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Post by Daidoji Kousei on Feb 21, 2014 0:05:49 GMT
Kousei found it difficult to tear his eyes away from the hypnotic pulsing of the beating heart, but forced himself to look somewhere - anywhere else. Much as the sight of it filled him with loathing, he felt that simply striking at it would not be a good idea.
"What is that?" he whispered. The air felt greasy to him and it was almost as if there was a faint ringing in his ears.
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Bayushi Satomi
Unwanted Betrothed
Scorpion Clan
Posts: 1,080| Likes: 322
Rings: Earth 4 * Fire: 5 *Air 3 * Water 1 * Void 3
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Post by Bayushi Satomi on Feb 21, 2014 0:48:33 GMT
There's a lot of legends, Kousei-san… the Crab whispered to the Daidoji next to her. Some say that it's a mean… to trick death, and only the most ruthless sorcerers have the courage to rip his beating heart off to perform this ritual… She heard dark tales about that travelling with the Unicorn. Our "source" wasn't lying…
Satomi approached to Moto Arandaru:
Can we just… simply destroy it? By fire, blade or with the help of the kami?
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Moto Arandaru
Unicorn Clan
Posts: 199| Likes: 103
In Kyuden Seppun, eager to find a way to save the Empire!
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Post by Moto Arandaru on Feb 21, 2014 10:24:58 GMT
Arandaru nodded dismissively...
"I am afraid Satomi-san, that this is a relic that cannot be destroyed by simple means of either magic or swordsmanship." he looked at her.
"This relic has conscience and will as soon as possible seek means of disappearing, thus getting out of harm's way." his voice betrayed worry.
"What concerns me more, isn't that such foul a gaijin magic as that had been pulsing strong under the feet of our Empress..." his voice remained strong.
"...but as of who's heart that is!" he closed his eyes and extended his hand.
"Whatever the chance may be samas, if you witness any kind of afoul a taint extending over to me, please put me down!" he commanded.
He'd heard a whisper but could neither discern the exact words nor whose voice that was. He felt the pulse of the heart synchronizing with his own...or...was it the other way around? He felt his blood rushing through his veins, pumping as the dark heart desired. It went on and on, ever more quick. Arandaru's breathing grew intense as he tried to employ the very fine "hints" that Moto Vordu had given to every Moto practitioner of magic.
"Once you find the center of the artifact, you channel with it. First you close your heart...abandon your feelings...for if the artifact channels beforehand...you're doomed to its will..." he remembered Vordu's teachings. And he cursed his amateurship of getting controlled by that artifact.
"Galahn bin attolah! Sofurma Rokhegugane! Attyoh aftah, sumpa deyah Giyath!" a voice into his mind echoed.
What was that? Arandaru marveled at the gaijin language. Many erroneous thoughts seeping into his mind. He could feel it's presence however...the dark magic...and then everyone could see it. Black tendrils protruding out of the heart coiling Arandaru's hand..
The flesh cracked as it was caressed by this foul magic...his arm bent as blood sprayed over the Moto's dismembered hand.
Arandaru felt the temperature of his body rise rapidly..as if his heart would explode.
And the only thing that he'd regret was that he let her go without expressing to her what he felt...
((OOC: Via a PM, I've given the liberties to the characters in the scene to react to Arandaru's situation as they see proper. Thus, I don't wish their behavior to be branded as "godmodding" as I permitted it to go that way!))
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Bayushi Satomi
Unwanted Betrothed
Scorpion Clan
Posts: 1,080| Likes: 322
Rings: Earth 4 * Fire: 5 *Air 3 * Water 1 * Void 3
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Post by Bayushi Satomi on Feb 21, 2014 11:06:21 GMT
With her heart filled with horror, she witnessed the power of the gaijin magic... Unfortunately, for someone who had been in the battle for the Lost Tower, she learned that even a Brother shall be sacrificed if Lost.Tainted or not, it was consuming Moto Arandaru, and she wouldn't watch it idly... But, maybe it was still time....
A bit slower than she wished, Satomi unsheathed the no-dachi and with a painful kiai, used it to a downward and 'perfect' strike...
The throbbing Khadi's heart fell on the floor... still into the firm grip of what once was Arandaru's hand.
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Post by Daidoji Kousei on Feb 21, 2014 22:37:50 GMT
As the blood began to spray over Arandaru's hand and Satomi cut it from his arm, the world seemed to go in slow motion for Kousei. As the heart hit the ground, things snapped back into normal time. He barrelled into the Unicorn, knocking him to the ground, and drew his tanto to hold the blade at Arandaru's neck. His other hand slammed down onto the bleeding forearm, applying as much pressure as he could. Kousei was trying to save his life, but was ready to kill him at a moment's notice.
