A Tale of Blood and Monsters Ch. 4

Year 276 AC

Astapor – Temple of the Graces

There is one more thing that must be done in Astapor before I can move on, despite effectively controlling the city. While Kraznys was not very religious before his turning, and thus didn't care what I did, there was still a primary religion in Astapor and beyond that the rest of Slaver's Bay as well. Slaver's Bay still worshipped the Gods of Ghis, and that worship was led by the Graces, the priestesses of the Ghiscari religion.

And so with a hundred of my newest hybrids at my back, I took my time ascending the steps of the Temple of the Graces, entering to find the Graces arrayed before me, the Green Grace of Astapor standing regally at their head. I cock an eyebrow at her, fully prepared to kill another High Priestess as she raises her eyes to meet mine. Stepping forward, I'm treated to the sight of her slowly falling to her knees before me.

Her flock followed her lead behind her, and an array of different colored priestesses knelt on the temple floor in deference to me. I blinked slowly, brow furrowing for a moment before I decide to voice my confusion, "And what, is this?"

From the floor, the Green Grace of Astapor's Temple of the Graces speaks lowly, never once meeting my eyes again, "You are Vali the Messenger, Herald of the Almighty One."

Now frowning, I answer in the affirmative, "I am."

"The Graces submit to the Almighty One's power. A Vision has shown us the true path forward, and that it lies under your wing."

I stare at her for several long moments before slowly grinning, "How interesting. Let us retire and speak of this in private. While we do so, your Red Graces shall entertain my Blessed."

The title I'd chosen for my Unsullied Hybrids was rather spur of the moment, but at the same time I'd been planning it for a while. Blessed was simpler to say and tied nicely back into the religious angle. The Green Grace nods amicably as the part of her flock dressed in red robes to signify their training in religious prostitution steps forward to take care of my newest children. The other Graces move off to continue their own work while I follow their leader into a secluded room.

She settles down onto a pile of cushions but I stay standing, just now noticing how old this woman before me is. I don't give her much time to get comfortable, "You will tell me everything that happened in this Vision."

Sighing as her eyes close, either to rest them or in remembrance, she begins to speak, concisely thankfully, "The gods spoke to me in a dream. They spoke of your coming and they told me to submit to you, to turn the Graces towards the worship of your god."

She stops talking suddenly as cries of both passion and pain reach the room we're sequestered in. I'm not surprised, and I fully expect to leave here with a few red robed bodies left behind. My new children are surprisingly unique in their circumstances. Some are full of bloodlust, some are full of lust and most are full of both. I'm more than happy to sate their new found desires, but I've been having to teach them that one cannot kill off all of one's food supply.

I snap my fingers to get her attention back to me. For a moment our eyes connect again and I stare deep into her irises, "And why would your gods tell you to do this?"

She shudders visibly as the sounds from outside the room grow, "I do not know, they did not give me reasons. However, last night the Almighty One spoke to me directly and told me you would come today. I have a message for you from him."

I'm a bit incredulous at this point. Is the being that sent me here actually getting directly involved this time around, simply because I started involving him directly? And he'd somehow subverted the Gods of Ghis, who were apparently actually very real celestial beings? My face is blank as I respond, "Very well, tell me."

"He wishes for you to finish your work here in Slaver's Bay quickly. Once you have taken Yunkai and Mereen, the Temples of the Graces will spread word of the Almighty One to the residents of Slaver's Bay, both slave and master alike. He demands that you move along and go West. He says that there are reasons that he has sent you to this time instead of another and that you will find it there."

I soak in her words and after a moment I step into her personal space, crouching down to grab the old woman's chin in my hand. Looking into her eyes, I look for any trace of deceit. I find none, but still I say, "You realize of course, that if this is some sort of trickery, designed to cause me to leave your city behind so that you may reinstate control, you will be sorely disappointed. I may go, but my Blessed will not all leave with me."

There still isn't a hint of fear or lies in her demeanor as she stays silent under my scrutiny. After a moment longer I release her and stand, turning to leave but stopping to throw one more thing back before I go, "You are too old, you will not receive my god's blessing. Pick a protégé and begin training her now. Once she is ready, I will come back and she will ascend to take your place."

With those parting words, I exit the Temple of the Graces. Tomorrow I will march with my army to Yunkai. We will see what their Green Grace has to say about this, as well as Mereen's after that. I will find out exactly what these priestesses are playing at.

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On another plane of existence, a short while before Vali arrives in Astapor

The Gods of Ghis had long been waning in power and influence. Strengthened and empowered as they were by the worship of their followers, the destruction of the old empire had weakened them, and thousands of years of very little involvement in the mortal world had left them weaker still. Oh, not in the face of the young upstarts from other parts of the world, the gods who'd come after them. No, they had still had enough to beat off any such celestial vultures most of the time.

