The Creators Ch. 18

Willowbud shook her head. "Not yet."

"What do you mean?"

"Their parents still provide for them."

"What are you... oh, gods."

Willowbud stared at an orc woman dying on her cross. A young orc girl was standing abreast of the flame, waiting patiently for her mother to provide her with food. Willowbud watched the pair for a minute before she reached into her sack, and produced a single stone.

I put my hand over hers. "Don't. I will do it." I unshouldered my bow, selected ten arrows, and orphaned every child there. They didn't even notice. They just looked up at their impending meals with ravenous black eyes and waited for God and gravity to provide for them.

"Thank you," she muttered and put the stone back in her bag.

I shouldered my bow and gazed out at the desert sands covered in writhing bodies. Somewhere in that great mass, two thousand of my brethren were waiting. The Ionans trained their whole lives to dispassionately deal with horror, but I knew their will was being tested in there. Every second that went by brought us all closer to the inevitable spark that would light the powder keg. I could only pray that the match wasn't lit too early.

Nona? I called. She didn't answer.

"We need to get to higher ground," I told Willowbud. "I'm not getting anything from anyone."

Willowbud narrowed her eyes. "Justina and Angela could communicate to each other from across mountains. We should be receiving as long as we have a line of sight. Something's wrong."

I peered into the distance. It was impossible to see the front of the horde from where we were, but I could make out the shape of Gloria scouting the northern dunes by herself. She climbed atop an outcropping and conversed with an orc there. The conversation turned suddenly violent, and the two grappled for a moment before Gloria used her vast strength to rip her assailant's head off.

"What was that about?" I wondered aloud.

Willowbud focused on Gloria. Gloria, what happened? she asked.

Gloria didn't respond. She looked down at the dead orc, then looked back at us, and waved.

"She can't speak to us either," I said.

"Did Brandon do something?"

I shook my head. "How do telepaths communicate with each other?" I asked.

"Through the astral plane," Willowbud answered. She looked up at me, and I saw a twinge of fear in her eyes. "We should go somewhere else. Anywhere but here."

Gloria waved at us again, urgently this time, then she disappeared behind the rocks. I exchanged glances with Willowbud, then drew my sword, and walked toward the outcropping. We entered a maze of sandstone, obscuring all but the narrow path before us. Obsidian shards were scattered about the columns of rocks, and they became more prevalent the deeper into the maze we traveled. My eyes scanned the tops of outcroppings and cliffs, but Willowbud assured me that there was nothing in there waiting for us. I couldn't help but feel that she was wrong.

DIAMOND

I lounged in my pile of bodies, enjoying the transient sex of my worshipers. I was being carried on a palanquin atop the broad shoulders of twenty bulls, and I went about selecting my meals from the crowd like it was a buffet. It wasn't much of a horde anymore; it was much more akin to a satanic pigpen with the swine rolling in the mud, fucking, shitting, and callously murdering each other (as piggies do; I don't know, I'm not a farmer). Needless to say, our progress toward Droktin's Pass had slowed since I went to sleep.

"This way, everyone," I called musically, pointing a lazy finger toward the pass. "The theatre is on fire, but no need to rush; enjoy yourselves, but please begin making your way toward the exit." I looked down at Aiko, whose supple cheeks were creating a pillow about my crotch as my cock bored into her tight pink anus. "Aiko, find whatever soldiers you have left, and begin herding the horde to the pass."

"Yes, Water Dancer," Aiko groaned pleasurably, and bid Fifty-One to exit her abused pussy so that she could extract herself from me. A disgusting volume of milky fluid ran down her olive-toned inner-thighs, and I took an indulgent moment to peel open her fat cheeks, and admire the yawning ruby holes that had been virginal only a few hours ago.

"My, my, you've been a busy girl," I grinned up at her. "How many men have you had since I sent you off with that brat?"

"Ten so far; only the strongest bulls, of course," she said with a proud tilt to her chin, her black eyes gleaming. "The Yuntok tribe boasts males that stand eight feet tall and can throw a spear over two-hundred yards. My daughter will be a warrior the likes of which Breyta has not seen for a thousand years."

I giggled. "Aiko, you made a beeline right for them! There's no way you hadn't been eyeing the goods beforehand."

She offered me the thinnest of smiles. "I am a woman. My eyes may sample what my tongue will not taste."

