Twisted Ties

Well here we are again ladies and gents, another update! Man, I did not think it would take this long, but there was a LOT to do... but here we are!

There are some sketches for this one as well. These are just rough ones and shall be revamped later, but may help you get an idea of some of the scenes.

http://cobrastrife.deviantart.com/art/Velacia-s-Second-Form-105747934
http://cobrastrife.deviantart.com/art/Slobbered-105747505

So only one new character is introduced and that is the ancient hydra, which belongs to me.

So what adventures await Kaine and Velacia today? Won't know till you read ^_~ There is a lemon in this chapter as well!

Enjoy!

* * *

The night air was cool, the faint light from the crescent moon spilling through the spaces between the leaves of the dense forest, the wind softly swaying the thinner branches. Kaine was laying lazily in the bows of a tree that over hung a small trail that passed through the dense forest.

His little aerial spies had informed him that the strange serpent woman was heading in this direction and he felt bored enough to partake in a bit of toying with his prey as it were. It was amusing to see the hydra get riled up easily when he played with her mind. Such was the way with many women he manipulated. He lay there with his hands laced behind his head, listening to the quiet sounds of the night, letting out a soft sigh. He could already sense her approach and could tell where she was and how far away. Tracking these mortal beings was always so simple. He could smell them from miles away without exerting much effort.

He was curious to see what the creature's reaction would be when encountering him, and so he waited in silence, blending into the shadows of the canopy.

Not too far off from the dark one’s location, Velacia had been stalking the wild with little rest for the search of her heritage. The peculiar scent was definitely getting a lot stronger and she was pleasantly surprised to have the sensation that soon her mission would be complete. Her thoughts wandered on what to expect at the end of this mission. Would she meet any of her kind there when she arrives? Or is she one of the last? Her ancestors would tell her when she arrived.

Her mind then moved to the strange purple haired man, well if she could call him a man, that she copulated with so many weeks ago. Just thinking about him sent tingles down her spine, remembering quite well how he had utter control over her and though she was never a fan of being dominated by anyone, it was different with him. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but he just seemed different then any other male she had encountered. Granted many she had seen through her travels had similar qualities as he, but it was just the air that was about him that seemed so unique. Nonetheless she would still show him how strong she could be. She still felt a bit embarrassed that she couldn’t prove to be any problem against Kaine but realized that until she obtained whatever the succession of her mission would give, she would have to remain cautious with whatever battles she were to get into.

Especially now, having been able to copulate successfully with Kaine, she had to be really careful. So far she felt no ill sensations within her during these past few weeks ever since their sexual bonding so there should be no reason why her body would not accept his seed. He was strong and she felt quite confident his genetic makeup would be a great addition to her brood. And depending on how the first offspring turn out, she could always tweak the cells before she births the next batch. Hydras were unique in this matter compared to any other mortal species when it came to giving birth to their young. Whoever they mate with, once having successfully obtaining the male’s DNA, they can internally modify what gene strands would go through into the infants and which ones could be suppressed. Heck, even more advantageous, female hydras did not need to sexually copulate again to get pregnant. They can just select whatever strands they wish and plant them into their eggs and create life again. Even without a partner’s genetic makeup, they could splice their own cells and create life on their own, though this process was a bit more risky, especially for hydras who have not lived for a very long time. No, Velacia was quite fortunate to come across Kaine and obtain his semen. Yes, her offspring would be strong indeed.

Speaking of him...

A peculiar smell was in the air. She wasn't sure as to what it was, but it reminded her of him. She flickered out her tongue, trying to locate it, but couldn't lock in on its source. But it was close. Very close. Cautiously she stalked forward on all fours, keeping her guard up in case it was something, or someone else. And even if it was Kaine, just from their first encounter she remembered all too well how potent his abilities can be.

Kaine heard her before he saw her. She was a quiet one but not quiet enough to elude his notice. He waited till she was actually passing under him before he decided to break his silence, his low velvet voice seeming to float through the night air and caress her ear like the soft wind still rustling the leaves.

“It has been a while”.

Velacia's pose froze and she cautiously glanced upwards, her eyes searching through the thick foliage before spying said being in one of the trees, lazily laying in the branches. She smirked softly before she slowly raised up to her full height, gazing at him mildly.

"Indeed. It is a pleasant surprise to see you again. How are you fairing? Did you defeat your nemesis yet?" she queried good naturedly, though there was a slight, very slight mocking tone for the nemesis, remembering how Kaine had bested the doppelganger, as well as his slight temper at this fact. She watched as he just stretched, maintaining his precarious balance on the branch effortlessly.

"No, he is still alive, and will probably remain so for quite some time to come. He is too fearful to face me. It will probably take another tournament for him to come face me again. Besides, I have bigger fish to fry, believe it or not. Angels are not my only concern". He craned his toned neck and glanced down at Velacia.

"Still wandering around like a lost fenris are you?" He smirks coolly at her, his pale eyes seeming to glow in the dark of the night. She snorted quietly, waving her hand slightly as if to blow off the comment.

"It is very rare for my brethren to find my ancestor's lands. But I am close... so close I can taste it. The scent is strong now. I can sense them calling almost" she whispered softly, closing her eyes for a moment, letting the sensation waft over her before opening her blackened eyes up to him again. "Well, if you have bigger fish to fry, shouldn't you hop to it then?"

He chuckled coolly, stretching slightly as he continued to gaze down at her, a bemused look upon his sharp handsome features.

"The type of frying I do involves time and lots of it. Most of my plans will not come to fruition for a few more hundred years. Pieces must be put into place and plans carefully plotted in the world I live in. So I have time to be excessively bored".

At this she quirked an eyebrow elegantly and smirked, shaking her head softly. To live such a life, seemed quite tedious. She was fortunate that her method of living was more... simplistic. Granted there were its dangers, but she had enough excitement to keep her busy, but not to the extent that Kaine had.

"Well then, at least you have quite the adventure before you" she mused. "But even one should be careful on how they spend their bored time. But I suppose you don't need to be told that. I hope it works out for you, whichever way that may be" she stated nonchalantly.

"Such is the nature of the game. If you rush things, you end up destroyed quickly. By all logic I should not have survived even for this long. But luck and a great deal of hard work have culminated in me rising to a position of power very quickly. Abnormally so".

"How fortunate for you" she mused quietly, observing him.

He then rolled, falling from the branch and landing on his feet lightly without a sound, not even the branch he had laid on moments before having shifted from its lack of previous resting weight.

"What is it you expect to gain from your little pilgrimage?”

She watched him fall out of the tree and land a few feet before her as she analyzed his question, debating what to say but then just spoke anyway. She knew he didn't really care that much either way and doubted he would be one to use the information for his own personal use. As far as she could tell, the type of life he stated that he lives seemed far more important, at least in the man’s standards most likely, to bother dwelling on the lives of those below him.

"The wisdom, the knowledge of my kind. To unlock something within all of us hydras that has been locked away ever since we have been born. I can feel something deep inside me, surging, swelling, yearning to be used. Something that I have but I can not use, at least not now. But my ancestors will unlock it and a lot of questions shall be answered... and I will obtain it. The clock for my kind is clicking to a close and it'll be a shame if none can obtain the legacy that is held before us".

"The power of knowledge is not lost on me. Believe it or not" Kaine said as a jagged looking silver dagger formed in his hand out of nowhere, with which he began to fiddle with, sliding it between his fingers in a figure eight that seemed mesmerizing "I've made many a sacrifice for knowledge myself. I only hope what you seek is worth having searched for so long".

Her silver irises followed the movements of his blade, almost like a trance. She found it soothing for some reason. She then slowly closed her eyes, smirking before opening them again to gaze at his pale orbs.

"I believe it is, even if it is something that I do expect, or even perhaps can't, I won't know till I stand before it. After all, I have to try".

"Is it a choice you make? Or is it an urge you can't resist?" His tone was casual but inquisitive as he manipulated the vicious looking dagger with ease. He started to stalk around her slowly, eyeing her critically in the most obvious manner.

She could feel a slight annoyance bubble within her. Why was it that he cared? Or cared to bother her for that matter? She watched his gaze as he passed around her, but never craned her head to follow his movement, only remaining to stare ahead, trying not to let the way he was staring at her so intensely to bother her.

"I believe it is both. One side it is a birthright, and yes an urge, an urge all hydras have. But it is still our choice to take and we all do for we all want to know what we really are. This is my choice. I must find out what my brethren's past was". At this he prowled slowly up behind her and leaned to whisper into her ear quietly.

"And what will you do after?"

She forced herself to remain composed, a slight effort when her tail just wanted to twitch and her legs seeming to want to falter at his close proximity and even the way his voice seemed to curl into her canal in just the right way.

"Though that is slightly difficult to state now, for my sense of mind may be different then, I do intend to make sure that my race will never die out and never reach the brink of extinction again".

"And just how do you intend to perform such a task? You are but one." A chill pervaded the air around him, like he was sucking in the ambient energy around him. "And I have yet to see another of your kind. It is hard to continue a bloodline with a single source of genetic material."

He slides around her to face her and study her expression with his analytical gaze, seeming to take in every reaction she had to his words, or even that of her physical actions carefully, the action perturbing the hydra slightly into what this man was wanting from her.

Nonetheless she grinned slightly and gave him a cold, if not playful gaze, and mockingly patted him on the chest, though the air around them was draining in a sense. The cold was never one of her favourite things and for some unnerving reason she felt that this man knew that fact and did it to keep her on edge.

"Well I have you to thank, don't I?" she said simply and then as an afterthought she tilted her head to the side, continuing to gaze at him. "And even if I were not to run into you, there are other methods. Harder ones granted, but other forms that I would be able to do more easily once I receive the knowledge of my kind".

There was a silence that permeated between the two and Kaine's expression did not seem as though he was impressed. He stared at her with his cold gaze, though at the moment it seemed neutral, but deep within his mind the gears were grinding and not so pleasantly either. A single word crept through its recesses, seeming to sum up what he had inside.

Fuck.

"Are you implying you are with child?"

There was something in his tone that was chilling, and his expression seemed to harden just enough to be noticed, even if one wasn't quite sure what the expression was.

Velacia analyzed his gaze, seeming slightly confused and perhaps wary. Her intuition was warning her to step back but she felt it was nonsense. Still... she did not like this gaze and she did not like how it felt around them. Was he just surprised? Perhaps he thought that maybe she wouldn’t get pregnant because they were both different species. Finally she spoke, forcing a cocky quip.

"Are you implying that you're infertile? If so then I suppose I could always find someone else" she mused. It was true, he wasn't mortal. Perhaps they couldn't interbreed. Yet her body still felt fine after they had sex and even the time frame apart afterwards, like she had accepted his seed.

The witty remark seemed lost to him, his gaze only hard and expression deathly serious as he continued to gaze at her coldly, the air around them still draining.

"For your sake, you should hope to whatever creator you believe in that you aren't". He stopped fiddling with the blade abruptly and extended a hand toward Velacia's stomach, his gaze not leaving hers.

