Fat Greedy Child

The sun bears down towards Kimiko and Narada, as they keep watch over the tall ledge that oversees the Eydo’s battle camp. Now having been stuck in the same place for a full week, Kimiko’s frustration only continues to grow, to the point that her lid is surely about to overflow.

“If he takes even one more day, I swear that I’m leaving this place.”

“And go where?”

“To find his corpse, and use his head as a bargaining chip to get into the palace.”

Narada flinches, knowing that she would most definitely go that far.

And here I thought she was beginning to change…

Kimiko and Narada continue to stare towards the sunset, as another few hours goes by. Kimiko’s rage begins to boil even higher as Narada chugs through another flask of water that he had gotten from a nearby river. Although it is such a simple act, being stuck with him for as long as she has been is enough to let anything put her over the edge.

Kimiko stands up abruptly, and storms over towards Narada. She grabs the flask of water, and throws it towards the camp of Eydo soldiers, forcing Narada to duck down to hide from the soldiers now asking where the strange bottle had come from.

“Are you crazy?!” he whispers aggressively.

Kimiko grabs her things from the tent situated behind them, and storms away from the area without saying a single word.

“Where are you going?!” Narada whispers as he begins to scramble towards her in order to stop her.

“It’s been a week!” Kimiko screams as she turns back to Narada, “Kayin’s already dead!”

“You don’t know that!”

“Like hells I don’t!” Kimiko returns her gaze towards the area that she could exit from, “You can stay here for the rest of your life, if that is what you wish for! Unlike you, I have a target in mind!”

As Kimiko turns the corner from the rock isolating the area she had been situated in with Narada, from the back exit of the ledge, she bumps into something, and falls backwards onto her rear.

Rather, she bumps into someone.

Kimiko holds her nose, and slowly glances up to see Kayin standing in front of her.

“What’s going on?” Kayin asks as he stares down towards Kimiko, “Is it a #2?”

Kimiko immediately stands up and slaps Kayin across his face. Narada, still lying on the ground, stares up towards the both of them with his mouth wide open, completely taken aback by both Kayin’s sudden return and Kimiko’s sudden reaction.

Kayin winces, “Damn…how is it possible for a human’s slap to feel more painful than a god’s?”

Shango bursts out laughing, which only annoys Kayin further.

“You know, I like this woman! Is she to be your first wife?”

“...hilarious.”

“What happened to ‘be back soon’?!”

Kayin returns his gaze towards Kimiko, who continues to glare towards Kayin.

“I’m sorry. I just had more things to sort out than I thought,”

“That’s no excuse! I swear, I thought you were-!”

Kimiko’s rage begins to subside, as she stares up towards Kayin, finally realizing the difference in his appearance.

“...your eyes!”

Kayin smiles softly, “Took you long enough to realize,”

Kimiko reaches out her hand, and as she slowly uncovers Kayin’s face by pushing his dreads to the side, she is able to look at his hazel irises in full detail.

“So this is what they look like,”

“What do you think? Beautiful, right?”

“I wouldn’t go that far. But they’re not bad,”

“Would it really kill you to compliment me just this once?”

“What are you, a woman? Do you need compliments to survive?”

“You realize you’re insulting your own gender, right?”

“I’m insulting the feminine king standing before me,”

“Still calling me king? Looks like I got that compliment after all,”

”I can always go with your current title,”

“Nahhh, I think I’ll stick with the king. No need for anything extra,”

Kimiko chuckles.

Kayin smiles.

Narada groans in confusion.

“Are the two of you flirting?”

Kimiko’s katana lands directly beside Narada’s head, forcing an expression of fear out of Narada’s face.

Shango chuckles and shakes his head.

“In due time, Kayin. In due time.”

“I’ll pass,”

Kimiko finally lets go of Kayin’s face, and sighs.

“So does this mean you’ve reconnected with Shango?”

“Yes. But things were…complicated, so it took a bit longer than I thought.”

“And what about that Taruk guy?”

“You called?”

From the shadows of the corner that Kayin had just come out from, Taruk reveals himself to Kimiko and Narada, alarming both of them to the point that they immediately jump back. The reason was particularly due to the immense aura that Taruk possesses, and as they both have a keen sense for it, caution is the most sensible choice.

“Worry not. I am not your enemy.”

Taruk pauses, before bowing down towards Kimiko’s direction.

“A pleasure to see you again, Lady Izanami.”

Kimiko appears taken aback, as she glances directly to her right where her avatar holder is standing, wearing a carefully crafted black and red kimono, with a large black and red umbrella as an assortment.

Izanami lifts her head and softly smiles.

Narada continues to search around the area that Taruk is bowing to, but sees nothing.

Taruk, noticing Narada’s innate desire, holds out his hand towards Izanami. Izanami accepts, and as she touches Taruk’s palm, her appearance is now revealed to all parties, including Kayin and Narada.

Taruk then turns around and does the same for Shango, as Shango stands in front of Izanami with his arms folded, his upper body bare, and with bright red traditional cloth covering his entire lower half. Large golden beads cover his ankles, and golden tattoos of flame and lightning streak across his entire body.

