Vaid Empire: Conquest Ch. 53

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.

***

40th of Fixuin, 12 AVE.

Domani, Capital of The Vaid Empire.

Dominax ran his fingers over the cranium of the skull in his hand, feeling its smooth texture. Alone in the grand dining hall, so often filled with lively feasts and conversations, he was now surrounded only by an eerie silence as he waited in solitude.

Deeply settled into his seat, he peered into the empty holes that had once held firm and defiant eyes. The bare skull contained nothing of the passion it once held in life, merely a husk.

A soft knock echoed quietly from far across the chamber before the entrance parted, allowing his guest to enter. The new Queen Regent of Kinia, Felza stepped inside before the guards resealed the door to leave her alone with The God Emperor.

He watched as she approached, crossing the long distance of the chamber as she ascended each of the three levels of the floor. Clothed in an elegant purple dress that accented her slim curves, one could be forgiven in forgetting her time spent at the foot of The Vaid Throne, naked, pregnant, and chained. Now she walked with royal confidence, the result of said pregnancy cradled in her arms.

Obediently she bowed as she reached the final table, though he gestured for her to approach closer. Navigating around the table to his side, her eyes fell upon the skull in his grasp. "Your holiness."

"This is the boy? The future of Kinia?" He asked. Though straightening to peer at the bundle in her arms, he remained seated as he placed the skull onto the table.

"Yes, your holiness. Felic." She replied. Lalian had clearly taught her well, as her heavily accented words came smoothly.

"A good name, I think, and perhaps one that shall hold a place in history." Dominax studied the newborn's face as she leaned to better display him. He took silent satisfaction in seeing obvious hints of his own features. "You've done well, Felza. He's quite adequate."

She bowed her head once more in gratitude, ambitious pride glowing in her expression. "Thank you, your holiness. Of all the kings of Kinia, he'll be worthy of the title. You have my word."

"Time will tell. In any case, I thought it only fitting that the late Prince Alrin be here to greet our mutual progeny, in one form or another." He picked up the skull.

"Is that..."

Dominax nodded before turning his attention to the macabre object, his gaze dimming as if beginning to ponder. "Your father was a worthy foe, a man willing to do what he believed was necessary to his last breath, flawed though his ideals may have been. He fought for an incorrect cause, yet with respectable conviction."

Felza wordlessly watched as Dominax caressed the skull.

"I won't say how close we were to a reversal of fate; I breath as he rests in my palm. Still, of what use was his honor if it led to me?" Dominax allowed a grin to tug at his lips. "His final moments were brave, though foolish all the same."

Oblivious to the stoney silence of his mother, Felic attempted to grasp feebly at her dress.

"He proved himself to be a worthy being, in his own way, and a man such as that deserves to rest amongst his kin." Dominax explained before tapping the skull. "This stays in my possession, though I've given word to have the rest of him brought along when we depart. You'll travel with us as far as Privin, where you'll be able to grant your father a royal burial. After, you're free to rule Kinia in Felic's place until he comes of age."

As if brought back to life, Felza moved to kneel before him. "Thank you, your holiness...I'll rest easier knowing he's home."

Stroking her long braid with his freehand, Dominax once more placed the skull down. "Then let House Kalla rest easy in their crypts as Kinia is reforged anew."

46th of Fixuin, 12 AVE.

Shai Domain, Ishtai.

The night breeze tugging at Varse's short cape and flowing robe were as nothing compared to the bitter cold of Shai. The snow falling gently upon the slanted rooftops turned to trickles of weeping water the moment they made contact with the sloping layered tiles. Still, Varse pulled his cape around him as he walked through the darkness, his red eyes glancing around the passing buildings.

His vote for additional military spending had failed, of course, as he knew it would. Corruption had won the day, and he cared little if they thought of his visit to his home city and Clan as a withdrawal, routine or not.

No sooner had he arrived in Ishtai, however, before Council business intruded once more. A letter had been left inside his temporary quarters by an agent of Shai, urgently requesting a private meeting to pass along information too sensitive to be written.

