HTN 5-26 (Old abandoned story arc)

This is an older version of the chapter that I abandoned because of how many people who hated it. Look above for the new chapter 26 that fixes all this.

Heather folded her arms in protest as Blackbast held up the skimpy outfit.

“You said you would obey me,” Blackbast reminded.

“But why that?” Heather pleaded. “It shows so much skin.”

“It covers all your important areas. Only your stomach and legs will be exposed.”

“I happen to like to dress modestly,” Heather pointed out while standing tall to show her full sunny dress.

“I saw you in that bikini you were sunning in,” Frank pointed out.

“You keep quiet,” she snapped. “I only wore that because I was in my tower where I knew I would be alone. This is a public place where anybody could walk right in and see me.”

Quinny laughed and held up the outfit that was made of soft silks. It was little more than a wrap at the chest and a golden chain on the hips holding up a loose collection of silk straps that dangled down freely to just above the knees.

“I think these are fine. It covers everything important.” she said.”

Heather sighed and took the outfit from Blackbast and held them out. “One good breeze and everything below our waist will be on display.”

“I will allow you to wear undergarments if it makes you happy,” Blackbast groaned. “Honestly, you are far too modest. Have you never gone to a beach or a pool?”

“Well, yes,” Heather agreed and looked at the outfit.  “But that's different.”

“You probably wore an outfit that revealed far more,” Blackbast pushed as she gestured to the garment. “Now go behind the screen and put those on. I want to see how you look in them.”

Heather sighed and took the meager outfit behind a bi-fold screen to change. She stepped out a moment later with a blush on her face and arms folded tightly over her delicately wrapped chest.

“Oh, don’t look so sad,” Blackbast purred.”You look beautiful in that, doesn’t she?” she added and looked to Frank.

Frank sat silently on the bed, staring at Heather as she looked to the side, her cheeks going bright red.

“You do look pretty in that,” he said at last.

“You see, now go sit down beside him so my sweet zombie can change as well,” Blackbast urged.

Heather moved to sit beside Frank on the bed while Quinny went behind the screen to change. Moments later, she stepped out, dressed in blue silks that didn't sit right with the pale color of all the skin that was now on display.

“These are comfortable to wear,” she said and turned around. “Why do I feel better with less clothing on?”

Blackbast smiled and gestured with a hand to her. “Your slave class gives you an ability called naked defense. The less you have on, the more protected you are. You won't sunburn or freeze unless you go into extreme environments, like sub-freezing water or blistering heat.”

“Neat,” Quinny replied. “What about shoes? Do we wear sandals or slippers or something?”

“No, my sweet zombie. Your class allows you to walk barefoot, even over rough ground. Your feet won't blister or cut even if the ground is sharp. Traps will still harm you, as will attacks made at your feet.”

“So I can walk barefoot across the hot sands and not feel it?” Quinny asked.

“That is correct,” Blackbast replied.

Heather listened to the exchange and looked at the tattoo on her wrist. Blackbast saw the glance and laughed at her.

Heather frowned at the laugh and asked why the class would have abilities like that.

“My sweet slave, you are a class born and bred for sex. Maybe you should open your panel and look at the skills you have.”

Heather looked up at Frank as he shrugged. She reached out to rub her tattoo so the panel would appear where they could both see it. Blackbast moved closer so she, too, could look as Heather opened her class options. She looked at her list of skills as her face turned red.

“Wow, you are super flexible,” Frank said.

“Don't look at that!” Heather said in a panic and tried to cover it with her hand. She scanned down a list of skills that made sex more pleasurable for herself and her partner. There was naked defense. Just as Blackbast said, it made it so she could walk barefoot over rough ground or even thorns and be fine. It also protected her from the sun and wind so she wouldn't sunburn or get frostbite. The more clothing she wore, the less effective it was. She realized that the same protection for her feet extended to her knees for reasons she didn't want to read.

