Oen'ashka

OEN'ASHKA
Prologue1

The deafening sound of steel clashing was accompanied by the chuckles and sighs of spectators. Labored breaths came from two opponents centered in the mahogany ball room, Stephened and Oen'ashka. The spectators watched as the two combated. Stephened held a long blade that revealed engraved ivy when the candle light hit it just right. He watched Oen..ashka with eyes cold as dry ice. She wielded a glaive with her white knuckles. They danced in circles striking at one another.2

I did not know his name or kin but I knew his inner-self for it matched my own. I did not fight him with anger I fought him with adrenaline the rush of the battle flowing through us both.3

I knew not my fierce opponent I knew only the fire in her eyes which mirrored the intensity of mine own. She had not dishonored me I fought for the joy of the pain and solidarity it brings.4

They danced a dangerous dance neither speaking nor daring to hold the others stare except to anticipate the next step in this number.5

I felt his eyes scan over my body scandalously. This was a potentially fatal mistake on his part. If he was distracted by my body he would not watch for the tensing of muscles preceding a strike.6

She is quick. Quite attractive and rather petite for the force she wields. Why would something so beautiful be compelled to fight. God, I bet she's an animal in the sack.
"Agh! Son of a Bitch!"7

Her dagger she had kept concealed in her taut blouse had pierced his left shoulder. He started at the realization he had broken rule number one. Never personify the enemy.8

What an idiot! I should have been able to kill him his focus was completely off track. No doubt he was thinking about sex. Men! I won't fail next time he should be an easy kill he has strength and instinct but he lacks focus.9

After two hours of fighting the spectators surrounding them became bored and wandered into other rooms with other challenges going on. They were alone just the way they liked it. His style changed abruptly as if he had gained more energy likely a surge of adrenaline. He went forward on the attack. She was forced to defend herself not given the opportunity to strike.10

Finally, I have this one in the bag, though it would be a shame to kill something so beautiful.11

Shit! He's gaining momentum. I'm screwed unless he falters. I'll have to rely on my other aptitudes to win this one.12

She stepped in the slightest allowing his long sword to tear at her blouse revealing a Scarlet red bra. He hesitated.13

Perfect. No not quite, his stance is one in which I can not invade.
She thought to herself which was followed after by her dropping to the floor so as to trip him. She was rewarded with a foot in the face but she had succeeded in bring him to the ground. Her nose dripping with thick blood she straddled his seemingly unconscious body bringing her dagger to his throat she and then drug it across taking his life as her own.14

"Pathetic."15

As she growled about men's deficiencies she retrieved a necklace from a leather pouch hanging from her belt.16

Mashak oyr akiesh goiun akae
Kashui answagi a gjur miek.
You battled me knowing well
Your soul would not find heaven nor hell17

She strode out of the oaken doors seizing her bag of prize money. 18

"Thank you sweet Kashui, victory was ours again. Though, he was an easy victory, he broke several of the laws of battle.19


Don't personify your opponent.20

Never hold their gaze.21

Always trust that everyone is looking to kill you.22


"Maybe I will come back. See if they have anyone worthy of me. Doubtless."23

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Chapter one25

Slumping onto her black leather couch Oen'ashka dumped a pile of hundreds on the table.26

"Looks like a good turnover. Now time to look at the real prize." She said to her self as her amethyst necklace found its way into her greedy hand.27

"Kashui I brought you more power." she whispered to the onyx fountain in her wall. In the fountain was a small statue of an enchanting woman, the goddess Kashui. Oen'ashka poured the green smoky liquid from her pendant into the fountain. She was rewarded with a soft tremble in the air around her and a haunting voice wafting upon the waves of it.28

"Mashak oyr akiesh goiun akae
Kashui answagi a gjur miek.
You battled me knowing well
Your soul would not find heaven nor hell" Chanted Oen'ashka29

Thank you for the sustenance my dearest Oen'ashka. You will be handsomely rewarded for you service.30

