Skelebomb Contest Entry - SKELETON KEY interactive fiction

(font: "Open Sans")[This is an **Interactive Story**. Your experience will vary depending on your choices. This story was written by (link: "Phantom")[(goto-url: "http://phantomdotexe.deviantart.com/")] and features characters by (link: "Skelebomb.")[(goto-url: "http://skelebomb.deviantart.com/")] You can <a href="mailto:phantomdotexe@gmail.com">click here to email me</a> with comments or critiques. To navigate the story, click the blue highlighted links. You can click the 'back' and 'forward' arrows on the left if you want to change your decision, but don't use the //refresh, back, or forward// buttons on your browser. [[Onward!]]]

(font: "Open Sans")[Nalen in...] <span style="font-size: 250%">THE SKELETON KEY</span> BY PHANTOM (font: "Open Sans")[This is a short story featuring bondage, kink, and - well, you know the drill! Since you're probably fine with all that, then] [[read on]]!

<img src="http://i.imgur.com/CUDo4g2.jpg" alt=Nalen Abaya Kara, the Warden" height="474" width="293"> (font: "Open Sans")[You take on the role of **Nalen Abayo Kara**, the Capitol Warden in the city of Alysa. She's well-versed in investigation and values her reputation. With a strong aversion to losing power (*especially* if that means being bound and gagged), Nalen has become one of the most effective wardens overseeing the (link:"Devil's Gullet.")[Devil's Gullet. The Gullet is simply a nickname, though. Just as most call her Nalen or simply *The Warden*, her prison is formally named *Alysa Prison*, the nation's largest, most advanced, and most well-known facility for the storage, punishment, and rehabilitation of criminals.] Today, Nalen is checking in a series of prisoners to Alysa Prison. [[Let us begin.]]]

You stare at the small piece of silver across from you. It has smooth edges so it cannot be used as a weapon. It is build into the wall, and is impossible to pry out. A pale white face stares back. [[Wait, what?]]

You appear to be **Fantom**, the alabaster-skinned kunoichi. She is a ninja of some note, who is constantly plotting and attempting to usurp power from those who have rightfully earned it. [[You stare at your brown eyes.]]

Interesting. It seems that, in every way save eye color, you *are* Fantom. Your appearance, your body, and most of all, your **situation**. Testing your voice, you find that it is not the pleasing contralto that you know, but it is the soprano of a prisoner - one that you yourself locked away two days ago. The face in the mirror responds as you'd expect, but it is not yours. [[This is not good...]]

You collect your thoughts. The last thing you remember was going over some paperwork, including a letter from some academy far to the east. You vaguely remembered it saying something about **Fantom** when you got drowsy and dizzy. When you woke up, you were in another body. Clearly, that dastardly deviant has used some arcane body-swapping magic. That's another two years of punishment, at least! You'll have to get to the top floor and figure out how to undo this curse. It shouldn't be too hard... this is **your** prison, after all! A prison that you've spent years making as strict and inescapable as possible... [[You wave to the prisoner across the way. *Pssst*.|Talk to the prisoner]] [[You call for the guards. They'll help sort this out.|Demand the guards come at once!]] [[Wait around. Things will turn out okay.]]

A pair of guards arrive at your cell. You recognize them, but not their names. One of them has skin the color of burnished bronze; she's leaning against the far wall. The other is resting his hands on the cell's bars, getting very close. His breath smells like imported Meranti liquor. "You called, Prisoner?" asks the male guard. [[Explain to them who you are]] [[Take the guard hostage through the gate]] [[Feign an illness]] [[Grab the guard's keys]]

Your job is to make sure that these men and women are *punished*! Locked away for as long as is deemed necessary, and maybe more! You have most definitely not installed a secret escape hatch. [[Demand the guards come at once!]] [[Search the cell for your hidden escape hatch]] [[There must be an escape hatch!]]

You wildly begin to search the floor. You can't remember if this particular cell was shaped by stone-mages, hewn by picks, or blasted apart with a machine. Either way, there simply **must** be an escape hatch! There has to be! Minutes pass as you search every nook and cranny of the small cell. It feels like it's closing in on you. You begin to moan, shouting out magical words and passphrases. *"Open sesame!" "Apertum murus!" "Code zero-zero-zero! Destruct zero!"* Eventually, you begin to angrily shake the bars. You feel your concentration slipping as [[the guards arrive]]...