But in the grand scheme of things, they had long been in decline and their glory was but a shadow of what they had once been at the height of their influence and power. It had begun with the damn dragons and the Valyrian Freehold. It had only spiraled down from there until they were where they were now.

That's not to say they didn't still have an idea of what was going on both in the mortal world and on the plane above. The absence of the Summer Islander Pantheon did not go unnoticed, nor did the vast presence felt for only a few moments right around the time of their disappearance escape their notice. And so, they'd done their research and put more effort into finding out the affairs of the mortals than they had in the last few thousand years.

This led to the discovery of the Messenger and his Almighty One. The way he had unified the Isles under worship directed at a singular god made it quite obvious that this Almighty One was also the vast presence they'd all felt and the being behind the disappearance of the Summer Islander Pantheon. A god of gods if there had ever been one, a being they still had enough awareness to know they could never even hope to touch, especially as they were now. So when the Messenger had turned his eyes towards Astapor and begun his voyage, the Gods of Ghis had acted.

Where the Summer Isles Pantheon had gone forward with heads held high and full of pride, believing they could negotiate with this Almighty One, the Ghiscari Gods came with hat in hand and heads bowed before the entity they could recognize was so far beyond them.

"Well now isn't this… well I wouldn't really say interesting. What do you all want? Ah, I see it now. Here to supplicate yourselves before me in hopes I don't destroy you out of turn. Well… I suppose."

There is a sense of relief amongst the Gods of Ghis, as much as beings of cosmic power us mere mortals could probably never truly comprehend can. However, that relief is almost immediately squashed, "But… you don't conform to what I expect from the Gods of Slaver's Bay, so that's going to have to change before I allow you to stick around."

After that, there's nothing but pain as the Gods of Ghis are made anew. Everything about them is no longer relevant. Soon enough they number just four regardless of how many of them there were to begin with. They've been remade into majestic beautiful harpies to represent each of the four cities that still bother worshipping them. When the voice comes again, it's quite satisfied.

"Perfect, such beautiful little birdies. I'm acquiring quite the collection of pets at this point. Now, there's just one more thing left I need from you."

The newly made Goddesses of Ghis are happy to do whatever he commands. After all, if this is how he treats his servants, they shudder to imagine how he would treat an enemy and they have no desire to find out.

"That's a smart mindset little birdies. Very smart indeed."

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Year 276 AC

Slaver's Bay – Yunkai

I left Astapor with an army of my newly christened Blessed the very next morning. Admittedly, I was in a bit of a hurry to speak to Yunkai's Green Grace. It took us three days to reach the outskirt of Yunkai. Considering we overtook the few stragglers who'd managed to make their way out of Astapor during the lightning fast coup, Yunkai should have had no idea we were coming.

Then why are they clearly waiting for us? The numerous mercenary battalions Yunkai is known to keep on retainer are arrayed before us and the gates of the city are locked up tight. Yunkai has been preparing for a siege for weeks from the looks of things. How could they possibly have known to prepare? Well there was one way they could have known. I just needed to get inside the city to confirm it. Not at all that hard.

Within an hour of coming into visual range of the mercenaries, I'd received a pompous invitation to meet with the mercenary leaders, who were apparently empowered to negotiate with me on behalf of Yunkai. They seemed to have decided to treat me like a roaming Khalasar, paying me off so I would skip them by. I choose five Blessed at random to come with me and we make our way past the mercenary lines to a large tent where men sit waiting for us.

I don't recognize any of them from what I remember of the show, and as a servant steps forward and opens his mouth I hold up a hand and cut him off, "I'm sure you're about to get into introductions, but I really don't care."

My eyes rake over the gathered mercenary captains for a moment before I zero in on the one who seems to stand above the others, "I will make this offer one time, as I find myself in much more of a hurry at the moment. I am Vali the Messenger, and I come to you bearing the word of the Almighty One. Lay down your arms, turn away from your false idols, and grovel before His Might and you will be spared."

The man who I'm locking eyes with doesn't speak, but one of the other captains does, scoffing, "So it's true then, some Westerosi bastard overthrows Astapor and now thinks he's a god. And if we don't turn away from our idols, what then? Because I gotta tell ya, I quite like getting paid for killing fuckwits like you."

I turn slowly and smile at the arrogant captain, "Oh good, an example to be made."

He smirks back and his hand goes down to his waist to draw a wicked looking sword. He doesn't get it out of the sheath as I'm suddenly in front of him, my hand around his neck. A moment later his neck snaps and I let the limp corpse fall from my hand. Spreading my arms wide, I turn back to the frozen room, as if to say 'whoops'.

