Having been captured in a strange land belonging to a man who claims to be a God, Gwendolyn is being dragged to what she can only assume is her cell. Instead of some dark dungeon, she sees a tower, one with bricks coated in gold, standing out amidst the simpler buildings around it.

She looks at the lavishly adorned stairwell as she is forced to ascend, noting paintings and artifacts hanging from the walls. Near the top, she is pushed through a door, before she can even turn around to push against it the door is locked.

“Everyone, there’s a new girl!” A woman states excitedly from the other side of the room. Gwendolyn turns around to see four women coming from the room over; they all have varying expressions, some welcoming, others not so much.

“What’s your name newbie?” The same one that alerted the others asks.

“What is this place?” Gwendolyn inquires, ignoring the woman’s question.

“We’ll get into that, but for now how about introductions. I can start if you’re shy. My name is Klara,” the woman introduces herself.

“Come on some of you go,” Klara insists the others go as well to make their new arrival feel welcome.

“Sure, the name’s Finella. Good to have some more variety here. You’re kind of tall and your boobs are huge, must be nice,” the next one shamelessly comments.

“I’m Tullia, but don’t think because we will be sharing living quarters that it makes us friends,” the one that was giving off an air of animosity warns her.

“Don’t mind Tullia, she can be a little cold at times but don’t hold it against her,” Klara notes, trying to make Gwendolyn feel welcome.

After introducing themselves, the three look towards the fourth that has yet to say anything.

The timid woman eventually speaks up, “Hi, my name is Francine. It’s nice to meet you”.

“Well now you know who we are, what about you?” Klara tries to ask again.

“Gwendolyn,” Gwendolyn responds quickly, still wary as she does not understand what is going on with these four women.

At the mention of her name Francine’s face shows a faint sign of recognition, but it is one that goes unnoticed by anyone else in the room.

“So! You really don’t know why you’re here? I don’t know what happened before you were brought here but I feel like he makes things pretty clear,” Klara questions, trying to discover if Gwendolyn’s circumstances differ from theirs at all.

“I see, so you all were captured as well,” Gwendolyn notes, ignoring the other part of it to not come off as improper in front of them so quickly.

“Kind of, I think one or two of us might have opted into it, but yeah I was captured initially just like you… sorry by the way. I know it can be hard when you first get here,” Klara’s tone shifts as she considers the mental state Gwendolyn might be in right now.

“I know! Let’s take your mind off it. Follow me to the other room you can see your spot,” Klara changes the subject, ushering Gwendolyn to follow her into the next room. Finella follows along as well, but Francine and Tullia do not, clearly the two more standoffish people of the group who greeted Gwendolyn.

The next room has six beds, to the left of them is a wardrobe and a desk. Four areas are filled with clothes and other trinkets and jewelry, some of them having much more than others.

“I guess you have a choice. We have two open spaces right now so take your pick,” Klara urges Gwendolyn on. Gwendolyn takes the bed closest to her. She just sits on it, not having any possessions left to put in the wardrobe or on the desk.

“Oh yeah… I guess at the start you don’t have much,” Klara comments seeing Gwendolyn just sitting there.

“It’s fine. I’m just glad to have a bed. I kind of thought I would be in a dungeon or something,” Gwendolyn assures her, trying to seem as kind as possible to the others.

Klara sits down on the bed across from her, getting ready to start explaining things, “So you wanted to know what this place is right? It’s… well, I’m not too proud of it but putting it in the best light, this is where God keeps the women he has an interest in”.

“We’re his whores,” Finella interjects, not having any problems admitting.

“Oh… so you guys let him…?” Gwendolyn asks, hoping one of them will answer before she has to actually say it.

“Yup, although I mean it wasn’t like we were happy about it in the beginning either,” Klara tries to defend those that are already there.

“I was,” Finella freely admits, she seems more comfortable than the other women.

“We’re not all like you Finella, you know you are not the norm around here,” Klara tells her, not wanting Gwendolyn to get the impression they are content with their situation.

“I just don’t see the point in acting all shy about it,” Finella retorts, giving Gwendolyn the sense that she is a very straightforward person.

“It’s okay Klara, honestly it’s easier if we don’t have to dance around it. I won’t be doing that though,” Gwendolyn declares, not for one second intending to give in to God’s request.

This elicits a laugh out of Finella, “Yeah, they all say that. What’s your reason? You got a man or something?”

“Yes, I’m married. God took my ring so I know it can be hard to tell. The point is I don’t plan on cheating on my husband,” Gwendolyn reaffirms so there are no misunderstandings about her resolve.

