Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head [Contract Search]

[Kiri]

Despite seemingly doing what was unexpected against the enemy, another collision of events sprung the snake free. The mongoose and the panther were really at it, toppling the bind on the snake, freeing the latter to once again proceed with the assault. It was definitely becoming a free for all affair, and Kiri wasn’t intending to let it go so easily.

Jumping away to create space between himself the snake, while the snake was distracted by the other two creatures, Kiri would let out his chakra around him before slipping into the shadows. No, it wasn’t he who slipped into the realm of shadows. In reality, it was the world around them that was devoured in shadows, and everyone was blinded by the darkness. They would be able to hear the cries of the creature, and even Kiri could see perfectly well as he would position himself in another area, free from the direct path of the snake from earlier. And just then, movements in the dark world would be felt as shadows ran past along the snake, hitting it with speed, before disappearing once more to bide its time and attack the snake.

“The forest is dangerous, indeed,” whispered Kiri before he grinned, “But I was raised in a forest, survived on my own, and learned to hunt in it. This is my territory.” There was a certain edgy dangerous tone to his voice but it came with the confidence he felt. “We shouldn’t waste too much time here, though. For your safety.”

At that, he gathered his chakra along his hands once more, a powerful siphoning of energy that materialised into a water dragon before it darkened its color into black tides. And immediately, Kiri let it rage towards the direction of the snake.

 

[Shouyu Hoshi]

The darkness of the forest seemed to expand creating a shroud of invisibility for the animals. Luckily these creatures had a sixth sense almost with their other four senses already heightened. Within the darkness the battle still waged on between the panther, and the mongoose, along with the oversize serpent. The panther mounted the mongoose and took a bite at its neck but ultimately missed from the mongoose hind kicking the cat overhead. Just as that happened to create distance from the two is when the serpent struck the ground of where the two were previously scrapping, missing.

The serpent would taste the air with its tongue, smelling and tasting his prey's positions. His personal reptilian heat signature recognition also helped to lock onto body heat, so even through the dark his eyes would highlight the moving heat bags. It was easy for the snake to move and slither towards the cat who he dove at once more and missed. The panther jumped out of the way but was caught by the whipping tail of the snake and the cat was bound! The mongoose dug its claws into the dirt and launched itself at the two while they were busy.

The serpent was crushing the bones of the panther to the point of suffocation, snapping the rib cage and collapsing the poor cats lungs. It was being squeezed so hard its eyes were almost about to burst from the socket. The snake let up just a bit for the cat to breath due to a snaring bite at the nap of its neck. But that wasn't anything to be worried about. A cascading black dragon of torrential raging water was set forth and destroying the lot all at once. A full collision and explosion of highly pressurized water crushed the group of creatures, ending the fray all at once. Moro watched from Kiri's shoulder, nodding his eye stocks.

" Good work! Now.."

Moro had almost lost track since the fray, he looked up to the stars for directions. He caught side of the moon and looked to left of it for a particular star that hovers over his homeland. Once he spotted it, he gave the direction of where to head to find the next clue.

" There young boy, you see it. Just left of the moon, the tall withered tree."

Sure enough in the distance there was an older tree, tall, beaten, battered, and mossy. It was easily recognizable up close, but Moro was quite sure he had the right tree in mind. The silence of the forest returned to the natural ambience of day to day life. Moro relaxed by slouching on Kiri's shoulder before he stiffened at a sound. It was howl of a group of monkeys. The hooting and hollaring of the gang echoed across the forest like rolling thunder, and it only grew louder the closer they inched. The snapping of tree branches, hardened foot steps, muffled breathing, loud thumps resulting in a tree falling to the way side.

Monkey Gang: "Morooooooooo-o-o-o-o-ooooooooo! BAhahaahahah! We've found you!"

Moro: "Kiri-kun, it is time for a hasty escape! Now!"

 

[Kiri]

Though they managed to escape the chaos that was happening between those three creatures, with Kiri pushing through the path under Moro’s guide, there was more to come. He wouldn’t have imagined that the forest could be so restless and dangerous like this, but it made him all the more prepared to face whatever challenges there was up ahead. Soon enough, he would find the moon, of which was the marker of the place, and then they would spot the old tree. However, the danger was far from over. But of course, he didn’t think the the said trouble would be a group of monkeys who were now chasing after them. And from the looks of it, Moro wasn’t exactly in high spirits to meet them again.

