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Argent Touches

He pulled the spear out. He couldn't believe he pulled the spear out. He didn't think he'd pull the spear out. But guess what...

He pulled the spear out.

It was some stupid-ass joke, yeah? You hit the local tavern with your boys, you get drunk on mead, and before you know it, you and your gaggle of laughing, jocking numb-nuts head through Colossus Cradle, and into the Temple of Kress. There, in the deepest sanctuary where the morning sun pierces through its stained glass windows, you find it embedded within its holy resting place.

It was a joke among the people of Vert that the stupid polearm was secretly some legendary weapon. That it was placed there by some god, or demigod, or some legendary hero or whatever. That it was waiting for the next hero to grab it and pull it free from its stone stump. That's how the story goes, though it has some changes here and there. Sometimes the new hero has to be a descended of the old hero, or they have to be their reincarnation or whatever. Sometimes it has to be a boy, sometimes it has to be a girl. Sometimes it won't even wake up unless the world was in danger! Whatever the case may be – and let me tell you, there are a lot of cases – the spear wouldn't budge from its pedestal.

Maybe that's why the Temple of Kress fell to such duress. It's not like anyone worshiped or even knew the names of the gods it was erected in honor of. And after the scholars and historians got done picking it apart and analyzing it, the stupid building just sat there, collecting dust and vines. Just some random temple among many other random temples that dot the land of Hestia.

Which brings us back to the beginning; that night he got drunk. He stumbled in there, he came to the inner sanctuary, the morning sun pierced through the windows, illuminating him, and then he placed his hands upon the shaft sticking out of the ground. He remembered one of his friends making some stupid penis joke, they all laughed, and... well...

He pulled the spear out.

His name was James Oliver, Jim to his friends. Before that day, he was nothing more than your average worker at the local steel mill. Following that day, he became more... so much more. Following that day, he became a hero...

…

The traveling life of an adventurer is hard. The traveling life of a hero adventurer is even harder! When you read books and hear stories of exploring temples and ruins, you get enthralled, right? It sounds fun, amazing even, right? Right!?

By the gods he wished it was that simple...

In reality, it seemed as if people from over a thousand years ago designed their temples and crypts to be as confusing and stupid as could possibly be. And even when you do somehow manage to make your way into the deepest areas of the temple, do you find riches like gold and diamonds? No! You fight a big monster that, theoretically, couldn't even survive in its chamber, because there's no food to be found! And then you kill it, and yadda yadda yadda, something about ley lines or whatever...

Ugh!

In reality, being a hero adventurer is more like this; getting from point A to point B, not by carriage that announces you as a hero of all... but by walking. Yes, just walking. He doesn't even have his own noble steed to call upon. Sure, he is a hero, and he's supposed to be selfless, he recognizes that... but come on! This is hell on his feet!

The plains of Vespera! From all around the world, they have been lavished and praised for their undeniable beauty. The air is always crisp, the winds are always smooth, and sights offer a perfect blend of industry and nature. Even out here on one of its many, nondescript fields, the green grass of the plains are so perfectly horizontal with the blue skies, that it feels like one is standing on the edge of reality itself. In the distance, you can even see the Dinkir Mountains which cradle the back of the kingdom like a mighty shield, protecting it from any and all would be invaders.

And then, on this field in the middle of seemingly nowhere... you'd find him walking all alone.

He'd look rather simple, wouldn't you agree? He wasn't too impressive, with the most striking aspect about him being his height; he was pushing upwards of six feet tall... but he wasn't there quite yet. His hair was brown and a bit spiky, though not so much that you'd consider it his most defining trait. Even his brown eyes were a bit of a blasé attribute to him, despite how bright they could shine. No, if one were to say anything about this young man was memorable... it would be his smile, and how charming it could be.

On this dusty road, you'd see him walking all alone. The vest he wore was leather and brown, resting over a form fitting tunic with a hood pulled back. His belt was adorned with various pouches armed with a variety of tools and what not. Around his shoulder was slung a satchel, and in his hand was a compass. With how bland, if not outright forgettable he was, you'd easily mistake him for just another traveling adventurer.

You'd be wrong.

Jim trekked through the plains of Vespera, his eyes on his compass while his mouth rumbled with slight obscenities. He was annoyed, wondering how he so foolishly forgot to get a better pair of boots before leaving the castle city of Dorn. It wasn't too problematic when he was riding in a caravan, but once he left the border town of Castiel, he was forced to walk for hours upon hours towards his destination. Even when he arrived at the border city of Nothnir, he forsook the chance to buy a better pair of boots, because all he wanted to do was sleep at an inn! Now here he was, walking and walking and walking the next day, cursing either himself or the gods for his foolishness.

Seriously, when he arrived at his destination, the first thing he was doing was getting better boots!

“Hey... hey... heeeeeeeey... are we there yet...?"

And then there was her...

The Gallant Spear of Locks: Clavis! That was the name of the javelin he pulled from its stump. It was a powerful weapon, one which would not reveal itself unless the hero – Jim – called upon it. If he didn't need it, then it wouldn't show itself, which further added to his simplistic appearance.

But do you know what else it can do? Something that none of those stupid stories ever detailed? The fact that the Clavis came with a fairy. A very annoying little fair.

She blinked in out of nowhere, appearing as a misty haze of light which slowly grew brighter and brighter. Pink in color, it wiggled and wobbled through the air while Jim shot it an annoyed glance. It didn't take long, but the light eventually fizzled out, revealing a tiny woman with the wings of a butterfly. She glowed lightly, and wore a pink dress which covered her from the neck down to her feet. Hair that was long and pink spilled from her head, and cascaded down to her toes. She groaned as if awakening from a long slumber, and tossed back her hair... but when her face finally opened up, it wasn't cute and cherubic, no...

It was sassy!

“Hey, Jim!" said the sprite as she fluttered up to his face, her tone annoyed and belittling, “Are we there yet?"

“Does it look like we're there?" he replied as he swatted his hand at the fairy, “Now get out of the way, Talka, can't you see I'm walking here?"

He arose his compass, trying to use it to block his image of her... but the wily little fair just floated over and placed her tiny hands upon the film of his tool.

“You know, this compass isn't actually going to help you if you don't know the lay of the land?" the fairy – Talka – remarked as she shot him a wry grin, “I thought you would've known that by now, Mr. Hero!"

That damn statement! Oh, how he hated that statement! He's been called 'hero' before, usually in reverent tones by those he helps. But whenever she said it, it made his blood boil and his eyes grow sharp.

“Get back in my head, Talka!" he snapped, though the fairy floated back.

“Hmmm... no... not yet," she replied, before giggling as she pointed at him, “Though, with how empty your head is, I think I'd find more room in there than I'd do for the entirety of these empty plains!"

“Why you little-- COME HERE!"

Quickly he leaped at the giggling fairy, swiping at the air in an attempt to capture her... only to fall into her trap. For just a few feet away from where he was walking was not more fields, but instead a sudden drop.

A sudden drop that he, well... dropped down...

“GAH!? OOF!? AAAH!?"

If you were looking from a far, you'd see his body tumbling like a rock, again and again and again. He rolled and flipped and fumbled down the hillside, all while Talka laughed at him like he just told the biggest joke of his life! But in her eyes, he was the joke, and this fall was the punchline! He just kept rolling and rolling and rolling and rolling until finally--

“Gaaah!? Oooooooh...! Owwwwwww! Ouch! Nnghghh...!"

“HAHAAHAHAHAHAHAAAAH! YOU FUCKING IDIOT DUMBASS!!! HAHAAHAHAHAHAA! IT'S CALLED A HILL FOR A REASON!!!"

Seriously... he hated that damn fairy. She was supposed to be his guide through the spear. Instead, she seemed to take more enjoyment in his suffering than their enemies did!

On his back as pain rumbled through his form, Jim gazed up to the giggling sprite who was floating just a few feet above. He'd reach out for her again, but damn did his back hurt! Besides, she'd just fly away; he could never catch her.

So instead Jim pulled himself up, sitting on his butt as he rubbed his back. And after a few groans of pain, his gaze locked forward... where his eyes grew wide.

Before him laid a glorious set of silver walls. They were arched, owning to a style that no other kingdom could quite match. Elegant curves mixed with regal defenses, creating a most religious tone. And they were so tall too, stretching almost high enough to touch the skies above.

He had finally arrived: Capital City Providence, the heart of the Holy Kingdom of Vespera.

The kingdom of the elves.

“You know they'll fucking hate you for being a dirty human, right?" Talka quipped as Jim stood up.

“Oh quiet you..." he muttered before reaching into his satchel to pull out – of all things – a silver envelope, “This letter will be our ticket inside!"

“Tch... yeah... at least until you open your mouth and reveal how much of an idiot you are!"

He groaned and rolled his eyes.

“Whatever... let's go!"

…

“My Queen...? My Queen? My Queen..."

Have you ever heard of the elven queen, Valda? Of course you have; everyone has heard of her.

But have you ever seen the elven queen, Valda? No, you have not. If you did, you'd never forget her. It would be impossible to forget her.

Impossible...

Her presence is one that you can feel. When she's in your vicinity, the air grows thick and silent, as if standing in a chamber devoid of sound. Her hair is a silver-blonde, her flesh is flawless and free of any blemish, and her eyes are... by the gods her eyes... her eyes are as green as the fields which surround her land, if not more so. They say her beauty is unequaled in this world, and that it is only matched by the gods themselves.

That's what they say at least... and in all honesty? Those sayings are completely true. Every. Single. Last. One.

Valda was the name of the Elven Queen, and often times that's all you'd need say in order to attract listeners from all around. She was regal in every since of the word, lacking any flaws in her stride. She never walked weakly, never walked strongly, always walked with a perfect stride that was flawless. Never did she bend over, never did her stance break, and never did she show a sign of weakness. Never was her face anything but alluring, even when peering so hard she could eviscerate your soul.

She has often wore the visage of a wise and stoic mother, with the eyes of a vivacious and mature beauty. Her silver-blonde hair flowed long... long... longer still, coming down to her hips in free-flowing strands which bounced and waved along with the wind. It was open at the front however, parted like a veil with the right side being thicker than the left, yet both streamed down upon her chest and shoulders.

Her chest and shoulders...

Smooth were her shoulders, sensual and erotic. Presumptuous was her chest, buxom and mighty. Glorious was her figure, curvy and elegant. Wider were her hips, plush and child-baring. Great was her age, well over a thousand.

A thousand?

But of course! Elves live for a long, long time, don't you know? It's very possible that the same queen that has you beguiled, has herself beguiled your great-great-great-great-grandfather.

Think about it...

Valda was not your ordinary queen. For any elven ruler to keep hold over a kingdom for so long was nearly unheard of! It was expected at some point for a ruler to step down, especially after ruling for well over a four hundred years. Doubly so when said ruler has as many children as she does. There were many princes and princesses who were ready and willing to take the throne, but never did Valda step down and abdicate her throne. It was like she was looking for something, waiting for something. And until that 'something' arrived, she would not step down, could not step down.

Not until...

“My Queen...?"

“Yes, Tonic...?" she answered, her stirring voice lifting the room.

Castle Vespera was unlike any castle made by human hands, and how dare you even put them in the same category? Even attempting to create something as majestic as this would take human hands next to five thousand years!

With its silver walls, its arched hallways, and the elegant architecture, Castle Vespera somehow found a way to put to shame even the walls which protected the grand city outside of it. There were no other castles in this world that could hope to compare. Perhaps in other realms, but certainly not this one. And upon its hillside with the Dinkir Mountain's behind it, the castle was like a silver diamond resting at the top of the illustrious treasure chest that was the rest of the metropolis that surrounds it.

Within the castle, there were many, and I do mean many courtyards. Whether these courtyards were a part of the original architecture plan, or were additions made by previous elven rulers, not many knew. But when it came to its current ruler, Queen Valda, she adored each and every one of them. But this one? She loved this one the most.

Out here, the trickling of water could be heard, echoing from her nearby fountain. She sat on a chair, one that was floral-like with a silver coloration. Before her was a matching table of elegance, with a plate seated on its surface. Casually, the elven queen took a sip of the tea in her hand, one that was brewed to absolute perfection. Anything less would not do.

But she was not alone, was she? No, there was someone speaking to her, someone waiting for her response. So Valda drew her gaze up, meeting the eyes of a young man standing opposite of her. He too was an elf, one with short green hair as oppose to her silver-blonde hair. Tall and slender, he held the grace and professionalism one would suspect of a refined noble, though he was dressed like a butler. His face was serious as well, lacking any bend or flaw as he stood opposite of his queen.

“A guest has arrived for you, my Queen," the butler – Tonic – said, “He is a... ahem... human... ah..." he rolled his eyes, “He claims to be the 'hero' we heard of; the one you sent a letter to. James Oliver... though..." he looked away, “He certainly does not look fitting of such a role or title as 'hero'. Tsk... it is such a human thing to give grand titles to pointless and frivolous roles, especially ones as nondescript and abstract as 'hero'."

“Abstract though the title may be, if the rumors of his skill are true, then I have no choice but to trust him," the queen stated, her voice filled with conviction, “For him to wield Clavis... that is not something that can be so easily overlooked."

“Assuming he even has it," replied her butler, “When the man claiming to be James arrived, he had no spear on his person. Currently, our guards are keeping him locked at the castle gates. What will you have us do, my Queen?"

“Hmmm..." eyes closing shut, she took another sip of her tea, “Allow him inside, and bring him to the throne room. I will stand judgment over him there."

“As you wish, my Queen."

With a bow, Tonic bid himself adieu, and exited courtyard they were in. That left Valda alone, who gave a sigh as she stood up. She would take the opposing exit, which would lead her to her throne room. But as she started her walk, her mind began to wonder.

Human 'heroes' were a dime a dozen; she had met many of them over her long, long, long life. And though there were more than just a few elven heroes, it always seemed as if history prioritizes their more ignorant counterparts. Making matters worse, human heroes always found a way of being so... generic.

They were such an endlessly grinning, hopelessly optimistic bunch; they never seem to be anything more than that. Most of the time, they came in groups of at least three others, but the one human was the hero of destiny or some nonsense like that. How strange is it that in a caste of colorful characters, the one bland human is the main star?

It's almost insulting...

But Valda is an old woman; she has lived for more than a hundred human lifetimes. She has seen heroes come and go, all wielding some sort of legendary weapon bequeathed by some god or deity or falling for some other universe or whatever. What's another one among many? Let's just hope they can quickly end this nonsense so that they both may go their separate ways: he can continue his journey, she can continue her duties.

Everyone leaves happy.

Valda's thoughts had masked her walked; before she knew it, she had come to her throne room. The great chamber was both wide and long; a series of three stairs that led up to one platform, to another, to another. Elegantly carved pillars extended from the floors to the domed ceiling, a domed ceiling which presented the image of an eagle-like god.

Karton... the god of Justice... but we're getting ahead of ourselves.

Much like the rest of the castle and the kingdom as a whole, the throne room owned a very silver color. Along its floors also ran a red rug, leading from the entrance all the way up to the thrones themselves.

Sorry, not thrones, but a throne; there was only one opulent chair.

It stood tall over this chamber; arched and bulky, its sides were aligned with crystals, and its seat was a red, plush, velvety cushion. And resting upon said cushion was a crown, one just as silver in color as the rest of the castle, with a single green jewel in the heart of it.

Reaching down, Valda grabbed the crown and placed it upon her head. Then she turned and sat upon her throne with her hands sitting upon its arm rests. Her face growing serious and stern, the elven queen gazed down towards the doors in the distance, waiting for the arrival of this new 'hero'.

