Post by Hida Tetsuko on Oct 4, 2018 23:44:22 GMT 10
Kamiko has long been preparing for the big day; mostly a number of escape routes to be exploited by a flying head, but more relevantly, she’s been working on a bit of a makeover.
“Yessssss, perfect...” she coos, applying the last touches to her zombie companion’s makeup. For her part, the corpse of Bayushi Kachiko stands still, and if the mindless undead were capable of being bemused, she probably would be.
Regardless, Kamiko is quite proud of her work. The lifeless shell of the Imperial Advisor looks damn near alive. It’ll all be worth it to catch the look in their eyes... Shoju and Hotaru, ideally, but just about anyone that knew her will do.
“Big day ahead, Kachi-chan, big day...”
It was dark, because of course it was, the air had the scent of incense and other pleasant aromas, but it was dark. It was not not a desired setting but considering the circumstances it could hardly be avoided. Altansarnai, leaned against the wall, her face as grim as death. She hated this, it was the worst part of everything. She hated fighting, it was almost never the way, almost. And so she waited to kill some of her friends, some she didn't know if she could, others she would gladly spill out their life. "traitors. . . poisonous traitors. . ." she muttered to herself, it helped, a bit. Her dark words, matched her thoughts and the room. She looked around her, at the corpses that stood for show. That would be the first thing to go, let them rest, no more of this filth. Next would be the Oni, then the dragon, then the lion, traitors, poisonous traitors. Then there would finally be peace. And the only thing that stood in front of her, was one ugly fight. Kami help her if 'she' was there. . .
Close to the throne are the two Hantei Princes. Sotorii stands closest, his arms crossing his chest, his chin out defiantly.
Seated next to him is his younger brother Daisetsu who looks much more subdued.
Standing between them protectively is the Hooded Ronin. His red eyes and pale skin betray the Taint of Jigoku which he has been afflicted with.
Ryokaku goes through the throne room double checking all the defences for the thousandth time. He wears impeccable armor, shining in the light of the torches lighting the room. He wears his large grin across both mouths, but his black eyes constantly move around checking every corner, every entrance for any sign of movement. As one door slides open, he nearly beheads the figure walking through the door. But it was only Mori-no-Oni, his ever loyal servant coming to being tea before the big event. "I am most sorry. My nerves run high. Please, serve my friend. And may it be the best you have ever done." As he steps aside the Oni approaches Fu Leng as he rests upon his throne. With practice perfection he serves the best tea in the emperor to His Lord. As he bows and backs away Ryokaku will approach, bowing low and putting his head to the floor. "My Lord, it had been my honor to serve my life under your command. If I do not survive this fight, I just want you to know that every action I have ever taken had been out of love for you, the Kami Fu Leng. If you will allow me... I will finish the ritual to bind you to this plane, and finalize your power over all your subjects." He stands, pulling a black scroll out from behind him. As he breaks the seal with his fingers a dark power radiates throughout the room. He rolls it open before proclaiming in a voice booming throughout the halls of the Irom Citadel. "My Lord Fu Leng! In Your Name I complete the unsealing of The Black Scrolls. With the power of The Return of The Fallen Lord, I summon from beyond the pale and bind to your will, My Lord, The Fallen Kami, Ryoshun!" .
An immense howling sound fills the walls of the castle as dark energy pours fourth from the scroll. A dark vortex can be seen by all within miles as it reaches upward and upward into the heavens themselves. A voice booms out for miles around, each word carrying immense power.
"Who are you to disturb my rest!"
The vortex takes on the features of a man wearing a conical bamboo hat. His hands reach out from the vortex, grasping at the skies as he is dragged slowly down.
"Release me from this prison!"
He smashes out at the ground surrounding the castle, leaving huge impacts in the ground. As he fights for control, it is too much to overcome as the vortex disappears into the Iron Citadel.
Within the Iron Citadel, we watch as this vortex spirals down over Fu Leng, the noise and power of the Tenth Kami stunning everyone in the room. Finally, the vortex fully disappears into Fu Leng with a final call of, "What is this! Brother, what has happened!" Ryokaku drop before Fu Leng, weeping openly, smiling wildly. "What is your will, My Lord?"
It is said that on this day, the heavens themselves wept.
Usually he dislikes wearing an armor. It's heavy, cumbersome and rather unnecessary, really, when you've got the gift of immortality, as long as nobody finds his heart. But today, it's a special occasion for Yajinden. The day when the Ninth Kami takes his rightful place in the empire and crushes the sons and daughters of his arrogant siblings. Best to keep at least this body alive as best he could. An rather unimportant minion helps him to put on the very armor he crafted himself on the Anvil of Despair. Luckily, there were enough souls in the now destroyed city of Otosan Uchi to serve as a reagent for his work.
With a final look in the mirror, he thinks that maybe there is actually a bit of Crane left in him, acknowledging the perverted beauty that is the black armor giving the perfect contrast to his long, white hair. He smirks a little before he puts on his helmet and leaves the room to join the others. It is time to greet the esteemed guests in kind and see the will of the Ninth Kami done.
Fu Leng sat upon his throne, his fingers tapping the armrests impatiently as the Thunders entered.
"So this is what you have brought me, Shinsei?" He asked the room "They will not be enough to lock up the darkness as long as I draw breath."
The Hooded Ronin is silent, standing between the two princes.
" as the thunders before us, we will be enough to stop this darkness,” says Kitsu Toju. “You may have cursed the descendant of Shinsei but he did his part in this story as so as we are. No matter the darkness that you cover the land with, there will always be a spark of hope" he holds his scroll tightly " Rokugan will not fall to your ways as long as one samurai breathe who believes in bushido. This is one thing you cannot destroy." He looks at the Kami "One thing that is built that not even the great builders of all of Rokugan could not achieve, and that is our bonds as allies." He gestures to the other thunders.
As Kitsu Toju gestures to the Thunders, a jade arrow shoots past his shoulder. Bayushi Shoju stands ready to fire again, his mask cannot conceal the pain and sadness in his eyes. He fires not at Fu Leng, but at his love. Bayushi Kachiko catches the arrow, mere inches from her face. A wisp of black smoke rises from her hand, gripping the jade. “How quaint,” she quips, her voice a pale shadow of its former silk. “You never were much of an archer” She tosses the arrow casually to her side, the weakened jade shattering against the floor “How DARE you stand where she stood, monster!” Shoju screams, his voice raw and hoarse.
"Is this really necessary Oni? let the thing die at least, these resurrections are repugnant." Says Altansarnai.
"And the seven chosen stand before me." Fu Leng said "I hope you have made your peace with my brothers and sisters. And speaking of...."
There was a shuffle from behind the Throne and a shadowed figure emerged, while his eyes shone with milky white hue. Slowly he stood between the Thunders and Fu Leng, looking menacing.
"A pleasure you could join us, brother." Fu Leng said before raising his eyes to finally meet the chosen who faced him "Perhaps I can introduce you to Ryoshun-no-kami. The Tenth and Lost."
Ryokaku rises as the thunders begin to enter. He draws his blade, standing at the ready for conflict to begin. A black flame runs along the blade, flickering a sickening green light across his armor. The green glow slowly spreads across the armor, until he is bathed entirely in flickering green wisps.
"...Heretics...." Ryoshun half-growled, half gurgled.
"They are, are they not?” says Fu Leng. “Disrupting the rule of heaven. A Kami sits upon the throne. And what is the punishment?"
"Death." Ryoshun moaned, drawing his sword as everyone else drew theirs, including Fu Leng.
That... is not good
“Stand where you are.” Uji hisses to his companions over Shoju shoulder “I have a little something for these....abominations.”
Garbed, finally publicly, in her finest of finery bearing the mon of Fu Leng - and now also one of her own design representing the lineage of Shinko - Shinko Kamiko takes a step forward from her place at Fu Leng’s side. Guess she’s not a ronin any more, really. “You stand before not one, but two sons of Lord Onnotangu and Lady Amaterasu. Last chance to reconsider your position.”
“You stand against those chosen by the Seven Thunders,” says Shoju. “Mortals with the strength to kill a god. Last chance to reconsider your position”
Uji smiles “Or don’t. The outcome will be the same.”
Green light dances across Ryokaku’s eyes as I widely grin down at you with both mouths.
"I am glad you think so highly of Our Lord that you consider him capable of winning on his own. But I think I will stay and serve as his Right Hand. Being a Thunder doesn't make you correct. Altansarnai saw the truth. You will as well."
“At this moment the only truth I can see is that you won’t win any beauty contests, creature,” says Uji.
