Diosa – Chapter 12: "Reflection" (Part II)
Chapter 12: "Reflection" (Part II)
Dead or Alive
"Control, Ah'm at the site. No visible signs of them varmints. Ah’m goin’ to maintain radio silence while Ah investigate," said Carolina Cash as the southern drawl of her voice traveled through the communication channel loud and clear.
Carolina Cash gingerly stepped around the flames of the wreckage of Majestuosa's ruined car and analyzed the debris with the heads-up display on the visor floating in front of her face. There weren't any signs of any dead bodies nor signs of a struggle. It was a pristine site - perfect. Almost TOO perfect. That statement on its own spoke volumes to the hitwoman. She drew one of the revolvers from her hip holsters and shot blindly off to her right side outside of her field of vision. She immediately heard the shot ricochet off something and spun around to face the source of that sound. She didn't see anything but that was all of the evidence that she needed.
"Ah suggest yer cut the shit and make yerselves known. Ah'm not really buyin' into yer fancy magic tricks."
A heavy sigh is heard as Majestuosa reluctantly drops the illusion she projected over Carolina's eyes and reveals that the woman is being held in the arms of Taurus, who shielded her from the stray bullet earlier. Taurus is unharmed, thanks to his abilities, while Majestuosa has not been so fortunate. The curvaceous Latina is covered from head to toe in bruises and scrapes from both the crash and her altercation with Kanashimi earlier that day. Truth be told, this hasn't been a good day for Majestuosa, despite the generous payment from Helena Dumond for her services.
Majestuosa grits her teeth at Miss Cash in disgust, who didn’t stop pointing her two revolvers at her and Taurus. She didn’t have to read Carolina’s mind to know that she was serious with this threat. Taurus may be bulletproof, but he wasn’t immune to the various bullet magic and the other assorted gadgetry that the Jaegers’ organization arms their personnel with to take down high-profile targets like themselves. On top of that, any stray bullet could harm her in this weakened condition where her psionic powers aren’t up to their best to shield her from harm. Majestuosa used up most of her energy shielding herself from the wreck itself. Add in the fact that they were meeting out in the open, without the aid of Cytherea’s spellbinding to enhance the effect of her powers on individuals in her vicinity.
“And here I thought this day couldn’t get any worse after a run in with Kanashimi…”
“Oooo darlin’, you two must’ve really bitten off more than you could chew if you two ran into her and me on the same day. Gotta say, looks like yer luck might have finally ran out.”
Taurus surprises them both by speaking up.
“I know this is a long shot, but how about you just forget what you’ve seen here and let us walk away? You can clearly see that Majestuosa isn’t in any condition to put up a fight. We’ve been through enough for one day.”
Majestuosa wants to chastise him for this moment of weakness but she can’t deny that it’s the truth. She raises a hand to wipe away some of the blood running down her forehead, but Miss Cash didn’t take any chances.
A gun shot is heard and Majestuosa immediately froze in place with widened eyes as she felt the scolding heat from the bullet graze her cheek.
“Don’tchu DARE try messin’ with my head again or I’m goin’ to fill yer both full of so many holes that they’re goin’ think Ah brought in a shipment of Swiss cheese when they haveta ID the corpses.”
Carolina continued to look at them sternly with ferocious determination.
“Why in da’ hell should Ah just let you two just walk away after what y’all did to me!? Y’all used me like a puppet against my will… Made me take part in yer perverse fantasies…” Her voice shakes, “And y’all just left me dere… discarded like yesterday’s garbage once y’all were done with me. That’s why no one but me is collectin’ yer bounties - dead or alive.”
Majestuosa knew she had to tread carefully with her response. She spoke softly in a lower, calmer octave.
“Cytherea’s spell opened the door. I merely gave a nudge to those feelings that were already there. You - just like everyone else in that nightclub that night - were participating in fantasies that were uninhibited and without restraint. Of course we enjoyed ourselves… but search your feelings, my Sweet Carolina, and ask yourself if you didn’t do anything that you secretly fantasized about?”
Carolina tightened her grip on her revolvers.
“Well, dat’s all fine and dandy but Ah’m sure as hell going to enjoy cashin’ in yer bounties…”
To the surprise of both Majestuosa and Carolina, Taurus set Majestuosa down and stood between the two women with his arms stretched out.
Carolina adds, “Ah reckon yew might wanna step aside ‘dere tall, dark, and handsome. Don’tcha think for one moment dat I don’t have ammunition to blast through yer hide to leave ya with more holes than Swiss cheese.”
Taurus spoke up, “Look at her. You can see that she’s in no condition for a fight - let alone to be dragged in for your precious bounty. Let me take her to get treated and you can cash in on my bounty. I’m… we’re sorry for taking advantage of you. It’s the least I can do to make amends.”
On one hand, Majestuosa wanted to scold him for showing any sign of weakness, even for her benefit, but she looked down at her hand that was covered with more blood from running her fingers through her own hair. It was painfully apparent that her injuries were clearly worse than she initially thought from the car crash - enough to cause Taurus to try to negotiate with this bounty hunter.
Another gun shot broke Majestuosa from her thoughts, the force staggering Taurus slightly as he didn’t expect to feel that much power coming from a mere firearm.
Majestuosa quickly chided him in his mind, “Don’t take her lightly. These Jaegers are practitioners of bullet magic, allowing them to convert traditional ammunition into various materials and even the elements themselves. You’re bulletproof, yes, but not indestructible.”
She spun the barrels over her forearms in tandem before firing again. This time, both shells impact his flesh instead of merely ricocheting off or stopping dead upon contact. They then transmute into two bolts of lightning, shocking his entire system with enough force to bring him down to his knees. Majestuosa watches with blurred vision as she watches Taurus remain seated in front of Miss Cash.
Carolina ran the barrels of her revolvers over her forearms once more and pointed both barrels at Taurus again.
He fell down at her feet while his body continued to smoke from the last two shocks to his system. Carolina’s fingers itched to squeeze the triggers to end this once and for all until she heard Taurus speaking up again…
“Please…”
She holstered her twin revolvers, ushering in a sigh of relief of Taurus before she withdrew another pistol from within her trenchcoat. She fanned the hammer in a blur in a quickdraw firing style from her hip so fast that Taurus didn’t even have time to react. Majestuosa only had merely enough time to see that the projectiles were hitting her in the chest before passing out from her injuries. Taurus instantly raced to her side to pick her up from the ground and to check her pulse.