But as she did so, Valda stared over to her right. Once over a hundred years ago, she sat with another. She hadn't always been the single ruler of Vespera; there have been more than a few consorts in her life. And she hadn't had her children via singular means. There have been lovers in her past but... those times were long over.

She was alone upon this throne...

The doors opened. Her forlorn face grew stoic once again.

“My Queen," called a guard from the entrance, “Your... 'guest' has arrived. The alleged hero, James Oliver!"

“Alleged hero...?" she heard a voice from far below grumble, “C'mon, I am thee... hah... whatever..."

He emerged through the doors, distant but visible. Leather brown vest, form fitting tunic, various pouches, spiky brown hair, those brown eyes; yes, he certainly screamed 'hero'. However, he wasn't dressed in a way one would expect when meeting with a queen, instead appearing like your run of the mill carpenter. Tch... knowing his backstory, he probably was nothing more than a farmer before he started this whole hero thing. Another attribute of your typical human heroes? Their humble beginnings.

Seriously, it's like farmboys, basic knights, and carpenters have a stranglehold on heroic origins!

But Valda withheld judgment on this man, up until he finally stepped up to her throne. He was alone... curious; she expected him to have a party of some sort. No, he was one of those heroes who travel by themselves. Interesting...

Despite his simplistic looks, he stood with a certain stance to him that showed experience. This wasn't the beginning of his journey, Valda could tell; this was right in the middle of it. But that didn't mean she was ready to trust him just yet, for as she traveled her gaze around him, she realized a very important aspect of him was missing.

Where was the spear?

“It is... my pleasure to meet you, Queen Valda," said Jim as he knelt down before her, his eyes closing shut. At the very least, he had gained some modicum of respect during his journeys. She was far from the first ruler he had met with since becoming a hero.

Though she was without a doubt the most beautiful.

King Daron was wise and stoic. Lord Hammond was whiny and sniveling. Baroness Chala was a dusty crone.

But Queen Valda? Queen Valda was simply stunning. He hadn't met a woman quite like her before. Sitting on her throne, the elven ruler looked less like a mortal and more like a deity. The dress she wore was silver and red, form fitting too. It hugged her chest in such a way that it gave her buxom breasts a generous lift, and the midsection was tight around her narrow waist. Was she wearing a corset beneath that gown? Jim couldn't help but to wonder.

And the gown itself. It was draped over her legs, letting him see nothing more than just the heels of her feet, and the slight skin of her ankles. Yes, just her ankles, and yet that brief glimpse had him desperate to see more! He just wanted to pull up that dress and gaze upon her legs... her sure to be splendorous, lovely, sensual, and perfect legs.

There were no women who could hope to call themselves Valda's equal... except for maybe... hmm..

“Hmmm..."

“Holy fucking shit..." a certain snarky voice came jittering into his ears, “Are you popping a boner to the elf queen Valda? You're a fucking dumbass, Jim! She's not like those hickish farm girls you sleep with on a regular basis!"

“Quiet you..." he whispered back as he glared off into the distance.

“Hm? What was that?" Valda asked, making Jim tense up.

“Oh! Heh... um... nothing, my Queen," he said whilst standing up straight, “Just uh... thinking out loud is all..."

“Mmm..."

She leered at him, watching as Jim took a straighter stance in her presence. It wasn't the most refined of movements, but it was respectably strong in its own, human way. However... she could still see a looseness in him; something that would go by unnoticed by others would not in the presence of Valda. Many a hero had come in his wake, some more refined, others less so. Jim was... right in the middle.

Hmmm...

“James Oliver," said Valda, her noble voice sending a stir through the throne room, “That is your name, I am correct? The wielder of Clavis? The Gallant Spear of Locks?"

“Ah, yes, that is me," he said with a cheery smile, “Though, my friends and everyone else just call me 'Jim'."

His statement... garnered nothing but a slightly annoyed look from Valda. Reading the flat face, Jim's grin faded into a sheepish and awkward chuckle, while a more uproarious laughter echoed in his head.

“WOW! YOU REALLY THOUGHT YOU COULD ACT LIKE YOUR USUALLY STUPID SELF WITH QUEEN VALDA!?" Talka roared in his head, “YOU'RE A REAL FUCKING IDIOT, JIMBO!"

He was thiiiiiiis close to yelling at her... but Talka did have a point; he couldn't act as slack as he usually did with other nobles. Valda was not 'other nobles'. She was beyond that, even he could tell. So, he straightened up his stance even further and took in a deep breath. Time to get more serious.

“News of your adventures and victories have traveled far," said Valda as she leaned back in her throne, “I have heard how you added Empress Astria of Alektrios, and even solved a problem in Ash Kingdom. Impressive, I dare say..." she extended her hand, “You have read the contents of my letter, have you not?"

“Yes, I have," said Jim in a more firm manner, “How demons have been spreading from Lothmir Forest, and how all attempts to quell the invasion have failed. Similar occurrences happened in Brastralle, a land I too aided."

“Indeed..." said the elf queen, “With Clavis, I am convinced you will be able to solve this problem. So, if I may be so bold as to ask... may I see Clavis?"

“See Clavis...?" he repeated, “Ah! Oh, yes, of course, my Queen. Let me just... um..."

Jim's hand extended out towards Valda, as if beckoning her forward. She raised an eyebrow, while the guards on duty eyed him close. But then he extended his hand up, raising it instead towards the domed ceiling. Taking in a deep, deep breath, Jim held his hand out for a few more moments as he called out--

“Arise, Clavis!"

And...

Um...

Well now...

This is a bit awkward...

Yeah...

Nothing happened...

Jim kept his stance, said the words, everything but... nothing happened. His eyes grew wide with shock, and a cold sweat broke upon his brow, while the air of awkwardness grew even thicker. Briefly he looked down to gaze at Valda who stared back with an eyebrow raised. Shit, he was really making a fool of himself!

“Ummm... uh... Arise! Clavis!" he shouted out with greater strength and conviction than before... only for the same thing to happen.

Absolutely nothing!

“BWAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA! YOU LOOK LIKE A FUCKING DUMBASS!!!" Talka laughed in his ears, making him clench his teeth in embarrassment and confusion.

The fairy was right; he was making himself look like a dumbass! Why wasn't this working? Hell, usually he didn't even need to cry out 'Arise, Clavis'; that was just some extra flourish he came up with to make himself look more impressive! All he'd normally need to do is extend his hand, focus up, and boom; instant spear!

But right now, it was like something was clogging the way.

“Is this some sort of joke...?" Valda remarked, making Jim drop his hand.

“The Queen does not suffer comedians!" shouted one of the guards on duty, “If this is your attempt at humor, hero or not, we will punish you!"

“I swear, I'm not doing this on purpose!" Jim replied, “I...!" he looked back down to his hand, “I swear, this usually works! I just uh... I--!"

“KEEE-HEEEE HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!" Talka continued laughing in his head, “Do you know why you're like this, Jimbo!? It's cuz your fucking horny! You can't focus and summon the spear, because your mind is filled with dirty thoughts!"

“N-n-no it's not!" he replied as he looked over his shoulder.

“You stupid idiot! I live in your head! I can read your mind!" the fairy countered, “Fuck, you wanna make Valda look like a--"

“JAMES OLIVER!" roared the elf queen, her voice booming to the point that the entire kingdom seemed to grow silent.

He was frozen solid by the cry and his eyes grew small. Looking ahead, he gazed at Valda as she stared back at him. Her face and eyes were serious and annoyed, further making him seem diminutive and small beneath her awe-inspiring glory. The elf queen's presence... it could make even unruly children grow silent.

Pulling away, she pressed her back up to her throne once again, while her green eyes locked upon his face. Jim felt small... diminutive... lesser than in her presence. And that was only doubled as her gaze grew tighter.

“Who are you talking to?" Valda asked, “I have noticed you talking to someone under your breath. Who is it?"

“Clearly he is insane, my Queen," said one of the guards, “Perhaps this is not the real James Oliver. Perhaps our messenger was incorrect."

“N-n-no! No! I... haaah..." Jim spoke up as his gaze locked back upon Valda, “You are right, my Queen. I am... I am speaking to someone else," he rubbed his head, “Her name is Talka. She is the fairy who possessed Clavis. Since I wield it, she lives in my head."

“The fairy who possessed Clavis...?" Valda repeated before cocking her head, “Is this true? May I see her?"

“By the gods I wish this was true," he replied, “I cannot make Talka appear. She can only appear when she--" Bweeeeeeeem! “Uh... ch-chooses to...?"

A pink ball of light suddenly appeared, bouncing and quivering and raising up higher. Valda, Jim, and the knights on guard all watched as this ball of light appeared out of nowhere, before expanding as it grew brighter and brighter. And after a few more seconds...

Plink!

Talka appeared.

“Good afternoon, my Queen," said the fairy, her typically snarky and rude tongue noticeably gone. Instead she sounded refined and respectable, like a princess instead of a bitch. It was such a sharp change, that Jim's mouth grew long in shear surprise.

Where the hell was this most of the time?

“By Karton's light, it is a fairy," said Valda her tone genuinely mesmerized while her hand rested on her chest, “It has been so long since I've seen one as kind and as noble as you."

“The feeling is mutual, my Queen," Talka said with a respectful curtsy, “In all of my endless years, I cannot remember a time where I have found a ruler as fair and as elegant as you are."

“So it is true," the elf queen whispered as her eyes gazed over towards Jim, “You... James Oliver. You do wield the Gallant Spear of Locks."

“Indeed he does," Talka said, answering for him, “Apologies, my Queen. Jim is just so overwhelmed by your appearance that he is struggling to summon Clavis."

“Mm?" Valda's eyes gazed towards Jim, “Is this true, James?"

“I..."

He stared toward Valda, noticing how different she seemed to look at him. At first she appeared annoyed if not incredulous to the idea of him being a hero. But now, with Talka floating about, her opinions on him were beginning to change. And all he could think to himself was...

Dammit... Talka's never gonna let this down...

“Yes, my Queen," he said as his cheeks turned red with embarrassment, “You're just so... hah... of all the rulers I have had the pleasure of meeting, yours is without a doubt the most beautiful. Far greater than my own queen. I'd say that without hesitation."

“Hmm..."

Such idol worship usually meant nothing, for Valda was used to being called beautiful beyond compare. She was over a thousand years old, and has heard such praise many times before. But for her to be so beautiful that a supposed hero struggled to summon his weapon blessed to him by the gods? That was unique.

It made Valda blush.

“I thank you, James Oliver," she said, her tone growing more relaxed... and he noticed this.

“Please, my Queen. Just call me 'Jim'," he said.. and this time...

“Oh... okay then... Jim."

It may have been brief, but hearing his nickname come from the elf queen's mouth felt oddly... gratifying. Many a woman had called him 'Jim' before, but Valda's just struck a different chord within him. Was it the sound of her voice that did it for him, or was it the fact that he got such a refined woman to call him by his nickname at all? Whatever the case may be, he wouldn't mind hearing her call him 'Jim' more often.

It was better than just 'nice'...

“Apologies for how we treated you upon your arrival, Jim," Valda continued, “With how you arrived and your lack of spear, my men were less than trusting of you. But with this fairy vouching in your favor, I know now we are in good hands."

“Thank you, my Queen," he replied as he stared at Talka... who looked at him with a sneering grin.

That devilish little fairy... or maybe he should call her faerie...

“Please, Jim. Come forth, I wish to give you something."

That... actually took him off guard.

Gazing up, he stared at Valda, reading the warm and beguiling smile she had on her face as her hand extended towards him. First he was hesitant, but once he stood up, he walked towards the elf queen on unsteady feet. Goodness, the closer he got, the more overwhelming her allure became; it's like Valda had become the entire center of his world. Incidentally, his cheeks started getting warmer and warmer the closer he got.

But nothing could quite compare to the feeling of her hands. They settled upon his wrist, touching him with a softness so great, he almost melted on the spot. Valda's hands were just as perfect as the rest of her body. No cracks or splits in her palm, slender fingers that danced upon his knuckles and digits, and a warmth better than his blankets on a ginger morning; utterly flawless.

Feeling those hands slide and grace upon his own, made Jim's heart race faster. He wanted to say something, but no words came out. Just... what was Valda doing? And why did it make him feel so--

Click!

“Huh?"

Valda's hands pulled away, allowing Jim to pull his arm back. When he did, his gaze dropped upon his wrist, where placed upon it was a strange silver band. Like a Celtic charm, it had various runes and carvings printed upon its surface, spiraling in an elegant design. But most striking of all was the smooth blue stone that had been placed right upon the center of it. This silver band was like a wrist watch in how it fitted on his arm, but instead of telling time it did... something else.

“What is this...?" Jim asked as he checked the band.

“With this, I will be able to communicate with you no matter where in the kingdom you are," Valda explained, while his fingers graced upon the blue stone in the surface, “All you need to do is speak into it, and I will be able to converse with you. I know more about Vespera than anyone else and this naturally includes the forest of Lothmir, so I can guide you in case you get lost."

“I see... wow..." he continued rubbing his fingers upon the band, “This is amazing, my Queen."

“Lothmir Forest appears simple on the outside, but inside it is woven with a variety of magics," Valda continued, “Until recently, the forest was used as a training ground for mages of all skill levels, be they apprentice or master. Because of this, the forest became thick with magical energies, transforming it into a confusing maze for many who are not aware. You can head straight, and you'll never meet the end of the forest. There are specific steps one must take to avoid being lost forever," she sighed, her expression growing forlorn, “I believe that is why the demons have used Lothmir Forest as their gateway. It is far too easy for my men to get lost, and even if we do make it to the gateway, we can do nothing. It is the perfect base for their antics."

“Do not worry, my Queen," Jim said, his voice full of resolve, “With you leading me and the Gallant Spear of Locks, I will defeat the demons in Lothmir Forest, and seal the gate before any more trouble can befall your kingdom! Of that, I swear!"

There it was again! He was hamming it up in front of the queen, even Talka could see that!

But the oddest thing happened... Valda was genuinely enthralled by it! It wasn't heart pounding mind you, but watching Jim be so bold in his announcement made the elf queen smile and even giggle softly. He was goofy yes... but there was this earnestness to his goofy mannerism that actually made him quite... cute.

“Jim... I'm sure your travel here was a long one," Valda said, “Please, enjoy the pleasantries of my castle before you leave. When you are ready to depart, just ask, and I will have one of my men guide you to Lothmir Forest."

“I thank you, my Queen," he said before bowing again, “Ah! But before I do anything um... huh... may I ask for a simple request?"

“Fu? Please, without hesitation, ask, Jim."

“May I have a new pair of boots? Preferably... comfortable ones?"

…

There was a stirring in the forest...

The Gates of Amon. Have you ever heard of it? I reckon you haven't. In certain areas of the world, even uttering his name is enough to get your tongue cut out.

Amon's history is a curious one. It is said that he was a builder, and a mighty one at that. His structures could weather any and all attacks, save for ones from the gods themselves. Amon the builder he was known as in some circles... so... why is his name so vilified?

Because Amon was a demon, and a powerful one that. Born in the fiery depths of Daemonium itself, his structures dot the burning landscape as monuments to sin and depravity. But this would be fine, right? If it's in Daemonium, then it's of no problem to those of this realm... right?

Well... normally... but on occasion, for reasons no one can quite explain, Amon's pillars will extend from the earth. There, they act like gateways to the underworld, allowing any amount of sinister monsters to freely come as they please... and for unknowing innocents to accidentally fall in themselves.

Thus they became known as Hell Gates.

Sometimes, this isn't too problematic. Sometimes, all it takes is a powerful enough wizard, and the tower can be forcibly sealed. But other times... other times the gates are being maintained. A powerful demon will emerge from the gate, keeping it open to make sure the world is overrun with monsters.

