Agasha Shodai
Phoenix Clan Mod
Phoenix Clan * The Void Master * Tensai * Taisa * Enlightened * Paragon of Compassion * Unique
Posts: 783
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Post by Agasha Shodai on Jun 22, 2011 16:14:13 GMT -5
~The Strike Team, +1:10~
Agasha Shodai moaned to himself, dropping to one knee as he felt Isawa Isshin channel the raw essence of the Void into the oni for what seemed to be an eternity. Though the Void was infinite, the Lost shugenja's actions were draining it from the lesser creatures in the area. A group of birds began to break into their constituent elements before the eyes of the trio...
First their feathers turned into a mix of dust and air, causing the mindless animals to squawk in confusion. Then their skin turned to dripping mud that was tinged with blood and their confusion turned to shrieks of pain. Finally the their blood reverted to water and the heat of their hearts became flames, causing what was left of them to explode in a bloody mess. A few heartbeats after their disturbing deaths, the remains were reduced to mound of wet earth, completely unrecognizable as ever having been anything more.
Before either Hirotomo or Mitsouko could express their feelings at the sight, a deep, watery roar exploded from the mouth of the cavern, causing an impromptu wave to form.
"Now we will see the true form of our foe..."[/b] 'Asako Jinjutsu' breathed to the others.
A series of watery thuds heralded the approach of the Isshin-no-Oni as it approached the mouth of its den, but stopped. Two massive hands, each finger the size of a tetsubo and covered with violet fish-like scales appeared. The hands gripped the entrance and flexed as if the owner was pulling... The oni growled as the creature found itself too large to exit its watery home.
The hands changed position. "Let... me... OUT!!!"[/b] The beast roared as it pushed at the mouth of the cave with all of its infernal might.
With a crack like the sound of thunder, the mouth broke in two and the beast pushed the pieces open like a hinged door the gaijin were said to use. There was an irritating screech - like the tips of a dozen yari scraping along a piece of slate as the beast wrenched itself free.
The Isshin-no-Oni was now as tall as three Crab bushi standing on each other's shoulders... It was covered in irridenscent scales that were violet on the edges but turned a mottled mix of black and red in the middle that looked like a cross between fish and dragon scales and were clearly as hard as steel they ground the rocks of the entrance to powder as they rubbed against them.
The beast's face was similiar to the one Daidoji Jun had described, but it now had a mane of brown needle-sharp quills, like a porcupine, that started in the middle of its fish-like head and hung like the wig of a kabuki samurai all the way down to the back of its knees.
"Let the hunt begin!!!"[/b] The beast chortled as it dove into the water, its quills looking like a mat of floating reeds as it swam silently through the water faster than a horse could run.
Agasha Shodai closed his eyes and opened his mystical bond to Isawa Tetsuro. "Tetsuro, it worked... The oni is coming your way, but he's far bigger than we were expecting. You're going to need an extra edge..."[/b] He whispered, mentally showing Tetsuro what to do and how to do it.
~The Main Force, +1:20~
"Understood, Sensei."[/b] Isawa Tetsuro said, running to the edge of the "hard" water. He focused his mind on the ground beneath the mud of the riverbed and began chanting a spell in a language that was mostly unused in this part of the Empire - the chittering speech of the Nezumi. As he spoke the words of the spell, Tetsuro subtly altered the ground in a way that the Oni, hopefully, would be unable to notice.
Daidoji Eiji glanced at Ryo in confusion. "What do you think: a shugenja thing or a Phoenix thing?"[/b]
Daidoji Ryo merely shook his head and shrugged.
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Toku Hirotomo
Monkey Clan
Bushi Paragon of Compassion Clan Champion Toturi's Army
Posts: 793
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Post by Toku Hirotomo on Jun 23, 2011 17:39:12 GMT -5
"That...actually was not too bad. Hirotomo murmurs to himself. The thing was huge. His father warned him about the size. Perhaps growing up with the stories led him to be able to adjust to the reality of the creature. He lookes around at the others. They needed to kill whatever was keeping this thing here. He walked forward carefully. The others were depending on him. His slow steps were in sharp contrast to his pulse, his heart felt as though it would leap from his mouth.
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Agasha Shodai
Phoenix Clan Mod
Phoenix Clan * The Void Master * Tensai * Taisa * Enlightened * Paragon of Compassion * Unique
Posts: 783
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Post by Agasha Shodai on Jun 23, 2011 23:25:57 GMT -5
~The Strike Team, +1:25~
Shodai reached up to catch Hirotomo's shoulder before the anxious young man could get too close to the water. "Not just yet, Hirotomo-kun. Aquatic oni are capable of detecting vibrations in the water from things like armored footsteps. We don't want him to sense us and come back... It would take an hour for the main force to rush to our rescue and I doubt I would be able win against a beast like that without using magic that I would want to risk either you or Mitsouko-san getting caught in the backlash of..."[/b]
The Void Master closed his eyes, sensing the monster's underwater movement. It wouldn't take the oni long to reach the trap; about a quarter of a 120 minute Rokugani hour.