“Don’t worry. I’ve got you,” said Kiri, assuring the slug once more as he sped up along the path. Engulfing himself with another burst of chakra, Kiri would let loose the chakra all around them, forcing an alteration of the visual senses of those around him, leaving an after image in his wake. Then, he would dash to the side before running further ahead.

But if that did not somehow confuse the chasing creatures, he was more than ready to dish out another of that fiery wall to burst from the ground just behind him, a good timing for when the pursuers to get grilled on the spot. Black flames did have that evil aura about it and would also somehow spurn a sense of danger towards the animals.

 

[Shouyu Hoshi]

The monkeys in no time caught up with them, although they couldn't persist without feeling a distortion in time that seemed to pull at them. Still they continued to press forward though the lot of them would spazz into convulsions attempting to keep up. Most of them were chimpanzees, some orangutans, and one leader, an ape on two feet as if more developed than others.

Two orangutans would topple Kiri and Moro together from above, pinning them to a tree. Kiri would be bound upon arrival of the ape. He would approach slowly whether or not Kiri was able to escape the bind before he was in range. A hand signal from him would reveal a forest of monkeys of all varieties. They hollared their natural calls.

Main Ape: "Moro... We don't want the kid. Just... Hahahahh! Pay your respects...."

His voice was deep, and his laugh maniacal with a hint of high pitched insanity. Five smaller chimps would jump in front of Moro and Kiri and begin a taijutsu assault. Mostly, the lot of them would be targeting Moro, finding Kiri to be an obstacle to their main objective.

Moro: "Kiri, this is not your battle. Leave now. I must finish this! You could die here, you must live to abide by Sakuna's oath!"

She spoke this with no words of course, telepathically through Kiri alone, although the monkeys knew about this, and moro's ability speak through thoughts. So they did not hesitate in the slightest to attack before Moro's guidance. Moro himself had already tussled with the monkeys and the result left his chakra depleted. At the time he met Kiri, he was using his own life force to fuel his chakra, as he was now.

Moro: "This is not your battle Kiri. You may leave. L-let me finish this!"

Great Ape: "You fool! You can't even muster the strength to deal with my lightweight! Hahahah! NO MERCY!"

Moro responded by expanding five fold and releasing a massive amount of acidic slime on the incoming chimps, it may have seemed like a lot, but this didn't take too much wind from Moro. The Ape would signal with his left, and to his right, and from the higher branches of the trees more monkeys would follow.

Bound or not, the original orangutans would separate Kiri and Moro by tossing them. Immediately two elder orangutans with grey beards instead of the usual orange and a wooden staff with forbidden fruits began chanting a mantra. An audio genjutsu, A-Rank audio debuffing, "Death's Anthem."

Upon being separated, Kiri would have to fend for his own, while Moro would do the same. Both fighting an equal amount of numbers, Moro would seek to reassure Kiri.

Moro: "You have shown me your talent young man, and the journey you have been through. I can see it... within your eyes and the sound in your voice. Please, let us work together... do not mind me, I'll be fine. Say diligent!"

Another attack would commence, a swarming of more man like apes and monkeys would attack the duo individually. Moro would take a slight beating, reserving his chakra for the right moment, he would allow himself to soften and slide by some attacks but he was clearly outnumbered for a fighter with a wavering chakra source.

[ooc] Kiri tag me in gaming/random on rolls.

Roll 1. Roll for success of bind. 1d20. 14 and below is fail.

Roll 2. Roll for Genjutsu effect.

Spoiler

Death's Anthem wrote:
A powerful and deadly technique that causes a deadly melody to swirl around the victim's head.

Information
Requirements: A-Rank

Rank 1: Cast at -2 DC the target takes 2110 Illusionary Damage
Rank 2: Cast at -2 DC the target takes 2850 Illusionary Damage

Cost Rank 1: 1210 Cp
Cost Rank 2: 1510 Cp

Roll a 1d10. 7 below is fail.
If fail, Kiri takes 2800 damage.

Moro auto takes Gen for being Uber tired and weak. Moro also takes beating from monkeys.

Roll 3. Roll for final Taijutsu barrage.
Roll a 1d20, 17 or below is fail. Kiri will take 4200 damage.

 

[Kiri]

At first, it worked. They were gaining distance and Kiri would be able to properly retaliate with his shadows, granted that he could find an opportune moment. However, it was not to be. Suddenly out of nowhere, two orangutans would fall from the tree tops and on them with precise timing. Even as Kiri wanted to react, these fellows were rather keen to pin him against the large tree. A hard thud, his back against the tree, the shinobi tried not to repel them with his strength.

