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.

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50th of Onis, 19 AVE.

Kingdom of Lian, Near Northern Border.

Every grueling step came with the thundering slaps of wet mud as the legion marched. Riding at her father's side, Vixin fanned herself as the oppressive humidity clung to her skin.

Atop Yisi's purple lixidion, she held her lover's hips as their mount swayed. Having endured the voyage inside one of the cargo holds of the fleet, the reptilian beast fared far better when faced with the overgrown jungle than she had expected. The God Emperor led the legion upon his own overgrown white mount while its claws tore through vibrant plants and constricting vines. Having adapted to their native rainforest, the consuming jungle was a challenge they met with eager grins of sharp teeth.

The legion, however, grew wearier with every mile and every day. Their white armor was soaked in mud. Dirty white cloaks dragged along the ground. White swords hacked at branches and foul creatures. They marched in silence, offering no complaint despite their misery. Hard men pressed onward. Resilient women endured. The full might of The Empire trudged towards Praith, offering no mercy but their blades and spears.

Vixin peered at Cendra nearby. Her sister had been offered a mount of her own, yet she and Clin had chosen to walk with their Knights. When she noticed her gaze, stern lips offered the smallest hint of a smile. It was a subtle thing, a fragile offer, lingering with hope. Vixin returned a smile of her own.

The sounds of a waterfall echoed nearby as the legion halted to a stop at The God Emperor's command. Ahead, she saw a shallow stream flowing gently between the trees. At his signal, organized formations dissolved as they were permitted to rest and refill their waterskins.

Vixin dismounted gracefully, grimacing as she touched the muddy ground. She walked to the water, waiting as Yisi led the lixidion by its reins. The girl allowed the beast to drink as Vixin tested the fresh stream, stepping carefully. She let the mud wash from her soft skin as she waded deeper until the water reached her knees, using her hands to wipe her bare thighs. Clean once more, she sighed in relief.

"Easy, Kixsi. Drink," Yisi commanded as the lixidion pulled away. Her hands guided its mouth back into the stream, caring little about the sharp teeth mere inches from her fingers. "Good girl."

"Only a few more days of this, if Anthara is to be believed," Vixin said, watching legionaries lining the stream. Some knelt to fill their waterskins. Some cupped their hands and washed their faces with cool water. Some talked, and others chuckled as they savored their short rest. Knowing better than to crowd around their princess, however, they offered a wide berth to grant her space. Even still, she lowered her voice. "How do you feel?"

Yisi shrugged. "I'm fortunate to ride. Most are not."

"That's not what I meant." Vixin touched her lover's midriff. "How do you...feel?"

She looked down at the caressing hand with tight lips. "The same, I think."

Vixin frowned. "Don't grow cold on me now."

The girl touched her hand, blushing. "I feel...occasional flickers. Sometimes I feel something inside me, orsomeone, as if there's a stranger I can't see."

"That'll become a comfort in time, sweet girl. It's been mere days."

Yisi squinted, glancing in the distance as Dominax strolled with Irith through the legion. "Yet already his attention falls elsewhere."

"You know he's a busy man," Vixin replied. When she saw hints of agony disturb Yisi's tight lips, she pulled her closer. "His love is...complex, but no less real. Give him time. After all, you were selected as a key component in his plans above countless of our siblings.That'shis love, Yisi."

"Yes, I became his pawn."

Vixin grimaced. "Truthfully, I had hoped his distance would please you."

"It does. Yet it doesn't." Yisi shrugged with frustration. "I don't understand. We should simply mount Kixsi and ride until none may ever find us. There's still time, you know."

"We can't. I told you before." Vixin smiled, holding the girl's hips as she felt the water running past her ankles. Something squawked in the distance, mixing with the sounds of the waterfall upstream. "Besides, our fates are sealed. We'll share descendants one day."

She looked away with a bitter sneer. "Descendants chained to a throne. It'd be merciful if we fled."

"Your daughter might disagree."

"Mydaughter." Yisi bit her lip as if the word was sour. "His plans are madness."

A sweet chuckle oozed from Vixin's pretty lips, smooth, intoxicating. "It's no worse than what we did, is it? Sister with sister, father with daughter."

