Vaid Empire: Mother of Tentacles

Vaid Empire: Mother of Tentaclesis a prequel toVaid Empire: Conquest, though acts as a complete stand-alone. No prior knowledge regarding the previous series is required.

Long before the rise of The Vaid Empire, far on the other side of Ayphieal, a young woman finds a deeper purpose beyond her own survival when she is captured and offered to an ancient monstrosity.

Ancient entities conspire to achieve hidden schemes while tentacles spread across the land in this strange and mysterious prequel.

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.

***

37th of Twic, 767 BVE.

Deep Jungle.

Exhausted panting echoed through the trees as Aifa and Darmi came to a stop. Their head start had lasted several hours, and for several hours they had run, never taking a break.

Darmi was the first to collapse. Having gradually cut through her wrist bindings, she spread out on her back, hands resting above her head upon the dirt of the jungle floor.

"Get...up," Aifa commanded, leaning on her shoulder against a tree.

The girl released a pitiful whine. "I...I can't..."

Scowling, Aifa searched their surroundings for danger. Miles upon miles away, the healthiest of their pursuers would be fully recovered by now. Their long sprint had been swift, though not wild. She had done all she could to mask their trail. Even the greatest hunter would surely be unable to find them once more, yet she had her doubts. After all, how had they found her after all this time? "We need...to keep going."

"Mistress...please..."

When no immediate danger presented itself, Aifa's heart began to calm. Feeling unsteady, the weight of her exhaustion made the world subtly spin. First, they had wasted a day spent in each other's arms, enjoying the tentacles at their service. Then, the night had offered no rest. Ambushed and tortured until sunrise, another full day had nearly passed without sleep. The sun hung above the horizon, already well beyond midday.

She reluctantly sank to the ground. Her belly rumbled with a hunger she hadn't noticed until now. Their pursuers would have to hunt, eat, and sleep just the same. "So be it. We'll camp...here."

Catching her breath, Darmi offered a weary smile in agreement.

Adrenaline had been Aifa's ally. Now that it faded, she fought to keep her eyes open. "Vaecath,"she thought. The beast had never left her thoughts, always feeling close behind. His reassuring whispers continued to caress her mind from nearby, growing closer and closer. When she heard the rustling of vegetation, she made no move to protect herself, sighing in relief when his black tentacles burst forth to meet them.

The soft sounds of Darmi's breaths came from the ground, already asleep as Aifa raised an exhausted hand to caress her grandson. His slimy surface was a calming comfort beneath her touch, tingling against her fingertips.

"The child? What of Jynae-bal?" she asked. In response, black tentacles parted to reveal the golden form of the younger creature. "Good boy."

Gifted a moment of calm, Aifa rested her head against the thick red tree. Her hand cupped her womanhood, grimacing. The seed of their captor had long since leaked down her thighs during their run, yet cruel memories remained. She bit her lip, nearly drawing blood as her hatred burned anew. "Audir, my claws shall carve your throat."

"The Red Vessel hungers. Vaecath must hunt."

She grabbed a tentacle to stop him. Then, feeling the rumbling in her belly once more, she released the wiggling appendage. "Shelter first, then food."

The beast obeyed its mistress, working quickly. Powerful tentacles quickly dug a shallow pit, allowing her to lie down. After moving Darmi's body beside Aifa, Vaecath began to sculpt a temporary shelter around them, just as she had taught the younger girl. He seemed almost to pull the design from her memory without instruction, forming the shelter exactly as she would have done.

Safe, clutching Jynae-bal to her chest, Aifa was asleep before she felt the heaviness of her eyelids.

***

"The Red Vessel must consume."

The thought eased Aifa from her deep slumber as if summoned back to reality. Expecting to meet blinding sunlight when their shelter was breached, she realized a hole had already been created in the ceiling. The black void of the night sky hung above her as she peered up. "How long?"

"The Red Vessel rests."

Black tentacles lowered various fruits into the shelter from above. Even in darkness, her advanced eyes saw their vibrant forms bulging in the faint moonlight. She assessed each one in turn. They were all familiar, safe to eat, as if he had once more pulled knowledge from her memories.

"What's this?" Darmi asked as she awoke, momentarily disoriented.

