FSE

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formerly SoFurry search engine

The coldness of the desert slowly started to lift as the sun rose, transforming it from a bone chilling barren waste, to a scorching field. The Zandrahari desert was one of the most inhospitable regions on the planet, located deep in the Kotkan empire, it was rarely traveled by other than the mad and the bold - bandits and pilgrims would at times venture into the wastes, to escape judgment or to find enlightenment, and rarely would any of them return.

As the sun slowly climbed across the welkin, the rays slashing away at the blackness, bleeding its crimson colours, somewhere in the center of Zandrahari a bell rang. In the harsh sandy fields, there was a place free of bleached bones and vultures, for no traveler had ever reached it - the most isolated space in hell, held a small piece of paradise. In the center of Zandrahari a bell rang.

Oases were far and few between here. Some considered them a sign from their god, indicating that they were on the right path and were allowed to rest a spell. With each one found, the next one was further and scarcer - less trees to offer a cool shade and less water in the pond. But for a weary traveler, even the three cacti and a mud hole was a safe haven. And after traveling days from the mud hole, god would smile upon them, granting heaven on earth. In the most disconnected part of Zandrahari, where miracles came to be, a bell rang.

In the temple of Zora, located at the center of Zandrahari, surrounded by an oasis almost 100 hectares large, a bell rang, signaling the start of the day. The sisters of the night had finished their service, waking the sisters of the day and returning to their chambers for a well deserved sleep.

The sisterhood of Zora was a fairly large religious organization composed of warrior priests of the Kotkan empire - a proud and noble race of bipedal felines located in the sub-equatorial region. Although polytheistic in nature, it was not uncommon for religious organization to form around one deity. Zora was the goddess of plenty and the protector of all women. The sisterhood of Zora has managed to stay in the public eye, regardless of it's isolationist nature and it's restriction to only allow women to join. Although known, the practices of the sisterhood are still a mystery to most and the exact location of their temple differs from map to map. And yet, those who seek out information or a guided through the desert by the powers that be can find themselves on treacherous journey to salvation.

In the temple of Zora, a bell rang. Kiara opened her eyes and rose on her bed. She let out a deep yawn, scratched her eye and peered through the window of her chambers. The still, bluesih ambience of the early morning was slowly disintegrating, making way for the light, bent trough the green palm leaves, spread out through the oasis. She took a deep breath, inhaling the cool air. The scent of the old wooden buildings and fresh fruits filled her lungs, waking her, energizing her. She slowly exhaled, savoring it as much as she could. She had lived in the temple her entire life and each day she performed this small ritual. The monastery smelled like home.

Kiara took off her night gown and put on her daily tunic. She strut through the hallway joining her sisters. With a quick paste, the mass navigated through the living quarters, decorated with wood carvings, depicting scenic, pastoral hills and agricultural fields.

The group entered the dining hall. Each living building had the exact same layout, including the dining hall. They consisted of 12 tables, each about fifty meters long with benches placed on each side. Light shone in different colours through the painted windows. Five windows in total, depicting the daily routine of the acolytes of the day sisterhood - breakfast, training, breviary, working, dinner, and over each scene there was a depiction of Zora, shown as a yellow Kotkan, towering over her subjects with a benevolent smile.

Kiara fixed up her bowl. Each month, every building would choose a few members, to get up earlier than all the rest and prepare the table and food. Food would normally consist of porridge and fruits, all locally grown. Because of the size and the surprisingly rich soil of the oasis, growing fruits and vegetables has been an essential way of self-sufficiency since the founding of the monastery.

"You know, Kiara, the bowl won't get any fuller the more you shift it."

Kiara turned around. Siana, a yellow Kotkan, a few years younger than her, me Kiara's startled gaze with a innocent smile. Kiara took a breath and relaxed.

"I've told you not to sneak up on me."Kiara stated, a playful sternness in her voice.

"You have" Siana replied. "But I had been sitting here for some time. I was getting a tad bit bored just watching you fumble around."

Kiara let out a slight laugh.

"Oh, get ready, they're bringing out breakfast." Siana jabbed her sister excitedly.

Twelve women came out carrying cauldrons, each one filled with porridge. They positioned themselves at the end of each table and awaited for the high priestess. She entered, wearing a white, see-through robe, accenting her muscular toned body. In one hand, heavy with bracelets fashioned from wood, stones and gold, she held a book. All of the Kotkans sitting at the tables closed their eyes, planted their elbows and intertwined their fingers, when she reached the center of the room. She began reading.

"Oh, Zora, great mother of our world, let your light shine on us this day, so we may fulfill our duties to you with a smile and cheer. May this food, which we have gathered from your bounty, be blessed and give us the strength to fulfill our task. May your rays warm us in the cold and shine through the darkness, guiding those who are lost. May your love find its ways to the hearts of all throughout the world and may your strength steel our souls. May our harvest be plentiful. May our spirits be vigilant. May our strength be unnecessary. We take a minute of silence to honor you."

For one straight minute, there was silence - no mumbling, no shuffling, not even breathing was heard. During this silence, everybody in the sisterhood calmed their minds. Thoughtless, they let the void take hold of them. Part of their training involved reaching this state to help them tune into, what they would call, the touch of the goddess. They believed that in this state, they were closer to Zora, and with that, her power would flow through them during combat -their sense would sharpen, noticing any slight movements the opponents might make and they would be driven purely on instinct, believing any thought might take too much during combat. The entire sorority was encouraged to practice the touch of the goddess during any chance they got, so it would be easier for them to enter it.

After the minute was over, the high priestess continued speaking, while the twelve other Kotkans would go around the table, serving breakfast.

"Let your will work through us, let your love shine through us and let your strength course through us. May the food which we eat from your harvest give us the strength to go through the day for us to fulfill our duties and may you watch over us during our times of plenty and few, of happiness and sorrow, of bliss and grief. So be it."

"So be it."answered the sisters in unison.

Kiara stirred her porridge, while Siana started eating.

"How is it?" asked Kiara, still captivated by her motions.

"It's alright. Better than last week." Siana answered, her mouth still full. "I think sister Beeze made today's batch."

Kiara ate a spoonful to test it out.

"It's better than last week." She confirmed. "A tad cold for my liking."

"If you don't like it, you can give it to me."

Kiara let out a slight chuckle.

"I didn't say I didn't like it."

She ate a few spoons more and reached out to grab a banana from the plate of fruits.

"Who are you training with today?" Kiara asked while peeling her banana.

"I believe, sister Vendi. Tonfa training. I like her routines. Very easy flowing."

"Hmm...lucky you. " She took a bite from the fruit "I've got bo training with Milisar."

"Oh..." Siana lowered her voice. "May the great mother be with you."

