Midsummer 8, 6107 RTR (Feb 17, 2008) Alptraum seeks out the demon Verminous to assist Kaira in controlling the fey population.
(The Right Hand of Shadow) (Alptraum) (Sylvania) (Vorgulremik)
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Squamous. It's an adjective that seems ambiguous at first, until you run across something that it describes perfectly. After going through another labyrinthine series of locked gateways within the dagger, Alptraum finally arrives in the demesne of the demon Verminous. It is dark, humid and squishy in the way that a swamp isn't but the inside of a colon might be. It stinks, squelches and is full of unpleasantly organic sounds. Squamous, indeed.

Alptraum's visage in wraith from isn't exactly pleasant to look at; gaunt and patchy with chitinous plates and the occasional tendril of shadow rippling from its surface. The completely blind eyes only make it that much more creepy … and yet somehow the smell of this place makes him grimace and look even worse. "Lovely place this demon calls home," he rasps softly as he takes a few steps into the disgusting world. His claws sink into the soft 'ground', and then pull away with a squelchy sound. At least he remembers he has a tail as the wraith now, and keeps that from dragging in the muck. His ears flick forward, relying on the sounds even more so that usual, given his vision is in its … 'spirit' mode. "How, where would he be?" the Eeee-Demon wonders.

Barsunala-vision renders everything in shades of silver, which is probably a blessing. After walking for a short while, Alptraum comes across a trident – or possibly a pitchfork – stabbed into a mound of quivering entrails on the ground. The weapon appears black with a silvery aura, while the pile of guts flickers and manages to look slimy, even if a silvery sort of slimy. There are eyes in the mix, that all swivel to look at the transformed, chitinous Eeee.

Alptraum is thankful indeed that everything is silvery right now. He kneels down beside the squirming mass impaled by the trident. "So, do you speak?" the wraith rasps. He reaches out an flicks the handle of the trident with a chitinous finger.

The iron trident rings with a musical tone at the flicking, which causes the mound of flesh to quiver in apparent torment (if the eyes watering indicate such). The mass gives out several gastric, rude sounds in reply, and then all of the eyes flick in a single direction, looking deeper into the strange domain.

Alptraum nods slightly. "Is that the direction of your master, then?" the Demon-Eeee rasps. "Blink once to indicate yes, twice for no."

The eyes all quiver and rolls about. Apparently there aren't any actual eyelids available for blinking.

Alptraum laughs a disturbing rasp, then nods. "Fair enough. I will go that way," he tells the pile. Standing, the demon-Eeee now heads in the direction the eyes had looked. "Lovely place. Can't show anyone how … creepy this place makes me feel. Geh, I hope I can manage negotiating with a demon without losing my skin," he thinks.

Further in are more of the impaled gut-piles, until finally Alptraum comes to a truly large pile, with over sized organs and multiple tridents pinning it down. It shivers and gurgles loudly, with melon-sized red eyes staring off blankly and tendon-wrapped bones protruding from odd angles. At the top of the mound, something large moves about, until it rises up to become a tooth-studded tongue that turns to face the bat.

Alptraum tries to keep from cringing at the sight. The best he can manage is to stand there and look impassive. "Are you Lord Verminous?" the wraith rasps, trying to sound bored, as if the sight of entrails with a large tongue are commonplace.

The tip of the tongue splits open to form a mouth of sorts, and the whole thing expands as it gulps in air, then shudders as it speaks in a gurgling hiss, "I am lord of many things. Who seeks out the Mighty Verminous?"

"The Barsunala, son of the Goddess of death of the Eeee," Alptraum replies in a hiss. "Ally to Kaira, the custodian of the spirit prison."

"These are Names I am not familiar with," the tongue-thing gobbles. "What do you seek, Son of Death?"

"I wish to speak with Verminous on a matter of order, and a matter of his future. I know that he is imprisoned here by the acts of Vorgulremik and has been deemed to be sent to oblivion when the time comes. However, oblivion need not be his fate," Alptraum answers as he folks his torn, shadow-wings about himself. "Will Verminous speak with me? Or is he satisfied with oblivion? If so, I will go."

The mount quivers, and the speaking orifice says, "I will grant you audience to the Lord Verminous, once you have removed the restraining pins from my flesh."

"Very well. But if you betray me, the consequences will be dire," Alptraum warns, blind eyes narrowing. His tattered wings snap back and the demon-Eee moves to the mound of flesh. Trying to only breathe through his mouth, he tries to pull one of the tridents free. Inwardly, he hopes the iron in here won't burn him.

