05/23/2021  starter 'Rusti Hunter' was always expected to be a man. The name carrying the weight and reputation of a single person who was known not to ever lose a fight. To leave 'his' opponents bloody and tapping out. One who played with the opponents; making the match last as long as ten minutes before making the killing blow. Playing to the roar of the crowd like a gladiator of old. And then Rusti walked in. A beautiful woman who looked no older than 20, slim and slender. She often had to show her own ID just to get them to believe her.  "You sure about this, little girl? This isn't a game." The announcer asked quietly as she walked into the cage. Her knuckles were properly wrapped, her feet bare. She wore a simple pair of low riding dark blue jeans and proudly sporting the tattoos that ran along her back and beneath the line of her breasts from the cut of her bandeau top. She was barefoot, a personal fighting preference. She rolled her shoulders as she looked to her opponent as he entered the cage. He was at least double her size. Thickly muscled. Reputed as the best fighter in the area. Rusti smirked. "Hell yeah. Just remember what to do with my winnings." She said as she rolled her shoulders as people continued to fill the room to watch. You'd have to be deaf to not hear the shock at a woman facing off such a beast.  "Alright ladies and gentleman, the final round of the night! A true Beauty and the Beast match! Rusti Hunter versus our own Eduardo Dorrance! Fighters, bleed well your soul for the crowd!" The announcer said loudly as he locked the cage door. Rusti turned her attention to her opponent. Who looked almost disgusted that a woman stood across from him. "Don't hold back, Eddie baby. Promise I won't cry." She taunted him. Sam smirked. "That's a pity....I do so like a woman's tears." He answered before the first swing. 01: PM 0 Comments  (Add Comment)  | 0 Kudos

05/19/2021  A mother's goodbye Tempest stood inside the quaint little shop. She felt the power here and knew it was real. This was not some human run magic shop. Not some tourists store for baubles and trinkets. This was real. And now that she knew the truth.....she recognized the smell of its owner. But it was different now. More potent. More ethereal even. She picked up a Labradorite orb and held it gently in her palm as she waited. Her dark red hair fell in loose curls. The black top and jeans hugged her curves. She barely recognized herself now. "Can I help you?" A soft voice asked from behind her. She could hear that cautious tone. She once used to feel warmth from this aura. But now....she felt a cool fall breeze. Tempest set the orb down as she turned to face her. She had seen her dozens of times before but only now did she take her breath away. Her daughter. Pale and beautiful as always with her pale hair and bright eyes. Tempest's eyes.....at least, thats what they once were. Skyler was the Phantom Queen of War now.....a Death Goddess. She looked so worried now. As if waiting for Tempest to strike her down. "Hi baby...." Tempest said simply. She saw her eyes widen and tears well. Skyler took a step forward cautiously. "You......remember?" Skyler asked.  Tempest nodded slightly but recoiled when Skyler moved forward to embrace her. Skyler paused, waiting and keeping the distance between them. Merely a few feet and yet it felt like miles between them. "I remember more than I ever knew......but much of it is jumbled and scattered." Tempest explained. Skyler nodded slightly as she took a step back, her hands clenching as she fought the urge to hug the mother they all had been aching for. They knew she lived but it had been like looking at a Ghost for so long. Hoping. Praying Tempest would awaken. Skyler knew she had to take care.....to go slowly with her mother. There was so much of her past no one had known....so many lies that had been uncovered. Tempest' heart broke for the pain in Skyler's eyes.  "I'm sorry. For forgetting. For taking so long. For-" Tempest started to say but Skyler merely shook her head. "Don't. It wasn't your fault. Ares and Willam....THEY are the ones to blame. Not you. We never blamed you." Skyler said soothingly. Tempest sighed a bit. "A mother should always recognize her child.....I failed you in that." Tempest took a step towards Skyler and touched her pale hair. Tears welled. "You've grown up so much. I see the brave little girl I raised in your eyes but you've become a woman now." Tempest said sadly. Skyler nodded. "And a mother. To Sura.....she's so much like you." Skyler said as she gently took Tempest' hand. Tempest nodded a bit. "The best parts of me, I hope."  