"And now you've become a glutton," I chuckled. "Where are these Yuntoki men you speak of? I must have some for myself."

"I killed them all," Aiko said frankly. "The bulls and their male heirs all the way down to the children. No other Breytan will bear a daughter to rival my own. The Tao line is dead, but the Satori line will live forever in glory."

"Damn, girl," I exclaimed, giving her an appraising look. "As you were."

She bowed her head and flapped away. I turned from her and surveyed the crowd. There were quite a few delectable options, but three stout bulls caught my eye in particular.

"You there, big boy in the middle," I called with an inviting smile. "Come up here and pay homage!"

ANGELA

I froze. One second, I was wading through the endless blockage of bodies, the next, I was staring at a massive palanquin being carried by over a dozen orcs. I barely had time to register what I was looking at before Diamond Gendian popped her antlered little head out of the carriage, and pointed right at me.

"Yes, you, you lucky hunk!" she giggled and extended one slender thigh invitingly. "Come on in here, and I'll show you the heaven Mom's always droning on about."

Brandon...?! I asked, and glanced at him.

"No, you can't bring your friend in with you!" Diamond laughed. "One of you looks like more than enough for me!"

I'm going to order the attack, Brandon thought. Bianca, Nona, get ready to—

SHUT UP! I snapped. Brandon, think, you idiot!

"Hey, did you hear me?" Diamond hollered. "Yoo-hoo! Over here! Wait, you're not gay, are you?"

I grabbed Brandon's crotch and squeezed much too hard. "I am sorry, Your Holiness, but I'm a total queen!"

Diamond's smile turned dangerous. "You must be from the rear. No one calls me 'Your Holiness.' It's 'Water Dancer.'" She eyed me curiously. "You get a pass because you're such a hunk. If it's men you like, I've got a small snack for you to enjoy."

I've got my arrow trained on her head right now, Bianca said. Two hundred yards out. Just give me the order, Brandon.

Take it.

STOP! I hissed. We don't know what she's doing to protect herself! One fuck-up, and we're all dead!

"I'm getting impatient!" Diamond called.

What the fuck are you thinking right now?! Justina hissed, strategically backing away from me.

I'm thinking I can get close enough.

Fuck no! Brandon growled.

"It's impolite to make a girl wait," Diamond giggled. "But I guess you wouldn't know. I'll teach you."

I've handled this situation before! I growled back. I can't get much closer than being inside of her!

Stick to the fucking plan!

"I'm going to count to ten, and then the offer's off the table. You might not like my counter-offer. One-handsome-hunk, two-handsome-hunk, three-handsome-hunk, four..."

Brandon glared at me. Angela...

Stop looking at me—she'll kill you just for being a distraction!

"...five-handsome-hunk, six-handsome-hunk, seven—hey, you do know how to count, right? Nine's coming up real fast, and guess what comes after? Eight-handsome-hunk..."

I've got this, I whispered, squeezing Brandon's shoulder tightly. Tell the others what's happened.

"...nine-handsome-hunk..."

"Ten-handsome-hunk," I called back. "Ready or not, here I come!"

Diamond clapped excitedly. "Red-rover, red-rover, send handsome right over!"

I donned a winning tusked grin, adjusted my belt, threw back my shoulders, and strutted in a ridiculous display of masculinity toward the water god. Brandon's hand left my side, and he stepped back and took Justina by the hand. Attention soldiers of Ofan and Iona, he broadcasted. The attack is imminent. I repeat the attack is imminent. Angela will give the order. I could feel his eyes on the back of my head. Ok Angela, it's your show now. You've got this.

No hesitation, Justina added. I know you can do it.

We'll be with you the whole time, Brandon thought, attempting to quell the terror simmering from his subconscious. Willowbud, there's been a change of plan. Willowbud, can you hear me?

They broke away from me and began plodding around the circle of orcs, taking flanking positions. Though my nerves were on edge, I didn't belie a single ounce of fear, for Corruption would see it like an ocean. I focused on the bows and curves of Diamond's body, the cuteness of her face, the enticing column of her rigid penis. These primal thoughts flooded my mind, for any thought of anything else would surely be picked up. I was just a horny orc. There was no Angela Sorenson. There was only the pulling in my loins that directed me up the steps of the palanquin, and into the carriage.

