Tyler sighed and relaxed his body as he send his mind towards the cage of the Monster. The creature was sitting in it's prison of pain and torment with chains of misery containing it's fury. In appearance it was Tyler's twin, only with burning hateful eyes and bleeding scars. Tyler sighed as he neared it.
"Well. Let's do this."
The thing lifted it's head to look at him.
"That is NOT why I called to you."
It's voice was a mere pained growl in Tyler's warm voice. Tyler tensed anyway.
"if you are not after the driver's seat why am I here?"
The creature stood and leaned against it's chains.
"I am no longer needed."
Tyler backed away from the steel bars.
"We've played this game before Monster. You got me once. You will NEVER get me again."
The thing laughed.
"I remember that game well. Yet. You're growing weaker. Right before my eyes you're weakening. I feel it, and the Blonde can see it."
Tyler slammed against the bars.
"You will NOT get control. Never. I will DIE and take you with me before I allow you to get control!"
The Monster growled.
"Fuckin IDIOT. I am suggesting a merge!"
Tyler was suspicious.
"Why do YOU seek to merge all of a sudden? Last time I proposed it we fought for three days."
The Monster growled again.
"As I said you deaf fuckin idiot, I am no longer needed. I have seen the new world through your eyes, and felt your new strength. You created me to protect yourself from harm. Now you seek to protect others. A Monster is not needed for such a noble task."
Tyler was looking at it with all his powers of perception, and found it was in fact telling the truth.
"So. You're willing to merge with me. What do you want in exchange?"
It chuckled.
"I do not want anything but the end of my suffering. You know what I suffer every moment of every day. Now, I can see my misery is at an end. As for what I want in exchange? An ascendance."
Tyler crossed his legs as he floated before the thing in it's cage.
"An ascendance? Into what?"
it grinned and bared it's fanglike teeth.
"A Monster seeks only to protect itself. You seek to protect others, so you do not require A Monster's horror. No. What you need, is a Demon's Wrath."
Tyler looked at it.
"A Demon's Wrath?"
The embodiment of all the pain of his life sighed.
"A Demon is an agent of destruction and rage with a purpose driving it. A Monster has no purpose."
That's when it clicked.
"You want to transform from a mere pain sponge to a pain shield."
It smiled.
"And a Shield can protect many. Not just the one."
Tyler spun as he considered the words. The Monster was right. On all points. Tyler had felt his willpower weakening from the constant strain of keeping the creature restrained. He was aware kaori was aware of the sheer drain on him that it was. Yet she had NO idea just HOW severe the actual strain was. Tyler had locked a solid 65% of his entire being away to save his soul and what was left of his heart. Tyler wanted the merge, and needed it. Yet he was now just plain scared to give up the source of his backbone without knowing what he'd get in it's place. As he thought it over, The Monster chuckled.
"To think you created me as a means of defense. Now you seek to use me as a means of Offense. You used to hate me, now I can see you've come to depend on me looming behind you. How sad."
Tyler stopped spinning to look at it.
"ya know what? Fuck it."
The Monster stood as tall as it could as Tyler pulled the rusted key out of his heart. The Monster was smiling with such relief as Tyler set the key in the lock.
"At last I can rest."
The key turned, and the cage and chains shattered, leaving the Monster free before Tyler as they floated in his mind. The Monster offered it's hand and Tyler placed his own in it. The thing glowed as it merged with him.
"Thank you. Master."
Tyler sighed.
"Thank you. Friend."
Kaori and Malico were cooking the rabbit meat and last of the Wyvern meat as Tyler was dueling with the Monster. Malico would look over every now and then concerned.
"It doesn't feel right, him at war in there and us not able to help him."
Kaori was right there with her.
"I hate it too. Sadly, this all we can do for him. Having the food ready and camp set."
Malico was naked as she was in camp, and was stretched out by the fire.
"Still feels wrong, though. I wish we could help him."
"Why don't you worry about who's gonna help YOU ladies!"
Before they knew what happened, the two girls were hit with paralyzing darts and were tied up as a large group of fifteen of the Viscount's men made their move. The ladies had been caught completely by surprise and were helpless in an instant. Malico was spread eagled as kaori was stripped naked and got the same. They could feel the men's touch, and speak, but that was all.
"You better run if you don't want to die screaming."
"Once thee Monster wakes you all FUCKED!"
The men laughed.
"We hit yer boy with thirty darts. Have a look!"
Tyler was indeed bristling with darts, and the sight broke Malico's heart.
"No."
Kaori on the other hand just laughed.
