Chains of Corruption Pt. 02

"I didn't think I'd ever see you again." Megumi says as she climbs out of her pod and raises her hand above her head. Suddenly, more flower pods emerge from the muddy ground and plantgirls emerge from them as Megumi says, "I think it's time I got some payback for what she did to me last time."

Megumi looks to Kira with an enraged look on her face.

"Megumi, stop this. Just let us pass..." You begin.

You are interrupted by Megumi as she yells, "No, I think I'll kill you all for making a fool out of me. Get them!"

At her command, the plantgirls charge in and you step in front of Gwen while still trying to plead with Megumi.

"Stop, we don't want to hurt any of you." You say.

Megumi laughs and replies, "Then this will be quick."

Priscilla throws a knife into one of the plantgirl's neck and she falls to the ground.

"I don't think they're going to listen to reason Mika." Priscilla says.

You feel bad for the plantgirls but when one lashes out at you, you cut her down without hesitation. You look to Megumi but she doesn't seem to care about her fallen friends.

"This is your last chance Megumi, if you try to hurt my friends, I will kill you." You say in a serious tone.

Megumi stares at you with hatred in her eyes before she says, "Damn you, just die!"

Megumi lunges toward you and you raise your sword, but her vines quickly wrap around you and pin you to a tree. You struggle against your bindings as the plantgirl leans close to you.

"Mmm, your friend is pretty, maybe I should start with her." Megumi says.

You follow her gaze and see Gwen with a frightened look on her face. Megumi raises her hand towards Gwen but before she can do anything, you lean forward and bite into her neck with all your strength. Dark purple blood leaks into your mouth as Megumi screams and tries to get you off, but you stay latched on until she pries you off, tearing off a chunk of her flesh as well. Blood streams down Megumi's neck and onto her naked breasts as she falls to her knees.

"Bitch... Just die..." Megumi barely manages to say.

You spit out Megumi's flesh and wipe your mouth before saying, "You should have just left us alone, now leave before I end up killing you."

Megumi clutches the side of her neck and shakily returns to her feet before backing away. Priscilla and Kira finish off the last of the plantgirls as you check on Gwen.

"Well, that could have been worse, I'm surprised she didn't use her pollen. Plantgirls are known for practically radiating spores." Priscilla says.

You turn away from the dead girls and say, "Damn it, I thought things would change if Iliya was gone."

Priscilla puts her hand on your shoulder and says, "Things have been this way for a long time, it's not going to change overnight. You told me once that where you come from, it was peaceful but there were still wars and fighting. There will always be a few bad apples, but that doesn't mean everything has been in vain."

You sigh and say, "You're right, I just wish we didn't have to kill them. They deserve to live just as much as we do."

"I know, but things will get better, just give it time." Priscilla says.

You nod and reply, "Let's get going, before more show up."

Priscilla once again leads you through the swamps but after a short walk, she stops and says, "Looks like we've got more company."

You scan your surroundings and see something moving behind the trees ahead of your group and ask, "How many?"

"Six, maybe seven but, this feels familiar." Priscilla says although you don't understand what she means.

"I know you're there, stop hiding." Priscilla says loudly and several lizards walk out from behind the trees.

They are wearing light armor and as you cautiously look around, one of them says in a feminine voice, "My word, Priscilla, is that you?"

You look at the woman and see she has a scar across her cheek as Priscilla says, "I'll be damned, Tara?"

The two lizardgirls clasp hands and laugh as you walk over to Priscilla and ask, "Do you know them?"

Priscilla nods and says, "Yeah this is Tara, my old research assistant."

Tara laughs and says, "Research? I left because you would always come back drunk and we hardly got any real work done."

Priscilla waves her hand and says, "And you were always getting hung up on the most trivial details."

The two stare at each other for a moment before laughing again and Tara says, "I thought you had moved to Valen, what are you doing out here?"

"We're picking up a package for someone in Valen. How did you know that I moved? I haven't seen you in years." Priscilla asks.

"It's pretty hard to miss when the town drunk suddenly isn't around anymore." Tara responds.

They share another good laugh and Priscilla says, "Were you headed back to Cyldell?"

Tara has a sly smile and says, "We were going out on patrol, but if you can't remember the way, I suppose I could show you."

