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.
