Darkhand, page 20
part #7 of Alpha World Series
“Food is served. Let us get to know our new Champion and his loving family,” Mother said, standing beside a smiling Dark Lord.
Chapter Twenty-four
Alburet woke up alone in his bed the next day. Getting up, he took a moment to really get a good look at his new body. It was even more toned than the day before and his skin was a perfect match to the Dark Lord’s: deep red at the extremities and midnight black along the torso. Feeling at his teeth, he noticed his canines had become more pronounced, but didn’t seem quite as sharp as he recalled the Dark Lord’s being.
“I could make a joke about once you go black, but that seems passé,” Alburet muttered, taking a quick rinse before dressing in his new gear. Smiling as he felt the strength of his body, he knew he could now keep up with the others a bit better in melee if he wanted to.
Opening his character information, he looked it over. “As I expected, all the bonuses are there. Losing two reputation levels with every faction is a bit much, though.” Shrugging, he made sure his things were together and went to find his wives.
“There he is,” Karen said from her seat at the table, where she was nursing a cup of coffee. “We were debating which of us would have to come wake you.”
“After last night, I’m surprised the answer wasn’t all three of you,” Alburet grinned, the image of them tangled on the bed coming back to him.
“Iffin we did tha’, we would nay be able to meet up with Gerald and Marysue for huntin’,” Stacia said as she started to fill four bowls with frumenty. “Now sit so we can eat and be goin’.”
Alburet realized that all three women were dressed and ready to go. “As you wish,” he said as he slapped Stacia’s ass on the way by. He gave Karen a wink, then kissed Fluff on the cheek and petted her ears. “It feels a bit odd... I think I’m another few inches taller. Where did my wings go?”
“He doesn’t remember,” Karen snickered. “Not that I blame you. You were pretty ragged when you asked last night.”
“Ya can summon or dismiss them as needed,” Stacia said as she served each of them, collecting a kiss from each in turn.
“Useful,” Alburet replied, then focused on the strawberry and honey frumenty.
The meal went quickly, and each of them complimented Stacia on the food. Once the dishes were done, the family got ready to leave. Stacia blurred as she became her full Succubus self.
“I be ready to see the city anew,” Stacia said as she smiled at Alburet.
“You know this might bring more scorn upon you,” Alburet said with concern.
“It does nay matter as long as we have each other, and our wives,” Stacia said, leaning over to give both of the others quick kisses.
“Well, we’re going to get a lot of looks, way more than before,” Alburet said as he opened the door for them. Once they were all outside, Alburet summoned Tiny and Bob to his side. Both Infernals were wearing large smiles. “Have a good night, guys?”
“We have added another to our family,” Tiny rumbled, his smile growing.
“Loralee is going over potential wives today,” Bob grinned as he took to the air, his Copy appearing beside him. “She thinks another few days and then I’ll have three wives. I’ll be just like you, master.”
Alburet laughed, “Then you are the luckiest Greater Imp alive.” Before he could add more, his Message icon lit up.
Message from Gerald:
Al, we’ve just hit Stormguard. Are you all ready to go back and hit the zones we missed to tidy up the dungeons?
Message to Gerald:
We’ll head to the Portal Guild. See you in a few.
“Ladies, Gerald is waiting for us,” Alburet told them. “We’re going to be hitting the dungeons and zones we bypassed on our way to our current level.”
“I don’t think that will get us to cap,” Karen said as she shimmered into stealth.
“It won’t,” Fluff said. She took up Alburet’s left side. “It will cut down on how much we have to see of the Dead Lands, though.”
“If we get to miss the old days of Gnoll grinding, that would be good,” Alburet chuckled.
“What? Don’t you miss the walking around for hours, just-killing-Gnolls days?” Karen asked.
“I do nay miss them,” Stacia said with a smile. “I would be happy for them over undead, though.”
“Marysue would argue for undead,” Fluff added with a giggle.
“No matter where we go, I will keep you safe,” Tiny rumbled in unison with TJ.
“And I’ll kill everything,” Bob laughed from the air.
“I’ll kill everything twice,” BJ added with a wink.
The group walked down the street, sharing a laugh at the Imp’s comments. Alburet was acutely aware of all the eyes on him and his group. Hatred, disgust, and fear radiated from the few townsfolk that could see them. A handful of guards came around the corner and stood facing the group, hands on their weapons.
Stopping a few feet away from them, Alburet looked at the Sergeant. “Is something wrong, sir?”
The guard looked puzzled, then squinted at Alburet. “I see you’ve changed more, Alburet Two-souled. All we had was word of a large Infernal walking the streets with others of its kind.”
“That would be true,” Alburet replied. “I’m a Demon Lord now. Am I still welcome in the city?”
“You’re still Liked, Alburet,” the guard smiled. “I still recall your days of training us with Commander Roberto. How has he been?”
