Mamoru stiffens and begins to retreat, his instincts overriding his resolve.
Makiko looks about nervous, but steels herself to move through the hall until she realizes that everyone has retreated back towards the stairs. The wailing continues driving everyone back down the stairs into the room below (T17)
A few moments the wails above fall silent...
Mamoru seethes with barely held in hatred. "Stay here." he growls at Mai, then stalks into the throne room.
Less than a minute later he returns dragging the solid, heavy throne from the great hall and proceeds to haul it up the stairs and use it against the offending wall like a sledgehammer.
Uta's eyes go wide with a mix of worry and shock at the Mamoru's actions. Still recovering from the previous horror, he is left unable to give a proper protestation.
All he can do is mutter are a few short and breathless words. Staggered and without context, they could be interpreted to mean any number of things, even remnants of the horror he's only just recovering from.
"...no..."
"...don't..."
"...please..."
The words are quiet and hushed, and may not even be heard by anyone other than himself.
At the very least, Uta can take consolation after the fact that his father was no carpenter, and did not design or help craft the throne itself...
Seori fights to push the shock and fear from her mind as she spies Onitora dragging the very throne upon which their enemy sat only minutes ago. Still struggling to reclaim her concentration and composure from the haunting screams, she almost doesn't associate the seat with it's purpose in her mind.
The throne? The Teitoku throne? What in the world is he...
Seori watches wordlessly as the beast drags the heavy chair up the stairs, and he nearly reaches the top before the key thought clicks in her mind. We need that!
Moving with a speed usually reserved for heightened duels, she dashes up the stairs three at a time, skidding to a stop, wheeling around, and throwing her raised hand up as close to Onitora's face as she can reach.
"ONITORA! STOP! You will not use that throne as a weapon! Have you forgotten what it is for?"
Mamoru stops and unceremoniously drops the ridiculous chair, clearly angry about being stopped but saying nothing.
He only pauses a moment before going back downstairs to look for something else to use in the throne's place. One way or another that possessed wall was going to pay.
Mamoru drops the chair unceremoniously and looks at Mai. Suddenly, a raucous laughter fills the room, Hahahaha! What's the matter, the Mamoru can't outsmash the problem?.
Mamoru and Mai turn towards the sound of the voice and they see the Vanara-like Kami they had met earlier lounging dramatically on the chair, his long tail swishing contentedly in the air. He smirks at Mai, My, my Your Higness, this must be embarrassing for you indeed! Most of your boon companions running around like decapitated chickens and your bodyguard about to smash a priceless Tian treasure against a wall! Good thing I packed away these other promising companions for you, eh? No need to thank me, it's my job! Just make sure to throw me a few cups of sake once you get things up and running!
The Kami languorously waves his hand and a bright light shines in the room. Once the light fades, Mai and Mamoru spot some of their fellow students from the Monastery: Hiriko, Takeshi, Beylinda, and Alaren, all lying in a heap on the floor in various stages of disorientation.
Got to go now, Your Highness, tah-tah! the simian spirit says before promptly disappearing in a burst of cherry blossoms.
"Highness..." The word still seems to feel odd directed at her, but her uneasiness is replaced with surprise and a smile when she recognizes the faces of fellow students from the monastery.
There will be more than a few cups of sake for you, honored spirit...I will see to that.
As her companions regain consciousness, Seori takes a moment to recenter herself and pat out as much of the recent accumulations on her clothing as practical before stepping over to her reunited companions to begin helping them up.
Hiriko flounders in her robes and armor moving the brim of her large straw hat to see the mountainous Mamoru moving away in a hoff and the smiling Mai approach. As Hiriko attempts to recover her dignity and extract herself form the human dog pile.
Mai? Hiriko mumbles out bewildered as Mai approaches Hiriko's hand automatically stretches out in a silent request for help. A reaction come naturally to Hiriko after many sparring matches with Mai.
Mamoru huffs out a short breath and looks flatly at the pile of people. He recognized them from the monastery and he had no reason to distrust the Kami, so he was not concerned for the welfare of his charge from any of the newcomers.
He just didn't like the idea that potential enemies could be dumped at his feet at any time.
He waited for the inevitable social pleasantries to commence with a glance back at the offending wall. He'd break it when this was done. He was patient. Sometimes.
Takeshi felt woozy.
He didn't feel he had drunk too much, it had to have been something else. If only his memory could..
WAIT!
It must have been that thing, that said to hold on tight.
Where are we?
