The Devil's Villain In a Lewd Superhero World
Chapter 9: Siren's Call
Thara raised an eyebrow, her voice dripping with condescension as she addressed Siren.
"I did no such thing to the humans. Not yet, anyway," refuting the claims with a casual wave of her hand. Her posture remained relaxed, almost regal, as if the notion of being threatened was beneath her.
The water churned violently around Siren, responding to her fury. Yet Thara seemed utterly unfazed by this display of power. Her dark eyes barely flickered towards the roiling water before returning to Siren's face. She regarded her with the same disinterest one might show a mildly irritating insect. The sewers were damp, enclosed spaces with abundant water flowing through every channel and pipe. Tyson watched the exchange, acutely aware that Siren's abilities could prove devastating in this environment.
But Thara? She didn't seem to give a single fuck about any of it.
The Soliarch princess stood tall and relaxed yet somehow still commanding. Her lips curled into a smirk, and her voice was laced with amusement as she continued. "Your baseless accusations are as tiresome as they are misguided," Thara said, her tone almost bored. I suggest you direct your misplaced anger elsewhere, perhaps towards those responsible for the atrocities you speak of."
Tyson's gaze darted between the two formidable women. The Greys huddled closer together, their large eyes darting nervously between Thara and Siren. They seemed to shrink into the background as if trying to make themselves invisible in the face of the brewing confrontation.
Siren's eyes narrowed, her fists clenching at her sides. The water around her surged higher, forming a swirling vortex toward the chamber's ceiling. "You expect me to believe you had no part in this? You invaded our world, and now I find you here, surrounded by the same aliens and the very technology used to mutilate innocent people!"
Thara, seemingly having said everything she intended, rolled her eyes and returned to her task. Her dismissive attitude only further infuriated Siren.
"You're just going to ignore me?" Siren shouted.
Thara sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly as if the weight of Siren's persistence was physically taxing.
"I'm trying to," Thara said, her voice dripping with sarcasm, "but you're making it difficult." The Soliarch princess gestured broadly to the lab around them with exasperation. "As you can see," she continued, "there are no humans here being mutilated or experimented on. Now, please move along."
"Then what are you doing here?" she demanded, "What's Plan B?"
At this, one of the Greys perked up. The small alien scurried forward, its oversized head bobbing with excitement. In its spindly arms, it held aloft a strange-looking blob. Tyson recognized the substance. It looked like polluted ice cream mixed with some organic resin. He had seen something similar in the lab within the alien spaceship.
"Plan B," Thara said, her voice lecturing, "is a research project we've been conducting to combine various alien and animal DNAs."
The Grey holding the blob seemed to puff up with pride at her words. It turned the blob this way and that as if showing off a prized possession.
Siren's eyes narrowed, her gaze fixed on the strange substance. "Animal DNA?" she repeated, her voice laced with suspicion. "What kind of animals?"
"Various kinds," she replied casually. "We've been experimenting with different combinations to see what yields the most interesting results."
"Interesting results?" Siren spat, her voice dripping with disgust. "You're playing with genetics for what? Some sick curiosity?"
Thara's eyes flashed with annoyance. "Your limited understanding is showing," she said, her tone condescending. This research could lead to breakthroughs in enhancing crop yields and nutrition, solving some of your world's most pressing problems."
"And I'm supposed to believe you're doing this out of the goodness of your heart?" Siren snarled. "After invading our planet?"
Thara's patience seemed to be wearing thin. Her earlier amusement had faded, replaced by a cold irritation. "Believe what you want," she said, "Your opinion is irrelevant to our work here. We're not here for humans. We're here for your world, which you're in the process of destroying, by the way. If we can improve plant life's growth rate and resistance, maybe we can start reversing some of the damage you've done."
The Grey holding the blob shuffled nervously, its large eyes darting between Thara and Siren. The other Greys had retreated further into the background, clearly wanting no part in the confrontation.
Siren stepped forward, the water around her coiling like snakes ready to strike. "Your work here is over," she declared. "I'm shutting this operation down."
Thara's eyes narrowed, and she seemed to take Siren seriously for the first time since the confrontation began. "I wouldn't advise that," she said, her voice low and dangerous. "You have no idea what you're dealing with."
"Ladies," Tyson said, stepping forward and raising his hands placatingly. "Perhaps we can discuss this civilly?"
Both Thara and Siren turned to look at him, seeming to remember his presence for the first time since the confrontation began. Thara's expression was mildly surprised, while Siren's eyes narrowed with suspicion.
"You? Are you with her?" Siren demanded.
