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Post by Shoju on Jan 25, 2012 15:18:23 GMT -5
Shoju led Mai out of the inn, and into the forest behind it. He moved slowly at times. looking at trees, or a shrub, or other things, never really anything obvious. The pair had moved through the forest for what seemed like forever, before coming to a series of hills.
Shoju stopped, knelt, and put his hand to the ground. He stayed that way for a moment, and then stood and turned to Mai. This is the place. he whispered. He began to move quietly to the right from where they stood, strafing the hills. after a few moments, they had strafed enough to see several unkempt men in what seemed a primitive hunting camp. The hills were hollowed into caves.
The camp itself was a gruesome sight, the smell was even worse. Power corrupts those who don't respect it. Shoju whispered. He looked around the camp. there were a few men here or there, but none who looked to be "in charge". There were a few horses and a few cages that were bloody and empty.
Shoju looked at Mai. Play along. Surprise with these fools is best. Shoju took her hands, and put them against the small of her back, with a bundle inbetween her hands and her back. The Wakizashi you attacked me with. He helped put her hands under the cloth that covered the wakizashi, and then placed one hand on top of the cloth. I will lead you in. When I signal, Kill them.
Shoju nudged her forward with his hand. As they got close to the encampment one of the men stood up. Hey! You there! You got the wrong camp! shove on, while you still can.
Shoju kept moving forward, I think this camp looks inviting enough for myself and my prize.
The Others stood up in the camp. a half dozen or so more men. Still no sign of anyone who would lead them. Yeah, well... I wonder if you think that after I skin you alive? the man said.
Shoju laughed. I tell you what. How about, we both skin this one. Shoju said, nodding in Mai's direction. She's been more trouble than she is possibly worth. Shoju quipped.
The men in the camp eased a little. Heh. You must have come from Owari then eh? You can stay for a night, but then you gotta be off. No way we can support another without people starting to get wise.
Shoju nodded. I'll be off by morning. I promise[/i][/color] Shoju smiled at the man and walked a little further into camp. As they reached the area around the fire pit, a man exited one of the caves. Bingo Shoju thought to himself. Shoju squeezed her hand, and whispered The man in the cave is mine. Shoju let go of her hands, and his hands burst into that sickly red fire. He launched fire at the man who had spoken to them, catching him off guard, killing him before anyone could react.
The men scrambled, and the fight began. The Man at the edge of the cave laughed, and drew blood from his arm, and the corpse of the burnt man began to rise.
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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 Jan 25, 2012 21:46:04 GMT -5
While Shoju went after his own target, the burning corpse made his way toward Mai, his torched flesh frozen in an echo of the leering gaze he had used toward her in life. He ambled over, expecting little resistance from a pinned woman.
Mai brought the bundle around hard, hitting the undead full in the face, part of the fabric catching some of the flames as she struggled to find the hilt of the wakizashi. The blow did little to cause him any pain, but the split second of reaction time gave Mai the chance to draw and focus her next attack.
When he brought his flaming fist toward her, she was ready. She easily dodged and slipped behind him, slicing upwards into the fleshy part of his back. It was such a different feeling in the blade than Mai was used to -- cutting into already dead flesh as opposed to that of the living. Easier, in some ways. A sickening plop and a pained scream echoed through the camp as Tengo Reimei took the arm of her foe.
Wounded and furious, the undead raged once again toward her. His other arm swung wildly out of Mai's threatened range and served only to further unbalance him for her next attack. She stabbed ferociously, letting the blade linger inside his chest until he seemed to simply rot away around it. Finally with a parting yell, the flames consumed him and he was no more. A scimitar fell to the ground without ever being unsheathed, and Mai picked it up and tested its heft.
She looked around the camp, toward whatever others were there to threaten her. They were dumb and poorly trained, but there could be significant danger if they were to be convinced to engage her at once.
A fire seemed to reemerge in her soul, and a smirk began to cross her face. Shoju's dark trade could still fail before it even began. She closed her eyes, channeling as much of her inner Moto as she could manage before letting loose her warcry:
"Come at me if you dare, you putrid sons of Jigoku's whores! You impotent whelps, suckling at the tit of an excremental excuse for a dark god! Bloodspeakers! Come face the justice of my blade, unless your cowardice demands you run away to the Shadowlands with piss running down your legs!!"
