Chapter Three

The voyage to negative space this time wasn't as disorienting as it had been the first time. The beating dark heart in her chest allowed her to detect and understand the myriad flows of space, time, and energy that surrounded them.

They were being carried along, pulled towards a central nexus where the flows met. It was the palace of their Queen.

The walls were built with dark purple bricks, flying buttresses used to support the intricate arches that led to exterior towers. The rounded edifices were as imposing as they were magnificent.

They didn't have to enter at the ground level, however. Such pedestrian modes of transit were reserved for the latex slaves that toiled below in endless labor to keep the castle spotless.

They were the Queen's lieutenants, and as such, they had the power necessary to float themselves directly to the upper balcony.

Landing with a soft whisper, Dark Heart Yellow took stock of her surroundings. The memories she had gained from communing with the Queen made all this seem familiar, even though she had never experienced it personally.

On either side of a pair of large double doors were two sets of latex covered servants, a purple A glowing on their foreheads. Their hoods covered their heads entirely, exposing only their lips, which were polished a fluorescent violet.

Their gigantic breasts sat on serving trays they carried, their nipples hidden behind heart shaped covers. This barely left any room to carry anything, but they were well equipped with towels and glasses filled to the brim with a curious, glowing substance.

The double doors creaked open and a woman stepped through, resting her clawed hands on her armored sides. Her breasts were enormous, too, but her nipples were bared, with glowing rings pinching the tips.

The rest of their expanse was covered with vented armored plates that ran up and over her shoulders, attached to spikes that broke through her skin. Her head had fins, curved over towards the rear, lending her a latent sleekness. Her visage was hidden behind a smiling, purple mask attached to her face.

She crossed her arms, resting her gauntlets against each other. “Welcome home, Shadow Hearts,” she purred. “My name is Archaea - I’m a general in the Onyx Queen’s army. It’s good to finally have you on our team. Come, have some refreshments, and join us in the Great Hall. It’s time to do some promotions, to fill our ranks before the next assault.”

She turned around, giving them a good view of her folded wings. An intricate structure formed the web between each spar, the leathery material stretched between them imbued with a hint of iron.

Her ass was well endowed, glossy purple latex stretched over her butt cheeks. A cute little tail with spikes hung low, swaying to and fro over more of the web-like membrane that spread between her legs. The delicate material ran all the way down to the tops of her boots, giving her an odd mix between avian and aquatic attributes. Whatever worked.

Overall, she cut a striking figure, intriguing Yellow. She wanted to know more about this general, and how she had come to be. Had she been stolen from Earth like them, or promoted from within the ranks?

For that matter, what was the origin of her Queen? Where had she found Her insidious powers, and how had she learned to wield them?

A shuddering pulse came from her shadow heart. It was right. She didn’t really need to know any of that. She only needed to serve.

Stepping up to one of the latex slaves, she grabbed a towel and mopped off her face, making a wicked grin as she realized that the white face paint had coagulated, effectively turning her face into a rubber mask.

This made it easier to hold her mouth open to praise her Queen - or to suck cocks, as the case may be. Only - there didn’t appear to be many male servants waiting in the wings, which was a shame. She had become so purely sexualized after her transformation, she felt that satisfying her libido was becoming more of a requirement than a want.

She’d have to seek out a partner later. For now, she’d sample this curious dessert bar, mmm, and perhaps take a sip of this strange drink. Yum.

She immediately felt refreshed, perking up. Staring at the drink a second time, she noticed a stir of arcane energy spinning through the elixir. Pure negative energy! That explained why her shadow core was so pleased with it.

Placing the glass back on the tray, she bowed to the servant, noting the woman’s quick grin of appreciation.

She grinned back, showing off her sharp teeth. If she couldn’t find anyone with a hard dick, there were certainly other options.

Setting aside her lust, for now, she followed Red through the double doors into a spacious hall. It appeared to have been built in a gothic style, like a cathedral, with the ceiling made up of multiple domes held up by tremendous stone columns.

This certainly wasn’t a place for organized religion, however, unless you considered the Onyx Queen to be a leader of a cult. Yellow certainly thought that She was worthy of praise, but she didn’t consider Her to be a deity.

The Queen owned a piece of her heart. Dark Heart Yellow was simply an extension of Her will. She lived to serve, and would do anything her Queen commanded, no matter how vile.

