Saotome Nodoka prostrated herself before a small circle of her own blood. Her sword, stained with that blood, lay across the circle, pointing to the north. It was not her family katana. Her first act in service to her master had been to break that blade, and in return she had been granted a new sword, forged in the fires of Hell itself from the shards. Above the circle flickered an image of shadow and flame, and a palpable aura of pure Evil filled the room. "It is done, then?" a harsh voice which sounded of stones grating said.
Nodoka did not lift her head from the floor. "Yes, my lord. Nabiki has found what you desired to be found."
"Our son knows? The Tendo girl?"
"Yes, my lord."
"The Amazon?"
"Her and the elder both, my lord. As do the other two."
For a moment the voice was silent, and it took all of Nodoka's iron will to keep from shivering in fear that she had somehow displeased her master. Then it spoke. "You have done well, then." A tiny tendril of her master's will touched her, and now Nodoka did shiver, but in pleasure. "And now, I shall grant you a gift in return."
"My lord, I am not worthy of -"
The demon cut her off. "I, and I alone, decide who is worthy of my favor."
Nodoka pressed her head harder against the floorboards. "I am sorry, my lord."
The flickering in the circle changed. It was hard to say why, but it was obvious that there were now two presences within the circle. "My lord?" Nodoka asked.
"It is a minor oni, little more than an elemental spirit of evil. Not even sentient." Nodoka could feel her master smile. "But with a name, it could be much more."
Nodoka's throat dried. She had summoned demons of many types before, but this was something else. Not any name would do, for it had to be a name she had the right to give away. Were she the head of the Saotome clan, she could give the oni that name, and its destiny would be forever entwined with that family. As she was not, there was only one name she could give the creature, and if she did the oni would be bound to her, and her to it. Any hopes she might have had of redemption would forever be gone.
Trying not to hesitate, Nodoka rose slightly, placing her hand into to shadow above the circle. Something pulsed around it, and Nodoka spoke. "I give you my name," she said, and then she had to clear her throat. "Nodoka," she finished. And just like that, Nodoka felt... emptier, and a faint shadow escaped the circle, crossing over to the mortal realm. It quickly deepened, taking physical form.
It was a small creature, perhaps four feet tall, with smooth, pale gray skin and narrow yellow eyes. It was almost human in form, if androgynous, but sharp claws extended from its hands, and its mouth gaped open to reveal razor-sharp teeth.
"Nodoka no Oni is born," her master said, amusement and - was it pride? - in his voice.
"What now, my lord?" Nodoka asked.
"Now?" Her master laughed. "Now, it begins."
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(Posted Wed, 28 Jul 2004 03:42)
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