“There you go, Serel. It looks like you have it now,” Decira said encouragingly, smiling at her. “I’m impressed you managed to figure out how to shapeshift so quickly.”

“Thank you, Decira. It may not be too hard, but isn’t it somewhat uncomfortable? Like putting on clothing that’s just a little too tight,” Serel asked, feeling unsteady.

Serel had been removed from her crystalline prison two days earlier, along with the other former Enforcers, and despite her owner actually being Wenris, the demon was so busy with other projects that another succubus had been forced to mentor Serel. That had made getting used to her new abilities much more difficult. Potent bitterness about being betrayed by the Archon still lurked in the back of Serel’s mind, but mostly it had been subsumed by the influence of the succubi, as well as the improved power and strength of her new body. If she had the chance she’d take her vengeance, but it was something for later. Things were a bit too unstable for her to make plans yet.

Initially they’d been told to anticipate heading out toward the western territories to help deal with a new city where the dungeon had been, but that had changed quickly. The Archon had decided to retain Serel for duties in Kelvanath, while two of the others were going to be keeping an eye on the various ambassadors from Alcast and Morak. They might even try to suborn them, if they thought the ambassadors would be receptive. The last two had been recalled by Irethiel, for what reason Serel wasn’t entirely certain.

Shapechanging back into an approximation of her old body had been moderately difficult to learn, unlike doing a general shapeshift. It felt like something was constricting all around Serel’s body, a deep, constant pressure making it too easy to let lapse. Still, she’d managed it eventually. But at her complaint, Decira smiled.

“It does, doesn’t it? Don’t worry, you only really feel it the first few days that you shapechange. After a little while you acclimate to it, and it begins feeling natural,” the succubus assured her.

“I’m going to be feeling like this the first few days every time I change my body?” Serel asked in shock, cringing internally at the idea.

“No, just the first few days you use it overall. You’re a new succubus, and your body is getting used to its new abilities,” Decira corrected, smirking. “I should add that you’re getting a mild introduction. In the lower planes, the introduction is very… strenuous.”

“Mild?” Serel asked incredulously. “I couldn’t even walk until this morning!”

“Exactly. You’re walking and can think coherently. I’d call that a nice easy introduction to being a succubus. I imagine that Farin and Vivian already learned that, though,” Decira explained. “Now then, let’s get to work on your weapon practice. Ulvian was saying something about wanting you to be the bodyguard of one of the captives.”

“Oh?” Serel perked up a little at that. “How so?”

“You know how Wenris is busy? She’s been working at brainwashing a pair of elven royals from Yisara,” Decira told her. “Ulvian wanted to start sending them out to begin undermining the morale of Yisara’s agents, but he doesn’t quite trust them yet. That’s why you’d be their bodyguard and jailor. Mostly the former queen, Diane, but you’re to keep an eye on both of them.”

“I see. Well, that seems reasonable enough,” Serel agreed. “I suppose I do have to get back into shape, though. Even if I’m stronger now, I haven’t had a chance to get used to my body, and I’m out of practice.”

“I’m glad to hear it, Serel! Some of the others aren’t as serious as you are. Maybe they didn’t hold up as well, mentally,” Decira mused, then smiled and shrugged. “Never mind! Let’s get to work. Your equipment is this way.”

Serel followed the other woman out of the room and toward one of the underground training rooms, trying to get used to the pressure on her skin. As she walked, she glanced toward the sleeping, purple-haired goddess in the main chamber. Part of her dared to wonder what Ulvian was going to do with Tyria, but she knew better than to ask.

* * *

“‘ello, Sorvos. It’s been ages since you contacted me last. I assume you’ve got a good reason this time?” Kevin Sailor asked, sitting back in his chair. Kevin was a big man, Ulvian reflected, which made a lot of people think that he was a warrior, but nothing could be farther from the truth. The black-haired man was the head of the Blood Flame assassin guild, and was a subtle and deadly sorcerer.

“It’s good to see you, Kevin!” Ulvian replied cheerfully, taking a seat at the table. The two of them were meeting in a private room at Ulvian’s favorite restaurant in Kelvanath, and the Archon suspected that no one was aware that Kevin was even here. Shaking off the suspicion that a crossbow might be aimed at his spine, Ulvian continued. “And I believe I have a very good reason for meeting with you. The job is a touch more difficult than the last one.”

“More difficult than getting rid of the abolitionists? That’ll be a trick. What do you have for me?” Kevin asked, his eyebrows rising slightly.

“I presume the room is secure?” Ulvian asked seriously, glancing at the door. “I doubt you’d say something like that without being certain, but I’d really rather not have the staff murdered. They’ve provided excellent service before.”

“Heh. It is. And no one will be hurt, either,” the assassin leader replied idly. “So spill the beans already. I’m a busy man.”

“As you like. I want you to kill the dungeon in the new city of Beacon,” Ulvian explained forthrightly. “It’s created golems and a city, and I now consider it a major threat. I want it dead before it derails my plans any further.”

“…You must be joking. My guild specializes in killing people, not dungeons.” Kevin’s idle manner vanished, and his dark brown eyes hardened as he sat forward. “We don’t take suicide missions.”

“It wouldn’t be a suicide mission. I have everything you need to detect where the dungeon’s heart is, to hide from its senses for a time, and even an aetheric disrupter to knock it and its monsters unconscious so you can kill it.” The Archon’s voice was equally flat. “In addition, some time ago I found a teleportation stone that would allow them to leave the dungeon. I have it on good authority that it has several nodes, and at least one connects to Westgate. The problem is that I don’t trust any of my people to do the job right.”

“Hmmph.” Kevin sat back again, his eyes narrowing. “I’d have to see the things you’re planning to provide, Ulvian. An aetheric disrupter isn’t something the Adventuring Guilds just leave out in the wild. They consider those to be a bit important.”

“When my friends and I escaped the Road to Hell, I claimed that we lost it in our attempt,” Ulvian explained, smiling. “I left it where they couldn’t find it, so yes, I have one.”

“Hmm… I suppose that makes sense. Now, even assuming all of your little preparations check out, how much are you willing to pay to kill a dungeon, Archon?” Kevin demanded, his voice still serious. “I’m only considering it because of what you’ve offered, and because you’ve been good to work with before this.”

“Two thousand gold. I know your usual teams are four members, so five hundred each, and a hundred extra for each of them if they succeed,” the Archon replied softly.

“Two thousand? You really do want that dungeon dead, don’t you?” The assassin’s eyebrows rose, and he contemplated for a long minute, then nodded. “Right. I’ll explain the job to my top people. If there are enough who’re willing to take the risk, we’ll do it. If your preparations are adequate.”

“Excellent! I’ll get everything together and let you look it over,” Ulvian replied with a broad smile, straightening slightly as his tension lifted. “I dearly wish this dungeon to die as soon as possible.”

“Of course you do. Now, why don’t we have dinner?” Kevin replied, smiling. “You’re paying, of course.”

“Yes, of course.” Ulvian nodded, and sat back as the other man rang a bell. A few moments later a server began to deliver plates of deliciously steaming food.