~The Main Force, +2:00~
"There it is!"[/b] Daidoji Jun announced, jabbing his jade enspelled yari through the air to point at the swiftly moving 'reeds' and the dark shadow looming underneath the surface of the water. The Chui began to march forward into what he expected to be his final battle after the odd vision he'd had.
Isawa Tetsuro raised a hand. "Wait for it..."[/b] The shugenja pulled out a handful of pebbles and tossed them into the water. "COME AND GET ME, NAME STEALER! I'LL SEE YOU BACK IN JIGOKU BEFORE THE DAY IS OVER!"[/b]
The submerged Isshin-no-Oni increased speed, enraged by Tetsuro's self-confident words. when the beast was three horselengths away, it erupted from the Three Sides River in a flying leap, his massive hands with their wicked talons outstretched. "You're mine, Tetsuro!"[/color][/b]
The twin brother of the Oni's host clapped his hands together. "Rr'ccitk ekk Kuroyu Isshin wa Ursaki!"[/b]
A curving barrier of pure white light lanced up from beneath the surface of the water, interposing itself between Isshin-no-Oni and its prey. Unable to change trajectory, the vile beast of the Shadowlands smashed against the barrier like a rubber ball hit by a tetsubo striking the Carpenter Wall. The beast bounced off the glittering barrier, rebounding off a second barrier that appeared behind it.
As the two barriers began to form a complete cylander around the Isshin-no-Oni, the creature slipped a its claws into the gap on one side. Its muscles flexed as it tried to use its unholy strength to halt the spell, but the two edges closed inexorably and cut the tips of the beast's six talons off (owing to the fact that it only had three fingers and a thumb per hand.) The tips splashed into the water; disappearing from view.
"What in the nine hells of Jigoku is this?!"[/color][/b] The oni roared, pounding on the transparent glowing walls and ceiling. "This is no human magic!"[/color][/b]
"No... It's Nezumi Name Magic."[/b] Tetsuro replied simply as he took a cross-legged seat on the solid water forming a seal of sorts with his hands. "I am certain that I have no need to point out to one such as you the importance of a name..."[/b] The oni's eyes narrowed in a silent 'Get to the point' look. "But even that power PALES in comparison to what the knowledge of a being's TRUE name can do..."[/b]
"IMPOSSIBLE!"[/color][/b] The Oni roared. "Not even that brain damaged twit who believes himself to be my Master but whose existance I am forced to tolerate knows... my..."[/color][/b] The monster's voice trailed off before it began to curse in the dark language of Jigoku.
Isawa Tetsuro grinned cruelly. "When you took my brother's name for your own, you inherited his true name as well... A true name that MY Master knew and told me when we discovered that my brother's name had been stolen from some third-rate, fish-face, SLUG!"[/b] His eyes narrowed. "For as long as my spell lasts, you - and ONLY you - are sealed within that barrier. Gentlemen..."[/b] The Void shugenja looked at the two Daidoji. "If you would be so kind as to kill this abomination that has claimed my brother's name?"[/b]
"With pleasure."[/b] Daidoji Eiji and Daidoji Ryo said in unison.
The oni began laughing. "These two little flies?! You can hold me for at MOST an hour. You couldn't even break my first layer of scales in that short amount of time!"[/color][/b]
Suddenly, massive chains - seemingly made of pure jade - erupted from the river bank to wrap around Isshin-no-Oni's legs and waist, freezing the beast in place. In the sky above, a clear day suddenly formed massive storm cloud. The surface of the river on every side of the oni went dead still like the surface that Isawa Testuro sat upon.
The Oni looked around him in shock, burning its hands on the jade chains as it tugged on them. "WHAT ANGELRY IS THIS?!"[/color][/b]
The two Daidoji soldiers raised their yari in a designated signal. Suddenly, the illusion of emptiness was banished and the Third and Sixth Reserve Squadron of the Iron Crane Army were revealed, their normally blue heavy armor a dangerous sea green from the jade powder.
Standing in a row, the three Phoenix clan Inquisitors literally glowed green, thanks to the Essence of Jade spell that Shiba Ame, the trio's Earth specialist, had cast after completing the Major Binding spell. In response to Asako Inugami's call, arose the spectral outline of an Air Kami that had a wolf's head. Wings of pure flame erupted from the back of Agasha Agito, lifting him into the air where he joined Moshi Kimiko where she was manipulating the storm clouds to her heart's desire. Finally, Asahina Ino and her clan siblings were weaving a veritable wave of Water magic to suppliment the Daidoji warriors.
"Did I ever say we were alone?"[/b] Isawa Tetsuro asked politely, earning him a malevolent roar from the Oni as the polearm wielding bushi charged with a roar of their own.
