Vaid Empire: Conquest

Vaid Empire: Conquestis a massive fantasy series that aims to mixeroticawith 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.

***

43rd of Onis, 19 AVE.

Kingdom of Vaidrin, Near Southern Border.

The command ship swayed in the dark waves of the night. The floor seemed to roll, a subtle tilting back and forth, yet the large vessel endured the gargantuan river with ease. Newly built,The Silver Windled the fleet like a tidal wave rushing towards the distant shores of The Lanthian Empire.

Dominax ignored the sounds of black water crashing against the hull as he sat at his desk, a wooden slab under his inspection. He read the inscribed words silently as Jinilya sat in his lap, mirroring her grandfather as she tried to make sense of the symbols.

Behind them, Irith and Vixin sat on the edge of the bed, talking and chuckling, while the twins whispered quietly nearby.

When a knock tapped on the door, the outside guard's muffled announcement rang out. "The Grand Imperial Architect Lalian, your holiness!"

Jinilya was permitted by her grandfather to answer, rushing to unlatch the lock. Greeting the pair of Lanthians with a smug smile, she clasped her hands behind her back coyly when Lalian patted her head. "The green man is here! And the winged woman!"

"Is your grandfather occupied, little human?" Anthara said, her words still noticeably accented. At a glance from her mate, she corrected herself with a bowed head. "Princess."

Dominax summoned them inside with a gesture, guiding the girl away. "Ah, you never fail me, my friend," he said as Lalian presented a bundle of organized slabs. "And the child?"

Dressed in thin green silks that cascaded gently down her form, Anthara blushed as their ruler assessed her pregnant swell, feeling his caress tingling her skin wherever he touched. "All is well, your great majesty," she nearly purred.

Clearing his throat nervously, Lalian straightened as the others gathered at The God Emperor's side to see the pregnancy. "From my inspections, she seems to be experiencing a normal Lanthian pregnancy of four months. Hybrids are...complicated...though I...I predict she'll give birth during Thriduin."

"That's wonderful, Lalian," Irith smiled kindly.

"Congratulations," Vixin offered. "Perhaps the blessings I recited during your marriage ritual weren't entirely ceremonial, even if they required...assistanceto be fulfilled."

Anthara shared a chuckle with the princess, her green eyes sneaking a glance at her royal body with tantalizing memories of their shared night. Lalian merely squeezed his mate's hand.

As Dominax placed the newly translated slabs on his desk, he was surprised to hear Arinax speak up. "May I have a chance to read them, father?" the boy quietly asked.

Lalian left his mate's side and stepped closer with curiosity. "Y...you have an interest in Lanthian history, my prince?"

"History itself, I suppose," Arinax replied. With the eyes of the room turning upon him, he looked down.

"Oh, this is singular." Lalian smiled with enthusiasm. "Though you may find this particular set a bit dry."

The prince shrugged. "Dry is...adequate."

Lalian excitedly tapped his chin in thought. "Ah, in that case, I could translate additional copies for your personal use. Would that please you?"

Arinax's silver eyes sparkled with a silent joy. "Very much so."

"The boy can satisfy his curiosity another day. Tonight holds a greater importance, and the time has nearly arrived," Dominax's deep voice seized the room, ignoring a subtle expression of disappointment from his son.

"Oh?" Lalian asked.

Dominax placed a hand on the green man's shoulder. "A matter between family. Unfortunately, my friend, your place isn't here tonight." He glanced at Anthara before lowering his tone, his deep voice seeping into Lalian's ear. "We shall speak on this later when your own family has solidified."

Lalian nodded without complaint. "As you wish. I shall continue my work."

"Good." Dominax gestured to the door with an open hand. "They're approaching swiftly."

As the Lanthian pair granted the royal family respectful bows, they stepped outside just in time to pass Cendra and Nafalya. Each holding their children, the princesses sealed the door behind them.

"How rare. The entirety of House Vaid in a single room with no other beings in sight," Nafalya noted in greeting. Her father, mother, Cendra with Cliax, Vixin with Jinilya, the twins Arinax and Zela, and herself holding little Prince Atrix, all gathered together. "Has such a thingeveroccurred?"