"Yet I..." She swallowed, peering around. "I felt...safe, Vixin." The truth felt like a blade in her throat. "If I must bear thisthinggrowing inside me, I don't want that feeling to be a rarity for her."

Vixin caressed her cheek gently. "I promise it won't. Just as Jin has us, so too shall your child be in our care. Father or not, she'll thrive."

Damp eyes softened as Yisi shrugged. "So she will."

"Besides, we'll enjoy our pregnancies together," Vixin said before glancing downstream, seeing Kunir washing his cloak in the distance as she touched her belly. When something slippery brushed against her leg, however, she departed the water with a disgusted scowl. "Though for now, I'll be content only when we're free of this vile place."

Yisi caressed the purple scales of her mount as she led it from the stream in silence, following her princess. After securing the reins to a tree beside the massive white lixidion of The God Emperor, she watched Dominax approach Cendra and greet her with a kiss. "He's human sometimes,"she whispered to Vixin, hearing the envy in her own tone.

"As much as he can be,"the princess replied.

10th of Twic, 19 AVE.

Kingdom of Vaidrin, Omrin.

Salik stared out at the bustling streets outside the safehouse. Even here, near the walls of the city, he couldn't escape the noise of Omrin.

Sunlight poured through the window. It nearly brushed the tips of his boots, yet he stepped back. Concealed in the darkness of the room, he knew a single glance from a curious human down below would be their destruction.

Had he not known of the dozen agents of Shai occupying the house, he would've felt alone. Making no noise, the Dril and Lanthians of their group slept, preparing for the night, while human and Arkos agents occasionally blended into the crowds of the marketplace to search for targets.

Salik had been so close. Forbidden by The Potentate to infiltrate Domani, Omrin had been the closest major city available. A thriving metropolis of endless traders, merchants, and new families, there had been no end to their leads of potential Vaidspawn. Sons and daughters of The God Emperor, the many his group had kidnapped were but a small sample of those they had observed.

"So close," he thought to himself. Omrin was roughly seventy miles from Domani. He could walk for days upon The Empire's newest roads without arriving. Even still, The God Emperor had never been nearer. Now, however, he was hundreds of miles away, surrounded by his legion in a land Salik could hardly imagine.

The mask in Salik's hand stared back with empty holes for eyes, demanding its destiny. His lips tightened.

A creak from behind made his pointed ears twitch. He recognized Ynisa's steps, half-trained and careful.

"New orders from The Potentate," she said when he offered no greeting.

Turning, he saw one hand holding a message cylinder, while the other held the first signs of her long pregnancy. He claimed the cylinder silently. Dril orders arrived in human writing, it seemed, minimizing the smallest possibility of suspicion.

"We're leaving." She looked down. "The Potentate is satisfied with the number of recruits we've brought him. Now..."

"Follow the human God Emperor into Lanthian lands. Report his progress and take any action necessary to cease his invasion that does not compromise The Domain,"Salik read to himself in silence. The words offered little warmth nor concern, as always. "Additional supplies and agents shall be placed under your command. Bring an end to our doom."

Salik's grip tightened. His heart quickened.

"I'll make the necessary arrangements immediately," Ynisa said before her tone softened. "Afterwards, perhaps we could celebrate by-"

"See to your duties," he cut her off without glancing her way.

Opening her mouth in protest, she stopped, nodding instead. He was alone once more a moment later.

Peering out of the window, he put on his mask, closing his eyes.

Finally, he'd fulfill his purpose. Finally, he'd have a chance to rectify the mistake of his birth.

Finally, he'd put an end to The God Emperor.

13th of Twic, 19 AVE.

Kingdom of Lian, Near Praith.

"There. Straight ahead. Do you see it now, my love?" Anthara asked.

The clamor of legionaries preparing their camp for the night echoed around the Lanthian pair as a pointed finger guided Lalian's gaze. Far through the trees, he saw the first hints of light in the distance high above the jungle floor. "I...do."

A hint of sadness touched her lips at the sight of Praith, if only a peek. Settling a safe distance away, if they could ever consider themselves safe in such a place, the royals gathered in the command tent behind the pair.

