Enthrallment

[Sapphire Spark casts FIREBALL]

The enormous weapon began to glow as Sapphire Spark channeled her arcane power through it. The sword began to heat up, flames flickering around her hoof, then trailing down the length of the flat edge. Spark built up in a dangerous heat, one Sapphire knew would easily incinerate these worthless enemies.

Then, in one swift motion, she unleashed the orb of fire, hurling it through the air towards the oncoming slimes. It left the sword with a whooshing sound, growing into a massive fireball as it flew, engulfing them all in a fiery blaze, causing them to sizzle and shrink.

[Roll: 12 + 4 = 16; Hit!]

[Slime took 58 damage!]

[Roll: 16 + 4 = 20; Hit!]

[Slime took 45 damage!]

[Roll: 8 + 4 = 12; Hit!]

[Slime took 65 damage!]

Before they could move out of the way, she landed and her hooves kicked the stone floor. A surge of fire spread from the impact, flames licking through the metal plates built into her hoof wraps. There was a burst of intense heat as the flames scorched the ground, incinerating each one, leaving a lingering smell of charred gel.

[Slime dies!]

[Giant Slime dies!]

[Slime dies!]

The crackling of the fire began to fade as the slimes collapsed into smoldering heaps, all lifeless.

Sapphire Spark grinned.

"Old reliable.."

[Sapphire Spark casts ORB OF LIGHT]

Her horn lit up, an illumination growing at the base of it, then traveling upwards to her tip. An orb of light then formed in front of her, floating and gently humming. The brilliant ball of white light almost immediately pushed against the gloomy, heavy shadows that lingered in the room, shining a light under eight-foot in diameter.

The ball continued to grow, the light beginning to warm the surroundings as Sapphire eventually stopped channeling. It felt comforting, welcoming and warm, which is why Sapphire loved using the spell in dungeons like these.

She sheathed [UNNAMED GREATBLADE] on her back, the magic allowing her to carry the extra-large weapon with ease. While it was enchanted with every sort of buff, from resistance piercing to damage enhancing, it also had runes that reduced its weight significantly, to the point where it was as light as a wooden spear.

Using the weapon all the time would make this far too easy. It made fighting the monsters she encountered far less challenging. Most of them couldn't take a good hit or two from it before they either ran for the hills or died. Besides, using spells always was the fun part, as it meant she could blow things up, set them on fire, and electrify everything that dared approach her.

With the glowing orb trailing ahead of her, she trotted over to a new unexplored corner of the dungeon. Every wall and floor was carved stone, smooth and cool to the touch. Sapphire was still quite deep underground, and although she knew she was still deep underneath Canterlot, she wasn't sure how far down this dungeon went. What she did know was that a monster infestation had spread in Canterlot's underbelly, one she was determined to stop.

Approaching a doorway, she found it was wooden, and the frame was well crafted. It was strange to see a well-built door in a dungeon so deep, especially since the rest of the dungeons she typically explored were relatively simple and rustic, very few ornate metal or wooden objects. With the way it looked, this seemed to be more like a vault, or some sort of complex that had been cleverly refurbished.

[Sapphire Spark casts KNOCK]

This didn't stop Sapphire from opening it. However, upon doing so, her ears didn't pick up the sounds of... anything. No movements or lights within the room, or beyond the door. The only thing the orb illuminated was a staircase, a spiral one, leading down. There were no monsters or threats she could sense.

A small eerie feeling crept up her spine, one that she hasn't felt in a long time, not since the very first dungeons she had explored years ago. Yet, this feeling also felt... alien. The mane on the back of her neck stood up. There was an ominous sense that was crawling down her neck, giving her goosebumps. There was a presence, something here. Her eyes darted around the stairwell, and as she listened, her ears swiveled.

[Sapphire Spark casts DETECT EVIL]

She started by casting a spell that helped her against anything with negative energies. It would make her immune to the dark powers that she knew might have a stronghold down here. Not having access to information was one of her biggest weaknesses, and one she always tried to nullify to the best of her ability. Yet, despite this feeling, her confidence was as strong as ever.

She had defeated horrible monsters before, ones that almost doubled her level of 155. No monster stood a chance, not even if the entire dungeon was designed to work against her.

She took her time, trotting down the stairs and keeping her ears out. For a few moments, everything felt normal, as if she had gotten herself worked up for no reason. At the very least, nothing was going to jump out at her with the help of the illuminating orb.

At the bottom of the stairwell, she was greeted by another set of doors, though these were not nearly as run down. They were ornate, silver, and had a light blue sheen. There were carvings all along the surface, symbols she did not recognize. However, upon a closer glance, a soft blush appeared across Sapphire's face as it dawned on her what exactly those carvings showed.

She brought her muzzle closer to the door, studying the images, trying to figure out what they meant. After a few moments, she managed to understand the symbols. Each symbol was telling a story.

One side had an erotic scene involving two ponies in some sort of... very lewd position. She couldn't describe it, nor did she want to, but it made her flinch and quickly look over to the other side. To her surprise, that image was very similar, just in a different position, along with what looked like a naga. One consistent theme between the two depictions however, was that one of the monsters was clearly dominating the other pony, both appearing to be in the middle of intercourse.

