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Post by Asahina Yuuto on Nov 21, 2011 13:27:36 GMT -5
The clouds convulse, their agitation continuing to swell, the fulminations of thunder percolating to ever louder intensity as lightning filaments boils upward between the crevasses of overcast sky; silken funnels dangle, entwining ever more violently towards the eye of the storm, the friction of opposing magic building to explosion.
Fuming fog and whipping wind grate in conflict upon the ground below; the fault line of fetishes humming with the sounds of tempest against miasma; sinister eyes look onward in feral bewilderment, the subtle licking of lip and fang protruding from shadowed forest as more savage Kakita glares back in patrol. The moon bleeds red, peeking menacingly through the concealing cloud cover; building maddening lust in beast and human mind where it emnity shines – corrupted hearts beating a primeval sound – there is little safety in codes of honor and more civilizing thoughts.
”Shugenja,” the Kakita spits,“what perversions have you unleashed?” The gritting of teeth and tightening of hand on leather hilt contort in unison as the screams of whistles increase in the night, “what hell have you brought upon us?”
From pocket to hand, shugenja shuffles for silken cloth, dabbing the damming beads of sweat to dryness on his forehead, eyes locked in intense concentration, he mutters back, “I have only helped to hasten the hatred that was already felt in hardened hearts,” his gestures continuing to direct the kami in fluidic harmony, “stay within the circle my Kakita friend, for tonight we must save our clan’s soul; our salvation is under attack, and if we are to be remembered as heroes, rather than villians, she must stand the test”
Please guide our actions tonight, wetted cloth now discarded for a once discarded necklace, the words of his sensei ringing back to the forefront, ”she must walk her path, as we must walk ours,” the wind clutching the glittering chain, its travels upward to the on looking eye pulsing a teal reflection.
Returning to prayer, Hatsune prepares one last spell, his words enlisting the wind to find those who will listen, “the moonlight will hear my entreat for retreat towards sanctuary,” the shugenja’s forehead wrinkles in ritual - beads of sweat returning to their browed perch - blood red and pearl white swirling in moonlit fight. “He is willing to hide you from sight, but not smell, nor enable you to further stain this unhallowed ground; I do not know how long the moon will humor my prayer, so please, escape your plight.”
As the clouds convulse, their agitation continuing to swell, purging moonlight begins to pierce the battlefield, heralding the arrival of long-dead spirits into the forest, illuminating the path for those who wish to walk in honor.
OOC: Mass Invisibility spell. I figure there might be some tainted beasts and all sorts of nasty critters popping up in the forest. Use your imagination, people!
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Kakita Hitoshi
Crane Clan
Be more concerned with good actions than great ones
Posts: 306
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Post by Kakita Hitoshi on Nov 21, 2011 13:34:02 GMT -5
(OOC - just chipping in with a post whilst I'm here. Many thanks to Sojiro for his sterling work running Hitoshi for me whilst I'm semi-unavailable, and if you could continue to do so that would be much appreciated!)
Hitoshi brought the hilt of his katana across Kiko's jaw and she fell stunned to the ground. "I'll deal with you later" he muttered, sure that if he drew blood here then the whole situation would erupt into a massacre, and trusting to the Yasuki to watch his back he ran to his daimyo's side.
Gathering Mitsouko up in his arms he shouted "We need to fall back. Whatever is going on here we are at a serious disadvantage in our ignorance. Help me deliver Mitsouko-sama into the care of the Asahina and then we can try and hunt this oni. At the moment, with this fog, anything can pick us off!"
As the words left his mouth, the moonlight began to shine and he heard Yuuto's words on the wind. With words of thanks to the kami, Hitoshi began to retreat.
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Kitsune Poxo
Mantis Clan
Mantis Clan | Shugenja | Earth | Thunder | Kitsune Blooded | Naval | Daimyo | Unique
Posts: 225
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Post by Kitsune Poxo on Nov 21, 2011 16:05:09 GMT -5
Daichi strode out of the cave to survey the edge of the mist. It swirled madly in front of him, which with the wind would not have placed it far out of the normal occurrence. However, something did not sit right with him. He cocked his head and narrowed his eyes as he contemplated it.
