Ch. 3 Spectres are a Girl's Best Friend.

[Enchanted Items: Focus Dagger]

[Shadow Ritual: Dark Figure]

[Ectoplasmic Generation: Tulpa]

[Ectoplasmic Generation: Dream Weaver]

Elvie sat amidst her castle of books, occasional tendrils of ectoplasm subtracting and adding tomes to the pile. Shadows wearing her shape and empowered by ectoplasm whispered news of her kingdom into her ears before scampering into the shadows.

I am so glad I guided her education in that direction. No more Nevermore. Now she depends on two beings, me and herself. As it should be. My Will Be Done, Blessed Be

A dark shape rose behind her, unseen by the princess.

[Conjuration Ritual: Summon Focus]

Elvie snapped her finger, causing one of her shadows to detonate. A dagger shot from the remains straight for her. Her assailant just happened to be in the way. The dagger sank into the intruder's back to the hilt. Several ghostly hands grabbed her attacker, causing the dark one to stumble back. A joyous cackle caused Elvie to curse.

"Good my student," I congratulate her, "Your daggers are a resounding success!"

Bending at an impossible angle, I withdrew the blade from my back. Letting it clatter to the floor, I face Elvie. Always good to let my student remember both how invulnerable and flexible I am. Blessed Be.

"I'm pleased with the progress you've made. In two years you have grown powerful and skilled," I congratulate her, "You have become a proper mistress of the shadows. Well informed and lethal."

Now I just have to convince her to be my mistress and all will be well. Blessed Be

Shaking her head, she returned to her books, "It's not enough, I'm still not strong enough to drive out the occupiers on my own."

You poor girl, to have such responsibility forced on you. As if I would allow such a thing to come to pass. My Will Be Done, Blessed Be.

"Now, whoever said you had too?" I soothed, "You have friends in dark places, or at least I do."

"And you're just telling me this now?!" she snarls, "My people are being executed to lure me out of hiding and you're pulling an army out of your ass?"

Ah yes, the perennial argument. I won't let her get herself killed for the former nobles that spread their legs for the occupiers. So that makes me the bad guy.

"You're so beautiful when you're angry," I snark.

She turns away with a huff to hide the red in her cheeks. Twirling her hair, she mutters.

"Well, your just a jerk. Teasing me like that."

I do so like making her pout.

"I am teasing you," I smile, "but that doesn't mean I'm lying. I had to take my time. you're not the only one who has been getting stronger. The first of your army awaits, my princess."

Whipping around, she clenches her fists to the side. Her foot stomps as she burns even hotter.

"Your Princess?" she demands, "And what makes me yours? Teasing me and flirting is all you've done. I don't even have a name for you."

Looks like I pushed a bit too much on that particular button, still better to push onwards. I smile back, leaning forward I poke her nose.

"Boop," I chuckle, "so adorable."

I wonder if she'll actually slug me this time.

Closing her eyes, she takes a breath. Her hands unclench and she chuckles to herself.

"You are impossible. But show me this army. I wish to see what you've cooked up. You always have a new surprise for me."

Can't let you get bored with me now, can I? Blessed Be.

My Golem self stood back and bowed before a section of wall. Sliding to the side, it revealed stars. Gesturing for her to follow, I skipped down the stairs. Descending into the bowels of the fortress, I lead her down forgotten pathways and hidden stairwells. Down into the place were her Golems are created. Were my bodies are built.

"As you know the golems of this place are not suited to do more then serve. My delicate pieces can't hold up to the stresses of combat. Even if that were untrue, I can neither power nor use the golems outside of this place. And if you remove me from the crystal everything shuts down."

Not to mention that they lack certain accessories that I happen to miss quite a bit.

"I am well aware of our limitations, Asura mine," She scowled, "It's why so much relies on my power."

I imagine that is not the only thing that frustrates you. I know who's name you call into the darkness after your nightly self-stimulation.

"Your Asura?" I return, "What makes me yours? You only blush and turn away. What gives you the right to name me? Oh, Princess?"

Skipping ahead, I vanished into the assembly room, I evade Elvie among the twist and turns.

"To the main chamber, there my surprise awaits," I tease.

Squaring her shoulders, she straightens her dress. Checking her boots for stones, the princess stalks forward. Into the silent darkness, she stalks, one of the shadows. Coming to the Main Assembly Warehouse, she pauses.

"Your surprises are nothing more than frames?" She scolds, "And what pray tell are we to do with frames. No animating force, No central crystal. Nothing more then rune inscribed shells."

"Oh, Elvie." I tut, "As If I would ever disappoint. They're simply missing their final component. Something only you can give."

"My Ectoplasm," her mutter turning to a shout, "You idiot! There is no way I could fill all of these. I can generate nowhere near enough."