Diamond lounged in a bed of pillows. Her head was tilted in such a way that her curly red hair tangled in her black antlers, her shoulder was askew to show the delicate bow of her shoulders, her legs were open to display the organ she had between them. Her smile was expectant and easy, seeming to understand all that I was with just the curve of her red lips.

"Well?" she queried. "Don't tell me I wasted my time courting a power-bottom."

I unbuckled my belt, and let my pants drop to the floor. Diamond's jaw dropped with them.

"Holy crap," she gulped.

"Having second thoughts?" I grinned.

"I'm having quite a few thoughts right now," she smiled, regaining herself. "I could speak them to you, but I think I'd rather articulate them in another way." She patted the space between her legs and beckoned me with a lascivious finger.

I stepped toward her, registering the distance between us, hoping my anxiety wasn't painted plainly across my face. Thankfully, Diamond seemed much more interested in what was between my legs than between my eyes, for she watched my wobbling organ as it engorged and pointed right at her. When I was just a foot away, she stopped me. Her small hand wrapped curiously about my girth, and she examined the organ from base to tip, measuring it with her eyes until she'd had her visual fill.

"On your knees," she said with a soft, commanding voice.

I dropped to my knees, and crawled toward her beckoning finger, nearing the sweet heat between her legs until I could smell it. Her delicate fingers intertwined with my dreads as she pulled me to her, sliding my cheeks against her soft inner thighs, pressing my nose against her slit. My tongue grew a stinger, and that stinger was filled with a neurotoxin that would paralyze instantly. Diamond purred beckoningly above me, and slid her fingers to the sides of my head, pressing them lightly against my temples so that she could guide me deeper towards her vulnerable entrance.

"You seem awfully confident for a gay man," she mused with a smile.

Unable to answer her with my tongue transformed, I just smiled back and pressed deeper. Her thighs enveloped my face. Her cock upended against my brow. She moaned as I parted her delicate curtains, and pushed my tongue past her gripping netherlips. I didn't hesitate. My tongue shot forward like it was spring-loaded, and snapped in half against the shield of water she'd put inside of her. My head exploded with pain. My eyes filled with tears. My brain felt near to bursting. Diamond's watery visage giggled at me from above, her black eyes twinkling, smoke filtering from her mouth and nose.

"Angela, Angela, Angela," she chuckled sweetly as she toyed with the fluids inside my head. "It's so very good to finally see you in the flesh." She clamped her thighs to the sides of my head and flipped us over so that she bestrode my face. "All I had to do was press Tera just a little... just a little... and her hand went right for her grenade. What secret was so valuable to her, hmm? Nothing about Corruption, because all those little secrets died at my hands." She grinned down at me. "You wanna be my little secret too?"

I tried to send out my message, but my brain was being stirred from within, the blood rushing from end to end, leaking from my nose, ears, and eyes, thundering against my skull.

"You forgot to burn the crescent symbol into your forehead, you dumb-dumb!" Diamond tittered. "Also, orcs aren't circumcised. Your walk was all wrong, your posture was too good, and your accent was so thick with hillbilly Drastinar that I almost laughed when you first opened that silly mouth of yours!" Diamond leaned forward, her red hair tickling my blood-streaked cheeks. "But none of that mattered. The eyes are the window to the soul, and Corruption peeled back the curtain for me. I wonder what she wants me to do with you?"

"Please!" I croaked.

Diamond pouted her lips mockingly. "Don't beg me. It's so unbecoming of you. Tell me, who were the other two? Wait, let me guess; Brandon and Justina! They're waiting outside right now. Brandon's about fifteen feet to the northwest, and Justina's about... oh, twenty feet to the southeast. She's still a bit timid after our last meeting, huh? I hope it didn't give her the wrong impression. Does she still have a crush on me? Should I invite her in?"

"NO!"

"No?" Diamond cackled, her small rigid cock bobbing merrily with her. She pressed her thumbs hard against my temples, and the fluid in my head surged to the front of my skull, pressing so hard that my eyes bulged with it. Unbiddenly, my body reverted to its normal form, my tusks and jaw shrinking beneath the press of Diamond's pubis. She cocked her head, her hair tangling in her black antlers. "There you are. Gosh, you're pretty. Do you think you're prettier than me? You do?! Bah!" Diamond scoffed and flung back her hair. "My mommy told me I was the prettiest girl in the world, and I will not be disillusioned! That does it! I'm getting your brother in here right now, and he'll judge which of us is the prettiest!"