"It was nothing my lady." Oen'ashka stated with reverence. "I will make sure to bring you more soon but there are few worthy of your consumption."31

"I understand. Do not fret my child. I will send you a good fight if you wish, one harder than you have ever fought. I can send you the perfect opponent. All you have to do is ask." The voice informed a stone faced Oen'ashka.32

"You think I am ready my lady?" she asked.33

"I do." Kashui stated.34

" Then I wish nothing more than to take the challenge. I wish to face my ultimate opponent." She said determinedly.35

"Your wish will be granted in due time. Remember never close your eyes not even to sleep. Ue'ilkio de grayshe." Bade the goddess.36

"Thank you, Sleep with grace as well my queen." concluded Oen'ashka.37

She raised herself and walked to the opposite wall looking in the mirror she examined the beauty that had won her another fight. She let down her long shadowy hair. It framed her porcelain skin accented with wine pools for eyes. She slipped off her blouse and her bra studying the change of her figure since her years of normalcy. It was amazing how her once frail body was now a seductive killing machine.38

"Hmm. Yes, I have been blessed." she laughed as she slipped into her bed of crimson silk.39

She quickly fell asleep her tiny hand clutching her dagger, something that she trusted and loved, in her arms like a child would grasp a teddy bear.40

"My Oen'ashka is ready for her goddess of strength and weakness to test her. Is she passes I will have found my vessel."41

The goddess sighed as she absorbed the last of the green smoke. The human soul the one thing that could sustain her until she ascends.42

"Sleep."43

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Chapter Two48

"Sunlight" growled a sleepy Oen'ashka. She rose and reached for her robe. "Three hours of sleep and I'm still exhausted." She reached for her favorite glaive and began her morning routine of three hours of glaive and sword practice. She danced her patterns with little to no effort; she was capable of doing them, with out flaw, blindfolded. After her patterns she relaxed in front of her morning coffee. Staring at the swirls of cream she slipped into a light meditation.49

"Wake!" commanded Kashui.
Oen'ashka startled by the tone in the goddess's voice spilt her coffee on her glass kitchen table.50

"Yes. My lady." Oen'ashka said questioningly after she relaxed herself. Her gaze once again calm stared at a violet glow emitting from the fountain.51

"You should be practicing. Looking for someone to fight. You must not take the opponent I will be sending you lightly. If you do not prepare yourself you will die! Chastised Kashui.52

"Yes my queen. I will search for a practice opponent. I am sorry for disappointing you." She firmly said.53

"I would suggest that you go to San Francisco there is a center there as well. The people there take it more seriously than here in New York. They also allow you to remove the soul from your opponent. There is a temple for me in the area as well. They will give you a place of rest. I will see you at the temple tonight .Oh yes, I will make sure that there is an empty space on the departing flight." Kashui informed her.54

"Of course. I will do anything to please you. I assume you will be removing an insignificant so as to make room for me. I would prefer a heart attack. They don't raise any questions." She suggested to the goddess.55

"Certainly." She concluded as her light faded from the fountain.56

Oen'ashka rose and prepared for her trip to San Francisco. She packed several white beaters and baggy pants she also packed one gown that was custom made for her.. She reached for a long chocolate leather case inside it was lined with black satin. She placed her best glaive inside and snapped it shut. She also packed her dagger, an archery set, and a samurai sword.57

She unloaded her luggage from the cab she took to the airport. It was now nine o'clock
"Boarding flight 88 to San Francisco." A woman called through out the airport.58

"Shit! I don't have time to buy a ticket." Oen'ashka muttered to herself. "I hate resorting to magicks." she sighed as she picked up a blank piece of paper that was laying on the ground as trash.59

She waved her hand around herself and walked right past security. The man collecting tickets barely looked at the papers he was holding. She handed him the blank paper waving her hand over it quickly. He handed it back to her and she boarded the plane.60

