30 Day Flash Challenge

So Be It

Day 1: An impulse buy leading to intergalactic warfare.

On days like this, Lady Ryoshii was accustomed to traveling beyond the comfort of her time loop and into the known and accessible universe. Though not exactly a time loop, humans seemed to understand that concept as a next best thing. It was a pocket dimension she had created, it housed a variety of empheral beings most of which were goddesses, all of which were allies of hers. she found that no matter how powerful, it was influence and connection that dominated success. For millennia she had taken lone and lost wolves under her wings, creating tight bonds and crushing the small whom opposed her or threatened her empire.

Much like a bee, she would only strike after threatened. A queen bee, with much larger wings and an army of dragons at her beck and call. She was not someone to be messed with, and thankfully for everyone else, she didn't enjoy being involved in anarchy.

It was a peaceful existence, Ryoshii enjoyed living amongst people she herself respected and cared for. It was also nice being able to leave her safe space and venture out without fear of an ambush. Today, she simply went to Earth. Dropping from the sky was not a subtle entrance but she managed without drawing too much attention from the easily alarmed humans. Being here required wings to be hidden and scales neutralized, but as it stood she simply couldn't dull the unearthly glow eminated from her body. Though, she basked in the admiring stares from the mortals.

Whoever said beauty was an inconvenience was a liar.

Unintentionally, she was drawn to magical objects. Her body resonated with them on a strictly subliminal level, one she felt unable to control. Thus she ended up inside of a jewelry shop. It was easy to tell what was authentic by the way it reacted to her energy, but she felt it odd that mortals sold gems such as these for such a high price. Weren't there things more worthy of a large wager?

Perhaps it was her affinity to purple, but a deep amethyst caught her attention. A pure gem placed within a frame of silver. She quite enjoyed the aesthetics of the ring, trying it on momentarily. Immediately, she felt attached. With her limited spending money, the purchase was made. She exited the store nonchalantly modeling her new find.

The heat of Earth became somewhat uncomfortable, and the process of hiding her wings was causing her pain. Ryoshii decided she would continue her trip another time when she felt more up to it. Without hesitation she ascended into the sky, the wind against her skin immediately cooled and refreshed her. As did the sensation of her wings outstretched. It occurred to her that ideally, she would have remembered to buy a ring for Pikare. She would have enjoyed that. It would have to wait till another day.

"What do you think you're doing with that?"

A voice Ryoshii had not heard in a very long time seemed to ambush her. Before she had a moment to respond, or even to set eyes on her opponent, she was being attacked. A harsh blast of wind yanked her aside, confining her limbs to a singular place in the sky.

A familiar face entered her line of sight. She had no wings, in it's place were pale and feeble limbs brought to life only by vibrant blue eyes.

"Quai." Ryoshii coughed. "What's the meaning of this? Let me go, it's rather impolite to ambush a fellow goddess."

"You have my ring." The air around Ryoshii seemed to tighten to a point of discomfort.

"What was it doing in a quaint Earth shop?"

Quai gritted her teeth.

"All I know is that my ring went missing a week ago, and now I track it's energies here to you. That's not a normal ring and you know it."

That so? Ryoshii pushed her wings out violently, tapping into the energy emitted from the ring. It boosted her so aggressively that the air around her seemed to shatter. That was an unusual reaction, even energy enhancers didn't tend to so drastically change the output of power.

"Unlike you, I aspire to be mundane. I see something I like and I buy it, it's only expected that a black market item like this would be stolen the moment it's acquired. Honestly, you should know better."

"Don't patronize me."

Ryoshii glided through the air, avoiding the patches of sky Quai contorted in an effort to restrain the other goddess.

"Now, if you'd approached me calmly I'd have had no issue returning your contraband. However, that's not what you chose. Seeing as you brought this to my attention, I can't let you run amok with such an item. I'll be taking it with me."

"You scaled vixen. You're equally as power hungry. Admit it. Maybe if you didn't act to constantly self-righteous you'd be more liked."

Quai was quickly becoming frustrated. This was not working in her favor whatsoever.

"Our existence should have nothing to do with popularity. Quai, I do wish I could change the past. Even as I am, there is no changing what is done. Don't harbor bitterness this way." Ryoshii attempted to break into her own dimension but was interrupted by a breeze wrapping around her from all sides.

"I do wish you would not focus on the past." Quai hissed. "This is about my ring. And if you wish to leave your peace unbroken, I'd return it promptly."

Ryoshii scanned Quai's eyes. They had become colder, harsher. Her entire frame seemed malnourished and unsure. Ryoshii saw a weak girl, a lost girl. It stung ever so slightly to see a friend, to see someone from her past this way. However, she would not be swayed. Quai had used up every bit of her kindness, sucking up the last bit of empathy Ryoshii felt towards her.

"You act on spite and rely on intimidation. Taunt all you want, I'm not scared of a little girl. I'd never willingly give such power to a spoiled little brat like you."

Ryoshii felt her surroundings begin to compress, but she called onto the ring once more. The backlash of energy shoved Quai backwards.

"You" Ryoshii continued "should be the one scared right now." She glowed fiercely of power. Quai lit up with a blue energy.

"This is your last warning. You return what is mine, or you start a war with me."

Ryoshii scoffed.

"So be it." She waved her hand, almost flashing the ring, before disappearing to her home. "Mail me the details." Her disembodied voice echoed around Quai, whom trembled with anger. A war would not begin to cover the chaos she aimed to ensue.

Ryoshii disliked conflict, though this was a score far overdue to be settled. Her only regret was involving her beloveds, but she had faith in their loyalty, in their training. Maybe this would even prove to be fun.