Bayushi Senshi
Scorpion Clan
Scorpion Clan * Clan Champion * Samurai * Kensai * Experienced * Loyal * Unique
Posts: 1,891
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Post by Bayushi Senshi on May 31, 2011 11:49:06 GMT -5
Senshi spun, aiming for the same target. Through the head. But he was prepared this time. Lets see the limits of this power, he would complete the cut, but then immediately stab at center mass and hold his blade there, hoping he would reform on the blade, impaling himself.
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Post by Shoju on May 31, 2011 12:11:03 GMT -5
Shoju removed himself from the slashing attack, but when he reformed, the blade struck home. The Khadi gasped as the blade entered the cavity where his heart should have been. Blood began pouring out of the wound. Shoju staggered, attempting to free himself, but his mind was reeling. While the wound itself couldn't kill him, the strike had a pronounced effect on him. Churetsu's soul screamed in Shoju's mind, and the ritual performed on him what seemed so long ago was now replayed over and over in his mind. Shoju began to feel his soul and body disconnect.
This had never happened before. No wound had ever struck him so. The flames around Senshi and Shoju ceased, and all could see Shoju impaled on Churetsu. This also meant that Shoju could see those around him as well. Shoju placed his hand around churetsu despite the blade's screams in his mind, and used the blood for a final spell before his soul left his body. His hand flung in the direction of Keiko.
Keiko's eyes would have widened, and then she could be seen falling to her knees, and then face first to the ground. She was dead before her knees hit the ground.
All life stopped in Shoju's body. The body slumped forward on the sword and fell still.
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Post by Shoju on May 31, 2011 12:29:24 GMT -5
At the battlefield
Shoju's soul was gone. While Senshi was unable to forsee or even see what happened to Shoju's spirit following his strike, he had succeeded in destroying the mortal form of the traitor. Somehow, the seppuku and hasty khadi ritual had only bound Shoju's spirit to this world, and not the body. His Spirit was sent screaming off to the last thing holding him to this world. His Heart.
Of all those gathered at the battle, Only Ishida could have sensed what had happened to Shoju. He would have seen and felt the expulsion of the soul from the body, his Maho training and keen intellect sensing that while Shoju was defeated, but not destroyed.
The trinket Shoju had given Haruka would feel as if it were burning. It would glow red hot, as if it were going to burst into flames. After a while, it would taper off and be warm to the touch, and glow a dim red.
Deep within the City of the Lost
The sinister woman was slumbering in her chamber. Her service to the Dark Lord of the Spider had afforded her many things. opulent and lavish chambers in the Lords main holdings among them.
She was awaken by a scream, and as she sat up in bed, a Spirit stood at the end of the bed, and it was obviously bent on revenge. It screamed in her mind. Her ritual had failed. And now this spirit was bound to the world without able to pass into the spirit world. The spirit had risked everything for their goals, gained much, but lost even more.
Find Daisuke at Shiro Saisei. Find Thrakhath, the hand of Daigotsu. Find Tenshi, the battle Maiden. The orders were burnt into her mind. She readied to leave, and grabbed the iron home of the heart.
The spirit followed, and for the first time in her existence, she was afraid.
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Kitsu Hiraku
Lion Clan
Sodan-senzo * Loyal to the Emperor
Posts: 197
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Post by Kitsu Hiraku on May 31, 2011 12:36:22 GMT -5
At the battlefield with the Scorpion forces Shoju body was suddenly touched by the tainted mud that everyone was standing on. The flames stopped appearing and the corpse was going deeper and deeper into the mud. Before most could react the body was already completely under the ground with Churetsu staying in Senshi's hand after it slid out of Shoju.
The ground before Tenshi opened into a hole, inviting her to step in. If she did, her fate would be the same as Shoju's body
Senshi was now left with a big (about 80m radius) "circle" of tainted land, with tainted plants and a big group of kansen bound to it.
At Shiro Sasei
Daisuke smiled when he saw Shoju's body. Even though he was weak he succeeded at bringing him back.
