by Eden Redd
Drayke nodded. “Yes, you have quite a mystery on your hands, with the dreggers and a hidden monster lurking around the town. But I had to see you, one on one. Time marches on and so do we.”
“I don’t know what there is to talk about? You came into town yesterday and you’re opening a restaurant. Not much else to discuss.”
Drayke kept his gentle gaze and small smile. “I believe there is a lot to discuss between us. We are, after all, the Exiled. We’re not from this realm. You felt my presence, just as I felt yours. My dreams and hunch were right to come here.”
Kavan’s eyes narrowed, but internally, a shockwave of surprise rushed through his spirit.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Kavan said firmly.
Drayke shook his head slightly. “Yes, you do. You were part of the beta test. I know, because I was part of the beta test. Monstar Saga was meant to be a new MMO, one where players could be any fantasy race or monster they chose. Using the Lewd Saga engine, it was going to be the next step in virtual gaming. Time dilation, increased sensitivity, and epic storylines that could take years to finish. It was a masterpiece of technology and gaming.”
A cool breeze washed over the two dragonkin as they looked at each other.
Drayke smiled wider, “But there was a system failure shortly after launch.”
Kavan was still as a statue, his gaze firmly on the dragonkin.
Drayke relaxed his shoulders as he stood. “One thousand beta testers logged on in the first few minutes. One thousand beta testers were killed by a systematic malfunction. The safeguards didn’t prevent the power surges. The MEG helmets channeled the overloads directly into the player's brains.”
Kavan’s eyes widened a little, unable to hide his surprise any longer.
Drayke bowed his head slightly, “An unfortunate end to a thousand players, but a new start for those thousand players here on Voldor.”
“We died. All of us died?” Kavan said in disbelief
Drayke nodded. “We did, but our souls crossed over to this realm. New bodies were made. We were scattered across this realm, this very real realm. I woke not too far from Loduss. I was lucky. I managed to survive and prosper over a month ago since the system failure happened. I see you did too.”
“There are a thousand of us here on Voldor? How could this have happened? How could we have died and become reborn here?”
“I prefer the term, Exiled. We exiled can never return to Earth. The surge and system failure were enough to roast our bodies beyond repair. But we do have certain gifts that the native population of Voldor does not have. You should have a copy of your personal VIS embedded in your mind. I don’t know how all the magic and technology works between the worlds, but it does work.
“The puzzle is still unraveling, for all of us. We all arrived at the same time. Because you can track your stats, it will give you an edge on surviving in this world. A small benefit, but a helpful one.”
Kavan lowered his small snout and stared at the dragonkin, “You came here to find me? To find others like us?”
Drayke threw back his head and pressed a hand to his stomach. The laughter filled the air as Kavan’s stance remained the same.
Drayke wiped at the edge of his eye as his laughter fell into chuckles. “You are very funny. How simple of you to think we’re here just to find each other. Is this from some fantasy story where we come together and help each other and others like us? That would make an excellent young adult novel or game. Banding together to fight great evils. That’s some good stuff.”
A heat touched Kavan’s eyes. “Then what is this about? What do you know that you’re not telling me?”
Drayke eyed Kavan and lifted an eye ridge. “You don’t know, do you? Haven’t you had the dreams? Hasn’t she, or any of them, called to you?”
Kavan was silent as a tomb.
Drayke gave a single nod. “Not ready to disclose what you know just yet? I can admire that. We barely know each other. The only common thread between us is we are from Earth. I commend you on holding back your trust. I would have done the same if you came to me.”
Drayke let out a small snicker before he continued, “I’m going to be here, in Moonvale, a long time. We will have every opportunity to get to know each other and discover certain secrets together.”
Drayke’s gaze darkened. “You should know, there are no extra lives here. Death is death, no matter what realm you reside in. You die here, there will be no second chances. Remember that, and you should do fine.”
The dragonkin turned and took one step toward the fence.
“Wait!” Kavan called out.
Drake stopped and looked over his shoulder.
