Daigotsu Thrakhath
Spider Clan
Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory. Through victory, my chains are broken
Posts: 600
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Post by Daigotsu Thrakhath on Mar 13, 2012 14:24:42 GMT -5
He shook his head. "I'm not happy with the man, but revenge isn't something I'm interested in," he said. "He clearly has no interest in my fate, I don't see why I should concern myself with his." He grinned. "I'll admit though, the thought of seeing him squirm does have a certain appeal to it." He followed Shoju out, walking a pace to the side and behind him and doing his best not to make eye contact with the oni, and the full meaning of Shoju's words seemed to hit him just then. "What, exactly, do you have in mind?" he said, nervousness creeping into his tone again.
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Post by Shoju on Mar 13, 2012 14:54:55 GMT -5
Shoju turned and looked back at Otsu as they walked "Honestly, I hadn't thought that far ahead" he said with a grin. He turned his head, and walked towards the center of the courtyard and stood on the hard packed dirt. "I will tell you this though. I've made the loyal Thrakhath disobey his lord. I've made the Master of Secrets a monster, His wife none better, the Void master a murderer, an honorable Shiotome a liar, and a kakita duelist lose focus." The man grinned, and the Oni sneered in delight. I believe it is time to teach them all that failure bears consequences. Shoju looked back at Otsu, and cocked his head. You aren't claustrophobic are you?
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Daigotsu Thrakhath
Spider Clan
Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory. Through victory, my chains are broken
Posts: 600
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Post by Daigotsu Thrakhath on Mar 13, 2012 15:01:44 GMT -5
This guy has a reputation a Scorpion would envy, Otsu thought. "Not that I know of," he said, stopping just behind Shoju. "Why do you ask?"
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Post by Shoju on Mar 13, 2012 15:15:57 GMT -5
"Time to go." The oni spoke plainly. As the words exited its... mouth Otsu felt the ground give way underneath him, and he was in a chamber in the ground. Shoju was in the middle of the chamber, eyes closed, in an almost meditative trance. There was an unnatural glow to the chamber, and it looked, and sounded as though they were moving through the earth, yet.... he touched the wall and it felt firm.
The Lady will be pleased we have arrived so soon. The Oni spoke.
Sometime later, the sound stopped, the glow grew stronger, and they were thrust from the ground. It had been unclear how much time had passed while underground, and the sky in the Shadowlands made it no easier. They stood in front of the ruins of a keep. Looking around, one could see no part of the landscape that would even suggest a way back to Saisei, and the ruins before them were not of Rokugani design*.
Shoju began walking into the keep, quiet, determined, and eyes closed. The Oni walked beside him. As they reached deeper into the ruins, it became apparent that they were being watched.
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Daigotsu Thrakhath
Spider Clan
Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory. Through victory, my chains are broken
Posts: 600
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Post by Daigotsu Thrakhath on Mar 14, 2012 7:58:27 GMT -5
"That was different," Otsu muttered to himself as he followed behind Shoju. He took in his surroundings as best he could, but he recognized nothing around him, and that only served to make him more anxious. Pull yourself together man, he thought. He had no choice now but to trust Shoju and take whatever was thrown at him as it came. He hoped he was up to the task.
As they moved through the ruins, Otsu's eyes flicked from one place to another quickly, his head moving in quick, jerky movements. Eyes seemed to be on him from every direction, but every time he thought he caught a glimpse of something, it would disappear before he could get a good look at it. Sweat started to bead on his forehead. He took a deep breath and forced the terror down as best he could. Now is not the time to fall apart, he thought. He followed Shoju silently, content to wait and see what would come next.
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Post by Shoju on Mar 14, 2012 11:47:16 GMT -5
The trio stopped in front of a shattered building. There were a few faint sounds now, movement mostly, coming from the sides of them. Too light, and too many sounds to be humans.
"It is good to see you alive, and willingly fullfilling our agreement.[/color]" The voice was femine, and the tone and volume made it apparent who was speaking. "I trust you have brought me the final price?[/color]"
The Oni knelt, and Shoju did as well, holding the box out in reverence. "I have."
Through the doors of the ruined building before them, a figure began to move. A feminine face, a feminine body, with a serpent lower body exited, and brought itself to a height that towered over them. "I knew that you were worth the risk."
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Daigotsu Thrakhath
Spider Clan
Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory. Through victory, my chains are broken
Posts: 600
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Post by Daigotsu Thrakhath on Mar 14, 2012 13:01:18 GMT -5
Otsu's jaw dropped at the sight of Kyoso no Oni, but he recovered himself quickly and managed to kneel along with Shoju and his oni companion. He kept his eyes raised, however, silently taking in every detail of the scene.
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Utaku Mai
Unicorn Clan
*Battle Maiden* *Paragon of Honor* *Goddamn Rockstar*
Posts: 484
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Post by Utaku Mai on Mar 15, 2012 12:12:37 GMT -5
"I knew that you were worth the risk...Shoju."
Kyoso no Oni stared, her gaze penetrating the maho tsukai in a way that few experiences in his life ever had. She already had a presence in his mind, she knew perfectly well what he was seeking, but there was a power she sought in putting it into words.