Then he noticed that his "master" was dead and only his lifeless husk was before him. He cried in anger, wowing revenge against the Scorpion.
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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 May 31, 2011 12:46:55 GMT -5
Haruka had said little at this point. The battle was finally over, but she could not ignore the sneaking suspicion that the war was hardly over between Senshi and Shoju. She stood firmly as she watched her husband, she had not wept or fled in fear but was proud to witness the fight.
The Shinjo riders did not outlast the Scorpion forces, but they put up a decent enough fight out of sight to take many lives with them, but their corpses and their mounts were already burning.
Rin still lay where she had fallen as Haruka came to the side of the grey mare with a low gaze. "Get up Rin-san... you know if you cannot stand, you won't survive.."
The horse seemed to have taken the time from its fall to recollect its breath. And though she was easily quite injured, with some fury and force and her own warcry, Rin found her balance and forced herself to her feet in one strong motion. But her front left leg was angled, as she refused to put weight on it.
Haruka would kneel down to feel it over as the horse visibly flinched at the touch. "Some rest should be all you need, it isn't broken... thankfully." Rin's ears twisted a bit as Haruka humbly removed the tack from the animal and allowed her to hobble back to the Utaku stable while she placed the saddle on a bit of the fencing.
It was now that she'd go back to her husband's side. "Shall I gather the Soshi to begin cleansing this land, Senshi-sama."
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Bayushi Senshi
Scorpion Clan
Scorpion Clan * Clan Champion * Samurai * Kensai * Experienced * Loyal * Unique
Posts: 1,891
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Post by Bayushi Senshi on May 31, 2011 12:56:59 GMT -5
He stood there, blade in hand, "This is over." He watched his land, burned and tainted the air thick with his odd proclamation. "Yes, gather the Soshi, see what can be done. Men, make sure this road is bypassed. Clear a new path if you have to. No one must come by this spot."
Senshi didn't even look at his wife, he just walked, back in the direction of Kyuden Bayushi. "This isn't over. The plague must still be stopped before it is. Send a letter to Hida Setsuro, he would like to know what happened."
He never sheathed his weapon, he just walked, blade in hand. It would have to be cleansed. He would do so when he returned. One of his few surviving men gathered Senshi's warhelm and dagger, but left the no-dachi to the land.
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Tenshi
Ronin
? 'Reborn' Samurai? Battle Maiden? Cavalry
Posts: 62
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Post by Tenshi on May 31, 2011 13:03:39 GMT -5
Tenshi's mount gave a stern disapproval to random holes in the ground. But with a grunt and a kick, the white Utaku steed put his head down and went inside. They'd been running hard through the rain and the chance to shorten the journey to this mysterious place was well worth her time.
Needless to say her entry was on her own choice as she rode into Saisei with her eyes analyzing every structural feature of this new locale. It was then that her eyes would fall onto Daisuke and his tears over the form of the felled Shoju.
"Have strength, young one. With or without Shoju-sama we will do as he would have wished."She only dismounted as she looked around in a bit of bewilderment at all the blood. It reminded her of the cave she'd been trapped in for so long, but also of something more sickening and sinister, if she had a sense of appetite left in her. She took her arm from the back of the Utaku steed and hissed at him to get out.
The stallion was obedient as it went out without causing a fuss, while Tenshi put her arm down on one of the tables. "I'll either need a new one, or to fix this one." She growled, annoyed to have lost her sword arm so easily. She could blame it on her rebirth and her muscles not having been functioning for weeks, but she was still angry.
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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 May 31, 2011 14:23:17 GMT -5
Palace of Crimson Shadows, some time later...
Thrakhath couldn't remember the last time he'd been in a real bed. He stared at the ceiling, hands behind his head as he listened to the quiet music emanating from the corner of the small room as the geisha played for him. The song as a whole was pleasant, though there were just enough minor notes in the melody to hint at an underlying sorrow that touched Thrakhath in a way he couldn't describe, and this woman performed the song with sure hands, as always. He pushed himself up on his elbows, briefly taking in the ornate pattern on the quilt covering the bed before regarding the geisha at the foot of the bed. "You never cease to amaze me with your ability, Akihime-chan," he said.