Carolina lit a cigarette from her pocket after striking a match from the bottom of her boot.
“Don’tcha fret. Just filled her with plenty o’ sedatives to keep her calm and rested. It should help with the clottin’ for her wounds to give y’all more time to get where ya goin’.”
Taurus turns around with a look of wonder and surprise at her.
She drags from her cigarette and said, “Don’t go given’ me those puppy dog eyes. Just git outta here ‘fore I change my mind…”
Taurus cradled Majestuosa’s body in his arms.
“Thank you. Next time we meet, we’ll definitely have to continue where we left off.” He slid down the neighboring hill to disappear into the forest below. Carolina could see the medical district not too far beyond the trees and easily deduced that was where he was headed.
After Taurus disappears from view, she exhales a puff of smoke and adds, “You’re sure as shit ‘bout that, handsome.”
She fans herself with her cowboy hat before resuming her communications channel.
“Sorry ‘bout that Control. No sign of ‘em, but Ah’m sure that Ah can pick up their trail.”
Carolina Cash smirks as she pulls out a tracking device from her trench coat. This game of cat and mouse was far from over…
A Trip Down Memory Lane I
An IV is connected to Diosa’s arm as the antivenom is being administered directly to her bloodstream to hopefully speed up her recovery with her divine physiology in this state. Nia notices that Helena’s watchful eye doesn’t leave the young demigoddess as she watches the doctors and scientists’ motions intently as they treat their savior from their recent successful rescue mission. Nia speaks up to cease the silence between them as they stood alone in the observation deck above.
“This young girl seems important to you. Don’t tell me that you are having regrets about what we had to do. May I remind you that we didn’t have any choice.”
Helena corrects her. “We did have a choice. She wanted to help us willingly. I didn’t have to coerce her unlike the rest of the Venuses. Unfortunately, what is done is done, I’m afraid. We are going to have to tell her the truth when she wakes up.”
Nia looks puzzled, “So Oshun hasn’t said anything to the girl?”
“Nothing that I’m aware of, which is surprising enough after seeing my face. I have taken the proper precautions to keep Oya restrained, hence why she has remained in stasis until we separate her from her host.”
Nia grimaces, “That was the right call.”
Meanwhile, the containment pod that held the body housing both the minds of Priscilla Lennox and the orisha Oya was secured into a different isolation chamber, due to the oddly specific orders of Helena Dumond following the attack on the premises and largely due to the arrangement she made with Diosa. Neither Oya nor Priscilla Lennox were aware of these dealings as this shared vessel has been left in a state of suspended animation following her imprisonment following their encounter with Cytherea. The two were left to revisit and relive their own memories, with Oya’s mind currently drifting back to the past. In a bizarre twist of fate, Oshun remains in her state of meditation, with her mind retreating to days of old to recount that very same day to a surprisingly eager Ximena Vega on the astral plane.
Oshun: Roughly three thousand years ago, I resided with the rest of my pantheon of orishas in the Yorubaland of Africa. It was a simpler time back then, far removed from these modern times that sees humanity captivated by science and technology. Humanity was closer to nature and better yet, closer to the deities that they sought protection and wisdom from. On this particular day, I was assisting our villagers harvest corn in the fields. It was looking like a plentiful harvest for this summer's festivals in the coming weeks, much to the delight of our villagers. That elation was short-lived however by the deafening boom that overwhelmed and startled all of the villagers working in the fields. I assured them that all was well as I set my eyes on the skies above. Thunder boomed and lightning illuminated the sky in the distance. Well, not that very far from my calculations as another violent tremor shook the ground beneath my feet following a massive thunderbolt slamming into the earth. The harvest was clearly postponed with all eyes fixated on the cloud of smoke originating from the blast site. Hostile and vulgar voices were within earshot, ushering a sigh to escape my lips in response.
Right off the bat, I could sense tension in the air once Oya, the Orisha of the Winds herself emerged from the smoke. Oya’s arrival dispersed the smoke instantly with a powerful gust of wind. She moved through the crowd of onlookers like a woman possessed as she casted everyone and everything out of her way while her companions trailed a short distance behind her dragging two women bound and restrained in chains along with two long chests. One could easily mistake them as caskets or coffins from the sheer length and size to house a corpse.
Curiosity conquered over caution as I stepped out in Oya's line of fire to attempt to hinder her advance. Oya's eyes narrowed and locked onto me as the surrounding torrent of wind settled into a gentle breeze. Oya smiled and greeted me with a warm embrace.
"Oshun! It's good to see you after embarking on this campaign to secure our borders. How long has it been? Three? Four months?" she asked.
I nod gracefully and return the gesture. "Yes, it's been roughly four months. Things have been rather uneventful without you in our midst, but I see that you have found your own brand of entertainment to bring back to the council."
Oya looks over her shoulder to the two taller men towering over the rest of the soldiers.
"We found these two trespassing in our territory, claiming to be tracking OUR prey into our lands. Against my better judgment, Shango and Ogun suggested that we detain them and bring them to stand trial in front of the council before issuing a proper punishment."
My friend grit her teeth at that last remark and I could feel her blood boiling as she glanced back at their prisoners.
The taller of the two men spoke up first. "Don't be like Oya. We can allow the council to decide their fates. I enjoy a good fight as much as anyone else, but even you should be able to recognize when to yield and learn when violence isn't necessary."
The man next to him nods reluctantly, "Well said, Shango. There's much that your good friend could teach you in that regard, amirite, Oshun?"
I blushed at Ogun's compliment while Oya shot both of them an annoyed glare as their prisoners merely looked on with great interest.
Ogun adds, "Are the restraints even really necessary when we have seen what they are capable of when we were dealing with the demons at our borders?"
Shango nods, "Aye, brother. We were brothers and sisters in arms when we fell many foes that day, but Oya insisted on binding them."
I looked back at Oya then at their prisoners and made up my mind. I walked over to them and ripped off their restraints in one swift gesture. The two women remained on their knees, refusing to stand with their heads lowered in a bow.
"You may rise," I said softly.
The woman with raven-colored wings protruding from her back shook her head softly.
"We are strangers in a foreign land. We do not wish to disrespect and disobey any more of your rules and customs."
As this woman spoke, I studied her attire. Her armor was regal, yet worn and rugged from a history of countless battles while maintaining a health luster and shine. I quickly deduced that this woman was no stranger to the battlefield.
"That is a kind sentiment, but do you have names? I am the orisha known as Oshun."
