, and suddenly everything was white. When my vision reset itself, I was no longer in the forest with May Belle and DaisyI was floating above the clouds, one of six people forming a circle around a pulsating yellow orb. All the Heroes have assembled! shouted a deep, booming voice. Now, come! Receive your quest and your blessing! virgilknightley Chapter 4: Things Keep Escalating! Few are they who may look upon me, boomed the voice. I could do the arithmetic in my headthis dude was a god. Fewer still are they who live after doing so. There was a pregnant pause, as if the deity was waiting for a reaction from us. I looked around. There were five other heroes, all warriors of some sort by the look of them. One was wearing a black cloak over his shoulders and had an elaborately carved wand clenched in his fist. Beneath the cloak was black leather armor, but it had a modern sensibility to it, one part Matrix and one part Lord of the Rings. The dude was like some badass gothic Harry Potter, complete with a scar on his headbut it wasnt a cool lightning bolt. It was a disfiguring scar that covered the left half of his face and left part of his scalp bald. On that same half, the eye had a decidedly bestial look to it, entirely unmatched to the other, more human, eye. Another hero was wearing a bronze winged helm with leather vambracers and leggings that ended in open palms and thonged sandals. He was wielding a short sword, also bronze, and a leather buckler for a shield. The only clothing he wore was a white toga that exposed most of his muscled chest. He reminded me of a living Greek legend, like Hercules or Theseus. The others were all similarly varied and imposing in their own ways. Wizards, fighters, assassinsit was clear that, in my McDonalds managerial staff attire, I was the odd one out. I looked over my shoulder and saw Autumn hovering behind me. One-by-one, one catgirl per hero was flashing into the formation, standing beside, in front of, or behind her respective hero. Autumn was the first one to appear, and as I studied her face I realized she was coming to the same realization as me. It doesnt matter, she said, giving me a stern look. You are the greatest Apex Hero. I am sure of it. Pay them no mind. To be entirely transparent, I couldnt be bothered to give a shit about it anyway. My priorities were, in this order: And somewhere, way, way far down on that list was whatever bullshit they were gearing up to tell me I had to do. Looking around, these tough bastards were more than capable of doing the heavy lifting, so I was set. As far as I was concerned, I was already well-situated on Easy Street. By the time the god in the golden orb finally spoke again, I was already thinking about cabin construction and the most efficient way to set up a foundation for said cabin. The god continued, glowing in its strange form at the perfect center of our circular formation. Lusteria has been frozen in time, preserved in a pocket dimension until the emissaries completed their holy task. For too long, this world has suffered at the hands of the three Dark Queens who terrorize our people. I scanned the faces of the other heroes, curious to see if anyone else gave less of a shit than I did, but I was slightly embarrassed to see them all apparently hanging on every word. The Greek-looking motherfucker seemed moved half to tears. Now, the task of the emissaries is complete, and six heroes from throughout the multiverse have been brought forth to serve Lusteria and free its people from bondage and oppression. Two heroes from a savage world known as Erotar are here among us, as well as two more from a demiplane housing a school for powerful eldritch sorcerers. One hero has been granted a reprieve from his damnation in one of the nine hells and, in return, is here today to honor us with his service. And lastly, we have enlisted the service of a mighty overlord from a dark and soul-sucking world known as McDonalds. I looked over at Autumn with an unamused expression. I may have embellished a little bit, she shrugged, grinning, twiddling her fingers. Sighing, I turned back to listen. Your task is simple: Defeat the three Dark Queens: Blood-Moon the Demon Queen, Marrowheart the Goblin Queen, and Granny Gilly the Witch Queen. First, build your strength, defend this land from further corruption, and form powerful bonds with its peoples, for only then will you possess the power and devotion required to complete this task. I sighed with relief. I could easily pass off my farming plans as me trying to form bonds with the land and its people. I mean, hell, I was already making impressive headway in building relationships with the natives. I literally just had a local boob in my mouth like five minutes ago. Now, I will bestow upon you the gifts you shall require. First, your dragons. Behold! From out of the orb flew six roaring beasts of indescribable majesty. With bodies that were proportioned like mighty horses, but scaled and with draconic faces and talons, they were a sight to see. Their wings extended outward from their front shoulders, and each of the six dragons already had a leather saddle, bridle, and reins equipped, fastened securely on their glorious scaled bodies. My mouth dropped agape as one of the dragons, a blue one, flew right toward me, stopping in front of me, lowering its head so it could nuzzle my arm. I stroked its neck, getting goosebumps from the tickling sensation of its rough scales on my hand and wrist. It screeched its affection to me, and I couldnt contain a grin. Hes for me? I asked incredulously, stealing a glance over at Autumn who was beaming at me. Yes, he is for you. What will you name him? she asked curiously. I dont know, I said, unable to stop myself from smiling ear to ear like a dufus. I was somewhat reassured when I looked around and saw similar looks on the faces of almost all the other heroes. Blue? Do not fucking name a blue dragon-steed Blue, she growled at me. Have some imagination, for the love of the gods. I shrugged noncommittally. Ill think about it. I would, in fact, not think about it. His name was Blue. And next! boomed the voice. I was all ears now. They officially had my attention after giving me a fucking rideable dragon. Next, we will be announcing the unique ways in which each of you can cultivate your powers most efficiently. Whats he talking about? I leaned in, asking my catgirl escort. Leveling up, she said. All heroes gain XP through fighting monsters and crafting, but Apex Heroes have special methods unique to each of them. Karthu Im Kultar of Thune! shouted the voice, and a snake-eyed man with olive skin and a shaved head hovered forward. Through meditation you may cultivate your XP, once per day. He nodded and floated backward. Aldon Murphy! This time the goth Harry Potter floated forward, already mounted on his black dragon. You may increase the speed of your XP gain by casting high-level spells. He went on and on, going around the circle seemingly at random until at last the voice landed on me. And finally, Bucky Drake! I swallowed hard and found myself floating forward, independent of my own will. You can the voice faltered for a moment. Hold on, this cant be right. Please, everyone, justwait a moment! The golden orb shrank to the point where it almost vanished. I floated backward. Huge yikes. Panicked, I whipped my head back to see the face of my catgirl escort. Her eyes had gone huge, clearly just as alarmed as I was. Why the fuck was my case so atypical that a god had to run off to get a second opinion? After a few minutes of sweating and feeling the curious stares of the other heroes around me, the orb finally swelled in radiance and size once more. Bucky Drake! I floated forward again. To, um, further cultivate your XP, you can Nope. Nope nope. Im not going to say this. Someone else say it. Aaaand back I went. Another voice, this one decidedly feminine, could be heard from inside the golden orb. Well, Im not saying it, Paragon. Who do you suggest be the one to say it? Hierophant, come here. Can you say this really quick? Like, just super quick. Once again, I found myself floating forward. This was getting old. Hmm? Let me see. Bucky Drake blah blah blah you can Is this quite right? Yes, its correct. I checked. Well Okay. Bucky Drake! a third voice was saying, still emanating from the golden orb. I flashed a what the fuck? look to Autumn, who was cringing, mortified by whatever was going on. So, this is awkward, the voice continued. Everyone who is not Bucky Drake or his liaison, Autumn, maybe cover your ears. Literally no one covered their ears. All covered? Great. Bucky Drake, you can cultivate your XP most efficiently through oral, vaginal, and anal sex with women native to Lusteria. There it is. I said it. Im outta here. Oh, umm, uncover your ears! At last I floated back to my original spot, this time for the last time. Thanks a ton, my guy, mumbled the deep, booming voice of the first god, Paragon. Then, clearing his throat: Alright! Heroes! You shall be returned to your last location momentarily, but first you shall receive our final gift. Each of you will be given 1000 XP, which should be enough for you to level up at least once, maybe twice or more depending on what you did before coming here. When you return, please take your task seriously. Defeat evil, grow stronger, and fight the three Dark Queens. You may wish to seek one another out for aid! When this task is done, each of you shall be rewarded proportionately for your role. Before any more questions were asked, I felt a roaring surge of something rushing through me. I clasped my hands tight, pulling up my HUD. I leveled up, alrightI leveled up three times! This was way more than what I anticipated with only 1000 XP. That was likely due to the milk multipliers, I figured. Now, with so many skill points suddenly at my disposal, I was facing down some serious decision paralysis. It didnt really make a ton of sense to hang onto them allbut what did I need so many skill points for? Also, I apparently needed to select a feat, but that could wait, and I wasnt really sure how to do that at the moment even if I wanted to. Perhaps the most logical thing to do would be to ask around Tater Town and see if I could spend my skill points by training with a villager who possessed a skill I could actually use, maybe something relevant to farming or working the land. I nodded to myself, resolved to that idea for the moment. I turned to face Autumn just in time to see her palm flying at my face, her expression indiscernible. When her hand collided with my forehead, my vision flashed white again, and scant moments thereafter I found myself back around the campfire, with two sobbing holstaurs waiting for my return. Their eyes went wide and doe-like to see me, and to my surprise both May Belle and Daisys bodies launched forward to hug me. I stroked May Belles head, but still regarded Daisy with instinctual caution, a little surprised that she was happy to see me at all. You were gone so long! May Belle cried, tears and snot streaming down her face. We waited here all night and all day! I shot a befuddled look at the catgirl, who shrugged her confusion as well. Time is wonky when you meet with the gods, she said. We were gone for, like, maybe ten or fifteen minutes, I said, patting my favorite little holstaur on the head. Most of the time was spent waiting for gods to settle on who had the duty of reading off my cultivation method. I blushed to think of it, absolutely humiliated to have it broadcasted like that in front of all those other heroes and their catgirl emissaries. You were gone for at least twenty hours! Daisy cried, her eyes looking up at me with the look of a child that had just realized her parents had abandoned her. Never do that again! Im flattered to find out you even cared, Daisy, I laughed. She blushed and turned her head away to hide it, pulling back from the hug as though shed just realized she was making a terrible mistake. Iuhits not that I give a shit about you, she said, wiping a tear. Its just that its a dangerous world, you know? May Belles sad face finally broke into a satisfied smirk as she flashed her sister a very skeptical look. Oh, fuck you, Daisy said with a sniffle until she finally broke in a giggle, collapsing on my chest once more with a sigh of defeat, her arms thrown tightly around me. Fuck it. Dont leave me again, she said, looking up at me with faked annoyance. You dick. Ahem! May Belle squeaked with a snigger. Dont leave us, right? Enough of this pointless canoodling! Autumn interjected, crossing her arms and looking at the three of us impatiently. There is no time to waste. Penetrate them, now! The three of us looked at her like she had just grown dick-shaped horns. Excuse me? Daisy asked incredulously. What is with this chick? Did you really just say that? May Belle giggled, though. "I mean, I''m far from opposed to it" He has the unique ability to generate XP for himself by copulating with monster girls, Autumn explained in a hurry. She stopped for a moment to relish the shocked expressions of the two holstaurs, and then took a huge breath just before she launched into laying out her surprisingly well thought-out design. Which means that we must make haste and set up a schedule between the three of us. I imagine that he can probably orgasm at least twice per hour, and there are 24 hours in a day. Assuming we sleep eight of those hoursno, six. Lets not be greedy. Assuming we sleep six hours, that leaves 18 hours a day, which means 36 times that he can have sex, which means each of us Stop, I said, holding up a hand in protest. Youre insane, you know that? She furrowed her brow at me. You know nothing about the threat of the Dark Queens. I would do anything to stop them, she said, her eyes narrowed in purpose. Even anal. I looked at the two holstaurs. May Belle spoke first. I mean, Id do that with you even without the threat of the Dark Queens, but shes not wrong. If the Apex Heroes fail, were all doomed. I turned my head slightly so that I was looking into Daisys eyes. If thats what has to be done, then so be it, she said in a soft whimper. Her cheeks were crimson and her eyes were dewy, but she didnt break eye contact as she said it, so I knew just how serious her words were. Fuck. This was a lot of pressure. Well, step one is to start the farm, I said. The what? Autumn hissed, scowling at me in disgust. The fate of the world is on the line and you want to start a hobby farm with your two little cows? Would you stop calling us that? Daisy seethed, casting a dark look at the catgirl. It was nice to see someone else become the target of her disdain for once. Oh, and what are you going to do? Moo at me? Autumn, thats more than enough of that, I said. To my surprise, the catgirls face suddenly twisted into a look that resembled shame or embarrassment. Sorry. Of course, she said. As you wish, Bucky Drake, my hero. I will play nicely. Thank you, I said, cocking an eyebrow in disbelieving surprise. But then I looked around, suddenly realizing my dragon was nowhere to be seen. Hey, Autumn, wheres Blue? Stop calling him that, she frowned at me. But thats his name, I grinned back at her as cheekily as possible. Now, where is Blue? Hes waiting for your summons, she said with angst-ridden eyes. Try whistling for him. Who is Blue? May Belle asked in bewilderment. Is it another man? I dont want another man around. Im a one-man-girl. I chuckled, raising two fingers to my lips. Thankfully I picked this skill back up in Boy Scouts, too. I blew hard, and a shrill whistle rang through the forest air. The sound of the whistle was quickly followed by the screech of my azure dragon-steed, and I grinned with pride as I saw him barreling toward me, descending from a point in the clouds above. Thats Blue, I grinned, pointing up. Seemingly aware that he was a point of spectacle to us, he upturned suddenly to perform a series of aerial flips and barrel rolls. Hes apparently a bit of a showoff, I noted, beaming smugly at the display. Oh my God! Daisy exclaimed. Youve got a blue dragon? Hes technically a dragon-steed, Autumn corrected her. Hes a dragon that has been custom-bred for our hero to ride. "Then he''s got that in common with me," May Belle tittered. Hes a handsome guy, I remarked, trying to ignore the forward flirtation as Blue finally finished his descent, landing in front of me proudly. I reached out to pet him, and he snorted with contentment, fuming a bit of icy mist in my face. So he doesnt have fire breath, I noted. Blue dragons have ice breath, of course, Autumn affirmed with a nod. Red, gold, and yellow dragons have fire breath. And there are other kinds of dragons, too, but thats hardly important right now. What is important to you, again? I asked cautiously, sparing a look for the petite catgirl. Grinding for XP, she said, suddenly reaching for the strings that were holding her leather top tightly to her stomach and chest. And if neither of the holstaurs are up to the task, then Im up to the task! May Belle said, a bit too eagerly, jumping up and down just before she stripped her rags off in one swift movement. Fucking perfection. You know Im willing, I grinned, taking in the gods-bestowed sight of her flawless naked body, but lets prioritize finding a place to rest thats not out in the open where monsters or goblins might interrupt our fun. I could scarcely believe the words coming out of my own mouth, but I knew it was the right call. My rock-hard cock, though, throbbed with an open protest. Autumn sighed, seeing my point, but still visibly disappointed to delay. Very well, she said. Then lets leave now. Chop chop, people! she said, reaching out and grabbing me by the shoulders, turning me toward the path, and pushing me into motion. The rest of the trip was relatively uneventful. Unfortunately, although I could have ridden Blue to the town, Id have to have left the girls behind to trek the rest of the way on their own, and if you know me at all you know Id sooner die a fiery death than do that. So we continued on foot together. Several hours later we found ourselves face-to-face with the illustriously named Tater Town, and it felt damn good to have a look at civilization in any form, no matter how quaint and primitive. Although it was scarcely a day and a half of travel, it felt much, much longer, at least to me. I dont think that, throughout my entire life, Id ever gone a full day and a half without seeing a building of some kind. Even the campgrounds Id frequented as a teen had visitor centers, check-in buildings, ranger headquarters, and things like that. Not to mention many of them had outhouses or even full bathrooms. On this trip, I had to resort to defecating in bushes while three girls as hot as supermodels waited for me several paces away. It was horrifyingly awkwardthough they seemed to lack the same hangups. Also, most infuriatingly, the three of them somehow seemed to have their bowels and bladders synchronized, because whenever one had to break, the other two miraculously did as well, and theyd run off into the foliage together. The mysteries of women, I suppose. So you can understand why I was so relieved to finally see a village that, I was assured by the twins, had an inn with an outhouse out back. Id endure any smell, no matter how pungent, for a bit of privacy as I did my daily deed. Have you ever seen anything so beautiful? I asked, gesturing to the thatched-roof cottages now a mere fifty yards ahead of me. All three girls scowled at my choice of words. Er, present company excluded of course. Theres the inn, May Belle said, pointing to the only two-level building in town. Shall we check in there first? I mean, its not like we have a ton of luggage, I noted, looking at my companions. It was truethe twins were barely wearing any clothes at all, and the only things they carried were the weapons we scoured from the greenskins when Id met them. I was thankful they never had to use them, save for when May Belle pulled a surprise finishing blow on the one Id burned with a Fire Bolt. And Autumn traveled light, too. She had a hip flask with water in it that we had all been sharing and refilling from the streams as we came across them, but that was about it. Aside from that, she only possessed a dagger, which she usually wore on her belt, slung over her tight ass. So, what? You want to go shopping? Autumn asked, raising an amused eyebrow. With what money? It was a good point, I had to admit. Well, maybe we can do some odd jobs around town for money. My vote is for the inn, Daisy said wearily. My legs are killing me. And my back, too, May Belle added. You try walking all day long with these heavy tits. I blinked hard at that, trying to hold back a pervy grunt as I watched her adjust her chest. A boob fell out of her top for a moment, too, before she popped it back into place a bit too quickly for my taste. Its amazing how much the sight of a single perfect breast can brighten up a dayor make me suddenly very agreeable. Alright then, I said, swallowing with an audible gulp. To the inn. But, were going to run into the same trouble, arent we? No money, I mean? Leave that to me, Autumn purred, her ears flicking mischievously as her kitty tail flailed in excitement. Id be lying if I said I didnt feel unsettled by her sudden enthusiasm. We walked into town, past the well at the center, past a few gentle-looking peopleall of them women, and none of them fully human. So, like, everyone here is a monster girl? I remarked, wide-eyed with wonder at the potential of this world for the first time. There is likely to be an elf or two and possibly a couple human men in town for breeding, Daisy said. But yeah, most people in Lusteria are female, and not fully human. Men all come from other worlds, like yours. Monster girls can''t even give birth to boys. I nodded with solemn reverence. Suddenly, the appeal of every door in this village felt enormous. In each building, behind each window, a sexy monster girl could be waiting, and I might be the first new man theyd seen in ages. I swallowed hard, my mind racing with the possibilities. Are you okay, Bucky-Baby? May Belle asked me, giving me a weird look. Your face is strange. I closed my gaping mouth, and tried to narrow my eyelids to a more socially acceptable level of openness. Right, I said, Sorry. Just thinking. Okay, honey. Just let me know if something is wrong, alright? I almost guffawed. Nothing was wrong. Almost everything was very, very right with the world. I couldnt even count the ways that I was set up to have a good time. But I couldnt easily explain all that at the moment without sounding like a certified pervert, so I just said, Thanks. Ill let you know. We walked through the swinging saloon-like doors of the inn. At the front desk sat a young woman with yellow serpent eyes, green hair, a forked tongue, and a tight body. Well, saying that she sat wasnt exactly right, I realized quickly, as her lower body was that of a green snake with golden stripes and a matching golden underbelly. She was standing on her tail, you know, the way snakes do. A lamia, I gasped, just a bit too loud. My D&D and anime knowledge were enough to grant me that much information. A man, she cooed back, winking. Welcome, stranger, and she looked at my three companions. And ladies, she nodded. You three are sooo lucky. She licked her lips with a forked tongue as her serpentine eyes returned to me. Daisy blushed, but May Belle just glowed with pride. Oh, you have no idea, she said confidently, hanging off my arm. Daisy, to my surprise, grabbed my opposite arm and clung to me nearly as tightly. Her sister noticed this and smirked at the sight of her twin finally getting possessive of me, perhaps finally starting to like me a bit. More likely, she was being pragmatic, seeing me as her ticket to safety, and I could understand that and certainly wouldn''t hold it against her. I had no idea what she''d been through. And what can I do for you? the lamia asked, her tongue flicking wildly as her reptilian gaze remained fixed on my eyes. She scanned my physique up and down, and I almost withdrew from the heat of her hungry glare. We will need your largest room made available, immediately! Autumn said, pointing at the lamia brazenly. Make haste, serpent! Pay first, she said, holding out her hand. The amusement on her face was gone. You shameless snake, gasped Autumn in well-acted surprise. Look at these fluffy ears and this sleek tail! Are you blind? Youre a catgirl, so hes a hero. So what? A hero? A hero?! He is not just a hero. He is an Apex Hero, and he is here to set up a self-sustaining sanctuary for refugee monster girls and elves, especially those in need of breeding. Damn, she was quick on her feet, if more than a little abrasive. In one sentence shed just turned my simple farm pitch into a legitimate cover story that made use of my unique XP cultivation method and justified it completely. The lamia woman perked up. An Apex Hero? Is this true? I nodded, more than a bit embarrassed at my companions manners. Its true. And Im sorry about Autumn, shes Passionate! she interrupted me. The only thing that matters is saving the world and helping displaced monster girls, dont you agree? What is your name? Scalia, she said. And yes. I agree, she smiled. If youre really an Apex Hero, then youre welcome to stay as long as you need in order to get your operation up and running. There is no if, serpent, Autumn said through a cold hiss. I wasn''t quite sure why she bothered to ask her name if she was just going to keep calling her a serpent or snake. I almost buried my face in shame at her behavior. He is an Apex Hero, and if there are two things he is passionate about, its engaging in rumpy pumpy with monster girls and saving the day. At least half of that is true, I chuckled into May Belles ear. Very well, Scalia said. Her tail reached back and pulled a key from the wall. Dont lose this, please. Its a pain to replace. And, hero? Yeah? I said, perking up at being addressed directly by the beautiful snake woman. You owe me a taste. Agreed? She smirked at me seductively as she said it. Get in line, sister, Daisy growled. I chuckled. Its fine, Daisy. She wont replace you girls. Daisy looked at me with her eyes wide as though she couldnt believe what shed just said, or how Id responded. No, I mean Its not like I want to Its just that Oh hush up little lady, Autumn said, making eye contact with me just as she was undoubtedly about to call Daisy a cow again. Everyone can see plainly that you want him. Its only natural. Hes the Apex Hero. Even I can hardly wait to writhe upon his heroic shaft. My eyes bulged as my cheeks burned red-hot. I couldnt believe the cavalierness of her words, and in such a public place. Not only that, but I found myself reappraising her body once again, suddenly wondering just how eager she was. When shed pulled her stunt in the forest before, I thought it was all about grinding XP, but now that I saw the gleam in her eyes when she looked at me, I wasnt so sure that was the entirety of it. Still, damn. She was shameless. I looked around, embarrassed, confirming we were the only people in the roomwhich was mostly just a front desk with a few wooden tables at our backs where visitors likely chatted and ate breakfast. No one here now, though, thank God. Daisys cheeks burned even redder than my own to be called out on her lust for me, but she didnt back away. Instead, she buried her face in my shoulder and tightened her grip on my arm. This was decidedly not a denial. Progress! Before anything else could be said, a pretty young thing with ram horns, goat ears, and cloven hooves charged loudly through the door. Scalia! Two Great Wolves are after the sheep, and Silver Moon is out there alone! Im helpless to do anything! Scalia grinned. Youre in luck, turns out we have I didnt let her finish the introduction. Take me there! I said, lifting my axe off my hip. Out of the corner of my eye I noticed Autumns little mouth open in surprise. My, my, she purred, almost erotically. For someone who fashions himself so lazy and interested only in farming, you have quite the heroic instinct, Bucky Drake. I could practically see the gears turning in her pretty little head. Very interesting. A cry rang out, loud enough for us to hear even inside the inn. Were out of time, the girl shuddered through glittering tears, trembling in fear, but she peeled out of the door fast, and I followed her blindly into the fields where the Great Wolves hunted. virgilknightley Chapter 5: Attempted Heroism We darted out into the afternoon air, rushing out the swinging doors of the inn with supreme urgency. The girl was fast, but now that I was actually dashing I realized I was much faster. Compared to my memory of my fitness level back home, in Lusteria I suddenly seemed way more physically capable in every wayso capable that I quickly realized that following behind the girl was a waste of time and energy. I could easily outpace her... but then again, hell, surely there was a quicker way than going there on foot? Hey, I shouted, Whats your name? Heather, she called back to me without even turning her head. We sprinted down a winding path along a hillside that led into an open field of grass and golden daffodils. The field below was so close, but the steep cliffy hill made getting to it troublesome and slow. Heather, I said, Dont freak out. In retrospect, those were probably not the best words to shout at a girl as youre chasing behind her. I lifted my fingers to my mouth and blew as I continued to run, a shrill whistle piercing the air. The ear-splitting screech of my dragon-steed dominated our awareness only a few seconds later as he descended from the skies, landing just in front of us. The poor girl, though, already traumatized, thought my Blue was just another monster coming after her, and she turned tail and ran back in my direction, a look of sheer horror on her face as her scream pierced the air. I stopped her as she made an attempt to run by me, easily picking the tiny young woman up in my arms and leaping into the air. I landed directly on Blues saddled back, and we took off, me holding the petite monster girl in my arms like a knight carrying a princess. Its alright, I chuckled. Hes our ride. The girl shook violently in my arms with fear and surprise, screeching for a moment in shock at the rapidly changing circumstances that had caught her entirely off-guard. First she was leading me to her friendor somethingwho was in danger, then she was running from a monster, then she was being carried on the back of said monster as we peeled off into the skyI could understand the reaction. I gave her a minute to flail a bit and calm down, holding her steady and shushing her until she finally stopped screaming. Care to fucking explain?! she said, her face bug-eyed with alarm and worry. Long story short, this is my dragon-steed, and I need you to tell him where to go. I chuckled at the journey her facial expressions suddenly took me on as I watched her react to what Id said. First there was a look of what the fuck is going on?, a sort of dumb horror. After that, her jaw went slack and she stared me dead in the face, putting together just what I likely was. Finally, it ended with a little mischievous smile, which I admittedly did not expect. Oh, youre a fucking Apex Hero, arent you? she cooed excitedly, no longer squirming in my clutches. She licked her lips in a most distracting way. Mmmmm Focus, I said. Your friend. Your sheep. Where are we going? She shook her head, like she was shaking off a drunken haze. Right. That way, she said, pointing down at the base of the hill. I squinted to see, and sure enough, I could make out hundreds of poofy white figures scattering in the tall grass below. Sheep, scared and fleeing. Moon, my sister, is down there and so are the Great Wolves. We plummeting, descending rapidly as cool air cut our cheeks. In the descent, our speed increased as we leveraged both gravity and the wind to our advantage. Those shapes were growing larger in my sight, now, and with them I began to see big black and gray silhouettes. Those lupine figures were chasing and harassing the mewling balls of meat and wool as the sheep tried, and often failed, to avoid being torn to pieces by their attackers. I couldnt fight with a monster girl in my arms, though, so Blue swooped down, just above the ground, where he unleashed an icy beam of frost breath on one of the wolves. As he was doing this, I stood up, balanced behind the saddle, and placed Heather onto it. Then I backflipped off, landing seated on the neck of the wolf Blue had just blasted. I thrust downward with my axe in a display of both power and precision, splitting the top of the beast''s skull wide open as a spray of crimson blood and goop painted my face and managerial uniform. Why the fuck was this so easy? The beast slumped to the ground, dead as my mothers dreams for me to go to law school, and I rolled off its neck, nailing a three point landing. Looking around, I could see four more wolves encircling me, one of them twice as large as the others, who were, themselves, each at least the size of a minivan. Two of the smaller ones lurched at me in unison. Cleave 2 activated. I swung my axe in a wild arc as they approached me from my 3 oclock and my 9 oclock positions, and it was like my axe was three times as long as it had started. A red aura extended outward from my swipe, and the hit collided with both of the wolves massive bodies with a satisfying soundthe sound a cleaver makes when it hacks into a haunch of bony meat. The wolves both bayed and howled in pain, snarling at me. One leaped backward to appraise the severity of its wound, but the other recklessly pushed on with its assault, attempting a massive chomp, which I only narrowly side-stepped. The Alpha, so far only watching, gurgled in rage. This hero is strong, it observed in a deep and dreadful voice. "Let us play with him, my pups. Leave the sheep!" Out of the corner of my vision, I could see its glowing orange eyes studying me predatorily. I had to keep those eyes in my view at all times, I instantly realized. The third wolf joined the assault while the Alpha watched from the sidelines, still assessing me. The new combatant coordinated a strike with the other two wolves. I charged up a Smite 1 and waited. I was going to have to take a hit, but at least maybe I could My train of thought was suddenly interrupted by their lightning-quick assault. Three sets of man-sized jaws sought me, but my axe was glowing golden, and just in time an idea occurred to mecould I stack skill effects? In addition to Smite 1, Cleave 2s red radiance empowered my bold axe-swing, and two of the three wolves chests were caved in as more blood spackled both the green grass and my sensible slacks. But I missed the third wolf, as it was coming from behind me, and my arc wasnt wide enough to catch it. Powerful jaws clamped down on my body, picking me up off of my feet as I found the majority of my torso, from my shoulder diagonally across my chest, in the jaws of the Great Wolf, fangs sinking in deep. Indescribable pain. Immeasurable rage. I dropped my axe and powered up both of my fists with Smite 1, punching down on the wolfs jaws and face as it held me in its biting grasp. How can this one use a skill in each hand? the Alphas voice growled in a tone like disgust as it stepped closer, cautiously. I collapsed the snout and cranium of its final ally, freeing myself from its jaws and set my sights on my final foe. But I was far worse off than Id been a moment ago. I landed on my feet, but quickly crumbled to one knee, failing even to catch my breath, blood caking my torn uniform. A lot of the blood soaking my clothes was now my own. Id never felt a pain like this. Id scraped my knees falling off the monkey bars. Id gotten kicked in the crotch when I asked a girl out in third grade. Id broken my leg playing football. Those hurt, but this was something else. This was like dying. I looked down at my chest. Fuck. There was so much red that hadnt been there before, and it only continued to pool in growing splotches until my uniform was basically entirely crimson. Blood dripped down my arms from beneath the short sleeves of my shirt. Who are you? the Alpha said, making no moveto my surprise. To whom do I speak? Fuck you, I said defiantly, spitting out a bit of blood. The Alphas lips drew back into a snarl that might have been a smileI wasnt great at reading monster facial expressions just yet. Bold even in the face of death, it said, a grin in its voice. I admire that. I stood back upwith some noticeable effort. I barely hid a smirk as I noticed a blue shape overhead, coming from behind the Alpha wolf. You are an Apex Hero, arent you? the wolf guessed, eyeing me with something not entirely unlike respect. Its stature was strong, but not dismissive as it regarded me, meeting me at eye level. So we are in the Final Age after all. No comment, I grinned through bloody teeth as Blue descended from behind the Alpha, breathing a blue jet of icy breath on the wicked, catching it by surprise. The Alpha roared in anguish as the attack planted a flurry of icicles in its flesh. Graaahhh! the beast shouted, its movements suddenly jerky and slowed. Blue swooped in and picked me upHeather no longer sat atop his back. She was somewhere else. Safe, I hoped. I pulled myself feebly onto the back of my azure dragon-steed and took off into the sky, but we werent done yet. We still had one wolf to go. We dive-bombed in a swift descent, like a falcon after a fish, but the wolf had one more trick up its sleeve, reverting to a different forma beautiful naked woman with an impressive, muscular physique and long, wild, black hair with the same glowing orange eyes that she studied me with before. Also worth noting were her bushy wolf ears and tail, black as well, and wolflike fur, paws, and claws beneath her forearms and thighs. A much smaller target now, all the sudden, we missed our first pass. Youre not tricking me with some sexy illusion, I shouted as we steered back in the air to make another assault. Illusion? the Alpha laughed in a husky feminine voice. This is my true form. And one of speed rather than strength. True form or not, I ignored her, making another diving strike, empowering my axe with Cleave 2or I tried. Insufficient energy. You cannot use that skill now. Dammit. It figured there was a limit to it, but it sure chose a bad time to present itself to me. I missed another strike as the naked woman darted into the tall grass. We gave chase, trying to follow, but she was too quick and hard to detect, probably using some stealth skill. To make things worse, I was fresh out of tricks and not familiar enough with Blues own abilities to make good on my pursuit. Cursing myself, we turned back. There was something more important than killing the Alpha, after all. I had to find the girl who was watching the sheep when they My heart rose up to my throat, and I swallowed it hard until it sank into the searing pit of my stomach. Another satyr girl, almost definitely Heathers sister by the look of her, lay mangled on the ground, her cold face gazing up into the sky with the eyes of death. *** Some hero I turned out to be. I let the bad guy get away, and I let an innocent girl die. To add to my self-loathing, I allowed someone else to tell Heather what had become of her sister, unable to face the girl myself. Instead, I hid in our room in the inn and stared blankly at the wall as my three companions fretted over me. Both Daisy and May Belle watched me with concern, sitting only a breath away, but it was surprisingly Autumn who spoke up first to comfort me. Its not your fault, she started. She was almost certainly dead before you even got there. It could be true. It didnt make me feel any better. I should have leveled up more skills on the way there. I should have moved faster. I let the Alpha get away. She sighed, nodding at that. We do need to make sure you level up your skills regularly, but from your description, thats General Darkmaw, and you took out four of her Great Wolves. She wont be back soon, most likely. It''s rare that she makes a move against the villages. Almost unheard of, and after being punished like that, I doubt she''ll return. Bucky, you did well. Not only was that beyond what anyone could have expected of you, but It wasnt enough to save Heathers sister, I said. I lay down on the bed, counting the cracks and creases in the wooden ceiling. May Belle cozied up in the crook of my neck, lying next to me on the straw mattress. Soon, Daisy followed, and she didnt even bother to make an excuse for it this time. But when Autumn sat at the base of the bed and put a single hand on my leg in her own effort to comfort me, I lost it. I wept. I cried in front of them, and felt more than a bit ashamed of it, but if they judged me for my show of weakness, they didn''t show it. Within moments of my first sob, all three of them had wrapped their bodies tightly around me. I would never cheapen the death of the poor satyr girl, and I still felt responsible on some levelwhether or not I wasbut its truly amazing what a four-way hug from three of the most beautiful women youd ever seen can do for your mood. Twenty minutes later, Id calmed down, manned up, and took a moment to renew my sense of purpose. Autumn? I started. Yeah? she said. May Belle was snuggling against my left arm, Daisy against my right, and Autumn was lying flat, her head rising and falling with each of my breaths as she rested atop my chest. I am going to be a hero, I said. She perked up, lifting her head to look into my eyes with a soft and lovey-dovey expression that seemed almost comically out of character for her. But the plan is the same. Im going to start a farm No. A sanctuary, like you said earlier. But I will help these people, at least. I will take responsibility for Tater Towns safety. That much I will promise. I almost broke into an inappropriate smirk, saying the name Tater Town out loud. God, that name was so ridiculous. She grinned. Oh, I know, she said. The second I saw you run out that door, I knew you were the real thing. Any grain of doubt I had in you was gone when your face lit up at the chance to save that girl. She frowned. Just remember that, she said. You tried. And you meant it. Thats what makes you a hero. I nodded, my forehead bumping hers lightly, making her giggle in a saccharine tone. I think Id like to get up now, I said. Autumn shook her head and looked at Daisy and May Belle to back her up in whatever she was about to say. No. Your wounds are healing. Youre lucky youre an Apex Hero, with all the regeneration powers that entails, or youd be dead. I must insist that you rest here all night. Youre not going anywhere, Bucky-Baby, May Belle cooed as she pecked soft kisses onto my neck. Just relax for us. Please? Yeah, just dont move for a while, okay? Daisy added nervously. Seeing you in pain, I she blushed, cutting herself off as she choked back tears. I cant sleep, I said after a pause. Whats the point in lying here? Ill tell you the point, Autumn purred mischievously. Grinding XP. I blinked, feeling a gentle twitch under my slacks as I immediately understood their intentions. Im in no shape to plow you girls, I said cautiously, though my eyebrows did a little happy dance at the prospect. Emotionally or physically. Not that I dont love the idea. As I recall Hierophant saying, much to his own mortification, you gain XP from vaginal, anal, or oral sex, she said, her little hand tracing down my chest and settling on my bulge. I was already in my boxers because my clothes were all ruined with bite marks and blood. I dont think itll be too stressful for you to blast a few hot loads in our throats, will it, hero? She purred right in my face, staring at me with her big cerulean feline eyes. I swallowed hard. This was happening, and I had neither the will nor the want to stop it. I think I can manage that, I said bravely. For Lusteria. For Lusteria, the catgirl echoed as her hand slipped inside my boxers. "And we''re not stopping until you level up." virgilknightley Chapter 6: Oops, All Sex! (◆◆) "This is a time for experimentation," Autumn said, smirking through pretty pink lips. She removed her top and her skirt, and before long I was face-to-face with a naked petite catgirl as she purred and licked her lips up at me. "Bucky, how much XP do you have before you level up? We need to track your orgasms and see if there is a pattern to how much you gain each time you cum." I fumbled to answer, drinking in the sight of her tight body, her puffy pink nipples drawing most of my focus, at least until I noticed her little bare slit. "Ummm," I clasped my hands together, pulling up the HUD. "320 XP to level up," I noted aloud. She purred. "Good. Nothing else matters but making sure that number goes downuntil it suddenly becomes a much bigger number once you level up." Autumn was right, of course. And it''s not like I was protestingif the best way to cultivate my XP was to make sure I had as much sex with monster girls as possible, then I would happily give my body to the cause. After the shame of my last failure, the sight of that dead satyr girl was still branded into my mind, so I could also just use the distraction. I felt the catgirl''s body slide down my own, felt her hard nipples dragging across my skin. Blood was still staining my chest in splotches, and my wounds were closing slowly. "Your chest looks so bad," Daisy remarked, looking at all the points of insertion that the Great Wolf''s fangs had left in my torso. Her finger lightly traced the wounds, and she looked to me as though for permission for something, but I wasn''t sure what. "It''s our duty to help him heal, Autumn, so you go right on ahead. Well take care of things up here," May Belle said, peeling off her top. Her glorious, busty bosom bounced beautifully into my view, just a dribble of milk escaping her teat. "Suckle up, Bucky-Baby," she grinned. "There is nothing for miles around that''ll heal those wounds like our milk." Her cow tail flicked excitedly as I licked my lips and stared wide-eyed at her naked tits. Daisy nodded out of the corner of my eye and removed her top as well. Another perfect pair of titties came into view, and I almost gasped to find myself sandwiched between them as they both greedily sought to have my lips fix themselves upon their teats firsta silent, sisterly competition that made me both giggle and groan in short order. I was so distracted by the holstaur boobs in my face that I almost didn''t notice the catgirl positioning her head just over my now erect cock. I was jolted back into awareness of Autumn''s movements when I felt her delicate hands on the waistband of my boxers. She didn''t take much time in pulling them off of me. I lifted my hips up off the thick straw bed ever so slightly to make it easier for her, and now my cock was free as a bird. Autumn gasped, perhaps surprised to see such a large dick spring forth from its hiding place. The pretty blonde catgirl gripped it tightly and held it up before her eyes, inspecting it closely. "I''m not sure how deep I can take this, Bucky Drake," she murmured worriedly in her cute, high voice, giving it a few tentative licks. Her tone was normally haughty and domineering, but now, as she hummed against my cock, it was sweet and submissive. I moaned softly at the feel of her textured tongue against my shaft. It was hard to believe that the same girl who''d been so bossy with me this whole journey was readying herself to suck me off now. "Good kitty," I moaned, looking over the shoulders of the holstaurs at her, and she giggled. "Bucky-Baby," May Belle whined impatiently, "My tits are so full, and you need the milk," she said. "Please..." Instead of saying anything, Daisy just turned her head and blushed as she pressed a nipple against my lips. I latched on eagerly, sucking the soft tit clean, my hands massaging each of May Belle and Daisy''s perfect breasts to prime them for the milking they so desperately needed. The first taste of Daisy''s heavenly creamagain, with that soft hint of something like vanillafelt godsent as the flavor danced on my tongue. As I suckled, her pretty face went beet red and she bit down on her own fist, but her eyes watched me with excitement, narrowing with desire. "Me next, baby," May Belle moaned impatiently. "She''s had enough. Milk me, too." Her little brown and white cow ears flicked with irritation to be neglected, and it made me chuckle into her sister''s tit to see my little loyal holstaur getting so jealous. "Wait your turn," Daisy seethed quietly, leaning in. "My milk is more regenerative than yours anyway, you greedy cow. Yours mostly just boosts XP." "Both valuable qualities, both of which Bucky needs right now, so taking turns is indeed necessary," remarked Autumn as she took the full length of my cock in her mouth at last. Her head bobbed slowly, gently, up and down, just a fraction of an inch at a time at first, but my mind was lost in a world of blissful pleasure. Between the holstaurs tits in my face and their nipples between my lips, not to mention the catgirl gorging her throat on my cock, I was in heaven. My cock twitched involuntarily, my balls tightening up as Autumn did her holy work. I almost wanted to cum already. But Autumn''s tight, warm throat felt so wonderful around me that I managed to find the spiritual strength to stave off that urge, wanting to enjoy it as long as possible. With a disappointed groan from Daisy, I removed her tit from my lips with a pop and turned my head over to May Belle. "Fucking finally," she moaned, all but forcing her rosy pink nipple-nub into my mouth. I latched on immediately, applying suction and kneading her breast with my hands expertly until I felt the flow of cream begin, almost as sweet as honey as it filled my throat. "Oh, fuck yes, Bucky-Baby," she gasped between my loud sucking sounds. "Drink me dry! Fuck!" Daisy looked slighted and impatient, though she was already massaging her other breast to prep it for my return. Her eyes were narrowed in jealousy as she watched me spoil myself on her twin''s teat. "You''re clearly picking favorites," she whined. "Humph!" she grunted, turning her head to the side in a show of protest even as she readied her tit for me. "Maybe if you weren''t always such an ungrateful bi" I pulled May Belle''s tit out of my mouth to intervene, though with pleasures Autumn was bestowing on my cock it took me a second to form words. "Okay," I started. "Enough of that. No one''s picking favorites. I adore you both," I said. Earlier in this same day, I probably would have easily been able to commit that title to May Belle, but Daisy''s antics were admittedly growing on me. Daisy looked back at me for a split second, and then caught herself as she grinned into my eyes. She whipped her head away again in shame. "Humph!" she said, turning her head up so fast that her golden brown ponytail slapped me in the face. "Nice try, but I won''t forgive you so easily." I chuckled, taking the bait. "And what''ll it require for me to get your forgiveness?" She looked at me, looked away, and mumbled something incoherentwords too soft to make out. I blinked. "Sorry, I missed that," I said returning to May Belle''s teat but keeping my eye on Daisy. Autumn was, meanwhile slurping the length of my dick, taking about half of it in her mouth as she bobbed up and down on it in rapid succession, while her little hand jacked off the lower portion. A groan escaped me as I felt myself bubbling closer to climax. "Kiss me on the lips!" Daisy shouted, and then she buried her face in my chest in embarrassment. She was blushing so hard I could feel her cheeks burning against me. I lifted up her head by the chin so that she was facing me, and smiling, I leaned and planted a kiss on her soft lips. Her eyes closed and she trembled as I slipped my tongue inside, and soon her own tongue was intertwined, dancing lewdly against my own, while Autumn groaned on my cock. Now it was May Belle''s turn to seethe. "No fair! She got the first kiss??" Autumn removed my cock from her lips with a popping sound. "Who cares? Do your duties to him, and Lusteria! Seek his pleasure before your own! Back to work! Chop chop!" I got right back to suckling and filling my mouth with the heavenly cream of my twin holstaur maidens. The taste of Daisy''s milk, now mixed in with the sweetness of her sister''s, seemed somehow even more fulfilling. It was so good, so powerful, and the rush of milking the two of them together was unbelievable. Their tits were mashed against each other so that I could go back and forth between them freely, and I did just that. As the flow of their milky nectar increased, I was soon treated to a pair of surprising orgasms, both of which came after I''d sucked and swallowed a whole load of the sweet stuff. "Ohhh fuck!" Daisy moaned, her whole body shuddering against me as I lapped up the last dribble of milk from her breast. May Belle, meanwhile, was already a writhing mess beside me at that point, twitching and groaning like a beast in heat. "Shameless!" Autumn scolded them. "Cumming before your personal savior. Unthinkable." But I was close, too. Autumn was doing an incredible job sucking me off, and the barrage of perfect titties in my face that the twins provided was compelling secondary stimulation. Before long, my balls tightened up, and I felt the urge to release welling within me. "Oh, shit," I moaned, feeling my hips buck involuntarily. "I''m gonnaOh, fuck, Autumn!" The catgirl''s eyes shot open and she gagged as my orgasm hit. My dick jerked in her mouth, spurting out a thick rope of my hot cream between her tight, pursed lips, and then the next spurt was an absolute torrent of semen, coating her throat and spilling down her neck onto her perky breasts. Her bushy cat tail waggled excitedly at the completion of her task. "Excellent, Master Drake!" she beamed at me, my pearly jizz still dripping down her body. "Quick, how much XP remaining until you level up?" I pulled up the HUD once more and grinned. I leveled up. 2238 XP left until next level. Her eyes went wide. "Then more than 300 XP was gained from your orgasm, just from getting sucked off." Her face took on a faraway look as she performed a series of calculations in her head. "We need to perform further experiments." I laughed. "I could honestly use a minute." "Unacceptable," she said, shaking her head. "You''ve had far too many minutes without your cock burrowed in one of our holes. For Lusteria, right?" When she put it like that "Me next!" May Belle said, raising her hand and sitting up with a sudden jolt, finally recovered from the desperate quakes of her orgasm. Autumn looked pensive, still brainstorming internally. "Alright little cow," she suddenly glanced at me in horror at the realization of what she''d said. I frowned back at her. "I meanMay Belle! I''m sorry!" May Belle giggled sweetly, forgiving her already. "At least you''re trying, I guess." "Anyway, we need to see just what qualifies as sex. He''s still in no condition for full-on penetration, but I wonder if you could slide his cock between the folds of your pussy and grind him, stimulating him between your cunt lips. I want to see if that counts. I want to see exactly what works and what doesn''t." May Belle looked at her a bit confusedly. "You mean, like, a pussyjob?" "Precisely. Are you up to the task?" May Belle actually trembled with excitement. "Oh, hell yes." "And there''s more," Autumn said, looking at Daisy. "While your sister is using her pussy to pleasure our master, you will be sitting on his face so that he can pleasure you." Daisy blushed, flashing her a faked look of disgust. "What?! No way!" Autumn sighed. "We don''t have time for you to play coy. Hierophant said he gets XP from oral sex. I need to know if it matters whether he is the one giving or receiving it. Get into position. Bucky, check your HUD every time someoneanyonecums." "Yes, ma''am," I nodded, chuckling. "You''re a fierce taskmistress." "I''m singularly driven," she said, without a hint of a smile. "Only the preservation of our realm matters, and I will do whatever it takes to see my mission completed." I almost got swept up into the sudden serious mood that her face took on, but any possibility of that happening was erased when Daisy''s hot pink pussy landed on my lips as the holstaur girl straddled my face. From down below, her far gentler twin was positioning my cock between her pussy lips and starting to grind. Holy fuck. She was so hot and wet. Her pussyjob felt like rubbing my cock along a stick of half melted butter, ribbed for my pleasure. The feeling of her slick folds sliding along my cock was incredibleand yet somewhat frustrating, as I knew I was just a single calculated thrust from entering the gorgeous girl''s willing cunt. I tempered my frustration by punishing Daisy''s pussy, grabbing her by the thighs and inserting my tongue deep inside her. I licked her slowly, taking my sweet time teasing her clit and licking around her sopping entrance. Her moans were restrained at first, but soon she could hold back no longer, grinding herself down onto my face and squealing more like a little pig than a little cow. Her juices began flowing, and soon they started coating my chin and dribbling down onto my chest. If she kept this up, I might choke. The thought nearly made me laughit''d be a hell of a way to go. The pressure of Daisy''s sex pressed down on my mouth was making my jaw ache, but you would never find me complaining about having a juicy pussy smooshed against my lips. I focused on her clit with my tongue and slid a finger between her folds, slipping it up into her tight tunnel, feeling her muscles clamp down on the tip of my digit. Her body was trembling with the obvious prelude to a mighty climax, and she was moaning loudly as she ground her hips harder on mine. It was amazing to watch her boobs jiggling the whole time from beneath her. What a fucking angle. "Fuck, Bucky," she groaned, her voice airy and uncharacteristically sweet. "I''m gonna cum! I''m going to fucking cum in your mouth, honey!" I couldn''t believe how loud she moanedand she called me honey! For a moment I worried that people outside might hear, but that thought was banished when the deluge arrived. Her entire lower torso shook and she let out a long, drawn-out wail of ecstasy. I felt her body tense up, then she slumped forward, her weight bearing down on me, her pussy constricting in an almost painful grip on my finger even as a lewd gush of her sweet nectar covered my face. "Ooooooh, yes! Yes, oh god, yesssss!" she screamed, her voice echoing off the walls of the inn room as the orgasm rippled through her. I smirked with self-satisfaction as she collapsed on the bed beside me. "So does this mean you like me after all?" I looked over to see her blush and pout, like fucking clockwork. "Don''t think too much. This is all about Lusteria, you know. But, I mean..." she looked away for a moment to hide the obvious redness of her cheeks from me, "it''s not like I hate you or anything." I smiled, but only for a split second, because my concentration was broken by a change happening down where May Belle was doing her business. "Godsdammit, Bucky, I''m so sorry, I can''t do this," she said, gripping my cock in her hands. My eyes went wide as she placed it along her entrance. I wasn''t about to protest. "No!" Autumn said as my hips bucked to greet May Belle''s waiting pussy. "Fuck, so much for that experiment." "It never would have worked," May Belle shrugged. "His cock is too good to resist." Autumn sighed. "You''re right of course. But he''s in no shape for this, May Belle." My body was still covered with wounds, though they were rapidly healing due to the magic milk I''d consumed minutes before. "I''ll fucking manage," I groaned, and I thrust upward, sending a shockwave of pleasure into May Belle''s body as her eyes crossed and her tongue fell out of her mouth from the bliss. "Oh fuck yeah, baby," she squealed, grinding back against me. "Quick, though!" Autumn shouted, refocusing us. "Daisy just climaxed. Bring up your HUD! Did you gain any XP?" I clapped my hands together, and studied the HUD. "212 XP gained," I said. "Better than nothing." I didn''t bother to process any reaction Autumn made to the news as May Belle''s enormous tits wobbled and jiggled with every bounce she made against my cock, and I could feel her pussy clenching down on my shaft. It was incredible. The sensation was so intense that it was almost maddening, and I had to grit my teeth to keep from grunting like an animal as I continued to thrust upwards, fucking her every bit as hard as she deserved. My efforts were constantly rewarded with a soft, squishy sound and a warm, wet sensation as her hot pussy welcomed me back inside with each movement. The feeling of her tight, velvety cunt clutching my cock was incredible. I grabbed her by the thighs and slammed into her hard, my balls slapping loudly on her ass as she bounced, hilting me again and again. She shuddered and moaned, her head thrown back and her breasts bouncing and shaking, wayward splotches of milk leaking on the bed and dripping on my chest and legs from her efforts. Her pussy seemed to be trying to swallow my entire length. I could barely move anymore as I gave in to the pleasure, and I knew she could tell I was on my last legs. "I love your big, strong cock, Bucky!" she squealed, grinding down on me, urging me to push up inside her in response. "I love it so much!" The heat and wetness of her pussy was overwhelming. I couldn''t stop thrusting. It was like my brain was being replaced with a jar of hot slime. I was going to cum. I was so, so close. I thrust up into her one last time, and then I was there. I felt the first shotgun blast of my seed shooting into her, and I grunted like a caveman as my whole body tensed up, my hips jerking and my toes curling. "Yeees! Oh, yeah, I''m cumming! Fuck, were doing it together, Bucky-Baby!" she screamed as she clamped down on my cock and ground herself, tightening her pussy lips so that not a drop of my jizz could escape. I couldn''t hold out any longer. I was shuddering, and I groaned like an animal as I shot a few final blasts of cum deep in her. And then I was spent. May Belle moaned, her whole body reduced to shakes and shivers, a beautiful mess of sweat and satisfaction. She collapsed forward as her tits engulfed my face. And then, in my ear, she whispered something quiet enough that only I could hear it. "I love you, Bucky-Baby." Before I could respond, Autumn''s high voice rang out a command. "Quick! Check the HUD! How much XP did you gain? I clasped my hands together, reaching around May Belle''s back to do so as her body was still pressed against mine. In doing this, I also planted a covert peck on her sweet lips. The HUD appeared and my eyes glazed over as I processed the number. "What is it?!" Autumn shouted. "Please, tell me!" "1248 XP to level up," I said. Her eyes went wide, and even Daisy and May Belle gasped in my ears. "That''s 780 XP," she said after doing the equation in her head. "That''s... a lot. Bucky," she said, "This is the way forward. I don''t fully understand the mechanics of it, but further experimentation is obviously required. She turned her back to us and a claw extended from her index finger. She started scratching numbers on the wallnumbers that, for some bullshit reason, I could understand as perfectly as if they were in English. "Let''s see... Bucky''s first orgasm was 582 XP, then Daisy''s was 210 XP, and then Bucky''s second was 780 XP. This implies so much," she said, tapping her chin. "First of all, it may or may not be that the kind of sex influences XP. It might simply be that it''s the strength of his bond to the girl, or perhaps his attraction, his level of sexual gratification, or perhaps even the girl''s levelbut that is unlikely, because I am most assuredly a higher level than either of you," she said, pointing at the two holstaurs. Neither of them were in a mental state to pay much attention to numbers, and they just squeaked and shivered into the sheets in reply. "So, I think the next step" "Can we take a break at least?" I said, interrupting her before she went all Beautiful Mind on us. "There''s going to be diminishing returns at some point here, and there are other things we need to do." Autumn sighed but retracted her claw. "Very well, what did you have in mind?" She pivoted to face me, still naked, and I actively tried to avoid getting hard again at the sight of her, fearing it might embolden her to start things up yet again. I grinned. "Let''s start a farm." She grinned right back, flashing her sharp canines. "Very wellright after you rest up and spend those skill points, hero." I nodded, my chin bumping May Belle''s shoulder as the poor girl was still quaking against me with the aftershocks of her climax. "Deal," I said. "Let''s level up." virgilknightley Chapter 7: The Not-So-Simple Life virgilknightley We took a leisurely little tour through Tater Town, and it left quite an impression. It was pretty, picturesque, and peaceful, and the collection of monster girls that populated it was much the same. The simple thatched roof cottages and primitive cabins were far from the comforts of modern architecture and construction that I was used to, but they held an inescapable rustic charm. The bright weather lent the scenery a certain cheerfulness which made me feel more at home. The town indeed was something like what my imagination had pictured when first I heard about the communitya rural hamlet where life seemed still very close to its primordial roots. Calling this a town was generous, though. There were a dozen houses by my count, most of them doubling as some sort of local business, like a smithy owned by a busty bunny girl, a tanner and clothier run by a satyr MILF, or Scalia''s inn, which I learned was also used to distribute food from nearby farms among the people in town. It was a tight-knit community, and sure as the sky was blue, all I saw as I walked around was a cornucopia of gorgeous monster girls. This is a nice place to retire, I said, humming pleasantly as we walked from building to building, introducing ourselves, making the whole town officially aware of the presence of me, the so-called hero. We were greeted similarly everywhere we wenteager, lustful eyes that consumed me as though I were the first man theyd seen in ages. When I''d said that, Autumn shot me a look that could make a candle extinguish itself. Youre not retiring, Bucky. Youre just starting your career as a hero. Dont even jest about such things. I chuckled. Truth be told I was trying to set her off, and it worked. Too easy. We came to hear there was one other man in towna human by the name of Jacob Mercer. He was a level 9 breeder from another world. Maybe from my own, for all I knew, but it didnt seem to matter. When I showed up at his door, the look he greeted me with was understandably less lit by excitement than I was used to by that point. Aww, fuckin great, he said with a guttural groan. He was graying on the sides of his head, and had a bit of a tubby belly, but his face was handsome and he sported a well-maintained beard. Well, I knew it wouldnt last forever. Umm, hello, I said in response, waving meekly. He looked at me, looked over my three girls in a way that made me a bit uncomfortable, and then gestured for us to step inside. So youre the new hero everyones fawnin over, he groaned as he sat down on a rug by his fireplace. Nice to meet you, I guess. Doesnt seem like it, I said, his tone not eluding me. Well, I think you can understand my situation, kiddo. Only dick in a town full of beauties nigh on two decades. All of a sudden, a hot new piece of meat strolls in, stronger and younger than myself. You catch my drift? I nodded. Girls, why dont you wait outside? Id like to talk to the gentleman alone. Autumn and May Belle nodded and stood back up wordlessly and headed for the door, but Daisy was a bit more hesitant to let me go, tugging at my elbow as I tried to shrug her off. I, uh, dont trust him, she whispered in my ear, but that wasnt it. She just was unwilling to let me out of her sight. I was used to this by now. I could practically smell the abandonment issues on her. Itll be fine, I assured her, humoring her. Now go. Time for boys'' talk. Hesitantly, she exited, and the breeder and I were left alone. Names Bucky, I said, extending a hand. Jacob Mercer, he replied, taking it. So how do we deal with this? I asked, entirely sympathetic to the situation. Honestly? he grunted, I have no fucking clue. Ive been the community cock here for ages, but I tell ya what, I live with three girls. Maya, Esper, and Karma. Okay, I replied cautiously, trying to guess his purpose. Just... be careful with them, for your own good. Ive marked them, so theyre bound to me exclusively, and touching them will mess you up. Youll also make them feel awkward if you try to put the moves on them, so be warned. And, if you force yourself on my girls itll be much worse for you than it is for them. Not a threat, by the way. Thats just how marking works. I winced. I would never do that, I said. Dont worry. Honestly, Ive already got my hands full with just those three. I gestured to the door behind us. You say that now, he chuckled. The appetite grows, my friend. Its a bottomless pit from which there is no real escape. I chuckled. I can see how that might be true, I confessed, thinking of what Id recently experienced. But, sorry, whats marking? He smiled warmly at last, and I relaxed a bit. Thats a question for your catgirl. I dont want to get into the nitty gritty myself. Now, is there anything I can do for you, or are you just poppin in to say howdy? I thumbed at my chin. I had already trained a few skills with the other people Id met in townskills that I thought might be immediately useful, but I still had plenty of Skill Points to burn. You got anything that might be useful for farming or fighting? He seemed to think about it, but only for a fraction of a second. You mean tools? Or what? Skills, maybe? Could you train me in a skill? He smiled, Matter of fact, I got just the one. Farmin, fightin, fuckin, this onell get you covered. I was obviously intrigued. Well, lets do it then, I said. Training was a weird process. It involved two people opening up their HUDs together, and then joining hands. I went through the motions, and honestly, it was a little awkward to do with Mercer. His hands were rough and dirtyhe clearly didnt live an overly privileged life despite his role as breeder. They definitely had him putting in hours on hard labor, and you could tell from the sunburnt and rough look and feel of him. A message appeared on my HUD, hovering in front of my stats. Id picked up a few new skills by talking to locals, and I''d upgraded several others that seemed useful. I still had 8 Skill Points remaining, just in case. I was thinking about Discovering a new skill later, maybe after we settled in. For now, though, a separate matter was at hand. Jacob F. Mercer would like to Train you in Endure 1. Do you accept? Ohh. That did sound good. Without a hint of hesitation I accepted the alerts conditions and felt the new ability assimilate into my being. Thank you, my guy, I said, grinning. What does this do, exactly? This will keep your stamina full much longer, but you can only use it for a couple hours a day. It is absolutely crucial for breeders in more populated areas and its one of the skills we all start with, but its useful for just about anyone. I can imagine, I said, my mouth hanging open in awe at the completion of my words. The potential of this one skill to blow my whole world wide open was plainly obvious. Thanks again. Just make sure to leave some tail for me, alright? he said. Worst case scenario, I suppose I can take my gals and hightail it on over to the next town in need of a breeder. Hopefully it wont come to that, I chuckled. Itd probably be nice to have another man around. He seemed to consider that. Yeah, he said, smirking just a little. You just might be right about that. But there was something else in his tired eyes that told me he wasn''t considering it all too hard. I half-expected him gone by morning. I went back out into the town and was immediately surrounded on three sides by gorgeous women. Daisy instantly attached herself to my arm again, while May Belle strolled alongside me, leaning her pretty little head against my shoulder as she hummed a tune. Autumn walked ahead of us. While you were bonding with the breeder, I did a bit of asking around, she said, not looking back. She just beckoned for us to follow, so we did. To be assigned a plot of land to farm on, well need to talk to the lorekeeper and founder of Tater Town. Sounds good to me. Whos the nice lady? I asked, slipping an arm around the waists of both of my holstaurs. Daisy flinched at my touchjust before melting against it completely. May Belle succumbed at the first instant, tightening her grip around me in kind. Her name is Etherea, and then she stopped, turned to face us, and looked around before she continued, now in a shrill whisper. Shes a knife-ear! My eyes went wide, and I almost gasped. What kind of monster is that? I asked. Sounds freaky. Knife-ear? Daisy also gasped, but for an apparently different reason. Autumn, you are incorrigible! The word is elf! I facepalmed. Did you just use a derogatory word for elves in a town run by one? Autumn looked suddenly embarrassed. Is ''elf'' the preferred term nowadays? What in the name of the gods would make you think that ''knife-ear'' would be the preferred term? May Belle asked, rolling her eyes with such force that I worried she might experience a dizzy spell. Well that explains why people always react badly when I say that, she shrugged. "Life is full of learning experiences." Okay, okay. Lets all agree, Autumn, never ever acknowledge anyones race ever again, alright? Agreed, Daisy and May Belle said in unison. Autumn sighed. Well, anyway, shes in this lodge up ahead, and I assume shes expecting us to pop in and visit sooner rather than later. So lets go. I have an idea, I offered, Maybe we let May Belle do the talking? Autumns head whipped back around just as she started walking toward the lodge. What?! Are you ashamed of me?! Unabashedly, yes, I confirmed with a serious expression. You need sensitivity training or something, and having you be my ambassador or whatever? Its an insane notion. You call Daisy and May Belle cows. You called Scalia a serpent. You called the lore-whatever of this town a full-on slur. So, yeah, until you earn my trust, Im firing you as my representative. She pouted, her shoulders slumping defeatedly. Fine, she whined. May Belle, you talk. May Belle shook her head. How about Bucky talks for himself? Id rather just stay focused on snuggling up against him. That''s my primary skill-set. I laughed at that, knowing full well that she was a lot more capable than she was letting on. I remembered how quickly her instincts took over and she dispatched the fallen greenskin when I first met her, and she was certainly a charismatic girl to say the least. Same, Daisy said. I looked at her in surprise to hear her chime in unprompted. I meanI dont want to talk, she said, her cheeks gone hot and red as she dodged my eyes. Nice recovery, Autumn laughed. Alright, Bucky. Youre up. We sauntered over to the lodge and knocked on the wooden door. Without much delay, it opened, and standing just inside was one of the most beautiful women Id ever seen. She wore a diaphanous silvery gown that glittered temptingly as she stood in the frame of her door. Her figure was fit, but with monstrous breasts, and she hardly looked like she could be older than mid-twenties. It boggled my mind to think she was the elder and founder of this settlement. Perhaps even paler than her silvery dress was the tone of her skin. She was a pale blue, the color of cornflowers in bloom. Her silky hair was long, moon-white, and perfectly straight. Her narrow figure straightened at her back as she took in the sight of me, jutting out her eye-catching titties. Her cerulean eyes studied me from head to toe, giving me license, I hoped, to return my own assessing gaze. She didnt seem to mind. So, she started, her voice as sweet as maple syrup, This is the hero that weve all been gossiping about since last night. Apex Hero, Autumn corrected her. May Belle kicked her not-so-subtly in the back of the leg, doing her part to remind Autumn to stay quiet. Yeah, thats me, I guess, I said. You guess? the elfmaid asked. Are you or are you not? I meanI am, I said. And Im looking to settle here and, uh Start a sanctuary! Autumn said. We want toOW! That time Daisy kicked, and much harder than May Belle by the sound of it. A sanctuary? the elf asked. What an honor to have such a big, strong, handsome Apex Hero settle in my humble village." A pink tongue darted out, licking her narrow lips as she made eye contact with me again. And what would be the purpose of this sanctuary? Umm, I mean, giving a home to monster girls who lost their homes to the Dark Queens forces, I said, scratching my neck, sweating under the heat of her horny gaze. And breeding the ones who need to produce children, May Belle added, expertly reading the atmosphere. And those who just need a good fucking. She winked very deliberately, so much so that her entire head bobbed with it. Is that so? the elfmaid asked coyly. She giggledlike music, rich and bold. I might know someone who would be interested. I grinned. This was going well. Does that mean we have your permission to settle? Yes, of course. Who am I to refuse an Apex Hero? she shrugged. Indeed, it would be nigh on blasphemy for me to refuse you in any capacity. She straight up tugged at her dress so that a supple, perky elven tit popped out, and I groaned audibly. This time, Daisy kicked me. Aw fuck! Your kindness has been noted, May Belle said, ignoring her sister''s brutality. And it will be repaid. Stop on by when were all set upand Im sure Bucky-Baby can make house calls from time-to-time as needed. Oh, I grunted. Sure, anything to help out, I said, probably blushing. Mmmm, she moaned. Youll be a great help indeed. Take the plot just south of the town. Youll know it when you see itits flat and overrun with rushes and tall grass. Its a field fit for a farm or, as you call it, a sanctuary. I nodded. Thank you, miss, umm Etherea, she reiterated. Just call me Etherea. Thank you Etherea, I said, and I waved and turned my back. I took a few steps toward the south and my entourage of beautiful monster girls followed with me until, suddenly, I turned on my heel, raising my finger in an inquisitive gesture, just wanting to be sure of something. Were going to fuck later, right? Thats the vibe I was getting. Oh were super gonna fuck, she nodded, her eyes wide and hungry as she grinned at me. Sweet, I grinned, nodding serenely. This town is awesome. *** I looked out at the flat plane of land that had been generously allotted to meit was quite a bit more than I could reasonably ever expect to use. If I had to estimate the size, Id put it somewhere around five or six acres. If I were back on Earth, that might not be a lot, certainly not enough for a commercial farm with modern machinery, but out here, damn, it was a hell of a lot of space for just the four of us. Still, looking at it for the first time, it hit me just how much work it would entail. The grass was tall, weed-ridden, and untended, to start, and I didnt have an abundance of tools to work with at the momentthough Im sure that would soon be remedied with the help of some of the incredible ladies in town. Also, the plot was still half a mile from the local river, though there was a well already on the property from a previous attempt at cultivating the land, but routing irrigation to my crops would be necessarythankfully, farms nearby had already done much of the groundwork, and I became aware of a series of dug canals that I, too, could likely make use of with a bit of effort and ingenuity. But the duties of a farmer were numerous, far beyond digging trenches to the local water source. I needed to till the land, develop a composting system, build a house and a barn, come up with a storage solution for harvested crops, fence in whatever animals I ended up raising and provide for them each day, and more. And, although Id spent loads of time on YouTube watching videos on these topics in the past, I had no actual experience running a farm, other than playing Harvest Moon and Stardew Valley in the days of my youth. Thankfully, I wasnt alone, and I had super powers to help me along. I knew that, for all her whining, Autumn would be a great help if she thought it would get me closer to her goal of establishing me as a local hero and leveling me up. May Belle would do whatever she was asked, I was sure, and even Daisy seemed thankful to just have a place to call our own. Its beautiful, she said with misty eyes, surveying the greenery of the land that was now ours. Its going to be a pain in the ass, you know, Autumn added, looking at me. It would be way easier to just run off and go questing right away. I shook my head firmly. And what would become of May Belle and Daisy? I pointed out. Are you suggesting I drag them into dangerous combat situations? Well, no, I mean Didnt think that through, did ya? May Belle giggled. I could see by the dumb look on the catgirls face that it was true. Its a fair point, but honestly, you could just leave them here in Tater Town. You''re not a breeder, after all. You don''t need them around you all the time, though they do provide benefits. You mean he should abandon us?! Daisy gasped at the suggestion. The town is safe for the most part, Autumn said, looking away from Daisy''s worried face. It wouldnt be so bad. I thought we were under your protection, May Belle pouted at me. You are, I said. Dont listen to her. Even the gods suggested we take our time to build relationships with the people, first, so that''s what I''m doing. Im not leaving you. No one is running off on dangerous quests until we get this farm up and running, and by the looks of things, that could be a while. Plus, I need all of you for XP, I winked. I would be enough, technically, Autumn shamelessly suggested with a shrug. You greedy bitch, May Belle growled at her. But even if you promise not to leave us forever, Daisy started, looking nervous, once the farm is all set up are you going to run off on adventures and make us stay here... waiting for you? He has a duty to Lusteria, Autumn pointed out, huffing in irritation as she crossed her arms. That supersedes your neediness and dependency issues. My duty is to the people I care about, I said. If I can use my powers to help out the town from time to time, then thats a good place to start, but I have no intention of abandoning anyone. Autumn furrowed her brow and curled her lip outward in a pout. Fine, she said. If you wont heed the call of adventure, then wait for adventure to come to you. Itll put more people at risk, but if thats the way you want to do it What are you talking about? I said, interrupting her with a sigh and a scowl. If you arent proactive in taking care of regional threats, then those threats will come to us eventually. Its as simple as that. This town is already apparently enduring raids from General Darkmaw, and news of your arrival will certainly be of interest to others. It may be weeks or months before they make a move, but it will happen eventually, and blood will be on your hands if anyone dies in their next assault. If youre comfortable with that, then so am I. I frowned at her. You know full well Im not comfortable with that, I said. Then you know what you have to do. No, I dont. I was practically seething at the coldness of her tone. There are greenskin camps nearby, a troll guarding the bridge that leads to this town, and apparently a pack of Great Wolf shifters making raids on the town, whittling away at its supply of mutton and wool. She looked at me, an impatient gleam in her eye as she sighed. Do I really need to spell it out for you? I guess not, I said, reflecting that sigh right back at her. Youre saying I need to take care of the threats Before they take care of our new friends. Her hand was pointing in the direction of Tater Town. Smoke plumed from the chimneys of the nearest houses. It struck me as so insanely wrong that anything violent could befall such a peaceful place. What are you suggesting exactly? Daisy said, shaking with nerves. Please, dont leave us, Bucky. I looked at her, my guts twisting at the sight of her discontent. Never, I said. If I ever leave, itll only be for as long as I need to complete a mission, and then Ill be right back. The nearest greenskin camp is probably less than two days away on foot, but on the back of a blue dragon-steed? Try half a day, Autumn beamed. Hell be here and back before a single sun is spent. Am I ready for that? I asked. A whole camp? By myself, I take it? You will be when Im through with you, she said, grabbing me by the collar seductively. Then she took a whiff. We really need to get you a bath and a new pair of clothes, though. Some armor would be good, too, May Belle giggled, pulling on the sleeve of my tattered dirt and blood-caked uniform. Youre fine with this, May Belle? Daisy gasped. Hes going to leave us! Hell be back, she smiled at me, not even looking at her distraught sister. We can trust him. I know, but We can trust him, she reaffirmed, this time smiling at Daisy. Autumn turned to them. Girls, let me be candid. Bucky, can you go over there for a minute? Bucky stays here, Daisy said. Im I don''t think it''s a good idea for us to be apart from him, that''s all. She blushed, and looked away from me, refusing to make eye contact with the sweet admission. "It''s not like I like you or anything, it''s just that you make me feel... safe." It''s literally like ten paces away, but fine, Autumn said, clearly exasperated. May Belle, Daisy, Buckys the one. Hes the only true hero I''ve ever encountered with a suitable Umbercore. He also has the true making of a hero in his heart. You saw how fast he left to try and save that poor girl earlier. She was probably dead by the time he ran out the door, but he threw himself at danger without thinking just at the off-chance that he could rescue one little satyr. Daisy scoffed. We know, she said. Weve known since we met him. Hes reckless Thats not the point, Autumn went on, shaking her head. Bucky is selfless, not reckless. He may protest and play at being lazy, but theres nothing more natural to him than inserting himself between danger and an innocent victim. This is his calling. This is why I brought him here. So what are you trying to say? May Belle asked, cocking her head like a confused puppy. It would be wrong to keep him to yourself. The world needs him, and I dont say this lightly. Hes the genuine article. The other six Heroes Foretold are warriors, gladiators, and killers, through and throughI saw them myself. She looked at me and groaned a bit, making me shift uneasily as she appraised me. Bucky is not any of those thingsbut he is the only true hero of the bunch. We all have a duty to let Bucky be Bucky. Let Bucky be Bucky, May Belle repeated, nipping playfully at my shoulder as she stood on her tiptoes. I wouldnt want him to be anything else. She leaned against me and pulled me down to kiss me on the cheek. And youre right, of course. He saved our lives within five minutes of arriving in Lusteria. He heard a scream and ran straight to it, unarmed. She beamed up at me. Well, he had a stick, Daisy corrected her, her lips curling in a grin as she recalled the events of our meeting. I felt my cheeks burning with all the attention and unfiltered praise. You honestly have me all wrong, I said. Im no hero That satyr girl ran through the door, and before shed even finished explaining the situation you were rushing out to save the day, Autumn interrupted me, cocking an eyebrow and resting her hands on her hips to show her skepticism of my claim. "How is that not heroic?" I tugged at my collar. Well, thats Thats because youre you, she said. Accept it. That is not what normal people do. Normal people dont volunteer to fight Great Wolves without a single thought to the risks. The only weapon you had was a secondhand axe. Only heroes are like that. End of story. Well, I started, to be honest, right now all I want to do is build us a home. Im not leaving for even a day if May Belle, Dasy, and you dont have a place to stay while Im gone. Autumn nodded, grinning as she realized shed won the argument. Thats fine. We can start with a single-room cabin and expand from there if needed, however far down the line that may be. We got started right away. Once wed procured a few shovels from the local bunny blacksmith, we got to work digging a place for the foundation for the cabin. That took the rest of first day all on its own. After that, with the use of my powers, getting the logs needed for the construction was easy. Our land was mercifully close to a thicket of cedar-like trees that were tall and of similar breadth and diameter. I felled about sixty trees in three hours using my Endurance 1 ability as well in combination with Cleave 3, a pair of skills that had a surprising amount of synergistic utility for lumberjacking. After that it was just a matter of stripping the branches and leaving behind a smooth log, which the girls were able to help with, cutting down the amount of time spent considerably. Then we had to improvise a chinking solution, something that we could put between the logs as we stacked them, making the structure airtight and keeping the elements out. We managed to procure a good amount of clay from the riverside, transporting it up in yokes that Blue shuttled from the bay to the construction site for us, again and again. That task was left to Daisy and May Belle, and they worked well together gathering the clay and filling the yokes buckets for my dragon-steed. Meanwhile, Autumn and I were left to actually build the cabin. It was a grueling, sweat inducing project that took the better part of four days, but the weather cooperated the whole time, raining only at night by sheer dumb luck. On the second night, though, the rain compromised the integrity of our clay-based chinking on some of the fresher logs, as it hadnt yet dried completely, and we had to redo a portion of the previous days work all over again. That sort of hiccup was to be expected, though, and in the end we were still left with a completed, though extremely humble, one-room cabin. It was primitive. A fireplace constructed from brick provided to us by the townsfolk sat alongside one wall, exiting through a chimney that billowed smoke through a chimney in the southern wall of the house. The floor was earthen, made of flat-faced stones placed into the ground to create something like a tiled floor. We then filled in the cracks between the stones with a solution made mostly of clay and sand. There were windows, but for now they were sealed tightly with leather curtains, gifted to us by Vale the tannerthe mother of the satyr I tried and failed to save. The mood in the town during the time it took for us to build our cabin was dark. People were mourning Silver Moon, and I was hesitant to show my face around town during those days because it felt so disruptive. Not one person blamed me for what happened, but it didn''t make the loss any easier on Heather and her family. Other people in the town were also gloomily affected by it, and it dominated their hushed conversations for days afterward. Each time I heard the girl''s name muttered, I took it personally on some level, even though to them it wasn''t about me. They were way too kind. "We''re just so happy you tried," Vale said. "We need an alarm system. It''s no one''s fault but the wolves''. Don''t you forget that." The best thing I could do to drown out those unhappy thoughts was to focus on the job in front of me. And within a short amount of time, the cabin was finished and furnished, at least to an extent. It aint much, I said, surveying it, But its something, at least. We can expand on it with time, Autumn said, leaning against my shoulder in a rare display of something like affection. You did well, Bucky Drake. The Sanctuary can open. Theres still a lot of work to be done, I said, scanning the overgrown field. Tilling, planting, composting, harvesting, getting animals, seeds One day at a time, Bucky-Baby, May Belle cooed, standing on my boots on tiptoes to kiss me on the cheek. I nodded, smiling in spite of the daunting tasks still ahead of me. Right. One day at a time. As I said that though, I squinted, a figure appearing on the horizon, silhouetted against the setting of the sun. Whos that? Daisy pointed, seeing what I was seeing, looping her arm around mine with obvious trepidation. I always felt a bit of triumph whenever she touched me like that, no matter what emotion was behind it. I shrugged at her question, though, as the person, whoever they were, continued to lurch closer to us. The figure was decidedly feminineno surprise in these lands, admittedly. I watched patiently, raising a hand to wave at her, though I began to grow more and more concerned. The mysterious shadow limped painstakingly in our direction until she collapsed. Chapter 8: Making My Mark! (◆◆) virgilknightley With leaf-green skin, rose-red eyes, and a fiery red mane of luscious hair crowned in a princess braid that circled her scalp and hung down her back, the wood elf that lay on the cot before me was a thing of superior beauty. We''d brought her in to see Etherea, the lorekeeper and founder of Tater Town. The wood elf wasnt wearing clothes in any real sense of the word. Her entire figure was laid bare for me as she lay there on the soft woolen sheet, her weak eyes looking up at mine. The only thing granting her a modicum of modesty were three strategically placed orange maple leaves that obscured her nipples and mound. What happened to you, Ivy? cooed Ethereas soothing voice, somehow as matronly as it was useful. Speak up, love. A hero is here. My home was destroyed, she murmured, her voice soft and fragile as she shook like a feather in a gale. A basilisk came into my woods and scattered us. Whos us? I asked, trying to match her volume so as not to startle her. My friendsA grove nymph named Lavender and a dryad we called Tamaria. We got separated, running off in different directions, she sobbed a bit, taking a deep breath before continuing. I dont know what happened to them. Can you tell me how to find your home without having to bring me there yourself? She blinked up at me, her eyes still heavy with the mist of fresh tears. Yes, I think so. Would you really help us? I laughed softly, and I decided to take a risk to reassure her. I placed my hand on hers and said, Of course Id do that. Ill take your home back for you. All I have to do is kill this basilisk, right? Well, yes, she said, But its dangerous. Hes an Apex Hero, May Belle pointed out. Why worry so much? Ive met heroes before. Plenty of them over the years. Most are cowards and exploiters. Autumn grinned. Hes neither of those things. A weak smile formed on the lips of the wood elf. Her little hand reached up to touch my face. I let her. Thank you for being willing to help, but theres no point. I have no idea where my friends are, and by now my home is corrupted enough that I cannot return for a time. There is no hurry, hero. I shook my head. All the same, Id like to help you. Let him do his job, Ivy, Etherea said, sensuously running her fingers through the wood elfs crimson hair. But the other elf refused. Perhaps someday, but not now. Not soon. I will settle here for a time. Id like to recover for at least a few days before deciding more, if thats alright. I smiled. Of course you can rest, Ivy. As it so happens, our hero, Bucky, is in the process of opening a sanctuary meant mostly for monster girls, though surely he wouldnt mind housing a nubile little wood elf, would he? Etherea eyed me with impure intent. Ivy suddenly looked very curious. Is that true? Bucky, thats your name? It is, I nodded. And youd be welcome to stay, but its not much, yet. The inn may be more comfortable for you. She just shook her head, though. No, its alright. Id love to stay with you. It will be easier to bestow the Elfmaids Favor on you for any questing you do to defend Tater Town or help my home one day. I squinted, trying to understand the meaning of that. Was it some kind of euphemism? Sorry, Im not familiar. Oh, she giggled. It was a low giggle, slightly lower than her sweet speaking voice. Elven women, like most other women in Lusteria, have a unique gift they can bestow upon others. For us elves, its called the Elfmaids Favor. It stacks, Etherea said with a wink. Up to three elven women can bestow a buff on a single man. My eyes widened with understanding when they said the word ''buff''. Ah, so its like a stat boost? Precisely. It adds one to an attribute of your choosing for up to three days, Ivy explained, finally finding the strength to sit up a bit. I swallowed hard as I watched her perky tits jiggle as she adjusted herself. If she noticed my gawking, she kindly chose not to acknowledge it. Well, I had plenty of milk throughout the day, so Im full, but I know May Belle was hungry. Would you girls mind having dinner in town while I prep the cabin for our guest? I suggested. No problem! May Belle said, leaning over and pecking me on the check. Well find you after we eat. Daisy stood up in unison with me. I looked at her quizzically. Im coming with you, she said. Im not hungry. May Belle and Autumn shared confused and concerned looks. Daisy, dont be ridiculous. You havent had anything to eat since breakfast. Im fine, she insisted, crossing her arms in agitation. Just a bit of milk leaked through her raggedy top as her elbows mashed her breasts together. Just then, her stomach growled rather audibly. Im dieting. No, don''t do that, I said anxiously. I couldnt bear the thought of her losing an ounce of that magnificent breast tissue. She beamed up at me. Are you worried about me, Bucky? Of course, I said, guiltily swallowing my original intent, quickly convincing myself that I had a purer and more health-focused motivation behind my protest. Ill have a snack later, she protested further, puffing out her cheeks. I want to help you prepare the cabin for Ivy. Autumn eyed her with a suspicious grin. Alright. Yes. You do that. Take your time. Well be back later, Daisy. And well make lots of noise as we approach, Etherea grinned. I hadnt been paying much attention, so whatever they were insinuating went over my head as I started to consider what needed to be done to prepare for Ivys arrival. Daisy and I headed back to the cabin with some supplies and provisions gifted to us by Etherea. We swept up the floor, set a fire in the fireplace, and lay down five wool blankets on the earthen floor of our home. I improvised a quick table in the middle of the room by rolling a large, flat-faced boulder into the cabin that did the job nicely. My little holstaur was surprisingly warm and helpful the whole time, though listening to her stomach growling got a bit grating at times. You did such a good job, Bucky, she huffed, surveying the room. It wasnt much at all, really, but it did manage to pull off feeling like a simple home. Thanks, I said cautiously. Youve been weirdly nice today. What do you mean? she asked, batting her eyelashes cutely. I mean usually you seem to be, you know, not my biggest fan. She blushed and pouted. Geez, why do you have to put me on the spot like this all the time. I laughed. Just say what you want. No judgment. I''m here for you no matter what. She looked down at the ground, her cheeks so red that they reminded me of the wood elfs hair. Slowly she raised her head to look in my eyesuntil she lost all courage and stared at the ground again. She did this a few more times before she finally said, Well, to be honest, I was hoping youd mark me. There was that word again. What exactly is that? I asked, sitting down on the earthen floor and leaning against the table. Daisy joined me there and got even more bashful, if that was possible. Well, marking is when a breeder, or really a human man of any kind, makes a monster girl hispermanently. My eyes widened. Oh, yeah. I heard a bit about that from that Mercer guy. I grinned, my eyes falling to her chest. She was a bit annoying at times, but she was cute and sweet, and with that insane body she had, Id be the luckiest man alive to be able to mark her, whatever that entailed. So do you want to do it with me? she asked, her voice shaky and excited. Sure, how do I mark you? She grinned and took my hands. At this stage I thought it might be a simple stat screen thing, like when the old breeder trained me in Endurance 1. My world was rocked at the reveal. You have to cum in all of my holes in one go. My eyes were suddenly in danger of rolling out of my head. My eyelids opened so wide that I could feel my eyeballs drying out in real-time as her awe-inspiring words shook me to my core. Instantly Mini-Bucky sprang to full attention, threatening to rip my already damaged uniform slacks. It was like an iron rod was pressing against the crotch of my pants, trying to escape, filled with blazing purpose. Cum in all your holes? I repeated, more to just hear the blessed words again than anything else. She nodded, still blushing, but trying hard to keep eye contact. Pointing to each spot as she said it, Filling up my ass, my pussy, and my mouth. She licked her lips at the last word. Suddenly a question hit me like a hard sack of reality-filled bricks. What about May Belle? Will she be pissed if I mark you before her? She doesnt have to know if were quick. You can mark her later, tomorrow maybe, and we can just tell her another time. Ohh, I groaned. I dont know. Maybe this is a conversation we should all have together. Believe me, she giggled. I know my sister. If I didnt do this first, she would have pulled the same thing on you the first chance she got, and she would be way more aggressive about it. I thought back to our first night at the fireplace, when Autumn found me sucking on May Belles cream-filled teats. She was right. May Belle wouldnt likely care all that much. She even happily tried to pimp me out to Etherea. If anything, she may be proud of me for taking initiative for once, she grinned. I smiled back, my hand naturally falling onto her smooth leg. Is there a specific order? No, she said, blushing again. But just do my ass after my mouth, okay? I dont mind the idea of tasting my pussy juice on your cock, but No need to explain further, I chuckled as I tugged her top down, displaying her heavy breasts for my visual enjoyment. She gasped suddenly and turned her head away with a soft moan, curling her lip outward in a pout as her cheeks reached new levels of crimson. Geez, she moaned. A little warning next time, you perv. I reached around her, clutching her heavenly ass, and pulled her onto my lap. She yipped with delight as she found herself straddling me, and her tongue sought my lips at once. I returned the kiss, pulling her in even tighter. Her breasts mashed into my chest as she leaned forward, our tongues wrestling playfully. I smelled just a hint of her milky cream as it dampened my pecs and its heavenly scent found its way into my nostrils. That could wait for later. I had a job to do, first. Her hands slid down my torso, cupping my bulging biceps. They squeezed tightly, and I felt a jolt of something like electricity shoot through my entire body as the anticipation became palpable. I pulled away from her mouth, looking up at her face. Oh, Bucky, she sighed, her hot breath on my lips. I love how your muscles feel. And I love just about everything about you, I whispered. Yeah? she said, her big golden brown eyes sparkling. Fuck yeah. I took her by the waist and lifted her off of my lap. She squealed with delight as I stood up and held her aloft. Now, lets get to work. I guided her body onto the table where I set her down. She leaned back as I opened her legs, admiring the sight of her creamy white thighs. Her tail flicked and ears flopped excitedly as I knelt between her legs, my hands resting atop her knees. I lifted up her tattered skirt, exposing her hairless slit. Spread em wider, I ordered. She complied, lifting her hips to allow me access to her most sacred place, and opening her legs as wide as she could. I looked down at her moist pink folds, glistening for me with plenty of signs of her arousal. Her juices were flowing, soaking her inner labia already. Im going to make you feel so good, Daisy, I promised. Okay, Bucky, she replied, her voice trembling. But you don''t need to worry about making me feel good. Just make me yours. I was going to have it both ways. I moved my hands up to her breasts, squeezing them gently. My thumbs dragged across her nipples, which grew stiff in response. She arched her back, pushing her chest out toward me, begging me with her body to continue. I traced circles around each nipple, admiring them as they hardened and swelled, going erect and tempting me to taste them, but that was not the mission tonight. Youre so fucking beautiful, I murmured. Her teats leaked a bit of milk as I continued to fondle them. I let the warm cream wash over my hands. My only focus now was making her feel goodso good she would never think about giving me sass again. I wanted Daisy to be as loyal and loving as May Belle, and for the first time I saw that potential in her. I would tame her with pleasure. Mmm, she moaned, wiggling her butt against the table as I lowered my lips onto her sopping sex. I slid my tongue along her outer lips, parting them and feeling her warmth flow into my mouth. The wetness was incredible, and I eagerly lapped at her sweet nectar. She tasted like heaven, and I couldnt help but moan with ecstasy as I savored her natural flavor. I sucked on her clit next, teasing it, then flicked my tongue over it. Her hips jerked upward, her back arching as she gasped and moaned with desperation in her shrill, squeaky voice. I kept lapping her up, driving her crazy until she finally relaxed, breathing heavily as her juices flowed as freely as milk and honey in the Promised Land. Oh, fuck, she groaned. That was amazing. We''re just getting started, I said, standing up and pulling my rock hard cock free of my pants. I angled my tip against her pussy lips. She nervously bit on her hand as she anticipated the feeling. The look on her face was exquisite, like longing and agony birthed a beautiful child. Be careful, she said. It''s my first time. I know, I chuckled. Trust me, you''ll love this. Slowly, easily, and lovingly, I buried myself inside her, feeling her tight walls wrap around my cock, covering me with her nectar. Her eyes rolled back in her head as I filled her completely, sending waves of pleasure through her body. Her arms went limp, and her legs fell open wide, offering her pussy up for me to use however I pleased. Ahhh, she whimpered, her fingers digging into my shoulders as her face winced. Something broke. That''s normal for your first time, I said, leaning forward and kissing her lips once before I began to move, slowly at first, building up speed as I felt her legs wrap around me. She was so incredibly tight, and every stroke sent a wave of pleasure coursing through my entire body. And hers, by the sound of it. I smiled as I reached under her, grabbing one of her breasts and pinching her sensitive nipple, teasing out a dribble of her aromatic cream which I lapped up happily. She squirmed beneath me, her pussy clenching around my shaft to the beat of a silent drum. I slid my thumb over her swollen clitoris, causing her to cry out and grab my shoulders tighter as I had my way with her pussy. Relax, Daisy, I cooed. Just relax. Her nails dug into my skin, but I didnt mind. It was almost painful, but I knew that pain would soon turn to pleasure. As I thrust into her, she pushed back, meeting me halfway. Our bodies slammed together, and we both cried out in unison. Daisy''s furry legs tightened around me even more, her pussy clenching against my thrusts, milking my cock like I longed to milk her tits again. We were so close to orgasm, yet still I forced myself to keep going, to go faster, harder. Finally, the moment of our first climax had come, and I held nothing back. Daisy screamed, crying out in delight as I poured all of my pent-up frustration into her. Her cries became muffled as I fucked her relentlessly, not stopping until I heard her last breath leave her lungs. I practically saw the hostility she used to harbor for me vanishing before my eyes entirely. The tsundere holstaur was well on her way to being mine. My own body shook violently with its completion, and I could barely stand as I collapsed beside her. My muscles ached from the effort, and my heart pounded painfully in my chest as I filled the holstaur''s cunt up with seed. Sweat dripped down my forehead as I pulled out, collapsing beside her, gasping for air. Daisy, meanwhile, looked at me in shock, her eyes wide as she stared down at me and then at her own pussy. Holy shit, Bucky, she breathed. I can''t believe how much cum you just put in my pussy. I''ve still got two more holes to go, I chuckled, admiring the view as my seed spilled out of her gorgeous slit. My mouth next, she said, sitting up and guiding me onto the table beside her. It''s time for me to suck your cock, honey. You don''t need to tell me twice, I replied, grinning eagerly, my shaft already hardening again. She crawled between my legs, straddling my lap as she pulled off my shirt and pants completely. Her eyes found my pecs, which were coated with sweat, and she took a second to admire them. I basked in the sight and the feeling of her running her hands over them. She traced her fingers across my skin, admiring my muscular definition, biting her lip the whole time. But before I could make a quip, she scooted back and sank to the ground. She looked up at me with eyes heavy-lidded with desire as she lowered her head, engulfing my rigid cock in her warm, wet mouth, keeping eye contact the whole time. I couldnt help but moan as I felt her hot tongue swirl around my tip. I grabbed her hair and shoved my hips upward, forcing her head down farther. I watched as her lips stretched wide, taking in my cock without protest. Her eyes opened and teared up as she sucked me deep, moaning around me as she hollowed out her cheeks, giving that extra bit of suction that made all the difference. She wanted more, and I obliged her by fucking her throat just as hard as I knew she could handle. My balls ached with desire as I humped her face, loving the feel of her soft, smooth cheeks squeezing my hardness. But it wasnt enough for her. Daisy needed more. So did I.Her tongue swirled around my glans again, this time licking from base to tip in a single long stroke. It was so damn erotic. "Oh God," I gasped. "Daisy... you don''t know how good that feels." She just moaned, her lips buzzing against my shaft. The sensation was breathtaking, offering more unmistakable love than the head Autumn had given me. That blowjob was driven by passion, sure, but it was objective-focused. Daisy''s was driven by a clear and transparent need. My hands moved on their own accord, clutching her golden-brown ponytail tightly while I fucked her face harder. She came up for air once or twice, but otherwise kept sucking like an eager lover. Are you almost there, honey? she asked as I started to tense up, lifting her head for a breath. Fuck. I loved when she called me honey. Hearing her sweet voice saying that, yes, I was almost there. I grabbed the back of her neck and pushed her back onto my cock and grunted to let her know just how close I was. Good, because I''m ready to taste your cum, she said, muffled against my dick, accepting it back between her greedy lips. I groaned loudly as I felt her mouth stretch wide to accommodate my shaft again. Her tongue massaged my length, teasing it, then lapped at my glans. She wasn''t a pro, but there was genuine affection and care there, a feverish desire to please me, and I couldn''t hold back any longer. Her efforts had to be rewarded. Fuck! I cried out as I shot rope after rope of my seed into her waiting mouth. Her cheeks bulged outward as she swallowed every drop of my cum, but she didn''t stop pumping her neck and sliding her lips along my immensity. She closed tight around my cock, savoring the flavor of my ejaculate, her eyelashes fluttering up at me as she drained me to the last drop. One hole to go, right? With a grunt, I lifted her body up and flipped her onto her stomach. I spread her asscheeks apart, exposing her tender pink anus to my hungry eyes. Reaching underneath her, I grasped her slender waist, lifting her up just enough to shove my well-lubricated member inside her hole. Oh God, Bucky, yes! Do it. Fuck my ass! she moaned. I''m yours forever, you just have to fill my ass with your cum! I rammed my dick into her tight passage, melting against the sensation of her sphincter flexing against me. Her ass felt incredible, and I savored the privilege of exploring each virgin orifice. With every thrust, her butt clenched tightly around me, making me groan like a hound. Daisy, for her part, moaned with a whining sound that called to mind a feral cat, screaming as I buried myself deep inside her. I leaned forward and kissed her back, but found myself almost collapsing on top of her. As I continued to fuck her pucker, I began to move my hands up to her breasts, fondling them as I pumped away at her ass. Milk streamed liberally from her heavy sloshing titties. That feels so good, Bucky, she gasped, her voice wet with arousal. So fucking good. Just keep doing what you''re doing. Her words sent me over the edge once more, and before I could do much more, I began exploding into her bowels. Fuuuuck! I shouted as I started to empty the final delivery of cum deep within her rectum. Daisy yelped in surprise as I filled her ass to the brim, her body shaking and vibrating from her own eruption of pleasure. Just as that started to happen, our simple sliding door opened up, with rays of the setting sun spilling into the room. Silhouetted at the doorframe was the buxom figure of a certain other holstaur maiden. Daisy! came May Belle''s voice, clearly shocked. Mortified, I could do nothing but make the most awkward eye contact of my life as I unloaded shot after shot of jizz in Daisy''s ass as Autumn, Etherea, May Belle, and even Ivy quickly became captive spectators. I got to him first! Daisy said, squealing with greedy pleasure as her body suddenly lit up, literally, and white light poured out of her eyes, illuminating the entire room. "I''ve been marked!" Autumn jumped up and down, clapping happily. He marked her! My hero marked a holstaur! Daisy, you magnificent girl! To my surprise, May Belle''s face went from shock to something like sisterly pride. I didn''t know you had it in you, Daisy, she giggled. I pulled out and collapsed on the floor when my last drop of cum was spent. No regrets. At least this saved us an awkward conversation later on. So, I panted, my chest heaving up and down as I caught my breath. How was dinner? virgilknightley Chapter 9: Making Plans Pretty soon my dirty boxers were back on, but I didnt bother to wear much else. I was sitting by the sex-defiled table now, and I couldnt really get that far in the dressing process before Daisy inserted herself into my lap, putting her head on my shoulder and wrapping her arms and legs around me. She was still naked, making me very self-conscious in front of all the other beautiful women that had come into the room. Quick, check your XP! Autumn said, remarkably consistent, pumping her fists with a look of purpose on her pretty face. I clasped my palms together, reaching behind Daisys sweat-soaked back, and saw the HUD light up in my eyes. Level 8, sure enough, I said. 2485 XP to level up. At this rate you will far outpace your rivals! she grinned, flashing her sharp feline teeth as her smile got almost too wide. "But it gets harder to level soon, and I suspect eventually we may encounter diminishing returns." By this time, May Belle had sat down beside us and was glaring at her sister. Her sisterly pride and vicarious joy had faded into icy hot jealousy by the looks of it. She scowledthe first time I ever saw her do so. Are you gonna hog him all night? You can forgo one night, surely? hummed the calm and alluring voice of Etherea. This is your sisters special night, little one. May Belle just pouted, slowly scooting closer and closer to me every time she thought my head was turned. Im surprised you knew how to mark her, Autumn remarked thoughtfully. I was going to teach you all about marking once we had settled in. She told me how, I said, pointing at Daisys head. Her ass was already grinding against the crotch of my boxers again, and I felt myself stirring in my trunks. Daisy, no, I chuckled. Not in front of people. Oh, I dont think any of us mind, Ivy smiled. Monster girls and elves dont have the same ideas of modesty as humans. Besides, its good to know what well be up against. Her eyes darted down to my lap. Up against? I said, my voice cracking as I swallowed a sudden bout of excitement. This day just keeps getting better and better. Tell me, Bucky, what do you know about marking? What did she tell you? Autumn asked, sitting behind me. Her hands found my shoulders and she started massaging, pressing her surprisingly strong yet dainty fingers into all the right spots. I almost moaned from the bliss. Naked holstaur in my lap, catgirl massage behind me, horny elves appraising me as a possible fuck buddythis is the life. Not much, I admitted, and I felt Daisy tense a bit. Just that it makes her permanently mine. Autumn nodded. That is true, but there is more to it. Marking makes a monster girl uncomfortable, even painful, for other men to touch. A monster girl who has asked you to mark her has made the declaration that she is ready to swear off the possibility of being with any other man. Its quite a bold thingand not something I expected of our little Daisy, she grinned. I felt Daisys cheeks burning hot as she pressed her face into my chest. I smiled, caressing her hair, running my fingers through her long golden-brown ponytail. Thats quite flattering. She said nothing, but May Belle made a sound. Seems pretty sus, if you ask me. She treated you like trash up until you ate her pussy. Not to bury the lead, but theres more to it than what I just let on, Autumn sniggered, her hand in front of her mouth like she knew a juicy secret. For a breeder or a standard hero, what I said is the full picture, but for an Apex Hero, its even better than that for you, Bucky. Daisy looked up. Theres more? Oh yes, Daisy. For an Apex Hero, he gets an extra Feat for every monster girl he claims. That reminded me. Shit! I still have a feat to choose! Now you have two, Daisy said, pecking me on the neck and giggling. Hell have three soon, right Bucky? May Belle asked eagerly. Autumn looked concerned, though. Not that soon, May Belle. Bucky needs to recover and do some questing before he can mark another girl. What?! Why? He isnt a breeder. The gods of Lusteria saw fit to make sure that heroes didnt become glorified breeders, so certain incentives are built into their HUD mechanics, she explained. He will need to do some adventuring before he can claim you. Suddenly May Belles hands were on my biceps, shaking me. Go questing! Go questing! Hurry, Bucky-Baby, please! Her overzealous action inspired laughter in just about everyone else in the room, especially her own sister. Dont worry, May Belle, youll have your turn. Youre damn right, she will, I said. And Autumn, too, I nodded at the catgirl, who blushed at that. Oh, well, I suppose if thats what you want, it would of course be an honor to be claimed by you. I chuckled. First we need to work on your bedside manner, though. Ivy scoffed, blowing a wisp of red hair out of her face as she frowned in irritation. Ill say. She called me a Wood Knife-Ear. Oh, Bucky, it was so awful, May Belle groaned, suddenly stopping shaking me to bury her face in her hands in second-hand embarrassment. You are the worst, I said, scowling at the lithe feline beauty. Autumn frowned in genuine shame. Who is the best? Daisy asked with a mischievous gaze, biting down on my shoulder playfully. I laughed a hard, dry guffaw at the absurdity of the question. I can think of no better way to ruin my night than to take a hard stance on that question in front of everyone right now. Hes wise, Etherea giggled, licking her lips. Well all just have to work our hardest to win our way into his heart, girls. I looked up in surprise at her, though I realized that she hadnt exactly been subtle about her intentions with me. Still, her putting herself forward as one of my girls was interesting. Can I mark an elf? I asked. I almost immediately regretted the question as both of the elfmaids looked at each other and blushed profusely. Sorry, that was so rude! No, its fine, Ivy said, her hands on her cheeks to hide her rosiness. It was a cute gesture. Unfortunately elves and dwarves do not count as monster girls, so you cannot mark us by any means Im aware of. I lifted my newly-marked holstaur maiden off my lap and set her down on the ground beside me. She pouted, and my lap was empty for all of a half-second before May Belle attempted to climb on top, her brow still intensely furrowed in jealous angst. It was a cute and unfamiliar expression to see on her face. No, Im getting up, I said, grinning lovingly at her and patting her on the head. Why? she asked, her cow ears flopping in frustration. Still scowling, she pulled down her top, freeing her breasts. Lets play for a little while at least. Yes, its not a bad idea, Autumn nodded judiciously, but theres more to discuss. I nodded, giving May Belle a reassuring peck on the lips, but I had more questions. Autumn, how do I choose Feats? Im looking at my HUD and I cant quite figure it out. It just says I need to select two feats. You need to harvest monster souls to generate a list of feats, she said. And for that, youll need a heros weapon, mastercrafted by a skilled smithy. Though there are other ways to get feats, too, but they''re hard to trigger on purpose. Bonny in town is already working on an enchanted sword for him at my instruction, Etherea added, smiling softly. Free of charge. Its my thanks for choosing Tater Town to be your home, hero. Vale is the one who enchanted the metal. I gaped at her, not expecting that. Thats incredible! Thank you! She averted her eyes slightly and murmured sheepishly, Well, we need to make sure youre equipped to do your job, dont we? Autumn was beaming at her even more openly than I was. We are truly in your debt, Etherea. She turned her gaze back to me, and the smile faded into a look of stern focus and determination. So, lets lay it all out there, alright everyone? I looked at her expectantly. What do you mean? Etherea, how long until the weapon is ready? Autumn asked, ignoring me. At least a week, she said. Right, so lets keep Bucky close until then. She nimbly hopped up on the table, almost slipping on some of Daisys love juices that were still left behind. Everyone, we all have jobs to do! We do? May Belle asked. Hell yes, we do! Etherea, call a town meeting tomorrow. Gather all the monster girls who wish to make themselves sexually available to Bucky in service of Tater Town. Perhaps if there is mutual chemistry, he will even choose to mark some of them! They will be thrilled at the chance, Etherea said, Myself included, of course. She winked at me, and I felt my cock stirring in my pants. My holstaur girls both noticed it, and there was an awkward moment where their hands met each other''s as they both instinctively reached to grasp my throbbing manhood for themselves. I grunted, wanting to put my own stamp on the plan. Youre right, we need to take the initiative. Heres how I see it going down. I think I can manage ten shots a day if I have to, but I want Daisy, May Belle, and Autumn to make up more than half of that number. You three are still my main girls, and I need to keep close relations with you because youre the ones running the farm with me and watching it when I''m gone. About the farm, May Belle nodded, we can start selling our extra milk to the townspeople for some money, if thats alright with Etherea. That would be incredible! Etherea uttered, clapping excitedly at the prospect. Bottled or from the teat? Bottled, May Belle said plainly. Only Bucky can suck our tits. Autumn was grinning from all these developments, but suddenly her face went serious and bashful as she turned to me, sitting down on the table in front of me. As for me, my body is yours to use as you see fit, Bucky, if you truly mean to begin your life as a hero. I sighed, but not without traces of a smile on my lips. Its time. And seeing the plight of real people, what choice do I have? The satyr girl was my awakening, and Ive had time for that to settle in. Now theres Ivy, I said, nodding at the gorgeous green-skinned elf. And Im sure there will be more at this rate. Im not going to sit on my ass and do nothing when a world full of beautiful women is suffering. To my surprise, Autumn launched herself forward and pinned me to the ground, kissing me on the lips. Her eyes opened halfway and looked into mine. Suddenly, it was like she instantly sobered up, and she sat up straight and dusted off her clothes as she recovered from her abrupt lapse in self-control. Im sorry, I cant help myself when you get all heroic like that. She was still sitting on top of me, though. Everyone gets to sit in his lap except me, huh? May Belle seethed, crossing her arms. Fucking ridiculous. I sat up, too. Okay, so, let me get this straight. We fuck like rabbits for a week Bonny may take offense at that expression, so be careful around her, Etherea interrupted. When I shot her a confused look, she added, Bunny Girl. Fucking nice, I grinned, recalling the blacksmith in my mind. Anyway, yeah, we have copious amounts of sexual intercourse for a week while I grind up as many levels as I can Emphasis on grind, May Belle giggled, her mood already shifted with the promise of sex with me. After that, I get my sword, run off in a random direction, and kill a ton of monsters, hopefully rescue some people. Then you come back and we cash in your monster souls for feats! Autumn added, her fist pounding against her palm in a gesture of excited purpose. And then you mark me! What? No, he heavily implied that he would mark me next! May Belle said. The two women went into an intense staring match. That''ll be my call. Well cross that bridge when we get to it, I said, nervously eyeing that ticking time bomb. "I''ll, umm, implement a point system or something." May Belle and Autumn both smirked with eagerness. "Bring it on," May Belle growled. "I''ll get all the fucking points." When do we begin? Ivy asked, smiling warmly at me. I can give you a taste of the Elfmaids Favor tonight if youre ready. I looked over to her thoughtfully. What does that entail, exactly? She smiled gently, as though what she was about to say was the sweetest and most innocent thing in the world. Cumming onto my face and breasts. I believe, if Etherea is willing, we could simply suck you off together and you could ejaculate all over both of us at once and you''ll receive the gift from us both in the same instant. I flinched as a tiny gasp fluttered out of my gaping mouth. Fuck McDonalds. What? Etherea asked in confusion as she fell to her knees in front of me and pulled off her diaphanous dress in a single motion. Ivys leaves also fell from her body as if Fall had suddenly arrived, and she, too, was naked, perfect, and kneeling before me. No, hero, fuck our throats. virgilknightley Chapter 10: The Elfmaid’s Favor (◆) + Moonlit Bath Interrupted Let me set the scene: the dimly lit interior of our humble earthy cabin, scarcely a few minutes past the setting of the sun; the only light sources in the room were the blazing fire that burned in the corner and a couple candles that Autumn had only now just taken the time to set up as things were starting to get heated. I found myself naked again, and came to the realization that I should probably just get used to it, because based on the itinerary Autumn and I had just cooked up, I''d be spending most of the next week with my cock hilted in someone''s pretty mouth, rump, or pussy, varying hour to hour, day to day. Autumn was perhaps the most excited out of any of us, though in a very different manner. "Yes, go Bucky, go! Get that XP! Get that buff!" she cheered. "Wait, let me strip down to enhance the mood." It was hardly necessary given the circumstances, but the gesture was certainly appreciated. Daisy was at my side again, but she was taking on more of a supporting role this time, her tits pressed up against my back as she sucked on my shoulder. Her arms were wrapped tightly around me, and I could feel her fingers delicately tracing the lines of my abs. May Belle wasn''t going to sit by and do nothing while her sister inserted herself into the fun, so the busty little holstaur weaseled her way into the mix, standing at my side, getting up on her tip-toes so that she could make out with me as I hunched down to meet her. Her tongue traced along the edges of my lips, and then darted inside for some serious licking action. May Belle had always been an enthusiastic kisser, but now that I''d marked her sister, it was like she had something to prove. She wasn''t going to stop until she''d taken every last morsel of flavor from my lips. And of course, I couldn''t go without mentioning the elves, Ivy and Etherea. Ivy was green-skinned with red hair that was elegantly fashioned in a circlet-like braid that crowned her head. The rest of her tresses fell behind her, extended down to the small of her back. Her body was petite, and she wasn''t much taller than May Belle and Daisy. Etherea was similarly built, a bit taller, though, and had a more generously endowed chest. Her skin was not green, but almost an icy blue, and her hair was a shimmering perfect white, sometimes shining like silver in the dark candle-lit room. She had cerulean eyes that looked up at me, but I was too busy kissing May Belle to take in their beauty as much as I would have liked, not that I was complaining. Both elves were immediately identifiable as elves due to their long pointed ears and the supernatural grace with which they moved. Even as they inched toward my waiting cockhead, they looked preternaturally sexy and regal in equal measure. Ivy took me into her mouth first, swirling her tongue around the sensitive underside of my shaft before pushing me all the way down her throat. My hips bucked involuntarily as I felt her tongue mingling with my cockhead, Daisy cooing something sweet in my ear all the while. The soft warmth of Ivy''s tongue caressed my balls, and I shivered from the bliss. Noticing my reaction, she began sucking harder, pulling off for a second only to adjust the angle so that I could press deeper into her mouth. When she finally released me, I was already gasping for breath, my heart pounding like a kettle drum. "My turn," moaned the other elf. Her full elven lips took me between them, and she drew me deep into her mouth. I whimpered softly as I felt the heat of her tongue wrapping itself around my length. Unlike Ivy, Etherea didn''t suck me all that hard. Her approach was to be as loud and slobbery as she could, and the gorgeous elfmaid pulled it off to supreme effect. "Ohh fuck," I groaned quietly as she licked and sucked me relentlessly. Her hand reached up to fondle my balls, and when she squeezed them lightly, I thought I might start blasting right there. Instead, I subtly cast Endure 1, but not to its full potential. It was just enough of a boost to keep me going a bit longer. The girls were just enjoying themselves too much for me to burst so soon. The two elves continued to pleasure me with equal fervor, each taking turns at my cock and balls, the friction of their hot wet lips and tongues gliding up and down my shaft again and again. They were both talented, and soon I was feeling myself approaching the edge despite my attempts to ward it off. I knew if I gave in now, I wouldn''t be able to stop myself from coming into the girls'' mouths, so I tried to keep myself under control. After another few minutes of their talents at work, though, the time had come, and the need couldn''t be denied. "I''m damn close," I groaned, ready to finish. "Good," Ivy said between licks. She sucked one more hard suck and my cock exited her mouth with an erotic pop. "Paint our bodies with your seed, hero." She pumped my cock with her hand, now, readying herself, licking her lips with excitement. The two elves moved their faces so that they were kneeling cheek to cheek, inches from my cock, ready to receive my load, moaning with soft impatience. The sight alone of their proffered faces and tits was enough to finish me once and for all, and I exploded onto their eager bodies and faces, watching with delight as my thick ejaculate dripped down their cheeks and lips and onto their tits. And then the surprise: as I came, I became aware of a violent quaking sensation of something pressed against my body coming from behind me. Daisy was squealing like crazy, and I also heard a light splashing sound hitting the floor below her. I craned my head to look and realized, with shock and arousal that almost stiffened me again, that she was squirting her lewd girl-juice onto the ground. Daisy? I said cautiously as I groaned through my own orgasm. What happened? I dont know, she shivered, sucking on a spot on my back, no doubt leaving a deep purple hickey. I do, Autumn grinned. Great show! Good work, everyone. Bucky, check your HUD! How much XP did you get? Hold on, what happened to Daisy? I insisted. Shes permanently linked to you. As long as shes within a hundred feet, she has a chance to cum when you do. Now, check But before I could do anything, the two elves eyes went golden and they each stood up and embraced me. Now I had four insanely hot chicks hugging me at once, which was certainly nothing Id ever complain about, but I was curious about the eyes. Receive our blessing, they said in unison, and I felt something surge inside of me. You have received: Elfmaids Favor x 2. To which attribute will it be applied? Strength, I said, speaking it aloud. I hoped thats how it worked. You now have +2 to Strength. The duration of this effect is 72 hours. It worked, I said, placing a hand on each of the elves soft and warm backs. Im so glad, Etherea moaned contentedly in my ear, her eyes returning to normal. I could feel her nose was brushing up against Daisys, we were all so tightly pressed together. I would like to sleep forever now, I muttered. May I stay here for the night? Etherea asked. What is it about you, Bucky? Ivy asked, almost suspiciously, but there was contentment in her voice, too. What do you mean?" I asked, and then I turned to the other elf. "And of course you can stay, Etherea. I mean she looked over at all the other girls in the room, and I scanned their faces, too. There was no doubt. They all knew exactly what she was talking about. Just this one experience together and I feel committed. Its strange that it works on elves, too, Autumn noted. Even breeders powers generally dont have any effect on elves, but youre absolutely right. After we have sex with Buckysex of any kind, even once, mind youwe become incurably devoted. You w-what?! I asked in shock. This was news to me. Think back to how Daisy treated you before we shared our evening of lust together, Bucky, she said. And ever since then, shes been following you around like a sad puppy. You brought out the love in her, as you do in all of us. I felt Daisys arms tightening around me as she wordlessly confirmed Autumns observation. I swallowed hard. Then maybe we should stick to just the five of you for the time being, I suggested. I dont want to completely destabilize the town''s social dynamics overnight. Maybe we roll out the plan for me to have sex with all the other monster girls a bit later. Its fine with me, May Belle cooed happily, almost musically. Less competition for your attention, right? She giggled in my ear, a noise as sweet as any honey known to man. No complaints here, Daisy agreed. But I support whatever you want to do, of course. Her face blushed. "As long as you don''t leave me behind all the time." I chuckled. Well, with four naked women hugging me, Im honestly feeling pretty sweaty. They all backed off with a look of embarrassment. I grinned. What I meant to suggest is this: why dont we head down to the river for a bath together? All of us. Grins lit the room with more fervor than any of the candles. The idea was unanimously accepted, and we all strolled in the buff toward the stream nearbythough I had the foresight to bring my axe. This was such an amazing world that I felt I could walk naked after dark with five supermodel-hot women to take a moonlit bath in a stream like it was nothing. The twins played and splashed each other with the water, and we all hopped in, enjoying the swimall except for Autumn. Catgirls hate the water, she said, hissing when May Belle splashed some onto her. Ill preen myself and wash my hair from the bank. Youre missing a good time, I grinned at her. But I understand. As I was saying this, the other four women were bickering about whose turn it was to scrub me. Invariably, whenever they switched, the new girl would spend most of the first couple of minutes scrubbing my cock. My dick is going to be absolutely immaculate thanks to you ladies," I laughed as Etherea washed it for the third time. Good, Daisy grinned, nipping playfully at my nose. It should be clean when we suck on it later, right? Not that itd stop me if it wasnt, Ivy noted nonchalantly. Well, of course not! Daisy said, blushing, almost offended. I didnt mean to imply I brushed a loose bang behind her ear and kissed her. No one thought you meant anything by it. We stayed there way too long, until our bodies were all pruny and getting out of the water seemed an almost impossible task. Shit! Its so cold! May Belle shivered, her teeth chattering as she spoke each word. Keep me warm, Bucky! And me! Me, too! Im so cold, Bucky! Im colder than them! Before I could come up with a solution to the predicament, I heard a rustling accompanied by a low growl off in the rushes. A shadow moved in them, obscured by grasses as tall as people, but there was no mistakethis thing was big. Shh. Get back, I commanded them, raising my arm and grabbing my axe from a nearby stepping stone. I pointed silently at the movement. We need to run, Autumn whispered. It looks big. You run, I replied. Ill hold it off. But Go, I insisted, turning to face her, nodding. Just go, Ill be home in a minute. She nodded and tugged the others along with her, and they all charged back to the cabin, stealing glances back at me in worry. Their movement was the trigger the beast was waiting for, and it charged, trying to follow them, but I was ready. I jumped through the air, whistling to summon Blue to my side as soon as he could arrive. When I landed, I did so on the things enormous back. Its hide was ruggedly strong, its body like that of a bear, but its face was decidedly something else. Sure, it had long claws on its bear-like paws, though they were more like talons, and when the beast whipped its head back to nip at me, I saw the predatory beak of a bird. Id played D&D before. I wasn''t a loser. I knew what this was. As I brought down my axe to claim the first of many blows into its monstrous hide, it bellowed something like a roar and a hoot, a strange combination that would have left me befuddled anywhere else, but it only made me more certain. I was about to fight an owlbear. virgilknightley Chapter 11: Midnight Conversation + Feat Unlocked! My axe cleft into the owlbears back, and it bucked so forcefully with its anguished cry that I was ejected from atop it. Skidding several feet across the ground, I stopped upon colliding unpleasantly with a boulder, cracking it down the middle. I clutched the back of my head with my off-hand, gritting my teeth from the dizzying pain, and scrambled to my feet, eyeing the monster cautiously. I was in real danger here. That fucking hurt, muddling my senses as I struggled to keep myself steady. The beast lurched for me, and I narrowly sidestepped, head still ringing. Suddenly, I remembered that I had abilities at my disposal. I pulled up my HUD and considered my options. Standing next to a boulder, I figured Rock Toss 1 might be a good call, but before I could activate it a meaty paw swiped at me, colliding with my shoulder and knocking me forcefully to the ground. The owlbear was ready to bear down on me. Looking at my moves, I realized most of my powers were either ranged attacks or required a sword or pointed weapon, such as Flame Sword 2 and Charged Thrust 1. Beast Bond 2, maybe? Could that work? I activated Beast Bond 2, but the creature didnt even acknowledge it, squawk-roaring its spittle into my face as it prepared to take a bite out of poor ol Bucky. Just as its beak was descending, I felt its body reverberate with the force of something as I heard a familiar cry. Blue! I shouted, and sure enough, my dragon-steed had come to the rescue right in the nick of time. I am going to get you so much dragon pussy one of these days, I promised, and he whinnied his approval. The owlbear stumbled off me from the force of Blues strike, and I was no longer pinned down. I rolled sideways and used Great Jump 1 to close the gap between Blue and myself, landing atop his saddle with easeexcept that my delicate testicles felt the full force of the landing. We were in a heavily wooded area now, trees thick all around us, and it was hard to take off in flight. Instead, we charged toward the owlbear on hoof, and Blue emitted a piercing cry that carried with it a powerful draft of his icy draconic breath. The owlbear was met with dozens of shards of icicles and the force of an arctic gale directly in its face. Slick droplets of blood dappled the forest floor as the creature turned tail in retreat, but I certainly never hoped to see it in my neck of the woods again, so retreat wasnt quite enough. This was my territory, so although I always fashioned myself an animal lover, it turned out that when push came to shove I was much more of a woman-lover. I wouldnt abide any powerful monsters threatening my girls when my back was turned. This thing had to die. I gave chase, charging forward with my steed, now at the perfect range for a finishing blow. Fire Bolt 1 ripped forth from my palm, hitting the owlbear in its fleeing backside and erupting in flames. The bear was overcome with intense pain, and the force of it caused him to charge blindly into a tree, knocking himself unconscious. I was thankful for that bit of mercy as I hopped off of Blues back and delivered the killing blow with my axe. *** Honeys, Im home! I called out with a jovial boom of my voice, descending from the sky majestically on the back of my arctic-breathed dragon-steed. Five worried women poured out of the sliding door of my humble home, throwing their arms around me, looks of relief and worry upon each of their gorgeous faces. Your arm, honey! Daisy said in a syrupy-sweet tone, tracing the shoulder wound. Oh no! Then she scowled at me. You need to be more careful! Dont you know it kills me to see you hurt like this? Humph! Hell be fine, Autumn reassured her, but her voice was shaky, too. Heroes heal quickly. Even she was carefully scanning every inch of me for wounds, and to my utter shock she didnt ask anything about XP for the moment. I really need to put on some pants next time I fight, I groaned. Flopping around like that is really ill-advised. Poor baby, May Belle cooed, planting a combo of kisses onto my chest. Come inside and warm yourself by the fire, Bucky, Ivy whispered softly in my ear as she tugged at me by the elbow. No, wait, Autumn said. I need to speak to Bucky alone. Are you going to be greedy? May Belle asked skeptically. If theres sex involved, I want to No, Autumn said. Strictly business, I swear. Its hero business that is important for only him to hear. I will need your trust on this. All four of the other girls gave her a tentative look, but it was all for show. They ultimately nodded and headed back inside. I am fucking cold, I noted. So if we could speed this along She reached out and started rubbing her hands on my arms in circular motions, as if that was going to do the job of warming me up. Ill do my best, but there is much to tell you. First of all, there is something you should know about marking. I perked up. It isnt as simple as you made it out to be, is it? I said. Yes and no, she sighed. There is an incredible responsibility you have for these girls once youve marked them. For one thing, if something happens to youif you die, mainlyyour mark may fade and they will be able to breed with another man again one day. However, understand that few ever do. Such is the true devotion of a monster girl to her love, so your greatest hope of ensuring their happiness after your passing is to leave them children to raise. Many towns are formed by monster girl orphans and their mothers, and in these communities they can find some semblance of peace. I swallowed hard. That was a lot of responsibility. Well, I dont intend to die, I said, chuckling anxiously. Of course, she replied with a curt nod. But heroes do die, Bucky Drake. Most of them. I do not think that will be your fate, but you deserve to know. So be careful about marking, Bucky. I am not saying you shouldnt do it. You should. Having monster girls locked down and devoted solely to you is a powerful boon for many heroes so they can continuously reap their benefits and buffs. But it carries with it some risk to both of you, and theyll have tremendous power over you, too, since you wont even be able to gain XP if theyre unhappy with you or feel unsafe. Thats a big one. But keeping you girls happy and safe is what I live for, I said, but inwardly I cringed as I tried to process all the new information. Her shoulders tensed, her lips tightening in a serious expression. Still, you need to select the girls you mark carefully. Daisy was happy to be marked by you because you are caring and she craves security and belonging. Like all monster girls, she can sense the qualities she is looking for in a mate. But some girls wont be the best match for you. I frowned. Is this your way of telling me that you dont want me to mark you? I can respect that if its the case, so dont hold back on me. She smiled at that. Oh, no. Absolutely not. I would love nothing more than for you to mark me, Bucky Drake. There is no man I have met in four hundred years that I would like to be marked and bred by more. I gulped. Bred? As in kittens? She blushed. It might have been the first time I saw her do it, but she kept the eye contact strong and even put a hand on my chest. When the time is right, yes, of course. I want it badly. I am sure the others feel the same, too. I, uh, finished inside Daisy and May Belle. Should I be worrying about that? She laughed. Only now you think to ask this? But no, a monster girl will not be able to be bred until she is emotionally ready to get pregnant. Elves, though, you need to be more careful with. She stopped and seemed to consider something very carefully. Also, I hate to generalize since I know Ive gotten a bad reputation for doing so, but I would be very careful about the bunny girl if I were you. From what Ive heard, they almost always want to be impregnated. I winced. Noted, I said. Butt stuff only. Is that all? She giggled. Theres still more to discuss, Im afraid. You should also know that the amount of monster girls you can mark is dependent on you doing your job as a hero and a provider. You have to do quests, expand your home, and, most importantly, keep them safe, happy, and satisfied. I nodded, not knowing what to say. It was straightforward info. Now, Look at your HUD, Bucky. I opened the HUD and studied it. Okay, Im looking at it. What am I looking for? She squinted at me as though she couldnt believe me. Well, by now you should know my first question. 