The fighters squared off. Udaipur clearly had greater reach, but Semari was faster, at least when she was moving at full speed. Her posture was still slumped, face drawn and tired-looking, skin clammy and pallid. Udaipur held a rigid fighting posture, body turned sideways-on, hands in loose fists, while Semari looked like she was about to fall over already, even sloppier than usual.

The gong rang out and Udaipur seized the initiative, stepping forward and paying out a swift sequence of punches. Semari moved to block, although without much force, her arms getting knocked to the side and a few strikes connecting. She was pushed backwards, doing what she could to block and parry the attacks, but more of the strikes kept slipping through.

Stathis turned to Janaxia. ‘Can you do anything? She’s getting torn apart down there.’

‘The rules are very clear, that no interference with the rival challenger is permitted. With that said, Hakara, if you would be so kind?’

Lightning sparked around Hakara’s hands as she spread them wide, power arcing between them. ‘Are you sure about this?’ She looked at Stathis for guidance.

‘If Janaxia says so, I guess?’

Hakara pushed her palm forward, lightning shooting towards Semari and hitting her, making her body jerk and twitch. Udaipur jumped backwards as the gong sounded, judges muttering between themselves. Before they could talk, Janaxia spoke, loudly and clearly.

‘I do not believe there is any issue with a defender attacking their own challenger? To attack the prosecutor would, of course, be quite invalid, but there is no issue with the reverse, however unorthodox it might be, is there?’

The murmuring went for several moments, before the gong was sounded again, allowing the fight to resume. Semari was still sparking slightly, her eyes clearer now, although she still looked tired and worn. Hakara cupped her hands in front of her mouth and shouted. ‘Rip his fucking nipples off!’ Then she sat down, looking embarrassed, especially when some of the audience turned to look at her. ‘My apologies, Miss Stathis, but such language appears to be traditional in the pub brawls I have seen, and may encourage Semari to fight better. I believe that he would be the physical nexus as well and given the strength of the sympathetic link Semari bears, may prove disruptive.’

Semari attacked for the first time, sidestepping a punch and going low, hooking a leg around Udaipur’s knee and trying to pull him over. He twisted awkwardly, and then they slammed together into a grapple, both trying to force the other to the ground. His greater weight was starting to tell, Semari slowly being pushed down before she twisted, her hand free for a moment. Two fingers formed into a point and she stabbed forward, an undefended strike against his belly.

As she punctured his skin, lightning sparked out. It ran down Semari’s arm, blinding-white power forming a snaking spiral around her body, blowing them apart. She slammed into the wall, falling to her feet, with the lightning still tracing up and down her body before settling onto an arm. She cracked her neck and grinned, suddenly fully awake and aware.

Udaipur charged, lightning forming around his own fists. Semari deflected a strike into the wall, dust exploding out from the impact. Her counter was a swift sequence of blows to his torso, precisely targeting pressure points, more lightning blasting forth. Power hung in the air between them, a blindingly bright sphere forming from nothing, light burning onto Stathis’ retinas.

A shape started to appear behind Semari, corona of energy forming into a humanoid shape, mirroring her movements. She was faster now, more like her normal speed, reacting to Udaipur’s strikes, blocking and countering, starting to seize the momentum back from him. Her voice rang out, an eerie duet as the crackling shape spoke in synch, their voice snapping and sparking.

‘Traitor and captor! You sought to challenge my law and usurp my power. For that you must be punished.’

…must be punished.

Semari was moving strangely, her power keeping her just off the ground, electricity coursing through her, every attack sending out arcs of brilliant white energy.

Udaipur continued to fight. ‘You refused to enforce the true law! You went against the holy writings! You were unfit for the position you bore, and so I ensured that the law was followed. Justice as lightning, swift and merciless. You were weak and soft. Given time, I would have taken your place.’

‘Let the spear of heaven fall, let justice be done, swift and pure.’

…swift and pure.

The figure was following behind Semari’s movements, every punch or kick doubled, as more and more energy was pulled towards Semari.

Some of the other monks jumped into the arena, baring fangs and heading for Semari. She moved with blinding speed, crossing the ground without seeming to move through the intervening space, elbows and knees striking out, visible only as white-tinged after-images. The smell of scorched fabric and burnt flesh filled the air, as their bodies hit the ground in close succession, one shrivelling into dust, body fading to ash.

