Unveiling Bonds and Battles

Chapter 8 - Unveiling Bonds and Battles-

An arrow soars through the air with deadly precision, effortlessly piercing the head of a kobold and seamlessly continuing its trajectory, pinning a second kobold to a nearby tree in a skillful display of accuracy. A diminutive elf gracefully tilted her head, examining the precision of her shot while perched in a tree.

"Not bad, not bad at all," a voice resonated from below. Jabulani, the dark-skinned shaman, stood there, accompanied by Seraphina, the knight captain, and Adalwolf, the wolf girl magus.

"That was an extraordinary shot," Seraphina remarked, her expression betraying no hint of surprise.

Adalwolf's wolf-like features, hinting at a subtle grin, added, "I'm still astonished that you managed to extract her from that room."

Aisling gracefully descended from the tree, advancing toward the group. "I hear three more kobolds approaching," she stated, pivoting away from them. With swift precision, she raised her bow, drawing back the string. Mana surged into the weapon, weaving between the bow and string to forge an arrow of fire, which she unleashed upon spotting the first kobold.

The flaming arrow soared through the air, leaving a trail of flames as it found its mark, engulfing the first kobold in fiery tendrils. The creature let out a screech before collapsing to the ground. Aisling poured more mana; this time, it was an arrow of lightning that she notched back.

As another kobold emerged from the foliage, Aisling swiftly released the lightning arrow, illuminating the forest. The electrified arrow zapped through the air, striking its target with a crackling surge of energy. The kobold convulsed before collapsing, smoke rising from its singed body.

"That was the final one. Was that a demonstration of what I'm capable of, or do we need to search for something bigger?" the elf asked, turning her head towards the group.

"No, I've seen all I need to see," Jabulani declared.

"Your aim is true, so just stay behind me, and I'll keep the enemy away from you," said Adalwolf.

"I am intrigued by your bow. I've never seen a bow that doesn't require arrows before," Seraphina asked inquisitively.

"My bow is crafted from ancient elven oak, a special wood that can be temporarily and quickly enchanted without needing a proc or invocation. It channels my mana directly, enabling me to shape arrows of any elemental or magical ****," Aisling responded.

Her curiosity piqued, Seraphina observed Aisling's bow with a discerning gaze.

"Now, assuming there are no objections to our latest party member, you will concentrate on further exploring the forest. However, this time, let's avoid rushing headlong into it." Jabulani mentioned, his gaze shifting to the wolf girl who smiled bashfully while rubbing the back of her head.

"On the other hand, I will dedicate my efforts to restoring the village. I'll utilize wind spirits for communication this time in case something like the hydra incident occurs again," Jabulani continued.

"What exactly are we searching for here? It can't be just random monsters," inquired the elven archers.

"No, this time, our focus is to search for tears in the veil where this realm and the Fae Wilds are overlapping," the shaman responded.

Aisling's eyes widened in shock. "Tears in the veil? The Fae Wilds? What?"

"Right, you're going to need to be caught up on everything that has happened so far," Seraphina said, stepping towards the elf.

"Adalwolf and Seraphina will keep you company as you explore. I'll be returning to the village now," Jabulani declared, turning on his heels and striding in the opposite direction.

"Good luck," the elf said, watching the shaman disappear into the trees.

"Come, Aisling, I'll fill you in as we travel," Seraphina said as she began moving through the forest, the others falling behind her.

"You can use wind spirits for communication," Aisling exclaimed, shaking her head as she followed the group.

"We're unable to, but the alpha has the ability. He's currently directing the air spirits to communicate with us," responded Adalwolf.

"Regardless, Adalwolf, let's avoid rushing ahead this time," Seraphina interjected.

"Yes, p... it wasn't my fault the hydra was there; I was simply following the scent," mumbled the wolf girl.

The group continued their journey through the forest, the vibrant hues of flora weaving a surreal tapestry around them. As they ventured deeper, the energy of the Fae could be felt around them.

Adalwolf sniffed the air and scanned their surroundings, ensuring they weren't caught off guard. Seraphina focused on what lay ahead them, and Aisling focused on protecting the rear.

Aisling couldn't help but inquire, "So, tears in the veil and the Fae Wilds... What do you make of all this?"

