"It would be best to have it as a vassal state rather than completely assimilate it." Crimson shot up, her head supported with her hand as she lazily glanced at Jarren who was deep in thought. "I'm sure that we would get their resources at the end of it all should we assimilate them or not." Callista groaned as she admired her nails.
"You may not see it now but it would be best to have it around, after all don't you think that it would be boring should there be no form of resistance?" This made Callista pause and recalling her words, she changes her mind. "Looks like you're not so useless after all." Crimson let out a exasperated groan hearing this.
"I don't mind what is of this world, after all we're nothing more than passers-by." Jarren finally added to the conversation, stating his indifference at the world. "This world is already dying, should it happen sooner or not is up to you ladies. After all I'm certain that Callista would rather get on with the second act."
This seemed to jolt her awake, her mind changing once more. "You make me sound impatient." Callista protested. "Can you make up your mind? No wonder he calls you a cat, your attention is hard to come by." Covering her face, Crimson stated before the room was barged in with two individuals, Clomere and Lyssara.
"I'd like to introduce you all to your new queen." Lyssara mused, her tone devoid of any life as she gestured at Magdalene who made her entrance. There was an air or royalty that clung to her which instantly melted away as her eyes landed on the harem, her cheeks flushing sighting Jarren.
"I managed to get the Hine to be more, forgiving when it came to assimilation. You can thank Diana for volunteering." Lyssara's body subconsciously shivered hearing this. She recalled all the inhumane tests and evaluations Clomere put Diana through and worst of all, she was required to help a hand.
More often than not Clomere gave the excuse of progress and yet Lyssara knew that what she did was nothing more than sadism. "Where is that dog of yours? I was wondering whether I would walk it sometime." Crimson asked as she glanced around Clomere's feet. "The subject is sleeping, you can have your fun with her when she wakes up."
Clomere sighed as she took her seat. "What about this doll? Disposal or?" The attention went to Lyssara who felt her wolfish gazes on her figure. After Jarren and Clomere were done with her, the taunts only persisted as they all took their turn with her till she was no more.
And yet through all of that hellish experience, she still felt the fear she did back then. It was all too vivid and fresh for her in her mind. A thought making her spine tingle. "I still have plans for her. After all I have to refine that mask back at earth. Maybe she'll heal, maybe not." His taunt followed with a low chuckle.
"How benevolent of you. However we still have to deal with the elves before you run off dear." Callista groaned as she reminisced the scene of Jarren negotiating with the king of Caerthalas, Tharan Vexmar. "I'm sure that Magdalene should be capable of that, isn't that right dear?" Magdalene who was adjusting herself onto the throne felt the gazes burn on her skin.
She had yet to fully recuperate from the rough play the monsters that sat with her had done. "Please don't fret about it Jarren, I already have a plan to deal with them. As well as Reuthar and the dwarves." Her tone showing her confidence which earned her smiles, friendly towards her however she knew the malice that lurked beneath them.
"See Callista, so Lyssara, when do you wish to leave?" Lyssara who had silence drown her presence was thrown into the conversation once more. "I- Maybe a few weeks. I still have to familiarize myself with this new kingdom." With the current shift of Arcania, she wanted to see what would occur behind the scenes, the devils she sat with holding all the cards.
"Fine, it's best to catch up with the rest of you." And with that he rose to his feet. "I'll be resting so please give me my peace." His helpless chuckle showing his fatigue before leaving the room. "Do you mind explaining what you mean with dealing with the rest of Reuthar?" Crimson shot up, Lyssara took her leave as well.
"Of course, for Reuthar, Callista I'm sure you're familiar with the knight known as Dame Isolde." Magdalene's response was a knowing nod. "It would be fitting to use her as a tool to help govern what is left of Reuthar. As for Calledra, it would be best to keep on wearing them down til they eventually yield."
There were no remarks refuting her, she went on. "As for Caerthalas, I was thinking of sabotages from within would be easily pruned out by Tharan. He has proved to have a tight inner circle after the mysterious death of the elites a year ago. Therefore a war would best be optimal for this." A chuckle escaped Crimson's lips.
"She'll have to tell you that later." Clomere insisted as placed her hands on the table. "As for a war, rather than use our own men, it would be best to have Reuthar for the job." Callista clicked her tongue, her boredom showing. "And then what? That would take way too long, I'm sure that we could spare a few men. After all our technology allows it."
With the mass manufacture of androids thanks to Clomere, their manpower only continued to climb. "Don't you think that would be a bit boring? Too easy?" Callista brought her head to face the rest from the head rest. "No, it would best reveal the other champions. After all Brose is getting a bit boring as he is."
Crimson as if recalling something chimed in. "How about the gray mark? I'm sure that you all know Reynolds. After all not to mention there are other pawns in earth that could be of great use to us." Magdalene easily realized what she meant with earth however she was unfamiliar with Reynolds. "She'll have to tell you that as well." Clomere stated as if reading her mind.