A worried expression finally came on to the woman's face and her eyes flickered down to his hand, feeling a clenching sensation inside her.

"What do you mean?" she whispered, suddenly feeling downright foolish. Perhaps there was something overlooked when she copulated with him. Was he one of those that the seed would deteriorate her body from the inside out? Or perhaps that her offspring would be deformed or still born. Her gaze then hardened at those thoughts.

"What on earth are you?"

"I'm many things, and yet nothing. I have blood of many beings, yet am considered as none of them". He retracts his hand before ever making contact with her flesh. "You should choose you bed more carefully".

At this she hissed angrily, her tail slashing from side to side behind her, her clawed fingers flexing rigidly at her sides.

"If you had not bewitched me with your... well whatever it is that you had, incubus, soul eater nonsense then perhaps I wouldn't have!" she snapped angrily.

But that was a lie, even if she would never admit it. She was attracted to him in every single way. Why, she still did not know but what she did know was that even now, though she was angry, she could feel the attraction again.

Yet she forced herself to calm down. This was ridiculous. He was a master at provoking her right now and she was the fool to keep on falling for it. She was fine. She felt fine. Even if there were a problem, she would find a remedy. Perhaps the knowledge she seeks will solve her problems.

Once her ragged breathing was intact, she gazed at him calmly.

"I'll deal with the matter when it occurs. No matter what course I take, no matter how many errors I might make, I will prevail, even if it involves your offspring" she spoke softly before starting to move past him, growing a bit weary of their conversation. He definitely was one to break at her normally quiet resolve.

"If you happen to give birth, I will indeed be there to claim my spawn" he said, the words came as both a threat and a promise. Something was distinctly unsettling about the way he was behaving about the subject, though she would never know.

She turned to him slowly, sensing the threat in his tone. Granted it was within her kind to let their offspring go at the age of five, for that was when they could fend for themselves, but to give them away straight at birth was unheard of and unwise. Perhaps Kaine may have the method of taking care of an infant, but this wouldn’t be some ordinary human child. It was a hydra.

"And what makes you think I'll just give your spawn right over to you after it leaves my womb? Perhaps you should be careful as well to who you bed. My kind has a different way of upbringing then yours. You may be different then I am and perhaps can outrank me as of now, but don't think you can just get everything you want my dear Kaine. Whatever offspring I have will remain within my care till the allotted time of releasing into the wild. You'll just have to wait until then" she sneered. At this a cold grin crossed his lips and he turns his sharp gaze to her, a low chuckle floating into the night air.

"You make it sound as if you have a choice in the matter”.

"As a matter of fact, I do. The offspring are under my care once they enter into my womb and they are under my care till I release them. You just better hope yours does well within the hatch. I do not want to take any measures for any... stragglers".

"I couldn't care less about your ways" he stated evenly and it seemed he didn't have any concern for the offspring in question either. Her veiled threat didn't seem to register with the dark figure at all, a feeling that the hydra could not completely understand but yet for the moment didn’t care for. Velacia sighed slightly, drawing her clawed hand through her hair.

"Let me guess. Is your son, or daughter, suppose to uphold your marvelous legacy in case daddy gets offed sooner then he expected? Is that why you want the child so badly?" she queried, regarding him with a degrading look. These beings all alike and the same. She had seen it so many times within her travels, even with humans. How those with power continued to have children to ensure that their family line would remain in its rule of whatever land they over looked.

"That is none of your concern" he said as he simply stood there watching her, the silver that adorned his belt, bracers, neck and ear seemed to gleam malevolently in the dim light of the moon that managed to filter down through the leaves above.

"So talkative before and now you clam up? You warlords are all alike. Probing for information to your heart's content and yet giving none to... I suppose the commoners before you? How quaint" she chuckled as she finally approached him, any warning bells that may have gone off in her mind now off as she circled behind him and then pressed up close to his back, her tail lazily twirling around his legs, tickling the front of his pants as her hand combs through his spiked hair.

"There there" she said in a mocking cooing voice. "I'm sure your offspring will be a fine breed".

A smirk pulled at the corners of his mouth, but he didn't move away, tolerating her touch. That smirk however, that smirk screamed that he knew something she didn't. What a shame. He almost felt pity for her that she did not know him that well, but all the more amusement for him to witness when she does. He then lifted the dagger and held it up so that it could be clearly seen.

"I suppose a gift is in order for the barer of my offspring".

Reality seemed to ripple and warp around the silver dagger till it no longer even resembled a dagger, but a delicately crafted silver pendant with a thin chain. The pendant itself appeared to be a serpent of some kind twisted and knotted around itself. Two tiny rubies in the place of its eyes. He simply doesn't move, waiting for her to take the gift, knowing that either way, whether she would willingly or not, it would remain with her.

Velacia's eyes widened, watching with interest as the dagger formed into that of the serpent pendant. She stared at it slightly in awe and a bit of confusion. Why did he give this to her? Perhaps he had calmed down and accepted the fact when it came to ways hydra offspring were brought up. She slowly stepped away from him till she was in front of him, though her tail was still lazily around his legs. She gently took the item from his hand, inspecting it carefully, running her fingers over the pendant, feeling the item before looking up to meet his eyes.

"Thank you..." she said, feeling quite humble. "I did not expect such a thing but... thank you".

"Consider it a form of protection from those that might go after you, in order to get at me. Wear it at all times" he said as he watched her, studying her reaction to the object. It amused him how easily she was caught off guard by simple little actions such as the giving of an ornate object.

So easy he thought to himself as he watched her flicker her tongue out, tasting the air before the orb. She tasted nothing odd, just calming. How curious. Normally she was able to pick up if an object was cursed by just tasting the air around it, but this one felt like it was normal. Perhaps he really meant what he said...

She unclasped the chain, observing it a moment longer, before placing it around her neck, pulling her hair out of the way. It felt cool against her skin and she touched it slightly before glancing at him again.

"I guess you're not so bad after all" she joked, grinning slightly at him. Though she still felt some odd things about this one. No matter. Though when the time comes for the birth of the children, well she'll deal with it then. She can be quite vicious in her protection, but it did not mean that she wouldn't let him see them.

"Are you studied that much by your enemies that they know what happens to you or who you interact with?" she asked.

"Allow me to put it this way. My family is one of the most powerful, so much so that there have been times where angel and devil have worked together against us. They are more concerned about my father, but I am certainly a close second. Playing the game does not win you friends. Only enemies, and allies that will betray you eventually. Does that put things into perspective for you?"

She blinked slowly, still not being able to fathom all of it. No wonder he was so... was pompous the word? Perhaps she couldn't place it, but it did make sense of the way he acted to others, or at least towards her. And it did confirm her beliefs that he was indeed really powerful.

"A tedious matter involving mass destruction. How delightfully fascinating. No wonder your ego is so huge" she sneered at him, but then smiled slightly as he smirks at the joke. "But yes, that does make sense to me".

"Mass destruction is my specialty. Destruction, pain, suffering, war, chaos, they all resonate with me. Entire worlds have been obliterated because they were seen as expendable pieces. It almost is enough to make you feel small and insignificant isn’t it?" Something in his tone said he did not feel insignificant in the least.

Her eyes narrowed slightly, listening to the way his words curled off his tongue, taking in the meaning, or the meaning she thought she heard. Damn was he full of himself.

"I suppose. So I should take no offense if one day you dispose of me too for the greater means of your conquest? After all, all of us mortals are insignificant to you, or so you make it seem" she smirked, tapping his nose lightly. It worried her a bit, yes, if he were to dispose of her after the birth of his child or children. But it wouldn't surprise her. She's seen many species commit these acts and his is definitely on the grander of scales, at least with how he described it.

"Actually, I do need worshipers to maintain my strength. It would be foolish of me to kill everyone".

"Worshipers? Ha. Perhaps you'll have those that will bow to you, but only out of fear for their own hides. You do realize that, right?" At this he chuckled, seeming amused by her view of him.

"Actually, they worship me because I am a symbol of victory in battle. They fight wars for me, even if I arrange for the wars to start, they still pray to me for victory, and sometimes I give it to them. I am not an entirely cold blooded being".

"How kind of you. Whoever would of thought? Your father must be proud" she quipped. Yes, she was starting to rethink her judgement of meeting this creature. But what is done is done. He was definitely impressive.

"My father is indeed proud of my speedy advancement despite my young age and inexperience".

As they talked, something seemed to be slithering through the shadows nearby, making not a sound, but its presence could be felt.

"Perhaps one day you will best him..." she trailed off then froze, turning her head slightly, tasting the air again. She remained rigid, something was close. But what was it? She slowly turned to gaze at Kaine, wondering if it was associated with the man.

"One of your friends?" she asked.

"A servant. I don't have many of them" he simply stated as he gazes off into the shadows for a long moment, as if listening to some unspoken conversation before he nods and returns his gaze to Velacia. "Nothing to be concerned about”.

"If you say so..." she trailed off, glancing in the direction she felt the presence come strongly from before looking back at him again. "Wouldn't it be wise to enlist in more?"

"When you allow too many to be too close, the probability of one of them carefully placing a dagger in your back grows". He watched her steadily, seemingly still studying her.

"True enough. But are you sure the ones that are close will not try anything?" she asked, getting slightly unnerved from his watching her. She felt like she was on display, a feeling she was not fond of.

"I created them. They have no choice but to be loyal" was his simple reply, he continued to watch her calmly.

"Fortunate for you... must you keep gazing at me this way? It gives me the strong suspicion you're up to something" she finally acknowledged the behaviour, gazing at him annoyingly, poking him sharply in the chest again as her tail tightened their grip slightly on his legs.

"I'm sorry, am I making you uncomfortable in some way?" he asked as he smirked at her calmly, shifting his stance a little and thus pulling at her tail, the tug making her shift a bit closer to him and she gazed at him with the same annoyed look, ignoring the feel of the proximities, despite the tingles going through her spine.

"It feels like I am a specimen on display, and given the current status of near extinction, it is not a gaze I am particularly fond of" she said, brushing her hair behind her for the few strands that got in the way as she continued to give the annoyed look. At this he attempts to curl an arm around her and pull her closer, leaning to her ear and speaking in a hushed tone, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"You are indeed an interesting specimen".

"Wonderful" she growled, struggling slightly in his grip before relaxing a moment, a slight tingle going down her spine and through her tail again at his voice. Damn this man. He just knew how to exactly rile her up, a feeling she was growing less fond of by the minute.

"Do you do this to every female you meet?" she asked, trying to make it sound annoyed but was more on the lines of amused.

"Almost, but not quite. Is there a problem?" he mutters to her ear quietly, his breath tickling it lightly.

She sighed heavily, shaking her head a bit roughly to shake the feeling he sent through her. She raised her head to gaze him straight into the eyes as her tail twitched against his legs again, and moved significantly a bit higher despite her resolve.

"Though perhaps you think differently, I am not a toy". He smirks at this, seeming amused by the comment, the look in his eyes conveying that he thought so.

"Life is a game, people are just toys to entertain yourself with. You can't tell me you have never thought of things that way. Even if only for a brief moment”.

