Utaku Mai
Unicorn Clan
*Battle Maiden* *Paragon of Honor* *Goddamn Rockstar*
Posts: 484
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Post by Utaku Mai on Feb 7, 2012 10:27:44 GMT -5
"You're bluffing," Mai said, a rasping in her voice betraying her worry. Inside her mind was reeling. No, oh kami, oh Mother please, no...
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Post by Shoju on Feb 7, 2012 10:31:41 GMT -5
Shoju turned and looked at Mai. What did I tell you Mai? I don't deal in lies. The truth is far too..... what was the word? Oh... Yes. BRUTAL[/i][/color] He looked back at the Scorpion holding his belongings. I'll only ask one more time. The blade. PLEASE Shoju held out his hand. You can keep the Daisho.
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Shosuro Honzo
Scorpion Clan
Scorpion Clan * Shosuro Daimyo * Ninja* "Master of Shadows"* Loyal * Unique
Posts: 194
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Post by Shosuro Honzo on Feb 8, 2012 6:14:36 GMT -5
Honzo saw his guards reel from the pain and saw their burned hands. The calm that the man now identified as Shoju exuded indicated that he felt no danger; as if he meant to come here and meant to be captured. Honzo was wary now for a man who refuses to see he is beaten is not in his right mind. An insane person was the most unpredictable...and dangerous.
His hatamoto backpedaled as the man approached him. He showed no fear, only a wariness of the man's ill-borne powers. The power of blood was forbidden. This man used it like an old friend.
Honzo knew what the man wanted. The knife lay on the tray beside him in the arms of the servant girl. He might be able to take advantage of this, give Shoju pause. What Honzo needed most right now was time, and Bayushi Senshi.
The four shugenja masters did not hesitate when Honzo made a secret signal by smoothing his lapel on his kimono over the Shosuro mon. Weapons of the elements burst into reality in their hands. A testubo of earth, a katana of fire, a bo of water and a yari of air coalesced from the kami into the masters' hands.
As you can see, even with the power of blood, you are outmatched, Honzo said, his voice a silken dagger of hate. So, Taizin has come home after all this time. Tell me, did you really think that you could waltz into my city and just walk away?
Honzo casually strolled over to the tray as Shoju's open wound dripped onto the pristine marble floor. He picked up the maho-tsukai's blade and flipped it expertly in his hand with deft fingers. The guards who had seized Noki, now identified as Utaku Mai quickly pulled her from Shoju's side to safety, heading towards a secret panel in the wall.
You want this...don't you? I can feel your anger. You want to kill me and everyone in this room just to get it. Why is this so special, I wonder? Well, it doesn't matter. Honzo chanted quickly, his words a blur. The knife glowed red, then orange, yellow then white. Perhaps you'd like to keep it close to your heart then, the Master of Shadows said and sent it sailing through the air towards Shoju's chest, borne upon the winds with the kami to speed it to the man's heart and out the other side.
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Shosuro Kyo
Scorpion Clan
*Magistrate *Loyal *Paragon of Duty *Lord of Dance
Posts: 123
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Post by Shosuro Kyo on Feb 8, 2012 10:24:56 GMT -5
Miyuki and Kyo conversed for a bit over the meaning of everything. The conversation was pretty one-sided as Miyuki heatedly talked to him about what the Earth spirit had said and refused to return the piece of armor to him.
Now came the tricky part, Kyo had no idea who the knife wielder truly is, (though he has a good idea). He knew from the description though that the Unicorn resembling Haruka, for which other clan could resemble her, was in danger. Even if time hadn't put it so close to Haruka's kidnapping, he was obligated to help this woman.
Kyo gathered his belongings and materials. Miyuki refused to let him leave without her believing that the Corroded man was a bloodspeaker. She followed him as they made their way to the inn. He had no idea what he would do, but he would be foolish to do nothing.
After speaking with the innkeeper and his daughter, Kyo discovered that the Damiyo of the Shosuro was currently holding audience with him. Kyo did not find himself surprised that the innkeeper was an informant for the Damiyo of the Shosuro, though he was semi-upset that the innkeeper was using his daughter as an information gatherer.
