{F. A. R. T}
A weeble and dark elf came out of a teleportation circle, that is in a stone carved out of a mountainous valley ravine.
On either side of ravine was half of the town-sized castle.
If one were to fly above, or even look over the very steep edge, one would only see the river below. Of course, that is the point in and of itself.
This was after all the hideout of the Mother Supreme of all witches in Hexeia. The city of witchcraft, Himmelburg.
The only way across to either side was magic, or the magically made ghost rope bridges.
Through the mountain itself is tunnel roads for ground access, but all of the entrances let out well over five miles away from the castle itself.
The only people here are witches, not even human slaves are allowed - least one escapes, and leads the witch hunters back.
"State your business."
A fat witch with freckles, and an upturned nose, said.
Around her were other witches.
Some so skinny that it seemed like a strong enough gust could push them over, others young and short, but none of that matters when it comes to a witch.
Their bodies may be weak, but their magic is strong.
So strong in fact that they were able to push out monsters that lived in their respective niches for hundreds - if not thousands - of years.
Even still, they are losing the war with humans.
Violence, unprecedented violence is one of the strongest abilities in nature.
It doesn't matter how great at forest magic you are, if they just burn down the entire forest cute little Bambi and all.
It is a lesson all witches are in the process of learning.
Just to stay in the fight, the witches had to start breeding programs to keep their numbers up.
So, they'd abduct - kidnap if they were under ten - human men, and force them to breed witches.
This... concept was not widely excepted in the witch communities. Especially by the witch girls being rap... ahem... forcefully bred.
"We are from the Faction Against Retarded Terrans, your Mother Supreme is expecting us."
"What's the password?"
"Password? When did y'all start doing passwords?"
"Two weeks ago."
"Well, no one told me that, and why'd y'all even start doing passwords?!"
The witch shrugged.
"They wanted to try something new, especially since those damn hunters are infiltrating our covens!"
Another witch elbowed her, and gave her the 'Are you stupid? We were told not to mention that' look.
And yes those looks do exist. Just ask any guy who got elbowed by his girlfriend/ wife for saying the thing she griped to him about her boss in front of said boss.
"What I meant to say is, I've seen you before so she'll take you to her, but make sure you get the password before you leave."
The fat witch was pointing to a skinny witch with a fat nose.
"What?! Why do I have to take them?"
The fat nose witch complained.
"Because I don't want to, and I outrank you, acolyte. Get going, dummy."
She gave her the shoo shoo motion with her hand.
"Fine."
The witch started walking away, and Isedi and the weeble followed.
They passed stone structures filled with witches and simpler monsters that they've brought under their control. A few of the witches were pretty enough to catch Isedi's eye, but it was useless however for him to get excited.
No witch would like to do the deed with him.
Any spawn would be an elf, not a witch.
Although, almost assuredly they'd be a really strong magic user.
As they were walking the witch noticed a younger witch sweeping stray debris off the side into the river below.
"Hey, Myrdeth, come here!"
The Fat nose witch screamed at her.
The young witch dropped her broom, rolled her eyes, and walked over to them.
"What do you want now, Mirren?"
Mirren put her hands on her hips.
"Is that sass I hear in your tone?"
The young witch sighed.
"No, Mirren. It's just that Alli told me to sweep, Beni told me to muck out the stables, Rikkia told me..."
"What's your point?!"
"I can't do everything! I haven't slept in three days!"
"So what! You should be grateful that your punishment is only to be our slave. We all heard about what you did!"
"I explained that!"
"Oh, that you decided to go pick herbs a scant few minutes before the witch hunters slaughtered your sisters!"
"It...it was a coincidence!"
"Was it also a coincidence that they found you up a tree, and warded up to your ass against detection?"
"I... I saw the hunters in the woods, and those are the only anti detection spells I know. I... I knew I wouldn't be able to save anyone if I died, so I hid."
Mirren stabbed a finger into her face.
"That's bullshit, and we all know it! You sold them out!"
Mirren's spittle landed on her face as she yelled at her.
"The only reason you're still alive is because we need as much living witches as we can get, but if you're really unhappy being a little slave, I can always ask that you be used for breeding. You know, help replenish the witches we lost."
