Chapter Seven Divine Quests and Strange Shops (Patreon)

Chloe stopped before Furea’s altar and knelt before the larger than life statue of the goddess. On either side of her were a pair of burning fires in silver bowls. Bringing her hands together, Chloe began to pray. More for forms sake than anything else, she might not be the most devout spirit but she knew the protocols. Furea responded nigh instantly, life bloomed on her statue and both fires flared up. Growing brighter and stronger while turning from the usual color of mortal flames to a lovely shade of pink and gold, before rushing down a path laid out around the altar. Voices exclaimed behind her, she recognized the voices but not the words as the world dropped away. She found herself kneeling before Furea, a smile on the face of the goddess, “Welcome, Chloe. Ready to resume our earlier discussion?”

Chloe nodded, “As ready as I could be.” Then she sighed, “So how are you going to mark me? Making me a champion or something?”

“You would be stronger than my current champion, but I’m not in the habit of displacing my champions for the newest thing, but she is looking to retire. My priestesses all know this, which is why you’ll be a candidate.”

“That will be... interesting.”

“Interesting for us both, considering last cycle we were enemies, but our goals actually align for once, and so long as they do. I’ll support you.”

Chloe had to agree with the sentiment, “I still want to change the world.”

Furea giggled, “Yes, well your new plan has been a point of discussion.”

Wanting not to think about that, she steered the discussion back on course, “So about the Maveran Brood Queen? Any idea where she might have holed up, and did that cult summon other abyssals?”

“No that particular cult didn’t, but there are still a few minor Abyssals left running around. They went to ground after Milith’s Crusade killed or banished much of the taint the Theocracy had allowed to fester.”

Chloe frowned, “Who’s Milith, what’s this taint you were talking about?”

Furea gestured, “Sit, we have much to discuss. The short version of the story begins well over a hundred years ago when Aurous rose to godhood. From the beginning the man was maniacal with little regard for women. Most gods thought he’d mellow with age, but that isn’t what happened. We aren’t entirely sure when, but at some point he made a contract with the Abyss, soon after the lands under his protection began to fester with taint. He also obtained the leadership seat of the light pantheon, which only made him more insufferable, several goddesses even suffered from his actions. That all came to an end about a hundred years ago when a young lordling named Milith defeated and killed him in battle. History records that as the first of a series of world events, the second world event followed almost on its heels when a young dungeon opened a world gate and called the Primal God King to this world. Or should I say God Queen? Her arrival led not long after to the third world event, but that’s a subject we aren’t here to discuss. What matters is Milith, not only did she kill Aurous but she set off a crusade against the taint he left behind.”

“And some of that survived?”

Furea nodded sadly, “Unfortunately, yes. We did eventually track them all down, but not their children. Many of said children are now causing their own problems with various cults. I’d say you should keep your eye out for anything unusual. Thankfully between the Abyss hunters and Milith’s Crusaders, most cults die young, but that’s made the surviving ones a little more crafty. Now we do know there is an Abyssal Pleasure Cult in the Underdark, we have busted a few cells. There are also a few kidnapping rings we have linked to Abyssal activity.”

Chloe blinked, “Huh, no wonder Zoey didn’t want me coming to the temple alone. They're taking children?”

“Sadly yes, and you and I both know what happens to children abducted by Abyssals.”

“Nothing good, anything else I need to know?”

Furea nodded, “There has been a sharp rise in monster attacks in several areas, monsters have been found in areas they normally don’t frequent, indicating something is driving them from their usual haunts. It might be related to the Maveran Brood Queen, or the particular cult that summoned her.”

“I see, think the cults are connected?”

“Sometimes, but usually not.”

“Understood.”

Furea leaned forward, “now one last thing before I let you go...”

______________

Zoey took the steps up to the door of an old shop, a worn sign over the door read, Bysha’s Trading: If we don’t have what you are looking for, no one does.

Zoey shook her head at the sign and let out a breath, she wasn’t a big fan of Bysha or her group. She knew her own group could be considered a little shady but Bysha was definitely shady. Pushing the door open, she was quickly greeted by a shop that could only be described as strange.

On the left were a series of shelves with rows of detached female breasts on display. Arranged neatly in rows and in matched pairs, some were tiny, barely more than buds, others were huge full pairs. Shapes varied from teardrop to rounded. The detail on them was amazing, but that was only natural given they were real. Next to the rows of shelves, were a series of female torsos arranged on a rack. Elsewhere were a number of legs and arms on display. Near the counter was a display of heads, all female, delicately arranged. Some were younger, others older.