He moved towards the governers manse, he knew that the Damiyo would be upset with his plan, however, he always liked the idea of sticking it to the nin side of the family.
[ooc] Insert evil grin here. [/ooc]
As the guards at the governer's home attempt to block Kyo's way he just paused for a moment, pulled out a sheet of paper and handed it to them. They stared at it then looked at and back to him. Sorry sir, we Can't let you pass. Imperial writ or no.
Kyo's reply was simple, So you're saying that whatever is going on in that house is above imperial decree, which is to say above the law of the Emperor? He specifically did not specify as to which, leaving the guards to assume what they would.
I'm sorry sir, there is nothing I can do. The guard replied.
Very well, I hearby under imperial decree strip you of your post and board, you are relieed of duty, that is unless you want to let me through? Is dishonor worth losing your job guard-san? The guard looked confuse and wide-eyed, then he bowed.
Sorry for the delay, Magistrate-sama, I was only doing my job. The guard replied as he stepped aside.
I understand Guard-san, I just have to do mine as well... Miyuki and Kyo began the treck inside to face the danger ahead.
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Post by Shoju on Feb 8, 2012 11:59:58 GMT -5
As the blade whistled through the air, Shoju looked at Honzo. I told you. Taizin is dead. Your champion murdered him, and his pregnant love. The blade hit home in his chest, Shoju let out a grunt, but the blade didn't exit. It stuck in his chest, buried deep. Shoju fell to one knee, and growled. The only one outmatched here, is you.
Shoju stood, and it was obvious that the blow should have killed him. He pulled at the dagger buried in his chest, wrenching it free. The blood began to fall freely from the gaping wound. He saw the gaurds pushing Mai towards the exit. Utaku Mai. If you leave, you break your promise to Sojiro. Shoju placed his hand against his bloody kimono, and rubbing his fingers together in his own blood. If you leave, I can't fullfill my deal with Sojiro. If you leave...Shoju stared her down. The blood of Haru's family will be on your[/i] hands.[/color]
Shoju could feel the weakness beginning to take hold in the body. The loss of blood was immense. He closed his eyes, and the blood on his hand and body began to run up his arm and kimono, and back towards the wound. You have no idea, the measures I will go to. He opened his eyes, and his right hand caught fire, while he brandished the short blade in his left hand.
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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 Feb 8, 2012 20:13:35 GMT -5
"Enough, Unhand me!" Mai demanded, struggling against the strong arms of the Scorpion guards. They were nearing the doorway, and almost against her own will she found herself putting as much of her weight away from their goal as possible. They had no idea what was setting her off so much. Shoju's threat to harm Bikami scared Mai, but even that wasn't what she was reacting to now.
The doorway was nearly identical to the one in Naseru's throne room. The same low, narrow threshold, likely leading to the same tiny hallway.
Mai began to feel the all-too-familiar weight on her heart as she fought against the flashback; fought against the fear that had consumed her that day in Toshi Ranbo, in her room at Kyuden Doji, in the hellish earthen cell...
Just one more weakness to add to my list, Mai thought. A cold sweat came over her, and she could barely hold herself up straight. She sank into the cold hardwood floor, much to the surprise and consternation of the masked guards escorting her.
The fear nearly overtook her again, she could taste the odd metallic bile rising in her, see the spots overtaking her field of vision. She saw Shoju in her view, bleeding and slowed from his injuries but somehow still unable to just die..
No, Something inside her seemed to say. I will not run away like a coward, not while he breathes. I will not absolve myself of the battle I failed to finish at Kibukito...I will not let Haru's sacrifice come to this end.
Her eyes opened, and the weight dissipated. In a moment she was back on her feet, almost like she was helped along by an unseen hand. The action was so sudden and unexpected, that one particularly flat-footed guard barely noticed Mai's hands reaching for his katana. Within a moment she had his blade, her soul full of the spirit of the shiotome that had been so dormant within her of late.