Udaipur charged again, trying to slam through Semari’s guard. His stance was a solid one, footing secure to try and deliver as strong blows as possible and also protect himself. Semari flashed between the attacks before clapping her hands, lightning scorching the ground beneath her as compressed air blasted out. He was pushed off his feet, propelled into the air. He managed to twist in mid-air as Semari jumped after him, an impossibly-fast succession of punches hitting him, slamming him downwards. He hit the ground with enough force to crater it, sending up a cloud of dust. More of Udaipur’s allies jumped in, although the conflict was fierce enough that they stayed back. Other monks instead attacked them, some inter-factional dispute spilling forth. Pandemonium broke out, the assorted judges and priests warding themselves with spells, some vanishing as they teleported away.

Stathis vaulted over the edge of the arena, Parth following behind, trying to get close to Semari. She blocked a kick, pushing back and backhanding a monk with her gauntleted fist, sending them staggering backwards, Parth swinging her sword to open a path.

The ball of lightning moved towards Semari, streams of power spiking towards her, the lightning-shape trailing behind her becoming more coherent. It was showing the blazing white form of an armoured woman, hair streaming into lightning as she moved her head, a long bolt of lightning forming into a spear. She raised the spear and threw it, Udaipur managing to deflect the strike, lightning blasting away more of the arena.

‘You fell from your path, false goddess of a weak justice! I would have been far stronger, more just, a force felt in the world, without your flaws and weaknesses.’

Semari didn’t let him continue, charging again. She shifted past his defence, darting around a counterstrike and then hammering a series of attacks home, pummelling his torso. Every attack was accompanied by a clap of thunder, the booms running together into a single continuous peal, deafeningly loud in the enclosed space. Semari didn’t let him fall, as he started to drop to the ground she kept attacking, keeping him standing through the sheer torrent of her attacks. Lightning flashed from her fists, the sound echoing against stone, flashes of light getting brighter and brighter. Then she slammed her fist forward, a spear of lightning lancing from empty air in a blinding flash.

When Stathis could see again, Udaipur’s body was finally sinking to the ground. Half of his chest had been obliterated, the hole still smoking, Semari holding a charred piece of meat in her hand. She crushed it, a crack of thunder pealing forth. Then she collapsed to the ground, landing face-first on the stone.

Stathis took advantage of the stunned shock running through the mob and ran over to Semari, checking she was still alive, healing the worst of her wounds. She was still smoking from the lightning, although had stopped sparking now.

The figure of lightning turned towards Stathis, face curious before vanishing, a blast of lightning earthing itself into Semari, her body sent into another series of spasms. Stathis used the last of her power to heal Semari again, prompting her to suck in air in deep, gulping breaths. Water splashed against her face, some of it going into her mouth and making her choke and gasp, almost drowning. Janaxia approached, a jug of water suspended by magical energy. She flicked a wrist, magical blasts smashing into the body of a would-be attacker and flinging them backwards.

‘Don’t drown her! She’s OK. I think.’

Semari gargled and spluttered, managing to recover from electrocution and inhaling water, Stathis helping her to stand. Having Semari lean on her for support was strange, but she had been through a lot.

‘Semari? You OK, are you possessed or anything?’

There was a hint of white in her eyes, a flash of lightning that vanished when she blinked. ‘I dunno. Feel like shit though. Never ripped a dude’s heart out before though, that was kinda cool.’ She mimicked the move, her bloodstained hand grabbing at empty air, although weakly. ‘Ow!’ She opened her hand, to reveal a strangely-spiked lump of metal.

‘Please don’t make a habit of it. Arms are bad, hearts are even worse. So he’s dead, I guess his followers are being hunted down, job done?’ Stathis carefully took the spike, the familiar aura of hate surrounding it, wrapping it in a scrap of cloth.

Although the fighting continued, several of the monks approached them, immediately dropping to their knees and bowing towards Semari, pushing Janaxia out of the way. Semari looked at them in confusion, before the elderly monk approached, brushing past an increasingly irritated-looking Janaxia.

Stathis moved in front of Semari, in case of sudden attack. He pulled out his pipe and lit it. ‘Ah, it’s nice to do that without immediately getting told off. I wasn’t expecting Udaipur’s heart to get ripped out, but I suppose that’s what you get for messing with a deity. He will be mourned.’ He took a long breath on his pipe, then exhaled. ‘That seems about long enough, I think.’

