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Post by Hida Setsuro on Apr 28, 2011 18:18:12 GMT -5
Setsuro, the only Crab still upon the multi-legged Oni, let out a ferocious roar. He had learned of this creature before and knew what it was capable of. When Koji swung down, he grabbed the man's plated gauntlet and pulled him down onto the back of the Oni. He took a look at the man and sized him up before the large Champion put the tetsubo he was wielding on his back.
"Reports later! Let us deal with this one now!" Setsuro turned to the beast they were riding like two men who had always stood upon shaking ground. He motioned towards the head of the beast and struggled his way up towards it. grunting as the movement caused him to nearly fall. Once there, he glanced over at the Hiruma Daimyo and nodded gravely, "Once we have a distraction, we snap it's neck! I can't do it alone..I have the strength of Hida behind me, but this is still far beyond what I could have imagined. Help me, Koji-san, and together we will remove this creature from the realm of the living." He let out a grunt and then pulled a bag from his pouch as they spoke. He opened it to reveal jade dust, more than enough to coat their hands.
The dust itself was meant more to protect them from whatever might happen and partially to continue to be a bane to the creature itself. However, for them to actually twist the thing's neck, it would require a distraction on a large scale. His eyes searched the wall as he looked for any Kuni, even perhaps the daimyo, that could assist int he blast or provide a distraction for the two of them to do their job.
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Kuni Kaymar
Crab Clan
Crab Clan * Damiyo * Shugenja * Witch Hunter * Jade * Earth *
Posts: 162
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Post by Kuni Kaymar on Apr 28, 2011 20:02:03 GMT -5
Toritaka Roan started to reply to the Phoenix Champion as he quickly scanned the area, his narrowing with his focus. "I am not.....there!" The Toritaka briefly indicated towards where the large oni was hitting the wall - where the Kuni Lord had just emerged from his trip through the earth.
The young crab and the most senior of the Kuni Guards both started to run.
---
"I KNOW you!" roared the Kuni as he strode towards the oni, a snear of anger and contempt upon his painted face. With each stride towards the beast, a bolt of jade seemed to be fired from the Damiyo.
"This time you stay!" screamed the Crab, his hands suddenly lifting into the air. The earth lept to his command forcing nearby crenulations to rip from their secure placement and rise gathering into a veritable storm.
"This time there will be an account!" His hand swept downwards and the lower portions and tubelike tentacles of the beast was bombarded by tonnes of stone.
"This time you DIE!" With a grunt he dropped his naginata, pulling free his wakasashi, while his purposful strides kept him moving towards the oni. The blade gleemed, as though edged in Jade.
---
The Toritaka gasped as he noticed the Kuni lord start to run directly towards the creature. There was no way he would reach him in time.
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Shiba Kazuma
Phoenix Clan Mod ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_red.png)
Phoenix Clan Champion?Samurai?Shiba's Soul?Unique?Enlightened
Posts: 369
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Post by Shiba Kazuma on Apr 28, 2011 23:03:57 GMT -5
Suddenly energy seemed to emanate from Kazuma as he started to run towards the Kuni lord. He looked at one of the Phoenix Shugenja and suddenly the energy flowed from Kazuma and seemed to surround the Phoenix.
The Shugenja turned to Kazuma who was now running full tilt towards the wall edge to get to the Oni. He understood what his champion was doing and with the energy that was now wrapping around him he started to cast a powerful fire spell and blasted it into the Oni's face.
It was then that Kazuma reached the edge and let out a war cry as he leaped on the Oni, Ofushikai sinking deep into the beasts hide. The blade left a gash as Kazuma's weight pulled it slightly before catching.
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Hiruma Koji
Crab Clan
Hiruma * Crab * Scout * Hiruma Daimyo
Posts: 96
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Post by Hiruma Koji on Apr 29, 2011 0:40:13 GMT -5
Koji nods. "Break its neck...Sure. The Kaiu are going to seal the beasts tentacles before the goblins get out. We have to keep it at the wall until then." He dips his hands into the jade dust, securing the ancestral tetsubo on his back with a cord.
For half a second he looks up and then yells, "Jumping Shiba!" He dives to catch the man, as the skin of the Oni barely gives any purchase to the man's blade, as powerful as it is.
****************
Back behind the Wall, the bodies of the flying oni continue to gather together, skittering towards a central mass.
**********
On top of the Wall, vats of liquid are being quickly brought to a boil. Men, sweating fiercely from the heat, fight to keep the vats from leaking, while moving them into position.
******* Beneath the Wall, a lone Kaiu laughs. "Welcome to your the Carpenter Wall. Please Enjoy Your stay. Your room will be ready for you in just a moment." He coughs up a bit of blood, which he wipes with the back of his free hand. The pair of arrows sticking out of his chest betray the source.
He stares into the faces of those about to die, again for some of the Lost. He spits at them, and then pulls the lever.
The dark encompasses all, once more.
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Post by Kitsuki Bareian on Apr 29, 2011 5:54:52 GMT -5
Mirumoto Katsutoshi grudgingly reached for the womans hand...
Whatever was spoken by the kuni he did not understand. All he saw was darkness...
