Three aspects of Kuro left the dojo and began to head southeast Sanryokyougan Kuro, Chouryoku Kuro, and Akuma Kuro. It felt odd that he didn’t have to fight the storm anymore, it also meant he would reach the temple in record time. As he crested the dunes Kuro would break his step now and then to move with the motions of the sand. At the base of the sands Kuro would leap to the crest of the next dune. After thirty miles of travel Kuro should have stopped for water but there was no longer a massive storm forcing him to slow his pace or wear upon his endurance. His stillsuits were covered in Toraono Clan ritual battle armor to ensure nothing pierced the vital points of his second skin that made sure none of his bodies wasted any water. Even the strongest of beasts could be brought low by water loss unless you were a sandwyrm. Dehydration could kill any living creature except a sandwyrm, their actual bodies worked in complete denial of water, in fact it was the usage of water that actually brought sandwyrms harm. After three hours Kuro had arrived at the mountainous ridge where the entrance to the Ancient Temple of Wyrmriders was hidden. The full weight of loss and melancholy from memories of what Kuro had found and lost in this special domain slowly encompassed Akuma Kuro’s mind and began to weigh heavily upon his heart, the back of his neck, and his shoulders. A cool breeze with the scent of burnt flowers wafted across his nostrils and made the air taste odd. A feeling of cold trepidation began to turn in his gut. Nothing should be burning out here…
A sense of urgency came upon him and they moved in a massive burst of speed completely forgetting to keep their pace broken so as not to attract sandwyrms. Yet Akuma Kuro could not shake the eminent fear of what lay ahead of them. The temple was sacred, hidden, it was on no recognized map and only special caravans even came close enough to the Hellstrom range to even marvel at this area and none knew of the hidden routes through the area and yet as he leaped atop the rocky crest the acrid scent of burned flesh assailed his senses. The bodies of three priestess of Mother Suna lay in the valley below, two were burned to a cinder, one still seemed to be whole as if she lay in a serene sleep partially covered by the sands. The turns of concern and rage held the weariness of heartache and sadness at bay as Sanryokyougan Kuro leapt down to check upon the remains. While Akuma Kuro and Chouryoku Kuro took up watch and began to listen and sense for any movement, chakra, or the feeling of death. Sanryokyougan Kuro verified two of the ladies of Mother Suna had indeed been burned to death. Their sacred jewelry which served as keys to access the temple were missing. They had died fighting, fighting someone whom controlled flame in a manner far beyond Toraono Clan lessons.
The acolyte was alive but, she was under some kind of genjutsu that kept her in some kind of stasis hovering on the verge of death. She had been stabbed through her stomach but the damage had been blunted by her clothing and a leather girdle. With deft movements Sanryokyougan Kuro drew his sacred Takahashi steel blade and began to pour divine healing through it sealing her wound from the inside out leaving a faint scar where her flesh had been scorched.
The acolyte did not stir from her trance and Kuro could not wait for her to awaken. Drawing upon the stone in the area Kuro created an earth clone of himself and planted the command to defend the acolyte from anyone that would do her harm. With an obedient nod the clone of Kuro sat in front of the acolyte casting his shadow over her to provide her with shade. With a nod Akuma, Sanryokyougan, and Chouryoku Kuro headed for the entrance to the temple wary of what they might find. The scent of burnt flesh and flowers only grew as Kuro spotted more bodies now men and women burnt to cinder and some to ash leaving only faint imprints of bodies that now drifted upon the sands with the desert winds. As they came to the trail leading into the stone crèche the sounds of battle wafted from within and without any concern for himself Kuro in all three of his forms came running. Soldiers from the heart of Kaze no kuni lay strewn about with the careful and precise stab wounds that could only come from facing the hands of Mother Suna’s Followers, these nomadic zen masters were also descendants of the First Men.