"We could bring him back but only once, he dies again and that is it. After all there's so much more that we could do with Arcania." From there they discussed more about the infiltration on Reuthar and how to chide it's remaining people to serve as their hands. "I'll have the camps ready in two weeks." Magdalene stated as she typed away.
"What about the abominations running rampant? We can't have them cull the numbers of this world too fast." Callista added halfheartedly. "I've already been working on that as well. With some prototypes already viable for combat from the spawn of Othare." The kingdom of Othare once a nest to the abomination had now been completely assimilated into a research website by Clomere.
"So far the regular Hine won't work on them as designed but rather something else similar to it. You could use it for the combat should you wish." In her hands a purple vial flashed, it's contents a mystery to Magdalene who picked it up and assessed it. "Thank you Clomere, I'll make great use of this." Clomere scoffed off her gratitude with a smile.
"No need, after all you need to do your best." As soon as she said this, the doors barged open once more revealing Floraison who had a warm smile which spanned over them before resting on Magdalene. "I'm sorry I'm late, I accidentally overslept." Her excuses dismissed as she took a seat next to Callista who didn't waste any time.
"Not here!" Floraison swat Callista's reaching arm which formed a frown. "You're no fun, I'll go bother Jarren then." And with that she took her exit, Floraison let out a short sigh as she watched her departing figure. "She's rather feral." Crimson mused before going back to the topic at hand.
"What about the dwarves? It would be rather rude of us to simply let them be without any form of compensation for their loyalty to us." Floraison spoke as if she had been in power for years, means of filling the role was natural. "Mother's right, we have to show our gratitude to them or they'll think that we're ungrateful." Magdalene added, Clomere and Crimson could feel their true intent past their smiles.
"Of course, I'm sure that you'll give them a fitting gift." Clomere said, her eyes narrowing as she felt a game unfurl.
...
*Poke*
Jarren who was on the precipice of slumber felt a finger brush on his cheek. Groggily opening his eyes, he was met with a beautiful maiden who wore a bored expression. "I'm bored." Callista sighed, laying next to him. "Then feel free to rest, I'm tired after yesterday." With the number of women he had to cater, it was overwhelming for him given that three of the six were horrors.
Her eyes glanced around, from the walls adorned in babble to the sheets before her eyes locked with his. "No, I want to do something fun." Jarren stretched his hand wrapping around her waist bringing her closer to him. His face buried in her gray hair. "Well what exactly do you wish to do?" She gave a contemplative hum, before her answer came, a knock echoed through the room.
"Can I come in?" The tone undoubtedly Lyssara's. "Sure." He said before Lyssara's frame walked through the door. Seeing that Callista was in the room, the inwardly cursed however leaving with her around would prove difficult. She forced herself to take a seat on a nearby lavish chair with modern designs. A massage chair coated in beige with a panel showing all the options for her.
"So what exactly did you want?" Callista asked, her signature playful smile made Lyssara raise her guard. "I...I wanted to talk to Jarren about something however since you're here-" Before Callista could intervene, Jarren covered her mouth with his hand.
"Go on." He encouraged, Callista's muffles detailed of rage and discomfort. "It was about Seryn, I was wondering whether you could make her whole again." Her words laced with bitterness, not the one that cursed him but one of acceptance. "I'm sorry but I can't do that at the moment since she's required to keep a close eye on Magdalene however I could make a promise with you."
Lyssara who was down trodden narrowed her eyes hearing this. "You can make a friend that you would wish and I promise that they'll be out of the reaches of these women and myself. However don't expect much from me." Callista knit her brows, biting his hand letting her mouth loose. "You said that we already had a promise and you have yet to keep it."
She claimed instantly eliciting a sigh from Jarren. "I thought that you were content with the next arc being all about you." Lyssara watched the two, shocked to think that they were more than just mortals. They were monsters borrowing the facade of mortality, wore it like a costume only to take it off at their whim.
"Well if you are going be making promises then I want a share of the pie is all I'm saying." Her words leaving no room for argument, her cheeks pouted to which he pinched them. "You are too much sometimes Callista." His groan as well as their interaction under Lyssara's gaze. 'Why do you exist?' A thought she was sure the pair heard.
"Well do you think it's fair or should I give you the autonomy to make a promise based on the situation you'd like. I'd grant you death right now should you please." His casual demeanor to her death reinforced her perspective of him. As being nothing more than a callous devil. "I would be sated with a promise from you, even if it's just once." His nod sealed the deal.
"Great, now can you leave?" Callista sharply remarked. "Don't mind this woman, she's tired is all. Could you take her with you?" Lyssara watched Jarren forcefully reach out Callista's hand to her, the deadly gaze cast by the latter made her hesitate. "I'm sorry." She mused meekly before taking her leave. "Do you have to scare off everyone now?" Callista ignored his rant as she faked being asleep.
He didn't bother with her as he felt the song of slumber weigh heavy and take him away.