Alatansarnai darkly mutters to herself, but hearing her name rouses her from musing. "Poisonous . . . Traitors . . . kill them. . . End them . . . Altansarnai looks up, here eyes burning holes into Ryokaku No Oni." Don't speak of me Oni, let us end this ugly affair and be done with it. And if you try and raise their copses, ill cut your hand from your wrist. I do not hate you thunders, you have a duty to uphold. I shall end it quickly."
Altansarnai holds a sword at her side, malice and hatred burn from the blade almost as much as from Altansarnai herself, here piercing gaze lands on Kitsu Toju, and wordlessly she stocks towards him, continuing her low chant. "Poisonous. . Traitorous. . . Poisonous. . . Kill him. . . End Him!" She rushes forward in a hurling charge, slaming into Kitsu's guard, Leashing out an avalanche of blows upon Kitsu’s guard, all the while continuing her bleak hate filled mantra, increasing in volume with each blow, until the words are hurled at Kitsu Toju as if they were weapons themselves.
“Again, I was about to say that.”Uji tosses a smoldering bundle towards Fu Leng and his minions. He pushes his companions in front of him. “Drop! Now!” He hurls himself to the floor turtling under his armor as the bundle detonated sending a shockwave and tiny shards of Jade everywhere.
In the chaos two more jade arrows fly. They gently arc across the room without killing intent. One towards Prince Satorii, the other Prince Daisetsu.
One of the jade arrows scrapes Prince Sotorii’s shoulder. He looks annoyed. But the one near Daisetsu goes over his head and he makes no attempt to stand to grasp it further. The Ronin stands blandly between them.
Of course, it would be dishonourable and suspicious for anyone to know a pennagolan in its assumed body is immune to the effects of jade, much like it’d be very suspicious to be concerned by someone stockpiling jars of vinegar. On the flip side, that body is still functionally human, and not immune to, well, shrapnel. Nonetheless, Kamiko’s contribution to the battle is more magical than physical, more in what she’s done to prepare more than in the strength of her katana now. So, assuming some kind of Crab mechanical trick or perhaps one of those curious Asahina or Unicorn spell talismans, the dutiful mahō-tsukai lunges between the bomb and Fu Leng, bracing for... well, she doesn’t really know what to expect.
Ryokaku moves forward with Kamiko, preparing to feel the venomous sting of jade for the third time in as many days. He places himself between Ryoshun and the bomb, and as jade slams into his back he turn around, his eyes wild. "You would DARE to bring this fowl substance before YOUR LORD!" As he starts running forward his form turns into a dark mist before dissolving entirely. Suddenly he appears behind Uji, slicing down at him. After each strike he disappears again, only to reform somewhere else around him. Though Uji manages to block the strikes as they come, they carry a might beyond what any human is capable of.
Kaiu Shihobu stays back in guard, giving commands and spotting weak points for others
Tsukune, who has totally been here the entire time speaks to the room as she advances. "The Thunders on the Horizon are here. We have not forgotten our duties of old, Heika." She points to the thrones, and ends on Daisetsu. "Mind that you do not forget yours."
She then joins the charge.
The battle of Thunder was started by the Mountain Clans. Ofushikai glowed first of all, carrying a blue that illuminated the Throne Room. Slowly it materialised into one shape, then five, then more and more and more until every Champion of the Phoenix had been seen carrying the same blade. That is until once last figure emerged carrying a war-weary but determined face.
"Brother." Shiba-no-Kami spoke solemnly "I am sorry."
And every blade of each Champion of the Phoenix fell on the 9th Kami.
It was still not enough.
The next was Togashi, whose Dragon form.teisted around Fu Leng in an effort to entangle and ensnare him. It was to naught - The Kami catching the Dragon in his hand.
"I hope the heavens spare you judgement for cheating them." Do Leng said, even as he slowly put his blade through Kibou's throat "brother"
"NO!"
Like his forefathers Mirumoto Shosan rushed to the side of his fallen Lord, each slash of his twin blades drawing cries from the tainted assembled until he was face to face with the maddened Kami. An errant slash aimed at the Emperor's eye seemed to slip through the cracks of Fu Lengs defense....
And a small trickle of blood appeared along the Emperor's cheek....
Fu Leng smarted at the impudence, wiping the blood in a mixture of hot anger and worry.
"Kill him. my Thunder."
Sotorii...smiles.
Shinto Altarsarnai stepped forward to duel Shosan, or at the very least occupy him.
Daidoji Uji's Naginata entered the fray at that point, cutting into Altarsarnai's shoulder.
"Doji-ue would not approve. But this must be done."
"They showed forgiveness, which is better than the rest of Rokugan." The Shinjo replied, duelling Uji whilst Shosan kept his barrage of blows, knicking the Kami again and again and again.
"Ryokaku, Shinko, Yajinden, do something." Fu Leng roared. The Commanders of the Shadowlands leapt into action...
Ryokaku formed kit not a mist that choked the lungs of the Thunders even as they tried to press their advantage. The going was made hard even for Shosan, who was beginning to slow.
Shinko's fingers weaved intricate patterns that matched the movements of different parts of Bayushi Shinko's body. The Scorpion screamed in agony, clawing at his withered arm in pain.
Yajinden clammy glided forward, unsheathing his blades before stabbing them into the gut of Daidoji Uji. "Crane to Crane, I always held some modicum of respect for you above the others." He said as he twisted the knives in to mortally wound Uji.
"Can't say the same of you." The Daidoji replied, headbutting the formed Asahina away before driving his Naginata through Yajinden’s throat with his final breath, collapsing. "Unfortunately."
Tsukune changes her tactic and engages with the Undead Ronin. "Shiba sat at the feet of Shinsei as he explained the Tao to Hantei. I hope you won't mind if I stand."
Shoju falls to his knees, his bow clattering across the floor
Kitsu Toju saw all the combat around him, he himself was never good with any blade. While others were training with the sword he was learning to have a strong connection with the kami " I ask favours from not one , but all of you!" he was behind with the fire kami, empowering the thunders with a quicker mind and quicker agility at the cost of some of his most exciting memories. He then called upon the earth kami, to strengthen their resolution as well as cover their bodies to protect them from harm, he sacrificed the jade he carried on him to feed the kami. Then he went to the air kami and pleaded for aid as well, gaining the quicker reflexes as well as being more aware, to that he sacrificed some of his most joyous memories , like his wedding night and the day of his gempuku. He lastly spoke to the water kami, asking them to make the thunders much stronger to aid in the fight, sacrificing his memories of when he had his greatest change, the day he was brought to become a shugenja as one of them. He prayed and kneeled as he sacrificed so much but nothing was too much to save the rokugan he was sworn to protect
Kitsu Toju clapped his hands together, sending a shockwave through the room before, like Tsukune before him, more spirits took form around Fu Leng, who was bleeding from multiple cuts. This was a multitude. Some walked like upright cats, others looked simply like noble, proud samurai in armour. Each bore a ghostly No daichi.
"We are the spirit of the Lion." They chanted, as one until they closed on the 9th Kami.
"Ours was to guard the Empire. You took that from us." The chant continued. "And so we take from you."
Fu Leng looked up in arrogance "Take what from Me?"
"Everything."
And the spirit blades fell again....
The Ronin duels Tsukune, stepping forward to protect the princes. But it is as if his heart is not in it. His eyes look soulless and dead.
When the spirits had dissipated, Fu Leng was on one knee. He was bleeding heavily. The once proud body had been beaten, so completely, to what would have amounted to death.
Fu Leng turned to Ryoshun. "Brother, help Me! Save Me! Something!"
Ryoshun merely stared back, and then uttered one word that would echo throughout the course of the rest of history....
"NO."
Kachiko will approach Shoju as he is down on the ground, putting an arm around him. "Please, help me. End this nightmare and join me in the beyond. I beg of you."
Sotorii looks around in confusion, to the battle...to Fu Leng on the floor...This was not supposed to be this way. Beside him, Daisetsu rolls his eyes. “ Now, you get it.”
Daisetsu reaches into a pocket and throws what’s inside there. Jade, directly at Fu Leng.
Shoju grabs her with his left hand. Smoke hissing from his jade ring. He attempts to stand
Ryokaku will leap to Fu Leng, trying to get himself in the way of any oncoming attacks. "Master... take my life essence if you need it. This is not over... please continue on." Tears roll down his face as he takes a strike from Shosan. "I am you loyal servant until the end, My Lord."
Shoju draws his wakisashi, the heart of a samurai, and plunges it into the heart of his beloved. “I will see you in a moment.”
he casts aside kachiko and fully comes to his feet, strengthened by his resolve and Kitsu’s blessing. As he charges Shinko, his katana screams from its sheath.
