Ayame - Mission #24: Prelude to Ruination
[Toggle Names]Description: A vengeful intruder assaults the Meian Jinja. His arsenal includes an array of sealing techniques and a seemingly unlimited horde of youkai and his vendetta is unquestionably personal.
[MAKAI]
Only a few days ago, an unexplained massacre happened on the outskirts of Hokkaido; perhaps nineteen people dead, and only a few survivors. This has been in the background due to the prevalent concern of the United Nations' poised to attack, despite the apparent violence. Yet within the Ichijo household, this might be much more notable... as it was the Ametsuchi clan that was devastated. For long centuries, they have been warned that their method of dealing with youkai, demons, darkstalkers and worse would one day lead to ruin, but to happen in a time when the spirit world is more distant and the leylines of chi more calm is unusual.
All of the pure-blooded hunters of Ametsuchi were killed, and almost all of the elders. A few survive, along with a meager amount of children and women, but at least for the next few generations the clan is effectively destroyed. Many of the buildings were burned, and if any investigation was done despite the utter lack of cooperation, it would seem the Makai is missing, and the onslaught itself done by spirits...
But with King of Fighters on the forefront, perhaps Ayame was not immediately concerned with her own house. Yet in the midst of the night, a lone figure slithered into the fringes of the shrine. All seals and alarms about an intruding spirit would go haywire as a result, before abruptly a series of youkai descended. Shifting into the plane to assault, mad and wild with near mindless rage and destructive impulses, none of them have any shred of self-awareness or sentience left at this point.
Individually they are not particularly strong, but the combination of ambush and chaos is potent. While the lone figure who sparked the conflict continues to encroach deeper, clad in a whirling grey cloak with the hood drawn up. He lands upon the second floor roof, the moon high above contrasting his form sharply.
Where is the girl...? The one from this bloodline that cannot be forgiven...!
[AYAME]
Gone are the days where the Meian Jinja was often visited by royal ambassadors, when the Ichijo family soothsayers had the ear of the Shogun, and eventually, the ear of the Emperor. Times change, and the family of powerful, of sometimes eccentric, monster wranglers have become more removed from the affairs of government and more concerned with what moves in the shadows, just beneath the notice of most.
The clan has dwindled during its transition into the modern era. Many have moved away to start lives apart from the old ways and even, to some degree, the apparent need for active monster hunters had diminished with time. Even now, only a few actually live on the property itself, with a fair number simply commuting in from the nearby Southtown.
But those who still call the walled in shrine home are quick to rise, cries of alarm echoing across the courtyard as lights activate within the long, single floor structure of living quarters adjacent to one of the walls. Out of sliding rice paper doors, the residents of the Meian Jinja surge to fight. They are lead by a tall, thin man, his black hair interspersed with sections of dignified silver-grey, a long wooden staff in his right hand, a grim expression on his face. Fearlessly, he enters the fray, working the weapon with a master's expertise.
Others hurry to fight along with him. They are younger, mostly late teens to mid-twenties. Disciples, family blood, or volunteers who drifted in when no one else would take them, they clearly possess only a fraction of experience of Genbo Ichijo himself. Of course, there are countless reasons the shrine itself has stood the test of the ages, a bastion against the world of demons, spirits, and youkai. As the defilers pour in, they would find their strength sapped, their souls pierced with sharp pain, as glowing runes along the walls and buildings begin to radiate with a powerful, burning aura that sense the unmistakable message that those who would do harm to this place or those who reside here are not welcome within these walls.
On the wooden porch that runs the length of the living quarters waits an older woman, Komyo Ichijo, watching over the chaos unfolding in the courtyard with a pensive, worried look, eyes occasionally glancing toward the great torii that stands over the courtyard gates, the massive wooden structure thrumming occasionally with an alarming rumble that echoes across the shrine grounds, a portend of escalating latent defenses woven into the shrine's infrastructure that could very well activate should things not be brought under control fast enough.
Equipped with staves and one handed maces, the Ichijo warriors that take to defense stick close to each other, fighting in the darkness only pierced by what little illumination makes its way out of the living quarters - the only building in the compound equipped with the modern miracle of electricity, though a few have broken off to try and light the courtyard lanterns to help compensate for the innate advantage youkai have over humans when fighting in the dark.
Such is the state of affairs for some while, the beleaguered spiritualists, the swarming threats, and the carefully maintained built in wards gradually escalating in their intensity.
Ayame is the last to arrive, rushing into the courtyard from the gateway exiting into the forest paths. She is easy to spot, the wooden staff in her left hand glimmering with an array of smoldering, crimson runes, clothed in the white and crimson uniform of her station and calling. Lips drawn back into a furious growl, she rushes to join the fight with the kind of intensity that can turn a tide or shatter morale of even the most resolute creatures.
"Get out of my home!"
Her demand is audible over the cacophony of battle, the girl whirling to smash her staff into the boney back of a hunched over youkai before slipping around it to plant a sealing talisman on its misshapen face that sends it to howling in pain. She's already moving on to the next, paying it no mind, a reaving force of youkai-maiming destruction that shows no signs of slowing down.
[MAKAI]
The Youkai in question, if those present are familiar, seem quite old. These are the sort of mindless beasts drawn to powerful chi, enticed over from the spirit world. There has not been anything that would bring their ilk in well over a century, especially in Japan. The shrine has no particularly special chi to it, and they are not operating in any fashion that indicates conscious intention to attack, or even as a unit. Such a thing cannot be a coincidence, but how many entities might be able to cause it? Great beasts of abnormal proportions and terrifying features, they still lack entirely in technique, although little concerning strength or durability.
From atop the building, Makai observes solemnly, standing upright with arms crossed as straps of clothing flow past him. Long, seal-inscribed cloth is wound about his form like a mummy, showing nothing but silver forearm and shin guards beneath. Over his face is a crimson mask in the shape of a tusked grinning oni, purple energy seething visibly out of the eyes and shimmering beneath the mask.
There was perhaps a dozen youkai in total, two of which were gigantic and nearly house-sized, one a serpent and one like a centipede, much more threatening. Although the Ichijo clan is winning the battle with only mild injuries. Tch. Well, such is not surprising. Many of these beings were sealed at minimal power, and they had no time to recover any after being unleashed...
Ayame breaks that deadlock almost immediately upon arrival. Only a few of the quicker ones remained, and she has no issue striking them. They dissolve or collapse defeated, although seem hollow and lacking in essence. Starving is the appropriate word... if a youkai could suffer, these certainly are.
It takes a greater effort to banish the last giant ones, and the calamitous fall of the centipede and serpent are liable to do more damage than their forceful efforts before they begin to dissolve with a slow hiss.