Just then, the large ape appeared, walking like a mad-man with an arrogant flare as he talked with cruelty. Kiri could feel the shaking of the slug, partly in anticipation of the ape and partly in want to protect Kiri. But the shinobi would have nothing of that. He would not become another’s burden– that he had long decided. So deep inside him, there was a churning energy amassing.

He let out a growl as he managed to escape the bind he was in. “Don’t be stupid!” he would hurl at the orangutans that tried to pin him but then new ones arrived and began to attack them, though they were focusing on hitting Moro. True to his words, though, Kiri tried to block or intercept their assaults.

Just then, Moro would step up into the action, expanding and letting lose an acid attack. But the ape leader was not fazed. He instantly seemingly called for more monkeys to come and flank them. And then, he soon found himself separated from Moro. Even as he reached out his hand to try and grab Moro, Kiri soon found himself thrown aside before something hit him. It was a strange sound at first but then it became a painful tormenting sound that echoed in his head.

Almost instantly, he could feel the raging of the beast inside of him because of this. His beast brother was complaining at his complacency and that he should step up, let loose and make his enemies bleed. He knew the corrupting curse was distorting the words, but it was very tempting.

At that, he would hear Moro’s words into the mix of rage and torment that swirled in his mind. His lost his focus at that moment and suffered a furious beating, bruised and battered by waves of large monkeys attacking him. He could only try to defend against them as he was trying to regain his composure and get his head back into the game.

And upon seeing his slug companion being assaulted, Kiri felt the rage of the corrupting curse take hold of him. “Don’t underestimate me!” At once, his gathered chakra burst around him, a shift in his image– his blonde hair turning pale, his eyes turning gold, his third eye opening from the vertical slit across his forehead to reveal that ominous demonic eye. His energy coursed around his body so fluidly, it was both blood and air to him. And then, the chakra that surged would whirl around him as he cloaked himself in an demonic aura.

“I’ll show you not to mess with a real predator!” Bellowing with a great howl, Kiri let loose the demonic energy inside him that rapidly spreads across the area to affect those within sight.

And with his intense chakra heating the air about them, the chakra would then create flames overhead as they changed their color into black flames of damnation, strengthened and more deadly, before they began to rain upon the area, striking the enemies.

Spoiler

Actions:
[0.5AP] Water Chakra Style–Offensive: Wild Waters (Water-based Attacks has 15% chance to attack an additional target.)
[2.5AP] Demon Cloak Omega (M)
[2AP] Demonic Howl (M)
[2.5AP + 0.5AP] Firestorm with Jutsu Expansion and Conversion to Shadow Element, with Elementalist: Spread (+1 target) and Feint {(600+2950 per flames raining down) + (40% damage bonus)} = 3,550 total damage per flames raining down (only up to 3 may hit per target)

 

[Shouyu Hoshi]

Moro's Pov:

Moro was under attack after taking the full brunt of the first assault. He was oozing an acidic slime that would burn and sizzle on contact. The monkeys would realize this and begin screaming from its agony. He was freed from being bound and an easy target. He slid down a tree free falling like an old crusty leaf. Moro was attempting to regain full consciousness but found no luck, he was completely out of stamina. He was March to the fray was sluggish, no pun intended. The monkeys came with back up and for a moment Moro was able to wiggle through some attacks before barraged by another frontal assault.

Kiri Pov:
Afte the initial beating the monkeys thought they were getting the upper hand and so they hollared a loud war cry. They began beating their chest relaying distant messages to each other, this caused even more to gather. In that instant the ones surrounding Kiri were blown away by a wave of energy. Kiri's transformation had the monkeys in outbreak, some frantic at the power, others being provoked by it. They would screech out louder as some would rush in to attack again.

A rain of fire and flames poured down from the sky, but not before shifting into black flames. It appeared as if the shadows of the night were eating at the near by monkeys. This spurned another war cry of many monkeys were an even more massive amount of monkeys would leap from the tree tops chucking stones at Kiri. Some of the stones were blunted and some were sharp edged. Upon landing the elder orangutans began another mantra although it was distant, this one would take some time for them to conjure up.

Boss Ape: "Merge onto the slug. Squeeze him dead!"

Moro: "My final moment.. draws close.. for Sakuna... I'll protect it secrets.