This... this was one of those times...

It was a tall pillar, one made of a sinister red stone. Its sides were embellished with a design that could only be described as... something. Deranged swirls, maddening zigzags, random lines; they sat on the surface of this stone pillar with no rhyme or reason. But perhaps what was most striking of all would be all the stone eyes. They were carved upon the wall with such detail, that you'd honestly believe the stone pillar was staring at you.

The center of the pillar was flat like a wall, the midsection open like a gateway. But instead of showing nothing but the forest on the other end, it spilled open to flames and sulfur. One could even feel the air getting hotter and hotter, as if standing near Moltra Volcano.

But there stood a woman in front of this gate. She was tall and voluptuous... and that's all you could see, for her body was covered in a black cloak. It shrouded her in mystery, covering from head to toe. All that could be seen was a single red braid of hair which hung from her hood, and the bat wings which extended from her back.

Her hand swiveled and swirled around in the air, conjuring all sorts of sinister magics. In her other hand laid a book, one she used to help perform her enchantments. Whatever spells they were, it helped keep the gates open.

“Hmmmnmm..."

“Is something the matter, baroness?" a snarky voice echoed from behind.

“I think our guest has arrived," replied the woman – the baroness – in an annoyed manner, “Will he ever learn?"

“He's come to seal the gates," that voice called, “He's... done this before, has he not?"

“Yes... yes he has..." the cloaked figure rolled her eyes, “I am so truly getting tired of this. No matter how many gateways he seals, he'll never stop us. Delay us, maybe. Annoy us, certainly. But stop us? Never..." she waved her hand through the air, “Kireeta... handle him."

“Kekekekekekekekekeke~! Right away, baroness!"

…

Lothmir Forest... huh... the Queen was right; something about this place was just plain weird.

Jim had been to many a forests in his journey, but most of the time they were, ya'know, green. Instead, this forest was purple. The grass was purple, the foliage was purple, even the air seemed to pulsate with this slight, purple aura. It made for an eerie vibe, making Lothmir Forest feel otherworldly, even compared to the rest of Vespera. Was this the doing of the demons, or the cause of so many centuries as a testing grounds?

Jim did not know, nor was he here to pass judgment. He was just going to lock the gate for the Queen, and that's that. The Queen... oh... Queen Valda. Just thinking about her sent a heated rush through his body. He even smiled like a goofy idiot as the elven ruler's image appeared in his head. And once it did...

“What the hell?" Talka's voice came ringing, “Jim!? What are you doing!?"

Gazing up, he watched as a pink ball of light appeared, coming out of his forehead where it floated in front of him. There it hovered, before finally dispersing to reveal the fairy within.

“Jim, why are you thinking about Queen Valda?" Talka asked in a scolding manner, to which he grinned back.

“How could I not think about Queen Valda?" he asked back with a chuckle, “Did you see her? Ah... I've never seen a woman as beautiful and as wonderful as she is, Talka! I think I'm in love!"

“Bah! Hahahahahahaha! You're such a fucking idiot, Jimbo," she replied, “Queen Valda isn't going to entertain the thoughts of some stupid human like you. Do you know how many heroes she's facilitated the journeys of in her lifetime? Far more than the number of quests you've been on! She's over a thousand years old for Karton's sake! What makes you think she'll waste time on a punk like you?"

“Well... a man can dream, right?" he replied, though Talka shook her head.

“Heh, dream? Well I think it's time you woke up!" was her reply before pointing forward, “Now let's navigate through the forest. Call Queen Valda so she can lead us," fizzling away into a light, she began flowing back towards his head, “Something about this place feels... weird... even for me..."

Disappearing into his head, Talka left Jim alone so that he could continue the quest. But the fairy was right; this place was weird. When he looked ahead, it was like staring into a quilt with over a hundred folds going through it.

So he raised his hand, tapping it against the silver band around his wrist.

“Queen Valda...?" he called, “I'm here in Lothmir Forest... uh..." he looked at the wristband, “How does this thing work...?" Bweeam! “Huh?"

A blue light suddenly appeared from the jewel on the band, one which expanded to show... Queen Valda! She was small, and appeared translucent thanks to the blue magic which formed her. Jim couldn't see much of where she was, only that she was sitting on a chair somewhere.

“Jim?" Valda called, “Are you okay?"

“Oh uh... y-yes, my queen," he said with a nod, “I am fine, I'm just... uh..." he stared up, “You were right about Lothmir Forest. It's a confusing hodgepodge. How am I supposed to navigate my way through it?"

“Raise your hand," Valda answered, taking him aback, “And point the charm forward."

“As you wish..."

Doing as he was told, Jim pointed his the wristband ahead. At first, nothing happened... but after a few moments, a thicker beam of blue light appeared, shooting from the charm and heading forward.

“Follow the light," Valda said, “It will lead you to the center of the forest, where the demonic infestation is at its strongest."

“Got it. Thanks, my Queen."

“Be safe, Jim..."

The holographic image of Valda faded away, but the blue light she conjured remained. Using it like a compass, Jim began navigating the madness of the forest. The blue light itself would twist and turn as if on a dial, going left, then swiveling right, moving forward, then turning around to go backwards. And all around him, he watched as the forest seemed to twist and turn. There were times he'd even turn around, only to see that the path behind him was not the path he originally traveled through.

Just what were those elven mages doing out here?

“Man... this place gives me the creeps..." Jim said aloud.

“That seems like problem you've been running into lately," a certain snarky voice echoed from within his head, “Everything seems to be scaring you these days! Heh heh! What kind of hero are you, anyway?"

“I'm the hero who's gonna--"

? Do Do~ Do-Do-Do~ Do-Do~ Do Do Do Do Do-Do-Do~ ?

“Uhhhh...?"

Music? He was hearing music? Specifically, he was hearing a flute.

Jim looked left and right, searching for the origins of this music, only to see nothing but the distorted walls of the forest.

“Is... something wrong...?" Talka asked.

“I hear something... don't you...?" he replied.

“No, I don't... heh heh... have you finally lost your mi--"

? Do Do~ Do-Do-Do~ Do-Do~ Do Do Do Do Do-Do-Do~ ?

? Do Do~ Do-Do-Do~ Do-Do~ Do Do Do Do Do-Do-Do~ ?

“Ooookaaaaaay... now I hear it..." Talka murmured, “Great... you've infected me with your stupidity..."

“Where is it coming fro--"

“Huh? Jim, what's...?"

He looked over to his right... where there stood a girl on a nearby tree stump. Her head was tipped to him, and her lips were pressed to a flute from which she played an ethereal and hypnotic tone. It was soothing, like a mother's warm embrace, or the cool winds on a spring day. Hearing it would disarm a person... quell them...

Defensively, Jim pulled back, leering at the mysterious girl who played her majestic flute. She almost seemed ignorant of his existence, and he wouldn't be surprised if she was nothing more than apparition created by his mind. But when he stepped forward...

? Do Do~ Do-D--

She cut her music short and stared up at him...

A mask covered her face, one crescent like the moon. A crescent shaped mask... oh no! That meant she was a--

“Dolkafar..." Jim whispered.

From behind the mask, he could see the gleam of her eyes, penetrating his very being. They were as bright as the moon, and it fought against the relative darkness of the forest around him. Pulling away her flute, the mysterious girl revealed the sassy grin that adorned her face, and then crouched down. A mere second later...

“FUAAAAH!"

She leaped clear through the air, moving like the wind! Before Jim knew it, her hands were on his shoulders, pushing and knocking him over upon his back.

“OOF!? AAAH!?"

Clank!

“Jim? JIM!"

That cry... it was Valda!

Quickly rolling over, Jim gazed over where he realized that the band was no longer on his wrist! Then he looked up, staring upon the mysterious flute-playing girl who now stood just a few feet away. And in her hand, hanging on her index finger, was the silver band given to him by Valda.

“Hey! Give that back!" he shouted, to which the mysterious girl giggled.

“Kekekekekekeke~! Oh why? Is it important?" she asked as she stepped beck, beckoning him deeper into the forest.

The sound of her voice was young and cute, mischievous and impish. In a way, it could be compared to Talka's voice. But where as his fairy's tone was cute despite her cruel nature, this girl's voice was higher in pitch, and far more devilish.

“You... you're a dolkafar, aren't you?" Jim asked as he pointed at the girl, who shrugged her shoulders.

“So what if I am?" she asked with a wide spreading grin, “You should already know the answer to that question! Aren't you that hero guy? The one who's been giving my baroness so much problem? Kekekekekekekekek~!"

“So it's not demons who's invading Vespera... it's all dolkafar," Jim said with a shake of his head, “Which means..." his eyes grew wide, “Baroness Venefica! She's here, isn't she!?"

“Kekekekekekekekek~! Maybe! Maybe not," replied the girl as she grabbed her mask, pulling it off.

She looked human... well... mostly human. Her skin was somewhat pale, her hair was black and tied into a bun while the bangs were parted over her face like a veil, her eyes were these piercing yellows, and she had the lithe form of a sprightly prancer. Her clothes however were unique, being a corset with the collar of a sailor, a skirt that stopped just short of her thighs, socks which came up to her knees, and these slender shoes. But the color... it was mostly red and black... and there was a symbol on her back, but Jim couldn't see it to well.

Oh yeah... that 'mostly human' part. From afar you'd confuse her for one – as he had done himself when he saw her. But when you get up close, you'd notice that she had two fox-like ears standing from her head like towers, and from her backside extends a fox's tail as well.

Her face matched her voice, what with her slender eyes, her pointed nose, and the endless grin on her lips. She was a woman as flighty as she was snarky, and her silver tongue certainly didn't know how to stave itself. And though she only came up to his chest in height, with a physical form that wasn't the strongest either, she didn't flinch nor did she balk in fear of Jim.

Legendary hero or not, she'd treat him the same as she treated all who wondered into this forest and tried to stop her baroness; like the poor, hapless saps that they are!

“My name is Kireeta, Nightmare Lord of Baroness Venefica De'Atore! And you are dead!"

With a springy leap, the foxgirl took to the air as she pressed her lips to her flute. Without hesitation she--

? Do Do~ Do-Do-Do~ Do-Do~ Do Do Do Do Do-Do-Do~ ?

But it wasn't just her, it was--

? Do Do~ Do-Do-Do~ Do-Do~ Do Do Do Do Do-Do-Do~ ?

? Do Do~ Do-Do-Do~ Do-Do~ Do Do Do Do Do-Do-Do~ ?

? Do Do~ Do-Do-Do~ Do-Do~ Do Do Do Do Do-Do-Do~ ?

? Do Do~ Do-Do-Do~ Do-Do~ Do Do Do Do Do-Do-Do~ ?

Many. There were many Kireetas! They all appeared in the sky around the vixen, playing their music in perfect harmony with one another. It was a soothing symphony of music, one so strong that it could quell crying babies! But Jim was obviously alert as he watched the five Kireeta's slowly begin to descend.

“Alright! I think it's time now!" he shouted as he extended his hand, “Arise, Clavis!"

This time? This time... heh... this time... Clavis arose!

Schhhwwoooooo!

GLEEAAAAMM!!!

It appeared in his hand; a glorious and magnificent javelin unlike anything any mortal had ever seen! Its handle was gold and embroidered with blue, gear-shaped markings on its surface. Its pommel was pointed and blue, made of a metal only known to gods. And the spear head itself – the actual blades of the polearm – were a matching blue in color. Like a trident, the spear's head jutted off into three prongs, though each one was far thicker than what was usual. The sides of it were also sharper, allowing the lance to both penetrate with a powerful stab, and slice with a mighty slash! And to tie it all together – to truly make this javelin the most glorious javelin known to mankind – a strange, almost divine blue aura wavered off of its being.

There before them, it had appeared in a brilliant flash of light! The Gallant Spear of Locks: Clavis!

But that's not all, for Clavis does not just bless its wielder with a weapon, no... it also blesses them with armor! It appeared on Jim's body, covering the normal looking tunic he usually wore, and replacing it with something truly majestic. Blue and gold armor adorned his body, with pointed pauldrons and grieves, angular boots, a chestplate that could rebuff the mightiest of attacks, and a flowing cape that billowed behind him.

Lothmir Forest may have been dark and purple, but Jim shone like a blue diamond as he stood tall for all to see. And at this moment, he not only had an audience with Kireeta... but one with Valda as well.

The elf queen was safe in her castle, stowed in her bedroom upon a chair. Before her laid a full-body mirror, one that did not reflect her... but instead showed Jim. She did not tell him this, but she could not only hear him through his wristband, she could see him as well. And though the wristband had been swiped by Kireeta, the callous foxgirl had tossed it aside, allowing it to fall on the forest floor where it Valda a perfect view of Jim.

Before in her throne, he looked so simple and generic. But now, with this glittering armor on his body, and Clavis held firm in hand, he truly transformed into a majestic hero. And witnessing his stance instilled awe within the elven queen, who sighed in a near romantic manner.

Romantic...?

Oh... was that why her heart was racing now, and why her cheeks were so red? She felt it earlier in the throne room when she called him 'Jim', but now these strange feelings had returned. Yes, they were romantic feelings... and Valda couldn't believe it! These feelings... they were so old to her they may as well have been new! When's the last time she's felt such feelings for someone? When her previous love was still alive? That was over two hundred years ago!

But this man, this hero... James Oliver... Jim... she was making her... feel things again. Ah...

But she needed to focus. Jim's life was in danger! She could only pray he could defend himself, for she was useless here at her castle! All she could do was watch.

But Jim wasn't worried.

Readying his lance in hand, he watched as the five Kireetas landed on the ground. Each one was grinning and giggling, but the hero held his stance. Though as they slowly began encroaching upon him, he began whispering to himself... or, well, not actually to himself, but to--

“Talka... what is she?"

“She's a fox spirit," replied the fairy, “Specifically, a kumiho! They are known for being craftsmen and illusionist!"

“Which means they're fake...?" he asked, though Talka shook her head.

“Not exactly. If she truly is one of Venefica's Nightmare Lords, then it's likely these clones are real. However, the rules remain the same; if you can find the real Kireeta, then you can defeat them all at once!"

“Got it!"

With a flourish of his spear, Jim once again readied himself for battle. By now, the five Kireetas had all surrounded him, grinning as they rose their hands to extend their nails, brandishing them like deadly claws.

“Kekekekekekekekekekeke!"

“What's wrong, hero?"

“Fox got your tongue?"

“Are you scared?"

“I want to see the power you used to defeat Nightmare Lord Cylindra!"

While they all spoke and surrounded him, Jim kept his gaze focused and trained. Those who met him may think he was a goofball, but he wasn't a hero for no reason. Enough adventuring had instilled within him a very keen mind. You needed to be in order to notice the myriad of traps and puzzles that exist within the temples and dungeons he adventures into. So while Kireeta and her clones continued to belittle him, he kept his mind cool, trying to notice anything out of the ordinary in order to pick out which Kireeta was the real one.

And he thinks he figured it out. But before he could strike, she did.

“YAAH!"

Suddenly the foxgirl launched forward, aiming to claw as his neck. With a pull back he dodged her strike, but this gave time for another Kireeta to attack. This other one struck form behind, attempting to strike his back, only to be kicked in response. Quickly spinning around, Jim also twirled about his spear, striking at another Kireeta who quickly leaped back to dodge his strike.

Before long, it all devolved into a swirling mess of strikes and misses. Kireeta and her clones were wily as expected of a fox; constantly darting about like arrows. Jim would strike only to miss, and she would quickly try to strike back. But despite wearing armor, the hero moved with great ease, allowing him to dodge whatever counterattacks his opponent launched.

