Poker and Puppets [Duel Contract Search]

[Ryu Hime]

Hakuren begins to see her fears become clear to her as she begins to have a vision of them. With in her minds eye she sees an event unfolding. It was the dead of night and the village was silent for the most part. Hakuren strolls through the streets heading towards the Obsidian Palace. A full moon lights her way. ‘I know this memory. It was quite the traumatic experience.’ There were a few people still up and about while most were asleep. One scene catches her eyes; a girl was surrounded by men. She had pale skin, white hair and eyes the color of crimson. Tears roll down her cheek as she was trapped with her back against the wall. The men going after her looked to be religious folk. ‘This is the day I was turned into the vampire,’ she tells herself but something still felt off. She takes care of the monks by trapping them in various illusions and attempts to rescue the girl. However when she got a good look at the girl being attacked, it was not the vampire that turn her; it was Hakuren herself. Upon realizing this was not a memory, the perspective changes. Hakuren suddenly sees the scene through her own eyes and the person she was watching the event before was not her, but her older sister, Ai. ‘No, no’ Hakuren lunges at Ai like a feral wolf biting hard into her neck and Hakuren’s fangs sink into Ai's. This is Hakuren’s true fear and like Tatumas her fear was not for her own survival. She feared what she might end up doing to her loved ones.

“You are concerned for your survival and the survival of other, but you must surrender those fears. Let your fears flow down the creek.” With a deep breath Hakuren let’s her fears go. When both of them are ready the woman would continue to the next chakra. “Next is the Svadhishthana is placed in genital region.” Due to Hakuren being naked, Tatamus would see a six-petaled lotus and within the lotus is a crescent moon. “It deals with pleasure and is blocked by guilt. Now look at all the guilt that burdens you so. What do you blame yourself for?”


(Oops, forgot to color other persons text in previous post.)

 

[Midori Futotta]

With a confident smirk, the rogue placed the black pearl on the table and the money that he was betting. Those glasses must not be all that powerful since this guy seemingly didn't care if he lost them or not. Not to mention Pandora wouldn't be alone in his ever growing collection of mystical items. However, when his temporal mistress began to take two steps back the rouge gave a glance up wondering where she was going. “Huh?” He said and when he looked at her she seemingly had broken into a cold sweat as she backed away. “Hey pumpkin, what's wrong?” He asked, following her gaze that lead to… the glasses. Why was she afraid of them? They couldn't be all that bad, perhaps the item was cursed but they could be all bad. Looking at the Danudee, even the glasses seemingly didn't have any effect on him so they weren't that scary. Or so Maru thought... However, it seemed a bit fishy that he wasn't seeing some possible outcomes but he decided to roll with it since he barely used Pandora's powers the last time

The energy coursing through his electric chair, the atmosphere seemingly changed somewhat but Maru had high hopes that he would be fine. When he looked at the cards in his hand, he realized that they weren't playing poker anymore but this was high stakes blackjack and he looked across from him to see that Danudee had 19! Maru only had 12 which meant if he didn't get a 20 or a 21 he wouldn't win so he had no choice but to hit. “Mhm Hit me.” He said, keeping his cool so he didn't seem all that worry. He needed a 9 or a 8 to beat Danudee hand or this guy was stupid enough to hit then if he got more than a 3 then he would lose. But then again depending on how things would go, or if there was any special rules involved all is riding on what was the next card he would draw next.

 

[Toraono Kuro]

Dark chakra covered their nether regions as they began to float even while seated in a meditative position. Tatumas let his mind be free and the barbed chain that pierced his body earlier transformed into brilliant emerald wings of strange chakra. Above them in a chamber hidden from everyone's sight except Danudee the princess's soul began to separate from her doll form. Guilt weighed upon Tatumas heavily he had sacrificed people that could have become his friends if he had let them. Tatumas had sacrificed them all twelve of the Princess's friends and guardians for a love that seemed to only exist in his own mind. Sweat and tears poured down his face as the feeling of getting kicked in the nards five hundred times swept over him. After the pain and vertigo passed Tatumas found himself looking at their bodies locked in time trapped in inanimate forms. One by one their souls were released from the curse as their true bodies returned to pristine conditions in the chambers they had passed away. Tatumas's long black hair turned grey but kept its thickness and soft texture. He still looked beautiful in his own wiry masculine way but instead of a fantasy boy he looked like a youthful in skin but all fired desert nomad of old. Runic markings of defiance etched his flesh as he became more and more like a desert nomad and less like a poster child for fantasy magi.