"Alright, alright. I used to drink too much, I get it, but things are different now." Priscilla says.

Tara motions for you to follow as she leads the way through the swamps and says, "Really, how so?"

"I've been studying the slime left behind after Iliya was killed, hoping to find a way to undo some of the damage she caused. It's kept me fairly busy, so I haven't been drinking as much as I used to." Priscilla says.

You realize the first time you met her, when she was plastered in the bar, must have been a regular occurrence for her and you smile to yourself.

"Really, well that's good to hear. I thought you might have drank yourself to death or something." Tara says.

Priscilla sighs and says, "I'm giving you slack since we haven't seen each other in so long, but you're starting to piss me off."

Tara bursts out laughing and says, "That's more like the Priscilla I know. Alright, I'll lay off. It's getting dark though, we should head to our camp."

Priscilla agrees and you follow Tara and her men through the mist until you see several large tents surrounded by a wall of tree trunks. The tops have been cut flat and a lizard hops down from the wall and greets Tara.

"Who are they?" The lizardman asks.

Tara replies, "Old friends of mine, now get back to your post."

The man nods and scales the wall as Tara leads you inside and you can now see there are about fifteen people in the camp. A small stall near the center has vegetables for sale and one of the larger tents has an anvil and looks to be a forge, although no one is working right now.

Tara points to another tent and says, "The beds are over there, but let's eat first. Samir caught a huge boar the other day and we have plenty left over so help yourselves." Tara suddenly stops and turns to you while saying, "I'm sorry, I was so caught up with Priscilla, I didn't really introduce myself. I'm Tara, I run this division of the Cyldell guards."

You shake her hand and say, "I'm Mika and this is Gwen, Kira, and Mar...Maria."

Mara gives you a confused look and Tara says, "Something wrong?"

You shake your head and say, "No, we just met and I'm really bad with names, sorry Maria."

You turn and wink at Mara, hoping she understands your signal.

"It's... ok." Mara says in confusion.

"Well, good to meet you all, I hope you like roast boar." Tara says.

Tara leads you to a tent where several men are eating and she serves large portions for everyone. After eating a hearty meal, Kira and Mara follow you and Gwen to the tent with the beds.

"Why did you lie about my name Mika?" Mara asks.

"If people found out who you are, they would all want you to help them. You don't have your powers back yet, so it will be easier for now if we kept it between us." You reply.

Mara thinks for a moment and says, "That makes sense, but I wish I could help them, and you."

You yawn and say, "You already did, when I beat Iliya. Now I'm helping you so we'll be even."

You and Mara both laugh as Kira glides over to Mara's bed and lays next to her on the pillow. You lay down and as you try to sleep, Gwen begins rubbing your cock through your pants. Even with the lizards guarding camp, you feel uneasy being in the marshes and remove her hand before embracing Gwen. She seems to understand and the two of you slowly drift off to sleep.

The morning sun shines brightly through the open side of the tent and you rise from bed before waking your friends. Tara and Priscilla are awake already and as you make your way to them you hear the two women bickering.

"If you extended this route and doubled it's personnel, you could eliminate this entirely and..." Priscilla begins.

She is interrupted by Tara as she yells, "Damn it, will you stop criticizing every little thing? I swear I..." Tara turns as you approach and says, "Oh, sorry if I woke you. I just... never mind. Ready to get going?"

You nod and Tara grabs her gear before leading everyone out into the marshes once again.

As you trudge through the muddy ground, you lean close to Priscilla and ask, "Everything alright between you two?"

She smiles and says, "Of course, I was just getting her back for yesterday. You know how it is."

You laugh softly and continue on until Tara comes to a stop and says, "Someone's out there."

You scan your surroundings but see nothing so you hold Gwen close and rest your hand on the hilt of your sword.

Minutes pass without so much as a sound until Tara says, "This is pointless, you might get the drop on someone, but the rest of us will kill you so stop hiding!"

For a moment it's quiet, but then rustling can be heard coming closer from behind the trees. Tara draws her knives and steps closer as the noise fades away.

"Hey, what are those?" Kira asks.

