Endless Path : Infinite Cosmos

After a relatively short period of time, Vahn found himself lazing about, his head, once again, making use of Semiramis' thighs. He could feel their warmth even through her dress, and, though it was hard to notice, a familiar scent of fruit still lingered in the air.Though he was somewhat disappointed that they didn't have sex, Vahn didn't particularly mind it. He had plenty of partners to appease any of his urges, and, though he could ask anyone to give him the same kind of treatment, he was quite fond of lazing about with the raven-haired beauty. She seemed to enjoy watching him sleep, and, though she rarely vocalized her true feelings, the way she combed through his hair with a slight trace of a smile made her affection clear.While enjoying the sensation of her silken gloves, Vahn mused, "This situation seems very familiar..." in a languid tone.Hearing Vahn's musings, Semiramis' elf-like ears perked up slightly as she traced her finger along his neck and answered, "You should be grateful...there was a time when men would battle to the death just for a chance to see my beauty. Truthfully, I spoil you quite a bit...Master..."Rather than refute her words, Vahn lightly chuckled before nodding his head and saying, "Truly, I am a blessed man..."Following his statement, Vahn grabbed Semiramis' hand, gingerly planting a kiss on her fingers as he added, "Thank you..."With her ears drooping a bit, Semiramis couldn't help but avert her eyes, a vain attempt to hide the almost indiscernible blush on her face. She always felt conflicted whenever he said things like this, as, for a brief moment, it made her lament being unable to do the same.Had their situations been reversed, Semiramis would have quickly lost patience if the other party was significantly weaker than her. She didn't understand how he was able to tolerate her selfishness with a smile. He didn't even get upset when she refused to have sex with him. Instead, he helped her get cleaned up and dressed before dutifully fixing her hair.If she had his power, Semiramis would have used it without any hesitation, bending him to her will and forcing him to serve her like a loyal dog. She would indulge herself every day, turning him into a mindless slave that couldn't live without her. Then, once he had served his purpose, she would leave him discarded and broken, obtaining a new toy to satiate her urges...Though he never used it, Vahn had the power to directly order people, and, due to the disparity in his power, others would be compelled to obey. She was very aware of this fact, so it always troubled her that he simply never used it. He could even completely corrupt her heart, making her a slave to his body. Instead, he treated her well, accepting all but the darkest parts of her with a relaxed smile on his face...As this thought crossed her mind, Semiramis lightly poked Vahn's cheek with the golden nail sticking out of her palm, muttering, "That power is wasted on you...fuuuu..."Raising his brow, Vahn ignored the fact that Semiramis' nail was nearing his eye, stating, "That may be so...still, it is my power. How I use it is up to me...is that not that the privilege of possessing such power?"Finding Vahn's words irrefutable, Semiramis gave a small nod, answering, "Quite right. However, those with power should be more decadent. After all, if not them, who had the right to be? Even if it causes problems, culture is advanced by moral declines and the shifting of power. You are, at times, too perfect...your ideals, the way you behave, they leave little fault to be found. These are not the traits of an Emperor, but a God that rules over from on high..."Though they sounded 'wrong', Vahn knew there was a fair amount of truth behind Semiramis' words. In fact, her words struck at the heart of the matter, as, when people gained absolute power, it always resulted in rampant corruption. This caused discourse and chaos, but, given enough time, something would transpire to collapse the broken system, implementing necessary change before restarting the cycle anew.What Vahn was trying to accomplish was, in the minds of many, simply impossible. Even if he created an entire Realm, only allowing 'good' people to inhabit it, corruption would still take root. It wouldn't matter if he manipulated the hearts and minds of every single resident, as, in the face of Time, there were no true absolutes, only possibilities. The Universe would always seek equilibrium, so, unless he also created a Realm inhabited by 'bad' people, contradicting everything he believed in, breaking the cycle was impossible.Despite knowing this, Vahn was unperturbed by Semiramis' remarks, closing his eyes with a smile on his face as he said, "Then I'll just become a God Emperor...simple as that. Eventually, I'll reach a point where nobody can tell me how things 'should' be. I will determine how they 'are', shaping the world according to my vision. Even if I make a mistake, I'll just correct it and start over...it is better than just watching people ruin the world for mundane things like profit and the illusion of control..."Hearing Vahn's words, Semiramis wanted to call him a fool, but, while others would undoubtedly fail in the pursuit of such an ideal, comparing him to others was even more foolish. He had been able to accomplish more in a few years than entire Empires and Dynasties throughout