by Max Barry

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Eversteen wrote:Kaito noted the similarity, which he guessed was up to them being siblings. He could see the similarities. Meanwhile he shrugged about the Dragons, "I suppose it is useful wisdom, even if it is still quite odd to absorb." He then looked at the paper box, confused, "I am afraid I would not know what to donate. As I do not believe mortal currency is of much worth. What is a good donation? Back on Eversteen, it was silver. The holy metal."

-

Mactar was surprised at Kondoru's speed, but similarly he conceded defeat at the closeness of the wooden sword. He span the staff around, til it came to rest, and then he bowed back to Kondoru. He then went to put the weapon away. Taltoro smiled, "Impressive handiwork. You're quick, lad. Very fast. Though what else do you have, I wonder?"

She shrugged, “do what you will lizard.” She seemed confused. “Oh anything can really be a donation. I don’t care. Anything mortal I prize. But if you got any bait I’s happily take it for you.” She nodded.

-

Kondoru bowed to his uncle, “Thank you. I spent many years practicing. My form focuses on power and speed. Seeking to end the battle in one quick blow at best. But if a trained opponent is at hand, to then use speed to keep up the attack.” He smiled and turned to his men, “Mactar. You fight bravely. I commend you. You should work to keep an enemy as far away from you as you can. With a spear, it is easier to control an opponent who is farther away from you. Thank you.” He bowed again. “Would someone like to volunteer to take me?”

Lucatiel wrote:She shrugged, “do what you will lizard.” She seemed confused. “Oh anything can really be a donation. I don’t care. Anything mortal I prize. But if you got any bait I’s happily take it for you.” She nodded.

-

Kondoru bowed to his uncle, “Thank you. I spent many years practicing. My form focuses on power and speed. Seeking to end the battle in one quick blow at best. But if a trained opponent is at hand, to then use speed to keep up the attack.” He smiled and turned to his men, “Mactar. You fight bravely. I commend you. You should work to keep an enemy as far away from you as you can. With a spear, it is easier to control an opponent who is farther away from you. Thank you.” He bowed again. “Would someone like to volunteer to take me?”

Kaito considered it, checking what he had on him. He did have in his clothes some spare money he had on hand for times of urgency. He decided to simply offer this as the donation, if anything was acceptable, "I do have this money. I am afraid I have not any bait however, as I did not come expecting that it would be needed. My apologies."

-

Taltoro found that style interesting, though he did already note some flaws. He would save it for later however, and he'd continue to observe. His critique would come when he saw everything he needed, and for now just nodded while taking mental notes. Mactar smiled, happy at the praise, and he bowed his head at the advice. Caltro then held up his hand, "I'll take a crack at it, sir. I'll see if I can do better." This time, Caltro grabbed a wooden staff, to simulate a spear, but also a small wooden shield, which was of course made to replicate the sort used by soldiers in battle. He bowed his head to Kondoru as he took the field, and then took up his position. Unlike Mactar, he of course held the spear with one hand, using the other to hold the shield. He bent his knees a bit, taking up a defensive formation in which he could quickly crouch and thrust in the case of an attack.

Lucatiel

Eversteen wrote:Kaito considered it, checking what he had on him. He did have in his clothes some spare money he had on hand for times of urgency. He decided to simply offer this as the donation, if anything was acceptable, "I do have this money. I am afraid I have not any bait however, as I did not come expecting that it would be needed. My apologies."

-

Taltoro found that style interesting, though he did already note some flaws. He would save it for later however, and he'd continue to observe. His critique would come when he saw everything he needed, and for now just nodded while taking mental notes. Mactar smiled, happy at the praise, and he bowed his head at the advice. Caltro then held up his hand, "I'll take a crack at it, sir. I'll see if I can do better." This time, Caltro grabbed a wooden staff, to simulate a spear, but also a small wooden shield, which was of course made to replicate the sort used by soldiers in battle. He bowed his head to Kondoru as he took the field, and then took up his position. Unlike Mactar, he of course held the spear with one hand, using the other to hold the shield. He bent his knees a bit, taking up a defensive formation in which he could quickly crouch and thrust in the case of an attack.

She shrugged and tapped the box with her staff. Toru was meditating by the edge of the bridge. Looking down at the water. The tengu looked over, “careful mortal. That water is only for immortals like us. So unless you want to become immortal and then have me kill you soon after, stay away from it.”
Toru nodded, “I shall heed your advice.” The bridge keeper nodded.
She then looked back to hear loud booms from the palace proper. “I see my brother has found trouble. Huhuhu.”

-

Kondoru put his sword in the same starting position, though this time, Kondoru would go on the advance here. Kondoru thought it odd that one would need a shield... but then he considered Caltro wasn’t a bushi, he was an ashigaru. Kondoru would not allow this one to gain the advantage. So after waiting for the match to start, he launched off his starting position. Hoping to get in an early slash from around the ankle area. Kondoru would make sure his blade would strike whenever he dealt a non fatal blow, ensuring that the wood collided on Caltro’s skin. However, Caltro would block Kondoru’s second and third blow, but before he could raise his spear, Kondoru used his sword to slap it down, step on the wooden spear, then bring the blade of his wooden sword to Caltro’s neck.