And all of this was for Valda's viewing pleasure. She watched as Kireeta and Jim fought, striking at one another but often missing. And while the battle was a stalemate with neither side capable of overcoming the other, the elven queen was absolutely mesmerized.

Leaning forward in her chair, she watched their fight play out through her mirror's surface. How could Jim move like this? He was wearing armor, but he moved with the grace and finesse of a fencer! Even though he was surrounded by five of these flighty little foxgirls, none of them could land a finger on him!

And he did so alone.

He had no party to aid him, no ally to help, save for the fairy in his head. No, everything Jim did, he did on his own, something that continued to enthrall the elf queen. His skills with the spear could outpace elves with how gracefully he moved! And she couldn't believe she was thinking this, but... could he best her in a bout of spears?

Oh...! Oooh! Ooooh my!

Better focus on the fight at hand...

Jim kept pulling away, dodging swipe after swipe, countering blow after blow, but always failing to truly land a solid strike on his opponent. But in the madness of it all, he kept his eyes peeled and searched the bodies of the many Kireeta's for something to pick her out from the rest. Where he realized something...

Damn was she bouncy! And with that skirt she wore, Jim was getting more than just a few unflattering views of her panties! And, yes, his mind did pick up on this, meaning that Talka...

“Pay. The fuck. Attention!" the fairy snarled in his head, “You're in a battle! Not in an inn!"

“I know, I know!" he said through gritted teeth, “But, damn, why does the baroness have so many cute girls as her Nightmare Lords? By the gods, what I'd give to fight Nightmare Lord Bast again!"

“I can't believe I'm hearing this, you horny little fuck!" Talka growled, “Get serious before she kills you, and me by extension! There has to be something out of the ordinary on her! Find it, Jim!"

“I think I have..." he replied, “Now's my time to shine!"

With another flourish of his spear, Jim leaped back to put distance between himself and the Kireetas. The foxgirl was still grinning and giggling, but his eyes trailed along their bodies. First he focused on their legs, where they slowly traveled up to see--

“Gotcha..."

Kireeta was wearing a mask when they first saw each other, right? One shaped like a crescent moon? Well guess what... only one of these Kireeta's had a mask on their hip. Target acquired. Now, all he needed to do was land a solid blow on her, and the clones should dissipate! But if he focused on the real Kireeta too hard, she'll realize her mistake and clone the mask too, so he had to be quick!

Fortunately, Jim had prepared for this!

For some wizards, they train for years in order to summon magic not with tomes, but with their own might. Magic is not a skill so easily honed after all, needing shear dedication, and on top of that, a great well of mana from within. But if a wizard is skilled enough, if they remember the steps and the words by heart, and they have great magical potential within them, they too can summon magic with little aid.

With Clavis in hand, Jim had the mightiest swelling of magic for miles around! And while he may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, he was a surprisingly diligent student. As a wizard in High Bishop learned, for as idiotic as this hero can be, he retained teachings better than any apprentice mage does!

Summoning his magical might, Jim caused a torrent of wind and sound to appear around him, funneling and flowing like a miniature tornado. Kireeta and her clones all grew still, confused by what the hero was doing... while Valda's eyes grew wide.

He could do this? He could summon magic with no tome, no incantation! Jim was triggering his might, all as he just stood there! The elf queen's mouth was slacked in shear awe, while his magical prowess built to maximum! And to further show his skilled control, Jim caused his magic to center upon his outstretched hand and arm, where he took aim with the real Kireeta.

“AEROHA!!!" he shouted out from the top of his lungs, sending a boom that echoed throughout Lothmir Forest.

And by the time Kireeta knew what was coming... it was too late.

Like a human cannon, Jim launched a powerful blast of wind straight towards the foxgirl! It uprooted grass and vines, made trees bend, and even caused the magical air to ebb and flow! The green and white wave wouldn't stop, couldn't stop! Not until it struck its target! And that target...

“ARF!?"

Was stricken dead-center!

Kireeta – the real Kireeta – was knocked clear off of her feet and thrown through the air where she was sent tumbling down the forest. Landing in a clearing, her multiple clones all vanished like the apparitions they were, while Jim stood tall. Slowly he approached the foxgirl, who laid on the ground in an unconscious heap. And upon confirming this...

“Phew...!"

Bweeaaam!

Clavis vanished... and along with it his armor, returning Jim to nothing more than his tunic and leather vest.

“Well now... that was a detour," he remarked as a wry grin appeared on his lips, “Let's go find that wristband so I can make my way through this forest."

When he turned around, he saw the silver gleam of the wristband in the distance, along with its glowing blue gem. A sense of protective warmth was exuded from the band, drawing a smile to Jim's lips as he picked it up from off the forest floor... only to notice a pink mist had begun creeping into the area.

“Ah shit..." Jim muttered as he turned around, only too-- “OOF!?"

Again? He was tackled to the ground again?

Jim rolled over, coming to a stop on his back as he looked up to the forest ceiling overhead. And there, resting atop him with a wide spreading grin was Kireeta. But something about her was different. A pink and purple miasma wafted off of her body like a sinister aura, markings like whiskers had appeared on her cheeks, and most striking of all, her once singular tail had split into nine. Only, instead of them being nine real tails, it was one real tail, with eight more phantasmal ones fluttering about. Translucent and pink, they looked like they belonged to a ghost!

Kireeta's already fox-like attributes were enhanced, from the more prominent fangs, to the sharper eyes, to the nine tails! If she was nothing more than a foxgirl before, now she had become a true kumiho!

“Kekekekekekekek~! Now I can see why you bested Cylindra!" the foxgirl said as she sat down upon Jim's waist, “But just because I appear frailer, one blast of wind is not enough to take me down!"

“Hggnnmmph...! Nightmare Lord Cylindra, eh? She was the last dolkafar I fought," Jim muttered as he struggled to free himself from Kireeta's body, “A bit taller than you are... stronger too, I'd say."

“Cylindra has been a warrior since birth, and a beloved champion of our baroness!" the foxgirl explained, “If you could best her in battle, then there's no way I'd be able to do likewise. Buuuuuuutttt..." the pink miasma which flowed off her body grew stronger, “I have my own way of dealing with the likes of you."

“And how would you do that?" Jim asked as a sheepish grin appeared on his lips.

“Easy..." Kireeta answered, a booming smirk spreading out upon her cheeks.

Suddenly clinching in with her hips, she coaxed a grunt from Jim and caused him to straighten up. The foxgirl had sat up straighter upon his waist and raised her arms, striking a pose as her eyes leered in. It was sexy and sensual, but still so mischievous and teasing; like an erotic dancer about to put on a show... and it made Jim's eyes grow wide.

He knew what was about to happen...

There's a reason why they were called the 'Nightmare Lords', and it's not just because they come from a realm of perpetual night. For you see, baroness' great generals were all incredibly powerful succubi.

So when Kireeta's hands vanished behind her back to undo the strings of her top, Jim felt his heart starting to race. He wanted to pull away and look elsewhere, but the foxgirl's powerful and enthralling miasma kept him pinned. So he laid there, watching as string after string after string was undone, causing the top of her corset to grow loose upon her chest. Kireeta's hands then slid back to the front, gripping the bodice of her top where she--

“Aaaah~"

“Oh by the gods..."

Such a... perky set of tits. They stood firm, not needing the lift of her corset in the least bit. And as more of her top was pulled off, it revealed Kireeta's lithe form in full. Her slender shoulders, her narrow waistline, her shapely hips; the foxgirl had a figure far fairer than a dancer from Kahlil! And she only enhanced her erotic allure as she raised her hand to undo the bun her hair had been placed in, allowing it to--

“Oops! Kekekekekekekekeke~!"

Fall free.

Her black hair fell straight and slender, and a shimmer ran through it from the moon up above. With it spilling upon her back and shoulders, the nine-tailed vixen once again posed for Jim, tossing up her hair once, twice, thrice, as her devilish grin spread out wider and wider.

“Kekekekekeke~! You look enthralled!" Kireeta remarked, “I'm not as bulky as that butch Cylindra!"

“You most certainly are not..." Jim muttered as he looked to the side, “Um... Talka! A little help here..."

And in response, he got a fat load if nothing.

Fucking... typical... he just knew the fairy was laughing her ass off in whatever 'room' she occupied within his head space. Pretty much meaning, he was trapped here with the Nightmare Lord, forced to come up with his own way of escape!

But Jim wasn't completely alone, was he? Yes, physically, he was pinned beneath the lithe foxgirl, but spiritually there was a third person here. That third person just couldn't interact, and could only watch.

Yes, once again, Valda was placed in such a way that she could see everything. Jim laying on the forest floor, Kireeta's transformation, and yes, her removing her corset. It was like a dramatic show on a grassy stage, only the audience was the elf queen, and she couldn't look away.

Even if she wanted to.

An anger began building within Valda, but it wasn't aimed towards Jim... but instead Kireeta. Watching the nine-tailed vixen shake and wiggle her hips, dancing upon the hero's waist like a stripper, caused the elf queen's chest to pump up with rage. How dare Kireeta do something like this to Jim! He was noble! He was strong! He couldn't possibly be swayed by something like her body!

He couldn't possibly--

“AH~! Jaaameeeesss~~!" Kireeta squealed.

Suddenly, his hands fell upon her chest, grabbing upon her perky tits; one in each hand. Mouth in a genuine gasp of amazement, Jim gently began rolling and kneading Kireeta's breasts. They were were so firm, her flesh so smooth, and her pink nipples were so hard. They brushed against the palms of his hands, drawing more groans of arousal from the supposed hero.

“See? Kekekekekeke~! I told you I was better than Cylindra! Her breasts were so busty and boxy, not to mention flabby! But mine? Kekekekekekek~! Aren't they so pert?"

What did Kireeta mean by that, Valda wondered. Did Jim not like big breasts? Did he prefer them to be smaller and perkier like the vixen's? Looking down, the elf queen gazed at her own chest, inspecting it for the first time in so very, very long. She was a busty woman, her chest being far larger than the foxgirl's by a more than just a few cup sizes. She also wasn't as perky as she used to be, though her breasts were still youthful in their own right.

As a whole, Valda's body and Kireeta's body were on opposite sides of the spectrum. The fox was lithe and flighty, while the elf queen was... well... thiccer. Her chest was larger, her hips were wider, and her thighs were thick. She had a very hourglass-like figure, compared to the nine-tailed vixen, and that made Valda feel... strange.

She didn't feel inferior to Kireeta, no, that's not it... but she felt lesser when placed in the view of Jim. If he did like younger, lither girls, then... how could Valda ever compare? And it's when those thoughts occurred that the elf queen realized something...

She... desired Jim's opinion? Then that means this emotion she felt wasn't anger... but jealousy? She was jealous of Kireeta? Yes, that's it. Valda wanted to be the one who sat on Jim's waist. Valda wanted to be the one who had his gaze. Valda wanted to be the one whose chest he was currently groping. And as this feeling began rising within the elf queen, she felt her body growing hotter. Her nipples began pressing against her gown, pressing to the bodice like two mounds. At the same time, her thighs began rubbing against one another, trying to stifle a heat which rose between her legs... but this only served to stimulate it.

Simmers began rising into embers. Embers starting smoldering into flames. Flames began rising higher. And before Valda knew it...

“Ha...! Ha...! haaaaa...!"

She was panting.

But from this distance, neither Jim nor Kireeta could hear the queen through the wristband. And as she kept the hero enthralled with her perky tits, the nine-tailed vixen raised her fingers and--

Snap!

Chang!

“Aaah!? What!?"

From thin air, a pair of phantasmal chains appeared around Jim's wrists. They were purple in color, translucent, and seemed to vibrate with a ghastly energy. But they felt like real chains were pulling down on him, which means...

“Kekekekekekekekek~!" Snap! “Kekekekekekekekeke!!!"

With another snap of her fingers, Kireeta caused the chains to pull Jim up, absolutely trapping him completely. He struggled against them, but their hold was too strong, and he was but mortal. If he summon Clavis, he'd be capable of dispelling these chains with his armor! But he couldn't focus hard enough to do so! Dammit! Talka was really enjoying this!

And honestly... he was enjoying it too.

A heat ran through Jim's body, and it seemed to focus entirely upon his now throbbing manhood. It grew, inch by inch, eventually standing to full mast between his legs. His tunic and slacks betrayed him, forming a sizable tint between his legs that did not go unnoticed by Kireeta... nor Valda.

“Kekekekekekekeke~! The baroness was right; you are a horny bastard!" remarked the foxgirl as her hands trailed down his body, “But don't worry; I'll relieve you of all this tension while I suck you dry!"

Jim couldn't really respond and instead sat there, watching as Kireeta's hands slid down his body to come to the belt on his tunic. Undoing it, she pulled his pouch of items free and tossed it aside, while he let out a gasp. He could feel his pants beneath grow slack, something the nine-tailed vixen was quick to act upon.

With casual ease, Kireeta used her magic to undo and pull down Jim's pants, drawing it along his legs and making his eyes grow wide. He tried bucking her off, but to no avail; the foxgirl held all the power as she casually manhandled his body. And as his cheeks turned red with a certain level of blush...

“Kekekekekekekekeke~! Hello there, Mr. Penis!"

Jim's cock was finally revealed to all.

While some may think he was a bit lackluster when it came to being a hero, his cock certainly impressed. Standing tall between his legs, it reached up inch by inch by inch, and glistened as pecum slicked from its tip. The veins on the side were prominent, while his hefty balls were pulled down to the forest below. The smooth head, the great length, the girthy width; Jim's penis was truly remarkable.

And Valda could see it.

In her bedroom, the elven queen's pants began echoing of the walls, while her green eyes glowed. Jim's cock was absolutely magnificent. She's seen ones that were larger, ones that were smaller, but this one was truly perfect. Watching it pump with vitality and life, vigorous and youthful, energetic and needy; by the gods, she wanted it in here with her right now!

That jealousy continued building as she watched Kireeta's hand fall upon Jim's cock, pumping it. Every jerky movement drew a grunt from the hero, who gasped as he watched the foxgirl fondle him. She was so snarky and cocky; grinning as she toyed with his body. And all he could do was lay there and enjoy the ride.

Fuck Kireeta's hands were soft and smooth, slender and dainty. The way they traveled along his length caused him to give such deep, manly moans. Hearing them made the foxgirl giggle more.

“Are you getting turned on by my hand? Kekekekekekeke~!"

Kireeta was indulging in his embarrassment as she made his body her plaything, but Valda was more enthralled by the sound of Jim's voice. Hearing him groan like that caused the elf queen to desire more of his voice, whilst also fanning her flames of lust further. She couldn't pull away even if she wanted to, indulging in the erotic view of Jim – the hero – being stroked off by the lithe foxgirl.

Valda pulled back, one arm cupping under her bosom so that her hand could grip her tit, while the other hand slid down between her legs. Pushing against the skirt of her gown, she pressed her fingers to her womanhood through her panties, feeling the stain of moistness on the other side.

The queen was wet... and she honestly couldn't remember a time when her pussy was so damp. It could have been between one year... or one hundred.

Think about it...

Before long, Valda had begun to outright grope herself, kneading her breasts through her bodice, and fingering her cunt through her panties. And with every passing second, she felt her body grow hotter and sweatier. She just wanted to pull her dress off and get down to her undergarments, but she couldn't. Technically, things were still dangerous; Jim needed her help! But she just wanted to keep watching...

If only for a little while longer...

“You've got a big cock here, Mr. Hero," Kireeta remarked, to which Jim grinned.

“Heh heh... thanks," he replied snarkily, much to the foxgirl's enjoyment.