The woman raised her head to acknowledge me and calmly stated, "I am the Queen of Heaven known as Inanna and with me is my loyal vizier, Ninshubur."
Inanna gestured to Ninshubur and placed her hand on her shoulder to give her permission to raise her head slightly as well to acknowledge me. After one glance at Ninshubur's garb, I deduced that she was Inanna's bodyguard of sorts, given the state of her armor. In comparison to Inanna's own, her armor was nowhere as pristine and worn. Inanna may be no stranger to the battlefield, but Ninshubur clearly lived on it. The dried blood decorating the greaves and gauntlets of her armor was clearly not her own. A fresh layer of soot flaked off of her auburn colored hair and peppered her pauldrons harmlessly when she raised her head. I wonder what enticing skirmish she found herself in before gracing our lands?
For as much resentment my best friend may have towards our guests, Oya has more in common with them in that regard than she cared to admit. I, on the other hand, have seen battle in my tenure, but I saw it as a last resort, never the first option to resolve any conflict. It is diplomacy that separates us from lower life forms and savages. I just wish more of my peers could see things that way.
I extended a hand to help them to their feet and said, "It is a pleasure to meet you both. I apologize and ask for your continued patience with our customs. Our people have survived on our own for a long time without any outside intervention and we would desire to keep things that way."
Inanna rose to her feet and dusted off her skirt while Ninshubur didn't bother to do the same. She stood rigid and upright next to Inanna, never looking to leave her side. Her gaze focused on Inanna before retreating back down to her feet. She spoke in a softer tone than Inanna, lacking the Queen's authority while simultaneously distinguishing and establishing their pecking order.
"Thank you, Oshun. I apologize to you and Inanna for stepping out of line and crossing blades with your cohort."
Oya steps forward but Shango and Ogun hold her at bay from advancing any closer.
"You forfeited our battle like a coward! I refuse to believe that you and your mistress want nothing more than to deceive us all! How do we know that you weren't leading those creatures right to our doorstep!!??"
Inanna spoke matter-of-factly in her response.
"Check the chests. We have nothing to hide."
Her eyes never trailed off from our eye contact nor did her demeanor change to acknowledge nor register Oya's fiery outburst. However, Ninshubur's instincts betrayed her. She instantly became tense at Oya's outburst, possibly steeling herself for a sound defense. I would be lying if I didn't admit to myself that Inanna's lackadaisical demeanor convinced me that she had the utmost confidence in Ninshubur's abilities to defend them both from harm. Her unwavering faith was terrifying, even with three of our pantheon's most fearsome warriors standing a few feet away.
Our accompanying warriors surrounded the two large chests as we watched intently. Shango and Ogun released Oya and stood next to each chest and silently traded gazes. On cue, they simultaneously flipped the chests over and emptied their remains over the terra-cotta brick road under our feet. Immediately, the warriors covered their mouths at the overwhelming, foul stench of rotting corpses as multiple severed heads rolled out of one of the chests. They weren't human. No, they were the same demonic entities that our soldiers have been fighting at our borders.
That stench wasn't enough to keep away the onlookers at the sight of what was exposed in the other chest. Jewelry, gemstones, and other trinkets made of gold and silver emerged from the other chest.
Inanna spoke again calmly, "Consider the treasures a gift to you and your people for our unannounced visit into your lands."
She stepped aside in a nonchalant manner as the soldiers and the surrounding villagers covered the ground like swarms trying to get their hands on the coveted treasures. They paid no mind to the severed demon heads and remained laser-focused on claiming a treasure for their own.
Oya grew annoyed as she watched our people fighting amongst themselves over these material possessions.
"Is this some sort of a sick joke to send our people into a frenzy for these mere pieces of silver and gold?"
Inanna turned her head to acknowledge her and stated, "Our lands are ripe with these minerals. Our intentions were merely to express that we mean none of you harm. We brought these gifts to share to broker a relationship of peace and prosperity with your people."
It was then when I heard a very familiar voice approaching from behind us that commented on Inanna’s words.
“And that’s quite the first impression that you have given our people. We heard the commotion and had to see for ourselves what was going on. The villagers usually aren’t this rambunctious unless we are having a harvest festival and I know it is too early in the gathering season for that.”
A few figures walked through the village as our people scrambled to obtain some of Inanna's gifts and treasures as their own. Our people weren't completely disturbed nor consumed by greed that they were not completely and instantly brought to their senses when they realized who or what regal beings stood among them. The chaos settled into a much more reserved affair with each of the villages willing to share and distribute these goods among themselves without hostility, greed, and avarice.
I saw my mentor first; Yemaya was majestic and ever radiant with her beauty - the crowd of villagers parted in her wake - much like the seas she laid dominion over as its Ocean Mother. I valued her counsel and wisdom above all else. Out of the seven of us, she understood the life blood of this world and connected with it more than any of could in terms of being one with her "children's needs" - her children being all of our pantheon along with humanity as a whole as well as all of the creatures that live and reside on this planet. To us, she was more than just a mentor, she was our All-Mother - figuratively and literally - and looked out for our best interests and saw our potential for greatness. Unfortunately, this trait always frustrated Oya. My best friend is an individual who wants to protect those that she loves but at the cost of no matter nor consideration for those on the other end of the spectrum in the conflict as long as those who stand against her are eliminated without prejudice. Oya only cared that her loved ones were protected and the last ones standing when the dust clears. I love Oya like a sister but her complete disregard to outsiders isn't healthy and I fear that it could be her own undoing. Not all intruders are evil and sometimes the greatest threat comes from those you love the most. It is always those wounds that cut the deepest and leave the most scars.
I spun around to acknowledge my superiors standing before me as we were blessed with the presence of both our king and queen. Oya immediately stepped forward and knelt down at their feet with a sigh of relief while the rest of us collectively bowed in their presence.
“You honor us with your presence, O mighty Obalata and your Grace Yemaya. Finally, someone who will not be swayed by simple gifts and flowery language. Ogun, Shango, and I found these two trespassing at our borders, but Oshun saw fit to remove their restraints, thus threatening our safety and sanctity of our borders.”
Yemaya spoke again, this time remarking on Inanna's words, "Oya, I understand your desire to remain vigilant in the face of all potential threats to the peace and tranquility in our lands, but I cannot stress enough the lesson of compassion. I see no harm done with Oshun's actions. Can't you see and feel it? Our visitors' aegis flourishes like our own. What we have here are two divine beings in our midst paying us a visit. If they wanted to harm us, they would have done so already."
