Vaid Empire: Conquest

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.

***

35th of Twic, 15 AVE.

Kingdom of Harin, City of Winexia.

A sea of white marched upon Winexia's walls. Though formidable and thick, they would not stop the inevitable end of Siril's shattered power.

Dominax led the legion to the sealed gates. Their thunderous steps came to a stop with a wave of his hand. Peering up at the archers lining the high walls, he sensed the terror seeping through their ranks. Dead men guarded a doomed city.

Siril had retreated inside, of course, along with whatever remained of his royal army. If Hesin and his Truthseekers survived the battle, they'd be among his men, ready to enact the second portion of their plan as they blended in.

Either bravery or naivety caused an archer to loose an arrow, hoping to end the conquest with a single lucky shot. The God Emperor flicked a powerful burst of lighting, tearing through the arrow and continuing until it ripped the man from his feet. The others held their bows ready, none daring to repeat the mistake.

Dominax summoned his translators and waited. Irith strode to his side, followed by Clin and Fonax. A silence lingered as thousands waited. Finally, the archers began to part as an older man stepped forward, standing atop the wall.

"I am Minister Ovax, advisor to King Siril The Second of House Harlin," he announced in the northern tongue. His blue tunic was accompanied by a decorated chestplate that looked oversized on his slim and gaunt form.

Irith's breath seized in her throat. All these years later, yet she hadn't forgotten Ovax's presence whenever she and Enil had met with King Siril. Of course, that had been Siril The First, yet the memories of Ovax's studying eyes unnerved her even now. "What of your king? Does he cower from the courtesy of facing his conqueror himself?"

To her relief, the man offered no hint of recognition. He merely straightened with dignity. "King Siril was wounded while fighting bravely amongst his men. While his majesty recovers, and he

will

recover shortly, he's allowed this humble servant of Harin to act in his place. Grant me your terms and I'll ensure they are brought before him."

Dominax listened to the translators before meeting the man with cold silver eyes. "I need nothing from Siril, and thus, my terms are for the people of Winexia. Lay the head of your king at my feet, and I vow to spare every living being within your walls. Refuse, and Winexia burns," he announced in his booming voice. The translators repeated his words, shouting to ensure every man upon the wall and just beyond could hear.

Raising his sword, The God Emperor's blade erupted into a volatile blast of electricity that screamed through the sky, bursting into a wide web high above the city. Shouts of terror echoed from behind the wall, spreading through the population.

"Decide by morning. When the sun rises, my mercy ends."

As if to match his words, shouts began to ring out in the distance. Ovax turned to see smoke rising from a house nearby. Then another, and a third as buildings caught fire. Unseen, Hesin's men finished their work before blended with the crowd, repeating Dominax's announcement in the northern tongue to all who could hear. "King Siril's head, else he'll burn us all! The king' head!"

Both Irith and Clin turned to Dominax in shock, unaware of the extent of his plans.

"My love, perhaps we-" she said in a near whisper, but a glance from him stopped her words.

The translators continued to shout as Ovax attempted to reply, yet they paid him no mind. Unable to get a word in, his lips thinned in frustration before he stormed off.

The God Emperor turned away with satisfaction, granting commands as the legion began to set up the encampment around the city.

"A city burned?" Clin's voice echoed from behind, for he had evidently remained at his ruler's heels. When Dominax stopped walking, the blond advisor lowered his voice to ensure the men going about their business could not hear. "Surely you don't mean to carry out such a threat."

"An empty promise is worth little. They heard my conditions. They know the consequences for failure," Dominax replied firmly. "Tell me, of what value would there be in dragging out this war? Is the starvation of a city more merciful than the death of a king?"

"And if they burn? Does mercy have any place in

that

?" In a rare moment, Clin was unable to maintain his polite tone.

"Your loyalty these past decades have earned you leniency, yet proceed

carefully

." Dominax's eyes narrowed. "Don't forget, the men behind those walls nearly claimed the life of your mate, my firstborn. If their fate is to burn, so be it, yet I've offered an escape to the innocents of the population."

