What makes a god or goddess? Is it their valorous deeds? Miracles and throngs of followers often found praying and worshiping in hopes of being touched? A divine, wholly unnatural need to uplift the light, cast the darkness deeper or observe all time for posterity sake? Their lineage? Their powers? Their mercy? Their immortality?
I wouldn't know what makes a god or goddess. I've seen many, feared many and defeated one, yet now that I find myself one, am I to be plagued but what I've seen? Fall into madness, insanity born by eons of power or hunger for adoration and rule over mortals? A cold uncaring disconnection from any followers I accept or resentment to answering prayers? Again I fear my future is very unclear. I've seen my future spelled out in several variations and yet, none seem to be ringing truth anymore.
Myrlene sat back on the couch of her mother?s house. It was an hour past midnight and she wasn't the least bit sleepy; a common problem that's been plaguing her often having taken up the mantle of Warrior Goddess of Rhydin. She rubbed her clear blue eyes, flecked with gold as she rubbed the cramp out of her small hand. In her lap lay a grey leather book, edged in gold and still quite new. Myrlene had taken to keeping her thoughts on paper as she worked her way through the foggy paths of godhood. She sipped from a mug of hot cocoa as her ears picked up the sound of falling rain. She went back to writing in her journal again.
I can still hear his challenge ringing through that night. Lupis, All Father of the Lupinossai. 'Myrlene Alitis Wolf-Spiritor! You are challenged!' was his roar at the very steps of mothers house. A house no god held sway over unless it was mother. Oddly mother is the one that should have been a goddess, but the fates choose who they choose.
I should have run, like any sane mortal girl still young, but I did not. The All Father was simply fulfilling the agreed upon end of his contract with me. A challenge was issued several months prior when Lupis and our All Mother, Canis, deigned to tell me I was to be a deity. I was to prepare and be ready to kill Lupis to take up the mantle of Warrior Goddess for my people, the Lupinossai. My time was up; Lupis came to collect his due, either his death or my hide for trying to beat a god.
Others didn't believe I should be enduring a trial from a god. My step mother, Mirius, struck me that night. It wasn't hatred that fueled her; I could feel she did it out of fear and love of seeing me being lost to her. I had become a daughter to her just like my adopted sister Rawsha was to Mirius. Mother and father were calm as usual, keeping the worry and fear under the surface as I did what I usually did, making adult decisions beyond my grasp of concept as usual. I can still hear Mirius' words. 'What in blazing hells is wrong with you, child!? Agreeing to such freaking stupid terms like that!'
I often wonder if my responses are childish or born of something greater in me. My response to Mirius was something usually not born of me. 'He should never be allowed to be our god; the god of warriors. He hates all women. I won't let that continue. What if I have a daughter that wants to be a warrior, or you a female child wanting to fight? Or you yourself, Mirius? Canis will not fight. Lupis will not aid any woman warrior and would rather harm them and subject them to submissive weapons. Do you want that to happen?'
Our dialogue didn?t end there, often I forget that mother loves Mirius for her unique tenacity to not let go of any situation or to soft foot around any mistakes. 'You're damn right he doesn't deserve to be a god. Go figure I was an atheist in the first place considering our gods were just a bunch of damn lab rats that get all pissy and take crap out on their children. You make the terms when they come to you. You don't let them make the terms when they come begging on their damn hands and knees for you to be the chosen one. You didn't even stand up for yourself in that; if he disagrees, too bad for him. That's when you fight. Not let him walk over you!'
'I won't lose. No matter how I would make my terms, Lupis will manipulate them. To him, I am but an ignorant woman and what I say he can ignore as a god. I want to make a difference, mother. Yes, I call you mother. You've raised me as much as Ammy has. I want to give our people one god they can trust. Do you not want to see that happen too?' Wise men often say fierce passion and power lie in the words of the youth. I think my words sometimes hover over the edge of outright insanity and disrespect some days. Ah well.
Myrlene stopped writing once more and rubbed her neck getting a cramp. The memories of that night were vivid in her mind, never fading. Another long sip of her hot chocolate and she looked out the large picture window at the rain falling on the beach. Mother's house was so calming and peaceful. She hoped one day to rebuild her own home and bring peace to it. Maybe at some point in her life she could but she was so far from that trail.
