Machinations in the Dark

[Metsu]

A loud crunch sound echoed through the darkness of the cave. There was flickering of shadows, candles of unnatural colors in a circle around a seal on the ground, with a figure hunched over holding an apple in one hand and a long bone in the other. The end of the bone was wrapped in a cloth clearly torn from the figure’s clothes.

Metsu looked at the seal and took another bite of the apple, This looks like it will work, in theory. In the center of the seal, stood a crudely carved chair, well, throne really, surrounded by spirals of seals, all ending in a different chakra infused candle.

Jashin was still sending his agents after Metsu, and he had grown tired of killing them. They never take into consideration what I am doing either, so many ruined meals. He wasn’t concerned at the moment, the last agent had been killed miles away, and Metsu had spent most of his time traveling underground with extended use of Inner Earth Reflection Lure.

He hadn’t really messed with time much, as it was a volatile type of science, and the consequences really weren’t always worth it. Metsu would usually just do the normal thing of outliving his opponents, from his god given immortality. But Jashin had seemingly removed that immortality, and you can’t exactly outlive a god, so he figured maybe if he just spent one hundred years or so in suspension, Jashin might find something else to occupy his almighty mind.

Perhaps the rumours that the dragons have returned will turn out to be true, and he will return to war, and no longer have time for me. Walking slowly around the circle he had created, he pushed chakra to his eyes, activating his stolen Byakugan, checking on the energy flowing between the candles and seals, checking for imperfections.

He knew that he was simply delaying at this point. He was still dealing with the loss of his immortality, it had added a hesitation that Metsu was not used to. It’s like an infection. I hate that I have allowed myself this weakness. finishing the circle, he stepped inside. He could feel the Chakra thrumming, almost like it was alive and awaiting his action. Stepping carefully, Metsu walked to the throne and sat down.

Throwing what was left of the apple clear of the circle, he pushed chakra into the throne, fingers melding into the armrest, while black crackling needles stabbed into his back, up the spine in rows. Well, I guess this either works, or this is my final death. Jashin might be about to be very happy.

The candle flames leapt, burning brightly as they fed the chakra through the seals.The air surged with Chakra, thick with power and purpose. The light started to swirl, the throne and needles pulling the Chakra out of Metsu, an almost never ending thirst. As the Chakra Surge hit it’s apex, the complicated series of seals cracked, releasing Metsu’s various techniques, causing a silent boom. Riding the sound of the release, all the air in the cavern was sucked inwards to the throne, removing all the heat, flash freezing Metsu in place.

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Consciousness returned slowly to Metsu, as the final set of needles withdrew from his body. I take it the Chakra has run out then, if I am awake. I wonder how long it has been. Water dripped from his form, his clothes soaked, and various puddles smearing the seals on the ground. Well, I guess when I decided to try using an icy void to protect me, I should have figured that water would be a factor.

Standing up, he could feel the fatigue in his legs, and slowly went through some handseals, using a basic medical technique to wash away the fatigue, and closing the wounds in his back. Standing up straight, he noticed something that immediately soured his mood. That right there, is my half eaten apple. Bending over, he picked up the withered and rotten husk of his apple, which looked like it had been there for about six months at most. Well, Plan A failed, time to figure out something new.

Word Count: 746

OOC: Topic entered and exited. I’m back.

 

[Metsu]

Dust shifted as Metsu slowly regained consciousness. As his senses returned, he became aware of the cold, hard surface beneath him. His movements were slowed by his prolonged suspended state, sending particles drifting lazily through the dark cavern.

Pushing himself upright, Metsu felt the stiffness in his limbs, A souvenir to the time that has passed, this is more promising than last time. He pushed Chakra into his eyes, his stolen Byukagun causing the black of his pupils to expand, filling up his eyes. Looking around, his eyes revealed the remnants of his previous experiment—the dust covered throne, and the extinguished candles, their wax hardened and cold.

He had technically killed himself, and left a creation of his, a new type of seal, with just a trickle of chakra in it to trigger all the other seals he had embedded in his flesh. The seals created a circuit that was killing and reanimating his body over and over again. He had modelled it on a old ninja scroll he had found written by a Missing-nin from Konoha of all places.

Massaging his limbs as he stood up off of the slab, he could feel something different. There was a flicker of warmth pulsing through his veins, subtle at first, then growing in intensity. He inhaled sharply, he recognised this power. Surely not, Lord Jashin would not have forgiven me, how do I have access to his divinity again?

The realization sent a shiver down his spine, this was far beyond what he had hoped could happen. His experiment had been a complete success. He flexed his fingers, chakra dancing between them, pressing them against his arms, feeling the faint hum of energy beneath his skin. It wasn’t quite as strong as it had been before Jashin stripped him of his immortality, but it was there. A spark. A fragment of the blessing he had once wielded.

A slow smirk crept across his face. Jashin’s power is overflowing. I can actually sense it in the air. Something has changed during my slumber. My attempt to escape Jashin's relentless pursuit has failed, but this? This is progress. If Metsu could steal back even a sliver of the god’s power, then he could take more. He could rebuild what had been taken from him, build from it even.

Metsu brushed the dust from his clothes and surveyed the rest of the cavern. The seals he had meticulously crafted were now obscured, their power dissipated, but it didn’t matter. He had learned something valuable and was already forming a new plan, perhaps even a different approach, but for the first time in a long while, he felt hope stirring within him. He had lived for over 8 centuries now, he had actually lost count.

Walking to the wall, he pushed his hand through the false rock to grab his hidden pack of clothes. His current attire was tattered and falling apart from the years of his slumber. I believe I am in Wind Country. Sunagakure no Sato has a great library, or at least had one, I should pay them a visit to see if they have anything of use to me. As he dressed he made plans, and realised an immediate issue. He had not actually set up any contingencies for his cults, or villages he had founded. He hadn’t cared enough about them in his war for survival against Jashin. Sunagakure first, then I will have to see what resources I have left. Or I can just rebuild again, the one thing I have in abundance is time.

Making his way outside, he walked until he reached a wide enough area of sand for his work. He didn’t actually need sand, anything with mass would work. He thought back to his younger days, on mind lingering on his queen. She had been a pure vision of elegance, her curves sculpted with purpose, each line flowing seamlessly into the next. The way she moved, both graceful and commanding had demanded attention, her presence stirred both admiration and longing.

Pushing Chakra through himself and into the ground, a seal started to form. His chakra giving form to the shapes in his mind. There was a quiet strength about her, a promise of adventure hidden beneath her smooth, unyielding surface. She had been built for the wild, and she would be again. Beneath her beauty lay power, waiting to be unleashed, the kind that could carry you beyond the reach of ordinary men. Bright light flashed as his chakra finished the seal on the ground and he leapt into the air, gracefully joining her.

And then she finally stirred, sails unfurled in the desert wind, her bow cutting through the sand waves with effortless ease, there was no denying it, she was meant to rule the seas. I don’t know how long she will last going through sand instead of water, but I guess we will see. Sunagakure waits.

Word Count: 825

Theme

OOC: Topic entered and exited again.