‘Who the hell are you? And if you start spouting mystic bullshit, then I’m going to shove that pipe somewhere uncomfortable.’ Stathis couldn’t be bothered to put up with any more vagueness.

‘I was expecting rather more grace from you, considering your position, Lady Stathis.’

Janaxia pushed her way through the crowd of worshippers, pushing down on one particularly stubborn individual with her heel until he bent forward to allow her passage, as she simply walked over his prone form.

‘Don’t you “Lady Stathis” me. If this is some weird political thing, then you should have mentioned it! We’ve had to sit through two damn dull days of endless discussion, when there’s vampires that need killing.’

Janaxia coughed, tone dangerous. ‘Dull, you say?’

Stathis took a deep breath. ‘Janaxia, you are very good at this, your robes looked great and you did a really impressive job and managed to keep Semari alive and unmaimed. But for the rest of us, it was sitting down and staring into space for hours. I had to do enough stuff like that at home, sitting through ceremonies and speeches and awards and it goes on forever and nothing gets done, and there’s still vampires to deal with. If you have any suggestions as to where you want to eat and drink, let me know, you’ve more than earned it, but gods above, it was boring.’ She turned back to the monk. ‘So yeah, you’ve wasted a lot of time for what I really hope was a good reason.’

He paused before answering, looking slightly taken aback. ‘I was going to congratulate you on defeating Udaipur, but now doesn’t seem the time.’

‘Correct. So, he sealed that lightning goddess somehow? How does Semari come into this?’

Semari squirmed around, having recovered her strength enough to squint suspiciously at the man. ‘Yeah, I’ve been zapped and stuff because of this. Better have a good reason!’

He took another puff on his pipe. ‘Normally people are rather more awestruck by this sort of thing.’

Hakara raised a hand, spell-power shimmering around her hand, a blue sphere sparking with lightning flashes, drawing in stray motes of power. ‘It was unexpected, but less terrifying than a dragon, or the storm-witch. And it was interesting to have the chance to study Miss Semari. I would imagine some form of enforced binding into the material realm, to absorb her power?’

Stathis nodded. ‘Lightning-goddess or whatever isn’t that crazy compared to some stuff we’ve seen. If you wanted Udaipur dealt with, then this seemed a hell of a long-winded way to go about it. Just challenge him to a duel or something, you must have some rules for that!’

‘I was hoping to avoid a fuss, I don’t suppose you would prefer to discuss this in private?’

‘Is there any of this that needs to be secret, or is it just stuff you don’t really want to talk about? It looks like a goddess was kidnapped and you haven’t done anything about it for years. You’re going to need to tell the other faiths about what the hell happened, so why not start with us?’

A worshipper came a little too close, Janaxia stamping on their hand, her heel drawing blood. ‘I would suggest perhaps we retire to somewhere a little quieter, at the least? Having to deal with this rabble is rather aggravating, and there still appears conflict going on.’ Although they were warded somewhat by the circle of worshippers, combat was still going on, fists and feet flying. ‘Although, as Stathis says, you will likely be receiving communications from the other faiths soon, demanding an explanation. Considering the lengths to which we have been put, then an explanation to ourselves would, at the least, be courteous. Get back, you crawling fool!’ She stamped down on another worshipper, heel stabbing a clutching hand.

Semari stepped forward, the crowd looking at her expectantly. Then she took a deep breath and slapped her hands together. Stathis grabbed at Janaxia, keeping her from flying away as the thunderwave blasted out, pushing them back. Semari sank down, drained from the effort, Stathis supporting her again.

They moved swiftly through the crowd before they could recover, leaving the challenge chamber. ‘So, spill it. Ronteah got wounded, retreated here, then Udaipur did something to steal her power? I’m guessing using this?’ Stathis held out the spike. ‘How does Semari fit into this? With a minimum of bullshit.’

He puffed on his pipe again, gingerly tapping the spike and recoiling. ‘A fortunate accident, I believe. Ronteah’s regalia was taken by those that had defeated her and passed around the mortal realm. And then, through various misadventures, somehow fell into Semari’s hands. Her spirit was sufficiently akin to that of Ronteah’s own to create a connection. This roused Ronteah from her slumber, allowing her to break free.’