(font: 'Open Sans')[Some time later...] "What was wrong with her?" asked Elijah. The guard shrugged. "Not sure. She kept on ranting and raving about her being someone she wasn't." Elijah ran a hand through his mane-like hair. "Sounds like she should be transferred to interrogation. Maybe there was a mix-up. Many of those poor souls are just confused, contrary to what the Warden says." "Oh no," said the guard. "The Warden was with me on this one. She said that she was confused - a result of constant misues of magic." Elijah raised an eyebrow. "So what did the Warden say to do?" --- (1/9) "Fantom" arched her back. In response, the two guards locked another strap down along her waist. The Warden herself had ordained her punishment. Stripped down and then suited up, Fantom was to be sealed up inside a heavy leather bodysack until such a time came that the Warden herself deemed her release possible. The suit was thick, dark leather; sitting up or wriggling was an exercise against an entire form-fitting shell of treated leather. White laces were threaded and then tightened, shrinking the devilish device down like a full-body corset. It was also rather unusual for Warden Kara to demand a prisoner brought to her quarters, strapped down to a padded gurney and tightly gagged. Strangest of all was when Fantom, still pleading and angrily grunting at the guards, was left alone with the Warden. Nalen had been acting strangely, after all. "Nalen" winked at her prey. The prisoner viciously struggled as sweat beaed up around her forehead. "I win," said the Warden. She delivered a pleasant smooch to her prisoner's head before sealing it up in a faceless hood. [[GAME OVER]]

It's not clear how or why this happened. The last thing you remember was a sudden sleep overtaking you while you were doing some paperwork in the Warden's Watch. You are currently sitting in a small cell. It has a water closet and a simple bench for sitting and sleeping. Across the hall, through barred doors, you can see a blonde woman with a braided ponytail along one side of her head. She is very heavily gagged and strictly bound! Her cheeks puff out and up, the result of what you assume is an incredibly thorough packing of her mouth. A wide leather panel covers her jaw. She is chained up inside her cell, with long chains going from her bed to her wrists. [[Rest, relax, and try to mentally focus.]] [[Talk to the prisoner]] [[Demand the guards come at once!]] [[Search the cell for your hidden escape hatch]]

"You - you're Lissa, right? Thief?" The girl across from you squirms. Her bare belly heaves in and out as she struggles in her bonds. That gag looks stupendously tight, and it doesn't seem like she's in any shape to get out of that gear. Good. [["I need you to help make a distraction."]] [["Do you know who I am?"]] [["What are you in for?"]]

(font: 'Open Sans')[Nalen's story has come to an end!] If you're saying to yourself "*That's not what happened,*" , you can click the 'back' button to go back one page. If, on the other hand, you are *satisfied* with the ending, then enjoy it! And make sure to tell the author ((link: "Phantom")[(goto-url: "http://phantomdotexe.deviantart.com/")]) and Nalen's creator (link: "Skelebomb")[(goto-url: "http://skelebomb.deviantart.com/")] what you thought!

Your explanation doesn't help. They don't believe you for a moment. They *definitely* don't believe that there's been any sort of body-swapping magic. "I'll tell you what," says the guard on the far wall, "We can bring Nalen down here so we can prove you are who you say you are. Does that sound good?" [[Not at all!]] [[Yes! Bring her here right away!]]

Grabbing him by the neck, you spin him around and hold him tight! "Out! Open this cell now, or the guard gets hurt!" You've got no intention to wound one of your own employees, but this is an emergency, after all. It works, and the guard opens up the gate. Unfortunately, the prison is promptly put on lockdown. Your security measures are simply too good to escape. It doesn't help that your double, Fantom, seems to have recently rearranged the patterns and positions of your guards. It's only a few minutes of running before the alarms stop and the guards [[end your escape attempt.]]

Your attempts to feign sickness are met with curiosity by the two guards.. The bored-looking woman tilts her head. "What's wrong with you, exactly?" she asks. [[You make it sound serious. "I'm very contagious, and need to be taken out of my cell."]] [[You make it sound normal. "I've got aches and pains, and I need to see one of our medicians."]] [[You make it sound like something out of a bad romance novel. "I've got a burning desire for companionship.]]"

The prisoner across the way - Lissa, you think her name is - begins violently struggling in her bonds. It gets their attention for just long enough to grab the key-ring. You're as swift with your hands as you are with a blade. You nab the keys and make a note to have this guard punished after your escape! He doesn't notice a thing. When they've gone, you quietly unlock the door to your cell. The prisoner across the way gives you a death-stare. "What were you expecting?" you whisper to her. "You did the crime, now you must do your time! But thank you for not making a racket. That will be taken into account during your monthly review..." [[Time to go!|exityn]]

The two guards laugh and leave. "So, you're not going to risk proving it, eh? Don't waste our time! At least have a good show!" [[Rest, relax, and try to mentally focus.]] [[Talk to the prisoner]] [[Search the cell for your hidden escape hatch]]

When she arrives, "Nalen" has curiously bright green eyes. Nobody seems to notice except you. Unfortunately, she still seems to remember her magic, and you do not. You're tongue-tied and unable to explain to the guards any secrets of the prison that *you know*. Soon after, you're *physically* tied as well. [[Fantom orders a full psychiatric review...]]

