Defeat of the Isshin-no-Oni

[Agasha Shodai]

THE NEXT MORNING[/u]

Agasha Shodai's bi-color gaze snapped open as he completed his battle meditation - a technique of his own design to hone his magical talents to their peak of effectiveness. The master shugenja stepped down from the invisible cushion of air that had suspended him at waist height for the past four hours. After his initial toast, the unified military force let their collective hair down a bit and the tension had broken.

Agasha Agito, wearing the deep crimson armor reserved for Inquisitors, entered the tent that had been reserved for Shodai, leading a group of servants carrying the Void Master's red armor which now bearing a pale green tint from the jade that had temporarily been infused into the metal. "It is ready, Master."[/b]

Shodai ticked his fingers at his kinsman. "Damn it to Jigoku, Agito... For you, I'm still Sho; the one who was your rival for the top seat in our family's shugenja school. Remember, I got drafted for this gig; I never really wanted it and I'll be DAMNED if it means my friends have to treat me like some show horse or something!"[/b]

Agito chuckled as the servants began to encase his old friend in the magically-enhanced armor. "I know, but I couldn't resist tweaking your nose a bit, old friend."[/b] He held out Shodai's sheathed crystal katana. "A marvelous weapon, Sho-san. A gift from the Kuroiban?"[/b]

Shodai nodded as he took the weapon that had required magic to properly sharpen rather than be infused with purifying Jade to be effective against those bearing the Taint. He slid it into place on his left hip, just above his wakizashi, before donning the white mempo of 'Asako Jinjutsu.' "I trust the host is gathered?"[/b] The noise of a sizable gong cut through the morning air. "Perfect. Let's go, old friend."[/b]

The two yamabushi-type shugenja marched out into the rising dawn, marching in lock-step unison until they reached the raised dias where Kakita Mitsouko, Daidoji Ryo, Daidoji Eiji and Isawa Tetsuro were starting to gather for a final pep talk to the warriors. Tetsuro's face was drawn taught: an emotionless mask showing just how focused the young shugenja was. He was staring blankly out across the eighty-odd men and women that gathered in response to the gong.

Giving the others a respectful nod, Shodai leaned against a wooden pole designed to allow the commanders to relax their muscles a bit. "Ohayo, Mitsouko-san."[/b] He gestured to the gathered warriors. "You should be proud of yourself to gather such a fine force in such a short span of time... Please; take the honor to be the first to address the men and women who have flocked to your banner, m'lady Daimyo."[/b]

[Toku Hirotomo]

The Phoenix certainly knew how to inspire men, Hirotomo admited with a smile as the Phoenix spoke. Hirotomo looked around, they would be a band of brothers. And sisters, he thought as he looked at Mitsouko. The battle would be his first. He felt odd, being the only Monkey present, but he felt comfortable with his Daidoji classmates, a few of which who were his sempai at the dojo.

"Kampai!" Hirotomo cheer added to Sho's. The gentle warmth of the sake filled him. This was a good night before chaos. More pity to the opponent, he thought with a half smile on his face.

[Kakita Mitsouko]

Kampai! She joined the toast, eyes gleaming. It’s always better to share a cup of sake with the ones that will be at your side in a battle.

>>>>>>
THE NEXT MORNING

She noticed the change of behavior in Shodai, in the last three days, he was more expansive and strangely calm. She wondered if the imminent battle against a threat that can really defy his abilities was filling him with anticipation and joy. Or maybe anything else, of course.

Yes, I am proud indeed, Phoenix-san! She greeted Agasha Shodai, then turned to the men and women in her front.
Warriors and the voices of the kami gathered here! You will make this thing happen. You are the ones, every of you, that will exterminate this monster and erase from our land its existence. Every chant and every spear, every sword here, will make history. I am much more happy and proud of seeing the hasty resolution of each of you, in joining in this task. I see how the thought of what we will face can be scaring for some. But you chose to be here, today. The ones here are thinking not only in matter of family or duty, but seeing beyond, in the future of our land and in the lives we will save today.
She raised her kabuto, with a single hand, in a gesture of defy, shouting:
READY?
Of course everybody was waiting for the signal to move on, and shouted in response.

[Agasha Shodai]

Agasha Shodai stepped up beside Mitsouko.

With his free hand, he pointed southeast towards the origin of the evil they were gathered to fight. "The Crab Clan tends to believe they have a monopoly on courage because they stand on the Wall and eat, breath, and sleep fighting monsters the likes of which we face on the morrow. But I say to you this night that YOU, my friends, exemplify the spirit of courage in ways that Goemon, the Fortune of Heroes, surely is needing to create new words to describe the determination of each and every one of you!"