Oya exclaims, "You're both so goddamn naive! Always willing to turn the other cheek. The threat has arrived at our doorstep and you're all ready to roll out the welcome mat over some shiny rocks and trinkets. Heaven forbid, but I hope you all are smited for your carelessness."
At that very moment, I tasked myself with completing the assignment. I slapped Oya for her own carelessness of making such a vulgar remark.
Her reaction was not a surprise. She lost herself to her blinding rage. I blinked and found myself on my back with Oya's hands firmly grasped around my throat. Oya sought to punish me for this public embarrassment and defiance rather than any other consequence since my body did not require air. I didn't resist - I willingly allowed myself to become the target and instrument of her misguided rage, anger, and frustration. Maybe after she was done with me, she would be able to think more rationally. I stared into my friends' cold eyes and just watched and waited for sanity to prevail. Anger slowly drained away from Oya's eyes as I continued to merely watch her until she removed her hands from my now bruised throat and sat up from off of my chest. Alas, the display of violence wasn't over - not by a long shot.
A large masculine hand engulfed Oya's skull completely within his palm from behind, with the figure in possession of the limb that this hand was attached to bellowing, "I HAVE SEEN ENOUGH!!"
Oya's eyes widened in horror as she hung suspended in the air before she was brought down face-first into the pavement. I scrambled away as swiftly as I could, but I was still caught within the shockwave like so many surrounding and spectating this ordeal nearby. This intangible, yet familiar force felt as if the weight of the entire heavens and stars above were firmly placed onto our shoulders. The resulting force shook our entire region with an earthquake and brought us all to our knees - at least those who weren't bowing, sitting, and grounded already. In a cruel dose of irony, it was only fitting to acknowledge our lord, master, and ruler - Obatala himself.
Oya tried to push herself off the ground as she remained on all-fours but it was useless, even gravity acknowledged its lord and master. The pavement continues to crack under the pressure beneath Oya as Obatala plants his foot on her back while I noticed both Inanna and Ninshubur were forcefully brought to their knees and into a bowing position by Obatala's overwhelming power alone. Oya could do nothing more but grit her teeth as the air around them crackled with electricity. Oya continues to exert more of her divine strength to push herself off the dirt. A gentle hand on Obatala's shoulder caused him to relent and remove his foot from being planted in Oya's back - once freed Oya stands up in the wake of an explosion of fire and lightning where Ogun and Shango held her at bay from further retaliation and outbursts.
Shango quickly restrained her by grasping a firm hold of her left arm and said, "Calm yourself, woman! This is no time to be lashing out, especially when in the presence of Father!"
Ogun mirrored his brother’s actions and held Oya by her right arm and asked, "Do you wish to be stripped of your rank and title? Are you insane or dense? Obatala would not hesitate in an instant to smite you for these transgressions!"
Oya slowed her breathing and gradually calmed down, much to the relief of myself and those looking on - if they haven't fled for their safety. Oya's outburst and the spectacle that transpired thereafter hasn't aided her cause in the least - if anything it made her look like a heretic to not just our visiting guests, but to our own followers as well.
I found myself respecting Inanna's cunning in terms of choosing this moment to clear the air. She cleared her throat to not just expel the dust from the ordeal, but to clear the air of this family skirmish before addressing our lord directly.
After mirroring our acknowledgement to Obatala and Yemaya’s presence, Inanna addressed our leader, "Thank you for your hospitality. We understand the hardships of trusting outsiders."
Obatala nodded in agreement with Yemaya, "No need for pleasantries, stranger. What business do you have in these lands? Speak now or leave. There is no in-between."
Inanna raised her head to acknowledge our lord but remained on her knees, "I will get straight to the point. I am Inanna and this is my vizier Ninshubur. We were tracking the fiends. You can find their corpses in the chests. Their tracks showed us that they were fleeing into these lands after we exterminated their infestation on our own. We merely wish to eradicate these creatures straight from the source for they wouldn’t trouble anyone ever again."
Oya interjects, “How do we know if you didn’t set these creatures lose yourself?”
Ogun reluctantly speaks up, “We’ve seen these creatures before in the fields and along our borders. One or two, never more as if they are fleeing from someone or something…”
Shango adds, “Yes… as if they are being hunted. I know you are going to hate to hear this, Oya, but our guest’s story checks out in that regard.”
Inanna remains perched on one knee, “I have to confess that we have a tracker that traveled ahead in this region that we wish to rendezvous with. We were separated three days ago but the trail led us here.”
Obatala seemed intrigued at her tale as Yemaya posed another question to our guests.
“Is your tracker another vizier?”
Inanna shook her head in silence, hesitating. It was clear that she was contemplating how to articulate her words in the least hostile manner before answering.
“I made a pact with the Olympians to neutralize this threat before the problem spirals out of our control. In return, they assigned me their greatest tracker… Rhamnusia.”
Oya storms off while voicing her displeasure with this revelation after shrugging free from Ogun and Shango’s grasp.
“Just great… We have another trespasser just roaming free in these lands - OUR HOME - to their hearts’ content and you all stand idly by doing nothing!? I’ll find this tracker and bring them here to stand judgment as well.”
Shango and Ogun reluctantly gave chase to my departing friend.
Ximena perked up at the mention of the tracker’s name, “Rhamnusia? Why does that name sound so familiar?”
Oshun responds, “You know her as the Nemesis - her more accurate moniker by the Olympians given her reputation. Her notoriety wasn’t as widespread then as it is in the present day.”
Ximena’s eyes widened, “So this Inanna was in league with her and the rest of the Greek pantheon?”
Oshun sighs, “It’s a rather complicated matter… Please bare with me, but I shall address that in due time.”
Inanna continued to present her case.
“The Olympians said that borders were not in question as this infestation of fiends could be the first seed planted in the return of King Kyojin to our world.”
Murmurs and whispers quickly spread among my pantheon and the surrounding mortals alike at the mere mention of that name - at least to our kind, Kyojin was a boogeyman story for the younger members of our kind, specifically those who weren’t born during the Great Divine War, started by a fallen god who was cast out by the Four Heavenly Kings and banished to the demonic realm for all-time. If these creatures are linked to Kyojin, then our greatest fears could be realized - the barriers between the realms are bound to collapse and we could be in the wake of another full scale invasion with demons consuming this world to mold it into their new home. These creatures are merely scouts, mapping the territory in preparation for a larger scale attack.
