Vaid Empire: Conquest Ch. 02

"Dominax, here!" Briza yelled, tossing her sword towards him as he hadn't replaced the one he had lost during the slaughter, leaving him defenseless.

The sword landed in the dirt between them, allowing Ortis to quickly kick it away before Dominax could grab it. "Surely a man with your confidence requires no weapon!" The large brute mocked.

Dominax gritted his teeth, putting his fists up in preparation. If Ortis wanted an unfair fight he'd play along, though with a surprise of his own.

The hammer swung at Dominax, allowing him a split second to roll out of the way as it slammed into the ground with a loud thud.

Ortis dragged the heavy weapon along the ground as he spun, missing his opponent by inches. He roared as he heaved it over his head, bringing it down hard once more only to miss as Dominax jumped out of the way.

Though he was six feet tall and athletic, Dominax moved faster than his opponent could manage. He dodged back and forth, rolling and sliding to get out of the way from incoming strikes. He remained completely defensive, not once hitting back as he simply toyed with the large man.

Ortis screamed in rage, unable to keep up with him. He threw his hammer down, charging with full force at Dominax.

In response Dominax shifted sideways, barely escaping the charge before kicking out at the man's ankle. Ortis tumbled heavily to the dirt, only to punch the ground in anger before jumping to his feet. However, Dominax hadn't expected the sudden burst of agility, causing his reaction to lag slightly. It wasn't enough to get away, as the man's powerful fist smashed into the side of his face. A bolt of pain shot through his cheek, causing him to stumble backwards.

The momentarily stunned state provided Ortis all he needed, as he rammed his knee into his opponent's stomach before grabbing the fabric of his cape, yanking him to the ground and leaving a large dent in his crude chest piece.

Dominax grimaced as Ortis's powerful foot slammed into his side, sending even more jolts of pain into him. The warrior geared up to kick again, though Dominax grabbed onto the other foot and rolled, using his bodyweight to send him toppling over. With a thud, the large man fell hard onto his back, allowing Dominax to quickly climb onto him and begin pummeling his bearded face. He was done playing.

Ortis struggled with Dominax as the younger man's powerful fists plowed into him one after another, barely leaving him any time to react. Yet even though Dominax was visibly toned and athletic, Ortis could feel that he was hitting with more strength than expected. Ortis frantically attempted to protect himself, before finally managing to grab hold of both fists, using his strength and leverage to roll them both onto their sides.

Dominax rose to his feet in a hurry, managing to get his clenched fists in front of him to block the incoming attacks that shot out as soon as Ortis stood up and closed the distance between them.

One of Ortis's punches made it through his defense, crashing into Dominax's face. He backed up quickly, feeling blood leak from his nose and drip into his pointed black beard. He wiped it away, his silver eyes locked onto Ortis with intense fury. He hadn't survived the slaughter only to be killed by a brute.

Charging forward, Dominax ducked under his opponent's incoming swing, before drilling his fist into his face. The punch sent drops of blood flying from Ortis's mouth, only for him to cough up more as a second punch struck him in the stomach. He stepped back, grabbing Dominax's swinging fist and holding it firmly as he captured the second hand in his other. They struggled, their hands locked together as they both pushed forwards, attempting to overpower each other while their feet began to create marks in the dirt.

As his patience with the petty fight ran thin, Dominax knew he had to end it. He grinned, nearly sadistically, as he activated his powers while holding onto Ortis's fists. An expression of shock and disbelief spread across the older warrior's face as electricity poured from Dominax's hands into his, seizing his body in intense pain.

Screams and cries of bewilderment rang out from the crowd as Dominax slowly electrocuted Ortis, his insidious laughter echoing throughout the settlement. Finally, for the first time in his entire life, he had revealed his powers to his people.

Ortis's body convulsed in pain, shaking as Dominax's power flowed through him. After several long, torturous seconds, the electricity ceased, allowing the large man to fall to the floor. He groaned loudly, barely alive.

Dominax turned to the crowd, holding his hands out. A small flame flickered in the left, while his right palm allowed electricity to dance across it. "All of you! Gaze upon my power and fear it as I do! Understand that I too possess no knowledge of where they came from, yet I will use them to lead us to greatness!"

