Shigerumi: Part 1 - Betrayal of Fate

Trek Asylum

Trek Asylum

Junior Member

Shigerumi: Part 1 - Betrayal of Fate





MUST READ RULES


1. No god-modding.


2. No randomly teleporting across the RP. Be realistic please.


3. Only a max of TWO Uryoman at one time in the RP allowed. (I will re-color this black when this rule is in effect.)


4.No limit to human and Akuryo characters.


5. Only THREE Akuryo characters can be allied with the humans. (I will re-color this black when this rule is in effect.)


6. Only TWO human characters can be allied with the Akuryo. (I will re-color this black when this rule is in effect.)


7. Inactivity over 10 days = character Death unless RP creator is notified.


8. Be respectful to other RPers and no arguing with them. If there's a problem, let me know and we'll sort it out.


9. Each character can only have THREE total Inherent Baiji. No character can start off with Acquired Baiji; if you want it, you need to earn it.


10. No one can post in the RP thread unless their character has been approved by myself.


11. Any questions at all, contact me via PM.


12. HAVE FUN!


INFORMATION THREAD: http://www.rpnation.com/showthread.php/1518-Shigerumi-Information-Thread?p=31359#post31359


SIGN-UP THREAD: http://www.rpnation.com/showthread.php/1519-Shigerumi-Sign-Up?p=31375#post31375





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~~~12 years ago~~~


:: A young, red-headed boy - with mysterious demon eyes - fell to the ground in exhaustion, sweating profusely - dropping his sword in the process. He was training all day with Mr. Kenzou, his foster-father, the weight of swinging the sword tiring him out quickly. He should have been used to it by now after training in swordsmanship for so many years, but he had a dreadful disease that hindered an active life. He laid there in the oasis of beauty, staring up at a clear sky. The sun shone down on his face, highlighting his young features. Everything changed when they came... the Akuryo; but the sky, as well as this Garden, remained the same. He knew the sky would forever stay the same, but what of the Garden? It wouldn't be long now when the samurai would have to pull back out of Makomi and return to Komako due to the overbearing power of the Akuryo. They didn't stand a chance against them if it was a long battle, and it was just that. Soon the Akuryo would chase them through the Garden, destroying all beauty in sight. Suddenly, the shining sun diminished over the red-head's face as a middle-aged man with graying hair stood over him, extending his hand down. ::


"Daydreaming again, I see.", the man said, deep in thought himself as the boy grabbed his hand and was pulled back to his feet.


"Is the Garden going to be here forever? It won't change, right? I don't want it to change! I don't want anything to change...", the boy cried, a look of fear and despair creeping on his face. He glanced around, staring at all of the exotic flowers and trees.


"If Life so desires it, then all will be fine. If not.... if Life.. takes on a path you don't agree with, then you can change it, my boy. You have the power to carve out the life that you desire. Aim high for what you wish.", replied Mr. Kenzou, reassuring the boy.


:: Looking back out toward the sky, birds flying above, the boy nodded. He understood, even at such a young age, that life isn't easy; and his disease proved it more times than he could count. The beauty in life is that you always have a choice, though. It's all about never giving in, and going straight for what you want; it would be a sin to do otherwise. He started to feel more at ease now, Mr. Kenzou's words now etched inside his mind forever. ::


"Really? Can I really protect this place?", the boy asked, looking back into Mr. Kenzou's dark eyes.


"Yes. If that's what you want. You have the power to choose.", replied Mr. Kenzou.


"I will. I'll do it, Mr. Kenzou.", the boy said, determined. "I'll protect it."


"Pick up your sword, Isamu.", Mr. Kenzou murmured, the faint sign of a smile appearing.


~~Present Day, Garden of Anshin~~


:: Isamu looked around, a sullen look spreading across his face. The Garden of Anshin is the space between Makomi and Komako, seperating them from each other. In order to get to one from the other, you have to pass through the Garden - well, what's left of it. The earth beneath Isamu's feet is as black as ever; and it was stained scarlett with blood from countless victims. The flowers are charred and decaying, and the trees rotted out and toppled over. Distant fires all around the Garden could be spotted, remnants of the previous battle between monster and samurai. This certainly wasn't the sight Isamu had planned to fight for. It was like a dream or a wish torn to shreds by the despair of some horrible monster you only see in your nightmares; only... the nightmare is real. ::


"I fear I was a few years too late, Kenzou...", Isamu said silently to himself. He looked up to the sky, not quite able to shake this feeling of a great loss. The birds were no longer flying, yet the sky remained the same. It was ironic, really. The one thing out of their reach, but they succeeded in scaring away the animals. Isamu closed his eyes, knowing this weight wouldn't leave him; but yet, he smiled.