And as as he opened his eyes what he saw confused hime even more...
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Kuni Kaymar
Crab Clan
Crab Clan * Damiyo * Shugenja * Witch Hunter * Jade * Earth *
Posts: 162
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Post by Kuni Kaymar on Apr 29, 2011 9:20:25 GMT -5
Roan stumbled as he watched his Lord enter one of the tubes. Before he was lost to view he was swinging his blade around, as if making a wall of jade slashes infront of him. The young Crab stopped and....resting one hand on the side of the wall he watched wide eyed as Shiba Kazuma flew from the wall.
It was only then he heard the roars of warning from the courtyard behind the wall. Spinning around he saw several samurai forming up, as if ready to meet a new threat. His brow furrowed as he made his way down the stairs - his anger at himself building. He needed to hit something.
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Kuni Itsuko
Crab Clan
Shugenja * Healer * Heart of Stone * Crab Clan Nakodo * Jade
Posts: 41
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Post by Kuni Itsuko on Apr 30, 2011 11:22:37 GMT -5
The clasp of the earth was welcoming, sure and steady. Almost, Itsuko could forget the battle around them, the screams of rage and pain as her kinsman died around her. Almost, she could forget the presence of this stranger that the Fortunes had seen fit to send here at this time, this brute of a Dragon who had no real understanding of the Duty he'd so vainly assumed he could master, just because he knew very well how to wield a sword. Earth was calm, strong, and comforting in times of chaos, but to lean too heavily upon it was weakness she could not afford.
Now, the earth moaned to her, speaking of the unnatural touch of Tainted feet on it's surface, of the blood of others, like herself, that the Earth considered friends. She moved toward it, knowing that too many of her Cousins fell, her power would be needed.
The Mirumoto was all but forgotten, even though his hand was still clasped in hers as she led him through the stone.
They emerged again into the madness of battle and Itsuko looked around intently, seeking the reason she had been called.
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Post by Kitsuki Bareian on May 1, 2011 5:08:37 GMT -5
The Oni's enormous legs stepped back as it tried to shrug off the warriors who had managed to harass it from its back, and in doing so, crushed almost everything below its foot.
Almost everything, if not for the Steel Dragon pulling himself and the Kuni Witch-hunter away from the destructive power of the beast.
"There!" He pointed towards the wall to Kuni Itsuko "Your lords are being encircled by these creatures and yet these is still part of something more insidious."
Before Katsutoshi could finish he was forced to swing his swords in time to fend off an attack from a pack of goblins who had caught their scent...
Fighting the for dear life, The Steel Dragon's eyes darted in search for something that his hunches were trying to confirm.
In the corner of his eye he saw a small little boy running towards the path that led deeper towards the Shadowlands. A little boy who held Katsutoshi's Daisho.
In in that same direction, a shadowy image held its hands high. Red illuminating energy shone in the tips of its fingers.
The Skies began to darken more... Katsutoshi sniffed the air and it smelled of blood.
He roared and ran towards the direction of the shadowy figure.
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Daidoji Fitsu
Crane Clan
A prepared Daidoji is an implacable foe on the field of battle. Fitsu is always prepared.
Posts: 311
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Post by Daidoji Fitsu on May 1, 2011 23:06:33 GMT -5
From atop the wall Fitsu watched the battle. The thrumming bow strings formed a rhythm each there own with the answering thok of arrows finding their targets. These sounds coupled with the clang of steel and the fierce battle cries of the Hida to form a haunting melody in his mind. He had conducted in this form of artistry many time before and found an odd serenity in it.
Hearing a note out of place he stole a glance at his soldiers putting arrows to flight. The focus of Fitsu's attention was an older Daidoji, a veteran of many battles. Despite his experience in war, it was obvious from his shaking hands and wide eyes that an uncontrolled dread was upon him. Fitsu stepped back from the wall and walked down the line until he stood behind the grizzled archer.
Hold that shot, Kabei-san. That goblin, the one with broken spear, take him down. Fitsu sighed inwardly with relief as the arrow landed true, Now the one with the wakizashi, that's someone's honor he carries, punish him for his crime.
Daidoji Fitsu stood with the man directing his next five shots, each one pointed out in time with the samurai's own breath, each coming a little longer than the last. The old warrior fell back into the rhythm naturally and continued to put enemies down, his breathing steady and hands firm.
Fitsu smiled grimly under his mempo. Even the finest instruments need tuned now and again.
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Kuni Itsuko
Crab Clan
Shugenja * Healer * Heart of Stone * Crab Clan Nakodo * Jade
Posts: 41
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Post by Kuni Itsuko on May 2, 2011 3:04:49 GMT -5
Snarling at being manhandled, the Kuni looked around for an appropriate target for her anger. The large monstrosity before her seemed as good as anything else and she started a call to the kami, long and low and powerful enough to make the very earth groan.
That the Mirumoto had just saved her was an interesting development in Itsuko's mind. She would go after him, for even he did not deserve to wander the Shadowlands until he was Lost, but first, she would lend one last bit of aid to the Clan she loved, in case she did not return. These thoughts, however, were fleeting, fading under more pressing concerns. She had called the kami, and they had listened...but they were not alone.