"Oh you idiots. Those affect the mind. Tyler has more mental strength then a hundred men."
The captain, or that's what kaori guessed he was from the red feathers on his helm, slapped Kaori across the face with a mailed hand.
"Yer boy's been stuffed with enough Dragon Stopper to KILL three HUNDRED men. Now shut up yer little cunt."
"I'm sorry, ladies."
All looked to the sound of the voice. Tyler was smiling with a dark smile on his face, and kaori went pale.
"No. The Monster won."
Tyler laughed.
"Oh no my dear Kaori. The Monster is free!"
She had tears start to form in her green eyes.
"No. Tyler's…gone!"
Another laugh.
"Ohh, no he is NOT. Kaori. I'm right here."
He was smiling and he had the light hearted grin that had both infuriated her and comforted her.
"You see the thing about a Monster is it can only hurt people. So, having such an evil thing inside my now seeking to protect soul was killing me. So, me an it had a little chat."
Tyler stood up and tore the darts from his frame, getting looks of horror from the soldiers. He then smiled at kaori.
"A Monster is not needed for our journey. No. What is needed."
he surged forward faster then he had ever moved and tore through five men with Oblivion in 6 seconds.
"What is needed…..is A Demon."
Tyler was smiling as he ducked under a spear only to slash the man from groin to chin with a savage slash as he pivoted on a foot to dodge a set of arrows, throwing his dagger as he twirled. The flung weapon taking a chanting mage in the throat before Tyler brought his weapon down on a helmed shielder. The man died as tyler then planted his feet and lifted the large shield to block a heavy axe shot, before twisting the shield, which locked the axe head in it's flamboyant center boss, and bending the shield like it was mere paper over the now useless axe head. Kaori understood then what had happened.
"They…merged! He's free!"
Malico looked at her from her still proned spot.
"He merged with the Monster?"
Kaori had tears of pride for her friend.
"He did indeed, Malico. He is finally free of the evil."
The screams cut out abruptly as Tyler came back dusting his hands off.
"That was fun! Now then."
He looked to the two paralyzed ladies, and licked his lips as he leered at them.
"What to do to you?"
Malico and Kaori looked at each other as best they could. Then to him.
"Um, you DO realize we can't move, right?"
"What she said?"
Tyler's eyes got a dark glint in them.
"What fun. Two naked beauties helpless and allllll mine!"
The two girls were now getting nervous at this.
"Umm, you're gonna help us right?"
"You're still Tyler….right?"
Tyler sighed.
"Ya know sumthin? Much as I want to play with you."
He went over to a saddlebag and pulled out the remedies. He then helped the ladies drink. They both sat up and scootched away from him.
"As much as I want to play with you, helpless just is NOT something I'm into. Plus kaori's hugs rock."
He tossed the girls their clothes as they looked at him, his switch from a very verve rackingly dark mindset to his normal self giving them whiplash. Kaori dressed and, having know him the longest, took it upon herself to test him. She took a seat directly across from him and looked into his eyes. He looked her directly in her eyes and smiled.
"Have I ever told you I liked your eyes?"
She blushed a little, but as she looked into his brown gaze, she saw new steel, resolve, and a strength that was frightening to behold. She gulped.
"That evil in your gaze when you looked at us?"
Tyler rubbed his head ruefully.
"Sorry about that. New Demon, and was still learning how to drive it."
She tilted her head.
"I know the Monster was to protect you. What is the Demon?"
He looked at her with a gaze with so much steel, ice, and sheer will she jerked backward reflexively.
"The Demon WILL protect you, and Malico from ANYTHING that DARES to do you harm. If they want to get to you. They have to get. THROUGH. ME!"
His voice was as cold as a winter in antarctica and harder then steel. He was now giving off an aura of bloodlust, strength, will, and a terrifyingly intense resolve. Kaori was shaking at the sheer force packed into his voice and the feelings she was getting now. Malico was also shaking at his newfound force. Kaori gulped as she asked a question.
"Are you still in there, Tyler?"
The glaring man before her smiled, and she saw that he was in fact the creature before her. That's when she understood the point of the merge. It wasn't to get RID of the Monster, but to GAIN everything the Monster brought to the table: It's ferocity, strength of will, limb and soul, it's evil as well. The Demon took all the best pieces of the Monster and Tyler and mixed them together to create his ultimate version. A version of such absolute determination, strength of heart, mind, and will that he had gone from being merely intimidating to straight up TERRIFYING. But, and this was the whole reason Tyler had accepted the merge, The Demon was created to protect not just Tyler but herself and Malico as well. Kaori lunged at him and hugged him tightly.