It is then that the figure at the top finally shows himself. "Ayame Ichijo..." A voice she has certainly never heard before. But the figure standing before the distant moon on the rooftop is... well. It feels like countless small amounts of energy, condensed into a singularity. The total strength is incredibly difficult to calculate, and the more the essence is probed, the more separate entities would appear to be found. "How unsurprising. You truly are a cut above your clan. Wiping you out might not be as easy as I thought..."
Suddenly Makai pulls up his mask slightly, revealing a rugged black beard. Then his mouth opens, before... a swell of purple-black energy crackles around him. He appears to vomit out a mantis-like youkai with four scythe limbs. It expands rapidly, roaring into the air. Another comes out, a massive and gnarled gathering of legs and arms seemingly attached beneath a turtle's shell. A third, multiple bat-like wings taking a two-headed figure into the sky before a long millipede-like monstrosity is drawn out to cling to the side of the house.
Each of them feels like the ones just exterminated. Weakened and ancient, mindless creatures that singularly would be little threat. But a moment later, Makai spreads his hands and unleashes a seal. Demonic power surges out, suffusing the new creatures, and in only a few moments empowering them significantly...!!
"I wonder what would happen if you fell... how many of my brethren might it take to turn this shrine into a scorched wasteland...?!"
COMBATSYS: Makai has started a fight here on the right meter side.
> //////////////////////////////]
|-------\-------\0 Makai
COMBATSYS: Youkai Swarm has joined the fight here on the right meter side.
> //////////////////////////////]
|-------\-------\0 Makai
> //////////////////////////////]
|-------\-------\0 Youkai Swarm
[AYAME]
To the swarm of youkai, the newest arrival must cut an imposing figure in spite her diminutive stature, the length of her crimson glowing staff adding a zone of threat around the girl as she sweeps, whirls, and smashes her way through the unleashed creatures of nightmare. An observant viewer would notice that her style is not entirely unlike that of the older bearded man holding his own in keeping the monsters from harming his less experienced disciples. While the length of carved wood in his hands does not glow like the young prodigy's, the dance-like fluid movements at the heart of their styles are clearly cut from the same cloth... Yet Ayame's elegant movements are faster, more adaptable, and connect with chi that seems to burn the very essence of her monstrous targets.
Encouraged, Genbou Ichijo waves his left arm forward, uttering a cry that has the defenders moving to rush into the wake carved out by young Ichijo's rampage through the invaders.
Together, they take on the largest, finally dropping them under a combined assault of Ayame's chi imbued strikes and collective blows from sacred, blessed wood blunt weaponry. The thrumming of the towering torii dies down, the threat finally contained - or so it seems. There will be time enough to try and understand this breech later, as the residents begin to check their wounded and the woman from the porch finally moves closer to help tend to the more serious injuries.
Lips pressed together into an expression of anger, Ayame studies the courtyard, eying the damage briefly but with little interest, clearly searching for any indication as to what was responsible for this unconventional invasion. Someone had to be behind the breech-
When the figure moves, all eyes turn to him. Maces and staves are gripped, but the High Priest gestures to his disciples that they should hold back, a subtle shake of his head suggesting that they are not to interfere yet, perhaps for their own protection.
The masked individual has everyone's attention as he addresses the young miko of the Meian Jinja, her left arm at her side gripping her staff tightly as she cranes her neck up to observe him.
He addressed her by name and continues to speak, but she's already advancing, purposeful strides toward the shrine building atop which he perches. "Tch." Her right hand slips into her left sleeve, producing a rune-etched paper talisman, "Take a number." She bends her legs, clearly intending to leap up to the balcony below the Swarm Master en route to closing distance with him, only to freeze as from his mouth more convincing threats issue forth.
Turning toward each of the new arrivals, there is a flicker of uncertainty in the girl's eyes - this ability of his is unlike anything she had ever seen before. Cries of alarm escape the mouths of some of the less experienced disciples as Genbou extends his staff toward the suddenly empowered mantis-like menace. "Deal with their summoner!" he yells for his daughter before surging forward to engage the blade-limbed threat.
Falling back a little, Komyou Ichijo draws her hand up to her neck, looking alarmed but saying nothing as she leaves the combat to the others. Though one would be able to tell quite clearly that it was not for a lack of ability that she stays out of the chaos.
Gritting her teeth, Ayame turns toward the masked enigma as power flows from him into the newly summoned monstrosities.
"I do not know who you are," she murmurs, crouching down slightly before leaping up to land on the railing of the balcony below him, perched with flawless balance as she prepares to jump again and close the remaining distance.
"But this house does not rise or fall on the presence of a single individual!"
COMBATSYS: Genbou has joined the fight here on the left meter side.
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Genbou 0/-------/------=|-------\-------\0 Makai
> //////////////////////////////]
|-------\-------\0 Youkai Swarm
COMBATSYS: Ayame has joined the fight here on the left meter side.
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Ayame 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Makai
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Genbou 0/-------/------=|-------\-------\0 Youkai Swarm
COMBATSYS: Koumyou has joined the fight here in the center.
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Ayame 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Makai
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Genbou 0/-------/------=|-------\-------\0 Youkai Swarm
[ |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| ]
Koumyou 0|-------|-------
[MAKAI]
"A single individual, you say...? If that's true, then you are indeed in trouble." states the calm voice of the figure. His mask settles back into place, again seething out that energy loosely.
The swarming new arrivals seem intent on distracting the others present. The great mantis and the myriad-limbed turtle charge towards Genbou, descending brutal attacks of sheer forceful power. Towards Koumyou, the millipede rises up and smashes down, while the sky-born youkai begins to divebomb and screech.
This leaves Makai himself, who lifts both of his hands together. "This form's potential... is far more than when we first met!! Once the Ichijo clan has been ravaged, then there will be none who can threaten my return!!"
Suddenly there's a swirl of energy, before a sealing incantation is murmured. The air around Ayame suddenly glows purple, before countless slender hooked chains of spectral energy lash out, trying to grasp upon her in tandem and yank her down towards the ground with incredible weight! This is... yes, definitely a move meant to capture spirits. Does that mean every monster he possesses he at one point conquered?
COMBATSYS: Genbou blocks Youkai Swarm's Rapid Assault.
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Ayame 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Makai
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Genbou 0/-------/-----==|-------\-------\0 Youkai Swarm
[ |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| ]
Koumyou 0|-------|-------
COMBATSYS: Youkai Swarm successfully hits Koumyou with Rapid Assault.
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Ayame 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Makai
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////////// ]
Genbou 0/-------/-----==|=------\-------\0 Youkai Swarm
[ ||||||||||||||||||||||||||| ]
Koumyou 0|-------|------=
COMBATSYS: Makai successfully hits Ayame with Dead Weight.
