Interconnected: Spliced Souls

After hopping on my bed, I sat crossed-legged and took out the first book I borrowed from the library.   

It was about the history of Inith, the continent of Keywater, Westera, and Lando, that fought that empire a few hundred years ago. I knew that from Nimyra’s little story, but this book went more in-depth about how the alliance came to be.   

Well, that was in chapter 4. The first three were about the creation of the three countries. Keywater got its name from its first emperor finding a key at the bottom of a grand river. It said he was so obsessed with what it opened that he spent the next fifty years searching for what it unlocked until he realized something.   

What it opened wasn't some material object like a locked chest or a door.   

It opened the path of adventure and love in his heart. The author said the first emperor realized this upon standing atop a grand waterfall, looking out at the hundreds of settlements he had helped create in his long, fruitful life. He then took that key from his pocket and gently dropped it into the waterfall. He devoted the rest of his life to establishing the Empire of Keywater, a grand country that took root from mere curiosity. Perhaps it was ironic Keywater now had a reputation for being awfully quick to anger. It did have the strongest military in Inith. 

Westera, on the other hand, was a republic with an elected president. The legislative committee--congress-- created rules for the rest of the country to follow. Every town, city, and village sent a person to represent them in congress. It was a democracy, but this book noted something specific.   

When it came to democracy, the more moving parts meant it would be easier to grease a few palms and pass laws benefiting one group over another. This corruption wasn't necessarily running rampant, but the author of this text declared it would never be a sparkling symbol of democratic peace in the next dozen lifetimes.   

That was kinda heavy. The villages closer to the northeastern border to Keywater and the southeastern border to Lando were devoted to farming. The more west you went, the more ‘advanced’ the country became, going from dirt roads to paved cement. The republic also specialized in skill items, in which it was possible to take a skill and implant its workings into an object. 

My [Blood Crystal Crafting] was kinda like that, right? I didn't have many skills to experiment, but I could take [Minor Heal] and put it into a stick I made from my crystallized blood. Could I stack my skills? The skill was a prototype, so I didn't know how much Itarr had developed it. 

When it came to Lando, the origin story was simple. I'd almost say it was very fairytale-esque. Lando's Nail had been here longer than anyone could have remembered. Before it was a one-hundred-floor shopping center, it was just a labyrinth. The top part was empty and hollow until a man named Lando came along. The structure was just called a blessing from the heavens 2,780 years ago. Lando, who would become the first king, was the first man to enter the tower after defying the orders of the local priest. He discovered the labyrinth and the monsters inside.   

News spread like wildfire in the years following, causing other individual factions within Ancient Lando to wage war for exclusive rights to the labyrinth. It was said the ancient embodiment of Warden stepped into mediate things, but the peace didn't last until Lando used his charisma and formed a unified army to unite the warring factions.   

With peace restored, the capital city of Adenaford, named after his first daughter with his wife, Nail, became the center of Inith. And yes, Lando used his and his wife's name to decree the structure Lando's Nail. It wasn't the worst name, but it wasn't the best one, either.   

The rest of the book detailed wars between the three countries over the past few hundred years, then the clash against that Elven kingdom, in which the three put aside their differences and fought as one, leading up to the current day. The author said relationships were slightly tense because of economic disagreements. Most food was grown in the fertile dirt of Lando, and the farms of eastern Westera couldn't compare in quality. To make up for it, they sold skill items to Keywater for less than they did Lando, leading to an indirect war of taxes, fees, and gross miscommunication because the respective rulers wanted to appear tough for their citizens.   

“Well, that was something…” I laid down and stashed the book in my ring. “Itarr, what are you doing?” 

Reading this book on wildkin biology. It is fascinating. When you read your book, I received the knowledge you gained. Is It the other way around? 

“I don't think so. I haven't–” 

There, what about now? Is it working? 

I didn't know what the fuck Itarr did, but it was like my brain suddenly created a second hippocampus. It wasn't an eidetic memory, but I was aware of the molting cycle of a koena, which lasted approximately two weeks every half a decade to make way for tougher, more illustriously vibrant scales to take their place. This molting was also a way to rid the body of damaged or diseased scales, provided the body was healthy and in fighting shape.   

Or maybe I wanted to know about how a koena’s penis worked. When flaccid, the scales lining and making up koena's penis were similar to a rattlesnake. The individual pieces could fluctuate because they were interlocked. But when erect, the individual plates became rigid, and small bumps, similar to a woman’s clitoris, covered the penis from all around. These little lumps weren't proof of a disease, but they enhanced lovemaking and were vital to reproduction because they allowed a male koena to climax faster and more often.   

Yeah, that was weird and not something I wanted to know at this very second, but having two minds meant we would assimilate a book's info rapidly. 