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Toku Hirotomo
Monkey Clan
Bushi Paragon of Compassion Clan Champion Toturi's Army
Posts: 793
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Post by Toku Hirotomo on Jun 24, 2011 1:12:34 GMT -5
Hirotomo was chomping at the bit. He understood the need for caution, but every moment that passed felt like an eternity. He took a deep breath and entered the center stance. He felt the calm of the world flow through him. It was not a cure for his anxiousness, but it would serve as a quick patch until they could move. Sho was better than him as patience. Must be a Phoenix thing. Hirotomo wondered how he could stand calmly.
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Agasha Shodai
Phoenix Clan Mod
Phoenix Clan * The Void Master * Tensai * Taisa * Enlightened * Paragon of Compassion * Unique
Posts: 783
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Post by Agasha Shodai on Jun 24, 2011 19:57:16 GMT -5
~The Strike Team, +2:01~
'Master! It worked! Ame-san managed to unleash the Major Binding spell; it won't be going anywhere for the rest of the day at least!'[/b] Isawa Tetsuro's voice rang in Shodai's mind.
"It's time."[/b] Agasha Shodai said coolly as he rose smoothly to his feet, choosing not to respond to Tetsuro's announcement - something his student was accustomed to when the Void Master was preparing to enter combat. The shugenja quickly cast a Water spell - perhaps Shodai's weakest element, but one that he was able to convert to a Void spell thanks to the secrets of the Agasha Shugenja School - and tapped himself, Mitsouko and Hirotomo on the shoulders. "Give me a minute and then follow."[/b]
The Void Master rushed forward, running on the surface of the water as if it were solid earth thanks to the prayer to the Water kami he'd just invoked on behalf of the strike team. The Agasha began a lengthy chant, invoking the local fire and earth kami - his second and third strongest elements - as he used his connection to the Void to sense the location of Isawa Isshin deep within the cave.
"Multiple Element Art: Beam of the Jade Strike Inferno!"[/b] Agasha Shodai said, pointing his hands - now glowing green - at the expanded entrance to the cave. The glow began to swell as the spell began to absorb energy from the Fire kami in a two hundred foot radius. A blast of green edged fire - now the size of Hirotomo - flashboiled the surface of the Lake of Sorrows as the shugenja unleashed one of the most powerful Fire spells known to man that had been blended with one of the most basic Earth spells. The orb of energy shot into the cave, leaving a faint green glow behind it as the raw jade energy purified the cave's Taint, flying true to its target.
"Fire in the hole!"[/b] The shugenja yelled, using a ribald joke common amongst the men and women of the Third Legion of the Elemental Guard - the Phoenix's Clan's heavy magic troops - as he moved out of the way. Shodai himself had not served with the Firestorm Legion (as the Third was restricted to those who principally specialized in Fire magic,) but it seemed rather appropriate; given the circumstances.
~The Oni's Lair, +2:03~
"Sneaky, sneaky trick, Nii-sama!!"[/b] The Lost shugenja growled and cursed as he saw and heard everything his Oni servant did. "Isshin's Master never taught Isshin Name Magic or told me YOUR True Name! Isshin HATES how you always seem to win, Nii-sama; Isshin hopes Isshin rips you apart now!"[/b]
The twisted mockery stopped as its Taint augmented senses heard the *WHOOSH* of fire echoing down the corridor leading to the outside and smelled something nauseatingly pure. Isawa Isshin cocked his head to one side. "How can something go *WHOOSH* in a wet rock cave?"[/b] The thing asked itself as it took a few steps to get line of sight.
The Lost Phoenix's eyes - all three of them - went wide as he saw the mottled jade and red ball of supernatural fire came rushing down the tunnel. "ISSHIN!!! Nii-sama is attacking our cave! Isshin has to run, run or Isshin will be well done!!"[/b]
The Tainted Void shugenja quickly threw up a barrier of Tainted Water as he began searching for an alternate exit, unaware that the Isshin-no-Oni had chosen a cave with only a single entrance for defensibility. Shodai's spell struck the barrier and blew right through it...
As the pure green light filled the chamber, the thing formerly known as Isawa Isshin did the only thing it could think of...
Isshin threw up his arms, leaned his head back and began laughing insanely as the purified fire struck him full in the chest and the explosion of Jade and Fire swallowed him whole.
~The Strike Team, +2:05~
The backblast of the ultimate fire spell going off in such a confined space rocked the countryside for a quarter mile around the cave. A tongue of jade flame burst forth from the mouth of the cave like the stories told of the Fire Dragon, the ultimate incarnation of the Fire Element. Massive clouds of steam formed around the firey jet, forming clouds of hot mist that enveloped the Strike Team as the mystical energy turned the cave into a kiln.
After a timeless eternity, the spell's energy was finally expended. A roar arose as wind and water rushed in to fill the airless vacuum the flames had left in the Oni's now purified lair. It would take a few minutes, but the water and air would sap the residue heat within the cave, making it safe for the strike team to enter.
