Vaid Empire: Conquest Ch. 13

Vaid Empire: Conquest is a massive fantasy series that aims to mix erotica with the quality of a published novel. New chapters and artwork are released every month absolutely free, with the completely optional possibility to receive early access. The Series focuses heavily on worldbuilding, story, and characters.

The world of Ayphieal is shattered and chaotic, with kingdoms and tribes of six distinctive races vying for territory amongst themselves. It is only when a young human warrior finally pushes back against the chaos that the world begins to shift towards order.

***

12th of Twic, 3 BVE.

Lower Human Basin, Between Arcia and Drifia.

In the moments that followed the chaotic surrender of High-Chief Linnax, a calm silence had spread over the massive field. What was once a lush clearing in the dense trees had been filled with countless fires burning away the green vegetation, littered with countless bodies.

White armored warriors escorted Linnax through their ranks, each one stained and battle worn. The High-Chief and a handful of his warriors were brought before The God King himself, causing them to hurry to their knees in a clumsy bow.

"Speak, and we shall see if you hold true to your word." Dominax commanded, folding his arms as he looked down at the men. The explosive rage he had experienced had subsided enough to be brought back under control, remaining bubbling just behind his stern frame.

Linnax cleared his throat, looking up to gaze at the white armored ruler. "God King Dominax of House Vaid, I once again speak on behalf of my allies. You have fulfilled your end of our bargain, and thus, I fulfill mine. We pledge ourselves to you as loyal vassals of your Kingdom, and humble servants of your reign. Long live The God King!"

Shouts of victory erupted through the warriors surrounding them, and Dominax allowed them a moment to celebrate before ordering them to quiet. "Very well High-Chief Linnax, I accept your surrender. You may rise."

"Ah but that is not all I bring to you, my God King. As a gesture of good faith, I offer you a gift!" Linnax began to say, gesturing to his guards. They made a move to leave, only to be stopped in their tracks by Dominax's men.

Dominax waved them aside, and the warriors begrudgingly allowed Linnax's guards to briefly depart. They returned moments later, dragging along a female prisoner with her arms bound behind her back.

Irith struggled in the guards' grip as they dragged her towards The God King, shouting hysterically in her native language. Dominax's jaw tightened the moment his silver eyes fell upon her, as even coated in mud she exuded an alluring beauty that rivaled even the most attractive females he had encountered throughout his short life.

Linnax chuckled at Dominax's intense gaze, stroking his long beard. "Ah yes, quite the same reaction I had myself. Clean the muck of battle from her skin and you shall find a mate worthy of your name. That is my gift to you, in the hopes that my allies and I retain our titles under your rule."

"How did you acquire such an...enchanting female? I do not recognize the tongue." Dominax questioned, listening to her strange words as she shouted at her captors.

"She hails from The Northern Kingdom of Harin, your majesty." Linnax explained, attempting to cup her chin before she nearly bit him. "Though her brother was our ally, such pacts are irrelevant now, are they not?"

A warm breeze carried the stench of the battle's aftermath as Dominax pondered. "Very well, she must be taught our language in time, though I accept her. You shall retain your positions as my vassals, though there shall be a small amount of restructuring. Let us be done with such...hostilities and join together as a kingdom worthy to rival The Northern Humans!"

Bursts of exclamations erupted once more, allowing Linnax and his men to breathe in relief.

39th of Twic, 3 BVE.

Kingdom of Vaidrin, Domani.

Staring up at the white stone ceiling of The Royal Stronghold while lying on his back, Hesin gritted his teeth in annoyance as he heard the door creak open. "If you've come to spread your legs for me, I believe I've already told you that I am not in the mood." Hesin said without looking at who he assumed to be one of the few slaves The God King had assigned to serve his advisors. Each word forced tingles of pain to shoot through his damaged face, causing him to wince.

"I apologize for the intrusion." A male voice came from the entrance as the door was resealed, and he immediately recognized it to be Clin's.