history. Thus, despite the wisdom contained within the words, there were none who could actually tell Vahn what he could and couldn't do. All of his restraints were self-imposed, as, with his power, nothing could stand in his way.As this thought crossed her mind, Semiramis lamented the fact she couldn't become Vahn's Empress. It might not provide her any real authority, but, as his status and power increased, so too would her prestige. She would even be able to live forever, indulging in his affection and the endless wealth of the Empire. Now, she was little more than a poisonous rose, one kept safely tucked away in a private garden.Lamenting the fact Vahn wasn't a slave to his desires, Semiramis joined him in looking toward the roof, a longing look in her eyes. She knew things couldn't remain this way forever, even if that was an actual option. Eventually, she would grow tired of her current way of life, desiring more than the peaceful silence and companionship of a few unique individuals. She wanted power, knowledge, and, though it contradicted the beliefs she had founded her character on; Semiramis wanted Vahn to love her even more...Without realizing she was speaking aloud, Semiramis muttered, "I want to become a Goddess..." in a subdued tone. Her current lifespan was limited to a few hundred years, and, though Vahn would be able to extend it indefinitely, Semiramis wanted more power. At this rate, she would be left further in the way of other women, decreasing her status and prestige by proxy. There was even a chance that, given enough time, even the weakest member of Vahn's entourage would surpass her in power...With a competitive glimmer flashing across her eyes, Semiramis was startled when Vahn suddenly said, "That can be arranged. You already possess numerous pseudo-Divinites and C-Rank [Divinity]. It would take some effort on your part, but, if you were earnest, reaching Godhood would only take a few years."As she still hadn't realized she had spoke aloud, Semiramis was slightly confused by Vahn's words, her eyes squinting in suspicion as she wondered how he was able to see through her. This didn't prevent her from heeding his words, however, causing her to consider them seriously before asking, "What method do you have in mind? I am aware that having sex with you increases power, but that does not mean I'll..."Before Semiramis could finish, Vahn shook his head, stating, "You just need to use the Quest Board. If you complete a few simple Quests each day, your power will gradually increase. There are a number of Quests that only require you to read certain books or conduct specific experiments. In your case, I imagine there would even be some related to concocting poison. You would be able to increase your power without even altering your current schedule."Though she was annoyed by the fact Vahn had interrupted her, Semiramis listened closely until he had finished speaking. Then, with her eyes squinted even more than usual, she asked, "And you did not think to mention this sooner...?"As he had already explained the Quest Board in great detail, Vahn gave Semiramis a deadpan look until she ultimately averted her eyes. She had even done a few Quests in the pasts, but, as they had been rather tedious, she never considered accepting more. One had even required her to read the same grimoire a total of ten times, not counting if she skimmed over sections she had already been able to memorize. Thus, despite knowing the many benefits it provided, Semiramis had completely forgotten about it until Vahn's sudden reminder...Deciding not to press her on the matter, Vahn rolled to a seated position, causing Semiramis to turn her attention back to him, asking, "Are you going...?"Nodding his head, Vahn explained, "There are actually a lot of things going on back in Avalon right now. I even had to make an extra body just to make sure I could spend time with you."Since he knew it would make her slightly flustered, Vahn sent a playful wink towards the end of his statement. This caused Semiramis to lightly hmph, crossing her arms with a pouting expression on her face as she said, "If you had something important to do, you should have said something. Who am I to interfere in the affairs of the great Sage Dragon Emperor...?"Understanding she was just asking him to verbalize how important she was to him, Vahn smiled as he reached out his hand, caressing the side of her face as he said, "You are my beautiful black rose, a delicate flower I can't but appreciate in spite of its many thorns. If I weren't afraid you might wilt, I would take you around with me wherever I went, proudly displaying your beauty to the world..."With her face still forming a small pout, Semiramis turned her eyes up at him, saying, "So, I really am nothing more than a trophy...how shameless, keeping a Queen as a prize to be flaunted..."Instead of retorting her words, Vahn just lifted Semiramis' chin, stealing her lips and entangling with her sharp tongue. He knew that, if he did actually take her around with the intent to flaunt her, she would enjoy every last moment of it. She had a considerable amount of vanity, and, if it allowed her to see him pressuring any who dared view her with covetous eyes, she wouldn't be able to hide her smile.Toward the end of their kiss, Vahn roughly cupped Semiramis' pert buttocks, lifting her onto the tips of her toes. This