Obatala instantly grabs Inanna by the throat, raising her up into the air to look him in the eyes. Inanna shows no fear in the face of our Lord, maintaining her composure.
“Do not speak that name lightly or you will experience a greater hell than where he resides for filling the ears of my people with that blasphemy.”
Yemaya acts as the voice of reason yet again; this time urging him to release Inanna. She floats to the ground with ease and resumes speaking.
“So you are familiar with the danger that these creatures provide if we were to allow them to roam free? If I may be so bold to request a similar alliance as my current contract with the Olympians until this fire is snuffed out and permanently extinguished.”
Yemaya was the first to consider this unique offer.
“Opportunities such as this are something that do not arrive at our doorsteps every day. It is only right that we consider our options in this matter.”
I instantly spoke up. “What is there to consider, All-Mother? We gain strong, powerful allies to deal with a common foe. We could purge away this foe in one fell swoop before it has a firm foothold into this world to return anew. The Four Heavenly Kings would be most pleased and would be more likely to bless our lands and our people in the years to come. It would be one less matter that they would demand the calling them away from their posts. Aren’t trivial matters like this best left our kind, am I correct?”
Yemaya considered my rebuttal and responded again, “This is true. While I am inclined to agree with you - I advise you not to be as rash and quick to make decisions without considering all of the potential outcomes and consequences.” She was clearly referring to Oya’s earlier outbursts in a manner without calling her by name. Yemaya tilted her head towards Obatala to gain his ear. “What say you, husband?”
Obatala sighs and relents, “We will work with you, Inanna - for now. Take heed knowing that once these fiends are exterminated, we expect you and your accomplices to leave our lands immediately. This is the last time I want to hear about this matter. Understood?”
Inanna bows again out of respect, “Thank you, my Lord. We shall resume our hunt at first light.”
I chimed in again, “Allow me to escort you both back to your camp. It is the least that I can do until Shango, Ogun, and Oya return.”
Truth be told, I offered my services not out of compassion but more out of mere curiosity to the type of person that this Inanna is.
Inanna smiled at me with a nod before gesturing to Ninshubur to rise back to her feet as she took her leave.
Yemaya stepped in front of me, smiling. “Would you three mind me accompanying you? It would only be fair that two of our own accompany you back to your camp.”
Inanna stepped aside gracefully. “It would be an honor.”
It was no secret that both Shango and Ogun had feelings for my best friend, but Ogun was too proud (or even worse, too shy) to act on his feelings. He and his brother Shango were always in competition for her attention, but this was one incident where they didn’t put up a fight to chase after her to make amends. I should have paid more attention to their feelings on this day. Maybe I could have prevented any future heartbreak or tension between those siblings, but then again, I made many mistakes on this day that I have been forced to live with. I should have shown more urgency to quell the fires of my best friend’s anger, but as a diplomat, Inanna’s offer to meet the rest of her people intrigued me more than a shouting match. It wasn’t often that I would engage with outsiders to our lands, and to be allowed to accompany Yemaya on this task was an unique honor that I could not pass up.
A Trip Down Memory Lane II
In the mental prison in the recesses of the mind of their shared vessel, Oya and Priscilla Lennox sit together within the cave of this facsimile of reality. Unbeknownst to Ximena Vega and Oshun, Oya recounts the same story to Priscilla, continuing where Oya stormed off since Oshun chose to join Yemaya and Inanna to their camp.
Between Father’s arrogance and Mother’s naivety towards these outsiders, I couldn’t take it anymore. I had already lashed out at my best friend once that day and I thought it was better to distance myself from this ordeal before I did something else that I would regret. In hindsight, it wasn’t in my best judgment to simply walk away and leave the politics to the rest of the pantheon when my instincts were screaming at me that something was clearly wrong.
The truth is that while I may be the much more formidable one on the battlefield, Oshun was truly the bravest one of us all. She had the courage to constantly look for other means than always resorting to violence instead of it being the end-all, be-all solution to all of our problems. The majority of our pantheon saw her mindset as a weakness, but I wish I praised her more for remaining adamant in her beliefs.
In reality, I was the coward. I was the slave to my impulses and unchecked anger. I found myself lashing out in every confrontation. Case in point? It was this very day.
After departing, I just ran. I kept running. Far, far away from our people… I just needed to hit something or someone. In a bizarre twist of irony, I found what I was looking for…. An intruder standing right in the middle of the forest. This was another stranger in our lands - one with similar wings to Inanna’s own protruding from her back. One look from the mortals and they would regard her as an angel visiting from heaven. However, to me, this stranger was no angel - a devil visiting from the depths of hell trespassing in our home.
I threw caution to the wind and decreed that I was the only authority that mattered. The wind bent to MY will after all. I didn’t ask any questions - the Greek armor that this woman was wearing was all of the distinction that I needed to justify that this woman wasn’t any friend of mine. She had no place here. The Olympians did not hold any dominion over these lands. She wasn’t welcome here and I didn’t want to hear any justifications for why she was here. If common sense and rationality prevailed that day, I would have determined that this individual was the one that Inanna was seeking to rendezvous with. Instead, I allowed my arrogance and lust for battle to muddy my better judgment under the veil of pure ignorance.
She said nothing and openly accepted my invitation to do battle as if she had to get something off of her chest too. We seemed evenly matched. For every hurricane I conjured, she would cleave in half and disperse. Regardless, I would meet her head-on, blow for blow. Each clash of our blades illuminated the sky in the same manner of nature’s expression of artistic beauty as thunder and lightning. It began to annoy me that she was merely defending and countering. She was content with not overexerting herself as if I wasn’t worth the full potential of her combat abilities. However, that’s where I was wrong in my arrogance. This woman was gathering data - studying how I fought. Realizing this infuriated me even more. However, I wouldn’t get a chance to act on that discovery. Unfortunately, I allowed myself to be distracted from the voices originating from the forest that I recognized as Shango and Ogun searching and calling out for me. It took that one instant to allow her blades to pause at my throat. I was ready to submit, but this Greek woman gave me a look of disappointment and simply said, “No good… let’s continue this when you’re less… preoccupied.”
My head was rightfully hers to claim, yet she showed me mercy. I didn’t know what to think or do as I watched her depart within a tear in the sky that closed swiftly as it opened. That fallen angel didn’t see me as a threat worth eliminating. That insult plunged deeper than any knife in my heart. I closed my eyes and allowed my body freefall from the sky as a suitable punishment from my embarrassment.
