Varzath stares at the remains of the previous night’s feast with disgust.

A disappointment, and a failure.

He should’ve never invited Djinns to a party; He should’ve known nothing good would ever come from asexual creatures at a supposed orgy…

“My Lord, the Dark Escort has entered our Domain. They’re soon to arrive.”

Varzath sighs.

Djinns or not, the smell of sex still permeates his clothes, his body, his throne room; It represents his very being… Suffice it to say, the act itself has been what preserved his sanity over the past odd thousand years, and the day it no longer interests him…

In fact, how could one understand the depth of Varzath’s fear and despair, as he stares in boredom across his throne room, filled with the naked, sleeping bodies of some of the most beautiful creatures in all of creation?

What was it lacking?

Why didn’t it work?

“My Lord?”

Varzath stares in dejection at his latest failure for a moment more, before dignifying Biranal with a glance as he releases another sigh.

“…Yes, I heard you. What do you figure they want?”

Unlike himself, and most of the room’s occupants, Biranal wears a full set of black, skin-tight battle armor, representing her role as the General Commander of his armies… Not that they’ve had reason to fight anyone recently, other than the occasional lesser demon to wander within their Demain.

Of bone-white skin, red irises, and long, straight hair of the darkest black, the Infernal Dragon in human form is certainly a sight to behold.

“I don’t know,” Biranal confesses, gritting her teeth as she stares toward the dark, monochromatic sky composing their Domain through the open roof of Varzath’s throne room, “It is still far too early for conscription. Our taxes were paid in time, and our Soul offerings are up to standard.”

Following her gaze for a brief moment, Varzath shrugs as though ridding himself of something unpleasant, then sighs again. “No matter. I’m sure they’ll be more than happy to inform us of their demands once they arrive.”

“My Lord…” Biranal begins, only to pause briefly as she sweeps her gaze across the hall, then meets his gaze with obvious concern in her expression, “…None of them carry the mark of your touch. Were they not to your satisfaction?”

Of course she’d notice such a thing. She must’ve done so as soon as she arrived, having waited for the right moment to bring it up. Does she fear to wound his pride? His feelings?

Varzath laughs bitterly. “Go on, ask the question. I’m sure the others must’ve noticed something is wrong at this point.”

Varzath grins as he stares into Biranal’s ruby eyes, daring her, and after a moment, Biranal lowers her gaze, only to raise it again soon after as she finally brings herself to ask, “…How… How long has it been, My Lord?”

“Six months or so,” Varzath declares promptly, shrugging slightly as he maintains his expression neutral despite the pit of despair the words seem to open inside his stomach.

Biranal’s jaw falls. “Since… Since My Lord last feed?”

“No,” Varzath corrects calmly, “Six months ago was the last time I managed a boner.”

For a moment, Biranal continues to open and close her mouth, as if looking for words but coming up empty…

Varzath doesn’t blame her. As in Incubus, sex isn’t simply the source of his powers, as well as the driving force behind every action he has ever taken in his miserable existence; No, sex is his very being, his very Soul.

An Incubus who no longer finds interest in sex? Such a joke doesn’t exist.

“B-but… Y-you… This isn’t simply …!”

“Breath, love, breath. Apocalypse hasn’t arrived yet.”

Under Varzath’s cold gaze, Biranal does manage to regain some of her composure, if only to shake her head incredulously a moment after.

“But there must be some sort spell or drug-”

“Don’t be stupid,” Varzath interrupts her, rolling his eyes as he walks toward the body of a nearby sleeping Succubus and steps on top of her face, cutting off her breathing as she immediately awakens and attempts to free herself… However, upon realizing who exactly disturbed her sleep, her struggles become playful, and she soon begins to moan pleadingly.

