Zeure
Crane Clan
Crane Clan ? Samurai ? Duelist ? Artisan ? Guardian of Metal ? Unique
Posts: 826
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Post by Zeure on Feb 7, 2012 7:19:52 GMT -5
The same thought that Haruka had was mimicked in Yun. He wanted her to escape because he felt like his situation was hopeless. The wakizashi he had just acquired was flailing out at each earthen hand that popped up, trying to keep them under control, but there was just too many of them. And he was never very good with a weapon in his hand anyways. He had made the determination that he had to bleed some more to power another set of maho spells, but then his hand was caught, making it both of his hands that the earthen force was holding. Then his other leg, then his calves. Then his thighs. He was literally being drug down into the earth.
And Haruka was being done the same way.
Yun yelled out in anguish, trying to force his focus into something helpful, but he could not make the sacrifice to power any of the spells that he had access to. The arms had him too firmly to cast the one elemental spell that would help them both escape this place. He was sinking and hopeless, but he yelled against it.
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Bayushi Haruka
Scorpion Clan
OOC Cleanup Crew
Samurai? Battle Maiden? Cavalry? Paragon of Courage? Friend of the Lion
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Post by Bayushi Haruka on Feb 7, 2012 7:35:29 GMT -5
Haruka still had her arms free, still had a grasp on her weapon as she continued to thrash and cut Yun loose again. She'd get one of his arms free, but it would not be enough. On a downswing a grip caught her hard, nearly breaking her wrist as she screamed in defiance.
The katana dropped and was claimed by the endless fingers all scraping their way towards them. They forced her down, and she could feel as the arms moved up her legs and arms and claimed her torso. Each an individual grip but with a unified purpose as her vision was quickly obscured when another earthen palm grabbed onto her face. Her breathing was obstructed as was her vision, but she could see Yun disappearing into the ground just as she was about to.
Her form shook but it was all so useless. Tears formed painfully in her eyes as she watched the ground rise to her level. She strained desperately to watch as much of Yun as she could until finally her head sunk down and her body was claimed by the trap.
There was no sound, there was no feeling. Only darkness.
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Zeure
Crane Clan
Crane Clan ? Samurai ? Duelist ? Artisan ? Guardian of Metal ? Unique
Posts: 826
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Post by Zeure on Feb 8, 2012 6:16:16 GMT -5
There was no light. There was no sound except for their screams, in the dark, in the black, in the underground. Bayushi Haruka and Yun had been pulled down to a chamber that was underneath the earth that they had so recently been about to escape across. A few panicked screams coupled with the heavy breathing and then silence. Both of them were being held aloft by hands made of earth, the same hands that had drug them under. An hour passed and then the earth that had been covering the better part of them dropped them. They both hit the ground with a hard thump and their knees buckled underneath them. Then a sound that was all too familiar to them echoed off the chamber walls.
Rashiru laughed.
She explained to them both that they would be punished severely for their attempt to escape and for killing her pets and attempting to kill her. At this point both Haruka and Yun felt broken, wasted, like nothing they did mattered any more.
They both had another day out with Rashiru, she tore them open in new and interesting ways that she had, no doubt, been reserving for something special. Then, silence again. Alone time. Both of them were left in a cell for 8 days. The silence only broken by a delivery of water or a bit of bread to keep them alive. Rashiru could see that they were broken, in pain, in despair; and she left them to it.
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Bayushi Haruka
Scorpion Clan
OOC Cleanup Crew
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Post by Bayushi Haruka on Feb 8, 2012 6:32:51 GMT -5
So many days, so many hours... Dripping, that incessant dripping, like an unending leak in a house.
A shot of cold struck Haruka making her jolt awake again. Rushing fast her body was covered in fresh wounds, her skin thinning and weak, her eyes bloodshot and weary though also alert and terrified. A slow turn of her head to glance over. It was nothing more than a drop of water on her shoulder.