Skyler smiled. "Stubborn to the core...though she has her father's gentle heart." Skyler said. Tempest nodded before she took a step back. Being here made her ache. So much was wrong. So much was broken. She could see it in Skyler's eyes. But there were so many things still uncertain. So many truths that changed things. "You won't stay.....will you?" Skyler asked sadly, though she knew the answer already. Tempest shook her head. "I can't....Theres still too much confusion. Too many pieces scattered but I.....I had to see you." Tempest said as she looked at her daughter. "My baby......I am so proud of you. Of the legacy you are giving our family. Your daughter fighting for our honor...." Tempest said.  Skyler bit her bottom lip. Tempest impulsively moved closer and kissed her daughter's brow. "I'll come back.......some day. When the pieces are whole and the sky is clear again." Tempest said sadly before she forced herself to vanish. Leaving her daughter behind.....again. 08: PM 0 Comments  (Add Comment)  | 0 Kudos

04/28/2021  Restored Souls Collide Tempest let out a loud cry of excitement as she swung out on the rope and let go as she went out over the cave opening. She howled as she let go and dropped through the opening. It was a good several stories down before she hit the pristine waters of the underwater cave below. This was her favorite place to visit. To swim and clear her head. She let the water close over her head and swallow her before she kicked back up to the surface. She let out a loud sigh as she surfaced and pushed her long hair out of her face. She laid back as she looked up at the cave ceiling overhead and stretched out. This place was so beautiful. Untouched by man. No pollution. Just clean air. Pristine water. Crystals glittering overhead. Soft ocean currents. The raw beauty of nature. Her element. Her source. She closed her eyes as she let herself float there. After a little while, she felt something change. She opened her eyes as she straightened in the water. She could feel the change in the currents. She looked down as she saw a soft glow of radiating under her. Her eyes widened as she saw an orb circling her in the water. "What the fuck!?" Tempest moved to reach for her rope but a strange weight latched onto her ankles and dragged her down. She let out a scream as it drew her down. Down under the water. She drew in a breath before she went under and held her breath as it dragged her down. She frowned when she saw that strange orb circling her quickly, creating a whirlpool within the water. Her lungs began to strain for air as it held her down. Her eyes glowed as she tried to use a God bolt to blast the force from her. Her scream was gurgled as the bolt bounced back and struck her. Her wide eyes went to the orb as it paused infront of her. Her eyes widened when she saw the orb change and shift into.....it looked like her. But it wasn't her. She froze as the water swirled. She felt panic set in as the strange woman lunged at her. It slammed into her and her scream left her as she felt the water swirl as agony slammed into her. She saw stars. Then darkness as her entire being, right down to her soul, felt like it was tearing her apart. She thrashed and screamed to try and fight it. But she couldn't. She let darkness take her as the water drew her down.  The water carried her away. Took her from the cavern. From her home. Her world. Her life as she knew it. Styxx and Beth stood on the pier of New Orleans as they watched the glowing orb floating through the sea. "Its over....." Beth said as her husband held her shoulder. "No. Shes still our daughter. This wasn't the plan....but it happened. Wrongs were set to right. Now....all we can do is pray." Styxx said to comfort his bride. Beth and Styxx had raised Tempest as their own. To protect her and restore the balance that had been destroyed with her mortal life. Now....all that hard work had come to an end. The youngest witch had done the impossible.....and mended the broken soul.  Now all that could be done was to pray....and hope that madness would not be all that remained of her mind. The sea carried her to the shoreline and laid her there on the sand. She was pale and still. Her heart raced as she laid there, as two souls merged and thrashed together to mend what had been broken by the Gods themselves. Who would wake? Would she still be Tempest? Would she be Luralena? Or would she be a mad woman? <img src="https://64.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m3wgiaT2VG1rogb39o3_250.gifv"> 01: PM 0 Comments  (Add Comment)  | 0 Kudos

