1. Nights of Alsitor; Hades Persephone


    Date: 8/22/2015, Categories: Fantasy & Sci-Fi, Author: SynovexH, Rating: 2, Source: LushStories

    Hades gritted his teeth, fingers twitching at his side. He was panting, drips of sweat running down his bare back, his shoulders, his forehead, soaking the blindfold. It annoyed him, though it was fine silk, he fought the impulse to take it off. He had been preparing for this night, deep in the caves that span the foundations of the Alsitor mountain range, and his role as [prisoner/guest/slave/student] was not one he had volunteered for without heavy consideration. He didn't blame his beloved motherland for losing a war long ago, but were taught to be grateful that an everlasting truce could be formed for the low price of a dozen young men every year. Those sent to the Ephaemeryl nation were always returned a month later, alive, but never speaking about the strange Ephaemeryl race- oddly twisted bodies, piping voices with the power to rob weak men of their sanity, eyes that can warp a man's willpower- but would often be summoned back, sworn by fear to silence of ever speaking of the dread 'moon of honey.' His muscles taut, Hades curled his lip- he had no idea what to expect, but he was determined to face it bravely. He raised his head, listening to footsteps approach from in front. He had been blindfolded, led into the caverns by a band of his villagers, and left there with nothing in his possession but a blindfold, a silver-trimmed black leather belt, and the long, flowing rune-marked loincloth hanging off his meaty haunches down to his knee. The custom was ancient, and ...
    respected. Hades straightened up, arms at his side, ready. "Are you afraid?" That voice cut through his confidence like a shard of glass; higher-pitched, but somehow not childish, and smooth in a way that warmed him. An ancient, carefully-bred endocrine system begins to turn its gears in Hades' pineal and pituitary glands. A tugging sensation, like great thorny roots were growing along his bones, making an odd, pleasant itchiness, and thunder rolled in his gut. Was this the power of an Ephaemeryl? He gulped. "I felt fear when I was blindfolded, but fear will not protect me now. That which is, is. I have only myself now." "Good. They trained you well. Now, what are you? And try to impress me, this time." Hades braced his shoulders- he had been expecting the question. "I am Hades Neptyun, 19th son of the January generation of Dolmen, the village on the west side of the mountain. I have a strong back, I'm quick on my feet, and I do not fear pain. I cook, I am an archer, I grow food, I know carpentry, and I am proficient in renewable energy, neuroscience, and three extant languages. I am sworn and loyal to the elders and the whole village, and for their sake I offer myself to your mercy." "Very good. Now, tell me. Will you kneel?" Hades paused. His skin was warm, and he didn't know why he was breathing so deeply. His body wavered, then he shook his head. "Before I came here, my Breadparent and Smithparent both made me swear that I would never bow to a stranger. I do not know your ...
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