The demon studied the lights not noticing her discomfort at the sexually charged statement. It has been many ages since I had last journeyed here. I don't want to alarm you but there may have been intruders since I have last been here. This may be a intrusion defense system. The demon had hoped she would spring the trap to see the dangers that he faced keeping him from his prize, but she certainly had a great sense of awareness. The intruders were in fact both of them and he hoped that she would not put two and two together.

Facing her, My apologies but these defenses were not finalized before my departure. With that he reaches down and tears her beautiful formal wear exposing her legs from just above the knees down. With a fling, he throws the torn garment material out over flooring half of it landing on the pink the other half not. A seering bright light disintegrates half the material...

If the creature noticed the look on her face, he did not show it at all as he continued to study the lights below. May be a intrusion defense system? You don't know? I thought you help built this place? It seemed odd to the royal that the maker would not know how the defenses would have placed in here. She would have thought they would have at least made it clear to everyone where not to stand so as to prevent accidents.

It was then that the maker turned to the Princess, he explained to that the defenses were set up after he left. With out warning he reached down and ripped off her part of her dress. What are you doing? How dare you....is that any way you treat... Her words trailed off as she saw the garment fly over to the pink stones. As soon as it landed on the floor it vaporized in a burst of searing lights. The poor woman jumped back and let out shocked gasp from what just happened.

She asked him some damning questions and he hoped that his particular line of bullshit would work like a hustler does a mark. My apologies to ruin such a fabulous outfit, yet I figured you would rather have half a dress than half a life. He said with a smirk, his suspicions on the colors confirmed.

As he watched the colors of the tiles changed from the yellow to the pink, and pink to yellow. Not all of them changed and after half a minute they changed again. While they were random the room was only 15 feet across and half a minute left plenty of time. He could move quickly and there was no doubt he would be able to cross the distance before the next shift.

Glancing at the walls, there were no obvious panels, buttons or switches. Across seemed to be the only option. Would she buy his lies yet again or had she come to realize his charade. My particular role in the making here was not the upper levels but some of the core aspects. These systems had yet to be finalized even in planning when I took my leave from the turmoil. I do apologize, if you wish I will carry you safely across?

She was far from happy, the outfit was indeed ruined. Now she would have to explain what happened to her handmaidens. Already she was sure that An would indeed scold her, it is one of the few times the Trixian commoner could do so towards a Trixian royal.

She turned to him again, and noticed that his attention had been to tiles, they were changing colors, she could see the colors change from pink to yellow. It seemed to be at random, and the royal could not make any sense of kind of pattern was going on. However the alien standing next to her was not taking his eyes of the floor, he clear saw something she did not.

It was then that he said could carry the princess to safety, W-wait you tore apart my dress and now you want to carry me to otherside? Why should I l-let you? She was a little taken aback by the forwardness of the maker in front of her. Of course with those arms and his closeness to her, he did not have to get her permission to do so.

The demon studied the pattern and now was doubly sure they could make it safely to the other side. The demon turned to studying the pretty warzone refugee. She seemed truly appalled by his suggestion.

I apologize if ruining your garment has upset you. I only wish you to reach the pool in safety. If you wish you can gladly stick to the pink tiles crossing when you are ready. I have observed the blinking of the lights and have yet to determine a proper pattern. It seems to shift every thrity heartbeats or so. You should be able to make it, again though I suggest I escort you across so you do not share the fabric's fate.

The demon tried to appear calm and humble. Having her along would complicate things and he considered aimply leaving her to her fate. Yet her beauty stired him, and she may again prove useful to accomplishing his ends...

The centaur continued to stair at the floor memorizing what was going on before he turned again to the Princess. Octavia was not sure what to make of him as he told her what he thought.

T-Thirty heartbeats...that's not a lot to time to move through this trap. It only became worse that when she realized her heart was beating rather fast. The young royal took in a deep breath as she tried to calm herself down. The alien seemed to be calm and humble, perhaps he did figure out a way to get across. Fine I will allow you to carry me across. Please hurry before I change my mind. The pink haired royal closed her eyes and extended out her hands as she mentally prepared herself to be picked up and carried.

The demon smiled as she delicately held out a limp hand and closed her eyes. Stepping forward with a 4 foot shuffle, the demons large clawed hand enclosed her dainty hand, almost closing over her wrist, and pulled her to his muscular form. Sweeping her close, he slid one arm under her newly exposed legs, and lifted his other arm encircling her back.

As she was cradled against his rippling chest, his aroma would be more apparent. Hugging her bodies to his legs hop forward, dancing square to square, he made his way through the maze of deadly traps. With only a near miss that left one of his forelegs singed, he made it to the other side, precious cargo safe. As he reaches safety he notices her soft skin and curves and her lovely aroma. He lingers, holding her close and tight before moving to set her down.

Octavia was a bit surprised when she felt a large clawed hand wrap around her wrist. Before she realized what was going on she let out a shout as she pulled towards to the large creature. In a second she found herself pressed tight against his muscular form as an arm pulled her up so that she was cradled in his arms.

The young Trixian found herself being held up tight to his chest. She could smell him quite clearly as well how powerful he was. He quickly jumped from square to square as quickly as he could. He managed to most of the traps quite easily. One one shot had managed singe his leg a little. However when he got to the other side, he continued to hold on her to quite tightly Ummm. Could you put me down? He did eventually comply after a moment. Thank you.

The demon complied and eventually set her lithe form back down. He seemed amused that she had more regard for her dress and for being treated like a proper lady than for her own life. See we are safely across as promised my princess. Before we continue, why is it that you have been sent unescorted into an unknown environment, unprotected and alone? While we makers have had some dealings with royalty of many unique races, it seems quite unusual to me... the demon says chuckling quietly.