02/26/2021  Nightmares or Truth? Tempest heard the whisper in her ear and whirled around quickly as she stood in the center of the snow laden field. "Who's there!?" She demanded as her emerald eyes looked out at the circle of trees. She'd been trying to find the source of the strange Whispering for hours. It always was just loud enough for her to hear but not enough for her to make out what it was saying. It had woken her from a deep sleep and beckoned her. Calling to her. "What do you want!?" she shouted as she heard someone moving around behind her. She was annoyed. Chasing this damn nothing in the forest for what felt like hours. It taunted her. Staying just far enough ahead she couldn't see it. She thought the snow would slow it down at least but even then...it had kept running. "Come the fuck on! Show yourself!!" Tempest shouted in anger as the sky darkened overhead. She was pissed now. Really pissed. Shaking her head, she ran her hands through her red curls. She jumped when she saw a shadow run behind the tree. She withdrew a dagger from her boot and threw it, cursing when it buried into the tree. "Fucking chicken shit!! Face me!" She shouted. A loud snap came from behind her and she whirled around fast. Her emerald eyes fixed on a set of fierce blue orbs set in a beautiful face with black hair. "Forgive me..." That thick Irish voice said. He looked familiar. Sounded familiar. But she couldn't remember how she knew him. Tempest frowned in confusion a moment before a sharp pain tore through her. Shock set in as her wide eyes blinked slowly. Blood rushed in her ears as she looked down and saw his fist buried wrist deep in her chest. She tasted blood in her mouth as it began trickling from her lips. She looked up at this stranger as she felt his long fingers curl around her heart. There were tears in his eyes as he looked down at her. "Its over." He said as he squeezed her heart. And just as he ripped the beating organ from her chest, she fell back. The snow and mountain rose up and vanished as iron walls closed around her. Disoriented, she felt a rush of heat under her. Panic set in as she tried to move, the taste of blood thick in her mouth. She smelt a fire as the metal around her began to glow red. Tempest reached a hand up and clawed at the metal. "No! No no no no no!!!" Her scream was loud and echoed as she jolted upright in her bed, her emerald eyes wide with horror. Tears ran down her cheeks as her entire body trembled from fear. She panted, her throat aching from her scream as she sat in her bed. The sound of lightning crashing made her jump as she looked to the window and saw the vicious storm raising outside. She let out a small sob of relief before she buried her face in her hands and wept. "Just a dream....." 07: PM 0 Comments  (Add Comment)  | 0 Kudos

01/23/2021  Winter Bloodshed Crimson droplets splattered and stained the pristine white snow as she walked through the darkness. It was foolish to go out at dusk in the winter. But she was amever the fool. Reckless. Impulsive. And the silence of the peaceful mountain had become to deafening. So she went out to the wilderness looking for something to take the edge off. But she hadn't planned on coming across the hungry lycan in the snow, searching for a meal. And Tempest had been a tempting treat indeed, all alone in the snow. He had gotten the drop on her but in the end, it was Tempest who emerged from the frozen lake victorious. She ached. Oh gods did she ache. But it only reminded her she was alive. She would always be alive. She would bleed. And heal as if nothing ever were there. But for now, for the next few blissful hours she would know agony. And she would let it chase away the emptiness. The solitude. She kept one arm wrapped around her waist, trying to staunch the bleeding to little avail. She trembled with cold, her soaking wet clothes and hair making movement a challenge in the biting cold. Blood left a dripping trail behind her among her footsteps. She knew the cold wouldn't kill her. Nor would the claws along her abdomen or the chunks of flesh ripped from her shoulder.. The bites at her thighs. Nothing would. She was a Goddess. A true immortal. She could not be killed by such pitiful mortal injuries. She just....wanted to get to her cabin. To collapse by the fire as she healed. Let the warmth soothe her to the darkness of unconsciousness. She felt the edges of her vision blur and swirl as she stumbled. Just a few more miles. She tried to push herself up to her feet again but her legs only buckled again. She tasted blood on her tongue as she laid there in the snow. She shifted from her side to her back and stared up at the dark sky. "Fuck you, Fates," she cursed quietly before she felt herself slip away to unconsciousness, her body too drained and weak to keep going. 02: PM 0 Comments  (Add Comment)  | 0 Kudos