Lucatiel wrote:She shrugged and tapped the box with her staff. Toru was meditating by the edge of the bridge. Looking down at the water. The tengu looked over, “careful mortal. That water is only for immortals like us. So unless you want to become immortal and then have me kill you soon after, stay away from it.”
Toru nodded, “I shall heed your advice.” The bridge keeper nodded.
She then looked back to hear loud booms from the palace proper. “I see my brother has found trouble. Huhuhu.”

-

Kondoru put his sword in the same starting position, though this time, Kondoru would go on the advance here. Kondoru thought it odd that one would need a shield... but then he considered Caltro wasn’t a bushi, he was an ashigaru. Kondoru would not allow this one to gain the advantage. So after waiting for the match to start, he launched off his starting position. Hoping to get in an early slash from around the ankle area. Kondoru would make sure his blade would strike whenever he dealt a non fatal blow, ensuring that the wood collided on Caltro’s skin. However, Caltro would block Kondoru’s second and third blow, but before he could raise his spear, Kondoru used his sword to slap it down, step on the wooden spear, then bring the blade of his wooden sword to Caltro’s neck.

Kaito put the money in the box, and of course he remembered not to drink the water based on the last time he entered such a place, with the Dragon. That immortal horse would be an eternal reminder of such. He raised his head at the boom, looking over, "I do hope the Emperor won't be too harmed. That was quite the loud sound, they do seem displeased..."

-

Caltro was fairly quick himself, but Kondoru was faster, and had the element of surprise. Still, Caltro clearly had some more skill than one might expect, even if he was defeated. He grunted, but he conceded with the sword at his neck, "Quite fast sir. Though quite an aggressive style, my lord. Are you not concerned about over-extension?"

Eversteen wrote:Kaito put the money in the box, and of course he remembered not to drink the water based on the last time he entered such a place, with the Dragon. That immortal horse would be an eternal reminder of such. He raised his head at the boom, looking over, "I do hope the Emperor won't be too harmed. That was quite the loud sound, they do seem displeased..."

-

Caltro was fairly quick himself, but Kondoru was faster, and had the element of surprise. Still, Caltro clearly had some more skill than one might expect, even if he was defeated. He grunted, but he conceded with the sword at his neck, "Quite fast sir. Though quite an aggressive style, my lord. Are you not concerned about over-extension?"

The bridgekeeper looked over, “Oh I hope they do smack him around a lot. He deserves it. Huhuhu. Well, he appears to be engaged for a while. What shall we talk about?” The bridgekeeper smiled.

-

Kondoru nodded, “Yes... it is a great concern of mine. Hence why battles must be won in the first strikes. If it is not won then, we must change our tactics. We must begin to go on the defensive while we devise a way to establish a fighting method.”

Lucatiel wrote:The bridgekeeper looked over, “Oh I hope they do smack him around a lot. He deserves it. Huhuhu. Well, he appears to be engaged for a while. What shall we talk about?” The bridgekeeper smiled.

-

Kondoru nodded, “Yes... it is a great concern of mine. Hence why battles must be won in the first strikes. If it is not won then, we must change our tactics. We must begin to go on the defensive while we devise a way to establish a fighting method.”

Kaito thought on it, and then asked his question, "Well, I suppose I do want to ask two different questions. First, what did Emperor Benjiro do in order to cause such rage? Second, are you truly his sister? Or is that simply used as a way of reference like monks do?"

-

Calto thought about it further, considering it, "Guess that does make some sense. But it's pretty hard to win that way on the field when fighting other Eversteenians. Heavy armor makes that hard. Though I guess the nomads can do stuff like that."

Eversteen wrote:Kaito thought on it, and then asked his question, "Well, I suppose I do want to ask two different questions. First, what did Emperor Benjiro do in order to cause such rage? Second, are you truly his sister? Or is that simply used as a way of reference like monks do?"

-

Calto thought about it further, considering it, "Guess that does make some sense. But it's pretty hard to win that way on the field when fighting other Eversteenians. Heavy armor makes that hard. Though I guess the nomads can do stuff like that."

“I’ll answer in reverse order. I am his biological sister yes. Kishimoto Kuraokami.” She bowed her head. “And no, we do not copy monks. Monks copy us. But he and I were tasked to guard this bridge. It's a very boring job. All we get to do is sit here and guard a stupid bridge from people that barely know how to get here anymore. And he’s in trouble because he left.”

-

Kondoru shook his head. “I have fought men with heavy armour before. And I can assure you, my sword can slice through it, or hit the gaps. Hence my fighting style.”