?Mother has paid her dues. She?s earned her peace.? Lene said softly to the darkness in the living room not banished by firelight.
Lene began writing again.
The duel that set me on this road was officiated by Canis and the terms were simple. I win the duel I accepted the mantle of Warrior God from Lupis for the Lupinossai people. I lose the duel and I would die, mother becomes the personal slave of Lupis and worse while father is enslaved as well. Harsh terms indeed, but being a youth and idealistic I added fuel to the burning fire of Lupis fighting a woman for his title of Warrior God. I believe my words were, ? Shall Lupis fall, he will: relinquish all rights to male warriors, will relinquish his rights to the domains of warfare and tactics, he will give me a fragment of his soul as tribute to the war goddess, and he will treat all women with respect lest his jewels be forfeit to me for removal.?
Surprisingly he agreed to those terms. Our second?s, those to duel if we ourselves chose not to, were announced; Ammy was my second and being the only male Lupinossai or at least half male Lupinossai, Fleet was Lupis? second. Thankfully Lupis did not back out and my resolve held sway. I was given the right to choose our weapons; some ask me these days why I did not choose something quick and easy, like a gun? Some things you do are best done right and traditional or they lose their true meaning. I chose magic, live steel and hand to hand combat. The duel from this point on is hard to recall with full clarity however, Canis did gift me with a soul gem recording the duel in full clarity. It was a hard duel and I thought I would die. I am honored I did not.
Lene closed the journal and took up her hot cocoa. From a hip pocket she fished out the soul gem of dark gray, sort of flattened and smoothed. She held it up on her palm and breathed on it while uttering the single word ?Avaa? the Lupesh word for ?activate?. The soul gem brought before her a hovering, moving picture of the duel with Lupis.
Lupis' arms dropped and he exploded forth in a charge that was blinding fast for Lene, talons glinting like knives. Myrlene dodged to the side and rolled out of Lupis' way, her sword unsheathed with a roar from the ice wolf demons spirit in the blade. Lupis spun, digging claws in the sand, staying in the ring and threw a ray of light at Myrlene. She brought her shield up. "Repego!" deflecting the ray back at Lupis. The ray hit Lupis' torso, sliced open fur to expose a rib. A gesture and his great sword formed in his hands; he walked for Lene weaving the 4 foot long blade like a blender.
Seeing Lupis advance on her with that weave of death, Myrlene took note of her surroundings and charged right for Lupis. Lupis grinned seeing her rush to her death and lunged suddenly with that blade. Myrlene ran then slid down on one hip, rolling her shield up. The shriek of metal was heard as divine armor met divine blade and it was pierced. She let go of the shield, leaving it impaled on the sword, as she slid under Lupis, between his legs. She gave him a hard jab backed with the Force right to the jewels before her inertia took her past him. She rolled up onto her feet. Her left shoulder was slick with blood. His sword bit into the sand as Lupis hunched over a bit. Was the god in pain? Finding Lupis hunched over Myrlene moved to end the duel quick. She leapt, flapping her wings and came in with an over head strike with both hands on her hilt.
Lupis grinned and spun, heavy foot planted right into Myrlenes chest. Great blade followed right behind the round house kick. Air left her lungs as the kick was solid and dropped her out of the air. She landed on her back, luckily with wings folded in. Fighting for breath, Myrlene deflected his blade with her own sword. Both blades roared in anger.
"Yield and I kill you quick. I'll even let your mother keep her clothes on when in my service." Lupis leaned over and growled into Myrlene?s ear.
Myrlene?s arms ached as she fought to keep his blade from her, her sword whining now as Lupis was overpowering her. She let out a roar of war, but her lungs were still recovering and only a croak came out. She grimaced as Lupis insulted her with that offer. She kicked out, foot aiming for the side of a knee. Lupis howled in pain as this hit really did hurt. His knee popped with a wet tearing noise.
