Fully submerged, the spirits of the Gate gently guide me to a thick wooden door about halfway to the bottom. That first breath underwater is always nerve racking, even though I have the correct travel papers, it's always reassuring to know I'm not going to be held underwater and suffocated into the next life.
I stare at a thousand carved faces, all screaming as their souls were taken somewhere along the way to Realm Six. A type of symbolic entrance, I guess. The spirits open the door, pushing me forward until I stumble out of the water, gravity kicking my ass fromthe change in atmosphere. Standing, I brush off my pants, my shirt already half dry from the heat of the tunnel. Each Realm Gate is a marvel, but this one could try to be a bit more welcoming and not so… lackluster. A hot, dark tunnel doesn’t exactly say,Welcome to Hell.
Given I can't see a thing, I'm silently relieved when my boot kicks the end door. I pull on the door ring, rattling it.Nothing. I pull again, but nothing happens. Taking up most of the space in this tunnel, I try feeling around in case I'm at the wrong exit, my shoulder, however, finds a loose nail. The distinct sound of my shirt ripping fuels my frustration.
Removing my now useless shirt, I find the handle again before giving it another tug. My patience waning as I rear back and kick it.
Ah, it was a push, not a pull.
I'm sure the Gatekeeper here will be able to fix it. It takes no time for my eyes to adjust. The sun of this Realm burns a bright white heat, oversaturating the landscape so much that a lot of things lose their definition. Most species find the light too much; however, orcs are naturally adaptable. We are built to adjust and withstand many different climates.
“Gatekeeper,” I state, acknowledging where he stands, clearly blocking something behind him from view.
He closes the distance between us, smiling at my expected arrival.
“I was hoping it was you. We have three travellers planned for today, but I did not expect you so soon. The beherit must be coming through later.”
“You have a beherit coming to this Realm?” My brow dipping at this unwanted news.
“Yes, the Emperor asked for any worthy challengers to fight in his upcoming games, specifically asking for any beherits to apply.”
This is not good news at all. I had hoped everything I'd heard the last several years was a lie, a misunderstanding, but as I look over the dry landscape, it's obvious there is something very, very wrong here. The view before me is not of the Realm I was expecting. This one is a dry, hard place. One that looks unforgiving.
Imperia stands tall in the distance, but between us, there is not a speck of green in sight.
“What happened to all of the water?” I question. There has to be a reason the Realm is living like this. Why would anyone stay to suffer in these conditions?
A squeak comes from somewhere behind the Gatekeeper, and we both turn toward the noise, shocked when I find a wide-eyed, half-naked human female looking back at me.
“Are you… are you a Gatekeeper as well?”
Her voice is wobbling, and her eyes rapidly dart over the two of us as she holds a mountain of white fabric to her body. Covering herself from me. I don't like it. I want to see her,worship her. A pull low in mybelly has me stepping forward at the same time that she starts to sway. Her face pales. Her eyes flutter. I have not studied human females as much as I probably should. The idea that I would be granted something so subtle, so sweet, was one I simply wouldn't allow myself. I've interacted with a human a few times, but not like this. I may be able to crush a skull with one squeeze of my fist, but I'd much prefer to only do that when necessary.
She stumbles once, twice, blindly staring at me as she starts to fall forward, her eyes fluttering closed, and with a swoop of my arms, her body is perfectly cradled against my chest. The loose fabric she had pressed against her slips from the movement, and inch by glorious inch, soft, luxurious curves are revealed to me. Her body is a marvel. One I could study for years to come. I've not seen teats like these before, and the hair at the apex of her thighs. What is its purpose? Does her bonded get to groom that hair?What an honour it must be.Quickly scanning the rest of her body, I see no markings or anything to suggest she is mated, which means she is… I could…
“Here, she dropped the dress I had made.”
He. Had. Made.
Rearing back, I cradle her tightly. Her supple body pressing into mine.
“Do you claim this human female?” I bark. All sense of friendliness gone. His brow furrows, and he stares longingly at her in my arms.
“I had hoped. We have all heard of the bonding of Realm Seven, and I hoped that if I prepared for a human female's arrival, my Gate would grant me one. I know now to be more specific in my request, for it was clear we were not fated when she arrived. You, on the other hand?—"
“Do not look at my female's bare form. Close your eyes and toss the dress. If you were anyone other than a Gatekeeper, today would be your last day in this Realm.”
Slowly closing his eyes, his smile falters as he gracefully throws the dress high in the air. It floats down into my extended hand, and I quickly cover her body.
She looks peaceful in her sleep. I hope she does not wake in case I scare her again. I am not handsome by orc standards. My brother was blessed in this area with a broken tusk and a mountain of scars. My skin, however, remains practically untouched, both tusks perfectly clean and cared for. I turn to leave, not wanting to be around another male with my female so helpless.
“Steve,” the Gatekeeper calls out, gaining my attention. “Your requested items are by the tree trunk to your left.”
Looking where he said, I see the coin purse I asked for, along with a balterus. The leather knife and holster will protect both of us now as I clumsily strap it one handed to my chest. I could not be one hundredpercent sure of the threat against me, as well as having to carry coin after such a long time without it. The inter-Realm agreement states that those who travel are granted basic requirements when visiting other Realms. And seeing as my own does not use any sort of currency, I feel the amount I have been given is cumbersome.
The city is less than one hundred yards from me, guards on alert as I approach. Everything is different, like I'm in a whole new Realm and not the one I visited so long ago. The female sleeps comfortably in my arms, and I can already feel my hackles rising if one of the guards tries anything, let alone take her from me. Something ignited in me the moment we touched, and I refuse to let her wander off without protection, especially in a city like this. Years ago, I would have told her it was safe, but now, everything looks worn and used. The guards look tired, and if I'm honest, they are a bit on the scrawny side, like they could use a decent meal.
“Who goes there?” The closest guard calls out. A clear tremor in his hand, either from malnutrition or fear.