Lucatiel wrote:“I’ll answer in reverse order. I am his biological sister yes. Kishimoto Kuraokami.” She bowed her head. “And no, we do not copy monks. Monks copy us. But he and I were tasked to guard this bridge. It's a very boring job. All we get to do is sit here and guard a stupid bridge from people that barely know how to get here anymore. And he’s in trouble because he left.”

-

Kondoru shook his head. “I have fought men with heavy armour before. And I can assure you, my sword can slice through it, or hit the gaps. Hence my fighting style.”

Kaito found that quite interesting, though he could understand why Benjiro ditched the job. So, he nodded his head, "Interesting, so you are truly his sister then! And you both did the same job. I can see why he left if nobody can find their way here anymore, would be rather boring and uneventful, and the Emperor does not seem like the sort who enjoys staying in one place for long. I suppose however it would displease those on the other side for ditching."

-

Calto shrugged, not quite convinced, "Doesn't work well with Eversteenian armor, at least. Though I guess mainlanders don't know how to craft as well, so that could make some sense. Anyways, I lost, time for me to get back on the sidelines."

Eversteen wrote:Kaito found that quite interesting, though he could understand why Benjiro ditched the job. So, he nodded his head, "Interesting, so you are truly his sister then! And you both did the same job. I can see why he left if nobody can find their way here anymore, would be rather boring and uneventful, and the Emperor does not seem like the sort who enjoys staying in one place for long. I suppose however it would displease those on the other side for ditching."

-

Calto shrugged, not quite convinced, "Doesn't work well with Eversteenian armor, at least. Though I guess mainlanders don't know how to craft as well, so that could make some sense. Anyways, I lost, time for me to get back on the sidelines."

“Greatly so. Hence the whirlwind of trouble he finds himself in today.” She smiled, “Especially with him spouting nonsense and such. But well, times have changed. He left, I’m his sister. What’s new.”

-

Kondoru bowed to Calto. “And the final challenger. You’re lucky, You’ve seen all my moves so far. You should be able to do much better.”

Lucatiel wrote:“Greatly so. Hence the whirlwind of trouble he finds himself in today.” She smiled, “Especially with him spouting nonsense and such. But well, times have changed. He left, I’m his sister. What’s new.”

-

Kondoru bowed to Calto. “And the final challenger. You’re lucky, You’ve seen all my moves so far. You should be able to do much better.”

Kaito thought about that, and shrugged, "For the mortal realm it's a fairly big event to have the Emperor. As he holds quite a bit of power. But I suppose up here in the Heavens it is different. It does not change very much if he is not here. So the times shift, but in terms of major impact there isn't too much here."

-

The last challenger was Altrin, the least notable of the bunch. Still, with a nod, he stepped up to take a position. Like Mactar, he grabbed just the spear for the sake of the duel, and took up a defensive position. Though notably he didn't seem as stationary, his feet were shifting a little more than Mactar's were, showing that he was now somewhat anticipating Kondoru's quick attacks, and keeping himself ready for them.

Eversteen wrote:Kaito thought about that, and shrugged, "For the mortal realm it's a fairly big event to have the Emperor. As he holds quite a bit of power. But I suppose up here in the Heavens it is different. It does not change very much if he is not here. So the times shift, but in terms of major impact there isn't too much here."

-

The last challenger was Altrin, the least notable of the bunch. Still, with a nod, he stepped up to take a position. Like Mactar, he grabbed just the spear for the sake of the duel, and took up a defensive position. Though notably he didn't seem as stationary, his feet were shifting a little more than Mactar's were, showing that he was now somewhat anticipating Kondoru's quick attacks, and keeping himself ready for them.

She sighed and cocked her head. “I’m afraid that here, he holds very little power. But there’s nothing I can do about it. Nor can he.” Benjiro started approaching from the distance. Holding boxes tucked under his arm.

-

Kondoru noticed the feet, he took a deep breath. Once the match began, Kondoru charged head long! Sword in a dramatic fashion, then the moment Altrin put up his defense and retaliatory strike, Kondoru blocked, used a feint to whack Altrin on the side of the knee, brought his sword up, and put it at Altrin’s neck. Of the three, this battle was the quickest. Kondoru bowed of course, and helped Altrin up. “Always live in the moment. React as it happens, never plan ahead a battle. Because your opponent’s movements will rarely match your predicted ones. “

Lucatiel wrote:She sighed and cocked her head. “I’m afraid that here, he holds very little power. But there’s nothing I can do about it. Nor can he.” Benjiro started approaching from the distance. Holding boxes tucked under his arm.

-

Kondoru noticed the feet, he took a deep breath. Once the match began, Kondoru charged head long! Sword in a dramatic fashion, then the moment Altrin put up his defense and retaliatory strike, Kondoru blocked, used a feint to whack Altrin on the side of the knee, brought his sword up, and put it at Altrin’s neck. Of the three, this battle was the quickest. Kondoru bowed of course, and helped Altrin up. “Always live in the moment. React as it happens, never plan ahead a battle. Because your opponent’s movements will rarely match your predicted ones. “

Kaito nodded, and then as he saw Benjiro approach he stood up and bowed his head again towards his Emperor. He made sure Toru noticed his arrival as well, and then stood at attention.