"I'm here to bring her back to the mothership," he said, trying to keep his voice calm and neutral. "But hearing what she's working on doesn't sound so bad, right? We all want what's best for Earth, don't we? I just helped liberate some humans. I killed the ones that had experimented on them and sent the rest to rejoin the other aliens. The people are being brought to the surface to be rehabilitated as best they can and returned to their homes and families. Listening to Thara, it seems there's more going on here than meets the eye," he said carefully. "And I think it's in everyone's best interest if we take a step back and assess the situation before anyone does anything... rash."
The Grey holding the blob chittered nervously, drawing everyone's attention. It held the strange substance closer to its chest as if afraid someone might try to snatch it away.
"I have a vested interest in maintaining peace," he said.
Siren's water vortex pulsed, reflecting her agitation. "Peace?" she spat. "They invaded our planet! They've been abducting and experimenting on people!"
"I told you," Thara interjected, her voice sharp with irritation, "I had nothing to do with those abductions. Our research here is completely separate."
"I don't trust you, and I don't trust her," she spat, venom dripping from every word. "She's an invader, and now you're their king? I don't think so. I should kill you both, then lead the attack on your ship. The city and world won't be safe until I deal with you."
Siren summoned the water around her. It rose in a great wave, swirling and churning with barely contained fury. She rode atop the crest, her eyes blazing with righteous anger as she surged towards the lab.
Thara reacted instantly. Her feet left the ground as she took to the air, dark energy crackling around her hands. Bolts of shadowy power erupted from her fingertips, colliding with blasts of water from Siren. The two forces met in explosive bursts of steam and shadow.
Tyson hesitated for a split second before launching himself into the fray. He targeted Siren, seeing her as the aggressor. His shadow powers manifested, tendrils of darkness reaching out to ensnare the water-wielding hero. The inky black tentacles snaked through the air, seeking purchase on Siren's limbs.
Siren's eyes widened as she noticed the approaching shadows. She directed a torrent of water to intercept Tyson's attack. The clash of elements created a misty veil, obscuring visibility in the already dim chamber. Thara seized the opportunity, unleashing a barrage of dark energy bolts. The shadowy projectiles cut through the mist, forcing Siren to divide her attention. She conjured a swirling shield of water, deflecting Thara's assault but leaving her vulnerable to Tyson's shadows. A tendril of darkness wrapped around her ankle, yanking her off balance. She stumbled, her concentration wavering. The water around her surged chaotically, responding to her momentary loss of control.
Tyson pressed his advantage, more shadow tendrils lashing out. They coiled around Siren's arms, restricting her movements. But the hero was far from defeated. With a fierce cry, she called upon the abundant water in the sewers. A massive wave rose behind her, threatening to engulf Tyson and Thara.
Thara reacted swiftly. A wall of pure darkness materialized, absorbing the brunt of Siren's aquatic assault. The impact sent reverberations through the chamber, causing loose debris to rain down from the ceiling.
Siren was formidable, and her control over water gave her a significant advantage in the damp environment of the sewers. But facing Tyson and Thara proved to be more than she could handle. Water whips lashed out, only to be met by shadow barriers and bolts of dark energy. Water splashed against shadow barriers, dark energy bolts sizzled as they cut through liquid shields, and the very foundations of the sewer system trembled under the force of their clash.
Siren's eyes darted around the chamber, searching for any advantage. That's when she spotted the Grey alien clutching the strange blob that was apparently 'Plan B.'
At that moment, Siren made a decision. If she couldn't defeat Tyson and Thara directly, she could at least destroy their research. With a sudden shift in tactics, she redirected her assault towards the unarmored Grey.
Tyson saw the change in Siren's focus a moment too late. He fired off a bolt of energy, hoping to intercept her before she could reach the vulnerable alien. The shadowy projectile streaked across the chamber, closing the distance rapidly.
Just as Siren was about to reach the Grey, Tyson's energy bolt struck her squarely in the back. But instead of the pained cry he expected, a moan of pleasure escaped Siren's lips. Her eyes widened in shock, her mouth falling open as an unexpected wave of ecstasy washed over her.
The sudden, intense sensation threw Siren off balance. Her control over the water faltered, and she tumbled from her liquid perch.
She crashed into the Grey alien.
They went down in a tangle of limbs, Siren's mouth still agape from the lingering effects of Tyson's energy. As they fell, the Grey's outstretched hand, still clutching the blob of "Plan B," swung wildly. The strange concoction arced through the air and landed directly in Siren's open mouth.
For a moment, everything seemed to freeze. Tyson, Thara, and the remaining Greys stared in stunned silence at the scene before them. Siren lay sprawled atop the crushed form of the Grey, the blob of experimental material disappearing down her throat.
"Oh shit," Tyson muttered.
Thara landed beside him. "This... this was not part of the plan," she said, her voice uncharacteristically uncertain.
The remaining Greys chittered nervously amongst themselves, their large eyes darting between Siren and their fallen comrade. One of them stepped forward, its spindly fingers tapping rapidly on a handheld device.