"

I'm no butcher

," Clin heard the memory of Dominax's words echoing in his mind. He eased his tone, knowing he walked a thin line. "We must offer sanctuary to the women and children. At the very least, we owe them that."

"We owe them nothing, for The Eternal Peace we shall grant them is more valuable than they could ever hope to repay," Dominax replied before his expression eased. He grabbed Clin's shoulder. "Still, recall my words. Winexia will burn, yet I said nothing of the population. Their fears must be pushed to the extent I require until my aims here are fulfilled, yet in the end, I'm under no obligation to slaughter innocents."

Skeptical, Clin's brow furrowed. "Then you...never intended to harm them?"

"Oh, the blood of the army shall repay the destruction of Cendra's fleet if Winexia burns. Be certain of

that

. Yet the population?" Dominax smirked. "Living citizens are more valuable than bones and ash."

"Yet you'd take their homes and reduce them to rubble," Clin replied with unease.

"I'd give them a quick end to bloodshed. If they fail, they'll be reminded of the consequences of war. Let them speak of it for generations, else they might forget the value of my Eternal Peace."

35th of Twic, 15 AVE.

Shai Domain, City of Nelzarshi.

A cold wind strained the ropes lashing each ship tightly to the docks, vessels that hardly saw the open sea. Varse's cloak fluttered as he folded his arms, enjoying a rare moment of peace. Even now, with The Domain secured beneath his command, he did not smile.

A dark figure approached from his side. Turning, he saw Salik moving silently. The masked assassin lowered his head in respect. "My Potentate."

"The day has arrived when you can do no good for me here," Varse explained, his voice as cold as the icy wind. "Your skills are required elsewhere."

Red eyes peered from behind his black helmet. "Retaliations, my Potentate. What of our enemies?"

Varse flicked a dismissive hand. "Irrelevant now. They can do no more harm to me than the snow. Now that we possess agents loyal only to me, I can safely send you away."

A narrowing of the younger Dril's eyes revealed his discomfort with the notion. "What would you have me do?"

With a gesture, Varse invited him to walk at his side. They made their way to the end of the dock, hearing the harsh waves of the frigid ocean. "I'd have you travel to this human empire. You've seen the reports yourself. The unification of humanity is nearly complete, and preparations for our future

must

be set in place. I shall provide you with a small group of agents that shall serve under your command." He released a weary breath. "There's more, however."

Salik felt The Potentate's hand rest upon his shoulder gently, as if he were made of fragile ice. Silent as ever, he turned his head.

"I've spent countless nights pondering how best to reveal this truth. Most nights I decide to store it away forever. However, after the loyalty you've demonstrated during this period of chaos, I've decided the only way to speak of such a thing is as a gift to you. A reward of sorts." Varse stared out at the water, wanting to be anywhere else than at the younger man's side in this particular moment. "The event of your birth is one you've questioned Vesh about for many years. It is...

difficult

to speak of, yet I owe you my part in it at the very least. If you must know,

I

am responsible for your birth.

I

was with your mother at the time of your conception."

His words danced around the point, yet Salik found their meaning quickly. "Then you claim to be my...father?"

Varse cleared his throat. "If that's how you'd like to put it, yes. I'm your father." He continued to face the ocean even when Salik turned fully towards him. "Does that please you, boy?"

"Please me?" Salik found himself searching for words.

"I was a young man. Foolish. Impulsive. It was a mistake that nearly destroyed our future," Varse explained, thinking of Tsida's corpse. They'd still hold sway over The Council together to this day if he had controlled his lust, ensuring The Domain was much stronger than it was now. Instead, they were just beginning. "I risked the safety of The Domain for a few seconds of satisfaction, and I've spent over a decade rectifying that mistake. Now we have, together."

Salik turned away at his words. "I dislike this gift."

"Yet you'll bear it. You'll bear it because you must be the best of us. You'll bear it so you may secure the safety of our people and ensure my greatest mistake wasn't for nothing." He sighed, his expression turning sour. "You'll bear it because, if it were possible to go back, I don't believe I'd have the strength to undo it. You're my son, Salik."