The first dominating mare was clearly a pegasus, but one with wings on her head as well as a thin, black tail that ended in a heart. Her hoof was wrapped around the other pony's neck, as if strangling her, while the other was tightly gripping her flanks. Her lower leg and her hips were positioned in a very crude fashion, almost like if she were in the middle of a thrust. For Sapphire, it was incredibly lewd, as well as frightening, to see a pony behaving in such a manner. Continuing to stare did not help her blush at all.

These images carved so expertly in the doors were disturbing. She'd already been used to depictions of foul monsters and ponies battling, but these were depicting clearly sexual, erotic events, yet they had such a dark, sinister feeling to them.

That wasn't what completely bothered her, but the fact that they were ponies... two ponies acting upon each other. Ponies weren't known for their sexuality, nor were they depicted as lustful. At least, not to Sapphire.

She took a deep breath and opened the doors, this time manually with no knock spell. Beyond them was another hallway, but this one, just like the doors, was much more ornate and clean. The walls and ceiling were made out of marble, with dark pillars built to support the roof. There were a couple of glass vases and pots that were empty on the side, and a few paintings and tapestries hung upon the walls. The carpet beneath her hooves was also a deep blue, and soft to the touch, much too soft for a dungeon this deep down. The darkness in the room was nearly overwhelming, as there were no sources of light here, the only one coming from her orb of light.

She began to trot forward, hooves meeting carpet as she progressed. The orb continued to guide her way and illuminating her path. Everything about the hallway, aside from the lack of light, was perfectly clean, and didn't at all give the sense she was deep beneath the ground, or at least in a dungeon filled with monsters. The smell of the air matched what she saw, as it was pleasant and not nearly as musty as the floors above. It felt as if she were walking into a noble's manor, not a dungeon deep beneath Canterlot.

Hallway after hallway was like this. She was starting to grow confused, wondering if she had actually been trapped in some sort of mind game, or if she had somehow missed the lower level of the dungeon entirely. Accidentally venturing into a different plan wouldn't be the first time, but she would definitely feel it happen.

Everything about this place seemed far too clean. She kept expecting to meet resistance, but after what felt like an hour or two of trotting through the hallways, there was no resistance to speak of, no enemies or anything unique.

Then, [UNNAMED GREATBLADE] finally began to faintly hum, as attuned to the spell of [DETECT EVIL] she had cast earlier. Sapphire stopped and silenced her breathing. [DETECT EVIL] would never lie to her. If this is the case, then... it was definitely something around the corner, possibly trying to ambush her.

Sapphire proceeded with caution, creeping quietly towards the next bend. Then she heard it, the faint noises of what sounded like... slithering.

A naga! Why hadn't there been any defenses this far in, then? This naga would surely be a weak link and not very difficult for her to dispatch, she thought.

Sapphire approached the bend, and peered around, casting her orb around. Nothing. There was nothing there. The next set of hallways appeared exactly the same as the ones she had passed through, albeit cleaner. So where did she hear the slithering? Did she imagine it? She doubted it, but her gut instinct told her that she did not. That, and her sword was still purring.

Her view was dim, only lit up by the orb that still glowed in front of her. Yet her blade continued to hum softly. She clenched her hooves tighter on the ground as she tried to hone in on her senses. While she couldn't see anything, she could definitely feel something watching her. Something... or someone.

Then, more slithering. From behind, and much louder too. Sapphire's head whipped around, her ears standing as straight as they could. [UNNAMED GREATBLADE]'s glow intensified as her blade began to vibrate, much like her horn did when it was charged. Whatever was approaching was big, and more than likely would put up a bit of a fight.

[Sapphire Spark casts ILLUMINATE]

Immediately, a burst of light erupted from the top of Sapphire's horn, extending a few feet. The beam was thin and did a good job of lighting the room beyond the glow of her orb. Around her, Sapphire could see the walls clearly now, as well as the carpet, and eventually, the naga in front of her.

And it, no... she, was huge.

It was the largest and longest naga she had ever seen. From the tip of her body that seemed to coil endlessly behind her, it eventually formed the torso, was the body of a very pretty mare. The color of its scales were a beautiful blue, transitioning into its upper pony half was a lighter blue coat. Her mane was luscious and flowed down both sides of her face, with bangs that were a darker shade of the blue of which matched her serpentine eyes.

The mare had a beautiful face, a slender snout and cute eyes. Despite her eyes being a vivid and striking green, they had a bit of a dull, lifeless hue, as if the pupils had no life within. Yet, her alluring figure, combined with her expression, was dangerously inviting.

When Sapphire had laid her eyes upon her, the naga immediately hissed. But this was no regular hiss, and it wasn't a show of raw aggression. Rather, it was like she was content with finding Sapphire, and the moment those fangs came out of her mouth, her snout twisted into a horrifying smile. The monster had a mouth full of fangs, some large, some small, but all of them were pearl white and definitely sharp. Her green eyes simultaneously turned narrow, becoming more feral, like a wild animal. A mad animal, one driven by an instinct that didn't look like anger or rage.

"An alicorn?" She purred, her snake body trailing behind her as she slowly moved towards her. The tone in her voice was seductive, feminine, but oddly lacked aggression. It felt like the monster was genuinely curious to know about her identity.

She hypnotically swayed her hips with each movement, her tail coiling behind her.

