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 for free, with the completely optional possibility to receive early access on the official Vaid Empire Website. 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.
***
5th of Senin, 14 AVE.
Domani, Capital of The Vaid Empire.
It was time for her to speak. Yes, that much was clear. They all looked to her expectantly as Vixin did her best to remember her prepared speech. The fact that they all wore little more than tiny black loincloths certainly didn't help.
Standing before the group of new recruits for The Sages, she did her best to present a smirk of confidence. They looked to her for leadership, she knew, for it was finally time to accept her place. Newly appointed as the first Supreme Mother of The Sages in the official records, a title suggested by Salduin himself, Vixin took a quick glance at Salduin at her side before continuing.
"Future Acolytes of The Sisterhood of The Sages, you stand to inherit the responsibility of The Empire's people. As Lord Clin's new Order aims to protect the lives and bodies of our citizens, we in turn are tasked with nurturing their minds. We guide them, teach them, and ensure the fabric of our society continues to be woven along the proper path."
They listened intently, fifty young women kneeling before their new mistress. She sensed them all keenly, feeling the blood of The God Emperor running through each of their veins. "You've been selected. Daughters of his holiness, you've been summoned from across The Empire to serve our divine purpose. Your mothers, whoever they may have been, were entrusted with the divine seed of our ruler, a responsibility that must now be harnessed."
Every word came carefully, having been written by Salduin himself. He stood silently as she spoke, ever the guide of their emerging Order.
"There is a power resting within your blood. A power you shall be trained to utilize. Bring it forth now and demonstrate your nature." Vixin opened her hands, allowing electricity to spark in one hand while flame danced in her other. "Don't concern yourselves with impressing me. Untrained, you'll find only the strongest of you may manifest more than a trickle of power. For now, merely bring forth what you're capable of."
The central chamber of The Sage Training Hall echoed with the noises of straining women. A massive circular chamber, it was an identical match to the Hessian Order's Hall. Topped with a gigantic domed ceiling that hung over them, the walls were carved with doorways into small sleeping quarters and lined with stone balconies.
Vixin watched them closely, feeling a gathering of power within the chamber she hadn't before experienced. It occurred to her that even untrained, there had never before been a group of beings with such power in history. She felt the fabric of reality shifting with each new flicker of power, feeling a subtle sadness at the realization that she and her family would no longer be alone in their capabilities. Still, if carefully controlled, they could prove to be an asset greater than any civilization had ever possessed.
Her silver eyes glimmered with hidden interest, as if met with the sight of a banquet of alluring beauty. They'd serve their purposes well, she knew, their bodies able to draw the admiration and worship of others. She felt a slight warmth between her thighs, knowing they shared her blood. Would her father be proud of the recruits her servants had scoured the land for? Would he be pleased to see that his seed had sired only beauties?
"Many of you shall find that you're unable to summon fire, and others lightning. Such is the duality of our blood, giving form to our natures. As you can see, I myself struggle to coax a flame as easily as electricity." Vixin held out her hands for a closer look. "My own nature simply falls closer to intrigue rather than aggression. It's a spectrum, and we must fall between these two extremes if we are to succeed in our duties."
Salduin quietly selected several women from the group, commanding them to step either to the right or left of the chamber.
Gesturing to the five young women on the right, Vixin ignited flame in both hands. "It appears these five are unable to manifest a hint of electricity. There is no shame in this, for you'll merely be sent to join Lord Clin in the north. The aggressive nature of your powers shall serve you better as knights." She then gestured to the four on the left, replacing her flames with their opposite. "You'll join The Hesian Order, for you are better suited to working from the shadows."
With the vast majority of the group remaining in the center, Vixin ceased her powers, watching their expressions of awe at how long she had maintained them. Many appeared exhausted from their own short displays, arms hanging limply. "My sisters, I'm pleased to say that the rest of you are worthy to join our ranks, for we stand in the center. As mere acolytes, you shall remain here to continue your training. When the time is right...when you've proven you're fit to join us fully...you'll be sent across The Empire to replace the ordinary beings holding the title of Sages. Our Order shall blossom into a true Sisterhood, bound by the divine blood of our God Emperor!"
Cheers erupted through the chamber as she smiled, clasping her hands behind her back. It would require some time to fully phase out the previous members, yet they'd obey their ruler's command without question.
Turning her head to the left, she nodded towards Yisi as she waited within the doorframe. Though not quite old enough to join, she had been permitted to observe the ceremony in preparation for when she came of age. However, standing beside the girl, Vixin noticed a slave waiting nervously.
Salduin watched as Vixin summoned the slave while he began to grant instructions to the recruits, commanding them to return to their new quarters and await their training. He saw the naked slave girl whisper into Vixin's ear, only able to make out a single word. "
Fanir."