‘Hey, so that means I’m, like, a demi-god or something? Do I get any cool gear or anything?’ Semari clicked her fingers, a snap of lightning appearing. ‘A belt of lightning would be neat. Or at least, like, a cool hat or something.’

‘Sadly not, I’m afraid. You are but a temporary vehicle for Ronteah.’ His fist shot forward, striking Semari in the chest, flingers flicking out to precisely target pressure points. The air around her shimmered, a shape of lightning appearing in the air behind her, the armoured woman coalescing from nothingness. The temperature rose, lightning spiking through the air, some earthing itself through Stathis, making her tingle and twitch. The thing spoke, voice more normal now, but still carried an impression of power and light, cleansing and brutal.

‘I am weak and weary from my long imprisonment. I have been bound in a cage of flesh for too long, severed from the celestial realm. And you, young one, appear to have a piece of my armour.’ She pointed her spear at Semari, the bracer sparking with electricity.

‘Hey, this is mine! I ripped it off someone myself, that makes it mine now, that’s how it works.’ Semari clutched it protectively against herself, seeming ready to fight for it.

‘You claim it by right of conquest then?’ The goddess’ form continued to fill in, colours others than blinding white now appearing, it becoming obvious that her armour was missing a bracer. ‘You would claim part of my divine regalia?’

‘Damn straight. Fight you for it?’ Despite her injuries, Semari was hyped up, or possibly just riding high on too much adrenaline.

‘I admire your courage, if not your sense.’

Stathis stepped forward, declining her head slightly. What was the correct form of etiquette for a deity? She really should have paid attention to her classes. She glanced to the side, where Janaxia was in a deep curtsey, Hakara trying to imitate her, Parth looking nonchalant. The goddess looked at Stathis, tilting her head curiously. ‘Interesting. I thought your kind long gone. Although perhaps I should call you cousin?’ Stathis saw Janaxia look up from her curtsey, a questioning look on her face. ‘It seems I have been released in time, just as the old darkness rises anew.’ She twirled her spear of lightning, light trailing behind it, her face one of grim determination. ‘And my lightning shall shatter the darkness once more, into ash and death.’ She slammed the haft of her weapon against the ground. ‘So then, strange child, you may keep my bracer, until I have need of it again. But not, I think, quite that much of my power.’

There was a retching, hacking sound as Semari coughed up blood, speckled with flecks of light. These flew towards Ronteah, getting absorbed into her form. Semari spluttered as she coughed up blood again. ‘Fuck me, that’s a shitty “thank you”! What are you going to do next, stab me?’

Ronteah’s laughter was loud and booming. ‘My apologies, mortal. I have been overlong in the darkness and forget myself, and the frailty of mortal flesh. But perhaps “cousin” would fit you, as well? You bore my essence well and defeated a greater opponent. With my help of course.’ Lightning snapped from her hand into Semari, this time healing her. ‘Consider my bracer a gift then, although I may claim it back, should the darkness return and I have greater need of it.’

Janaxia’s look towards Semari was decidedly unfriendly now, for some reason Stathis couldn’t figure out. Semari managed to stay standing under her own power, lightning pulling itself through her body, leaping from the back of her hand back towards Ronteah, burning out and leaving a lightning-shaped scar mark, flesh smoking. Semari sagged downwards, Stathis barely managing to catch her before she fell against the floor.

‘So, is she normal now or what?’

‘Her skills are her own. Enough of my essence remains in her that she will retain her affiliation to lightning, although it should hurt less now.’

Despite being barely conscious, she still sounded annoyed and wanting to fight. ‘So, like, what am I? You my mother or something?’

Ronteah looked taken aback. ‘No, assuredly not! You are somehow of a similar essence, and long attunement with my regalia meant that a connection was forged between us.’ She gave Semari a long look, assessing her. ‘How you are born of the lightning, I know not. But you are not my doing; I do not participate in such dalliances.’

‘So, you’re like an ancestor but not really? Guess that makes sense. So, what stuff can you give me? That’s what ancestors do. Gold would be nice, if you’ve got any.’

Ronteah looked taken aback. ‘Have I not given enough, mortal? You bear divine regalia, more than any mortal has had of me in a long age.’

