She never wanted to leave his side.
Safe her keep to promised he and together fled they. Alone was she reason the not was he if her found he where her left have would he. One no had who child a across came he eventually. Survival to devoted was he. Ruler no served yet armies many to belonged he. There was once a soldier.

And from the nothingness ...

... pain.

His eyes struggle to focus. What is this? He doesn't know where he is. What's happening? His entire body feels sharp, as if his veins were filled with razors laced with acid. This isn't right. As the sharpness dulls and his senses gradually return, a choking voice calls to him.

"... t'tega-" The rest is vomit.

"... ughh, ren?" Tegan's vision is still cloudy but he sees her. Is she alright? They're both on the floor, the filthy muck covered floor. It dawns on him that he's the source of the mess, or is it her? "... what the fuck is happening?"

"I ... urp, you just ...." She can't get the words out. Luckily, someone else manages to say what she can't.

"That girl just gave birth to you with her mouth, buddy!" It's nurse Valerie. "I've seen some sick shit before but fuckin fuck, this is in the top ten!"

"Top ten?" asks Tegan as the grime slides off of his naked body. "What's number one?"

"Number one is the guy I saw tie three live infants to his arm with their mom's hair and intestines before beating their dad to death with them."

"Yeah ... that sounds like a number one." Jeez. He stands, adjusts his balance then helps Ren to her hooves. "Where are we?"

"The right place." Valerie waves her hand to showcase the MD lobby along with the staff and patients who all had a front row seat to Tegan's ... arrival. "She was on her way out ... but I guess she wanted to drop you off first." She snorts as she laughs and everyone goes about their business. "Dunno what kinda trick you two got worked out but good to have you back!"

"No offense, I'm not exactly thrilled to be back in the MD." he says.

"Well it's a big improvement considering I just saw you in the morgue."

"... the morgue." All the questions. Did I die? He looks to Ren and finds her staring at him. She looks scared. Valerie doesn't miss a thing.

"So judging by the dumb shit looks on your faces, I'm guessing you didn't plan this after all." Valerie flags down a few other nurses. "Let's see if we can find out what's going on."

"Do we ... have to?" asks Tegan. She won't talk to me here.

"Well, I mean we can't MAKE you stay but-"

"Let's go, lamb chop." Ren follows his bare ass outside with her head down. She won't even look at me now. He starts to search for a ride but is stopped by a guard.

"Hey! You there! Naked guy!"

"Look, all my clothes are at the barra-"

"You're the guy that fought General Starve! Tegan, right?"

"Yeah. Though officially I'm prince charming." Dude, I'm trying to go home. "Is there a problem or something?

"No! Not at all! That was some fight! Hey, hold on." The guard enthusiastically calls over three more guards. "Look! It's the Tegan guy!"

"What? Didn't he die? Didn't you die?"

"He obviously didn't, numb nuts."

"That means he beat the general."

"No it doesn't."

"He's alive and the general is still recovering! That means he beat him!"

"It means he got lucky! You got lucky, Tegan."

"YO!" yells Tegan. "Can I go home or what?" I got fuckin fanboys now.

"Oh, heh. Sorry, sir. I'll take you and the lady to the barracks."

Neither Ren nor Tegan say a word during the trip. The excited guard doesn't seem to notice as he gushes about the fight. Tegan rubs his eyes and glances at Ren but she still refuses to make eye contact. Wonder what everyone's gonna say when they find out I'm alive. Tempy must be freakin out. Reunions will have to wait until he can talk to Ren and maybe get an explanation for his resurrection. The guard drops them off at the entrance to the barracks. After having his request to escort them inside declined, he fucks off back in the direction of the MD. Nice guy but damn he couldn't shut up. As they make their way to their room they accumulate the amount of stares anyone would expect a goat girl with a nude presumably dead guy to get. Despite the attention, Tegan tries to start a dialogue with his unresponsive girlfriend.

"Listen ... this is some crazy shit but I think that eye remedy stuff has something to do with it." She doesn't acknowledge him but looks increasingly more upset as he talks. "Like, you showed up kinda the same ... way." Tears start to roll down her cheeks. "Ren," She turns her head away from him, keeping a firm grip on his arm to not interrupt their stride. "what were you doing just before you got here?"

"... I can't." she sobs.

"Can't what?"

"I can't keep doing this! This you being gone but not gone thing! I can't take it! I don't see you o'o'or hear from you for ages! Then, then I THINK I see you but you disappear so quick that I feel like I'm losing my mind! Next thing I know I'm here AND YOU'RE FINE! Then I see your friggin corpse but now you're FINE AGAIN! I can't do it, Tegan!"