He made his way down the moonlit streets, empty at this hour, more than familiar with his intended destination. What the public considered to be a simple shop nestled amongst many identical buildings, Varse and his fellow representatives knew to be the local operations center for Shai agents.

Many times had he traversed these alleys and streets during his visits, though rarely so late. His eyes seemed to squint at each shadow, his pointed ears perking at each out of place creak. Discretion was a must, he knew, and despite the exemplary safety of all Dril cities, he hadn't come alone.

Nearly there, turning down a narrow path that led between two rows of buildings, he heard a faint whistle of air run past his ear before a thin needle clinked off the paving tiles before him. Whirling around, Varse turned in time to watch as a body tumbled limply from the nearest rooftop, slamming to the ground in a heap with an arrow protruding from its head. Before he could react, another arrow flew high above him, receiving a pained gasp before a second body fell from the rooftop on the opposite side of the alley.

Reaching to retrieve the small dagger concealed within his sleeve, he watched as four men stepped from the shadows ahead. They began to approach, only to halt as the sounds of a man descending from the rooftops echoed from behind Varse.

Daring to turn, he watched as a Dril stepped from around a corner, discarding a bow. Bathed in moonlight, his red eyes peered intently through the eyeholes of the black steel helmet concealing his features, decorated with the ritualistic symbols of Clan Chalvarrus painted in harsh orange lines. A black bodysuit highlighted his lean yet deadly form, remaining still like a waiting phantom.

"Salik." Varse thought as he slowly backed towards the nearest wall of the alley, unwilling to be caught in the middle.

The moonlight gleamed off Salik's dark curved blades as they slid from his back, red eyes narrowing before he stepped forward. The movement seemed to spring the opposing men into action, darting towards the Dril they outnumbered. Clearly three Arkos and a wingless Lanthian male, the would-be assassins rushed to meet his blades.

Varse heard the ring of steel meeting steel, watching as Salik spun to parry two before ducking under a third. His blades streaked through the air, cutting across the side of his nearest opponent. Slicing deep, the man screamed in agony as he fell back, clutching at a wound that practically poured his deep purple blood.

Moving with a wordless ease, Salik deflected the Lanthian's blows before taking the tip of an Arkos's horn off in a wide sweep, opening the surprised man to a downward slash that carved him from neck to hip.

The final two men timed their attacks, working skillfully in unison as if a single being with four arms. Salik brought the number down to three, sending one hand of the final Arkos flying from his wrist with an upward cleave.

Utterly outmatched and failing to stifle the dark purple flow, the Arkos turned from the fight to flee in desperation. Salik slid a throwing knife from his belt and hurled it into the back of the gray man, watching him collapse as he heard the Lanthian turn to run.

Varse stepped from the wall and pointed firmly. "GO. Don't allow him to escape. I'll stay with this one. GO."

Salik nodded as Varse knelt beside the dying Arkos, whirling around to chase the fleeing man.

The Lanthian dashed through the steadily tightening alleyways, hurrying around corners as Salik's pointed ears followed his sound. They emerged onto a wide street, and he watched as the green man climbed a nearby travel house discarded at the side of the road, flat on the ground without its Chidrae mount to carry it. He jumped from its roof to a nearby windowsill, scurrying up the side of the building.

Salik followed his path up the wall, nearly appearing to glide as his trained limbs worked swiftly. The Lanthian was already on its feet when he found his way to the top, sprinting across the rooftops.

Quickly dashing to catch up, he traced the road as they ran across the long line of buildings, leaping down onto shorter structures and scrambling up walls onto higher rooftops.

Salik's feet slammed into the layered tiles each time they leapt, sending old and shattered pieces sliding off the shallow slopes of rooftops. His red eyes remained locked onto his prey, never uttering a word as he heard the Lanthian's panicked breaths.