The demon eyes caress her form as he awaits an answer. Starting at her freshly exposed calves and traveling upward they take in her nice thighs, draw over her generous hips, past her slim waist and up to her wondrous chest, to finally rest on her royal face surrounded by her pink locks.

Octavia was finally put down by her new companion as he seemed to be a bit confused on why she was here. To be honest, the Trixian royal was a bit embarrassed to answer that, that she had left without her handmaidens because she was sure they would have forbidden it otherwise. Umm well, I don’t think it important. I just wanted to see this place before any of my people so I…I could make sure they come to any harm. She was not sure if the alien excepted her response from his quiet laughter.

However she did blush a little when she realized that he was looking down at her now exposed legs, a bit more embarrassed that he seemed to be checking her out from head to toe even as he was talking to her.

The demon remembered his made up-role as a peaceful maker just in time as his lust filled eyes finished taking in her lovely form. Self sacrifice is the true sign of a wise and just leader. I just hope that nobody intent on your safety has to pass through that system, as I certainly do not wish any harm to befall you or your brave, intrepid followers.

The demon looked and the pink tiles began to glow anew now that apparently they had passed the first turn and the first level of security. As the pink light shot forward from the tiles leading the way, the demon realized he may have made another telling mistake by saying they were near the second pool, because as he watched the pink light traveled into the distance at what have been another 1000 feet almost a quarter of a mile.

We do have a little further to travel, but the next left turn shouldn't be too far off. Or at least Remils sincerely hoped. The lights do fade to back roughly 1000 feet in the distance. Along the pink path he started moving. The here held countless hieroglyphic carvings. An odd choice for written language, as thousands if not millions of words were necessary in those types of dialects.Yet here they were. Such a strange species the demon though to himslf.

The creature turned his head from her body finally looking away from her royal form. She winced a little at the mention of that the system was still active and could hurt someone looking for her. She hoped that neither of her handmaidens had not realized yet she was away from the shuttle. Well we should be quick about this then so it should not be a problem.

The two began to notice that there were pink titles that glowed. The princess could see that they were not near the second pool but it appeared that the tiles traveled a fairly long ways off. To Octavia she was not sure what to make of the gaffe. Did the alien make a mistake, was not he not involved in making this part of the building. I hope we come across the pool soon, I really don’t want to deal with any more traps.

The pair quickly began to move down the path. The creature identified as Remils was leading the way with Octavia struggling to keep up. For the moment she did not want to be left alone with all these traps around. However she see all these hieroglyphic carvings all over the place. Remils, what does all these symbols mean?

The demon heard her comment about traps and sincerely agreed. That little puzzle alone he could envision would leave any potential tomb raiders at worst nothing more than smoldering ash, or at best thinking about other ways to amass a fortune. He knew from personal experience that typically a first line of defense was unnecessarily strong to dissuade further conflict in most cases. Unfortunately though, making it your only, or even strongest defense, would be beyond foolish, and so far he believed they were anything but foolish.

He moved reasonably swiftly down the pink highlighted path. He did so for a couple reasons. Were it him who actually built the place and planned the defenses, he would have tied some sort of alarm to the outer perimeter defenses, and second, he hoped to avoid further insightful questions from his designated trap-tester, and yet she had been insightful beyond expectations yet again, especially for someone he recently decided was a little air-headed, and simply useful eye candy.

When she asks her question, he visibly jumps, and he decides then and there to not underestimate her again. Thinking quickly, the demon wondered the same thing and he made a guess, hoping the answer nor his involuntary reaction set off her internal bullshit meter.

The carvings, those are...our ancient system of writing. These happen to...tell the story...of our ancient history. They are simply...old records of how our people came to become an empire...and of how we were and are a completely peaceful people.... The demon said pausing as is searching for the right words in her language, while in fact he sought a likely explanation she may believe. Little did he know how wrong he was...

Octavia followed the builder as he traveled the pink highlighted path. It seemed that he was almost moving at a jog, making it difficult for her to keep up. The princess did not know it but the questions were making her companion nervous, and his pace was deliberate to keep her from asking as many questions. And it forced to keep her questions to the point as she struggled to keep up with her guide.

However her next question, made him jump, which scared her a little. She thought for a moment they had stumbled into some sort of trap. However, he began to speak in reaction to her question she had asked.

Ah I see. I guess you would have to write that somewhere. Seems strange that you would use it to decorate your walk way. The Trixian royal followed the creature as they moved down the pathway. I was wondering….if your people are completely peaceful…why do you have these traps?

The demon thought and wondered the same thing, and like those who commit crimes, they truly feared the same events being perpetrated against themselves above all else. He hoped truly that this was a peaceful race, but doubts began to nag inside him. The demon stops and faces her, would he be able to bluff his way along? He wondered how naive and trusting she truly was?

The traps were not part of my designs and were implemented while I was away. Honestly, we were a peaceful people, yet many saw our technology, wisdom, and riches and they coveted what we possessed, as you must understand happens, considering your own peoples plight princess.

The debate raged on whether to build weapons and defenses to strike first at those who wanted what we had, yet we remained true to our principles while I was present. It appears as though another path was chosen in my absence...

Little did the demon know that the intuitive bullshit he was making up about this long lost civilization was as far from the truth as he could possibly get.

He hoped the answer would suffice and turned to move on. His instincts had been right and an alarm had been triggered by the first puzzles activation. Off in the distance, down the pathway they traveled, events had been set into motion. Having lain dormant for thousands of years, the cryogenic chamber switch off, and with a soft rumble a wall opened. The second line of defense had been activated, not just a defense, but their primary first line of offense when conquering as well. They had awoken...