The paper door and smaller wooden frame holding it caved in with under the force of the wind, splintering with a raucous cash of sound to open a large passage into what essentially was a conjoining room, one with many doors that lead into the other main areas of the manor. Jonas was surprised that no one stood outside of the door but he knew now that the full force of Onaga's Samurai squad would be on them quickly. ” Come! The main foyer is just off of this ajoining room, from there we can reach that small opening courtyard and the gate. ” Zakuro shouted, sensing they still had the jump on the guards and if it was going to come to an all out fight he would feel much better in the open air with the ability to truly swing in Odachi. Zakuro moved quickly, ducking through the debris left by Riku's magic into the connective room, and quickly moving to his right decided to simply barrel through the next paper door. The door gave under his weight and again the frame splintered around him. With a wave of his arm he threw the remains of the door to his side and found himself in the foyer though ahead of him standing between himself and the main entrance stood another Samurai.
3:09 pm July 11, 2019
griff
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Sengoku ~ Chapter 1
The wind blast blew through the door sending wooden splinters flying, but the only people affected were those in other rooms that were without a doubt now one their way, “Shit!” Riku exclaimed to himself as he followed quickly behind Zakuro. The two needed to be quick, but that last attack only reduced the time they had to leave. With the amount of magic Riku had to use, Riku could feel his ki waning quickly. Riku had allowed the fear get to him and caused him to overuse his abilities without thinking too far away. Riku hoped they would be able to escape without another fight, but alas he was not lucky enough.
Riku stopped short behind Zakuro as they faced off the enemy samurai, “Buy me some time.” Riku muttered to Zakuro under his breath as he grabbed onto his prayer beads. Taking deep breaths to gather his ki, Riku concentrated on praying to his kami for assistance in their time of need.
Post edited 2:26 am – July 13, 2019 by dystopia Post edited 2:26 am – July 13, 2019 by dystopia
What to Zakuro seemed like the last rays of sunlight climbed over the front courtyard wall and danced their way through the open doorway into the moderately large foyer, their orange tint gleaming across the oiled and stained hard wood floors of the entry. Zakuro's eyes were locked onto those of the Samurai guard who stood between them and the courtyard, the vibrant greens of the garden visible through the entryway. He brought his Odachi's hilt back into the grip of both hands, lowering his stance defensively as he listened to Riku's words. ” Time is the one thing we have very little of. ” Zakuro found himself muttering in response, knowing that Riku would summon some kind of gale which could perhaps pull down the walls and supports of the manor itself with enough time, but with Onaga and the others only moments behind them he wondered what Riku could do with what spare time they had. Trusting, he cleared his mind and stepped forward, briefly showing himself prone in order to draw an attack from the guard. His approach worked and the Samurai lunged forward at Zakuro who stepped quickly to his left, pivoting and parrying the lunge with his own blade, not looking to strike, only to buy as much time as he could.
9:07 am July 14, 2019
griff
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Sengoku ~ Chapter 1
Riku barely registered Zakuro's word as he continued to pray while taking deep breaths. The ki in the area converged into Riku as a the wind began to spin the dirt around Riku's feet around him. Knowing time was not on their side, Riku opened his eyes and gripped his pray beads tightly. The sohei thrusted his shakkou forward as the outline of what appeared to be a weasel appeared about the staff. From 6 different points above and surrounding the samurai, the wind condensed into crescent sickles and began to spin until they seemed to create full circles. Riku swirled his shakkou in front of him in a circle and each of the 6 wind sickles intersected on the samurai all from different angles and areas on the samurai's body, leaving various openings in his defense, “Now!” Riku called for Zakuro to attack the opening.
The wind seemed to move all around Zakuro, whipping his gi as it moved past him, condensing as Riku focused his powers and drew it into the foyer. Zakuro turned and watched as Riku moved his staff in a circle and then unleashed the force he had built on the Samurai. The wind seemed to take shape around Zakuro, becoming visible as the arcing sickles converged on the guard slicing at him from every direction. The crimson splash of his blood danced in the last remaining rays of summer sun as the wind tossed it into the air, Zakuro noted the beauty in this savageness as he acted on Riku's shout and with a arching movement brought is odachi round with near sub-sonic speed to place the final cut across the chest of the wounded Samurai sending him staggering backwards, dead before he hit the ground. ” We might actually make it out of this! ” Zakuro seemed to sigh in relief now the doorway to outside was clear and all that stood before them was the gate. ” STOP THEM! ” Onaga's voice sudden burst out as he and three other Samurai burst into the foyer behind Zakuro and Riku. Not taking any time to consider the outcome Zakuro made for the courtyard, feeling the open air on his face as he leaped the steps and landed in the cobblestone path, the gate, though closed, a scant ten meters away. ” GATE GUARDS! SHOW YOURSELF! THEY ASSASSINATED OUR LORD! ” Onaga continued to shout, his voice showing more composure than Zakuro would have liked, considering. At this command two more Samurai stepped from the gate, making five total. They were surrounded.
