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 13:55:26 GMT -5
My fear. Otsu closed his eyes, and memories came unbidden to the forefront of his awareness. Petty things from his life among the Mantis; his mother scoffing at his ambitions when it was discovered he could speak to the kami; his teachers constantly berating him and his inability to stand up to them; the first time he set foot on a ship.
Then, the the truly terrifying experiences. The first time Thrakhath revealed his true identity. Sailing on a ship full of reanimated corpses. Setting foot in the Shadowlands. Cutting himself open to power blaphemous magic. His near-death experience with Kyoso no Oni, and the terror inspired by her mere presence. As the memories, he felt a fear the likes of which he'd never experienced; enough to make him fall to his knees and cry out.
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Post by Shoju on Apr 17, 2012 14:03:59 GMT -5
The Monster drank in the experience. It was intoxicating. He felt the emotions all over again as if they were new for the very first time. The fear wafted through him, and then passed. "Fear was a weakness you will no longer have to deal with." Shoju spoke in a hushed, almost whisper. "Don't hold back. Give me your inhibitions. Give me the pain and hurt that fueled the fear. Give me the pain your fear caused."
The Oni... man... thing that was once human's voice pounded in the Shugenja's mind, as did the thoughts of the Oni. The Oni's consciousness played out in the Shugenja's mind. The Shugenja could see through his eyes, hear its thoughts for destruction, and revenge, and blood. The connection was growing stronger.
The marks on their heads began to smolder and burn, and the blood at their feet began to smoke, as Shoju recited the spell.
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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 14:24:48 GMT -5
Otsu collapsed foward on his knees, palms flat on the floor. His hands clenched into fists as the assault on his mind continued, and tears began to flow from the pain of it. His fingernails dug into his palms, his hands soaked in the smoldering blood of goblin and demon. He sobbed uncontrollably, cursing himself for his weakness. All his life he'd let others choose his path for him, never asserting himself, never letting himself be heard. Even his decisions to come here had been another's choice, not his; he simply hadn't seen another way out.
Tears dripped to the floor and mixed with the blood surrounding him, and the oni's lust for violence and power in his mind fueled the rage within himself. He slammed his fist into the ground with enough force to shatter his hand, screaming in defiance of his pain. He felt the demon, sensing an opportunity, attempt to assert itself over him, and it pushed him over the edge. He glared up at the creature as it shimmered in and out of existence. "I control my destiny," he muttered. The oni only pushed harder, and Otsu shook his head as if to focus. "Do you hear me?" he said, louder this time. "I AM MY OWN MASTER."
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Post by Shoju on Apr 18, 2012 14:16:02 GMT -5
The laughter in Otsu's ears was deafening, Shoju held a maniacal grin on his face. "Cry. Squirm. Fight against it if you will, but your fate, your destiny, has been set." Shoju's voice in his head was as condescending as the grin on his face.
Then Shoju's voice roared in the room, spoken aloud " NOW GIVE THAT WHICH I HAVE ASKED FOR!" Shoju siezed Otsu by the chest. His claws tearing through the fabric cover his chest, and biting into his flesh above his heart. "Embrace your destiny!" The claws dug deeper into his chest. The pain would be brutal.
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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 18, 2012 15:11:23 GMT -5
Otsu shook his head and squeezed his eyes shut. The oni's presence in his mind was oppressive, and Shoju's taunts only made things worse. Give in, a voice in his head whispered. It will be easier. Part of him wanted to let the demon take over; to relinquish control of himself for good and put an end to all of this. it was a very tempting notion, and the demon's powerful compulsion nearly overwhelmed him in that moment.
As Otsu's blood mixed with the blood powering the ritual, however, he felt a power within him begin to grow. He wrenched himself free from Shoju's grip, ripping his shirt open in the process, and he stood facing both monsters in the room, his chest red with blood. Otsu closed his eyes and focused on the other within his own mind, and, drawing heavily on this newfound strength within him, he brutally suppressed that presence with a final act of will. The oni visibly reeled from the force of the attack, and Otsu opened his eyes and smiled. "I'm ready," he said, his voice even. "Take it."
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Post by Shoju on Apr 18, 2012 15:18:59 GMT -5
Shoju grinned. "I knew you had it in you." he said, and plunged his hand into the Oni's carapace, the blood mixing. He recited the last incantation of the spell and the room went blindingly white. He stepped back, and could see the outlines of parts of the transformation. The sensation of watching it was not nearly as impressive as experiencing it, Shoju thought, but it was still a site to behold.
Time seemed to stand still as the spell's effects worked. When they finished, Shoju stepped forward. "Rise Otsu. Rise, and take your place. For now, is the time vengeance."
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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 19, 2012 14:45:19 GMT -5
Somehow, Otsu found himself in a kneeling position. He rose slowly, and lifted his hands to examine them. His skin was now a sickly gray color, and had a strange, rubbery texture to it. He touched his face, and found the skin there was the same texture. He ran a hand over his head, and felt no hair.