“Kekekekekekeke~! It sucks we gotta kill you, but you've been a pain in the baroness' backside for a while now! She's not gonna let you live, even if you are a good lay! So let's make your last fuck enjoyable! Kekekekekekekekekeke~!"

Pulling back completely, Kireeta fitted herself between Jim's legs, while her blue eyes glowed bright. Her stroking hand had begun blurring, utterly jerking the hero's cock off and making him produce an extra helping of precum. It streaked down his member and tracked upon his hand, but Kireeta didn't slow. She just kept jerking and jerking, stroking and stroking, lathering his length in his own precum! Then and only then did she stop!

Jim fell back and gasped, freed from her assault, but only momentarily. Then his gaze traveled back to her face, watching as she hovered her mouth above his throbbing penis. Keeping a hold of his cock by the shaft, she kept it pointing up with her mouth, where her tongue slid out. Around and around and around she licked the head of his member, making Jim groan out as he felt her soft tongue pleasured him. Shit, she was good; far better than he gave her credit for.

And – once again – Valda indulged in her voyeurism. She watched as Jim laid his head back and puffed out his chest, groaning against the forest around them while Kireeta licked his length. What did it feel like? What did it taste like? The elven queen wondered that, and her tongue even licked at the air as if pleasing its own phantom cock.

But of course, there was nothing there. Kireeta was having all the fun, and that only made Valda more jealous!

Brushing hair away from her face, the nine-tailed vixen opened her mouth wide and captured Jim's length, making him go 'Oh!?' in shear surprise. Kireeta grinned from the sound, and then began bobbing her head up and down slowly, sucking on the hero's penis. At first she was chaste; taking in only a few inches at the most. But then she began pressing down harder, pushing her head down to the shaft of his length.

Her hands on his waist, Kireeta casually deepthroated Jim, her giggles muffled by his throbbing cock. He clinched at the air and bucked with his hips, though Valda couldn't tell if he was trying to force her off, or please himself more on the foxgirl's mouth. And, by the gods, that only made her more envious! What could this vixen do that she could not? Why, if the elven queen had him in her chambers, she'd bring him to pleasures greater than what Kireeta could do!

But that jealousy, that envy, it still couldn't stop Valda from watching. Kireeta's skilled lips rumbled upon Jim's member, sending out these 'Sluck!' and 'Slurp!' noises that bounced through the forest walls. All the while her head bobbed up and down, and her pert, peachy, shapely buttocks was stuck in the air.

She was enjoying this far more than what was necessary.

“Mmmm..." and then she... “Mmfffff...!" began pulling back... “Mmmffffhh!" Until... “Pop! Fuaaahh-haaaah~! Kekekekekekekekeke~! You... taste great, Mr. Hero! Kekekekekekeke~!"

Jim fell back on the forest floor, groaning as he stared up to the moonlit heavens above. He was nothing more than a smorgasbord for the nine-tailed vixen, who began groaning with an orgasmic rush. With nothing to stop her, she could freely feast off of his soul as the sexual energies reached a fever pitch. All she needed to do was make him cum, and his soul would be hers for the taking! Imagine it; Nightmare Lord Kireeta is the one who bested the great hero James Oliver, and delivered his soul to her baroness! With his defeat, nothing would be able to stop them from opening the Gates of Amon!

But...

Huh...?

What... was this...?

Jim's soul... it wasn't like the souls of most mortals. This one felt... boundless, if not absolutely endless. It was less like she was drawing a soul from his body, and instead like she was gazing into the depths of a well. And this well... it was overflowing! Before she knew it...

“Uh oh..."

Schhhwwoooooo!

GLEEAAAAMM!!!

It appeared all around him, an explosion of great, divine energies that blew Kireeta back onto her butt. She winced and closed her eyes, blocking out a flooding of light that threatened to blind her! But once that light subsided and she was allowed to stare up...

“Ummm...? Wh-what...?"

Her chains had been broken, and Jim was standing up! Not only that, but his glorious azure armor had returned, shimmering like a true knight! But one piece in particular was missing; the codpiece! Meaning that, yes, Jim's cock was still exposed, standing tall between his legs! Not only that, but it had grown larger, thicker too, and even his balls seemed to sway with added heft!

Through the sheen of her mirror, Valda watched as Jim stood tall in his elysian armor. His manhood had swelled to unimaginable levels, causing the elf queen's jaw to drop. Never before had she been so enthralled by a man's member! But this? This wasn't a regular penis; this was a divine penis!

When was the last time she was so enthralled by a man in such a way? Could she even remember a time when she was so amazed by a cock like this? It was unbecoming of her; she is the queen of elves! Imagine how they'd feel knowing their ruler was currently salivating over a penis! And a penis belonging to a human no less!

But, by the gods, that didn't stop her body from roaring with lust and adoration! She wanted Jim, she needed Jim! And once she got her hands on him, she'd never let him go!

Never, ever, ever...

The same could not be said for a certain foxgirl.

Mouth agape, Kireeta wondered how things could have gone south so suddenly! She had him chained and in her clutches; she was just about ready to steal his soul! But now he was the one radiating with power, and as she tried to escape him by scooting back...

“What?"

She ended up brushing into Clavis.

“Uhhhhh..." murmured the nine-tailed vixen as she realized she was trapped.

“What happened to all that bravado, Kireeta? I thought you were going to take my soul!" Jim asked as he marched forward, his fists on his hips.

“Ummmm... c-c-could we take a rain check on that?" she replied, while his hand fell upon her head, gripping her, “Huh?"

“Yeah... I don't think so..."

With a pull Jim had Kireeta up on her feet, and then with a push, she was face-first with a nearby tree. Placing her hands upon it to brace herself, the foxgirl looked over her shoulder to the azure-suited knight, watching as his hands seized upon her legs. She tensed up and squealed, her heart racing as she felt his hands run up her thighs before coming to her skirt. He moved it up, revealing her peach-shaped posterior, her lacy pair of panties... and the obvious moist stain she had formed.

Kireeta didn't even have the chance to defend herself before those panties were pulled down to her ankles, causing her legs to clinch together as another squeal of shock left her lips. With her undergarments removed, her unfiltered scent traveled through the air, while Jim took his big cock and pressed it up to her folds.

Shit... that thing was going to break her!

Kireeta jittered in place and clinched her teeth, while her nails dragged down upon the bark of the tree before her. But she never made any real attempts to shake, even if it would prove futile. She just waited there, waited right up until--

Puuuuuuuushh!!!

“GGGGRRRGGKHHH!?"

Spit flowed between her clinched teeth as Jim's cock delved deep into her pussy. With its thicker size and greater length, his manhood had no problems claiming every inch of her cunt! And with her trim waistline and flat stomach, one would even be able to see his cock bulging on the underside of her skin! Holy fucking shit, his penis was amaaaaazzziiinnggg!!!

And honestly, Kireeta wasn't half bad either!

His cock fitted deep and snug inside of her moist cunt, which itself gripped and held him hostage. Her slender form bottomed out into such a luscious ass, with its peach shape, pert cheeks, and plush feel. As Jim began pulling back and forth, his weighty thrusts shot up into Kireeta, making her ass clap as he widened her out more and more and more!

Before long...

“Gah! Haah! Haah! Haah! Haah! Haaah! Haah! Haah! Ha! Hah! Hah!"

The foxgirl's pants were a symphony all its own, playing better than the flute music she performed earlier! Jim's every thrust forced her voice out more and more, while the impacts sent waves through her body. Kireeta's perky tits bounced, her hair fluttered up, her buttocks jiggled, all as her entire body writhed with such overwhelming pleasure!

And all as Valda watched!

Now that Jim had the power, his masculinity had doubled. The power, the speed, the relentless thrusting; he drove his cock in and out of Kireeta's cunt with very little in the way to stop him. The foxgirl would squeeze with her pussy, but that added pressure only caused him to pump into her harder. The tight clinches massaged his cock, drawing fresh groans from his lips, while his heavy, weighty balls slapped and spanked up against her mound.

By the gods, what Valda wouldn't give to be in Kireeta's position right now; to be the one pinned up against a tree while Jim's length pounded into her tight pussy. The elf queen ached with needy desire, her groping and philandering hands having reinvigorated their efforts. She felt her fingers sink and squeeze into tender tit flesh, while her slender fingers stroked against her royal womanhood through the surface of her panties.

Valda was alone in her bedroom. She could easily lay out upon the bed and spread her legs, blessing herself with the pleasure she had been away from for so long, and bringing an end to this centuries long dry spell. With her magic and skills, she'd never be away from a needy toy for too long, and no one would know what the elf queen was doing in the comfort of her own chamber.

But she didn't.

She came close, yes. She pinched her nipples through her bodice's top, and even felt her stiff clit throbbing against her panties, but she never took the direct plunge to take her clothes off. Instead she remained attached to the image on her mirror screen, treating it like a risque show that only the queen was allowed to indulge in.

And she indulged alright. Oh she induuulllggeeeddd...

PAT PAT PAT PAT PAT PAT PAT PAT PAT PAT!!!

“GAAAAH! FUCK! AAAAAHH~~!"

This penis! This big, long, thick, burly penis! It was making Kireeta see stars! She couldn't focus; every thrust reduced her mind to nothing but mush! Every one of her buttons – ones she knew of, and ones she was unaware of until now – were all being punched, brushed, squeezed, and absolutely abused! Her pussy was like an overflowing river, endlessly oozing its nectar all upon his length! It slicked off his balls and fell on the ground; a sinful syrup to cap off this wicked tryst!

And before Kireeta knew it, she could feel this wounding explosion starting to rise within her belly. Her cunt was spasming, milking Jim's length as if desperate to get the seed within him! She clinched her nails, scratched down upon the tree, tipped her head up towards the forest ceiling, and--

“AAAHH-HAAAAAH ~~~! CUMMING! CUMMMIINNNNG! CUM-- OOOH-HOOOOH~~~!?"

And...

POP!

Squiirrrrrrt!

Jim pulled back, popping his cock from her cunt with such speed and strength, that it instantly triggered Kireeta's orgasm. Her legs twitched and throbbed, spread out wide as she climaxed, flooding the ground and her thighs with her slick and clear juices. At the same time, her phantasmal tails all vanished, leaving only the one real tail left. Her whisker-like markings also vanished, and the powerful miasma she produced fizzled away into nothing.

As Kireeta's climax drew to a close, she fell down on her knees, gasping and mewling for breath while she continued clutching upon the tree trunk for support. But while she may be finished, Jim was not.

Reaching down, he grabbed a hold of Kireeta's head, forcing the foxgirl to face him. She was so dazed and so limp following her climax that she made no attempts to stop him. Face to face with his majestic length, she watched as Jim began pumping with his hand; once, twice, thrice, and then finally--

Spluurrrt!

“Aaah~!"

Kireeta flinched as blast after blast of Jim's seed exploded upon her face. And even this was enhanced by Clavis. His seed wasn't just a few ropy shots, no, they were full on globs of spunk! They splattered upon the foxgirl's face, showering her with cum that stained her face and features. Her slender eyes, her pointed nose, her cheeky lips; all of it was covered white in his thick, creamy cum, which began oozing down like a waterfall of congealed syrup.

By the eternal night of Dormir... it felt amazing... Kireeta just couldn't...

Thump...

The foxgirl fell over. She was out cold.

“Oh... oh boy..." muttered Jim as with another--

Bweeaaam!

His armor and spear vanished, leaving him in his tunic once again... though his slacks were still down, meaning his now softening cock was exposed to all. Oh yeah, and it was a bit chilly out here in the forest. Brrrr!

It didn't take Jim long to pull his pants and belt up, making himself look presentable. It also didn't take long for a certain voice to start ringing in his ear...

“Hey, hey!" called Talka, “What did I miss? Heheheh!"

“What do you mean 'what did I miss'?" he snarled back, “You live in my head, and I don't remember seeing you leave it!" he tapped his head, “Hey, I just faced off against a Nightmare Lord! She could've killed me you know!"

“Naaaawwwww, I knew you could handle it," replied the fairy, “I didn't need to watch you get your dick wet! Now let's get moving. I'm sure Baroness Venefica sent this Kireeta girl just to slow us down. Who knows how long she's had free access to that Hell Gate."

“You're right. Let's get going... ah!?" he looked down, “Where's the wristband Queen Valda gave me...? Oh! There it is!"

Picking it up into his hand, Jim brushed grass and foliage off its pristine form as he checked it out. The once glistening gem in the center was now dismal and dull, as if vacant of light. It made him worry as he began crying out,

“My Queen? Queen Valda? Are you there?"

Oh yes, she was there... and she was scrambling.

Pulling over a nearby shawl, Valda covered herself from the neck down, hiding how her hardened nipples poked through the bodice of her gown. So when the light appeared on Jim's wristband, he did not see the elf queen in a disheveled manner, but instead gained her more regal and professional face. Though she was stirring on the inside with a rush of lust and arousal, on the outside Valda appeared as refined as possible.

“My Queen!" Jim said as a smile adorned his face, “You're there!"

“Jim..." she replied, trying to keep her voice as stoic as possible, “You are alright. What happened? The band was knocked off."

“Yeah, I uh..." he looked over towards Kireeta's unconscious body, “I was attacked by one of Baroness Venefica's Nightmare Lords. I was able to fight her off however."

“Baroness Venefica...?" muttered the elf queen as she raised an eyebrow, “Nightmare Lords...? What are you talking about, Jim? Are you not fighting Demons?"

While he didn't know she had seen everything, Valda was still ignorant to who Baroness Venefica was, and what a Nightmare Lord even is. Realizing this, Jim chuckled and scratched his head.

“Uh... well... I'm not fighting demons exactly," Jim said, “I uh... hm... okay! So, Vespera is not being invaded by demons, but instead being invaded by creatures called dolkafar. They are not demons, but instead residents of a realm known as Dormir."

“Dormir? The land of perpetual night?" replied Valda, making him nod.

“Yes! The ruler of Dormir is a woman named Venefica De'Atore. For reasons I still don't know, she has been appearing at Hell Gates around the world and opening them up. I think she's trying to summon something... but I'm not sure."

“I see..." muttered Valda, “So this baroness of Dormir is responsible for invading my kingdom..." she clinched her fists, “I will not rest until I have her brought to justice for these travesties! Though..." she raised an eyebrow, “You sound as if you have already been acquainted with this Baroness Venefica... have you two met formally?"

“On occasion. I've run into her twice now, though she usually sends her fiends to do her bidding. The Nightmare Lord I just faced is one of many..." he stared to the distance, “I have no clue how many she has however. They are relentlessly loyal to their baroness. I can only hope I--"

“Um... Jim?"

“Huh? What's wrong, Talka?"

“The Nightmare Lord... she's gone."

Jim's eyes grew wide and he looked over to where Kireeta was... or once was. Instead he saw nothing but an empty space, with only a few glitters of her purple miasma to signify that she was ever there. He'd be angry, but this was typical of a defeated Nightmare Lord. They quickly faded away, no doubt returning to their dominion so that they can be formally punished by their baroness.

Their baroness... huh... he needed to be quick.

“Alright, my Queen," Jim said as he slid the wristband back on his arm, “Lead me to the Hell Gate. I'll answer any other questions you have once I return to the castle."

“Of course, Jim. And please... be safe..."

As he raised his wristband, Valda caused that beam of blue light to return, illuminating the path forward so that he did not get lost in the forest. With an affirmative nod, he began following it, being quicker now than he had been when he first arrived.

Through this meadow, over a stream, pass that log, and before Jim knew it, he could see an amber glow pierce through the shadows of the trees and shrubbery. Moreover, the ground beneath him was slowly being littered with man-made stones which formed a rustic walkway. This place was once a training ground for mages, right? Well it looked like he was approaching their court.

