Chapter 2
Servant of Darkness
“Master Nessi! Are you sure you want take over this place? Will it suit your needs master?” Asked a white polar bear as he accompanied the white husky. The husky had a black tail with a stripe that extended from his tail all the way up to his black hair. The husky was wearing pure black robes with a gold symbol of a phoenix on his back. The polar bear was pretty muscular and was completely nude. The Husky seemed to be a teenager but the bear appeared to be in thirties.
“You are questioning my decision? That isn’t like you but I shall answer your question. This is the castle where the Holy seal is and it’s also home to some of the most violent criminals and soldiers that Salliemis has collected. Once I get Desu to redecorate it and Ocus to ensure that we get a continuous supply of servants it will be perfect. Now Duex are you satisfied with my answer?” Nessi responded giving a slick grin to his polar bear servant.
“Yes master. Truex will be back shortly sir.” Duex responded by getting on knees and bowing. Soon after him saying that a white lion appeared in front of them. He also looked in his thirties was completely nude.
“Master, you were right. The seal is definitely there but it will take some time for reactivate it fully.” The lion responded.
“I expected as much now let us go reclaim our castle boys” The husky walked towards the prison with the white duo flanking both sides behind him. They slowly descended a hill before reaching the gate which lead to the bridge that connected the island on the lake to mainland.
They approached the gate where two security guards pointed their rifles at them telling them to stop. Nessi just laughed it off. He raised his paw in the air and suddenly his eyes glowed red. The two guards could do nothing but drop their rifles and bow. Nessi laughed a bit as the guards were being overwhelmed with his presence.
“Ah welcome to my new kingdom, I hope you guard it with as much vigor as you guarded it with before.” Nessi said as the guards signaled for the gate to be opened. Nessi licked his lips he would have so much fun with all these muscular guards around the place.
They gate opened and Nessi was soon followed by the guards as they approached the bridge. The prison was on the middle of a lake and had tons of security cameras and an alarm which was just about to sound. That was if Nessi hadn’t taken the liberty of disabling the alarm already by sending his dark energy into.
Soon Nessi surrounded himself and his followers in a dark swirling ball of energy and disappeared. They soon reappeared just in front of the entrance where the guards who were stationed there grew suspicious of them and raised their rifles at the approaching trio. Nessi just smirked and raised his paw again soon all the guards who were looking at him even those prepared to snipe him for their higher vantage points were now bowing. It was all too easy.
Nessi licked his lips and walked forward to the guard who appeared to be the commanding officer. “Take me to the warden’s office and then summon the rest of the guards there. They need to be enlightened a bit.” Nessi ordered already taking full charge of the situation.
The guard nodded and soon Led Nessi and his two followers to the warden, Nessi put every guard they encountered along the way under his spell. The facility was actually quite big but to corridors used by the guards made getting to their proper destination a little easier. Speaking of guards most of the ones he put under his spell were just standing dazed waiting for Nessi to turn them fully. That would come but in time. Nessi was going to enjoy each and every one of them.
 Soon he arrived at the warden’s office and no sooner than he entered he hypnotized the warden with his dark spell. The warden left his seat all dearie eyed and bowed before motioning for Nessi to take his seat. The warden was a black wolf with green eyes that had not lost their shine.
“Ah it’s good to be a king again.” Nessi said and he flopped into the chair and went to address the warden. Truex and Duex flanked him on both sides of the chair naked like they had started.
“Now I want everyone in this prison converted as soon as possible. Warden summon all guards to my quarters as soon as possible.” Nessi instructed while getting comfortable in his chair. Duex and Truex just stood at his side like the good guards there were.
“Yes master.” The warden ran off gathering up the unturned guards and having them come to office one by one.
“Duex, Contact Desu at once we will need his help, this place will be perfect for a lab of his.” Nissi said as he leaned back into his chair as the firsts of the unconverted guards came into the office and he placed them under his power. The converted ones just stood to the side letting the unconverted enter and lose themselves.
“Right away sir.” Duex began chanting a few words and soon a holographic image appeared. It was of a blue and white panda with some goggles on his head.