"My promise, Shoju? You mean my promise to not flee or fight, made at your insistence? What about my promise to be strong, that I've utterly failed at until now? Or my oath to do everything in my power to keep people like you from making good on their threats to men like Haru?" Her eyes flashed. "I already know which broken word would carry the most shame."
"So you want me to stay, Shoju? Fine." She strode toward him, throwing away the lie of her Crab hitatare and standing before him in her mother's pristine armor, the lanterns in the room reflecting like a mirror in her gleaming blade.
"I'm not going anywhere."
She looked as cocky and self-assured as when he first saw her charging toward him on her white steed. She felt stronger in her purpose as she saw him bow and groan from his injuries. Now, she thought. Now while he is at his weakest. The room went still, and time seemed to slow to a halt, as Mai found her center.
Then, within a moment, she charged toward him, ready to strike.
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Post by Shoju on Feb 9, 2012 14:18:19 GMT -5
Shoju sighed as the battle maiden charged. He promised Sojiro he wouldn't hurt her. Why do you have to make this so difficult? Shoju muttered.
He scanned those preparing to attack him, and settled on the Scorpion Fire Master. Shoju closed his eyes, extinguishing the fire on his hand, and let some of his blood go willingly. As Mai prepared her Strike, Shoju drew the Fire Shugenja to him. As Mai brought the sword to bear in what should have been a blow on Shoju, she struck the Scorpion Shugenja in the torso.
He died honorably. The carnage and shock of the blade through him ended his life almost as quickly as Shoju's spell had brought him from across the room. Blood spat out across Shoju's face from behind his mask, the last action of the Shugenja.
The Shugenja's blood poured out and pooled on marble floor. That's not what I had in mind, Mai, and you know it. Shoju tilted his head to the side to peak around the corpse of the Shugenja in his clutches. This man died because you just can't seem to understand a simple principle! Shoju wrenched the Scorpion free from the blade she wielded, and with the wind of an air kami, sent the body hurtling at the other Scorpion Shugenja.
The Scorpion in the room who were preparing an attack on the man gave pause while they watched blood from the pool on the floor crawl up his form, and make its way towards the wound in his chest. As it did, his color started to improve, and the flesh around the wound began to slowly heal itself. My word is my honor, it is all that I have left, and I'm not about to let some... some... fool... girl[/i] ruin that![/color] Shoju was staring her down. His voice betrayed irritation with her, his eyes burned with murder.
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Shosuro Honzo
Scorpion Clan
Scorpion Clan * Shosuro Daimyo * Ninja* "Master of Shadows"* Loyal * Unique
Posts: 194
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Post by Shosuro Honzo on Feb 10, 2012 2:14:47 GMT -5
Honzo was a hair too slow to stop Shoju from killing Mufushin. The Master of Fire in Honzo's inner circle had served him for twenty years. He had shown much promise and would have aspired to even greater heights had this monster not ended him.
The power this man exuded was great. Far greater than Honzo had dared imagine. He had sensed his power, felt its awesome might. But he didn't know just how powerful he truly was.
The tsukai's dagger, superheated and thrown with the power of the kami straight at Shoju's heart, should have passed through him with ease and slain him in a blink of an eye. Instead, the dagger stopped dead in its deadly arc in the man's chest. Though it wounded him, and burned the skin black around the wound, it did not kill its target as it should have. It is not possible. Unless...great Fortunes, NO! He can't be. But he is, I am sure of it!
Honzo's realization of Shoju's true nature nearly felled him with its realization. He felt poleaxed. And because of his hesitation, his Master of Fire and dear friend had paid for it with his life. Honzo would not be able to kill this man. But he could definitely make him suffer and flee.
