Strong winds whipped through the pines, swirling through the fallen needles on the ground. The air was cracking with electricity, chasing animals into hiding.
In mid air, like cutting through an invisible cloak, the tip of a sword erupted. It was the tip of Raiyaiba, the nine-bladed sword of the Inari, a royal insignia.
Slowly, it twisted in the wound that was hewn into reality, spilling drops of blood that would one day surely mature into untold horrors or gods, but this is best kept for another story.
Quickly, the blade withdrew from the wound, leaving a pitchblack bleeding hole hanging in the air. From behind the hole, voices could be heared, echoing like calling through a tunnel, but too muffled to be understood by even the keenest ear.
Slowly, the hole began to close again. It's very existance was an anathema to reality itself, and it urged to repair itself.
But before the wound was completely healed, several ropes, like wriggling worms or snakes shoved themselves into the world, through the veil of reality. Glowing letters of languages this world had never seen before. Like fingers they probed and violated reality, widening the opening, and eventually, tearing it open like wrapping paper that sealed goods.
Inside, an 8-tailed Inari was standing, holding the ropes firmly in his hands. Next to him was his brother, fastening the Raiyaiba on his back with a strap. The blade had no scabbard, the unsual design of the blade would not allow for that.
Their faces were hidden behind white veils that bore their names on them. No one who walked this path could reveal their faces in this world without fear of the face being stolen by the creatures of the void.
They were standing in complete and endless darkness, safe for their feet, that were walking along the kachi no nai, the trail of the dead. Made from the ashes of cremated bones, it connected all worlds and all planes, and endless labyrinth in eternal darkness of the void.
The light coming from the new reality illuminated the path behind them, revealing hundreds of hundreds of Inari, all of them covering their faces with white veils, wearing torches and lanterns burning with blue fire. They were entirely dressed in white, mimicking how the dead looked, a disguise that would lead them safely through the trail of the dead. On their side they were leading horses, who were equally veiled, or were steering wagons drawn by veiled oxen, laden with cages full of chicken that were equally veiled, lest they wanted to unleash monsters with the faces of chicken upon the world.
"Hurry! The rift is about to close. Reality is rejecting our act fiercly. Lead them through!"
The 8-tail, his name was Kotanechik, swung his torch to motion the crowd, and soon the crowd made it's way into the new reality. The grass bend beneath their sandals as they sucked in and favoured the resinous smell of the pines of the new world.
With a crack like thunder, the wound in reality closed behind them, and they tore of their veils.
Mochirechik let out a deep breath, letting the ropes fall on the ground, where they instantly desintegrated into ashes.
"Phew...almost thought we wouldn't make it..."
2 weeks have passed, and a great clearing had appeared on the pine forest like circular balding. The Inari were tearing down the trees, laying the foundation for what would become the capital of the new world, Sei'ankyou. The wood, still to fresh and too wet to be used for buildings, was sewn into boards and laid into the sun to dry, while the farmers began to dig out fields that would later be flooded to plant rice on them. It was one of their highest priorities to bring in the first harvest of the new world, only then this world would truly be their new home. One can not live from potted grains alone.
Alongside with them, the Inari did not only bring rice, but also many saplings for trees, and vegetables, and tea, and cattle, so they would not miss anything ion the new world.
The hills Sei'ankyou was set in were cut by several rivers and streams, which were lined by a pale yellowish clay. The Inari had attempted to burn those into bricks, but the first attempts had failed, cracking the clay in the heat. It took a full week until the potters were able to reduce the heat and discover the proper baking time for the clay, resulting in creamy brownish bricks, that they had been producing non-stop since then.
Covered by the dust thrown into the air by her work, Tsururao laid down her plow and let herself fall on the dry ground.
"Ahhh, no more. I will die in this heat...Let me lie her, my body will serve as fertilizer for the field."