Interestingly enough, I received scant memories of a chapter on the heat cycles of a Catkin and Dogkin. For reference, after reaching the middle of puberty, a Catkin's estrus cycle occurs every six to eight months for two weeks. This would be preceded by a week of bleeding, also called a period, which would stop. 

Right away, some things were different, and some were the same. 

Where are you going? 

“The bath. My brain feels tense. And reading about heat, period, and breeding has gotten me feeling a little frisky.  

---

Stepping out of my room, I immediately heard a bunch of moaning coming from Nimyra's bedroom. The door was partly cracked open. 

“FUCK ME!!!! FUCK ME WITH THAT FAT COCK!!!! FILL MY FUCKING CUNT!!! AAAAHHHHHHH~~~~~~~~” 

Is that…sex? 

“Yep. It sure is,” I replied. If I couldn't hear it until I left my room, it was soundproof. Lucy’s room was probably the same. If not, that would be an error on Nimyra's part, but it appeared she cared greatly for the Goatkin. “I guess it would be nice if we could be friends.” 

Friends? With Lucy? 

“Yeah. Like, I feel terrible for my mistake. Lucy suffered because of me, so she has a reason to hate me. But I didn't know what my interference would bring. But that's not an excuse. I should've thought more about my actions. Doesn't matter. As soon as I get that fat bastard's name, he's going to die. Suppose that's our interim goal for the time being.”  

Itarr didn't reply, but I knew she was focused on my outlandish request to create something that didn't exist here. I didn't think it would be possible, but my goddess said she would do her best to see it through. Therefore, I gave her time to concentrate when I entered the heavenly bathroom. Like before, I messed with the pump and waited for the basin to fill, then gingerly dipped my toes while stroking my cock.   

Nimyra's sexy moans had gotten the better of me. While I walked here, my erection struggled to break free from my overalls. If they were a little thinner, the tent I pitched in my crotch couldn't have been hidden.   

But here? I didn't have to worry about that. I was free to jerk off here. 

Relaxing, I fondled my breasts and licked my own nipples. My other hand steadily rubbed the foreskin-covered tip until I peeled it back. After thinking back to how I felt when I busted a load in my mouth, the head of my cock soon kissed my lips, the shaft being comfortably hugged between my breasts.  

I don’t...have a pussy anymore. That should feel weird, but it doesn’t... It really doesn’t... 

With it being this long, my hands were absolutely perfect. Even better, leaning backwards allowed me to massage my balls, which had grown accordingly to make fit.   

But the bathing oils took it over the line. 'Apricot Love,’ which smelled like a lush, sweet cinnamon. Lathering that on my hands and shaft reduced the friction, allowing me to stroke faster and longer.   

My abilities meant I couldn't get ‘dirty’ in the general sense. Any smell could be solved with Itarr’s expert use of [True Absorption]. Thrusting my hips, I hugged my tits and licked the erect tip, tasting my sweet flavor with the scented soap. My balls tightened. An electric feeling surged through my penis. Increasing my breathing, I was ready to blast myself in semen until… 

“Holy shit!”  

The sudden exclamation surprised me, leading me to wrap my lips around my dick’s tip while climaxing, filling my mouth with my emission. There was too much to swallow. What I couldn't drink fell like a thick, milky waterfall from the corners of my lips. Slowly, I looked to the door and found Nimyra…  

She stood shocked, her hand covering her surprised mouth while standing naked. Her other hand held a bag of clothing.   

“Uhh… Hi there?” I asked after releasing my mouth from my penis. Semen still surged from the tip and painted my lips a glazed white.   

“Umm… Yeah… Grogn's asleep from our session, so I thought I would relax after washing myself in the other bathroom…”  

“Don't…let me get in your way. I'm a guest in your house.” I didn't think my words were any amount of convincing because I was still a girl who hugged what was basically a horse’s cock between her own tits.   

“Right… Umm… Let us cycle the water first.”   

“Yeah… Okay.” I pulled the plug and stood, stepping out of the tub while the water drained. I hoped my thick semen wouldn't clog the drains… Nimyra didn't stop taking peeks at my penis. 

“Huh? It's getting smaller?” Nimyra looked at it more intensely. Obviously, I got an erection from that. My current size didn't match what I previously had, but it was still six solid inches of girthy cock.   

“I have a skill that grants me a penis. I got it from my goddess… It…allows me to alter my size at will. I like to lick myself, so that's the only way to do it without bending over to the point where it hurts.” That last part was a lie.   

The Drow Elf flipped the switch, and the tub filled. 

“I see… Well, I always wondered what it would be like if I had one of those. Say, did you learn anything from those books? It's been about four hours.”  

“Four hours?! It's been that long?”  