Each death marked his body with different runes as he accepted the guilt he had harbored for centuries.


Pandora found herself behind Maru feeling afraid again for the first time in centuries. The Princess's guardian turned traitor had always been a cruel and tactical man but just as she thought she would have to face the assassin she felt her soul falling away and disappeared from Maru's side to find herself inside of a warm pitch black chamber surrounded by dresses, silks, and gems. It was her old room where she had died from asphyxiation but the window was open and despite the darkness she found she could faintly feel the air something was definitely happening. She felt her connection to Maru but she could no longer manifest at his side. She wanted to be with Maru and it made her ache that she could not directly see him.

Danudee had noticed a beautiful little girl sitting inside of a glass chamber but he had not noticed no one else could see it. After Pandora disappeared Danudee's magic shades began to crack. With an earnest feeling of good fortune Danudee took the shades back and put them on causing them to revert to pristine condition and much to the chagrin of the assassin soul within them forced him to be restrained and service Danudee with a tactical analysis of everything going on around him. With a happy grin Danudee said "HIT ME TOO!!"<i></i>

The chamber shook with their actions and everyone thought it was their actions that caused the entire gambling temple to shudder as Maru received a 9 of hearts and Danudee received a 2 of clubs as they both hit 21 causing a draw. The stakes were rising as people made more bets against Maru despite his initial luck everyone knew Danudee never lost. He was a sure thing. Strange chakras began to reverb around Danudee and Maru as their match continued.

The dealer was completely flabbergasted as she pulled four new cards after DISCARDING the cards that had been used. Danudee was given a Six and a Face down card. Maru was given an Ace and a face down card. With Pandora's powers all but gone he would have to play by wit and skill alone outside of the butler immortality.

 

[Ryu Hime]

Hakuren recall’s the time she first became an anbu. Hakuren was glad to have made it into the anbu and her expression likely mirrored Roku’s under his mask. Hakuren kneels in front of the man as she gives an oath of loyalty. ‘With your acceptance my duty begins. It shall not end until my death. I shall live and die at my post. I am the sword in the darkness. I am the watcher on the walls. I am the shield that guards the realms of men. I pledge my life and honor to the Anbu, for this night and all the nights to come.’ Hakuren likes the poetic-ness of the pledge for it describes the Anbu so well. The swords are the hunters that track down traitors and bring them to justice. The watchers are the sentinel that guard the gates. The shields are the obsidian guards who protect an individual with their lives.

She betrayed the Anbu in joining the MIroku clan a performing deeds unfit for her possession. She betrays the Miroku clan by changing to a different clan so that she could raise the political power of her family. Hakuren was an oath breaker and these broken promises are the chains she bares. “Accept the reality that these things happen, but do not let them cloud and poison your energy. You need to forgive yourself.” Hakuren gives a nod and the old woman continues. “Third is the Manipura which is located in the stomach.” An ten petal lotus with a triangle in the center could be seen just above Hakuren’s belly button. “This chakra deals with willpower and is blocked by shame. What are you ashamed of? What are your biggest disappointment in yourself?”

 

[Midori Futotta]

‘Eh?!’ the rogue gasped in history as Pandora who was once by his side began to disappear, she was his little good luck charm not to mention her whole perception of time was rather useful and to have that just disappear without so much as a reason why was a bit.. hastey. At least he have his black pearl butlers immortality to aid him for now, the rogue watched as the shades that the Danudee had betted began to crack and the rogue was having second thoughts about actually keeping those shades. Looking down at the cards in his hands, then looking at the Danudee to make his decision the rogue one was now that in this get he wouldn't have the comfort of his female companion at his side holding his hand like she did in the last match, for right now he had to rely on his wits, tricks, and his dark immortality.

The man before Maru had placed on the shades that restored themselves as good as new on his face then called out that he wanted a hit too. The rogue smirked, believing that the guy was throwing the game since no one is lucky enough to draw a 2 or a 1 so he thought he had this hand in the bag. The ground below them began to shake, the dealer giving him the card that he needed which was a nine making him hit 21! His face lit up with glee, opening his mouth to look down at the cards then back up at the man then suddenly looked down again to see that the guy had drew the freaking 2 that he needed thus making this round a tie then the rogues face turned sour when he saw this. It was alright since neither won nor lost so no one had to get zapped yet but still he didn't think the guy would actually get the 2 he needed. Lady Luck was smiling down at both of them but she would have to decide on a winner at some point, and Maru could just pray that he would be the winner.