Takeshi tried to get back to his feet, a feat he manages to pull off despite many times losing balance. It would seem he had experience not falling over in a drunklike stagger.
Man, I don't like teleporting. Messes with your senses.
As soon as he stood firmly once more, he began checking if his clothers were still properly aligned, if his instrument hadn't been damaged (much more that it already was) and if Weeping Willow had not suffered anything from crashing to the floor. Only after being certain everything was fine did he notice he was not alone in the room, with a big figure hulking over him.
"Aaah, from that smell I must say Mamory is here. See the gods haven't been able to throw enough rain on you to give some leeway to my nose." he says smilingly, while patting the giant on the back.
He then turns to Mai, as he makes a grand bow with all the couresty he can muster.
"Ah, lady Mai, I am once more delighted to be in your company. Now, if you would be so kind, where exactly would this be? I would seem e have travelled quite a distance?"
Mamoru's eyes blazed and somehow he stood even more still. His nostrils flared in spite of himself. There was little that the towering Oni was not fastidious about. His body was freshly cleaned and anointed only yesterday. His silks were perfumed and his armor backed with sandalwood. The padding of his great helm was packed with dried wildflowers. Most importantly, he was not one of these sniveling soft-skinned wretches who perspired like a fountain at the meekest hint of danger. He smelled like nobility. He smelled like a predator born.
He smelled wonderful.
It was a point of pride. A matter of honor. He turned to look at the little wretch who had spoken so.
He leaned his polearm against the wall and put his hand on his sword.
"Apologize."
"Now."
Alaren is quick to gather his senses and slow to stand. His body felt sore, almost like he hadn't moved it in quite some time, and his eye sight was blurry and confused. He took a moment to simply relax, calming his muscles and closing his eyes to the odd things he was seeing. And then he stood, a confused expression crossing his features as he takes stock of the area and the people within. A castle. Fellow students of the Monastery, his juniors by a couple decades at least one and all, and Mamoru. What a curious gathering of people. He reaches down for his stuff, namely a small bag containing his equipment, a simple long bow the Monastery had gifted him some time ago, and a quiver with arrows. His ears twitched every so often, picking up on things to indistinct for him to sort out from the rest of the background noise but hearing it nonetheless.
When he was certain he was organized, he glances back to his fellow members of the Monastery, and Mamoru. With a polite bow he greets them all, bending at the waist and folding an arm over his chest and the small of his back. When he straightened there was an equally polite smile on his face, but little in the way of deference to his expression, and none in this sharp eyes that scanned each person curiously with a gleaming intellect. He saw fellow students in them, younger perhaps but no less or more. Upon looking at Mamoru his expression changed ever so slightly, becoming just a tad more wary, but the change was gone by the time he glanced at the next student.
"If I understand correctly, Sensei wishes us to aid you..." His ears twitch at the words of the others and he nods, finding their questions sound and grateful that someone from their group had the presence of mind to voice them. He only wished one had done so without insulting the very large, very dangerous swordsman spirit. "But I am with my companions in our confusion, though while they ask who and where I am honestly more curious about the why."
Sophia had received the summon and had therefore prepared accordingly, but when she got instantly teleported into pretty much the middle of. Actually she had no idea where she was.
Coming to her sense
What the frakk is going on, and where the frakk am i? she starts to look around the what she sees is no where familiar
The woman is rather tall and decently good looking. she show a partial tian physical ancestry, probably a grand-parent
and who the frakk are you? she says in a flawless tian noticing people around her.
Takeshi looked at the wounded pride of the large man with the large sword."Oh come on Mamoru, you know better than to take my words seriously. 't Is only banter, and what better a way for me to check if you were not just an illusion created by the very spinster that brought us here. For all we knew, you could have been someone completely different, with an intent to do us bodily harm."
He uses the smile that has won the hearts and minds of everyone, ever, as he continues
"But you are correct, I have to be careful of the things I say. Please accept my deepest apologies as I didn't mean to hurt your feelings in any way. Let there be peace between us, as always."
He stands in front of the large ogre, bending down to show he has no ill intent.
Mamoru lets go of his sword and picks up his polearm, ignoring the little man.
Seori waits for her companions to compose themselves a moment, helping everyone to their feet before explaining the situation.
"I imagine your journey since we parted has been as strange as ours, if not stranger, my friends; but we stand now in the Halls of Teikoku. The kami, including our jovial mutual acquaintance, have guided us here to rid the castle of the defilers that plague it, that we may reclaim it as our base of operations, and free the surrounding lands and their people from this desecration. It will only be the first step on a much longer journey, but for now, I hope it will be enough that we stand united against these oni."
