Beyond?

by Andur

  “Do I look like I am stupid? Hi, Mom. Please help me to get a certain guy. Oh, by the way, he has the soul of an old archmage from another world who got summoned during a dark ritual. From time to time he does really insane things like teleporting across worlds! Of course I won't tell her that as long as I can avoid it!” Stella crosses her arms in front of her chest. “Quarma went to great lengths in order to stop Ryland from investigating you. Didn't you realize how strange it looked when you led us through that world? Be glad that her word carries a lot of weight.”

  I scratch my chest in thought. “I guess I tried to ignore it. Even if she stopped being openly aggressive towards me, our relationship is still bad. Maybe I should try to speak to her more often. So your mother still thinks that I am just some kind of genius who managed to alter an existing magical circle.”

  “She surely suspects that there is more to you than she knows, but since you are already my fiance she hasn't dug for more information. The real problem starts when my father returns next week.” Stella sits on my working desk. “He is the real brains in the family. I am sure that he won't stop poking around in your past until he is satisfied.”

  Don't tell me that I have to plead for his daughter's hand in marriage. “So do we introduce the disc before he returns, or afterwards?”

  “Better not at all, but since you seem to be so eager to change the world you should do it before he returns.”

  I almost jump as my mother suddenly speaks from behind me. “Ah, Mother. Where did you drag Dad off to?”

  Valda snorts. “He already woke up, after all I didn't hit him that hard. I sent him home before he recalls some memories I am not so fond of. I'll leave the rest to you two now. Surely you two can sort out this problem on your own.”

  When she is gone I grab Stella at her shoulders. “Now that the security breach is gone, how did she break the seals?”

  Stella tilts her head. “How did you even know that she was the one who broke the seal? I don't think that it helps, but she simply covered her finger in mana and stabbed it into the seal. It baffled me because it looked so easy.”

  Just that? “She did nothing else? My high security seal was defeated by a mana covered finger?” It looks like my mother is more knowledgeable than I thought! Next time I'll use a seal which is three times stronger and more complicated.

  “Whatever, time to find out what my father wanted to remember.” I take a remote control from the working table and switch the memory mirror on.

  Stella gasps. “Unbelievable! This thing is able to record your memories? That's a security risk! What if something important is recorded?”

  I shrug my shoulders. “It just records what's uppermost in your mind. Don't worry, this function is allowed only to me.”

  Mashing the button a few times takes me through my father's memories.

  “Nice ass...”

  “That's your mother!”

  “It doesn't change the fact.”

  “Is that a whip?!”

  “You can do it like that?”

  “It looks like she likes it...”

  “We never tried that position...”

  “Why is he tied up?”

  “Why is she blindfolded?”

  “I want to try...”

  Free City States of Nict, Capital

  Lucas Gejene

  Finally! There is nothing better than coming home after doing hard work. Helen will surely praise me for playing these small nations against each other. Having them fight between themselves is much better than dealing with warlords.

  Haah... it annoys me that I have to fight with other problems within our country. The entrance to the palace opens by itself and my guards take their positions at the walls. I hurry to leave the carriage which brought me back to the capital and walk through the entrance.

  Travelling within Nict is the best after all. Staying in a carriage for days with an army of guards around me got on my nerves. I take the shortest path through the palace to my family's private quarters.

  Shortly before arriving at Helen's office I bump into Sola. The first thing I do is hugging her. “Daddy is back! I am sure you guys missed me!”

  “Welcome back, Dad. Would you let go of me, I have something important to do.” She grumbles with a pissed voice.

  I let go. “Did something bad happen? I am sure that I can solve everything to make my important daughter happy again.”

  “Hah, no. I'll deal with this on my own. Mom will surely tell you everything.” Sola kisses me on the cheek continues on her way.

  A little disturbed by the encounter I walk the last metres to Helen's office and enter. “My dearest, I am back!” Bursting into the room I find Helen inspecting a big metallic disk on the ground.

  She looks up and smiles upon seeing me. “You are finally back!” She runs over and hugs me. “So much happened while you were away! I don't even know where to begin.”

  I gesture at the door. “I just met Sola and she was acting like she stepped into a huge pile of shit. How about starting there.”

  Helen shrugs her shoulders. “Oh, that. That's actually her own fault. She should learn that some things don't work out like she wants them to. She is a little too sure of herself.” Helen's expression turns dirty. “Guess what happened! Our daughter found a guy and asked me for help.”

  My eyes widen. “But Sola has tons of guys and influence of her own. And I am already pulling quite a few strings to get her some acceptable candidates. Why should she ask for more help?”

  She starts jumping in front of me. “I am not talking about Sola. I meant Stella! And she promised to do her duties as a princess in exchange for my help.”

  I gasp. “St... Stella and a guy? What's with her epic quest for freedom? Why did she give it up from one day to the other! My cute little princess can't be allowed to be tricked by a third rate man! I hope you made sure that he isn't some kind of commoner! Oh, we should have never let her go to school!”

  Helen pats my chest. “There is no problem. She fell in love with Azir Zait! When his mother decided to give him an ultimatum to find a girl, Stella saw no other chance than to beg me for help.”