5780 XP to level up, I grinned. Do you remember how much you had before? she asked. After the Elfmaids Favor? 6400 or something like that, I shrugged. Okay, so you killed the owlbear, then, she noted. Because it gave you XP, I mean. Right. Should I not have done that? Oh, no, you absolutely should have, and Im very happy you did, she said, waving her hands to dismiss my worry. Anyway, the point is this. Look at your Skill Points. 16, I noted. Did you notice that you only got 8 new skill points at this level? she asked. I did not notice that, but now that she mentioned it, yes. It was true. Thats because starting at level 9, you get 8 new skill points per level. It stays like that indefinitely. Is there some kind of chart about how much XP it is to get to the next level? It depends wildly on the health, status, class, and habits of the individual at the moment that they level up, she explained. Usually itll take more XP to level up each time, but occasionally the number can be wildly unpredictable. In short, no, there is no stable chart. Got it, I smiled at her. Welp, that complicated planning, but it was good to know. How many different skills are there out there? I asked. Thousands, she said. No one knows the whole list. And heroes are eligible to receive almost all of them, so using Discover is fairly risky for a hero. Sometimes youll get something like Flame Sword 1. Other times youll get something like Power Fart 1 or Sniff 1. Sniff 1? I asked. Power Fart 1 seemed unworthy of comment. Enhanced smelling. Thats not all that useless, though, I nodded. She cocked her head sideways and looked up like she was considering it. True, it has its uses for tracking and such, but it also drains a disproportionate amount of energy from what Ive heard. Is there anything else I need to know? I asked patiently, even as I shivered in the cold of night. She grabbed my hand. One more thing. II think I should tell you Im sorry. I looked at her puzzled. Sorry for what? I asked. I abducted you from your home. I was desperate, and I dont regret it, exactly, but I know its not what you wanted, and I broke off her apology with a harsh laugh. Autumn, if you could send me back in time, Id go bitch-slap myself for resisting. Ive got everything I could ever want right here. She grinned, and her eyes practically lit up to hear me say those words. Which is? A plot of land, a humble home, and a world full of slammin hotties that are mostly down to fuck, I beamed, wiping a tear from my eye as I succumbed to the beauty of my own words. And I have you. She giggled. It is a pretty good deal, isnt it? Hell yeah it is, I nodded. And Ill earn my place here. Im going to be the hero you want me to be. You already are that hero, she said in a near-whisper. For a long moment we looked into each others eyes. She broke the silence after licking her lips and finally worked up the courage to ask what she wanted to ask. Can I kiss you? she said, her long lashes batting sweetly up at me. Once again, she blushed, but before she could look away, I pulled her in by her thin waist and planted a slightly cold kiss on her lips. I felt her purring into my mouth as our tongues danced together under the moonlight, but soon I heard the invasive sound of the sliding door. Oh, this is bullshit! Daisy pouted. You fuckin said you werent going to be greedy, you foul temptress! That was May Belle, obviously. Autumn just giggled. I laughed. Stand down, girls. It was just a kiss. Humph! Well now I get a kiss, Daisy pouted. Me, too! May Belle insisted as well. Suddenly the two beautiful elves heads appeared at the door to see what was transpiring outside. Are we kissing now? Ivy asked, hope tinging her voice. I chuckled, my cheeks red. This was heaven, I was sure of it. I am honestly pretty tired, but as long as it doesnt go much further beyond kissing by a warm fireplace, I think I can manage. I cant exert myself too much or this arm might not heal properly. Now Autumn contributed to the mischief. Technically, blowjobs should be fine, she pointed out. What do you say girls? Should we help Bucky grind for Level 10? A chorus of cheers rang out in the midnight air. The evening was long but supremely relaxing. I was spoiled by my five girls until I could take no more, and I finally passed out by the fire. 2183 XP to go to level 10, I groaned, checking the HUD one last time before I fell asleep with five naked beauties surrounding me, competing for my cuddles. Feat Option unlocked: Harem Knight. Would you like to select this feat? virgilknightley Chapter 12: Birth of a Harem Knight! + Down on the Farm The next morning I woke up with that notification in my face. Feat Option unlocked: Harem Knight. Would you like to select this feat? "What the fuck is a Harem Knight?" I mumbled in a whisper only I could hear. I took a deep breath and stretched, accidentally inhaling a chunk of Daisy''s silky golden-brown ponytail. "Sounds fucking awesome, though." As if in response, another notification glowed in front of my eyes. Harem Knight: 7th Level Feat Prerequisites: Receive eagerly offered sexual service from five or more women in a single twenty-four hour period after defeating a level-appropriate monster. Bonuses: So, the question was: Should I take this feat? Fucking obviously, yes. It synergized beautifully with my cultivation method and made me hotter to pretty much all women. Maybe thatd be a waste back on earth, but here, where the population was predominantly female, and I benefited in a very real way from banging said female population, it was a no-brainer. Obviously, I needed to let Autumn know eventually, but I decided to keep it to myself for the moment. I accepted the feat almost instantly, and immediately felt the difference as my muscles bulged, my tummy tightening into an even tighter six-pack. The Elfmaids Favor did not have this effect even though it was a +2, which struck me as odd at first, but it was easy to write off. That buff was temporary, the result of a magic blessing. This feat physically seemed to physically alter me on a fundamental level. I looked around the musky cabin interior, still lying on my back. Embers glowed faintly in the fireplace. Daisys head rested atop my chest, and May Belle was using my left shoulder as a pillow. I restrained an adoring chuckle as she snored ever-so-cutely in my ear. Meanwhile, the two elves were both completely naked and wrapped up in each other for additional warmthapparently they gave up on having an equal share of me as the holstaur girls were still rather possessive... and also known to kick with their hoofs in their sleep. Autumn, though, was nowhere to be found. Light poured in through the one window we left open, and I pried myself out of the arms of my women to get up and take a leak outside the cabin and see what Autumn was up to, if she was even around. Cats had the tendency to wander, but they always came back, so I didnt worry overmuch. To my delight, Autumn was appearing on the horizon just as I finished pissing, escorting a flock of sheep to our fields with the help of Heather, the satyr girl whod lost her sister not long ago. She looked well enough, but there was still that bit of lingering sadness behind the eyes. That look never really fully went away after you lost someone so precious to you. Morning! I shouted, waving at the two of them, completely forgetting that I was as naked as the day I was born. Autumn giggled upon seeing me, while Heathers jaw went slack and she clutched her cheeks as she blushed bright red. What a wonderful way to start the day, Autumn shouted across the field. I sighed, not bothering to cover myself. My clothes are all messed up anyway. I need some new stuff. Ill, umm, have mom make something for you, Heather called back sheepishly. Thank you! And sorry if Im making you uncomfortable. I can go put something on, I said, gesturing to the inside of the cabin and starting to turn on my heel, but I was cut off. No, please! she shouted with surprising power. I mean, umm, no thats fine, no need. I laughed at that. I crossed the field to get closer to them, tired of the yelling, letting it all swing freely as I sauntered up to the little satyr girl and Autumn. The whole time their eyes were fixed on either my six pack or my dangling you-know-what. That knowledge made me feel pretty powerful. So whats with the sheep? I asked, gesturing to the flock that was scattering itself on my land. The grass is too tall to plow, Autumn noted. After everyone fell asleep last night, I started working on sawing wood and building a plow we could attach to a mule or something, but we need the field taken care of first. I beamed at her, my eyes wide. Wow, I said. Youve been listening. Of course, she shot back at me, almost looking offended. I heard every word of your plan and memorized it to the letter, and now Im executing it. As your catgirl liaison to the godsand a woman eagerly awaiting your markits the least I can do. The sheep were efficient. By midday my entire plot was cleared. The tall grasses that littered the field before were now digesting in the bellies of the cute wooly beasts. So, you mentioned horses, I noted later on. By the time of day that this conversation occurred, everyone was doing an assigned task. Daisy and May Belle were fixing up the well, Etherea was shuttling clothing, furniture, tools, and more to our cabin with the help of several other townsfolk, and Ivy was blessing the fields so that they would yield a bountiful harvest. Yes, what of them? Autumn asked. She and I were working on fastening the plow to Blue. He was not in love with the idea, but I hoped itd be a temporary solution until we had access to some more traditional beasts of burden. So, there are normal animals of every kind here? I mean, I see birds all over. And other weird things like faerie dragons and squirrels with horns and bug eyes. I definitely spotted some normal-looking rabbits when we were on our way here, but I dont understand which animals have monster girl equivalents, and which animals are just animals. Oh, I see, she grinned. Yes, there are animals of all types. There are holstaurs, for instance, but there are also normal cows. One is an animal, and one is a monster girl, or more specifically a beast girl. Whats the difference between a monster girl and beast girl? I asked. The term beast girl came up in my feat text, and I figured it''d be crucial for me to understand the concept. Just what it sounds like. A beast girl is a female humanoid version of a normal animal. A monster girl is more related to a monster with magical or mystic origins, such as hydra-girls, rusalkas, and so on. You fought an owlbear. There are owlbear girls, too. I nodded. So why did you call May Belle and Daisy monster girls before? Why do they call themselves that? She shrugged. Its the more common nomenclature. There really isnt all that much difference in the end. We finished hitching the plow to Blue, and he got to work dragging it along the field. We wanted to start small, so we only really bothered to prepare one acre of land. I smiled with satisfaction as I watched my boy do his work, and after very little time that acre was done. "What a waste of a dragon," Autumn chuckled. "We really need to get a mule or a horse or something." But the day passed by quickly. By noon I wasnt nude anymore, much to the chagrin of my girls, as Etherea had brought me a selection of clothesused but clean garments once worn by Mercer, the breeder in town. They fit me perfectly, but remembering his current physique I was able to guess confidently why he was willing to give them up. Furthermore, Heather''s day-drinking MILF of a mom, Vale, swung by to take my measurements and promised more luxurious outfits in the days to come. At the moment I was wearing a blue tunic top that cut off a few inches below the elbows, and on my legs I wore a tight pair of brown leather leggings that hugged my groin snugly. My package was prominently displayed, and for about an hour after the twins noticed this detail, they got precious little work done on the well as they basically obsessed over trying to steal looks at it. On second thought, this outfit isnt so bad, May Belle grinned, practically drooling as she took in the sight of me. And did you get, like, way hotter overnight? I grinned, knowing full well why they all felt that way today. Youre just biased because you love me, I chuckled. Gods help me, I do, she sighed openly, and she pecked me on the cheek and pretended to get back to work. Even after we finished fixing the plow to Blue, Autumn followed me around, asking me if she could massage my shoulder muscles again and again. She always included that word, muscles, in the request each time, emphasizing it. At one point I heard her swear under her breath as she kneaded my back while I was knelt down, pulling rocks out of the field that the plow couldnt remove on its own. Oh, fuck me, hes so fucking sexy, she mumbled quietly, and I pretended not to hear it but secretly grinned to myself like a dog with a treat. I was starting to hope they got used to the change sooner rather than later. By the time the sun had set, we had had a simple field, all weeded, plowed, and ready for planting, but we still didnt have a watering solution, and I grumbled a bit at that. I let Autumn go too far ahead with the field-work before I had any irrigation handled. A lot of the days labors would be undone by the time we came up with a fix for this predicament, I thought. Fuck, I groaned, looking over at Etherea as we all sat in front of a fire pit wed dug and prepared outside our cabin. We need to dig ditches to get water out here, and fast. She looked at me curiously. Why, though? You have a wood elf right here. I looked over to Ivy, perplexed. What does that mean? What can a wood elf do? Ivy blushed to make eye contact with me like she was talking to her high school crush. Oh, I think she means because I can make it rain, like this, she said, and she raised a hand to the sky. The clouds didnt budge, and the stars were still visible, but droplets of rain started to pour out over the field in front of us. My mouth hung open, utterly speechless. You can just make it rain?! I asked in shock. Yes, of course, but only over a small space, and only for maybe an hour a day, but it should be enough to water your crops. Thats amazing, I gushed at her, my mouth flapping in awe. Thank you so much. This will work until I take your home back for you. Still, I''ll need to figure something She shot me a pathetic look and hastily averted her eyes with an expression of bitter sadness. I cut myself off and gazed around at the others to see if anyone else had registered that I had said something rude or offensive. Ivy, did I do anything wrong? I asked when no one else spoke up. No, its just, I didnt realize you were in such a hurry to be rid of me, she whimpered softly, looking out at the rain that was pouring over my fields. Oh, no, not at all! But I thought you wanted to go home, right? I asked, trying to clear myself, waving my hands furiously to demonstrate my sincerity. Daisy scoffed at me. Humph! You dont know women at all, do you? Youre absolutely hopeless sometimes. Someone spell it out for me like Im an idiot, please, I groaned, feeling my cheeks redden and become flustered. I was fucking something up in real-time, and one of my girls looked like she was on the verge of tears. Bucky, you still dont understand, do you? Autumn asked sweetly, sidling up to me and cupping my face in her hands. Shell likely never want to leave you. None of us will. All we want is to be with you, May Belle said, smiling up at me. Safe and loved by a worthy hero. Every one of us whove known what it feels like to be embraced and cared for by you, we cant imagine living in a world where youre just a memory. Itd be like living a day in heaven and then leaving it for hell, Etherea shuddered. Im entirely uninterested in that. You, too? I gasped in confusion, but it didnt do to just sit and gawk. I had to take responsibility for them. They looked to me for their happiness now, and it was always going to be that way, apparently. To be clear, I wouldn''t have it any other way. Well, then youve put your faith in the right man. They perked up, beaming at me in plain adoration, each of their gorgeous eyes fixed on my own. Ive got big plans for this sanctuary, I said, nodding at Autumn. This will be our little corner of Lusteria, our slice of heaven. Im going to purge these lands of monsters and dangers and make it a safe haven for monster girls and elves alike. Youll never want for anything again when Im done. There was silence, and they all looked at each other, some smiling, others with worried expressions. Finally, it was Ivy who spoke. These lands are very dangerous. You will have to work hard to purify them. Not really, I said, and at least three of them cocked their heads like confused puppies in unison, which made me chuckle. The way I figure it, its a territorial thing. All I have to do is establish myself as the biggest predator in those woods, a hunter-killer, and soon all the other predators and monsters will run off to find safer homes. Its just simple ecology. Daily monster hunts, once I have a weapon. That should do it. Autumn considered it. It might work, actually, she conceded, But only when it comes to beasts and monsters. Demon armies, greenskins, and servants of the Witch Queen wont be so easily persuaded to pack up their things and go. In fact, Etherea added, Its very possible that youll get yourself noticed and draw their offense. Then Ill be ready, I said. I have some tricks up my sleeve I havent tried, and lots of skill points to burn. Ill level up Beast Bond and train some falcons to keep an eye on our lands and report any suspicious movement along the perimeter. If anything approaches us, Ill go in quiet, take out their leader in the bloodiest way I can think of, and drive the rest of them back. Its a good plan, Etheria agreed, but to be ready for that kind of attack youd need to level up significantly. Maybe around Level 20 would that be a realistic goal, but youve only begun your journey. You cant be over level 3 or so, correct? Daisy and May Belle laughed raucously. Thats so cute! Daisy snorted. Their musical chortles enhanced the fireside atmosphere magnificently, and I couldnt help but be drawn in, laughing myself. Hes level 9 already, May Belle cooed proudly. Did you forget he gets XP through sex? Etherea gasped. I thought that was a joke! As did I, Ivy confessed. In that case, why are we not astride his loins right now? Good freakin question, Daisy said, grumbling and tossing me a dirty look. I held up my palms, trying to calm her down before the whole group turned on me. Whoa, whoa, Im always down. And yeah, if were diligent enough, Level 20 could be just a few days away. Perhaps, Autumn said, But I highly doubt it. XP in Lusteria grants diminishing returns when you overdo the same activity, and XP requirements spike as you level. By the way, you cant gain levels that are multiples of five until you acquire a feat. Those levels are feat granting levels, so you have to spend a feat point to gain one, unless it''s gained through other means. Like marking a holstaur? I winked at Daisy. She blushed. "Humph!" Precisely. So we need you to unlock a new feat as soon as possible or you wont be able to reach level ten even if you have enough XP. Ive already earned and selected a feat, I said in a low tone, flashing a wicked look back at her. She melted under my gaze, grinding her knees together excitedly, but still managed to ask me, How?! What prerequisites did you meet? Well, I laughed, eyeing the girls amorously, It would be more fun to recreate the circumstances than to explain them. virgilknightley virgilknightley Chapter 13: Arming Up + Unicorn Sex (◆◆) After another night of life-affirming pleasure, I had leveled up to ten and was now staring down the barrel of a bunch of decisions that needed to be made. With 24 Skill Points available, I needed to upgrade some Trained Skills sometime soon, and possibly Discover a few more. After asking around earlier, I knew that no one in the town had anything that really called out to me, but I also knew that using Discover was a risk, too. Still, it had that little bit of a gambling feeling to it, so its allure was pretty intense to a simpleton like me. More importantly, it seemed like the main way to gain skills. But first, I figured I should upgrade the skills I already had. Nofirst, I should have a chat with Bonny and see how far along my sword was. I got up, peeling my sticky body out from beneath a clump of sexy women who still remained exhausted and unconscious from our exertions the night before. After becoming a so-called harem knight, I no longer was left nearly so knackered from sex, but the same could not be said for the girls in my improvised harem. I dressed myself and stepped outside. The sun was already reasonably high in the sky, and the only girl out and about was May Belle for some reason. I stretched, looking up at the sky in its piercing blue glory, trying to approximate a time of day from the position of the sun. Ten oclock, I reasoned, give or take. I looked around for any signs of May Belle, and sure enough, she was hunched over in the field, investigating some little mystery or another. "What are you working on there?" I asked, ambling up to her. She immediately stood up and threw her arms around me. "Mmmm, good morning Bucky-Baby," she cooed in my ear, planting a dozen or so kisses on my neck. "Thank you so much for last night." "Right back at you," I said, returning a few pecks. "What are you doing out here?" "I planted a few seeds here yesterday, as an experiment," she said. "Look!" She pointed down at the ground where she''d been crouching, and already there was a five inch plant there. "Whoa!" I said. "Is that the result of Ivy''s blessing?" "I think so!" she nodded. "Your farm is off to a great start, sweety!" Another kiss, this one on my lips, and I found myself allowing her and her full milky breasts to melt into me, dampening my shirt as she pressed against me and the heavenly cream came out on its own. But this exchange, blissful as it was, couldn''t go on forever, and soon I''d bid her farewell for the moment and continued on with my day. With a pout and protest, she begrudgingly said her own goodbye. I headed into Tater Town, a short walk that only took a few minutes on foot. Exiting the cabin, I could see the humble buildings atop the hill in the distance from my plot. I enjoyed the stroll, feeling the pleasant sensation of my legs loosening up as I made my way presently toward Bonny, the Bunny Blacksmith. Walking through the simple streets of Tater Town, really only one dirt road if we''re being frank, the bunny girl was immediately visible pounding out some horseshoes on an anvil as I approached. She looked up, enticingly dripping with sweat, her skin well-tanned, her brown bunny ears perking up when she saw me. She scrunched her nose cutely, making me smile. Hero! she shouted, her voice frantic to see me. Youre too early! I rushed your weapon, but it still needs a few hours! A few hours!? I blurted out. I was told itd take a week! She shook her head way too many times as she heatedly offered her explanation all in a fluster. No, no, no, that wouldnt do! Etherea said a week, yes, but what if some terrible monsters come to Tater Town and youre unarmed? I needed to rush it, so I worked night and day since receiving the order, and its almost ready, but its not quite ready yet, so if you would just I laughed. Whoa, slow down, Bonny, I chuckled. She was always like this, based on the few interactions Id had with her. She was always talking like she was panicked and desperate about one thing or another, eternally in a hurry. She moved jerkily and fast, like someone set her to 1.5x speed. Not including her ears, she stood roughly about five feet and six inches tall, but including the expressive bunny ears was elevated almost another foot. Her body was largely human-like, but she had furry bunny feet, which added to her allure somehow. On her chest she tended to wear a brown leather strap as a tube top that mashed her pomelo-sized breasts together, but it clearly wasnt designed to be used in such a manner, and as such, a generous helping of underboob poured out from the strap. Her bottoms were a simple belt dangling a leather loincloth that only extended a couple inches below her nether regions, making me strain to peek whenever she bent over for something or turned around quickly. Her ass, for its part, was quite thick in the best of waysthe cringe-inducing term ''childbearing hips'' came to mind, despite her thin waist. Bonnys face was gorgeous, just like most of the girls in this world, with bright blue eyes, a cute button nose, and perfect white teeth. She had a classic beauty about her, reminding me of a pinup model with her sultry proportions. She was the first girl in this world Id seen wearing her hair in pigtails, too, which was an oddly cute choice for a blacksmith. Her locks were the same light brown as her ears and the fluffy little tail that always seemed to be twitching excitedly above her round and pert rump. Maybe a shade darker at most. She took a minute to breathe as I raised my hand to calm her. Sorry. Sorry sorry sorry! Okay, your lance is I blinked. My lance? I grunted, confused. I thought I was getting a sword. She shook her head. The weapon can be easily adapted into a sword, but you will be fighting atop a dragon, so you need something with range. She blushed. Im sorry! I should have talked with you! Thats so dumb of me! Dumb, dumb Bonny, its fine! I insisted, grabbing her by the shoulders. As I touched her, she shivered and stopped moving altogether. Okay, she said, breathing heavily. Okay. Okay okay. So, this lance, I laughed. Tell me about it. Yes! she grinned. Okay! Its a Lance of Returning, and I crafted it from the best steel I had, enchanted by Etherea, and the shaft is constructed from Bronze Wyrm bonelight and aerodynamic, but weighted properly of course, perfectly balanced. I nodded, squinting and biting my lip, trying my best not to make a joke about how all things should be that would definitely go over her head. She chattered on. Itll take some practice if you arent used to polearms, but theyre easy to useway more versatile than swords in my experience. I raised an eyebrow at her. Are you a fighter, Bonny? I have been known to slay the odd monster every now and then, she said, blushing timidly. I couldnt begin to imagine her in battle. She was always a mess of nerves and jitters, like shed just slammed a twelve-pack of Red Bull, but I stole a look down at the anvil where her paws still held the horseshoe shed been working on. Perfectly still, stiller than my own hands at the best of times. Thats good to know, I said, beaming at her. It may be useful to have a partner at some point. She smiled weakly back at me. Oh, gosh, I dont know, she gushed. Thats too kind. Anyway, can I see the lance? Sure, and Ill hand you your bow, too, she said. Welp, looked like I was going to also get a bow. Neat! Justwait here a minute! and she vanished inside her cottage, leaving me standing alone outside, whistling innocently as Scalia and a dog girl I didnt know all that well eyed me lasciviously as they passed by. A few minutes later Bonny literally hopped back out of her home, carrying a surprisingly short bundle. Thats it? I asked, pointing at what she was carrying. She grinned, setting it on her anvil with a clang, and tearing off the cover for the big reveal. It wasa sword, as far as I could tell. Thats not a lance, Bonny, I chuckled. Thats just an awesome sword. I examined what was slung over her shoulders, dangling on her back. And a nice bow, too. Ah, but thats where youre wrong! she said, and she held up the sword perpendicular to my face and the hilt expanded almost five feet out away from the blade, making it a full-on polearm. I marveled at the thing for a moment before my hands reached out unconsciously, grasping it from her. Ohhh, give to daddy, I groaned as I held the beautiful weapon in my own clutches. The shaft was black and smooth, magically extended with no ridges so that it left behind no hints that it had been a mere sword only seconds before. The blade was so polished that it was reflective, and I gasped to see the tiny serrated edges on one side, the cruelly hooked tip, and the expertly designed grooves in the blade. This thing was a masterwork. "Daddy?" she muttered tentatively. "Are you eager to become a father, Mr. Drake?" I didn''t really hear what she was saying as I continued to inspect the godly weapon in my hands. To think I could own such a thing was almost maddeningly badass. "Uh huh, yeah. Definitely," I muttered. Her whole energy shifted. "Oh that''s wonderful news, Mr. Drake! Would you be willing to breed me? I''m free now if you have a few minutes!" My head jerked up in shock as the conversation caught up to me. "Oh, shit, sorry I wasn''t paying attention. No. No fatherhood for me for now, thank you." I felt my cheeks scorching with embarrassment, but mostly, as her face sank, I just felt bad. "Oh, II see, Mr. Drake. Of course." The disappointment was palpable. I decided to press on with the original topic of conversation, ignoring the pangs of guilt and regret surging in my guts. This really is incredible, Bonny. How did you extend it? All you have to do is want it to be a lance, and itll be a lance, she shrugged, smiling. She was calm nowId never seen her calmer, come to think of it. When watching me admire her craft, the girl was as cool as a cucumber. So if I want it to be a sword Try it, she grinned. I quietly willed for the lance to shrink back to a sword. With hardly a sound, the shaft became the hilt of a sword once again. You mentioned its a Lance of Returning, I said. What does that mean, exactly? You throw it, it makes impact, and then it flashes back into your hands. But dont try it yet, she warned. You must bond with it first. And there are still some kinks I need to work out. How do I bond with it or whatever? I asked. Make your first kill, she said, gesturing over to the woods beyond my farm. Go hunting, and once you, as a hero, make a worthy kill, the lance will soulbond with you, and itll always return. With this lance, you can also unlock certain feats over time, and those will give you the ability to further enchant it or add new powers to the lance. I almost didnt hear what she said, I was so busy just admiring the weapon, but I learned from my previous mistake and stayed focused. Got it, I said, but I was doing that thing where you heard everything someone said but didnt bother to process it until a moment later. When I was satisfied I actually knew what she was talking about, I repeated myself. Yep, got it. Kill something worthy, bond with weapon. Yep! Yep yep yep! she squeaked. Is there anything else you need help with? she said shyly, her elbows pushing her heavy breasts together as she leaned over the anvil. She repeated the operative word: Anything, Mr. Drake. Anything at all. She punctuated it by lifting up the flap of her loincloth just enough for me to get the gist, mouthing the word ''please.'' Feeling mighty cautious about those breedable hips all of a sudden, I decided to delay sex with the bunny girl. I didnt need to be a papa just yet. Though, damn, sooner or later I was going to cave and fuck her, that was for sure. In any case, at that particular moment, the first thing on my mind was finalizing the bond with my weapon. "I''m good, Bonny," I said, smiling at her. "Thank you for this." It wasnt that I was particularly bloodthirsty or looking for adventure. Working for a fast food corporation for years had trained me to be very task-oriented. When I received a new task, I was in the habit of getting the damn thing done as soon as fucking possible. ASAFP, as we used to say back at my Mickey D''s. And now Id been given a task that was absolutely crucial to the defense of my farm and the girls whod come to trust me. I practiced with the sleek shortbow she''d given me while I waited patiently for her to finish with the lance. After she was finished, I happily claimed it and politely bid farewell to the busty bunny blacksmith as I walked back to the cabin, my half-erect cock scolding me the whole way home after spending far too much time fighting the urge to let the bunny girl claim my jism. When I arrived back home, I decided to let my girls know what was going on. Youre just going wandering in the woods to kill something? Daisy asked, confused. Its necessary, I said. Probably should make it a habit from now on. It shouldnt take long. Hopefully it takes a while, May Belle shuddered. Not because I dont want you here! I mean, because if it takes only a short time, it means trouble is a bit too easy to find, you know? I sighed. That was a good point. But come to think of it, the owlbear was evidence that trouble was indeed never that far off in those woods. The thought reminded me of my other stated purpose: purge those woods and the surrounding lands of powerful monsters to make it safe for my girls. Seeing the girls at work on the farm, I decided to leave them to it, smiling with a weird sense of pride at their devotion to the cause I''d dreamed up. I went in the cabin to put on fresh clothes, and when I went back outside to bid farewell to whoever was around, Daisy and May Belle were milking each other, collecting their heavenly nectar into bottles for sale to the folk of Tater Town. It was almost hilarious how different the process looked when they were doing it to each rather than when I did it to them. When the sisters milked one another, it was a very clinical and mechanical process that they clearly took no sexual pleasure itbut it was still fun to watch. Mmmm, look sis, Buckys watching, May Belle cooed. Come and join us, Bucky-Baby! she winked, and for a moment I almost decided to postpone my quest to taste those teats againbut I thought better of it. We need the income, I said sadly. Id contaminate the milk because Im gonna be sucking on those boobies for fuckin'' sure. Dammit, Daisy moaned. I wish you would, honey. Tonight, I promised with a wink. Save a few drops for me, yeah? I waved as I blew them a kiss and walked to the tree-line. You got it, Daisy cooed happily. Ill save you more than a drop, May Belle moaned as another splash of milk echoed into the wide-lidded bottle. You need the XP boost after all. *** The forest was quieter than Id expected. There was of course the chirping of various bugs in the grass and a few tweeting birds in the trees overhead, but as I got deeper into the thicket I started to wonder what was going on to make these woods so calm and secretive today. Trudging through a brambly path, I happened upon a berry busha promising find, assuming they werent poisonous. I committed the spot to memory, retracing my steps and making sure I could find my way back. As I tested my sense of direction and traced my path, though, I heard somethinga quiet feminine sob. Im going to die here, the sweet voice wept. Im going to die out here, all alone. Always alone. Or worse, therell be higher level commanders among the orcs who planted this trap, and they''ll use some spell to see me, and kill me or another loud sob interrupted her dark musings, but I could put the gist of it together without her finishing it aloud. Its alright, I said, approaching the girl from the bushes nearby. She had alabaster white skin and a golden horn jutting from the top of her head. Her rainbow hair flowed down her back and over her chest, obscuring her breasts, but she was naked without a doubt. She also had a taila horses tail, with a rainbow pattern that matched the long locks atop her head. Finally, she possessed two black horse hooves instead of feet. A unicorn girl. I let out a quiet gasp at the epiphany. She turned her head, seeing me, and screamed in horror. Whoa! I said, trying to calm her down. I took a few steps backward and held up my hands, keeping my weapons strapped to my back. Its alright! Let me help you. She furrowed her brow, suddenly looking tremendously confused, but tears yet streamed down her face. How can you see me? she sniffled. Youre too gorgeous to be a virgin! I laughed. After the week Id had, I couldnt even think of a witty reply. Whats me being a virgin have to do with anything? I thought only virgins can see unicorns and unicorn girls, she said, wiping her eyes on her wrist. Well, Im decidedly not a virgin, and I can definitely see you. I looked down and spotted the problem. Silver blood flowed from a bad ankle woundshe was caught in a savage-looking iron trap. Oh, damn, I grunted, nodding at the injury. Can I help you? Please! she gushed, tears streaming down her face, but she was hopeful all of a sudden, likely having pegged me for a hero. She threw her arms up at me as though she were reaching for a hug, like a little girl who wanted her uncle to pick her up. Her voice was cute, extremely girly, like a chick from an anime. I thought I was going to die here! I approached slowly so as not to spook her and got down on one knee. You smell like cotton candy, I said unbelievingly. It wasn''t an exaggeration. Her scent was a dead ringer for it. I dont know what that is, she said, shaking her head. She winced as my hands gripped the trap. "But if it''s sweet, then I thank you, hero." I studied the trap. It was clamped tightly on her ankle, and I couldnt quite understand the locking mechanism. Id seen bear traps beforemy uncle used to go hunting, so Id been taught how to unlock one in a pinch, but this was different somehow. I was going to have to force it open. This is going to hurt, I said, wincing in anticipation of her shrieks or howls. Using every ounce of my strength, I managed to force the trap open, but badly cut my own hands on it. The whole time, the poor girl was screaming, kicking with her free leg unconsciously as her face contorted at the intense painand oddly enough, moaning almost sexuallybut at last after some effort, she was free. She looked at the wound, panting heavily, and then she gazed dreamily up at me. We have to take you to my home, I said, gesturing to the wound. The women in town can clean that up and bandage it for you. She made a face and flatly refused, shaking her head violently. No, she said. I can''t. Besides, unicorns have magic healing powers. Watch. She licked her finger and touched the wound, letting her pointer drag across all the marks the trap had left behind. Soon, the cuts were mended, and the silvery blood had dried against her pearly white leg. Whoa, I said. Thats a useful trick. Then she did the same for me, licking her finger and running it across the gashes in my hands. I felt my heartbeat quicken as her white digit caressed my palms. Who are you? she asked, gazing into my eyes curiously. Youre so beautiful. I had to blush at that. The irony of being called beautiful by a literal unicorn girl was immediately apparent to me. Youre not too bad looking yourself, I said. I cautiously reached out and stroked her hair, pulling it over her shoulder. She didnt react except to lean in even closer to me, as if inviting me to continue. I took that as a good sign. Shit. My boner was about to take over. With her rainbow locks pushed back, I now had full view of her right breast. Her nipples were almost as white as the rest of her body, with the tiniest hint of pink to them. Her body was thin-waisted but well-endowedboth tits and ass were in ample supply, and I noted that she didnt seem to mind my appraising her figure. My suspicions were immediately validated at what she said next. Would you ravage me here and now? she asked, her voice a hot whisper, her face red with blush at her brazenly lewd request. Make love to me here on the forest floor, before all the creatures of the woods? I froze in silence a moment, unsure how to respond. I ultimately answered her with action, leaning in and planting a gentle kiss. She moaned, her voice surprisingly raunchy as she felt my lips press upon hers, and her sounds grew even lewder and more persistent as I grabbed her by the waist and hoisted her onto my lap. She shivered in my arms. You alright? I asked. If I am going too fast She was breathing like shed just run a marathon. No, its just I can only be seen by virgin men, and I live in a world where men are rare as it is. Virgin men simply do not exist here, and one as gorgeous as you? You are the first man who has looked upon me in seven hundred years, she moaned, licking my cheek with a hunger that took me by surprise. I have been untainted all this time, and now! Im a problem solver, I said as I grinned wickedly, running my hands down her back until they rested on her firm and bubbly ass. When Im through with you, you wont remember much about the last seven hundred years. Good, she groaned, biting my ear hard, drawing enough blood to make me wince. Make me forget. Purge the loneliness from my lustful body! Her words were so fucking hot for some reason, weirdly articulate and lewd for coming from her sugar-sweet voice. I kissed her again, her lips literally tasting like candy, and her moaning intensified as I moved a hand to her breast, cupping it gently. I could feel her heart beating rapidly, and from the wetness I felt dampening the crotch of my pants as she sat directly on my lap, I could tell just how desperate she was to be taken by me. "I should warn you," I said. "I have a certain effect on monster girls." "I don''t care," she groaned, her nails raking my back, making me tense up as I was sure blood was flowing as a result of her roughness. "Just fill me with your manhood already, hero. "Call me Bucky," I said, pushing her onto the grass. Her naked form came fully into view for the first time as she lay on her back and instantly spread her legs for me, reaching down and parting her pussy lips with two delicate fingers. "Hurry!" she said," Before I lose my sanity, Bucky!" "What''s your name?" I asked as I hastily discarded my pants. "Rainbow Sprinkle," she said, her voice groaning and impatient. "But you can call me anything you want if you''ll just have your way with me!" I''d gotten the hint by this point, and I wouldn''t waste another second on idle chit chat. I leaned forward and sucked on her creamy white breasts, feeling her soft flesh yield to my tongue. She squirmed and writhed, moaning loud enough that it surprised me, and I devoured her tits voraciously. Licking around her areolas, I took her nipples gently between my teeth and tugged at her sensitive nubs. "Ohhhh fuckkkk!" she moaned, thrusting her hips upwards. Her slit slammed against my body. "Harder! More!" I was happy to oblige. I continued sucking her, but I pressed her hips down onto the ground to prepare my entrance into her waiting pussy. Positioning my cock delicately against her opening, I became aware of a series of hot, rapid breaths heating my scalp as my lips continued to stimulate her tits. Do it, Bucky, she whimpered, and I began sliding inside herslowly. She was tight, almost dangerously so, and she squealed like an animal when I bottomed out. "Ohhhh yesssss!" she moaned, rocking her hips to meet my every stroke from that point on. I started pumping in and out of her, relishing the massage that her erotic insides gave my cock with each thrust. The texture of her pussy was like nothing I had ever felt before. It was smooth, silky, and amazingly warm. Her walls seemed to hug my shaft, milking my erection, pulsing with each movement and hugging me, gripping tightly. Throughout it all, I couldn''t help but internally freak out at the surreal eroticism of the situation, fucking a unicorn monster girl on a grassy knoll in a magical forest. Beams of light poured through the treetops as butterflies hovered all around us, only adding to that fairytale atmosphere. My eyes rolled back into my head, and I grunted and thrust harder and faster. Sprinkle shrieked and arched her back. Then, she stopped making sound altogether, and her breaths became silent as her eyes fixed on me, mouth dropped wide open as though she were supremely shocked at just how much pleasure she could feel. I watched her face as I pounded into her, and I saw a mixture of awe, confusion, and delightbut mostly, it was rapture. She looked like someone who had found heaven itself, right here in my cock. "Be harsher!" she grunted at me after a few more minutes of intense sex. "Harsher how?" I grunted in between thrusts. "I''ve been--OH!--waiting for this for years! Spank me! Bite me!" she cried. "Harder!" She wanted me to hurt her? That wasn''t really my modus operandi, but the girl seemed to know what she wanted, so I wasn''t about to refuse her in the heat of the moment during her first time. I gripped her hair roughly and pulled her head back, watching her reactions for any signs that I''d gone too far, but she just giggled like a mad woman and moaned in response. When I bit her neck, a sharp little snap, she gasped as her breath caught in her throat. "Yes!" she cried out. "Mmmm, yes! I love it, Bucky! MORE!" Continuing to nibble at her, tasting just a hint of her surprisingly saccharine silver blood in my mouth, I lifted her by the ass, getting her hips off the ground. I pulled out for a moment to turn her over, angling into doggy position, my teeth leaving her neck. "That''s it," she moaned, growling at me. "Now spank me, Bucky!" She read my mind. "Tell me if I go too far," I said. I pushed my cock back inside her until I was hilted in her pussy, gratified by her desperate mewling as her walls greeted me with their tight flexing. I smacked her ass hard, eliciting a loud yelp that echoed through the trees. She whined and writhed on the grass beneath me. From that little slap, my hands were now covered with her womanly juices, and I could feel her pussy cream dripping from my cock as well. "Don''t stop!" she panted, hopelessly lost in me. "Slap it again!" I spanked her twice more, loud slapping sounds that echoed through the trees and caused birds to alight in fear, and she cried out, writhing even more violently, moaning in both pain and pleasure. I grabbed her by the waist and forced her onto her stomach, grabbing a clutch of her long rainbow hair and pulling her head back. With the other hand tugging her tail, I buried myself as deep into her cunt as I could possibly get. "Ahhhhhh!" she screamed, her body contorting and quaking with ecstasy. "Yes! Yes!" Her pussy clamped tightly as her legs went stiff and wrapped around my back. From that position I fucked her hard, fast, and rough, slamming into her so many times in rapid succession that I lost count. My balls churned and my cock throbbed as I anticipated what it''d be like to pump my seed into her womb. She kept cumming, screaming, and crying, shaking uncontrollably and howling my name so loud that the whole forest would probably hear us at this rate. It was all I could do to hold onto her for dear life as she convulsed beneath me. Her inner muscles milked my cock mercilessly, and I finally finished, emptying my balls into her depths. Rope after rope of sticky cum filled her, and in that moment I honestly didn''t give a shit if she got properly bred. It was the most intense sex with one woman I''d ever had, and it would have been a crime to finish in any other way. We collapsed together, gasping for air. I heard her panting, but I couldn''t see her face because of the wild tangle of her rainbow tresses. She frantically grasped for my cheeks, blowing her locks out of her face, looking into my eyes like she was studying me, wide-eyed, trying to memorize every feature. "Who are you, Bucky?" she moaned finally. "Who are you that you can do this to me?" "Hi," I grinned, panting. "I''m Bucky Drake, and I''m an Apex Hero." She placed her head on my chest. "Bucky Drake. Bucky Drake." She repeated my name, giggling like it was the sweetest sound she''d ever heard. "Stay here with me," she said. "Please, stay in these woods with me." I frowned at that. "I have other girls waiting for me. I can''t abandon them." Her face went sullen and thoughtful. "I can''t leave these woods, but I would go with you if I could. I would follow you so happily, Bucky Drake, if only it were possible." "You can''t leave the forest?" I asked. "No," she said sadly, planting kisses all over me. "I would wither and die." "I''d never allow that," I said, my voice gone dark and solemn at the mere thought. "Then remember this spot, by the bloodberry bush, Bucky Drake. Whenever you come here, I will find you. For now, take my blessing," she said, and she raised her wrist to my lips. "Drink my blood. The blood of a unicorn is powerful, and I give its enchantment to you freely if you promise to be my lover forevermore." My face twisted at the idea of biting into her wrist and drawing blood, and she could tell. She sighed, took her wrist back, and tore into it on her own, creating a surprisingly deep gash that spilled silver blood down her arm. "Drink, my Bucky Drake." Reluctantly, I slurped at the wound. I''d tasted her sweet blood earlier, but drinking it outright was different, and once I''d had my fill of it I felt a warmth overcome me. Unicorn''s Blessing Acquired. You have been granted Immunity to: Disease, Aging. Holy shit. virgilknightley Autumn''s been surging in popularity in my survey, so here''s something I''m working on for my Patreon fans! Chapter 14: My Little Kinky Pony (◆◆) "Does this mean what I think it means?" I asked, gesturing at the HUD which only I could actually see. "Immunity to disease and aging?" "Yes," she cooed, raking a sharp nail down my chest under my tunic. "So you can ravage me forever, Bucky Drake. Forever and ever..." I chuckled. "Just Bucky is fine." "Just Bucky," she murmured, gazing up at me with misty eyes. "My beautiful, gorgeous, amazing Just Bucky." "I mean, you can just call me Bucky." "Oh," she grinned, blushing slightly at her error. "I see. Then you can just call me Sprinkle. Is that alright?" "Sprinkle it is," I beamed back at her. Shit, she was incredible to look at. Her dazzling rainbow hair was hypnotic as it fluttered with every slight movement she made. Her porcelain white body was curvaceous in all the right ways, like she was designed to be sexy, and it seemed so utterly tragic that she''d gone so long without even seeing a man. My gain, I supposed, smirking to myself greedily as I regarded her perfection. "I love you, my Bucky," she cooed as she tugged hard on a lock of my hair. "I love you, I love you, I--" She noticed my face twist when she said the words. "What''s the matter?" she pouted, her nail digging deep into my scalp. "Am I scaring you, my Bucky?" I tried to smile. May Belle and Daisy had used the L Word but it felt earned in their cases. I suppose I bore some of the blame here, taking advantage of a poor unicorn girl caught in a trap in a moment of weakness, apparently leading her on. It wasn''t that I didn''t like to hear her say it, or that I thought I couldn''t love her back. I was sure that I could, but I''d been raised not to throw that word around lightly, and here she was chucking it at me on our first meeting. Maybe I was being a bitch about it, but yeah, I kind of was a bit scared of it. "Let''s just slow down a bit," I said. "I promise you, I won''t abandon you. I''ll be back here as often as I possibly can to see you, and I believe we''ll grow into using that word when the time is right." Her brow furrowed. "I want to use it now," she said, her voice gone cold, her eyes piercing mine, and her nails dragging down my neck and digging deep into my chest. I winced from the pain--and from the obvious red flags. But it was hard to blame her. The girl had been all alone without a man in her life even once in the many centuries of her existence. She just needed a positive male figure. I was pretty sure I could be that guy for her, and God knows she deserved someone. "Well, tell me about yourself, then," I said, shaking off the pain. "Teach me to love you." She smiled a bit at that. "There isn''t much to say, my Bucky, my beloved. I''ve lived here in these woods in peace for many centuries, but in the last decade or so things have gotten worse." "Worse how?" I asked, sitting up straighter and pulling her fully into my lap. "Ever since the General Keenfury moved his keep near these lands, more and more orcs, ogres, trolls, and goblins have been corrupting these woods, poaching its magical creatures, and slaughtering monster girls like me, harvesting our parts for their nefarious purposes. It was never like this before when it was just the Goblin Queen." "What can you tell me about her?" I asked, stroking her back reassuringly, trying to show her that affection was still on the table despite my hesitation to drop the L Bomb as fast as she did. She noticed, her ass grinding into my lap playfully as she bit her lip. She thought for a moment, and then continued to speak. "There are three Dark Queens of Lusteria, and they must be pacified for peace to return, so say the prophets. The Goblin Queen is the one whose castle is nearest to our lands, known widely as Goldenvale, and these woods are called the Watcher''s Woods. She is ancient, as old as the gods, and goes by the name Marrowheart." "That Watcher?" I said curiously. "Who is the Watcher?" She shrugged. "An old wizard, one of the first heroes. He made these woods his home base many centuries ago, when I was a little pony-girl." I nodded, looking down at my shirt. Blood was soaking through the tunic in all the places where she''d scratched and poked me with her surprisingly sharp nails. "Would you mind, umm, being a bit gentler?" I asked, nodding down at the blood. She looked annoyed by the request. "But I have to show the intensity of my love. I love you, I love you, I love--" "There are better ways to express love than through bloodletting," I chuckled, but I was definitely getting concerned. She might be more than I could handle at this rate. "That''s boring," she pouted. "I can heal you with a lick, so what''s the harm?" "Some people don''t dig pain as much as you do, Sprinkle." She looked genuinely puzzled at the revelation. "But... pain and pleasure are almost the same thing, right?" "To some people, yeah, I guess so," I said. "But I''m not a big fan of the former." She nodded, some understanding finally sinking in. "So I should be gentle with you, my Bucky?" "That would be appreciated," I laughed. She grinned. "But you don''t need to be gentle with me," she insisted, wide-eyed. "Please be as rough as you can be." Before I could respond, her little nose twitched, and she started looking around frantically. "What is it, Sprinkle?" I asked in a cautious whisper. "Ogres. Nearby. Pawns of Keenfury, Marrowheart''s general, come to find whatever sprang their trap." A split second later a barrage of javelins and rocks were hurled in our direction, and I only just managed to avoid getting hit, picking Rainbow Sprinkle up in my arms and using Great Leap to land aloft a thick tree branch overhead. "Kill them," Sprinkle giggled sweetly, licking my cheek. "Kill them all, my Bucky." She necked me, kissing my shoulder blade and grabbing my ass as I studied the threat below. "I wanna see their blood spray all over your beautiful body, my Bucky. I love you, I love you--" Shit. Why was this growing on me? It was like murderhobo dirty talk, and it was working for me for some damn reason. In any case, I set her seated upon the branch, and she watched with glee as I punched the clock and got to work, flipping downward into the fray, surrounded by three hulking green-skinned ogres that stood each about eight feet tall with immense bodies that were a potent mix of fat and muscle. They were like sumo wrestlers with great clubs and bags full of rocks on their hips. Each of them had a black top knot and a beard, though the beards were all fashioned and groomed differently. "I don''t suppose we could talk this out," I said. "Ha ha! You stupid!" one of the ogres growled as he lumbered toward me with surprising speedbut I was quicker, and I side-stepped his heavy strike and used Charged Thrust, lifting my lance and lunging into action. The sword-like blade glowed red just before I plunged forward, piercing the fat belly of the first ogre. He screamed, and instead of pulling out, I sawed my way out horizontally with the serrated edge on the left side of the lance''s blade, spilling the contents of his guts onto the forest floor in a red and pink mess. He howled in pain and clutched his belly, struggling to put his intestines back where they were supposed to go. His two friends were momentarily shocked, but they looked at each other, grunted, and charged me together as their friend slumped to the ground, not dead, but dying slowly, and we all knew it. They were slow. I flipped backward, planting my feet in the trunk of a tree, pushed off, and flew toward the nearest one with Smite activated, my lance colliding with his head. The resulting explosion was even more disgusting, but I couldn''t think about that now. I regretted doing such gory things in front of my unicorn "Yes! When the final ogre''s blood is spilt on my forest floor, we will roll around in their blood together. I love you, my" "Now''s not the time!" I said, stupidly casting a semi-disgusted look up at her, and in that moment of distraction I was hit hard by the great club of the remaining ogre. I felt something crack, a rib, probably, and I went flying into another tree, this time hitting it with my face. My face was a mess of blood, my nose almost definitely broken. "Oh my God!" Sprinkle squealed in shock. But it was just me and one ogre left now. He wouldn''t get another hit in like that. "I''m fine," I shouted up at her. "Don''t worry--" "Who''s worried, my Bucky? Your face looks so gorgeous now, covered in all that blood!" I''d absolutely stuck my dick in crazy, hadn''t I? I shook that realization aside and made my final attack. This time I charged on foot, made a feinting lunge that I let the ogre avoid, then, when his great club was raised to parry, I slid between his legs and crouched behind him, planting the lance in his back, impaling him completely through. I opted not to use any abilities, because I didn''t want to sap any more of my powers just in case this wasn''t the only encounter I ended up having. "Yes, my Bucky! I love you! My hero!" She leapt down from the tree in such a way that it was abundantly clear that she expected me to catch her and was not prepared for any other outcome but that. I dropped my lance and obliged, clutching her like a fairytale princess in my arms. Her warm pink tongue immediately started licking my face, dragging across my skin and my nose, and I felt my wounds there healing all at once. "Mmmmm, my Bucky, your blood is so good." She smacked her lips giddily. "It''s the very best!" I was woefully unready to deal with her, but I did some quick introspection and learned a hell of a lot about myself in a very brief span of time. First of all, yes, she made me uncomfortable, but there wasn''t really anything evil or wrong about her as far as I could tell. She hated greenskins and had a weird kink for blood and pain, but that wasn''t really a reason to abandon her. It all likely stemmed from having little to no contact with the outside world for centuries, being totally isolated due to the nature of what she was. And how could I even consider leaving her behind? I''d already given her my word that I''d visit her as often as possible, and I''d had sex with her already, too. That was on me, and it couldn''t be taken back. Furthermore... If I was being honest with myself, I really wanted to keep that sex going, and her kinkiness wasn''t nearly as much as a dissuader as I liked to pretend it was. Hell, it kind of turned me on. She climbed out of my arms and stood in front of me. "I want to roll naked in their blood with you," she said, and she fell backward, like a kid falling into the snow, about to make a snow angel. But she wasn''t doing anything as innocent as that--she was frolicking in the blood of my enemies. "So, just so you know, this is not normal," I said, still ogling her nudity as she did it. "It''s going to take me some time to adjust to your... quirks." She looked up at me meekly from a spread eagle position, her rainbow hair and white skin now stained with ogre blood and entrails. "What do you mean?" "You have a very intense fixation on pain and blood that I''m not used to being introduced in a romantic setting," I said, trying to phrase it as delicately as possible. Her eyes teared up. "Are you disgusted by me?" "Not nearly enough for it to affect my internal decision-making paradigm," I said, sighing in resignation. "Will you still be my Bucky? Will you come visit me by the bloodberry bush?" I nodded, smiling weakly back at her. Fuck, she was cute, even covered in ogre goop. "Of course, but I just want you to be aware... go easy on me. I''m not used to the bloodlust vibe you''re putting off." She rushed to her feet and threw her arms around me, her body covered in blood, now soaking me, too. I cringed at that. This shirt was brand new. "Oh, my Bucky! Please don''t forsake me! I love you, I love you so much! The gods let you see me for a reason. Our meeting is fate, I know it!" I whimpered defeatedly and patted her on the head. Despite everything, I was getting hard again, feeling her naked body pressing up against me. Little Bucky and I were going to have to have a stern talk about appropriate situations for erections. "It''s fine," I chuckled, and it was. She wasn''t the craziest girl I''d dated, after all. I once dated a girl that said the Star Wars prequels and sequels were better than the Lord of the Rings, and we were together for ten months. If I could manage Stacy Klarke, I could handle Rainbow Sprinkle. *** After another round of sex, and a whole lot of licking, I left my endearingly bloodthirsty unicorn girl and headed home. The day went on way longer than I intended it to, and when I''d arrived, I discovered the girls at the Sanctuary were setting up a search party to go look for me. "Bucky-Baby!" May Belle shouted, the first to notice me exiting into the clearing. I waved to her in the distance, and soon all five of my girls were charging toward me, tackling me to the ground. "By the gods, there''s so much blood!" Etherea gasped. "Take his clothes off, we need to bandage him right away!" They stripped me naked and I didn''t say anything in my defense, just letting them do it, because a song in my heart knew that it could lead to good times ahead. "What? There''s no wounds," Autumn mumbled, decidedly muddled, her fingers spending a suspicious amount of time caressing my abs, perhaps pretending she was inspecting them for damage. "I was healed," I said plainly. "I fought off a few ogres, but most of the blood is either theirs, or wounds I suffered dealing with a unicorn girl." Autumn gasped. "You met a unicorn girl?! They''re so rare! I doubted if they even existed anymore!" "Wait, a unicorn girl fought you?" Ivy asked, confused. "That doesn''t sound right." "It was... a lot like a battle," I winced, recalling the kinkiness of it. "A lot of blows were struck and blood was spilled, for sure." "Is she still alive?" That was Daisy. I laughed. "Yeah, and we have an appointment for tomorrow," I said. Autumn squinted at me with suspicion. "What aren''t you saying?" I grinned. "I may have had sex with the unicorn girl and received her blessing." The women all looked at each other unbelievingly. "No," Daisy said, shaking her head. "It can''t be!" "You mean..." "You can''t age?" May Belle asked excitedly. "Bucky-Baby will be this young and hot forever?!" I nodded. "That was the gist of it, yeah." "How!?" Autumn asked, her jaw in danger of hanging open in shock if she didn''t keep talking. "No, wait. Focus. Focus. Bucky, you have a sacred duty." I cocked my head sideways and waited for her to elaborate. "She must be marked. You must lock down all the boons she can give you, and bring her to the sanctuary." I grunted a bit uncomfortably, imagining the dramatic shift in Tater Town''s cool dynamic if the unicorn girl were suddenly left in polite company. "She''s a bit... well, she takes some getting used to." "And, as a creature of the forest," Ivy continued, "She won''t be able to leave it." But Autumn stroked my hair and bit her lip as she shook her head at the wood elf. "That''s not true," she said. "Not if she''s marked. She''ll go where he goes without issue." I swallowed hard. "Well, let''s focus on marking everyone here first, and--" "No," Autumn insisted. "I insist that you mark her before me at the very least. This is too important, Bucky." I looked at her, seeing how serious she was, and my mind flashed to Sprinkle. She was so stupidly hot, so dazzlingly gorgeous, but with her fixation on blood and pain, I worried how the others might receive her. This was a new aspect to the harem-building experience that I hadn''t thought I''d ever need to consider. "We''ll... take it one day at a time," I said. Sensing the conversation was over for now, my twin holstaurs flashed each other a meaningful look and tugged down their tops in unison. Their incredible breasts were so full that I could practically hear the sloshing cream inside them as they wiggled them gently in my face. "If that''s all, honey," Daisy whined first, "May Belle and I saved some milk for you, but you were gone so long we''re practically engorged again." She blushed, looking away from my gaze. "I hope you''re prepared to take full responsibility for that." "Suck my titties first, Bucky-Baby, I need it worse than she does." "Humph!" Daisy scoffed at her sister. "I offered first, so he''ll suck me first." I sighed. I wasn''t ready to think about what to do with my little BDSM pony. But this? This I could handle. Which milky tits to suck first--this was the kind of decision I lived for. "Alright," I nodded thoughtfully. "Let''s reason this out..." virgilknightley Chapter 15: Lovey-Dovey Stargazing (◆) Daisy blushed as she looked down at me while I nibbled lightly on her pink nipple. "I... don''t want to say," she said, averting her eyes when I returned her gaze with a mischievous look. "I''m thinking about how lucky we are," May Belle said. "Most girls end up with a normal breeder, or alone. A few get a hero, but we''ve got an Apex Hero with the purest heart imaginable." She sounded as if she might cry. "We''re so blessed." I found the statement surreal considering the fact that I was the one currently being breastfed by two perfect beauties as a catgirl nuzzled against my crotch. "If you say so," I chuckled, popping Daisy''s nipple out of my mouth with a gentle wet plop. It was high time for me to give May Belle her due. "I love you so much, Bucky-Baby," she continued as my tongue circled her nipple. The words made me freeze up for a split second just as my tongue started dancing against her areola, her hand pulling me against the softness of her chest. She noticed. "Bucky?" she said cautiously. "Did I... say something bad?" I shook my head and grudgingly relinquished her breast. I had to explain. If there was anyone I could trust it was these girls. "I love you, too," I assured her. "It''s just that Rainbow Sprinkle, the unicorn girl I mentioned, said she loved me and was really pushy about it, and she hardly knew me. It spooked me because she''s... pretty intense." "I can understand it," Ivy said from somewhere above me on the grass, lying perpendicular to Daisy, me, and May Belle so that her head wasn''t all that far away. "Many of the rarer monster girls live in the forest or caves for decades dreaming of finding a good man. It must be even more challenging for a unicorn." "Come to think of it, it doesn''t make any sense that you could see her," Daisy pointed out as she scratched my scalp sweetly. "Only virgins should be able to see her, and you''re definitely not a virgin." Autumn grunted to indicate she''d had the same thought, but she offered up a theory. "I''m not entirely sure, but it likely has something to do with his status as an Apex Hero. They''re known to have unique powers, many of which are simply undocumented because they''re so rare. Even the gods haven''t fully catalogued Bucky''s abilities." I sighed deeply, caressing May Belle''s face as I started to speak. "I had a similar thought. But I''m worried about her," I said, and they all looked directly at me to listen. "She has a really twisted idea of what sex is. She kept scratching me, making me bleed, licking it to heal it. She asked me to get rough with her, which was a little uncomfortable for me to be honest, but I didn''t... hate it." "Sounds like she just has particular preferences," Autumn giggled. "And it only comes across as weird because she has no way of knowing that her desires aren''t standard. Someone a bit more versed in sex etiquette and men would know how to broadcast their interests gradually over time once trust had been established, but she took one look at you and gave into all her desires. She had no idea that you wouldn''t be expecting her to do that. Everyone has kinks," she added at last. "But they come out when trust is there. You''re the first man she ever met, so she instantly trusted you because she didn''t know not to. What was she going to do, let you walk away?" What she said made some sense, but I perked up, my lips curling at the words ''everyone has kinks.'' "What''s your kink, Autumn?" I asked my catgirl, and I felt her freeze in my lap. "Unless you don''t trust me, I guess." "That''s not fair... I-I... I have a fantasy about being rescued and ravaged by you on the spot," she said. I could tell she was blushing without even looking. The softness of her voice and the tenseness of her shoulders told me everything. "Nice," I grinned. "If I ever have to rescue you, I''ll remember that." "You can roleplay, too," May Belle suggested, giggling sweetly. "What about you, May Belle?" I asked. "Do you have a kink?" Her face reddened to be suddenly given the spotlight. "You''re my kink," she cooed sweetly. I chuckled, but she didn''t show any sign that she was joking. "Sometimes when you''re gone and everyone else is busy, I just think about you and I hide and touch myself just imagining you''re holding me." It was my turn to blush. "Really? You have me every night," I pointed out. "I love you so much," she said hopelessly. "Once I''ve finished my tasks for the day, you''re all I can think of." "Sometimes she sneaks off to rub one out in the middle of her tasks," Autumn observed with some annoyance. "Wow," I muttered, kissing May Belle on the forehead. "That''s flattering." "Well, she stole my answer," Daisy grunted. "But I... I do have one more." I turned over to face her, badly wanting to hear this. May Belle whimpered a tiny protest at that, which made me smirk. "It''s silly," Daisy said, her cheeks flushing crimson as she fluttered her eyelashes at me. "It''s stupid, really." "Well now I have to know," I laughed. "Now I have to know," May Belle said, leaning forward keenly. "Okay, but if you laugh, I''ll smack you... I fantasize, sometimes, about letting my breasts go full after days of not being milked, and then making love to you, riding you in your lap and squirting my milk into your mouth as you call me your little cow." There was a pause as everyone shifted awkwardly. Autumn was the first to comment. "Holy shit, Daisy," Autumn said breathily. "I didn''t take you for a freak." "Shut up!" Daisy shouted back, covering her cheeks to hide her rosiness. "Don''t judge me!" "No one''s judging," I said. "And I''d be completely down to make that happen one of these days." "It''s a waste of milk, though," she said, looking down at me. "Autumn wouldn''t allow it." "Your milk will be more potent if you''re enjoying yourself," Autumn pointed out. "Or am I wrong about that?" "No, you''re right," May Belle cooed. "But we always enjoy ourselves when Bucky''s lapping up our cream." "Surely fulfilling a kink would have some sort of added boost?" Autumn mused, nonchalantly taking my hand in hers. "We can try, if for no other reason than to let Daisy have her fantasy. I''m not that much of a monster." "He should mark you two first," Daisy blushed, her eyes still gazing into mine with an adoring smile. "Then we''ll talk about it." "Maybe it''ll just happen someday," I shrugged at her. Autumn shook her head as it lay in my lap, but it felt kind of good, having her hair nuzzle against my crotch. "He can mark May Belle and the unicorn girl first," Autumn corrected her. "The possible benefits of marking me are niche anyway. There''s no rush. Lusteria''s interests come first." "Speaking of which," I said, "I should use Discover to acquire some new skills. Let''s say six new skills, and then I''ll use the remaining skill points to upgrade the best abilities." I always did this shit when I played RPGs. Sometimes I''d level up ten times before allocating any Skill Points at all. I really needed to kick that habit now that these Skill Points were very much a real thing with direct consequences on my life. Autumn sat up, suddenly excited. "Are you level eleven yet?" she asked. "Getting close," I replied, chuckling. "Unicorn sex and killing three ogres certainly helped, and now I''m 4,394 XP to level 11 with 24 skill points to spend." "Do it, then," Autumn urged. I clasped my palms together and brought up the HUD to see my Skill List. It still looked the same as before, for the most part, but it was about to look very different. I focused my intent on using the Discover ability, worried for a second that it might be a bit tougher than just thinking about it, but quickly I felt a jolt as a notification popped up. Trained Skill Acquired: Garrote 1 There we go, it worked. I did it five more times. Trained Skill Acquired: Sniff 1 Trained Skill Acquired: Dragon Affinity 1 Trained Skill Acquired: Forage 1 Trained Skill Acquired: Fire Breath 1 Trained Skill Acquired: Investigate Other 1 I listed off the skills in order. "Garrote 1... Sniff 1, Dragon Affinity 1, Forage 1, Fire Breath 1, Investigate Other 1." Autumn nodded, as she listened to them, mostly unimpressed until I said the last two. "Fire Breath? Investigate Other? Is that what you said?" "Yup," I nodded. "Are those any good?" "Fire Breath I''ve never even heard of a hero getting," she said. "I imagine you only were able to unlock it because you just got Dragon Affinity. Lucky timing." "And Investigate Other?" I asked. She practically glowed as she grinned ear to ear. "That''s a good one," she said. "It allows you to focus on one aspect of someone else''s HUD and have it reported back to you. Very useful." I nodded, sitting up to meet her, and I realized that May Belle and Ivy had fallen asleep. I smiled down at them as I asked my catgirl, "Can I test it on you?" "Of course," she said, her pretty face shining luminescently under the light of the moon. "I''m yours. Do as you will." I focused my eyes on her and decided to hone in on her Agility attribute. She lit up in my view as a golden outline seemed to highlight her every curve until a number floated above her head in shining white text. Agility Score: 11 "Your Agility is 11," I said. "Nice. That''s way more than me. Why is it that I can jump up in trees and stuff?" "You have Great Leap, for one thing, and you''re a hero. Generally your attributes can push a bit further." Then she looked as though she suddenly remembered something. "Oh! You killed three ogres, yes?" "Yeah," I nodded. "Did you get any Monster Souls from them? Assuming you used your weapon." I shook my head. "No," I said. "I didn''t see anything." She frowned. "It''s not a big surprise. Ogres are technically greenskins, not monsters, but they''ve been known to give souls every now and then, so I thought I''d ask." "So I need to focus on monsters to get more souls, and I need some souls to get more feats, and I need more feats to mark more girls." Well, at least I probably finished the bond with my badass lance by killing them, I thought, recalling what Bonny had told me about it. "Feats can sometimes be unlocked in other ways, but it''s rare," Autumn said. I nodded. That much I''d pieced together on my own, given the Harem Knight feat I now had. "Alright," I said. "Sounds good. I''ll find some monsters soon." Ivy stirred back awake in the midst of that conversation, and I felt her hand on mine. "There are many terrible monsters in the woods. If you''ll take me, I can help you find some of them. I know their dens, and I know their trails." "I don''t want to put you in danger," I said. But I thought about it a bit more, chewing my lip as I looked back and forth between her and Autumn. "But I wanted the two of you in particular to meet Sprinkle anyway. Maybe we can do it, but you''re bringing weapons and staying close at all times." "Oh no," Autumn teased with a mocking scoff. "I have to stay close to you? The man I adore? What an inconvenience." I grinned back at her. "I mean it, though. I''d lose it if something happened to you." "If that''s the plan, might I suggest we retire for the evening?" Ivy suggested with a stretch and a yawn, and I agreed. "Good idea. I''m getting sleepy, and if tomorrow is a monster-hunting kind of day, then it''s best for me to be well rested." "Of course," Autumn nodded, reaching for my crotch, tugging at the waistband of my pants. "One more blowjob, though. For XP," she winked. "Right," I nodded solemnly. "For XP." virgilknightley Chapter 16: Into the Woods I woke up at the crack of dawn with four women cozied up against me--Ivy hugging my head as she lay on the grass above me, while Autumn lay balled up between my legs. The holstaur twins were nestled in the crooks of each of my arms, their heads on my shoulders. I smiled--how could I not--and peeled myself delicately from their embrace. I had to chortle a bit. We had fallen asleep on the mound with the cabin only a few dozen feet away. Somehow it still felt like I was home. I think a part of it had to do with the fact that I knew this land was mine, but the greater truth was that those women were my home, and no matter where I was, I would always feel that way with them beside me. I studied my HUD, reminding myself of the skill points I''d spent the night before. At the moment, my stats looked like this: Satisfied, I whistled loudly, a bit nervous to wake up my girls, but I noticed with relief that not one of them stirred as Blue descended from his place in the heavens. I climbed onto his back and gave his rump a pat, and we took off in flight together. This was our morning ritual. Every day I went out and surveyed the lands with Blue--as much for reasons related to scouting and security as it was related to my need to keep bonding with my dragon-steed. Blue and I floated high above the forests and plains of these lands, Goldenvale I''d learned it was called, and enjoyed the breathtaking sight of Lusteria laid out before us. To our left was the Watcher''s Woods, and it dominated much of the land on that side of me and far ahead. On the right, though, were rolling plains and cultivated lands. Tater Town and my farm were here, as were several other homesteads that dotted the landscape not that far off. "Let''s fly out a bit further today, Blue," I said, rubbing the scales on his powerful neck. He whinnied a response, and we continued onward, picking up speed as Blue maneuvered his wings with intent. The horizon started to grow unfamiliar--and darker, like a black cloud hung over those lands. A keep built from stone loomed off in the distance, and I wondered what it was. Around it was a village, or a town of sorts. Much larger than Tater Town, with palisaded walls and more tents than buildings on its grounds. I had an uneasy feeling growing in my stomach the closer we got to it. "Let''s turn around, Blue," I said, and we did, heading back home. When I''d landed the girls were up, eating fruits we''d foraged, cooking meats that we''d caught in snares, idly chatting about what their plans were for the day. "Hey, Bucky-Baby!" "Hi, honey!" The holstaur twins were the first to greet me, standing up and walking over to me as I landed Blue so they could each plant a kiss on one side of my face. "Hey, girls," I said, grinning toothily at them. "You spoil me, you know." "It''s what we live for," May Belle cooed back sweetly. "Ivy, Autumn, you almost ready?" I asked, signaling over to them. They stood, Autumn stretching exaggeratedly like the cat she was. Lord help me, I loved watching her stretch that tight body. "Alright," she said at last. "We''ll each take one of the axes you grabbed from the greenskins when you rescued May Belle and Daisy." I nodded. "And always be watchful," I commanded seriously. "It isn''t safe in there." "It is and it isn''t," Ivy called back. "You''re not wrong. There are threats, no doubt, but those who belong to the forest can avoid the greenskins and most monsters if they''re careful. But today we don''t want to avoid them, right?" she grinned. I nodded. "That is the gist of it." We took off shortly after that, trudging through bushes and thickets, navigating the winding pathways of the Watcher''s Woods. "There is a cave not far from here," Ivy noted. "There is almost always one manner of beast or another dwelling inside of it. If you want a guaranteed monster kill, that''s a safe bet, and it''s within twenty minutes'' walk." I didn''t say anything, I was so deep in thought. After a while of following her I finally piped up. "I flew out with Blue today," I started. "I saw a big keep, kind of like a castle, and a town with lots of tents around it." Autumn groaned audibly. "That is a mission for another day," she said. "But yes, that is something we must watch carefully." "What is it?" I asked. She sighed. "It is what you probably guessed it is. It''s a fort that belongs to General Keenfury, one of the higher ups in the Goblin Queen''s army." I almost gasped, recognizing the name. "It''s so close," I said softly. "This world isn''t huge, and the population is small because it is difficult for all races to multiply without breeding men native to this world. Every kill dealt to the enemy really helps, Bucky. They won''t launch an all out attack on Tater Town anytime soon because it''s just not worth the exposure, but they are mustering, working hard to multiply and empower themselves using any means they can find, and one day before too long the threat will be at our doorstep." "Do elves also have the same breeding issues as monster girls?" I asked, turning to Ivy. She nodded. "We are all long-lived, but yes. There are no elven men in Lusteria. Not for a very long time." "And orcs?" I asked Autumn this time. "That threat grows with the power of the Goblin Queen. She is their brood mother, and she only multiplies with the seed of heroes and breeders that have devoted themselves to her or otherwise fallen under her power." I squinted as I looked at the path winding ahead of us, trying to collate my thoughts. "Okay," I said. "Back to the original topic. I take it that dealing with threats like the keep are supposed to fall to heroes like me?" "Of course," she said, looking back at me with a look of skepticism. "Are you thinking about running from danger and starting another farm?" I laughed. "No," I said. "I guess I deserve that, though. This is our home. I''m worrying about how I''m going to take out a keep full of greenskins by myself." "It may not be necessary," Ivy said, inserting herself into the conversation. "There are those in town who would be willing to help. Bonny is skilled with a blade, and Etherea and I can use offensive magic in a pinch. And before long I suspect other heroes will begin to seek you out." "Seek me out?" I repeated. "Why?" "Because they think in much the same way as you. Why fight the hordes of the enemy alone when you can partner up with another warrior?" she pointed out. "I don''t think I made the greatest impression when I met the other Apex Heroes," I chuckled, but internally I was mortified to recall the circumstances around the last time I''d seen them. "Nonsense," said Autumn. "I hear the chatter of the other catgirls when I sleep, and their heroes have expressed nothing but envy toward you." "Well that''s not great either," I said, wincing. Soon the cave appeared before us, burrowed in the side of a rocky hill. It was in a clearing where the weeds and grasses had been left to grow thick. The land around the cave was rockier, so trees did not impose, leaving us an open and unimpeded look ahead of us for the first time since entering the forest. "So, we kill a monster, then meet Sprinkle, yeah?" I said, looking at my two beauties. "Yeah," Autumn repeated, but her hands were shaking as she clutched the axe. "Sure." Ivy looked less nervous. In fact, she was a picture of confidence, petite and nude but for three orange maple leaves covering the sexy bits, standing with her axe slung over her shoulder, inspecting her nails. It made me wonder about her--how was she so at home here even just as we were about to rush into battle? "I''ll go in first," I said. I took a step forward and activated Sniff 1, inhaling deeply. There was something in there, alright--something disgusting and rank. I looked behind my shoulder and noticed the girls following carefully behind me, which made me a bit nervous. I didn''t really want them to get involved in the fight. I tried to shoo them back, but they didn''t seem to get the message, and by the time they had, it was already too late. Something neon pink and translucent spilled out of the cave in a mass of goop and ooze that seemed to slither and twist with surprising speed, creating grasping tentacles with precise points of articulation. It grasped the side of the hill and elevated itself upward, and I could tell it was judging us. I didn''t look back to see what the girls were doing, not wanting to let my eyes leave the thing lest it make a sudden move when my head was turned. "I don''t think the lance is going to help a ton," I groaned to myself quietly. Just then, though, my perception of the situation was rocked with new information as a giant spider ripped out through the cave entrance, shuddering momentarily under the daylight, but then twisting its body and spitting out an acidic substance which made the slime bubble with pain, emitting something that sounded a hell of a lot like a feminine shriek. That sound woke me up from my stupor. Maybe both of these things were monsters, but at the moment, the spider seemed the clearer threat, and the easier thing to attack, So I used Great Leap and bounded toward it, descending upon it with my lance pointed down at it. I struck the thing in its abdomen, puncturing its hairy carapace, but just barely, and now I had the arachnid''s full attention. "Protect the slime!" Ivy shouted. I was suddenly glad that I''d made the choice I did. The spider whipped around and struck me with one of its legs, shoving my back against a boulder. It hurt, but nothing broke, but I felt the clatter of my bow against my back cause some extra pain. "Autumn," I shouted, rolling to avoid another of the spider''s strikes, "take my bow!" I tossed the bow and quiver over to her, and she caught them both, but almost spilled a few arrows in her attempt to put the quiver on her hip. Meanwhile, Ivy''s hands were doing something elegant, and a tangle of vines tore out from the earth and wrapped themselves around the spider''s legs, giving me an open shot. I exploited the opening, plunging my lance into its gaping maw, its mandibles twitching, the beast hissing in pain from the strike. I pulled that lance out and readied another assault. Up with my lance came a spray of acidic mucus that struck me in the shoulder, burning me badly and eating through my tunic. I growled in pain but held my ground, this time plunging my weapon into an eye, hoping to puncture the creature''s brain, but it didn''t give as much as I thought it might. The eye was destroyed, but only the tip of the lance managed to penetrate the spider''s head. Just as the spider was about to descend on me with a deadly strike, a few well-placed arrows caught it in the underside of its cephalothorax, and glimmering ichor spilled from its belly as the creature hopped back from me in shock and pain. It seemed to be assessing the situation, deciding whether fight or flight were the better option. It chose poorly. The spider took one more lunge for me, pinning me to the ground. I was face to face with the thing now. Good. Just where I wanted it. I activated Fire Breath 1 and a wild infernal spray of orange flame burst from my mouth, catching the monster right in its hideous face, setting its hairy body ablaze. The creature backed off, and the fire spread, but thankfully Ivy managed to douse it with a localized rain spell that worked well given that we were in a clearing. I panted heavily, clutching the burn on my arm. Suddenly, though, I felt something warm and gooey covering me from my legs heading on up, and soon I was entirely inside the neon pink slime that we had just rescued. I couldn''t breathe. I choked, but I also noticed a change in my shoulder as the wound felt soothed--not fully healed, but definitely better, the burning pain having subsided. With relief, the slime rolled off of me. I panted hard, and looked over at Autumn and Ivy. Ivy waited on her knees, her hands outstretched as the ooze headed toward her like a dog to its master. But before I could question that, I had to address the look on Autumn''s face. She had dropped the bow to the ground, along with the arrow she had been holding, and was squinting at me, staring at my chest. I looked down to see what she was staring at, but saw nothing. "What is it?" I asked. "It''s your Umbercore," she gasped in reverence. "It''s fully regenerated, as if you just had a full night''s rest!" "Slime girls all have different gifts," Ivy said, rubbing the goop. I cocked an eyebrow. "Slime girl?" Ivy smiled softly. "She hasn''t taken her feminine form yet, but yes. This is Gumi, a slime girl, and she is an old friend." The spider was still twitching. Autumn noticed it, too. "There''s still time, Bucky! Stab it with your lance!" I did as she said, sticking the thing one last time with my hero-weapon, and I watched as a black orb flooded the lance''s tip and then swam through the shaft of my weapon until I felt it burn its way into me. No notifications. "I don''t think that unlocked anything," I said. Autumn sighed. "I had hoped since it was so big that it might be enough, but you''ll probably need to kill one or two more monsters to unlock anything. Still, this is progress! Your first monster soul!" "And a new resident for the sanctuary," Ivy said. "If you''d take her, I think it would be good for her, that is. The forest is too dangerous for her these days, and I can''t stand the idea of knowing she''s all alone." I nodded. "Of course. She seems pretty harmless. It''ll be like having a pet!" I chuckled. Ivy and Autumn shared a funny look. "It''ll be like having a pet right up until it''s like having a girlfriend, yes," Autumn said. "Slime girls take some time to choose a female form, but once they do, they gradually start behaving more like other monster girls." I gulped. "How long do we have until that happens?" I asked. "It''s hard to say. Could be a few weeks, could be a few months, but she''s getting close in her cycle," Ivy said as the blob perched on her lap. I was going to save the rest of my questions for later. There were other things to take care of, more monsters to slay, and most importantly, we had to head to the bloodberry bush. Sprinkle was waiting. We whacked our way through the forest''s brambles, navigating it as well as I could remember, until we ended up in precisely the spot. I looked around, but she wasn''t anywhere to be seen. "Let''s take a rest here," I suggested, tapping the ground with the pole of my lance. "She promised she''d find me when I got to the bloodberry bush, and I''m sure this is the one. It''s just a matter of time." Ivy and Autumn looked at each other and nodded. Gumi just slipped and slimed all over my boots, which I didn''t mind. For a living mass of ooze, she was kind of cute. She made lots of funny gurgling sounds and occasional girly sighs and squeals that made her quite the novelty in my eyes. Just as I was starting to relax and enjoy myself, I heard a mad cackle. "Ha ha ha!" came the voice. It was obviously Rainbow Sprinkle from the overly cute yet weirdly sadistic tone. She jumped down from a tree branch holding something small and ugly in her hands, a ball of black fuzz with glowing yellow eyes and a giant razor-toothed mouth along with grasping clawed hands and feet. It flailed desperately in her clutches. "Hey, Sprinkle, babe, ummm... Whatcha got there?" I said, anxiously looking back toward my other companions as they went wide-eyed at the unicorn girl, who was still completely nude and whose eyes were glowing hot pink. "My Bucky," she squealed. "I knew you''d come back! I caught you a present! It''s a forest gremlin!" "Uhh thanks," I said nervously. "What do I do with it?" Her eyes rolled back erotically and she raised it over her face. The poor creature was flailing and growling. "Impale it. Take its monster soul, and shower my face in its blood. I love you my Bucky! I love you, I--Wait, who are they?" she said abruptly, eyeing Autumn and Ivy, who by now looked utterly aghast. I smiled awkwardly. "Rainbow Sprinkle, meet Autumn and Ivy. Autumn and Ivy, this is Rainbow Sprinkle." "By the gods," groaned Ivy in something like disgust. "She''s--" "--Amazing!" Autumn gushed happily, clapping and jumping up and down. "Kill the gremlin, Bucky! It''s rude to refuse a gift! It''s a free monster soul!" Sprinkle gazed back at her with gaping excitement, like she''d finally found her long lost sister. I sighed, not sure why I ever thought Autumn and Sprinkle wouldn''t get along. At that moment, I just hoped they wouldn''t be a bad influence on each other. virgilknightley Chapter 17: Feats of Heroism + Introducing Sprinkle "It''s for you, my Bucky," she giggled maniacally as the forest gremlin was suspended over her head. "Do it, please! Make it rain on my face!" Ivy shuffled anxiously behind me. "She seems like a handful," she noted, and I couldn''t disagree, but Autumn clearly didn''t feel the same. "Yesss!" she clapped. "Do it, Bucky!" I sighed. This thing was definitely a monster, and if there is one person I trusted on whether or not I should kill something, it had to be Autumn. She was the one who knew everything about my mission. Still, it felt weirdly cruel. I winced slightly as I plunged the lance forward, collapsing the chest of the forest gremlin and causing it to practically burst like a bubble full of blood onto Sprinkle''s face. She moaned loudly and fell to her knees like a moaning harlot, spreading the resulting mess all over her body as though it were a luxurious ointment. "I''m not kissing you today," I stated matter-of-factly, more to myself than to her. She sobered up really quick. "Wh-what?!" "That''s so mean!" Autumn protested on the unicorn girl''s behalf. Both Ivy and I flashed a confused look at her. Before I could say anything else, I felt the soul of the gremlin make its way through the lance''s shaft and into my hands from where it streamed through my body until I felt it burning in my heart. Then, it happened: Feat Selection Unlocked. Choose from one of the following core feats. The feat you choose will heavily influence your progression from this point onward: "Holy shit," I said, surveying the options. Autumn''s eyes went wide as she recognized the look on my face as I scanned my HUD carefully, my eyes darting across the display. "You unlocked your first row of feats," she said in an awed hush. I couldn''t even answer, I was reading them over and over again. "What''s going on?" Rainbow Sprinkle whined. "What''s with that look, my Bucky?" "Your Bucky is making a very important decision," Ivy said, also registering the magic of the moment. "Do I have to decide right now?" I asked, looking over at Autumn, scratching my head as my face contorted at the pressure of having all three of them scrutinize me so closely as I considered my new options. Autumn beamed excitedly at me. "Of course not, but I hope you do. Oh, tell me, tell me the options!" "Do I have to read the whole description?" I asked, groaning. She thumbed her chin, considering it. "Just the titles first. I likely know most of them, anyway." Rainbow Sprinkle sidled up to me on her knees and wrapped her arms around my leg as I started listing them off. "Skulker, Shifter, Evoker, Crusher, Breeder," I said, "In that order, if it makes a difference." "It doesn''t," but her face twisted. "I don''t know Shifter or Breeder, but I can guess at the latter," she said. "What does Shifter''s description text say?" I read the description off to her, and her eyes bulged as she covered her mouth with her little hands. "It has a prerequisite!" she gasped. "Then it''s a prestige sub-class feat!" "Breeder has the same thing. So I should take one of those?" I said. Ivy chimed in. "Prestige feats generally are more powerful than standard feats," she said. "But if they offer perks you aren''t interested in, you should skip it." I squinted, weighing my options carefully. They all sounded pretty damn good. I liked the idea of Crusher, suddenly becoming super strong and ripped and an incredible warrior. That had obvious appeal, but so did Evoker. Casting spells was badass no matter how you sliced it, but I didn''t gravitate much toward the spells I already did have, so I ruled that one out for the moment. Skulker sounded cool, but it wasn''t really my jam. I wasn''t the sneaky type, and that style didn''t do much to tempt me. And then there was the elephant in the room--Breeder. It synergized pretty well with the situation I had going on already, but I wasn''t sure I really wanted to be known as the Apex Hero who took Breeder as his sub-class feat. I breathed deep and made my selection. "I''m going with Shifter," I said. "It seems like the right choice. It''s a prestige feat and it has a cool power attached." Autumn nodded frantically. "Yes, yes!" she agreed. "That''s a good choice, I can tell. Though I won''t be able to coach you much in that one, since it''s so rare. We''ll be learning about it together as you progress." I swallowed some nerves, feeling a chill ripple down my spine, into my core. Knowing Autumn would be just as clueless as me was a little anxiety-inducing, to be sure. I''d be flying blind with no one to help me along the path I chose. Still, it also seemed like fun to go in knowing nothing, learning by doing, and besides--the selection was already made. I felt the energy of the monster souls resonating in my heart as my skin glowed softly and all three of the girls stared at me with wide, curious eyes. "My Bucky?" Sprinkle asked, tugging on my pant leg. "Are you alright?" I closed my eyes as the new power etched its way into my being. "Never better," I said, at the risk of sounding like a clich. "Autumn, I''m a bit confused. How many girls can I mark now?" I asked. But it wasn''t Autumn that answered first. Markable Girls: 2/3 slots remaining I held up a hand to silence the catgirl. "Never mind, I just got my answer." She grinned back at me. "Good, now mark her!" she said, pointing to Rainbow Sprinkle, whose eyes lit up at the suggestion. "Mark me?" she said in a hopeful hush. "My Bucky, are you really going to do it?" My face twisted despite my best efforts to contain my reservations. "Let''s think about this very carefully," Ivy said, taking a step forward and putting a hand on my shoulder. She looked down at the unicorn girl with some trepidation as she regarded me. "Maybe you should do May Belle first and let our new friend gradually get used to your preferences." "There''s nothing to think about," Autumn huffed, hands resting on her hips. "This is necessary and important. We can find a way to mellow her out once she''s back at the Sanctuary." And then she blushed, catching her bossy tone. "At least, that''s my opinion." I smiled at her. "Well, I''m not marking her in front of you. And I''m not doing it until she gets cleaned off," I said, looking down at the blood-soaked unicorn girl. "I mean, there are major hygiene concerns as things currently are." "You''re immune to all diseases now," Sprinkle pointed out as she started frantically kissing my pant leg. "It doesn''t matter." "It matters to me," I said, cringing a bit at the thought of it. "That part is non-negotiable." "As you wish, my Bucky," she said, rising to her feet. "I love you so much. I can''t wait until the day you love me, too." I looked over to Ivy and Autumn. "I can mark two more girls now, and I''m pretty sure it''s because of a feat I took. I have to assume that''s how this works when it says +2 to markable girls. So, I''ll start with Rainbow Sprinkle tonight," I started, swallowing a sore lump of fear in my throat at how that would change things, "and tomorrow I''ll mark May Belle. After that, we''ll all grind me up to level 15 over the next few days, doing whatever it takes to get there, and then I''ll mark you, Autumn." Autumn beamed at me happily. "I can''t wait," she said sweetly, walking up to me and pecking me on the cheek. "Also, Rainbow Sprinkle, let me just say, I couldn''t be more thrilled to meet you." Sprinkle grinned back at her, blood on her teeth and streaking her face. "Can we be... friends?" she asked cautiously, looking the catgirl up and down. Autumn clapped gleefully at the suggestion. "I would love nothing more!" "I''ve never had a friend!" Sprinkle gasped. "Few things can see me, and those that can I usually don''t want to be seen by. This is the happiest day of my life!" She got up on her tiptoes and kissed me deeply on the lips. Immune to disease, immune to disease, immune to disease, I repeated in my head as I tasted the coppery blood of the gremlin on her lips. This chick was going to take some patience to domesticate, for lack of a better word--but then again, Daisy was a handful in her own way, and she folded pretty fast, so who could really say? I figured I might yet find a way to keep Sprinkle''s darker impulses in check eventually, especially once I''d marked her. The sooner the better, I thought. "Alright, then," I said. "Autumn, Ivy, you go home to the Sanctuary. I''m going to take Sprinkle to the stream and get her washed up and then... I''ll mark her." "Are you sure?" Ivy asked cautiously. "There''s no real urgency. Maybe we''re rushing things." Sprinkle shot her a hurt look that made Ivy cringe guiltily. "Why do you hate me?" Sprinkle asked with dewy eyes. Ivy quickly shook her head and hands to deny her, "N-no, it''s not like that," she said. "It''s just that... you may need some time to adjust to the way we do things is all." Sprinkle frowned, and Autumn shot Ivy a dark look as she stroked the unicorn''s rainbow hair. "Don''t listen to her," Autumn said. "You''re magnificent, and our hero is lucky to have you. Everyone''s going to love you, Ivy included." "Don''t feed her ego too much," I laughed uncomfortably. "Alright then, let''s get started. Girls, I''ll see you back home in a bit. Let the others know what''s going on for me, alright?" "Should I warn May Belle that you will mark her next?" Ivy asked, moving past her nerves at last. "Let me tell her," I said. "I think it''s better coming from me." She nodded. "Very well. We''ll see you... both... back at the Sanctuary." They left. "I can''t follow you home," Sprinkle pouted at me as they walked away. "Yes, you can," I grinned. "If you''re willing, anyway. Once I mark you, you''re bound to me, not the forest. You''ll be free to go wherever you wish." Her eyes opened so wide it made me flinch in surprise. "Is that true?" she asked, her voice shaky with a sudden and profound hope. I grunted a sound of confirmation and jerked my head in a stiff nod. "According to Autumn, the catgirl." "Catgirls know things," she said, grinning, a tear coming to her eye. "It... must be true, then." I took her, hand-in-hand, to the bank of the stream where I fought the owlbear several nights ago. The sound of the running brook was surprisingly loud, much more overpowering than I remembered, but last time I was with five giggling girls, and this time it was only Sprinkle and me. We were quiet, and it was awkward, but she clung to me as tightly as a bride to her groom on her wedding night. She released her grip on my hands as she took several steps into the stream, washing off the blood. It wiped away easily, and soon she was a perfect picture of fairytale beauty once again, and I felt my heart throbbing as I watched her bathe, her hands splashing water all over her face and breasts. I felt my nerves slip away as I undressed myself and waded into the cool water with her, resting my hands on her hips. She looked up at me with a look between love and fear. "My Bucky?" she said pleadingly, fluttering her gorgeous eyelashes at me. My heart danced in my chest at I regarded her insane beauty. "Yeah?" I asked, brushing a strand of hair out of her perfect face. She looked into my eyes, full of nerves. "Please, my Bucky, my love... don''t be gentle." virgilknightley virgilknightley Chapter 18: Mark of the Unicorn (◆◆) We relocated to a place where the stream ran only waist deep. Sprinkle, naked as always, tied back her long rainbow hair and eyed me nervously as I took in the sight of her incredible buxom body. "So," she said, still anxious but trying not to show it, "are you ready, my Bucky?" I grinned back at her, just as naked as she. My body was certainly finding ways to signal it was ready, but I had lingering mental reservations. Still, I wanted to do this right. Marking was a sacred act to monster girls, and I didn''t want to mess up the importance of this moment for her by broadcasting my own doubts. That was sure get things off on the wrong foot. I had to push past my nerves and brush all personal qualms aside to give her the experience that she was expecting--and that she and all monster girls deserved. I could deal with the underlying issues of the unicorn girl herself later. I leaned in and kissed her delicately on the lips, my hands gripping her hips and pulling her nakedness against me. "I love you, my Bucky. I love you, I love you." I swallowed hard. "Do you understand how marking works?" I asked cautiously. "You have to spray your cum in all my holes," she whispered in my ear, giggling, standing on her tiptoes to tell me like it was a naughty secret. To be fair, it kind of was. I nodded. "Which do you want first?" I asked. "Mmmmm. Surprise me," she said, grinning, her pink eyes glowing as a nail scratched at my back. "Is that too rough, my Bucky?" I shook my head. "No," I said, feeling kind of relieved. "I can tell you''re holding back. Thank you." "Don''t you dare hold back on me, my love," she cooed. "Be as rough as you want to be." I decided to start off with a show of strength, picking her up as easily as if she were a feather and setting her down on the bank on her knees. I guided her forward onto her palms and positioned myself behind her, my rock hard cock pressing against her pussy lips, my hands cupping her ass tightly. She reached around me and grabbed my shaft, squeezing gently, then stroking nice and slow, priming me for my grand entrance. Her nails dug lightly into my arm after she released my cock, enough to sting a bit, but not in a bad way. She looked over her shoulder at me as she continued to stroke my shaft. "Ready?" she asked, her voice high and airy. "Yes," I groaned, pushing forward slightly and feeling my cock slip between the tight, wet folds of her magical pussy. Her smile was so bright, her teeth flashing whitely from a sunbeam reflected by the water around us. "Good luck, my Bucky," she whispered, placing both hands back on the ground and proffering her succulent rump. "I yield my body over to you. Abuse it brutally." With that, I fully plunged my cock into her hot depths. She let out a soft moan of pleasure as my tip bulged against her inner walls. I pushed forward slowly at first, watching her face as she looked back at me while my cock slid in and out of her cunt. She bit her lip and closed her gorgeous eyes, obviously loving every second of it. I held her ass firmly, thrusting in and out of her snug tunnel, savoring the feeling of her slick walls clinging to my shaft in a gooey hug. A low growl escaped my throat as I fucked her good and proper. She buried her face in the muddy bank, letting out a guttural moan that sounded not unlike a cat having a bad acid trip. Our bodies slapped together, making lewd, sticky smacking noises that echoed through the forest and shook wildlife from their reverie. Drops of sweat and creekwater splashed off of us upon each impact, and I could hear a few curious birds chirping above our heads, but none dared come near while we were doing the deed. But I knew this wasn''t what she wanted. She wanted--no--needed me to be rough, and I had to oblige. Spanking was a big hit last time, so I figured I''d better start with what I knew. As my cock was coated with layer after layer of her monster girl juice with each thrust, I raised my hand and descended it violently upon her ass cheeks, delighting in the wet smack and the resulting ripple of flesh. Sprinkle shrieked in bliss, her ass jiggling wildly beneath my palm. "Oh gods of Lusteria! Yes, my Bucky!" she cried out, her head lolling to the side. "Harder!" I spanked her again, harder, and she yelped, her head snapping upright. I continued to smack her ass as I fucked her, letting my hand linger on her firm flesh. I loved the way her rump felt a bit warmer after being spanked, and the red welt I left behind after repeated blows honestly turned me on, too, especially contrasted against the snow white swell of the rest of her bottom. As for Sprinkle''s personal take on the proceedings, she clearly enjoyed it even more than I did. Her moans grew louder and more wantonly desperate, her pussy tightening around my cock as she came closer to her first orgasm. "Oh my gosh, my Bucky, my girly parts are leaking so much!" she moaned, gasping, her breasts heaving. Finishing that observation, she firmly planted her face in the ground and let out a muffled scream and series wild giggles as she lost herself to the euphoric sensations. I raised my hand again, slapping her ass once more. "Tell me what you want," I growled, my voice deep and commanding. "Say what you want, and I''ll do it for you," I said. A bold promise. She didn''t abuse it, though. She whimpered, moaning softly as she lifted her mud-soaked face up again, "I want you!" she cried out. "Only you, forever and ever!" At the sugary sweetness of those words, my cock was throbbing inside her, begging me to let it burst. I could feel my balls boiling with desire, the pressure building, and I knew then I couldn''t wait any longer. I gripped her hips tightly, pulling her ass back toward me as I slammed my cock hard and fast into her pussy, fully hilted in the indescribable bliss of unicorn girl cunt. Then the deluge came. My cock erupted, shooting load after load of hot cum deep inside her womb. I grunted loudly as my chest heaved, and I filled her up with my seed beyond my own expectations. Her eyes were shut tight, her mouth open wide making ungodly squealing sounds, and her body shuddered and convulsed as I continued to pound away at her perfect pussy. When I finally finished, I withdrew my cock with a lewd sloppy, slurpy sound, and I collapsed onto the ground next to her, pulling her down onto her side with me so that my manhood could remain buried within her juicy hole a bit longer. Rainbow Sprinkle lay there panting, her arms reaching back to stroke mine, her fingers digging into my skin. We both panted heavily, catching our breath, her juices dripping from my cock and soaking my stomach. Finally, I pulled my spent cock out of her pussy and rolled onto my back, panting like an overworked beast of burden. I turned my head to look at her. She looked so incredibly gorgeous, her chest heaving up and down, looking at me with pure adoration, eyes lit with unmistakable devotion. I could never refuse that look. "Which do you want next," I asked, "your mouth or your asshole?" "My mouth," she said, blushing slightly. "But I never did it before. I never sucked... you know." I grinned. "Oh, okay," I said, suddenly getting an idea. "I think I know a way I can be rough for you that''s comfortable for both of us and accommodates your lack of experience," I said, stroking her hair. She grinned. "Whatever you say, my Bucky. I trust you." I stood up. "Get up on your knees," I said. She obeyed, licking her lips as she knelt, her mouth hovering inches from my cockhead. "Now what?" she asked sweetly. "Now I''m going to fuck your face," I said. "Get ready." She smiled, clearly excited, then opened her mouth. I watched as her tongue extended and began to lick my cockhead, her pink lips parting eagerly. She licked all around my tip, making slurping noises, and I groaned, leaning forward to rest my hands on her shoulders. The calm before the storm. Her eyes closed, her face screwed up in concentration, and she was taking me into her warm mouth. It was a sight to behold, watching her long rainbow hair sway behind her as she bobbed her head slowly. I almost surrendered to the friction of her lips, but I knew I had to take the lead here to make this satisfying for her. I reached down and grabbed her by the hair, pulling her back and forth on my cock, slow at first, but deep and forceful. "Mmmmmmm!" she moaned, sucking me deeper. I fucked her face good and rough, but still showed affection as I did so, caressing her hair with one hand as the other tugged the back of her head, shoving my cock down her gullet. She was making loud slurping noises, her cheeks hollowing as she took me in. A natural. She gagged several times, but persevered, using her tongue to stroke my shaft as happy tears poured down her cheeks from my cock slamming into her soft palate. It was a truly erotic sight, watching with awe as this beautiful naked unicorn girl knelt on the grass by a brook, her mouth full of my cock, her pretty lips stretched around my girth. I pushed her head away from me, grinning as she opened her eyes and glared at me. "Just checking in," I said. "You okay?" "Don''t stop!" she said, forcing my dick back into her mouth and shooting me a supremely annoyed look as though I''d just kicked her dog. She grabbed my hips, digging in her nails, and started throatfucking herself with my rod, bobbing like a pro as my length disappeared inside her mouth again and again. Spit dribbled from her lips in a silvery slurry, pooling onto my thighs and her tits. I groaned, feeling my cock twitch with mounting desire and the bounty of her pleasures. I leaned over and put both of my hands on her head, over her ears, holding her steady as she worked my cock with her talented mouth. Her eyes were closed, her brow furrowed with focus, and her expression was intense as her eyes watered and she continually gagged and choked. However, even more frequent than those sounds were the noisy gurgles of her primal moans of shameless lust. As one might expect, I felt my balls start to churn, and I knew I wouldn''t last much longer. "I''m going to cum soon, Sprinkle," I warned her. She didn''t reply, she just closed her glowing pink eyes and continued to work my length like a good unicorn girl, her cheeks hollowing as she slurped me as though it was what she born to do. Her fingers dug into my thighs, streaking blood down my legs as she pulled me toward her and pumped me in her mouth, her tongue working furiously to get me off, seeking my climax as if it were her own. I thrust forward, burying myself completely inside her mouth, and let go. My cock shot ropes of thick seed into her mouth, splashing against her tongue and filling her cheeks in the first wave. In the second, though, I was so deep in her throat that I thought I might be bypassing her need to swallow and hot-blasting my spunk directly into her stomach. She gagged, then tried to swallow, her eyes opening wide, and I saw could see and feel her throat constrict as she gulped my cum down happily with most of my cock still buried in her mouth. I pulled out of her lips with pop and leaned back on my heels, watching her swallow it all. "Bleeeh!" she grinned, opening her mouth and sticking out a neon pink tongue to show me that she''d drunk every last drop of my jizz. "Only one hole left, my Bucky. And I''m so, so ready for it." Tears were still streaming down her face from the roughness with which she forced herself to take me on, but she looked about as happy as could be. I couldn''t help but grin back at her. "Lean against that tree over there," I said, pointing to a gnarled, old-looking pine. "Yes, my Bucky," she said sweetly, her voice as saccharine as the cotton candy she smelled like. Sprinkle walked over to the indicated spot. She leaned forward against the tree and reached back to pull apart her asscheeks with one hand while the other balanced her body against the trunk. I was looking at the tight whitish-pink rosebud of a unicorn girl, and my cock throbbed back to life with that internal realization. "My butt is waiting," she hummed at me. I didn''t need to be told twice. I approached, my hands stroking down her back, making her shiver at my touch, until they rested on her hips. I clutched her body tightly with one hand, and I used the other to guide my dick to her virgin asshole. I rubbed my head along her crack, pressing my cockhead against her puckered ring. The feeling of my dick teasing her rump sent her into a frenzy. "Oh gosh! Oh please, my Bucky, use my ass!" she cried out, arching her back erotically. "Please, now!" I slid my cockhead into her sphincter, pushing gently as I entered that tiny tunnel. She gasped, then moaned softly, her head tilting back, her eyes closed tight. I pulled back, letting her relax, and pressed forward again, feeling her rectal resistance as I plunged back into her hole. Her anus clenched around my fat shaft, and I could feel her sphincter squeezing me rhythmically. I found the beat, plunging my cock in and out of her snug little rectum percussively, my hands gripping her hips tightly all the while as I studied the perfection of her narrow back, memorizing every inch of her ghost-white body. "Oh gosh, yes, my Bucky! Use my bottom!" she cried, her head thrown back, her eyes still squeezed shut as drool puddled onto the ground from both her upper and lower lips. "Ohhh, my girly parts are tingling, too!" Her words only urged me further, and I slammed hard into her rump, driving her breathless. Her asshole gripped me like a vise, and I felt my balls boiling as I began to shoot load after thick load of cum deep inside her bowels. "It''s done!" she said, and her body started to glow as twin pillars of