Headed by a Snake

Dragan glanced up to see Maximus still fighting a few platforms above. The dovahkiin was still swinging his shield, stabbing his spear, and breathing literally lightning bolts comfortably, but the plant-men were gaining in number.

Madison, the noble taker of Lone's virginity stood holding her arms out towards Lone and Tamaki.

"Yes, DIE TRASH!!" She yelled, the inhuman buzz of insects and the clicking of countless teeth audible in her voice. It seemed she was controlling the insect swarm.

Dragan grinned sheepishly, "Oh. Yeah. That-- Yeah. This is the first time everything's *actually* my fault and Boss isn't around to see it."

"Mister Dragan!" Tamaki yelled with closed teeth, "Please do somethin!!"

"Egh, alright," Dragan reached out his bloodied right arm, testing to see if his fingers still moved. He made five hand-gestures in rapid succession while chanting.

Flames erupted from where Dragan stood, turning the surroundings insects to ash and Dragan into a puff of cinders.

Nearby, Madison's head flew from her body and she collapsed into a heaving pile of roaches, millipedes, and grubs. Dragan stared confusedly at the bone blade in his hand.

Lone rolled around on the floor vomiting, but the insects began to skitter away from him instead of insisting on crawling on his person.

Tamaki managed to recover and ran up to Dragan, "Did'ja get 'em?"

Dragan's pupils shrank in realization and he hurriedly began stomping down at the bug pile, "Nope! Didn't get her!"

Tamaki hopped up and down, stomping with both feet, "Y'know, Mister Dragan, I'm having a terrible time right now."

Dragan smashed a heavy boot over and over into the mushing bug pile, "Me too, kid. Me too."

Lone stood up, his body contorted at a strange angle. Black bile was spilling out of his mouth, "Guuhhh-- guyyys?"

Lone's voice sounded like something was still lodged in his throat. The pool of insects shot over to underneath Lone and the nude form of Madison began to rise up from it.

"That huuuurt, Master Dragan," she pouted. The naked woman draped herself over Lone's back.

She stuck a long tongue into Lone's ear, "Won't you protect me, dear servant?"

"Guysss? Augh... I-- can't moolve-- mawwwyy body," Lone choked.

Madison grabbed Lone's face with both hands and forced a deep kiss onto him. As she withdrew, Dragan and Tamaki could see a fat crimson roach climbing into Lone's mouth.

Dragan shrugged, "Well, he's dead. Let's get a move on, Tamaki."

"The Chosen One's still alive, Mister Dragan. We gotta--" Tamaki pulled an arrow out of his quiver, but it was chewed on by insects. He pulled on his bowstring and his bow snapped in two.

Tamaki tossed the broken pieces off the side of the platform, "I'm sorry, Chosen One. We'll remember you."

...

Barza Keith, the Lone Shadowdark, had a nightmare.

Dark eyed, tinged with red. Madison's seductive moans resonated throughout his soul. Her burning itch invaded his senses. The crawling of insects and the clacking mandibles filled his mind. He lied in a copper tub, swarming with worms, nibbling at his flesh. His own wails and Dragan's laughter echoed against the cracking tower walls.

Sorina looked at him with pity, touching his hand, "Wake up, Father."

Lone coughed, a knot in his throat, the corners of his eyes hot, "Sorina? What do you mean? Why are you here?"

The girl shook her head, "I've taken the form of something you subconsciously wish to protect. I'm... I'm sorry, Father, that I'm not your Sorina."

Lone shook his head, spilling some of the insects residing in his hair, "What are you? A dream then? A nightmare?"

Sorina looked on in worry, "I'm... the hivemind of your pubic lice. When you applied the magic potion to your crotch area instead of imbibing it, I gained sentience. I'm currently communicating to you telepathically."

Lone turned away, his insect bath groaning and squishing in complaint, "I'm tired, Sorina. I'm tired of all of this adventuring... I can't even get permission to die."

The hivemind gently shook Lone, "You're in grave danger, Father. You need to wake up."

Lone shut his eyes and covered his face, smearing the blood of crisp and dying insects onto his cheeks, "I don't know what I was thinking, joining this guild. I don't deserve to be one of them. I don't deserve to be better. I don't care anymore. Just leave me alone."

Lone felt two drops against the outside of his hands. He uncovered his eyes to see Sorina's crying face.

"There are so many people that still need you." She grabbed Lone's hands, "Tamaki and Pale look up to you. You've earned the respect of Dragan and Maximus. Even Wroe and Sir Tycon would be amiss if you gave up on yourself. You've forged bonds with all of Invictus."

"Father... You gave birth to me." Her tearful expression wrenched Lone's heart. She sniffled miserably, choking a sob, "I know you might not care about me, but you are my world-- my everything."

She pulled at Lone's hands, "Please, just... just try. I'll do everything I can to protect you."

...

Lone's eyes shot open. He was prying Dragan's mouth open as he was spewing a stream of crawling and writhing insects into his mouth. With inhuman strength, he tossed Dragan to the side and turned to Madison.

"OhHhh, so you've gained the willpower to get it up again, lover boy?" Madison teased, her long tongue licking her painted lips.

Dragan groaned, his back smashed against a wall. He jammed a bloody finger into his mouth to vomit the contents of his stomach.

"Hold her off, Lone. I just-- I just need a sec," Dragan coughed, dragging himself to Tamaki's unconscious form. He unstoppered a potion and poured it into Tamaki's mouth.

Lone growled, flexing his arms. His insides were burning and aching, like he was being eaten away. Madison's power was surging through his body, and he was fighting for control over it.

"Fuck off, Madison." Lone threw his arm forward, revealing an obscene hand gesture, "You might have taken my virginity but you won't take my pride!!"

Madison frowned, crossing her arms over her ample breasts, "Kneel."

Lone couldn't control his body as his knees painfully crashed down to the stone platform, "GRAHH!". He struggled against the force, but whatever was inside his body twisted his muscles, wracking him with pain. Forced to give in, the side of his face soon fell hard next to Madison's feet.

The dark-haired woman lifted her bare foot and pressed it against Lone's face. Unable to control his actions, he haltingly stuck his tongue out and began to lick the dirt in between her toes. He could only gaze helplessly up at her shapely legs as Madison caressed the area between her dripping thighs.

Madison grinned wickedly, "I've already claimed you, Lone Shadowdark. Give in. Your body is MINE to command. You WILL give in! You WILL kill your former allies! And then I will draw every fluid from your body to feed my lust and to give birth to our new brood!"

Lone shut his eyes, resisting Madison with every onze of his being. Itching deep within his loins, he felt a new power-- a power that could help him fight. He reached out his hands, latching onto the edge of the stone platform.

"I won't let you make me hurt my friends!!" Lone screamed.

He pulled himself off of the platform, plummeting to the fiery depths below.