Chapter 01 A Blue Flame Of Hope

The Sorcerer King Andropinis rules over the city of Balic where he was democratically elected as ruler by popular vote. That was nearly 650 years ago. Nobody knew that the Sorcerer King was immortal, nor did they know the depths of his cruelty. Tired with the dictatorial rule of the city, a rebellion was attempted to overthrow him and install a new government. The rebellion was led by three key members: Kalia, the Captain of The Guard, Lola the Archbishop and Donovin, Grand Master of the Templar. Together, they formed The Trinity and marshalled the armed forces of Balic against the king. However, the attempt failed miserably. With half of his forces in disarray and the other half rebelling against him, the Sorcerer King personally broke the rebellion forces with powers nearly unfathomable to mortal minds. To those that remained, he stripped them of all their assets, leaving them destitute and banished them from the city to live in the wastelands where they would surely die.

To add insult to injury, Andropinis had a special punishment for the leaders of the rebellion. Donovin betrayed the king out of rationality, seeing it as a wise decision for power to change hands. Androponis used his god-like psionic powers to destroy Donovin's mind and recreate him from the ground up. He was now King Andropinis' Hand, doing exactly what Andropinis tells him to do and nothing more.

For Lola and Kalia and any woman that followed them, a special curse was placed on them. Seeing them as no more than mere unfaithful whores, Andropinis cursed them to be as such. Forcing a geas on them, they would submit in both mind and body to others. Should they actively refuse to sate their lust, their libido will rise until they lose control of their minds. And with that, they were banished to the wastes with the others.

Our story begins two years later where we find a group of former Trinity members seeking a way to break the Sorcerer King's curse.

***

The barren wastes of the Endless Dunes were home to many forsaken outcasts from across Athas. Among the treacherous terrain, strewn with the remnants of a broken civilization, roamed scavengers and bandits who had made the rocky outcroppings their hearth. As far as the eye could see, the desert stretched endlessly, its monotonous waves of sand extending to the horizon in every direction. Amidst this barren landscape, there exists a solitary exception; an enigmatic place marked on the map called the Blue Shrine.

The ruins lie a mere 55 miles from the nearest hospitable territory in the southeast of the continent. Its weathered exterior, resembling a typical weather-beaten rock formation, housed dilapidated buildings whose original purpose had long been lost to the annals of history. At one point this shrine was likely a testament to the faith of its denizens. Now less than half the temple was still standing and most of its foundation had sunk into the catacombs that it once hid. A scant amount of vegetation grew from deep within like a new hope climbing from hell. It seems that not everything on this earth was unforgiving...

After enduring two arduous days of traversing through relentless dust storms and unforgiving sun, Elani, Juniper, and Anna finally arrived at the shrine. Undeterred by the shrine's faded splendor, the girls embarked on their ascent, scaling the gnarled and weather-worn steps of the entrance. Their worn soles scraped against the ancient stone surface and sand from their cloaks fell like heavy snow.

"Wow!" Anna pointed to the vegetation. "That's a good sign, right? I haven't seen so much as a cactus in weeks."

Juniper's response was cautious, her voice tinged with skepticism. "Possibly," she replied. "If there's natural growing vegetation, anyone would be attracted here. Whether or not that means bandits or devils remains to be... seen." She trailed off realizing she was being glared at. They didn't need the weight of doomsaying. "But I suppose there could be good people too." Very unlikely.

"Maybe tieflings?" Elani said excitedly. "I can use some... company after this trek," she said sensually.

A sigh of frustration escaped from Anna. "Of course. Two days without dick and you can't stop thinking about it," She was annoyed. Annoyed at a lot of things but exhausted from the sun as well. Yet, as the silence settled between them, Anna quickly realized the harshness of her response. "Sorry," she added with a tinge of regret, softening her tone. "I didn't mean to sound so rude. It's just the hunger talking."

"That's alright. I can tell by your usual feistiness it's been on your mind as well. I guess I shouldn't tease," she remarked, sarcastically acknowledging Anna's usually merry nature. "How are you two doing?"

"It's manageable." Anna replied. "The heat makes a good distraction. The exhaustion also helps."

"Do you think you to will be OK on the walk back?" Elani's words conveyed genuine care. She was at times very much a firebrand, but she knew things were hard for her friends.

