New Discoveries Ch. 03

The newcomer turned and looked at Elma expectantly, who immediately squeaked and bowed before gesturing. "i-i present to you, High Priestess Iridana!"

The priestess smiled warmly. "Thank you, dear. Have you brought us two potential souls in search of blessings from the paired goddesses?"

"In exchange for information about this faith of yours," Mya said.

"Gladly," Iridana said cheerfully before strolling over to sit in one of the soft cushions. Vellen scanned her for anything in her expression or body language that suggested even a hint of some predatory agenda. He found nothing. Nothing about her seemed to convey an interest in Mya of the... sexual nature, fortunately. "To be able to spread the message of my goddesses and give someone their blessings is nothing but beneficial. Please sit."

Mya curtly walked to a seat across from Iridana and sat down. Iridana turned and looked at Vellen, head tilted. "Will you not be joining us?"

"I'm afraid not. I must depart soon and tend to our financial matters. I simply came this far out of... curiosity."

Iridana smiled again. "I see. I take no offense."

"I will be needing a place to stay for a night," Mya said. It was almost more of a command than a request.

"But of course," Iridana said. "It would be horrid of me to send you out onto the streets at night after our meeting is over. I'd be glad to offer you a place for as long as you stay within the city, in fact."

"Excellent." Mya turned to look at Vellen and nodded. "I believe everything is accounted for. You may be off now, Vellen. Thank you."

Vellen only had a moment to be surprised by Mya actually thanking him before his dismissal before Iridana gestured toward her acolyte. "Be a dear and escort our guest out, elma."

"Of course, M- High Priestess!" Elma squeaked and quickly shuffled her way over to the door, holding it open.

Vellen took one last furtive glance around before finally accepting that, perhaps, they'd finally found a location that would not exploit his mistress. "I'll return in the morning." Vellen said before turning to exit out the door. He smiled at Elma in thanks, who blushed and refused to meet his eyes.

She certainly does that a lot, Vellen thought, amused. As he fully passed out into open air again, she bowed to him and went to close the door, but hesitated for a moment.

"Uh... um... Does y-your friend have any family in the city?" she asked.

Vellen tilted his head. "No. She is a foreigner. Why do you ask?"