"There's still something left to fight for. Peace rediscovered... Beauty reborn. There's nothing in life that can't be repaired.", he said hopefully.


:: Suddenly, he started coughing up blood, quickly placing his hand over his mouth. A deep pain started to form in his throat and chest, making it slightly harder to breathe. It happens a few times each day, where his tuberculosis started to act up; but it always happened more so after a battle. Isamu glanced behind him, the dead bodies of several Akuryo lying about. They had planned a secret assault on Hiroko, but Isamu caught wind of it at the last second and hurried to dispatch the group. He didn't have time to even gather back-up, which was risky; but he's been in several life-or-death situations with the Akuryo to be used to it by now. Isamu took out a cloth and wiped the blood off of his mouth and hands, then looked over east. ::


"It's time to go home.", he muttered, before taking off in the direction to Komako's capital, Naoko. The horse he had fled when it laid eyes upon the Akuryo, so he had to walk back to Komako. He assumed that it would take him two days to get back to Naoko, enough time to make it back in time for the meeting. He was sure that they were planning an assault, but the Akuryo probably already knew, especially since they have spies in Komako. Isamu sighed, disliking himself for being a little selfish, but desired a long rest. Rest he probably deserved more than anyone.
 
Hooves trampling the dark and burnt soil of The Garden, Sakazuragi Renho rode onwards. Seemingly on a neverending chase to catch the horizon, but that wasn't the case. He was part of a small organization of patriotic nationalists who deemed themselves the last line of defense against the Akuryo. The entire group was filled with people who had more brawn than brain, but that didn't bother Renho for it was their spirit that held importance to them. Men and women who still live, still have a heart that beat, a spine that's straight and an unbroken will. He wasn't their leader, and neither did he desire to. In fact, according to many of the group he wasn't even part of it, but a freelancer, a loose cannon. He was a "freelancer" because he only went on missions and did things that had a reason, motive and appropriate consequence.


The mission he was on right now was such a thing, a mission worthy of being done. He wouldn't get paid by it, not in monetary value anyway, but the information that he will gain...was priceless. He had heard rumors in the hide-out, about a man who knew of the Cube's location. That, was something that needed to be checked out according to Renho. The ability to locate the Cube, the method of gaining inmeasurable power in order to defeat the Asuryo, was beyond value.


Apparently the knowledge was being kept by a recluse group of people, living in the Garden. Whether they would co-operate or not, was to be seen. Renho had been blessed by two items enchanted by the power of Baiji, only thanks to his mentor. But his mentor had never told him the secret of the power behind the items, even more so, everytime he spoke of it...It was like his mentor seemed to know something about Renho that he himself, did not.


Striding on through the charred land, Renho came across a silhouette in the distance. It didn't look like the outlining of an Akuryo, so he rode towards it to see what this person was doing all the way out in the wasteland. Disbelief could be read on Renho's face as he halted mere steps away from the "man".


This was no man, this was Takeshi Isamu, The Uryoman Senator...
 
:: As Isamu continued his trek back home, he wondered if he really was on the right path to bring peace back to Shigerumi. True, his motives were just... but joining the Senators? Did he really have to gain power in such a way in order to change things? The group was already shady, as well. Unclear motives from all of it's members - save for maybe Atsu, Isamu's closest friend. But a certain dark atmosphere surrounded the group somewhat; but maybe that's just the blood stained on their hands from the countless Akuryo victims they've spawned. Isamu shook his head, whatever happened he would have been led to the same destination. He has to go through the Senators before he can advance any further. Suddenly, the sound of a horse getting closer to him appeared; and after a few short seconds an older man was next to him. Isamu looked at the man and immediately gathered that he was a warrior of sorts. The man's attire and weapons certainly gave off that impression, but there was a certain way he held himself that made Isamu come to this conclusion. ::


A wanderer? Isamu thought to himself. This far out..? I can't tell if he's a human or not due to the armor... Maybe a stray looter, created from the flames of war itself.


Isamu bowed his head at the man, acknowledging his appearance. He kept his left hand close by the hilt of Sukarettosodo, just in case of a surprise attack. "How do you do? You aren't lost, are you?", Isamu called to him kindly, but was still being cautious, surveying him behind his black and white eyes.
 
Renho bowed his head respectfully for a brief moment, before glancing a quick smirk in the direction of the Uryoman, one that disappeared too fast to be considered a genuine smile. Steadying his horse who was getting weary of standing still for so long in this dangerous territory, Renho replied:


" No, Senator, I am not. " Emphasizing on the word "I"


Renho unintentionally ignored Isamo's other question about how he was fairing, the encounter had blindsided him and he was too caught up in knowing why a Senator would be on this land, so far from civilization.