Siren groaned, rolling off the crushed Grey. She pushed herself up to her hands and knees, shaking her head as if trying to clear it. "What... what just happened?"
Tyson took a cautious step towards her. "Siren? Are you alright?"
She looked up at him, her eyes unfocused. "I feel... strange," she said, "Strange, but good. What did you do to me?"
"It wasn't me," Tyson said, glancing at Thara. "Well, not entirely. You ate the thing they were working on."
As if on cue, a shudder ran through Siren's body. She gasped, doubling over as a wave of sensation washed over her. Tyson moved to help her, but Thara held out an arm, stopping him. "Wait."
Siren's skin began to shimmer, taking on an iridescent quality that reminded Tyson of fish scales. Her fingers lengthened slightly, webbing forming between them. Her ears elongated, becoming fin-like, and her eyes grew larger, taking on a silvery sheen.
"What's happening to me?" she said, her voice taking on a melodic quality that hadn't been there before.
Tyson turned to Thara. "Uhh," he said dumbly. "Is there an antidote? Some way to reverse this?"
"This is entirely unprecedented," she admitted. "We never intended for the mixture to be ingested by a human, let alone one with pre-existing superhuman abilities."
The Grey with the handheld device chirped excitedly, holding the screen for Thara to see. She studied it for a moment, her eyebrows raising in surprise.
"What is it?" Tyson asked, glancing between Thara and the increasingly distressed Siren.
"According to these readings, the mixture isn't just changing her physically. It's enhancing her existing powers, integrating with them."
As if to prove her point, the water in the chamber began to churn and rise, responding to Siren's agitated state. But now, instead of just manipulating the existing water, new water seemed to form around her, called into existence by her presence.
As they spoke, Siren let out another cry, this one more primal than human. The water around her surged higher, threatening to engulf the entire chamber. Tyson and Thara exchanged a look, realizing they were rapidly running out of time.
Siren's transformation continued, her body shifting and contorting in ways that defied the limits of human anatomy. Her legs elongated, morphing into thick, powerful tentacles that writhed and pulsed with an unnatural energy. More tentacles sprouted, multiplying until a mass of them surrounded her lower body, each one's underside covered with suckers.
Her eyes, now a luminous silver, scanned the chamber, fixing on the Greys huddled in the corner. A strange, alluring smile spread across her face, and her lips curved into a seductive and predatory shape. "You, come," she purred her voice a siren's call that resonated through the chamber. Here. Service me."
The Greys, cowering in fear only moments before, immediately stopped trembling. Their large, black eyes seemed to glaze over, and their bodies moved with a strange compulsion. They shuffled forward, drawn like moths to a flame.
Tyson watched, horrified, as Siren's tentacles snaked out, grabbing the Greys with surprising speed and strength. She pulled them into her embrace, their small bodies disappearing into the mass of writhing limbs. One Grey was pulled beneath the tentacles, disappearing from view.
Then, a low moan escaped Siren's lips. A lurid, breathy gasp followed it.
Siren tossed the Grey away. His body landed with a dull thud on the damp concrete. He was shriveled, like a mummy. All the water had been sucked out of him, leaving behind a husk. His skin was dry and cracked, his eyes hollow and lifeless. It was as if she'd drained his life essence, leaving him an empty shell.
Tyson's eyes widened in horror. It was as if she had become one of the sirens of myth, creatures that lured sailors to their deaths with enchanting songs.
"Oh shit," he said.
Throughout it all, Siren continued to grow. Her tentacles lengthened, and her body expanded, taking up more and more space in the chamber.
Siren turned her attention back to the remaining Greys. "More. I need more." Still, under her thrall, the Greys shuffled forward, offering themselves willingly to her embrace.
Tyson sprang into action.
Shadow energy crackled around his hands as he unleashed a barrage of dark bolts. The shadowy projectiles streaked through the air, striking the Greys with unerring accuracy. One by one, they crumpled to the ground, their bodies twitching before falling still.
Siren's voice cut off abruptly, replaced by a furious screech that echoed through the chamber. Her silver eyes, once seductive, now blazed with unbridled rage as she turned her attention to Tyson. She towered over him, her transformed body easily surpassing eight feet in height. Tentacles writhed around her, each one as thick as Tyson's arm and covered in pulsing suckers.
Tyson stood his ground, imposing in his own right but dwarfed by Siren's monstrous new form. He activated his Alien Battle Armor's helmet, the protective casing sliding into place with a soft hiss. As the external audio feeds cut off, the world around him fell into an eerie silence.
Siren's mouth moved, her face contorted in fury as she screamed at him. But Tyson heard nothing. Instead, text appeared in his helmet's display, providing subtitles for her words.
[You dare interfere?] the text read. [I'll drain you dry, just like the others!]