Then it pulsed a flesh of red. Almost losing his balance, Daichi took a step back. It pulsed again, this time his kitsune blood pulsed with it. His face drained of blood as a wave of mist washed over him and the realization what was happening came to him. The screams came to his ears. The whistles tinged the ominous sounds. The animals roars left a reverb underneath it all.
"Madness..." As if in reply to Daichi's one word statement, the hidden jade and crystal medallion began to glow. That item was what stopped him from losing himself as his inner being tore at itself to join in.
Bursting into the ritual site of his family, Daichi was shouting. "Stop it, stop the ritual!"
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Yasuki Chad
Crane Clan
Crab Clan
*Crab Clan Courtier *Experienced *Samurai *Daimyo *Hero *Experienced *Commander
Posts: 476
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Post by Yasuki Chad on Nov 21, 2011 19:54:13 GMT -5
In the mist....
Yasuki Tankenka Ran blindly through the mist, leaving a trail of splattered blood on the spectral trees. The thought of that thing that had wiped out the rest of his unit kept his feet moving toward what he thought was the Castle. The mist obscured everything, and the forest that had erupted on the beach was ..... twisted, it looked like the woods near Hiruma Castle.
He finally stumbled into a small clearing. Crab, Crane, and Mantis samurai lay twisted and partially...eaten. Startled and suddenly more afraid then he could have though possible a moment ago he looks around, trying to see what had done this. A hole in the mist gave a view of the castle towering over him, he'd gone too far, the path from the beach to the cliff was somewhere behind him. He saw nothing.
He heard it though. Harsh growling from all around him. Fortunes, he must have run right past some of them.
Where was it? What was it?
It sounded like a wolf or dog. Growling with blood in it's throat. A foul, pungent odor reached his nose and he retched so violently it brought him to his knees.
*Crack*
Behind him. He twisted, his katana out....a massive blow.....
....falling....pain... The castle....
..I can see it.
*Crunch...crunch*
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Saiko
Spider Clan
Here we stand, at the end of all things...
Posts: 355
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Post by Saiko on Nov 22, 2011 9:36:43 GMT -5
The pungent aroma of blood and smoke permeated the slaughtering grounds surrounding Seawatch Castle, and the aura of fear around the battle was only amplified by the unnatural mist. The screams of things not human sounded beyond the sights of men, and what had been an organized siege had turned into utter chaos...
"Push! Push now! Give no quarter!", yelled the Taisa commanding the Mantis forces on the right flank of the army, outside the mist, and as he knocked another arrow in his great bone dai-kyu, Tsuruchi Junsoka felt a shiver of fear rush down his spine. The tall, well-built bounty hunter shook such thoughts from his mind and focused; the arrow flew from his bow and he saw with a smile a Crane bushi in the distance fall to the ground, the arrow completely through his neck.
An explosion shook him from his reverie, and he was barely able to dodge out of the way of the flying pieces of rock that came flying towards him. Recovering from his fall, he scrambled to find the source of the explosion; his face changed to an expression of dismay as he saw a squad of Crane charging him and he with no bushi support. He took a great leap away from the men, letting an arrow fly as he landed and turning to run again, calling to his allies for support.
Pain. Can't walk...
He was on the ground, crawling through the blood and sand and water, a searing pain in his back.
Strength... fo...cus...
He looked up to see a Crane above him, holding a glinting yari, with a wicked smile on his face; a smile that turned to shock as his head was cleaved from his body by the katana of a blurry figure...
...blackout...
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Yoritomo Raiden
Mantis Clan Mod
Mantis Clan - Shugenja - Water - Thunder - Damiyo - Not Kolat
Posts: 437
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Post by Yoritomo Raiden on Nov 22, 2011 11:33:42 GMT -5
Eisho ran through the mist and rain dodging both crane and mantis alike. She had her mission and target and nothing would stop her from reaching her goal. Her husband was gone and justice would be hers. She felt everything has lead to this moment. Yoritomo Taru a mountain of a man, and Tsuruchi Kiri one of the sweetest yet deadly woman you would ever meet joined Eisho. They silently acknowledged each other as they arrived at their destination.
The impact site has many blackened and charred crane dead thrown from the lightning strike. They scanned as best they could trying to locate the target. Eisho saw her being picked up, and threw up her arm quickly and pointed they pursued. Eisho was quicker than the two with her and got ahead.