caused a sonorous moan to escape her lips, followed by a painful prod to his chest, but, undaunted, Vahn continued to kiss her passionately for another minute longer, stopping only when she jerked her head away, gasping for air.Before she could lambast him for his roguish behavior, Vahn took advantage of the fact Semiramis had turned her head to the side, whispering in a heated tone, "If an Emperor can't be decadent, who else has the right~?"Punctuating his statement, Vahn gently bit the tip of Semiramis' long ear, causing her to shudder as she attempted to drive the nail of her left hand into his chest. This barely managed to even prick him, however, leaving her helpless as he gently massaged her ear with his tongue.Feeling like her ear was burning, Semiramis fought hard to prevent a moan from escaping her lips, tilting her head to the side in a futile effort to escape Vahn's clutches. It was only when her tensions were nearing the peak that Vahn finally stopped, causing her to feel both alarm and frustration. She would have blamed him for soiling her dress and panties, but, compared to being denied an orgasm, that was inconsequential...Understanding her anguish, Vahn let Semiramis settle on her feet before embracing her, mustering as much affection as he could manage before saying, "Even if it is a burden for you, know that I love you..."Hearing the unexpected confession, Semiramis felt as though her mind had blanked, her expression defaulting to a complicated pout. Such words always did critical damage to her heart, causing her to lay awake late at night thinking about her life choices. It was really unfair of him to say such things when she was in this state, and, for a brief moment, Semiramis almost began whimpering until a very gentle warmth began to spread through her body...Truthfully, Vahn knew he was being a little heavyhanded, but, having sensed the subtle changes in Semiramis' emotional state, he knew she would need some 'encouragement'. She couldn't spend the rest of her life inside the Hanging Gardens, so, with his plans beginning to accelerate, he needed to give her a small push in order to ensure her happiness.Without forcing her to reveal her flushed face, Vahn allowed Semiramis to lightly headbutt his chest, gently stroking her hair as he said, "I left a present for you...when I'm gone, you'll have about twenty minutes before things get intense. I'll make it up to you during my next visit...either that, or you can stop by Avalon. There is a place I've wanted to take you for a while...I'm sure you'll enjoy it..."Finished with his words, Vahn kissed the top of Semiramis' head before giving her one last firm hug. Afterward, he released her body, leaving her standing with her head hanging low, face veiled by her hair as she tightly clenched the hem of her dress. Even the tips of her ears had turned scarlet at this point so it wasn't difficult to imagine what her expression must look like.Slightly saddened by the fact Semiramis still couldn't be honest with him, Vahn lightly sighed before saying, "I will visit you again around the same time tomorrow. Take care of yourself, Semiramis..."With his farewell completed, Vahn's figure vanished from within the Hanging Garden, immediately followed by Semiramis plopping to the ground. She had been forcing herself to stand, so, now that he was gone, a resonant moan escaped her lips as an agonizing amount of pleasure began to build in her body. It was fortunate she was able to freely teleport within the Hanging Garden, allowing her to blink back to her bed. There, she began to writhe around, a surprisingly girlish smile on her face, golden eyes glimmering as she sensually intoned, "Master is such a beast...so tyrannical...ufufufu~"(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'This is a familiar ceiling...','A buxom, sadistic, tsundere...','Semiramis actually grows her hair out in order to hide her ten-thousand ahoge...')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Though he would have liked immediately returned to Avalon, Vahn had one final stop before doing so. He had already to return with Nero, so, rather than teleport to Avalon, he appeared outside of a buzzing and vibrant city with tall was, and, most notably, a massive tree situated the exact center.Seeing the emerald-green tree, its leaves glimmering in a myriad of colors, Vahn felt couldn't help but feel slightly reminiscent. He knew Yggy wouldn't even perceive his absence, but, much like the rest of his 'children', Vahn missed her dearly. She had always been such a kind and caring child, and, though he could relax under the current crystalline tree, it simply wasn't the same.Shaking his head, Vahn cleared his thoughts before vanishing into thin air moments later. When he next appeared, he was within one of the five palatial structures that had been constructed within the European Supercolony. There, surrounded by a handful of fluffy Companions, Nero was taking a nap while lounging atop an ornate throne, her features making her appear fragile and delicate as silent breathing emanated through the otherwise empty chamber.Nero often worked herself tirelessly, even pulling long hours late into the evening to ensure there were no issues with the European Supercolony. The only reason she was currently resting was due to the previous message, stating Vahn would be arriving around 2 PM. Thus, in