The witch grabbed her by the pussy on top of her dress.
"I'd make sure it was the nastiest human too. Hey, I might just forget to properly bind him, I'd bet he'd takeout all of his beatings out on you. If you're lucky, he'd beat you to death before we got in there to save you. Would you rather that?"
"no."
Myrdeth mumbled.
Mirren let go of her sex to hit her upside the head.
"Speak up, bitch!"
"No, I wouldn't like that!"
There were the beginning of tears in her eyes.
"Good, and that's mistress to you! I'm not a sister to a filthy human dog. Now take them to the Mother Supreme, then go feed the new ratmen. They bite, so watch out for that."
Laughing, the witch left them.
Myrdeth wiped her face, and turned to the elf.
"Follow me."
They again started walking, except this time they were actually talked to.
"So, y'all apart of the group who hates humans, right?"
The reason F. A. R. T is working with the goliath that is the covens of Hexeia is because of mutual need. F. A. R. T has the raw numbers and resources to funnel to the witches, and the witches have powerful magic and magical knowledge to help with... experimental designs.
"I can not speak for the entirety of the Faction, but I myself do not hate humans."
Isedi said.
"You don't? But you..."
He chuckled.
"Work for a faction against humans? Yes, I ironically do. That does not mean however that we all share the same exact views. I've known many a human who I would gladly call friend, and some who have even saved my life. But I can not willfully ignore the inherent risk that humans are."
They came to one of the rope bridges.
Myrdeth touched it, and pumped her mana through it. The ethereal material expanded and became physical matter, physical enough to step on.
"They aren't too aggressive now, but what about when they stop the infighting amongst themselves? At any time they could turn on us all. You've seen how brutal they are with nature itself; ripping up trees and groves, poisoning the water, over hunting, and that's against something that provides for them. There won't be any mercy for us."
The weeble in between them stayed silent. Letting them converse amongst themselves.
"You don't have to tell me that. The only reason I had to join a coven was because they killed my mom. She never hurt anyone either, for fucks sake she was a hedge witch!"
The tears in her eyes were replaced by righteous anger.
"Aren't hedge witches basically just healers?"
Isedi asked.
"Yup, but that didn't stop them from lighting her up."
Myrdeth physically calmed herself.
Taking deep breathes before letting them out.
"So, you're going to try and enslave the humans. I don't think your human friends will like that at all."
He nodded in agreement.
"Not at all, but this is for the greater good. If I do nothing, the blood of dark elves and other nonelf species will be on my hands.
Besides, I'm doing this for their benefit as well."
They entered a door to the main keep guarded by two witches and their banewolf pets.
The witches glared at Myrdeth, but let them pass once they were told the other two are from F. A. R. T.
"How do you figure it's for their benefit?"
She asked him incredulously, continuing their conversation.
"Once I solidify a higher position I'll be able to protect them from the culling efforts, and give them luxurious life."
He responded, and she huffed.
"A luxurious life in a cage."
He shrugged.
"Somethings can not be helped. Better a cage, than a casket."
"Isedi, we are here."
The weeble said as they stopped in front of a very ornate door.
Reliefs showed how the Mother Supreme had led the scattered covens into a new golden age, by slaughtering humans and uniting all of witch kind.
It was all bullshit of course. She didn't unite all witches, there's still plenty of wild witches, and the others she either intimidated them into following her or she just killed them.
As for the humans, they're still in a war with no end in sight.
"Cease your prattle."
"Yes, ma'am."
They opened the door, and stepped into a huge hall.
Raging fires in a few fireplaces, and thick tapestries hanging along the walls kept it nice and toasty.
Dozens of witches sat at long tables chatting and eating, young witches no older than twelve served their elders, and at the very end of the room sat the Mother Supreme.
Her hair is auburn, braided into a crown-like shape, and ended into a hair-bun on the top of her head.
She is dressed in a battle dress with a dirk strapped to her side, and heavy duty leather boots.
Standing right behind her is Maire.
They walked straight up to them.
"Mother Supreme, it is good to see you in well health."
The weeble said, while bowing.
"What are you doing here?!"
Maire said to Myrdeth.
