Returning to her chambers, Yuira slumped down on to the cushions, and writhed in pure, unabashed bliss – feeling the newfound power surging like a drug through her veins, as she shuddered and moaned in delight. Never – had she felt so – alive – so invigorated as she did now. Shedding her silk gown and throwing it negligently into a corner, Yuira groaned and rubbed her paws over her naked form, feeling the hot sweat soaking her body as she writhed and squirmed – barely able to control herself.

Her pleasure was interrupted, as a faintly gleaming shadow slowly materialised in her chambers, its serpentine form wavering around the edges with a soft green light, that flickered and undulated as the form became semi-solid, the black eyes of the serpent creature glaring at the trembling Weasel before it. Unable to speak, he used telepathy to communicate with Yuira, but his scaled head revealed much in the look of contempt he shot her.

~I see you're enjoying yourself.~

His eyes narrowed – eyes that were dark and soulless. Rolling over onto her belly, Yuira looked at the shadowy serpent and snorted, then rolled away again.

"Why should you care what I do?" She shot back at it. "Oh – and hello Yummei – now nice of you to finally join me."

With a chilling hiss of displeasure, Yummei's form materialised properly, revealing him as a twelve foot long black snake, his back scales a glossy black, the underbelly a sickening greenish yellow.

~This is how you – welcome me~ He hissed, the long tongue flicking out and scenting the heightened arousal of the weasel.

"What would you have me do?" Yuira growled quietly, as she rolled back onto her stomach and looked at him, and then sneered in contempt. "Get on my knees and prostate myself before you?"

With a sibilant hiss, Yummei coiled himself into a more comfortable position, and then yawned, revealing nearly foot long fangs, as his jaws widened to their full reach, then he slowly closed his scaled mouth again.

~That would be a worthy start. I gave you the chance to return to life – and now you would deny me that which is rightfully mine?~

With a languid stretch, Yuira rose and stood before the snake, not the slightest sign of modesty or even fear touching her face, as she reached out her paw and stroked his cold-scaled cheek. He glared at her – and he made no effort too conceal the despised hate and loathing he had for her, as it flowed from him in waves.

"Is that – jealously – I feel from you?" Yuira smirked. "My – so my reptile has a heart after all!"

~Do not flatter yourself Yuira.~

Yuira blinked and laughed in derision. "I deny you nothing! I merely have not yet – found the right…creature…for you as a host."

With a rustle of scales, his glare narrowed even more and he scented her again, a ripple running through him.

~Then I trust – that…scent…that is all over you...~

"Merely a mere…dalliance." Yuira shrugged. "A female equine – who took my – fancy."
 

Raising an eye ridge, the great serpent looked at her, his hood flaring slightly in hope. Yuira saw that and a smile touched her ebony lips.

"Do not get your scales in a twist – " Yuira chuckled. "She did not – live long enough to please me – so…."

His hood deflating, he glared at her. ~You know what our agreement was Weasel.~

"Yummei? You know what?" Yuira yawned and turned her back on him, as she smoothed down her damp fur and retrieved a new gown, this one a tightly fitting black velvet gown, that shone in the dim light. "For all your reported centuries of life – and so on – you are awfully hot blooded for a reptile."

~Judge not the host I currently – enjoy. You know full well what I am.~

"You're absolutely right!" Yuira made a theatrical bow. "You're the great and all powerful possession spirit Yummei, the wretched hell-spawn between an imp and a bitch of a hell-hound!"

His hood flared angrily, and his mouth cracked open, as the fangs folded down warningly, dripping a virulent poison. ~You dare insult me so?~
 

Yuira didn't even bother to turn and acknowledge his threat. "Oh – please almighty Yummei – please don't hurt me! I am so scared of you."

Shaking with rage, Yummei slithered closer, and then glared at her. ~I do not like your sarcasm Weasel. You will honour our…agreement as planned.~

Slowly, Yuira turned to stare at the enraged reptile, a cruel, twisted mocking smile touching her lips, as she stroked his cheek again. "Oh – I do intend to repay my debt – with interest."

Yummei glared at her, his hood slowly deflating as he watched her, knowing just how slippery and conniving her and her kind were. ~If you try to betray me – then all the legions of the hells at your back will not save you from my anger.~

With a smile, Yuira held her fear at bay, as she kissed his cold, scaly nose. "My dear Yummei? Do you think of little of me, that I would dare betray our agreement? You wound me with your accusation!"