“Busy, though he’s been settling in nicely running the guards for the town,” Alburet grinned. He looked over to a sneering man standing at the corner that the guards had come from, and sighed. “I had hoped that my change would be known, so maybe this wouldn’t be as bad.”
“We got word this morning during our shift briefing,” Sergeant Thomas replied. “I think we’re likely to get these mishaps for a few days at least.”
“I wish there was a way to make this easier,” Alburet sighed.
“There is indeed,” Ioaniss said as he walked past the sneering man. “Alburet Two-souled, I come on behalf of His Majesty King Tyr Justiceson the Third. His August Majesty would like to offer you the opportunity to be the liaison between the Crown and the Dark Lord.”
Quest: Kingly Request
Accept the offer by King Tyr Justiceson the Third.
Rewards: Immediate reputation jump with all of Stormguard, and allied nations.
Alburet blinked and began to laugh, making the man who was watching run away and one of the newer guards grab his sword tightly. “I couldn’t fail my god nor the King with this generous request. I accept the quest, Sir Jones.”
Quest Completed: Kingly Request
Rewards: You are now Revered with all Stormguard factions and Friendly with all allied nations.
“I hereby decree in the King’s name that you are no longer to be called Alburet Two-souled, but Alburet Darkhand, Ambassador between Stormguard and the Dark Lord.”
A message appeared before Alburet and the others in his group, and from the way the guards reacted, them as well. All the guards relaxed, even the jumpy one, and Sergeant Thomas was the first to speak up. “Congratulations on your appointment, Lord Darkhand.”
“Lord Darkhand?” Alburet asked.
“Indeed. Ambassadors are considered nobles from their appointed lands,” Ioaniss grinned.
“Wouldn’t the Dark Lord need to appoint him?” Karen asked, shifting into view beside Fluff.
“His Majesty had a meeting with the head of Peace’s clergy this morning,” Ioaniss grinned. “It seems the Dark Lord had Mother convey his wishes to Peace, who then visited her High Priest who came to the King all in a fluster this morning.”
“Ahh, so that was why he was laughing every time I looked at him during the celebration last night,” Alburet sighed. “He could have just asked at the time, or told me.”
“Now that everyone knows that the Demon Lord walking the streets is an Ambassador, I’m sure most issues will go away,” Ioaniss said. “Come now, gentlemen, I’m sure you have better things to do than accosting a friend of the Crown.”
“Yes indeed, Sir Jones. Our apologies, Lord Darkhand,” Sergeant Thomas said, saluting Alburet, who returned it.
“I hope you all have a good day, men,” Alburet said as the guard started to walk away.
Ioaniss smiled at the women. “Ladies Darkhand, I hope you all have good days, as well. Oh, before I forget. Alburet, the King is having a Convocation tomorrow afternoon.”
Alburet nodded, “I’m required to attend, I take it?”
“Not required, but all the visiting dignitaries should be there. I know that Gerald is going to be in attendance, but he is required.”
“We’ll make it, though I think we’ll have to get more outfits made,” Alburet said.
“More dresses,” Fluff said with a smile. “I think I’d like to try a new style.”
“More dresses,” Karen grimaced, “woot.”
Stacia reached over to touch Karen’s arm. “Aye, but ya be the wife of a Demon Lord. We do nay have to use the same styles as the other nobles. Iffin ya be willin’, I bet we can get some from Mother.”
Karen’s eyes lit up. “Ohhh.”
Fluff licked her lips, “Maybe something less risqué for me.”
“Mother be havin’ a number of more demure styles as well,” Stacia said.
“Did you call us Ladies?” Fluff suddenly asked.
“Indeed, Lady Fluff Darkhand, for you are married to Lord Darkhand,” Ioaniss replied. “I sadly have another few things to do for his Majesty, so I must go.”
“Thank you for coming when you did, Sir Jones,” Alburet said, bowing his head to the friendly noble.
“Next time you get a special invite to the Dark Lord’s Palace, keep me in mind please,” Ioaniss added before he headed off.
“Master, Gerald is waiting for us,” Tiny rumbled.
Glancing back at the Greater Destroyer, Alburet grinned at the proud stance Tiny had. “Indeed, he is, Tiny. Lead us on.”
Arriving at the Portal Guild a few minutes later, they saw Gerald and Marysue in the lobby. “Sorry for the delay,” Alburet called out to the pair.
“We…” Gerald began but faded as he took stock of Alburet’s new form. “That looks pretty intimidating. If you could wear plate, I’d think you were a Defender.”
Concentrating, Alburet let his wings appear and folded them behind him. “There we go.”
“Wings?” Marysue asked, her eyes shining. “There is a way to fly in this ga…world?”
“Aye, ya own Goddess mayhap be able to grant ya something similar in time,” Stacia added.
“Going full Infernal now?” Gerald said.
“I be his. Since he changed, it be okay iffin meself be changed, too,” Stacia replied. “Especially since he be the Ambassador to the Dark Lord now.”
“It’s nice to meet the Ambassador of the Dark Lord,” Gerald chuckled, “along with his three lovely wives.”
