Soul Knight - Chapter 42 (Patreon)

Nick took another bite of drake steak, the grease dripping down his lips. Essence filled his body, providing extra sensations from his body core thrumming near his stomach. “Man, that’s really good! Those drakes are good eating.”

Eirwen and Kaya sat with Nick, at one of dozens of picnic tables set up in the plaza. The girls were now wearing outfits like the many orcs, finally out of their adventuring clothes.

Kaya wore some tight brown shorts, that just barely reached her thighs, along with a chest wrap that mostly contained her breasts of the same color. With her firm stomach and her toned body, Nick couldn’t wait to get some alone time with the red panda woman.

Eirwen looked cute and sexy, wearing a long brown skirt that reached just past where her sheep fur ended by her knee. The halter top she wore showed just the right amount of her smooth pale skin, her body having filled out from essence and exercise perfectly. Seeing her having a firm body rather than a frail one filled him with satisfaction.

Nick was also wearing a tribal outfit. Much like many of the male orcs, his chest and stomach were on display, wearing a vest with no shirt underneath. More than once, Eirwen and Kaya had bit or licked their lips as they gazed and put their hands on his body, and he couldn’t help but smile at their attraction.

The many orcs were partying, enjoying their victory. A drum beat played as the many women danced for their men, while others engaged with one another in competitions of strength and skill.

The sun was down, but the bonfire, lamps, and the moon provided plenty of light to enjoy the party. The orc plaza had various tents on the outskirts, with Lothar’s hut beneath the tower in the center. Drake meat was being cooked within the many tents, the high-essence food in great demand.

Unfortunately, Rebecca had requested to head back to Zura. She had things to take care of there, to prepare for Trial Closure. When Nick asked what she and the people of Zura wanted, she said they would accept whatever decision he made.

However, she thought that it might be best for them to join Nick in Havendale.

The reason was, the evil merchant and his association had various connections. While Nick might have dealt with Brutus, there were likely many more not present in the Trial. The bottled concept with the parasite came from somewhere, and it was better to move them away from those connections.

Perhaps, those connections would still eventually follow them to Havendale, but it would likely take a significant amount of time for them to be tracked down. It was hardly worth it for someone to go to those lengths for just a first and second stratum village.

They had learned that Havendale was months of travel by carriage away, based on the map. Their cities were nearly half the entire shard away. There were faster methods of travel, but not ones they would have access to anytime soon.

They were truly on what was called the lost frontier, a section of the Shard that had been given up on. Most of the growth was in other areas of the Shard,

The towers extended in all directions around the shard, and new Ordeals would open up as the world expanded, through means few people understood. But many in this direction laid unclaimed or stagnant, other sections of the shard simply richer or more prosperous, for whatever reason.

They had nearly two whole days before they were forced to exit the Trial, but they would likely leave the next day. They needed to claim their Crown Sanctum, and make the selections for the merging there. Then, they were concerned about Davon’s preparations, and those that were ejected.

Ideally, they would want as much time as possible between Exit and Closure, to check in the barrows beneath the tower, just in case there were additional details there for him.

On top of that, they preferred to deal with any bandit threat long before their people arrive. Lothar and their orcs were on board with joining Nick in Havendale, thinking it was an excellent opportunity for raiding.

And, Nick learned that three Ordeals could reside in one city, and that there were advantages for doing it. There were also advantages to having three cities, but Nick thought he was almost assuredly picking the people of Zura and Nagduros to join him in Havendale, but wanted to get information from his Crown Sanctum first.

Nick looked over to his table of wolflings. They looked ten times more civilized than the first time they ate together. They had been using sort of wooden sticks, but they now held forks and knives, cutting into the meat calmly.

As Nick looked at Andross and Zarog, he couldn’t help but raise his brow. His wolflings were better behaved than those two.

The two were laughing, drinking large steins of ale. Their table got louder and louder as more drinks arrived, the many orcs enjoying their victories. Looking over the many children rescued enjoying the celebration, Nick was filled with a warmth in his chest, a primal satisfaction for a job well done.

Thanks to his and his people’s actions, they were home safely.

Nick was still recovering, but he finished raising the dead orcs. Their bodies and souls were out of sync, and would take a time before they would be able to progress once more.