She spat, cursing under her breath, then looked over to her captive companion. There was no need for binds anymore. They couldn't escape, they wanted to, but they had waited too long. They were trapped, there was no denying it anymore. All strength and resistance was gone, all the darkness and the quiet served to do was sap what was left of their strength.
Thankfully Haruka hadn't awoken Yun in her spasm. He was all that was left in this, but even then he only served as a painful a reminder as to how hopeless it all was. Haruka slowly but surely pulled away. Yun seemed to be incapacitated more and more as he became almost lifeless with how weak he'd become. She'd lost all the strength she could lend him, only the sheer habit of seeking some sense of closeness was left. Like two lost souls huddling alone in death.
Creeping slightly away from him she felt another urge in her rising again. He was always blacked out when it happened, but her despair was just too consuming and she felt she couldn't show it to him and burden him with it as well. Slumped against the wall, her skin so accustomed to the chill and remorseless stone that she hardly noticed the sores she opened up whenever she moved. More blood fled her body as if in desperation to let her die. Painfully, slowly her eyes closed and the sound of that damned drip returned, forcing her tears forward as the pain from being awake washed over her again.
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Bayushi Haruka
Scorpion Clan
OOC Cleanup Crew
Samurai? Battle Maiden? Cavalry? Paragon of Courage? Friend of the Lion
Posts: 1,054
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Post by Bayushi Haruka on Feb 14, 2012 16:46:23 GMT -5
Yun's body remained quiet as she had not awoken him in her sudden jolt of activity. Her mind started to drift and wander as her gaze became unfocused, nothing to look at besides Yun's worn and torn form.
The days had gone from a numbing healing experience to one of deep reflection. Whenever Yun was awake and trying to talk to Haruka she seemed unable to speak. Her sense of hope and purpose had drifted off into something far more pathetic, the faint flame of her fighting spirit seemed to be the only part left that kept her alive, kept her breathing.
At times during the silence, she wondered if she should put Yun out of his misery by her own hands. But the horror of the taint would only bring him right back in a far worse condition than he was in now. It was a bitter silence she held, but every time he tried to reach out to her all she could think about was either ending him, or ending herself.
As the hours dragged on the memories of all her past achievements floated through her mind, but in realization it was all somewhat pointless to her now.
Her compassion for the Scorpion servant of Shoju. Having the courage to stand before a Champion of another clan and pass along the news of his brother's passing. Showing courtesy to those that had fallen to the embrace of the taint. Her honoring the duty to the Shogun who helped to save the lands of her birth clan. Her honesty in spite of possibly being shunned or asked to purge her disgrace when she admitted her connections with the enemy to her husband. The honor she maintained when she strove to seek peace for other clans, striving for the unity the empire so desperately needed. Even the sincerity she showed while enduring her torture...
Her eyes rested painfully. She shoved her memories aside as she let the quiet hum enter her senses again. She could never figure out what it was, never having experienced something like it. Her mind and form were weakening, she was convinced death was only a matter of time now. Silently she hoped her mind could rest even if the Shadowlands took her body. It's all she could hope for.
Haruka found herself muttering into the quiet, not entirely realizing what she was saying. It was the first time in days she had found the strength to speak at all. "If only there was a way to stop the pain... I'd do anything.."
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Zeure
Crane Clan
Crane Clan ? Samurai ? Duelist ? Artisan ? Guardian of Metal ? Unique
Posts: 826
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Post by Zeure on Feb 16, 2012 6:26:28 GMT -5
A voice, that she had never heard before, but sounded all too familiar whispered into Bayushi Haruka's ears. It was thin and wispy, it whispered and it came out faint, like a breeze moving across the plains of her beloved Unicorn lands.
"If you let ussss in, we will take your paaaaiin awaaaaay. But you muuuussst agree to let usss in..."
The sudden jolt awakened Haruka more fully, her sense were alive as they had not been in days. Every pain that she had suffered was just as fresh, but it did not stifle the keen awareness that her mind was displaying. The contact by... anything was enough to make this so.