She finishes with a slight bow, in respect and gratitude, before remembering a crucial detail, quickly turning as her voice seems to trail off into slight embarrassment.
"Oh. It also turns out I'm the...heir to the throne..."
"..."
Takeshi's mouth drops open, and he is unable to speak for a few seconds.
He quickly regains himself however, stepping forward towards her and falling to his knees.
"Had I known... Please forgive my rudeness, mi'lady. I have misjudged the situation I was in, the people in whose company I was, and my general position. I hope the princess can find it in her heart to forgive me..."
Takeshi will stay in the bend-over position until Seori speaks again, in quiet contemplation of what he did wrong, and how he could avoid to make such
He gets up slowly, taking the instrument from his back as he finds a seat to sit down on.
"I hope you will let me make it up to you with a song, some day... I would be honoured to play to the future queen of these lands."
He turns backs towards the giant: "And I have misjudged you twice it would seem. You are honourable, please accept my apologies again."
What the Frakk, Mai how did that happened? she says amused
What defilers are your refering to? she says immediatly going to business
Hiriko accepts Seori's hand up and sensing the tenseness of the moment offers only a light squeeze to her shoulder and a nod in thanks before allowing Seori to explain.
With Seori's explanation complete Hiriko's face turns to a frown with the implication of the news. Seori wouldn't lie about this but such a thing is amazing and dangerous to contemplate let alone speak of. It will place her, no all of us in danger. Thank you for explaining our situation. It seems we have work to do then. Lead on Seori I trust you. This must be such a hard transition for her but this is not the time to speak to her of it.
"T-Takeshi-san!" Seori's cheeks flush slightly at the sudden deference. "Please, You've no need to bow before me. I am no empress today. I merely want to make right what is wrong in our lands."
Seori begins to motion towards the upstairs room that was the most recent target of exploration as she continues to elaborate.
"Well, it would seem that my parents were but my assigned guardians; apparently I was taken from my...real parents...before their downfall, and the Jade Regent does not yet know of me."
She begins up the stairs, waving Mamoru up front, eyes alert for new surprises.
"The mischievous spirit who transported you here rescued us in a similar fashion, for the Oni were on the move already. We are to reclaim this palace first, as a beacon to those who would rise up against the regent. Then, it is likely we will travel in order to rouse the people and claim my apparent birthright, that we may challenge the regent and the Oni alike."
As the group reaches the next floor, Seori's thumb curls just under the hilt of her sword, ready to draw it in the space of a breath.
"As for the defilers, they will show themselves shortly, I am certain...one in particular is surely watching us even now."
He gets up slowly, taking the instrument from his back as he finds a seat to sit down on.
"I hope you will let me make it up to you with a song, some day... I would be honoured to play to the future queen of these lands."
He turns backs towards the giant: "And I have misjudged you twice it would seem. You are honourable, please accept my apologies again."
--
"I am not untrained in the arts of war, but don't be surprised if you hear me singing during the battle. It's an ancient magical way to focus my and your efforts when things get though.
I will attempt to strike at the hearts and minds with song and magic, and at their bodies with piercing arrows forged by my cousin Seline. I'm not particularly adept at fighting with swords and fists, so if you could keep those things away from me, I would be very grateful!"
During the walk the starts to take out his bow, and check if the strength of the string still matches its full potential.
He chucklingly says: "If the singing was not to your liking, be sure to tell me AFTER the fight. I can't handle criticism well when there is fighting going on."
As the group starts to ascend the stairs Hiriko allows her natural curiosity to take over and begins to question Seori. Seori the Simian spirit mentioned Smashing a wall. Have our enemies blocked our passage forward with a barrier of some sort? Also who are we facing as an enemy can you give a name to the defilers?
Takeshi listens.
What defilers are your refering to? she says immediatly going to business
Mamoru just grunts, keeping his attention fixed down the passageway toward the wall being discussed. He'd clearly heard the minstrel's apology. He didn't understand the need humans felt to be reassured by the party they had slighted after apologizing for their own errors. The fact that all his blood was currently on the inside should speak clearly to the apology's acceptance.
"Well, actually...less of a barrier and more of a deterrent...I presume the Yamabushi left it here to dissaude entry to the upper levels. The wall bleeds and screams, tearing fear straight from the mind. As for the defiler himself, we know one who calls himself Kikonu. He has eluded us once, I would prefer he not do so again."
