Dungeons and Dalliances

7.92 – Trials IV

Natalie knew it was the final trial by the aesthetic of the room alone. Clean white marble tiled the floor, with three columns supporting the ceiling along each wall. The circular vault door gleamed, shining silver metal adorned with gold accents. As she approached, she read the glowing pink writing.

Third Trial: Trial of Lost Temperance. The bountiful rewards of this place will expose themselves only for she who has entered pure and emerged changed under its influence. Give up one's own maidenhood to pass.

The partner who will accompany this trial, place your hand on the center of the vault door.

Natalie wrinkled her nose halfway through reading. It made sense that the patron goddess of Lust would adopt views similar to the masses, but referring to classical virginity as 'purity' felt ridiculous. By any reasonable interpretation, Vanetta had lost her 'purity' well before today, and certainly when she'd been fucked in the ass while eating a third girl out.

But, again, it also made sense. Humanity placed value in 'that hole' being special, and Lust was a goddess who represented all of humanity's Passions, not solely Natalie's.

Also, she'd been right. The trial was what she'd predicted.

She discreetly glanced sideways. Vanetta was staring blank-faced at the writing engraved onto the vault door. Despite having mentally prepared herself for what might come, she was clearly struggling to come to terms with the reality of it.

"Lost Temperance," Natalie mused aloud. "Like, loosened restraint?" Temperance meant levelheadedness and self-control. "Suppose that makes sense. Someone who made it to the deepest parts of the Palace Basement while still being a technical virgin has to have some of that."

Though, then again, not really. The trial was more trick than substance. By Natalie's own definition, Vanetta had lost her 'maidenhood' a while ago.

"I feel bad for anyone else who's made it this far," Vanetta muttered. "Imagine making it through the first and second trials only to find this?"

Natalie agreed. She couldn't imagine sacrificing all her gear only to be turned away by a trial as arbitrary as this one. She hadn't heard any rumors in the City about a vault, much less its trials, so at least it wasn't happening frequently. For that matter, maybe they were the first. Clearing twenty rooms to pass the first trial was no joke; it had been tough even for them.

They were silent for a little longer, staring at the imposing, ornate vault door.

"It's still up to you," Natalie said. "We can leave, if you want."

That jolted Vanetta out of her silence. She turned an incredulous look at Natalie. "What? What are you talking about?"

"If you don't want—"

"Are you serious?" Oddly, she seemed to grow annoyed. She took a step toward her. "You warned me beforehand. And we just gave up everything we owned."

"And?"

"And? What do you mean, and?"

"Knowing that it might happen and agreeing is one thing, but having to actually decide is different. It's still your choice."

Vanetta's mouth opened and closed. She didn't seem to know what to say, or perhaps didn't comprehend Natalie's viewpoint.

"You're serious, aren't you?"

"Uh … yeah. Of course I am."

Losing such a massive chunk of progress would suck, but in the end, it was just stuff.  She'd been robbed blind by Elida once already, and that had been with malicious intent. This wouldn't be. It would be a punch to the stomach if Vanetta wasn't comfortable despite everything, but Natalie wouldn't hesitate if that was what she decided.

Vanetta stared at her for a while longer before turning away.

"Ugh. You're disgusting. Seriously, you are. You should have more ambition. You can't be fine giving up everything you own that easily."

"I have plenty. And it wasn't everything I own." She'd only taken down most of her equipment and Tokens. "I put being a good person over climbing the ranks. There's no point in success if you hate yourself at the end."

Vanetta looked at her out of the corner of her eyes. She didn't reply for several long moments.

"Disgusting," she repeated. "Shut up and go put your hand on the vault."

"Huh?"

"You heard me." She crossed her arms and didn't meet her eyes. "It says the partner has to touch the door, not me."

"You sure?"

Vanetta spun on her heel to do a one-eighty, stalked behind her, and started pushing her from behind. Natalie stumbled a step, though Vanetta didn't keep forcing her forward.

"Hurry up."

Natalie pursed her lips. There was no need to press the point. Flustered as Vanetta was, she didn't sense any hesitance. Just embarrassment.

Stepping up to the vault door after another insistent push, she hesitated.

"What's gonna happen? Why do I have to touch it?"

"Who knows?" Vanetta huffed. "It's not like any part of any of this has been predictable. We're just along for the ride."

She chewed over that before deciding she was right. There was little to do besides be caught up in the currents of this chaotic place.

Resting her palm flat against the cold metal, she braced herself. The vibrant pink writing glowed brighter.

Flowing metal burst out of the vault to loop around her ankles, wrists, stomach, and neck, spinning her around and slamming her back-first into the vault door. Before she realized what was happening, she was locked in place. She thrashed against the unyielding restraints by instinct before forcing herself to calm.

"Huh," she said.

Vanetta had surged forward, alarmed, but obviously there wasn't much she could do.

"This makes sense, actually," Natalie laughed.

"What are you talking about?" Vanetta demanded. "What is this?"

"The trial is about you. How you've changed since coming in. As much fun as it would be to take control myself, it's on you to prove your resolve."

Honestly, Natalie admired that part of the trial, now that she saw the intent. Thematically, it was beautiful. If she were allowed to pin Vanetta down and have her way with her, then that was acting on her own urges and Vanetta being along for the ride. On the other hand, locking her in place and making Vanetta be the one to deflower herself, using Natalie as just some available cock strapped to the wall, put Vanetta firmly in the spotlight.

Even just thinking about it had Natalie hardening. For all that she enjoyed getting to toss girls around and pummel into them until their brains were mush, she could very much get behind this too.

"I—I have to lead?" Vanetta asked, paling slightly. Her eyes were, naturally, locked onto Natalie's cock, which had sprung up with alacrity.

"Only if you're up for it," she replied, biting her lip to stop a laugh. She discovered that there was just enough give in her waist to waggle her cock around, making the impressive ten-inch rod bounce. She enjoyed the way Vanetta's gaze followed it, before snapping back up.

"Of course," Vanetta groaned, covering her face with a hand. "I really hate this place."