Ogun caught me out of my descent from the madness that was combat with this formidable stranger.
“If you’re still upset with me for siding with the others at the hearing, I’m sorry but you know that I cannot lie on trial,” Ogun remarked.
Clearly, I wasn’t in the mood to hear that matter so soon after my skirmish, so I pushed away from him out of his arms and landed back on my feet.
“Oya, please. Talk to me. You’ve been through a lot today. I get that, but that’s no reason to just run off on your own. We’re all here for you… including me.”
I motioned to walk away, but Ogun’s hand remained attached to my wrist. After a single tug of resistance, he would let me go, despite my stubbornness to just get away from him. I could feel his pangs of disappointment as I disappeared deeper into the forest. This was the childish game I played with his feelings towards me. I knew full well that Ogun was infatuated with me, but I didn’t pursue it. He was always timid and reserved; much like Oshun. I wanted him to take action and take the initiative to take me as his own. I considered myself a prize to be won and fought over - not something to be picked up at their leisure.
It wasn’t long before I encountered his brother Shango not much farther into the rain forest. Much like my altercation with his brother, I still refused to acknowledge him, but unlike his brother, Shango wasn’t going to allow me to ignore him. I motioned to push him aside, but Shango held his ground and refused to move out of my way. My annoyance was growing, so I pushed him aside with a gust of hurricane force winds. I thought I was going to be able to proceed forward until a tug on my arm spun me around to face him face-to-face.
“We really have to quit meeting up like this or I might be convinced that the Fates are playing matchmaker,” he joked.
In stark contrast to my run-in with Ogun, Shango did not just simply step aside and allowed me to walk away. He gave chase - he took initiative towards gaining my affection. He didn't stand idly by. He wasn't weak like I resented my best friend and others in my pantheon for their inability to take action. This pursuit was exactly what I needed right now to lose myself in and drown myself in following my disgrace in battle.
His poor attempt at humor was lost on me at that moment. I tried to remove my arm out of his grasp, but he wouldn’t release me - thus fueling my annoyance further.
My constant attempts to flee and isolate myself proved fruitless while Shango stood there, seemingly mocking me as he smiled at my inability to escape. The skies above quickly filled with black clouds with the rumbles of thunder heralding the arrival of the pending storm. I withdrew my machete from my hip with my free hand and struck at him with the intention of severing his limb that was attached to my own. Naturally, Shango released his grip and retreated briefly, only to respond with his own oshe drawn in retaliation. He charged forward to attack but I was ready with a bolt of lightning crashing straight down from the heavens above. He split the bolt in two with an overhead swing of his oshe that sent the scattering energy careening harmlessly to the ground underneath his feet. I couldn't expect any less for a fellow elite warrior of his caliber in our scout regimen. Alas, it wasn't any less annoying. My pride was on the line once again in this skirmish and I wasn't prepared to suffer another defeat so soon.
I smirked as I heard Shango's gasp of shock as the ground erupted at his feet as the corpses of the fallen reached out to grasp and claw at his ankles.
Don't look so surprised, child. I know you are familiar with my dominion over the elements that our curse seems to prioritize in this prison, but I suppose that we can take solace that our primitive state doesn’t have the know-how to delve into my abilities over the dead. I often escorted the weary souls of the dead to the afterlife. This is what gives me the ability to call upon them for an insignificant favor like this in battle.
A simple stomp to the ground and Shango rendered my visitors from the afterlife to ash as molten lava erupted from the fissures in the earth where they all originated from. I remained steadfast on my current course of action as I leapt into the air, where I was armed with another bolt of lightning that I brandished into a halberd. Shango stood poised to parry my descent with another swing of his oshe, but I had already planned for that counterattack. The lightning that he split and scattered so effortlessly mere moments ago came back to haunt him. I summoned them forth and reimagined them in the form of shackles to restrain him. Victory was within my grasp. I was so giddy with glee of my pending triumph that my erogenous zones grew moist with anticipation. My ethereal weapon pierced Shango's shoulder. It was his turn to share the excitement as he bit his bottom lip to either stifle a cry of pain or mask his own arousal growing from the heat of battle. Unfortunately, I didn't have a chance to determine an answer as I was hit from above. In my haste, I didn't account for him to brace himself for the impact of my added inertia and to use it against me. He used my own bindings to root the molten rock underneath us into a makeshift wrecking ball to drop over my head and shoulders, knocking my crown to the ground.
The blow was more than enough to slay any mortal, but we both know that I am much, much more for that to deal any considerable damage other than a mere annoyance. That being said, Shango wasn't giving me the kid gloves - he was fighting me like an equal. He didn't show me pity like my earlier opponent nor treated me as if I were made of porcelain like Ogun and everyone else in our pantheon did. He didn’t show me pity like the Greek warrioress did. Truth be told, my heart is made of glass hence why I surround it with so many walls and barricades. So I found what Shango provided me with this much needed outlet for my turbulent nature was seducing me in ways that I never knew was possible. I discarded the burning cloak from my shoulders to the ground in a fit as I perched on all-fours before evading the second wrecking ball of magma being directed downward from above with the force of a falling asteroid ready to render the dinosaurs extinct. Shango didn't allow me any room to sigh in relief as he closed the gap between us with his oshe drawn. I barely had the time to clash blades with my machete. The force of the impact of our blades clashing sent sparks that discharged and contributed to the spreading wildfire from the magma that was already consuming the dry leaves around us that quickly set the surrounding forest ablaze. Once again, that was a trivial matter.
My knees buckled and tensed with a fierce burning sensation within my muscles to keep up with Shango's incredible strength as my feet sank into the ground to maintain my fighting posture. The ground quaked beneath us while the wildfire raged around us, but I refused to allow Shango to overpower me. In my continued defiance, I armed myself with the sword I had kept sheathed on my back until now. Shango saw this and sought to throw me off balance with a heavier swing of his oshe. It knocked me back briefly but I managed to conjure a tempest to reign over my momentum. This gust of wind launched me forward to retaliate, striking back with equal, if not more force with the additional momentum.
Fighting Shango wasn't just a skirmish - it was a test of all of my skills and required… No, demanded me to be at my best. In our pantheon, his skills, power, and ferocity were second to only our Father's himself. After my recent defeat, I needed… No, I craved any means to hone my abilities to the perfection that satisfied my fragile ego. I wasn't going to accept anything less - even if it killed me.