Dominax could feel their collective power radiating through the fabric of reality. To Irith's ordinary eye, they were a collection of beauty. To the others, the room was a blinding sun of ethereal power. "A necessity, for you all deserve to know the extent of my designs before any other."

"What of your advisors? They've served you longer than anyone in this room," Vixin noted. At her side, Cendra aided her sister's words with an agreeing nod, her face pale as if drained of blood. She flinched at every creak of the ship, clinging to Cliax as if she expected the vessel to break apart at any instant.

"So they have, and so they shall know the future of their bloodlines in time. For tonight, however, I'd reveal the extent of my breeding project to royal ears only." Dominax watched their shared surprise.

Cendra gestured to The God Emperor's grandchildren with an unsteady hand. "We've accepted your advisors into our beds at your command. The third generation of House Vaid has been sired by men of your choosing. Are you not pleased with the result, father?"

"More than pleased, my flower. The third rises, yet what of the fourth? The fifth? Our dynasty shall continue for eternity," his voice echoed insidiously. "No living being outside this room holds more importance than you all, and I won't leave the future of our family to chance. My designs have been revised and perfected repeatedly until no other fate remains acceptable."

"What must we do?" Nafalya asked with an intrigued smirk.

"Nothing more, for your part in this is complete. The child you hold is your contribution, our future, a perfect piece of a larger plan." He gestured to the youngest members in the room. "Cliax, Jinilya, and Atrix are the heralds of our eternal dynasty. Their blood is a perfect mix of potential, an outward expansion to inherit necessary components from my advisors. Now, our House shall contract and narrow."

Irith tilted her head. "I don't follow, my love. What of the twins?"

Dominax's grin sent a chill down Arinax's spine as he continued. "Their part is of no less importance. Have patience." He summoned Jinilya from her mother's side. The girl eagerly stood before him, basking in the attention of her family. He took her wrist, raising her hand and commanding her to flicker a flame to life. It burned in her open palm, sparking with spiraling electricity. "Witness the worth of our creation, for Cliax and Atrix share much of the same power that burns inside this one. It's time to consolidate this power, to keep it pure, to gather it into a single descendant that may claim the mantle of our legacy when we're dust."

Vixin guided her daughter away when Dominax was done with the girl. "Then you suggest the children should...mix?"

The God Emperor chuckled. "Multiple branches of House Vaid stand in this room. In time, they shall consolidate into one."

Stunned, Irith found herself smiling at the thought. "A House unified further?"

"A single descendant, father?" Cendra joined in, raising a brow. She glanced at her son with concern.

He nodded. "Our blood shall cascade into a single place, a future God Emperor that shall stand unrivaled in power. His children shall reign after him, beings of pure blood. Power must be protected, hoarded within our veins." His attention fell upon his eldest grandchildren. "Cliax and Jinilya are old enough to develop their potential. Their power shall mix when the time comes, for they shall conceive a pure-blooded child together."

"What?" Cendra muttered in disbelief.

"And Atrix?" Nafalya questioned in a smooth tone. "It seems he lacks a partner. Curious."

The God Emperor's gaze seized his son. "I sought a powerful heir. Instead, fate granted me twins. Long have I pondered the purpose of Zela, yet her value has become clear. The twins shall grant Atrix a mate,together.The result of their daughter and Atrix's union shall breed with the child of Cliax and Jinilya, and our House shall be united anew."

"Zel?" Arinax whispered as the twins shared a confused look.

Vixin couldn't help but grin, holding her daughter close. "I believed we'd be little more than a branch tasked with supporting the rule of Arinax's descendants. If you intend to place my great-grandchild upon the throne, I'd be utterlyhonored."

"Cliax and...Jinilya?" Cendra repeated coldly, holding her son close.

The joy on Vixin's lips soured at the voice beside her. "Our legacies shall mix upon the throne. Can you endure the thought, or shall your pride dash father's designs?"

She glanced at her son. Briza's grandson was expected to mate with Xenia's vile blood. Cendra's precious son would one day spill his seed into Vixin's spawn. "Endure?" Once, she would have spit on the floor and stormed out of the room. Now, meeting Vixin's judging gaze, she swallowed her pride. "No. I'd behonored.Jinilya is a...worthy girl."

