Chapter 13: Faith

(FYI, Scyler is in the next chapter, not this one. I didn’t want anyone to be waiting for him to show up and be disappointed at the end.)

Noah and his group rode ceaselessly across the Utheric countryside, heading northwest towards Rorik and Lumestada. The land was infested with ravenous creatures and bandits, but none could stand a chance against the five travelers, each a capable fighter in their own right. Shannon’s strength and skill with a blade had grown by leaps and bounds since her days with her tribe, thanks to Noah and Valia’s teachings. Valia, while abstaining from using magic, was still an expert sword master and slew her foes with grace and ease. Noah traveled and fought with the headband in his hat always active, no different than continuous weight training, and his powers flourished because of it. Bojena continuously proved her strength as a former gold-rank knight, and though she was not the most talkative traveling companion, her silent distrust and disdain of Noah seemed to wane as they worked together.

The biggest change was Seraph. After reconciling with Noah, he was a new man, free of fear and doubt. He still shouldered the guilt of his past misdeeds, but unlike during the tournament, there was determination in his endeavors and hope in his stride, now walking the path to redemption and a bright future. He fought bravely against monsters and marauders, having regained much of his confidence without the stain of arrogance. Noah continued training him in combat just as Tarnas had and mentored him in the other disciplines needed to live properly. They sparred each night when camp was made, and whenever Noah assigned him a task or order, he’d quickly fulfill it with a loyal and respectful “yes, sir.”

The journey was going well, and they were traveling at a good pace. There was only one problem: having Seraph and Bojena around at all times made it difficult for Noah to spend quality time with Valia. She was used to having her moans heard by the neighbors in Colbrand and Sylphtoria, but now that they were traveling with others, she seemed more conservative in her affection. Thanks to his projection training, Noah could proficiently conceal himself, as well as Valia and Shannon, but she remained skeptical, wanting to avoid a repeat of events. Without four walls and a door, she wasn’t in the mood.

On the other hand, Shannon would do whatever he told her, but unfortunately, her window for pregnancy was open, and Noah didn’t want to take the risk. He wished he had remembered to bring some Whore’s Root for their journey. Over the millennia, he had learned how to detect ovulation in women. It was a skill that took a great deal of time and patience to hone, and had used it to keep Shannon from getting pregnant since they met, so this was far from their first bedroom sabbatical. She put her oral skills to work any time they were alone, but it just wasn’t the same.

After over a hundred lifetimes, Noah knew how to control his libido and resist the primal urges of his body, but that didn’t mean he could remove them, or make them any less annoying to deal with. However, there was a solution to this issue, and the fact that they were away from Colbrand meant he now had the opportunity to check on an old investment. It was time for a booty call.

One night, as they were making camp, Noah activated Duska’s beacon to summon her. There was no telling where she was or how long it would take to reach his position, but the control would tell him when she got close. He kept the signal going all night with no sign of her, but when he reactivated it the following evening, he knew she was in the vicinity. Once everyone fell asleep, he dosed them with succubus powder to keep them unconscious and out of the way, and left the camp.

In a wooded area, he sat on a tree stump and waited. Finally, she arrived. Just like before, she landed ungracefully, but after all of the stimulation he was giving her, her legs were devoid of strength. At least this time, she had cleaned herself up before meeting him.

“Please, Master, I can’t take it anymore. It’s driving me crazy,” she begged while on all fours. Her eyes were swimming and dilated, her cheeks flushed, and her body trembled as pleasure radiated from her clit due to the mark beneath her stomach.

“It’s good to see you, Duska. I can certainly imagine how exhausting it must have been, that infernal tingling going nonstop, and no matter what you do, you can’t bring yourself to orgasm. Sorry, but the mark won’t let you cum without my permission. Do you want my permission?” She nodded her head and whimpered. “Turn around. Present yourself to your Master.”

She obeyed him, turning her body and flashing him her ass like a beast in heat. She shuddered as he stroked her labia, drenched in arousal. “My, my, you’re just dripping in anticipation, aren’t you?” He inserted his fingers, swirling them around inside her. She then softly whined as he worked his thumb into her anus, grabbing her like a bowling ball. “You’ve tightened up since the last time I saw you. Don’t worry, we’ll change that.”