order to make sure she was free to receive him, Nero had taken a rare break. As for why she ended up falling asleep, the five adorable Companions surrounding her could be blamed for that. Their aura was very relaxing, so, if you cuddled with them for too long, you would feel an almost irresistible urge to just take a nap.Seeing the golden-haired beauty peacefully slumbering, Vahn actually felt a little guilty having to disturb her. Unfortunately, just be appearing, he had already set off a chain reaction, as, noticing his presence, one of the Companions chimed in an adorable voice, "It's Master!"Immediately after the first, the other four Companions peeled open their eyes, each showing gleeful expressions as they began exclaiming things like, "Master!", "Master has come!", "Master, come play with us!".Accompanying their cries, two of the Companions even hopped off the throne, waddling adorably over to his side to grip his legs and snuggle against him with happy smiles.Though they were still waiting for the first truly sapient Companion with an Ego to appear, Vahn was always amazed to see how much progress had been made. He wasn't the only one, either, as the tiny creatures had become 'exceptionally' popular after the preliminary discomfort faded. After all, it was hard to hate a creature that proactively did its best to make you happy, keep you safe, and help you grow stronger; especially if it was also cute...Due to the noise caused by her adorable entourage, Nero's ahoge perked up slightly as her eyelids slowly peeled open, revealing the emerald-green irises beneath. A smile instantly spread across her face, further amplifying her flawless features as she muttered, "To think we would awaken from a pleasant dream, only to find an even more pleasant sight standing before us...perhaps we have yet to truly awake...?"As she spoke, Nero appeared to move very languidly, but, by the time she finished her musings, she was already standing near Vahn, her hands stretched out as if she was going to caress his face. Then, so gingerly that it was almost impossible to feel her touch, Nero's fingers came into contact with his cheeks, causing her smile to increase a great deal as she said, "Our Master has personally come for us. Today is a blessed day, umu..."After confirming that Vahn was 'real', Nero leaned forward, standing on the toes of her left foot as she raised her right somewhat theatrically. At the same time, she lightly placed her lips against his while, in the surroundings, rose petals had started to flitter into existence. It was quite the sight to behold, but, with a beauty in his arms, Vahn had more important matters to attend...---Several minutes after his arrival, Vahn was lounging upon the 'Throne of the Consul', the ornate chair that could easily fit three people seated side-by-side. He had Nero curled up in his lap, giggling as she asked, "What did you think of our performance? Was it enough to stir your bosom and arouse your passions? Umu~."Seeing the petals still lingering in the surroundings, Vahn lightly chuckled before nodding his head and answering, "It is always a pleasure, Nero. Even without the theatrics, however, your beauty alone is more than enough to captivate me."Finding her Master's words to her liking, Nero giggled happily while squirming about atop his lap in an effort to feel even closer to him. Then, after a series of several nods and a few gleeful 'umu', she happily mused, "Well said! Such words are enough to ignite the flame in our bosom into a raging inferno! Umu, mayhaps, if the fates allow, this one shall reward her Master's courteous diligence~?"If he wasn't absolutely certain things would turn into a 'competition' of sorts, Vahn wouldn't mind taking Nero up on her offer. Unfortunately, while he had a few hours to spare, that wouldn't actually be enough unless he went 'all-out' against the otherwise insurmountable woman. Thus, as remiss as he was to refuse the offer, Vahn lightly shook his head, explaining, "The fates are not kind this day. I have other matters to attend, including a few pertinent to the Empire's prosperity. Instead, I will have you accompany me back to Avalon. Many of us will be retreating into Arcueid's Marble Phantasm for an extensive period of time. You've been working hard as of late...a vacation will, no doubt, enhance your beauty even further."Hearing her Master's words, Nero's smile stretched to its limits as the thought of accompanying him for a long period of time was a rare privilege. The presence of others wouldn't diminish this, rather, it was always more exciting when other members of the Inner Sanctum were involved. The passage of a few 'years' within Avalon had brought about several changes, and, though she would occasionally butt heads with some of the stronger willed women, Nero now got along with the vast majority.After learning the details of what her Master had in mind, Nero was even more excited, as, based on the context, there would only be a handful of people present, potentially for months. She felt like the fates were smiling upon her this day, rewarding her for several months of hard work. The only thing that could have made it better was if Boudica also accompanied them, but, as the red-haired beauty had never developed an intimate relationship with Vahn, it would be somewhat awkward asking her to attend...With Nero up to speed, Vahn briefly