"Purge this hall of this unclean filth!" Honzo ordered. The remaining shugenja did not hesitate. Mofushin's body was hurled at the other Masters and they evaded it, spreading out to flank the tsukai. Even as Shoju's wounds began to heal through the power of blood, he was assailed with the power of the elements. Soshi Yosuto, Master of Air cupped his hand under his chin. Blowing through his mask, a hurricane force wind cycloned and threw Shoju into one of the pillars, cracking its surface from floor to ceiling. The audience chamber shook from the impact.
Shoju was on his feet before Yosuto's spell could pin him down. Flicking drops of blood from his hand, each drop turned into a blazing spear and shot towards the Master of Air. Spinning his yari of air, he deflected most of them, but one got through, spearing his leg in the left thigh.
Screaming in pain, Yosuto went down, clutching his burned leg. His yari of air dissipated due to his lack of concentration. Yelling a battle cry, Shosuro Po, Master of Earth pointed his enchanted tetsubo of at the tsukai. A harsh green glow burst from the weapon's head. It struck true to Shoju. Honzo almost exulted in victory, for the tsukai's taint would burn him from the inside out. However, the monster in front of him had more tricks up his sleeve. A black energy welled up just as the jade strike plowed into Shoju. The black bubble stopped the spell and dissolved instead of the man.
The elite guard sprang into action. Under orders from Honzo, the two wounded guards fled the room. The ones who had seized Mai leapt at her again. The Shosuro daimyo wanted her out of the room. Shoju had, apparently, plans to use the woman somehow in a blackmail scheme. She must be separated from him no matter what. The poison coursing through her body was slower to react than it had been in Shoju. Perhaps due to her Unicorn diet and constitution, she showed a higher resilience to Sleeping Viper. A mental note was taken by Honzo to inform Kotaro, his Master of Poisons on this.
The rest of the elite guard formed a tight cordon around the dueling shugenja and the tsukai. Honzo barked orders for them to guard the exits and should an opportunity exist when they saw, to attack when Shoju's flank would be exposed or to aid the shugenja in disarming him. The Scorpion has claws, AND a tail the old proverb said, and it was true.
Soshi Kubashi, Master of Water turned his talents into aiding his allies. Chanting a healing spell, the wound that Yosuto suffered began to knit and heal. Shoju saw this and his eyes blazed with power. His teeth a feral snarl, he slapped his cut hand against the closing wound in his chest. Smearing blood on his forehead, he quickly traced an unholy kanji there and spoke a word of power. Kubashi burst into flames instantly, his own blood boiling into a conflagration, consuming him in a matter of heartbeats.
"Enough, time to end this", Honzo said, leaping off the dais to the attack.
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The posion reached Mai's heart and brain at last. Her hands went numb and the katana, still coated in Mofushin's blood dropped to the marble floor with a clang. She could barely feel strong arms grab her from behind as the two guards seized her again. She started to scream and struggle in protest, but her tongue fell slack and her body spasmed involuntarily, robbing her the opportunity to slip their grasp. Then she felt weightless and she was suddenly looking up at the ceiling to the audience chamber.
Just as she was about to slip from the marble floor of the audience chamber to the hidden panel in the wall she spied several black-clad figures up near the ceiling, descending slowly.
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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 Feb 10, 2012 9:37:16 GMT -5
Mai gasped in horror as her blade went into the chest of the shugenja who simply wasn't there a moment ago.
"No..."
She had tried to pull back, to make the blow glance away, but she had committed far too much of herself to the shot to give any opportunity for hesitation. The mask the scorpion wore covered most of his features, but the clear view of the light leaving his eyes as blood filled his last breath would haunt Mai's dreams for some time. Forgive me, she begged silently at the blank eyes.
Mai fought to re-focus herself, to concentrate on the battle at hand. Her mind was fogging in her rage, and she could barely find her center again. She turned to face Shoju, her hands shaking slightly as she readied a new attack.
"Your honor...let's not parse words here. You need me alive to get what you want...so all I have to do is distract...while they put you down...for..." Mai could barely get the words out, the shaking had become so violent. A loud clang interrupted her swimming thoughts, and to Mai's surprise she found it came from the katana she herself carried hitting the floor. She could only look at it stupidly before guardsmen recognized their opening and picked her up once again.