Ignoring the brief glow of envy that flashes through his general’s expression, Varzath points toward the moaning creature beneath his feet as he continues, “I alone developed more aphrodisiac spells than I care to remember. And should I wish to have my cock stand, I wouldn’t need to employ a single of them. No, as hilarious as it’d have been, the problem we face is of a more fundamental nature than a simple body malfunction…”

Varzath releases the struggling succubus as she immediately takes a deep, desperate gulf of air, placing his foot atop her throat instead, however maintaining it light enough so she’s still able to breathe this time.

Her eyes meet his, filled with desperate, pleading desire, as Varzath slowly moves his gaze from her blushing petite face down the line of her tensed jaw, past the pink surrounding of her standing nipples, down the delicate curves of her navel and hips, briefly stopping it atop her moist, slightly reddened sex as he takes in her strained body and curled toes.

“Milord… Please, I’ll do a-anything…” she manages to murmur, pleadingly, as he meets her eyes once more.

A moment of silence goes by, their stares locked together, before Varzath removes his foot completely and steps away.

“Seven point five,” he rates, releasing his fourth sigh of the morning under the disappointed gazes of both women. “Not bad, considering you were taken by surprise.”

The succubus pouts. “…Shall we begin to prepare your breakfast, Milord?”

Varzath shoos the disappointed demon away. “No, we have important guests coming soon. Clean the hall, wake the others, and have them leave as well.”

Varzath returns to Biranal’s side, ignoring the commotion spreading throughout the hall as his guest and servants groggily regain their senses, the former soon being ushered away by the latter.

Some of the recently captured angels throw Varzath a mix of fearful, hateful, and scornful stares as they’re dragged away, though he chooses to ignore them. Oh, he might’ve tried to explain his Domain is by far the most welcoming place they could’ve found themselves in while in Hell, had thousands of past failed attempts not taught him better.

The angels aside, normally, if he was interested, he’d have the guests descend and enjoy a morning bath in the hot springs of his palace, heated by the Hellfire pits below, while served breakfast by his Succubi and Incubi… And how many times has he done so by now? Dozens of thousands? Hundreds?

“My Lord…”

Varzath nods. Biranal’s concern is well-placed, after all. Hundreds of thousands of demons depend on his support to survive, and, as their Lord, it is his duty to guarantee their safety and comfort…

Of course, a mere six months of starvation isn’t enough to threaten his life, but if the problem were to persist, more than merely weakening his powers, his body would soon start to decay, and at last, his very Domain would fall apart, leaving his servants to fend for themselves once again... Unless they manage to choose another leader in time, that is.

“You see, Biranal, the truth is…I’m bored.”

Biranal blinks. “…My Lord?”

Varzath sighs loudly as he opens his arms and screams at the sky, “I’m bored! I’m bored of sending my people to die in some unending war fought by fools! I’m tired of servants willing to fulfill my every wish! I’m tired of having the best the Cosmos has to offer, and more! I’m a sinner, but sin itself is so common, there is no point!”

Once Varzath returns his gaze to her, Biranal has an incredulous look on her face.

“You’re… You’re bored, My Lord? But… But you’re the one who-”

“Built all of it? Yes, I realize the irony of it. As you well know, before I Ascended, my kind were the same as the prostitutes of Hell, having no place to live and stepped on by every demon and angel across the Cosmos…  No, I cannot simply abandon my duty now,” Varzath finishes, almost as if to himself, “I’ve thought long and hard about where the problem lies, and I think you’ve finally helped me arrive at the conclusion, my love.”

“I have?” Biranal asks, raising her eyebrow incredulously.

Smiling excitedly, Varzath pulls her into a half hug, before turning toward the view of their capital standing beyond the parapet of his throne room as he points his palm in its direction.

“Yes! What I need, is a new objective, something to strive for! I realize now what made me so lifeless, so bored! From where I stand, there is nothing above, nothing beyond! Each day is like the last, and nothing changes!”

Her blush easily perceivable against her white skin, Biranal follows his gaze for a moment, though the confusion in her eyes makes it clear she does not see the same view as he.