Lungs finding air Myrlene spoke. "You will not touch my mother." she snarled. She opened one hand on the hilt, palm forward, facing Lupis. "Sha'arakti'i!" Lupis flew back 10 feet, struck by a thunderbolt from above. Lene stood and winced in pain. Ribs were a wreck. She watched Lupis, gathering her strength, feeling something new; power from the faith and prayers of Andu who was one of her witnesses.
Something was heard off to the side of the dueling ring. "Did... she just use Fleet's domain spell?" asked by Ammy. "A child born of Rhydin, seeking the mantle of Warrior God, earns the favor of all deities of this realm. The Warrior God is granted use of other domain spells to aid its duty. Yes, she used your husband?s lightning spell." Canis said to Ammy.
On his back, Lupis twitched a moment or two, and then took to a large lungful of air and stood awkwardly. One knee broken, platinum eyes narrowed in anger and cool calculation. Myrlene raised her hands, not wanting to jar her ribs just yet and glowed. "Riv Fri'inta Waf " she evoked her own warrior domain. Three rending blasts erupted from her, chewing their way to Lupis with a tangle of sand, ice and dark energy from Takhasis, Dark Goddess of Krynn. Adjusting his stance Lupis held out one hand. "Replem requiem"
Myrlene?s magical attack back fired and was sent back to her in the form of three shadow wraiths that struck at her. She repelled one shadowy strike, abolished a wraith and felt her armor penetrated as a wraith blade slid into her belly. She gasped and sunk to her knees, holding the wound as the wraiths vanished. Lupis touched his leg and the knee was restored. He walked for the injured girl. "Yield and die." he was serious.
"Never...." Myrlene said to him. She forced herself to stand and slid bloody fingers into her mouth. She swallowed her own blood.
Lupis paused and took a step back seeing what Myrlene did. "The ancient arts..."
Her bloody hand dropped and Myrlene?s ice blue eyes clouded with blood. "I am a warrior... no weapon is denied me." Her power doubled from the prayers and now the berserk mode. She twirled her sword, pain blocked and flooded by blood rage. He raised a hand and let fly bolts of holy energy from his finger tips at Myrlene. She leapt; the bolts missing her as she jumped high over head. "Da'arakai!" she shouted at the top of her lungs. Frost and ice shards exploded from her as she plummeted to towards Lupis intent on impaling him. The warrior shout hit the ring hard, blasting sand out up into a cloud obscuring the duelers. The ring of metal on metal was heard, and a scream of pain. As the sand settled, the duelists were revealed. Lupis, standing, his sword shattered into pieces; Myrlene?s sword was through his right thigh and left there as she knelt from her landing.
"You want a fight!" Myrlene screamed. "YOU HAVE IT!"
She moved rapidly, sliding into Lupis' personal space, impaled him on her right elbow, followed up with a high cut to the chin, grabbed his left wrist, jumped and pulled down to throw him. Lupis lost his breath as his stomach was bruised, his head rang from the punch and he found himself on his back.
"I want that back." Myrlene growled and yanked the sword out of his thigh, laying it open more. She leapt up, her intent, land on his chest, to crush it.
Lupis rolled weakly to the side missing the fatal blow. The god had a new found respect for the short woman. Myrlene leapt into the air again, and flew straight up, wings flapping hard. Finding a follow up not coming, Lupis rolled onto his back again, winded and dazed. Seeing Myrlene fleeing high up, he cast three bolts of energy straight up at her. Reaching a height of 80 feet, she hovered. "I'ilysium!" From her hands erupted a rain of lightning bolts upon the dueling floor then shrieked as she was hit by his bolts and plummeted for the sandy ground. Lupis howled in agony as every inch of the dueling ring was hit with lightning, bolts piercing him. Myrlene hit the ground hard.
Silence as the lighting ended. Both duelers were down. Lupis was breathing hard, a rattling noise in his chest as he lay there. Myrlene stirred from her face down position in the sand. One arm twisted and mangled, one wing sheared off. She was a bloody mess. She grabbed at sand pulling herself towards her sword a foot away. Grabbing it, she hauled herself up with a lot of pain and panting. Myrlene staggered over to Lupis barely holding herself together. She dropped her blade to his neck. "Yi..." she spat out sand and blood, "Yield."
Lupis shuddered, "Never."
Myrlen lifted her sword, spun it and plunged it straight into his chest. "Yield."