"Eat. We're moving the moment we're done," Aifa commanded. She sank her teeth into the juicy flesh of a bright red fruit, staring ahead in thought.

"Where?" the girl asked, only to see Jynae-bal in the darkness. She hurried to squeeze the creature in her grasp, feeling it squirm as she giggled. "Oh, it's so good to see you safe!"

"We'll follow our original plan before the ambush," Aifa commanded coldly, though the sight of the girl's joy softened her tone. "We'll find the group that neighbors your former tribe."

Enjoying the tiny golden tentacles as they affectionately explored her small breasts, Darmi nodded. "As you wish, mistress. There's hardly any other choice, is there?"

Aifa shook her head. "We forge our own homeland, or we perish."

Darmi fell into thought as she savored the taste of an overly sweet fruit. "We fled far, mistress. These are unfamiliar lands, and I'd rather avoid backtracking into danger."

"Vaecath can sense the location of your former tribe from memory." Aifa looked to the beast as if to confirm her words. The whispers in her mind offered a calming confirmation. "He'll lead us near the cave along a new path, away from our pursuers. From there, you'll lead us to your neighbors."

"If I must, Aifa," the girl muttered, clearly disliking the thought of returning anywhere near the cave. "Though like I said the first time, they won't accept Vaecath's touch willingly, no matter the pleasure we claim to offer."

Aifa's face hardened. "Offer? No. We'll lure them away one by one, returning them with broken minds and fertilized wombs."

A bite loosed glowing orange juices to drip down Darmi's petite chin. "You said we'll grant them a new pleasure they haven't experienced, yes? We won't have to...hurt them, will we?"

Wiping the girl's chin, Aifa offered a disappointed frown. "So quick to condemn your former people to destruction, yet you shy away from spilling a little blood. Your neighbors would've betrayed you all the same." She watched Darmi blush with guilt in the darkness. "After what occurred last night, haven't you learned the vileness of this world?"

She shrugged meekly. "Are all beings so cruel, or merely those we've encountered? The tribe we seek treated my group fairly during our trade."

Aifa glared. "A single meeting while you were protected at your father's side is hardly enough to measure their nature. Face them alone, vulnerable, without ally, and you'll see the true extent of their mercy."

Darmi pulled her knees to her chest, cradling Jynae-bal. "So you say, mistress..."

"So I know." The soreness between her thighs was enough of a reminder. "We'll forge our own land, safe from the cruelty of the world. We'll forge our own species, clean of Cavari savagery."

A thought of her father made Darmi nod, looking away.

Aifa moved closer, easing her tone as she rested a hand upon the girl's leg. "Finish eating. The journey ahead is long."

Darmi bit her fruit once more, enduring the past in silence.

44th of Twic, 767 BVE.

Deep Jungle.

"There," Darmi said quietly.

Ahead, through the vegetation, Aifa was met with the sight of a colossal tree rising above the rest. Its thick blue trunk was unmistakable, as wide as three dozen men standing shoulder to shoulder. Even poking through the jungle ceiling, its width gave the tree a squat appearance, like a small mountain of branches held high above the ground.

Having traveled mile after mile, day after day, stopping only to sleep and eat, Aifa had desired a far easier target. Instead, her glowing eyes searched the branches high overhead, seeking any sign of their target before offering Darmi a raised brow.

"They're here, mistress. I promise." She pointed up. "They live in hollow alcoves cut into the trunk, or so my father claimed."

Lips thinning with thought, Aifa squinted. "How many?"

"I didn't think to count their number when I saw them, though if I had to guess, I'd say-"

Aifa silenced her with a hand. "Not you."

At their side, hidden within the vegetation, Vaecath squirmed with anticipation, sensing new fertile wombs. "Five viable vessels await, nurturing three offspring. Two unviable sit among them. Six seedgivers prepare their spears."

"How will we lure them away?" Darmi asked nervously.

Studying the tree like a hungry predator, Aifa finally smirked. "Five. Good enough." She caressed the beast's black tentacle, larger than the day before. "We'll lure them with patience. Whispers can be quite convincing."

45th of Twic, 767 BVE.

Deep Jungle.

"Come."

The cool air of the upper tree felt like a gentle caress as Lafa rested in her lover's arms. Nestled in a hollow chamber carved from the massive trunk, she peered at the blue wooden walls around their sleeping mat as she awoke.