"I'm trying not to think about that," Juniper replied. A hit of frustration leaked in her voice revealed her struggle to push aside thoughts of desire, desperately trying to distance herself from the gnawing hunger that plagued her.

Pushing onwards, Juniper led her companions inside the shrine and down into a dark chamber. The stone walls were smooth, showing little wear from the passage of time. With a collective effort they unloaded their equipment and doffed their travel robes. The women brushed off sand what sand they could from their equipment and clothes.

"Juni, your lace is untied. Stand still." Anna stepped forward and grabbed the lace dangling behind Juniper and tightened her corset. She was admittedly jealous Juniper's short hair but didn't like how curly hers got when shorter than her shoulders.

"Ooh, thanks." Juniper turned around and was eye level with Anna's chest. "Oh, your uh." She just pointed at Anna's chest.

Anna had a reputation for experiencing frequent wardrobe malfunctions, and this time was no exception. She looked down to see her chest exposed. Two breasts the size of Juniper's head stood exposed over torn fabric likely ripped from the claps of her cowl.

"Again!?" Anna exclaimed.

"I have you covered dear." Elani grabbed a garb from her pack and handed it to Anna. "Well, covered may be a little generous. I did intend it for me so it may be a bit loose for you."

Anna held up the garb to see it was a leotard with a plunging neckline. "What in the hells is this?"

"It's a leotard."

"Yes, I see that. Why do you have this?"

"I don't have to explain everything. Just assume it's some weird sex thing like you always do." She smiled innocently.

Anna rolled her eyes and disrobed. She had no shame after how often the three of them usually found themselves naked. She kept her thigh-high stockings to protect her skin from the sun and discarded her clothes as she changed into the leotard. The proportions of her body were nothing to scoff at, but Elani was on another level altogether. She typically conjured her own attire, often favoring the elegant flow of drapey robes that artfully showcased her figure and draped over her curves. Usually there were cutouts strategically placed to accentuate her ample cleavage and bare hips, embodying the essence of a seductress who clearly relished in playing the part.

And now Anna looked much the same. It felt a little awkward, but she secretly acknowledged that she looked good with her cleavage on display and flaunting her hips. She let out a sigh, rolling her eyes again in defeat. She continued unpacking, frustrated by yet another clothing issue slowing them down.

"Mmm." Elani said with a smile. Anna gave a look but otherwise continued ahead.

As their eyes adjusted to the dim light of the chamber, they could make out a faint glow coming from deeper within. Juniper signaled to the others to be quiet and continue cautiously. As they approached the source of the glow, they found several more leading to a nearby staircase and further down.

"Torches." Juniper whispered. She turned to her companions and spoke softly. "It looks like someone's been here within the last hours or so. The temple may have traps and who knows how stable the remaining foundation is. We must be careful not to be caught off guard."

The others nodded in agreement, and together they began to descend the stairs. They moved slowly and carefully with Juniper taking the lead. Her elven senses left her with an advantage that her companions sorely needed in the dark.

Eventually, they reached a grand chamber, its walls adorned with ancient runes and symbols, their intricate patterns showcasing knowledge long forgotten.

"I wonder if these marking say something." Anna said in a hushed tone.

"Probably." Elani said. "That picture looks like two people having sex." She pointed out.

"How is it that we're the ones who are cursed and yet you are the insanely horny one?" Anna asked in disbelief of Elani's suggestion.

"Well... if you look at it, that's sort of what it looks like. Juni, what do you think?"

Juniper was obviously bothered by her libido at this point. She spent so much time looking forward that she wasn't paying attention to her hand as it rubbed her chest, trying to give herself some relief from the constant need to sate her lust. She lowered her hand from her chest quickly after realizing what she was doing and looked at the runes. "Actually, that is what it looks like."

"You two, I swear. We can't go anywhere or do anything for long periods of time because you constantly devolve into whores as soon as you think about sex or so much as see a man." She said with equal parts frustration and weariness.

