Author's note: I wrote this story a while back, and didn't want to not publish something today. Hope you people like it! Also, I am still open to requests. Enjoy!
Qiyana x Taliyah
••••
"I am the only one fit to rule," Qiyana grunted as she slashed a training dummy, "Those sisters of mine are nothing but weakness with a pretty exterior." She slashed again and dashed away. Qiyana shouted, "Why is it that I cannot rule?" "Madam, your sisters are all older than you; it is highly unlikely that you will rule," her caretaker Enta replied calmly. Enta, an elderly lady, was in charge of Qiyana since she was born. She too had white hair and dark skin like Qiyana. Although she was given the task of taking care of Qiyana, it was more like being the mother that Qiyana never had. Being the sixth child in the family, it was like she didn't even exist. Her mother and father only cared for their eldest, and not about the others. They trained the eldest as hard as they could to take their place on the throne, ignoring everything else. However, no matter how hard they tried, their eldest could not perform up to par. Still, her age advantage gave her full rights to the throne. Enta walked up to Qiyana and placed her hand on the girl's shoulder. "Daughter, you must train as hard as possible, and in ritual combat you may take the throne," Enta stated. "I need not to train anymore," Qiyana angrily growled back, "That klutz of a sister will be easily defeated by me." "Still, the more training the better," Enta reminded her. Qiyana muttered a response and resumed dashing around and slashing the dummy. She continued to do so, until it was time to eat their evening meal. They didn't live in the royal palace, but in a small hut in the edge of the Ixtal jungle. She dropped her blade on the ground, and walked inside. Enta was stirring a pot of Ixtali boar stew, which was beside a loaf of fresh baked bread. She sat down as Enta brought the simmering pot onto the table then brought the bread. Qiyana retrieved 2 bowls made of wood, and 2 forks. Enta scooped the stew into the bowls and ripped off a chunk of bread for each of them. They began eating in silence until Qiyana spoke.
"When is the crowning again?" She asked. "One week," Enta replied.
"I will become the princess of Ixtal and rule the jungle, instead of that insolent fool that is my sister," Qiyana spit with anger.
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On the day of the crowning of the princess, Qiyana was preparing.
"You should change into something more appropriate for the event, young one," Enta advised.
"I will become the princess of Ixtal, and I will wear what I want," Qiyana huffed. A couple of hours later, Qiyana and Enta were making their way to the royal palace. As they entered, they were ushered into a large room with a sea of chairs split in half, and a platform in the front. Qiyana and her caretaker took their seats, and waited for the crowning to begin. "Hear ye, hear ye," a butler in a white and gold announced, "This is the crowning of Quana, to the rank of princess." The ceremony dragged on, until Qiyana's ears perked up when the king was proclaiming,
"My daughter shall become the princess today, and if any wants to challenge for her title, then stand up and call your name." Qiyana instantly rose and shouted,
"She is no princess, and I shall challenge for her title." Many attendees gasped in shock, while others murmured in shock. Qiyana slowly made her way to the platform, raised up her weapon, and shouted, " I, Qiyana, challenge my sister, Quana, for the title of princess in ritual combat." She walked off the platform and exited the room.
"Well uh, this is unexpected, but we shall hold this duel in the sparring room," the king said loudly over the ruckus of the crowd, "Please make your way to the sparring room while the fighters prepare." All the people began to shuffle out and were guided into another room by the butlers. Outside, Qiyana was talking with Enta.
"I will win this for you, Enta, and we will not be looked down upon anymore," Qiyana stated.
"Very well, but do take care of yourself," Enta replied. They both walked back into the building and into the sparring room. There they found Quana with a broadsword in the center of the stage. As Qiyana stepped in, a priest announced,
" Now, Qiyana is challenging Quana for the title of princess; whoever eliminates the other or if one surrenders, the other shall become princess." As the priest stepped out he shouted, " Begin!" Qiyana instantly dashed to the side of Quana and knocked her broadsword out of her hands. Quana, who was slower and less intelligent, reacted much later. "Go pick your blade up," Qiyana taunted. As Quana did so, Qiyana leaped away and went into a defensive stance. Quana charged forward and slashed at Qiyana, who deflected the move with ease. She spun around and slammed the side of her circular weapon and slashed her sister in the face, drawing much blood.