"I thought I sensed a disturbance, and oh my, was I right~" She stopped, lowering her head, as her grin grew wide and frightening. "It was only a matter of time before you found your way down here."

The snake mare, the naga, was an enemy, Sapphire was sure of it. At this point, she would have already eviscerated her out of instinct, if not for the fact her gut instinct told her to remain cautious. If the naga wanted to kill her, she wouldn't be talking in such a manner, as her body felt oddly alluring. The only reason she wanted to keep from killing her was to see if she could gain some valuable information before ending this creature. She didn't want to be tricked by the monster, nor let her beauty cloud her vision.

Every sentient enemy she had slain up to this point had never been given the chance to speak, let alone have a conversation. They were so far below her intellect that her first instinct was to kill anything that was evil. This naga, however, was more intelligent. She was an equal, an opponent, and a potential ally if she could negotiate with her. That, or she was a clever trap.

The naga tilted her head to the side, then slowly lowered it so that they were eye level. Sapphire could feel the snake's cold breath as she breathed, a shiver traveling down her spine. "So... what's your name, cutie?"

Her question had been spoken so politely, but something about it was sinister. That, or it was the way she said it, her tone. Sapphire tried to fight back a small blush by frowning instead. "E-excuse me?"

"What... is... your name?" Her movements were mesmerizing, swaying as if she were a master at moving in a trance while she examined her. It was rather unsettling, even for an experienced adventurer like Sapphire, who had seen so much over the years. "If we're going to do this the fun way, I would like to know what I should call you."

"The... fun way?" Sapphire shook her head. "You must not know who I am." She put on a very smug expression, lifting her head and bringing her wings forward, giving her an even bigger figure. This naga had to have recognized her, unless she had no knowledge about the land she lived under. "I am Sapphire Spark, and I've slain countless monsters, and many far, far stronger than you."

The naga began to laugh, her green eyes turning a darker shade. Her laughter felt so... jovial, yet sinister. "Oh, that I can tell very well. You're the first alicorn to ever set hoof in here. It's so... rare for an intruder to venture this far, and it's been a very long time since I've had one so strong." Her head tilted sideways, as if she were a curious puppy. "Tell me, alicorn. Do you even know where you are?"

Sapphire opened her mouth, but then closed it.

Then, she glared at the naga, not wanting to speak, not wanting to answer. This was a monster, not an ally, and it would be better if she just killed her and moved on.

"I don't have time for you," Sapphire spoke firmly, levitating [UNNAMED GREATBLADE] off her back and floating it beside her. She was ready to prepare a spell to launch the blade through the naga's throat. But first, she needed to know what was so odd about this naga in particular.

[Sapphire Spark casts DISCERN FOE]

[Greater Naga Lv. 45]

[HP: 681]

[MP: 262]

[STRONG AGAINST: SLASHING, BLUDGEONING, FIRE]

[WEAK AGAINST: COLD]

"Perfect."

The naga's expression turned, from a lewd, confident smile, to one of confusion. "Oh?" She lowered her head.

[Sapphire Spark casts MAXIMIZE MAGIC]

The naga's expression suddenly lit up, a very cocky, but sultry look. "Did you just use a spell on me?" She chuckled, tilting her head once more in a way that reminded Sapphire of a cat now. "You don't need to rely on magic to get my attention. If you desire to impress me, you only have to ask." She then leaned in and pressed her snout against her cheek, with Sapphire eventually feeling her tail wrap around her backside. "I have no need for fighting... unless you would enjoy it. I can indulge your needs~" Her voice was like silk, and she was clearly trying hard to seduce her. The way her tail was wrapping her was like it had minds of its own, with the snake body beginning to slowly, but surely, engulf her. The immediate coldness of the tail against bare flesh sent chills down her spine again. She didn't expect it to be so... smooth and gentle.

"You know, for this level, you're awfully unattentive," Sapphire grinned. "Otherwise you would see this coming."

"Huh-?"

The naga didn't realize until it was too late. [UNNAMED GREATBLADE] was already floating behind her, the tip of its blade pointing right at the center of the naga's head. The gigantic blade, once electrified, was now charged with ice.

[Sapphire Spark casts CRYSTAL LANCE]

[Sapphire Spark casts CRYSTAL LANCE]

[Roll: 18 + 4 + 6 = 28; Hit!]

[Roll: 20 + 4 + 6 = 30; Critical Hit!]

Sapphire's horn was embalmed in a light blue energy, the magic charging up for a spell. A great crystal lance made out of pure ice manifested in front of Sapphire, the length of its pointed shaft nearly three feet long. It was cold, but it did not freeze, nor did it have any snow, despite it being formed from the frozen element. A beautiful weapon, deadly, elegant, and most importantly, easily capable of skewering foes. This was her favorite ice spell.

Just as quickly as it formed, it was launched right at the naga's confident expression.

[UNNAMED GREATBLADE] immediately launched another long lance, made entirely of ice, directly through her forehead. Both of them launched at the same time for a devastating pincer attack, as they pierced through any resistances the naga had, that was, if there were any left. Ice splintered across the area, shards scattering and embedding into the stone. Then, the lance shattered, and the shards fell and dissolved.

[Greater Naga takes 243 ice damage!]