"I hope she will be." Kiara took a few more bites from the banana and continued eating her porridge. "I swear, sister Milisar has it out for me."

"Don't be like that, Kiki. She's tough on all of us."

"Heh...last week she made me run ten circles around the outer side of the monastery wall for mixing up the stand of the vulture."

"Ah..."Siana looked at her breakfast unsurely. "Maybe she does have it out for you."

Both of the sisters laughed and continued eating.

Breakfast for the monastery was a talkative time. Although the only time talking was prohibited was during prayer, most of the sisters did get assigned different tasks throughout the day and weren't able to share their thoughts and experiences with those closer to them. Siana and Kiara had been friends since they entered the sisterhood and shared their company as often as they could. As youngling they were prone to getting in trouble, as most children were, but as time went on they abandoned their mischievous nature, while their friendship only grew.

"What are your chores for today?" Kiara broke the silence after she was done with her meal.

"I'm part of the team assigned to copy a manuscript for a merchant. You?"

"It's my free day, so I can help you out with that."

"Great! We can meet during breviary and we can head on to the library." Siana answered with enthusiasm and she stood up to return her bowl.

The dining hall was slowly emptying out, each sister heading out to train. Since most of them were acolytes, they headed out to the different training grounds. Siana left to the southern grounds, while Kiara to the eastern.

As Kiara exited the living quarters with her group and walked along the monastery, she felt a slight, uncharacteristically cold breeze. She looked around, trying to determine where exactly it came from. Although the numerous trees did throw a cool shade on the entirety of monastery grounds, it was particularly uncommon for the wind to be able to prickle her hairs. Her pace slowed down as the uncertainty grabbed her. She examined some of the living quarters, as they were close together and could produce a current, and yet it couldn't have from there. Kiara had stopped next to one of the many wells. She looked into it. It was cool, but wind couldn't blow through it. She quickly realized how silly this notion was. She slowly looked around. The temple caught her attention.

The temple of Zora was the first building made in the oasis. Although it's exact age is disputed, the temple has stood strong for over five hundred years, with only slight renovations. The thick walls were made of mahogany, imported from the northern Koniak kingdom of horses and the bell, located in the tower was a gift to the Kotkan empire from Trigerian tzardom from the far east, a race of proud and noble tiger people, who were old allies to the Kotkans. Although the monastery was isolated, it stood as a symbol of divine unity between the empire and its allies.

The temple itself was about 150 meters tall with one belfry at the middle and four additional towers, corresponding to the four cardinal directions. The night sisters would have a member located in each tower, sharing their nightly prayers with their vigil duties.

Kiara felt something tugging on her tunic and realized that she was staring off for some time. She looked down and was met with the gaze of one of the younger members of the sisterhood.

"Excuse me, sister Kiara. Would you please give me some water."

A child, no more than six years old, with an orange-fiery fur stood next to the acolyte. Kiara gently smiled and lowered a bucket into the well.

"How are you today, little Yana?" Kiara softly asked the little girl.

"I am alright. And how about you?"

"Hehe...I am alright as well."

The child's attempt at small talk deeply amused Kiara. The yongling looked up to her sister with a bright smile as she was steadily rocking back and forth on her heels.

"How are your studies going?" Kiara continued the conversation, now pulling the bucket up.

"Alriiight." She answered, prolonging the word.

"Are you memorizing your scriptures?"

"Mhm. I am the best one in my group!"

"Really? Is that so?"

"Yes!"

Kiara pulled out the bucket and filled one of the many wooden cups.

"Should I test you?" Kiara asked with a lightness of ton. The child jolted with joy.

"Alright then." Kiara gave the water to the girl. "What are the principles we live by?"

"Ammm...be at peace with nature...be at peace with your neighbor and be at peace with yourself."

"Very good."Kiara took a drink of water herself, before continuing. " What did great mother Zora say to the dead king when she entered his palace?"

The little girl furrowed her brow and looked at her feet. She was deep in thought for a few seconds before she finally answered.

""Oh, child of the night, you have suffered long and hard and it's time for you to rest."" She finished her sentence with a self assured smile. Kiara let out a slight chuckle.

"You are close. She did say that to the dead king, but when she took him under her care."

"Oh..." the young Kotkan seemed disappointed.

"Do you want to try again?" Kiara motioned the young student.

"Mmm..." the youngling was a bit distraught, but again she tried to remember.

"Cast no shadow..." Kiara gave her a slight hint to help her jog her memory.

"Oh..."Cast no shadow on the living, dead king of the west. In the night, you thrive, but do not deny the light to the living, as the living belong to the light. I have come for my sister, Moon, who you took as your bride.""

"Very good. Who is your teacher?"

"It's Djinah." The girl smiled.

"Well, Yana, I'll be sure to tell your teacher you passed my exam with flying colors."

"Thank you, sister Kiara."

"Alright now, isn't time for your training?"

Yana's expressions saddened as Kiara asked the question.

"It is...but I don't want to go..."

"Why is that?"

"I'm not very good at it and the priestess makes me do things I can't..."

Kiara kneeled down, placed her hand on the girl's shoulder. She looked her older sister in the eyes and saw compassion and understanding.

"Not everyone is good at everything, young Yana. That's why we have to study and practice. The priestess just wants to help you get better and you can't get better if you don't listen to her. Do you understand?"

"Yes, but...I don't want to go."

Kiara thought for a moment of how to convince the girl.

"Do you know what great mother Zora said to the women of the Rashit tribe?"

Yana put one arm on her shoulder and looked at her feet.

""Oh, sisters Rashits, you have suffered much. Your rivers have dried, your crops have burnt, your men have died, your children are plagued. Jonkran and his army will be here by morning to take you away, but fret not. To you, I give an army worthier than any other in this world. Ten thousand of daughters, shining and golden, to protect you from the invaders. They will fend off your enemies, cure your sick, run your rivers, heal your crops, raise your dead. This is my blessing in your time of need."

"Very good, Yana." Kiara was impressed at how well the child recounted the story. "Do you know who her golden daughters were?"

Yana remained silent, still looking at her feet.

"We are the golden daughters."

The girl slowly raised her head, her eyes lit from the revelation.

"That's why we call Zora our mother and each other "sister". We have to work and train for when we are needed again. Do you understand now, Yana?"

She slowly nodded her head and smiled.

"Will you go and train with the priestess?" Kiara asked

"I will!" Yana answered with enthusiasm.