Her sister Rouako, let out a silent chuckle for Tsururao who had stretched out her tounge like she was dead, and made off for the river. Minutes later she appeared with a bucket of water. She gently nudged Tsururao with her foot, but got no reaction.
*splash*
She bolted up like struck by lightning. Violently she shoock her head to get ird of the water, then ripped the bucket out of Rouako's hands to drink what was left in it in one long go.
Refreshed, she sat down on the ground, using her hands to make signs to her sister. Ruoako had been deaf since birth, but after more than 100 years of time to come up with signs for everyone and everything, that had never been much of a problem in the family.
*We have been digging for 3 days now, and the field is still nowhere near big enough.*
*Don't worry. Only 2 more stretches, and we can start digging the channel to flood the field.*
Tsururao threw herself back on the ground again. She had totalx forgotten she would also have to dig the channel...
"Oiiii"
From afar, a voice was approaching. It was Ririn, another sister of the Tabiko family.
"Tsuru-chan, I've been searching for you. The twins want to see you, they say they have work for the scouts."
Tsururao's exhausted look turned into a wide grin. Finaly some work that was suited for her.
-----------------------
"...so these are the directions that we want you to head to. As discussed, we will hand you the summoning scrools needed to send us samples of anythign of importance, as well as maps as you draw them. Also, we will hand you language tags, use them if you find any natives. Our divining as shown nothing of the sort, but you never know when you might need them. Tabiko Tsururao, you are late."
Mochirechik interrupted as Tsururao entered the tent were the other scouts had already gathered.
"Well, did I miss anythign important?"
"Only the usual. You will be heading down this river, here, the one on the map that bends eastwards, and follow it for 6 months. Then return to us and report your findings. Everything understood?"
The entire group of scouts shouted "yes", in unison.
"And you will be gone for a full year? That's so unfair."
Ririn was holding back tears. She always hated it when Tsururao was send out on missions.
"Oh come on, the fields are doen by now, and I can't just sit around doing nothing. We all have to earn our living and contribute. Imagine what happens if I find something useful, like an ore vein, or rock salt, or whatever. I will gain a huge bonus."
Ruoako signed feverishly.
*The money doesn't matter. You don't know what dangers are out there*
Tsururao gave her a warm hug. She would watch out for herself, not only for her own, but for their sakes as well...
-------------
"Kyaaah!"
The mountain beast had been chasing her for 10 minutes now. It's shoulder heigt was more than 2 meters. A strong feline body, covered in hard, thorn-like scales. A single horn, like a sword was forming from it's forehead, surrounded by dozens of tiny red eyes.
Tsururao was hard-pressed to escape. Jumps turns, climbing trees and jumping from branch to branch, jumping through rivers, even illusions, this beast was not easily lost. With the force of a giants fist it tore through the woods, a relentless merciless tireless hunting-machine.
In a desperate attempt to stop it, Tsururao had thrown several magic traps at it, but in the hurry was unable to find the appropriate barriers with the strength to stop it. Sweat was building up on her forehead, and her breath was ragged. She had a great constitution, but even the best runners would lose their breath when sprinting for 10 minutes, felt an eternity. The legs turned into lead, and the sight of your eyes narrowed. This was a race between life and death, and death was winning.
The beast was gettign closer, ever closer, it's colossal body shaking the ground with each step it took, it's entire body mass put into the hunt, forcing more and more lead into it's preys legs, which was hopelessly trying not to fall. And failed.A root that had decided to grow towards the sky, rather than the earth, had caught her foot. Helplessly, the prey shuffled away.
The creatures foul breaht was so close, Tsururao was unable to breath. This was what death smelled like. In anticipation of the blow, she closed her eyes.
The sound of metal ripping flesh apart tore through the air. Not hers. Confused, she blinked at the scene before her. A young, shirtless but in wide pants stood before her. In his right hand, a trident, seemingly made out of pure gold, had stopped the creature and dug deep into it's ugly abomination of a face, spilling forth it's putrid yellow-ish blood. The mans head was shaven clean, and his earlobes stretched long from heavy iron earrings. His skin was over and over covered in tattoos, showing the weirdest and most impossible to understand motives. 9 deep blue tails emerged from his behind...or was it?