[Greater Naga takes 105 ice damage!]

[Greater Naga dies!]

The naga's body collapsed, lifeless, her figure still wrapped around the alicorn. All movement, breathing, or even the slightest signs of life had disappeared the second she took damage, as her body was already growing cold. There was nothing she could have done, not with her attitude. A rather strange attitude, at that.

Sapphire smirked, her expression victorious. Using [MAXIMIZE MAGIC] while she was concentrating on her weapon had greatly amplified the damage, in addition to the naga's obvious weakness to the cold. All of this, combined with aiming it right at the critical point which only added to the roll, was an instantaneous and successful kill.

[Sapphire Spark gains 865 experience!]

Like every other enemy, this naga underestimated, if not completely disregarded the very blade Sapphire was connected to. In addition to being soulbound to it, she was able to levitate it to any location with her mind, as long as the magic was not dispelled. The naga's odd yet sheer focus on Sapphire herself was the perfect opportunity to sneak the blade behind the naga and deliver the only necessary blow to slay her.

[UNNAMED GREATBLADE] was always an amazing, trusty weapon. Because it was always magically attuned to Sapphire's magic, she was able to cast any spell through it, just like she could through her own horn. It was also extremely effective in combat, as the spells were amplified by the magical properties imbued into the metal. Being enchanted to such a degree, it was the most versatile weapon in Sapphire's arsenal, even among her array of spells.

While Sapphire had plenty of tricks, she usually only needed a single blow to dispatch any enemy. This is why it was perfect. Her enemies would always be in awe of her power, sometimes even making them flee before she could use any substantial amount of magic. It made it easy to kill things, which sometimes even made it boring. Although, it also made it easier when dealing with creatures that were far stronger, or smarter than her, if that ever did happen.

She lifted herself out of the thick coil, the snake body no longer comforting, but more cumbersome as it was cooling. Looking down at the fallen naga, Sapphire could already feel the contempt that was building within her chest. Unlike any other naga she had previously encountered, this one was by far the most sensual. It didn't feel right that she died just because she tried to charm Sapphire, at least initially.

While, admittedly, this could have been a clever and manipulative attempt to get inside of her mind, she tried to tell herself that her caution was always the thing that kept her safe. Something about this naga, despite its demonic aura, felt... genuine. Sapphire had the impression that she was trying to lure her away from her original goal, which would have been quite smart. It also explained why the dungeon hadn't been defended so far, and why her magical presence hadn't been detected earlier. This one, no, this monster, had the ability to conceal her aura. It had been hidden so well that she wouldn't have noticed if not for her ability to detect magic.

It was the only way that [UNNAMED GREATBLADE] could have possibly reacted as it did, as her blade was an extension of her own self, and was magically linked to her soul, and thus [DETECT EVIL]. Thinking on it now, she was a lot smarter than Sapphire had expected. The fact she could think ahead and try and manipulate her to stop her from achieving her goals by wrapping around her like that... the very thought made her furious, and a bit warm.

However, thinking about it rationally, this definitely meant that there might be another intelligent being like her, or someone else behind these actions in this dungeon. This, if anything, was a wake up call, and she would have to remain vigilant, especially if there were others like her around.

An enemy that could charm like that was one that would easily bypass anyone that wasn't Sapphire. In fact, in spite of her size, the naga had to be the smallest threat in terms of level. If she had others with the ability to charm, and perhaps even larger and more dangerous enemies, this would not be a journey for the faint of heart. She could see the warning signs, and she would have to tread very, very carefully.

[Sapphire Spark casts ORB OF LIGHT]

Another sphere lit up at the base of her horn, growing in a soft, white hue. Just like her orb from before, the bright ball of light began to float just beside the naga's fallen corpse as it gently rotated around Sapphire. In casting this one, however, the previous one popped and vanished. This spell only allowed only one orb, and even then, this orb would last only thirty minutes. The duration varied depending on the area, and her concentration. If she was too focused, and kept her magical presence lingering, it could last all day. However, casting it in a dark place far from any source of light produced an effect for ten minutes. That meant that for this place, the orb would last around a half hour.

Yet, upon casting it, she felt her mana reserves dip. Even in previous dungeons, she always tried to be careful of her mana usage. While she'd been in this dungeon for quite a while, that encounter with the naga used up quite a bit more than was standard. Her limit was high, but she had nothing to replenish it with at the moment. Despite that, light was essential for exploring any dungeon, this one especially, so having a light source nearby would be beneficial if she ran across more monsters.

With a new source of light at the ready, and with [UNNAMED GREATBLADE] sheathed on her back, Sapphire was ready to continue exploring. Her focus returned to the beauty of the halls, of the art, and the tapestries. If a naga like that made this place its home, it clearly meant there would be a sophisticated challenge waiting in store. Also, a probable omen, one she hoped was far above that annoying snake's capabilities. An equal, or a superior opponent was one Sapphire had yet to face. But it was a possibility, something she was almost craving after not exploring and adventuring for several months.

And she was ready for it.

Sapphire eventually walked towards the end of another hall, this one giving her nothing but a dead end. The only thing she was met with was another door, one as intricate as the one before. Marked with elaborate carvings once again, these detailed designs were even more... sinful. These did not depict sin in the usual, or common displays, and it didn't at all shy away from their appearance, not for a second. Instead, the scenes depicted were far more erotic and sexualized, depicting acts Sapphire could only guess at.