"Again Elvie, you underestimate me," I correct, "One would think you'd stop doing that. I don't want you to generate the Ectoplasm, I want you to anchor what I shall put there."

[Connaisance Art: Reler Baka]

A cold wind howled through the air, the room suddenly full of angry shadows.

"These are those that have died protecting you. They are the angry ones that call for your vengeance. Put but a little of your ectoplasm into each frame and they shall do the rest.'

[Ectoplasmic Generation: The Mists]

Elvie smiles, extending her hands she calls forth her fog. Pouring out of her eyes and mouth, she vomits it into the room. Directing it among the frames, they devour the nourishment.

"Go," She commands these unquiet undead, "Take this second chance at your vengeance. Take this chance to serve your Princess and restore the rightful order of things."

[Connasiance Art: Engagement]

Extending my own will, I communicate the Princess orders. I chortle as the Spectres slip into the devices. My will be done.

The mist continues to wrap around the frames as pale faces appear in each. Unique only in their conformity to one another. The first unit of Elvie's army begins to move. Moving as puppets with no strings, they eventually calm themselves and kneel before my princess. Now the Puppets willingly give their strings unto Elvie.

"These 20 are the first. They are infiltrators and assassins par excellence. They can take any humanoid form they wish. Since they are no longer alive, they do not fear death. Plus the malleable nature of the Ectoplasm bound to their frames mean they are never far from a weapon. I call them Doppelgangers."

[Doppelganger]

[Str: 2] [Dex: 4] [Sta: 2] [Cha: 5] [App: X] [Man: 5] [Per: 3] [Int: 3] [Wits: 5]

[Alertness: 4] [Empathy: 5] [Intimidation: 5] [Persuasion: 5] [Subterfuge: 5] [Larceny: 3]

[Stealth: 4] [Academics: 3] [Bureaucracy: 3] [Investigation: 3] [Politics: 3]

[Arcanoi:]

[Argos: 3]

[Intimation: 3]

[Mnemosynis: 5]

[Moliate: 3]

[Dark Arcanoi:]

[Collogue: 2]

"Do you like them Highness? They are bound by your blood, ready for your commandments," I gloat, "But I do have one last surprise for you."

My lady's eyes glimmered in the shimmering light, her smile would make a shark jealous. In this moment I knew why I stayed loyal to her. Naive and Innocent did not mean good and stupid. She would show that to the world.

Taking her eyes from her first allies, she inquired, "They are marvelous, simply wonderful. Yet you have another surprise for me? You spoil me too much Asura."

I most certainly will spoil you, princess.

"Only the best for you, Highness."

A serpent's hiss echoed from her right. Turning calmly, yet palming one of her daggers, Elvie faced this new surprise. A cylinder full of misty green substance opened, pouring the foggy contents into the room. A shadow stepped out the iron caps on his boots clacking on the floor. Stepping into the light it revealed itself to be a man. Emerald green eyes glitered from behind unruly brown locks, his frilled purple shirt strained against his broad chest. Bowing to Elvie, he flourished long arms, ending in well-manicured hands. His brown pants fitted well over his strong legs.

"We do good work," I snark, "Just as I wished to look."

"We do indeed," my body replied, "I am as we wished."

Both of us chuckled at Elvie's confusion, "This Princes Elvie is what will accompany you. He is a Doppelganger, grown around a copy of my original memory crystal. I used Ectoplasm gathered from your practice sessions and the frame is made of Sperro Spectrale. I made him to suit your preferences, in all aspects. Did I do well?"

Examining the Golem, She paced around him. Devouring his form with her eyes, she smiled.

"Indeed you did an excellent job," she approved, "But tell me does this one tease as much as all the others?"

"No," A voice spoke, hot against the back of her neck, "I take action."

Spinning Elvie around, I crowed in delight as my body kissed her lips. I howled in approval as she returned his ardor. Wrapping her arms around him, I felt her pull him to her. Her tongue entering his mouth. Moaning into each other, they completed their pact. They belonged to each other now. My will be done.

--------------

[Physical Body: Asura Doppelganger Model]

[Str: 4] [Dex: 3] [Sta: 5] [Per: 3] [Man: 4] [App: 3] [Int: 3] [Wits: 3] [Cha: 5]

[Alerntness: 5] [Larceny: 5] [Bureaucracy: 5] [Athletics: 5] [Leadership: 5]

[Enigmas: 5] [Awareness: 5] [Meditation: 5] [Investigation: 5] [Brawl: 5]

[Melee: 5] [Medicince: 5] [Persuasion: 5] [Stealth: 5] [Occult: 5]

[Arcanoi:]

[Argos: 5]

[Intimation: 5]

[Mneomysnis: 5]

[Displace: 5]

[Behest: 4]

[Moliate: 5]

[Dark Arcanoi:]

[Collogue: 5]

-------------------