considered whether or not he should inform Solon of what had happened before ultimately deciding against it. It wasn't that he didn't trust Solon, rather, after the latter became the Guardian Spirit of the World Tree, their Loyalty had skyrocketed. He could even get away with taking liberties, such as patting Solon's head, without any verbal protest. They would still glower at him, but, if he wanted, the peculiar green-haired Spirit would 'begrudgingly' acquiesce to his selfishness.The simple fact of the matter was, due to Gaia's significance, it was better to prevent 'outsiders' from learning about her. Solon would undoubtedly want to meet Gaia, but, until he could be certain there was absolutely no danger, Vahn would keep her protected within Avalon. He wouldn't bring her out until his plan had been enacted, but, more important than that, he would never force her to venture outside unless she was willing.Having made up his mind, Vahn embraced Nero tightly, teleporting them back the relatively short distance to Avalon. She could have easily returned on her own, not even taking an hour to do so, but it was always more meaningful when he personally went to pick his women up. They appreciated it a great deal, and, while it wasn't exactly efficient, matters of the heart often required delicacy, rather than expediency...---Shortly after the return of his second vessel, Vahn felt as if 'clarity' had been restored to his mind. It was always easier to have all of his bodies experiencing the same flow of time, allowing him greater control over his thoughts and actions.Though it might be a little too early for her, Vahn met Gaia's gaze, saying, "There is a place I would like to take you. It may be a little scary, but I'd like to introduce you to my important people. In the future, they will also do their best to protect and make you happy. It may take some time, but I'd like it if you became friends with some of them..."Despite being inside Tiamat's Marble Phantasm, Gaia was aware of almost everything taking place on her body. This didn't just include the Surface, either, but every Texture and Sub-Texture. After all, they were all a part of her. Thus, while she had been cradled in her Master's arms, Gaia knew what he had been up to in the outside world. Rather, if she sorted through her memories, she could see every action Vahn had ever taken since entering her world...After staring in a daze for nearly a full minute, Gaia slowly nodded her head before nestling against her Master's chest and saying, "As long as I'm with Master...I feel safe..."Feeling warmth spread through his heart in response to Gaia's words, Vahn put a little more strength into his embrace, assuring her, "I will protect you..."-----------------------------------------------------------------[Quest: Gaia's Champion]Rank: SSObjective(s): Protect Gaia until departure from the Record.Optional Objective(s): Increase Rapport between Gaia and Alaya(0/100), Increase Rapport between Gaia and Tiamat(0/100), Help Gaia make Friends(0/10), Summon Grand Servants to protect Gaia(0/7).Rewards: 900,000,000OP, Gaia's Loyalty permanently increased to 'Eternal Loyalty', 1x[Emblem of the Guardian God]Failure Condition(s): Expulsion from the Record, Failure to complete Main ObjectivePenalty: N/A-----------------------------------------------------------------Though his feelings were sincere, Vahn hadn't expected a Quest to suddenly appear out of thin air. It was actually a little annoying, as, for a fleeting moment, Gaia had smiled radiantly before closing her eyes and intoning 'Nn' in a contented tone...Doing his best to regulate his emotions, Vahn decided to just be happy for the additional boon. Even though he didn't really need a quest to tell him he should protect her, it was never bad to have extra rewards. It also gave him a basic idea of what he could do to ensure Gaia's happiness, helping her to make friends, and, most importantly, making her feel safe.Vahn did his best not to let it affect him, but he was actually a little shaken by the fact there was an Optional Objective to summon 'Grand' Servants. They were, without exception, the most powerful Heroic Spirits in existence. There was only one for each of the seven primary classes, and, despite a concerted effort, Vahn had been unable to summon a single one of them. This always made him feel a little worried, as, depending on the circumstances, the Grand Servants could have appeared as the enemies of the Empire.While it was something he would need to verify later, the fact it showed up as an Optional Objective led Vahn to believe that the 'requirement' for summoning a Grand Servant was permission from Gaia herself. They supposedly only appeared when the world was endangered, so, with Gaia now exposed and vulnerable, there was a good chance her greatest protectors would answer the call. If this turned out to be true, Vahn's plans would become incomparably smooth moving forward. After all, a single Grand Servant was generally all it took to prevent cataclysmic events, rivaling even beings like Cath Palug in might...Ignoring the temptation to immediately test his assumption, Vahn turned his attention to Tiamat and Alaya. They had been patiently observing everything that has been going on, seemingly with no end to their patience. Tiamat, especially, appeared just as happy as when he first arrived, if not more. As for