A howl of pain and Lupis spat up blood. "N..e...ve....r..!"
Myrlene looked up to the witnesses. Her face etched in pain and exhaustion. "Judgment?"
Ammy held out a fist, thumb pointed up. The sign for, ?let him live, you've won.? Fleet, still silent, raised hir fist. Thumb down, sign for ?you won, finish him.? Canis looked to both judges; a tie, her vote now.
"What say you, Lene?" Canis asked. Myrlene looked to Canis, barely comprehending. "Kill him and you take all of his mantles and powers. Let him live and claim your prize. Which will it be?" Canis asked.
Myrlene looked at the wounded Lupis that was defiant still. Did she want it all or just what she asked for? Does a warrior show mercy in a quick kill or compassion in aiding a fallen brother? Myrlene removed her sword from his chest and raised it in the air for a moment, deciding.
"Ki...ll... me cowardly woman!" Lupis rattled out with a wet voice.
Myrlene lowered her sword, let it drop to the bloody sand and knelt by him. A bloody mess and gravely wounded she put her hands on his chest and spoke. "By the divinity granted to me by the All Father and All Mother, rise up, fallen brother and be whole." She healed Lupis of his injuries.
Canis raised a hand and made a thumb up gesture. "Duel concluded." The ring of arcane runes vanished. Restored fully and healed, Lupis rolled away from Myrlene and knelt on one knee in the sand. He bowed his head and remained there. Myrlene sat back on her heels, panting hard, drained.
Reaching Lene, Canis placed boths hand upon the young ladies shoulders. "Victor is they name, compassion and mercy the sheath to your anger and fierce protection. You will fight for our people. You will aide warriors in their needs. You will be their saint and take upon yourself the task of visiting fallen brothers and sisters in the field of battle to be your aides and warriors. Let any wishing to serve thee approach and offer a portion of their soul to your service. You are now Di'idarikia. Rise, Divine Battle Mother of our people. Rise and guide our children in all times of strife and war. Guard and hold dear the peace times and never lose your compassion displayed today. I restore the as the All Mother." she flooded Lene with holy power healing her and restoring her wing.
Myrlene gasped as she was healed and restored. Canis knelt and gave Myrlene a long hug. "Welcome to the pantheon little one. May you never tire of it, nor regret you choice." she stood and moved back. Ammy knelt and bowed in honor of the new deity. Fleet started to clap; applauding then knelt and bowed as well. "All hail the new member of our pantheon. Di'i'darikia! Hai! Di'idarikia! Hai!"
Lupis stood and walked up to Myrlene, he put a hand on her shoulder. "I pass to thee, mantle of warriors, warfare, tactics, and a new mantle, Lady Winter Paws, in honor of your icy touch. As agreed, I abide your terms. May you wear these mantles well." He glowed amber and a small amber sphere left his chest and sunk into Myrlene. "My tribute of a soul to you as you requested." He stepped back.
Myrlene was just speechless and flooded with everything for a moment then she spoke. ?Am I to be warrior Goddess of Lupinoss? Have they not a better saint there than I? I am not born of that realm.?
Lupis, sane and lucid from the relinquishing of a portion of his power, he gave Myrlene a long studying look. ?Lupinoss has moved on in its progress of modern life and technology. Gods and Goddesses fade from most of our people?s memories. Wars are not fought so much anymore as peacetime reigns long and full. Perhaps, it is time the Lupinossai Goddess of War takes up a new realm to help, to guide, to hold in the darkness of violence and death, to shower tears of mercy to suffering. You have my blessing to be a deity of your home realm, Rhydin. Abide by the realms rules and you will never regret it.?
Myrlene bowed in silent thanks to letting her choose the realm she was to protect. As she rose, Lupis and Canis were gone.
The soul gem went dark once more and Lene tucked it into her hip pocket. It was getting colder in the house as more rain moved in and the fire was now dying out. Lene wrapped a blanket around her shoulders and closed her eyes, sipping cocoa once more. That duel removed what was left of my childhood. I am no longer a young girl but a woman reared in darkness, blood, pain and torture by a dark goddess Takhasis, guided in mercy and compassion by my parents, and now an envoy of hope and righteous fury should I be brought to the cause. May Rhydin accept me as a goddess among its people and may they have hope and faith in something once more.
