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Post by Shoju on Mar 27, 2012 14:17:07 GMT -5
Shoju grinned as he reached in. He had no love, no fear, no hate, but he did still find enjoyment in things.
Later, Shoju and Otsu were "home". Saisei was abuzz with activity from the Bakemono. Shoju was in his chamber, and had instructed the bakemono to allow no one to enter. In truth, he was inspecting a bundle of scrolls that awaited his return.
All of them Crimson. All of them pristine. All of them, deliciously complete. The note said "Knowledge, the ultimate power my love." He took the time to look them over, and smiled as he relished the idea of using them. She had even included a copy of the spell that had made him whole once again.
After a time, he tucked them away, and looked over the map he had tacked to the table in his room. He looked at the holdings of the great clans, and of the Spider. He looked over the ruins of Otosan Uchi. He looked over the new capital Toshi Ranbo.
If he were going to show them the failings and hypocrisies of their beliefs, he would need more. He alone couldn't do it. He and Otsu couldn't do it. He needed an army He closed his eyes, and began to meditate. His army would need to be obedient. Savage. Brutal. and fear inspiring.
He opened his eyes, and summoned a bakemono from outside of his room, and ordered it to fetch Otsu.
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Daigotsu Thrakhath
Spider Clan
Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory. Through victory, my chains are broken
Posts: 600
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Post by Daigotsu Thrakhath on Mar 27, 2012 15:07:47 GMT -5
Otsu stuck his head into the doorway first, giving the room a quick once-over before stepping in. He coughed involuntarily and clasped his hands behind his back. A small bakemono scurried into the room behind him, and Otsu gave it a disgusted glare before fixing his attention on Shoju. "You sent this creature to find me, sensei?" he said.
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Post by Shoju on Mar 27, 2012 15:28:34 GMT -5
The room was circular, as was most of the central building of Saisei's architecture. There were several tables, and chests around the room, and in the center, a pair of futon, and a large table.
Shoju was seated on one side. His attire had changed. His Kimono was black, and there was a hooded overcoat over top of it, done in beautiful hues of red and orange. The kimono looked as though it were bloody, and ready to burst into flames.
Shoju held out a hand, its appearance no longer human looking, and waved Otsu over, gesturing at the futon across the table from him. He never looked up. "Yes. I did. Come. Sit." His hand moved back to his lap, and he continued to study the map.
As Otsu sat, Shoju's eyes flicked up at him. They were red, the color of blood, with a black pupil, and what seemed to be flecks of blue at the edges. "I hope that you have had time to rest, and that your strength is returning.
His eyes went back to the map, and he continued speaking. "Rokugan has lived a lie long enough. The Empire claims honor, and compassion, and sincerity, but will slit your throat all the same. The being grunted. Even the great Spider aren't immune to the folly. You said so yourself. You were left. to............ ROT
Shoju waved a hand, and the map looked as though it were alive, moving, changing. The Shadowlands south of the City of the Lost seemed to march. And as Otsu looked, he could vaguely make out many shapes. Shapes he knew. Oni. Ogre. Tiny Bakemono. Even a troll or two. The lesson coming to the Empire is one of intolerance. When their intolerance is heaped back upon them, they will suffer, crumple, wither, and die.
He looked back up at Otsu. I know, you are wondering what this has to do with you. He grinned, though the emotion behidn the grin made Otsu's skin crawl. Even with my new gifts, I will need those who will follow me. Those who will..... carry out my orders. Those who will.... Ensure order. Tell me Otsu, how does power suit you? How does being a commander suit you? Does it interest you? Could you see yourself standing next to me, leading the charge?
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Daigotsu Thrakhath
Spider Clan
Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory. Through victory, my chains are broken
Posts: 600
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Post by Daigotsu Thrakhath on Mar 28, 2012 8:57:10 GMT -5
Otsu completely failed to hide his shock. All his young life he'd been passed over for accolades and denied advancement within his family, for no reason he could fathom other than his gender. Now, here was this man, offering him power beyond anything he could have imagined for himself. Before yesterday he would have deemed Shoju completely mad, but after their encounter with Kyoso, Otsu had no doubts that Shoju could make good on his claims. A small part of him, however, was still suspicious. "I would be foolish to dismiss such an offer out of hand, Shoju-sensei," he said carefully, "but, if I may ask... what is the price of this power?"