Briza put her hand over her mouth, utterly stunned at the sight of their long-kept secret finally on display.

Dominax turned his attention back to Ortis, who looked at him in amazed silence. Dominax smiled ruthlessly, electricity gathering in his open palms before thrusting his hands out. Lightning arched from his fingertips, shooting into the older warrior as he screamed in pain. His body writhed on the ground, unable to defend himself as he continued to be electrocuted. Second after second passed, until there was no chance of Ortis surviving the attack. Dominax finally ceased his powers, leaving an aroma of charred skin drifting through the air.

Xenia gazed at Dominax, her eyes filled with a mix of horror and greed.

"Twenty-two years ago, you all stood by and watched as my mother was drowned. You did nothing." Dominax began, breathing heavily as he turned back towards the crowd. "Yet, I forgive you, and offer you a chance for redemption. A chance to rebuild! Follow me, and we shall destroy those who slaughtered our families and friends! Though challenge me, and you will join Ortis in death."

The crowd was silent for several moments, before Salduin stepped forwards and approached him. Dominax peered at the man, preparing to strike the moment he spotted danger. Yet, instead of fighting, the large man simply kneeled at his feet.

"I've lived my life as a spiritual man." Salduin began, gazing up at Dominax. "Searching for an answer to all of...this! Creation...reality. Yet as I kneel before you, I must know...are you a God?"

The man's question echoed Xenia's statements, though Dominax wasn't surprised. The superstitious nature of his fellow humans was widely known, acting to both encourage and discourage his decision to reveal his powers. Just as he knew that many would outright praise him such as Xenia and Salduin, others would not take kindly to individuals that threatened their beliefs and ways of life.

"I am not a God." Dominax began, placing his hand gently on the man's bald head. "Your questions of reality and creation are ones that I too seek, though I have no answers for you. I can only promise that as your leader, I will lead us to prosperity."

Though his reply had revealed nothing to the man, Salduin's expression was anything but disappointed. "Whatever you really are...I will serve you as best I can. All hail Chief Dominax!"

The rest of the crowd began to kneel, their faces lit up with fascination and astonishment. Yet, as he looked into his group of new followers, he realized that some appeared far less pleased than others.

***

It took only a few hours to pack up everything useful from the remnants of Nitri before heading out. Nearly everything had been stolen or destroyed, though the group was able to recover a small amount of materials that their attackers had overlooked.

Dominax led them from their birthplace, hoping to find a safer location to settle down. Though he was uncertain of their eventual destination, he began by retracing the path downriver that he had traveled with Xenia.

The group of one hundred passed her tiny hut, only to continue for several hours before the sun began to touch the horizon. His people quickly constructed dozens of crude tents, preparing to temporarily settle down for the night. They had already traveled surprisingly far, despite the large number of children and elderly.

Though while nearly everyone was forced to either share a tent or sleep outside, Dominax retained the largest for himself, a tent the size of a small room. Laying on a tattered blanket, he rubbed his eyes and groaned as he sat up. The night was halfway gone, yet he hadn't slept for more than a few minutes. Though he had attempted numerous times to rest, his thoughts were repeatedly stabbed with the image of Cendra as the sword pierced her body.

Sighing, Dominax turned to his left, picking up the messy stack of damaged maps. His eyes traced over them for what seemed like the hundredth time already, examining their faded and scorched markings. Barely any of them had survived the attack, becoming nearly useless. Nearly, as they contained just enough information for the surviving warriors to fill in some of the missing or damaged details, relying on their knowledge of the land from their hunting experience.

After a long moment he carefully placed them back down, not wishing to damage them further. There was nothing more he could do until his scouts returned. He had sent them out under the cover of darkness, spreading them thin across the surrounding area. They would ensure that their path forwards was safe while the rest of the group slept to regain their strength.

Briza had been among the four that had been selected to scout, adamantly volunteering. Though he wanted nothing more than to spend the night with her by his side, Dominax accepted her request.

Standing up from his less than luxurious accommodations, he grabbed his cloak before pushing the folds of the tent entrance apart and stepping out into the night. The cool breeze of the forest gently caressed his face as light from two of the eight moons subtly illuminated his surroundings. He inhaled a breath, taking a moment to appreciate the calm while knowing it wouldn't last.