“We’ll see how long that lasts,” Finella starts to laugh as she walks out of the room.

“Don’t mind her, she’s like that with everyone. I was like you too, although I wasn’t married. I just had a boyfriend back in the desert, but it wasn’t anything too serious. Better to just give in than endure the torture,” Klara sympathizes with Gwendolyn by explaining her situation.

“Don’t worry, I think no less of you,” Gwendolyn tells her.

This causes Klara to chuckle, “That’s funny. I mean, I don’t want to be like Finella… but eventually, it will happen to you too. What they do to us when we refuse… it’s… it’s terrible. Francine held out the longest that I’ve seen. She is married like you… to be honest, I’m not sure if she still is considering. I think her husband is in the pits, did yours end up there too?”

“No, but a friend of mine was sent there,” Gwendolyn responds, recalling God mentioned that Drakthar would end up fighting there.

“Oh, I’m sorry. It’s a brutal place… I hope your friend can survive,” Klara wishes, having witnessed the frequent battles from the audience.

“He will be fine. He’s probably the strongest person I know aside from my husband,” Gwendolyn notes, knowing Drakthar will have no problems in that sort of environment.

“So, is there anything else I need to know?” Gwendolyn asks, looking at all the stuff the others have and wondering how she can get more.

“Oh, yeah. This place has a system. I noticed you eyeing our stuff. We only get new things if we… well, comply. If you plan on not doing that you should get used to that dress. It’s not like he won’t feed you or anything, it’s just that you won’t get any of the added luxuries,” Klara starts to educate Gwendolyn on the way things work.

“I understand, I will be fine with just this then,” Gwendolyn notes, a little relieved that the conditions are this good.

“Also we get to watch the fights in the pit, it’s the only time we get out of here except when God calls on us,” Klara adds, thinking of all the useful information Gwendolyn should know.

“Why would he let us watch? That doesn’t make sense,” Gwendolyn points out, having thought of no reason for God to let them do so.

“It’s because the winning fighters can choose to spend time with us as a reward. They have a point system and one of the things they can use their points on is an evening with us. No sex or anything, but just conversation. Unless you wanted to bang them, but you’re married so that’s off the table for you,” Klara starts to lean in and whisper, “Between me and you, there is this guy in there that I have my eye on. He’s not the strongest but he keeps surviving. I’ve caught him looking at me a couple of times”.

“Good for you, at least you can find joy in a place like this somehow. Sounds like I’m not going to have much to look forward to,” Gwendolyn notes, realizing that if she doesn’t comply she won’t get any of these rewards.

“Hey, cheer up. Me and the other girls will be here for you… well, maybe not Tullia. But Francine, Finella, and I will watch out for you. How about this, what article of clothing do you want? You are a bit taller than me, but I bet you could fit into something of mine,” Klara offers, trying to make Gwendolyn feel at home.

“Pants, I see the value of dresses, but I’ve always preferred having something a little more snug,” Gwendolyn chooses one.

“Okay, sounds good,” Klara goes over to her wardrobe and picks out a pair of black pants.

“I think these are the biggest I have,” she notes as she hands them to Gwendolyn.

Klara stands there for a couple of seconds, waiting for Gwendolyn to try them on.

“Can you give me some privacy?” Gwendolyn asks, not wanting to lift up her dress to put the pants on in front of someone she just met.

“Oh, of course. I’ll turn around. Sorry, I’m kind of used to all the girls just changing in front of each other,” Klara spins around to look at the door. Gwendolyn slips her legs into the pants and pulls them up. They are extremely tight, especially around the thighs. She isn’t sure they are going to fit completely, but she lifts them up as hard as she can while jumping up and down to slip into them.

“Alright,” she exhales after finally getting them on. Klara turns back around to see how they look.

“Oooo… I mean it’s not terrible. They are definitely too tight but you have nice legs so you pull it off,” Klara gives her opinion on them.

“I’m starting to get tired. I didn’t get much sleep last night so I’ll probably go to sleep early,” Gwendolyn notes, sitting back down on her bed.

“Yeah, of course. I can go back with the others so you can sleep. Get a good night's sleep,” Klara tells her.

“You too. Thanks, Klara, I really appreciate all the help today,” Gwendolyn thanks Klara before she leaves.

“No problem,” Klara responds as she closes the door behind her.

“Where’s the new girl?” Finella asks as she notices Klara come back into the room by herself.

“Sleeping,” Klara responds, a hint of sadness present in her voice.