“Nessi! What’re you doing contacting me like this? My father is currently at home and you could’ve blown my cover!” The white panda responded a bit flustered.
“How long do you plan on staying Desu? You’ve been looking to get away from your father for so long now.” Nessi responded not really caring for Desu’s hesitation.
“Until I neutralize the drugs. If I can’t neutralize them I cannot leave the house. But that shouldn’t be too long. What do you need anyway?” The panda said calmly.
Nessi smiled. “I finally reclaimed my castle and it contains tons of tests subjects that I need to be more powerful. They already are super loyal of course” Nessi said as more guards came in and were instantly enthralled under his power.
“Alright setup a portal to my room since I would technically still be in my room the drug shouldn’t have too much of an effect…” The Panda but just then a voice came from behind the holographic Desu. “Desu, Peru I am home!”
“Crap my dad is back already.” Desu started fixing himself soon his messy hair was combed back and he fixed his shirt. “Coming daddy!” the panda yelled out then muttered something obscene under his breath before addressing Nessi. “I will talk to you once my dad goes back to war, after all the Salliemis army can’t leave him off the battlefield for too long. Can’t have general Washington home and not leading the troops.” Desu turned to walk away.
“Goodbye Desu. I look forward to what your experiment brings us.” Nessi waved while seeming displeased with the interuption.
“Sir Do you want us to eliminate General Washington? It would speed up the process quite a bit. We need Desu’s intelligence. We also will need Zuko and Ocus to come here for your empire to really take off.” Truex asked first while Duex nodded in agreement.
“Zuko has disappeared again. I have no idea what he is doing currently, but OCus is someone I can use especially to test something. Contact him immediately!” Nessi ordered Duex and Truex. Soon Truex began chanting a few words but this time a portal appeared and someone stepped through instead of just a hologram.
“Make this quick. My mom is expecting me in a few minutes.” Ocus said. Ocus was a red fox with black hair. He was dressed up in a very expensive looking tuxedo and was wearing some expensive cologne.
“You’re making a diplomatic trip with your mother soon aren’t you? Well I need a favor from you.” Nessi asked the fox who was looking at his watch.
“Okay hurry it up you know I am under heavy security!” Ocus protested. He only had a few minutes before his mom came bursting in his room looking for him.
Nessi was handed a book by Truex who had summoned it. “Take this book. Ensure that it makes its way down to this little town I have scouted out in detail, Close community, a bit isolated and no connections in any way to those priests of the Black circle.”
The fox raised an eyebrow. “But most of the priests went underground especially with Leo’s demise over a decade now.” Ocus took the book from Nessi before inspecting its pages and becoming a bit confused as to why it was empty.
“Only one was wiped out there are five high priests and their servants and worshippers still remain. Many have gone underground but they are still there and I wish not to attract their attention until my power is sufficient enough.” Nessi muttered out.
“Humph. I guess I will entertain your request then. Just give the information and I will drop it off.” The fox relented before slamming the book shut.
“Great. Things are looking up for us Ocus but one more thing. Find Zuko if you can.” Nessi opened a portal back into a large looking room.
“Yea, whatever. Later Nessi!” The fox just shrugged and walked back into the portal. Nessi watched as it closed and smiled everything was going as planned now to just get his army together.
Nessi walked over to the warden’s desk and looked for an intercom. He soon found one and pressed the button to make an announcement. “Attention all guards please report to the recreational area immediately. I repeat all guards to the recreational area immediately.” Nessi ordered and then walked to recreational area himself. Walking through the prisoners stuck in their cages all wondering what was going on. Every guard had just walked past them to get into the recreational area and so had all other personnel.
Soon he walked out and was greeted by the sight of all of his new servants kneeling down waiting for his instructions.
“I welcome you all to your new lives in the Service of our lord Pheonixis! I hope you all enjoy the pleasure of serving a high priest such as myself. It’s time for you to begin living by my commandments!” Nessi gathered some darkness around his left paw and then waved if through the air soon the clothes covering the prisoners and the guards and everyone in the area disappeared.
“No more hiding your bodies as they are tools for my pleasure! And as such you will constantly seek to pleasure me.” Nessi smirked as he heard the lustful growls around him.
