Apotheosis

Zhen Ji opened her eyes, and looked around. She found herself clothed in her own dress, and in a luxurious bed. Were it not for the still lingering pain from her finger where her nail had been ripped from her, she might have passed Diao Chan's torture off as a vivid nightmare.

"I see you're awake," Da Ji spoke as she undressed, and then changed into a clean dress. "I guess you were exhausted from such a long trip. Don't worry, I have no intention of harming you... What happened to that fiery spirit of yours?"

It isn't you that I'm afraid of, Zhen Ji thought to herself, looking down silently.

"Until Cao Pi defected, you served us quite loyally. If you let us take you back, I promise, your earlier transgression will be forgotten," Da Ji smiled, and then kissed Zhen Ji on the cheek, "and I'll even be sure to give you 'incentive' to stay."

Zhen Ji simply nodded, not wanting to speak unless she was certain that Diao Chan was out of earshot.

"Come now, Zhen Ji, where is your vigor?" Da Ji asked. "I rather like your usual demeanor. Strong, defiant... And maybe a bit vain... It's almost like looking in the mirror. You needn't be a prisoner here: Just say the word and I will restore you to your position just under me."

Venturing a few words, Zhen Ji asked, "May I think on it, Lady Da Ji?"

"Are you truly that attached to Cao Pi that you would rather be our prisoner?" Da Ji pouted. "Fine... I will give you one day to think it over... But rest assured..." Da Ji paused, and gave Zhen Ji a sensual kiss on the lips for the space of about three seconds, "I will be back to persuade you. And don't leave this house- feel free to wander within it, but the guards at the doors and throughout the castle have strict orders to make sure you do not escape."

"Thank you, Lady Da Ji," Zhen Ji nodded, her mind divided. I could tell Da Ji of Diao Chan's plans. But, if Diao Chan should find out, then I'd probably have to face the wrath of Lu Bu... Assuming Diao Chan doesn't torture me herself. That woman has become more terrible than even Orochi.

But, assuming I do tell Da Ji, what's to say I can even trust her? Zhen Ji pondered. After all, it was her who made me walk all the way back here naked. What's to say she'd even keep her end of the bargain? But, still... Better an officer in Orochi's Army than a slave to a peasant, I suppose. And her kiss... It wasn't malicious like Diao Chan's. There was a genuine desire behind it, as though she truly wanted me.

For Diao Chan, I was nothing more than a stepping stone to take Da Ji... And if I tell Da Ji, it would remove that stepping stone. Her ambitions would die here and now, and I would be restored as an officer... Not a bad deal in all. Alright, I'll do it... I'll warn Da Ji of Diao Chan, and then serve as her right hand. Perhaps in gratitude, Da Ji will even let me take vengeance on Diao Chan...

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Zhen Ji spent the day relatively lavishly- although she was not allowed to leave Da Ji's house, the vixen's servants waited on her hand and foot. It was the type of treatment she was more or less used to, although she thought it odd to receive such while a prisoner. She ate well, and was able to take a bath without the torment of Diao Chan to frighten her. Even so, she was still worried- what if Da Ji didn't believe her? Da Ji was most certainly a sensual woman, and was the type likely to give into her bodily desires... One that, in theory, could easily be made a sex slave to another.

No, I mustn't think like that, Zhen Ji told herself as she sat on a futon. I can't let Diao Chan frighten me... She's a weak woman, and would never pulled that stunt if I wasn't prisoner.

But even as Zhen Ji told herself these words, she knew she was lying to herself...

"Zhen Ji?" a young woman asked.

"Hmm?" Zhen Ji looked to her side, and saw one of Da Ji's servants. "Yes, what is it?"

"Lady Da Ji has summoned you to her bedroom," the woman explained. "She bids you come at once."

Perfect, Zhen Ji thought to herself, Diao Chan, you will pay dearly for last night's transgressions...

But as Zhen Ji entered the bedroom, her thoughts of revenge were quickly placed to the side.

"D-Diao Chan?" Zhen Ji cried in surprise.

