Amorlia: Age of Wonder

by Chris Wichtendahl

  Transformation

  Mandhe and Mar stumbled into the cell. Mar fell to her knees and Mandhe into the far wall. After a few moments, Mar pulled herself to her feet. The process was difficult due to the shackles on her wrists, but she managed. "Please tell me all your tech wasn't in that pack of yours," she said to Mandhe. Mandhe snorted. "Yes, because I'm an imbecile." She sat down and slid her bound hands under her legs to reach inside her jacket. "This is hardly the first time I've been chained and imprisoned." She removed a thin metal lockpick, and set to work on her shackles. "That sort of thing tends to happen with Kel." Her shackles fell to the floor and she set about unlocking Mar's. The head of Dagnae Industries smiled. "So, given any thought to that job I offered?" she asked. Mandhe chuckled as she opened Mar's shackles. "You're awfully confident you'll still be alive to offer me one," she said. "I'm always confident," the older woman grinned. "It's how I got where I am." "Have you seen where you are?" "Are you always this flip?" Mar asked, rubbing her wrist. "It's how I got where I am," Mandhe said with a smirk. She looked around. "Now let's see what..." The two women looked across the cell, to the scattered pieces of Emfex strewn about the floor. Mar recognized him through her long association with the University, while Mandhe had heard only legends. "Is that..." she whispered. "Yes." Mar picked up his head and handed it to Mandhe. "Lets get as much of him together as we can." She shuddered as she collected his arm and torso. "Whatever could do this, to a creature of Faery..." Mandhe was staring into the shattered optics of Emfex's broken face. "I think there's some Spark left in him," she said. "Are you sure?" Mar asked, adding a leg to the pile. Mandhe nodded. "It's very faint, but I can feel it. Maybe if I add some, stoke it a little I can- aah!" The optics flared once, then the thin filaments threaded through the alloy skin sputtered to life. Energy arced from the broken optics to Mandhe's eyes, and the young woman raised the head to her own. The metal parted, and a mass of wires snaked out, boring into her flesh. She cried out briefly, but the pain subsided and Emfex's head wrapped itself around hers, as though she wore it as a helmet. Mandhe raised her arms, her feet spread apart, and the rest of the Techno Spirit's body became one with hers, sealing itself to her like a second skin. Long thick wires curled outward from the metallic head, approximating her own hair. She opened her eyes, and found them covered over by the reconstituted shards of Emfex's optics. She looked down at herself, flexing her hand in front of her face, analyzing the molecular structure of her new shell. Her brain was one with Emfex and she knew all that he knew. Her mind found his in the blend of tissue and circuitry, and they became as one being. She was still marveling at her transformation when the door opened and the one known as Five walked in. He looked up in time to see the Mandhe/Emfex hybrid raise its fist. The grey man flew backward out the door, slamming hard into the opposite wall. He jumped to his feet and ran, calling for his superior as he went. Mar looked over at her transformed companion. "Mandhe?" she asked, tentatively. The voice that answered was Mandhe's, though another was layered over hers. "Yes," she answered. "But I am also Emfex. The power and intellect of one of the Faer Folk courses through me, and my power and intellect direct the flow. We are the perfect merger of Mandhe Pacha 82 and the Techno Spirit Emfex." She clenched her fist, energy crackling around it. "And we are most displeased."