Elma suddenly winced and began to redden again. "...Just wanted to know if there'd be anyone else willing to receive a blessing." With that, she fully closed the door and left Vellen alone on the streets of Auspice City.

~~~

Mya tried very, very hard to pretend to care about what the High Priestess was saying. She had the unfortunate disadvantage in that it was perhaps the most dull and irrelevant topic that could possibly muster in conversation.

"And this was given to me by the Hermit of Tenten Shrine at the base of Mount Fontenheim," Iridana said while holding up a rock of all things. She quickly put it back down amongst the other items on her shelf of souvenirs that she acquired on some religious pilgrimage or something.

"Fascinating," Mya lied. "But let's discuss the basics of your religion."

"Of course," Iridana smiled. She had an annoying habit of that. "Please excuse my ramblings. Here I am talking about myself and I haven't even gotten your name."

"Mya. Mya Valenworth, researcher of the Cloven Institute."

"Ah. I've heard only great things. Would you like some tea, Mya?"

Mya hesitated. "I'll pass." She'd already blacked out twice these past few weeks from allegedly being intoxicated and was wary of accepting anything from anyone. For all she knew, even the tea in these lands were alcoholic.

"Just for me, then," she gestured and her little acolyte, Elma, immediately scampered off through the tapestry that led to some other room beyond. Iridana then returned to her seat across from Mya.

"Whenever you're ready," Mya said, trying to keep the impatience out of her voice as she flipped to a clean page in her notebook.

"Our faith consists of two goddesses: Herma and Matra. They're bound in a way that's similar to what we would call marriage."

Mya resisted the urge to snort in derision as she scribbled down notes. Of course, even the gods were lesbian here. She'd noticed that sexuality seemed far more varied on this continent, having caught multiple women checking her out in passing--much to Mya's annoyance. Her homeland didn't oppose the concept, per se. It was just... more reserved about such topics.

"Each goddess also represents different things," Iridana continued. "Matra is the goddess of family, service, and all things feminine, while Herma is the goddess of dominance, strength, and all things masculine."

Mya raised an eyebrow. "Really? A goddess represents masculinity?"

Iridana nodded as if she saw no issue. "Yes. Our texts state that she was the one to even create men... inadvertently."

"How does that work?"

"Well, in the beginning, Herma and Matra each molded their own version of humans and other races alike. Matra made women like you and I, while Herma forged her creation in her image. Thus, creating women with features you'd normally attribute to men in this day and age. It wasn't until the populations began to breed that the first 'man' was created, but even that has some extenuating circumstances behind it. It's essentially its own entire tale."

Mya frowned as she processed the information. "Perhaps you can tell me of it later, as I'm more interested in the topic at hand. Are you saying that, initially, the entire population was female, with half having male genitalia?"

Iridana nodded. "Yes, as well as female. The 'Mark of Herma' is what we call it. As the first men came about and began to spread their own genes, the Mark eventually became diluted and is only occasionally seen in modern times naturally. However, there are a few scattered tribes of Testazonians who still contain the true, pure bloodline of Herma."

Mya blinked. Something... odd tugged at the back of her mind. What Iridana said almost seemed familiar. As if... as if... she'd seen it firsthand somehow. A fuzzy image appeared within her mind's eye, barely skimming the surface. She saw a woman, straddled over Mya, and she had a... a...

The tapestry suddenly swished to the side as Elma entered the room again with a tea set. She gently placed it on a counter by the doorway and poured a cup before trotting over and gently placing a cup in front of the priestess.

"This seems like a... rather polarizing history of humanity. I imagine it was quite difficult to get people to believe in this faith?"

"You'd be surprised actually," Iridana said with a smile that almost seemed wistful. "For much of this continent's history, the Church of Two was the unanimously accepted religion. However, in modern times with the coming of the New Pantheon, Sterling Spirits, and the Fey Queen's Chosen have caused a bit of an upset, as well as some other faiths. We're still very popular. Just not as much as we once were."

Mya nodded, making notes to look into these other faiths as well as the 'Testazonians' for further research. "And what of your internal operations? How does your religion actually work?"

"Well, I don't intend to overwhelm you, dear, so I'll keep it simple for the time being. Effectively, each new member will choose a lifestyle to adhere to based on one of the goddesses and serve the people through the tenets. For instance, I follow the School of Herma, while elma here follows the School of Matra. Isn't that right, sweetie?"

Elma blushed then squeaked a response.

"I'm afraid we didn't hear you, dear."

"Y-yes," she repeated, slightly louder.

Iridana turned her attention back to Mya, seeming oddly... amused. "Funnily enough, every recorded High Priestess in the past has actually been of the School of Herma."

"Are there no men in the faith?"

Iridana paused. "There are... None have ever reached the station of the High Priest, however. Not out of a lack of trying, either. There was a rather gruesome division within the church a few centuries back. It nearly caused a schism and resulted in a few very bloody battles."