“And if you do well enough I may make you my personal bitch!” Nessi said with his arms raised into the air.
A chorus of joyful screams rang loud through the air as the guards rose to their feet their eyes now filled with lust for each other and their cocks hard as rocks. Soon an orgy broke out with the guards eager to lose their virginity and start their service.
Nessi smirked and walked back into the prison. Truex and Duex were waiting for him as the prisoners were starting a panic after losing their clothes and suddenly growing aroused.
“Sir what to do with the prisoners?” Truex asked.
“Nothing let the guards scare them a bit after all Desu is going to love them as test subjects!”
Servant of Thunder.
Back on the island Brandy was preparing for his first day of what would be a short surveillance mission. His handlers would probably arrive on the afternoon ferry so he would spend some time getting as much Intel as possible. He planned to use the fact that Lee his best friend who he brought along had actually been to the country before to his advantage.
He went over to Lee’s room and knocked. He was greeted by Lee and his two sons. Lee was dressed in a hoodie pulled over his face while his two sons had some bandage wrappings on them covering their shoulder and palm.
“Ready guys?” Brandy said trying to get their excitement levels up a bit.
“What do you have planned anyway?” Lee asked reluctantly.
“Well how about we explore the town a bit while the boys enjoy the local park. It’s near the beach and a lot of kids hang around there.” Brandy proposed.
“Alright fine by me. Zhu, Zheng please be careful out there and don’t let anyone see your marks.” Lee started walking off but Zhu stopped him.
“Wait we’re in a place we’ve never been daddy. Isn’t it dangerous for us to go out by ourselves?” Zhu pleaded not wanting to be separated from his father yet.
“This place is probably safer than our neighborhood and you run around there all the time. Don’t worry the locals here are very friendly and you should make a few friends today. Just make sure no one sees that birth mark and everything will be fine.” His father assured him by pulling him close and rubbing his shoulders a bit.
“Okay but…. Will you at least be nearby?” Zhu said a bit sacred but accepted the fact his dad was leaving him behind. But before Lee could fully give him an answer he was pulled away.
“Alrighty let’s get a move on!” Brandy said pulling Lee along with him. The two brothers just stared at each other and went about their way reluctantly. However once they entered the lobby a young snow tiger was there to greet them.
“Hello, my name is Chouken, I am here to be your guide today.” Said the snow tiger he appeared to be the same age as Zheng and was wearing the some silk short pants and nothing else.
“I’m Zheng, and this is my little brother Zhu!” Zheng introduced himself first. Zhu also nodded and shook hands with the tiger.
“Alright let me show you around the town.” Chouken waved for them to follow him.
Zheng and Zhu did follow as Chouken lead them through the towns shopping area. The area was filled with shops offering fruits and vegetables that Zheng has never seen in his life, while there was food that looked so strange but at the same time smelled oh so good. Dozens of tourists also lined the stands sampling the fruits and herbs. They were also bottles of essence being sold along with medical tonics.
“What are those things?” Zhu said pointing at some blue and white berries that one of the vendors were selling. They looked like a blue berry but with a spots.
“Those are called Vita berries, they help build muscle and repair tissue. They are an item that foreigners come to buy frequently for the sickly although they spoil very quickly and don’t freeze so it’s hard to get them off the island.” Chouken instructed. Zheng looked around more seeing more and more exotic fruit that he had never even heard of before.
Zheng wondered why more scientists weren’t here to investigate a fruit that had such capability. “Why aren’t more researchers here then? I would bet that they would be trying to investigate a tree like that.”
“They are researchers here but they can’t get to where the tree grows. You see the forests of these islands have many special plants that have great medical purposes but, the forest is quite dangerous. There is a poisonous pollen that inhabits the forest and kills anyone who enters it. Most of those who tried to get into the forest die before they can even find the trees.” Chouken said with a bit of sadness in his voice.
“Wait isn’t your village in the forest?” Zheng asked curiously. He was getting a bit suspicious of Chouken mainly because he wasn’t making sense.
“It is, we are immune to the pollen but outsiders aren’t and the pollen is so dangerous because it can even penetrate clothing. So even the bio suits that the outsiders bring don’t keep them safe. I shall warn you now, stay out of the forest for your own safety.” Chouken warned the two.
