In the large common area of the Grand Village Hall's lower room, Marcus leaned against a pillar, fixing his wrist collar. "Where is that stupid elf?" He murmured.
Suddenly, the large oak doors of the hall opened, revealing two mature, feminine figures. The first to enter was an elf wearing her signature blue gown. She clutched her staff, the moment she and Marcus locked eyes. "Ah, well if it isn't Arianna!" Marcus smirked, seeing her. "Why didn't you come to my quarters last night? They say it is disgraceful to deny a Royal's request."
"I was busy with other matters." Arianna scoffed, "You probably have done it with another elf, anyways."
"Hmm…that is true." Marcus winked, "But she couldn't have possibly satisfied me compared to you~"
Arianna sighed. "What is the second prince doing here anyways?"
"I'm here to help an elf warrior with a ritual. That's the entire reason why I'm in this Elven village in the first place. Chief Nava told me her name was Tipha, and wow…" Marcus explained, crossing his arms, "I can't wait to claim those breasts. He also said that I could make her my own if I wanted to."
"Tipha?!" Arianna's eyes widened, "With you?!"
"What, are you jealous?"
"N-no…" Arianna stuttered. "It's nothing." She had heard about the ritual before, but she hadn't expected it to require the elf essentially doing the deed with a Royal.
"Is this man bothering you, Arianna?" said the woman behind her. Marcus took a peek, and noticed something he couldn't resist. She stood gracefully in her sleeveless white dress, held up by delicate shoulder straps that showcased her bare shoulders. The fabric clung lightly to her figure, except on the chest, where her cleavage was visible. Her bare feet peeked out from under the hem of the white dress, her toes visible in extravagant brown sandals Her hair, usually free-flowing, was tied back into a low ponytail, giving her a vibe of maturity. Though what set her apart was those two fuzzy wolf ears on her head, and those five lush tails sprouting from behind her hips.
"Ah, Lima." Arianna smiled. "It is fine, you do not need to worry—"
"And who might this be?" Marcus chuckled. He took a step forward Lima, admiring her body. "My name is Prince Marcus Oshoen, 2nd Prince of Oshoen. You have the makings of a humble mother."
"I cam called Lima, and you could say I am one." Lima replied with a giggle. As she leaned in for a respectful bow, she quickly reeled back, covering his nose. "Mister...you smell like my Master…except worse." she coughed.
"Your Master?" Marcus raised his eyebrow, "I wonder what lucky man has made such a powerful beastkin his subordinate. Not only that, he appears to have made you a mother to his kin. Who is this…'Master'?"
"Master Clive." Lima crossed her arms with a smug look on her face. "I wouldn't serve anyone else!"
"Is that so…" Marcus stepped closer to her, his eyes sharp and calculating. Seeing this, Arianna prepared herself, just in case. "Y'know, I am Clive's elder brother."
"Really?" Lima said, "No wonder you smell familiar."
"I can see why Clive has kept you around. What a strong, loyal…fine companion." His voice dripped with admiration, his gaze on her thighs and hips, moving to her tails.
Lima stared at him, her expression guarded. "Prince Marcus?" she asked, her voice calm but filled with suspicion. "Is anything wrong?"
Marcus chuckled softly. "I see great potential in you, Lima. More than Clive can ever harness. Why follow a boy when you could serve a true power?" He raised his hand, revealing an ornate emblem on his wrist. Lima realized that this was the same emblem that saved her back in the labyrinth. Except this one gleamed with a radiant blue light, swirling with an intricate design that pulsed with raw energy. "My true Oshoen blood holds power beyond anything Clive could offer. Serve me, and I will show you what true strength feels like."
"Serve…you?" The air seemed to hum with energy as Marcus's emblem flared to life. Lime felt a seductive force that spoke to the primal instincts within her. Her eyes momentarily flickered with intrigue as she felt the pull of his magic, which felt almost intoxicating.
"Yes…" Marcus smirked, "And your child…I can promise them safety and raise them with power." He stepped closer to Lima, his eyes lingering on her with a possessive gleam. Without asking, his hand found its way to her shoulder, his fingers tracing the curve of her arm. "Join me." Marcus whispered, his voice low and dangerously smooth. "Strength without direction can be wasted." His hand moved lower, sliding down to the small of her back as he circled around her, his touch lingering far longer than was necessary.
Lima stiffened at the unwanted contact, her muscles tensing under his hand. Her blue eyes narrowed, and a low, growl rumbled in her throat. She wasn't used to being handled like this, but the mana in him was irresistible. Marcus leaned in close, his breath warm against her ear as his hand slid around her waist, pulling her slightly closer. "Your 'Master' doesn't have to know," he chuckled, "Serve me in secret, maybe I could give your child a sibling as well~"
*BANG*
Suddenly, Arianna's fist connected with Marcus's jaw, her light magic gauntlet glowing fiercely as it delivered the blow. The force of her punch sent a sharp crack through the air. Marcus, who had been wrapping his arms around Lima, staggered back, caught completely off-guard by the sudden strike. "You…."