Shango's oshe dropped to the ground behind him after cleaving several trees behind him in two until it finally lost the inertia that was attached to it. Shango stood unfettered by being removed of his preferred weapon of choice and reminded me that his entire body was a weapon by stopping me in my tracks with a vicious headbutt. The accompanying sonic boom from the sheer force of the impact rang my ears hard enough to cause me to drop my blade while in my state of disorientation. The blow rattled me, yes, but not enough to stop me from responding with a pair of gut punches to the chiseled granite that was abdomen on this fine specimen on this mountain of a man. To my dismay, this monolith didn't crumble nor shatter under the force of my blows from my bare fists, but I heard him grumble upon each impact. I definitely struck a strong enough nerve to urge him to squash this pest before him. Shango struck down with an overhead smash with his right arm that split the ground at my feet in half, leaving a volcanic fissure. Fortunately, I am one with the wind - the ground has no dominion over me. The wind beckoned me forward again like a reflex at the speed of a fighter jet, allowing me to strike again with a rising knee planted firmly at Shango's jaw. The sonic boom that came afterward heralded the arrival of my rebuttal to imbalance him in the same manner he did to me mere moments ago. The difference being that Shango didn't give me any room to pat myself on the back. He weaponized his impairment to numb the pain of removing my instrument from his left shoulder, only to impale me on the tip of my own halberd. There was no blood, no wound; the only thing that remained was the heat running through my veins that was fueling the fury within me. Having my weapon returned to me in this manner was the ultimate slap in the face to the extent that I could literally feel my blood simmering to volcanic proportions. I raised a hand to the heavens in an attempt to center myself before I lost myself to the chaos within. Clarity managed to win in this moment as my body and my weapon were both recalled back to the clouds above. One would be quick to assume that Shango was off the hook from receiving my wrath. The truth of the matter was that statement would be soon proven to be false soon enough.
If the local wildlife hadn't fled already from the chaos brought about our battle thus far, this was their final warning as the clouds crackled and illuminated once more. This was the prelude to my descent into madness as I unleashed the unchecked potential of my mastery over the elements in the form of a mighty lightning bolt that engulfed the forest in a pillar of light that ripped a hole in both the sky and the earth below. At this point, I didn't care about the surrounding destruction to our territory. Let it remain as a warning to our current trespassers and other possible enemies laying in wait to learn of one who can permanently scar the planet itself. I took great satisfaction in this visceral outlet to just let go against an opponent who doesn't merely take everything I could throw at them but challenge me at an equal footing and push my skills further. The sheer amount of destruction that laid at the wake of our battle was poetic - the forest was consumed in my divine light. I didn't discriminate when I issued my intentions to kill by any means necessary - it was selfish as I would learn soon enough. The smoke cleared with me perched on a vantage point with an air of superiority on Shango's chest with my machete held at his throat. To my dismay, he held his oshe at my neck.
My lip trembled as the choking fear of losing consumed me again.
“I’m so weak…” I uttered.
He caressed my cheek with the back of his hand while I turned my head away from him in protest, clenching my eyes shut in a futile attempt to hide my shame of defeat. Truth be told, the tears that ran from my eyes betrayed me soon enough and the dam came crashing down as I fell into his welcoming arms.
He wiped my tears away and said, “Even the strongest of pillars succumb under the weight of the world. You are no different.”
For the first time, I looked at all of him - not just as an obstacle in my way or a rival to challenge and push me to be better. Our eyes met and our weapons fell to the ground in unison as we sank into a kiss.
Priscilla teased, “So you both reached a stalemate in that battle?”
Oya blushed, “I suppose you could put it that way, but from how I submitted willingly to my emotions at that point and to him, I feel more honest stating that he was the victor that day. What should have been a triumphant moment in terms of finding a moment of solace among the spiraling calamity of my emotions, it was bittersweet when I saw Ogun witnessing our moment firsthand.”
Priscilla held a hand to her lips as Oya continued, “I should have stopped but I chose to acknowledge his voyeurism and feed into making him jealous and envious of what his brother gave me that he was too passive to give me…”
That wasn't the full story however… How could I tell Priscillia that my tryst didn't end there with Ogun catching us in the act of merely sharing a kiss when in reality, he walked in onto something much more scandalous and erotic. How could I share the details of my journey into complete hedonism? How could I tell her that one kiss sent us into a frenzy to remove what remained of our garments and armor? How could I confess that I submitted to his touch the very instant his magnificent tool entered me with complete presumption. His tool's entire length wasn't even inside me yet before I cried out, begging for more from the first of what would be many orgasms seizing my body. He held me by the waist while I was barely able to prevent my face aloft and away from being buried in the dirt at our feet. We would find our rhythm soon enough and rock together in harmony to add even more bliss to the pleasure that was consuming me. I naturally arched my spine to lean back into his sculpted chest, allowing him to bury his face into the nape of my neck when he wasn't alternating between kisses on the side of my cheek and my lips. I struggled to find my breath between his thrusts until my legs gave out underneath me as another mind-numbing orgasm overwhelmed me.
It felt so good to just let go and stop fighting - stop running from these feelings and just let it happen. It was so selfish of me to want both of these Adonises for myself - but when experiencing pleasure like this, I was reminded why I didn't want to share nor to give up my game to make brothers continue pursuing and chasing after my affections. Unfortunately for Ogun, Shango won his prize tonight in more ways than one. He sank down behind me on his knees and ensured that I wasn't going to be let off the hook that easily. I met his tool with eagerness, thrusting my hips backward. These movements are automatic as if I was bewitched under a spell. There was no malevolence here; I did so willingly, eagerly - especially after feeling his grip on my pelvis. I thrust back into him again and again to meet him like a woman possessed. Nothing else mattered except for this heat and overwhelming pleasure. I raised my toned rump higher and he accepted my open invitation to explore the molten abyss that is my womanhood even deeper. I utter a choked gasp of belief while my toes curl in rapture from the sensations running through my body from each thrust - each one better than the last until I was paralyzed with rigidity. I didn't want to go anywhere; all I wanted was to stay steadfast in this position as long as I could live off this pleasure forever. My left hand smacked the ground in a fit as if I was cursing myself for denying myself from experiencing these joys sooner. At the same time, my right hand found his Shango's on my waist. I wasn't begging for mercy - no, far from it... I sought out a quick reprieve before I would combust from the sweltering inferno he was igniting within my lions. Shango took heed of my dilemma along with my hand into his own, brought it up to his lips, and kissed my palm. I found my confidence again through bated breaths and asserted what little power I had over him with a playful shove to leave Shango flat on his back.