“Ioaniss said we have a meeting tomorrow afternoon?” Alburet asked, derailing the conversation.
“I think he’s going to be informing everyone in the nobility of what happened at Peace,” Gerald replied. “It will probably be a very interesting day tomorrow.”
“That’s tomorrow,” Marysue said firmly. “Today, we are hunting with our friends.”
“Of course,” Gerald said, offering her his arm. “We thought we’d hit the Lunari lands again. We want to try out our new Abilities, as I’m sure you all do.”
“And new racial Abilities,” Alburet grinned as they headed for the portals. When Gerald looked at him in question, Alburet began to explain what all he had gained. By the time they were halfway across Wildwood, Gerald was shaking his head at how broken Alburet was.
Alburet Darkhand
Demon Lord Summoner
Ambassador for the Dark Lord
Level 81
Strength: 329 (0)
Agility: 329 (0)
Constitution: 624 (270)
Intelligence: 404 (50)
Wisdom: 1,424 (820)
Charisma: 359 (0)
Health: 10,290
Mana: 18,290
Spells:
Demon Skin-Rank 8
Demonic Retribution- Rank 8
Summon Greater Imp
Fire Blast- Rank 8
Sap Strength- Rank 7
Demonic Haze- Rank 7
Summon Greater Destroyer
Demonic Vitality- Rank 7
Fire Burst- Rank 7
Summon Greater Succubus
Abilities:
Personal Spells
Flame Weapon
Copy
Infernal Upgrade: (Succubus- Ally)
Infernal Upgrade: (Imp- Big Boom)
Infernal Upgrade: (Destroyer- Demonic Shell)
Infernal Upgrade: (Succubus- Comforting Touch)
Copy
Infernal Upgrade: (Succubus- Essence Drain)
Still Caster
Infernal Upgrade: (Imp- Burning Cleanse)
Infernal Upgrade: (Destroyer- Savage Roar)
Infernal Upgrade: (Destroyer- Bash)
Imp Storm
Infernal Upgrade: (Imp- Infernal Flames)
Racial Abilities:
Cast spells without verbal components
Physical damage reduction 25%
Magical damage reduction 10%
Influence emotions
Fire resistance 125%
Reputation gains at 10% of normal
All stats increase by 4 points per level
Can use any weapon regardless of strength required
Double movement speed when minion present
Maxed reputation with all Infernals and Worshippers of the Dark Lord
All Debuffs last half as long
Immune to movement impairing effects
Immune to mind altering effects
Chapter Twenty-five
They'd finally learned their lesson about entering boss fights with Alburet's minions present, and dismissed Tiny, Bob and all the Copies beforehand. They tore through the zones without any trouble, as they vastly out leveled and out geared most of them. The dungeons also went smoothly; while their levels went down to match the dungeon and their gear dropped in proportion, they still had all of their abilities.
The first dungeon was by far the most humorous in learning the curve for operating at reduced levels. Alburet found that Imp Storm would only produce a couple of Imps instead of the army he was used to. Marysue was happy though, since she could still heal the Infernals as well as Gerald with her area and direct heals.
The group of friends were laughing, having a good time, and relaxing from their trials over the last month as they blasted through the lower level dungeons. It was refreshing to not have a major event or crisis happening. They knew that Stein and his machinations would be coming, probably soon, but in the moment it seemed distant.
“I didn’t even realize the pressure we’ve been putting ourselves under over the last month,” Marysue said, broaching the subject. “It wasn’t as bad as watching Dad position for a new acquisition, or Gerald during the start of a takeover, but it was still stressful.”
“It felt like being under a major deadline for an important piece,” Fluff agreed.
“I still feel some of it, but it’s not like dealing with a major corporation, at least not yet. I think the town will get there eventually, though,” Gerald chuckled. “The nice thing is that I’m the final word this time.”
“You’re doing great. Dad would approve of your growth,” Marysue said as the party started back out of the dungeon to turn in quests.
“Do ya want to grab a meal next time we pass through Wildwood?” Stacia asked.
“Oh, that would be lovely,” Marysue nodded.
“Do they have actual restaurants and not just street stands?” Karen asked.
“There’s a place that specializes in seafood,” Fluff told Karen. “It was good when I was there last time.”
“We can do that,” Gerald nodded. “We’re close to leveling, and it only took three dungeons. We might be able to hit ninety or better if we keep at this.”
“We can easily hit another two or three dungeons before we call it a night,” Alburet added. “Maybe that will push us close to eighty-three, but we’re going to miss a chunk of hunting tomorrow because of the meeting.”
“Aye, and we be needin’ to go visit Mother to be getting’ clothes,” Stacia chimed in.
“I arranged to have a number of dresses prepared when Gerald was made a noble,” Marysue said. “We can visit the tailors tomorrow and get dresses started for you three. This way, you’ll have a variety of options. You might need them with Al being an Ambassador now.”