" You must be tired, can I lend you a hand, or my horse for that matter? "


Renho's question had different motives, one was to see if Isamu would let him in on whatever he was doing out here, and the other was to get in the Senator's good will by aiding him. Afterall, Renho isn't a kind enough man to go out of his way for others without personal benefit.
 
This is no mere wanderer, I must be careful. He doesn't sound too happy about being face-to-face with a Senator. Isamu thought. He smiled at the man before shaking his head. Traveling back to Naoko by foot would prove tedious, but he had to take his chances. The man before him seemed quite adept at deceiving people.


"No, thank you. Keep your horse for yourself, please - I'm sure you have more need of it than I do.", Isamu replied kindly. "Do you need help with anything?"


:: Isamu was acting normally, being kind to the traveler; but he knew the man was after something. He feared that the man was quite dangerous, and that perhaps it was a good idea to keep watch on him for a little while. Or maybe it was a good idea to get as far away as he could, starting a small fit of coughs, blood trickling out slowly. His tuberculosis was acting up again. This could could more dangerous any second. ::
 
With a stoic face, Renho listened to Isamu's reply, a rejection of his offer. ' This Uryoman is wiser than I gave him credit for. ' Renho put on a stern face and responded to Isamu's question if he could help him with something.


Renho's mind was going in overdrive and he was outweighing the pro's and con's of telling the Senator of what he was after. In the end, he felt the benefit outweighed the risk and so he said:


" Yes, actually, I'm after a group of people who live here somewhere in the Garden. They hold the knowledge about the Cube's whereabouts...I find it beneficial to have that information aswell, for me ... and all warriors risking their lives for the sake of this planet, dimension, specis, whatever you want to call it. "


" Will you aide me? "





Renho was no fool, he knew that if the Senator was to reject this request, it would come to a deathmatch. For the time being, nobody who opposed the idea of him gaining that knowledge...should be left alive. He would like to avoid that, considering his opponent was an Uryoman. Without showing a sign about this, he awaited Isamu's reply.
 
Erakus was in the Garden,as well. It was the front line in the war,and it was his job as a soldier to push the invaders back. Recently,the detachment had caught wind of a skirmish,and he was sent to investigate. Erakus followed the tracks of what appeared to be a small squad of Akuryo,and found their corpses. "Well,well...Looks like the enemy lost...But who defeated them,I wonder...?" After a brief investigation of the corpses,he noted several deep cuts on each of them,all in lethal zones. He looked around,and saw three sets of tracks;one set of horse tracks,inbound and outgoing,another set of horse tracks,passing,and a set of human tracks,outgoing,but never arriving.


"Someone's horse got spooked..." Erakus followed the human tracks,and quickly came upon two shapes in the distance. One was a man,on foot,the other was a man on horseback. Erakus moved forward until he could clearly make out the two figures. He didn't recognise the horseman,but the man on foot he instantly recognized as none other than Senator Takeshi Isamu. He moved to put the horseman between himself and the Senator,and then moved towards them,leading with Baijibane,and with Dragonsreach ready to strike forward,hust in case. By now,his clanking armour should be audiable to the others.


The Senators never keep the company of strangers...
 
"I see.", replied Isamu, taking out his cloth so he could wipe the blood away from his mouth. "Takuetsu Shita...? I'm sorry, I can't help you."


:: Isamu looked north, up along the Garden's landscape, heaving a low sigh. The truth is, Isamu knew exactly what the man was speaking of, but he had already passed the camp that the group of people he was looking for had lived. Unfortunately they were all dead, meeting their fate by the same Akuryo Isamu had dispatched earlier. Looking back to the man, he understood his position and decided to tell the man about the fallen group of people. It would help to avoid unnecessary fighting; but he wasn't sure whether to tell the man everything he knew. ::


"The people you're looking for are dead. Killed by a group of Akuryo I've already dispatched. I've already buried their bodies beneath the soil of Anshin.", Isamu said to the man, slight anguish forming on his face; but there was hope still. "However... you're in luck. Somewhat, at least. The exact location is unknown, but I know the town it's supposed to reside in.


:: Isamu surveyed the man, his demonic eyes leaving every hint of caution now. This man is after Takuetsu Shita's power - supposedly to defeat the Akuryo. Isamu wasn't quite sure if he could trust the man - if that's what he really was - or not though. Suddenly, before they could say anything else to each other, the clanking of armor could be heard in the distance. Looking over the mysterious horseman's shoulder, another man could be seen in clear sight now. ::


Another one? Are they together, I wonder...? Isamu thought to himself. Pointing a finger out toward the new figure, he looked at the horseman and asked, "Do you know that man?"
 