Alaya, she had actually altered her appearance slightly, forgoing her general 'nakedness' in lieu of a form-fitting, somewhat futuristic-looking, bodysuit. This, strangely, enhanced her appearance quite a bit, causing Vahn to raise his brows slightly before smiling approvingly.With the attention of both girls focused on him, Vahn stated, "This time around, I will have the two of you accompany me. Gaia will need everyone's support and this is a good chance for the two of you to get along with everyone else. Tia, you'll have to be on your best behavior. As for you, Alaya, I trust you have come to understand the value of ingratiating yourself to the others. The fastest method to realize your goal is to win the sincere approval of everyone else. I won't force you, but, at the very least, I'd like you to get along with your sisters..."Alaya lightly frowned in response to her Master's words, finding them troublesome. She, of course, knew there was a fair amount of truth behind them, but, with the exception of the most powerful in Vahn's entourage, everyone else seemed 'beneath' her. She didn't have anything to say to them, as, in the grand scheme of things, anything worth talking about couldn't be disclosed. The only shared topic they could discuss was her Master, but, as she had built up some resentment towards all of his lovers, Alaya had no particular interest in getting along with them...After sorting her thoughts far quicker than even the fastest supercomputer, Alaya ultimately nodded her head, stating, "I will cooperate..." in half-hearted tone. She could, at the very least, associate with her two 'sisters', as, at least in Gaia's case, they had the same objectives. The latter was also her other half, so, while Tiamat was something of a nuisance, Alaya could tolerate her if it meant being able to spend time with her Master and counterpart.Though he could tell Alaya had no interest in associating with the members of the Inner Sanctum, Vahn wasn't going to force her. He would likely need to take action immediately after implementing his plan, but, by then, she would be freed from the restrictions placed upon her by Akasha. This was potentially dangerous, as there was a fair chance she might attack the others, but, after spending so much time together, Vahn believed Alaya would never do anything to intentionally harm him...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'What is love without theatrics and drama?','Unexpected boon','Vahn over here planting dangerous flags...')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

After discussing the matter at length, it was decided that, once she was willing to accept others, Arcueid would become Gaia's primary caretaker. They would also be using her Marble Phantasm in order to aid in Gaia's physical rehabilitation. As for her mental rehabilitation, that would require a concerted effort from everyone in the Ivory Castle, but, until she was ready to face a large number of people, Spenta would be asked to accompany her.Though Illya had made a case for using her Marble Phantasm for Gaia's rehab, she quickly perished the thought when Vahn coaxed her by saying he would stay with her after everyone returned from the Yokai District. As a result, she started considering who she should invite along with them, chiefly focusing on members of the Menagerie and her own mother. If she could convince the right people, they could even turn it into an extended vacation, albeit one filled with indulgence, debauchery, and a fair amount of training...Once everyone was on the same page, Vahn left it to them to inform the rest of the Inner Sanctum's residents. Gaia would become one of the Empire's greatest secrets, as, if her presence was known, it exponentially increased the danger to her, and, by proxy, the planet. Though almost nothing could outright kill Gaia, her death would mean the effective death of all Spirits, plants, animals, and even microbial life forms. Though it wouldn't be an instantaneous process, wind erosion and other factors would make the surface of the planet inhospitable to life, forcing its inhabitants to flee the fate they had wrought themselves.It would be a mild inconvenience, but Vahn had already resolved himself to accompany Gaia in order to facilitate communication and meaningful interactions with others. The sooner she could open her heart to others, the happier she would become. This would also guarantee the success of his future plans, so, even if it took months, or, even years, he would help break Gaia out of her shell. Then, for the first time in her long existence, she would, hopefully, be able to experience what it was like to be free...