From Rebecca and Agatha, Nick learned an interesting detail.

Archaens and their Soul Pacts were far from the only means of resurrecting the dead on Orion. The Ordeal provided one method for those below the second stratum, but there were many shards where they had different means.

Followers of Seraphara might even be able to learn a resurrection spell, but the requirements were extremely high.

Through the Crown Sanctum, he could even purchase a binding stone like that which lived in the Ordeal. It didn’t prevent death from old age, and there were methods in higher stratums to target and destroy the soul beyond what such a stone could accomplish–just like Nick’s Judgement did.

Most of these methods for resurrection stopped being applicable later, without the person sort-of being reborn, and, there was a significant loss for those that used it–the binding stone within the Ordeal far superior.

There were even cultivators that focused on reincarnation as their means of progression. Rebecca had heard of many of these, but they were merely vague details found in her books.

Luna poured Nick some fruit drink, while Sable added more grilled vegetables to his plate, their tails wagging with their canine smiles wide. Fang was refilling Eirwen and Kaya’s meats.

Nick chuckled. “Thanks, girls. You’re eating good too, right?”

They nodded, barking with pride. The many wolflings were enjoying the merriment of the orcs, some of them even drinking beer along with them.

While they couldn’t talk, it seemed they were able to get along well with the orcs just fine, gesturing, yipping and barking. Some wolflings even danced by the bonfire, joining the many orc women in their dancing.

Eirwen chuckled, as she saw where Nick was looking. “They are really different than most wolflings I’ve ever heard of.”

Nick nodded with a smile. “They’ve really come a long way in just a week. I can’t wait to see what they’ll be like in a month or two.”

Kaya enjoyed her drake meat, a feral smile on her lips. “Me too! Hey Nick, this is definitely better than that super deer.”

He chuckled. “Hell yeah it is. Really glad we got freezers here, we can have drake meat for weeks! When I came out of those ruins and saw Jerome’s hard tack, I was worried. I thought I’d be pissing and shitting in a pot or something for the rest of my life.”

Eirwen giggled. “Why’d you think that?”

Nick shrugged. “I thought I was in like medieval times. Like I was back a thousand years on my world or something, and they didn’t have real toilets and running water back then.”

Kaya frowned. “History is a bit odd on Orion’s many shards, but the blueprints for housing and sewers have been around for thousands of years, allowing people to create housing using essence from the Ordeal. It allows us to focus on advancement. Or, it would when owned, normally.”

Nick frowned. “But what about architects and builders and stuff, won’t it take away from them?”

Eirwen shrugged. “As the city around the Ordeal grows, there are tiers or rings of the city. The Ordeal really only creates stuff in the first rings, and mostly for those that challenge the Ordeal. As the city expands, you’ll still need builders and other craftsman beyond there. You could almost see it like a bonus for claiming an unclaimed Ordeal, the pioneers don’t have to worry about any of that–just climbing the Tower.”

“Huh, alright. Makes sense, the Ordeals is a powerful resource that need to be utilized. I wonder what options we’ll have available to us.”

Eirwen smiled. “It’s exciting! I think we’ll have special options thanks to your race and heritage! I can’t wait.”

Eirwen looked over at the orc women dancing with a smile. “That looks like fun! Kaya, let’s dance? And hubby, if you wanna join? I’ll dance for you!”

Nick couldn’t say no to her wide smile. He stood up. “Let’s go, I wanna see how you dance with those cute feet of yours.”

Kaya and Eirwen both got up from the table, and he offered his elbows to both of the girls. Eirwen beamed. “Hehe, such a gentleman! This’ll be fun.”

The two girls sidled up to him, and they walked over to the dance. There was a bonfire in the center and a drum circle, with many girls dancing. A few of the orc men were present, but to Nick, it looked like the girls just danced around them.

Eirwen and Kaya started dancing to the beat, swaying their hips and bouncing their bodies to the beat. Eirwen’s tail swayed lazily behind her as she moved her feet and swung her arms. Nick followed the girls around as he stepped with the beat, enjoying the beautiful girl’s dances.

Kaya brushed her body up against him, her tail wrapping around his waist. He pulled her in close as he danced with her, her smile lighting up the night. She rubbed her body against his, following what many of the orc girls were doing for their men.