She proclaimed, "I am the new princess!" A deafening roar erupted from the crowd, though Qiyana was not sure what it was for.
"Get out right now!"Qiyana looked at the king, red faced and yelling madly, and was shoved out. Guards approached and proceeded to shove Qiyana out of the palace. She hastily grabbed her weapon and left. She ran as fast as she could out of the palace and into the Ixtali jungle.
"Stupid mutt, that king," she spat disdainfully, " I should be queen, not that pathetic brat." She continued dashing and leaping left and right to make sure she was not being followed. Apparently, although the tradition to take someone's title by ritual combat was not as it seemed. Or, her sister was spoiled by her parents who only wanted Quana on the throne. Either way, she wasn't the next heir to the throne, and she would never be queen unless she destroyed the city. She slowed her pace to a stroll, and began breathing deeply. She closed her eyes and sat down on the roots of a large tree and slept. When she opened her eyes, she saw something. It looked a bit like jagged rocks, but on a tree. She raised herself off the ground and walked towards it. When she reached it, she realized it was a cape of some sort. Peering to the other side, she saw that it was a girl, obviously exhausted from something. The girl, dark skinned and short haired, stirred a little bit. She had an orange cape and tunic that was so stained with dirt that it could be called brown, and brown shoes by her side. Qiyana nudged the dark skinned girl awake, who stirred and opened her eyes. "Who are you," she said with a start, "why did you wake me?"
"I am Qiyana, and I am wondering why you were sleeping here," Qiyana replied.
"I got pretty tired from saving Shiruma from some evil laser vase thing who was fighting a man-dog while helping a bounty hunter recover from a concussion, and I would appreciate if you could let me have my beauty sleep," the girl replied.
"You still didn't tell me your name," Qiyana stated.
"Taliyah," she replied, "Please leave now and let me sleep in peace."
"Whatever," Qiyana replied. She walked away, back towards her hut and Enta. As she entered, Enta stood up.
"It seems as if the ritual combat process is not as it seems, daughter," the elder woman sighed, "The king has outlawed such practice, but he is letting you go untouched but without the title of princess."
"All to protect that stupid monkey-brained sister of mine," Qiyana spat angrily, "Who will destroy the Ixtali throne." Qiyana dashed outside, picked up her weapon, and started slashing her training dummy. Enta sighed and stood up, and began to make their dinner. A week passed with nothing much except for Qiyana's intense training from morning to night. Her only goal was to single-handedly take the throne of Ixtal. One night, two weeks after Qiyana attempted to become princess, she and Enta were sitting at their table eating a portion of roast boar and wild grains. Enta looked up in surprise as a thump sounded at their door. Qiyana stood up and looked through the peephole. She saw nothing, so she opened the door. On the ground lay Taliyah, with a large slash on her back, still bleeding a little. She appeared to be unconscious, so Qiyana hoisted the short haired girl inside, and lay her on Qiyana's bed.
"Who is this?" asked Enta.
"I have no idea, but she is injured badly so I will have to take care of her," Qiyana lied. Enta stood up and retrieved some healing ointment and a towel, then made her way over to the injured girl. Qiyana was quick, soaking up some of the blood with a cloth after removing Taliyah's cape. When Qiyana had soaked up most of the blood, Enta spread ointment on the slash and placed the towel on it.
"I think she fainted from blood loss, but how she got that wound is a mystery," Enta stated. Qiyana said nothing but placed more healing ointment on the wound and left the room with Enta.
"You can sleep in my bed, and I can sleep in the dining room," Enta offered.
"No, that's alright; I can get a spare blanket and sleep on the floor next to my bed," Qiyana politely declined, "You're older than me, so you should have the bed."
Enta replied, "Alright, young one." A few hours later, Qiyana was laying on the floor next to her bed where Taliyah lay. She closed her eyes and went to sleep, dreaming of taking over Ixtal. Qiyana awoke with a start. A morning sunlight was peeping through the window, but something was off. A voice from the side sounded, "Qiyana, is that you?" Qiyana turned to face the bed. How could she have forgotten? She had taken in Taliyah and helped mend her wound with Enta.
