2ch2

        Val glanced at herself in the mirror, staring at the two-piece dancer's costume. Both pieces shined of gold, with numerous strings of small jewels hanging from both pieces. She checked herself over, making sure that none of her jewelry was missing. Soon, she shook her arms, legs, hips and shoulders, making sure the sounds produced were correct before she glanced at herself in the mirror once again.

         She looked at the runes on her skin, placing her hands on her shoulders and closing her eyes. When she opened them, the runes were gone, creating a small smile on her face. Val turned around, checking her back in the mirror to confirm the disappearance of the runes. She took a seat in front of the mirror, closing her eyes as she focused on her coming performance as well as the task at hand.

         Val did not open her eyes as she heard her employer open the door. She heard his soft footsteps on the floor as he approached her. She waited, resting her hand on the hilt of the falchion resting on her lap until she heard him stop behind her. Slowly, she gripped the hilt, pausing for a moment before she whirled around, holding the blade inches from the neck of the noble.

         "I... I... I was coming to check on you."

         Val slowly pulled the blade away from him. "You could do that from the door."

         "You are a rose to say the least. Beautiful, but deadly."

         "Don't waste your words on me."

         She turned to face the mirror once again, staring at the noble in the mirror as he made his way out. Her employer paused at the door, gazing back at her for a moment.

         "Are you ready to perform?"

         Val nodded.

         "Then I'll tell the guests that you are coming. Do not fail me."

          The noble closed the door behind him, leaving Val alone once again. She looked down at her legs, running her fingers over the transparent cloth that covered her for a moment before she adjusted the bands and trinkets on her arms once more. She took in a deep breath, clearing her mind while she sheathed the falchion. Holding the weapon in her hand, she slowly strode to the door, opening the door with her free hand.

         The sounds of the party grew stronger as she made her way down the hall. Val watched the door on the other side grow with the music before she stopped short of it, waiting for her cue. The music and sounds died down as the lone voice of her employer spoke to the crowd. After the few muddled words, the crowd cheered as the door opened slowly, allowing her to step through and present herself.

          Val made her way to the center of the tables, setting her falchion down on a chair nearby. She watched as the largest chair was moved to the center as some of the tipsy party-goers guided the youngest to the chair. She soon recognized him as her target, noting his clothes and the lack of jewels on him. He took his designated seat, resting his head against the back of the seat while his eyes scanned her over.

          She closed her eyes and raised her hands above her head, taking a pose before she nodded to her employer. The noble then signaled for the music to begin as the lone flute player began the song. Her arms slowly descended as her body began to move with the flute. Her clothes began to create its own music with the flute as the slow tempo guided the speed of her dance.

          Val picked up the tempo as the second instrument increased the speed of the notes. Val crossed her arms across her chest, letting her hips charm her target. She watched his focus for a moment, smiling to herself at her small achievement before she removed her arms and continued in her performance.

          With the third instrument, she began to rotate, allowing her target to see all of her visible features. Letting her body entrance the crowd, Val let her body be taken over by the music, her movements drawing in her prey. Slowly taking a look around, her eyes eventually stopped on her falchion, as she slowly made her way to the blade.

           Drawing it from its sheath, she placed the blunt side of the blade on her head, balancing it carefully before the fourth instrument joined in the music. Her body created even more music as the sounds of the jewels and beads joined in with the music. Keeping the blade balanced on her head, her hands and hips continued in their motions, staying with the music.

           With one graceful motion, she grabbed the hilt of the falchion and removed it from her head, pointing it at her target. The music stopped as she stared at him, waiting for his reaction. She watched his focus move from her for a moment, then back at her.

            Val released the illusion from her body, allowing the crowd to see the runes on her body. "I challenge you to the Dance of Blades. Do you accept?"

            "I do accept."

            She found herself a little surprised as to how fast he answered. She turned around, putting some space in between her and her target as she looked in the direction he had earlier. Val barely held back a growl as her eyes met with those of a succubus who sat against the wall, staring at her with interest. She closed her eyes and turned around, balancing the blade on her head before she motioned for the music to resume.

            Starting back up at the same tempo, Val began her dance with more energy than before. She watched as some of the viewers began to leave, knowing what was to come, while others stayed, interested in the show. Val returned her focus on her dance, moving with her instinct and the music. The jewels and beads shook wildly, matching with the fierceness of the music as she turned to her target.

           Reaching into her hair, she pulled out for small daggers, letting her hair fall down from its place. Displaying them to her target for a moment, Val continued with her movements as she used her body to trap her victim. Muttering a few words in Elven, she closed her eyes before she felt her control on her body disappear completely.

           Hiding her movement in her dance, Val threw the first dagger at her foe. She watched his head move a little to the side, avoiding the dagger enough to allow it to impale the back rest near his head. Immediately one of the instruments stopped playing, letting the other three continue in the fast tempo in her dance. Her mind focused on her target as she continued with the dance.

           Releasing the second dagger with the flick of her wrist, she watched the dagger lodge itself on the other side of the first. Smiling, she looked at his head that was trapped in between the two blades. The second instrument disappeared, leaving the two instruments alone to play. Sweat began to glisten on her soft skin as the first signs of the dance began to show. Val ignored her sweat, keeping the falchion balanced on her head.

           With the death of the third instrument, she threw her remaining daggers, watching them strike on opposite sides near the neck. Her dance slowly moved her closer as the flute provided the matching music. She stopped advancing just short of him, letting him get a close look at her body. She raised her arms above her head, shaking her body for her victim for him to see her. As the flute ceased in its music, she dropped her arms, grabbing the hilt in her hand as she brought the blade down upon his head.

           She watched in amazement as her victim stopped the blade short of his head, trapping the blade in between his hands. Blood began to slide down the blade as she grabbed the hilt with her other hand, pushing against his hold. Before she could react, his foot came up and struck the hilt, knocking it from her hands. With one quick motion, he grabbed the hilt from the air and pointed the blade at her forehead, letting Val stare at him in shock.

          Placing her hands on the blood on the blade, she closed her eyes and focused on it for a moment. Channeling the energy from her body, all of the runes on her body began to glow. Her hair began to rise up in an unnatural breeze as she watched her victim in her eyes before they were consumed in a bright light.

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           When her vision returned, she found herself staring in a familiar white surrounding. Seeing nothing but white all around her, she looked around for a moment before her eyes fell on her opponent. She watched him slowly rise from a kneeling position, standing up straight and facing her with his emotionless eyes. A slight shiver went down her spine as she looked at his face, but she shook it off before she began to approach him.

           "I am surprised that you have made it this far for someone so young."

           "I may not be an elf, but I am far from being young."

           Val crossed her arms. "So the rumors about you being an excellent fighter are true."

           "Depends on what rumors you listened to."

           "Well, let me welcome you to the Dreamscape. It is here that we shall fight."

           "Oh?" He crossed his arms. "So when does our fight end?"

           "Until one of us is unable to fight. For you, it will be your death."

           She watched him walk up slowly as her eyes evaluated his movement. Val looked at his steps, noting each one until she found that each step varied in style. Guessing that he was trying to throw her off, she watched him stop a few feet out of her reach as her eyes changed from his body to his emotionless face. He leaned back for a moment before he eased into a stance, his eyes remaining fixed on her.

           Val watched him motion with his hand. "Shall we begin?"

Chapter 3:
Coming Soon