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.
***
49th of Fonic, 5 BVE.
Lower Human Basin, Domani.
Though skeptical of Lalian's lofty claims, Dominax couldn't help but grin as his guards informed him of the design's completion. Wasting no time, he quickly found his way to Lalian's new prison.
Though only a small hut that was kept constantly guarded, the Lanthian's living conditions had improved dramatically from his former cramped cage of a prison. With a flimsy table planted in the center of the small room, Lalian had spent every waking moment beyond their fateful meeting dutifully reconstructing his lost designs with far more glee than one might expect. For though many may have found the work tedious, Lalian was enraptured as he had carved the intricate lines into the thin wooden slabs.
The reinforced wooden door to the hut squeaked loudly as it opened outwards, allowing Dominax to step inside. It was then resealed, leaving the pair alone.
"I trust my men were not mistaken?" Dominax questioned, his silver eyes falling onto the short stack of chest-wide wooden slabs placed on the desk.
"They were not, you'll find the designs finished as promised." Lalian replied, rising from a small crate that acted as his stool. His eyes momentarily dropped to Dominax's hand, which carried a small fist-sized sack.
Dominax placed the sack on the table and picked up the top slab with caution, as if his grip could somehow cause the slabs to crumble to ash. Yet as he peered down at the complexity of the etchings, an insidious smile began to spread across his face.
Lalian clasped his hands behind his back, somewhat straightening up. "Behold, my masterpiece."
In Dominax's grasp lay the designs for a pyramid shaped fortress, gargantuan in size. Its labyrinthine interior stretched across each slab, containing countless chambers and halls.
"A masterpiece indeed..." Dominax muttered, breaking the short silence when he finally looked up from the designs.
Lalian shifted nervously, meeting the man's gaze. "You are satisfied then, my lord?"
With a firm nod Dominax alleviated Lalian's concerns. "Certainly, you've more than proven your worth. Suffice to say I've never encountered such a structure, as I suspect that even the northern human kingdoms would be hard pressed to produce a building a quarter the size of what you propose. Yet I must know, is such a design even feasible?"
"With the proper materials, I can assure you that my designs will prove to be more solid and long-lasting than any palace or fortification that currently exists on Magnius." Lalian replied with visible pride. "I had originally created these designs for Manith, though it's construction proved to be far too costly at the time. Such a building would take decades to create in any case."
"Granting me your best work outright, Lanthian?"
Lalian shrugged. "I may not get another opportunity. Should you simply have me killed, I only wish that my masterpiece will live on in some form. Yet, I am certain that it shall spare me from your sword, yes?"
With a deep chuckle Dominax moved to Lalian's side of the desk and placed a firm hand on his green shoulder. "In that you are most assuredly correct. You've done well, and thus, I shall uphold my end of the deal."
Lalian bowed his head. "Thank you, my lord."
"You shall be supervised for some time, though you'll be able to move more freely around Domani now. However," He began to explain, removing his hand and picking up the sack once more. Reaching in, he produced a single bar of chimira steel. "For the time being, you shall study this material and deduce if it can be incorporated into any of your designs."
Hesitantly, Lalian took the thick bar into his delicate green hands, instantly comparing it to Dominax's armor. "I've never encountered such a material, my lord. Is a larger quantity available for testing?"
"A small amount, though more shall be created in the coming days. War is on the agenda, Lanthian, and I wish to know if such a material can truly grant my people an edge."
Lalian bowed, unintentionally bending over enough to grant his captor an additional glimpse of the scars where his wings had once been attached. "Of course, my lord."
"Very good, I will instruct a slave to bring you new clothing. Yet keep in mind that everything I grant you can just as easily be stripped away. Serve me loyally, however, and you shall
thrive
." Dominax said, before his stern expression lightened as he clasped Lalian's forearm firmly. "Welcome to Domani."
1st of Fixuin, 5 BVE.
Lower Human Basin, Domani.
"Getting tired yet?" Clin lightheartedly chuckled, his bicep straining.
"You wish." Briza shot back with a smile, though it was obvious that her efforts to defeat the blonde warrior were fruitless. Seated at an outdoor table with their hands locked together, they had been arm wrestling for the better part of the morning.
Of Ayphieal's eight moons, the moon known as Fixuin had reached its peak the previous midday, marking the beginning of the fifth month. As each month held exactly fifty days both Briza and Xenia's pregnancies were nearing their end, a fact that was prominently displayed as Briza appeared as if she could give birth at any moment.
A crowd had gathered around the table, taking an interest in the two warriors as a warm breeze ran through the small settlement.
Briza strained against his strength, desperately attempting to topple his hand. Yet as she fought, she suddenly let out a pained groan as her free hand rushed to her large baby bump.
Clin's eyes went wide with concern, instinctively halting his straining arm and granting Briza the opportunity she had been searching for. Without warning, she suddenly pushed with all her strength, slamming his hand down onto the table.
The crowd erupted into a mix of cheers and laughter as Clin shot up from the table, pointing an accusing finger at his opponent as he broke into a smile. "That was dirty!"
Briza simply smirked in mock arrogance and folded her arms. "Just utilizing all of my advantages in battle."
A rumble of chuckles echoed through the observers, including Clin. Yet as the noise slowly subsided Salduin pushed his way through the crowd, stopping just short of the table.
"High-Chief Dominax requests our presence, Clin." The large man announced after the two men had clasped each other's forearms in a gesture of mutual respect.
Briza rose from her seat, cradling her belly. "Did he mention if I should accompany you?"
"I'm afraid not, miss." He confirmed. "One can assume that he wishes for you to rest."
"Rest." She repeated, shaking her head in dismissal as she sat back down.
The two men offered her apologetic expressions before turning to leave.
***
"Ah, so they've finally arrived." Hesin muttered as Clin and Salduin entered the hut. Seated on a crate, his typical hooded cloak had been replaced for one of black chimira silk.
Dressed in his full armor, Dominax placed his hands firmly onto the table that stood in the center of the room. "Yes, come. There is much to discuss."
The three men approached the standing table, joining their leader in hesitation.
Dominax's silver eyes passed from each of them, as if assessing them before he spoke. "Each of you have served me well these past months, and thus, you've already been rewarded. Yet on this day, I wish to extend an offer to all three of you. I shall require skilled and competent men if I am to fulfill my ambitions, of which you've shown yourselves to be. Therefore, I'd like to officially mark you as my advisors."
The trio glanced at each other, taking a moment to ponder their decision before all three nodded in turn. It was not uncommon for a Chief to directly select his advisors, especially when none currently existed. Many would have jumped at the opportunity to climb the ranks early at the creation of an entirely new High-Chiefdom, making the decision far from a difficult one.
"We would be honored, my lord." Salduin answered with conviction, inciting agreement from his companions.
"I'm pleased to hear that." Dominax replied, reaching down before tossing a knife onto the table and folding his arms. "However, I require some type of assurance that your loyalties are as solid as you claim."
Clin eyed the knife with uncertainty. "What would you have us do?"
"A good question." Dominax smiled, his gaze focusing on the blonde warrior. "What I offer contains the potential to uplift you from the masses, to forge yourselves into worthy beings. Yet with such benefits a sacrifice must be made. Thus, to prove your commitment and loyalty, simply remove the fifth digit of your left hand."