"Good. Now run off"

Yana bolted away from the square and was lost through the alleys. Kiara stood up and let out a sigh. She quickly jogged to the eastern training grounds, hoping she wasn't too late. Unfortunately, her sisters had already began their warm up routine and Milisar was overseeing them. She noticed Kira running up to the group and motioned her to stop. Milisar slowly and confidently walked towards the petrified Kiara, her tail swooshing back and forth. Milisar was about ten years older than Kiara and stood a whole head above her. Wearing nothing but her leggings, her golden and white fur, glistened in the blistering sun, with her sweat accentuating her slim, muscular and well toned physique.

"Late for practice, sister Kiara" she stated with a purr, bordering on malevolence.

Kiara didn't answer. She just looked straight ahead while Milisar circled her.

"Having a long breakfast?" Malisar asked stopping to the side of Kiara.

Kiara gulped and answered.

"No, sister Melisar."

"Hmm...you are aware that I do not tolerate tardiness, sister Kiara. Right?"

"I am." Kiara stated. She knew she was in trouble and she knew how to not get on her sister's bad side. She answered calmly and sparingly, only when questioned.

Melisar continued to slowly circle around Kiara.

"And what, pray tell, is the reason for your lack of punctuality?"

"I gave one of the younglings some water and had a talk with her." Kiara answered, her eyes still fixed on nothing in particular.

Melisar raised an eyebrow, her tail swinging a tad more aggressively.

"How noble. It is an acceptable excuse." Melisar came closer to Kiara and whispered in her ear. "It is a shame that I don't accept excuses, though."

Melisar turned around and slowly started walking towards to group.

"Now, sister Kiara, what shall we do with you?"

Kiara didn't answer. She struggled not to wag her tail. She was late, but she still felt like she was in the right. Melisar stopped and turned around.

"At a loss for words, are you?"

Kiara's breath intake increased. Melisar noticed and was not amused. She turned towards the group and yelled out.

"Listen up. It has come to my attention that our sister Kiara may be in need of some private lessons. I expect you all to finish up your warm up, practice your five basic stances. When you are ready - find a partner and spar. I expect each and everyone to do as I told you and give it all you've got. Mediocrity is just a fancier way of saying failure. Am I understood."

Everyone one of the Kotkans nodded silently.

"I said, "AM I UNDERSTOOD?"!" Melisar yelled out, even louder this time.

"Yes, sister Melisar!" the entire group answered in unison.

"Good." Melisar answered quietly. She turned towards Kiara. "Sister Kiara, grab two bos from the weapon wrack and follow me."

Kiara didn't answer. She ran down to one of the many weapon wracks and grabbed two bos and followed her sister.

Although most of the monastery was filled with palm trees, keep the paths and buildings cool, the training grounds had a scarcity of shade, made so intentionally to test the fighting abilities of the priestesses to their limits. Never the less, the grounds were always supplied with water and there were benches under awnings for rest. It was also not uncommon during these hours for cool breezes to blow through from the center of the monastery. However Melisar and Kiara were moving away from the training grounds. Melisar's pace didn't falter, while Kiara started falling behind a few steps, in part of the hot sun and in part because of the weight of the weapons. The few steps slowly turned to a few meters and when Melisar finally reached the wall of the monastery, she had to wait a full minute until Kiara caught up. Kiara threw the weapons on the grounds and bent over, taking heavy breathes. Melisar patiently waited for Kiara gather her composure.

"Here." Melisar threw a flask towards Kiara.

Kiara made an attempt to catch it, but at the last moment the flask slipped between her grasp and fell. She picked it up and started drinking. The cool water slid down her throat, quenching the heat.

"Are you ready?" Melisar asked her sister, who just responded with an exasperated confirmation. "Alright. Open the gate."

Kiara did as she was told. The gate was about three meters in height and width, held shut by two, horizontal beams. Normally it took two to open the gate, but when Kiara grabbed one of the beams and noticed that Melisar wasn't going to help, she sighed to herself and pushed the first beam upward. She lifted it from the hinges and held it up for a second. The weight was too much for her and she violently threw it to one side.

"Careful now, sister Kiara. You don't want to damage the hinge." Melisar said with a smugness in her voice, pointing towards the second hinge.

Kiara didn't answer. She walked up to the second hinge and repeated the procedure. For the lower beam, she kneeled down and grabbed it. Pushing herself with her legs, she could barely lift it. She gave it a few more tries and finally succeeded, taking a few steps back and letting it fall to the ground with a loud thumb.

"Good work." Melisar smiled. "Now that you've gone through your warm up, we can begin."

Melisar took the weapons from the ground, opened the gate and walked out. Kiara followed her. Outside, Kiara took of her tunic and, with it, soaked her sweat. Melisar patiently waited and threw the weapon to her sister, which she managed to catch.

"Will you say a prayer?" Melisar motioned her student.

Kiara sighed, closed her eyes and began reciting.

"Oh, great mother Zora, who watches us from above, give us strength this day so we may train to better serve you and our sisters around the world, when the time comes. Know that we do not fight with anger, but with passion, to better ourselves. We enter these grounds as combatants and leave them as sisters."

"Very good." Her sister spoke up when she finished. "Do you plan on being touched with the goddess now, or do you want to fight me head on?"

Kiara was stunned.

"A-aren't we going to practice before sparring?"

"Come now, sister Kiara..."Melisar scoffed. "If you have the time to talk to children, I assumed you didn't need any more practice." Melisar waited for a response. There wasn't one. Kiara stood there, still uncertain what to do. "Any time now, sister Kiara."

Kiara raised her bo, closed her eyes and exhaled. She concentrated on the void behind her lids, trying not to imagine anything, but to really see and notice the blackness. The hot desert wind blew, sticking sand to her sweaty body. Her breasts raised as her breathing became deeper and less frequent. She noticed the fluctuating sound of the gusts of wind, raising and lowering. She started to feel the individual sands stuck on her torso. She could smell her sweat. She noticed her anger, that had been building up from the moment she went to the training grounds, to now and tried to suppress it. She opened her eyes and was ready.

Kiara opened her eyes. Melisar had already assumed her battle stance, waiting for her pupil. Kiara did the same. She slowly shortened the distance between her and her sister and started circling her, trying to find an appropriate angel to strike. Melisar didn't move. She simply followed her opponent with her eyes, unflinching and completely stoic.

Kiara stroke, aiming for Melisar's ribs. In a blink of an eye, Melisar moved and blocked her attack. Kiara continued her attack. She pushed the other end of her bo, aiming for her opponent's face. Melisar simply ducked and slightly jammed Kiara in the solar plexus, winding her. Kiara took a few steps back, trying to regain her composure. Melisar patiently waited for her.

"Would you like to try again?" she asked her student, with an audible smugness.

Kiara resumed her battle stance and so did Melisar, simply eyeing her student. Kiara took a few steps forward and tried striking her sister's thigh. In return, Melisar simply turned her staff downward, parrying her attack, after which she struck her shoulder.