I wouldn't know what makes a god or goddess. I've seen many, feared many and defeated one, yet now that I find myself one, am I to be plagued but what I've seen? Fall into madness, insanity born by eons of power or hunger for adoration and rule over mortals? A cold uncaring disconnection from any followers I accept or resentment to answering prayers? Again I fear my future is very unclear. I've seen my future spelled out in several variations and yet, none seem to be ringing truth anymore.
Myrlene sat back on the couch of her mother?s house. It was an hour past midnight and she wasn't the least bit sleepy; a common problem that's been plaguing her often having taken up the mantle of Warrior Goddess of Rhydin. She rubbed her clear blue eyes, flecked with gold as she rubbed the cramp out of her small hand. In her lap lay a grey leather book, edged in gold and still quite new. Myrlene had taken to keeping her thoughts on paper as she worked her way through the foggy paths of godhood. She sipped from a mug of hot cocoa as her ears picked up the sound of falling rain. She went back to writing in her journal again.
I can still hear his challenge ringing through that night. Lupis, All Father of the Lupinossai. 'Myrlene Alitis Wolf-Spiritor! You are challenged!' was his roar at the very steps of mothers house. A house no god held sway over unless it was mother. Oddly mother is the one that should have been a goddess, but the fates choose who they choose.
I should have run, like any sane mortal girl still young, but I did not. The All Father was simply fulfilling the agreed upon end of his contract with me. A challenge was issued several months prior when Lupis and our All Mother, Canis, deigned to tell me I was to be a deity. I was to prepare and be ready to kill Lupis to take up the mantle of Warrior Goddess for my people, the Lupinossai. My time was up; Lupis came to collect his due, either his death or my hide for trying to beat a god.
Others didn't believe I should be enduring a trial from a god. My step mother, Mirius, struck me that night. It wasn't hatred that fueled her; I could feel she did it out of fear and love of seeing me being lost to her. I had become a daughter to her just like my adopted sister Rawsha was to Mirius. Mother and father were calm as usual, keeping the worry and fear under the surface as I did what I usually did, making adult decisions beyond my grasp of concept as usual. I can still hear Mirius' words. 'What in blazing hells is wrong with you, child!? Agreeing to such freaking stupid terms like that!'
I often wonder if my responses are childish or born of something greater in me. My response to Mirius was something usually not born of me. 'He should never be allowed to be our god; the god of warriors. He hates all women. I won't let that continue. What if I have a daughter that wants to be a warrior, or you a female child wanting to fight? Or you yourself, Mirius? Canis will not fight. Lupis will not aid any woman warrior and would rather harm them and subject them to submissive weapons. Do you want that to happen?'
Our dialogue didn?t end there, often I forget that mother loves Mirius for her unique tenacity to not let go of any situation or to soft foot around any mistakes. 'You're damn right he doesn't deserve to be a god. Go figure I was an atheist in the first place considering our gods were just a bunch of damn lab rats that get all pissy and take crap out on their children. You make the terms when they come to you. You don't let them make the terms when they come begging on their damn hands and knees for you to be the chosen one. You didn't even stand up for yourself in that; if he disagrees, too bad for him. That's when you fight. Not let him walk over you!'
'I won't lose. No matter how I would make my terms, Lupis will manipulate them. To him, I am but an ignorant woman and what I say he can ignore as a god. I want to make a difference, mother. Yes, I call you mother. You've raised me as much as Ammy has. I want to give our people one god they can trust. Do you not want to see that happen too?' Wise men often say fierce passion and power lie in the words of the youth. I think my words sometimes hover over the edge of outright insanity and disrespect some days. Ah well.
Myrlene stopped writing once more and rubbed her neck getting a cramp. The memories of that night were vivid in her mind, never fading. Another long sip of her hot chocolate and she looked out the large picture window at the rain falling on the beach. Mother's house was so calming and peaceful. She hoped one day to rebuild her own home and bring peace to it. Maybe at some point in her life she could but she was so far from that trail.