As he stabs Kachiko she puts her arms around him, giving him one last hug. Tears stream down her face, as the red light fades from her eyes. "Thank... you." She falls to the side, clutching for the jade ring on his hand, her face a perfect mask of peace as black blood spreads underneath her. As the jade burns, it turns to red.
“How precious,” Kamiko spits, more her own blood than anything else. Accursed Scorpion loyalty; if she could but reach Daidoji Uji, the man’s blood would make a perfect feast for the kansen, an ideal tribute to bolster Fu Leng’s flagging strength. But no matter. Her own katana, fresh from Yajinden’s anvil, sings a dolorous note as it clears an Obsidian saya.
“I shan’t deny you, then!”
Their blades sing as they meet. With a fierce, disciplined stance Shoju presses forward, his right arm hanging limp at his side. Can he seperate her from her Master?
For her part, Kamiko is hardly in the best state of her life either. Blood magic and fanatical devotion can only do so much to counter the pain of hundreds of tiny shards of jade embedded in her host’s flesh, after all.
Nevertheless, she seems cautiously confident, focusing her footwork on keeping her body to Shoju’s right to take advantage of his arm, whilst also keeping herself between him and Fu Leng.
“I know you, Bayushi-kun,” she sneers the disparaging honourific, “A thorn in our side I’ve looked forward to removing... but surely you can do better than this?”
Shoju smiled beneath his mask. He had her attention, he just needed to keep it for a little longer “Only a thorn? Perhaps I am going soft” Just a little longer and I will have my ruthless moment
Tsukune fights with similar distaste as the ronin. The two of them trade wounds. "One shall be saved, one shall be lost. Together we choose."
They separate for a moment, and then Daisetsu gives a yelp and disappears from his seat.
In a burst of speed, Shosan blitzes forward past the thunders and charges towards the true enemy. With nothing but an intense cold glare outward to the world, Shosan's blades overpower everything in his path. The only noise emanating from Shosan within his silent charge was his deep focused breathing. A sound rendered inaudible from the sound screams and roars of tainted foes before him. His widen eyes never leave his target while he deflects attacked directed towards him and pushes back any that would stand in his way.
Shosan loved this feeling, but hated this part. The thrill of combat overwhelming his mind in way he hasn't felt since his days as a young warrior. The stress of the world weighs heavily on his mind but he redirects that weight into each attack as he marches up to face this so called God. His peace of mind always on the brink of collapse but he remains calm and in control. Much like his fighting style, Shosan was a whirlwind of emotion. Maintain a tranquil heart. Let your blades be sharpened by hate. Find strength in the love you have for this empire.
Soon enough Shosan stands before this God. Within the whirlwind of both of his blades fending off the others, he spots and opening then takes it. A glowing jade katana pierces through the darkness aimed at Fu Leng's eye. The blade makes contact, but Shosan notices the crushing blow of a tainted foe falling onto him and he must dodge back to avoid. No time to see how much damage the blow inflicted as Shosan is forced back away from Fu Leng by the others. A dance of parries and dodges until Shosan once more stands alone within the throne room. Shinjo Altansarnai challenged Shosan. His only reply was extending his glowing jade blade out pointing towards her. The blood of the emperor trickling down the blade of his katana.
As Altansarnais eyes fell on the Mirumoto, upon the dragon, her voice burned with rage. He, was a traitor, thief, kidnapper, the file posing that would lock Rokugan into eternal war. she took two steps back from the lion. That was the object of her assault and shifted towards Mirumoto. "Die traitor, die for the darkness you hide, die for your lies, I trusted you!" she moves like a gust of wind, landing blows on his sword that carry the inexorable weight of an ocean of malice and anger.
Utaku had been worried about one thing and let it cloud her mind and movements, hearing Altansarnai's voice snapped her out of it. "Altansarnai." She called out her voice as sharp as her blade. "Stop this know or face me and me alone." The anger in her voice echoing like a hundred thundering hooves.
The first swing comes at Shosan's face so fast he barely back steps fast enough to avoid it. A thin red line appears horizontally across his nose drawing a single bead of blood. Her following attack strikes both of Shosan's blades simultaneously. The powerful clash of steel so loud it radiates throughout the room. Shosan's parry deadlocks them against one another for a moment. A small grunt from Shosan as he clearly feels the intense wraith within her while they push against one another. They break away from one another and immediately begin exchanging blows. Against her tidal wave of hatred, Shosan remains as calm and focused as ever. Her roars go unanswered against Shosan's intense focus. Anything that was there before is dead now. No time to waste explaining or saving anyone. It is kill or be killed. While Altansarnai might strike as hard as a avalanche, Shosan with his two blades was as swift as raging storm. He takes to the offense, raging against Altansarnai just as strong as her. A rapid clash of steel between the two that continues to gain speed every second. A mighty roar bursts out of Shosan as he unleashes a wild tempest of blows against her. To break down her defense and destroy her.
Altansarnai pushes the Mirumoto back, her assault matched and rebuffed for a time, Altansarnai looks to Kamoko, her challenge breaking her for her haunting dark trance.
"No Kamoko, no. You are not a traitor, you didn't kidnap the prince's, you did not match an army to take the throne. These monster have done all of this, all well before Fu Leng arrived, with no help or push from the shadow. These clans are traitors, they are poison. Don't be fooled by the dragon or the lion!"
Good, good, the Dragon is distracted, and now...
Kamiko dares to glance aside, suffering a glancing strike to her arm for the temerity, but yes, Fu Leng has some breathing room once more. Just what the side needs.
"Rally!" she cries, sass very much to the back of her mind, all business now. "Rally to the True Emperor!"
Back to footwork then. Keep clear of Shoju's tricky blade, don't trust a visible weakness from the champion of the clan of secrets. Focus. Focus. She stays on the defence, working her way back to Fu Leng's side.
As Kamiko calls out, Ryokaku will stand and turn back towards the room, The Master safe for now with Soshan having been driven off. His eyes sweep the room before landing on @kitsu Toju , the one who dealt this great strike to his lord. With a loud roar he leaps across the room, black energy coming off of him in waves. He disappears into a cloud of smoke before coming crashing down directly over the spiritcaller's head, sword aimed directly at his neck.
....The attempts to save Fu Leng fall on the deaf ears of fate. And as he pulled himself up from his kneeling position, it was like something had shifted subtly. Like a string going taut and then snapping; a string that bound Fu Leng’s power to this place. Instead, he looked mortal.
"Brother?" Fu Leng asked Ryoshun, in shock and disarray.
"You heard me." Ryoshun said, this time clearly, and he was heard by everyone in the room. "You say that we abandoned you, Eldest. That we left you to rot. I WAS MADE TO GUARD THE GATES WITHOUT A SECOND THOUGHT, ABANDONED FAR MORE THAN YOU!"
"NO...." Fu Leng said, defiant "NO!"
"...And You, in your arrogance, sought to bring me back." Ryoshun lifted his Katana. " Not as an equal. But as a puppet."
"You don't understand. Father's madness it is ine-"
"Long Live the Son of Heaven." Ryoshun said....
And drove his sword through the neck of a prone Fu Leng in a coup de grace.
Uji begins dragging himself slowly across the floor. Looking for anything to drag himself upright.
Tsukune misses the entire thing as she moves to end the Hooded Ronin's suffering. But she echoes one thing, "Long Live the Son of Heaven."
As the Hooded Ronin dies, he laughs.
Sotorii falls to his knees, stunned.
Ryokaku no Oni freezes in place, before slowly turning and looking at the display that just happened. He stumbles forward, taking the hand of the fallen Kami into his own. Slowly he looks up at the Kami who stands before him and starts weeping openly. He promptly prostrates himself before the remaining Kami.
"What... is you will, My Lord."
Tsukune turns slowly, catching her breath. One was powerful, but what will this new entity do now.
Despite everything, there's no focusing for this. Perhaps with some luck, Shoju will be too dumbstruck to capitalise on Kamiko's reaction too, perhaps not.
"NO!" Melodramatic and predictable, perhaps. Maybe even cliché. But what else is there? Everything she's struggled for, for so long, undone not even by their enemies but by her beloved lord and master's own estranged brother. In despair and disbelief, she drops to her knees at Fu Leng's side. The work of art that is her katana clatters to the floor by her side. Any other observer might point out the futility of it, but still, she tries to apply pressure to the very obviously fatal wound, anything to delay the end.
"No, no no nonononono..."
"Kneel." Ryoshun still didn't face anyone in the room, his face and eyes were staring at the Throne in confusion. "Kneel and I spare you. Resist and you are sent as a message to those who would try and follow you."