Kiara stepped back, immediately assuming her position and tried an overhead strike. Melisar blocked it and kicked Kiara in chest, sending her tumbling on the ground. Kiara stood up, now completely covered in sand and tried stabbing her opponent with the bo. Melisar simply stepped aside, grabbed the weapon and pulled it. With it, Kiara lost her balance and fell face first on the sand.

"You don't seem very in touch with the goddess today, sister Kiara." Melisar proclaimed as she circled her fallen student.

Kiara pushed herself up, spitting out sand. She tried to wipe her face, but the sweat made it impossible to clean herself. Melisar just watched with amusement. To Kiara, it was obvious that this wasn't a sparring session, it was just humiliation. There was nothing she could from this. She clenched her teeth, grinding the leftover sand in her mouth.

"Would you like to try defending?" Melisar asked nonchalantly.

Kiara didn't answer. She just assumed a more defensive stance. Melisar smiled and assumed her position. She came in closer and stood still for a moment. Kiara couldn't read her at all. Her teacher was motionless, even her breathing was subdued enough for her chest to barely move. If it wasn't for the hot, desert wind messing her hair and fur, she could be mistaken for an elegantly sculpted, life-like statue.

Kiara eyed her sister, her muscles tensing as her grip on the weapon hardened. She knew that something was coming, she just needed a sign before it was too late. And then she noticed it. Melisar smiled and tried to strike Kiara's arm. Kiara lifted up her staff in defense and felt a staggering pain on her ribs. Melisar's first attack was a decoy, just to grab Kiara's attention. The moment Kiara lifted her bo, Melisar struck with the other end of her weapon at her exposed side. Kiara staggered to one side, at which point Melisar swiped her off her feet and again she fell on the ground.

"You really aren't in your element today." Melisar stated condescendingly over her sister.

Kiara grit her teeth. She grabbed a handful of sand and threw at Melisar's eyes after which she immediately tried striking her ankle. Melisar simply stepped on her weapon.

" You know, sister Kiara..." Melisa chuckled whipping her eyes. "...these tricks are fully acceptable on the field, but aren't very sportsmanly for a simple sparing session."

Kiara froze up. She realized what she had just done. Melisar threw away her weapon and with her foot away Kiara's bo from her loosened grip.

"I-I-I am sorry, sister Melisar..." Kiara stuttered. "...I-I don't..."

Melisar placed her foot on Kiara's chest, applying enough force to show dominance, but not seriously injure her. She slowly kneeled down, placing her arm on her knee.

"What did you learn today, sister Kiara?" Melisar asked calmly.

Kiara didn't answer. She was ashamed at what she had done. Such means were despicable to use against a sister. And even worse against a priestess of a higher rank.

"Come now, sister Kiara..." Melisar spoke with a note of arrogance, applying a bit more force on Kiara's chest. "...you have been very quiet today. Speak up." A self righteous smile crept onto Melisar's face.

It was getting harder to breathe. Kiara was exhausted and stressed. The air was hot and the pressure on her chest was slowly increasing. Melisar slowly started burrowing her claws into Kiara's skin. There was no way of getting out of this unscaved. She could only plead guilty and hope her punishment wasn't too severe.

"I...I'm sorry, sister...I shouldn't have done what I did. It wasn't honorable... "

"Well...that is true." Melisar scratched her chin. "What else did you learn?"

Kiara grabbed Melisar's leg, trying to relieve the pressure, but she was far too exhausted to manage anything at this point.

"Please, sister...I am sorry." She tried pleading with Melisar again, sacrificing what little breath she had left.

"Oh, come now Kiara...You were off teaching children, but you can't learn a lesson yourself?" Melisar mockingly shook her head. "Do you want me to help you out with the lesson?"

Kiara couldn't stand it much longer. Unable to speak, she shook her head in confirmation. Melisar raised her foot, finally allowing Kiara to breath normally. She took the two bos and walked towards the walls, sitting underneath the shade they threw. She opened another flask of water, drank half of it and the other she poured on herself, cooling her body and cleaning herself from the sand.

Kiara stood up and shamefully walked towards her sister, but stopped in front of the shade. She somehow felt that it wouldn't be right if she took a break.

Melisar watched her sister, her head solemnly bowed, her shoulders hunched over, her ears flattened and her hands behind her back. Melisar took a deep sigh.

"You were too emotional. The moment you came to training, I knew how your training will go. You were going to mess up your stances, you were going to get hit a lot of times and I was going to send you to circle the monastery again."

Kiara didn't answer.

"This little sparring match we had...it was to demonstrate to you how...what would happen if you fight with emotion. Yes, I did intentionally try and agitate you, but that only served my point and...oh, just come and sit down!"

Kiara flinched and walked into the shade, slowly sitting next to her sister. Melisar handed her another flask of water and she, in turn, drank and washed herself.

"As I was saying. The first time you attacked me was your best moment. You were In touch with the goddess at that point...well...as much as you could be. From that point onward, it was all down hill. To be frank, I didn't expect the sand in the face, but since even then you couldn't hit me, it was all for naught."

"I'm sorry..."

"Yeah, you already said that. I know you don't like me a lot, sister Kiara."

Kiara tried to say something, but couldn't. Melisar was right and at this point Kiara couldn't really lie to her.

"Do you want to know what I think about that?" Melisar asked Kiara, with no spitefulness or arrogance in her voice.

Kiara gulped

"What do you think about that, sister Melisar?"

"Heh..well...I don't really care." Melisar smiled at Kiara. "To me, it doesn't matter if you like me or not. My job is to make a warrior out of you. And in the end, even if you hate me from the bottom of your heart, it doesn't really matter, as long as I have fulfilled my duties."

"I-I don't hate you, sister Melisar..." Kiara stuttered, still deeply ashamed.

"I don't care." Melisar answered without paying it much thought. "Today is your free day, am I correct?"

"Yes, sister Melisar..."

"Do you have any plans for your chores?"

"I was going to go to the library and copy a new manuscript..."

"You won't be doing that." Melisar cut her off. "You will be helping, sister Terzha with shepherding the livestock, to learn about the virtues of patience, humility and studying nature, to help you more easily achieve peace of mind and, with that, the touch of the goddess."

Kiara nodded her head in compliance. Melisar furrowed her brow.

"Am I understood, sister Kiara?" Melisar raised her tone, startling her student.

"Yes, sister Melisar!"

"Good. Pick up your tunic and go wash yourself up. It's almost time for breviary."

Kiara did was she was told. Before she entered the monastery, Melisar spoke up.

"Sister Kiara. Cheer up a bit." She smiled. In return, Kiara smiled back. "And close the gate later. Consider that your punishment." Melisar laughed almost out of hearing range.