-* CRITICAL HIT! *-
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Ayame 0/-------/----===|=------\-------\0 Makai
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////////// ]
Genbou 0/-------/-----==|=------\-------\0 Youkai Swarm
[ ||||||||||||||||||||||||||| ]
Koumyou 0|-------|------=
[AYAME]
Wood shudders as it collides against the bladed arms of the large, empowered mantis-like fiend, but Genbou's staff is sturdy, and, as evidenced by the burning aura at the points of contact against the monster, it is clearly carved from hallowed wood further empowered by the old warrior's resolve. He sweeps around the bladed swing, deflecting the second strike. The tortoise-shelled youkai never gets a chance to strike with its confusing limbs that certainly shouldn't be as the High Priest of the Meian Jinja slams his staff overhead in a preemptive strike aimed at cracking into the forward knee. "Yield!" he exclaims forcefully.
The young miko's mother fares less well, however, skipping back out of the range of the millipede's full body slam only to be caught by the flying threat's sweep, staggered sidelong before catching herself from nearly falling over.
"Koumyou!" the old man exclaims, looking about to disengage from the two nearest him only to find the way barred by the large demons, but the woman shakes her head wordlessly, pressing her hands together then pulling them apart to reveal a glowing, ethereal talisman hovering between them. Without touching it, she sweeps her arm out toward the millipede and the ghostly talisman bursts toward it, engulfed in pale blue flame - a powerful sealing ward capable of bringing powerful youkai to their knees if they are unable to resist it.
It's Ayame that encounters the most trouble. Tensing, perched on the railing, she's about to spring up to engage the Masked One directly when he speaks, eliciting a blink of confusion in her eyes. 'First met?' 'Return?' It is not often she finds herself so unprepared concerning the nature of a foe... research, calculated planning, and caution have become her mantras as of late following early dangerous setbacks. But she can't delay, and in sensing the pressure of building energy, she leaps into the air, staff raised, intent on landing on the roof close enough to strike out.
The attack vector comes from an angle entirely unexpected, surging up from behind to lash out, hook, and abort her attempted leap, catching the girl completely by surprise, provoking a sharp cry as she is pulled back down hard two stories worth of distance to smash hard against the packed dirt of the courtyard ground itself. She lands painfully on her upper back before finding herself lashed to the ground, expression betraying the abject confusion of one caught completely blindsided mingled with the dazing effect of the pain she must be feeling.
Fighting back against the chains is a trial of will as they respond to any such efforts with no small amount of pain as the young priestess tries to pry herself free of the hooks, leaving behind small scraps of white and crimson cloth and so small number of small, bleeding cuts along her skin even beneath her layers of clothing.
Cheeks flushed from pain and exasperation, she finally breaks free, a long strip of her right sleeve left affixed to the ground, tattered talismans scattered along with it. With a sweep of her staff, she wards off the last of the lingering energy before glaring up at the figure above. That was a sealing technique, of that she has no doubt.
"Who are you?!"
Now she's interested.
Her right hand snaps to her left sleeve, coming away with a pale blue paper talisman already burning with ghostly, unnatural fire between her fingers as she sweeps her bleeding right arm up and sends it hurtling into the air, closing in on the deranged sealer. Rather than slowing as one might expect from flung paper, it accelerates, the flames taking on the vague image of a beast with a flowing main as it seeks to smash into the masked man's torso, threatening to ignite with intense burning should it connect.
COMBATSYS: Makai blocks Ayame's Reliquary of Lost Time.
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Ayame 0/-------/-----==|==-----\-------\0 Makai
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////////// ]
Genbou 0/-------/------=|=------\-------\0 Youkai Swarm
[ |||||||||||||||||||||||||| ]
Koumyou 0|-------|-------
COMBATSYS: Koumyou successfully hits Youkai Swarm with Whisper of the Sacred Peace.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////////// ]
Ayame 0/-------/-----==|==-----\-------\0 Makai
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////// ]
Genbou 0/-------/------=|=====--\-------\0 Youkai Swarm
[ |||||||||||||||||||||||||| ]
Koumyou 0|-------|------=
COMBATSYS: Genbou successfully hits Youkai Swarm with Veil of the Quiet Eve.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////////// ]
Ayame 0/-------/-----==|==-----\-------\0 Makai
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////// ]
Genbou 0/-------/-----==|=======\=------\1 Youkai Swarm
[ |||||||||||||||||||||||||| ]
Koumyou 0|-------|------=
[MAKAI]
Youkai Swarm falls asleep.
Youkai Swarm wakes up.
The swing of enchanted staff works as desired. A horrible blow hits the strange turtle youkai, blowing off the leg at the knee and sending it to the ground. It begins to scream in a high pitch feminine voice of pain, despite never showing anything remotely normal. A few arms legs right it before suddenly a series of exceedingly long multi-jointed arms strike out in an attempt to grasp him and slam him into the side of a wall. A moment later it lifts itself, showing the limbless torso of an attractive female underneath. But when eyes open, they are crimson red, blood dripping down. It's mouth twists into that of a lamprey, before a great bead of powerful demonic energy forms. A moment later it unleashes a terrifying blast, enough to destroy the entire corner of the building adjacent and even destroy a few of it's limbs.
This creature is actually a youkai of some renown. Legend states that a century ago, it would rest near waterfalls and call people over with it's voice. Then it would drag them in and drown them, feasting on the dying terror of the soul. But how is it back here now? The Ichijos never had record of sealing it, but it has been gone for so long...
The sealing ward works as desired. It impacts the millipede, and it bursts into purifying flames. It runs around for a few moments, hissing and sizzling, before collapsing to the ground and then burning away to ash.
Yet from above, Koumyou would potentially feel it begin to rain. Droplets of crimson, each infused with powerful demonic energy, acrid and destructive. Any others of the Ichijo clan nearby would likely want to flee the large area of effect. It then descends in a flap of multiple bat wings to try and impact Koumyou in the chest and drive her into the ground with crushing force.
Makai stands in the fringe of the rain of blood. It can be heard sizzling and hissing against his clothing, but seems to be doing no damage to the flesh beneath. Given Ayame's continued investigations, there does seem to be a true human soul beneath it all, the core to which all others are attached. "The prodigy of the Ichijo clan... so meticulous and careful... but you know nothing of my powers or techniques, while I know all of yours. Your brazen performance on the world stage... did you think your enemies in the darkness would not take note?"
A hand lifts, and the seal seems to impact an invisible force an inch from Makai's palm. It then bursts into flames, rolling along an invisible barrier, momentarily shrouding the demonic form before the blood finally slows and stops raining from the sky. "This vessel is stronger than you... a delightful hidden weapon... but if I do not attack you immediately, then you might find out too much about it. Even if my control is rough, now is still the time to erase you!!"
Two chains then lash out, attaching to the ground at either side of Ayame. And then Makai hurtles down, bolstered by the sealing power drawing him towards the ground. An interesting and innovative use of the most basic properties of his techniques; the opponent is quite fluid in application, it would seem. One hand extends throughout, attempting to hook a finger into the sleeve of Ayame's remaining outfit...
