Makings of a Monster

Tamoko didn't have to wait for long. The group arrived as expected, a little disheveled and out of breath. They have fought recently. Whom, I wonder? Tamoko stood in her best battle posture, drawing strength of the image of her Daidoji ancestors, cunning generals and brave foot soldiers, all looking at her approvingly from Yomi, the sphere of Blessed Ancestors. It didn't look good - she was alone against the six of them - but cowardice was the one dishonor she had never been drawn to. She greeted her opponent.

- "Hello again, Peri. I fear this time I am not here to speak, and must take up arms against you. You have done as you must, as have I. Sarevok knows of my treachery, you know. He has forsaken me, left me to die in your path. He won't listen to me unless I regain his trust by defeating you, and should you defeat me, I will be dead here under this miserable city and never be buried at the land of my ancestors. I have no choice."

- "I'd rather not fight you, Tamoko," answered Peri. "You helped me, and I'd hate to see another brave person killed for Sarevok's madness." Tamoko saw respect in her level eyes.
- "You must! I'm an obstacle, I stand before you. You don't understand. There is but love and loyalty, or then honor, even in death. Should I leave without fighting, I would only be a shell, given up my soul."
- "You are right, I don't understand," answered Peri quietly. "We will fight, then."

Tamoko used all the skill she had, feeling yet again proud of being a Crane, if a former one and a ronin, and a lover of a criminal. She managed to wound the large warrior and Peri both, but the magic hit her, hurting her, slowing her down, and the magician summoned small, fierce creatures who attacked her and confused the skillful rhythm of her fighting. Then she felt a horrifying, grasping pain in her back and dropped on her knees, starting to pass out. This was now it, the honorable death of Daidoji Tamoko. She knew her vital organs were punctured and bleeding.

- "No gloating, Montaron!" she heard Peri strictly saying. "She fought bravely."
Gritting her teeth, Tamoko pulled the wakizashi from her sash. She did as she had been taught to, thought about the transitory nature of cherry blossoms, and never hesitating cut deep into her abdomen, yanking upwards. With her last strength she told Peri:
- "Behead me... behead..." and then, just darkness.

Sarevok felt the underground river flow harder than ever before. He felt like his suit of armor was alive of itself, channeling the power of the father, consoling him in his rage and frustration at his ruined plans. He regarded the few companions he had left. Angelo, the corrupt Flaming Fist captain, nowhere else to go. Tazok, the half-orc and bandit leader, who already considered Sarevok a god for him god was nothing but an extremely powerful warrior. And young Semaj, Winski's apprentice with hollow soul and eyes. Winski had said that he was very talented, but somewhat frightening as well.

Sarevok thought of the nobles and the Dukes, the public outrage the revelation of his plans would cause. All those people looking up at him, expecting him to lead them and solve their problems would now hurry to tell how they always knew there was something wrong with him, how they always secretly planned to oppose him. He still had the blood, didn't he? Still the prophecy held true, still there was time to ignite the power in it, and show them all. Sarevok would finally be free of everything human in him, every bit of weakness, every fear and every doubt. Winski and Tamoko, the people he once had thought he loved - traitors, opportunists, all of them. People deserved nothing but lords over them, those who had the strength to ascend. He would be the Lord of Murder. He would be worthy.

The doors were opened, and the sister came in. Her plate mail was splattered with blood, her eyes flashing, her hair wild and even beautiful. Beautiful like only a daughter of Murder can be.
- "“You are indeed family,” Sarevok said, his deep voice booming in the hall. “No other could have lived to oppose me in person. Of course, it will not matter in the end. Ultimately I will prevail, and a new era will be born unto the Realms.”
- "Why the boasting, Sarevok? It makes an amateurish impression," answered Peri, just looking at him. "And how desirable could that be, playing god with the other godlings in a sulphurpuddle? Would even melt your rubber duck."
- "Save your taunts, sister," answered Sarevok. "You know precisely how much of an amateur I am."
- "I know," answered Peri. "But are you really so gone that you don't see? This blood is not a nice thing at all. I know it's call, its damnable lure, but it comes with strings attached. We could learn a lot from each other in trying to live with it, and still keeping ourselves, our own souls. I made a promise to a remarkable person... a promise to let go of my revenge, to not spill your blood."

- "There is nothing to learn, fool!" yelled Sarevok, feeling that he had to end this discussion quickly. He didn't want to face the penetrating look on Peri's face, not to answer her questions. He felt father encouraging him in the beating of his heart. "I have tamed the Slayer in me and use him as I see fit! The god is dead but his power is there, waiting for a will! That will is mine, and all others will fall by the wayside! Come and face your brother! Face me! Face the new Lord of Murder! Angelo! Tazok! Semaj! Let's finish this now!" Sarevok charged in rage, not really seeing anyone but Peri, who shook hear head in disbelief and sadness, then parried Sarevok's blow.

Anger. So much anger. All forbidden fear, all helplessness of childhood driven away by this anger knowing no bounds, fueled by the godsblood. Sarevok saw a vision of Peri's face flickering, changing into the face of himself as a child. This was a person he wanted to murder even more than Peri, and the child was crying, and reaching his unarmed hands to him, pleading, wanting to be rescued. Sarevok's blade cut at the disgusting, helpless being, then again at Peri, who made a really close one, almost cutting him into ribs.

Peri fought like he did, in joy, purpose, uncontrolled rage, with savage blows, holding a large two-handed sword. This was their private dance, the rest of them were just outsiders providing for the music and fireworks. An iron taste of blood in his mouth, out of breath Sarevok managed to cut her sister's face. It was bleeding hideously, and yet Peri went on as she had before. It felt like hours, and they had lost awareness of their companions, two beasts fighting for survival. They were out of breath, bleeding from superficial cuts, starting to wobble.

- "Sarevok... your armor..." wheezed Peri... "looks ridiculous."
Nobody had ever told him so. He felt as if someone had slapped him in face, as he was pretty proud of the design. He roared in rage and the unexpected surge of strength helped him to cut through Peri's armor. His aim was a bit off, however, and the stab wasn't lethal even though Peri gasped and twitched in pain. She produced a dagger sheathed on her thigh and cut Sarevok's throat. The large warrior was stunned, then fell on his back, blood gushing from his opened artery. Peri... won... but his anger was spent, there was just wonder, and strange emptiness.
The girl was regarding her, not looking particularly triumphant.
- "I don't... fear... death..." whispered Sarevok. Peri nodded, looked him with an unreadable expression for a few seconds, and then Sarevok was no more.