At the mention of the targeted group's demise at the hands of the Akuryo made Renho's fists tighten around the horse's reigns.


" Curse those creatures, that band must have known too much for their own good. Foolish to try and hide when the Akuryo are after you. If only...Wisdom comes at the hands of misfortuzne...Shame that it only came moments before their death though. "


Renho's words held no warm tone of voice nor empathy, he mourned the loss of knowledge, not of foolish pawns in the game of life.


" What d---- " Suddenly he heard a distant noise approaching, heavy stomps and metallic clanking resonated over the land, for a moment Renho thought an Akuryo had followed the path to its death, but it was a human. A soldier from the looks of it, heavily armored and ready for combat. Renho deducted from the facts that they were the only ones present and the other person was a Senator, that the soldier was acting hostile against him personally.


" No, I do not know him. " He said as he steered the horse around to face the soldier.


" Tell your fodder to stand down, Senator, or do we have human lives to spare that we can throw them away so carelessly? "
 
Isamu nodded. "I see. A Komako soldier. Set your weapons down, there is no need for fighting here.", he called out to the newcomer. What he was doing here though was a mystery. There was no assault taking place, it hadn't even been decided on by Gomakashi - leader of Komako - yet. The meeting that would decide the next assault doesn't take place for another three days, so what was this stray soldier doing all the way in Anshin? Isamu sighed; he still had to worry about this horseman too, who's allegiance is still a bit of a mystery.


"What are you doing all the way out here?", Isamu asked the newcomer. "An assault hasn't been decided on yet. Are you with a group?"


:: Isamu was still keeping one eye on the horseman, wondering what he would do now that he knows the information he desires will be harder to get. ::
 
Erakus straightened himself into attention,and replied. "My detachment is here as an outpost,my Senator. We are to keep an eye on the enemy's movements and gather as much intelligence as we can. We heard of a skirmish. I was sent to investigate." He moved around the duo in a wide circle,and placed himself beside Isamu. He held Dragonsreach verticaly,and glared at the horseman. "Who's this? He looks to be a scavenger." He adjusted his grip on Dragonsreach,causing the weapon to shift slightly,and the large,eternally sharp blade caught the light. It looked like it could easily decapitate even an armoured horse,and impale a heavily armoured soldier. "I dislike those who take what isn't theirs."
 
Renho smirked. The situation was turning sour, fast. Not only did his mission fail relatively hard considering the target is ...already... dead. But now he is in the company of a Senator, who was passive-agressive towards him and one of his lapdogs. Granted, it was a heavily armored one, but his attire was hardly fit for combat on foot. Renho gave the soldier a look that spoke what he taught of him...Someone to be pitied.


" I'm here on a mission, rather than scouting the area for beings you wouldn't be able to catch ... or defeat ... in your present state. Now, if you would be so kind as to leave us be. We're actually discussing something important, rather than doing mundane things. "


Renho could say more, but he felt it was unwise to speak too openly on how he felt about the military in the presence of a Senator.
 
Erakus glared at the man from under his masqued helm. "I'll remain. You are an unconfirmed individual of unconfirmed aliegances,and therefore I'm honourbound to remain as a temporary honour guard to the Senator. And as to my attire...The armour can easily turn away blows from nearly any weapon,my aegis can nullify Baiji and by polearm was specially designed to strike from afar with one arm,with devestating effect." He placed himself in between the Senator and the horseman,but still allowed the Senator a somewhat clear view of the horseman. Erakus summarized simply, "Your assumptions are ill founded."
 
Renho smirked.


" I see simple words and statements are too complex for you without further explanation. Seeing as how I'm not one of your "superiors", I won't bother discussing it further. If you want, I'll show you the advantage of mobility and skill over tools. "


As he spoke, Renho climbed off his horse with ease. His leather boots and attire matched the deepbrown, charred soil. Facing the soldier, Renho stood in a position that signified he was ready to have a spar. With one arm bent and close to his chest, rapier pointing upwards and the other arm positioned behind his back, he stood ready in side-ways position.


" Ready when you are. "
 
Erakus stepped so that the Senator was well out of potential danger from their sparring. He assumed a wide stance,one foot in front of the other,toes pointed to his opponent,with a slight forward lean. Baijibane blocked a huge amount of his body. With slightly bent knees,the shield was a mere inch from the ground,and the top of his head wasn't visible above the shield. He peered around the shield,with Dragonsreach held in his left hand,supported by the crook of his elbow,clamped in the armpit. "First blood or yield,whichever first. Agreed?"
 
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