And if successful, she would find her entire center of balance dominated by an abrupt force as Makai would yank, trying to haul her into the air and disorient her so he can then fling her head over heels further away!!
COMBATSYS: Genbou counters Youkai Onslaught from Youkai Swarm with Promising a Better Day.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////////// ]
Ayame 0/-------/-----==|==-----\-------\0 Makai
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////// ]
Genbou 0/-------/----===|=======\====---\1 Youkai Swarm
[ |||||||||||||||||||||||||| ]
Koumyou 0|-------|------=
COMBATSYS: Youkai Swarm successfully hits Koumyou with Youkai Onslaught.
- Power hit! -
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////////// ]
Ayame 0/-------/-----==|==-----\-------\0 Makai
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////// ]
Genbou 0/-------/----===|=======\=====--\1 Youkai Swarm
[ ||||||||||||||||||||| ]
Koumyou 0|-------|---====
COMBATSYS: Ayame attempts to counter Strong Throw from Makai with The Sunrise of Broken Dreams.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////////// ]
Ayame 0/-------/-----==|==-----\-------\0 Makai
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////// ]
Genbou 0/-------/----===|=======\=====--\1 Youkai Swarm
[ ||||||||||||||||||||| ]
Koumyou 0|-------|---====
COMBATSYS: Makai fails to reverse The Sunrise of Broken Dreams from Ayame with Buried Alive EX.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////////// ]
Ayame 0/-------/---====|====---\-------\0 Makai
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////// ]
Genbou 0/-------/----===|=======\=====--\1 Youkai Swarm
[ ||||||||||||||||||||| ]
Koumyou 0|-------|---====
[AYAME]
For a brief moment, the mantis-like youkai is left alone as the older head of the Ichijo household is forced to deal with the shelled beast of legend's past. How the hostile summoner came to have such a infamous threat available to conjure is both a mystery and a clue - a question to contemplate when not being threatened with violent crushing. Dressed in a black hakama and matching haori overcoat, the man moves with a speed that suggests decades of experience in the art of fighting such beasts.
"It has been an age," he murmurs, slipping around one arm and striking another with his staff all without slowing down. "Since something like you would move openly in the world." Retired for some years, the veteran demon hunter escapes the cone of destruction, wood splintering and exploding out from behind him as he leaps with perhaps unexpectedly great speed into a whirlwind staff strike against the now exposed belly of the waterfall slayer. "To think we would see such a time again," his expression is grim even as his blow lands and the man drops back to his feet in a half crouch.
Dressed in a brown, humble looking, full length kimono, Koumyou hardly looks like one who would have battled beasts like this. Slender, quietly elegant, and seemingly lacking the fiery temperament of her daughter, she stands calmly, mouth closed, hands folded over each other as she seems inclined to still hang back and let the fight play out without her engagement if possible. When crimson begins to rain, she lifts her right hand, sweeping it overhead, creating an expanding hemisphere of rose hued energy that begins to provide protection to herself and the scrambling acolytes against the falling acid. Though protected from the acrid assault, she has nothing prepared for the more direct flying tackle she finds herself targeted by a moment later. Crushed to the ground, she slides through the dirt, a nearly silent gasp escaping her lips. Struggling to one knee, she presses one hand against the dirt, head bowed, and resumes channeling the shimmering shell of translucent protection against the downpour.
The distress of the Ichijou matron is enough for Genbou to grit his teeth, turning to fall back to be at her side, only to be cut off by the mantis-like fiend that had yet to be handled.
On her feet now, Ayame watches the figure above defend himself expertly against her powerful, projected spirit attack, a barrier of his own creation serving to ward off the brunt of potential damage. When she had charged into the courtyard, her attire was pristine white and vibrant scarlet. That was of course before she got smashed into the dirt from two floors up and then rained on by sanguine acid. Holding her right arm out in front of her, the sleeve dangling more by thread than fabric, she blinks at the small holes burned by the falling, distracted for a moment before the intruder addresses her directly again and she glances up quickly even as she steps forward to take cover beneath the structure's balcony, turning her back to the wall.
His words ring true - thoughts regarding revealing her techniques for all to study had troubled her time and time again. But her growth had been stagnate for some time, having surpassed her father's talents with the staff and caught up to her mother's gift for warding. She had to take the stage even with the risks it promised.
But his words also contain clues - she knows that the man must be possessed by something... and that the man possessed is incredibly strong in his own right. Which means whatever controls him now must be even stronger still. And who- whatever it is definitely has a personal vendetta in mind.
"Tch." Ayame grunts, pressing herself against the wall, mind racing to try and figure out what she's dealing with. The techniques on display are a sealer's - and no slouch of one at that, already rivaling the ones she learned from her mother. But a possessed sealer? A fallen hunter...? This is not the first time she has encountered such living tragedy. "I already know everything I need about you. You like talking too much!" she shouts back up, her voice barely carrying over the sound of shattered wood caused by the conflict her parents are engaged in.
She can't spare any time to think as she watches the chains spear into the ground, heralding the arrival of the masked threat. But there is danger closing into melee range with the gifted staff user as she is happy to demonstrate. The crimson weapon stabs out in a direct stab, denying her assailant the range needed to get a grip on her tattered outer kimono.
The thrust is followed up immediately by a swift, horizontal smash, this time aiming for the side of his body in an attempt to bash him aside with a good stagger. A window created by his attempt to reverse the situation to his favor is capitalized on with a final overhead smash of her staff, aiming for the crown of his head with a potentially dazing blow.
The dexterous miko slips back, her acid-burned hakama dress parting over her right leg as she backs up against the wall again, clearly trying to use the structure as a way of preventing an ambush from behind, her staff in front of her as a defense against attacks from that angle as well.
"Time to cancel your big plans. This is where you fall."
COMBATSYS: Koumyou gathers her will.
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Ayame 0/-------/---====|====---\-------\0 Makai
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////// ]
Genbou 0/-------/----===|=======\=====--\1 Youkai Swarm
[ |||||||||||||||||||||| ]
Koumyou 1|-------|=======
COMBATSYS: Ayame successfully hits Makai with Power Strike.
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Ayame 0/-------/--=====|=======\-------\0 Makai
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////// ]
Genbou 0/-------/----===|=======\=====--\1 Youkai Swarm
[ |||||||||||||||||||||| ]
Koumyou 1|-------|=======
[MAKAI]
The turtle-like youkai's belly happens to be the most vulnerable, and it is struck heavily when the man slips past countless restraining hands and a great wall of demonic hellfire. It collapses on it's side, rearing back and panting, before legs gather up to right it once more. The mantid youkai has become distracted and started attacking the disciples; a dangerous thing, as it is much older than what the current Ichijo are taught to deal with.