He then removed his fingers and replaced them with his tongue, eating her out from the back as he had with Bella and giving both openings ample attention. What little strength Duska had was stolen from her by the intensity of Noah’s technique. Her hatred for him, her misery for being enslaved by this man, it all seemed to melt away as his tongue made itself at home inside her. He didn’t do this the first time he violated her. Back then, it was nothing but the pleasure and pain of his brutal thrusts rearranging her guts. This time, he was drowning her in bliss, and the orgasm she had begged for arrived with many friends.

“Master! Master!” she moaned as she climaxed again and again, filling Noah’s mouth with her sweet Profane nectar.

“Was that love I heard in your voice? You’re learning to take pleasure in your new role, aren’t you?”

“No,” she mumbled, too ashamed to look at him.

“They always do.”

Noah then unsheathed his manhood and gave Duska no warning before ramming it deep into her asshole. She cried out from the brutal penetration and proceeded to moan as he began his thrusts, moving so fast and hard that she questioned whether or not he was really human. Everyone at the camp was drugged, but still, Noah cloaked the two of them in his mana to conceal their actions.

He pulled Duska’s hair like a leash as he hammered her back door, with his cock shoving her voice out of her mouth like a golf club sending a ball flying. Duska remembered this brutality well, the oppressive pleasure that broke her mind the first time. Reduced to her master’s cock sleeve, she could do nothing but try to endure both the pleasure and the pain he inflicted upon her, try to enjoy the climaxes he forced her to experience.

Noah only paused to empty himself inside her, with Duska moaning as she felt his hot seed flood her asshole. Part of her wanted to think that he was done, that she had given him what he wanted and he’d be merciful to her, but after the first time, she knew it could never be that simple. She was right, as Noah moved onto his back and pulled her on top of him. Somehow, he still remained hard, and returned his cock to her backdoor.

With his hands under her knees, he lifted her legs into the air and resumed fucking her, driving straight up with such force that she thought his manhood would come sliding into her throat from below. The semen he had dumped inside her frothed and foamed as he whisked it up like scrambled eggs, flowing out of her ass and down his shaft. What he said about how tight she had become, and how he would to fix her, now seemed genuine. After this, she couldn’t imagine her asshole returning to normal.

“Play with yourself,” he growled in her ear while grabbing her controller. He activated it, driving her wild with added stimulation. “Play with yourself the way you did before, when you were trying to resist the mark. Show me how you do it, and don’t stop until you squirt.”

She quickly obeyed, stroking her pussy and swirling her fingers around inside, all while she could feel his cock rampaging in her anus, separated by a wall of flesh that felt as thin as paper. She continued to moan at the top of her lungs as she played with herself, with her mark augmenting all of her senses. It was all she could do, the only way to properly voice the overpowering wave of pleasure coming over her. Once again, she endured a mind-shattering chain of orgasms, with her hands working frantically against her will to increase the euphoria further. Tears streamed down her face, and she screamed as she released a fountain of liquid lust, soaking the ground in front of her. Noah finally stopped his thrusts, with Duska continuing to cry on his lap. He turned her sideways, holding her in the princess carry.

“Hey, it’s ok, just let it all out. I’m here for you,” he said tenderly, rubbing her back. Despite all the trouble and anguish he had given her, how he had stolen her freedom, her dignity, and even her venom, she obeyed, not as though he had ordered her, but had given her permission. She wrapped her arms around his neck and cried onto his shoulder. “That’s a good girl. Everything’s ok, you’re with me.” She didn’t even know why she was crying, nor why it felt so good. And this man, this man who tormented and enslaved her, why was it, that at this moment, she felt so safe with him?

After a couple minutes, he picked her up and sat down on the tree stump, now with Duska straddling his lap. He lowered her onto his cock, burying it deep in her pussy and making her shiver in bliss. This time, he was slow and gentle, raising and lowering her, his manhood so hard inside her, but his movements so soft.