"No...Stop...!" She tried to call out through the fog over her mind, trying to punch them away with about as much success as a small child would have. The damned scorpions had poisoned her too...
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Post by Shoju on Feb 10, 2012 10:43:30 GMT -5
Shoju stared down the Scorpion Daimyo. He pulled a pair of vials from his obi, and hurled them at guards who felt the need to advance at his flank. As the vials hit them, they shattered, and the blood inside them burst into flame. You will give me back the Battle Maiden, or I will burn this city to the GROUND. Shoju's rage was showing. He slowly walked towards a dead and burning gaurd and relinquished the katana from his corpse.
His steps were slow and deliberate. The body was taxed, but the Maho kept him moving. Driven to get Mai back. I promised her beloved that I would not harm her, and that when he brought me want I needed, She was free to go. His face trying to mask his rage. I have never broken my word, and I don't intend on allowing you to break it for me.
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Shosuro Honzo
Scorpion Clan
Scorpion Clan * Shosuro Daimyo * Ninja* "Master of Shadows"* Loyal * Unique
Posts: 194
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Post by Shosuro Honzo on Feb 14, 2012 1:29:46 GMT -5
Shoju's eyes blazed with unholy energy. Honzo knew that the man meant every word of his threat. The City of Lies would burn if he didn't hand over Mai. She was integral to his plans. She was the key to Shoju getting his weapon back. The weapon that would kill his Champion, Bayushi Senshi.
He must never find it. Honzo affirmed to himself.
But neither could Honzo call Shoju's threat a bluff. He had to hope that his agents could get Mai away as fast as possible. With Mufushin and Kubashi down and only Yosuto and Po to aid him this battle would be tough indeed. If Mufushin hadn't died, this would've been quick. Shoju knew the man's power so he targeted him first. Shoju was intelligent as well as dangerous.
Honzo mentally scrolled through his list of options, none of them good. All his spells, though powerful wouldn't be able to destroy the soul within the body that Shoju was using. As a Khadi, as Honzo had discovered, Shoju's spirit would simply return to the source of his unholy power. It would then be free to possess another host and the struggle would begin again.
Po took the initiative before Honzo could call him off. Smashing his tetubo of earth into the marble floor, a large tremor shook the audience chamber. The polished stone split and erupted in a long line heading right for the tuskai. Shoju dove to the side but was pelted by small rocks that cut into him and broke a bone in his left wrist. Cursing, Shoju's reactions were slowing. That is good, we are wearing him down!
That relief was short lived as Shoju pushed himself to his feet. Even with the poison in his veins, the man refused to go down. The power of his maho was the only thing still animating his limbs and giving him strength enough to cast his spells.
Yosuto spun his yari of air, chanting under his breath. Shoju was picked up in the air, caught in a hurricane force wind; spiralling up and up before Yosuto turned the gale downwards.
Just before he was thrown by the air kami down to the shattered marble floor, several shadowy figures were spied by Shoju descending with stealth. Two of them held up small reeds to their mouths and expertly blew two darts that flew towards him. Shoju reacted by releasing more of his power and the two darts immolated, turning to ash before they could connect.
As the air gusted harshly, Shoju felt the pit of his stomach lurch. The ground rushed up to meet him. About five meters before impact, Shoju threw another vial of blood that shattered to the floor. The blood burst forth and expanded, creating a bubble. Shoju slammed into the bubble and bounced off it. Twisting in the air he pirouetted, coming to slam down to the floor with his good hand and his knee. The marble cracked and imploded in a circle three meters in diameter around the tsukai.
"Impressive", Honzo mused. "Most impressive." Honzo knew he had only moments before he would be forced into this battle.
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Shosuro Honzo
Scorpion Clan
Scorpion Clan * Shosuro Daimyo * Ninja* "Master of Shadows"* Loyal * Unique
Posts: 194
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Post by Shosuro Honzo on Feb 14, 2012 1:59:16 GMT -5
Meanwhile, in the tunnels beneath Ryoko Owari Toshi
The two elite guard hauled Utaku Mai as fast as possible. Even with the gloom, the two moved through the darkness without effort. Having made the trip countless times, the guards that Shosuro Honzo employed and trained were expected to adapt to any situation.