"What is it you desire of me, my Shoju, my poor, wounded Shoju? What wrongs demand satisfaction and justice?"
She slithered around the bowed trio as if sizing them up, but her eyes never left Shoju.
"And what offering have you brought to your fortune, to have that which you desire?" Shoju finally felt some relief from her burning gaze as her focus went to the man prostrate before her to the iron box he carried. She almost seemed to lick her lips in anticipation, and when she spoke again, she was quiet, her voice carrying a distinctly reptilian purr.
"Open it, my love. Show me that which is most precious to you."
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Daigotsu Thrakhath
Spider Clan
Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory. Through victory, my chains are broken
Posts: 600
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Post by Daigotsu Thrakhath on Mar 15, 2012 12:57:29 GMT -5
Slowly, still kneeling, Otsu turned to face Shoju. Hatred was in his eyes, and his body trembled with the power of it. Who was this man, to demand such attention from so beautiful a creature as Kyoso? She ignored Otsu in favor of this madman, and his hands clenched into fists in the dirt at his sides at the thought of it. Kill him, he thought to himself. Show her that he is unworthy of her attention...
It took every ounce of Otsu's will to tear his eyes away from Shoju and suppress the surge of emotions coursing through him. The idea that a demon could influence his actions simply by being nearby simultaneously awed and terrified him, and focusing on that terror was the only thing that kept him from pouncing on Shoju right there and throttling the life out of him. He glanced at Kyoso. The attraction was still there, but with her influence on his emotions pushed aside, he could also feel revulsion at her appearance. What sort of monster is this?
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Post by Shoju on Mar 15, 2012 13:07:30 GMT -5
Shoju found the weight of her gaze both comforting and crushing. He had heard the stories. He had heard the lengths that she had gone to over love lost. "He...." The words were stuck in his throat. "He killed her. " He spit the words out, with a venomous tone. "The Master of Secrets destroyed my love. "
Shoju's voice firmed as he continued. "I gave so much to love her. I sacrificed everything for her. Shoju held his hand over the small iron chamber, and it began to separate. "My love for her made me desire to be.... more. the heart lay beating inside the box. " HE murdered her. HE took her from me. "
Shoju held the open iron chamber of his heart up in front of him. "I bring you that which defines my existence, and that which lies broken. Shoju looked up at her, tears of blood running from his eyes, "I wish to avenge her death, but for one such as me to deliver that fatal strike, I need more than just blood."
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Utaku Mai
Unicorn Clan
*Battle Maiden* *Paragon of Honor* *Goddamn Rockstar*
Posts: 484
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Post by Utaku Mai on Mar 15, 2012 14:44:35 GMT -5
Kyoso tilted her head back and sighed, taking in his despair and rage like a fine rice wine. Then her eyes fell on the beating heart with the barest hint of...was that disappointment in her eyes?
"Oh Shoju, my love..." Her tone had lost its purr, and seemed ever-so-slightly put out, as if she were speaking to a willful child. "You have come to so much understanding...what a shame to fall short now..." With a gentle touch, lithe fingers moved around the beating heart, the last remnants of the samurai once known as Bayushi Taizin. She pulled it close to her with one of her four arms and moved toward Shoju.
Rise, a voice seemed to demand in the mind of Shoju. The command echoed to Taizin no Oni as well, and like a silent dance, they both found their feet before Kyoso.
"Don't misunderstand me, Shoju. Your gift is fine indeed. I can feel the power in it that binds your soul to this realm. It would be a most worthy offering...for any desire short of your own "
With another of her many arms, Kyoso no Oni brought a caressing hand to Shoju's cheek, wet as it was with his tears of blood. "But for what you need to enact your revenge, it is little more than preserved leather. What it lacks is...this. Your pain. Your rage. Your want."
With her fingers coated in his blood Kyoso began to inscribe a sigil on Shoju's forehead. Her voice was barely above a whisper, but it was clearly heard in the minds of everyone before her.
"Give it to me, Shoju. Give me all of your heart, not just the portion that beats. I will take away your weaknesses, and make you stronger than you ever thought possible."
She lifted her hand, having completed the kanji, and admired the handiwork. She then turned to Taizin no Oni, and wrote again the same sigil, this time on his chest. The dark blood shone against his skin, and Shoju could see clearly the kanji that was written.
Possession
"The connection between the two of you is already uncanny. Allow me simply to finish what was started. Then you will be...perfect. Then you will have all that I can offer you."
She moved back and dove into the earth the way a serpent moves through sand. Within a moment, she was back, carrying what looked to be a scroll case in her bloody hand. The scrolls seemed to be well-preserved, written in black ink on rice paper stained a brilliant red. She still held Shoju's heart close to her chest, and Shoju knew that with one squeeze, his life could very well end here.
"It is your choice, Shoju. Will you honor me with this great gift, and accept all that I have in exchange?"