?Mother has paid her dues. She?s earned her peace.? Lene said softly to the darkness in the living room not banished by firelight.
Lene began writing again.
The duel that set me on this road was officiated by Canis and the terms were simple. I win the duel I accepted the mantle of Warrior God from Lupis for the Lupinossai people. I lose the duel and I would die, mother becomes the personal slave of Lupis and worse while father is enslaved as well. Harsh terms indeed, but being a youth and idealistic I added fuel to the burning fire of Lupis fighting a woman for his title of Warrior God. I believe my words were, ? Shall Lupis fall, he will: relinquish all rights to male warriors, will relinquish his rights to the domains of warfare and tactics, he will give me a fragment of his soul as tribute to the war goddess, and he will treat all women with respect lest his jewels be forfeit to me for removal.?
Surprisingly he agreed to those terms. Our second?s, those to duel if we ourselves chose not to, were announced; Ammy was my second and being the only male Lupinossai or at least half male Lupinossai, Fleet was Lupis? second. Thankfully Lupis did not back out and my resolve held sway. I was given the right to choose our weapons; some ask me these days why I did not choose something quick and easy, like a gun? Some things you do are best done right and traditional or they lose their true meaning. I chose magic, live steel and hand to hand combat. The duel from this point on is hard to recall with full clarity however, Canis did gift me with a soul gem recording the duel in full clarity. It was a hard duel and I thought I would die. I am honored I did not.
Lene closed the journal and took up her hot cocoa. From a hip pocket she fished out the soul gem of dark gray, sort of flattened and smoothed. She held it up on her palm and breathed on it while uttering the single word ?Avaa? the Lupesh word for ?activate?. The soul gem brought before her a hovering, moving picture of the duel with Lupis.
Lupis' arms dropped and he exploded forth in a charge that was blinding fast for Lene, talons glinting like knives. Myrlene dodged to the side and rolled out of Lupis' way, her sword unsheathed with a roar from the ice wolf demons spirit in the blade. Lupis spun, digging claws in the sand, staying in the ring and threw a ray of light at Myrlene. She brought her shield up. "Repego!" deflecting the ray back at Lupis. The ray hit Lupis' torso, sliced open fur to expose a rib. A gesture and his great sword formed in his hands; he walked for Lene weaving the 4 foot long blade like a blender.
Seeing Lupis advance on her with that weave of death, Myrlene took note of her surroundings and charged right for Lupis. Lupis grinned seeing her rush to her death and lunged suddenly with that blade. Myrlene ran then slid down on one hip, rolling her shield up. The shriek of metal was heard as divine armor met divine blade and it was pierced. She let go of the shield, leaving it impaled on the sword, as she slid under Lupis, between his legs. She gave him a hard jab backed with the Force right to the jewels before her inertia took her past him. She rolled up onto her feet. Her left shoulder was slick with blood. His sword bit into the sand as Lupis hunched over a bit. Was the god in pain? Finding Lupis hunched over Myrlene moved to end the duel quick. She leapt, flapping her wings and came in with an over head strike with both hands on her hilt.
Lupis grinned and spun, heavy foot planted right into Myrlenes chest. Great blade followed right behind the round house kick. Air left her lungs as the kick was solid and dropped her out of the air. She landed on her back, luckily with wings folded in. Fighting for breath, Myrlene deflected his blade with her own sword. Both blades roared in anger.
"Yield and I kill you quick. I'll even let your mother keep her clothes on when in my service." Lupis leaned over and growled into Myrlene?s ear.
Myrlene?s arms ached as she fought to keep his blade from her, her sword whining now as Lupis was overpowering her. She let out a roar of war, but her lungs were still recovering and only a croak came out. She grimaced as Lupis insulted her with that offer. She kicked out, foot aiming for the side of a knee. Lupis howled in pain as this hit really did hurt. His knee popped with a wet tearing noise.
Lungs finding air Myrlene spoke. "You will not touch my mother." she snarled. She opened one hand on the hilt, palm forward, facing Lupis. "Sha'arakti'i!" Lupis flew back 10 feet, struck by a thunderbolt from above. Lene stood and winced in pain. Ribs were a wreck. She watched Lupis, gathering her strength, feeling something new; power from the faith and prayers of Andu who was one of her witnesses.
