Kha'thiqa's Rise to Power Ch1

Story by deletedragon on SoFurry

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#1 of Prophecy of Oroborus


Night falls over the landscape, the rising moon dimly illuminates a flagitious forest. The trees twist in unnatural ways. Their leathery bark shimmers slightly with the blood sap trickling to the ground. A dark mist swirls on the ground in a hypnotic pattern.

Beyond the forest lies the ruins of what used to be a great cathedral and the town cemetery. The plant life in the cemetery was wilted, the tombstones over-ran with thorny vines. Next to the cemetery grows a gothic garden with various evil, dark and poisonous plants. An herb garden fit for a practitioner of the dark arts.

At the center of the garden lies a stone altar, a few wrought iron benches and candelabras. Belladonna, triple metel purple datura, mandrake and aconite surround the altar. Black rose bushes line the ritual area. As u approach the ruins the herb garden appears. To the left lies herbs for cooking, to the right grow the ritual and healing herbs.

Sakura line the stone pathway to the entrance arches. These are not normal sakura; blood red petals replace the delicate light pink petals we have all come to recognize. The trunks are black and leathery to the touch. The branches contort, appearing to reach out to you. The dark mist rises up and shrouds all vision.

Through the mist jagged rock structures jut up to the sky. As the mist clears, iniquitous buildings rise up, forming a hellish horizon. Black dragons go about their lives; traveling, conversing, learning. A chaos dragon sits teaching her young one in the art of magic.

They sit together in meditation as the mist swirls around them. The young one is hit with a small sonic burst that is just strong enough to pull her out of meditation. Her red eyes popped open and looked around for the source of the burst. She spots a little tail behind a large rock. A sly grin creeps across her maw. She pounces over the rock and tackles another young chaos dragon. Her target hits the ground with a thud and a squeal.

She gets up and looks at him with a smile, her ruby red eyes twinkling. He got up off the ground and chased after her. The giggling and sounds of play pulled the mother out of her trance. She sweeps her tail and knocks the pair of young ones to the ground. They look up to see her disappointed glare and look to the ground in shame.

The mist dissipates into the sky. A young adult dragoness is sparring with her father. She hunches down into pouncing position; with a powerful flap of her wings she takes to the sky. Her father maneuvers out of the way and swings his tail connecting with her side. With a grunt she twinges, faltering her attack. "FOCUS!" he snaps.

Her eyes narrow and she snarls, revealing her fangs. She took off after him. He let lose a low energy fire ball. She evades the blast by rolling out of the way. She retaliates with a lightening blast. He dives, circles around and tries to come down on her. She swiftly circles around behind him then unleashes a sonic blast that hits him in the back. He nods in acknowledgement.

They land near their lair. "Got you," she teases.

"That you did, Kah'thiqa," he replies, "Now to continue your lessons" they sit near the altar; he reaches for a large ornate book. The book is black with a silver pentacle surrounded by a black and white dragon intertwined in a lover's embrace. He opens the book, leafs through the elaborate pages and stops on the page with the same emblem.

"Since time began it's been the charge of the dragons to keep the cycle of life," her father began. "All life runs in cycles. As dragons of chaos we play a pivotal role in keeping the universe running in its cycle. It is our privilege to destroy so the dragons of rebirth can create. We are both the end and the beginning of life."

"So Orobous demonstrates my place in the universe?" the young dragon asks.

"Not exactly," her father went on. "Orobous symbolizes eternity through the cycle of life, death and rebirth. We are the ones who implement the cycle." He closes the book and looks softly at his daughter. "Most of us find life partners within our own clan, like your mother and I. Trust me young one, there is nothing more satisfying than wreaking havoc with your mate. But," his smile widens, "the great elder of the realm has foreseen someone very special for you"

"How so father?" she asked with a slightly confused look on her face.

"When you were still an egg the great elder came to your mother and I and told us you will find your soul mate in one of the moon clan. Your union will be a great force in the universe. You two will not only dance the cycle of destruction, but your love will being the power the universe has been craving."

"But father," she asked, "aren't the chaos and moon clans enemies?"