You follow her gaze and see several huge flower pods suspended above the area by hundreds of twisting vines. While she is distracted by the pods overhead, a vine wraps itself around Tara's ankle before lifting her up. Your attention is drawn to Tara who is sent flying through the air toward you. Priscilla leaps in front of you and catches Tara as you draw your sword. Tara gets to her feet but before anyone can react, the vines holding the pods suddenly go limp. Everyone is grouped together and you prepare to fight more plantgirls as the pods hit the ground with a thud.

The pods collapse in on themselves the moment they hit the ground and orange spores fly out in all directions, blanketing the area. The unexpected tactic catches even Tara off guard and the effects of the pollen quickly take hold. Gwen begins rubbing herself while Mara licks her neck. You feel yourself getting wet and your cock begins to stir as Priscilla and Tara fall to their knees. Resistance is impossible as with each breath, more of the spores enter your body and you groggily pull Gwen close, trying to at least protect her if nothing else.

After a few moments, Megumi appears from behind a tree and says, "This is what you get you bitch."

Her voice is hoarse and dried, dark purple blood stains her light green skin around the leaves she used to stop the bleeding. You can't respond in your condition, but you keep your eyes fixed on Megumi, even as your mind drifts into fantasies of becoming her slave. The sound of glass breaking catches Megumi's attention and behind her, you see Tara getting up.

"How are you able to move?" Megumi says as some of the vines around her begin to move and gather near her.

Tara takes a deep breath and then quickly throws one of her knives at Megumi. The vines instantly react and form a wall in front of the plantgirl but as Megumi lowers her guard, Priscilla rushes around the vines and kicks her to the ground. Tara smashed a small bottle on her back and now she seems to be free from the pollen's influence. Tara walks over to you and quickly breaks another vial over your shoulder. The clear liquid smells slightly sweet and it immediately absorbs into your skin as your mind clears and your lust subsides.

You feel tired but not exhausted, as you thank Tara and she says, "I only have one left, the other two will have to let it pass naturally. I'll let you decide, they're your friends."

She hands you a small vial as she and Priscilla turn to fight Megumi. Kira, Mara, and Gwen are lost in ecstasy and not knowing what else to do, you break the bottle onto Mara's back. She snaps back to herself and suddenly looks angry.

"Are you alright?" You ask.

Mara ignores you and walks toward Megumi. She raises her hand and the spores swirling in the area begin to glow.

Megumi says, "Wh-what are you doing?"

She stumbles backward and then falls to her knees as Gwen and Kira return to reality. Megumi grabs her breasts and pulls her nipples hard as Tara tries to understand what is happening.

"How did you do that?" Tara asks.

"I just changed the frequency a little, that's all." Mara says nonchalantly.

"Really?" Tara says as she stares at Mara.

"We should probably get going, before it wears off or something." You say trying to deflect her attention.

Tara is curious but agrees and begins walking through the marsh.

"Wait!" Megumi yells.

You turn back to see she is standing up and has a thick vine in her hand. Her body trembles, trying desperately to fight the same urges you just experienced, and before you can respond she raises the vine and it stiffens to a sharp looking point. Megumi drives the hardened vine into her gut and dark purple blood spills onto the muddy ground. She coughs up blood and you watch in horror as she seems to be free from the effects of the pollen, but now has a murderous look on her face. Her eyes slowly turn black as she drops the vine to the floor and it goes limp.

Megumi smiles and takes a few shaky steps toward you before it turns to an all out sprint. You draw your blade and block her attack but with Gwen right behind you, you can't afford to let this drag on. You kick Megumi where she stabbed herself, causing her to stumble back and cough up blood. She looks at you with pitch black eyes and you grip your sword tightly as you approach and Megumi lashes out. Training all those months has paid off and you can keep up with her speed as she wildly attacks with every ounce of strength she has.

Completely focused on you, Megumi fails to notice Priscilla running towards her and she leaps onto the thin plantgirl's back, driving her knife into the side of her head. They fall to the floor and Priscilla twists her knife before retracting it and you help Gwen to her feet.

"I've never seen them do something like this before. Juri brewed those potions with the help of the mages in Cyldell and they've been pretty useful, but I had no idea the plantgirls were capable of something like this. We're going to need a lot more of them if this keeps up." Tara says.