Other skills made it, so her body responded faster, bringing on the desired outcome quickly and then increasing it in intensity with each one. One skill ensured she and her partner always shared the moment when the partners finish arrived. She had skills in erotic dancing, sensual massage, singing, and more. There was one called lovers endurance, and another called harlots kiss. She was stunned to see her kiss could instill desire in a man or woman and could even be blown their way to entice them. She had all sorts of skills that made various acts easier by eliminating pain or gag reflex. One called accommodation made it easier to handle gifted men. Some of the skills had to be unlocked, but others, like erotic dance, had levels to spend points.

“People actually enjoy playing this?” Heather gasped.

“Many people do,” Blackbast said as she walked to the side of the bed to look at the list. “Many people came in here for the more physical adventures. This world allows people to embrace a way of life that was out of reach in the real world.”

Quinny laughed at Heather's expression and decided to interrupt. “Don't bother trying to explain it to her. Heather is a prude.”

“I am not,” Heather countered, then jumped when Blackbast pointed to skill and tapped it spending a point.

“Wait! You can spend my points? I thought only I could do that?”

Blackbast laughed and tapped again while she explained that she was the master now and had access to Heather’s panel.

“Now hold that up so I can reach it,” Blackbast said.

Heather did as she was told, and Blackbast began to tap through options spending her points.

“Don't spend points on that!” Heather pleaded as Blackbast smiled.  “No, wait! Not that! Oh, I am so embarrassed!”

Blackbast laughed again and looked up to Frank.

“Should I max this one out?” she asked him.

“Don’t ask Frank how to improve my sex skills!” Heather groaned loudly.

“Why not?” Blackbast asked and continued tapping. “You are my slave; I should be able to decide what you're good at.”

“How will you change my points?” Quinny asked. “You would have to come to my interface back in my lair.”

“I have other means in that case,” Blackbast replied as she continued tapping.

“Will you stop spending points on that!” Heather pleaded as Blackbast laughed and tapped the final points away.

“I am so embarrassed,” Heather groaned and looked to Frank. “Did you have to watch everything she did?”

“I was too shocked by what she spent them on to look away,” he admitted.

“We aren’t done with your changes yet, but I want to check on how our guest and Breanne are getting along,” Blackbast said as she made her way to the door. “I will be right back.”

Blackbast shut the door behind her and made her way down the hall. As this was her temple, she knew exactly where the two were and made her way to a closed door. Unlocking it magically, she peeked in to see Breanne doing her job excellently. Closing the door behind herself, she smiled and made her way into the temple proper.

Blackbast shook her head and looked about the temple with a critical eye. You could always tell when people were around. There was missing food, empty wine bottles, and pillows were in disarray. She raised a hand and snapped a finger, and with a flash, it was all restored, pristine as if just set out a moment before.

“That's better,” she said and picked up a plum. She finished it before returning to the hall and her private room where the others were waiting. She looked down at Quinny and leaned in close to run a finger over the scar on her lip. “Would you mind if I changed a few things?”

“Changed?” Quinny asked.

Blackbast didn't say anything more. Instead, she went to a dresser and took up a square mirror about the size of a large book. It was bound in silver and had a row of buttons that looked like flowers down one side. She held it right before Quinny's face so she could see her reflection.

“Now, took to the mirror and say, To my master, I give control.”

Quinny didn't argue and spoke the words as the mirror suddenly flashed, and orange words appeared on the surface.

“Oh my god,” Heather said as she came to the edge of the bed. “That looks like my panel.”

“It is a panel,” Blackbast replied and turned the mirror around to begin looking through it.  “This is a slave masters panel. It allows me to manage my slaves down to every detail. She has given me the right to spend her points how I want them.”

“Wait!” Quinny cried. “I like how I spent my points.

Blackbast flipped the mirror around to show Quinny that she was now a zombie bonded slave and had a huge pool of unspent points.

“As you can see, you gave that up the moment you put on that collar,” Blackbast said. “Now, if you don't mind, I will spend these unused points.”

Quinny shrugged as Blackbast took a few steps away and began to tap at the surface.