The turtle-like creature rears up, and once more gathers a huge amount of dark miasma. Before suddenly unleashing a torrential rain of homing destructive dark power, each one sufficient to shake the ground. Afterwards the air behind it shimmers and shatters away, revealing a portal to the spirit realm. The injured creature staggers into it, as it closes behind. This power, too, most modern monsters have lost...
The great flying beast swoops high above Koumyou, beating winds gathering up more fel power. The bloody cloud swirls and scintillates, gathering into a single point above. It then beats down it's wings, sending a single heavily fortified droplet of blood towards Koumyou, exploding in a wave of highly acidic ichor in all directions...!!
However, as the smash swings down, Ayame might be surprised to see how lacking in vulnerability the man actually is. He sweeps up his hand, palms stretching in an attempt to intercept. Given his body position and center of balance, this should be pointless. She would smash through and impact him regardless. Wisely, she manages to divert around it, both hits impacting true and sending the man down to his knees.
"Tch... you are much faster than I expected..." scowls the man, as purple fire begins to build up more beneath his mask, pouring out of his eyes. "Do I need more allies...? Five? Ten? Twenty? A hundred?!"
With that, Makai suddenly begins to seethe. The power seems to be condensing into a single area now, gradually growing. "Come... give me your strength... if you want to be free again...!" Kicking off the ground, he attempts to settle himself directly opposite Ayame, before thrusting out with an open palm. Fingers form a complex seal at the last moment, aiming to send a surge of debilitating energy within her. In the same motion, more thin barbed chains lash out from around, trying to tenaciously cling to Ayame and slow down her motions, and drag her into a vulnerable position...!
"To destroy this girl!!"
COMBATSYS: Genbou blocks Youkai Swarm's Demon Bomb.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////// ]
Ayame 0/-------/--=====|=======\-------\0 Makai
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////// ]
Genbou 0/-------/--=====|====---\-------\0 Youkai Swarm
[ |||||||||||||||||||||| ]
Koumyou 1|-------|=======
COMBATSYS: Koumyou overcomes Demon Bomb from Youkai Swarm with Cry of Serenity.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////// ]
Ayame 0/-------/--=====|=======\-------\0 Makai
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////// ]
Genbou 0/-------/--=====|====---\-------\0 Youkai Swarm
[ ||||||||||||||||||||| ]
Koumyou 0|-------|-------
COMBATSYS: Ayame blocks Makai's Tombstone.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////// ]
Ayame 0/-------/-======|=======\-------\1 Makai
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////// ]
Genbou 0/-------/--=====|====---\-------\0 Youkai Swarm
[ ||||||||||||||||||||| ]
Koumyou 0|-------|-------
Youkai Swarm falls asleep.
Youkai Swarm wakes up.
[AYAME]
Were his staff made of ordinary, everyday wood, Genbou's weapon would have disintegrated under the miasmic assault. That he is able to sweep it out into the paths of the bursts of dark power that threaten to strike him is proof that it is not, as the stalwart old warrior seems to project no visible chi barrier as he smashes aside much of the homing threat, leaving the rest of it to smash into the ground, sending up sprays of displaced dirt and rock with each impact. On the defensive, the man is in no position to prevent the departure of the frustrated shelled creature, taking in the image of it so easily opening its escape portal briefly before whirling to turn on the mantis and charge it from behind. From meters out, he leaps into a fluid yet powerful series of strikes, the first a horizontal bashing of the weapon against the mantis's back before he lands, sweeping into a second horizontal strike in a demand for its attention, and finishing with an overhead bash with both hands on the wooden shaft, a motion not all that different from the strike Ayame had just connected against the masked invader with.
For her own part, Koumyou surges to her feet, sweeping her arms up and out, and the rose-hued barrier of energy that had shielded her bursts outward, crashing into the incoming blood blob and scattering it and then continuing on, a hemisphere of spiritual force threatening to sweep the creature up into it as it expands.
Ayame finds herself face to face with her attacker following her strike. On his knees for a moment, Ayame shows no sign of hesitating, stepping forward only to pause as fire erupts up around his mask - a violet, unnatural hue similar to the power manifested in the earlier conjuring. He threatens to unleash more? She has heard of demon summoners before - those capable of pulling the fiends from the other side... but such an act is considered draining to pull off once, let alone the several times this enigma has managed. Whatever technique he is using to spill forth the spectral threats is unlike anything she had read of before.
Gritting her teeth, she lifts her staff, ready to strike again, showing no signs of relenting, when the Spirit Master rises to attack her back first. Deftly, her staff twists, both hands bracing as his palm impacts the rune-carved wood and causes it to shudder, the girl sliding back into the wall behind her with a soft grunt.
When the chains lash out to secure the pressured miko, however, they catch empty air as Ayame springs off the wall behind her, using her staff against the ground to vault clean over Makai. "Like playing with chains do you." Ayame snaps, twisting around mid air so that she's facing him, her right hand having fished into her left sleeve with remarkable speed.
The priestess's feet touch down at the same time she snaps her arm out, hurling a glimmering, pale white talisman toward the masked man's back.
"Then try these on."
Should the paper connect, it would burst into a small white vortex of energy, ethereal white chains erupting out and attempting to entangle the limbs and constrict the throat of the one who threatens to take her life, squeezing tightly, attempting to remove his ability to move all together!
COMBATSYS: Ayame successfully hits Makai with Binding of the Condemned Soul.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////// ]
Ayame 0/-------/=======|=======\==-----\1 Makai
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////// ]
Genbou 0/-------/---====|====---\-------\0 Youkai Swarm
[ ||||||||||||||||||||| ]
Koumyou 0|-------|-------
COMBATSYS: Youkai Swarm blocks Genbou's Requiem For Fallen Blossoms.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////// ]
Ayame 0/-------/=======|=======\==-----\1 Makai
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////// ]
Genbou 0/-------/--=====|=======\-------\0 Youkai Swarm
[ ||||||||||||||||||||| ]
Koumyou 0|-------|-------
COMBATSYS: Youkai Swarm endures Koumyou's Cry of Serenity.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////// ]
Ayame 0/-------/=======|=======\==-----\1 Makai
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////// ]
Genbou 0/-------/--=====|=======\=------\1 Youkai Swarm
[ ||||||||||||||||||||| ]
Koumyou 0|-------|-------
[MAKAI]
The mantis whirls around, and brings up those quad arms to defend against the strikes. Still, the imbued wood sinks deep and leaves hissint dents within the creature's arms, ending in a less than intelligable shriek of pain. It then suddenly extends all four limbs high at once, each scythe-like blade looming in the ambient light of the darkened surroundings. Before beginning a ruthless assault of slashes and stabs towards the elder staff fighter...!
The bat-like creature simply charges forward. The blast of dispelling energy hits it fully, blowing off one quickly dissolving wing, but it still shrieks out a hopefully distracting yell before both feet heft up, trying to sink deep talons into Koumyou's chest and drive her bodily into the ground!!