Tsururao slowly counted. 2...4...6..8..10...10 tails. Who was he?
With a forceful tug, he pulled the weapon out of the creature, it's hooks ripping apart the flesh. The beast, not dead yet, tried to ram his entir ebody into the man, but he stopped his with his bare foot. The tip of his trident morphed into a long blade, spweing forth lighting and fire, and with a swing tp render paart mountains he severed the creatures head from it's shoulders. Causing the earth to shake once more, the massive body collapsed, exploding into thousands of maggots, which themselves melted into putrid liquid.
The man turned to Tsururao, with a wide grin.
"Got him. That damn thing escaped hell earlier. Don't worry, those things are not native animals."
"W-who are you! Thatw as amazing."
The man just pointed at her necklace. A religious symbol.
"You..you are Teguchi?!"
"Why yes, I am. Are you hurt?"
"No...no I think I am alright. Thanks for your help. What brings you to this world?"
"Well, firstly, to kill that beast before it could kill you. And secondly..."
He coughed. Suddenly, his voice was deep and echoing.
"You are one of the chosen many. In the upcoming struggle against fate, you will be the one warrior, the beacon of ligrhmhrmh...gah, I hate this voice..
Well, basicaly, I came to tell you that you are chosen, and to give you this."
From nothing, he pulled out a metal mask, shaped like a fox. Very much unlike normal fox masks amongst the Inari, this one was not smiling, but threateningly baring it's fangs.
"This mask was created by the gods former chosen one, the fabled Yamato, a shining Hitengu. He failed to accept his task, and caused grave wounds to our lord of the sun, who will never be able again to enter this or any world in bodily form, nor interact with it. Oh well, matters not, not as long as the sun shines properly. I found the mask was finely crafted, and took it as a souvenir. And of course, addead a few extras."
Unceremonialy, he tossed Tsururao the mask.
"Put it on from the left, and it will turn you into a normal fox. The usual, you've seen such masks before. But if you put it on from the right..."
He motioned her to go ahead. Slowly, not knowing what to expect, she pulled the mask over her face. An incredible lightness poured through her body. Every move she made seemed like needing no strength at all, despite the long chase only minutes ago. Everything was so clear before her eyes. In the corner of her eyes, seh caught a glimpse of her behind. her own two tails had been replaced by 9 others, shadowy once. Hardly visible, a dark purple manifestation of light, though casting a clear shadow on the ground.
"Those phantom-tails are your potential. With a mask like this, situations like the one right now would be no problem. In that form, you'd be the one chasing the demon. Buuut, don't get used to it. Only put on the mask when you really need it. Power corrupts, and also, the mask reaaaly doesn't suit you."
Tsururao pulled the mask off again. Immediatly her exhaustion came back to her, forcing her to sit down.
"And what if I put it straight on my face?"
Teguchi smiled and winked at her.
"Clever child, right ahead asking for the specials. Thaaat is something you should try out carefully. Better not try it when someone is around who could be hurt."
Tsururao gave him a sly smile, and put the mask straight on. A shapr pain engulfed her body. Convulsing, she writhed on the ground. From isnide the mask, like an octopus, rolls of paper starter to wrap around her body. Slowly the form began to engorge itself, grow, and grow to an enormous size. Standing on 5 meters shoulder height was a gigantic mosntrous fox. It's claws and teeth contorted to frigthenig sizes, it arched it's back and let out a deafening roar, causing nearby rock formations to crack and collapse. It's body was over and over covered in paper, written on with blood red letters. It's nine tails, each 30 meters long whiped and raged through the air, riping through trees like they were no obstacle at all. The tip of each tail was bound with a strong rope, making them look like the tips of brushes, and blood was endlessly dripping from them.