“As a master, I can make changes you could not,” Blackbast said.

“What does that mean?” Heather asked as she knelt beside Quinny.

“It means I can do things like this,” Blackbast said and pushed a button.

Quinny felt a tingling as Heather gasped and jumped away.

“Quinny! You look amazing!” Heather said.

“I look amazing?” Quinny asked. “What do I look like?”

“Go see for yourself,” Blackbast said and pointed to a full-body mirror.

Quinny got up and stood before the mirror as her jaw dropped to the floor. Her hair was still black, but it was smooth as silk and cascaded to her rear in gentle curves. Her face had some color to it, and the scars were gone. Even as she watched, her chest began to tingle, and her breasts grew larger as she grabbed at them as if to stop the change.

“What are you trying to do?” Quinny asked. “Wasn’t I big enough already?”

“You were modest,” Blackbast replied. “Now you are gifted. Oh, you have a lovely color pallet for skin colors. Let’s try this.”

Frank and Heather gasped as Quinny's skin color took on a grayish-blue.

“Now for some gloss,” Blackbast said, and Quinny was suddenly glistening as if her body had been oiled.

“This is amazing,” Heather said. “Can you do this to me?”

“If you give me permission,” Blackbast replied as she tapped through the panel. “Hmm, we need to do something about those eyes.”

“What’s wrong with my eyes?” Quinny asked as she stared into the black featureless orbs. “They look undead.”

“Exactly,” Blackbast replied. “Oh, you took black pupils with black irises on a black base. Are you a goth girl?”

“I was a little goth,” Quinny said with hands-on-hips.

“We can do better than that,” Blackbast said and began to tap. Suddenly Quinny had color in her eyes as a rich purple pupil appeared. It was surrounded by a softer violet iris and then given a slight glow that created a white halo around the whole thing. The base was still black, but now she had eyes that looked magical.

“I love those eyes!” Heather cried. “Quinny, you look fantastic!”

“I don’t look like a zombie anymore,” Quinny said in a defeated tone. “I look like some pretty girl who was trying to impress.”

“Oh, I am sorry you do not like it,” Blackbast said. “I only did it so you could blend in as my slave. I promise it will all change back when the collar comes off.”

“Nobody was going to know I was a zombie under my armor,” Quinny replied as she pulled a cheek to look into her eye.

“You're not wearing that bulky armor,” Blackbast said, causing Quinny to look back.

“Then, what am I wearing?” she asked.

“You will wear the outfit you have on now. It won't get dirty, and it mends tears magically over time. I will embellish you all with a little jewelry to make you look like expensive slave girls.”

“So we are going to travel in this?” Quinny asked as she tugged at the golden belt at her waist.

“Of course, trust me, you will see how much fun it is in time,” Blackbast replied. “Now hold still while I add a little flash. Quinny jumped as a delicate silver chain was added to her waist, as was a belly button piercing with a red stone. A few jeweled necklaces appeared around her neck, as did some bracelets.

Heather admired how firm and muscular Quinny's stomach was as Blackbast added some earrings. Next, she took out a small box and brush, painting Quinny's face. Her lips went a soft white with a hint of blue, and her eyes were shadowed to match.

Quinny turned around in the mirror, admiring the look before smiling and throwing up her hands. “Oh well, I have to admit I like it.”

“You look so alive,” Heather said. “I love this look on you.”

“I am glad you admire my work,” Blackbast said and turned to Heather. “Now, it’s your turn.”

“My turn?” Heather stammered. “What do I need?”

“A few changes,” Blackbast said as she picked up the mirror. “Come, give me control of your character sheet.”

Heather looked into the mirror and spoke the words. “To my master, I give control.”

Blackbast smiled and walked away, happily tapping at the panel. Heather jumped as her breasts grew, pressing together tightly. She looked to Frank, who was now eyeing them with a hungry look.

“You are such a boy!” she cried and folded her arms under them. “Honestly, what do men find so fascinating about these?” she looked up to see Quinny staring with the same hunger tried to cover them with her hands.