"...!" A seeming surprise follows from the demon masked figure, before he simply twists and rushes forward. As his arm thrusts out, white chains wrap around him, dragging him slower... and all he seems to attempt is to impact Ayame in the center of her mass with two fingers.
"Troublesome, indeed... you aren't going to give me time to bring more, are you...?!"
COMBATSYS: Youkai Swarm successfully hits Genbou with Youkai Rush.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////// ]
Ayame 0/-------/=======|=======\==-----\1 Makai
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////// ]
Genbou 0/-------/=======|-------\-------\0 Youkai Swarm
[ ||||||||||||||||||||| ]
Koumyou 0|-------|-------
COMBATSYS: Youkai Swarm successfully hits Koumyou with Youkai Rush.
-* CRITICAL HIT! *-
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////// ]
Ayame 0/-------/=======|=======\==-----\1 Makai
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////// ]
Genbou 0/-------/=======|-------\-------\0 Youkai Swarm
[ ||||||||||||||| ]
Koumyou 0|-------|----===
COMBATSYS: Makai knocks away Ayame with Final Destination EX.
- Power hit! -
[ \\\\\\\\\ < > ////////// ]
Ayame 1/--=====/=======|=======\====---\1 Makai
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////// ]
Genbou 0/-------/=======|-------\-------\0 Youkai Swarm
[ ||||||||||||||| ]
Koumyou 0|-------|----===
...However, the precise moment that Makai's fingers make contact, there's a surge of dark energy. For a split second Ayame's heart would stop beating, as her very veins go black with a terrible infusion of energy that battles and constricts with her own innermost chi. A defilement that seems rooted in a mastery of sealing... he can even do these techniques upon humans? In a flurry, Makai's hands dance around, striking Ayame in twelve more spots. Each is a critical pressure point linked not only to mobility of the nerves, but proper control and adjustment of energy.
A moment after, while Ayame is struck defenseless, he gently places his palm on her chest.
"Die!!"
Then a series of seals erupt into being around his forearm, followed by a great torrent of demonic power that impacts Ayame directly. The air displaces around the pair, hurtling her backwards towards the side of the two-story main building of the shrine. For a split second, she would have felt dark fingers on her very soul, an attempt to rip it away... but she resists that, at least... yet would it have succeeded, if the move truly struck her down?
[AYAME]
In spite the damage inflicted to it, the bat-winged monstrosity seems hellbent on getting to the responsible for its pain, forcing its way through the blast to dive at her, unleashing a disorienting shriek that has the retired monster hunter lifting her hands to her head, trying to ward off the ear splitting noise but leaving herself defenseless to the talons that stab into her with all the weight of the monster behind them. Torn to the ground, she cries out, blood spilling from wounds carved into shoulders and abdomen. Pinned to the ground, she appears helpless to respond, the best she can manage is trying to flail away at trying to guard herself against further harm, her hands glowing with rose hued lingering chi from her prior attacks with each swing.
The shout turns Genbou's attention her way again, the man dropping his guard in order to rush toward his wife, "Koumyou!" But doing so leaves him vulnerable to the slashes coming from the bladed mantis limbs, the attacks carving into the veteran warrior's back, causing him to stagger, then finally turn to defend himself before his back gets torn open any further, deflecting aside the rest of the strikes with his weapon. "Hang on, I'm coming!" he exclaims across the distance separating them. Hands tightening, he whirls the staff up over his head, dark eyes focusing on the mantis barring him from getting to his wife. Lifting his staff with a roar, he charges the creature, leaping up and flipping forward into a powerful slam before landing and sweeping out wide to try and crush its forward legs. A second corkscrewing flip would deliver the final crushing blow against the chitinous head of the youkai should it prove unable to escape. Only then would the man turn toward his wife and, abandoning hope of further defense, hurls his wooden staff like a javelin toward the back of the winged creature. "HAAAH!"
Meanwhile, Ayame has launched her own chain spawning talisman at nearly point blank range into the Swarm Master, her right hand snapping back as she waits to see if the ethereal chi bindings are sufficient to finally secure the threat before he gets any ideas about pulling more youkai into the battle torn shrine courtyard.
"I am not going to give you anything," she replies, tone level yet managing to carry with it no small amount of bitterness. For an assault on her home, there can be no forgiveness. "But an eternity to reflect on the grievous error you made this night."
He lunges for her but she's ready, slowed as he is by the changes encircling and constricting his body, the miko starting to slip back a step, preparing to bring her staff up into a sidelong swipe to knock his arm harmlessly away.
'Koumyou!!'
Her father's voice cries out, laden with pain and desperation, and Ayame flinches for an instant, eyes flicking to the side in search of her parents. A split second mistake but it's all he needs for his two fingers to stab against her breastbone and transfer the corrupted fel energy with but a touch.
It works, the priestess's heart seizing, pain surging throughout her torso, her internal energy suddenly afflicted with wretched corruption. Her mouth opens but no breath is heard as her guard is dropped, leaving her vulnerable to the impossibly fast yet precise strikes that follow, each serving in turn to further disrupt her capacity to fight, to shape energy, to live at all.
She staggers, defenseless, the burning crimson fire that had adorned her staff throughout the battle flickers out, leaving her in shadow but for the dim violet flames emanating from behind the mask of the betrayer. Her eyes lose their focus, their ire, the girl seemingly lost in thought as her arms fall to her sides, finger barely maintaining a hold of her dim staff. She doesn't even seem to see the man as he extends his hand to place his palm between the curve of her covered breasts.
There is a spark of something as the seals along his arm become visible, a fleeting awareness of what is about to happen and a cognizant desire to defend herself, but the moment is brief and ultimately futile.
She is blasted away, leaving a storm of scorched white and red cloth and a flurry of burning talismans as she goes flying against and then through the shrine wall, the boards splintering as the girl vanishes inside. For a long moment, that seems to have been it - one can hardly fault the miko for collapsing after all she had been through. A stray fragment of wood swings from a bent nail before falling to the ground with a soft thud and then small hands finally reach up through the debris, the girl clawing her way back out into the open.
Her arms are bare but for a few tattered scraps of white remaining from her devastated outer kimono top and there is barely anything left of the crimson pleated hakama dress that had hung at her waist but now falls to tatters along her legs as the girl staggers over the broken boards to step back into the open. One of her sandals was lost in the crash, the left one still strapped to her feet, and in her left hand she has managed to retain a grip on her staff - an instinctual impulse more than a conscious thought, no doubt.
Panting for breath as violated organs start resuming their vital functions one after another, Ayame fixes her attention on the masked man, lips drawn back, teeth bared. Her sleeveless, normally white but now quite scorched inner kimono covers down mid-thigh, held closed by a small white cloth belt around her slender waist. Small pin prinks of blood can be seen along her arms and legs from the chains that had rooted her to the ground less than a minute before. Deprived of the talismans up her sleeves which comprise much of the girl's arsenal, her chi cut off by the last attack, it seems she has been rendered almost incapable of fighting any further in spite somehow managing to stay conscious.