"We play opposite roles in the life cycle, but not necessarily enemies. While there is great tension between our clans, and at times you may find yourself hating him, our clans need each other. It is our opposition that brings our clans together, as well as causes dissention."

He gets up and walks to the portal stone. "It's time for you to join your place in the life cycle. Go to the earthly plane and bring chaos to that world. There is a great blockage there that needs your help."

"But..." she began.

"Don't worry. Your future will unfold as it's meant to. Just follow what you have learned and you will be fine," a soft feminine voice soothes from behind her. She flings around to see her mother approaching. The three nuzzled for several moments before the young one heads for the portal. As she reaches the portal, the mist envelops all.

The harvest moon rises high in the night sky as a young girl tends to her garden. Long black hair drapes her delicate fair skin as she hunches over her plants. Her eyes are oddities in themselves; slightly more slanted than other the other girls' but their true distinction lies her irises. They are blood red with a serpentine vertical slit. They are the one part of her that will always show her true form.

She delicately handles each of the plants: watering them, harvesting what was matured, talking to them, creating the necessary bond between her and her plants. As with all things poisonous, she knew she had to bond with the plants so they will tell her what to take and use.

She carries her light harvest to the herbal section of her lair. She sets the cloth down while collecting the dried herbs and placing them into their proper containers. She ties the herbs at their ends and strings them upside down so they will dry properly.

Herbal duties completed and well into the night, she strips down out of her clothes. Her small, yet athletic body takes on a different form. A tail and a large set of wings burst from her body, from her head and spine emerge distinctive horns as her skin turns black. Blood traces the curves of her body, the wounds quickly healing. Now in one of her fighting forms she prepares to train.

She slides on leather bracers that hold her trusty throwing daggers, ties her tantos to her hips, and places the katana and fan on the ground. She walks to her starting location and stretches, her wings reaching towards the sky. The moon illuminates the silk that holds her weapons, the strands lightly caressing her skin as it moves in the breeze.

Delicately she begins her training. She begins with Qi Gong and meditation. The breeze kicks up slightly. In her mind's eye sakura appear; the delicate blossoms moving with the breeze. A few petals fall from the tree, floating in the wind down to the stream below. The stream carries the petals into a dark forest.

A black dragoness walks through the forest, moonlight dancing off her scales. A blood red hue shimmers as the light reflects off of her. She notices a town and stops. A dark mist gathers around her, with a low rumble the mist starts to dissipate.

A beautiful woman emerges from the mist. Her athletic yet feminine form is complimented by raven silk hair that flows past the small of her back. Soft, fair skin glows in the moonlight while her still draconic eyes radiate slightly to give her perfect night vision.

She senses an evil soul approaching. A smile creeps across her lips as she steps behind a tree. Her eyes dim as not to be noticed. As the man nears, she steps out from behind the tree. At the site of her naked body he slows to a stop. Her supple breasts, curvy figure, and soft skin were enough to mesmerize him. His eyes slowly trace up her body until their eyes locked. She smiles seductively and he succumbs completely to her.

She approaches him, running her hands on his body while maintaining eye contact. He leans in and kisses her softly. Experiencing her first sexual desire she becomes very aggressive. She pulls him back, pinning her against the tree. The passion burns increasingly hotter as he rips off his close and thrusts his manhood into her.

With a scream of pleasure she becomes alive with sensations she never fathomed. A few minutes into the act she throws him to the ground and mounts him. She rides his throbbing penis increasingly harder as she nears climax. She digs her claws into his chest and drags them down, spraying blood all over her. The warm pulsating blood hits her flesh, bringing her to climax. She screams out as her body erupts in her first orgasm. Dripping in blood and cum she sits atop the dead man rubbing her body pelvis to face. She leans down and devours her fresh kill.

The spring rain starts to fall, washing the blood from her body. The blood flows down her body, tracing her curves, washing away into the earth. She notices an elegant geisha seeking shelter from the rain in a pagoda. She brushes a lock of hair out of her face as she folds an umbrella. Her black kimono is adorned with golden dragons. Her upswept hair is held in place with silver sakura and dragon combs. Kha'thiqa wanted to wear her clothes; she wanted to be as elegant as the geisha. She covers herself with her hair as she approaches the geisha. She smiles at her softly while luring her in with a mesmerizing gaze. "Hello beautiful one," she says as she strokes the side of the geisha's face.