Her smile grew broad as they came to her in their anger. This would be a good death, she decided. Shoju's deal will break, and Sojiro will be free of his burden of blood. She would even manage to thin their ranks considerably. She found her center in a form that would work for her newly created two-weapon style, and prepared for the onslaught.
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Post by Shoju on Jan 26, 2012 10:03:29 GMT -5
Shoju lept from where he stood towards the man in the cave, hurling corrupting fire at him as he pressed his advance. As he landed, Mai roared behind him... Sojiro-san has no idea the fury contained in her....[/color] Shoju thought to himself.
Two of the men from the camp had advanced on Shoju from behind. One of them struck at him and hit Shoju across the back with a Tetsubo. Shoju rolled with the blow, and withdrew his dagger. Shoju lunged at the man, and buried the dagger in his neck. As the blood flowed Shoju grinned at the other, The man ran screaming, smoke pouring from his ears, nose, eyes, and mouth before he fell over.
Shoju turned back toward the Bloodspeaker in time to watch him spill more blood. The spell was meant to cause Shoju pain, and fear. What the bloodspeaker hadn't caught onto yet, was just what he was attacking. Shoju laughed. You thought this to be some... petty trap by some FOOL MAGISTRATE!? Shoju's voice rose as he brought his dagger into a more attack ready position. FOOL! You use a power yet never stop to understand it completely! You will die.... Like all the others.
Shoju called upon the blood left on the dagger, and with a blurring speed moved to the bloodspeaker and lifted him up by the throat. Where is your imprisoned man god now
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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 Jan 26, 2012 12:27:44 GMT -5
The first wave consisted of three men who were closest to the scene when Shoju began his attack. They held scimitars and clubs in various states of disrepair and rust. The look in their eyes was haunting, as if they had discarded their humanity.
Mai was struck momentarily by a feeling of pity toward them, toward whatever circumstances contributed to them giving up the one thing of value in their lives in exchange for this dark trap of power. The ones who suffered most from maho were always the innocent. Let Shoju think himself higher than these bloodspeakers if he desired, but Mai knew better; any talk of 'sacrifice for the greater good' was merely a perversion of the concept of bushido.
She did not hold back in her attack. The scimitar in her right hand sliced and cut. The wakizashi in her left burned as it stabbed those who had given their hearts to corruption. Mai's two-handed form was sloppy and she knew it. She wished for her katana; hell, she wished for her horse. But even her improvised fighting style overcame the bloodspeakers as one by one, they fell against her attacks.
The next wave would prove much more taxing -- it seemed the camp was emptying itself around her. Her father's lessons in tactics would have her sprint out of the way, force them to reorganize before they flanked her completely, and pick off stragglers one by one as they gave her chase.
Mai stood her ground, proud and tall despite her circumstances. "Now we're getting somewhere," she muttered.
Even outmatched and outnumbered, as she centered herself for the last time, she could finally find something that had eluded her. Even as the tsukai closed her off from all sides, she could finally approach having some sense of...freedom.
"Come and get me, tainted scum!" she cried, bursting outward with a renewed ferocity in her attacks.
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Post by Shoju on Jan 26, 2012 13:53:42 GMT -5
Shoju grinned at the man he held. As he held him another man charged him. Shoju's corrupted fire stopped him in his tracks. Look at you... living like filth in a cave. If I didn't need.... Mai's roar at the initiates attacking her sounded different than before, and cut Shoju off.
Shoju turned to see them overwhelming her. And the look on her face... NO! Shoju yelled, and turned back to the man he held in the air. Enough pleasantries. Shoju let the fire die in his hand, and swapped the bloodspeaker to that hand, freeing his Dagger. The blood, is art[/i][/color].
Shoju plunged the dagger into the mans belly, and drug it up. He screamed despite the pressure of Shoju's hand on his throat. As his blood hit the ground, Shoju closed his eyes, forced the dagger through his ribs, and began reciting the spell. The Scream of the man was drowned out by thunder, and the clouds seemed to form from nothing.
Another roll of thunder, and the rain began to fall. it was a dark, ruddy colored rain. The dagger hit the man's clavicle, and he withdrew it, dropping the body to the ground. The rain grew steady, and the men in the camp stopped, and stared. Shoju's face betrayed his anger.
He left the ruined corpse of the man on the ground, his blood fueling the now bloody rain. The initiates were confused, disoriented, and began fighting amongst themselves near Mai. A few resisted the urges, but most were falling at the hands of their fellow initiates.
