Bayushi Haruka
Scorpion Clan
OOC Cleanup Crew
Samurai? Battle Maiden? Cavalry? Paragon of Courage? Friend of the Lion
Posts: 1,054
|
Post by Bayushi Haruka on Feb 6, 2012 20:03:20 GMT -5
"..Yun?"
It took a few blinks and Yun's commanding tone for Haruka to even fully understand what was going on. Quickly her hands fiddled with the key and pried the collar off her neck. She moved so fast and so eagerly to get away from her binds that she left the key where it was and practically flew to Yun's side.
She looked still terrified and apologetic to him even in that swift moment, certainly not having forgotten what she'd done before. Haruka then also began looking around for anything useful. Her weapons had been taken from her when she was transferred to her cell and she could only hope that they weren't too far off.
Part of her wondered if this was some kind of dream state again as she gently took a slight hold on Yun's clothing just to be sure, and also to help guide her along and reassure him that she'd be right behind him no matter the pace he took now.
|
|
Zeure
Crane Clan
Crane Clan ? Samurai ? Duelist ? Artisan ? Guardian of Metal ? Unique
Posts: 826
|
Post by Zeure on Feb 6, 2012 22:54:53 GMT -5
Yun wrapped his free arm around Haruka's shoulders as she grappled with the torn shreds of his robes. The hand that was controlling the spell tightened, and one could coincidentally see the indentation in Rashiru's neck deepen. Yun's eyes continued to burn that bright green color.
"How does it feel, Rashiru? You wretch?" He seemed to savor that word as it left his lips.
He drug her along the ground towards them and then his hand tightened one more time and there was a sickening popping crunch sound. And then he flung the lifeless corpse against the wall away from them. He looked down at Haruka, but his eyes did not soften any. Yun had to hold on to his hate. Hold on to the power he had already taken.
"We're leaving. I've already killed the other two guards in this part of the chamber. I'm sure there are more. Keep your guard up." His tone remained firm and curt.
He walked out the door with Haruka trailing him. He was bleeding rather heavily, from what she could see. His cuts to fuel the maho had not been graceful or delicate. They moved along the two turns in the corridors and came to the door that would lead them out of the dungeon.
"If you can still manage it, go in there and grab a weapon." He said, indicating the whipping room. "Just... not the whip."
|
|
Bayushi Haruka
Scorpion Clan
OOC Cleanup Crew
Samurai? Battle Maiden? Cavalry? Paragon of Courage? Friend of the Lion
Posts: 1,054
|
Post by Bayushi Haruka on Feb 7, 2012 3:27:53 GMT -5
Haruka nodded and even though the room was still coated in strips of his blood the sheer opportunity of the moment allowed her to momentarily forget as she grabbed a slightly sharpened bokken and a knife from the rack. It was certainly no set of weapons of choice but it would have to do.
She slipped the sheath of the dagger into the cloth that held her rags together, keeping the mock sword in her hands as she walked back out. Haruka simply stood next to Yun once again as she had not parted from his side for more than a few seconds and gave a nod for them to continue.
"I still have enough strength to defend you. Do not use your maho unless you absolutely must. I will give of my blood if you require it, you need only ask Yun." Her tone raised to his level of seriousness as the situation commanded for it. Haruka had become aware through her recent studies before the abduction, that it was not the giving of blood that would taint the body. Unless it was done with a tainted weapon of course.
|
|
Zeure
Crane Clan
Crane Clan ? Samurai ? Duelist ? Artisan ? Guardian of Metal ? Unique
Posts: 826
|
Post by Zeure on Feb 7, 2012 4:11:59 GMT -5
Yun had moved up to the door by the time that Haruka returned and he had the key in hand to unlock it. Obviously he had taken it off Rashiru at the same time that he had taken the key to free Haruka from her collar. He slipped the key into the lock without giving Haruka any words of assent or denial and the door slid open.
They found themselves in a stairwell leading up. The prediction that they had made about this being the way out of the dungeon area was very accurate it seemed. Coming up those stairs they found another door, that was not locked and made their way past it. The next area was a hallway with many doors attached to it. But Yun moved forward past them all, turning a corner. They found themselves face to face with a group of the beast-men that had been their guards in the basement below. 5 in total.