Since it was a tie, the dealer had to deal the two in a new hand. The Danudee got a six along with a face down. Maru got a lucky Ace and a facedown! Not being too sure, he knew in some cases Aces can be an 11 or a 1 depending on which helps the hand the most, he gets a 10 then he would have 21 easily and that's blackjack for him! He could only hope that the card he had facedown was at least a 10 so he could go for the instant win. “You know, if things keep shaking up like this I think the whole roof might come down.” He joked, putting his gloved hand on his face down. “Don't know if it's the game or what but let's see what you got.” The rogue flipped his card. Was it the 10 he wanted?!

 

[Toraono Kuro]

Tatumas's greatest shame was having let down his father and his tribe. He had given up his tribe's legacy and his natural inheritance taking on the power of Jashin to fulfill the lies of a misguided, spoiled princess. True... she was everything he ever wanted in a girl but hundreds of years of suffering gave him unique perspective on life and what was really necessary. Gamblers and crooks were all Tatumas would allow to feed Jashin's needs through him. His father had ingrained a distinct dislike for gamblers and thieves in Tatumas which was the sole reason he would only allow such individuals to be sacrifices. Tatumas had carefully preserved the bodies of his original 12 victims all except the 13th body of the family guardian whom was secretly an assassin for a rival royal bloodline. Tatumas had desecrated the assassin's corpse in the most violent, unrecoverable manner that the book of Jashin had within its pages along with his own imagination adding several extra steps. It was this act that truly bound Tatumas's body and soul with Jashin's power. Jashin toyed with his suffering, he warred with Tatumas's eternal will but now with Hakuren's guidance Jashin's power would soon be free. A black spear lanced clean through Tatumas's belly but instead of gore, blood, and organs, a miasma of black energy shot forth filling the chamber with so much power that the temple began to shake and rumble more. Tatumas regretted sacrificing the assassin without properly giving the assassin his last rites. Because of Tatumas killing the man with malice and even going further by desecrating his corpse he had created a spiritual malice so powerful that only those of equal good-will or greater could counter his malice. Disappointment flared within him and the black power spiralled about until the temple walls revealed crystalline lines of power and runes shimmered about the entire temple.


Danudee flipped his card over for a 10 of hearts which made Danudee a lucky man now all he needed was a 5. Maru's card was flipped over by the rumbling of the temple as the chamber took on an eerie light. Maru's card was a 5 of clubs. Since the building was shaking with their every hand the dealer stumbled and fell as she placed 2 more cards face down before the both of them. The other gamblers scrambled to get a better look as they waited to see what these two men would do next.

It seemed they both needed a 5 of some kind.

 

[Ryu Hime]

Guilt and shame are often confused with each other to the point that some consider them synonyms. However in this exercise there is a clear difference. Guilt is something one forgives, but shame is not forgiven, because there is nothing to forgive. One is guilty for what they have done, but they are ashamed of what they are. Hakuren’s shame is quite obvious as she has many physical disabilities. She has little to no strength, is prone to fainting and is blind. Often she regrets her own body and calling it not but a vessel for her soul to inhabit. “You cannot find balance if you deny this part of your life.” As the room fills with thick miasma, hakuren was having trouble breathing, but she must hold out and go on. “Next is the Anahata. It is located in the heart. It deals with love and is blocked by grief. Lay all your grief out in front of you.”

(ooc: Okay guys not to much more. Just 3 more to go. My inspiration is wearing thin.)

 

[Midori Futotta]

Well a five wasn't bad at all, though this guy was killing him since he they both came at a draw again. All the two needed was a five of some kind and because of the rumble the dealer was stumbling all over the place as she placed another card in front of the two gamblers. The rogue shuffled the cards in his hands nervously, looking around wondering where this weird rumbling was coming from, it was pretty illogical but it kinda helped eased his nerves a bit. With all the rumble going on the rogue assumed that it was some weird power coming from the man in front of him, but honestly this guy didn't look to have any special properties about him besides the jolt of holy chakra he had but he couldn't rule it out. It was simple, all he needed was a five of some kind then he would win but he wouldn't be surprised if the they would magically end up tying again. The rogue placed his hand on the face down card in front of him. “Alright, three times the charm.” The rogue said, keeping a smile on his face before flipping over the face down card to see what he had!...