One that resisted it, ran at Shoju, brandishing a Katana, screaming in full fury. Shoju waved his hand, and closed his eyes for a second. The man stopped in his tracks. Shoju grabbed his face in hand, and drove the dagger home in his eye, never really taking his eyes from Mai.
WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING!? Shoju screamed at her. Is this how you honor your promise? Is this how you choose to end your life!? Shoju threw the dead man aside and continued marching towards her. Shoju's voice held a sarcastic tone. Sure, FINE! Throw it all away. He shook his head, and growled. Give up your life with him? I don't think so!
Shoju continued walking towards her his anger at her choice brimming. The rain continued to fall, it's ruddy color streaking Shoju's face.I wont let your throw it all away.
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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 Jan 28, 2012 12:19:31 GMT -5
Mai saw the man who would deliver the killing blow coming toward her, his katana gleaming in the lightning as the rain began to fall. She was managing to hold off several others, but she was overextended, and in no position to defend against this new threat.
The acolyte raised his weapon, and in another flash of lightning Mai could see he was slowly being coated in blood. The all-too-familiar nightmare that she found herself in had finally gotten worse.
The blow meant for Mai fell instead toward the acolyte's own partner, taking his head clean off. The body stood there almost comically of its own accord before falling straight down. She could no sooner react to this unwanted miracle before the entire force of men began turning on themselves in a frenzy of destruction and death.
All the while, the blood fell, and Mai found herself struggling against the fear that was overtaking her opponents. They were pressing around her in their madness, ready to crush her with their stained and corrupted bodies. Her thoughts filled with only one goal -- find some respite from the press, the madness, and the blood. She began to feel the pendant around her neck heat up as she fought through them, the blood from man and weather alike staining her clothing and skin.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity in the nightmare, Mai managed to make her way to the mouth of the cave. While she didn't want to think about what kind of corruption must have gone on inside, it was at least safe from the rain. She had dropped her scimitar in a panic when she saw blood covering up to her elbows. She threw off her stained hitatare and frantically rubbed the lining against her arms, her face, her hair...nothing had avoided contamination to the corruption. She could do little more than smear it around in some places, but she tried all the same, desperate to keep it from infecting her.
Shoju came to her there in her struggle, furious. He knows, Mai realized. He realized my intent, and thwarted me. Again.
Mai sighed in the cold air, her breath creating a plume of fog as she faced the truth of what Shoju was saying. "I...hoped he would come to understand," she said simply. "Understand that I couldn't let him sacrifice so much, while I did nothing to try and prevent it. My body for his soul...it seemed like such a small price to pay..." she seemed like she wanted to say more, but she cut herself off as she became aware once again of her physical state.
"I shouldn't argue. Shoju I... I need some water, or something, I can't get it off..." There was a very real tinge of panic in her voice. She wondered if it was already too late, if the Taint had already found hold in her.
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Post by Shoju on Jan 28, 2012 13:29:48 GMT -5
HIS SOUL!? Shoju laughed. You just don't get it, do you!? Shoju illuminated the cave with fire in his hand, found a torch, and lit it. He searched, and found a small store of water, and pointed it out to Mai. I'm not interested in his soul, or your soul. Shoju filled a bucket of water, and walked toward her. You are only here because you interfered in my vengeance. You only live, because I decided that you knew what Love was, and that MAYBE! Just maybe, you will understand what it is I do when you are old, and grey. Shoju held the bucket up, and raised an eyebrow.
If I were interested in Sojiro's soul, I only need to corrupt you. He would become sloppy in his rage, and I would easily overpower a blinded opponent. Shoju smiled wide. And If I wanted you corrupted, I wouldn't do this. Shoju lifted the bucket, and poured it straight over Mai's head, and went back for another bucketful. I want his blood. It will temper my blade, and it always works best when it is given, instead of taken.
Shoju lifted the bucket again, and raised his eyebrow at her again. I will hold to my word. When he shows up with my Blade, and gives me the blood, you two are free to leave. I told you already. I don't deal in lies. The Truth is just far too brutal.
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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 Jan 29, 2012 10:46:17 GMT -5
As Shoju turned the bucket over, Mai's snarl of "Don't you da--" turned into a high-pitched shriek as the frigid water poured over her. Fuming, she grabbed the bucket and went to fill it a third time.
"If you didn't want me to become tainted, a maho-fueled rain of blood seems slightly counter intuitive, but who am I to argue with an expert?"