***
The door to the private healing chamber burst open as Vixin stormed inside. Several healers jumped to their feet to calm her, yet she easily maneuvered past them.
"Fanir..." She threw herself to her knees at the side of the single bed, caring little for her father's words nor the rest of the beings in the tiny room. For a single moment, a princess would kneel for a slave. "Is he..."
"Alive? Yes. Have no fear of that, princess." The lead healer bowed her head behind her veil, wearing little else. "We granted him a temporary sedative for the pain, though he'll recover."
Allowing herself to grab his hand, she looked down upon his battered form. What had once been the pleasant face of her favorite slave appeared swollen and bruised, while the rest of his scrawny body fared no better. "Why wasn't I informed of this immediately?"
Nervously, the assistant healers were unable to meet her eyes as their leader spoke. "A fellow slave discovered him this way. It...required some time before he was identified as a being under your favor. We brought him here as soon as we were made aware, away from the pitiful excuse of a healing chamber the slaves are permitted to use."
Gritting her teeth, Vixin nodded as she calmed herself. "Then...I must thank you for caring for him. I'll...see to improving the conditions of the slaves." She then turned around to meet the gaze of the guard beside the door. "Yet what of the beings responsible for...
this
?"
"We're questioning everyone that was present near the slave quarters last night. They'll be found, princess. None shall escape," the man replied with conviction.
Turning back to Fanir's unconscious body, Vixin felt a stirring of unease within her belly. She could only place her suspicions aside, held back with disgust. Was it possible that Cendra would cross such a line? She remembered Lord Clin's gift with a shudder, a transparent move by her sister. Such a terrible thought clung to her despite her efforts, denying the obvious until she could face the evidence herself. "Send word the moment they're found. I'd like to question them myself."
Leaning down, she granted Fanir a gentle kiss, feeling her sorrow welling within her. Subconsciously she placed her hand to her belly, her pregnancy not quite showing.
"Cendra, what have you done?"
8th of Senin, 14 AVE.
Domani, Capital of The Vaid Empire.
"In...the final year...BVE...the treaty of...Niria...officially sealed...the creation...of The Vaid...Em...pire," Anthara slowly said as her finger traced the words upon the wooden tablet. Imperial words then switched to the harsh Lanthian tongue as she looked up. "Well? Any better?"
"Well done!" Lalian placed his cup upon the hexagonal table before clapping. Seated in the personal dining chamber of his tower, he watched as a satisfied smile tugged at her lips. She leaned back in her seat with new confidence, an expression that couldn't help but force his own grin.
"Do these documents hold truth, Lalian?" She flicked aside a strand of green hair. "I'd be disappointed to learn you've been feeding me little more than propaganda."
He nodded as he placed the slab upon the nearby pile, replacing it with another slab containing the topic of King Galis. "Of course. The Empire was signed into existence through a treaty of peace rather than conquest."
"I suppose that wasn't entirely a coincidence, was it?" Anthara chuckled, caring little as her shawl opened just enough to reveal a nipple. "We received word that a human empire had formed, though few spoke of it further. You know, the more I read about your master, the more I see hints of his cunning. This human is a clever creature, isn't he? We may even face a worthy opponent if he turns his interests to the south."
Lalian felt a blush of jealousy touch his cheeks as he raised a brow. "We?"
She lowered her eyes as her smile dampened. "He won't stop after Harin falls, will he?"
Clearing his throat, Lalian shook his head. "I...I'll be truthful when I'm able. Our aims fall no shorter than to bring peace and order to the entirety of Magnius."
"Ah." She folded her arms to conceal her breasts. "A man who speaks his plans to a prisoner holds no intention of releasing said prisoner. Do you..." She hesitated before meeting his eyes. "Do you truly believe he'll spare me? That he'll grant me a 'purpose', as you say?"
The fear in her gaze made Lalian want to reach across the table to embrace her, yet he stifled his urges. "T...there's much you may offer to The Empire. With my assistance, you'll-"
"Yet if I stand amongst humans as they march upon our homeland, what shall that make me?" She scowled at herself. "Is there a word harsh enough for such a betrayal?"
Lalian raised a nervous finger. "Ah, but a betrayal of whom? Our former homeland shall thrive beneath the rule of The Empire. T...there shall be no further raids nor conflicts between Lanthians and Arkos. There shall be no further bloody feuds between Priarchs of neighboring kingdoms and cities. Your rulers shall fall, it's true, yet the population shall be salvaged."
"And our traditions? Don't tell me your master intends to retain them."
A hint of anger crept into his tone. "They'll be swept away as they deserve to be."
Her lips thinned as they tightened, yet she offered no reply. After a moment, she moved her hands to her thighs, doing nothing as her shawl fell further.
Both relieved and embarrassed at seeing her round breasts once again, Lalian couldn't help but blush. He sighed before continuing. "That...isn't to say
all