Tyson's gaze darted to Thara, expecting to see her ready for battle. Instead, his heart sank as he saw her eyes glazed over, her face dreamy. The helmet silenced Siren's voice for him, but Thara had fallen under its spell.
[Come to me, pretty one,] the subtitles showed as Siren turned her attention to Thara. [Let me taste your power.]
Thara's feet left the ground, her body slowly drifting towards Siren's waiting tentacles. Dark energy crackled weakly around her hands, but she made no move to attack or defend herself.
Tyson lunged forward, his hand closing around Thara's wrist just as Siren's tentacles reached for her. The world around them blurred and darkened as Tyson dragged Thara into the shadowy dimension. Siren's furious face disappeared, replaced by swirling darkness.
Tyson didn't slow down. He pushed forward through the inky blackness, pulling the still-dazed Thara behind him. The Shadow Realm was disorienting, but he had a clear destination in mind, the Mothership, and he could feel it off in the distance.
As they moved through the darkness, Tyson could feel Thara beginning to stir. Her movements became less sluggish, and her grip on his hand tightened. He glanced back and saw confusion replacing the dreamy look in her eyes.
"What... what's happening?" Thara's voice was faint. She couldn't see or feel through the darkness like he could.
"I'm saving your ass," Tyson replied as he navigated the shifting shadows. "Siren got to you."
Understanding dawned on Thara's face, quickly followed by anger and embarrassment. "I let my guard down," she muttered. "Stupid."
"Less self-recrimination, more holding on," Tyson said, increasing his pace.
They pushed on through the darkness until he felt a shift in the shadows around them and recognized the familiar energy of the Mothership. The darkness around them thinned, and suddenly, they tumbled out of a shadow and into the Mothership's command center. He released Thara's hand, and she recovered quickly, pushing herself to her feet and scanning their surroundings. The command center was mercifully empty.
"That was... unpleasant," Thara said. "Thank you. I don't want to think about what would have happened if you hadn't pulled me out of there."
"Don't mention it. Couldn't let Siren turn you into a raisin, like those Greys."
"She's not just a threat to our plans now. She's a threat to everything."
"Yeah, well, your 'Plan B' didn't exactly work out as intended, did it?" he said, unable to keep the sarcasm out of his voice.
Thara shot him a glare but didn't argue the point. Instead, she moved to one of the control panels. "We need to contain this situation before it gets any worse," she said. "If Siren makes it to the surface in her current state..."
Thara's eyes were fixed on the screen as she pulled up various camera feeds. Tyson leaned in, watching over her shoulder as she zoomed in on a particular part of the city.
"There. Water Street and Pearl Street, by Pier 17."
The image on the screen sharpened, revealing a bustling area largely untouched by the recent invasion. Tyson's eyes widened as he took in the scene. A large apartment building loomed on one side, while the sprawling outdoor mall of Fulton Market stretched out on the other. Between them, people filled the streets. The area had avoided the devastation they had seen in other parts of the city from the invasion.
Suddenly, the ground in the middle of the intersection began to bulge and crack. Pedestrians stumbled back, pointing and shouting as the asphalt heaved upward. With a thunderous crash, the street erupted, sending chunks of concrete and asphalt flying in all directions.
From the gaping hole emerged Siren, her transformed body even more monstrous than before. Her lower half was a writhing mass of tentacles, each one as thick as a tree trunk and covered in pulsating suckers. Her upper body retained a vaguely humanoid shape, but her skin glistened with an otherworldly, iridescent sheen. Now completely silver, her eyes swept across the crowd as a predatory smile spread across her face.
"Oh no," Tyson breathed, his stomach dropping as he realized the full implications of what they were seeing.
The reaction from the crowd was immediate and chaotic. Women began screaming and running. Children cried out in terror, clinging to their mothers as they fled the scene.
But the men's reactions were entirely different.
As Siren's voice swept over them, their eyes glazed over, and their expressions went slack. Without a word, they began to move towards her, drawn by some irresistible force. Tyson watched in horror as men of all ages started removing their clothes, discarding shirts, pants, and shoes as they shuffled forward.
"This is bad," Tyson said. "Very bad."
Thara nodded grimly. "She's growing more powerful with every person she absorbs," she said.
Siren's tentacles lashed out on the screen, wrapping around the nearest men. They offered no resistance, their faces locked in expressions of blissful adoration as they stepped into her embrace. Tyson's stomach churned as he watched the men disappear under her tentacles into her core. She took her pleasure from them and ejected the withered, shrunken bodies after draining their life force.
"We have to stop her," he said, his voice filled with determination. "Now."
"Agreed. But how? Our powers held her off before, and now she's far stronger."