The touch of the iron is hot, but not burning. The first trident slips out easily enough, dripping goo and ooze from its barbed tips, and releasing a truly foul odor from the wound left behind.

Alptraum throws the trident aside, then proceeds to the next one quickly to avoid the smell as much as possible. He continues this until he has wrenched the final trident free (or encounters resistance).

The huge mound lurches once the last one comes free. With a truly disturbing amount of squelching and straining and distorting, the whole mass folds up onto itself. Under all of that flesh was apparently the skin, and seems line up as the bones snap back into place, revealing something mixed of equal parts frog, dragon, rat and… squid. The body is still studded with eyes amidst the scales, glistening hide and matted fur, and the great, wide batrachian mouth opens to reveal the speaking-tongue again, while the two largest of the eyes swivel independently to focus on Alptraum. "I am Lord Verminous," it claims.

"Then it is an honor to meet you, Lord Verminous," the Barsunala rasps and even offers a short bow. Again, the demon-Eeee's wings fold around himself, the shadow rippling and flowing like oil. "I am here to work an arrangement with you. How aware are you of the situation within the other worlds contained in this prison?"

The demon takes its time replying, as if uncertain how much of its knowledge to reveal. "They are beyond my reach," it finally admits. "Master Vorgulremik has kept me in my eviscerated state for… a very long time."

"He is no longer your master. Through my efforts, and those of others, he has been defeated and contained. This has left the matter of cleaning up his … larder," Alptraum rasps as he approaches the strange demon before him. "If you need proof, I wear some of his blood as a souvenir," he adds and holds up his right hand.

"You are the new Master then?" the demon asks, lowering its chins as if to bow.

"Not entirely, but close. I am equal-partner to the spell-dragon that is managing control of these worlds. As I have duties to tend to outside these walls, I cannot remain here all the time to maintain order. Namely, I have to be outside in order to release those bound," Alptraum rasps in reply and lowers his right hand. "However, as spirits are released, the other spirits have begun … rioting. Which is, frankly, stupid as it is counter-productive to their freedom. But that is beside the point; I am seeking additional powerful allies within these walls to aide the spell-dragon called Kaira, crafted from one known as Kainudy, to keep order as the prison is dismantled. Your name came up as a demon of power." The demon-Eeee tilts his head, blank eyes 'observing' the mass. "However, I know little about you, save your world was sealed off. Tell me of yourself, so that I may judge your suitability."

"I am the Demon Lord who punishes those who renege on blood oaths," Verminous says. "I turn them inside-out until they are willing to serve me as my minions. The dragon Vorgulremik tricked me, by making and then deliberately breaking such an oath, so that I would be summoned for him to consume." At this retelling, various tentacles lash the ground in agitation.

Alptraum snorts a bit at that. "I see. That sounds like him, yes," the demon-Eeee admits. "Where are your former servants, then? Are they bound as well?"

"Many are here, pinned down as I was," Verminous says. "Many more were taken from me to feed the dragon. But I can always find more."

"And what do they become if they agree to be your minion?" Alptraum inquires next, trying to discover just how … nasty this demon is.

The monster gestures to a nearby pile of quivering organs. "Release that one, and I will show you."

Alptraum walks over and grips the device pinning its 'minion' down. He then yanks it free.

The mass undergoes a transformation like that of the demon, folding up until its insides are inside once more. The result is a humanoid figure covered in slimy, amphibian skin. The texture is warty, but the warts themselves are eyes scattered across the body. The head itself is eyeless though, with the only features being an ear in the middle of the forehead and wide, toothy maw beneath it. One arm ends in reptilian talons, while the other is no more than a tooth-studded tentacle that is coiled like a whip. The creature moans as it regains this form.

"Delightful form you give your minions," Alptraum rasps as he reaches out and prods it once. He turns back to face the large demon, asking, "And they take this fate by breaking an oath? So, it is of their own choosing?"

"It is the form I choose for them," the demon says proudly. "They will serve me by hunting down those who violate their word, and whipping them. Those who violate a blood oath, they will bring back to me for further punishment."

"Indeed. Well, know that your world was one of a few that was selected to be sent to oblivion instead of being freed," Alptraum rasps as he approaches Verminous again. "However, that fate can be averted. That is, if we can reach agreement on your assistance on helping to maintain order in the other worlds. Are you willing to discuss an arrangement to our mutual benefit?"

"Contracts are what being a demon is all about," the monstrous Verminous claims. "So long as my services fall close to those I am made to perform, we will have an agreement."