Everything here was displayed completely uncovered, without blemishes, markings or boundaries. What intrigued her, but also deeply concerned her were not the ones displaying the clear sight of ecstasy on ponies, but the ones who had expressions ranging from bliss to tears. And to have it depicted not amongst these depictions, but as decoration for an opulent, hidden hallway that had revealed itself to Sapphire.

Among these markings were subtle depictions of hearts, some even horned. Other depictions had two wings, and a few only with the single headpiece with the pointed end of a blade, often a double bladed spear or glaive. All of these hearts, however, had great detail. Her eyes found these confusing at best, but she was unsure if they meant anything, as even if they seemed random, they had to hold some meaning.

She tried to think of what hearts could mean in a dungeon like this. Perhaps bloodlines or clans? They do represent fertility, after all. Hearts were usually one's most vital organ and without it, they could not sustain life and therefore perish. Or, perhaps something far deeper, like some connection to love and relationship? Friendship could definitely count too. So many reasons, so little explanations or the key to find.

Then, at the end of the hall, was an altar. It was rather small, but still as decorated as the rest of the area she had traversed. Inside of the drawer carved perfectly into the altar was a plain wooden chest made out of pure, cyan blue wood.

[Sapphire Spark casts DISCERN FOE]

[Nothing in range!]

[Sapphire Spark casts DETECT TRAPS]

[Nothing in range!]

Nothing. This wasn't a mimic, or any enemy. It was just a normal chest and could most likely be opened without any trap triggering, which it surprisingly didn't have. Considering there were no traps, and the likelihood the chamber's only entryway would be triggered, she took her chance.

Sapphire opened it, noticing it unlatched without struggle or a hidden catch. That part didn't surprise her, as some dungeons were surprisingly naive with their treasure. This wasn't the case, at all. Inside of the small chest was only one item, a crystal that hummed with a faint blue hue. While not touching it just yet, she could feel the vibrations radiating through the box's polished and intricately carved wooden surface.

[Sapphire Spark casts IDENTIFY MAGIC]

[???]

"Huh?"

She had never seen this before. Every single cast of identify magic had always given her a result, be it the object's properties or its origins. Never, ever, had it returned... whatever this meant. It was strange, but also intriguing, and that was enough of a reason for her to grab it with her magic and examine it further. Besides, being as powerful as she was, this small crystal coming from an even smaller chest could pose no threat to her.

Matching its color, the object felt cold to the touch, as if it were alive and had a mind of its own. A blue light pulsed softly on its smooth edges, reminding her of a very familiar material. Not quite her magical aura or like [UNNAMED GREATBLADE], but a close second, this crystalline item was a very unique hue, almost like one of Sapphire's many treasures and collectables that filled her many rooms and corridors of the castle.

[???]

She huffed. Even if she couldn't immediately identify it, she could at least take it back home and figure out a way. Unless, this was just some sort of trick and had no magical abilities whatsoever, and it could make a decent, very beautiful centerpiece on any necklace she could attune it to. Anything was worth the chance. That's the kind of mindset that drove her throughout her many travels. To not only clear these dungeons, but take home some lovely goods along the way, regardless of what they were.

If this had some magical abilities, Sapphire could also bring it to Princess Celestia and see if they had any expertise or knowledge of it. Or if it were a gem that could hold a charge of magic, or a conduit to channel spells with ease. It would make for a very useful item. Not only was this item beautiful, but its shape, its texture, and its soft glow almost beckoned to Sapphire. As if it had been crafted especially for her, it would fit perfectly on a shelf next to the many glass figurines. That was, if it turned out this crystal couldn't attune to anything.

[???]

The gem started to levitate as she held it with her magic. When she did, her eyes narrowed as she observed it, rotating it left and right, the magic in her hoof controlling its position, moving it in all directions. Even when the crystal’s clear edges didn't always face her, the blue pulse remained constant.

This was not a soulbound item, one she had known like her sword. It was definitely magical, though in what way, she didn't know. Even still, its cold feeling seemed to slowly intensify the more she examined it. Her interest had grown significantly now, as had her curiosity. What was this item, and was it worth anything valuable? It had to be, since it was the only thing in that chest in a dungeon floor this ornate.

These thoughts were only growing, and with each one came a different response. Her curiosity sparked. There were so many things she wanted to know about.. this, and it made her wish she could figure this out.

Yet, that wasn't possible, not when she had no clues, no hints or inklings of its properties. She thought she had good knowledge of typical treasures like this up to now, but apparently, this was an enigma to her, one that almost seemed to keep her gaze transfixed upon the blue glow. A glow that pulsed more often as she watched. Was it... doing something?

She gripped the crystal with her magic more firmly.

No, that didn't make sense.

Right?

[???]

[WARNING: MANA LOW!]

"Wait, what?"

Suddenly, [UNNAMED GREATBLADE] lit up once again, the hum it produced now much louder than the sound the crystal was softly emitting. This, of course, meant that [DETECT EVIL] was still in effect.

"I'd get away from that draining crystal if I were you, fufufu~" a voice chuckled from behind.

