Doji Hatosenshi
Kougataribe
Global Moderator
Posts: 145| Likes: 42
“We tell the tale of heroes to remind ourselves that we also can be great.”
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Post by Doji Hatosenshi on Feb 12, 2014 15:15:41 GMT
Hatosenshi nodded, and began to carefully pick his way through the loose stones. His hand carefuly loosed his katana in it's saya.
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Post by Daidoji Kousei on Feb 13, 2014 22:11:36 GMT
Kousei nodded at Moeru's whispered suggestion and moved slowly towards the path leading down into the ravine below. The rain was steady, making the scree slippery underfoot so he placed each foot carefully, peering out into the gloom ahead as he went. The rest of the party were just behind him, each readying themselves in their own 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 14, 2014 0:27:34 GMT
Following with Moto Arandaru and Doji Kousei, Satomi tried to see something different. In fact,considering Moeru's description, she expected something more obvious... Maybe they were in the wrong place? But... Even before Daidoji Kousei pointed the way, she stumbled in something... unbalanced, Satomi tried to used the yari as support, when suddenly the floor collapsed under her feet.
Apparently, a well disguised vent for a subterranean cave, several meters deep down the terrain where their were so cautiously exploring. The slippery terrain and the rain prevented the yari of being of help, and as a last resort she tried to grab the borders of the hole to avoid falling, with little success...
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Post by Togashi Moeru on Feb 14, 2014 4:05:40 GMT
Moeru could feel the change in the terrain as it gave way under Satomi. Moeru dove towards the direction Satomi had been, but failed to reach her before she was out of reach. He could see her aura falling through the hole in the ground. "We must reach her. Quickly."
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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 15, 2014 8:04:26 GMT
Arandaru gritted his teeth as he cursed their luck. The powers of the water kami wouldn't be able to save Satomi as she was falling.
He closed his eyes, and from under his cloak he produced a second scroll. He scanned the scroll's inscribed letter and got certain of its whereabouts.
He quickly began the incantation as he beckoned the kami for guidance. He closed his eyes and opened them fast. The essence of the kami infused in them quickly granting the Moto shugenja the gift of "sight".
The water element was strong all around, due to the rain no doubt.
However he could sense Satomi's water deep below the surface. She was immobile but the element in her was pumping vibrantly, as if trying to get out of her body.
"She's alive!" he screamed.
"Three to four levels below! She's alive but she seems wounded!". He was referring to castle-sized levels..
The potence of its element was strong and vibrant because it sought a way to seep out of her.
"But she isn't bleeding" he exclaimed.
He sighed as he followed the rest of the team on their task to "rescue" Satomi. And wondered what more would their karma come up with...
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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 15, 2014 11:42:29 GMT
Ok, that wasn't a good way to enter...
Satomi was laying on her back, partially on a warm stream of water, and partially in a bench of debris. She couldn't see anything around her, it was too dark.The place was absolutely quiet, after the collapsing of part oi its roof. The warm water of a subterranean river padded her impact. Her body was aching, and she was sure she left arm was broken. Anyway, her Kaiu armor and the fact she awkwardly fell in the water managed to spare her body of further wounds.
Our silent and discreet scout mission can be considered aborted... Nobody was coming for her, so she loosened the grip on her weapon and reached for the Health mizugusuri tucked into her cleavage... among other things. Good job, boys.
Breaking the seal with her teeth, she knocked back its content, feeling the cloying taste of the health potion on her tongue.
Excellent. She reached for a kuni crystal, next. It didn't glow, but she wasn't sure whether because it was too dark, or else. The Crab managed to put herself in a seated position, pulling her legs out of the water. Ew, maybe a rib or two... She gritted her teeth, a grimace of pain. Now, waiting a little to let the elixir to make effect. She knew the potion had no effect over broken bones, but could ease the some bleeding, bruises and other minor wounds.
Strange... A vent means a hiding... but it's so silent down here... Just a few minutes... and I'm finding my way out.
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Post by Togashi Moeru on Feb 17, 2014 14:34:21 GMT
Moeru pushed his body as far into the fresh hole in the ground as he could, and concentrated. He could feel Satomi's presence, and he could tell that she was deep in the ground. But it was odd. He couldn't sense anyone else. No sentry's, no guards. No Tsukai running to meet their prey. It was as if there was nothing. He could feel the remnants of whatever had been there. The elements still whirled around, agitated, and unsure of the scar in the earth that was this awful place.
He stayed head first in the hole for a minute or two, reaching out through the elements to take stock of whatever he could of the chamber that the hole opened into. When he was certain, he thrust himself through the hole.
He was weightless for a moment. Careening through the air like an arrow, towards the floor. He whispered a few words, righted himself in the air, And his leg glowed under his hakama. Moeru spun like a top the last few feet through the air, and landed in a crouched position. As he crouched in the dark, he chuckled. "I think Satomi-san need to take lessons from Mitsu-sama on how to fall"
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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 17, 2014 14:49:43 GMT
Satomi sensed a shift in the air, and then a smooth thud as Moeru landed weightlessly next to her. She reflexively turned her head to the origin of the sound, but relaxed when she heard the monk's voice.