“Uh-huh. Wow, guess you're a bookworm. Four hours is on the shorter side for Grogn. But I went a tad too hard when riding him. I think I cracked a rib or two.”  

“Guess I am. It felt like a handful of minutes to me,” I replied. It felt… No, it was a unique situation to be standing nude with a naked Nimyra, especially since I was erect, while casually chatting about the day. She was pretty-- from those beautiful eyes to that erotic body. Just looking at her pussy almost made me want to try it…  

She did offer… I could ask, and she would have sex with me…  

And maybe I wanted that…  

When the tub was filled, we both went back in. Nimyra chose a bath oil that smelled of pineapples, and I rewashed my body in that cinnamon-smelling liquid to wash the dried semen off me. We sat across each other, rubbing soapy, sudsy hands across our bodies.   

Upon washing my dick, perhaps I spent a tad longer down there than necessary because Nimyra giggled. “I've seen it a thousand times before, and I'll see until the day I die. If you want to jerk off, then be my guest.” She made a lewd motion with her hands and stuck out her tongue.   

“Are you sure?” I asked, spreading my legs a little more. I masturbated with both hands at what I felt was my regular size.   

“I am. Hehe! You have a cute expression on your face. Hmm… It's turning me on, actually…” The Drow Elf licked her fingers and rubbed her chest, pinching her nipples. She walked on her knees to cut the distance between us. “Yes… That's right… Work those hands… Jerk off that massive cock… I bet it feels good, doesn't it? Take that thick, delicious semen you have stored in your balls and spray it over me… Come on, sweetie, don't hold anything back…” 

Holy shit, her dirty talk made me even hornier.   

“I'm… I'm…. Getting close… Shit… It's… It's… I'm… Cumming!!!!!” I cried, thrusting my hips forward. A load of semen ejaculated all over Nimyra, covering her face and chest in a thick layer of sperm. She licked her lips and caught what she could in her mouth, then gave a sultry smile and rubbed my cum into her boobs before rubbing her pussy with her seed-laden hands.   

I was still masturbating, trying to squeeze out the last bit stuck in my shaft. “Hmm… That's a good girl. I bet that felt heavenly, right? Experiencing something like this is even better with a partner. Since you gave me a good show, I'll clean you. Let's hope my mouth isn't too much for you to endure…” Nimyra suddenly took the entirety of my penis in her mouth. It was an expert’s technique.   

I couldn't explain it, but her mouth was so inviting and hot– like my dick was about to melt like butter. “And there we go! A clean, cute penis for a cute girl!” Nimyra let me go and wiped her mouth. Her smile was really soft and friendly. But deep down, I wondered…if she was happy living this life… “Mmn… I've gotta say, you taste excellent. I might get drunk from this, hehe!”  

Was it my place to ask a question to someone who offered me a place to stay? With how I was, I knew I could survive on the streets. When you didn't have to bother with food, water, finding a place to safely sleep for the night, or trying to figure out how to remain warm if it was cold or cold if it was warm, there wasn't much that could end your life.   

And if you were immortal? It was just the tip of the iceberg.   

But I regarded Nimyra as a friend. Not just as someone I was close enough to give me a blowjob because it felt like she somehow owed me for healing Lucy.  

We returned to the point of this bath– to get clean– and enjoyed the warmth after any and all traces of sperm were sent packing down the drain. We spent the next fifteen minutes casually chatting about my day. 

“Hehe! Talking with you like this almost brings out the maternal feelings in me. You know, I wouldn't mind being your mommy. Hahaha!”  

“Mommy? I…don't know if I have one.”  

“Don't be silly, dear. Everyone's born from a woman.”  

“I guess you're right, but I don't know if I want…to meet my mom. Or dad. Or even any family. I think I'm fine with being this new me and not who I used to be.”  

“That's pretty heavy, but I can't deny that I don't understand it. I sometimes wonder what my family would think of me if they saw what I did to survive. Or even what I continue to do now that I will no longer starve for food or water. Don't get me wrong. I enjoy what I do. I have the freedom to choose my clients, and I always know my customers won't renege on their promises because of the power I wield as Lando’s Queen of Night.” 

“Would you choose me?” I intended that to be a joke, but Nimyra took it seriously.  

“Yeah, I would. I wouldn’t have sucked you off otherwise. You helped a total stranger and killed to protect her after she was rude. You have a gentle heart.”  

“Can you really say that when you don’t know me? Hell, I don’t even know me...”  

“I can’t even imagine how you’re feeling, Servi.” Nimyra scooted near me and placed her hand on my lap, gently grabbing my dick. “When some of my clients are sad or upset, this cheers them up. There’s just something about caressing the sensitive spot of a man... Telling them it’s going to be okay. And it’s going to be okay, Servi.”  

“It’s just... I don’t even know why I’m feeling like this.”  