"Ahh...an intrusion indeed. Why do you persist in your visits?" Hesin asked as he turned his head to view the man with visible pain.

Clin studied Hesin's injuries, noting Xenia's work to close the large gashes ripped across the hooded man's face by the Lixidion's vicious claws. With his bandages removed, he acknowledged how lucky his companion had been in only losing his left eye, as the wounds dangerously approached his right. "Can a man not check in on an acquaintance?"

Hesin let out a humorless chuckle. "When regarding you? No. You've had your look, now go."

Clasping his hands behind his back, Clin's gaze fell to the floor for several seconds before he finally spoke. "Hesin...I'd like to speak of what happened that night."

The statement froze the injured man, only for his scowl to deepen. "You...dredge up the past...as I lay in pain? Can I not be granted a moment of peace?"

"You know I would not speak of such things if they were not important. How long has it been since we discussed it, TRULY discussed it? Have we ever?"

Hesin waved his hand in dismissal. "I've stated my peace, every life that creature took is on your hands. I've nothing more to say."

"I've accepted that, though a question has remained firmly planted in my mind these last years, and in light of your injuries I fear that one of us may die before I receive another opportunity to ask." Clin explained, taking a breath. "Why haven't you informed Dominax?"

The question had struck deeply at what Hesin himself had LONG pondered, yet it came as no surprise. "Ah, so the moment arrives. Tell me...do you truly believe that he'd take my word on a matter that occurred so long ago?"

"Actually, I do. He trusts us both, yet such information of what I've done would at the very least destroy my credibility in his eyes. Yet...you remain silent. Why?"

Hesin shook his head in disgust. "You continue to fail in understanding a simple point Clin, I do NOT care if he'd believe my claims. I do NOT care that The Elders once rejected them as well. To see you punished for what you've done...no longer interests me. Even your death shall not bring back my people, my family, my...brother."

Clin ran his hand through his blonde hair in exasperation. "Then...what can I possibly do? I saved you from the creature, I vouched for you to be accepted into Nitri, and I've apologized countless times. I..."

"Ah fuck your apologies." Hesin said in a resentful tone as he turned to stare at the ceiling once more. "They are NOTHING. Dominax could slay you the moment I reveal what happened...and it would mean little. Listen closely Clin, as I shall only say this once: Confess. Tell him yourself. You could have admitted your part in the attack all those years ago when The Elders questioned you, yet you denied your involvement."

"I was a child!" Clin exclaimed, finally allowing his frustrations to leak into the open.

"Yet you are a man now!" Hesin countered, pushing through the pain radiating from his injuries. "You continued to remain silent on the matter even until the day The elders were slain! NOTHING is preventing you from confessing your guilt to our new ruler. Only then, when you finally admit what you've done and face whatever consequences may arise, will I breathe a sigh of relief for my lost people."

The blonde warrior remained speechless, standing over the one man he had wronged more than any other. When his voice eventually came, it arrived in a low whisper. "You know I cannot do that..."

"Then expect no forgiveness from me." Hesin replied, turning his head away to gaze out of the window.

***

Dominax's steps echoed through the cramped passageway as he and Lalian descended into The Royal Stronghold's dungeon. The flame extending from his outstretched palm flickered over the white stone walls, illuminating their passage before extinguishing as they reached the main chamber whose walls held several lit torches. There, huddled in the corner of the main cell, sat his prize.

"What has become of her progress in your lessons?" He asked Lalian, unable to take his eyes off Irith as she glared angrily at him.

"She learns swiftly, though...I'll admit that my knowledge of her language is a bit basic." Lalian replied. "Still...her resistance to my attempts in mentoring her has somewhat lessened."

"That is adequate, Lalian. Yet I'd like to add a few more furnishings to her cell. Has she spoken of her tastes for such things?" Dominax asked, studying the many fabrics and cushions that had been granted to her to ensure her prison was comfortable.

A string of furious shouts erupted from Irith as she jumped to her feet, approaching the bars of her cell.

"Would you...like me to translate, my lord?" Lalian nervously asked.

