Time, it was ever turning and always marching forward with ceaseless abandon. For Neera she felt the days going by faster with each passing day. Finding a moment for herself, a moment to breath and relax was difficult if not impossible. Yet here among the cherry blossoms she often found some solace. A quiet moment to reflect inward and release the stress of her daily life. She could never have imagined that her position as Regent would last so long, or be so complicated. But she would fulfill her duties without fail, and she hoped the former Magister would be proud of her and her work.
She let out a deep sigh leaning upon the railing of the park, that overlooked much of the city. Yet her mind snapped to attention as a sound caused her ear to twitch. A Rustling in the breeze that made her eyes shift to one side. Was someone watching her? or merely approaching to enjoy the scenic view the same as she? All the recent battles had left her jumpy and on edge--- She still couldn't get those moments aboard the bakunawa out of her head.
Yet there was something about this person that felt off, and her instincts were warning her to be on guard.
" If your intent is stealth then you have failed, spectacularly... speak your intent at once! I have not the patience for games..."
Reyna was on her way to have a bit of an...impormptu meeting with Neera. After all, she need to inform her of what was going on with Serpentine, or Saleos rather. Knowing that an old enemy of Shang Tu was around was something she needed to be notified of. Even if he wasn't an actual enemy as of right now. She notices however, that ice suddenly erupts around the palace, and she becomes concerned.
"Neera!" She shouts as she rushes to the scene. Her burst of speed was about equal to Lilac's if anyone could compare it. She arrives as fast as she can. Well, fast as she can without breaking the environment around her.
That dull ringing in her ears, her glazed over eyes stared at the fight happening in front of her. She was screaming at herself to get up, to fight back, to keep going! That anger, that rage, she kept it so bottled up inside all the time. For once she needed it! she desperately needed it! a reason to keep going, a reason to not fall asleep! yet even as she lay there she started to think of her childhood, all the fights she had with her father. The arguments with her mother, and her distaste for those damn dresses! She was having trouble focusing her eye sight, and she knew she was going to pass out at any moment. She'd already been having slight black outs but always forced herself to wake up!
Then there was darkness, her eyes closed and she felt herself falling, no she was drifting along a great river. The cold waters lapping at her body as she stared up at a starfilled sky, the moon twinkling over head, and there was no pain or hurt. Just a peaceful feeling--- was she dead? was this the end? was this how her story ended? killed by some upstart kid?
No... she couldn't die that way
No...no..no no no nononooooonononoooononoo!!?!
Rayna's voice sounded, and she let out a gasp of air! as she struggled, pried, fought and clawed her way back to consciousness! She didn't see the Wildcat or the assassin, or that foul wench of a dragon! only Rayna above her--- but she was just hovering there between life and death. She still coudn't feel anything and she didn't know if it was because the ice was cooling her body and sending her into hypothermia or, if it was because she was still dead.
" ...R..r...rayna...you----shouldn't be here....dangerous...assassin "
She struggled to speak still gripping half of the sword that was sticking in her back. She'd broke off half of it she remembered that. She'd lost alot of blood, though freezing parts of her own body to stop most of the bleeding---it also did its damage.
" ...this...was not the dinner .... imagined inviting you to..."
She laughed fighting back her own tears, and fear as she grit her teeth. Most warriors would have passed out a long time ago from a wound like hers--- but she was far to stubborn!
Besides, she needed to warn the Magister and, the others about the Dilongs! before the whole city erupted in to a battlefield!
It was a numbing agony, it shot through her like a wave crashing on the shores. She felt paralyzed, like the world had stopped moving for her and all she was left with was the pain. But not from the wound as much as her own failure. She should have realized the danger instantly, but allowed her reverence for the Magister and his family get the better of her. Now she was going to fail the Magister, dishonor herself by that failure and worse then any of that...
She was going to die...
She wasn't ready to die...
She had so much life left to live...
Fear over took her, and her hands trembled visibly and her eyes snapped shut! She refused to accept it! That this would be her legacy, assassinated by some arrogant Dragon who thought she was better! No---- SHE REFUSED TO LET IT END LIKE THAT!