Looking inward, Otsu felt as if there were a reserve of strength within him now; unknown powers that he would need to explore. He also felt the presence of the oni in his head. It felt subdued, as if it were brooding, or waiting for something. He got the distinct sense that it was quite unhappy with its current situation. We'll just have to make do, he thought, knowing the demon would hear him.
"Thank you, Shoju-sensei," Otsu said, noting the odd new duality in his voice. He grinned, showing a mouth full of sharpened teeth. "I look forward to putting this new form to the test."
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Post by Shoju on Apr 19, 2012 15:16:44 GMT -5
Shoju grinned back. "Come! We have much to accomplish, and every second counts." Shoju began heading for the entrance. He knew Otsu would fall in line. "Now, to properly punish the empire and it's..... samurai for their failings, we will need an army. Even with the power you feel coursing through your being now, We need those who will follow us into battle. " Shoju stopped and turned. " The Bakemono will follow strength, and those they fear. Lesser Oni will follow us, for a chance at being elevated. What we need, are strong bodies. bodies that can meet the Samurai in battle" Shoju's eyes grew dark and his grin bared his teeth. "We need to meet with the Ogres, and the Trolls."
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Post by Shoju on Apr 23, 2012 10:41:24 GMT -5
The next few days in Saisei passed eventfully. Shoju had dispatched 2 small groups of Bakemono in search of Ogres and Trolls, requesting a meeting to discuss... "mutually beneficial destruction of enemies." In the time since then, several lesser Oni had made it to the keep. The Crab Scouts in the area had increased in number, but they were giving Saisei a wide berth. They could tell something was amiss, and that the activity level was increasing.
A few crazed shugenja had made their way to Saisei. Once, acolytes of Iuchiban, driven mad by their research, these shugenja were just as unstable as the nonhumans roaming the compound. Shoju watched from the rooftop of the temple in Saisei, and smiled. The chaos that was sure to come from this army's advance would be delicious. The lessons would be taught well.
Shoju had left Otsu to gauge his new form, and become comfortable with it, and had himself sought time to spend in deep meditation. It was the closest thing he could find to sleep anymore. He was searching for a dreamwalker that he had once called friend. One who had seemingly betrayed him. Word had made its way to Saisei that in the end, he too had been betrayed. Maybe... in their shared betrayal at the hands of the Mistress of Secrets, they could form a bond.
Shoju sat barechested, with his legs crossed on the floor of his chamber, his No-Dachi laid flat across his lap. The carapace that had replaced his skin was hard, and plated, but resembled a blue skin. His eyes closed, and his clawed hands were flat against his knees, he scanned the dream realms for Yun.
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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 Apr 24, 2012 9:32:42 GMT -5
Like a gentle breeze floating through a vast forest, Shoju's projection traveled deep into the realms of dreams. Unaccosted, unchecked, with nothing to hold him back he was able to move at a quick pace. In the distance, there were several things that Shoju would call both heavenly and nightmarish, glimpsed partially through the trees. The light that pierced the forest through the canopy was not the same as normal light, there were simply not the same sensations here, it was not warm, it was not even the same color of yellow that would be recognizable to a human. In this deep forest, Shoju came across a clearing, where the trees parted to allow a stream to pass by, but at the hole in the ground from which the water came forth, there, did Shoju find what he had been searching for.
Yun's time in the land of dreams had altered him slightly. While Shoju had seen him full of life and vigorous before, it seemed to literally shine from him now. Though now his entire figure was faintly blue and ethereal, and indeed, he did not seem to have feet that touched the ground, he seemed somehow more lively.
His hands were free, and he splashed one of them lightly in the water, catching hold of some of it and letting it fall back out after raising it up. He had his back to Shoju, and he did not turn as he began to speak. His voice seemingly comprised of many echos, which built up strength to form the words that he heard.
"Hello Shoju. I had wondered if you would come here; since this can be the solution that you seek... But... I don't want to do it out of order... Please, tell me why you've sought me."
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Post by Shoju on Apr 24, 2012 9:54:06 GMT -5
Shoju's figure was shrouded in robes. His No-Dachi, however superfluous it would seem in the realm of dreams, sheathed on his back. His eyes emanated a yellow green flow from under the hood. "It seems that we have both survived a... transformation since our last meeting." Shoju looked over Yun's Ethereal form, and then down at his own clawed hand as he spoke, his voice low and gravelly. "I heard of the betrayal you suffered. Of your removal from the mortal realm. You professed your loyalty to me when we last spoke, that you had no knowledge of the betrayal suffered at the hands of the Scorpion." Shoju's eyes burned a brighter yellow at the word scorpion. He looked past Yun into the distance, and began speaking again.