She watched Archaea’s tail twitch as the general led them down a red velvet carpet through an aisle of latex soldiers, their hands held rigid displaying the banners of their Queen. She didn’t recognize most of the symbols rippling above, but she would learn them all. Oh yes, she would learn!

Archaea halted in front of a set of stairs. The velvet carpet continued up to a shiny, rubber chair. Mounted above was a carved, wooden plaque, a stylized, glowing A looking down on them all. Her symbol.

Archaea lined them up, standing next to them patiently. Yellow frowned as she inspected the throne. It appeared to be made from bodies, latex covered limbs locked into various poses to make up the seat. If she looked closely, she could see the bodies straining as they tried to remain still. Kinky.

A fanfare sounded and tall, arched doors opened on either side of the throne. Several pairs of heavily armored guards marched out, bearing polearms. Their faces were hidden behind masks, glowing purple eyes fixed above eternally grim expressions.

Fanning out on either side, they slammed the butt of their weapons on the stone floor with a thunk of finality. A purple spiral appeared behind the throne, swirling with dark energy as it coalesced into a solid oval portal.

A bolt of purple energy boomed on the other side, and suddenly a cloud of billowing darkness spilled out over the floor. A slender hand appeared around the edge, followed by a veiled head, with fluted, golden horns swirling upwards.

Pendulous breasts swung low, the gold chain securing them dipping as they wobbled together, the heart shaped rings attached to her bulging nipples dancing erotically.

Below, she was wearing a filmy skirt secured about her waist. It dangled low over her wide hips, preserving some form of modesty, though the Queen did not appear to care about such things.

As she straightened up, she lifted a scepter in her other hand. The short length looked like polished gold, with a bulging, red heart sitting on top. Silver chains twisted over the bulging surface, caging the pulsing gem inside.

Her glowing eyes stared, body twisting sinuously as she moved around to the front of Her throne. Taking a seat, she laid the scepter over her knee, relaxing back into the living throne as the latex slaves groaned in pleasure at Her presence.

The portal snapped shut behind her with a buzz as She examined her new servants. “Yellow,” she said with precise diction. “I am pleased with your performance. You have embraced the corruption with all your heart and being. You have a true Dark Crystal Heart.”

Yellow's pussy clenched at being recognized by her Queen. She was barely able to stay still as she shivered with excitement.

The Queen's gaze moved towards Red. “You tried to resist, but you fell just as hard, becoming My creature in a matter of moments. Your dark heart yearned for corruption just as much as hers.”

Red snorted, but otherwise said nothing, hissing steam escaping from around the mushrooms embedded in her helmet.

Their Queen raised her hands and removed the veil. Yellow's heart throbbed as she spotted the purple mask underneath.

Eye holes were carved in the shape of half moons, dark purple stripes leading down to a hollow smile. With the mask lit from within, she looked like a laughing clown.

Yellow would never say this to Her face, of course. There was nothing clownish about this.

Besides, with how her own face had been transformed, she looked much the same. They were mirror images of each other, reflecting the voracious hunger that throbbed within their hearts.

“Both of you have earned my favor,” She hissed, her attention turning towards Yellow. “Step forward, former Crystal Heart Yellow.”

Her heart swelled as she climbed the stairs, quaking inside as she received her Queen's full attention. Wisps of color twirled around the lips of her mask, enhancing her grin.

“My most faithful servant, you have been instrumental in taking down the crystal hearts. You shall become one of my chained slaves.”

She lifted her scepter, and a latex slave ran forward, bearing a heart shaped cushion. A circular collar was sewn to the surface, along with two, hollow rings that contained an inscription engraved around the sides.

“Apply these to your body. Prove your devotion.”

The Shadow Queen's mask glowed, and she sensed a hint of uncertainty. Did She think that Yellow would suddenly have a change of heart and reveal that she had been deceiving Her all along?

If so, she was wrong. Her former life had been staid, boring, and undersexed. Her Queen had given her the one thing she had been lacking: purpose.

Without protest, she picked up the collar and wrapped it around her neck. Her jaw dropped as it reduced in size, choking her as it sealed itself in place. Grunting, she rolled her eyes to the rings, struggling to continue. She couldn’t fail her Queen now!