  A Clever Escape

  Artemis sat in the small cell in the dungeon of her old palace, her back against the wall. Kai Moxen was lying on the floor, her head resting in the High Queen's lap. She moaned softly, slipping in and out of consciousness. Artemis stroked her hair gently, whispering that it would all be okay. The younger woman was in poor shape. She was strong, superhumanly so, and that strength likely saved her life. But, strong as she was, she was not invulnerable, and enhanced healing did not appear to be one of her abilities. Artemis was doing her best, trying to numb Kai's pain receptors, but there was little beyond that she could do. She ran her hand through her long white hair, and as her fingers brushed the crystal embedded in her forehead, she had an idea. It was a mad idea, to be certain. She'd not attempted anything like this in decades, and after Four's meddling, she wasn't even sure she could do it at all. She knew she had to try, though. Kai would not survive long without some sort of care, and this damp cell wasn't doing her any favors. Artemis grit her teeth and closed her eyes, trying to remember how she'd done this. She could remember. She had to. She had failed her son so utterly these last years, she would be damned if she was going to let the love of his life die. She lifted Kai in her arms, resting the other woman's head on her shoulder. "Kai," she whispered. "Kai, we're going to get out of here. I'm going to get you out, Kai." Kai murmured something unintelligible, then cried softly in pain. "Yes, honey, I know," Artemis said, still stroking Kai's hair, "I had to stop managing your pain. I'll need all my power for this and-" Kai whimpered and tears leaked from the corners of her eyes. Artemis shed a few of her own. "Shhh. It will be okay, Kai. I promise." Her face took on an expression of grim resolve. "I'm going to save you." Artemis focused. She focused her energy, her will and all her concentration on one thought. Open. She thought it again. Open. The air shimmered before her, and she felt the crystal grow hot. It was easier with a natural doorway, but there were few of those around these days. She could do it. It was working. Open! A small circle of Spark formed before her, growing wider by the moment. Artemis clenched her eyes shut tight, sweat dripping off her face. The crystal blazed brightly. OPEN! Artemis opened her eyes. There before her was Faery. Just through that portal, the last remnant of the Otherworld awaited her. Kai moaned again as Artemis stood, lifting the young officer as though she were a child. Without hesitation, she stepped through the portal, willing it to close behind her. She found Sar, the Fire Spirit, waiting for her. "Artemis!" the fiery woman smiled wide. "It has been so long. Where have you..." she gasped, noticing Kai, "What happened?" "I'll explain everything later," Artemis said, suddenly weary. Opening the portal had taxed her. "Please help her." "Of course," Sar said, taking Kai from Artemis. "Come," she began walking, "I know just where to take her." After a brief journey through a lush towering forest, Artemis and Sar came upon a familiar sight. Two trees, each bearing a single fruit, were surrounded by a fence and guarded by the last of an ancient race. The winged woman saw the travelers approach, lowered her sword and stepped aside to let them enter. "My task," she spoke softly to Sar. Sar smiled at her. "It is done, Gloriel. Here is the one you've waited for." She indicated Kai. Gloriel nodded, smiling. "Then I may rest." "For eternity," Sar nodded back. Gloriel dropped her sword, unfurled her great wings and took off into the sky. "Wait," Artemis stepped forward as Sar lay Kai on a soft bed of moss between the trees. "When I was here long ago, you told me the fruits of these trees were..." "For a hero not yet born," Sar answered, pointing to Kai. "And here she is." "How did you know I would bring her?" Sar smiled. It was one of those enigmatic smiles that often infuriated the High Queen. "But you did, Artemis." Artemis sighed. "Fine. You can help her, yes?" "Oh, yes," Sar nodded. She reached up and plucked a fruit off one of the trees. She broke it in half, then broke off smaller chunks, putting one of them in Kai's mouth. For a moment, the fruit simply sat in Kai's mouth. Then, suddenly, she began to chew vigorously. She was still barely conscious, but something was making her eat. Sar continued to feed her slices of fruit until they had all been eaten. As Artemis watched, Kai's wounds began to heal, and her eyes fluttered open as she returned to consciousness. Kai sat up, looking around, confused. "What in the Broken Hells?" Sar laughed, patting the young warrior's arm. "No, dear. You are far from that wretched place. You are in the realm of the Faer Folk. Artemis brought you here for healing, which I have just provided." "And who might you be?" Kai looked at the strange subtly burning woman warily. "My name is Sar. I am a Fire Spirit." "How did you heal me?" Sar indicated the tree without fruit. "I fed you the sole fruit of the Tree of Life," she explained. "Your wounds are healed, and you will take no further injury in your lifetime, which, incidentally, has lengthened considerably."
She smiled warmly, and offered Kai a hand up. "Okay," Kai said, not quite sure she believed what she was hearing. She gestured at the other tree. "What sort of tree is that one, then?" "That is the Tree of Knowledge," Sar said. "While the Tree of Life gives life eternal, the Tree of Knowledge gives infinite knowledge. The fruit is for you as well, as you are the hero who's coming was foretold." "Hm," Kai studied the tree. "So," she said at last, "if I eat that fruit..." "Great knowledge will be yours," Sar confirmed. Kai looked over at the High Queen, who had been rather silent through the entire exchange. "Artemis?" she asked, clearly seeking guidance. "You may trust Sar completely," the older woman assured her, putting a comforting hand on Kai's shoulder.. "I have placed my life in her hands more than once. The fruit is yours to do with as you will." Kai stood between the trees, the strange fruit in her hand, and wondered.