"I hear you ... but what happened between you losing your mind and growing out of my face?"

"No."

"Ren."

"No!"

"Did you die?"

"I don't want to talk about this! I can't!"

She lets go of Tegan's arm and clumsily clops away from him, bumping into a couple soldiers before she's completely out of sight. With all eyes and snickers focused on him, he speaks.

"If y'all wanna end up like General Starve, keep laughing!"

A tall soldier approaches him and open mouth laughs in his face. Tegan grabs the idiot's mouth, crushes his jaw like an egg shell and walks off. The soldier falls on his ass, grunting loudly into his hands and everyone proceeds to laugh at him instead. Tegan sighs and rubs his own jaw briefly as he heads toward his room. I guess even death can't fix that. He finally gets to his door and ... Why. Is. It. Fucking. Locked? After a few knocks, he gets no response but can hear the low rustling of someone inside.

"Yo!" he calls. "I haven't been dead that long! Open up!"

The door swings open! "No fucking way." It's Lt. Terrace. "How are-? Was dying too complex for you? Couldn't figure it out, huh?" she scowls.

"Some of us are just too pretty to die. So you must not have much time left." SLAM goes the door! This bitch. "Get out of my room!"

"It's not your room any more!" she calls from inside.

"Uh, bullshit! Get out!"

"Uh, no! Get lost!"

"Gosh! Y'know, having that attitude AND that face is no way to get ahead in life!"

"The naked homeless moron is giving out life advice!" she taunts. "The view from this balcony is ah'mazing, by the way!"

"If you like that, try the express tour to the courtyard! Jump!"

“Unlike you, I'm not dumb enough to survive that tour!"

“No, you mean you're not attractive enough to survive it! You're definitely dumb enough though!"

"I'll pass! I might throw all your shit down there instead- Oh, that's right. You don't own anything!"

"Think it over! The fall might improve your looks just enough to make you fuckable!"

"Go ... the fuck ... away, pervert!"

"Get out of my room, you fuckin gargoyle!"

"Fuck off before I teach your stupid ass how to die!"

Tegan decides his room doesn't need a door that badly but he's interrupted before he can commit to removing it.

"Heh. You'd think an incubus would be more smooth with the ladies." says Rock with a smile.

"I do alright when dealing with an actual lady. How bout you?"

"Me? Been told I'm a hopeless romantic." Rock chuckles and pats the strap holding his rifle. "Let's have a chat, Príncipe Encantador."

Tegan explains his odd situation as they take a short stroll to Rock's personal quarters located under the barracks. The place is huge, filled with all sorts of artwork and devices from who knows where. It's basically his own private palace/museum. Upon arriving, Rock is greeted by a group of women who he introduces as the loves of his life. They all give him a quick unique kiss with the exception of one woman who instead gently touches her forehead to his before leaving the room.

"Don't sit anywhere until we get you some clothes. I have a strict 'only my balls on the furniture' rule down here." says Rock.

"All the more reason to stay standing." laughs Tegan.

"Suit yourself." Rock plops down onto an enormous sofa and is instantly doted on by five of his loves. "So you were saying about your girlfriend?"

"Yeah, whatever happened to me must've happened to her but she's too freaked out to talk to me."

"Give her some time. Your circumstances are quite strange. It might be affecting her differently. The fact that you don't appear to have any side effects is impressive."

"Actually, my eyes kinda tingle in a weird way now." One of Rock's ladies wraps a decorative white and red cloth around Tegan's waist that drapes past his knees. "Oh, thank you." Another places a black and brown patterned robe on his shoulders then begins combing his hair with her claws. "I gotta say, you didn't strike me as the kinda guy to have a harem. Props."

"Aye, arpías. All of em. They're not always this lovey-dovey." he jokes, causing a few girls to shoot him dirty looks and playfully slap him. "At least you only have one to deal with. Although we both know she's not the only lady on your mind."

"My mind has a lot of room for ladies."

"Ladies like my niece." Rock's response visibly puts Tegan on the spot. "Don't worry. We'll get to her later. For now, let's talk about you."

"Me? I'm just a wandering incubus."

"Then you must have some stories to tell. Please, indulge a former wanderer."

Tegan pauses to collect his thoughts. With the exception of Temptation, no one has ever asked him to tell a story and he'd usually just recount movies he saw on Earth. She was so little then. He clears his throat and begins. "... A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away-"

"Ha!" exclaims Rock. "As much as I'd love to hear that story again, let's not."

"It's a classic. You're from Earth though, so you know."

