Sachihiro

‘’I don’t like these Jotnar and their interest in you, I don’t like that this woman has forced this on you,’’ Ava says with a twisting scowl as she glares at the entourage Selah has to support her, including a Jotnar elder.

‘’What do you expect he does, we can’t exactly turn down the challenge no-‘’

‘’I know my son has turned down many challenges through the years which is odd in itself, but a mating challenge has never been denied,’’ Ma says looking at me sternly as though she senses the doubts whirling behind my eyes.

My awareness is on multiple groups of people that appear as some sort of shadows to my perception because of the large numbers but my focus is on the girl Selah stretching and warming up, completely focused on the fight between us. The family and most of my friends are still here as Saya and Michael's mating ritual just took place. I’m part of the spectacle I guess, I grin as I notice Saya and Shea taking care of Michael’s wounds.

Maybe another spectacle is what everyone needs with the news of the conflict about to start with the Maori and the ever-looming threat of a calamity from the beyond hanging over our heads.

‘’Don’t worry about me, I will be fine regardless of the Jotnar schemes,’’ I say to no one in particular but it is Mira that snorts her in derision.

‘’You think we are worried about you? You haven’t told any of your wives what you intend to do with the girl, and a blind fool can see she is beautiful so knowing your brain won’t work for long-‘’

‘’That’s not fair, I-‘’

‘’You’ve been preoccupied but we are here to take the load off you, share with us so you don’t have to carry these burdens alone.’’ Kuyoki’s soft voice rebukes and I keep my mouth shut and digest that for I know not to take anything she voices concern about for granted.

‘’I should probably go talk to old man Tosting, see how he is annoying that blue-skinned woman with his coarse humour?’’

‘’Oh please, stop trying to run away Ava. You as much about this family as anyone, and your friend over here probably talks more to you than he has been to us these days.’’ Ingwe adds chidingly, little Anya standing at her side as she likes to be these days.

‘’Okay I hear your concerns, I apologise for being a little aloof these days I've had a lot on my mind. Yes Kuyoki I will talk about it at home.’’ I forestall the response I see her forming and she nods her accent.

‘’I don’t know what I will do with the young woman yet but I agree that killing her is not one of my options, we need more allies not to be making blood feuds with other families on top of those we already have.’’

‘’I am also weary of the Jotnar schemes, this Ancestor that they are breeding with seems to be affecting their way of doing things not just their difference in behaviou,.’’ Ma says for the umpteenth time. Everyone in the family knows she doesn’t trust the Jotnar as far as she can throw an angry rhino.

‘’Alright enough talking, it looks like it’s time to shed blood, here.’’ Iki says handing me the weapon I will be using for this challenge wrapped in a red satin and velvet sheet.

I accept the bundle with a grateful nod and go on one knee to carefully unwrap the zanpakutō spear that was once my friend but now has become a completely different creature. There is beauty in the thing, majesty that cannot be fully described yet at the same time practicality that makes this almost seem like any other spear.

‘’You’re not taking this seriously enough, you’re gonna use a spear? When was the last time you even held a spear?’’ Ava asks with a scowl folding her arms over her chest but Mira and Kuyoki immediately recognise the power of the thing I’m holding.

The shaft looks and feels to be made of wood but one that’s slightly flexible while remaining unbreakable when tested. There are flowing grooves close to the rear and at the middle of the spear shaft I assume are to increase gripping efficiency. The rear of the spear is a cone shaped silver spike that could punch a hole through a person almost as easily as the blade I imagine.

The blade is thick but the edges very flat and sharp extending from the shaft in a willow leaf shape that adds at least another fifty centimetres to the spear for a total length of roughly three metres. I twirl the spear in my arms and around myself a few times just to get the feel of it, the balance is perfect as it cuts through the air.

Kuyoki looks at me moving the spear around, then at her daughter that brought the thing, then back at me as though she doesn’t know where to start.

‘’Surely that isn’t what it looks to be,’’ She eventually says and as I nod I can see her looking at me as though I have done something to truly surprise her for the first time in years. I grin at the look but I can’t dwell on it as I feel my opponent get into the fighting sand with her swords at the ready.

‘’He’s been practicing, he’s gotten quite good with a spear actually.’’ Iki says proudly to Ava but for everyone to hear. The girl is still recovering from her wounds but she has been in a good mood the past few days since her night at the Club.

"Something else that’s been on my mind lately but we will talk about it after.’’ I say to Kuyoki only barely managing to keep from sighing. I had spoken to Shea about Hiroshi’s disastrous soul forging actually but Shea doesn’t always feel the need to share the things I tell her with my other mates so I didn’t know they didn’t know about it.

‘’Alright you bastards let’s get this fight going. I will also be officiating this mating challenge apparently. Selah the Twin Blade as the challenger you are given a last chance to forfeit, no? Sachihiro the ... I don’t know your title but as the challenged you may choose a champion from your direct family, no? Alright then, the fight may be to the death, until one of the combatants can no longer fight or until one concedes.

‘’There are three elders from the Council to bear witness but my word as a chief is good enough anyways.’’ Stomm says waving his hand in a gesture for things to move along. ‘’Consequences of losing are largely dependent on the victor but banishment and torture are prohibited from being exerted on the loser. Begin!’’ Stomm shouts and quickly leaves the sand to go drink at Godga’s side.

I look at the young serious woman taking a stance at the middle of the circle, I don’t underestimate her really but I honestly don’t have much to lose in this fight. The worst that could happen is for me to lose, an unlikely eventuality considering how young my opponent is. No matter how talented she just hasn’t had the many years of experience and training necessary to beat me even with me wielding a tertiary weapon, the spear.

I step forward and take a stance as well, looking directly at her eyes I crouch low before calling my aura to the fore and circling it around and within myself honing my entire body. She does the same and I smile before seeping my spirit into my aura as I have been practising for years. Spirit aura, the combination of spiritual pressure and aura is not easy to learn or maintain during battle. But it has some very interesting results.

The spear surprises even me though as it responds to the spiritual energy coming off me, absorbing more than I was ready for and leaving me nearly dry in an instant. A sheen of sweat forms on my forehead but I show no other outward weakness or form of surprise but I intend to end this quickly now.

Having sized me and being a born and bred Barbarian warrior woman Selah moves without hesitation, I move in turn and we clash.