‘Hey, Janaxia has ancestors, and they gave her, like a whole house. Parth gets all sorts of stuff. Stathis has a whole mini-country or something! All I got was almost beaten to death, and a bracer. I guess the bracer is kinda cool, but some money would be nice, as a bonus.’ She raised a hand expectantly.

‘I am Ronteah, the Lightning Flash, the Spear of Heaven’s Judgement. Know that I am in your debt – that should be more than enough, should it not? And you have my bracer, an item of divine regalia. Many would be proud of such an item – it has great power. Although you do not appear to have kept it well maintained.’

‘That’s a bit lame. Nothing else?’

Stathis pulled her up. ‘Don’t be rude! Ronteah, do you know anything about how you were captured?’

She looked embarrassed. ‘I was called to this realm to render judgement. But I was ambushed, bound to the material realm. That thing you bear, although it may appear small, was able to bind me within a mortal frame. And, bound and trapped, I was unable to contact my kin or followers for assistance, so they likely presumed me wounded and convalescing. The eyes of heaven themselves were blinded from my fate.’

‘So did Udaipur have any help? He didn’t seem the sort to have a lot of magical power.’

‘I believe so, but I was ambushed. There was something of the darkness there, but it was so sudden, and I have spent so long alone…’ She shook her head. ‘My memories are broken and fragmented. The darkness grows heavy across the lands. But I am sorry, little cousin, I have nothing to give you but my bracer, which should be boon enough. Now I must return to heaven, and chastise the other gods for not noticing my absence.’

She disappeared in a booming flash of lightning.

Janaxia rose from her curtsey. ‘Well, that was mildly unexpected. And I had no idea that you had a relative of such stature.’ She was staring at Stathis and Semari, lips pulled taut.

Semari collapsed, having finally run out of energy. Or just didn’t want to have to deal with Janaxia, who seemed irritated about something. Janaxia carefully poked her in the cheek, ignoring the spark of lightning that jumped towards her. ‘Well, I suppose she has been through quite a trying time. Is there any danger of reprisal?’

The elderly monk shook his head. ‘I didn’t realise he had converted quite so many of the other monks. I have spent much of the last decade meditating, and only recently realised that Udaipur had plans beyond banning most of the fun things in life and being excessively officious. I suppose lesser vampires make useful minions, especially when taught the Fist of Heaven, despite their limitations.’

‘So you’re sure you can deal with them here? So that leaves the vampire lord - do you know anything about where he is? He needs dealing with, and then we can be done with this place.’

‘Always so business-like, Lady Stathis?’

She resisted the urge to smack him – if nothing else, he could probably block her attacks easily. ‘Vampires. Killing people, that seems like something that you should at least pretend to care about? And Semari being a demi-god or something is going to take some time to process.’

Janaxia poked the unconscious Semari in the cheek. ‘Yes, I must say I never suspected her of having such a relationship. One hopes that she will try and make rather more of an effort going forward. Her usual clothing simply won’t do when being presented, it does little to inspire worship.’

‘You can restyle her later.’ Stathis turned back to the elder. ‘Do you need any help with the vampires here? I’m assuming that you’ve checked to make sure the master isn’t here?’

‘No, and yes. They lair elsewhere within the city. When this little mess is dealt with, then I will be able to lend rather more aid. If you were to kill some more vampires on your way out, it would be appreciated. Although, given the legal precedent Lady Janaxia has set, I suppose it would be “eliminate” rather than “kill”, would it not?’

Hakara summoned up her divinatory sphere – there was still a thick, streaming darkness in the centre, but the storm had faded. Small elements of darkness could be seen, moving around rapidly, before one blinked out. ‘They seem to have few numbers, Miss Stathis. Sadly, I have few spells left, and Semari is in no state to fight.’

Janaxia looked at the sphere. ‘Udaipur’s darkness must have been great indeed, to leave such a shadow even after his destruction.’

It didn’t seem the time to point out that the darkness was entirely Janaxia’s own. ‘Your lot know how to deal with vampires?’

He gave a nasty grin. ‘Oh yes. I ordered supplies of holy water increased, just in case. His followers are now being offered a full-body baptism. One hopes that their next life will involve better choices. If you wish to help, I’m not going to refuse, but we have this in hand, and now I have managed to bravely defeat a coup, rather than assassinating a justly-appointed master of the Inner Shrine. Nicely done, even if I do say so myself.’