He gazed at the nearby tents that encircled his own, hearing the soft sounds of sleeping bodies accompanied by the echoes of the nearby river. Did any of them know he only had the vaguest impression of a plan? That they could be easily overtaken by nearby Chiefdoms at any moment? Had he not woken up in Xenia's hut when he did, he wondered if they'd still be languishing in the settlement waiting for their attackers to return. The thought of their inaction filled him with disgust, though he quickly pushed it out of his mind.

Leaving the cluster of tents, Dominax was careful to avoid stepping on anyone who had volunteered to sleep outside. He made his way through the short distance of trees that separated the camp from the river, their vividly green colored leaves appearing to nearly glow from the moonlight. As he reached the banks of the river, he sat down in the soft red sand.

A long moment of peace passed as he stared at the water that had nearly killed him mere days ago. Though he had hoped to clear his head, images of the attack continued to sprinkle through his mind. Gritting his teeth, he closed his eyes and simply listened to the water as it passed by. Focusing on the sound, the thoughts slowly faded away one by one.

While he continued to calm himself, the serenity was instantly shattered at the sound of a whisper in his right ear.

"Domi...n...a...x"

His eyes shot open as he quickly hurried to his feet, turning in the direction of the voice. Though it had sounded as if the speaker were mere inches away, there was no one next to him. Instead, he noticed the faintly glowing image of a cloaked man standing several hundred feet away down the beach, the same stranger that had saved him during the attack. Immediately Dominax began to sprint towards the man, desperate to know who, or rather what, he was. Yet in response, the figure began to walk in the opposite direction, his semitransparent feet leaving no marks in the reddish sand.

"STOP!" Dominax yelled, running as fast as he was able. The large distance between them slowly and steadily decreased. "I command you to STOP!"

Getting closer and closer, Dominax nearly reached the stranger before the man stepped behind a towering rock protruding from the sand. Dominax quickly followed, only to be stunned when he found...nothing. The figure had disappeared, vanishing into thin air.

"Wait I..." He stammered, frantically encircling the tall stone. "I don't...understand..."

When it was clear that the stranger was gone, Dominax let out a frustrated groan before leaning against the stone, alone once more. The man had appeared so real, yet had he simply imagined him? Or rather, had he been an illusion instead? If so, how? Why?

He was left with no answers.

***

They packed up the camp early in the morning, wishing to make as much progress as they could during the day. The group of nearly one hundred survivors marched with varying degrees of determination, all following closely behind Dominax.

Similar to the previous night, he spotted the strange, cloaked figure several times as the day dragged on, though only briefly each time as it disappeared behind trees that were far too thin for a human to be concealed by. Considerable periods of time passed whenever the stranger vanished, just long enough to make him wonder whether he had actually seen anything at all, only for the man to reveal himself briefly once again. Both Briza and Xenia seemed confused when Dominax pointed to the figure, as they were strangely unable to spot the man in the distance.

Despite his companions' skepticism, the stranger continued to make its appearance. Dominax eventually concluded that it was futile to convince the two women of his sightings, instead remaining silent whenever he noticed the man lurking through the trees. However, without informing his followers, Dominax had begun to lead his people loosely in whatever direction the figure revealed itself as it seemed as though the man was luring him, guiding Dominax in a particular direction.

"Seek...me...out..." The words from his dream replayed in his mind whenever he spotted the man.

"Excuse me, Chief Dominax." A voice from behind him rang out, interrupting his thoughts. Peering over his shoulder, he located the source of the voice, Clin. The golden-haired warrior increased his pace, coming up alongside him.

"Yes?" Dominax replied, eyeing the young fighter.

"It'll only take a moment, I simply wished to speak to you about Ortis." Clin replied. His voice was polite, yet full of conviction for what he planned to say.

The mention of the dead man brought a scowl to the Chief's face, and he turned to look forward. "You wish to speak of a brute? Do so quickly."

Despite Dominax's clear reluctance, Clin continued. "I do. You are our new leader, and thus, I'd like to gauge what kind of man you are. I believe that's a fair desire, don't you?"