Was it a five? He sure hoped it was a five!

 

[Toraono Kuro]

Tatumas breathed lightly, It had been a long time since he had actually needed to breathe yet all of a sudden he felt the need to take a breath as his heart began to beat fiercely again for the first time in centuries. He grieved for the mistake of falling in love with a girl that could never truly love him. He remembered every moment when she would talk to him sweetly about everything she wanted in her prince. Tatumas remembered all the pictures she had shown him, the features she required, the perfumes and colognes. It was truly a curse to not be able to control who you love... the pain flowed into his core as his heart beat thunderously until a blackened iron spear pierced his chest on the left side piercing clean through his heart without any resistance. Suddenly crimson energies that eerily resembled a young boy's crying soul emerged before vanishing in a pool of thick blood that dispersed amongst thousands of sigils scratched into the walls by hand.

The whole structure briefly flashed blood red before it stopped shaking as the dealer flipped their cards at the same time. Danudee had a 4 of hearts, Maru had a 5 of clubs. Maru had won his hand but Danudee could still take a hit.

Danudee grinned as he removed the assassin shades and signaled the dealer to hit him again with a nod and a smile. The dealer placed another card from the deck to be flipped by Danudee, if he busted Danudee would get the chair. If he made it then they would be dealt another hand.

It was Maru's call he understood it now as Danudee waited for Maru's acknowledgement. If Maru accepted his hand he would get the pot and no one would get the chair. If Maru continued to gamble and allow more bets against him then Danudee would be able to gamble with his lucky life.

Danudee smiled at Maru before he addressed him, "Your call sir, do we continue the game or do you take your winnings and run?"<i></i>

Gamblers watched with hushed breath for Maru's decision.

 

[Midori Futotta]

Maru flipped over his card to see what he had, lady luck must have been on his side because he got the five that he wished for! Now he was the winner with twenty one in his hand, and the Danudee drew only a four but he could still hit if he chose to but if it wasn't a one then he would get the chair. The rogue chuckled to himself, having an inner dialogue with himself. 'Seems like your luck has ran out pal, now the cards are in my hands. Literally!’ Now unless he was so lucky to pull out a one right here and there the game would simply continue so he could allow more bets against him. Though if this guy was some kind of guy who luck was always on his side, then they would probably be here gambling forever until he lost since he couldn't die right now. He'll just keep dying then reviving until this guy fell which seemed like an hell on earth, was he really willing to risk creating a personal gambling hell for himself because of his greed. Man this is why he didn't like thinking about thinking on his own, but looks like he had to.

The gamblers waited for Maru's answer, do he taken his winnings and run or keep playing. Honestly the rogue had to think, if allowed more bets against him he gets more spiritual chakra and the possibility of cleaning house but if he chose to accept his hand he would get the pot then no one would get the chair.. He thought about it long and hard, practically flipping a coin in his mind with this answer. “I will…” he waited for a bit. “Accept my hand and take the pot! No need to try to give you the chair if I don't have to.” He waved his hand then smiled, though he was curious what would've happened if he chose to continue. Would this guy would've gotten the chair or would he had to still play him?

[Sorry about the late post Not Giving up!]

 

[Toraono Kuro]

"Well that settles this game then..." as he pushed all his winnings over and placed the assassin shades on top of the pile of gems and gold with a few stacks of currency. Over 4 million yen in winnings and objects. "I was looking forward to getting electrocuted again and temporarily gaining mystic arts like you, my cousin, and that lovely young lady you arrived with all have. Oh well... guess I was meant to lose."<i></i> Danudee stood up and flipped his last card over which turned out to be an ace of hearts. Danudee would have won had Maru not wisely taken the pot. Maru had beaten his greed. With that the shades crumbled and the soul of the assassin rose from the dark smoke of his simalcrum crumbling. With a look of disappointment he melted into the floor to face his jailer. It seemed everyone's time was just about up as well.