The rooftops leveled into a steady row of uniform buildings, and Salik seized his opportunity to hurl another knife, ripping deep into the green man's right calf. Screaming, he crashed into the roof titles upon his stomach, nearly sliding off the edge before Salik reached him and pulled him to the center.

Tearing away sheathed daggers from the man's belt to toss them to the street below, Salik slid one of his swords from his back. He pressed it to the man's throat, his freehand clutching the front of his clothes in a deadly grip that prevented his escape.

Gritting his teeth in pain, the Lanthian struggled for only an instant as he felt the cold steel pressed against his skin. "Well? D..do it! Be done with this!"

"You have information. Speak it and I shall." Salik's voice came in a nearly metallic tone from his mask.

The man hesitated, nearly flinching each time he peered into the Dril's red eyes.

"Quickly, else I'll drag you to The Domain's integrators."

"NO." The man started, only for a deep green to overcome his cheeks from his reaction. He breathed, calming himself. "I know the interrogation techniques of my brothers."

Squinting, Salik pressed the blade harder against his neck. "You're an agent of Shai?"

Nodding, the man attempted to swallow.

"Who gave the command to harm your Potentate?" Salik's icy voice demanded.

Hesitating, the man released a deep sigh. "I won't surrender to torture. Swear to grant me...a swift death, and I'll speak what you seek. Swear on your honor, and I swear on mine to speak truth."

Considering his words, Salik granted him a firm nod. "On my honor."

Closing his eyes for a moment as he accepted his fate, the Lanthian met his killer's gaze with renewed intensity. "I can speak but a single word, yet you'll come to find it's enough. Palidri."

Assessing his prey, Salik knew he could press for further details. He could gouge his green eyes from his head, slice off every finger one by one, yet he had given his word. "Very well. Honor for honor."

The Lanthian lightly kicked in pain as Salik dragged the blade across his neck, cutting deep. He struggled for only a few brief moments before falling limp, a far shorter death than what would have awaited him.

Furrowing his brow, Salik frowned as he wiped the mixture of light green and purple from his blades before returning both to their sheaths.

***

Hearing footsteps approaching, Varse loosed a vicious grimace as he readied his dagger, only to ease as he noticed Salik. "Well?"

"He granted me a word, nothing more." He looked down at the limp Arkos at the older Dril's feet.

"Died before he could speak." Varse explained with visible frustration. "What of this word?"

"Palidri." Salik stated, his eyes scanning the ground.

Varse stroked his bald head with a scowl. "Of what use...I'll have to assess The Citadel's archives."

Lifting a tiny needle from the ground, Salik held it up against the moonlight as he studied it closely. Its pointed tip split into four prongs. "One attempted to blow this into you before my arrow stopped him. Poisoned, no doubt."

"Ensure you don't lose it, boy." Varse said as he approached, placing his hand upon Salik's shoulder. He felt the rubbery fabric of his suit beneath his fingertips, concealing hard muscle beneath. "You've proven yourself tonight. When I return to Shai, it may be time you accompanied me."

Red eyes widening, Salik quickly lowered himself to kneel, bowing his head. "You...honor me, master."

"Master? Stand. Now. I've left you too long with that fool Vesh. No Dril is master of another. Do you understand?"

"Apologies...my Potentate." He said, rising dutifully. "My blade is yours."

Varse rubbed his tired face. "It may now be necessary, for I doubt whoever sought my death will simply cease."

Salik remained still, holding the needle tightly.

"You've more to say? Quickly, we shouldn't stay here long."

"My Potentate...these men were agents of Shai." Salik replied, nearly sounding pained at the reality of his own words.

Momentarily unable to speak, Varse's expression hardened further. "What madness do you speak?"

"I speak the truth. The man admitted such himself. Think on it further, for how could they have known your destination well enough to ambush you? I watched them, my Potentate. We weren't followed."

Wordless once more, Varse paced away from the younger Dril as if lost, his thoughts reeling. Agents of The Council, commanded only by Representatives, for their very existence wasn't a matter of public knowledge. He felt a deeply sickening sensation fall into his stomach as he thought of the message left in his chamber, encoded and marked in ways only they knew. He felt an urge to reach out to steady himself against the wall.