Despite the surprise from the message, she turned around, and was suddenly met with a smug orange pegasus.

Her expression, the smile she wore, Sapphire's mind immediately thought of the naga. This was not an expression she liked, and she certainly didn't expect another monster to already look this cunning.

As if it were instinct on command, she backed away from the crystal, breaking her concentration. The blue item fell to the ground, and its light faded away. Whatever this object's magic, she was able to figure out what caused the alert. This very crystal had been draining her mana this entire time, slowly and steadily.

Her shock had been replaced with irritation. Before she could utter a single curse or complaint, her gaze followed the pegasus' as she in turn looked past the alicorn, to the very same altar Sapphire had plucked the gem from. The mare gave her a polite and cute curtsy, her hooves held together, with a huge, deceptive, and all too cheeky smile.

[Sapphire Spark casts DISCERN FOE]

[Quote Lv. ???]

[HP: ???]

[MP: ???]

[SKILLS: ???]

[STRONG AGAINST: ???]

[WEAK AGAINST: ???]

Just like the gem, this one also didn't give a read out, nor any hint or indication of her stats. All it told her was her name. Quote?

She didn't even acknowledge that she was dealing with a pony. Not a monster or a foe, but a pony. How was that possible? Something didn't feel right with her, and she felt the smallest hint of danger. After her encounter with the greater naga, and now this pony, something seemed very wrong with how all of this was turning out. Why did they look like her kind, but have that same sinister aura the naga had?

"... what are you, really?" Sapphire questioned, trying her hardest not to appear afraid in the slightest.

The only thing she was able to learn from the pegasus was its low level, lower than the greater naga she had vanquished earlier. But the mare's lack of any information could mean only one of two things, she was very talented and had hidden her magical abilities and level, or she was a lesser species that did not possess the ability to properly interact with her. Considering that only her level was known, she assumed the latter to be true. It was the only viable option she had, unless this pony was so talented and adept in hiding her powers. No, that doesn't make sense. This had to be the truth, right?

[Sapphire Spark casts REVEAL IDENTITY]

As she casted the identification spell, she began to focus, focusing on what this creature was concealing, on its true identity. Although her form didn't change, as she stayed a pegasus, only minor details were added. Two new, yet small, black wings appeared on her mane, and the tail that sprouted from her back was cleansed of its hair, only revealing a lithe, small black appendage that ended in an arrow.

That, and her name changed.

[Succubus Quote Lv. 49]

Sapphire stepped back at the reveal of information, but the act only made Quote's smile widen.

"Spoiling the surprise already, that's no fun," Quote teased, tilting her head and giving her a fang. "You're quick though." She gave the pony a moment's pause. "I can tell you're quite the adventurer."

Sapphire Spark had no intention to speak, as this was the first time she had encountered a succubus. Based on what she had learned from books, they used seduction techniques to lure victims to them, and drain their essence through intercourse. She knew this, yet she still didn't know why this succubus was acting so friendly towards her. The succubi in her texts were described as vicious beings that were always out to kill, or at least weaken and feed on the energy of the living.

She wasn't going to take the chance.

[Sapphire Spark tries to cast ARCANE BLAST]

[No mana!]

What?

"Hm, trying to use magic? I wonder what happened," her voice was playful and taunting, and that only made Sapphire more nervous. "You should watch what you cast." She continued, walking forward, the way she swayed her hips mesmerizing Sapphire, who already had trouble moving back. The alicorn felt a chill travel through her entire body as their eyes connected, a warmth travelling down to her stomach and between her thighs that made her shiver. Her smile was terrifying.

As if on instinct, Sapphire tried to levitate [UNNAMED GREATBLADE], but she couldn't. In fact, the usual muscle memory of unsheathing the blade with magic was gone, and she had no control over her magic whatsoever.

[No mana!]

"Nngh, what's going on?" Sapphire panicked, trying to levitate it again, only for the same result to occur. "What have you done to me!?" She yelled at the succubus in front of her. Her anger was rising, but so was her fear. Sapphire could not move her legs, and her body had become stiff as a board. She couldn't use any magic, only fluttering away as she cornered herself.

[No mana!]

[???]

[No mana!]

"I'm not going to hurt you, silly." Quote's words in contrast were gentle, and soft, and oddly comforting. They felt genuine, like she actually wanted to help Sapphire. Yet, they had the same tone as that of the naga earlier. Sensual and enticing, and it only made Sapphire more anxious. Her eyes darted back, forth, between her enticing smile and the glowing red irises of hers.

The succubus leaned her head forward, her tongue licking her lips as her gaze stayed fixated on Sapphire's.

"I was going to suggest backing away from the very thing draining you, but... you're probably out of mana at this point."

Sapphire tried to step backward, but her flank met the wall. Her breathing grew heavy as her chest rose and fell. Her eyes were wide, and she was shaking, unable to control herself or the fear that had slowly begun to overtake the confidence she always wielded.

For the first time, she didn't have a plan or any idea of how to fight or escape her predicament. She felt scared.

[No mana!]

[No mana!]

[No mana!]

[ERROR! Too many commands at once!]

The succubus's presence was increasingly intimidating. Even if it was the only other being in sight, she knew that she could at least try to take her on despite her lack of magic. After all, she was more than a hundred levels above her in terms of experience. This was not a matter of whether she could win, but how quickly she could defeat her. With this in mind, she was ready for anything this succubus would throw at her, be it a physical or verbal attack.