"You almost say that like you were there," Mya said, attempting a joke.

Iridana raised her eyebrows but then chuckled and settled back into her usual smiling expression. "I suppose I can get quite carried away with the details. This faith... it's everything to me."

Mya nodded. It was typically best to say nothing to fanatics in times like this.

"elma, perhaps you should find something to do rather than just stand there?" Iridana offered. The acolyte immediately seemed to begin panicking, as if she couldn't even begin to come up with an idea of what to do. Iridana watched her struggle for a moment then cleared her throat. "Perhaps you can begin setting up the ritual for the blessing we'll be giving our guest here."

Elma flushed then indeed enthusiastically. "Yes, ma'am! Sorry, ma'am!"

"It's quite alright, dear. I've come to expect a bit of scatterbrainedness from you. Run along."

Without another word, the acolyte fled past the tapestry again. Mya frowned as she watched that scene. That had been... odd.

"And as for these blessings... What exactly do they do?" Mya asked, trying to get the conversation back on track.

"Oh you will in time. I'm afraid I can't disclose anything before the fact."

"I see..." Something was beginning to feel wrong here. Initially, Iridana had been pleasant and professional. Now she was starting to seem... different. The way she treated her acolyte certainly felt less than orthodox, for starters. Mya also felt as if she'd caught the priestess staring down her top each time Mya looked up from her notes, though she couldn't be sure about that one. Regardless, alarm bells were ringing and it was time to make an exit. Until then she had to keep playing along until she found an opportunity to exit and go searching for Vellen. So Mya smiled politely and maintained eye contact with High Priestess Iridana's golden eyes.

Had... had they always been that color?

"Is something the matter?" Iridana asked, though there was no concern on her face. Her expression had changed completely, in fact. The friendly smile was gone. All that was left was cold resolve.

"Of course, I just think I need to..." Mya jumped out of her seat before finishing her sentence and bolted for the door. Her attempt at escape was immediately stunted as a large, golden tentacle suddenly sprouted into existence and wrapped around Mya, holding her tightly and grappling her arms to her sides. "Let go of me!" she screamed as she kicked and squirmed.

"I thought we'd be able to do this the easy way, Mya." Iridana said coolly. "Evidently not. I suppose I could always use another acolyte."

Mya continued to struggle but it was useless as the priestess flicked her wrist and caused Mya to begin floating through the air toward the tapestry that covered the doorway. The room was a spare living quarters that only had a single bed and a mat on the floor. In the corner was an open trapdoor that descended down a flight of spiral stone steps.

Iridana walked behind Mya as the floating tentacle forced her over to the trapdoor. "Hmm. What a delectable figure. Yes, I think you'll make a very good follower of Matra when I'm done with you."

"Fuck you!" Mya spat.

"Funny." Iridana said with a small laugh. "elma said the same thing."

Mya drifted her way down the steps before emerging into a completely stone room that was primarily empty apart from a desk and cabinet to the side that seemed fully stocked with herbs and other alchemical supplies. In the center of the room, Elma was dutifully drawing out some kind of arcane chalk circle on the floor. She whimpered loudly and appeared to be rubbing her thighs together as she worked, but immediately stopped as she saw the two of them enter.

"F-finished, ma'am!"

"No need for the charade anymore, my little slut. I'm afraid our guest here is too smart for her own good. We'll be sure to fix that."

"Yes, Mistress." Elma bowed her head.

"Don't even think of touching me!" Mya yelled, once again giving a futile attempt to escape the steel grip of the magic appendage that held her.

Iridana simply rolled her eyes as she strolled over to the workstation and grasped a handful of something from a bowl. "You should feel quite fortunate, Mya," she said as she walked back over to her captive. "For, tonight, you'll be receiving two blessings from the goddess of submission."

Before Mya could say another word, Iridana opened her hand and blew a cloud of pink dust into Mya's face. She sneezed and coughed as the powder settled itself upon her.

"Relax, precious." Iridana grinned.

Immediately, Mya began to feel fuzzy, lethargic. Trying to escape suddenly felt like it'd take so much energy. Energy that she didn't have. Iridana blew another puff of the powder into her and Mya looked down to see her shirt was stained with the stuff. Then she felt... something else begin to happen. It was subtle at first, but quickly began to ramp up in intensity. Mya groaned as she suddenly felt a pressure on- no, in her mind. It was as if something was desperately trying to claw its way out. Trying to take over, trying to be free. Trying to... to...

Trying to, like, have fun!

Candi giggled as she wiggled around in her comfy tentacle hug and smiled at the priest lady. "I, like, love your hair!"

Iridana raised an eyebrow then took a step back to inspect Candi. "This is... unexpected." Candi sneezed again, throwing up a puff of the pretty pink powder. It was like all over her now, making her skin all pretty and pink too! Candi loved that! "But... not unwanted." Iridana's lips curled into a grin. A scary one. Candi suddenly remembered that she really oughta get out of here.