-

Altrin dropped to the ground and gave up with the sword to his neck. He nodded his head in understanding at Kondoru, taking his hand in order to stand up again. Once stood up, he responded, "I see sir, I got it! But you got to have a plan of some sort, right?"

Eversteen wrote:Kaito nodded, and then as he saw Benjiro approach he stood up and bowed his head again towards his Emperor. He made sure Toru noticed his arrival as well, and then stood at attention.

-

Altrin dropped to the ground and gave up with the sword to his neck. He nodded his head in understanding at Kondoru, taking his hand in order to stand up again. Once stood up, he responded, "I see sir, I got it! But you got to have a plan of some sort, right?"

Toru was a step ahead of Kaito in this regard. Already awaiting to receive the emperor. Kishimoto looked to Benjiro, “Welcome back, brother. What have you-“ Benjiro kept walked before crossing the bridge, turning around, and putting a bag on the ground in front of her.
“Your bribe.” Kishimoto was silent. She eyed the two large boxes, bowed her head and pocketed the bag. Kishimoto stayed silent this entire time. Benjiro and her then bowed deeply at one another. He then turned and left without saying anything.
Toru looked to the emperor, “my emperor... are you alright?”
“I’m fine thank you. Let’s just leave. I don’t like being here long.”

-

“The only plan I really have is to defeat the enemy.” He helped Altrin up, “and to defeat the enemy. I use my eyes, ears, and feet. But I never let my mind wander to what could happen. Just focus in on what is happening.”

Lucatiel wrote:Toru was a step ahead of Kaito in this regard. Already awaiting to receive the emperor. Kishimoto looked to Benjiro, “Welcome back, brother. What have you-“ Benjiro kept walked before crossing the bridge, turning around, and putting a bag on the ground in front of her.
“Your bribe.” Kishimoto was silent. She eyed the two large boxes, bowed her head and pocketed the bag. Kishimoto stayed silent this entire time. Benjiro and her then bowed deeply at one another. He then turned and left without saying anything.
Toru looked to the emperor, “my emperor... are you alright?”
“I’m fine thank you. Let’s just leave. I don’t like being here long.”

-

“The only plan I really have is to defeat the enemy.” He helped Altrin up, “and to defeat the enemy. I use my eyes, ears, and feet. But I never let my mind wander to what could happen. Just focus in on what is happening.”

Kaito supposed it was good Kishimoto accepted the bribe so easily, made it easier to leave. He then bowed his head to the Emperor, "Very well, my Emperor. Let us depart. Do we exit this place the same way we came in? Or another method?"

-

Altrin thought about that, "I guess that is what a soldier should be on the battlefield, living in the moment." Now that he was up, he bowed his head and joined the others. Meanwhile, Taltoro made his comment, "Not exactly the style suiting a tactician, but a very good mentality for a field commander. After all, that's a way to win a battle, though a war is different."

Eversteen wrote:Kaito supposed it was good Kishimoto accepted the bribe so easily, made it easier to leave. He then bowed his head to the Emperor, "Very well, my Emperor. Let us depart. Do we exit this place the same way we came in? Or another method?"

-

Altrin thought about that, "I guess that is what a soldier should be on the battlefield, living in the moment." Now that he was up, he bowed his head and joined the others. Meanwhile, Taltoro made his comment, "Not exactly the style suiting a tactician, but a very good mentality for a field commander. After all, that's a way to win a battle, though a war is different."

Benjiro kept walking towards a cliff, Toru followed. “Well, it’s simple-ish. You take a deep breath and you just...” He jumped off the cliff. Toru looked down the cliff.
“Uh... Lord... Kaito... I do not know... about how I feel about heights...”

-

Kondoru bowed to his uncle, “I cannot say I have ever been a good general, uncle. I was a good warrior back home, never a good general.”

Lucatiel wrote:Benjiro kept walking towards a cliff, Toru followed. “Well, it’s simple-ish. You take a deep breath and you just...” He jumped off the cliff. Toru looked down the cliff.
“Uh... Lord... Kaito... I do not know... about how I feel about heights...”

-

Kondoru bowed to his uncle, “I cannot say I have ever been a good general, uncle. I was a good warrior back home, never a good general.”

Kaito went over to the cliff and looked over it, rather surprised he had just jumped like that. Blinking in confusion, he then turned to Toru, "It does not seem very wise by conventional knowledge, but we did get here by a lake. I shall go first, to help assure you." With that, Kaito took a break, and then leaped off the cliff for himself.

-

Taltoro smiled and nodded, "A warrior you are, nephew. Which is not a bad thing. A society of generals gets nowhere. Somebody needs to actually take up the blade and fight on the frontline. You shall be that, a leader on the frontline. That is the role of the Skylax, we fight the enemy, leading the troops directly. We have our generals, sure, but this family as you have seen is dedicated to preparing the soldiers."