The rain hastens as a dark mist rises, shrouding everything. Through the mist a half dragon figure gracefully finishes a Tai Qi kata. The mist clears as she pulls her fists together and bows, honouring the kata. She lightly stretches and takes up the beginning position for her training katas. With a few fluid movements she takes out her tanto and slashes at an invisible enemy, stirring up remnants of the mist.

The girl slips into the black kimono, the silky fabric slides across her unclad supple skin. She pulls her hair into a half-upswept style using the silver dragon and sakura combs to keep it in place. The remainder of her hair dangles down her back. The eviscerated body of the geisha lies at her feet, part of her face melted beyond recognition. Kha'thiqa kneels beside the body and sticks her fingers into her wounds, coating them in the geisha's still warm blood. She runs her fingers across her lips, staining them a deep red. After one pass around her lips she sucks the blood off her fingers.

The umbrella snaps open as she steps out into the rain. She walks down the street in search of shelter. A shadowy male figure watches her pass an alley. Sensing him, she looks back. Her eyes lock onto him with a flirtatious glint. Just then a sultry young man steps out of the izakaya. In a drunken stupor he stumbles into her arms. He looks up at her, their eyes lock with a smile. "You.... have VERRRY ewnique eyes," slurs the young man.

"Why thank you," she replies. Her eyes focus into her mesmerizing stare.

Captivated by her beauty and gaze, he succumbs completely to her will. "Will you come with me to my house?" he asks. She smiled and supported him most of the way to his house. They step into his modest home, little more than a bed roll, a few dishes, fire pit and simple weapons. She helps him down into his bed roll with a thud.

Laughter fills the room as she struggles to get up. The laughter dies down as she takes on a seductive look. She slowly rises, keeping his gaze, and releases her hair with one smooth motion. Her long, luxurious hair falls down her back, coming to rest on the back of her thighs. She slowly unties her obi and slides off her kimono.

She unties his robes, crawls on top of him, kissing her way from his hips to his lips. She slips his cock into her moist vagina and rides him slowly. With the moves of a dancer she teases him causing copious amounts of sexual frustration. As she nears her climax she slashes his chest open spraying her chest with his pulsating blood. The blood coats her bare flesh sending her into orgasm.

She emerges from the house blood dripping from her naked body. She slinks down to the river to cleanse herself of the blood. The water is cool to the touch as she slides into the river for a quick swim. Coming up out of the water she senses someone near. "Someone is watching me," she growls to herself. Her eyes focus intently as she scans the forest, "there!" The figure disappears knowing he'd been spotted. Water splashes loudly as she leaps from the river in an attempt to pursue.

"It's the guy from the alley again. I wonder what he wants," she muses as she walks back to her newly acquired home. Tired from her first day she meditates before retiring for the night.

A week passes as she quietly observes the strange behaviors of the humans. Weary of her new guise, she waits until nightfall to stretch her wings again. The dark moon rises, the moon of the chaos dragons, the moon of greatest power for her. She emerges from her abode and walks to a clearing in the woods. A dark mist draws in around her. The mist clears as a beautiful black dragoness steps forward. The moonlight reflects small glimmers of blood red off of her scales. Her wings stretch to the sky and flap a few times. She was over-joyed to be in her true form again.

She sets a small bush aflame and sits in front of it gazing. In a few slow breaths she calls forth the mists and her father. "With great honour I welcome you father," she announces while bowing.

"My daughter, I am glad to see you are well. How are your lessons going?" he inquires.

"They are progressing. I am learning much about these humans and their ways. I am assimilating into their society and will soon begin doing what I do best," she reports with an eager tooth-filled grin.

"That's my girl, keep up the good work. I will leave you to your studies. The moon is dark, an auspicious time for your first task," he instructs.

"Yes father," she bows, "vah'shada."

"Vah'shada little one," he replies. With that the mist clears, revealing a temple in the distance. A sly grin creeps across her maw as she understands her task at hand.