  I lick over my lips in deep thought. “Oh, that explains why Sola is pissed. She wanted to have that guy.” After a moment of pondering over the situation I continue. “I guess it means that I have to take an even closer look at him. There are some things in his file which disturb me.”

  Helen cuffs me. “Don't scare him away. It was the deal of the century. We got our daughter back and an improved relationship with the Zait! On top the both of them really love each other. Stella even beat up Sola when she tried a move on Azir.”

  I correct my clothes. “No way. Who won?”

  She shakes her head. “They were both in a bad shape, but I think that Sola took more damage. It has been a long time since they had a fight like that.” Helen points at the silver plate on the floor. “Why don't we visit them. Azir is an even better catch than I thought at first. He built this teleportation artefact! You can even teleport between cities with it!”

  My eyes lock onto the artefact on the floor. “Is that so?”

  35. ~Visit.~

  “The shamanistic rituals, which are practised by the Dwemer, take their magic in a completely different direction. The Dwemer delve much deeper into the art of using sounds and objects to guide their spells.

  We have to admit that their art enables them to accomplish some feats which are out of our reach. That doesn't mean that the Dwemer's magic is superior to ours. Relying on spells and magical circles gives Nict the advantage in speed. That's beyond doubt.”

  -Papyri magicae.

  Free City States of Nict, Capital

  Lucas Gejene

  “Yes. All you have to do is to step onto the disc, then you place one foot on one of the runes. Now you speak the password and infuse mana into the disc. You'll be teleported to the disc which you selected by stepping onto the rune.” Helen bends down and points at the runes. �
��This spiral for infinity is the disc at the palace, the alpha is for the disc at the Zait's main house and the omega is Stella's mansion.”

  “If the other side is in use, the disc will give off a warning and you'll have to try again.” Helen steps onto the disc with one foot in the centre and the other on the omega. “The password is 'I wish for the heavens, I wish for the skies.'”

  Helen disappears in a flash of light. I look a little dumbfounded at the disc. Our people tried for years to unlock the mysteries of our ancestors. There wasn't the slightest hint that anyone is even close to understanding the old artefacts, which were left behind. And now some youth shows up and builds this like nothing?

  I step onto the disc like Helen did. “I wish for the heavens, I wish for the skies.” Nothing happens, so I infuse mana into the artefact. A flash of light blinds me for a second and I find myself in a small staircase for a house with three floors.

  Helen is in front of me and waiting for me. She grabs my hand and pulls me off the disc. “That's so cool right? I can imagine so many new possibilities for the country!”

  “Stella's boyfriend. How did he accomplish this feat?” I squint my eyes at the artefact on the floor. It's identical to the one in Helen's office. “Now I remember! Isn't he the same guy who was involved in the summoning incident? Quarma Zait went to great lengths in order to downplay the situation! The whole incident was fishy.”

  Helen walks up the staircase. “You are right, but you should first meet the both of them. They match with each other really well.”

  I follow my wife and overtake her on her way to the uppermost floor. Arriving there, I enter a central corridor and walk along it, taking a look into the rooms to the left and right. It seems to be a neat and orderly little living area.

  At the end of the corridor I find a big living room with a table and a couch. The shelves on the walls are full of books and there isn't much decoration, but what draws my attention is the pair on the ground.

  Stella is on top of a guy with her legs intertwined with his. Her tail is wrapped around both of them, pulling their bodies tightly together while they are kissing, her hands are around his head. He has both of his hands on her ass cheeks, massaging them with force.

  I don't fail to notice that she is rubbing herself against him. What the hell is this bastard doing to my beloved daughter! She was so cute and innocent when she was small! I'll strangle him! Nobody treats my baby like that! At least they are dressed.

  “Oh, my! Seems like we barged in on something.” Helen steps to my side with one hand on her cheek. “Should we come back later?”

  That's when Stella and Azir notice our presence and freeze. One moment later they hurriedly try to untangle themselves from each other, which doesn't look that easy.

  Helen pokes me from the side. “What do you think? We can count on being called grandparents soon. Stella seems to be ahead of Sola. Hahahaha. I wonder who'll lay the first egg.”

  Finally the both of them are standing side by side, though I notice that Stella still has her tail around Azir's belly. “Mom! Dad! Such a... surprise! Why don't you take a seat?” Stella gestures at the sofa.

  Azir bends down and whispers. “I told you that an alarm function is indispensable before we hand them out!”

  I move over to them, while glaring at the dark haired guy at Stella's side. He is slightly taller than her, but still smaller than me. His horns curve backwards around his head and I don't fail to notice that he has a fit, trained body, though not too muscular. Probably he is practising a martial art, I think his father likes to wield the spear.

  “Dad, that's Azir, my fiance.” Stella pushes Azir forward. “Azir, that's Lucas Gejene, my father.”

  Azir puts on a forced smile and offers me his hand. The same hand which defiled my daughter's ass a moment ago! I grab it and infuse mana into my muscles in an attempt to crush it!

  For a moment he resists, but then I notice a few satisfying cracking sounds while Azir's facial muscles twitch a little.