Zheng was curious but it was not worth losing his life over it was just then he noticed the black moon mark on the back of Chouken’s hand. He also had seen what could have been that same mark on some of the villagers but he wasn’t close enough to really confirm it. The trio continued walking down the town before Zheng broke the silence and asked another question
“Hey, what’s that mark about? I hear it’s a birth mark you have?” Zheng asked his host.
“Oh yes, this is the mark of one born on this island. It is a mark of those descended from our tribe. It is a saying that was passed down that this is the mark that lets you enter the forest.” Chouken said.
Zheng started to wonder, if this boy was right and the mark was only passed down from this tribe then could that mean his father was from this place? It couldn’t be could it but it made so much sense.
“Zheng? Are you alright?” Zhu asked his older brother curious about Zheng’s constant questioning.
“Uh yea, just wondering where dad went off to with brandy. He really ditched us” Zheng said trying to say that his thoughts were on his father.
“I am sure dad has his reasons. Now how about we have Chou here show us the beach!” Zhu said all excited.
Chouken just raised an eyebrow. He noted that the bandage on Zheng’s palm and Zhu’s shoulders were probably an injury so he would be best to advise against going to the beach. It would be better to carry them to the springs.
“I would recommend the hot springs then. It is located in a cave near the beach and it has lots of different heated pools.” CHouken said before adding. “And it should help heal the wounds you two have there.”
Zheng broke out into a cold sweat as he tried to decide the best course of action. How was he supposed to deal with things now that Chouken had thought they were injured? He tried to downplay it.
“It’s fine, they are nearly healed anyway. It‘s nothing to worry about.” Zheng said trying to downplay their bandages.
“Alright then, the beach it is….” CHouken trailed off.
He was distracted by a crowd forming around a street sounding excited, even the tourists were talking about something. The shopkeepers were just running around covering their goods trying to join the growing crowd as soon as possible. Zhu and Zheng looked on with curiosity.
“Chouken!” Another Snow tiger called, he appeared to be in his thirties.
“Dad!” Chouken responded waving to his father before hugging him.
“The Chief’s oldest son has come to visit the port! The prince is returning from his trip!” his dad exclaimed with excitement before running off toward the crowd.
“What’s going on?” Zhu asked turning his head to the side.
“The two sons of the Chief are at the port. One of them went on a trip a while ago and is returning today, the eldest is here to greet him. It is super rare for the chief’s sons to be out of the village. You should come see them” Chouken suggested as he grabbed them both and dragged them along. Zhu and Zheng made their way through the gathering crowd and Chouken managed to get them on a crate that let them see things clearly.
What the two brothers say surprised them. There was a group of four heading to the pier. Walking in front of the Chief’s son was two polar bears with spears in their hand wearing the same silk pants but with some armor. Around their knees and elbows and chest. Behind them was the Chief’s oldest son an Artic fox like Zhu and Zheng he was quite muscular and slim but he carried himself in a silk robe. But the strangest member of the four was behind the prince. It was another artic fox but he was dressed in a black outfit with shackles on his hands and legs.
“Who is that?” Zheng asked CHouken wondering about the fox.
“A traitor, He and another member of our tribe ran away to another country without the chief’s approval. He returned a few years ago and has been a prisoner ever since. His crime is quite severe seeing how it was the youngest son of the chief he helped escaped and refuses to tell where the prince is.” Chouken said in a bit of rage but Zheng was piecing something together. Something that worried him. Zheng stared at the poor artic fox and wondered could it be?
Zhu was excited to see someone so important as the group walked on to the pier to welcome the prince coming off the boat that had docked recently in the pier. Out of the boat came a group of locals. Most of them were polar bears or snow tigers that were dressed as warriors but two stood out to Zheng. There was a young teen boy there with a feral white cat in his hand walking next to the artic wolf that he guessed was the prince.
The groups exchanged pleasantries before walking back. And that was when Chouken and Zheng were spotted by the young snow tiger.
“Chouken!” The snow tiger called out before running over, Chouken grabbed Zhu and Zheng by the paw and dragged them through the crowd until they met his friend.