"Here you stand, many of you hurriedly trained in the art of fighting oni, to face a beast unlike any you have ever witnessed, placing your faith in myself and shugenja from other clans because you know this is a job that MUST be done. THAT is courage incarnate; courage that will leave the Lion and Crab samurai weeping bitter tears when they hear the glorious tales of today's battle-to-come for missing the opportunity!"[/b]

Shodai drew Amakuni Kongosoha, his crystal-bladed katana, from its sheath; raising it beside Mitsouko's helmet so the sunlight caught the blade and made it shine like a beacon. "I hope to see you all this evening as we celebrate our victory! I wish you all good luck... AND GOOD HUNTING!"[/b]

Shodai's bi-color glance caught Mitsouko's eye, winking at her to give her the option of ordering the battle to begin.

[Kakita Mitsouko]

Focused in transmit through her shout the most of energy and resolve, Mitsouko shouted:
THIS BATTLE BEGINS...NOW!
With pride she observed how the Chuí organized the little army of warriors and shugenja to start the move to the terrain where they would surely find the infamous beast. Isawa-san, Eiji-isan and Ryo-san being the heads of the three subgroups led by herself and Shodai.

Come on, little cousin, let’s make your gaijin big pin to do some work today. For Sanjuro-sama.She winked to Hirotomo, while putting her kabuto on head. Tsukinai was on her waist, ready to cut oni flesh as easily as it cut more than four bodies together, in a unique strike. Then, turned to the Void master at her side:
Let's go, Sho-san?

[Toku Hirotomo]

Hirotomo slid his scabbard to a more comfortable position and placed his mempo on. "For Sanjuro-sama. He agreed. His armor felt good. There would be a need for it. He prayed the jade he had placed at points under his armor would protect his soul. His hands were still shaking, but it was not as bad as it was last night. His father once told him that before battle everyone shakes. Not from fear, but from excitement. It was normal. He still was not used to it though.

[Agasha Shodai]

Agasha Shodai nodded. "Yes, we should. It'll take Tetsuro and the others about two hours to get into position, but this camp is directly between the lair and our trap..."[/b]

Now for the part Mitsouko wasn't going to like, thanks to her fear of magic.

"While we wait, I will need to cast a spell of Shared Sight on the two of you... As an Ishi, the man that was Isawa Isshin is capable of peeling back the surface of reality to reveal the Void. The imagery that results is capable of rendering a person that normally cannot sense or touch the Void permanently insane... If not kill them instantly."[/b]

The Void Master gestured for the two of them to follow. "Come with me; let's get ourselves out of the way and prepare ourselves for the fight of our lives..."[/b]

[Agasha Shodai]

~THE ONI'S LAIR~

The foul beast that Toku Sanjuro had called Fish Face emerged from the water within the water-filled cave, dragging the carcass of a deer to feed his pet/"master," Isawa Isshin.

The Phoenix shugenja was a warped charicature - physically and mentally - of the man he'd once been. His skin and hair was now a powdery white, save for a patch of black - the oni mark - located on his middle of his chest. Isshin's body distorted into a bestial shape with three eyes - the third in the middle of his forehead in a foul mockery to Enlightenment - that glow a sinister blue. From the back of his palms, a snake-like tentacles grow out of his leathery skin.

The Isawa's hands now bore talons of pure obsidian and bulky muscles, but was faster now than he'd ever been. Yet some part of him felt guilty for his lust for raw meat and the fact that he no longer felt pain.

"Venison! My favorite! Thank you Isshin."[/b] The formerly human monstrocity said to the Oni, who merely looked back at him silently.

Isshin chortled insanely and then made his voice deeper. "You're welcome, Isshin. Eat up, Master!"[/b]

"Don't mind if I do, Isshin. That will be all; have a good rest."[/b] Isawa Isshin replied to the "oni" before pouncing on the dead deer like a cat on a mouse.

The Isshin-no-Oni rolled its eyes and went deeper into the cave, passing through a barrier of inky blackness that he'd bid his pawn to create: the beast was not fond of sunlight. "Just a few more weeks... Then I will be the true Isshin - Oni Lord of Lords - and then his insanity will no longer be my concern for there will be nothing more I need of him."[/b]

A cruel smile crossed the monster's lips as Isshin began to rest.


For those that play L5R, Isawa Isshin is Lost... Because of the way he wiped out the Maho-Tsukai cell when the Oni was summoned, Isshin absorbed their collective Taint. The Oni then used this heightened taint to warp Isshin in an effort to "protect" his "master."