Varzath grins. Then, turning toward Biranal, her pulls her in for a sloppy kiss which has her eyes widen, although she does not move away or resist his advances.

By the time Varzath steps back, Biranal’s blush has become a raging fire… How she managed to remain so shy after everything they’ve done and seen together, Varzath will never understand.

“Tell me what you’re thinking.”

“…That My Lord might’ve finally lost it?”

Varzath smiles. “And that’s where you’re wrong; My sanity was gone long before we met. Now, stand back and look menacing. I sense their approach…”

Biranal has barely finished obeying his order when the first black dot appears, quickly expanding outwards until a fully formed winged being stretches its black wings across a span of several meters inside his throne room, soon followed by numerous more.

The creatures’ dramatic entrance, however, is spoiled by their confusion upon the sight of a messy, empty hall… Until the first of them turns and spots Varzath, that is, causing the others to soon follow suit.

Their movements carry no sound, and their forms are hidden beyond veils of pure darkness. Although, considering their hideous appearance, Varzath is grateful for their discretion.

“Varzath, Demon Lord of Hell’s Seventieth Circle, explain thyself…” the frontmost of the creatures demands, its voice a rasped whisper.

“Oh, please don’t mind the mess, last night's party was a bit wilder than expected… But by all means, deliver your message, my brother and sisters in arms. I’m all ears.”

‘It has been a while since we’ve spoken, my love. How do you do?’

Having little magic of her own, Biranal is unable to answer his telepathic whisper, but as a pure dragon, she still has enough control over her own resistances to open up her surface throughs for scrutiny, allowing Varzath to realize, to his shock and horror, that she has taken no lovers during years in which they happened to grow apart… In fact, she seems about to explode.

The succubus from earlier might’ve attempted to allure Varzath with her act, but Biranal is the real deal. Her thoughts reveal she is close to begging him, if not anyone else, for sex.

“…We comprehend, Lord Varzath” the same creature continues after a long pause which Varzath suspects indicates they did, in fact, not understand it at all, “But the words must still be spoken, and the rites performed…”

Varzath sighs while waving his hand in their direction. “I hereby welcome you to my Domain. May no harm befall you for so long you respect its laws and your intentions remain devoid of malice.”

The creature bows. “We thank the Lord’s hospitality.”

“Now speak at once.”

“Very well…”

The creature wastes no time as it dedicates its grated voice to begin the usual grandiose speech regarding Hell’s greatness, Heaven’s deceitful light… Blah, blah, blah…

Varzath could easily repeat the same speech by heart, considering how many times he was forced to listen to it. Needless to say, he also knows where it leads.

Far more important than the creature’s predictable words, however, is his recent discovery! But… Even if he now realizes the source of his problem, what sort of objective should he strive for?

Another Domain? However fun conquering his neighbors may be, he has no need for the space, or their servants… In truth, Varzath cares little for most denizens of Hell other than his own people, and as such, he has no desire to rule over them.

As for conquering Heaven… If anything, Hell has been losing for as long he cares to remember, regardless of what lies the Table might have to say on the matter…

Which brings to memory another of his failures: Attempting to seduce a captured Archangel.

Varzath shudders.

Not exactly his greatest memory.

Trying to seduce a stone might’ve been an easier task. Suffice it to say, after having his every attempt met either by scorn or disinterest, he worked for a couple of years on developing something strong enough to surpass even an Archangel’s immunities… Only to have the experience repeated.

Being drugged did not seem to improve the creature’s mood, go figure.

Of course, Varzath could’ve simply raped her, had he really wanted to, but doing so would’ve made him no better than the rest of the scum to inhabit this Plane…

He failed, but it was fun to try something new for the first time in centuries. Now, if only he could-

Varzath blinks as he realizes the room has fallen silent, and the Dark Escort stares at him expectantly.

Searching through Biranal’s recent memory for the last thing said, Varzath clears his throat.