“Jim!" Talka suddenly shouted, making him stop.

“What's wrong, Talka? Notice something?" he asked, though the fairy shook her head.

“No, not more than usual," she answered, “Buuuuuut... before you run in all willy-nilly, don't you think it would be wise if you prepared yourself first? As in, summon Clavis? If Baroness Venefica really is here, then you might not be able to focus."

“Why do you say that?" he asked, to which he felt a thumping in his head.

“Oh, I don't know, maybe it's because the last two times you faced off against the baroness, you were too fucking horny to get your javelin out?" she answered in a blunt manner.

And though he wanted to defend himself against Talka's sharp words... dammit, the fairy was right. Baroness Venefica was a woman unlike any other, and she had proven herself both incredibly powerful, and endlessly erotic. Talka was right in telling him to summon Clavis.

So he extended his hand towards the skies, and cried out--

“Arise! Clavis!"

…

The Wizard's Court. Decades ago, it was where all apprentice mages would come to practice their skills. Their teachers too would come to help train them, and on occasion, you'd find great warlocks honing their skills. It was far enough away from civilization that normal elves wouldn't be bothered, but close enough to Vespera's central university that if one needed to get information, it was readily available. In other words, it was perfect! It even played host to Queen Valda – then a princess – once upon a time...

Now look at it...

The heart of Lothmir Forest was a stone structure that was shaped like an amphitheater. There were stands and a central platform where all manner of mages would practice their craft. Stone statues also stood at the corners of the theater, each one depicting a god... though they had all been warned and ruined by the passing of time.

But at the back of the theater – presiding over it all like an out of place tumor – was a grand pillar that looked like a pair of doors... open doors. And on the other side of these 'doors' was not the forest, but instead a burning sky of flames and sulfur.

A cloaked figure stood on the central platform, a book in one hand while the other casually conjured up all sorts of arcane magics... only to stop.

Her ears twitched...

“Arise! Clavis!"

Followed by a...

Schhhwwoooooo!

GLEEAAAAMM!!!

The cloaked figure turned around, facing the entrance to the stadium where the light and sound came from. And who would appear at the top of the staircase in his azure armor, but--

“James Oliver..." said the cloaked figure, watching as he walked down the stairs slowly, his holy lance in hand.

“Baroness Venefica," he replied, his voice strong and resilient, “I should've known it was you. There aren't many who know how to actively open and maintain a Hell Gate."

“Tch... oh look at you... trying to act all high and mighty," remarked the sinister baroness, “Since you are here, I assume my Nightmare Lord failed in defeating you," she shook her head, “I will be sure to give Kireeta the punishments she is deserved."

“Enough talk, Venefica!" Jim shouted as he performed a flourish of his lance, “I will end the menace you have wrought upon this land! Have at thee! HAAAH!"

Without warning, the azure knight sprung himself high into the air with his spear at the ready. His battle cry roared through the forest and theater, while his eyes were locked square on the cloaked figure beneath him. She didn't even budge...

SWHING!!!

Jim's lance penetrated the ground... but when he looked forward, he saw that he had only stricken the baroness' cloak. It hung on his spear's head, wavering in the wind, but the villainess was not attached to it. In a black flash she had vanished, but her shadow loomed over head. Jim gazed up... a bat was flying above him.

She was tall, as tall as he was, with wine-red fur, long and lovely wings, light-blue eyes, and long red hair. It was tied into a fancy braid at the back, though the right side of her hair fell over her face to cover one of her beautiful eyes.

Wait... beautiful? No... sinister...

She was voluptuous, this beastkin was, like a sexy temptress or seductress. Her midsection was slim, her hips wide, and her chest so very promiscuous. Allure wafted off of her figure and form like the sweetest of perfumes. Her maturity also exuded through her looks, aided by the choice of clothing she wore. It was a form-fitting dress, one with a split down the side to flaunt one of her legs, detached sleeves that both exposed her shoulders and came down to her hands, and a window at the chest to display her busty cleavage. With its enchanting black coloring and Victorian design, it made her look like a duchess from Ash Kingdom.

Through the band on his wrist, Valda gave an audible gasp. She could see everything through her mirror, and thus bore witness to the red-furred bat. Was this Baroness Venefica: the ruler of Dormir? It had to be, for even through this screen, Valda could sense such great power emanating from the bat. Merely calling her presence 'mighty' wasn't good enough; it was downright overwhelming!

Her fluttering wings kept her afloat and just out of reach from Jim and his spear. He could try leaping at her again, but he knew she'd only dodge his strikes. Besides, for as courageous as he was, even Jim knew that this was not a fight he was yet ready for.

“You continue to prove yourself a great nuisance to me and my plans, James Oliver," Venefica said, her voice elegant... if not dripping with annoyance.

“Please, baroness. I think we know each other well enough for you to call me 'Jim'," he replied with a grin, though the bat only sharpened her eyes into a glare.

“It matters not. I have already done what I needed to do," she said, ignoring his statement, “Though I would have liked having more time. Nevertheless..." she began floating back, “Time for you is winding down, James Oliver. There are so many Gates of Amon in the world, so many places for me to summon my forces. You cannot stop this, no matter how much you fruitlessly try."

“And I will try, no matter how fruitless it may seem," he replied, “And I will succeed. I am a hero, after all!"

Was he just putting on a brave face, or was he trying to show off in front of Valda? The elf queen could hear him through his wrists, and to say she was impressed would be an understatement; she was utterly enthralled! To most, staring down a being of Venefica's stature with such bravado would be stupid! But this wasn't Jim's first encounter with the bat, and he didn't show fear in the least bit!

To be blunt... it was rather manly of him...

Venefica herself did not seem to agree.

“Your ignorance knows no bounds, James Oliver," she commented whilst pulling away, “One day – one day soon – I will hold your soul in my hands. Look forward to it..."

Jim readied is spear, but Venefica continued pulling away, eventually positioning herself before the Hell Gate. But instead of vanishing through the portal, a dark miasma formed around the villainous baroness. It swallowed her whole, covering her in nothing but shadows... and then the shadows themselves dispersed into a collection of tiny feral bats. Without hesitation, the bats flew away like a flock of birds, vanishing into the night sky and leaving Jim alone.

He sighed... but he wasn't surprised. Venefica never stuck around, though he didn't know why. She was strong enough to destroy him, he knew that... so why hadn't she done so yet? Clavis could protect him for but so long!

Maybe her plans required her to be quick. Regardless, he himself had a job to do, and that was to close this Hell Gate.

Facing it, Jim performed another flourish of his spear before stabbing it down into the ground. Then his eyes closed shut, focusing himself harder and harder as a blue energy began rising around him. It flowed like the wind and made his cape flutter, while Clavis' blades started glowing... brighter... brighter... brighter!!! Before Valda knew it, the blue lights were so great, it illuminated Lothmir Forest as a whole! And once that light reached its zenith...

“HAAAH!"

The three prongs of Clavis shot out streams of blue energy which struck the massive doors of the Hell Gate. There they began pushing... and pushing... and pushing some more, forcing the great doors close and bringing an end to the vicious hellfire which spewed from the entryway! A loud, audible 'THUUMMM!!!' noise echoed out... followed by a hollow 'Click...' of a noise.

The gates were closed, and they were locked.

Hey, it's not called the Gallant Spear of Locks for no reasons!

“Phew! And that takes care of that!" Jim said as Clavis vanished, followed by his blue armor.

And with that, the demonic infestation Vespera had suffered was brought to a brilliant conclusion! Stepping back, Jim gazed at his handiwork, mentally praising himself on another job well done. Of course, the fairy in his head gave a snarling cry of annoyance, but didn't scold him for his egotism. He deserved praised after this success, little though it may be.

But there was someone else who witnessed this success, someone who's opinions on Jim went from massively disinterested, to heart throbbing attraction in over the course of a day. Someone who even now was groping her chest gently through her bodice, keeping the flames of arousal and lust at a lovely simmer.

A sensual, if not outright hungry smile appeared on Valda's lips. She knew exactly what she was going to do when the hero returned...

“Well done, James," said the elf queen through his wristband, causing him to raise it, “With the Hell Gate closed, all of Vespera will be able to rest well. I will have my most trusted of men scour Lothmir Forest and make sure nothing is out of the ordinary. In the meantime, return to Castle Vespera. You must be tired following your quest."

“Well... heh... dealing with Kireeta was draining," Jim replied, unaware of the saucy looks Valda was giving him, “And I could really use a bath... heh..." he nodded, “I'll be back before you know it, my Queen."

Valda licked her lips.

“I await your arrival... Jim..."

…

The royal bathing chambers of Castle Vespera. Of all the places he's had the pleasure of bathing at during his time as an adventurer, this had to be unequivocally the greatest. He's bathed under the stars at the natural hot springs of Mount Tempra. He's bathed in the opulent bath houses of the Kuvatis Empire. He's even had the pleasure of bathing in the private palace baths belonging to Pharaoh Ramses! But none of them, absolutely none of them, matched to what Jim was feeling right now.

Regal wasn't good enough to describe it. Glorious was better, but it too failed to encompass the shear brilliance that is Castle Vespera's bathing chamber. Perhaps then the term 'divine' would work? Yes, that's it! If the goddess Olympia was to bathe in a chamber, Jim imagined it would be a lot like this one!

'Massive' was only the tip when describing the decadence on display before him. The floor panels were black with golden lines running through them, the walls were arched and silver, the ceiling was domed much like the throne room, and the wide windows at the back offered not only a view of the surrounding city, but the stars up above.

But all of this paled in comparison to the absolute perfection that is the chamber's bathtub. It wasn't like normal bathtubs, instead being embedded into the floor like a hot springs. Under the waters was a ledge for one to sit and leisure upon to their pleasure. The waters themselves were not just steaming hot, but clean and pure, allowing one to easily gaze to the bottom if they so please. And, by the gods, there must be something in the water itself, for Jim had never felt so relaxed before in his entire life.

“Aaaaaaah... this is great, Talka," Jim muttered as his arms rested against the edge behind him, “I always heard tales about how elven bathing chambers were the best, but this is otherworldly. Hmmnnm... I feel like I'm melting..."

“Tch... that's all? Just melting?" replied the fairy, “Your head's saying something else..."

“My head...?" he muttered, before shrugging his shoulders, “You know... you can come out too if you'd like. The water's fine."

“I think I'll pass. There's not much reason for me to bathe or clean, since I can barely interact with the outside world."

“Oh right... heh... that thing. Sorry."

Truth be told, the rules surrounding what Talka could and couldn't do were vague at best. Jim swore the fairy just made them up as they went along, usually so she could continue bumming around in his head. Whatever the case may be, if she didn't want to come out, he couldn't force her out. Besides, it was her lost! He'll just keep laying here and relaxing.

Oooooooooh yeeeeeeeeessss...

“Hnnmmm... I almost don't want to leave Vespera, Talka..." Jim murmured, “I don't think things can get any better than this..."

Tip... tap...

“Are you sure about that, Jim...?" a voice suddenly echoed from behind, making him tense up.

“Q-Queen Valda...?"

He was slow, almost hesitant, acting as if he was frozen in a block of ice. But after a few moments, he finally worked up enough courage to turn his head around. His gaze first fell on feet... naked feet. Then his gaze rolled up to see Queen Valda... a very naked Queen Valda.

Well, not completely; she was wearing a silver bathrobe... and absolutely nothing else. It was draped on her body like a veil, with fuzzy edges and a pulled down hood. The sash of it was tied tight around her slim waist, the top half parted open to flaunt her buxom cleavage, and the bottom half was also parted to expose her thick thighs.

Jim was getting a true eyeful of Valda as her divine beauty was put on full display. She had this maturity to her, this adult grace that someone like Kireeta could never hope to rival. Her height was stunning and statuesque, her hair was as silver as platinum, her eyes as green as grass, and her face as professional as one would suspect of a queen.

But it did not remain that way forever, as her indifferent expression soon shifted into a warm smile.

“James... are the waters nice?" Valda asked as he gawked.

“M-My Queen! I... I wasn't expecting you to come bathe! Is it your time?" Jim replied whilst turning away, hiding the shock and embarrassment on his face.

“Mmm? Is something worrying to you?" she asked back, “You need not turn away from me. I only decided to bathe with you."

Bathe with him? Weren't elves a prudish bunch? Of all the ones he's met in his life, they'd never even entertain the ideal of showing their nude form to someone like him! Perhaps to other elves, but certainly not to a human!

Maybe he had things all wrong? But... no...

As his back remained turned on Valda, he couldn't see it when she untied the sash of her robe... but he heard it once the garment fell to the ground with a--

Fwump...

He perked up as the sound drifted into his ears... but even that paled in comparison to--

Swiiish...

“Aaaaaahh..."

The water wavered slightly; Valda had stepped into the tub. The elf queen was in the bathtub with him... naked. Meaning every inch of her glorious body was free to be ogled at if he so chose. And the only person who'd know...

“Um... Jim?" was Talka, “Holy fucking shit; you're about to explode!"

“Quiet you..." he growled lowly through gritted teeth, hoping Valda couldn't hear him.

She did...

“Is something the matter, Jim?" asked the elf queen, making him turn to face him.

“No! Uh! N-nothing is wr-oooooooonggg...?"

His eyes grew wide and his jaw dropped, watching as Valda lifted her hands up. Her body was to the side of him, allowing him to see nothing but the side of her chest, while her hands undid the bands that kept her hair in its elegant updo. A few pulls, and fuah... her hair fell free like a silver-blonde waterfall. Curly... bouncy... flawless... elegant... Valda's hair was much like the rest of her body; absolute perfection.

Even her pose was divine, streaking back hair so that it would not obscure her face... or obscure his gaze of her. So when he looked over and met Jim's entranced brown eyes, an alluring smile graced her features.

“Fufufu~ how do you feel after your venture, Jim?" Valda asked, “I'm sure facing off against the forces of Dormir have drained you, even if it's only a smidgen."

“I uh... I..." he muttered back at a lost of words, “As I said before... I'm used to facing against Baroness Venefica and her dolkafar..."

“Ah... why don't I collect some soaps," Valda remarked as she turned away from him, “Tell me; what is your preferred fragrance? Vanilla? Apple? Cinnamon? Lavender? Oranges? We have these scents and so much more."

“I uh... I... I--"

His voice kept getting cut off as he failed to speak. And how could he talk when he was naked in a bathtub with Valda? The space was massive – it could easily fit several more people – but somehow it felt as if they were hip to hip despite being feet apart! Jim couldn't take his eyes off of the elf queen, and that only caused his already aroused thoughts to balloon further!

Which wasn't getting any easier when Valda turned around.

Her back was now displayed to him, letting him see the erotic figure of the divine monarch. Her smooth shoulders, her dipping waistline, her wide hips, and now, he could see her plump, curvaceous, shapely, buttocks. It was half submerged in water yes, but by the gods, what he could see of her ass was nothing short of glorious. He imagined what it would be like to just lay his head upon such a royal rump, snuggling against it until he fell a sleep. And, yes, these were thoughts that Talka could see. It made the fairy erupt into a near endless laughter, but the sound of it was drowned out by Jim's overwhelming attraction.

Valda walked over to the opposing edge of the tub where the soaps laid, bending over and reaching out for the jars of lotions. Wait... bending over? Oh gods no!

The elf queen's glorious buttocks was on full display as she leaned over the tub's edge. Jim's eyes grew wide, and he took in every finite detail of her ass... and let me tell you, that's a lot of 'detail'. The curves, the size, the plump, peach shape; Jim could see it all! He could even see her most sacred spots – her womanhood and anus – peaking through the crack of her ass.