---While his main and tertiary bodies were busy dealing with the emergence of Gaia, Vahn's second body was enjoying Semiramis' soft and supple thighs as she used a cotton swab to gingerly clean his ears. She was still wearing the same outfit from before, leaving her upper and lower body completely exposed, but, as that only made the experience more enjoyable, Vahn had a contented smile on his face as he split his focus on what was happening in Avalon.Taking advantage of her Master's relaxed state, Semiramis set aside the cotton swab, gently stroking his hair with her right hand as she deftly pulled out a vial of pitch-black liquid. Then, with a curious smile on her face, she began to pour it into his ear canal. This caused a sudden and intense burning sensation in Vahn's ear, but, in spite of the pain, he just lightly chuckled, allowing the poison to fizzle out after momentarily perforating his eardrum.Once the poison was inert, Vahn rolled so that he could see Semiramis' twin peaks, her glimmering golden eyes, and her slightly sadistic smile. As strange as it might seem, her attempting to suddenly poison him was the same as saying she was in the mood. It was impossible for her to be honest with her feelings, so, rather than vocalizing her desires, she would rather give him liberties after failing in her attempts. The more potent the poison used, the more eager she was for attention, a dangerous, yet strangely adorable, quirk...With the edges of his smile curling up, Vahn held out his hand, eliciting a 'Hmm?' from Semiramis as she gingerly placed her own against his. She still had golden stakes running through her hand, but, with his ability to freely shape his body, Vahn was able to facilitate them. This made him one of the few people actually able to hold hands with Semiramis, but, more importantly, it was a method that allowed him to 'lock' her hand in place.Despite knowing it was a trap, Semiramis willingly allowed Vahn to capture her hand. She also made no attempt to escape when pulled her body to the side, uttering a seductive, "Brute..." while lazing languidly against his firm body. She was actually in a pretty uncomfortable position, but, rather than make things easier for Vahn, she began tracing the stake in her free hand across his body, eliciting a sound similar to metal scraping across metal...Semiramis only ever used the term 'brute' when she basically wanted him to do everything. This was a 'positive' outcome, but, as he knew she was trying to 'train' him, Vahn lightly rolled his eyes while she was fixated on his body. Her personality didn't allow her to be the one being manipulated, to the point she had invested several months just to create the 'illusion' that she was in control.Whenever they were alone, most of the communication between Vahn and Semiramis was based on verbal cues and properly interpreting body language. These were things he was 'forced' to pay close attention to, as, depending on her mood, she would spontaneously 'forbid' him from doing more. It was a little frustrating at times, but, as it was a unique experience, Vahn didn't mind playing her little game. Rather, it made visiting her pretty enjoyable, as, unless he used his ability to read the Flow of Fate, it was like solving a complex puzzle, one that promised ample rewards if he was successful...Following Semiramis' cue, Vahn freed her left hand before quickly adjusting her hips so that she was effectively straddling his face. He could see a very small amount of glistening moisture between her pale white thighs, accompanied by a slight smell of fruit. There was an approximately one-hundred percent chance she had applied some kind of poison, but, without minding that face, Vahn held her hips rather firmly before gingerly tracing his tongue around her sensitive bead.Before proceeding any further herself, Semiramis sat back, shamelessly using Vahn's face as a seat in order to fix her long hair. Even if it wasn't exactly the case, she enjoyed the thought of being able to smother him, pretending her body wasn't quickly heating up as she 'casually' collected her massive volume of hair, binding it several metallic clamps. This was a long and arduous process, but, due to how much hair she had, it was necessary if she wanted to avoid getting it caught and entangled...After nearly half an hour, Semiramis' complexion had become suffused with a ruddy and sensual glow. Her body was also covered in a very thin layer of sweat, causing her to glisten slightly in the low light of the room. As for Vahn, he had 'dutifully' paced himself so that she would be able to fix her hair without 'interruption'. This always made Semiramis feel like he was a loyal puppy, but, as their positions could reverse very quickly, she never dared to vocalize such thoughts.With her hair neatly braided and bound, Semiramis breathed a sigh of relief. Immediately afterward, she felt a jolt run through her body as Vahn's tongue pressed into one of her most sensitive spots. It wasn't enough to make her immediately climax, but she had to bite her finger in order to suppress it. Then, before he could push her over the edge, she pulled her hips forward, quickly extricating herself from his assault. This left Vahn on the bed, looking like a man who had just been pulled from the sea as his face and hair were completely matted with love juices.Semiramis knew better than to look directly at Vahn during moments like this, so, pretending she was unaffected by his tirelessly assault, she ran her fingers through her fringe bangs, saying, "You did well...I suppose a reward is in order, wouldn't you agree~?"Due to her impassioned state, Semiramis' voice sounded even more seductive than normal. Instead of answering her, however, Vahn just let his dragon speak for itself, causing it to twitch 'impatiently' in response to her words. If he tried to make a verbal 'plea', she would just tease him at both of their expense. Thus, without saying a single word, he grabbed her hips, using his thumbs to separate her slightly swollen vulva, extending his tongue towards her palpitating entrance.With another wave