“…And what, exactly, is this new threat you speak of?”

“A Seraphim, descended in search of something unfamiliar to us,” the creature reveals somberly, as some of the others nod their heads, fidgeting their staffs restlessly.

Varzath freezes, smiles, then facepalms, laughing lightly. “Oh, a Seraphim! Why didn’t you say so earlier?!”

“Lord Varzath-”

“No, no, there’s no need to elaborate further! You’re in need of soldiers, I assume? The expendable kind?”

The creatures exchange glances as Varzath continues to smile radiantly at them.

“No need to be shy now! Tell me, how many of my subjects do you expect me to send to certain death this time?!”

“…The Table has requested a single Horde from nearby Domains, My Lord. For now.”

Containing his anger as it threatens to burst forth, Varzath clenches his teeth. Behind him, Biranal has gone very quiet, including her thoughts, now once more hidden from him.

“A single Horde, you say?” Varzath asks, no longer smiling. “Very well, the Table shall receive their soldiers.”

“…Lord Varzath, we were expecting to-”

“Kill them,” Varzath orders.

Before the words have fully left his mouth, an explosion of sound and wind bursts the floor of his surroundings to pieces. Midst the flying marble, Biranal’s form smashes against the nearest Escort, sending it to crash against his throne as a mess of bones, feathers, and black blood.

Not even what remains of the creature’s body has touched the ground, before another three of its brethren have met a similarly brutal end.

Spells, both defensive and offensive, soon charge the hall’s atmosphere, for all the good they do in stopping the unstoppable…

It doesn’t take long until the inhuman sounds of battle are silenced, becoming no more than the occasional drop of blood hitting the ground as Biranal stands amidst the carnage, a disfigured head still in her grip.

The grim Infernal Dragon, despite the blood dripping throughout the surface of her armor, showcases no signs of being hurt or tired. Her weapons still remain unsummed.

Varzath shakes his head. “…Trash. No wonder we can’t win.”

“My Lord, shall I begin preparations?”

Varzath sighs. “For what? Just send in whoever… It’s all the same.”

Biranal frowns, tossing the creature’s head aside as she at last summons her black maces and steps forward.

“…I can win.”

Varzath raises an eyebrow. “Win? My love, after what you’ve shown me, you’re going nowhere but my bed, and we both know there’s no winning for you in there.”

Although an obvious flash of desire crosses through her expression over the mention of sex, Biranal still shakes her head stubbornly as she kneels, head lowered. “My Lord, you do not wish to send them to their deaths any more than I do. Please, allow me to engage the Seraphim in battle. I’ll deliver the Table their head, and they shall bother us no more.”

Varzath grimaces. “No. There’ll always be another battle, and if we interfere now, next time they’ll expect us to do the same. There’s no end to this, and the only way to win is to not play.”

As Biranal raises her eyes to meet his, Varzath gestures to the destroyed hall around them.

“The only language understood by fools is violence. The death of their precious Escorts will inform the Table of our displeasure concerning their demands, and once they see how ineffective our soldiers are in battle, they’ll leave us alone for a while… After all, everybody knows Succubi are only good for one thing, and it isn’t war.”

Biranal sighs, although she does unsummon her maces as she rises, averting her eyes from his in order to inspect the mess of bodies and destroyed marble at her feet.

“…Don’t worry, I’ll have the servants handle it.”

Biranal nods, looking somewhat at a loss for a moment before regaining her usual mask of coolness.

“You’re upset.”

Although Varzath didn’t exactly phrase it as a question, Biranal still nods.

Varzath sighs. “Go. Wash yourself from all that blood and order the servants to prepare a bath for us in my room. I’ll join you in a moment.”

Biranal bows briefly, then rotates her shoulders as she unravels her white wings - normally hidden by the same magic which conceals her weapons - to their full length, bends her knees, and takes flight, quickly disappearing from sight into the palace below.