The waves lapped at the docks as Salik stood still. When he finally spoke, his voice was nearly a whisper. "What of my mother?"

Varse dared to face him, his already hard expression firming even more. "You shall earn that knowledge with the blood of the human God Emperor."

Salik's red eyes peered at him intently, though he closed them and nodded after a moment.

Receiving no response, Varse folded his arms. "I suppose it's onto business then. What I ask is difficult for any Dril, I'm aware. I ask you to leave our homeland only because your task is critical to our survival."

"The mission?" Salik asked in a distant tone, no longer meeting his Potentate's gaze.

"I'll provide you with explicit instructions before you sail, yet your goal is to seek out human infants," Varse explained coldly. "It's no secret that this human ruler spreads his seed widely. The reports we've received of his carnal deeds are...ah, I suppose only their products are relevant to our purposes. He is beginning to gather many of the offspring he has spread throughout his empire, and we shall do the same."

"The God Emperor's spawn." Salik straightened. "Do you intend for me to end them? My Potentate..."

"Trim his bloodline before they can do more harm to us? No. That'd be an endless task, or so our agents lead me to believe. You could slay hundreds of his offspring, and it'd never be enough." Varse shook his head. "I seek them for the very reason this Dominax seeks them. Tales have reached us, boy. Incidents. An electrocuted mother here, a burned house there. If they're to be believed, it's possible that the human conqueror's strange abilities have passed to his spawn. We'll turn my own mistake into his, endangering the safety of his people by siring children."

"You'd have me kidnap infants," Salik stated plainly. Whatever emotion he felt remained concealed behind his intimidating helmet.

Varse nodded grimly. "The agents under your command will deliver them to The Capital. If rumors of their abilities are true, and if the human is intending to use them against his foes, they may be our only hope to stand against him. Human offspring raised from birth to serve The Domain shall be our shield. A countermeasure."

"Years will be required before they can fight."

"More. There is time, though only if we begin now. We'll assemble an army with his spawn at the head. We live in an era where Gods fight among mortals, if the tales are to be believed, and I fear our warriors simply cannot withstand what's coming alone."

Salik remained silent as he pondered. When he met The Potentate's gaze, his eyes were that of a servant rather than his son. "When would you have me depart?"

"No later than tomorrow, my boy."

35th of Twic, 15 AVE.

Kingdom of Harin, City of Winexia.

The water was dark, as black as the void of the night sky. Darkness was all that remained to her, a consuming black that pulled her deeper and deeper into its depths. She opened her mouth to scream. Water poured down her throat, claiming her lungs as it choked the life from her. Thrashing, she clawed at the darkness. When her strength began to fade, she felt herself slipping from her body, only to realize she had been within Briza's corpse.

Cendra's eyes flashed open, tearing herself from the nightmare. Heart pounding in her chest, she gasped for air as the tent around her slowly came into focus.

Lying upon her back, she stared at the fabric ceiling as she tried to calm her frantic heart. She felt perspiration drenching her bare body, feeling a chill as she rested atop the sheets.

When tears began to trickle down her cheeks, she sat upon the edge of the bed and buried her face in her hands. With strands of messy black hair clinging to her pretty features, she released a shaky breath when she was finally able to regain control over herself.

She peered at the flap of the tent's entrance. It hung there, taunting her until she could bear it no more. She stood and walked to where someone had neatly folded her outfit and armor. Reaching out, she pulled back, unable to touch it without her hands shaking. Instead, she pulled a cloak around her shoulders.

After a final hesitation with her hand upon the flap, she gritted her teeth and pulled it open. Leaving the tent, which had mercifully been placed at the edge of the encampment to grant her privacy, she pulled the hood over her head and began to walk.

Striding quickly and quietly, she flinched each time she passed a group of legionaries gathered around a fire. The night air tugged at her cloak, making her feel exposed as she pulled it tighter around her nude form.