With haste she takes to the sky, flying silently over the forest towards the temple. Only a rustle in the leaves and a quiet thud announce her arrival. Upon quick observation she realizes her arrival went unnoticed. The temple is filled with monks, young and old alike. Her grin turns malicious as she positions herself for her pending attack.

She sits focused in meditation, pulling darkness in to shroud her position. A reddish glow barely penetrates as she prepares to fire on the slumbering temple. At full power, she breathes in and unleashes a fire blast. Monks flee the burning temple, some carrying children. Those who were not focused on saving lives took up a bucket brigade in an attempt to quell the raging inferno.

A rumble emanates from her stomach as a twinge of pain tweaks her side. All of the potential food running around forces her into the realization that she was famished. A quick flap of her wings lands her where the monks were fleeing to. By mouthfuls she picks off monks till her hunger satiates.

Thoroughly amused, she turns to go back to her earthly home. The darkness comes again, as the darkness ebbs she emerges once again in human form. The chilly air nips at her bare skin as she walks to the ritual location. She slips back into her kimono and fixes her hair. Sensing a familiar presence she slowly goes for her tanto. Once her hand touches the hilt, she spins around in an attempt to slice the intruder's throat.

The figure disappears into a shadow and appears a safe distance behind her. "Who are you?!" she growls, blade at the ready.

The figure reforms into human form, yet retains the dark quality about him. He straightens his appearance and smiles, "I represent the Red Lotus."

"Why have you been following me?" she demands, "What do you want?" the tanto raises in an empathetic gesture.

"I have sensed your arrival into our city. I have been observing your powers and believe you have what we are looking for." He replies in a stately fashion.

She slips her tanto back into her obi, relaxing her stance. "What is Red Lotus?" she inquires.

"I cannot tell you what Red Lotus is; that you must discover on your own. What I can tell you is," he pauses with a malevolent smile, "that we are an elite covert society comprised of others with talents not unlike your own."

With a reserved peeked interest she asks, "So how do I find out more?"

"Come with me." He pulls her into the shadows and they wisp away to the Red Lotus okiya. Upon entering the okiya she is enchanted by the copious beautiful geisha seated in the anti-chamber. They walk towards the back gardens through highly decorated halls. The rooms are filled with performing geisha and their clients, merriment and music float in the air.

The okiya opens into a breath-taking meditation garden. Past the rows of flowers, sakura, and waterfall is a large building with a red lotus painted on the door. The man raps on the door in a special series of knocks. A small opening in the door snaps open revealing a pair of shifty eyes who speak an unknown language. The man hisses a response in the same tongue. The door slides open, "after you," the man offers. She steps into the building under the watchful eye of several guards. The man enters close behind her, leading her though the rooms to a long hallway. At the end of the hall is a pair of elaborately decorated doors guarded by two armed figures.

The figures nod at the man and open the doors. They enter an elegant room decorated in fine figurines, candles and silk. In the back center of the room is the silhouette of a delicate figure sitting atop a pile of pillows, surrounded by sheer black curtains. The man bows low announcing their arrival, "My queen, I bring you the lady I spoke of."

"Really?" a soft voice came from behind the curtain. "Good," the voice deepens, "now leave us!"

"Yes my queen," he says as he backs out of the room, closing the doors behind him. A small feeling of worry creeps up her spine.

"Now my sweet, time to get a look at you," the woman said as she got up. The curtains part revealing a scarcely clothed, very beautiful woman. Kha'thiqa's heart skips a beat and her soul warms at the sight of the woman. The woman walks across the room so smoothly that she seems to glide. Kha'thiqa's skin tingles as the woman inspects her. "Very nice indeed," the woman said with a smile.

"Who are you?" Kha'thiqa asks softly.

"All in due time. First, walk with me," she guided Kha'thiqa back out the door. "As you already know we are an elite covert society with talents like yours."

"Yes I've been through that speech," Kha'thiqa answers with a defiant tone. "That doesn't answer who you are or why I am here."

The woman looks at her recognizing the same feral spirit that dwells within her. They stop at the entrance to a training room. "We are kyoute, assassins. We are hired to kill people, usually people of power. Most of us are oni, coming from many daemon realms. But a few are merely evil humans with exceptional talents."

"So why the okiya?" Kha'thiqa asks while scanning the room.