"I have of others, I'll admit. But not of myself. I am not particularly fond of being... used" she murmured slightly, finally adverting her gaze slightly before looking back to him, smirking a bit.

"You're bad for my health, after all".

"You have no idea..." he purrs lowly, grinning as she growled again, her eyes rolling back into her head slightly before she snapped them forward, her hands reaching down to clamp on his shoulders hard, her claws digging in a bit.

"Stop making me horny for god's sake! You are very distracting!"

"You may not want to draw my blood again" he warns her calmly, though already small pin pricks of his blood could be seen where her claws were digging in. "Oh, too late" he smirks amusedly, it seeming to widen more as she jerks her hands back, looking at the blood trailing down her fingertips and narrows her eyes.

"Goddamn you! Why do you jerk me around like this?" she demanded as she started to wipe the fluid on his shirt quickly, almost as if his blood were a disease.

"I'm not sure I understand what you mean. I did absolutely nothing. You are the one that got violent" he speaks calmly though it was apparent that he clearly finds amusement in the entire situation, though for the hydra it seemed that she did not as her hand shoots up to cup his face hard, though this time she was mindful not to tear it, though it was all the more tempting to see him bleed till he could no more.

"Yes you do! God sakes, you're so manipulative and yet I am the idiot who falls for it. This is why I dislike those like you. Always treading on those you believe are beneath you" she growls, increasing the pressure slightly, glaring at him now, who makes no attempt to stop her, simply watches her with an infuriatingly calm gaze.

"Such a violent creature... and here I thought I was supposed to be the aggressive one" he tsks lightly.

She could feel her temper rising, that and other matters, and was not enjoying this one bit. Well... more or less. She breathed heavily, pulling his face in closer, eyeing him angrily.

"What is it that you want from me Kaine? I am starting to grow real tired of all this mind crap you put on me. If there is something that you want please do get on with it..."

"I simply enjoy your synalating company. Is that a crime?" he asks, smiling in a charming manner. He was mocking her, and it was painfully obvious he was, but somehow that charming smile and tone of voice was hard to stay mad at.

That tone. That goddamn mocking tone. But then that smile... she stared at it, the way it seemed to cut through her, almost to the point with the same level as his words, but seeming to have more intensity.

She finally released him, sighing wearily, feeling her anger ebb away as she sunk to her knees, running her hands through her hair distractedly.

"Damn you... damn you all..." she sighed as he rubs his jaw lightly, seeming to rub away the tense hold it was under mere moments before.

"Well I suppose if you are so upset by my presence then I guess I should be on my way hmm?"

"Upset really isn't the term that I am feeling truthfully right now" she said, finally feeling a bit composed as she stood again, her body still reacting minorly to his presence, but she was in enough state of mind to control it... well at least for now.

"No no, allow me. I better go before I do something against my better judgements. Something that I'm sure you'd just love to hold over my head after" she sighed, smirking at him lightly before turning her back on him and stalking away, though not before catching the sly smirk that crossed his face as he nods.

"Very well... I'm sure I will see you again" he said as he turned and started to walk in the opposite direction slowly, as if giving her plenty of time to reconsider her departure. He was curious to see if she would break again like the last time.

She sighed, listening to him leave, him going far too slowly for her own likes. She had an inkling of what he was trying to do but she steeled her resolve and continued walking away, not going to fall into the games he pulled on her... even if her growing lust stated otherwise.

Kaine continued to smirk to himself, amused that the hydra did not turn around and pounce on him. Yes, she was an interesting little toy. And now she was his. Good thing too, for if he had not checked in on her this soon then he would not find out about the little pregnancy problem until little too late. And even if she weren’t pregnant, her unique physiology and DNA would be such a great addition to his research in his lab...

There was still much to learn and he had all the time in the world.

* * *

Weeks had passed since Velacia's second encounter with Kaine, which still left her somewhat unnerved. She really needed to place control of her emotions a lot better.

But could anyone really blame her with how that man worked? It seemed like he was a master of manipulating those around him, even strong willed beings, though the hydra surmised it was most likely due to the fact he had probably lots of practice. He must of been doing it for years, perhaps even centuries. She would just need to learn to not became so responsive to whenever he provokes her, a feat she knew would not be easy.

Still at least the matter with the offspring calmed down a bit. Velacia just surmised it was just the initial shock. At least he recovered from it quickly, and even enough to the point to give her this necklace to protect her from whatever harm that may come at her.

She touches it briefly, smiling lightly. She had heeded his advice and had not removed it ever since he had given it to her. During the brief intervals of sleep she took, which seemed to be getting shorter as of late, it was good she at least had a method of protection when she wasn't on the alert, either by resting or her constant search for her heritage.

However at that moment the scent of her ancient grounds wafted over her, and any thoughts she had of Kaine, the offspring or any other matters relating to them disappeared from her mind.

She was here, she knew it! The smell. Something so new yet so familiar...

A dense thick fog curled over the field she traveled through and though she was cautious, she felt no worry as she headed through it, the white puffs of the mist curling around her, almost tickling her flesh and scales. She was blind to whatever may be around her but she followed the scent, the air around her caressing her, the whispers of soothing voices tickling her ears, both familiar and not, as if she had met them now and then having known them her whole life.

When she finally passed through the threshold, she was inside a thick large jungle swamp, though every thing seemed skeletal in a way and dead, the scent of any life within this place having long since dispersed eons ago, though the imprint of what having lived here before was still quite strong. Her eyes roved over the hills of blackened ground, various different pools of swamps full of skeletal serpents in them, their discoloured bones posed ever so precariously out of its sludge home. Caves adorned the areas further from her, and thick purple smoke curled out from them. Whatever it was seemed unknown to her, but she could tell just being in this place that it would not harm her if she were to ever enter its depths.

But what attracted her full attention was the large skeleton in the middle of all these new and familiar settings. An enormous three headed decayed hydra, its heads held high in a form of a battle pose and the skeletal spines swerving this way and that till deep into the sludge of its own rather large swamp, faint fumes of light smoke wafting from the pool. Some of the ancient skeleton's ribs were broken and the bones chipped, but it was still a magnificent sight to behold, the size bigger then that of the biggest mountain, seeming to tower over this land.

Velacia breathed out tenderly, feeling warm on the inside as she took it all in and gazed up at the large hydra in a light hearted manner.

"My ancestors..."

As all these sensations seemed to overwhelm the female hydra, something watched her from the dense shadows of the underbrush, observing her and the environment. Kaine fully intended to stay out of sight for the time being, wanting to see what would happen now that the strange creature had reached its destination, and quite the destination that it was. He was never one for scenery and cared not for many of the historical planes that were important to mortals, but here he could just feel in the air that there was an ancient power.

He smirked faintly to himself as he noticed she still wore the necklace he had given her. Not that she would have much choice if she were to remove it...

Suddenly an earthquake awoke around her, the earth trembling and the different swamps bubbling and frothing, especially that of the large decayed hydra. Velacia's eyes widened as the behemoth skeleton before her started to shift, each of its bones letting out large creaking noises, bones having not moved in centuries, or more so millennias, now seeming to regain its flexibility. Just then each grand skull had a pair of glowing eyes form within each of them, glowing out brightly; the left red, the right silver and the middle gold. And they were all gazing down at the female hybrid intently.

"Approach last living hydra" their disembodied voice rang out across the realm, any other whispers within the air that the female hydra felt having gone utterly silent.

Velacia moved forward, if not swiftly, to not raise any ire though she knew there would be none, her attention on nothing but the great behemoth before her. She hopped to a large platform rock in the middle of the swamp that was before the dead beast, gazing up at it longingly, though her eyes were wide at the last remark, a cold sensation having gone through her.

"I am the last?" she asked, not believing it but not doubting the words of her ancient forefather.

"Yes you are... everyone left of our great kind has been slaughtered... you are indeed the last..."

"I... I don't know what to say..." she whispered a slight sadness filling her. So, she was the last. All this time, hoping that she may eventually run into one of her other brethren as she made this long trek to her lands, and now the cold slap of reality hit her, as did a slight anger. They were all killed off, just because of a stupid human who entered a hydra's grounds when given ample warning to move elsewhere...

"Worry not. For as long one remains, the hydras will live on" the voice continued, curling her attention to it, drawing her out of the mourning.

"Yes my ancestor..." she acknowledged, knowing that what it speaks is truth to her. Indeed she may be the last, but not for long and she eagerly looking up at her ancestor, knowing that it knew of this fact.

There was silence, an eery silence, one that could make others feel anxious, waiting for a response that could be both good or bad. She could feel that their eyes were probing her, scanning through her form, taking in the air and aura about her. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, they spoke again, though their voice was filled with scorn.

"You have been tainted".

Kaine smirked, observing the interaction between both creatures carefully. So he had been right. She was the last of her kind... or at least was for the time being. His first experiment was nearing its completion and when it was complete things might be a little different. As he watched the massive skeletal remains he grinned darkly. So much potential was locked away in that one remaining specimen, there was much knowledge to uncover.

When the skeleton spoke and stated the creature before them was tainted, it was confirmed. Yes, she must be with child. How unfortunate. That would need to be dealt with, but not this moment. He watched in continued silence, to see what would happen next.

"I... my lord... please..." Velacia tried to start, but was at a loss for words. She did feel at a loss. But there was no need to explain. Her ancestor could see all and she could hide nothing from him, whether she wanted to or not.

"You conjoined with a god demon to put it in terms you could understand. You know not to join unless with your own kind or by splicing your eggs" it reprimanded. Velacia bowed her head, her eyes shutting, fists curled at her sides.

"I did not know I was the last, not till I heard your truth... and... it was a spur... of my own lust... but wouldn't it best to breed with a strong one for the better of our kind?"

"Perhaps, but not with THAT kind" the voice emphasized. "They care not for our kind and their genes could disrupt the loyalty and lineage of our brood".

"... even so... even if I were to splice... it is still risky. I may fail" she whispered, though her voice could clearly be heard. "I have failed you".

"Not completely. But there will be consequences from your actions. Even now his taint still is on you, and not on the inside... why do you wear his poison?" the voice continued in a dark tone, sending hidden shivers down her spine. Velacia opened her eyes and gazed down at the pendant, the rubies glinting up at her before she spoke.

"He said it was a form of protection... from those who are like him".

"Foolish child! Can you not defend yourself?"

Velacia only chose to remain silent, feeling like she wanted to be dead for the choices she chose. She could stammer out excuses but knew it would do nothing to appease the ancient hydra. The sensation of failure was hitting her full force and the honour of being before her great ancestor almost feels like it shouldn't belong to her, that she were not as worthy to be here right now, speaking with him.

Meanwhile her hidden audience was taking a certain pleasure in watching the woman belittled by the great serpent. It amused him considerably that such a beast would consider a mere trinket to be any sort of threat, though it definitely proved that he was more cautious then her, though it would be too late for her to retract her decision. Perhaps it was time for him to introduce himself to the great beast. He withdrew back into the shadows fully. Behind Velacia her own shadow started to "Stand" in utter silence, a solid mass of shadow in the vague shape of a human rose behind her and when the shadows receded there he stood, calm and casual. His gaze trained on the massive skeletal creature, the female having not taken notice of him, though his entrance did not go unattended by the ancient hydra.