Yun moved in his sleep, turning over and moving one arm underneath his head. He was now facing away from her, but he did not seem to have noticed anything at all.
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Bayushi Haruka
Scorpion Clan
OOC Cleanup Crew
Samurai? Battle Maiden? Cavalry? Paragon of Courage? Friend of the Lion
Posts: 1,054
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Post by Bayushi Haruka on Feb 16, 2012 6:36:05 GMT -5
Haruka trembled a bit. A new voice made her wonder what few words she uttered had grabbed the attention of. She glanced back over to Yun who seemed impervious to the new whispers. Swallowing hard she wondered if she was going mad with the lack of torture, not having the ability to harden her body and her mind to things as they were.
Tentatively she spoke out, her voice cracking with the exhaustion and the lack of care. "W-Who are you? How.. how do I let you in?" Her tone was a desperate one at best, an answer to her pitiful prayers could be the strength she needed to feel even alive again.
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Zeure
Crane Clan
Crane Clan ? Samurai ? Duelist ? Artisan ? Guardian of Metal ? Unique
Posts: 826
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Post by Zeure on Feb 16, 2012 6:46:53 GMT -5
The voice came again, still whispering, seemingly coming from right next to her ear, but there was nothing there and she was sure of it.
"Alllll you have to dooo is say: 'I accept your bargain.' Then we wiiiill help you with your paaaaaiiin."
Yun shifted again in his sleep. He seemed restless all of the sudden.
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Bayushi Haruka
Scorpion Clan
OOC Cleanup Crew
Samurai? Battle Maiden? Cavalry? Paragon of Courage? Friend of the Lion
Posts: 1,054
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Post by Bayushi Haruka on Feb 16, 2012 7:17:08 GMT -5
Haruka made a mental note of these things and after hearing the words so tenderly put to her, the sheer agony of her own festering wounds dawned on her again. Many of the old wounds had become infected on their own accord but she hadn't noticed until now.
Exhausted, ill and completely without a fighting chance, Haruka slumped against the wall in defeat prepared to give anything to have the suffering end.
"...I accept your bargain." Her body shuddered violently as she tried to move, her head hanging low in utter defeat. "Please, tell me what I must do."
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Zeure
Crane Clan
Crane Clan ? Samurai ? Duelist ? Artisan ? Guardian of Metal ? Unique
Posts: 826
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Post by Zeure on Feb 16, 2012 7:41:11 GMT -5
"Goooood. Goooooooood"
There was a sound that filled Haruka's ears, the sound of rushing wind. Eerie dark red light filled the room and there were visible tendrils of energy moving around her... through her. She was lifted to her feet by the energy and spun around by it. There was an intense sort of pain that she felt from all of her wounds simultaneously, and then, there was nothing of them. Suddenly all the pain was gone, she felt like she had eaten a good meal, had drunk alot of water and slept for a day or more. All of her wounds were gone. There was no scar, there was no blood, and there was no pain. She felt...right. She felt so good, like she hadn't felt in months... in years; she had never felt this good before.
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Bayushi Haruka
Scorpion Clan
OOC Cleanup Crew
Samurai? Battle Maiden? Cavalry? Paragon of Courage? Friend of the Lion
Posts: 1,054
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Post by Bayushi Haruka on Feb 16, 2012 7:53:42 GMT -5
She was stunned. Flexing her fingers, looking over her skin as it practically shined with renewed radiance. That old beauty that helped her win over the attention of her beloved former husband. Her strength renewed, she couldn't help it as the emotions swept over her. Tears started flowing down her face as she smiled. Her lungs swelled with air as the pain was gone, as the feeling of freedom finally set in.
"Why.. didn't I do this.. sooner? Who are you.. whoever you are.. Thank you." She could barely contain herself, but in that same moment she was smiling so much it should have hurt. She couldn't even make a sound to express the sheer relief she was experiencing.
