The Aspect: The Cessation's Harbinger

  The Aspect

  The Cessation’s Harbinger

  Ajax Lygan

  Copyright © 2021 by Ajax Lygan

  All rights reserved.

  The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

  All characters involved in sexual activities are consenting adults age 18 or older.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Cover design illustration by: Chloe Ince - https://twitter.com/Cince_Arts

  Contents

  Prologue

  1. The Power of the Firegrove

  2. A Returning Feeling of Dread

  3. The Power of The Hydra

  4. Assault on The Academy

  5. All for Nothing

  6. Unbecoming of a King

  7. Pheromones at The Last Oasis

  8. A Blood Pact for Revenge

  9. Blood Money

  10. The Cessation’s Creed

  11. Amnesty

  12. Bound by Tragedy

  13. No Forgiveness

  14. A Needed Distraction

  15. The Infinity Mirrors

  16. The Heralding of The Aspect

  17. A Night of Introductions

  18. The Perks of The Divine

  19. Day of Disposition

  20. Two Orcs in a Stone Ring

  21. Sons of Dorthomir

  22. Day of Decisions

  23. Revelation of the Harbinger

  24. War Drums

  25. The Chaos of War

  26. The Saved and the Savior

  Epilogue

  Thank you!

  Prologue

  Saïgra pranced through the brush as she made her way to the nearby lake. Distant sounds of carnal moans alerted her that she was getting close to her destination. When the echoes turned into shouts, she ducked low and shuffled her feet quickly, tiptoeing her way through the dense brush - a feat only capable of the Firegrove’s druids.

  As she reached the edge of the tree line, she peeked around the base of the tree she clung to. She covered herself in bark, acting as a sort of camouflage, allowing her to stay hidden while peering across the pond.

  The unsuspecting trio of lovers were already intertwined with their passions. They formed a connected train of bodies. Tempest stood on his knees thrusting into Riika as she laid on her back, with her bottom propped up by one of the many pillows from her tent. He kissed her legs that sat upon his shoulders, while Ella straddled Riika’s face, panting as she rubbed her hands all over her body.

  Saïgra bit her lip as the two women shouted obscenities. She traced her hand along her stomach, slowly moving it between her thighs as she watched the lover’s display. Her eyes closed for a brief moment, letting out a warm excel as she began to slide her fingertips in between her wet lips. When they were slick enough, she began rubbing herself to the same tempo as her entertainment. However, before she could get into her own rhythm, the three lovers let out soft laughter after reaching their first climax. She smiled as the three laughed together in their joy, but huffed as she watched them change position, restricting her view. She could no longer see what she desired most - the look in each other’s eyes, the pure happiness and love they conveyed with each passionate embrace. Saïgra pulled away from behind the tree and quickly snuck around the tree line so she could get a better view from the side, stopping once she was perpendicular from the group and the tent.

  Saïgra saw that Tempest had picked up Ella and placed her underneath him while Riika laid next to her holding her hand, smiling. She watched Tempest bend down and whisper something in Ella’s ear before he leaned back up, sliding her towards him. Ella bit her lip, looking up at him with her ice-blue eyes. Full of vulnerability, she nodded her head slowly.

  This was the moment that Saïgra had been waiting for. She had watched the trio for weeks, hiding in the brush as the three made passionate love to each other. However, Tempest and Ella had never had the connection like he did with Riika. It always seemed as though it was Tempest and Riika or Riika and Ella.

  Over the weeks that they stayed in the Firegrove, she saw Ella and Tempest become closer. They spent weeks in the Great Tree learning of the sacred knowledge contained within. The two bonded over Ella’s alchemical experiments, always using Tempest as her test subject. When he ventured into the Firegrove with Saïgra and the other dryads, he would make an effort to return with a new flower or mushroom Ella had never seen before. Saïgra saw their love grow and this would be the bloom.

  A tear fell from Saïgra’s eye as she smiled. She was witnessing genuine love as Tempest and Ella stared into each other's eyes. Saïgra rolled to her back and leaned against the nearby tree. She wrapped her arms around herself as she longed for a connection like that. She had lived in the Firegrove her entire life, secluded from the rest of the world. While her sisters had given way to their lascivious desires with Bram and the boys, she wanted something more. She wanted what Ella, Riika, and Tempest had. Saïgra’s body froze as her Queen’s voice entered her mind.

  “Envy is unbecoming of a dryad, young one,” Queen Maileath said. At that moment, a feeling of shame washed over Saïgra, though she was thankful for their telepathic communication.

  “You’re right, my Queen,” Saïgra said into her mind. “But I can’t help it. They are so beautiful together.”

  “Love is a powerful thing, even more so when there is an Aspect involved.”

  Saïgra nodded. She was familiar with the gifts bestowed by Tempest already, seeing his transformation along with Riika’s a few short weeks ago. She sat there curiously wondering what gifts Ella and Tempest would share after this momentous night. However, the Queen’s call interrupted her novel thoughts.