She grabbed the blade that stock out of her and held on tight with both hands. Even as blood ran down from her mouth, and drained from her body. She refused to give up, she refused to let them sully the Magister's good name! The Rabbit behind her pulled at the blade but to remove it but found the panda's grip was like iron!
Neera slowly turned to gaze into his eyes with her own! A blue glow starting to emit from her eye, as she gave him a fearsome gaze! The rabbit hesitated, fear filling him as he'd never had a Victim stare back with such rage! and then he could see his own breath. Frost was forming along the blade of the sword, and ran down the length. In a flash Neera froze the entire blade inside of her! using her own blood to seal her wound, and forcing the rabbit to release the blade.
Neera watched as the Rabbit stumbled back forced to release the blade least he end up frozen to it! Nera snapped the swords blade with her hands do to the frozen state and turned in own swift motion nearly taking the rabbits head clean off! her chair thrown away from her. She had frozen her own hand to the sword to insure he couldn't remove it and cause her to bleed out! This one move likely saved her life--- more proof that Neera was not someone to be trifled with!
" YOU INSUFFERABLE FOOL! IF I AM TO DIE!!! I'LL MAKE SURE YOU COME WITH ME!!! "
The eyes of the rabbit were wide as saucers as he placed his back to the wall trying to find some route of escape! Neera wasn't about to allow it though as she thrust her hand forward! The absolute truth was, Neera didn't need her staff to use her Ice Magic. The staff was just a focus, a way to insure she others did not get caught in a cross fire.
But right now she was absolutely blinded by RAGE! and only thing she cared about was killing the assasin! if she was to die she would die in battle! she would die with honor!
Most importantly---She'd take the bastard with her!
Her arm froze over with frost and ice, and she felt the rapid build of her Qi around her arm. She knew she'd be effect to but in the moment she didn't care! She released her Qi in a stream toward the Assassin as a wave of ice shards sprang up and slammed into the wall! piercing clean through it and exploding through the wall and into the adjacent room! The assassin had almost no time to think and yet his body moved before he did, allowing him to avoid the brunt of the blast! as it tore through the palace like a wave crashing through a barricade! Neera's wave of ice continued past the impact, cut through several walls and burst outside the palace!
The Assassin had avoided the brunt of it, but his sword arm had completely been frozen by the attack and was stuck to the wall! along with his leg! he had avoided death, but only narrowly--- Neera swung her hand to the side sending a second wave at the Rabbit! But with a yank of his arm and leg he broke free of the ice! forming a seal with his hand! as the ice wave struck and impaled him! he disappeared in a flash of smoke! only a wooden puppet left behind! and a rush of air!
The rabbit Ran for the exit at full speed--- he had no desire to fight anymore, only escape! He reached the door even as Neera was turning toward him! yet the door exploded crashing into his face! and sending him tumbling along the ground! with the door ontop of him! the Wildcat stood on the door! stamping on it! of all the people Neera expected to come to her air, it wasn't her!
Neera moved her hand to try and summon another blast but she could feel her body shaking. The adrenaline was wearing off and her injury was catching up to her! She spat blood up as she tried to speak, her eye half closing as she looked at Carol and for once---was happy to see a friend.
At least she wouldn't die alone...
" ... don't... let .... them escape..."
Neera spoke as she felt her body fall backwards against the Ice wall she'd created. Sliding down it and grasping at the wound! her eyes closed, she'd done all she could... fought as hard as she could...
Her body went limp and she only saw darkness... Her final thought only--- that the dragon got away!
Her eyes drifted across the paper she held in her hands. Neera had always had a distaste for bureaucratic red tape. Yet now she was the one now creating said red tape. It was a bit of irony she would never get use to. She lay the paper upon her desk and rubbed the bridge of her nose in frustration. Soon the election would be upon them and a new Magister would come to power---and her duties would end. What she did after that? Well likely a long vacation to recover from all the stress.
The door to her office swung open distracting her from her thoughts and making her brow furrow. She didn't have a meeting for hours, so anyone coming in so early was always bad news. She expected to see Gong or perhaps one of the new Secretaries, but it was none of those. The woman was tall, slender and yet imposing. Her blue gown drug along behind her, and the adornment of jewelry marked her as someone very well off. But it was the horns, and long tail that was most striking.