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Zeure
Crane Clan
Crane Clan ? Samurai ? Duelist ? Artisan ? Guardian of Metal ? Unique
Posts: 826
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Post by Zeure on Feb 16, 2012 8:03:15 GMT -5
And that is when she noticed Yun. Similar to her, there was something going on with him. He was on his knees, and clutching the sides of his head. Just as there had been for her, there was an energy surrounding him, but his, when it solidified into something that she could see; was a dark chain that bound him to the ground and to...her.
He was speaking in a language that she did not understand, rapidly, trying to get something out quickly, as though at any moment he would be silenced. His eyes were rapidly moving from side to side, and the thought occurred to Haruka that it looked like he was reading from some text that was only visible to himself.
And then the chain connectors that were bound into the ground snapped as he had apparently stopped speaking. And he stood and faced her. His eyes had been closed as he rose, but when he stood to his full height they opened. That same burning green glow that had been there before was there again.
"I accept your bargain..."
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Bayushi Haruka
Scorpion Clan
OOC Cleanup Crew
Samurai? Battle Maiden? Cavalry? Paragon of Courage? Friend of the Lion
Posts: 1,054
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Post by Bayushi Haruka on Feb 16, 2012 8:22:04 GMT -5
Haruka was stunned for a moment, seeing these things and wondering if they were there all along. Those words that he uttered, the same as hers only moments ago. Then it dawned on her what horrific pact she had likely just accepted. But how could she have ever known what those enticing words held behind their willing power.
She stood with her renewed strength, still in tattered bits of cloth that were once elegant clothes and looked to Yun with both astonishment and shock. "You heard the voices too? What were those chains Yun? What was all of it.."
Her hunger for knowledge sparked in spite of the steady horrific realization, her rejuvenated desire overtook any sense of fear now. What was done was done, there would be time for reflection and regret soon enough.
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Zeure
Crane Clan
Crane Clan ? Samurai ? Duelist ? Artisan ? Guardian of Metal ? Unique
Posts: 826
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Post by Zeure on Feb 16, 2012 8:47:44 GMT -5
Yun flexed his hands a couple of times to feel the renewed strength surging through him. He almost didn't notice Haruka had asked him a question, but slowly it all processed.
"Rashiru is not going to be your teacher. I am. So, first, we will leave this place. She will have no doubt sensed the surge in power from me and from you and will come to investigate."
Almost as if on cue, the door banged a few times as bars were slid off of it, and locks were undone. In the same style robes that Haruka had seen many times, she entered the room. The thought occured to her that Rashiru must have many sets of those robes since her last one had been so torn up by their attempt to escape. Which seemed... so long ago, suddenly. She entered on the defensive, seemingly ready for danger, but as the two made no sudden moves at her, Rashiru dropped her pose to a more relaxed one.
"So... you made your choices now?"
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Bayushi Haruka
Scorpion Clan
OOC Cleanup Crew
Samurai? Battle Maiden? Cavalry? Paragon of Courage? Friend of the Lion
Posts: 1,054
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Post by Bayushi Haruka on Feb 16, 2012 9:05:42 GMT -5
Haruka was a bit unnerved to think that Yun would be the one so willing to submit himself once again to the Maho he seemed to have resisted. She'd given up, and now slowly pieced together that somehow, she too performed the dark art without ever having a clue about it.
How easy it was, how wonderful such power felt. She was somewhat numb to the fact that Rashiru entered in with them. But her presence was realized. Haruka turned to face her fully, her renewed strength let the hatred for the woman return. However the blissful feeling of being released from the pain allowed her to restrain herself. Rashiru didn't make an aggressive move, so neither did Haruka.
Simply glaring at the woman she answered, "Perhaps I have, but that's not of your concern any longer. As I said once before, I will not serve under you Rashiru-san." Her fingers flexed, a few memories coming back. "I've still a lot to learn. But I take my own destiny in my hands this day."
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