The scene was something out of a nightmare both crane and mantis layed on the ground eviscerated. Chunks of flesh scattered all over the sand soaking into it. Even through the rain Eisho could smell something she could only describe as a rotted reptile. Eisho lept forward and rolled as she hit the ground coming up in front of the crane samurai. Kiri was moments away followed by Taru.
Eisho with lightning reflexes threw sand into the eyes of the Crane samurai and then went for a sweep kick to knock him to the ground. The samurai carrying the Kakita Daimyo didn't have time to react while carrying her. As a unconscious Kakita Mitsouko flew through the air Eisho caught her and spun to run away back towards the extraction point.
Kiri came forward with a look of satisfaction on her face, then horror crept through and she froze for a second. There was a boom of impact of something large hitting behind Eisho. Something only described as a mixture of a blade and whip shot past Eisho and wrapped around Kiri's throat. The doomed samurai-ko looked into Eisho's eyes begging for help. Then as the blade whip pulled back from where it came it pulled Kiri towards Eisho and decapitating her at the same time.
Eisho was barely able to dodge to the side to miss Kiri's corpse flying by her. Blood splattered across Eisho's face. Through the mist all Eisho could see before she ran was a tangled mess of long white hair falling down to the ground, about 12 feet in length with flesh and blood staining the ghostly white hair. Eisho ran harder than she ever had before. Taru saw everything and ran with Eisho to guard her, but the look on his face burned with vengence.
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Kakita Hitoshi
Crane Clan
Be more concerned with good actions than great ones
Posts: 306
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Post by Kakita Hitoshi on Nov 22, 2011 17:13:04 GMT -5
Hitoshi picked himself up off the ground, still half stunned by the blows the Mantis landed. Kakita Mitsouko was gone, snatched from his arms. He stumbled, scratching the sand from his eyes, and despair at his failure to protect her hit him like a wave.
All around him, growls and screams echoed through the night. Trying desperately to clear his head and pull himself together he shouted at his men. "Retreat towards the castle!" and following his own advice he continued his way back. He needed time to think, and was hoping that he could get Hatsune to enlist the aid of the Mantis in stopping this oni. Whatever was happening tonight went far beyond an inter-clan war.
It seemed like an age as he picked his way through bodies ruined both by men and by other things, but eventually he made his way to the gates thanks to the aid of the Asahina. He grabbed the nearest guard and obtained directions to where Hatsune was stationed. Coming across the shugenja he bowed perfunctorily and immediately asked "Hatsune-san,can you get a message to your opposite number in the Mantis forces?"
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Alesha
Spider Clan
Fallen Crane * Duelist * Bloodspeaker * Tactician * Maho-Bujin
Posts: 418
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Post by Alesha on Nov 23, 2011 2:57:33 GMT -5
He watched the battle unfolding, obscured by shadows, his tainted legionaires with him, and untainted ones probably still locked in battle against the Mantis... He smiled as total dissaray and confusion spread on the field.
"JUST AS PLANNED." - a cloaked figure behind him spoke, under the cloak one could see the imperial colours showing as she weaved hand around him. - "Everything is ready for our departure. Travelling papers included."
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Post by Asahina Yuuto on Nov 24, 2011 15:08:05 GMT -5
Hatsune, looking upon grimacing face, nods in compliance to Hitoshi's wish. Cajoling the wind to action, he stretches its across the fog to find the opposing shugenja, and inform them of what tonight has wrought.
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Kitsune Poxo
Mantis Clan
Mantis Clan | Shugenja | Earth | Thunder | Kitsune Blooded | Naval | Daimyo | Unique
Posts: 225
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Post by Kitsune Poxo on Nov 25, 2011 13:28:28 GMT -5
"But Daichi-dono, you of all people should know that we cannot once it has been completed. It is of it's own will." Kitsune Yumi said as she approached the kitsune daimyo. She was a soft spoken shugenja, with a very petite build.
"There must be some way. Evil has gripped it. The animals and the spirit realm risk taint. Someone has made a perversion of this whole battle field." Kitsune Daichi brought his hand to face contemplated a coarse of action. He clicked his tongue loudly when he finally continued on.