"So, freedom is not necessarily enough to win your agreement, then," Alptraum reasons, his skedat-like shadow tail whipping back and forth behind him. "What we need is someone to help maintain order. The fighting distracts from maintaining the transfer gates, which are needed to release them in the first place."

"Was there an arrangement in place before, where the beings agreed to abide the rule of this Kaira in exchange for release?" the demon asks.

"There was. And they honored it until there were enough released that the spell-dragon was weakened. Then they figured they could do as they wish. Kaira, the spell-dragon, has kept to her word to them, though, and still works for their release. They are undermining the effort, though, and that has annoyed me. My domain is death, though, and aside from consigning them to oblivion, I cannot punish or force them to obey their promise," the wraith rasps.

"Then I will enforce this promise in your place," Verminous declares. "Open the path and free my minions, and they will find those who transgress the worst, and… make examples of them. Those who continue to act counter to the agreement will be targeted next, until the rest honor their promises once more."

"And you ask for nothing else?" Alptraum inquires to be certain.

"It is my purpose," Verminous declares. "Those who have broken oaths shall be punished by me personally, and will become my minions to pay off their treachery, or else suffer for eternity."

"Then this has been a simpler matter than I expected. Many other demons all wish me to perform services for them before they would assist in my concerns. I will speak with Kaira about your removal from the oblivion list as payment for your services," Alptraum rasps. "I will see to your minions before I leave your domain. I look forward to working with you in resolving the matter of Vorgulremik's prison."

There are a lot of impaled blobs to be released, and not all of them immediately form into minions. The ones that don't are quickly – and messily – devoured by Verminous, only to be vomited back up in ever worse shape some time later. Once those who agree to serve have been released, Kaira opens the way for them to leave the pocket reality and do their work 'outside' amidst the rest of the population.

As Alptraum sees the final 'minion' depart, he turns to face the demon. "Since you have not heard of the Barsunala, nor of the Eeee, then I assume that your domain does not cover my 'world', correct?" he inquires.

"Not all realms know of me," Verminous admits. "Those that do are bound by their oaths, and will be punished by me for breaking them. Others have their own demons, I presume, although likely none so dedicated as I."

"Indeed. My 'world' has never heard of you. But we have our own ways of dealing with those that break oaths. I will, however, take what I have seen here as possible advisement to those that handle such things. They may find your solution in dealing with them interesting," Alptraum rasps. "Well, I believe our business is concluded. If you need to contact me, send word to the spell-dragon. She can contact me easily; we share a bond."

"Of course," Verminous says, with a horrific smile. "I will serve her and you faithfully, and when those of these realms pass on to new lives, they will remember me, and carry me with them to those new worlds."

Alptraum actually pats the side of Verminous. "Until we speak again," he rasps, then turns and starts the disgusting march out of this fleshy world.

Once outside, in the odd non-space between worlds where Kaira waits for him, is it once more safe to breath through his nose. "A number of horrible monsters just passed by before you," the dragon comments. "I hope that is a good sign?"

"Hopefully. That demon punishes those who have broken oaths. As the immortals violated the agreement with you, his minions will punish them for it," Alptraum rasps, remaining in the Barsunala-Shadow hybrid form for now. "He didn't even request anything from me. I said I would speak with you on removing him from the oblivion list. As it is the actions of others that condemn them to a fate of facing him, I am not against releasing him. Even if he is disgusting beyond words."

"Ah, he didn't need to ask for anything more," Kaira notes. "You just offered to make him into a god."

"Would you have had a better suggestion? We have limited choice," Alptraum points out.

"No, Vorgulremik knew exactly who would be best suited for this," Kaira says, sounding upset nonetheless.

Alptraum holds up his hands, then sighs a bit. Though still in wraith form, he slips around and hugs Kaira from behind. "All in all, it could be worse. We needed the help," Alptraum whispers. "I do wish I could have kept them in line, but … I have little direct control of them."

"You don't seem the type to be a disciplinarian," Kaira comments quietly. "Besides, I'm sure that after a few people have been turned inside out by those goons, things will settle down. At least, that's my hope."

"You don't think I can be vengeful enough to keep people in line?" Alptraum asks. "Or is it you don't want me to have to become that for fear of what else I may become?"

"More the latter than the former," the dragon admits. "I know that I am terrible at it myself – I'm just too pretty to strike fear into people. And being beaten by the Shadow didn't do much for my reputation either."

"And I'm that shadow now," Alptraum comments as he holds up his hand, tendrils of darkness flowing and squirming along it. "Maybe they would have listened to me because of that. But … maybe not. And really, I'm worried how evil I could become too, if I embraced it to help things here. Vorgulremik is trying to encourage me to be more like him, too. He told me to devour Melusine."

