Bound and Broken Pt.1

Loa stood on the cliff, forlornly looking out on the ocean below. Her heart ached with some sadness that could not be read… She hid it behind a mask of humor… And she was sick of it. The reason she had always been this way since the beginning of her stay on the Island was that she desired acceptance. That was all she had ever wanted… But underneath it all still burned the desire to be respected… And yes, in a way, feared for her intelligence and skill… She had that when she was a ninja.

In a way, she longed for the days when she had killed. Yes, she had been ruthless. Yes, she had killed many. But… there was still the feeling of a acceptance that was always present. Now she was on this cliff, overlooking the expanse of ocean below. The ocean, the hungry, ravenous beast it was yawned before her, stretched its welcoming jaws to her, and she wondered…

What if she did indeed jump? What if she fell to those craggy rocks below and allow herself to feel the stone penetrate her skin, feel the blood ooze from her newly opened wounds. To then wait for the sea to welcome her to her eternity. As she contemplated the jump and the consequences… She had been always told that cowards went to Tartarus. She wondered if she would suffer the coward's fate. What did it matter? She turned brown eyes to the dusky sky above. She wanted to linger in that expansive space, to be alone and yet crowded all at once, To not feel this confusion anymore. What was that thirst that crawled through her brain? What was that desire that burned deep within her soul? Was it the thirst for…

Power?

Nevertheless, she edged her way to the end of the cliff, feeling the salt spray mist up into her nostrils and sting her eyes. A tear began to form and she pushed it away. No more, she thought. No more pain…

And then… She found herself at Hades doorstep.

"A-ha! I found you, you b*tch!" cried a voice.

Loa turned, surprised… That voice all too familiar, in that horrible way. "Ni Shang! How… How did you find me?! Why the hell are you here?!"

Ni chuckled. "When the spies told me my best ninja had become an Amazon I laughed. I never thought you would become this soft… Jumping off a cliff are we?"

Loa stared at him. "What…?" she looked back at the cliff. Was she going to jump, and take that plunge? And then she looked back at her former ninja master… He was standing there like an absolution from her sins, and a savior from the endlessness of death. 

"I've come to take you back. The oracle told me of your uneasiness. I had a feeling you would be here… I had a feeling that you would need me…"

"Me? Need you? Ha!" Loa laughed bitterly. "That's actually funny."

"Well, if you don't need me, go right ahead and jump. It's of no consequence to me if you die or not."

Loa looked up tiredly at the man before her… Her heart told her to think about this… And her mind was in turmoil as she contemplated the choices in front of her.

"I'll…" she said slowly. Her mind was clearing now. And one thing became apparent. Why should she die… When there was so much killing to be done?

"Yes?" said Ni.

"I'll go."

Ni threw back his head and laughed, long and loud. As Loa stared at him she realized that there was something there… Something that had been missing, that had suddenly been fulfilled. Her need for power… was soon to be realized.

Her former ninja master walked to her and began to chant, in that ancient language that Loa had been forced to study during training. She realized that it was the teleportation spell. She was ready. 

*******

Rae was walking down the trail towards the cliff by the beach. She figured Loa would be there, and she had been sent to retrieve her for dinner. As she neared the cliff, through the foliage she saw Loa standing there. A slow smile spread across her face. She wondered of Loa had any cheese. Then the smile slipped into a deep frown and a furrow crossed Rae's brow, as she sensed a strange aura. What was that? It was the distinct feeling of evil that was permeated with the sense of destruction and death. As Rae neared Loa, she saw her begin to fade…

Fade!? "Loa!" Rae yelled, trying to get her attention. But it was too late, Loa was gone.

Rae emerged on the cliff. She looked about, trying to see where Loa had gone. Wherever she had went, so had the aura. Rae felt panic grow in her. Loa… Something was VERY wrong. Rae turned and ran back to the village. The aura here… That overwhelming presence. It scared her.

*******
Loa was now back at that old place… A place from her memories. A place that haunted her and comforted her at the same time. This was the manor of her master, Ni. She was now in her old quarters. She had missed them. They were far from the primitive huts on the island. Rich tapestries embroidered with dragons and cherry blossoms hung and lay about the room amidst the ebony furniture scattered about. On the bed was her old ninja uniform. Her top, which was fitted and black, suitable for stealth. Then she looked down to see her ninja pants. They were black as well. Both were marked with an embroidered red dragon. They fit as she remembered. The memories of time spent on the battlefield came back with the feeling of the fabric on her skin. Then she took two gleaming daggers from the weaponry cabinet, she fastened her double sheath onto her waist. On the sheaths were two dragons. She laced up her boots, and looked at her Amazon raiment's lying on the bed. Slowly, resolutely, she grabbed the garments up and walked to the glowing hearth. With malice in her eyes she balled the clothes up and tossed it into the fire. It sparked with anger and the crying, crackling fire welcomed it…

She had come home.

Loa, now back in her ninja attire, walked from her rooms to the meditation chamber. She had seen some of her old comrades as she walked the short distance. In their gazes was amusement mingled with anger. Some seemed pleased to see her, others angry. Their main rival had returned. Loa had been the best of the best during her stay at the manor. A born ninja, who embraced the code of honor with such enthusiasm that it put even the sensei's respect for it to shame. 

She swept the thoughts away, pushed open the heavy, ornate door leading into the meditation chamber, and was welcomed by the familiar scent of incense burning. Loa sat down on the mat awaiting her, and turned her face up to the shrine in front of her. Soon she had feel into the familiarity of mediation. Emptiness epitomized.

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