Eversteen wrote:Kaito went over to the cliff and looked over it, rather surprised he had just jumped like that. Blinking in confusion, he then turned to Toru, "It does not seem very wise by conventional knowledge, but we did get here by a lake. I shall go first, to help assure you." With that, Kaito took a break, and then leaped off the cliff for himself.

-

Taltoro smiled and nodded, "A warrior you are, nephew. Which is not a bad thing. A society of generals gets nowhere. Somebody needs to actually take up the blade and fight on the frontline. You shall be that, a leader on the frontline. That is the role of the Skylax, we fight the enemy, leading the troops directly. We have our generals, sure, but this family as you have seen is dedicated to preparing the soldiers."

As soon as Kaito’s feet left solid rock, he would regret the decision. The fall was... intense. As he really was falling off a cliff. And he sped up, going faster and faster... the clouds gathered around him. And the clouds got thicker. And thicker. Until he suddenly found himself flying through water. And then perspective started changing... his mind grew aware of where he was. He was at the bottom of a lake! Below him was a murky abyss, above him was the sky light!

-

He bowed his head. “Thank you uncle, I am most proud to serve, of course.” He smiled a bit and stood up. “What is next, uncle. I am most excited to continue.”

Lucatiel wrote:As soon as Kaito’s feet left solid rock, he would regret the decision. The fall was... intense. As he really was falling off a cliff. And he sped up, going faster and faster... the clouds gathered around him. And the clouds got thicker. And thicker. Until he suddenly found himself flying through water. And then perspective started changing... his mind grew aware of where he was. He was at the bottom of a lake! Below him was a murky abyss, above him was the sky light!

-

He bowed his head. “Thank you uncle, I am most proud to serve, of course.” He smiled a bit and stood up. “What is next, uncle. I am most excited to continue.”

Kaito held firm even as all of his body told his mind to panic, sticking to his faith. If he would die, he would die faithful, or at least that's what he decided. When he found himself in the water, naturally he moved to swim up and resurface, to find out what lake he had found himself in.

-

Taltoro smiled at the response, happy that Kondoru was accepting of it. He then thought about it, "Preferably we would arrange for the journey in which you go to get your specially crafted armor and weapons, but before we can do that, we must of course get the acceptance of the Gods. I am fairly certain the Gods already favor you, since you are here at all, so that won't be any real trouble. We simply need a Priest of the Silver Cabal to get it into official writing. Mark you as a follower of the gods and one of their favored. With such an official certification, there can be no real pushback against you on Eversteen."

Eversteen wrote:Kaito held firm even as all of his body told his mind to panic, sticking to his faith. If he would die, he would die faithful, or at least that's what he decided. When he found himself in the water, naturally he moved to swim up and resurface, to find out what lake he had found himself in.

-

Taltoro smiled at the response, happy that Kondoru was accepting of it. He then thought about it, "Preferably we would arrange for the journey in which you go to get your specially crafted armor and weapons, but before we can do that, we must of course get the acceptance of the Gods. I am fairly certain the Gods already favor you, since you are here at all, so that won't be any real trouble. We simply need a Priest of the Silver Cabal to get it into official writing. Mark you as a follower of the gods and one of their favored. With such an official certification, there can be no real pushback against you on Eversteen."

As he exited the water, he found himself in the same pond that the great koi was in before. The koi looked over, “aah, good. The lizard did not drown. Your emperor is waiting down by the sakura tree. You should join him. I shall guide the third when he jumps.”

-

Kondoru nodded, “Then let us find a priest and have them endorse my faith then!” Kondoru said as he approached his uncle, “where do we go?”

Lucatiel wrote:As he exited the water, he found himself in the same pond that the great koi was in before. The koi looked over, “aah, good. The lizard did not drown. Your emperor is waiting down by the sakura tree. You should join him. I shall guide the third when he jumps.”

-

Kondoru nodded, “Then let us find a priest and have them endorse my faith then!” Kondoru said as he approached his uncle, “where do we go?”

He was surprised to see the Koi again, but Kaito simply nodded to the creature upon surfacing, "Very well. He should be coming along soon. Thank you." With that, he moved to swim and get out of the pond, and find the Sakura tree with the Emperor.

-

"The local temple, of course. That is where the Silver Cabal keeps to, their holy silver temples. Nice places. Like any pious folk, we have one nearby the castle. Right this way, and bring you retinue with you." With that, Taltoro moved to walk out of the training room, to exit the castle.

Eversteen wrote:He was surprised to see the Koi again, but Kaito simply nodded to the creature upon surfacing, "Very well. He should be coming along soon. Thank you." With that, he moved to swim and get out of the pond, and find the Sakura tree with the Emperor.

-

"The local temple, of course. That is where the Silver Cabal keeps to, their holy silver temples. Nice places. Like any pious folk, we have one nearby the castle. Right this way, and bring you retinue with you." With that, Taltoro moved to walk out of the training room, to exit the castle.