Kaira seems to seriously consider that for a few moments. "Well… maybe if she gets out of line," she ends up muttering. "Speaking of things in the real world, I don't suppose your new girlfriend has any executions lined up you can take advantage of?"

"Not that I'm aware of. That's a really grim suggestion, too. Do you want me to ask her?" Alptraum inquires as his body starts to shift while he's holding Kaira. "And speaking of that, I'm not even sure if she officially is my girlfriend."

"Well, that's for you to figure out," the dragon notes with a bit of a grin. "And yes, you should ask her. You've got responsibilities and needs too after all."

"That's a rather creepy need, though. It's almost as bad as if I asked her to let me devour them. Almost," Alptraum points out, his body still rippling. "And yes, I do. I want her to be. I … well, actually, I want to show her this place. It might help explain why I would be asking her something so grim."

"Oh my, even with people getting turned inside-out now?" Kaira asks. "Or would you like to show her the golf course instead?"

"She's turned people into hogs and other such things," Alptraum comments, "But probably some place a little calmer would be a good idea." Alptraum's body quits squirming around Kaira, and the dragoness finds herself being hugged by the black dragon form he had worked up on the beach for her a bit ago. "I guess I want her to understand the complexities of the things I'm dealing with."

Noticing the completed transformation now, Kaira grins and asks, "And what did you want to do right now, hmm? Go look at places to show her?"

"That's one possibility, sure," Alptraum agrees as he releases Kaira. "Or are there other things I can help with while I'm here?" He also flashes a fangy grin, adding, "And I thought you would appreciate this form for a bit. After all, I made it for you. It should be good for that draconic ego of yours."

"Are you catering to my ego now?" Kaira asks, still smiling. "I can't complain about that. As for other things… well, we need to give this new strategy time to play out."

Alptraum kneels and takes her hand. Grinning, he says, "Now, is having a young drake at your call catering to your ego? Perhaps just a little bit." He stands and stretches out, then nods, "Yes, I suppose so. Best not to have two strategies going at the same time. They might collide or worse, one of us ends up inside-out."

"It's catering to something, certainly," Kaira says coyly.

"You're turning into a monster," Alptraum comments and gives Kaira a playful nudge with his elbow. "So, places. What would you recommend to show her that would give her an idea of the vastness of the problem, but without the … grossness."

"The ruins of my old command center perhaps," Kaira suggests. "Where the Shadow rampaged."

"How's it look right now? Same as when we were last there?" Alptraum inquires.

The dragoness nods.

"That would probably work. Nothing should remain there of the shadow. It either absorbed into me or faded, if I remember right. Maybe we should check, though," Alptraum comments and rubs his chin for a moment.

The scenery (such as there is) blurs until they're once more in the ruined warehouse structure that used to be Kaira's office. There are still piles of rubble and broken walls all about.

"Hello?" the dragon-Eeee calls out as he peers about the rubble.

There's no reply. The ruins are just as abandoned as when Alptraum last visited.

"I don't think I'll ever get this cleaned up," Kaira mutters.

"Where is your current base of operations, then? Do you need this place cleaned up?" Alptraum asks.

"Well, since nobody will work with me, I don't have one," Kaira notes. "And until then, I don't see the point in cleaning up."

"I work with you," Alptraum points out. He rubs his neck, feeling over the ridge that runs along it. "It really bothers you that they abandoned you, doesn't it?"

The dragon… pouts. "A bit," she admits.

"Well, I won't abandon you," Alptraum notes. The black drake turns around, his head tilting a bit as he considers Kaira for a moment. His lips curl back into a sly smile.

"You'd better not!" Kaira warns, but not in a threatening tone. "Even if Vorg gives better advice than I do at times."

"Oh, I wasn't thinking of abandoning you," Alptraum notes, lips twitching to suppress and outright grin.

"Hmm," Kaira replies. "So, wanna make out on the ruins of my old desk?"

Alptraum barks out a laugh finally. "Well, I was thinking of reenacting your defeat by the shadow … except instead of freezing you… " the drake notes as he heads towards Kaira, " … well, making the 'defeat' not so bad… "

"Oh my," Kaira says, mock-swooning. "It was such an utter defeat too… "

"Yes, you are becoming a monster," Alptraum says. He draws closer, then pushes Kaira backward and onto the remains of her desk, pinning her there. "Tsk, tsk," the drake chides, "The only think I can promise you is this defeat won't hurt … as much."

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GMed by BoingDragon

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