Standing beside Da Ji's bed was Diao Chan, and the vulpine strategist was nowhere in sight.

The songstress glared angrily at Zhen Ji, "What did you call me?"

"Forgive me, empress!" Zhen Ji corrected herself "I meant no-"

"Silence!" Diao Chan interrupted. "Give me your hand, slave."

Zhen Ji objected, "But I-"

"You will give me your hand, or I shall take it from your wrist," Diao Chan stated, walking toward Zhen Ji with slow, deliberate steps. "Which will it be?"

"I am sorry..." Zhen Ji said as she held our her left hand.

"Not sorry enough, apparently... But I will remedy that... First, this is for forgetting your manners," Diao Chan spoke as she took Zhen Ji by the wrist, and snapped off the nail on the ring finger. She then grabbed the one middle finger, but before ripping it, spoke: "And this is for defying punishment."

Tears flowed from Zhen Ji's face, although she didn't make a sound. The thought of the vengeance she would wrought for this humiliation kept her will strong, even as she fell to the floor, kneeling as blood dripped from her fingers.

"If you have learned your lesson, then strip and lay on the bed," Diao Chan spoke as though nothing was out of the ordinary. She threw a dirty cloth in front of Zhen Ji, "When you are through, I will prepare you for Da Ji's arrival. But first, clean the blood from your hands... This bed will be mine soon, and I do not want it dirtied with the blood of a slave."

I just have to hold out until Da Ji enters the room, Zhen Ji thought as she wiped her hands, Just a little bit longer...

--- --- --- --- --- --- ---

"Lady Da Ji?" Diao Chan's voice was sweet as she entered the castle courtyard. "Ah, Lady Da Ji! I've prepared Zhen Ji, as you asked. She is ready to show us the sexual rituals of the Cao Wei people, as requested."

"Is she?" Da Ji smiled, "Very good Diao Chan. Now, let us convince her to join the harem as your new 'sister'."

"Nothing would please me more," Diao Chan replied.

"Not even the sensation of my tongue traveling all over your body?" Da Ji asked.

"I guess we'll just have to find out," Diao Chan laughed as she traveled with Da Ji back to the bed where Zhen Ji was waiting.

Upon entering the room, Da Ji laughed in amusement.

"I had hoped for something a little more... Unique. Perhaps even exotic..." the vixen sighed. "Oh well... You do know how to make it convincing... If I didn't know any better, I'd think that you were actually frightened."

"Zhen Ji assured me that this is how she would make love to both Yuan Xi and Cao Pi," Diao Chan lied. "It's not surprising, really... Her obsession with power is obvious, when you think about it... Marrying two men which were- at the time of said marriages- believed to be strong contenders for the throne."

Da Ji nodded, "I suppose."

Bound in ropes and gagged, Zhen Ji couldn't move an inch, or even speak to Da Ji of the impending betrayal. She tried to talk, but much to her dismay, Da Ji didn't understand a word, simply replying: "Well, if nothing else, you are quite eager."

"Indeed... We haven't even touched her yet, and it looks like she's already getting wet," Diao Chan laughed.

"I think you're right... Well then, let's not make her wait any longer," Da Ji said as she let her scant clothing fall to the floor. "After all, I think we're quite eager too, wouldn't you say."

"Undoubtedly," Diao Chan agreed as she also revealed her nude beauty. "I can't wait to have some fun."

"Well, you'll have to," Da Ji taunted. "Zhen Ji is the guest, she gets treated first. And as the highest among us, I get first taste."

"Of course, Lady Da Ji," Diao Chan said as a wicked grin crossed her face, Enjoy it while it lasts... For soon, you will fear me just as Zhen Ji.

Da Ji knelt beside the bed, wrapping her left arm over Zhen Ji's stomach, and placing her right behind the captive's head. Da Ji then lowered the very tip of her tongue on Zhen Ji's left nipple, just barely touching it. Zhen Ji screamed as she felt the saliva dripping on her beautiful orb, her body shaking the entire bed to which it was tied.

Da Ji lifted her head and laughed, "I don't think I've ever seen anyone so sensitive! Diao Chan, let down your hair and sit over here... I want to try something."