The geisha smiled coyly as she continued to play. "My lord flatters me," she said.
Thrakhath smirked. "I never give praise when it is not deserved," he said.
"I have never known my lord to do so," she said with another smile. "Though it has been too long since you have come to hear me play."
Thrakhath shook his head. "Not at all my dear," he said. "I have simply been preoccupied for some time, and it gets harder and harder to come this way with each passing month." He tilted his head to the side slightly."
"I had begun to worry that you would never return," she said, with just the right tone of concern mixed with indifference. "I missed your pretty face."
Thrakhath laughed, suddenly and loudly. It was to the geisha's credit that she was able to cotinue playing. "You know me better than anyone should, Akihime-chan," he said, laughter still in his voice. "though no doubt you truly missed me for my coin purse."
"As you say, my lord," the woman said.
"I wish my visit was purely a social call," Thrakhath began, "but I did have a purpose in seeing you..." Thrakhath trailed off as his gaze went to the curtained window. The curtain moved gently as if a breeze had touched it, yet the window beyond was closed. "My lord?" Akihime said quietly.
Thrakhath put his hand up to silence her, tilting his head as if straining to hear a distant voice. His eyes narrowed, and then he swung his legs off of the bed and stood. "I'm sorry, my dear," he said as he began to strap on his armor. "My presence is required elsewhere."
Akihime nodded and set aside her biwa. She stood and bowed deeply in Thrakhath's direction. "I hope my lord will see fit to grace me with his presence in the future," she said with a mischievous glint in her eye.
"You won't be disappointed," Thrakhath said with a grin. He finished donning his sword belt and fished into his pouch, flipping the woman a coin. "Now if you'll excuse me." Akihime bowed low again and moved aside as Thrakhath slid the door open and left the room, closing it behind him.
He made his way to the nearby stable, brushing past the many servants who gave him only the most cursory of bows as he passed, and found his warhorse exactly where he'd left it. He saddled the beast and hoisted himself atop it, patting the horse on the neck as he guided it onto the road and got on his way. What has that man gotten himself into now, he thought as he galloped down the road to find out who'd had the discretion to call him from afar rather than try to see him directly.
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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 May 31, 2011 15:19:46 GMT -5
Beiden Pass
Thrakhath tugged slightly on the reins of his horse, slowing the animal to a trot as he approached Beiden Pass. The place looked much as it did the last time he'd traveled through here, though there was an unmistakable sense of darkness about the land that hadn't existed before. Even his tainted warhorse snorted anxiously as he trotted through the pass. Thrakhath guided the horse toward the spot he'd seen in his mind, and heard the unmistakable sound of voices coming from the rocky land ahead. The voices grew more distinct as he approached, and he climbed off his horse and whispered for it to stay out of sight as he made his way forward on foot.
"It's just a sword, and an expensive-looking one at that," one voice said.
"I don't know, I have a bad feeling," another replied. Thrakhath crouched low and moved silently toward the bushes at the side of the road, concealing himself from view as the two men came into his field of vision. "Maybe we should just leave it."
"And waste an opportunity to make some easy money? Not a chance," the first voice said. Thrakhath couldn't see the sword they were speaking of until the first man took it by the handle and lifted it to inspect the blade. To anyone else it would appear to be a simple no-dachi with a particulary ornate handle, but Thrakhath recognized the weapon; the malicious little kansen sent by Shoju had made sure to burn the image of the weapon into his mind before it left him.
"I still don't know," the second (and wiser, Thrakhath thought quickly) man said, looking around nervously as his partner handled the weapon.
"Would you quit your blubbering?" The first man said. It was then that Thrakhath emerged from the bushes, drawing his scimitar slowly and ignoring the startled looks on the faces of the two men. "Oy! Get outta here, this is our find!" the man said stubbornly.
