Chapter 24: Grenvale (1/2)

”How dare you storm into my Chapel, you impudent stripling. Did you think opposing me would be easy?” The rotund man's monocled face formed into a sneer as he gazed down at Agni with furious indignation. The cigar hanging at the edge of his lips smoldering bright red as he inhaled the smoke from his stogie angrily.

He lifted his foot, bringing down the hard heel of his shoe against the side of her face. The thud against Agni's face resounded around the room. The succubus rolled over onto her back, gazing upwards at the ceiling as she tried to move -- anything, her arms, legs or even her tail would do. She shot a glance over towards a woman in the corner of the room who seemed to be looking on in horror.

”Rank Zero piece of garbage!” He said as he began to lay into her, kicking her in the face and stomping her with each word he spoke.

”Garbage!”

”Insolent!”

”Trash!”

After exhausting himself stomping Agni he pushed back his fine leather cloak and began to roll up his sleeves. This revealed a strange mark which resembled more of a brand than a tattoo, a skull with a python slithering from within one orbital socket. The man was well dressed from head to toe, his pants firmly pressed and pleated, his shoes spotless save for traces of Agni's blood on his heels and a shirt which resembled more of a fifties mobster garment, complete with the vestment. His grey, turned up mustache twitched as a vein threatened to burst in his temple.

He gazed down at her, sweat beads rolling down his balding scalp before he sighed deeply as if he had reached a conclusion. Then within an instant he reached at the walking cane in his possession and pulled out a concealed blade. He lifted it high above his head before bringing it down with a resounding stab, burying it several centimeters deep into the hardwood floor--and Agni's chest along with the strike.

-------------------3 Months Prior, aka The Present-------------------------

After taking a break to eat their 'Hard Loaf' breakfast Katrin and Agni continued on their way to Grenvale. They finally arrived just after midday. Because Agni insisted on carrying Katrin the entire way the two were now drenched in sweat from the heat of the sun. Also strangely enough Agni didn't feel tired in the least.

”An adventurer's body is great!” Agni mused to herself with a wide smile painted as her expression. This was partly because her Succulust had begun to kick in, giving her extra strength. At the moment she felt like she could walk forever. Also the sensation of Katrin's nipples pressed against her back was the epitome of a morning blessing.

The two exited the long walk from the forest and were greeted with the sight of Grenvale from afar. The city had large walls which extended easily a hundred meters or more up into the sky. It was surrounded by a large moat and from the looks of things there were two bridges which allowed one to enter the town.

”Agni….” Katrin said as she clenched Agni tightly. Immediately Agni realized why Katrin was worried as there were tons of people lined up along the bridge and even more who were standing around in small groups. And they were stark naked.

”Don't worry.” Agni said, resolving herself to take on the shame in Katrin's place. She was already carrying her this far, after all what would it matter to endure a bit more on her behalf? If there was one thing Agni had learned during their first ”shady” experience in Adventia, it was that Katrin was something of a ”delicate flower”. In many ways she was trying her best to change from her old ways and this was something Agni could identify with. After all, having lived one lifetime in a man's body she was now faced with life as a woman, and a demonic no less.

”Easy.” Agni whispered to herself as she marched towards the bridge, lifting her head confidently as she moved. The word was an affirmation that marching into a completely unknown town, naked as a jaybird would be a piece of cake.