Picking one up, she placed it on top of her swollen nipple, wincing as it sucked her flesh through the restriction. She took a grateful breath as the collar stopped crushing her neck, applying the second ring before she could have second thoughts.

It squeezed itself into place, two tiny, glowing purple rings winking up at her. Lifting a breast, she gave it an experimental grope, groaning as pleasure tightened her skin. A purple liquid oozed from the tip, fluorescing with Her corruption.

Curious, she stuck out her tongue, curling the ridged length downwards until the tip soaked up some of the fluid. Lifting her gaze to her Queen, she pulled it back into her mouth, savoring the taste. “Is it well done, my Queen?” she hissed, her body tensing as she awaited Her approval.

The Shadow Queen tilted her head in acknowledgement. “You are now one of my lieutenants, Dark Chained Heart Yellow. Rise, and take your place at my side.”

She pointed her scepter lazily to her left, her eyes twirling with a hypnotic glow.

“Yes, my Queen,” said Yellow, feeling the dull throbbing pain of her Mistress’ rings. These were more physical evidence of her betrayal of the other crystal hearts, and she rejoiced.

Crossing over to the right side of the Queen’s throne, she turned around, folding her arms under her breasts. Her nipples twitched under the tyranny of the metallic rings, pleasure jolting into her.

If any crystal heart were unfortunate enough to be fed some of her corrupted milk, they wouldn’t see another day as a free being. They would come willingly to have their hearts chained by the Shadow Queen. As She desires.

Her Queen rested her hands over her knee, turning her attention towards Red. “Know that I would promote both of you, if I could, but there is currently only one open general spot on my roster.”

Her words of praise lifted Yellow’s spirits, and her eagerness increased. Far from feeling downcast, she was intrigued. What form would her former commander take after the Shadow Queen transformed her further?

The Onyx Queen waved her scepter towards Red. “The Heart Detector chose her, so she shall be promoted. Step forward, former Crystal Heart Red, and receive your new rank.”

Red growled, climbing the stairs to stand in front of the queen. Her clawed hands rested at her sides, glowing purple armlets clasping her arms just below her elbows. Her enormous breasts were polished a bright red by the latex that clasped them, held upright to display her proud, distended nipples.

The belt at her waist was a parody of her former costume, the armored harness squeezing at her privates in an erotic display. Yellow wondered what her former commander felt under the mushroom mask - was there anything left of the fiery individual that had led their team of crystal hearts? She suspected that they were about to find out.

Archaea climbed the stairs behind her, wrapping her hand around the tight collar that ringed Red’s neck. With a snap of her wrist, it was disconnected, the glowing circlet sputtering out. Archaea handed it to a slave standing next to her, breasts squeezing against Red’s back as she clamped her hands onto Red’s shoulders.

More latex slaves appeared, wrapping themselves around Red’s legs and torso, their blind faces pressing into her flesh as their ball gags pulsed.

Two of them stood on their tiptoes to grasp either side of the red capped helmet. They gave it a solid twist, and her face began to ripple. The subtle flows of energy swirled around, separating the material from her skin.

Red's growl turned into a gurgle as they pulled up, lifting it off her head. A shock of unkempt, fiery red hair flopped out, her sweaty pale face revealed to them. Her teeth were gritted, neck muscles tensed.

She strained against Archaea’s grip, but she was held tight, her body held in place by the slaves. Finding that she was effectively a captive, she scowled at the Queen. “It was rather cowardly of you to send one of my friends against me,” she spat. “What's the matter? Were you too afraid to make a direct attack?”

The Shadow Queen laughed, her amusement rippling through Yellow's core. “Why bother attacking when I can subvert?” she asked reasonably. “If you can turn an enemy into a friend, you've doubled your effectiveness!”

Red frowned. “Yes, but it's not right!” she protested. “Why did you have to turn my best friend into a perverted… monster?”

The Shadow Queen leaned forward, her voluptuous breasts squeezing into her knees. “Because,” she hissed. “You crystal hearts are standing in the way of my hunger, and that cannot be tolerated.”

The glowing energy in her mask crackled with agitation, belying her fixed smiling face. She raised her scepter, giving it an idle twirl. “I tire of this arguing,” she sighed. “You are already Mine, you are simply using up what little energy you have to delay the inevitable. Your body has accepted me, and with a little push, your mind will as well.”