Diao Chan simply chuckled, already fairly certain of what Da Ji had in mind. Diao Chan sat on the bed, letting her hair fall to her waist, and watching as Da Ji took a few hairs- no more than a dozen- and began to tickle Zhen Ji's breasts with them. Zhen Ji's screamed through the gag, pulling at the ropes all the while, the fibers now digging into her wrists and ankles.

"I think she likes it," Da Ji laughed. "She seems very happy, don't you think?"

"I'm not so sure..." Diao Chan said as she turned away from Da Ji, and smiled maliciously at Zhen Ji. "She seems to be quite the masochist... She won't be happy until she's felt pain."

"No, no... She seems to like it as is," Da Ji stopped her. Although it sounded like nothing more than a deep breath, Zhen Ji let out a sigh of relief at these words.

Then you will take the pain in her place, Diao Chan thought as she nodded, "Maybe you're right..."

Da Ji continued to stimulate Zhen Ji with Diao Chan's hair, the bed already soaking from her love juices.

As Zhen Ji reached orgasm, Da Ji pouted, "That was far too short... We're not untying you until you come again. Diao Chan, climb to the other side of the bed."

Diao Chan nodded, intentionally dragging one of her bare legs across Zhen Ji's breasts as she climbed over.

"On the count of three, we each take a nipple, and suck away with all we have," Da Ji explained. "One... Two... Three!"

Diao Chan didn't need to be told twice. Zhen Ji screamed in pleasure as soft, feminine lips graced not one, but both of her luscious breasts.

As the two dominating women sucked at her breasts in perfect harmony, conflicting thoughts ran through Zhen Ji's mind: No... I have to... Be strong! I can't... Give in... No matter how horrible... No matter how horrible... No matter how horrible... No matter how wonderful it feels. I am an empress... But... Is that happiness? Am I truly a slave if in giving myself, I find pleasure? No... It's not slavery... Even if I am subservient, even if I am the lowest in all the land... This... This is what I want... Liberate me into bondage, Empress Diao Chan.

Seeing the change in Zhen Ji's eyes, Diao Chan stopped sucking, "Da Ji... I think she's about ready..."

"So she is," Da Ji said as she licked her lips. "Move aside, it is time for me to finish her..."

Diao Chan hesitantly complied, allowing Da Ji to crawl to the foot of the bed, where she bent over and tasted Zhen Ji's juices.

I think I'll take my turn next, thought the strategist, the very smell and taste made her wet as well. As she undid the gag, Zhen Ji fell silent save for the beating of her heart. Da Ji looked her in the eyes, "Scream for me as you come... Scream so loudly that all within the heavens and upon the earth may hear!"

Zhen Ji complied, her voice echoing throughout every corner of the castle as she came, Da Ji's mouth taking the sweet juices, and lapping up whatever missed.

"I have to say... It does look like you had fun," Da Ji laughed.

"I... I loved it," was all Zhen Ji could manage.

"Well then, it's decided! Get her out of these ropes, and tie me up next!" Da Ji ordered.

Diao Chan couldn't believe her luck... She could not have planned things more perfectly than this... It was though Da Ji was welcoming Diao Chan's dominance. After Zhen Ji was unbound, the former empress assisted Diao Chan in tying up the vixen. After a few minutes, Da Ji was happily tied to the bed posts, although without the gag that Zhen Ji had worn.

"Da Ji... I promise you, this is a night you will never forget..." Diao Chan laughed.

The songstress then placed her lips to Da Ji's, and began to engage in a sensual kiss. With no other options, Da Ji replied.

It's wonderful, Da Ji thought, like the taste of nectar and... blood?!

Too quickly for the vixen to even realize it, Diao Chan had ceased kissing, and instead, bit down on Da Ji's tongue, causing a small amount of blood to trickle out from it. Diao Chan then rose from the kissing position, and spit in Da Ji's face.

"Diao Chan! What is the meaning of this?!" Da Ji asked angrily. "Zhen Ji, untie me!"

