Mythology - TemaRui
It wasn't the first time they'd met like this – and with the way those mortals bickered, it certainly wouldn't be the last.
Technically, they were enemies, borne of two lands, two faiths, but to the same purpose… War. They were often called upon by their separate worshippers, to each destroy the other; but such petty things had never constricted them, even as rivals. There was far more to admire in their sole equal, than in the hundreds and thousands of fleeting lives ending around them, quick and messy and so, so insignificant.
Not like the vision of Temari, gliding in on wings finer than silk, but stronger than iron, the wind dancing wildly around her, idly sweeping away whole regiments, her dark eyes teasing and enticing, as she struck at her rival with her scarred battle-fans.
Not like the thrill of Karui, dancing around the field, crashes of thunder following her movements, too fast to see, but for the brief flashes of gold and the graceful trailing of red, the tickle of warm laughter against a long neck, the quirk of a beautiful mouth, her ornate, pristine blades mocking, keeping the unbearable distance between them.
They fought for no side, for no reason, other than a selfish desire to clash against an equal, seeking those brief moments where skin met skin and when they stared each other down so close, that they breathed the same air.
It wasn't a battle that would ever be won – not even the slaughter of their peoples would decide it, their existence would long surpass such fragile things as civilisation – but in this one case, they would not seek to overwhelm, to conquer, to destroy, for be without each other, would be far worse a fate, than to lose all the battles on Earth. No pride would be worth those moments after battle, when the air was still and sticky with blood, when the two Goddesses of War were left panting and calmed, leaning on each other for support, heads touching as they took these far-too-short moments where they could truly bask in the other's beauty, hands twisted together and murmured praises and promises trapped between them.
Soon they would have to leave and it would be a time for their respective populations to recover, but they knew they would meet again in this bitter clash of hate and fear, where love had unexpectedly thrived, and that was all that was needed.