"Let's go with what we know. You were affected, but the human women seem to be running. It's only the men. Maybe it's because she focused on you wholly. I'm afraid to hit her with my bolts," Tyson continued. "She seems to be absorbing the... life essence of the people she gets her hands on. And my bolts can have interesting effects on people. I think I'd only be fueling her."
He paused, considering their resources and powers. "Here's what we're going to do. Get Maya in here. Coordinate the efforts of the Greys within the Mothership. Get them all into the smaller ships. Mute external communications, comms only. We're going to put together a fleet and attack her. I'll lead the attack myself."
Thara's eyes narrowed, a hint of skepticism in her voice. "Why should I listen to you?"
Tyson straightened, meeting her gaze. "Because I'm your King. And I'm going to clean up your mess."
Thara's expression was unreadable as she considered his words. For a moment, Tyson wondered if he'd overstepped. Then, without a word, Thara turned to the console. Her finger hovered over a button for a split second before she pressed it decisively.
"Maya, get your ass up here."
The command center door hissed open, and Maya strode in. Her eyes widened as she took in the tense atmosphere and the chaotic scene on the main screen.
"What in the name of the seven suns is going on?" she demanded.
Tyson and Thara exchanged a look before Tyson stepped forward. "Short version? Siren ate some experimental goo, turned into a tentacle monster, and is now draining the life force out of every man she can get her hands on."
Maya blinked, momentarily stunned into silence. "And the long version?"
"We don't have time for the long version," Thara said. "We need your help. We're mobilizing a fleet to take her down."
"What do you need me to do?"
"Take command of the mothership," Tyson said. "Coordinate with the Greys and get every available ship ready for launch. We need to hit Siren with everything we've got."
Maya nodded, moving to one of the control panels. Her fingers flew over the keys as she began issuing orders through the ship's internal communication system.
"What about the human authorities? Shouldn't we warn them?"
Tyson shook his head. "No time. Besides, what could they do? Their weapons would be useless against her. They hadn't had much luck against your ships anyway, so if they turned on us, it wouldn't matter. And when they arrived, more men would be heading to their doom."
As Maya worked, Siren moved further down the street, leaving a trail of destruction in her wake. Shriveled bodies littered the ground behind her. She approached the outdoor mall, which brought her closer to the river, gave her access to more water, and made her more powerful.
"I'm going now. No shadow realm, straight flight. Get those ships in the air as you can. Don't wait for the fleet to gather. We don't have time."
Without waiting for a response, Tyson strode out of the command center. As the door hissed shut behind him, he heard Maya's voice call out, "Good luck, my king!" Thara let out an annoyed grunt and lightly slapped Maya's chest, chastising her, but Tyson paid it no mind. He reached the tube that led to the Mothership's outer exit and launched himself into the sky. The wind whipped past him as he accelerated, pushing his flight capabilities to their limits. It wasn't nearly as fast as he traveled through the Shadow Realm, where the time seemed to pass differently. But even so, his speed surpassed anything a normal human could achieve.
Tyson reveled in the open sky. People were dying below, but damn if he wasn't thrilled that he could fly and was rushing into a superpowered battle. The novelty of having powers still hadn't worn off. He engaged the helmet of his Alien Battle Armor, and the protective casing slid into place as he flew. He wasn't taking any chances with Siren's power.
His sensors pinged, alerting him to movement behind him. Glancing back, Tyson saw an alien spaceship flying at his shoulder. Moments later, a second ship appeared. They fell into formation, flanking his sides.
As they approached Fulton Market, he couldn't miss Siren. She had grown to monstrous proportions. Her tentacled form towered nearly 30 feet tall. She moved from man to man, each victim adding to her size and power.
Tyson opened a comlink to the ships, his voice tight with urgency. "Fire!" he commanded, pointing at Siren's writhing form.
Beams of energy lanced from the weapons on the alien ships' hulls, the same devastating weapons that had destroyed the bridge when Tyson arrived.
The effect on Siren was catastrophic.
One beam sheared off several of her tentacles, leaving smoking stumps in its wake. The other punched a hole straight through her mutated body, vaporizing flesh and bone alike.
Siren's scream was unlike anything Tyson had ever heard. It was a sound of pain and rage that transcended human comprehension. People nearby clutched their ears in agony, some falling to their knees as blood trickled from their ears and eyes. Those closest to her collapsed entirely, their bodies unable to withstand the sonic assault.
But even as Tyson watched, thinking they'd taken control of the situation, Siren's body began to knit itself back together. The gaping hole closed, flesh and sinew regenerating at an alarming rate. Her severed tentacles regrew, writhing and grasping at the air.
Yet Tyson noticed something crucial. Siren was smaller now. She had lost several feet of height, and the attack had diminished her monstrous form. She was still far larger than any normal creature, but the ships' weapons had taken their toll.