light blasted out from her eyes and she squealed in mad pleasure. "You did it," she said as I pulled out, taking her to the forest floor with me. "You marked me. It''s for real. I''m forever yours!" She was crying, her lips curled in an exaggerated grin. She clutched my cheeks happily, and her eyes darted all over my face as though she were trying to burn the image of me inside of her. "I want to see you whenever I close my eyes." She licked my cheek from my chin up to my scalp. "I want to taste you with every morsel of food I eat." "Okay," I chuckled, trying to lighten things up, pulling her in for a snuggle on the grassy knoll underneath us. "Relax," I urged her. "I''m not going anywhere." But she didn''t relax. She sniffed my neck. She frantically licked sweat off of me wherever she could get it. "I love you so, so, so much, my Bucky. My Bucky, I''m yours... I can''t believe it, I''m really yours. You claimed me. You really like me, don''t you, my Bucky?" I just leaned forward and kissed her. All the desperate tension in her body released as she melted completely in my embrace. I felt her push against me as her tongue slipped into my mouth, tasting me, kissing me, and we made out passionately for a long time. Our tongues swirled together, our lips locked in near-silence, the only sound in the forest her ragged breaths. When I finally broke away, she lay there panting, chest heaving, eyes closed, and her fingers clutching my arm, my blood dried under her nails. "I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did," I said, stroking her rainbow hair, my finger gliding up and down her golden horn. She opened her eyes and smiled. "It was perfect, my Bucky. Perfect." She looked at me. "In seven hundred years I''ve never been happier than I am right now." I smiled at that. It was a hell of a compliment. "Good," I said. "Now. Let''s go home." virgilknightley Side Smut 1: May Belle Catches Bucky Sneaking In (◆◆: breast milk) virgilknightley Anyway, I hope this works out! We''ll see! After my morning flight with Blue, I had arrived back at the cabin, attempting to land stealthily behind it in order to not distract the girls from their work. Whenever I came home from anything, it was almost a guarantee that I''d be tackled by them and driven into the grass for an improvised canoodling session. That was amazing at the end of a long day, but at the start of one, it could get me distracted really easily, and the girls--especially the holstaurs--weren''t particularly motivated to get me back on track. It''s all about removing temptations from a healthy routine. Sounds good in practice, but those temptations were all beautiful women who were aggressively in love with me, and I harbored the same feelings toward them. My landing was clean and quiet. I flew in low from a distance so that they wouldn''t see my dragon-steed''s blue silhouette overhead. I landed in the western shade of the cabin where I thought no one would notice me, and sure enough, I managed to climb into the cabin window without even so much as a "Honey!", "My Bucky!", or a "Bucky-Baby!" jolting me to attention. Listening to the girls chatter on the opposite side of our lodging, I felt secure in the fact that my well-guarded concentration would be safe. I would change my clothes, refill my canteen at the well, and then head out on patrol in the forest, wishing them a hasty farewell before they knew what hit them. And then, finally, when I got home knackered and beat from the trials of the day, I''d find myself sandwiched between at least five women, and a marathon love-making session would commence, lasting the night. I grinned to imagine its messy glory. Climbing into the window, looking around, I noticed no one to seduce me. I nodded quietly to myself, stifling just a bit of disappointment, as I peeled off my shirt and pants and sifted through a stack of folded garments for new clothes. I really needed to get some proper armor one of these days. Running into the forest to fight monsters in the glorified medieval equivalent of t-shirt and sweat pants was not a sustainable path toward survival and herodom. Before I could put anything on, though, I cursed my luck as the sliding door to the cabin opened up, and I saw the unmistakable goddess-like shape of May Belle framed against the doorway. "Bucky-Baby?" she said cautiously. "Why are you skulking around like a burglar in our home?" I stammered, trying to excuse myself. "I--uh--I was just looking for--" "Actually, I''m so glad I have you here to myself," she said, whispering it, and she closed the door behind her. She was still wearing the raggedy cowhide pattern clothes that I met her in, or at least an outfit very similar to it. You''d never catch me complaining. The simple outfit barely covered her assets. It was a two-piece ensemble with cowprint patterns in brown and white. On the top, it was like a bikini top, but the material had been heavily compromised over time through normal wear and tear. I roughly tugged that top down so often that I''m sure I contributed immensely to its wearing out. On the bottom she had a matching loincloth, just a strip of fabric, really, that was cleverly knotted so that a bit of it hung down over her butt crack and nether regions. Her body, which was largely uncovered, was a blessing to behold. Enormous, milky breasts that always leaked at the teat--those were the cornerstone of any holstaur''s physique. But May Belle also had a bubbly butt, a tight, petite waistline with a flat tummy, and smooth, perfect, creamy skin. Her impossibly pretty face and chocolatey shoulder-length hair only served to enhance all her other features. But none of those things, incredible as they were, could explain why I loved May Belle as much as I did. It wasn''t enough to say that she was beautiful--it was that she had a beautiful heart. She was kind to everyone we met, welcoming to every girl who joined us, and was so sweet to me from day one that I had pretty much immediately fallen head over heels for her. She was forward, too, which was a great confidence booster for me having just arrived in Lusteria. It gave me the courage to be more adventurous myself, and I owed her for so much. And now, here she was, stripping off her top, dimly but erotically lit by what little light poured in through the windows. Her raggedy top hit the floor soundlessly, and I just gawked. "I really should get going soon," I said, trying not to stutter as my cock stood at attention for her. I was still naked, too, so there was no hiding the fact. She grinned, eyeing me lasciviously. "Bucky-Baby, don''t be shy," she said. "We hardly ever get any time alone anymore. All I want is to nurse you a bit before you head out. I promise," she said. I swallowed hard, scratching my chest as my willpower rapidly depleted. I eyed her perfect tits and stiff pink nipples, biting my own lip. "Just that?" I said. "I guess it wouldn''t hurt to refresh the XP boost..." "That''s the spirit, baby," she cooed as she crossed the room. She guided me onto my sleeping mat and sat gently in my lap, sitting up straight as she straddled me, her tits right at mouth level. She lifted up one heavy mammary from the underside, guiding the nipple to my mouth. Instinctively, I latched on, and my hands started caressing her back. My erect cock was poking her most sensitive spot, but I found it really hard to be worried about that fact at the moment. "Ohhhh Bucky-Baby," she cooed rubbing her cheek against mine and kissing my ear. Cream started flowing into my mouth as I suckled at her sensitive nub, and I felt her ass flexing against my cock as she grinded her damp slit on my shaft. "You''re so cute when you''re drinking me up, Bucky-Baby," she whispered, and then she started rocking her hips again slowly, grinding her mound against me. Her unlatched tit was jiggling delicately, and I was getting excited watching it out of the corner of my eye. "Mmmmm," I groaned into her flesh as her holstaur milk squirted happily into my mouth. A bit of it dribbled down my chin. She dragged her index finger through it, letting the milk land there, and then lifted the finger to her lips, licking it clean. "Mmm, not bad. I see why you''re so focused all of a sudden. My baby loves my tits, doesn''t he?" she giggled. "Yessss," I moaned, my lips buzzing against her teat, sucking even harder. "Mmmmmm, yes, suck them good, Bucky-Baby," she purred, arching her back. "I love you so much. I hope you know it." I didn''t respond, I just kept going, feeling her weight shift slightly, and then her other breast was in my mouth. "So big!" she sighed, and I felt her hand go to my cock, stroking it. "For me, baby?" "Yes," I breathed, grunting around her areola, applying even more suction. I was overcome with my desire for her. "You win." She pulled her loin coverings free, exposing her sex to me, and from there it was only so easy to manipulate my cock into position. I felt her dainty hand grasping my shaft as she guided it to her tight entrance. She bit her lip and moaned as she felt my dick slipping through her folds, penetrating her, and then stared me in the eyes as she began to ride me, a soft, loving smile on her face. I held her by the waist, pushing her down onto my cock, and she gripped my shoulders tight as she rode me, her breasts swaying enticingly before me. I unlatched my lips from her teat for a moment just to watch the incredible sight. The feeling and texture of her pussy around my shaft was unlike anything I''d experienced back on Earth. She was so tight and warm, and her inner walls were so smooth and silky, massaging my length with each thrust. I could feel every millimeter of my dick sliding in and out of her, and it was driving me crazy. She was a goddess. "May Belle," I grunted, "You seduced me again." I chuckled a bit, realizing how weak my willpower was, but it was hard to be mad at myself when I was balls deep in someone as sweet and sexy as her. She smiled saccharinely, and then kissed me, grinding her clit against my pubes as she mashed her hips against mine. "You''re so precious to me," she said, smiling lovingly as she cupped my face in her hands. "I''m just so glad I found you. I wish we could spend every day like this." I didn''t respond accept to keep suckling, my finger tracing hearts in her back. The naughty sound of her body wetly colliding with mine filled the cabin interior. "You know what I love about your cock, Bucky-Baby?" May Belle asked as she took her time, grinding on me slowly as she peppered my face with kisses. "What''s that?" I asked. "It fits me just right," she said, smacking her lips together, "like I was made just for you." I groaned. "I''m convinced you were." She beamed at that. "I hope you mean it," she said, her sex flexing around my cock, pulling it deeper inside her. "I do," I replied, almost gasping at the pleasure. "I think you''re perfect. I''m so glad you were the first girl I fell in love with here in Lusteria." Her eyes went wide with shock, and then she buried her face in my chest. She even lost focus enough to stop moving her hips for a moment. "Thank you, baby," she said, her brown eyes suddenly misty when she looked back up at me. "Let''s pick up the pace, okay?" I said as I started bucking my hips, slamming my cock all the way into her velvety insides. "Okay, Bucky-Baby," she agreed, inhaling sharply, and she started bouncing her hips on me, faster and faster. "Fuck me hard, baby! Show me you love me!" I obliged, grabbing her waist tightly as I slammed her down onto my cock, my own pleasure growing as I watched her beautiful face contort in ecstasy. Her hair was whipping around her head, and her huge tits bounced delightfully, her nipples jutting out proudly, still leaking just a bit of their heavenly cream. I helped myself to a lick as she continued to ride me with passion. She was screaming now, a guttural, animalistic cry, and I knew she was close. "I''m gonna cum!" she shouted, and I was, too, feeling my balls heating up with anticipation. "Cum in me, baby!" she cried, her voice breaking, and I was lost in the moment, lost in the feel of her sex clutching my cock as I shot load after load into her. She came, too, her body shuddering, her voice hoarsely whining as she milked me with her throbbing cunt, my seed flooding her womb. When we finally finished, she collapsed on top of me, her massive, perfect breasts pressed against my chest, and I hugged her tight, feeling her warmth seep into me. "I love you, Bucky-Baby," she whispered, kissing my neck softly. Just then, the doorway slid open. "He''s back!" I heard Autumn cry out. "And he''s grinding XP with May Belle! Everyone, come inside! Team effort, let''s go, let''s go, let''s go!" I sighed as I stroked my holstaur girl''s chocolatey hair, but I couldn''t restrain a smile. "So much for my morning," I chuckled. "Alright girls, come on in." virgilknightley Chapter 19: Taking Her Back Home + Getting An Education virgilknightley The way back was easier with both Sprinkle and Ivy leading the journey home. The two of them knew the Watcher''s Woods like the back of their hands, so we made incredible time in finding our way back to the sanctuary we called home. As we exited the trees, and I saw the cabin billowing smoke from our chimney off in the distance, I instinctively looked to Rainbow Sprinkle for her initial reaction. She winced at first, but then her face twisted into a more cautious look, rather than one of revulsion. Ultimately, she smiled, reaching out for and squeezing my hand, as if to tell me that no matter how weird my home seemed to her, she would accept it as long as I was there. I smiled at her, honestly still somewhat affected by the afterglow of our lovemaking. Honestly, with her ''afterglow'' seemed a literal descriptor. She was beaming at me so brightly that her rainbow hair and horn seemed to emanate with an ethereal light. "Are you ready?" I asked cautiously. "We can hang back for a bit if you need some time." But Autumn shook her head and scowled at me. "There is no time," she said, her voice high and severe. "Another Apex Hero is headed in our direction, and I want my sis--I mean, I want the stupid catgirl that''s in charge of him put in her place when she takes one fucking look at you, you majestic bastard." I blinked several times as I gawked back at her. "What the hell! There''s another hero on the way? I''m not ready for that!" "No," she said, "but we have a couple days. It''s nothing but, preparing, marking May Belle, and bonding with your harem until then. Let''s go!" She grabbed Rainbow Sprinkle and me by the wrist and pulled us toward the cabin. May Belle and Daisy were working in the fields. I smirked to see Gumi the pink slime there, too, apparently chasing Daisy around as the poor girl tried to do her work. When they noticed us, they didn''t charge and tackle me like they usually did. They stared for a minute, Daisy looking rather skeptical, while May Belle just grinned ear to ear. "By the gods, she''s so cuuuute!" May Belle squealed with excitement as she jogged closer, titties bouncing pleasantly the whole way. Daisy hung back. Rainbow shrinked behind my back, peeking out at the holstaurs anxiously, darting her fretful eyes back and forth between them before whispering in my ear. "Are they... hucows? Holstaurs? Is that what they''re called?" "Yeah," I said, laughing at her adorable attempt to hide herself. "Don''t worry, they''re harmless." "Can I taste their milk?" I pursed my lips tightly as my mind painted a delightful picture. "I, uh, personally don''t have an issue with it." "What did she say?" May Belle asked, cooing sweetly. "Hey there, honey! Don''t be shy! I''m May Belle, and that over there is my sister, Daisy. What''s your name?" Still peering from behind me, the unicorn girl squirmed to be addressed directly. "I''m... Rainbow Sprinkle." "That''s such a cute name!" May Belle said, clapping. "Your hair so so gorgeous!" "...Thank you." "Can I touch it?" May Belle asked cautiously, taking a slow step forward. "It looks magical!" "My body belongs to my Bucky only." She made a high sound like a whimper of fear as May Belle took another step. May Belle giggled. "I can definitely understand that. No problem, sweety. But I hope you warm up to me." But Sprinkle didn''t mean to refuse. "My Bucky, my love, is it alright if the holstaur May Belle touches my hair?" I frowned at her and kissed her on the side of the head. "Oh, babe, you don''t need to ask me about that kind of thing. You have bodily autonomy. You can make your own decisions about which girls can touch you, and how." "But remember, if other men touch her, they''ll be sick," Autumn pointed out. "Since you marked her, I mean." I nodded, remembering that being explained to me by Mercer and Autumn both. Honestly, maybe I was greedy to think it, but that sounded like a great deal for me. Already I felt my reservations about Sprinkle being replaced with affection. Was this a side effect of the marking? Even I was forcefully bonded to her? Mercer. I should check on the old codger at some point. "May Belle," Sprinkle said grinning, taking a bold step out from behind me. "I propose a trade." May Belle giggled. "Sure, what do you want, sweety?" "I would like to drink from the teat of a holstaur. In return, you can stroke my magical hair. Do we have a bargain?" I laughed out loud, watching May Belle''s charming, overconfident welcoming face go red with blush. "I--uh--well, I mean... If that''s what you want, and if it''s okay with Bucky--" "Hey," I chuckled, throwing my hands up innocently, "Leave me out of this. This is a deal being struck by two consenting adults." May Belle giggled, recovering her composure somewhat to receive my veiled blessing. "Alright, then, Rainbow Sprinkle, we have a deal." I looked over at Daisy. She was only now making her way over to us. "So this is the unicorn girl?" she said huffily. "Looks different from what I imagined." Sensing a bit of jealousy, I decided to nip it in the bud right away. "Daisy," I said, my tone low and commanding. "Be nice, alright? She''s not one you''re going to want to get on your bad side, anyway." "Humph! Maybe she should stay out of my bad side." "I''m warning you, Daisy, be good and welcoming like your sister. Good girls get rewarded. Bad girls get avoided." Her eyes flashed wide open in horror. "Of course. I''m sorry!" Suddenly she took another step forward, her demeanor totally shifting. "Welcome to the new girl! Come here, let me see your pretty face!" Autumn took on an authoritative tone, standing up straight to try to make herself look taller as she started barking orders. "May Belle, Daisy, show Sprinkle around and get to know her. Make her comfortable. Ivy and I need to speak with Bucky." "We do?" Ivy said, batting her gorgeous lashes in confusion. "Yes," Autumn grinned sharply. "It''s time to continue Bucky''s education." We made our way to the fire pit where we sat around it in a triangular formation. "What''s going on?" I said, a little nervous. "Furthering my education? What''s this about?" "Bucky, listen. So far, I have been giving you information about the world and the way your progression works in a rather slow drip style so as not to overwhelm you, but now that you have taken two feats, far faster than I ever dreamed, I think it''s time for you learn more about your future development and a little more about the surrounding area." Fucking finally. I''d been dropping hints that I was ready to learn more about the region for days. I had started to get confused why Autumn was holding back on me. From the look on her face I could tell she still wasn''t relishing providing me with this exposition, but she seemed set on it, at least. "Okay," I said. "The first feat I got was a sub-class feat. Are they all sub-class feats?" Autumn giggled. "I was going to just tell you things and let you listen, but if you have pressing questions, that''s fine. To answer you, no, you only get two sub-class feats. The first one is at level 10, and the second one is at level 25. Some say there may be another at level 50, but no one has gotten to that level in hundreds of years, so it''s hard to guess." Ivy looked to Autumn for permission as she started speaking, adding, "If being an Apex Hero is like being a Grove Maiden, then most of your other feats will hone in on specific abilities related to your sub-class. For instance, I took Druidic Sorceress as my sub-class feat, but at level 15, which is where I''m stuck at the moment, I took a feat to be able to enhance my control over plants, especially vines. I could do it before, but not to the degree you witnessed with the arachneform." I figured that was the spider monster we fought off in the woods earlier, and I nodded. "I see," I said, scratching my beardy face. I didn''t always have a beard, but I''d been here long enough that one just kinda--happened. "However, the main thing I need to talk to you about is the boons of marked maidens. I mentioned before that there are benefits to marking a girl, but I wasn''t all that transparent or clear about it. That''s, frankly, because I didn''t understand it myself," she blushed at the admission. "But I sent a message out in my sleep last night to the other catgirls to ask for greater elaboration on the topic, and sure enough, it''s true. As you bond with your marked girls, you will unlock unique feats that only they can offer you, based on their love for you and their rarity. You will need to spend feat points in the usual way to take them. And a reminder, this isn''t so bad, because you get a free feat point just from marking a girl." "Right, so it doesn''t actually set me back from selecting other feats," I mused, massaging a knot in my shoulder. The fire in the pit was burning weakly. It needed to be tended. Daisy had clearly been feeding it throughout the day to keep it going, as she was in the habit of doing, because she hated starting a new fire when it was time to cook lunch. I stole a glance back over my shoulder to see her and the other girls and nearly fell over from what I beheld. Off in the distance, both of the holstaur girls'' tops were down and Sprinkle was bouncing from teat to teat with all the enthusiasm of a giggling schoolgirl. May Belle looked like she was trying desperately not to enjoy herself as she and Daisy stroked Sprinkle''s soft rainbow hair and caressed her golden horn. "Focus, Bucky!" Autumn snapped in my face. "We''re not done here." "Sorry," I groaned. "That looks like so much fun..." "This is why you still know nothing," she sighed defeatedly. "You take an interest, but then your dick drives you off toward your damn holstaurs." The words were scathing, but she grinned as she said them. "At least it''s good for XP, I guess." "Be easy on him, Autumn," Ivy said, reaching out to squeeze my hand. "It''s not enviable being in the position of a man in Lusteria. It''s an incredible amount of responsibility." "Right," I said, almost laughing at her words, but they weren''t untrue. Men here did bear a remarkable burden. Even breeders were tasked with keeping monster girl populations going, and all the heroes and us Apex Heroes were charged with not only doing that, but also fighting back some evil threat which I still understood so little about. "So, tell me about this world." "Goldenvale is home to one city, Golden Crest, and at least three dozen villages and towns as large as Tater Town or larger. It is a small corner of the world, but we are positioned between both the Demon Queen''s fortress, Brimstone Keep, and the Goblin Queen''s castle, Ichorblight. The nearest threat is one you already discovered for yourself, Bucky, the keep of General Keenfury, and that is the one we should prioritize as our first major quest." "Is there a danger to that?" I asked. "Like, will word spread, and attention be directed to the Sanctuary?" Ivy answered that. "It is very hard for enemies to make a solid foray deep into our territory. Wood elves and other protectors patrol the woods, hiding in caves and trees, ready to engage in guerrilla warfare. We know how to bottleneck throngs of goblins so that their numbers do not help them. Centaur maidens patrol the fields, and can fire longbows at thrice the range of the strongest orc. So, while it is possible an army could come to Tater Town in revenge, it would be highly risky." "That''s a relief," I said, nodding my understanding to them. "But sometimes generals will invade with strike forces, designed to do maximum damage with a small group of specialists," Autumn pointed out. "Consider General Darkmaw''s murder of Silver Moon, for instance. More attacks like that are possible, striking our resources like sheep and even our farms, hoping to inspire terror and make it hard for us to survive the winter. But people in Tater Town, if prepared, can defend themselves against minor threats. They all have classes, and the lowest level adult in town is 5. I asked." I leaned back a bit, looking up at the sky. Blue was soaring overhead, like he was calling to me, asking me to join him. "What''s next, then?" I asked. Autumn grinned and pointed behind me. "What''s next is you mark that sweet little holstaur getting her tits sucked by your unicorn girl and then spend the next few days make-believe marking the rest of us again and again... until the other catgirl arrives with her hero." "Do you really think I can impress them?" I asked somewhat sheepishly. "Also, great itinerary." "By the time I''m done with your body," she beamed, "you''ll out-level him by a factor of two." I nodded solemnly, casting a wistful glance at the heavenly scene playing out behind me. "Okay, that''s enough, sweety," I heard May Belle say tapping Sprinkle frantically on the shoulder. "I''m getting really wet, and... only Bucky''s allowed to make me do that." With those words, I sprang to my feet, ready for action. "Did I hear someone call out for the aid of a hero?!" I shouted, hand cupping the side of my mouth. May Belle shot up abruptly, her tit exiting Sprinkle''s mouth with a delightfully wet smacking sound. She ran over to me, her tits bouncing wildly. "Bucky," she cried, leaping up in the air so that I could catch her. I did, holding her in my arms like the princess she was in my mind. "Finish me, would you?" she cooed, lifting up a wet tit so that I could relieve her. Off in the distance, Sprinkle shrugged and turned her attention fully to Daisy, who was swearing about something under her breath even as she lovingly petted the unicorn girl''s hair. "Oh, I''ll finish you alright," I grinned. Her eyes went wide and dewy. "What do you mean, Bucky-Baby?" I kissed her deeply for a long minute, then lifted my lips off of hers to reveal my purpose. "I mean it''s time to get marked, May Belle." virgilknightley Chapter 20: May Belle’s Special Day (◆◆) I carried May Belle into Tater Town, giving not a single fuck about the strange looks we got from the other monster girls out and about as I took my gorgeous holstaur to Scalia''s inn. The musty tavern-like interior had a few patrons sitting down for an afternoon meal. Among them was Jacob Mercer, the older breeder who sat between a lizard girl and what looked to be a hawk girl. He nodded at me with a smile and got right back to his own canoodling. "We''ll need your best room," I said, beaming at Scalia. "How you gonna pay this time?" she asked, her forked tongue flicking suggestively. "We''ve got a crop of moon-tubers growing on the farm. Trade you a full sack of them." Her eyes widened with interest. "How soon?" "Damn soon," I grinned. "Ivy, the wood elf you''ve seen around town with me, can make plants grow faster and make it rain on our plot every day." She smiled back and looked over at May Belle. "You''re about to be made the luckiest girl in Tater Town, aren''t ya?" She could scarcely speak. This whole time, May Belle had been cooing, giggling, and writhing in my arms, planting kiss after kiss on any part of me she could reach. "...All my holes," she muttered, drool dribbling down her chin. "Yep, that''s what I figured," Scalia giggled, hand over her mouth. "By the look of you, either you were about to get marked or it''s your birthday." She handed us the key and we made our way into the room. It was the same room we''d shared before, with Daisy and Autumn, so I felt comfortable already. I laid May Belle down on the bed and noticed with some shame that I never gave her the chance to put her top back on. her bare, unicorn spit-soaked titties were exposed this whole time, leaking droplets of cream every few steps or so. I thanked God that Mercer didn''t notice. "Shit," I groaned at the epiphany. "What?!" May Belle asked, instantly tense and frantic. "Why are you looking at my boobs like that? Don''t you like them? Oh my gods, am I fucking up already? Oh, Bucky-Baby what''s--" I placed a finger on her lips and grinned. "No, it''s not any of that. You''re perfect. I just forgot to let you put your top all the way back on before I took you here." "Oh," she said, her muscles instantly relaxing, melting again in my arms like butter under a summer sun. "Who fucking cares?" "Right," I nodded, ripping off her bottoms as well. The buxom holstaur was now entirely exposed to me, and she instinctively parted her legs, desperate for me to take in the sight of her. "It''s all for you. Every inch, every... hole. I''m all yours, Bucky-Baby." Her little cow ears flicked happily, and her tail whipped back and forth, at least the part of it that she wasn''t lying against. She lay there on the simple straw mattress, inviting me with her eyes to have my way with her body. She looked just like a goddess. Her full breasts were a healthy color and perfectly round, capped by pink nipples that seemed to beckon me. They were as soft and bouncy as pillows, begging to be touched and worshiped. Her flat tummy and skinny waist led to her beautiful, long legs. Between those perfect legs was her gushing pussy, already dripping thick girlcum onto the sheets. My cock, which had been hard since I got her alone in this room, began to pulse with excitement. Tearing off my clothes, I grabbed her hips and pulled her closer to me. "You wanna hear something interesting, Bucky-Baby?" she giggled. "What is it?" I asked, groaning as my tip grazed her opening. "I just noticed today that we''ve been getting XP whenever you fuck us--this whole time." My dick went soft. Not out of lack of arousal--it''s just that this revelation was so monumentally important that every other part of my body besides my brain had basically just shut down. "How long have you known this?" I asked, trying not to freak out. Autumn would murder her if it turned out to be more than a day. "I noticed it this morning, after you left. I checked my HUD because Daisy said she gained two levels and didn''t know why. It was the same for me. I''m level 6 now." "This is huge!" I said, trying not to freak out. She leaned forward and tugged on my cock. "No, this is huge. Fuck me, Bucky-Baby." Right. I needed to get my mind back on track. This would have to wait until we were finished here. I grinned down at her and she melted at the look I gave her, moaning as my cock slid inside. Slowly, I worked my way in deeper and deeper, savoring the feel of her tight pussy wrapped around my shaft. With each push, I started to pick up speed, sawing into her cunt with all the force I could muster. "Fuck me, Bucky-Baby! Oh my gods, you''re so big! So deep!" May Belle shrieked like an animal, and her hands flew to my shoulders, clutching me tightly as I booked her a ticket on the pleasure train. I kept going, not wanting to slow down for even a second. My heart raced, my lungs burned, but I couldn''t stop. I felt my stomach muscles tighten as I continued to pump my hips, driving myself in and out of her. I noticed the telltale signs of her first climax of the session: the eyes rolling back, the tongue starting to peek out from the lips, and, of course, the lewd clenching of her pussy walls. "Oh fuck!" she gasped. "I''m gonna cum already! I can''t help it, Bucky-Baby!" "Me too, May Belle," I grunted, and it was the gospel truth. Hearing the sounds of her desperate cries of ecstasy was enough to send any hot-blooded straight guy driving straight over the edge of climax with a foot slammed down on the proverbial gas pedal. "Oh by Paragon''s love, Bucky-Baby!" she screamed. Her cum mixed with mine as I shot load after load into her womb. She kept squealing and wriggling for minutes after I''d already cooled down, tugging lightly on my hair and wrapping her legs around my back to keep me inside her once she sensed I''d finished. "I love you Bucky-Baby, more than anything," she said. "More than the gods. I don''t care if it''s blasphemy. I just love you so much." I kissed her softly, feeling her tongue practically melt in my mouth. We lay there together, our hearts beating in the synchronized rhythm of one another. "That was amazing," she sighed. "That was round one of three," I grinned. She smiled coquettishly back at me. "I wanna tittyfuck you until you''re about to cum, and then just stick it right in my mouth, okay?" Holy shit. I''d never been tittyfucked before. "You got it," I said, and she pushed me back on the bed, and soon she was on top of me. May Belle''s massive mammaries easily entombed my beefy cock between them. Her puffy, perky nipples pressed against my thighs, and she spit a big sticky gob of her saliva on my cock and her boobs, adding lubrication. With all her cum still on my dick, I wasn''t sure how necessary that was, but the gesture was greatly appreciated. Being fucked by a holstaur''s breasts is a truly special experience. As if the combined juices of our lovemaking and her spit weren''t enough, she pressed so tightly on her tits as she stroked my cock between them that milk was gushing from her teats, soaking me, soaking the bed, and soaking my cock. "By the gods, baby, I''m making such a mess," she whined, clearly mortified. "Fuck, this is the best," I said. "Make all the mess you want." Clearly encouraged by that, she picked up the pace, and I felt my cock being further stimulated by her flapping fun bags. All that hot cream and spit was making wet smacking noises as she stroked me off with her cleavage. The sensation was incredible, as you might expect, but the sight of it was even more exquisite, and I began to moan with pleasure and the heat of my arousal, my balls tightening, my cock already twitching to signal its defeat. I couldn''t believe it, but I was already about to cum. I had to warn her. "May Belle, I--" but she knew. Somehow she knew before I said it, and my cock was inside her mouth, all the way down. I released my seed into her gullet, and she swallowed every drop without even choking, keeping her lips locked around my shaft the entire time. "Mmmmmm," she moaned around my cock before finally lifting her head and licking her lips. "That''s good, Bucky-Baby. I wish I could do it again." "There''ll be time for that later," I grinned as my hands started shifting her body around. "Now I have to make love to your bubbly butt." Her tail accidentally slapped me in the face as I positioned myself behind her, and she apologized profusely, but I just laughed. I pulled her gently toward me, letting her get used to the feeling of my length between her butt cheeks. I pried her cheeks apart, looking down at her cute pink rosebud. I rubbed my cockhead against it, prodding it gently at first, feeling out whether or not I still had enough moisture on my dick for this to be easy enough for her to handle. I decided I did, and I pushed my hips forward, watching and feeling as my cock disappeared into the gorgeous holstaur''s clenching rectum. "Ooooh!" May Belle groaned. "That hurts a bit, baby!" I kept pushing, slowly, trying to give her a chance to adjust. Her anus was tight, but eventually I felt it relax, and I slid my cock all the way in. That feeling of being fully sleeved inside her, my balls slapping her cunt as my dick bottomed out in her ass--it was a winning sensation. I started moving again, slowly, and May Belle began to wiggle her bum back and forth, urging me on. I picked up the pace, fucking her hard and fast, feeling my cock getting somehow even stiffer inside her. My arousal was at its peak, but I didn''t want to cum yet. I kept the pace slow and deliberate, feeling her loosen and tighten around my dick with each thrust. She yipped like a lovesick puppy as I defiled her pucker, and the thought of how dirty this was urged me even closer to orgasm. Before I knew it, there was nothing I could do but cum. I felt my cock throbbing. The final moment had arrived. I was about to mark my beloved May Belle. Times like these, I had to be grateful for the Harem Knight feat. Spending six loads in one afternoon? Utterly insane. Borderline inhuman. And yet here I was, shotgunning jism into two unique cunts, assholes, and mouths in a single day. What a life I lead. "It''s happening now, May Belle," I groaned as the first globs of my jizz flooded her asshole. "I love you so much," she cried, weeping openly with joy. As I unloaded fully, her eyes lit up, blasting light out that shot through the windows, and I knew the act was done. She was officially mine. We fell onto the bed, holding one another tightly, sharing kisses and speaking words of love and promises of forever. I loved all my girls, but I was truly hopelessly smitten with May Belle. It wasn''t that she was my favorite, but if there was only one of them I could pick as the mother of my children, it would be her. I shared this with her, and she cried so hard and so loud that I worried someone might come in to check on us. "Shhhh don''t cry," I said. "I meant it in a good way." "I knooow," she whined, burying her face in my neck. "I''m just so happy!" Suddenly the door to our room slammed open, and five women collapsed inward, landing on top of each other in a pile. Autumn, Rainbow Sprinkle, Etherea, Ivy, and Daisy had all been listening to our lovemaking the entire time. I sighed, somehow unsurprised at the revelation. "Congratulations!" I heard Autumn''s voice yell from the bottom of the pile, muffled against Rainbow Sprinkle''s heavy white tit. May Belle''s crying broke into laughter. And I, too, couldn''t hold back a smirk at the absurdity of it. "Okay, everyone," I started. "Let''s get an early dinner. And then let''s have a conversation about reasonable expectations of privacy." virgilknightley Side Smut 2: Autumn – Rise and Grind! (◆◆) virgilknightley The sun peeked through the windows, lighting the earthy interior of my simple cabin. I stretched, wondering if it was worth getting up yet. I looked around the room and, to my surprise, I was the only one here. Then I remembered. The previous night we all got drunk at Scalia''s inn on Tater Wine after Mercer and his girls left. Vile stuff, really, basically shitty vodka, but it did the fucking trick. At the end of the night the girls all passed out and I lugged them over to Etherea''s place where they were likely still sleeping. I decided to take the opportunity to remember the feeling of sleeping as a bachelor again, trudging on over to the cabin so none of them would be tempted to try to seduce me in the middle of the night when they really should be sleeping and recovering. Turns out, sleeping as a bachelor sucked. With the girls in town, though, there was nothing really keeping me home. There was also no one making breakfast, which meant I''d have to cook something for myself or just eat some berries or something before heading out on my sky patrol with Blue. I stood up, wearing only a pair of green pants, and headed toward the door, but I didn''t make it. Just as I approached, the sliding door rolled open with surprising force, and I was looking at the diminutive frame of Autumn, my pretty bushy-tailed catgirl. Her blond hair looked a bit messy, and her eyes were heavy-lidded with the signs of a hangover, but there was a purpose there. "Bucky!" she said excitedly. "Thank the gods I got here in time!" I blinked. "Good morning, Autumn," I chuckled at her. The spaghetti strap of her brown top was hanging off her shoulder, half a boob popped out of her shirt, and she wasn''t even wearing her skirt, but it was bunched under her arm. "There''s no time for that," she said. "You have to patrol!" "I know," I said. "That''s what I was about to do." She shook her head frantically, then grabbed her temples and made a sour face. Hangover headache, for sure. "Great, then let''s be efficient," she said, peeling off her panties so that her hairless pussy was suddenly exposed. Oof. That thing was a fucking gift. Her tiny pink slit was candy for the eyes. "How many times do you think you can cum or make me cum in ten minutes?" I scoffed. "What the hell is this, Autumn?" I said, though I was already in the act of dropping my pants to the ground, my meaty cock ready to spring into action. "We need to get you leveled up!" she said with severity in her tone. "Your routine is important, but if I can get you an extra thousand XP gained or so before you go, then it''s worth the effort." I chuckled. "Did you seriously force yourself awake to rush over here and have sex with me first thing in the morning?" "I''m a good catgirl," she said. "And you are my hero. I''m responsible for facilitating your cultivation." I grinned at her. "And?" She blushed, and looked away, even as her fingers reached down and started gliding across her pussy lips. "And you didn''t make love to me even once yesterday and I couldn''t wait any longer." "There it is," I smiled. "That''s what I figured." "You favor the holstaurs," she said, putting her hands on her hips. "You are always sucking their tits and stuffing your cock in their tight holes. Well, my holes are tight, too, and... fuck I''m still a little drunk, aren''t I?" I laughed and pulled her close. She gasped sharply and looked up at me with her big cerulean cat eyes "I don''t favor them on purpose," I said. "They''re just more insistent, and usually you just seem happy if someone, anyone, is cumming in my general vicinity. I had no idea you were feeling this way." She looked into my eyes, her jawline slacked so that her gorgeous pink lips hung open. "Oh, Bucky... my hero. I really, really, like you. I''m the luckiest of all the catgirls." "I like you, too, Autumn," I said, brushing back her blonde hair. "In fact, I adore you. I hope you''ve figured that out on your own, but if it helps for me to say it I--" She cut me off, pushing her lips against mine and kissing me hard. My tongue slipped between her soft lips, and I felt her hands venture to my ass. "Mmm," she purred into my mouth, her hands sliding up my body, now caressing my chest. "I adore you, too. I never thought I''d fall in love with my own Apex Hero. It happens, but most of the time they''re savage brutes who only exist to kill monsters and take advantage of young monster girls. You''re... not like that." I smiled, lifting her chin up so that I could see her gorgeous eyes again. "Hey, if you ever think I''m becoming that guy, I need you to tell me, okay?" She nodded, grinning back, and we were at it again. I took off her top, exposing her perky breasts to the open air of the cabin. "Now, let''s grind you some XP, Bucky Drake." I slipped a digit inside her narrow slit, so tight that I wondered how I ever fit inside of it before. "Fuck," I groaned, her juices already flowing onto my hand. "I thought kitties hate to get wet." "Not that kitty," she purred, "She loves it." I smirked and pushed two fingers inside her, watching her back arch in pleasure, leaning against the wall. Her tail went taut and her cat ears waggled as she went cross-eyed with bliss. I loved watching her surrender to pleasure like this. What a trip, what an absolute gift, seeing a woman as beautiful as her become helpless against my affections. Her fingers gripped my cock tightly, and I saw her eyes go wide as she felt its immensity, likely considering what a tight fit it was going to be. I pulled my digits out of her, smiling at her flushed cheeks and heavy breathing. "I think you''re wet enough," I said, and I lifted her up, hands gripping her ass, and hoisted her against the logged walls, impaling her slowly with my rock hard cock as I lowered her onto me, her legs wrapped around my back as I stood, fucking her against the wall. "Oh! Ohhh!" she moaned, "Fuck yes, Bucky! It''s so fucking huge!" I thrust my hips forward, railing her, watching her gorgeous blue eyes roll back into her head, and her pretty pink lips form into a perfect ''o'' as she started gushing all over my shaft from the word ''Go''. She was so tight that it was hard to move at first. There was a lot of take and no give, but with a few slow strokes, I found a smooth rhythm. The velvety walls of her clenching pussy were so tight that I almost came right there, but I held back, looking down at her beautiful face and those hypnotic cerulean feline eyes. She was moaning like a cat in heat, her pussy gripping my cock with each thrust. The tightness was overwhelming, even making me dizzy, but I kept going, rocking my hips as my cock slipped in and out of her wet hole. "Oh, Bucky," she said, her voice low and raspy. "I''m gonna cum..." "That''s a good kitty," I cooed. "Cum for me, Autumn." She squished her face tight, and then her lips opened as a hot cinnamon breath hit me in the face, followed by a series of high whines and squeals. I felt her pussy contracting around my cock, milking me, and I knew that she was coming. I kept thrusting, letting it happen, letting the pleasure wash over her. The look on her face was one of pure erotic bliss, and when her orgasm finally subsided, she collapsed against me, gasping for air. My cock was still inside her, and I hadn''t yet had my own release. I kept thrusting, and her eyes went wide. "Oh god, Bucky, I don''t know if I can handle this! Fuck!" At least, that''s what I think she said, because I had gone primal and she was slurring her words something fierce, still recovering from her own explosive orgasm. "Bite down on something," I said, "We''re doing this for the XP, don''t forget." "Yes, Bucky. I love you, Bucky, ohhh, by the gods of Lusteria!" she moaned, and she chomped down on my shoulder and tugged on my hair as I kept pounding her. I grinned and thrust into her as hard as I could, feeling her pussy spasm around my cock. She was making indescribably lewd and persistent sounds, coming from both of her lips. The squelching of her sluiced pussy was one thing, but the constant desperate groans and shrieks of pleasure were something else. I was a sucker for hot sex noises, and that was all I needed to push me over the edge at this stage in the game. "Are you close, my hero?" she moaned. I could only answer by humping her harder, and her fingers dug into my scalp. I was going to come soon, and I didn''t want to do it inside her because she''d be leaking all morning. I started to pull out of her, but she grabbed my hips and held me in place. "I wanna feel your hot seed inside me. Practice, for when we make kittens together one day," she said, cupping my face. "I want to pretend I''ve been bred by my own hero." Her eyes went wide at the naughtiness of her own words. I laughed and shoved my cock deep into her as hard as I could. "Sounds good to me." Guess she''d be having a drippy morning. She groaned as I prepared to fill her up with my warm jizz, my balls tightening as they readied for the final assault. Her eyes rolled back into her head, and her mouth fell open as her body convulsed, drool spilling freely down her face. I kept pumping my cock as fast as I could, and then I felt it. My first blast of semen hit the walls of her pussy, and I felt her velvety sex squeeze me tightly as she came yet again, screaming now, probably waking up everyone in a five mile radius. I let go of her hips, pulling out of her, and her knees immediately buckled. I caught her as she started to fall to the floor, and I went down with her, lifting her up and cradling her in my lap. "Good kitty," I said, stroking her behind the ears. "I''m the best kitty," she grinned. "Give me just a minute and I''m going to suck that--" "Autumn! Bucky!" May Belle said standing at the doorway just a couple feet from where we were stooped. "We brought breakfast!" I groaned, but my stomach growled. "Sounds good," I said, not relinquishing Autumn from my arms. "Just give us a second, alright?" "Sure! And after breakfast, can you give me a very similar second?" she winked. I sighed, but it was a happy sigh. "Sure, May Belle. I''m sure everyone''s going to want a turn. But after that I really need to go on patrol." "Patrol, shmatrol!" Daisy said, appearing behind May Belle. "Humph! I can''t remember the last time you made love to me like that." "Last night," May Belle said, covering her mouth as she giggled. "He fucked us both on the tables at Scalia''s inn, remember?" I blinked. "I did!?" "It was so hot," Autumn said, starting to recover, her finger stroking my chest lovingly. Damn. I felt a little proud of myself for that. The old Bucky would never have the balls to have sex in public like that, but I suppose when you''re nailing chicks as hot as mine, it was almost a waste not to. "Nice. Now, how about that breakfast?" virgilknightley Chapter 21: The New Normal + Moonlit Patrol virgilknightley "In the Age of Light, when the sun first shone and the dawn first blessed my kin, The woods were in their infancy and the greenskins without sin, But the moon was jealous of the sun and the praise that it inspired, So she cast a dark and wicked spell and awakened the dark fire, Grim-Skull, the first Goblin Brood Queen, brought war upon the grove, And the wood elves suffered casualties and wounds that never closed. Before those days, when all were friends, the heroes were unneeded, Then until the Age of Heroes came, our prayers all went unheeded. Oh Apex Hero, best of us, what would you have us do? The time for heroes comes again, and all eyes are on you." Ivy and Sprinkle sang the ancient song to me as I lay, exhausted, in the bosom of the unicorn girl, the cotton candy aroma of her body seeping into my nostrils as we lazed beside the hearth after a long day of farmwork and forest patrolling. The words of the song were beautiful and enchanting at first, but they began to feel incredibly personal as the tune went on. Despite the unspeakable, ethereal lilting of their voices, I found myself made anxious and curious by the tune, unable to merely sit and enjoy it. "This song is so old that you both know it without ever having met each other before," I noted, "but there aren''t other Apex Heroes around, are there?" Ivy leaned against Sprinkle''s shoulder and gently stroked my scalp. Her palm opened and closed again and again like one of those head scratchers, and her nails were just sharp enough for the sensation to be complete and total bliss. She smiled down at me gently as Sprinkle continued to hum the tune. "You and those who came to Lusteria with you are not the first Apex Heroes in its history, and this is not the only Age of Heroes. There have been others before you, though they have long since passed, I fear." Sprinkle stopped singing and looked down at me with a look of intense love on her face. "I want to bite your face," she said sweetly. Ivy winced. So did I. "Please don''t," I said uncomfortably. It wasn''t at all an unusual outburst for her, and she never did anything without my permission, but she sure did have unusual ways of wanting to express her love. "Sprinkle, sweetheart," Ivy said, putting an arm around the rainbow unicorn girl, "we talked about that, didn''t we?" "I know," she groaned, licking her lips. "But have you tasted his blood? It''s otherworldly how good it is," she moaned, groping her own naked tit for a moment before getting herself under control. We tried to introduce the concept of clothing to her, but after 700 years of going naked in the forest, she just couldn''t get used to it all of a sudden. We compromised, saying that at least when Mercer or the new Apex Hero came to visit, she''d throw a cloak on, and she agreed, though as it turned out, Mercer couldn''t see her anyway, and the Apex Hero was still a couple days away by the sound of things. The door slid open and May Belle and Daisy joined us by the fireplace. "Who wants some herbal tea?" May Belle said, holding three cups carefully, two in her hands and one mashed between her huge breasts. "I''ll take that one," I said, pointing at the boob tea. "I knew you would," she grinned. She set it down on the ground with the other two, and then picked it up again, positioning it against her nipple. "Daisy, sis, mind helping me?" "He prefers my milk in his tea," Daisy said. "Just hand it over here. I''m already dribbling." "What?! How dare you!" May Belle gasped. "Bucky, set her straight!'' "I''ll take a little bit of this and a little bit of that," I grinned, pointing at each of them. It was a happy and easy compromise, and within moments both of them had squirted their lactations into my drink until it was practically overflowing and the herbal taste was almost entirely diminished. "Where''s Autumn?" "She and Etherea are spending some time together tonight, remember?" Daisy said. She lifted Gumi up off of the floor and started playfully poking and massaging the pink ooze. "They''re drawing out proposals for the future of Tater Town based on some of your suggestions and their own. I expect we''ll all have a meeting about it in the next couple days." I grunted. "Right," I said. I had pitched some ideas to Etherea and Autumn that they were both excited about, and since Scalia and Vania were the other two women in town who''d been here the longest after Etherea herself, they decided to bring the two women in for a meeting of the minds and see what they thought. It would very soon graduate to a whole town meeting once everyone had stamped their approval on the ideas, or settled on a few to go ahead with. Chief among the ideas was to begin having selected townspeople patrol with me in shifts. All they had to do was hang back while I killed monsters, or help if they were able, and as long as they contributed or helped me with buffs or assists in literally any feasible way while or shortly after the battle was going on, they''d receive a share of the XP. I figured leveling the townspeople was one way to protect ourselves from General Darkmaw and other incursions that might be coming in the near future. I also presented a few other... suggestions. At Autumn''s behest, a breeding program needed to start sooner or later. Since I arrived, Mercer had pretty much stuck only with his three marked girls, and according to the monster girls in town, he hadn''t shown any interest in breeding in years. Since losing Silver Moon, who I realized later was his daughter, he apparently made it drunkenly known that he had lost interest altogether. Rumor was that when I first met him, no one had even told him yet of Moon''s death. He took that personally, and was preparing to pack up his belongings and move to Oak Post, a larger town just a couple days east of Tater Town. I couldn''t blame the guy for feeling hurt, being kept on the outside of his own daughter''s death, but from what it sounded like he''d had a falling out with Vale, Heather and Silver Moon''s mom, a couple years before. Long story short, a breeding program was needed, and I was expected to become the baby daddy to a lot of monster girls sooner or later. I wasn''t exactly excited to begin fathering loads of children at once, but there was a need for seed and, indeed, I found myself with a monopoly on it. I''d talked long and hard with the girls I spent most of my time with, and the consensus we came to was that, as for them, as much as they all wanted to give me babies, now was not the time. The women in Tater Town would handle the rearing of their kids on their own, for the most part, while I did my hero stuff and spent most of my free time with the "core" girls of my harem. But I wanted to be able to raise my children with them, so as much as it stung, we all agreed to wait. The only one it didn''t sit well with was Daisy. She was more desperate to have a child than the others, to my surprise, but she was always craving my love and seemed to require it more than her sister to feel secure, so it wasn''t all that out of character for her. Still, I had to refuse, even when she pulled me aside privately and proposed a scenario in which we could fake some kind of accident, maybe getting Autumn in on it to back us up with some lore as to how it happened; it was a bit tougher for a monster girl to conceive without the consent of her partner. Nice little magic fact about Lusteria. Anyway, Daisy wept bitterly at my refusal and wouldn''t talk to me for the rest of the night. I still thought about it, days later. The end result of that painful conversation was that I felt more urgency than ever before to take an active role in the shaping of this world''s future, if for no other reason than that I could raise my children with confidence once the land was secure. To that end, I spent every day strategizing, training, and patrolling. Bonny and I spent a lot of time together sparring, and she was a good teacher. I had to hold back the use of my abilities, but she had technique that I sorely lacked. I reflected on those matters quietly as I sipped my herbal beverage overloaded with holstaur milk and watched the beaming faces of the twins as they waited for my reaction as though it was a matter of suspense. "I mean it''s obviously fucking delicious," I chuckled. I stifled another laugh at their unnecessarily relieved-looking expressions, and sank back into my unicorn girl''s bosom. "Sprinkle, can I ask you something?" "Of course, my Bucky," she cooed, her glowing pink eyes suddenly excited from my attention. "How are you taking to life in the Sanctuary?" She looked like she was puzzling the question over, biting her lip adorably as her eyes rolled side to side. "I think I like it, but it''s so strange," she said. "But being here is nice. Ivy, Autumn, and Daisy are quite patient with me, and May Belle is so sweet. And I don''t really miss the forest all that much because you let me join you on your patrols every day." That was just smart. With Ivy and Sprinkle with me, it was impossible to lose my way in the Watcher''s Woods, and really fucking difficult to be surprised by any monsters or greenskin ambushers. They knew those forests like I knew their bodies--intimately, with an understanding honed from diligent, rigorous practice and exploration. And both of them were useful in combat situations, it turns out. The first time I saw Rainbow Sprinkle gore an orc with her horn, laughing maniacally as its blood cascaded onto her face, I knew that she''d be fine. She shook off powerful blows, not even registering the pain of them in any noticeable way, and licked her wounds to heal herself after each battle. Still, her berserker-like battle prowess did make me nervous. Without armor or a shield, a single well-placed hit could kill her, so I tended to try and hold her back, at least for now, while Bonny worked on putting together some protection for both her and me in the form of armor. I really just wanted Sprinkle''s neck, head, and heart protected, as anything else was trivial for her to heal, but a decapitating blow or an arrow to the heart or brain... I didn''t want to find out how that would go down. Ivy, using druidic magic, refused to wear any armor, though, but she seemed quick and nimble enough to avoid or absorb most damage, and her Barkskin 3 ability, which I had been eyeing myself recently, seemed to shrug off quite a lot, but she''d need to level up once more and put a skill point into it in order to train me, since you could only train a skill if you had it up to level 4. "I''m glad to hear you''re settling in well," I said. "I''m thinking about taking a quick moonlit ride with Blue before settling down for bed this evening. You girls all good on your own?" I asked. "Yes, my Bucky," Sprinkle cooed, bending down and blessing me with a sweet forehead kiss. May Belle scooched up behind her and grabbed hold of her rainbow hair, starting to braid it. It was part of their evening ritual. They would take turns brushing and playing with each other''s hair, and eventually fall asleep, one in the other''s lap. It was incredibly cute, and I was elated to see everyone getting along with Sprinkle, willing to try to understand her for what she was, on her own terms. I could learn a lot from my girls and their patience. Even Daisy never gave so much as a stink-eye to the unicorn girl--unless she felt like she was hogging too much attention for too long. "I''m fine here," Daisy said, but she slitted her eyes at me. "But don''t be gone too long. Last night you were gone for ages. I worried myself sick!" Before I could say anything, Ivy responded. "Actually, would you mind if I came with you?" I twitched in slight surprise, but wasn''t at all upset by the idea. "That could be fun," I said, reaching up to grab her hand. "Sure! You see better at night than I do anyway." It was an elf thing. A done deal, within a couple minutes we were out the door. I summoned Blue with a shrill whistle and he dipped down from the clouds to receive me. I hopped up on his back, and then reached down, hoisting Ivy up behind me. Her warm arms wrapped around my waist, and I felt my heart thump as her nearly nude elven figure pressed up against me. "You ready?" I asked, but Blue didn''t give her time to respond, taking off immediately. Ivy gripped me tighter, hoarsely gasping in my ear. I felt that kick of adrenaline you get when you take a hot chick to a movie theater and she shrinks in your arms at the scary parts of the flick. But Ivy was no high school bimbo, and she quickly adjusted. "The view up here is incredible," she whispered, breathing warmth against my neck. "Thank you for this." "Why didn''t you ask sooner?" I wondered aloud. "I could show you the world, Ivy. Shining, shimmering, splendid." I felt her eyelashes flutter against my neck in confusion. "What are you talking about?" she asked. "Nothing," I chuckled. "That was more for me." I swooped Blue downward dramatically, looping in the air, trying to get that reaction out of her again, but she just held me tight and giggled. "What a rush," she hummed happily. "You should bring me up here more often." "I don''t mind the company, but sometimes I gotta go alone, you know? Me time." "I hope I didn''t interrupt that," she said, a hint of worry in her voice, but I quickly swatted it aside. "Not at all," I laughed. "Let me have the mornings, I can give you the nights, but be patient if the other girls start wanting rides, too." "Daisy''s afraid of heights," Ivy giggled. "I don''t think I have to worry about her at least." "Sprinkle might impale me with her horn in the dips," I responded, chuckling back at her. The wind swept our hair back as Blue plunged once more, as if to accentuate my point. "Getting blowjobs from her is logistically challenging, but we manage." "I''m sure you do," she chuckled. "She''s an odd one, but she''s growing on me." I nodded. "She means well. Just give her time." "I will," she promised. "But I hate when she drinks monster blood so... erotically." I shifted uneasily in the saddle. "I guess," I said, unwilling to admit that I kind of sort of didn''t hate it. Suddenly, I heard Ivy squeak in surprise. "Look! Down there!" she announced to me, pointing toward a tree-line of the Watcher''s Woods. Half a dozen large four-legged figures were exiting the treeline, slinking into the fields outside of Tater Town, charging toward... the sanctuary! "Hang on tight," I groaned. "What are you going to do?" I sighed, reaching to the side where my bow was slung, handing it to Ivy. "What heroes do." virgilknightley Chapter 22: Mess With the Bull, Get the Horns I leaped down from Blue''s back, leaving Ivy astride him to attack with my bow from above. "Fuck," I grumbled to myself as I fell from the sky. "I didn''t bring my lance." I hit the ground in a three point landing, and it hurt worse than I thought it would, putting me at an immediate disadvantage, but I quickly righted myself and shot straight up, trying my best to look menacing. I was wearing a purple tunic and yellow tights, though, so I''m not sure I pulled it off. Still, I think there''s something to be said for standing unarmed amidst a pack of Great Wolves and facing them down without a hint of fear. That was just me bullshitting, by the way. You can bet your ass that I was freaked out. Ivy flew roughly fifty feet overhead and immediately started volleying arrows at the wolves, hitting some of them in their backs. It was honestly barely an inconvenience, and it seemed to do little more than anger them, but with a dozen hits like that, she may bring one down or inflict enough agony to make it act rashly. It also distracted them from me, which was valuable in and of itself. Even more valuable was Blue spraying a flurry of ice shards at one of the wolves as they swooped down offensively. The wolf snapped at my dragon but missed as Blue and Ivy tore back into the sky with supreme grace. All six wolves crowded around me a moment later, and I immediately sensed that one of them, the big one, was General Darkmaw. I had to be very careful here, I knew, because with one false move this whole encounter could go tits-up. These wolves were, on average, bigger and tougher looking than those I encountered last time--including, seemingly, the general herself. It was time to put my newest ability to a field test. Without my lance, I had no recourse but to give it a whirl, and while I''d practiced with it a couple of times, my new feat had gone mostly untested in a combat situation. Two wolves charged, coming from my three o''clock and six o''clock positions. I noticed the one from behind me as the wind shifted to warn me of its approach. I closed my eyes and focused. My body twisted, expanded, and vibrated with the power of my Umbercore, the source of all my abilities, and I felt my arms and legs becoming four-hooved limbs, horns sprouting from my head, and my face going wild and bestial. Muscles rippled in my flesh as I took on the form of a Great Bull, May Belle''s gift--the shifter shape that my new subclass feat granted me for marking her. The first two wolves charged, though one hesitated as it witnessed my transformation. The one that continued blindly onward had its bloodlust rewarded with bloodshed as my twin horns gored deep into its chest, dousing me with a fresh spray of monster blood. Sprinkle would have loved it. I whipped my mighty head, bucking the wolf off of my horns and hurling its body onto the other assailant. They toppled over together, neither dead just yet, but both humiliated and hurt. The one that had been gored looked to be down for the count, at least. But the other wolves were baying into the night, their collective howls worse than nails on a chalkboard as they readied their approach. I watched their body language with as much focus as I could muster, given the situation, and correctly predicted the next two to make their assault. They charged, but so did I. I hoofed it at a brisk pace using Charged Thrust and Smite, which synergized deliciously with the nature of my bull form. The resulting crash shattered the skull of the great wolf I collided with, converting it into a chunky paste, but left me momentarily dizzied, as well. In that moment of vulnerability, two other wolves--one that I''d tracked the movement of, and another from behind me that I''d failed to anticipate--leaped for me, each tearing into my sides. Their monstrous teeth and fangs sank in, making painful purchase. I kicked with my hind feet like a huge fucking donkey, landing a hit so powerful into the wolf behind me that I felt its jaw shatter, and it was lifted off the ground, thudding hard onto its back several paces behind me. Meanwhile, the other one was dealt with through the use of my horns. Rather than impaling the wolf, I got it tangled between them, flipping it on its back--then I skewered it straight through the chest. With a shrill cry, it died pitifully. Another high howl rang out, but this one had a unique signature--one of authority. The surviving wolves drew back, retreating into the trees from whence they came. Ivy managed to punish them as they fled, landing a few more arrows into their lupine behinds, as she''d been doing through the entire fight. But one wolf stayed, seated twenty paces directly in front of me. It stared into my eyes with its own monstrous glare, and I snorted a reply. It studied me cautiously, then took a single step forward. I lifted a foreleg, signalling my willingness to charge, exhaling a hostile bovine snort that left none of my intentions a mystery. The leader of the Great Wolves stopped and planted her butt on the ground with a plop and started panting like a happy dog in the sun. I was clueless as to the meaning of this gesture. Soon, she started frolicking, jumping around like a puppy as it chased a butterfly, eyes on me, and I was even more confused. Was this a fucking game to her? And then she charged, lurching forward with supernatural grace. I tried to catch her with my horns, but she stopped and bounded out of their path at the last minute, then flipped over my head. I reared up, hoping to catch her in her aerial somersault, but I failed, and I was left with my back to her. She nipped at my hide, but it was far from a killing blow. Her teeth barely drew blood. I kicked her hard in the face, but her jaw did not snap as easily as her subordinate''s. I pivoted around to face her in haste as she recoiled from the pain of my hoofed strike, shaking her head, disoriented. But Ivy swooped back in at this point, landing a choice arrow right in her neck that planted itself delightfully deep. "Good girl," I muttered, thankful for the assist. Ivy had apparently used a spell as well. Brambles sprouted from the arrow, wrapping themselves around the General''s throat, making her situation look even worse. That moment of weakness was all I needed, and I bounded forward with another Charged Thrust and Smite combination, hitting the general with the bludgeoning force of my cranium for maximum Smite damage. The impact was satisfyingly solid, and she flew more than a dozen paces backward and slammed against a tree, toppling it over. She scrambled painfully to her feet and looked at me, her wolfy expression imperceptible, but gone was the playful mood that she had shown me before, that much was certain. Now there was a more serious look that seemed to say, ''Alright, enough of this.'' She turned her back to me and stumbled into the trees. I snorted, not ready to let her escape so easily, but in this form I could not pursue her efficiently. I thought about taking on the minotaur-like form that my marking of Daisy granted me, but it was too broad of shoulder for this thicket and would be at a heavy disadvantage. The unicorn form was far too unexplored as I tended to lose myself to bloodlust when I tried it out previously. I''d have to do this as Bucky--but that was suicide. Still, I couldn''t let her walk away unchallenged. I shifted back, feeling my body shrink and compress back into my human form. I was still wearing my clothes as though nothing happened. Don''t ask me how. Magic, I guess. "Hey!" I shouted. "General Darkmaw!" The wolf''s head whipped back and she regarded me with curiosity, but she didn''t take her own humanoid form. "You can run if you want. I will find you, and I will bring you to justice for what you did to Silver Moon." She eyed me carefully, probably trying to decide whether I was going to follow her right now. "If you have any courage or honor, let''s finish this here and now. If you want to be hunted like a wild dog, then by all means, walk away." She growled, and then I saw her body shift and change just as mine had until she was in her own humanoid form, naked just like last time, incredibly beautiful with olive dark skin and black hair and lupine features. A feral look was still glinting in her eyes like polished steel. "You know nothing," she said. "Bucky Drake. Apex Hero. Level 16. May Belle, Daisy, Autumn, Ivy, Etherea, Scalia, Heather. Tater Town. The Sanctuary." She grinned as she listed off everything she knew, saying little about each item, confident in that the naming of them would be enough to intimidate me. She was right. "If I wanted your girls dead, they would be. If I really cared about conquering Tater Town, I''d do it. Maybe some other day. That is not the Goblin Queen''s design. She doesn''t want control. Not really, anyway. She wants chaos. Fear. And, for the record, I wasn''t trying to be stealthy tonight." "Then why were you here?" I asked, suddenly shaking, hoping that she didn''t detect my nerves. "Because I wanted to play with you," she grinned. "And I had fun. Let''s play again sometime soon, Apex Hero. You''re certainly worthy of my attention." And with that, she left me dumbfounded as she turned her back, showing her shapely ass as she tried to limp into the tree-line. But Ivy had other ideas, firing an arrow right into her shoulder. I winced at the sight, though I wasn''t sure why. Maybe the shock of it? Probably just the sight of someone so beautiful being hurt, but I needed to find a way to be okay with that when it came to the enemy. She was decidedly a threat. But the general just reached back, breaking the arrow off, leaving part of it in her body, and kept walking into the forest until she disappeared from view. Ivy came down from the sky with Blue, landing beside me. "Are you alright?" she asked, her voice airy with concern. "I''m alright," I said. "She''s worse off." "Yes, she is, but she was toying with you. She didn''t take it seriously." "I know," I said, cringing. "What the hell was that?" Ivy surveyed the scene. The bodies of the defeated wolves still littered the plains. "Great Wolves. General Darkmaw is their Alpha. She must have dozens like this at her disposal, at least. It almost seems like an infinite number. I''m surprised she got this many through the forest." "Are they all monster girls?" I asked, suddenly worried I''d just murdered a bunch of women. "No," she said, placing her hand on my forearm. "Your conscience is clear for now. Her Great Wolves are wolves like any other. She merely has the power to shift into one of them and control them." I nodded, my shoulders relaxing. That made me feel better. We flew back with haste and reported what happened to everyone else. They listened, mouths agape, as Ivy and I retold every single detail, including the fact that General Darkmaw somehow knew seemingly everything about us. "That doesn''t bode well," Autumn noted with a shiver. "What does it mean?" Daisy asked nervously. She was biting her nails, something I''d never seen her do before. "One of two things," Autumn shrugged. "Either they are way sneakier than we ever imagined, which is a possibility, or--" "Or there''s a spy in Tater Town," Ivy added. After a pause, she added, "I''ll let Etherea know the possibility in the morning." I nodded. "Right. Good thinking. She can do some digging, too." Rainbow Sprinkle alone looked totally perplexed and even more stressed out than the rest of us. "What is going on?" she asked, whining. "I can''t keep up." May Belle, almost as a reflex, started brushing Sprinkle''s hair and humming something to her to soothe her as the rest of us just stared blankly at each other, searching for words but fumbling to find any. "Well, standing around isn''t going to do anything," Ivy said, and she was right. "Let''s get some rest. I''ll keep watch tonight, you all sleep. In the morning, when you lot get up, I can sleep." "Deal," May Belle said. "Don''t worry everyone, I''m sure everything will be fine in the end. Just be careful." Her sister didn''t look nearly so confident, though. Neither did I, I was sure. I needed to begin taking the fight to them. I couldn''t have General Darkmaw and her wolves threatening my girls, my home. No man would abide that. As far as I was concerned, my quest had officially begun. "Before we retire for the evening, Bucky," Autumn started, rubbing her hands together like a praying mantis, "How much XP did you get from the great wolves." I chuckled at the predictability of her question. "Let me see," I grunted, and I smacked my hands together to bring up the HUD, and it appeared, but something was off. I studied the HUD in silence, staring at the strange notice beneath XP. My eyes looked over at Daisy, who was looking up at me expectantly, just like the rest of the girls. "Autumn," I said slowly. "We need to talk privately first." She looked puzzled and disappointed all at once. "What? Just tell me the num--" "Theres something here we need to discuss, I said. I dont quite know what Im looking at, and I need your help, and I dont want to single anyone out or say anything rash until I have a better idea what this means. Her face betrayed her sudden worry. "O-okay," she stammered. "Sure, Bucky. Thats fine." The room got suddenly very tense. "What''s going on?" Sprinkle asked, anxiously. "Everyone''s face is so stiff and weird. What''s wrong?!" The pink blob that was Gumi pooled around her feet as though to comfort her. Everyone looked at me with expressions that ranged from suspicious to concerned. They weren''t dumb. In fact, they were all far from it. And I couldn''t have been clearer that something was off about the HUD. "I promise, as soon as I speak with Autumn, and I understand what''s going on, I''ll let you know if there''s anything to worry about. For now, let''s not stress over it. It''s been a long day. Everyone else get some rest. Autumn, you''re with me." They all nodded and went to bed after finishing their evening rituals, but I knew after everything that had just transpired no one would really be sleeping all that soundly. Still, I didn''t want to risk singling out one of my girls in front of the others, especially when I was uncertain what the cause of the notice in my HUD was, so until I fully comprehended what was going on, or at least had some idea, asking them to get some shut-eye was the best I could do. "Autumn," I said, sighing sadly. "We need to talk about Daisy." virgilknightley Side Smut 3: Rainbow Sprinkle’s Compromise (◆◆) virgilknightley Early one morning I slipped into the forest with Rainbow Sprinkle, my marked unicorn girl, just after breakfast. I was planning to patrol alone today, but she caught me on my way toward the tree-line at the edge of our territory and begged super cutely. Her little horsey ears were tucked back in a show of submissive pleading as her glowing pink eyes stared up at me and her lower lip curled in a pout. "Pleeease, my Bucky, take me with you," she said, her voice high and sweet as honey. I sighed, barely containing a wide-mouthed grin at the adorable display she was very consciously putting on for me as she batted her eyelashes. It also didn''t hurt her case that she was always naked, which, by my estimation, made every request she made about forty percent harder for me to refuse. "Do you promise to stay close?" I asked. "Super close," she beamed at me, pressing her chest and hips up against me. Her horn was practically in my face, but I could feel her hard nipples digging into my sternum so most of my focus was on that sensation at the moment. "Not too close," I said, tugging at my collar. It suddenly was getting rather hot. "How close is too close, my Bucky?" I chuckled. "This close." She frowned but took a step back. "You always withhold your love from me." "That''s not true," I said, putting an arm around her waist and escorting her into the forest. "I give you plenty of love." "You always give me hugs and kisses, and I love that," she cooed, but then her tone took a sharp nosedive. "But you never hit me or cut me or bite me, my Bucky, and it burns me up so badly that you won''t love me that way." I almost stopped in my tracks, but I kept going, just shaking my head to myself. "Those are extremely nonstandard ways of showing affection," I said. "But I love it, my Bucky. I love it oh so much when you strike me on the rump or bite my neck." She sounded almost on the verge of tears. "I would let you do so much more, too." I sighed. "This is a hard conversation for me." She just kept on going, though. "When you smack my bottom, my little golden heart goes pitter-patter so hard and so loud, I can feel it in my throat, and in my--" her hands went down south, stroking at the lips of her exposed womanhood, "--my girly place. My temple to you, my Bucky." I swallowed hard, feeling my Adam''s apple bob and throb in my throat. I just went quiet, and eventually so did she. We walked together in silence, but soon she was holding my hand as if nothing happened. I allowed her to frolic a bit as we came upon the bloodberry bush where we''d met. I adored her, but when I took her here and set her loose, it felt a bit like taking my niece to the park and just letting her go apeshit on the jungle gym while I sat on the bench and watched. Sprinkle climbed trees, swung from vines, danced and sang the songs of the Wood Elves, and ran off to go play just out of sight, but I could still hear her beautiful voice singing, so I didn''t worry. She was also native to these woods, so I was more likely to be caught off-guard here than her. When she came back I let out a sigh as she walked guiltily into view, her hands behind her back and a smear of red on her face and tits. "What have you got behind your back there, Sprink?" I asked, smiling weakly. "Nothing," she said dismissively. "Just something I found." I took a step forward, and she grinned. She revealed to me what she''d been hiding--the headless corpse of a rabbit. "You found that?" I asked skeptically. "Just like this?" She cocked her head sideways and looked away bashfully. "Mostly like this." "I see," I said, fighting back a sigh. "And how is it different now from when you found it?" "It''s missing a part," she grinned. "Oh, my Bucky, can you play with me?" I was full of trepidation at what she was about to ask me to do, but what the hell. At this point I was numb to these brutal shenanigans. "What have you got in mind?" "Can you wipe the bunny blood on me and lick it up?" she suggested, her voice high and hopeful. "Hard pass," I said. "Whyyyy," she whined like a spoiled brat. "Can''t we do something fun?" I sat on a stump and guided her onto my lap, which made her grin as she nestled up against my chest, her lips inches from mine. "Shoot me some ideas. I''ll pick one of them." "Cut my face and drink my blood while you make love to me?" she suggested in a sugary tone. "Nope." She bit her lip, then her eyes widened like she''d had the greatest idea ever. "How about I do that to you!" "No." Now she was struggling, her eyes rolling all around until finally they landed back in my gaze. "Can you make love to me while you slap my bottom like before? And then tug hard on my horn while you push your dick even harder in my mouth?" My eyes widened, mulling the words over. "Okay. Deal." "Yay! I love you, my Bucky! I love you, I love you, I love you soooo much!" She planted a dozen or so kisses on my face and neck and then fell onto her hands and knees in a crawling position, her round, pert ass presented to me like a vision gifted by the gods themselves. "I take it you want me to take you from the back first, yeah?" I chuckled. "Ride your unicorn, my Bucky," she cooed, slapping her own ass suggestively. I hastily stripped off my pants and threw them aside. Then, I planted one hard slap on her ass that made her moan blissfully. "Giddyup." My cock, freed of its confines, found her glorious entrance practically on its own. The candy smell of her feminine musk seeped into my nostrils as my cockhead parted her lips and slowly pushed its way in. The unicorn girl''s incredible insides massaged and stroked my shaft as I carefully sheathed myself within her, soaking up as much of her wetness as I could on that initial thrust. I looked down at her. Her ghostly white skin was hauntingly beautiful, and the way her narrow waist spilled out into her juicy and tight ass defied simple description. Additionally, the sight of my huge rod burrowing in her cunt while she shivered and whined was enough to inspire the lust needed to keep the spanks coming. I raised my hand as I bottomed out in her pussy a second time, lowering it hard on her rump at the exact moment that her pussy hilted me. She yelped, but it wasn''t a sound like pain. It was more like an exclamation of profound ecstasy. I gave her another spank, and then two more, and she started squealing and moaning uncontrollably. "Ooooh, fuck, yes, my Bucky, give me your big cock," she moaned. "And slap my bottom harder, please!" I did as she asked, giving her three quick slaps that made her cry out, and then a fourth. I knew she liked it rough, so I didn''t hold back, and soon I was smacking her with all my might. Well, most of it. Her cries of ecstasy were getting louder and higher pitched, and I felt her inner walls contracting around me, milking me and sucking me deeper inside her. I kept going, spanking her again and again, and she came, screaming and bucking her hips, shaking and shuddering as she squeezed my cock and blessed me with a deluge of her girl-cum. I pulled out and turned her over so that she was lying on her back, her legs splayed wide and her head resting on a small bank of moss. I held her wrists by her side and lowered my mouth to her sex, kissing and licking and sampling her juices. The taste was like bubblegum with a hint of cherry cola--wildly anachronistic, but there it was. My tongue darted out and traced her slit up to her clit, and she let out a long, low moan at that moment of contact. "Ah, my Bucky, your tongue feels so good on my little button," she purred. "How do you know me so well?" I smiled, my hands gently stroking her body as I kissed and licked at her most intimate parts. I didn''t answer with words, instead focusing all of my being on maximizing her pleasure. Her eyes were closed and she was breathing heavily, her breasts rising and falling rapidly as I lavished attention on her. "Bite my thigh," she said. "Please. I know you don''t want to, but please. Bite me hard, my Bucky. Make me hurt!" She moaned it. I hesitated, my tongue pausing over her sensitive nub, but I slowly dragged my lips from her pussy to her leg, and I felt her shiver in anticipation. My teeth teased her meat at first, grazing her flesh lightly, making her whimper. While I did that, my fingers got to work plunging inside her cunt. When she was already awash with mad pleasure, I chomped down, harder than I wanted to, on her thigh. Hard enough to draw a lot of silver blood. She drew a harsh inward breath and rasped a lewd sound at me as she clicked her tongue from the pleasurable pain. "Oh by Paragon''s grace, my Bucky. I love you, I love you--" I took another bite, feeling brave, and she squealed. My hands were keeping themselves otherwise occupied in the meantime, one rubbing her clit frantically while the other fingerfucked her depths, squelching loudly as her sopping pussy throbbed against my efforts. Soon she stopped breathing, drawing in one hoarse and wet gasp that she held onto as her hips started to twitch and her walls contracted. "I''m going to sprinkle!" she said. "Get that hand out of me! Fuck!" I pulled my fingers out but doubled my efforts on her clitoris, and soon she was spraying in waves into my eyes. The juice from her pussy even brought with it a slight but unmistakable little rainbow as, I swear to God, birds all around us sang melodically while she ejaculated her fluids all over my face and chest. "It''s literally delicious," I said, slurping up some of the lewd liquid as it dribbled into my mouth. "I came twice already, my Bucky. Now I think it''s your turn." She got on her knees and guided me to my feet, ignoring her bleeding thighs. "Do you want to heal yourself first?" I asked. "The bite marks, I mean." She looked at me as though shocked, even appalled. "And lose the proof of your love on my body?" I actually chuckled. Not sure why I even bothered. "Right," I said. "Dumb of me to ask." "I forgive your silliness, my love," she said, just before opening her mouth and placing her lips around my cockhead. She looked up at me expectantly, and it took me a second to realize that she was expecting me to take the lead here. I nodded, grabbing her by the horn, which already made her moan against my cock, and I tugged her down my length until my cock stabbed her soft palate. The unicorn girl sucked my entire cock into her throat with loud and passionate slurps. Her cheeks hollowed out and her eyes rolled back as she gagged on it. But she recovered quickly, swallowing my shaft like a pro and bobbing her head up and down as I guided her, using her gorgeous horn as a pace setter. "You''re fucking amazing," I sighed, marveling at the sight of my dick disappearing between those perfect lips. She eagerly took me in again, bringing more of me inside her than even before, and then she wrapped her arms around my neck and pulled herself tight against my body as she deepthroated my dick, seeking her pain for my pleasure. I held her horn and gave it a hard squeeze, and she shuddered and moaned in response, her lips and tongue vibrating on my length wetly. "Fuck, yeah," I growled. "That''s it, baby. Suck my cock." Her lips and tongue danced all over my shaft, her head bobbing furiously as I tugged her horn with desire and purpose, her nostrils flaring and her eyes rolling as she was forced to take my entirety deep into her throat--deeper than she should. I felt her nails dig in and painfully rip into my lower back, raking down, leaving trails of trickling blood in their wake, but I didn''t even care. I couldn''t get enough of this incredible blowjob and the perfect woman giving it to me. I''d happily bleed a bit for her pleasure and mine. I reached down with my free hand on her tit, squeezing and kneading her firm flesh as I thrust even harder and faster into her throat. She moaned and choked around my extremity, her voice muffled and slurred, and I became aware of the quickening of her breath as she withdrew her nails from my skin and took pleasure in painting my crimson essence on her face and heaving tits. She was going to cum just from sucking my cock and feeling my hot blood on her skin. Sprinkle clamped her mouth shut, her lips sealed tightly around my shaft as her hands frantically fondled her breasts, smearing the red all over her sinfully erotic skin. I groaned, the sudden increased pressure of her lips on my cock making me feel like I was about to pass out, and I grabbed her horn yet tighter, trying to hold myself steady as she started shivering and shuddering even as she performed her task with passion. Her moans became inescapable, and by the time I started blowing my load inside her mouth, she, too, was squealing, squeaking, and purring with the peaks of a new orgasm. I filled her mouth with my cum, and she drank every drop like a good little pony, moaning and panting as she slurped my length clean. I could see the thick strands of my seed clinging to her lips as she pulled away from me at last, and I watched with adoration as she licked them clean, then smiled at me as she opened her mouth to show me the remaining evidence of our tryst in these magical woods. "I love you so much," she said after an exaggerated swallow, pushing me to the ground with her so that she was laying on top of me. "I love you, too," I smiled back at her, and I meant it somehow. She was challenging, but grandpa used to always say any problem that''s worth solving ought to be hard to solve, and she was definitely worth it. Her beauty, her sweetness, her charm, her innocence, her unconditional love. What kind of monster would I be in the end if I couldn''t return affection to the likes of her? She almost cried right then and there when I said those words. "I''m so happy," she replied, her voice shaky, just above a whisper. "I was alone in these woods for so long, and now I''ll never be alone again. I''ll spend all my eternity with you, my Bucky." The idea didn''t scare me anymore. I kissed her rainbow hair and held her tightly in a chaste hug. "Do you want me to heal you?" she asked, dragging a finger to my back where she''d dug into my flesh. "I''m so sorry about that. I couldn''t help myself." I laughed softly as I started playing with her tail. "Now why would I want to lose the proof of your love?" The noise she made in reply was reward enough for the pain as she burrowed her face in my chest. "My Bucky," she whimpered, her voice muffled against my pectorals. "My Bucky, my Bucky, forever and ever!" "Sure," I said, planting a kiss on her cheek and another on her horn. "I''m your Bucky. Now, let''s find my pants." virgilknightley Chapter 23: Reconciliation virgilknightley Autumn and I stood outside underneath the light of a gibbous moon. Its lunar beams painted the field with a pale but beautiful silver radiance, shimmering off the stalks and vines of the crops over which my girls and I toiled each day. I smiled slightly to see it, because it reminded me of our common purpose and of how far we''d come in just a couple weeks together. But this was not a light hearted chat, and there wasn''t any time for dawdling and reflecting on our progress. Progress was frozen. "Autumn," I said, sighing dolefully, "It''s my HUD. It says my XP is frozen, and the only hint as to the reason that it offers is Daisy." Autumn gasped shrilly. "Your XP is frozen?! This is bad! This is as bad as it gets!" "It could be worse," I chuckled. "I could be dead." "It could be worse, but not by much. Oh, gods, Bucky... Think! Think! Did you do anything to make her feel unsafe? Unhappy?" My mind immediately went to the argument we''d had recently. She--and the other girls, too, really--wanted a baby. Desperately. That desperation was what set her apart, and even long after the group had come to a consensus on the matter, she remained obviously wounded and unsatisfied. Daisy had begged me. She pleaded, she even offered to lie to the other girls and say it was her mistake, that she tricked me, or any other excuse possible. Her profound need for it was haunting, and it made me feel like shit as all I could say was no, refusing her again and again. The sight of her face sinking from determination to misery to open weeping was an agony that visited itself on me whenever I closed my eyes. "Daisy was angry at me the other day," I shrugged. "She wanted me to impregnate her." Autumn sighed. "That can''t be it. We all want that." I gulped, hearing that. Fuck me. Was I doing my girls wrong? "I know, but she was inconsolable. She pleaded for the better part of an hour. She cried and wouldn''t speak to me all night afterward when I refused." Autumn''s cat eyes went wide. "She can be difficult, but that definitely sounds like an extreme reaction, even for her. Did she say anything about it afterward?" "The next day she pretended things were normal, but she didn''t react when I put my hand on her or kissed her cheek. When I tried to talk to her she brushed me off. I figured she just needed time, but it isn''t getting better." Autumn nodded, excited. "Okay, now we''re getting somewhere. That must be it, then. Good, good. At least we know the problem." "But what''s the solution?" I groaned, cursing under my breath. "Fuck, this sucks." Autumn remained silent for a spell too long for my nerves to stomach. I stared in her beautiful oceanic eyes as she pulled back a wavy strand of her blonde hair. Her ears twitched anxiously, tail all taut and straight, and she finally looked at me and said, "Give her the damn baby." My shoulders tensed, and I almost took a step back in surprise. "Bad idea. That''ll have a ripple effect. If she gets a baby, everyone will want one." "Then give us all the babies we want, Bucky," she said frankly, crossing her arms. "If that''s what it takes to keep Lusteria safe, then that''s what you have to do." "But what if I die?" I asked. "I don''t like the idea of leaving behind half a dozen fatherless kids." "I don''t like the idea, either, but you cant plan your love life and your family around worst-case scenarios. Having children is the highest aspiration of many monster girls, especially holstaurs and bunny girls. Since men are so rare, that need is built into us. To make Daisy and, hell, even me... to make us feel secure, we''re going to need it sooner or later." I sighed. "Did I make a mistake?" Autumn cocked her head slightly to one side and looked at me carefully, appraising me as though I might be about to utter something treacherous. "What do you mean?" "I mean marking her too soon." She scowled at me. "How selfish of you, Bucky. I''m not marked, but I want children, too. Daisy''s discontent would still be here if she weren''t marked, and she''d probably be even more anxious since you refused to do so. But all you can think is that it was a mistake because she''s now posing an inconvenience to you? I''m honestly disappointed." I blushed with shame. She was entirely correct. It was a horribly self-indulgent thought. "You''re right," I said. "I''m sorry. This is just a lot of responsibility. A lot to think about." The sounds of night were all around us with each pause. The rustling of the trees and our crops, the hooting of owls, the fluttering of bat wings overhead, and the chirping of crickets--it was beautiful, but it made each silence feel excruciatingly long. "Many heroes don''t bother with marking more than their catgirl, if even her," Autumn said. "At least until their quests are done. There is a degree of risk involved in the path we''ve chosen, and I confess I may have been a tiny bit too eager to see you mark the holstaurs. But there''s no turning back, and regretting it now would be unfair to them." "May Belle was a safe bet," I said under my breath. Autumn nodded thoughtfully. "True. She is easy to please." I don''t know why, but it made me laugh, and that broke Autumn''s serious demeanor as well. We chuckled together under the stars for just a moment before calming down. I took a deep breath and stared her in the eyes pleadingly. "Tell me what to do," I begged. "I don''t think it''s the right time to have kids. At least not just yet. I stand by that. But, I also acknowledge how she feels, and how all of you feel, and I am willing to move up the timeline to make you all feel secure, if that''s going to keep everyone happy." "Tell her that," Autumn said, pointing at the cabin where Daisy and the others were settling down for bed. "I spoke with Etherea earlier, as you know. She said that your Breeding Program idea is a good one, and she is eager to begin, but I asked for a few weeks at least." "A few weeks? I''m surprised you bargained for so much time," I noted, almost shocked. She smiled weakly. "I know you," she answered. "You needed more time to get used to the idea, even if it was partially your suggestion. Anyway, you have a few weeks. Maybe a bit more. We''ll look to you for the final say on when it begins, but perhaps in that time you can consider adding those in your direct orbit to the breeding list after all?" I smiled, pulling her in for a tight hug. She gasped, but melted easily and readily in my embrace like chocolate in my pocket on a summer''s day. "Thank you," I said. "A few weeks. I''ll figure something out." "You don''t have even one week to figure something out for Daisy," she pointed out, hugging me tightly. "You need to talk to her tonight." I nodded, my chin bumping the top of her head. "Alright," I promised. "What are you going to do?" she asked, curious. "I''m going to do the best I can," I said, shrugging humbly. "Then that''ll be good enough." She kissed me on the cheek. I turned to head inside, squeezing her hand once as I headed toward the door. "Are you coming back in with me?" "I''ll wait out here until I''m sure you''re done," she smiled. "You don''t need the room even more crowded when you try to have that private conversation." I nodded, opening the sliding door to the cabin. I stumbled through it and found myself in our den, almost pitch black. The girls hadn''t taken long to settle in. I walked over to the mat where Daisy lay and plopped down behind her, reaching my arm around her waist. I felt her flinch at my touch, and it broke my heart. "Daisy," I said, whispering so that only she could hear me, my face an inch away from the back of her head. "Are you awake? I want to talk with you." "If you need sex, just take it," she huffed quietly, reaching back and lifting up her cowprint skirt so that her butt was exposed. "I want to talk," I said. "It''s not about that." "Oh, so my body isn''t really doing it for you tonight," she said bitterly. "Understood." "Don''t be like that," I groaned, already tired. "You know I''m attracted to you, but I need to talk. Can you face me, please?" She paused. Hesitantly, she turned herself around and positioned her face so that it was looking into mine. Her eyes narrowed in irritation. "Fuck. It''s so much harder to stay angry at you this way," she said, her eyes wavering in their stern approach as they took in the sight of my face. "Why are you angry?" I asked, stroking her cheek. I felt her resist the urge to succumb to my touch. "Who said I''m angry?" "Literally you, just now." She scoffed. "I have nothing to say to you." "Then I''ll talk. Daisy, you were the first girl that I marked, and I don''t regret that. I know you''re unhappy with me right now, and I think I know what it''s about, but it puts me in a really tough position to see you so miserable. I need to make it right." I decided not to mention the frozen XP as I figured she''d either be stressed out to know that she was the cause of it, or worse, she might interpret that I only cared about her unhappiness for that reason, which wasnt at all true. "Your happiness is truly important to me." "Apparently that''s a lie," she said, eyeing me coldly. "It isn''t," I said flatly. "But I am also thinking on a different scale, longer term. I am afraid of leaving behind unfathered children if I die on this quest." "I''m afraid of you leaving behind childless widows," Daisy said, her eyes welling up. "Monster girl children grow up without fathers all the time, Bucky. It''s far better than them not existing at all, don''t you think? The potential of losing you is exactly why I need a child. I want to remember you. I want to have something to show for our love, no matter what happens." She called me Bucky. I missed the sound of her voice saying ''honey'' already, but I was going to have to earn that back. "I see your point," I said, sighing. "Part of me is just scared. It sounds like I''m going to have a lot of kids, and I want to be there for them all. Especially yours." She fought back a smile at that but said nothing. "Do you still love me, Daisy? Have I fucked up that badly?" She looked offended. "I love you, Bucky, more than anything. But that doesn''t mean I can''t be mad at you. It doesn''t mean you didn''t hurt me." I stroked her cheek again, and this time she leaned into my touch, her brow still furrowed cutely. "Let''s make a compromise," I said. "I''m listening," she replied, her eyes opening a bit more in hope. "I''m going to wait for the breeding program to start for as long as I can," I said. "Autumn bought me a few weeks, I''m thinking maybe even longer than that. But when it does start, I''m making sure you girls are at the top of my list, not the girls of Tater Town." "Do you mean it?" Daisy asked, her eyes glistening happily. "Yes, I do." She looked upward and chewed her lip. I could practically hear the wheels spinning in her pretty head. "So, let''s put it another way. The breeding program has to start with your main girls. So, I have your word that if you get any other monster girls outside of this cabin pregnant, then that means we''re next," she declared. "Agreed?" I chuckled. "That isn''t exactly how I phrased it, but sure. I don''t see a problem with that," I said. I kissed her on the forehead, and she pressed herself into the kiss, letting it happen. "Thank you, honey," she cooed. "I feel a little better." I sighed in relief to hear her call me that again. "I''m glad." The rest of the night she slept with her head on my chest, held tight in my arms. She snored softly and sweetly, but I found myself awake for another hour or two, dwelling on other matters. General Darkmaw knew everything. She knew our names and the names of our friends. She knew about the farm and that it was called a sanctuary. And her designs for me were even more nebulous than I had originally considered. I was entirely clueless as to what she wanted from me--but I needed to spend less time thinking about that, and more time thinking about how to put a stop to her. My brain puzzled over it for far too long, as brains tend to do when there is something keeping them ridden with anxiety. Soon, I felt the sun creeping into our window, and I realized that I must have in fact fallen asleep somehow, as I didn''t recall any transition from night to day. Furthermore there was a notice in my face, my HUD imposing itself in my field of view. Attention! XP no longer frozen. Marked Girl Daisy is content. I sighed in relief, and like a pervert I leaned forward and smelled her hair. The delightful scent of her feminine sweat filled my nostrils as she continued to drool onto my chest. It was a small win, but it was a win nonetheless. In a way, the HUD''s freezing of my XP wasn''t a curse but a blessing. It was way more important that my girls stayed happy than it was for me to constantly be gaining XP. And I realized that that was the point. It was a well designed system that incentivized keeping the needs of my monster girls at the forefront of my mind, and letting me know when I fucked up. Not a perfect solution, but appreciated. And then, as I planted a kiss on Daisy''s head, another notice popped up. New Feat Unlocked: Mood Reader. Do you wish to spend a Feat Point on it? Good news, readers! Incubus RA 2 is available for preorder. It''ll be longer than the original, and even more exciting! The more preorders I get, the bigger priority I''ll make trying to get this one out earlier than the date posted. Thanks for the support! Chapter 24: Bonny and Bucky The songs of the thrushes that whistled in the trees outside the cabin made each morning pleasant, but this morning was even better than the average. Daisy had forgiven me, and I had obtained a new feat for my efforts. Mood Reader: Level 12 Feat Prerequisites: Resolve a harem crisis that has frozen your XP within one hour of discovering the crisis. The Mood Reader feat gives you the following abilities: That last bit was a little unclear to me, but I could extrapolate the meaning. Autumn mentioned the Umbris once before around the time she kidnapped me way back when. From this context, it seemed that the Umbris was the spiritual energy that I expended in order to use my various abilities. So, in other words, I could use Mood Reader all I wanted and not be afraid of exhausting my other abilities. The feat was a no brainer, so I accepted it, expending a feat point, and I turned it on and looked over at May Belle. The heart over her head was completely full, visibly throbbing, as she noticed me glancing over at her. She grinned back coyly, brushing her chocolate colored hair back and batting her eyelashes. I grinned, but kept scanning the room. There was Daisy--this would be interesting. I focused on her and saw that her floating heart icon was only about eighty percent full. It made me wonder how low it had been before the talk. Even she was grinning at me as she adjusted her clothes and stood, stretching and yawning as she began her day. Rainbow Sprinkles heart was currently the most alarming. It appeared to be just over sixty percent full, but even she beamed at me saccharinely as I looked at her. I could guess why Sprinkle was less content than the others. She missed life in the forest, despite what she tried to tell me before, and had trouble being surrounded by so many people sometimes. She often expressed anxiety over not understanding what we were talking about, and even our love life was strained. She obviously was into things that I wasnt adapted to yet, and that no doubt was a point of stress for her. It was something I was working on, but it was slow-going, and I wasnt yet sure just how far Id be willing to push myself. For a moment I regretted taking the feat. It seemed as much a curse as a blessing. Now, all I could think about was how unsatisfied with their lives both Daisy and Sprinkle seemed to be. I felt my jaw clench and beads of sweat dot my brow as my eyes rapidly flitted between them, hoping the values would increase, but they didnt. Autumn suddenly dove through a window with urgency, tumbling on the ground and landing in front of her, her hair looking ruffled and messy as though shed just woken up. She stood up, just a foot from me at most, her eyes wide and urgent. We have a door, I laughed. Theyre coming! Autumn screeched. The other Apex Hero and my sister! Theyre coming! I shot up, and so did everyone else save for Sprinkle. Now!? I asked. Tonight! Autumn squealed, jumping up and down half a dozen times. Theyll be here tonight! I felt my heart slowing as I realized the situation wasnt nearly as urgent as Id originally been made to believe. Tonight is still a full day away, I laughed. Relax. No! And then she leaned close, whispering in my ear very conspicuously since everyone in the room was looking at us. Did you deal with the situation? I nodded. Yep. No worries at the moment. Good, she said, now up to a normal speaking volume again. We need you to head into the forest and kill a bunch of monsters. You need souls. I want you to get at least one more combat feat before they arrive. Theres no guarantee of that, I pointed out. We dont know how many souls I need. Ive been killing monsters for days. Youre close, she grinned. I can feel it. I perked up and cocked my head curiously. Really? Is that a power of yours? Or just you being helplessly optimistic? She didnt answer. Take Bonny with you. Shes a good fighter and I think it would be good for her to observe you in combat so that she and Etherea can imbue your gear with appropriate enhancements in the future. The rest of us will prepare the Sanctuary for their arrival." I noticed Daisy sitting up straight at the mention of Bonnys name. I looked over at her, expecting her to voice some kind of concern or feedback, but she said nothing, just grinning unusually widely. Alright, I said. If youre sure this is the best use of our time. But only because your sister is apparently involved and I love a healthy sibling rivalry. After shes gone, Ill be bossing you around, missy. I wont complain, she grinned. We need the XP. "I wasn''t necessarily referring to--" Boss me around, too, Bucky-Baby, May Belle cooed, placing herself between us. Your favorite little milk cow needs some attention. Excuse you? Daisy squealed in the corner. How presumptuous! I chuckled. This is the dynamic I live for. We sat around the fire pit outside, one holstaur on each knee, and I had my happy fill of their cream while Autumn blissfully prepared a breakfast of cooked carrots and meat from the traps. This ones a rabbit, Autumn frowned. Dont let Bonny see it. I chuckled. Is that a point of tension for monster girls? You bet your sweet ass it is, May Belle shuddered. Dont ever let me catch you eating beef in front of me, unless the source of your sustenance is between my thighs. I decided not to mention the details of my previous career for the moment. After breakfast, I helped out with a few of the early morning chores before Autumn practically shoved me off of the grounds. Go get Bonny! she insisted. Its time! Stop dilly-dallying. I chuckled and headed into the village with Blue trotting beside me. Hed taken to following me around, and that suited me just fine. I enjoyed having him close, but he was a source of some spectacle when we walked through Tater Town. Oh, hi! Bonny said as we approached. She was fastening a buckle to a strap of leather that Vale had likely produced. Her tools were all set out in front of her with the implication that she had a days worth of work still ahead of her. Your armor is coming along well! Glad to hear it, Bonny, I nodded, grinning at her. I patted Blue on the head as he nuzzled me. I hate to impose, but Autumn suggested I ask if you could join me on some forest patrol work. Her floppy bunny ears perked up, and from the angle she stood at I could see her cottontail waggling excitedly at the suggestion. Oh!? I see, I see, I see. Wow. Okay Hmmm, well I do have a lot of work. Is there a reason why you need me today of all days? she asked. A fair question. I guess because tonight another Apex Hero will be coming into town, I shrugged. Autumn was hoping we could slay enough monsters to get me a new selection of feats. Hmmm, feats are a big deal. But why so competitive? Is the other hero a threat? I was taken aback by that. Is there any reason why he would be? She shrugged, biting her lip thoughtfully before answering. Sometimes heroes join the enemy. Greenskins are mostly the spawn of the Goblin Queen and corrupted heroes and breeders. A converted Apex Hero would be bad news indeed. It sounded familiar, but I hadn''t considered the difference an Apex Hero would make compared to the standard fare. My head started wondering how it all worked. Maybe breeders made orcs and goblins while heroes made trolls and ogres? If that were the case, what could I breed out of the queen as an Apex Hero with the Harem Knight feat? Wow, I said. I dont think thats whats going on. I think its a matter of friendly competition between Autumn and her sister. She wants me to be the tougher hero, I chuckled. Wow! I see, I see, she said, crinkling her nose with a cute grin. Okay. I think I can put this off for today. She wiped a bit of sweat from her brow, though her hair was still damp with the stuff. Does this earn me a favor with you? Oh, sure! I said. What did you have in mind? Ive been holding out for a proper hero for a long time, she said, steepling her fingers like she was making a prayer. Word has it youre starting a breeding program in town, and I want to be at the top of the list. I swallowed hard, scratching my back with sudden nerves visible on my face. Oh. Umm, well. Actually, can I ask you something about that? Of course, she said, smiling back at me as though the conversation was as innocent as could be. Mercer was a fixture in town for a long time, right? Why not him? She sighed. Compatibility, for one thing. I just didnt like the man. Not a bad guy, maybe, but not my type either. And I am? You hardly know me, I inquired, my eyebrow tilting further and further upward as the conversation pressed on. True, but us monster girls have something of a sixth sense when it comes to finding a mate. For some reason you just happen to ring my bells in a way Jacob never could. She was chewing on her lip, and I could tell that bashfulness was finally setting in on her face the longer this line of questioning went on. Well, Im not in a huge hurry to start the program, I said. But sure. When it starts, Ill put you near the top. She grinned. Deal. Something about the interaction still left a sour taste in my mouth. Up until that point Id been happily--and blindly--accepting that I was just a fucking stud when it comes to charming monster girls. And it did sound like many of the women in town did find me attractive. On the other hand, it almost seemed supernatural, as though it impacted their free will, and that didnt sit well with me. She called it a sixth sense, but based on everything I''d seen, I wasn''t so sure that was it. Was I taking advantage of a town full of beautiful women who were only into me for some weird magical reason beyond my control, or that had nothing to do with me as a person? If so, then I was a proper bastard. Even my own girls Daisy, May Belle, Sprinkle, Autumn, especially were they only into me because they simply had to be? Autumn mentioned monster girls having the instinct to breed. Did Autumn even love me? For that matter, did May Belle? Daisy? Sprinkle? Or were they only latching onto me for the security I provided? Or prestige, or something like that? Or just some raw instinct to attach themselves to the first hero they came across? My stomach churned and my smile wilted into a clear and obvious frown as these thoughts invasively drilled their way into the back of my mind. Are you alright? Oh my gosh, you look sick all of a sudden! Bonny said, addressing my sudden change in pallor. Im fine, I lied, shaking my head a bit too eagerly. Alright, Im ready to go when you are. Just give me five minutes, she hummed as she went inside to find something. Ill be back in a jiffy. I heard the sounds of her rummaging loudly through equipment and gear, metal clanking on wood and stone, and eventually she emerged with a battle axe that dwarfed her in size. How can you even wield that? I asked in awe. I have 16 in Strength, she grinned back at me proudly. My voice took a low, reverent tone as I reacted to the newly presented fact. Holy shit. Her nose crinkled again as her eyes squinted to see something behind me. Is that Autumn? she said, pointing over my shoulder. I looked behind me, and sure enough, the blonde catgirl was tearing up the hill at a dead sprint. Why are you still here?! she shrieked at me from a few dozen paces away. Oh my freaking Lord! Daylights burning, Bucky! Daylights burning! Jesus. I couldnt help but chortle at the overreaction. I turned to Bonny. Alright, I said. Looks like times up. Lets head out. Part of me wanted to interrogate Autumn on the spot, but I decided it wasnt the time or place, so I bottled my discomfort and headed toward the forest after listening to the catgirl rotate between quietly fuming at me under her breath for wasting time and kissing me on the cheek again and again as she wished me farewell. Blue flew us to the edge of the farm where the trees grew thick and the Watchers Woods began, and for the first time I knew the feeling of Bonnys bodacious bunny body pressed against mine. That was enough to lift my mood--and lift something else. We could have brought Ivy or Sprinkle with us for their knowledge of the forest, but I understood why Autumn didnt want them to come along. First of all, experience points tended to be split more when there were more members in the party, and she was singularly focused on me at the moment. Secondly, and probably more importantly, monsters usually stayed away from Ivy and Sprinkle as they were women of the woods. Not always, mind you, but if the goal was killing monsters, then going in without them was the right idea. We trudged through the thicket carefully, plodding with deliberate steps, trying to toe the line between so quiet that we didnt attract any attention and so loud that we scared lesser monsters away. It was a tough line to straddle. But eventually, I heard a rustling in the trees above us. I held my hand out, to stop Bonny and she walked right into my open palm. I accidentally copped a feel, and it was glorious, but I didnt have time to think about the exquisite softness and pillowy goodness of her bosom. It wasnt the right moment to concern myself with the texture of her skin above the strap she wore across her breast, how I felt her skin go taut and goosebumped at my touch, or how I noticed the slightest aroused gasp emitting from her lips. I didnt have the luxury of time or the mental bandwidth to process how delicious her bunny girl nipples would-- Somehow I was still caught by surprise as half a dozen shadowy creatures, waist-height, fell down from the treetops, thunking on the ground on all sides of us. They moved like shadows, too, dark and hard to track against the canopy-shrouded duff, but they were very real and closing in. Forest Shades, Bonny giggled, lifting her enormous axe as though it were a trivial thing for a little bunny girl to do. Brace yourself, Mr. Drake. This is gonna be fun. Chapter 25: Feats and Company virgilknightley The grim dusky impish entities seemed to be both living vapors and solid creatures at the same time. It almost gouged at the mind just to look at them, trying to make sense of exactly what they were, but it was impossible to puzzle them out in a single glance. Their shadowy bodies were abuzz with some kind of pulsating purple electricity that seemed to me to have the job of holding their forms together. The areas where the electricity was visibly coursing also had the most solid appearance. I kept my peripheral vision fixated on Bonny, waiting to see if shed take action first. She seemed to know what these things were and, thankfully, their presence didnt appear to bother her much. In fact, the tone of her voice sounded downright giddy when shed identified them. Following your lead, I muttered, gripping my lance and raising it in its sword-form. It was like I just set the hounds loose with those words. The shades moved to attack us, but Bonny was too fast, striking them with the force and speed of lightning as she swung her comically large battle axe out in front of her. The red sweep of her axe was easy to identify. She used Cleave to carve through half of them in one go, but it looked like she intentionally grazed them. Finish them, Mr. Drake, she said. My eyes flashed open with purpose. I used my Dash power to make my way over to her and strike down her stunned targets with my own Cleave. I felt the souls of the Forest Shades course into my blade and through me, their absorption completed. Meanwhile the other shades were bearing down. Bonny fended them off, keeping me clear of their assaults while I righted myself and readied my next attack. My weapon burned hot and glowed red as flames danced from its shimmering blade. Poised to strike, I lunged forward with the combination of Cleave and Flame Sword, easily ripping through the other three shades, taking their souls into me as well. I looked around. Is that it? I said, almost disappointed. Why did they even bother attacking? Forest Shades are mindless troublemakers, Bonny explained, slinging her axe over her shoulder. She wasnt the same fidgety bunny girl anymore. Her brown pigtails were a bit messier now, but the woman herself looked settled and comfortable in a way that Id never seen her. Usually Bonny was a nervous wreck, at least in my experience with her, but out here in the midst of battle, she was poetry in motion. The fluidity of her movements reminded me of a deadly ballet. A tiny bead of sweat dripped down her cheek, but she was otherwise entirely unflustered by the effort she just put into the battle. Her light brown bunny ears were floppy now, rather than perking straight up like they sometimes did, and I wondered what that meant, if anything. I supposed that it might mean that she was relaxed. If so, it almost scared me that she could be so calm and chill immediately after easily setting up six kills for me. She was a deadly ally indeed. Her tanned skin and big hazel eyes looked at me eagerly for further instructions, but at the moment I was just trying not to gawk. Not about her beauty, by the way--though she was gorgeous, and her twitchy nose was always charming. I was just in awe of her. What level are you? I asked. Im the highest level in town, she said. 23. 