"My Potentate?"

"This is a mistake." Varse nearly whispered as he turned around. "A Dril could never order the death of another Dril. It...spits in the face of everything we hold sacred. You're mistaken." Doubt slipped into his mind despite his words, thinking back to his last conversation with Sinshi.

Salik stood in silent stillness, unmoving as he watched Varse pace back and forth.

Varse's cape fluttered in the chilly wind, the snow beginning to quicken in the darkness. His frantic misgivings gradually cooled as he found a commanding composure, masking whatever lay beneath. "Whatever this is...whatever we've stumbled upon, the truth will be found. Come, boy. We're returning to The Capital at once."

48th of Fixuin, 12 AVE.

Domani, Capital of The Vaid Empire.

The great doors sealed as the latest citizen departed the throne room, allowing an insidious grin to play across The God Emperor's face. It was time to begin.

His silver eyes scanned the colossal chamber, studying the various women of his imperial harem as they lounged about the pools and cushions of the room. A particular girl caught his gaze, brazenly peering at him from down below.

Gesturing for her to approach, he watched as her wide hips swayed alluringly, carrying a confidence that matched her grin. She ascended the steps of the throne's pyramidal base with his permission, bowing her head when she reached the top. "Your holiness."

"Come." He beckoned, reaching out to take her hands in his to guide her into his lap. As nude as every other member of the harem, she allowed a blush to compliment her sharp features as she felt his manhood beneath the silky fabric of his one-suit.

She was no stranger to the duty expected of her, yet she knew nothing of his larger intentions for the day. As their departure for Spirexia quickly approached, he held every hope of leaving as many members of his harem bred before they left the shores of The Empire. How curious it would be to return to a horde of new mothers upon their return, finding The Grand Pyramid brimming with children. A worthy welcome home.

Her experienced hands reached between her legs, opening the groin slit of his one-suit to free his cock. It slid from its lair like a ravenous beast, finding its first prey.

Rubbing his shaft between her spread legs, she could only turn back to glance at him in pure lust, the warmth of her lower lips pressing against him only wetting his own arousal.

"Ooohh..." A moan escaped her as she pressed his tip to her waiting womanhood, allowing herself to sink down upon his length. Descending slowly, she accepted every inch as her mouth opened, satisfying a craving that only the cock of her master could fulfill. He felt her tight tunnel, a proper candidate to begin the long line of lovers for the day.

With her back supported by his armored chest as she bobbed up and down, he ran his fingers through her long hair, appreciating the bluish tint of her dark strands as if they were the water of a dark sea.

Reaching around to seek her breasts, he granted them a gentle squeeze. Their moderate size filled his palms, enough to properly feed the children he'd grant her, while also elegantly rounded and firm. As average as they came, they'd only be the first of many he'd caress before the day was done.

The guards lining the walls remained firm and stoic, never turning their heads even as her moans echoed off the walls. Every minute that passed seemed to test their resolve, dragging out until Dominax could keenly sense their building arousal.

Finally, pulling her firmly against his chest, he groaned into her ear as he filled her. She mirrored his satisfied breath, turning her head back to see the owner of the cock that was certain to knock her up. Potent royal sperm oozed from her cunny around his buried shaft, dripping heavily onto the solid gold throne beneath them.

He allowed her a moment to merely bask in the afterglow of their sex before gesturing for her to stand, her legs quivering beneath her when she finally managed to pull herself away.

"Thank you, your holiness, for your divine seed." She said with a bow when she turned to face him, her smirk having only grown bolder.

He watched her return to her harem sisters, quickly surrounded by a group of women that broke into giggles and whispers as she cupped her leaking womanhood to contain as much inside as possible.

"Bring in the next." Dominax's deep voice commanded the guards, inciting them to open the towering doors and usher in the next citizen. Each time he drained his lust, each time he filled a concubine, he'd listen to the needs of his people as he recovered.