Seizing the moment while Siren focused on the ships, Tyson dashed forward. Water from the nearby river rose, forming great spears, and hurled towards the alien vessels at Siren's command. But with her attention divided, Tyson saw his opening.
He rocketed towards her face, drawing back his fist as he closed the distance. With all the strength his enhanced body could muster, Tyson landed a devastating punch square on Siren's jaw.
The impact was thunderous. Siren's head snapped back, and her massive body staggered from the force of the blow. For a moment, she teetered, losing her balance. Then, with a crash that shook the ground, she fell. Dust and debris billowed into the air, obscuring the scene for several seconds.
Tyson hovered above, his fists clenched, ready for the next move. As the dust began to settle, he saw movement. Siren was rising, her tentacles pushing against the cracked pavement as she lifted herself. Her tentacles writhed, reaching for anything they could grasp. She crushed cars, and lampposts bent and snapped as she used them to pull herself fully upright. Water from broken mains and the nearby river swirled around her, responding to her will.
As the alien ships lined up for another attack run, Siren raised her arms, and the nearby river responded to her call. Massive spears of water rose from the surface, hurtling towards the approaching vessels with frightening speed. The ships' force fields sprang to life, deflecting the watery projectiles. The spears of liquid shattered against the energy barriers, dispersing into harmless mist.
Undeterred, Siren changed tactics. With a sweeping gesture of her arms, she summoned a colossal wall of water. It rose from the river, towering over the buildings, creating a liquid barrier that stretched across the ships' flight path.
The alien pilots, confident in their shields, maintained their course. They plowed into the watery wall, expecting to pass through unhindered.
Siren's hands dropped as soon as the ships entered the liquid barrier. The wall of water collapsed, but instead of falling harmlessly away, it wrapped around the vessels like a watery fist and dragged them down into the river's depths with alarming speed.
Tyson watched in horror as the alien craft disappeared beneath the surface. He couldn't tell if it was disabled or destroyed, but it was clear it was out of the fight.
With his air support down, Siren's tentacles writhed in gleeful victory. Steeling himself, he charged. Despite her massive size, Siren's reflexes were unnaturally quick. One of her tentacles lashed out as he approached, aiming to swat him from the sky like an annoying insect. But Tyson was faster. He twisted in mid-air, the tentacle whistling past him close enough that he felt the rush of displaced air. Using the momentum of his dodge, he delivered a devastating right hook to Siren's face.
The impact was thunderous. Siren's head snapped back, her monstrous body staggering from the force of the blow. But she recovered quickly. He darted in and out, striking with the force of a battering ram before retreating beyond the reach of Siren's grasping tentacles. He landed a brutal uppercut to her jaw, then barely avoided it when she brought her hands together in a clap.
Water from broken mains and the nearby river swirled around her, forming deadly projectiles that she hurled at Tyson. He dodged and weaved, the watery missiles exploding against buildings and vehicles behind him. He retaliated with a flurry of punches to Siren's midsection, each blow powerful enough to shatter concrete. She roared in pain and anger as she tried to catch her tormentor. But Tyson was relentless. Each punch targeted her joints, her face, and anywhere that looked vulnerable. And all the while, he stayed just out of reach, dodging her counterattacks. With each successful hit, Siren seemed to shrink ever so slightly.
Emboldened, Tyson increased the tempo of his attacks, striking faster and harder. Siren's movements became more desperate, her attacks wilder and less coordinated.
A particularly vicious right cross sent Siren stumbling backward. She crashed into a nearby building, her massive form demolishing the structure's facade. As debris rained down around her, Tyson saw his opening.
He charged forward, fist cocked back for a devastating blow. Still reeling from the previous attack, Siren couldn't react in time. Tyson's punch connected squarely with her solar plexus, driving the air from her lungs in a whoosh. She doubled over, gasping for breath. But Tyson didn't let up. He unleashed a barrage of punches, each landing with pinpoint accuracy and bone-crushing force. Under this assault, Siren's monstrous form began to shrink more rapidly. Her tentacles retracted, her body losing mass at an alarming rate. The silver sheen in her eyes faded, replaced by a look of confusion and fear.
As Siren's size decreased, he had to adjust his attacks. What had started as a battle against a towering monster was now more akin to fighting an oversized human. But still, he didn't relent. He couldn't afford to give Siren even a moment to recover. Their fight had taken them across several city blocks, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. Overturned cars, shattered windows, and crumbling buildings told the story of their struggle. The few civilians who hadn't managed to flee watched in awe and terror from whatever shelter they could find.
Tyson landed another crushing blow, and Siren stumbled backward. She was now barely twice Tyson's height, a far cry from the towering monstrosity she had been at the start of their battle. Her movements were sluggish, her attacks lacking their earlier ferocity.