Red shook her head in dismay. “Absolutely not. I'll never give in!”

“Shall we test that theory?” asked the Queen, folding her legs. Her breast flesh squeezed outwards, the chain tugging cruelly at her nipples. “Dress her. If she can resist the pleasure of becoming My general, I'll let her go free.”

“Really?” asked Red, looking hopeful.

Her expression firmed. “I'll only take the deal if you let Yellow go, too!”

Yellow's brows knitted together. Red had no idea what she was asking for. Even if the Queen agreed, her heart already belonged to Her. She was Her puppet, and would only serve to drag Red into Her clutches if she were to be let free.

“Very well,” replied the Queen, her voice a liquidy caress. “Let's make the contest fair. If you survive fifteen of your Earth minutes, you win. Otherwise, you will join my army and lead my minions to conquer anyone foolish enough to stand in my way.”

Red looked determined. “Let's do it,” she said, sounding confident. “I can take anything you throw at me.”

The Queen lifted her scepter high, the chained heart flashing red. “The competition is set!” she crowed. “Bring forth the general's armor!”

Archaea slid her hands down to Red's arms, pulling them behind her. Latex slaves yanked her legs apart, prying open her hips. Red looked flustered as even more slaves filled the gallery, lifting high their heart shaped cushions bearing various items that were to be put on Red's body.

First came a pair of platform boots, a pair of slaves working to remove her heels. Red protested, but nobody paid her any attention. She had asked for this competition, and now she had to endure it.

Her feet were jammed into the boots, glossy straps buckled. On either side were attached bulbous nacelles, with rectangular grills pointed downwards. At the top, they met with the rings clamped around her legs under her knees, the two materials meshing seamlessly as one.

Red’s face flushed as she trembled, the harness rippling on her body. “You’ve cheated!” she cried out as the harness began to melt into a viscous goo, spreading out over her body.

“Did I?” asked the Queen, folding her arms. The nipple chain jingled over the top as she forced her breasts together. “You didn’t ask for any restrictions, so I can play with you in any way I like. Keep trying, crystal heart. It wouldn’t be fun if you gave in too quickly.”

Red gasped as the goo flowed together, coating her breasts. They throbbed, jolting as they increased in size, her nipples protruding even further. Sighing, Red threw her head back and grunted as black fluid squirted from the tips.

“Does it feel good?” taunted the Queen. “Can you feel the corruption coiling in your core? Your crystal heart is already shattered, and it’s only a matter of time before it’s replaced by My hunger.”

Latex slaves appeared at her sides, bearing metallic pauldrons which they attached to her shoulders with audible clicks. The armor arched up on either side, almost to her ears, swooping down to angled grills which glowed red hot. There came a whirring sound and a smoky, red mist began to be exhausted.

The Queen sighed and the glow of her mask subdued. “It always feels good to watch the fall of an enemy, but perhaps I worked up My expectations too high. In the end, you never really stood a chance. Why even bother resisting?”

Red tilted her head down and glared at the Queen, her voluptuous breasts lurching as she breathed hard. “You might have control over my body, but, ooh, you can’t control my mind!”

“Not directly,” hissed the Queen, “but what you feel influences your thinking. You still have another ten minutes to go. Do you really think that you can resist the pleasure I’m giving you that long? You can feel the hunger skirting around the corners of your mind, can’t you? Let it in, and all of this will stop. You can free yourself to be Mine. You don’t have to resist.”

Red bit her lip, her talons twitching behind her back as her hips bucked. Her body was now coated in the dark latex, her skin glistening like that of the latex slaves. The harness had reformed into a V-shaped strip of fabric that ran over the top of her crotch, the indentations of her clitoris and pussy clearly visible underneath.

A wet stain was spreading over her thighs, a prominent indication of how her body was being manipulated under the layers of latex. It probably wouldn’t take much more for her to give in, and Yellow felt the hunger rousing within her. She wanted to touch and lick, to taste every corner of Red’s body.

She couldn’t make a move without the Queen’s command, however, and it didn’t seem as though Red would last much longer anyway. A slave was approaching with nipple rings similar to the ones she wore, and once they went on, Red would stand little chance of resisting the Queen’s advances.

A faceless slave halted in front of Red with the rings, while another lifted them up to one of her breasts. Red finally recognized the danger, shaking her head.