"Didn't I tell you to feed the lynch worms?!"
"I was, but Alli told me..."
Myrdeth started to explain, but was cut off.
"No excuses! Leave, and go do as you were told! Before I make you regret that the goddess let you live."
She blanched, and then beat a hasty retreat.
Leaving those two alone.
"Did I ask you to say anything to that witch?"
The Mother Supreme softly asked Maire.
"I... I just..."
The Mother Supreme cut her eye at her.
"You don't just, you do as you're told. Especially when you also ran from the battle."
Her words cut deeply into Maire.
"Only when it was lost, and only because I had to make sure all of the slaves I had captured was teleported elsewhere! I couldn't risk them being stolen by the humans!"
"Oh, I know, and that's the only reason your standing here, and not... in the position of that other witch."
She turned back to face the weeble.
"If I were you, I'd worry less about flexing the meager power you have left, and solidify your usefulness to me."
"Yes, Mother Supreme, I... I will do that."
She said, swallowing crow.
"Oh, good, you're not completely bereft of intelligence. As for you two."
Her eyes narrowed in contempt.
"It's been over a week since the attack on... what was it called again?"
She randomly asked out loud.
"Reverence, my lady."
A rando witch said.
"Yes, Reverence. It was attacked, and your faction told me they had it handled. And yet the opposite is true, I've seen no heads at my feet."
"Yes, we know that, but we thought we did have it handled. The ones who attacked your coven is employed to guard one that we've wanted for awhile now."
The weeble said.
"It wasn't ones!"
Maire said in an outburst.
"It was that damn monster! He's a demon in disguise."
She was livid, and was rubbing her throat. As if to make sure that it was still attached.
The Mother Supreme was having none of that shit.
"Get out."
Maire looked shocked.
"But I..."
One look at the Mother Supreme's face said there was no argument that could be made.
"Excuse me, I'll go see to my new raiding party. We've heard rumors of an area that supposedly has a male witch."
She said, while walking to the door.
"Yes, find him. Oh, and,"
Maire stopped and looked back.
"Don't comeback empty handed."
She nodded, and then left.
"Now,"
She refocused on the weeble.
"Explain why they are still breathing."
"As I was saying, we tried. Our intel told us that none of them are higher than Mid-rank, and so we sent a High-rank with a group of Mid-rankers to kill them all - they failed."
She snarled.
"You allowed them to runaway from mere Mid-ranks! An example must be made. Y'all should have..."
"They're dead."
"What?"
"They didn't lose because they ran away, but because they all got killed."
The Mother Supreme looked stunned.
"You said that a High-rank and Mid-rankers were the ones that went."
"I did."
"And that they were fighting possible Mid-rankers."
"Again, I did."
She stood up.
"That's impossible!"
"Apparently not, they all got murdered."
The weeble's eyes narrowed.
"Though, to our prey's benefit of the doubt, rumor has it that it was a group of powerful witches that ended their lives instead."
The Mother Supreme also narrowed her eyes.
"And why would a witch kill your men?"
"I don't know, but we had reports that along their route south they were attacked by witches."
The Mother Supreme rested her hand on her dirk.
"And I've heard that they attacked my witches first. Are we going to have a problem?"
The mana in the air was getting turbulent due to all of the witches getting ready to attack. Even the young witches who had not fully come into their power were holding knives.
This was no hall they walked into, but a vipers' den.
Isedi moved his hands to his blades, and the shadows around the room started ever so slightly moving to his will - becoming sharper, and ready to cut some bitches.
"Hahaha!"
The weeble laughed.
"Of course not, we're allies."
Then held out her hand to the witch.
"Allies of mutual benefit only."
The witch spat back, and the weeble withdrew her hand to shrug.
"Isn't that the best kind? We both know this is just a transactional relationship, and so as long as we are worth something to the other party we won't be betrayed."
The Mother Supreme sat back down, and the rest of the witches relaxed.
"Of course. Rumors are just that, rumors."
Isedi removed his hilts, and the shadows went back to being regular old shadows.
"Besides, we're almost sure that our quarry were indeed the cause of our agents' demise."
"How?"