Kiara walked back into the monastery. She headed towards the now empty training grounds and entered the barracks. The building was relatively small and was used for special ceremonies, as well as indoor training and weapon storage. Aside from that, the building also had a bathroom for after the training sessions. The bathroom wasn't anything unusual for a kotkan bathhouse - the floor and walls were covered in white tiles with blue decorations of floral design. In the center there was a shallow pool, normally used for relaxation, while buckets were located next to the walls, used by the warriors to clean off. In the four corners stood two chest high statues of winged female kotkans, situated on rock formations, holding hydrias, and underneath them were small valves, which when turned distributed water through a simple system of pipes from the source. Although the technology is basic for the time, the bathhouse was actually the most technologically advanced room in the monastery.

Kiara walked into the bathroom and placed her tunic and leggings on a bench. Still sore from her training session, she climbed into the pool and relaxed. The cool water pacified her burning muscle, which would spasm from time to time. The sand on her body would slowly peel away and drift off and for the particles that stuck tighter to her, she would just scrape away. Kiara closed her eyes for a moment just to take it all in.

"Tough day, huh Kik?" a familiar voice sounded from behind Kiara.

She jumped startled, spilling water around.

"I told you not to sneak up on me!" Kiara groaned and Siana, who stood by the entrance smiling. "What are you doing here?"

"Well..." Siana began while taking her own clothes off "...after training, I went to get you. One of the sisters told me that Melisar took you for some..."special session". Siana let out a devious smile. "Should I be jealous?"

"Pfft, you would be." Kiara answered, splashing water on her naked sister. They both let out a heart-filled laugh after which Siana got into the pool.

"I grabbed something to eat, saw you come here and followed you." Siana finished her story and slowly relaxed in the water. "So how was your..."special session" with mean ol' Melisar?"

"Um...it was...hard. Very hard. I don't want to really talk about it."

Siana had a sympathetic look on her.

"That bad?"

"Yes. Melisar said I should help sister Tehrza as my chore today, so I won't be able to help you in the library."

Siana put a hand on Kiara's shoulder.

"It's alright." She spoke softly. "You can help next time."

"Well, I feel bad about it. Also I acted out of line during my training, so there's that too."

"You are feeling pretty broken up about the entire thing, aren't you?" Siana asked with genuine concern.

"Just a little bit..." Kiara sighed

"Well...I think I know a way to raise your spirits a bit." Siana said, sliding her hand down Kiara's arm.

Kiara let out a slight chuckle.

"Sia, no! Not here!" she spoke, still giggling.

"Come now, Kiki." Siana spoke with a devilish tone, wrapping her hand around Kiara's waist and pulling her closer and planting a deep kiss on her sister's mouth.

At first Kiara didn't struggle, allowing Siana to stroke her toned body, but after a moment she pushed her back.

"No, Sia! This isn't right. We can't do this here."

Siana looked at Kiara with faux disappointment.

"You break my heart, sister Kiara."

"I'm serious. What we are doing isn't right and I don't want to risk it by doing it here."

"Pff..." Siana waved her off and laid back in the pool "If it wasn't right, the great mother wouldn't have arranged us to meet here, now would she?"

"She didn't. You just followed me."

"Oh, you know what I mean." she answered, playfully splashing water at Kiara. " We wouldn't have met at all."

"I guess you might be right..." Kiara said drifting off in thought.

The sisterhood of Zora, like any exclusive religious organization, had its celibacy laws. Lovers of any nature were utterly forbidden. And same sex lovers were even a worse offense. For Siana and Kiara, their childhood friendship developed a more sexual nature about three weeks ago. After an intense late night training session, the sisters looked at each other in a different light - noticing each other's developed physique, their strong, yet gentle hands, the way their breasts moved with each inhale. Siana had been the first to act on that night, and every time since then. Siana also understood the consequences of their actions and feared the possible punishments, but comforted herself with the idea that this was just part of Zora's great plan. Kiara on the other hand, couldn't really see that way. Her reasoning was that it was part of the great mother's plan, but rather to test their resolve and commitment and not just to have someone during the long and cold nights.

Siana noticed Kiara's vacant, thoughtful expression. She slowly extended her foot and slowly slid it across her sister's thigh. Kiara, still staring at one of the bath walls, grabbed her leg.

"No." she calmly said with a deadpan voice and slowly turned towards Siana. She smiled and let her go.

"Killjoy." Siana stated, while sulking.

"Indeed I am. We should get ready. It's almost time for breviary."

Both kotkans dried off, put on their clothes and headed out.

Breviary was a time of prayer and meditation for the sisterhood. The priestesses would take this time and reflect on themselves and the world. Praying was allowed anywhere in the temple, but most had some favorite spots. For Kiara and Siana, that was the temple garden. Located behind the temple, the garden was a shady space with a variety of desert flowers - plumes, poppies, dandelions and more. The garden itself had a few stone pathways, all of which end up in a circular, paved space with benches.

Normally the monastery was a relatively quiet place, but it was during breviary when things truly got silent. Every member of the sisterhood, including the younglings, would sit and begin a prayer. These prayers included anything from a prosperous harvest to good health, to an easy going day. For an hour, time had stopped.

After breviary the day would continue as usual, with the majority of priestesses going on to do their daily chores. The children's tasks were relatively simple and didn't last that long, allowing them to play afterwards. The high priestesses would hold meeting, discussing what needs to be done.

Kiara and Siana said their goodbyes and made a point to meet each other during dinner. Siana went off to the library, while Kiara went off to help sister Tehrza with shepherding. While not part of the monastery, there were some smaller oases in the surrounding area, which were generally used as grassing grounds and sometimes for self imposed isolation.

Melisar had informed Tehrza why Kiara would be helping her and so the older sister decided to distract Kiara as little as possible. Throughout the afternoon, Kiara just observed the goats. When she was tired at looking at them, she would look at the sky and clouds. And when she was tired of that, she would pick blades of grass from the ground and observe them. At first, it was boring, but at the end of the afternoon she had found a new appreciation for these simple acts and the calmness of mind which they could ensue. A few times she tried to enter the touch of the goddess and the results had been more favorable that during her sparring match with Melisar, and ever better than her morning prayer. At the end of her workday, while she helped sister Tehrza lead the livestock back into the barns, she smiled to herself, relieved that Melisar really wasn't out to get her.

Dinner had been served and, as usual, Kiara and Siana were sitting next to each other, discussing how their chores went.

"The porridge isn't very good tonight, is it?" Siana remarked as she took her first spoonful.

"You can always give to me." Kiara responded with a sly smile.

"I didn't say it was uneatable, did I?"

"You might as well have." Kiara continued to tease her sister.