“I still have questions. We should sit and talk. Maybe pool what we know,” Kavan said diplomatically.
Drayke gave Kavan a razor grin. “There is something I wanted to know.”
Kavan watched as the dragonkin reached over his shoulder, took hold of the pommel of his sword and drew it in one smooth move. Drayke spun around with sword in hand, his slitted eyes filled with tiny arcs of electricity.
Drayke bent his knees and launched at the red dragonkin, sword raised.
Kavan took hold of his spear, whipped it from its sheath. The spear extended in a blink. Kavan held it sideways just as Drayke’s sword came down. Metal clashed against metal, sparks flying. Kavan and Drayke’s arms vibrated as they pushed at each other.
Kavan stared at the blue dragonkin with wide eyes. Drayke looked at Kavan with a hint of madness.
The two of them pushed off each other. The air was still for a fraction of a moment when they both charged. Bodies moved, a sword swinging and a spear stabbing out. A whirl of metal and sparks filled the space between them, each dragonkin moving in quick blurs. Sparks lit up against the darkness between them. Kavan moved with skill, using his spear to keep Drayke at bay.
Drayke hissed as his sword moved in quick, strong strikes. They were so fast, Kavan could barely keep up, his spear the only thing keeping some distance between them.
Clashes lit up the night until Drayke’s body arced with power. Kavan parried a blow with the shaft of the spear, but Drayke’s body pulsed with power. He pushed and Kavan’s boots slid through the grass and dirt.
Drayke’s gaze grew wilder as he licked his lips. Kavan grunted as he kept him at bay, planning out his moves and counter moves.
A low pulse and hum came from the barn.
Kavan and Drayke glanced to the side, hearing the same sound. Another pulse and moan leaked from the barn. A blink later, the barn door opened and a dark figure stepped out.
Drayke planted his foot on the ground and pushed away. Kavan spun his spear and held it ready for another attack.
A new attack never came.
Drayke slid his sword over his shoulder and into its sheath. He fixed his black and silver leather armor before reaching into a belt pouch and pulled out a small scroll. He dropped it on the grass and bowed to Kavan.
“I see you have other pressing matters. The scroll is a formal invitation to my restaurant tomorrow night. I’m sure the entire town will be there. I hope to see you and serve a delicious meal for you to enjoy.”
With that, Drayke stood up, turned and darted for the fence. He leapt over it with ease. He landed on the road and fell into a stroll as he made his way back to town.
Kavan stared at dragonkin in disbelief before a moan touched his ears. The dragonkin shortened his spear and sheathed it behind his back. He turned to the barn and watched as a taur walked toward him with trembling legs.
The taur moved with a haunted look in her eyes. She whimpered when she saw Kavan. She managed a small smile before she stumbled forward. Kavan darted to her and caught her in his arms. The pair sank down to the grass, Kavan holding the naked taur to him.
“Hi,” the female taur whispered.
Kavan looked at her long, brown hair. Fur covered some of her body. Small, black, curved horns stabbed out from the sides of her head,
above the temples. Her nose was a little wide and black, just like a snout on a cow back home. Small, floppy ears were to each side of her head. Kavan noticed how beautiful she was as she laid in his lap.
“Hi,” Kavan said with a smile.
The taur closed her eyes and sighed.
Kavan looked up from the taur and across the short distance to the rolled-up scroll on the grass.
The breeze returned, washing over the dragonkin and taur with invisible caresses as Kavan’s mind pondered at length everything he learned from the mysterious blue dragonkin.
Seventeen
Kavan held the taur woman to him, her upper body lying in his arms and lap. The air around them grew cooler, but Kavan noticed how warm the taur was. Heat came off her in waves as she snuggled her check against his leather covered stomach.
“My name is Kavan,” the dragonkin said.
The taur nodded. “Abby Silverherd.”
Kavan smiled. “You have a full name.”
Abby gave a small nod. “I grew up on a farm, before I was egged. We all have to get egged before we are delivered to new homes.”