Without any hesitation, Yun began chanting.
|
|
Bayushi Haruka
Scorpion Clan
OOC Cleanup Crew
Samurai? Battle Maiden? Cavalry? Paragon of Courage? Friend of the Lion
Posts: 1,054
|
Post by Bayushi Haruka on Feb 7, 2012 4:26:55 GMT -5
Acting as Yun's charge Haruka was almost Shiba like in her complete and utter devotion to being the distracting force between Yun and the beast-men. With a ferocious war cry she came storming towards them with her blade raised.
There were far too many for her to necessarily take on alone, but she wouldn't allow another moment to pass with fear and subjection in her heart. The claws and teeth flew as her sharpened weapon carved into their flesh without even a moment's hesitation. This was the bloodletting she'd been craving, all her anger and passion coming out with each stoke of her weapon, hoping to buy some time for Yun to complete his spell.
She certainly didn't rage without damage to her form, a hurricane of the beast-men's attacks rained down on her flesh. But Haruka wouldn't give them an inch, not even so much as a whimper in her fury.
|
|
Zeure
Crane Clan
Crane Clan ? Samurai ? Duelist ? Artisan ? Guardian of Metal ? Unique
Posts: 826
|
Post by Zeure on Feb 7, 2012 4:40:31 GMT -5
The camera is zoomed in on Yuns eyes and it is obvious that his eyes have continued that 'burning' look that they had before. But as it starts to zoom out from there it becomes apparent that his hands are bathed in flames that match the color and that his eyes were reflecting the light brought on by them. He circles his hands around an invisible central point between themselves, bringing the fire together in the center of it. And then he slams both of his hands down into the ground.
The ground erupts in five distinct trails away from him each one arching towards one of the beast men. As each line reaches them, an eruption of rock, earth matter, and green fire engulfs each one. And they each fall to the conflagration, becoming as ash.
Yun breathed heavy for a moment and some of the wounds in his arms deepened a bit. But he payed it no mind. He rose to his standing position slowly and they began moving forward again.
|
|
Bayushi Haruka
Scorpion Clan
OOC Cleanup Crew
Samurai? Battle Maiden? Cavalry? Paragon of Courage? Friend of the Lion
Posts: 1,054
|
Post by Bayushi Haruka on Feb 7, 2012 4:49:05 GMT -5
Haruka picked herself up from the pile of bodies, dusting some of the ash off her shoulders. Her weapon was coated in the blood, but a quick flick of her blade was enough to remedy that. But Haruka looked over to Yun and started to notice just how bright his eyes were becoming, it slightly startled her but she managed to silence it with a deep swallow.
"We need to keep moving. Even if that was all of her pets, others will have heard.."
She seemed to take a moment to catch her breath again, not really noticing the deep gashes in her skin. Her blood was running again but she seemed impervious to the damage. Haruka again returned to Yun's side, the closer she was the better she could protect him. And he seemed to know where he was going, but allowing him ahead without her protection wasn't even a thought she was willing to entertain.
"I'm with you Yun."
|
|
Zeure
Crane Clan
Crane Clan ? Samurai ? Duelist ? Artisan ? Guardian of Metal ? Unique
Posts: 826
|
Post by Zeure on Feb 7, 2012 5:18:37 GMT -5
"Yes, of course. We must keep moving."
He seemed sort of distracted, and out of it. Like his mind was occupied even while his body kept moving. They came out of that chamber into a courtyard. What would have no doubt been the sight of a beautiful garden, if the lost were capable of such things. The weird daylight that was present as they got there made them shade their eyes.
Haruka was the first to notice that they were not alone. Yun was still staring up into the sky and along the south side of the wall. But Haruka could see that there were two other samurai, wearing black armor in the courtyard just a few steps away form them. As her vision began to clear, she could tell that they were obviously undead, though not mindless. Each drew a katana and advanced on them.
The distraction that had taken him earlier continued, Yun seemed completely unaware of them.
|
|
Bayushi Haruka
Scorpion Clan
OOC Cleanup Crew
Samurai? Battle Maiden? Cavalry? Paragon of Courage? Friend of the Lion
Posts: 1,054
|
Post by Bayushi Haruka on Feb 7, 2012 5:30:53 GMT -5
Haruka didn't so much think so much as she acted, purely on instinct. In one moment she was at Yun's side, in the next tainted blood sprayed wildly from the fallen.