"People are such idiots." she sighed as she closed the over head compartment now containing several dangerous weapons."61

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Chapter Three66

Oen'ashka handed the driver his payment and walked with her luggage to a large rod iron gate. Surrounding the courtyard was a fourteen foot brick wall with a rounded top to prevent someone using a grappling hook to get in. She stood there pulling her sun glasses down, to the tip of her nose, so as to get a better look at the elderly woman whom was unlocking the gate.
"My lady is waiting in the back." the woman said.
I wonder where the temple is hidden.
"It is in the back. Instead of a pool house my lady built a temple to Kashui." the woman stated tersely.
"I see." said a not wavered Oen'ashka. She had met several mind readers before and was not impressed with the woman's flaunting of her gift. "Does your lady have a name?" she questioned as they made their way to the temple.
"Kisha Marconi. She made most of her fortune by black widowing and dueling matches similar to what they have today." the servant informed her.
"How many husbands has she had?" asked Oen'ashka.
"Twenty-six, fourteen died of 'heart attacks'. She will be here in a minute" said the woman as she left. Oen'ashka observed her surroundings. There was a small table to the left of the gorgeous temple. Oen'ashka moved towards it and sat down. She looked in the direction of the mansion. A primly dressed woman in her mid fifties was strolling in her direction.
Oen'ashka stood so she could properly greet her. The woman appeared completely boring except for the sheen in her jade green eyes. Oen'ashka reached and shook the lady's crinkled hand.
"You are Oen'ashka?" she asked.
"Yes" Oen'ashka curtly responded.
"Kashui asked me to house you until you have completed the task she has given you."
Kisha surveyed the younger woman before her. She was attractive and well toned. Her clothing appeared comfortable and easy to move in. She could see the shape of a dagger poorly hidden in her pant leg and recognized the hairpiece she wore. It was a simple onyx hair clip given to all graduated members of the Kashui religion. She kept her own in the back of her signature white bun.
"Come I will show you the temple."
Oen'ashka followed Kisha and began making an inventory of her characteristics. She looked worn, and horribly out of shape. She was thin yes but her muscles looked tired and under worked. Her attire looked uncomfortable and difficult to move in. Her expensive jewelry appeared rather constricting. Her tight white bun was accented with The Kashui Clip. While Oen'ashka had been conducting inventory Kisha had led her into a lavishly decorated temple. The walls were ivory white with an onyx altar accented by amethyst and sapphire inlay. She looked around the temple that was definitely worthy of Kashui. It was obvious this woman was a true disciple.
"Would you like to practice with me? I had your glaive brought in." Kisha suggested. A smile crossed her now younger looking face.
"Something tells me it would be against Kashui's will for me to turn you down." Oen'ashka gasped catching a quick wave of magick. Kisha no longer looked old and frail she looked ancient and majestic.
"Let us duel" 67

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Chapter Four72

"Harisk you understand that when you meet Kashui's opponent you must use all of your abilities. This will not be an easy fight. Are you ready for your supreme opponent?" a dark voice wafted from a golden dish with emerald inlay.
"Completely. I am prepared to slay any of Kashui's disciples." a broad shouldered man responded.
"Good. I want you to go to San Francisco. She will be there." the water in the dish rippled.
"What does she look like?" Harisk asked the bowl.
"That is part of your mission. Now do not waste time with foolish questions San Francisco is a two hour drive. You will need to be fully equipped. While you are down there I want you to practice at the dueling center. The opponents are more difficult.
"Of course," the man said, bowing his head slightly.
"This opponent will be different from the others. It is very possible you will lose." the bowl stated.
"I will not fail you."
"Be off."
The man raised himself and left the altar. He began packing, the necessities only. He filled a tin basin with water and expertly shaved away his dark hair, as is ritual for a follower of Smaragdos. He proceeded to remove several weapons from a cheap armoire, He packed his weapons in several cases and loaded them into his car.