The taur sat up and looked at Kavan’s farm house. “This is my new home!” she said with an excited tone.
Kavan looked to the farmhouse and then back to the taur. “That is my home.”
The dragonkin then pointed to the barn. “That is your home. I have a bed, blankets, and clothes for you to wear.”
Abby looked to the barn and frowned. “I’m sleeping in there. It doesn’t look safe.”
Kavan scratched at the scales along the back of his head. “I thought this is how it’s done?”
Abby looked at Kavan with a wry smile. “The farmers told us we would go to good homes and be treated like family. Sleeping in a barn is not what you do to family.”
Kavan blinked, not sure what to say. Lorta’s words sank into his mind and he firmed up his resolve.
“The barn will be your home here. It is very comfortable and you will be fine,” Kavan said with a small, commanding tone.
Abby’s eyes trembled before she wailed like a banshee in the night. “I’ll be all alone! You can’t do this to me! I thought you would be a kind and loving master!”
Kavan opened his mouth, ready to calm the hysterical taur down when Abby leapt up at him and slammed her more than a handful size breasts into his face. The force of the blow was strong enough for him to slam his back to the ground, his face filled with firm breasts.
“Master! Don’t leave me in the barn! Monsters could get me! I’ll be all alone and the monsters will drag me away. We had guards back in the farm I grew up in! Do you have guards? We need guards!”
Kavan struggled against the surprisingly strong taur. Muffled words rose up from between breasts, trying to say something, anything to calm her down. Abby continued holding him down with her body and clutching to him.
Kavan’s hands touched Abby’s shoulders. He grabbed them and turned his whole body sideways. His strength caused Abby to yelp and then she was on her back, the dragonkin over her.
“Abby, you’re staying in the barn!” Kavan heaved.
The taur looked up with wide eyes. They soon began to water.
“No. Don’t do this,” Kavan said with a knowing edge.
Abby started crying, tears streaking down from the corners of her eyes. She wailed louder and louder. The sobbing continued as Kavan looked down in disbelief.
The dragonkin sighed as Abby sobbed uncontrollably.
Dammit!
“Abby. Abby!” Kavan nearly shouted at the sobbing taur.
The sobbing stopped instantly and she looked up with pleading eyes.
“You can stay in one of the spare rooms in the house. You’ll have to sleep on a bedroll and it is only for tonight. Do we understand each other?”
Abby’s mouth twisted into a bright, toothy grin.
“Thank you, Master!” the taur shouted with glee before wrapping her arms around Kavan’s head and forcing his face between her bountiful breasts.
Kavan grabbed at her shoulders again and forced her back to the ground. “Abby, let’s get inside. Tomorrow, we will start fresh.”
Yes, Master,” Abby said with a cheerful smile.
She played me. She played me hard.
The two slowly rose to their feet. Abby circled her arm around Kavan’s arm and made tiny little jumps in excitement. The dragonkin scooped up the scroll Drayke left behind. They walked toward the farmhouse, a dread filling the dragonkin’s stomach as he felt this was truly a bad idea.
***
A fiery heat consumed Kavan as he lay. A sea of demonic bodies writhed around him, sultry whispers spilling into his ears. Black lips grinned as horns gleamed in the low, red light. Crimson colored hands pawed and caressed at his naked form. The heat turned into a burning fever, the dragonkin lost to wave after wave of body heat.
Kavan lifted his head and looked out to a massive cavern. Pillars of flames rose up from cracks in the ground. Thousands of nude demonic bodies writhed like one giant organism. Giggles, gasps, moans, and shudders echoed along the cavern and around him.
The dragonkin sat up fully, drinking in the hellish sight. It sang to him like an opera, cutting at his reason and dripping with his desires.
A tall, demonic woman walked through the cavern. Her cloven feet stomped on those who called to her with loving sighs. The sounds of their flesh bursting and bones crushing added to the chorus of her presence.
Kavan stared as the demonic, twenty-foot-tall demon woman turned her attention to him, winked, and blew him a kiss.