"King Galis, welcome," Vixin greeted the young man, ushering him inside. The quiet king granted her a quick nod of respect.

"It's time. That's the last of them," Anthara said as she took Lalian's hand. They returned to the command tent, its fabric walls now reinforced with the shields of dozens of legionaries. They had created a perimeter of archers to protect the sky around the sea of tents that made up their endless camp. Now that their enemy could fly above the camp's heart, however, adjustments were required.

Inside, they joined the others around the table. Guards flinched at their entrance, the fight in their eyes dying an instant later with recognition.

The orb inside the hilt of The Sword of Order glowed as the image of the surrounding landscape was projected above the table. The God Emperor studied his advisors, his children, his vassals, gesturing to the map. "Praith stands before us. Two empires shall watch our actions tomorrow."

Prince Fonax, commanding Domexia and Spirexia's combined forces while his father and Quinla served upon the regency council in Domani, stroked his chin in thought. "We've come prepared, yet the fact remains that no human has attempted to besiege a Lanthian city. A walled village is quite a different beast than one held in the clouds." His pondering lips pulled into a smirk. "Quite a fine challenge."

Lalian cleared his throat nervously. "Several large-scale raids from the Arkos kingdoms of Wonakaros and Narok have successfully claimed Lanthian cities in the past, albeit only for short periods. The task aheadispossible, y...your majesty."

"They use their claws to climb the trunks of trees." Anthara shook her head. "Humans lack such an advantage."

King Galis listened quietly at Fonax's side, eyes cast downward.

Salduin spoke up, supporting Jinilya's small frame with one massive arm as the girl giggled. "We have ropes, ladders, and more arrows than The Creator himself could conjure." He gestured to Kunir at Clin's side. "Above all, we have the blood of The God Emperor. Never forget that we possess advantages of our own."

"We could avoid climbing altogether. It'd be a simple thing to burn the base of each tree supporting the city until they surrender," Hesin added. "No matter how tall they stand, their foundation remains flammable."

Clin stepped forward. "We're not here to burn cities to the ground."

"Our men are ready to die for the glory of The Empire. They will, too, if you send them up ladders and ropes." Hesin didn't bother to look at the blond man. "Better to burn half a city than lose thousands of legionaries. Call it a mercy."

Irith looked to her mate with concern. "Don't believe such madness."

Dominax eyed the map with distaste. "I cannot rule over a city of ash. If Praith must be brought down to make others kneel in fear, however, this conquest could be shortened by years. Indeed, I'd call that amercy."

Anthara turned to Lalian, her wide green eyes speaking a thousand words as she held her pregnant swell.

Touching Dominax's chestplate, Irith's smooth words came softly. "My love, there are others living atop Praith. Slaves, children, the unborn. An inferno would claim them all equally."

Nafalya tilted her head. "Do the children of our enemy outweigh the children of our legionaries? Surely they hope to see their parents once more. That's to say nothing of the children across The Lanthian Empire that would be spared should they surrender faster. A curious dilemma, don't you agree, mother?"

Irith dismissed her with a disapproving frown before facing their ruler once more. "We'll find another way."

"Death comes to Praith when the sun rises. Either our legion suffers, or our enemies burn." Dominax met her without mercy. "Whatever path we take, countless shall bleed."

Biting her lip, Anthara could hold back no longer. "And if bloodshed could be avoided altogether?"

The room turned to face her. Vixin was the first to speak, offering a softer tone than the others would have granted her. "What do you speak of?"

Surrounded by humans, she felt entirely out of place as her wings folded closer against her back. With a sigh, she knew there was no alternative but destruction. "There is no finer Lanthian than a Lanthian that proves her skill. The greatest of our warriors are honored by...what is the human word?" She searched. "Ah, a tomb. They are granted tombs inside hollow chambers within the trees. You'll find the greatest warriors of each city and village buried together."

"To what end?" Fonax folded his arms.

"If you can find that chamber..." Anthara swallowed. "If you can threaten to destroy the bodies inside, the city shall surrender to your demands. I know where Praith's chamber is."