---- (2/9) (font: 'Open Sans')[Some time later...] Fantom was clearly being given too much leeway, too much connection to her old life as a wandering adventurer and ne'er-do-well. Nalen, despite protestations of the mages and consultants on staff, ordered her to a strict isolation cell "for the foreseeable future." She was promptly taken one floor down and brought to a newly-commissioned section of the Maximum Security floor. Her garb was removed and replaced with a canvas uniform to *properly* help her break free of her previous life of crime. It was comfortable - which was good, as the guards explained that 'Fantom' would be wearing it for a long time to come! Each canvas pant leg was kept separated by a thick metal spreader bar, and her torso was ensconced in a striatjacket that offered very little room for escape. After every strap and buckle was placed and locked, it was further sealed up by a canvas wrap that wound around her torso, preventing her from rubbing up against any sharp objects to escape. And, at the Warden's insistence, she was to be kept further isolated from any of the prisoners. A magically-charmed ballgag would keep her silent and satiated. Nalen herself insisted on locking a leather hood over the convict's face. Staff present commented that the Warden seemed to whisper something to the prisoner, but none could quite make it out. It *was* clear that she'd said something to set Fantom off into a bucking, squirming frenzy! Prisoner F-151 was promptly brought to her *new* cell; a tiny alcove in the steel-reinforced wall. She was locked inside, with a final layer of thick cloth stretched down over her body to prevent her from rolling out. The next day, The Warden *accidentally* lost any record of the prisoner... [[GAME OVER]]

You've managed to escape the main cell complex, and made your way to one of the access stairwells. They're old and musty, mostly used when the prison is undergoing construction. You can head down, to the *Maximum Security & Solitary* wing, or up, to the 'ground level' of the prison. [[Head down]] [[Head up]]

"Serious, eh?" The guards step back and beat a hasty retreat. A few moments later, they return with a small glass vial. It has inscriptions from Alysa Prison's R&D on it. Not good. They uncork it and look away. ---- (4/9) (Font: 'Open Sans')[Some time later...] "Fantom" was tired, warm, and relaxed. The science division's endless tests were paying off, at least. Her body was still squirming but grew more still with each passing minute; only the gentle rise of her chest indicated that she was still breathing. The magical latex grew to encase her legs and arms. The guards came close, making "Fantom" quiver with rage. The guards rubbed her down, seeking to further spread the protective gel across her body. "*Hmmmph!"* The prisoner was being suited up in a variant of the common dungeon-slime - one made for transport and sterile seclusion. The prisoner wasn't able to run when her legs were stuck to the ground. She couldn't explain her situation when the latex spread from her hands to her arms, or her boots to her legs. Glued in place, she could only stare at the walls of the cell as the rubbery enclosure grew and grew. It was so profoundly *tight*. She hated The loss of control was complete. She was standing still - not bound or gagged - but rooted to the floor by the sap-like enclosure. "Your clothes will dissolve, and you'll be ready for transit to the staff facilities shortly," said one of the two guards. The latex invaded her mouth, coating her lips and gums. She felt her jaw open as a tight wad of rubber grew firm between her lips. Later that day, the doctors found nothing wrong with her. The Warden insisted that she be kept encased overnight - under her own persoal observation. [[GAME OVER]]

"We'll have a doctor down later," said the guard. "Just sit tight. Very tight." That's not helpful. They're turning to leave. You could make one more plea, or let them go. [[You begin moaning and groaning with pain, claiming that you're very sick and dangerous.|You make it sound serious. "I'm very contagious, and need to be taken out of my cell."]] [[You begin moaning and groaning with false lust, preying on the guard's most base desires.|You make it sound like something out of a bad romance novel. "I've got a burning desire for companionship.]]"

"Well, uh, ma'am, you know that we're not allowed to touch the prisoners." The female guard walks away in disgust. The male guard in front blushes. You can hear the copper-skinned woman laughing as she exits the hallway. It's a rather distasteful way to get what you want, and this guard will need to be severely disciplined after all is said and done. But desperate times call for desperate measures... [[Press him.]] [[Press **against** him.]]