But even in her weakened state, Siren was far from helpless. As Tyson moved in for another attack, she suddenly lashed out with surprising speed. Her hand, still larger than Tyson's body, caught him squarely in the chest.
The impact sent Tyson flying backward. He crashed through the window of a nearby storefront, glass shattering around him as he tumbled into the building's interior. For a moment, he lay there, stunned by the unexpected counterattack. Shaking off the disorientation, Tyson pushed himself to his feet. Through the broken window, he could see Siren. She hunched over, breathing heavily, but despite the beating she had taken, there was still some fight left in her.
He stepped back onto the street, his fists clenched at his sides.
Siren had not been idle during his brief absence. A flock of men had shuffled towards her like zombies in a trance. With each man absorbed, Siren grew. The process was slower than before but undeniable. She had already regained a significant portion of her lost size, now standing nearly three times Tyson's height.
"Damn it," Tyson grunted in frustration. He had been so close to ending this, and now it felt like he was back to square one. He tensed, preparing to launch himself back into the fray when a notification from his armor's sensors caught his attention.
The display inside his helmet lit up with incoming warnings. Even more surprising was the massive shape slowly eclipsing the sun. Tyson turned, and his eyes widened as he saw the alien Mothershiphip and a dozen smaller spaceships.
As the ship approached, casting its shadow over the area, Tyson felt a small trickle of energy flow into him.
He smiled and said, "I Can Do This All Day." The fatigue from his earlier exertions melted away, replaced by a renewed vigor.
The ships that had accompanied the Mothership opened fire. Beams of energy lanced down from the sky, each striking Siren with devastating accuracy. Large chunks of her monstrous form were vaporized on impact, sending her staggering backward.
Siren's scream of pain echoed through the streets, shattering windows and sending debris raining down. The men approaching her in a trance snapped out of it. Those far enough not to be knocked immediately scrambled to get away.
As Siren reeled from the barrage, he darted forward. He weaved between the energy beams, closing the distance to his target.
Siren, despite her injuries, lashed out with her remaining tentacles. But Tyson was ready. He ducked under one sweeping appendage, then flew over another. His fist connected with her jaw in a thunderous uppercut that sent shockwaves through her massive frame. He didn't let up. As Siren stumbled backward, Tyson pressed his advantage. Siren tried to counterattack, but she was overwhelmed. Between the continuous barrage from the ships above and Tyson's relentless assault, she couldn't find an opening. Her regeneration, which had been so effective earlier, couldn't keep up with the damage she was sustaining.
Tyson noticed her size decreasing rapidly now. With each blast from the ships that struck home, Siren shrank. Her tentacles retracted, and her monstrous features began to smooth out, slowly returning to a more human-like appearance.
But even as she diminished, Siren fought back with desperate ferocity. She caught Tyson with a blast of water she summoned from nowhere, sending him spinning through the air. He recovered quickly, using his flight abilities to right himself before he could crash into a nearby building.
Siren made a break for the river. If she reached the water, she might be able to escape to replenish her strength. He couldn't let that happen.
With a burst of speed, Tyson shot forward. He overtook Siren just as she reached the riverbank. Grabbing her arm, he lifted her into the air and spun her around. After several rotations, he let go, throwing her away from the water's edge. The momentum of his move sent her crashing into a parked car, the vehicle crumpling under the impact. Before she could recover, Tyson was on her again. He rained down blows, each punch precise and devastatingly powerful. Siren's attempts to block or dodge became increasingly feeble as her strength waned. Now barely larger than a normal human, Siren desperately lunged at Tyson. But her movements were slow, almost sluggish compared to his enhanced speed. He easily sidestepped her attack, then countered with a powerful right cross that sent her sprawling.
As Siren hit the ground, the silver sheen in her eyes flickered and faded. Her body convulsed, and before Tyson's eyes, she began to change. The last vestiges of her monstrous form melted away, leaving behind the woman he had first encountered. He stood over her, fists still raised, ready for any last-minute tricks. But Siren lay still, her chest heaving with exhausted breaths. The fight had gone out of her.
Tyson reached down and lifted the crown from her head.
Item of Power: Every King Needs His Crown (Items)
You've made quite a name for yourself. You'll make the history books, with your name never "fading" into history. Your presence inspires people to strive to be better in all stages of their lives. This effect is enhanced when they are in your presence, making it easier for them to rally together to pursue common goals. You can toggle this effect as necessary.
As he held it in his hands, his helmet retracted. Siren was down, and he no longer needed to worry about her song. He stared at the crown. After a moment, he placed it upon his head.
— The Devil's Villain In A Lewd Superhero World —
Chapter 9 Choices:
Choose a Companion and Item of Power
Option 1: April Lane - A local newswoman shows up on the scene just as you're confronted by what remains of the Empire 5. She reports on your actions, forestalling issues local heroes have with you.