The conversation died down, as they paid more attention to their food. Usually, breakfast and dinner would be the same, with the only real difference being that they served vegetables instead of fruits.

"You know, Kiki..." Siana began as she picked some tomato slices. "There was a cold wind blowing earlier. I'm pretty sure it is going to be harsh night."

Kiara slowed down her eating. She knew where Siana was going with this line of thought.

"You might...I don't know, need some company tonight." Siana smiled mischievously, biting down on the slices. "You know, to keep your bed warm."

Kiara had stopped eating. She stirred her bowl slowly.

"I could probably come around an hour after curfew and..."

"We shouldn't." Kiara cut her off.

Siana let out a long sigh.

"You are a tough one to deal with. Don't worry, I know the living quarters like the back of my hand. I can easily sneak..."

"No, Siana." This time, Kiara was firm. "This isn't right. This entire thing was a mistake. We should just...go on like nothing happened."

Siana's expression turned serious.

"A mistake. Is that what you truly believe?"

"Well...it's against the rules. We can't turn our back on what we've been taught." Kiara stammered to relieve the situation as much as she could.

"Mhm. Whatever you say." Siana took her half filled bowl and stood up. "I'm done with dinner. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Sia, wait." Kiara grabbed her by the elbow. "I didn't mean to..."

"Listen. Kiki." Siana interrupted her. "I know you mean well. And I know how you feel. It isn't exactly easy for me either."

Kiara slowly let go of her sister's arm.

"I'll...I'll leave my door unlocked tonight. In case you want to talk about it." Siana quickly left the table.

Kiara finished her meal in silent contemplation. She left the table with all her other sisters, as the mass shifted through the corridors of the living quarters, each one heading towards their chamber.

Kiara fixed her bed and put on her night gown and stood by her window, watching as the night sisters entered the temple for their service. The next few hours she lied in her bed unable to sleep, just staring at the ceiling, shifting about and fidgeting. It was too hot for her to sleep with her blanket and too cold to sleep without it. Finally she got out of bed and slumped herself on the window. She truthfully didn't know what to do. Every time she thought of Siana, her sense of duty collided into her sense of longing. To her, it was an unsolvable riddle. Gazing at the temple, the lights inside it flickering constantly, she finally decided to meet her sister. They needed to talk this through.

Kiara quickly put on her day clothes and sprinted out of her chamber, crashing right into Melisar. The younger sister fell on the ground while her higher up remained in the same place.

"Why are you out?" Melisar asked in a hurry.

"I was just..."Kiara began and was immediately cut off

"Never mind. We have a situation!"

"A situation?'

In the temple of Zora, a bell rang. A cold wind blew across the monastery, as all the kotkans were rudely woken up in the dead of night. All fit enough to fight got into their clothes and gathered around the temple, while those too young or too old were escorted through a secret underground passage ways located in each building, all congregating in a space beneath the temple.

"Listen, Kiara - take all of the younglings in the building an escort them through the tunnels. We might be under attack."

Under attack. At the sound of those words, Kiara's heart started racing.

"I...I could stay and fight." She stumbled on her words.

"You could, but you won't. You aren't prepared for an actual battle."

"But I..."

"Are you disobeying a high priestess?" Melisar growled.

Kiara immediately shrank.

"I...I will gather the children."

"Good."

Kiara took off, running from room to room and leading the children through the passageways, while Melisar exited the building and shot straight towards the temple. On the podium stood five figures, four of which holding a night sister captive with a knife pressed against their necks. Canine invaders, all shirtless and muscular, with a norse ruggedness about them, brandishing heavy swords and axes, duller and dented and rusty on spots.

The attacker, who didn't have a hostage, stepped forth.

"Good evening, ladies." He spoke loud and clearly, his attempts at a civilized at more civilized tone diminished by the roughness of his voice. " Since you may not be aware, considering you live in the middle of the fucking desert, we are a kucha tribe coming from far up north. My name is Valchan and these are my warriors - proud fighters and, if I say so myself, the best raiding group of the northern hemisphere."

The warriors led out a howl. When it quieted down, Valchan continued.

" We...overheard that somewhere in this hellhole of a desert, there was a monastery of priestesses and...we got pretty excited about that!" he laughed and his men laughed even louder. "Now, our original plan was to surround the monastery, set fire to it and slaughter everyone that comes out. Simple, crude, but yet...effective. But! As it so happens, your goddess might have been looking out for you tonight. I personally believe it was pure luck, since your entire religion sounds a whole load of shit, but to each - their own. We so happened to find the eastern gates open and we decided to...try out a different approach. We got in, we overpowered your friends here and we rang the bell to get your attention. "

He looked around observing the reaction of the mass of kotkans - glaring and unmoving. Valchan clicked his tongue and continued.

"We have a proposition for you. Surrender peacefully and all of you will be spared. Fight back and there will be carnage."

Again he stopped, waiting for a reaction. And it was presented to him. A young warrior sprinted up to him, with tonfas and a battle cry. The moment she was in range he drew out his claymore and chopped her arm off. She fell into shock and stumbled around before collapsing on the ground.

"Right then." He spoke. "Men! Charge!"

The necks of the night sisters were immediately slit as a horde of kucha warriors burst out from the alley ways like a swarm of locusts, surrounding the mass of kotkans. Valchan promised carnage. He delivered.

"Just remember! Don't touch the kids! They are worth more if pure!"

Although the sisters outnumbered the tribesmen, none of them had been in an actual fight and were woefully unprepared. The state of the goddess was quickly overshadowed by fear and adrenalin and their wooden weapons were more suited for duels rather than this. The kuchas cut down everyone who could manage to pose some sort of challenge and any other was quickly overpowered.

Valchan watched as his men reveled in the massacre and a smile slid across his face. He looked down at the priestess, who he defeated a minute earlier. From a small satchel he pulled a piece of cloth and a flask of strong spirit.

"You were brave today, young kotkan" he bent down and drenched the cloth in the liquid.

The priestess looked at him with shaking eyes, grasping small snippets of air.

"You are losing a lot of blood." He wrapped the cloth around the stump, tourniquetting the wound. The alcohol stung, but she didn't react. Valchan lifted the girl and entered the temple.

"You know, I wouldn't say this to my men, but I have...a bit of a soft spot for culture." He said while carrying the girl towards a table in the far end. "I would say I am well read, at least, compared to any of my men...heh."

He laid her down on the table.

"I...read up, about your culture here. The whole religion. It's...interesting. It's not that far off from what we believe in some aspects. I like the architecture of this place too - the columns look nice, the carvings, the stained glass."

The girl didn't move. She just stared at the ceiling, mouth slightly open, holding to whatever shred of consciousness she had left.