"Because it seems like they caught on to us, and are actively trying to hurt us anyway possible. Days after they attacked Reverence they caused one of our smuggling ships to be grounded. It could've been just a coincidence, but the captain of the ship Garrith swore that when he made it to the deck the lizard looked pissed."
The witch looked worried.
"So, that means..."
The weeble nodded.
"Yes, it means somehow it had pieced together that we owned that ship in less than two days, and forced the crew of the Wavecutter to hit it. Not only that, but the place it decided to hit was especially disastrous for us."
The witch cocked an eyebrow.
"How so?"
The weeble sighed.
"The place the ships collided was previously damaged by a sea monster, it caused the ship's hull to rupture, and grounded it. Garrith estimates that it'll be seaworthy again in two months."
Something about Isedi's gaze told the Mother Supreme they were holding something back.
"Wait, is that the ship you use to deliver us our supplies?!"
The weeble cut her eye at Isedi.
"Ah, yes, that reminds me of the second reason we are here, your supplies will be delayed."
"This is fucking steaming pile of shit!"
"It's delayed, not stopped."
"Every day that an army is not fed, is a day that it loses territory to its enemies! We need those supplies!"
"And you'll get them, but in the mean time we'll provide you some of our warriors. They'll hold the line with you."
"That's... acceptable, for now. What about the monster that caused all of this?
Are you just going to let it go?"
"No, we have a pretty good idea where they're headed, and have dispatched an elite squad of assassins."
"Are they all High-ranking?"
"Well, no."
"Then what's the point of sending them?! They killed a High-rank!"
"That might have been just a fluke, and we can't waste the time of our few High-ranks. The Mid-rankers will be enough. They won't even be seen before they are dead."
"I think you're making a mistake."
"I know..."
"No, you don't know. I haven't solidified my place by letting threats to my power exist."
"What are you going to do?"
"That doesn't concern you. You may go."
She shooed them away, but they stayed right where they were.
"I said to leave."
"We need the weapon to be battle ready."
The witch gave them a dry laugh.
"So, after delaying the supplies my army needs, you turn around and ask for a favor? Yeah, that'll be a no."
"We wouldn't ask unless it was completely necessary, and it is.
It can be used for intimidation right now, but would be wrecked in a real battle.
And a battle is what we need it for."
"Who could you possibly be fighting, that you'd need it at its best?"
"Siel Steelman."
She was speechless for a full minute before she could respond.
"You mean one of the..."
"One of the creators of the magical device we hired you to replicate? Yes, he is, and the one we are going to attack is the other. If we can get our hands on their newer work..."
The witch decided to cut her off in excitement.
"Our battle strength would increase tenfold!"
She said our, but only an idiot would believe that. She meant herself, that's all.
"And if you succeed, I would claim sixty percent of whatever you find of course."
She smiled, and the weeble smiled back.
"Of course."
They would give her sixty percent of whatever they said they found.
"So, it will be ready then?"
"Yes, I'll put my best witches on it."
"It needs to be done in two weeks at the latest."
"And it will be. Now, leave before you completely wear out your welcome."
She flashed them a crocodile grin.
"As you wish."
The weeble bowed.
"We will send the weapon later tomorrow."
Once they left, a witch with beige hair walked up to the Mother Supreme.
"They are going to betray us Rona."
She said to her friend.
"Of course, Raghnaid. They think they're better than us, and that we are just useful monsters they can get rid of as soon as our usefulness ends. Even though the elves and ourselves were made by demons."
"Should we hold those two as captives then?"
A witch with reddish pink hair said.
All of the higher ranked witches glared at her for speaking out of turn, but none did anything because Rona silenced them with her hand.
"No, you can't stab someone in the back if you are facing them in the battlefield."
Rona turned to look at another witch.
"Atria, how are our supply stocks?"
"Great, Mother Supreme. Because we exaggerated the amount we'd need, we have enough stockpiled for a siege lasting five years."
She turned back to the young witch.
"You see? We've been robbing them blind for years, and will keep doing so until this... arrangement comes to a head. Raghnaid, tell whomever comes to deliver the weapon that we'd like to aid in the capture of the creator, and..."
