It's not uncommon for outsiders to believe the lighting country was just a vast mountain range, but in truth that was far from the truth. Deep within the Heartland, there were many different beautiful and undeveloped stretches of land. Places where humanity had not yet gathered, settled, or ruined. A lush jungle, where numerous native animals and an nearly unperceivable amount vegetation thrived. Deep within this 'jungle', the most commonly known predator was a giant amphibian like creature with ferocious teeth that stalked native herbivorous of varying sizes that fed off the many trees and lush grasslands within the area. Akira Kazan had heard the stories about this beast, among many other tails of adventure within this region. His curiosity was piqued, driving him to go on a vacation from his duties as a Shinobi; one in which he claimed was merely a 'hunting' trip, in order to obtain a proper passport and legally exit from the village for an extended period of time.
The journey from the village, through The Dragon tooth pass, across the lowlands, to the heartland was rather enjoyable. Kazan got to see many things along the way, all of which he never got to take the time to really enjoy. In fact, he even heard rumors of The Shinrya Clan owning a vast amount of farmland where they inhabitants produce alcohol. Maybe once his hunting trip was over, he'd head that way to see for himself. Regardless, he had made his journey with some basic supplies. Bringing with him his armor, his trusted blade, a bow and arrows, a few days supply of food, a canteen, a sleeping bag, rope and tarp. While here, he had actually planned on hunting and surviving off the land. It was an opportunity to not only relax, but sorta experience what life was like for his ancestors. Traveling deep within this jungle, until he found a suitable area to make camp, he took note of the beautiful scenery around him. He had crossed a small river, climbs some steep hills, and saw a few animals; like deer, fox, and numerous types of birds.
He never really imagined himself in a place like this, but it was so serene and secluded. This place was truly a gift from the gods to mankind, if there had ever been one. Making camp in a clearing, and surrounding the site with several wire traps to help safeguard his campsite, Kazan soon begin to gather wood. Whilst wondering the lush jungle, and gathering small twigs by the riverside, he glanced out and witnessed a strange creature swimming around playfully. Stopping to figure out what it was, his eye brow raised as he realized that it wasn't alone, and that there were several others. It would take a moment for him to realize it, but he had stumbled across a bunch of river otters. "This place is full of life." He thought to himself, as he smiled and went about continuing to collect enough fire wood for the next few days.
After a few hours of this, he came to the realization that he had lost track of time. By now, he had collected more than enough firewood. Making his way back towards his camp site, as he walked through a clearing, an ominous feeling shiver ran down his spine. Stopping, he looked around in shock; something was watching him, but he couldn't figure out from where. A smirk crossed his face, as he briefly closed his eyes, and nodded his head, only to go about his business. "Whatever, or whoever, it is. I'm prepared." He thought, brushing any kind of concern his had to the side. Kazan naturally possessed a brave and fiery soul, filled with passion and ambition; nothing could truly threaten him.
Upon arriving back to the camp site, he quickly piled some logs and branches into a circle, lite a fire, and began removing the top off a can of stew. Once the fire really started to roar, he'd place the can into the fire, off to the side of the flames. While waiting for his food warm, he took off the upper potion of his armor, and began to wipe them down only before moving towards his trusted sword. The blade was already so clean that one could see the reflection of the dwindling sun overhead off of it. There was really no reason for him to be doing this, but it was apart of his normal nightly routine. Suddenly, his glanced to the left out of the corner of his eyes, as he once again sensed a presence. "It's not human." He thought to himself, as his eyes focused back to his blade. Whatever it was, it had followed him to his camp and it seemed to be aware of the wire traps. "It's smart, or at least capable of recognizing a trap." He told himself.
For a while, things seemed to be getting a little interesting. Kazan had planned to come out here to hunt, but it looked as if something had found him instead. While eating, and relaxing, time would pass but there would be no interaction with whatever this creature may be. As the sun set in the distance, Kazan added more firewood to the campfire, before laying out his tent and hanging his tarp overhead. It was already nighttime before the presence seemed to disappear. "I wonder what it actually was?" He thought to himself, in silence. Truth be told, he had no idea but whatever it was, it moved gracefully with silence and caution. "I'd hope it was what I came here looking for, but I doubt it. The rivers not to far away, but something like that probably hunts by the waters edge." He convinced himself.
As the night would go on, Kazan would eventually call it a night. Completely stripping himself of his armor, except for his chainmail, and laying the sword down beside him, he'd climb into his sleeping back and look up towards the tarp. As he did this, it seemed as though the jungle finally came alive. There was much more than just the wind rustling the leaves, as unique sounds flooded the area. Birds, distant animals running throughout the woods, and other various sounds could be heard. Kazan actually thought this was cool, and kind of relaxing as he laid there. He knew that whatever had stalked him earlier could potentially come back, but he didn't care. Even if he were sound asleep, he was far from helpless and always mentally prepared to defend himself. This was something that had become more on an instinct to him, thanks to the life he lived as a Shinobi.