"Originally, I had come with an idea to bring you back. But, I wonder if you would take the offer.... You seem.... pleased with this existence. Shoju's blue chin jutted from under the shadow of the hood in what seemed a grin. It also occurs to me, that your existence here might be of an even greater boon to me..... Tell me Yun. Would you aid me in bringing retribution to the Empire? You know as well as I the failings of Bushido."
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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 Apr 24, 2012 23:55:10 GMT -5
"Much more importantly, I know the dreams of samurai. I know the dreams of those who have betrayed you, and I know the dreams that haunt your mind, Shoju."
Yun turned around suddenly, after he spoke, and looked at Shoju; his gaze seemed piercing somehow. Like he knew, not thought, but knew, what was coming, what was to be. Shoju had not heard Yun speak so surely before, it was new.
"Truth be told, as I fell into the pit that consumed me and reshaped me, I was quite put out. I was very, very angry at what had happened to me, at the loss, at the betrayal; but eventually, I realized that these emotions were not accurate to what had happened to me."
Intentionally he left that point out there, he let Shoju turn the words over in his mind to try and see what it was he was speaking about. And then, before Shoju could get a word out about them, he spoke again.
"But I don't want you to turn away from your path. You can not follow after me. And if you can tell me how you want me to help you, then I most likely will. I think it's the only way..."
A vague look overtook him for a moment after he said that, as though something were passing through his mind that grabbed all of his attention, but he made no further comments and eventually his head raised to look directly at Shoju again.
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Post by Shoju on Apr 25, 2012 9:45:22 GMT -5
Shoju pulled his hood down, revealing his features to Yun. "I have been given a gift. I have given away all that made me falter. In return, I have been given what I need to right the wrongs, and avenge her death. I have been gifted the knowledge to give this gift to others, and I have gifted a promising student, a former Spider." Shoju held his hand out open, and a fire burned with the image of Otsu's new form. " I wish to take one student from each of the great Clans. One student who would willingly give himself to my teachings, if he were properly persuaded."
Shoju closed his hand and pointed at Yun. "That is why I have come seeking you. There are few who have ever been as capable of you at walking Yume-Do, and none of them could rival your ability to see the dreams of samurai so effortlessly." Shoju grinned, his words were sincere. " I was hoping you could in fact aid me in finding the men who dream the dreams I need. And then guide them to me. Guide them to me, aid me in preparing them, and I promise I will not rest until a penance has been exacted from the Mistress of Secrets. I will make her beg for death if you so desire.
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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 Apr 26, 2012 6:43:13 GMT -5
Yun showed no outward sign that he was at all shocked by Shoju's form, nor the form of the one that he held out in vision to Yun. As he finished his request, and made his offer to Yun, Yun began to nod his head several times.
"Yeah... that's what I thought you'd say. Well, listen, I don't actually want revenge on Haruka, I'm just going to be very straight with you. I may lack the ability to travel to the mortal realm with any consistent basis, but... it has it's perks. And truth be told... she punishes herself in more ways than I'll ever need to. You should see her dreams, Shoju."
Yun made his way over to the stream, and drew up some of the water in his hand again. This time, however, when he let it fall back out, it hung in mid-air. He waved a hand across the suspended water, making images flash across it, of Haruka, in pain, bloodied, torn, Senshi standing over her in triumph at having rid himself of her.
"This is an old dream, you understand, but she has so much negativity in her mind, her mind almost works against her... it's strange."
The water remained suspended, but the images faded from it, Yun turned his head back to Shoju to look at him while he spoke.
"But, at any rate, I will help you, for various reasons, but mostly, I think I helped to shape you. Even though I was mislead, and given false information, I should have been there... Perhaps I could have saved her in the instant that you were distracted from her."
Which was when he turned back to the water and waved an image of Tenshi onto it, moving around, smiling, happy, as she rarely was. The image would strike Shoju more seriously than it would anyone else that had known her as it was an internal image of her, something out of his dreams; seen in a way that only her lover could see her. Yun looked at her as he spoke.
"So full of life, even after being brought back to it. It's a tragedy. But secondly, I have to help you because, as I see it, that is the only way that what must happen will come to pass. You would never be able to find the others in time without me, and then the moment in fate would vanish... replaced by some other dream of the kharmic wheel."
The water fell back into the stream and Yun turned to face Shoju again. "So, yes, I will help you, and I don't need anything from you for it."
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Post by Shoju on Apr 26, 2012 9:28:25 GMT -5
Shoju's brow furrowed and he shook his head. If you would have been there, you would have most assuredly been destroyed alongside her, and the others. We were overwhelmed. I wasn't distracted, I was pinned down by the void master. They would have cornered you as well, and destroyed you." Shoju's voice was monotone, the rage and hatred gone. "If you don't wish to destroy her, you must understand that her fate is already sealed." Shoju's eyes burned brighter. "All who stood by and watched the Master of Secrets murder her. All who respect him. All who honor him. All who allow his existence to persist. The failings of Bayushi Senshi are the failings of an Empire fat and lazy from its own lies and excess.
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