Seraphina began recounting the recent events—the problems the duchy has been going through as of late and how the shaman appeared and was hired to investigate these issues. Aisling absorbed the information, ensuring she didn't lose focus on guarding their rear.

...

Jabulani, his attire incomplete, toiled with a plow across the recently rejuvenated farmland. The sun bathed his dark brown skin, casting a radiant glow that highlighted the beads of sweat forming a glistening sheen over his muscular frame.

His lean muscles flexed with each determined push of the plow, revealing the strength that lay beneath the sun-kissed skin. The rhythmic sounds of the soil being turned over mixed with the ambient hum of nature's symphony as Jabulani worked, a steadfast figure amidst the flourishing fields.

Alice stood in the doorway of her farm, a silent observer of the dark-skinned man who was now helping her farm and the village she called home. Her gaze traced the lines of Jabulani's exertion, a reflection of dedication etched in every furrow he plowed. The vibrant hues of the rejuvenated farmland framed the scene, a canvas painted with the hues of growth and renewal.

The widow leaned against the doorframe as she watched the man; her mind slowly wandered back to the night's events.

"Mmmm," escapes the housewife's mouth as her eyes slowly start to close, and her hands caress the sides of her body, running up from her hips up the side of her body.

Her fingers curl around the sides of her breasts, and she pulls them outwards, exposing her nipples to the warm air. "Ahhh," she moans as her hands move down over her stomach and into the waistband of her panties underneath her dress.

She slides her hand inside, and her fingers start to rub the lips of her womanhood. As she does this, she thinks about the shaman pushing her down onto her back and forcing her legs open. It makes her wetter, and just as her lips part for a moan to escape, she hears the sound of a throat being cleared.

She quickly pulled her hand out of her panties and put it behind her back as she turned around and saw Filia, Jabulani's personal servant, standing there with a drink she was bringing to Jabulani. She had a slight flush on her face as she pretended not to see what Alice was doing.

"Excuse me, Miss Alice, may I get through the door?" Filia asked. "It's okay, Filia. I'm just... I should be getting back to the housework anyway," Alice replied as she speed-walked past the maid towards the bedroom, trying her hardest to stop her face from turning crimson.

As Filia carried the drink towards her master, Jabulani, she couldn't help but wonder what seeds he had planted in the plowed half of the farm. Yet, despite the farm being halfway done and this task only taking a morning, she wondered how long the plants would take to grow, considering the master's shamanism.

"As Lord Jabulani, I bring you a drink," Filia said, approaching him.

Jabulani paused in his plowing, turning to acknowledge the young maid with a nod. "Thank you, Filia," he replied, accepting the drink. As he did, Filia watched in awe, a sense of longing flickering between her legs as her gaze traced the contours of his shirtless, sweat-kissed upper body – a result of the morning's labor.

In a moment of courage, Filia chose to share her concerns. "I've been pondering, wouldn't you appreciate a break? It's high noon, and you've tirelessly toiled on these fields since your return. My lord, you truly must take some time to relax," she suggested, a rosy blush gracing her cheeks. Her gaze averted, hands delicately fidgeting with the folds of her dress, she awaited his response.

The shaman arched an intrigued brow, gazing down at the woman whose intentions were evident — from the rosy blush on her face to the subtle swaying of her body. He diverted his attention from the maid, surveying the surroundings before gesturing to the barn on the far right. "Well, maybe you have a point. Care to join me?" he proposed, indicating the direction with a nod towards the farmhouse.

Meanwhile, Alice, back in the house, couldn't shake the burning sensation between her legs. "Ahhh," she moaned out loud as if she was calling a mate to come breed her.

Her behind stuck up into the air, waving wobbly as the fingers of her right hand played with her clit, and her left hand gripped the covers and sheets of her bed while her mouth hung open, letting more moans escape.

Her eyes were closed tightly, and her head tossed from side to side. "Oh, Gods! Oh, Gods!" She moaned loudly. "I need it so bad, Jabulani!" She cried out as her hand got faster, playing with her clit as she remembered how the dark-skinned man manhandled her as if she was just an object made to be used.

