Ruinous Return

Lyn saw the large creature descend to the nearby forest and looked at Vael and Gael, "Did you see that?"

The two nodded, and Vael spoke, "It appeared to be a mountain wyvern, my Lady."

"And someone was atop it," Gael stated.

Lyn smiled. That fucker did it! Thomas had always talked about taming weird fantasy creatures. He had always wanted to fly, and he had talked about befriending a dragon to have a means to travel the skies. Looks like he figured out how to tame a draconic cousin. "Follow me, but stay concealed," Lyn stated as she began to run towards the tree line in the direction the wyvern had landed.

She rapidly fired off an internal spell, "Gothron i gwanno / min enni / nan in togwath / hadano hain / anno nin thron / a nin gwelu." The incantation focused on empowering her muscles – much like the simple version she used when testing out her body's physical capabilities –enhanced reaction time, and increased movement speed by pushing more mana into the lower legs. She dashed through the trees and her Bodyguards were barely able to keep sight of her as she ran through the forest.

She slowed down as she saw a clearing and heard the mewling and muttering of the wyvern. She saw a tall, lanky man in robes with a hip flask, a backpack, and several satchels strapped to his waist. His black hair had a few grey strands. Ten years, plus the five we were here before assaulting the dread fortress, so he's thirty-three. Not bad looking for that age, Lyn thought as she looked at them from the undergrowth. Thomas was a little too academic for her tastes, but he always had interesting things to talk about even before the summoning fifteen years ago. She could talk to him for hours. Behind Misty, probably my second-best friend of the bunch.

The other man was tall and his muscles were taut under his leather armor. Oddly enough, he wore shorts with knee-high boots, showing off his massive quads. Two quivers were strapped to him, and a long, ornate bow was on his back. And there's Volio, she thought with distaste filling her. The creep always had perved on her at the skate park and stared at her in class. Seeing his ruddy hair and pock-marked face filled her with revulsion. She vividly recalled the time he tried to kiss her on the field, and she had to push him away and tell him to back off. His presence made her skin crawl. He was a creep.

The twins came up behind her and whispered very quietly, just loud enough for Lyn to hear, "What do you command, my Lady?"

"Give me a moment," she responded. I want them to know I'm alive and back. The best way would be talking in English. She cleared her throat and stood up, switching to her native language. "Thomas! Volio!"

Both men looked over at her. Volio pulled his longbow and nocked an arrow, aiming it at her. Thomas backed up toward his mount, which craned its head around him and growled in Lyn's direction. "How do you know English?" Thomas asked with genuine curiosity, responding in the same language.

Lyn walked forward with her hands up, leaving the clearing. "It's me. It's Lyn."

Volio's grip on his bow wavered and he let the shaft go loose in his grip, slowly lowering the weapon. "I knew it!" He looked to Thomas and grinned. "I knew she was alive!"

Thomas looked at Lyn with a quizzical glare. "No…this can't be Lyn. It's a trick. I saw this Duskari using an external lava spell. It's the Destroyer. The Demonic Dragon reborn. It must have consumed Lyn's Scout core, and learned the language from that."

Lyn grunted, exasperated. "Really? Fine. I'll tell you something only the real Lyn would know. In the fourth grade, you showed up to class with two different color shoes. We called you 'Tommy two-shoes' for months. You hated it, and your mom came to the school to yell at us as a class. But Kory called you Tommy tinkles, because of the time you wet your pants on the playground after he pushed you off the slide. That one led to your mom suing the school."

Thomas' face clouded over as the recollection washed over him. "You…How…"

Lyn took a few more steps forward, "I told you. I'm Lyn. I beat the Demonic Dragon, then appeared back on Earth. I forced my way back through an inscription. But I must have fucked it up, because…well, I'm Duskari, and it's been ten years. But it's still me. And you all took the fucking credit!" She felt the anger rise up in her once more. These assholes stole the glory that should have been hers. "How'd you do it, huh? A spell that blotted me from memory? From history? No one remembers me!"