"No." Dominax replied in disappointment, turning to leave. "Continue your work, Lalian. In time she shall understand."

18th of Fonic, 3 BVE.

Dril Tundra, Near The City of Shai.

There was truly no other location that made Varse feel closer to his ancestors than the ice caves to the South of Shai. Running his hand over the translucent blue walls of the colossal crack that formed the main passageway, he could only close his eyes and wonder at just how many ancient Dril had lived out their lives inside of its inner chambers.

He led the small group of ten Dril deeper into the cave system, each one a volunteer intent on enjoying the deeply spiritual state that such a location typically brought on. This journey was nothing new of course, as nearly all Dril would make several pilgrimages to the theorized origin location of their ancestors.

They entered one of the meditation chambers, a circular room carved from the thick ice that contained a large pool of water in its center that bordered on freezing. Upon disrobing, all ten entered the water and remained still, allowing their body temperature to lower drastically over the course of an hour.

Varse was more than grateful for the break from his duties that the pilgrimage allowed, as tensions among The Council had only deepened. The plan to aid the southern humans in defeating Vaidrin had failed, causing what could only be described as a complete breakdown in The Council's cohesion. There was no end to their bickering, their verbal conflicts....

The moment their bodies achieved an internal temperature that would certainly kill any other humanoid species, the group of ten departed the water and divided to lay upon ice slabs carved into cutouts in the chamber's walls. They then closed their eyes, knowing that their extremely low temperature and reduced heart rate would place them into a deep sleep that would melt away the physical world and subject them to a period of semi-conscious meditation.

Varse allowed an inward calm to claim him as his mind seemed to fall from his body, embraced in darkness that slowly consumed him as each minute ticked by. The physical world became increasingly distant as he was left alone inside of himself, until forms began to take shape. He could see the faces of his mother and father, slowly becoming clearer until he could see them fully standing beside a river. He recognized this river...the icy waters that separates The Shai Domain from the swamplands of The Endless Crimson. He could see himself, a simple child playing in the slush of wet snow.

"Memories this time..."

The sky became dark, and he was suddenly back in their small home in Ishtai. His eyes opened at the sound of a scream, and he raced from his bed in time to see several Male Lish fleeing through the entrance, their colorful amphibian-like skin glistening in the moonlight as they carried away his parents.

Varse groaned in his meditation, not allowing the memory to continue. He already vividly remembered how he had chased them all the way to the river shore, only to find that his parents were long gone along with several other Dril victims. At the time he already knew that none would ever be seen again, as such kidnapping raids were far from rare along the border.

He rubbed his hairless head as he brought himself back to reality. Such bad meditation experiences were known to occasionally occur, and he knew that it would take several minutes before he'd be able to make another attempt.

"No matter..." he muttered to him, rising from the slab. He looked over his sleeping companions, knowing that they would not wake for a number of days.

The soft echoes of a small animal quietly sounded through the passageways as Varse remained seated on the slab, attempting to relax. He traced his fingers over his tattoos, knowing that his connection to his clan always aided in calming himself. Yet as he did so, he observed that the echoes of the animal were approaching, moving slowly as if the creature didn't wish to disturb them.

In surprise, he realized that the echoes sounded distinctly like footsteps, and he quickly weighed the possibility of another lone Dril wandering the cave's corridors. Unlikely, as nearly everyone made the pilgrimage in groups, yet not impossible...

Unfortunately, any hope of a peaceful encounter was destroyed the moment the being entered the chamber, allowing Varse to gaze upon a man dressed entirely in whatever insulating clothing he could seemingly scavenge. Though hard to make out under the layers of crude warmth-preserving fabric, the man was unmistakably a male Arkos.

Visibly startled to find Varse awake, the intruder rushed at him while pulling a rusty knife from beneath his clothing. Instinct took over as Varse jumped to his feet, preparing to defend himself.