Pressed against Hurr's side, she heard his quiet breaths, still asleep. At his other side, she watched Brimi's eyes open to meet hers as she lifted her head from their mate's chest.

"Can't sleep?" Lafa asked, swaying her tail in the darkness.

Shaking her head, Brimi stretched with a yawn. "You?"

"Come."

Together, they peered at the gaping hole in the wall beside them, watching the treetops swaying just below in the night sky.

Lafa peered at her son resting near their feet, the only child she and Brimi had yet to grant their mate. With the boy resting in a deep sleep, she left Hurr's side to dangle her feet over the edge of the alcove opening. Brimi granted their lover a careful kiss before joining her.

"Come."

"Fresh air would do us good," Brimi told the slightly younger woman, resting her hand upon her smooth thigh. The soft skin brought a memory of their carnal service mere hours ago, three red bodies together.

"Crave."

Lafa smiled, running a thumb over the woman's lips. "Hurr won't be pleased if he finds us missing. I wouldn't want to risk his misplaced jealousy." A memory of their mouths meeting hours ago passed through her mind, two tongues serving their mate.

"Crave."

"His jealousyisa dangerous thing," Brimi chuckled quietly, placing a hand on her own midriff. A strange tingle caressed the back of her mind, coaxing memories of envy. Long had it been before Lafa's son had arrived. Longer still had they both gone without another. When Hurr continued to grant them his seed each night without success, she couldn't help but think of the other males of the tribe with a hint of...temptation.

Blinking, she banished the thought. Never had she acted upon her desires. Never had she betrayed her mate. Why did such thoughts come again now? Her hand remained upon her toned belly, trying to ignore the envy of her empty womb.

"Crave."

Lafa subtly rubbed her thighs together, feeling the tingle that had never been entirely satisfied. Hurr always tried his best. Brimi always did better. Even still, their efforts had always left her wanting.

Touching her head, her thoughts felt distant, as if thinking through a thick fog. The dampness between her legs lingered, increasing, always present.

"Come."

Brimi shook her head, feeling a slight dizziness as she grabbed Lafa's hand. "A quick walk, nothing more. He won't notice our absence. I just need some fresh air to clear my head, else I don't think I can go back to sleep."

"Come."

Lafa glanced at her son, ensuring he was still asleep before shrugging. "A quick one, Brimi. It'll help us both."

With a final kiss upon their mate's lips, they climbed over the edge of the gaping hole in the wall. Together, they descended the colossal trunk using handholds cut into the wood. Hurr's sleeping nook sat atop the rest, reigning over the tribe. They passed several other nooks on their way down, hearing the sounds of intertwined bodies sleeping.

As they descended below the neighboring treetops, they felt the humidity of the jungle increase quickly as perspiration clung to their red bodies. They carefully slipped past several traps designed to alert the tribe at the approach of climbing predators. Hopping to the jungle floor, they searched the area for danger.

"This is far enough," Brimi said, remaining close to the trunk for protection.

"Come."

Lafa chuckled, urging her to follow. "Don't retreat now. Just a little further. I promise we won't go far.

Brimi knew they shouldn't go alone without spears. Only when hunting did anyone risk the jungle. "This is foolish."

"Come."

Sighing, Brimi rubbed her head, feeling a tingle at the back of her mind. "Though I suppose we've already come this far. A little further won't hurt."

Holding hands, they crept carefully through the vegetation, hiding at every sound. Nocturnal monstrosities prowled the jungle, forcing them to move silently.

"Closer."

Lafa stumbled, momentarily dizzy. She felt as if her mind was being caressed, massaged, calming her misgivings. Every step made the dampness between her thighs more demanding. Her brain tingled, coaxing her need until she blushed with embarrassment as her juices trickled down her leg. She tugged at Brimi's hand. "Let's return. I feel...strange."

Tugging her forward, Brimi was more forceful than she had intended. With every step, she felt the emptiness of her womb turn into a sour bitterness upon her tongue. Never could she hate Lafa, yet as she felt a strange sensation caressing her mind, her envy turned to ire. "No. A little further," she said forcefully. Lafa wouldn't have her way this time.

"Closer."

