== VORTEX QUEST 2-0 ==
== CHARACTER RECAP ==
Let's start the chapter with a recap of who our protagonists are -- skip to the main chapter if you don't need one.
Chay (nearly 25) is a buff Thai guy with a baby face and a close cropped fade. As a cyclist his lower body is overdeveloped but he put effort into making his torso catch up. On his middle finger is a divine ring that serves as home to a 'cake' (head of a cat, body of a snake, created when holy vapor untwisted an abyssal creature).
On earth he was a psych major, now he is the demigod of umbralism, which allows him to create mist, clouds or smoke -- enhanced by a fan that catapults smoke across distances, rolled into a wristlet when not in use. But umbra-power also lends him an analytical gaze to spot desires, weaknesses and lies when others would be left guessing.
He has taken the lead, balancing the needs of the pantheon members while forging a path ahead for the salvation of humanity. He tries not to think about the way in which the abyss has altered his desires, just hoping to stay sane through the newfound craving for demon cum.
Xane (23) is a 5'4'' short, Korean bodybuilder and artist. While his greatest artwork is his sculpted body, he bursts with creativity in multiple disciplines. His hair is a messy, broad mohawk.
A mix between laid-back and short-fused, the vain gymbunny doesn't like being told what to do but is happy to have Chay's finished plans presented, looking only to inject his designer spark where he feels like it.
On earth he was always busy working out or digging himself into one of innumerable projects -- some even got finished. He was granted the magic of thaumateurgy, the most versatile and complex godly gift, ranging from telekinesis to illusions and a myriad of ways to inflict damage. He can store huge amounts of power in 'motes' which take the shape of butterflies.
He'd never thought he would want to touch another guy's dick, let alone ride dino and demon cock. But now that he can't help it, he is torn between taking the lead to prove his masculinity even in man-sex or to lay back until others have established the rules.
Marcus (21) is a tan 5'11'' Filipino with lithe muscles and broad shoulders. His hair is now in a pure white mohawk of half an inch. On his middle finger he has a divine containment ring holding a large amount of 'unicorn dust' aka 'slug shit' that makes you too horny to think.
On earth he was swim team captain and a decent martial artist. His biggest weakness is his lack of patience and self-control, his strength lies in loyalty and humor. He was given the power of animus, making him the most potent martial artist that holy fire can forge, including a chakram that can turn razor sharp or be camouflaged as a simple bangle.
Mostly worried about not appearing gay, he can't help but want to fulfill his horny urges the best possible way. He just needs excuses and reassurance to indulge without having to justify every dick ridden.
Goro (22) is a musclebound Japanese hunk of six foot height. He was a pure powerlifter until his friendship with Xane a few years ago turned him into more of a physique builder. His shoulder-long hair is a mullet turned mohawk and thanks to his healing it is impossible to keep cut for good.
Although he is as silent as can be, he is no stranger to attention, especially since his ex-girlfriend leaked his nudes all over campus. As much as he is annoyed by the violation, his exhibitionist tendencies make him ultimately enjoy the interest.
Studying media and engineering on earth, the quiet guy's flat demeanor can easily be broken when his friends are threatened. He loves to feel powerful, heroic and mysterious, which is exactly what mania-power allowed. A muscle beast, capable of insane destruction on the outside, with a 'mark of madness' granting a kind of adrenaline-driven meditative calm on the inside.
Having always liked to sexually experiment, though strictly straight, he doesn't have much trouble adapting to his new desires for sex with guys, even if he'd much prefer to fuck cunt. He prides himself on pragmatism in every situation.
Oh, and they all wear tiny, solid chastity cages that make their piss and loads spray uncontrollably and glow when near any type of demon. They're also freed of the need to eat but suffer the 'paradox curse' that won't let them pleasure themselves.
Now on with the tale in Book Two.
== VORTEX QUEST 2-1 ==
== THE CRYSTAL REALM ==
The pantheon emerged from the violent kaleidoscope of the crucible with minor scrapes at the end of a canyon which kinked from sight a quarter mile ahead, where a giant skull in the rock spewed purple plasm.