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Post by Shoju on Mar 28, 2012 9:27:39 GMT -5
The being across from Otsu, human looking in silhouette only , smiled. You are very astute Otsu. Nothing is ever free, and the price of my gift could be seen as steep by some. It will cost you the life you know now. But that will be replaced. The existence I now have... The power and perspective from this existence far outweighs the cost. Shoju's eyes narrowed, and he stared at Otsu. Is a weak, mortal, existence such a price for strength, insight, and determination? Is a body that can be broken, plagued, and wither, such a price?
Shoju stood and walked towards a table against the back wall, and withdrew the scroll, and held it up for Otsu to see. I will grant you everything that Thrakhath did not, Shoju paused for a moment, and more.
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Daigotsu Thrakhath
Spider Clan
Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory. Through victory, my chains are broken
Posts: 600
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Post by Daigotsu Thrakhath on Mar 29, 2012 9:40:58 GMT -5
Otsu pursed his lips as he went over Shoju's offer in his mind. The end result of the ritual was obvious; one had only to interact with Shoju to see that. It was a thrilling prospect; but Otsu couldn't help but wonder if the price was too high. On the other hand, if he could successfully contend wills with an oni...
"Can this ritual be performed without ripping away my emotions?" Otsu asked directly. "I may not like the way Rokugani live their lives, but I'm not willing to give up my humanity just yet."
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Post by Shoju on Mar 29, 2012 10:00:20 GMT -5
Shoju looked him over. Of course. he nodded, and his hand swirled over the table. But, if you wish to keep your emotions, What will you give me? The table began to shimmer, and as if staring into a dream, there was the being that was once Shoju, standing tall, his hood down exposing his blue hued armored skin, shining under the sun. There was an an army marching before him in a valley, and beside him, in Shadows, stood another figure.
My emotions clouded my judgement. They made me weak. They allowed the liars and betrayers of the Empire to defeat me. The figure next to Shoju turned back, as if looking directly at the pair, his face bearing resemblence to Otsu. What is it that allows the Empire to best you? Shoju grinned. Give me that, and nothing more.
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Daigotsu Thrakhath
Spider Clan
Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory. Through victory, my chains are broken
Posts: 600
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Post by Daigotsu Thrakhath on Mar 29, 2012 10:11:41 GMT -5
"Hmph," Otsu grunted. My gender is what allowed the Moshi to best me, Otsu thought unhappily. Or was it something else? He closed his eyes as a means of looking inward. His lessons, the rebukes and insults from his teachers, the constant pass-overs in favor of other, less talented students who happened to be women, the unwillingness of his teachers to see his progress and reward it.. and then it hit him.
He opened his eyes, and grinned. "Perhaps I was wrong," he said. "I can resist the influence of others, but my fear and my inhibitions have kept me from exerting my influence over others." He tapped the side of his head with a finger. "Those are the things I want out of here, and those are the things you can have."
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Post by Shoju on Apr 2, 2012 15:10:57 GMT -5
Shoju stood, and let the shroud fall away from him, revealing his new skin covered by a black flowing kimono. I should probably remind you, there is.... a flicker in Shoju's eye would catch Otsu's attention. In the instant that Otsu would focus on that flicker, Shoju was upon him, holding him by the chin, inches from his face. Just one more thing. Shoju grinned wildly. We will need that name of yours. But I promise, you can have it back when we're done.
Shoju let him go, and walked over to the door. He opened it, reached down, and plucked the Bakemono off the floor. We're also going to need blood. Shoju grinned as he looked back at Otsu. Are you prepared to shed the imperfections?
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Daigotsu Thrakhath
Spider Clan
Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory. Through victory, my chains are broken
Posts: 600
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Post by Daigotsu Thrakhath on Apr 5, 2012 7:52:20 GMT -5
"Um..." Otsu couldn't help but hesitate. Shoju's antics had stunned him, and it took a moment for him to recover. Finally he stood and faced his teacher. "As prepared as I'm ever going to be," he said.
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Post by Shoju on Apr 9, 2012 9:14:30 GMT -5
With a flick of the wrist, Shoju tossed the Bakemono sideways, and pointed at it, his eyes glowing as he did. The bakemono stood, terror in the creature's eyes. He walked back over to Otsu, reaching into the folds of the Obi he wore. He pulled a dagger from it, flip it in his hand, and held it out towards Otsu.