Haruka rushed with the most protective force in her heart, soundless, pure like the Shiotome she once was. The greatest underestimation of her family was that an Utaku was only half the samurai on foot, but oh how very wrong they all were.
Four steps, one in front of the other for maximum speed, one swing with enough force behind it to tear through the gap in the shoulder armor of the closer samurai. Another step, her hand flew to her side as she pulled the dagger from its sheath, two strikes, one from the front and the other from behind as the head was severed from its body. Sweat poured down her form like rain, mixing with the blood and stains that littered her form and highlighted the scars and marks that marred her once beautiful skin.
Her eyes were focused like a hunter, her body poised like a defender, and lunged like the warrior. Even after she struck her targets she held her stance as she looked past the fallen and onto other possible threats. But the shifting motion of the first could be heard, his rustling armor from his tentative movement to reattain his dropped weapon.
A swift turn and the device that once helped to torture so many before her plunged into his spine, driving him down to the ground. Standing over him for only a moment longer she pried the weapon from him impervious to the wet sound of it leaving flesh and bone, and it was only another stroke before she swiftly and mercifully removed its head as well.
Haruka stood over her quarry for a moment, her fatigue started to catch up with her violently as her breath became labored almost immediately, likely drawing Yun's attention. Even so, her eyes looked down as she quickly removed one set of daisho and equipped herself more properly. Her grip remained tight around the sharpened bokken though, she wasn't about to part with such an ironically liberating device. To continue on without all the weapons she could possibly carry was foolish, but the dull nature of the mildly sharpened stick in her hands required far too much force to be a reliable weapon for much longer.
|
|
Zeure
Crane Clan
Crane Clan ? Samurai ? Duelist ? Artisan ? Guardian of Metal ? Unique
Posts: 826
|
Post by Zeure on Feb 7, 2012 5:54:29 GMT -5
The visceral display before Yun had drawn his attention only seconds after Haruka had left his side. And that was she had needed.
Yun stared at her for a moment, his eyes flashing a sort of appraisal that Haruka had not seen before. It was as if she had changed relative locations in his mind. His eyes dimmed, losing some of the power that he had grasped at to engineer their escape, he felt it leave him and he sighed.
"I never knew how good you really were, lover. But you are very impressive."
Yun moved past her and picked up the other wakizashi that Haruka had left laying on the other guard who was so recently put back to rest. He opened it to examine it and found the blade to his liking as he nodded at it. He moved over to the open gate and stared outward. The vast emptiness that greeted him, left him wondering if leaving was really a good idea.
|
|
Bayushi Haruka
Scorpion Clan
OOC Cleanup Crew
Samurai? Battle Maiden? Cavalry? Paragon of Courage? Friend of the Lion
Posts: 1,054
|
Post by Bayushi Haruka on Feb 7, 2012 6:02:51 GMT -5
"I was once a warrior on the battlefield, long before I was ever a Scorpion's wife." Haruka came back to his side and just waited to move in sync with him, a slightly dejected sigh coming from her at the thought of those times now long past.
"I will die if I must to protect you, Yun. If that is what it takes. I will be the Shiba to your Isawa.." A strange little smile crept up on Haruka's face as she stood proudly. Her blood still ran far too much, but she did everything she could to overlook it. There would come a point she feared though inside where she would be unable to continue.
Yun seemed to hesitate in that moment and his eyes seemed to fade. She wondered if there was something the matter but she wouldn't dare ask. Her stride would only follow along with his when he was ready. In the meantime she took the opportunity to catch her breath, using a simple but efficient technique by breathing in with her nose and exhaling through her mouth. It always had kept her from growing dizzy when needing to take in so much air to recover her muscles.
|
|
Zeure
Crane Clan
Crane Clan ? Samurai ? Duelist ? Artisan ? Guardian of Metal ? Unique
Posts: 826
|
Post by Zeure on Feb 7, 2012 6:09:43 GMT -5
"I recognize that you're sure that I must live if it is a choice between the two of us, but I fear that we won't have the choice. It'll be both of us or nothing at this point, Haruka."