“No!” Sotorii jumped to his feet, spitting with anger. “I am the one of Hantei’s blood, the throne is mine and it is YOU who should kneel!”
Ryoshun's sword flicked out quickly as the words left the arrogant young Prince. Sotorii head seemed to bounce off the marble tiles as the sword returned to its Saya.
Uji manages to push himself up to his knees using the Saya of his sword. I am the Defender of the Doji. The throne is not my concern. Only the survival of the Crane. He smiles through bloody teeth. “If I happen to live. You have my pledge of loyalty...O-Tenno-Heika.”
Tsukune whispers something to her sword and it disappears from her grasp, saya and all. "My soul, my life for the Phoenix and the Line of Hantei."
Utaku will look over with a glance at Shinjo, waiting for a move
Ryokaku stays bowed before the Kami before him, before raising his head to look into Ryoshun's face. His face is twisted with emotions that he has never felt before. Grief and bliss, rage and peace all fighting within him. After a few moments, he puts his head down again, speaking softly. "I will serve your every desire, My Lord. I am but a tool to see your will realized. I will be your most loyal subject."
“I made my promise to Fu Leng. Not you.” Altansarnai turns her back on Mirumoto. Her head hangs low, uncertainty crawling across her face. She turns and raises her sword against the 10th Kami, prepared to bear whatever fate has in store.
But drops her sword, uncertain of what to do next. The rage had abated the moment Fu Leng died, and now she was left with only uncertainty
"My honored brethren. One may lay defeated but before us is yet another dark lord brought forth by the black scrolls. Nothing has changed." Shosan marches forward and directly confronts Ryoshun. His jade blade extended out to the enemy just like before. "We've come together, united as one, to stand against those that are damned. We show no mercy for we have none." Shosan readies himself to attack. "Our enemies shall fall as we up rise. We shall claim our fate. Now and forever, we shall stand against the darkness. We'll fight for eternity."
"You die braver than most." Ryoshun sword flicked out again, and it was Shosan's head that stained the tiles
Togashi Yokuni stands unsteadily, his spirit nearly untied from the tether.
"Brother....I go now to take your place, to guard the dead that you have forgotten. I have made a thousand mistakes But the one mistake we never forgot, that we never forgave ourselves for, me or Hantei, was not rescuing you. For not saving you...you say we abandoned you...no...we never did. A hundred times a hundred times did I weep at your tomb and wish I could bring you back...but that was not the way of things. It was not in my power to bring you back...it wasn't in any of ours."
"But that doesn't make it right...I tell you this though...mother weeps for you even now, for what you are becoming, turn back and let your soul be saved, let your soul rest, while I take up your burden....please"
Ryoshun stopped at the steps to the throne, his head slowly framing around to view his Brother. There was venom in his eyes as he spoke. "Fu Leng, the one you called the evil brother, could bring me back. And you cheated death a thousand times. You simply did not want to try."
"...you're right." Yokuni says each word as if its taking everything he was to stay and speak. "I didn't want to. I didn't want to make you into something you weren't the Ryoshun I knew...would have killed me for summoning him with the powers of Jigoku, the Ryoshun I knew, had a faith in people that always astounded me...the Ryoshun I knew would rather die than consign countless millions to Jigoku to be tortured for all eternity." He steps slightly placing Shosan's head by his body. "But you are not the Ryoshun I knew are you?" There is an immense sadness in his voice as he breathes one last time. "I will do what is right and have the faith that my sensei had, that you once had. Thunders,” he leads with his left. And with that Togashi no kami falls burning away the corpse of Mirumoto Shosan with him so that he cannot be reclaimed by Jigoku.
Shoju stands in stunned silence for a moment. A small pouch of jade falls from his right sleeve onto the floor
Yajindens body lies soulless and motionless on the floor. Too bad he can neither bow, nor resist.
“I do not know you Lord Kami, do you know of us?” asks Shoju “The history of your brothers and sisters? If you would grant me a moment, may I present a 3rd option?”
The Kitsu was stunned for a moment , this was not what he expecting. Was there anything left of the hantei line to save? He pondered for a moment as he thought of what he had on him, he remembered the words spoken to him "Rokugan cannot be reborn out of hatred, we were here for returning things to the way there were, this in my heart and soul does not feel right"
Uji pulls a kiseru out of a pack hanging at his side. Taking the lighter out and gently blowing on the still smoldering coal until it glows. Lighting the tobacco he takes a coughing breath and waits for the right opportunity.
For better or worse, as she crouches by Fu Leng's fallen body quietly muttering invocations to the kansen and prayers to the kami alike in futile hopes of reviving the now-twice-fallen deity... Shinko Kamiko certainly appears to be kneeling.
"A 3rd Option?" Ryoshun said, eyes narrowing.
The kitsu stepped back as he began to pull out a scroll
Tsukune bends down and picks up the Hooded Ronin's Katana, testing its balance.
“When your brothers and sisters first came to Rokugan, they agreed to a tournament. The winner would rule, the others would follow,” says Shoju. “You were denied the opportunity to compete. The heir of Hantei is no challenge to you, he is but a boy. I ask you give me time to train him, and then complete the tournament of the Kami. Respect our traditions and rule not with fear, but with honour.”
"What heir?" asks Tsukune, looking at the dead Sotorii and the empty chairs. She turns her gaze back to Shoju, looking sad.
Ryokaku looks up at the Scorpion. "The traditions of your land are what dictated that Fu Leng and Our Lord were not allowed to participate..." My eyes shift over to the edge of the throne and then widen. "... and it appears that the Phoenix continue to undermine the will of the superiors even now." My eyes snap back to Ryoshun. "My lord, the boy had been taken. Shall we find him for you?"
“It is true, Fu Leng was also denied the opportunity to compete,” says Shoju. “But upon his return he did not seek a place within Rokugan, he sought its destruction” He turns to Ryoshun “And you are not Fu Leng”
"No. I am not." Ryoshun said, a brief moment of sympathy "But neither am I my brothers and sisters who left me to rot. The heavens, such as you call them, took away my right to compete, and they would do just the same to see me lose. No...no tournaments. Not one year from now. Not five years from now."
The kitsu continues to pray , focusing his whole being into it, leaving no reserves
"Then there is only one thing to do." Tsukune stalks towards the throne, giving a strange hand signal.
“Then you must forge your own path.” Shoju takes up his stance “That which dies should not rise again. It is not our way”
Ukatu smiles, extending her hand to Shinjo, taking her stance. Her blade in the other "I will not stand by while you destroy my home, whether they've come to like my clan or not it is my home."
As she approaches the Throne, Tsukune passes Ryokaku and coughs once before attacking the Oni instead of Ryoshun. "You will not take him, we will make sure of it."
"Altansarnai, I called you sister I am sorry I wasn't there when you needed me most but this isn't you." Kamoko hung her head for a moment. "Please forgive me, and let me help you." She sheads a tear.
The anger is fading, but Altansarnai is reluctant to let it go, but the harder she holds onto it, the faster if bleeds through her fingers. "No Kamoko. . . They are traitors, they tried to. . .to destroy the empire, they kidnapped the princes." As she speaks the anger begins to be replaced by uncertainty, as Kamoko speaks, a searching candle flame grows in Altansarnai's eyes.
Hotaru runs in, followed by jade soldiers, to see the carnage inside, and overhear the Emperor’s proclamation. She falls to her knees beside Sarnai.
“Sister. Sarnai. I’m sorry. I tried to be what you wanted...”
She pulls a tiger Lilly out from her shirt
“iuchi bid me for you this... I’m sorry.”
she lays it on Sarnai’s chest
Pain rose in her chest, a growing ache that longed to reach out and grasp the hand of her sister, to lay next to her lover, to see her clan again. She had spent a entire season consumed by her hate, fed words upon words by Oni and traitors. But oh how sweet the sound of her families voice, of Kamoko, of Iuchi, of Hotaru. . . Had it really been that long, she was here, she was alive.
the uncertainty in here eyes transformed into budding tears, how could she reject this. Whatever this was, it had to be right. To have friends that fought for you, family that cried for you, love you. "Ooh Ru, oh Iuchi. . . " It was to hard, she couldn't hold on to the hate, not anymore, the darkness began to unclench its grip on her heart, and with it, tears flowed down her cheeks. "I would. . . like to go home. . .I need to be gone from this place."
"And we will but first we need to finish what we started. will you stand with me?" Kamoko reaches out her hand for her sister to take. "Sister."
"To whatever end, let it be so Kamoko."
