Ame stared at her lover’s head cut clean from his shoulders. For a moment, the world was silent. Then, she realized she was screaming. At first, she screamed in agony over the loss of her ample supply of nutrients. Then, however, she came to the conclusion that she was filled with ire over the audacity of Ryoma and his friends to take it all away from her.
In the moment, Ame wasn’t sure how she should go about seeking vengeance for Koichi’s death. Then, though, she felt Tetsuo struggle within her locks as he dangled in the air. She smiled devilishly as the humans and Yuki stared her down. She wanted them all to know the depths of hatred she felt from her look alone.
However, looks alone couldn’t kill. “You should have let him live, Ryoma.” She said. “Now, experience my pain!” She tightened her whip-like hair’s grip around Tetsuo’s neck. Tighter and tighter, she strangled him to the point where the monk could not draw breath.
“Sayako,” Himiko yelled, “please stop!” Ame wasn’t inclined to listen, however, and continued harming the monk. With vile grin painted across her lips, she squeezed one last time and everyone in the square could hear the snap of Tetsuo’s neck and the collapse of his windpipe. The others screamed which was music to the succubus’ ears.
Ame realized, though, that she was now in danger of retribution from Tetsuo’s comrades. Thinking fast, she flung the monk’s limp body across the square like a ragdoll. It smashed into
Ryoma, causing him to fall onto his back. Himiko and Yuki rushed to their side, so Ame took the opportunity and mounted Koichi’s steed. “There’s only one safe place left.” She said, looking back and speaking to Koichi’s headless corpse. “I’m sorry you couldn’t see that.” She yanked on the reins and the stallion began to rush forth.
Yuki exclaimed, “We have to stop her!” Himiko readied her gohei but relented and said, “I can’t cast my lightning; it would strike that innocent animal as well.” Yuki frowned and said, “I can’t fight back either.” Collectively, they had no choice but to let Ame escape.
And so, Ame raced across the land through day and night. The horse, luckily enough for her, was truly a magnificent breed in that it could clear untold distances in little time flat. She wasn’t sure whether or not Koichi had ever bothered to name the steed, so she decided to give him a name herself. “I’ll call you Windsbane.” She said, feeling that he mocked the very winds themselves with his speed.
After about two days of riding with minimal stops for rest, Ame arrived at her destination. “Finally,” she said, “the imperial palace.” She slowed to a trot as she approached the main gate. Two guards stood atop the garrisons. “Halt!” One yelled down at her. “Who goes there?” She looked up to them, eyes aglow, and said, “A succubus seeking the audience of Lord Orochi. I bring urgent news.”
The guards saw the glint in Ame’s eyes, turned to one another, and nodded. “Very well.” The second guard said. The two opened the gate and an imp stood beyond them. “I’ll escort you through the palace to the throne room.” She nodded and dismounted Windsbane.
Together, Ame and the imp moved throughout the labyrinthine halls. She marveled at the twists and turns present to confound intruders and snickered at their utter failure as demons now prowled the corridors. It was an irony certainly not lost on her.
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Eventually, Ame and the imp finished traversing through the maze and arrived at the throne room. Opening the door, she came face to face with the snake king itself. “Lord Orochi,” she said, falling to her knees, “I am honored to finally meet you.” Orochi cocked Hiro’s head and said, “I don’t remember your essence from Yomi. Where did you come from?”
Ame returned its gaze and said, “I was sealed away in an ofuda here in the mortal realm but was released by one of your lackeys. For that, I am grateful.” Orochi smiled and asked, “So, what brings you here now as opposed to wreaking havoc on the humans?”
Ame lowered her head once more and asked, “You sent for Koichi Hanamura to join you, yes?” Orochi nodded and said, “Indeed I did, though I have not heard from my messenger since. Has he considered my offer of servitude?”
“Koichi is dead.” Ame said meekly. Orochi frowned and asked, “Could you repeat that? I’m not sure I heard you correctly.” Ame looked Orochi squarely in Hiro’s eyes and exclaimed, “I said he’s dead! He’s been killed by Ryoma Amami!”
Orochi’s blood ran cold, even for a snake. It didn’t know how the battle transpired, but felt enraged that its mistake in not killing Ryoma that first night was coming back to haunt it. “That damn samurai.” It said. “That damn ronin! What right does he have to interfere with my plans?”
Orochi hissed the last word, causing Ame to feel uncomfortable somehow. Even Orochi’s guards stepped back as they hadn’t experienced it possessing such ire and disdain for one singular human. The race as a whole, sure, but to become so riled by a lone ronin was something of a marvel in itself.
Eventually, Orochi’s temper returned to normal and it said, “Alright then. This is only a temporary setback. Succubus, in lieu of Koichi’s failure to attend my court, I ask that you join me in my conquest in his stead. When the time of their arrival comes, as it inevitably will, I ask that you assist me in defeating Ryoma and his accomplices.”
Ame frowned again and said, “I’m not sure I’m up to the task. I only want a simple life of consuming the essence of man; although I am grateful for the rescue, I don’t know if I can accomplish the mission you’ve set out for me.” She bowed and hoped Orochi would understand.
Orochi stood up from the throne and asked, “But don’t you understand, succubus? I can offer you a thousand men with which you may suck the life from! Join me, and you may have any target you desire. Hell, you may have my seed if you so require it. Just think about it; you’ll never have want of satiation again under my rule.”
Such words gave Ame pause before she delighted at the prospect. Koichi may have been gone, but with an endless supply of victims, her need for essence would surely be fulfilled. She smiled for the first time since killing Tetsuo and said, “Lord Orochi, on second thought, I’d be more than happy to do your bidding.” Then she looked to the emperor’s nether region and asked, “Might I have a taste of what’s to come, Master?”