  Old Friends

  Kel stood in the small clearing, staring at the ground where one of the cat people had been taken. He crouched down, touching the dirt lightly with his fingers. It had rained several times since the abduction, so there were few physical clues left. He looked toward the brush at the edge of the forest in all directions, stopping when he saw some broken branches. "There," he said, pointing. Kit nodded. "Yes. We think he was attacked here, but managed to escape into the woods." "You followed the trail, I assume?" Kel asked, standing and walking toward the brush. Kit followed after, Quin and Bors trailing behind. "No," she said. “His scent trail vanished almost as soon as he passed the treeline.” She sighed. "We were so hoping to find him. His name was -is- Kentras. He's my youngest brother, and was out on his first solo hunt when he-" She came up short when Kel stopped abruptly in front of her. "Can you feel that?" he asked. "Feel what?" Kit glanced around, but noticed nothing out of the ordinary . Kel said nothing, closing his eyes. He did not have his mother's gift for traveling between worlds, but he could sense the subtle energies left behind by those who did. This felt similar to that, if slightly different. He reached out, looking without seeing and could sense a line, almost a hidden path, trailing away toward the east. Opening his eyes, he looked over at Kit and the others. "Teleporter," he said. "Are you sure?" Quin asked. "Reasonably," Kel replied. "There's a faint energy trail leading east." He pointed. "It's the only lead we've been able to find, so we may as well follow it." The others agreed, and began what ended up being a long trek through the wilderness. While none were strangers to living rough, the group was fortunate to have two cat people among its number. They were peerless hunters and also found the best places to camp at night. It was one such night, after many days of walking, that found the party bedding down in the broad trunk of an ancient hollow tree. Bors stood guard, while Kit and Kel talked softly over the remnants of the evening meal. Quin slept fitfully, wrapped in his long coat, shivering though the night air was mild. "A journey like this can not be easy on him," Kel remarked. Kit shook her head. "No. I've known him many years now, and always found him to be vital despite his years, but recently his age seems to have caught up with him." She looked sadly on the old Gunfighter. "I do not believe he expects to survive this mission." "Why did he come?" Kel asked. "He believes he owes it to us," Kit answered. "Years ago, following the battle he told you about, my people found him wandering alone through the Wild Lands. He was starved, injured and half-dead. Our healers worked tirelessly to return his health. He feels honor-bound to repay what he considers a debt." "And you do not feel he owes you this?" "I do not," Kit said. “He has aided us countless times in his years with us and has been tireless in his efforts to find our missing people. He owes us nothing, but he believes he owes us his life." She reached out and gently stroked Quin's greying hair. "He will gladly give it up for us, if it comes to that." "It won't come to that," Kel assured her. "Well," she replied sardonically, "let us hope confidence is sufficient to win the day." She tucked Quin's coat tighter around him, then rose as much as their cramped quarters would allow. "I'm going to check on Bors," she said. "He's been awfully quiet. He tends to whine incessantly on guard duty." She stepped out into the night, calling softly for her companion. Within moments, she returned, her face troubled. "What is it?" Kel asked. "Bors is gone." Kel stood. "Stay with Quin," he said, "I'll go check it out." He stepped out of the tree and stopped short. Standing in a half-circle around the roots of the tree were several members of the Order of the Moon. A lone woman, whom Kel recognized as the presumed dead Fanna Otaku, stepped forward. "Why, hello there, Kel," she said, smiling. "How nice of you to be so accommodating by joining these animals. It saves us the trouble of hunting you later." "No," Kel said, shaking his head. "No, I killed you. I felt your neck snap." "Yes," Fanna agreed, "and it was quite painful, let me tell you." She took another step forward. Her companions trained their weapons on Kit as she exited the tree. Fanna approached Kel, trailing a finger along his jawline. "You are going to find we of the Order are full of surprises. For instance," she smiled seductively, "I have a very special one in mind for you, once we return to our headquarters." "I'm not going anywhere with you," Kel stood defiantly, arms folded across his chest. "Oh, I think you will," Fanna replied. "If you don't, we'll kill every feline we have in captivity, including her," she pointed to Kit, who was being bound by others of the Order. Kel looked back over his shoulder and saw Quin was not where he'd left him. The aged Gunfighter had, for all practical purposes, vanished. Kel had no time to wonder at this, as Fanna spun him around to face her. He blanched at the madness in her eyes. "Face it, Champion," Fanna leaned up to whisper in Kel's ear, "you are mine now, to do with as I please."