"Some things still work best the old fashioned way" His eyes flashed blood red for a moment. "It is a shame we have no bones to complete the ritual, but I think that could be overlooked." Shoju held up his other hand, holding an ancient looking scroll. "If you would please, you name. "
Shoju closed his eyes, holding the implements up for Otsu, and the furniture in the room began to spread out away from them, clearing the area. "Once you put your name on the scroll, you will need to place it on the floor, and spill your blood over it, and hold very. still.[/i][/color]" Shoju grinned as he stepped back. He was pleased with this plan. Otsu would make a fine Second.
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Daigotsu Thrakhath
Spider Clan
Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory. Through victory, my chains are broken
Posts: 600
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Post by Daigotsu Thrakhath on Apr 9, 2012 10:21:11 GMT -5
Once again, Otsu found himself hesitating as he took the dagger from the frightened little goblin. You can't turn back now, he thought to himself. He took a deep breath and cut open his finger with the dagger, wincing slightly from the pain. He took the scroll from Shoju and wrote his name on it, then he crouched to place it on the floor. He held his finger over the scroll and squeezed, letting blood drip freely onto the scroll. "If this goes wrong," he muttered quietly to himself as the ancient scroll absorbed his blood, "I regret nothing."
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Post by Shoju on Apr 9, 2012 15:05:18 GMT -5
The beings in the room stood quietly for a moment, and the blood could be heard splatting against the scroll. After a few moments, The light in the room began to recede, and in the center of the room a figure began to materialize. As it did Shoju's voice could be heard in Otsu's head. " And what name do we give?? [ooc] (If you want to describe the oni you can. from here, it's just about setting up Otsu and the Oni for the next spell. You can say as little or as much as you want ) [/ooc]
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Daigotsu Thrakhath
Spider Clan
Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory. Through victory, my chains are broken
Posts: 600
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Post by Daigotsu Thrakhath on Apr 17, 2012 11:15:42 GMT -5
Otsu wasn't whether to be awed or disgusted by the demon's appearance as it slowly materialized into existence. It was vaguely humanoid, standing about a foot taller than a man on two leg-like appendages, with something resembling a head at the top of its body, but that's where its similarities ended. Four tentacles hung limply from either side its body, and its skin dripped and glistened as if it had just been plucked from the sea. Each tentacle was covered in nasty-looking, teeth-filled suckers. It's head was little more than a mound sitting on top of its body, with no neck to speak of, and two strange-looking eyes on either side of its head. it's "legs" were simply two more tentacles, though a bit thicker than the ones at its sides.
It looked at the two humans in the room, swiveling its head in a way that disconcerted Otsu, but it said nothing, and made no hostile movements. This thing is going to be fused with me? Otsu thought. The idea that such a creature might be associated with him disgusted him on one level, but he couldn't deny the sense of strength he got from observing it. Otsu looked from the oni to Shoju, than back to the oni. This is what you wanted, he thought to himself. Don't back down now. "Its name..." he started, but found himself faltering. Then his expression hardened, and he glared at the creature standing before him. "I's name is Otsu," he said in a clear voice.
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Post by Shoju on Apr 17, 2012 11:33:03 GMT -5
"And what a strong name it is." Shoju grinned as the Oni stood. He walked towards it, The Oni watching Shoju as he moved towards it. "You will be an excellent Second. Shoju moved past the Oni and towards the man. " Come. Stand here." He said motioning the Shugenja to stand closer.
He moved past the shugenja and over towards the Bakemono. He plucked it off the floor violently, a squeal escaping its lips. He grabbed the Bakemono with his other hand, and walked back towards the pair. He placed the Bakemono back on the ground, and it began to struggle to run away.
Shoju sighed, and moved a finger. A spike of earth tore through the floor, impaling the Bakemono in place. Its blood began pouring onto the floor. "We must move quickly." he spoke as he grabbed the scroll and unfurled it. The blood spilled onto the floor, and was pooling under the feet of the Shugenja, and the trunks of legs of the Oni.
He looked over the scroll, and began reciting. The candles in the room grew dim, and the air chilled. After a few moments of reciting the spell, he looked at the Shugenja. "Give me your fear. All of it. Give me that which makes you falter." Shoju bent over and placed his fingers in the blood on the floor, and marked the Shugenja, and then turned and marked the Oni.
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