An Earth Dragon? and not some hybrid either.
She bore the sigil of same house as the former Magister, marking her as family. She wasn't even aware he had family yet there was no mistaking it. This woman held all the baring of a noble, and markings of a house that had long been forgotten. Beside her stood an attendant? Perhaps a bodyguard? A young rabbit his face slightly obscured by a blue oni mask. His attire was mostly black save for the red scarf that dangled down his back---not the same as the Scarves but easily confused for it. Kanji on the scarf marked it as a wind element. A focus perhaps? her eyes returned to the noble woman.
" I do not know your reason for barging in her, but there are channels you must go through to speak to a high official. Even one baring your house should respect those channels..."
" I shall be quick, Regent... Fear not this will take only a moment of your time... "
She stated with a slight smile.
" I am Lady Jia of the Di-Long Family. The eldest Family in all of Shang Tu. You know my elder brother, Lee Di-Long as the former Magister and the man who appointed you to your position. "
She approached Neera's desk her dress shuffling behind her before she stood in front of her fully. She spread open her fan and waved it as if to cool herself before she continued.
" I am stand here on behalf of Shang Tu, to make a simple request... I am aware that my brother asked you to go forth with this project for an election. To appoint a new Magister voted on by the people. However--- My brother though he may have meant well... has uprooted generations of traditions in a single act. There are many who are worried this could lead to Shang Tu's downfall... and many who believe a leader must be chosen carefully and not given to the uninitiated. "
She snapped her fan closed and looked down at Neera with a much more serious gaze almost threatening.
" So i am here to formally request... that you put this silly notion to rest, and as Regent step down, and turn over ruler ship back to the Di-Long Family as it has been for generations. Allow us to continue to lead Shang Tu into this new age! The Earth Dragons have much to atone for its true... but we can do none of that if we are not allowed to take the reigns of ruler ship... "
Neera had known something foul was afoot the moment this woman had stepped forth. So this was the game now was it? The Magister's family had always ruled and chosen one to be Magister. They had controlled it all from the shadows for generations! But he uprooted all of that didn't he? In one fell swoop there family lost everything! and now they wanted that power back, and the choice was hers to make.
She was conflicted because her loyalty to the Magister had pushed her down this road. In many ways she believed what Lady Jia was telling her. That the Earth Dragons had always lead them down a proper path! But--- She also made a promise to a man she respected more then anyone else. No The Magister's will had to be carried out! No matter if she upset the ruling class or not.
" ... I Understand your Request Lady Jia.... but, with all due respect. the final act of the Magister, your brother was to ask me to arrange formal elections. To go against his will HIS request! its asking me to throw my loyalty to him aside... I swore an oath. I intend to carry that oath out... you will have to win the people's favor the same as any other candidate. I will not... grant your request... "
Neera folded her hands in front of her and gave Lady Jia a very stern gaze.
" This is final... The Will of the Magister will be carried out... this is for the good of Shang Tu... "
A silence filled the room as Lady Jia and Neera stared each other down. A silence filled the room, it was long and vicious.
" I see... the rumors of your strong loyalty and honor were not exaggerated... I had hoped that loyalty was to Shang Tu and not my brother... I respect your choice. Let it never be said that we did not try Diplomacy..."
She stated softly as her fan covered her face before she turned away, and marched back out the room.
" Oh what is it they say about Diplomacy? The art of offering friendship in one hand--- while holding a dagger behind ones back? Such a silly saying... a true diplomat is never holds the knife themselves... "
Neera's eyes narrowed at the Dragon was she threatening her? Yet she realized in that moment the Rabbit---He was gone? Where was he? When did he? The pain struck her in that moment of realization. She had been so distracted by the Jia she hadn't even noticed him move. She hadn't seen him disappear, and now? Her eyes fell down to her stomach and the long blade that now protruded from it.
The Rabbits voice whispered in her ear
" Let it be said... Lady Neera of Shang Tu--- Dies a Hero..."
