Chapter 6
Weeks morphed into months, spare time spent reading, Kara determined to find solution to issue of her 'captivity.' Frown lines prominent, she made a fist. She wasn't captured, wrapped up in net, precious creature, awaiting kidnap.
Fair maiden wasn't applicable, Kara's tongue did not hold venom for the man who saved her.
It held venom for one, whom she, at one time considered family, guardian, watching her grow, obtain wounds, cry, stand up, begin fighting again, determination anew.
Blinking tears, salt sting irking, Kara returned gaze to current book:
Anthology of Aztec: Old Gods
Xiuhtecuhtli: God of Fire, Life after Death, Time, Father of the Gods.
She found Turquoise between index, reference page, shade that of Kotal's paint, semi-precious, its meaning vast. She held it, prayer that all was alright on Earthrealm, in her home.
She missed her parents, her phone, Cassie's swearing, Takeda's earnestness, Jacqui's brashness, Jin's uncertainty, Sonya, commanding those under her wing.
Kotal, despite standing was kind (for the most part), dazzling, he protected her, what he promised, he kept.
Kara decided, long ago she couldn't possibly dislike him, no matter what anyone else thought.
Kotal stayed away from the woman, staring at his crystal. Unvoiced emotion struck him, swallow, throat bob palpable, considering this to be sign of something lingering.
He played it off as in the ether, but knew better.
His Lapis Lazuli had fused with Kara's Amethyst, closeness undeniable, darkness unable to hide it for much longer, fusion intense mauve.
He shouldn't feel lonely in his abode.
It shouldn't feel cold, when someone lay with you, under you, on top, doing their best to satisfy you, when you feel numb, release warmth, failing to sprout contentment expected afterwards.
Emptiness, in huge shell was vast, dark clouds shrouding thoughts, casting them into shadow, scattering pieces in all directions, until no longer coherent.
Normality became sought after, God's bitter, caustic laughter confirmed level, nowhere near normality had been achieved at any point in his life.
Standing, Kotal located woman he spoke to about anything and nothing, seeking company he'd grown used to.
Grown fond of.
He admitted fact to himself, whilst waking beside another...
"All paths lead to fire, huh?"
Kara turned, holding open book, picture of God she'd given up on trying to pronounce his name, giving Emperor simper.
"No matter what I pick up, close my eyes, randomly peruse sections, I end up picking something involving you. Now," wry eyed, "that either tells me you're exceptionally vain, or I am drawn to you."
Kotal held up his stone, Kara noting difference in shape.
"That tells me latter. Okay."
She blinked, very aware of stagnant pause, large, looming shadow in doorway.
"Let me get mine." She winked. "Count to ten..."
"Um...," Kara grimaced, "mine isn't entwined in yours. That means you feel closer to me than I to you."
She paced, worried, raking hand through hair.
"I don't...I don't really know what to say. Do I mean that much? Please," she sped through words, mile a minute, "don't misunderstand me. That's exceptionally kind."
Leaving her to do the talking, Emperor held his tongue? He looked like he'd swallowed it, breaths shallow, hands fumbling, Kara finding that utterly charming.
He, Emperor of Outworld was nervous, around her?
Wanting to bolster, not poke fun, Kara went with honest, with hints of levity.
"I thought you were seeing...I didn't think to ask for her name, wasn't necessary."
"Verilynn. No. I sought sparks, they fizzled out. I ask much, wished for layers, more than physical."
"Two and two together? You wanted relationship, Verilynn wanted sex?"
Kara appreciated that Kotal was modern in views, aware that women, too enjoyed sex, as well as intimacy, though, clearly, not all.
She ascribed to former.
"I'm flattered. It takes me longer to fall."
Kara opened up, offering hand, purposefully walking up to Kotal.
"Caveat? You know next to nothing about me. I allow you to look into my mind. That sound alright, official?"
Snort earned her wide grin, warmth fuelling heart to thud. The woman practically melted when he agreed, taking her hands, peering into open mind, as open as the books, scattered through room...
Kara's life played before the Emperor's eyes, tottering child, solemn infant, before Grandfather's grave, brave teen, training alongside acolytes, older teen, falling for another, Kara letting him see her fall, heart worn on sleeve, entwining bodies, two souls resonating wondrous melody. The two eventually split, on amicable terms.
What should be immensely private became intimately exquisite, given woman letting him view her naked, through her eyes.
Kotal wouldn't take advantage, his eyes trained on events forthcoming, Kara's receptiveness different but valued.
The woman began struggling. Early twenties, she was unable to find herself, her place. Her parents meant well, bringing girl up to think of others, before herself. This caused her to place her own problems further down list of priorities.
When they hit her, they struck all at once, click of fingers, world crashing, tumbling bricks, mortar decayed.
Pouring out of her, Kara spoke with Raiden, Elder God giving her permission to let loose, telekinetic energy, immense strength enacted, needing to 'explode' in safe, controlled atmosphere.
Friends rallied round, Kotal captivated by how easily Kara fit in, true self radiant, others seeking her light.
He wished to find it.