"Do you have a name, girl?"

"Si...Siana..." she managed to whisper.

"Siana. That's a pretty name." he started unbuckling his leggings. "You know, Siana, what you did there...I admire that. It was...courageous. It took guts. I mean...even if you did manage to kill me with those sticks, my men would have cut you down in no time, you realize that, don't you?"

Siana's eyes became a bit dry. Everything was becoming fuzzy.

"However, there's something else." Valchan continued as he moved in closer to Siana. " You see, I...am a leader. I became a leader through my actions and because my men have faith in me, that I will do the right thing by them. Now, you...are not a leader, yet you took action, which again, I...believe it to be brave." Vlachan scratched his chin, trying to figure out where exactly he was going with this. "I...have to consider my actions and in regards to my men. I wouldn't want them to be put in unnecessary danger for instance. And I would always think every plan through and consult my men."

He started pulling Siana's leggings down.

"You on the other hand, you didn't do that. You acted purely on instinct and what you believed was right in regards to you. You did not consult any of your sisters and you acted against their good and, from what I've read about your little cult here, against the wishes of your goddess."

He ripped open her shirt.

"Now, you see...I believe that the gods have some things in mind for us and would steer us one way or another towards their goals...whoever, we still have some semblance of freedom...you know, to think and act for ourselves. Now, I personally doubt that your goddess Za...Zo...whatever she was called wanted her temple to be pillaged, massacred, raped and enslaved, so...we can assume that you acted purely on your own volition."

He positioned himself over Siana's near lifeless body.

"Now. In your last moments of life, while I...relieve myself in your body, I want you to think how you betrayed your entire sisterhood with your actions. And maybe, just maybe, that thought might make your goddess forgive you."

He thrust himself deep inside Siana. It was painful, but she could barely muster up the strength to make a sound.

"You feel good. But it's not your first time, is it?"

He enveloped her body with his arms and pushed her close to his chest, biting down her neck, his trusts slow and steady, going deep inside of her, each one leaving her gasping for air that she could barely inhale.

"Have you been with one of those merchants or scholars that pass by? Or maybe one of the other priestesses? Doesn't calling each other "sister" creep you out a bit while your fingers are inside her cunt?"

His trusts became more and more rapid, while her body slowly became more limp.

He bit down again, even harder, drawing blood, he scratched her back open and finally, with a groan he came inside her. She gasped and he took out his cock and semen leaked out of her.

He pulled up his leggings and came close to her.

"I hope you found peace with yourself." He said and gently kissed her.

He left the temple, returning to the bloody festivities outside.

Siana laid on the alter table, her body defiled and quivering, gazing at painting on the ceiling of Zora, although she could only see smudges of colors.

"Kiara...I'm..so..." she whispered, no one to hear her, not even her goddess as her eyes became glassy and she exhaled her last breath.

On any ordinary night, the monastery was cold. But tonight wasn't an ordinary night. Valchan calmy walked through the paths, observing how the priestesses were easily and quickly slaughtered. And those he weren't, were pinned down to the ground, screaming as his warriors ploughed them in the open. Sometimes, he would see his men on both sides of a priestess, fucking her mouth and her cunt, while at others, two men would hold them up and penetrate them from both sides, the priestesses arms flopping lifelessly as they were cautiously broken before the act, so the warriors wouldn't have any trouble. Some of the victims were alive and others, like Siana, were slowly dying from blood loss. Of course, there were cases where on his men would just be fucking a corpse, it's guts spilled out on one side.

"How barbaric." He would say to himself as he quickly passed by one of those macabre moments. He believed himself to have some shred of decency.

He would walk down the streets, kicking some of the wooden weapons that the sisterhood used. They were no match for the heavy weaponry of the tribesmen, who would just break them with sheer force. The kucha warriors were used to being cut or stabbed, so any pain from a blunt weapon this size wouldn't be all that effective.

"Such a shame." Valchan thought and sighed, but amongst the cries and grunts of death and copulation, the smell of blood, sweat and sex and amidst the bending and shifting kotkan and kucha forms, something grabbed his eye. His men were gathered around and howling. His interest peaked, he decided to join in and see what the ruckus was about. One of the priestess, holding a staff, standing infront of a much older priestess, clearly unfit to fight. And behind her still, a few children.

It was obvious, that his men were just toying with them, instead of overwhelming the group. He decided to have a little fun as well.

"Good evening, m'lady." He mocked with a faux-bow. "If you would kindly step aside, I give my word that not a single hair on those kids there would be harmed."

The priestess hissed and spat in his eye. His men all howled and started laughing, expecting their leader to kill her on the spot. He simply smiled at her and wiped his eye.

"A feisty one. Wouldn't you agree, guys?"

They all yelled out, less confirming and more in anticipation in what's to come.

"What is your name, priestess?" He asked calmly.

The priestess just eyed him down, slowly crouching in preparation for an attack.

"Come now, don't be like that. It's a simple request."

"Tehrza, stay back and keep the younglings safe."The priestess order the older woman and turned again towards Valchan. "Melisar."

"Melisar. Well,...Melisar...how about this." He said while sheathing out his sword. "A fair duel. One on one. If you win, you have my word, that I will take my men and leave the monastery as it is. No second thoughts. We will be off on our merry way."

"And if you win?" Melisar hissed between gritted teeth.

"Come now." Valchan laughed. "Haven't you been paying attention the entire night?"

Melisar ran the whole thing through her mind. It sounded like a trick.

"Why should I believe you?"

"Do you have a choice?" a smugness in his voice. "Besides. I just spent a wonderful night with one of your students. I believe I owe her that much."

Melisar's eye twitched and Valchan noticed. He was getting to her.

"Fine."

She raised her staff, ready for his attack.

"Excellent!" he threw his sword to the ground.

"I thought you said a fair duel."

"I did." He answered with cold self-confidence. "Now you stand some sort of chance."

Melisar's face contorted in anger and attacked him overhead. Valchan crossed his arms, blocking her attack and kicked her in the stomach. She flew back, but quickly regained her composure. She couldn't concentrate amidst the cheering of the kucha warriors. She struck from the sides and he blocked her again. At the point of impact, she quickly turned her staff and hit him across the muzzle. His men screamed with excitement as he staggered back and spit out a bit of blood. She rained on him a barrage of stabbing attacks, all aimed at his face and he carefully managed to dodge them all, finally grabbing her staff and pulling her closer. He punched her in the face with his entire weight at which point she let go of the staff and fell backwards. She climbed on top of her two more times, to hammer in the point that he was victorious. He bent down towards her.

"You did good, Melisar." He whispered in her ear.

He stood up and turned to his men.