But instead, Quote braced and pounced, using her wings to propel her forward and colliding with Sapphire. She knocked her on her side, causing [UNNAMED GREATBLADE] to fall off, clinking against the ground.

Despite her apprehension about physical contact with a succubus, actually feeling her touch was surprisingly pleasant. Pinning her to the ground, Quote had one hoof on the widest part of Sapphire's hip, the other using it to tease. The immediate sensation for Sapphire was the weight of her pressing down on her hips, but this was quickly overshadowed by her shock when she caught a clear view of what the succubus possessed.

It was a cock. A fully erect cock, pulsating and throbbing as if in tune with Quote's breathing. Sapphire hadn’t realized she had one until now, and there it was, mere inches from where her hooves laid uselessly on the cold stone. The size of it was impressive, but the shape was even better. The shaft was thick, with a gentle upward curve and paired with large balls at the base. It shared the same light cream color as her mane, complementing her orange coat beautifully. The sight was mesmerizing, and Sapphire’s complete surprise only intensified the experience. Her eyes widened even more, and a blush spread across her snout, a feeling that made her feel unsteady.

Sapphire’s mind was a whirlwind of questions. What is that doing there? Why did it look as if it were begging for attention? How long has she had it? And...

"Surprise ♥~" Quote cooed, her voice close, warm, and sensually soothing. It deepened Sapphire's blush, and the feeling of Quote's body pressing down on her made her quiver internally. Quote then nuzzled into Sapphire's cheek, letting her feel her warm breath as she lapped her tongue across Sapphire's neck. If just touching her felt good, this closeness was stirring up feelings Sapphire had never fully understood before.

[Sapphire Spark is unable to stand!]

"Nnngh... get off!" Sapphire cried weakly, but even she couldn't ignore the heat building within. The more her thoughts raced the more her mind began to fog. Her body shivered, and her breathing grew heavier with every passing second. Her mind was telling her to get out of there, to escape, but she was paralyzed.

"Being a typical succubus is just so boring, don't you think? This thing makes it a lot more exciting..."

Sensations like this were completely unknown to an alicorn such as her, and her body reacted with a mixture of confusion, excitement, and pleasure. Her shock stemmed purely from its sudden presence, which unexpectedly stirred a whirlwind of thoughts within her.

She could feel every part of Quote's body move. Her grip tightening, her wings fluttering, the feathers lightly tickling her sides as the pegasus shifted positions. Her legs straddled the alicorn's hips as Quote began to sit directly above her belly, the heat of her dick radiating onto Sapphire's tummy, warming and heating her insides as she struggled with the unfamiliar sensations. The feeling was indescribable, something unlike any she's experienced before in her many months adventuring. Quote's hooves then firmly pressed down on the alicorn's shoulders, and her tail wrapped around Sapphire's own, pulling her closer.

"That lewd snake didn't stand a chance against you, did it? With how strong you are...~"

Sapphire's instincts for survival flared up, and the urge to escape was strong. But the overwhelming sensations of this demon was stronger, and her body refused to budge. Her eyes remained fixed on Quote's own. Her eyes were so incredibly alluring, so hypnotic... she couldn't pull herself to look elsewhere, not while they were looking straight at her own.

[Sapphire Spark is unable to stand!]

Her heart was beating so fast that it almost felt like it was about to jump out of her throat. She wanted to fight back, to get her off, to do anything, but she couldn't.

Despite Quote feeling so incredibly light, she had more weight on her than she thought.

"Hehehe, this is too easy. I expected more resistance from you." Quote whispered into her ear.

"It's no fair! You drained all my mana!" Sapphire whined. "I would've been able to fight you off if I hadn't been tricked by your crystal!" The alicorn tried once more to move her legs, but found them stuck, pinned down by the weight of the pegasus' thighs and legs that kept her in place. She squirmed and struggled under the succubus' grasp, and every attempt she made only caused her to grow even more frustrated with herself.

"And I can drain much more than that ♥~"

"WHA-?"

[Quote uses DRAINING KISS]

As quick as she teased, Quote's lips eventually reached Sapphire's. The kiss was so intense that Sapphire's eyes shot wide open, then slowly relaxed. The succubus had forced her tongue inside of Sapphire's maw before she knew what was happening. She could not pull away, not when Quote was already sucking on her tongue, the sensation sending shocks through her body that made her shudder.

[Roll: 17 + 10 + 4 + 6 + 2 = 38; Critical Hit!]

The blush that had remained on her snout had now turned into a crimson red flush. The wet saliva from her tongue was warm and slippery, her taste so sweet and intoxicating that her brain went haywire, making it even harder for Sapphire to think clearly or coherently. Her taste was nothing like anything Sapphire had ever tasted before. It was something so unique, so foreign to her that she couldn't describe it with mere words, yet it still felt like the sweetest thing that had ever touched her tongue, with a hint of spice on top of it all. It wasn't just the taste that made her mind spin, but that foreign desire for... more. More of this feeling, despite knowing that her actions weren't rational in the slightest and were driven purely by impulse. It was as though the succubus' saliva was a powerful aphrodisiac that had begun to take hold of her entire body, making her feel so... strange.