01/12/2021  A Father's Love Tempest drank down the contents of her glass bottle as she paced the marble floor of her home....her temple in Egypt. Long forgotten, it was shielded from mortal eyes by magic. Protected. Something pulled at her. Toyed with her. An inkling at the back of her mind. Ever since she caught a glimpse of that Phantom Queen's eyes. Something about those lilac hues, brought up something buried deep inside of her. She could feel it in her soul, but it was just out of reach. And it annoyed the hell out of Tempest. The silk of her traditional Egyptian robes brushed the marble floors as she walked the length of the temple. Turned with a brush of sound before she began pacing to the other side. And with each step and draw of the Ambrosia in her bottle, came another flash of brilliant lightning from the dark storm clouds outside. Turning night into day in response to her mood. The wind howled within the desert, sending mortals into their homes. She knew full well they cowered. And they should. Tempest took another long draw from the bottle before she threw it across the temple. She hated this. Hated feeling alone. Hated feeling..... "Abandoned?" Her father asked as he materialized behind her. Tempest tensed as she looked out at the desert. Her father knew her all too well. Finishing her thoughts and naming the feeling that had been sending her into darkness. Styxx' jaw tightened as he walked up behind her and put a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Its all right to be angry, baby. To hurt...." He said gently to comfort her. His words only set a flash of lightning across the sky as he saw the Nile rise up in a splash. Tempest shook her head. "This is why I don't let people in.....You let them in. Let them see you. And then poof....they're gone. And you're left alone with nothing but questions." Tempest muttered bitterly. She shook her head. "I know....sometimes the memories are worth the pain. Sometimes not. But to feel that pain is to accept that you ha e humanity. To feel this.....means you have not become numb. You're not Ares." He said, feeling how she tensed at the mention of the God. Styxx moved closer and pressed a kiss to her temple as he saw the silent tears on her cheek. "The most beautiful heart is the one that can love even while it bleeds. That can beat even after its been crushed. And your heart is so beautiful, daughter. In time.....it will be cherished as you deserve." He said softly as he wiped at her pale cheeks. "I didn't love him! I just...." Tempest looked away and Styxx smiled a bit. "You felt connected. Kindred. Sometimes that is better than love...or harder to escape." He said as he looked at the sky. "You'll be all right, baby....." He said as he kissed her temple again, hugging her tightly. "Rage if you must but know it won't ease the wound. And the guilt you would feel harming innocents would not be something you could survive." Styxx said as he held her close. His words gave her comfort as Tempest closed her eyes and let it out slowly. Calmly. Another deep breath. In. Out. In. Out. With each slow breath, the storm seemed to slowly calm. To ebb. The wind gentle to a winter caress. The river waters slowed their rippling waves. The clouds slowly began to lighten as the rumble of thunder softened to whispers. Styxx smiled a bit. "Thats my girl." He said as he hugged her. Tempest hugged her father tightly before she kissed his cheek. "I love you, edera..." The Greek Prince said as he held her close. "Thank you...." She said as she took a deep breath. Styxx smiled as he kissed the top of her head. "Christmas is coming.....you will be there, won't you?" He asked as he looked down at her. Tempest sighed a bit before she nodded. "Yeah....Ill be there," she said heavily as he tapped her chin. "Good.....Now go for a swim.....or find your demon. Let him soothe your edges." Styxx said before he left her. Tempest smirked a bit. If only Luke came when she called but alas.....she had not seen him in so long, she doubted hed answer.  02: PM 0 Comments  (Add Comment)  | 0 Kudos

11/12/2020  Uncles Protection Tempest rolled her eyes as she sat in the bar, sipping her glass of scotch. She had been having a nice day, enjoying her lunch. "So, this is where Goddesses eat when in New Orleans?" The wise and gentle voice asked, snapping Tempest's attention immediately. She set her glass down and slid from her chair. "Uncle Ibis! What are you doing here?" She said with a smile as she hugged the wonderful man she loved so dearly. He smiled as he returned her hug gently. "A man cannot come and see the world his beloved niece inhabits?" He teased her before they both sat down. He picked up her glass and took a delicate sniff of it. "A bit early for such an acidic drink, is it not? Surely at least