"Everyone try and ritual cast a counter spell. Plead to the kami to dispel the fog. I am going to get through to the other side. I hope at least it is not them who has perverted this field." Daichi then turned and rushed outside the cave.
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Kakita Sojiro
Crane Clan Global Mod
When you die, will you be remembered, or will you be just another strand in the tapestry?
Posts: 900
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Post by Kakita Sojiro on Nov 25, 2011 13:49:52 GMT -5
Kakita Yenchi had gathered a knot of hard-bitten survivors around him. Kakita Elite, Yasuki infantry, and several Mantis infantry that they had stumbled across in the madness. All of the men fought together - the battle for Seawatch had been forgotten, at least temporarily, in favor of the battle for their lives.
They slowly made their way through the fog towards the castle, picking up whatever survivors they could. Half of his troops had been killed, and at least two thirds of the men fighting with him now were wounded from the things that had been summoned.
Yenchi had moved the most badly wounded to the center of the formation. Many of them were Mantis, but there were also several crane and a few crab in the mix as well. He had noticed earlier that the distinction between ravening, psychotic crane and normal, sane crane was easily distinguishable. Those bearing the teal colors and mon of the first legion were attacking anything that moved, like wild animals, while those bearing the blue and black of the Kakita Elite - his unit - were desperately trying to save whatever untainted souls they could, clan be damned.
As they came into a clearing, Yenchi could hear growls from all around him and he knew that he was in a bad position. Somehow, he had become surrounded in this insanity. His troops tightened together, the Crab brandishing jade and the Mantis taking aim with their deadly bows, when out of nowhere a cloud of arrows flew past them. Unholy howls erupted from the darkness and the beasts charged, only to be met with a second flight of arrows.
"Kakita! Get your men and get out of there, we'll cover you!"
Yenchi couldn't see the speaker, so he followed the sound of the voices and eventually broke out of the clearing, finding the Asahina unit and Sojiro's archers protecting them.
"The Asahina are working a spell to hide us from their sight. Get to the castle, we'll follow as soon as the ritual is over."
"We owe the Wild Cranes our lives, san. Make sure you get back to the castle yourself so we can repay the debt."
The archer's reply was lost as the Asahina's chanting reached a crecendo, and then a voice was heard on the wind, telling them to hurry to Seawatch while they still could. Yenchi took stock of his forces, and after hefting a badly wounded Mantis who couldn't walk onto his back, ordered the retreat to Seawatch.
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Yoritomo Raiden
Mantis Clan Mod
Mantis Clan - Shugenja - Water - Thunder - Damiyo - Not Kolat
Posts: 437
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Post by Yoritomo Raiden on Nov 27, 2011 20:05:14 GMT -5
Eisho
She ran harder than she had in her entire life. The muscles in her legs ached, and it felt like her lungs were full of fire. The unconscious Kakita Damiyo across her shoulders didn't help either. Yoritomo Taru ran next to her, they shared a glance at each other. Eisho had a look of conviction on her face, and Taru a look of shock and regret. Taru nodded at Eisho and she understood. War was one thing, and savagery was not a stranger to the battlefield. Leaving ones enemy however to an oni is not a common thing on the battlefield. Taru couldn't leave the crane there alone near the oni, and the beast had killed Kiri. Eisho saw Taru break off and loop back around. A few minutes more and Eisho met the shore and the crew to take her to the fleet.
Raiden
Raiden saw the fleet being battered from the Crane counter attack. Even with the counter measures Raiden had ordered the fleet was still hurting from the attacks. Soon very soon the objective would be completed. Once the Kakita Damiyo was his then a treaty could be negotiated in benefit of the Mantis of course.
The wind carried a message from the crane......
Raiden laughed outloud. "Do they really expect me to believe there is an oni on the battlefield? That is one of the most stu...."
The watchman rushed forward and bowed in front of Raiden. "Raiden-sama, Lady Eisho has come aboard with the Kakita Damiyo. She also says there is a oni ripping apart Crane and Mantis alike on the battlefield!"
Raiden stood pursing his lips looking confused. He stood for a minute or so. "Huh.."Raiden moved and sent a message back to the Crane shugenja.
Greetings this is Yoritomo Raiden. We have Kakita Mitsouko aboard my ship. I am getting reports as well about this oni. I have ordered our shugenja to stop the storm ritual. If you would please tell whomever is launching slag at our fleet to please stop in intrest of diplomacy. I suggest we meet to discuss the possibility of a truce temporarily to deal with this beast.