(3/9) (font: 'Courgette')[ *Hear ye, hear ye, Tomorrow at noon, the dastardly prisoner and NE'ER-DO-WELL know as FANTOM will be brought to ALYSA SQUARE for a PUBLIC HUMILIATION. Her crimes include sedition, kidnapping, extortion, and impersonation. She has transgress'd against the WARDEN of ALYSA PRISON, and, during a most BLATANT escape attempt, HARMED A LOYAL SERVANT of the empire. As such she will be STRIPPED TO HER UNDERWEAR; only the prisoner's LACEY UNDERGARMENTS which are surely a size TOO SMALL will be permitted. After this MOST SHAMEFUL AND PUBLIC act of disrobing her and baring her skin, she will be locked into THE STOCKS for all to see. Her hands will be mittn'd and mouth HEAVILY GAGGED with a stuffed cloth, an ENSORCELLED ball-gag, sealed up with sev'ral strips of sticky, gum-soaked cloth, SILENCED with a sheath of leather that will wind 'round her head and leave but her eyes and nose exposed. After which, the PUBLIC will be allowed their turns to GROPE AND TEASE the prisoner to their heart's content. TOOLS of ticklish-feather-dusters and WEIGHTED PADDLES will be provided, as will ICE'D CUBES. Donations to the Royal Orphanage will be solicited; those that donate will be allow'd CLAMPS AND WEIGHTS to properly abase the criminal. SIGN'D AND SEAL'D -Warden Nalen Kara] [[GAME OVER]]

He's attractive, though he doesn't seem terribly bright. "I just need **someone** to keep me **company**. Seeing the girl over there all **tightly** tied up is just making me so **eager** for action..." You almost gag on your words. You make a note to have this man fired, and have him sign several agreements to never speak of this moment again. [[He steps into the cell.]]

He gulps and removes his hat as he feels your body through the cell's bars. You can feel your skin turning bright red as well. [[He steps into the cell.]]

A few minutes later, the guard is unconscious and you're stepping out of the cell and into the hallway. You promptly exit the main holding area. [[Onward!|exityn]]

She pauses for a moment. She's waiting to hear your 'genius plan'. "*Hnnrgh."* [["Right, my plan..."|Tell her that you've got an escape plan.]]

She shakes her head 'no'. [[Tell her the truth.]] [[Tell her that you've got an escape plan.]]

You know what she's in for, of course. She's a thief, and a notorious one at that! She's wanted in Alysa, Bondaria, and Caer Bronach - she'll probably be responsible for a whole alphabet of crimes by the time she's old. "*Mmmmmngf!*" She grunts something through her padded gag, mouth straining and eyes dagger-like. [["I need you to help make a distraction."]] [["Do you know who I am?"]]

She can hardly vocalize through that gag, but you're pretty sure she's laughing. No matter. When you ask her to make noise, she nods. [[Plan in action...]]

You explain to her that, as a master ninja, you have training in this sort of thing. You'll be as silent as a mouse, and when they're distracted with Lissa's squirming, you'll grab the keyring. Simple as that. Besides, you say, **Fantom** always has an escape plan. Lissa tilts an eyebrow, but she seems convinced. It's a basic plan, but maybe she'll get some excitement out of it. The worst that could happen is that the guards think she's too noisy... and add *another* layer to her gag. [[Plan in action...]]

It works like a charm. Lissa grunts, heaving her body up and down. She works up a real sweat, banging her chains and buckles and stomping her feet. The guards arrive shortly thereafter, distracted by the massive racket. You have no trouble stealing the keyring from one guard's belt - and making a mental note to have him severely disciplined for his failure! Ten minutes pass, and Lissa is now completely hooded. The guards are long gone, leaving you alone too escape and Lissa to stew. You're able to unlock the cell door quickly and quietly. The poor thing is so heavily bound that you're not certain if she can hear; there's extra padding around the eyes and ears to make certain she's not trying to communicate with her fellow prisoners. For a brief moment, you consider Lissa's actions; should this merit transition to solitary confinement, or a sort of reward? You stow those thoughts for later, and leave the thief-come-damsel to squirm in her cell alone as you [[exit the main prison wing.|exityn]]

You suspect that going down is a bad idea, since Fantom is probably on the top floor. [[Head down anyway]] [[Head back up]]

You sneak through the main floor, passing by guards and other prisoners with ease. When you need to intimidate a prisoner, you adopt the regal bearing with which you were raised. When you need to be quiet, you can be as quiet as a mouse - Fantom's outfit must be somehow enchanted to minimize noise and maximize freedom of movement. Alysa Prison twists and turns like a maze, but you know practically every stone hallway by heart. This is *your* dungeon, after all. On the way to the stairs, you creep by one of the interrogation rooms. You can hear two familiar voices coming from within. The guard's voice is so familiar... it's **Noémi**, your trusted confidante! Meanwhile, the prisoner's voice belongs to **Zanthie**, one of Fantom's partners-in-crime. It sounds like they're about to take a short break. You'll have just enough time to speak with *one* of them before another guard on patrol comes by. [[Speak with Zanthie]] [[Speak with Noémi]]