6:28 pm July 16, 2019
griff
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posts 75
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Sengoku ~ Chapter 1
Riku followed immediately behind Zakuro, his breathing becoming a little more rapid due to the excessive use of his ki. The immediacy of their situation caused Riku to use his full strength to help with their escape, but that thought was making it more difficult for them. Riku placed his back at Zakuro as they were surrounded by the the samurai, Riku facing the two gate guards, “Tell me you got some kind of plan.” Riku whispered to Zakuro as his left hand began to to rub his prayer beads as his breathing slowed and became deeper. Riku had been able to gain more ki during their last fight than that spell used, but he had doubts that Zakuro could hold all five off while protecting him. He would have to rely on his martial skills while he restored his power.
Zakuro felt a sudden tinge of anxiety as Riku spoke aloud of his hope that he had a plan. What plan could he have? was his first thought, he had never expected such a situation to occur and up this point his only goal had been to reach the exit, to feel the summer breeze on his skin as he exited this manor into the open world once more. ” We'll get out of this, for the sake of our lord Otomo! ” The words seemed to speak themselves, as Riku came back to back with Zakuro, who only now sensed the fatigue the mage was feeling after almost single handedly getting them this far. A sense of pride seemed to well up within Zakuro as he realized the force at which Riku had pushed himself to get them into the open air once more, he knew now that he too would need to summon something beyond himself if they were to pass through the gates uninjured and see to the revenge upon whoever was behind the plot that took from them the one true person in their lives. ” Yes! Take them alive! ” Onaga's voice cut through Zakuro's thoughts as the Samurai began to close in. Zakuro felt the weight of his odachi in his hands, something was overtaking him, a feeling of duty he had not felt in so many years. It was overflowing inside of him as he took a step forward, not towards the guards at the gate, but towards the three that had come with Onaga. He didn't hesitate as he felt the will overtake him and with speed he had not felt in a decade he pushed forward and let his blade seek blood. It moved right first with his body and then back across cutting down two of the guards in one sweep. The thrid took a step back and Onaga seemed to stagger. ” Your treachery will not go unforgiven! ” His mouth formed the words as he felt something take hold of his body, a lust for blood he had not felt since his youth.
4:12 pm July 19, 2019
griff
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posts 75
28
Sengoku ~ Chapter 1
The ki which surrounded Riku began to well back up inside of him. Zakuro's words filled Riku with a second wind as Riku pushed forward at the same time as Zakuro. The Sohei needed time to regain some energy, but he had full trust in Zakuro to be able to take on his three enemies as long as Riku delayed the two in front of him. Both samurais rushed forward at the same time towards Riku. Raised the bottom of his shakkou, Riku called a controlled burst of wind behind the staff, pushing it forward behind the samurai's guard quicker than he could defend. Catching the samurai in the throat and sending him back. The other gate guard was not far behind, bringing his sword towards towards Riku. Wanting to conserve as much ki as possible, Riku cause another small burst of wind to send the samurai right beside him as he pivoted. The sword came so close that Riku's robes fluttered due to the force moving behind it.
Riku disengaged with a jump to the side as the first guard was still recovering from the strike to his throat. Riku's breathing stayed deep and measured throughout the exchange. Riku snuck a glance over at Zakuro to see two samurai already on the ground. Not wanting to distract him, Riku stayed focused on his two enemies.
Zakuro breathed in deeply and then exhaled, letting his odachi settle in both hands, dropping to waist level as he calculated his next move. He sensed that Riku was weakened but still had enough stamina to defensively hold off the two gate guards while Zakuro finished the third of Onaga's samurai. ” Th-this is not possible. ” Onaga stuttered as he spoke, taking another step back to the foyer as the third Samurai, katana drawn, took a step forward. Zakuro's eyes burned with fire as he looked up the steps at his foe, ceding the high ground and the initiative, hoping to bait the man into a predictable action. The samurai bit and with a leap he was in the air. Zakuro was swift, sliding his feet to his right out of the range of the foes blade. The Samurai landed and turned defensively but it was too late, Zakuro had thrust his odachi upwards into the armpit of the guard, drawing blood. Zakuro now had the advantage. ” H..how. This was not suppose… ” Zakuro could hear Onaga mumbling to himself as he watched the battle unfold. Moving with purpose Zakuro brought his odachi higher up near his own right armpit, an offensive stance. He took a quick step forward thrusting his blade to parry with a defensive thrust from the injured guard but the guard's power was no longer there, Zakuro easily overpowered him and pushed his blade aside and then with a downward slash cut the man across his neck and torso sending him staggering backwards as he fell into the steps at Onaga's feet. Zakuro looked up at Onaga and their eyes met, he sensed the man's fear. Looking away he regained focus on Riku and prepared to step in if needed.