"Ohhhh... Ohhhhhh... Ohhhhhhhhhhhh..." She groaned out loudly as she came, her pussy juices flowing down her thighs as she writhed around on the bed. Finally, she collapsed onto the bed, breathing heavily and trying to calm herself down. "G...good thing father-in-law is out of the house." She mumbled.

After a brief respite, Alice gingerly extricated herself from the bed. Hastily collecting the stained sheets, she made her way to the washroom, intent on attending to the chores. However, she realized Filia was nowhere to be found in the farmhouse.

Stepping outside the farmhouse, a hauntingly familiar sound caught Alice's ear: the sound of a woman moaning in ecstasy followed by the repeated sounds of slapping flesh.

Alice felt her body shiver as her pussy started getting wet once again. "F...fuck..." She moaned, her eyes widening as she followed the sound to the barn, where Jabulani was.

Slowly, she walked towards the barn. The noises grew louder as she approached, and she could hear a woman moaning and grunting. Her heart racing, she peered inside the barn and saw Jabulani fucking Filia from behind.

The two were on all fours, their bodies covered in sweat. They were both panting and grunting, and Filia's moans were muffled as she buried her faceJabulani had his hands on Filia's hips and was thrusting into her roughly, his dark, muscular body glistening with sweat.

As she watched the two of them, Alice's hand found its way between her legs, and she began rubbing her maidenhood.

...

"I won't sugarcoat it, ladies; this is downright dull," the wolf girl remarked, her reaper finding its mark in a manticore's heart.

"Is she for real?" the female elf questioned, leaping off her tree branch just as a colossal claw tore it away.

Mid-flip, facing the second Manticore, she charged her bow with mana, drew back the string, and released a volley of magical arrows that swiftly dispatched the creature.

"Save it!" retorted the female knight, her sword freshly decapitating a third manticore. Without hesitation, she raised her shield and charged headlong at the fourth and fifth beasts standing defiantly before her.

"How many more of these creatures are lurking around?" Aisling inquired, her gaze scanning the area. I can't believe that reckless wolf girl charged into a den of manticores! We need to be cautio... Her thought was abruptly interrupted as her ears twitched, catching the sound of movement to her left – another magical beast burst out of the bushes, hurtling directly towards her.

Without missing a beat, Aisling swiftly sidestepped the charging magical beast, narrowly avoiding its claws. With a fluid motion, she drew her bow and conjured another arrow of mana, releasing it into the creature's path. The magical arrow struck true, pierced the beast's hide, and tore its left limb clean off.

Mana Arrow – drains a lot of mana, but none of my regular arrows can pierce this creature's hide, she thought, redirecting her focus to the two frontline fighters of the party she had just joined. A quick observation revealed that neither Seraphina nor Adalwolf faced the slightest difficulty. Seraphina effortlessly cut through the beasts with single swings, while Adalwolf dispatched them with precision strikes to their vital organs.

Just how strong are those two? Despite Adalwolf rushing headfirst into the manticore den, both of them were able to hold back the majority of the beasts with little effort, Aisling thought to herself, her keen eyes watching the two women from behind as they pushed forward.

The battle raged on, and eventually, the group killed more Manticore until a loud roar caught the women's attention.

"Finally! It's about time a proper fight comes our way," exclaimed the wolfgirl. "I've been dying of boredom here!"

"Be careful, Adalwolf, that roar sounded far louder and more powerful than the others."

Seraphina cautioned as she took a defensive stance while she surveyed the area for the source of the sound.

"Ah, relax, we've got this," Adalwolf replied, brushing off Seraphina's warning as she prepared to take down the next beast.

Another thunderous roar reverberated through the forest as a manticore queen emerged, enraged and fixated on the three adventurers who had just completed the slaughter of her den.

The queen was a formidable sight to behold, and it stood at the entrance of the manticore den. The beast's massive frame was easily twice the size of the other manticores, and its razor-sharp claws looked like they could slice through the thickest armor.

Suddenly, the beast lunged at the party, catching them off guard. The frontline fighters, Seraphina and Adalwolf, sprang into action without hesitation. Seraphina fearlessly dashed towards the charging manticore, meeting it head-on, while Adalwolf swiftly initiated a spell.

