Author's note:::
I've decided to end this story and only focus on Abbie Rose. I've actually written more for Succubus Wasteland, but that was over a year ago and I'm not happy with how it's written and I'd much rather just start something from scratch.
*****
Rydia flew through the night, holding tightly to Nimbus's arm as she did so. Nimbus could tell Rydia flew faster than usual. Was this from fear of the dorchia? Or perhaps her intercourse with the Outcast gave her more energy than she thought. Regardless, Nimbus looked out over the dead earth bathed in the darkness.
It wasn't long until Nimbus could see a wall of trees in the distance. These trees, unlike the ones he'd seen earlier, were alive and healthy. The moon had enough light to show the thick foliage that covered the trees. Nimbus also noticed that the ground was becoming closer as Rydia landed. Nimbus had a few words to say to her, but feared speaking to her in flight in case it distracted her. The last thing he wanted was to be dropped to his death.
They soon landed, not on hard earth like before, but on a bed of soft mossy grass. Nimbus moved away as soon as Rydia let go of his arm. He backed up to a tree to help regain his balance.
"Why didn't you fight off the dorchia like before!" asked Nimbus. Rydia seemed busy trying to find directions in the dark. He was curious as to why they weren't going to set up camp. "Answer me demon!" he said again. This caught Rydia's attention.
"You're welcome for me saving your life a third time," she said, now seeming to know where she was and where to go. Nimbus scowled.
"I know you only saved my life to bring me back to your queen. Now I'll ask again, why didn't you fight off the dorchia like you did in the dungeon. I know you have enough energy thanks to that Outcast you fucked!" This made Rydia turn to face him. Despite the darkness, Nimbus could tell that she was angry, possibly the first time she'd gotten this upset with him.
"You know why I had to do that Nimbus! And stop calling me a demon!"
"Why should I!? That's what you are aren't you!? Luring men to bed and taking everything from them! You're no better than the succubi that had me tied up in the dungeon. It matters not how many times you save my life! You're only following orders!"
"That might be, but I could be a hell of a lot uglier to you if I wanted," shouted Rydia. Nimbus could hear her voice mere inches from him. She'd apparently come closer to him as she shouted. "And as for why I didn't fight back... that was different last time." Nimbus heard her voice grow softer as she spoke. He on the other hand wasn't about to let up.
"I don't see how. You're just toying with me! You could have probably killed that dorchia whenever you wanted! Then again, I guess you couldn't bring yourself to kill one of your own," Nimbus felt sharp nails scratch his face as Rydia slapped him.
"Never compare me to that thing in the dungeon! And that was your own Anima I was using if you must know!" Nimbus had never heard her so angry. Then again, this was the first time she'd ever laid a hand on him. All of that didn't matter right now. He was more stricken by what she said about his Anima.
"That proves your lying, demon. Everyone in the Sky Kingdom is tested at the age of ten to see if they have any Anima... I failed," remembering that day, the day he was forever looked down upon by his family, softened his anger and replaced it with sadness. Rydia seemed to notice the shift in his mood as her anger weakened as well.
"It seems that you are the one that was lied to Nimbus. Everyone of your people have Anima inside them. It doesn't matter if they can use it or not. It's still there." For whatever reason, Nimbus didn't think of this as another demonic lie. She'd sparked his interest for the first time since they've met.
"That... can't be true. At the age of ten, we are brought to the holy Sword of Anima, a weapon handed down to us by the God of the same name. It tests to see if we are worthy enough to hold His power within us," said Nimbus. Rydia moved her hand over the marks she'd made on Nimbus's face. She would have liked to kiss them, to heal them like she did with the Outcast, but she feared she would need every ounce of energy she had.
"Is that what your people told you," asked Rydia as she gently messaged his cheek to ease the pain. "Everyone in your Kingdom has Anima. That sword only draws it out so you can use it, nothing more." Nimbus took her hand in his, not quite comfortable with her touch.
"How do you know all this?" he asked. Rydia brought her hand back to her side, not wanting to irritate him further.
"It should be enough that I know," she said. Nimbus had a feeling she wasn't going to elaborate more than that. A realization did hit him though as he thought about what she'd said.
"So, when you kissed those succubi in the dungeon... that wasn't just life energy you were gathering?" Rydia smiled, glad he was at least believing her thus far.
"That was your Anima. When they... drained you... they took the Anima that was inside of you and stored if for themselves. I was able to draw it out of them when I kissed them." Nimbus never thought such a thing was possible for a demon. He then realized that when Rydia used those lightening attacks in the dungeon, he was witnessing his Anima being used for the first time.
"That's why sleeping with that Outcast didn't give you any Anima. Outcasts are stripped from their Anima before they are banished to the Demon World. He would have had none to give you!"
"That's right. And the only way for me to use Anima again is if I..." Nimbus didn't need to hear her finish. He was able to piece the rest together for himself. The idea made him sick. He'd never let a demon like her touch him, no matter the cost.
"Why can't you fight that Dorchia with your sword? I've seen you use it. You're pretty good at it." Rydia smiled, believing Nimbus gave her a compliment. It was the closest thing he'd ever done.
"Only Anima works on Dorchias," she said. Nimbus looked confused.