Eventually, she spun away, only for Eirwen to take her place with Nick as they danced together.

They spent a time dancing together, the three of them, having a good time. Eirwen took most of Nick’s attention after the start, and he thought he knew why.

Eirwen wrapped her hands around Nick’s neck, and drew him in for a kiss. He obliged, the fruity taste of the juice drink on her lips. She looked at Kaya, and then back at Nick. “I’ll stay with the wolfling girls tonight, why don’t you go have some fun with Kaya, then make her yours?”

Nick couldn’t help but chuckle. “It’s so weird for you to encourage me to do that to your sister. Not blood related, but still. You didn’t need to remind me–it was already going to happen.”

Eirwen smiled. “I’m happy that you two are smitten with each other. Now my two favorite people will be by my side for all time.”

Nick chuckled, as he shook his head. “Eternity, huh? That sounds tough though.”

“Of course it is. But I know that you will be a great hero that reaches Eternity, and I won’t doubt it for a second. So you shouldn’t, either.”

Nick felt a warmth in his chest, a pride from the faith she had in him because, as always–she wasn’t lying about her beliefs, and he knew it for a fact. He sighed. “Heh, but I still almost got done in from a fall.”

Eirwen gave him a sly look. “Hmm, are you sure that you almost did? Or would your wonderful wife have shielded you if it looked like you weren’t going to make it? The Ordeals and the Trials reward you for feats you accomplish, maybe the reward for you defeating the alpha drake all on your own was not worth risking, just in case?”

Nick paled. “You mean, you watched me fall from like four stories up, when you could have at least shielded me? That hurt. A lot. Then how could you be so sure the drakes would back off?”

She gave him an almost sadistic smile, freaking him out a little. “Oh, but aren’t you so sturdy, hubby?” Eirwen giggled. “Just joking, but you know that you weren’t the only one at risk there, right? Your accomplishment is mine, and as always, I had faith in you. That Double Jump of yours did actually slow you down, by the way, or I really would have placed the shield. As for the drakes, I mostly just had confidence that the wolfling girls could get you to safety, but I also saw Lothar coming in the distance from up in my tree.”

Nick groaned. “That reward for all these battles better be amazing. I better get like a giant robot, or a–”

Kaya asked, “What’s a robot? Nick, they got axe throwing and some other competitions over there! I wanna try some. Come with me?”

“Let’s do it! One sec.”

He looked back at his wife lovingly and gave her a kiss. “Alright, my wonderful wife, I hope you enjoy your evening. I know I’ll enjoy mine.”

Eirwen smiled. “You two have fun. I think I’m going to try teaching the wolflings to at least understand some more common tongue, and then teach them to brush their teeth. I’ll also spend some time going over Agatha’s book on the Crown Sanctum.”

He chuckled, and headed off with Kaya toward a section of the plaza with several pillars and railings setup. There were various sections, and it appeared each one was meant for a form of competition.

There was axe throwing, and various contests of skill and strength.

Kaya noted, “I had practiced a lot with those throwing knives, but having some throwing axes might be smart. Just like the Test of Reflection said, I shouldn’t let myself have any weaknesses.”

Nick nodded. “Let’s give it a shot. There’s something satisfying about how the axe flips as it heads to the target.”

He took the time to show her the differences, about where to hold the throwing axe to get the right effect, and they practiced and played, competing with one another. Kaya’s tail swished and caressed Nick even when she didn’t realize it, watching him throw and pressing her body against his as they traded places, and retrieved their thrown weapons.

Kaya hummed. “That was fun, but it’s not fair to compete with something you’re already good with. How about one of these strength competitions? I’ll take you on!”

Nick looked at her clothes with a raised brow. “Can you even use your essence at the moment? And what’ll happen when you bust outta those shorts and that top–it looks like you’re about to already!”

Kaya blushed. “As for the essence, I’ll be fine now–the drake meat and these last few hours have really got me back in good shape. As for the clothes, I forgot about that! I guess I’ll have to only transform my legs and arms, then. I bet I can still beat you!”

“Oh? And what are we wagering this time?”

She smirked, as she looked over the different competitions. “Hmmm, how about… best two out of three–whoever loses, has to serve the other one for a full day of their choosing–in the future. I think it would be fun to have a prince, or lord, serve me.”