Hotaru raises Sarnai up over her shoulder, just as a mantis group walk past with a keg
“Um, I think we need to get out of here.”
“Yessssss, perfect...” she coos, applying the last touches to her zombie companion’s makeup. For her part, the corpse of Bayushi Kachiko stands still, and if the mindless undead were capable of being bemused, she probably would be.
Regardless, Kamiko is quite proud of her work. The lifeless shell of the Imperial Advisor looks damn near alive. It’ll all be worth it to catch the look in their eyes... Shoju and Hotaru, ideally, but just about anyone that knew her will do.
“Big day ahead, Kachi-chan, big day...”
It was dark, because of course it was, the air had the scent of incense and other pleasant aromas, but it was dark. It was not not a desired setting but considering the circumstances it could hardly be avoided. Altansarnai, leaned against the wall, her face as grim as death. She hated this, it was the worst part of everything. She hated fighting, it was almost never the way, almost. And so she waited to kill some of her friends, some she didn't know if she could, others she would gladly spill out their life. "traitors. . . poisonous traitors. . ." she muttered to herself, it helped, a bit. Her dark words, matched her thoughts and the room. She looked around her, at the corpses that stood for show. That would be the first thing to go, let them rest, no more of this filth. Next would be the Oni, then the dragon, then the lion, traitors, poisonous traitors. Then there would finally be peace. And the only thing that stood in front of her, was one ugly fight. Kami help her if 'she' was there. . .
Close to the throne are the two Hantei Princes. Sotorii stands closest, his arms crossing his chest, his chin out defiantly.
Seated next to him is his younger brother Daisetsu who looks much more subdued.
Standing between them protectively is the Hooded Ronin. His red eyes and pale skin betray the Taint of Jigoku which he has been afflicted with.
Ryokaku goes through the throne room double checking all the defences for the thousandth time. He wears impeccable armor, shining in the light of the torches lighting the room. He wears his large grin across both mouths, but his black eyes constantly move around checking every corner, every entrance for any sign of movement. As one door slides open, he nearly beheads the figure walking through the door. But it was only Mori-no-Oni, his ever loyal servant coming to being tea before the big event. "I am most sorry. My nerves run high. Please, serve my friend. And may it be the best you have ever done." As he steps aside the Oni approaches Fu Leng as he rests upon his throne. With practice perfection he serves the best tea in the emperor to His Lord. As he bows and backs away Ryokaku will approach, bowing low and putting his head to the floor. "My Lord, it had been my honor to serve my life under your command. If I do not survive this fight, I just want you to know that every action I have ever taken had been out of love for you, the Kami Fu Leng. If you will allow me... I will finish the ritual to bind you to this plane, and finalize your power over all your subjects." He stands, pulling a black scroll out from behind him. As he breaks the seal with his fingers a dark power radiates throughout the room. He rolls it open before proclaiming in a voice booming throughout the halls of the Irom Citadel. "My Lord Fu Leng! In Your Name I complete the unsealing of The Black Scrolls. With the power of The Return of The Fallen Lord, I summon from beyond the pale and bind to your will, My Lord, The Fallen Kami, Ryoshun!" .
An immense howling sound fills the walls of the castle as dark energy pours fourth from the scroll. A dark vortex can be seen by all within miles as it reaches upward and upward into the heavens themselves. A voice booms out for miles around, each word carrying immense power.
"Who are you to disturb my rest!"
The vortex takes on the features of a man wearing a conical bamboo hat. His hands reach out from the vortex, grasping at the skies as he is dragged slowly down.
"Release me from this prison!"
He smashes out at the ground surrounding the castle, leaving huge impacts in the ground. As he fights for control, it is too much to overcome as the vortex disappears into the Iron Citadel.
Within the Iron Citadel, we watch as this vortex spirals down over Fu Leng, the noise and power of the Tenth Kami stunning everyone in the room. Finally, the vortex fully disappears into Fu Leng with a final call of, "What is this! Brother, what has happened!" Ryokaku drop before Fu Leng, weeping openly, smiling wildly. "What is your will, My Lord?"
It is said that on this day, the heavens themselves wept.
Usually he dislikes wearing an armor. It's heavy, cumbersome and rather unnecessary, really, when you've got the gift of immortality, as long as nobody finds his heart. But today, it's a special occasion for Yajinden. The day when the Ninth Kami takes his rightful place in the empire and crushes the sons and daughters of his arrogant siblings. Best to keep at least this body alive as best he could. An rather unimportant minion helps him to put on the very armor he crafted himself on the Anvil of Despair. Luckily, there were enough souls in the now destroyed city of Otosan Uchi to serve as a reagent for his work.
With a final look in the mirror, he thinks that maybe there is actually a bit of Crane left in him, acknowledging the perverted beauty that is the black armor giving the perfect contrast to his long, white hair. He smirks a little before he puts on his helmet and leaves the room to join the others. It is time to greet the esteemed guests in kind and see the will of the Ninth Kami done.
Fu Leng sat upon his throne, his fingers tapping the armrests impatiently as the Thunders entered.
"So this is what you have brought me, Shinsei?" He asked the room "They will not be enough to lock up the darkness as long as I draw breath."
The Hooded Ronin is silent, standing between the two princes.
" as the thunders before us, we will be enough to stop this darkness,” says Kitsu Toju. “You may have cursed the descendant of Shinsei but he did his part in this story as so as we are. No matter the darkness that you cover the land with, there will always be a spark of hope" he holds his scroll tightly " Rokugan will not fall to your ways as long as one samurai breathe who believes in bushido. This is one thing you cannot destroy." He looks at the Kami "One thing that is built that not even the great builders of all of Rokugan could not achieve, and that is our bonds as allies." He gestures to the other thunders.
As Kitsu Toju gestures to the Thunders, a jade arrow shoots past his shoulder. Bayushi Shoju stands ready to fire again, his mask cannot conceal the pain and sadness in his eyes. He fires not at Fu Leng, but at his love. Bayushi Kachiko catches the arrow, mere inches from her face. A wisp of black smoke rises from her hand, gripping the jade. “How quaint,” she quips, her voice a pale shadow of its former silk. “You never were much of an archer” She tosses the arrow casually to her side, the weakened jade shattering against the floor “How DARE you stand where she stood, monster!” Shoju screams, his voice raw and hoarse.
"Is this really necessary Oni? let the thing die at least, these resurrections are repugnant." Says Altansarnai.
"And the seven chosen stand before me." Fu Leng said "I hope you have made your peace with my brothers and sisters. And speaking of...."
There was a shuffle from behind the Throne and a shadowed figure emerged, while his eyes shone with milky white hue. Slowly he stood between the Thunders and Fu Leng, looking menacing.
"A pleasure you could join us, brother." Fu Leng said before raising his eyes to finally meet the chosen who faced him "Perhaps I can introduce you to Ryoshun-no-kami. The Tenth and Lost."
Ryokaku rises as the thunders begin to enter. He draws his blade, standing at the ready for conflict to begin. A black flame runs along the blade, flickering a sickening green light across his armor. The green glow slowly spreads across the armor, until he is bathed entirely in flickering green wisps.
"...Heretics...." Ryoshun half-growled, half gurgled.
"They are, are they not?” says Fu Leng. “Disrupting the rule of heaven. A Kami sits upon the throne. And what is the punishment?"
"Death." Ryoshun moaned, drawing his sword as everyone else drew theirs, including Fu Leng.
That... is not good
“Stand where you are.” Uji hisses to his companions over Shoju shoulder “I have a little something for these....abominations.”
Garbed, finally publicly, in her finest of finery bearing the mon of Fu Leng - and now also one of her own design representing the lineage of Shinko - Shinko Kamiko takes a step forward from her place at Fu Leng’s side. Guess she’s not a ronin any more, really. “You stand before not one, but two sons of Lord Onnotangu and Lady Amaterasu. Last chance to reconsider your position.”
“You stand against those chosen by the Seven Thunders,” says Shoju. “Mortals with the strength to kill a god. Last chance to reconsider your position”
Uji smiles “Or don’t. The outcome will be the same.”
Green light dances across Ryokaku’s eyes as I widely grin down at you with both mouths.
"I am glad you think so highly of Our Lord that you consider him capable of winning on his own. But I think I will stay and serve as his Right Hand. Being a Thunder doesn't make you correct. Altansarnai saw the truth. You will as well."
“At this moment the only truth I can see is that you won’t win any beauty contests, creature,” says Uji.