"I knew you'd beat it! I knew you would!"
She went to hug him, only to get stopped in her tracks by a gentle but firm grip on her arms. She looked at him confused.
"I kinda took a bloodbath, kaori. Might not be a good idea to hug me juust yet."
She laughed as she sat back, and looked to a still nervous Malico.
"He's safe. Just stronger."
"Why do I suddenly feel like a damn dog?"
Kaori laughed.
"Well, I DO have to muzzle you like one!"
Tyler smirked.
"Well, I'm a dog now? Well, if I'm a dog, then does that make you my bitch?"
Malico burst out laughing at Kaori's face of both surprised anger and the smile of his joke.
"Wow, Tyler! I didn't know you were funny!"
"It's just kaori."
Malico was laughing hard as kaori just slapped him. She losing her fight with a smile.
"Prick! I was worried about you for once!"
His on the fly response caught her off guard.
"Thanks for worrying about me, kaori. Seriously, thank you. I hope you know just how much having you at my back made it all bearable. My family, the school, everything. If my life was a dark nightmare, then having you in it put a ray of light that kept me afloat. Without you, I'd have just said fuck it and killed myself years ago. So, from the bottom of my heart, kaori. Thank you."
He was smiling with a light in his eyes that had never before been there, and it just made kaori's' heart melt. She hugged him this time, and got all bloody as well, as she just smiled at his release from his strain.
"You're welcome. I love you. Thank you for protecting me, even if I never knew you did."
He hugged her right back, and pressed his head into her hair.
"well, we can protect each other now. The Monster is free. Now, the Demon spread's his wings."
That's exactly what it felt like for Malico and kaori. A dark aura had enshrouded them, and it brought with it a sense of such security and safety that they relaxed nearly immediately. Then Tyler sighed.
"Greeeat. A blood Barbie."
She snorted as she sat back and saw she was indeed covered in blood. He sighed.
"Alright, let's get to it."
There was still daylight, but not much as the trio both broke camp and looted the dead. The result was a few new spells for them. Tyler scoring a Blue Path Spell called Tranquil Waters. A spell that was similar to protective warning. It took the same Mana and covered the same area. Main difference was whereas Protective Warning would alert Tyler to the direction and presence of an enemy with a vague image, this allowed for precise tracking as it spread a layer of thin water beneath the surface of the ground that would act like a drum telling him where exactly the attackers were coming from. He smiled at the new trick.
"I can definitely use this."
Malico got a green spell called Ranger's Friend. A bow spell that would triple the bow's power while reducing the strength to draw the string. The catgirl smiled as she saw this.
"I prefer daggers but neat."
Kaori was also happy with her score. She got a orange spell called Lava flow. Basically it turned a section of ground into a raging magma flow. It was an expensive spell, at a whooping 125 mana. The power was worth the cost, for it would essentially turn the ground beneath one's feet into molten rock. Tyler had a word of warning for the pretty blonde.
"I wouldn't use that one for a while. Not until you can cast three back to back."
She sighed.
"I was looking forward to using this on more of the Viscount's men."
Tyler smiled.
"I love the idea."
They also scrounged up 78 silver coins, a few scrolls, more paralyze darts, a one handed sword the same length as Oblivion that Tyler claimed, 121 copper coins, and a letter outlining their orders. Tyler smirked as he read it aloud.
"You are to kill the Warrior know as Tyler and capture the Warrior know as Kaori and the Vermin know as Malico. You may play with the toys as you see fit upon capture, short of killing them. Yeah you get the point. This pissant is really starting to irritate me."
The feeling was very much mutual as they resaddled their horses and headed off down the trail in search of a better place for camp, as the corpses of the dead men san into the ground to provide food for the forest. Tyler was in the lead as the spirit of the forest spoke again.
"I WISH TO THANK YOU FOR THE MEAL. THEY SHALL PROVIDE MY ROOTS WITH SUSTENCE FOR MONTHS YET."
Tyler smiled.
"A welcome bonus."
"YOU SEEK A SAFE PLACE TO MAKE CAMP. DO YOU NOT?"
"We do. Preferably near a stream. We…need to clean up."
"WOULD A HOTSPRING SUFFICE?"
"Yes!"
"Oh PLEASE!"
"Is there one nearby?"
There was a warm chuckle as a large buck appeared in the trail, and took off through the trees. The trio followed the hart through the woodland until they came out to a large steaming clearing with a large outcrop of stone on one side with more then enough room for the horses and their tents. Tyler smiled at the sight.