Led through the darkness, Lafa bit her lip, continuing to drip down her thighs. The need between her legs could no longer be denied. Left unsatisfied after Hurr had filled her, it had lingered through the night like a familiar companion. Now, it prodded at her with a demand that couldn't be ignored. She wanted nothing more than to find quiet solitude to scratch her itch. Never had her own fingers been enough, yet they weresomething, knowing her body better than Hurr and Brimi.

"Two vessels arrive. Two wombs hunger."

"Brimi, did you say somethi-" Lafa gasped as something wet coiled around her ankle, sending her tumbling forward. She knew better than to call out and alert predators, forcing her to wince as she slammed into the ground.

As Brimi turned towards the sound of her companion's struggle, she tripped as her leg was snagged by a vine tied across the small path through the trees. The moment she fell, two women leapt from the vegetation, forcing her down. She struggled furiously to claw at her attackers, her mind too hazy to have sensed their scent.

Lafa watched as the attackers pinned Brimi to the ground with wide eyes. Trying to yank her foot free of whatever had trapped her, she felt wet tendrils beginning to slide up her legs. Kicking, she rolled onto her back, only to be met with the horror of the creature looming over her. Black and dripping, the mass of tentacles dragged her closer until she was ensnared in its grasp, unable to escape. Her body was lifted, pulled into the writhing mass. Unable to contain a scream, her fear was quickly muffled as a tentacle wrapped around her head to tightly restrict her mouth.

"Get...off!" Brimi cried out as her arms were forced behind her back. Her attackers tied her wrists together with vines, covering her mouth as she struggled.

"There's no need to fight your fates," a soft voice said quietly. "I struggled, like you, only because I didn't know what glorious pleasure I'd be granted."

"You waste your breath, Darmi," the other woman bit back harshly before addressing her captives. "We require your wombs, nothing more. Try to escape, and I'll blind you both."

Brimi offered muffled protests as the woman's claws traced beneath her eyes.

"Aifa...there's no need to-" The younger girl flinched as her mistress raised her hand.

Black tentacles wrapped around Lafa's limbs, pulling her tightly against the monster's mass, rotated to face outward. Arms and legs forced far apart, she muttered muffled curses, whimpering as tendrils tickled up her wet thighs.

Patting Darmi's cheek instead of smacking her, Aifa offered a firm look. "This is not the time. Follow my lead."

As the women rolled Brimi onto her back, she watched with horror as Vaecath teased between her companion's legs. Moving closer, towering above its prey, its tentacles coiled around her own kicking ankles, pulling them apart.

Lafa squirmed, feeling the tingling slime with each teasing lick of a tentacle's tip rubbing her lower lips. The sensation toyed with her maddening need as she fought against the creature's hold. Having grown large enough to easily contain her, he caressed his prey as tentacles explored her bound body.

Unrestricted, Brimi would've barely proven too much to handle on his own, unable to pacify two struggling women without harming either. Arms bound, however, she could do little but strain her thighs as her legs were stretched far apart, leaving her sex vulnerable.

A gag was forced into her mouth after she tried to bite the hand muffling her cries. The tentacles crept up her legs, moving with a taunting slowness.

"The vessel obeys."

Panicking, the strange tingling at the back of her mind was all that prevented her from hyperventilating as tentacles found her waiting lower lips. Tracing her labia, they made her writhe as she fought to escape, watching Lafa moan.

"The vessel craves."

Blushing deeply as moonlight poured through the branches to reveal her shame, Lafa shuddered with arousal, her need aching deeply between her legs. When the tentacle began to slide inside, she screamed, clenching her eyes shut.

The sight horrified Brimi, watching her companion's violation as she squirmed to get away. Utterly at the creature's mercy, she squeaked, feeling the tip of a tentacle pushing into her own clenching tightness. It forced itself deep, claiming her as its prize.

"Don't fight," Darmi said, comforting her with a gentle hand on her midriff. "Vaecath whispers your desire. We know what you seek."

Lafa groaned, feeling guilt rising with each tantalizing thrust. She was Hurr's, his loyal mate, yet the tentacle pushed against her cervix, deeper than he could ever hope to reach. Toes curling, she fought against the pleasure pulsating through her loins with every forceful dive of the slimy appendage. For once, she was full, tapping against her long unsatisfied urges.