He would be patient, heart fluttering.
Kara eased burden, weight of indignation towards the thunderer. She knew he didn't like him, blue working its way into her aura.
Bubble. Kotal wished to place her in one, shelter her from storm, wrathful intent.
Kara held him, nestling head directly over his heart, with effort from tiptoes...
Opening hazels, Kara partially uncurled fingers, peeking at gem pieces, seeing them conjoined.
"Well," soft hazel twinkle offset budding cheeks, and Gods knew, each and all Kotal was gazing upon celestial being, "would you look at that? It would seem you found me, within memory, and there are many to recollect. We'd be here days on end, were I to show them in their entirety. I'm grateful, grateful I get to be myself, bird, free to fly."
"Unable to truly fly, freedom hidden, wing beats keeping you rooted, Outworld your cage."
Kotal's tone fluttered worry, skittering in the air.
"Do you want me to go back? Find a way?"
Meek, daring, growing courageous by the second, Kara gave her emotions to Kotal.
"Selfishly? I do not."
Beam grew.
"I'm reconsidering. Raiden doesn't want me there, cut off all contact. Perhaps my future lies here. Raiden saw that, didn't like us getting along?"
Kara turned, pointing towards the garden pathway.
"I'm taking a stroll, bought some seeds. Care to help me plant them?"
"Whilst we 'get along?' Yes."
Kara laughed, sparing blushes by heading to door.
"Indeed..."
"Unused to Summer. I find I like it, though not at night. Sleeping naked, without sheets is strange. Almost feels suggestive."
Kotal raised brows, Kara waving hands, gracefully spinning.
"What? You've seen me. Tell me if I speak out of turn, please?"
Arched brow arching further, woman blinking, the Emperor shook his head.
"I value honesty, secretive subject little matter. Alas, I saw your arms, covering form, through your eyes. Did I pry?"
Brunette locks curtained face, mouth open, jaw working.
"That sounded a tad disappointed?" Surreptitious wink failed to summon reaction Kara wanted. "You saw Snake? I ought to let him know, apologise, for not getting his permission. Honestly thought you only saw me. I knew you wouldn't be perverted, though it wouldn't have been. Would I let you view me like that, in such an intimate moment, if I thought you base? You're anything but."
"Thoughts, mind, body are sacred. I chose virtue over lust long ago."
"I didn't...," woman snickered, pack of strawberry seeds in hand, trowel her other, "if I get ahead of myself, tell me. I can handle it."
Clicking neck, fingers, Kotal prepared to fight.
"Fighting over talking. May convert me to it, if you try hard enough."
Dropping implements, Kara laughed, readying herself.
Kara made herself hard to hit, making power, honed over millennia look like lumbering, giant of man's mental capacity whittled away by lighter, agile, sneaky woman.
If Kotal didn't know her, he'd say gust of wind would topple her, he could flick her and she'd tumble to the floor.
Kara baited him, seemingly wanting him to hit her? Strength reigned in, lead circling conniption, Kotal knew it'd be insult, to deny her.
It'd also tear open his chest, if he physically damaged the mortal.
Demi-Goddess...
Corrected, the Emperor corrected himself.
Kara grew frustrated, training alongside men, being hit by men, surviving, not being flattened, in and out of consciousness, world fuzzy. If Lin Kuei acolytes struck her, and she didn't end up heap on the floor? She could handle a God, battling Raiden, Fujin multiple times.
They may have been on the same side (not anymore), both knew she wanted kombat. Judgement for size differences was unfair, unwarranted.
Bulk, slight, towering, short? Didn't matter. What did was strength of conviction, heart's intent.
By attention the Emperor gave her, Kara gleaned reticence, for her benefit.
For his, she grabbed an arm, pulling it, yanking joint, diverting eyes from her to limb, Kara threw Kotal, straight over shoulder, locking limb in place, her hip anchor.
Response, fire flew up it, singing arm hairs, hairs on Kara's hand. She flew back, free hand controlling, directing power away with her, as she backed off, gleam in eyes, shaking form, breath ripped from her harsh, ragged.
Barking order, Kara teleported next to Emperor, telekinetic energy soothing tainted skin.
"Get up. Give me something other than minor injury. I'll make it easier for you."
Riling him, she fucking knew it would, forcing her to brace, put the breaks on, Kotal grabbed her, hauling himself up, defiant hazels tinged purple, their gem poking his chest, tiny 'weapon' of sorts, definition of weak.
For them? It held colossal meaning, unspoken words on tongue, expression twitching facial features.
Slim fingers clutched it, only source of life, peace, hearth's fire surrounding her, thicker digits joining hers, keeping her close as close could be.
She'd move if she were distressed.
She moved up, damned if she were unable to make some sort of move, never humiliate, further humiliate the Emperor.
When Kotal moved downward, Kara's stomach twisted, honey coating throat to lower abdomen, sweetness making tears rush to eyes.
Kissing him meant she wouldn't leave Outworld, without him.
Holding him meant she couldn't possibly leave Outworld, without him.
Kara would rather he rip out her heart, than that.
Anything but that...