23! I repeated incredulously. You could kick my ass! She giggled. Probably not, she said. Heroes and, I imagine, Apex Heroes have similar attributes to monster girls but they tend to be able to do more with them. For example, while I have 16 in strength, its probably comparable to if you had 14. Likewise, I expect my moves to be less potent. Looked pretty fuckin potent to me, I said, recalling the size of her Cleave. Thank you, Mr. Drake, she gushed, grabbing her reddening cheek with her free hand. Shall we continue? Or did you access a new feat selection? My expression went dim as I studied my HUD. So far, no new selections. Thats alright, she said, twirling her enormous axe between her fingers. I felt the fanning of the axe-blade chill my skin. Its still early, and I could do this all day. Ill bet you could, I chuckled, eyeing her up and down. It wasnt meant to be a horny gaze, but I could tell she took it as one. Mmmm, Mr. Drake, out here in the forest? she cooed, letting her axe touch the ground. I mean, Im not opposed to it Oh no, I didnt mean--I just meant-- Its alright, she said, grinning at me. I dont mind. I wouldnt be offended if you bred me right up against that tree. Im ready for motherhood. I felt my own face go red. Jesus Christ, I mumbled. No, sorry, we should stay on task for today. Ill get you one of these days, she giggled, twirling one of her pigtails. I have no doubt of that, I seethed through a hot gasp, tugging at my collar for air before adjusting my pants. Fuck, did it get muggy in this forest all of a sudden? We continued our trek through the woods, slaying every monster we came across. Most of them were weak and of little threat, and I figured they probably required quite a grind for their souls to be worth all that much, but it was better than nothing. The big breakthrough did come, though, in the form of a Corrupted Treant, a spirit of the forest that took the form of an uprooted tree that had sprouted legs and arms and a wicked face. It found us in a clearing where it could move freely, and I tried to kite it into the woods with us to bring it to a disadvantage, but it wouldnt play ball with that. It hung back, happy to let us escape if it meant not having to face us where it had an obvious disadvantage, but in the end we werent about to walk away. We could pick at it from a distance, I suggested. I threw my lance at it, but it dodged with a weird speed you wouldnt expect from a lumbering tree monster. I grunted in disappointment as my lance reappeared back in my hands. When I said I had all day, I didnt mean that I had all day to fight like a pussy, Mr. Drake, she teased, making me feel a bit meek. I charged forward, not willing to have my confidence compromised by a cute bunny girl, and I took my minotaur form, the man-bull, and rammed head first into the tree creature. It stumbled backwards from the strike, and I felt its trunk crack from the force of my blow, but its branches reached down and tried to lift me off of the ground for some kind of suplex. Thats when Bonny came in and slashed those same branches with her stupidly huge axe. I grasped another branch and ripped it straight off, and the treant gurgled its discontent. A low, anguished growl hissed through the clearing as we started stripping the arms off the treant until it was just a standing piece of timber with a creepy face. Still in minotaur form, I summoned my lance and used Flame Sword to bring down fiery destruction on what was left of the tree as it tried feebly to run away. Now ablaze, it fell over, writhing in agony until the fire had burnt out the wick of its life. The soul of the treant swam through my lance and into my body, and I was greeted with the long-awaited message. Feat Selection Unlocked. Choose from one of the following feats. Some of these feats may reappear in future selections. Holy fucking shit. Every damn thing on the list was a game changer in different ways. I felt relieved to see that they would likely return as options in the future, but there was apparently no guarantee. Bonny, I said, my voice low and focused, Im looking at the feats. Any good ones? she grinned. I didnt respond, my eyes flitting across the options again and again. Should I take your silence as a yes? She giggled at me, her hand cupping her mouth. Sorry. Yeah, shit. I have two feat points remaining. Can I take two from this list? She frowned. I dont know. What are you thinking about taking? Breeding Stud didnt look particularly good to me personally, but if I was going to have kids, I wanted them to have every advantage in life. And it kinda felt like I was going to have a lot of kids, even with my present company. That, I figured, was top priority, no matter how suboptimal it seemed from a mission-based perspective. It was a hard pill to swallow, but it was the morally responsible choice. Breeding Stud, I said, reddening a bit. Oh, fuck yeah, Bonny groaned under her breath. I ignored that. And Blade Bond sounds good. Her eyes went wide. Thats a good one. I know a hero who passed on Blade Bond once and regretted it since. It never reappeared? I asked, listening carefully. What she was about to say may very well change my decision. No. It never reappeared since the first time he saw it. I sighed. Shit. Should I take that or Breeding-- Breeding Stud, she said. Im not sure what it does, but it sounds pretty ideal for someone about to start a breeding program involving many women. Though, admittedly, I''m biased. It really does sound ideal given that, I admitted. Fuck. What a painful choice. Maybe you can choose both? she suggested my own idea back to me. Try selecting both at the exact same time. Just see what happens? I nodded. I willed the selection and Feats taken: Breeding Stud, Blade Bond You have spent two feats points. You have one feat point remaining. Please mark more monster girls or continue leveling up to unlock additional feat points. Markable Monster Girl Slots: 0/3 remaining. Perform heroics and complete quests to unlock more slots. Yes, I said, pumping my fist victoriously. The rest of the selections vanished, though, so I''d have to hope that the next list of feats I earned was just as good. I still had one more point to spend, it seemed. Must have come in when I hit level 15, but it was weird because I didn''t notice it before. Might have gotten muddled up in the system with Daisy''s drama, I figured. It worked!? Bonny asked excitedly, hopping up and down in place. I looked at the lance in my hands and watched it fade into the ether around us. You tell me, I grinned. And in the space of a wink, it was back. Im so jealous! she giggled, but she looked genuinely happy for me despite her words. Her bunny ears perked up excitedly, and her pigtails bounced as she continued to hop circles around the clearing. After a minute or so of this, me just watching her blissfully, she stopped abruptly. Oh. Oh, yes, yes. Should we go back now? I sighed, suddenly aware of the time. It was already late in the afternoon. The girls would likely start to fret soon. Yeah, I agreed. Its time. Good good good! I can still get some work done before its too dark, she said, and she ran up to me and threw her arm around mine, which surprised me, and she could tell from my flinching. Oh. Oh no, oh no! Im so sorry, she said, backing off suddenly. I thought-- Its alright, I said, smiling. Im happy were building some rapport here. I just wasnt expecting that is all. I patted her on the head and she her eyes went narrow with a wide grin that elevate her cheeks adorably. Good good good, she cooed. I just thought with you being the father of my future daughters, after all, we should You know. Maybe its okay if I show you some affection? Sometimes? Well grow into it, I chuckled. Ive got a lot of affection in my life. I dont think a little more is going to kill me. She giggled cutely. Yes yes, of course, yes. I dont mean to impose. This whole time, her giant battle axe was slung over her shoulder like it was a fishing pole or something. It honestly didnt lessen the attractiveness of her demeanor or bunny features, but it did distract from them a bit, especially when she stood so close to me with that thing flinging around, but I realized more and more the longer we spoke that she was in perfect control of it, and by that point Id stopped worrying. As we exited the forest, we were greeted by two holstaurs and a unicorn girl who all greedily tackled me. My boobies are so full, Bucky-Baby, May Belle practically hissed in my ear. Not half as full as mine, Daisy whined. "If you don''t milk me first, I''ll scream." Rainbow Sprinkle had to have her say, too. I want to cut you open and lick the wound shut again and again, my Bucky. I love you, I love you so much! That last one was woefully different from the previous two greetings, but it did make me chuckle with a sort of What the fuck is my life? energy. Bonny just giggled. I see what you mean about having enough affection in your life already. I''m jealous. Daisy looked up at her with a sudden and suspicious look in her eyes that slightly triggered my danger sense. Oh, Bonny, she said in a low voice. I have something for you. Why dont you come with me? Everyone''s need for milking and bloodletting was thankfully forgotten for the moment as the two of them skedaddled off as Sprinkle and May Belle took me back to the bonfire where Autumn was doing her best not to ruin dinner--and failing, mostly, but the effort was appreciated. Fucking hell, she groaned. This shit is impossible. Youre steaming carrots, I said, laughing. How hard can it be? She shrugged. Daisy bagged up most of our carrots as a gift to Bonny, so I figured Id just use the leftovers. Now theyre all burnt. She frowned. I am so bad at this. If my sister saw me now, cooking carrots over a fire pit Well if she judges you, shes a piece of shit. Bucky! May Belle giggled, surprised by my sudden declaration. I mean it. Youre amazing. All of you. And weve already come a long way. Autumn smiled weakly up at me as she served the crispy carrots to us in a clay bowl. What did Daisy give away all our carrots to Bonny for, though? I asked. Not that I mind. Shes helping us out a ton. I imagine its to say thanks for everything. The armor she''s working on, your lance, and helping you on your patrol today, she shrugged. But then her eyes went up like she was remembering something. Though she did mumble something about a game. A game? I asked, and I looked over at the cabin where Daisy was making the exchange, handing the salivating bunny girl a large sack full of fresh carrots. The look between them was decidedly conspiratorial, and when they flashed me a wicked grin I felt the hairs prick up on the back of my neck. Shit, somethings going down. I doubt its anything to worry about. Daisy adores you, and Bonny seems to be a growing fan of yours as well, she noted. I activated my Mood Reader feat. Sure enough, Daisys satisfaction had risen slightly, maybe closing in on about ninety percent. Sprinkle was still hovering at around sixty percent, though. When Autumns sister was finished with her visit, that had to be a top priority for me to address. Maybe it needed to be brought up even sooner than that, in some quiet moment when I had the chance to sneak her away for a talk. But May Belle, still pressed tightly to me, her arms around mine, was settled decidedly at one hundred percent satisfaction. She was humming something as she lay her head on my shoulder, and I couldn''t help but smile at her sweet voice. Mmmm, Bucky-Baby, she cooed at the end of her song. What? I asked her. Nothing, she said, kissing me on the cheek. I just like saying your name. Bucky-Baby. No sooner had I finished my meal than did we notice a dark shadow being cast down on our fields from the sky. It wasnt even night yet, but the black dragon-steed of Aldon Murphy, the goth Harry Potter, was descending upon us, growing ever larger as he and Autumns sister came in for their landing. With an elegant thump, they appeared before us, and I stood to meet them, walking up with May Belle on my arm, and Autumn grabbing my hand. Daisy and Bonny came and stood behind us, as well, and Ivy, too, interrupted her watering of the crops to stand by my side. I smiled and waved politely as the other Apex Hero and his catgirl partner sized me up. I remembered her name was Winter, and I could see why. Her hair was white as snow, but she otherwise looked almost identical to Autumn, the only other difference being her tail and ears were black, and her outfit was sort of a medieval-inspired gothic lolita pastiche. Her and Aldon were a perfect aesthetic match. It was hard to tell if they were romantically entwined in any way, though I did notice just how tightly shed pressed herself against his back until the moment they dismounted the dragon-steed. The beasted bucked and whinnied excitedly as they got off. Settle down there, Blackie, Aldon said, soothing his beast. I noticed Winter rolling her eyes at the mention of the dragons name. I looked at Autumn smugly, and her resulting eye-roll mirrored her sisters. I took a deep breath, ready to launch into some kind of welcoming speech, but was interrupted by the fierceness of Aldons appraising gaze. He looked over my gorgeous entourage, his expression starting cold and calculating, but thawing into one of open confusion. He took one look at me, looked at the cabin, looked back at the girls, and then shot one final look at Winter. And then he spoke. What the fresh fuck did we walk in on, Winnie? Side Smut 4: Daisy Kept Waiting (◆◆) virgilknightley Here''s a cropped teaser of Daisy''s finished art in the Patreon! You can find the full, uncensored version here. You''ll also find up to chapter 30 of MGS and chapter 3 of my new series, MGC, as well as some bonus side smut! NOTE: It''s worth a reminder that side smut doesn''t happen chronologically at the same place in the story as the surrounding chapters. It''s side-content that occurs at a non-specific moment, but can be considered canon. In many ways, the best part of my day is coming home at the end of a long evening patrol with my dragon-steed. The girls had fallen into the habit of taking turns greeting me when Blue and I arrived home. When we landed behind the cabin, I got a little thrill each day wondering who it would be to come out and receive me. I crossed around the house, my footsteps intentionally heavy, cracking every twig I could to be certain that my girls had heard me arrive. I resisted the urge to peer through the window at my beauties, instead opting to allow myself the joy of being properly surprised. I was not disappointed when I reached the front of the cabin and saw Daisy standing by the door, leaning against the logs of the cabin exterior, a pretty pout on her perfect face. "You made me wait so long, you dick," she groaned. "Humph!" She jerked her head violently to the side to face away from me, and I couldn''t stop myself grinning at her cute protestations. "Sorry," I said. "It was a lovely night. Maybe I''ll take you up with me next time." She looked at me shyly, and then looked away, feigning irritation. "I don''t like heights." I grinned. "That''s a shame," I said. "It''s a beautiful view up there. The only thing that would make it more beautiful would be sharing it with you." "Humph!" she repeated the sound, but she was blushing now, fighting the urge to let her lips curl into a smile. Her arms crossed in front of her, mashing her breasts together exquisitely. My libido was taking over. "Cheesy line. You think I''m so easy to manipulate, don''t you? Just say a few nice words and I''ll give it up for you. Is that it?" I took a step forward and she gasped, her head turning to face mine, her lips quivering softly. God, she was a vision in the moonlight. Her long golden-brown ponytail hung lusciously down her back, with a few messy strands that draped over her shoulders in the most alluring way. Her eyes almost perfectly matched her hair, and they were so big and gorgeous that I had to fight the urge to stare into them as though I was possessed. And her body. Jesus God Almighty, her fucking body. To call it perfect was sinfully inadequate. A supermodel''s body was perfect. Daisy''s body was godly. Erotically busty, yet enticingly petite, with a flat stomach and just the tiniest hint of abs. Her long, slender legs ended in a pair of cow hooves that, while odd, did little to distract me from her luscious curves. Her other bovine features, such as her cow ears and her wildly flicking cowtail, only enhanced her beauty in some inexpressible way. And then there were the titties. Lord God, Lamb of God, the breasts on this girl. I found myself going mad internally, my heart thumping with insane ferocity in my chest as I took in the divine sight of her breasts. To call her busty did little to conjure up the right image. She was the perfect edge of when breasts went from beautifully huge to ''getting ridiculous''. As I stepped closer to her, I could faintly smell the cream from her nipples drenching her brown and white cowprint top. "What are you doing?" she asked skeptically, her voice aflutter with nerves. "Nothing," I said, cupping one hand on her hot, blushing cheek. She turned to look away, but then looked back up at me. Slowly, she closed her eyes and angled her head slightly upward, her lips quivering, wordlessly pleading with me for a kiss. I grinned, pleased with myself. I leaned in and gave my little holstaur exactly what she wanted, placing my arms around her waist and kissing her gently. She sighed, her voice almost bearing an airy, musical quality to it as her hands came up to glide through my hair, pressing me against her soft breasts. It was heaven. I kissed her again, a little harder, and her arms wrapped around my neck, pulling me tighter against her. "Don''t think this means I forgive you," she whimpered. I scoffed at that, fighting back a throaty laugh. "Forgive me for what?" "For making me wait!" she said. "You were gone so long. Tonight''s my night, and you kept me waiting for-fucking-ever." I grinned at her, planting a few more pecks on her forehead and nose. "Then I''ll make sure it was worth the waiting." She smiled weakly, but looked away with crimson cheeks. "You''d better. Take responsibility." "For what? Being late?" She shook her head, still refusing to make eye contact, but she lifted up her loincloth. My eyes immediately shot down, and I saw her mound was already sopping wet, dripping her girl juice on the ground. "Oh my God," I muttered, my tongue salivating from the sight. "Now you see," she whined, finally stealing a look at me. "It''s all for you. Don''t waste it, okay? Humph! You dick." "Never," I said, and I got down on my knees in front of her and gripped her thighs tight, pulling them apart. She leaned back against the cabin exterior and moaned softly. "What are you doing?" she groaned in an airy tone. "Don''t look at it so closely! That''s humiliating!" "Taking responsibility," I said. "Relax." She said nothing else, her muscles finally relaxing as her heavenly slit dripped onto my tongue as I hovered closer. When I felt her anticipation at the boiling point, I dove in, sucking her clit between my lips and running my tongue along the length of her pussy lips. "Oohhh!" she squealed, pushing her hips against me, grinding her cunt into my face. "Bucky! Oh, by Paragon''s grace!" I smiled up at her, watching her eyes roll back in her head as she continued to grind into me, her mouth open and gasping. I pulled myself off her clit, leaving a trail of her sweet juices on her skin, and plunged my tongue back inside her depths, licking her slowly, teasingly. I massaged her insides lovingly with the tip of my tongue, tasting every corner her womanly clench as her knees buckled and she crumbled against me, but I held her up by my own power. "Mmmmmm," she moaned. "So good. So...good." Her breathing became ragged and labored, and I knew that she was close to the end of round one. I sucked her clit into my mouth, circling it with my tongue, and she thrust her hips hard against my face, moaning like a deprived virgin. I felt her juices begin to flow more heavily, and I moved my lips from her sensitive nub to her outer folds, cleaning up her mess with my tongue. "Fuck," she gasped. "This is it. I''m cumming, honey! Ohhh!" I licked her all the way through her orgasm, savoring the taste of her sweet girl-cum, and she screamed out her release, her body shaking violently as she shuddered and clenched against me. I released her and she collapsed limply on the ground, her legs splayed wide and her face now below mine, looking up at me. I met her on the ground and gave her a kiss. "So lewd," she whined. "I can taste my own cum on your lips." Daisy giggled at the realization, though, seemingly unbothered by it. "Am I still in trouble?" I asked teasingly. "Or am I off the hook." Her face went almost blood red once again. "You need to earn it," she said. "I won''t forgive you just yet. Humph!" Her acting was at its worst just after an orgasm. I smiled at her cute show of resistance as my hands grabbed her by the ass and hoisted her onto my lap. She moaned in spite of herself. "Nice sexy noise," I said. "It wasn''t for you," she whined. "I was just... surprised." I chuckled. "Sounded like you enjoyed the surprise." "Don''t be so--" Whatever she was going to say, she stopped the moment I descended onto her tits, suckling the left breast like it was my one true vocation. The taste of her vanilla-flavored milk was invigorating, and as I swallowed I instantly felt empowered and even further aroused. "Ohhh honey," she whined, and then she paused, hesitating over something. "Can you do it for me?" she asked. "Do what?" I asked back, really needing some clarification. She buried her face in my hair as I suckled her teat. "Don''t make me say it, honey, please." Ahh. I grinned so tightly she probably felt my lips curl as I was still latched to her nipple. I pulled off, releasing her nub with a wet plop. "Oh, you mean... calling you that?" "Yeah. Oh fuck, yeah. Please." "You got it, sweety." I scratched her neck and massaged her right breast. "You''re such a good little dairy cow." She moaned harshly into my arm. "Ohh fuck, Bucky. Mooo!" I giggled. "Such a sexy milk cow." "Am I yours, Bucky?" she asked, her voice breathy and hot. "Of course. You''re my personal cow," I grinned, latching back onto her breast. The cream flowed even more freely now. I could practically feel it sloshing inside her mammaries as I cupped them in my hand, massaging them as I lapped up at her nipple. "I''m your little bovine slut, honey. Only yours," she moaned. "Moo!" I chuckled. It was cute, but damn, it was also weirdly hot. My cock was getting so hard that it was actually lifting her up slightly. I could feel her sopping wetness even through my pants. "Say it, honey," she moaned. "Say I''m only yours!" "You''re, mine," I groaned, fumbling to liberate my cock from my pants with urgency. "Your cow!" she cried out. "Ohhh fuck, I''m your little milk cow! Mooo!" I lifted her up, and she reached down instinctively and guided my cock up against her entrance, brushing her pink folds, and she immediately began to gush, her juices flowing down my shaft and over my balls. Her whole body trembled and she squealed, her eyes rolling back in her head. I hadn''t even gotten inside her yet. "Oh gods, oh gods, I''m gonna cum! I''m gonna cum!" she shrieked. I grinned, pushing forward and burying myself to the hilt inside her pussy, feeling her warmth envelop me. I kissed her neck as she climaxed, enjoying the sound of her moaning loudly and the sight of her arching her back, pressing her breasts even more tightly against my face. I kept going, my hands squeezing her tits, pulling her nipples and pinching them gently, and she moaned in ecstasy, her entire body shuddering. Milk leaked from her tips like I''d just opened the tap, and my hands were covered with her thick, creamy, heavenly goodness. "Mooo!" she screamed. "Honey, oh fuck! Mooooo!" "Oh my God," I laughed, groaning at the same time as my cock was massaged by her wanton, clenching inner walls. "You''re so fucking sexy." "I''m your cum cow," she whimpered. "I''m your... fuck me!" I pushed her legs apart and shoved her knees back, driving into her as deep as I could. She wrapped her arms around my neck, kissing me passionately, and I thrust into her again and again, my cock pounding into her depths as we both moaned and grunted in unison. "Fuck, how are you still so tight!?" I gasped. The strength of her clench, even as wet as it was, was insane to experience. "Moo!" she cried out, her voice raspy. "Cum in me, honey! Fill me up with your man milk!" I did just that, spurting my seed deep inside her womb. I collapsed on top of her, my body trembling as my heart pounded wildly. Daisy''s breathing was heavy, too, and she kissed me tenderly, our tongues touching. "That was amazing," she said, breaking away. We both panted, holding each other tight. But then the attitude came back. "But you''re still not off the hook." "Aww come on," I chuckled in disbelief. "Don''t laugh at me!" she said, but she was nuzzling her face into my chest and practically purring like a catgirl. "You''re the worst, I swear." "I''m the best." She giggled. "You drive me crazy sometimes, though." I stroked her smooth, flawless naked back and nipped at her cow ear playfully. "In the best ways." She paused, quiet for a moment. "Don''t tell May Belle about this," she said. "I think May Belle is well aware that we have sex," I said, stroking her golden brown hair, now messy, the ponytail practically undone. "I don''t mean that... I mean, the cow stuff." Her voice was suddenly ridden with post-orgasm shame. I chuckled and kissed her forehead. "Honey, we''re leaning against the cabin. I think there''s a strong chance they heard everything." Her eyes went wide with mortification at the realization, and her cheeks redder than I''d ever seen them before. "Oh fuck!" she groaned. "I could die!" "Please don''t," I chuckled. "That''d kill me, too." After a few moments of tender kisses and snuggles on the grass just outside the cabin, Daisy and my eyes met, locking on each other. "Do you forgive me?" I asked. She made a dramatic face to try to show how deeply she was considering the question, then, to my genuine surprise, she answered, "No. Humph! You need to work much harder than that." "You are the most difficult girl to please in my harem," I chuckled, sighing openly. Daisy''s eyes batted cutely, though it was a sort of worried expression. "I''m sorry," she offered meekly. "Am I... worth it?" The question immediately struck me as incredibly stupid. In this world, fewer things were more obvious to me than the fact that Daisy was worth every bit of sweat I expended for her. Hell, being the only one who kind of put up a show of resistance against my affection now and then, it made her something of a welcome change every once in a while. She was perfect just how she was, an incredible complement to the other girls I''d been blessed with. "You''re worth it," I said, planting a wet kiss on her lips. "My little cow." She grinned up at me, pulling back from the kiss. "Moooo!" she said. "That means ''I love you'' in cow-speak." "Moooo right back at you," I grinned. We didn''t even bother to head back inside for another couple of hours. Although we''d endure a lot of bitter complaints from May Belle the next morning, things like "You never call me a cow like that," and "Daisy, you were way too horny! No one could sleep!", it didn''t do anything to erase the bliss of our night together. Difficult as she could be, Daisy was a lot of things to me, and ''fucking worth it'' was right at the top of the list. Billy the Barbarian 5 is releasing tomorrow!! Chapter 26: Take the Tour I was suddenly very aware of just how odd my situation must look to the edgelord wizard. Surrounded by beautiful monster girls on a bustling farm, having very clearly put down roots, my approach to the hero life stood in stark contrast to his own at even the most passing of glances. He was still decked out in black leather armor, just as I recalled him, but his cloak was more tattered and worn than before, and some stubble had settled on his face. I remembered him well from my brief encounter with him when we''d met the gods and I was... singled out in a rather awkward way. "Autumn," the white-haired catgirl said, nodding politely, but her expression was anything but warm or visibly happy to see her sister. "Winter," my blonde catgirl said through partially clenched teeth. "I hope your flight was comfortable." "The weather was shit," she groaned, dusting something off of her shoulder. "We got rained on twice. But it was fine." "Sorry to hear that," I grunted, and I was. I''d been rained on while riding Blue before, and it was anything but pleasant. "Sorry to hear it was fine? Or that we got rained on?" she said, wryly smirking at me. "The latter," I said, chuckling. I took their hands to shake them in a cordial greeting, and the gesture seemed to break some of the awkward tension. "And welcome." "I''m going to need some hard and fast facts about what the fuck is going on here," Aldon said, looking around, trying not to stare at my girls. Every man could identify that look in another, when you catch them consciously fighting the urge to gawk at a pretty girl--that stiff upper lip, the too-focused gaze at a safe point. At the moment, the stare was mostly fixed on me, though I could tell by the flaring of his nostrils and the twitching of his scar-surrounded eye that he desperately wanted to bask in the sight of all my ladies. I didn''t blame him. I spent most of my freetime doing just that. Autumn looked at me, crossing her arms across her chest. "I''ll leave that to Bucky." Her grin was sly, like she knew the awkward position she was leaving me in. I tried to think fast. "Well, geez, let''s take a seat around the fire and chat," I said, gesturing toward the fire pit, but Aldon shook his head in refusal. "I''ve been sitting for two whole days," he replied. "I don''t mind standing, do you?" "In that case, let''s have a walk-around," I suggested, and we started a tour of the farm. It didn''t take that long to make our way around the grounds, but we kept the walk going in circles to no protest. Winter in particular seemed eager to be on her feet, stopping to stretch surprisingly often. It wasn''t bad to watch her stretch, either, and Autumn definitely noticed my noticing, slapping me on the back of the head and hissing at me for looking when Aldon''s head was turned. "She looks like you," I whispered, gripping the sore spot. "It''s a compliment, right?" "She looks nothing like me!" Autumn hoarsely screeched back under her breath. "You are insatiable, Bucky Wilbur Drake!" I scoffed hard, almost choking. They were identical but for the hair and fur as far as I could tell. Even their body types were pretty much the same--tight and petite with just enough boob and ass to keep things interesting. As we made our way around the grounds, I did my best to explain everything succinctly without self-incriminating my laziness too blatantly. "So, I moved into this site after rescuing two holstaurs nearby just a minute or two after arriving in Lusteria. Not wanting to abandon them when they clearly depended on me, I started this sanctuary as sort of a home for displaced monster girls and elf refugees scattered by the Goblin Queen''s forces. I basically decided to lock down the regional security of the Watcher''s Woods territory, and we''ve been in a couple skirmishes with General Darkmaw and currently have our eye on the keep to the north run by General Keenfury." "You''re planning on taking out Keenfury?" Aldon asked, impressed by the sound of things. I breathed a sigh of relief as I continued my string of half-truths and bullshits. "I''m still in the reconnaissance phase. I''d like to know what I''m walking into, but I do regular flyovers under cover of darkness," I said, trying to sound like I knew what I was talking about. "You''ll meet Blue later." "Not bad," he nodded. "And cool name for your dragon. I figured you''d turn out to be some kind of hornball loser from the look of you at the Summoning Ceremony." I laughed nervously. "Ha. Ha. No, that''s... Whaaat." He gave me a weird look, but then moved on. "So these monster girls," he said, gesturing to the entourage that had greeted him with me minutes before. "They''re under your protection?" "Damn straight they are," I said. That part was absolutely the truth. "Very good," he said. "Honorable. I like your idea of establishing a defensible territory and giving a new life to refugees and victims of the Goblin Queen. But you need walls. You need turrets and scouts on your perimeter. You have to get organized. That one scantily clad wood elf I noticed when flying in isn''t going to cut it." I nodded. "You''re right, of course. We got paid a visit by Darkmaw last night, actually." His good eye went wide. "Really. Tell me about her." "She''s a shifter, like me. She turns into--" "What do you mean ''like you''?" he asked, putting a hand on my chest to cut me off. The overly familiar gesture took me by surprise. "My subclass feat is Shifter." "I wasn''t offered that feat," he said matter-of-factly, as though something seemed off about it. I thought about it. "Oh," I grunted, recalling the likely reason why. "It has a prerequisite." He nodded, letting go of me. We got back to our stroll. "I see. What was the prereq?" I swallowed hard. "I got another feat before it. Unlocked through, uh, special quests." Shit. Fuck. Here we fuckin'' go. "What quests?" he asked, still nodding, not apparently clocking my evasiveness. "I..." I looked at Autumn. Her face showed none of my anxiety. At the moment, the only women with us were our catgirls, and I didn''t expect Autumn to blab, so I hoped she could rescue me. The look she returned me was one of confusion. It said, rather plainly, ''The fuck is your problem? Tell him!'' My heart was thumping in my chest as I prepared to speak, seeing no recourse available. I almost sobbed as my voice creaked out the truth. "I got blowjobs from five girls in one night, so that unlocked the Harem Knight feat." Predictably, we came to a grinding halt. Aldon slowly turned to me, giving me a look that was impossible to interpret with his messed up face. Then he turned his head to Winter. "Did I just have a fucking stroke? Did he really say what I think he said?" I blushed. Autumn giggled, but Winter looked shocked. "How did you know the prerequisite for that feat? How did you know to try for it?" "I didn''t," I shrugged. "It just kinda happened." "That''s just a normal weekday evening around here," Autumn said, trying not to laugh. Aldon''s face had sunken considerably. "My mood has taken a sudden and serious turn." "Understandable," I nodded. "I tried to be discreet for as long as I could." "It was appreciated," he sighed. "I was afraid it was something like this. I assume you''ve marked Autumn, then?" he asked, and then he looked over at her. "I''m sorry if that''s a rude question." I blushed, but Autumn didn''t. "No, he hasn''t marked me yet. He marked the two holstaurs and the unicorn girl." "Three?? And what unicorn girl?" Aldon said, looking around in befuddlement. I laughed. "I guess you can''t see her." "How can you?" Winter asked. "There are only two types of men that are supposed to be able to see unicorns." "Two?" Autumn said. "I thought it was just virgins. And women, of course." "Virgins, yes, but also those who are truly pure of heart." "Well, my unicorn is a little... broken," I shrugged, looking over at Sprinkle as she ripped a squirrel in half. I sighed, watching her make the blood rain down on her face and breasts. Aldon apparently truly registered none of it, but I could tell from Winter''s horrified expression that she witnessed everything. "You marked her?" she asked. "Yep," I said. "She''s not so bad when you get to--" "My Bucky!" Sprinkle''s high and sweet voice shouted over to us at exactly that moment. "I am saving some blood for us to drink together when your friends leave!" I grimaced, swallowing hard as I did my best not to look over at Sprinkle, opting instead to keep uncomfortable eye contact with Winter. "We take it one day at a time." "So you''ve marked three girls, but not your catgirl?" Aldon asked, seeking that bit of clarification for some reason. "Yeah," I shrugged. Winter was starting to look a bit nervous. "I insisted he do the unicorn first." Autumn looked at her sister pointedly. "For the boons." "This is so fucked up," Winter moaned. "What the hell kind of hero operation are you running here, sis? You can''t even be level 5 with all this fucking going on. How could he mark three?" "You forget," Aldon said. "Fucking is how he gets his XP boost." "He''s level 16," Autumn declared proudly, looking right at her sister for her reaction. Winter''s eyes flickered in shock, but she didn''t gasp or offer any other satisfaction to her sister. "Holy shit," Aldon said. "I''m level 9." "Levels don''t matter much for him," Winter quickly interjected. "He has the magic of Esoterica." "So does the Witch Queen," Autumn pointed out with genuine caution. "And she was supposedly a teacher there. Don''t depend on your magic too much." Winter scoffed. "We''ll be fine." "So, wait," I said, squinting at Aldon. "Did you mark Winter?" He shrugged. "Well yeah. She told me everyone marks their catgirl." Autumn grinned toothily, looking at her sister with a look of grim satisfaction. "Oh, did she now?" Winter''s face flushed so pink that it made her hair seem somehow even whiter. "W-well, it''s very common," she stammered. "And it provides plenty of benefits. It''s a symbiotic relationship that way." He looked at her confused. "You mean I didn''t have to do it?" She looked up at him, her usually stern eyes suddenly glistening with nerves. "Technically no. Are you mad?" He shrugged and laughed the question off like it was the silliest concern imaginable. "No way. I had sex." "And anal," I added. "And head," he agreed. "I hope she still puts out," Autumn said, shooting an accusatory eye at her sister. "Good lookin'' out," Aldon chuckled as he patted Winter on the butt. "But she''s a keeper, no worries." "This is a very undignified conversation," the white-haired catgirl protested, but she looked more than a little relieved that her secret was out and Aldon hadn''t blown up at her for it. We headed back to the cabin. "This is where we sleep," I said, sliding the door open and letting them look inside. "It''s a bit small for all of us, isn''t it?" Aldon noted. "Aldon!" Winter hissed. "Manners! We''ll sleep outside like we always do, it''s fine." She looked at Autumn and me apologetically, raising folding her hands together pleadingly. "Really, it''s fine." "We can definitely put you up at the inn in town or set up a tent for you at the very least. How long are you staying?" I asked. The two of them looked at each other. "Well, we were initially planning on passing through and just seeing how well you had things under control." "And?" I asked. "What are you thinking now?" I smiled politely, but was kind of afraid of the answer from the tone of his voice. "I wouldn''t mind sticking around for a few days. Maybe we could help you out with your wolf problem," Aldon suggested, looking to Winter for approval. She gave it with a nod. "Perhaps the two of you could team up for Keenfury''s Keep, too. With both of you working together, and the enemy having no idea what''s coming, you could probably do some serious damage. By the midnight chatter, Autumn and I believe that you two are the strongest of the heroes at the moment." "We have a fighter in the village I''d bring along, too," I said, looking over at Bonny as she continued to conspire with Daisy about something. Every time I looked over there my stomach twisted anew. I just knew they were talking about me, too. "That rabbit chick with a giant axe?" Aldon asked, nodding over in her direction. "She''s a beast. She''s level 23." "Holy shit." Winter sighed. "Unfortunately, seeing as we''ll be flying in, she won''t be able to fit." "Why not? Two people per dragon-steed should be fine," I said. "Well, yes," Winter agreed. "But then what about Autumn and I?" I looked over at Aldon, kind of surprised. "You take Winter into battle?" He shrugged. "We go everywhere together." "Sounds like my baby sister has a serious case of separation anxiety," Autumn giggled, pinching her sister''s cheeks in a blatant act of sisterly condescension. Winter frowned through the blush. "Well, excuse me if I don''t have a whole fucking harem of knife-ear and cow sister-wives to--" "--Holy shit," I rasped, raising my hands up to silence her. "Elves and holstaurs, for God''s sake. You''re going to get gored by a unicorn if you talk like that around here." "Yeah, geez, Winter!" Autumn said, sounding somehow equally as offended. I almost rolled my eyes at that. "She can be a bit... rough at times," Aldon said, blushing on her behalf, scratching behind Winter''s fluffy black ears. I never knew that a catgirl could scowl and purr at the same time. Suddenly, the mood changed in an instant. "Darkmaw!" Ivy''s voice rang out. "Darkmaw heading in from northwest of the cabin!" "How many wolves?" I asked, springing to attention. Aldon, too, grabbed his wand from his hip, ready to go. "That''s the odd thing," she shrugged, shouting back at us. "I just see the general herself." Aldon and I made eye contact for a fleeting instant before darting off in the direction of the incursion. Neither of us were prepared for what was about to happen next. Chapter 27: Let’s Clear Some Things Up Aldon and I darted at full speed to the patch of earth immediately outside of Tater Town''s imaginary borders, just outside the locus of all the surrounding farmland. It was a distressingly short jaunt, and it was even more unsettling to know that Darkmaw was comfortable approaching so near to the Sanctuary without a hint of hesitation. Was I that unthreatening? Last time I''d seen her, I left her in pretty bad shape, as I recalled. Worry singed at me as she came into view, sitting in Great Wolf form, glowing eyes fixed on me. And then on Aldon. And then back on me. "What do you want?!" I shouted, trying to sound tough. "You dare to come here in broad daylight, threatening my home? Speak!" She shifted almost instantaneously into her human form. It had to have been the first time I got a good look at her in broad daylight. She looked to be a flawless woman in her thirties, with wide, sexy hips, and evenly tanned skin. ''Olive'' seemed an apt descriptor, maybe even a shade darker than that. Her breasts were heavy but perky, likely owing to the obvious muscles she possessed throughout her feminine figure. To that end, her rump was a pleasant swell and her thighs were thick and loaded with rippling muscularity. Her long, lovely raven-black hair extended wildly down to her lower back. The only lingering wolf features were paws and claws in place of her hands and feet as well as a fluffy wolf tail and wolf ears. All black. Her yellow eyes gazed at me in a look that signaled some degree of disappointment. She stood in silence for a moment, her gaze flitting between Aldon and me, confusion in her expression, too. "Who is he?" she asked uncomfortably. "I don''t like this." "I bet you don''t!" Aldon said, and he uttered some strange, alien sounding words and a lancing beam of green light shot at Darkmaw which she took on the shoulder without a blink. A bit of blood scattered into the wind, but she was otherwise unperturbed. "Tell him to go away," Darkmaw said to me blankly. "Why the hell would I do that?" I growled. "I''m defending my territory, and he''s here to help." She frowned. "I''m not here to fight, Apex Hero." I tensed up. Not here to fight? The fuck was she after? I cast a sideways glance at Aldon, and he, too, was clearly captivated and confused. "What do you want?" I growled at her, ready to shift into my bloodthirsty unicorn form if necessary. "If I hear a single threat against one my girls, you''re dead." She... pouted. Even from her distance, I could see her lip curling outward at me in protest. "Tell him to go away," she whimpered, nodding at the goth wizard. "Absolutely not." "I just wanted..." she sighed. "Tell him to cover his ears." Her voice was finding its power again. She angled her eyebrows downward in a stern expression. Aldon looked at me, maybe for permission to cover his ears, but mostly in open befuddlement. I shrugged. He clasped them shut. "This is insane," he mumbled. I couldn''t offer much in the way of disagreement, just shrugging. Darkmaw spoke quietly. "I was wondering if you wanted to play." The breath that I didn''t realize I was holding was let out in a single exhalation of surprise. "Play!?" I exclaimed in shock. "Shhhh," she said, furrowing her brow at me even deeper. "We shouldn''t let everyone know we''re falling in love. Neither of us have a single companion that would understand at the moment." I almost shit my pants. "We''re what?!" "Send him away." There that was again, Darkmaw the broken record. "I am not interested in him. I am only interested in the Apex Hero." "He''s an Apex Hero, too," I said, correcting her, unsure why I was bothering. She was clearly mad. "He''s not my Apex Hero," she growled. This time she begged. "Please, hero. Please! Send him away. Let''s play in the forest!" She sounded a suddenly like a spoiled child, and I had to admit, sucker that I was for the ladies, it triggered something in me. But I didn''t bend. This was starting to sound weirdly sad, though, all the same. "There is no way I''m doing that right now." I looked over at Aldon, who was looking incredibly impatient and irritated. "And I need to be clear with you. We aren''t falling in love. I''m not your friend. You killed a girl of Tater Town." "The satyr," she nodded. "Not me. It was my wolf. I didn''t mean for it to happen." I returned an angry, unforgiving look at her. "Nonetheless, it''s pretty much non-negotiable for me to take you as a lover or even a friend." "Just believe me. The others don''t need to know for now," she suggested, her eyes darting to the sorcerer as he shifted his weight. I could tell she wanted to be more expressive with her body, but with the other hero watching, she was actively reining in her emotions. "The sister is just a simple satyr. She isn''t ready to understand our bond. She is not a warrior like we are." I sighed. She wasn''t going away, and I was running out of patience and time. Aldon was definitely on the verge of uncovering his ears, too. "Meet me here tonight. We need to set things straight, once and for all. I''ll be out here after everyone else is asleep," I said as calmly as I could. She grinned, shifted back into her wolf form, and practically frolicked away like a teen girl who''d just gotten a love letter from her crush. As she shifted, Aldon lowered his hands and grabbed his wand, but when she ran off, he just looked at me in utter confusion. "What the fuck just happened?" he asked, eyebrow cocked. "I honestly wish I could make sense of it myself," I sighed. He stepped in front of me. "Are you really just going to let her run? We should kill her!" I felt a pain in my gut. Guilt for letting her go? Or revulsion at the idea of killing her? "No," I said. "I think there''s another way." "What," he scoffed, "Make her one of your harem waifus?" My silence spoke volumes. For a moment he looked like he was about to explode at me, and I honestly couldn''t even defend myself. From his perspective, there was no argument for my case, and yet I was considering it. But he didn''t blow up at me. His face eventually settled, and then he asked me, "So how does it work? Your power over them, I mean." I looked up at him in confusion. "What do you mean?" "I mean--" he started, trying to put it delicately, "there''s no way one mortal man could command the devotion and love of so many beautiful women. We''ve been here like, what, a few weeks?" "About that long," I nodded. "And you have a fucking army of hotties. That''s not natural charm." "You aren''t getting treated like that wherever you go?" I asked. It was an honest question. I had assumed that all the heroes and breeders were treated like rock stars. I figured it was cultural, maybe. Or just an aspect of the personalities, here. Or I''d hoped as much. But what he was saying made an uncomfortable sense. Mercer wasn''t ever that popular, after all. Most girls chose not to have kids with him. Some never even slept with him from what I''d gathered. "No, dude. Fuck, no. I''ve had a few girls flirt with me, but not anything like what I''m seeing here. And am I to assume that General Darkmaw just made a pass at you?" I made a sour face of embarrassment. "Fucking hell. So you have some kind of psychic sex magic over the women of this world," he reasoned. "That''s nuts." "I... certainly hope it''s not that." He shrugged. "You''re not ugly, and you seem like a good enough guy, but there is nothing natural that I can attribute to what I''m seeing." These words were like daggers in my chest. This was the last fucking thing I wanted to hear from him or anyone else. The idea that my girls didn''t love me--or worse, were somehow compelled to love me because of some power I had--was the most disgusting, heinous twist I could imagine. The notion that I had been taking advantage of magically-induced Stockholm Syndrome was beyond awful. If what he was saying was true, I was committing assault whenever I touched them. I couldn''t even reply to him. I couldn''t speak. He pegged my discomfort and changed the subject, but that was all I could think about now. We walked back to the Sanctuary mostly in silence, and when my girls came to greet me I smiled weakly and dismissed myself, not letting any of them get their hands on me. "I need to go think," I said. "Think about what?" Autumn asked, her eyes huge and full of worry. "What happened back there?" "Nothing. She just wanted to talk. But I need to think." Autumn reached out for my hand, but I dodged it. She gasped. "Bucky, talk to me." Others were around. May Belle, Daisy, and Ivy looked at me as though I were on my deathbed. Poor Sprinkle just looked confused. "Only you," I said to Autumn. "Everyone else needs to leave us." "Are you mad at me, Bucky-Baby?" May Belle said, her eyes welling up. "What did I do?" I shook my head. "Obviously nothing. You''re all amazing." Winter shot an accusatory look at Aldon, who was shrinking off in the periphery of the crowd. "What did you do?" I heard her seethe, just as Autumn and I broke from the throng. The wind smelled sweet, blowing the scent of flowers and grass through my nostrils. Ivy had recently watered the crops, so a bit of pleasant petrichor hung in the air as we walked along the edge of the forest, not quite venturing into it. My girls--my victims, I thought--watched me leave, and even as I was over a hundred yards away, a quick look over my shoulder revealed that they were all still staring at me in worry. "Tell me what happened," Autumn said calmly. "I abused you all," I groaned. She flinched at the coarse words. "You all have some kind of magical, fake attraction to me. Aldon was explaining that the other Apex Heroes don''t get treated like I do by the monster girls of this world. Neither do the breeders. You don''t love me. You don''t even like me, probably." Autumn sighed a breath of relief before giggling her usual giggle as though she couldn''t see the issue. "Is that all?" she said. "What do you mean by that?" I asked in disgust. "It''s a huge deal." "It would be if you knew what you were talking about," she laughed. "Oh, Bucky, you''re too sweet. See, this is exactly why you deserve our love." She leaned in to kiss me, but I pushed her away. She laughed outright, making it a game, a wrestling match, and used her superior catlike agility to climb onto my shoulders and bend over the top of my head to kiss me on the forehead before I managed to pick her up and set her back down. "Stop that," I said, trying to maintain my sulkiness. "Explain what you mean, first, at least." "The magical attraction isn''t in you, it''s in us," she said, gesturing to herself and back over her shoulder to where the rest of the girls were still watching. "Monster girls possess the ability to pinpoint ideal mates based on very little exposure. That''s why May Belle was so forward with you the moment she met you. That''s why many girls are. It''s just that you happen to be a match for so many of us, our perfect man." She clung to my arm, pressing herself up against my side. "Strong, brave, sweet, funny..." she paused. "Pure of heart." "Is that a reference to Sprinkle?" I asked. "Yes. There is no mistake. Your unicorn girl isn''t broken. Well, she is, but not like that. You could only see her because you''re you, Bucky. We fall in love with you so fast and so deep because we know it''s safe to. Because we feel it." "Daisy didn''t fall in love with me right away," I pointed out, though I was starting to feel better in spite of myself. With Aldon over there looking like a Hot Topic poster boy, I almost guffawed to realize I was the emo one. Autumn scoffed. "If you really think that then you know nothing about women. Daisy is just a nervous wreck. She fought her own instincts because you were too good to be true. She''ll kill me for saying this but... she''s told me as much in private." "So I''m not a monster?" I asked, cautiously daring to be assuaged. "No. You''re a hero. The genuine article. More than that, you''re just a good man. And I''ve met hundreds of hero candidates. I landed on you for a reason." "And Aldon?" I asked. "What do you think of him?" She giggled. "Honestly? I think he''s mainly just my sister''s type. But he seems like a decent guy." I didn''t say anything. I agreed with that assessment. Aldon definitely seemed to take the hero thing seriously, arguably more seriously than I did, at least as a job title. He was certainly more proactive. More importantly, I could tell from their brief interaction together that he did indeed have feelings for Winter, and he was pretty easygoing, all things considered. When he found out he was manipulated into marking her, he accepted the truth immediately without further question. He knew where his bread was buttered and he wasn''t about to mess with that. I can appreciate a guy like that. I decided not to bother myself with what Aldon thought. Eventually Autumn and I made our way back to the bonfire where, yep, everyone was staring at us as we approached. It was Aldon and Winter that walked up to meet us first. "Say it," Winter said angrily, her claws out at her sides. "I''m sorry for what I said, Bucky," he muttered, not making eye contact, though he didn''t sound insincere. "I didn''t know what I was talking about, and I was wrong. I imagine Autumn just set you straight, too." "It''s alright," I said, smiling. "Aww that''s nice," Autumn grinned. "Now, tell us what happened with Dark--" "My Bucky!" an overly saccharine high-pitched voice signaled my downfall as I felt the force of unicorn girl titties smashing into my face and a soft, feminine body pinning me to the ground with a violent thud. "You looked so sad before. Let me give you pleasure." "Is this the unicorn?" Aldon asked. "Can you see her?" Autumn gasped. He chuckled. "No, but I can hear her now, just barely. She sounds like fun." I struggled to free myself. "No pleasure! There are people around!" I shouted, trying to push her off of me. She frowned, her lip turning outward at me in protest. "I don''t understand these rules. They seem so arbitrary, like someone just made them up one day. No pleasure in front of other people? Give me three reasons why." May Belle appeared above us, and I saw her grinning down at me sweetly. "Your mood seems better, Bucky-Baby. Sprinkle, honey, let''s let Bucky talk with his visitors for now." My unicorn girl whined and stomped her hooves as she was led away by her wrist. "But I want to ride his cock and taste his flesh." "Seems like a tough lifestyle you''ve got going on here," Aldon said, nodding solemnly. "One is enough for me." Winter beamed at him. Autumn even purred a bit. "Is my sister that one to which you refer?" "''Fraid so," he said, pulling Winter in for a side hug. "''Fraid so?" the white-haired catgirl seethed. "Oh, that''s sooo sweet. You piece of shit." "It was meant to be," he shrugged, and he kissed her on the forehead. Winter melted easily against his chest at that, purring slightly. Autumn leaned in and whispered in my ear. "I never dreamed I''d see my sister so domesticated. She was always the feral type." "Runs in the family, then," I chuckled. "You dick." The evening progressed as evenings do, time ticking on and on endlessly until everyone else was settled into bed. I sneaked out when they were all asleep, except for Daisy, who felt me crawl out from behind her. "Where are you going?" she asked, her eyelashes batting away the sleep. I wanted to tell her. I really did. "I need to go out. It''s about Darkmaw. I just want to make sure everything is alright." That was the closest to the full truth I could offer, not a word of it a lie, but it wasn''t as transparent as I wanted to be. Still, she nodded, but her eyes watched me wide like saucers as I disappeared from view into the night, studying me as I closed the sliding door behind me. I walked Blue to the meeting spot, wanting his backup and a means of rapid travel back to the Sanctuary if things got ugly. The sounds of night birds and crickets filled the air, the moonlight glinting off the water in the nearby brook as I walked along its banks with Blue by my side. Soon we reached the exact spot where I''d stood earlier that same day, talking to Darkmaw. I stood there, waiting, and for a minute I thought maybe she wouldn''t come--or maybe it was a trap. But those fears were allayed when the naked figure of the general appeared walking out from a thicket of trees. "You came, Apex Hero!" she announced excitedly. "Good. Now, let''s play!" virgilknightley Chapter 28: A Date with Darkmaw (◆) virgilknightley Darkmaw''s art is in the Discord. The uncensored nude art is a Patreon exclusive. The sequel to Esoterica is available on Kindle today! "I''m not here to play," I said, my eyes taking in the sight of her breathtaking nudity. I''d be lying if I suggested the idea of a frolic in the grass with her held no appeal to me, at least on a physical level, but emotionally the notion still repulsed me. Not after Silver Moon''s death, anyway, which she was still responsible for. By her own admission, her wolves did it, even if she didn''t have a direct hand in it. She cocked her head sideways, eyeing me suspiciously. "You want to fight, then, Apex Hero?" "Not really," I said, still on edge. "If that''s what I was hoping for, I would''ve brought friends." She frowned, lowering her head, her eyes glowing red and glaring. "I don''t want the other man." "Then behave," I snarled at her, trying to sound tough. It worked, I thought. She kept staring at me with a look that seemed almost submissive--almost. "Tell me how you know so much about my girls and the sanctuary." She grinned, baring fangs. "Play first. Then talk." I held my ground. "Talk first. Then maybe I''ll play a bit, depending on what that entails." She leaned on one hip and narrowed her eyes at me. "I do not mean for you to breed me, if that is what you are wondering. Not yet. When I am ready for that, you will eagerly beg for it." "Un-fucking-likely," I scoffed. I didn''t even beg the girls I loved for sex. She laughed a powerful, husky laugh that oozed with both confidence and femininity. It gave me the chills. Horny chills. "When the time comes, you will see. But that day isn''t today," she said, enunciating every word for me as crisply as she could. "Our courtship is only beginning." "There is no courtship between us," I said straightly, but at least I understood what her intentions were. "Now tell me what I want to know." "About the informant?" she asked, her eyes going dull. "How boring. No. I won''t tell you that." "Then I won''t play." She growled at me. "You will play. I cannot tell you how I know what I know because I promised not to tell. My promise is my bond, and it cannot be broken." I balled my fists tightly in frustration, but I begrudgingly had to admit I was a bit impressed. "I''m surprised to find you demonstrating something resembling a sense of honor," I said. "You know nothing about me," she said, her voice warm and soothing and brimming with sensual confidence. "But you will know everything about me in time. When we are one, my secrets shall be yours, but until then, I am afraid I cannot tell you what you want to know." I stared at her in silence for a moment, and then I turned my back on her in a show of disrespect, goading her. I was somehow confident she wouldn''t really do any damage to me on purpose, and I also knew riling her up might be a way to get her flustered enough to gab a bit more. She howled in anger at me, and before I knew it she was on top of me, her naked body pinning me to the ground. Her womanly musk was intoxicating, like sage and sandalwood mixed with a tinge of sweet feminine sweat. Her heavy thighs bestrode me, pressing me against the grass as her hands shoved my shoulders down. I summoned all the strength I could to reach back and grab her by the arm, briefly imbuing my limbs with the power of the minotaur, Daisy''s shifter gift, changing just enough of my body to hurl Darkmaw in front of me. She hit the ground with a heavy thud, and her glowing eyes found mine as she got back onto all fours. She was grinning. The General pounced again, just as I was starting to get up, and this time I grabbed my lance and brandished it threateningly, but pulled it away at the last second, letting her collide with me. I knew she wasn''t trying to be lethal, so it didn''t feel right that I should go for the kill. Hubris, maybe, but I just couldn''t bare the thought of impaling her in cold blood without her giving me the reason to do so. "I knew you wouldn''t hurt me," she said after knocking me over again. I knew she wouldn''t hurt me, too. This time she was looking down on my face with an aroused smile. A hot breath hit my nostrils, and it smelled like mint leaves and cooked meat. It should have been a disgusting smell, but combined with the rest of her fragrances and the very raw, physical context, it was oddly sexy. I was pinned beneath her again, her claws digging into my shoulders and pushing me back, but it would have been trivial for me to jettison her off of my body with my legs, and she knew that, too. We were... playing. I let it happen. I reached around her waist, doing a crocodilian death roll that ended with me on top of her. She gasped, her voice husky and low but oozing with womanly appeal. She bit her lip enticingly as she stared at my chest as my muscles flexed beneath a tight tunic. "You have too much armor," she complained, smiling mischievously. "Remove your garments." I almost groaned at the suggestion, feeling my cock spring to life in my pants at the implications. "I''m not playing with you," I repeated. "I''m leaving." I stood up, and she frowned--until she saw the tentpole in my loose-fitting pants. "I knew you enjoyed me. Your self-control is legendary," she giggled. "I will savor making you love me." "Good fucking luck," I growled, taking a step away from her, but her hand found my ankle. "I didn''t dismiss you." Her tone was suddenly serious. "You don''t get to decide when we''re done. Not today, at least. Not until you prove yourself my Alpha." I looked back at her. "Frankly I want nothing to do with you. You''re a murderer and a servant of the Goblin Queen." "You know nothing," she laughed, letting go of my ankle. She had said those words to me a few times now. "It''s almost cute. Almost, but not quite." Then she looked me over hungrily, her eyes ravenous with perverse intent. "But you have plenty of other cute features to make up for your ignorance." "Either you talk, or I''m leaving, and I''d like to see you try to convince me otherwise," I said, taking a step away from her. Before I knew it, I was knocked back onto the ground in a single fluid motion, and I was on my back, but this time it wasn''t her face that stared down at me, but her two heavy tits. "Easy enough," she said, her voice sultry and smooth as silk. "What if I told you that you could do whatever you wanted to my body, except for breed me, if you manage to pin me to the ground? Would you play then?" I certainly hoped I had more self-restraint than that. "I''ve got half a dozen eager hotties waiting for me back home," I said, though that nipple was looking mighty enticing. "Not one of them would be able to fulfill you like me," she promised. "I''ve experienced more, seen more, done more, hungered more. I have no inhibitions when it comes to love. I will make you plead for the taste of my cunt, and you''ll love every second of your own begging. And then, when you''ve made me yours, when you''ve dominated me completely, it is I who will beg you." Lord help me, I could tell she believed it. She was sexy, for sure, but she wasn''t better than any of my girls--no one was. Still, she was something else, for sure, and I found myself getting swept up in her singular appeal. I felt my hand reaching out for her waist almost on its own, but I thought better of it at the last second. However, before I could commit to my refusal, she lowered her body, bending her elbows to drop one of her heavy tits onto my lips. It was something about her smell, I was certain. Something about her strength. Was I even in control? Was it something in her musk? I couldn''t stop myself at that point. I reached up and pulled her hips down against me, and my lips latched onto her tit, and she laughed with self-satisfaction. "Such a good boy," she cooed, moaning indecently at the kiss of my lips upon her bosom. "This was harder than I thought, but still. Oh, don''t feel bad, Apex Hero," she soothed me as I guiltily slurped her nipple. This was so fucked up. I was so fucked up for doing this. "It''s fate," she said. "We''re meant to be, you''ll see. I''m your lover, not your foe." I pulled my head away from her incredible breasts and protested, regaining my composure. "No," I protested. "This is wrong. You murdered Silver Moon. I won''t do this with you." "If that''s your only hangup, then let me assure you I had no part in it," she said, her hand brushing my hair as she guided her breast back into my mouth, but I closed my lips tight and turned my head away from her. She pouted at that. "A group of wood elves spooked my wolves, driving them away from me. I only showed up in Tater Town to take them home, and I was also disturbed to find the goat girl dead. I tried to stop it, but was too late. When you came, though, I just had to play. To test you. And you were the perfect way to draw my wolves away from anyone else who might have been more vulnerable." I froze. Could that be true? But wasn''t the Goblin Queen one of the Dark Queens? And wasn''t Darkmaw some sort of general in the Goblin Queen''s army? What the fuck was going on here? "This doesn''t make sense," I said, pushing her off of me and sitting upright. "You''re evil and a servant of a Dark Queen." She grinned. "Can I let you in on our very first secret, Apex Hero? You must promise not to tell anyone. Even Autumn." I winced at her casual use of my catgirl''s name. She truly knew too much. "You''re a traitor to the Goblin Queen?" I guessed, but she laughed. "No," she said. "The Goblin Queen isn''t the enemy of monster girls. Have you not noticed that I''m a monster girl, too?" There was no getting around that. "Then why is she one of the Dark Queens?" "Because she carved up the western territories of Goldenvale to protect them from the Demon Queen," she said. "Her orcs are mindless, wicked things, corrupted by the sway of her betraying generals, but her mission is to stir chaos in this realm just enough so that monster girls stay in their homes where it''s safe and don''t attract the attention of the Demon Queen''s armies. Monster girls cannot reproduce quickly enough to fight back, so this is the only way." I squinted. "So the Goblin Queen is good?" "She certainly isn''t bad," she agreed, gazing intensely into my eyes. "But the other generals are after her power. Its their goblins and orcs that do the killingnot hers. She doesnt know the full truth. They want to use her and control the orcs and attack the villages and Aurora City. This will destabilize everything, inviting the demons into our home. There are threats in these lands, but the Goblin Queen is not the villain you think she is." Huge if true. My world had just been turned upside down. But it would need to be verified some other way until I knew for certain I could trust her. If I couldn''t find a way to safely do that, then I''d just have to proceed with caution. "General Keenfury?" I asked, recalling the name. "The horned ogre," she nodded. "He and General Dingore, who also resides with his lieutenants near Keenfury''s Keep, both desire to enslave the Goblin Queen." "If that''s true, what are you doing about it?" I asked. Her eyes narrowed, her brow furrowed. She spoke in a lower whisper now. "Staying close. Keenfury''s Keep isn''t far from here. I am watching his movements. The Goblin Queen doesn''t believe me, or refuses to take action, which pains me, but it''s true." I shook my head and stood. She stood with me, her expression now serious. "So, let me break it down. The Goblin Queen is a balancing power, not an oppressor, but she pretends to be evil to maintain regional stability and deter the Demon Queen. But she does breed orcs and other greenskins, right?" I said. "Correct," she said. "And they are evil. At least they seem to be to me," I pointed out. "I''ve never met one that didn''t immediately attack me. The first thing I saw in the world was a group of orcs and goblins trying to enslave my holstaurs." "May Belle and Daisy," she nodded. It still chilled me that she knew their names so well. "They are so pretty. And yes, orcs are vicious creatures, as are most greenskins, because they have to be to keep up the illusion and keep monster girls from expanding and putting themselves in the path of the Demon Queen. But it used to be that orcs didnt ever kill. That changed when Keenfury took his rank." There was real hate in her voice. "Surely there are better ways?" I asked. "It sounds so fucking contrived." Still, I couldn''t actually offer up anything else now that I was thinking about it. The system apparently worked. "The Goblin Queen has sought many means to bring peace. This is what she decided upon. But I fear it won''t last forever, even if Keenfury is defeatedyou are right. There are too many moving pieces in the world now. Eventually the Demon Queen and the Witch Queen will need to be reckoned with. Some say they may combine forces." "So, the Goblin Queen is basically in danger of being assassinated," I said. "No," Darkmaw said grimly. "Keenfury needs her to produce more greenskins. She is in danger of becoming a breeding slave." I swallowed hard. "That is bad." I had just gone from seeing the Goblin Queen as my primary antagonist to seeing her as a potential damsel in distress. "But how do I know that you''re not telling me some bizarre lie?" She looked offended. Genuinely disgusted by the notion. "I would never lie to my mate. Never." Suddenly I felt a spur of guilt as I thought of Daisy''s confused face as I headed off to this rendezvous. Something I needed to make right soon. "The mate thing... That''s another thing we have to talk about," I sighed. A distant howl sounded in the forest to her back. She looked up at the moon as if confirming something. Then, her eyes fell back upon me. "I must go. Meet me here again if you need me. I will always be waiting for you." She leaned forward, and I tensed, expecting a kiss, but it didn''t happen. Instead, she sniffed me--a deep, inhaling sniff. "What the fuck was that?" I asked, making a sour face. "I have memorized your scent completely. I will never lose you." "It would be fine if you lost me every once in a while," I groaned. "Never," she said, shaking her lustrous mane. "And soon you will be hungering for me to find you. Just wait, Apex Hero, until your cock knows my lips, and your tongue knows my womanhood. You shall see. I will serve you like no other without shame or reservation. You are destined to be my Alpha." She grinned. Then the kiss came in the form of a surprisingly chaste peck on the cheek, and scant moments after that she assumed the form of a wolf, disappearing into the thicket. I sighed. "This complicates things." But then I thought about her incredible body, her obvious fixation on me, and about how, if what she said was true, it at least took away a lot of the guilt I was feeling about being with her. I smiled to myself. "Or maybe it makes it all a bit simpler." Chapter 29: Let’s Go to Town The next day I did my damndest to pretend that nothing had happened, but it tore at me to stay silent every moment I didn''t speak up about what I''d learned. I was going to tell them everything, but I needed time to process it all. Maybe that was selfish of me, maybe a bit cowardly, but I felt like it was what I had to do--for myself. Darkmaw selecting me as her mate was a big enough wrench in the gears already, but the information she shared about the Goblin Queen was juicy as fuck. The excruciating part was that that was the bit that I absolutely could not divulge. I dont know why, but I felt honorbound to keep that secret for her, at least for the time being. If true, it could also be a political destabilizer once it got out, and I wouldn''t want that to be my doing. I would have to move forward with that tidbit kept entirely to myself for the time being. It was still useful--game-changing even, but it was something I needed to obscure from others until I had Darkmaws consent to do otherwise--and until I was more confident in its veracity. After all, there was also the distinct possibility that I was being played for a fool. It was a scenario that I couldnt ignore, but if that were the case, then Darkmaw went to spy school with James Freaking Bond, and took acting classes with Meryl Fucking Streep, because goddamn did she tell a believable lie. No, I felt almost entirely certain that she didnt speak a single mistruth to me that entire night, and I knew she would likely prove to be an incredible ally going forward, rather than the enemy I saw her for just a night before. I rose with the sun, and prepared to go out on my morning patrol with Blue. I was surprised to find as I exited the cabin that Aldon had mounted Blackie to do the exact same thing. Mornin, Aldon said, nodding at me politely. You doing a flyover of the surrounding lands? Yeah, or I was aiming to, I said, but then I paused and cocked an eyebrow at him, smirking. But maybe Ill let you handle it today. He smiled. Sure thing, might as well pull my weight while Im here. Nice, I said, doing a few stretches. Ill cook breakfast for everyone, then, and after that Ill introduce you to all the gals in town. Hows that sound? Like a plan, he said, and he threw himself astride his black dragon-steed. Lets go, boy. Blackie took off with Aldon on his back, and I watched with awe as I verified he was every bit as graceful as Blue. They soared off to the north, and I took a minute to watch them go, thinking that that must be how awesome I look when I ascend to the sky on the back of my boy. Welp, carrots were out of the question this morning because Daisy had donated our entire supply to Bonny for whatever nefarious reasons she had. Thankfully, we had foraged quite a few berries, and our snares were full of small game that I could prepare. In addition, Lullaby, a sheep girl from a farm just outside the opposite end of town, had also given us a dozen chickens, and half of them had lain eggs this morning. It was fixing to be a big breakfast--except that I had a lot of mouths to feed. In the end our morning meal consisted of berries, beans from the farm, small game meat like rabbits and squirrels, an egg for most people, and an extra portion of meat for the rest. Somewhere we also had bread that I would have Daisy distribute when she was awake because I had no idea where the fuck she kept it. By the time Aldon returned, just about everyone had awoken, and breakfast was served. The girls made a big deal out of me cooking, which seemed to annoy Aldon to some extent, though he said nothing and politely ate his meal. He seemed to enjoy it. Holy shit, he groaned as he bit down on a chunk of meat. This is the first thing resembling an actual meal Ive had in at least two weeks. Whats the last one youre thinking of? Winter asked him, enjoying her own breakfast. Its gotta be that inn in the city, he said, looking over to her. Right? She frowned at him, her kitty cat eyes going ice cold. Are you sure youre not forgetting at least one other nice meal you had since then? I smirked as I recognized the whoops I fucked up expression appearing on Aldons scarred face. Oh, of course! he said, with a forced enthusiasm that seemed altogether out of character for him. That amazing meal you made for us the other day! I foraged, hunted, and cooked for hours while you pranced in the prairie killing goblins, Winter said calmly. I didnt forget! he said. Oh, so it just didnt register as a meal, then? she said, irritably blowing a wisp of her white hair from her face. I almost guffawed when Aldon instinctively looked to me as though for help--the last desperate impulse of a man in trouble when surrounded by unsympathetic women is to turn to the one other man. But it was Autumn who saved him. Kind of. Give him a break, sis, she giggled. Your cooking is famously terrible. And thats when Aldon saw his chance at salvation. No it isnt! he insisted. Her cooking is incredible. She can do a lot with just a little. Winters frown turned to a weak smile, and she was apparently satisfied. Thank you, baby. Id like to take you two through town later, if youre game, I said to Winter and her pussy-whipped sorcerer. Introduce you to everyone, you know. Get you situated. We could put you up in the inn. Aldon looked over at Winter with a bit of longing. It might be nice to have some privacy, he noted. She giggled, knowing what he was really trying to say. They apparently werent entirely comfortable boning in a tent just outside our cabin. Great! I said, slapping the ground excitedly. "It''s a plan." What are you going to do after that, Bucky-Baby? May Belle asked, sidling up closer to me. I thought about as I served May Belle and Daisy a bit more food. Well, once we get them settled in, I figure they can take the day to rest. There are some things I need to discuss with Etherea. I feel like I havent spoken with her in days. Thats a good idea, May Belle said. Keep your finger on the pulse of Tater Town. After that Ill probably head out on patrol in the forest. Though soon we have to talk about that keep, I said, eyeing Aldon. Im ready when you are. Give me some time. I would like to grind out one more level, I said. Maybe two. We can help you with that, Autumn said. It wasnt even in a sexy way. Using us is more efficient than questing, dont forget. Yeah, but I only have one feat point, and only questing can get me more of those. Killing random monsters wont help. Clearing the keep will, though, Autumn said. If your goal is to get raw XP, then you know where to find us. Holy shit, Aldon muttered. Is she talking about what I think shes talking about? I chuckled, feeling my face burn at the awkwardness of the conversation. Yeah, I said. My cultivation method. You know. He sighed. Mine isnt bad. I just have to cast spells, which I do anyway. But yours is pretty interesting, Im not going to lie. Are you jealous? Winter asked, setting up a trap. "N-No, of course not, he said. Oh, really? So I didnt see you staring at that holstaur the whole time you were eating breakfast? she accused him, gesturing to Daisy. What!? No! I--Bucky, I was not-- I couldnt blame you if you were. My girls are hot, I said, laughing. Yuck, Daisy said, and I suddenly felt bad for Aldon. Not my type. Humph! She hid herself behind me so that the goth sorcerer couldnt see her. I wasnt staring! he insisted. I--I am going back to the tent. Tell me when youre ready to go to town. Sure thing, man. Dont worry, I believe you, I grinned sympathetically at the poor bastard. Winter didnt have to do him dirty like that. I could tell from her face that she also recognized that she was needlessly jealous and embarrassed her man. Daisy was overly harsh, too, but I can understand not wanted to be gawked at by a guy you''re not into. I I should go with him, Winter said, looking downcast all of a sudden. I felt Daisy snuggle up against my back and heard her voice whisper into my ear as Winter and Aldon slipped into their canvas tent. Honey, she cooed. Take Bonny with you on patrol today. The hairs stood up on the back of my neck at the sound of her sweet voice right in my ear. Why? I asked, my own voice suddenly heavy with suspicion. I just want you to be safe, honey, she giggled. And I think you might have a good time with her today. Something was up. What is your motive? What''s going on? Cant I just be worried about your safety? she said with mock innocence. Yes, but thats not what this is, I chuckled. I saw you with Bonny. Looking at me. Giving her the carrots. I could practically feel her grin emanating behind me. Bonny and I were cooking up an idea to make your excursions with her a bit more interesting. A win-win-win for everyone. Sounds suspicious, I grunted. Dont you trust me? she said, her voice lifting to pretend to be offended by my insinuations. I sighed. Sure, I said. Im in trouble, arent I? Big trouble. But youll enjoy every second of it. And she pecked me on the cheek and stood up. Lets get started with the milking, May Belle, she said. Come on. Five more minutes, her twin sister said, hugging me possessively. Daisy groaned exasperatedly. Now. Ugh. Fine. And they were gone. I looked around. Autumn was still with me, Ivy was out scouting, Gumi was eating pests off the crops in the field, and Rainbow Sprinkle-- Where is Sprinkle? I asked, not seeing her. Oh, Autumn said. I saw her run off toward the town on her own earlier. She was mumbling something about picking up a surprise for Her Bucky. God Almighty, I groaned, tensing up with a sudden jolt of worry. My head turned to face Tater Town, half-expecting to see blood rolling down the hill toward us. That cant be good. Id better go deal with that. Autumn giggled. Have some faith in her, Bucky, she said. Have you met Sprinkle? I said. I love her to death, but come on. At the very least she''ll make people nervous. I stood up and headed toward Aldons tent. Help me clean up the breakfast stuff, I said, gesturing to it as I walked away. Aww fuck, she grumbled. Ivyyy! I need heeelp! A series of feminine moans were coming from the tent, and I almost didnt want to interrupt. Still, it seemed important that I catch up with my unicorn girl sooner rather than later, and bringing Aldon with me to find Sprinkle would also be a great segue into introducing him to the townsfolk. I cleared my throat loudly. Come on, man! his voice shouted out at me over Winter''s hot sounds of pleasure. My unicorn girl went to town unattended, I said. So Im going to go look for her, and I was thinking itd make sense if you joined me. The sex noises continued, and they apparently just opted to ignore me. Soon there was the percussive slapping sound of hip colliding with hip, and I suddenly had the profound sense that I absolutely deserved this, having been so sexually blessed since I arrived in Lusteria. It felt right somehow to be on the outside of a sexual encounter for once. Fair enough, I said, and I turned on my heels and headed toward the hilltop settlement. I had gotten halfway up the hill when I heard Aldons footfalls behind me. Youre a real bastard, you know that? he muttered as he appeared at my side. Sorry, I said, smirking. Wheres Winter? She needs some time, he grinned. Nice. We strolled into Tater Town, and I got to play tour guide for my very first time ever since arriving in Lusteria. Welcome, Aldon Murphy, to Tater Town, a quaint and admittedly primitive iron age village with a population of twenty-five monster girls, seven of which are children-- I looked at him with a severe expression, --none of them mine. Or so you assume, he smirked. Well the youngest kid is twelve so unless my future powers include wacky time traveling shenanigans-- Dont rule it out, Aldon grimaced. Your mojo is that potent from what Ive seen. I put my hand on his shoulder and stopped him in his tracks. The other hand rested upon my heart, and my eyes looked into his to display the level to which hed flattered me. Thank you, my guy. After shaking off the awkwardness, he asked his first question. Any breeders in town? Jacob Mercer was the sole breeder here for the last fifteen years, I said. There were others around for short stints before that. Most of the kids in town are his. There was a lesser hero a while back who had a kid with Scalia, a snake-lamia who runs the local inn and tavern, I explained. I gather he basically got chased out of town for attempting to assault one of Mercers marked girls, a blood golem named Karma. Sounds like a busy little town, he remarked. I gestured to each house that was relevant as I talked about it. Etherea is sort of like the mayor here. She''s a moon elf who founded Tater Town decades ago. He studied her cottage and nodded. Go on. And Bonny is our blacksmith. Shes a lagoform, or bunny girl. Shes, like, crazy hot. I met her, Aldon said. And yeah, she is. Her thighs are something else. That waist? I gushed, gesticulating dramatically, tracing her shape in the air, With those hips? You must have hit it by now, he remarked. Go on. How was it? Funnily enough, I have not, I revealed. Though its not for lack of her trying. He looked at me with an expression that was not unlike disgust. Then why are you holding back? Shes extremely fertile, I said, my eyes glazing over in icy hot fear. He groaned, closing his eyes. Say no more. Shes also got that little buck tooth. Im actually kinda into that, I admitted. Ditto, he nodded, but then he looked at me fretfully. Dont tell Winter I said that." I reassured him with an okay sign and got back to my task. Over there, in the house behind Bonnys, youll find Vale, the local tanner, leatherworker, and clothier, and she lives with her daughter Heather. Heather and Vale lost Heathers sister recently, the same day I came into town. Her name was Silver Moon. How did she die? he asked me calmly, watching my face twist as I tried to broach the topic with all the honesty and respect it deserved. He could tell it was a sore spot, I was sure. Darkmaws wolves, I said, but I suddenly felt really dissatisfied to admit it. There was more to the story, I''d learned, but I couldnt explain it easily. Darkmaw was trying to call them back, but they got to Moon before she arrived. Darkmaw was trying to call them back? he repeated in puzzlement. That seems odd. I know, I said. I dont want to talk about it right now, if thats okay. He looked at me carefully. His brow furrowed and his eyes narrowed with scrutiny, but he nodded. Sure, he said, though there was some hesitation. But Id like to hear more when youre ready. I ignored that. Over there you have a communal house with several different monster girls that I dont personally know all that well, but one of them is named Misty, and she''s a dog girl. Shes cute, basically a golden retriever. Not sure if youre familiar with that breed where youre from, but the only reason I know her is she always tries to get me to play fetch with her whenever she catches me in town. Thats hilarious, he said, chuckling, his hands in his pants pockets as we slowly ambled through down the one street of the quaint little hamlet. What about that house over there? He pointed to a house behind Ethereas. I sighed. That was Mercers house. Latest proposal on what to do with it is to make it a daycare once the, uh, breeding program starts. I blushed. Hard. The what? he said. Run that one by me again, Bucky. They want me to start a breeding program. As in, impregnating most of the women in town. You fucking rascal, he laughed raucously. You incorrigible son of a bitch. I shrugged and threw my hands up as though in defeat. You got me. There was one more house in town that deserved to be mentioned. And that house, on the edge of the hill next to Scalias place, I said. Thats Zeldas place. The griffin girl. I havent met her. She and her followers havent been in town since I got here, but Ive heard whispers about her. Supposed to be a really powerful witch or something, I dont know. The town witch, he muttered. Interesting. I nodded. Like I said, I havent had the pleasure of meeting her yet, but shes apparently a tough nut to crack because most people speak about her very hesitantly. Probably afraid that she knows when someone says her name, he reasoned, staring at the somewhat dilapidated house. Its a common superstition about magic users in most worlds that have them. Is it based in truth? Definitely, he said with an affirmative nod. But itd be a powerful witch indeed that had a power like that set to always on. Id figured as much. Anyway, thats basically it. Lets take you to--OH MY GOD! Sprinkle had appeared in front of Bonnys home, walking out of her front door, wearing a radiantly iridescent chainmail bikini and long, savage-looking metal gauntlets on her hand. Each gauntlet had claws extending about five inches from the fingertip. My Bucky! she said, jumping up excitedly. Oh, I heard her, Aldon said, perking up. Is anyone dead? Not yet, I mumbled as Rainbow Sprinkle bounded toward me, hopping giddily like the bunny whose home shed just exited. My Bucky! I got you a gift! she cooed and flashed her claws in my face. Now I can join you and Bonny in the forest more often! We can slay together! Isnt it so wondrous and magical? I laughed. The armor doesnt cover much, I noted, But it looks great." Etherea enchanted it. Its very powerful and protects everything from my head to my toes. I tested it myself! I winced as I wondered what kind of tests she''d conducted, but I doubted they were half-hearted, knowing her. Whats going on now? Aldon grumbled. Something about armor? Lets get you back to the farm, sweety, I said, throwing my arm around her. I cant wait to dig these claws into your chest, My Bucky, she giggled. Itll be sooo lovely But wait! Your armor is ready, too! I blinked. It is? She nodded eagerly, her glowing pink eyes gone wide. Yes! Come and see. I looked at Aldon. Change of plans. Im getting suited up. You wanna come along? He smiled. Ill introduce myself to the locals, you go right ahead. I beamed at him, suddenly too excited for my own good. Sounds good. See you at the inn tonight? Need me to spot you any money for a room? He refused, throwing up his palms and waving them fervently. Weve got it, no worries. Thank you, though. Alright, catch you later, I said, tossing a thumbs-up. And then I set my sights on Sprinkle, who was looking remarkably sexy in her new attire. I eyed her up and down and couldnt help but get even more excited for what was waiting for me in Bonnys smithy. Lead the way, Sprink, I grinned. Yes, my Bucky! Youre going to be overcome with joy! She was not wrong. Chapter 30: Bonny’s Armor and Rules of the Game virgilknightley I felt like itd been days since Id heard from Etherea, and as I stepped inside of Bonnys dwelling, I understood why. The luscious Elven maidens hands emanated glowing energy that seemed to pulse out of her in waves, distorting the air around her as sweat spilled from her brow and her teeth clenched and ground against each other. I said nothing at first, just watching the two women at work. Bonny raised her head to acknowledge me with a cute, slightly buck-toothed grin as I walked through the door with Sprinkle leaning against my shoulder. Mr. Drake! Bonny said, holding the breastplate in place as it seemed to shudder and quake on the worktable as though it were resisting Ethereas enchantments. Were almost done here, just have a seat. I obeyed without a word, sitting on the one stool by the door, and Rainbow Sprinkle quickly helped herself to my lap. I tried not to get a chub as I smelled her sweet cotton candy musk and felt her wriggle her butt against my crotch in an innocent attempt to make herself comfortable. After several more minutes of Etherea grunting and sweating as magical energy spilled out from her blue palms, she finally collapsed backward onto another bench, panting like a dog at the beach. Hero, she grinned at me. You came just in time. How did you know we were finishing up here? Bonny asked as she inspected the shimmering piece of armor for flaws. I shook my head. I was just looking for Sprinkle, I said. I noted she was gone and so I went out looking for her while I was touring the town with Aldon. Aldon? Etherea perked up. Whos that? Another Apex Hero, I said. He landed just last night. Im sure youll meet him later. Interesting, she said, a bit of mischief in her eyes. If theyre all like you, Id be thrilled to make his acquaintance. I met him, Bonny said without looking up. Dont get your hopes up. I cocked my head sideways. Why does everyone react so differently to him at a glance? He seems like a fantastic guy to me, I remarked, genuinely perplexed. Bonny shrugged and sighed. Im sure he is, she said. Your sister-in-law seems to adore him, at least. I blushed to have her essentially call Autumn my wife by proxy, but I didnt acknowledge it. I figured thats more or less how they viewed the relationship an Apex Hero had with his catgirl, and it made a kind of sense to me. So why the lukewarm reaction from my girls and you? I pressed further. She shrugged. Different girls cores prioritize different things in their mates. Id say the majority long for a sweet guy with unlimited reserves of affection and devotion, like me, and I think thats why most of our ovaries get so inflamed around you. What a vulgar way to put it. And Aldon doesnt represent that to you? I asked. Hes just not our type, Bonny answered, her nose twitching as she inspected the last detail of the breastplate. She lifted it up suddenly for my inspection. Here, look at this, she said. The breastplate''s design was simple but elegant--a polished silver-looking chest piece, slightly convex on the outside but curved to accommodate the shape of my chest within. It had been engraved with an elaborate pattern of interlocking hexagons, some filled in with unfamiliar runes that glowed with the energy of Etherea''s magic, others left empty for contrast or, perhaps, future expansion. It looked pretty badass, if slightly over-designed. And Vales working on a cloak for you thatll have additional enchantments, Etherea said. Just as soon as I recover from these. I looked upon their handiwork in awe. Thank you so much, I gushed, unable to believe it. What enchantments does it have? Etherea and Bonny exchanged a nervous look as Sprinkle started giggling madly. Well, it contains the base enchantments youd expect of any magical armor, the moon elf started. Namely it gives your body a stoneskin-like quality, making it resilient to the elements and physical damage. My whole body? This would nullify my need to get barkskin from Ivy, which was awesome. I wouldn''t have to spend any points on protection. Your whole body, she repeated, nodding, But the effect originates from the chestpiece, so its potency is diminished in extremities further removed from it-- Mainly your feet, Bonny said. Right, Etherea nodded. Your feet are still slightly more vulnerable. I should caution you, though, this doesnt make you impossible to injure. It just makes it much, much harder. She grinned proudly at that. "Only the blow of a general or a queen would likely be strong enough to break it outright." I grinned right back. Fucking incredible, I said. I had no idea you were capable of this! Many moon elves have the ability to enchant items, Bonny said. And we''ve been hoarding the ingredients for these things for a while. I wouldnt expect you to know about this, but now you do. Keep it in mind next time you need some equipment made! We still have a few tricks up our sleeve. She giggled proudly. However, Etherea sighed. But give me some time, please. These rush jobs are killing me. I apologized profusely, but she wouldnt have any of it. I tried on the armor and immediately felt the power coursing through my body. What a fucking rush it was. Any other enchantments I should be aware of? I said, looking back at Sprinkle as she chortled and snorted with suspicious self-satisfaction. Umm, Etherea said, looking at Bonny and then back at me. Yes. Sprinkle added her own enchantment--with my help, of course. She couldnt do it on her own, but she harnessed her own spirit and her connection to you to invent a charm Ive never seen before. It really is impressive, first of all. Let me start with something positive. I eyed her worriedly. What do you mean by that? Well, she smirked, It sort of--Sprinkle honey, forgive me, but it sort of feels like its more for you than Bucky. She frowned. What do you mean? He will love it! What does it do? I asked. Bonny winced, but she was the one to finally offer the full truth. When you pierce or slash an enemy with a weapon while wearing this armor, it triggers a far greater loss of blood than what would be normally possible. Its a... blood spray enchantment. I groaned. Why am I not surprised? Sprinkle suddenly looked like she might cry as she studied my expression. My Bucky?? Did I do something bad? I sighed, smiling weakly at her. No, sweetheart, its fine. Is there a way I can turn it off, though, when I dont want to murder someone by accident? Etherea answered. Just cover up the rune shaped vaguely like a drop of blood in the hex underneath your ribs on your right side. Smear it with something, like mud, and that ought to do it. Its that easy to remove a charm? I asked. Its temporary, and only you can do it, Etherea nodded, But yes. Once its cleaned off, though, itll be activated once more. I beamed at Sprinkle. Well, there you go, then, babe. No harm no foul. She grinned. My Bucky! I knew youd love it! She jumped into my arms, and I caught her and kissed her deeply, dodging her horn. Does she have any idea how lucky she is? Etherea groaned jealously. Bonny giggled musically, her bunny ears going lopsided as she considered the question. I think she knows exactly how lucky she is, by the look of things. I started toward the door with Sprinkle cradled in my arms, but then I pivoted at the last minute as I remembered something. Oh! I said. Daisy asked me to take you to the forest with me today. Something about a game? Bonnys eyes went wide. How much did she tell you? Not much, I shrugged. Sounds pretty fuckin sus, though, Im not gonna lie. Its perfectly innocent. Just playful fun, she insisted through a wide buck-toothed grin. Ill meet you at the cabin in thirty minutes. I just need to clean up around here. Sprinkle frowned. I cannot go with you today, she pouted. Why? I asked, suddenly shocked. She had the battle armor and gauntlets and everything, and despite my lingering trepidation, I was actually kind of excited to see her go buck wild on an ogre or something with those badass claws. I promised Daisy I would play with Gumi. She says she needs a break from the slime girl. I nodded defeatedly. True, I agreed. Gumi can be quite possessive of Daisy. But youd better come with me next time. She squealed with joy at being invited. I will, my Bucky! I promise! My high spirits were jolted out of me when I suddenly locked eyes with the elfmaid across the room and realized there was something I needed to do. "One more thing, though," I said as I pecked her cheek and set her back on the ground. "Etherea, can I speak with you for a moment?" Her eyes went glowy and wide as she nodded. "Privately?" she asked. "Kinda of," I said, and I escorted her outside while Sprinkle and Bonny waited, staring at each other awkwardly, no doubt. "Don''t be long, my Bucky!" I looked at Etherea, then scanned the neighborhood. Aldon was chatting up Scalia as she swept her doorstep by the inn. They were getting along well enough by the looks of things, which was a relief. Aside from that, no one was around, but I still instinctively kept my voice low. "Did Ivy ever mention the possibility of a spy to you?" Etherea nodded. "Of course," she said. "But I''ve been investigating very carefully, looking for any signs of suspicious activity. I found nothing. Granted it hasn''t been long at all," she admitted. "Why do you ask? Do you have news?" "Sort of," I said. "I spoke with Darkmaw last night. I''ll be calling a meeting about that soon. But suffice it to say, we do have a pair of leaky lips in town, though I''m not sure that the word ''spy'' signals the right intent." She clenched her jaw and furrowed her brow. Even then, she was gorgeous. "What does that mean, hero? I''m not following." "It means just keep listening. And let people know I''m planning a meeting soon. About Darkmaw. Maybe that''ll make the spy do something noticeable, I don''t know," I shrugged. "Thanks, Etherea." "Not at all, hero. I hope we have a chance for a... private meeting sometime soon," she winked, even despite the gravity of our conversation. Incorrigible woman. Sprinkle and I headed back to the cabin. It was a pretty normal day, everyone chipping in and doing their chores. Gumi appeared to be in a mood, completely engulfing Daisy''s legs, making it hard for her to stand back up as the poor holstaur counted bottles of milk. It was more like forty-five minutes before I saw Bonny again, but she did eventually show up outside the cabin door, and I slid it open, wearing my breastplate and wielding my lance, as I beamed at the bunny girl. Looking pretty sharp with all the high-level gear, Mr. Drake, she winked. You must have an amazing blacksmith. A shockingly sexy one, too, I grinned. Come on, lets get to work. We walked to the edge of the woods together, and I could practically feel Daisys gaze on our backs. So, I started, looking around for any traps or surprises as we entered the forest. Given all this anticipation about the so-called game, I half expected something like a surprise party at this point. "Tell me what''s going on?" She giggled. Its really very simple, Mr. Drake. Every day when we go into the forest together, well kill as many monsters as we can. The winner is the one who lands the most killing blows. Thats it? I asked, kind of disappointed all of a sudden. Thats hardly the earth-shattering reveal I was expecting. Theres more, she said, her ears and cottontail twitching excitedly as she pressed on. This part was Daisys idea. Oh. Here we go, I said, swallowing hard with brimming trepidation. She laughed at me and grabbed me by my wrist, stopping me to face me and explain things clearly. Dont be so nervous. Its really straightforward. At the end of every day in the forest together, we have sex. The winner is on top, setting the pace. The catch is this: Im very fertile, and if I can get you to finish inside of me, Ill almost certainly be pregnant, and the breeding program will have to begin based on the promise you made to Daisy. I groaned. Now it all made sense. That fucking stupid promise I made. Still, I couldnt even be mad. I was actually a little proud of my holstaur for her craftiness. But theres one thing she didnt count on, I chuckled. Whats that? I could just refuse to play, I pointed out. Whats stopping me? Daisy said you would say that, and she told me to tell you that if you love her, you would agree to the terms. My face sank, but then I laughed. Ah, I said. So its emotional blackmail, then. Nice. She grinned back at me, her stupidly sexy buck-toothed bunny grin lighting up her face as her nose twitched and the breeze flapped at her loincloth enticingly. She was just waiting for the inevitable. Alright, I said. Fuck it. Sure. But no leg-locking me in! What difference did it even make? As long as she didnt cheat I was sure I could just pull out at the last second. It wasnt a one hundred percent safe method of contraception, but it never failed me before. Excellent! Oh, yes yes yes, Mr. Drake! Oh, were going to have so much fun! Bonny said, hopping and clapping. Im going to kick your ass in this so-called game, I said, fully accepting the challenge. Get ready to go raw. Im counting on it, Mr. Drake, she grinned. Now, lets find some monsters to kill! She disappeared into the shrubbery in an instant, a competitive glint in her eye and a spring in her step that Id never seen before. It was at that moment that I knew I was fucked. Chapter 31: Bonny Plays for Keeps I took off into the forest after Bonny, suddenly filled with a growing sense of urgency. First of all, if she killed monsters without me, I wouldnt have any chance at gaining XP without being close and contributing to the battle in at least some way. And then there was the prospect of losing. It would be a bad outcome to todays patrol, so I immediately darted into the brush behind her after collecting myself, gripping my lance tightly in my hands. I wasn''t too concerned about monster souls today, though, having just acquired some new feats. I entered a clearing where I found the bunny girl dicing apart a few goblins. Thats four, she grinned over her shoulder at me as her axe removed the head from one of their wiry necks. A gout of blood spurted from the wound and the now lifeless body slumped to the forest floor. Before I could even reply, shed taken off again, but this time I was ready. The second pack of monsters we found was a swarm of giant bees, about the size of my forearm. I got some kills in this time, counting them off with each successful strike. Two, I grunted, then, Three--no, four! Six! giggled Bonny. Looks like Im going to be riding you today. Her little cottontail wiggled adorably just before she started hopping off in another apparently random direction. I followed after her, desperate to keep up. Things were looking bad, but there was still time to even up the score. And catch up I did. The game made us remarkably efficient killers, bestowing a sense of desperation on the whole process of patrolling and monster slaying. Autumn would probably kick herself for not designing it herself once she''d heard about it. We tore through thicket after thicket, brush after brush as we laid waste to scores of lesser monsters over the next few hours. The sun is setting soon, Bonny said, panting hard at the end of the day. Would you like to call it now? Ive got twenty-five kills, I grinned with confidence. We can verify each others kills, actually, Bonny said, grinning right back at me, a bit too cockily for my liking. Oh? I asked. How? She reached out her palms. Hold my hands. I did as she suggested and saw my HUD open up, but it wasnt the stat screen I was used to. Instead, it was a specific screen that displayed only one message. XP-Granting Creatures Slain Today Bucky W. Drake: 24 Bonny Poofytail: 39 Well, there it is, she grinned, pulling her hands back. I dont think you have much chance in catching up in the next twenty minutes, Mr. Drake. She was leaning on her axe, biting into a carrot that Daisy had no doubt given her--mocking me. My danger sense was pinging hard as I saw her eyes give me the fabled bedroom gaze. A fear boner flared in my leather breeches as the reality of my predicament settled in, coursing like ice in my veins. Well, hold on, I said, trying to stall, How do I know you didnt do some of those this morning before we came out here? Im flattered you think I had time for that. I was finishing your armor all morning, she said giggling, and then she frowned. Which is now totally covered in blood." I looked down. I hadnt bothered to deactivate Sprinkles enchantment because I didnt have time to puzzle it out once the action started so abruptly. The whole time wed been carving our way through the forests monsters, Id been splattered in blood and viscera. At first it was shocking, but after the ninth or tenth monster or so I was already numb to it. By the end I had totally forgotten just what a mess I was. Sprinkle, you beautiful maniac, I muttered, begrudgingly admiring the filthy mess, seeing it as a possible way out. Whats that? Bonny asked, catching a bit of my private uttering. I shook my head, I think we should probably delay the payoff until tomorrow, dont you? Just look at me. Im covered in gore." Bonny smirked at the idea, likely seeing right through it. I dont mind. Fuck. So much for that. Bonny licked her lips as she reached for the buckle that held the leather strap in place that covered her breasts. Dont be shy with me, Mr. Drake, she said. I want to get the full experience. And Ill be one hundred percent focused on making sure our first time together is an experience you never forget. Go easy on me, though, I pleaded with a defeated whimper, dropping my pants and letting my cock spill out. Oh fuck, Bonny said as she saw it in front of her for the first time. This is gonna be wild. She dropped her strap to the ground, and her breasts were liberated before me, orbs of fleshy perfection. They were incredible as all the breasts in Tater Town tended to be, but being of a more tanned complexion, her tits were a smidge bronzer than the average girl in town, and it provided a welcome bit of diversity. Her brownish gray bunny ears and tail waggled anxiously as she tugged her loincloth off all too easily and became fully naked before me. The awesomeness of her body wasnt a surprise. Since shed dressed so skimpily, I pretty much knew exactly what I was in for this whole time, but I wasnt complaining about the big reveal. It was like being a kid on Christmas morning after sneaking a peek at your presents the night before and knowing you were going to get exactly what you wanted. The lack of suspense didnt make the unwrapping of the gift less enjoyable. My cock was a testament to that fact. She eyed it ravenously, like a wolf in a bunnys skin. Mr. Drake, why dont you just lie on the ground for me. Make yourself comfy." She was plotting something behind those huge conniving eyes. I hesitantly obeyed. My cock was pointing straight up and skyward as I lay myself down, waiting for the punishment for my hubris in agreeing to this rigged challenge. Bonny knelt beside me, taking but a moment to hoist herself over me. There it is, she said, her huge eyes wide and gawking at my dick like it was a golden carrot. My ticket to happiness. Dont put my penis on a pedestal, I cautioned her, laughing nervously. Its not magical. Not your cock, she shook her head. The seed inside of it. Im sooo fucking close. She leaned down and gave my cock a long, labored lick as a hot and heady sigh exhaled out across my thighs and balls. I felt myself growing even more nervous, if that was possible. Be careful with those buck-teeth, I cautioned her. She giggled. I wont be using them today, she said. I was just getting your dick wet and ready. I dont suppose we could do anal, I groaned as she positioned herself astride my lap. Her slit started gliding across the length of my cock, and I watched the erotic display as my heart pounded in my chest, loud enough for me to hear. She looked almost disgusted. And waste that baby gravy? Youre insane. I balked at that. Im the insane one. Right. She grinned at me broadly, but that grin rapidly faded into an o face as my tip slipped inside her folds and made its way into her hot wet channel. It was a hell of a pussy, but nothing new. Maybe I could handle this. Just think about baseball. Okay, I said, So I can remove you when Im about to cum, right? Good fucking luck, she grinned. No leg locks. No cheats. If I pull you off, you have to accept it, I said sternly. I said good fucking luck, she winked with a flop of her ears. Youre gonna need it. I appreciate your cockiness, I laughed. Its almost out of character for you. Im not cocky, she beamed at me as she gyrated in my lap, getting a feel for my cock inside her, burrowing it as deep as she could get it. Im a realist. And then shit got real. She lifted her hips up, her hands pressed against my chest, so that only my cockhead was still inside her cunt--and then, without any warning, she slammed down hard, her heavy, thick, juicy ass spanking itself against my upper thighs. Before I could even react to that insane pleasure, though, I found myself entirely outgunned by her bunny sex powers. Her hips were slamming into me, taking my cock from tip to base, slapping my wet flesh again and again at an insane rate of at least six times per second. It was like getting fucked by the Flash. It was like being jacked off by a pussy. Her ass thumped into me on repeat, and by the third second, or the twentieth collision--whichever came first--my eyes were bulging out of my head and my whole body was twitching already. Hoooooly ffffuuuck! I shouted, my voice vibrating from the repeated barrage of lewd downward thrusts. Bonny said nothing, but she was a fucking mess, too. Tears streamed down her face, which was contorted into a lip-biting grimace of pure focus. This was a woman on a mission. It wasnt even about enjoying it at this point for her. She was trying to milk my cock for all it was worth, and by golly, she was kicking my ass. I heard her humming whines and vaguely felt the flexing and contracting of her inner walls around my shaft, but I almost completely missed the sensation because the thrusts were just happening so fast. Within a few seconds of starting Id lost count of the number of times her booty had smacked my thighs, the number of times her cunt had massaged the entire length of my cock. The fact that I was still yet to cum, even after she herself had apparently climaxed, seemed to perplex her. Youre a worthy foe, I groaned. Fuck. I was about to burst, and God help me, the idea of letting myself finish inside her was just too good. Too fucking good. I dont think Id ever felt a pleasure like what that was going to entail. But for once in my life, when the chips were down, I had some self-control, and as I felt my balls boiling, signaling their intent to spray the inside of her bunny girl cunt with my frothing hot jizz like I was creating an homage to Jackson Pollock in her uterus, I summoned all my courage and strength and grabbed her by the hips. When my hands gripped her, she knew what was up, and she tensed, even slowed. I could tell she was considering a cheat. She wanted to lock me in, despite my warnings, but in the endbless her heartshe didnt. She just pouted and shouted Nooo! Gods-fucking-dammit! as I lifted her off my dick and held her over my head like a ballerina or star cheerleader. She kicked and screamed and complained and cried. So fucking close! She was right. No sooner had I lifted her off of me than did I erupt, but I didnt have a free hand to control the blast or coax it on, so I had that unpleasant feeling building, the one you get when you leave an orgasm in progress unattended--and this was set to be an orgasm unlike any Id ever had. Bonny, though, turned out to be a better sport than she at first appeared, because once she became aware of my jizz shooting upwards and catching her in the ankle, she maneuvered her feet back down and started giving me a footjob in the air even as I continued to hold her above me, scowling in my face as she helped me to come down safely from my orgasm. I groaned, biting on my lip as I looked up at her absolutely exhausted countenance. I was more than a little relieved to see itd taken almost as much out of her as it had out of me. She had a ceiling, at least, and I knew what to expect next time. The rest of my ejaculate spent, covering her feet and my own thighs, I placed her gently on the ground beside me. Im so fucking mad at you right now, Mr. Drake, she hissed as she got herself up to a sitting position. Dont hate the player, hate the game, I said, throwing my hands behind my head. Goddamn. Those are some magic hips you have. She kept on frowning and eyed a glob of jizz on my thigh. With two fingers, she lifted up the glob, studied it, and slowly started lowering it to her pussy lips. No! I said, grabbing her wrist. That absolutely counts as cheating. She thought about it for a second. I think Im okay with it, she grinned. She was gorgeous, but her pigtails were totally disheveled, her hair and face covered in sweat, and tears from exertion were still drying on her cheeks. After a minute of me glaring at her, she blew a loose strand of brown hair out of her face and conceded. Fuck. Ffffine. Ill be ready next time, Mr. Drake. DONT bring your unicorn. You go with her on your own time. This is Bonnys breeding time. Got it? Fuck. Id never seen her so determined. I was scared-horny at the sight of her normally sweet bunny face leering at me with ferocity and dark purpose. Uhhh Sure. Good. This was just a warm-up. Next time, Im going to clamp my pussy down on your cock so hard that itll rip your dick off if you try to take it out. I laughed nervously. She didnt. Lets fucking go, she said, standing up abruptly and taking off in the direction of the Sanctuary and Tater Town. Uh, Bonny? I said, picking up her loincloth and the leather strap she used as a top. I think youre forgetting something." She looked back at me with cold eyes lit by the icy flames of passion. You think I have time to worry about that, Mr. Drake? Im doing pelvic floor exercises until the sun comes up. Putting on clothes can wait until after Im filled to burst with your beautiful babies. Keep the clothes, she scoffed. Vale can make me a new maternity outfit when this is all over. I wasnt sure how much I liked this game. No wait. Yes, I was. I liked it. I liked it a lot. virgilknightley Side Smut 5: Scalia and Vale – Big MILF Energy (◆◆) I walked up to the entrance of Scalia''s inn and tavern and leaned against the door. I was holding two large crates stacked to the brim with fresh produce, set for delivery. These veggies would serve our community well, and Scalia had taken it upon herself to be the distributor to the various artisans and tradeswomen in town. These goods would also help monster girls in the surrounding region that had jobs that didn''t deal directly in the production of food. Leaning against the door, I tried to announce my presence with a shout, but it went unnoticed, so I pushed forward and slammed my head into the door a few times, knocking in quite a nontraditional way. I''d use my hands, but didn''t want to set the crates down, so my thick skull would have to do. The door was thrown open almost instantly, but to my surprise it wasn''t Scalia that greeted me, but Vale, satyr woman and mother to Heather. She was holding a clay cup brimming with a fragrant, fruity alcoholic beverage and eyeing me with a cocked grin. "Hey there, strong boy," she grinned as she leaned on the door-frame and sipped her wine. "Here I was trying to cool down and a hot thing like you has gotta show up out of nowhere. So much for that." "Hi Vale," I blushed. "Delivery for Scalia!" "I can see that." Vale was a well-known day drinker and a textbook MILF. She was a bit thicker set than her petite daughter, but hardly looked much older. It was her energy that betrayed her superior age. Whenever she looked at me, I got those cougar vibes that sent chills running down my spine and triggered my danger sense in all the right ways. She was fucking hot, with blazing red hair and freckles on her dimpled cheeks. Her eyes were always heavy-lidded with lust and at least partial intoxication, and she had the tendency to favor her left hip when standing, making her figure pop in the sultriest way. Add to that the odd allure of her cloven hooves and ram horns, and she was a total knockout. Her outfit and sense of fashion were also stellar. being the leather-worker, tailor, and tanner in the community, she wore the finest garments of just about anyone in Tater Town. She took one last look at me and stepped out of my way. She wore an overlong, beautifully embroidered and designed white loincloth with floral patterns running along its sides as well as a matching strapless top that displayed plenty of toned midriff. She was well and evenly tanned, with sinful curves that had me crying out "Mommy" in my mind whenever I spent too much time staring. She was hot and she fucking knew it. She moved out of my way, letting me pass through, but watching me lustfully as I walked into the tavern. "Scalia," she called out. "Our snack is here." "Oh, no, these are for distribution among the community," I said, awkwardly correcting her. I set the crates down on a table and turned to face her. She walked right up to me and dragged a finger down my chest. "I was talking about you, actually." I gulped. Scalia appeared behind the counter, slithering in from her back room. "Well, well, well," she grinned. "You busy today, hero? I think we might have something you could help us with." "Well, I have to do my forest patrol in a bit," I said, brushing some sweat from my brow. "What do you need?" She giggled, a low, womanly sound that rang all the right bells. "You know, you never did pay me back what you owed me from the first time you came here. And the second, with May Belle." "Oh," I said. "Let me run back and get some coinage. I think we can probably afford to square that away with interest." "Oh, I''ve got the interest," she hissed, her forked tongue flicking. "No need to worry about that. Do you remember the deal we made?" "Did we make a deal?" I asked. I honestly couldn''t remember the details, but I was fairly certain I saw where this was going. "Jog my memory." "Gladly," she said as she slithered to the door and locked it ominously. She turned to me, and I swallowed hard as she untied the bandanna she wore as a top and exposed her heavy breasts for my examination. Scalia was fucking gorgeous. Her body was slightly tighter than Vale''s but similarly mature, both of them appearing to be early to mid-thirties by looks, but where Vale was voluptuous and soft, Scalia was a bit more sculpted. Both were absolute goddesses. She had green hair, yellow serpentine eyes, a forked tongue, sharp, angular facial features, and an ample bosom that stacked up well against many of the girls in town, but couldn''t hold a candle to my holstaurs, of course. Still, she was by far the most exotically sexy monster girl around, with her lower half transitioning into a scaly green and yellow-striped snake tail where legs should be. If you included the tail in her measurements, she dwarfed me, but the proportions and dimensions of her human half made her slightly smaller. Vale, for her part, stood almost as tall as me on her hooves. I turned my head to look at Vale and found her fully naked, her entire buxom figure open to my gaze. She was folding her garments neatly and setting them down on the table. "I''m not letting you have all the fun, Scalia. As I recall he''s still in arrears for the first set of clothes I made for him anyway." "I''m pretty sure I paid that back," I grumbled. She sat on the table and opened her legs, two fingers parting her pussy lips for. Already wet. "How sure?" I swallowed as I voraciously consumed the sight. "Suddenly very unsure." She giggled. "What a bright young man you are." I felt my cock straighten in my pants, threatening to rip itself free of its linen prison. The door was locked behind Scalia anyway, and momma didn''t raise me to refuse hospitality or be uncharitable to women in need. I fumbled to untie the twine holding the waistband in place with urgency. "Let me handle that," Scalia said, and she grabbed me by the waist and guided me over to the table where Vale was already prepping herself for me, rubbing her cunt lips with abandon as she eyed my bulge and bit her lip. Her free hand kept her lips working on her wine for one last gulp as I drew closer with her lamia friend. Once I was in place, Scalia practically ripped my pants off. "Careful," Vale groaned. "You break it, you buy it. Don''t make me have to make him a new pair." "Sorry," Scalia hissed, but she didn''t look sorry. She sank down on her tail so that she was at eye level with my freed cock. "It''s so big," she moaned. "Biggest I''ve seen." I blushed with pride. "That''s the nicest thing I''ve heard all week." "It''s true. It''ll be hard to take on." But then her eyes lit up with naughty purpose. "I''ll manage, though." She descended onto my cock like a hot, wet dream. My eyes rolled back into my head and I groaned louder than I meant to as I watched her lips slide down my shaft and then right back up, taking me to the base each time like it was all too easy. "Holy fuck," I groaned. "That''s...wow." "Let me have a taste," Vale shuddered as she climbed off the table and sank to her knees, side-by-side with Scalia in front of me. Scalia backed off to let her friend get in her licks. The satyr MILF parted her lips and took my cock deep into her hot wine-coated throat. "Fuck!" I gasped as I felt my balls tighten and my hips buck involuntarily. "Vale! Fuck!" "Not yet," she laughed around my dick. "We''re gonna take it nice and slow." Those were the words she said, I think, but they were muffled as she didn''t break contact with my shaft the whole time. As Vale romanced my shaft, Scalia focused on my balls. She licked and sucked at them with a nurturing instinct only a mother could know, and I groaned as I felt her long tongue swirling around my sack. I noticed that Scalia, too, was oddly aroused just from servicing me, moaning as though I was making love to her already. "Oh, God," I moaned, mirroring her cries. "This is too much. This is like cocaine on Christmas morning." Scalia looked up at me with her yellow eyes and smiled. Her tongue flicked out and she lapped at my sack, and I whimpered as I felt her fork caress my nuts and the sensitive skin surrounding them. The texture of it was exquisite, and I thought I might cum just from that sensation alone, but Vale was another matter altogether. Her full lips and agile tongue betrayed a level of skill and love for giving head that rivaled the best, most attentive blowjobs I''d ever gotten. I watched as she worked her way down my shaft, taking it deeper and deeper into her throat. She bobbed her head slowly, watching me with those gorgeous green eyes and smiling when she probably guessed how close I was to cumming already. All the while, Scalia cooed and hissed as she sucked on my balls, and soon I was going to burst. Suddenly the question of when I would come vanished into a question of just how much a mess I was going to make. I was certain Vale sensed it because she pulled back, gasping and sucking air through her teeth. She smiled up at me and gave my shaft one last slurp before pulling away, standing up, and seating herself on the table again, spreading her legs wide to invite me. "Not yet, young man," she hummed lasciviously. "I want to feel your molten seed inside my pussy." Fuck. I forced myself to calm down, though I was teetering the brink. "What about Scalia?" I asked, sparing a look and a thought for the snake girl. "I''ll wait my turn." I wondered just how that was going to work, as I didn''t see any signs of a pussy in her lower body--and I wasn''t sure I found the idea of fucking a snake body particularly appealing anyway. But I tabled it for the moment and descended upon Vale, making out with her first, running my hands along her smooth stomach and up to her heavy breasts. Her nipples were large and hard, and I could feel them poking against my palms like a dulled thumbtack as I fondled them. I suckled one between my lips, and she shivered as I slid my tongue across her tit and down to her navel. I moved to the other and repeated the process, and she rewarded me with a deep contented sight as I nuzzled her belly button and attempted to forge a path even further down. She gripped a clutch of my hair tightly all of a sudden. "No," she said, pulling my head back up and glaring me in the eyes. "Your cock. Not your tongue." I nodded, stood, and gripped her waist, pulling her toward me and positioning my manhood carefully at her entrance like a gentleman. She reached down and spread her pussy open with her fingers, and I groaned as I felt the slick folds of her sex tease my tip. I pressed forward, feeling her slippery walls swallow me up as I entered her. Her eyes went wide, and for a moment the normally in-control woman flashed a look of vulnerability, but it was quickly consumed by a renewed horny grin. "Ohhh," she cooed. "That''s about as good as I was hoping, I''d say." "About as good?" I chuckled. "Then allow me to up my game." She grinned wickedly. "Go ahead, then. Show me what you can do." I took a deep breath and began to thrust into her, slow at first, but hard and deep. I moved with a purposeful rhythm, building speed and momentum, watching her face to know when I''d found her sweet spot. Her moans grew louder and more frequent as I pushed into her, and soon she was panting and sweating and writhing on the table, leaning back on her elbows, her face hot and desperate. "Oh, fuck!" she cried. "That''s it, young man! That''s it, ohhhh, yes, yes, YESSSS! Give it to mommy!" "How do you like me now?" I panted, my own voice hoarse. "I like you plenty, hero," she moaned, her eyes briefly crossing before they focused back on my own. "Oh, by the gods above!" "Here it comes," I warned. "Ready?" "Yes, please!" she gasped. I slammed into her, and she shrieked, her eyes rolling back as she came, her pussy squeezing me tight and milking my shaft as her orgasm crashed over her like a glacier making landfall. She collapsed backward on the table, and I clenched my jaw as I shot my load deep into her. I groaned in unison with her as my cock fired several powerful blasts of cum outward to flood her womb. "Oh, that was so good!" she laughed, breathing hard, patting me on the head. "I haven''t been fucked like that since Heather was conceived." I suddenly felt my heart clench in my chest, and she must have noticed it on my face. "Oh, don''t worry," she giggled. "I would have told you if I were trying to conceive with you," she said as she stroked my face. "We can save that talk for another day." "Hope you''ve got some cum left for me," Scalia said from behind me. I turned around to face her and and saw her snaky tongue tasting the air in anticipation. I nodded. "I''m not sure I know how to fuck you," I admitted. "You''re going to have to walk me through it." She chuckled. "Oh, you don''t have to do a thing except relax." I watched her cautiously as she sank between my legs again, ready, apparently, to blow me once more. I was confused, but didn''t say anything, just letting it happen. It all became clear very quickly as her tongue stuck out and went taut and I saw the forked part split into an opening that expanded to accommodate my entire tip. I groaned instantly as it happened, the feeling so ridiculously intense--it was like her tongue had a pussy, and I watched as it enveloped me and fucked me like an automatic fleshlight, sliding me in and out with almost mechanical perfection. The texture of the inside of her tongue was at once bristly and smooth and extremely wet. As it pumped and milked me, her lips also slid up and down the base. It was like getting fucked and sucked at the same time--an utterly insanely potent sensation. "Lamias like Scalia have their pussies in the fork of their tongue," Vale explained, her head leaning on my shoulder. She stroked my hair as Scalia consumed me, and also played with the lamia''s locks at the same time. "That''s why you probably noticed her moaning even as she sucked on your balls. Her tongue is her most sensitive part." I couldn''t even speak. All I could do was surrender to the pleasure, letting it wash over me. It was a new experience for me, and it was beyond anything I could have imagined. I closed my eyes and let myself go, letting the sensations take over. Soon I felt my balls tingle with the preamble to a mighty orgasm, and I instinctively gripped the lamia woman''s hair and bucked my hips as I unloaded my seed into the channel of her tongue-cunt. She moaned hard and heavily as I realized from the seizing and quaking I felt from her tongue contracting around me that she, too, was cumming, her lips vibrating on my shaft. Her fingers dug into my hips and probably left a bit of a mark, but it was nothing I couldn''t handle. Sprinkle had trained me to endure much worse than that. Finally she pulled off of my cock with a pop. "Ohh fuck, hero," she moaned. "That was incredible." A bit of stray cum--mine and hers--dribbled down her lips, and she quickly did her best to wipe it away but only ended up smearing it. "I take it our debt is settled," I said, stroking her hair back behind her shoulder. She and Vale eyed each other mischievously. "Well..." "I think you''ve at least begun to repay us," Vale giggled. "Tell you what, why don''t you come back here tomorrow for another payment. We''ll work off that debt in no time." I almost wanted to protest, but I quickly realized that this deal didn''t exactly work to my disadvantage in any meaningful way, so I just grinned. "Sounds good. I''ll be making regular payments." Scalia nodded judiciously. "Excellent," she said, grinning. "I''d say within a few months you should be fully paid off--" "--And by then we''ll think of some other way to get you back in our debt," Vale chuckled, pumping and squeezing my cock to free it of the last stubborn bits of jizz. I laughed. "Looking forward to it," I said. "Or maybe I''ll find a way to get you in my debt." I gathered my clothes and bid them farewell, heading back to the Sanctuary covered in sweat and girl juice. Autumn took one look at me upon arriving home and just shrugged. "I mean, I''m glad," she said. "XP and all. But you might actually have an addiction." I laughed, knowing full well she was right. "Don''t judge me," I said. "After all, I''m the monster you made me." Audio Chapter 1: Script and Vocal Performance Sample – May Belle virgilknightley Note: This is not a main chapter and doesnt represent a POV change or format change for the main series. Its just a script of a forthcoming audio project. Thanks! Audio Sample of May Belle''s voice test! I had a note or two, but so far my lovely VA is off to an amazing start! Hope you guys enjoy! Here''s the script for this release! Life has been so good ever since I met you, Bucky-Baby. I finished my work in the field hours ago, and now Im relaxing on the mat in front of a cozy fire in the simple cabin we built together. My little cow ears perk up to hear you approaching as I notice the light fading and coming in through the window in pinker and pinker rays, signaling the end of day. That means youre coming home! After a long day of hunting monsters with Rainbow Sprinkle, Im sure youre exhausted. Especially since its with her. I know she exhausts you sometimes, baby, because shes unique. I can only imagine what slaying monsters must be like with a bloodthirsty unicorn girl as your only sidekick. And when you get here, my sweetheart, my love, my everything, Ill be waiting. My tits are engorged, full of sweet, thick, sloshing cream that cant wait to find its way inside your mouth. Mmmmmm. I cant help but grind my thighs together as I imagine your tongue dancing delicately along the outer rim of my puffy pink areola. I rouse myself off the mat and look for your arrival at the window, hoping to catch you before Daisy does. Sure enough, I see your tall, handsome figure appear in the tree-line alongside the white rainbow-haired form of Sprinkle. I sigh with relief as she spots something shiny or bloody and runs off to go play with it or kill it. That leaves you. And me. I quietly sneak out the door and charge you while Daisys still distracted in conversation with Autumn and Gumi lays across her lap. Perfect. I giggle excitedly, hehehe. I am going to get away with this. I take a running leap, landing flawlessly in your powerful arms. You laugh, but I grin smugly as I see your eyes trail to my chest. They heave excitedly as I breathe hard and start to speak. Bucky-Baby, I say, Im so happy youre finally home. Quick, lets go inside where you can milk me before Daisy gets greedy. I know you dont play favorites, though I wish you did--but first come first serve always seems to work, so here I am, and you carry me to the cabin. I wave at Daisy where she sits by the outdoor firepit and relish the moment she takes notice, knowing Ive won. Sorry, sis! I shouted to my holstaur twin, You can have him milk you later! You slide the door open and set me down on my bed mat by the fireplace. I feel your breath tickling my neck, and I cant take it anymore. I pull you in tight, kissing you. Mmmm! (kissing sounds) Oh Bucky-Baby, I cant hold it in any longer. My boobs are gonna pop if you dont do your job soon. You nod, knowing all too well what job Im referring to, and I watch you with satisfaction as I tug my brown and white cowprint top down, exposing my enormous, cream-filled bosom. My nipples are already leaking, I gasp. Looks like this will be easy for you, baby, hehehe. I giggle as I see you lick your lips and descend upon my nipple while your hands cup my tits from the bottom. The milk sloshes around inside as I moan, Ohhh yes! Your tongue teases me its too much, I cant take it. At the first hint of any suction being applied, a hot stream of sweet frothy cream fills your mouth, and I hear you groan as you enjoy the taste of me. Oh, my love, my Bucky-Baby. I live for these moments alone with you. Nothing else could ever bring a girl as much joy as you bring me when you suck my tits. But you need it as badly as I do, I know. I can tell you want to fill your belly with my milk, and I dont blame you. After all, you''ve been working hard today, and I know how hungry you can get. My cowtail flicks wildly as you knead and massage my breasts. Your fingers dig into them, pulling and twisting my nipples until they swell even larger. I shudder, feeling my body convulse in pleasure. I moan loudly, grinding my ass against your crotch as you continue to feed on me. More cream fills your mouth, and I know it wont be long before your appetites extend beyond my chest. You keep going, though, moving to the other tit, suckling me there as well. Milk spills over your chin and drips onto my stomach, flowing down my sides and staining the earthen floor beneath us. I writhe in pleasure and clutch a wild tangle of your hair, moaning like the little cow I am. As you suck one last time, draining my breast completely dry and leaving me a panting mess, I turn to face you, seeing you lay back on my mat. I grin as I crawl over your stomach, slowly peeling down your pants as I wink at you and see you go short of breath in anticipation for what comes next. "Now it''s my turn to drink your cream, Bucky-Baby," I giggle. "I''m gonna make you cum so good and so hard you''ll forget all about those other girls. You''ll just say, ''May Belle, I love you, May Belle, you''re my favorite.''" I don''t look at your reaction when I say that. I like to think you''re agreeing with me. (giggles) I take your cock into my hand, stroking it lovingly. It twitches in response, growing harder than ever. I give you a sly look, licking my lips as I stare down at your rock hard shaft. You whimper, looking up at me, pleading with me to stop teasing you, and of course I can''t refuse you, baby, so I happily take your cock deep into my mouth. I gag slightly, taking more of you than I usually would, at least so early. But I''m just so desperate for your man-milk, Bucky-Baby, so I suck your cock hard, tangling my little wet tongue all up in it as I deepthroat you like a good little cow. You groan, squirming with pleasure on my bed mat. I feel you throbbing inside my mouth, getting ready to explode. I know you can''t hold out much longer. I can tell you want to cum, but I don''t want to let you. I want to make your pleasure grow and grow, make your Bucky balls churn with your love for me until finally you explode like a fucking volcano down my hot willing little throat. Ohhh fuck, Bucky, I love you so much. I hope you know. I keep throttling your cock in my mouth, sucking and slurping all over it as I pull back. I watch you closely, watching your eyes roll back in your head and your hands ball into fist. Your body tightens as I feel you building towards your big release. The taste of your cock is intoxicating, and I can''t help but savor every lick. I love it, and I know you love it when I suck you off. I want to please you, I always do, and Ive adored you since the moment you saved my life from those greenskins in the woods. We''re meant to be, Bucky-Baby. I suck your dick so good and so hard, and I know it''s just a matter of seconds when I hear you grunting and feel your hands grab my horns and force me deeper, setting a brisk throatfucking pace that I barely manage to cope with as I gag and tear up as salty streaks spill from my eyes down my cheek. I fucking love it. You groan, panting heavily as you ravage my mouth, and then it happens. With an impact that shocks me, your first jet of cum sprays the back of my throat. Rope after rope of seed paint the inside of my mouth as your tasty cock spasms, and I swallow all of your pearly nectar greedily, trying not to choke or spit out a single drop. I can''t believe how much you give me. It seems to never end, and for once I think I finally know what it''s like for you when you drink my milk. I love it, baby. I love your cum, almost as much as I love you. I take each load as proof of your love for me as you fill my mouth so full that I have to do chipmunk cheeks to keep it all in. But finally, it''s over. I swallow the last glob and sit up, practically ripping off my skirt and peeling my top the rest of the way off of my body. "Fuck me, Bucky," I whine as I grab your still-hard shaft and maneuver my cunt so that my pussy lips are ready to swallow up your fat dick. "Ohhhh!" You thrust upward, burying yourself inside me. I cry out, almost falling backwards as you bottom out in my womanhood. My knees tighten against your waist, pulling you in tighter. I flex my pussy muscles to suck you in as deep as I can, so desperate to be as full of you as possible. Your big hands squeeze my tits, and I can''t stop myself from moaning. "Ahhh!" I grind my ass against you, wanting this pleasure never to end. It''s bliss. It''s heaven. This Sanctuary, this cabin, this home we made together. This sex. It''s everything. I feel your cock throbbing against the silky texture of my insides and we groan in unison like beasts. Its so romantic! I bend forward, Kissing you as you continue to pump your cock upward and into me again and again, your assault turning my mind to jelly as the only word I can conjure in my head is "More!" Each thrust is met with another moan, and I''m soon lost in a sea of ecstasy, having to claw at the ground beneath us as I try to hold on to reality. You''ve got me so fucked up, Bucky-Baby. (Moans) I''m sure by now everyone in the sanctuary knows what we''re doing, and I don''t feel a hint of shame as I know they all wish they were me right now. I try to express this thought to you, but it just comes out as, "Ohhh my fucking god!" My pussy stretches to accommodate you as you continue to swell with supernatural levels of arousal, my cunt milking you like a needy calf. You''re so huge, and even though I feel my pussy ache from how big you''ve grown inside me, the pain reads like pleasure just to know that that big cock is all for me. I take over the thrusts again, lifting my ass up and down, letting my bubbly butt slap against your thighs to a rapidly quickening beat. "Yes! Fuck me, Bucky-Baby, yes! Yes! Ohhh!" I feel my orgasm approaching. My cunt twitches at first, but then it fully spasms, flexing tight around your invading shaft as my juices pour out like a fountain. I