  “It's a pleasure to meet you. To be honest, I am a little surprised to come back and find my youngest engaged to someone I've never met before.” I press down one final time and let go.

  “Thanks! Of course I wished that meeting my future -father in law- would happen under better circumstances.” Azir's left eye twitches a little while he smiles and massages the injured hand. A moment later he opens and closes the hand like nothing happened. “Could it be that you are interested in warcats? I have a particularly interesting member of this species in my garden. Surely he would like to make your acquaintance.”

  This little bastard is baiting me! And his hand! That can't be, I crushed it! I felt the bones break! He didn't cast a spell. I forcefully avert my eyes from his hand and to his eyes. “To be honest I am much more interested in your creations. How did you solve the teleportation problem?”

  He makes a dismissive gesture. “I simply read some books on the issue in the library. That place is full of lost knowledge and it is a hobby of mine to uncover the mysteries of old times. Unfortunately, I fear that the theory behind the teleportation spell is a little too complicated to explain it in easy terms. Let's just say that I shortened the cast and designed the disc to take care of the complicated part of the spell.”

  Stella steps in, hugging me from the side. “Is it really necessary to have such a heavy discussion. We have to get to know each other first! Since we are all family from now on.”

  “Sure, family.” I glare at Azir to make sure that he understands.

  After Stella let go of me he bends down and whispers into her ear. “I think he hates me!”

  I hear you! Be glad that Helen is on your side! Otherwise I would throw you into a dungeon to test out your worthiness!

  For the next hour we indulge ourselves in friendly small talk, though the heavy atmosphere between Azir and me isn't lifted that easily. I know that he is probably one of the best male partners for Stella, but after seeing him violate my daughter's butt I can't forgive him.

  Watch your back Azir! I have my eyes on you!

  36. ~A father's test.~

  “Magic is power and power corrupts. The wielders of power always have to reflect on their own actions and the actions of others. Otherwise this power takes us down a dark path. Step by step, until you look back one day and realize that you already walked over the edge of a very high, dark cliff.”

  -Papyri magicae.

  Free City States of Nict, Capital

  Azir

  I was so happy when Stella's father finally left! His eyes told me instantly that he doesn't like me. Normally I am bad at reading other people's feelings, but Lucas's eyes said it all.

  So why is the bastard back on the couch in our living room? He walked in here like the damn house belongs to him... ah, on the other hand it probably belongs to him... in a certain way at least, his wife paid for it.

  It has been three days since his first visit when he barged in on my happy time with Stella. Damn him. The mood was gone for the entire rest of the day.

  He is just sitting there with his muscular body. I am sure that he is doing some kind of muscle training. His hair is blonde and his face is sharp and edgy with a small beard on his chin. Thank the gods that Stella doesn't take after her father.

  There is a small scar on his left cheek and his horns split up into four mean looking spikes right at the base of his forehead. If he is actually intending to look intimidating he is doing a really good job at it.

  Finally he decides to speak. “I am glad that you two have the time to help me with this.” He places a stash of papers on the table in front of us and smiles. “If Stella hadn't returned to her duties as a princess I would've been in a tight situation. Fortunately she got herself a dependable aide.” He takes a meaningful look at me. “This'll make the situation much easier for her.”

  Stella takes the papers and looks over them. “Those are personal files?”

  Lucas leans back on the couch. “Yes, they are th
e files for the exchange students. Our ambassador up in the north did a really good job in smoothing the waters. The Dwemer aren't quite ready to talk to us on a national level, but they voiced the wish to send us a few of their youths.”

  “But sending exchange students while refusing to have a consulate within our borders... that's madness. They didn't set a foot into our country since generations.” Stella is baffled. And she is right, the Dwemer cut all ties with us a long time ago.

  Her father gestures for her to calm down. “Oh, please. Nobody really believes that they are sending exchange students. They are surely a group of young and highly skilled spies, who have the order to scout our country and test our resolve.” He frowns. “The Dwemer's culture is similar to ours. Their highest ranking individuals are the shamans and the magically skilled members of their society. They have very few of them, so they won't send one of their trained shamans into enemy territory.”

  I point at the files. “And why do we have to know this?”

  Lucas grins at me. “Because you two will have an eye on them while they are here. You'll be their official connection to me and Helen. On top you'll play their guides and see to it that they don't suffer any harm during their stay.” His expression turns vicious. “As the second princess's fiance you'll surely not deny her your support. Think of this as a first small test.”

  Stella smiles at her father. “Dad, please stop this behaviour towards Azir. He is my one and only love, so try to get over your petty instincts.”

  Lucas's expression drops. “But he violated my little darling! You are my cute, youngest child. Please don't get corrupted by this fellow!”

  Stella's left eye started to twitch during Lucas' outburst. “We already talked about this. I like being violated by him. And he likes being violated by me. You should accept that I stopped being a little child a while ago. Since I gave up my freedom, I'll of course help in this matter, but be assured that I'll use every opportunity to explore my physical relationship with him.” Stella kisses me on my cheek and grins at her father. “Actually I like the riding position best so far. It lets me stimulate the right spot so that it feels the best!”