Volio's face broadened into a creepy smile and he cackled with delight. "I knew it was you! Oh, Lyn…" his eyes glazed over and his stare sent chills down her spine. "We'll tell everyone you're alive! We'll help you-"

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His words were cut off as a loud snapping of a branch came from behind them, and a squadron of the Duskari who were out training charged out from the opposite side of the clearing. They couldn't have seen Lyn, as the wyvern was blocking view of her until their charge. Thomas wheeled around, "Shit! It's an ambush!" He clambered atop his Wyvern and it took off, arcing skyward as a few training arrows went after it fruitlessly.

"Damnit!" Lyn shouted in English before swapping to Arinol, "Hold!" The Duskari did so without question, but stared at Volio as the archers in their group tracked Thomas' wyvern. "Put the damned bows down," she said. They did so, and waited for orders.

Volio looked up at her, rubbing the back of his head. "It's okay, I'm fine." He stared at Lyn with that creepy smile. "You…ah…erm…hi."

Vael and Gael walked up behind Lyn, "What should we do with him?" Vael asked bluntly.

Lyn held her hand up for them to stop moving. She switched back to English. "It's good to see you, Volio," she replied. Just pretend like you like him. She wasn't a fan of manipulating people, but she could use him. Get him to talk to the other heroes for her – convince them that she was alive, and she just wanted the glory of the kill and praise for stopping the Demonic Dragon. That she wasn't going to be an evil Destroyer hellbent on ruining the world. I just have to play along with it for a bit.

She spared a glance skyward to Thomas and his Wyvern flying far off in the sky. I need to talk to him. At least tell him something more. She began to incant an external spell.

"Higher, Hector!" Thomas shouted as he stood in his makeshift stirrups to keep atop his mount. Hector's wings flapped mightily and they ascended higher and higher into the clouds. I need to be out of range. His mind was rattled. That person was clearly the Demonic Dragon reborn as a Destroyer. He had seen the external spell. Only one entity could use lava – he had come across no other in his extensive historical research. But how did she know about that story at school?

The memory made his cheeks go red with embarrassment and he felt the heat rush to his face. The feeling of being picked on by the other nineteen students that he had grown up with in every grade level. The humiliation that drove him to cry at home. The further embarrassment when his mom drove him to school the next day and yelled at the other kids. He grabbed his flask and took a long draw from it.

There was a gust of wind that shot past him, and he reflexively guided Hector to dodge. But no explosion came from the blast of air. Instead, a voice speaking in English – that Destroyer-woman's voice echoed around him. "Look, I know you don't believe me. I promise I'm Lyn. I'll mark off a landing area if you ever want to visit. You're safe here. Come talk. Please."

He looked down at the forest below. He was familiar with the message spell that the Destroyer used; Lyn had made it after studying with Misty, and she was an expert in using it thanks to the Scout core's predilection for wind external spells. But, the Destroyer core is strong enough to consume hero cores. He knew that, in the order of hierarchy, the strongest mana core on Ghomar was that of the Destroyer. Next, was the Paragon – James – and then the rest of the heroes. That explains the proficiency with wind external spells. But…that didn't explain the memories. Mana cores didn't carry memories. I saw the corpse. Misty saw Lyn strike the killing blow with her mind memory external spell. Maybe…the Destroyer takes on the memories of the person who last defeated it? A theory, and he had no way to prove it.

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"Hector, circle!" The mount did so, and Thomas peered through his spyglass, spotting the figure in the clearing, talking to Volio. It seemed…peaceful. If Volio thinks it really is Lyn, nothing is going to change his mind. But this presented an opportunity. He was promised a safe landing and passage. It would be risky, but a plan began to form in his mind. "Hector, fly on!" he shouted to his wyvern. Using his fingers on a sensitive part of the wyvern's spine, he dictated the direction for him to fly, and they began moving South-West towards the Kingdom of Khrelardia. Towards James.

Volio followed Lyn and her squad back to the dread fortress. His eyes were glued to her. His dark angel. The woman he had devoted ten years to finding. She was back! And she looked even better than before. Not as thick, but voluptuous and enticing. Hips just begging to be caressed, a body fit for worship.

She turned her head back to him and said something in Arinol, before shaking her head slightly and switching to English. "Sorry. I've been using that language a lot recently. It's been ten years, right?"

Volio nodded, "Uhm…yes…"

She nodded and turned forward once more, resuming their short journey. Volio couldn't keep his eyes off of her – not even when they left the forest and saw the imposing dread fortress with Shiverburn Summit above. Not even when squadrons of Duskari with training weapons formed up around them and escorted them inside. The only time that he didn't focus on her was when there was no lighting.