Utterly surprised, Vixin's firm lips softened.

"As much as your designs benefit me, father, consolidation risks our House," Nafalya noted. "An assassin's blade is all the more effective when only a single descendant lives. The wise choice would be expansion."

Dominax nodded solemnly. "A temporary risk, though one that is necessary. Our power shall consolidate into one being and expand through his pure-blooded descendants. Never should dozens of legitimized Vaids live at once, however, for the power in our veins is far more dangerous than the blade of any assassin. When Vaids clash, the world burns."

As he spoke, Vixin watched a silent war play across Cendra's face. Battles raged upon her stern lips, easing into a silent surrender of acceptance. In astonishment, Vixin's judgment faltered as her sister offered Jinilya a faint smile.

"And if the twins only conceive sons?" Irith questioned. Two young pairs of wide silver eyes turned to meet her, and she offered a reassuring hand on the shoulders of the prince and princess. "I shall love them until my last days, regardless, though the possibility remains."

"Common concerns for common wombs. Vixin's research has proven its worth." Dominax gestured to his daughter, snapping her from solemn thoughts.

Vixin regarded Zela with a comforting smile. "One day, I'll teach you how to will yourself into bearing a daughter. You have far greater control over your body and soul than you know."

As Zela raised a brow, Dominax chuckled. "Our Goddess of Fertility indeed."

"Clin must know the fate of his son," Cendra muttered. "He's served our family well, father."

"We'd hardly be the first House to mate cousin with cousin. Surely Clin and the others shall understand," Vixin added.

"What of the twins?" Irith pulled her children closer. "Is the world ready for the truth of our deeds?" She eyed Vixin and Nafalya. "Disgust may sharpen their blades. I won't risk our family."

Nafalya tilted her head coyly. "You underestimate the population, mother. Curious whispers reach my ear daily. It's a sweet sight when fathers and daughters show their affection in public. When neighbors gossip over what they hear at night, however..." She smirked. "The manipulations of The Sages prove their worth with every new rumor."

"Soon, you'll have to search Domani from house to house to find anyone that considers incest as a vile act. The rest of The Empire shall follow in time," Vixin explained.

Dominax folded his arms. "My advisors shall be informed in time. Let them focus fully upon the coming war. Tomorrow, we'll land upon the shores of a horrid land, and the legion shall claim the jungle like a white flood. Go. Prepare yourselves. House Vaid shall stand united, the architects of their end, and the creators of their beginning."

"The future is settled then," Nafalya said, intrigued as she held Atrix to her breast.

Watching Arinax and Zela share concerned glances, Dominax remembered the vision of his deathbed.Thatwould be his future, his fate. He'd cling to it through the onslaught of Dorian's warnings and doubts, forcing the world to bend until he claimed his desired end. He'd forge Arinax into his worthy heir. If the boy had to be broken and rebuilt, so be it. Their shared descendant, their successor, would be granted a world of peace and order to rule over without question, and powerful blood to defend himself. Only then would Dominax have his rest, Nitri avenged, chaos purged. Only then would his family be secure.

As the group began to divide, Cendra offered a weary nod to Vixin. She returned one of her own, watching her sister depart in silence. As her thoughts clashed, she granted her father a kiss before leaving his chamber, strolling slowly through the ship.

Satisfaction crept onto her pretty lips as Jinilya skipped along at her side. The girl understood little of the monumental gift they had been promised, oblivious to their glorious fate. Despite the prospect of adding her bloodline to that of future God Emperors, however, her joy was eclipsed by the memory of Cendra's acceptance. Resentment clung to her, a dagger in her heart, yet she finally sighed and allowed the blade to loosen.

"Alright, Cendra. Perhaps..."

"Princess," a quiet voice from a passing cabin shattered her thoughts. "Vixin."

Broken from her distractions, she came to a stop and peered into the tiny room. As shadows danced away from the flickering candles in the corridor, the hand of a familiar blond man gestured for her attention. "Lord Clin?"

"A moment," he said in a tone that was hardly more than a whisper.

"Cendra departed before me. If you seek her, she's likely in your-"

Clin shook his head, glancing behind her nervously. "No, I seek you. We must speak. Please, Vixin."