"Mage armor!" shouted the wolf girl, her voice cutting through the chaos. She raced to Seraphina's side, tapping her shoulder and enveloping her comrade in an invisible, protective, magical field.

As Seraphina continued her charge, Adalwolf broke to the right, casting mage armor on herself. The manticore queen opened its mouth and slammed its jaw downward to try and bite down on Seraphina, only to be met with a shield slammed into its mouth. As Seraphina pressed forward in her charge, Adalwolf veered to the right, skillfully casting mage armor around herself. Meanwhile, jaws wide open, the imposing manticore queen attempted to snap down on Seraphina, only to be met with an assertive defense as a shield was forcefully thrust into its gaping maw.

"That's the spirit! This is what I've been waiting for!" exclaimed Adalwolf as she ran alongside the Manticore, casting Arcane Blade on herself as she did. Her rapier began to glow with arcane energy as she leaped towards the creature's flank, thrusting her glowing blade into the beast's hind leg. The enchanted blade pierced into the flesh, drawing blood.

Seraphina pushed forward, keeping her shield in the creature's mouth as she tried to use this to keep the beast under control. Blood began to pour from the creature's mouth as the shield started to damage the open mouth of the beast.

Seraphina advanced, her silver shield firmly thrust into the manticore queen's gaping maw. With calculated precision, she utilized the shield not only for defense but as a means to exert control over the ferocious creature. Blood began to pour from the creature's wounded mouth, a testament to the relentless pressure Seraphina applied, the silver edges of her shield inflicting damage to the **** interior of the beast. The struggle intensified each movement, a testament to Seraphina's determination to keep the mighty Manticore queen in check.

Twin arrows soared above Seraphina, finding a direct path into the Manticore's unyielding eyes. The Manticore recoiled in agony as the arrows struck true, its once fierce gaze now clouded by pain. Aisling, with unwavering precision, had exploited the **** moment.

"Did that hurt? Well, let's see how you like this!" Adawolf said, jumping up in the air and starting to chant, "In the forge of flames, where embers blaze bright,

Thunder's fury joins a tempest's might.

Glacial whispers weave through frozen air,

Tri-elemental blade, a dance untold,

In mystic symphony, its power unfolds.

Tri-elemental strike!"

Elemental energies converged around her rapier, weaving a tapestry of flame, thunder, and frost. As she descended from her leap, her rapier now infused with the combined might of the elements, she executed a precise strike.

The tri-elemental rapier pierced through the air, targeting the back of the neck of the manticore queen's head. Flames licked at fur, thunder crackled through the creature's frame, and frost numbed its senses.

Seizing the opportune moment, Seraphina swiftly retrieved her silver bastard sword. With a deft motion, she retracted her shield, unleashing a powerful upward swing that aimed to cleave through the manticore queen's **** neck. The silver blade sliced through the air with precision, its gleaming edge aimed at the exposed neck of the manticore queen. Seraphina put all her strength into a single decisive strike, the blade singing through the final moments of the battle.

Severing the manticore queen's neck in a clean cut, the beast's colossal form crumpled to the forest floor. Blood poured out, covering the female knight, dyeing her face, hair, and armor red. Its once imposing roar was now silenced forever. The triumphant party stood amidst the aftermath, their breaths heavy from the intense battle.

Adalwolf, her rapier still crackling with elemental energy, grinned in exhilaration. "Now, that was a little fun, but still didn't come close to fighting with the hydra!" The wolf girl pulled her rapier out of the best before canceling all the enchantments.

"Because it wasn't fae-touched like the hydra; it was just a regular manticore queen," replied Seraphina as she tried to wipe the blood off her face. "Great, now I need a bath."

Aisling stood there, mouth agape, staring at the two. A Manticore queen is a B+ ranked monster... and the two of them mostly just double-teamed it and killed not just it but its whole den in a matter of minutes! They did in minutes what takes a total six-man B-rank team hours to accomplish... Who are these two? the elf thought to herself.

"I say we keep going. I want to see what else we can find for fighting," the wolf girl said, slamming her fist into her hand.

WHAT!? Thought the elf.

"The only thing I want to find is a river; I need a bath!" Seraphina said, looking around them in hopes of seeing one.

"I'm hearing moving water not far from here," Aisling mentioned.