Benjiro was sitting patiently. Looking down the mountain at the countryside sprawled out in front of them. A short while later, Toru came out of the water gasping for air. Pulling himself from the water he growled as he groaned. He managed to get over to Kaito and Benjiro. Benjiro took a deep breath and sighed.

-

Kondoru nodded, “Men, come along. We have work to do. Grab your armour and weapons. We may not rest in one place for a while so prepare.” Kondoru turned and followed his uncle.

Lucatiel wrote:Benjiro was sitting patiently. Looking down the mountain at the countryside sprawled out in front of them. A short while later, Toru came out of the water gasping for air. Pulling himself from the water he growled as he groaned. He managed to get over to Kaito and Benjiro. Benjiro took a deep breath and sighed.

-

Kondoru nodded, “Men, come along. We have work to do. Grab your armour and weapons. We may not rest in one place for a while so prepare.” Kondoru turned and followed his uncle.

Kaito looked to Toru and nodded, "So you managed to jump, Toru. Conquering the fear, then!" He then turned and bowed to Benjiro, "My Emperor, what is our next move? The enemy is still active, so what shall we do?"

-

The three Rigonian Soldiers bowed in acknowledgement and rushed off to prepare themselves for a journey. That meant getting their armor back on and preparing their real weapons and gear, in addition to preparing their own packs of supplies, given that soldiers here were expected to carry a few of their own supplies. They would join up with Taltoro and Kondoru as they were exiting the castle, fully armored up in their Spearmen Armor. Meanwhile, the location they were headed to was a large temple atop a hill. It was made of pristine marble, with large pillars. Notably, it also had statues made of silver standing in front of those pillars. There were four statues, each three times larger than a Rigonian. They all resembled mighty warriors in full armor. One wielded a bow, one a halberd, one a sword and shield, and finally one with a large greatsword.

Eversteen wrote:Kaito looked to Toru and nodded, "So you managed to jump, Toru. Conquering the fear, then!" He then turned and bowed to Benjiro, "My Emperor, what is our next move? The enemy is still active, so what shall we do?"

-

The three Rigonian Soldiers bowed in acknowledgement and rushed off to prepare themselves for a journey. That meant getting their armor back on and preparing their real weapons and gear, in addition to preparing their own packs of supplies, given that soldiers here were expected to carry a few of their own supplies. They would join up with Taltoro and Kondoru as they were exiting the castle, fully armored up in their Spearmen Armor. Meanwhile, the location they were headed to was a large temple atop a hill. It was made of pristine marble, with large pillars. Notably, it also had statues made of silver standing in front of those pillars. There were four statues, each three times larger than a Rigonian. They all resembled mighty warriors in full armor. One wielded a bow, one a halberd, one a sword and shield, and finally one with a large greatsword.

Toru was still shaking a bit, but he bowed to Kaito. “Thank you, Kaito. I appreciate the uh... compliment.” Benjiro placed the boxes in front of Kaito and Toru.
“Open them.” Toru did as he was told, when Kaito and Toru opened their boxes... They found swords. They were both ornate, magically crafted. The craftsmanship on these blades was divine. “These are your weapons. They... are the god killers. Lord Kaito, to you I present ‘ Kaminari-no-ninaite’ The Bearer of Thunder. And to Lord Kaito I present ‘Inazuma-no-ninaite‘ The Bearer of Lightning. These blades are brothers. When a crack develops on one, the other develops a similar crack. If one breaks the other will break too. These blades can slay Oni. They can Harm Dragons. Destroy Spirits. Kill our enemy, the vile mukade. And... and also kill me. These two swords were forged to slay demons long ago, and returned to the gods when the monks who guarded the swords felt they could no longer tolerate mortals having this kind of power. I am gifting them to you. We will wage war yes, but it shall not be a conventional war. There will be no victory with a hundred thousand strong army marching across lands. There will be no queen to vanquish. No. The mukade have no will of their own but the will of those whom they have infected. A desperate man who drank from heaven’s waters to become immortal. A power hungry man who wishes to become stronger. A man with nothing to lose. This is a silent war. A war where we must... watch for our enemies. And hunt them under the cover of darkness. One where we hunt. Not march. You saw before... the nature of our enemy. The mukade grants immortality at the cost of a soul. The mukade, the parasite, it feasts upon the soul. It allows a man to survive a mortal blow. But at the cost of losing his humanity. Once he has suffered a fatal wound, he sheds all that made him living. He becomes bestial. You saw what happens when they become... that way. These blades give you faith to kill these parasites. And so those are your missions. As my chief ministers... and as my friends,” benjiro looked down, “life must carry on. But your solemn duty must be that of the common hunter. This, this is why I brought Clan Nagaoka back. They must help us locate these individuals Lord Toru Okada. Return to your home for rest. Business resumes tomorrow. Lord Kaito, your castle is impressive, but you work for me now. Obviously your family owns that castle... out there. And it will be manned, but I need you here. For governmental business. You are my second chief minister. You will travel to Lady Edoshi tonight, collect your daughter, then sail and collect your wife and estate. I’ve had a smaller castle built for you here, near where Lord Toru lives. And... I do hate to say it, but, yes, it will be your permanent home from now on. If your son was here, I would decree you give most of your titles to him and make being my chief minister your sole title, but until your daughter can rule that castle on her own... I’m afraid it is impossible. Go both of you. Kaito, you will move here. Toru you will get rest. And tomorrow evening we shall reconvene for business as usual. Benjiro stood and bowed, Toru doing the same. Benjiro then seemed to spiral into a cyclone of fabric before shooting off down the mountain.