scream loudly, rocking my hips wildly while I feel you jerk inside me, and I know that you''re cumming, too, pumping your hot seed deep into my womb. I whimper softly, gasping for breath as I collapse on top of you. Our sweat mingles and drips down our bodies, staining the floor beneath us. I feel your chest heave with your labored breathing, and I need nothing in this world now but to have your arms around me. Somehow, you read my mind, (giggles), and I''m entombed in your hot embrace. Our tongues touch, and we kiss like we did the night you marked me. I wrap my legs around you, holding you close as you hold me, and you stroke my hair gently, stroking my face and tucking strands behind my ears. I pretend that this is going to last forever, that no force on Lusteria could bring this perfect moment to a close. The room smells of milk, sweat, and cum. I know Daisy will be furious with me later, but I don''t care. Because I won. And tonight, I have you. I love you Bucky-Baby. Chapter 32: Mood Reader (◆◆) Bonny huffed off into the village as we exited the clearing, absolutely inconsolable and unwilling to hear anything I tried to say. Prepare yourself, Mr. Drake. The day of reckoning is coming for you. Yes yes yes, your time is almost up, she snarled just before whipping her head away from me and storming up the hill toward Tater Town. I shrinked nervously from her tortuous glare, but then spied a few of my girls hard at work on their daily chores. There was Gumi, still little more than a blob, chasing Daisy in the fields as they rid the crops of pests. Ivy looked exhausted as she sat perched on the cabin roof, and judging by the dewiness of the leaves in the field I figured she just finished her hour-long task of watering the plants for the day. Autumn was walking around with a slab, writing things down on parchment with a quill, ever the taskmaster. But it was Rainbow Sprinkle and May Belle that caught my eye, as both were looking slightly gloomy as they sat together in the spot where Aldons tent had been earlier that morning. The grass was still matted down in the spot, and they seemed to share a singular downcast expression as Sprinkle played with a straw doll that May Belle had made for her, cradling it like a baby in her arms while the holstaur braided her hair and sang into the unicorn girls ear. I activated my Mood Reader feat and confirmed the issue. Sprinkles satisfaction level was still sitting at around sixty percent. To make matters worse, May Belles had also gone down, from a throbbing one hundred percent heart icon to something much closer to ninety or even eighty-five. That was alarming. I swallowed hard and decided it was time to pay some attention to my girls. I could be a fucking idiot when it came to reading women and knowing when it was time to take action, but this feat made it a bit easier, and I thanked my lucky stars for it. Hey, I said, strolling up to them. My Bucky! Sprinkle cooed up at me. Sometime between this morning and now, shed seen fit to remove her new bikini armor. It suited me just fine. I was used to her being naked all the time and, frankly, it never got old. Maybe I was well and truly an idiot, but without the feat, at this moment I wouldn''t have been able to tell anything was wrong with her. She grinned up at me happily, though she didnt stand because May Belle was actively styling her rainbow hair. Welcome home, Bucky-Baby, May Belle said, her voice high and just as sweet. We missed you so much. Now, May Belle was slightly easier to read. She was usually smiling at me, but at this moment that smile was weakened and worn by something. A worry, I figured. Something was nagging at her. I could recognize that look on anyones face. I knew it well from the training videos I had to watch on workplace conflict resolution and mediation back when I worked for Ronald McDonald. Mind if I sit down beside you? I asked. Of course not, May Belle grinned. Itd make my day. Sprinkle immediately nuzzled up against me, making May Belle tut as it apparently caused a snag in the unicorns hair. Careful, Sprinky, she said. Im almost done. Everything okay? I asked, not really sure how to broach the topic. I thought it might be a bit invasive if I just explained that my feat was telling me something was wrong. I didnt want to make them feel pressured to say something they werent ready to say. At the same time, I needed them to know I was open to anything they wanted to express. Sprinkle smiled at me. Everything is wonderful when youre here, she giggled, planting kisses on my shoulder, gently jabbing my cheek with her horn in the process. All good here, May Belle said. I nodded. Lots of changes recently. Lots of stuff on the horizon, I said, trying to lead them toward whatever might be on their minds. You adjusting to it all? May Belles hands froze in Sprinkles hair, but only for a second. Yes, she said, her smile withered. Now I had my opening. Whats wrong? I said. Why the long face? She sighed, looked at the ground, looked up at me, and then looked back at her hands as she continued to finish off the braid in Sprinkles hair. Lots of changes, like you said, she admitted cautiously. Sprinkle sat in silence. I couldnt see her face because it was still buried in my shoulder, but her silence was conspicuous, too. What can I do? I asked. It was a simple question, but I hoped it was enough. May Belle sighed. Sprinkle continued on without a sound. Ive been with you since the first day you arrived in Lusteria, she said. And I thought wed always be together, you know? I narrowed my eyes in confusion. We will be, I said. What are you trying to say? Im really afraid, Bucky, she confessed, her voice suddenly high and shaky. Her eyes were growing dewier by the second, but she didnt crynot yet, anyway. Im afraid youre falling out of love with me. Im afraid Im being replaced. So many girls want you, and you want them too. I cant help but feel like Im not enough. I looked her in the eyes. May Belle, I need you to hear me right now. Look at me. Look me in the eyes so you know how much I mean this. She did. A single tear was streaming down her cheek. I will never fall out of love with you. Youboth of youare absolutely irreplaceable. At worst, its possible Ive taken you for granted, but thats only because I see you as a constant. You are Lusteria to me. I cant imagine going on here without you in it. She smiled, though weakly. Still, she said. I see you walking out of the forest with Bonny. Or I hear about you with Vale, or Scalia, or Etherea. Its been days since you made love to me. Do you know that? Days. I wonder how many other girls you''ve had since then. I felt my heart throb as I knew she had a point. Youre right, I said. I need some self-control. She shook her head, though. Its not about that. I just dont want you to forget me. I accepted long ago that you would be popular with the women of Tater Town, but back then I thought your heart would at least remain faithful to me. It is, I said. Is it? I looked straight at her, feeling my own heart breaking. My voice trembled. Yes, May Belle. I love you, and Im sorry for being a deadbeat. You deserve so much better than Ive been giving you. She looked back at Sprinkles hair as she tied some twine in a bow to hold the completed braid together. Actions speak louder than words, Bucky Drake. Im going inside. And with that, she stood up and headed into the cabin. I tried to protest but she just walked away, her shoulders tensed as though she was about to cry. And at that point I realized Sprinkle was quietly sobbing on my shoulder. Fuck. Hey, Sprinkle, honey, whats wrong? I can tell youve been a little unhappy recently too, and now this? With a loud sob, she blurted out, You dont love me! I was taken aback by it. What? What the hell are you saying? Of course I do. You dont trust me. Youre afraid when you cant see me. You think Ill do something bad! No, its just that youre-- and I lied before! I miss the forest! Im so tired of this farm! she sobbed. I feel like a prisoner here sometimes! That fucking wrecked me. I wish you would have told me that before, I said, holding her tightly. Ill make it right, I promise. Ill build you a treehouse just where the Sanctuarys land meets the forest. Hows that? She whimpered. It sounds fine. But I just My Bucky, do you really love me? Yes, I said. But youre right. Sometimes I dont know what to do with you because youre not the same as the other girls. But its not a bad thing. I just need some time to figure you out, I said reassuringly as I caressed her cheek and ultimately stroked the length of her horn. She shivered with pleasure at that. When will you figure me out? she whined. My Bucky please, try harder. I waited for you for seven hundred years, and now that I have you I feel like you dont even want me. Im such a fucking dick. I picked her up and placed her on my lap. I couldnt help but notice how light she felt in my arms--I was growing physically stronger as I leveled. I''d probably leveled multiple times since the last time I checked my HUD. Yet another thing on my mind. She looked me in the eyes. Will things get better? she asked. Will you really care for me forever? I groaned a troubled sigh. Let me just say that its not easy being a hero and being responsible for the happiness of so many people. Now the whole fucking town wants to get pregnant, and to be honest, sweety, Im a bit overwhelmed. But that doesnt mean that things will always be this hard, or that I will always be this incompetent at keeping you happy. In fact, now that I know what the issue is, Im going to make it right immediately. May Belle was correct. Actions speak louder than words, so the first thing Im going to do is make love to May Belle, and then I''ll take care of you, and after that Im going to stay up all night working on your tree house. Things get better right now. Ill be waiting, my Bucky, she hummed against my neck. Her creamy white skin was smooth and hot to my caressing fingers as I leaned in and kissed her softly on the lips. Her mood? Seventy percent. Aldon started heading toward us from atop the hill--toward me, as far as he was concerned, since he couldnt see Sprinkle. I watched him approach and set her back on the ground. I stood, crossing my arms, and held up a hand to stop him as he neared me. I dont know what youre about to say, but something came up that I need to deal with right now, I said. Darkmaw was sighted not far from the village on the eastern side, he said. Should we attack? No, I said. In fact, thats something we all need to talk about soon. But, tell you what, keep an eye on her, and take Ivy with you. If she makes an aggressive move, which I doubt she will if you keep some distance, you have my permission to do whatever you need to do to stop her. I dont need your permission, he replied coldly. I shook my head. That''s where you''re wrong, Mr. Potter. Youre in my territory, under my hospitality. You absolutely do. He looked at me in silence for a minute. Alright then, he said. He turned his head to the wood elf who was perched atop the roof of my cabin. Ivy! he called out. Youre with me. Lets go. She looked at me, and I nodded my approval. They disappeared into the east together, armed and ready to fight if it should come to that. I prayedno, I knewthat it wouldnt. As for me, I had other more important matters to take care of. I walked to the cabin and found May Belle sitting alone by a dimly lit fireplace, staring vacantly into its diminishing flames. She either didnt hear me enter or consciously chose not to acknowledge me until the moment I sat down beside her and put my arm around her. She looked at me, her face empty of that smile Id become so accustomed to. Seeing her face without her perfect grin was almost alien to me, and it fucking wrecked me. I love you, I said, and I leaned in to kiss her. She let me kiss her, putting up a show of resistance at first, just being cold and passive for the first few seconds as my lips touched hers. Within moments, though, shed melted, and her hot breath mingled with mine as she crawled needily into my lap. Never forget me again, she whined as she kissed my neck, planting a dozen pecks from my collarbone to my cheek. The desperation of her love struck me deeply, awakening a similar need inside of me. I pushed her down against the mat in front of the fireplace, casting Fire Bolt to reinvigorate the flames so that I could better see her beauty lit beneath me. Sparks flew, figuratively and literally. I never forgot you, I countered. But I did neglect you. And that will never happen again. She pulled my neck down to her, and our tongues became entwined. She wrapped her legs around me, and if we were naked Id already have been in position to thrust inside of her, but we were still fully clothed. I tugged lightly at her top, freeing her enormous milky breasts. Mmmm, I hummed. Nothing better after a long day. Its all for you, she said shyly, biting her fingertips as she watched me descend upon her tits like a predator upon its prey. I took her right breast in my hand, massaging it as I looked adoringly into her eyes, glittering with her arousal. I licked gently at the teat, and already tasted the faint traces of her cream as she moaned cutely under me. Fuck, Bucky-Baby, I need you so badly, she moaned, not breaking eye contact. Suck it, baby. I obeyed, latching onto her nipple, my tongue swirling her areola with practiced ease, coaxing the cream into my mouth as I applied suction. Like opening a tap, her sugary milk flowed into my mouth, spilling out of my lips, but I didnt let a drop escape, licking her entire tit to catch any stray dribbles that dared make a break for the earthen floor. Meanwhile, she desperately reached down and struggled with my pants, trying to grant my cock the freedom it would need to claim her once more. I broke my latch from her tit to help her, tugging it down, and I could tell it was a bittersweet moment for her as she recognized the necessity of my action but clearly showed her disdain for letting my lips leave her nipples for any purpose whatsoever. I lowered myself onto her other breast, ready to make everything right for her once again. My cock was prepped to go, hard as a fucking gemstone as the head of my manhood teased her moistened slit. She seethed through her teeth, surprised at her own sensitivity as I finally pushed myself into her folds. Ohh Bucky Baby, she moaned as I slowly brought my cock to the hilt inside her. Too deep, slow down, she moaned. I instantly obeyed. This was about her. I took it nice and slow, seeking her pleasure at all costs. I swirled her tit delicately but purposefully, suckling and drinking her heavenly milk as my hips bucked into her again and again. Soon she was moaning uncontrollably, running her fingers through my hair in ragged desperation. Im losing myself, she moaned. I cant fucking think! I let go of her nipple for a moment to speak some soothing words but was flatly rejected when her palm smacked down on the top of my head, forcing my lips back onto her breast. Message received. I kept doing what I was doing, and soon I could feel the deluge of her pussy on my cock as though a great dam had opened up. The mat we were making love upon was surely ruined. Whose mat was this again? Oh. Daisys. That might cause issues. But soon it was over, and I rolled onto my back, her climbing on top of me, nuzzling into my muscled chest. I love you so much, she said. Youll never know, Bucky-Baby. Youll never have a fucking clue how much. I caressed her chocolate brown locks that had grown all the way down to her shoulder, kissing her forehead. Right back at you, I said. Dont ever doubt it again. When we left the cabin together, arm-in-arm, we immediately scanned for Sprinkle but couldnt see her anywhere. I glanced over at Autumn and called out to her. You seen Sprinkle, Autumn? She waved and called back, She went to the forest. She asked you to find her where you always do. The bloodberry bush. I nodded and kissed May Belle goodbye and headed back into the trees, but it was getting dark. I followed the path that I knew well by this point and found Sprinkle there, sitting beside the bush, biting into some berries that dribbled a red stream of blood-like juice down her chin into the valley between her ivory-white breasts. It didnt even seem like she was eating the berries. She grinned when she saw me. Do you remember the first time we met? she asked before offering any greeting. Of course, I told her. I helped you out of a trap. And then you trapped me on that farm, she frowned. The words practically gouged me. Im going to fix it, I said, approaching her. She nodded, smiling. I know, she said. I wish I told you sooner. I am not good at talking about my feelings to others. Im so used to just feeling them... alone. I leaned forward and kissed her on the lips once. Perfectly understandable, I said. I dont want to make love tonight, she confessed after a pause. I just want you to hold me. You can worry about the treehouse tomorrow. Just hold me right here, in this spot, next to the bloodberry bush. You got it, I said, and then I did something which surprised even me. I bit her lip--hard, drawing blood, making her squeal loudly in shock and arousal. My Bucky! she gushed in surprise, and she bit me back. We played roughly on the forest floor for hours until she finally nodded off in my arms. Just a hint of starlight peaked through the canopy, and I couldnt help but admire its beauty as I too succumbed to rest. virgilknightley Chapter 33: Town Meeting As it turned out, the whole of Tater Town came together once word had spread of Sprinkles issue. It was quite the outpouring of support, catching all of us off-guard. I think its great, Ivy said, ringing her arm around Sprinkle affectionately. She had used her druidic magic to twist the branches and vines into a shape that would easily support a treehouse. I will visit you here every day, she promised. So will I, I said. I''ll check in with you before or after every forest patrol. You dont need to do that, she giggled. Ill still be in the Sanctuary every night. I just need to feel free to return here, too, she said, gesturing to the forest around her. But I love the idea of having a home here where we can be together, my Bucky. Aldon and Winter saw the project as a waste of time, though. They scoffed as we basically abandoned the Sanctuary for the bulk of a day to construct our new forest basethat was how I saw it. We were growing all the time, and having an outpost in the forest wasnt only useful to make Sprinkle happy. It also had very real benefits to us and Tater Town. You were right about Darkmaw, Aldon said as he watched me chop down trees with ease. She didnt make a move. She was just watching. It was strange. I really dont understand what her game is. I have only recently started to understand her, I confessed, wiping a gob of sweat from my brow. And thatll be the subject of a much delayed meeting as soon as this project is resolved. Dont keep me in suspense, he said. Tell me now. No, I replied, wiping a bit of sweat off of my brow. My girls deserve to hear it first. His face twisted a bit at that. Why? he asked. They arent heroes. Most of them dont even fight. Ivys great. Bonny seems useful, but why do your milkmaids need to know before an Apex Hero who can actually take action? I looked at him sternly. Theyre my milkmaids. And this is my home. Theyre invested. Youre not. They depend on me. You dont. So they have priority. Youre frankly lucky Im letting you be in on the meeting. Fine, he said. Im not helping you build a tree fort for your invisible concubine, though. Winter and I will do some exploring in the forest. We''ll try to make sure you arent disturbed while foraging and building, at least. Thats better than no contribution, I said, smiling at him. Thanks for that, I guess. No sweat. But just as he turned to leave, I decided to grab him by the shoulder and pull him aside. There were, after all, matters for heroes to discuss. We quickly laid out the beginnings of a plan for our first major collaboration and set a date for a couple weeks in the future. And with the conclusion of that, he departed to go find his catgirl and update her. I looked over my shoulder and saw Bonny fiercely at work, her face contorted in focus and a righteous snarl. What are you stopping for, Mr. Drake? she said, panting. Forest monsters need slaying! Hurry, there may still be time for us to venture out into the woods together if we finish early enough! She cleaved through trunk after trunk of tree just as fast as I did. It was pretty obvious what she was really after. Daisy saw it too. Give it a rest, Bonny, honey, Daisy said. Therell be more opportunities to play the game. Bonny looked at Daisy in disbelief. I thought you of all people would understand. I do, she said, but not every day is all about me and what I want. Same goes for you. Bonny sighed, finally seeming to relax. Alright, she said, looking down. Besides, I interrupted them, I promised Sprinkle Id patrol alone with her if we finished early. And tomorrow, too, so youll have to wait a couple days at least. Bonnys eyebrow twitched as her buck teeth protruded, signaling obvious irritation. Flustered, she struggled to express herself civilly. Thats just f-f-fine, she stammered. Its not about me. Its not about me. Its not about me Daisy and I shared an awkward look. I could see that my holstaur was having a moment of quiet regret as she wondered at the monster shed made. After I had gotten away from the crowd to look for some more timber that could make ideal logging for the new fort, I felt the hairs on the back of my neck bristle as I smelled a familiar feminine musk emanating from behind me. Hello, Darkmaw, I grunted, turning around to face her. There she was, naked and hot as ever, looking at me with those predatory eyes. I was hoping you would come out to play yesterday, she said, smirking at me as she looked me up and down like it was her first time seeing me in ages. Something came up, I answered her. Had to deal with it. Yes, your little hucow and the demented unicorn, she nodded. How the fuck do you know these things? I asked tremulously, gripping the axe in my hand so tightly I felt the haft crack. We would have to consummate our love in order for me to feel comfortable divulging my methods, she giggled, her voice husky and full of conniving. I couldnt stop myself from grinning. Good luck with that, I said. Im not going to succumb to the likes of you anytime soon. Itd be boring if you did. Would you like some help with your treehouse? I plan to live there myself one day. It would be nice to be closer to you once the pups are born. I winced. More baby talk. Im not sure how Ivy and Sprinkle would enjoy having you as their roommate, I said. Theyll warm up to me once they get to know me. Trust me, she said. I doubt itll be that simple, I said with a sigh. She was going to be a hard sell. But you do want it, dont you? she asked. I thought about how best to respond. If itll mean having you as an ally and keeping this region safe, then Im open to anything, I answered. That was honest. That was true. She nodded. Pragmatic, she beamed with an air of skepticism. But you ignore the love we both feel. I coldly shook my head. That part Im not with you on, I said as plainly as I could. I do have girls in my life who I love, and you arent one of them. You have to earn that. She cringed and took a step back at the brazen harshness of my response. You will love me, then, she said. Her eyes were narrowed in the sort of look a bully makes when her feelings are finally hurt for once. It didnt feel good to wound her like that, but I wasnt going to lie or risk having her blab something about our love in front of the others once she started trying to integrate herself into Sanctuary life. Fuck. That was unthinkable enough. I took no pleasure in seeing her so gloomy and pained, but I had no choice but to be clear and honest. We exchanged frowns. "I will teach you to love me." Youre welcome to try, I shrugged. I looked around, making sure we weren''t being observed, but it was stupid. She wouldn''t have ever approached me if we were in danger of being watched. Her senses were too advanced. Theres definitely a spark of attraction, but love takes time, mutual understanding, and acts of affection and service to bloom, in my experience. All of my interactions with you have been either ominous or as enemies on opposites sides of a battlefield. The trust needed for love just isnt there. I trust you, she said. I trust you with my life. Thats your prerogative, I shrugged. Now, if youll excuse me, I have to build a tree fort. I walked away from her, and she let me go, but just before I stepped out of view, I heard her voice calling back to me shakily but still powerful. Apex Hero! she shouted. I will earn your love. Your heart will be mine. Dont you doubt me. I tossed a look behind me in her direction, smiled, and waved. I walked back with a single log slung over my shoulder, soon meeting up with the others. The bulk of the work on the treehouse was finished in under one day, thanks to the incredible teamwork of everyone involved--and largely thanks to my greater command over my powers. It made me realize it was probably about the right time to start thinking about building a barn and an expansion to the cabin, too, but I put that thought out of my mind as I leaned forward, put my hands on Sprinkles waist, and planted a kiss on her tear-soaked lips. Thank you, my Bucky! Thank you, Tater Town! she said, her voice so sweet it almost hurt. People mumbled their own words of well-wishing and began to turn, but I stopped them. Dont go, I said. There is something I need to tell you all. All of Tater Town, back at the Sanctuary. Tonight. Cant it wait? Daisy whined. Were all so sore. I shook my head. Absolutely not, I insisted. This is important and has to do with the security of Tater Town. Ive been sitting on this knowledge for over twenty-four hours, and every second I dont tell you all about it, the worse I feel. It happens tonight. The crowd murmured and exchanged anxious looks, trying to press me for questions, but I offered no responses but the most general. Soon we were gathered around a blazing bonfire, all members of the town and the sanctuary in attendance. It was the first time Id ever seen them all in one place, and the first time Id even properly met a couple of them. I looked around, actually dumbfounded for a split second by the sheer number of beauties. Aldon, too, seemed speechless, and that fact didnt make it past Winters irritated eye. Boys, she groaned dismissively, blowing a loose strand of hair out of her face in a jealous huff. May Belle eyed her with a knowing look that said ''I feel your pain.'' Alright, everyone, I said. There are a few things that absolutely cannot wait any longer to become public knowledge. They all studied me nervously, wondering what I was going to say. To my right, May Belle was clinging to my arm, and on my left Autumn sat beside me, looking at me, just as clueless as the others about what I was going to say. Yesterday Aldon and I met with Darkmaw, I said. She didnt want to fight. She wanted to talk. And even more than that, she wanted to play with me. Play? a kitsune girl asked, her three foxtails wagging wildly as she tried to understand. What do you mean? She is courting me, I said, and I was suddenly cut off by a barrage of gasps and protests. "She has made it clear to me that she isn''t our enemy." Thats insane! cried out one person. And you believe her?! shouted Etherea in patent disbelief. I''d never seen her so disgusted with me, and it stung. Vale, the mother of Silver Moon and Heather, was conspicuously silent, and I pegged that right away. I absolutely believe her, I said, raising my hand to silence them. And she shared with me a secret that I am sworn to keep, but suffice it to say she is not our enemy, though-- She killed Silver Moon! cried out another town member I didnt know very well, a woman with the upper half of an elf and the lower half of an elk. How can you even say that?! This is the Apex Hero weve been fawning over?! I felt the crowd going out of control, and it was to be expected. If youd let me finish No! Vale stood up abruptly, wine sloshing in her clay cup. No, listen to me! My heart sank. I fought the urge to close my eyes and just let the oncoming insults wash over me. Bucky is right! she announced, silencing everyone, shocking me into wide-eyed wonder. Darkmaw is no enemy of Tater Town. Her wolves did kill my daughter, but it wasnt her fault. Silver Moon herself ventured into the woods alone despite my many warnings. The general was away from her pack, separated by a wood elf attack. The wood elves chased her hounds closer to our land, and in turn, the wolves found Silver Moon and pursued her back to Tater Town, where Heather saw it all happen. Darkmaw came in later, trying to call the wolves back and prevent further damage. She was merely distracted by Bucky. How do you know this? Etherea asked breathlessly. Around the fire, dozens of stunned faces stared back at her, and I felt more than a little relieved at the sudden turn of eventsand not to be the center of attention for once. Because the night she died, Darkmaw herself came to my home to apologize. I felt my skin crawl at that. I didnt know that, I said quietly. She told me everything, and weve been meeting almost every night since. We drink together, and we share information. She is an enemy of the Demon Queen and the Witch Queen, not us. Do not besmirch her. Without her presence in the woods, Tater Town would have fallen to demonic forces or attacks from Keenfury months before Bucky ever arrived. Then shes the real hero, I said solemnly. I owe her an apology. Aldon looked completely muddled by this. So there are good and bad generals of the Goblin Queen? He rolled his eyes in frustration. Fucking dammit, why cant anything be black and white? Like your hideous outfit? Daisy laughed harshly. May Belle scolded her with an elbow to the tit her for her rude remark, but Aldon himself fought back a laugh, and so did I. It is what it is, I said. Darkmaw isnt our enemy. She is a powerful potential ally who sees her duty to the Goblin Queen as necessitating the protection of Tater Town and her alliance with me. I will proceed with caution, and I havent made any decisions on how to move forward with her, but I wanted you all to know. Im glad you said something, Vale said, sobbing. I thought if I spoke first, people would see me as betraying my own daughter, not understanding. But having you come out with itit made it so much easier. It gave me the bravery I needed. Gods, please dont hate me! she cried. Never, pet, Etherea said, kissing the saytyr woman her on the cheek. The whole town is here for you." Heather sat in silence the whole time, tears streaming down her face, her eyes closed as though in prayer, like she didnt want to hear it, but I got the sense that shed already known. Now what? Winter asked. Autumn looked at her. Now we turn our attention to the true threat, right Bucky Drake? I nodded. In two weeks time, well make an assault on Keenfurys Keep, I said, glancing at Aldon before continuing to address the crowd more broadly. Until then, we rest, train, and prepare. Well also put a plan in place to secure the future of Tater Town in case things go wrong, I said. Go wrong how? May Belle asked, her fingers gripping my arm. I couldnt bring myself to answer, so Aldon did. In case we die, he said. In case Bucky doesnt come back. Aldon has an escape plan ready for any girls who come along, I said. A spell called a Waypoint thatll bring them right back here in one piece. But it can only shuttle two at a time, and Im not leaving with the mission half done. Same goes for me, he said, nodding. Keenfurys dead or we are. This is our first big mission, and failing isnt an option. Dying bravely wont save Lusteria, Etherea said, her eyes fraught with worry. I frowned, as she did have a point. There are still four other active Apex Heroes and dozens of lesser heroes. With Keenfury taken care of, the Goblin Queens region at least will be mostly secured, I said, shrugging, my eyes scanning the confused faces of all the women in the crowd. "In any case, we don''t have any plan to die, but it''s something we need to prepare you for." What about the queen herself? Aldon asked. She cant be touched, I replied. I looked over at Vale and saw understanding in her eyes. She, too, knew the truth. None of this makes sense, he said, looking around to see everyone else just as confused and troubled. But alright. Your territory, your rules. Girls, if we dont come back, make sure the word is spread. A murmur of whimpers and whispers rang out around the fireplace, but the meeting was done. Id said my peace and it actually went far better than Id planned for. I was half-prepared to be driven out of town, and that didnt happen. Instead, the one person who I thought would be absolutely against me turned out to be on my side, and that had made all the difference. After a few minutes it was only Aldon and I left standing by the fire. You up for it? I asked, gazing vacantly into the burning coals. Might as well be, he shrugged. Its literally the reason were here, right? I nodded, staring up at the twilit sky. Alright then. Its settled. With that, he headed back to the inn, and I went home to my cabin. Despite the less-than-disastrous outcome of the meeting, I found myself still tossing and turning with worries and fears about what was to come. All of my girls clung to me greedily that night as if it might be one of the last times they could. Two weeks, I mumbled quietly to myself. At least two more weeks to live. virgilknightley Chapter 34: Nice Level, Sprinkle The next day things were more or less back to normal, but the mood in Tater Town was decidedly different. Even looking up at the thatched roof cottages as they sat atop the hill cradling the edge of my farm, things felt strange and new. It was in my head, mostly, I was sure, but the fact that the towns relationship with Darkmaw had just gone from enemies to ''Its Complicated'' had profound implications for daily life. What was there even left to fear? And yet we had to continue our patrols. Bonny rapped on my door at dawn to request another round of ''The Game'' to no one''s surprise. I already told you yesterday, I said through sleepy eyes, that I would be going into the forest with Sprinkle today. We didnt even get to go last night, so its non-negotiable. Tomorrow, then, Mr. Drake? she said, her bunny ears folding backwards submissively. Ill go easy on you. I just--we need to keep trying. Ill take you out on patrol tomorrow, I agreed. Im not sure I buy that you intend to go easy on me, though. She snickered back at me and turned around. She was wearing the same loin cloth and top from the last time we went out together, and blew upwards as she walked away, letting me see most of her ass as she went. I made sure the outfit found its way back to her once she had calmed down after our last foray. She had other clothes, but that was her favorite, though I couldnt imagine why. It seemed very constricting for her boobs, with the belt-like strap going across her chest. Autumn joined us, too. It had been quite a while since I had invited her out, and Id begun to miss her. I also thought there was a slight chance that Sprinkle might behave a little bit more conservatively with Autumn around so that I could focus on the task of patrolling, but that was of course a misguided notion if ever Id had one. Autumn, would you like to join us in bathing naked in the blood of our enemies? Rainbow Sprinkle said, her tone practically a song, skipping through the forest in her glimmering chainmail bikini. She clapped her hands together, and as she did, her long metal claws clanged and scraped against one another. The sound wasnt half as pleasant as her girly voice. Ill leave that up to you two, she giggled. But Id love to watch. Dont encourage her, I laughed. We need to focus on the task at hand. Playtime comes later, I promised as I swatted Sprinkle lovingly on the butt. She yipped with delight at my touch and gave me a lascivious look. I will be very focused! she insisted. Then, afterwards we can feast on each others flesh. She put her hands to her face, swooning as she added, Ohh, its so romantic! Is it, though? I asked, wincing slightly. But then I caught myself being unsupportive and corrected myself. Lets just not do any damage thatll take too much of your saliva to heal. Wow, Bucky, Autumn said, winking, I didnt know you were so freaky. A pack of six orcs burst through the bushes at us all of a suddenthough I couldn''t honestly say we were caught by surprise. We were beyond that. Sprinkle didnt miss a beat, leaping into the fray and slashing their chest cavities open as blood dramatically sprayed all over her face and torso. She left her tongue out to hang with each strike, hoping to catch some of it in her mouth. I just watched with awe as she peeled through the throng of greenskins with the same comfortable ease that one might associate with riding a bike or remembering their own phone number. Soon the orcs were all down, bleeding out on the ground or already dead. I could have reacted in time to help, but I didnt really see the need. Damn, Sprinky, Autumn gasped through a clenched jaw. What level are you, anyway? Sprinkle looked up at her in confusion as she licked her claws clean. What is a level, exactly? Autumn and I laughed, assuming she was joking, but her facial expression didnt change. Wait, are you serious? I asked, aghast by the revelation. She just cocked her head and continued to let her tongue travel the length of her weapon, blinking at me innocently. Holy shit, Autumn said. You mean you dont even know how to check your level? I pose the question again: what is a level? she said, finally putting the claw down. After Autumn and I exchanged looks, our eyes fixed back on Sprinkle to find her lifting up her breast to try to lick goblin gore directly off of it. Clasp your hands together like this, I said, showing her how. What do you see? My own HUD came up. Oh sweet, I grinned. Autumn, I leveled up by the way. Spend those skill points soon, she said dutifully. Sprinkle did the same thing after finishing licking some blood off of her tit. Oohh, shiny! she said. What level are you? I asked, leaning forward, barely hanging on in suspense. Her pink eyes scanned the screen that must have been displaying it in front of her, looking for the information we referred to. Oh! Here it is, she said. Sixty-nine! My jaw dropped. First of all, nice. Second of all-- Holy shit, Sprinkle! Autumn shouted, her voice shrill as she jumped in shock. How many skill points do you have? She shrugged, looking over the screen again. Oh! I see it now! Ummm five hundred forty, she said. And I have some Trained Skills, too. Huh! Thats neat! Five hundred and forty skill points, I repeated, unbelievingly. It was too insane a number to fathom. I mean, it makes sense. Shes been murdering things in this forest for seven hundred years. Autumn, whats your level, anyway? She shook off her own shock to try and answer my question. Oh, I havent checked since arriving back in Lusteria, she said. Im level ten, though I may be close to hitting eleven soon she clasped her hands together to display her own HUD and gasped. What is it?! I asked. Bucky! she squealed. Im so fucking stupid! Dont say that, I scolded her. Im level thirteen! What?! I exclaimed my surprise. You gained five levels? From what? From you! she announced. May Belle mentioned to me that she was getting experience from sleeping with you, and I didnt think anything of it after a couple days, totally letting it slip under my radar. But this is a game changer! I narrowed my eyes at her sternly. She had told me, too, and thought I''d been excited about it before, I felt differently with the big mission on the horizon. It changes nothing. Im not having you charging into battle more than I have to, I said quietly. But we can defend Tater Town while youre gone, at least. The enemy wont know what hit them! I considered that. That was a slight comfort, knowing that they were better off than Id thought without me. I wonder what level May Belle and Daisy are, I said, scratching my hair thoughtfully. Im booooored, Sprinkle whined as she waggled her claws in the air. Can we kill something? I couldn''t fight back a weary sound from escaping my lips. We really need to level Sprinkle up when we get back. Its going to take hours. Agreed, Autumn said solemnly, looking at the unicorn with a tinge of visible fear. Though imagine what a menace shell be when shes fully statted out. I laughed. At least shes on our side. We trekked deeper into the forest, deeper than we usually did, slaying monsters frequently as we moved along. With Sprinkle there wielding her new claws, it was incredibly easy, and I actually started to feel relaxed, like I was on a pleasant hike, as she ended up doing most of the work. After several hours, we came to an exit of the forest. Should we go out and see where we end up? I asked curiously. Id already made up my mind. I hadnt ventured this far before, certainly not outside the forest, not on foot. It was too enticing to let it go unexplored. Alright, Autumn nodded, But just a peek, then we head back into the woods. Therell be more monsters for you to kill in here. I grunted my agreement and my unicorn girl clung to my arm as we exited into a clearing that gave way to a prairie. I could make out centaurs in the distance, or creatures that very much gave off the appearance of centaurs from far away. Do you see them? I asked, pointing at the figures. Yes, Autumn nodded. Centaur girls are very important for keeping Keenfurys orcs at bay. They have better vision and can fire arrows from longbows at almost twice the distance of an orc. Because of them, greenskins stay far from the grasslands and villages in our corner of the world. Usually. So they''re limited to the forests, where they get picked off by wood elves, but do some damage, too. We should go thank the centaurs for their service, I said, laughing a bit, but I kind of meant it. I was really curious to meet one. Autumn was not half as eager. Thats a bad idea. They are friendly, but they dont like human men, Autumn said. I looked back at her in wonder. Whys that? I asked. Theyre long-lived, but because of their, ahem, lower body, very few breeders would ever you know. Its a source of bitterness for them. Theyve had to resort to magic to multiply. I nodded. That makes sense, I said. I can understand both sides of the debate on this one. I, also, wouldnt be up to breeding with a horses backside, but I can see why itd create some tension for them. There was a long pause. I looked over at Sprinkle, who seemed to be staring out at the centaur girls in reverence and awe. I smiled at her cute open-mouthed expression until she spoke. I wonder what they taste like. Autumn cringed, which Sprinkle noticed. I meant raw, of course! she added quickly, waving her hands as though that cleared things right up. Not cooked! How the fuck does that make it any better?! I grunted, laughing at the absurdity of it and kissing her on the horn. She shivered a bit at that, and soon after that we decided it best that we retreat back into the forest. We had a bit of trouble at first in retracing our steps, but soon we found our way thanks to Sprinkles intimacy with the woods and located some landmarks that made our trail home open up to us. But about halfway home we noticed a rustling in the trees above. On guard, we gripped our weapons and were poised to defend ourselves against whatever threat it turned out to be when, to our surprise, Ivy, our green wood elf friend, leaped down from the branches and landed gracefully in front of me, an image of sylvan beauty. Ivy! I said, lowering my lance. Good to see you. Why are you here? Her eyes were wide in a look of panic. Its Gumi! she shouted. Shes taking her feminine form, and youre not with her! Do I have to be? I asked, scratching my neck. Autumn was the one to answer. In order for a feminine form to become permanent, a slime girl needs to absorb the seed of the man she considers her lover within a few hours Or shell die! Ivy shouted in terror. Come on! With those final words, I was fully invested. We ran back most of the way, using Endure 6 in my case to easily keep pace with my supernaturally gifted companions and still have enough energy for whatever I was about to find on the farm. When we finally arrived at the sanctuary, I didnt have to look long to locate Gumi, as she was visible to me as soon as I threw open the cabin door. She had taken a feminine form, alright, and I certainly was a fan of the form she chose. Chapter 35: Gumi Love Bucky! I looked at Gumi, who last Id seen her was just a simple pink blob that occasionally uttered words and phrases. Then, I looked over at Daisy, whose face was blushing as hard as Id ever witnessed it as she stared, mouth agape, at the slime girls buxom figure in front of her. I had to laugh. Daisy took immediate offense. Are you laughing at my body?! she said, seething at me, Oh, is my body a joke to you now?! Humph! I stopped suddenly and threw my hands up to instantly beg for forgiveness. Whoa, honey, no, I said. But this is an amusing turn of events, you have to admit. She frowned, still blushing deeply. I feel so exposed. After wed found Gumi, shed spent most of her time at first with Ivy, since she was the one that she already knew. But, shortly after that, she bonded with Daisy and followed her around like a lost little puppy. Daisy would run through the fields each day so that Gumi would trail behind her, cleaning the parasites off the plants as she went. When Daisy was busy, Gumi would do it alone, but much more slowly. Gumis first word was No! when at one point last week the holstaur had tried to lift Gumi off of her lap and set her down on the ground. She protested the move by turning into an almost true liquid form. Despite this, Daisy and Gumi remained close, and I noticed that whenever Daisy slept, Gumi would completely engulf one part of her body for an extended period of time. I figured it was her way of cuddling. Turned out she was memorizing Daisy''s body, bit by bit. Gumi stood before me a perfect, pink, naked clone of Daisy, with every bump and detail visible from her ears to her horns to her nipples to her fingers and toes. It was no wonder Daisy felt shy. If Gumi went out like that, basically everyone would have a pretty damn good idea what my holstaur looked like in the buff. With Aldon running around town still, I couldnt have that, so as amusing as the situation was at first, it did beg to be dealt with. Gumi, girl, can you understand me? Yes! her voice came back. It was lower than Daisys very high and girly voice, but still feminine in a husky, sloshing kind of way. Her mouth moved when she spoke, but the sound didnt quite match her lips. Maybe that would come with practice, or maybe it was a quirk Id have to get used to. It was cute, in a way. Gumi, Daisy feels shy that you look just like her. Can you change some details a bit? I asked, taking a step toward her. Details! she said, and her breasts swelled to a comically large size, making Daisy gasp and cry out. Okay, instead of bigger, maybe make them just a tiny bit smaller? I suggested. Go for a tighter build, and maybe take, like, Autumns nose, and May Belles hair, but a bit longer. She started to morph and shift to my suggestions in real time, and it was pretty crazy to watch. I found myself getting drunk with the power. Ohhh, and have a six pack. Make the ass, like, ten percent bigger, please, I said, thumbing my chin, nodding and appraising the slime girls efforts. Get Ivys elf ears. Those are hot. Daisys expression had gone from embarrassment to disappointment. You have a serious problem, she noted. I raised my hand to silence her. Shush, I winked. Buckys at work. She rolled her eyes and stormed out of the cabin, leaving us alone. Suddenly the gravity of the situation weighed down on me. I was about to fuck this slime. I had to, or she would die. It felt weirdly wrong, like I was taking advantage of an innocent virgin, but I knew there was literally no way around it. It was kind of a damned if I do, super-damned if I dont situation, and Id obviously have to settle for the lesser of two evils. As I eyed the translucent pink goopy body that stood in front of me, I knew that I was going to be okay with that. I would endure this to save Gumi. It was the least I could do. Also, I was pretty fucking curious about slime sex. Tighten up those abs for me, Gumi, I said, feeling like an artist. I was Da Vinci, and she would be my Mona Lisabut substantially hotter. Yes! Bucky! Yes! Abs! she said giddily. Her six pack made a slight squishing sound as it became even more defined, and it was hot, but it seemed out of place. Nah, I changed my mind. Back to the way they were, I said, waving my hand and squinting. She obeyed again. Yes! Bucky like Gumi body? she said. Yeah, I nodded, pleased with where we landed. I think this is a pretty solid look. Lose the horns, though. She obeyed. She was mega hot, though the solid pink slime aspect was going to take some adjustment. I felt my cock stirring in my pants, ready to make this thing happen for better or for worse. Gumi definitely noticed too, as she let out a trilling sound at the sight of my bulge. For me! she announced. Give Gumi! Come and get it, I said with a chuckle, and she obeyed instantly, stepping toward me, her solid footfalls making gentle splashes against the earthen floor. Soon she was right in my face. Bucky! she said, looking into my eyes adoringly. Yep, thats me, I laughed. I stopped laughing when I felt a warm wet hand-shaped bit of slime reach inside my pants and consume my cock, wrapping wetly and sloppily around it. Her hand spun like a soft whirlpool of heated goo against my immensity, taking on bumpy textures that slipped and bristled on my flesh as it pleasured me far more efficiently than I''d anticipated. Give me cum! she said, her voice going demanding. Need cum! Gumi need Bucky cum! Her other hand went up and took the back of my head, guiding my lips down onto her soft, wet breasts. Drink my milk, Bucky! she said, her voice suddenly sounding like an imitation of Daisys. Drink it, honey! Im so engorged! Fuck, I groaned, and I started slurping at her nipple and tried to take it in my mouth. It was wet and soft and yet solid at the same time, like jell-o caked with a layer of warm jam, and I found myself instinctively applying suction, half-expecting a jet of milk to stream into my mouth, but of course that didnt happen. I groaned in pleasure as the hand continued to messily squelch against and massage my cock, and at some point without my noticing my pants had completely come off. Drink my milk, honey! she said again, still sounding sweet, using Daisys voice, but there was a tinge of worry in it, too. Drink my milk, honey! she repeated. Uhhh, Gumi, I said, lifting up my lips for a second. Youre a slime girl. You dont have milk. Her voice was back to her own. What? she said questioningly. No milk? I nodded, suddenly feeling like I was delivering very somber news to someone in a hospital waiting room. Her face actually showed sadness, written blankly on her lips. Sadness and confusion. She stopped milking my cock and cocked her head to look at me carefully. No milk? she asked again. Im sorry, Gumi, but you dont have any milk. But its fine, Im loving your boobs anyway, I said, grinning like a true perv. Ive never felt tits like these before. Theyre great, really. Bucky loves milk, she said, clearly wounded. Can Bucky love Gumi? I love Sprinkle and Autumn, and they dont have milk, I pointed out. My effort to reassure her didn''t seem to land from the look on her face. Bucky love holstaurs best, she said. My eyes went wide, wondering how she''d come to that dangerous conclusion. I shook my head sternly. Shit, I couldnt let her go repeating that outside of this cabin. I dont play favorites. I love all of you, and thats all that matters. Bucky love Gumi? Im totally sure that when we get to know each other itll happen naturally, I offered her, stroking her warm, smooth, squishy back. She trilled in bliss from my touch. Gumi love Bucky! I laughed. No you dont, I said. I havent earned any of your love. Youre just imitating Daisy, and thats fine. Well get there. I leaned forward and kissed her on the lips. The soft, oozing texture felt better than I thought it would, and when I pulled away from her after a long minute of kissing, none of her ooze clung to me. She didnt let me leave her lips that easily, though. No stop, Bucky! she said, bringing me back down to kiss her as tendrils emerged from her body, going behind my head to pull me back in. I found some courage and decided to stick my tongue in her mouth. It was a big hit. She cooed and her body vibrated with a high pigeon-like sound as her insides massaged my tongue. I like! she said, pulling back to look at me with wide eyes. You like? I nodded, smiling at her. I do, I answered, trying not to cringe a bit. The primitive speech she used was cute, but I couldnt wait for her to grow up into complete sentences and coherent grammar. The scenario made me feel a bit awkward. I didnt think that would be long, too, thankfully, as she seemed to be getting more and more fluent as this session went on. Good! She raised a hand up to her face, and a perfect copy of her lips appeared on her hand, complete with a tongue that circled those lips once as she stared at me with a sweet grin. What are you going to do with that? I asked cautiously. Gumi drink Bucky cum while Gumi kiss Bucky! Her hand went back on my cock, this time her gooey, sloppy palm-mouth taking my cock inside of its warm depths. She thrust her hand up and down the length of my shaft again and again. The texture, the sensation was unlike anything Id ever felt before. It was like fucking a warm apple pie that also consciously massaged your cock as you did it. My eyes rolled back in my head as we kissed, her slimy tongue shooting into my mouth, tangling itself around mine. But the end was nigh. As my breathing quickened she also hastened her pace, her eyes opening wide in anticipation. Bucky cum for Gumi? she asked. Yes, Bucky cu--I mean, yes! I groaned as I blasted hot white seed into her warm pink hand-mouth. The blowjob-by-way-of-handjob had come to a close. My hips bucked weakly as I shot the last globs of jizz inside the slime girl, and she started to glow, light pouring out of her eyes. Ohhh! she moaned, and suddenly her quivering slime body seemed a lot more stable. Bucky! Im Gumi! she said. I laughed, panting hard. I already know this about you. She shook her head. She touched her body. This is Gumi! she said. This is Forever Gumi! I narrowed my eyes as I tried to piece together the meaning of her words. Youre saying that this form is your default form, now? I asked. Yes! So its permanent? Yes! I grinned, looking her over one more time with a stupid, horny, greedy glimmer in my eye. Nice, I said. The rest of the night was far less eventful. Daisy was relieved to see Gumi leave the cabin with me in a permanent form that didnt look so blatantly like her, and that put her in a good mood after shed forgiven me for my brazen perviness in the cabin. When I checked on all the girls satisfaction levels with my Mood Reader feat, I was relieved to see May Belle, Sprinkle, and Daisy were all at near-full levels of happiness with me. But there was a twist I didnt see coming. Gumi had a full heart over her head, too. virgilknightley Chapter 36: A Decisive Loss (◆◆) Knowing what I knew about Darkmaw left me feeling a lot more relaxed about leaving the Sanctuary unattended and allowed for us to put less manpower--or womanpower--on the task of sentry duty for the farm and Tater Town. In fact, now we were in an interesting spot. Without any immediate pressing concerns, we had some important decisions to make. I had some important decisions to make. The first thing that I decided to do was expand the breadth of the farmable land. We started clearing out the grass along the edges of our current field and got to tilling again. But why? Daisy asked. Why do we need more farmland? Were going to need to sell more crops and make more trades pretty soon. Were going to be keeping Vale busy with orders for clothes, too, I started to explain, but Daisy kept looking at me, perplexed. "We might even need to start learning to make clothes ourselves, come to think of it." Where is this urgency coming from? she asked with an adorably perplexed expression. It doesnt really make sense to me. Im not following. I grinned and put my hand on her flat stomach. Ive got patrol duty with Bonny today, I said, and her eyes widened at that, though I wasnt sure she got the point just yet. Eventually were going to have more mouths to feed, and I want to be ready. She swooned into my arms. Oh Bucky! she said, rubbing her face on my chest. Do you mean it? My days are numbered, I said solemnly, looking at the scantily clad bunny girl as she waved at me from across the field, sharpening her axe. I nervously returned the greeting. Shes going to destroy my dick one of these days and there wont be a damned thing I can do about it. You could always back out, Daisy suggested shyly as she stroked my chest. If youre not ready, I understand. Part of me regrets being so pushy on the topic. I kissed the top of her head and sniffed her hair. I dont know why I always did that. I just loved the smell of her. The thing is, I think I want it, too, I said, my voice almost a whisper. She looked up at me in genuine surprise, her face showing skepticism. I mean it, I inisted. I think Im warming up to the idea. Oh, Bucky! she replied, planting a wet kiss on my lips. Youre making me one happy little cow! I grinned at her. Just wait until I pound that pussy tonight, I said, with a playful pinch of her buttcheek. She frowned. So vulgar. You ruined the moment. Humph! I chuckled and let go of her ass, but even that continued to set her off. Oh, so youre already tired of touching me?! she seethed in protest. Is it really that hard to keep you satisfied? Are you about to go grab May Belles butt now, too? I just kissed her again and she melted against me. Shut up, I said with a chuckle, and she did. She was actually pretty easy to manage when you got right down to it. Oh, Mr. Drake! Bonny called out from across the way. Im ready! You promised today wed go on patrol! Autumn walked up to my side. Its so cute to see Bonny so eager to spend time with you, she said cluelessly. I think its good for her to get out in those woods and away from that forge every now and again. You have no idea, I groaned, nodding and shooting an awkward thumbs up back at Bonny. Daisy giggled adorably, though it was more than a smidge devious. The patrol was an eventful one, and I fought hard to keep abreast of Bonnys total. We carved our way through those woods, but given the frequent and deadly patrols Id made in the last couple of days, we actually had to travel a bit deeper to find any monsters of note, which was definitely a good thing. The first group of beasts was a pack of brown wargs--large horned wolves capable of speech. They, too, were supposedly servants of the Goblin Queen, but they, like the orcs who were usually their masters, didnt seem to get Duskmaws memo that the queen in question wasnt really evil. There were five of them in total--Bonny got two of them, and I took three. We were off to a good start, and with me performing so well I noticed a look of frenzy glint in Bonnys eyes. I quietly regarded the look with a private chuckle. We tore through those woods like a chainsaw through soft butter, easily toppling all the low level threats in our path. We were far too powerful for this region. The monsters around here were level five at most, Bonny explained, so most were one-hit kills for us. By the end of the day, though, the tally remained much the same. I had twenty-seven kills, and Bonny ended up with twenty-four by sundown. Id won, which meant that I would be the one choosing the sexual position for the conclusion of todays game. What a waste of a day, Bonny seethed, covered in an elegant sheen of womanly sweat and a smattering of monster blood here and there. Her bunny ears flopped down in disappointment, and I almost felt bad for her, but I knew how to cheer her up. It wont be so bad, I said, grinning. If you want to call it off, Im okay with it, too, but I think I can guarantee you''ll have a good time. She shook her head fervently. A deals a deal. You paid up, so I will, too. How do you want it, Mr. Drake? she asked with a smile as she stripped off her loincloth and dropped the top. Her fat bunny tits popped out delightfully. I could also see that, despite her whining, her pussy was already damp, dripping bunny girl juice onto the forest floor. My breathing stopped to see her nudity in front of me so suddenly. You have to give me some warning, I said. I dont think my heart can take it otherwise. Sorry, she giggled, striking a sultry pose with a hand on one favored hip. Lets do it the ol fashioned way, I said. Ill be on top, you just throw your legs over my shoulders and Ill plow into you. She nodded, smiling obediently as she lay on the dewy grass. Yes, Mr. Drake, of course. Just from one look at her I was hard as a diamond, so I discarded my pants to the side and beamed with confidence as her jaw clenched upon seeing my manhood again. There it is, she said with hunger. I laughed. There it is indeed. I lowered myself between her legs and she lifted her legs up in a ninety degree angle and rested her calves against my chest and shoulders, her feet going up past my ears. I pushed forward, angling carefully, guiding my cock against her tight bunny girl cunt. Go ahead, Mr. Drake, she rasped. My pussy is ready for you. It most certainly was. My cock slid right in, meeting absolutely no resistance as I glided into her sopping tunnel, feeling the wet grip of her hot womanhood around me. Ohhh! she moaned, playing with her breasts, kneading them and pinching her own pink nipples. Your dick feels amazing, Bucky. Even when we do it this slowly." I balked and took that as a challenge and began thrusting in earnest, pounding her pussy like a jackhammer, though I could never match her top speed stroke for stroke. She looked up at me with a sly smile, her fingers still teasing her nipples, the wetness of her sex gleaming in the sunlight. "That''s the spirit, Mr. Drake," she said. "You earned this one. Enjoy yourself." By the moans that followed, I knew she was enjoying herself, too. "Enjoy myself? What do you think I''m doing?" I said as I bottomed out inside her again and again. She writhed beneath me, her own hands reaching down to add additional stimulation to her clit, her breath coming in little sharp gasps. "Mmmmmmmmmm!" she moaned. Her hips were bucking up to meet my downward thrusts, and her breasts were bouncing about, too, nipples hardening even more as I reached out to tease them. "Fuck! Fuck me, Bucky!" she cried out, her voice high pitched and almost a shriek. "Fuck meeee!" I was fully on task with that request, and soon enough I felt her pussy clamp down around me as she came, her inner walls clenching tightly around my cock as she experienced one of the most intense sounding orgasms I''d ever witnessed, seemingly out of nowhere. I kept pumping away, my balls slapping against her ass, her body twisting and snaking underneath me, her tits jiggling and bouncing as I fucked her senseless. Now it was my turn. I looked down at her face, watching her eyes roll back in her head as she came again, and then I exploded inside her with a low growl. I could feel my cum flooding into her, filling her fertile womb to bursting, and I watched her face react to my decision in real time. First, she made a look of confusion as if to say, "What''s this warm feeling inside of me?" but then she saw my contorted orgasm-face as I shot sticky seed into her depths and she displayed what could only be called wide-eyed shock. And then she cried. By the gods, Mr. Drake! she said, her arms reaching up to touch me as tears streamed down her beautiful cheeks. Why?! I thought youd be happy! I said, pulling out suddenly. I am! she exclaimed, ugly-crying. Why do you think Im sobbing?! I laughed and lay down beside her, looking into her gaze. She rubbed her belly in little circles as tears gushed from the corners of her eyes, studying my face like shed never done before. What are you doing? I asked. Im looking at the father of my babies, she said, and she leaned in and gave me a kiss. I kissed her back. It was soft and wet, but sweet. Im happy youre happy, I said with a smile. What made you change your mind? she asked, sniffling. I looked up at the canopy of the forest. It was thick and low in this spot, and it sometimes made me feel a bit claustrophobic, but at this moment it didnt have any such effect. I want you girls to be happy, I said. And now that we know the truth about Darkmaw, were that much closer to setting up a secure and stable future for Tater Town and the Sanctuary. Aldon and I will take care of the Keep soon. If that goes badly, I want to leave something behind. She nodded and touched my face, crying still, but beaming at me. Nothing will go wrong, Mr. Drake. Youre going to be here with me and our children forever. Youll be an amazing father, I just know it. Im the luckiest bunny girl in Lusteria! I smiled at her. Im glad you think so. And thank you for believing in me on all accounts. Ill do my best, I promised. When will you tell Daisy? she asked after a single quiet moment. I thought about that. I think your smile will do the job. It definitely did. When we walked out of the forest, Daisy and May Belle noticed our approach almost instantly and waved at us. Bonny, though, was grinning from ear to ear, looking down and clutching her belly in her hands the whole time, with me holding her axe so that she could do so. Daisys jaw dropped, but May Belle was totally clueless. Daisy screamed. Like, a shrill, schoolgirl at recess scream, shocking May Belle so much that she jumped and looked at her sister as though shed gone insane. Daisy charged to tackle me, and May Belle quickly joined her, not really needing a specific excuse to do so. Is it true?! Daisy asked. Oh, Bucky, is it true? Honey? Say something, honey! Is what true? May Belle asked frantically. Whats going on?! Secrets are terrible things to keep from your sister, Daisy! Bonny was the one to speak up. Congratulations, she said, Were all going to have Mr. Drake''s babies! May Belles jaw went wide open and slack, and both Daisy and Bonny began crying together in joy. As I scanned the field and the houses atop the hill and started performing some mental math, I realized the scope of my vow. Still, I had no regrets. With Bonny inseminated, it was official--the Breeding Program had begun, and I was going to be a daddy... many, many times over. Breeding Days 1: May Belle and Daisy (side smut) virgilknightley The Tater Town Breeding Program had officially begun with my decisive defeat at the hands and hips of Bonny--though admittedly, I had a hand in that as well. I was ready. Despite all my very vocally expressed concerns leading up to this point, my reservations, my fears, and my trepidations--all unnecessary synonyms for the same thing--I was finally ready for fatherhood. And there was no one who''d earned my love more than my two holstaurs. At breakfast that morning, the mood was tense. Everyone knew I''d be announcing my decision on who was to be impregnated next, but the suspense wasn''t all that crazy because I''d made it clear it''d be my marked girls first. Well, Rainbow Sprinkle wasn''t particularly excited for motherhood, so that only left May Belle and Daisy--and arguably Gumi, but there was still so much I didn''t understand about that whole situation, so I wasn''t about to fuck with it. "May Belle," I started, and she perked up instantly. Daisy''s ears wilted to hear her sister''s name called out first. "And Daisy," I said. "I love you equally, so I''ll let the two of you decide who wants to try for a baby first." Daisy looked suddenly relieved. The two of them traded a smile. "Actually, we''ve been talking," Daisy said. "And we meant to run it by you, but you were busy chatting with Etherea yesterday, making things official." That was May Belle. "We want you to impregnate us together," Daisy continued, grinning ear to ear. "I can''t imagine doing it without my sister there. Is that weird?" I smiled. "It definitely is, but it''s also hot, so I''ll let it go." "Oh Bucky," Daisy squealed, "My honey, my baby, I love you so much! Is it really happening?" she asked, pinching her cheeks. "Am I dreaming?" May Belle giggled. "You''re being too extreme. I''m happy, too, but have some dignity." Daisy looked offended by her sister''s side comment. "Humph! You were just as excited as me last night when we talked about it." "I still am," she grinned. "I just have a little thing called self-respect." "Well, I''m heading into the cabin," I grunted, finishing the last of my eggs. "Join me in there when you''re ready. And lock the door behind you." I winked. The two holstaurs'' tails flicked wildly as they looked at each other one more time, the excitement on their expressions growing by the second. It didn''t take long for them to find their way in. Less than two minutes after I''d gone in and sat by the fireplace, I heard the door slide open and shut and listened to the locking chain jangle. I turned my head to look at them and saw May Belle fastening the lock while Daisy was already stepping out of her skirt. Within a few moments the twins were completely naked and blushing at me with big, sweet grins on their pretty faces. Their bodies were perfection, with heavy milky breasts that I could practically hear sloshing at me from across the room. May Belle''s shoulder-length chocolatey brown hair was a bit messy and disheveled, but that hardly mattered--if it wasn''t messy now, it would be in a few minutes. Meanwhile, Daisy''s long golden brown ponytail was perfectly kept up. She''d obviously freshened it up before even coming into the room, wanting everything to be perfect. I scanned the peerless grace of their figures from head to toe, from their blushing cheeks to their cream-filled tits, to their bare slits, down to their dainty little hooves. In that moment, I realized that most people would go through their entire lives never loving anything or anyone as much as I loved each of them. I was in awe of myself and how much adoration my heart could even hold. Surely it had to be finite, and yet here I was, bursting with boundless adoration for the two most beautiful girls you could possibly imagine as they stared at me expectantly, their grins slowly fading to anxious stares. "Is--is something wrong, honey?" Daisy asked, mashing her breasts together. A tiny jet of milk leaked onto the floor of the cabin. I shook my head. "No," I said softly. "Everything is perfect." I opened my arms to receive them. "Come here." They obeyed instantly, practically power-walking across the room to me, lying down on the mat on either side of me. I kissed each of them, going back and forth between them, savoring the little differences in taste and texture between their soft lips. "Bucky-Baby," May Belle said eventually, "My tits are so fucking full," she moaned. "You didn''t milk me last night." "Say no more," I said, and I descended upon her breasts and latched on, embracing the quest she''d given me with aplomb as I suckled her pink teat and savored her raunchy moans as hot squirts of milk dripped down my throat. "Ohh fuck!" she shouted, loud enough for anyone in the field outside our walls to hear. "Fuck! Ohhh, Gods of Lusteria!" "You''re so greedy, sister," Daisy whined, her tail flicking my thigh. "Humph! Save some Bucky for me." I popped off of May Belle''s tit and lay each of them on the ground on their backs, carefully placing both of my knees between each of theirs. From this vantage point I had easy access by hand or mouth to their lips and breasts and could please both of them at the same time. I lowered my lips back onto May Belle''s engorged nipple, putting my left hand around her waist while my right hand started tweaking Daisy''s teat, letting her vanilla-scented cream make a mess of her heaving bosom. "Ohhh honey," she whined, clutching the back of my neck. "Don''t favor May Belle so much. I need you just as badly." "Ohh gods," May Belle moaned like a drunken slattern, "Wait your turn!" It went on like that for a good long while--her breasts were truly good and full, and I felt my belly growing full as well as I continued to drink. But I still had Daisy to tend to, so once May Belle was satisfied at last, I turned my attention to the more demanding of the two sisters. "Finally," she whined, her hands clutching my face and pulling me down to kiss her. Her tongue flailed erotically in my mouth, wrestling with my own. "So lewd," she complained, "I can taste May Belle''s tits on your lips." "You pulled me in for the kiss," I laughed. "Blame yourself." But she didn''t seem to mind. She resumed the kiss until she moaned hard and abruptly, her hips bucking involuntarily as her pussy ground against my knee and thigh. "Fuck!" she screamed. "I want to keep kissing you but my tits need you now, more than ever! Honey, please!" I pride myself on never needing to be told more than once to suck a tit. I descended upon her like a dog upon a bone, teasing her pinkness with a gentle lick before at last applying forceful suction, which triggered a series of raunchy groans. Hot vanilla cream blasted my throat, and I found myself wondering just how she''d produced so much milk every fucking day--not that I was complaining or anything. "I love you, honey," she whined in her girly voice, her fingers running through my hair with abandon. May Belle joined in, her hands touching me wherever she could--my chest, my shoulders my face. "I love you, Bucky-Baby! I love you more than Daisy does!" "Un-fucking-likely, you cow!" Daisy moaned with irritation as another warm stream of milk entered my suckling lips. I started to use my tongue to tease her, and it proved to be a big hit. "Oohhh fucking hell, baby!" she exclaimed with a shrill squeal. Her hand journeyed downward, and for a moment I thought she was going for my cock, which I would have welcomed, but instead I heard a wet, squelching sound, and then to my surprise she actually giggled. "Holy shit, May Belle," she said through a husky laugh. "Feel how wet I am." May Belle reached down to touch and see for herself and her eyes widened with reverence. "Whoa! That''s insane!" She giggled, "Bucky, I think she''s ready for you." "You realize you just told me to fuck your sister first, right?" I laughed. May Belle''s eyes flashed in terror. "No! That''s not what I meant!" "Then how do you propose we settle it?" I asked her. She bit her lip and thought about it. She was touching her own pussy now, and I could tell just from the sound she was almost as wet as her sister. "Boulder, Parchment, Shears!" I blinked. "Is that like Rock, Paper, Scissors?" "I don''t know," she moaned, rubbing her clit wildly and nibbling cutely on her lip as she eyed my chest. "Sure. Daisy knows how to play." "On three? Or on shoot?" "On shoot!" Daisy nodded. "Boulder, parchment, shears, SHOOT!" Their eyes went wide as they examined what they''d each chosen. "Fuck!" May Belle whined. "You always win!" "You literally never choose anything but shears," Daisy giggled. "Okay, honey." She was looking at me now, her eyes wide and filled with purpose. "Fill me up. Make me a mommy." I gulped. I was already naked when this thing started, so it was just a matter of slipping the dick in the pussy--easy enough. I''d done it a million times, and yet this time felt oddly like the first. I kissed Daisy once more as my tip teased the entrance to her extra juicy cunt, and I saw her grab hold of May Belle''s hand and turn to look her sister in the eyes. "You''ve got this, sis," May Belle smiled. "I love you so much. I''m so proud of you!" She was crying, and that set Daisy off, too. "I''m so proud of us!" Daisy sobbed. "We''re gonna be mommas together! With the best man in the world!" "Literally!" May Belle wept loudly and openly. All this crying was really softening me up, but there was no turning back now. I focused on Daisy''s fucking insane titties and popped a full erection in an instant--and I was in. Holy shit. She was fucking wet like I''d never felt before. It was like someone lubed her inner walls up with a half melted stick of butter. Her sopping pussy massaged my cock with that initial thrust, and I was in heaven, loving every second of it like it was a brand new experience. This was the most important day of my life. It was a sudden, powerful realization that changed everything, and any lingering doubt or fear I''d had before was banished forever. All that was left was love. I bottomed out inside her, the texture of her silky walls sliding over my glans and shaft. Daisy''s pussy was always incredible, but today was just different, and I could feel the waves of pleasure emanating from her like heat waves from a hot summer day. "Ohh gods," she moaned, "It''s so good! May Belle, it''s so good!" "I''m so happy for you!" May Belle cried. "I love you so much!" "I love you, too!" I ignored the outpouring of sisterly love and just kept doing my job, fucking her like crazy. I grabbed Daisy by her ass and pulled her close, burying my face between her tits and starting to lick at them again, savoring their sweet taste while I railed her. That sent her over the edge. "Ohhh gods!" she cried, "I''m going to cum, May Belle! I love you Buck--Ahhhhhh!" I felt her cunt clench me like a vise in waves as her juice sluiced over my balls and down onto my thighs. Her legs wrapped around me, pulling me closer and closer to her quivering body, and I knew she was going to milk me dry. "Ughhhh!" she moaned. "I can feel it! Cum for me, Bucky! I need your baby in my womb!" I felt myself reaching my limit, and I didn''t want to disappoint her, so I gave her the biggest load I''d ever given anyone. I buried my tongue deep into her cleavage, licking up the holy slope of her tit to her nipple and running my fingers through her hair, and her pussy clamped down even harder on my cock as she came. With that, I couldn''t hold back from blasting the biggest creampie I''ve ever known, filling her womb to the point of overflowing. "It''s in me!" she announced, crying again. "I''m conceiving!" "We can hope so," I said, kissing her. She shook her head. "I know so," she said. "Monster girls can feel it the moment it happens. It''s official. Little Bonnibelle is in here with us," she said grinning, tears streaming down the sides of her face. "This is the best day of my life!" "Bonnibelle," I chuckled. "I think I can put together how you came up with that name." "Do you like it?" she asked worriedly. "We can change it--" "I love it," I said, interrupting her with a kiss. "My turn!" May Belle groaned, shoving her sister''s head to break the kiss, angling herself in. "I''m so horny for your cum, Bucky-Baby," she whined, biting my lip hard. Daisy let her take me away from her. She''d had her moment, and it was May Belle''s turn now, indeed. I positioned myself directly over May Belle, and soon I became aware of Daisy''s fingers going through May Belle''s hair and massaging her scalp as a sexy look overtook May Belle''s face. Her eyelids narrowed as she chewed her lip and fondled her own tits. My cock pried its way slowly into her entrance, and by that point she was just as wet as her sister was. "I love you, May Belle," I whispered. "Good," she grinned. "Now prove it." "Buckle up," I warned her as I seized her waist with both hands. She giggled. I eased myself all the way in, but it apparently possessed enough force to shut down her cute laugh and turn it into a lewd mewling in an instant. "Ohhh fuck! You''re so big!" she whimpered. "I''ll never get used to it!" I started moving inside her, savoring the silky sensation of her tight walls gripping me, squeezing me. The velvety wet insides of my holstaur girl were incredible, and I knew I''d never tire of this. I''d done it before, and I''d do it again and again until the day I died. "I love you, May Belle," I told her. "I''ll never stop loving you." "You fucking better not," she said, pulling me in for a kiss. Our tongues danced together, and I loved the feeling of her breasts pressing against my chest, still wet with drops of her milk. "I love you, too. Sooo much!" I started thrusting harder, driving myself deeper inside her. May Belle''s eyes widened and she started moaning as she ceded all control to the gods of Lusteria. The noises were so exaggerated and extreme already, but I reached around and fondled her clit, which only made the sounds even raunchier and more raucous. "By the gods, May Belle," Daisy giggled. "You''re mooing like a little cow." "I''m Bucky''s cow!" she shouted. "We both are! Moooo!" she moaned loudly. "Fucking MOOOOOO!" It practically pierced my ears. Daisy bit her lip, as I knew the cow talk turned her on big time. I''d have to go for another round with her later to calm her down, I was sure. My cock hilted itself in May Belle''s cunt again and again at a rhythmic pace, and I began to sense the prelude to a wild orgasm building as her breaths shortened and her squeals got more and more savage. Finally, they stopped just long enough for her to start bucking her hips like an animal. "I''m cumming!" she screamed, her cunt clenching and her juice pouring out freely. "Me too," I said, and it was true. I felt a churning inside as another hot round of cum rose to the surface in my balls and blasted forth, filling May Belle''s sex to the brim with pearly hot seed. When it was over, I kissed them each one more time and then collapsed face down on the ground between them. I should have used Endure 6. I could tell this wasn''t over. "It''s done," May Belle said, holding her sister''s hand over my head. "We''re going to be mothers." Daisy sobbed. "I can''t believe it." "Believe it," I said, my voice muffled by the mat on the floor. "Now what?" May Belle asked. "Ready for round two, Bucky-Baby? Just to be extra sure." "I thought you said you knew the moment conception happened," I said, lifting my face up and cocking a suspicious eyebrow. May Belle blushed. "Well, yeah, but... it wouldn''t hurt to grind out a bit more XP, would it, Bucky-Baby?" "I''m ready, too," Daisy said, already rubbing her pussy again to prepare. "Yes. Let''s go." I moaned and sat up. Harem Knight was supposed to make sex less tiring. I wonder how fucking wrecked I would have been if I didn''t have that feat. "Alright," I said, already hard as a diamond upon taking in the sight of their perfect bodies one more time. "One more time. Just to be extra sure." Chapter 37: Vale’s Quiet Pain Once news of the final results of Bonny''s Game had proliferated, Vale was among the first to put in a request to be bred--which actually surprised me, though I wasn''t certain I could articulate why. I had never really heard her say anything about having more children before, and we''d been having unconditional sex for a while now, though we started a bit later than I had with some of the others in town. After the death of her daughter, it was only natural that she needed some time and space to grieve. The breeding days were over at this point, though. My insemination of Vale had happened a couple days prior, and it was certainly glorious. On this occasion, though, I was here to pick up the cloak she''d made for me, as I''d heard that it was ready at last. I walked in the door, expecting to find a randy MILF satyr, but that isn''t what waited for me. "You remind me of her, you know," she said to me, her voice husky and hoarse as she sipped a root tea from a clay goblet, staring blankly out the window. I could tell from the smell in the air that she had added a bit of wine to the mix as well. "Of who?" I asked, smiling, trying to pep up the mood. I could tell she was in a delicate state. Sometimes she was fine, without a care in the world, or so she would have you believe. On other days she was quieter. More vulnerable--more fragile. "Silver Moon," she said. I was so silent when her name came up that you could hear a cricket hiccup. I was still standing, lingering by the door, expecting this to be a quick in-and-out pickup appointment. I knew better by that time. She had my cloak--even now I could see it draped over a hanging rack, shimmering blue, catching the light of the mid-morning sun sublimely--Vale''s incredible handiwork. "I''m sorry," she sighed, her voice low and deep. "I don''t know why I''m bringing it up. It still hurts. Every fucking day." I swallowed hard, feeling the pangs of guilt wash over me. "I''m the one who''s sorry," I said. "I didn''t get there fast enough. If I were outside just a few minutes earlier--" But she waved a hand and clicked her teeth at me. "I''m not bringing it up because I blame you. I don''t even blame Darkmaw, and it was her damn wolves that did it--nor do I blame the wood elves that carelessly drove the wolves toward Tater Town." "Who do you blame, then?" I asked. It was a stupid question. The wrong question, but it''s what came out of my mouth. "I''ve never been one to hold grudges," she said, almost a whisper, swishing her goblet. Her shoulders tensed as though she were about to burst. "We live in a world with monsters and demons, but here in Tater Town we are relatively safe from all of that--thanks to you. I don''t begrudge any of you for it in the least. You, Darkmaw, and the wood elves were all doing your part, trying to keep these lands safe, and keep evil out of our homes." But then she inhaled deep, finally letting out a raw sob that echoed in the room and crushed my heart in a vise. "But why did everything have to go just wrong enough to cost me my daughter? Why, Bucky?!" She fell from her chair onto the floor, shattering the goblet and spilling her beverage all over the stone tile, and I immediately ran over to her and knelt down beside where she lay. Vale wasn''t a large woman. She had the illusion of stature that came with a bit of age and confidence in oneself, but she was short, about five feet and four inches tall, and as I picked her up and cradled her tight against my chest, I realized just how light she was--how frail. She''d lost some weight, I was certain, and I didn''t think it was because she was minding her already incredible physique. "I can''t even imagine it," I said as I tangled my nose up in her hair, pressing my lips against the side of her face. "I can''t begin to understand how you''ve suffered." "It''s so lonely," she cried, kneading her hands in my shaggy tresses. "Every day is so fucking lonely. Heather is in the fields all the time, and each night she comes home later and later, and I always... I worry, what if it happened to her, too?! What if I lost Heather? She doesn''t even talk to me!" "That won''t happen," I said. "You won''t lose her. Don''t even think about that. It''s natural to have those thoughts, but don''t let them control you." I let her sob against my chest, staining my tunic with her tears, lightly brushing strands of her hair out of her swollen eyes with my fingers. "I''ll do the best I can to keep you all safe. So that this never happens again." "But that''s all you can do, Bucky. Just the best you can. And what if the best you can do doesn''t save Heather?" she looked at me pointedly. "I--What if you let her die, too?" I closed my eyes. Those words hurt more than any wound I''d ever suffered since coming to this world. I smelled the bitter wine on her breath, and I knew by now that that was what was spurring her words, but it didn''t make them feel less true to know that. Those words were already a dramatic flip flop from what she said just a moment before when she promised she held no ill will toward me. At least that''s how it sounded to me in that moment. "I can handle your anger," I told her, kissing her on the forehead. She didn''t resist. "All I can promise at this point is that nothing matters more to me than keeping all of you safe." She sobbed a snotty, heavy sob, looking away from me. "Oh, gods, Bucky, I''m so sorry, I didn''t mean that." "Part of you did," I said. "And that''s fine." Vale shook her beautiful head. "You don''t deserve that," she said. "You''re a good young man, Bucky. I''m proud to have you as the protector of my town," and she rubbed her belly. "And the father of my next daughter." "I know that a new baby can never replace the one you lost," I pressed on. "At most it''ll be a happy distraction from the pain, and a new love. Wounds from losses like that one don''t heal. You just get stronger. And you''re already so strong, Vale. I''m proud of you, too." I cupped her face in my hands. "To that part of you that blames me--I get it. I feel the exact same way. Yes, I know it wasn''t all my fault, but I have the same doubts, the same gnawing questions. What if I got there sooner? I ask myself that every single time I hear her name or see your face." "Will you be a father to our daughter?" she asked. The question made me make something of a surprised face. "Mercer never was very involved. He preferred to leave the parenting to me. He''d whittle toys for the girls every once in a while. On their birthdays he''d swing by and say something, maybe play with them for a little while. But he had his marked women, and they were everything to him. He didn''t have any love left over for me or my girls." I laughed, pulling her in tight, readjusting our seating postures. "The reason I reacted visibly when you asked that is because the concept of not being a father to my daughters is such an insane idea to me that I had to reflect it in my face somehow. Yes," I said, "I will do my best to be a part of the lives of every one of my daughters. And although it''s true that the girls I came here with, and Sprinkle, are the ones I''m closest to, I won''t pick favorites when it comes to my children." "If you pick my daughter as your favorite, that would be fine," she giggled through a sniffle. I laughed back. "We''ll see," I said. And then I paused, wanting to press further, suddenly curious. "Can I ask about Darkmaw?" I said. She looked back up at me, her eyes misty still. "What do you want to know?" Tell me about the first time you met her, I said. She nodded, closing her eyes as though to conjure up the memory from the ether. I felt her fingers curl as her hand rested against the side of my leg, and it tickled pleasantly. It was the night Silver Moon died, she said. She was the first one who told me. I actually gasped. Thats another failure of mine, then, I said. But she shook her head. As I heard it, you were in pretty bad shape. It makes no sense to scold yourself for that, too. Still, I-- Shhh, she said, putting her finger on my lips and smiling weakly. We had almost no one on patrol back then, before you came. When you got here, that changed. Ivy is always on watch, and she trades shifts with other girls in town, but back then, Darkmaw slipped through the shadows and crawled through my window. Holy fuck, I grunted. That must have been terrifying. It was! she said, though she was almost smiling, a faint curl on her lips. I knew who she was by reputation, and I was expecting her to kidnap me or worse, but do you know what she said? I shook my head, captivated. Im sorry for your loss, she started, That was the first thing. I had no idea what she was talking about... so she told me everything. Then she told me she would take care of me and Heather for the rest of our lives, that we were part of her pack now, and that we couldnt tell anyone about that until the time was right. I think it''s fine now. I took a deep breath, just nodding. I could sense she wasnt done. She took a breath and gazed back out the window, up at bird singing from atop a branch just outside. She visited me every week after that. She brought gifts--gems, animal pelts, even things like berries shed foraged for us on her way to see me. I didnt tell Heather anything, though, but she started to notice the offerings after a while. How does it feel to see her? I asked. At first I hated her. She explained everything, and I rejected her offerings, but she delivered them every week nonetheless. Discard them as you will. This is my duty. She imitated Darkmaws voice a bit with that line, and it made me chuckle. Thats exactly what she sounds like, I said, stroking Vale''s hair. She smiled. Ive been practicing. Anyway, after a while, I started thanking her. And then, some time later, we started chatting. She told me a lot about her wolves, for instance. I winced. Ive killed a lot of them, I noted with a sudden surge of worry knotting my gut. She shook her head, though. Its her General Feat, she explained. Every wolf slain is reborn the next night. They just like, pop up somewhere in her den. That was shocking enough, but for some reason it never occurred to me that Darkmaw had a den. I should find that den, I said, nodding. She flashed me a fearful look, with eyes wide and worried. Dont hurt her, she said. Promise me. Shes a good woman. Shes just got more complex allegiances than the rest of us. I know, I said. I dont have any plan to kill her at this point. But she knows so much about us, thanks to you, I chuckled, raising an eyebrow at her. She blushed a bit at that. Id like to know a bit more about her. We sat in silence on her floor for some time, looking at each other, smiles returning gradually to both our faces. Im sorry for making such a mess in front of you, she said through a warm blush, gesturing at the spilled drink that soaked into the floor. You came for the cloak. She got up, and then I stood next. Vale walked over to the hanging rack and took the cape off of it. It was a brilliant blue and seemed to glimmer and sparkle with magical radiance. She grinned as she admired her own handiwork. Ethereas charms have really made this piece priceless. Its my best work, she said, handing it over to me. I had to agree. She made great clothes, but this was something singularly special. I threw the cloak over my shoulders and immediately felt a burning sensation growing inside me--in a good way. What does it do? I asked. Repels fire, and it allows you to vanish for a short period of time. I blinked. Vanish? I said. Like, go invisible? Exactly. But holding a weapon, magical item, or running fast will usually break the enchantment. You may also be detected if you allow an enemy to get too close to you while facing your direction. I nodded, grinning. Very nice, I said. Now I can sneak here at night and watch you undress in secret. Theres an open invitation to you for things of that nature, she grinned back with a heady tone. I leaned forward, throwing my arms around her, pulling her in for one more embrace. I kissed her on her forehead and told her, Im really glad we talked today. Me, too, she agreed. But you need to go. Bonny and Sprinkle are waiting for you. Yes, I said, pulling back from the hug and stretching my muscles. Gonna be a long one. It always is with those two, she giggled. She was right about that. Chapter 38: Harem Confrontation When I returned back to the Sanctuary, I was greeted with a sight that gave me flashbacks to the time in high school where my ex and my then-current girlfriend came face-to-face for the first time. Warning signals were flaring as I studied the tense and irritated faces of my monster girls as they stood out by the field, the rays of a soon-to-be setting sun lighting their backs so that their faces seemed even gloomier. "What''s going on?" I said, trying to be chipper, mentally preparing myself to play the diplomat if needed. But their angsty eyes all cast themselves on me in unison, with only May Belle beaming smugly whilst the others fumed. "You have some explaining to do," Autumn said. "Do I?" I asked innocently, already shuddering from the sharp looks. "What did I do this time?" I tried to play it off with a chuckle, but no one was having it. Autumn, Daisy, Ivy, and Sprinkle were all glaring at me, occasionally stealing pained or furious glances back at May Belle. I was truly lost, having no idea as to what this fuss was over. "Well," Autumn started, her arms crossed, her foot tapping on the ground, "I was sharing the reminder with everyone that we''ve all been leveling up this whole time and should probably spend our Trained Skill points." "Okay," I nodded. So far nothing earth-shattering. "And May Belle is level nine." I blinked. "So what?" I asked with my face scrunched up in confusion. "Is that bad?" "Not exactly," Autumn said, her brow furrowed. "But Daisy started at the same level, and she''s level eight. I started at level ten, and I''m only level twelve now. Ivy only gained one level this whole time." My mouth fell open in horror as I realized what this was about. It was a judgment day I never thought would come. "So I''m your favorite, Bucky-Baby!" May Belle gushed. "I knew it." The logic was straight-forward enough, I supposed. They were basically assuming that I spent more time with May Belle or she otherwise got more XP from me because of an emotional attachment I had with her. Honestly, it was probably the former. May Belle could be pretty demanding, and my need to milk her and Daisy every day had built-in intimate moments that often led to sticky fun time. I shook my head and waved my hands as May Belle possessively threw her arms around me, eliciting clicks and hisses from the others. "No, no, it''s not like that at all," I said. "I wasn''t picking favorites, I promise!" May Belle pouted in disgust. "Don''t say that!" "Sorry, honey," Daisy fumed, her eyes glaring at me with a look not far off from the look a girl gives a guy in the movies when she finds out he cheated on her. "It''s a bit hard to believe you at the moment." "Well, believe me!" I insisted. Fuck. This was spectacularly bad. "Wait, why is Sprinkle even mad? She only just learned what level she was, so we have no idea how much XP she gained with me." "We started estimating the number of times you slept with us," Autumn said. "Sprinkle came up lowest--" "After me," Ivy said coldly. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I thought back to my meditation app back on Earth, focusing on the breath visualizer, conjuring that image up in my mind. Maybe if I just inhaled and exhaled properly for long enough, the problem would resolve itself? That seemed unlikely. The tension was only growing. "Okay," I said after a too-long pause. "I can see how you would come to this conclusion. All I can say is I didn''t keep count, and that XP from sex, in my experience, is based on a variety of factors." "Such as?" Ivy asked. I chewed my lip before speaking. "Uhhh, well, it might be satisfaction, for one, or maybe... You know what, I can tell this isn''t going to help my point. I think the real reason is just that May Belle is the most demanding." Autumn nodded a concession at that. "She definitely is the neediest." "Hey!" May Belle shouted, her smug grin fading to a wilting frown. "That''s uncalled for." "Your gloating is uncalled for," Sprinkle growled. "My Bucky, I''m going to be counting from now on." I gulped hard at that. "This is stress I don''t need in my life." "I don''t think that''s the solution, Sprinkle," Daisy said, still eyeing me coldly. I wasn''t sure where she was headed with that, but I appreciated the start. "He''s just going to sneak off to the girls in town instead of spending time with us, worried about the tally." Aaand that just made things even worse. "I wouldn''t do that," I said, "But your general point is correct." "You wouldn''t do that?" Now even May Belle was getting cross with me, her mood apparently soured by my refusal to declare that she was my official favorite. "And where were you just now?" "I was visiting Vale," I tried to explain, but they all just groaned and smacked their lips vindictively as if I''d made a confession. "We didn''t do anything!" "Oh, so you were just spending time with her?" Daisy asked. "I was picking up this," I said, pointing to the cloak on my back. "She was having a bad day, so we chatted a bit. That''s all." "But the point still stands," Autumn said. "You have the self-control of a toddler. If she exposed half a tit to you it''d be a very different story you had to tell us, and you know it." They all glared at me. I stammered for a moment, cooking up a brilliant defensed. What I managed was, "Okay, that may be true, but I promise you''re all my favorites, not them." "Which one of us?" May Belle asked. "All of you!" I shouted, my voice actually growing frustrated. It was a tone they''d never heard from me, definitely not directed at them, and their collective eyes went wide with shock at the sound. "This is stupid as hell! I don''t have a fucking favorite. May Belle chases me the hardest so she gets it the most. End of story. Autumn, you''re always so distracted with running the sanctuary and drawing up plans and creating situations like this that we barely have time to screw more than twice a day when you factor in all that bullshit. Daisy, you and I just had a heart-to-heart recently, so the fact that you''re giving me this attitude quite frankly hurts." I turned to Sprinkle. "As for you, Sprink, you have the most peculiar tastes. I just worry I can''t satisfy you, so maybe that leads me to avoid sex with you until I''m in the right mood. I can admit that I should work on that." There was dead silence for a solid minute. Daisy kicked her hooves in the grass as everyone waited for someone else to be the first to say literally anything. "I''m sorry if we overreacted," Autumn grunted at last. My heart was beating fast from the sheer stress of it, like showing up to a final exam you forgot even existed. Hell, it reminded me of the time I worked at a grocery store, went in on my day off to pick up food for my roommates at the time, and found out that I was actually schedule to work ten hours starting five minutes later. I still felt backed up against the wall, skeptical that it was truly over, but I nodded, daring to hope that I''d gotten through the worst of it. "It''s fine," I said. "I understand why this is all confusing and hurtful. But it actually hurts me that you''d doubt how much I care for each of you. Remember, I''m just one man. I''m doing the best I can." They all nodded. May Belle bit her lip and took a step back. "We''re afraid. That''s all." Hearing that was like a knife in my heart. "Afraid of what?" I asked. "Tell me." "Being replaced," she said. "I''m not afraid of that," Autumn said, shaking her head, her arms still crossed. "It''s easy for you to say," May Belle scowled at her. "He needs you. You''re his catgirl and emissary." "I need you, too," I said, grabbing her hand. "Please stop insinuating that my feelings for you are so fleeting and fragile. It honestly stings." I felt tears burning the corners of my eyelids, and I wiped them away on my sleeve, which was covered with sweat and dirt. It only irritated them more. Her lip turned out like she was going to cry. "I''m sorry! I can''t help it!" "It''s not her fault," Daisy said, looking at her sister with a soft, understanding expression. "We''ve been through more than we ever want to think about again--it''s hard for us to know what trust should entail, even if we feel it." "What do you mean?" I asked. She looked around at everyone standing around us and shook her head. "Let''s just say that you all are the first people we''ve ever known who didn''t treat us as slaves or targets for abuse." Fuck. There was still so little I knew about all my girls, pained pasts that they all guarded. I realized they all had stories to tell me, but whenever it''d come up, I''d only gotten bits and pieces. May Belle and Daisy''s anxiety and neediness around me hinted at some serious damage in their past. I needed to know more about it, I decided, but I wasn''t sure how to get that information without putting them through renewed trauma. Sprinkle, too, had a faraway look in her eyes as the topic of the past came up. Hers was less about abuse and more about loneliness, I was sure, but I was failing to be there for her even still. "I really need to get to know you all better," I rasped at last, my voice now hoarse from fighting back tears. "It feels insane to say that after everything we''ve done, seen, and been through in our short time together, but we still have too many secrets from one another." Autumn sighed. "The old me would say that none of this matters." She paused. "What does the new Autumn say?" I smirked, genuinely curious to hear the end of that thought. She smiled back. "That it''s about damn time we started sharing." I nodded. "I want to understand you all so I can avoid letting you feel this kind of anxiety. I care about Tater Town and all its people, but--" I leaned in close, "If push comes to shove, you are my priority. Never forget that." "I don''t want you to neglect or abandon them for us," Daisy said, gesturing toward the town on the hill. "Bonny is very important to me. I love Etherea, too. But... I''d be lying if I said I wasn''t glad to hear you say that." May Belle was still pouting. "Bucky-Baby, I''m really sorry." "For what now?" I asked, relaxing a bit. Things seemed to be winding down, and let my tensed shoulders slump. "I think everything is clear for now." She stomped her hoof, irritated with herself, I thought, from the look on her face. "No," she groaned. "I still want to be your favorite. I can''t change that. I know it''s selfish, but it''s all I can think about. It''s the only thought that makes me feel secure. I believed it before--now I don''t. And it fucks me up so bad." I frowned. "I don''t know how to fix that," I said. "Can''t it be enough that I love you?" She shook her head, though. "Yes, and no. I would never, ever leave you or regret being with you in a million years, Bucky-Baby, but it still stings more than I''d care to admit." "You''re just being selfish," Sprinkle croaked coldly. It was almost funny coming from her--she rarely added to these sorts of discussions. "Us marked girls can share the title." Ivy frowned. "I''m not marked." "Neither am I," Autumn noted, putting a hand on Ivy''s shoulder for a moment before giving me a pointed glare. "Soon, though, I hope to be. But, Ivy, I''m sorry, I don''t know of a way for Bucky to mark you yet." "There has to be some way," I said, not ready to give up on the idea now that we were discussing these things. Ivy seemed less certain, though. "Elves are elves. Marking is for monster girls." "Do elves have an equivalent of marking at least?" I asked. Then I realized how little I knew. "Wait, do elves have males?" Ivy shook her head. "Elves, like monster girls, are only female in Lusteria," she started to explain. "But--" "Elves are the progenitors of monster girls," Autumn interjected. "It should technically be possible, not out of the gods'' abilities. A long time ago, all monster girls were called Beast Elves." "Is that true?" Daisy asked, looking like she''d heard something brand new. Autumn grinned and nodded. "Yes. If it''s something Ivy cares about, I can plead with Paragon and Hierophant the next time we''re summoned. Who knows? We may get lucky." Ivy smiled softly but jerked her head ''no''. "That''s alright," she said. "I wouldn''t want Bucky to waste a feat on something like that." "It''s not a waste," I said, grabbing her shoulder. "If that''s what you want--if it''ll bring us closer, then I''m all about it." She grinned back at me like she was trying not to, and it was cute on her gorgeous green elven face. Before I could comment further, I caught a whiff of something--smoke. My head turned and spotted a tall plume of dark gray ash billowing wildly up to the sky. "There''s a fire," I said, nodding in that direction. "That''s strange," Autumn noted, "That''s where Jammy''s farm is." "That jackalope girl?" I asked. "That Jammy?" She nodded. "Yeah. You should go check it out." I raised my fingers to my lips and blew a high-pitched whistle. Blue descended from the clouds, detecting the emergency, and I hopped atop the dragon-steed''s scaly back and took to the sky. I wasn''t sure what I was up against--but with the cape, I should be alright. It was probably just an accident. Hopefully Jammy would be okay. Certainly wearing the armor would be overkill, I told myself. Being fast seemed to be the better choice. "Be careful!" I heard one of the girls shouted from below. I looked back and saw them waving, worried looks on their faces. I was certain that whatever it was that I was about to encounter that it would be no issue--though I probably should have brought Sprinkle or Ivy along at the very least. Hindsight''s twenty-twenty. As the farm came into sight, though, I realized quickly that I was a bit more out of my depth than I''d originally dared to imagine. "Well, fuck," I groaned, taking stock of the devastation and the creature that caused it. "How do you feel about fighting other dragons, Blue?" Chapter 39: Dragon Slayer At the sight of the great red dragon, I made some risky skill point allocations in my HUD. This seemed like the now-or-never point for my Dragon Affinity skill, so I bumped it up two levels, not entirely sure what it did. It felt relevant, though. "I think we''re going to stay aerial for this one, buddy," I grunted to Blue as we dove toward the burning field. "Let''s just make sure the big guy notices us." I spared a thought for my armor--which I had neglected to wear in my hurry to rush toward danger. It had seemed the right move at the time, before I realized what I was up against. My buttcheeks involunarily clenched as I realized it was probably a bad move after all. But it was too late to turn back now. If I did that, Jammy would be dead, and her entire farm would be ruined. Blue''s descent was rapid and fierce. The bite of afternoon wind dried out my sweat as we barreled downward at extreme velocity, pulling up at the last minute as both Blue and I made our attacks. Blue''s icy breath spewed a steady stream of brutally-tipped icicles and frozen shards at the red dragon, which was roughly twice Blue''s size. I hurled my lance, spearing it in the creature''s back down to the haft. It returned to me an instant later, thanks to its Returning charm, courtesy of Bonny and Etherea''s impeccable skills. Molten blood spilled from the wounds we''d made, not in desperate gouts, but noticeable all the same. We corrected our trajectory, ascending fast, using the strong winds to build momentum. Blue glided away from the dragon, but as I looked back I saw its snapping jaws hot on our tail. I used my Fire Breath 2 skill to blast the gaping maw of the monstrosity when it closed in on us, letting the wind carry my flames further than they''d normally be able to travel. They blew directly into the beast''s face, but to my dismay--if not surprise--they had little effect. Activating Charm Evil 2 and Dragon Affinity 3, I called out to the dragon. "Please, stop your attack on the farm!" I yelled. "This one tries to charm Azarius Rex? This one breathes icy hatred into his magnificent hide, spears him with a magic lance, and then tries to bargain?" The voice was more amused than upset. "You are stronger than the last hero I made my dinner, I''ll give you that." "I''m sorry about the attack," I said, thinking fast. "I didn''t think it''d really hurt you. I figured you were strong enough that it would only get your attention." "It got my attention, certainly." The voice was deep and overpowering as it continued to pursue us, closing the gap rapidly. "I can''t tell if you''re trying to flatter me or insult me. You tell me you think I''m mighty, but then you imply you were wrong in that you managed to wound me." Shit. Why am I so fucking stupid? "Please, let''s just agree to talk. No one has to die." "We''re talking," Azarius Rex said, laughing deeply, and then he breathed an enormous fireball that managed to make contact with Blue''s tail, singing it before the flames were doused by the wind as we flew. "Alright then," I grunted. "We started it, Blue," I said, patting my dragon-steed''s neck, "so let''s finish it." Blue took a dive, picking up speed and gaining distance from our pursuer. Azarius Rex the red dragon groaned with displeasure and made his own descent, but he had trouble catching up--being smaller with larger wings in proportion to his body size, Blue had the edge on dips and dives. "You can flee if you wish, but you won''t elude me!" cried the voice of the red dragon. "Who''s fleeing?" I shouted back, directing Blue to change course and meet the descent of our opponent head on. I stood atop Blue''s back precariously, charging flamesword on my long lance blade, then I activated Great Jump 4, leaping in a physics-defying display off of Blue''s saddle, ready to strike Azarius Rex with a head-on attack. The dragon noticed and attempted to pull back at the last minute, but it was too late. A wild look of concern painted its lizard-like face, its head rearing, carelessly exposing its neck. I took a massive swing and sliced its throat wide open. Azarius Rex attempted to cry out, but it was more of a desperate gurgling sound than anything else. Its wings flapped wildly to stay in the air even as it spewed molten blood on me. Suddenly, I was free-falling, dismissing my lance into the ether with the power of my Blade Bond so that I could shield my face from the magma-hot mess that seared and scarred my arms, chest, and neck. I managed to keep most of it off my pretty face, but knew that the recklessness of this attack would end up disfiguring me even then. "Fuck," I growled, the pain of the flaming hot blood singing practically to the bone. Azarius Rex above lost power in its wings and started falling, too. Blue dived in and caught me, but I was in no position to grab on tight. I landed roughly on his back and only just narrowly managed to avoid falling off by tangling my wrist up in his reins. "Good boy," I grunted, still wincing from the pain. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Azarius Rex fall, plunging violently past me, and I turned my head to watch the dragon hit the ground with an earth-shaking thud, leaving a crater where he''d landed. "Down," I grunted at Blue, looking at my mangled and burned arms in horror. They''d never be the same again, that was for damn sure. I doubted unicorn blood would do the trick in this case. Blue obeyed, though I thought I sensed a hint of hesitancy. We made our landing a dozen feet or so from the crater that contained the body of the red dragon I''d just fought. Pulling myself off of my dragon-steed, I steeled myself for whatever was coming next by activating Endure 6, helping me to shrug off the pain I was feeling and stave off exhaustion or trauma for the time being. I walked cautiously to the edge of the crater and peered inside. The dragon was still somehow breathing, despite the massive gash in its neck. Summoning my lance, I walked down into the pit with heavy steps. "Come to claim the title of Dragon Slayer for yourself, human?" the voice rasped at me, gurgling as hot blood poured from its maw and cleft jugular. "I didn''t want it to go this way, but I can admit I handled it badly. This is not the outcome I would have chosen, especially knowing now how intelligent you are," I said, sighing, falling to my knees in both pain and regret. "I''m sorry." "Sorry?" the dragon laughed as it bubbled its words at me. "Sorry for slaying an enemy in combat?" "Sorry I made the first attack," I said. "It was fucking stupid of me. Seeing the field on fire, seeing you, I let the adrenaline take over. I''m a bit afraid of myself, that that was my first impulse. I even have a power called Dragon Affinity, and I used it as an afterthought. So, yes. I''m sorry." "Dragon Affinity?" Azarius Rex asked in awe. "Impossible. I haven''t heard of that power being granted to a hero in over a thousand years." I activated it again, resetting the power, and stared the dragon in the eyes. "Feel anything?" "By the gods," the dragon grunted as its life continued to fade from its voice. "It''s true. You are him." I cocked my head sideways, looking at the pathetic monster as it bled out on the ground. "What do you mean? You''ve heard of me?" "You are the one meant to save the race of dragons. Find the Dragon Empress Terastrazia the Iridescent atop the highest mountain in the Wildspine Range. Show her what you showed me, but level it up. You can save us." "Why would I want to save dragons if they''re raiding farms and killing people?" I asked. "That sounds like a non-starter of a proposition to me." "She can answer all questions. Just--please. Do as I ask. Consider it my... dying wish." Before I could respond, the eyes of the dragon glazed over with finality and its breathing stopped. The ground beneath the dragon was scorched and burned from the flow of blood that had poured out from where I''d sliced open its neck. I studied the carcass for a moment longer than necessary, and then I climbed out of the pit and onto Blue''s back. Using a modified, reined in version of Blue''s ice breath, we doused the flames of the fields that were still burning and looked for any signs of Jammy. We found her, eventually, quivering in a corner of her own smoking cabin. "Bucky!" she shouted in surprise, running up to me and throwing her arms around my back. "Oh, thank you, thank you! Did you scare it away?!" "I killed it," I said, a bit of regret in my throat. "Wow! A dragon slayer!" she looked down and noticed my neck and arms. "You''re hurt! Poor thing!" "I''m alright," I said. "We put out the flames. You should consider getting someone to live here with you. It''s dangerous alone." "I don''t think any number of roommates could have helped me avoid danger in this situation, Bucky," she wisely pointed out. "Well, maybe you should stay in Tater Town for the rest of the season at least," I suggested. "I don''t think you''re going to be able to reap much of your crop, unfortunately." She looked like she was about to cry. "Oh, Bucky, that''s true, but it''s so dreadful to hear!" I let out a sigh and patted her awkwardly on the back as she still tried to hug me, her antlers threatening to gouge out an eye. The pain of her touch was almost unbearable because of the wounds. "Do you know anyone in town?" I asked. She nodded. "I have a cousin there. A bunny girl named Bonny." I blinked at the mention of the name. "But you''re a jackalope and she''s a rabbit." "Jackalopes are just the magically gifted variant of rabbits," she explained. "Just like how holstaurs can give birth to bovinas, and lamias can give birth to nagas. It''s just rarer and the resulting child has unique gifts." "I didn''t know any of that," I gasped. She smirked. "That''s because you''re woefully uncurious." I cringed at that. It was true. I was too lazy-minded to ask the right questions. I ad been making an effort lately, but it was far too little, far too late. Come to think of it, the longer I reflected on it, the more I realized that Autumn had explained this concept to me at some point, and I''d simply not been paying attention. This epiphany combined with my many failures at handling this situation--shirking my armor, slaying the dragon before having a chance to talk to it--made me wonder how I could even call myself a hero. "What unique powers do you have?" I asked, trying to put that bit of dismal self-reflection out of my head for the moment. She looked up like she was trying to remember. "Jackalope girls can get wizard and holy skills when they level up. That''s really about it." I nodded. "Got any skills that might help with this?" I said, raising up my crackled and burnt arms. "My girls are going to flip out when they see it." Her face soured up with a bitter cringe as she looked upon the desolation of my flesh. "I can cast Minor Illusion on your arms and neck to make them appear normal, but it''ll wear off." I shook my head. "That''s no good. That''d just be the same as lying to them." "I apologize, Bucky. That''s all I have that might be able to help. I have three skill points. If you''d like, I could use Discover to try and see if I get a healing power?" "Is that something you''d like to do?" I asked cautiously, still trying to be polite as the creeping pain of the dragon blood wound started to spread and worsen with urgency. "Or would I be twisting your arm?" "I''d like to help you!" she gushed suddenly, taking my hands. She was every bit as pretty as Bonny, but her hair was black and her skin much darker. As she clutched my fingers in her little ones, I nodded at her, chewing on the inside of my cheek to distract from the agony of my burns. "Might as well try, if it''s all the same." The jackalope girl clasped her hands together, pulling up her HUD. I couldn''t see it, but I watched her eyes dash through the air in that unmistakable way. Jammy cleared her throat. "Okay. Ahem," she started. "I''ve got Repel Undead 1, Holy Bolt 1, and Soothe 1." "Soothe 1 sounds like it might do something," I shrugged. The pain was indescribable--and spreading. If I didn''t get some kind of treatment fast, I wondered if I could even make it back. She nodded hopefully. "Alright, give me your arms." I held them out for her. She gripped them and closed her eyes. Her little hands glowed with white energy and I felt it spilling out from her being and into mine. The pain was almost entirely diminished by the time she relinquished her grip, and I sighed happily--but the wound was still there. "Did it do anything?" "It made the pain go away," I nodded. "But it looks like I''m stuck with these burns." "Bonny''s going to kill me," she whimpered. I looked at her in confusion. "Why''s that?" "She''ll blame me for you getting hurt. I don''t know if you know this, but last time I saw her she let me know she was nursing a pretty serious crush on you." I laughed. "Well, I''m more or less aware of that," I said. "She''s pregnant with my baby at the moment." Her eyes went wide. "Wow! Wow wow! That''s amazing!! My Bonny!? A mommy? But what do you mean ''baby?''" I furrowed my brow. "What do you mean what do I mean?" "Bunny girls have litters of four to ten babies," she explained. "Did Bonny not explain that to you?" My eyes went wide with terror, like I''d just stared into the face of death itself. "No, Jammy," I said quietly with a nervous gulp. "No, she did not." Please visit my Amazon store! Chapter 40: Much Ado About Bucky The ride back was painfully long, made all the longer as the Soothe spell started to fade away and my burnt arms were exposed to the cold wind that bit into them. It rankled and irritated me even more, but I could tell that the situation would have been far worse without Jammy''s use of the skill. I gritted my teeth and tried my best to stomach the pain, clutching tightly to Blues neck as I struggled to keep my balance. But it wasnt just the pain--the burns had cracked open and begun to bleed slightly and ooze something other than blood. The agony alone was extreme enough to make me want to faint, but now I was losing fluids, too. After what felt like an eternity or two, I finally saw the Sanctuary appearing on the horizon. About damn time, I groaned, fighting the urge to rub the terrible burns that were now open sores in some places, leaking pus but no longer bleeding all that much. Blue sensed my discomfort. I was sure because he took the descent on much more cautiously than usual--it was deeply appreciated. When we landed, I attempted a graceful dismount as the girls all rose to their feet to come greet me and hear all about my latest adventure--only to fall right off of Blue and hit the ground with a heavy thud. I should have worn Bonnys armor, I groaned to myself. I was careless, yet again. How could someone as stupid as me be an Apex Hero? I was a fuckup, nothing more than that, and this time my thoughtlessness and lack of planning nearly got me killed. Nearly made virtual widows out of all my girls, a bunch of them pregnant. Daisy and May Belle were pregnant. Etherea was, Bonny was, Vale was, Scalia was--notably Ivy, Autumn, and Sprinkle weren''t. Autumn decided to wait until the mission was done--or at least further along. Ivy was being dodgy recently, though with the latest drama, I more or less understood why. But the real heartbreaker was my unicorn girl. Rainbow Sprinkle was having trouble conceiving. I couldn''t die. I had to survive, for her. To see all my kids. My mom would have been a bit kinder to me than I was being to myself, though. She would have called this a Live and Learn Moment.'' You survive a lot of first mistakes, Buchanan, she used to say. Dont make the same mistake a second time. The sounds of squeals and screams and panicked breathing surrounded me on all sides. Suddenly the pain in my arms was second to the pain I felt in my heart from making my girls worry. Bucky!? What--What-- What happened?! Bucky-Baby, no! No-no-no-- My Bucky? Say something, my Bucky! I tried to speak, but I felt my consciousness failing. For a split second, I could make out their beautiful faces hovering over me, but then they were gone, faded away into blackness as a heavy shroud seemed to press itself upon me from all sides. *** Hours later, maybe longer, I awoke in Ethereas cottage, my head on the moon elfs lap. My eyes fluttered open, and the first thing I saw was her gorgeous eyes. They opened wide like saucers as she noticed me stirring, bringing her hand to cup my cheek as she tutted and clucked at me soothingly. Shhhh, she whispered. Slowly, now, hero. I was in no hurry to sit up. The pain in my arms was still there, but the sharpness of it was replaced by a dull but powerful ache. I wondered then if I would have even made it back without the Soothe spell or if I would have fallen off Blue mid-flight. I shook my head, casting off that dark thought. Blue would have caught me. Still, if this was what I felt after banishing the worst of the agony, my mind would have reeled to know what it would have been like to experience the extent of it. And I was still so weak. So quiet, hero, Etherea said. Lost in thoughts, I see from the frantic movements of your eyes. Say something to ease my worry, would you? Im alright, I said, my voice croaky and dry. What happened after I got back? She giggled softly, stroking my hair. A fire crackled in the hearth nearby. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw Ivy stepping into view. What happened is you gave your girls quite a fright, Etherea said calmly. I looked over at Ivy and immediately confirmed that it was true. Her face was streaked with half-dried tears, her gorgeous eyes swollen and puffy from crying. Her red hair was unusually disheveled, and the wood elf''s brow furrowed as though in fury. So stupid, she muttered, and I winced at the words as they echoed my own inner monologue. I know, I said. I am so fucking stupid. I should have brought you. I should have brought my armor. I should have gone in slower. Im a fucking idiot, I-- Shut up. Thats all she said. She just stared at me angrily, like she couldnt even process all her feelings at the moment. If Ivy was this bad, I had to wonder how the other girls were doing. I looked down at my arms--the scars would be immense, my new reality. They would make Aldon''s scars look inconsequential. The burn marks were still there and fresh but mostly bandaged. I was shirtless now, my torso, neck, and arms wrapped carefully by skilled hands. I smelled herbs on the bandages--ointments or something similar that was likely accelerating the healing. We used magic to repair what we could, Etherea said. Youll have lost some feeling in your arms and neck when its all recovered. Unfortunately, theres nothing we can do about that." And youll have the scars, Ivy added, still seething quietly. I nodded. It wont happen again. Ill be more careful. In less than two weeks, youre going to raid Kingfurys Keep, Ivy grunted, swallowing. Youre not ready. You wont be fully healed. You have to call it off. I closed my eyes. Ill think about it. First, lets see how bad the damage is and how slow I am to heal. I didnt open my eyes back up, but I heard a squeal as Ivy likely burst into a fresh batch of tears, and then the sound of the slamming door filled the room. When I opened my eyes again, she was nowhere to be seen. She loves you, you know, Etherea said, blowing a wisp of white hair out of her gorgeous features. Youll need to give them all some time. I recommend you stay here tonight. I want to see them, though, I groaned in complaint. Theyre fine. Seeing you in this state will only make them worry more. I shook my head. Hiding them from me wont help. I need to be with them--what if something happens? I need to be ready. On my feet. I sat up--the pain was so intense on my neck in particular that I retched and almost vomited on the floor. Etherea tried to pull me back onto the cot, but I pushed her away. Get off of me! I shouted. She looked shocked at the outburst. Bucky I-- I frowned, closing my eyes, and I stood up. She let her hand fall off of my shoulder. Im sorry about I shouldnt have yelled. Thank you for healing me. Bucky, if you leave now, you wont heal properly, she warned me. Dont go, please! Then you come with me, I grunted in annoyance. I dont fucking know why you even stay in this cottage. Just move into the sanctuary. Ill build you a new house. Again, a look of surprise appeared on her face. You want me on the Sanctuary? Did I stutter? I asked, muttering through a clenched jaw. The pain was persistent. Fuck, why does it hurt so bad?! Dragon flames are cursed, she said with a heavy sigh. Itll leave a pain that always lingers. That didnt sound ideal. "But it was blood," I corrected her. She cringed. "That would be even worse, I''m afraid. I''m sorry, Bucky. We tried Sprinkle''s saliva, but even that wouldn''t work on the wounds caused by dragon''s power." Does it ever get better? I asked shakily. I couldn''t bear the thought that this unyielding pain would be my new normal for the remainder of my life. Yes, she said with a short nod. It does get better--but it flares up in the presence of dragons. That puts a damper on the dragons special request, I muttered. Etherea stood and walked up to me, guiding me back to the cot, but I wordlessly refused to sit. What do you mean? Request? Apparently, Im destined to meet the empress of the dragons or something, I shrugged. The Dragon Empress? She was mentioned to you? Yeah, I said, shuttering my eyes at the memory. He seemed pretty sincere about it--telling me even as he was dying. An alliance with the Dragon Empress would be incredible, she said. You could work together to fight the Dark Queens. Were getting ahead of ourselves, I pointed out with a dull chuckle. Lets get back to the sanctuary first. Are you coming? Let me gather my healing implements, she said with a grin. But Bucky, you must rest as soon as we get there. Dont let your girls dote on you or fuss over you. I mean it. I laughed--it hurt to laugh, but I managed it anyway. Good fucking luck with that. If you cant promise me that, then I forbid you from leaving this cottage, she said, stomping the floor dramatically. I thought about that for a minute, staring into her eyes. I sighed. Reluctantly, I plopped back down on the cot. Could you, like, bottle feed me some of Daisy and May Belles milk? I asked. It helps regenerate from wounds. Of course, hero, she cooed. I will arrange for some to be sent up right away, though I doubt it will be all that effective given the nature of the injury. Ivy! she called out for the Wood Elf. After a moment or so, the door opened, and an angry green waif was standing at its entryway. What. She said it rather than ask it. Can you fetch some of the holstaurs milk? Now that Bucky is awake, the regenerative powers of their milk should be able to speed along his healing, at least a little bit. The door slammed shut again. I grimaced. She is only so upset because she wanted to be there for you and feels like you deprived her of that, Etherea explained. It is selfish of her, but to be fully transparent with you, hero, I was quite angry when I first saw the state of you. Why? I asked, a bit surprised by that. I hadn''t ever seen her truly angry before, save for when she thought I was a traitor when I mentioned Darkmaw wasn''t our enemy. That thankfully got cleared up very quickly, at least. Not that I dont deserve your anger, but Im curious. Why were you mad? She bit her lip as she struggled to find the words to articulate it. She was playing with my hair again, and it felt damn good and soothing, distracting me from the agony of the burns for a moment. I suppose I thought, Surely he was foolhardy and brave again. Its an endearing thing about you, but its also very selfish. Selfish? I repeated. Yes, she said flatly. You are so quick to sacrifice yourself for others that you dont think about the position it would put us all in if you were to die. Even if I died, I know youre all strong. I believe that together you could find a way to survive, I pointed out, and I believed it. But she frowned at me and relinquished the clutch of my hair shed been grasping. Thats not what I meant. I mean, emotionally. Half of the girls in town are pregnant with your daughters. Even I bear your seed. How painful it would be to lose you. How sad it would be for your daughters to never know what a good man their father was. But you dont think about others feelings. Instead, youre focused on others safety. Thats only half of your duty as a hero to monster girls and elves. I was speechless. I offered nothing back, just stewing in the truth of her words as guilt continued to creep its way into my heart. Im sorry, I said after a long, long silence. She didnt offer forgiveness, at least not out loud. When Ivy came back, she hastily delivered the bottles and left. I tried to take a bottle from Etherea, but she evaded my grasp. I will feed you myself, she insisted. Just as you suggested before.Your arms are too weak and burnt to hold the bottle on your own. Youd disturb the bandages. I nodded, feeling utterly helpless as the nipple of the glass container found my lips. I drank every last drop. It was sweet with a hint of vanilla--I knew it was Daisys from the taste. I savored the flavor, but it was colder than I was used to. How do you feel? the moon elf asked me after I finished the first bottle. Like shit, I confessed. But maybe a bit better. I can feel a tingling in my arms and neck. Etherea smiled. Good, she said. You were smart to think of their milk. Im surprised the girls didnt think of it themselves. Etherea actually laughed out loud. May Belle fainted upon seeing your wounds, and Daisy has been talking to herself in the fields for hours. They arent thinking clearly at all. I gasped. Why is that funny?! I have to see them! They need to know Im okay! Its normal behavior for a marked girl--they will be fine. Theyre linked to you. Now that youre awake, they will be better. What about Sprinkle? I asked. Glancing down, she grimaced. Lets leave that question alone for now. A furrow formed across my brow. What happened to Sprinkle? She sighed. Lets just say you owe Vale about seven sheep. Everyone deals with grief in their own way. Fuck, I said. She must be pissed. Of course she isnt. The whole town was primarily worried for you. Ivy is the only one currently angry, and she will soon calm down. But, if I were you, Id make some time for her in the near future. She has been feeling rather lonely of late. I know, I said. Just one more thing Im fucking up on the growing list. I dont envy you, Etherea giggled. You may have a town full of women at your disposal, all of whom adore you--but youre just one man. It cant be easy. It isnt, I agreed. But youre all worth it. If you were someone else, I might not feel that way, but Im totally invested because all of you are precisely who you are. Ill never back down. I paused. Im going to do better. Youll have to, she said quietly, her smile fading for just a moment. I dont think your marked girls hearts could survive the loss of you if the attack on Keenfurys Keep went awry. Keep that in mind. I promise--I will survive. You can tell them I said that. No matter how bad the pain gets or how dangerous the enemies are, I will endure for all of you. I swear it. Even if I''m cut wide open, I''ll find my way back somehow. She smiled softly and brushed a tangle of white hair out of her face. May I kiss you? she asked. The question caught me off-guard. Please, I replied, breaking into a grin. She leaned forward and planted her lips on mine. It was unusually chaste for her. It was also a great distraction from my problems. A few seconds later, she pulled back, sat up, and smiled mischievously at me. Ive sealed your promise with a kiss, she said, winking. Dont forget it. I smiled at her. I wont. Now, if you dont mind, I think the smartest thing for me to do is go back to sleep. I yawned and stretched, snuggling up against her lap again. Sleep all you want, hero. When you wake up, Ill be here for you. We''ll all be here. Chapter 41: Look, I’m Fine!” I made my way down the hill with Endure activated to give myself a look of stability and strength. With that ability switched on, the pain wasn''t half as debilitating, but it was still there, impossible to ignore, and it did nothing to help with the wounds. Ivy had delivered a fresh change of clothes, including my cape and my long-sleeved shirt. We had all agreed--even her--that it would be better for the moment to obscure the extent of my injuries so as not to drive the girls into a renewed panic as they''d only just started to calm down by the sound of things. I tied the cape tight against my neck to try to hide the burns that were there. Of course, the girls had already seen them, but I thought, just maybe, they would forget about the extent and severity of them if I put on a strong face and hid the wounds. It was ironic, I realized, that this was what I was opting to do because I initially refused the jackalope girl Jammy''s attempts to use illusions to shroud the injuries. Still, it was necessary. I wouldn''t hide them forever. I couldn''t. The girls would want me to spend romantic time with them soon, and once my shirt came off, the jig would be up. I hated the idea of seeing them freaking out again, driving them into terror and panic, but a twisted part of my soul felt a sick tinge of validation at the idea, too; May Belle''s gasp when she saw how badly I''d been injured, Daisy''s tears, Autumn''s fear--it would all be exquisite in its own way. But I didn''t want them to feel those things for me, even if it felt good to know they cared. All I wanted was for them to be happy and feel safe, so I would do everything I could to make sure they did. I marched down the hill without so much as a cane, demonstrating just how strong and independent I already was after just a day of rest. In truth, I was much better than even I expected I would be, even without the Endure ability powering me. I could probably thank the holstaur milk and Etherea''s matronly care for that, not to mention Ivy''s help. Instead of running to me, though, Daisy and May Belle watched, staring at me as I approached like I was a ghost. Sprinkle alone shot up and ran over to greet me. "My Bucky!" she shouted. She closed the distance between us, and I readied myself for pain. She threw her arms around me and hugged tightly. I winced, but I hid it by burying my face in her shoulder. From behind her, Autumn, Daisy, and May Belle exchanged glances and started making their way over as well. But there was something off about them. Their faces weren''t the wide grins I was expecting. They were fearful, cautious, with eyes that gaped at me unbelievingly as though I''d come back from the dead. "Hey," I said, smiling at them, breaking the hug with Sprinkle. "Come here," I grunted, "I haven''t seen you in over a day!" May Belle marched over to me, her eyes glowing and head cocked with skepticism. She grabbed my arms and tore off the sleeve with surprising strength. The warped and charred flesh of my arms was scarcely visible beneath the fresh bandages. Sprinkle gasped at the sight. "You expect us to believe you''re okay, Bucky-Baby?" May Belle said, her eyes watering already. Daisy just stood back, staring at me emptily. "We worried... sooo much! You came back after just one day with burns from a dragon and expect us to believe everything is normal again? Please don''t hold back on us!" I frowned. "I''m sorry, I--" Ivy stepped in. She''d been following behind me. "It was my idea to hide the wounds," she said with a sigh. "Don''t blame him. He feels bad enough." It didn''t dispel the storm clouds on May Belle''s face. "I... love you... so much. You marked me! I''m yours, forever! Can you imagine what we felt, thinking we might lose you? I''m sorry, I don''t mean to unload on you..." She trailed off, looking at me expectantly to say something. I wasn''t sure she knew exactly what point she was trying to make. I shook my head but said nothing. I looked at Daisy, expecting a "humph!" or a string of epithets, but she said nothing. "Daisy hasn''t spoken a word all day," Autumn said, running her hand through the holstaur''s golden-brown hair. "Yesterday, she spent the whole afternoon repeating ''Bucky will be fine'' to herself in the field. Today she won''t even say a word." My heart throbbed with guilt and urgency. "Daisy?" I said cautiously, taking a step toward her--too fast, too sudden. "I''m fine. At least, I''m going to be fine. I''m sorry I made you all worry--I really am. I was reckless--" "SO reckless!" May Belle shouted as tears flew off her face. She stomped her hooves on the ground, wiped her eyes, and continued. "Okay. I know. I forbid you to go adventuring." Autumn sighed. "May Belle, he''s an Apex Hero. You can''t--" "If you go adventuring again, I''ll kill myself," she said flatly, crossing her arms. It was not a joke, but I certainly hoped it was a bluff. "Don''t say that," I said, tears stinging my own eyes. Her own face instantly melted at the sight of my own sadness. My heart felt as though it''d fallen sick all of a sudden, like it was suddenly a century older and weaker. "Please," she continued, this time more quietly. Her brow was furrowed to a degree I''d never seen before. She didn''t have a single line on her face from frowning because she was the sunniest, happiest, sweetest girl I''d ever met. This--I didn''t know how to deal with this. "I will have nothing to live for if you die." "You need to calm down," Autumn said, placing her hands on May Belle''s shoulders. "Relax. This isn''t helping." "May Belle, that''s too much," Sprinkle cooed. I almost laughed at that--thankfully, I didn''t. There was something amusing about Rainbow Sprinkle being the voice of reason to May Belle. I thought I knew these girls. It turns out they were way more nuanced and less predictable than I''d perhaps given them all credit for. "You won''t kill yourself. That''s not even a little charming or funny," I said. Ivy grunted her agreement. "Shame on you, May Belle. He''s been through enough. I was cross with him, too, but you''re making this about you. It''s about Lusteria. Don''t forget. His quest matters." "You matter, too," I added, looking at all of them. "Don''t ever doubt that or play down your importance to me. You are all the core of who I am. I love you more than Lusteria, that''s for damn sure." "May Belle," Autumn clucked, "Please calm down. You''re going to regret this later." She sobbed like a little girl, crumbling to her knees. I caught her halfway down, holding her in my arms. May Belle tried in vain to push herself away from me but ultimately melted against my bandaged chest. "I can smell the dragon-fire on your neck," she wept. "I can''t lose you, Bucky-Baby. I''d die. It''d be worse than dying. I''d--I''d risk anything else before I risked you." I wrapped my arms tightly around her. "I promise, I''m not going anywhere. I won''t die. I will get stronger. Smarter. More cautious. And I will bring Sprinkle or Ivy with me every time I go out. I''ll always have a backup plan. I won''t put you through this again." "You put me through it once. Look at Daisy." I did. Daisy''s eyes were still wide and vacant, but she was staring at me like I was a hallucination, a mirage. "Look at her. She''s broken. I''ll be broken, too, if you leave my sight again. I''m sorry... I can''t bear it." "Daisy just needs time. We''ll all be fne. We have to bear it, May Belle," Autumn said sadly behind her. "Bucky needs you to be strong. He''s already promised what he can. Forgive him." "I forgive you," she sobbed instantly. "Of course I do. I was never mad at you, really. I just--I''m so scared. What if I lose you!? I''ll fucking die!" "That kind of talk needs to stop right now," I insisted. "That doesn''t make me feel any better. We need to just accept that what happened has happened, and we all have to move on." I kissed her forehead, and she nodded reluctantly. "You''re right." I stood up and took a step closer to Daisy, whose eyes never left mine. "Daisy," I said softly. "Daisy, it''s me. Do you remember me?" She kept staring, her face cold and unfeeling--until I brushed her cheek. Upon my touch, her eyes flew wide open, and tears cascaded down her face. She threw herself so hard into me that she knocked me over, and I fell backward onto the ground with her on top of me. It hurt--badly. But I put on a strong face. "Honey!" she shouted. "Is it really you!?" "Of course it''s me! What did you think?" I asked in genuine shock, trying to hide the agony of her body pressing against my wounds. I couldn''t blame her for this. She wasn''t fully in her right mind yet. "I thought I was dreaming--I thought that I''d lost you," she cried, bawling like a baby into my shoulder. I stroked her hair and grunted. Autumn''s face showed that she understood my pain at that moment, but she said nothing. "Don''t ever do that to us again!" "I''ll scratch it off my To-Do List for tomorrow," I said, entombing Daisy in my embrace. She glared at me. "That''s not funny," she said. "My Bucky?" Sprinkle''s voice chimed in with an unfamiliar tone. Gumi was looming behind her, staring down at me, far less concerned than the others--probably not really comprehending what had happened. "Yes, Sprink?" "Do you love me?" I looked up at her from where I cradled Daisy on the ground. "Of course I do," I said, cocking a confused eyebrow. "What the hell kind of question is that?" "If you love me, if you love us, then let us fight with you. You don''t know how strong your girls have all become." "I can breathe fire," Daisy cooed in my ear. "I can rip a tree out of the ground with my bare hands," added May Belle. Autumn nodded her agreement. "I can carve through a rock with my claws," she said, holding up her hands. "Your level-ups were more effective than we thought they would be, due to us being so close to you, an Apex Hero." I swallowed hard. "I''ll think about it," I nodded. "But I''ll want us all wearing armor and having appropriate weapons, at least in the long term." "Bonny owes me," Daisy smirked, though her eyes still looked a bit haunted and far away. "I''ll tell her." "The harem that slays together stays together," Autumn giggled. Ivy chimed in again. "Bucky," she said my name softly to get my attention. I relinquished my embrace of Daisy and stood up. "Yeah, Ivy?" "Would you sleep with me in the treehouse tomorrow?" she asked. "I have a lot to say." My eyes were drawn to the others, seeking their opinions. They nodded knowingly, apparently granting their approval. "Alright," I agreed. "Of course." Harem life was busy as fuck. Ivy grinned, though, and that look on her face was enough to set me at ease for the moment. Our minute of calm was abruptly cut short by the sound of a horn blaring off in the distance. I looked out toward the sound, and noticed out of the corner of my eyes that my girls all looked equally alarmed and surprised by it. It couldn''t be good, then. "Orcs!" Autumn grunted in shock. "A war horn!" She looked around frantically, her eyes darting everywhere as she processed the sound and what it meant. "But how!?" "The centaurs should have stopped them!" Ivy said with a tremulous voice. "This could be terrible news!" "The timing couldn''t be worse!" May Belle shrieked, but that wasn''t true. Literally a day ago and I''d have been in no shape at all to fight. As it stood right at this moment, I was still in rough condition, but I could defend if I had to. A dozen flaming arrows hit the cabin, setting it alight almost instantly. My fists balled up at the cursed sight of my home set aflame. It was simply logs and sticks and grass and mud, after all--but it was my home. This was a brazen attack. A declaration of war. There was no doubt that we were about to come to blows. "Girls, go hide!" I shouted, summoning the magic lance, "Don''t worry about me! I''m wearing my armor, so I''ll be fine!" "We just talked about this!" Sprinkle squealed in irritation. She darted behind me, following in my path as I charged the horde that had appeared in the distance. Maybe twenty orcs and ogres, each larger than me, could be seen on the horizon. "We''re coming with you!" "We are all in this battle!" shouted Autumn--that one shocked me the most. Wordlessly, the holstaurs joined the fray. Gumi must have stayed back--she was still so simple, so confused by it all, and we didn''t have time to explain. We let her hide in the fields, and I could only hope she would be alright. I had to believe she would be. I grimaced at the thought of any of my girls, even her, being caught in the line of fire or getting hurt in the battle. As it would turn out, my fears were utterly misplaced. Chapter 42: Burn it All Down Another volley of arrows rained down on us like missiles from heaven--they were coming in from a considerable distance, and I grimly wondered if this meant that the attackers had defeated the centaurs. If so, that could be cataclysmic for regional stability--and a tragedy, if many were killed. I looked behind my shoulder and saw that almost all of my girls were following on my tail, fierce looks in their gorgeous eyes. One part pride, one part sheer terror--that''s what I felt when I observed them heading into the thick of it with me. As the second volley descended, I shouted, "Take cover!" Some trees in the fields were perfect for hiding behind, and most of us dashed behind a couple of them--but Daisy didn''t. She had other plans. Daisy''s big brown eyes lit up like embers as she opened her mouth, and a tidal wave of flames consumed the arrows and, with physics-defying efficiency, turned them to ashes that crumbled before her. However, a stray arrowhead did survive and make its way into the holstaur''s shoulder, eliciting a gut-wrenching shriek from her sister and a growl of fury from me. Daisy only winced at the pain and plucked it out of her body, a stream of blood now dripping down her arm. My eyes went wild. She was powerful, and she could fend for herself, but there is something very primal that happens in any man when he witnesses his woman--his pregnant sweetheart--get struck by a stray arrowhead in the heat of battle. Adrenaline isn''t the word. There was a surge of energy in my Umbercore, and inspired by Daisy''s display, I charged forward as the throng prepared their next barrage. Out of the corner of my eye, I realized that May Belle, too, had taken great offense at her sister''s injury. She had effortlessly lifted up a stray flat boulder in her gentle hands and hurled it fifty yards into the throng of oncoming warriors. The force that met them was enough to crush seven or eight of their bodies at once. May Belle dusted off her hands on her cute cowprint loincloth and charged back to check on Daisy, but I maintained my aggressive trajectory. My eyes caught Autumn breaking from us, heading off a stray pack of soldier that had broken formation and were headed toward the town. In hot pursuit, she closed the gap with them in only a few instances. She was fast, agile as she dodged arrows, slings, and javelins with all the grace of--well, a cat, obviously. The sight of her ripping her enemies to pieces with her claws was a little less beautiful, but certainly just as awe-inspiring. Ivy backed her up with a rapid barrage of arrows. "I''ve got Autumn''s back!" she said. "Stay with the others!" But I could only watch that tentatively as I focused on my part of the battle. She was out of my hands, and I had to trust her. I had to trust all of them--I couldn''t be there for all of them at once, and that was indeed the hardest thing about my life in general. My lance was in my hands, but I had no intention of using it. I activated Great Jump, first to leap into the pack of remaining orcs. Sprinkle was right behind me. I faced one mass of them while the unicorn girl took on those that were in my blindspot. I felt grim delight as I heard her manic giggles and squeals of pleasure, feeling splatter after splitter of blood spray hit my back and cake the side of my face. Good girl. I took a deep breath and changed into my own unicorn form, a pure white steed with a gleaming silver horn and rainbow mane not unlike the hair of my blood-frenzied lover. I felt a craving for violence overtake me, and for a split second, I pitied the orcs as they attacked me in vain. Their blades bounced off my hide like rubber knives. Whinnying in fury, I gored one straight through the heart and reared up to trample two more. Finally, I experimented with inhaling one more deep breath, this time emitting the Fire Breath ability while Dragon Affinity was attached. The results were undeniable. An enormous blast of rainbow-colored flames burned bright with prismatic radiance as I made quick work of the rest of my adjacent assailants. But there was more. Maybe a hundred yards away I saw another shape, larger, standing atop a mound. I neighed to bring Sprinkle''s attention to the thing and she nodded darkly her understanding. "Let''s make a wreath from his guts!" she cooed, clutching her face lasciviously as though it were the most erotic suggestion she could imagine. At the moment, in this form, I more or less concurred. Together, we charged, our rainbow unicorn fury certain to put the attacker on a collision course with the Grim Reaper. As we got nearer, though, it became abundantly clear that the figure, whoever it was, didn''t fear us in the least, despite what we''d just done to his warriors. He didn''t move, though. He didn''t step aside as I charged forward, with Sprinkle behind me. When my horn was milliseconds away from cratering his chest--only then did he take a single rapid step to the side, grabbing my horn and tugging me backward with such force that I went airborne and rolled, skidding on the ground. It didn''t hurt, but he''d made his point. Unfortunately, by the time I was on my feet--or hooves--he had done the same to Rainbow Sprinkle, but she managed to get a glancing strike on the warrior''s cheek before being flung into the dirt. I snorted a hot, raging puff of peppermint-scented unicorn breath as I prepared to charge again. He saw me coming--a troll, I realized--and planted his feet to perform a similar judo-like tactic once again, but this time I had a surprise for him. I enabled Hyper Dash at the last minute and compounded its effect with Charged Thrust as I lunged forward with malicious intent. He wasn''t ready, and I successfully impaled him right through the chest so deep that my cranium ultimately collided with his ribcage. With the force of that impact, he flew back and tumbled on the ground. Dead, or so I thought. However, when I was approaching to make sure the job was done, he kicked back up onto his feet in time to dodge another one of Sprinkle''s attacks. "What the hell?!" I grunted, shifting back into my human form, armor still donned, lance appearing in my hand as I stared at the creature in shock. I felt unable to believe my own eyes. "That was a killing blow," I grunted. "Can''t kill what can''t die," it grunted, its voice deep, cold, and unfeeling. I took another step forward, this time going for the neck, trying to slice his head off with the sword-like blade of my lance. He dodged. And dodged again. "What do you want?!" I asked in irritation as I continued to throw feeble attacks at him, praying one would connect. "Am here to give message." I stopped. Even Sprinkle stopped. "What message?" I asked skeptically. The hooked nose of the lumbering troll angled down at me as he spoke, stiff, emotionless. The body of the troll was covered with open wounds that failed to bleed as expected. His words were simple but clear. "Goblin Queen time is done. Demon Queen and Witch Queen time begin. Join them, you live. Fight them, you die." Then he stopped and pointed at Daisy off in the distance, who was being tended to by Ivy and Autumn. May Belle was nowhere in sight. "They probably die first." "You did not just threaten my girls," I seethed. "You threaten them by not joining. Join Demon Queen and Witch Queen. Or all die." I scowled at him with a fury beyond anything I''d ever felt before, clutching my lance tightly in my fist, but before I could spit a retort, I saw a busty holstaur descending from the sky with a face twisted in her own showy display of rage. Just before her graceful landing, her fist made an impact with the head of the troll with so much force that it essentially vaporized it, only a few chunks of bone surviving to pelt the ground. I was shocked--shocked by that display of raw power at first, certainly, but also at the lack of blood. Sprinkle noticed it too. "No blood in him," she said, though it was like a whining complaint. "He must really already have been dead." I kept my eyes trained on the body, waiting for it to move as I took a few steps forward and grabbed May Belle by the waist to pull her away from it. I just couldn''t bear the sight of her beauty juxtaposed against something so unnatural, so ugly. "Bucky-Baby!" she shouted, instinctively cupping my ass and kissing my cheek. "You were so amazing!" "You were, too," I grunted, my eyes wide as I processed everything that just happened. "Really. I''m very, very impressed." She pulled her face off of my shoulder to look me in the eyes. "You''re making me blush, Bucky-Baby. Does this mean I''m your favorite?" Sprinkle scoffed. "My Bucky, please tell May Belle to stop begging for your love at the exclusion of everyone else!" I sighed, but a laugh escaped my lips, too. When I looked down at the troll''s body, though, and at the now bandaged form of Daisy in the distance standing in front of our burning cabin, I frowned. "Shit," I groaned, looking at the flames as they continued to spread and engulf our home. The home we built together and shared for so many nights. May Belle shook her head. "That''s okay. We''ll build a bigger one! A better one!" "I know," I said, smiling weakly. "That''s not the only problem. The problem is we''re not as safe as we thought we were." I couldn''t help but feel like my life had gone from a romcom Isekai to Game of Thrones or the Witcher in a single moment. "What are we going to do, my Bucky?" Sprinkle asked, her voice as sweet as always as she licked greenskin blood off of her body. "I think we''re going to have to move up the date of the attack on Keenfury''s Keep. We need to rescue the Goblin Queen before it''s too late." Tater Town gathered together shortly after Aldon and Winter came back from their patrols. We watched the last flames consume the cabin, and I fought myself not to cry. But, Daisy couldn''t contain the tears, and the sound of her weeping was enough that I, too, succumbed, though I did it in silence. If anyone noticed, they were merciful enough not to let me know. "What happened?" Etherea asked me. Everyone involved in the attack, plus Aldon and Winter, were gathered in Etherea''s home for a private meeting that felt all the more intimate for how tightly packed we were. "The centaurs were apparently driven into the woods," Aldon said. "Not many dead, thankfully, but enough for them to retreat." "And we were attacked by a throng of powerful orcs that were able to fire bows at greater ranges than what we''d expected might be possible for them," I added. "But the army was led by some kind of powerful observer--a troll. And he was dead." Etherea''s blue eyes went wide and dilated. "Dead? What do you mean?" I sighed, looking at the others for help, but they all just shrugged or stared at the ground. "I mean undead. He didn''t bleed. He survived being impaled through the heart. To top it off, he referred to himself as being dead in the middle of the fight." "You can''t kill what''s already dead," Sprinkle repeated the words, imitating the grim voice. "Something like that," I smiled at her. "Anyway, this changes things." Aldon nodded and looked at me with a severe expression that showed he understood already what I was going to suggest. "You want to kill the generals sooner than planned." "It has to be the generals. They''ve allied with the other queens." Etherea appeared to swallow something--her nerves, most likely. Then, she looked at the two of us and said, "It must be the witch queen. She would have the power to do something like this." Aldon and I exchanged looks. "Do you have that kind of power?" I asked. "Raising the dead and commanding them from afar?" He frowned. "No. Necromancy is very rare. She is a powerful sorceress, to be sure." "What do we do?" Sprinkle asked. "We rush armor for you girls," I said. "Anyone who wants to join the battle is allowed to. We leave as soon as it''s possible." "Armor can take days," Etherea pointed out, and then nodded at Sprinkle, "even skimpy armor like hers. I don''t have the energy to enchant so many in such a short time." "Who does?" I asked. "We have to figure something out." She was apparently deep in thought at that. "There may be one who can," she said. "But she hasn''t been around in a while." I looked at Aldon. "Darkmaw needs to know about this, too," I said flatly. "I agree. She''ll likely visit Vale tonight or tomorrow. Let''s have her pass on the message if she doesn''t approach you." I took a long look at the wooden floor and my booted feet that stood atop it. "Things are suddenly so much worse," I muttered. "The enemy is burning down our home, and I have to drag my own girls into battle with me. It''s too much. I don''t know if I can handle this." "You have to," Autumn said, wrapping her arms around my waist from behind. "There is no choice. This is why you''re here. It was always going to end up like this eventually." Her words were muffled and buzzed in the back of my neck as she spoke with her lips pressed against me. "I don''t like it," I said. It was blunt and pointless to say, but I had to say something. The room got silent. After a long pause, Daisy added her own suggestion. "Then let''s get the job done so we can have our lives back, honey." She smiled at me warmly, but there was already a tired look in her eyes. I nodded, trying to ignore my dizziness and the impending sense of being overwhelmed that was now encroaching upon my psyche. "Yeah. That''s the right attitude. Let''s take it back." But there was no way I was going to let a bunch of pregnant women fight my battles for me--if something happened to them--to the babies... It was unthinkable. What I would do in such a scenario would be equally unthinkable. virgilknightley Follow me on Twitter! Chapter 43: As Ash Blows In The ashes of our cabin blew through the wind that evening--all the way up the hill to Tater Town. Even so far away from the devastation, when we were conducting an emergency meeting in Ethereas cottage, bits of black dust and soot flew through the windows, making us cough. It was a dark reminder that even as far away from the danger as we always felt before, it could find a way into our home nonetheless. Autumn and Etherea dominated the discussion and the planning. Several times they asked for my input, but for the first half of the meeting I offered little if anything to the dialogue. I was as shaken as a snow globe, my mind just as clouded. So much had happened recently. The dragon attack and my injuries, obviously, but also the girls awakening to powers gained through their level-ups. And now, the desolation of the sanctuarys cabin made everything even more fucked up. It was too much to process--even the good parts, though precious few there were. My mind was a storm-tossed haze as I tried and failed to focus on the proceedings. Adrenaline surged through my veins even still, long after everyone else had calmed down. The thick carbon essence of the ashes would at least nourish the soil, I mused. It was a pointless, empty thought--vapid self-soothing that achieved nothing and, when I reflected on its absurdity, just made me feel even worse. The inane mental babble was a sure symptom my trauma and a sign that I was losing my grip on things. I watched many of the most important women in my life devotedly--and gloomily--planning the activities of the days to come with unnerving urgency. The tension in the room was such that it felt as though it could be sliced with a butter knife if you tried. After each person finished speaking, there would invariably be a pause for at least three seconds before anyone else deigned to answer them. The tone was so sharp and severe that I felt my anxiety grow just from being in the presence of it. And I realized that it was the pressure that it put on me--and my girls--that was making me feel this way. They were so brave. Braver than I was, really. They were all on board with the idea of raiding Keenfurys Keep, with few doubts and questions toward its necessity, but the more of them I brought, the more it would become a raid or siege rather than an assassination. I was about to say as much when Aldon expressed the same sentiment--probably much more eloquently than I could at the moment. Girls, I know I hardly know all of you, he started, and Ive heard about what abilities you have and I dont doubt your capabilities. He looked at me for approval to continue. I nodded eagerly, sensing what he would say--what I could not. If we bring the whole town, or even more than a few people, sneaking into the keep becomes less of an option. Im not entirely convinced its a great idea to bring more than a couple of you along--at most. Again, there was that pregnant pause. Hes right, you know, Winter said, eyeing Autumn. Autumn nodded and breathed a weary sigh as her cat ears flicked anxiously. Yes, he is. This is Bucky and Aldons job at the end of the day. They should select two or three people to go along as support and sentries, but the more we bring, the more likely it is that well suffer casualties or kidnappings that would put our boys in an impossible situation. "Not to mention half the town is pregnant," I pointed out, unable to lift my eyes from the floorboards. The silence was far more prolonged after that, lasting maybe two whole minutes as several times the women tried to speak up, opening their mouths but ultimately realizing they had nothing else to offer. May Belle, I said, finally mustering some initiative and accepting the situation for what it was, Im going to need you to teach me that ability that gives you super strength. She nodded. Mmm! Of course, Bucky-Baby. I thought you might want it. Its actually two abilities that synergize quite well: Titan Strength and Megaton Punch. I smirked at that. Of all the girls to get such a combo, I chuckled. I turned my head to Ivy. Youre coming with. Youre stealthy, and your suite of powers could be very useful. She nodded, smiling, but offering no spoken reply. Can they see the unicorn? Aldon asked. I grunted a confirmation. Yeah, I said. Unfortunately, some orcs and other greenskins seem to be able to see her. I met her when she was being hunted by them. I''m pretty sure all of the orcs that attacked today could see her. That would be so nice if they couldn''t, she whined. My Bucky, even still, I want to go with you. I shook my head. No, I said. Itll be chaotic if Aldon cant see you or communicate with you easily. And, no offense, sweetheart, but you have a tendency to moan and cackle like crazy when you fight--sneaking would be out of the question. Okay, my Bucky, she nodded, offering no other complaint, but her sad smile of acceptance practically gutted me. We can budget two more, Autumn said. The fire flared in the firepit, drawing my eyes to its light. Fire had dominated so much of my life these last few days. I wondered when Id feel comfortable around it again, if ever. More ash founds its way into the room. I tried not to look at it, to breathe it in. Any other ideas? Bonny would be logical, I offered, but it''s far from ideal. Your most practiced fighters and magic users, including Bonny, are pregnant, Aldon said darkly, sensing my gaze on Etherea''s belly. Exactly. You dont need to worry about that, Etherea said calmly--too calm for the mood. Monster girl and elf pregnancies are very stable, so long as they dont suffer any injuries to the abdomen. Even so, I said with a heavy heart, It doesnt sit right with me. And their bellies arent all that well protected in their standard attire. I looked over at my holstaurs, who were essentially wearing cowprint loincloth bikinis. Due to the time frame, armor is out of the question, too, so I''m afraid I have to insist. Ivy can borrow mine! Sprinkle suggested sweetly. Your boobs are too big, Ivy answered so quickly that it seemed to suggest the thought had already crossed her mind. And your hips too wide, too. It wouldnt fit. Another matter is the town, Winter said, staring into her sisters eyes. We need capable fighters to watch over it. Its too dangerous to leave it unguarded with the Apex Heroes both gone. Most of the girls are needed here anyway. We have more capable fighters now than before, Autumn said, nodding and smiling meekly at me. Thanks to Bucky. Well be fine. Before anyone could say another word, though, a crashing blow threw the door off its hinges, drawing all of us to our feet in alarm. I summoned my lance reflexively, without a single thought, and Aldons wand was instantly at the ready, too. But when the dust had settled, I realized that the figure silhouetted against the doorframe was Darkmaw. My jaw clenched--was she the enemy after all? Here to finish the job? Apex Hero! she shouted, fury and desperation in her voice. Come, let me smell you! Her hand beckoned to me, her bestial eyes needy with something--some raw emotion or another. I cast a sideways glance at my harem and the other Apex Hero, watching for their reactions--did anyone sense danger in her? Smell me? I asked. I must be assured. Please, she said--begging. I took a few cautious steps toward her, and when I was in arms reach she clutched my forearm and pulled me to her and took the deepest, longest inhalation Id ever heard from a woman. Her eyes were closed until the exact second of its completion. Then, they flashed open in unmistakable rage. Dragon burns? A dragon did this to your home? I shook my head. No--the dragon was a separate bit of shenanigans. She nodded. These burns have had some time to heal. That makes sense. Tell me what happened. Who must die? Welcome, Darkmaw, Etherea said, smiling softly. Please dont worry about the door. Come inside. I have a feeling well want you here for this. With that invitation, she stepped further into the room, regarding all the other girls curiously but looking more than a little like a fish out of water. We told her everything, and she responded in kind. She displayed no remorse over the door, for the record. The troll you describe was a lieutenant of Keenfurys, no doubt. I recognize the description. He died a month ago. She paused, waiting for a reaction, but when she only received gasps, she continued. I was at Keenfurys Keep, she said. He confided his plan to me--indeed, he has allied with the other queens. In three days, the Goblin Queen herself will come to his Keep for an inspection of the troops--a tradition that always happens every few moons. All the generals will be there. They are going to make their move then, she said. Her voice was filled with quiet, tortuous rage. He claims Im the last to fall in line. Then thats our window of opportunity, I replied frankly and immediately. The way forward was clear at last. I felt emboldened by the news, rather than disheartened, and I could tell everyone was surprised by my interpretation of the situation. We take down all the evil generals, save the Goblin Queen, and bring her back to the Sanctuary with us, keeping her under our protection, I explained my slapdashed plan. Under our protection?! May Belle said in surprise. The Goblin Queen? Trust me, I said. Ill explain everything. But this is it. This is the way. Darkmaw, you will attend the inspection as a general. Pretend youre in on the scheme. I already called him a coward and a traitor to his face. Tell him youve come around, I insisted. Please. Make him believe you. This is our chance. Youll be on the inside. You can let us in if needed, or at least back us up. Together well make the attack when theyre all drunk and sleeping after their inspection. Or maybe we''ll get lucky. Maybe we''ll find an even easier way with the generals so focused on their play-acting. She may already be captured by then, Darkmaw grimaced, her mind clearly turning over the unhappy possibility. I frowned at that, sensing genuine care behind her tone. She may have to be captured for a few hours. Its the best we can do. We''ll try to arrive on time, but we simply don''t know how it''ll go down. Im with Bucky, Aldon said, placing a hand on my shoulder. This is finally sounding like a plan. Well need to know everything about the keep. The layout, the number of troops to expect, the defenses. Anything you can tell us, we need to hear it. Darkmaw nodded. I can tell you everything. Worry not of this. I looked back at the others behind me, seeing something resembling a flicker of hope on their faces. The sight imbued me with a newfound strength of spirit. Why did you kick the door down, though? Sprinkle asked. Im new to houses, too, but even I knew that doors werent meant to be used like that. Youre very savvy, I said beaming back at her. She melted at my loving gaze, but when I looked back at Darkmaw I saw the general blushing. I you wouldnt understand. You thought maybe he was dying in here, Daisy said, making her rather bold observation to the general''s face. The holstaur apparently knew love when she saw it. You were afraid for him. She grunted softly and remained quiet for a moment before speaking. Well, I followed his scent here--I knew he wasnt dead, at least, but Id worried over the degree of his injury. I could smell his wounds. You really do care for him, Winter said unbelievingly, crossing her arms and leaning against Aldon. Incredible. She snorted and glared at the white-haired catgirl. We are destined to be together. Do not doubt our love. I resisted the urge to facepalm. Its not--we arent--You know what? Forget it, I said, shrugging. I wasnt in the mood to explain a damn thing. Fuck. Lost my home. Cursed with dragon fire wounds. About to embark on a possible suicide mission I really need a win. Etherea suddenly looked at me with a rather lascivious expression, as though that combination of words had triggered something in her erotic elven mind. Ivy, stay here with me tonight. Everyone else, go find partners to bunk with in town until we rebuild the cabin. Darkmaw, youre welcome to stay with Vale if youd like to keep close watch on Bucky and Tater Town. I must head back to the Keep tomorrow at the latest, the general said as her tanned, naked body glowed by the light of the hearth. What of Bucky? Where shall he slumber? I will need to speak with you all about Keenfurys Keep soon--once I gather my thoughts and memories. Etherea smiled as smugly as the catgirl that ate canary. Tonight, Bucky will need to stay here. Why do you get to hog Bucky? May Belle asked, crossing her arms. You spent a whole day with him while he was recovering! The moon elf grinned. Trust me, little holstaur. He needs this chance to speak with Ivy uninterrupted--and I have a gift for him as well. Ivy nodded knowingly, and then she grinned widely at me. Oh, right, isnt it time for you to renew the Elfmaids Blessing? I blinked, doing the math in my head. I found myself growing excited as I stared at the elves with fresh hunger. So it is, I said. I wasnt sure what they had planned, but from their yearning expressions I thought it might just be the win I was looking for. Chapter 44: Heart to Elven Heart (SMUT) The flames of the fireplace pirouetted and danced, drawing my eye to them as they writhed with the drafty air that had been let into the room. Darkmaws grand entrance had left Etherea down one door, though she didnt seem to mind much. Ill hook some blankets over the doorway, she said as everyone else had just left. Now it was just me and the two beautiful elfmaids. As Etherea set to the task, I turned my head to face Ivy--who was already staring at me intently as though she were waiting for me to say something. Did you still want to meet at the treehouse tomorrow? I asked. Or will this cover it? She smiled meekly. I always want to be alone with you whenever I can. But the things I wanted to talk to you about can be said now. I was sitting already, and she was standing. My injuries were far worse, so during the meeting, I had been forced to take one of the only chairs in Ethereas home at everyone elses urging. I tapped my lap suggestively, and her lips turned upward with a wry grin. She was one of the most petite girls in town, with the body of a dancer--tight, feminine, but erring more toward girliness than womanliness. She looked to be around twenty--but a waifish, wiry twenty, with the figure of a ballerina. She dressed like some strange artsy dancer, too. With solid green skin, the leaves she wore to cover her nipples and pussy lips were almost hard to detect from a distance, but as she sat on my lap, I felt the stem of her lower leaf tickle my leg. We can just get rid of these for now, I said, grinning lecherously as I plucked all three of the leaves from her body, exposing her forest green nipples and the similarly colored slit of her womanhood for my visual enjoyment. Bucky! she said shyly, her cheeks flushing and eyes averting toward the fire. Im trying to have a serious conversation. No one said you cant be serious and naked, I pointed out. He speaks with wisdom, Etherea said as she suspended a quilt from the doorway, placing a stone from outside onto the bottom of the blanket where it touched the floor so that the wind wouldnt cause it to flap inward. Etherea turned back toward us and shed her own diaphanous gown. Her body was bluish, and her hair silvery white. Next to Ivy, with her vibrant red locks, the contrast of their appearances made them look all the more exotic together. Lets speak first, Ivy said, looking at Etherea. I have many feelings to share. Of course, Ivy, love, Etherea nodded. You two have your moment. Ill be readying myself on the bed. Readying yourself? I asked, greedily drinking in her nudity. My eyes made a feast of her more curvaceous figure--she still was far from thick, but she had a lot more in the way of tits and ass. Ivy frowned as she saw me looking. Shes going to masturbate. Pull the curtain, would you? she said. I dont need Bucky getting distracted. Of course, love, Etherea nodded, causing me to whimper as she disappeared from my sight, drawing a curtain shut that lent the corner of her home with the bed some privacy and obfuscation. Ivy placed her hand on my chest. Then, looking into my eyes, she dragged her fingers along my neck and lifted my chin to gaze directly into her enchanting eyes. Bucky, she said. What do you think of me? I blinked. I owe a lot to you, I said. I care a great deal about you. If anything happened to you, Id risk anything to make it right. Do you love me? she asked. I closed my eyes. I feared that question. I dont think I know you as well as I should. That was my feeble answer. She nodded, her face showing that she expected as much as that. Bucky, I want to be very honest with you. We never really bonded romantically. I busied myself to work every day for you, watering your fields and patrolling the forest and plains, making sure the town and the Sanctuary were safe from danger. She looked a bit guilty as her mind likely went toward the earlier events of the day. Dont blame yourself for the cabin. She shook her head. I know, I shouldnt. Thats not the point, anyway. The point is, Bucky, Ive worked hard for you. Ive fought by your side more than any other girl. Ive made your Sanctuary a success, and I--until today--would like to believe I made a difference in keeping Tater Town safe. You definitely have, I said with a nod, letting my hand cup her chin. I dont give you the credit you deserve. I dont want credit. I want you. You have me, I said. Every three nights, we renew the Elfmaids Blessing. She grunted in annoyance at that. You ejaculate on my chest and face so you can get a boon. Most of the time, we dont even have sex. Bucky, you dont love me, and I know its wrong of me to say this--but I feel entitled to your love. I dont know why. I have just I have given so much for you. I abandoned my home and all thought of it. I advocate for you every day, fight your battles, tend your fields, watch your town. Dont I deserve your love? Tears were welling up in her eyes, but she wiped them away quickly. I sighed, pulling her in tight. She didn''t resist. I had no idea this is how you felt. I do love you. I care for you immensely. You are so important to me. Please believe me. But you love Autumn, Daisy, Sprinkle, and May Belle more, she said. Three of them are marked, I shrugged. Autumn brought me here to begin with. She looked at me with sheer pain. Is there no hope? Tell me now, Bucky. Dont let me dream if I cant have you. If you dont think you can love me, then set me free. Here and now. My eyes opened, wide and glossy with my own tears. What are you saying? Are you serious? She closed her eyes and buried them in my chest. Im saying that if you dont think you can love me, then I want to go home. After the battle with Keenfury and the other generals, Ill be done. I hugged her even tighter against me, but she pushed back, resisting my embrace. Are you sure? I asked. Yes, she said. I am in love with you, Bucky. I have been for quite some time now, but Ive felt like a voice in the background in your life for one day too long, and Ive lost my patience. Im sorry. Ive lived for hundreds of years, but I wont waste another day pining after you if theres no hope. Ivy, I started, but she cut me off. Dont you dare lie to me right now, Bucky. Dont you dare lie. I wont, I said. I care about you so much. Can I love you? Absolutely, yes, I can. My not wanting you to go isnt because of some service you provide. Its because I dont want to lose you. That tells me, Ivy, yes--I can love you. And I''m so sorry I let you feel otherwise. Her brow was furrowed, and she bit her lip. I could tell she was conflicted. Good. Let her process it in her own time. I pressed on, further trying to wrap her in my embrace. I will make you a priority, I promised. Really--Im so sorry I let you feel like that. Im not good with girls. She actually balked at that. If theres one thing youre good with, its girls. Not reading them, I said, shrugging. Ivy--I need you. You are just as beautiful to me as any of the other girls. The only reason, I think, I havent pursued anything more romantic with you than our current, umm, arrangement is because I didnt think you saw me the same way as Daisy and May Belle and Sprinkle. Theyre so much more forward, you know? I guess--I guess I only know how to give myself to forward women. She nodded, her eyes reopening with a display of understanding. So youre saying there is hope. Hope is an understatement, I whispered. Id be heartbroken if you left. Hell, I feel like a selfish ass right now for pressuring you to stay, but what Im saying is true. And the fact that I know Im being selfish by wanting you to stay shows how grateful I am to have you in my life. I will Ill try to show it more. I stroked her naked back, and though her flawless body was entirely exposed to me, I cast nary a downward glance to her gorgeous figure throughout the conversation. I was wholly focused on her, and sex wasnt even on my mind. For that to be the case--I knew for sure that I could love her. Ill give you one more chance, Bucky, she said with a sigh. If you break my heart, Im gone. Please know this. If I break your heart, Ill never forgive myself, I said. Do you believe me? She let herself smile, allowing her body to press against me again. Yes, she said. You dont lie to me. Youre damn right I dont, I said, and I grabbed her by the back of the neck and pulled her in for a steamy kiss. Her tongue found mine instantly, forcing its way into my mouth. Within half a second, shed ultimately succumbed to my embrace, tossing her arms around my back and pressing her small breasts into my chest. I love you, she whispered into my mouth. Dont say it back until its true. I nodded, just kissing her, tasting the almost minty quality of her green elven lips. My hand traced up and down her back, finally resting on her pert little rump, grabbing a handful. A soft moan escaped her lips. Are you two starting without me? Etherea asked with slight irritation in her voice. Ivy grinned--it felt good to see her grin again. I couldnt help myself but to smile right back at her. Sorry, Etherea, she called back. I think were done with our chat. The curtain drew open. That wasnt all that long--I barely came once. She smirked knowingly at the amorous looks on our faces and a bit of spittle that was still caught between our lips. Im happy to see that a satisfying outcome has seemingly been reached. Shall we get on our knees and prepare for the Blessing? I cocked a lascivious eyebrow, my mind getting some bright ideas. Well, we have all night, I pointed out. Would you mind reminding me what the requirements were for the Elfmaids Blessing? She nodded demurely, in stark contrast to her brazen nudity and drooling cunt lips. All that must be done is for you to spend your climax on our faces and breasts--consensually, of course. With our-- --Blessing, Ivy finished for her. Makes sense, I said, So, all that matters is where I finish. Ivy traded excited looks with Etherea, sensing something fresh was about to unfold--something new and exciting. Thats correct. What did you have in mind? Why dont you two lay on the bed, side-by-side. Facedown or face up? Ivy asked, her voice airy and hot. Surprise me, I said, beaming back at her. I licked my lips, a hungry dog staring at two thick bones. Those bones looked right back at me with equal longing in their eyes. Hmm. That metaphor fell apart. The girls thankfully didnt spend much more time on idle staring, though, quickly rushing to the bed--Etherea so quickly that she almost tripped. It was amusingly graceless for a moon elf, I observed with a chuckle. Scant moments thereafter, my eyes were feasting upon an ass and pussy buffet--Etherea had positioned herself rump-up, elbows down, her steely blue cunt parted by two of her fingers. She was already sopping wet. Ivy was lying on her back, her face staring up at me. Her legs were parted with her knees up but feet planted on the bed. She was playing with her little green tits. Fuck, I grunted, just taking a minute to appreciate the gods of this world and say a quiet prayer of thanks. I love elves. My pants hit the ground with an inelegant thud. I treated my cock as a dousing rod, letting it decide for me which hole Id fuck first. It was slightly more slanted to Ethereas gaping pussy, so I thought that the best place to begin. Etherea first, I grunted. After our talk, I want to finish with Ivy tonight. Ivy nodded, but Etherea spoke. Whatever you desire, hero, she moaned like a wild slut. Just fill me up with that plump pussy-puncher. The mouth on that girl, yikes. I grabbed her ass and tugged her toward my cock, letting the head tease her quivering entrance. Grabbing my shaft at the base, I wetted my cockhead with her lewd fluids, rubbing my manhood up and down along her entrance. Just that sensation alone had me clenching my ass as her pussy lips teased my turgid tip. Are you rea-- Fuck, why are we still talking?! she whined, thrusting her ass backward, taking matters into her own pussy. She moaned. Yess! Thats the melody, hero! Fuck me until my quim is two shades darker! I squeezed her round ass and pressed myself slowly, all the way inside, feeling bliss as I bottomed out in her elven depths. Look at this ass, I groaned, kneading it and pinching a wad of her flesh just a bit too hard. Now I know why youre the moon elf. You make that joke every time, she moaned. I still dont get it. I wasnt in the mood to explain--I never was. I thrust in and out of her with savage abandon, so hard that the ensuing slapping sound of my balls against her thighs was probably audible from outside. Fuck yes! she whined, her voice going high, fast, and frantic. She had a penchant for dirty talk. Fucking destroy my cunt with that slut-tamer of yours, hero! Make me cum like a catgirl in heat! I found my pace slowing for a second as I wondered what Autumn would be like if she ever went in heat--it didnt soften my erection in the least. Why are you slowing down?! Fuck, sorry, I grunted, picking up the pace again, focusing on the insane texture of the inner walls of her elven sex. It was like fucking a warm bottle of lube lined in soft velvet. Her ass rippled hypnotically with each persistent collision, and I found myself counting her moans, trying not to blow my load inside her. My salvation came in the form of her twitching moon elf cunt. I felt her lubing up my cock even further with an outpouring of sweet nectar that flowed from her hole like milk and honey in the Promised Land. She screamed--the whole fucking town knew what was up at that point, and I could imagine May Belle jealously pacing around outside. The thought didnt do anything to calm me down. I pulled out at Ethereas completion and almost violently took Ivys thighs, parting them, making room between them for my fat dick. Im going in, I grunted. Im all yours, she huffed. I love you. I said nothing--but I wanted to. I just felt that it was too soon, too rushed. She wouldnt believe it if I said it now. What she would accept was a kiss. I leaned forward and pressed my lips against hers with the same force that my cock pressed into her insanely tight pussy. She moaned, her voice so cute and high pitched, right into my mouth. My approach was not graceful, and our teeth collided at first, but we corrected course and tangled our tongues erotically as I set into the heaven-sent task of grinding my dick inside of her narrow channel. Her body was a dreamscape of erotic ecstasy, inside and out. The way her pretty elven pussy possessively clenched my cock like a vise of pleasure--it defied language to describe it. I suddenly knew without a doubt that not only could I fall in love with her--I could become addicted to her. This was a dangerous pleasure. For once, I felt outmatched. Im going to cum, I grunted. Too soon, I know. Im sorry, Ivy. Youre too good. I couldnt tell how she felt about the compliment because her cheeks were already flushed and her voice was already high and shaky. Its okay, she moaned. Im close, but its okay. Just get the Blessing. I nodded, pulling out. Etherea instantly rolled over, pressing her side into Ivys so tightly that one of her big tits plopped onto Ivys chest. I released, closing my eyes, forgetting to aim, but I hadnt cum in days. I hot-blasted jizz all over them, onto their tits, stomachs, faces, legs, and pussies, making them a total mess of sticky white seed. They moaned happily as they received it, apparently as much a blessing to them as their buff was to me. They glowed brightly as I opened my eyes, and I felt the buff taking effect. Instantly I got onto my knees. Let me finish you, I said, pulling Ivys legs open wide, a desperate, panicked look on my face. To my surprise, though, she refused. No, she said. No, Bucky, thats okay. Im satisfied. I looked up at her, breathing hard. What do you mean? I didnt make you cum. For a woman, cumming isnt the only thing that matters in sex. It certainly doesnt hurt, though, Etherea giggled. But shes right, Bucky. You gave her exactly what she wanted. Which is? I asked. She smiled, reaching up with her hand, clutching mine. Your attention. And affection. I felt it--your need for me. I felt adored. If anything, Im flattered you finished before me, she giggled. Now come back here and hold me. Umm, Etherea grunted awkwardly. Hold us. Us. Not just her. Us. Ivy giggled. Fine--hold us. I did. The pain of the molten dragon blood seemed somewhat muted for the rest of the night as I allowed myself to melt into becoming the meat in an elven-bread sandwich. Filled with a newfound surge of contentment, I retreated into surprisingly happy dreams, renewed and ready for whatever might come next. Chapter 45: Best Laid Plans virgilknightley Darkmaw sketched out the layout of the Keep as best as she could recall it. It was a four-walled structure with eight turrets and a drawbridge that fell forward upon opening--not over a moat but over a pit of spikes, but only in front of the entrance. Id seen the keep before from a great distance when on Patrol with Blue. I remembered the sense of foreboding I felt whenever Id hovered close to it, and I knew that if I went any further than I had, Id be riddled with arrows. Of course, that bit of reality begged the question of our method of approach. The Keep and its surrounding lands will be heavily guarded, she said, her claws tapping the map she''d drawn up. Sneaking in undetected will be almost impossible for any number of people. So our only hope is to attack through the front door? I asked. Wed need a death wish for that. I dont disagree, Darkmaw said, scowling at the thought, brushing her long black hair behind her shoulder. It was a bit distracting due to the lack of clothing, but we were all singularly focused on the importance of the mission. But there may be one other way in. Aldon sat up straighter in his chair. Were listening, he affirmed, with Winter standing over him and clutching his shoulder. Autumn, for her part, was sitting at my feet alongside Etherea. The meeting was in Ethereas cottage--hence her presence being more or less inevitable. With our cabin burned down, all meetings had to be held there for the time being--but I didnt mind. She was the town leader and lorekeeper, after all. Our decisions affected her and the people of Tater Town, so they deserved a seat at the table when heroes planned and plotted. There is a narrow waterway that flows alongside the castle. You can approach in the water, and that way youll be already upon the castle before you risk anyone seeing you. They wont be watching the water? I asked, just wanting to be sure. An amphibious assault probably wasnt something they were counting on--and for good reason. Staying submerged long enough for such a tactic to be successful would be a challenge. I was never that good of a swimmer, either, and the idea of scaling castle walls and fighting in damp clothing and armor--it seemed like a really risky idea. They wont be prepared for it, she nodded. There are fewer sentries watching that side of the wall, too. Your chance to go entirely undetected is still narrow but slightly higher. What do we do when were seen? I asked. She chewed her lip before answering. If that happens, Ill offer to send my wolves out looking for you. Put up a fight, but let them take you in. Play dead. If it goes that route, itll be another way into the castle. And if we go unseen? Aldon asked as Winter possessively ran fingers through his hair, her face obviously fraught with worry for her lover. Then its easy. Take out the guards in one of the towers and remain there until the generals all bed down for the night. One by one, well slay them all in their sleep. I nodded. It sounds good on paper, but I can imagine a lot of things going wrong. Darkmaws face showed the same concerns. Indeed. No plan ever survives first contact with the enemy. But its important to have a plan so you can keep your mind on the objective and improvise alternative paths toward it. And our objective, then, is to free the Goblin Queen and kill the traitors? Autumn asked, wisely seeking clarification before the conversation could move forward. Like her sister was with Aldon, she was caressing my leg anxiously throughout the proceedings. How many generals will attend? All six, Darkmaw said. All must die. Except for you, I clarified. She smiled, her sharp canines glinting in the firelight. Yes, Apex Hero, except for me. We went over battle plans for a while, Autumn and Darkmaw being the most active participants and strategically minded. I thought I noticed a bit of mutual respect growing there as they bounced tactics off one another. Autumn had little combat experience, but she was nothing if not mission-focused, and it was clear Darkmaw picked up on that right away. I believe I may be of some use to you, hero, Etherea interrupted as she tugged playfully on the leg of my pants. I looked down at her and raised an eyebrow but waited for her to continue. I can muster a water-breathing enchantment on your capes, she said. It would replace some of the stoneskin charms, though, but it would make it possible for you to easily stay submerged as long as necessary. No need to do that for me, Aldon said. I can cast a temporary enchantment like that on myself and one other. I nodded. Save it for Ivy, then, I said. She doesnt like wearing armor or capes, and she likely wont go into the castle with us. Shell be on the outside, keeping watch, and ready to break in or make a distraction should it be needed. But shell need to be able to breathe underwater, too. Who else would you like to go with you? Autumn asked. Ivy, of course. But surely, at least one more is still necessary. I looked at Aldon for his thoughts. I mean if we want a total bloody mess, the unicorn girl seems the best option. I shook my head. The answer is still no. Shes too valuable here, and her not being able to directly communicate with you makes her a liability. I get your point, he conceded with a sigh. In that case, it has to be the lagoform. Bonny? I asked. I looked out the window over to the smiths shop where the already distressingly visibly pregnant bunny girl was hammering something out on her anvil. Yeah, that makes the most sense, but she''s super preggers. Her baby bump was already showing--which was insane, since it''d only been several days. She waved when she caught me gawking at her. I beamed back and found myself blushing for some reason. I should be way past the point of blushing with her. I scolded myself inwardly for it. Keep your head in the game, Autumn said teasingly, probably noticing me gawk a bit more than I meant to. Right, I grunted. But I''m not sure Bonny is the best idea. I don''t want to risk the pregnancy. May Belle is strong, and Daisy can breathe fire, but their wombs are currently occupied, too. That leaves you, Autumn," I said. She nodded. "I''ve picked up a few tricks of my own." Winter looked at her skeptically. "You can''t be serious." "Deadly serious. I can handle it." "...Be careful." It''s all her sister offered as she stared Autumn in the face with mounting worry and skepticism. Aldon cut in before anyone else could reply. "That''s settled, then. Whats next? Darkmaw shook her head. Nothing. Next is the slaughter. I must leave immediately if Im to make it there in time. You will need to depart on foot within a day and a half, too. Approach cautiously, slowly. Dont let anyone see you--not even the centaurs. Aldon and I exchanged confused glances at one another before he chimed in. Why not? I suspect that there are traitors among their numbers, too. Even with the help of the Demon Queen and Witch Queen, the centaurs should have been able to fight back and prevent the orc army from getting to your Sanctuary. Autumn and Winter gasped a little at that revelation. I thought as much, Winter said. I dont remember much about the centaurs--I havent ever had many dealings with them, even before we went on our mission to find Aldon and Bucky, but-- --But they should have chieftains rivaling the generals in power, Autumn agreed. Youre right. That is fishy. And Aldon, you said that not many centaurs were left dead--most retreated, right? Aldon nodded silently. That also doesnt fit what I know about centaurs as warriors. Her brow furrowed with an open look of surety. Some of them have been corrupted and seduced by the other two queens. Thats awful news, I sighed. My eyes were dry with lack of sleep. We have even fewer allies than we thought. It looks like our territory is on the brink of collapse. It is, Darkmaw agreed. She closed her eyes. The wolf woman grimaced and clenched her clawed fists in anger. Its all coming down atop us, Apex Hero. But we cannot give up now. Im in complete agreement, I said, standing up. Bucky, slowly! Autumn shrieked at me. Im fine, I said. And if Im leaving for an assassination mission in less than a day and a half, and were all fine with that, worrying about my wounds right now is pointless. Still, Autumns pretty lips trembled as she stared back at me through ocean blue cat eyes. Her hair had grown longer since wed met--mine, too. I liked the new look on her. On me, though, it just looked shaggy. Buckys not wrong, Aldon said, clapping my shoulder. Ive suffered similar wounds in my past life. But were supposed to be heroes, and we have a mission to keep. I felt the tingling pain in my scars even still, and I knew it wouldnt die down in time for the mission. If Etherea was to be believed--and she was--the pain of dragon fire would never go away. Not entirely, anyway. It was something that I would have to live with. The prickling, crackling discomfort was a constant passenger in the back of my mind, whispering words of weakness when I most needed strength. But I would ignore it. I forbid anyone from mentioning my scars or pain again without me bringing it up, I said, eyeing Autumn and Etherea sternly. Please. Just treat me like you used to. But things are different, Autumn said. The rest of us will be able to help you carry the burden in the future. Well cross that bridge when its relevant, I said with a sigh. At the moment, Im still the one on the front lines, and Im sure Aldon is with me when I say we dont need pity or worry. We know you care, so the overtures and outpourings are unnecessary. I saw Aldon grip Winters wrist as I spoke as if to say, this message is for you, too. Just like Autumn, her lower lip curled out, and she pouted and trembled the more and more we talked about how dangerous the mission was destined to be. I shall take my leave, Apex Hero, Darkmaw said, and then she nodded at Aldon. And Aldon. Why does he get a name, but you just call me Apex hero? I asked, showing my offense on my face. Why does he get the title, and Im just Aldon? the wizard asked. The exchange made the catgirl sisters and Etherea smirk and giggle at our expense. Darkmaw just shrugged with a mischievous grin, slightly parting her lips. Goodbye for now. She paused, looking nervously around at all the other people in our company, then setting her fierce gaze exclusively back on me. I will kiss you now. Please ask your women to avert their eyes. I didnt take you for the shy type, I laughed. And what makes you think Im going to let you kiss me? I feel as though Im entitled to a chaste exchange of saliva given everything Im prepared to risk and all the trust Im ready to place in you, she replied, narrowing her eyes to slits as her brow creased impatiently. I couldn''t argue with that. Look away, girls, I said, and everyone did, including Aldon and Winter, though Aldon just let out an exasperated groan. Darkmaw took a sultry, hip-swaying step forward and grabbed me by the throat, pulling me toward her lips. She kissed me sweetly, her tongue dancing against mine, tickling and teasing it as I inhaled her incredible scent. I got bold, grabbing her by the ass and pulling her crotch against mine, making her whimper, causing her steely, powerful resolve to melt ever-so-slightly. She bit my lip--hard, drawing blood and lapping it up. After a minute of that, she pulled back, her cheeks flushed, panting with a visible, noticeable rise and fall of her bosom. Very good, Apex Hero, she said. If we survive this, then I shall treat you to much greater pleasures. Ive got plenty of pleasures in my life, I said. Then I paused. But you cant have too much of a good thing, I suppose. Autumn rolled her eyes, looking back at us once she knew the kiss was over. Youre living proof that you can, in fact, have too much of a good thing. With Darkmaw having departed, Aldon and I went over our schemes the rest of the day, flying out to survey the plains. Few centaurs were still in sight, and they were far more spread out than they had been the last time I''d seen them in this region. The Keep, once it appeared in the distance, gave me an even darker sense of gloom and doom than the first time Id seen it. But I could see our way in--the stream that opened wide and deep enough for us to submerge into. Staying low, we could go this far on the backs of Blue and Blackie, but no further. From here, wed need to take the water passage to not be seen by sentries and scouts. The plan was clear--at least until we got inside of the Keep. Depending on how the first part of the plan went, that could change a lot. We need contingency plans for our contingency plans, I said to Aldon as we landed. He looked back at me grimly, just nodding. The following day when we awoke, the mood in the town was different. As I saw each beautiful face view me for the first time that day, I became very aware that, to them, this may very well be a day of goodbyes. I would make sure it was a day they never forgot. Chapter 46: The Goblin Queen Cometh I spent the last day and a half with my entourage, prioritizing spending the bulk of my time with the marked girls and the elves. We lingered inside Ethereas cottage, snuggling on the bed in a sweaty cuddle puddle that refused to let me leave for the longest time. That final morning, I didnt even manage to pry myself out of bed until noon. I stayed hydrated, taking in plenty of milk during that stretch, and by the end of it I felt my bladder ready to burst if I didnt get up to pee soon. Nooo, May Belle whined as I tried to remove her head delicately from my chest. Daisy and Autumn uttered similar objections as I peeled my way out of their grips, but Sprinkle was so peacefully asleep that she thankfully didnt notice. The elves, Etherea and Ivy, were already out and about by the looks of things. Its practically lunch time, I noted, patting the holstaur''s cute head and pointing out the window at the sun where it floated high above us. I put on the same pants I wore the previous day and headed out back to relieve myself. When I returned to the cottage to finish getting dressed and try to coax my ladies out of bed, I found them all sitting up and stretching, Rainbow Sprinkle included, each of them in various states of undress. In the light of the midday sun as it poured in through the sheer curtains, it was a divine image and a not-so-subtle reminder of just how blessed I was, even to have just enjoyed life up until now. I spent the day in bliss, being spoiled by each of them again and again as they offered massages, kisses, and competed desperately for my attention. It was cute for a while, but after some time had passed, and the desperation still lingered on their faces, I shuddered quietly as the realization set in as to why they were all behaving this way. This could be the last time I saw them. Indeed, Autumn and Ivy, who were going on the mission with me, kept their distance a bit more, allowing the other women of Tater Town and my marked girls to dole out their affections in a constant stream. When I looked around, I realized that Aldon and Winter hadnt exited the inn yet, and I knew that the goth catgirl was likely saying tentative goodbyes to her lover as well. The unspoken grimness of it unsettled me, making me shiver as Daisy and Bonny took turns hugging and kissing my neck outside the rabbit girls smithy as I ate a late lunch of eggs, veggies, and bread. Other girls were literally waiting in line to do the same. The fun had faded. Now all I felt was fear. But I shook it off, staying focused on the mission ahead of me, giving myself permission to enjoy the lavishments of the women who adored me. If it was the last time Id see them, then Id make it count. After an orgiastic afternoon of heartfelt expressions of love and lust, the time however had come for the mission to begin. We flew out as normal as though we were on patrolCI was suddenly very thankful that wed established that ritual. Any compromised centaurs that spotted us in that early part of our journey would suspect nothing. We stayed on the flight path we normally took until finally we came upon a long stretch of stream-adjacent plains where no centaurs were scouting or keeping watch. Landing on a mucky embankment, Autumn and I dismounted Blue, with Ivy and Aldon leaving Blackie behind. The sound of the flowing stream was so oddly peaceful that it made me shudder as I wordlessly looked at each of my companions, our expressions all grave and severe. The serenity of the surroundings contrasted boldly with the worries in our hearts. We walked directly into the stream with our water-breathing enchantments activated, submerging deeper and deeper with every step until we were up to our necks in the filthy channel. Thankfully we would be swimming with the current, or the journey would have been impossible. We plunged downward, instinctively taking breaths that we wouldnt need. Beneath the water, I could only see a few feet in front of me. It was dark and brown and it was already relatively late in the day and we had a considerable distance to travel, avoiding detection the whole way. One bit of bad luck, and it could all be ruined, so we took each forward stroke seriously. With my armor on, we could only move slowly, even as strong as we all were. Ivy, of course, had virtually nothing weighing her down. Autumn brought her own dagger and a spare bow, but for armor she borrowed Sprinkles chainmail bikini. She looked damn good in it, tooCbut that thought had to be contained for later exploration, assuming things went to plan. It was a bit loose, but it somehow fit at least well enough for her to benefit from the enchantments. For now, survival was the key, so those buffs would come in handy. Tiny colorful fish swam past us every few seconds, like little neon tetras, while larger fish occasionally followed in pursuit. I had to duck out of the way of something resembling a catfishClets just call it a catfish for the sake of expediencyCon at least three occasions in that first stretch of the journey. I looked up, seeing the ripples overhead glimmering with the light of a dying sun. Soon it would be night, and the journey would be much, much more troublesome. Autumn would have to take the lead, then, as only she could see flawlessly in the murky darkness. Even she, though, would be somewhat disadvantaged by the miry, muddy waters. Things were going reasonably well, though, for a long time, and for a while I allowed myself to grow optimistic. That optimism was shattered when the darkness ahead gave way to a pair of glowing eyes that hinted at something of a tremendous size. Aldon acted immediately, blasting first and likely planning to ask questions later. A glowing silver projectile flew past Autumn into the shape of the river monster, lighting up its face for the briefest of moments to reveal a long neck that gave way to an extended jaw with many gnashing teeth. The shot made impact, and the creature was not pleased about it. It darted toward us with blinding speed, not all that slowed by Aldons attack, and it attempted to take a bite out of Ivy, but it missed. Its jaw clamped down on nothing, the force of it jetting water out from around its maw. I summoned my lance and thrust it forward, but the feeling of combat in water was alien to meCI only grazed the thing, but I noticed that where Aldons dart had struck it on the face, it was now bleeding profusely. It had a long neck, like a plesiosaur, and Autumn had taken advantage of that, wrapping her legs around it when it made its attack against Ivy. Now entwined with the thing, she laid into it with all the fury of a clawing cat. The dark, brown water was soon more red than anything else as she did immense damage to it, but the beast used the neck to its advantage and reached around, grabbing hold of her in its jaws and clamping down. More blood. This time, Autumns blood. Aldon and I screamed in rageCI was sure he saw Winter in that moment from the passion in his voice. I connected a mighty Cleaving blow with my lance at the stalk that the thing called a neck, while the sorcerer shot a dozen more projectiles at its massive body, which was largely shrouded in the murky water, but it was easy to guess at. Each blow struck, and the monster screeched out a terrible sound, releasing Autumn from its jaws. In desperation, it actually attempted to swim past us, going over my head, but I raised my lance just in time to catch its belly, raking the tip of my weapon along its entire underside so that monster entrails rained down upon me in those dark waters. Without waiting to confirm that the thing had died, I swam toward Autumn, who was thankfully still consciousCand the wounds werent half as bad as I thought. The stoneskin enchantments on Sprinkles armor did their jobCthere were a few punctures and a bit of blood, but she would be fine. She had to be. She winced as she looked disbelievingly at her wounds. I looked at her, waiting for her to give me any sign that she was anything but okay. She only gave me a thumbs up and a kiss on the cheek. I looked back at Aldon, who had worked with Ivy to finish off the creature behind me. They were both caked in blood and guts, and the sight made me cringe and even triggered my gag reflex for a fleeting instant. When they noticed me looking, Aldon shrugged, asking What next? in nonverbal fashion. I pointed forwardCit was the only thing I could think to do. We had gone too far to turn back. But the rest of the journey was comparatively uneventful. The only alarming thing was that Autumns few wounds didnt seem to be scabbing and closing as I would have expected, and for hours she leaked a tiny trail of bloodCand I couldnt be sure, because of how dark it had grown, but I felt as though she were growing paler. Still, her sense of loyalty and adherence to the mission didnt yield, and if she wasnt feeling well, she showed me nothing. On several occasions, I tried to convince her to go above water so I could take a better look at her wounds, but she refused, shaking her head fervently, even pulling my hands away from her punctures and scowling at me for continuing to pester her over her injuries. But I still felt uneasy about it, and at the first opportunity, I would make sure that I tended to herCIvy could even help to heal her, hopefully. Eventually, though, we knew we had arrived at our goal sometime toward the end of the next day when we noticed figures pacing along the embankment from beneath the waters. We found ourselves in the shadow of the keep, and the time to put our plan into action had come. I looked at each of my companions solemnly, nodding at them, indicating they should follow my lead as planned. I emerged slowly from the water, my head just barely appearing up to my nose. I was a few feet away from a sentryCan orc on patrol, who was stupidly facing the wall. I grabbed his ankles and tugged him into the depths with meChe didnt even manage to scream before he was underwater. From there, Autumn pierced his chest with her claw, going right into his heart. Blood once again muddied the waters, and one guard was down. Aldon made a gesture that I took to be him asking how many more guards there were, but I could only shrug. I didnt have time to do a headcount, so instead, I motioned forward, planning to take all the ground guards out before emerging and scaling the walls. We found and slaughtered two more in similar fashion, and by then I had had enough time to ascertain that there were no more in sight of us once we emerged, but the guards in the tower were perhaps minutes away from noticing their absent allies. Then again, looking up at the steepness of the climb, we could have much more time than that, as we were so close and the turrets so high that it seemed unlikely they could see their sentries below at all. We slowly emerged from the depths, and Ivy cast a spell she called Breath of Nature which instantly dried us and made me feel as though I had suddenly chugged a double espresso. Feeling invigorated, I quickly ran my fingers over Autumn''s wounds as we edged up against the keep walls. I looked at Ivy. Can you heal her? I can close the woundsCher body will have to fight the poison off on its own. Poison?! Autumn said in alarm. Her face was sickly and pale, but she still showed energy and had her wits about her. Ivy nodded. Theres definitely some infection teeming inside of youCnot deadly, but it could slow you down. How long have you known? I asked, nearly dumbfounded. She shrugged. A while now. But the mission. I grimaced. The mission. This fucking mission. Id only been on it for a short while and already I hated the damn word. Now my catgirl was poisonedCand I was just supposed to accept that? Prioritize the mission? Fuck the mission. What can we do to heal the poison? I asked, ready to put everything on hold. Aldon put a hand on my shoulder. Bucky. Shell be fine. We need to keep moving. Were so close. Darkmaw needs us to show up. I clenched my jaw as Autumn gave me a pleading look not to make a fuss over her. Aldon was right about Darkmaw. I wouldnt forgive myself if I left her high and dry. Knowing her, shed probably attempt the assassination without me when it became clear I wasn''t showing upCand that wouldnt go well. I feel fine, she said, smiling feebly at me, grabbing my wrist and pulling my hand away from her wounds. Just a bit woozy. I think all it did was keep me bleeding. Ivy wrapped Autumn''s wounds and tenderly provided aid like a skilled field medic. We had no choice but to move forward. The choice was taken away by cruel circumstance. I pivoted on my heel and gripped the smooth outer wall of the keep. Autumn, on my back. Ivy, on Aldons. I can climb myself, Autumn said through a wry grin, holding up sharp claws. I can use Spider Climb, Ivy said. I nodded. Alright then, letsC Actually, Aldon said, raising his hand, Most of my spells are elemental, or illusion-based. Im not sure itll be an easy climb for me. Whats your strength at? I asked. Eight, he said meekly. Oof. Okay, change of plans. Autumn on Ivy''s back, and Aldon, you''re with me. You better hold on tight, spider monkey, I said, thankful that the Twilight reference would go over all their heads. Alright, Edward Cullen, Aldon grunted, and I blushed in grimdark shame. What the fuck, are you from my Earth? I guess different dimensions have some overlapping pop culture references, he shrugged. So, like, you know what Lord of the Rings is? And Star Wars? I asked, suddenly supremely distracted by this new bit of multiverse trivia. No. We dont have those where I come from, I guess. I almost threw up on the spot. What kind of hell dimension has TwiC Bucky! Focus! Ivy hissed at me, slapping me on the butt. That got my attention for sure. I paused, still staring at Aldon like Id suddenly found out that I couldnt trust him. Were circling back to this when we make it out alive. Deal, he laughed quietly. We scaled the wall, heading for the closest turret, the southwestern one. I waited until all three of my allies were hanging below the window ledge with me, ready to leap inside when I gave the signal. I nodded, and we hoisted ourselves up, Aldon tossing a squealing goblin out of the tower as he pulled himself into the room. Ivy killed another in the same way, and soon we were in a small, round chamber with a single door leading into a bridging passage that led to the other turretCand the lower level of the castle. Breathing heavily, I walked forward, placing my hand on the door handle, giving a quick look back at my allies, and, with their nods, opened the doorC Only to be greeted to the sight of a seven foot tall musclebound goddess of an orc woman dressed in translucent white robes and a platinum thorny tiara, flanked by two fully armed orc guards. She looked back at me silently with widened yellow and red eyes. I swallowed hard and waved. Hi! Im Bucky. Im going to guess youre the Goblin Queen. Chapter 47: Simping the Queen The Apex Hero, she uttered with a hint of shock, her voice a husky, haughty tenor with a surprisingly posh and crisp enunciation of each syllable. She wasnt dressed in rags and ratty armor like her guards or the other orcs Id encountered, but a fine shimmering white dress. Her hair was braided and black in a most regal fashion, with two small beaded braids in the front hanging down to her shoulders, and four more much thickers ones down her back. Atop her head was a rather sharp and imposing-looking silvery crownCthough I wasnt sure what metal it was actually made out of. As for her physiqueCshe dwarfed me, and I was well over six feet tall. She must have been at least seven feet tall, and built like a goddess, with wide womanly hips, a powerful abdomen that you could see through the gossamer-like white dress, and full, round breasts that heaved once as she inhaled sharply upon seeing me. Her yellow eyes darted from me to my party, and we all stood there for far too long like deer caught in the headlights. Darkmaw sent us, I said. It was the only thing I could think to sayCand it proved to be the right choice. She nodded, and her guards took a step toward us to engage, but she just reached out, palmed their heads like a basketball superstar palming a ball, and slammed the two ugly green noggins together with so much strength that they cracked like eggs, spilling out blood and brain fluid onto the ground between us. The Goblin Queen peered out into the hall behind her, looking both ways like she was about to cross a busy intersection. Satisfied, she stepped over the corpses of her lackeys elegantly and closed the door behind her, locking it. We havent much in the way of time, Apex Hero. Bucky Drake, am I mistaken? And youC she looked at Aldon. A second Apex Hero. I can smell it on you, but I know you not. Hoooly shit, she was hot. I immediately found her so attractive that I knew it had to be some power of hers, or an enchantment. The way she spoke, so refined for a giant goblin goddess, and the her stature, her physiqueCthe shimmer of her black hair under the subtle flicker of torchlight. Each crinkle of her nose, each slight movement of her fingers captivated me. She sighed with irritation. I looked over at Aldon out of the corner of my eye and realized he too was similarly afflicted. I command you to speak, human. ICuhCwell Gosh, Aldon mumbled. Youre pretty. The Goblin Queen rolled her eyes. Youre ridiculous. Surely men of your hierarchy in herodom can endure the gaze of a Queen. Apparently not, Autumn mumbled. She reached out and pinched me, and that was all I needed to snap out of it. Oh, uh. Darkmaw. Right. Okay, soC Waste no more of my time, Lord Drake. Oh shit, she called me Lord. Mommy I muttered, and then I shook off her gaze, slapping myself in the face, focusing on trying to redirect the flow of blood heading toward my penis back to my brain. Were here to save you. At the moment, I wonder if you could save kobold from a cockroach, she whispered, though she smirked as she said it. Pray tell, dear heroesCfrom what do I need saving. She accentuated the last word, leaning on one hip. Spit it out, child, we havent much time. Darkmaw was approached by Keenfury, I said. He is trying organize a coupCthey want to make you a breeding slave to empower the generals, Autumn explained with dizzying efficiency. And why would you want to help me? she asked, looking shockingly unconcerned. Hurry now, children, I fear there isnt much time for pleasantries. She was right. I thought I heard feet shuffling in the hallway behind her. I managed to speak up coherently at last. Darkmaw told us the truth about youCyour relationship to the other queens, how you insulate this region from their influence. You may not be strictly good, but you''re a stabilizer and buffer against greater evils. Without you, the Demon Queen would make her way in. And I know for a fact that what Darkmaw told me is true. And how do you know this? she said with amusement. Aside from Darkmaws naughty tongue telling tales, of course. Tater Town was attackedCour home was burned to the ground. An undead troll led the attack. He was a tough bastard, I said, recalling the intense fight. He told me I needed to make a choiceCthat the time of the Goblin Queen was coming to an end, and the time of the Demon Queen and the Witch Queen was about to begin. Or something like that. Dont quote me. It was the gist, for sure. Please trust us, Ivy pleaded. "We don''t have time for you not to." Its hilarious to be asked for trust from a wood elf, the queen said with a sneer. Do you know my name, hero? she asked, turning back to me. I tried to rememberCId heard it first back when I was given my gifts by the gods of Lusteria. I nodded, feeling it on the tip of my tongue, releasing it. Marrowheart. Thats correct. And I will be queen of these lands at the end of this day, and at the end of every day thereafter, until the seas boil and the land goes ashen and dead. No coup can unseat me. You may go home, Lord Drake, if that was your concern. Uh, Im Lord Murphy, Aldon said piping up. Of course you are, she said, her face blank as she looked at him. Then she gazed back at me, showing far more interest. Then again, if youd like to stay as added insurance, I wouldnt mind. It seems high time for a shuffling of the ranks. How would you like to be a general? I blinked in disbelief. Excuse me? Dont I have to be, like, a greenskin for that? She winced. Foul word. We are orc-kind, not greenskins. That is a pejorative wielded by the elves. I cringed. Shit, Im sorry, I didnt know. Excuse me, Ivy said, sounding suddenly a bit bolder and more irritated, But greenskins by and large dont deserve a respectful title. Theyre mindless killersand you made them that way! She looked at Ivy, and I just knew that she shrank from the glare even without looking back. Who wouldnt? You know nothing. You elves are no betterCchoosing war when peace was offered time and time again. Your bitterness and adherence to the Old Hatred could be the downfall of us all. Wh-what? she whimpered meekly. What are you talking about? You know nothing, Queen Marrow-Heart repeated with even more stank on her tone. For some reason, in that instant I realized she was unarmed, unarmored. She looked so vulnerableCalmost naked beneath a see-through gown that didnt even obscure her nipples or the mound of her pubic hair in any meaningful way. She noticed me noticing. We have so much to discuss, Lord Drake, she hummed at me in her sexiest, huskiest tone. We do? I asked. I swallowed hard. Yes, she said with a regal nod, never once slouching, always holding herself with imperious dignity and grace. She was maddeningly beautiful, like staring at a living goddess, an Amazonian in the flesh, but with exotic lime-green skin and feral yellow eyes that stared into mine in a most haunting manner. I shivered as she took another step toward me. So much to discuss. She looked over at Autumn and smiled. Autumn, to my surprise, smiled weakly back at her. Even she seemed under her spell of lust. Lusterian CatgirlCspawn of Chelsea Elloway, am I correct? UmmCyes? she said, her voice meek and softer than Id ever known it to be. I knew your mother. I even met your father once, before he went mad. She shook her head. Dad didnt go mad, she said, regaining some confidence. HeChe disappeared. They say he followed The Outer Gods into the Elder-Void when they were all but defeatedCout of spite, to dole out even more punishment than was necessary. Autumn offered nothing back. I would make fine goblins with such a man, she growled. She reached out and grabbed me by the throat. The others gasped, but they were all frozen, unable to act. The Goblin Queen pulled me in and took a deep, needful whiff of me. But you will do sweetly. Pardon, maam? I asked. Wh-what? We shall forge an alliance, you and I. Our spawn will be demigods! She released her grip around my neck and gestured to the sky outside the tower. You will be my king, and I shall ruin and spoil you with riches and pleasures beyond imagining. This is happening so fast, I said, grabbing my neck, fanning myself with my free hand as I looked up at her in disbelief. Its a good deal, Autumn said. We would be happy to negotiate such an arrangement for the betterment of these lands, and to protect Lusteria from the evil queens. Are you so sure Im not evil? she asked, looking rather pleased with herself. Im sure Darkmaw isnt, I said. And I can tell you trust her. You knew we were coming, didnt you? She grinned, showing a pretty mouth full of sharp teeth. You guess correctly. Darkmaw, Princess of the Wolves, is my adopted daughter, and I love her like no other. She vouches for you, and she blesses our unionC she cocked an eyebrow suggestively, so long as I dont interfere with your love for her, of course. I sighed. I dontCyou know what, fine. Okay. Lets get back on task, Aldon said a bit more soberly than his ''Lord Murphy'' comment. He was starting to get a grip of himself around her, like me. It wasnt that her allure was wearing off, thoughCif anything it became even more imposing as time went on, but we were adapting to it. But just like cocaine, you can only really get so immune. Thank you, Aldon. That was Ivy. We have to plan. We are in your territory, here to protect you. Thats why were here, so what would you have us do? The towering goddess of a woman looked down on the diminutive elfCIvy was almost two whole feet shorterCand frowned. Yes, what to do with you? Soon they will send more up here to look for me. Very soon, I fear. She looked back at the locked door. If there were shuffling feet outside earlier, as I''d thought, they''d stopped or gone elsewhere, thankfully. Probably just orcs on patrol. Autumn spoke up. Heres what we do. The four of us will hide somewhere. Up there, she said, pointing at some rafters in the turret ceiling. You will throw a fit, say that Bucky killed your guards and the men in the turret and then retreated into the woods out the window. Order all the guards and scouts to hunt him, leaving only you and the generals left in the keep. The queen looked genuinely impressed. Crafty as only a catgirl could be. However, my generals will never believe the story. Why would the Apex Hero run when he had me in his clutches?" She turned to me and grinned. "Lord Drake, impale me with your lance. She suddenly giggled. I mean, your weapon. The alternative interpretation we can save for afterwards. I giggled like a schoolgirl. The Goblin Queen was flirting with me. It was fucking awesome. Ivy smacked the back of my head, though, helping me to refocus. Right. Uhh Wait. Impale you? That sounds I dont really want to do that. Have some courage, man! she growled in her husky voice. She looked at Aldon as if considering him for a moment, and then shuddered. Glaring back at me, she pressed further. Prove yourself worthy. Stab me. Pierce me with your lance, before we run out of time. I grimaced looking at the others for approval, which they offered weakly with their iffy facial expressions. I summoned the lance, and it appeared in my hand. Grabbing it in both, I pushed the blade up against her shoulder, but she frowned. The best option is for you to pierce me through the heart, she said as though it were the most obvious thing in the world. If they could reasonably think you believed youd made a killing blow, your early retreat would make perfect sense. I cocked my head at her in plainly worn confusion. Yeah butCwe dont want a killing blow. I have two hearts, she said. A secret few know. Piercing one will hurt, but I will recover within the hour. And what if they see you in your weakened state and decide its an opportunity? Autumn asked. Thats much too reckless. They dont want to kill me, kitten, she reminded her, flicking Autumns nose. My catgirl blinked and took a step back in surprise. They want to control me. Let them try to dominate me then if they wantCit will only be a temporary victory. With you and Darkmaw in the wings, they shall meet a wicked end indeed. She cackled at that, punctuating her point with raucous, confident laughter that did little to soften my throbbing erection. I think my pants are shrinking, Aldon mumbled. No, wait Theres no time to ponder your boners, Autumn hissed at us. Stab her! I swallowed a big gulping load of nerves, gripping my lance in both hands. She stood as tall and confidently as ever, even smiling slightly as her index finger indicated a specific target on her chest over her left breast. I lined up the lance, closed my eyes, and pushed. She grunted in pain, and when I opened my eyes there was thick, dark red blood pouring freely from the open wound, staining the silvery metal blade of my weapon. I stared in horror at first, and her face twisted in pain but she remained standing to my utter disbelief. Go! she said, pointing up at the rafters above. Now! I nodded and boosted Ivy and Autumn up into the rafters, tossing them easily with Titan Strength. Aldon was able to hover up there himself, and I used Great Jump to get in there on my own. Guards! she shouted, opening the door. The Apex Hero is getting away! Apex Heroes, Aldon bitterly corrected her, but she paid him no heed if she heard him at all. She collapsed on the ground, and I worried for herCbut I realized quickly from her bored expression as she lay there that it was just for show. We waited in silence as guards poured in the room in desperation, thankfully looking everywhere but up. We watched the scene below play out just as wed dictated. It was satisfying to see something go according to plan for once. Within minutes, two burly ogres in full armor escorted her out of the room, and we heard assurances uttered that almost all the guards would be dispatched to hunt us down. I let out a sigh of relief. It wasnt pretty, but it was a start. We were in, and the Goblin Queen, the ultimate MILF, was on our side. Or were we on hers? Either way. Chapter 48: The Generals’ Meeting The passage of time inched onward so slowly that it was as though I could see each grain of sand individually slip through an hourglass. We perched in the rafters for minutes that became close to an hourCwaiting for some kind of sign, or a burst of yearning and courage, but eventually it was my profound sense of boredom that urged me into action. Im going to go check it out, I said, earning a confused look from Autumn and Ivy. On your own?! Autumn hissed the question. I nodded, pressing a finger to my lips to urge her silent acceptance. Ill be fine. I have the enchantment on this cloakCinvisibility! Lesser Invisibility, she pointed out. Ivy grabbed my shoulder to get me to look at her. I did. She was pretty as always, but the flaming red of her hair was drenched in sweat from huddling shoulder to shoulder in the sweltering turret attic. She looked as ragged as I knew Id feel if I had to sit there another minute worrying about Darkmaw and the success of our mission. Also, the queen was definitely badass and I was pretty sure she liked me, so that was a motivating factor, too. Take this with you, Aldon said, conjuring a tiny golden hexagonal token. Before I could ask, he explained its purpose. Rub it and I can hear your thoughts for thirty seconds at a time. Can I hear yours? I asked. No. But you can let us know which way youre headed, what you see, and if you need backup or a distraction. I patted him on the shoulder and leaped down from the rafters, nailing a three-point landing like a superhero. Looking back up at them, I flashed a thumbs up. Autumn smiled awkwardly back at me, giving me her own gesture of approval. I pinched the metal clasp that kept the cloak around my neck, activating the enchantment. I could still see myself, but I looked slightly translucentCI worried that it wasnt working at first,but when I looked up at my companions it became plainly obvious from the awestruck looks on their faces that they had lost track of me. Only Aldon looked vaguely unimpressed, and for good reason. The bastard could probably flick his little wand and produce a similar effect on himself. I creaked the door open and stepped outside, closing it behind me as lightly as I couldCpractically soundlessly. It emitted the tiniest of clicks as it shut behind me, inspiring in me the slightest hesitation, but as I looked around from side to side, I saw no goblins or orcs. What I did see were twin stairwells curving downward at opposing parallel trajectories. I would have to be like Robert Frost and choose a path, though it would be arbitrary as I didnt have much to go on. Or did I? I activated Sniff and hoped that it wouldnt be too big of a play to dispel my invisibilityCthankfully, I remained translucent to myself, so I figured that meant I was still invisible to anyone else who happened upon me as long as I didnt make any big moves or go for a weapon. With my lance dismissed, and my movements slow and steady, I could maintain the enchantment for a while even with Sniff activated. I took a deep, profound whiff, inhaling enough to fill my lungs completely. From the left direction I smelled fire and mold. From the right, there was the scent of food and the undeniable musk of the goblin queenCand Darkmaw. Their combined smells triggered a lot of feelings inside meCmost of them inappropriateCbut I banished them along with my trepidations and followed that path down, down from the turrets entrance into the upper level of the castle. I found myself in a long corridor that extended in two new directions at the base of the stairs. Sconced torchlight provided enough atmosphere for me to discern that the each end of the hallway turned in one direction. I followed the direction that I got the stronger impression of Darkmaws scent from. I took a brisk pace at first until I noticed my enchantment flickering. I almost gasped aloud at that. Thankfully, though, when I stopped dead in my tracks, my invisibility seemed to remain intact. I took that restorative pause to drink in the sight of my surroundings to a greater degree of appreciation. This was structurally similar to a medieval castle, but the walls were made up of massive stone slates that were fixed together with clay. It was primitive and savageCwhat orcs could manageCbut it seemed to have some degree of structural integrity. I placed my hand on the wall, tracing the transition point where the boulder merged with clay. It was solidCbut I bet I could fuck up that clay if I had to. The corridor was hauntingly emptyCthe queen had done her part, undoubtedly. I felt almost entirely free to meander around the corner, tempted to let my guard down, but I didnt. I was in hostile territory after all, and I couldnt afford to forget that for even one instant. My scars still hurtCthe dragon blood burns on my neck and arms were a constant reminder of what could happen when I got too cocky or went into a fight without any thought for preparation. I turned the corner slowly, as silently as I couldCand thank the gods I did, because two ogres were standing at the stop of another stairway. This one descended directly downward into a room I couldnt see from my vantage pointCbut I heard low, guttural voices speaking to one another. I thumbed and rubbed the token Aldon had given me, updating him on the situation. The space between the two ogres was narrow, and killing them would certainly sacrifice my invisibility. I also had to assume that these werent slouches when it came to ogres, or they wouldnt be left on guard duty for such an important event. It didnt make a lot of sense to me, them being there. There wasnt any other entrance that Id seen other than through the windows of the high turrets. It seemed strange that ogres would be guarding a second-level stairway into the room where the generals meetingCunless I was somehow suspected. Was this a trap? Would I have to make an all-out fight of it? My understanding was that these generals were rather powerfulCprobably as powerful as the undead troll Id faced before, if not even stronger than that. There were five of them, not including Darkmaw. Autumn and Ivy were strong, but they werent as strong as that on their own. Having the Goblin Queen available to fight would be idealCbut at the moment she was down one heart. No, wait. She mentioned before she would be healed within the hour. I listened carefully to the chorus of voices coming from the room beyond, but the stink of the two ogres almost overrode all my senses. After several minutes of eavesdropping, though, I became fairly sure that I couldnt hear the voice of either Darkmaw or the Goblin QueenCand that realization sped up the thumping of my heart considerably. Had they already been captured? The Goblin Queen theyd have to keep alive, but would they kill Darkmaw? I couldnt forgive myself if I let that happen. I gritted my teeth at the cursed thought, straining to listen, trying to make out words, but I couldnt. The sounds of the generals voices were muffled by distance and the echo of the corridor that shuttle their words to me. I sent another round of updates to Aldon and the girls. I was very near to making a move, fearing the worst. Just as I was about to summon my lance, though, I heard a husky laugh sound up the stairs at me. She was aliveCand laughing. The Goblin Queen was laughing. Certainly that meant Darkmaw was fine, too, and the generals hadnt made their move yet. I wondered if they would. With me present, they may decide to cut their losses and treat this as the meeting and inspection of the troops it was originally meant to be. But I couldnt hope for that. No, I needed to get back to the numbers. It was six of usCcounting the queen and DarkmawCagainst five of them plus two ogres. Ivy and Etherea werent at the levels of power that a general could aspire to, not by a long shot, but Darkmaw, Aldon, and Marrow-Heart all counted for something. Six of us it would be enough. Enough to win, I realized. But enough to win without casualties? That remained an unclear question. I couldnt stand to lose a single girl. I needed to be sure that the fight was in the bag before I made any sudden moves. Suddenly, though, I heard the sound of chair legs dragging across a stony floor and voices grumbling among each other even louder, and I realized they were coming closer. They were coming up the stairs. I hugged the wall and stood perfectly still. The two ogres stepped aside, allowing a throng of powerful troll and ogre warriors in full armor with plenty of distinguishing features pass byCon their way to the turret, I guessed. Darkmaw was among them, too. So was the queen. They assaulted me in the southwestern turret. That was the alluring voice of the queen, still living the lie. She had changed into an identical dress with no hole from my lance and no bloodstains. She looked... fine. She passed through my corridor with the rest of them, and I almost shit my pants when she made direct eye contact with me and winked as she walked byCshe could see through my invisibility! Mercifully, though, the others apparently could notCDarkmaw included, though I noticed her smirking as she inhaled through her nose. One of the generals was a green-skinned ogre with a voice so deep it was almost comical. In addition to that, he wore a brassy looking breastplate with nipples on it, well-polished, with matching bracers and shoulder pads. His tattered loincloth covered little and exposed his tree trunk legs, ripped and powerful to an inexpressible degree. When he spoke, he said, I want you two to lock down the keep! I suspect the Apex Hero is still in here, and I wont have him escape. We will eat his flesh and drink of his blood tonight, mark my words. The others uttered grumbles of approval as they all walked past me like idiotsCapparently their sense of smell wasnt all that hot. I understood immediately that they were on their way to the turret. They were on their way to Ivy, Aldon, and Autumn. I transmitted a warning to themCpraying they acted in time to preserve themselves. From what happened next, I could guess what the brassy-armored one meant when he said lockdown. The whole castle shook, and what few windows there were glowed and closed, the parallel stony edges of the window frame coalescing until the windows all vanished like theyd never been there at all. They were trying to stop me from escaping. The joke was on them, though. I had no intention of running. They had just trapped themselves in here with me as far as I was concerned, rather than vice versa. I wasnt sure what the catalyst was going to be, but I could tell things were going to come to blows between us very soon. Following them up the staircase in perfect silence, I prepared for the fight of my life. Chapter 49: The Fight of Our Lives I timed each footstep to land in the wake of one of the generals'' much heavier plodding boots, hoping that I would continue to go undetected. My gambit worked, and I followed them back to the room, warning Aldon, Autumn, and Ivy through the link Aldon''s spell had created between us that we were coming. The halls felt narrower somehow. Several times, the Goblin Queen looked back at me--so did Darkmaw, her nose crinkling each time. Yet I could tell she couldn''t see me like her queen could. The Goblin Queen--Marrowheart--was something else. She was so far beyond a standard monster girl that I was left wondering at her as I followed in lockstep behind my quarry. Even then, in that most intense of moments, as we stepped up the stairs one by one, I couldn''t help but admire the asses of both Darkmaw and Marrowheart as they wavered and jiggled during the climb. Oddly, Darkmaw was wearing armor of some kind--leathers, and they were simple, reminding me of Bonny''s skimpy attire, but it covered far more of her chest and legs, while still leaving patches of skin exposed. It felt odd to see her wearing so much. I didn''t like it. Marrowheart, of course, was wearing the exact same attire as she had been when she spoke with me an hour or so before. The transparent white gown clung to her body in the most sensuous way--in a way that sang of sexuality, but none of the generals seemed particularly appreciative of the view. They had to eunuchs, or born sterile. In fact, all goblins and orcs likely were. Based on what I knew of this world, that seemed fairly likely, and I thought I''d heard somewhere or another that the Goblin Queen reproduced with the help of breeders and heroes that had joined her ranks. I didn''t see any breeders around here, though. So who was the sexy get-up for? Just ceremonial attire? Or--was she expecting me? The thought excited me, that she had perhaps donned such an incredibly lusty outfit just to impress me. Well, mission fucking accomplished. I grinned in spite of myself as I followed them into the room where my allies waited, broadcasting this information to them so they would be ready to do whatever they had to do. And then it hit me--this was poised to be the final battle against the corrupted elements of the Goblin Queen''s forces. How tough were these guys, anyway? Had I bitten off way more than I could conceivably chew? The door creaked open as General Keenfury pushed it inward. "Yes, general, it happened in here," the queen said. "How many of them were there?" "Only one," she lied. It was a very convincingly executed lie. "It was the Apex Hero known as Bucky." They stepped into the room, but my allies made no move, presumably still hanging in the rafters overhead. I looked up--I couldn''t see them. They were not looking down upon us. They were obscuring themselves, probably laying flat along the boards so as not to be easy to spot. Darkmaw''s nose crinkled again, and she looked up--but only for a second. She looked back down quickly, probably careful not to direct the attention of the other generals to the ambushing party. Smart move--and one I was grateful for. One of the other ogres turned to Darkmaw and bellowed at her. "You''ve had dealings with this Apex Hero. What can you tell us about him? Is he one to fear?" "He is reckless, but formidable," she said. "He easily slayed my wolves again and again, but was never able to get the better of me. If it''s just him--we can take him." I smirked at that. Every word she said was true--especially the ''reckless'' part. Maybe that''s why the lie sounded so convincing. "If he was unable to best you, why didn''t you kill him already? You became aware of him months ago, correct?" "We had a run-in shortly after the Apex Heroes arrived in Lusteria, yes," she said, her tone neutral. "I don''t understand--you went to his town, killed one girl, and then ran away after facing down the Apex Hero, not even showing half of your strength. This is what I''ve heard. Is it true?" "It is," Darkmaw said. "I stick to the Goblin Queen''s directive--sow only so much discord as to keep the people indoors. My goal is not wanton destruction." A few of the generals grunted uncomfortably about that. Keenfury himself seemed to tense up as he looked at Darkmaw cautiously, a skeptical look on his face. Was she loyal to his forthcoming coup attempt and still speaking in character not to tip off the Goblin Queen--or was this all true? I imagined that was what must have been going through his head at that moment. "Very good, Darkmaw, my daughter," the queen said, patting the wolf woman on the head. "I raised you well." "Of course, my queen," she cooed. "Your queen?" Marrowheart scoffed. "Since when do you call me this when we are face to face?" "Sorry... mother," Darkmaw said. Ahhh. There it was. Darkmaw and Marroheart were playing the game, and I could tell from the looks on the ugly generals'' faces that they were slightly assuaged by that insincere show of hesitancy from Darkmaw. Idiots. "Well, no use standing around like a bunch of snot-goblins," said one of the generals, an ogre with a brown leather eyepatch over his left eye. "Right," said another. "Without the guards here, I feel a bit vulnerable standing around in a room with one exit. Might just be paranoia, but I can''t help but feel a bit like a sitting duck." "What brings on such suspicion?" Darkmaw asked. "Do you doubt the account of your queen?" His eyes narrowed at her and then looked over at the other generals. "Of course not," he said at last. "You insult me with this pause," the Goblin Queen said, her voice firm and commanding. Something about her tone put me at attention. "Apologies my queen." "This apology is insufficient. Did you just express doubt as to the safety of this room and, thereby, the veracity of my account of my attack at the hands of the Apex Hero?" "No, my queen--I''m sorry, I--" She pushed further. "If you are truly contrite, then you can prove it by leaping from this turret to your death. I will have a more loyal troll or ogre promoted." Damn. She was urging conflict. Marrowheart was trying to start shit, create chaos that would put us at an advantage. The room was tight, though, and with so many of us in there, we''d practically be fighting shoulder to shoulder. I was as ready as I''d ever be, but still. It could be a bloodbath. "My queen, I apologize," he said anxiously. The other generals all made uneasy eye contact. "Let this be enough for today," Keenfury said. "If you are so sympathetic to the treasonous tongue of General Furykiln, then I urge you to join him as he leaps to his death." "My queen--" I wasn''t sure if the fall would really kill them, but I was sure it was beside the point. She was pushing--if they were indeed going to turn on her, she needed it to be right here, right now, in close quarters with her allies lying in wait. She was smart--even cleverer than I''d given her credit for. "My queen, surely you jest--these are words of madness." Darkmaw said nothing. "I have never known one of you to fail to follow my orders," the queen remarked. "You have never commanded suicide before, my queen," another general remarked. "Please, try to be--" "Enough," Keenfury said, reaching for the hooked sword on his hip. "General Keenfury, do you wish to brandish your weapon at your queen?" I could practically hear the brazen threatening grin on her face. The air in the room got so tense that you could feel the aura of troll and ogre sweat teeming through the air, wafting over all of us as we all knew what was coming. With Keenfury reaching for his blade, we had crossed the threshold of no return. Battle was about to break out. "As a matter of fact, Marrowheart," he said, dropping her formal title, "That is exactly what I have planned." With some hesitation, the other generals all reached for their weapons--and Darkmaw shifted into wolf form, her leathers swelling and snapping as her body grew and twisted into the new shape. "So it''s a coup, then," the queen said, feigning surprise. "What a shock!" The generals looked suddenly tense. I wasn''t sure if I was supposed to wait for some kind of cue or what, but I''d snuck just behind one of the generals--the one with the eyepatch--and I just decided to fucking kill the dude. "Let''s get this party started," I said, swinging my lance and lopping off the ogre''s head in a single blow. I breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh fuck, I''m so glad that was easy." Even the Goblin Queen looked genuinely shocked to see me making the first move as my invisibility charm dropped. I enjoyed the stupid, ugly faces of the evil generals as they stared at me in utter surprise. Two seconds from total chaos. And then it happened. Aldon fired percussive blasts of magical projectiles down into the fray, lighting up several of the ogres and trolls with flames that burned and scorched their skin and armor. Ivy fired a flurry of arrows from where she perched, now clearly visible and kneeling, looking down at us from above. She looked super hot. And with a noise like an angry cat--because that''s what she was--Autumn ditched her bow completely and leaped from the rafters and landed on the neck of another disoriented general, tightening her thighs around his throat as she screamed and slashed at his scalp and face. "I have no idea what I''m doing!" she cried. Keenfury lunged at me--Darkmaw intercepted. She caught his hooked blade in the mouth and discarded it like a big sister chucking out her little brother''s toy. He looked at her in utter confusion. "Traitor!" he said after a pause. "Literally you!" I shouted back. I leaped on top of Darkmaw''s back, wielding my lance as she gnashed her teeth at Keenfury. Together, we stabbed him and pierced his flesh again and again--but there was a reason this dude had his own keep. He was tough, and even after enduring several attacks, his stony skin had only just begun to show signs of significant damage. And then the Queen entered the fight. Two generals lunged at her as she took a step toward the action. She caught their blades in her hands, snapped them in two, and grabbed both of them by their throats. She grinned wickedly as she watched the life drain from their eyes as they kicked and squirmed in her grasp. Marrowheart held them over the ground, and I almost lost track of my own fight when I realized what was happening there. I was shaken back into reality when Keenfury did a backroll--far too gracefully for his size, I thought--and managed to grab his sword, dodging several more projectiles from Aldon all the while. Ivy did manage to peg him twice in his shoulders though. "This is dishonorable!" the general shouted. "This is an ambush, an assassination! Duel me, hero!" "Hard pass!" I shouted. I wasn''t about to fall for that classic villain bullshit. "I''ll have the luxury to bemoan my lack of honor minutes after I piss on your bloodied corpse." "Nice smack talk!" Aldon shouted down from where he stooped overhead, still blasting spells like a boss. There was a crack behind me, and then another, and I realized the queen had finished her work with the the two men she had taken on--but then there was a gasp. Her gasp. I turned to look in the direction of the sound. In that moment, I was struck so hard in my armor with Keenfury''s magic hooked blade that I was thrown backward, knocked off of Darkmaw. She howled in anger and continued her assault on Keenfury, not allowing herself to be distracted like I was--trusting me, I realized, to save the queen. There was only one other general left. He was a gruesome-looking troll, and the only one that was significantly larger than the queen herself. So much had apparently happened in the few seconds since I heard the gasp, because the Goblin Queen was bleeding from the side, a glowing dagger lodged in her abdomen, and she sneered with hate at the one who put it there. They were preparing to face off. "Aldon! Ivy! Autumn!" I shouted their names. "Save the queen!" Grunts of understanding rang out. Autumn was already on her way back to help the queen. I watched with pride as she ripped into the troll''s back, causing it to reach backward for her and snort in pain. A flurry of spells and arrows flew in its direction, too--some hitting, some missing. The troll was definitely going to lose. But Keenfury... That was another story. Keenfury had made several clean swipes into Darkmaw''s lupine hide. He was just so big and so fast--a potent combination. He growled at her with just as much a guttural sound as she could return. They were clearly equals, and if I was to be assured of Darkmaw''s victory--all the other generals were either dead or about to die--I would be needed to tip the scales. I Great Jumped into the fray, plunging my lance into--the wall. I missed. My opponent leaped out of the way with ease and roared with bestial fury as he shattered my magic armor with a powerful riposte of his magic sword. I hit the wall face-first from the force of his blow, feeling something in my back snap painfully and at least one rib crack upon impact. My head hit it, too, and I was left dizzy and disoriented. But it was the window Darkmaw needed to get her attack in, trapping Keenfury''s arm in her jaws at the bicep. She bit down harder, and the monstrous general cried out in agony and rage as blood spilled into Darkmaw''s dark maw. He charged up a full-powered attack with his free hand again--the same attack he''d just used on me and my now-broken armor, and I knew I couldn''t bear to see the result of such a strike landing on Darkmaw, unarmored as she was. I lurched toward them, the world moving in slow motion as I activated a combination of skills automatically, without thinking. In an instant, I was there in front of him, in between him and Darkmaw''s face. He grinned--I saw it for the briefest of moments. He grinned as he struck me with his sword right across the chest. I can''t clearly tell you how much blood sprayed from the wound instantly, but it was a lot. It was enough to paint the torso of the general red. It was enough to make a crater in my chest--enough to kill a normal person instantly, no doubt. But I clung to life for that moment, at least, even as death had never been so imminent. In close quarters, I grabbed him by the chin with one hand and the shoulder with the other. With a combination of adrenaline and May Belle''s Titan Strength move, I clutched his face and started pulling upward. My fingers dug into his neck beneath his chin, puncturing his flesh, getting a powerful grip. I pulled, ripped his head clean off of his body, Mortal Kombat-style, and chucked it onto the ground with a thud. Then I fell onto my knees and looked down--my own guts spilling out of my body, by own heart beating in my chest beneath broken ribs and rutted flesh. At that moment, there was silence. Maybe. At least, the world was silent to me as I felt Darkmaw, instantly in her human form again, guide me to the ground gently. She mouthed words at me, her face pained and weeping. Maybe she spoke the words aloud, but I could hear nothing but a nagging ring. I couldn''t even feel the pain that I should have been feeling. But I knew things were bad. That''s what kept running through my head again and again. This is bad. This is bad. This is bad. But it wasn''t bad. I tried to let my last thoughts be positive. No, this wasn''t bad. The Goblin Queen was safe. She could keep these lands secure. Aldon was still alive, and he would protect Tater Town in my stead. I had done my part. This victory was possible because of me. Because of my sacrifice. My girls would live on and Tater Town would thrive without me. My children would grow up fatherless, but at least they would grow up. As Ivy, Autumn, Marrowheart, and Darkmaw all knelt, weeping, at my side, I took one final solace in the undeniable fact that I was loved. And that would have to be enough. Chapter 50: Waking Up I was only faintly aware of the passage of time. At first, my mind was just a series of whispers, clinging to something ethereal. All I saw for a near endless stretch of time was alternating infinite screens of white, red, and gray--and sometimes nothing at all, not even black, as though my sense of sight had entirely failed. I thought I was dead, floating in nothingness. I thought this was eternity. I wasn''t lucid enough to lament it, to torment myself over its monochromatic monotony. All I could do was let the vapidity of space and time wash over me. But eventually I became faintly aware of pain--and of the fact that I was sleeping. It''s a weird thing to describe, a sensation that I couldn''t quite nail down with words or expressions. Again, I was only weakly aware of all of this. Time was a mystery. Had it been a day? A year? An eternity? Was I floating in space, or laid out on a slab? Was I in a box in the ground? Had I been burned to a crisp, my consciousness withering away in the ether? But I wasn''t withering. That much was clear. No, I was getting stronger. From time to time I even felt tingles where my arms and legs should be--and intense, though mercifully brief, lances of pain surging in my chest. I was... alive? But that didn''t seem right. It didn''t seem possible. Last I remembered, Keenfury carved me open like a Christmas ham, my entrails spilling on the floor of his keep in front of my friends. I could see my own heart beating in my chest. Moments like this--of plain, unbridled lucidity--had become more and more common. I started guessing at how long I''d been unconscious. That must be it. I was unconscious. I started noticing patterns. I felt my eyes strain against the light for a few hours a day. I was lying, perhaps, by a window. I couldn''t see anything, but I could sense the light, feel it scorching my eyes. And then, hours later, it grew dark again. And it stayed dark for long, long stretches of time. My world was that fluctuation of light and dark for what must have been weeks. I thanked my lucky-fucky stars that I wasn''t quite conscious enough to process time for the agonizing stretch of emptiness that it was. But then... I was. I was far more lucid now, and I even heard voices from time to time. Young, happy, giggly voices. Sad, womanly voices. Even Aldon''s voice--I was sure of it. He had visited me many times, talking to me though I couldn''t understand what he was saying. He spoke to me openly, like I used to talk to my dog when I was a kid--fully aware that my pup didn''t know what I was saying, but satisfied that she took comfort in hearing my voice. I did take comfort in hearing his. It broke up the monotony. The void. The pain grew, too, though. At first I fucking hated that, as you''d expect, but I grew to enjoy it. I tried to guess at my condition more and more. I became aware of daily bandage changes, the application of ointments, and probably hundreds of kisses peppered on my wounds and my face each day. I wasn''t sure how sanitary kissing wounds was, but I quite literally wasn''t in any condition or position to complain. The voices became clearer, my comprehension of their touch more nuanced, as time when on. I could feel the cool, soft hands and long fingers of Daisy and May Belle come to change my bandages early in the morning every day as the light came back--dawn. They fed me milk, too--not by the teat, though, but carefully down my throat with a bottle. I automatically swallowed. Apparently I had been doing that for some time. Was that normal? I suppose they didn''t have IVs. How did they get me to swallow? Not long after they left, every morning Autumn and Winter would come. Sometimes Aldon would be with them. I felt Autumn''s claws brush my hair and often sensed her tears on my face. Winter was always there to console her. One morning I could make out parts of their speech clearly. "I don''t know if he''s ever going to wake up, Winnie," my catgirl sobbed. "Are you kidding?" That was Aldon. "He''s a million times better than--" His voice faded away after that. In the afternoon, Ivy and Etherea would come with Sprinkle. They''d change my bandages again, and the three of them would stay for hours, singing Elven lullabies to me. That was the highlight of my day. Hearing that, and feeling the unicorn girl lovingly stroke my cheek and run her fingers through my hair again and again--it was the strongest argument I had so far that I perhaps had died and gone to heaven. But after a while, even that would come to an end. Other visitors would come in the evenings--other women of the town, Bonny commonly among them, and some curious and quiet gasping girly voices. I couldn''t quite guess at who they were. They sounded too young by a couple decades to be the women in town that I knew, but my brain was still a haze and I didn''t think on it all that much. Each night, Darkmaw came. I can''t even explain how I knew it, but I knew it. She didn''t touch me. I''m not even sure she entered through the window, but I felt her watching me with fierce longing and passion. It confused me as to how I could be so sure of such a thing, but I unflinchingly was. Each day went on like that more or less on repeat. I lost track of time, but if I had to guess, it had been a month, maybe as much as two. It was impossible to be sure, because by the time I realized I wasn''t dead, weeks might have passed. The pain only got worse, though, even as the women cooed happily each day over how much my condition improved. I supposed that meant that my senses were returning more fully. I tried to move a few times, to grasp May Belle''s hand when she touched mine. My