"Yes, it's me," Qiyana replied. "How did I get here?" "Where's Renekton?" "Where am I?" "Where are my clothes?" Taliyah asked rapidly. "You're currently in my hut in the Ixtal jungle, You came to it and fell against the door, and I took your top clothing off to bandage your wound, but about this Renekton person I have no idea," Qiyana answered calmly. Taliyah groaned as she tried getting up, but lay back down on the bed in pain. Taliyah asked, "How long have I been here?"
"Only one night,"Qiyana informed her, "You should rest until your wound is healed."
"I can't stay here; I'm too much of a burden for you to take care of," Taliyah replied.
"I have Enta, my caretaker to help me," Qiyana said, "So sleep more and heal faster." Taliyah nodded and put her head on the pillow as she fell back asleep. "Looks like you'll have to train quieter, Qiyana," Enta said from behind her, "Do you know her name?"
"Taliyah," came the reply, "I think the wound is from something called Renekton."
"Let's eat now," Enta reminded Qiyana, "It'll be noon very soon." Qiyana and Enta walked into the dining room; Qiyana fetched two plates while Enta took a stored loaf of bread and some cheese to the table.
"What do you plan to do with this Taliyah, Qiyana?" Enta asked.
"When she is fully recovered, she can either leave or stay," Qiyana said simply. After eating, Qiyana took some bread and cheese to Taliyah while Enta cleaned up. Qiyana woke Taliyah up, and offered some bread to the injured girl. "Thank you for taking me in and feeding me," Taliyah said before Qiyana pushed some food in her mouth.
"No problem, I just did what any person would do," Qiyana replied. She continued feeding Taliyah small bits of cheese and bread. Qiyana broke the silence by asking, "How did you get this bad of a wound?"
"I was fighting a demi-god called Renekton, who is half crocodile-half man, and he somehow slashed me; I managed to escape to the nearest hut I could find, which was here," Taliyah explained.
"Why would a normal girl like you fight a demi-god like Renekton?" Qiyana questioned further.
"I'm no ordinary girl; I'm a weaver. A stone weaver to be exact, and I was just helping someone escape him," Taliyah explained. Qiyana asked, "So you can control stone?" "Yes, pretty much," Taliyah explained as she propped her upper odd up using her elbows. She then asked,"What are you, that you live in this jungle?"
"I am nothing in my father the king's eyes, so I live here and train." Qiyana said, anger hinting in her voice. She explained the recent events, and how she could have become the heir to the throne. "Stupid damned king, protecting Quana with his life," Qiyana muttered.
"What is your weapon?" Taliyah inquired. Qiyana walked outside and fetched her circular blade. She infused it with the element of grass, making it glow green. Taliyah asked, "What other element can be fused into this weapon?"
"Stone and water," came the reply. Enta called Qiyana, who walked into the dining room. "You should apply some more healing ointment to her back," Enta stated. Qiyana took some ointment and a clean towel from a cabinet and walked into her bedroom.
"I'm going to remove the cloth from your back, and it might hurt; please don't move around or you'll delay the healing of your wound," she said.
"Ok," a helpless Taliyah responded. She groaned in pain as Qiyana removed the towel off her back. Qiyana then spread some ointment on Taliyah's back, who hissed at the touch of ointment.
"This was so much easier when you were unconscious," Qiyana remarked. After spreading the ointment thoroughly, she placed the towel on her back, told Taliyah to sleep, and left. She left the room as Taliyah's eyes were closing, and ate dinner with Enta. The next morning, she woke up beside Taliyah again. She walked into the dining room where Enta was warming up some bread and leftover boar. After a quick meal, Qiyana placed some of the bread and boar on a plate with a cup of water, then made her way to Taliyah. She shook her awake, and ripped off a small chunk of bread. Although Taliyah could move, it was not without pain or discomfort. Taliyah finished the meal and water in silence as Qiyana watched. Qiyana took the plate and cup into the kitchen, and returned to her room.
"Is there any chance that I could use the restroom?" Taliyah asked.