"Fair enough question," the woman chuckles, "it is our cover so we are not discovered. But it is also our legal income. If we lived such extravagant lives without a legal income it would raise too much suspicion."

Kha'thiqa observes the training room. The humans spared with daemons, honing their skills. The daemons toy with the humans a little by using their powers: shadow daemons teleport around the room, mist daemons vaporize to avoid a blow. Kha'thiqa smiles, turns to the woman and asks "Ok how do I join?"

The woman smiles at her deviously, walks into the center of the sparring mat and yells, "Uchikiru!" With her command the combatants clear the floor. The woman strips off her robe and tosses it aside. Her remaining clothes barely cover her sensual athletic body as she takes a defensive posture. With a sly smile she beckons Kha'thiqa, "Spar me and I will tell you."

Kha'thiqa grins and leaps to the floor; landing in an offensive pose. She unleashes the first strike, slashing at the woman. The woman slides to the left avoiding the blow. She grabs Kha'thiqa's arm and throws a roundhouse into her stomach. Kha'thiqa recoils for a second. The woman throws a punch at Kha'thiqa. Kha'thiqa steps to the side jumps up, throwing a chop at the woman's throat. After the blow lands, Kha'thiqa grabs the woman's head and pulls it diagonally across her body throwing the woman to the ground. Kha'thiqa lands on the woman's chest and punches down at her throat, stopping inches from a death blow. Silence fell over the room as the students saw their master defeated.

The woman smiled at Kha'thiqa as they got up. "You have great power and excellent skills," she said.

"Thank you Madame. Does that mean I am accepted?" Kha'thiqa asks trying to hide her eagerness.

"A spot is open for you if you wish to take it," the lady responds with a slight chuckle. She escorts Kha'thiqa back into her chambers. As they sit down to tea many of the trainees bring Kha'thiqa her training gear.

"Do I get to hear your name yet?" Kha'thiqa asks with a rosy hue growing across her face.

The woman snickers and replies softly, "My name," she pauses to lean over to Kha'thiqa, "is Tsukiko."

Kha'thiqa's skin tingles upon hearing her name, truly the name of a goddess. Their eyes lock for what seems to be hours; just gazing into each other's souls. The night gives way to day as they stay up getting to know each other.

Kha'thiqa spends the day getting used to the grounds: observing the routine, learning the schedule, etc. She reverts to her true form, relieved that she doesn't have to hide herself anymore. Many of the geisha gather to honour her with a day of pampering and relaxation. Her training begins at the crack of dawn the next morning.

Her training continues for many years. Through that time she learns the way of the geisha, herbology, mystical training and ninjitsu. She also perfects seduction techniques, finesse, and belly dancing. She combines her newly learned skills to develop a flare all her own. Just before she is sent after her first target, she undertakes a dedication oath where she receives a tattoo of the ring's mark. She also takes on a new name, Amaya.

Through the years Amaya and Tsu's love grows exponentially. Amaya proves herself to be an exceptional assassin and quickly ascends to second in command of the organization. They begin to undertake assignments together, as they live their life.

One evening they are called upon to kill the visiting Prince of Persia. Their outfits are quite fitting for the occasion; a kimono concealing a very revealing belly dancer outfit. Tsu dresses in a white kimono tied with a golden obi. She slings her swords onto a sash and ties it around her hips. Amaya dresses in a black kimono with a silver obi. She tucks daggers into her obi and straps a couple to her thighs. They finish their outfits with matching bladed hair pieces. As they leave the okiya, Amaya grabs her blade fan and lotus flowers.

They arrive at the Prince's quarters already moist in anticipation of the kill. The Prince dismisses his guards as the ladies enter the room. They walk across to the end of the bed and lay out their performance pieces. Amaya pushes the Prince onto the bed as the dance begins.

Tsu steps up against Amaya's back, pressing her hips against her while holding her sword to Amaya's throat. Amaya looks back, locking eyes with Tsu. Tsu licks up Amaya's neck from shoulder to ear. Amaya pushed out of the embrace and picks up her lotus flowers in one fluid movement. They dance around and against each other; moving the sword among the flowers, the ultimate symbol of intimacy. They move to the floor, seductively moving around each other. Amaya arises and snakes around Tsu, keeping her pelvis close to Tsu's face. Unable to take the suspense any longer Tsu stands up, sword in hand.