Taking several turns before stopping, the two guards discussed which way they should go. The larger of the two deferred to the other, who was an officer. "We take door seven, then to the sixteenth passage before we drop through the trapdoor. We should find ourselves in Shiro no Shosuro in two days."
"Two days? how in the name of Jigoku do we travel on foot that far, hauling this limp woman?" The big guard asked.
"Patience. You'll see", the officer said. The bigger guard rolled his eyes but adjusted the woman on his shoulder. The poison was still in full effect on the Unicorn samurai-ko. The officer had explained to him what was happening to her when they grabbed her in the audience chamber. The venom would not kill her, but make her unable to move or speak. She would be out for at least several hours. Then, her higher functions would return, although slowly. It would take her a full three days to be herself again. By that time, the officer said that they would be in Shiro no Shosuro, far from the nightmarish tsukai that was embattled above with their master, Shosuro Honzo.
The big guard did not doubt that their master would kill the tsukai. That he had killed the Master of Fire, Mufushin and Kubashi, the Master of Water was a sign that he was a skilled user of dark magic was not in doubt. But surely the man could not kill all of the masters and the daimyo of the Shosuro. The big guard set his jaw and grunted under the Utaku's weight. "She's heavy. What do these Ki-Rin eat?"
The officer stopped with his companion to rest for a moment. "She's wearing armor you know, and she's dead weight in her condition. It makes this so much harder."
"Why not strip it off her? Would make our job easier." The big guard suggested. He fervently hoped that the officer would agree.
"She can hear you, you know. The poison doesn't knock her out, just incapacitates. I'd hate to see what she'd do to you if you removed her ancestral armor, especially after you just called her 'heavy'. And besides, we don't want to leave a trail! Now shut your mouth and let's go!" The officer barked.
Shosuro Honzo, in the garb of the officer, did not begrudge his yojimbo his thinking. The Utaku was damned heavy in her armor and his muscles ached from the burden. But they had to be away and swiftly. When they reached the underground river, the small boat would take them to the seat of his power in the time he had said. Then, he could send Mai anywhere, far from the clutches of that monster.
He dearly hoped that Honsou could defeat Shoju. When he last saw his twin, the battle was not going as well as he had hoped. He had entered subtly in the officer's uniform amongst the other guard when the alarm was sounded. He took his personal yojimbo with him, in case his safety was compromised. Luckily, Honsou had seen his hand signals and reacted perfectly, ordering them both to get Mai out of the audience chamber.
Would Honzo ever see his twin alive again? He sincerely hoped so. Their function as the daimyo of the Shosuro was perfect. Any situation could be handled with one of them at the helm, so to speak. If Honzo lost Honsou, things would be difficult for him. He would mourn his brother, to be sure. Replacing Honsou would prove to be difficult if nigh impossible. They had spent their entire lives pretending to be each other, day and night. The twins could never be identified correctly, even by their own mother and father. Now, in their adulthood, their anonymity combined with their dual roles made their function as the Shosuro daimyo perfect.
Honsou must live , Honzo prayed. Please, Great Fortunes, let my brother survive this.
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Post by Shoju on Feb 14, 2012 11:01:29 GMT -5
Shoju looked at the Daimyo after he landed. "This is your last chance Shosuro. Have your men bring me the Shiotome." He prepared himself in a battle stance betraying his Bayushi Training. "I'll even sweeten the deal for you. You bring me the Utaku, and we will leave. I will leave Ryoko Owari, and you have my word I will not return. " Shoju looked at the shugenja around him, and the few dead on the floor. "Deny my request, and I will bleed anyone who opposes me, and their blood will fuel the fire that burns this city and its people until she is returned. "
Shoju reached his hand into his obi, and removed the last vial of blood. "And just so we're clear..." Shoju removed the stopper of the vial, and threw it to the ground. The vial shattered on impact, and the blood began to run away from him, across the shattered floor. Shoju closed his eyes as it moved towards the bodies of Honzo's fallen Shugenja allies. "...Death, is the least of your concerns."