  Grand Designs

  Kel woke in a comfortable bed in a lavish bedchamber, his mind floating. He'd been drugged, and thought was elusive. But he didn't mind. The drug told him everything was okay, and made it so easy to believe. Fanna Otaku entered the bedchamber, a silken robe her only apparent garment. "Hello, Kel," she purred. "Whaaa..." Kel looked blearily in the direction of her voice, saw Fanna through a blurred haze. She's pretty, he thought. "Oh, Kel. I do have to thank you," Fanna said with a smile. It was an odd smile, satisfied. Kel didn't notice, his own smile was stupid and leering. Through the haze, he felt desire. Strong desire, bordering on animal lust. His face flushed and Fanna noticed, giggling. "Kel, darling. Is it coming on again? Can you feel it, that need for me? For my body?" He lurched forward, growling and reaching for her. She danced lightly out of his reach as dizziness dropped him face-first on the bed. She was laughing now. "Oh, but you've already HAD me, Kel. And I got what I wanted from you, so I see no point in granting you the pleasure again. But..." she pursed her lips, considering, as Kel pushed himself up to a sitting position, back against the headboard, eyes closed and the world spinning. His breathing was rapid, he throbbed between his legs, heat burst behind his eyes and through his face. "Wha're you... doin'... t'me..." His head lolled and he struggled to open his eyes. He groped at himself with one hand, but his arms weren't working right. "Ah-ah," Fanna shook her head. "Don't waste any. We need you fit for phase two." "Fuh-f-faze t..." Kel's mouth went slack as his pulse raced. All thoughts of anything save sating his lust fled his addled brain. "I'm making gods, Kel," Fanna smiled. "Well, one god, a God King, actually. A God King and a legion of godlings under his command." She slid her hand across her flat belly, her smile turning sweet. "I've got my God King on the way," she said softly, throwing a coy look at her recent lover, "now I just need to make him his legion of godlings." She called back over her shoulder, "Girls!" Ten women filed in, all wearing a great deal less than their mistress, smiling indulgently down at Kel. They surrounded him on the bed, stroking his skin, lightly at first, long nails gently scratching lines in his flesh which faded quickly, leaving a tingle that spread throughout his body. All sensation was more acute. He found his arms in his control again, though the haze in which he moved was more blurred and otherworldly than ever. He took one acolyte in his arms, kissing her as one of the others reached between his legs. She took hold of him, her hand sliding up and down, his grip on the woman in his
arms tightening. Then the other woman released him, and the woman in his arms began to ride him, slowly and gently, then fast and hard. Kel cried out in his orgasm, and she lay across him, squeezing him and holding him between her legs. At last she slid off him, and he lay panting. "Oh, you might think that's the end," Fanna said from the doorway, "but you're just getting started. Have a wonderful night, my love." She walked out of the room as a third woman crawled up Kel's body, pushing a small nozzle and forcing a blast of chemicals into Kel's nose. Kel's eyes rolled back in his head and he pulled the third woman to him with renewed vigor. She shrieked and laughed as he threw her down on the bed and climbed on top of her. Fanna walked down the hall to the laboratories. She tightened the robe around her, pulling up her hood to shadow her face. She entered the lab, where two men of the Order were cutting into Bors' corpse