Clawed hands reached up and took hold of Kavan. They grew rougher and pulled him down with supernatural strength. He fought against their grasps, trying to break free. The top of the cavern split open in a devastating rumble. Large stones fell on writhing bodies, crushing them to paste.
Kavan stared as demonic hands pulled at him. He watched in horror as leathery wings flapped. A maw opened and a white-hot stream of fire blasted down on him.
Eyes shot open. Beams of sunlight filtered in through the window. The sound of birdsong filled the air outside, celebrating the coming of a new day.
Kavan let out a long exhale when he felt something beside him. He turned his head and blinked, Abby beside him and snuggled close.
The taur’s eyes slowly opened and a small smile bloomed. “Good morning, master.”
“Abby, why are you in my bed?” Kavan growled.
“I couldn’t sleep,” the taur said as she kept her smile. “So, I came in here and saw that you were having some kind of nightmare. When I snuggled next to you, you calmed down. I thought it would be better for both of us if I stayed in your bed with you for the night.”
Abby’s hand drifted under the blanket and grazed Kavan’s morning wood.
The taur looked down at the blanket and then back to Kavan. “I can milk you and then you can milk me? We will both feel better.”
Kavan sat up, turned his body and swung his legs over the side of the bed. He quickly stood up in his small clothes and looked down at the taur in his bed.
“Abby, I’m not sure how this is going to work, but for now, I need you to make the barn as comfortable as possible for yourself. I have something I have to do today and I will be gone for most of the day. Do you think you can take care of yourself while I’m gone?”
Abby sat up, her naked breasts bouncing slightly as she stretched her arms over her head. “I’m not a child. I can take care of myself. I just don’t want to.”
Kavan face-palmed himself. “Do the best you can. We will have to come up with some rules when I get back. Food is in the cold chest in the kitchen. I’ll have to get one for you in the barn. There is a small hearth in the barn with plenty of wood stacked by it.”
Abby stayed in the bed as Kavan grabbed some clothes off the top of his dresser and began to get dressed.
The taur leaned forward onto her stomach, her naked form uncovered and kicking her legs. “I will try,” Abby said
sweetly.
Kavan turned and looked at the naked taur. His gaze fell on her round ass and his spirit sighed.
She’s livestock. The last thing I need is the town thinking I’m boning livestock, no matter how hot she is.
“I don’t think that is a taboo subject here on Voldor. Some information unlocked about livestock here in this realm. From what I can gather, it is an accepted practice to ensure healthy and happy livestock,” Viz explained.
Viz, that may be well and true for this realm, but we have bigger things to tackle. You heard everything Drayke said last night. I thought you would be wanting to discuss it further because I’m still full of questions.
“Once Drayke explained what happened, the connections along my processes made sense. Unlike living beings, I don’t need a length of time to dwell on the ramifications of such reveals. Now that I know my role and returning to Earth is out of the question, I can focus on what we need to do to survive here on Voldor.”
I’m glad that’s one of us.
Kavan smirked to himself and finished getting dressed.
Abby eyed him as she swirled a lock of hair around her finger. Cloven feet kicked back and forth as she watched the dragonkin.
“You seem very fit. I like that,” Abby said innocently.
Kavan glanced at the taur and bowed his head. “Don’t get into any trouble. I’ll be back later.”
The dragonkin left the master bedroom. Abby turned onto her back and laid in the middle of the bed, her arms and legs out to her sides and oval eyes drinking in the morning light.
Kavan rushed down the stairs to the first floor. He made his way to the front door, buckling the last buckle to his leather armor vest. His mithril spear leaned against the wall beside the door. He picked it up and sheathed it along his back. A scaled hand took hold of the door knob and turned it.
Kavan stepped outside to the beautiful, sunny morning. He took a quick, cleansing inhale as he looked down off his small porch to several figures standing on the outside of the main gate.
Durzol smiled and waved, a warhammer tied to his back and some armor covering his chest and shins.