Moro Pov:
As the assault began Moro inhaled and spewed a sticky acid that would ensnare monkeys at the ankle and begin deteriorating their entire foot and spreading like wild fire across their body. Some of the monkeys would to the air and reach Moro within close proximity, snickering before rushing it. An endless barrage of taijutsu and showering acidic slug blood filled the air. Moro felt his breaths become heavy and trained to maintain himself, stalling the inevitable.

 

[Kiri]

With his firestorm raining upon the attacking monkeys, Kiri would quickly turn about to try and reach for Moro. Even in his transformed state, it was proving to be quite problematic, especially when there was a struggle with retaining his control. He gritted his teeth at the thought that he could possibly harm the slug rather than protect him, but Kiri willed the thought away. He knew that if things go rough, he’ll pull through. He won’t have another incident of incompetence.

Then, as the monkeys began throwing rocks at him, Kiri gathered shadows around him before he would disappear into a shade of darkness. Within the darkness of the surroundings, he would gather all his chakra about him before letting it all out with a sudden charge. Syphoning like a roaring dragon around his body, though the energy’s form was nothing much of a real dragon but thunderous and intense, Kiri eyes would reflect the coursing energy and the danger that was to be unleashed. Drawing forth the energy so swiftly, he would intwine it along the tips of his fingers as it grew and grew in size and power, that perhaps those monkeys who were keen enough to sense it would begin to feel the danger and freeze. But it would be too late. Kiri would have already prepared enough before launching a fiery stream into the air. Laced with the shadowy energy, it would turn into a pitch-black inferno wave in the air. A mystical touch, a link with Kiri, allows the blonde to manipulate the growing flames in the air. With the coursing energy from his affinities guiding his assault, the mystical wildfire would grow to scorch at surrounding enemies, and should they be weak enough, they could be afflicted with an additional flame damage.

With that, Kiri would then hurry to get to Moro’s side and defend the slug. Using the same aggressive assault as earlier, Kiri would reach out to near Moro while sending out pitch-black wildfire around him.

[WC: 337]

Spoiler

Actions
[2AP] Dark Displacement on Kiri
[2AP + .5AP + .5AP] Dragon Fire targeting enemy monkeys. Using elementalist for: Spread and control. Converting to Shadow and with Wild-waters chakra style for additional target. With Jutsu Expansion for +2400 dmg and +15% afire chance
[2AP + .5AP + .5AP] Dragon Fire targeting enemy monkeys. Using elementalist for: Debilitate and Feint. Converting to Shadow and with Wild-waters chakra style for additional target. With Jutsu Expansion for +2400 dmg and +15% afire chance

 

[Shouyu Hoshi]

The monkeys assault continued until the light in the sky blackened. Their assault paused abruptly as they all looked up to see devouring flames of destruction rain upon them. The shrieks of many monkeys and apes rang out through the air piercing like a blade through the air. High pitched wails and the scorching of several trees caused a thick black smoke to arise around the battlefield. This gave great cover for Moro and Kiri to make a hasty escape.

Meanwhile, Moro was laid limp against a tree branch, his body expanding and shriveling from his deep breaths. The slug faltered to speak up to Kiri, only giving out slight mumbles until he fully regained consciousness. The long extended sockets which held the visual orbs of Moro were dangling, struggling to look at Kiri. Eventually, Moro gave up and just looked at Kiri from a side view.

"I-I'm s-sorry child... You'll have to carry me, I-I I am almost done... I need to return what information I had to Sakuna, boy, please, take me. Right over there, beyond the meadow. They cannot see, no... no one can see... I-i will give you the light to see..."

Moro would glow a bright pale blue. The light would flash so intensely bright it would temporarily blind Kiri if he chose to continue staring at the radiant colors. Afterward, Kiri would begin to see the entrance into the slug forest. It would have always been there, right in his face in plain sight, but only visible to those are elect. Kiri had become one of those, unknowingly. There was only one last step remaining, to enter into a pact with the slugs, and that was to recite and commit to Sakuna's oath as a medic.

The monkey horde had recovered in numbers, reinforcements arriving in the nick of time. Moro would gasp faintly, probably barely even heard only felt. Moro struggled to push himself up. The monkeys were lead by a different leader, one who snuffed at the sight of fallen comrades and pointed out Moro with a shout, the wailing of monkeys continued once again disturbing the very peaceful nature of a tranquil forest.