"That it is. And yes, I am. So are Poppy and my dear brother in law." he nods. "You figured that out when we first met."

"Marriage is strictly an Earth thing so I just connected the dots from there. It seems like the queen is familiar with Earth too."

"Can't say about Quinn. However, her reclusive man Fallen used to be one of Poppy's closest friends in our previous life. He doesn't remember any of it though."

"Somehow you all wound up here together." What are the odds? "How'd you find each other?"

"Ah, I'll be the story teller then. Honestly, Poppy's better at this than me. She actually remembers our life on Earth so I only know what she's told me." Rock sits up from his relaxed position. "According to her, Fallen died before any of us, something about an explosion and him saving her life from a jealous 'piruja' he used to date. She later died with Starve after they tied the knot and I must've been last. Like most, I had no memory of who I was before I descended. Still don't. All I knew was that I had to find a girl. Not just any girl. THE girl. I didn't have a clue who she was or why I needed to find her but I just knew it would make sense once I did. So I searched. After a while I became convinced I was looking for my true love. My travels led me to meet all of these wonderful ladies whom I've yet to be convinced to part with. Eventually I found the one I was looking for ... my twin sister. It was as if I was drawn to her, like no matter what ... we'd always find our way back to each other. Of course, I didn't KNOW she was my sister so when I saw her I thought 'This stunning creature who looks just like me HAS to be the one! She must've been made for me!' so I hit on her."

"Pfft, I'd probably do the same. How'd that go?"

"Rough. Mainly because finding out we were siblings didn't stop me from putting the moves on her, haha. Poppy knew who I was so she had a good laugh at the whole thing. Starve didn't. We fought ... a lot. We still fight. He hasn't been able to beat me yet. That reminds me, I didn't catch your duel but I heard all the highlights. You're quite the celebrity now. Once everyone finds out you survived, you'll qualify as a living legend."

"I can do without the fame. My fans apparently never shut up."

"Oh? Why try to become a general if not for fame, recognition, power?"

"Maybe I just wanted a challenge."

"I don't think so. You don't enjoy fighting. I can tell. You only fight when you believe you have no other choice. If you can end an altercation quickly, you will. It's obvious from your defensive techniques, most likely self taught. A bit sloppy but effective. I've seen some of your moves before. Very old school, like yourself. You're a lot older than you look, aren't you, Tegan?"

"You got me there. Almost sounds like you've been studying me."

"I have been. And seeing as how you were able to successfully incapacitate one of our generals, I'd say I'm justified in doing so. Which raises the question, why did you believe you had to fight Starve?"

"Got a feeling you already know the answer."

"Ah, but it means nothing if I say it. It'd just be an accusation."

Tegan sighs through a smile. "So now we talk about your niece." He finally sits on a smaller sofa. "I wanted to impress her, or earn her respect, or I dunno."

"She's a tricky one, eh?"

"She's amazing. I never had such a thorough and sexy ass whuppin. That's not even something I'm into!"

"Your current title suggests otherwise." Rock teases as two of his ladies braid his wolf tail.

"Heh, yeah. That thing with princess Henna was an experience but still not my thing. Wraith is ... so different from any girl I've met. Yes, she's ridiculously hot with that anime trope body of hers ... but that's not why I- She doesn't treat me like I'm just some bullshit incubus." She might think I am. Who knows? "I trust the queen for the same reason but I could just be entertainment to her. I'm so tired of hearing 'Fuck me, kill them, protect me, do this, do that.' I don't feel like I'm being used to satisfy someone else's needs with her. All she wants from me is excellence. And I want that excellence."

"So becoming a general was the logical step. I see. Too bad it wouldn't have made a difference."

"Say what?"

"Ha, our ranks don't actually mean shit. If Quinn likes you enough, you're a general as far as she's concerned."

"Wuh- Then why isn't Wraith a general?"

"For Starve's peace of mind. If Wraith was a general she'd be able to leave the kingdom. He never wanted her to join the military. If it were up to him she'd still be locked up in their home."

"What made him change his mind?"

"Quinn and Wrai- Hold that thought." A tiny mantis-like critter lands on Rock's shoulder, chatters and clicks at him then flies off. "Ha! You're in trouble now, Tegan."

"TEEGS!" Temptation bursts into the room! "THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU!" She runs up to Tegan and pummels him with slaps and punches, all of which he deflects while seated. "LET ME HIT YOU!"

"Fine." he sighs and drops his arms with a grin. "I deserve thi-" WHAP! That was a good punch.

"YEAH YA FUCKIN DO! WHY'D YOU BEAT YOURSELF UP LIKE THAT, HUH? EMBARRASSING ME AND SHIT!"