Varzath stands midst his destroyed throne room for a moment, wondering if he should have handled the situation differently. Perhaps the Escort could’ve been convinced to return empty-handed, for once, even if numerous attempts in the past have proven such creatures all but immune to his charms.

In truth, he simply felt he could get away with their deaths, and his anger was strong enough to command it… Has he become a slave to his own desires? Pampered by a life of luxury and servants?

In such a case, he’ll need not only a new objective but also a change of scenery. In order to remember the demon he once was, and reignite his fire…

But how? And where?

Varzath walks up to his balcony as he stares toward the city below, hoping the vision will inspire some sort of insight into his problems.

Instead, he finds himself reminiscing through his long life as a demon, from the chains of a slave to ruling over a Domain of his own…

Unable to find a solution, Varzath eventually gives up, summoning his servants as he orders them to begin the hall’s reconstruction.

Since Biranal should already be waiting for him by now, Varzath invokes a spell to distort his shadow, having it bring him through the palace in but a moment.

Arriving, or better described, appearing in his room, he wastes no time before undressing, simply throwing aside his easily removable robes as he heads toward the bathroom.

The silence is immediately noticeable, for it lacks the usual giggles and splashes pertaining to his servants… It seems Biranal is in no mood to share, after what happened.

Entering his bathroom, Varzath sweeps his gaze over the large, shallow pool before him, initially finding no signs of Biranal except for a discarded robe at the pool’s edge.

It doesn’t take long before he notices her, however, in the form of a glimpse of white across the water's surface, briefly revealing a breast, followed by a thigh, as Biranal disappears under the water once more.

Her swimming is utterly devoid of sound, as a predator about to strike… It is easy to forget her true nature when she’s so often working hard to prevent it from showing.

And as he watches glimpses of Biranal’s naked body slowly breaking the surface, as if she’s revealing herself bit by bit, Varzath smiles.

This is a show no demon in his Domain could replicate, and she is certainly aware of that fact; To his amazement, while staring at a standing nipple as it slowly disappears underwater, Varzath feels his member starting to respond.

Today is certainly a day of surprises.

Now avidly, Varzath watches as Biranal’s ass breaks the water directly in front of him, revealing her sex in its full glory for a long second, then the soles of her feet, as she swims away once more.

It is clear she is teasing him.

Rather than feeling angry, however, Varzath simply sits at the pool’s edge as he continues to enjoy the show, which lasts several minutes more, even as his member stands to full attention against his thigh.

His patience is rewarded when Biranal eventually draws near the edge once more, this time, slowly rising as she approaches it…

First her head, then her neck and shoulders are revealed, followed by a perked pair of breasts and a duo of standing pink nipples…

Biranal’s body is a sight to behold. Slander, yet strong. Her tattoos, the runes responsible for many of the spells she’s capable of using, stand out against her pale skin in florescent dark blue as she finally breaks the water up to her waist, maintaining her sex barely out of sight, if still slightly visible under the surface.

And as her long, straight hair is dragged out of the water not unlike a wave of pure darkness, surrounding her whitish skin as it settles against it, Biranal's hungry ruby eyes finally lock against Varzath’s.

Then, with her slender, long tail swinging alluringly at her back, Biranal smiles timidly as she allows her eyes to slowly trail Varzath’s body, ending their path upon the hardness of his member.

“…It’s up,” she murmurs, voice slightly hoarse.

“It seems so.”

Biranal licks her lips, then seems to catch herself, once more raising her gaze to meet Varzath’s.

Unfortunately, it appears her newfound courage ends here.

Oh, before the day is over, she’ll still regret having reignited in him the spark of desire… He’ll fuck her so silly, the whole palace might wonder if an attack is coming, for the screams of their general shall reach every corner of it. But first…

Varzath smiles devilishly as he uses a finger to beckon Biranal, then points it toward his dick.

“Who said you could stop, you foolish creature?”