"Yeah, I can hear it too," Adalwolf added, her attention shifting between the prospect of a river and the thrill of more potential battles.

Exasperated, Seraphina, with an emotionless stone-cold face, stated, "You led me to the water, now!" As she spoke, she reached out and grabbed Adalwolf by the tail, pulling, causing her to moan in a sultry manner and causing both Seraphina and Aisling to blush fervently.

"H...hey, only the Alpha is allowed to do that!" the wolfgirl stuttered, looking back at her companion.

Ignoring Adalwolf's protest, Seraphina maintained her firm grip on the wolf girl's tail, her expression unchanged. "In this dukedom, we settle disputes with a bath, no go!"

Caught in the awkward situation, Aisling observed the two, remarking, "Well, you two certainly seem close."

"Ah, okay, okay, this way, this way!" the wolf girl said, pointing in the direction of the river, as she let out another lustful moan.

The sunlight danced on the river's surface as they approached. At the sight of the water, Seraphina uncharacteristically hurried towards it, releasing Adalwolf's tail and dropping to her knees just before it. The female knight wasted no time shedding her armor and stripping down entirely before stepping into the partially warm, flowing water.

"Yes, this... I needed this; I feared I'd have to go the rest of the day in Manticore's blood," she said, splashing water on her face to remove it before it could dry. Adalwolf also began removing her clothes, preparing to join Seraphina in the river.

"What... what are you doing?" Aisling asked, watching from the bank, which caught Seraphina's attention.

"It's a girl bonding moment, and what better way to do that than bathing together? We can even tease the alpha that he missed a team bath together," Adalwolf responded. "Now, get your slim and slender little ass in this river with us."

Aisling's face turned beet red at Adalwolf's words, and even Seraphina's face blushed again after just getting the blood off her.

Aisling hesitated, grappling with a mix of embarrassment and shame. She couldn't help but notice the bursting and bouncing pride on her two companions' chests compared to her own flatness, prompting her to look away. "N... no, I'm fine, thank you," she mumbled.

Adalwolf finished stripping off the last of her clothing and jumped into the river, landing on her hands and feet in the water. Her tail swayed from side to side, splashing water with each swish. Her wet, naked body, covered in droplets of water, glistened under the sun.

Ahhhh, so refreshing!" Adalwolf exclaimed. She looked over at Seraphina, whose body was recently covered in Manticore's blood, but now her body was glistening in water, dripping down her erotic figure.

"What are you staring at?" Seraphina asked, raising an eyebrow.

Adalwolf responded with a mischievous grin, slowly submerging herself under the water. A few seconds later, she reappeared behind Seraphina, pouncing on her and reaching around to touch both of her breasts, causing the female knight to shriek in surprise.

"Hey, what the hell do you think you're doing?!" Seraphina demanded.

"Teasing you, of course," Adalwolf replied playfully. She kept squeezing Seraphina's breasts, feeling their firmness.

The female knight was unable to escape from her grip despite trying.

"Aaah, ahh, s... stop, please, no more," Seraphina begged.

Adalwolf chuckled. "I bet that boyfriend of yours just loves these," she said. "They're so big and heavy. He is quite a lucky guy."

Seraphina blushed, struggling to break free from Adalwolf's grasp.

Aisling had been staring the whole time at the two, embarrassment evident on her face as Adalwolf played with Seraphina's breasts in the river.

"Why are you still in your clothes? Get in here!" Adalwolf cooed.

"No... no, I'm good," Aisling mumbled.

Adalwolf released her grip on Seraphina, who quickly swam away and floated downstream, putting some distance between herself and Adalwolf.

The wolf girl laughed and then dove underwater, disappearing beneath the surface.

"Where did she go?!" Seraphina called out.

Suddenly, Adalwolf emerged right next to the bank where Aisling was sitting. She climbed out, glomping the girl, water dripping down her luscious body, glistening her skin and causing her fur to clump together. Towering over the elf, Aisling lay on her back, looking up at the wolf girl in shock.

"Waaah! What are you doing?!"

"Trying to get you to relax a little," Adalwolf answered playfully.

"How about instead of teasing me, you go bother again, Seraphina?" Aisling suggested.

"It was worth it," Adalwolf said, licking her lips.