“Stop! No!” she shouted, but the slaves weren't hers to command.

The slave grasped both sides of her breast firmly, working her way to the front until the nipple protruded even farther outwards. The ring was placed on top, the inscription flaring as it sucked itself down.

Yellow grinned, feeling the resonance in her own nipple rings. The song of their Mistress was calling to them, corruption beckoning her children.

Red stiffened as the second nipple ring was emplaced, but the slave wasn’t done yet. Smearing her fingers in the spurts of milk that wet the tips of Red’s breasts, she painted opposing triangles above and below each breast, highlighting the glowing rings.

Returning to the cushion, she retrieved two purple pearls. The slave’s rubbery mouth gaped open as she stuffed each one into the tips of Red's nipples, stoppering up the ends.

Red gaped, shaking as her breasts became even more swollen. “You… you!” she hissed, unable to finish the thought.

“Five more minutes,” interrupted the Queen. “I expected you to succumb before being granted the rings of submission. There isn't much time left now.”

“That's right,” spat Red, her eyes blazing with anger. “You might be driving my nipples crazy, but you don't own my soul.”

The Queen said nothing, her thoughts impenetrable under the mask. Finally, she turned to Yellow. “Finish her off,” she ordered, her voice harsh.

Yellow's heart thrilled at the command, pleased that she'd be able to contribute directly to Red's final downfall. “As you please, my Queen,” she said, bowing low.

Turning her eyes to Red, she chuckled as she saw her friend blanche. She knew what was coming.

Savoring her expression, Yellow stalked towards her, stretching herself out to her full height. Slowing to a halt, she stared down at her former comrade, her body quivering under the onslaught of the changes wrought by Her corruption.

Reaching out, she set a hand on her shoulder, concentrating hard. Her face twisted, the mask of her Mistress vanishing as she put it away, showing Red her original face. “Is this what you’re hoping for, Akai Sogo? That you can appeal to my emotions and bring forth the goodness that still lives somewhere within me?”

Red breathed in short puffs, dismay and alarm showing in fleeting instants. Yellow gave her a dark grin, waiting a few, long moments until it settled on despair. “That’s right. In the end, you couldn’t say anything at all. You already know that you’ll accept. You’ll fall, and become Her general, because no other outcome is possible.”

She grabbed Red’s fat breast, giving it a cruel squeeze. “You can feel your broken heart. Her power is tangled up in all the shards, waiting for you to let go. To give in.”

Yellow leaned over, pressing her lips over Red’s beringed nipple, giving the rounded pearl piercing at the end a soft nudge. Puckering her lips, she sucked at her former friend’s flesh, tasting the sweat mixed with sweet corruption. Red shook, balling her hands into fists, but there was nothing she could do but moan.

Popping her mouth off, Yellow sighed. “Look at you. You have the body of a slutty bimbo, and all you need is a reason to use it.”

“Can’t… won’t give in,” Red sighed, but Yellow could see the purple hue of her lips.

The sickness was in her. It was time to finish this. “You’re too far gone already, Akai. All that remains is for you to embrace Her, and fall.”

Red shook her head, true fear showing as she pulled back. Archaea snaked her hands around Red's torso and grabbed at her breasts. Leaning in, she whispered something into Red's ear, and her eyes seemed to lose some of their life.

Yellow grinned fanatically and knelt, focusing on Red’s rubber coated clit. Placing a hand on top, she gave a mental order, waiting patiently as the coating rippled, tightening up until the fleshy bit was better defined. Yes, this was part of Her hunger, too.

Placing her mouth on top, she let go of the illusion she had been holding, letting her face revert to the stiff mask of her Mistress. All of her favored soldiers wore the mask, just like Her, and she was proud to bear it.

Swirling her tongue around in circles, she poked at Red's sensitive flesh, pleased at how her former commander's muscles clenched. Her pussy was wet, dripping with corrupt fluids generated by her remodeled organs.

Moving her tongue, she cleaned up the mess, choking down the pure corruption. Tasty! If Red's body was generating this, her mind couldn't be far behind!

She redoubled her efforts, wrapping her rubber hands around Red's thighs. Licking as fast as she could, she pushed her head in, planting her nose against Red’s mons. She sucked, basking in the damp atmosphere of her vagina.