mead would be better to compliment the flavor of your meal?" He teased her as she looked at him. "Oh sure, but mead does not compliment my soul as well." She answered before she took a bite of her gumbo. They both were silent a few moments as she eat before her emerald eyes went to her uncle. "I have been here for years. Why are you really here, uncle?" She asked, knowing that her uncle would not come down here from Cairo just to see her. Thoth smiled a bit as he adjusted his glasses while she looked at him. "Truth be told, I wanted to come and ensure you were well given the......rumors." He said honestly, knowing full well he could not tell a lie to his wise niece. Tempest arched a brow before she finished her glass. "You are unbelievable. You know that? Unbloody believable. Of all people, I thought you would know better." She said as she wiped her mouth and looked at him. "Yes, rumors are true. But if you think it will sway me in my decision." She said calmly before she stood up. "Now listen to me, uncle. I adore you. You know this. But I do not appreciate anyone interfering in my ties. Yes, I have a love. I have had several over my lifetime and yet none of you ever cared enough before to ask me. Now, because of who he is, you want to sit here and check up on me?" She asked in a stern tone. "To ensure the brightest jewel of our crumbling kingdom, we would risk your fury." Came a deep voice before her. She growled low before she looked to Jackal. "And now Death appears. There is no threat to be found here." She said sternly as she set her money on the table. She shook her head as she looked to the both of them. "There are things you do not know. Things that make us worry. You know the man's present. But not his past. Nor his future. He walks the sharpened blade of madness.....a quality that will spill into your life and ruin it." Ibis said as he stood and looked at Jackal. He reached a hand out and laid it on her shoulder. "Tempest......you are the strongest of us. One of the last remaining True Immortals." Ibis said sternly. "You will not fade with the rest of us because you are Primordial. Like the Sun's glory or the moon's glow. But there are those who do not hold such power and would see it used to their advantage." Jackal said in warning. Tempest arched a brow thoughtfully, but then she thought of his words. Contemplated them. "His Madness matches my own just fine. You mean One Eyed, don't you?" She said softly. "If you wish to remain without strings, it would be wise of you to avoid drawing the attention of the puppet master." Ibis said as he gently squeezed her shoulder. She shook her head as she looked to her uncles, absorbing their words. "I appreciate the concern....But I am little more than his pretty distraction. He'll leave my side soon like all the others." She said calmly before she smiled at them both. "I truly do appreciate the concern and worries. But One Eye does not scare me. Nor is my opinion swayed. I care, yes. More than perhaps I should. However, it does not change the facts.....I'm nothing to him even if he is something to me." She said sternly before she shook her head. "I have business to tend to. If you want to tour New Orleans, find a guide on Ursulines." She said before she grabbed her backpack and walked away, hiding her own emotions as she left her uncles. She knew they meant well. But still....she was not a child. Nor weak. And she would not let this dictate how she felt. 03: PM 0 Comments  (Add Comment)  | 0 Kudos

08/24/2020  Deja Vu Tempest drank down the contents of her glass bottle as she paced the marble floor of her home....her temple in Egypt. Long forgotten, it was shielded from mortal eyes by magic. Protected. Something pulled at her. Toyed with her. An inkling at the back of her mind. Ever since she caught a glimpse of that Phantom Queen's eyes. Something about those lilac hues, brought up something buried deep inside of her. She could feel it in her soul, but it was just out of reach. And it annoyed the hell out of Tempest. The silk of her traditional Egyptian robes brushed the marble floors as she walked the length of the temple. Turned with a brush of sound before she began pacing to the other side. And with each step and draw of the Ambrosia in her bottle, came another flash of brilliant lightning from the dark storm clouds outside. Turning night into day in response to her mood. The wind howled within the desert, sending mortals into their homes. She knew full well they cowered. And they should. She had heard rumors of the Phantom Queen. Gone to New Orleans personally to see the mysterious woman herself. To look upon the Witch who had resurrected from the dead fifteen years after her own murder. To