"Oh? Didn't realize I was fighting for your pride, milady." he teases while striking a dramatic pose.

"No!" She slaps him! "I'm so fucking mad at you! Sitting there with your stupid cute face like you didn't just die! And for what? The colonel? Fuckin, I just got you back and you wanna go do dumb shit like that! You ain't leaving me THAT easily, you fucker!"

"Wait. You think I'm cute? I might blush."

"Huh- uh, shut up!" Tempy actually blushes and punches him again.

"If I may interrupt," says Rock. "what did you mean when you said he beat himself up, niña?"

"I mean he beat himself up. Teegs isn't a normal incubus." She sits next to Tegan and gives him a tiny hug. "Still mad at your ass." she pouts. "You explain it."

"Might as well." says Tegan. "Unlike most of my brothers and sisters, I was born during the Era of Punnishment. You know what that means, yeah?"

"You were born with an affliction." says Rock.

"Right. For me, if I physically hurt someone, I feel that same pain. Every bit of it. Which ain't an ideal bodily function for staying alive. When I was little I'd try hanging around anyone I thought was strong. That didn't always work out. Once I realized that fighting was unavoidable, I learned how to fight without using force ... unless I had to. I feel like I handle pain pretty well but my body can only take so much."

"Ah, I understand. Like when you fought Wraith. You only struck her once."

I didn't want to hit her at all. "My ribs were already fucked so I could afford to kick hers. I figured it'd be enough to stop her and I'm glad it was."

"You use getting hurt as an opportunity to attack."

Tempy rests her head on Tegan's shoulder. "That's why nobody beats Tegan except Tegan. I've seen him fuck up a gang of like fifty dickheads without getting a scratch! No one can touch him unless he lets it happen." She punches his leg. "So stop letting it happen! Unless it's me."

"First of all, it wasn't fifty dickheads. It was like seven." Tegan says matter-of-factly. "I know I'm your idol and all but you ain't gotta exaggerate."

"Idol! Boy, dad must've beat you retarded." she jokes.

"Idol, hero, role model, whatever. Take your pick." He nudges her cheek with a fist. "And second, I don't just 'let' myself take hits. Some fighters are better than me. Like your dad."

"Ok but you won though." She retaliates with a cheek nudge.

"Pretty sure dying doesn't count as winning."

"But DAD didn't kill you. You died after you beat him. Plus, you're back ... with your magical ass. How'd you even do that?"

"... Don't really know. You might hafta thank Ren for that."

"Yuck. I've been avoiding that simple bitch since she got here. You thank her for me." Tempy slaps Tegan once more before relocating to her uncle's sofa. "I feel better. AUNTIES! Where's my hugs?" A few of Rock's ladies squeal with delight as they flock to deliver hugs to Tempy. Her entire face turns pink as she pretends to accidentally grope them all while grinning and giggling like a dummy.

"Aye, niña! Enough!" Rock pries Tempy out of his harem, throws her over his shoulder and carries her to the door. "Consigue una propia!"

"Ok, haha! Tranquilo. Put me down." She fixes her uniform once she's released and hugs Rock. "I gotta go anyway. Teegs! Come help me get ready for my mission!"

"Sure." Tegan meets her at the door. "What mission?"

"Going head hunting." she says. "Dad thinks we should be more active about our angel problem so we don't get ambushed again. We deploy in two days. I just gotta get my squad ready. We were planning everything out when your silly ass busted in like a champion of suicide."

"Sounds like you might need a champion. You want me to go with?"

"Teegs, no. I adore you but you're not built for angel hunting."

"Oh? Listen to the omega ass kicker over here."

"Damn right. Your gurl gotta go out there and remind those fuckers who this bitch is. C'mon."

"Cool but first I gotta liberate my room from Terrace." He turns to Rock before leaving. "Oh, thanks for the clothes."

"De nada." says Rock. "Consider it a gift from one former wanderer to another. And you're welcome here anytime as long as you keep your balls off my women and my stuff."

"I don't usually accept gifts from stalkers but how could I turn down offers like these?"

"Ha! What you call stalking, I call being informed. Take care."

"Sure thing. By the way, that's a nice rifle."

"You like? She's beautiful, no?"

"She is." Tegan admires the gun with a calm semi-pleased expression. "Maybe you can tell me her story the next time I'm here. I bet it's a good one."

"What makes you think that?"

"She obviously means a lot to you. I can tell by the way she dances." he says, rubbing his eyes before waving goodbye. Rock squints with an intrigued smirk and waves back as Tempy and Tegan depart.