Shodai, whom had needed to dive underwater because of the unexpected overkill factor of the spell's energy being channelled by the cave's walls, popped his head from beneath the lake's surface. He coughed up a mouthful of water as he climbed onto the surface. He gave Mitsouko and Hirotomo a wan smile.
"That ought to take some of the fight out of him..."[/b] Agasha wheezed as he struggled to catch his breath.
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Toku Hirotomo
Monkey Clan
Bushi Paragon of Compassion Clan Champion Toturi's Army
Posts: 793
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Post by Toku Hirotomo on Jun 24, 2011 21:50:24 GMT -5
"That was...impressive. Hirotomo said in awe. He had rarely seen the might of the Kami at work. Even then it was only more subtle work. He saw healing once. The shock made Hirotomo laugh. It started as a low chuckle than became louder. This was glorious! He drew Sewing Needle from it's scabbard and waited. If anything was alive after that, it would not be for much longer.
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Kakita Mitsouko
Crane Clan Mod
::Daimyo::Kenshinzen::Hatamoto of Crane Clan::Paragon of Duty
Posts: 1,952
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Post by Kakita Mitsouko on Jun 27, 2011 14:38:00 GMT -5
Mitsouko's eyes reached Shodai's, in a mute question: are you fine, my friend? The vision of the oni made her mind wander for a mere instant to Sanjuro and his destiny, seeming almost impossible to believe that it was in their hands the power to defeat that foul monster; her hand itched to unsheathe Tsukinai and pounce striking over Isshin-no-Oni, but years of training made her able to wait for the right moment and the right movement. The sharing vision was a good way to see all that magic happen without terror, but for a moment her heart tightened for the Void Master delay. But now, Shodai had the cave safer to enter and she said with a open smile: So, let's go.
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Toku Hirotomo
Monkey Clan
Bushi Paragon of Compassion Clan Champion Toturi's Army
Posts: 793
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Post by Toku Hirotomo on Jun 27, 2011 17:36:04 GMT -5
About time. Hirotomo walked forward quickly. There was less time, who knew what the others were about to face. They needed to sever the link, whatever that meant. Hirotomo understood that if this thing in the cave was killed, the oni would go away. That was good enough for him.
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Agasha Shodai
Phoenix Clan Mod
Phoenix Clan * The Void Master * Tensai * Taisa * Enlightened * Paragon of Compassion * Unique
Posts: 783
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Post by Agasha Shodai on Jul 4, 2011 14:43:58 GMT -5
~The Main Force, +2:06~
The initial charge by the Daidoji pikemen cause the Isshin-no-Oni to shudder as dozens of jade-tipped yari shatter scale after scale on the beast's flexible carapice. The foul beast born of the fusion of Jigoku and Isshin's madness grabbed at the poles of the yari where it could, ripping more than a few out of the hands of the samuari that wielded them and hurling them into the encircling force with all of its infernal might.
As the Daidoji began to fall the Asahina shugenja uses powerful water spells to swap the locations of the injured and dead with fresh troops from the reserves. From around the Oni, massive steel pillars rose from the depths of the river at Shiba Ame's commands to the local Earth kami. From above, Moshi Kimiko used the pillars as lighting rods to guide bolt after bolt of lightining from the storm clouds.
Agasha Agito shook his head, shouting to Kimiko as the golems of Air and Water moved into the confines of Tetsuro's spell to grab the Oni's arms. "This monster seems to be almost completely immune to everything we throw at it! Use spells that have multiple strikes to them!"[/b]
"Got it, Agito-sama!"[/b] Kimiko yelled back as she changed to a chain lightning spell. The bolt of electrical energy bounced around within the confines of the steel circle attacking the Oni like a living thing.
From behind the two airborne shugenja there was a resounding *THUMP* that rushed through the air. Kimiko spun on a zeni, her jaw dropping open as she saw the green flames rushing out of the Oni's cave. Agito's eyes widened as he also looked. "By all the the Gods, Dragons, and Fortunes in Tengoku!"[/b]
"ISSHIN!!"[/color][/b] The oni roared, slumping in the arms of the Air and Water kami that held his arms bound as Shodai's spell went off in the oni's cave several miles to the southwest.
~The Strike Team, +2:10~
It took about five more minutes for the tunnel to cool to the point that Agasha Shodai was confident the remaining heat would no longer be dangerous to either of his companions. The cave was moist and hot, forming a fog that made it hard to see until Shodai drew his crystal katana which began to emit a brilliant glow. Shodai was silent and serious, his entire being focused on finding the mostly cremated remains of Isawa Isshin within the cave to be able to banish the Isshin-no-Oni on a permanent basis. If anyone had met "Asako Jinjutsu" for the first time at that precise moment, they would never known that he could be the amiable travel companion that Mitsouko and Hirotomo had enjoyed thus far on their journey.