"You." she spits with venom in her voice, her left hand squeezing until white-knuckle tight on her staff. Her eyes are sharp now, focused, her resolve rooted in underlying anger. She braces, leaning forward, building readiness to attack. Her right hand slips up along the center fold of her clothing, coming away with a crimson hued talisman with black inked runes. Bringing it to her mouth, the girl tears the ofuda in half, unleashing a small cloud of vibrant, ambient crimson chi - a reserve set aside for moments such as this, perhaps.
And then she surges forward. As she passes through the cloud of chi it is absorbed into her staff, the weapon glowing even brighter than it had before, the girl now a crimson beacon easily visible throughout the courtyard.
For a moment, her right hand joins her left in holding the staff, but then she pulls it away, and as she does so, a second staff, equally as long as her wooden one, composed of pure, surging energy, comes away with it in her grip.
Her feet smack hard against soil as she closes distance with the kind of speed that would rival iaijutsu masters, closing in on Makai with a whirlwind of staff strikes, manipulating each weapon with one hand, leading blows with her left to force his guard in one direction, only to sweep in secondly with her energy staff that may prove to be a far greater challenge to contend with.
Unless prevented, he would find himself the target of a prolonged, bludgeoning assault, yet in spite the ferocity of the attack, she never loses her form either, never descends into chaotic random strikes, each blow carefully placed, each step planned for maximum balance, each sweep angled as to leave herself as invulnerable as possible to counter attacks!
COMBATSYS: Ayame successfully hits Makai with Final Solstice.
[ \\\\\\\\\ < > / ]
Ayame 0/-------/---<<<<|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>>\2 Makai
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////// ]
Genbou 0/-------/---====|-------\-------\0 Youkai Swarm
[ |||||||||||||||| ]
Koumyou 0|-------|-----==
COMBATSYS: Youkai Swarm endures Genbou's The Hope at High Noon.
[ \\\\\\\\\ < > / ]
Ayame 0/-------/---<<<<|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>>\2 Makai
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > / ]
Genbou 0/-------/---====|=======\-------\0 Youkai Swarm
[ |||||||||||||||| ]
Koumyou 0|-------|-----==
COMBATSYS: Youkai Swarm interrupts Fierce Punch from Koumyou with Youkai Takedown.
[ \\\\\\\\\ < > / ]
Ayame 0/-------/---<<<<|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>>\2 Makai
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Genbou 0/-------/---====|
[ |||||||||||| ]
Koumyou 0|-------|---====
COMBATSYS: Youkai Swarm can no longer fight.
[ \\\\\\\\\ < > / ]
Ayame 0/-------/---<<<<|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>>\2 Makai
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Genbou 0/-------/---====|
[ |||||||||||| ]
Koumyou 0|-------|---====
[MAKAI]
The mantis continues to aggressively rush forward, tearing out slashes at Genbou when he tries to ward it off. The brutal assault works as desired, striking down the youkai at last, it's body cracking in many places before violently dispersing.
The one atop Koumyou seems to use that moment well, however. Three remaining wings arc upwards, and as she strikes out with infused hands, it lashes out one last time, catching her by the throat with a taloned foot. It then takes to the air for a moment, before driving down, slamming her down into the ground a last time. Afterwards it staggers off, beginning to break down from the suffusion of sealing powers built up over the fight, and with a last ear-piercing shriek also shatters.
Makai ruthlessly takes advantage of the opening. Although he is truly surprised that Ayame remains alive and standing afterwards... from the appearance of his body language, that was not in the cards. "How... are you still..." is hissed out, before he once more takes up a stance of his own. "Hahah... no matter..."
"I win... if we both die...!!"
There's no attempt to really evade the brutal assault from Ayame. He can literally not see it. Trying to do anything about it is a pipe dream at best. Instead he brings back his own right hand, invoking another series of powerful seals that build up; floating rings of sigils that whirl in corruption compared to the pure white of Ayame.
Again and again she tears into him, striking up splatters of blood, tearing away the bound ribbons of cloth, showing beneath the hard-chisled body of a dark skinned human. The last blow strikes him directly on the mask, and it shatters away... his features are young, not much older than her. His eyes seem to be empty, beyond the flood of dark power, and it's clear that this man is blind.
It is then that he strikes out, the only possible vulnerability found when Ayame finishes, and would be all but certain he is defeated. "H... rrrk...!!"
COMBATSYS: Makai can no longer fight.
[ \\\\\\\\\ <
Ayame 0/-------/---<<<<|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Genbou 0/-------/---====|
[ |||||||||||| ]
Koumyou 0|-------|---====
COMBATSYS: Ayame stops Iron Maiden from Makai with Midsummer Fantasy.
[ \\\\\\\\\ <
Ayame 0/-------/---====|
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Genbou 0/-------/---====|
[ |||||||||||| ]
Koumyou 0|-------|---====
It becomes clear the moment the power is grasped that this is a forbidden technique. This assault is meant to capture a soul... and rip it free. Such things should have been lost long ago -- who is this mysterious young man with the rugged beard? He collapses to his knees afterwards, coughing up more blood as the last lingering traces of energy disperse. "Damn... it... my new body... wasn't ready...!!"
[AYAME]
Ayame spins to a stop, both of her staves on her right hand, one the rune-carved weapon she had from the beginning, the second a glimmering shaft of energy given form and somehow maintained in the grip of her hand. Slowly she rises, unwinding from her crouch, movements calm and controlled in spite having been push to the brink of collapse only moments before.
He advances on the battle weary miko and Ayame snaps her right hand up, palm forward, the shaft of light collapsing and flattening out into a discuss of scarlet energy, its surface covered with intricate runes made of thin golden light. As his hand reaches out, vile energy twisted yet familiar conjured for a final assault, it would collide against the discus and find it utterly unyielding as the stubborn girl that stands behind it, her right arm bracing for the impact.
But once his momentum is lost, she presses out, shoving him back to his knees. The barrier falls, the girl gripping her staff tightly at a defensive angle in front of her, feet slightly apart as she watches for any further attack now. "Your joy ride ends tonight." she murmurs softly, her tone subdued now. "It is simply a matter of time."
Between careful scrutiny of the unexpectedly young man, she glances off to the side, lips pressed together into a thin line of concern as she watches her father rush over to where her mother lies on the ground.
She had never seen her parents fight for real. As soon as she was old enough and skilled enough, she demanded the duties of the Ichijo be passed on to her and, considering the nature of the times, they seemed happy to oblige and enjoy retirement in simply maintaining and running the Meian Jinja. To think events would transpire as to require them to fight again. She already knew she was their better, but perhaps the few years off have let them slack a bit too much. Training as a family, as a household, may be necessary to prepare for the changing times.
