Otherewhere Chapter 4: The Choosing, Part 1

Morning came and with it more discussion with Leela about tribute and the Draco.

“So it they’re dragons or Dracos or whatever the hell they are, why do they want to have sex with humans?” Dee asked.

“Otherwhere doesn’t exist with the same set of rules as your world,” Leela explained. “Otherwhere is run by magic.”

“Magic,” Dee snorted.

“I believe a writer from your world once wrote, ‘Any technology sufficiently advanced appears to be magic to the less advanced.’” Leela smiled. “I don’t begin to understand what makes things work here but I have learned how to manipulate the forces here to keep us alive. The magic of Otherwhere is based in life force. There are three events in a life that concentrate life force; birth, death and sex. A practitioner can harness the life energy given off during these events and use it. There has never been a human born on Otherwhere so that avenue is denied to us. Death energy is indeed powerful but its use twists the practitioner in ways no sane being wants. That leaves sex. While all sexual activity gives off energy, sex between a male and female provides the most useful form, likely because of the potential for creating new life. For example, the energy you all released last night has been harnessed to help create our breakfast.”

The four young people blushed.

“Our tribute involves our giving that energy to the Draco. I suspect humans give off a higher amount of that energy than some of the other species here.”

“So if you don’t give it to them, they’ll kill you?” Colin asked.

Leela looked surprised, “No! Absolutely not. I see you may have misunderstood. The Draco are our allies and protectors as well as our hosts. They use the energy we freely give them to protect us from the Others. If we were to stop, they wouldn’t be able to hold the Others back. The Others harness Death Energy.”

“But I thought you said the Draco were dangerous and that sometimes the experience is very unpleasant,” Colin continued.

“And so they are dangerous. And so are you Colin, and so am I and so are all of us here. We are allies with the Draco, not necessarily friends. The Draco are not all of one mind in spite of the fact that they share thoughts. Some like humans, some merely tolerate us. The latter tend to…take… the sex energy in a way that may be less than pleasant to the giver.”

“So this is all about using the energy to keep these Others away? What the hell are the others?” Rory asked.

“The others are beings also trapped here. They’re not human from any of the world-lines humans inhabit, nor are they Draco. They’re unable to harness Otherwhere’s energy in any way other than through death, which makes them powerful but limited. Death energy is indeed powerful but its non-renewable. Sex energy can be replenished after a time and given again. This is why the Draco are interested in you. You’re untapped.”

“So the Draco want first cut at our sex energy,” Colin said.

“Yes, and no,” Leela gently corrected him. “Draco practitioners are male. They only accept human females as Tribute. No one has ever seen a Draco female. They will want you three women.”

“I don’t know if I like that…” Colin began.

“I don’t know that’s any of your business, Colin,” Rory shut him down firmly. “We’re all adults here and capable of our own decisions. You may be my boyfriend, but you don’t own me and we’re certainly NOT in Arizona anymore.”

“Fear not, Colin,” Leela said. “All have parts to play. The Draco may not be able to use your energy, but I certainly can.”

“Um, er, oh,” Colin stammered.

The three girls giggled and Leela once again looked like she didn’t quite get the joke but smiled anyway.

“So now what?” Astra asked.

“Now we have the ceremony of choosing,” Leela said. “ We know this Draco wants one of you three. I will present you to the Draco at the great hall and he will choose his tribute. The tribute will go to the surface with the Draco and will complete the ritual. Once the energy has been harvested, he will return her here.”

Leela dressed the girls as initiates in the Draco Cult. For this ceremony, none would be covered other than the jewelry that marked them as initiates and priestess. This caused some concern and some discomfort but the fact that others were prohibited from the hall during the ceremony helped limit that. Dressed, the girls were led to the hall where they walked onto the platform where they had last seen the Draco. Leela began chanting and soon the beat of huge wings filled their ears. The majestic creature landed on the platform before them as Leela finished her chant with a joyous shout.