on a bloodstained table. "Anything?" she said. One of the men nodded, carefully extracting Bors' heart. "Yes," he said. "I think this heart will be a welcome addition." "Good," Fanna nodded, pleased. "Now, if we take the brain out of the other one... where is it?" she looked around the lab and noticed Kit, locked in a cage against the far wall. "It's still alive?" She was surprised. The men looked at each other, then away, then at Fanna. One cleared his throat. "We thought, maybe, perhaps, with your permission, of course, we'd, um..." he glanced over at his colleague. The other man looked up at Fanna, smiling weakly. "Um, breed her?" Fanna laughed. "Do you hear this, animal?" she called over to Kit, who sat sullenly in the corner of her cage, staring out of the shadows at the assembled humans. "They want to breed you!" She laughed again. She turned serious eyes on the two men, pushing back her hood to glare at them. "We don't breed with the animals," she said. "But, her capacity," stammered one man, "her ability to birth in litters..." "Is an ability we've already grafted to your sisters of the Order," She gestured back over her shoulder down the hall toward the bedchamber she'd left. "And the women of the breeding stock," she added. Then she pointed at Kit, who still said nothing, continuing to stare. "This one is royalty, if I remember correctly. Its brain is the best bet for a successful graft, especially with that one's heart." She jerked her thumb in the direction of the gory operating table, then directly at her subordinates. "I want their abilities fully grafted to breeders by the end of this week. Breeding will start a few days after that." She patted her abdomen. "My son and his godlings need foot soldiers." As she walked past the cage, Kit spoke to her. "What makes me so special? And Bors?" Her voice was a low growl, barely audible but heard perfectly by Fanna. Her captor turned toward her and said, "The best minds under my command have determined that, you being of the direct royal line, and the other being of close descent, are sufficiently human to suit my needs. The first few of your kind we took had bred too much with the giant cats and each other. The grafts didn't take. It wasn't until we took what I assume to be some noble and successfully grafted her birthing capacity to one of our women that we realized we needed royalty." "And what are you doing with us?" Kit asked. "Didn't you hear?" Fanna gestured toward the two men far behind her. "We're using your major organs to graft your abilities into our breeders and then conceive a force of enhanced human soldiers." "Why?" Fanna smiled, spreading her arms wide, "To serve as infantry in the great army of the God King of Amorlia, of course." There was a pause, long enough that Fanna almost turned and walked away. "She was my cousin," Kit growled. "Who?" Fanna inquired. "The cat woman you cut open to 'enhance' your breeders!" Kit roared. More quietly, she said, "So for that, I'm going to take your throat with my teeth." "Well," Fanna smiled down her nose, "that will be rather difficult with your brain on a tray over there." Kit made a strange angry sound deep in her throat, then hissed. "They won't get the chance. Kel will escape whatever cell you've locked him in, and when he does-" She was interrupted by peals of laughter coming from Fanna. "Oh, you poor creature," she said, wiping her eyes, "if Kel Vega is the key to your plan for vengeance, you are in dire straits indeed." She walked away, tossing back over her shoulder, "Incidentally, he's not locked up anywhere. He's just got better things to do at the moment."