Kansen, insidious and evil, whispered their lies, their promises of power, into her thoughts.
This only made her angrier and the groaning of stone grew louder. She was young, yes, but she was one of the most powerful among her family, though she rarely wielded it, and like the berserkers of the Hida, rage only made her stronger still.
The corrupted earth beneath the beast began to twist, shattered edges like the sharpest of blades slicing into it's belly. It would not kill, but it would weaken the beast still further.
Her last call to the earth spent, Kuni Itsuko turned and bolted after the Mad Dragon, hoping that when she next saw the Wall it would be as it's defender and not one come to attack as the Lost had done.
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Shiba Kazuma
Phoenix Clan Mod ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_red.png)
Phoenix Clan Champion?Samurai?Shiba's Soul?Unique?Enlightened
Posts: 369
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Post by Shiba Kazuma on May 2, 2011 9:52:48 GMT -5
Kazuma realized that he was not gaining enough purchase to slow him down. That is when he saw Koji leap towards him. Kazuma put one last shove into his sword, enough that he could change his direction and reach for Koji. He grabbed a hold of Koji's hand and tried to haul himself upwards. Finally he was able to get purchase with his feet on some outcropping of the beasts skin. He hauled himself up and placed Ofushikai back in its shield before looking over to Koji.
Thank you for that save.
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Hiruma Koji
Crab Clan
Hiruma * Crab * Scout * Hiruma Daimyo
Posts: 96
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Post by Hiruma Koji on May 2, 2011 12:08:39 GMT -5
"Of course, Shiba-sama. I am the one tied to the Wall, after all." He yanks on that support.
"Welcome to those who're breaking this thing's neck." he nods towards Hida Setsuro, and then his eyes go a little wide as he see's the Kuni Daimyo enter the beast....or did he just see that? What?
"Ah...I think we will shortly have that distraction...."
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Post by Kitsuki Bareian on May 2, 2011 22:26:30 GMT -5
The Shadowy figure chanted words Mirumoto Katsutoshi could not comprehend. Yet, in his heart, the Steel Dragon exactly knew what was taking place.
He had witnessed it before. A long time ago, he had witnessed the death of every member of his family by the same method being perpetuated by these unknown figure.
The Chanting... The smell of blood in the air... a sacrifice in numbers...
The same ritual that claimed the sanity of his father resulting in the murder of his brothers. The same ritual that killed his mother as final sacrifice to the dark ritual.
He heard the name of the ritual that long ago and never forgot. This ritual was supposed to twist a person's physical and mental capacity until he had weakened.
"Stealing the Soul!" Katsutoshi growled.
* * * * * *
The Steel Dragon ignored his earlier wounds as he went for the figure. Cutting a path of blood and gore to any lost warriors and goblins that foolishly decided to be an obstacle. His dark memories fueled his rage which strengthened his will to reach the figure who seemed oblivious to the Steel Dragon pose.
By the time he had neared his target, he quickly lunged and swung his sword for one quick kill. in his head, the first and only chance to take vengeance for his family, and in the process to further his glory.
The Chance never came.
His sword was parried by one the dark minions of fu-leng. By the looks of the warrior, was equally skillful as Mirumoto Katsutoshi. These warrior maybe the Shadowy figure's yojimbo.
The Steel Dragon feigned an upward strike that shifted to a thrust in the chest, but his opponent saw through the feint. Parrying the move easily and simultaneously counter attacking with a slash of his own that connected and grazed the arm of the Steel Dragon.
Katsutoshi distanced himself from the warrior.
"These is going to be harder than I thought!" he thought to himself.
"Ten years have gone by and you still do not know how to fight!" a voice cackled humorously "What would Noda-Kun say if he sees you?"
Katsutoshi eyes widened. He heard the Shadowy figure call his dead father's name. The voice was feminine. It was twisted and hoarse, but the voice he new very well.
The figure stepped out of the shadows. the hood thrown back. Katsutoshi gasped as he peered int the figure's face;
"Tamori Fukiko! Mother!"
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Shiba Kazuma
Phoenix Clan Mod ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_red.png)
Phoenix Clan Champion?Samurai?Shiba's Soul?Unique?Enlightened
Posts: 369
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Post by Shiba Kazuma on May 3, 2011 9:06:32 GMT -5
Breaking the beasts neck, that sounds like a plan.
Kazuma clambered over next to Setsuro.
Hida-san, is there anything that I can do to help.
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Kuni Itsuko
Crab Clan
Shugenja * Healer * Heart of Stone * Crab Clan Nakodo * Jade
Posts: 41
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Post by Kuni Itsuko on May 4, 2011 0:06:09 GMT -5
"Not anymore."
Itsuko stared with icy hatred into the face of that which was once a Dragon.
"Now, it is only a demon that wears a familiar mask. This is no task for mere steel, Mirumoto-sama, but I promise you this...if you end it's protector, I will end this mockery that stands before you, even if I have to burn out every last drop of power left in me to do so."
Hatred flowed off of the Kuni in waves.
"It is what Kuni train for, to battle scum such as this. Trust in the skill of my Family as I must now trust in your steel."
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