Alatansarnai darkly mutters to herself, but hearing her name rouses her from musing. "Poisonous . . . Traitors . . . kill them. . . End them . . . Altansarnai looks up, here eyes burning holes into Ryokaku No Oni." Don't speak of me Oni, let us end this ugly affair and be done with it. And if you try and raise their copses, ill cut your hand from your wrist. I do not hate you thunders, you have a duty to uphold. I shall end it quickly."
Altansarnai holds a sword at her side, malice and hatred burn from the blade almost as much as from Altansarnai herself, here piercing gaze lands on Kitsu Toju, and wordlessly she stocks towards him, continuing her low chant. "Poisonous. . Traitorous. . . Poisonous. . . Kill him. . . End Him!" She rushes forward in a hurling charge, slaming into Kitsu's guard, Leashing out an avalanche of blows upon Kitsu’s guard, all the while continuing her bleak hate filled mantra, increasing in volume with each blow, until the words are hurled at Kitsu Toju as if they were weapons themselves.
“Again, I was about to say that.”Uji tosses a smoldering bundle towards Fu Leng and his minions. He pushes his companions in front of him. “Drop! Now!” He hurls himself to the floor turtling under his armor as the bundle detonated sending a shockwave and tiny shards of Jade everywhere.
In the chaos two more jade arrows fly. They gently arc across the room without killing intent. One towards Prince Satorii, the other Prince Daisetsu.
One of the jade arrows scrapes Prince Sotorii’s shoulder. He looks annoyed. But the one near Daisetsu goes over his head and he makes no attempt to stand to grasp it further. The Ronin stands blandly between them.
Of course, it would be dishonourable and suspicious for anyone to know a pennagolan in its assumed body is immune to the effects of jade, much like it’d be very suspicious to be concerned by someone stockpiling jars of vinegar. On the flip side, that body is still functionally human, and not immune to, well, shrapnel. Nonetheless, Kamiko’s contribution to the battle is more magical than physical, more in what she’s done to prepare more than in the strength of her katana now. So, assuming some kind of Crab mechanical trick or perhaps one of those curious Asahina or Unicorn spell talismans, the dutiful mahō-tsukai lunges between the bomb and Fu Leng, bracing for... well, she doesn’t really know what to expect.
Ryokaku moves forward with Kamiko, preparing to feel the venomous sting of jade for the third time in as many days. He places himself between Ryoshun and the bomb, and as jade slams into his back he turn around, his eyes wild. "You would DARE to bring this fowl substance before YOUR LORD!" As he starts running forward his form turns into a dark mist before dissolving entirely. Suddenly he appears behind Uji, slicing down at him. After each strike he disappears again, only to reform somewhere else around him. Though Uji manages to block the strikes as they come, they carry a might beyond what any human is capable of.
Kaiu Shihobu stays back in guard, giving commands and spotting weak points for others
Tsukune, who has totally been here the entire time speaks to the room as she advances. "The Thunders on the Horizon are here. We have not forgotten our duties of old, Heika." She points to the thrones, and ends on Daisetsu. "Mind that you do not forget yours."
She then joins the charge.
The battle of Thunder was started by the Mountain Clans. Ofushikai glowed first of all, carrying a blue that illuminated the Throne Room. Slowly it materialised into one shape, then five, then more and more and more until every Champion of the Phoenix had been seen carrying the same blade. That is until once last figure emerged carrying a war-weary but determined face.
"Brother." Shiba-no-Kami spoke solemnly "I am sorry."
And every blade of each Champion of the Phoenix fell on the 9th Kami.
It was still not enough.
The next was Togashi, whose Dragon form.teisted around Fu Leng in an effort to entangle and ensnare him. It was to naught - The Kami catching the Dragon in his hand.
"I hope the heavens spare you judgement for cheating them." Do Leng said, even as he slowly put his blade through Kibou's throat "brother"
"NO!"
Like his forefathers Mirumoto Shosan rushed to the side of his fallen Lord, each slash of his twin blades drawing cries from the tainted assembled until he was face to face with the maddened Kami. An errant slash aimed at the Emperor's eye seemed to slip through the cracks of Fu Lengs defense....
And a small trickle of blood appeared along the Emperor's cheek....
Fu Leng smarted at the impudence, wiping the blood in a mixture of hot anger and worry.
"Kill him. my Thunder."
Sotorii...smiles.
Shinto Altarsarnai stepped forward to duel Shosan, or at the very least occupy him.
Daidoji Uji's Naginata entered the fray at that point, cutting into Altarsarnai's shoulder.
"Doji-ue would not approve. But this must be done."
"They showed forgiveness, which is better than the rest of Rokugan." The Shinjo replied, duelling Uji whilst Shosan kept his barrage of blows, knicking the Kami again and again and again.
"Ryokaku, Shinko, Yajinden, do something." Fu Leng roared. The Commanders of the Shadowlands leapt into action...
Ryokaku formed kit not a mist that choked the lungs of the Thunders even as they tried to press their advantage. The going was made hard even for Shosan, who was beginning to slow.
Shinko's fingers weaved intricate patterns that matched the movements of different parts of Bayushi Shinko's body. The Scorpion screamed in agony, clawing at his withered arm in pain.
Yajinden clammy glided forward, unsheathing his blades before stabbing them into the gut of Daidoji Uji. "Crane to Crane, I always held some modicum of respect for you above the others." He said as he twisted the knives in to mortally wound Uji.
"Can't say the same of you." The Daidoji replied, headbutting the formed Asahina away before driving his Naginata through Yajinden’s throat with his final breath, collapsing. "Unfortunately."
Tsukune changes her tactic and engages with the Undead Ronin. "Shiba sat at the feet of Shinsei as he explained the Tao to Hantei. I hope you won't mind if I stand."
Shoju falls to his knees, his bow clattering across the floor
Kitsu Toju saw all the combat around him, he himself was never good with any blade. While others were training with the sword he was learning to have a strong connection with the kami " I ask favours from not one , but all of you!" he was behind with the fire kami, empowering the thunders with a quicker mind and quicker agility at the cost of some of his most exciting memories. He then called upon the earth kami, to strengthen their resolution as well as cover their bodies to protect them from harm, he sacrificed the jade he carried on him to feed the kami. Then he went to the air kami and pleaded for aid as well, gaining the quicker reflexes as well as being more aware, to that he sacrificed some of his most joyous memories , like his wedding night and the day of his gempuku. He lastly spoke to the water kami, asking them to make the thunders much stronger to aid in the fight, sacrificing his memories of when he had his greatest change, the day he was brought to become a shugenja as one of them. He prayed and kneeled as he sacrificed so much but nothing was too much to save the rokugan he was sworn to protect
Kitsu Toju clapped his hands together, sending a shockwave through the room before, like Tsukune before him, more spirits took form around Fu Leng, who was bleeding from multiple cuts. This was a multitude. Some walked like upright cats, others looked simply like noble, proud samurai in armour. Each bore a ghostly No daichi.
"We are the spirit of the Lion." They chanted, as one until they closed on the 9th Kami.
"Ours was to guard the Empire. You took that from us." The chant continued. "And so we take from you."
Fu Leng looked up in arrogance "Take what from Me?"
"Everything."
And the spirit blades fell again....
The Ronin duels Tsukune, stepping forward to protect the princes. But it is as if his heart is not in it. His eyes look soulless and dead.
When the spirits had dissipated, Fu Leng was on one knee. He was bleeding heavily. The once proud body had been beaten, so completely, to what would have amounted to death.
Fu Leng turned to Ryoshun. "Brother, help Me! Save Me! Something!"
Ryoshun merely stared back, and then uttered one word that would echo throughout the course of the rest of history....
"NO."
Kachiko will approach Shoju as he is down on the ground, putting an arm around him. "Please, help me. End this nightmare and join me in the beyond. I beg of you."
Sotorii looks around in confusion, to the battle...to Fu Leng on the floor...This was not supposed to be this way. Beside him, Daisetsu rolls his eyes. “ Now, you get it.”
Daisetsu reaches into a pocket and throws what’s inside there. Jade, directly at Fu Leng.
Shoju grabs her with his left hand. Smoke hissing from his jade ring. He attempts to stand
Ryokaku will leap to Fu Leng, trying to get himself in the way of any oncoming attacks. "Master... take my life essence if you need it. This is not over... please continue on." Tears roll down his face as he takes a strike from Shosan. "I am you loyal servant until the end, My Lord."
Shoju draws his wakisashi, the heart of a samurai, and plunges it into the heart of his beloved. “I will see you in a moment.”
he casts aside kachiko and fully comes to his feet, strengthened by his resolve and Kitsu’s blessing. As he charges Shinko, his katana screams from its sheath.