Less than an hour would pass, and Kazan would be awoken by the heavy steps on an animal within his campsite. With blurred vision, he slowly reached out for his blade as a mighty roar echoed in front of him. Taking hold of it, he slung himself out of his sleeping back, got to his foot, and took position; only to realize what was in front of him. A massive, majestic lion with a large crimson red mane, and brown fur. Preparing to attack, Kazan clinched his sword only before forming a confused look upon his face as he heard the creature speak. "This is no place for a Human!" Shouted the beast, with a ferocious roar to follow. As this creature roared, the jungle seemed to grow quiet. Kazan confusion turned into realization. This had to be the creature from earlier; it would explain how something was capable of so skillfully stalking him, while hiding it's presence. Not only that, but it spoke which implied it possessed a human like intelligence, which also explains how it avoided his wire traps.
With the sword now gripped in both hands, Kazan took a deep breathe only before lowing his blade. "How are you able to talk?" He asked, as he blinked his eyes and activated his Sharingan. Although his blade was lowered, he was still prepared for whatever this creature might try. Watching as it began to walk towards the campfire, while make constant eye contact with him, Kazan wondered what exactly was going on. "Don't you dare question me, human! This jungle is my home and your kind don't belong here." He roared. Realizing this wasn't a dream, nor a genjutsu, Kazan's mind settled even if only a little. Still, this was a strange situation he had found himself in. Never in his wildest of dreams would he have imagined a talking animal, or a lion for that. "You think you're doujutsu scares me, human? It's about as useless as your wire traps and the blade your wield." Roared the mighty beast, as he continued to slowly walk circles around Kazan and the campsite.
"I've come here to hunt an amphibian, and to experience what life was like for my ancestors. Nothing more. If I somehow offended you, I apologize." Said Kazan, as he slowly rotated his body to match the lion. His goal was to keep the lions in front of him, the entire time. Watching as the lion stopped right before the fire, only to take it's paw and smother the embers of the campfire with dirt. "Human, It's your very presence that offends me. But you also wish to hunt what is mine?" The lion growled, as he snarled with anger. "I doubt you even could, human. My kind has perfected the art the hunt over several millennium. I doubt someone like you could even take on that beast." He roared, as his eyes shifted.
Wc: 1500+
[Topic Entered]
OOC: Contract of Choice - [Feline Contract]
- Using [Discovery Of Contract Of your Choice] ASP Card
- Even though I've hit the word count, I don't consider this finished; I will have a second post hunting the Amphibian creature mentioned in the lore of the region after this for Character development purposes. I just wanna go ahead and lock in the Contract, so I can make the summon creature and RP out Sage Mode.
The journey from the village, through The Dragon tooth pass, across the lowlands, to the heartland was rather enjoyable. Kazan got to see many things along the way, all of which he never got to take the time to really enjoy. In fact, he even heard rumors of The Shinrya Clan owning a vast amount of farmland where they inhabitants produce alcohol. Maybe once his hunting trip was over, he'd head that way to see for himself. Regardless, he had made his journey with some basic supplies. Bringing with him his armor, his trusted blade, a bow and arrows, a few days supply of food, a canteen, a sleeping bag, rope and tarp. While here, he had actually planned on hunting and surviving off the land. It was an opportunity to not only relax, but sorta experience what life was like for his ancestors. Traveling deep within this jungle, until he found a suitable area to make camp, he took note of the beautiful scenery around him. He had crossed a small river, climbs some steep hills, and saw a few animals; like deer, fox, and numerous types of birds.
He never really imagined himself in a place like this, but it was so serene and secluded. This place was truly a gift from the gods to mankind, if there had ever been one. Making camp in a clearing, and surrounding the site with several wire traps to help safeguard his campsite, Kazan soon begin to gather wood. Whilst wondering the lush jungle, and gathering small twigs by the riverside, he glanced out and witnessed a strange creature swimming around playfully. Stopping to figure out what it was, his eye brow raised as he realized that it wasn't alone, and that there were several others. It would take a moment for him to realize it, but he had stumbled across a bunch of river otters. "This place is full of life." He thought to himself, as he smiled and went about continuing to collect enough fire wood for the next few days.
After a few hours of this, he came to the realization that he had lost track of time. By now, he had collected more than enough firewood. Making his way back towards his camp site, as he walked through a clearing, an ominous feeling shiver ran down his spine. Stopping, he looked around in shock; something was watching him, but he couldn't figure out from where. A smirk crossed his face, as he briefly closed his eyes, and nodded his head, only to go about his business. "Whatever, or whoever, it is. I'm prepared." He thought, brushing any kind of concern his had to the side. Kazan naturally possessed a brave and fiery soul, filled with passion and ambition; nothing could truly threaten him.
