Chapter 4 Steve
Steve
This is the part I hate the most. Leaving my Realm to travel, well, anywhere.
Portarius and Emmie watch eagerly from the other side of the Gate.
Its waters lapping at their feet. My Realm is slow.
It's comfortable. No one is in too much of a rush, and other than the regulars at my tavern, I interact with other inter-Realm travellers periodically.
Always checking if they have been to Realm Six.
Which a demon did, less than three days ago.
Rumours have spread for years about the building tension between orcs and the impish of Imperia, but hearing that they are being rounded up. Imprisoned. It was enough to put all of my preferences aside and obtain the required travel papers to leave.
The Gate of Realm Seven glistens underneath the wooden jetty, and I take a final look at the charred fields that surround us.
Realm Six has rich flora, which covers the landscape.
Greens so lush you would think you were back on earth.
I have not visited for centuries, back when my brother was first recruited into its army and awarded his first Imperian medal.
We were both so young then. He sought greatness while I was drawn toward a quieter life.
Respecting each other's choice to live separately.
Stepping into the water, my clothing becoming heavy, the spirits of the Gate gently pulling at me as I wave goodbye to my friend and his bonded human.
I'm so incredibly happy for them, even though a part of me is envious.
It's not often you come across the being that will complete your soul, but for Emmie to stumble through Portarius' Gate and for her to accept the bond, it's almost unheard of.
An orc bonding is slightly different, but you still want them to willingly bond to you.
The sequence of events that's needed to align is something found in fairytales, not Hell.
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 from the 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 my belly 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 hundred percent 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.
“I seek lodgings,” I grunt. Not giving away any more than necessary.
Looking up at the outer walls, the stark white stone seems to stretch on far higher than I remember.
“You are newly bonded, yes?” the other guard closer to the drawbridge asks.
Bonded… he thinks we're bonded? That bastard of a Gatekeeper had a bonding dress made for my female. I should go back and end him for even thinking of her like that.
“Have you come to this Realm to bond, or have you already?” he tries again, and still I remain silent. “I don't think he understands,” he turns to the other guard.
“Lodgings,” I grunt again.
“Wait a minute? Is that a human? He has a female in his arms.” The second guard moves closer, and I move my female into my chest, further away from them.
Once we were out of the prying eyes of the Gatekeeper, I gently clothed her in the dress that was made; however, now that I know it is considered a bonding dress, I will have it burned.
“It's a pretty bonding dress. My bonded was hoping for something similar. She showed me one that looked almost the same at one of the shops in the first quarter.”
“You should be thanking the Devil herself you’re even bonded with a face like a slapped swine.”
I think they have forgotten I'm here. Lost in their own conversation.
“Hey! I don't look like a swine. I swear if you squint your eyes a little, you can barely notice my missing ear,” they both chuckle, brows drawn together as if they share something painful.
“Anyway, I couldn't afford it in the end. Shame really because it really is a nice dress, but they wanted ten whole aureus for it.”
“Ten aureus!”
“I know! I even went back the next day to see if there was a way I could pay it off, but they said no. That's almost three months' wages. In the end, she said it didn't matter, that it's not a dress that makes a bonding, but I know deep down she wished to have worn it.”
This once prosperous land has truly changed. Hearing the guards are paid so low means others will be even worse off. To become a guard was once a sought after profession. Not only did it hold respect, but you were set up for a comfortable life.
The weight of my coin purse weighs heavily against my hip. The gold coin I carry and have access to is vast and far more than these guards would see in the next century, even if they saved every aureus they earned.
The money jingles in my hand as I take a fistful, choosing to try and help these two imps. It could play to my favour if word spreads that an orc is handing out coins for assistance. That, and it doesn't hurt me to spread some wealth while I am here.
“Lodgings,” I repeat for the third time, shoving my fist between them, the gold glistening in the light.
“May the Devil bless me on this day,” one of them whispers as they both stare at it.
“You can take the coin if you show me to the best lodgings in the city. One appropriate for my—”
“For your bonded, yes, Sir. Right away. We will both take you.”
“I do not want you to be punished for leaving your station. My brother would not approve of it, and I do not wish you harm.”
Rational seems to creep back in, and they both take a proper look at me.
“Your brother? I see the resemblance now. Sir, I am sorry, but you have come too late.” He steps closer to me, lowering his voice so I can barely hear him.
“All orcs of the Realm were imprisoned. He is a great leader, Commander Bellator, but the Emperor… something changed in him, and well, you might not be able to see your brother.”
“I wish to show him my bonded. It will be granted, I am sure of it.” At least I think it will.
There is only the tiny detail of us not actually being bonded.
They don't need to know that my female passed out hours earlier and that if she were to wake, she might scream and possibly pass out again.
It is a lot for any new creature when they arrive in Hell, but seeing she did not lose her mind and her soul within the first few minutes, that makes her special.
That makes her mine.
“I believe he would want to meet her, Sir. The problem is, I don't know if he can.”
What is going on in this Realm?
“He was imprisoned.”
The words hang in the air. Imprisoned. So the rumours are true.
The Emperor has turned against the species he used to build his power.
As I reside in Realm Seven, I am not subject to the rulings here, but I'm sure I will be treated with contempt because of it.
I need to find a safe space for my female, and then, I need to find my brother.