Possessing only basic training in self-defense, Varse only managed to barely move out of the way of his attacker, putting a slight distance between them. He raised his hands to prepare for the next strike, stepping back to avoid a slash before swinging his fists into the Arkos's jaw. The man moaned in pain, taken off guard for only an instant.

Could a disgruntled Representative have sent an assassin against him? The man didn't fight particularly well...yet it was possible. Though if so, who? Sinshi?

Letting out a rage filled scream the Arkos brought his knife down hard, allowing Varse only a split second to intercept his wrist and disarm him clumsily. The blade clambered to the frozen floor, the sound of their scuffle doing nothing to disturb the other members of his group. He knew that only physical pain or their own willpower would awaken them, leaving him alone to fight for himself.

The Arkos charged into Varse, crashing into him as they both toppled to the ground. Varse blocked each punch that the man threw, his fists smashing against Varse's forearms.

"Die Dril! You...killed her! You killed...her!" The Arkos furiously screamed, and Varse realized that he recognized the voice. It sounded so familiar...touching his memory.

His eyes went wide with realization, recalling Tsida's slave. The Arkos had greeted him on his first visit to her lavish residence, only to later join them in bed. "NOROK?"

The sound of his name froze the Arkos, only for him to double his efforts as his fist slammed into the side of Varse's head. "You damned Dril! You killed her! Killed...killed...killed her!"

Continuing to block with his right hand, Varse stretched out with his left to seek anything that would get the crazed Arkos off him. "Of course I didn't! Childbirth claimed Tsida, you know this you damned fool!"

"She died giving birth to YOUR child! YOUR accursed offspring!" Norok shouted with unsatiated rage.

Sweeping over the floor, Varse's seeking arm felt slight movement as it passed over a loose section of the icy ground. His fingers hurried to it, struggling to get a grip on the broken chunk of ice.

"I LOVED her!" Norok screamed, landing several blows. "Yet YOUR seed butchered her!"

Finally gaining a grip on the piece of loose ice, Varse heaved the chunk upwards, smashing it into Norok's head. The Arkos shifted to his side, stunned by pain as drops of blood dripped to the frozen ground. Seeing his opportunity, Varse wrenched his attacker off of him, kicking him into the chamber's water.

Norok shrieked as he was engulfed in the near freezing water, soaking his clothing as he scrambled to escape the dark pool. Varse rose to his feet as he watched the Arkos stumble out of the room, fleeing as quickly as he could manage.

Varse hurried to collect the rusty knife before moving to pursue the former slave, navigating the winding tunnels until he finally reached the main entrance of the cave system.

The harsh winds dragged along the snow dunes, and he could just make out the figure of an Arkos through the freezing haze. He ran as fast as he could manage, holding his head with his free hand as the man's attacks had opened a cut on his cheek. Relentlessly he pursued, striving towards the distant being until it finally collapsed to the snow.

Slowing his pace, Varse cautiously approached until it was clear that Norok was no longer breathing, his body as stiff as ice.

"Ahh...you fool, what could you have hoped to gain?" Varse asked the lifeless body, its drenched clothing already becoming ice. He looked at his hand, seeing the black blood from his small wound. "A damn shame..."

Standing completely nude in temperatures that had just killed his attacker, Varse tossed the rusty knife into the snow as he turned back towards the cave system.

6th of Fixuin, 3 BVE.

Kingdom of Vaidrin, Domani.

Seated at the desk centered in a chamber he had made into his temporary private study, Dominax let his head sink into his hands. Three months. One hundred and fifty long days since an unknown assassin had ripped Briza away from him. One hundred and fifty days since he had heard her resilient voice.

The lingering silence gave only faint hints of the world beyond The Royal Stronghold. Shouts of advertisement echoing from the main market, a child noisily playing near the entrance. Yet farther away, he could hear the sounds of clashing swords as his warriors trained, the distant pounding of the forges as they shaped armor ready for him to convert into chimira steel. Countless people, families, lovers, warriors, hunters, all now under the protection of his fully united Vaidrin Kingdom. A realm as powerful as one of the colossal Northern Human Kingdoms, yet to what end?