[Sapphire is unable to resist!]

Her mind felt hazy, and Sapphire's vision blurred as the succubus continued to suck and kiss her, their tongues swirling and lathering one another’s with a copious supply of saliva. Sapphire was completely helpless. She was unable to stop her from exploring and taking in all that Sapphire had offered to her. She had never been kissed before, let alone been kissed like this.

She could feel the succubus' hot breath as it escaped her nostrils, her tongue sliding around hers, the feeling of being completely dominated, it made Sapphire want this feeling more intensely than she had ever thought imaginable. Her whole body felt weak, her mind was numb and her limbs were completely unresponsive, but the most prominent emotion she felt on top of her confusion was ecstasy.

It's what this taste made her feel. She was so confused with these feelings, and the more Quote continued, the more the feeling of pleasure grew, her arousal increasing as a tingling sensation traveled up to her horn, and throughout her body.

[Sapphire Spark takes 999 ??? damage!]

"Mmmph, mpph!" Sapphire tried to moan from the damage she couldn't even recognize. She could barely breathe through all the salivating spit, and it only made the kiss more passionate as their mouths connected, their lips making popping sounds as Quote played with the inside of her mouth, tasting it thoroughly. The more they kissed, the better Sapphire could taste her. The succubus' saliva tasted like honey mixed perfectly with spice, and it was addictive.

Then, Quote's grip tightened, her hooves pushing Sapphire deeper into the kiss, their lips now smacking against each other as their tongues swirled. The feeling made Sapphire's body tremble, her hindlegs kicking slightly as she succumbed further and further into bliss with every passing second of the passionate, sloppy, and erotic kiss.

"Mmmm..."

The alicorn moaned into Quote's mouth, and the sound vibrations from their lips sent pleasure through Quote's entire body, fueling her and stiffening her cock. The sensation made her buck into her belly a little, and Sapphire's eyes went slightly cross as the tip pressed up against her navel. A cock so stiff that pressed against one of the alicorn's softest parts, and it felt like the perfect pillow to grind into for relief from its aching.

Sapphire's mind was quickly going blank at this point from the pleasure she felt as Quote sucked, nibbled, and licked her lips. She felt every sensation, no matter how small or subtle. She felt it. She felt all of it at once. The succulent wet saliva coating the insides of her muzzle, the warmth, the taste. All that was left was a numb and hazy feeling that spread throughout her entire body, and the pleasure that followed. The pleasure that kept her pinned down.

And as overwhelming as these feelings are, they slowly, but surely, battled against her instincts to flee from this succubus. Because even if her heart still beat in the same ramping momentum, it no longer pumped solely with fear. Her eyes were finally relaxing, no longer with fear. No, they were now filled with a deep and unrelenting desire for more. More of this feeling, this new and amazing feeling she had never experienced before. Her legs twitched and her muscles flexed as she tried to get more out of this kiss, but she remained unable to move them. The more Quote's tongue moved, and the tighter their bodies became as they embraced and kissed, the stronger Sapphire craved for more.

The last remnants of her resistance resulted in her mind screaming to fight back, to get away.

But they were all drowned as her mind began to cloud.

[Sapphire Spark gained status: CHARMED]

This new feeling completely dominated Sapphire. She felt a sudden surge of energy coursing through her veins, one different from the adrenaline she usually felt, as if her heart had been pumping faster, as if she had been running non-stop. And this new feeling, it was now so intense, she was sure that it could stifle any remaining resistance she had left.

This new feeling... one that struck her in a way no other status had done before.

No, no, no. It couldn't be. There was no reason why she should feel this way, especially when she had been fighting so harshly to escape this demon. It was so wrong, it felt wrong, and yet, she wanted more.

The feeling of Quote sucking and kissing, the way her tongue lapped against the insides of her mouth, tasting every crevice. Sapphire had never been kissed this way before, and now she was getting the full force from one of the lewdest enemies possible. One that she didn't want it to end, even if she could not understand why she felt such intense desires to have it go on and on. It didn't help when it felt like the most intimate thing she's done in months.

Quote used the moment and pressed Sapphire's head further down into her, their lips now locked tightly together. Her grip was ironclad, her hooves keeping them firmly in place. Sapphire couldn't move her head or break the kiss, but with her mind being filled with this new feeling, she found herself caring less and less. She was enjoying this far, far too well.

She was beginning to love the succulent, intoxicating feeling that was spreading throughout her body, one which she could never explain, even with the greatest words she had. The taste and texture were so unique. The succubus' saliva was sweet with hints of spiciness to it. She tasted so good, so addicting and it made Sapphire want more, no doubt the work of whatever magic the succubus was using on her.

Above it all, the sensations were as exotic as they were incredible. The pumping in her chest only matched the harsh blush attacking her cheeks. It all felt surreal. This feeling was so strong that Sapphire felt it was going to explode at any given moment, as if she had swallowed a bomb that had begun to tick.

It felt amazing to be kissed like this, it was so intimate and sensuous that her whole body trembled as her eyes finally shut tight. Deep down, she tried to remember why she didn't want this, why she wanted nothing more than to get away. But the pleasure was too much. She needed more.

So much more.

[Sapphire Spark gained status: LUST ADDLED]