"What are you doing trespasser? These grounds are only for hydras" the voice snapped out at Kaine's entrance. Startled Velacia whirled around, letting out a yelp at his presence, her eyes going wide as she stepped back slightly, thoughts swirling in her mind. Has he been here this whole time? Anger fueled within her muscles and she snapped at him viciously, baring her fangs.

"Get out of here! These are holy grounds for my kind and I don't need anything else tainted by you!"

It was quite apparent that the animosity she felt towards him had increased considerably with the recent conversation she had, or more so reprimanding, a fact that amused Kaine though showed none of that upon his features. He took three steps forward, passing her, taking no notice to her words as he bowed deeply to the skeletal creature before them.

"My apologies, I did not mean to trespass. I was merely curious as to what great creature she has been seeking out for so very long. I will leave if it is your desire Master Hydra" he said, his tone was formal and surprisingly respectful.

Velacia could only stare at Kaine bewilderedly, outraged by his gall and even more so at his utter form of respect to her lord, though that she was pleased, for if he wasn't then she would use whatever means she could to harm him, even if in the back of her mind that would prove futile. But still, why did he follow her? Just for this? She somewhat started to doubt it...

There was silence for a brief moment before the great skeletal hydra's bones seemed to shake, giving off the illusion that it was laughing, the spines cracking slightly as it swayed back and forth.

"So this was who you mated with?" it spoke and Velacia looked away rapidly, gritting her fangs, the sensation of failure and even embarrassment hitting her full force again.

"Yes... an unwise choice. I do however appreciate your humbleness... it has been a while since outsiders have come to my lands. Seeing as you are the one who impregnated the last of my kind, you may stay if you wish, but at a distance".

At this Velacia whirled around, even more outraged then before, knowing this was a grave mistake. Any lingering moment that Kaine remained could give him ample opportunity to learn more of her species, something that at this point in time she did not want him to know.

"My lord, you can't possibly mean it! This... this fiend! You must not let him st-"

"That is enough. My word is law here. He stays if he wishes, understand?" the voice hissed warningly. Velacia closed her mouth and dipped her head again, knowing that she could do nothing to change her ancestor's mind. Besides what power did she have to go against either of these two being's actions? Absolutely none.

Yes, the thought of death would be wonderful right now.

"Yes my lord".

"Why thank you M'Lord. I appreciate it. I will remain out of your way and wait for your business with Velacia to be concluded" he said evenly, bowing once again to the skeletal figure as he stepped backward trice and folded his hands at the small of his back, falling silent and flashing Velacia a sly smirk, causing her to glare at him viciously, loathing him to the deepest of her being. How DARE he... how dare he do this...

"Daughter of Serpanthos, cease those thoughts... ill feelings will prove nothing here" the skeletal behemoth warned and Velacia sighed, turning her attention to him again, shutting down all thoughts of Kaine being here, a feat that was hard in itself but one that she was able to do surprisingly enough.

"...yes my lord".

"No matter the faults you have made, you are still one of my children... and the last one. You are the hope for the hydra clan. And now it is the time to bestow upon you the true heritage of our kind... a heritage I have passed on to many hydra..." the voice went on, all three heads eyes piercing into Velacia's, captivating her gaze, almost like a trance.

"A heritage I have passed... but very few have lived from..."

At this the woman's eyes widened and in a way they did in fear, the fear one conveys of when they enter something that they hold no knowledge of, only knowing of a certain outcome, but when that outcome is revealed that there is a great risk of the lack of survival involved, an unsettling sensation forms within their stomach.

"W-What?"

"Prepare to receive what is rightfully yours!" the voice roared.

Three sets of blue and black lightning shot out of all the three hydra's eyes and shot down to Velacia, encircling her and probing through her flesh. It kept her restrained in place as she started to cry out in pain, going beyond anything she has ever imagined, scorching her completely, both inside and out, the sensation of being torn in two quite strong.

Information of the secrets of her kind were being forcibly downloaded into her brain, so much knowledge that it was overwhelming her to the point that her head was throbbing hard. Abilities held within her form was becoming known to her as the dark lightning probed in and out of her form, the inside of her evolving ever so quickly, much too quickly for her to bare.

Her willpower to resist the pain was waning and deep down inside she knew that if she broke her hold against it, she would completely, and then she would be dead.

Kaine watched, studying the goings on with a critical eye, taking every bit of information he extracted from the scene. He was quite possibly the only outsider to see such a thing. He was rather hoping the quickening of sorts didn't kill the woman, if it did that would put an end to most of his studies pertaining to the species. That would be a shame if it did happen, though not one he would dwell on considerably if it were to occur.

After a long strenuous moment the lightning finally ceased, as did Velacia's cries and she crashed down to her hands and knees, breathing heavily, her eyes dilated as she began to cough up green fluids, the liquid coming from her venom sacks, the lightning having aggravated the flesh.

"Well done... it seems you have passed the first part child. Now let us see if you pass the rest. Unlock your hidden power!" the voice yelled, jerking the woman out of her sick reverie.

Just at the sound of her lord's voice, her eyes glowed darkly and her muscles seemed to shift, the skin twitching in an irritated fashion. Her breathing was coming out more heavily now, the trickle of the green liquid curling along her fangs and lips, and then trailing down her chin.

At a scream of pain, two more black and green tails protruded from her tail bone, joining her first, thus giving her three. They all lashed out angrily behind her as her muscles became tighter. Two silver whip like antennae sprouted from her forehead, reaching almost the length of her long hair, vibrating slightly. Her green scales only got darker in colour and blue veins started to mark all the way along her form. Her claws elongated and her body became even more taught. And then it stopped...

But there was an aura around her. A powerful one, one that could not be matched by any species, at least those living upon the mortal plane.

"How do you feel?" the voice asked in a bemused tone.

She shifted slightly before finally, slowly and lazily moving to her feet, standing upright, her skin glowing in almost an ethereal way. Her eyes were still black, but instead of silver irises, they were now blood red. She cocked her head lazily to the side and let off a giggle, one that seemed so unlike to the woman only moments before.

"Never better" she purred. Just from her voice, one could tell her sanity has been stretched, and not in the most pleasant of ways.

Kaine smirked slyly. What an interesting transformation. He hadn't quite expected anything like this. All the more reason to study her. He could sense the increase in power, but he could also sense her mind had a slippery hold on sanity. He had a feeling it wouldn't take much for her to lose that delicate balance.

"Your transformation has been complete" the voice boomed out. "The hydra clan now rests with you. Victory or downfall... it is your destiny" it concluded, and the behemoth's eyes began to lose their glow, till finally it dispersed completely, once again the skeleton remaining as an empty husk.

Velacia gazed at it for a moment longer before doing a mock bow towards it, swaying slightly before straightening herself. She clenched her fists slightly as she gazed at the skeleton before her, though seemed to not be looking at it.

"I feel so restless. So horny, so thirsty for combat... so many things" she drawled and then began to look around widely, as if searching for something, or someone. "Now, to find someone to test it on..."

Upon spotting Kaine, she grinned sadistically at him, flickering her tongue out at him.

"Why Kaine, so lovely to see you" she purred, not remembering completely that he was there. "Would you care for a dance?"

She would not wait for a reply. Instead she lunged forward, with speed unlike she had before, dust from the earth kicking up behind her as she giggled insanely all the while.

He smirked as she started for him at a surprising speed. Perhaps now she might be a challenge, maybe to the point where she might even make him break a sweat. He quickly side steps to try to avoid her first attack.

At this she grinned and she winked at him as he dodged before she jerked around, grasping onto his arm with her clawed hand, the touch seeming electrifying in a way, her scales seeming to be charged with energy. She dug her sharp claws into his flesh tightly before shredding the arm slightly, releasing it as she brought the bloody hand to her lips, lapping at the fluid gently. Her eyes rolled back slightly and just as quickly snapped back forward.

"So intoxicating. I wonder how you would taste if you were dead" she cackled before darting forward again, her antennae swaying slightly before arching forward, releasing black bolts of electricity from the tips.

Now this was entertaining, exciting even. Granted he always felt a surge from the prospect of a fight, good or otherwise. Resolving to not use any weapons he jumped out of the way as she moved forward again, tucking and rolling as he hit the ground. He comes out of the roll in a low crouch and pivots to face her again. Perhaps evading her would make her frustrated and more vigorous in her attacks.

"Stay still damnit! You're only delaying the inevitable" she hissed, watching him bounce out of the way from her attacks, following just as swiftly, the intent to catch him quite strong.

She pounced at him, slamming him into the shallow end of the swamp, her antennae dipping into the water gently, the electricity surging through it, making the sludge bubble and erupt violently. She remained unharmed... actually turned on was more like it as she watched the surge reach his frame, cackling all the while. She lowered her head slightly to him, drawing her tongue along his lips.

"I wonder would your lips still be this supple when you're a rotting corpse? Would your cock still be as hard when there is no blood left to pump it to erection? Would you still remain beautiful even when maggots eat you? Mmm... ideas ideas..." she purred, her eyes glinting mischievously.

Kaine actually howled in pain as the charge coursed through his body as the shallow water easily carried it. When the jolt ceased he gritted his teeth briefly before that same smirk crossed his lips. A smirk that normally may have gotten Velacia to remain on edge, but with her current state of mind, seemed to amuse her more than anything.

"Much better. Much much better.." he said. Yes, this would certainly be more fun. He suddenly shot a hand up, slamming the heel of his hand up under her chin to knock her backward and off of himself.

Velacia let out a grunt of pain, knocked off him, but she regained air somewhat and landed on the ground on all fours hard, her claws leaving a trail in the rock as she skidded to a halt.

"Now now... have you not been taught any manners? Tsk tsk. Guess today I'm teacher" she snickered as she slammed her fist down into the ground, a slight pulse running through the earth as jagged rocks erupted from the earth and headed towards his direction. If he were to remain, they would pierce him easily, though the hydra wasn’t counting on it. Kaine wasn’t that easy, nor did she want him to be.

Quickly he jack knifed onto his feet in the water, sending up a spray of water as the spikes erupted where he was. For a moment nothing could be seen but water and stone, but when the water settled the spikes of stone where there, but he wasn't.

She blinked slightly, wondering where the man went and looked around widely for a moment, though a grin was still apparent on her crazed face.

"Oh Kaaaaiiinnnee... where are youuuu.... come out come out wherever you are..." she called, giggling darkly as she grasped one of her three tails and dragged her claws along it, green blood seeping out. Smirking she whirled around quickly, the blood flying everywhere. As it hit nearby rocks and trees, the items began to sizzle, before crumbling slightly. She did not expect that to happen to him, and wildlife was easier to decompose, but it would cause him pain if made contact.

Just then there was a crunch of stone underfoot as he appeared behind her from the shadows, just after her blood had passed through the air, and quickly he lashes out a round house kick at her head as she turns in reaction to the sound.