“Kiss me, kiss me like you love me.”

Duska wiped away the last of her tears. “Ok, ok,” she gasped.

She held him close, their lips meeting like the ocean lapping at the shore, their tongues swirling in a helix. They continued like this for a while, Duska having never known Noah could be so sweet and gentle. He felt less like her master, and more like a caring lover, and deep down, she wanted to continue feeling this way. Eventually, her hips began to move on their own, and she rose and fell of her own volition as her flesh craved further pleasure from him.

Meeting her growing enthusiasm, Noah upped the intensity, stirring her up and moving her with more vigor. He gave her breasts the attention they deserved, massaging them with his tongue and teasing her nipples with his pulling lips. His mouth against her flesh, something that had disgusted her when he first took her, now made her blush and whimper in joy.

They continued fucking for hours, with Noah switching back and forth between tender and rough. When he dominated her, she’d instinctively submit as he had trained her. His physical strength was immense compared to hers, and there was nothing she could do to resist him. If there was a position he wanted her in, he didn’t tell her; he simply forced her into it, with her bending to his will and unable to defy him.

His thrusts, so powerful, pushed her to the brink of her endurance as he taught her the limits and secrets of her flesh. The way he pulled her hair or gripped her horns, which had originally hurt and embarrassed her, now offered some small comfort. She felt that without the extra hold linking them, she’d simply shatter into a million pieces or melt into a puddle against the force of his shoves. Giving in, allowing herself to be used by him, and accepting her role as his property made it far easier than the first time.

Then, when he was gentle with her, she felt like she really would melt. The way he held her, the way he kissed her, the way he stroked her hair and whispered in her ear, she felt like they were making love on their wedding night. His smile, tender and caring, made her avert her eyes in embarrassment, afraid of him seeing how her heart was twisting. Yet the softness of his movements did not equate to weaker pleasure. If anything, he was more precise, knowing exactly what to do to make her moan, to bless her with indescribable pleasure. The way he seemed to know exactly what her body wanted and needed made it feel like the two of them had been together for years. This man, who she knew nothing about, was so familiar and knowledgeable about her flesh that it astonished her.

He had broken her mind the first time, and now, rendered malleable by thought-erasing pleasure, Noah reshaped it to his benefit. He had to kill her hatred of him with all-consuming euphoria, to outlast her grudge and replace it with an addiction to his touch. Where she was resistant, he crushed her, and where she was vulnerable, he caressed her, expertly bending her further and further to his will. Eventually, the fire of passion was reduced to a bed of embers. Noah lay against a tree with Duska massaging his cock with her mouth, dutifully cleaning him of her essence and his seed. He gripped her horns as she worked, feeding her with his mana as his semen rolled down her throat.

“You’re such a good girl for me,” he said.

Duska paused. “Thank you, Master.”

“So, tell me what you’ve learned since we last met.”

Duska sat up and then bowed before him. “Please, before I do, I beg you to hear my request.”

“Very well, go ahead.”

“You said that the rest of the Profane needed to be killed, but you would let me live. I don’t care about the others, but I’m begging you to please spare Mistress Helena. She’s ... she’s like my...”

“I understand. If, in the aftermath of the final battle, when the Profane’s plans are smashed to pieces, she should slip away to live in exile, then I could see to looking the other way.”

“Thank you, Master. Prince Lupin is being held at the Andromeda Estate in northern Vandheim.”

“Andromeda Estate?”

“It is the mansion of one of our elites, Mistress Andromeda, an elegant and powerful Profane with beautiful white hair. Her servants maintain everything, and she offers shelter to all Profane who need it. Mistress Helena and I ... and Leanne ... spent a lot of time there. I saw him there when I returned. He appeared to be in good health and well taken care of.”

“Good to know. You’ve done well, Duska. What can you tell me about what the other Profane are up to?”

“They’re focusing most of their efforts on building their strength in Handent, conquering beastman tribes far to the north and west. They want everything to be ready before they move against the other nations. However, I’ve also heard that something is going on in Vandheim, focused around the capital city. I don’t have many details, but supposedly ... Zyrga’s remains have been found across the sea, and they plan to move them to Vandheim for something.”