Blackbast laughed and took a good long look at Heather, then suddenly her hair was a deep red, and her eyes changed to a vibrant greet. She slimmed slightly and grew just a bit taller as Heather gasped at the change.

“Why are you making such drastic changes?” Heather asked.

“You are hunted by people who will recognize you. This way, no one will know who you are.”

Heather went to protest, but there was nothing to protest about. In fact, this was perfect. She could look like a completely different person and avoid the people hunting her. With a toss of her red hair, she accepted the changes and leaned back on her hands.

“This is perfect,” Frank said as he looked at her hair. “Nobody will recognize you, and we have new homes.’

“Well, it's almost perfect,” Quinny said.  'But Heather would have to wear the collar for good to keep the disguise.”

“Oh, I forgot about that. She would have to stay here to hide,” Frank said as his shoulders drooped.

“At least you can wear it for the journey,” Quinny said. “You can call this look Princess Hannah, and the other you is Heather.

“It’s a shame you can’t keep this look somehow,” Frank suggested.

“The only way she could keep it is if she kept the collar on,” Blackbast said firmly. “And before anybody suggests it, I am not moving my temple to your swamp. I chose this location carefully to avoid huge numbers of people arriving at once. All priestesses of my order choose remote places on hardly used roads where travelers need rest.”

“I understand,” Heather said, “But I can’t help but think there is a way to allow the best of both worlds. I know there is a way to cheat the system.”

“Always looking for a way to bend the rules,” Blackbast said with a shake of her head. “Why not work with them and enjoy yourself?”

Heather shrugged and answered honestly. “Because I want out. I will never give up looking for a way home.”

“This could be your home,” Blackbast purred. “I would do all I could to make you happy.”

“I appreciate the offer, but I can't stay here. I have friends who I love very much, and I need to get them home,” Heather replied with a sad tone. “Not to mention I would have to wear the collar for good. Even now, I can feel Webster stalking in the garden. I hate the idea of losing him and my champion. I would rather face my fate as a necromancer if it meant my friends could finally settle and play.”

“You have become aware of the burden you put on their shoulders,” Blackbast replied. “But you have not realized that they come with you because they care about you as well.”

Heather nodded at the remark. It was true, but what motivation did she have to follow the rules? “I just want them to be able to play safely, or at least safe from me. Maybe in five days, we will get some answers that will shed a little light on the problem.”

Blackbast nodded and swished her tail almost irritably. “Perhaps we should draw up a list of questions we want to ask. If this person takes over as you say, you will hardly be in a state to ask them yourself.”

“That's a good idea,” Heather agreed, and together they sat down and drew up a list of questions to ask. It included things like who was the person in the crown. What happened to Hathlisora. Why was Heather helping her? What agreement was made between Heather and the person in the crown? Why was the crown waiting for her in the first place? What was the purpose of the green gemstone bracelet? Did the entity know anything about the egg and a dozen more questions that went on and on?

Heather wanted to focus on questions related to the necromancer kings and what happened to them. Frank was more concerned with who the person in the crown was and why people reacted to Heather's appearance when she wore it. Quinny just wanted to know about Hathlisora, but Blackbast was more concerned with why there was a trail of breadcrumbs left for Heather to follow.

“Maybe this person knows something about the visitors?” Heather asked.

“Doubtful,” Blackbast replied as her tail swished again. “I don’t know of anyone who has gained any real insight into them from inside here.”

Heather looked at her with an incredulous stare and proceeded to point out that Blackbasts's very class was a tremendous insight. Allowing slaves but only in loving controlled conditions. Surely that showed they had a capacity for love and kindness. The whole world itself showed they understood competition and games. The bugs in the system showed they weren't infallible and that players managed to exploit some of them proved they could be outsmarted.

“You do think about this deeply,” Blackbast said. “I wonder to what terrifying level you will take this mad crusade of yours.”

Heather smiled at the idea that her goals her mad and gave a quick reply. “In five days, we might know just how mad they are going to get.”