Juniper's patience had reached its limit, and she snapped back at Anna, her voice nearly seething with anger. "For someone who's fucked more men in her life than most women will ever meet, you could do well to stop being such a prude," Juniper hissed. Unlike Anna, Juniper wasn't prone to outbursts. When she snapped, it carried a certain weight to it. The prolonged journey they had undertaken, coupled with their suppressed desires, had gradually worn down their resilience. Each of them knew they were on edge and in dire need of release.

There was an awkward silence until Elani broke it. "Alright. It is very apparent to me that we all need to get laid. However, we should not be fighting each other so let's rest for a moment and we'll check the chamber."

"Fine," the other girls said in unison. The three of them split up and investigated the chamber. Juniper examined the pottery and carvings that littered the corners of the room. Anna navigated through cracked pedestals and toppled pillars that were clearly once a stunning display. Elani remained fixated on the ancient runes adorning the walls, her eyes tracing their enchanting patterns, lost in contemplation.

"I can't make out what it says. Too much of it is faded." Elani wiped her hand across the stone surface. "There are very trace amounts of energy here though. These etchings were likely created by magic very long ago."

"Magic is a good sign." Anna said. "Maybe we'll find more intact writing as we go?"

"Nothing of note so far," Juniper said as she examined yet another dusty vase. "Let's move on from here."

They continued to search the temple in silence. Labyrinthine hallways and constant backtracking from dead ends had soured their taste for this adventure further. For a while it seemed as if their search would yield nothing but wasted time until Juniper suddenly stopped. She raised her hand, signaling for her companions to be silent, her eyes narrowing in concentration. "I hear voices." She whispered. She closed her eyes, allowing her elven senses to sharpen, attuning herself to the distant sounds echoing through the temple's depths. The auditory landscape unfolded before her, revealing a chorus of distinct tones: the assertive shouts of men issuing orders, the metallic clang of metal tools, and the scraping sound of wood being dragged along the stone ground.

"It sounds like a group of men engaged in mining or some sort of labor," Juniper reported, her voice laced with curiosity.

"Don't." Anna said to Elani, who had already formed her lips to say something plausibly overtly sexual. She frowned as they continued down the corridor that ended at a chamber illuminated by the dancing flames of numerous torches. Various implements of war and craftsmanship were scattered across tables and strewn in disorderly piles upon the floor. Five men diligently toiling away had no idea the women were there.

Their focus shifted towards the opposite end of the chamber, where a raised stone platform stood prominently. Perched atop this platform was an immaculate door adorned with more runes. Adjacent to the door, they noticed several sets of mining tools lying broken and discarded and scorch marks painted the area around it.

"It looks like they've spent a while trying to get through the door." Juniper noted.

Anna poked her head around the corner quickly. "The mining equipment is marked with the seal of Tyr."

"I suppose it would be smart not to start altercations with anyone from Tyr's forces." Elani said.

"It doesn't look like we can go anywhere but through that door. We don't know if they'll be hostile. Juniper fidgeted uncomfortably in her corset. "I'm not sure I can handle a fight at the moment."

"Hear me out." Elani said letting a pause draw out before completing her thought. "How about we just seduce them?"

Anna, visibly frustrated at having to have this conversation yet again, turned to Elani. But before she could say anything, Juniper interjected.

"I think we should." She shook her hips reflexively at the thought. She did well to keep her composure as if she wasn't bothered by it but seeing a group of strong men so close sent vivid and lusty thoughts surging through her imagination.

"Fine!" Anna hissed with palpable irritation. "If the two of you are truly incapable of exercising self-control, then go ahead and do whatever you want." In an act of frustration, she crossed her arms tightly, the movement brushing against her chest and unintentionally arousing her. Despite her attempts to maintain an air of superiority, deep down, Anna was just as consumed by desire as her companions. She was just a bit more stubborn.

Elani's lips curled into a mischievous smile, her eyes glimmering with a hint of playful defiance. "Don't I always?" she mused, her voice laced with a tantalizing mixture of confidence and amusement. With a graceful saunter, she led the way into the dimly lit room, her presence commanding attention.

Juniper and Anna followed closely behind, their steps cautious yet composed, their weapons sheathed for the moment. As Elani emerged from behind the corner, her entrance was met with immediate notice. The room erupted with a startled exclamation. "Who are you!?" one of the men yelled.