“She has no idea what she’s in for,” Finella notes now that Gwendolyn isn’t there.

“It sucks, it reminds me of Francine all over again. No offense Francine, I know it’s still tough for you,” Klara agrees, not wanting to see another person living with her in pain again.

“It’s okay,” Francine quietly assures her from the corner.

“Is Gwendolyn nice?” Francine asks, more comfortable speaking around the people she is familiar with.

“She is, she seems kind of headstrong but I think she will fit in well with us,” Klara gives her evaluation on Gwendolyn.

“I… I’ve heard of her before,” Francine lets them know.

“What? How is that? We’re in the middle of nowhere how could you have heard of her?” Finella asks, not believing such a coincidence could be possible.

“I… she is famous. I don’t know how long you have been here, but recently the Sacrosanct Empire, or at least those who were ruling over it were overthrown. And Gwendolyn was one of the key people in doing so. I know she just got married to another one of them, his name is Xander. It was big news right before I ended up here. I can’t believe she got captured like this. And where is Xander?” Francine informs the others about what she has heard of Gwendolyn.

“How did you not mention that immediately? I bet she would have loved being recognized,” Klara asks, thinking if she were famous she would like it if people approached her.

“Um, I don’t want to cause anyone any trouble. I don’t know if God knows…”

“He will know now. It’s going to be impossible for you to not think it isn’t it dummy,” Finella interrupts Francine, poking her head while doing so.

“Yeah… he probably already knows,” Francine speculates dejectedly.

“Yeah because people are thinking about how famous they are when they are captured,” Tullia butts in on their conversation.

“I guess not,” Francine agrees, realizing she would probably think about the current situation.

“So… the new girl is famous. Great,” Tullia starts to complain, clearly not finding this news good at all.

“Don’t worry Tullia, she’s not interested in God. If it were up to us you could have him, but you know how it is,” Klara tells Tullia, knowing she wants God all to herself.

“Humph, I’m not worried about how she feels. I know he likes a challenge and this new girl reeks of one,” Tullia points out, causing the others to nod along sadly, unable to disagree.

Their conversation is interrupted when they hear knocking on the door.

“Excuse me, ladies,” God announces himself before walking in.

“Hello God, what brings you here this evening. I thought your visit to our room would come tomorrow,” Tullia is all too quick to respond first to him.

“Ah, yes. I believe that is what the schedule entailed, however, I am sure you noticed the new arrival,” God points out, letting them know why he is here.

“Oh, her. I’m sorry to say but she is already asleep in the other room. You will have to use that irresistible charm of yours on her some other time,” Tullia informs him, smiling at him while delivering the compliment.

“I see, I would not want to interrupt her sleep right after she arrived here. I would be remiss if I did not extend her at least that courtesy. Very well then, I will see you ladies tomorrow,” God begins to make his exit from the room.

“Oh,” he turns around, remembering one last detail, “Also Lazaro will be here before me to get her ready, please see that she cooperates with him at least”.

“I will make sure of it,” Tullia assures him as he leaves.

“Make sure of it my sweet ass, you aren’t going to do shit,” Finella calls Tullia out right after God leaves.

“What? I don’t want him to like her, is that a problem?” Tullia counters, knowing the others are aware of her feelings.

“You’re so fake, maybe if you just told the guy how you felt about him he would free the rest of us,” Finella suggests before breaking out into laughter, “who am I kidding that would never happen. The guy’s too much of a player to only commit to you”.

“I do not appreciate your tone. Now I am going to sleep as well I will see you girls in the morning,” Tullia announces before disappearing into the next room, making sure to slam the door in hopes of waking Gwendolyn up to disturb her beauty sleep.

“Such a bitch,” Finella comments once Tullia is gone.

“Yeah… but she is our bitch. Girls… I’m worried about tomorrow. I’m afraid of how Gwendolyn is going to react when she learns what it means to disobey him,” Klara voices her concern.

“Let her face it. Once she does we can convince her to give in just like we did with Francine. It’s not like we are rooting for her to cheat, but you have to admit just giving in is better than dealing with that mess. Right, Francine?” Finella asks, Francine having struggled with this decision very recently.

“Yes, you’re right… but Gwendolyn isn’t like us. She’s like tough… a war hero and a leader. I think she might be able to handle that better than we could,” Francine speculates, sensing an intimidating aura from Gwendolyn the few times they interacted today.

“Well, either way, we should help her out however we can,” Klara notes again, intent on making a new friend in this odd place.