~The Main Force, +2:15~
"Don't let up, men!"[/b] Daidoji Eiji ordered the soldiers. "As long as the beast is here, it can still recover!"[/b]
Within the spell circle, the Oni shrank slightly, as if part of its infernal power was being siphoned off. The Oni's cruel fangs twisted into a grin as it rose its head to stare at Isawa Tetsuro. "NOW!!"[/color][/b]
Before anyone could react, a trio of miniature oni - spawned from the severed tips of the Isshin-no-Oni's claws - burst from the water. One of them slashed at the Ishiken's back, causing a reflexive cry of pain, while the other two grabbed Tetsuro's arms and first broke the hand seal and then the limbs themselves. The white barrier that had limited the Oni's range of movement shattered as the beast hurled the two kami that had bound its arms into the Daidoji warriors.
"I hunger..."[/color][/b] The Isshin-no-Oni growled as its massive hand grabbed two hapless Daidoji pikemen, crushing half the bones in their bodies, before it's viscious fangs bit off their heads. The hearts of the two decapitated men pumped their life's blood in a pair of geysers that the beast's cruel tongue lapped up. "MORE!"[/color][/b] It bellowed hurling the crushed remains of its meal at Daidoji Eiji and Daidoji Ryo, knocking them both prone beside Tetsuro.
The Oni tried to move, but the Major Binding spell still ensared his feet. Isshin-no-Oni pointed to the prone Ishiken. "Bring me Isawa Tetsuro, my children! I shall feed upon him and make his power my own!"[/color][/b]
Daidoji Ryo looked up at the Oni spawn that was looking him over as if trying to decide if it was going to kill him before obeying it's creator's orders. "Go ahead and do it, you filth!"[/b] Ryo yelled defiantly, spitting at the spawn.
The creature roared, striking at Ryo, when suddenly Asako Inugami and Shiba Ame were swapped for the two prone Daidoji, courtesy of Asahina Ino. The beast's claws struck the Jade energy eminating from Ame and melted away. In three quick strokes, the two cut the three goblin-sized pirana-looking oni spawn into pieces.
"Master... Be careful! My brother still lives!"[/b] Tetsuro moaned through his bond to Shodai.
~The Strike Team, +2:18~
"Yeah, Tetsuro, I know!"[/b] Agasha Shodai growled back as he hurled a fireball at an orb of Tainted water that appeared from out of nowhere as the strike team entered the main cave. The two elements struck each other and cancelled themselves out.
Malevolent cackling filled the cave. "What a pretty mask you have... Isshin thinks he'll take it."[/b] Two charred tentacles dropped down from the ceiling and ripped Shodai's mempo from his face. "Oh, me, oh, my! Isshin has been truly honored today... To think that Isshin's brother's Master would deign to descend to the realm of mere mortals to try to kill little old Isshin..."[/b]
Agasha Shodai, unmasked and bleed from his cheeks from the force that removed his mempo, looked up at the ceiling, picking out the shape that looked humanoid. "Void Art, Unmake the World! Return to the Void from whence all comes!"[/b] The Void Master ordered, unleashing one of the ultimate Void spells known to man.
With a resounding *POP* the ceiling of the cave suddenly vanished, as Shodai's spell disrupted the connection of the rock to the Void, causing it to disappear without a trace. A few small boulders that had been sitting on the rock sheet that Shodai had just un-made fell through the ceiling to strike the middle of the cave. Through the opening, the light of day filled the cave completely for the first time ever. Hanging in the middle of the space hung a shadowy figure that looked humanoid, but was insubstantial looking.
The voice cackled again. "Isshin fool you! All that effort to hit a basic illusion! You're going to have some serious explaining to give to Void Master Isawa Tadaka, Shodai-sama... You know that the spell of unmaking is forbidden save for times of dire need!"[/b] Isshin's laughed insanely as the illusion vanished.
Agasha Shodai's eyes narrowed as it looked around, trying to find the source of Isshin's voice. "You're behind the times, Isshin-chan. *I* am now the Void Master; have been for the better part of a month now! I now answer only to the Emperor and my brothers on the Council!"[/b]
"Not fair, NOT FAIR!"[/b] Isawa Isshin cried out, stomping his feet like a petulant child. "Tetsuro gets ALL the luck and none comes to Isshin! It's NOT FAIR!!"[/b]
"It is the will of Tengoku, Isshin."[/b] The Void Master replied calmly as he noticed a shadow that the light should have banished. "Just as it is the command of Tengoku that I now execute you, Isawa Isshin, for the crimes of Oni Summoning, Maho use, and Murder!"[/b]
"Isshin has not done any of these things! And the will of Tengoku can..."[/b] Isawa Isshin objected, his words slipping into the black speech of Jigoku.
Agasha Shodai pointed at the curtain of blackness and snapped his fingers, banishing the illusion without so much as a word. The veil of darkness vanished to reveal the thing that had once been Isawa Isshin.