She turned to him, then, deep in the dread fortress. Her soft, more feminine voice was slightly off-putting; but he could tell by how she spoke. The cadence, the way her voice had a slight musical quality reflective of her taste in music: speaking in measured four-four tempo at a moderate rate of beats-per-minute. "We don't have torches. Do you want a light source?"

Volio shook his head and reached into his bag, pulling out a set of goggles with an inscription. He poured some of his mana into the item, and the room brightened with a slight, rosy hue. Lyn led him deep into a citadel and through a hidden door that they hadn't seen on their first time here, ten years ago. Deeper into the cave complex they went. Lyn gestured to a broad door, "These are your quarters as long as you want to stay." She sounded very sincere and Volio swooned at his protector inviting him into her citadel.

"I…erm…thanks…" he replied quietly, overcome by the presence of his beloved.

Lyn pointed to a tall, Duskari male. "Gael will be your Bodyguard for now and will ensure you are safe within Lynhold."

Oh, she named it after herself. Volio nodded and turned to the man who looked at him with piercing, red eyes that were appraising him. Shit. I don't know much Arinol. He was able to get out the word for 'hello', and turned back to Lyn who was conversing with the female lookalike to his new Bodyguard. She got me a Bodyguard, too. She wants to protect me. His dark angel. She turned to him and smiled gently, "I'll come talk to you after you've settled in." Lyn turned and left with the other woman.

Volio opened the door and found a well-appointed chamber. A queen sized bed, a tub and chamber pot with inscriptions to facilitate their function, a tall wardrobe, and a chest. He turned to Gael and bowed gently, "Thank you," he said in English. Gael cocked his head sideways, pointed at Volio, and then rubbed his stomach. "Oh, no, I'm good," Volio replied, miming back to Gael that he was full.

The Duskari nodded and took up a position outside of the door. Volio shut it before looking at the tub. I should make myself presentable. He pulled Lyn's shirt out of his pouch and took a deep breath, inhaling her scent.

Once they were a good distance away, Vael broke the silence. "My Lady, why take in a Human?"

"He's the Archer hero." Keep up the façade. Only Volio and Thomas knew that she was actually Lyn, not this reborn Demonic Dragon. I'm not good at lying outright. Instead… She turned to Vael and smiled gently, "I spoke to him in that language to gain his trust. He thinks I am his beloved Scout hero that slew my prior incarnation and died delivering the final blow. I am going to use that perceived connection. He will serve me, and as he is a hero, he can travel and gather intel for us."

Vael nodded, "A smart decision, my Lady."

"I'll be in my chambers. Go, fetch someone who is skilled at metallurgy."

Vael saluted and left as Lyn opened the doors to her room. She shut them behind immediately after and took several deep breaths. I can't believe I have to put up with that creep. Volio had been obsessed with her – basically a stalker. He had followed her and Misty to the skate park. He had followed Lyn home. One time she caught him staring into her windows at home – and when she told her dad, her father beat her thinking she was sleeping around with boys around town. The thought of his abuse brought the feeling of incensed rage to the forefront, pushing aside the disgust at Volio's behavior.

I just have to convince him that it will be worth his while. She could give him treasure. She could give him attention. But there was no way she would give him what she knew he wanted. She went over to the bed and stared up at the mirror on the ceiling, once more appreciating her physique in this suit of resplendent armor. There were a few ways she could play him. It was obvious he was enamored. Enthralled. I could use a reward system, she thought, thinking back to when their elementary school teacher implemented just that. Something small to start. A scouting mission in exchange for a hug. Something small. And she knew she would have a firm limit. No way she would sleep with the creep. That was right out.

There was a knock on the door. "Enter!" Lyn shouted in Arinol.

Vael opened the door and a servant-caste Duskari came in. "My Lady, you asked for a smithy?"

Lyn stood up, "Yes, I want you to create an emblem. My emblem. One we can make quickly and in large quantity to give to our allies. Tell me, are you skilled at inscription?"

The smith shook his head and bowed, "I'm not, your Ladyship."

"That is fine. Vael? I want someone who is skilled at inscription – whoever we have that's the best at it – to work alongside our smiths."

"Yes, my Lady." Vael replied.