"Ah well, it would appear communication has broken down. Kill everyone."

My Blessed move as one unit and I move with them. The rest of my little army is already moving in as well. One of the first things I'd had these new hybrids work on learning was using their enhanced hearing to listen for my voice over long distances. Every single one of them has been listening in on the conversation since it started. As I say the words, several thousand hybrids move, not just six. Yunkai's mercenaries take less than an hour to finish off entirely, and I'm left with an army of blooded hybrids who are all so very hungry for more.

A sharp whistle has the Blessed assemble before me in under a minute. I look across my children with a wide bloody grin. They look back at me with loyal intensity, their faces just as bloody as mine. Bringing my hands together, I speak in a casual tone, secure in the knowledge that they'll hear every word, "Behind us sits Yunkai of Slaver's Bay. Like Astapor with the Unsullied, Yunkai is known for a specific type of slave. You all have satisfied your bloodlust on these heathens, but now it is time to satisfy another kind of lust that many of you have never experienced before now."

I look at them all in their blood drenched armor, "Strip naked my children."

In a few moments a few thousand naked monsters in human skin stand before me. I grin wickedly and turn towards the city, "Now we will ascend the walls and sack this city. Kill any man who dares to hold a weapon against you. Then, once the fighting is done, take whoever strikes your fancy and slake your desires upon them, enthrall them, make them yours."

I glance over my shoulder, "No infighting though, first to grab someone is first to get them. Now, let's go."

Leaving it at that, a tidal wave of monsters moved over the utterly useless walls of Yunkai. A handful of hybrids from back in my world could have taken Yunkai in a few hours time. Thousands of newly made hybrids with an entire life experience of martial training made the conquest of Yunkai into a slaughter. As my Blessed tore their way through the city and destroyed any and all resistance, I made my way directly to Yunkai's Temple of the Graces.

There were guards outside this temple, where there'd been none at Astapor's. They didn't last long, but then there were more guards inside the temple itself and I thought that strange. Still, eventually they were all dead and I approached the center of the temple where I could sense the priestesses were all gathered. When I entered, I found them surrounded by guards as well. The odd thing was the guards had their backs to me and were pointing their weapons at the numerous terrified graces.

As those guards began to react and turned to face me, I wasted no time in ending every last one of them. As the last body dropped unceremoniously to the floor, I turned my attention on the women huddled in a circle, "Which one of you is Yunkai's Green Grace? Step forward."

Out of the center of the crowd moves a figured robed in the green I've learned to associate with Slaver Bay's highest religious station. As the woman comes to a stop before me, I come to realize I can barely even call her a woman, she looks absurdly young compared to the elderly crone I'd met in Astapor. I stare at her even as she falls to her knees before me and then presses her forehead down on the floor in complete subservience. Every other priestess in the room copies her gesture. My brow furrows, "You are the Green Grace of Yunkai?"

She takes this as permission to bring the upper half of her body back up, staying settled on her knees as she answers me, "I am her, Illustrious Messenger. While I am new and inexperienced, I pledge myself to you and the worship of the Almighty One. I am your loving servant."

I stare at her for a long moment, the evidence I'd wanted basically sitting in front of me but I was still skeptical. Well, easy enough to call her bluff. My bemused expression morphs into a lecherous grin as I step closer until the young Green Grace's face is only inches from my confined length, "Prove it darling. Take my cock out and stroke it with your hands as you answer some of my questions."

I'm watching for hesitation, disgust, or panic. Instead I get instant acceptance with just a touch of worry as she does as I say. I can tell where the worry comes a moment later as she inexpertly strokes my cock, clearly having no experience with this. She's worried I won't be happy. How very interesting. Bringing a hand down I pull back the green cowl covering her hair and stroke my hand through her locks, "Now, tell me what happened to your predecessor."

Splitting her attention between the task I'd given her and my question, she answers haltingly, eyes never leaving my hardening prick, "I… she was executed by the Wise Masters. They called it a retirement, but we knew the truth."

My eyebrow rises at that, "Why did they kill her? The same reason you had guards keeping you locked up instead of protecting you I assume?"

She blinks in surprise at my deduction, eyes glancing up at me for a moment before snapping back down to her current work, "Y-yes. She had visions from our gods. She had visions from the Almighty One as well. She wished to tell the people of Yunkai to prepare for your coming, to welcome you and accept your rule and the power of the Almighty One. The Wise Masters saw it as a threat and acted accordingly."

Well now, it seemed the Green Grace of Astapor may have been telling the truth. My hand currently stroking the hair of the girl before me turns into a fist as I guide her head forward, "Good girl, now take it in your mouth."