The creature's skin and hair was a powdery white, like the snow in the mountains of the Great Wall of the North, but had waxy-looking portions from the burns it had suffered in Shodai's initial onslaught. Isshin now had three eyes - two in the usual place and a third on his forehead to form a triangle with the others - but the orbs were black with venomous yellow pupils and his mouth was now covered with the white mempo he'd stolen from Shodai. A black Oni Mark emblazoned the middle of his chest and matched nicely - in a fundamentally disturbing way - with his black talons.
"Watch out for his claws... Those are shards of pure Taint. Your Jade fingers will protect you for a while, but enough cuts to your skin will leave the seeds for future infection."[/b] Shodai whispered to Hirotomo and Mitsouko as he focused on the odd white tedrils that seemed to reach from the Lost Phoenix's arms into the ground for some unknown purpose.
Isawa Isshin cocked his head to one side so far that a normal human's neck would have broken as he looked Kakita Mitsouko over. "You're beautiful..."[/b] The Lost shugenja declared as two white tentacles - the same tentacles that had ripped Shodai's mempo from his face before he could react - burst from the ground to wrap around Mitsouko's armored greeves, yanking her off her feet.
Isshin began to pump his forearms - like a fisherman reeling in his line - and dragging Mitsouko, feet first, across the room."Isshin will make you Isshin's wife."[/b] The thing cackled with cruel laughter.
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Toku Hirotomo
Monkey Clan
Bushi Paragon of Compassion Clan Champion Toturi's Army
Posts: 793
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Post by Toku Hirotomo on Jul 10, 2011 18:06:29 GMT -5
Hirotomo threw Sewing Needle at the thing and rushed to help Mitsouko. His Katana was on his back, so he drew his wakazashi to free her. "Learn to speak properly, Isshin-chan!" He yelled while swinging. "Girls don't like men that talk in the third person, it's pretentious.
After freeing Mitsouko, Hirotomo was thrown off of his own feet by a blow to the head. He rolled, still shaken by the blow, even wearing his kabuto. He rose to his feet. "I don't...think...he...likes sarcasm." He said shaking his head. Hopefully, his armor would give him at least some protection.
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Kakita Mitsouko
Crane Clan Mod
::Daimyo::Kenshinzen::Hatamoto of Crane Clan::Paragon of Duty
Posts: 1,952
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Post by Kakita Mitsouko on Jul 23, 2011 16:11:28 GMT -5
OCC: Sorry for the interruption, guys. So, let's kill it?
Maybe it was the horror of the disturbing appearance of the former Phoenix Shugenja, now the Oni’s master, or just her natural reaction to things essentially touched by other realms; she didn’t move swiftly enough and fell, being dragged by her feet by the force of the monster's tentacles. She struggled to free herself, but Hirotomo was faster in doing it, thank the kami. She spit, when put herself on feet again, exchanging a glance to her cousin. She was sure that, with the proper distraction, Hirotomo would be able to sneak behind the Isshin-something and bury his Needle: to dark hellish creatures, no honor required.
“Sorry, monster, you are not my type.”
With a draw, she fiercely attacked the Oni Master’s hand, cutting off two fingers. With a spin, the Kenshinzen dodged its grasp, striking its knee. This caused a big gush of putrid black blood, but the shugenja was not defenseless and she knew it. The former shugenja drooled over her protected shoulder, and stretched the tentacles again to her. Mitsouko bent back in a mizu-do movement, rearing without distracting a second. She was able to defend this time, but should keep her eyes in many talons and tentacles at once to take it for longer. The plan was her being the bait, facing the three eyed thing; retreating and fencing the way she could. But the plan would only work if Hirotomo would be fast again. She saw him in the dojo; she knew he was able to kill the Oni Master. So Sho-san would banish the Isshin-no-Oni forever.
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Toku Hirotomo
Monkey Clan
Bushi Paragon of Compassion Clan Champion Toturi's Army
Posts: 793
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Post by Toku Hirotomo on Jul 23, 2011 16:42:31 GMT -5
Hirotomo recovered in time to see his cousin attack the creature. Sewing Needle lay next to the creature, it's point buried. All of it's attention was on his cousin. Running forward, Hirotomo grabbed his blade. As he pulled the creature's head his strange gaijin weapon slid through it's ribs. Hirotomo stared into its eyes as he let go of his sword and grabbed his tanto. "This is for Toku Sanjuro, you son of a bitch." he snarled as he dug his knife into it's neck.
The thing screamed, so loud Hirotomo thought it would drive him mad. He kept holding on until it started to lose strength, and his stabs became more furious. They collapsed together and Hirotomo regained his feet.
Hirotomo was burning. Killing this thing felt good. If the others were looking, Hirotomo's eyes darkened with a sadistic happiness, then they cleared and he fell back, the damn thing stabbed him. When the hell did that happen. "Let's wrap this up, Hirotomo said weakly. "Rinko and I have plans for tea."
Hirotomo hit the ground. He was losing blood. It was okay. This thing was dead, Sho would banish the oni. The rest would be okay. His jade was still okay, he would not turn. He'd be in Medio soon. perhaps he'd even see his mother and brother. Hirotomo looked at Mitsouko and gave her a wan smile. I don't think I'm going to make it, cousin, but if you have the time, I'd love the help. Then Hirotomo fell into unconsciousness.