In the back of his mind he could feel the siren call of the heart. The blood on the floor trickled towards the pumping artefact and the riverlets were sucked into it like it was inhaling. It seemed to grow larger and the beat became like a drum, steady and monotonous in their ears. Arandaru's severed hand began to twitch, an unnatural life starting to pulse through it.
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Post by Togashi Moeru on Feb 25, 2014 14:26:28 GMT
The scene, through the view of the elements was probably even more grisly than the real thing. The elements revolted as the Moto held the heart, they began evacuating the space around him, and then the aura of the Moto began to change. It turned darker, and darker, and darker, and then the blackness fell to the ground, and the Moto's aura began to fade. Moeru heard the slicing blade through the air, and could tell what had happened.
Moeru unleashed a gout of fire, encircling the group, and the heart, in the waves of heat. His pulse raced, and he moved towards the Moto. "If we are to save his life, we must stop the bleeding." Moeru exhaled heavily through his nose, plumes of smoke made him look more like a dragon, than man. "And I hate to say it, but sitting on his arm will only slow his death in a place like this." Moeru turned to Satomi, the fire playing off his face, and blindfold. "We must cauterize the wound, or prepare him for his journey to Meido."
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Bayushi Satomi
Unwanted Betrothed
Scorpion Clan
Posts: 1,080| Likes: 322
Rings: Earth 4 * Fire: 5 *Air 3 * Water 1 * Void 3
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Post by Bayushi Satomi on Feb 25, 2014 14:52:25 GMT
Do it already, Isezumi! Satomi rushed, having little option but to agree. Cauterize it now! She glanced to the throbbing heart outside the circle, now involved in flames, assuming a defensive position. After that, Daidoji will grab Moto and you and me... gotta cover our group's retreat.
She wouldn't risk Unicorn's hatamoto's life. In another circumstances, she'd take other decisions but... Not only Arandaru didn't deserve such death but... he explaining his missing hand to Chatagai would be better than them explaining his death. If the Unicorn would need to put him down after that, well, that's another story.
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Moto Arandaru
Unicorn Clan
Posts: 199| Likes: 103
In Kyuden Seppun, eager to find a way to save the Empire!
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Post by Moto Arandaru on Feb 25, 2014 15:32:29 GMT
Arandaru felt the heaving pressure on himself and his cut hand. He was feeling no pain as he was numb. The heat grew more intense around him, as his forehead began to sweat. His eyes however were preoccupied with a vision.
He could see the vast lands of the Emerald Empire, but not the provinces of the Unicorn. The vision not blurred at all urged him further south. He could discern a silhouette of a tall man donned in a funerary ceremonial garb. He has long dark hair and a creepy but heavy voice.
A man's face broke into the vision however... A copper-skinned gaijin, adorned in black and red garb. On his head a dark turban resting regally. He eyed Arandaru in a peculiar way and he whispered in thought... "A Moto.."
And then Arandaru would hear a soft humming, emanating from the woods behind those two men. A woman's voice humming merrily...a funerary lullaby. Her face was rather familiar.
Arandaru could discern her father's features on her.
Shahai turned and pierced Arandaru's soul with her gaze. "Do you think that you're but a hero to foolishly brave yourself into a Dark One's heart?" she said with a womanly giggle. "Enjoy your death ...Unicorn." she said as she waved idly with her hand through Arandaru's spectral form.
And the feeling of emptiness overcame the shugenja. As he was grabbed violently by an unseen force and plunged into a sea of molten lava. He could feel the blistering heat, as he was feeling his skin melting... And the familiar feeling of death overcame him.
And then he opened his eyes and watched as Kousei was standing on top of him, pinning him down. Flames danced jovially around them, as he saw Moeru and Satomi standing in desperation over his fallen body.
And now it was the time that the gods would decide.. ...if he was about to enter Meido...
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Post by Togashi Moeru on Feb 25, 2014 15:43:54 GMT
Moeru nodded, and moved towards the pinned Moto. He kneeled next to him, and whispered. "I'm sorry, Moto-san. I'm afraid this is going to hurt."