pay her respects. But something about what Tempest saw left her shaken. She had not expected to find a young girl, barely looking older than twenty years. Nor one who appeared so delicate and fragile. But her cold aura warned of what she was. The power. The darkness of Death in her soul. Those eyes though.....those damned eyes shamed the finest quality amethyst. They were rich and stunning. But it was not sexual desire that drew Tempest to change her mind about entering the girls store. No. It was the sharp and vicious need to defend the girl. To clutch her close and never let harm come to her. The protective instinct that rose so swiftly and savagely that it left Tempest shaken. Never before had Tempest ever felt such a way.  She took another draw on the Ambrosia; throwing the bottle across the temple when she found it finally empty. Then there was the fucking Wolf. Something about him brought up a similar urge and desire. But rather than a maternal instinct, it was even more feral. Neither sensations made sense for the Goddess. She ran her fingers through her hair, the dainty bells on her arm bands jingling together faintly as she ran her fingers through her gold streaked red hair in frustration. If there was one thing Tempest hated......it was the unknown.  12: PM 0 Comments  (Add Comment)  | 0 Kudos

07/08/2020  Price Paid For Peace Price Paid For Peace A cry left her lips as she felt the pipes splinter several of her ribs. She felt the bone snap and pierce her lung. One benefit to being what she was.....such wounds could not kill her. She learned long ago, just how durable she was. "Took me awhile to find you this time, huntress. You are getting better at this." Ares mocked as he planted a kick to her abdomen. Tempest knew the longer she ran, the worse the beating would be. But after all these years as Ares' little toy, she couldnt bring herself to just submit. Deal to maintain the balance of power or not, she wouldnt go silently to her torture. Ever. Tempest spat blood from her lips, feeling one flooding with her own blood as she looked up at him. "And you're swings are getting weaker. Whats wrong? Getting frail in your old age?" She mocked, spitting at his face as he scowled down at her. He snarled as he reached down and seized hold of her firey hair.  He arched her head back at a painful angle, but Tempest would be twice damned before she screamed for him. She looked up at him, her eyes narrowing as she saw something in his eyes that she had not seen before. Triumph. And that worried her. He smirked. "I have a gift for you," he said as he held her down on her knees. She smirked. "You're going to scream this time?" She asked mockingly. He laughed darkly before he let out a whistle. Tempest looked over as she heard several sharp whispers. The whispers grew louder as the shadows shifted and swirled to take the form of a well muscled man. And with those vibrant eyes were enough to make Tempest's blood run cold. "Skotos…." She said in a faint whisper. Nightmare Demons. Monsters who seized ones mind in sleep and did not let go. Who twisted the soul until one went mad from it. Physical pain, Tempest could handle but the powers of a Skotos? Tempest let out a whimper. "No! No, no, no, Master please!" She stammered as the beast drew closer. Ares laughed at her as he held her still. "Oh NOW you beg for my mercy? One day, you'll learn your place as my slave, Tempest." He said as the Skotos reached his clawed hands out and cradled Tempests face in its hands. Tempest let out a cry as she closed her eyes, feeling the violent pressure on her mind as the Skotos fought to push into her mind........ Tempest snapped awake, her eyes wide as she struggled to breathe. She felt like she was drowning, and she was. She turned to her side and spat up the build up in her lungs, not at all surprised to see the blood stain her pillows and sheets. "Fuck...." She looked up to her clock, one arm tucking around her waist as she felt the soreness of her mending bones. A week......she'd been gone an entire week. Gods, she hated this. Hated being caught in. a deal between pantheons. Hated being the whipping girl for Ares. She gingerly forced herself out of bed, using the nightstand to balance herself. Ares had broken bones, and she felt them.....more like healing fractures now but just as painful. "One day.....I'll kill him." She mumbled as she clenched her teeth and forced herself to stagger to her bathroom. Determined to drown her pain by sinking into her tub made of an enormous amethyst lined with rose quartz. Shed take a bath first.....then shed deal with the rest of the damage. 11: PM 0 Comments  (Add Comment)  | 0 Kudos

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