Tatumas went through a massive amount of changes as he he aged and then returned to a youthful appearance for every soul fed to the Dark God Jashin to keep him away Lady Shishidou's soul. Thousands of souls had perished for their greed or various vices. As a miasma of malefic divine energy fell upon him he writhed on the cold stone floor. His trance with the follower of the night queen was all but broken and shattered were it not for his damnable love of the Princess. His love allowed him to withstand the centuries of pain and suffering he had endured once more in a brief instant. Such torment wracked his now immortal body that he could not even muster a scream. An assassin congealed from the crimson ichor of ancient blood that had once sealed a passage to the very chamber they meditated in as they three endured the wrath of the their past personal transgressions. So beautiful was their suffering that a shade of Jashin sat before them all to bask in their pain and cheer their eventual spiritual destruction. As the shadow of Jashin lounged before them the assassin's curse kicked in as he quickly stepped into the master seal of the chamber that was laced with all the magic and curses that Jashin's book of knowledge had shown Tatumas. With a sneer upon his ghastly face he plunged his spiritual dagger into the seal causing a massive buildup of spiritual chakra to lash out through his incorporeal body into Jashin's shadow.

Grievances for all of Tatumas's victims surged forth like an eruption from a volcano yet he rationalized all he had done as an act of love that was how Tatumas maintained his increasingly fragile sanity. Hakuren's therapy was working but what it might unleash was a different story. The spiritual flow of Tatumas became vast and many fathom's deep. Hakuren could feel his power, so much chakra both negative and spiritual had built up within the poor immortal magi that he was like a fulcrum or a handle upon Lord Jashin's wrath in this small part of the world.


As Danudee tried to leave the table souls began to spill forth from those that had bet against Maru several men dropped dead as their souls were channeled into Maru empowering him with so much energy that his body began to emit a dark but gentle yet for-boding aura. His ally reappeared fully at his side tears of relief in her eyes as she felt the dwindling energy of her enemy the assassin begin to disappear forever.

 

[Ryu Hime]

The being acting as there guru stops upon seeing the shadow, but Hakuren commands her pet to continue. “I will release this man from your control, Jashin and you will return back from which you came. Mark my words dark lord for I am a child of the night” Hakuren was sure enlightenment was the key. It was what her clan stood for and she puts all her faith into it. In essence Hakuren was betting her life that this would work. The miasma spewing out of Tatumas stomach, the iron spear piercing his heart and his sudden aging. It is likely that Tatumas will die on the last trial, but perhaps death is a release. He has lived for so long in such pain. It is time for his eternal slumber to begin. May his soul find peace.

However despite Hakuren’s command the woman passes out due to the toxic miasma filling the room. It seems her pet only had enough strength to hold out this long. It seems the Hakuren’s personal enlightenment would have to take a back seat as she helps this poor soul find his way. Hakuren knew the word she has made it this far before. “The next chakra is Vishuddha and is placed on the throat. It deals with truth and is blocked by lies. The ones we tell ourselves.”

Hakuren was transferring all her memories into her newly acquired eye. This thing that she attained here in this place was an entity and because of this could be used as a vessel for such a thing. With Lord Jashin’s manifesting ever so slightly like this she was unsure whether or not she herself would survive this. She was determine to at least have her memories live on. She refuse to let herself leave this world forgotten. Arrogant this may be, but it is what Hakuren has become over the years.

 

[Midori Futotta]

Well it was a pretty good game, but sometimes you had to know when you have already won. In this case Maru decision to accept his hand was a good one, if he hadn't the Danudee would've surely won and that hell that he imagined would've possibly have been a reality. “Well, good game either way though. Have to admit you had me sweating there for a moment.” the rogue chuckled, pulling all of his winnings and gems to him with a chuckle to himself, now he had to decide what was he going to do with all of his winnings. Was he going to use it for more scrolls to learn more justu? Perhaps more things to attach to his wooden dolls? New clothes? A pay off the sweet villas? Decisions, decisions, decisions. When Maru was thinking of what he was going to buy with his loot, one of his prizes already begun to crumble then began to manifest into the assassin he didn't even know was in the shades! The assassin didn't even address it's new owner, it just manifested then melted through the floor to do God knows what. “Uhhh… okay.” Maru said scratching his head at the sight of this then began to get up from his seat.

But not only did he get millions of yen worth of items, those who betted against him had to pay up too.. and unfortunately for them they didn't bet any material objects so they paid him in their souls! The ones who betted against him had began to glow with a dull blue light then began to transfer their spiritual essence to Maru while he absorbed the souls into his mask to fuel his heart. Growing more stronger, more younger, and having a bit more smoother skin too! When he was finished absorbing the souls of those who betted against him, his lovely Pandora materialized by his side then he raised a arm. “Hey there, you just missed-” he said, before stopping himself when he noticed that Pandora had tears in her eyes. The placed a hand on her shoulder then smirked, trying to at least make her feel better. “Hey that evil pair of shades is gone, don't think it can hurt you where it's going.” He reassured, trying his best to make the spirit girl feel better. Probably for the best that he faded through the ground instead of him actually keeping it, otherwise him and his new companion would've probably had a pretty complicated relationship.