Option 2: Super Influencer - As the Empire 5 confronts Tyson, they're interrupted by an attractive young lady setting up a tripod and cameras. She begins live streaming about the new King of New York. For effect, she releases purple gas. When she asks the heroes to move out of her shot, they cooperate, and she pledges herself to serve the King in front of all her followers.
Option 3: We're Totally Not Spies - The Empire 5 are furious with Tyson for nearly killing one of their own and bringing aliens back into the city so soon after the invasion. But they're interrupted when three federal agents arrive. The agents talk down the heroes and forestall any further hostilities. After the heroes leave and Siren is secured, their facade drops, and Tyson sees who they truly are.
Option 1:
April Lane (Companions)
A local media personality who has somehow retained a smidgeon of her idealism and journalistic integrity, this spunky reporter is a huge fan of yours. You represent what people with power should strive to emulate, and your sinister charm and bad-boy appeal help to make her long, lonely nights a little warmer. Though enthusiastic about her job and genuinely good at it, enough that she could help make you a media star if you wanted, she tends to get caught up in sticky situations and is adorably ignorant of the fact that a lot of her appeal comes from how she's a bombshell brunette with baby-blue eyes, plump lips, an outrageous hourglass figure, and absurdly abundant cleavage. Having long neglected her personal life in pursuing her career, she'd drop everything in a heartbeat if you called her over, especially for a 'private interview'.
Item of Power: Perfect Disguise (Items)
What do you mean it's just a pair of fake glasses? This simple disguise is just what the doctor ordered for any cape who wants to keep their work and private lives firmly separated. Somehow, these simple lenses are all you need to keep your face from being recognized even by people who've met both your identities. They're practically unbreakable and always somewhere close at hand when you need them, usually in a coat or shirt pocket or tucked away in a utility belt.
Option 2:
Super Influencer (Companions)
This astonishingly pink young woman has recently been taking the various social media sites of the world by storm. No surprise, given her peak Instagram-thot figure. The secret to her success? A bit of chemical mind control. This super-genius specializes in chemical concoctions and positively adores the adoration and attention of others. You, however, seem to be someone she'll throw all her simps away for, desperately craving your affection above all else, gladly helping you 'seduce' whomever you might want to add to your shared bed. The hearts in her eyes aren't just for show anymore.
Item of Power: Chaos in a Can (Items)
What better way to spread chaos than dosing people up with a crazy-powerful aphrodisiac? These baseball-sized canisters are loaded with a potent toxic gas capable of turning anyone who gets a whiff of it into mindless sex-crazed animals until the effects wear off in a few hours. Only the hardiest and most determined heroes can withstand this toxin without being overcome by its effects. They will even become far more vulnerable to whatever charms you might heap on top of it. These capsules could be a nice smokescreen to deploy in a tight spot, a quick way to start chaos, or if you need a power recharge quickly.
Option 3:
We're Totally Not Spies (Companions)
Sam, Alex, and Clover are some of the best agents of the Law Enforcement World Directorate as long as they're not too busy fretting about getting boyfriends or keeping up with the latest trends. Decked out with latex catsuits and gadgets straight out of a cheesy spy film, they all have the Badass powerset and a unique power best described as 'Valley Girl Logic', which lets them unconsciously bend physics in ways that make sense to them. Even if their exceptional skills fail to see them through a crisis, they're much more likely to get captured and become damsels in distress.
Item of Power: Utility Belt (Items)
A staple element in the equipment load-outs of heroes everywhere, a utility belt is a must-have kit for any hero who wants to keep a lot of gear close at hand in the field. From handcuffs and ammunition to extra web fluid capsules and grappling hook pistols, just about any tool of handheld size or smaller can be squeezed into this convenient pouch, though some practical joker seems to have stuffed it full of condoms and sex toys. Though its storage space isn't infinite, it always has exactly what you need when you need it, provided that it's something you already own, along with extra space for anything you find in the field that you need to keep, like fingerprints, DNA samples, and so on. It needn't be a belt if some other piece (or pieces) of gear would fit your loadout better.
— The Devil's Villain In A Lewd Superhero World —
Tyson
Origin: Powerhouse
Character Points: 350
Drawbacks:
Iron Age Morality
Non-Stop Action
Origin Story
Running The Devil's Gauntlet
Perks:
Most Common Superpower
Secondary Superpowers
Rescue Romance
World of Cardboard
Superpower: Elemental Darkness (Shadow Step, Shadow Cloak, Intangibility, Blinding Bolt)
Kiss of Life
I Can Do This All Day
Items:
Symbol of Anarchy
Artifact of Power x4 (Alien Battle Armor, Disengage Safety Protocols, Every King Needs His Crown)
Vehicle (Alien Mothership)
Big Shoes to Fill
Companions:
Fire from the Stars