Kimiko appears taken aback as she bears witness to the god Shango standing in front of her.

Kayin appears the same way as he looks towards Izanami.

Izanami and Shango grin.

“It’s been a while, hasn’t it, Lord Shango?”

“Not long enough, Mistress Izanami,”

“The last time these two met was hundreds of years ago, in a great battle that helped shape their respective mortal kingdoms,” Taruk whispers into Narada’s ear, “It ended in a draw, but I’m sure neither of them was left satisfied with that result,”

Narada nods his head as he soaks in the information.

And then he turns his head towards Taruk with a shocked expression.

When did he get beside me?!!!

“So this is your goddess, then,” Kayin says with an awkward smile, “She’s…gorgeous,”

Kimiko also smiles awkwardly, “And this is the Shango I’ve heard so much about…he’s huge.”

“Why, thank you!” replies both Shango and Izanami.

Taruk claps his hands, forcing everyone’s attention back towards him.

“Now that we’re all acquainted, I believe it’s time for a debrief.”

Taruk focuses his attention towards Kayin, “I looked into Eshu’s involvement, and it seems you were right. Fate has surely painted the mark of death upon you.”

Narada and Kimiko appear stunned.

“What?” Kimiko asks, “Do you mean about how other avatar wielders are hunting him? Surely that’s not-”

“Other avatar wielders are surely under the impression that they can find and kill Kayin. That much is certain. However, with Shango back at his side, there are only few, if any within the empire, that can currently defeat him now.”

“Then-!”

Taruk holds out his index finger, with a solemn expression, as if pitying Kayin.

“But there is one entity…that is far above what even Kayin is capable of. And unfortunately…you have become his target.”

Kayin’s eyes begin to shake aggressively.

…seriously?

“You may have remerged with Shango, and even taken the reins within the connection of souls…”

“But this man…this entity…has gone far beyond that.”

Kayin, Kimiko, and Narada all appear stricken with fear.

Taruk turns around slowly, and waves his hand as he walks towards the edge of the cliff they are all standing on.

“I wish you luck, fallen king. For your sake…and for this world’s.”

Kayin rushes forward, “Wait! That can’t be all! Surely you can tell me more!”

Taruk continues walking, and reaches the edge of the cliff. He then turns his head back towards Kayin, and points towards him.

“I cannot, as my wish is not to fight against fate.”

A falcon suddenly appears from the presence of the setting sun, flying towards the group at full speed.

“But I should let you know…that it was this man that created your battle with fate in the first place.”

The falcon flies through the group, and through the powerful wind from its wings, Taruk disappears.

“So be sure to win,”

Kayin stares directly towards the empty sky, as the sun has now fully disappeared from sight. Kimiko and Narada pay close attention to Kayin’s demeanor, realizing that this will certainly be a challenge too difficult for him to face.

Shango turns towards the direction of the falcon’s path.

“So what will you do now?”

After a brief moment, Shango gazes towards Kayin, whose face is now down towards the ground, and his eyes appear hidden behind his dreads. And yet, the aura emitting from them gives off a strange feeling.

Exasperated.

Irritated.

Vexed.

All words that seemed to be spewing from Kayin’s darkened eyes, causing even Shango and Izanami to be taken aback.

Again and again.

You just won’t stop until I’m dead.

Or perhaps…this is just a game to you?

A game with my life on a string.

And with my soul as the prize.

Is that what this is?

A game?

How many times have you played it before?

How many prizes have you already won?

Do you really need more?

How selfish can you get?

Are you some kind of child?

A fat greedy child perhaps?!

What business does a fat greedy child have with such power?!

Why does a fat greedy child think he can take my head?!

WHY DOES A FAT GREEDY CHILD THINK HE CAN TAKE THE KING”S HEAD???!!!!

“Kayin,”

Kayin snaps out of his trance, and glances towards Shango.

He then glances towards Narada’s worried expression.

And then towards Kimiko.

Kayin lifts his head, and takes a deep breath as he cups his hands over his eyes.

“So what now?” Narada asks cautiously.

“The same as before!” Kimiko responds while staring at Kayin, “We make for the royal palace, and kill the queen!”

Izanami smiles.

“What? No!” Narada retorts, “Didn’t you hear that guy?! Someone far too powerful is already hunting us down! We have to run away!”

Kimiko’s ears perk up, as if she cannot believe the words she just heard. She slowly glances towards Narada, with her eyes practically popping out from their sockets.

“What did you just say?” she asks softly.

Narada pauses, but shakes frantically; wanting to respond, but knowing that in doing so, he would only incite Kimiko’s rage.

“Kimiko’s right,”

Narada and Kimiko glance towards Kayin.

And for the first time, bear witness to Kayin’s coldest and most frightening expression.

“We head for the royal palace, to kill the queen.”

Kayin takes hold of the white cloth that had been covering his eyes, and balls it into his fist.

“And whoever stands in the way…will be dealt with accordingly.”

Fire quickly burns the white cloth, dispersing a small trail of smoke and ash from Kayin’s fist. The trail flows up in the air, and passes through Kayin’s cold stare.

“...regardless of who they think they are."