"K-k-Kiri, we must go. Sakuna awaits us."

Moro had already notified his companions in the forest of his arrival and his new companion. They were ready to defend and secure the two once they had arrived at the entrance. A slug army awaited close to fifty meters away.

 

[Kiri]

With his black fiery assault, the monkeys were in a chaos. Quickly, Kiri would take this opportunity to get near Moro. Briefly at a loss for words as the slug that he found was seemingly almost dead, Kiri quickly leaned forward and held the slug close to his heart. It was strange in many ways how, for such a short time, Kiri had somehow deepened his trust towards Moro. It was almost as if they had long been acquaintances. No, not just mere acquaintances, but friends, allies, family. This feeling that reverberated in his soul was one of vengeance, urgin him to kill every last one of those primates, but he did not give in. He reached out and let his chakra pulsate between him and Moro, creating a small field around them that embodied a gentle and warm aura. And while inside, they were both protected and Moro would recover, even if through small amounts.

“No. Don’t give in, Moro. You’ll make it,” he said almost whisperingly as if to speak on a louder voice would hurt the slug.

With a protective embrace, Kiri held Moro to his chest as he continued their run. Following Moro’s continued guidance, Kiri would persevere. Even as the shrieking of the monkeys behind them alerted him of their persistence, he would not be tempted to fight them. Even if it was rare of him to run away, at the moment, the priority was Moro and he would not fail him. That, he swore.

Looking up ahead, Kiri could see and feel the presence of quite a large army. It was surreal, and somehow he almost thought it was the enemy. But trusting Moro’s directions, Kiri continued down the path. No sooner would he find the army of slugs and he dashed along the remaining distance.

“Where’s Sakuna?” he asked as he neared them. “I need to bring Moro to her. There’s no time!”

 

[Shouyu Hoshi]

Moro was becoming increasingly winded, in that same fleeting breath he was losing all power to keep himself composed. He was embraced by the young Shinobi and calming warmth course throughout his body. It would be enough to sustain him to utter his last words.

“You've already accepted the oath of Sakuna young Kiri… my legacy is yours now… I trust you, young boy.”

His heart would give no cadence, no longer would his torso expand and contract to his breathing. The monkeys behind them, still chasing and forever shrieking. In the distance, a long awaited home with warriors waiting and healing arms wide open. Moro would now be limp in the hands of Kiri as they'd approach the edge of the forest, which seemingly spread into a thicker forest, with strange looking trees. They would produce fruit not known to the common mortal realm, in bright colors and vibrantly beautifully covered leaves.

As the slugs would immediately mourn the loss of Moro, pleading and crying. It would sound like the wail to a litter of puppies. One slug would approach Kiri sniffling, seeking to take Moro from the embrace of Kiri. Meanwhile, slug warriors encountered the monkeys and created a large dam of acidic slime which initially melted away the first few waves of intruders. The realm wa safe, and unbreached while all attention turned to Moro. One slug spoke in a slow, very older tone.

“Young Shinobi… You have brought… back our… dear… friend… we are… forever… in your gratitude… Please… will you… continue… what Moro… proposed?”

If Kiri were to agree, they would adorn Kiri with a bracelet, it would've been Moro’s keepsake, for luck and good health. The slug would then press its face against Kiri, which would've felt like a kiss if they had lips. And the final thought he'd share would be,

“Moro now…. lives through… you..”

If Kiri were to decline, they would still offer his keepsake in remembrance of Kiri’s good deed for the slug race. But if Kiri declined to accept Moro’s mission, the slugs will not offer the pact with Kiri.

[contract complete. Exit and you are now slug contract holder!]

 

[Kiri]

Even as they reached they it goal, Kiri felt a bitter pang of guilt. He held Moro's dying body while the slug gave his parting words. He couldn't hello it as tears felt down his face though his eyes were fixed on his ally. So quick and yet he already felt that they were connected. A bond shared through the pitfalls and joys of life. What began as a simple adventure turned into a strange encounter that would definitely leave a mark in his heart. And even as the army of slugs came too retrieve Moro's body, Kiri found it hard to relieve him.

He finally gave in and as the others tried to convey their words, Kiri looked back to glare at the monkeys. It wasn't exactly them who was at fault. It was fate's own doing. Perhaps, one day he'll find a way to subvert fate's own hand. For now, he knew that he needed to strengthen himself.

So as he faced the slug one more, eyes on Moro who was being taken away, he could only say, "I'll accept it."