Toru sighed and looked to Kaito, “We are to be brothers. And I will not deny that I still harbour feelings of much resentment towards you. But such is the nature of brothers.” Toru hugged Kaito and held it a moment, he then bowed and left. The sword now modestly tucked into his belt.

-

Kondoru was fascinated with this... architecture. It left him gobsmacked. But he tried to maintain his composure as he entered the building to fulfil his destiny.

Lucatiel wrote:Toru was still shaking a bit, but he bowed to Kaito. “Thank you, Kaito. I appreciate the uh... compliment.” Benjiro placed the boxes in front of Kaito and Toru.
“Open them.” Toru did as he was told, when Kaito and Toru opened their boxes... They found swords. They were both ornate, magically crafted. The craftsmanship on these blades was divine. “These are your weapons. They... are the god killers. Lord Kaito, to you I present ‘ Kaminari-no-ninaite’ The Bearer of Thunder. And to Lord Kaito I present ‘Inazuma-no-ninaite‘ The Bearer of Lightning. These blades are brothers. When a crack develops on one, the other develops a similar crack. If one breaks the other will break too. These blades can slay Oni. They can Harm Dragons. Destroy Spirits. Kill our enemy, the vile mukade. And... and also kill me. These two swords were forged to slay demons long ago, and returned to the gods when the monks who guarded the swords felt they could no longer tolerate mortals having this kind of power. I am gifting them to you. We will wage war yes, but it shall not be a conventional war. There will be no victory with a hundred thousand strong army marching across lands. There will be no queen to vanquish. No. The mukade have no will of their own but the will of those whom they have infected. A desperate man who drank from heaven’s waters to become immortal. A power hungry man who wishes to become stronger. A man with nothing to lose. This is a silent war. A war where we must... watch for our enemies. And hunt them under the cover of darkness. One where we hunt. Not march. You saw before... the nature of our enemy. The mukade grants immortality at the cost of a soul. The mukade, the parasite, it feasts upon the soul. It allows a man to survive a mortal blow. But at the cost of losing his humanity. Once he has suffered a fatal wound, he sheds all that made him living. He becomes bestial. You saw what happens when they become... that way. These blades give you faith to kill these parasites. And so those are your missions. As my chief ministers... and as my friends,” benjiro looked down, “life must carry on. But your solemn duty must be that of the common hunter. This, this is why I brought Clan Nagaoka back. They must help us locate these individuals Lord Toru Okada. Return to your home for rest. Business resumes tomorrow. Lord Kaito, your castle is impressive, but you work for me now. Obviously your family owns that castle... out there. And it will be manned, but I need you here. For governmental business. You are my second chief minister. You will travel to Lady Edoshi tonight, collect your daughter, then sail and collect your wife and estate. I’ve had a smaller castle built for you here, near where Lord Toru lives. And... I do hate to say it, but, yes, it will be your permanent home from now on. If your son was here, I would decree you give most of your titles to him and make being my chief minister your sole title, but until your daughter can rule that castle on her own... I’m afraid it is impossible. Go both of you. Kaito, you will move here. Toru you will get rest. And tomorrow evening we shall reconvene for business as usual. Benjiro stood and bowed, Toru doing the same. Benjiro then seemed to spiral into a cyclone of fabric before shooting off down the mountain.

Toru sighed and looked to Kaito, “We are to be brothers. And I will not deny that I still harbour feelings of much resentment towards you. But such is the nature of brothers.” Toru hugged Kaito and held it a moment, he then bowed and left. The sword now modestly tucked into his belt.

-

Kondoru was fascinated with this... architecture. It left him gobsmacked. But he tried to maintain his composure as he entered the building to fulfil his destiny.

Kaito took out the blade, rather surprised to be granted such a weapon. He wielded it, trying to get a good feel for this Bearer of Thunder, before then tucking it into his own belt for now. If this weapon was as impressive as the Emperor said, and capable of so much, then it was not to be used without good reason or present danger. Besides, this was a shadow war now, and he could not show off the weapon casually. He would have to create a special sheath for it. The order was understandable, even if it did mean he could not continue building his great citadel. He bowed his head to the Emperor, accepting his new role, "Understood, my Emperor." With Benjiro disappearing, he then turned to Toru and nodded, "Indeed it is so. Heh, but it is not perhaps so bad on my own head. I lost my brothers coming here. That is being remedied." He returned the hug, and bowed as Toru left. Kaito waited there for a moment, simply looking up into the sky and sighing. He did wonder if the Gods were watching him now. He then turned to find a boat, as he would have to sail to Edoshi's lands tonight. He surmised that he would have to train his daughter to manage a castle faster than he had originally wanted to, as he couldn't leave his old castle without a lord. But he supposed it wasn't all bad, he could be with his family again at least for a time. And perhaps he could renovate his new castle as well.