The five men stood frozen in disbelief, their eyes wide and jaws open, as they beheld the unexpected sight before them. Clad in attire that left little to the imagination, Elani, Juniper, and Anna exuded an undeniable aura of allure and confidence. Each man towered in stature, their frames honed by years of arduous labor, their broad shoulders, and sinewy muscles testaments to their physical strength.

"Could any of you gallant gentlemen spare some relief for a group of wandering vixens such as ourselves?" she purred, her words dripping with tantalizing allure. The men's gazes, unabashedly fixated on Elani's ample bosom, betrayed their obvious desires. It wasn't uncommon for laborers of Tyr to be out in parts unknown for weeks at a time. They were perhaps the first women they saw for just as long.

"You can't be here, this site is off limits by decree of His Highness, Sorcerer King Kalak," one of the men in front muttered meekly, likely the foreman.

Elani delicately placed a finger on her cheek, adopting a thoughtful pose. "What could his highness desire in a forsaken ruin such as this, so remote from the grand city of Tyr?" As she spoke, Elani gracefully shifted her stance bending down ever so slightly.

The man in front blinked rapidly, fighting the affects of Elani's charm. Something wasn't right and he could feel it. This felt like magic of some sort he was sure of it.

"We're trying to find a relic. Supposedly a gem as pretty as you," one of them said.

"Shut up Dugger, you stupid bastard!" The foreman yelled supposedly coming to his senses. He glanced at the rest of his companions and found them to be utterly enraptured. He grabbed a pickaxe from the ground. "Be gone with you foul temptress!" he shouted before sprinting towards Elani with obvious intent.

"Not so fast," Elani sang mockingly as she whipped her hands forward. A shockwave pulsed through the room as an invisible blast of energy crashed into his chest. His eyes widened with surprise and pain as he was stopped dead in his tracks. He clutched his ribs, dropped to one knee and was gasping for air.

"You...damn... Balic whores." He choked between his words. "I didn't think you'd be... able to fight worth shit!" The man sneered as he clutched his ribs.

Elani dropped the act and stood normally one again and a scowl reached across her face. The once irresistible magnetism that emanated from her every gesture had now transformed into a tangible sense of hostility. "How did you know we're from Balik?" she asked calmly.

"A bunch of women dressed like sluts walk into an abandoned temple in the middle of nowhere and start seducing men. Oh, and one of them can use magic. Call it a guess," he said snarky.

"Well, this could have been easy." Elani remarked flatly as she turned to the other men. They had started grabbing their weapons after she had lost her temper. With the men no longer enthralled, Juniper and Anna drew their weapons as well. "I guess you'll need some convincing."

Her eyes glowed an ethereal blue as she extended her hand towards the man again. Four wisps of light materialized and pinned the man to the ground by his limbs. The men were anxious to assist their comrade, but with Anna's bow trained on the group of men, they didn't advance. Elani stood over the pinned man and squat down on his pelvis all the while exuding and aura of authority and malice.

"What's your name?" she asked. The man responded by spitting on her. She barely flinched. Ignoring the spittle that landed on her, she repeated her question in a calm yet commanding tone, undeterred by his crude response.

"What is your name?" she inquired again, her voice carrying a weight of authority and an expectation of compliance. The man did not answer.

Without breaking eye contact, she moved back and undid the man's pants. He struggled to free himself but to no avail. The other men looked confused not knowing what to do. She freed his cock from the confines of his clothing. Wiping the man's spit off herself, she used it as lubricant and started stroking him until he was hard.

"I think you'll be much more willing to cooperate with some incentive. How about you tell me why the Sorcerer King is so interested in this place?" The man continued to struggle but still didn't say anything. Elani slid her robes to the side revealing her bare breasts. The man's cock stiffened completely as he eyed her body, failing to look away.

"Like what you see?" she mused. "If you tell me I'll let you in-between these." She shook from side to side gently swaying her breasts seductively. The man still didn't speak up, though soft moans of pleasure did start to escape from his lips from her strokes.

He had more resolve than most men but luckily for her there were others. "You know if he doesn't talk, I guess someone else can take his place." She said turning her attention to the group of armed men. She smiled as she saw the bulges in their pants. She loved the effect she had on them more than the sex itself. Immediately one of the men broke his silence.