As Kuro reached the entrance he took note of the advanced armor and weaponry used by the soldiers. Pistols, rotating blades, reinforced armor that appeared to be chakra resistant. Cold analytical thoughts told Kuro this was no mere excursion, this was a purge. As Kuro pressed on he found the source of the fighting, two dozen soldiers remaining moving in a tight phalanx formation with a familiar fiery armored being at the lead. No blade seemed to harm him, it was as if he were immune to the techniques of the seven fighters before him. Six followers of the desert lay dead before him, three of them were burnt to a crisp. An arrow of divine flame streaked toward Kuro only to be countered by his Sanryokyougan form. His blade had never been sheathed since coming upon the ambushed clerics. With a soft grey miasma of wrath the blade flickered and severed the arrow before it struck Kuro the purified wood of the projectile began to blacken and crumble in Kuro’s presence. No use in stealth and Kuro could not find it in his heart to even begin to seek diplomacy, so much had changed within Kuro with the actions of the Cabal. A hand rose from the leader of the troops and the archers at the back row lowered their bows while the phalanx shield leaders at the lead tightened their formation as their leader turned about crisply and walked to the rear of the formation to look upon Kuro.
Chouryoku Kuro could hear the erratic heartbeats of children hiding deeper within the crèche, he could hear the solid thrum of the monks’ heartbeats and specialized breathing. He could hear the priestess’ that took up defensive positions before them all while the remaining Sohei picked up various weapons and sealed the chambers leading to them behind themselves. All were prepared to make their final stand. Kuro’s emotions leveled out as he denied them the fate the enemy had in store for them. As the leader of the soldiers stepped forth Kuro could not shake the feeling that he had met him before. There was something off about him, something that went beyond mere need to kill. His killing intent was fueled by something otherworldly.
Upon seeing his face Kuro’s breath stuttered with a sharp intake… before a sinking realization on how the Cabal knew so much about Suna. “You…Shounetsuji…” Shounetsuji smiled as he looked up at Kuro with his skin grey and his hair white, he no longer looked like the cousin he had grown up with, but it was him sure enough, Nobuku Shounetsuji. With a gesture his men broke formation and came to stand attention behind him as if preparing for a parade. Kuro glanced at the Priests and Monks present and with a small surge of telekinesis he nudged them to run. They all felt the familiar pressure and slowly backed away sealing the chamber behind them.
Shounetsuji placed his hands behind his back and began to pace and it was then that Kuro noticed his artificial left arm and shoulder. “It has been a long time cousin, I had thought Saiga would have killed you by now as he is very efficient but as I see you now, there have been quite a few changes in you that probably made you excessively hard to kill. Oh well, I had one day hoped to face you in the arena but when your mother sent assassins after me and my sisters I only felt it right to send assassins after her first born daughter and her favorite son. The only son to take on her name, you whom would dare challenge my right to the Steel throne… The Daimyo told me that you obtained an official writ of nobility the day you married. This was also the same day my sister was kidnapped, the day my arm was severed, and the day your gifts arrived at my father’s home. Such a kind and uncanny coincidence wouldn’t you say… Cousin. When we found my baby sister her mind had been broken and a heavy familiar scar lay upon the side of her right side of her forehead. A demonic claw attack, exactly like the skillset you have… Cousin. So I prayed for forgiveness, but I could find none in my heart. So I prayed for vengeance and the lord spoke to me. He showed me how to harness my hatred while the Imperial surgeons grafted a carmot fiber prosthetic that allows me to use the powers that your mother sealed away from me. So Cousin… I know you have seen my handiwork, some of their bodies weren’t strong enough to withstand the divine flames but you are different aren’t you? You have always been able to take the heat… let’s play for old time’s sake and then I can send your soul to join my lord in heaven and then I will send Aunty, Uncle, and all my other cousins to join you at the feet of my Lord Jashin!!”
The troops echoed his decree in an eerie cry of disciplined roaring, “THE THRESHOLD!!! TAKE US TO LORD JASHIN!!!”