(font: 'Open Sans')[Some time later...] "What happened?" asked Elijah. Noémi shrugged. "I'm not sure. But it's some sort of plot. There's more here than meets the eye." Elijah shook his head like a mane. "So a prisoner escapes and heads downstairs to the maximum security wing?" "Correct," she said. Noémi sometimes rolled her 'r's. "She was captured fairly quickly. The advisors say that only a prisoner who's lost her mind would willingly head down to the strictest levels of the prison. Something with her magic, we think; it might have taken a toll on her sanity." Her counterpart looked over the case-file. "So what happened to her?" --- (1/9) "Fantom" arched her back. In response, the two guards locked another strap down along her waist. The Warden herself had ordained her punishment. Stripped down and then suited up, Fantom was to be sealed up inside a heavy leather bodysack until such a time came that the Warden herself deemed her release possible. The suit was thick, dark leather; sitting up or wriggling was an exercise against an entire form-fitting shell of treated leather. White laces were threaded and then tightened, shrinking the devilish device down like a full-body corset. It was also rather unusual for Warden Kara to demand a prisoner brought to her quarters, strapped down to a padded gurney and tightly gagged. Strangest of all was when Fantom, still pleading and angrily grunting at the guards, was left alone with the Warden. Nalen had been acting strangely, after all. "Nalen" winked at her prey. The prisoner viciously struggled as sweat beaed up around her forehead. "I win," said the Warden. She delivered a pleasant smooch to her prisoner's head before sealing it up in a faceless hood. [[GAME OVER]]

Smart move. [[Head up]]

(6/9) Well, that's just not sporting! **Nalen Kara** has taken down some of Alysa's most dangerous criminals and houses them in an impenetrable prison; does she seem like the sort to simply sit around and wait? If you're expecting a 'game over' scene where she sits around until she's grabbed and subjected to further bondage, you're wrong! No encasement within an oubliette or sensual torment by Fantom; no mummification or slavery! Fine! You wait around in the cell and eventually the spell wears off. *Boring*. Let's try again and see what mishaps we can get Nalen into... [[GAME OVER]]

You slip in as Noémi leaves. It's just you and the prisoner. Zanthie wears a similar getup to you. Well, to Fantom, at least; you hope never to be seen in such scandalous, revealing garb! Fishnet tights, boots, and fabric that leaves very little to the imagination; you queston why ninjas insist on showing so much skin. At least your procedures are being followed to the letter. Zanthie is strapped in to a heavy, padded chair and is being treated with the utmost caution. Thick bands of leather lock her legs apart and strap them to the legs of the chair. Two more strap her shapely, bare calves to the chair. A thick and visible metal chastity belt is attached via D-ring to the chair; arcane runes constantly drawing her magic within like a vortex. Three more straps keep her chest carefully cinched, with one each above and below her breasts and one more directly over her bust! Her arms, mittened up and locked behind her back, are useless for any spellcasting. [[She's awake, it seems.]]

You grab Noémi and shove her against the wall. You've got just a few seconds to convince her that *you* are really *you*... "Noémi, listen. It's me, Nalen. Fantom put some sort of spell on me." You cup your hand against her mouth. She looks ready to scream for the guards... "Don't you remember when we worked on exonerating Elijah's sister? We determined that Dr. Swick was killed by... [[...the antiquarian Bartholomew Cross, remember?]]" [[...the disgraced warden Franceska Tremaine. We got her together!|wrong]]" [[...the Jackals, a lethal street-gang! It's me!|wrong]]"

Zanthie breathes deep; she seems rather drained from the intense discussion she was holding with "Ah, Fantom," says Zanthie. "You turn traitor on me? Did they let you out of the cell for 'good behavior' or because you flipped and ratted me out?" She narrows her eyes, looking down at the floor. [[Gloat, claiming that you made a deal in exchange for your freedom.]] [[Explain that you're here to rescue her.]] [[Tell her the truth, and promise her leniency in exchange for information on Fantom.]]

You chuckle, laugh, and gloat. You do exactly as you'd imagine Fantom doing, and Zanthi buys it. "I knew it," she says. She's grumpy and jealous - exactly the sort of wicked witch that *belongs* here. "So you didn't even need your contingency plan?" she asks. "Plan? What plan?" You speak coyly, trying to goad her into revealing more. "Oh, shut up. You know the plan; the one where you use that stupid letter to swap bodies with her. It'll never work - Nalen has too many people to do her reading for her, and even then she'll be able to figure out that you've body-swapped with a lackey. Besides, that letter is old parchment. If it tears in half - which I can imagine happening rather easily - then the spell is broken and you're back to square one. Not that you even needed that damn magic scroll... since you turned traitor on me so easily." On the way out, you make sure she can't inform on your recent visit by stuffing her mouth full of bandages, then wrapping her head completely in their sticky embrace. She looks like a smooth mummy, and you leave her to whatever punishment awaits her as you head [[up the stairs.]]