May Belle. I wanted nothing more than to be able to open my eyes and see her again, to tell her I was fine and I could hear her and smell her and taste her milk on my tongue when she fed me. I wanted my girls to know that I was with them, and I tried and tried to force myself to move, but to no avail. Until one day. Until dawn broke, and it was maybe just a few minutes before Daisy and May Belle would come to feed me and check my bandages again. So far, all was quiet. The pink of a sunrise blearily pressed upon my closed eyelids. I heard the soft sounds of tiny footfalls on the ground beside me--my bed, I had decided. I was probably in Etherea''s cottage. And there was some sort of tiny mischievous invader afoot. A goblin? An imp? One of those gremlins I killed in the forest with Bonny? Was there an assassination attempt underway? I strained, trying to move, but I couldn''t. A little, naughty giggle sounded in the cottage air as small hands grabbed hold of my arm, and the creature hoisted itself up onto the bed beside me. I felt my heartbeat accelerate. The light-footed thing made its way onto my chest, and pain surged through my whole body as I felt the mysterious attacker sit on top of my bandages, and then the giggling voice went quiet. And then nothing happened. I tried to move. I felt her there, sitting on my chest like a sleep paralysis demon, shifting occasionally, her miniature feet readjusting until she''d changed positions. The creature--female, for sure, from the sound, was lying atop me now. And did I hear... tiny snores? A tangle of the creature''s hair fell over my face, falling over my nose. It tickled. Combined with the pain I felt in my chest from my visitor lying directly on top of my wounds, my body finally had an overload of stimuli and I was about to respond. I sneezed. Following the sneeze, my eyes fluttered open and the world slowly, blurrily came into view. An orange, ruddy mess of fragrant hair was spilling over my face, and I blew it aside, squinting in pain as my eyes slowly focused on the snoring intruder. It was... a little girl? With bunny ears? Sensing my movement, she stirred and awoke looking at me with enormous green eyes. "Daddy?" she said. I gibbered like an idiot, unable to process what had just unfolded. "I... I--" "Carrotina!" That was Bonny, dashing into the room. "How many times have I told you not to bother--Mr. Drake! Are you awake?!" "Bonny," I grunted, wiping my eyes. The little bunny girl suddenly jumped up on her feet and began hopping up and down on my chest. "I woke up daddy!" she shouted with the glee only a child a could possess. "Daddy''s awake!" I groaned in pain, catching her on her third bounce on my horrendous wounds and holding her suspended in the air above my bandaged torso that she had been treating like a trampoline. Her little legs kept kicking as though she were still trying to jump. A freckly feminine face, enormous green eyes, long orange hair that went down to her butt in a ponytail that reminded me of Daisy''s, and a loincloth and strap over her chest that obviously begged me to think of Bonny''s attire--this kid was cute as a button. She had to be mine, if she was Bonny''s kid, but she looked to be maybe five years old already. "Holy f--" I caught myself about to swear in front of the munchkin. "Holy Gosh," I settled on. "Bonny--am I... is this really my kid?" She responded with a sob. "Mr. Drake!" "If this is my kid, I think we''re past you calling me ''Mr. Drake,''" I said without a hint of a smile, my eyes so heavy and tired but unable to close at the strange and unexpected sight of this adorable little girl. "How long have I been out?" "Three months!" she shouted. "I need to--I need to tell the others!" She didn''t, though. She ran over to me and grabbed her daughter from my clutches and chided her once more. "Don''t sneak in here! Daddy is hurt! You just harmed him by jumping on his chest!" Carrotina looked at me with her ridiculously cute eyes, her lip pouting. "I''m sorry, daddy," she offered sincerely. "She''s been sneaking in here constantly to see you," Bonny said through a sigh. "How can she be three months old?" I asked in shock. "She looks like a five-year-old!" Bonny gave me a weird look. "She seems three months old to me. Why, what were you expecting?" "I have a daughter," I said, my hand resting on my bandages. My chest ached badly, but at the moment that was at the back of my mind. I had a daughter. The world was brighter and more colorful than ever before--and more dangerous. The stakes had never been higher. "You have seven daughters," Bonny grinned. "With me. May Belle and Daisy are due soon, though!" "Holy Gosh," I said again, now with a sense of doom and gloom. "I''m... going back to sleep." "Should I get the others?" Bonny asked. "I''m afraid if you go back to sleep you won''t wake up for another two months." "And then she''ll have a driver''s license," I grunted. The joke went over everyone else''s head. "I''m staying with daddy," Carrotina whined, her arms outstretched toward me. Her little feet kicked in the air as Bonny held her suspended in front of her. "No, you--" "Let her stay," I said weakly. "The kids can come any time. But," I rubbed my chest, "keep them away from the bandages, please." Bonny bit her lip and nodded, relinquishing Carrotina into my arms. I held her to my side. I made her. It was a weird thought. I had seven kids, all of them probably as amazing, adorable, and weirdly eloquent as this one. I teared up as I realized I missed their births. I couldn''t afford to miss another milestone. She hugged me and immediately fell asleep in my arms. For a long time Bonny just stood there watching, the goofiest smile I''d ever seen on her face. "You okay?" I asked. She nodded. "There was a period of time that I thought--I thought maybe she wouldn''t ever know you." I nodded. "I still can''t believe I''m alive. I have a lot of questions." "The Goblin Queen is the answer to most of the questions you''re going to ask," she said. "How did I heal from those obviously mortal wounds?" "The Goblin Queen. And the holstaurs'' milk." "Who has been protecting the town while I''ve been asleep?" "Aldon. But the Goblin Queen has constructed a new fortress where the cabin used to be." "What?" "She moved here. It''s been... awkward. But good." I grunted. "Sounds like I missed a lot," I said weakly. "I''m so happy you''re awake," Bonny gushed one last time. "I''ll go get the others!" I nodded. It sounded like a lot had happened while I was half-dead. I pushed myself onto my side, pulling in Carrotina against me even tighter. I would get up to speed and learn everything I could about what had happened in my absence. I would plan out the next step of my adventure, try to make contact with the other Apex Heroes, and work out away to take down the Demon Queen. I would help Darkmaw and the Goblin Queen rebuild their kingdom, perhaps with Tater Town as a new base of operations, in a more openly peaceful image. I would take care of the needs of all of my girls, lovers and daughters alike. I would do all of this--but first, I would hug my daughter for the first time as she slept in my arms. Official Map, Part 2, a Survey, and Other News! (IMPORTANT) No content Chapter 51: Welcome Back virgilknightley Buckys awake! Bonny sounded as she left the cottage with little Carrotina in my arms. Buckys awake! What happened immediately after that, I cant say, because I drifted back to sleep almost instantly and, with a surprising show of restraint, no one woke me up again. I slept for several hours, drifting in and out of sleep, feeling my orange-haired daughters softness nuzzling against my wounds half-consciously, and I didnt even bother to complain. Pain was already an inescapable realityI might as well just embrace it, I figured. The dragon blood wounds still burned and scarred my mangled neck and arms, but that pain seemed far more muted compared to whatever was left of my chest. Still, as the little bunny girl kicked and cuddled me in her turbulent nap, I welcomed the surprising jolts of agony because they were at the very least a reminder that I was somehow still alive. Daddy, I wanna go see mommy now, kay? said Carrotina, whispering it cutely right into my face. My eyes fluttered open, feeling still so weak. Of course, sweety, go to your mommy. Ill see you soon. She cocked her head at me and pouted, her eyes welling up. Youre not coming with? she said in her brutally adorable little voice. Daddy? Please? I groaned, rolling onto my back. Slowly, slowly, I managed to sit up. Alright, honey, but Im going to need you to be gentle with me. She grinned ear to ear, a mouth full of perfect white teeth except for one missing buck tooth. I reached over and tucked a tangle of her messy hair behind her ear to get a better look at her. I still couldnt believe it. This was my kid. We stood up, and she sweetly tried to help me to my feet. I let her take my hand and pretended for her benefit that her efforts made any difference, but she was far too tiny and feeble to have any impact on my ability to stand. The gesture was certainly appreciated. Once on my feet, I looked down at her, and then at the bandage across my chest. All I was wearing was a loose-fitting pair of pants and the wrappings that kept my wounds in check. I looked around for something else, but saw nothing. I let out a sigh, unfortunately resigned to the fact that the first thing everyone would see is me still looking as roughed up as I was, with no way to conceal it. I felt a little tug at my knee and looked down. Carrotina was pulling the fabric of my pants lightly to get my attention. She raised her arms up at me expectantlyshe wanted me to pick her up. I winced, honestly wondering if I could even manage it, but there was no force on Lusteria that could keep me from trying. My heart swelled in my chest as I saw the sight of my little girl begging for my attention, and I melted like never before. I knelt down in front of Carrotina, scooped her up in one arm like a little princess, and stood. She giggled mirthfully, the musical sound of a childs laugh, and it dulled the wounds behind my aching bandages. Take me to mommy, she said. I want to see mommy! I grunted my agreement to her terms. I took a very tentative step forward, placing one foot in front of the other. It was like I was learning to walk again, and I realized with a start that that was kind of true. I hadnt been on my feet in three fucking months. Three very eventful months, by the sound of things. Exiting the cottageEthereas cottage, I notedI stepped outside into a sunlit world and saw the vibrant familiarity of Tater Town open itself up for me. It felt like a long awaited homecoming, though Id been here the whole time. Bucky-Baby! a shrill cry rang out, and I looked around, eagerly seeking the source of that heaven-sent voice. There, by Bonnys smithy, May Belle and the bunny girl herself were staring at me with anxious looks on their faces. They charged at breakneck speed, and I cringed, fearing being tackled the way May Belle and Daisy used to do to me when Id returned after a jaunt in the Watchers Woods. But of course, they showed more restraint than that, skidding to a stop several feet away. Carrotina! Bonny scolded the little child. Daddy is in no shape to carry you! The little orange-haired, big-eyed bunny girl pouted at her mommy and then back up at me. Meanwhile, May Belle just gaped unbelievingly, tears pooling in the corners of her eyes. Daddy picked me up when I asked. He seemed to think it was okay, right daddy? Your daddy has no restraint when it comes to pretty faces, Carrotina, May Belle sniffled, wiping tears from her eyes. May Belle looked different. And not in a bad way, either. Her hair was longer and she wore a little braid on one side of her face. A daffodil was nestled in her hair, too, beside a jeweled diadem. On her busty body she sported a form-fitting regal white dress with intricate golden fringes and and patterns. Andshe was extremely pregnant, looking like she could give birth at any moment. Wow, May Belle, I grunted, scanning her up and down. You look amazing! She blushed crimson just like the first time. Oh, Bucky, she whined, her leaking eyes unable to break from mine. You have no idea how broken we all were for so long. I cant believe youre just standing in front of me like nothing happened. I shuddered to think of it. The last time I was injured, all my marked girls had practically gone insane. With me so close to death, I didnt even want to know the details of what happened. Did Vale and Heather have any sheep left after whatever madness Rainbow Sprinkle succumbed to? Bonny swooped in and pulled Carrotina out of my arms, rocking her in her own bosom. I looked around, looking for more kids and women, but what I noticed first caught me entirely off-guard. Holy fucking shit, I said softly, staring at the stone keep that had seeming sprung up out of nowhere on my farmland. You were not kidding about the fortress, Bonny. She shook her head as she nuzzled a giggling Carrotina. A lot has changed, Bucky. Things will be better now that youre awake, too. Whats changed? I said, nodding first and foremost at May Belle. Like, why are you dressed like that, babe? She smiled proudly, happy to gloat about her new station. As your marked girl, Ive been made one of the Goblin Queens advisors, along with Daisy and Rainbow Sprinkle. I cocked my head. So youre all getting along? I asked cautiously. Her smile wilted slightly. Wellshe keeps talking about marrying you. And I have some feelings about that, she said, taking on a far off look. But I think its politically the right move. Marrying me?! I asked in shock. Bonny nodded. She wants you locked down for breeding purposes. Something about your seed making potent new kinds of goblins the world hasnt seen in millenia. I furrowed my brow in consideration. I would be a breeding stud for the Goblin Queen? It honestly sounded awesome, but I couldnt quite grasp why people were okay with it. Last Id known, they all hated the Goblin Queen or at least were skeptical of her. A lot had apparently changed in the last three months. Theres so much to talk about once youre fully recovered, Bucky-Baby, May Belle said, taking my hands. I was impressed by how much she was clearly holding back. Im sorryIm afraid if I hug you I might hurt you. I nodded, fully understanding, and I leaned forward and planted a kiss on her lips. Kiss mommy, too! Carrotina giggled, squirming in the bunny girls arms. I wanna see daddy kiss mommy! Bonny blushed, and so did I, but I let out a chuckle at the adorable request. Daddy doesnt love mommy in the same way, Bonny said, a little sadly. May Belle is his marked girl. Theyre much closer, baby. I felt a little sad for Bonny, hearing her say that and the tone in her voice as she did. Well, hang on, I grunted. Where are you getting the idea I dont feel a certain way about you? Bonny looked in surprise just as a little squirmy foot kicked her in the face. She barely reacted to Carrotinas accidental assault, instead staring at me in wonder at what Id just said. I mean, Bonny, if Carrotina wants me to kiss you, I certainly have no issue with it. Its not like I dont want you in my life. She swallowed hard, nodding frantically. Yes, Mr. Drake. I would like for you to kiss me very muchif youre sure. May Belle giggled with a palm over her mouth. Ill let the others know youre up and about. Get your kisses in, Bucky-Baby. You earned them. She leaned in and pecked me on the cheek, secretly adding Were all gonna suck your dick so good tonight, in a conspiratorial whisper before walking off toward the keep on our land. Bonny set Carrotina down, who whimpered a protest, and got up on her tippy toes and closed her eyes. I smirked at that, grabbing her by the waist and leaning forward. Carrotina was between us, looking up at our chins as I placed a chaste kiss on the bunny girls lips. Lets make more babies, she moaned into my mouth, her eyes still closed. God, let me get to know the first litter before we do that, I chuckled. Seven is enough for now. She whimpered. Twenty is my perfect number, Mr. Drake. Whats yours? I felt my butthole clench in horror. Lets circle round back to that some other time. Daddy! another tiny cry rang out as six more bunny girls poured out of Bonnys home. Is that daddy? I dont think so, he looks so much stronger than the man in the cottage. No, thats him! Look at the bandages! Youre right! Daddy! Daddy! Half a dozen bouncing bunny girls bounded across Tater Town circling me happily. All of them extended their arms, begging me to pick them up. Bonny cleared her throat. Allow me to introduce all your daughtersso far, she giggled, gesturing to them one at a time as she called them out by name. Cottontail, Buckina, Flopsy, Cornflower, Sunflower, and Whimsy. I was utterly overwhelmed by cuteness. I couldnt stop myself from grinning ear to ear as I surveyed them, even forgetting my pain as I picked them up one at a time and tossed them up in the air, catching them. They all wanted an endless number of turns, and I was happy to give it to them, but eventually Bonny had decided the game had gone on too long, and she frowned at me. Youre going to need to learn to say no to them, she noted with an unamused look. Never, I said, beaming back at her. Bonny let out a heady sigh and shrugged. Okay, girls, lets go home. Its time for dinner. Is daddy coming to eat with us? Bonny looked at me, but before I could accept the invitation she shook her head. Daddy needs to see his marked girls and elves. Im sure hell make time for us later. Youre darn right I will, I said with an eager nod. Bonny, I can already tell youre an amazing mother. She blushed, brushing a pigtail behind her back. Its what all bunny girls are born for, after all, Mr. Drake. Youll find everyone in the keep, Im sure. Thanks, Bonny," and I leaned forward and kissed her again. A chorus of seven tiny bunny girls gushed their happy surprises at that. Daddys kissing mommy! Daddy looooves mommy! Daddy, did you know mommy sometimes calls your name out when shes in bed and thinks were asleep? I pulled away from the kiss and basked in the wide-eyed blush on Bonnys flawless face. Flopsy, be quiet! she scolded, hiding her incandescent cheeks with her palm. Iignore her, Mr. Drake, she pleaded. I dont know why youre so shy, I laughed, giving her cheek a playful squeeze. Ill see you and the girls, soon, okay? She nodded. Girls, say bye to daddy. Bye, daddy! Daddy, dont leave us! Well diiie! Bonny scoffed. Cottontail, dont be a drama queen. I chuckled to myself and turned my back on themit was the hardest departure I could remember making in a long time, and the only thing that made it possible was just how desperate I was to see everyone else. I didnt have to move far on my own, because by the time I was halfway down the hill I saw my rainbow unicorn girl charging from the open gates of the keep in my direction. My Bucky! she screamed. Thats correctshe screamed it. It was a desperate shriek, like the sound a second grade girl would make when she found a spider in her lunchbox. My whole body tensed and braced for impact. Halfway up the hill, she jumped and landed in my arms, not knocking me over, but applying enough pressure to my wounds to make me grunt in pain. Hey Sprinkle, I groaned in her ear, reaching up to brush her rainbow locks out of my mouth. Im so sorry if Im hurting you, she squealed like an excited little pig in my ear. Im so sorryIm so sorry! She bit down hard on my cheek, leaving a gash, and then immediately licked it, closing the wound with her magic spit. Im so sorry, I shouldnt have bitten you! Im so sorry! I was certainly not disappointed with Sprinkles enthusiasm, and I allowed my arms to entomb her, pulling her in as tight as I could get her, feeling her voluptuous body squished against me. Like May Belle, she had a similar dress and diadem. The look suited her, though maybe not as much as the chainmail bikini. Oh, my Bucky, she moaned. I love you, I love you, I love you! I love you, too, I said, kissing her on the cheek. She shuddered at my touch. I cant believe youre still alive! I paused at that. How bad was it? Very bad! she shrieked, pulling away from my body to look at my face, her eyes desperate to look upon me. So bad! What happened after I went unconscious? The Goblin Queen cast a stasis spell on you, keeping you on the edge of death until she was able to get you home. Darkmaw carried you in her arms, dropping you into Ethereas bed. Ivy and Etherea starting working their magic right away, but it wasnt enough. And so I died, I chuckled. Sprinkle shook her head. No, you didnt! she said, not getting my dumb attempt at humor. Autumn petitioned the gods herself, and they gave her the power to heal you, but at the cost of her ability to travel to other worlds. My eyes shot open wide. Autumn did that for me? Of course! Sprinkle gasped. Would you expect less of any of us? I need to see her, I said solemnly. I wonder if I can mark her yet. I saw a notice pop up in my face: Number of monster girls able to be marked: 2. Number of elf girls able to be marked: 1. What the fuck, I grunted. I can mark two girls and an elf, too? I said. I thought marking elves was impossible?! Another petition by Autumnshe milked her sacrifice for all it was worth! Well that just raised the uncomfortable question of who I would mark: Etherea or Ivy? And how would they take the choice? Would I even be able to get more markable elves, or was this a one time deal? Shit. This was a lot. I thought about opening up my HUD to see if anything else had changed, but I decided against it. I wasnt ready to think about stats and levels. I probably wouldnt really be ready for at least a few days. The girls would have to understand. And the gods certainly knew I was in no condition for marking. Sprinkle helped me steady myself and started walking me toward the keep. Everything is ready for you, my Bucky, she said. Soon you will be king consort to the Goblin queen! What do you mean everything is ready? She grinned and gestured at the doorway to the keep as we started to walk through the gates. Youll see. Weve been waiting for you to wake up for a long time, my Bucky. Welcome back. Chapter 52: Meeting up with Marrowheart virgilknightley Rainbow Sprinkle and I walked across the drawbridge into the stone keep--still under construction. It resembled a medieval castle, complete with crenellated walls and towers that looked like they''d been made out of the same lumber we used to build our cabin, way back when. The whole thing was lit by undying torches, which gave it an eerie feel, even in the middle of the day. "I can''t believe you''re here," Sprinkle said as we stepped through the open doorway into the main hall. "I still can''t believe you''ve woken up at last, my Bucky! Can I bite you, just one more time? I''m going to bite you--" I grabbed her by the shoulder to stop her oncoming chompers and was surprised at my own strength. Using my muscles in this way still hurt, but at least I could manage to hold off her loving assault. She pouted, realizing that I had not, in fact, silently granted her consent to munch on my face again, and she mercifully backed off. "I missed the taste of you," she moaned sadly, but she brightened up as she stared into my startled eyes. "I''m so happy you''re awake. I would like for us to play together soon!" "I''m sure we will," I agreed, "but one thing at a time, yeah?" We walked into the keep. I should be clear at this point. It did not compare well in size to Keenfury''s Keep, or what I imagine the Goblin Queen''s own castle must have been like. It was about the size of Tater Town, end to end, and not much larger than that, and walls were still apparently partially under construction. I could see brickwork being laid, and primitive scaffolding everywhere. There was no furniture, but there was plenty of space. "Down this way," Sprinkle said, leading me to the throne room. A large door hewn from solid oak stood before us, separating us from Marrowheart the Goblin Queen. I looked at Sprinkle and suddenly felt it rather surreal just how quickly things were happening. Had I even been awake twenty minutes? Sprinkle frowned at the horrendous scars on my arm as I reached out to open the mighty door. "The dragon blood burns are still there," she said softly, her voice full of concern. "Maybe you should go get some more rest." She placed her hand on my shoulder, and even that gentle gesture of love stung to the touch like a thousand stinging bees. "Are you sure you''re ready to see everyone?" "Yeah, I''m fine," I lied. I was far from fine, but I was not ready or willing to go back to sleep after three months of doing nothing but lying on my back. I had had enough of convalescing alone in an empty cottage--I wanted to get back to what I did best--laying pipe in monster girl pussies. The thought made me smile. I couldn''t wait to get started. I opened the door, Sprinkle clinging to my arm to support me if needed. The throne room was dark and silent, illuminated only by flickering torchlight and the faint glow of the braziers. As I entered, a chill ran down my spine, and I wondered where Marrowheart was. There was a wooden table at the center of the room, made of one of the more common woods in the forest, and honestly of fairly shoddy workmanship, but it managed to lay even on the ground and seemed to be flatly planed enough for function. "Apex Hero! Can it be?" I jerked my head around wildly in pursuit of that voice. A curtain behind the humble wooden throne stirred, and out came the beautiful form of Darkmaw. Her dark, lovely features practically lit up the room for me. She had a sheen of dewy sweat over her face, which reflected the sconced torchlight to tantalizing effect. "Darkmaw!" I called back, releasing Sprinkle''s arm and walking forward. She watched me approach with a curious expression, her lips parted slightly as she took in my fragile state. "My hero is finally awake," she cooed, her husky voice filled with something like sadness despite the joy that hid behind her eyes. "Look at you, you poor creature." I stopped in my tracks and looked down at my own injuries for a split second, but then I simply shook my head. "I''ll heal," I shrugged. "I''m awake now. Let''s focus on that." "You have no idea what seeing you fall did to me," she said, her eyes narrowing with barely contained emotions. "It almost killed me to watch you cut open like that. I couldn''t bear the sight of a deer being cleaned and gutted for weeks. Me! Every time I saw it, I--I--" Her voice just stopped, unable to press onward. She closed her eyes and looked down. "Believe me when I say it was worse for me," I grunted. She and Sprinkle both laughed at that, but it was strained and awkward, the unicorn girl kicking the ground with a hoof as she scratched her shoulder, and the wolf girl unable to look at me anymore. "Queen Marrowheart will be here shortly," Darkmaw said. "Please, sit down, for I cannot bear to see you force yourself to stand." I smirked, taking a seat on the wooden chair opposite the throne. Sprinkle sat beside me, and we waited patiently for the queen to arrive. "I''m not that weak, you know," I said, trying to dispel some of their need to treat me like I was maid out of paper thin porcelain. Darkmaw crossed over to me once I''d sat down and placed her paws on my shoulders. She leaned forward and inhaled deeply, as deep as any inhalation I''d ever heard. "I haven''t had a bath in three months," I pointed out. "So hope you enjoy the smell of body odor and ball sack." "That''s simply not true. The women of the town took turns bathing you twice a day. Your marked girls got the lion''s share of shifts, but sometimes those of us on the outside would get lucky. I bathed you myself last week." "Wow, so everyone in town has been washing my junk for three months," I said, swallowing hard at the revelation, my eyes glossing over with quiet embarrassment. "Cool. Cool-cool-cool." Sprinkle giggled. "That''s nothing. Autumn wanted us to suck on your boy parts to help you gain XP while you slept." I cringed. "You didn''t do that, though, did you?" She just smiled at me and shrugged. I clasped my hands together to check my XP on my HUD, but nothing happened. "Hmmm." "What is it?" Darkmaw asked cautiously. "My HUD didn''t come up." I looked at my hands--completely scarred over from the slow spread of the dragon blood curse--and felt a chill go down my spine. It was an uncomfortable wave of realization. Just a theory, but a damn shitty one. "Try again," Darkmaw pressed, her voice still calm. I obeyed, clasping my palms against one another one more time, but I got the same result. "So, this could be bad." "What could be bad, my Bucky?" Sprinkle asked sweetly. I frowned. "I think I lost my ability to check my HUD because my hands are... too fucked up." Darkmaw and Sprinkle exchanged anxious looks, but before they could offer anything else, the entrance doors swung open again, and a seven foot tall goddess of a green-skinned woman in a gem-laden red and gold dress walked into the room with an entourage of four orcs. Darkmaw and Sprinkle rose to their feet, and I tried to as well--but I failed, instead falling backward back onto the chair when a sharp lancing pain shot through my left shoulder all the way down my chest. "Ow!" I exclaimed, grabbing at my wound and wincing in agony. "What is wrong with him?" Marrowheart demanded, her voice echoing loudly in the chamber. "Is his condition truly so delicate?" Darkmaw and Sprinkle both knelt by my side, looks of obvious worry on their faces. "I''m fine," I said. "I just got up. Not used to the pain yet." Marrowheart frowned. "This will not do. Who must I slay or capture to manage his suffering, Darkmaw? Bring me names." I cocked an eyebrow. Was she serious? "I have a team of ogres heading to Aurora City, looking for the one they call Treeleaf the Herbalist. We are doing what we can, but he needs rest, mother." The queen frowned. "He needs to breed me. My numbers are growing thinner as the rebels who overtook my castle press against us from the north. With the creatures he and I would make, we could easily--" "This feels like a discussion I should be participating in more actively," I grunted, feeling my cheeks heat up with all the breeding talk. Marrowheart laughed. "Indeed," she said. "Forgive me, my betrothed. You have been asleep for too long, and I am not used to allocating time for your opinions." I sat up straight, hoping to banish some of the pain in my chest, but it only made it worse. "I don''t think I ever fully agreed to us being married," I pointed out. "I would need to discuss this with my girls and understand exactly what it is you stand for and have to offer." "Reasonable. Your marked women and catgirl already have agreed to my terms, so I expect your conversations with them to be short. As for what I stand for--" she grinned at me, her sharp teeth glinting in the torchlight, "I believe in the dream of a Lusteria free of the demons and the undead, where monster girls, goblins, humans, and even elves can thrive alongside one another under one kingdom." "Your kingdom?" I asked. She bit her lip at the concept, and the sight of this goddess of a woman doing such a sexy thing put my boner on red alert. "Perhaps our kingdom, if you prove to be a worthy mate." I didnt have particularly high aspirations for being a king. I already felt like one with all the gorgeous women whod chosen to give their love to me, and I wasnt a greedy person by nature. Hell, back when I lived on Earth, my highest aspiration was to be a store manager at a fast food chain and have a cute wife and maybe one or two cute kids. Id say I pretty much shattered all those goals in my short time here. So, really, the idea of appealing to my ambition amused mebut that wasnt what she was doing, I realized quickly. Marrowheart wasnt an idiot. She would knowthey all wouldat a glance that I wasnt the kind of guy begging for a realm to lord over like some feudal cunt. She knew the real reason why the idea had appeal to me. Being in a position of power would allow me to keep everyone I cared about safe. Well see how things go, I said. Marrowheart was not using her seduction mojo on me, but she was still a sight that greeted my eyes like the gates of Disneyland after a twelve-hour drive. She was remarkably elegant, classy, imperious, and I so desperately wanted to be smothered by her fat milkers. And then there was Darkmaw. I dreamed of her a few times while I slept those long three months. I dreamed of the time she pinned me down and forced a tit into my mouth. How she somehow managed to proudly say that she wanted me to be her Alpha. I could guess what that meant, based on the context. My cock throbbed in my pants, and it didnt go unnoticed, unfortunately. Darkmaw sniffed at the air as I hardened, and she saw fit to offer her own color commentary. Your arousal is pleasantly pungent as always, Apex Hero, Darkmaw tittered. Wow, just gonna throw it out there like that, huh? I said, shaking my head at her in disapproval. Not cool, Darkmaw. Super uncool. Marrowheart grinned. Good. If you can become aroused, then you can bear the seed needed to officiate the consummation of our union. Fucking hell, I groaned, crossing my legs. Buy me dinner first before talking about consummation. When we reclaim the north, I shall have the finest dinners dedicated in your honor, if that is what you desire. Right now, resources are mostly spent on building this keep. I nodded. Explain what happened to me, I said. Marrowheart and Darkmaw looked into one anothers eyes, both glowering at the memory. It was a dark time. We won the battle, but the war was just beginning. Keenfury had been experimenting with creating a secondary brood queen using the Witch Queens magicbut he found that he could not make goblins himself, he could only corrupt those goblins that already existed. So, basically youve got a bunch of corrupted goblins running around? I asked. More or less. Clearing them out and reclaiming the lands will be a trivial thing. Then why havent you done it? I asked, cocking my head. She grinned. Because I had no breeding stock. The goblins and orcs that have infested my castle in northern Goldenvale are useful, at least, in that they seem to show no loyalty to the Demon Queen or the Witch Queen, so they have done their part in continuing to keep the other Dark Queens at bay during this time of vulnerability. Darkmaw grunted her affirmation of all this. Yes, if we slayed them before we had replacements, then we would be left totally vulnerable and exposed to assault. How is it you ended up here? I asked. Why not just take your own numbers back and reclaim your keep and leave Tater Town to fend for itself? Marrowheart curled her lip in disgust at the notion. And leave my future king unattended and out of reach? I blushed bright red at that. Wow, youre really set on this breeding idea, I grunted. By the gods, its true, I am, she said, and she pounded the table hard to punctuate her point, startling the four orc guards that stood by the door. Speaking of which, if you can stand and sit, you can be milked for your seed. It is high time we begin the coronation. I blinked, looking around the room. As in, right now? I asked. Darkmaw, Sprinkle, and the Goblin Queen let out their unique naughty giggles. No, Apex Hero, of course not. We will give you a few days to meet with your marked girls and children and recover. Preparations must be made in any case, and I will be busy until that time. But then we must proceed--time is already short. Do I get a say in this? I asked anxiously. Of course, the Goblin Queen said frankly, but her lips turned upward in a sarcastic smile. If you do not value the security of Tater Town, Goldenvale, and monster girls all across Lusteria, then by all means, take back your little farming project. Lets see how that ends up. I pouted. Dont make fun of my farm, I said sadly. But I see your point, I guess. And, hey, gonna get my dick wet, so thats always a plus. Marrowheart groaned and clicked her teeth in feigned disgust. How vulgar. Hardly a manner of speaking befitting my king. Darkmaw leaned in close to her queen. And after you have him, may I? Marrowheart raised an eyebrow at Darkmaw. Help yourself. But let your dear mother have first dibs. Of course, my queen, Darkmaw said, grinning. Do you hear that, Apex Hero? Soon our love will be officiated as well. I just shook my head. I dont even have the energy to debate our love with you at this point, so Im just gonna say, cool, cant wait. Sprinkle waited for a pause. Shall I get the others, Queen Marrowheart? It was weird to hear Sprinkle referring to the Goblin Queen in this way. A lot really did happen while I was asleep. Marrowheart, for her part, let out a bored sigh. No, take him with you. I am aware you girls have special celebrations underway. I shall have the the satyr girl and a few goblins keep the rabbit children under lock and key so they wont disturb your she paused, looking for the right word, and then she grinned as she landed on it, festivities. Yes, Queen Marrowheart. Sprinkle said, and then, grinning, she turned to face me and reached out for my hand. I let her take it, guiding me to my feet. Were going to take special care of you tonight. Then she looked at Darkmaw and Marrowheart. Im also going to try to see if Autumn can figure out why he cant access his HUD, and if theres anything we can do about it. Oh, I must be distracted--I had already forgotten, but yes that does seem like quite the problem, the Goblin Queen sighed dolefully. I will also reach out to those in the know about such things. Not to worryI happen to know that alternate systems exist for amputees and the like, but it requires a formal petition to the gods, arranged by a catgirl... or a witch. Weve got at least one of those, I grinned, thinking of my Autumn. I couldnt wait to see her and Daisy, and Etherea, and Ivy. Hell, I wanted to see Scalia and Vale, too. I had a lot of catching up to do. Some of them had to be pretty damn pregnant by this point. Standing, Sprinkle ringed her arm around my waist to support me and we made our way out of the doorbut we didnt leave the castle, to my surprise. Instead, we headed down a short hallway down the eastern side of the building, which ended in a single wide door on black metal hinges. Where are we going? I asked cautiously. Sprinkle looked up at me and grinned. To your harem, my Buckymy king. Chapter 53: With the Ladies (SMUT) virgilknightley I stared at the imposing door for a solid five seconds, my hand resting on the lever that would open it and reveal its contents unto me. Behind this door, I knew, waited my devoted girls, the loves of my life, all of them. Behind this door waited a long night of love and being spoiled until I could hardly bear it anymore. Lastly, behind this door waited a bunch of horny monster girls, half of them pregnant, all of them ready to suck me off or fuck me until I passed out. "Hell yeah," I grunted, and I was not disappointed at what I saw as I pushed it open. A sea of beauties turned their heads in unison to look at me as I walked through the doorway into the room beyond. The air was instantly thick with the neediness that long unexpressed love had inspired. They were already panting from excitement and anticipation. I took a deep breath and scanned them all, finding them exactly as I''d left them, save for bigger pregnant bellies in some cases. May Belle and Daisy were the most pregnant looking women I''d ever seen in my life, both of them seeming like the birth might just happen mid-coitus if things got too steamy. Daisy''s golden brown ponytail was longer than I remembered it, but she was just as beautiful. Her cow hooves clicked on the floor as she took off running toward me, dressed in the same white dress as May Belle. Both of them had similar figures--and their tits were even bigger than normal. Hell yes. "Come to daddy," I said, reaching out my arms to pick Daisy up in a big hug. I lifted her up off of the ground, groaning slightly in pain as her heavy tits and baby bump pressed into the wounds on my chest. "Honey, be careful," she said as I hoisted her up off the ground. "Please, don''t hurt yourself!" I set her down, and by the time I''d done so I found myself flanked by both Autumn and Ivy. Sprinkle and May Belle, having already had their turns to greet me, waited off to the side, beaming at the scene excitedly. Autumn''s flaxen hair sparkled gold under the torchlight. She, too, was wearing the same regal white gown and diadem as the marked girls, and it hugged her lithe body perfectly. The way the fabric draped over her breasts made her nipples stand out prominently against the pale skin of her chest, and when she leaned forward to give me a kiss, her ample cleavage spilled out over the top of the dress. I wordlessly returned the embrace, kissing her deeply as our hands roamed each other''s bodies. When we finally broke apart, Ivy was there, still wearing her three-leaf ensemble, and she greedily sought her own turn to get close to me. The green skinned, redheaded elf kissed me just as eagerly as anyone else, her lips slick and soft as she tried to press herself tightly against me while simultaneously rubbing her crotch on my leg. I felt her wetness and heat through the leaves, and I couldn''t help but let out an involuntary grunt of delight at the feeling of wet elven pussy juice dripping down the leg of my pants. It had been too long. It wasn''t until I finally pulled back from that last kiss that I realized all of them were crying. "Hey now," I grunted, "look, I''m fine." "You don''t look very fine," Daisy sniffled, pointing at the bandages wrapped around my chest and the scars on my neck and arms. "We were so worried, honey!" "Well you don''t have to worry anymore," I said, grinning wide and sincerely. "Things will get easier from here. I''m going to take some time to rest, just as soon as I help the Goblin Queen reclaim the north." Autumn perked up. "You can''t go. Even Marrowheart wouldn''t allow it." I shrugged. "Even better," I beamed at them. "See? Nothing to worry about. My focus right now is healing up and spending time with you--" I reached out and touched May Belle''s stomach, "and our kids." Ivy flashed a look of sorrow at me, but she quickly shook it off. She had opted not to get pregnant during the Breeding Days, since elves had such long gestation periods and she worried it would take her out of action for too long. She instead had to stand by and become an aunt, watching the other girls all have kids that I sensed she wanted for herself. For now, she said nothing, but that was something I''d have to keep my eye on. "Where''s Etherea?" I asked before anyone could add anything else. "She''ll be back tonight. She''s probably helping out around town," May Belle said. "Don''t worry, Bucky-Baby. You''ll see her soon." "Let us take care of you now, honey," Daisy added. Rainbow Sprinkle leaned in and cooed in my ear. "Get on the bed, my Bucky." They parted before me, stepping aside so I could see the bed to which they referred. It was a sight to behold--the mattress was much larger than king sized, and it had been rolled onto the floor and surrounded by satin pillows. There were more cushions piled high next to the headboard, and a small table sat nearby, holding a pitcher of water, six glasses, and three bottles of wine. The sheets looked silky smooth and smelled faintly of sage as I approached. A fire burned in the fireplace kitty-corner to the bed, adding a pleasant warmth to the room that lit it even more brightly than the throne room. I stood directly in front of the bed, and it was then that I noticed several soft ropes and straps tied around it. I cocked my head sideways and looked at the girls in confusion. "What''s this now?" I said, gesturing toward the bindings. "Queen Marrowheart asked us to promise to strap you down tonight so you wouldn''t overexert yourself," Autumn explained like it was the most normal thing in the world. "Just let us do all the work, Bucky Drake." I chuckled. "I think we''re past you calling me by my full name all the time, Autumn," I said. Her pretty catgirl cheeks flushed a sweet crimson. "I''m sorry--force of habit. What should I call you? How about daddy, since you have so many kids now?" I swallowed a big gulp of heady arousal. "Yes. Yes, that''ll do just fine." Autumn winked. "You got it, daddy. Now, let us tie you to the bed." I smiled and nodded, ready to be pampered, taking a step closer to the bed. Daisy and May Belle moved in behind me, wrapping me in a tight hug, pressing their chests and baby bumps against me as they lovingly tugged my pants and boxers off. Ivy came in from the sidelines next, and her green elven fingers went straight for my cock as she kissed me once more, pumping my manhood with delicate strokes as she listened for my reaction, moaning in delight whenever I let a little noise escape my lips into hers. "How''s that feel, Bucky?" she said. Her leaves fell to the ground all of a sudden, her nude body exposed to me. Looking around, I realized that all my girls were similarly naked, waiting with bated breath at different corners of the bed, each holding a part of the binding. My dick throbbed as I stepped onto the mattress and lay on my back, and I heard the girls make excited noises as they shuffled and began fastening the straps and buckles around my chest and legs. It was far from perfect shibari knotting, but itd keep me in place, that was for sure. I tried to struggle a bit against the bindingsC-if I really tried I could rip them off, but as a bit of accident insurance, keeping me from jerking around suddenly, straining myself and opening up my wounds, it would be effective enough. Weve got everything all planned out, Bucky-Baby, said May Belle''s candy-sweet cooing voice. Dont you worry. Oh, I wasnt worrying, and I was pretty certain that my rock hard dick pointing straight up in the air like some ancient obelisk made that point for me, so I didnt bother to say anything. I just grinned like a doofus at the sight of her hanging tits as she and Autumn sank down on either side of my hips. It all began with Autumn''s soft, slightly textured tongue licking the head of my cock, daring to tease the pinhole at the tip of my penis as she stole loving looks at me between breaths. Then May Belle took over and started sucking on my shaft, her warm mouth sliding along the length of it as she slurped and licked every inch of it clean from sack to just below the tip, where Autumn was still very much occupied. Ivy and Rainbow Sprinkle lay beside me, their faces each an inch from mine, and they grabbed me by the chin, pulling me towards them one at a time, taking turns kissing me gently and needily while May Belle and Autumn double-teamed my cock with their practiced lips and tongues. "Holy fuck," I groaned. "Girls, you''re making a very strong case that I have, in fact, died and gone to heaven." Sprinkle giggled into my mouth, her sugary breath tickling my nose as she sucked on my lower lip. "Shhhh," she said, hushing me, "Let your girls take care of everything. You don''t need to move a muscle or say a word." Autumn abandoned my tip and went straight for my balls, and I moaned loudly into Ivy''s hot lips when the catgirl gave them a firm squeeze, rolling them gently inside her hand before they disappeared into her warm, wet mouth. I twitched from the sensation, arching my back slightly as she worked her magic, and I almost choked as her tongue flicked across the underside of my scrotum. May Belle followed her lead, fully throating my cock. She placed her palms firmly down upon the mattress so she could use my dick to fuck her own throat. She was breathing heavily, trying to suckle the entirety of me, and she kept her eyes locked on mine as she did so, begging me to watch as she struggled to swallow me whole. She choked and gagged, and I tried to utter something to tell her she didn''t need to work so hard, but I was continually shushed by Rainbow Sprinkle every time I tried. Suddenly I realized that Daisy had disappeared, but no sooner had I come to this epiphany than did she make her grand re-entrance by sitting herself down on one of my hands. She reached down, grabbing two of my fingers, and guided them into her slit. Daisy looked away from me shyly when she realized I was staring at her between kisses with Ivy and Sprinkle. "I''m not sure you can handle fucking us tonight, honey," she breathed heavily through clenched teeth, "but you can pretend. Just... imagine that your fingers are your dick, and fuck my horny cow cunt, honey, okay? Can you... can you fuck my cunt, baby? Fuck it for me, honey!" I obliged, letting her ride my fingers and meeting each of her downward thrusts with upward strokes of my own. "Ohhh yes," she hissed, closing her eyes and biting down hard on her knuckles. "That''s it, honey, fuck your dumb cow slut, honey! Fuck me with your big strong fingers! Mooo!" Maybelle was still sucking my cock with all the love and adoration you would expect of her. Her moans were exquisite, like poetry given a voice. Meanwhile, Autumn was absolutely going postal on my nutsack, sucking and licking and slobbering all over the sheath of my balls until I thought my nuts were going to explode from the combined pleasure of their ministrations. "Oh God," I gasped, my voice coarse and strained as the girls continued to work their magic. "I''m gonna cum soon!" May Belle saw this as a golden opportunity to claim my jizz inside her throat, and she immediately dove forward and latched onto the base of my cock, deepthroating the whole shaft, and I fired off several hot sticky ropes of spunk into her willing and eager mouth. "Mmmm!" May Belle moaned as I shot thick streams of spunk into her gullet, coating the insides of her cheeks, some of it leaking out and dripping down her pretty face. I couldn''t help but smile in awe as she hurriedly claimed every drop of my seed, guiding it back into her mouth, seemingly worried someone might come try to take it from her if she didn''t drink it down quickly enough. "Fuck yeah," I groaned contentedly. "That was nice." "That was just the beginning, daddy," Autumn said as she backed off of my sack. "We''re gonna spoil you all night if you can handle it." My eyes went wide. "Okay, maybe one more round. What''s next?" "I''ve got dibs on his cock!" Daisy shouted, still fucking my fingers. "We can''t fuck him, Daisy!" Sprinkle protested sadly. "It''s not safe yet." The little pregnant holstaur grinned wickedly. "No, not that," she said. "Ivy, you''re with me. It''s that thing we discussed. You ready for it?" Ivy nodded, giving me one last kiss before pulling her lips away from mine. Before any time had passed, Ivy and Daisy were positioned on their knees on either side of my hips. "This should be safe," Daisy said, assuring herself. "And it''s the closest thing to sex he can probably handle right now." Ivy nodded. "Got it," she replied. The two of them sat back on their asses and spread their legs wide. They pushed their bodies forward, wrapping their legs around one another''s backs--and my cock was perfectly sandwiched between the slits of of both of their pussies. "We''re going to give you a Lusterian Double Cuntjob, honey," Daisy said, blushing. "I--I hope you like it." My eyes were bugging out, twitching at the lewdness of the display. Even Autumn and Sprinkle looked shocked, but May Belle was clapping. "Oh wow, that looks like fun. I get next ride! Autumn, go with me?" "Uh--sure, yeah. Of course." Sprinkle pouted. "Who''ll go with me?" "I''d be happy to go for another ride, Sprinkle!" May Belle said. She gasped as Daisy and Ivy got to work, marveling at the eroticism being showcased. "Oh wow, sis! I''m so proud of you!" Their conversation faded away as I watched Ivy and Daisy begin raising their asses off of my lap in unison, their wet hot pussy lips dragging pleasantly up along either side of my cock. "Holy fuck, this is new," I said, already about as hard as a man could possibly be, and then some. "Oh my god, you are two dirty sluts, aren''t you?" "Only for you, honey," Daisy moaned as her labia stroked off my cock in a slow, steady rhythm. Ivy followed the speed Daisy had set to perfection, and I was left completely helpless to do anything but enjoy the sensation, feeling the bindings pull me back down as I strained to sit up and watch closer. The two of them slowly lowered themselves down along my shaft, and as they did so, I gaped in awe as their shuddering nether lips pressed together softly, fully enveloping my shaft, their mouths parting ever-so-slightly as they emitted needy, horny little whimpers. The only other sound in the room was the raw squelching of their mingling girly bits. Ohh, by the gods, Daisy, Ivy grunted after biting her lip so hard with arousal that she was bleeding, I can feel your pussy rubbing mine as our cunts stroke his fat dick. I feel it, too! Daisy moaned. Do you like it, honey? Do you like having two desperate pussies leaking all over your cock, debasing ourselves for your enjoyment? I dont hate it, I groaned. Fuck, Im getting close again! Me too, said Ivy. You guys better stop talking like that, May Belle warned, her voice strained. She was laying on her stomach by that time, her arms wrapped tightly around my neck as she held me tight. "It''s getting me really fucked up." "Use the jar of bees if you have to," Autumn said. "The whaaat?" I grunted, but by then I was too far gone to press any further. "Ohh my fucking god! May Belle, shoot some milk on me. I''m gonna cum!" "You got it, Bucky-Baby!" May Belle squealed, squeezing her nipples and tugging so that a jet of hot cream sprayed all over my face and chest. "Drink up, baby! Drink May Belle''s milk!" "Bucky, I''m cumming!" That was Daisy. She was moaning so loud that the whole castle could probably hear. She shuddered as she slid up and down the side of my cock with abandon, her clit constantly bombarded with sensations from the friction of our sexes against one another''s. Her juices flowed freely down the shaft of my cock, and that paved the way for Ivy to do the same. She let out a scream of bliss as her eyes rolled back in her head. Her hips were shaking like crazy as she let out unintelligible sounds of ecstasy, and then suddenly she collapsed, both her and Daisy falling backward, unable to continue their holy work. But Sprinkle was there to save the day. "I will not let you get the Balls of Blue, my Bucky!" she squealed, pushing Ivy''s limp body out of the way and straddling my legs. She placed my cock in between her fat unicorn girl titties and spit on them for added lubrication. "I hope a titjob can finish you off!" "Oh hell yeah," I grunted, gripping her horn. "Just like that." She lifted her breasts up and down, smearing her saliva all over her globes of fleshy happiness, and stroked me off with her slick titties, pinching her own nipples the whole time. I felt myself growing closer and closer to my orgasm, and as I finally hit that peak, she squeezed her tits even more tightly together, forcing me across the threshold. I came like a freight train, and her delicious boobs milked me dutifully until the final drops of semen from my balls had entirely painted her cleavage, neck, and chin. She grinned, panting breathlessly, looking down at the mess we made. "I did it, my Bucky!" she squealed. "Did you like it?" I actually laughed. Yeah, Sprink, I managed to say, struggling to get any coherent words out at all. Yeah, I think its fair to say I had a good time. Youre having a good time, stressed Autumn. Were not done yet. My eyes glazed over. Its okay, we can stop here, I said. Im satisfied, really. Were not, Ivy replied, still examining the mess her pussy juice had made all over the bed. Weve been missing you for so many months. Are you really ready to stop so quickly? I groaned audibly but nodded. Okay. Five minute break. Water break. Water! And change my fucking bandages at least. Chapter 54: Dreams of the Dragon Milf Thanks to the consummate display of sensual ministrations that my harem of nubile monster girls had just bestowed on me, I fell asleep so swiftly and deeply that, as I drifted away into dreamland, part of me wondered if I was going to be out for another three months. When I opened my eyes again, though, I wasnt lying in a sticky cuddle puddle beset on all sides by horny concubines, but was instead standing on a mountain path. I looked down at my bodyI was still naked, but I didnt feel cold. This was worth noting because the roaring wind and flurries of ice and snow surely signaled to me that I should at the very least have a shriveled sack and diamond-tipped nipples, but no. It was as though I was still in that bed. I was warm, sweaty, and surrounded by the aroma of fresh sex. Where was I, though? I could work out pretty quickly that this was a dream of some sort, and with that epiphany I figured Id wake up almost instantaneously. In the past, thats how it always worked. Whenever I knew for sure I was in a dream, Id wake up. But that didnt happen. Not yet. I looked around, more out of bemused curiosity than any sense of foreboding importance, but off in the distance I spotted something worthy of my scrutiny. At the top of the tallest mountain in the distance, I could make out the shape of a plateau. I wasnt a geography buff or anything, but having a tableland surface at the apex of the tallest mountain in a range seemed highly suspect. Unable to do anything else, I continued along the trail, still naked, still warm, and feeling only a remote nagging pain in the wounds on my chestKeenfurys Cut, Id dubbed it in my private thoughts. I continued on like that for a very long timehours, maybe? Days? Just walking, plodding, padding my steps through snowy trails until I reached a bridge that connected my mountain to the one with the mesa-like pinnacle. It was at this time that I noticed two thingsfirstly, there was no color. I was dreaming in black and white, except for the sky, which was a permanent frosty blue. My skin, my swinging dong, my shaggy hair in my face, all variations on gray and nothing else. The second thing I noticed was that the pain in my wounds was flaring upnot the wounds on my chest, not Keenfurys Cut No, it was the dragon blood scars that left my hands, arms, and neck all mangled up to my chin. The pain was burningactually, burning wasnt nearly impactful enough of a word. It was searing, scorching, blazing. The pain was so intense that I could go no further, nor could I even find the strength to step backward. Instead, I crumbled to the ground like a spoiled child whod been told he couldnt watch Power Rangers until he finished his veggies. With similar energy, my fist repeatedly pounded into the snow like a pleading mendicant into the pavement, trying to dismiss the savage agony that felt as though it were ripping my flesh off of my bonesand that wasnt a hyperbolic overstatement. That was precisely what it felt like. Apex Hero, Buck of Dragons, do you hear my words? It was the cold whisper of someone salaciously sexy and dripping with authority. I jerked my head around, enduring the pain to try and find the source of the dulcet tones. I hear you! I grunted in a near-shout. Who is this? The Lusterian Elves of Wood and Field know me as Terastrazia, she said, still out of sight. I groaned and rolled onto my back, staring blankly up at the sky, seething and breathing heavily through clenched teeth. It hurts! I shouted. Your dragon wounds are set ablaze by my proximity. This will not do, Dragon Buck. Its Bucky Drake, actually, I managed to blurt out before letting out another guttural cry. Noyou are the Dragon Buck, destined to save the race of dragons from extinction, though your auspicious name is indeed a portent. I could hardly process what she was saying. Get me out of here, please, I almost sobbedit hurt so badly I could barely remember to breathe. Her humming voice came back at me, and I felt her shadow overhead, but I couldnt open my eyes from the pain. You must heal your wounds with the Tears of a Nymphit is the only cure for dragon burns. Then seek me in these heights, Bucky Drake, high atop the highest table in the Wildspine Range. Wake up, Dragon Buck. Wake up! With that, my eyes shot open, and I was back in bed in a pile of naked flesh, panting and breathing hard, groping at my dragon wounds, but they no longer stung. What had just happened? Was I there, or was I not? It felt so realthe pain was excruciating. Even now a specter of that pain still niggled at the back of my mind. Autumn sat up, hearing me breathe heavily and clearly disturbed, and she cast me a rather worried expression. What is it, Bucky? she whispered. I was glad it was her waking up. I gestured to the door. She followed my finger to it with her eyes, then looked back at me and nodded. We surreptitiously snuck out of bed, throwing on our clothes, and walked into the short corridor. The door shut quietly behind usnot soundlessly. Just quietly. We made our way without speaking toward a little courtyard where a half-carved statue of me next to the Goblin Queen stood erected before a pool of clear water filled with glimmering orange fish not unlike koi. Autumn didnt break her gaze from me the whole time. Sitting down in the grass, and leading me to the ground as well, she stared intently into my eyes and said, Tell me what you saw. How did you know? I asked. She nodded at my arms. Your wounds lit up, bright red, and you were mumbling something. It sounded like questions. Are you alright, daddy? I smirked. She was taking the new nickname seriously. Well I wasnt going to correct her. I dont know, I admitted, stroking my neck, feeling the rough and broken texture of the scars there. It was the Dragon Empress. Her kitty cat eyes went all wide and cute, and her tail went taut. Terastrazia? What did she want? She told me how I could heal my wounds, I said. I had to get the tears of a nymph. Is that a euphemism or the name of some kind of herb? She frowned, chewing on her lip before answering a few seconds later. Im going to assume that she meant it literally, as nymph secretions are known for their magical properties. I cringed a bit at the word secretions, wondering what else she might be including in that subset. Well, then I guess weve got to find a nymph and kick her puppy, I said. Autumn giggled at that and placed a gentle hand on my arm. How does it feel now, daddy? Feels nice when you rub it a bit, I said. Her hand started going up and down my arm and neck in long doting strokes. Like this? Yeah, I nodded. You like it, daddy? I almost cracked up at the odd juxtaposition of the kinky nickname in such an innocent situation. Nevertheless, the hotness of her calling me that did get me thinking about other things. Yeah, just like that, I said, surrendering for now to the comfort of her touch. Softer, daddy? Or harder? Shit, I groaned, biting my lip. Youre doing fine. She took a big breathbig for her, anywayand raised her other hand to stroke my other arm with equal gentleness. So I guess its true, she noted. Youre some kind of dragon breeding stud, too. Seems like it, I agreed. But Im still not sure why I would want to save the dragons if theyre going around burning farms. Autumns eyes lit up. Oh, Bucky. Dragons adopt the moral compass of their father. The last breeder was a tyrant and an evil man named Tarknash Im Kairo. If you really are a dragon breeder, itll be a huge deal. So why arent you more excited? I said, noting the relative calm that she exposited this seemingly vital information. Dragons mature slowly, she shrugged. Itll be a century before any of them are fighting age, most likely. It doesnt help us in this warunless the queen herself is willing to fight for you. That made more sense. I nodded, understanding. Okay, I grunted. But it does seem like a good long-term thing to nail down. Absolutely, she nodded fervently. You must. And the nearest nymph is probably a couple days away on Blues back in the Darkwood to the east. Is that the one across the Aurora River? I said, trying to remember. She smiled at me. You remember. Bits and pieces of conversations people had around me are coming back to me, I said. I remember people talking about Aurora City, and the Darkwood, and how Shard City has Fallen, Autumn interrupted. Its been taken over by the Witch Queen, but the good news is for now both the Witch Queen and Demon Queen arent showing any signs of trying to move west. Why is that? I asked. She shrugged. We have been collaborating with the centaurs, and theyve come to a tepid peace with Marrowheart. Even the wood elves have agreed to an armistice in the Watchers Woods, so the southwestern region is more united than it has ever been. And the north is an utter mess with the failed insurrection going on up there. We need to take care of that soon, though, I grunted. Feels weirdly vulnerable to have the Goblin Queens original castle overrun. I agree, she said, still stroking my arms, focusing more on my neck, though. Thats why we need to rush your coronation and consummation with Marrowheart as soon as possible. I felt my cheeks grow heated. Im not sure when Ill be ready for that. Wellmaybe we should make getting the Nymphs tears your priority once you heal up a bit more. That should at least bring down the worst of your injuries and pain. I reached out and put a hand on her leg. You know Im game, but Autumn, theres something else I wanted to talk to you about. Autumns eyes went doe-like, cutely wide as she tried to guess at what I wanted to say, but I could tell she couldn''t. What do you want, daddy? I have two markable monster girl slots remaining, I said. I want to mark you as soon as possible. I saw her try to fight back a grin. Yes, daddy. Im so ready. Okay, new rule, I groaned. Call me Bucky when were not fucking or about to fuck. Its starting to feel weird. Autumn blushed, brushing back a strand of her golden hair in embarrassment. Sorry, Im not great with nicknames. Oh, Id say youve been too good with it, I chuckled. But anyway, Im ready. As soon as I can, I want to mark you. I mean it. I want nothing more. She nodded, but then her mouth opened like she wanted to add something, but she didn''t speak. What is it? I asked. Do you know about the elf? Oh, I grinned. I can mark one elf. Yes, I have questions about that. How much did it cost you? Her smile wilted to a frown. All my catgirl powers, she sighed. But thats okay, Bucky. I wasnt going to use too many of them anyway. And I can ask for Winters help if we need to meet with the gods again. I pulled her in, reaching around her back and tugging her against my body in a tight embrace, ignoring the pain it caused. Youre amazing, I said. I just hope I can be worthy of you. You already are, or I wouldnt have done it, she said, nibbling on my ear as she hugged me back and nuzzled her cheek into my neck. I just hugged her like that for a long time. There was more to discuss, but it could wait. I was still thinking about which elf Id mark, and I didnt want to press her with too many questions about how itd work until I was actually ready to do it. For now I just needed to enjoy being back, being alive, so that I could heal in heart and body. Another decision to make was which other monster girl to mark besides Autumn, but that was a fairly obvious choice. Bonny would have to be itshe bore my first children and had been nothing but good to me since Id known her. I desperately wanted to keep her close, and I knewsomehow I just knewthat she had been coveting a closer connection with me for quite some time. After a time, we returned to bed. A few hours later, though, we all got up, me included, and I tried to make myself useful on the farm but was admonished at every turn. Even Gumi scolded me when she saw me bending over trying to trim dead leaves off of plants and help with the tending. No, Bucky, no! she said rather passionately. Bad Bucky! Gumi need Bucky go! Go, Bucky! Rest! Tonight Gumi help Bucky rest! Tired of being told what to do, I snuck behind the keep where there were only a few goblins hanging around, and they couldn''t give two shits what I did with my time. I let out a shrill practiced whistle and grinned at the immediacy with which I watched my blue dragon-steed barreling toward me from the clouds. He landed with a skidding thud and nuzzled me so forcefully, whinnying so exaggeratedly it reminded me of those videos of needy dogs youd see freaking out when their masters got home from vacation. Relax, boy! I laughed, petting his neck lovingly. Good boy, lets go for a ride, what do you say? Daddy? a tiny familiar voice sounded out behind me. What are you doing with Blue? I whipped back and saw Carrotina standing there, wearing a cute little white dress that was a bit dirty from rolling around on the ground or whatever it is that bunny girl kids do for fun. Whats that you got in your hands, sweety? I asked, pointing at a half-open burlap sack of carrots. She closed it in a rush. Nothing, she said. Then she looked over her shoulder guiltily. Dont tell mommy, please! she squeaked. Did you steal carrots from the farm? I asked her, trying to take a fatherly tone, but more or less grinning ear to ear. Maaaaybe, she confessed. Can you keep my secret, daddy? That depends, I said. I dont think your mommy would like me riding Blue until Im done healing up, so lets make a deal. Her floppy bunny ears shot up. What deal? she said. Dont tell anyone that Im going for a ride, and I wont tell mommy about those carrots, but you have to promise me you wont steal them again. She frowned. You had me until the last bit, daddy, she whimpered. I laughed a bit too loudly at that. Get over here, you little pumpkin, I said, and I reached down and swooped her up in my arms, causing her to giggle happily. Hang on tight, okay? Her eyes went wide. What are we doing? I grinned at her and pecked her once on her twitchy nose. Lets go for a father-daughter dragon ride. Chapter 55: Carrotina Soaring and performing aerial tumbles and dives in the air over the fields north of the sanctuary grounds was always fun. I loved the way the wind felt as it blew back my hairCwhich was now way shaggier than I remembered it. Flying on Blues back, holding fast to his scaly neck as we dipped and ripped through the air at irresponsible speedsCthat was always refreshing, and a great way to wake me up, too. But having Carrotina here with me, sharing in my gleeCI was beside myself with pride. The little bunny girl sat directly in front of me, and I kept one arm wrapped around her at all times while the other held tight to Blues reins. Despite having done this dozens and dozens of times before, the exhilaration was fresh with my own child wrapped up in my embrace, listening to her giggle and squeal with delight, feeling her wriggle and squirm as we tossed through the air. How high up can we go, daddy? she asked me. I grinned so wide it hurt my lips. Pretty flippin high, pumpkin. Show me! She didnt need to waste another breath on asking me a second time, no sir. We ascended rapidly as Blue felt me tug down on his reins and utter a hoot to confirm. With a whinny, we caught the wind and soared ever higher, higher, until we were among the lowliest of clouds where we saw A fucking black dragon-steed and its rider. Oh shit, oh shit, I groaned. Were going back down, pumpkin, hang tight. Daddy, its Uncle Aldon and Blackie! And then she noticed our sudden plummet. Why dont we go say hi? Okay, first of all, I groaned unappreciatively, "I dont know who told you to call Aldon your uncle, but Im extremely jealous that you apparently have a preexisting relationship with him. Oh, hes so nice, daddy! He and Aunt Winter are the best! My jaw clenched, and I felt my veins popping out of my neck. The best, huh? Better than daddy? She giggled. Of course not, daddy. Youre the super best. Uncle Aldon would never take me flying. He said it wasnt safe for little girls and only an idiot would take a kid on a dragons back. She mocked Aldons voice, and the derpy tone she selected for her impersonation made me proud. Im gonna kick your uncles ass one of these days, I growled, and then I leaned forward and kissed the top of her headCan earthy smell. She literally smelled like carrots. Then, behind me, I became aware of Blackie in my peripheral vision, approaching fast at my 8 oclock. I couldnt shake him, sure as hell couldnt pretend I didnt see them, either. I tried to, though. I refused to look backCbut Carrotina did, peering behind us and waving adorably at her uncle. Bucky! I heard Aldons voice, supernaturally loud, bellowing at me through the air. It was probably enhanced by a spell, making it even more troublesome to try to make like I hadnt noticed him. Bucky, dude! What are you doing! Go down! Land your freaking dragon! What a cunt. Actually, I liked Aldon, but in this moment in particular he was the biggest killjoy in all of Lusteria, on a mission to mess up daddy-daughter time and probably nag me like a bitch, too. Daddy, I think Uncle Aldon is asking us to go down, Carrotina said sweetly, sitting up straight so that one of her bunny ears blew into my mouth for a second before I spit it out. Well Uncle Aldon can get fucked, I growled under my breath, so quietly so that I was sure she couldnt hear it. But of course she could. Of course with her giant, adorable bunny ears she could hear every damn word. She gasped, and instantly I knew Id messed up. Thats one of those words mommy says you like to say but you shouldnt say, Carrotina said with a high, airy voice of curiosity. Yeah, well, in certain contexts Ive heard your mother abuse that word, too, soC Bucky! Get the fuck down on the ground! Carrotina giggled. There it is again. I sighed. Lets give this wizardly prick what he wants, I suppose, I said at last, defeat in my voice. We descended obediently, landing on the ground extra gently so as not to scare my baby girl. Aldon came in behind us, landing maybe a dozen yards back. He instantly leaped off of Blackie and ran, not walked, up to where I was taking my time helping Carrotina off of Blues saddle. Dude, youre awake! he shouted, sounding surprisingly elated. This is huge! I couldnt hold back a grin at the happy greeting. Yep, Im up and at em, I confirmed. Had to get out there and give Blue some love, you know? He nodded, but his face sank into a frown as he saw Carrotina start hopping around, taking big rapid bounds in pursuit of a butterfly. You thought it was a good idea to bring one of your daughters along? he asked. Wouldnt you? I shrugged. Come on, man, dont do this to me. I just met my kids for the first time in the last twenty-four hours. He shook his head in quiet disappointment. Bucky, youre clearly still in rough shape, he said, gesturing to my bandages and scars. And shes three months old! Oh, like that means a damn thing here. Shes already smarter than I was in high school. Aldon chuckled at that as we both stole looks over at Carrotina, who was busy trying to coax the butterfly she caught onto her nose. Shes smarter than you are now. Shes got more impulse control anyway. But keep an eye out for that one, he remarked. She stole a bunch of carrots last week and Autumn was pissed. I laughed. You dont say. Carrotina looked at me guiltily with her ears flopped downward. I wont do it again this week, I promise! Aldon sighed. Anyway, you really should head back before someone notices youre gone. Im going back now. You can come with me. Nah, just cover for me, I said, slapping him on the arm, which he didn''t receive well from the look on his face. Tell them my Apex Hero senses were tingling or something and I just had to get out. Then theyll kill me for not bringing you back. Dont put me in that position, he grunted. Please. Bonny is scary when shes pissed. I snorted at the idea. Bonny pissed? That would be new. Hell, even Winter would be pissed at me for letting you out of my sight, he added. You should really head back with me. Come on, man. Dont get me in trouble. I laughed at that, unable to peel my eyes from my daughter as she nuzzled Blue, holding his snout in her tiny paws. How is Winter doing? I asked. Shes fine, Aldon said. And then he paused. Have you seen her yet? I returned my eyes to him and shook my head in the negative. No, I said. Why? He swallowed hard. Shes pregnant. I grinned. Congrats! As an experienced monster girl father, let me just say youve got nothing to fear. Its been easy as hell so far. Aldon laughed. I suppose thats the benefit of being in an evisceration-induced coma for three months. You missed the hard days. I smirked. How bad was it? I asked. His eyes took on a faraway look as he looked at Carrotina. Pretty bad, Bucky, he said quietly. Pretty bad. Id have to hear more about that later, but at that moment there was one question on my mind. Why did you stay? I asked. He looked at me, shocked, maybe, that Id bring it up. Well, I mean, we completed our mission. You could have left with Winter and struck out in some other land. The Goblin Queen seems to have things locked down pretty well. Not that you arent welcomeCbut why did you stay? He nodded. To be honest, it was mostly Winters call. Things were pretty crazy after what happened to you, he said, gesturing at my chest where the bandages hugged the skin beneath my shirt. Autumn wasnt doing so hot, and Winter couldnt really bring herself to leave. They had a lot of issues to work out between them, but I had a feeling that seeing Autumn like that put a lot of things into perspective for my girl. I nodded. Autumn talked about some sibling rivalry at one point, but we were so busy from the moment you arrived that it never really came up. Guess we dodged that bullet, he grunted a laugh. Whats Carrotina doing? he added, his eyes going to where my daughter was. I looked back at her and saw the bunny girl shoving her face full of weeds. Pumpkin, youve got a whole bag of carrots. What are you doing? I like rubbing my face in dirty places! she squealed happily, rolling around on the ground. Guess youve got that in common with daddy, I grunted, quickly flashing a wink back at Aldon. Aldon winced at the crass joke. She stole more carrots, huh? he said after a pause. I just nodded, my eyes staying glued on my mischievous daughter. It wasnt a look of worry but pride. She was perfect as far as I was concerned. Im heading back for now, Bucky, Aldon said. Its good to see you back among the living. Likewise, I agreed. Good to see you, I mean. Dont snitch on me. Im gonna. You will not. I might, he shrugged. If they ask, I wont lie. They wont ask. No ones gonna look for me. He blinked at me as though Id just said the stupidest thing hed ever heard. Right, Apex Hero, close to death, isnt going to be missed when he disappears from his home without explanation after three months of being in a coma. Yep, no one will notice. I recoiled at that. When you put it that way, I should probably go back soon, too, I grunted. But I didnt. Aldon left, and I bid him adieu for the time being, promising to head back a few minutes later, but I sat Carrotina on my lap and sang Guns N Roses ballads to her for a solid half-hour before I heard my own tummy growl. Ive got carrots, daddy, she said, grinning up at me with her adorable buck-toothed face. I smirked. Give me one of those, I said, reaching into the sack as she held it up for me. I took a chomp out of a carrot and looked back down to her. She was grinning ear to fucking ear. What? I asked her, smirking at the funny expression. Now youre complicit, she said. I laughed. These fucking weirdly eloquent kids were going to be the death of me. The way language worked here simply made no sense, but honestly, when it came to child-rearing, it certainly made things more interesting. After we lightened the sack a bit more, I got onto Blues saddle and picked up Carrotina, placing her once again in front of me. With a kick and a whistle, we took off, and flying a far more direct path, not bothering to do too many twists and turns, we made our way back to the sanctuary quickly. We landed just at the edge of the field where we wouldnt be seen flying in on Blues back. I thought it was the wise choice, but as we plodded toward Tater Town I realized just how long wed be walking in an open field where anyone could see us approach. As we got closer and closer to the town on the hill, I started to think we might get away with it. Carrotina held my hand, grinning up at me, probably sharing a similar line of thinking. So far, no one was shouting out for us, no one was charging down the hill at us. All was well. Lets take you straight home, I said. Right, she responded. Whats the story? We went for a walk. Dont elaborate. We walked around the edge of town. What if they ask about these? Carrotina added, lifting up the sack of carrots. Tell her Uncle Aldon gave them to you. She grinned. Nice. I grinned. I was such a bad influence on my own daughter already. They were going to be rotten and spoiled and as adorable as could be. I already knew in my eyes, Carrotina and her sisters could do no wrong. I really did have a weakness when it came to my girlsCand that apparently extended to my daughters, too. Hmmm. Id have to work on this character flaw, I thought. Tomorrow, though. Bucky Wilbur Drake! a shout rang out at me from atop the hill. My butthole instantly clenched as I recognized Autumns angry voice. Get up here right now! Ahh shit. I looked down at Carrotina and shrugged, and she returned the look. I will sell you out in a second if I have to, daddy. Same, I nodded glumly. Guess well see how this plays out. We walked up the hill to our doom where Autumn and Etherea were glowering at us as we both slumped our shoulders downward. Hey, ladies. Etherea, its amazing to see you, IC You hold on a moment, hero, the chesty moon elf said through a vicious side-eye. Let me deal with the child first. She looked down at Carrotina. What happened? Carrotina caved instantly. Daddy took me flying on Blues back! I just went along because I wanted to get to know my dad! Im sorry! Oh come on, she stole a bagful of carrots! I protested, pointing at the treacherous bunny girl. Autumn sighed openly and shook her head. Incredible. Carrotina, Im taking you to your mom. Etherea, check on Buckys wounds, please. Etherea nodded, but her lip twitched in anger. My eyes went to her bellyCshe was starting to show. Before Autumn could take my daughter away, though, the little orange-haired thing clung to my leg with a great big hug. Will you see me again tomorrow? I laughed. Of course, I said. Im not going anywhere. Ill see you every day. She looked up at me dew-eyed and happy. You promise? Every day that Im not on a mission or something, you and all the other girls will be my main focus. I knelt down and scooped her into my arms for one more big hug and a kiss on the cheek. Try to smooth things over with your mother for me, okay? She nodded with a wide grin on her adorable face and charged toward the smithys cottage with Autumn following behind her. Ethereas expression looked even more complex than it had before. ICIm very disappointed in you, hero, she said, her voice shaky. She was sweating and pawing at her neck as she spoke, and I started to grow a bit concerned. I perhaps shouldnt have, but I expected better of you. Risking your own health is bad enough, but disappearing without explanation to go on a dragon ride with your three month old child? I shrugged. I cant say no to her, I admitted. Youre going to have to learn to, she said. Im not interested in that so much, I stated plainly with a low shrug. Her lip twitched again, and she tugged at the silky white dress that she wore which just barely concealed her breasts and lower body from my view. Ethereal with her pale bluish skin, her white hair, her cerulean eyesCshe was beautiful. The pointed ears got me hot, too. She also was one of the most buxom girls in town, giving out strong milf vibes that were even more overpowering now that she sported the proof of her pregnancy as a bump on her belly. Are you ogling me? she said breathily. Sorry, I shrugged. Ive been out for a while and you missed the party last night. Yes well, I wasC She shook her head and refocused. Thats neither here nor there, hero. ICI cant believe you would endanger umm Whats wrong? I asked. I need to wrap your wounds, She said suddenly, straightening up, her eyes seeming glazed over. Yes, lets go. My cottage. Ill freshen up your bandages and do some basic healing magic to keep your recovery going. I nodded. Alright, no problem. I thought Id already waded through the worst of the naggingChonestly it wasnt half as bad as I expected, though I hadnt dealt with Bonny yet. We walked into Ethereas home, and the hearth already had a fire in it. Okay, I said, stretching, staring at the bed that I apparently spent three months upon. I suppose I should take off my shirt andCholy fuck. I turned to look at the busty moon elf and found her naked and approaching me fast. I need you now, she groaned, her eyes crossing for a split second. MyCmy hormones are going out of control. Seeing you get all paternal with Carrotina it fucked me up. I need you inside me, but youre in no condition for normal sex. I heard her plight and nodded solemnly as my cock bulged to life. Aww yiss, I said softly. Youre hurtin for a squirtin. I can dig it, babe. I like to consider myself a problem solver. Whatever it was that she needed, wounds be damned, I was ready to provide. With a naked moon elf throwing herself at me, baby bump and all, I wasnt about to shirk my responsibilities as a man and provider and simply worry about my health or well-being when something so critical as sex was on the line, no sir. I activated Endure 1 and prepared for the delightful pain. How do you want to do this? I asked her, gesturing at the wide open room around us. She groaned. Sit and lean with your back against the headboard of the bed, hero, she said with a huff, I think I know a way to do this safely. I cocked my eyebrow at her with a lascivious grin. Whats the plan? She grinned right back as sweat trickled down her neck into the heavenly valley between her heavy breasts. Its easier to just do it, she said. NowCgive me your cock. I was only so eager to oblige. Chapter 56: Scolded” by Etherea (SMUT) I obediently assumed the position she''d requested of me on Etherea''s bed. I gritted my teeth with a heady spell of lust, admiring her perfect body she knelt on the mattress before me: long legs that ended at tiny feet, plump breasts capped by puffy darker blue nipples that sat on her boobs like dollops of cream, slim waist encircled by a silken black belt, and full hips that tapered into shapely thighsshe was an ideal woman. The pointy ears certainly didn''t hurt, either. Etherea shivered through a clenched jaw, her brow still furrowed as she pathetically tried to maintain a show of anger. "I''m very disappointed in you, hero," she groaned, her eyelids fluttering as she saw my immensity revealed before her. "You should really know better than to spoil Carrotina like that. And your wounds!" She gestured to the bandages on my chest. I was getting really fucking tired of hearing about my wounds. "Look at the state of you. You should be bed-ridden." "I humbly await your tender ministrations," I growled at her with a wink, and again she shook like the flame of a candle, unable to hide how turned on she was. "Fuck, hero," she seethed, grabbing hold of my rock hard shaft and crawling closer. "Seeing you dote on her, speak to her likelike a father! It made my quim as hot as the furnaces of Aurora City." She sighed heavily as she stroked me off. "And I''ve been waiting so, so long to fuck you again." I laughed at her amusing rationalizations. "Hey, you don''t need to explain yourself to me," I shrugged, but the moon elf shot me a cross look, half-biting her lip either out of arousal or angst. "I do," Etherea said darkly. "I do, because I''m still upset with you, butParagon help me, I can''t stop myself." I smirked. "Works for me. Want me to plow you, or do you want to ride?" She shook her head severely, scowling at both suggestions, but seemed to offer contradictory words. "Lean back. I''m going to crawl into your lap." "Giddyup," I said, obediently leaning against the headboard so that my back was arched and my lap exposed. Etherea watched me move with a dull glint in her eyes, but they lit back up in an instant when her gaze fell back upon my fat dick. She wasted no time climbing into my lap, but she remained elevated, not sitting on her thighs, but kneeling upright like she was in church. Still, my cock, big as it was, was only an inch away from tasting her slit as she dangled her enticing cunt above it. "My pussy justI need to feel your dick inside me, but I don''t think you could handle me riding you properly," she said, chewing on her lip as she looked me in the eye. "You''ve got me on the edge of my seat here," I chuckled. "What''s the play?" Etherea nodded once and looked down between her thighs where my manhood was threatening to impale her if she gave me but an inch. She reached down and grabbed me by the root and started stroking from the base, all the way up to the tip. Her hand felt warm and smooth, almost too good to believe. My balls tightened with excitement, my toes curling as she teased me. I was excited to find how sensitive I still was even after last night''s fuckfest. "Bucky, I''m going to insert just the tip, alright?" she said, asking me for permission. "Then, I''m going to jack you off with half of your dick inside me. That way I won''t be exerting too much force on your body, but I can still feel your cum inside me." She didn''t wait for an answer to her very rhetorical question. My mouth formed a little surprised ''o'' as she pulled me into a kiss with one hand while continuing to rub me off with the other. I grunted with pleasure as she guided me over her wetness, watching her blue cuntlips part as she slowly lowered herself onto my lengthonly the tip and a bit more of the upper half of my dick went in. The odd contrast I felt, with half of my cock exposed to the open air, and the other half sunken into molten hot and wet elven pussyit was oddly exhilarating. I moaned softly as she slid another couple inches of my girth inside her, but then she relented an inch, realizing, perhaps, that she was in danger of going too deep. If she sank down to the base, I doubted she''d be able to stop herself from going full cowgirl on top of me. Etherea''s hand started moving again, this time faster, jacking me off as she shuddered at the feeling of my inside hereven just a bit. The smooth, skillful pumps of her fingers were driving me insane. I stared into her panting face, seeing the intensity in her eyes, the passion of her expression, her brow still furrowed at me as though she were still angry. I couldn''t keep my hands to myself any longer; I squeezed her breasts, kneading them, cupping her round mounds, and pinching her nipples between my thumb and forefinger. Etherea gasped as I did so, her lips parting as she cried out, "Yes...yes, Bucky..." Her voice grew louder as I continued to work her tits, twisting and pulling on those stiff nubs until they stood erect, begging for attention. I leaned in close as she stroked me off inside her cunt, latching my lips onto one of her blue nipples, sucking on it roughly. She squealed with delight, biting her lip as I slurped on her tit. Then, I took the nipple in my teeth, tugging on it, making her cry out, "Oh, gods, yes!" And then, to my surprise, a little jet of milk squirted into my mouth. I let out a gasp. "Oh shit! More milky titties!" I hadn''t even considered it. Still Etherea looked to be a bit early along in her pregnancy to be producing milkbut I wasn''t going to complain. "Yes, hero, suckle my nectar while I jack you off inside my depths," she moaned, her eyes gone glassy as she gazed down at me. Etherea''s tongue slipped out of her mouth to lick her lower lip, and I gasped at the beautiful lewdness of that little gesture. I sucked on her breast, drinking down every drop of milk that spilled from her swollen teat. The taste wasn''t sweet like May Belle''s or reminiscent of vanilla like Daisy''sit tasted more like normal milk, if a bit hotter. Still, it was delicious, nonetheless, and you weren''t about to see me criticizing breast milk. That was not my fucking brand. Etherea''s breathing quickened, her cheeks flushed, and her whole body trembled as I nursed on her tits. I loved the way she was writhing around on top of me, trying hard not to give into her own urges and completely ride me. She continually jerked my cock in her little elven hand, licking and biting her lips, moaning like a wanton slut the whole time. "Bucky, fuck," she said. "If you just buried yourself inside me to the base even once, I''d lose all control." "Don''t tempt me," I groaned, reveling in her feminine scent. Her hot girlcum dripped down my cock, sluicing it with the proof of her own insane levels of arousal. It was intoxicating. I wanted to take her right there, but I knew she was probably right. If we started fucking, I might reopen some wounds, and I wouldn''t want her feeling responsible for that. Fuck. It was very hard to control myself though as I drank from her teat like a needy little calf while she milked my cock with her hand, trying desperately to get me to fill her cunt with my seed. Every time I thought about taking her, my balls twitched in hopehope that I''d succumb to my urges. But I held firm, knowing I needed to be gentle with myself, taking things nice and slow. Yeah, I could handle this. I could do this! I could "Ahhh, fuck this, hero!" Etherea groaned, sinking down rapidly, releasing me with her hands, letting her tunnel suck my cock inside her until I was poking at the entrance to her womb. The thought that she was pregnant made that feel a bit weird. She glowed, pink radiance emanating from her skin. "What the fuck is going on?" I asked as she rode me like a madwoman. "I''m using healing magic while we make love to try to preemptively counteract any damage I''m about toAuhhuggh!" She moaned and screamed as she came, and her entire body shook as she writhed atop me, crying out like an animal in heat. Her pussy gripped me tightly, milking me off as she spasmed through orgasmic bliss, squeezing me as if she was desperate to coax every ounce of sperm out of me. Not that she needed it. But I didn''t cumnot yet. Afte Etherea calmed down, she dismounted me with a wet plop, her face looking smug and rather pleased with herself as she wiped the sweat off her forehead. She leaned forward onto her elbows, her ass raising up into the air and wiggling as she started licking her own juices off of my cock. "That''s fucking hot," I groaned, watching the sight of Etherea eating her own goopy sex juice off my dick. She grinned up at me, licking her lips before saying, "So are you, hero." Then she scowled. "I''m still upset with you, though." I chuckled. "Somehow I think I''ll get by." I felt her lips stretch to take me into her warm, wet mouth. She bobbed up and down, swirling her tongue around the head, sucking on it as she swallowed me down. She moaned as she did so, and I could feel the vibrations of her throat vibrate against my shaft. "Mmm, you taste so good," she purred, her voice husky and sensual. "I can''t believe you''re finally awake. I missed you so much." I grunted, thrusting upward slightly. "Yeah? Well, I''ve been dreaming of you girls constantly, so I didn''t have to miss you too much." She smiled at me, her eyes sparkling as she slobbered on my cock. "Well, allow me to show you why the real thing is much better than a fever dream, hero." Etherea took me back into her mouth. She grabbed me by the asscheeks and forced my entire length all the way down her throat, gagging herself as she tried to take on my whole dick. Soon, though, she pulled back, gasping for breath, but always got right back to work immediately afterward. She coughed several times whenever she recovered, but when her lungs were clear enough, Etherea looked up at me with those lust-filled, faux-angry eyes and started sucking me off once more. The texture of her tongue as it glided across my flesh was divine; it was soft and silken, and I had no idea how she managed to manipulate it with such precision. Her motions became quicker and more frantic, and soon I was fucking her face with abandon, pounding away at her mouth as she bobbed up and down, swallowing me whole each time I pushed forward. "Oh, fuck, Etherea," I grunted as I slammed my hips upward, driving my dick all the way into her throat. Her nose was pressed against my pelvis, and I could feel her nostrils flaring as she struggled for air while I unloaded load after load of cum into her mouth. I felt her throat clench around my dick, and I cried out in ecstasy until I had nothing left to give. She got back on her knees and opened her mouth wide with her hands open under her chin to show me my own pearly cum. I watched as her lips puckered open, revealing a few strands of the stuff hanging from her parted lips. Some of it dripped onto her hands, but she just licked it off, smiling at me. "Did you enjoy that?" she asked me after swallowing it all. I nodded with gusto. She smiled wickedly. "Good. Because now I''m going to take you to see Bonny." My eyes went wide with fear. "Just kidding," she giggled. "You can rest here for now. But if Bonny comes here to talk to you, I am staying out of it." I let out a tired, exasperated sigh. "Fair enough," I said. Etherea unwrapped my bandages and examined me carefully. I was impressed that she was able to stomach the grisly sight, but I suppose they had all seen me in much worse condition than I was now. I gritted my teeth as she applied stinging ointments to my wounds, watching in awe as she skillfully worked her fingers over my torn flesh, using a combination of balms and magic to continue to speed along my recovery. She employed a special salve mixed with herbs that was cold against my scarred and torn flesh, but it was comforting, too. I let out a relieved sigh as I saw her retrieving fresh bandages from the trunk beside the bed. It was almost over. She wrapped me up tight again, and I felt as though I could already feel myself healing, though I knew that was probably just my imagination. "When do you think I''ll be good for questing?" I asked her. She cocked a suspicious eye at me. "I never knew you to be eager to leave for a quest," she noted. "Who are you and what have you done with the original Bucky Drake?" I laughed at her comment. "I received a vision of a way to heal my dragon wounds. Well, at least help with them, I guess," I shrugged. She looked at me skeptically. "And how did you receive this vision?" I explained the whole dream to her, how Terastrazia had reached out to me in my sleep, and how she had told me to seek a nymph''s tears. I told her how Autumn had already pointed me in the right direction, and I was eager to be done with this fucking curse. "I see," she replied. "I understand you wanting to not be babied in this way forever. Perhaps if we monitor you carefully it may be possible to allow you to leave in a few weeks for such a quest. Assuming the peace with the Dark Queens holds." "Do you think it will?" I asked. She nodded slowly as she tied off the final bandage. "I think so, yes. For a time. But it''s only temporary. The other Apex Heroes are keeping them busy for now, and the Goblin Queen''s territory is looking less appealing than ever before." "How did you know about the other Apex Heroes keeping them busy?" I asked. "Is it because Autumn communicates with the other catgirls in her sleep?" Etherea frowned at me, her lip curling out as she realized she was about to give me some bad news. "Bucky, Autumn sacrificed all her powers for you," she said. "She is cut off from the others." My eyes went wide with horror. "She''s cut off from her sisters?" "And cousins, yes. That''s one reason why Winter has been staying aroundso Autumn can still communicate with the others by proxy." "Fuck," I said, making a fist. "That sucks. She didn''t have to do that." "If she didn''t, you''d be dead," Etherea pointed out. I had no response to that. The night flowed onward, time passing by as diligently as ever until Autumn came to retrieve me. I looked at her with new eyes. "DaddyI mean, Bucky, let''s go back to the keep. Darkmaw wants to brief us on some things, and the rest of the girls miss you." I nodded, only happy to go. "You coming with, Etherea?" I asked. "My home is here," she said sadly. "For now, anyway. Besides, I will be meeting with Vale and Scalia later. Have you seen them yet? I know they''ve been anxious to visit with you." "Send them to the keep to visit," I suggested. "I''d love to say hi." "I think that would be good," Etherea said with a nod, "Because Vale''s babies are due tomorrow and Scalia laid her egg weeks ago." "Holy fuck," I said solemnly, looking at Autumn. "This is bad." "Why?" Autumn asked, sounding kind of shocked at the response. "Because I''m objectively a terrible father," I laughed. Etherea nodded. "Yes, you are. But you''re a great daddy. I could see how much Carrotina worshiped you in that brief moment I saw you two together. Don''t worry, Bucky. You''re doing fine." I felt a bit heartened by that, and I stretched, standing up and looking down at my gorgeous blonde catgirl. "Alright, Autumn, should we" "I want kittens," she blurted out. "I regret not having you impregnate me." She blushed, her cheeks turning bright red as she stared at me. I blinked my eyes at her as my mouth flapped impotently in pursuit of something, anything to say. "Iokay," I offered up at last. "Okay?" she repeated hopefully. I nodded. "Yeah, okay. But I want to mark you first, so give me a bit more time to recover." She grinned, the widest grin I''d ever seen on her. It reminded me of Carrotina''s dirt-faced smile and made me chuckle. "Okay, let''s head back to the keep. Etherea, thank you for taking care of Bucky." "My pleasure," she said, her own face flushing at her suggestive choice of words. "Literally," I added. Autumn tittered at that, and we left, walking out of Etherea''s cottage toward the keep. The drawbridge lowered to receive us, and I heard the creak of it being raised again as we passed through it and walked into the corridor where our room was. We met up with everyone else, who were gathered around Darkmaw waiting for us. "You''re here at last, Apex Hero," she said, beaming at me. "I heard you got into some trouble with Bonny today." "Ahh shit, is she pissed?" I asked. "Very pissed," May Belle giggled. Daisy shrugged. "I would have loved for Bucky to spend time with my daughter," she said, patting her own super pregnant belly. "Okay, enough with the baby talk for now," I grumbled. "Darkmaw, there was something you were going to brief us on, right? What is it?" She grinned. "The queen would like to make arrangements for your coronation, wedding, and consummation, Apex Hero. There are many details to discuss." I swallowed nervously. "Sounds like fun," I said weakly, scanning the proud faces of my girlsexcept for May Belle, who I noticed looked a bit irritated. "Now, I need all of you to listen and participate. We must decide the theme for the wedding. How do you like ''United in Blood?''" Sprinkle perked up, rubbing her hands against her cheeks. "Honestly?" she said, "I think everyone will agree that that''s the most romantic thing they''ve ever heard." I frowned. I could already tell this was going to be a hell of a wedding to plan. Chapter 57: Is Daddy in Trouble? If I could go back in time one year and tell Mickey Ds Bucky that in just a few months he was going to be whisked away by a hot catgirl to a fantasy world, Id punch my own damn self in the face. Now, add to that the fact that in said fantasy world I would end up as some kind of superhero with powers that made me the ideal sperm donor for a whole bunch of preternaturally sexy monster girlsI think Id kick myself in the nuts for saying something so ridiculous. Add to that that within several months of arriving Id be engaged to someone called The Goblin Queen, a seven foot tall Amazonian goddess of an orc brood mother, with my own doting harem of elf and monster girl concubineswell shit. Not to mention I slayed a freaking dragon. These were the thoughts that went through my head as I listened absently to the prattling of Darkmaw as she explained the way the wedding ceremony would work. In a nutshell, in about a week it was estimated that my injuries would be convalesced to the point where a coronation could happen. The coronation would involve cutting open a fresh wound on our neck and suckling the blood from one another to symbolize being United by Blood, the weird unicorn-friendly theme of the wedding. I didnt give a shit. A little public display of blood-drinking affection wasnt gonna scare me off at this point. Sprinkle once bit one of my nipples off during foreplayright in front of Daisy and Bonny, too. If I could get through the pain and embarrassment of that, I could handle a little aggressive necking. What I was a bit more trepidatious about was what would happen after I get my cute little crown. Similar to the old medieval marriages between nobles I used to read about in history class back in the day, the first time we had sex we were expected to have witnesses to ensure that the marriage had been consummated and made official under the eyes of the Lusterian gods, who Marrowheart was trying to win back the trust of after centuries of playing the bad guy on and off. The issue with the so-called consummation was not so much that it required a witness, but that Marrowheart wanted my whole harem to attend. It felt weird, asking them to witness me going to town on the Goblin Queen. I just knew May Belle was going to give me shit and get all grumpy over it for days afterward. But wed have to cross that bridge when we got there. For now I just nodded and uttered a polite affirmative grunt every now and again to signify I was listeningwhich I almost was. I probably picked up every other word or so, but at the moment all I could think about was how out of hand my life had gotten and how much I wanted to just bail on this meeting and make out with the girls in my harem and visit Bonny to see my daughters. Are you paying attention, Apex Hero? Darkmaw frowned at me. Ive got the basics down, I grunted back. Dont worry, itll go off without a hitch. Im surprised youve been so willing to cooperate, Autumn noted. I shrugged. Almost dying twice within a few days and then landing in a prolonged coma kind of puts things into perspective. If you girls want me to do it, Ill do it. If it keeps Lusteria safe, then so be it. End of story. Nothing else matters. A cold silence fell over the room, and I just basked in it. I realized that I had really changed after everything that had happened. I was a lot more focused on the things that mattered to me, and maybe even a bit wiser. Taking the licks Id been getting really beat some sense into you, as you might expect. When the meeting wrapped, I excused myself, promising to join up with Autumn and the other chicks back in our room. For now, though, I knew I was expected at Bonnys, and though I was sure I was going to get my ass reamed out, I couldnt find myself giving a fuck. All I looked forward to was seeing the mother of my children and my seven little girls. It was raining when I left the keep. I saw Ivy perched in a tree looking forlornly out at the fields, no doubt bemoaning the fact that shed spent an hour of her time watering the crops earlier in the day only for it to deluge in the evening. I smirked sympathetically and waved. She waved back, leaning against a large branch and smiling at me sweetly. I flashed back to that Lusterian Double Cuntjob for a split second. Woof. That was a good time. Walking through Tater Town, I ended up at the smithy, just as Id intended, with no interruptions. I rapped on the door. The door opened, creaking on its hinges as light from the hearth and a dozen or so candles beckoned to me warmly from inside. Bonny, though, with the daughter I recognized as Flopsy in her arms, greeted me with a less welcoming expression. Mr. Drake, she grunted curtly. Come in. I chewed the inside of my cheek and buried my hands in my pockets in shame. Hey, sweety, I said, evoking a flicker of a smile on her pretty face for the briefest moment before it was banished back into frownstill pretty. She set Flopsy down onto the ground and swatted her back gently. Flopsy, go join your sisters in your hutch bed. Mommy needs to say a few words to daddy. Is daddy in trouble? Flopsy said, her voice easily the highest and squeakiest of all the bunny girls. Bonnys lack of an answer was very conspicuous and foreboding. Go to your room or no carrots later. Eep! Flopsy said, suddenly obediently hopping toward the door to her hutch in the back. She disappeared moments later. Look, Bonny, I started, Im sorry, but Bonny didnt let me answer. Instead, she took a sudden lurching step forward and grabbed my cheeks in her paws, pulling me tight against her lips. She was kissing me? I kissed her back, very confused. But I wasnt about to argue with this. The alternative seemed much worse. Am I not in trouble? I asked cautiously. I couldnt see the look on her face because she kept it pressed against mine as she replied. By Hierophant''s wisdom, no! she said. Oh, of course I had to play it up in front of the girls, but youve made me so happy, Mr. Drake. Just remember, you can call me Bucky, I smirked, returning her assault of kisses in kind. She ignored that. Mr. Drake, youre such an amazing father. I heard about everything from Carrotina and Autumn! You love my girls so much, dont you? Our girls, I said, and of course I do. I fell in love with them the instant I knew they existed. Her kisses became more feverish, her paws confused about where they wanted to go, so they settled on my back. You took her for her first dragon ride, and you ate carrots with her in the field. YouI cant believe it. Its beyond my expectations. I thought you would Thought I would, what? I asked, genuinely intrigued. Show no interest in my own kids? Frankly, yes. I thought you only had enough love for your marked girls. I didnt dare dream youd make time for my daughters. Our daughters, I grinned. And Im glad you brought up my marked girls. Oh? she asked, her lips parting to make the sound, cutely exposing her bucked teeth. I actually have two points for marking new girls. Obviously, Autumn is overduebut so are you. If youre interested, of course, I said, backing off a bit at the last part, hoping she wouldnt feel too pressured. She pulled back from the kissing and for a moment I thought Id made her uncomfortable, but the dewy, emotional look in her eye said otherwise. Me? she asked. You wouldyou, Apex Hero Bucky Drake, would choose to mark me? I nodded. If youre willing. No pressure. Take some time to think about it if Yes! she shouted, her voice high and luxurious in tone, her happiness seeping through every aspect of her, from her posture to her expression to her words. Yes, Bucky! Of course, its the easiest yes of my life! I felt a wave of relief transform my tense face back into a beaming smile. Im so relieved to hear you say that. I cant wait to tell the girls! she said, clapping her hands. You mean Daisy, May Belle, and Sprinkle? I asked hopefully. No, she said, well, them too, actually, but I meant myour daughters! I cringed and took a step back in disgust. What? Why would you tell them? Why shouldnt I? she replied, crossing her arms and cocking an annoyed eyebrow at me. Youre making a bonded woman out of me. Its a great comfort! They should know! Well, but the logistics of it, I mean, I said, pantomiming the universal gesture for sex with my fingers. She laughed, a throaty, musical sound that caught me off guard. Oh, Mr. Drakedid you think wed tell them how it happens? I blinked. Oh. I guess that isnt necessary, is it? I said, scratching my head in embarrassment. What do we tell them, then? Nothing, she said, except that youre marking me, and that means that you and I and our girls will all always be connected. I nodded. Okay, fair enough, I said. Go ahead and tell them. Now? she asked. What? No, I meanwhen Im gone. Bonny frowned at me. Dont you want to be there when I tell them? Theres always a chance I could fuck something like this up, I noted. Personally I would advise keeping me as far away from a situation like this as possible. Bonny leaned against her table, jutting out her breasts accidentally, but I appreciated the view. I see your point, she said. You would probably utter something profane Hey, come on. I have a filter in front of the kids, I said. She flashed a skeptical look, cocking her head sideways. Really? Carrotina told me you said fuck in front of her. I pursed my lips. I thought she couldnt hear me. Bonny sighed. Were definitely going to have to work on that self control of yours. Saying that somehow triggered something in me. I took a step toward her, admiring the way her proffered chest was angled so perfectly toward my gaze. How about we test your self control? I said. What do you say, mommy? She bit her lip. The girls are in the next room Look right here, I said, pointing at my face. Who do you see? She looked confusedsomewhere between confused and horny, anyway. I see Mr. Drake? You see a guy who got burned by dragon blood and cut open by an ogre general. Im going to fingerblast you right here, right now, until you cum so loud that they all come out to check up on you. Mr. Drake, thats too Call me Bucky, I said, growling as my finger danced up her thigh, slipping inside of her loincloth. Before even reaching her slit, I felt her wetness, sticky and hot, caking her thighs. Buckyare you sure? Cottontail always comes out for a drink of milk around this time, Bonny said, her voice going hoarse as I felt her surrendering to the lust I was working to inspire in her. Where do you keep the milk? I asked, looking around. In my tits, of course, she giggled, but her giggle broke into a heady moan as my finger teased her entrance. But then I stopped. Hold up, you have milky tits, too? She nodded, looking somewhat disappointed. Yes, I have to prepare a bottle for her soon. I whimpered. You were just going to live your life as usual without letting me know you were lactating this whole time? Isorry, I guess? she said, confused by the genuine hurt on my face. Would youlike some? She tugged lightly at the strap around her breasts. Like some what, mommy? I had never taken a backward step more rapidly in my life than when I heard Cottontails little voice and saw her appear, silent as death, just a few feet away from us. Cottontail! Bonny shrieked in surprise. Mommy was just going to pour you a bottle! Why do you look so excited, mommy? our daughter asked. She was dragging a doll made out of burlap and corn husks. It was kind of creepy, but cute at the same time. Bonny did look pretty excited. She was breathing heavily, and her tanned cheeks were reddened with a rosy blush, lit up incandescently with her arousal. I think I should get going, I said, not wanting to interrupt the mother-daughter ritual or cut it short with my presence. Lets pick this up again soon, okay? She nodded. Okay. Right. Thanks for stopping by Mr. DrakeBucky. I grinned, leaned forward, pecked Cottontail on the forehead, and headed off into the night, hands in my pockets. I wouldnt make it back to the keep that night. Chapter 58: The Witch virgilknightley I left my bunny waifu behind to take care of Cottontails late-night hankering for milka craving she and I both shared, I reflected amusedly. I was already thinking about how and when Id get my next creamy fix when a bolt of lightning shook me halfway out of my skin, striking a dead tree in the field down the hill from Bonnys cottage. The rain had turned to storming, and a powerful gale of wind blew the droplets into my face with such force that they almost flew directly at me like someone had shot them from a thousand Super Soakers. The weather was utter shit, and I thanked my lucky nuts that it was a very short walk from Bonnys to the keep. As I walked against the wind, though, I noticed the town, how alive it felt. Candles and fires were lit in each home, and a faint saffron glow emanated from the windows. I felt an odd draw toward them, wanting to look inside and see what the women of the town did to occupy themselves at night, maybe pop into Vales or Scalias to say hi. But it was a different house that ultimately claimed my entire attention. As the rain poured down, permeating my clothes with wetness worthy of May Belles pussy when I gave her even a modicum of attention, my eyes flew to the abandoned cabin of the Griffin-Witch, Zelda. Only it wasnt abandoned. Whereas a persimmon orange light radiated from most of the cottages, Zeldas glowed in refracted blue lights like beams of luminosity scattered by a flawed topaz. I stopped in my steps, sinking into my own footprints in the muddy earth below me as I stared intently at the domicile as if waiting for some sort of permission. I didnt hear a call of permission, per sebut I did feel something. In my chest, a pulling sensation seemed to be beckoning to me. It very well may have been all in my head, but at that particular moment, it was all the drive I needed to explore. I approached the cabin, noting a sunken flagstone pathway beneath my feet. Had it been there before? I wasnt sure. I certainly never noticed such a thing before. As I stared down at the pathway, I watched as it unfolded before me almost in real time, quietly escorting me to the front door of cabin. The solid oak door had a symbol of an eagles head notched in it, and the brassy handle gleamed almost eerily bright in the underlit night. I reached out for the handle instinctivelybut caught myself at the last moment. That would have been rude. Instead, I extended my hand gently toward the door, but the door opened itself up for me before my knuckles could reach it. Ohhh magic bullshit, I grinned. Living up to the hype. So it is you. I heard the voice long before I could see its source. I scanned the room, but it was dark, with a bubbling cauldron spilling a pale and underwhelming azure light across the walls and shelves full of eerie ingredients. Hi, I grunted, still unafraid and unintimidated, to be frank. My names Bucky, pleased to make you acquain With a puff of black smoke, she appeared in front of me. She was a monster girl, alright, but capitalize the monster and leave the girl in parentheses. In all my time in Lusteria I honestly never saw a monster girl as unfuckable as her. She wore a raggedy black cloak and looked largely like a slightly anthropomorphized eagle, but even that was overly generous. Whereas most of the girls in town still had a large portion of their bodies appearing primarily like humans, she had none of that except a vaguely human shape. She stood on two legs, like a human, but otherwise she was just a people-sized griffin in clothes. I found myself a little let down by that at firstbut then quickly realized how fucked up I was for thinking that. I certainly had enough willing pussy in my life. I know who you are, Apex Hero, she said, her voice scalding with its urgency. Finally youve come. How long have you been in town? I asked, surprised at her use of finally. At least ten minutes! she said. Now hurry, there is little time to waste. With a flick of her wrist, a table full of books cleared itself and its contents fled back to their shelves and cupboards. With another gesture, a shimmering crystal ball appeared at the center of the table. Whats the hurry? I asked, bewildered by the apparent tone of emergency in her voice. Weve barely been introduced. Im Zelda. Shut the fuck up and sit down, she said, pointing at a chair that scooted itself out from under the table. Cautiously, I obeyed, plopping my ass upon the wooden seat. I could tell she meant business, and I was too curious not to humor her for at least a moment. Okay, now, look in the crystal ball. Again, I followed her instructions. What am I looking for? So far I was just staring at an opaque blue orb. Focus on it. Now, recall when you slayed the dragon, and its gaping throat wound bled onto your arms and neck, scalding you, disfiguring you forever. Do you remember it, Bucky? I scoffed. Yeah, I fuckin remember it. Why the fuck do you know about it? I asked, suddenly less amused by all of this. Focus on the orb. Ponder it, feel its magic wash over you. I squinted at the stupid orb, feeling nothing but the rankle of her squawky voice. I stared at it for a solid minute in silence, occasionally looking up at her expectantly like I was missing the second half of my instructions. Thats exactly what it felt like, anyway. Just ponder the orb, Bucky. Feel its magic. You said that beforewhat the fuck is going on? Clasp your hands together. Try to summon your HUD. My eyes went wide. I obeyedjust as before, though, nothing happened. I had allowed myself to get my hopes up. Even once you retrieve the nymphs tears, it wont be enough. The pain will subside, but the disfigurement that disables you will linger. You will need to find a new way to access your powera new system, perhaps. I narrowed my eyes at her suspiciously. I really like the current system, I uttered, thinking of my Harem Knight feat in particular. She shook her head. I can allow you to keep your featsthat much can be preserved. But your Trained Skills must go. What?! I said, thinking of all the skill points Id spent. Id be starting all over again? Not exactly, she said. You would be using the system that the Lusterian gods designed for those with missing hands or limbs or who are otherwise unable to access the HUD in the traditional way. This second path emphasizes attributes over skills, as well as the unique ability to create bonds with magical weapons. Feats, generally, carry over from one system to another. Can I still breathe fire? I asked. I liked that power, as well as Endure. What about my whole dragon destiny. Will I lose Dragon Affinity? Technically you lose nothing, she said, All of those energies will be reconverted into your essence, which you will be able to draw on, improvising powers. They may be less potent at first, but as you practice and repeat things, you will unconsciously level them up. Why are you capable of doing this? I asked. And how do you know about everything? I know much, she offered, and that was all she said. Zelda tapped the crystal ball, and I stared in it again. This time, place your hands on it, she said. This is a Lusterian Orb, connected directly to the holy energies of the gods. It is one of the sources of my own power, and Im spending much of its remaining essence on you, Bucky. I cocked an eyebrow at that. Okay, but why? Because you are the Apex Hero I deem most likely to defeat the remaining two Dark Queens and bring peace to Lusteria. I would give all my power to see that goal fulfilled. I studied her carefully, looking into her predatory eyes as she continually sized me up. To be honest, I just want to raise my daughters and eat carrots with them, I shrugged. And, I dont know if you notice, I continued, placing a hand on my messed up chest, Im not in battle-ready condition. She smirked at that. Not yetbut you will be. You just need to rest a bit longer and retrieve the nymphs tears. As for your daughters, her smile faded for this part, I urge you to remember that they will all die or otherwise fall to the enemy if you shirk your quest. And just like that, I was on board. Okay, I grunted, thinking of Carrotinas grinning face, cheeks stuffed full of carrots and caked with dirt. Tell me what to do. I already have. Place your hands on the orb. I smirked. You just want me to cup the orb? I rested my palms atop it. This is a big orb, I noted. Zelda rolled her eyes. Please focus your minuscule brain on the task at hand. Now, smash the orb upon your face. I blinked in shock. Smash it on my face? I did not misspeak, she grinned. Smash it on your face. This felt like a very elaborate practical joke all of a sudden, but I made the choice to trust her. I lifted the orb off the table, looking it over, feeling its heft in my handsand then I drove it into my face, shattering it outright. It didnt hurt, though. When it collided with my roguish good looks, it instantly scattered to dust, the particles flying through the air, ending up in my mouth and nose. That part was unpleasant. Instantly I felt the power inside me, originating in my chest, teeming and swirling and reorganizing. Something had changed, for sure. I feel it, I grunted. Good, she nodded. Ask yourself a question about your powers. I flashed a befuddled look. She sighed. Ask what level you are. What level am I? I asked the air, taking the suggestion. A voice sounded in my ear, You are level 20. How much XP do I need until I level up? You need 24,859 XP until you level up to 21. Something was a bit off about that level. I didnt think I was that high before going into my coma. It occurred to me that there were ways my ladies could have helped me continue leveling up while I was unconsciousbut maybe I should leave that possibility alone. How many skill points do I have? I asked. I noticed the Griffin-Witch smirk at that question. You do not have any skills or skill points. You possess Qualities that allow you to improvise powers. Ohhokay? Tell me my Qualities. Your qualities are as follows: Inseminator Fuck, thats the first one, I grimaced. Lancer, Dragoner, and Work-Horse. Uhh, could you tell me about the qualities? Additional information can be accessed through experimentation. The voice was kind of sexy. I could ask it questions all night. A wry horny smirk lit up my face, and I could tell Zelda picked it up because her amused smile turned to an unimpressed frown right when I was thinking about how I kind of wanted to fuck the system-voice in my head. Okay, you should leave, she groaned. Wait, I said. Should I come back here? She looked at me curiously. You maybut I wont be here often. I can try to return every once in a while, but I am busy. Busy doing what? I asked, genuinely curious. She grinned with pride. Important work, she said. I shall see you again next time. Now go! Wish a dismissive gesture I found myself on my feet and compelled toward the door. When I stepped outside, though, something truly bizarre had happened. It was already morning. Shit, I grunted. It only seemed like a few minutes, but I realized Id lost track of time after I bashed myself on the head with the crystal. The moment where my new system activated could have taken five seconds or five hours. I shuddered, though, when I realized just how likely I was to be in trouble again. These chicks were going to start keeping a leash around me pretty soon at this rate from how often I disappeared for hours at a time. I made my way back to the keep, the drawbridge already drawn open for me, mentally ready but spiritually anxious about whatever punishment I was about to endure. Chapter 59: Mooo! (SMUT) virgilknightley I walked into a room that was straight out of a fucking paintingIvy, May Belle, Daisy, Autumn, Sprinkle, and even Etherea were tangled up nude in the simple white sheets of my wondrously oversized bed. Etherea was feeding Ivy grapes from a platter, while May Belle and Sprinkle sat with their legs crossed, facing each other, adorably brushing one another''s hair. Autumn''s head rested in Ivy''s lap, and I grinned as she skillfully caught a stray grape in her mouth that Etherea had dropped on its way to the wood elf''s lips. Daisy was standing naked in front of a standing mirror, brushing out the knots in her luxurious golden brown hair, now long enough that it spilled down to the small of her back. Thanks to the way she stood, I could see her sinfully succulent ass along with her front, thanks to the reflection in the tall mirror. The girls looked startled to see me--but not upset, and not shockingly worried. They just smiled and let out little gasps of delight as I appeared in the doorway, crossing the room to them. They all stood up--those that weren''t already standing--and headed over to embrace me. Oh, Bucky! May Belle cooed happily as she managed to throw her arms around me first. I thought you were staying at Bonnys. The other girls quickly bludgeoned my body with kisses and elbowed each other playfully out of the way to offer me their hugs. I was not going to protest at the warm greeting. Their soft feminine bodies felt damn good after coming in from the rain. With a quick spell, though, Ivy banished all the rain on my body, drying me up and making me nice and toasty. Oh, I replied, scratching my head, looking at the rainwater I had dripped onto the slate tile of the castle flooring, frankly surprised there wasnt a bigger fuss about my arrival. I suppose thats a reasonable assumption. Actually, I was with Zelda. Etherea gasped in genuine surprise. "Zelda? She''s back?" "And probably gone again, by the sound of it," I shrugged. "She helped me to access the alternate system since I couldn''t use my HUD anymore." I explained everything to them, telling them what I understood from the encounter, and I wasn''t surprised that Etherea and Autumn both corrected my interpretation on a few minor points. My captive audience listened very actively, with May Belle in particular punctuating every one of my spoken sentences with a wet kiss. "So, yeah. That''s what happened last night," I shrugged. Autumn nodded, her eyes looking damn tired and more than a bit bloodshot. Noticing this, I was instantly concerned, but I decided not to address it in front of everyone at the moment. You should see Marrowheart about this when you can. I sighed. Ill tell her after the... wedding. Theres no hurry. She nodded. I can bring it up, too, I suppose. I have a meeting with her in a few minutes. There ya go, I grinned. Yeah, just fill her in. Id be happy to answer any questions later. What are you going to do, Bucky-Baby? May Belle asked with some hope in her voice. Would you like to go for a walk in the woods with Daisy and me? And me! Sprinkle gushed excitedly. Bring me, too! May Belle didnt exactly frownbut she sure as hell didnt grin, either. She brushed her chocolatey hair past her shoulder and looked carefully at Sprinkle, and from the way her mouth twitched, I could tell she was preparing to say something perhaps unpleasant. But it was Daisy who spoke first. Sprinkle, May Belle and I are going to be having our babies soon and we havent really had a chance to talk with him much at all. Would you mind if we spend the morning with your Bucky? Sprinkle frowned, but nodded. Okay, she said. But I get him tomorrow. I chuckledmy girls were bargaining for my time. Afternoons are for questing around the neighborhood. Evenings are for the kids. The girls all let out a collective jealous groan. For now thats just Bonnys but soon it will include yours, too, I pointed out to Daisy and May Belle. And one day, Sprink, well make it work. I promise. Sprinkle looked like she might cry with me bringing that up, but I didnt know how to dance around it. Back during the Breeding Days, not too long before the mission that left me on my ass for a quarter of a year, Sprinkle and I must have tried to conceive a dozen timesbut it didnt happen. We just couldnt make it work. Oh, we had sex. Great, messy sex, but for some reason I just couldnt manage to properly breed her, and it had apparently become something of a soft spot. Autumn, I said, pointing at the catgirl with a wink, Youre coming up. Im making and filling your cunt up with kittens as quickly as I humanly can, mark my words. Her tired eyes looked somewhat assuaged to hear me say that. Thank you, Bucky Drake. Its Bucky, I grunted. And just so everyone knows, Im marking Bonny, too. More groans, except from Daisy, who actually applauded in response and looked genuinely shocked at her sisters less than excited response. What? Why is everyone booing? Bonny is a good friend. More competition, May Belle groaned, stomping an angsty hoof on the slate floor. I smirked. Its only right. Shes done a lot for us, I said, thinking of the armor and weapons she made for me, just to start. True, Autumn nodded thoughtfully, looking at May Belle. She made your war hammer, dont forget. And your bikini plate. My jaw dropped. B-bikini plate? We all have it now, Ivy said. ThoughI cant say I much care for the feeling of metal against my nipples. After having a couple gangly goblins deliver a simple breakfast to our doors, May Belle, Daisy, and I were the first to depart. We walked out into the quadrangle, where a few trolls were planting flowers in neat rows in the freshly turned earth. They seemed pleased to see us, nodding their large heads at us in greeting. We paced around the courtyard for a time, each holstaur twin looping her arm in one of mine, but I could tell both May Belle and Daisy wanted to venture out of the keep grounds, so I led the way, taking them instead toward the Watcher''s Woods. We stopped at the edge of the woods, and I waited until the two of them had caught their breath. Okay, ladies, I began, casting a serious expression on the two of them as they looked up at me, their cow tails flicking excitedly. First things first, I am putting out a high alert right now that I am going to need to suck those titties sooner or later." May Belle and Daisy giggled and blushed at the same time, each biting her lip in unison with the other. "It''d be my pleasure, Bucky-Baby," May Belle cooed sweetly. "I can''t wait for you to drink up my cream, honey," Daisy moaned. "You''re gonna love it. I''ve been eating a lot of sugary