It was then when I saw Ogun standing among what remained of the burning forest around us. This wasn't the first time he had seen me in my nude glory, but he was gawking nonetheless. I smirked devilishly as my eyes locked on his before turning my head to look back at Shango over my shoulder. He wasn't privy to Ogun's presence - or maybe he was blissfully ignorant to it as he knew that Ogun wasn't going to do a damn thing to stop it - not that he could in the slightest. It wasn't a secret that Shango and I had made love in the past. It was just that I took great pride in not feeding his ego to the fact that he was my favorite partner when it came to sex. He is a master of his craft to satisfy my hunger for that raw, unabated act of animalistic lust. Just once, I wanted Ogun to be the one who would quell my sexual appetite, even if I had to give him a visual aid this fine evening to serve as motivation.
Was it selfish? Yes, can anyone blame me for my inability to think straight right now when I'm drunk off what Shango has been doing to my body? (Laughs) I'm surprised that I was capable of coherent thought at this moment, nonetheless debauchery such as this vile scheme. Who am I kidding? I just wanted him to enjoy the show now that we had an audience.
The exhibitionist harlot wearing my skin at this moment was getting even wetter at the thought of Ogun's voyeurism in what would be our final act of tonight's performance. I crawled along the expanse of Shango's body like an apex predator in anticipation of this newfound dessert, ready to sink my teeth into my prey, but I took the moment to admire and cherish the fine specimen that would be soon underneath me. His tool stood proud and erect like a beacon of hope, ready to dominate me all over again. I blushed with pride that it was still slick and glistening from my own nectar, evidenced by the wetness coating my own inner thighs. Shango opened his mouth to speak but I silenced him with a single finger placed delicately on his lips. I carefully ran that finger down to his broad chest and over the ridges and valleys of muscle before sliding up along the length of that magnificent tool that would be the instrument of my pending doom. It was a fate that I refuse to deny in exchanging for providing me with that delicious pleasure I craved. I wrapped my entire hand around the shaft and eagerly squeezed up to the tip to set the mood. I wasn't interested in eye contact - I wanted to continue where we left off with him taking me from behind.
I wanted Ogun to hate and loathe himself for being so timid and reserved. It was an appropriate punishment for his inability to take action when I could have been rightfully exchanging these pleasures with him in his bed. Ogun only had himself to blame for these circumstances. What is the mortal saying? “You snooze, you lose.”
In my spitefulness, I wanted him to feel that loss in every fiber of his being while I rewarded the man who took action and claimed his prize. Ogun deserved my wrath - at least that was what I childishly convinced himself of that day to justify rubbing my open erotica in his face.
I continued to stroke Shango's tool while we kissed with so much fire behind it that we had to break it solely to come up for air before we robbed the air completely from each other's lungs. After bringing Shango to peak-diamond hardness, it was time to claim my prize. In another act of selfishness, I denied Shango any eye contact. Instead, I faced his feet and blocked his view of the forest where Ogun continued to watch gobsmacked. He was transfixed on the hypnotic gyrations of my hips mere inches away from swallowing the tip of Shango's member. I impaled myself slowly, savoring every moment of his tool parting my inner lips wide open once again.
“FUCK!” I cried out with the first of many expletives as I fell down on my ample button to straddle his hips.
I came again… just like that. This wasn't a craving, this was transforming into an addiction…. And I needed more…
So much more.
I brace myself by resting my hands on his tree truck-like muscled thighs before climbing the length of his tool to the tip and slamming myself back down. That sequence of actions nearly brought me over the edge again, which was evidenced by my sex squirting lightly in approval. Once seated at the base of the hilt of his sacred weapon, I took a moment to gyrate and grind my hips to savor this sensation while simultaneously adding to our shared pleasure. I repeated this sensual dance several times until I found a methodical pace to my liking to sate the mania building within me. That was when Shango took the reins and reclaimed control by holding me aloft from underneath my toned thighs.
I felt my anxiety building in fear of him throwing me off his manhood that was becoming the reason for existing. In my foolishness, I had gravely misread his intentions. He began thrusting up, penetrating me even deeper. My mouth opens but nothing comes out until I find the means to free my then silent scream from the prison of my throat. Once unbound, the scream is ear-piercing as I cry out in ecstasy while this perfect man seemingly splits my pussy (that's what it is as my higher faculties fail me as I am consumed by this lust…) in half with his divine cock. That exquisite hammer hanging between his legs was filling my pussy more and more. My dwindling sanity couldn't make sense of it. I just needed more. And he granted my wish every single time he used it to piston in and out of me. I threw myself back into the mercy of this sex machine, arching my spine like a woman possessed while presenting my bare, ebony breasts to heavens as a sacrificial offering. I willingly spread my legs wide eagle to give him even more control. Shango's cock continued to assault my pussy. I was practically gushing as I felt my grasp on reality slipping along with what little remained of my sanity. Shango's body went rigid after slamming into me with enough force to launch me into the stars if he was holding my thighs firmly.
This crescendo wasn't merely a mutual detonation of our shared orgasms. It was an extinction level cataclysm for anything unfortunate enough to be in our wake at that moment. Lightning shot through my body with violent arcs shooting out of my eyes and one arc danced erratically between my breasts with sparks capping each nipple. I shed genuine tears from the heights of our passion at that moment. Smoke emanated from my scorching hands that I somehow retained enough sanity to refrain from touching the ground with to avoid burning down what little remained of this secluded area of the forest around us.
Soon enough, clarity navigated its way through the chaos of my short-circuited brain. Regardless, I could merely stare forward blankly, smiling internally, knowing that I wanted - no, hungered for more.
Priscilla snaps Oya out of her daydream with a question.
“What happened to Ogun after he caught you and Shango together like that?”
What I did tell Priscilla was that Ogun caught us in the act, just not the full context of it, even though I don’t doubt that she could fill in the gaps that I left out.
I felt my face flushing red with heat in my cheeks as I bashfully confessed my lack of knowledge of his whereabouts, “By the time I freed myself from that distraction I had no idea when or where Ogun departed. At the same time, I admit that I wanted him to be jealous of seeing me with his brother.
A woman is a phoenix - she burns, breaks, heals, and rises even stronger. If you don't take anything else from this recountance of my past mistakes, take heed of that fact, my dear Priscilla Lennox.