As the sentence finished, and the words left his mouth, the corpses began to groan. Shoju stood, in his defensive posture, uttering an incantation under his breath. The Fallen Scorpion Shugenja began to stand. "Do you see?"
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Shosuro Honzo
Scorpion Clan
Scorpion Clan * Shosuro Daimyo * Ninja* "Master of Shadows"* Loyal * Unique
Posts: 194
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Post by Shosuro Honzo on Feb 17, 2012 1:02:16 GMT -5
The faux Master of Shadows was repulsed by the animation of his friends' dead bodies. With a rage he rarely expressed in the open, he let out a battle cry and summoned forth the raging fire kami from his memories. Shosuro Honsou, acting as his twin brother, Shosuro Honzo the Shosuro family daimyo, delved deep into himself and found his hate. The fire kami answered with an exultation of seeing a long lost love after a prolonged absence. Honsou had not unleashed this spell in many years. He summoned it now.
"Rise, Flame!" Honzo shouted, his deep and resonant voice echoing around the chamber. A gigantic eruption of flame burst from the floor of the audience chamber, turning the stone to molten slag. The fire twisted and writhed, shaping itself into a large Scorpion. The fiery apparition snapped its claws and darted its tail, whipping it around sending overwhelming heat everywhere. Honsou felt nothing but the rage. His eyes, which were always shadowed within his mask, blazed with yellow light now.
The guard pulled back, driven by the conflagration. They held their weapons ready, but made no move to try to interfere. The shinobi above stopped their descent and kept to the shadows, watching and waiting to see what would happen. The Masters of Earth and Air shielded themselves with their own power against the heat.
The Flame shot forward on fiery legs. The marble floor beneath each leg smoldered, blackened and melted, leaving a molten orange trail. The claws shot out, cleaving the dead shugenja in halves, and setting their undead corpses alight with living flame. The tail likewise shot out and incinerated the dead guards. The only one left alive at the end of the fifteen second period was the tsukai Shoju.
By the intensity of the glow emanating from the Shosuro shugenja's mask, it was all to clear that he intended Shoju to be the Flame's next victim.
"You want to burn so badly? Fine then..."
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Post by Shoju on Feb 17, 2012 10:06:32 GMT -5
Shoju was pushed back by the display of fire. It's heat was suffocating, and its visage, maddening. Shoju smiled as he clutched his chest, his hand finding the blood soaked into the fabric of his clothes. He closed his eyes, and the room began to shake. The still standing pillars began to crack and moan under the weight. The Floor split, and the molten stone began to flow faster.
I tried to reason with you. Shoju spoke plainly. As the room seemed to be falling down around them, Shoju took his hand, and gouged at the wound in his chest, reopening it. The pain was intense, and the body was close to collapsing. He took his bloody hand, and smeared the blade in the gore from his wound. He closed his eyes again, and heaved the katana in the direction of the Shosuro. It whistled through the air, the maho giving some measure of heat resistance from the flaming scorpion as it passed by.
The katana tore through the air, headed straight for the Shosuro Daimyo, but Shoju had no time to watch if the strike hit home. The toll his flesh had paid in this battle was immense, and with a flaming scorpion monstrosity bearing down on him, his focus was on survival. He pawed at his clothes, using fresh blood to further fuel the unsettling of the room. Those left in the room realized that he was attempting to bring it down on top of them. Some, too late.
Exhausted, Shoju drew a ward around him. As the scorpion Drew nearer, and the room around him began to collapse, Shoju could only hope that Either the katana found purchase in the Shosuro, or the room collapsed upon him, breaking the tether to the fire kami channeling the spell. His ward wouldn't hold forever, and his body's exhaustion from the trauma was beginning to set in.
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