“Even as bones, Zyrga still has cards to play in this game. This is very troublesome. I’ll have to head to Vandheim once this current mess is finished. Excellent work, Duska. I’m proud of you.”

Duska blushed. “Thank you, Master.” The words got easier to say every time.

“Now, you should have someone to help you soon: Bella, the Profane who killed Uther’s king. I’ve sent her to infiltrate their ranks and discover the secret of their mobile base.”

“Bella, that’s right. Mistress Helena said she was approached by a fiend with that name, a girl with extraordinary power. I still don’t know much about the mobile base, but she should be there.”

“Well, I told her to find you. I want the two of you to work together and, if you can, lay the groundwork for rescuing Lupin.”

“Yes, Master.” This time, her words were hollow. The budding affection he heard in her voice before seemed to have withered somewhat.

“Duska, are you perhaps jealous? Worried that I like her more than you?”

Duska became indignant, with the last tiny shred of her pride and hatred making its final stand. “Never! Why would I care who you like? You’re just the bastard that enslaved me.” The red of her cheeks and averted gaze made her rebuke fall flat.

Noah pulled her close and kissed her. “Don’t worry, I have several women, but there can only be one Duska. A good master takes care of his slave, especially when she’s been a good girl.”

“Yes, Master,” she said, still trying to pretend she didn’t care.

“Thank you. Now, you should get going. Find Bella, and we’ll meet again.”

“I will, Master.”

She stood up, bowed before him, and took flight. Noah watched her go, one of his most valuable assets. Just like he had told her, all of his victims, no matter how much they fought and resisted at first, inevitably learned to love it.

No one in the group had any idea they had been dosed with succubus powder. They carried on the following day, unaware of Noah’s relationship with Duska. The fact remained that he needed to find a way to leak Lupin’s situation without raising suspicion, but for now, all that mattered was getting Seraph to Lumestada. Using his harkonen gem, he also kept an eye on the situation in Colbrand, which was deteriorating rapidly.

Galvin’s megalomania and persecution of the beastmen were going just as Noah had predicted, and the city was turning into a war zone. However, as already agreed, it was too late to turn back, and even if they did, they’d be returning empty-handed. They had no choice but to continue their journey, heading ever closer to Rorik. After almost two weeks on the road, some supplies ran low and needed to be restocked.

“This village, Pand, is under the control of the church,” said Bojena, pointing to a map. “We can stop there and get everything we need.”

“Under the control of the church, huh? That’s a scary sentence if I’ve ever heard one,” Noah replied, rolling it up.

“While they may not be fond of you, they won’t make a fuss so long as I’m around, so you needn’t worry.”

“It’s not myself that I’m worried about.”

Following Bojena’s directions, they made a slight detour towards Pand, but their arrival brought no comfort. They stood on the main road into the town, their tongues in their throats at the sight before them, with tears rolling down Shannon’s cheeks. Several beastmen hung from the branch over their heads, swinging in the breeze with the flies and carrion birds relishing their sun-cooked flesh. Their tails hung limply, their animal ears crusted with blood. From their clothing, they appeared to be slaves and travelers.

GODLESS HEATHENS

The sign was placed above their heads, a reminder of the endless feud between worshippers of different faiths. Colbrand wasn’t the only town that was persecuting beastmen. Bitterness and resentment towards them had been burning for ages, and Galvin simply poured fuel onto the fire.

“We should go. We shouldn’t be here,” said Valia.

“Please, we can’t just leave them there. We have to bury them,” Shannon pleaded.

“As you wish,” said Noah. “Bojena, cut them down.”

“It’s not our place to interfere with the laws of these people. These are criminals, and they have been put up as a warning,” she replied indignantly.

“How can you say that?!” Shannon screamed.

This had been building for days. Any time Shannon said something, Bojena would disagree with her. At its heart, the issue of the beastmen oppression was about religious differences: the spirits vs. the gods. As a devoted member of the church, Bojena was raised to believe that anyone who didn’t worship the gods was a monster, and that beastmen were the enemies of mankind.