"I'm right here dear".

She snarls lightly in pain, skidding back slightly, her reptilian feet leaving marks in the rock. She shook her head, feeling the light trail of blood dripping from it, snickering as she gazed at him.

"How rude. To hit a lady..." she giggled before darting forward, the muscles on her fore arms tensing as scythes of black bone protruded, arching out above her hands a decent amount of inches. "One should return the gesture, no?" she asked but waited for no answer, aiming to bring down one scythe on his throat while the other went for his gut.

Kaine shifted swiftly and reached to grab onto each of the scythe like blades. The blades bit into the flesh of his hands and the brackish black blood began to run down his hands and forearms as he sneered at her, leaning forward as he pushed back on the blades to try and force her to take a few steps back.

"So very touchy. But should you really be fighting while you carry our dear child?"

Her eyes flared slightly, taking a couple steps back before two of her three tails, the one she did not cut open, though that one was healing rapidly, slammed roughly into the ground behind her, ceasing any more movements of her moving back. She snickered, leaning forward as well as she forced the scythes in deeper, wanting to slice through his bones.

"I like to touch you. So intoxicating... well, weren't you the one stating that I should hope to not have one of yours? Isn't this what you want, for me not to have your child?" she cooed back, laughing maniacally, biting only slightly in front of his face, missing his nose by a hair.

"I don't believe I ever said that I hope it isn't mine."

Suddenly he released one of the blades and pivots inward, driving his elbow into her chest brutally, as he does a bone spike grows, driving the blade into her chest. He was confident that such a wound wouldn't kill her, but it would certainly make a point, that she had to work harder to prove herself a challenge.

She shrieks, panting slightly, staring down at the wound formed from his weapon, watching the blood seep down, red in colour with a hint of black from here, the fluids beneath her flesh different then that from her tails. She then slowly gazed back up at him, her head cocked to the side.

"How rude" she whispered before driving her knee into his groin, shoving him back, moving her mouth close to bite at his ear hard, not to rip it off, but to bleed. Flickering her tongue over the wound, she whispered into his canal, her tone coming off as both erotic and dangerous.

"You really need to make up your mind on what you want dear. All these wishwashy feelings will leave you nothing in the end".

Why did women always go for the groin in a fight? It annoyed him to no end. When he hit the ground he grunted and before he could climb back onto his feet, she was on him as he felt a prick at his ear. Upon hearing her words he smirked at her calmly.

"You assume I feel anything at all”.

She laid on him fully, moving her head to face his fully, grinning slightly as her red irises bored into his ice cold ones as she leaned in closer to him.

"Perhaps you don't, though you were pretty snippy when we discussed of our child last we met... makes me wonder if something similar happened to you when you were a child" she cooed out again, their noses barely touching. Upon finally noticing his previous displeased look from her attack to his lower region, her smile widened.

"Here, a kiss for you".

She pressed her lips down hard on his and as she did, her antennae rested within each of his ears, curling inwards softly as she sent a light, yet all the while unpleasant shock, through him. He squeezed his eyes shut as the shock shot through him, his lips pursing somewhat tightly as she pressed hers against his. When she withdrew slightly he chuckled darkly.

"You have no idea the sort of childhood I had, so don't presume anything. Or I'll rip that child from your stomach right now". His tone remained cool but there was definitely a hint of threat in it. He smirked, his fangs just barely visible.

"You know frankly, I'm surprised that you haven't, though it isn't as fully developed yet. Feel free to try if you like, if you deem some other whore worthy of your name" she purred, pulling back slightly, her mind slipping even more with the feelings she had inside, bloodlust, lust for him, pain, ecstasy... neverending. She then sat up more upright and started to move slowly off him, her crazed eyes never leaving his.

"You let your guard down".

His hand came up and a blast of dark energy jumped from his hand, plowing into her like a freight train, sending her flying into the water as he climbed to his feet, black blood still dripping from his palms and torn forearm.

Whatever yell of pain she had was muffled as she collided into the water, coughing hysterically, bubbles flowing forth, as she clutched her form. Breathing underwater was never a problem for her and she shook her head till the pain subsided, her scythes retracting into her forearms. Gritting teeth though the playful look was still there, she swam under the platform of rock that he was on. Smirking she plowed straight up into it, driving her fist through and up, clasping onto her mark, being Kaine's ankle, and pulling him hard. She didn't pull him under, no, only his leg, getting just above the knee. Grinning she sunk her fangs in, injecting a new form of poison to him, her claws digging in as well.

On the opposite side of the platform Kaine gritted his teeth as he felt a pair of fangs dig into his calf, and the claws sinking into his flesh. The pain was like a drug but he didn't move, he just remained crouched there with his leg trapped. He was curious to find out what this new toxin did.

On normal beings, they would die even more horribly then when Velacia was in her standard form. And she knew he was too strong to die. But it would make him slightly irrational and a bit blind as well as feeling some other physical issues or enhances, depending on ones views. Her tails lashed excitedly behind her. She injected a large dose before finally releasing him, swimming back and giving him a bit of time for the poison to sink.

He felt his mind cloud and his vision blur as he pulled his leg free of the hole in the rock. All things considered, he was rather surprised the venom had as much effect on his physical body as it did. The world went black, he couldn't see a thing.

"Very interesting..." His ice blue eyes stared forward unseeingly as he listened. It was difficult to focus on any one thing but he managed to listen intently to the world around him, waiting for some sign of the woman. He knew she was under water, but he had a feeling she wouldn't stay there very much longer.

Finally getting bored of waiting, she dove out of the water, landing on ground a few feet from him loudly, grinning as he looked in her direction, if not a bit a blindly.

"How did you like my bite love? A bit wonky, hmm?" she cooed, cackling before slamming both her fists down, sending two rows of jagged rocks towards him, followed by a set of lightning blasts from her antennae.

When he heard her emerge from the water and land on the stone, her words were noted but he didn't actually listen to what was spoken. What he did notice was the sound of crunching stone that grew closer quickly and felt the sizzle in the air before him, indicating that she unleashed her electrical shocks again. His hand shot up quickly and a wall of black appeared before him, like a solid shadow, the rock spikes halted in their tracks and the bolts seemingly swallowed up by the darkness.

"I must say, it is a unique sensation. But do not think you've won. I'm just getting warmed up". The shadow wall vanished and he stood there, staring at her unseeingly. "I think perhaps I should take the child now".

At this Velacia remained still, blinking slightly, gazing at him with a raised eyebrow as she took in his words.

"Awww... bored of me already that you want to take the child? Dear oh deary me. Please feel free to try, but I warn you, mothers are very protective of their young" she sneered before darting forward, releasing her scythes again from her flesh.

He stood his ground, a sphere of black energy forming in his hand, seeming to suck in light. He spun instinctively to avoid the blades and came out of the spin facing her back. He then thrust his hand forward, driving the black energy ball directly into the middle of her back.

"Don't underestimate me".

She cried out in pain slightly, her back feeling greatly burned. Snarling she whipped her tails backwards, shoving him back from her, craning her head slightly, antennae arched and charged.

"You're doing a fine job of proving to me otherwise" she snapped.

He felt the impact of the tails against his chest and staggered backward with a grunt. Being unable to see was a bother, but he so did love a challenge. He reached out to grab hold of one of the tails and yanked roughly as he stepped aside, hoping to cause her to simply stumble back and end up in the water once again. He wanted more effort out of her, he wanted more ferociousness, and it seemed the only way to get that, was to frustrate her to no end. And to do that, he would embarrass her by winning the bouts with simple easy moves.

She growled as she stumbled back slightly, teetering on the edge of the rock platform before slipping into the water. She shrieked slightly, not out of pain, but of irritance. Damn this man! Why wouldn't he just die?!

"...but I don...t..." some part of her whispered. She growled and shook her head roughly, snapping to herself. "Silence!"

Growling again angrily she charged out of the water, slamming him down to the ground, both of them skidding across the surface till they fell into the water and began to sink. Sinking her claws into his shoulders, she dove her fangs into his neck, injecting another dose of her venom as one of her tails stretched the wound on his ankle, blood oozing out from his frame and blurring her vision, though not that she cared at this moment.

Long bone blade claws sprouted from his fingertips and he plunged them into her chest from the sides, the blades slipping in between the ribs as he sank his own fangs into her throat roughly. His back touched the slimy bottom of the lake and he sank into it, silt kicking up around them, both blood and silt clouding the water around them slowly.

She writhed against him, soon releasing his throat as she started to cough blood up, jerking her neck back from his grip as best she could, finally ripping free from his fangs, feeling a clenching sensation in her chest. Her hands released his shoulders and mimicked his motions, piercing in between his own ribs, however, she did it in a rapid punching motion, the wounds getting wider with each plunge back in, intending to make his sides cave inwards.

He shifted as she pulled her neck from him and began her ruthless attack as he planted his feet on the murky bottom and pushed off, the two of them speeding to the surface and into the air, only to land on the stone slab roughly. He rolled away from Velacia and coughed, more out of force of habit then because of need for air. He pushed himself up to his hands and knees as blood ran freely from his sides onto the stone, creating a puddle around him. He lifted his head and turned his unseeing eyes toward where he knew she was. He panted faintly.

"You seem a little worse for wear my dear. Is something wrong?" He smirked, his wet hair somehow defying gravity and remaining standing on end.

She let out a loud hacking cough, blood spewing from her lips as she forced herself to her knees, her hands gently going over her wounded sides, her look a dark one at all the damage. She glanced over at his direction, gritting her teeth at the remark when his words hit home with her.

"... must...stop..." part of her whispered.

"Shut up fool. I have him" she snapped out harshly.

"But... the child... I... you...we...can't..." she whispered again.

"For godsakes shut up! Who gives a damn! I can splice!" she snarled.

"... too risky... leave now... leave him..."

"Why? Don't tell me you care for this idiot? This bastard who bedded you in the first place?" she demanded.

"... I... just leave...him..."

"HA! How rich... no wonder the lord was so displeased with you. Poor little Velacia, starting to feel with a heart we hydras do not feel with" she taunted, her eyes looking around widely, giggling.

"Stop it... before... it is... too... late..."

"You know what I'll stop?! YOU KNOW WHAT I'LL STOP?! YOUR VOICE! Your stupid logical voice! NOW SHUT UP!" she shrieked and with her maddened sanity, shoved her claws into her throat, ripping out some tendrils of flesh, barely missing the vocal cords but damaging them just the same as she rasped out heavily, hissing slightly as she dropped the bit of flesh before letting out a low giggle.

"Your time is almost up Kaine" she cooed out in a forced fashion, grinning sadistically as she moved back slightly away from him.

Kaine pushed himself to his feet slowly. The fog over his mind was thick, he would have to get a sample of that venom for study. He was curious to know how it worked exactly.

"Tsk tsk. Planning to throw me out so soon? I thought we were just getting started". He reached to his side and he could feel the sizable holes. This body was taking a beating and he was curious to know just how much damage the woman could do.