“And I can think of many great ways for you to take care of me. You’re on. Let’s try this barrel obstacle course thing first, it looks fun.”

There was a section with two lanes, where a weighted barrel had to be rolled through. But various obstacles required you to lift, twist, or otherwise flip and reorient the barrel in order to get through effectively.

It required strength of various kinds, from core strength to just about every other muscle group for lifting or pushing the large, heavy barrel, and overall agility–and quite a bit of technique.

They lined up their barrels, and Kaya partially transformed. Fur grew on her arms and formed claws on her hands as they bulked up, and her legs from the thigh down did the same. Because of the difference in size of just her limbs, Nick couldn’t help but feel she looked like a weird cartoon character.

She growled. “Let’s do it! Ready, set, go!”

Nick had filled his body with his essence, and shoved the heavy barrel. It moved down a ramp where it sped up, him chasing after it. It crashed into a rail at an angle as Nick blazed behind it, and his dexterous hands wrapped around the rim and twisted it over the rail, before it truly lost all of its momentum.

He continued on as he followed the rolling barrel, and Kaya growled as she was forced to lift hers up and throw it over the rail herself.

Kaya did well to twist the barrel, and in a surprising show of agility, she even ran on the barrel for a moment, speeding it up at one point.

However, Nick’s timing as he rolled the barrel over a ramp, and agility in twisting it to change direction at just the right moment, was beyond supernatural. He overcame the obstacles quickly and efficiently, getting him across the finish line first.

Kaya was breathless, gasping for air after her mad dash to the finish. “That was a lot harder than it looked. Have you done this before?”

“You saw that boulder on the third floor. I’m an expert at rolling things.”

Kaya snorted, before giving a wide smile. “Forgot about that one. The next one is pure strength, so your tricks won’t save you this time!”

Nick chuckled. “I thought you red raccoons were all about the tricks.”

The next competition was what looked to be a lot like the atlas stones competition on Earth. Several stones of various sizes sat in front of pillars of different heights, requiring a strong man to use different muscle groups to lift the stones rapidly and effectively into their holder.

It was a timed event using a chime that rung about every five seconds, and Kaya would go first. Once again she had her transformation, and she lifted the stones one by one with impressive agility.

Her essence billowed off of her as she growled, moving fast through the event. Nick wasn’t quite sure he was going to be able to win, as the last stone was huge.

She had struggled with the final stones, which were a lot like doing dead lifts to reach the point of the pillar that was nearly at chest level.

But he was especially motivated. He didn’t want to think of what kind of service she could come up with. She teased him enough already, and each task would be like ammunition for the future. When it came to anything that was embarrassing, her mind was like a steel trap.

Not only that, but he definitely wanted to win now. He wanted her more than ever, her strength and capability was extra sexy. Plus, she growled nearly a dozen times, lifting the barrel and now the stones, and it stirred something in him.

Kaya stood there with her hip cocked, a hand on her hip as she fixed her hair with the other. “Hmph! Seven chimes! But wow, Lothar can do it in four. That guy can move! Now remember, you can’t start moving your essence until you start the timer.”

When the start chime rung, Nick pulled from his center and shouted, sending a burst of wind out. He stirred his essence as he dashed to the first stone, forming his essence and mana chains around his body.

He squatted and lifted with perfect form, inserting the stone into the first pillar’s holder, one barely at knee height. His leap to the next stone carried him nearly two meters to the next pillar, where he repeated it.

Nick moved with haste, not wasting any movements as he lifted each stone rapidly. Thoughts filled his mind about his desire and drive to make Kaya his, and to dominate her. Essence surged, and his muscles bulked up on the final stone, his monstrous blow somehow triggering as he lifted it easily into the receptacle.

The fifth chime rang just as he set it inside, making Nick the winner.

Nick pumped his fist in victory. “Hell yeah! Looks like that’s my–” His voice caught in his throat when he saw Kaya’s expression. She was panting, her chest heaving with her face a full blush.

“W-Wow, you’re so…strong.”

Nick walked over to her, raising his brow as he arrived a few feet from her. “You’re acting a little weird, Kaya. You alright?”