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Agasha Shodai
Phoenix Clan Mod
Phoenix Clan * The Void Master * Tensai * Taisa * Enlightened * Paragon of Compassion * Unique
Posts: 783
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Post by Agasha Shodai on Jul 24, 2011 19:06:37 GMT -5
~Strike Team, +2:30~
As Toku Hirotomo fell, the creature that had once been Isawa Isshin vomited up a gallon of black blood. Hirotomo's "Sewing Needle" had punctured a lung and had cut his heart, causing the blood to come up. The wounds would have killed a human instantly, but it was clear that Isshin was still kicking thanks to the Shadowland mutations to his body.
Agasha Shodai - despite his concerns for Hirotomo - quickly reacted, casting a variation of the Kuni's Major Binding spell that was designed for immobilizing Oni hosts. Steel ribbons, aglow from nuggets of pure jade contained within them, burst from the ground, wrapping themselves around Isshin's legs, waist, arms, neck, mouth and head in an odd parody of armor that left Isshin's chest exposed.
Once Isshin was rendered immobile, Shodai ran up to Hirotomo, peeling back the armored breastplate. Isshin's infernal talons had cut through jade augmented steel like it was water and had pierced Hirotomo's chest dangerously close to the heart. Within his wrappings, Isshin began to giggle innanely, but, thanks to the steel wrap covering his mouth, couldn't say anything. There was no water spell capable of healing such an injury and the wounds would be so tainted the finger of Jade would be unable to staunch the spread of Taint. The boy was still alive... Barely.
"It is not your destiny to die here, Toku Hirotomo. Nor is it to bear the burden of Taint..."[/b] Shodai closed his eyes as his memory recalled the image of a spell scroll for a spell that was every bit as powerful as the spell that had destroyed the roof of the cave, but was far more complex because it use the Void to manipulate reality and time itself. Only a true Ishiken master was capable of controlling the spell and its effects which had to be tightly controlled lest what was known as a "butterfly effect" occur.
"In the name of Ameterasu, mother of the ten Kami, and the power of the Void Dragon, embodiment of the infinite Void; In service to the Will of Tengoku and the Thousand Fortunes so that Destiny may be maintained, I call upon the power of the Void and the essence of the immortal Phoenix to fill this brave young samurai. I abjure, thee, Toku Hirotomo... Void Art, Rise From the Ashes!"[/b]
The form of Toku Hirotomo burst into black flames, but did not burn...
~Border between Ningen-do and Meido, +2:32~
"What do you mean it's not my time?! You're Emma-O, aren't you? Why would you be here if not to take me to Meido?"[/b] The soul of Toku Hirotomo demanded, feeling slightly outraged and more than a little confused.
The Fortune of Death's hands rested on the shaft of a massive naginata, the weapon he'd carried since Bishamon had broken Emma-O's Spear (which Fu Leng had stolen to aid him in the Assault on the Celestial Heavens five years prior.) "Just what I said, mortal. One, you're not quite dead yet - only mostly dead. Two, your destiny has yet to manifest itself and as such I may not permit you access lest you end up in Maigo no Musha with the others killed out of turn."[/b] The black flames of the Void suddenly enveloped Hirotomo's partially dislodged soul. "And three, Agasha Shodai is in the process of rewriting history for you so that your injury never happened."[/b]
As Hirotomo's soul began to fade - being drawn back to its proper place by the Void Master's spell - the Fortune chuckled slightly. "Oh, and in the unlikely event you remember this when you wake up, do yourself a favor boy... Miya Shokujin and Seppun Saimei had to go through a hell beyond your comprehension to be reunited to culminate a love that has lasted over two hundred years. They have enough challenges ahead of them without you or your father interfering for the sake of a romance that evolved over a few short weeks."[/b]
~Strike Team, +2:35~
Shodai was breathing heavily as the spell of ultimate restoration concluded and the black flames faded. The spell allowed the Ishiken to "rewind" the target's body - and only the body - to a physical state as it was up to eight hours earlier. Injury, taint, fatigue... Everything - save death itself - could be erased in the blink of an eye with the casting of the spell. Hirotomo would remember the full sequence of events, but there would be no evidence of his injury - not even a scar - beyond the gashed armored breastplate.
Agasha Shodai struggled to his feet. It had been a long, long time since he'd last needed to unleash so much heavy magic in such a short span of time. Sweat dripped from his black hair as he looked to Kakita Mitsouko. "Mit... su...; Hiro... Okay. Keep... eye... him. Got... banish... Oni."[/b] He gasped, wishing for a moment that he had something to drink.
Strictly speaking, the spell to banish an oni was a Maho spell, but it was one that could be used without involving blood or opening oneself to the corruption of Jigoku. It was a spell known to every Inquistor, Witchhunter, Kuroiban and shugenja in the Jade Magistrates... For obvious reasons.