Amaya holds up the flowers as Tsu uses her sword to untie Amaya's obi. Her kimono opens as her obi flutters to the ground. Amaya leans back, touching her head to the floor. Her kimono opens revealing her delicate skin as she places the flowers on the ground. In one fluid movement she is upright again, moving to untie Tsu's obi. Amaya's kimono falls to the ground. She pushes Tsu back and pulls her obi free. Tsu nibbles Amaya's shoulder as she removes her kimono. Still in their gold and silver motifs, their outfits changed to minimalised versions of Persian belly dancers. Their tops were little more than a series of chains and their skirts sheer enough to show every curve of their moistening flowers. Their dance turns into a seduction dance. Their movements are more sexual in nature as their hands run over each other's bodies. They move to the bed. Tsu pushes the Prince back, kissing his neck as she got on the bed beside him. Amaya climbs on the other side of him, interlocking her lips with his.

The girls stretch across him, turning their affections to each other. While they undress each other, their mouths move over each other's bodies. The Prince plays with Amaya's clit while she is kissing her way down Tsu's body. The Prince inserts three fingers and aggressively fingers Amaya, squirting her juices down his arm. Tsu's removes the Prince's pants, letting his large penis spring from its prison. Tsu positions herself so she can suck his cock while giving Amaya full access.

Tsu licks up the shaft and engulfs the head of his cock. Her mouth slides up and down his shaft, her tongue playing with his head from time to time. All the while Amaya's tongue is playing with Tsu's clit, forcibly flicking it. Amaya's fingers move slowly in and out of Tsu's soft pussy. She revels in the taste of her lover. Amaya brings Tsu to climax; spraying the prince with her cum and drinking up what she could.

Tsu pulls Amaya up over the Prince's nicely lubed cock. Amaya pulls off her skirt and lowers herself onto the Prince. Her tight vaginal walls giving way to his throbbing penis. She slowly rides up and down a few times to establish her angle. Tsu positions herself so her pussy is in the Prince's face and she can lick Amaya's clit as she rides the Prince. Both women are euphoric as they receive oral pleasure. Amaya rides harder and harder as she becomes more aroused.

She leans back, grabbing her dagger as she works her hips to bring the Prince closer to climax. Tsu moves off the Prince to focus all of her attention on Amaya. Amaya keeps the blade tucked against her arm as she rides the Prince hard. His cock pounding in and out of her with such force that it jolts her whole body.

She raises the dagger as she nears orgasm. Tsu holds her close and fingers her clit. Amaya screams out in pleasure as she slits the Prince's throat. The gurgling sounds of death and the hot pulsating blood hitting her skin throw her into an orgasm. She cums hard, spilling cum all over the dying Prince. Tsu and Amaya embrace in a lover's moment; holding each other, kissing passionately, lost in the moment, covered in their victim's blood.

Kha'thiqa is jolted out of her trance. She stops her training, throws her weapons aside, and sits near the cliff staring off. The sun sunk low into the horizon casting a blood red hue over the land. She forces herself up and dusts off the dirt from her backside. A dark mist envelops her, blacking out the cliffside. She steps out from the cliff in her true form. The dying sun light dancing on her scales simulating the blood of her enemies. She rears up, flapping her massive wings to stretch a bit.

She enters the mouth of her lair with a sigh. The rock beneath her claws announce her arrival. She turns down the tunnel leading to her ritual chamber. The hard rock begins to sparkle with an orangish glow. The rough rock turns to obsidian as she nears the chamber. The chamber was carved into a massive geode. In the center of the chamber is a large dual layered altar made from black marble. The top section holds all the necessary ritual tools. In front of the main altar is a smaller one specifically sized for sacrifices of the flesh.

To the north grows a patch of rock moss, trimmed back so it won't take over the chamber. The eastern side of the chamber has a slight crack, just enough to allow some wind in. To the south is a large fire pit, housing an eternal raging fire. In the west is dragon-sized carved pool. Each element living in its respective direction.