of pleasure flooding her body with endorphins, Semiramis released a sonorous, yet subdued, sigh. Then, with a gratified smile on her face, one she never allowed others to see, she brought her face closer to Vahn's member, running the tip of her golden stake across its length. She was always surprised by how large it was, but, as her body was somehow able to accommodate its full length, she also felt a strange sense of pride when seeing it up close...Though she was tempted to tease her Master even longer, Semiramis knew he was very capable of 'denying' her release. Her body had already started to ache, the tingling sensation quickly becoming an unbearable itch. Thus, rather than meander about excessively, Semiramis lightly kissed the tip of Vahn's penis, her black lipstick leaving a small imprint on the glistening protrusion. This was another form of poison, but, rather than one intended to cause seizures or cardiac arrest, it was designed to increase blood flow to the penis, preventing it from flowing back.Under 'normal' circumstances, Semiramis' poison was effectively a death sentence, as, after a few hours, the blood would begin to stagnate, causing it to rapidly turn gangrenous before ultimately 'falling off'. For this reason, it was called [Succubus' Kiss], allowing the victim to experience great pleasure prior to their death. Against Vahn, however, the poison had virtually no effect, causing his glans to briefly swell before returning to normal in less than a second.Rather than be annoyed, Semiramis had become fond of Vahn's resilience against her poisons. In the past, it had troubled her a great deal, but, with long periods of time between each of their meetings, she had a lot of time to think. She knew Vahn treated her better than she actually deserved, so, while she could never admit it, Semiramis was very thankful to him. He accepted her selfishness without a single sign of perturbance, and, though she knew her efforts were futile, Semiramis appreciated the fact he at least pretended to be tamed by her...As this thought crossed her mind, Semiramis used one hand to pull aside her bangs before grabbing the base of Vahn's penis with the tips of her fingers. The golden stake in her hand was inconvenient at times like this, but, if she tried her best, it wasn't really an issue. Vahn would never complain about her relatively inexperienced actions, giving her as much leeway as she needed to improve at her own pace. This was another thing she appreciated about his character, as, before meeting him, Semiramis had always felt men were selfish beings who thought more with their lower body than their brains...Emboldened by her own thoughts, Semiramis began to tracer her tongue around the tip of Vahn's glans, her perpetually gloved hands awkwardly stimulating his length. It was always surprising how 'sweet' Vahn's bodily fluids were, but, as it was infinitely better than what most experienced women would expect, Semiramis felt a strange attraction to the startlingly hot meat rod. Thus, after licking the tip for a few seconds, she tried to mentally prepare herself before parting her lips and lowering her head...---Things with Semiramis always progressed very slowly, so, by the time things actually started to heat up, more than seven hours had passed back in Avalon. In that time, Gaia had made a decent amount of progress in controlling her body, reversing the flow of 'wings' that had erupted from her back. She even managed to reabsorb the vast majority, but, as if they were 'supposed' to be there, she still had three pairs, each wrapping around her body as if to protect it from harm.Unlike normal wings, Gaia's were amorphous in quality, allowing them to smoothly curve around her body as if they were completely bereft of bones. As for the feathers themselves, they were smoother than even the softest downy feathers Vahn had ever experienced, sharing the same quality as Gaia's body itself. He, honestly, didn't know how he was able to keep ahold of her for so long as, from the moment she first appeared, Vahn felt like he was going to drop her. He even speculated that, if not for Gaia 'wanting' to be held, it would be completely impossible to hold onto her...As she felt guilty about not being able to control her body properly, Gaia had a fretful look on her face, almost like a child that was admitting to her parent that she had done something wrong. This transition hadn't been missed by Vahn, so, before she could say anything, he held her a little tighter and said, "You did well. Those wings of yours are very cute, not something you should be ashamed of..."Despite her Master's words, Gaia still felt guilty, causing her to lightly cling to his shirt as she softly stated, "Master is kind...I will continue doing my best..."Now it was Vahn's turn to feel guilty, an apologetic smile on his face as he hugged her close and said, "I know you will...I believe in you, Gaia. Now, take as much time as you need...I'll be here with you..."Though it was weak, a very small smile returned to Gaia's face as she leaned her head against her Master's chest and intoned a delicate 'Nn...'.(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'The Room of Spirit and Time has nothing on Marble Phantasms','Relationships take on various forms...','You can do it, Gaia! Fight-o!')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Chapter 1495: Black Rose