"Certainly, but I'd like to know what that has to do with Ortis." Dominax replied sternly.

"Well it's quite simple. Ortis was already defeated when you killed him." Clin explained, keeping his eyes locked onto his new Chief. "The fight was done, yet you needlessly took his life."

Dominax turned his head to the blonde warrior with an insidious grin. "Ah, though it was far from needless. Tell me, would it have been wiser to allow a man like that to live? To be required to constantly watch my back?"

"Wiser? No." Clin replied, carefully choosing his words. "But honorable."

"Honor? Have you forgotten how he attempted to kill me while I was defenseless? Is that any different?"

Clin shook his head calmly. "It isn't, though that's the point."

The simplicity of the man's statement struck Dominax like a dagger. Or at least, that's what he assumed Clin expected. "While I will concur that showing Ortis mercy would have been more, as you put it, 'honorable', he was a threat. He challenged my rule, and for the good of our people I'd put him down again if I had to."

"For the good of our people, or for you?" Clin accused in a calm and collected manner.

"Both." Dominax answered firmly. "Now, your opinion has been noted. Is that all?"

Clin nodded politely, before slowing his pace to rejoin the larger section of the travelers.

***

More ground had been covered than the first day of travel, though eventually Dominax commanded them to stop and set up camp.

Just like the previous night, his dreams were repeatedly interrupted by visions of the slaughter that jolted him awake each time. Eventually, after several hours of attempting to sleep in short bursts he sat up.

The soft sounds of Briza's breath quietly escaped her lips as she lay next to him, her naked body concealed by a thin tattered blanket. She had remained in the camp, as the scouts were rotated with other capable fighters.

Gently pulling away the blanket, he took a moment to appreciate her gorgeous form before placing his hand on her toned abs. Dominax couldn't exactly explain why he was so certain of her pregnancy, yet the feeling remained the same. Though she was far from showing it, his child was growing inside of her. All doubt of that fact had left his mind.

After replacing the blanket softly onto her resting body, he left the tent wearing only his black tunic and cloak. He needed to clear his head once again, intending to use the same trick as the previous night.

However, instead of seeing the strange transparent figure on the beach as had happened last time, he was met with an individual that was far from a stranger. Xenia.

"Ah...so I was right." The black-haired woman said in her sultry voice as she approached him, a black shroud wrapped around her that she held closed with her hands. So thin was the fabric that he was nearly able to make out the lines of her tattoos in the moonlight. "I thought I heard you sneak back from the beach last night. Seems as though I was correct..."

"I simply needed some peace and quiet." He stated, avoiding further glances at her alluring body.

"Oh, I don't doubt that." She replied, stepping closer as her hips swayed seductively. She reached him, running a finger down his bare chest with one hand. "Though I was hoping you'd be in the mood for something a little more...loud..."

He peered down at her, unsure of her intentions though undoubtedly intrigued. "Oh? Tell me, what do you have in mind?"

With a smirk, she took a step back before letting go of the shroud. The lightweight fabric slid from her shoulders, fluttering to the ground as her naked body was exposed entirely to him. Though her typical outfit had left very little to his imagination, the full view of her beauty filled his loins with pure desire. Entirely flawless, her firm breasts and hairless womanhood were on full display. The illumination from both Onis and Twic, the first and second moons, provided enough moonlight for Dominax to fully appreciate her alluring form.

Dominax looked in awe at her beautiful young body, his already existing desire for her increasing tenfold. "You are...utterly gorgeous..."

With a smirk, she watched as he eyed her naked form from top to bottom, enjoying his gaze. Xenia had always known the effect that her feminine body held over men, as she wielded her beauty to her advantage. To a large extent she even took great pleasure in their lustful appreciation, as she knew they yearned for her. Yet tonight was different, as she'd have to do more than simply tease her prey if she wanted to fulfill her ambitions. "I'm glad you think that, my lord..."

Dominax's silver eyes returned to her face as he moved towards her, peering into her eyes with a combination of suspicion and interest. Gently placing his hands on her womanly hips, he pulled her close against him and felt her small nipples against his chest. "Though tell me, what is your purpose here? To simply seduce me?"