Dammit, his cock was as hard as a rock now! No... harder! And with how clear the waters were, all Valda would need to do is turn and look down, and she'd be able to see the standing spire of affection he had! He thought about covering himself, but that would only make matters worse! She'd clearly know something was going on down there if he placed his hands over his member!

“Jim?"

“AH!? YES!?" he then coughed, “Ahem... I-I mean... yes, my Queen?"

“Soaps, sweetheart. You didn't tell me what soaps you'd like."

“Oh, right... uhm... v-vanilla would be nice, thank you."

“Fufufufu~ right away..."

Grabbing one of the jars of soaps, Valda pulled back and popped its top, sending the sweet smell of vanilla through the air. When the odor struck Jim's nose, he relaxed and sighed; it was just enough to take his mind off of the divine, nude queen he was with... at least until she started wading the waters towards him.

Jim was given a full frontal gaze of Valda and her illustrious figure, with the only thing covering her chest being the jar of soaps in her hands. The hero felt so diminutive in her presence, and not just because he was sitting and she was standing. She truly was unlike any woman he had met during his journeys, with the only one who came close being Baroness Venefica. And, yeah, the baroness is his enemy, soooooo...

“Fufu... turn around, Jim. Let me clean your back," Valda said, making him tense up further.

“Th-that's not necessary, my Queen," he said as he looked and pulled away, “I-I can clean myself, I promise!"

His attempts to put distance between himself and Valda failed however, for with one missed step...

“AH!?"

SPLASH!

Jim fell underwater, submerging him completely. As he briefly gagged with water up his nose, he heard nothing but Talka's uproarious laughter. It didn't matter where or when; the fairy would never pass up the chance to belittle him.

But after a few moments, he felt the softest, loveliest hands grace him. They picked Jim up by his shoulder and lifted him above water, allowing him to breathe... only to gasp. If he was being held, it could only be by one person, right? And that person...

“Oh by the gods..."

Was Valda.

She lifted him up, pressing her glorious, presumptuous and promiscuous chest, up to his broad and flat one. Despite not being a short man in the least bit, he felt so childish when compared to the glory that is Valda. They were of similar height yes, but her maturity made him feel smaller... lesser. And when the elf queen gave him such a warm, affectionate, if not outright motherly smile, this diminutive feeling continued to swell from within.

He'd never felt so little before... no, wait, yes he had; when he fought that dragon! But uh... this was different...

“Oh?"

Valda's eyes grew wide and his did likewise. That thing he was trying to hide? That affection? It was poking her thigh.

“Jim?" Valda whispered, causing him to spring back.

“I can explain!" he replied, though it was hard to even think with Talka's relentless laughing in his head, “I uh... I... I--"

He bit into his bottom lip, fearful of what Valda may do or say if she realized he was getting hard in her presence. On one hand, it's understandable; she is an incredibly beautiful woman, and by far the most fair he's ever come across. On the other hand, she is an elf, and they have much, much higher standards when compared to humans. Becoming aroused around the queen of elves must be not only an affront to her, but one to their entire race!

Desperately he thought of something – anything – that could help explain away the situation. But before his lips could move, Valda said something that even made Talka grow silent.

“Did you get this way... because of me?" asked the elf queen.

Jim gawked at her, wondering if he had heard the words that left her lips. Had he hit his head in the tub and this was all some fantastical hallucination? If only...

But Valda felt real, sounded real, smelled real. Her presence was just as strong now as it had ever been! Though... he felt a heat resonate from her, something that was only growing stronger. Her cheeks were rosy, her chest was rising up and down, her plump lips seemed more pronounced; the elf queen's eroticism was extreme!

And it was pointed directly at him.

“My... my Queen...?" Jim muttered in disbelief.

“Your penis. Did it get hard because of me?" she asked in a more straightforward manner.

So... this wasn't just his imagination.

“Y-yes..." Jim answered. Valda licked her lips.

“Good. That makes me happy," then her eyes closed as she took in a deep breath, “You have saved my kingdom, James Oliver. Without your skills and Clavis, Vespera would have been held hostage by the forces of Dormir. Fufu... it was even through you that we learned we were being attacked by dolkafar in the first place; we originally believed it was demons. For your help, I have a feast planned to be thrown in your honor. But..." her eyes reopened, glowing as if they sat on his face and his face alone, “I have something else I wish to give to you as thanks. Something no one else could give you."

Jim took in a deep breath.

“And... what is it that you wish to give me?" he asked, his voice breathless.

A giggle left Valda's lips and she drew her hand up. Placing it upon his cheek, she framed his face and held it in place... while her own face started drifting forward.

“Please accept my body, noble hero... mmfff..."

Her lips met his... and Jim saw stars. They were so plump, so soft, so smooth. Pressing against him like they were, he felt every inch of their shape. But Valda wasn't pleased with just a simple kiss to the lips... she desired more.

With skill and control, she moved open Jim's mouth, her tongue sliding inside soon after. It brushed and then swirled around his tongue, triggering soft clicks and softer moans. Before long, the two were embracing one another, Valda's arms draped on his shoulders, and his hands placed upon her back.

The longer the kiss went on, the more Jim's mind began wavering. He couldn't think about anything or anyone else; only Valda. It let the elf queen more easily maneuver him, eventually guiding the hero back so that he was sitting upon the edge of the tub.

Their lips parted, a bridge of spit hanging in the air, while Jim placed his hands on the floor to help prop himself up. He wanted to say something, but his attentions were instead attracted to the throbbing length standing tall between his legs. He'd never seen his cock so hard before! It was practically aching!

“Are you in pain?" Valda asked, her voice making Jim quiver, “Fufufu... do not worry; I will relieve you of your agony..."

Her eyes looked down, gazing upon his throbbing manhood. By the gods; it looked even more magnificent now than it had been through her mirror! Its length, its twitchy movements, the veins on the side, and the slivers of precum that oozed at the tip; Jim's penis was a marvel to gaze upon!

Reaching out for him, Valda's slender fingers wrapped around his cock, drawing a sharp gasp from his lips. Fuck her hands were perfect! Soft and smooth, they felt like velvet sheets! But Valda... oh, she knew how to handle a cock. The way she held him showed previous practice and skill. Gently she ran her hands back and forth upon his member, making it throb all the harder, and causing his balls to jiggle.

“Haaa...! Haaa! Ha! M-my Queen!" Jim gasped as the pleasure he felt began to overwhelm him.

Valda smiled as she drank in the image of his aroused face. To see a man look like this because of her, and a hero no less; oh, it spurned such a rush inside of Valda! She thought back to Kireeta before, and how Jim didn't appear half as aroused there as he did now.

And this was just with Valda's hand alone!

His actions spurned the elf queen to grow bolder, and her hand even picked up the pace. She was stroking his cock like she was polishing a pole, or handling a spear in her own right! Even Valda's grip grew harder, making Jim grunt, if not causing him to beg for more.

“Does it feel good?" the queen asked, somewhat rhetorically.

“Nnghh! Haaah! It feels amazing," Jim replied with a grunt.

“Fufufufu... then allow me to make you feel even better..."

And... she pulled her hand away. Gasping in response, Jim looked up at her in a confused manner, wondering why she stopped. He didn't have to wonder for long however.

Valda raised her hands, bringing them to her chest where she began cupping them. It had been a long time since she felt such pride in her body. The elf queen always maintained a perfect and flawless appearance, but that was the face she showed her people. Her face now and these sensual poses she struck, it was all to taunt and titillate Jim. He was the first person in over a hundred years who bore witness to this side of Queen Valda.

The lewd side...

Drawing closer, the elf queen gripped her breasts, pressing them together... and then pressing them up to Jim's penis. He stiffened up as he was caught beneath the queen's touches, and groaned as her soft and perfect tits were squeezed around his length. The pressure and warmth he felt worked in tandem to draw groans from his lips, groans he left fly unfiltered as his head leaned back.

“Vaaaaalllddaaaaaa...!" Jim moaned, his eyes closed shut.

Fuck, this was absolute perfection...

When he looked down, he saw that his dick had been perfectly sandwiched between Valda's tits. It was warm on both sides, smooth too; Jim had never felt a stimulus as amazing as this on his dick! And Valda was about to make things even better!

Reaching over, she grabbed that jar she had brought, pulling off its top to send the sweet aroma of vanilla through the air. Then she lifted the jar and tipped it over, pouring its cool contents all over her tits. He watched the white lotion flow like goo, staining her breasts and oozing into her cleavage, where it reached deep enough to touch his dick as well.

Jim shivered and bit his lip, while Valda started moving. With the soaps sliding down her breasts, she could more easily pump her chest along his cock. Up and down her tits moved, stroking his dick in response. The shaft, the veins, the glands; all of it was rubbed by her glorious breasts. Nothing was spared, and despite the length of his penis, he could only barely see his cock standing between her luscious valley.

“Oh~ so big and so hot..." Valda whispered, her hands resting atop her breasts to help increase the speed and pressure.

Moving up and down, the elf queen used her entire body to help her breasts stroke off his cock. The increase in speed and power made Jim grunt and nearly fall over! Shit! He was about to fucking explode! His dick was twitching like crazy, and his hips were even performing shallow thrusts upwards. Just a few more pumps of her tits, and he'd be showering them with cum!

“My Queen! My-! Nngghh! I-I'm about to...!" Jim cried, making Valda cock her head.

“Release? You're about to release?" she asked before staring down to the length between her chest, “The tip is so hot... fufufufu... it is about time for you to unleash your sperm!" pressing her hands against the sides of her tits once again, Valda's green eyes once again glowed, “Do it. Don't hold back! Unleash your sperm, Jim!"

Her cries were like an order, and he obeyed without hesitation! With one thrust up of his hips...

“AAAH!"

Spluurrrt!

Even muffled like it was, Jim's climax was audible. It ran through his length like an eruption from Mount Vescus, and had the heat and power to match! Valda flinched and grunted as she felt his length shoot up between her tits, followed by a blast of piping hot cum which was launched from the tip! It was so strong and so straight, his seed struck her chin, making the elf queen flinch.

By the gods, that was the strongest climax she's ever witnessed! So hot! So voluminous! Jim's orgasm roared through his dick with such passion, it was like he was trying to impregnate her through her tits!

But for as great as his orgasm was, it could not last forever, and Jim eventually fell back upon the bathroom floor. Gasping for breath, the winded hero stared up, watching as Valda pulled away from his length. Her tits were now plastered white, not just from the vanilla soaps, but from his seed as well. Both oozed down the curvature of her glorious breasts, and sank into the pristine waters of the tub below.

Mesmerized, all Jim could do was lay there and watch as Valda stood up straight. Bringing over her finger, she swiped some of his cum of of her chest... and then pressed it into her mouth. So lewd. So dirty. So fucking erotic.

And that's what Valda felt. Lewd. Dirty. Erotic. She was the object of Jim's lusts, and it continued building a raging inferno within her. Earlier, she worried that the hero preferred younger, thinner girls like Kireeta. But now as she left him melting on the floor like a pile of quivering flesh, Valda felt a swell of pride rise in her chest. Yes, she was proud of herself, proud that her body could draw such pleasure to the man she had such strong feelings for.

She was better than some simple nine-tailed fox!

And yet...

“Oh my..."

Valda stared down upon Jim's penis... it was still hard.

“It looks like you can keep going," said the elf queen as she placed her hands upon the tip of his sensitive length.

A few strokes roused the hero, making him sit up on his butt as he stared Valda face to face... and then face to chest... and then face to pelvis. After all this, there was only one thing left to do; only one thing he wanted to do.

“My Queen..." Jim whispered, “May I...?

His voice trailed off... but he didn't need to speak anymore. Valda knew exactly what he wanted.

And her answer was simple...

“Yes..."

…

The halls of Castle Vespera were large. Oh so very large. They were also empty. Oh so very empty. And at this time of night, they were dark. Oh so very dark.

It was all a blur for Jim, who followed behind Valda as she led him from the bathing chamber and through the halls of her castle. He was so far gone, not even Talka oculd reach him. He just followed along behind the elf queen, hand in hand, and his face entranced. He didn't know how long it took to get here, didn't even know where 'here' was in relation to the rest of the castle! But when he got here, oh... he felt it...

This was Queen Valda's bedroom.

The chamber was spacious; larger than the entire barn space of his uncle's old farm. The ceiling was domed (something he was realizing was very common upon Vesparian architecture), the walls were arched, a circular red rug was soft and smooth, the king-sized bed itself had curtains hanging form its frame, and the mattress as a whole... oh...

It was so soft...

Jim was rested on the edge of the couch, sitting on it where he stared up to Valda's green eyes. She whispered something to him along the lines of 'Allow me to change', and then retreated to her closet. And he sat there, gazing around, taking in all he could see.

There was a full-body mirror in this room. He saw himself in its surface...

He looked so lost...

“Jim...?"

“My Queen...?"

His eyes shot back forward... and doubled in size.

You have not seen true beauty, until you've seen Queen Valda in a babydoll.

It was silver in color, this set of lingerie. The bodice was split in two and cupped the queen's bosom, the straps of it wrapped around her neck, the midsection was tied around her stomach in a red colored sash, it hung off of her hips and butt like a curtain, and her legs were framed by a full garter belt and straps. Tying it all together were her pair of panties, which reached high on her hip and were just as silver as the rest of her lingerie.

Slowly Valda climbed upon the bed towards Jim, giving him this face of shear lust, desire, and hunger. So much hunger. These clothes she wore hadn't been seen by the eyes of another in well over one hundred years. The same could be said for her face as she sized Jim up. The need she had for him was overwhelming, allowing the usually proper monarch to finally let her hair down.

“My Queen..." Jim said, still enthralled by her eroticism.

“No... not tonight," she replied with a shake of her head, “Tonight... fufufufu... treat me like a woman. Call me Valda..."

Her statement made him swallow his spit, watching as she descended down. Taking his hand into her own, she intertwined their fingers, while her other hand sat upon his hip. His cock had never gone down since their tryst in the tub, and only seemed to have gotten harder. So with one hand still holding his, her other wrapped around his shaft, stroking him gently as Jim watched.

Valda's plump lips were in a sensual smile, panting white-hot breaths that filled the air. She too wanted to see his reaction, wanted to watch him melt in pleasure as she stroked his dick off. Grinding his teeth together, Jim performed a few shallow thrusts with his hips, sending up spurts of precum up which stained her fingers. A gleeful gasp left Valda upon witnessing such an action, making her pump her hand along his length even faster than before! Precum was soon smeared all over his dick, making it shine like a pole in the dim light of the queen's bedroom.

“Does it feel good?" Valda asked.

“Y-yes! Ooooh!" Jim answered.

“Fufufufufu~! You're penis is magnificent in its length, Jim," the queen continued on, “I see why you were capable of overwhelming that foxgirl."

“Overwhelming that...?" his eyes widened, “Y-you mean the Nightmare Lord? Y-you saw it?"

“Yes, I did. I saw every moment of it. How she pinned you down and road you, only for you to turn the tables on her! Fufufufufu! A most magnificent display, Jim. A most magnificent... and erotic display indeed."

“I... glp... mmff...! I... I don't know what to say, Valda."

“Don't say anything. Just do to me what you did to her. I want to experience everything you can offer."

The implications there were strong; to unleash his full might upon the Valda was a thought Jim could only dream about, but wasn't sure if it was possible. This wasn't like trying to defeat one of Venefica's Nightmare Lords; this was someone he had feelings for.

But if she asked for it, well, he'd have no choice but to obey. You never deny a queen her request.