Lyn looked back at the smith, "I'll provide the design tomorrow." The smithy bowed and left, and Vael was about to shut the door, but Gael walked up with Volio in tow.

"My Lady," Gael said in Arinol, "Your…guest wants to see you."

Lyn nodded and gestured for them to come in. Speaking in Arinol, she replied, "I want both you and Vael inside, flanking the doors. Make no hostile movement even if he acts strangely." The two nodded and took positions on opposite sides of the doors. Lyn switched to English, "You cleaned up well," she said.

Volio nodded and bowed his head slightly, "Thanks…The room is nice."

Lyn gestured to the nearby table, "Please, sit." She took a seat, and Volio walked over plopping himself down as well. He didn't have his equipment, gear, or pack. Lyn looked past him to Vael and switched to Arinol, "Go into his chambers and make note of his equipment. I want a full catalogue. You have ten minutes. Make sure it looks the same as when you found it. Take nothing." Vael nodded and bowed before leaving the room.

"You…you look different," Volio muttered. "Still good! Just…different."

Lyn nodded and leaned forward, willing her armor to expose a little bit of her cleavage. The metal parted slightly and – for lack of a better word – became sluttier, showing off her midriff and torso. Volio's eyes instantly fixated on her chest, and she smiled, "Eyes up here." His eyes snapped up to hers. "That's better," she said softly, gently, trying to pour as much sincerity into it as possible. It revolted her, that she was fake-seducing her stalker…but he was the best chance she had right now to get word to the other heroes.

"I…uhm…how are you?"

Lyn leaned back in the chair, "I am doing great. The new body took some getting used to, and body enhancement sucked as usual. Outside of that? It's been good." She forced a giggling laugh, "I am a ruler, now."

Volio nodded and smiled, "I…brought something of yours."

Lyn looked at him quizzically, "Oh? A present? You shouldn't have."

He reached into his waist pouch and pulled out a slightly marked white shirt. "I…took this from your room…I'm sorry, I should have asked you for it." He bowed his head as if waiting for punishment or a pronouncement of wrath.

Lyn felt nothing but disgust. He took my clothes? Fucking pervert! She swallowed down the revulsion and gently picked up the shirt. "Thank you for returning it." But…this does give me something to play to my advantage. She hadn't been sleeping in clothes in this new body as it got in the way of her amorous activities with Vael or Gael. She hadn't needed clothes since finding the armor, either, as it felt like a second skin. "I'll get you something nicer to remember me by."

Volio's face shot up and he beamed with satisfaction, "Th-thank you!"

Lyn nodded and stood up, "I have some work to do with the troops tomorrow, but I'd like to have lunch outside if you're open to it."

Volio stood and nodded enthusiastically, "Of course! Anything you want!"

Lyn nodded and stepped right in front of him. He was taller than her, and so looking down at her gave him a view of her torso that she was sure he was appreciating, if his tenting pants were anything to go by. "Now, I have some work to do. I'll talk to you tomorrow."

Volio nodded and turned away quickly, heading to the door that Gael opened and led him through. Volio cast a longing glance at Lyn before the door shut behind them.

Lyn let out a deep breath. I need a bath. A hot one. She felt vile. Disgusted. Not at using her sexuality to get her way, but using her sexuality on her stalker. The fucker even stole her clothes and did God-knows what with them. She let the mana flow through her mana channel and incinerated the shirt with a touch of lava. She dismissed the armor and went to the tub, loading mana into the incantation as the room steamed up with boiling water.

A few minutes of scrubbing later, she heard a knock. "Come in," she shouted in Arinol. Vael came in and bowed, "Report," Lyn said tersely.

"He had a bow made of some type of bone I've never seen before. It had an inscription. Two quivers – one with inscribed arrows, and the other with various tool-based arrows; blunted for taking prisoners, whistle for signaling, a few other specialty ones. A backpack with traveling supplies."

"Good. I need you to do something else for me." Lyn gestured to her room, "Bring parchment and a quill." Vael did so, and Lyn jotted down a quick message in English. She blew on it to dry it, and handed it back to her Bodyguard, "Take off your small clothes, wrap them up in one of the robes from the closet, and deliver them with this message to my guest."

Vael raised an eyebrow quizzically but nodded, "Your will be done, my Lady."