The Goddess of Death and Her Empress

Valina watched as the Empress reached out, and grasped Valjhana while she was outside the temple. This was something the goddess had done only occasionally, as she never needed to pull anyone towards her with her mind. They all obeyed her words without questions.

Valjhana was lifted off her feet, grasped like she was in a giant's hand, and dragged forcefully. Doors opened ahead of Jhana, and closed behind her though no one was there to do so.

"Empress." Jhana said as she cringed and was set in front of the Empress. Lena pursed her lips.

"How long would you have hungered before you spoke and reminded me?" Jhana trembled. "You know you are my servant, and need food from me and the goddess. Do you wish to make me look bad to the Others?" Jhana immediately bowed low, with her face to the stone tiles.

"Never, my Empress!" She said fervently. "I...just didn't wish to stress your body until I had no choice, Empress." She said, and slowly got lower in volume. She was drawn up onto Lena's lap, the same suction she had just felt, and had her mouth sealed shut by Lena's.

Her throat rose up as the pressure increased, and her seemingly pale skin turned more rosy. Valina tilted her head.

"Now that I see her, she didn't look healthy, did she? Like her skin was drier, though it wasn't either. No, she looked older, and her skin more leathery. Now, she looks as healthy as any of us." Valina tapped her chin, but started to smile a little. Jhana's throat bulge slowly eased off, and flattened, before Lena lifted her lips.

"Don't starve yourself again. I only need a bit of sleep in order to recharge for that amount." She tapped Valjhana's nose. "In a few weeks, that amount will not weaken me, or make me tired, so don't fret so." Jhana blushed.

"I understand, Empress." She looked uncomfortable, but Lena smirked.

"Don't worry. I can reach that deep every single time, if I so wish." Lena said, and Jhana's cheeks reddened even more.

"So naughty, Empress." Jhana didn't speak about it to anyone, but Syl would know what she spoke about. The method of feeding her was sending a highly pressurized stream of white mist into her body. In order to make it efficient, Lena reached down into her belly, and sent threads of the mist deep into their limbs.

Each pulse of mist was an intimate act between someone capable of giving both life and death, and it was done through a kiss. It was so intimate, Jhana felt her spirit core pulse with hunger and need. She felt so much desire invade her spirit, she couldn't help herself but want to be near her Empress.

Both her subjects now looked at Lena as though she were not just a god, but most importantly, their god.

* * *

"Jhana, you seem different." Valina said. Jhana was unusually quiet, and seemed like she was lost in thought.

"Does the Empress feel odd to you?" Jhana asked Valina. She frowned.

"What do you mean, sister?"

"Well, the Empress has grown stronger over the years, and we've always felt she was familiar, right?" Jhana asked. Valina nodded. "But now, she's not only familiar, it feels like we exist for her alone." Valina felt a strange sensation within her core, and her lips began to tremble.

"That...the goddess....I...." Valina felt some confusion, then a shadow fell over them both.

'Not yet, child. Do not pursue this line of thought. She is not yet ready for these memories.' The voice was strong, and spoke silently to their consciousness. Valina took a slow deep breath.

"You heard her?" She asked. Valjhana nodded.

"I did. Alright, we have to obey that voice, as it only shows concern for her. But there is one thing obvious from her voice." Jhana said. Valina nodded.

"We all know her, and we are all linked. Some day, we'll know the truth, but right now, it's dangerous for her to remember." There was no doubt in their minds.

Anything dangerous to the Empress must be avoided at all costs. Their curiosity was still active, but their devotion was stronger than their curiosity.

But why would she remember if they remembered?

* * *

"Goddess." Valina said as Kyrie snuggled with her Empress, and looked quite girlish with the grin on her lips.

'Speak quietly. I hardly have time with her, and now you interrupt my alone time with her.' Kyrie said, her smile still on her lips, but her mental whisper quite unfriendly.

"The Death Squad pilgrims have escorted the Vhaac that wanted to come to the temple. All female, and over thirty years of age." Valina said. She felt a pair of eyes focus on her, but no one opened their eyes.

"And the squad?" Kyrie asked as she knew Lena was now awake as her mental focus had moved. She could not control the amount of energy she put into her mental awareness as she was still quite young.

"They wish to stay in the temple." Valina said. As soon as she said it, Lena's eyes immediately opened, and a force of gravity filled the room. It was the pressure they were used to, but multiplied hugely.

"Were they driven out of the south?" Lena asked. Valina trembled.

"No, Empress. They wish to remain in the area the goddess frequently visits." Valina swallowed as Lena sat up and she was lifted up off the floor. She felt the Empress's muscles stiffen as she was set on her thighs, and had Lena's arm snake about her waist.

"What do they look like, Lina?" Lena asked with a smile. "Are they like Sol at all?" Valina looked at the goddess, who only smirked.

"Don't look at me. She asked you a question."

* * *

Lena watched from the slightly elevated stage as the Vhaac and the Death Squad pilgrims were brought into the temple. They had to split into two groups as there were about a hundred female warriors of the Vhaac, and twenty pilgrims.

"Warriors of the Vhaac. Pilgrims of the Asmarian Death Squad. You stand in the Great Temple of the goddess of death, and life from death." Valina said firmly. She motioned to the two seated on the stage.

"Kyrie, our goddess. Lena, our Empress, and partner to the goddess." Valina said. Lena looked at the warrior women who entered, and smiled widely.

"Oh, Kyrie, look at them! They are so beautiful!" Lena said with excitement. She grasped Kyrie's hand. "Can I Offer at least one? I so want to eat one of them!" Kyrie chuckled.

"They are still human, my little love. When it is their Offering, we'll ask if someone wants to be Offered to me by my little love." Kyrie said with an indulgent chuckle. Valina's cheeks puffed out.

"One of them will be her first. This makes me so unhappy." She said with a pout, but was pulled backward and petted on her head like a child, or a cat. She closed her eyes and murmured as Lena's hand slid through her hair.

"Be good, Valina. They are not to blame for my desire." Lena smiled warmly. "However, you can't blame me for it, can you? So much wonderful flesh, lovely curves, and big boobs." Valina sighed, but leaned back into Lena's hand.

"No, Empress. I guess I can't. They do look delicious, don't they?" Every single Vhaac warrior and pilgrim grew uncomfortable as they watched Lena lick her lips with a six inch long tongue. A new laugh sounded in the temple.

"Empress, you can eat me later." Sol smiled as she approached from the entrance. She turned back and nodded. "Asmarian women are almost always robust, and fully fleshed."

"We are the Vhaac, not Asmarian." One woman said unhappily. Sol smiled.

"Who do you think the Asmarians descended from?" Sol murmured a bit as she stretched her arms overhead. "In time, each of you may even Offer yourselves to the goddess, and come to Haven." Sol smiled a big bright smile.

"Which means that one of you will be blessed in a way that no other Asmarian, Elorshin, or member of Haven will ever get a chance to have." Sol said, and pouted. The same Vhaac woman spoke.

"What blessing do you speak of?" She asked quietly.

"To be the first Offering sent to Haven by the Empress herself. Only one of you can be her first." The Vhaac warriors looked at Lena and saw how red her eyes were, as well as the sharp teeth and long tongue. They looked at Kyrie, their goddess, and saw the same red eyes.

"Is she a god too?" The Vhaac woman asked. Sol smiled, but Kyrie answered in such a way, the outcome would be obvious even to the most simple minded person.

"Not yet."