The Void Master began a complex series of hand gestures. He finished with his ten fingers splayed and his thumbs and index fingers forming a circle that - when you looked through it - surrounded the black oni mark on Isawa Isshin's chest. By the time he was done, he'd caught his breath. "In the name of the Kami Shiba, slayer of the First Oni, in the name of Isawa, master of all magic, and in the name of the ancestors of Isawa Isshin, I sever the tie between the soul of the Isshin-no-Oni and the human whom named it and return your name unto you."[/b] Shodai declared and he reached forward with a gloved hand and began to peel the Oni Mark off Isshin's chest like a wet piece of paper.
A muffled howl of agony escaped Isawa Isshin's lips.
~Main Battle, +2:35~
With the disruption of the Isshin-no-Oni's invincibility and the loss of the Name Magic spell that kept its movements confined, the pace of the battle became more harried as the injuries began stacking up. When the oni wasn't swatting the Daidoji pikemen aside or eating one, it was shedding its claws right and left, creating spawn to attack the samurai. Where the first spawn had been goblin-sized, the ones it making now were troll-sized.
It was a battle royale and it wasn't looking too promising for the Crane forces.
Then, suddenly, all the spawn were reduced to a gray goo as the Isshin-no-Oni clutched its chest as if trying to close an unseen wound. "NO!!!! Not now!! I'm so close... I won't go back! Isshin! Stop him!!"[/color][/b] The Oni roared its futile demand.
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Kakita Mitsouko
Crane Clan Mod
::Daimyo::Kenshinzen::Hatamoto of Crane Clan::Paragon of Duty
Posts: 1,952
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Post by Kakita Mitsouko on Jul 25, 2011 4:52:10 GMT -5
THE STRIKE TEAM
After rolling aside to escape of being hit by the former shugenja while Hirotomo stabbed it; Mitsouko started a grin of victory, but it ended as soon as she realized that her dear cousin was burning. She glanced in desperation to Sho-san, but he was aware of it. She observed while Agasha Shodai, now not just his alter ego Asako Jinjitsu, conjured the forces of other realms to help Hirotomo and then, to banish the hideous oni outside. When The Void Master was able to whisper some words to her, she made clear she understood. “I will. Do what you need, Sho-san.” And wondered how powerful magic this man have at his disposal, by the wish of the kamis. Even if she can’t imagine limit to the power and length of this magic, she knew Sho-san was on the limits of his human body. And she discovered much more concerned than she should admit to anyone. Just while the twisted creature inside contorted in agony, trapped. She was kneeled by her cousin’s side, checking in awe that the powerful magic the Void Master had done for him had restored his health to full, even if he was unconscious. She kept in guard, watching while the Phoenix Elemental Master finished the banishment.
…..
THE MAIN FORCE
When Daidoji Ryo get rid of the fourth or fifth spawn Isshin-no-oni summoned from hell , he and Daidoji Eiji realized that it seemed to be a endless flow of vile creatures; growing in size. The morale of the Crane warriors was clearly declining as a falling star, when trollish monsters appeared. The shugenja allies were doing their part with success, but everyone there knew that they will not resist for long. He had already being closer to death minutes ago, when the Isawa Shugenja saved both him and Eiji lives. He saw a troll creature dodge a desperate Daidoji, crushing him with his mace, and then tossing the smashed body against some spikemen. The creature turned to the young shugenja girl, with what seemed to mimic a malicious grin. If not already dead, Daidoji Ryo wasn’t likely to permit it. He charged, landing between the monster and the Moshi girl, with a cry of fury. She glanced and winked, her focus lost for a moment. Ryo realized she would never know what would hit her if he didn’t interfere. But he missed the hit, sliding in the soggy soil. The crash of the clave in his ribs as pure agony; the wooden club splitting in the impact. Ryo was tossed in the mud, but got the troll’s interest. The huge creature came to him. Just to finish the job. Ryo shook uselessly the sword, trying to aim at it, unable to even brandish the katana right now. Suddenly, the troll disappeared in the air, as drained in the Void. Ryo heard the scream of the oni, but wasn’t able to even rise the head to see what happened. Just a certainty that, somehow, Jinjutsu-san, the son of Aiko and Mitsu-chan (as he always will think of her in his mind) defeated the Oni master. “Naoko, seems we will have a second chance.” He thought.
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Toku Hirotomo
Monkey Clan
Bushi Paragon of Compassion Clan Champion Toturi's Army
Posts: 793
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Post by Toku Hirotomo on Jul 25, 2011 13:01:43 GMT -5
Hirotomo groaned back to life. He looked down, expecting to see meat where his chest had been, but saw only torn armor. Did that really happen? Who were the Miya and the Seppun? He felt odd. Something had happened. His destiny had not manifested and Sho brought him back. Hirotomo saw Sho peel something off of the creature. It looked painful. Good. Hirotomo caught its eyes and smiled and waved back. He would need new armor.
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