"Well as much as I'd love to toy around with you..." she drawled, coughing up blood again but not seeming to be bothered by it, "my saner side feels different towards you, but that will be dealt with. But no worries, I'll make your last fight an admirable one. Lets up the stakes shall we?"

Giggling insanely she slammed a fist into the ground, remaining in a hunched position as her eyes started to glow, the black and red hues seeming almost to blur together. There would be only one way to shut up her original self... and that would be to head to stage three.

Kaine couldn't see what she was doing, but he could feel energy building and had a good idea that there were more secrets within her newly evolved body that he was about to witness.

"I'm a gambling man. I'll meet your wager, and raise you. I will not change form, I will not use my sword, and I will not use my bone blades, but I will still beat you into the ground". He knew she hated arrogance, and so he would continue to feed her frustration with his belittling words and mockery.

"So goddamn confident aren't you?! Egotistical bastard! I don't know what she saw in you" Velacia snarled out as loud as she could, ignoring the pain in her gashed throat. No, the pain only fueled her body more. Oh he would pay... she would take pleasure in beating his face to a pulp.

The air started to whirl around her and she could feel her muscles tense again, pulsating, her eyes opening wider. She let out a roar as the feeling took her over, both inside and out, as it something was growing and slithering inside her veins, overtaking her senses completely. For a long moment there was silence. An eery silence it was as smoke appeared from the once clear air and clouded over her, the air itself becoming quite stagnant.

And then there was another roar. But a louder one, much louder.

As the smoke dispersed, the humanoid woman no longer remained. She had changed into her final stage, a large, three headed, five tailed black silver hydra. Every set of her large eyes were blood red, the colour itself seeming to swirl around her slitted pupils. The scales were all giving off an ethereal glow, glinting in the light. Thin whiplike horns rose from each of the three heads, swaying gently in the wind and long jagged spines ran down their backs to the tip of all their tails. Any wounds that she had before were gone, as were her clothes, shredded to pieces. And as for the pendant she wore, it had snapped off and landed close to where Kaine stood, bouncing once against the rocky platform before coming to a standstill.

Whatever sanity this woman had was gone. Even the insane side did not speak as the behemoth screamed again in rage, almost rivaling the size of the ancestor quite a way behind her. The three heads gnashed their razor sharp mouths before diving down towards Kaine, their long winding body moving to encircle the platform, blocking from anyway out.

Kaine heard the delicate tink of the pendant hitting the stone and with a gesture of his hand it floated upward and flew at the neck of the central head, the chain elongating to fit the neck, and securing to it. He squinted, his vision slowly returning to him. He could see the massive form of the hydra that he now faced and, to a point, he was disappointed. Not because the opponent wasn't formidable, but because it was no longer capable of thinking, and being devious. Now it was just a straight out fight.

"My my... what big teeth you have. I would like very much to have a necklace made out of them". He didn't do much else, but he began to walk calmly forward, his hand outstretched as he seemed to be attempting to place a hand on the chest of the monster once he was close enough.

The hydra almost halted its movements when the pendant went back around the central head's neck, but afterwards ignored it, observing Kaine approaching their chest area. The left head dipped down and stuck out its long pale blue tongue, wrapping it firmly around his torso and hoisting him into the air as the other two head's eyes began to glow brighter, preparing to shock him, knowing that they couldn't harm the other head by that means.

He grabbed hold of the tongue as he was hoisted up off the ground as his eyes slowly came back into focus and he narrowed them, his lips moving as he spoke something silently. A hum then pervaded the air, like the sort of sound you would hear from a high voltage power line, and the sound seemed to spin around them as what looked like a dozen small disks formed in the air. They flew inward at a slight angle, slicing through the tongue between himself and the maw of the hydra before him, dropping him to the ground with a thud. The disks weren't actually blades or even solid, they were like mini portals, and rather then cutting through something, they teleported a sliver of matter off into the dark oblivion that was Kaine's void. He reached up and uncoiled the length of tongue from around him and stood slowly, blood still seeping from the injuries along his ribs as he dropped the slimy flesh to the ground.

"Impress me. Come now, don't be shy..."

The left head shrieked shrilly, unsure as to what happened. It then shut its maw, growling in Kaine's direction, its eyes squinting angrily. Upon opening its mouth again, however, the tongue was back to normal length. The regenerative abilities of this beast were quite fast.

The three heads let out a snarl in unison as it slammed all five of its tails into the ground, columns of stone erupting around Kaine, elevating almost to the height of their heads. Finally the middle head slammed down forward into the ground, capsizing the platform of rock roughly, letting off the shock in the water, the voltage nothing like the one Velacia released in her second form, the water bubbling violently, thick steam rising from it. The other two heads drew back before letting out a rain of green venom, which turned out to be acid, burning anything that it reached that wasn't its own body.

When the stone platform began to crumble he slipped between the columns that surrounded him and ran toward the beast, the rock giving way even as his feet left one chunk for the next. As he neared the beast it rained forth acid, and where it touched him, his clothes and flesh burned, but by this point he was fairly close, and leapt from the last piece of rock and onto the body of the beast. He wasn't intending to end up in the water, not with the bolts that the creature was putting out, he wanted this little bout to last. He started to climb up the body toward the neck of the central head.

While the central head was finishing up the shock of the water, the other two turned their attention towards Kaine. Irritated that the being was on its form, the left head darted forward to knock him back, spitting acid at him where as the right swiveled behind to catch him if he were to fall and if so, would send him flying into the water.

Kaine was hit full on by the plume of acid, his skin quite literally melting. As a mixed blessing, when the second head grabbed hold of him and tossed him into the water, it washed the acid from his body as he splashed into the murky depths. He found himself wondering, just how far would this creature go before it stopped. Perhaps it was time to test that.

The hydra whirled around with a speed one would think it did not have and dove fully into the water, the two exterior heads letting off a large electrical blast again while the central began to suck in water, hard, probing for Kaine's form to enter into its maw and swallow him whole.

He swam for the muddy nearby shore but just as he reached it the electrical shock paralyzed his muscles for a long moment, light crackles of energy going around his form. Somewhere behind him he could sense the gaping maw hunting for him through the murky waters. Finally, after a long while with the distance of the hydra and him closing rapidly, his motor functions returned to him and he dragged himself up onto the soft mossy bank and rolled onto his back, watching the hydra with a pained, yet thoughtful expression on his face. This creature would definitely be useful.

Sensing its prey was no longer in the water anymore, the three heads emerged, shrieking loudly, eyeing him with a fervent hunger, their tongues trailing from their mouths as they moved closer. Once close enough, the five tails crawled onto the land and started to knock and destroy the nearby caves, forcing boulders to roll down in mass numbers to his location while the three heads began to slam into the ground, creating another earthquake, the ground cracking and erupting all around the purple haired man.

He propped himself up slowly on his elbows and watched the creature advance. He muttered under his breath, an opaque black sphere forming around him, blocking him from view. However large boulders that land on the sphere seem to vanish into it. It just remains there unmoving, as if waiting for things to calm down.

The hydra snarled in confusion and irritance, eyeing the black sphere with dislike. They halted their attack on the nature about it and brought their heads slightly closer, investigating the orb while drawing their tails back into the water. They then made a large splashing motion, sending a tidal wave of water onto the land, as if to experiment something.

The water that washed over the sphere vanished into it, it was becoming clear that this shield was like a portal that had been formed so the external surface would swallow up whatever came in contact with it, while presumably, whatever was inside was safe.

The hydra stopped their attack again, unsure of what to do. They circled the orb, eyeing it closely, waiting to see something happen, all of their limbs tense, ready to strike at anything. It was obvious though the beast was restless, not seeming too fond of dealing with a form of battle it was not familiar with.

Kaine watched the hydra from the bow of a gnarled tree on a nearby piece of land. He had taken the time inside the protection of the sphere to heal and then teleported out, allowing the hydra to believe he was still inside the sphere. He smirked slightly. He was eager to see what would happen when the creature realized its prey was no longer there. He allowed the sphere to blink out.

The hydra blinked, darting around to see where their prey was, the three heads swiveling in every single possible direction, seeming to grow more and more restless being unable to locate the man. It seemed he had vanished out and was hiding somewhere...

They inhaled the air, locating his scent, looking towards the dead trees, or almost dead ones. Soon their eyes locked onto his form standing on one of the bows. Roaring in rage they started to pull itself onto land, the three heads letting out acid rain while their tails totaled anything in its wake. Their eyes began to glow brightly again, the charge curling around each of the three head's horns, the bolts seeming to connect amongst one another. It was obvious that their intent to create a large blast was imminent.

Kaine watched as the hydra advanced, his features calm as he calmly lifted his hand up and snapped his fingers. The pendant around the neck of the central head began to constrict, tighter and tighter. Cutting off it's air supply.

The central head began to shriek, thrashing its head from side to side, almost knocking into the other two heads, the jaws gnashing angrily as it tried to stabilize its intake of air, though it was only becoming harder and harder the more it struggled, though something within its mind warned that it would be the same no matter what it did.

The other two heads stared at the central for a moment, narrowing their bloodied eyes. They glanced at their opposite while the central continued thrashing in pain, losing more air, its tongue hanging out as it panted. Both sets of eyes from the outer heads made contact with the necklace finally, narrowing their orbs, seeming to concentrate on it.

The two heads then did something unexpected. They both darted forward, the left sinking its jaw to above the necklace, the right to below, the central head still thrashing about but not stopping them. They then began to sink their teeth in, growling lowly as they did, blood oozing out from under their jaws.

It was clear they were going to pull the head right off and get rid of the necklace.

Kaine dropped from the tree lightly and strode forward, the acid that had landed on him still burning his newly healed flesh. He just needed to touch it and it would all be over, just as he knew it would.

Little did anyone know, however, every hydra had a central node, usually being the center head. In battle, that node could be transferred amongst heads if one was destroyed, if the enemy were lucky, to another. But this hydra was not doing that.

Their fangs dug in deeper, and the sound of bone crunching could be heard. If the head were pulled... the beast would die. It was odd to see some beast have that much sense, especially when before it seemed to rely solely on an animalistic nature.

The only warning was the flashing eyes, going between bright bloody red and a dim coagulating coloured one.

He drew near to the hydra and extended his hand out and laid it on the creature's flank. Crimson threads of energy danced over the massive beast, paralyzing its muscles, trying to cause the creature to simply go limp and seize its destructive action.

The two heads trying to bite off the central struggled, growling angrily from their bloody maws, but soon the effects of the crimson energy worked and they slowly slipped off from the central, leaving deep jagged bloody wounds before crashing into the ground, breathing raggedly as their eyes rolled shut out of exhaustion.

The central head, however, though still being constricted, now seemed eerily calm, as if a switch had been flicked on. Though its eyes still flashed, it brought its head close to Kaine's, eyes narrowed, a faint trail of intelligence in them as it breathed heavily. It still struggled against the energy, but had more will then the other two heads, thus being the central node.

The necklace eased it's constricting embrace on the throat of the creature as Kaine reached up to pat the nose of the central head with a smirk.