Upon arriving back to the camp site, he quickly piled some logs and branches into a circle, lite a fire, and began removing the top off a can of stew. Once the fire really started to roar, he'd place the can into the fire, off to the side of the flames. While waiting for his food warm, he took off the upper potion of his armor, and began to wipe them down only before moving towards his trusted sword. The blade was already so clean that one could see the reflection of the dwindling sun overhead off of it. There was really no reason for him to be doing this, but it was apart of his normal nightly routine. Suddenly, his glanced to the left out of the corner of his eyes, as he once again sensed a presence. "It's not human." He thought to himself, as his eyes focused back to his blade. Whatever it was, it had followed him to his camp and it seemed to be aware of the wire traps. "It's smart, or at least capable of recognizing a trap." He told himself.
For a while, things seemed to be getting a little interesting. Kazan had planned to come out here to hunt, but it looked as if something had found him instead. While eating, and relaxing, time would pass but there would be no interaction with whatever this creature may be. As the sun set in the distance, Kazan added more firewood to the campfire, before laying out his tent and hanging his tarp overhead. It was already nighttime before the presence seemed to disappear. "I wonder what it actually was?" He thought to himself, in silence. Truth be told, he had no idea but whatever it was, it moved gracefully with silence and caution. "I'd hope it was what I came here looking for, but I doubt it. The rivers not to far away, but something like that probably hunts by the waters edge." He convinced himself.
As the night would go on, Kazan would eventually call it a night. Completely stripping himself of his armor, except for his chainmail, and laying the sword down beside him, he'd climb into his sleeping back and look up towards the tarp. As he did this, it seemed as though the jungle finally came alive. There was much more than just the wind rustling the leaves, as unique sounds flooded the area. Birds, distant animals running throughout the woods, and other various sounds could be heard. Kazan actually thought this was cool, and kind of relaxing as he laid there. He knew that whatever had stalked him earlier could potentially come back, but he didn't care. Even if he were sound asleep, he was far from helpless and always mentally prepared to defend himself. This was something that had become more on an instinct to him, thanks to the life he lived as a Shinobi.
Less than an hour would pass, and Kazan would be awoken by the heavy steps on an animal within his campsite. With blurred vision, he slowly reached out for his blade as a mighty roar echoed in front of him. Taking hold of it, he slung himself out of his sleeping back, got to his foot, and took position; only to realize what was in front of him. A massive, majestic lion with a large crimson red mane, and brown fur. Preparing to attack, Kazan clinched his sword only before forming a confused look upon his face as he heard the creature speak. "This is no place for a Human!" Shouted the beast, with a ferocious roar to follow. As this creature roared, the jungle seemed to grow quiet. Kazan confusion turned into realization. This had to be the creature from earlier; it would explain how something was capable of so skillfully stalking him, while hiding it's presence. Not only that, but it spoke which implied it possessed a human like intelligence, which also explains how it avoided his wire traps.
With the sword now gripped in both hands, Kazan took a deep breathe only before lowing his blade. "How are you able to talk?" He asked, as he blinked his eyes and activated his Sharingan. Although his blade was lowered, he was still prepared for whatever this creature might try. Watching as it began to walk towards the campfire, while make constant eye contact with him, Kazan wondered what exactly was going on. "Don't you dare question me, human! This jungle is my home and your kind don't belong here." He roared. Realizing this wasn't a dream, nor a genjutsu, Kazan's mind settled even if only a little. Still, this was a strange situation he had found himself in. Never in his wildest of dreams would he have imagined a talking animal, or a lion for that. "You think you're doujutsu scares me, human? It's about as useless as your wire traps and the blade your wield." Roared the mighty beast, as he continued to slowly walk circles around Kazan and the campsite.
"I've come here to hunt an amphibian, and to experience what life was like for my ancestors. Nothing more. If I somehow offended you, I apologize." Said Kazan, as he slowly rotated his body to match the lion. His goal was to keep the lions in front of him, the entire time. Watching as the lion stopped right before the fire, only to take it's paw and smother the embers of the campfire with dirt. "Human, It's your very presence that offends me. But you also wish to hunt what is mine?" The lion growled, as he snarled with anger. "I doubt you even could, human. My kind has perfected the art the hunt over several millennium. I doubt someone like you could even take on that beast." He roared, as his eyes shifted.
Wc: 1500+
[Topic Entered]
OOC: Contract of Choice - [Feline Contract]
- Using [Discovery Of Contract Of your Choice] ASP Card
- Even though I've hit the word count, I don't consider this finished; I will have a second post hunting the Amphibian creature mentioned in the lore of the region after this for Character development purposes. I just wanna go ahead and lock in the Contract, so I can make the summon creature and RP out Sage Mode.