He stood, and grabbed Satomi's sword arm. "Metal, will be best for this." Moeru brought the sword up in front of his face, inhaled as deep as he could, and then exhaled a stream of fire onto the blade. The Sword began to glow red hot, and Moeru was exhausted. Fire breathing could be taxing when one wishes to burn away corruption.
As Moeru fell to a knee, he coughed out. "Quickly, seal the wound."
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Bayushi Satomi
Unwanted Betrothed
Scorpion Clan
Posts: 1,080| Likes: 322
Rings: Earth 4 * Fire: 5 *Air 3 * Water 1 * Void 3
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Post by Bayushi Satomi on Feb 25, 2014 16:03:47 GMT
Moeru's touch was warmer than he could think it was, nevertheless, Satomi was quick in use the heated blade to burn Arandaru's flesh. Human flesh burning had a characteristic stench and its smoke made her eyes to water. May your gods decide your destiny, my friend...
After his flesh stopped to sizzle, she turned to Kousei. Take him up and go. Togashi go ahead, I'll be shortly after you, covering our backs. She trusted Moeru's senses would guide them out of that cave better than anyone else.
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Moto Arandaru
Unicorn Clan
Posts: 199| Likes: 103
In Kyuden Seppun, eager to find a way to save the Empire!
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Post by Moto Arandaru on Feb 25, 2014 16:49:42 GMT
Arandaru let a booming growl. The pain was so intense that he would merely wish to have his whole arm cut off if it would make it stop. And yet he watched with the corner of his eye as Satomi was keeping steady with her grip of the katana.
He'd failed the lesson of Moto Vordu...he himself had failed that as well. But the second lesson wouldn't elude the Moto death priest. He steeled his spirit with conscious thoughts. He felt gratitude towards his friends' caring approach. Would he have failed, he would utter heinous words towards them... And he felt a soft scream in his heart, as the taint's grip was slowly...but steadily getting loose.
After some moments, before feeling totally weak he felt a "residue" of the taint down at the pit of his stomach. And a small notion engraved in his head...the word "Giyath".
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Post by Daidoji Kousei on Feb 25, 2014 22:58:42 GMT
Sheathing his blade, Kousei picked up Arandaru and slung him over one shoulder. It wasn't the best way to transport the wounded, and the shugenja moaned with a faint delerium, but they had to get out of here.
"Moeru-san, can you find us a way out?"
The ise zumi looked up and heaved himself to his feet, looking tired after expelling his heart's flame. Reaching within himself he cast his senses out into the elements. There was darkness and horror all around as Moeru got a sense of some of the deeds that had been carried out in this black underground labyrinth but... there... he caught a sense of where the air kami were freely roaming. "Follow me," he said to the others, and they began to move.
It felt like an age as they roamed through the tunnels, but Kousei noticed that they were moving steadily up. Arandaru's breath was shallow and fast, and occasionally he muttered something insensible. Kousei began to worry about his friend - he knew that they were going to have to get him to another shugenja fast. A battle shout echoed behind him. It was Satomi.
"Keep going!"
Much though it went against his instincts, he obeyed the Crab general and moved on. Eventually he began to see a dim light ahead, and finally he burst into the fresh air. They were further down the ravine and he saw Moeru coming to a halt just ahead of him. They both turned and waited, and Satomi emerged shortly afterwards. Whatever it was she had encountered, and her blade was covered in blood, she had made short work of it.
Pausing only to check on Arandaru, they hauled themselves back up the slope to the top, saving their words and energy. From there, it was a short distance to where the horses waited. The rain had long since stopped but the moisture had frozen in the cold, and as the sun slowly climbed above the horizon the grass gleamed as though covered with diamonds.
It was dawn.
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Bayushi Satomi
Unwanted Betrothed
Scorpion Clan
Posts: 1,080| Likes: 322
Rings: Earth 4 * Fire: 5 *Air 3 * Water 1 * Void 3
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Post by Bayushi Satomi on Feb 26, 2014 11:02:38 GMT
NEXT DAY
The group hastily reached the castle and put Moto Arandaru under shugenja's care...
Satomi reported to the Emerald Champion, as promised, and maybe it was one of the reasons that, later in the day, many of the court events were cancelled. The Winter Court was dissolving discreetly: security was compromised but Rokugan didn't wish to show weakness and panic.
--
Only after that Satomi permitted to be medicated and had a brief time of troubled sleep, filled with nightmares.