She doesn't buy it - not one bit. In fact, the plan backfires completely. She *knows* that you're not Fantom, and believes you're an assassin! Her annoying, shrill voice signals guards to your location, and you're grabbed before you can properly gag her. You're certain she grinned as you're [[led away...]]

You head up the stairs at a brisk pace. It sounds like the prison is starting to rouse to alertness. Once or twice you narrowly avoid the sight-lines of patrolling guards. At the top of the stairs, you pass by a few more corridors until finally you reach the Warden's Watch. Luckily, no alarms have been tripped, and you're able to open the door to your office. Fantom is [[going down!]]

(font: 'Open Sans')[Some time later...] --- (7/9) Jaime tilted his head. "This isn't quite to my specifications." The two women in the Magical Containment wing were ensconced behind enchanted glass - which *was* according to the recommendations he'd sent Nalen. The rest, however, was unexpected. Both Fantom and Zanthie had been blindfolded quite strictly. Cotton pads pressed tight against their eyes, and the thick leather visors were quite thick, too. Zanthie had her mouth filled with a wide bit-gag, and was drooling slightly. She could mumble the occasional half-curse, but not much more. Fantom's mouth could hardly be seen! The documents in front of him indicated that a rubber ball filled her jaw, which was then taped in place and *then* covered with a panel harness. The locks themselves had been glued shut, indicating that she'd be gagged until release. Their prisoner collars were also unusual; a metal bar between the two meant that they could never be any closer or any farther than a handspan apart. They were quite cramped in their obsservation cell, with Fantom's squirming form laying atop Zanthie's shapely legs. Nalen put a hand on his shoulder. "Trust me on this," she said. "They're very dangerous." Jaime nodded. "Of course they are. This just doesn't seem quite accurate to our normal protocols." Nalen smiled, shining her green eyes at him. "Don't worry. They're quite comfortable. And this is an even more effective way of keeping two ninjas bound - we both know that the more ninjas there are in one place, the less effective they are." Jaime scratched his chin. "True enough." Nalen grinned, placing a hand on his chin and brushing away his fingers. "Perhaps you'd like to try it out for yourself?" [[GAME OVER]]

"Hah! Fat chance," she says. "Listen, Zanthie, help me out now or we're both doomed." She thinks on it for a moment. "All right. You seem like a woman of your word. There's an emergency passphrase to undo the spell. We have to say it in unison. Are you ready?" She tells you the phrase, you try it out, and then you say it in unison... *"Ydaer-la-ti odstel , mazakala; seidobh c'tiws ot leps a s'i siht!"* [[Things go dark for a moment....]]

...and when the light returns to your eyes, you're in a familiar room. You're in a familiar chair. For a brief moment, you think that it's your office chair, and your private room in the Warden's Watch. Then you look down. You see Fantom, on the floor in front of eye. She opens her green eyes. To your left, in a one-way mirror, you can see your own brown eyes... in the body of the heavily-bound **Zanthie!** Fantom barely makes it to her feet, staring at you strictly bound in Zanthie's body, and tightly strapped into the interrogation chair. She smiles weakly. "No hard feelings?" You begin to vocalize a response when a pair of guards led by Noémi bursts [[in the room.]]

(font: 'Open Sans')[Some time later...] --- (7/9) Jaime tilted his head. "This isn't quite to my specifications." The two women in the Magical Containment wing were ensconced behind enchanted glass - which *was* according to the recommendations he'd sent Nalen. The rest, however, was unexpected. Both Fantom and Zanthie had been blindfolded quite strictly. Cotton pads pressed tight against their eyes, and the thick leather visors were quite thick, too. No chance of accidentally seeing their eyes! Zanthie had her mouth filled with a wide bit-gag, and was drooling slightly. She could mumble the occasional half-curse, but not much more. Fantom's mouth could hardly be seen! The documents in front of him indicated that a rubber ball filled her jaw, which was then taped in place and *then* covered with a panel harness. The locks themselves had been glued shut, indicating that she'd be gagged until release. Their prisoner collars were also unusual; a metal bar between the two meant that they could never be any closer or any farther than a handspan apart. They were quite cramped in their obsservation cell, with Fantom's squirming form laying atop Zanthie's shapely legs. Nalen put a hand on his shoulder. "Trust me on this," she said. "They're very dangerous." Jaime nodded. "Of course they are. This just doesn't seem quite accurate to our normal protocols." Nalen smiled, shining her green eyes at him. "Don't worry. They're quite comfortable. And this is an even more effective way of keeping two ninjas bound - we both know that the more ninjas there are in one place, the less effective they are." Jaime scratched his chin. "True enough." Nalen grinned, placing a hand on his chin and brushing away his fingers. "Perhaps you'd like to try it out for yourself?" [[GAME OVER]]