"I can't do that," Zhen Ji shook her head, then looked to Diao Chan, "not without the permission of my empress."

Da Ji suddenly came to realize what was going on, "You planned this?!"

"No, not all of it," Diao Chan admitted. "Your eagerness to be pleased- and the fact that you foolishly let me tie you up were helpful, but I couldn't have controlled them. On top of that, you helped things along by ordering the guards not to come in until sunrise... And it hasn't even been an hour since sunset... We've all night long to break you like the fox you are."

"You think that one night will be enough to make me submit?" Da Ji laughed. "Come sunrise, the guards will take their usual rounds. They'll hear me screaming, and by this time tomorrow, I'll have you both hanged for this treachery!"

The sting of nails dragging across her cheek caused Da Ji to scream in pain.

"Let us get something straight: If sunrise comes, and you are not mine, then maybe the guards will kill us, maybe they won't. But if you do not submit, I promise, you will die before us," Diao Chan threatened. "Zhen Ji, show her your fingers!"

Zhen Ji silently nodded and complied.

"See this, mutt? That is but a small taste of my wrath," Diao Chan declared as Da Ji saw the scars where Zhen Ji had lost her nails. "And if you resist, I will take them from your feet... I'm sure your claws will be far more painful to remove than simple fingernails."

"Why?" Da Ji asked. "I was willing to share my power with you- with both of you!"

"It may sound somewhat juvenile, but to put it simply..." Diao Chan knelt by the bed, and then whispered into Da Ji's ear: "I don't want to share."

"And you, Zhen Ji?" the vixen asked.

"I have had power all my life... It is all I have known until now," Zhen Ji spoke softly. "But... Now... I know happiness. And that is all I desire."

"Well said, slave, but do not speak out of turn again," Diao Chan commanded. Diao Chan clapped her hands three times, "By the way, Zhen Ji isn't the only slave that has decided to serve me... I was quite busy while you were off at Mt. Ding Jun, fetching this slave for me..."

Twelve women entered into the room, their heads bowed the entire time. Da Ji immediately recognized them as her harem.

"Now, mutt, tell them that they are mine," Diao Chan ordered. "Let them know that you are now their equal, and serve only me."

"Don't just stand there!" Da Ji ordered. "I am your mistress, free me at once!"

The concubines just stood there, motionless.

"A foolish choice... It seems that I must demonstrate that I will carry through on my threats in order for you to believe such," Diao Chan sighed. She then pointed to one of the concubines, "Bring me a knife! This animal must be declawed at once."

The chosen harem girl eagerly obeyed, not wishing to see such anger brought down upon herself. After the space of about two minutes, she returned with a kitchen knife.

Holding the knife to Da Ji's vulpine foot, Diao Chan asked: "Are you sure that you do not wish to reconsider?"

Da Ji felt an alien sensation... Water was coming from her eyes... For the first time since she came into existence, she cried. With a whisper, she spoke: "We belong to Diao Chan..."

"Louder, mutt," Diao Chan spoke, pulling Da Ji's head by her hair, "so that they can all hear!"

"We belong to Diao Chan!" Da Ji shouted in tears. "We are but her humble slaves and concubines."

"Good," Diao Chan laughed. "Now, behave for the rest of the night, and I will untie you in the morning. Everyone else, I want you to pleasure her until she grows wet from the slightest touch, sensual or otherwise!"

Da Ji, your mind was too simple... Diao Chan thought to herself. You sought to have slaves who thought themselves free, but in teaching me this, you allowed me to surpass you. For I have something greater: Slaves that know what they are, and desire nothing more. They will do anything for me, and would rather die than incur my vengeance. They love me, they worship me... And from now on, so will you. You will continue to serve in battle under the Orochi banner, and you will bring back more concubines to join Zhen Ji. Eventually, you will sleep with Orochi for me, and kill him. And then, this world will be my personal harem!

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Author's Note: I was very glad to receive my first two reviews for this story, both of them positive (but don't be afraid to leave negative reviews). Should anyone else leave reviews, I'd appreciate it if you'd tell me what Warriors girls you'd like to see in future chapters.