Lips tightening at his insistence, she patted Jinilya's back. "Give your mother and Lord Clin a moment, child. Go on. You know where our quarters are." She waited as the girl shrugged and swiftly departed before meeting the blond man with a burning irritation. "Cendra risks sensing the result of our deed. Now, you'd risk her suspicion by seeking me alone?"

"Only because I can endure no longer." He ran a hand through his hair with gritted teeth while his other held an object wrapped in cloth. "What you did...whatwedid-"

She held up a hand, keeping her voice low. "Is no longer of any consequence."

"A child lives, Vixin.Ourchild." Gone was his polite demeanor, meeting her with intense eyes. "You returned with no word of its fate."

Vixin glanced at the door, sealing it. "She lives."

"She?" Clin had never been particularly skillful in concealing his agony. "Where may I find her?"

She glared. "None shall ever find her. The girl's existence threatenseverything." The memory of Cendra's nod faded, her hope hanging from a thread.

He bit back the worst of his words. "You'd deny me of my daughter?"

"Your mate needs only to focus upon my spiritual bonds to sense my children. If she concentrates...if she feels the identity of my bastards and senses your part in one..."

"I must see her," Clin interrupted.

Vixin's face offered no argument. "No."

From her birth, she had known the blond man, always serving her father loyally. In all her years, she had never witnessed rage upon his lips, nor heard him shout in anger. Now, she realized she would prefer such hatred, for the defeat in his eyes was a far greater burden.

"Clin..."

"You deceived me. You forced me into your game. Now, you leave me with nothing but guilt."

She stepped closer, defense turning to offense. "I've wronged you, it's true. If you never forgive me, know at least that I never intended-"

"What's her name?" he asked quietly. "You owe me that at least."

Vixin bit her lip. The truth came as a whisper. "Cilith"

Clin merely nodded. He turned away, pacing about the tiny cabin as she watched in silence. When he returned to face her, he offered the wrapped object. "Take it."

Raising a brow, she unwrapped the cloth to reveal a message cylinder in his grasp. He quickly rewrapped it.

"Give it to her." He met Vixin with tired eyes, appearing far older than his years. "Give it to Cilith."

"Clin...I-"

"You know where she is, do you not?" he asked. Receiving a nod, he pressed the cylinder into her hand. "I want to write to her."

"You know that's dangerous."

"Such is the least you can do. If I can never meet her, I'd have her know she's in my thoughts," he said before his tone softened. "Please."

Vixin looked back, ensuring the door was sealed. With a sigh, she nodded. "Very well."

Clin bowed his head, his gaze numb. As he moved to depart, only her voice stopped him.

"You're a good man, Clin." She held the message carefully to her chest. "Forgive me."

Without another word, he left her in the shadows.

44th of Onis, 19 AVE.

Kingdom of Lian, Near Northern Border.

"Magnificent," Dominax grinned. Standing at the bow ofThe Silver Wind,he watched the colossal trees rising ahead. Towering giants, they lined the distant beaches like silent guardians of an ancient empire.

"I believed I'd never see such sights again," Lalian muttered at his side. He felt Anthara squeeze his hand, her green cheeks pale as she stared into the distance.

Behind, the royal family gathered for a look. The gargantuan trees near the water were the smallest. Deeper inland, they rose like mountains made of dark green leaves, endless, consuming all beneath their dominion.

Anthara held her belly as if it could be stolen. Only Lalian's touch broke her thoughts, turning to meet his lips. "So comes the test of a traitor, I suppose," she said in their native tongue.

"We're the progeny of the jungle. We'll serve it our own way," he replied with a comforting smile. As the beach grew closer and closer, however, his hand began to tremble.

"Prepare the ramps," Dominax commanded. "History swells to meet us. We'll face it with white blades and white shields."

The bows of the fleet crashed into the mud. One by one, ships plowed into the beach until the shore was claimed by countless vessels. Legionaries waited aboard their decks, eyes searching the endless tree line.

Finally, The God Emperor marched down the ramp. His white cloak fluttered behind him, granting his warriors a show as he raised his sword. Stepping onto foreign soil, his blade burned with a raging flame.