A Crab can't fly... Not without a little preparation, Moeru-san.
She tried to chuckle as well, but her ribs ached.
Well well, my friend, I now understand your situation FULLY. Can't see a palm in front my eye.
She stood, feeling a lot better, though still feeling pain in the broken bones.
I think, however... they left already.
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Post by Daidoji Kousei on Feb 19, 2014 20:17:21 GMT
As the Dragon disappeared down the hole, Kousei looked at Arandaru with a slightly bemused expression on his face. He sighed, and fished out a rope from his travelling pack.
"I don't like leaving signs of our passing, but I'm not sure what other options we have..."
He looked around for a branch to tie an end to, and eventually found something that looked suitable. Kousei looked a little dubious and lent back, testing his weight. It held.
"After you Arandaru-san" he nodded towards the hole and took up the slack. The Unicorn shugenja looked like he was about to say something, but then took hold of the rope and gradually began to climb down. The Crane waited for him to reach the bottom before beginning his own descent.
He was about five feet from the bottom when he heard a snapping sound and suddenly found himself plummeting towards the ground. He landed heavily but without injury, and the rope snaked down beside him still attached to part of the branch. Kousei picked it up and inspected it - there was a strangely black sap oozing out from the broken end and he grimaced with distaste. He unravelled the rope and through the rotten wood away, then shrugged.
"At least I've got my rope back."
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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 19, 2014 20:46:34 GMT
Hey Hey! How are you samas? Satomi greeted (what else could she do?). Whatever was happening here, it seems we arrived too late for the party. Her voice wasn't exactly firm, but she sounded better than one could expect, after such a fall.
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Post by Togashi Moeru on Feb 19, 2014 23:56:26 GMT
Moeru stood, and folded his arms. "The elements are still disturbed, but I am finding nothing here currently." His voice was frustrated. "I would bet that after their bold advances into court, they scurried away."
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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 20, 2014 0:28:04 GMT
Arandaru's eyes flickered as he rose from the ground he had fallen to. A green eerie light followed a booming voice:
"There's something lingering here...still" he said with a hiss.
The gods were granting him knowledge beyond reproach but not a clear vision.
"A sliver of a shadow, in these caves. We need to find and destroy it. It's stationary but malevolent...and guilty." he intoned as his head was thrown back when a suspicious crack was heard from the Moto's neck.
He pushed the had back forward, his eyes his own. He said with a pant:
"Still we didn't came for nothing. We have caught "something" off-guard." he felt the familiar feeling of achieving something with no reward..
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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 20, 2014 1:26:34 GMT
Taking a moment to collect the informations and notice the the Crane was somewhere outside the cave, she concluded they should do it as quick as possible... Before her arm got swollen, at least.
Satomi cleaned the throat, before asking:
Can we do it now, Arandaru-san? If yes, can you guide us to it?
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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 20, 2014 9:06:31 GMT
"Certainly.." said the shugenja with a nod.
He looked around, as if able to notice something. In truth he could sense the agitation of the water, coming further deep in the cave.
The ground seemed moist and the cave quite as big. Normally it would even be able to host a Winter Court down there. The thought made Arandaru shiver.
As the party ventured further along the rocky corridors Arandaru led them to a small room. It was pitch dark, so dark that they could -in a sense- touch the darkness..
Arandaru narrow his eyes and intoned a certain prayer. The shadow seemed to twitch and react as if in pain!
"Satomi-san, Moeru-san, Kousei-san, Hatosenshi-san" he beckoned
He raised a sliver of jade he was carrying in his pouch. It was more than an ingredient, it was more of a simple means of protection rather than a casting material.
At the touch of the jade, the shadow receeded and as Arandaru's voice began to raise their torch lit even brighter as if it was truly on fire. However the darkness lingered over them like a curtain, filled with water, ready to cascade over their heads should the torch fail them.
As the proceeded into the room they found a pedestal and on it there was an ivory box. It's bone white surface was filled with carvings.
Arandaru quickly sensed that this was the source of the agitation. He rushed and with an incantation his fingertips glowed faintly as he proceeded to open the box. What he saw invoked him horrors.
In the box there was a heart. Charred black, smoked from either charcoal or the taint. And it was beating... Beating...
"Impossible..." he murmured.
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Post by Togashi Moeru on Feb 20, 2014 15:05:25 GMT
Moeru could sense the beating heart. He knew, from dealing with eradicating Tsukai in the Shadowlands, that this, was a Khadi's heart. He knew that whoever controlled the heart controlled the Khadi. It was, a double edged sword of Immortality for most. "Arandaru-san... This, is a foulness we cannot bear in the empire." Moeru's body began to heat up, smoke starting to trickle from his nostrils. "We must destroy it."
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