Kuro frowned in sadness as he realized Shounetsuji had not only been duped but he had been driven quite mad. “I can see there is no hope in changing your mind because an oath to Lord Jashin is unbreakable, your troops can face my bunshin outside and they will indeed be taken to the feet of their lord, while you and I catch up. Surely we can settle our affairs privately Cousin… or am I to assume that you believe me devoid of manners as well” </COLOR><i></i> Chouryoku and Sanryokyougan Kuro exited the crèche while Akuma Kuro descended the stair case to stand before Shounetsuji. With a wave of his artificial palm a battle captain stepped forth to receive instructions. <COLOR color="red"> “Take the men into battle, though they only face clones, make sure they act as if it were a true battle, my Cousin’s abilities will serve us well in training the men to face the legions of Sunagakure. Show no mercy…”
The battle captain gave a swift blade salute with his right fist over his heart before bowing and with silent efficient hand signals told the troops to fall out and advance upon the Toraono clones outside the crèche. As the two dozen men filed out of the crèche a palpable heat poured forth as Shounetsuji smiled revealing the powers he claimed Kuro’s mother had sealed. A mantle of flame began to react with his armor causing it to blacken and take on a rocky appearance.
WC: 1900
MFT
A sense of urgency came upon him and they moved in a massive burst of speed completely forgetting to keep their pace broken so as not to attract sandwyrms. Yet Akuma Kuro could not shake the eminent fear of what lay ahead of them. The temple was sacred, hidden, it was on no recognized map and only special caravans even came close enough to the Hellstrom range to even marvel at this area and none knew of the hidden routes through the area and yet as he leaped atop the rocky crest the acrid scent of burned flesh assailed his senses. The bodies of three priestess of Mother Suna lay in the valley below, two were burned to a cinder, one still seemed to be whole as if she lay in a serene sleep partially covered by the sands. The turns of concern and rage held the weariness of heartache and sadness at bay as Sanryokyougan Kuro leapt down to check upon the remains. While Akuma Kuro and Chouryoku Kuro took up watch and began to listen and sense for any movement, chakra, or the feeling of death. Sanryokyougan Kuro verified two of the ladies of Mother Suna had indeed been burned to death. Their sacred jewelry which served as keys to access the temple were missing. They had died fighting, fighting someone whom controlled flame in a manner far beyond Toraono Clan lessons.
The acolyte was alive but, she was under some kind of genjutsu that kept her in some kind of stasis hovering on the verge of death. She had been stabbed through her stomach but the damage had been blunted by her clothing and a leather girdle. With deft movements Sanryokyougan Kuro drew his sacred Takahashi steel blade and began to pour divine healing through it sealing her wound from the inside out leaving a faint scar where her flesh had been scorched.
The acolyte did not stir from her trance and Kuro could not wait for her to awaken. Drawing upon the stone in the area Kuro created an earth clone of himself and planted the command to defend the acolyte from anyone that would do her harm. With an obedient nod the clone of Kuro sat in front of the acolyte casting his shadow over her to provide her with shade. With a nod Akuma, Sanryokyougan, and Chouryoku Kuro headed for the entrance to the temple wary of what they might find. The scent of burnt flesh and flowers only grew as Kuro spotted more bodies now men and women burnt to cinder and some to ash leaving only faint imprints of bodies that now drifted upon the sands with the desert winds. As they came to the trail leading into the stone crèche the sounds of battle wafted from within and without any concern for himself Kuro in all three of his forms came running. Soldiers from the heart of Kaze no kuni lay strewn about with the careful and precise stab wounds that could only come from facing the hands of Mother Suna’s Followers, these nomadic zen masters were also descendants of the First Men.
As Kuro reached the entrance he took note of the advanced armor and weaponry used by the soldiers. Pistols, rotating blades, reinforced armor that appeared to be chakra resistant. Cold analytical thoughts told Kuro this was no mere excursion, this was a purge. As Kuro pressed on he found the source of the fighting, two dozen soldiers remaining moving in a tight phalanx formation with a familiar fiery armored being at the lead. No blade seemed to harm him, it was as if he were immune to the techniques of the seven fighters before him. Six followers of the desert lay dead before him, three of them were burnt to a crisp. An arrow of divine flame streaked toward Kuro only to be countered by his Sanryokyougan form. His blade had never been sheathed since coming upon the ambushed clerics. With a soft grey miasma of wrath the blade flickered and severed the arrow before it struck Kuro the purified wood of the projectile began to blacken and crumble in Kuro’s presence. No use in stealth and Kuro could not find it in his heart to even begin to seek diplomacy, so much had changed within Kuro with the actions of the Cabal. A hand rose from the leader of the troops and the archers at the back row lowered their bows while the phalanx shield leaders at the lead tightened their formation as their leader turned about crisply and walked to the rear of the formation to look upon Kuro.