 

[Toraono Kuro]

Pandora clung to Maru as her actual body returned to her as the assassin fed himself to Jashin his hold on her soul was gone and the spell that sealed her original and true physical body was shattered. She sobbed and cried as all the memories of her past lives as a time doll came back to her. Tatumas had been forced to kill her after he found out he could not cure the assassin's poison but what Tatumas had done was place her body inside of a seal while he placed her soul into an item that changed form to suit each wielder until one that could truly beat the odds emerged. In this case there had been two. Both Hakuren and Maru had beat all odds in this desecrated temple turned into a den of gambling. As she stopped being a vision and her flesh became real she held on to Maru for dear life finally breathing for the first time in over a thousand years. "You wouldn't know it, but that assassin had murdered me with poison long ago and now he has sacrificed himself to the Dark Lord Jashin in order to take vengeance on Tatumas the Black Sorceror but Tatumas already possesses Jashin's power so the assassin has given up his soul in vain. I can feel freedom now, but I am afraid to leave here. I don't know the outside world anymore. Can you help me? Would you fight a mad death god to set me free??? to set my friends free? I don't know whether to run or way or hide. I just feel that Tatumas is about to give up everything he has held onto for so long and then Jashin will bring the assassin back from the underworld to kill us all."<i></i> Maru could literally feel her fear and as her powers left her as she reclaimed a true living body the watch he had worn fell from his arm truly inanimate and truly an expensive, gem encrusted, gold mixed with forgotten ancient chakra enhancing alloy. Perhaps the watch could better serve as a focus or some kind of weapon. Maru might have to test it sooner than he liked as the several men whom had bet against him now rose from the dead to attack him and Pandora physically. As they shambled then ran toward their prey,


Tatumas listened carefully as the wounds he had inflicted on himself through following Hakuren's advice disappeared as Jashin's power flowed throughout the citadel causing things to shake or shatter until Danudee stood up and the room the last 8 gamblers were inside of counting Danudee, Pandora, and Maru. The remaining five gamblers were all women, three of whom were related and very beautiful. The other two were wise hungry women called 'Cougaras.' The women were all complaining about this and that until the temple began to shake then with Danudee's movement everything seemingly returned to normal. Maru found his immortal body to be brimming with energy as Undead men approached him, and the small crowd of women in the upper floor's area with him. Danudee pulled a small pistol from his inside his belt and checked his ammo before taking a shooting stance.

Jashin smirked at Hakuren's threat then looked over at Tatumas in shock as the boy had slit his own throat to rid himself of the lies in his heart that blocked the truth. The lie for Tatumas was that the Princess actually loved him when it became known that he was the epitome of everything she wanted in a man. He knew that was a lie but in truth the only person who was truly in love with anyone was Tatumas being in love with her.

No blood flowed from the life spilling wound, instead a void emerged which swallowed up all the miasma that Tatumas had released earlier. The bird flew away to rest amongst the high beams of the chamber, it's ties with Hakuren all but gone

 

[Midori Futotta]

‘Hm?’ While Pandora clung to the rouge, the first thing that he noticed was how real she felt now. She felt warm like an actual person, he wondered why did she hid when she saw those shades and he got his answer when Pandora went on to explain what had happened to her in her past life. Basically the being who just faded through the ground was the same person who killed her in her past life to please Jashin and in a way he actually felt sorry for the poor woman. Mostly because he knows the feeling since apparently his dear ol’ dad traded his soul in exchange for power, making him part demon which was pretty hard for him when he was young since he had this weird aura that made it hard for people to trust him. Luckily, his demonic abilities were sealed when he fought a sage that made his evil chakra more neutral since he wasn't truly able to turn holy. Regardless he did his best to comfort his fully restored Pandora, holding the young woman to his chest doing his best to at least ease her fears. “Relax, I'll do whatever it takes to set you free. If I gotta fight some death god, then I gotta fight some death god. I will gladly lay down my life on the line for you sweet cheeks.” The rogue gave Pandora a confident smirk with a thumbs up, then looked at how his watch was now. Though the watch was inanimate, he could still feel chakra radiating from it so it could still be used as something. Maybe some kinda cool weapon from the spiritual chakra that radiated from it, unfortunately he didn't have time to think because the people he thought were long dead… started to move.