"I knew you were in there somewhere".

Hot air came from its nostrils, going over Kaine's form, blowing at him a bit hard, making him take a step back. Whether it had any issue with the patting, it did nothing else. Instead it merely ran its long blue tongue along his body entirely, the saliva seeming to be a healing measure against the acid, his wounds sealing rapidly. It then resumed to stare at him, a faraway look in its eyes, almost a sad gaze in a way.

He reached up and wiped the slimy saliva from his face, not seeming too pleased with being slimed, then folded his arms over his chest, eyeing the large behemoth calmly.

"You have the ability to revert I'm sure. So you may as well do it" he stated, his words being calm.

The hydra head glanced at him for a moment more, as if debating the suggestion. Finally it seemed to relent and it let out a breath of silver air, it seeming to waft around its form, enveloping it in a thick fog, hiding it from view. When it dispersed, only Velacia remained, in her original form, seeming unharmed, if only nude now. She was a few feet away from Kaine and had no real inclination to move closer. She didn't meet his eyes as she spoke.

"Well seems you won again. I apologize if I didn't prove much entertainment for you" she let out, the tone being monotonous as she gazed down at the pendant around her neck, only remembering it as a lethal device before. Dropping his arms to his side Kaine made his way toward her calmly.

"You have some interesting abilities, similar to a friend of my mother's. Perhaps one day you might seek her out. But for the time being you entertained me enough. I must say I didn't expect you to start ripping yourself apart however". He stops directly in front of her, his icy gaze locked.

She tensed having him so close to her, still refusing to gaze at him, though she could feel his gaze on her, and it made her feel many different matters. It was quite apparent right now, being with him, after almost being utterly defeated was the last place where she wanted to be, and he knew that very well, enjoying the uncomfortable sensations coming off of her.

"The only way to free myself from your bind. Death does have some benefits" she whispered, one of her hands absentmindedly poking the flesh of her stomach, testing the resistance, seeming to test something as he tilts his head slightly and quirks an eyebrow.

"You would kill yourself, simply to be rid of me? Do I understand correctly?"

"... you plague me in a way like no other... in a way I hate... and yet... in a way I crave. Heritage or not, it seemed my lord and my more... irrational side saw me as a fool. So to answer your question, yes. I felt it was the best course of action" she sighed, her clawed fingers gently sinking into the flesh of her stomach, but not drawing any blood as Kaine smirked at the comment. Such an interesting creature.

"I hope your amusement has been satisfied for the time being" she added, though secretly wishing it would for the rest of her life.

"What if I told you there was another of your kind?" he asked, speaking calmly, watching her face closely to gauge her reaction.

"Don't lie to me. There is no other... and even if there were... well fine, they can take on the legacy that I can not" she replied, seeming to find his question unimportant. Perhaps if she were in better spirits she would be suspicious, but for now it seemed her senses were deadened and her life didn't seem as... enjoyable as it were before.

"Don't be a coward. There is nothing I despise more then a coward who flees their responsibilities" he stated firmly as he narrowed his eyes at her coldly, causing her to shrink back from that gaze, and then as fast as she did, she snapped angrily.

"Why do you give a damn?! You just about RUINED everything! Don't you have your own responsibilities to worry about besides those below you?!" She then panted heavily, the recent events, not only of today but that of their previous encounters seeming to take a toll on her, having never experienced this much stress ever as she glared at him before adding in a low voice.

"And speaking of responsibilities... I recall you speaking with the irrational side of taking your child..." she said, her claws digging into her skin fully now, blood starting to drip. "I'll be more then glad to pull them out for you..."

"Multiple offspring?" he queried, quirking an eyebrow. He seems slightly surprised but then narrows his gaze at her. "You don't have the courage to do it little Velacia. But by all means, if you think you are capable of it, try". He watched her evenly, waiting for her to make a choice, a choice he already knew the answer for.

"You think you know me... you think you GOD DAMN KNOW ME!" she snarled, her claws plunging in deeper, the blood dripping down her thighs and over her exposed vagina. She glared at him, willing her hand in deeper.

But then flashes of defenseless offspring popped into her mind and the instinct of a mother stopped her. No matter how much she tried to make herself feel otherwise, that instinct, that unwavering instinct of needing to protect her little ones was unmoving. No, she couldn't do it... just as he said she wouldn't. She lowered her hand, the claws slipping out from the puncture wounds and turned her back to him, raising the bloody hand to her face, covering it, covering her eyes as she could feel something press against them. Something that before this day she never felt before either... something she didn't want anyone to see. Right now she felt broken and she hated every moment of it.

"Such a fool..." she whispered to no one as her stomach continued to drip blood. "Such a goddamn fool..."

He moves up behind her and slides his arms around her to place a hand over her injured stomach, shadows coagulating there and healing the wound. He speaks in a low whisper to her ear.

"I knew you wouldn't".

His touch... She jerked slightly but then remained still, almost leaning back against him, feeling most weary. She could feel something humans call tears press against her closed eyelids and she clenched them shut tighter, the tips of her claws almost digging into her face. No she couldn't let them flow. She wouldn't show that weakness, wouldn't give him the satisfaction that he was about to see her cry.

"...are you happy now? Are you happy that you've done this to me?"

"I take pleasure in very little, the battle I enjoyed, this I do not" he said, his lips tickling her ear lightly as he speaks in that velvet tone. His fingertip starts to trace slow circles on the flesh of her belly. He knew very well how much damage he exerted on her and though it brought him some satisfaction of doing mental harm to her, he didn't want her to break, at least just not yet. He enjoyed playing with her and for now he would sway her from these feelings of depression.

She hung her head slightly, finally succeeding in pushing back those wretched tears. She pressed her thighs tighter together as she almost lulled into his touch and his voice... oh that voice... the voice that captivated her from the very beginning. She then looked down at her bloodied hands, the scent of her own blood quite pungent now.

"What am I to you? Just a toy as before?" she asked quietly as she gazed at his hand slightly, but not really seeing it.

"You are many things. An interesting specimen, an amusing creature, the mother of my future offspring". He lower's his hands along her body sensually then slides them up to cup her breasts. "And what am I to you? Just a bastard that plays with your head?"

She gasps softly, her pale cheeks flushing as her hands clench slightly at her sides, his touch energizing her skin, a warm feeling seeming to go through her as she shifted somewhat in his gentle grasp.

"Though that is a main part... you are a very strong individual. Powerful, cunning, devious, father of my offspring... and... someone I crave and... can not go without seeing for very long" she finally revealed, shutting her eyes, feeling embarrassed somewhat but felt no reason to hide it. Not much she COULD hide from him anyways.

"Am I truly that alluring to you?" he lowered his lips to her shoulder and dragged his fangs along her skin lightly as his hands kneaded her breasts absently, caressing the silky texture.

Her tail twitched behind her, gently trailing along his leg as she shuddered within his touch, letting out a soft purr. She doubted she could ever grow accustomed to someone else's touch again. He knew just exactly how to make her feel so good.

"Yes... gods yes you are... and no matter how much I try to resist it, I always seem to end back where I started again..." she let out softly as he tightened his arms around her, pulling her back against his chest.

"I'm told I'm quite a nuisance in that respect. I'm like a drug you simply can't get enough of" he mutters against her neck "Everyone loves to hate me, but they can't live without me either. I'm in their blood, calling to them". And it was true. It was quite easy to get others addicted to him. Even his enemies found an attraction to him. Not necessarily sexual, but having an odd sensation of needing to see him, even if to attempt to slay him. Feelings that one normally wouldn't have for another. Feelings that he would twist and prod to his heart's content.

Velacia chuckled softly, feeling aroused with how tight he held her, shifting slightly as her tail looped his ankle a bit, breathing a bit heavily. He definitely must of had a lot of practice. She wondered if there was anyone who could resist this man's influence, whether physical or otherwise.

"You must have a lot of women flock your doors, begging to see you" she joked, causing him to chuckle slightly.

"No, no one comes to my door, they don't survive the trip to my fortress... but I never have my private box to myself at the Opera House. Ever." He didn't expect her to have a clue what he was talking about, but he enjoyed teasing her mind. She blinked slightly, tilting her head back to look at him curiously.

"... Opera House?" she asked, thoroughly confused. She knew humans had their own form of entertainment, but doubted his was anywhere near that form, or even that mild. "...so what number am I? One thousand and seventy-two? You're lucky you're a higher up Kaine and don't attract those lovely diseases humans seem abundant too" she quipped back, reaching up to poke him in the cheek.

"The Opera House is a sort of neutral ground for both the light and the dark. However my father owns it. It is a place of entertainment, and a place to make business deals. And to answer your question, I gave up counting a long time ago" he calmly continued as he released her breasts and slid his hands down to her hips, nibbling on her neck gently.

"Sounds... fascinating..." she breathed, trying to keep her words as normal as possible though he was deft with his motions. "You must have a lot of young ones running around with your lifestyle..." she snickered, her own hands finally moving to press against his legs. "You'll have an army in no time..."

"I have no offspring as of yet" he mutters quietly to her ear as he kissed her neck lightly. "I'm sure you find that surprising".

Velacia froze, her eyes widening considerably as she turned her head slightly to gaze at him, a little difficult with him kissing her neck.

"W-What? You mean... I am birthing your... first?"

Oh yes, she was definitely surprised. She expected one such as Kaine to have almost in a way a harem of children with how he alludes to all the experience he has... but she was the first to hold his offspring? Certainly he was joking. But no... it seemed that he was being honest. The statement still continued to bewilder her.

"Yes, you have within you my first spawn. Is that a problem?" he asks as he tilts his head to gaze at her with a strange sort of curiosity that almost came off as boyishly cute.

She flushed deeper at his gaze, shrinking back slightly against him, before adverting eye contact. Damn his different facial expressions... it always had an effect on her, even if she gave no outward appearance. She then waved a hand nonchalantly, a small smile on her lips.

"No no... none at all. I am pleased to... be bestowed such an honour" she said quietly, though it was sincere, even if she was still frazzled from all of this. He smirks at her slightly, very well knowing the feelings brewing within her.

"Perhaps now that your trek has come to an end you will live at Dark Hatred".

He was however joking. He would never allow another to live in his fortress with him. It was his haven. Something he had created himself with his own abilities. Still that didn't mean he couldn't play with her head. He pressed his body tightly against her's, squeezing her gently.

"Somehow I don't really believe you" she said, grinning at him. "Besides, for all I know, I could not wake up one day and being one of those... delightful trophies you have".

Upon being squeezed, her tail travelled up higher on his leg, stroking gently, getting closer to its mark, his smirk growing from her actions. She definitely could tell at times when he was not being serious, a fact that amused him more. At least she had a brain.

"Those trophies were hard won battles. Hell is a very busy place when it comes to war. Demons and devils fight each other and squabble over territory. All of those heads attempted to take over my land, and they paid the price with their lives. Of course, those were only some of the smaller trophies. The more impressive ones are in the Grand Hall" he said, his lips brushing her ear lightly as he spoke softly.