"Oh, come on," Aisling pleaded, "don't start."

"Aisling, you are a beautiful girl; don't be so self-conscious about your breasts. Not all men prefer them big, you know," Adalwolf said in a genuinely empathetic tone.

"You're the one to talk," Aisling muttered, pouting.

"What? I am the epitome of a well-rounded woman," Adalwolf stated proudly.

"Yeah, if you're a walking, talking pair of tits," Seraphina chimed in, rolling her eyes.

Adalwolf smirked. "I guess it's true, what they say," she mused, "birds of a feather flock together."

"Shut up," Seraphina retorted.

Adalwolf burst out laughing, clutching her stomach. "Oh, man, I haven't had this much fun in ages," she exclaimed between bouts of laughter.

"You're enjoying this too much," Aisling sighed.

"What can I say? The alpha chose interesting ma... members of the tribe," Adalwolf replies, trying not to chuckle.

Aisling groaned, covering her face with her hands. "Also, I've been wondering, why do you call him alpha anyway?"

"Well, because he's the alpha," Adalwolf replied as if it were obvious.

"Yeah, I figured that part out," Aisling responded.

"So, what's the deal? Why is he the alpha?"

"He is, but he is the strongest member of our tribe," Adalwolf stated matter-of-factly.

"The strongest... Our tribe?" Aisling muttered.

"Yes, let's look at the facts. When we were captured and treated like one-copper whores by those bandits, it was the alpha who found and saved us."

Aisling cringed at how nonchalantly Adalwolf spoke of their **** at the hands of the bandits and tried her hardest to fight back the bad memories, just to feel Adalwolf gently touch her cheek.

"It's okay. You're in our tribe now, and our alpha is powerful. He will protect us and won't let another have what is his, like a true alpha," she said in an almost soothing voice.

"Then, when we faced that super hydra, in the end, it was the alpha who killed it. Of course, we all played our parts, but ultimately, it was the alpha's plans and power that saved us, even almost at the cost of his life," the wolf girl continued.

"What makes you think we are a tribe?" Aisling questioned.

"And we are not his!" Seraphina added, finally climbing out of the river bank, grabbing her armor, and began cleaning it.

"We are a tribe because the alpha brought us together. Now, we fight by each other's side and protect one another."

"There is more to a tribe than just that; there's a social structure, tradition, community, and a common culture," Aisling added.

"So we are still in the early stages of the tribe, but beastkin tribes have formed with less," the wolf girl retorted. "You could say that we are the mothers and foundation of the tribe."

Seraphina and Aisling glared at the wolf girl, who held a big smile on her face as if she knew something they didn't.

"Either way, wouldn't the true alpha here be the Duke? He controls the dukedom, commands the people living on these lands, and even commands your 'alpha,' so he would be the true alpha around here," retorted Seraphina.

Adalwolf scoffed as she finally climbed off the slender elf, standing to her feet and looking down at the Seraphina.

"I don't acknowledge that man as my alpha. I'll follow his commands, as it is the wish of our alpha. But if our alpha truly desired it, he could easily topple that man," said the wolf girl.

Seraphina stopped cleaning her armor and faced the wolf girl. "Whether you acknowledge it or not, power rests where control is held. The Duke governs these lands, and that, in essence, makes him the true leader."

The wolf girl, with a sly grin, replied, "Yet, the heart of our tribe beats with the alpha's strength, not the Duke's authority. It's the alpha who killed the hydra, not the Duke. It's the alpha who's restoring a village, not the Duke. It was the alpha that saved us, not the Duke. It is the alpha who now hunts the bandits, not the Duke. And it is the alpha who commands you follow now, not the Duke."

Seraphina approached Adalwolf, annoyed, coming to a halt only when the two women's breasts pressed firmly against each other. She locked eyes with the wolf girl, a fierce glare conveying her intent.

"Because of him, our tribe's bloodline will grow stronger, and our future looks bright.

"Wait, what?!" Seraphina eyes shot open, but before she could ask for clarification, Aisling interfered.

"Enough! I'm sorry I asked!" The elf said as she stared at the two sets of massive breasts pressing against each other, her face shifting between embarrassment and jealousy of the two women standing before her.