6:29 pm July 23, 2019
griff
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Sengoku ~ Chapter 1
As the ki began to swell within Riku, his breathing slowed, but remained deep and measured. The samurai who had been stabbed in the throat was regaining his composure and both samurai stepped in motion towards Riku. The sohei was able to catch the tone of Onaga's throat and with a smirk knew that Zakuro had taken down his foes and now it was his turn. The two samurai moved forward towards Riku both slashed with their swords. Riku parried one with his shakkou and called a gust of wind the send the other within an inch of striking Riku, just barely missing him.
Riku countered with a swift to the samurai that he parried, sending the samurai away from the battle for a few seconds giving Riku time to focus on just one enemy. The samurai still engaged with Riku came with another strike of the sword. Riku parried with his shakkou in his left hand and came with a punch from his right. The samurai reacted in time and pulled his face just enough away to be missed by the punch. Blood gushed from the samurai neck as he looked down in shock before crumbling to the ground. Wind swirled from Riku's fist in the shape of a sickle, cutting deep into the samurai's neck. Riku flicked his wrist causing the wind sickle to move into his palm and with another flick flew through the air towards the other samurai who staggered in slight shock due to the sneak attack. The sickle dug deep into the samurai's skull causing him to fall the ground, dead.
The sohei turned towards Onaga and noticed that as he thought Zakuro had taken out his enemies, “We did not kill Daimyo Otomo.” Riku pointed towards Onaga, his eyes piercing through the man with rage, “He was our Daimyo as he is ours. Check the body and you'll find the truth. We…” Riku nodded towards Zakuro, “…fill find those that murdered our Daimyo and they will rue the day they attacked here.” Riku had many doubts that Onaga would listen to him, but would not have his loyalty defiled.
Zakuro turned from Riku who seemed to have control of the two guards, his gaze shifting back to Onaga who stood in the entry way of the manor, his face showing disbelief as he looked down on Zakuro and Riku. The Samurai met eyes with Onaga once again, and seemingly would not allow the wilting man to look away, holding his gaze and looking into his soul. It seemed that Zakuro was locked in a trance now, unaware as Riku finished off the last guard and began to speak. His friends voice brought him back from the depths and before Riku could so much as catch his breath Zakuro grasped him by the shoulder. ” He's well aware of what happened… We have to flee quickly! ” the words seemed earnest, he had seen the darkness in Onaga's heart and knew now how deep the treachery truly was. Pulling on Riku's shoulder Zakuro turned his back to Onaga and with a burst of speed pushed himself forward, sliding his odachi back into it's sheath as he moved. Reaching the double green doors of the gate Zakuro pushed through, opening them and continued toward the path knowing that they would be followed by many and had to find their way out of the village quickly.
7:44 pm August 7, 2019
griff
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Sengoku ~ Chapter 1
Riku's anger boiled and his eyes intensified on Onaga as he backed up to follow Zakuro. As he heard the door open, Riku waved his shakkou to the ground and with a small gust a wind caused a line to be drawn in the dirt, “Cross if you wish to end this quickly.” Riku knew from his interactions with Onaga that he enjoyed holding his sense of power above other's he deemed to be lesser. Riku let his gaze hold for a single moment longer before running behind Zakuro. “Their eyes….what did you notice?” Riku recalled Zakuro's statement about the assassin and their betrayal by Onaga welled a sense of revenge deep in the monk.
Dust from the path was kicked up in thick plumes which sparkled as the last rays of sunlight shot through them. Zakuro was running fast, he had sensed Riku stop at first but he had now caught up. The path ahead of him twisted through the small grove of trees and the back onto the rolling hills that overlooked the village. ” There's no time now, we must find some place to weather the night, they'll have the entire clan after us before long. ” Zakuro spoke through his breaths as he continued running the path they had come upon not an hour before. Slowing to allow Riku to fully catch up Zakuro looked back, they still had a bit of a buffer. ” We can't head back into town, I know the way to a fishers shack in the woods on the lake, it's off the beaten path enough that we might be able to stay there over night and plan our next actions, unless you have any better ideas? ” Zakuro said, hoping that Riku did in fact have a better idea.
5:35 pm August 11, 2019
griff
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Sengoku ~ Chapter 1
Riku's mind began to race as he thought over Zakuro's plan. Riku could not think of another place the two could hold out for the night, but he did have an idea for how to make their escape more difficult to track. the monk looked back at their footsteps and was able to take in the general shape, size, and distance between each of their footsteps. “I don't know a better place to hide out, but I can cover our tracks.” Riku waited till they reached the point until their path split from their current path and began to gather the remainder of his ki.