~Believe me weasel – betray me and you won't like the consequences. I am no fool Yuira, and you would do well to remember that. Betray me – and I shall do more than just wound you – you will know such agonies for the rest of eternity – which your feeble mind could never comprehend.~
 

With a flourishing bow, Yuira prostrated herself before him, her entire form mocking and contemptuous. "As my Lord Yummei commands – now – if you've finished puffing up your ego? Get out of my way before I make a belt out of your – host."

Yummei's eyes widened in incredulities. ~You dare address the all-powerful Lord Yummei this way? With such insolence? I could crush your pathetic little body in my coils...~

Yawning, Yuira pushed past him as he lectured her. "You could – but you won't – as you need me Yummei – remember that. You need me, to build my strength, so when the time comes for the ritual, I will have enough spirit-energy to free your body from its prison, and restore your…spirit…to it. Once done, you will be free to begin your reign of the terror upon the earth. Until that time, I have your scaly hide over a barrel, and don't you forget it."

Furious, Yummei glared at her. ~I will not forget your insolence Weasel. You will suffer for your insults against me.~

"Oh – do not flatter yourself Yummei – when the time comes – you will get what you deserve – I promise you that." Yuira snorted in contempt.
 

As Yuira strode purposefully to the exit of her chambers, she paused and looked back over her shoulder at the seething Yummei.

"Another thing – for a reptile – you are awfully hot blooded – tsk tsk. It must be so hard on the host's body. Oh yes – whilst I think of it? I don't like snakes – never have, so if you were trying to get me excited – you failed."

With her stinging remark ringing in his ear-holes, Yuira sauntered out of the chambers. Yummei seethed and writhed in anger, then glared at the archway and contemplated going down into the main temple and killing followers as a matter of principle – but he decided against it. He knew that Yuira had him literally over a barrel – as although he could manifest and kill at will, those he killed; their spirits were not claimed for his own, dark, twisted purposes – they were discarded.

~You'll get yours Weasel – I promise you…~

With that, he flickered and vanished from view.

*

In her dark, cold cell, far below the temple, Coral'mi hung limp, her body cold and drained of warmth. Yuira had only taken a few ounces of Coral'mi's blood – but it wasn't that that worried Coral'mi – it was the sickening feelings of the Weasel's own blood – that had entered Coral'mi's bloodstream. Just after Yuira had gulped down Coral'mi's blood like a cool, soothing drink – leaving the water horse drained and convulsing, Yuira had slit her own wrist and forced Coral'mi's mouth open – and to the water horse's agony – made her drink the weasels dark, polluted blood.

"My blood in you, yours in mine – your power in me – your soul is mine!" Yuira had chanted, sealing the powerful enchantment over Coral'mi, as the water horse sobbed heartbrokenly, knowing what Yuira was doing…helpless to counter-spell the binding….

Yuira had succeeded in her goals – and as the water horse wept, she finally understood what Yuira's plans were. Tai'far legend was to become a reality – Yuira was to suck Coral'mi's life essence and her powers dry – and become that which the legends proclaimed – a Goddess in name – and power. Weakly, Coral'mi raised her head, her blurry vision swimming and casting shadows, as she heard the rattle of a key in her cell door lock, then the screech as it was swung open. Hearing that whom she despised approach, she knew her time was nearly at an end…and she wept.

Yuira stood before the crying water horse, then stroked her cheek with a cold paw, as she smiled cruelly.

"Yes – soon will I complete the rituals – and claim your powers as my own – but I will not kill you water horse – I want you there – to witness the final moments, to see with your last gasp – the legend of the Tai'far – and to send you into death, with the knowledge that it was you who brought about the destruction and death of all whom you love. It will be a grand event – fitting don't you think? A healer's powers – turned to darkness…"

"You – do not realize what…you are…doing!" Coral'mi rasped. "You must…not do it."

"I must not? Oh – my dear, misguided water horse – what little faith you have in me. I will do as I please! The legends of the Tai'far have spoken about this for millennia!" Yuira chuckled, the sound cold, and haunting. "Let me give you some advice – when the time comes – do not fight it – it will hurt more than anything you have ever experienced so far…but should you fight – the agonies you will feel – even I cringe at the thought of them"
 

Yuira turned away and walked back towards the cell door, then paused and smiled cruelly.

"It is time water horse – time to reap the crops that I have sown – and time for the final rituals." Yuira whispered softly, her voice tinged with her cruelty. "In many ways – it will be sad to destroy you – however…I do not really care! You are a means to an end for me – and with your end – I will achieve that which I have long craved – I will become a
Goddess…."
 

Pausing at the barred gate, Yuira turned back for one last look at the grief stricken water horse.

"It is time – prepare yourself for the end water horse – now its time to harvest the souls of my faithful – and complete the rituals…." Yuira smirked, then with a swish of her gown, swept from the cell.