  “Come Saïgra, I want you to meet me at the great tree. I have something important I want to speak with you about.”

  Saïgra’s stomach sank. In an instant, she morphed back into a little seedling again. The dryads spoke telepathically, so simple thought and command handled most of the communication. However, whenever the Queen wanted to see you in person, it usually meant you were in trouble.

  “Right now?” Saïgra asked.

  “Right now.” Queen Maileath affirmed. Saïgra let out a huff as she pushed her back from the tree and turned around. Her eyes grew large as she saw they had replaced passions with raw lust. Ella was now lying on top of Riika as Riika draped her fingers across Ella’s body, teasing her with light sensations. Riika and Tempest laughed as Ella cursed at them through her moans. As Tempest began to pick up the pace, the sounds of his thrusts echoed across the pond like a beaver’s tail slapping open water.

  Saïgra felt herself become hot once again as she moved her hand back between her legs. She became entranced by the ferocity in Tempest’s thrusts and Ella’s soft subtle whimpers. Her fingers fluttered as she increased her pace with them both, her breaths heavy as she grabbed her chest.

  She was so close before her mother’s voice snapped her back to reality. “Saïgra…”

  The dryad gritted her teeth and opened her mouth silently screaming out her frustration. She turned and pushed herself away from the tree, doing her best not to stomp her way back into the forest. When she was sure she was far enough away that her sound wouldn’t bother them, she waved her hand, creating an opening in the roots of a nearby Firegrove tree. When she passed through, she found herself in the main chasm of the great tree. Queen Maileath floated above her in her spir
it form. She saw the glowing blue ball hover down toward her, growing brighter as she spoke.

  “Thank you for coming quickly,” Queen Maileath said. “The matter is rather urgent.”

  “Of course, my Queen,” Saïgra said with a slight bow. “How can I be of service?”

  “I’m sure you know acutely that the Aspect and his wardens plan to leave for Halairim in the following morning.”

  Saïgra knew the statement was rhetorical. Of course, the Queen knew what Saïgra knew. The Queen knew everything her children did. While their personalities were separate, their minds and spirits were all connected to her. Yet, it would be rude for Saïgra to respond the way she felt.

  “Yes, my Queen.”

  “Good, because I want you to go with them.”

  Saïgra’s chest tightened. She couldn’t breathe. Thousands of questions raced through her mind. Her hand raised to her chest as she stuttered over her words.

  “L-leave? You want me to leave the Firegrove? Why? Why me?”

  Queen Maileath sighed. “For too long we have lived to our creator’s wishes. Norra in her infinite wisdom could not have predicted the trials and tribulations the world faces today. As such, I have decided that the Firegrove will assume our seat on the Iðna Royal Council.”

  “But how does that involve me?”

  “I want you to be our diplomat. You’ll travel with Tempest and his companions, protect them, and represent our interests to the IRC.”

  “I-I can’t,” Saïgra said, shaking her head, stepping back away from the Queen. “I’ve never been out of the Firegrove. I’m not qualified to represent us. You should be the one there.” Saïgra continued to walk backward until she fell into a makeshift chair that Queen Maileath had conjured out of vines and tree roots. The roots extended until she was back in front of Queen Maileath, who hovered in front of her.

  “And I will be there, my child. I will always be there with you.” A sequence of vines caressed her cheek as the Queen spoke. “Out of all of my children, you are the only one who has shown a desire to leave the grove. I know you long to see the world, yet I have kept you here in my own selfishness. I wanted to keep you safe from the outside world. I have spent years training you for the eventuality of my departure. It’s now time for you to sprout your own seedlings on the wind. Your destiny is not here.”

  Saïgra frowned as she looked up at the Queen. “What are you talking about, Queen Maileath? Where are you going?”

  “Oh, it’s just a metaphor, my daughter,” Queen Maileath said with an awkward laugh. “This tree is me and the grove will always be my home.”

  Saïgra brought her knees to her chest and wrapped her arms around them. This is what she had desired since she was a seedling. She had dreamed of exploring Iðna, meeting all of its people, experiencing its excitements, and even some of its dangers. Yet, now that the opportunity was but a day away, the thought overcame her with a fear of the unknown.

  This was her home. She was safe here with her mother and siblings. All was provided thanks to Feura’s blessing. Once she was out in the vast world, she would have to rely on her companions, but most of all, on herself. That thought scared her more than anything.

  Sensing her daughter’s discomfort, Queen Maileath spoke once more. “You are the only one who I could give this task to, Saïgra. Unlike your sisters, you possess a sense of individualism that shocks even me to this day. You are smart, strong, and independent. You possess all the qualities that we need. I know you can do this, and deep down, it’s what you’ve always wanted.”

  “You’re right,” Saïgra said, jumping up from the makeshift chair. She looked up at the Queen floating above. “I can do this, and it will be an honor to represent the Firegrove among the other kingdoms. I vow to protect the Aspect and his wardens, to bring honor to the Firegrove, and most of all, to make you proud, my Queen.”