Isshin possesses the Albino, Beast of Fu Leng, Demonic Eyes, Extra Eyes, Tentacles, and Tough Hide Mutations. He has Minor Shadowlands powers of the Blackened Claws, Mind of Darkness, Monstrous Strength, Uncanny Speed and Unholy Stamina. And to wrap it up, he has the Feeding on Flesh and Undead Strength Greater Powers.

[Kakita Mitsouko]

She scratched an eye, with a grin, clearly mocking of herself in exaggerating the nervousness that, in fact she can’t deny.
“Oh well, dear Mitsouko, why you don’t put your wrist all down this anthill here…” She voiced Shodai with a gleam in her eyes. Even if her heart was almost in panic, that would not be worst than fighthing an oni, right? “I tell you that your offering sounds the same to my ears, my friend. And the Shared Vision was the one of days ago, I suppose… I am sure you would not risk it if it wasn’t absolutely necessary, so… I am ready. Just be sure to make it quick enough so I will not change my mind. She winked to the Phoenix shugenja, after exchanging glances to Hirotomo. “Not bad for a daughter of a Tensai, ahn?”

[Agasha Shodai]

It took a bit of effort to bury the slight sting he felt at Mitsouko's words, but Shodai knew that the Kakita's fear was irrational due to a failed spell her mother had attempted and not personal.

"Don't worry, Mitsouko-san; you shouldn't sense anything... Void magic is unlike anything else; only those that can touch the essence of the Void would be able to sense it."[/b]

Shodai placed a thumb on both Hirotomo's and Mitsouko's foreheads and whispered the incantation of the spell. Within him, he felt a pair of psychic strings go connect his perception of the world to the other two. As the spell concluded, the world appeared before his closed eyes, but quite unlike normal: in his right eye, he could see things as Kakita Mitsouko saw them; in his left, it was Toku Hirotomo's point of view.

With a single nod - which he saw from two different angles - Agasha opened his eyes, regaining his own perceptions alone, as he removed his hands. "Done."

"Now, if at any time during the fight you hear me yell the word 'eye,' you need to close one of yours as soon as possible. If I yell 'two,' you need to close both eyes. I'll say these things only if I perceive a danger or an opening caused thanks to the magic that will be flying around. When you close your eyes, you will see things as I see them... You may even see yourself from outside your own body, which can be disorienting to say the least. I suggest we practice while we work our way into position. Agreed?"[/b]

[Toku Hirotomo]

Hirotomo grinned at the Phoenix's words. "Fight with my eyes closed? Are you sure you're not friends with my sensei? Joking aside Hirotomo agreed. He knew nothing of the Kami's works. His father told him they were a powerful force of good in the right hands. Hirotomo shifted his sword into a more comfortable position. He would likely be grateful for all this preparation, but he was anxious to move forward.

[Kakita Mitsouko]

More of that! But it was better to be accustomed soon with such things, Mitsouko thought. Like Hirotomo, she was anxious to move on and do battle. The sensation was odd, but at least it doesn’t hurt like ten thousands pins in her mind.
Uhn, it’s like being on court. Watching myself from out my body, being someone else. Please, Sho-san, let’s try it while we move, then we can get use with our own movements. Soon Mitsouko discovered that it could be very useful due the incredible spacial perception the spell provided to her.

[Agasha Shodai]

Agasha Shodai nodded to the two. "My thoughts exactly."[/b] He pulled out a small map of the region and pointed to a spot near where the Spine of the World Mountains touched the Lake of Sorrows on the Lion Clan side of the Three Sides River. "It'll take us about half an hour to get into position and then I'll use the local Air kami to shield us from sight and scent while we wait for Tetsuro-san to set the bait of the trap. Let's head out..."[/b]

[Agasha Shodai]

~MAIN BATTLE FORCE, BATTLE START +1:00~

"All our forces are in position, Ryo-san, Isawa-san."[/b] Daidoji Eigi announced, planting the base of his yari on the strange "hard" water. "That strange Matsu girl and the Asahina shugenja have spoken with the air spirits to ensure that we are upwind of the beast's most likely path from its cave. I believe we are as ready as we will ever be..."[/b]

Isawa Tetsuro nodded. "Very well. You two should join your..."[/b]

"Not happening, Isawa-san."[/b] Daidoji Ryo announced with a nod from Eiji. "You're a shugenja and sure the beast would be suspicious of a trap if you were in the open without a yojimbo at your side to guard you."[/b]