“S-Shut up. You’re being weird!” Her face became even redder, and she rubbed her thighs together. She whispered, “Let’s um…go back to the inn? I’ll…tell you there.”

The speed walk to the inn holding hands felt like some of the longest minutes of Nick’s life. Seeing Kaya so excited to be with him filled him with desire, reminding him of how he had felt on their previous date.

As they arrived in the small bedroom, Kaya pounced him, her legs wrapping around his waist as her lips met his, and his back slammed into the closed door. Her body was filled with desire, as her hands roamed his chest and shoulders, her breaths heavy as she kissed him repeatedly.

He pulled away to speak, but her lips followed his, and she whimpered with need.

Nick chuckled as he did his best to speak despite her efforts, her lips pecking his as she ground her hips against his,  “Hang on, I’m not going anywhere. Weren’t you going to tell me what this was about?”

Kaya froze, blushing further. “Y-Yeah. We beastfolk… especially the ones that can transform to fight, have a higher…mating instinct? And that shout of yours, combined with beating me in that contest…really got it going. I was already wanting you since…I chose you as my mate. So now, I need you.”

Nick carried her to the bed, setting her down on it. “I’m liking where this is going. But my people… prefer something a little more…permanent first. Let’s make it official.”

His eyes lit white, as his soul magic stirred. Ancient wisdom guided his words, his usual playfulness gone.

“Kaya, daughter of Mira and Thorne, I offer you a Soul Pact. With this pact, our souls will be intertwined for as long as I draw breath, and even beyond that. Reaching into Eternity.”

Kaya’s eyes grew wide, a smile touching her face. Nick was sure that Eirwen probably told her all about this moment, so she watched on with anticipation for what he would say next.

“I promise you, my fierce companion, that if you accept, you will become a part of my kind, a Beastfolk Archaen, bound to me in spirit and Essence as my wife. I ask for your love, your strength, and your fierce protection bound by Archaen Law, for all time. In return, I will do everything possible to make your dreams come true.”

Nick delved into her soul, grasping onto her greatest desires. In truth, her becoming a beast warrior like her mother was already as far ahead as she had imagined. Her biggest goal at the moment appeared to bring justice to Davon, but Nick thought that goal was simply too hollow.

It was not a dream that made her more fulfilled as a person. It would bring her satisfaction, sure, but it was something that would be far too short-lived.

He continued, “I already helped you become a beast warrior that would make Mira proud, and you may already see me as a hero worthy of your service. But now I will become a Lord capable of drawing other great warriors to my call. You will become a samurai that serves among many other honorable knights and warriors, the glory and honor of serving such a lord one that you can be proud of, our names heard far and wide.”

He continued, “As your Archaen Husband, I also offer you my protection, limitless adventure, and my love. I need your bravery, your curiosity and playfulness, and your loyalty. I need your fierce protection of me and our family, to help me stand against those that challenge me, and to be my beacon of strength when darkness surrounds us.”

He added, “I want you by my side, not as a mere lover, but as an equal partner in every sense. Together, we will walk the path of heroes, facing challenges and triumphs, and we will continue to fight until we reach Eternity. Will you accept my pact, becoming my Archaen Wife?”

Kaya’s smile was beaming. “I do. Just as you said before, I am already yours. I will fight by your side and protect our family and our honor, forevermore.”

The white light of Essence engulfed Nick and Kaya, and their souls intertwined, bound by a pact that transcended time and mortality. It forged a connection that would endure the Tests and Trials of Orion, guiding them on their shared journey into the unknown.

When the white light subsided, it appeared a lot more on Kaya had changed on the outside than Eirwen. Her eyes had become purple from their previous red, and she had grown. She was nearly as tall as Nick, her musculature increasing. He couldn’t help but feel there was a monstrous air about her now, or just much more bestial than before.

Black fur covered her arms, hands, legs, and feet past the elbow and knee, and her mind and soul cores had merged inside of her. She flexed her fingers, testing her retractable claws with a smirk, and Nick could tell she was brimming with strength.

But her body had burst forth from her previous clothes, the fabric no longer able to contain her form. Her cheeks were still dusted in a blush, her breaths heavy. As she looked at his form, she was reminded of where they were.

“Please, Nick–I need you even more now.”

Nick smiled, as he took off his vest. The feeling was mutual.