Acolytes cry out throughout the courtyard, everyone coming out of the shadows, out of cover, or out of the buildings to start appraising the damage and harm inflicted. There is a slight lowering of her shoulders as she sees her mother move, helped to a seated position by a very concerned Genbou, then her focus is back to the kneeling man before her.
Amber eyes blink slowly. Even in defeat, she seems hesitant to draw nearer. The tremble in her arms betrays nerves frayed to almost the breaking point by the ordeal she was put through. Some of the shrine attendants begin to draw closer, though they're content to keep Ayame between them and the defeated summoner.
"Mariko," Ayame speaks up, addressing one of the young women behind her without looking over her shoulder. "Get word to the masters. There will be an exorcism tonight." The black haired maiden nods her head, "Yes," she replies, turning to hurry off.
The Masters. Four of the greatest spiritualists in the region, each representing different ancient faith systems. They convene only for severe cases. Too old and venerable for field work, the only times their vast experiences can be brought to the table is when subjects can be carried to them instead. It will take a couple hours for them to gather... people their age can't be hurried about anything. This one will have to be restrained until then.
"Fujiko. Check on the High Priest and his wife and report back to me," Ayame instructs next.
"Yes," chirps the next girl who turns to hurry back over to Genbou and Koumyou. The older woman's skills in healing are extensive, and Ayame is no slouch herself. Together, they should be able to make sure she makes a full recovery in spite the damage done to her.
"Choki, go get the rope." she instructs next. A boy, no older than fourteen, bows his head and then turns to run off toward the shrine itself. He knows full well that it is no ordinary rope the miko is asking for. Sacred, hallowed bindings for securing evil are kept prepared within the shrine for times such as these and that is naturally what he is going off to get in a hurry. The orders given out, Ayame is left to guard alongside three other acolytes suffering various degree of injury.
"You possessed a sealer... how." she asks of the unmasked man.
[MAKAI]
"Time... is on my side..." breathes the fallen figure. A slow exhale sends more twisted energy upwards. It seems to be a side-effect of the possession. Although how this person came to have such a strange energy, supplanted with countless youkai, is another question entirely.
"One should be careful... to whom they open a door." is scowled towards Ayame. The delicate interwined energies of Makai are nearly broken. He's of no particular threat right now, most likely. Any attempt to summon further youkai would be slow and easily interrupted by the miko. "But... You are not the only one... who is a meticulous planner..."
Behind Makai, the air suddenly seems to tear open, as if a great wound was ripped through the fabric of the world. It is almost a story high, and immediately a dense cloud of thick, acrid miasma pours out to hit the ground and billow away. Skeletal fingers from some monstrous being slither out and rip it open with an oddly organic sound. A strange, gaunt and skeletal figure lies within, huge and misshapen head swirling one giant eye towards Ayame. The creature itself is well past a story high, if thin. It's power is not minor; in Ayame's current state, and with her wounded family, she might not be able to guarantee no casualties.
Of course, it does not seem the wash of poisonous energy affects Makai at all. Such things are supposed to ravage any human... "Your wards became weak... have you so forgotten the abilities of the shikigami of old?"
[AYAME]
Caramel brown eyes blink at the kneeling man as he speaks of planning and then the girl becomes immediately on guard, stance tightening, staff braced in front of her, a dull aura of faint crimson still present in the dimming ruins that decorate its ornate surface. "This is over, do not attempt anything," she hisses, pale skinned brow furrowed in alarm as she leans, readying herself to strike out and cut short any attempt at gathering enough energy to do anything threatening.
But the rip in space that opens behind him doesn't seem to originate from the lingering energy of her would be killer. Eyes widen as she looks into the void beyond, staggering back a step, "Back off!" she orders the trainees who are all too happy to scatter when commanded.
"Father!" she exclaims, calling for the old man's attention, as loathe as she may be to pull him away from tending to the wounded Koumyou so soon. Sucking in her breath, she meets the eye of the dimensional sojourner, body tensing for another fight.
"Ayame! Get back!" her father exclaims the instant he sets eyes on the vortex of swirling miasma, the alarm in his voice enough to compel the normally stubborn priestess to do just that as she scrambles back several steps.
"N-no," she stammers in protest. "This is our best chance to stop him!"
[MAKAI]
"What a blunder... I don't think you realize how close you came to death... Ayame Ichijo. My revenge will come another time..." comes the voice of the injured man, bathed in the whirling purple miasma. The massive shikigami behind him suddenly distends its mouth, jaw cracking and stretching inhumanly. Before shooting down, and in one smooth motion swallowing Makai down to the knees. It then lifts up its head, and in a few powerful ripples of snake-like throat, appears to swallow him hole. A last parting glance to the others follows, before it slips backwards into the rift it formed and pulls its hands away, allowing it to close... a moment later and the summoned poison begins to disperse, leaving dead grass and scorched wood in its wake. Such dimensional travel is very rare outside older threats; there are wards to stabilize space, but there likely hasn't been a need for them in over a century...
[AYAME]
It's easy to tell just by looking at her that she's on the verge of charging Makai in spite the exhortations of her father. But self-preservation instincts rule the day this time and the miko manages to keep from rushing headlong into what was undoubtedly corrosive miasma she was in no condition to ward off. She stares at the rent as it seals, robbing her of the chance to excise the befouler from the poor soul it had possessed.
There was no denying the power in this newly discovered foe. He wielded the techniques of a powerful sealer, yet was able to unleash powerful youkai from a bygone era when demons more openly stalked the lands.
The girl slumps forward, the end of her staff thudding against the ground as she uses it for support. Genbou is at her side a moment later, sliding his coat from off his shoulders to drape over his daughter before resting a hand on her shoulder. "Your mother will be okay."
Ayame doesn't reply, eyes still fixed on the now empty spot where the man had knelt a moment before. "What is there still to learn of the old wards?" she asks softly. "We must be fortify immediately. That one will not be deterred. This is personal for him."
She glances up then, right hand lifting to tug his coat around herself a little to keep off the night's chill as she starts to calm down out the vigor of battle. "I will be in the library. I saw the seals he was using. I must know their origin."
Her father releases a soft sigh, gives the girl a pat and then a nod, "We will speak of the older days, once everyone is recovered. He will not be back so soon... Get yourself cleaned up first."
With a soft grunt, Ayame turns to head back toward the living quarters, staff in hand, head lowered in thought.
COMBATSYS: Genbou has left the fight here.
[ \\\\\\\\\ <
Ayame 0/-------/---====|
[ |||||||||||| ]
Koumyou 0|-------|---====
COMBATSYS: Koumyou has left the fight here.
[ \\\\\\\\\ <
Ayame 0/-------/---====|
COMBATSYS: Ayame has ended the fight here.
Log created on 23:25:59 09/29/2017 by Ayame, and last modified on 14:21:08 10/01/2017.