Just before the two reach the split into the woods, Riku waved his shakkou and wind went off in front of them towards the town, causing footsteps to closely mimic their own footsteps. With another wave of his shakkou, wind followed behind the two causing -any footsteps to be covered up and any grass to russel back and appear undisturbed, “The wind will give them a fake path to track and hide some of our true path.”
The twilight was in full force now, the steady rhythmic chrip of the summer cicadas growing in volume all around them. Zakuro was breathing heaving, his eyes constantly darting back up the path the way they had come. His face showed a wince as Riku suggested that the fisher shack was the best option, he had really hoped for something better. Coming to the split in the path he headed right, away from town towards the dark forest. ” That, may at least buy us a little more time. ” Zakuro said, as he was once again awed by Riku's ability to conjure some kind of aide for them. ” We should make haste through the woods and stick to the path. ” Zakuro continued as he began to pick up the pace once more, looking back one last time and still seeing no signs of followers but knowing that they would be coming, and in force.
Ahead the path dipped low down the grassy hill, twisting and turning to follow the uneven slope. Ahead of them, in the twilight the darkness of the treetops cut a clear separation from the sky, whose stars were just starting to sparkle. The path moved ahead to the the edge of the wood and Zakuro followed, knowing that the forest at night could be a dangerous place.
5:03 pm August 15, 2019
griff
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posts 75
36
Sengoku ~ Chapter 1
Riku followed right behind Zakuro not sure where the hut he was having them walk to. His breathing went back to being deep and somewhat labored as a breeze followed behind the two, disguising this path. Riku was doing his best to keep up the spell as much as he could, but the use of his magic was causing a strain on his body. Until before, this breathing wasn't for the strict purpose of gathering his ki quickly. This time Riku could not help, but breath this way to just keep going. Thankfully, he could tell Zakuro was still in fit fighting form. “Maybe not a lot of time, but hopefully enough to get us there.” Riku did his best to surpress some of his deep breathing as Zakuro would not slow down to allow him to keep up.
It seemed as is night only truly set upon them the minute the took their first step into the forest. The path, as Zakuro knew it, would continue for some way, twisting and turning it's way through the dense growth until it reached the shores of the fresh water lake. At times in the past he remembered it lit with torches through the night, but times had changed and the forest had seemed to come alive in ways it was not before. He had heard the tales, but dismissed them as folklore, but now events had led him to reconsider. ” Something tells me, our journey through this wood will not be as easy as our escape from the manor. ” Zakuro said as he slowed his pace, sensing the darkness around him, knowing that to light a torch to illuminate their way would only do more harm than good. ” Our eyes will adjust, yet it may not matter… I sense something… something evil. ” Zakuro continued as he came to a full stop, felling Riku's presence behind him, knowing that they would need to be on guard as they moved forward, hoping that Riku too felt the darkness that was beginning to swirl around them, knowing that Riku's spiritual senses were probably better than his own.
12:20 pm August 17, 2019
griff
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Sengoku ~ Chapter 1
The darkness seemed to suffocate Riku as soon as he sensed it. Instinctively, released his spell that was concealling their path and the wind died down immediately. It was in that moment that Riku felt that no wind stirred in the forest around the duo. “Yes, its aura is powerful and leaking out around us.” Riku calmed his nerves and looked for the strongest concentration of the darkness. “There.” Riku murmured to Zakuro as he faced the direction that the concentration was coming from. His right hand grabbed his shakkou as his left reached for his beads and began to prayed for the strength to face this darkness.
The forest was unusually quiet, no wind stirred around them and the darkness was blackening. Zakuro was waiting for his eyes to adjust, sensing the swirl of evil that seemed to pulse like a heartbeat. His hands had drifted towards the hilt of his blade, he did what he could to surppress the fear that was growing in him. ” It's like the forest itself is—No you're right! ” Zakuro had begun to say before he stopped as he felt it too, following the sound of Riku's shakkou moving. ” It's moving, deeper into the forest, it hopes to draw us to it. ” Zakuro found himself saying, his eyes beginning to adjust to the low light, the outlines of branches and trees bordering the path becoming more and more visible. He turned back towards Riku, wondering what their next move should be.
2:48 pm August 19, 2019
griff
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40
Sengoku ~ Chapter 1
After a few short moments, Riku inhaled deeply, not noticing that he had stopped breathing due to the suffocating feeling of the darkness and the air that did not stir, “We must press on.” Even with Riku's words, he did not take a step forward as he continue to think over the situation, “If we stay here, the samurais will attack us from behind while the darkness can then attack us from the front.” Riku spoke mostly to himself as he finally took a step forward, “At least if we go deeper, this aura may cause Onaga's forces to continue behind us.” The logic made sense, but was not enough to steel Riku against the oppressive darkness. Riku began to pray for strength for both him and Zakuro as they prepared the face the entity..
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