Red’s muscles began to clench, and she knew she had her. Moving her tongue, she pinched her lips together, latching onto Red’s clitoris. Red cried out in despair, her body twitching as it succumbed to Yellow’s depredations.

Yellow continued to play with her clit like a cat playing with a mouse until Red stopped making noises, her body slumping into Archaea. Good. Now, to see the results.

Her face gradually fell back into a gaping O shape as she retreated, smoothly standing. Red’s face was sweaty, her head lolling.

Archaea was still whispering into her ear, power throbbing in her mask. Red nodded along, dull eyed.

The Queen’s general stopped talking, hefting the fallen heroine in her grip. “She has failed,” declared Archaea. “Her body betrayed her, and her mind collapsed. She is ready to be remade in Your image, my Queen.”

“Very good,” hissed the Shadow Queen, fondling her scepter. “Replace the collar, and have her put on the mask.”

“As you command,” nodded Archaea, retrieving the doughnut shaped collar that was being proffered by a latex slave.

She slipped it around Red’s throat, clicking the end shut. It regained its color as it pulled itself tight over the woman’s rubber coated neck. Red gurgled as she stood up straight. There was little intelligence in her gaze, only the warm glow of satisfaction.

A latex slave nudged Yellow’s arm. She was holding another cushion, this one bearing a pale, violet mask, with animal ears peeking out the top.

The cutouts for the eyes were arranged in a similar fashion to the mask the Queen wore, thin crescents curving downwards to lend it a sense of jollity. Two black eyebrows were marked high on the mask, tilted downwards towards the faint indent of the nose.

Gray mirrored half moons connected the eyebrows to the eye slits, the sharp tips at the bottom terminating at its cheeks. The mouth hole was a tall oval, extremely small, as if the wearer was about to fill her lips with a manly length.

Once fitted over Red’s face, this would become her. This would be her.

Her hands trembled as she lifted the mask with reverence, flipping it over. The concave interior had a purple shimmer, imbued with Her power. Once it went on, it wasn’t coming off.

Red’s eyes flicked downwards, a faint trace of fear detectable as Yellow lifted it towards her face. A long, hissing sigh escaped her lips as Yellow pressed it into place, changing from distress to satisfaction.

Yellow let go, watching as Red lifted her head. A purple glow shone on the mask where her eyes would be, her lips fixed into the tall oval.

Her expression was rigid for a long while, and then the eyebrows on the mask shifted, the lips stretching into a wide grin. “Thank you for this,” she breathed, her voice a low murmur. “I never would have given in without you.”

Yellow pressed her hands together and made a short bow. “Thank the Queen. We owe our existence to Her.”

Red’s rubbery face flexed, her smile turning back into the O. Turning to the Queen, she raised her arm. “Hail to the Onyx Queen!” she shouted. “Glory to Negative Space! I serve!”

“We serve!” roared the servants scattered all over the hall.

The Shadow Queen nodded her head, rising from her throne. Taking a step forward, she placed her scepter against Red’s shoulder, her laughing mask glowing with triumph. The tip of the scepter pulsed, and Red jolted, her nipple rings glowing in response.

“Welcome to my army, Dark Chained Heart Red. You are now my newest general. With you in charge, I will see to the downfall of all who bear the crystals.”

Red placed her clawed hands against her chest, wrist against wrist, talons curling up on either side to frame the orbs of her enormous breasts. “I will do whatever you command, Mistress,” she hissed. “I exist to serve.”

“So you shall,” murmured the Queen. “But to do so, you will need to be enhanced further. Upgraded.” She raised her voice. “Bring in the mutation vat!”

The great doors at the end of the hall creaked open, the latex slaves moving aside to make room. A loud chant filled the hall as a large, metal cauldron rolled onto the stone floor, mounted on a platform with wooden wheels.

The sound it made as it trundled over the cobblestones mixed with the chant vibrating the hollow, latex heads of the slaves. It was in a language Yellow didn't understand, but the pulsating thrum of the rough voices soothed her as the cauldron rattled to a halt.

A set of wooden stairs was rolled up to the side, banner laden slaves moving into a line in front. The Queen rose from her throne, proceeding down the steps towards the vat, her feet seeming to float over the ground.

Archaea stood aside, a bright look on her mask as she saluted her Queen. After She had passed, she followed, tail swishing as they headed towards the boiling cauldron.

