Linfer arrived at the office of Empress Epsilone and slowly pushed the door open, a playful smile on his lips. No sooner had he stepped inside than he was violently slammed against the door, Epsilone's lips crushing against his. Her mouth devoured his with almost fierce passion, as if she had been waiting for this moment for centuries. Linfer responded to her kiss with a certain nonchalance, savoring the empress' excess while noting the warmth of her body pressed against his.
"If only your dear Octavius could see you now," Linfer murmured, his lips barely detached from hers. "See his wife behaving like a slut..."
Epsilone let out a stifled laugh while caressing the nape of Linfer's neck, her fingers entwining in his hair. "I'm only your slut," she replied, moaning, as her lips trailed down to his neck.
With almost bestial speed, Linfer seized the opportunity. He gently bit the base of her neck, savoring the sweet taste of her blood flowing down his throat. Epsilone, immersed in a state of total euphoria, gripped his shoulders tighter, her body trembling under the bite.
"Tsk," Linfer said between sips, releasing his hold before licking his bloody lips. "That's your punishment for your dear emperor's arrogance." Epsilone, too intoxicated by pleasure to protest, surrendered completely to him, her eyes closed and her lips parted in delight.
They continued their passionate encounter with increasing intensity, moving from the office to her personal spa. There, immersed in the warm, scented water, their intertwined bodies under the flickering light of candles, they extended this endless night of desire. Epsilone clung to him, moaning his name between each kiss, between each caress, until dawn finally broke on the horizon.
The next morning, Linfer rose, stretching gently, a mischievous smile still on his face. Epsilone watched him, still languid, with a tender and affectionate look. "I love you," she murmured, her eyes misty with emotion.
Linfer leaned towards her, his clawed fingers gently brushing her skin before making a precise incision on her chest, drawing a perfect omega between her breasts. Her blood, mixed with his, transformed into a reddish scar as if she had been branded with a hot iron.
"Until my return, let no one touch you," he ordered with a coldness that contrasted with the tenderness of his gestures. Epsilone slowly nodded, accepting his order without a hint of hesitation.
Looking at her one last time, his piercing eyes capturing the sad glow in hers, Linfer whispered, "I'll be back..." Then, in a cloud of bloody mist, he disappeared, leaving the empress alone.
Tears silently rolled down her cheeks. Deep in her heart, she felt that it might be the last time she would see the one she considered her beloved.
***
Linfer, in his gaseous state, traversed the entire castle and finally arrived at the meeting point. He was the only one who was late.
Leviathan looked at him with a cold gaze, his hands behind his back. He wore a long black coat over his armor, Alderbaran, who was always there, stood silently in a corner, her veiled attire revealing only her eyes.
They stood before a large closed portal, and the only others present were the Sage Caesto, Emperor Octavius, and two guards.
Octavius broke the silence, his grave voice resonating in the air:
"I see you're all ready." He nodded towards the guards, who, without a word, approached the portal.
The guards simultaneously inserted their keys into the massive locks, a dull clinking sound was heard. The chains, as if they had been waiting for this moment for centuries, began to slowly relax. Suddenly, with a crashing noise, they broke into pieces, sending dark splinters flying. A slight tremor shook the ground, and a crack appeared on the surface of the portal.
It was a spatial rift, narrow at first but gradually widening, revealing the only passage to access the lower plane. On the opposite side, a similar rift existed, on the upper plane, to access the lower one.
Octavius, a satisfied smile on his lips, looked at his son Leviathan. He placed a firm hand on his shoulder and, in a powerful voice, declared:
"Conquer the underworld."
Leviathan, tall and imposing, nodded, his features marked by the usual seriousness on his stoic face.
Not far away, Alderbaran, Octavius' youngest daughter, calmly observed the scene. Her soft voice broke the silence:
"Goodbye, papa."
Octavius replied, his tone filled with paternal affection:
"Goodbye, my daughter. I also expect a lot from you. Don't let the Elysians intimidate you."
"Okay..." She nodded.
Linfer sighed loudly.
'Isn't it too hypocritical? Who could intimidate her in this world? Just ask her to kill them all, why beat around the bush.'
Octavius' gaze fell on Linfer, who was eating an apple with a detached air, almost bored by the entire ceremony.
"Caesto, would you mind briefing him on the strategy?" Octavius asked, gesturing towards Linfer with his chin. "He was absent at last night's meeting."
The Sage Caesto nodded in agreement, preparing to explain the tactics, the information about the underworld, and especially the locations occupied by the Elysians. Linfer, having finished his apple, carelessly threw the core on the ground before advancing towards the rift, a nonchalant smile on his lips.
"Take care of the empress for me, father," he said with a wink, ready to cross the portal. "See you later."
He disappeared into the rift without waiting for a response, his words still floating in the air.
"And don't forget what I told you!" Caesto called out in a calm voice as Linfer was already out of sight.
The portal trembled again as the rift stabilized, and one by one, they each entered, each projected into a different location in the lower plane.
...
*Armageddon Era, BlackStar Continent*
The forest village of Wendigo was nestled in the heart of a dense forest, where ancient trees, with their broad and twisted trunks, formed a true natural barrier. The thatched roofs of the small wooden houses rose above the tall grass and flowering bushes. The dirt paths, barely discernible between the roots and ferns, wound between the dwellings, while children played near the wells, and villagers went about their daily tasks. The constant murmur of leaves in the wind mingled with the cries of birds and distant laughter. A simple, almost unreal peace reigned here, under the benevolent shade of the trees.