Something was heard off to the side of the dueling ring. "Did... she just use Fleet's domain spell?" asked by Ammy. "A child born of Rhydin, seeking the mantle of Warrior God, earns the favor of all deities of this realm. The Warrior God is granted use of other domain spells to aid its duty. Yes, she used your husband?s lightning spell." Canis said to Ammy.
On his back, Lupis twitched a moment or two, and then took to a large lungful of air and stood awkwardly. One knee broken, platinum eyes narrowed in anger and cool calculation. Myrlene raised her hands, not wanting to jar her ribs just yet and glowed. "Riv Fri'inta Waf " she evoked her own warrior domain. Three rending blasts erupted from her, chewing their way to Lupis with a tangle of sand, ice and dark energy from Takhasis, Dark Goddess of Krynn. Adjusting his stance Lupis held out one hand. "Replem requiem"
Myrlene?s magical attack back fired and was sent back to her in the form of three shadow wraiths that struck at her. She repelled one shadowy strike, abolished a wraith and felt her armor penetrated as a wraith blade slid into her belly. She gasped and sunk to her knees, holding the wound as the wraiths vanished. Lupis touched his leg and the knee was restored. He walked for the injured girl. "Yield and die." he was serious.
"Never...." Myrlene said to him. She forced herself to stand and slid bloody fingers into her mouth. She swallowed her own blood.
Lupis paused and took a step back seeing what Myrlene did. "The ancient arts..."
Her bloody hand dropped and Myrlene?s ice blue eyes clouded with blood. "I am a warrior... no weapon is denied me." Her power doubled from the prayers and now the berserk mode. She twirled her sword, pain blocked and flooded by blood rage. He raised a hand and let fly bolts of holy energy from his finger tips at Myrlene. She leapt; the bolts missing her as she jumped high over head. "Da'arakai!" she shouted at the top of her lungs. Frost and ice shards exploded from her as she plummeted to towards Lupis intent on impaling him. The warrior shout hit the ring hard, blasting sand out up into a cloud obscuring the duelers. The ring of metal on metal was heard, and a scream of pain. As the sand settled, the duelists were revealed. Lupis, standing, his sword shattered into pieces; Myrlene?s sword was through his right thigh and left there as she knelt from her landing.
"You want a fight!" Myrlene screamed. "YOU HAVE IT!"
She moved rapidly, sliding into Lupis' personal space, impaled him on her right elbow, followed up with a high cut to the chin, grabbed his left wrist, jumped and pulled down to throw him. Lupis lost his breath as his stomach was bruised, his head rang from the punch and he found himself on his back.
"I want that back." Myrlene growled and yanked the sword out of his thigh, laying it open more. She leapt up, her intent, land on his chest, to crush it.
Lupis rolled weakly to the side missing the fatal blow. The god had a new found respect for the short woman. Myrlene leapt into the air again, and flew straight up, wings flapping hard. Finding a follow up not coming, Lupis rolled onto his back again, winded and dazed. Seeing Myrlene fleeing high up, he cast three bolts of energy straight up at her. Reaching a height of 80 feet, she hovered. "I'ilysium!" From her hands erupted a rain of lightning bolts upon the dueling floor then shrieked as she was hit by his bolts and plummeted for the sandy ground. Lupis howled in agony as every inch of the dueling ring was hit with lightning, bolts piercing him. Myrlene hit the ground hard.
Silence as the lighting ended. Both duelers were down. Lupis was breathing hard, a rattling noise in his chest as he lay there. Myrlene stirred from her face down position in the sand. One arm twisted and mangled, one wing sheared off. She was a bloody mess. She grabbed at sand pulling herself towards her sword a foot away. Grabbing it, she hauled herself up with a lot of pain and panting. Myrlene staggered over to Lupis barely holding herself together. She dropped her blade to his neck. "Yi..." she spat out sand and blood, "Yield."
Lupis shuddered, "Never."
Myrlen lifted her sword, spun it and plunged it straight into his chest. "Yield."
A howl of pain and Lupis spat up blood. "N..e...ve....r..!"