Kha'thiqa grabs one of the small torches propped against the entrance and approaches the fire. She ignites the torch then lights the central altar candles: black, white, then red. Beginning in the east she lights the corresponding candles and invokes the elements by calling the guardians of each element. Returning to the altar she invokes the dragons of chaos and rebirth. She places offering herbs into the lit censor and pours sacramental wine into the chalice.

She calls into Ratanen, "Decata! I beseech your wisdom! Grant me the honour of your presence, oh revered elder of our clan! Come to my side and grant me the vision I seek!" She sits focused in front of the altar. The dark mist of Ratanen spills out of the censor and fills the room, bringing it between realms. Kha'thiqa finds herself looking at shadows of her home, filling her with a peace she hadn't felt in a long time.

An elder black dragon walks towards her, stopping just feet away. The dragon stands proud for a few moments. Her face softens as a smile emerges. "Hello little one," she greets Kha'thiqa warmly.

"Decata!" she squeaks excitedly as she leaps over to nuzzle her grandmother.

A few moments pass as they greet one another. "What vexes you child?" asks the grandmother.

"I feel lost, Decata," Kha'thiqa begins, "I just don't know what I'm supposed to do."

Her grandmother snapped to a regal posture, and hisses "For one remember who you are. You are one of the Vash'anael, a dragon of chaos. Feeling sorry for yourself is beneath you."

"Yes Decata...." Kha'thiqa lowers her head.

"You are meant for great feats, don't let these opportunities pass because you are pinning over an insignificant fling," she scolded. Kha'thiqa sat quietly. "You were sent to this realm to hone your skills and become a powerful destructive force. Your soul's true mate will come soon. You two will be a force to be reckoned with and the spawn born of your union with be the ultimate power. You should be proud of your fate, not sulking over a past fling."

Kha'thiqa turns her head slightly away. Her grandmother uses her wing to turn her head so they were eye to eye. "Go cause some havoc, torture and kill a human, raise a town to the ground. It'll bring you back," she advises.

"Yes Decata," Kha'thiqa responded with a bow.

"All will be well child, just trust in your fate." Her grandmother embraces her for several moments. Kha'thiqa's heart fills as they nuzzled. She had missed her kin greatly over the many years. "Now go and make me proud," she says with a smile.

"I will Decata, vah'shada."

"Vah'shada, Kha'thiqa." The dark mist rescinds into the censor as her grandmother leaves.

The ritual chamber re-appears. Kha'thiqa sits for a few moments before closing the ritual. Her stomach growls loudly as she writes the ritual response in her Grimoire. She places the book back in its place and heads for the cliff. The night breeze dances across her scales as she emerges from the tunnel. She opens her wings wide, leaps off the cliff and with a powerful flap of her wings flies.

She glides through the air, coasting on the air currents in deep contemplation. The conversation plays back in her mind... "Your soul's true mate will come soon." Flashes of her and Tsu in a lover's embrace flood her mind's eye. A tear rolls down her cheek as she tries to shake residual feelings for Tsu. "How can I be with this soul mate if my heart still belongs to Tsu?" she ponders.

Spotting a herd of cattle below, she swoops down and snatches a juicy bull for dinner. Flying home, bull in maw, she spots movement out of the corner of her eye. She hovers mid-air while looking around for what flew past. A white dragon flies across the full moon. Her heart jumps at the site of him, his opalescent shimmering scales and powerful presence. Emotions overwhelm her as she flies back to her lair.

She sits picking at her dinner while contemplating her emotions. Her heart hasn't jumped like that since Tsu. "Could he be the one?" she ponders so lost in her thoughts that she didn't notice the snapping, squishing sounds of the dead bull's sinew breaking. Refusing to waste her meal she forces herself to finish him off. After dinner she walks into her lair: through the tunnel, into the antechamber, past the many chambers and into her bedroom.

Large doors close behind her as she enters her room. Dark red candles flicker, setting the somber mood lighting. She pushes through the black chiffon curtains and plops down on her large pile of silk pillows. Her wings press into her back as she lay there deep in thought. Minutes turn into hours as she tries to sleep, haunted by the words of her grandmother and visions of the mysterious white dragon.