As he stabs Kachiko she puts her arms around him, giving him one last hug. Tears stream down her face, as the red light fades from her eyes. "Thank... you." She falls to the side, clutching for the jade ring on his hand, her face a perfect mask of peace as black blood spreads underneath her. As the jade burns, it turns to red.
“How precious,” Kamiko spits, more her own blood than anything else. Accursed Scorpion loyalty; if she could but reach Daidoji Uji, the man’s blood would make a perfect feast for the kansen, an ideal tribute to bolster Fu Leng’s flagging strength. But no matter. Her own katana, fresh from Yajinden’s anvil, sings a dolorous note as it clears an Obsidian saya.
“I shan’t deny you, then!”
Their blades sing as they meet. With a fierce, disciplined stance Shoju presses forward, his right arm hanging limp at his side. Can he seperate her from her Master?
For her part, Kamiko is hardly in the best state of her life either. Blood magic and fanatical devotion can only do so much to counter the pain of hundreds of tiny shards of jade embedded in her host’s flesh, after all.
Nevertheless, she seems cautiously confident, focusing her footwork on keeping her body to Shoju’s right to take advantage of his arm, whilst also keeping herself between him and Fu Leng.
“I know you, Bayushi-kun,” she sneers the disparaging honourific, “A thorn in our side I’ve looked forward to removing... but surely you can do better than this?”
Shoju smiled beneath his mask. He had her attention, he just needed to keep it for a little longer “Only a thorn? Perhaps I am going soft” Just a little longer and I will have my ruthless moment
Tsukune fights with similar distaste as the ronin. The two of them trade wounds. "One shall be saved, one shall be lost. Together we choose."
They separate for a moment, and then Daisetsu gives a yelp and disappears from his seat.
In a burst of speed, Shosan blitzes forward past the thunders and charges towards the true enemy. With nothing but an intense cold glare outward to the world, Shosan's blades overpower everything in his path. The only noise emanating from Shosan within his silent charge was his deep focused breathing. A sound rendered inaudible from the sound screams and roars of tainted foes before him. His widen eyes never leave his target while he deflects attacked directed towards him and pushes back any that would stand in his way.
Shosan loved this feeling, but hated this part. The thrill of combat overwhelming his mind in way he hasn't felt since his days as a young warrior. The stress of the world weighs heavily on his mind but he redirects that weight into each attack as he marches up to face this so called God. His peace of mind always on the brink of collapse but he remains calm and in control. Much like his fighting style, Shosan was a whirlwind of emotion. Maintain a tranquil heart. Let your blades be sharpened by hate. Find strength in the love you have for this empire.
Soon enough Shosan stands before this God. Within the whirlwind of both of his blades fending off the others, he spots and opening then takes it. A glowing jade katana pierces through the darkness aimed at Fu Leng's eye. The blade makes contact, but Shosan notices the crushing blow of a tainted foe falling onto him and he must dodge back to avoid. No time to see how much damage the blow inflicted as Shosan is forced back away from Fu Leng by the others. A dance of parries and dodges until Shosan once more stands alone within the throne room. Shinjo Altansarnai challenged Shosan. His only reply was extending his glowing jade blade out pointing towards her. The blood of the emperor trickling down the blade of his katana.
As Altansarnais eyes fell on the Mirumoto, upon the dragon, her voice burned with rage. He, was a traitor, thief, kidnapper, the file posing that would lock Rokugan into eternal war. she took two steps back from the lion. That was the object of her assault and shifted towards Mirumoto. "Die traitor, die for the darkness you hide, die for your lies, I trusted you!" she moves like a gust of wind, landing blows on his sword that carry the inexorable weight of an ocean of malice and anger.
Utaku had been worried about one thing and let it cloud her mind and movements, hearing Altansarnai's voice snapped her out of it. "Altansarnai." She called out her voice as sharp as her blade. "Stop this know or face me and me alone." The anger in her voice echoing like a hundred thundering hooves.
The first swing comes at Shosan's face so fast he barely back steps fast enough to avoid it. A thin red line appears horizontally across his nose drawing a single bead of blood. Her following attack strikes both of Shosan's blades simultaneously. The powerful clash of steel so loud it radiates throughout the room. Shosan's parry deadlocks them against one another for a moment. A small grunt from Shosan as he clearly feels the intense wraith within her while they push against one another. They break away from one another and immediately begin exchanging blows. Against her tidal wave of hatred, Shosan remains as calm and focused as ever. Her roars go unanswered against Shosan's intense focus. Anything that was there before is dead now. No time to waste explaining or saving anyone. It is kill or be killed. While Altansarnai might strike as hard as a avalanche, Shosan with his two blades was as swift as raging storm. He takes to the offense, raging against Altansarnai just as strong as her. A rapid clash of steel between the two that continues to gain speed every second. A mighty roar bursts out of Shosan as he unleashes a wild tempest of blows against her. To break down her defense and destroy her.
Altansarnai pushes the Mirumoto back, her assault matched and rebuffed for a time, Altansarnai looks to Kamoko, her challenge breaking her for her haunting dark trance.
"No Kamoko, no. You are not a traitor, you didn't kidnap the prince's, you did not match an army to take the throne. These monster have done all of this, all well before Fu Leng arrived, with no help or push from the shadow. These clans are traitors, they are poison. Don't be fooled by the dragon or the lion!"
Good, good, the Dragon is distracted, and now...
Kamiko dares to glance aside, suffering a glancing strike to her arm for the temerity, but yes, Fu Leng has some breathing room once more. Just what the side needs.
"Rally!" she cries, sass very much to the back of her mind, all business now. "Rally to the True Emperor!"
Back to footwork then. Keep clear of Shoju's tricky blade, don't trust a visible weakness from the champion of the clan of secrets. Focus. Focus. She stays on the defence, working her way back to Fu Leng's side.
As Kamiko calls out, Ryokaku will stand and turn back towards the room, The Master safe for now with Soshan having been driven off. His eyes sweep the room before landing on @kitsu Toju , the one who dealt this great strike to his lord. With a loud roar he leaps across the room, black energy coming off of him in waves. He disappears into a cloud of smoke before coming crashing down directly over the spiritcaller's head, sword aimed directly at his neck.
....The attempts to save Fu Leng fall on the deaf ears of fate. And as he pulled himself up from his kneeling position, it was like something had shifted subtly. Like a string going taut and then snapping; a string that bound Fu Leng’s power to this place. Instead, he looked mortal.
"Brother?" Fu Leng asked Ryoshun, in shock and disarray.
"You heard me." Ryoshun said, this time clearly, and he was heard by everyone in the room. "You say that we abandoned you, Eldest. That we left you to rot. I WAS MADE TO GUARD THE GATES WITHOUT A SECOND THOUGHT, ABANDONED FAR MORE THAN YOU!"
"NO...." Fu Leng said, defiant "NO!"
"...And You, in your arrogance, sought to bring me back." Ryoshun lifted his Katana. " Not as an equal. But as a puppet."
"You don't understand. Father's madness it is ine-"
"Long Live the Son of Heaven." Ryoshun said....
And drove his sword through the neck of a prone Fu Leng in a coup de grace.
Uji begins dragging himself slowly across the floor. Looking for anything to drag himself upright.
Tsukune misses the entire thing as she moves to end the Hooded Ronin's suffering. But she echoes one thing, "Long Live the Son of Heaven."
As the Hooded Ronin dies, he laughs.
Sotorii falls to his knees, stunned.
Ryokaku no Oni freezes in place, before slowly turning and looking at the display that just happened. He stumbles forward, taking the hand of the fallen Kami into his own. Slowly he looks up at the Kami who stands before him and starts weeping openly. He promptly prostrates himself before the remaining Kami.
"What... is you will, My Lord."
Tsukune turns slowly, catching her breath. One was powerful, but what will this new entity do now.
Despite everything, there's no focusing for this. Perhaps with some luck, Shoju will be too dumbstruck to capitalise on Kamiko's reaction too, perhaps not.
"NO!" Melodramatic and predictable, perhaps. Maybe even cliché. But what else is there? Everything she's struggled for, for so long, undone not even by their enemies but by her beloved lord and master's own estranged brother. In despair and disbelief, she drops to her knees at Fu Leng's side. The work of art that is her katana clatters to the floor by her side. Any other observer might point out the futility of it, but still, she tries to apply pressure to the very obviously fatal wound, anything to delay the end.
"No, no no nonononono..."
"Kneel." Ryoshun still didn't face anyone in the room, his face and eyes were staring at the Throne in confusion. "Kneel and I spare you. Resist and you are sent as a message to those who would try and follow you."