In a movement fast as a flash, one tail whiped across Teguchi's chest, smearing it with blood. A second tail began drawing a symbol straight unto the air, using reality itself as a canvas. With incomprehensile speed, the character was drawn, and Teguchi's chest was cut right in two.
Before his severed body could reach the ground however, it disappeared into smoke. In it's bloodlust, the creature was about the roar out it's victory, but a massive spear shaped like a half moon descended rigth down on it's neck. The blade was dull, pressing the beast to the ground, sinking into the rock and snapping right of, leavign the creature bound. Right in front of him, with a poof of smoke, Teguchi appeared, biting his fingers, drawing blood, and with movement too fast to see, inscribed a character rigth on the mask.
The movement of the creature died down, the tails calming themselves.
"Ahh, do you have some controle now? I should have guessed that even only that small portion of the full power was already too much for you. My bad.
I reduced the power further, you should be able to contorle that form now. But watch out. Don't remove that character, not until you have matured enough to be able to face the full murderous intent of this creature."
With a yank, he took the mask of the creatures face. Tsururao could be heared screaming in pain as the paper retreated back into the depths of the mask.
Her eyes were widened in shock.
"What..what.."
"What that was? This is the ninetailed beast whichs name is not known to the gods. I think you should know him from old legends. False god Kyubi. Well, let me tell you how the story really happened.
Neither was this creature a "false god", nor was eh slain by the gods, who then used it's tails and created the Inari. The Ninetails was the strongest of nine-beasts that formed from the battle ground when the gods waged war. Born from blood and gore, this is all the creature ever wants.
In it's bloody rage, the creature slew it's 8 brothers, and then turned agaisnt the gods.
Neither a god nor a demon, this creatures extend of power was practicaly endless. In a long battle, the gods attempted to slay it, but were unable to do so. So they ripped it into 999 parts, and sealed them all away. To honor the creatures power, the gods created the Inari. The mask you have, this is not even a full part of those 999 parts. It's insides is inscribed with the blood of the ninetails. That alone is enough to extent to that much power.
But hey, "You are one of the chosen many". I am sure you can handle it."
And with those words, he disappeared.
The following letters were send from the scout Tsururao towards her sisters Ruoako and Ririn, via air-post. Yes, magical letters that take the form of birds and fly to their destination.
Dear sisters,
I have taken a raft to bring me down the river. The ater flows slowly and calmy, and dozens of feeders run into it from the north, sweilling it's size and slowing it down even more.
The vegetation alongside the river is rich. Watching small animals, rabbit like in appearance but with tiny horns, I managed to dientify some of them as non poisonous, and added some dried samples of them to this letter. Give them to a proper cook, so he can evaluate their value.
Tsuru
--------------------------
Dear sister,
we were glad to receive your letter. Last week, we finaly finished the channel, and planted the first rice. I used my first salary from the controle tent and bought a batch of bricks from it, lying down the foundation of our house. We are going at a good rate, and like the rest of the town, should be able to move into our new home in less than 2 months.
I feel sad knowing you won't be here when we finish.
Rin and Ruo
------------------------------------------------------------------
dear sisters,
the river has taken a turn southwards, and has reached an enormous size. In vain I have tried to fish in it for fish, and instead, caught many different types of turtles. In fact, they are so numerous in this river, that I hereby announce to name this river "Kamekawa", the river of turtles.
Some of them grow to intimidating sizes. After seeing one that was large as an ox, with an big, sharp beak enter the water, I decided to continue my travel on land, I don't want to find my raft, and half of my body most lkely, crushed by one of those behemoths. I will make sure in my report that everyone knows to either use ships so big that the turtles don't touch them, or that the twins make effort to exterminate the huge ones.
Tsuru
----------------------------------------------------
Dear sister,
wow, those giant turtles sound like trouble. But we had some over here too. Some creature that looked like some sort of bear, but with a long, almost peacock-like tail, had taken one of our neighbours sheep.