Priscilla chimes in and says, "Indeed, monstergirls are by no means stupid, but this level of complexity far exceeds anything I could have predicted. She knew where we would be and hid the trap up high, knowing we would be looking for movement on the ground. Also, plantgirls are normally immune to their own pollen, so I find it hard to believe she instantly knew how to break out of it."

Tara nods and says, "Yeah and her wounds... I didn't know a girl that thin could lose so much blood and still keep going like that." She sighs and says, "Well, we'll get no answers just standing around here, let's keep moving."

Thankfully, the rest of the way through the swamps is uneventful and when you emerge from the treeline, you see Cyldell in the distance. You turn to Gwen and see her eyes light up as she notices the city.

"It's even prettier inside." You say and Gwen smiles.

"Hey, Priscilla, do me a favor." Tara says.

"What is it?" Priscilla responds.

"Those were the last potions we had back at the outpost. I have to get back soon, those guys are useless without me, but can you find Juri and tell him to bring more when he comes back? He should be in the alchemist lab, it's pretty close to your old house, remember?" Tara says.

Priscilla sighs and says, "Yes I remember. Alright I'll let him know, is that it?" Tara nods and Priscilla says, "Well it was good seeing you again Tara."

Tara smiles and says, "Yeah, I think I like the new you better, see you around."

Priscilla thanks Tara and the lizardwoman departs back into the swamps as you and your friends head towards Cyldell.

Chapter 4 - Omen

The massive city gates open effortlessly as Priscilla touches them and you follow her inside. Gwen smiles as she marvels at the floating fountains and glowing signs of busy shops.

"I'll show you around in a little bit, let's get that package first." You say.

Gwen nods and you walk through busy streets trying to find the correct address as you realize there are a lot more people in Cyldell compared to the last time you were here. Airship travel has revolutionized the world and for a moment you think, 'I didn't really notice it before, but there are more people living in Valen City as well. Maybe things really are changing.' You wish they would hurry up and abolish slavery, but sigh as you know they have to come to that decision on their own.

"You alright Mika, you look like you're drowning in your own thoughts." Priscilla says.

You let out an embarrassed laugh and say, "Yeah, kinda."

Priscilla smiles as Kira says, "Isn't that it over there?"

You check and sure enough, it's the same address Bertand gave you. You walk up and knock on the small wooden door and after a few moments, you hear noise coming from inside.

A human sized insect opens the door and says, "Yes?"

He looks like an ant, or some kind of beetle, and you quickly pull yourself together and say, "Bertand from Valen City asked us to pick up a package for him. He gave me this address."

You hand the man the slip of paper with Bertand's signature and he says, "I see, one moment please." He closes the door and returns a few minutes later with a small box wrapped in white paper. "I hope he didn't say that I would pay you." The man says before handing over the box.

"No, he already paid us. I'm just supposed to bring it back to him." You respond.

"I see, very well then safe travels to you all." The man says as he gives you the package and then retreats back inside and closes the door.

"What a weirdo." Kira says and Mara giggles.

"Back to Valen then?" Priscilla says.

"Actually, I wanted to show Gwen around a little. Can we meet up later?" You respond.

Priscilla nods and says, "Of course, remember that little cafe? Meet us there when you're ready."

You thank Priscilla and take Gwen's hand, leading her into the center of the city. She beams with excitement and you smile as she reaches out and touches the water cascading upwards into a floating fountain. A few droplets hang in the air for a moment before falling onto Gwen's face, surprising her. You laugh and wipe her face and she quickly plants a small kiss on your cheek. You take her to a few stalls in the market and buy her a cheap necklace, but she seems to like it so you put it on her and she hugs you tightly.

You return her embrace and after a few moments, you say, "Let's check out one more spot and then we'll get back to the others, ok?"

Gwen smiles and nods as you lead her to the docks. The airships overhead provide shade as you sit down on the edge of the pier and Gwen joins you. The ocean waves gently caress the shore and you scoot closer to Gwen and put your arm around her. She lays her head on your shoulder and the two of you watch as the sun begins to set and the magical lights of the city reflect off the ocean.

After a while, you realize Gwen has fallen asleep, so you wake her and say, "Hey, it's not time to sleep yet."

You smile as she yawns and stretches out before getting to her feet. You get up and hold her hand as you lead the way to the cafe.