'Eep!’ Maru squealed, quickly going for the watch to try and get it to work somehow. Several men, all people who were unfortunate enough to bet against Maru, started to rise and boy did they look mad. Probably still angry for losing or it could be because him and his Pandora kinda still have their souls. The army of undead closed in, Maru began to glow with a dull violet light as the power from his very expressive looking watch, Maru held both of his hands up to channel the golden spiritual chakra into his hands so they can take the form of ebony bow that had two glowing purple amethyst gems and he shaped the spiritual chakra in his free hand into the shape of 4 arrows. The rogue suddenly had gotten the strange feeling like he was a master at using a weapon like this so he turned the bow sideways so he would be able to hit multiple target pulled the violet colored string with his four ethereal arrows then he released his arrows sending them flying towards the intended target that he wanted to hit heads. One arrow got an undead in the eye, one in the gaping mouth of a zombie, one in the center of a undeads forehead, and another in the eye. Little did he know those arrows he just fired had a firey chakra within them that made the four zombies go up in flames! One got a little too close to Pandora for comfort for the rogue so the bow in his hand turned into a single pitch black glove with glowing amethyst knuckles to make his hand glow red with courage before hitting the zombie with everything he had! A famous move known as the falcon punch.

When he saw the Dandee's weapon he thought about how cool it would be to have a gun of his very own, he left the ones he was practicing with at the Sea Paradise. When he thought about his own pistols the glove in his hand transformed into the dual pistols that he was thinking about that never run out of ammo and the rogue chuckled. “Now this is sweet.” He said then he already started to using them…..

 

[Ryu Hime]

"The sixth chakra is Ajna and is located in the center of the forehead.” Due to its location and appearance it is often called the third eye. “It deals with insight and is blocked by illusion.” Hakuren then transforms into an unearthly entity. She was still human in form and yet she seems otherworldly all the same. She was beautiful and majestic and yet she would likely inspire fear into those around her. Flawless was her skin but pale as death itself. Gorgeous fabrics of black and purple adorn her skin and she held a mighty weapon with the same colors. “The greatest illusion of this world is the illusion of separation. Things you think are separate and different are actually one in the same.” Even her voice was different in this form as it now was both firm and regal. “Even mortals and the divine are merely players in the play we call life. We both are capable of love and loss.” Hakuren spoke as an emissary of the Night Mother.

Hakuren glares at Jashin as the Night Mother has no love towards the dark god. “I will see your plans fall apart Dark One for what you have done to me.” This deity that Hakuren now serves was not always a goddess of death as she is now. The Night Mother was once a daughter of a harvest goddess. She was a being of life and now thanks to Jashin she was a entity of death. Her mother only wanted a son. But when the harvest goddess made a mortal boy into a god, the gods of death such as Jashin called her a thief. Her harvest mother was forced to pay compensation and the Night Mother was the price. “Life and death are merely to halves of the same coin in my eyes.”

 

[Toraono Kuro]

Jashin shrank back, not out of fear but because his avatar was inadequate and he was actively being pushed on two fronts. Without a mortal vessel to do his will he was incapable of truly harming an avatar of Hakuren's potential. Tatumas set a black mark upon his forehead and spoke rather eloquently in an ancient tongue known as Sansunni. The Kazekage or Steward Sousuke would have heard him quite clearly say "Lord Jashin you and I are no longer fettered and I will no longer offer souls as compensation for our deal. I revoke our clause and end my ties to be your servant as you twisted our bargain to take the soul of my beloved."

Black lightning spilled forth from Tatumas's body as his immortality was reclaimed by Jashin while above in the temple's gambling parlor a tiny doll of a girl transformed into a beautiful young woman as another porcelain battle doll formed upon the floor covered from head to toe in archaic seals . Black flames spiralled out from the battle doll engulfing all the remaining undead as their remnants were forcefully reclaimed by Jashin as well.

Content with the chaos and suffering he had helped perpetuate over the long centuries Jashin smiled a sinister smile at the Night Mother infused Hakuren before bowing gently and fading into dark black smoke. Leaving the broken sorceror, Tatumas all but empty.