Nimyra and I spent a handful of minutes talking about memories. About how they were formed, what influences them to turn into long-term or short-term, and how the environment plays a role. What were my surroundings when I was a child? What kind of life did I live? And why did it make me...feel nothing whenever it came time to kill? Why did I take to it so effortlessly?  

Nimyra kept rubbing my dick. She was quiet and let me speak to myself. I just wanted to vent, I suppose--to her and Itarr. The goddess kept silent and took in my words.   

I said I was okay with not getting my memories back, and I meant that.   

...  

Did I mean that? It felt like I was flip-flopping every hour on if I wanted them back or not.  

Nimyra said I had a gentle heart. If I were born in a war-torn country where I had to kill to survive another day, would I still have that gentleness she said I had?  

Maybe that was my biggest fear? Suddenly waking up one day and remembering the times the event that made me like this?  

But since I was...’born’ here, for lack of a better word, this new, fresh start didn’t have to experience whatever traumatic events I was forced to endure during my childhood.  

However, my body still remembered those events, right? Was that how it worked?  

It created a harsh clash between my mind and body. The memories and experiences didn’t match. That was what made me feel this weird, odd dichotomy. Perhaps the body overpowered the mind. That explained why I didn’t feel sad. Because I had no reason to be miserable and pathetic.  

But my mind was still fighting enough to make me not a total monster, right?  

...  

“AAAHHHHH! It’s so confusing!!!!” I threw my arms in the air and grasped my hair, groaning in frustration. Nimyra immediately made me sit on her lap and held me tightly while stroking me to a climax. She also plugged my mouth with a nipple.  

She was so warm... So soft... And she smelled crazy good. Nimyra milked me dry. The elf hummed a little melody, and I closed my eyes and relaxed...   

“There. Do you feel better? You came a lot...” I opened my eyes and saw her licking her semen-covered fingers.  

“Yeah, I do. Thanks for this...”  

“Good. Sometimes all you need is to be held. There’s nothing wrong with that. I’ve been alive for two centuries. Living that long is enough to teach you how to read intention. I don’t see a glimpse of hesitation or lies within those ruby orbs of yours. Whoever you were before you lost them? I think they’re someone you can be proud of.” 

But how can you be so sure? I wanted to ask that. I really did... I wanted to believe that I was someone honorable… That I was a joy to be around– with morals and rules…with a desire to fight for what was right and not for selfish desires…  

But I couldn’t be sure. Neither could Nimyra. Nor Itarr, Momo, Srassa, Lucy, or Meghann.   

All I had to go on was some elf’s feelings, who had only known me for less than 24 hours. 

Was I weak for wanting to believe them? 

... 

I got out of her lap and chatted a little more, with the topic being something more positive than missing memories.  

It was soon time to get out of the bath, though. The water had grown uncomfortably cold from our idleness. I used my ring to put on my overalls when Nimyra asked if I had any plans.   

“Might go for an evening walk. If I'm gonna be here for a while, I wanna get familiar with the city,” I replied.   

“A pretty girl like you walking at night? Canary isn't that dangerous if you stay out of the slums. And the guards are even reliable. But be safe, yeah?” Nimyra slid crotchless high-waisted panties up her smooth, long legs. She also had a matching, cupless bra, a mini-skirt, and a t-shirt-- the clothes in the bag she brought with her to the bath.   

A revealing outfit, for sure, but one that totally fit her. Her skin was still glowing from the bath– it seemed to gleam in the brisk, faint moonlight flickering in from the high windows.   

“Got it, but I won't do anything dangerous. Just want to get a little bit more acquainted with the city.” That wasn't a lie, but it felt in bad taste to tell her I was investigating the slums. If she asked me straight up, I would truthfully answer.   

But until then, it was time to leave. 

Hmm… To be safe, I might need a face mask. Some sort of balaclava.

After leaving Nimyra, who was going to check on Lucy and get some dinner ready for her in case she woke up again, I returned to my room and searched. Deep in the closet were a couple sheets of fabric. Itarr asked if cutting them was a bad idea. I told her it wasn't because I would pay Nimyra once I had money. 

A few cuts with Momo's dagger, a couple knots here and there…  

And I was done! One hand-made balaclava. Although my eyes were piercing red. I doubted many people had them, much less a woman with black hair and a red ring. And on that note, I decided to cut another few strips and fold them over my fingers. It was like I had on handless gloves. 

Stupid?  

Definitely, but it made me feel a little bit better. 

What is our objective? 

“Dunno. Suppose I want to do what I can. Maybe visit Cassidy and see if she needs help,” I replied, storing my newly crafted items in my ring, I walked to the door, waved goodbye to Nimyra, who was looking through the fridge, and left to go on my first night patrol.