Myrlene looked up to the witnesses. Her face etched in pain and exhaustion. "Judgment?"
Ammy held out a fist, thumb pointed up. The sign for, ?let him live, you've won.? Fleet, still silent, raised hir fist. Thumb down, sign for ?you won, finish him.? Canis looked to both judges; a tie, her vote now.
"What say you, Lene?" Canis asked. Myrlene looked to Canis, barely comprehending. "Kill him and you take all of his mantles and powers. Let him live and claim your prize. Which will it be?" Canis asked.
Myrlene looked at the wounded Lupis that was defiant still. Did she want it all or just what she asked for? Does a warrior show mercy in a quick kill or compassion in aiding a fallen brother? Myrlene removed her sword from his chest and raised it in the air for a moment, deciding.
"Ki...ll... me cowardly woman!" Lupis rattled out with a wet voice.
Myrlene lowered her sword, let it drop to the bloody sand and knelt by him. A bloody mess and gravely wounded she put her hands on his chest and spoke. "By the divinity granted to me by the All Father and All Mother, rise up, fallen brother and be whole." She healed Lupis of his injuries.
Canis raised a hand and made a thumb up gesture. "Duel concluded." The ring of arcane runes vanished. Restored fully and healed, Lupis rolled away from Myrlene and knelt on one knee in the sand. He bowed his head and remained there. Myrlene sat back on her heels, panting hard, drained.
Reaching Lene, Canis placed boths hand upon the young ladies shoulders. "Victor is they name, compassion and mercy the sheath to your anger and fierce protection. You will fight for our people. You will aide warriors in their needs. You will be their saint and take upon yourself the task of visiting fallen brothers and sisters in the field of battle to be your aides and warriors. Let any wishing to serve thee approach and offer a portion of their soul to your service. You are now Di'idarikia. Rise, Divine Battle Mother of our people. Rise and guide our children in all times of strife and war. Guard and hold dear the peace times and never lose your compassion displayed today. I restore the as the All Mother." she flooded Lene with holy power healing her and restoring her wing.
Myrlene gasped as she was healed and restored. Canis knelt and gave Myrlene a long hug. "Welcome to the pantheon little one. May you never tire of it, nor regret you choice." she stood and moved back. Ammy knelt and bowed in honor of the new deity. Fleet started to clap; applauding then knelt and bowed as well. "All hail the new member of our pantheon. Di'i'darikia! Hai! Di'idarikia! Hai!"
Lupis stood and walked up to Myrlene, he put a hand on her shoulder. "I pass to thee, mantle of warriors, warfare, tactics, and a new mantle, Lady Winter Paws, in honor of your icy touch. As agreed, I abide your terms. May you wear these mantles well." He glowed amber and a small amber sphere left his chest and sunk into Myrlene. "My tribute of a soul to you as you requested." He stepped back.
Myrlene was just speechless and flooded with everything for a moment then she spoke. ?Am I to be warrior Goddess of Lupinoss? Have they not a better saint there than I? I am not born of that realm.?
Lupis, sane and lucid from the relinquishing of a portion of his power, he gave Myrlene a long studying look. ?Lupinoss has moved on in its progress of modern life and technology. Gods and Goddesses fade from most of our people?s memories. Wars are not fought so much anymore as peacetime reigns long and full. Perhaps, it is time the Lupinossai Goddess of War takes up a new realm to help, to guide, to hold in the darkness of violence and death, to shower tears of mercy to suffering. You have my blessing to be a deity of your home realm, Rhydin. Abide by the realms rules and you will never regret it.?
Myrlene bowed in silent thanks to letting her choose the realm she was to protect. As she rose, Lupis and Canis were gone.
The soul gem went dark once more and Lene tucked it into her hip pocket. It was getting colder in the house as more rain moved in and the fire was now dying out. Lene wrapped a blanket around her shoulders and closed her eyes, sipping cocoa once more. That duel removed what was left of my childhood. I am no longer a young girl but a woman reared in darkness, blood, pain and torture by a dark goddess Takhasis, guided in mercy and compassion by my parents, and now an envoy of hope and righteous fury should I be brought to the cause. May Rhydin accept me as a goddess among its people and may they have hope and faith in something once more.