Once the party nears the stop of the stairs, Seori holds up a hand to halt, and points toward the offending site. "Any closer and the effects will likely occur again. I'd rather no one was affected by such taint; if anyone has a solution, we may yet pass; otherwise, we will explore the rest of the castle."
"I have heard of something like this before. It is found in places where a great tragedy has occurred, like a scene of slaughter. Whatever it was, the event seeps into the structure of the area where it occurred, causing wounds to open mysteriously and those nearby to feel the horror and despair of the slain. I believe it is called a haunt."
He looks up, looking for anyone to say otherwise, before continuing.
"I don't suppose anyone here can channel divine white energy? I have heard that this can temporarily halt the phenomena, allowing us to pierce the doorway.
To completely stop it, you ask? Well, normally only the death of whoever, or whatever, caused the tragedy can disperse the spiritual energies from such a place."
He waits another second, thinking deeply if he knows anything more, before stepping back into his light tread and optimistic voice.
"Now, how about that? Anyone got any experience interrogating a wall?" he says jokingly.
---
Well, you're still in one piece Takeshi, so I guess the big one didn't quite resent you for that remark.
Perhaps it would be wiser though to keep the one with the giant meat cleaver on your good side though?
i have heard the same explanation. Good thing that i can do just that. Just point me in the direction as the range of a channel isn't that big. So let's put the F into frakk and lets gets the place cleaned up.
Being satisfied with the explanations provided Hiriko decides not to reiterate what others have already stated.
In what begins as a hesitant and careful voice Hiriko addresses her questions to Seori and Onitora turning questioning eyes to each as she speaks. This Kikonu you met would he appear to have a madness about him possibly speaking as if he was directing some twisted theater. If it is the creature I believe you met. He may have appeared as a man or as a mix of bird and man with at least some skill in martial combat. I fear we may face one of the Five Storms. A member of a coalition of Oni that work to control and use the nations of Tian Xia to feed their twisted hungers.
Taking on a conspiratorial tone Hiriko moves close to Seori and speaking at just above a whisper addresses her concern for Seori's safety. Your particular heritage would interest him greatly and we should guard against speaking of it further until we are certain of our surroundings.
Their ties to the supernatural provides them at least two powers that worries me one is the unique ability of stealing an individuals voice denying the use of magic that require speaking. This coupled with a supernatural hardiness makes them dangerous. They are able to recover from fatal wounds within moments. Their recovery can be stopped using fire or acid but otherwise they will rise again and again even from extreme measures such as decapitation. Hiriko voice takes on a thoughtful tone as she ponders other methods to defeat Kikonu.
Complete disintegration of the body as well as certain Necromancy's that can snuff the living spark from a creature may also be capable of destroying a Yamabushi but I believe such magics are well beyond us. I am sure that Kikonu has other abilities to call on but what they may be I can't say with certainty. More thought on the subject may bring something else useful to mind but for now I can think of nothing else of importance.
Seori nods in response to Hiriko's query, returning the whisper. Indeed. We observed his play as we entered the throne room. Gruesome, to say the least. However, his interest may be just the lure we need, once the time is right."
the new information worries Seori, but her features betray no fear in her composure. Glancing around at her companions, Sshe clasps her hands together in her kimono sleeves, looking off in no particular direction calmly; in truth, her thoughts are racing.
If he is one of the Thunders, then I am surprised we have not yet been flanked by the ones we've faced already in the throne room. They were quite dead, but we had neither fire nor acid to seal their fate. I do hope the others can provide such measures, or we may as well have struck a hornet's nest. Every one we fight wastes our strength unless we have the means to keep it dead. If we face too many, we will be overwhelmed in time, even if we outmatch each one. We must face them as separately as possible, and prevent their regeneration immediately. We must also make certain Kikonu himself does not join the battle until his ranks are thinned. He will certainly use his soldiers as shields; we must take those shields away before we face him.
As she ponders possible strategies, her eyes drift back to the haunted wall, and her voice takes on a new note of urgency, even as her expression remains unchanged.
"Everyone downstairs, now!"
As she herds the party back downstairs, she elaborates while keeping an eye for danger.
"It's almost certain Kikonu is the cause of that haunting. If we are flanked and pushed into this haunt by his forces, death is certain. We must keep moving; secure the surrounding rooms and give them no time to encircle us while we hunt. Come, quickly!"
Takeshi follows without hesitating.
Great leader voice. Great charisma!
Sophia will follow with due haste everyone