As humiliating as such a shower was, Mai had to admit it was effective -- she saw little other option than to continue it, washing away the bloody water until it began to drain into the recesses of the cave floor. As she poured, Mai closed her eyes and gave a silent prayer to the kami, asking for their forgiveness, hoping that the land could withstand the corruption.
"I suppose that if you can honestly say that you, the master of maho, can't imagine any scenario where binding someone's blood to a weapon you carry will not deal some kind of kharmic consequence, I should be satisfied..."
When she was finally finished, she stood, soaking wet and shivering, in her basic kosode and tattsuke-bakama, her arms crossing her chest as she tried to keep herself warm. Her hitatare, and a few of the more superfluous kimono layers that were stained beyond recognition remained on the cave floor where she had quickly taken them off.
"As much as I appreciate having fewer bloodspeakers in the empire...why did we come here, anyway?"
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Post by Shoju on Jan 29, 2012 12:01:18 GMT -5
Shoju huffed, irritated, and his voice showed it. You didn't leave me much of an option. I had to hope that you were strong enough to resist it, or let you kill yourself on the ends of their blades. His eyes looked at her condescendingly. You think that you are noble, yet are willing to throw your life away in the process? When all I've asked is that you endure my company until your Love brings me what I requested. He turned and began looking through the cave. That's the most ridiculous notion I've ever heard.
Shoju found a wall, and desk. Tell me Mai, How do you plan to get into Ryoko Owari? I have no problem killing anyone who questions me, and bleeding them for my purposes. They are all worthless blind followers of a murderer anyway. Shoju looked back at her and pointed a finger at her. But I bet that your.... honor would give you pause on that one. So tell me, do you have any travelling papers? Shoju let the question sit for a moment. No, I checked. So.... Who do you go to when you need papers? You go kill the nearest worthless bloodspeaker. They take it all. Armor, horses, money, travelling papers. Whatever they can find.
Shoju started rifling through the papers, and symbols. As for my deal with Sojiro. It will hold to the tenants of the deal. It wont corrupt him. It wont kill him. It wont taint him. He might experience something when I plunge that blade through Senshi's heart, but after that? Shoju looked impassively at Mai. As far as I'm concerned, after Senshi is dead, Sojiro can have the blade. My vengeance will be served, and I will being looking to end my existence.
Shoju stood up holding some papers. Can you pass as a Hida?
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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 Jan 30, 2012 8:31:38 GMT -5
Mai snorted at the thought. "I'd make for quite the runty Hida...but I suppose it's more a matter of, could I pass as one to a scorpion?" She looked around the area, seeing the miscellaneous artifacts of samurai who had fallen to this band, and felt a wave of grief. It seemed the dead who impacted Mai's life were starting to outnumber the living.
Her eyes fell on a pile of clothing, and after a moment's hesitation, she began rifling through it for something dry and warm. "My honor? I'm digging through the possessions of the dead like a common eta, while I have given my quarter to a man who can literally take control of my body at any moment. So let me make one thing clear: my honor hasn't prevented you from doing anything. It is my love of Sojiro, and my desire to protect to the innocent, that keeps me in your company. And in the case of the latter -- A samurai just trying to fulfill his duty at a Guard checkpoint is innocent, regardless of the behavior of a champion that in all likelihood he's never even met. If laying down my life means less overall suffering at your hands...fewer grieving families, fewer orphan children...then that is a worthy and honorable death."
Mai stopped when she found a set of utilitarian kimono without any clan mons or markings. Not a moment too soon, either -- the wet chill was becoming hard to ignore.
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Post by Shoju on Jan 30, 2012 9:23:08 GMT -5
Shoju growled. Consider this investigating. Shoju was growing irritated with Mai. She was proving far more practical than he anticipated. Innocent? You believe that there is an innocent Scorpion? Shoju chuckled at the thought. Let me tell you Mai, The Scorpion are everything the rumors say they are, and more. [/i]
Shoju found some light Armor bearing the mon of the Crab and began to put it on. You are right that your desire to protect the innocent has a bearing on your life. Shoju rubbed at the helmet before placing it on his head. But it isn't exactly endearing to me.
Shoju found a Dai Tsuchi, and strapped it to his back, and then scooped up the travel papers. Until we reach Ryoko Owari, it looks like you are Hida Noki, and I'm Hida Mendo. He grunted at the weight of the Dai Tsuchi and took it from his back. Such an awful weapon. and tossed it to the side, grabbing a Common looking Daisho, and fastened them at the waist.