Lalian's lips parted. "That's...I've never...I didn't know that there-"

"It's a secret no male is offered, for the presence of a slave would only desecrate the chamber," Anthara explained. "When a woman earns the right to be honored, we prepare her body ourselves."

"You didn't offer this information until now?" Clin asked, baffled. "Thousands of lives are at risk."

She grimaced. "Forgive me. To reveal such a secret to a slave is among the most shameful betrayals a Lanthian can commit. To utter it to outsiders..." She felt her eyes growing damp. "Spare Praith of your flames. I'll endure my shame if they may continue to breathe."

Hesin studied her from behind his mask. "Can she be trusted?"

Nafalya peered at the green woman's belly with a knowing smirk. "Ohyes, I believe so."

Pondering, he turned towards The God Emperor. "A team could be sent to secure the chamber. Allow me to lead my best Truthseekers to seize it without their notice, my lord."

"I shall join you, master," Nafalya added without hesitation.

"No!" Irith broke into the conversation with a scowl. "We hardly know what's up there aside from Lalian and Anthara's descriptions. It's far too dangerous!"

"I'll provide detailed directions," Anthara offered. "You can move unseen beneath the city if you're cautious."

Jinilya shrugged, half listening. "Grandfather should burn the winged people."

Vixin patted her daughter disapprovingly before speaking up. "What of other cities? Are their chambers in similar locations?"

Anthara shook her head. "I know only of Praith's and The Capital's. If you must burn other cities, spare them at the very least."

"This is madness." Irith shook her head. "Nafalya cannot go."

"You'll find I'm more skilled than most, mother," Nafalya countered. "The Grand Master requires my blade. After all, you asked for an alternative. It'd be unwise to spoil your only chance at a bloodless victory."

Irith whirled upon her mate. "She isn't ready."

Dominax studied his daughter. A glance at Cendra reminded him of the consequences for ignoring his judgment. She had been ill-prepared and granted a command that far exceeded what she had been capable of. As he looked at Nafalya, however, he saw the deadly ease in her eyes, an assassin trained for just such a task. He nodded. It was time for his thirdborn to earn her place. "Go. Accompany Lord Hesin. Take few risks, for the jungle shall burn entirely if you are harmed."

Irith stared at him in disbelief as Nafalya bowed her head. "You'll have your victory, father."

"The morning shall be spared of blood, then," Dominax announced. "Instead, when the sun sets tomorrow, Praith shall find itself at our mercy."

The room broke into smaller conversations before The God Emperor dismissed them for the night. As the room slowly emptied, he found himself alone with Irith.

A furious scowl was her weapon, prepared to battle her mate. "You cannot send my daughter into a hive of danger blindly."

"Careful of your tone, my love. My tolerance of your defiance has a limit. Tell me what I can't do again, and you'll find yourself well beyond my mercy." He sheathed his sword. "She won't be blind."

Irith eased into a simmering anger, choosing her words carefully. "Lalian's descriptions and Anthara's directions are hardly sufficient. She's merely a girl."

"We made her a woman together," he countered.

Biting her lip, she clung to her anger. When it faltered, Irith blinked away a dampness that gathered in her blue eyes. "Dominax...she's Nafalya."

A quick step brought him forward, claiming her in a loose embrace as she began to weep. "She's an imperial princess of House Vaid. She can never merely be 'Nafalya'. You knew the danger ahead from the moment of her conception, and today, her purpose has called out to meet her. It's time."

Holding onto his chest plate, she peered up with a challenge as tears trickled down her cheeks. "What of Cendra's fleet? I can't risk her meeting the same fate."

His hold tightened. When he spoke, his deep voice oozed harshly into her ear. "Nevershall I risk our children in such a way again. I sensed Cendra's weakness, yet I trusted your judgement rather than my own, and my firstborn nearly drowned. Cendra shall be rebuilt, granted a second chance, yet Nafalya stands ready to serve our House now. It's time."

"If she's not? You know I-"

"For nineteen years we've survived this life together. It's possible you know my nature better than any other living being." His glowing gaze dampened, nearly appearing human. "Do you believe I'd send our daughter to die?"