"Step away from her." Arianna stood, fists up. She had her transparent gold warrior's helmet and caplet on, courtesy of [LUX SANAR] which she casted quietly. Her staff seemed to be flowing behind her. She knew the implications of hurting a royal, but she couldn't just watch idly.
Lima's eyes were wide with surprise as she watched the scene unfold, stepping backwards in shock. Marcus stumbled, rubbing his jaw, clearly not expecting the retaliation. "You dare hit a royal?" he scoffed. "You must have decided that you wanted to die…"
Marcus unsheathed his sword with a sharp metallic ring, revealing his massive blade. The hilt was adorned with intricate carvings of ancient runes, glowing faintly with dark energy. The blade itself was forged from a gleaming black metal, its edge jagged yet razor-sharp.
With a sudden burst of speed, Marcus dashed toward Lima and Arianna, his blade slicing through the air with deadly precision. The two women instinctively leaped aside, dodging the first strike. But as they moved, Marcus adjusted his aim, swinging his sword again with terrifying force. The edge of the blade grazed Arianna's side, sending her flying across the room. She crashed into a nearby wall, the light magic around her gauntlet flickering as she struggled to catch her breath, coughing up a bit of blood.
"ARIANNA?!" Lima screamed.
"Feeble." Marcus stood tall, his sword crackling with energy, a smirk of triumph curling on his lips as he prepared for the next move. "Maybe you can entertain me more…"
"You hurt…Master's friend…" Lima's eyes narrowed, her icy aura flaring to life as frost began to form on the ground beneath her. Her hands shimmered with a cold blue glow as razor-sharp ice claws extended from her fingertips, each one glistening like frozen blades in the dim light. The air around her seemed to drop several degrees, and the mist from her breath billowed in the chilled atmosphere.
Marcus, still gripping his massive sword, smirked. "Do you think ice can stop me?" His voice was dripping with arrogance as he raised his sword.
Lima didn't respond with words. Instead, she dashed forward, claws outstretched, her speed matching Marcus's as she aimed for his torso. The two clashed in a flurry of motion—Marcus brought his sword down in a brutal arc, but Lima was quick, sidestepping and swiping her claws toward his side. Metal clanged against ice as Marcus parried her strike, the force of the impact sending shards of frozen mist into the air.
Without missing a beat, Marcus swung again, aiming for Lima's legs. She leaped backward, her ice claws catching the edge of his sword and sending sparks flying as she pushed off into a graceful backflip. Landing lightly, Lima immediately lunged forward, slashing at Marcus's chest with both hands. This time, Marcus blocked her attack with the flat of his blade, but Lima's ice claws bit into the sword, leaving frosty grooves along its surface.
The two combatants circled each other, their eyes locked. Marcus surged forward, his sword swinging in broad, devastating arcs, each one powerful enough to cleave through stone. Lima danced around his strikes, her claws darting in and out like icy vipers. She managed to land a few light scratches on Marcus's arms, drawing thin lines of blood, but Marcus shrugged them off with a grunt. "You're strong," he admitted, grinning as his sword met her claws once more, the force of the impact sending a shockwave through the air.
Lima narrowed her eyes, her breath steady. Marcus then moved with deceptive speed, his sword swinging in a wide arc as if to strike Lima head-on. Instinctively, she prepared to dodge, her body tensing to leap out of the way. But it was a feint.
At the last moment, Marcus shifted his stance, twisting the blade in a swift upward motion. The heavy sword caught Lima off guard, slicing across her torso before she could fully evade. A gasp escaped her lips as the force of the blow sent her stumbling back. Blood seeped from the wound, staining her white dress, and her usually calm expression tightened with pain.
"l-lima….no…." Arianna groaned, still trying to recover from her injury earlier,
Marcus then reached into his pouch and pulled out a thick collar imprinted with a strange runic pattern. He spun it on his finger as he approached the injured Lima. "I was planning to use this slave collar on that elf if she declined to submit to me…but I suppose you will suffice." Lima looked up in pain as Marcus leaned into her, opening the collar around her neck.
"M-master…." Lima coughed, closing her eyes and waiting for that inevitable click, "H-help me…."
Suddenly, Marcus was sent tumbling across the room followed by a purple flare. Both Arianna and Lima turned to face the origin of that attack, and couldn't believe their eyes. Marcus slowly regained his composure and also tried to figure out his attacker. "Tch…" he scoffed.
"MARCUS!" yelled Clive from the stairway. He stood holding his knife ready, his hand now covered in purple runes. But behind him was the main attraction…a dark elf, with wings made out of purple fire grown on her back, topped with a crown made out of similar magic. Around her runic arms were rings of powerful purple fire. "STAND DOWN, ELDER BROTHER!"