  Queen Maileath couldn’t help but smile as she looked down at her daughter. She felt an overwhelming sense of relief. Her creation was one of contingency that she hoped would never come to fruition. However, as the world’s winds grew cold and spoke of an encroaching darkness, Queen Maileath had to take every precaution as her own mother had instructed. With the first half of her plan completed, she only needed to convince another to secure the survival of her people.

  1

  The Power of the Firegrove

  This was the moment he had been waiting for, the moment he would capture the Aspect. For thirty-four years, Brother Yurial had been training and preparing for this moment. He touched his amulet, giving him the ability to speak telepathically to his inquisitors.

  “Team one is in position,” Brother Yurial called out. “We have eyes on the three targets. They’ve entered the hotel room, as expected. Team two and team three, what are your positions?”

  “Team two has eyes on the front entrance,” a screeching voice said into his mind.

  “Team three has eyes on the back exit,” a deep rumbling voice replied.

  “Hold positions and call out any suspicious activity you see,” Brother Yurial commanded. The two groups responded with acknowledgements. Brother Yurial looked to his left and right, making sure his team positioned themselves discreetly along the perpendicular rooftop. Their position gave them the perfect view onto the suite below.

  The bed-and-breakfast was an old mansion that had been in the Cassaval family for generations. When the market turned south, they sold it off and it became the bed-and-breakfast that it was today. The left wing had a nobility suite with a private courtyard that their targets were currently staying at.

  Their target’s room was on the main floor and opened up into a beautiful garden with a vibrant fireoak tree in the backhand corner. The hand-crafted garden was lush with a variety of greens, reds, and purples from the flora which seemed to attract blue glowing insects. It provided a view worthy of a painting. Brother Yurial found himself captivated by the sight. He shook his head and reminded himself that this was his moment of glory.

  His body was sculpted to peak perfection. Repeatedly, he’d studied the ancient historical texts which detailed everything their order had on the Aspects. He studied their strengths and their weaknesses, their likes and dislikes, and above all else, their companions. He knew the power of the Aspects was incredible by itself. However, their power grew to levels that rivaled the divine, themselves, once they had their allies.

  When an Aspect was born, they‌ developed their power at different rates. However, the older the Aspect, the stronger they became. Their power also grew from the number and strength of their companions. If the companions were already divine or innate, the powers gained from both the Aspect and the companions were ‌superior to a bond between an Aspect and a companion with no magical abilities.

  It was one of the many reasons why his order made every effort to identify the Aspects upon birth. Capturing or killing them while they were younger was ideal as it solved a lot of their problems. Unfortunately, this time wouldn’t be so easy. Somehow their order had no record of another Aspect being born.

  Maybe because the order is getting complacent or lazy, he mused. Nevertheless, he had a job to perform. The intelligence that they gathered up to this point was that the Aspect was a male, traveling with two companions. He had already shown signs of great martial and magical prowess and was a revered hero by the people of Ashwreath, thanks to his destruction of an unknown horror whose description sent a prickle of fear down Brother Yurial’s back.

  Hero, Brother Yurial thought to himself. What a load of bollocks. They are just ignorant of their own history. The history of the Aspects was a history lost to the rest of the world, but it was a history his order had been keeping a record of since their founding. They founded their order after watching Cratus Shatterhorn mercilessly kill thousands in the Verve gladiatorial arena, before going on and suppressing the orc horde during the same era.

  Watching a single minotaur man take on hundreds of opponents at one time got certain leaders to rais
e concerns over what would happen should an Aspect turn their sights on the people of Iðna. The centuries following brought about the order’s worst fears. It started with Mevun Root, the young bearin Aspect who was performing a magical experiment with his young innate lover. Unfortunately, the experiment went poorly and disintegrated the entire town. All that remained was a scar upon Iðna.

  Then there was Draven Morravenus. He was more monster than human; a vampire Aspect who prayed on the people of Kerrbatuul. Night after night, Draven hunted, leaving the city streets paved in commoner blood.

  From the history that Brother Yurial had been told, his order used this as their first opportunity to test their inquisitors. His order had prepared for generations for this exact moment. When the King called for assistance, his order was the first to extend their hand. Everyone else was too afraid to go up against a known Aspect. The men who lost their lives that day laid the foundation for their future brothers and sisters. The blood ripper’s severed head became a rallying symbol for others to join the cause.

  Sounds coming from below interrupted Brother Yurial’s train of thought. He grabbed a spyglass from his side pocket and zoomed in on the darkened room. The magical spyglass was a great tool to have, as it allowed the user to see in darkvision for those, like himself, who did not possess it.

  He couldn’t help but stare at the naked intertwined bodies on the bed. He’d never seen such a position in his secluded life. The women completely covered the man, so much so that he couldn’t see his target. Just before he called out to his team, the two women changed positions, revealing the man underneath them.