Yun stood with one arm bracing him against the gate. He was breathing heavily, the sudden loss of power was draining to him, Haruka would have no problem seeing that. He opted for catching his breath as well. He had no foreknowledge of this technique that she was using, but he adopted it; mimicking her.
"I just don't trust the shadowlands. I don't know where to go from here. The vast wasteland awaits us out there, but there is surely nothing for us here either. But we have to leave before that woman awakens again..."
|
|
Bayushi Haruka
Scorpion Clan
OOC Cleanup Crew
Samurai? Battle Maiden? Cavalry? Paragon of Courage? Friend of the Lion
Posts: 1,054
|
Post by Bayushi Haruka on Feb 7, 2012 6:16:49 GMT -5
Haruka watched him a bit, allowing them both a moment's rest but at least her smile didn't fade. Heck she even started to laugh, at first it was just a chuckle under her breath but then it spread to a quiet but audible joyful sound. Not enough that it should carry beyond their ears though.
It was the first break they were able to experience away from the constant torment of the prison they'd been locked away together in. The sheer amount of relief to be finally free of it and now nearly away from it all was enough to instill quite the happiness in her heart.
Her attention wasn't any less alert but Haruka found herself gently coming a bit closer to Yun physically as she put a hand on his shoulder, carefully to mind both of their wounded state. Only moments ago she was throwing her weight against her opponents and laying waste with all the strength she could muster. But her joy wouldn't deny her now, leaning in to him while they were alone in this moment she whispered into his ear.
"We're so close now, with you at my side there isn't anything we can't do."
And as if to cement her adoration for him Haruka kissed his cheek gently, she hoped that it would spread some of the positive energy and emotion from her to him. She hoped those were the words he needed to help see this through to the end.
|
|
Zeure
Crane Clan
Crane Clan ? Samurai ? Duelist ? Artisan ? Guardian of Metal ? Unique
Posts: 826
|
Post by Zeure on Feb 7, 2012 6:37:29 GMT -5
Yun's eyes mellowed as it seemed that Haruka was right in her actions. His head turned and their eyes locked for a moment and she could see the adoration for her there.
"I would rather be escaping this jail with you than safe and comfortable with anyone else."
He smiled at her. It was warm and loving. All the things that she had ever seen from him before being brought to this place. It was like she brought this back out of him.
Yun began moving forward ahead of her again, out into the wasteland of the shadowlands. A few feet away from the gate the ground began to tremble. Yun and Haruka both were taken a bit by surprise, but Haruka was able to maintain her balance. Yun was not so lucky. He fell to the ground just as the earthen hands formed and began splitting the air looking for something to grasp. Hundreds of them reaching for the both of them. Yun was trying to scramble to his feet when the hands found him. First his leg, then one of the arms that he was trying to balance with.
|
|
Bayushi Haruka
Scorpion Clan
OOC Cleanup Crew
Samurai? Battle Maiden? Cavalry? Paragon of Courage? Friend of the Lion
Posts: 1,054
|
Post by Bayushi Haruka on Feb 7, 2012 7:07:49 GMT -5
Haruka's eyes went wide as the various arms came grasping up from the dark earth. She cried out after him as the limbs started to emerge closer and closer to her.
"Yun, hang on!"
One hand finally burst forth startlingly ahead of the rest of them and seized her ankle. Haruka snapped and whipped down the bokken hard to shatter it. Simple but the hand cracked and gave way. But just as she struck one down it seemed like three more emerged just to take its place.
Haruka swung again before they got a hold of her, cutting the air as she sliced through two more. But the third seemed more resilient as it caught the weapon. But Haruka had no intention of keeping it, as she felt the final hand grab a hold she released her grip and simply started to run.
Just as she was just out of reach there was a horrific snap as the hand that clutched the relinquished weapon crushed it pitilessly, clearly illustrating what their grip was capable of. But Haruka didn't have time to stop and consider such things.
The hands were slow but relentless as she stepped on a few to get closer to Yun to try and pry him free, grabbing her newly acquired katana in the process. She started running and cutting until she was standing right over him. Swinging quickly she was able to get Yun free, but just as quickly as he was freed a set of at least half a dozen hands and arms of earth had a hold of her legs.
Much to Haruka's horror she felt that slight sinking sensation.
|
|