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Post by Shoju on Mar 15, 2012 15:22:06 GMT -5
As she spoke, Shoju felt ashamed. Small, ashamed, a mere fool. The disappointment in her eyes, and the tone of voice, it was crushing him. For a brief moment, he thought he had failed. He thought that he was going to be destroyed where he stood, and Senshi would live, and she would never be avenged.
As she continued to speak he realized what she meant. He stood in front of her, realizing what she meant to do. It was a spell he had used as guidance when working through his incubation studies when he first reached saisei. He had never seen an intact scroll of it before, and certainly never witnessed the spell performed.
The thought was sobering, and as she asked for it all, his life flashed before his eyes. The time in Kyuden Bayushi as a child, his training, the search for the bloodspeakers, their trap, his betrayal of the clan, Senshi, the Black Scroll, The Yobanjin, Tinishi,all culminating with Tenshi opening her eyes in that cavern what seemed an eternity ago. The emotions crashed in his mind, and he realized it would be for the last time.
"Take it all." Shoju said. His face stoic, his voice firm. "I just need her memory to guide my hand." He bowed to her. "Kyoso-sama, I humbly accept your gift.
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Utaku Mai
Unicorn Clan
*Battle Maiden* *Paragon of Honor* *Goddamn Rockstar*
Posts: 484
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Post by Utaku Mai on Mar 16, 2012 9:02:19 GMT -5
Kyoso no Oni gave a satisfied smile, and the purr seemed to return to her voice. "I knew you would, my love."
The preparations were simple enough. Shoju and the oni were to kneel across from one another. A mirror was placed on the ground between them, on which Kyoso carefully placed Shoju's beating heart. The rhythm began to quicken, and then slow as Shoju, at an unasked command, began to meditate.
As the preparations were made, Otsu felt a tugging in his mind. Whatever thoughts of jealousy that had overtaken him, it seemed to cause her to take full notice of him for the first time.
Stay your hand, my love, she told him in his mind. It is Shoju's time now, but yours may yet come...should you wish it. There is still one thing I yet need.
As the final preparations were made, and incense began to burn thickly around them, Kyoso turned to Otsu, her eyes taking on almost a pleading look.
Your blood, Otsu. It will take much to perform this spell for your sensei, but you have no need to fear...I can sustain you.
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Daigotsu Thrakhath
Spider Clan
Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory. Through victory, my chains are broken
Posts: 600
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Post by Daigotsu Thrakhath on Mar 16, 2012 9:50:31 GMT -5
Otsu shook his head quickly, as if trying to ward off an insect buzzing about his face. Instinctively he looked up at Kyoso, and he was startled to see that she was looking directly at him. Then he heard her voice in his head, and he understood what was happening. His mouth opened to reply, but something made him hesitate, and his mouth snapped shut again.
He squeezed his eyes closed and shook his head again. He wanted nothing more than to do whatever Kyoso asked of him, and accept the chance for greatness that she offered, or to give in to his terror and run away screaming into the night. There was a part of him, however, that was tired of submitting; submitting to the teachers who held back his potential, submitting to treacherous Spiders, submitting to terror. That part of him was louder than ever, and he latched onto it like an anchor in his mind.
When he opened his eyes and faced Kyoso once again, there was defiance in his gaze. "You're right, Kyoso," he said. "My time will come, when I decide it does." He glanced at Shoju, saw the pain and the anger in his expression. "However, I will not be the one to deny Shoju-sensei's revenge, not after I pledged to help him," he said. Despite his need to deny this creature, he knew when he was backed into a corner, and there was only one way he would have a chance to survive this ordeal. "Take what you need
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Utaku Mai
Unicorn Clan
*Battle Maiden* *Paragon of Honor* *Goddamn Rockstar*
Posts: 484
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Post by Utaku Mai on Mar 16, 2012 11:47:18 GMT -5
Kyoso grinned, the meager light from the prepared lanterns illuminating what appeared to be fangs. "I wouldn't have it any other way, my willful little Moshi..." There was a look in her eyes that seemed impressed, or perhaps even intrigued. Or perhaps simply hungry.
She brought Otsu to position across from herself, using a clawed hand to make a sizable cut in his arm, allowing a steady stream of blood to flow onto the mirror, and the beating heart. Within a few minutes Otsu would surely start to become lightheaded and dizzy from the loss.
"This will be painful, Shoju, more painful than any wound you have suffered, more painful than even the breaking of your heart when your love was taken from you. If you can withstand it, you will finally be immune from it once and for all."
With a free set of hands, she brought forward one of the brilliant red scrolls, tied with a silk ribbon the color of fresh blood. As she read the strange and ancient words, the scene around them began to change.
Colors seemed to blur into one another in a smear of gradient. The flicker of the candles seemed to burn like forges. Sights and smells and tastes ran together in a maddening cacophony of sensation. And in the midst of this Shoju began to feel in his mind a pull...an unseen force gripping on his mind and body like millions of threads, pulling parts of himself down, away from himself, into the exposed heart. Kyoso's voice seemed to thunder through him, even in the midst of her incantations and chants, leading him through his part in the ritual.
Give me your fear, Shoju. Feed me your nightmares. Let me relieve you of that which terrifies you...
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