The whole village was terrified, and immediatly started building defensive fences around their property. A few days later, the twins went out on a hunting party, and brought back the body of 4 of those creatures. We grilled them on the townsquare and held a small festival with their meat and many of the native fruits that we find around here. Sadly the queue for the meat was so long, I didn't get any, but Ruoako sais it tasted like walnut. I wish you could have been there.
´ Rin and Ruo
----------------------------------------------
Dear sisters
I am traversing wast grassland, and very much regret not bringing a horse with me. Large groups of man-sized birds roam this land on their strong legs. I tried to capture one and ride it...The results were not satisfying. Also, beaks hurt. At least these creatures taste absolutely wonderful. The grassland also is home to more turtles, enormous ones with shells like boulders.
Thousands and thousands of insects roam the area, attracted by my fires at night. Luckily, I was not biten...yet.
Tsuru
--------------------------
Dear sister.
We finished building our house, though it is still empty. We brought a lot of furniture from our old home, but this one feels a lot bigger than the last one, especialy if it is only the two of us.
Rin and Ruoa
---------------------------
Dear sisters
I've reached the ocean !
In honor of my great discovery, I claim to name it Nichibi no Enkai, the ocean of the twotail. I can only hope that no other scout reached it's coast before me, it would drive me nuts to see that someone else claimed a name before me.
The coast is lined with mostly rocky beaches, no warm sand to relax.
However, I made a discovery that will surely earn me a bonus:
The coast is full of Amber. Lots and lots and lots of it. I added some nice pieces to this letter, I know how much Ruoako likes to carve little trinkets.
And of course, I pocketed my fare share. When I come home, I will sell it on the market, before anyone else can start gathering their own.
6 months are almost approaching, and I am now turning back homewards. I am going to take a different route, away from the river and over the hills. If my map is correct, I should be able to be home in time.
Tsuru
----------------------------------------
Dear sister
Ruoako made on of the amber pieces into a pheonix pendant, and is now eagerly awaiting your return to give it to you.
Most of the town is busy bringing in their first harvest of the year. Unless this world is very cold, we should be able to harvest a second time soon. If we hadn't wasted so much time building the fields, even a third harvest might be possible.
By now, everyone has finsihed building their houses, and business started to find it's way backinto everyday life. I traded some of the amber you send me for lots of goosefeathers, I will make a pillow with them.
Rin and Ruoa
-----------------------------------
Dear sisters,
it appears this world hates me. For the last 5 days it has been raining straight, and the grassland is becoming more and more muddy. It appears that small, fish-like creatures have been hibernating in the dry ground, wiating for this muddy time which appears to be their matign season. They mate, lie eggs deep into the mud, and die. They taste quite nice, and are strewn all over the place. The animals around me, especialy birds seem to have awaited this, as their eggs are hatching now, and they are feeding their young with the abundance of fish. It would be quite a sight, if the rain wasn't so annoying.
Tsuru
----------------------------
dear sister,
It has been raining a lot here too, however not nearly as much as you describe it. Still, the river are carrying high water, and the fishers who build their houses too close to the river are cursing to themselves right now. It is a good thing that you are traveling overland, this is dangerous.
Rin and Ruoa
-----------------------------
dear sisters,
according to my speculations, it should be only a month until I return home, and once more I bring happy news. I've noticed many small animals, amongst them these cute horned rabbits liking the stones in this area. I tried my luck, and found that the rock formations here indicate that there must be rocksalt. The samples at the sirface are not very pure, but hopefully if we send miners in that direction, they will find some good places to dig. Ohh, I am so going to earn a bonus for this.
I will be home soon, and am quickening my pace in anticipation to at least celebrate the new year with my family.
tsuru
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Topic: Battle of the Gods II (an RP thread) - Second Edition (Read 8629 times)