She does so without complaint, once again doing her very best despite her inexperience here shining through just as much as it had with the hand job. As she sucked me off and the rest of the graces of Yunkai watched, some ashamed, some almost in awe, but all watching intently, I consider what I now know. It would seem that my benefactor is actually stepping off his pedestal to at least partially involve himself in the affairs of this world, now that I've invoked him and started a religion in his name.

It seems he's even being a relatively proactive god about things. Though I figure I know why, even as I take a moment to think back to the old crone's words in Astapor. So my patron wanted me to hurry up and move on did he? I could understand, given the interesting things happening in Westeros. I'd never intended to sit on Essos until we got to canon either, the plan had always been to hit Westeros some time before or during Robert's Rebellion.

So as I began to slowly fuck the willing face of the High Priestess debasing herself before me, I find I have no desire to dally any longer in Slaver's Bay than necessary, especially not just to be contrary. I had made my benefactor into my god. I couldn't go around disobeying the Almighty One now could I? I'd set a bad example to my fast growing number of followers. With a light chuckle, I pull free of the sucking mouth and paint the Green Grace's face with my cum.

I take a moment to admire the facial I've given her as she looks up at me through the gooey mess I've made of her face, clearly looking for approval. I grace her with a smile, "That's a good girl. I'm very pleased with you. The Almighty One is as well, you have started down the path to earning his full blessing. Rise now. The Wise Masters of Yunkai are no more, and you and your flock will be required to lead this city through the upcoming trials, in the name of our god and my servant, the Eternal Master."

She nods eagerly, not even bothering to try to clean herself up, just staring at me in reverence. Well, I enjoyed the hero worship, even if I was no hero. I'd stay in Yunkai for a bit longer and let my Blessed enjoy the toys they all will have chosen by now. Then, on to Mereen.

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Year 276 AC

Slaver's Bay – Mereen

Unlike Yunkai, Mereen was open to me when I arrived. I'd left half of my Blessed behind, but it didn't truly seem to matter. I was met at the open gates by the heads of Mereen's slaving families, the Great Masters. Leading them was the Green Grace of Mereen, and like her peers, she fell to her knees in the sand before me. With only a moment of hesitation, the slavers followed behind her.

I raised an eyebrow and peered down at them silently. A moment passed and the old woman prostrating herself before me spoke up, "Vali the Messenger, Herald of the Almighty One. Mereen places itself at your and your god's mercy. We beg you to forgive us for our ignorance in worshipping others before the Almighty One for so very long."

Pausing for only a moment, I already know what my answer will be, "Your words move me Galazza Galare. Mereen is forgiven and will be spared the fate of Yunkai."

There is audible relief from the leaders of Mereen. I'd taken a bit longer in Yunkai to let word of the city's fate spread to Mereen. It looked like that had had the impact I'd wanted.

Galazza is not even slightly thrown by me just casually throwing out her name, "Thank you Illustrious Messenger. Mereen is open to you and your companions."

Grinning, I don't mention the fact that there was nowhere in the known world that was already not open to us. Still, there's a correction that needs to be made. I gesture back at my children, "These are the Blessed, be sure to address them as such. They are the Almighty's Chosen and they are to be afforded every respect."

There's more bowing and apologies, "As you say Messenger. Will you enter Mereen and partake in the bounty we have prepared for you now?"

I can't help it, my grin turns a bit sinister at that, "Indeed we will. You may find that our appetites range in a distinctly different direction though."

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Year 277 AC

Slaver's Bay – Mereen

The conquest of Slaver's Bay had taken no time at all. What I wished to do next however was an expedition that took much of the rest of the year to plan and prepare for. The Blessed had long since grown beyond their Unsullied origins, and were now filled out with both the slaves and the free peoples of Slaver's Bay. After all, where we were going, no mortal could go.

I looked out upon my enlarged army and smiled. They would march fine without another word from me, but part of me still felt as if something had to be said, "My Children. My Blessed."

The attention of thousands of hybrids focuses solely on me, soaking in what I have to say, "We go now to spread the Almighty One's teachings across Essos. There will be resistance. There will be bloodshed, enough to feed the hunger of each and every last one of you. The continent is filled with those who will deny our god's existence and deny that he is the true god. We shall show them how wrong they are."

My smile takes on an edge to it, "But first, we're going to go where no one has gone for hundreds of years. The Almighty One protects us with his Blessing and sends us forth to recover lost treasure and knowledge."

I pause for a moment, taking in the vibrating excitement of the Blessed before me. They already know where we're headed. At this point I'm really just saying it for dramatic effect. Still, religion is at least ninety percent drama right? Widening my smile, I spread my arms wide and deliver my final line.

"We march for Valyria!"

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