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Alesha
Spider Clan
Fallen Crane * Duelist * Bloodspeaker * Tactician * Maho-Bujin
Posts: 418
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Post by Alesha on Nov 28, 2011 1:55:38 GMT -5
Oni's orders were clear. It made its way through the masses of troops towards the ships, ravaging them, as its target was very clear - the name it seeked, now quite reachable being in same place as order bidding it...
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Kakita Hitoshi
Crane Clan
Be more concerned with good actions than great ones
Posts: 306
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Post by Kakita Hitoshi on Nov 28, 2011 11:08:33 GMT -5
As Hatsune relayed the message from Yoritomo Raiden to Hitoshi, he paused and started counting his breaths.
One... I don't know who is in command of our forces here any longer.
Two... However, someone has to act. If I give the order I can only hope that it is listened to.
Three... This situation with the oni needs to be resolved.
"Yes. Tell them yes. We will instigate a temporary truce until this is dealt with."
Hitoshi began firing off orders to signalmen to sign a cessation of any hostilities to Mantis forces, informing all units to return to the castle immediately. Then he turned to Asahina Hatsune.
"Hatsune-san, I am going to ride to Kyuden Doji to inform them of Alesha's betrayal and Mitsouko-sama's abduction. I will return as swiftly as I can. Please ensure that only untainted survivors are admitted into the castle and that they are offered as much protection against the horror out there as possible."
With that, he ran back down to the castle gates and rode out into the night.
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Yoritomo Raiden
Mantis Clan Mod
Mantis Clan - Shugenja - Water - Thunder - Damiyo - Not Kolat
Posts: 437
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Post by Yoritomo Raiden on Nov 28, 2011 17:31:40 GMT -5
Taru
His heart pounded. Pools of water splashed upwards as he ran. He was focused, and he knew vengeance would be his. It felt like a slow burn had started in his stomach. A fury that built bigger and bigger intil the fire was all that was there. The rain began to let up, and the fog was less dense.
Taru could see the carnage many dead Crane and Mantis lay in mud mixed with blood. The sickly smell of rotting meat and blood overwhelmed his senses. As the mist parted some moonlight began to shine through revealing the beast.
It had the body of a snake, but instead of scales it had a carapace black as midnight. Spikes ran down its back with bits of flesh and armor all across them. At the top of the beast was the upper torso of a woman with pale almost waxy skin, Taru could see all the veins under its skin. The white skin however was blemished with smears of blood all over. Some dry, some still wet with its most recent kills. Long white hair fell from its head all the way down to the ground also bloodiest, but with bits of remains tangled within. Its face was twisted, a perverse smile on its face revealing two rows of jagged teeth. Two baleful green eyes burned as it finished devouring a Tsuruchi archer. It cracked a bone in half and sucked the marrow out. It turned and looked at Taru eyes burning with hunger.
"Mit.....sou.....ko" Its voice cut into his soul with a blend of hunger, longing, and hatred.
Taru remembered Kiri, and how he helped train her. She was his friend, his colleague, and his little sister. Her memory fueled his courage. Taru spat on the ground and charged the beast. His entire life flashed before his eyes. The beast charged back. Taru leaped into the air raking his kama across the chest of the beast. The beast slashed at him but barely missed.
Taru watched as the wound knitted back together. Taru didnt hesitate he charged again. The beast hunched over sprang into life twisting around unnaturally. Four bladed tentdrils whipped at taru from the beasts back puncturing his left hand, stomach, and both legs. Taru was lifted close to the beast. He felt his blood pouring from him and he couldn't feel his legs anymore.
The beast ran its barbed tongue over the stomach wound letting it probe into the wound. Taru gritted his teeth and his vision began to blur. In the ecstasy of feeding the beast didn't notice Taru swinging the kama clenched in his right hand at its face. The kama bit hard into the beasts left eye. In a spasm of fury the beast ripped Taru into seven separate pieces. The last thing Taru would ever know was the creatures roar of pain and fury.
Both Crane and Mantis could hear was the primal roar, and somehow they knew the oni was even more angry, and its rage would know no bounds.
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