Red and Yellow slipped in behind, following the implicit order. Yellow’s heart rose as they approached, sensing from the chanting that this was an unusual occurrence. Just what did the Queen have planned for them?

The banners rippled as the Queen swished past, the slaves dipping their staves to acknowledge her presence. Her dark purple cloak swirled over the wide, wooden stairs as she climbed, the tension in Yellow's heart rising. She got the sense that they were about to see something horrible, or wonderful.

The Queen stopped at the top on a small wooden platform, a clawed hand wrapped around a railing as she turned around. She waited, hunger glowing in Her eyes as her new servants halted, giving her their full attention.

The surface of the vat roiled and bubbled behind her, filled with a toxic mixture of a dark purple substance. There were steps leading down to the bottom where a large gem glowed, filling the cauldron with a sinister light.

“This is for you, my new general.” She sighed, placing a hand on top of an exposed breast and giving it a stroke. “I can’t wait to see what you’ll become.”

Red took a step forward, looking uncertain as she stared at the toxic goop. Yellow didn’t blame her - she wouldn’t enter the boiling vat without a direct order. It looked terrifying.

And yet, Red was moving closer to the edge, her expression becoming ever more uncomfortable as she began to teeter. Even with the mask, some small part of Red’s soul might be resisting.

“Step in, my slave,” hissed the Queen. “It’s impossible to know what you will become until the shadow liqueur has had a chance to work on your body.”

Red’s hands relaxed, her muscles tensing as the hollow glow in her eyes intensified. “Yes, my Queen,” she hissed, crouching down to make a great leap, right into the center of the vat.

Suddenly terrified, Yellow took a step back as the splash washed over the platform, her body speckled with purple goo. She hissed at the pinpricks of pain that danced over her torso, but they soon faded into her rubber coated body.

That was distracting, but she was more interested in what was happening inside the vat. Rays of light from the gem were reflecting off the sides, impacting Red’s body, which was sinking to the bottom.

A phrase hissed from the Queen’s lips in a dark language, and she raised her scepter. The chained heart within throbbed, and the liquid began to churn, spinning like a sawmill.

Red threw her head back, mask opened in a scream as the rays of light penetrated her body. She writhed under the effects of the corruption, limbs twisting at awkward angles as the fluid began to cloud up.

Soon, there was nothing visible at all but hissing steam. The Queen looked satisfied as she lowered the scepter, the boiling abating as the liquid settled into a glassy sheen. “Rise, my general,” she whispered. “Show them what it means to be Mine.”

The fluid at the edge of the vat rippled, a head breaching the surface. First came the animal ears of the mask, tinged purple by the fluid, darker half circles mounted on the interior.

Her domed head pushed through the waves, revealing rigid, curved ears at the sides of her face that fanned outwards. The undersides arched upwards, dotted with glowing purple shards that looked like earrings.

There didn’t appear to be any seam where the mask connected to her face. It was almost as though she had been dipped in rubber, coming out with an even coating. Her new head could barely even be considered human any more - the Queen had changed her into something alien.

The tips of her armored shoulders appeared, swooping outwards as she confidently marched up the stairs. Her massive breasts bobbed with pride, nipples outstretched with glowing rings and pearls, clawed hands swinging as the fluid dripped back into the cauldron.

Her skin had been colored a light purple, arms and thighs contrasting with a darker hue. It was difficult to tell whether these were different thicknesses of the latex coating, but in practicality, it didn’t matter. She had become Her general.

Her body was a walking billboard of her Queen’s might, the radiators on her pauldrons hissing as they exhaled a toxic, purple cloud. The bands around her lower arms pulsed as she stopped on the top step, mask leering as she awaited her Mistress’ approval.

The hollow glow in the Queen’s mask brightened as she took in her newest commander. “You are magnificent!”

She lifted the scepter, pressing the tip onto the evil gem mounted to her breastbone. It flashed as swirls of power transferred between them, and Red shuddered in pleasure.

“With a new body, you deserve a new name!” She hissed. “From henceforth, you shall be called ‘Soul Stealer Red,’ leader of the Chained Hearts.” The Shadow Queen roared, her words expanding to fill the hall. “Let all who hear your name quake in your presence!”

Red’s mask twisted into a dark grin, her hand shooting up to salute her Queen.