At least Bysha wasn’t like her ancestors, so the ‘merchandise’ was clean and ‘well cared’ for. For Zoey however it was always a bit unsettling to come here. Bysha came around a corner, she was tall with ashen grey skin and coal black hair. She stood there entirely naked, so Zoey had a great view of her shapely breasts, her muscular legs and slim figure. If she’d had less human blood in her, she’d have had more tentacles, but she still had a few hanging from her waist like some kind of skirt, each one ending in either a barb, or a little sucker with far too many teeth.

“Zoey! How nice of you to come in. What are you looking for today?”

She sighed, “A few contracts are about to run out, and while we could renew, the girls in question are past their prime for our line of work. They’ll be heading off to the mistress for new jobs and to start their families. So we need new hires to replace them.”

“Ah perfect, the usual package then?” smiled Bysha, as she opened a book, “My mother recently sent me some top grade merchandise that would be perfect for one of your brothels. How many girls do you need?”

“Eight, but we have slots for twelve.”

“I can fill all of those if you need,” said Bysha, “oh and I must ask, has anyone given birth lately? Baby girls are in top demand right now, so I can pay you more for them.”

Zoey repressed her urge to slap the girl and said, “No sorry.”

“That’s alright.” then Bysha said, “I’ll deliver them to you at the usual brothel. Same rate as usual right?”

Zoey nodded, “Same rate.”

“Then we are settled, will there be anything else?”

Zoey nodded, “We’ve moved in some important materials. They’ll be leaving on the Bordertown caravan which is short a few guards. Given the lack of guards, we wanted to hire...”

“Ah yes, I understand, the rise in monster attacks has been quite troublesome for us as well. We have some merchandise we need to move as well. If you could get us a slot, we will provide the guards free of charge?”

“I can, what’s your cargo?”

“Newborn females, recently acquired.”

Zoey sighed, of course it was newborns. That was going to be tricky, keeping the unaffiliated in the caravan from messing with Bysha’s cargo would be a problem. “I see. I guess we are going to need another mind mage for this trip.” She let out a breath, “I’ll talk to Krellik.”

Bysha replied, “I wouldn’t worry about that. I’ll take the usual precautions, no one will notice. Krellik alone should be able to keep the curious away and I’ll be sending my daughter as well. My mother has been wanting to see her, anyway, and while young she can help Krellik if he needs it.”

Zoey said, “Alright I’ll still talk to Krellik,” then she moved to leave, only for Bysha to present her with something.

“Aren’t you forgetting this? It’s our contract, all the terms we just discussed are there.”

Zoey read it over, signed and kept her copy, as the paper magically became two copies upon being signed. It was the usual stuff and it wasn’t the first time they’d done business. Now that she was done, she needed to hurry back to the temple, she’d rather young Chloe and Sae didn’t come out this way. This was not a shop for children to be at, and those two were so adorable there was no way Bysha wouldn’t try to buy them. Sometimes Zoey wished she could buy out all Bysha’s stock, but that just wasn’t an option. It would cost too much, and the order couldn’t go attacking Bysha and her kind, that would just draw unwanted attention.

_____________

Chloe blinked as a blue box filled her vision. The world coming back into focus.

Congratulations!You have accepted a divine quest!Hunt down and deal with the escaped Maveran Brood Queen.

Reward:???

Failure:???

Sae ran up to her, “That was so cool! What did the goddess say to you?”

Priestess Alyna commented, “A Champion Candidate? May your path be blessed, what task may I ask was set to you?”

Chloe blinked, this was her chance to warn the world. “An Abyssal of noble rank has escaped. Furea has tasked me with hunting it down, but I wager I won’t be the only one given the task. Other champions and candidates will be called.”

Alyna paled, “By the divines, we can’t let that stand. I will let the other temples know. Any resource you need, you shall have.”

“Thank you Priestess, but for now I will need information.”

“I have little to give you, but we shall keep our ears open.” she turned, paused, then said, “Wait here.”

The priestess ran from the room, returning moments later with a magical tool. “Take this young lady. If we learn anything, we will let you know.”

“I appreciate that, priestess.”

Sae frowned, “Does that mean you are a hero?”

“I have the blood, but being a hero is more than that,” replied Chloe.