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.
***
50th of Fixuin, 11 AVE.
Kingdom of Kinia, Deci.
The relative silence of the night sky beyond Dominax's open window could almost place him at ease, a quiet concealment of reality. He allowed himself to forget, if only for a moment, the vicious hoards waiting patiently beyond the city walls. They'd be eager for his judgment to slip, for the gates to open at a desperate order to send his warriors into a slaughter from all sides. There would be no escape through a direct assault.
He ignored thoughts of the population, having been beaten down thoroughly by the legion. Their savior waited just outside Deci, ready to save them from their 'tyrannical conquer'. Dominax would throw himself from Deci's walls before he allowed any of them to sabotage his plans.
"
What plans?"
He thought to himself, brought back to reality as he sat down. His elbows pressed against the wood of the desk, steepling his fingers in the darkness.
Word of Queen Regent Elmia's efforts to regroup her father's men had arrived days ago, yet what use was that now? The royal army of The Kingdom of Cendia had been crushed by Alrin in its prime. Beaten and bloodied without the experienced command of King Galis, what chance did they possess in breaking the siege?
A slight chill of the night ran across the room, forcing him to think of home. They had of course experienced some particularly cold nights in Vaidrin, yet The Northern Human Basin was far more temperate than he was used to. The humid rainforest had given way to colorful forests and open plains, and for a moment he felt every one of the roughly fourteen hundred miles separating Deci from Domani.
Of course, Irith was a possibility. The common citizens of Domani could be formed into a force set out to attack Alrin. They had left behind many skilled laborers and craftsmen when the highly trained legion had departed, yet such an idea fell away quickly. That was all they were,
common
. A citizen army simply couldn't be trained to adequately oppose Alrin.
In any real sense, they were alone.
Time was their only true ally, limited as it might be. Ample supplies had been safely sealed away inside the city before Alrin's arrival. Though it couldn't sustain the population indefinitely, Dominax merely needed to recall Dorian's words to feel a slight hint of ease, remembering the old ghost's explanation of how he had modified their original human ancestors long ago.
"
An optimized digestive tract that produces no waste and requires less sustenance
."
Their supplies would persist far longer, as they needed to eat considerably less to survive than their pre-Ayphieal counterparts, whoever
they
may have been. Yet simply avoiding starvation would not save them from their predicament, nor would it last forever. Alrin may have to wait quite a while if he truly wished for a bloodless victory, though when the population finally became desperate, he'd have what he sought.
Dominax eyed the neatly stacked pile of message cylinders resting upon the corner of the desk, each marked with the royal seal of Kinia. As he lit a small candle with his finger, he reluctantly grabbed the nearest message with his other hand.
Unsealing the cylinder's top, he pulled free the first girthy stick from inside. He let his eyes travel over the symbols etched into the soft wood, reading its contents. No doubt it would be similar to the previous messages he had read, yet he started from the beginning.
"
Dominax of House Vaid, God Emperor of The Vaid Empire, I write with respect for your full title in the hope you shall see reason. Though you continue to ignore my messages, one cannot ignore the futility of continued resistance, as-"
He discarded the stick back into the cylinder, selecting another without concern for its number.
"
...my brother orders your death, along with your men. I cannot dissuade his decision, yet I can personally assure you that the women and children of your legion will return home safely. They may be warriors in your culture, your females, yet I can make the argument that they were merely the families of your men. Do not allow your pride to-"
Again, he selected a different stick, feeling his grip upon the cylinder steadily tighten.
"
I wait, Lord Dominax. I wait for as long as my duty requires. Surrender, and allow my men to return to their homes."
Once more he selected, his silver eyes beginning to glow in the faint candlelight.
"
Your daughters are with you. I know this. Princesses Cendra and Vixin. They shall not be harmed. On my honor I vow to spare them, to see them safely returned to your lands. You need only to sur-"
A flame emerged from his palm, licking the message stick until its surface succumbed to the heat. It roasted within his fingers, burning to outshine the candle.
Then, a moment later, he allowed its ashes to spill onto the desk.
3rd of Silla, 11 AVE.
Kingdom of Kinia, Deci.
Cendra heard the clashing of swords and spears as she approached the barracks, hands folded behind her back like a proud imperial princess. She made her way to the rear of the squat building, finding the training grounds as dozens of legionaries sparred in grueling combat.
The voice she sought called out, shouting orders and corrections across the grounds. Yet despite his loud tone to be heard above the commotion, the voice carried the same polite and encouraging words as always. She had found Clin.
Placed in a chair to overlook the crowd from a slightly raised deck at the rear entrance, his injured leg rested upon a stool as he remained upright and alert. A clean bandage had been wrapped around the thigh of his one-suit, concealing the work the healers had done.
Slowly she ascended the short stairs, approaching him with sensual yet powerful strides. He turned to her, his eyes lighting up with surprise before issuing a quick final command to his men.
"May we speak?" She asked, attempting to appear casual as she stared off at the dueling warriors. The sunlight glinted from their white armor, as if calling to her.
"Of course...you always have a place at my side." He said, unable to keep the anticipation from his voice. He gestured to a pair of chairs near the door before removing his helmet and placing it upon his lap.
She pulled one of the chairs over to him, gracefully sitting down before facing him fully. Her silver eyes studied his face as she crossed her feminine legs, finally opening her pretty mouth. "I see they've treated you well. You look better...even if you deny yourself the rest you deserve."
He smiled, attempting to turn his body towards her before letting out a pained grunt. "Your father insists as much, yet I'll rest when we stand on solid ground free from this place. Still...the healers have done much to treat the pain. Whatever knowledge those strange women carry, they can do whatever they must if it means I'll walk again."
"And soon." She finished, reaching over to place her hand onto his forearm. "Listen...I came here today to
apologize
."
In response, he raised a blond eyebrow in confusion. "What could you possibly need to apologize for?"
However she had expected him to respond, she could only smile at the realization that their previous conversation hadn't shifted his opinion of her. "I behaved rather...childishly the last time we spoke. I shouldn't have left you like that, especially when you needed me. I'm sorry, Clin..."
Hearing the genuineness of her words, he simply waved his hand in dismissal. "There's no need."
"No need?" She repeated.