"How delightful..." she murmured before winking at him. "Guess I was lucky I regained control or I'm sure my hydra heads would be taken". Her clawed fingers gently tickled his sides, pressing against the material, tempted to shred it to pieces as before.

"It may have found its way to my wall had you died. Thankfully it didn't come to that" he said evenly as he slid his tongue along the tender flesh of her neck fleetingly and smirked deviously.

"Yes. Thankful indeed... and... quick question" she asked, shutting her eyes and squirming slightly from his lick before managing to speak again. She reached up and tugged at the pendant around her neck as an emphasis.

"This isn't going to randomly choke me, now is it?" At the action he shook his head.

"No, of course it won't" he confirmed, his tone honest as he nuzzled her neck, causing her to purr from his gesture.

"Good... would not bode well if that were to occur during childbirth... and perhaps this is just me, but you're quite affectionate today" she teased, reaching back to stroke at his hair slightly, playing with the soft spikes gently.

"I wouldn't so much call it affection, as affection is not something I am capable of. Not truly".

That was a lie, but he wasn't about to tell her that. The truth was that he could feel just fine. But at times he felt as though that was a weakness, despite his father's words to the contrary. He often told others he was incapable, simply to throw them off.

"Perhaps you are. I thought I too was once... well to a point I still am but there are exceptions. No matter, you are who you are... it just felt today... seems different then the last two encounters. Perhaps the battle has still left me dazed" she mused, gently patting his head, not seeming perturbed by his comment. Maybe he was right. He didn't seem the affectionate type anyway.

"There is nothing quite like a battle to get the blood boiling" he commented as he smirked again.

"You certainly got mine boiling, that was for sure. I never felt that... in tuned before... I thank you" she said, smirking as well as her other hand moved around to gently caress his area, her features then turning into that of a grin as she felt the bulge in his tight pants. "And I apologize for continuing to inflict damage to you here. Force of female habit I suppose".

"Yes, well I am relatively certain that I shed enough blood to cause at least a slight reaction in you, hmm?" he said as he growled lowly at her neck and nipped, eliciting a soft gasp from the hydra as she pressed her hand against him a bit more fervently.

"I wouldn't say light. More like grand. But yes... you are definitely adept at... pushing my buttons in various matters". The comment caused him to chuckle lowly, knowing that fact all too well.

"Well you are already dressed for the occasion". It was evident that he was aroused, his hot breath falling on her neck as he coiled his arms around her completely, his embrace tight and giving no indication that he wanted to release her anytime soon. She flushed, curling slightly to him, taking in his warmth, breathing heavily again, resting her clawed hands over his arms as she brushed her behind against him slightly.

"Mm, suppose I am... though you are overdressed I must say. And where are we going to copulate today? Outside here?"

Kaine made no reply as shadows swirled around his form, a cool feeling going over Velacia as it did. Craning her head to look at him, wondering why he hasn't replied yet, she watched as the shadows finally receded and the man behind her was now completely nude, his warm form pressing fully against her backside. But what caught her attention was the gaze he was giving her, the smoldering look of utter lust and desire from those cold ice blue eyes that her throat went dry and she swallowed hard, her cheeks flushing lightly.

Never removing his gaze from her, the purple haired man trailed one of his hands down along the front of her frame, his slender digits pausing momentarily over her nether lips and the hydra's breathing hitched in her throat as she almost teared her eyes away from his to observe his action but his gaze held her to him and the hybrid could feel that she wouldn't be able to break it.

A soft gasp escaped from her soft lips as Kaine finally danced his fingers over her opening, smirking down at her as he felt how wet she was. He pressed and slid his fingers along the outer edges of her labia, slowly moving his way into the center, the woman mewling gently, her hips writhing and pressing against his erection, her tail moving slightly so she could feel it against her soft rear, the man himself growling lowly in approval at the feeling of being against both flesh and scales.

Moans then began to slowly spill from her mouth as he finally slipped a finger in, swirling it within her experimentally as she bucked, pressing back against him as he continued to watch her intensely, her own conveying how much lust she had for him. He grinned deviously as he slipped in another finger, increasing the pace inside her wet insides and she moaned, her hands gripping the one arm still holding her tightly, her ass grinding against him hard.

He then curled his fingers inside her and upwards sharply, erupting a sharp cry from the hydra as he brushed against her node and she squirmed roughly against him, her walls clenching around his digits, almost wanting to break free so she could pounce on him but his grip was firm and he would not release her, enjoying the control he had over the woman and how much of hers was waning away.

He flicked the edge of his fingers against her spot a few more times before finally retracting his hand away fully, his fingers slicked with her juices as Velacia let out a soft whine, not wanting him to stop and a low chuckle emanated from his throat as he brought his fingers up to her face, the hydra gazing at how thick the liquid clung to them.

Pressing them to her lips, he rubbed the liquid across her soft flesh, pushing against them insistently till the hydra tentatively flickered her tongue out, twirling around his fingers, taking in both her own taste as his, the man growling in approval as he rubbed against her harder and she squirmed, wanting him inside her desperately as her fluids trickled down her thighs and she rubbed them tightly together in anticipation, her tail rubbing against his thighs.

Once his fingers were clean from the dew of the clear liquid, he brought it down to stroke along her thigh, remaining on the outer side, a fact that seemed to disappoint the hydra but he continued the light petting till he clenched the arm around her waist tighter, shifting her up against his chest as he hooked his other arm under her right thigh, resting under the bend of her knee as he pulled it up fully, Velacia's balance wavering and could only rely on his holding her as the head of his erection gently pressed against her wet folds.

She bucked down as hard as she could, needing to get him inside of her immediately. Kaine only laughed softly behind her as he kept his grip on her firm, letting her know very well that he was in control. Not that she couldn't attempt to try however as Velacia's hands roamed behind her, her claws digging slightly into his back and then along his shoulders, slicing into the skin lightly as his inky black blood trickled out, the aroma from it taking over her senses completely and she bucked roughly down, managing to get his head inside of her as she bit her lip tightly, feeling that another thrust downwards would succeed in getting the penis inside her fully.

Well it would of had Kaine not suddenly dropped her then, the hydra letting out a surprised yelp which was followed by a slight groan as she fell hard onto her hands and knees, her upper half laying against the soft earth, her face flushed against it as well as her rump was in the air, her tail swaying lazily behind her as she was breathing heavily.

She could feel the man shift behind her as he slowly got down onto his knees as the woman struggled to push herself up to get to look at him. Or at least tried till he slammed a hand against the middle of her back, keeping her upper half down as he pushed her tail to the side, which only in return was trailing along his shoulders and chest, caressing him, pressing over his nipples hard and he growled slightly as his other hand gripped the base of his cock, pressing forward as he gently coated the head with Velacia's juices again, lightly sliding over her folds before prodding her entrance.

The hybrid let out a sharp whine and tried to push back hard but Kaine merely tsked and exerted more force against her back, keeping her in place and continued to tease her as her legs shook, her hips trembling as her tail curled against him, trying to appease him in whatever way she could. She needed him inside now and she didn't know how much longer she could last.

He then drew back slightly as his hand against her back slowly trailed up till he seized her by her thick hair, pulling her upper frame up off the ground as his other hand released his dick and he wrapped the arm around her waist, leaning over her as he entered her roughly, letting out a low growl of approval of how tight her wet innards were as Velacia let out a sharp cry.

He then commenced his rough thrusts inside of her, his palm clamping over each of her breasts, reshaping the mounds, groping roughly and twisting at her now erect nipples as he elicited cry after cry from the woman below him, the hydra's hands pressing hard against the earth to steady herself as she pushed her hips back eagerly, her tail curling against his upper half tightly.

He pounded her hard and fast, the friction of him going in so roughly warming both his length and her insides even more as his scrotum slapped against her flesh with each thrust back in. He pulled at her hair more, drawing her frame up closer to his as he hugged her to him, growling lowly into her ear, sending shudders down the woman's spine as he pulled her hair away from one side of her neck as he clamped his mouth to the junction between shoulder and throat, digging his fangs in as he snarled against her flesh, Velacia letting out a loud cry as she jerked, fighting against him, but not to get away. No, more as to just struggle and react fiercely as two animals would during mating, their aggressions only fuelling their passions more.

Her eyes were greatly dilated as she panted out heavily as Kaine drew her blood as he marked her like one would mark their mate. She was beginning to feel a bit light headed as she clenched her muscles against him really hard, earning a sharp moan against her skin as he jerked roughly inside her as a response, hitting against her hidden spot, almost causing her to buckle over if it weren't for him to hold her so tightly to him.

Kaine then released her throat, the trail of blood curling down her front as he finally released her upper half, letting Velacia fall back down on her hands, her claws sinking into the ground as she struggled to remain in a semi upright position as the man's hands seized her hips and frantically thrusted hard inside her, feeling his pleasure rising to its highest peak, the woman's own following suit as she clenched his member as tight as she could, her hips rolling back against his as her tail still gripped him hard, her cries of pleasure spilling forth from her mouth continually.

Her breasts swung back and forth, as did the pendant around her neck, it hitting against her chest softly as her body was growing almost unbearably hot, a sheen of sweat collecting on both their forms, the whole world feeling so unnaturally hot around them as their growing need for the other continued to rise, the air around them quite intoxicating.

And then with one sharp slam into her, Kaine released his hot seed inside, it filling the woman to the brim as Velacia's walls clamped down roughly against his length, both of them letting out sharp cries of pleasure, the hydra's eyes rolling into the back of her head as she shuddered in ecstasy, her whole body shaking as her juices gushed out, bringing some of the purple haired man's semen as well as her arms finally gave way and she slumped forward, unable to hold herself up anymore as her tail unraveled from her partner's form, falling limply to the side.

He slowly withdrew from her, both of them making light sounds as their parts were quite sensitive. Finally with a squelching noise he pulled out from her fully, Velacia letting out a soft mewl as her lower half fell over to the side, her breathing coming out quite ragged.

Kaine observed quietly as she panted, her tail flicking against the ground slightly. Some of her red locks stuck to her face and he gently reached up to push them away, her eyes closing softly as she gave a soft moan of thanks as she swallowed hard, blood from his bite still slowly trailing down.

He watched her as her limbs were still twitching, sweat still trickling about her form as her breathing finally slowed, him already having reached that point way before her. It was only when her eyes rolled shut out of sheer exhaustion and sleep over took her mind that he slowly stood.

Shadows curled around his frame as clothes appeared upon him once again as he gazed down at her with a small smirk. To say that he enjoyed their little bout was an understatement. It had been a while since he had released his more carnal side when it came to the sex, and it definitely did a number on the hydra.

With that smirk still on his face he turned away from her and began to disappear into the shadows. He had learned a lot today, and not only of her hidden talents, but hidden sensations in her as well. Continuing to study this woman was definitely becoming beneficial. There was much more to learn, much more that she still hid from him.

He would divulge all of her secrets, whether she was willing or not. He would keep her till he wouldn't have a use for her anymore...

... though he had a feeling that it wouldn't come to that point for a long while.

All the more fun for him.