The Kaiu general returned to the chamber where Moto Arandaru was being tended, under the vigilant gaze of his yojimbo Hachiman. She was received at the antechamber by the belle Iuchi Arissa, Arandaru's secretary. He would survive, she said, and soon, would be able to travel back Unicorn Lands. The Iuchi was acting overprotectively regarding visits so Satomi said she would return later in the evening, and WOULD talk to Arandaru.
The rest of her day was filled with her own problems and she had little time to even think about what they witnessed or did. To her, events so big as finding a sorcerer's heart in the heart of a Lion Cave.
She returned by the evening, as she said she would, and asked to see her friend Arandaru.
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Post by Togashi Moeru on Feb 26, 2014 14:15:25 GMT
Moeru was physically spent. He returned briefly to the Dragon Chambers, drank tea, spoke with the Dragon courtiers, and even managed to squeeze in a moment to speak with Shinko in private. After that, he went in search of a Phoenix. He needed to secure a time in the near future when he could plumb the depths of the Phoenix libraries in search for any information that he could get on Khadi, how they are dealt with, and what, if any, weaknesses they may have.
The talks were, for the most part, futile. With the border disagreements between the two clans, it would be difficult to secure help from many Phoenix, and while they were receptive to his meetings, and spoke with him, none felt so comfortable with the new Hatamoto of the Dragon Champion to allow him access to their libraries.
They hid it under the guise of knowledge that was forbidden, but the tension in the room was apparent even before he had brought up the delicate details of the information he sought.
By afternoon, he had tired, and met Shinko at the Dragon Quarters, and the two of them traveled to the Unicorn's quarters, in hopes of checking on the Moto who had been injured in the cave the night before.
While he waited for entry to see the Moto, he sat, and meditated, while Shinko told him the details of her day in town.
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Moto Arandaru
Unicorn Clan
Posts: 199| Likes: 103
In Kyuden Seppun, eager to find a way to save the Empire!
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Post by Moto Arandaru on Feb 26, 2014 14:16:42 GMT
Iuchi Arissa, once a jovial lady, had assumed a serious demeanor now. Was she reprimanded? Anyhow, she would bow politely to the Crab general and would say.
"Konban-wa Kaiu-sama. Moto Arandaru-sama is waiting you inside." she said with low and calm voice.
Arandaru was inside, sitting in a comforting seiza stance. He was quite pale yet he seemed to have regained an amount of strength. He was dressed in a lavender robe, which was tied around him like a soft woolen maiden. He was wearing a soft sandalwood fragrance, the only one that didn't make his stomach turn when he smelled it. His mustache waxed ...to perfection. With his almond eyes he regarded Satomi happily as she entered.
As she sat beside him, he quickly entered the subject.
"Satomi-san, you truly are a joy to my eyes." he said. "I was told that you, Togashi Moeru-san and Daidoji Kousei-san, rescued us and carried me over to the physician. Truly, I can't thank you enough." he wished to express gratitude as his life had been saved.
He caressed his cut limb, a stump which reminded him of his first contact with the forbidden.
"I merely wish that I hadn't failed quite as much. Moto Vordu-sama, my sensei was a stout man that had tutored my generation quite cautiously. I wasn't properly fortified, I wasn't ready." he said as the silence echoed in the room resonating the "sound of Arandaru's failure".
"As I touched the cursed relic, I became cognitive of some of its traits. This was a dark heart Satomi-san, a khadi relic of black magic. I am afraid that there is blood magic employed behind all this as well as the involvement of gaijin agents." Arandaru explained briefly his vision as he concluded.
"I remember the word "Giyath".I cannot fathom as of how, but it has been humming in my mind since we returned." he said.
"Thus Satomi-san, I am afraid that I will need to arrange the preparations for the departing of the Unicorn contingent. The lords of the Unicorn clan need to know." he said quite grimly.
"Ide Tadaji-tono will be staying in the palace as long as the Empress dictates. Given the situation, it has been heard that her grace has decided to honor our Clan by choosing the Ide daimyo as her Voice. I am certain that such a matter will be taken care by the Ide themselves. Thus, should anything regarding diplomacy be needed, feel free to contact with them."
He looked at her one last time, his eyes were quite blank as his emotions were put aside. He didn't need to express anything more than certain and acceptable Rokugani feelings.
Beside him stood a vase adorned with some vibrant peacock plumes and on the other side stood the scroll case. Arandaru had thought of copying a handful of scrolls since they were withered away from the extended use. Nothing did even betray how he felt inside. But from the inner side of the kimono, stood the letter he'd give to Moto Chagatai. The one that he was asking, for his failure of duty, to perform the three cuts and avoid this shame.
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