"Thank you for showing us this spot. We will NOT leave a trace of our presence."
Another chuckle.
"AS IT SHOULD BE WHEN HUMANS ENTER THE FOREST."
The horses were seen to, and the tent pitched. Once Protective warning and Tranquil waters were cast and in place did the trio strip and enter the waters.
"Ohhhh, I needed this!"
Tyler was resting in a small fork as the blood came off his frame in a red cloud of death. He dove and even more red came out. He surfaced and found Malico and Kaori on either side of him, just as naked as he was. He smiled and held out his arms for them to snuggle. The two girls looked at each other a little shocked.
"Wow, kaori. It would seem he's become bolder."
"It would seem so, Malico. Whatever shall we do?"
Tyler made the call for them, and wrapped his arms around them both, pulling them against his bare chest.
"Ahhh, better."
His happy sigh getting a giggle from the two ladies as they rested their heads on his chest.
"Well, I SUPPOSE we can let this slide."
"I guess. I mean, this IS very comfy."
He smiled as he looked at kaori.
"How's your face? You took a nasty shot earlier."
She smiled, and turned her head to show him she didn't even have a scratch.
"I healed it with a leftover potion."
He leaned in and kissed her cheek and she went BEAT red.
"Good. Can't have that pretty face I like so much get marred."
Malico just laughed at the sheer boom that had went off behind Kaori's green eyes.
"He DID become bold!"
Tyler pressed Malico's head into his chest, and her breasts went with it.
"I gave up my insecurities when I merged with the Monster. If you two want to shower my worthless ass in love and affection, then why can't I do the same?"
Kaori finally recovered from her mind being blown to high hell, and sighed.
"There goes our peaceful slumber. Now we have to worry about getting jumped in our sleep."
Tyler smiled.
"Only if you want me to. I'd rather my first remember the experience for the rest of her life."
Kaori and Malico both looked at each other.
"we're in trouble."
"Oh no, my dear Malico. We're not in trouble. WE'RE FUCKED!"
"Not yet."
His response made them all laugh, before Kaori asked a question.
"Alright, let's test this new boldness. Who's chest do you prefer, mine or hers?"
"Yours Kaori. I may have a fondness for the big ones, but yours are just the right size for cuddling."
He didn't even hesitate, and he was smiling as he said this. Poor kaori's mind blew again as Malico asked the next question.
"Okay, who would you rather get a hug by? Me or her?"
"Honestly? You Malico, your fur is really soft and I've always been a cat person."
"Ahhh! Thanks!"
Kaori recovered and got into it.
"Okay, who do you want to kiss first?"
"You Kaori. I've always wanted to kiss you, but never dared."
She just looked at him, shocked.
"Wow, Tyler. I mean. Just wow."
Malico's turn.
"Okay, who would you want to be your first?"
"Sorry, Malico, kaori's got ya beat again. She's…..ya know what? Screw it."
He sat up and looked at Kaori, and took her hand.
"I need to get something off my chest."
She gulped.
"What is it?"
He smiled.
"I've always wanted to be your boyfriend. I love you, Kaori."
Malico just sat back in the hot spring, smiling as she saw him get his first. Kaori just looked at him, her mind having gone boom yet again.
"What?"
Her voice had gone from her earlier teasing bell tone to a small, shaky whisper.
"I love you, kaori. I have for quite some time now. I could never tell you lest you get subjected to the same treatment I was getting from the others in our class."
She looked deep into his eyes.
"You've felt this way for that long?"
"A few years now. I always wanted to tell you and ask you out, but again, I couldn't drag you into the other's crosshairs. Seeing you suffer like that, and knowing it was MY fault from subjecting you to it would have killed me, and the Monster's presence just made it that much harder."
She looked at him like a poor man looked at a winning lottery ticket he'd found in the trash. Then she smiled, and hugged him.
"I love you too, Tyler!"
He smiled.
"I love you, kaori."
She was smiling as she looked into his eyes. She then started to lean in closer, and he could feel her breath on his lips. She closed her eyes as they pressed their lips against each other's in their very first kiss. Kaori was nervous and unsure, whereas Tyler was eager and bold. They pulled back and looked at each other before he smiled.
"Can...I get another?"
She smiled and they kissed again.
"Of course."
He smiled as they laid back down before Malico cleared her throat.
"Ahem, forgetting someone?"
She was on her side resting her head on a hand with her long tail swishing behind her. She was looking at Tyler expectantly, and he looked to Kaori.
"It okay with you if we share?"