A sigh escaped the Void shugenja. He was so determined to kill the monster that had stolen his brother's name that he was forgetting basic tactics. "Very well."[/b]

Isawa Tetsuro closed his eyes as he opened himself to the Void with every fiber of his being. 'Isshin, my Lost brother... It is time for us to face each other one last time. Come to me so I may save you from your dark fate.'[/b][/i]


~THE ONI'S LAIR, BATTLE START +1:05~

The manic laughing of Isawa Isshin inside its head caused Isshin-no-Oni's eyes to snap open. "Isshin!"[/b] The beast bellowed as it stormed through the barrier of darkness, wincing as it entered the barely candlelight level of illumination in the main cave. "I was sleeping, what in the unknown name of the First Oni is this about."[/b]

"Isshin is afraid the game is over, Isshin."[/b] The Lost Phoenix shugenja chortled. "Nii-sama's found me and he wants me to stop... That party pooper!"[/b]

The oni frowned at the ridiculous thing that he was bound to by some cruel twist of Fu Leng's will. The foul beast's mind was filled with images of Isawa Tetsuro and the countless times Isshin had lost to his older-by-mere-moments brother. In what passed for the oni's heart, he felt a momentary qualm of fear... The symbiosis was nearly complete; if Tetsuro interfered now, Isshin-no-Oni would never achieve the power he so craved.

"But, Master, we're having so much fun, aren't we?"[/b] Isawa Isshin nodded with a grin on his face. "You don't want to stop just because your older brother says to stop, right?"[/b]

The Lost shugenja shook his head. "No, Isshin, of course Isshin doesn't... But he's NII-SAMA, he NEVER lets me do what Isshin wants to do, but he's stonger than Isshin is... If he says Isshin needs to stop, then Isshin needs to stop... Doesn't Isshin?"[/b] He asked, confused.

Isshin-no-Oni shook his head. "No, you don't! He's your brother, not your parents, right?"[/b] Isawa thought for a second and shook his head. "Tell you what, Master, if you give me as much of your magic as you can, I'll go talk with your brother and get him to leave you alone and let us finish having fun. Okay? I promise you, he'll listen to me... Or else."[/b]

"You're not going to hurt him if Isshin does this, are you, Isshin? Isshin might not like that he's always ruining my fun, but he's still my twin brother."[/b]

The oni was silent for a few seconds: if he lied, the twisted lunatic would know it. "That will depend on him, Master. What I CAN promise is that he will never ruin your fun again."[/b] It would be rather hard to do after he left Isawa Tetsuro broken on the shores of the river, after all.

The Lost Phoenix brightened as he began to pour raw, untaintable Void magic into the oni that had claimed his name. "I really like the sound of that, Isshin."[/b]

The Isshin-no-Oni began to chuckle as he began to transform himself into a bigger, faster, and all around more powerful creature of raw evil. "So do I, Isshin, so do I."[/b]

[Kakita Mitsouko]

OCC: The oni scenes are hilarious, Sho-san!
“I promise you, he'll listen to me... Or else."
…………..

Daidoji Ryo posted at the side of the Phoenix Shugenja. After the night she saw the little Jun broken and almost dead, he started to have dreams. Not dreams, in fact. Nightmares. Something pushed him to the river.
Ryo had travelled great lengths between the Empire; led Daidoji spearmen, archers and also scouts where the clan and the Emperor needed him to do it. With some surprise, months ago, his daimyo chose him to let the flow of war and sent him to patrol the new province; an inglorious task for a man as him. First, he blamed himself for being weak; then, he realized that, engaged in his troop, his cousin Mitsouko was important enough to be in the war where she was a choice for the lead of her family. But now, Ryo realized that the Fortunes reserved for him another task, greater. And in his dreams, all of them, Ryo awoke victorious, but dead.
He stared the Fish Face Jun told him, coming closer. The beats was big, a grotesque almost female form vaguely with a huge mouth with rows of pointed fangs. He felt his muscles to contract involuntarily; he felt the nervousness of the men waiting the right moment of the battle. The world slow down but Ryo was in total peace. A spear in one hand, the sword on the saya.
He was not a pious man, but he prayed for his ancestors; he wrote his final haiku; there was not reason to be gifted with a glimpse of his future if not to reflect about it. maybe he was a bad husband to his Scorpion wife; he was never fond of her, even knowing how much she loves him. They might have had a child of them; he should have been not so stubborn in not allow his heart to love Naoko; but now, there's no time for it.
Just regrets that have no place in a battle, but some things a man cannot avoid to keep out of his mind, when he feel the breath of death in his face, not by the first time, but for the last one.