"Sure, just follow me," Qiyana responded. She got up, but notice Taliyah still laying down. "Can you please help me get up?" Taliyah requested. "Sure," Qiyana said. Qiyana knelt beside the bed and Taliyah put her hands on Qiyana's shoulders. Taliyah lifted herself into an upright position, only then noticing her naked upper body. Qiyana had but a moment to gaze at the sight, for Taliyah blushed and covered her breasts with an arm. Qiyana also blushed, and exited the room. She returned straight faced and had Taliyah's cape, all clean. "Put this on your shoulders and cover yourself," Qiyana commanded. Taliyah obeyed, noticing the change in Qiyana's tone. Taliyah put her hands on Qiyana's shoulders as Qiyana stood up. The Ixtali was taller, so Taliyah had to reach up, stretching her back. Although it hurt Taliyah, she was guided to the bathroom by Qiyana. It was a small seat made of stone, and the waste was transported to an underground dump. There was a pump which obtained water from a lake that fed a reservoir, and a large bucket presumably used for bathing. Taliyah awkwardly realized something, then said it.
"Can you help me pull down my pants?" Taliyah managed to stutter awkwardly. Qiyana blushed and replied, "Oh, right, I forgot about that." She turned her head around and pulled Taliyah's pants off. She walked out of the bathroom and told Taliyah to notify her when she was done. After a few minutes, Taliyah called for Qiyana, who walked right into the bathroom. She had apparently forgotten about Taliyah's situation, and walked back outside the bathroom while blushing. When she was a bit calmer, Qiyana walked into the bathroom with her head turned around. She grabbed blindly in search of Taliyah's pants, but grabbed Taliyah's thighs instead. Taliyah blushed as Qiyana's hands made their way down to her pants and pulled them back on. Taliyah held onto Qiyana and stood up while groaning in pain. After they had made their way to the bed, Taliyah sighed.
"Sorry for being a burden here," she apologized, "And about that whole bathroom situation."
"It's fine," Qiyana waved it off as nothing, but was secretly very embarrassed and confused. Why did she blush so much around Taliyah? Why did she not look away from Taliyah's naked body at first glance? Why was she so tense around her? Qiyana left the room, and began training again. When Enta called her in for dinner, she came in and found Enta placing Taliyah on a chair.
"She is still a bit weak, but when she recovers we have to get her back in shape," Enta told Qiyana. Qiyana went to her bedroom and pulled out a stool. Enta had made a salad with greens grown in their garden and some wild meat. As they ate, Enta asked,
"When you get better, Taliyah, are you going to continue on your journey or will you stay a bit?" After swallowing her food, Taliyah responded,
"I don't know as of yet, but I'll think about it." The meal went on and was finished without another word. As Enta cleaned up, Qiyana led Taliyah to the room.
Qiyana gently let the girl onto the bed, backside up. She removed the cape and left the room to get a fresh towel and more ointment. When she returned, she started applying ointment to the backside of Taliyah. "Where did you get your cape?" Qiyana asked Taliyah.
"My mother weaved for me before I left home," Taliyah responded. Qiyana asked again, "Do you miss her enough to want to go back home?"
"Sometimes, but I fear that I will injure another innocent tribe member so it's hard to choose," Taliyah explained. Not wanting to press any further, Qiyana placed the fresh towel on Taliyah's back, took the ointment and left. Qiyana returned, and lay down beside her own bed on a blanket, as Taliyah had fallen asleep already. When she woke up, There was barely any daylight. She checked on Enta and Taliyah, who were both still sleeping.
"I should really train," she thought, "I haven't been able to because of Taliyah." Qiyana picked up her blade and went outside. She brought the dummy further from the hut so as not to disturb the others. She began slashing and dashing, until daylight broke. Walking to the river, she picked up some sharp sticks. When she reached the river, she knelt down and began looking for fish. An hour passed, and Qiyana had caught only 3 medium sized fish by spearing them. Not only was this helping her reactions and speed, she was obtaining a breakfast other than bread. Qiyana slowly walked back to the hut, where inside she found Enta warning up some bread. "What do you have in your hand, Qiyana?" Enta asked.