The realm Phivvinum was just as much of a sprawling network of city-sized cavern as Jheyr'Udd had been but shards of reflective silver poked from the ground, some erected purposefully like menhirs and hung with banners.
Dark blue shimmered along the far away ceiling, as a mistier aurora, tinging the area in an eerie glow, traced by ghostly white sparks.
"Everyone okay?" Chay asked.
"My panties didn't make it either," Marcus said, gesturing at his exposed cock cage.
"Take mine," Xane said. "I can cover up with an illusion if it glows."
Grateful for the reminder, Chay let a black cloud pour from his groin to obscure his naked nether region, in case they were already being observed.
While Goro helped Marcus adjust the fundoshi, Chay took in the surrounding. A flock of imps far overhead, the familiar chameleon slugs on the wall, thorny roots blocking a branching path.
Ahead by the large stone skull, people were moving. Fields of plants wrapped around hip high posts, a small heard of Varks grazed nearby, smoke rose from a bulbous hut.
Chay squared his shoulders. "Let's introduce ourselves. Phivvinum is supposed to be more, uh, cosmopolitan."
As they closed in, it became clear that the villagers were Goblins - smaller troglodyte cousins to the Trolls. Barely as high as Xane, the creatures' ranged from athletically bulky to inhumanly broad. Green, bronzed and bald, Goblins looked every bit like caricatures of bodybuilders as Trolls had.
Their faces were pig-like, small heads on short necks, dominated by tusks or fangs.
The village was made of giant, hollow gourds in pale orange or green, with opening carved into the dry pumping flesh. Two Goblins in thin leather harnesses were returning to the village, carrying chain leashes. One brought a tall, pale Figment -- a human slave conscious of his surroundings -- the other had two Shades walking ahead of him -- catatonic humans who stumbled, drooling. The slaves were made to carry iron poles.
The first guy was important and relatively sharp for a troglodyte, not easy to intimidate but unlikely to question a display of power. His multiple earlobe piercings and gold neck-chain spoke of status.
Chay cloaked himself in bubbling clouds and floated a foot off the ground, catching the duo before they reached the village. Xane aided the effect with a flurry of menacing red specks.
"Oogaloo Boogaloo," Chay said in Troglo, Gobbo dialect. "We've come from another realm. Can you give us the lay of the land?"
The insanely broad mini-Troll stared at the umbralist. "Are you... a Cinereant?"
Chay let his fog flare instead of answering, invisibly observing the creature's face.
The Gobbo's pig nose twitched as he looked at the other demigods. "Are those your slaves?"
"They're not for trade. But we have power, if you have knowledge."
The Goblin pretended to weigh the offer, licking his fangs. Greenskins were notoriously impatient but not quite too dull to practice deception.
Finally the mini-hunk nodded. "I'm vice chief Holder Of The Big Stick. Come along. The village elders can tell you everything if you do work."
Chay detected no ill intent, only a hope to profit from the encounter. He touched down and walked next to the vice chief.
Other Goblins and figments worked on the Vark farm and in the gourd fields. The pantheon was led into a giant gourd. Furniture was pumpkins in every remotely possible shape -- bottles, chests, seats. Light came from strongly luminescent cucumbers drooping from the hut's dome. Instead of indoor plants, there were potted crystals of smoky white.
They were pointed to an alcove and given a gourd full of water out of hospitality. Chay didn't know if Cinereants drank but neither did the Gobbos.
"Are we really going to work for them?" Xane asked after his share of hydration.
"Lazy ass," Marcus said with a theatric eye roll.
Chay, temporarily visible, shrugged. "Maybe, if they have enough intel for us to plan an assault on the vortex here. The King of Phivvinum is less sedate and the realm will reflect that. I don't think we'll find another fallen angel with all the right connections to get us launch codes and key stones."
They sank down to sit, two in red fundoshi, Chay in his shadow costume and Xane with an illusory dick.
The mage spread his bent legs with a grin. "Can't take your eyes off that thing, huh? Just wish it were real."
"Your real thing isn't that big," Marcus said. "Cheater."
Xane huffed. "It's really warm in here and you only saw my dick in limbo and even *if* I were using creative license it's ninety-nine percent accurate and you're just jealous that you'll always look tiny in that nub and-"