Noémi loosens up a bit. You remove your hand from her mouth. "Everyone saw that. It was all over the newspapers!" You hush her. "But remember, when we were working on the bombing case, the ultimate mastermind was... [[...Alessia Serpella!]]" [[...Agate Carre!|wrong]]" [[...Fantom! Not me, mind you!"|wrong]]

She screams. Despite your attempts to convince her of your identity, dozens of guards are soon upon you... ---- (3/9) (font: 'Courgette')[ *Hear ye, hear ye, Tomorrow at noon, the dastardly prisoner and NE'ER-DO-WELL know as FANTOM will be brought to ALYSA SQUARE for a PUBLIC HUMILIATION. Her crimes include sedition, kidnapping, extortion, and impersonation. She has transgress'd against the WARDEN of ALYSA PRISON, and, during a most BLATANT escape attempt, HARMED A LOYAL SERVANT of the empire. As such she will be STRIPPED TO HER UNDERWEAR; only the prisoner's LACEY UNDERGARMENTS which are surely a size TOO SMALL will be permitted. After this MOST SHAMEFUL AND PUBLIC act of disrobing her and baring her skin, she will be locked into THE STOCKS for all to see. Her hands will be mittn'd and mouth HEAVILY GAGGED with a stuffed cloth, an ENSORCELLED ball-gag, sealed up with sev'ral strips of sticky, gum-soaked cloth, SILENCED with a sheath of leather that will wind 'round her head and leave but her eyes and nose exposed. After which, the PUBLIC will be allowed their turns to GROPE AND TEASE the prisoner to their heart's content. TOOLS of ticklish-feather-dusters and WEIGHTED PADDLES will be provided, as will ICE'D CUBES. Donations to the Royal Orphanage will be solicited; those that donate will be allow'd CLAMPS AND WEIGHTS to properly abase the criminal. SIGN'D AND SEAL'D -Warden Nalen Kara] [[GAME OVER]]

Noémi nods. "Listen, I believe you. I do. But the rest of the guards won't believe me. In fact, a few minutes ago I was told that Fantom - that is, "you" - had escaped!" You grit your teeth. "So they know I'm on the loose..." "Yes," she nods. "They even warned that Fantom would try to convince people she was actually someone else. They say that you're mad. I doubt you'll be able to use your silver tongue on the guards." You nod. "Can you help me?" Noémi salutes. "Of course I can, ma'am. You're the Warden. Listen, I'll get you to the Warden's Watch and then delay all the guards so you can handle Fantom yourself. Sound like a plan?" [[Let's go.]]

You head up the stairs at a brisk pace. It sounds like the prison is starting to rouse to alertness. Once or twice you narrowly avoid the sight-lines of patrolling guards. "Listen," says Noémi, "I don't think she's much of a threat to you. Not physically, at least. She's never used a sword before to my knowledge. She's all about magic and illusions. You'll be able to take her out, and clear your name." At the top of the stairs, you pass by a few more corridors until finally you reach the Warden's Watch. Noémi signals the guards over, and they obey. You have the perfect entrance, and you take it - Fantom is [[going down!]]

"Nalen" is here, of course. She has her booted feet up on the desk - *your* desk - and is quietly fanning herself with a stack of papers in her *left* hand. It's today's mail, filled with important documents - and she's treating it with total nonchalance. "Oh, hello, Fantom," she says coyly. "No time for games," you say. "You've already earned a lengthy sentence. Switch us back now and you can avoid life imprisonment." [[Fantom sighs.]]

"You're not really going to make **that** offer, are you?" You cross your arms. "It's the best you're going to get." Fantom leans forward and puts her feet on the floor with a loud stomp. "So, you're offering me decades as your little trophy, bound and gagged and being tormented? I get the **opportunity** to be Nalen's prize possession if I switch back? Actually... why not the other way around? Maybe I should **insist** that 'Fantom' - ahem, you, that is - spends the rest of your sentence as my personal project? We can make a nice oubliette in the wall for us to seal you up in. I promise to keep you company..." Fantom places her *right* hand on her sword - *your* saber, sitting uncomfortably at her hip. It's strange looking at *your* body. "So, what do you say? My counter-offer; surrender now and I'll make sure you get paraded around like the valuable piece of meat that you are. I'll treat you - in my body - like royalty, complete with a gilded cage. What do you say?" Enough of this. You don't dignify her offer with a response. You move around the desk, charging at her... [[Attack left!]] [[Go right!]]