Tatmuas stood on shakey legs as his life force began to ebb. With a faint haunted smile he nodded to Hakuren. "She is free, hurry and get all the treasures and her companions out of this temple before I fade away. Once I am gone so is this temple."


Maru and Danudee soon found themselves standing in the center of a gambling parlor filled with black cinders and strange women. Danudee picked up the ancient princess and tossed the battle doll to Maru and Pandora as he hastily ran for the exit with the remaining estranged women on Danudee's and Maru's heels in their heels. The gambling den began to crumble as Hakuren found she could easily escape via an adjacent stair case that opened from the wall as Jashin retreated with his bounty of souls.

 

[Midori Futotta]

'Hm?’ Maru watched as the remaining of the undead that were closing in suddenly stop, then bursted into black flames. The rogue still having his weapons drawn was still vigilant, Pandora remained behind him so he could protect her but as the last of the zombies burned away the rogue then eased then looked back at Pandora and gave her a thumbs up. “We're okay, you're safe.” the rogue said, so he thought… The ground began to rumble then Maru's eyes shot open. He didn't know what was happening now but when he saw that the place was beginning to crumble he already knew they had to get out of there or they'll be toast. The Danudee tossed Maru a doll, the rogue caught it then tucked it under his armpit grabbed Pandora's hand then began to run towards the exit with the remaining women running behind him and Danudee. The rogue was pretty confused but he later realized that it was probably because of this Jashinist guy giving up his soul.

What an unfortunate situation, but at least now that Pandora was free and that either him or the Danudee had the doll that Hakuren was looking for that they pretty much completed the mission they set out to do didn't they? This battle doll that he had was probably what she was talking about or that doll that Danudee had, not to mention he had enough money that he wouldn't have to steal as much as he did ever again but that probably should be the last thing on his mind, first things first he had to make sure he got out of this place in one piece. The rogue dipped to the side to dodge a piece off fallen roof, then looked behind him to make sure everyone was okay, all he could hope for as that there wasn't anyone else that they left behind.

 

[Ryu Hime]

“No” Tatumas had warned Hakuren of what is to happen to the temple and told her to leave quickly. However she will not run for the ritual they started is not over yet. “Ties of servitude have been cut, but he still has claim on your soul. We must finish what we started.” Tatumas may have given up his immortality but Hakuren did not. Should the temple crash a crumble, she will survive. Hakuren can and will see this to the end. “The last and final chakra is Sahasrara the thousand-petaled lotus. It is located at the crown of your head.” Hakuren points directly at the spot Tatumas chakra would be. “It deals with pure cosmic energy and is blocked by earthly attachment. Meditate on what attaches you to this world and let it flow out of you.” After completing this task Hakuren would return to her normal form and attempt to run up the stairway. If Tatumas was still alive she would telepathic give him one last words of wisdom. ‘Let loose your earthly tether. Enter the void. Empty, and become wind.’

 

[Toraono Kuro]

ooc: I deeply apologize for the wait on this reply I had not received my normal notice of reply from my email.

Tatumas had already given up on his earthly connections over hundreds of years ago having dedicated himself to keeping the soul of one who did not love him out of the hands of Jashin. A soft sigh could be heard as a massive pillar of crimson energy exploded from the original magic circle Tatumas had made long ago to transform himself into what he believed was Lady Shishiden's ideal man. A small black gem emerged from the crown of his forehead. Within that gem was all that remained of Tatumas's broken soul. As his once immortal body turned to dust all that remained in the center of the rubble was one perfect black gemstone, the size of a child's fist. It was smooth and rounded but oval in shape. As Hakuren spoke her final words of wisdom the remainder of the temple collapsed. Oddly enough she found herself untouched. As she emerged from the stairwell as it filled with sand. Maru, Danudee, Pandora aka PanuPanu, and several other women waited just outside of the rubble.

Maru held the hand of a beautiful red headed woman. Danudee carried a small dark haired girl whom was obviously Tatumas's beloved from his words and the pictures from his chamber. An oddly made and intricately runed doll was in Maru's other hand.

Oddly the area began to grow extremely dark and cold as a new threat stepped forth. A large, robust man in a black cloak wielding a massive sword sat upon some rubble before all of them. He pointed at Hakuren then Maru and motioned for them to come over to him. He did not look like the type of man to take "No" for an answer.

Danudee tried to draw his pistols but found his weapons of choice cut in half just as he reached for them. This swordsman was the real deal, now the only question was who was this swordsman and how would everyone stay alive?