Shoju looked out the front of the cave. The camp was truly a bloody mess, but at least the horses had escaped the rain in the back of their cave pen.I do regret needing to treat you that way in the inn Mai. Shoju walked out of the cave, and towards the pen. The last statement sounded downtrodden, almost defeated.
He returned a moment later, leading two horses that looked rather irritated to be so near him. Ready?
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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 Jan 30, 2012 9:51:20 GMT -5
Mai smiled. "I'll take your lack of endearment as a compliment."
She milled around slightly, making herself ready to leave. "A katana might be useful...I've given my word not to use it, but it can better the illusion. Plus, none of the crab armor will fit; I'd rather wear my own." Mai found a Crab blue hitatare a few sizes too large for her. "I'll wear this over it."
(OOC: take us away!)
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Post by Shoju on Jan 30, 2012 10:09:01 GMT -5
Shoju nodded at her decision, and mounted his horse. It was skittish under him, as most horses were when dealing with the taint, but he soothed the horse, and eventually it seemed calm. The pair rode rather unobstructed south. The journey to Ryoko Owari would take a day or two at most, depending on the weather in the mountains.
They camped at the base of the mountain pass that evening. When they awoke the next morning, the air was cooler, and snow was beginning to fall. The passes through the mountains weren't packed in with snow, and while the going was slow, their progress was never impeded.
Shoju spent most of the trip through the mountains quiet. Watching Mai, his eyes questioning, but not speaking much. They stopped to eat as needed, and kept making steady progress. As they descended from the mountains, The sight was beautiful, Shoju was visibly awed by the sight. It had been so long since he had been here. The Hare Clan Stronghold could be seen just to the south, and to the southeast, the sprawling city of Ryoko Owari lay glistening in the light winter snow. The picturesque plains were inspiring.
For a moment, Shoju forgot about the time that had elapsed since he was last here. He forgot about his betrayal of his clan, of his failed seppuku, of his life in servitude to the Spider, of his failure at claiming the birthright his clan had hidden from him, of his lost love. He even forgot about his burning vengeance with Bayushi Senshi, the man who had given him his appointment as magistrate in Ryoko Owari, who had sent his brother to murder him, who had murdered him once, and then murdered the woman he loved.
For a moment, Shoju was Bayushi Taizin again. Magistrate of the Scorpion Clan in Ryoko Owari, the City of Lies, Samurai loyal to the Master of Secrets, Keeper of a Great Many Secrets himself. Shoju turned to Utaku Mai, and smiled. Welcome, To Ryoko Owari, The City of Lies.
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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 Jan 30, 2012 12:15:43 GMT -5
While Mai's stocky chestnut horse was nowhere near as well-bred or highly trained as Ren, he took to the trip admirably. She never needed to exert excessive control, and with every step he seemed to carry himself a little higher. Mai took to calling him Koji when she took time to rub him down, and within a day or two, it seemed like he'd never answered to anything else.
The huge city had a somewhat different effect on Mai then Shoju. She saw it as an unsprung trap, the green wall encircling the twinkling lights inside, ready to hold them in for the real threat. She remembered the entrapment she felt within Toshi Ranbo, the buildings that were far too close together. She had felt the need for open space before she received her summons to return to the Unicorn, and was happy to get the excuse to leave. Such opportunities would not be so freely given in this instance, but Mai held out some hope that something may very well present itself; after all, no one could keep a secret from the Scorpion for long.
She took a deep breath, and absently rubbed Koji's flank. "Lead the way then."
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Post by Shoju on Jan 30, 2012 12:43:13 GMT -5
The last few miles to the city were easy. They crossed at the River of Gold, and were soon greeted by Scorpion Guards. They inspected the paperwork, and raised an eye at Shoju and Mai. Crabs moving south into Ryoko Owari. Thankfully it was only a pair of them. They were let into the city, but Shoju could feel the eyes on them. good he thought. The extra surveillance on them would definitely make it more difficult for Mai to escape.
Shoju led them through twists and turns in streets, to a small Inn in what seemed like a seedier part of town. He did it all with a deftness that would only come from living in the city. At the inn, Shoju paid handsomely for the horses to be stabled, and cared for. Inside, he met with an innkeeper, and paid handsomely for a corner room. It had multiple views, ensuring that Shoju would be able to see as much city as possible.
In the room, Shoju removed the armor, and stretched. What a glorious city. Shoju smiled as he relaxed, and sat on a cushion.
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