Chouryoku Kuro could hear the erratic heartbeats of children hiding deeper within the crèche, he could hear the solid thrum of the monks’ heartbeats and specialized breathing. He could hear the priestess’ that took up defensive positions before them all while the remaining Sohei picked up various weapons and sealed the chambers leading to them behind themselves. All were prepared to make their final stand. Kuro’s emotions leveled out as he denied them the fate the enemy had in store for them. As the leader of the soldiers stepped forth Kuro could not shake the feeling that he had met him before. There was something off about him, something that went beyond mere need to kill. His killing intent was fueled by something otherworldly.
Upon seeing his face Kuro’s breath stuttered with a sharp intake… before a sinking realization on how the Cabal knew so much about Suna. “You…Shounetsuji…” Shounetsuji smiled as he looked up at Kuro with his skin grey and his hair white, he no longer looked like the cousin he had grown up with, but it was him sure enough, Nobuku Shounetsuji. With a gesture his men broke formation and came to stand attention behind him as if preparing for a parade. Kuro glanced at the Priests and Monks present and with a small surge of telekinesis he nudged them to run. They all felt the familiar pressure and slowly backed away sealing the chamber behind them.
Shounetsuji placed his hands behind his back and began to pace and it was then that Kuro noticed his artificial left arm and shoulder. “It has been a long time cousin, I had thought Saiga would have killed you by now as he is very efficient but as I see you now, there have been quite a few changes in you that probably made you excessively hard to kill. Oh well, I had one day hoped to face you in the arena but when your mother sent assassins after me and my sisters I only felt it right to send assassins after her first born daughter and her favorite son. The only son to take on her name, you whom would dare challenge my right to the Steel throne… The Daimyo told me that you obtained an official writ of nobility the day you married. This was also the same day my sister was kidnapped, the day my arm was severed, and the day your gifts arrived at my father’s home. Such a kind and uncanny coincidence wouldn’t you say… Cousin. When we found my baby sister her mind had been broken and a heavy familiar scar lay upon the side of her right side of her forehead. A demonic claw attack, exactly like the skillset you have… Cousin. So I prayed for forgiveness, but I could find none in my heart. So I prayed for vengeance and the lord spoke to me. He showed me how to harness my hatred while the Imperial surgeons grafted a carmot fiber prosthetic that allows me to use the powers that your mother sealed away from me. So Cousin… I know you have seen my handiwork, some of their bodies weren’t strong enough to withstand the divine flames but you are different aren’t you? You have always been able to take the heat… let’s play for old time’s sake and then I can send your soul to join my lord in heaven and then I will send Aunty, Uncle, and all my other cousins to join you at the feet of my Lord Jashin!!”
The troops echoed his decree in an eerie cry of disciplined roaring, “THE THRESHOLD!!! TAKE US TO LORD JASHIN!!!”
Kuro frowned in sadness as he realized Shounetsuji had not only been duped but he had been driven quite mad. “I can see there is no hope in changing your mind because an oath to Lord Jashin is unbreakable, your troops can face my bunshin outside and they will indeed be taken to the feet of their lord, while you and I catch up. Surely we can settle our affairs privately Cousin… or am I to assume that you believe me devoid of manners as well” </COLOR><i></i> Chouryoku and Sanryokyougan Kuro exited the crèche while Akuma Kuro descended the stair case to stand before Shounetsuji. With a wave of his artificial palm a battle captain stepped forth to receive instructions. <COLOR color="red"> “Take the men into battle, though they only face clones, make sure they act as if it were a true battle, my Cousin’s abilities will serve us well in training the men to face the legions of Sunagakure. Show no mercy…”
The battle captain gave a swift blade salute with his right fist over his heart before bowing and with silent efficient hand signals told the troops to fall out and advance upon the Toraono clones outside the crèche. As the two dozen men filed out of the crèche a palpable heat poured forth as Shounetsuji smiled revealing the powers he claimed Kuro’s mother had sealed. A mantle of flame began to react with his armor causing it to blacken and take on a rocky appearance.
WC: 1900
MFT