"NO!" I screamed, but all that came out was the barest of squeaks. Blood poured freely from my nostrils and eyes, filling my mouth, dripping from my chin. My skull felt like it would burst, my eyes felt like they'd pop, but I still leveled my desperate pleading gaze on the merciless woman bestriding me, vainly hoping for something I knew was not there.

Diamond's smile faded slightly, but it became no more compassionate. "You really love him," she said softly. "It's beautiful how much you love him. You know, all I ever wanted in this world was to love someone. I went up to strangers on the streets of Drastin and ask them to love me. Mom was so mortified, but Aunt Lucilla just laughed and laughed. I was so full of love then. It seemed to come from everywhere. It seemed to come from within." She traced the patterns on my throat, staring at them longingly. "Where did it all go?"

"Corruption took it from you!" I gasped.

"You're right," Diamond muttered, drawing her fingers along my collar, watching my patterns thrum. "She took so much from me. Maybe that's why I took it from Justina. Maybe that's why I want to take it from Mom." She looked up at me, and her dangerous smile returned. "Maybe that's why I want to take it from you."

BRANDON

Angela, you OK? I asked. She'd been in the palanquin for five minutes already, and I heard nothing. Not the screams of battle, not the moans of lust; nothing. The possessed orcs that carried the royal carriage looked at me suspiciously, but I didn't care about them. My eyes were glued to the palanquin, so focused that I could feel them becoming bloodshot. My fist was balled so tightly that it shook, but I managed to stay poised. I trusted her far more than I trusted myself, and that gave me a morsel of reassurance. She would be fine. The only reason she wasn't answering me was because she didn't need her stupid twin brother yammering in her head while she was trying to concentrate on murdering a fucking god. I let out a slow breath and glanced at Justina from across the sands. She looked back at me, her expression gaunt with fear, her feet frozen in place.

I don't know what to do! she hissed.

You're doing great where you are. We need to cover all angles. I reassured her, then looked to the north. Willowbud? Astrid? Gloria?

No answer.

Why aren't they responding?! Justina half-screamed in my mind. We've been calling for them for five minutes!

I don't know, I frowned.

Do you think Julia—

No. They're still alive, I can feel them. Willowbud must've taken them underground for some reason. Don't worry about them right now.

I drew my gaze back to the immediate. A line of Ofanians disguised as orcs had formed around the perimeter of the palanquin, all of them ignoring the chaos surrounding them. I glanced up and saw a flock of Breytans circling above us all, their watchful eyes scrutinizing the formation of orcs that had appeared before their goddess's palanquin.

Bianca, I said, spread everyone out. Get ready.

Bianca nodded, and the Ofanians slowly integrated into the mob, moving with soldierly precision until the entire perimeter was surrounded. The Breytans above kept their circular formation, then began to descend. They dropped to the sands one by one, forming a perfect protective circle around the palanquin, their blackened eyes surveying the disguised Ofanians, their hands holding their naked black katanas. Their leader stepped from the circle, and connected eyes with Bianca, then Justina, then finally me.

"Do you think I'm stupid, orc?" she asked me. "Because I certainly think you are."

"I'm just waiting for my boyfriend," I grunted.

She sneered. "You seem to have plenty of boyfriends already. I suggest you tell them all to leave, or you will die a bachelor."

"We don't want any trouble. We just want to make sure our friend comes out of that carriage."

The Breytan cocked her head like she didn't understand me. "If the Water Dancer desires to kill your friend, then that is her will. If you stay here any longer, I will enact mine."

"I'm not moving."

Her sneer turned into a small, somehow polite smile. "Then you have brought me much joy." She bowed to me, unfurled her wings, and—

"There's no need for any of that, Aiko," Diamond called from the entrance of her palanquin. "Let our guests be. Come out, all of you."

Aiko straightened sharply and sheathed her sword. All the other Breytans did the same and stood like statues around their goddess. The Ofanians filed out from the crowd and waited with their hands resting on their weapons. The Water Dancer peered out at the assemblage of orcs and scanned them all. Her eyes lingered on Justina, and her smile broadened. Then her eyes fell on me, and her smile darkened horribly. I could see the thing inside of her. It was like a translucent shadow, a trick of the sunlight, and though I could barely see its profile, its smile showed clearly from Diamond's white teeth. Diamond stepped onto the shoulders of the orcs carrying her and descended gracefully to the sands. Angela followed after.