“No!” Sotorii jumped to his feet, spitting with anger. “I am the one of Hantei’s blood, the throne is mine and it is YOU who should kneel!”
Ryoshun's sword flicked out quickly as the words left the arrogant young Prince. Sotorii head seemed to bounce off the marble tiles as the sword returned to its Saya.
Uji manages to push himself up to his knees using the Saya of his sword. I am the Defender of the Doji. The throne is not my concern. Only the survival of the Crane. He smiles through bloody teeth. “If I happen to live. You have my pledge of loyalty...O-Tenno-Heika.”
Tsukune whispers something to her sword and it disappears from her grasp, saya and all. "My soul, my life for the Phoenix and the Line of Hantei."
Utaku will look over with a glance at Shinjo, waiting for a move
Ryokaku stays bowed before the Kami before him, before raising his head to look into Ryoshun's face. His face is twisted with emotions that he has never felt before. Grief and bliss, rage and peace all fighting within him. After a few moments, he puts his head down again, speaking softly. "I will serve your every desire, My Lord. I am but a tool to see your will realized. I will be your most loyal subject."
“I made my promise to Fu Leng. Not you.” Altansarnai turns her back on Mirumoto. Her head hangs low, uncertainty crawling across her face. She turns and raises her sword against the 10th Kami, prepared to bear whatever fate has in store.
But drops her sword, uncertain of what to do next. The rage had abated the moment Fu Leng died, and now she was left with only uncertainty
"My honored brethren. One may lay defeated but before us is yet another dark lord brought forth by the black scrolls. Nothing has changed." Shosan marches forward and directly confronts Ryoshun. His jade blade extended out to the enemy just like before. "We've come together, united as one, to stand against those that are damned. We show no mercy for we have none." Shosan readies himself to attack. "Our enemies shall fall as we up rise. We shall claim our fate. Now and forever, we shall stand against the darkness. We'll fight for eternity."
"You die braver than most." Ryoshun sword flicked out again, and it was Shosan's head that stained the tiles
Togashi Yokuni stands unsteadily, his spirit nearly untied from the tether.
"Brother....I go now to take your place, to guard the dead that you have forgotten. I have made a thousand mistakes But the one mistake we never forgot, that we never forgave ourselves for, me or Hantei, was not rescuing you. For not saving you...you say we abandoned you...no...we never did. A hundred times a hundred times did I weep at your tomb and wish I could bring you back...but that was not the way of things. It was not in my power to bring you back...it wasn't in any of ours."
"But that doesn't make it right...I tell you this though...mother weeps for you even now, for what you are becoming, turn back and let your soul be saved, let your soul rest, while I take up your burden....please"
Ryoshun stopped at the steps to the throne, his head slowly framing around to view his Brother. There was venom in his eyes as he spoke. "Fu Leng, the one you called the evil brother, could bring me back. And you cheated death a thousand times. You simply did not want to try."
"...you're right." Yokuni says each word as if its taking everything he was to stay and speak. "I didn't want to. I didn't want to make you into something you weren't the Ryoshun I knew...would have killed me for summoning him with the powers of Jigoku, the Ryoshun I knew, had a faith in people that always astounded me...the Ryoshun I knew would rather die than consign countless millions to Jigoku to be tortured for all eternity." He steps slightly placing Shosan's head by his body. "But you are not the Ryoshun I knew are you?" There is an immense sadness in his voice as he breathes one last time. "I will do what is right and have the faith that my sensei had, that you once had. Thunders,” he leads with his left. And with that Togashi no kami falls burning away the corpse of Mirumoto Shosan with him so that he cannot be reclaimed by Jigoku.
Shoju stands in stunned silence for a moment. A small pouch of jade falls from his right sleeve onto the floor
Yajindens body lies soulless and motionless on the floor. Too bad he can neither bow, nor resist.
“I do not know you Lord Kami, do you know of us?” asks Shoju “The history of your brothers and sisters? If you would grant me a moment, may I present a 3rd option?”
The Kitsu was stunned for a moment , this was not what he expecting. Was there anything left of the hantei line to save? He pondered for a moment as he thought of what he had on him, he remembered the words spoken to him "Rokugan cannot be reborn out of hatred, we were here for returning things to the way there were, this in my heart and soul does not feel right"
Uji pulls a kiseru out of a pack hanging at his side. Taking the lighter out and gently blowing on the still smoldering coal until it glows. Lighting the tobacco he takes a coughing breath and waits for the right opportunity.
For better or worse, as she crouches by Fu Leng's fallen body quietly muttering invocations to the kansen and prayers to the kami alike in futile hopes of reviving the now-twice-fallen deity... Shinko Kamiko certainly appears to be kneeling.
"A 3rd Option?" Ryoshun said, eyes narrowing.
The kitsu stepped back as he began to pull out a scroll
Tsukune bends down and picks up the Hooded Ronin's Katana, testing its balance.
“When your brothers and sisters first came to Rokugan, they agreed to a tournament. The winner would rule, the others would follow,” says Shoju. “You were denied the opportunity to compete. The heir of Hantei is no challenge to you, he is but a boy. I ask you give me time to train him, and then complete the tournament of the Kami. Respect our traditions and rule not with fear, but with honour.”
"What heir?" asks Tsukune, looking at the dead Sotorii and the empty chairs. She turns her gaze back to Shoju, looking sad.
Ryokaku looks up at the Scorpion. "The traditions of your land are what dictated that Fu Leng and Our Lord were not allowed to participate..." My eyes shift over to the edge of the throne and then widen. "... and it appears that the Phoenix continue to undermine the will of the superiors even now." My eyes snap back to Ryoshun. "My lord, the boy had been taken. Shall we find him for you?"
“It is true, Fu Leng was also denied the opportunity to compete,” says Shoju. “But upon his return he did not seek a place within Rokugan, he sought its destruction” He turns to Ryoshun “And you are not Fu Leng”
"No. I am not." Ryoshun said, a brief moment of sympathy "But neither am I my brothers and sisters who left me to rot. The heavens, such as you call them, took away my right to compete, and they would do just the same to see me lose. No...no tournaments. Not one year from now. Not five years from now."
The kitsu continues to pray , focusing his whole being into it, leaving no reserves
"Then there is only one thing to do." Tsukune stalks towards the throne, giving a strange hand signal.
“Then you must forge your own path.” Shoju takes up his stance “That which dies should not rise again. It is not our way”
Ukatu smiles, extending her hand to Shinjo, taking her stance. Her blade in the other "I will not stand by while you destroy my home, whether they've come to like my clan or not it is my home."
As she approaches the Throne, Tsukune passes Ryokaku and coughs once before attacking the Oni instead of Ryoshun. "You will not take him, we will make sure of it."
"Altansarnai, I called you sister I am sorry I wasn't there when you needed me most but this isn't you." Kamoko hung her head for a moment. "Please forgive me, and let me help you." She sheads a tear.
The anger is fading, but Altansarnai is reluctant to let it go, but the harder she holds onto it, the faster if bleeds through her fingers. "No Kamoko. . . They are traitors, they tried to. . .to destroy the empire, they kidnapped the princes." As she speaks the anger begins to be replaced by uncertainty, as Kamoko speaks, a searching candle flame grows in Altansarnai's eyes.
Hotaru runs in, followed by jade soldiers, to see the carnage inside, and overhear the Emperor’s proclamation. She falls to her knees beside Sarnai.
“Sister. Sarnai. I’m sorry. I tried to be what you wanted...”
She pulls a tiger Lilly out from her shirt
“iuchi bid me for you this... I’m sorry.”
she lays it on Sarnai’s chest
Pain rose in her chest, a growing ache that longed to reach out and grasp the hand of her sister, to lay next to her lover, to see her clan again. She had spent a entire season consumed by her hate, fed words upon words by Oni and traitors. But oh how sweet the sound of her families voice, of Kamoko, of Iuchi, of Hotaru. . . Had it really been that long, she was here, she was alive.
the uncertainty in here eyes transformed into budding tears, how could she reject this. Whatever this was, it had to be right. To have friends that fought for you, family that cried for you, love you. "Ooh Ru, oh Iuchi. . . " It was to hard, she couldn't hold on to the hate, not anymore, the darkness began to unclench its grip on her heart, and with it, tears flowed down her cheeks. "I would. . . like to go home. . .I need to be gone from this place."
"And we will but first we need to finish what we started. will you stand with me?" Kamoko reaches out her hand for her sister to take. "Sister."
"To whatever end, let it be so Kamoko."
Hotaru raises Sarnai up over her shoulder, just as a mantis group walk past with a keg
“Um, I think we need to get out of here.”