In a heartbeat, you go left. She draws the saber, but it's too late. You grab her left hand and the papers fly everywhere. Your foe wildly swings the sword. You nab the letter from this morning; only now do you see all the many glowing runes ensconced on the back. Holding it up, she jabs at you with the sword... and slices the scroll in twain! Things [[go dark again...]]

You grab the sword from her hand and throw it across the room. It clatters and hits the stone flooring. Success! You turn back to strike at the perfidious shapechanger... and she's gone. Suddenly, five more Nalens appear in a cloud of smoke. Clearly, despite swapping bodies, Fantom retains her magical aptitude. There are six of them. You adopt a fighting stance as they close in on you, but it's no good. You gamble and go for the nearest one, only to see it vanish in a puff of smoke. [["Game over," says Fantom as she places a hand on your head...]]

---- 9/9 (font: 'Open Sans')[Some time later...] The elven courier had a smile that Nalen didn't like, but she said nothing. Fantom's gag prevented her from adding any commentary. "I promise," said the elf, "that she'll get back to her home for proper trial and punishment." Nalen crossed her arms. "I'm sure she will." The ninja's legs were folded under her and bound ankle to thigh. The elf gently placed his cargo in a rectangular crate, then bound straps from her knees to the sides of the box. Straps that ran across her body had been cinched particularly tight, each of them glowing with an arcane Elven rune. A trio of wooden pillores helped to secure the precious cargo; one around her folded legs, one around her wrists and neck, and a middle one that supported her breasts from below. Fantom's face turned to pleading as the elf continued with his packing. An elongated corset, a heavy collar that mated with the pillory, and a black leather helmet to blind and silence her for the trip. The elf tilted the crate on its side so that Fantom's belly was facing up. He had one final touch; with a few magical gestures, he filled the bottom half of the crate with thick, liquid rubber. He had explained that it helped to preserve the cargo and keep them from moving; Nalen wasn't quite sure. She and her assistants were glad when he nailed the box shut and departed her office. Elijah watched the elf disappear with his cargo in tow. After a companionable silence, they turned to stare out the window. They could see him exit the prison and disappear out through the courtyard. "It's a bit odd to let her go like that," said Elijah. Nalen shook her head. "I didn't let her go. There are two possibilities; either that elven courier takes her back to her little Unseen School, in which case the punishment will be very severe. The other is that he disappears with her in tow, probably back to whatever elven palace he came from. Either way, I doubt we'll ever see her again." The Warden nodded. Besides, if Fantom was gone, then there would be nobody to explain that someone - namely, Nalen - had escaped the Devil's Gullet. [[GAME OVER]]

(font: 'Open Sans')[Some time later...] --- (8/9) **Fantom** was victorious. The 'real' Fantom, that is. She had her captive's body, and now she had a perfectly legitimate reason to bind her up as tight as she wanted. Nobody would ever question why the Warden took an interest in a particular inmate if that inmate had staged a breakout attempt! Fantom even had time to alter the ritual. Now that she had an evening alone with her quarry, she reversed the body-swap and took careful, delicate measurements of Nalen's every nook and cranny. Well, in actuality the measurements weren't delicate or careful - they were intimate and forceful gropes! Surely, Fantom didn't need to measure Nalen's breasts three or four times. After a night of horrible teasing and evil magics, Fantom cast a new spell; one that would allow her to change her appearance to The Warden's at will. She was now free to resume not one, but two careers - her life of crime, as well as the vaunted Warden of Alysa Prison. Of course, that did mean that Nalen - the *real* Nalen - would need to disappear. She was given full honors; a "burial" deep within The Gullet. Fantom took great pleasure in carefully stripping The Warden of every last dignity she had. She gingerly peeled away the struggling Nalen's pants, and eagerly removed her tight blouse as though she were unwrapping a present. Once she was good and vulnerable, Fantom started lacing her up. A pair of heavy shackles for her legs, a wide collar for her neck, an armbinder to keep her posture and make sure she couldn't make any hand signals... And of course, a nice, tightly-packed gag. She started with the now-useless parchment that she'd used to trick the Warden in the first place, followed with a handkerchief and endless layers of tape. She had to make sure that nobody would try to peel away the blindfold or hood, after all, and a few heavy locks around her harness discouraged anyone from trying to figure out the identity of the newest - and second - resident of the Gullet. The only thing worse than knowing that Fantom had won was the intensely cramped quarters as Nalen struggled and squirmed against her new 'roommate'. [[GAME OVER]]