"Just some fish, so we won't have plain bread again," Qiyana replied.
"I'm offended that you think my bread is plain," Enta humphed. Qiyana chuckled, placing the fish on the counter for Enta to prepare. She then walked into her bedroom, and woke Taliyah. They ate their meals and Qiyana trained without anything special happening.
••••
About a week later, Taliyah had made almost a full recovery. The stone weaver had conjured a walking stick made of stone to ease her troubles in mobility. Although she could walk, it was slow and shaky, which required Qiyana's oversight. As the two walked outside, Taliyah said, "I know I said it before, but I'll say it again; Thank you very much for taking care of me." Qiyana said nothing but nodded in response.
"I'm willing to repay you in any way, shape, or form," Taliyah pressed on.
"It's nothing, but let's return to the hut and we can talk," Qiyana replied a bit mysteriously. Taliyah, a bit confused, replied, "Alright, we can talk inside in a few minutes. I want to stay outside for a bit." She took a few wobbly steps, and tripped on a pebble.
"Whoa," Qiyana exclaimed as she caught Taliyah from falling. (I just died in your arms tonight. XD)
"I'm so sorry," Taliyah apologized, "I didn't mean to trip."
Qiyana looked surprised and replied, "Why say sorry?"
"Sorr-" Taliyah cut herself off abruptly, looking a bit embarrassed. After walking around for a bit, Taliyah and Qiyana returned inside, and Qiyana lay Taliyah with her back on the mattress of bed.
"Close your eyes, Taliyah," Qiyana commanded. She took a blindfold and tied it around Taliyah's head. Qiyana slowly moved forward, knelt down, then pressed her lips onto Taliyah's. After a couple of seconds, Qiyana pulled away and asked, "What did you think of that?" Taliyah didn't reply but Qiyana noticed her cheeks getting red.
"Sorry, I shouldn't have done that," Qiyana quickly apologized and hurried out of the room. After being called inside by Enta to eat, Qiyana went into her room to retrieve Taliyah, whom she forgot to take the blindfold off. Qiyana quickly did so, letting the sunlight flood Taliyah's vision.
"In response to your question from before," Taliyah began, "Come close."
As Qiyana moved forward a bit hesitantly, Taliyah pulled her in and pressed her lips against the white-haired girl's. Qiyana pulled closer and wrapped her arms around Taliyah. When the kiss broke, Taliyah said,
"I like you, Qiyana." Qiyana didn't reply but blushed and turned away.
"We have to go to dinner," Taliyah reminded Qiyana.
"Oh yes, let me help you up," Qiyana remembered. Qiyana knelt as Taliyah placed her hands on Qiyana's shoulders. They both rose in unison, but Taliyah was a bit shorter, making her reach up. Qiyana realized this and took advantage of the situation, slowly kneeling back down. She then turned around, then placed Taliyah's hands on her shoulders. Qiyana stood up once more, this time letting Taliyah wrap her legs around Qiyana's waist. She placed one arm on Taliyah's back and one one her butt, causing Taliyah to look away and blush. taking extra time at Qiyana's chest area. Enta's voice broke their short moment of intimacy by asking in a playful manner, "I assume you'll be staying then, Miss Taliyah?"
"I hope I won't be too much of a burden," the short-haired girl replied. After dinner, Qiyana cleaned up, and brought Taliyah to her room and Enta was bathing. With Taliyah on the bed, Qiyana straddled the girl underneath, making her blush and moan softly.
"I assume you want me, Taliyah," Qiyana teased.
"Of course," Taliyah shyly replied, "Just kiss me already."
Qiyana gladly obliged, kissing Taliyah passionately. They continued until Enta told them to stop as Taliyah needed rest.
"I love you, Taliyah," Qiyana stated. "I love you back," Taliyah replied, moaning softly at the end of her sentence.
"You're a bad girl, aren't you," Qiyana laughed a bit. She kissed Taliyah once more before Taliyah fell asleep.
"At least I can bathe her now," Qiyana said, not knowing Taliyah was still awake.
"I look forward to it," Taliyah replied, "Not just to get clean." They both laughed and fell asleep, waiting for the next day's events.
Fin
