Series: Shadow Demons||Title: Weapon of the Amber Goddess
Characters: Asuka, Fubuki||Ship: N/A
Chapters: 1-1||Words: 1,500
Genre: General||Rated: G
Challenges: Diversity Writing: YGO GX: Shadow Demons: C13: randomly generated words appeara in the story
Notes: I enjoyed coming up with Asuka's role in the larger universe here. And while I haven't told everything, it's not impossible to work it out.
Summary: Asuka's not sure which is more irritating - clearing out a destroyed vampire's lair or the angel of love who keeps showing up after she's done the job.
There was nothing quite like the feeling of her stake slamming into whatever twisted, desiccated organ vampires had that roughly served as a heart.
Except perhaps the smooth sensation of her sword cutting off the creature's head.
Cleaning up after a slaying never took too long, not where taking care of the body itself was concerned. Once staked and beheaded, a vampire's body crumbled into dust in a matter of moments. No muss, no fuss, no grave needing to be dug. All Asuka had to do was sweep up the mess and then sort through whatever they left behind in the way of prisoners and possessions.
This one had a solid five captives it had drunk from on a regular basis, and a treasure horde that could equal a young dragon's. Asuka released the prisoners and provided each one with a small share of the treasure to help them start their lives again somewhere else.
"Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, warrior," one of them said, starting to kneel before her. Asuka shook her head, gesturing the woman to her feet.
"There's no need for that. Just go out and do your best." That as all she'd ever asked of people – and to hopefully avoid the night to be caught by a vampire again.
She did send them on their way with something else – a tiny chip of amber set in a small scrap of silver, perfect for wearing around the neck.
"These have all been blessed, but if you think the protection might be wearing thin, you can have them blessed again at any local temple," she told them before they headed off.
Full of thanks for their rescue, the former captives headed for the nearest city, while Asuka started to make plans to get all of the remaining treasure back to the nearest Order stronghold. She wanted to get as much of it packed up as possible before he showed up.
"Nice haul!"
Too late.
He leaned against her wagon, wings spread ever so slightly, admiring one of the necklaces she'd put in there. "Hey, could I have this? I know this really cute djinn and this would match his eyes so nicely."
Asuka rolled her own eyes. "Will it keep you from bothering me?" The Order could suffer the loss of one necklace.
"Maybe." The emerald necklace vanished so quickly she almost suspected him of being a pickpocket instead of an angel. "So, how've things been with you, little sister?"
She shook her head. "I wish you wouldn't call me that." But the angel Fubuki always called her that, and never explained why. All he ever said was that she'd know eventually.
There were times she thought she knew, but she refused to think about it too much. There were things she didn't want to know right now.
"Want some help getting all of this on the cart? It's going to take you forever on your own," Fubuki offered.
"With or without magic?" Asuka demanded, though she knew the answer.
He sniffed, tips of his wings twitching. "Magic, of course. Your little cart can't take all of that without some help. This guy hoarded treasure for at least three centuries. Might have been four or five." He shrugged. "Don't worry. If anyone shows up, you're the only one I'm visible to."
Asuka raised one eyebrow. "Really. So anyone else would just see treasure floating from there to the cart, and the cart holding a lot more than it should."
"You're part of the Order of the Amber Goddess!" Fubuki's eyes went wide and innocent. "Do you really think anyone would report you for that?"
Everyone knew the Order of the Amber Goddess had access to certain abilities. None of which had anything at all to do with stacking more treasure into a cart. But she sighed.
No one else is going to come poking around here. Everyone as too afraid to come check the place out. That might change once those she'd released started to spread their stories around, but now remained the best chance to get it all taken care of.
"All right. But let's hurry." She started towards the open door, not especially looking forward to going back in there. Like most vampire havens, it was cold, damp, and cramped. Since she'd thrown every window open to let the sunlight in – what sunlight found its way here – the smell wasn't as musty as it had been, but she still didn't like it.
Fubuki rested one hand on her shoulder. She shivered at the touch – the feeling of angelic flesh touching her own had never felt right.
Or if she wanted to be truthful with herself it felt very right, and she knew that it wasn't supposed to. Mortals weren't supposed to be touched by angels.
She pushed his hand off of her and stepped away. "I've told you not to do that." She was about to enter the fortress again, but he stepped in front of her.
"You don't have to do that." He gestured with one wing. "Go sit down. You've already done enough today. I said I was going to do this and I am."
Before she could take so much as another step, he waved one hand in one of the most extravagant motions she'd ever seen. Asuka didn't even think words existed to describe it. Did he also wiggle? She thought he wiggled.
Between one breath and the next, the treasure, heaps of gold and silver and gemstones, bars and coins and jewelry and items of all kinds, nestled into her cart. The horse hitched to it shifted and twitched, tail lashing a little. Asuka went to soothe the gelding; she suspected animals could see Fubuki, but she'd never been able to be sure.
"I think that's everything," Fubuki said. He flickered out of sight, then reappeared. "That's everything! Your horse should be able to pull it all – at least as long as I go with you."
She drummed her fingers on her arm for a few heartbeats while he smiled sweetly at her. Nothing she said would deter him – she knew that very well. This wouldn't even be close to the first time that he came back with her – the head of the Order even marveled before at how much she could stack into a simple cart and still have the gelding being able to carry it all.
I think she knows, Asuka mused as she settled her gear into the cart and got up into the seat. Fubuki settled next to her, one wing companionably folding around her. Once again he wasn't going to listen to her.
But it did make for a comfortable ride back. Under normal circumstances the cart wasn't uncomfortable, but when he rode with her, she could almost convince herself she relaxed in bed in her own personal rooms at the main stronghold. At least until Fubuki said something to remind her of his existence.
Slowly the horse moved forward, taking them away from the vampire's crumbling lair. She'd never enjoyed tiny, cramped vampire lairs. Horrible planning, in her opinion.
You'd think that they would take the time to build something with some room to it. They're immortal.
At least immortal until she got to them. A stake and a sword finished a vampire quite nicely. She suspected many of those she hadn't reached thirsted for her blood – but they would never have it. She not only carried defensive charms to protect herself asleep or awake, but she never let herself sleep anywhere a vampire could reach her.
Always within four walls and always with her best charms and wards active, with no fewer than three stakes, her sword, and three knives close at hand. She gave no quarter and expected none.
She'd lived like that ever since she'd first left the stronghold at the age of fifteen. Always keep yourself protected, her teachers told her. Those vampires who sought to slay and enslave without remorse knew that the Hunters of the Amber Goddess would come for them sooner or later. They would be ready for her so she needed to be ready for them.
Sometimes she wondered what the Goddess really looked like. Like most of the gods and angels – and sometimes even demons – there were never any true descriptions of them. All of her holy symbols were images of the sun with a sword and a stake crossed beneath them – those who served the Amber Goddess were the antithesis of all evil undead. Perhaps she'd find out one day, when her luck inevitably ran out.
I'll have to put up with him forever then, she mused, letting his babble flow over her without really listening to it. She had years of practice doing that.
Perhaps once she stood in the presence of the Goddess, he would find someone else to pester. But something deep in her heart told Asuka she'd have to put up with Fubuki for a very long time.
The End
Notes: I have other interesting ideas - like what happens if Asuka met demon prince Ryou. Her speciality is vampires, but who knows...
I originally wanted this to be a part of those drabbles I wrote using 'kneel' but then it grew another thousand words.
Also, the randomly generated words were: report, visible, open, quarters, personal, grave, deter, and loss.
Lastly, guesses on who that green-eyed djinn is?