foods since getting pregnant." The pregnancy added a whole new kinky dimension to it. Each of my holstaurs had a tummy that looked so ripe that a kid might fall out of her at any moment. It was sexy as fucka fetish I didn''t know I had until seeing them naked like this for the first time. For a while, though, we simply walked through the woods, enjoying each other''s company. The sound of chirping birds filled the air as we strolled along the path, and occasionally beasts that looked like squirrels with antlers and cat tails would scurry across the ground in front of us. Mostly, though, we simply chatted and relished one another''s company. As we entered the clearing that marked the center of this region of the woods, not far from where I first met Gumi, I heard the rustling of leaves behind me and spun around to find an owlbear stalking us from behind, ready to pounce. Having been discovered, it instead reared up and hoot-roared down at us, a terrible sound that had to be heard rather than described in order to fully appreciate the nightmare that it was. But I was far from scared. In one of my first weeks at the sanctuary I''d killed one of these things with a simple axe. The owlbear back then had discovered us all bathing naked in a stream. Back then it was largely the same group that I rolled with nowAutumn, May Belle, Daisy, Ivy, Etherea. The only ones that joined up later were Sprinkle and Gumiif you bothered to count her, anyway. Gumi was mostly content to clean pests from the fields, not bothering to sleep in our room or venture far from the farmland of the sanctuary. Back to the fucking owlbear. It was positively beefy, even compared to the last one I''d faced. Its beaked head was set upon a thick but short neck, which tapered off into a barrel-shaped torso ending in four powerful legs. Its fur was black, its claws white, and its eyes were yellow and shone with the glimmer of bestial rage. "Who wants to take care of this?" I asked. May Belle sighed. "I suppose I can" But before she could finish her braggadocious thought, Daisy breathed a flowery plume of red hot flame out of her perfect pink lips, setting the monster ablaze in a most anticlimactic fashion. "Aww shit!" May Belle hissed, shaking her head in defeat and stomping her hoof at her sister. "You didn''t call it!" Daisy shrugged, grinning at me coquettishly, no doubt wondering if her display turned me onit did, but then, it didn''t seem to take much to achieve that these days. "I''m surprised the woods still have monsters in them with all the killing we do," I remarked. "Well, monsters respawn after a whilethe best we can do is keep the population low and underleveled," Daisy said with a shrug. We walked away from the body, returning to our woodland traipsing, but I kept a wary eye on the surrounding trees and brush for any more monsters. After a time, we came to a small pond surrounded by grassy knolls. "This looks nice," May Belle said, looking over the water and the little island in the middle. Then a devilish look lit up her big brown eyes. "Let''s go skinny-dipping." "I don''t think I should get my bandages wet again without Ivy around," I said with a frown. Daisy whimpered. "Ah, fuck, that''s a good point." "It''s a good thing you mentioned that, because I was gonna sit on your face, Bucky-Baby," May Belle giggled amorously. "I''m sure that would drench the wrappings on your chest." I felt the turgid tip of my cock threatening to break free of my breeches. The two cow girls seemed undismayed by my declaration that I wouldn''t be joining them, and in short order both had stripped their white gowns off and tossed them onto my face. I greedily tugged their elegant garments off of my head and discarded them onto the ground beside me. "We''ll put a show on for you, honey," Daisy giggled. "Hey, are you looking at May Belle?! Look at me! Humph!" May Belle grinned. "That''s it, baby, keep your eyes fixed on these," she said, lifting up her fat tits by the pinched nipple. A stray dribble of cream leaked down her naked body as the pair of them stepped backward into the creek. "Look over here, honey," Daisy purred, wiggling her hips seductively and thrusting out her breasts. "See how my pussy is dripping with excitement?" "Oh yeah, that''s what we want, baby," May Belle cooed. "Show us how hard you are for us." I whipped out my cock, unable to take the pressure of it pressing against my tight pants, and each of them let out a shrill squeal when they saw it spring forth. My hand trembled as I stroked myself, watching as the two of them splashed about in the shallows. Their bare tits and asses jiggled and swayed with a hypnotic quality as they cavorted. "Fuck," I groaned, beating my dick like it called my momma ugly. "You two are so fucking sexy." The sounds of their sonorous girly laughs made me feel like a god among men. The sight of their beautiful bodies was enough to make me cum on my pants within seconds if I pumped diligently enoughbut I didn''t want to waste my seed like that. "Get back here," I groaned. "My dick is cold out in the open air." The two holstaurs exchanged decidedly naughty looks, their impure intentions on their faces. "What do you think, May Belle?" Daisy said softly as she approached, tugging on her nipple and shooting me with a single stray blast of milk just to tease me. "Should we give him the third formation? Or the fourth?" "Formation four," May Belle tittered. "I''m in the back, you''re in the front." Daisy whimpered. "I wanted to be in the back." "What is going on?" I asked cautiously. "You two are being dodgy." "Stand up and lean sideways against that tree, Bucky-Baby," May Belle giggled. I obeyed, propping my shoulder up against a mighty oak, my pants around my ankles as the two nude heavy-chested twins knelt, one in back, and one in front. Daisy wasted no time in impaling her throat on my cock, stuffing it into her mouth like it was a five dollar footlong sub and she hadn''t eaten in days. "Mmmmmm, yes," Daisy crooned as she sucked me off, her tongue swirling around my shaft expertly. From behind, I felt a tingle of anticipation run up my spine as May Belle''s head went between my legs, angled upward so that her neck was arched back as far as she comfortably could from her knees, and she took my balls into her mouth and sucked them gently. Her soft lips were warm and smooth, her teeth gentle against my skin if they made contact at all. Daisy, from the front, picked up the pace, her neck bobbing frantically as she made little gulping sounds each time my swollen tip prodded the back of her throat. I reached down and ran my fingers through her hair, pulling on her ponytail slightly. She moaned with urgency and need. "Oooohh, ohhh, fuck," I grunted. I could feel May Belle''s nose pressed up against my taint as she continued her skillful ministrations, moaning as she teased my sack with her tongue. It tickled in the best possible way, inspiring euphoric butterflies to flutter in my stomach. To distract myself from my impending orgasm I pulled Daisy''s ponytail harder, making her moan louder and bob faster as she rapidly transitioned from sweetly sucking my cock to fucking me with her face. Thick globs of spit and precum dripped from her chin onto my balls where they poured into May Belle''s waiting mouth. "Fuck," I groaned, knowing I could only hang on for another minute at best. "You should slow down or I''m gonna cum my brains out." "That''s the goal, Bucky-Baby," May Belle giggled, her lips vibrating against my nutsack. She immediately resumed her licking and slurping, causing my head to spin. Daisy sounded like she was trying to say something, but her gagging on a mouthful of cock made it hard for me to understand her. Finally, with a few more deep sucks on both cock and sack, I felt the familiar sensation of my balls tightening and my dick throbbing, and I knew that the moment had come. "Huuuuh!" I grunted, tensing up, and the first spear of cum harpooned out of my dick, filling Daisy''s mouth with milky man-seed. She swallowed eagerly, taking as much as she could, but letting the rest of my load spill out over her tongue, cheeks, and chin, dribbling onto her tits. May Belle was avaricious at the sight of it, though, and angled her mouth below Daisy''s face to catch as much of my spunk in her mouth as she could. The lewd sight of those two cow girls sharing my seed with one another made me tremble in awe. "Lie on your backs," I grunted at them authoratatively. They looked at each other, each with a slurry of my love on their pretty faces, but obeyed. I grinned lasciviously at the sight of the two pregnant holstaurs lying on their backs beneath the great oak tree, looking up at me with faces written plain with love and trust. My hands found their waiting cunts, and I started rubbing their outer lips. May Belle gasped, and Daisy shivered violently at my touch. "Oh, honey," Daisy moaned. "You don''t need to" "Shhh," I insisted. My fingers didn''t slow down even for a second, tracing the outline of their labia, teasing their clits, sliding up inside them, and then back out again. "Yes, baby," May Belle whispered her submission, arching her chest up towards me. "Please." I slid my middle finger up and down her slit, spreading her juices around until her hole opened for me. Doing the same to Daisy, soon both of my hands were utterly soaked with the twins'' sweet nectar. I rubbed them with a feral longing, smearing the slippery substance across their pussies, and then leaned forward to kiss them both, one at time, tasting them on my tongues and feeling their slick inner walls wrap themselves around my digits. "I missed you so much, honey," Daisy squealed, biting her fingers as I ravaged her cunt. "Me, too!" May Belle added. "I missed you so much! More than Daisy!" "Humph! No way!" With my index fingers, I began to probe deeper, pushing my digit all the way into each of their asses, and then pulling it out to repeat the process. I fucked the sisters in unison, using my thumb to spread their openings wider, then letting my plunging fingers do the dirty work. I heard a gasp from each of them as I pushed down to the knuckle inside their cunts and curled my fingers to tease their G-Spots, eliciting a chorus of pleasured whimpers from the cow girls. "Fuuuck!" Daisy cried out, bucking her hips. "Don''t stop! Oh, gods!" I certainly didn''t stop, pumping my fingers in and out of their holes rapidly, twisting and turning them to maximize friction. With each plunge into their weeping pussies, I felt their tightness loosen, allowing me to slide in and out easier. "I can''t believe how fucking wet you two are," I grinned at them. "You''re two horny little cows, aren''t you?" "Moooooo!" Daisy cried out, raising her ass and hips off the ground to grind my digits in as deeply as she could have them. "Moooo, honey! I''m your horny pregnant cow! Fucking mooooo!" "Holy shit," May Belle giggled at her sister''s lewdness. "Nice one, sis... Oh! Fuck!" My fingers were suddenly plunged into her twitching asshole instead. "Aaaugh! That''s not fair! You cheated! Moo!" I laughed under my breath at the hot image of her writhing on the ground, her big tits heaving with exertion. "Look at the divine sight of you two beauties," I said with nothing but love and lust in my voice. "I''m cumming, Bucky-Baby!" May Belle shrieked, and I felt the proof of her words as her sex clamped down on my index and ring finger, squeezing them tightly. Her pussy convulsed, and thick strands of her love juice poured forth, coating my hand and wrist with a sticky mess. "Oh, fuck," Daisy mewled as well, her pussy clenching down on my other hand with equal vigor. "Me too!" They rode out their long, drawn-out climaxes together, moaning and squealing as they came. Each of them squirted out a good amount of liquid before they relaxed and fell limp on the grassy bank. I kept fingering them, prolonging their pleasure as they lay there, panting heavily. Then, suddenly, both of the twins went still and looked at each other with wide, surprised eyes. "What is it?" I asked, reading that look as a fairly unusual one to see after a fingerbang session. "I think my water broke," May Belle said quietly, her voice shaking. "Mine, too," Daisy said. "Bucky, honey... it''s happening! Now!" My jaw went slack as a million thoughts raced through my head at once. I sighed, cracked my knuckles, and swallowed my nerves with an exaggerated gulp. "Welp," I uttered, "Let''s have some calves." Chapter 60: The Birthing of Holstaurs With Daisy clinging to my back and May Belle in my arms, I dashed light-footedly back to Tater Town, ending up at Etherea''s cottage. Setting my beautiful birthing holstaurs onto their feet, I pounded on the door of the humble abode. "Etherea," I yelled, "Open up! It''s Bucky!" The door creaked open, and the beautiful moon elf stood before me, draped in her morning gown. She rubbed the sleep out of her eyes. "What''s the matter? I just got back and was settling down to get some" Her eyes took in the sight of the panting holstaurs beside me. "Oh." She shuttled the girls inside and then stopped me at the doorway. "Thank you, Bucky, I''ll take it from here. You can wait back home." I shot a look at her like she was insane. "Sorry, what? Why the fuck would I leave?" The look she returned showed she had no idea what I was playing at. "Hmm? You wish to be present? For the birth?" My jaw clenched tightly and my shoulders went tense. "Of fucking course I do," I said. "What the hell did you think? I wouldn''t want to be here when my own daughters were born?" She shrugged. "It''s not the way things are typically done here. We usually don''t trouble breeders and heroes with these matters. They''re not pretty or fun affairs, Bucky." "But they''re important," I stressed, "Let me in." She looked back at the holstaurs behind her, then returned her eyes to mine. Her expression was hard to readwide-eyed in surprise, but certainly not upset. "I''ll leave it up to the girls, if that''s alright with you. This is... extremely unusual. Once again, Bucky, your love for your girls is surprising, even after all this time, but they may not be prepared for this." "Ask them," I growled impatiently. Then, calming myself with a deep breath, "please." "What''s going on?!" Daisy''s voice screeched, sounding rather distressedall the more reason I couldn''t bear being separated from them. "Close the door!" "Bucky wants to be present for the birth," Etherea said. "I told him I needed your permission." I could see the twins on the bed across the room from where I loomed in the doorway. They gave each other looks of surprise. Then, with more than a hint of discomfort in her voice, May Belle called out, "Let him in, you dumb bitch!" Etherea smirked. "Come on in, hero." I stepped into the cottage interior and closed the door behind me. A fresh fire burned in the hearth, just barely getting started. The holstaur twinsmy loves, and the bearers of my childrenlay back against the mattress, holding their big baby bellies, staring at me as though they wanted to express something but simply didn''t possess the words for it. "If you''re going to be here, then make yourself useful, hero," Etherea said, busying herself with some herbs at a desk against the wall near the hearth. "There are some clean blankets in the corner, resting atop the crate with my gowns. Do you see them?" "Yeah, I see them," I grunted. I crossed the floor to fetch them and bring them back over. When I returned to the mattress that May Belle and Daisy were laying on top of, I realized my hands were shaking. "Now what?" I asked, my voice equally tremulous. "Lay the blankets out beneath your girls," she said, pestling some flowers and dried berries. "I''m making an herbal infusion that''ll help them to relax and make the birthing easier." I obeyed, helping Daisy and May Belle to their feet to lay out the blanket, then gently setting them back down. Etherea turned around to face us, holding the herbal drinks, a picture of perfect calm, and smiled warmly as she said, "Girls, you''ll need to remove your dresses. Things are going to get messy very soon." Daisy and May Belle both nodded quickly, and pulled their garments off, revealing their bare breasts and pregnant tummies. Their bodies were smooth and flawless, and I felt my cock twitch inside my pants as I gazed upon their naked beauty. "Not now," I grunted, scolding myself quietly. "Jesus Christ, Bucky, get your shit together." "Are you seriously getting hard right now?" May Belle giggled, staring at the obvious bulge in my pants. Then she groaned in pain. "Etherea, how soon after birthing will we be ready for sex?" Daisy asked, biting her lip as she looked upon the sight. At least I wasn''t the only incorrigible perv. "Banish all thoughts of such things for now, sweetheart," the moon elf said, covering her mouth to obscure her look of amusement. She handed her herbal concoction to each of the girls, and they drank without question, though May Belle made a bitter face. "Tell me everything that happened leading up to this and what you''re feeling right now." I swallowed anxiously. "Well. About that," I started. *** Not one, not two, but twelve hours later, after a lot of sweat, blood, and swear words (mostly uttered by May Belle, for the record), we had reached the end of the ordeal. By this time, Autumn was in the room, too, holding May Belle and Daisys hands, reminding them to breathe again and again. I swear to fucking Paragon if you tell me to breathe one more time Im gonna rip your tits off! May Belle howled. Wheres Bucky?! Daisy shoutedfor her, she had spells of anxiety and confusion that accompanied her pain. Is Bucky still here?! Im here! I said, crossing over to the bed from where Id been anxiously pacing. Im here, sweety. Im scared, Daisy said, her eyes trembling with the dewy gloss of tears. It hurts so bad! I was chewing on the inside of my cheek so much that a bit of blood had dribbled out of my mouth from time to time. The metallic taste did little to distract me, though. Im here, I repeated. I couldnt offer anything else. Etherea looked at me in awe. Thats more than I can say for any other breeder or hero Ive known in hundreds of years. Low bar to clear, I shrugged. I wouldnt miss this for the world. She shrugged. To be fair, our culture isnt necessarily set up with the expectation that men are present for these thingsbreeders often travel before children are born, and heroes often die or go on prolonged quests. Youre special in that you set down roots as a hero. Im so glad youre here, honey, Daisy said, kissing my hand a dozen times. Ahhhh my cunts falling off! May Belle shrieked. Fuck-fuck-fuck! Fuck the gods for this bullshit! Let me lay a fucking egg! Bucky-Baby!? Yeah, I said, scarcely avoiding laughing at the string of epithets. Whats wrong? Let me see your balls, she said. Itll help me calm down. I opened my mouth to say something, but then it just hung like that for like five seconds. Give me those fucking balls! May Belle roared, making a squeezing gesture with her hands that triggered a psychosomatic pain reaction in my gut. May Belleare you sure you want your daughter born with you cupping Buckys testicles? Etherea said, ever the voice of wisdom. Ahhhh fuck! she seethed. I love you, Bucky-Baby! Even though you FUCKING DID THIS TO ME! I love you so much! Tell me Im your favorite! I, uh Do NOT say that, Daisy warned me. I felt suddenly lightheaded. Fuck me, this is stressful. Oh shit! May Belle shrieked suddenly. Its happening! Something is happening! Etherea, kneeling in front of the girls, angled herself to investigate May Belle more closely. Yes, youre correct. Here comes the hard part, May Belle. May Belles voice went deeper than Id ever heard it before. What the fuck did you just say you knife-eared cunt?! The hard part?! May Belle! Autumn gasped in disgust, Thats so offensive! Calm down! Ohh, youre one to talk, Daisy said, but May Belle, calm down. It cant be thatOhhhhh my gods!!! Ill spare you the gory details. Things got decidedly like a horror show for a bit after that, but I wouldnt have missed a second of it. The whole thing, while utterly terrifying, bloody, and apparently extremely painful, was still beautiful for what it wasthe process, a natural ceremony, that brought new life into this world: my daughters. I will always remember the moment that Etherea wiped the babies with a clean blanket and cast a spell to remove all the leftover fluids, wrapping them up in the same material that she used to make my bandages. Do you have names for them? Etherea asked, looking down at the two mama holstaurs. Bonnibelle, Daisy said. I was thinking Lily, May Belle added, panting like shed just run a marathon. As far as I was concerned, she did. Both names sound great to me, I replied. I was grinning ear to ear. Etherea handed the two babies to me first. Hold your daughters, hero, she smiled warmly. Your long awaited prize after hours of being here for this rather unpleasant ordeal. I looked down at the babies. Save for the cow ears, at the moment both babies looked to be very human, all things considered. They didnt have their horns yet, for one thing, and their tails and hoofs were totally wrapped up in swaddling. At the moment, they werent monster girlsthey never would be to me, anyway. They were just my little girls. My babies. My daughters. Look at the look on his face, I heard May Belle whisper. Its so cute! I leaned over May Belle and Daisy, crawling onto the mattress between them. Here you go, girls, I said. Our babies. Bonnibelle and Lily, I repeated the names. Im already in love. Oh, Bucky, Daisy cooed. Im so happy! I cant believe this is happening, May Belle said as she held her own daughter in her arms for the first time. Look, shes got my eyes! Lets hope she doesnt inherit too many features from me, I noted with a frown. Oh hush, Etherea scolded me, swatting my shoulder. You didnt exactly make out badly on the hereditary lottery, hero. Shed be lucky to have any number of your features. Not your beard, though, May Belle shuddered. I laughed. I dont think thatll be a problem. Or your weird thumb, Daisy noted. Okay, I noted with some offense. Its a very slight hitchhikers thumb, first of all. I paused for a while, just staring. How fast do they grow? I asked, still grinning at all four of my holstaurs. Similar to Bonnys kids, I think, May Belle said, looking over at Daisy for confirmation. They grow the fastest in the first few days. They should be walking and talking by morning, I suppose. Whaaat? I asked in shock. By morning? Speaking of growth, youd better start breastfeeding right away, Etherea said. For a moment I thought she was talking to me, and I cracked my knuckles and licked my lips, trying to decide which titty to go for first. Unfortunately, though, I realized very quickly that she was indicating the babies. Ah, I grunted, realizing my error. That makes sense. What makes sense? Daisy asked. Never mind, I said. Suddenly everything made sense in a way. This was it. This was why I was here. I had one superpower above all othersinfinite love and adoration. But this world was still a dangerous place with evil Dark Queens hell-bent on making it inhospitable for my girls to grow up in. I couldnt have that. No sir, I would not abide by anything but the best conditions. Id never felt more drive for anything in my life. Oh, I wanted to do nothing but spend my days and nights holding my girlslovers or daughtersin my arms and making every promise that I could. But I couldn''t do that. I knew it now, and although it stung, it also imbued me with a purpose unlike any Id ever known. The surety of it shook me down to my core. I may not have been fully healedbut then again, for all I knew, I maybe never would be. The time for waiting around for the quest to come to me, or for my wounds to go awaythat time was done. Now was the time for action. I would carve the evil out of this world with extreme prejudice, leaving nothing but happiness, rainbows, and butterflies in my wake. I would topple castles, slay demons, wrestle with dragons, and endure a dozen more life-threatening wounds if it meant making a world worthy of my girls. As I looked down at my baby girls held tight to their mothers breasts, I knew for the first time in a long time what happiness felt. I knew it, I tasted it, but it was fleeting. It was gone alreadybut it would be here, waiting for me, when my quest was done. I leaned forward and kissed each of the girls on the cheek. Im going to leave you two to it, I said. Where are you going? May Belle asked, a bit sadly, but not protesting. Im going to rest for a bit. Autumn, May Belle, Daisy, and Etherea all accepted that answer readilyafter all, wed all been here for twelve hours, and Id apparently shattered their expectations for me as far as the birthing experience was concerned. They were only so happy to grant me my reprieve. But what I didnt tell them is that when they all fell asleep tonight, Id be waking up. Id be heading east on Blues back to the Darkwood to claim the nymphs tears and take the next step toward forging an alliance with the Dragon Empressone which, I hoped, would give me the edge I needed to defeat the dark queens and purge evil from the lands once and for all. Tonight was the night. Chapter 61: A Man’s Conviction I spent the day in a state of bliss and serenity, taking in the sight, sounds, and smells of my two newest daughtersthey were perfect in every way, as beautiful as their mothers. Indeed, Daisys daughter, Bonnibelle, almost looked like a little clone of her. They looked like babies. Normally that would be a crazy thing to feel like I needed to mention, but given how my kids with Bonny were only three months old and somehow looked like they were maybe five or six years old, it bore mentioning. What was a bit weird about them was that they were born with full heads of hair and little nubs on the side of their heads where their horns would soon come in. One of the first rituals after a monster girl was born, I learned, was cutting the hair. Daisy fashioned Bonnibelles hair after her own, in a golden brown ponytail, while May Belle kept her daughters long and worn down, but Vale had made an earthy green headband that we tied around her head. They were so cute it blew my mind. The novelty of them was intensebut the novelty of my other daughters hadnt died down in the least. I played with the bunny girls and took tremendous pride and joy in introducing them to their brand new half-sisters. Theyre so little, Flopsy noted. When can we play with them? Well, I said, I think you can probably play with them pretty soon, but dont expect them to run around and chase you for a while. I was grinning the whole time, imagining my little girls playing together happily, running through Tater Town, causing all kinds of little fusses. Can I hold her? Flopsy asked, pointing at Lily, May Belles daughter. I shrugged. I dont know, can you? Can you lift her? How about you sit down and May Belle can put her in your lap. Is that all right, babe? I asked. May Belle, who looked utterly knackered, nodded with a serene smile as she studied her baby and placed it in the bunny girls lap. She smells like Aunt May Belle, Flopsy grinned. May Belle laughed at that. Okay? Thanks, I guess? Its a nice smell, the bunny girl nodded, smiling down at her half-sister. Lily is gonna be my best friend. Tears stung the corners of my eyes, and I had to excuse myself lest I be entirely overwhelmed by the scene. Im going to go get some blankets for the babies. Its getting cold out here, I noted. Sounds good, honey, Daisy said, looking up at me for a moment, but today her eyes were all for Bonnibelle. I grinned and headed inside, giving myself some space. I was happy. So happy, so proud and full of purpose that it overwhelmed me. I needed some space from the kids, just for a second, to give my brain some time to reprogram itself, letting my little girls occupy the appropriate amount of space in my heart. I saw Autumn back in the room, gathering up sheets and pillows, apparently having the same idea as me. Oh, Bucky! she said, smiling softly at me. Congratulations! Thank you, I replied. We paused, just staring at each other. She was sad. I could tell. There wasnt any hiding it, though she tried. I was just, umm, grabbing some stuff for the babies. Theyll be sleeping in Ethereas cottage tonightits too crowded here for their first night. I nodded, my eyes fixed on hers. I opened my mouth to say something, but then let it hang for a few seconds before ultimately working up the courage. Autumn, I need to let you in on something. Her cat eyes went wide with curiosity. Yes? Im leaving tonight, I said. Im going east, to the woods you spoke of. She shook her head, almost laughing at the ridiculousness of it. Youre not even close to ready, Bucky. I dont care, I said. Im not sitting on my ass waiting for danger to come to me. Ill wear armor. Autumn studied me with eyes half-closed. By the gods, youre serious arent you? Hell, if I knew that all it would take to get you to take the mission seriously was to get you some kids, I wouldve made you knock me up ages ago. I didnt crack a smilethough Id chuckle about it later. There was truth in that observation. Autumn, Im telling you because I need to tell someone. The others wouldnt be able to handle knowing I was doing this. And I can? she asked. Youre the one whos on the same page with me about the importance of the mission. She raised an eyebrow. Sounds like youre finally getting on the same page as me. Autumn paused, considering me. This is a bad idea, Bucky. Youll get hurt. And no one will be there to save you and drag you home this time. Ill keep Blue close, I shrugged. Autumn shook her head forcefully. Take Etherea. She can heal you and she can keep a secret. My eyes went wide, and I let out a sigh of relief. So you agree with me. No, but I cant stop you. Its not my place. And Im not going to betray your trust and tell the others. But you are putting me in a tight spot, knowing this. If people ask where you are, Ill have to lie for you. She was right. I frowned at that. Make yourself scarce. Ill try to return before anyone notices Ive left. When are you leaving? As soon as the babies are asleep, I shrugged. Soon. She nodded with her eyes closed. Talk to Etherea. I will, I said. I promise. She said nothing, just staring at me sadly, and that permanent downcast look ripped at me. You sacrificed so much for me. Autumns eyes flooded instantly with tears. I dont regret it. I saved you, butI cant sleep. Every time I sleep, I have nightmares. Ive lost my connection to my sisters and cousinsIve even lost my connection to the gods. Winter will have to take you to see them in my place. Im Im useless now. I stepped toward her and pulled her in tight. Fuck, Autumn, dont say that. Youre everything. No, I Id be dead without you. And I know that youve still got some fight left in you. But I took a deep breath. I wish you told me about the nightmares earlier. You havent been back long, she shrugged. Im sorry Dont ever apologize to me, I said, kissing her on the forehead, letting her melt and sob into my arms. Youre everything. I''ve got you. Im going to make this right for you as soon as I can, I promise. I expected her to make excuses for me, to tell me that I didnt need to do that. Autumn was strong, so I knewI thought, anywayshe would try to deflect and dodge my attempts to help her. But she didnt, and it broke my heart. She looked into my eyes, a pleading look on her face, and said, Please hurry. *** The beautiful busty moon elf glared at me with an open-mouthed look of confusion. Just tell me why, hero. I sighed. We were seated by the campfire. My holstaurs went to bed, sleeping with the babies, and I would not be needed with them tonight as the first night was an important bonding ritual that fathers typically werent expected to be a part of. In other circumstances, that might have annoyed me, but it kept the girls occupied and off my tail, so tonight I welcomed it. I know it might seem foolhardy and irrational, I confessed, scratching the scars on my arm. But II feel like half a man right now. I cant hold my own kids without feeling pain. If the nymphs tears will accelerate my healing, and remove the curse from my dragon scars, then I can be strong enough to be a father. She smirked. A sweet notion. Youre a good man, and youll be a wonderful father. I shrugged. Ill be an okay dad. Many breeders are okay dads. Some are good fathers, even. Ive seen several such men over the years who had a passion for rearing their children and took parenting seriously, even though monster girl culture expects little from fathers due to the standard lifestyles of breeders and heroes. But, Bucky, youll be a wonderful father. I can tell. But I waited for that ''but.'' I knew it was coming. At this rate, youll be a dead father. And your children will have no father at all. She had a point. I know it''s rash, I admitted. I dont expect you to understand A pained look caused her to flinch at that choice of words, and I instantly realized Id said something wrong. I stopped what I was saying dead in my tracks and just waited. I had a daughter once, Etherea said. I do understand. Nothing comes before them. I closed my eyes, instantly sensing the direction this conversation was headed. The secondhand pain I was already feeling was so intense. That look in her eyesthe look of a woman whod lost a child. Etherea, Im so sorry. I had no idea but she held up a hand to silence me. You dont know because I made a point not to talk about my past. Ive lived through much in the last three centuries. The death of the man I thought would care for me forever. The death of a child. The deaths of my sistersall at the hands of demons and their dark elven worshipers. I could say nothing. I just looked at her, her arms still crossed, her posture still guarded, but the feeling behind it was different now. She wasnt crossing her arms out of anger anymore, but out of vulnerability. Anyway, she continued, wiping her eyes. I do understand. Youre a good man, Bucky, and although I think youre a fool for risking yourself, I respect your motivation. I will go with you and act as support, keeping your pain to a minimum and healed as much as I can. Thank you. Its all I could manage. The stone I felt in my throat threatened to choke me. Im so sorry, Etherea. She smiled. Ive moved on, she lied. Im thankful I have a man like you as the father of my own child. I winced at that, looking at her belly. She was showing, but only slightly. Is it safe for you to come with me? She smiled. Elves are resilient and long-lived, and our pregnancies are tougher than that of humans or even most monster girls. As long as Im fine, our baby will be fine. I shook my head. It was too insane. No. This is wrong, I said. Never mind. I cant ask you to do this. Well, then I wont let you go, she shrugged, and before I could say anything else she added, Try me. I smirked. You hang back, then. Dont put yourself in front of me, no matter what. Etherea agreed to that with an affirmative nod of her head. When the rest of Tater Town was indoors, I summoned Blue out in the field with a whistle. Etherea and I got onto his back and ascended together into the sky, wrapping her arms around my waist as we flew. We headed east. Most of the journey was spent in utter silence as we traveled throughout the night. Blue was much faster now than he was when I first got him, so a journey which might have taken twelve hours a few months ago now took perhaps half of that. If we were damn lucky, we could find a nymph within a few hours of landing and then head back in time for lunch before people noticed I was gone. They would figure I was out on patrolor they would notice Etherea was gone and assume we were out together. It was definitely a bit fucked up that we didnt offer more of an explanation, but I was hopeful we wouldnt need to. I was hopeful wed return to Tater Town with no one any the wiser for our absence. The journey was still long, though, and sitting in one position for six hours was brutal. We passed over mountains, a river, plains, and more on the way to our destination. The sight of those trees on the horizon was quite a rush, just knowing that the journey had finally come to a close. But we were in another land now. This was outside the Goblin Queens area of control. According to Autumns geography and history lessons, this was Demon Queen territory, and Id do well to remember it. We started our descent, slowly at first, as the thick brambly trees of the Darkwood grew larger and nearer with each passing minute. Somehow, I wasnt surprised when I saw large, horned bat-like creatures charging toward us, descending from the clouds. Well, fuck, I grunted, pointing them out to Etherea. Guess its time for my first aerial battle. Be careful, hero, Etherea said, squeezing my waist in a show of nerves. I groaned. I wasnt sure how to be careful with three demons flying directly at me, but I would definitely need to heed her suggestion. With the bandage still across my chest, I wasnt in any condition to suffer additional damage. Careful, I repeated. Right. Sexy System Voice, what are my Qualities again? Inseminator, Lancer, Dragoner, and Work-Horse. I recoiled every time she said inseminator, but right now Lancer and Dragoner sounded pretty good. Well, the voice told me before that the ticket to unlocking a greater understanding of these powers was experimentation. So Guess its time to experiment. MGS Announcements: This Message Will Self-Destruct (NO SPOILERS) Here''s some cute art of Autumn! (nude in the Patreon of course) Chapter 62: An Interesting Complication Here''s the first reader requested art: Darkmaw! Sprinkle and Carrotina also have art currently in the works! Thanks for your support! Right. So, according to Zelda, and more or less the gist I got from Sexy System Voice (thats her name, now, I had decided), in order to use my Qualities I had to simply treat them as Trained Skills. I had to try to draw upon my intent and the power of my Umbercore in order to get some kind of desired effect. Great. Sure. How the fuck does that work exactly? I wondered. I groaned as the three horned bat demons got even closer to us, and I knew time was running out. I had to try somethinganything, really. I decided to go with my Lancer Quality. I extended an arm out to my side and summoned the lance. Thankfully, it appeared in my hands as usualits heft felt oddly reassuring. I reached out to my Umbercore, focusing on the wellspring of power that I knew was always inside me, and I attempted to imbue the lance with a smite-like, energy that would make its impact even more devastating to my opponent. I grinned with relief as I noticed a surging bolt exit my hand and light up the blade of the lance. With a guttural cry, I hurled the lance and it flew through the air, piercing the skull of the nearest demon, causing the creature to explode upon impact. Nice, I grunted, but there were still two more, and they were closing in fast. My lance reappeared in my hands, but by the time that had occurred, the other two demons were already on top of me, one slashing at Blues body, and the other attempting to throw Etherea from his back. My heart filled with rage at the unmitigated evil of trying to harm my moon elf companion. Without even thinking, I turned my head at the creature and opened my mouth, spewing a cyclone of flames that incinerated the creature to ash. Only the talon it used to grip Ethereas shoulder was still intact. Okay, so fire breath is instinctual now, I guess. Blue took care of the last one with a punishing chomp, but not before suffering an injury to his wing that left a rip in the patagium. We were losing altitude fast, and things were looking pretty bad. Hang on tight, I grunted to the shuddering moon elf behind me. Blue, buddy, if I jump off, can you manage to land Etherea safely? Bucky, no, you cant Blue let out an affirmative cry, and I knew he understood. Alright, buddy, I said. Im leaving you in charge. See you on the ground! I jumped. I extended my arms and legs to try to catch the wind and slow my plummeting descent, and to some degree it worked, but impact would still be a bitch. I thought of my Umbercore, calling upon it half-consciously, not really knowing what it could do, or what I was capable of. Dragoner allowed me to breathe firewould it allow me to fly? With that thought, I felt something explode from my backit hurt like a bitch, like two saplings just suddenly grew out of my shoulder blades. My eyes went wide, but my jaw clenched, and before I could process anything else I felt my fall interrupted and slowed. I had wings! I looked behind me and saw two silver-scaled dragon wings with ombre flesh in the wings'' membranes that faded from black to ash gray. They glided, flapping occasionally, seemingly independent of my will, and yet I felt entirely in control. This is pretty badass. Okay, focus, Bucky. I looked around for Etherea and Blue, seeing them land with grace on the plains below. I swooped down to land beside them, feeling the wind cut upon my wings, but as I neared the ground I felt them recede into my back. I''d used up my power for now. No, no, no, I groaned, bracing for impact, my arms crossed in front of my fucked up chest. Here we go! With my wings gone, I hit the ground with a thud. It felt like I had fallen from maybe ten feet or so. It hurt, but I would be fineI would have been way more fine if not for my previous injuries. Etherea rushed up to my side and instantly pressed her hand on my chest. I watched as pink and green waves of wispy blue energy surged from her fingertips into my torso, and I could tell that the worst of the new injuries were already dealt with. Thanks, I groaned, winking at her as my jaw clenched from the discomfort. Did you fly? she asked, clearly awestruck. Did you have wings? Or was I seeing things? I shrugged. Maybe, I said. Lets stay focused on the mission for now. I have a feeling therell be a few more surprises in store after that. Etherea, however, was not quite ready to let it go, apparently. Hold on, when did you get the ability to manifest dragon wings, hero? I shrugged. I have the Dragoner qualityQualities are apparently my new way of interacting with my Umbercore. She squinted at me, her mouth hanging slightly ajar. Then, she shook off her confusion and redirected her attention to Blue, who I was walking over to see. Blue didnt look all that beat up, but his wing was ripped. That was bad. Can you fix the wing? I asked. With your healing powers, I mean. She nodded. I think sobut he will likely need time to recover. I suggest we heal him and he heads straight back on his own after resting. I frowned at that. Will he be able to give us a ride back? Etherea shrugged her shoulders with a solemn expression on her beautiful elven face. We will need to find our own way. That could take days, I groaned. Theyll freak out. Etherea sighed. Well, perhaps it wont be so bad. Maybe Blue will be ready to take us back, or maybe well find another way. These woods are magical. Seems most woods are, I noted with a snort. But Etherea nodded unironically. True, she conceded. Most woods do possess a great many magical creatures. Etherea extended her hands and touched Blues damaged wing. This time, pink energy emanated from her fingertips in little tendrils of light. Sure enough, the wing mended, but a scar remained. The sight of the scar on Blues wing made me look down at my own ragged arms. Scars. Disfiguring, ugly scars that weakened us, compromised usand made us harder to love. But I still loved Blue, and he still loved me. My scars didnt dissuade him or my girls from caring for me. Even broken, they still saw me as Bucky. My daughters literally never knew me without these scars. They never mentioned them or seemed to care in the least. My right hands traced my fingers against my cheek, finding another scar there. Broken, maybe. But not without use. I furrowed my brow as I reached out to gently stroke Blues back. What are you thinking, hero? Etherea asked cautiously. Your face is rather difficult to read at the moment. I let out a prolonged sigh and closed my eyes, my palm resting on Blues neck ridges. Im thinking about scars, I confessed. Etherea frowned, her eyes cheating down to see my hideous arms, and she winced. But then she leaned forward and cupped my cheeks in her hands, pulling my head down to look her in the eyes. The scars on your body dont matter, she said. Its the ones in your heart that hurt the most. Balm and bandage those, hero. While you can. Before youre too damaged for them to ever go away. I stared at her pleading cerulean eyes and bit my lip. Etherea wasnt just talking about meshe was letting me know how she saw herself. Etherea, Im going to help you but she placed her palm on my mouth and shook her head sternly, her eyes going dewy. Stop, she said. That was all she could manage at first, and though she didnt cry, I could hear the pain welling in her throat. Stop. You cant save everyone, hero. The words cut me deeper than any in recent memory. It took me back to my first night in Tater Town, when Id let Silver Moon, the satyr daughter of Vale, sister to Heather, die at the hands of Darkmaws confused wolves. She was right. I couldnt save everyone. After a minute of silence, Etherea lowered her hand from my lips and averted her eyes from my face. We should keep moving, she said. We got here in good time. I nodded. Blue, go find somewhere to rest. We may need you later. Turning to Etherea, I said, Youre sure you know the way to the lake? She nodded, still not returning my gaze. The Lake of Silver Twilight was once a revered spot for moon elves. I know it well. I nodded. Lead the way, I said. The way has changedI know the path, I know the destination, but there will be new challenges imposed upon you by the Archfey currently lording over the Darkwood. We must tread lightly. We took off, leaving Blue to seek shelter while we headed for the forest. It bugged me, leaving Blue in such a state, but he seemed alright, and he was certainly capable of fending for himself. Where should we enter the woods from? I asked, noting four paths leading into the forest where the trees were not as densely packed. It doesnt matter in the least, she said. No matter where you choose, youll end up in the same place. I looked at her in confusion. Its like an enchanted maze? More or less, she said. Sometimes the fey will test your will with puzzles and patterns, other times they will hurl monsters at you. Occasionally theyll visit you themselves. But no matter how they decide to deal with you, hero, you will walk down the Bramblepath. The Bramblepath? I repeated. Tell me about it. We were just on the edge of the forest, seconds away from entering if we wanted to. A tunnel of thorns in an impenetrable thicket that you must navigate to find the Lake we seek. It sounds like a bunch of fun, I remarked. Etherea smirked. Perhaps it will be. In any case, I believe in you, herobut your bandaged injuries do concern me. Before we enter, would you permit me to change them one more time? I shrugged my shoulders and gave a half-hearted nod. If you want, I guess, I said. She helped me strip my armor and shirt off and I lay on the ground, waiting for her tender touch. Ethereas nimble, skilled fingers unfastened the wrappings from my chest and peeled them away, bit by bit. When my chest was exposed, though, I noticed her eyes had gone wide and her jaw hung with a worrisome look. What is it? I asked, not yet daring to look down for myself. Etherea swallowed hard with an audible gulp. A complication, hero, she said softly. A very interesting complication. Chapter 63: Bucky… Dragon? At the sound and the expression of Ethereas confusion as it lit up her gorgeous elven face in a rather unfamiliar way, I found myself forfeiting to the urge to drift my gaze down toward my own exposed chest. Her befuddlement turned out to be appropriate. Where the wound had been, now there were only glimmering flakes of red that seemed to be acting as a bandage of their own accord. They held my chest together, and with the wrappings removed I noticed that the pain had somewhat dulled. Whens the last time you changed my bandage? I asked. Well, someone definitely changed it this morning, right? she asked. I nodded. Yeah, it wasnt like this then. Weird little patches of crusty, shiny skin. Never seen anything like that before. You recognize it? Her cerulean eyes studied my chest unflinchingly. From where Im kneeling, hero, it looks a lot like scales. I squinted, furrowing my brow as I adjusted my position to get a better look at my own torso. Now that she mentioned it, she was absolutely correct. A large hand-sized patch of skin where the wound had been was completely replaced with gleaming red reptilian scales. Now, that is weird. I remarked. I had thoughts. I had some theories already bubbling up about what this could meanperhaps my Shifter feat and my Dragoner quality were interacting in an unpredictable way. Perhaps there was more to my destiny than Id realized. The Dragon Empress herself seemed to allude to another title for me, one that bore similarities to my own name. What did she call me? Ah, the Dragon Buck, with buck here most probably meaning a breeding male. You look lost in thought, hero, Etherea noted, placing her palm gently on my shoulder. I shrugged. I definitely have some ideas about what this could mean, I confessed. But to be honest, we dont have the time to sit on our asses and speculate. She nodded, narrowing her eyes as she gazed intently at strange development on my chest. Does it still hurt? Poke it, I grinned at her. Etherea recoiled at the suggestion. No, I wouldnt deign to risk harming you. Do it, I goaded her with a wink, sticking out my tongue playfully at the end. She smirked and, finally, closed her eyes as she prodded at my chest. Feels nice not to be treated like Im made of porcelain, I noted. Poke it harder. She obeyed one more time, this time daring to open her eyes. Good, I nodded. Now lick it. Her eyes went wide with shock. What?! Just kidding, I chuckled. Then I waggled my eyebrows. Unless you want to. I kind of do, but perhaps further experimentation can wait until your quest is done? she suggested. We helped each other to our feet, staring at the bandages in her hands. I guess we dont need those anymore after all. I feel fine. Its still sore, but not fragile. Feels whole. I stretched my arms, doing some shoulder rolls and rotating my joints in their sockets. Etherea looked as though a great burden had been taken away from her. This is tremendous news. Is it? I asked with curiosity tinging my voice. Maybe Im turning into a dragon. You feel comfortable getting rutted by a dragon? She shrugged. As long as its you Whoa, I grunted, interrupting her. I was teasing, but damn, much appreciated. I didnt expect you to be so ride or die. Etherea smiled, a richer blue appearing against the paleness of her cheeks. Into the woods, then? she prodded. I let out an exaggerated sigh. I suppose, I complained. Lets go. We chose an entranceas Etherea had previously noted, it didnt really matter much. As soon as we stepped into the forest I became aware of a sense that it was shifting around me without me being able to really perceive it happening. It was a lot like being caught in a dream, walking from one room to the next, and ending up somewhere different from where you expected. This is pretty disorienting, I grunted. How do we even get out? By the grace of the Archfey, Etherea muttered, though she quickly continued when she noticed my adverse reaction to her choice of words. Worry not, I have faith that we will find our way. Before long wed ended up at the mouth of something like a cave composed up of twisting thorny vines and broken branches. It was huge, like a hollowed out sequoia, and wide enough for us to walk through and still not be able to reach the sides or top of the passage if we walked down the center. In here, then, I guessed, and my moon elf companion nodded. Indeed, she confirmed. Keep your wits about you. This is the way forward, but I cannot predict what surprises lie in wait for us. If you could, they wouldnt be surprises, I pointed out with a chortle. Etherea sighed, though if she was reacting to my comment, I wasnt certain, because at the moment her eyes were all about the inside of the Bramblepath as we made our way inside. Watch out for signs, she said. Like, Stop and Yield? She shook her head, causing her moon-white tresses to whip and bounce with elven grace. No, she said, and she paused. Justanything out of the ordinary. Stay close, I replied. Youve got me nervous, now. The passage had gotten dark after just a couple more steps. We should have brought a torch or something, I noted. Well have to be very cautious here. Etherea grinned and extended a palm. A white orb of light extended from her hand, hovering over her head, keeping up with us easily. You were saying, hero? she tittered. I smirked, sticking out my tongue at her again. Well, now I guess we just have to accept that whatevers in here with us is going to see us before we see it. Her cocky smile faded at that. An excellent point. Thats why Im the Apex Hero, and youre the sexy elven sorceress. Etherea scoffed at that in protest, but even as she did, her arm wrapped around mine. It perhaps wasnt meant to be flirtatiousmore likely she was just trying to keep close for safety. Either way, I grinned smugly to myself. As we trod further into the Bramblepath, I noticed our footsteps had gone oddly silent. Only a faint ringing sound remained, and with a glance at Ethereas worried face I knew she sensed it, too. Whats going on? I saidor I tried to, but no sound came out that I could hear. The world was mute and suddenly felt very dangerous. Without the sense of sound, I had to rely on sight and smell. I channeled my Workhorse quality, and tried to recall the energy signature of Sniff, the power that I had, and rarely used, which allowed me to detect any unusual scents. With a deep inhalation, I picked up many overpowering floral scents, but nestled in the midst of them was the distinct, if faint, odor of blood. Etherea clutched me tightly, not knowing what was going on at all, and I had no easy way to broadcast my little epiphany to hernor did I have the time. From ahead of us, and behind, a grand total of five pairs of glowing red eyes stared at us and whoever they belonged to began their quiet approach. The first thing I noticed about these creatures as they walked into the silvery light of Etherea''s spell was that they weren''t exactly friendly looking. Their faces were elongated, with a glowing pair of crimson eyes set in a narrow slit between two rows of teeth. They wore simple brown cloaks and hoods, covering everything except their hands, which appeared to be covered in thick leather gloves, though heavy black claws emerged from the tips. "Fuck," I muttered into the ringing silence as the fiends surrounded us on both sides, front and back. I stole a glance at Etherea and saw horror reflected on her face. She was terrified, but a look of determination set in all the same, and I saw her raise her hand and begin to cast something. I wasnt going to wait and see what she had plannedI pivoted to face the throng coming in from behind us and found them already mid-leap. With them inches from my face, I let loose a hot breath of fire, lighting them up, filling the Bramblepath with the smell of charred, fetid flesh and robes. But one didnt go down. That one continued to pound and slashed at me, but my breastplate deflected its blows with ease. Now the thing was in my grasp, so I channeled Workhorse again and activated Titan Strength as I gripped its neck, crushing it in my clutches until the hideous head popped off like a grape from a vine. Turning to check on Ethereas situation, I noted a glowing white shield-like barrier pouring out of her palm, taking shape in front of us. The monsters tried and failed to break through, so I took the opportunity to summon my lance. One by one, I picked them off by throwing the lance through our side of the barrier, landing in the creatures heads or chests, and then summoning it back into my grip. Within a few short seconds, it was over, and the passage was calm. Not only that, but sound returned all at once, and we were suddenly flooded with a thousand noises Id never noticed or appreciated before, from the crackle of a twig underfoot to the chirping of bugs burrowed in the thorny vines and branches along the path. I looked at Etherea, my eyes wide, and she sighed with relief. Those were Dark Fey known as the Soundless, she said. Very apt, I nodded judiciously. Now what? We keep going, she shrugged. So we did. We walked for another twenty minutes or so until a hint of light appeared ahead of usthe literal light at the end of the tunnel. There, I grunted eagerly, gesturing to the beacon of hope in the distance. Etherea nodded. That would be the glade, the lake clearing where one can find all manner of fey. I grunted at that with a bit of trepidation. Like the fey we just fought? Etherea shook her head. No dark feythe dark fey are the servants of the fey and Archfey. They exist to keep out the unwanted and test the worthy. Suddenly my high school chemistry tests dont seem so cutthroat by comparison, I remarked. Etherea didnt bother to acknowledge the arcane quip. She, more than any other girl, seemed to understand that human men tended to make references that would inevitably go over a monster girl or elf''s head. Her solution to ignore them altogether was rather astute. We continued down the passageway until we exited into the glade, and I was left breathless at what I beheld. It was a scene of nature unlike anything Id ever witnessed with my own eyes. The emerald hue of everything was immediately obvious, from the foliage on the ground to the sparkling leaves in the trees overhead. Myriad birds and beastssome small, some largeflitted about, calling to each other in spoken words I could understand when I strained to listen. At the center of the glade was a glittering lake, its surface reflecting the sun in such a way as to make it appear as though there were several hundred stars in the sky. And sitting atop this beautiful tableau was a magnificent tree, the largest I''d ever laid eyes upon, one that would make the sequoias of my own world blush. "Holy fuck," I grunted under my breath. And then, off in the distance, sitting atop a small flowery island, I noted three women of captivating beauty lounging about, naked as the dawn. "There," Etherea gasped. "A nymph and two dryads! We are in luck!" I nodded, fixing my eyes on them. Suddenly I realized just how little of a plan we actually had, though. "Okay," I grunted. "Now what?" Etherea looked at me with a cockeyed smirk. "Isn''t it obvious, hero?" she asked. "Now we make a nymph cry." Chapter 64: Make the Nymph Cry Do they see us? I asked my beautiful moon elf companion, squinting at the sight of the fae women of these woods. It was a dumb question. The three beauties were clearly too preoccupied with one anothers company to take note of us as we exited the bramblesthis place was too serene, too inaccessible to non-faerie types for them to keep their guards up. And yet here I was. Id made it through, and with only a simple battlenot even a particularly tough one, if I was honest. It begged the questionwhy was I tested so lackadaisically? I had expected riddles and puzzles and interviews from the Archfey based on what Etherea and spouted earlier. Etherea, for her part, seemed equally surprised to be here already. No, they cant see us. But they will. We must find a way to get over to them. Something feels off about this, I grunted, looking around at all the greenery in this emerald clearing. Are we sure theyre the genuine article? She shot me a bewildered glance. Whatever do you mean, hero? I shrugged. Just seems like that challenge in the Bramblepath was a bit underwhelming, really. Thats all. Ah, she said. That. Well, fae are monster girls like most others. They can get an impression of the quality of a visitor simply from a glance in much the same way that Bonny or Autumn or your holstaurs knew at first blush that you were special. I furrowed my brow and tussled my hair in reflection. So they went easy on me cuz I seem like a nice guy? The moon elf shrugged, brushing her own white hair back behind her blue shoulder. Its one guess, anyway. Satisfied for the moment, I set my eyes back on the matter at hand. Two bark-skinned dryads, with long tangly locks that were essentially a mess of writhing green vines, doted upon a flaxen haired creature of enigmatic beauty. The golden tresses of the nymph spilled out over the lap of one of one of the dryad sisters while the other massaged her feet. The first dryad, the one playing with the nymphs hair as she lay across her lap, had white eyes void of pupils. Her skin looked like polished maplewood covered with thin papery bark. She had the unmistakable shape of a buxom woman, but I wondered how it would actually feel to touch her. The second dryad looked much the same. The primary differentiating feature was that her hair was tied in what could only be described as pigtails. Of the two, she seemed the most chatty, her musical voice occupying much of the nymphs attention as she gibbered about one thing or another. And yes, the dryads had nipples. I feel like were going to be interrupting something, I grimaced as we approached the lake. Fae have little sense of privacy, hero, Etherea giggled. They will likely be alarmed to see you, but we will clear the matter up as expediently as possible. I nodded. Okay, I grunted. Lets go introduce ourselves then. And how will we get over there? Swim? I didnt think it was meant to be a mocking question, but it kind of came out like that. I chuckled. Let me carry you, I said, my voice low. Ohhh, Ill take any excuse for that, Etherea cooed, and she swung her arms around my head and lifted her legs as I supported her back the underside of her knees with my arms. But now what? I closed my eyes, focusing again on my Dragoner quality. If I could do it before, I can do it now, I thought. Sure enough, a wide span of scaly wings extended from my backred, I noted, to match the scales on my chest. It hurt less this time. Ethereas eyes went wide with wonder. Incredible, she managed. No, you, I winked. I took off, floating across the pond like an angel holding a princess, thinking I must be quite the sight. It didnt take long for the three denizens of the woods I had set my sights on to take notice of us as we hovered over to them. We did not get the reaction I expected, however. Dark fiend! a dryad hissed, rushing to her feet. A flurry of vines extended from her palm, whipping at me and plucking me out of the air. I landed with a splash in the water, Etherea and I entirely soaked in just an instant. I growled, letting my wings recede and treading up to the surface. I was perhaps ten feet from shore, and I quickly pulled Etherea back in my arms. "It''s fine, hero," she said. "I can swim." I let her go and called out to the attackers. "Please don''t harm us!" I shouted to the dryads and the nymph as they stood on their embankment, glaring at us in fear and anger as though we were monsters. I was half expecting one of them to jump out into the water to try and continue the battle. Instead, two white-eyed dryads and the golden-haired nymph stared back in silence, not making another move, all wearing heavy frowns. "We are not dark fae or demons or anything of the kind," Etherea called out as we splashed about in the crystal clear lake. "Please, allow us to come speak with you." The nymph cocked her head. I could see her more clearly from where I was, especially now that she was facing me directly. She was a creature of indescribable beauty, her skin the color of cream. Her eyes, though, were unlike any other I had ever seen. They were huge and the hue of a glowing emerald, and her hair, which flowed out to her waist, was as shining and golden as the sun. On her head she wore a bramble crown, like a little tiara. A sheer white vestment hung off her breasts down to her knees. "Who are you?" she demanded, her face contorted into a skeptical pout, and the dryads'' faces echoed her question. "My name is Etherea. This is Bucky Drake, an Apex Hero." Their eyes perked open with a look of astonishment. "A hero?" said one dryad. "An Apex Hero? Can it be?" "Why have you come to the Darkwood?" asked the nymph, leaning on one hip in a most provocative manner. "What is it that you want?" "Can we get out of the water first?" I pleaded. "It''s not super comfy in here." "It''s cold," Etherea agreed, her teeth chattering. The dryad with the hear vine-hair down gave her sister a look of annoyance. "We should kill them." "No you shouldn''t!" I countered. "We came a long way to meet her!" I said, pointing at the nymph. "Meet me?" she asked. "I am the Lady of the Darkwood, the Nymph of Gem Lake. What business does a man, hero or not, have with me?" "Let me get on that bank with you and I can show you," I said. "Please, my friend is cold." She paused, her expression softening. She cheated a look at each of her friends. "I understand that you must be brave to have entered into the Darkwood and made it through the Bramblepath, so I will allow you to approach. But be warneddo not make any attempts on our lives or it will end poorly for you. Come, male." Finally, I sighed to myself with relief. Etherea and I wasted no time in approaching their island, crawling upon the shore like shipwrecked wretches. I stood, helping Etherea to her feet at the same time. "Now what is it that you need?" asked the nymph. Fuck, but she was pretty. Being up close to her, I found I had a splitting headache just from looking into her eyes. It was hard, like staring into the sun. I showed her my arms, hoping she''d get the idea. She did. Her eyes went wide, shimmering dewily as she saw the extent of my scarring. "I see," she said quietly. "You have met a dragon." I nodded. "I did." "The last father of dragons was a wicked man. His ilk should be put down. I hope you ended the fiend''s life," said the nymph, eyeing me carefully, squinting as though my answer might change her opinion of me one way or the other. I sighed at that. "I did, actually," I admitted. For now I didn''t want to offer any other information if I could avoid it, but she seemed instantly satisfied by my answer. "So you need my tears," she nodded, looking at her two friends. "I do not like to cryit''s frankly uncomfortable. I dislike the way it feels." She balled her fists. "But if you are truly an Apex Hero, then perhaps it is worth a few tears to help you." Excellent, I nodded with a polite smile, remaining gracious even dripping wet. Im in your debt. I held out my arms, my eyes never leaving hers. The beautiful nymph wore only a sheer diaphanous toga that clung her breasts particularly nicely. She had pointed ears, not unlike an elf, but they angled more outward from the side of the head rather than pointing up and back. She raised a single golden eyebrow. Well? she said, waiting for something, but I wasnt sure what. Well, what? I asked, trying not to sound too stupid. I cant cry on command, Apex Hero Bucky Drake, the nymph smirked. You will need to make me cry. I winced. Etherea wasnt joking. Umm okay, let me think. We sat down on the green embankment, and I told them about Hachiko, a Japanese dog who waited for his master to come home every day for years after his master died. That didnt work. Even Old Yeller got nary a response from her. I moved on, then, regaling them of the plot for the Lord of the Rings, lingering hard on the ending, though cutting off before the Scouring of the ShireEtherea was moved, and so was one of the dryads, but the nymph remained visibly unimpressed, studying me with a bored expression. After I told her about the part in Fullmetal Alchemist where Maes Hughes died, I realized just what an icy soul I was working with, and Etherea, currently sobbing her eyes out, had a similar epiphany. Listen, she started, This isnt working. Its unfair to expect Bucky to make you cry. Isnt there some way we can hurry this along? He has a family waiting for him. Newborn monster girls, even! Please, I beg you! The nymph sighed. Alright, she said. Maybe we can come to some manner of agreement. Slam your cock into her throat! one of the dryads said excitedly, pounding her palm with her fist. It caught us all by surprise. Stab her soft palate with your dick. Thatll make her tear up, for sure! My eyes were so wide I was worried they might just roll out of my head. The dryad in question wasnt bad looking herselfhell, both of them were hot. They looked a bit like trees in the shape of women, though, and I had to wonder if they were fuckable at all. Didnt matter, thoughthe nymph was my focus. I think youll find Im amenable to the suggestion, I said after a long pause. IIve never done something like that, the nymph said. Will it hurt? I shrugged. Ive only been on the thrusting end, myself, I confessed. The girls Ive done it with have all enjoyed it, for the most part, though. I enjoy it, Etherea nodded, her teeth still chattering. Listen, thoughbefore we go crazy with acts of carnality, let me use a bit of magic to dry us up. No one protested, so with a wave of her hands and a few whispered words, the water fell off our bodies all at once, and we were as dry as we had been before our little episode in the lake. As I sorted out my hair, the pigtailed dryad narrowed her eyes at me. Did I see you sprout wings on your way over here? she asked. What was that about? I nodded. To be completely transparent, I still dont understand it myself, but I have the Shifter subclass featif that means anything to you. It doesnt, shrugged the dryad. But it seems like you can shift into a dragon? Thats incredible. Part of me, anywayI still have yet to experiment much. I kinda sorta just woke up after three months of being asleep. The nymphs eyes went wide. Just like a fairy tale! Did someone kiss you to wake you up? I tittered at that. My daughter woke me up by crawling over the gaping injury on my chest. Hero, Etherea interrupted me by smiling warmly and resting her hand atop my shoulder. Her throat awaits. Surely youd like to see your daughters soon, yes? I chuckled and cracked my knuckles. Ever the taskmaster, Etherea, I chided her playfully. Alright, lets go. Okay, so, Ambrosia, sit on your calves and plant your knees in the grass, said one of the dryads, clapping excitedly. This will be so fun to watch. You can participate any way youd like, I said. Try to make it enjoyable for herthe first time can be a doozy, I imagine. The dryad nodded. Ill fondle her tits. Maplewood, you work her cunt with your vines. Yes, sister, the pigtailed one said submissively. It was easy to see who was really in charge here. Ambrosia, the nymph whose name Id only just learned, knelt on the grass, and as she did so, a hundred flowers instantly bloomed out of nowhere, forming a circle of pinks, blues, oranges, reds, and whites around us. A swarm of fairies flew overhead, too, seeking a view of whatever was about to unfold. Some of them perched on tree branches. One even landed, to my dismay, atop my shoulder and just stayed there. Looks like we have an audience today, Etherea giggled. I grunted my disapproval of the fact, but there were more things at stake here than my personal comfort. I considered the throbbing pain of the dragon blood scars and clenched my jaw tightly. Unbuckling my belt, in a series of quick motions Id freed my cock from my pants. It flopped out, not yet at full mast, but it was still nothing to be ashamed of. The dryads certainly agreed. Whoa! the pigtailed one said through a naughty giggle. This is a heros cock? An Apex Heros cock, Etherea corrected her. And Buckys is the best in all of Lusteria. You are privileged to see it. Ambrosia looked up at me with almost a fearful look in her eyes. That slab is going in my throat? she winced. Oh, come now, Ambrosia, said the bossier dryad, whats the point in being shy? This is a once in a lifetime opportunityto taste an Apex Heros cock, right in your own home. I wish I could buy the dryad a drink. What a wingman she turned out to be. Ambrosia licked her lips as I caressed her silky, soft hair. She gripped my hips slowly, cautiously allowed her little mouth to take in my cockhead. With a silent groan, I guided her down onto the hard length of my cock, and the nymph sucked on it hungrily. "Wow!" the dryads chimed together, their eyes glimmering with anticipation. The little nymph bobbed on my dick timidly at first, only daring to take in about a third of its length. Then, once I encouraged her with a word or two, she began to take more of me into her throat. At last, I felt the tip tickle the back of her throat. Her emerald eyes went wide, and she gagged but gave no indication that she was ready to stop. I kept going, meeting her bobbing rhythm with my own gentle thrusts. Drool dripped off her chin onto the bed of flowers beneath us. Her tongue worked hard, licking my shaft and pumping the underside with her eager hands. Soon enough she was taking the majority of my cock down into her throat. The velvety textures of her gullet and tongue worked in tandem to cultivate an incredibly erotic experience. As this was going on, though, the lewdness was enhanced by the dryad sisters. The more dominant one used her hands and hair vines to knead the titflesh of the beautiful nymph while her sister''s vines penetrated her slit, lifting up the bottom of her toga. "Mmph," Ambrosia moaned softly as her eyes started to go dewy and fill with the haze of lust. "I''m going to up the pace on my end, Ambrosia," I said. She nodded, her lips never leaving my cock. "Fuck her throat, Apex Hero!" the dryad on her tits said. "Maplewood, get your vines as deep into her as you can. Really explore every corner of her cunt!" The nymph''s eyes suddenly went wide, and I knew that the pigtailed dryad was fulfilling her sister''s wishes with aplomb. She squealed on my cock, and I saw my opportunity to totally overwhelm her and speed this thing along. I gripped Ambrosia''s hair and thrust deep and hard, stabbing the back of her throat, inserting my cock so deep that if I came then I''d be blasting directly into her belly. She gagged, and I saw glittery tears welling up in her eyes. "Good," I groaned. "You''re taking it like a pro." She pulled back, tears beginning to stream from her eyes. She panted hard, and though she spoke, feral moans punctuated every thought. "Please... ohhhh... give me a moment," she whimpered. I smirked, withdrew slightly and took another handful of her hair in my fist. Now that she had stopped slurping my cock, I could actually hear the squelching of the vines as they tormented her cunt. She looked up at me with glossed over eyes, her mouth twitching in pleasure. She nodded. In one swift motion I jammed myself deep inside her lips again. She gasped loudly, but her eyes shut tight. I repeated the process three times, each time ramming inside her mouth to the hilt and grinding my hips against her face. Each time, she released a guttural moan. By the fourth time, she couldn''t contain herself any longer. A thick river of spit leaked from between her lips, and some dribbled onto my balls. She groaned, yowling like a stray cat in a back alley all over my dick as she succumbed to her own orgasm, thanks to the ministrations of the dryad sisters. I watched with primal need as her face contorted and her body shuddered with ecstasy. As I hilted my cock deep in her gullet, she gagged. Ambrosia''s throat contracted like a vise around my shaft, squeezing me so firmly I felt like she was trying to choke the life out of me. With that, my balls teemed with their warning. The sensation of her throbbing throat combined with the sight of her tear and spit-soaked face looking up at me with unmitigated carnalityit was too much. I unleashed a veritable fire hose of cum, spewing into her mouth with abandon as I moaned loudly into the forest air, earning the applause of fairies and other fae creatures as they watched nearby. Thick ropes shot out of me, more than she could handle. Ambrosia hastily swallowed what she could manage, but soon my jizz was leaking from her lips in a lewd slurry of spit and spunk. My entire body tensed and my toes curled as the waves of heat spread throughout my veins. "Fuck!" I groaned. "Now, hero!" Etherea shouted, shaking me out of my pleasure-driven funk. "Her tears!" The dryads withdrew, standing to watch what happened next. Ambrosia rubbed her eyes on my scarred arms, one arm at a time, before I could make any move myself. Instantly I felt like ice had been poured on a fresh burn. It was as painful a sensation as it was an immediate relief. But the pain aspect quickly dissipated. Within seconds of her finishing her task, the scars stopped throbbing and burning, and their redness faded. They remained, still visible, but far less obvious. I knew, with instant surety, that the curse had been lifted. It worked! I said. I feel it! I feel better! Ambrosia grinned up at me, along with her two dryad companions. Im happy to hear it, Apex Hero Bucky Drake. Her words were normal, but her voice was wracked with exhaustion and hoarse, and cum, spit, and tears still dripped down her face. Her dress was half off, her tits popped out and exposed, and the lower part hiked up to expose her incredible pussy. Gawking, I instantly lost the plot of what was going on. Thankfully, Etherea was there. We cannot thank you enough. Your service today very well may contribute in no small way to the salvation of Lusteria from the hands of the Dark Queens. Ambrosia stood and grinned, her beauty unlike anything else Id ever seen. It was worth a few tears, then, she said. Now, let us rest. Oh, I grunted awkwardly. Actually, we should go. My marked girls will be wondering where I am and Marked girls? Excellent. Mark me as well and we shall leave at once. I blinked. Uhh. I exchanged an uncomfortable look with Etherea. Well, actually, he doesnt have any markable points remaining, Etherea lied, thinking fast. And our town will worry the longer were away. The three women of the Darkwood scowled at me. So you mean to leave? WellI mean, I suppose I can visit from time to time Unacceptable. You belong to me now. Your other girls can wait. Her look was suddenly severe. Well, what about my quest? I have to save Lusteria, I pointed out. Save it from here. I squinted at her. Im not sure how that would work. Etherea leaned in close and gestured up at the sky. We were, after all, in a clearing. Wings, hero. Your fucking wings, please. I nodded. With a single thought, my wings jutted out from my back and I took Etherea in my arms. We shot out into the sky, and narrowly dodged a swarm of angry fairies and the grasping vines of the dryad sisters as we made our escape. You cannot run, Apex Hero Bucky Drake! cried Ambrosia as we made our escape. I will find you, and bring you here, and claim you for eternity! As Etherea and I flew over the trees, we remained in silence for a few minutes until at last I felt secure that we had made our escape for now. So I started, trying to get a conversation going. Well, looks like you have a new admirer, hero, Etherea giggled. Lets find Blue and get back home before anyone worries. Agreed, I said, my heart still racing. I looked down, feeling the wind on my legs and groin to an unexpected degree as we soared through the air. Oh, I grunted. I forgot my pants. Decision: I am continuing the story as usual Have a Bonnibelle WIP just for fun. The poll seems to favor a reboot but realistically that seems suicidal. I believe everyone will go in with preconceived notions about characters and thatll harm the effectiveness of the blank slate I was hoping to achieve. After a lot of thinking and stressing I have decided to continue the story but will be handling it differently. Next month I will resume MGS. I am taking a short hiatus until then, but will continue to post art in the Patreon. Join the Patreon if you want to get caught up to chapter 75 while you wait for the new chapters. In June I will attempt to write 120 chapters and post the first 30 of those to my Patreon at the end of the month. I will post 30 more each month after that until Im satisfied with the storys ending: Ill post at a rate of one chapter per week on SH to encourage people to join the Patreon. If this doesnt work to get new patrons I will scrap the story and start something fresh. Thanks for everyones support! Chapter 65: Miraculous Recovery UNRELATED BONNIBELLE ART I absolutely expected to be scolded by all my monster girlfriends when I got back to the Sanctuary. On some level, I feared it, my body tensing a few times as I flew home with Etherea on Blues back. Stillafter everything Id been through, I figured Id earned a little jaunt on my own terms. Was it smart of me to take my near-fatal injuries into a possible combat situation hundreds of miles from anyone who could help? No, admittedly not. Butdid I avoid trouble anyway? Also no. I made a new possible clingy enemy in the form of the nymph babe in that magical fucking forest. But it wasnt a total wash. I mean, on a technical levelmission freaking accomplished. I managed to avoid her sexy capture attempt for the time being and was enjoying the cool Lusterian air blowing at high velocities into my chiseled face. Most importantly, I got the scars on my arms healed. I hope shell be okay, I grunted aloud as we soared through the sky on my blue dragon-steeds scaly back. WHAAAAT?! Etherea shouted in my ear. The wind was loud. She didnt hear me. I saidFUCK IT, NEVERMIND. When we landed a half mile from the keep and Tater Town, I half expected a throng of beautiful monster girls to come charging into me and express their worry. It didnt happen, though. None of them showed up. I could guess why. It was earlyfew of them would even be up. We strolled back into town and I felt like a million bucks. Id escaped the fabled consequences of my actions after all. I could tell from Ethereas face, though, that she had been hoping Id be caught. Alright, I said, stretching, Im headed back to the keep. Thanks a ton for the huge favor. It was great to have your company and help. She nodded curtly, looking around as though she were going to sell me out to anyone that happened to walk out of a cottage at that moment. This is our secret, right? She studied me through narrowed eyes. Good luck keeping this secret, hero, she said. Your arms will be noticed. I shrugged. Miraculous recovery? Think anyone will buy it? She didnt laugh. Relax, I said, leaning in and giving her a pacifying hug, Ill tell them I went on a top secret mission and got my arms all healed up, and there will be much rejoicing. Hell, theyll greet you as a hero if they know your role. Dont tell them unless they ask, she muttered, looking askew at Bonnys smithy. Whats next for you? I shrugged, looking around the blissfully idyllic scenery of Tater Town from atop its hill. Behind the cottages, the hills rolled and sprawled out into grassy plains dotted with distant cabins whose chimneys were already puffing smoke into the air. The sunrise captured the scene in my mind. I looked upon it with all the fondness that I had for it at first sight, and then some. I dont know whats next, I said. Ive got some marking to do. Her eyes lit up. Autumn? I nodded. And Bonny, Ive decided. She has certainly earned her place. She is a good woman and a good mother, Etherea added. How about you? I asked. How about me, what? she said, uncertain as to what I was getting at. I leaned in and whispered. I have one point available for marking an elf. Is that something that would interest you? She blushed and looked away. It wouldbut Ivy deserves it and wants it more than I do. It would break her heart if you chose me over her. I shook my head. I wasnt about to make a choice, I said. I was only asking, exactly for this reason. She looked up at me, taking a step back to see me from a greater distance, to put all of me in perspective. Next time it can be me. If thats something you would like to do. I grinned lasciviously as I reached out and put my hand on her waist, tugging her back in. It would definitely qualify as something Id like to do. Just then, I heard the door to a nearby house creaking. Looking over my shoulder I saw Bonny coming out with Flopsy and Cottontail attached to either leg in a death grip. She caught my eye and smiled. I smiled back. Good morning, Bonny, I said. Good morning, Mr. Drake, she said back to me. And good morning, Etherea. What are you two doing? Top secret hero stuff, I said with a wink. Bonny giggled and smiled in response. Will you be stopping by to see the girls later? she asked. What a dumb question, I grunted. Every chance I get. But now I should be heading back to check on the newborns. She nodded, and I noticed Etherea excusing herself back to her own cabin. Get some rest, hero, she said as she disappeared behind the doorway. With you healing so well, the coronation will no doubt be soon. I have a feeling the Goblin Queen wont go all that easy on you. I chuckled. I wont go easy on her, either. Bidding them both farewell, I headed back into the keep. I traced my steps back to my room, opened it up, and was greeted with the sweet aroma of all my girls asleep on the bed, save for Daisy who was sitting on a cushion in the corner, nursing Bonnibelle. Hey there, I said, walking up to her and sitting down in front of her. She leaned in and planted a kiss on my nose. Morning, honey, she said. Shes almost done feeding. Do you want to hold her? My eyes went wide. I just nodded. A few seconds later, Daisy handed my daughter to me, and that familiar fear crept back in. Why is everything precious so fragile? I said, staring down at my daughters big brown eyes. What do you mean? Daisy said, sounding troubled by my tone more than my words. I shook my head and frowned. I love her so much. I looked up. Just as I love you. But shes so tiny. Its terrifying how little it would take for her to be hurt. Daisy made a face at me. Dont talk like that, she scolded me. Not around the baby. She can understand you. I had forgotten already. Although she looked like a baby with an unusually full head of hair and an expressive face, she was more intelligent than any human infant I had ever known. Daddy, she said to me, her voice so soft and disarming. Its all she said. A tear formed in my eye as I looked down on her, and I didnt get to it in time before it rolled down my chin and fell on Bonnibelles perfect little face. I pulled her close and breathed in, imprinting the smell of my child into my mind. I would never forget this smell, the look of her, the sound of her voice. I wanted to always know where she was, what she was doing, who she was with Your face is troubled, Daisy said, placing a hand on my knee as I held Bonnibelle. Are you alright, honey? I nodded, but couldnt form words. She looked down at my arms and gasped. Your scars! Theyre mostly healed! I just nodded. How?! All that matters is that they are better, I said. Soon Ill be able to pursue the Dragon Empress and start the next stretch of my quest. Youre not going anywhere for at least another month, Daisy growled through a furrowed brow. Daddy, dont go, complained Bonnibelles airy voice. She sniffled, the prelude to a cry. Im not going anywhere, I promised. Ill always be here. *** I slept through breakfast and lunch. I was peripherally aware that people had come in to check on me as I slumbered. The news of my magical recovery had spread fast. Only Etherea and Autumn knew the truth, but I could tell that others suspected I had been up to some manner of shenanigans in order to pull off such a quick convalescence. When I woke up at last, I was face to face with Ivy, who was sitting at the foot of the bed and watching me through leering, suspicious eyes. What did you do? she asked me coldly. I thought fast. I had one chance to avoid consequences. Hey, Im going to mark you, I blurted out. Her eyes went huge. What? Really?! Are you sure? I nodded. Hell yeah. As soon as Im fully healed. FuckI brought the conversation back around to the healing. She cocked her head at me, but she looked far less annoyed. You are already looking pretty good, she said. Well you dont look too shabby yourself, I grunted back with a playful roll of my eyebrows. She smirked. Be honest with me, Bucky. I wont be mad. What did you do? I took a deep breath and inhaled, sucking in as much air as I could. Some of it went down the wrong pipe and I started coughing. Ivy scrambled over to where I was on the bed and started slapping me on the back. Im not choking! I said. Im fine! When it was all over I had a case of the hiccups, but was otherwise no worse for wear. Drink this, Ivy said, pouring me some water from a pitcher into a clay mug. I obeyed, slurping it down. What did you do? she asked again, more firmly this time. I shrugged, smiling dashingly at her. Hardly anything, really, honestly. I just got some nymphs tears and healed my arm. Easy peasy, lemon-squeezy. Where in Lusteria did you find nymphs tears so nearby?! she said. The nearest woods with nymphs in them are days away on foot. I tugged down her top, letting her bosom fall free. Her leaves hit the bed, and she gasped. How about I mark you right now? I suggested as I stared at her green nipples. Bucky, come on, you I latched onto one of her tits with my mouth and reached around her back, pulling her body against me. She let out a desirous moan and ran her fingers through my hair. Okayyou win, she whimpered, her red hair falling in front of my eyes as she sat in my lap. Mark me, Bucky Drake. Chapter 66: Marking Ivy UNRELATED CARROTINA ART Ivy was every bit as beautiful as any woman Id ever seen in my life, and few girls in Tater Town could claim as much of my debt as she did. Ivy scouted, defended, hunted, and kept the fields watered every single day. If it were a question of earning her place, shed done it several times over. But it wasnt about thatI needed her. She was an amazing woman, and Id be lost without her, not just for her contributions around the Sanctuary, but for her friendship, her guidance, her counsel, and her affection. Ivy was an amazing woman, and I was just lucky to have her in my life. So if she wanted to be marked, then I was ready to do itfully healed or not, it didnt matter. Fuck, Id put my life on the line if thats what it took to make her happy, no damn question about it. She used both of her hands to rip my head away from her breastwhich I took some issue with, but once she crammed her tongue down my throat and I saw her designs for what they were, all semblance of complaint perished forevermore. Ivys lips tasted minty fresh, her tongue cool as shed harshly sucked in air once Id started sucking on her tiny nipples. I felt her lips drive against mine, moist and soft as a peeled cherry and just as sweet. I withdrew my hands from her hips and cupped her face between them as she started rocking her ass against my lap. My cock was awakened by the persistent, hypnotic roll of her hips, but I was hardly conscious of that fact. My whole world at that moment was the texture and taste of her wood elven tongue. Be gentle, she moaned. My holes arent as big as some of the other girls. You always know just what to say, I growled through clenched teeth. I nipped at her nose and threw her back onto the mattress. She let out a high gasp of surprise and arousal as she hit the sheets and the mattress molded itself to her petite figure. I stared down at her like that for a few seconds, just gawking, my hand idly tracing the outline of her body as she narrowed her eyes and blushed under my fire-hot gaze. What are you doing? she asked. Im sorry, I said, staring. I just need a minute to appreciate you. With that, she lost her patience, reaching up and grabbing me by the neck. She pulled me down, and our kisses were renewed, but this time our hands competed to be the first to remove our lower garments. I battled with my own underwear as she quickly shed the leaves that covered her loins. Together, we were naked at last. Its incredible how quickly things change when both parties are naked. My cock found her little elven pussy as though it were on autopilot. It teased the outside of her lips as she chewed on my lower lip, moaning and whimpering with anticipation. I decided to tease her a bit. I let my cock linger atop her mons pubis for just a bit longer than she could bearand she finally took matters into her own hands. Literally. She reached down and grabbed me by the girth, and with a buck of her own hips and the guidance of her grip, my cock made its way inside her pussy. It went in easily despite the initial tightness. She was just so wet that it didnt even matter how tiny her cunt wasit was almost a magnetic pull to my dick. The slick, hot, velvety confines of her womanhood were such a tight fit that I silently noted that if she were any smaller we may very well have been at an impasse. I started moving my hips, slowly, deliberately, letting my body rock harmoniously against hers. Her eyes went heavy-lidded, fluttering occasionally in the battle to stay open. She stared up into my eyes, her brow furrowed at the agonizing pleasure that I was subjecting her to. Her lips were parted, fixed in a permanent o as she whined and groaned and moaned with every collision of our hips. I burrowed my cock ever deeper with each thrust, watching as her tummy bulged slightly with each movement. She saw what I saw, watching with rapt fascination as my cocks each impression was visible in her belly. She touched her own stomach, feeling it distend with my pushing, then looked back up at me with eyes that struggled to remain focused. Bucky, she groaned. Its all she could say. Just my name. She moaned it out, grating it through her teeth several more times as I plunged into her heated depths. Again and again I rocked myself inside her, feeling her squirm and writhe beneath me, reveling in her own bliss. Her eyes crossed in odd directions as she succumbed to the pleasure. She stopped moaning, but her face didnt change. If anything, her mouth opened even wider, and her breaths became audible, ragged sounds. The smell of herfuck, it was exquisite. The scent of her sweat was like the bud of a flower with a little added zest. A healthy sheen of gloss had appeared on both of our bodies as she lay beneath me and whimpered with each stroke. Quite a bit of sweat had collected on her neck, and as I looked down at her, I couldnt fucking help myselfI leaned in and I licked it right off of her, causing her to gasp in surprise and wrap her arms around my neck attempting to keep me pressed against her. I stayed in that position, licking and nipping at her throat as I fucked the bejeezus out of her silky elven cunt. Every single movement was heaven. You are so incredible, I said, whispering it in her ear like it was a well-guarded secret. Bucky, she whispered back. Again, it was the best she could do. My name, mixed with a few droning whines of pleasure, was all she could put together. In and out, in and out, my cock pursued its own rhythm inside her weepy channel, and I felt my first orgasm coming along. I knew that I had to be willing to let these go when they came, as the goal was to blast three loads inside her in one go. When I felt her pussy gushing all over the sheets as she came all over my cock, I took it as permission to unleash my own load. With several pulsing ejaculations, I filled her sweet girl-box full of my man-honey until it was dripping from her entrance. With a sigh, I pulled out. One down, two to I wasnt able to finish the sentiment because Ivy had plunged her tongue into my throat so aggressively that I almost choked. Still, it was a welcome break, giving me the time I needed to grow hard again. When I felt her hand pumping my dick, I knew she was signaling her readiness to move on. Mouth next, she said. I nodded. I lay back on the sheets and let her come to me. We basically traded positions, her on top, and me on bottom, but her mouth was the pussy nowif that makes sense. Ivy groaned euphorically as she licked my tip, taking in the scent and flavor of her own sweet cum all over my dick. She kept eye contact with me as I moved a pillow beneath my neck so I could watch her work. I reached toward her and pushed her red hair out of her face so I could get a better look at her, and I wasnt disappointed with what I saw. She was gorgeouseven in the submissive act of sucking me off, she was an awe-inspiring beauty, and I unironically think my heart was swelling even bigger than my cock as she began to take my cockhead into her mouth and slide her lips down my shaft. Her tongue flicked the underside of my prick as her lips stroked me off, up and down, taking on a repetitive series of motions that were meant to set the stage for even greater things to come. So far so good, I figured. With the blowjob, there was no expectation to make her cum, so I was free to just enjoy the spectacle and service and blow my load as fast and brutally as I wanted to. It was quite freeing. Watching her work was intoxicating in and of itself. The intensity of her stare never left me as she slowly took on more and more of me with each bob of her head. Soon she was nearing the base, and I could see my cock going down her throat with each give and take, swelling her narrow neck. She had clearly been working up to this. This was a much more skillful display than I had expected. Youre beautiful, I said as she throated me again and again. She grunted, her words muffled on my cock. It didnt matter. I was in heaven, and no one could take this away. Rather than dry up, more and more drool spilled from her lips as she swallowed me with religious reverence for her craft. I let out a groan of appreciation, and she echoed one right back. I reached down and squeezed her breast, pinching a cute green nipple in my fingers to drive her into an even wilder frenzy. It worked. She mewled like a feral cat and dared me down to the base, taking all of my cock inside her mouth and holding it there for effect. With that, I felt a fluttering in my groin as I knew I wasnt going to be able to hold back much longer. Im gonna take the reins, I grunted, and she nodded her agreement to the terms. I grabbed her head on both sides and throat-fucked her, her taking it like a total pro. Some snot and tears leaked from her face, but she let out not a single sound of complaint, other than gluck-gluck, as I ravaged her face, feeling her lips and tongue constantly rubbing along my shaft, urging me nearer to completion. With a sigh and a groan, I came in her mouth, directly down her throat, and she squealed as though in complaint for a moment, but didnt tap my thighs or anything or try to break free. Instead, she just took the entire load into her gullet, gulping it all down. When I pulled my cock out her mouth, she tossed me a slightly irritated look, but, all the same, licked every bit of cream that she could get at off my shaft. One more hole to go, I said. Are you up for it? Weve come this far, she shrugged. Fuck my ass, Bucky. I tossed her the pillow and she spun around and presented her peach of a rump to me. It was as green and gorgeous as the rest of her, the only contrasting color being the white fluidhers and mineleaking from her cunt lips. She pressed her elbows against the mattress, bit the pillow, and stuck her ass up nice and high in the air for me. I slid into position. I was done with the games. I wasnt going to tease her at this point. The girl had endured enough toying and aggression, that was for sure. Shed earned her proverbial stripes. No, I was going to take this nice and slow. We were on the home stretch now, and there was no need to bust her assliterally. I gently set my cockhead pressed against her winking butthole. There was some resistance as I attempted to press it inside of her, so I spit a wad of saliva onto my hand and fingered it inside of her anus. She shrieked into her pillow but offered no other complaint. Are you okay? I asked. She just nodded, the pillow remaining between her teeth. I grinned. Thrusting forward, this time my efforts to enter her were met with success. I slid inside of her ass and found it incredibly constrictingbut my cock was wet enough that I knew Id be able to make it work. I set a very steady and forgiving pace, plumbing her gently, loosening her up one thrust at a time. The tightness of her asshole gave even her tiny pussy a run for its money. As I pushed in and pulled out again and again, I squeezed her hips, leaving impressions of my hands in her skin whenever I changed my grip. Though I tried to be gentle with her as I rutted her rectum, even this slowness offered its own irresistible intensity. Her groans were lower, huskier than before, her voice scratchier from all the panting shed done. She was still muffled by the pillow, but I had a pretty good idea that she was hanging in there reasonably well as she offered no complaint and every sound she made seemed positive. I closed my eyesshe was so beautiful that her loveliness actually distracted from the euphoria that her body offered me. I tried to put her vibrant red hair and petite naked body out of my mind, focusing entirely on the sensation of my cock in her succulent little ass. Every successive thrust offered something new, something different, but it was always good. Eventually, though, I lost a degree of my self-control. I grabbed under her armpits and pulled her body up against me as I continued to take her ass from behind. I reached around and fondled her breasts with one hand and stroked off her clit with the other. The effect was instantaneous. She started shivering, even dropping the pillow from her teeth. Bucky! she shouted. But this time there was something else. I love you! I love you, Ivy, I reciprocated into her ear. With that, she came unwound. I wasnt sure if it was my fingers on her clit, my cock in her ass, my hands on her nipples, or the sound of my voice offering myself up to her that did her in. Probably it was a combination of all those factors. Either way, the result was undeniable as she started screaming and reeling from an insane squirting orgasm that coated the bed. And then I neared the finish, too. I thrust inside her one last time and stayed buried there as my cock spilled inside her rectum. She threw her head back, and her eyes blasted out a white and golden light that illuminated the room to a whole new level. Then, as I finished pumping inside her, we collapsed together on the mattress, my arms immediately seeking her out, entombing her. Congratulations, I said, nibbling on her ear, youre the very first marked elf ever, I think. She giggled, turned around, and kissed me. We froze like that, tasting each others lips, until finally, and suddenly, she pulled back. Wait a minute, youre not distracting me. How are your arms healed? Fuck. Chapter 67: Let’s Cut to the Chase virgilknightley By the afternoon, word had spread throughout Tater Town that my dragon-blood scars had healedand just how that had happened. Yes, I blabbed to Ivy. I didnt really see a good way out of the situation. Imagine my first act after marking her being telling her a lie. Not exactly an admirable course of action. Etherea shot me smug looks all afternoon as the girls all voiced their opinions one-by-one. It was top shelf entertainment just to watch the turbulent, tossing sea of their expressions go on a wild journey as they saw my arms for themselves, being moved to tears, to scowling with irritation, to smiling, to frowning, to grinning, to growling the full human experience was on display on those monster girl faces. Eventually I found myself in the darkly lit throne room again, seated at the table. This time all my marked girls and Autumn were there in addition to Darkmaw and Marrowheart. The only other soul in the room was an ogre named Charles Xavierwell, that was what I called him anyway. He was bald, and the first time I saw him, he was seated. I need no further justification for the sobriquet. As wed all sat down for a meeting, Queen Marrowheart was grinning widely, making no attempt to conceal her amusement. Darkmaw looked slightly more unnerved. Is this some kind of behavioral hearing? I asked, broadcasting just how I felt about the notion with the tone of my voice. Marrowheart laughed. Of course not. I love the fact that you took your fate into your own hands. I love it less, May Belle confessed. Bucky, that was dangerous. Ivy sighed. But it did get results. Lets cut to the chase, Autumn cut in nice and quick, slapping her palm on the table. We cant control Bucky, nor is it our job to do so. Hes the Apex Hero. He makes his own decisions. If he concealed this from us, its because he knew wed try to stop him from doing what he thought was right. And it worked out, didnt it? Sprinkle said, beaming at me. My Bucky looks great, and hes back here in one piece. Darkmaw shook her head, though, showing some degree of dissent from the direction the conversation was headed. He is indeed the Apex Heroall the more important for him to be wise with his choices. The stability of the entire Western Third of Lusteria depends on his ability to breed with the queen and lead warriors into battle. I shrugged, slouching with my elbows against the table. You ladies have all been talking about a lot while I was asleep, I said. Lets be absolutely real for a sec. I have no idea what the fuck your plans are, and I dont really have the patience to get caught up. What are you saying, Bucky Drake? Marrowheart asked from her seat at the head of the table, her fingers steepled together. Speak plainly. Im saying Im going to do things my way. You want to breed me? Fine, Ill fill you up with more cum than you can handle. I dont know why we have to be married, to be honest. Seems heavy-handed and unnecessary to me. So Im not doing it unless you can convince me why it benefits my girls. The Goblin Queen furrowed her brow at me, but to my surprise she nodded. I see, she said. Wellallow me to explain my reasoning. I believe that a political marriage with the Apex Hero who is said to be the most powerful would send a message to the other queens and the rest of the world, erasing all doubt about my intentions. While you were in your coma, other heroes were still attacking my bases to the north. If we are wed, I believe they will recognize my claims as to my goals as true. Or theyll see me as a traitor, I said. Autumn sacrificed her ability to, uh, login to the catgirl network when she sleepsthe Catternet, well call itso she cant even defend or clarify my actions to the other catgirls and their heroes. Winter can, Autumn said. She is here often. I nodded, considering it. I suppose thats a good source. They wont believe her loyalty has been compromised. Theyll take what she says at face value. Franklyfirst of all, Im really excited to be here, Ivy said, grinning around the room, soaking in her status as the newest marked girl. Her grin faded fast though. But, to be honest, I dont know if its such a good idea for Marrowheart to be the figurehead, at least in the Watchers Woods region. Shes proved herself to us, for sure. Still, the Wood Elves and people of the forest trust Bucky, and they like him, and the women of Tater Town adore himmaybe too much, really. I think the marriage should go forward, but with Bucky as the King and Marrowheart ceding to his authority, at least publicly. Darkmaw gasped, her brow furrowed at the treasonous suggestion, but Marrowheart raised a hand to stop her. There is wisdom in this suggestion, she confessed, but does Bucky Drake have the judgment to be king? Awkward laughs rang out in the hall, including my own. Im not royalty material, I chuckled. All I want to do is protect my family and home. That is the primary responsibility of any king, the Goblin Queen said. However, a kings definitions for family and home must be broader. It has been a long time since the people of this region have known a king or queen other than the Dark Queens. Bucky, I will ask you outrightwould you marry me if you felt as though you were in control of your destiny and this region you love? Are you anxious to give up power? Is that why you resist? I shrugged. Ill do what my girls think is best, as long as the reasoning is sound to me. But Im telling you now, king or not, Im not sitting around and waiting for the Demon Queens armies to take notice of us again. What are you saying? Daisy asked in a near-hush, her big brown eyes wide and concerned. Her hands were folded on her lap, her shoulders just a bit too tense. Im saying, starting tonight, Im questing again. I need to be able to mark everyone that deserves to be marked, to level up, to become a one man army if I can. And then what? Darkmaw asked, her eyebrow cocked high. I summoned my lance for effect, slamming it and planting it into the keeps floor. And then I take care of the other two Dark Queens. Autumn eyed me with skepticism. Bucky, I love this proactive side of you, but youve always been more of the passive sort of hero, dealing with problems only as they come to your doorstep. That no longer makes sense, I said coldly, my eyes going to her belly. Ive got too much at stake now. Youre going to get yourself killed, May Belle said softly. Bucky-Baby, take a few days to think of a more reasonable plan. You I shook my head and cut her off. May Belle. Stop. The tension in the room had mounted considerably. May Belle obeyed, nodding, her eyes glossing over with tears that welled in the corners of her eyelids. She folded her hands in her lap and looked down. Im sorry. Im just worried for you. Bucky isnt a child, Ivy said after that harsh pause, putting a hand on May Belles shoulder. He is an Apex Hero, and we all have to respect that he alone can decide his destiny. Even the Goblin Queen has no right to hold power over him. Im not trying to control him, May Belle whimpered, wiping her eyes, Im trying to keep him alive. I stood up and pushed in my chair. I didnt want to be here for this part. Girls, you have no idea how important you all are to me, I said. Hell, Im being hyperbolic. You damn well better know how important you are. Id be entirely lost without you. Wed be lost without you, too, Daisy said softly. I brushed past that, not really having a good response. Heres whats going to happen. Let me be clear: Ill marry Queen Marrowheart if she puts me in charge of the Watchers Woods region. I dont have any aspirations for power, but that makes sense to me. She can worry about the lands to the north. Ill help her clean out the rebels. Later tonight, Im going back out on active patrol. One of you is coming along. Were going to figure out how my new system works in greater detail, what it can and cant do, and then, once Ive leveled up a few more times, Im going to track down the Dragon Empress. Once I secure her alliance, Ill deal with the other two queens. When thats all done, we rest. I raise my daughters, I spoil my girls, and we live happily ever after. Stop worrying about me dying. I promise, thats not happening. They shared concerned and askance glances with one another, but nodded their heads primly. If you are healed, then, the wedding and coronation can move forward, Darkmaw said, her voice low and formal. Sounds good, I said. I turned my head to Daisy and May Belle. Where are our daughters? Being tended to by Etherea in her cottage, Daisy said, lolling her head with a puzzled look. Why? Because Im going to spend the rest of the afternoon with them and Bonnys girls. Will I see you there? Oh, May Belle said, sniffling, her voice suddenly warm and emotional in a whole new way. Of course, Bucky-Baby. She smiled at me. I smiled back at her. I felt awful for making her cry already. I would make it up to her soon. Marrowheart stood, too. I sensed that she felt the need to be the one to let everyone go, still clinging to some authority that she was used to. Very well then. Meeting adjourned. Bucky, please do keep me abreast of your moves. I will not fight you in any decision you make regarding your own health and activities, but I would appreciate foreknowledge of your designs so we can plan and support you accordingly. Autumn sniggered. Bucky doesnt usually have foreknowledge of his own designs. That changes now, I said solemnly, though failing to keep my face straight against her spot-on teasing remark. From today, everything changes. Going on Hiatus: Focusing on Monster Girl Castle in June I have started releasing MGC content to my Patreon. My earliest beta readers have already seen the first 9 chapters of MGC 2, and soon I''ll start posting it on MGC''s main page here on SH. I just want to build up a backlog first so I can consistently and safely release a chapter every single day until the book is done. Regarding MGS, I can''t say how long this hiatus will be, but it isn''t intended to be eternal. You can take that with a grain of salt if you like, but I don''t like the idea of having an unfinished series to my name, so I do intend to finish it and then go back and edit it to something that satisfies me. Here''s Shelley''s new art (from the end of MGC 1). Watch the MGC page because I have a surprise there coming sometime this week or next week for people who missed book 1 and can''t afford to pay the 2.99 for it on Kindle. Chapter 68: Darkmaw Content As I held my daughters in my arms and played with them for hours, I felt torn between how happy I was to be with them and how urgently I longed to rid the world of things that could harm them. As I cradled the holstaurs in my arms, and as the bunny girls worked together to knock me over and tackle me to the ground to wrestle, the one word that kept repeating in my mind was fragile. As sweet and frisky as they were, they were so small, so soft, so easy to hurt. At one point I accidentally stepped on Flopsy''s stompy little bunny foot, and my whole world came crashing down as I saw tears take shape in her eyes. Come here, I said, scooping the child up in my arms and rocking her to and fro, Im so sorry, baby, Bonny was not as impressed as I was, though. Flopsy, be more careful. You asked for that, dont go making your father feel bad. Still, I held Flopsy tight to my cheek, feeling her ears twitch against my face, waiting for the moment when her tears became giggles. No fair, Carrotina pouted, covered in dirt and grass stains as usual. Step on my foot, too. *** That night, when Id tucked the kids into bed and kissed the girls goodbye, I met Darkmaw outside Tater Towns newly-constructed walls. What is it you wish to accomplish tonight? she asked, eyeing me like the predator she was. I smirked, noticing her lingering gaze. I just want to kill some monsters, I said, and I raised my arms up in the air, summoning my lance and calling Blue down with a whistle. The scaly blue dragon-steed swooped down, and Darkmaw took a step back, clearly not trusting him as he appeared. Just killing monsters? she asked. Well, I said, looking her up and down, I do need to familiarize myself with the new system mechanicsthe Qualities, as they were called, I think. I cleared my throat. Sexy system voice, what are my four Qualities, again? Inseminator Of-fucking-course, I groaned. ---Lancer, Dragoner, and Workhorse. I listened to her sultry voice rattle off those terms, nodding my head like a diligent pupil. Ive got it, I said. Before we head into the forest, lets do some sparring. Oh? Darkmaw asked, clearly interested in the proposition. Yes, I said, slapping Blue on the rump. Blue here will be our referee. Got it, Blue? He snorted a bit of icy mist and nodded his head, neigh-screeching loudly enough to pierce my ears a bit. Darkmaw definitely showed some reticence at that part of the arrangement, not commenting and looking only out of the corners of her eyes in Blues direction. Okay, what are the rules? I asked. You tell me, and Ill adjust my plan for the fight accordingly. Pull your punches, Apex Hero, Darkmaw said. I will certainly be holding back for you. I frowned. Well, I mean obviously Im not going to try and kill you, but we have to be able to test out my powers. If something happens to you, May Belle will punch me into the next Age of Heroes, she laughed. AlsoI dont want anything to happen to you, either. If I were responsible I held up my hand and rolled my eyes dramatically to demonstrate just how interesting I found those sentiments. Okay. No weapons, limited magic, the goal is to wrestle the opponent to the ground and pin them in place for ten seconds. Darkmaw grunted her approval, a smile escaping her lips. Very well, she said. I can live with these stipulations. We squared off in front of each other, unarmed with our hands out, ready to collide. I focused on my Workhorse Quality, the one that I associated with skills like Endure, feats of strength, and tolerance of pain. Whether or not that interpretation was about to hold water was another matter. I drew a cold breath inside my lungs, focusing on the power of my Umbercore. I willed myself to be unbending, strong, and able to endure whatever punishment Darkmaw was about to dole out. I felt something activate inside me, though I wasnt sure what, or to what extent. She lunged when Blue gave the signalshooting an icicle between our feet. I planted myself on the ground, striking the most stable pose that I could, a wide stance. I caught Darkmaw by the palms as she rammed into me, her furry, wolfy hands squeezing my fingers hard. I twisted one of her arms around behind her, pirouetting her like she was a dance partner, ending up with her back pressed against my unarmored chest. Inhaling, I assimilated her primal scent, and she laughed as she noticed. Your mind is ever on one thing, she said. Youre right, I said, winning. I kicked out her legs, wrapped my arms around her waist, and fell backward, turning at the hip so that I landed on top of her, but she was strong. She fought back once we hit the ground, easily pushing my body off of hers. I gritted my teeth and drew ever deeper into my reserves of power, feeling my muscles bulge as I broke through her defenses, pressing my body entirely on top of hers. I wrapped my arms and legs around hers, and I thought I had her pinned. But I am no professional wrestler. From that position, she was easily able to roll me onto our sides, and I cursed myself for not anticipating it. She bit my shoulder playfully, drawing blood, and whispered in my ear, Whatll you do for me when I win? When I win, Im gonna make you suck my cock and call me baby, I said, laughing. She laughed, too. Then Ill make you bury your face in my womanhood until I have my satisfaction. And you, too, must call me baby. Good fucking luck I grunted, I decided a new approach was in order. I was already wrapped around her, so I squeezed as tightly as I could, forcing the breath out of her body, feeling her back crack. She dug her claws into my shoulder blades and bit my neck harder in response, and I felt blood streaming from the fresh open wounds. Blue made a snort, signaling that he was getting concerned by the display of mounting violence. I didnt disagree. The wounds we were both suffering were far from fatal, but things were escalating. I needed to get clever to win this one and lower the tension threshold back down to acceptable levels. I closed my eyes, ignoring the pain of her claws and fangs as her lustrous black hair covered my face and she managed to get on top of me. I summoned the power of the Inseminator Quality to make a surprise attack. From where Darkmaw was sitting on my stomach, my dick was only a few inches away. I had a surprise in store for the Wolf General, one that she wouldnt be expecting. Extension, go! I shouted, and my cock burst from my pants, ripping them to shreds as it forcefully impacted Darkmaws back, sending her flying off of me, tumbling on the ground behind my head. I got back up, naked from the waist down, and that was enough of a distraction for her to hesitate as she started to get back up. Lunging, I landed on top of her stomach, grabbing her by the shoulders and throat, my cock extending through the valley of her cleavage and resting upon her lips. Her eyes crossed to look at it. Do I win? I asked. Muffled against my dick, she shook her head. I could still pull a reversal on you at any moment. Then why dont you? I grinned down at her. Blue was watching in rapt fascination. Send the dragon-steed away, she said, smiling coyly, then licking the head of my cock so that there was no mystery as to her intentions. Lets call it a draw. Blue, buddy, why dont you go for a walk and Ill call you in a bit, I said. Blue gave me a knowing whinny and took off into the sky. Such a good wingman, I said. Literally, I guess. Darkmaw made good on her earlier threat, reversing our positions with a series of twists and presses that I wasnt prepared for. But she dismounted me, spreading my legs with her hands at the knees, making a spot for herself between them. She stripped off her armor and got ass up, face down, inhaling the scent of my cock and balls as her eyes rolled back in a wanton look of satisfaction mixed with anticipation. Her tongue darted out of her mouth, smaller and more maneuverable than I had imagined it would be, and started lightly teasing my sack. This is my first time tasting you, she said. Im going to enjoy fucking your brains out, I grunted back at her. But she stopped and shook her head, frowning and pulling back as though shed just remembered something. NoI cant do this, she said darkly. What? I whined, why the fuck not? You need to truly defeat meand you are not yet at your best, fully recovered, and familiar with your new skills. Furthermore, she looked at the ground as she said this part, Queen Marrowheart made me promise Id be witness to your consummation with her. So? I asked, confused how that was relevant. So, she demanded that she have the right to mate with you first. As her daughter, I could only obey. I frowned. Maaanbut my dick is, like, harder than a fucking diamond. Darkmaw frowned, offering nothing but a sigh. I suppose maybe we could mutually pleasure ourselves? she suggested. You could stroke your cock for me, cumming on my body, and I could touch my quim so you can see how wet I am for you? When life gives you lemons, mutually masturbate with those lemons, I said, nodding like a wiseman. Lets do this. We ended up in an interesting position, with Darkmaw lying on her back, but with her knees and ass up as she started stroking her clit. Her hips were elevated, too, bringing my cock and her cunt closer. I was standing in front of her, looking down at the display, ready to aim my load of cum right into her pussy. I started jerking up and down the length of my shaft as I stared at Darkmaw, her raven-black hair spilling out on the ground like a dark storm. First I was focused on her face, which was the height of eroticism, her lip bitten, her eyes dilated, her throat swallowing and jaw clenching. Beads of perspiration formed around her lips and forehead, and her breathing went heavy. She was stroking her clit with a passion, staring directly into my eyes as she did it, hardly bothering to glance at my cock. I was immensely flattered by that, that the look of my face was enough to get her off. I felt more or less the same. Still, I stole constant looks down at her delightful pussy, watching her dullest claw delve into her womanly chasm, hearing the lewd sounds of squishing and squelching echo in the night, silencing the crickets out in the fields. All that you could hear now was the sounds of her moans and her pussy juice stirring in her honeypot. Youreyoure very handsome, she said, focusing on my face as she fucked herself with her wolfy digits. She started writhing, and she locked her legs around mine, her lying, me standing, so that her ankles were hooked around the backs of my knees. I enjoy the sight of you. Youre fucking hot, I grunted, holding nothing back. The second I finish squirting in your moms pussy, Im gonna ride you like the beast you are. She smirked, but her self-fucking pace only hastened at my words. Well see about that, she said. Suddenly her eyes went wide, and I realized that what I was seeing on her face was the realization that she was about to burst. So was I. I chewed on the inside of my cheek to delay until the moment I saw her losing herselfand there it was. Her voice went higher than Id ever heard it. Oh! Oh! Im cumming, Apex Hero! Im cumming! I didnt announce my arrival. Instead, I just firebombed a multitude of hot loads atop her mound of pussy-flesh, watching it drip from her mons into the slit. Several more blasts hit her opening head on. She greedily shoved the wads of my creamy love inside her. I fell to my knees and wrapped my arms around her back, pulling her up to my level. She was still shaking and cumming long after I had finished. I planted my lips on hers, kissing her gently at first, then going deeper. Are we still hunting for monsters? Darkmaw asked, panting desperately. I groaned. Yes, I said. In, like, ten minutes. The Wolf General giggled. Ten minutes it is. Chapter 69: Nice. virgilknightley Darkmaw and I crept into an entrance of the woods that Id never taken before. There is a cavern here, she said as our soft footfalls brushed against the sounds of night. Owls hooted, wood elves sang in the distance, and wolves, of course, howled. Those were probably Darkmaws wolves, ever near, even if they didnt walk with us at the present moment. I dont think Ive ever delved into any caverns in Lusteria, I said, considering it. Id been here for months and it seemed a strange admission to have to makebut then again I hadnt really been in a lot of caverns back in my homeworld, either. Never really came up. Youre missing out, she said, humming excitedly as she slashed through the brush in the thicket before us. Her claws made quick work of the emerald green foliage that had grown thick in this part of the woods. They are an excellent place to hunt. What kinds of monsters live in caves? I asked her. She smirked, her tanned skin looking even darker under only the light of a gibbous moon that narrowly peeked through the forest canopy to find us. All sorts, she said. Bagors, Derrincules, Trowyou have no idea what any of these are, do you? she said, noticing the growing look of perplexion on my face. You are correct, I said. Are they killable? Very, she said, beaming at me. Then call me Monopoly, cuz Im game, I said. She leaned forward and sniffed me, her eyes filled with suspicion. I do not understand your words. We trudged and trailed through the woods until we found the jagged brown mouth of the cavern, though it was almost blue-gray under the lunar light. Darkmaw allowed me to enter first, so I summoned my lance and walked into the darkness. I allowed the lances pole to coil inward, shrinking back until it was more like the hilt of a sword, able to be wielded in one hand. Next, I grabbed a stick off of the ground and blew a tulip of fire upon it, improvising a torchthough it wouldnt last long. That wont do you much good down there, she said. Itll burn out in a few minutes. The thought already occurred to me, I admitted, but I have a suspicion Id like to test. Darkmaw leaned on one hip, her black leather armor making a sound against the straining of her hip, it was so tight on her body. She watched in captive fascination as I raised a finger to the flame on my torch. Sexy system voice, I said. You there? I am always available to answer your system queries, she called back. Nice, I grunted. Hang tight Darkmaw, Im trying something. Darkmaw said nothing. Okay, first of all, Sexy System Voice, from now on call me Big Papa, if you dont mind. And Now Darkmaw reacted, burning her face in her furry hand. And tell me, Ive used my Dragoner Quality a bit. Have I unlocked any more information? Yes, Big Papa Fuckin nice, I grunted. the Dragoner Quality is a rare quality. 0.02% of all heroes, elves, or monster girls with access to the secondary system have possessed this quality before you, she said. This quality indicates a unique connection to dragons. As such, you will gradually be able to enhance this power to gain more dragon-like abilities. Combined with your Shifter feat, it is likely that you may even be able to one day transform into a dragon. Thats badass, Sexy System Voice, but I noticed that the one dragon I met before had some pretty intense control of his breath weapon. Would I be able to control my flames, for instance, once theyre igniting something that Im holding? Keep the flames in one spot? She paused. You can try, Big Papa. I grinned, focusing on the Dragoner Quality that dwelt inside me, a part of me. I drew the power out, focusing on my glowing fire as it started to consume the torchrefocusing it at the tip. It burned there without consuming, just existing, creating light for us that would last as long as I was able to maintain it. Impressive, Apex Hero, Darkmaw said. But I can see in the dark. I kinda can, too, I admitted. At least a little bit. But I played D&D in high school and it just feels right, yknow? If you say so, she said, gesturing to the darkness ahead. I walked deeper into the cavern, my feet crunching over broken stone. The walls and ceiling were smooth, not a pebble to be found, but the floor was littered with dusky rocks of every shape and size, some of them huge, most of them small. The smell of earth and dust filled my nostrils, and the air was cool, yet damp. I could hear water dripping somewhere in the distance. I kept walking, keeping my senses open. I could hear my companion sniffing for hints of the scents of beast every few steps. We plunged downward into ever blackening darkness, so thick and all-encompassing that even my dragon-flame torch wasn''t doing a whole lot to help. I walked forward, kicking a rock, listening to it fall into a chasm just a few feet in front of me. I wasn''t surprised--I sensed it coming. "Careful here," I grunted to Darkmaw, who nodded her agreement, ever on guard. "Something is close," she said. "I can smell it." And then we could hear it. A deep, booming roar thundered throughout the cavern. As I whipped around, I became aware of a pair of two smoldering eyes that glowed yellow just beyond the radius of my torchlight. They seemed to be floating in midair, suspended between the roof and the floor of the cavern, but they belonged to something. The eyes were followed by a huge head. It had to be at least three feet across, its teeth and fangs glistening as it roared again. Its face was a mess of fur and scales, It opened its fanged mouth, roaring at us. I raised the dragon-flame torch into the air. "It''s a cave warden," Darkmaw grunted. "They''re deadly beasts, part bear, part crocodile, part scorpion, and they live in total darkness. Be ready, Apex Hero!" she shouted. The monstrosity lunged toward her first, but she was prepared. She jumped up on the creature''s head, landing on its snout. With a powerful swipe of her clawed hand, she slashed it, drawing gouts of blood that looked as orange as everything in the torchlight. The beast bellowed again, but she wasn''t finished. I leapt forward, inserting myself into the fight, but I almost paused when I saw it plainly. It was an ugly thing--a marriage of different animals that weren''t meant to merge. As it battled against Darkmaw, its tail sought me, its stinger reaching for my throat. I batted it away with a decisive swipe of my blade, but it was fast, faster than I thought it would be. It recovered fast, making a second attack that once again failed to make contact. I dodged, weaved, ducked, and bent out of the way, all while attempting to make my own attacks, parrying its tail, and slashing at the beast as I moved. Darkmaw was faring better with the upper half of its body. She slashed and carved into it again and again until it was crying out, and the tail decided to focus on her--it was as though the thing had a mind of its own. As it targeted her I saw more clearly that it did, at the very least, have eyes of its own, which explained how it was able to do battle with both of us at the same time. As its tail reared back, poised to impale Darkmaw with its venomous stinger, I fired up my Workhorse Quality. "Sexy System Voice, I need a power boost!" My muscles swelled to twice their normal size, and I brought my lance down upon the accursed creature with fury and finality. Its tail separated from its body, thudding against the floor and spilling ichor into the cracked earth. The creature tried to run, but Darkmaw punished its cowardice by slashing at its legs. The beast screamed, a hideous noise that echoed through the cavern. I looked at my companion. She was panting and bleeding. Her fur was matted with gore and blood--admittedly most of it was not hers. The creature slumped to the floor and tried to pull itself away on its forepaws. Darkmaw firmly planted her heel in the creature''s back, forcing its face against the ground. With a nod from my companion, I lowered my blade in a guillotine strike, decapitating the monster. A powerful monster soul entered my blade, and I felt it assimilate into my body. "Let me lick your wounds," Darkmaw said, clearly a bit aroused by the heat of battle. Before I could protest about the dead monster on the ground next to us, her tongue was down my throat, and my hand was on her tits. "I guess we''re doing this again," I growled. After a night of monster slaying and making out, we slowly made our back to Tater Town and the keep. Another day was ending, and another would soon begin. Tomorrow would be the day that I started problem-solvingand I had a lot of problems to solve.