Iridi... Ira... Idi... The priest lady flicked her hand and the tentacle suddenly dropped Candi. She rose to try and run away, but suddenly there were three other ones. Each one quickly grabbed hold of Candi's wrists and ankles and raised her into the air, spreading her arms and legs apart. Candi licked her lips as she thought about what else those tendrils could do.

Stay focused, Candi! You gotta, like, get away and stuff! Candi giggled.

"elma. Strip our newest slut."

Candi pouted as the cute little other priest lady came up to her and began tearing her clothes away. She was, like, barely showing off any of her tits and ass. She didn't look slutty at all! Especially with her hair in this stupid bun. It hurt to have it pinned up like that!

The priest lady tsked as Elma stepped away. "Underwear too, dummy."

Elma turned back and began doing as she was told. The girl was a total cutie. Candi could imagine all the sweet little noises she'd make if they got it on. Candi was normally a total bottom, but she could definitely make an exception for this one. She giggled at Elma's expression as Candi jiggled her titties for her while she pulled the bra away.

"You can totally grab my ass if you want while you're taking off my panties," Candi whispered. Elma grew a delicious shade of red and quickly moved out of Candi's sight. A moment later Candi felt the last of her clothing get torn away. There was a pause, then the sensation of a shy hand grabbing hold of Candi's booty for a moment. She giggled.

Wait. Wasn't she supposed to be doing something?

"My, oh my," the priest lady said, looking Candi up and down. "You're already dripping, pet. Didn't realize you had it in you."

Candi looked down to see that, sure enough, a small puddle had begun to form on the floor just beneath her crotch. Candi giggled and felt the heat between her legs grow stronger.

"elma, why don't you keep our newest initiate distracted while I finish up preparation for the ritual?"

"Yes, Mistress."

Candi tilted her head to the side in confusion when she suddenly felt a positively divine tongue begin to lap between her legs.

"Ooooh!" Candi moaned.

"Like that?" the priest lady said. "She'd had quite a few weeks to practice."

Candi nodded as the tongue began to dance around her folds and clit while the tip of a finger entered her hole and began to wiggle.

"Well? Answer me, slut."

"Y-yes!" Candi groaned.

"Good. Then I'm sure you'll love this ritual and your new life after it. You see, I'm going to be needing your services a lot and it'd be much better to just enchant you to keep doing what I need, rather than find a new candidate every week."

Candi could barely make sense of the words as Elma pressed her lips against Candi's clit and began to slurp as her finger began to slowly pump in and out. Candi vaguely remembered that she was supposed to be trying to escape, but she found it silly to think about how she felt so good. As soon as Elma was done eating her out, Candi would totally figure out a way to get out.

"You see, this is actually a ritual that entails two blessings. One for you, and one for that slutty little thing giving you the time of your life," the priest lady said and she continued mixing things together. "The product of which will continue to prolong my youth so that I can keep leading this church. Remember how we talked about the Mark of Herma earlier?"

Candi's mind went blank as she felt a second finger enter her and continued to pump away as Elma's tongue slid across her pussy in a rhythmic pattern. Candi braced herself as she felt her orgasm begin to rise, looking forward to the burst of pleasure. She whimpered as Elma suddenly stopped dead in her tracks, her fingers slowing down to a crawl.

"Well, only those born with the gene can have the true, full blessing of Herma, but I can provide a lesser one for a short period of time for the sake of this ritual. And I'm sure you'll love Matra's counterpart." Iridana finished off what she was making with a flourish. "Come here elma."

The petite acolyte pulled away from Candi fully, much to her dismay, and scampered up to her Mistress, Candi juice dripping from her chin. Iridana held up a wooden bowl with some kind of paste in it with one hand. With the other she gathered some of the substance on her fingers and reached up underneath Elma's robe and began to make rubbing motions near her crotch. Elma immediately threw her head back and loudly moaned.

"My, my, still so sensitive? I thought by now that you'd have learned to control yourself, sweetie. I guess I'll just have to not let you come for the third week in a row as punishment."

"But... but..." Elma stammered.

"eeelma... Do good girls complain?"

"N-no, Mistress."

"Then why are you?"

"i-i'm sorry, Mistress. i'm just so dumb and slutty that i forgot."

The priest lady smiled as she continued to rub for a moment before pulling her arm back. She then began to undress Elma, who stood there with her head bowed submissively. Once she was naked, Candi watched in amazement as she saw Elma's clit emerge from its hood, but continue to grow and extend, more and more, becoming rigid. All the while, Elma whimpered quietly to herself and fingered her pussy with the feather-light touched. Once the process was over, she'd grown a hard, beautiful, yummy, nine-inch girlcock.

The priest lady saw Candi staring and smirked. "I know, it's amazing, but the Testazonians are told to have ones no smaller than a foot." She reached down and grabbed hold of Elma's new member, giving it slow strokes. Elma closed her eyes and bit her lip. "Now, elma, I know you're used to being a total pushover sub, but just for tonight I'm going to need you to take control. Think you can do that?" Elma nodded hesitantly. "You're going to have to fuck her and pump her full of all that wonderful cum of yours. I know that may sound confusing since you're a good girl and..." she paused expectantly.