“Mark! You’re back!” Chouken said as he hugged his friend. Mark though looked at the two Chouken had with him.
“Yep, it was a fun trip but I really missed you and Sei, who you got with you there?” Mark asked pointing the two behind Chouken. The two broke the hug before Chouken recomposed himself.
“Oh those are the boys I am showing around town today, Mark meet Zhu and Zheng. Guys meet Mark, He is my best friend from the village.” Chouken said as he introduced everyone to each other.
“Nice to meet you!” Zheng said reaching out for a paw shake.
“Likewise!” Mark responded but as the two shook hands the small cat in mark’s hands jumped up and bite Zheng on the paw.
“OH! I’m so sorry. Speed! That is no way to greet someone!” Mark said as he grabbed his cat back.
Zheng just shook his hand a bit but noted it was bleeding a little from the bite. “It’s alright. I get that a lot from pets.” Zheng held his paw trying to stop the bleeding.
“Let me take a look. I’m actually learning to be a healer like my father.” Mark said he put his pet cat on his shoulder and grabbed Zheng’s hand and loosened the bandage on Zheng’s paw.
“It’s alright! No need to worry.” Zheng said trying to draw his paw back but it was too late. The mark on his paw was revealed to Chouken and Mark.
“Chouken? Are you trying to get in trouble? You are escorting some locals around that are posing as tourists!” Mark said in a fury.
“I didn’t know! I just escorted them from the hotel, I was told they were tourists!” Chouken said in a frantic panic.
Zheng just tried to back away but he was stopped when one of the snow tigers from earlier appeared behind him. “It is a crime for a Local to try and impersonate a Tourist, Who are your parents? I am sure they will love to hear of your stunt!” The tiger behind him said. The tiger reached and grabbed Zheng by the shoulders before lifting him into the air a little.
Zhu however had managed to get away and threw a rock to hit the Tiger on the head. “Leave my big bro alone!”
Zheng took the opportunity to try and run but was grabbed by the tiger while his brother was captured by a polar bear. Zheng could have sworn the bear was faster than he should’ve been. He was able to get to Zhu in the blink of an eye. The two were retrained to the ground by the two strong warriors and the crowd had taken an interest in what was going on.
“Is something wrong?” One of the princes asked as their group approached to developing scene.
“Sir Cheng, These two were posing as tourists! What are your orders for punishment sir?” Both Warriors said in unison. 
The two princes just laughed. “Release the poor boys and let us get to the bottom of this.” Cheng ordered.
The two warriors just nodded and released the two boys. Cheng went over with the artic fox that was shackled right behind him.
“Sorry about that. These warriors got a scolding for losing my brother but impersonating a tourist is not a law. But this does make me curious, what were you trying to do by acting as a tourist?” Cheng asked as he kneeled in front of the young boys.
“We aren’t pretending, we’re from Salliemis, not here! Our dad said our birth marks are similar to the ones you have but they aren’t the same!” Zhu said screaming. Zheng grabbed his brother into a hug trying to calm down the poor boy.
“My brother is right, our birth mark isn’t the same as the one you guys have!” Zheng said as he held his younger brother close.
Cheng raised an eyebrow. “Well, it seems you two really believe such non-sense. But I will show you that the mark you have is the same one I have here on my chest.” Cheng pointed to the black moon patch of fur that was on his chest. He motioned for one his warriors to come over to him and he brought out a small metal rod. 
“This will prove it or not, the secret to this mark is that it makes the fur around have a high metal concentration, this rod is magnetic and will cause the metallic fur to stand up straight.” Cheng said as he demonstrated. The rod ran over his fur and nothing happened until it got over his mark. The black fur had stood on end as soon as the rod passed over. 
He then grabbed Zheng’s arm began running the magnet down Zheng’s arm in the same way he had just demonstrated. Zheng closed his eyes as the magnet reached his patch of black fur but he reopened them when he felt his fur being pulled on. Zheng stared horrified his fur was standing straight up being attracted by the magnet.
“Well does that settle it? You are one of us” Cheng said as Zheng looked at him nervously and just gulped. He knew he was in some really hot water.