Each tent she passed brought a hint of doubt. She knew she should turn back. It was a foolish idea. She'd be admitting defeat if she didn't turn back

now

. She focused on the wet mud between her toes, trying to quiet her mind as each step brought her closer to what she sought.

Finally, Cendra found herself standing before Irith's tent, paying no attention to the guards as they bowed. Larger than the rest, it hadn't been difficult to find, second only to her father's. Even while sleeping apart, they remained close, for The God Emperor's command tent was mere steps away. Cendra should go to him, she knew. He was close, she sensed, yet she closed her silver eyes and paused as her hand gripped the smaller tent's flap. Even Clin's tent wouldn't be too difficult to find, yet her grip only tightened. There'd be only one path forward.

"

My mother is dead

," she thought to herself, trying to force her legs to retreat. Instead, she pulled the fabric entrance open.

Both Irith and Nafalya turned to look at her as she stepped inside. They were sitting on the floor, watching as the twins played together. The surprise on The Concubine Empress's lips was obvious, yet Nafalya only smirked in amusement.

"Am I...interrupting you four?" Cendra swallowed.

Within a heartbeat Irith was at her side, hand gently on her back to guide her further inside. "Of course not, child. Come. You always have a place here." She watched as Cendra remained silent, and when she saw the dampness gathering in her silver eyes, Irith discreetly waved a hand at Nafalya. "Take your siblings. We need a moment alone."

The princess obeyed, guiding the twins out of the tent by their hands. She gave her elder sister a curious smirk before departing.

"I wondered when you'd return amongst the living," Irith said gently. When Cendra's tears broke free and began to pour down her cheeks anew, she took her stepdaughter tightly in her arms.

"I...can't..." Cendra muttered through weeping gasps, calming herself just enough to speak. "I can't continue. Not like...

this

."

Irith nodded, listening as her hand moved to hold Cendra's head to her shoulder.

"I...I thought I was...

strong

...an imperial princess." She gritted her teeth. "It led to...

nothing!

"

"Pride can be a poison," Irith's voice came smoothly.

"That's all I have. All I...had..." Cendra released a quivering breath as her tears slowed to a trickle. "What else is there for me?"

Irith's chuckle was gentle, motherly. "Everything. Child, what has this path left for you but pain and solitude?"

Cendra grimaced, hearing her own thoughts uttered from another's lips. Perhaps she had been right to come here. "The firstborn is offered no other path. I...wanted to be his pride, his legacy. No weakness. No forgiveness. It's...

killing me.

" Cendra began to weep once more, feeling Irith's arms around her. "

Help me

."

Running her fingers through her stepdaughter's messy hair, Irith caressed the young woman's head. She hummed a soothing melody until Cendra gradually regained her composure. "All beings can change. The first step is desire."

"I...want to be better," she replied quietly. "I see your nature...your...your ease...your happiness and I..." She gritted her teeth in disgust at herself. "I...envy you..."

Irith nodded with understanding, giving the young woman's forehead a kiss. "Happiness is all I desire for you, child. Despite his...

flaws

...I love your father more than you could know, and you're just as much a part of him as my own children. If there is anything in this world I can do for you, I shall. Have no doubt of that."

Cendra pulled away to look at the woman with skepticism. "After all this time? After I said...all I said?"

"You've been harsh at times, it's true," Irith chuckled, caressing her stepdaughter's cheek. "Yet never did I discard you from my heart. Such is the nature of family, the nature of mothers and daughters."

A thought of Briza nearly made her pull away, yet when it passed, Cendra realized she hadn't moved. She allowed the feeling of being in Irith's arms to linger, testing herself, enduring the motherly affection she had fled for so long.

With visible relief, Irith grinned widely. She gently kissed her stepdaughter's pretty lips before pulling her into another tight embrace. "I'm at your side, my child. You'll survive this. When your pain passes, you may one day be grateful for it."

Cendra's stiff form began to ease, allowing herself to melt into her stepmother's arms as if she were a child again. A deep breath released as she closed her eyes, and for the first time since boarding her doomed fleet, the hint of a smile found her lips.