“It is not a sin to kill an animal, and that’s what these are! They chose to turn away from the gods and embrace the lies of the spirits!”

“Enough, Bojena. Cut them down.” Noah hit her with a heightened order, his voice booming in her ears and making her wince. With a scowl, she formed a wind ring and flicked it at the tree branch, severing it and dropping the bodies to the ground. “Ok, we’ll give them a quick burial and then move on. We don’t have time to—” Noah was cut off as Shannon suddenly took off in a gallop, nearly tossing him out of his saddle.

She rushed into the village, and before Noah could tell her to stop and ask what she was doing, he figured it out. The sounds and smells in the air were unmistakable: screaming and burning flesh. Shannon followed her senses into the village, where the townsfolk had gathered around a bonfire and were cheering. In the center of the flames, a woman was tied to a stake, being burned alive.

“My Lord!” Shannon exclaimed.

“I know!”

The crowds parted as Shannon forced her way through, everyone afraid of getting trampled. Reaching the bonfire, Noah conjured several metal spheres from his ring and cast them into the flames. The enchantments activated, the inscribed runes glowing as bright as the fire before sucking them up like a vacuum cleaner devouring dust. The bonfire was extinguished, leaving a mountain of charcoal steaming and smoking.

Despite the danger, Shannon leaped up onto the remains of the fire, burning her hooves and legs on the charred wood. Noah knew even before he reached her that the woman was dead, but for Shannon’s sake, he cut her binds and pulled her up into the saddle. She had been seared near to the bone, all of her skin and hair gone.

The villagers shouted in outrage from the interruption and excitement for their new sacrifice. They circled Noah and Shannon, armed with sharp farming implements and a violent sense of justice. Noah reached for his sword, ready to cut down anyone who got too close.

“Stop right there!” Valia shouted as she and Seraph rode through the crowd, forcing them to part. They halted in front of Noah and Shannon, ready to defend them.

Shannon reverted to her human form and turned to Noah, who was holding the burned corpse. “Give her a potion!”

“Shannon, it’s too late. She’s gone.”

“No! I can’t give up!”

She conjured a potion from her ring, but just as she was about to pour it into the woman’s still mouth, she stopped and looked at her, realizing what Noah said was true. Seeing the damage she had suffered, what the flames had done to her, even if she was still alive, a potion wouldn’t be able to save her. Her final breath had already been spent. Shannon dropped to her knees, sobbing, and Noah crouched in front of her, laying the woman down.

Enraged by Shannon’s tears, Valia faced the angry crowd. “What is the meaning of this?! What has this woman done to deserve such a horrific fate?!”

“She fornicated with the beasts! An abomination was growing in her womb!”

“Kill the beasts! Kill them all!”

“God is with us! The flames of Byrnestoir will cleanse us of heathens!”

A priest stepped forward, pointing the finger of judgment at Noah’s group. “You have no right to interfere with us doing the work of the gods! We must be purged of sinners and degenerates! Those who side with the spirits side with the Profane! That girl with you is a servant of evil!”

Valia pointed her sword at him. “Take one step closer, and I’ll put the fear of God in you myself!”

Bojena then arrived, riding on her horse in a nonchalant saunter. “Let’s all take a deep breath and calm down. We did not mean to interrupt your good work. We just came for supplies, and we’ll be on our way.”

Shannon wiped away her tears and looked at Noah. “Please, My Lord, do something, say something.”

“It wouldn’t matter. We can’t change their minds. I’ve tried to do it from podiums, lecterns, and sacrificial altars. I could lecture them, I could scold them, I could try to educate them, but they’ll never admit they were wrong, never admit that they hurt an innocent soul. They’ll hide from the truth, wallow in their sense of justice, and convince themselves that everything they do is for the greater good and everyone that they hurt deserves to suffer and die. You can’t change human nature.”

Seraph then turned to him. “But I admitted I was wrong. I admitted to my crimes. You changed me, so you can change them.”

“Please, just say something. For her,” Shannon pleaded.