Only the second man seemed to recognize his peril, and immediately turned to run. Thrakhath's hand moved quickly and a knife handle simply appeared in the man's back, his breath going out in a whoosh as he hit the ground, unmoving. The first bandit yelled in rage and charged Thrakhath, brandishing the no-dachi in two hands, but Thrakhath dodged the wild attack easily. His counterstrike opened the man from gut to shoulder, and he cried out in pain as he fell. He sputtered and coughed up blood as Thrakhath casually reached down and grasped the handle of the no-dachi, unable to discern anything particular special about the blade as he examined it. Thrakhath shrugged and, leaving the bandit to choke on his own blood, made his way back to his horse; it was several days ride back to Shiro Saisei and there didn't seem to be anything more to do here. He stowed the blade in his pack and mounted his horse, kicking it forward and galloping for home.
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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 May 31, 2011 16:43:29 GMT -5
Haruka remained a silent vigil over the scene. Several Soshi were tasking away at burning and cleansing the land, but the land itself would not heal for a time yet so many more were making way to amend the road appropriately.
She was crouched low as she watched Thrakhath ride away with the last weapon from the battlefield. She would have likely done the same in his position, but this was hardly a time for what could have been done differently.
The storm clouds cleared revealing a wondrous golden sunset that rested on the very tips of Kyuden Bayushi's holdings, for now the threat had passed. Dutifully replacing her covering head wrap she entered inside again as the area fell quiet with the Soshi's chanting.
The only thing left to attend to now was a letter to the Crab Champion, Hida Setsuro. But she quietly wondered if this would be enough to pull him away from his beloved wall.
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Post by Shoju on Jun 3, 2011 12:18:21 GMT -5
A short time after the land is cleansed
It was evening, and Kyuden Bayushi was peaceful. A slight breeze blew from the East. A lone Rider arrived at Kyuden Bayushi. He dismounted his steed, and bowed lower to the guards than any Samurai would. As he raised back to a standing position, he looked.... manic.
"Please Samurai. My cargo is of the upmost importance for the Master of Secrets!" He then began running wildly back down the road screaming "I delivered it! Get out of my head!" Over and over. About 200 yards down the road he stopped. fell first to his knees, and then face first into the dirt. He would not get back up.
Inspection of him would reveal no corruption, no taint, no odd markings, no scars. He looked as though he were a merchant at one time.
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Bayushi Senshi
Scorpion Clan
Scorpion Clan * Clan Champion * Samurai * Kensai * Experienced * Loyal * Unique
Posts: 1,891
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Post by Bayushi Senshi on Jun 3, 2011 13:45:06 GMT -5
The agents would never allow after such a display the package to get to Senshi without careful scrutiny. A shugenja and several shinobi would open the package and inspect all of the contents in great detail before even letting their champion be aware of the delivery.
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Post by Shoju on Jun 3, 2011 14:02:36 GMT -5
Inside the bundle, which was strapped to the back of the horse, they find a body prepared and ready for a funeral pyre, wearing a simple grey kimono, Silver Full Face Mempo, and hair reaching down the back.
Upon further scutiny, the body was tainted. the skin is a ghastly hue consistent with the taint, but... there is no taint in/on the body. The hands are visibly scarred, and the body is indeed completely and wholly dead. If one were to remove the mempo, they would see a mans face, the same ghastly color of the rest of him, but no signs of life / unlife / taint. Surely, there is a reason why this dead body was sent to the attention of Bayushi Senshi.
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Bayushi Senshi
Scorpion Clan
Scorpion Clan * Clan Champion * Samurai * Kensai * Experienced * Loyal * Unique
Posts: 1,891
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Post by Bayushi Senshi on Jun 3, 2011 20:47:08 GMT -5
Senshi would be shown in, holding his cloth tightly against his face.
"Sorry, lord, we thought you may know if there was some kind of message inherent in this body?"
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Post by Shoju on Jun 5, 2011 8:13:07 GMT -5
Upon looking at the body, Senshi would immediately know that it was the body of The Traitor. Curious that it would be returned, after it was claimed in the battlefield by the corrupted ground.
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