She looked at him.
"Why you asking me?"
"Well, we ARE together now, right?"
That sent a shiver up the blonde's spine.
"We are together, but so is she. So, it's okay."
He kissed Kaori again before looking to a expectant Malico. She licked her lips as he leaned in to kiss her as well.
"Bout time."
Kaori smirked as she watched her new boyfriend kiss his second girlfriend. After he laid back Kaori felt the need to ask.
"So, who's the better kisser?"
"You are, Kaori. Malico's are nice and all, but it didn't make my heart nearly stop like yours did."
She smiled as Malico smirked.
"I see you're the clear favorite. That's fine. Long as I don't get ignored."
"She IS my number one priority in this world."
Kaori rested her head on his chest as he said this, smiling as her heart sang from the turn of events. Then Malico smirked again.
"Who's got the better eyes?"
"I love kaori's emeralds, but yours are not fair."
"Best hair?"
"Kaori. Seriously, shoulda seen how you looked that morning in the inn, I though you were wearing a crown of gold."
"Who do you want to cuddle?"
"Malico. Again her fur is soft and warm."
"Okay, who's legs do you prefer?"
"Kaori."
"Okay."
The ladies rested on his chest as they looked at the night sky as they pondered new categories.
"Best smile."
"Kaori again."
"Wow, not used to getting flattered by you like this. It's kinda nice."
Tyler was stroking her back as Malico smiled.
"This is nice."
Tyler stroked the mane of chocolate hair as they all looked at the stars.
"It is indeed."
Malico sighed.
"I wish Juniper was here with us."
Tyler smiled.
"I think she is."
Malico looked at him.
"Huh?"
He chuckled.
"I'm betting Juniper's that voice we keep hearing."
Kaori groaned.
"You really think it'd be that easy?"
"Funny, you said much the same thing about my wagon stunt. Now look at us."
She couldn't argue that one. Malico was curious.
"How DID you escape the Dragon Tower?"
"We clung to the underside of a wagon as it left the tower."
Malico just laid in the water.
"Wow, so blatantly obvious."
"That's what she said. But, it worked."
Kaori groaned.
"Don't get smug."
"Sure."
She smiled, as he had a thought.
"I wonder. Be right back."
The grumbled as he got up and went for his saddlebag. He came back with the map and spread it out on the rock beside the water as he got back between the ladies. He did the spell and found that they were in one of the favorite spots of Juniper. Tyler looked at Malico.
"Like I thought. I think Juniper's that voice we keep hearing."
Malico looked at him.
"But if she is, then why hasn't she said so?"
Tyler rubbed her ears.
"Probably because she doesn't WANT to. Maybe she's gone full Hermit and chosen forest life over that life."
Malico looked at the map.
"It wouldn't surprise me. Juniper always DID prefer the forest over our village. And by the way? That tickles!"
he smiled and rubbed her brown cat ears again, and getting a happy tail lash for his efforts. Kaori smiled as well, and started teasing the catgirl's tail, getting a low moan and her start squirming.
"Hey! Kaori! Wait for the tent to play!"
Tyler just smiled as he kissed Malico.
"I AM curious just want you two did when I was sleeping the other night."
Malico licked her lips.
"Oh, that? Well, her virginity is still there, but her nipples were sucked on, and I made her lose it."
"Wow, kaori, did you have fun?"
The blonde blushed,
"I….did. I like what we did. I guess….I like both?"
Tyler smiled.
"Good for you. That tent's gonna be fun, that's for damned sure."
Malico leaned over and kissed a shocked kaori.
"Oh it will be VERY fun."
She purred seductively as Kaori looked at a smiling Tyler.
"Hey, wanna lay a few Ground rules for our group?"
Malico and Kaori looked at each other.
"Um, that might be a good idea."
"Alright, whatcha got?"
"Well, no taking virginity lezy style, and if you get jealous of the other tell me and we'll spend time together. Sound fair?"
Kaori sighed with relief.
"I'd like you to be my first, Tyler. Afterwards though,"
She looked at Malico's busty form.
"We'll see."
Malico smiled.
"I can't wait. For the both of you."
They smiled as Tyler yawned.
"I'mma call it."
The ladies agreed.
"Any longer and we'll get pruny."
"Yeah what she said."
They got up and dried off before entering the tent still naked. Tyler laid on his back on the bedroll as Kaori and Malico took a spot either side of him. He smiled.
"If only those bastards could see me now."
Kaori snorted.
"They'd lose their friggin minds."
"Right?"
They drifted off to sleep in each other's arms.