Raghnaid, knowing her friend well, finished her statement for her.
"And would like to send them a couple of witches to help. Ones proficient in long distance communication magic I presume?"
"You know me too well, but send Briai as well.
She can handle herself, and if it all goes to shit, she can get the rest of them out of there."
"Yes, Rona."
"Also, contact our spies in the capital.
F. A. R. T isn't the only ones who can gather intelligence."
Most of the witches in the hall snickered at the name.
"I want them to report which path the monster plans to take back north."
"You think that their assassination attempt will fail?"
"No, I know they will. That beast killed Minthe on its own, she was a powerful Mid-rank above others. If it could take her down, then there's no way that it's just a Low-rank. When they're headed back I'll do what Maire couldn't, and make them mine."
"Are you sure that is wise? They destroyed an entire coven already."
"A weak one without any healers, and incompetent leadership who didn't know what they had. I do, and a monster that powerful will give us an edge over
F. A. R. T. Besides, if what they told me about the mage is true, then she'll be perfect breeding stock."
Raghnaid knew better than to try to fight her point right now, she'd try once she is relaxing later in the bath.
"As you will."
"Good, call Tarsia from the field. If they decide to use a teleportation circle, we'll need her expertise in that field to redirect them here."
A witch left to go do as she commanded.
Rona stared at Raghnaid, and then stood.
"Walk with me Rag."
She said as she left the hall.
Raghnaid quickly caught up to her, and walked with her through the keep, then outside onto a side balcony overlooking the ravine.
"I know you have reservations against what I'm about to do."
She said as they stared out at the ravine.
"I've known you just as long as you've known me. Your face says it all."
Raghnaid sighed.
"It's just that we've been playing it safe with F. A. R. T. If we do this, it will be in direct confrontation with them."
Rona was silent for a few seconds, just calmly staring out, before she responded.
"Do you remember when we were kids? Why I have to do this?"
Raghnaid joined her in looking outwards.
"How could I forget? Those bastards killed my family too."
"Yes, but even then I knew it was our own fault. The only reason the humans were able to so easily and callously murder us is because they are united in their hatred of us, and we are broken in a multitude of covens that attack each other."
"Not any more! You united the covens of Hexeia."
"Not all of them, and that is why we are still losing."
"Maybe if you got rid of some of the more... out there propositions?"
"Like the raping of our fellow witches?"
She said bluntly.
"The... forced breeding, yes."
"Call it what it is, I'm forcing humans to rape my sisters. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. I punished Myrdeth for hiding, when it's something any reasonable witch would've done. And I send witches to their deaths, fighting an enemy that shows no mercy."
Rona's eyes showed the sorrow only a leader who sent hundreds to their deaths could have. The weight of her actions holding her down.
"I... I..."
Raghnaid couldn't find the words to alleviate the pain her friend was feeling.
Rona's eyes hardened once more.
"But I have no choice. Every day their numbers increase, and ours decreases. If we try to just hide, they'll find and slaughter us all. I have many regrets, and will probably have many more before this is over, but knowing we have to fight isn't one of them. I just hate that we lost so many of our sisters."
"We are losing so many because we are fighting a war we can't win."
Rona looked away from the ravine, and stared her friend straight in the eyes.
"It is a war we can win, and that's because we have to win. Else we go extinct. We need our own kingdom to call our home, one where all witches can be safe."
Rona took a deep breath.
"To do that I'll sacrifice everything and anything in my power, and I don't care that I'll be hated even long after I'm dead."
There was an awkward pause before she continued.
"The question I have for you, however, is are you with me? I won't fault you for running away to try and live the rest of your life in peace. Goddess knows you deserve it."
"I might disagree with you, but I'm always with you. The only way you're going to get rid of me is when they put me to the torch."
"Thank you."
Rona went back to staring at the ravine.
"Shall we go back in?"
Raghnaid asked, while gesturing towards the entryway.
"Not yet, I want to stay a little bit longer."
Raghnaid leaned against the railing.
"Care for some company? Or would you rather be alone?"
"Please, stay."
She nodded at Rona.
"It truly is beautiful."
"That it is, that it is."
They stayed there awhile, staring out peacefully at the landscape.