-

The interior of the Temple was just as stylized as the outside, though in a different manner. The interior was only lit up by small pyres, of which there were forty-eight, the same number as the Rigonian Pantheon. They were lined up through the center of the room, each marked with a number. Closest to the entrance was the one marked "48". Notably, pyre nine was strangely not-lit like the others, and there were attendants around keeping the fires active, yet they openly avoided that one. Taltoro looked around to find the actual priest who managed this temple, and then pointed him out towards the back, "There we go, Silver Cabal. Though the priest seems a bit busy." Towards the back of the temple, near another large silver statue of the warrior wielding the halberd, there was indeed the priest. It was a Rigonian wearing white robes, with a silver-tinted hood. But there were two others with him. One was an imposing fully armored figure, wearing mighty plate armor with silver insignia, with a greatsword in hand, currently resting on their armored shoulder. The other was less physically imposing, but was most certainly dangerous in their own right, as they wore a similar set of white and silver robes to the priest, but they wore a mask as well, with armor underneath the robes. In their hand was a large staff, which faintly glowed. Taltoro explained, "A Silver Blademaster and a Silver Cabal Inquisitor. Something's going on, if the Inquisition is sticking their nose over here... Best be careful, and let them finish. Don't wanna get caught up in that business."

Eversteen wrote:Kaito took out the blade, rather surprised to be granted such a weapon. He wielded it, trying to get a good feel for this Bearer of Thunder, before then tucking it into his own belt for now. If this weapon was as impressive as the Emperor said, and capable of so much, then it was not to be used without good reason or present danger. Besides, this was a shadow war now, and he could not show off the weapon casually. He would have to create a special sheath for it. The order was understandable, even if it did mean he could not continue building his great citadel. He bowed his head to the Emperor, accepting his new role, "Understood, my Emperor." With Benjiro disappearing, he then turned to Toru and nodded, "Indeed it is so. Heh, but it is not perhaps so bad on my own head. I lost my brothers coming here. That is being remedied." He returned the hug, and bowed as Toru left. Kaito waited there for a moment, simply looking up into the sky and sighing. He did wonder if the Gods were watching him now. He then turned to find a boat, as he would have to sail to Edoshi's lands tonight. He surmised that he would have to train his daughter to manage a castle faster than he had originally wanted to, as he couldn't leave his old castle without a lord. But he supposed it wasn't all bad, he could be with his family again at least for a time. And perhaps he could renovate his new castle as well.

-

The interior of the Temple was just as stylized as the outside, though in a different manner. The interior was only lit up by small pyres, of which there were forty-eight, the same number as the Rigonian Pantheon. They were lined up through the center of the room, each marked with a number. Closest to the entrance was the one marked "48". Notably, pyre nine was strangely not-lit like the others, and there were attendants around keeping the fires active, yet they openly avoided that one. Taltoro looked around to find the actual priest who managed this temple, and then pointed him out towards the back, "There we go, Silver Cabal. Though the priest seems a bit busy." Towards the back of the temple, near another large silver statue of the warrior wielding the halberd, there was indeed the priest. It was a Rigonian wearing white robes, with a silver-tinted hood. But there were two others with him. One was an imposing fully armored figure, wearing mighty plate armor with silver insignia, with a greatsword in hand, currently resting on their armored shoulder. The other was less physically imposing, but was most certainly dangerous in their own right, as they wore a similar set of white and silver robes to the priest, but they wore a mask as well, with armor underneath the robes. In their hand was a large staff, which faintly glowed. Taltoro explained, "A Silver Blademaster and a Silver Cabal Inquisitor. Something's going on, if the Inquisition is sticking their nose over here... Best be careful, and let them finish. Don't wanna get caught up in that business."

The sword was perfectly balanced. So much so that Kaito could see if he rested the hilt of the sword on his finger, the sword would float perfectly on one finger. That’s how good the craftsmanship was. The blade had power, some sort of latent divine blessing perhaps. Regardless, it was easy to get himself a ship. There were hundreds of vessels in the port of the capital, and many were already heading to Kaito’s home lands. The voyage would take that familiar several hours as he sailed down wind. Arriving in the capital city of Lady Edoshi, Kaito found familiarity here. Nothing but calmness, peace, and serenity on this cold and rainy day.

-

Kondoru leaned to his uncle and whispered, “what is this... inquisition?” He kept back away from the cabal members, per his uncle’s advice.

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