"Right, now. Do what you will, but remember what I said about the children. For every child, I'll cut down your wage twice as much as it's worth on the market. You understand me?!"

The yelled out.

Valchan slowly walked away, before one of his men grabbed his arm.

"Ey, chief! Aintcha gonna stay for the fun?"

"Oh, I had enough fun tonight. They are all yours."

"Pff...if ya say so, chief."

The warrior turned towards Melisar and Terzha.

"Oh, and one more thing." Valchan turned towards the warrior and passed him a rock. "I think she has a bit of fight left in her. Smash her teeth."

The warrior grinned devilishly and Valchan walked away.

The men surrounded the two priestesses, pinning them down to the ground. The warrior placed himself over Melisar's struggling body and smashed her jaw with a rock. She yelled out in pain as she spit out blood and teeth. He did it again from the other side, just to make sure.

A few of the Kucha brought out two tables and they put the two kotkans on them, tying them so they wouldn't move. They ripped off their shirts and pants, exposing their muscular and bruised bodies to the eyes of the tribesmen.

First, one of the men entered Melisar. She screamed out loud as her hymen was ripped.

"She's a tight one!"

As she screamed another of the warriors shoved his cock down her throat, instantly gagging her. Tehrza cried out, but was silenced much in the same way. Mounted on both sides, the gang rape left them in a state of black acceptance. They couldn't think and the pain was almost completely dulled, they could only truly feel the slow passage of time. Each time a warrior finished, another one took his place, leaving Melisar more and more of a mess of blood and cum. Some of them felt perfectly fine just watching and masturbating over her tits and face. Others on the other hand, didn't really want to enter such a mess, while not completely satisfied by just observing. A few of the men grabbed some of the children. The words of their leader ringing in their heads, they simply forced the children to open their mouths and shoved themselves in them, completely satisfied with the turn of events.

The rape continued until the early hours of the morning, the smell of puke now mixing with the other foul stenches. When the last man was done, he stepped away from and took a look at the semen incrusted living corpses. A sad reflection of the once proud warrior priestesses of the goddess mother Zora. Out a final perverted sense of sadism, or maybe perhaps some semblance of pity, he took out his knife and slit the throats of both women.

The kucha invaders gathered around the main entrance to the monastery. Although not much, they did manage to pillage some of the buildings, more interested in the monetary rather than cultural valuables. Valchan walked amongst his men, all silent with respect. He then walked amongst the kotkans, all chained and bound, pulled by a few of the warriors. He examined them closely - all beaten and raped, no longer proud and shining. He walked amongst the children, they too chained up. Although not many, they sure would fetch a hefty price. Some of them were slightly bruised, which was expected and some of them had broken...

Valchan stopped. He turned towards his men.

"Line up!"

Without a second guess all the warriors lined up, awaiting further instructions. Valchan bent down towards the three girls with broken jaws.

"Who did this to you?"

Too scared to say anything, they flinched when Valchan slowly raised his hand.

"It's alright. Just point them out."

Each girl slowly raised a finger towards a warrior. Valchan stood up and called them forth. He strode by them a few times and finally stopped.

"What did I say about the girls?"

The men were silent.

"I said "what...did I say...about the girls?"

"N-not to touch them?" spoke one of the warriors with a quiver in his voice.

"Did you touch them?"

"Well...we didn't...fuck them...just..."

"Just?"

"We just made them suck us off!" the second warrior spoke up, staring straight ahead."We figured it would be alright, since they'd still be virgins."

Valchan rubbed his forehead.

"Couldn't you have been...I don't know...a little gentler maybe?"

They were silent. Valchan sighed.

"You realize this will lower their price, right?"

"We are sorry, sir! We will pay you off, sir!" declared the second tribesman.

"First off, you won't be paying me off. You'll be paying off your comrades. We all worked hard for this."

Again the three stood silent.

"Second. You will get a pay that is sure. It won't be as much as it would have been if you just had raped them. However...an example must be made out of you."

He took a few steps.

"The three of you knew what I told you, and decided to act on your own volition, trying to find some loophole in what I said. I...admire your cunning, but that shows a certain...lack of subordination."

"Sir, we just..." the first one spoke and was silence with a punch. He fell to the ground, knocked out, his jaw cracked. Valchan turned towards the second one. He stood still and slightly raised his chin. He met the same fate.

"For what is worth, sir..." the third one finally spoke up. "...I'm sorry for not following orders. I give you my word." He said and turning his head to one side, braced for the impact.

"I appreciate it." Valchan said before knocking him out.

He walked around the three bodies on the ground. He turned towards the rest of his men.

"Alright! Let's get moving! Grab these three and let's go! The sun will be up soon!."

"Ei, chief!" A warrior yelled out. "Should we do something about the temple or should we just leave it?"

Valchan scratched his chin.

Although Kiara and the younglings were underground the entire night, the safe room reverberated with the screams from the outside. Located right beneath the main temple, with of its corridors well hidden and fully locked on both the outside and in, the small group of children and priestesses found a somewhat safe haven from the horrors overground. After a final count, they realized that not all children were present. Kiara wanted to go up and bring them here, but her other sisters stopped her and had to subdue her. They would have been left open for an attack and they would have had one fighter less. None of them wanted to risk a close quarter battle with so many children around.

All the kotkans were in a deep state of melancholy. Fully aware of what had happened and realizing that they were now the last remaining members of the sisterhood of Zora. They wept for the dead, the dying and those who were still living. What awaited them was nothing fit for a warrior priestess. The elders were all of the opinion that around noon, they would climb back up, believing that the attackers would have left by then.

The noise had now died down and most of the children were asleep, while the priestesses stood on watch. They silently agreed than in a couple of hours they would send someone to scout out the place, to make sure there's nobody left.

Kiara stood in the corner, silently praying to Zora. Praying that some of her sisters had managed to escape. Praying for Siana's well being. Praying that the captured sisters would somehow break free and return. She sat and prayed. Then she smelled smoke. She quickly got up with the rest of her sisters. They woke up the children. The air was getting hotter and heavier to breathe. Smoke started leaking through.

The tried to open the doors, but they were sealed shut, taking far too much time to open than they had. The ceiling started cracking.

The coldness of the desert slowly started to lift as the sun rose, transforming it from a bone chilling barren waste, to a scorching field. A chain gang accompanied by shirtless warriors crossed the Zandrahari desert. The flaming sun had began to whip the backs of the desert-bound walkers. One of the slave-children, Yana, stopped for a moment to look at the her former home. In the distance it looked so small and yet the flames of the highest tower could almost lick the sky.

A bell rang in the middle of the Zandrahari desert accompanied by the sounds of cracking and breaking wood and screams, which no one heard. A bell rang in the Zandrahari desert. It never rang again.