Though Jim couldn't focus on that for long, not when Valda finally took the plunge. Delving her head between his legs, the elf queen opened her mouth and captured his length between her lips, squeezing on it with a plumpness only she could give. He groaned out audibly and leaned his head back, overwhelmed with pleasure. Her mouth was unlike the mouth of Kireeta, or any female he's ever slept with. The warmth, the moistness, the texture; everything about the queen's maw seemed custom made for pleasure. Even the way her teeth pricked upon the flesh of his length did nothing but make him moan.

And yet it all paled in comparison to her tongue. It was lively, it was lithe, and it was so damned skilled. It traced his veins, danced along his glands, dipped into his slit, then traveled down the shaft. Muffled moans left Valda's lips as her head began bobbing up and down, showing superior speed and ability to Kireeta before. In a way, it was like the elf was trying to compete with and ultimately outdo the nine-tailed vixen!

Would explain why Jim was--

“Cumming! Nnnghghh! C-cumminng! Haaaaah!"

Splurrrt!

“Mmmfff!"

Valda's eyes closed shut and she flinched softly, while her mouth was filled from throat to lips with spunk! It's like Jim's body did the opposite of what was normal when he climaxed! Isn't he supposed to produce less sperm after consecutive climaxes? Despite giving a fat load to Kireeta's face earlier that night, and then absolutely plastering her tits only a short while ago, Jim's balls tanked yet another thick load of cum into Valda's mouth! She groaned around him, letting that seed sit upon her mouth and tongue, whilst slurping on his dick to draw out his orgasm just a little bit longer!

And once it was finally over, she pulled off of his length with an audible--

Shlurp!

Then sat there before him, covering her lips with her hand. And..

“Glp... Mmf... gulp... Mmfff... gllp! Haaah...! Ooooh... haaah..."

There... all gone; Valda swallowed all of Jim's cum. And yet, when she looked back down between his legs, she saw he was still at maximum length. Truly, he was a hero in every aspect of the word; this level of virility was reserved only for demigods!

But even this was not his greatest, was it? She witnessed it through the wristband; she knew what Jim was truly capable of. So as he recoiled from his climax, the elf queen crawled upon her bed. Making way for the post, she turned around and laid her head upon her pillows, while her green eyes stared Jim in his face.

And then she spread her legs open wide... wider... wider! Jim gasped at the sight, for her panties clung to her wet pussy, flaunting her pink labia through its translucent sheen. He couldn't take it anymore! He just had to reach down there and pull those panties off of her legs!

So... he did it...

Jim pulled her panties down her legs, and tossed them aside... somewhere; he didn't really care, and nor did she. And once they were done with, aaah, he realized something...

It was hot down here, and the odor was sweet; Valda's womanhood was just as divine as the rest of her body! Even her pubic hair was shaved in a unique manner above her pussy, being thin and smooth.

Gently the elf queen rubbed herself, stroking her fingers along her pussy... before spreading open her folds for his viewing pleasure. So deep and pink and wet; like a drooling hole that was begging for attention. How long had it been since she was this wet?

Too long... too too long...

Valda was a fucking flood! Oozing and drooling from her cunt, down her thighs, and upon the bed. And with her legs spread so wide, Jim could see it all without issue. It made him desperate, his own hunger having reached that fever pitch. Like the elf queen, he wouldn't be happy until they both reached the absolute peaks of pleasure.

So why hesitate any longer? Valda told him what she wanted, and made it perfectly clear. She wanted to experience that which Kireeta experienced.

Jim took in a deep breath, and the elf queen noticed something was starting to change about him. She – like many master wizards – could sense a magical being with great ease. This feeling was doubled for her, since elves were naturally tuned to mythical energies. But what she felt from Jim right now was no longer normal... it was boundless, if not absolutely endless.

“Yeeeeeeessss..."

Schhhwwoooooo!

GLEEAAAAMM!!!

A brilliant flash of blue light filled the air, covering Jim, Valda, and the bedroom completely! The queen even had to close her eyes to stop it from blinding her! But once the light began subsiding and she was allowed to stare up...

“Aaahh... by the gods..."

She swooned at the absolute beauty she witnessed. Jim, in his azure armor, the Gallant Spear of Locks Clavis at his side... and his cock extended to lengths beyond what was normal for him. The hero was even more confident, leering at Valda with a gaze that made her heart race.

This was it! This was the moment she had been pining so long for! Jim's brilliance was on full display; his penis was longer, its girth was wider, and his balls were large and tight! What she saw through the screen of her mirror did not equate to what she had before her now; Valda was truly in love!

Gripping his length by the shaft, Jim began pressing the head of his cock up to the soft folds of her pussy. A desperate breath left Valda as she felt the intense pressure of his swelling manhood. The head of his cock was smooth yet burly, and the moment it began parting her pussy, she started recoiling. Fuck, the pressure was great; parting and pushing and penetrating! It delved deeper, making Valda pant desperately while her face morphed into orgasmic beauty. Her eyes were squint, her mouth was shaped like an oval, and her mature moans began filling the air.

“Oooooh-hoooooh~!"

It was so different from the ones Kireeta gave. The foxgirl was young and spry, so her moans were higher in pitch, not to mention short and sharp when he was fucking her up against a tree. Valda was the complete opposite. Her moans were so deep, truly sounding like a refined woman who was enjoying pleasure she had gone centuries without. The deeper his dick delved, the more she began grunting, adding yet another lovely sound to her symphony of noises. And before he knew it – before she knew it – his cock...

“GAAH! OOOH-HOOH~!"

Finally reached the end.

Letting out a gasp he didn't know he was holding, Jim stared away from Valda's face and instead to where they were connected. He had buried his length as deep inside of the elf queen as it could possibly go, and much like Kireeta before, the shear size of his dick had created a bulge on the underside of Valda's flesh. The outline of his cock pressed against her stomach, and though it wasn't as pronounced as it was with the foxgirl before, it was still impressive for its size.

So imagine what Valda felt.

Jim's dick pressed and rubbed against all of her buttons, and it did so all at once! It was shear sensory overload! The elf queen threw her head back, laying it in her soft pillows as her pussy clinched around the massive size of his dick! By the gods, she'd never experienced something so amazing in her life! The shear distance, the burly size, and yes, even that well of magical energy; Jim was like a battery of pleasure!

It shook her... rocked her... overwhelmed her...

And then Jim began moving...

Gripping Valda's hips, the hero began slowly dragging his length out of her sweltering cunt. The lips of her pussy had a strong hold on him, as if refusing to relinquish its hold! Even with the size of his cock, Jim had to fight to return power to him! When his penis bottomed out of the elf queen, it was glistening with her hot fluids. And when he pushed back inside...

Shwaap!

“OH-HOH~!"

Juices popped out of Valda's cunt.

At first the queen was rigid, and could you really blame her? If it hasn't been obvious by now, it truly has been centuries since she last indulged in the pleasure of the flesh! Always so prim and proper, never a hair out of line, she'd never do something as disgusting and putrid as sleep around. Things like concubines was something only human rulers indulge in; not elven ones.

But the pleasures of her fingers and toys? They had long since proven... inadequate to Valda. It had probably been close to fifty years since she last masturbated, let alone even thought about it! So now as his penis pushed in and out of her cunt, hips driving like a drill in Ash Kingdom, the elf queen felt her body grow loose and limber. Louder and louder moans flowed unabashedly from her lips, and she laid her head back upon the pillow behind her. Pushing up with her chest, Valda let loose yet another desperate moan, while her juicy cunt milked his cock for all it was worth!

She was true perfection. Mature, elven beauty given form in every sense of the word. Watching her breasts clap against one another as he pushed inside of her and hearing her voice sing, both sent Jim into overdrive. He began pumping his cock in and out of her even harder, thrusting and driving and pounding! Even the bed wobbled and bounced beneath them from the shear impacts of his burly dick pushing in; harder, better, faster, stronger! In a matter of short yet passionate moments, the entire bedroom became nothing but an orchestra of lewd noises, bouncing off walls and echoing into their ears like a sound chamber!

PATPATPATPATPATPATPATPATPATPATPATPATPATPATPATPATPAT!!!

“OOOH-HOOOOH~~~! JIM! JIIIIMMMM!!!"

Valda screwed her eyes shut, feeling this deep swelling of intense pleasure that centered entirely on her cunt. She was close! She was so damn close! Rising and bubbling and growing to an intense level!

Jim was close too! Lacking any finesse or skill, the hero shot forward with his hips, thrusting into Valda with relentless aggression! His body was like a piston, pounding and patting and fucking! Yes, fucking! So much damn fucking!

Jim hunkered down; he was going to satiate the elf queen, and bring an end to her centuries long dry spell! With one more thrust he pushed up her legs, causing them to dangle in the air above above him. They didn't remain there for long, with Valda quickly locking her legs around his hips and holding him in close. There was no escape! Nothing could unbind these legs! Even Clavis would fail in unlocking them!

But that's fine, because Jim was right where he wanted to be, and Valda would have it no other way.

The fucking went on, pounding the queen into the bed and making the sheets and mattress wobble. Jim could feel his already heavy and tight balls begin to tighten more; he was going to cum! But there was only one place he'd want to tank his balls, and no place else!

One! Two! Three! Four! Five!

Jim grunted as he pinned Valda to the bed below, his fingers grabbing a hold of the pillows she was resting upon.

Six! Seven! Eight! Nine! Ten!

Staring at the queen's face, he saw nothing but lust and adoration. Her red cheeks, her panting lips, her glowing green eyes; she so desperately wanted this!

Eleven! Twelve! Thirteen! Fourteen! Fifteen!

“Do it! Do it! Cum in me! Cum in meeeee~~~!"

Jim's eyes grew wide.

SIXTEEN! SEVENTEEN! EIGHTEEN! NINETEEN!

…

…

Pat...

And that makes twenty...

Spluurrrrrt!

“GAAAAHHH ~~~! OOOOOOHHHHH-HOOOOOHH~~~!!!"

Valda felt it. She felt all of it. She felt his cock as it rumbled within her, unleashing a torrent of hot jizz that sank into her womb. Groaning aloud, the elf queen's eyes twitched as she felt a rush unlike any other. In her many years of living, when was the last time a lover had been so thorough in his climaxing of her? Has a previous lover ever been this good?

The elf queen couldn't think about it right now... she couldn't think of anything right now! All she could think about – all she could feel – was Jim's sweaty body above her own, and his rigid length as it pumped her full of seed.

So...

Damn...

Much...

“Nnngghh...!"

Slurrrrrk!

“Hhhaa-Aahhhnnn~~~"

Valda felt like she was melting. She felt like she was swimming within the fabric of realities – within the Ether itself – and it was making her melt. She heard nothing but Jim's pants and her own mature moans, mixing together when--

“Krrrrgghh~~!?"

Valda flinched...

And then she came...

Ooooh... did she cum...

Her body twitched and bucked, giving sudden and sharp moans. It was like her climax came in electrifying little waves, causing her entire body to jolt again, and again, and again. Down below, her pussy contracted around his length, swallowing and stroking it off to draw out his climax as long as it could go.

And...

And...

She pulled that seed deep inside, letting it coat and stain the walls of her uterus. There was so much of cum, so much spunk he poured into her, that Valda swore her womb would break. And it felt so damn good! The heat of his cum, the weight of it, the shear size that covered so much space; it left Valda shuddering...

And then...

Bweeaaam!

“Ngnggh!? Mmmfff..."

In the blink of an eye, Jim's armor vanished, with Valda watching him waver. He looked exhausted, more so now than he had been when dealing with Kireeta or his brief tussle with Venefica. So much so that the hero could barely keep himself standing up straight.

So he fell...

Plap!

And landed right upon the world's softest pair of pillows...

That would be Valda's chest, just so you know.

Jim snuggled against her, letting out a deep groan as his body went fully limp and relaxed. In response, the elf queen hugged him close, letting him use her body as his own mattress. They said nothing, with only the sound of their deep and heavy breaths echoing all around them.

They didn't need to say anything.

They just needed to...

“Haaaah..."

“Nnnhmm..."

Yeah, that's it. Just relax.

…

Was it wrong what she had done? Having such wild, passionate sex with the hero, that is; a man she just met? If it got out that she – Queen Valda – did something so scandalous, what would her people think? Knowing them, they wouldn't believe it. If Jim ran out of this chamber right now and decreed that he slept with the elf queen, not one single soul would even consider such a thing! And her guards would no doubt lock him in the dungeon for having the galls to even imply something so scandalous!

But... Valda felt no shame in what she had done. It was scandalous yes... but it was also so thrilling! The things they did to one another, the feelings they shared, and the heights of pleasure they brought each other to... yes, it was certainly amazing! Queen of the elves though she may be, she was still a woman, and still had needs and desires, even if she forgot them.

But Jim helped remind her of this...

Jim...

It was the morning now on Vespara. The brilliant sun was illuminating her country's verdant fields, a cool breeze was coming from the mountain tops, and behind her there laid a certain unconscious hero.

Valda turned around, facing Jim as he slept upon her bed. His body was half covered in her blankets, and his mouth was open wide as drool poured out of it. Honestly, he looked rather cute despite his masculine appearance.

Approaching her bed lowly, the naked queen sat upon her bed near Jim, her hand reaching over to gently stroke his cheek. He twitched in response, then groaned, but when she began guiding his head up to lay it on her lap, he did not fight back. Instead, a goofy, silly smile adorned his lips, and he looked up to meet Valda's green eyes with his brown ones.

“Last night was amazing," the elf queen remarked as she swirled a lock of blonde hair around her finger.

“Heh... I aim to please," Jim replied whilst snuggling closer to her body, “Though to be honest... I'm shocked it wasn't a dream. I thought I'd be waking up in my bed chamber with soiled pants."

Valda giggled... but her smiling appearance did not last for long. And after a forlorn sounding sigh, she stared off to the distance and took in a deep breath.

“I wish to apologize to you, James," said the queen, taking him aback.

“Apologize...? For what?"

“When you originally arrived, my people and even I treated you as... lesser than," she answered, “I have been alive for well over a thousand years, and some of my men have been serving me for just as long. We have seen many of your kind come and go."

“What? Humans?"

“Well... not just humans, but heroes too," she explained, “I thought you were just that; another human hero like so many others who I've aided over the centuries. But I see now it was wrong of me to reduce your existence to nothing more than a list of attributes. You're more than just a human, more than just a hero. You are James Oliver."

“Heh... oh my Queen... you don't have to say that," he replied, “Even I know that I can be a bit... generic, I guess. To someone as mighty as you, I'll just be a footnote in your history. Another hero among many others whom great Queen Valda aided in her long and illustrious life," he sighed, but it was blissful, “It's a bit hard thinking about it... you'll no doubt outlive me. Buuut... heh! It doesn't make me sad! I'm just happy I was able to do my part!"

It was such a simple and candid way of looking at things. Was it because of his youth that he did not yet grasp the extent of his mortality? No, that can't be it; he's a hero, and heroes risk their lives for others all the time! Then maybe that's why he was so relaxed when speaking about his role in the overall history of life. Live or die, it doesn't really matter. So long as he did his job of a hero, then it was worth it.

Valda had forgotten that. She had forgotten what it meant to be so... simple. Perhaps then she could learn this from Jim. He would be leaving soon; that was something she had already come to accept. He is a hero, and his journey had yet to conclude. But for the time he'd be staying here – no matter how brief – she wanted to learn as much about him and from him as she possibly could. For no matter how old you are, you are still but a student of life.

Besides...

As one hand fell upon her belly, Valda realized that... perhaps Jim wouldn't be the small note in history he thought he would be.

But... perhaps that is a story best save for another day...

“Come, Jim. Breakfast is in order."

“Heh... that's my favorite word!"