Fantasy Tales of Tengoku

[The Black Knight]

The Oni​

Guang was a rag doll at the mercy of powerful and swift currents. Against the cold waters, his tears were hot against his cheeks. He beat his arms chaotically in desperation to stay afloat, but the grief he felt was so strong. It sapped him of strength to survive; to go on! His arms grew tired and every time his head went under, he opened his mouth and screamed his anger and sadness into the black silence of river.

Ichirou’sI right hand was crimson and dripping with blood. The heart of Honghui mysteriously continued to beat. The dark emperor was standing before the balcony that Bing had thrown her son from and leaped the samurai who stupidly followed him. A dark shadow moved behind him and three red eyes appeared over his left shoulder. The voice that left the shadow’s mouth resonated unpleasantly. The depth was unkind to the ears of the living, and it spoke in a tongue that only those with even a seed of evil in their heart could comprehend. It was the tongue of demons.

“Are you going to let that heart go to waste?” Donshoku-sha asked.

“It’s still beating,” Ichirou replied.

A shrill, childish giggle escaped the creature as its tri-eyes swept down to hover before the heart he clutched. “It is the heart of one chosen by the gods. Its beating doesn’t stop for as long as hope still lives.”

Ichirou’s brows furrowed. “You mean the boy?”

“Yes. The boy is not dead. We will need to kill him, but for now, you do not need to worry. If you swallow that heart, then you will become a god.”

Ichirou raised the heart before his eyes and stared at it curiously.

“How does it feel? You have always wanted to be a god, and I have made you one.”

The heart felt uncomfortable in his hand. So many died…he had to perform so many heinous crimes just to reach the top. Looking back, he asked himself: was this what you really wanted in the end? If he had never murdered his daimyo, he would still be there bowing before him and licking his boots like a damn dog! Ichirou closed his eyes as he simmered in his anger. “I wish it didn’t have to be this way, but the gods made a mistake not making me a god first.”

Donshoku-sha giggled.

Ichirou turned from the balcony and ordered to the shadows, “Kill the boy and the samurai. If you fail me, then you might as well kill yourself than come back.”

Fifteen black blurs darted from the walls over the side of the balcony.

The young emperor was not aware that not everyone was lost. Tora was behind him like a loyal samurai, and surrounding him were several yokai. They covered the rocks like spiders with their human limbs splayed and clinging to the walls of the mountains. Their red oni masks could have been seen through the darkness of the night along with the numerous ghostly-glow of their eyes. Drool dripped in strings from their jagged teeth as they gazed upon the two humans in the river like meat dumplings.

There had to be fifteen, following and waiting patiently for either death to take them or for the two to attempt to leave the river. It wouldn’t be long. In the next hundred meters, there was a waterfall and beneath the plummet were more oni weaving a thick web to catch them in. They had no place to run!

GM Notes: There are fifteen enemies. Writers can use this conflict to introduce their characters, or they can opt to wait until the next scene when the story takes them to a village on the water. Remember, as long as the little emperor is present, the guardian spirits are active. If your character has never seen their guardian spirit before, then this may be their first time meeting them.

 

[StormWolf]

Soothing was the cold water of the river, serene was the silence beneath the churning surface. A different world from the cacophonous choir of misery and madness that had consumed the imperial palace. Toratetsu's world spun, his wounds weeping into the serene river like ink from a calligrapher's brush. Fire burned in his lungs as the armor that had saved his life so many times was now content to kill him. Phantasmal fingers of river-weeds caressed Toratetsu's kicking legs, almost as if beckoning the samurai to rest.

Protect him. The queen's final command struck Toratetsu like a smith's hammer. Setting his teeth, his eyes hardened with a grim resolve, he took the keen edge of Akarustume to the silk knots fastening his armor to his person. Strong as silk was, the star-wrought steel glided through simply enough. Shrugging the burden free, Toratetsu kicked with all his might, pushing every fiber of his steely sinew to purpose. Blood roared in his ears, but it was more than that. Having been at the divine child's side since his birth, Toratetsu had become acquainted with his guardian spirit. Her predator snarl wove though him, feeling Tsovakali's unearthly drive from his hair to his marrow.

Toratetsu felt as if he might burst as he rushed for the surface. Even as darkness strangled the fringes of his vision, Toratetsu knew the moon-silver hair of his charge anywhere. Reaching desperately against the tides of river and fate alike, he snatched the sacred child by the scruff of his collar and hoisted him towards the surface. Breaking through to the air, Toratetsu gulped greedily as he paddled for the stony bank. His heart thundered, but a cold dread permeated the burn of fatigue as eyes like embers regarded them with an demoniac desire. Grotesque scarlet masks and gnashing, yellowed teeth surrounded them like jackals too impatient to wait for their quarry to die.

Finding footing in the gradual silt slope of the riverbank, Toratetsu kept himself between the demons and his lord. Down river a short ways, Toratetsu heard the muffled sigh of the waterfall. He might survive such a fall, but he could not say the same for the child.

"Keep by my side, my lord," said Toratetsu with an assuring squeeze on Guang's shoulder. Steadying himself with practiced, deliberate breathing, Toratetsu became the flame and the void. The shiver in his hands ceased as his expression became as a stone mask itself. Focus and sheer will coursed through him. Pain was not forgotten, but subdued. In the milky moonlight, Toratetsu's blade gleamed like liquid silver as he shifted into a high guard of Wolf's Breath, Lion's Roar. It was customary for one to surrender themselves to the possibility of death, perhaps the inevitability of it, in such circumstances... but death was not an option, now.

Tsovakali, Mother Tigress, guide and guard your lost children... thought Toratetsu in a silent prayer as he stood sentinel against the closing ring of demons. He felt her presence as a warmth at his back, the great tigress pacing atop the water's surface, bristling with rage. With sure hands, he brought Akarustume down in a swift and smiting stroke against the first oni to approach, feeling the cut through the length of the blade's tang. A sword that could cleave through the torso of a man and the stump of a horse's neck stopped halfway through the oni's mask, the thick ridge of bone that formed the brow halting the cut. Putrid black ichor bubbled and wept from the cleft in the mask, smelling of the vile and sickly-sweet odor of rotten flesh. Long, disjointed limbs battered at Toratetsu, claws raking along his back as they reached for the boy-emperor. With no avail, it instead pulled the samurai into the gnashing and snapping teeth of that maddened visage. Toratetsu planted a foot firmly on the oni's face in a push kick, wrench his blade free in a single motion. Nesting the pommel in his palm in a middle guard, and relaxed his leg, letting the might of the oni direct the plunging strike known as Hummingbird Kisses the Honeyrose. One motion, and Akarustume had run the length of its edge through the oni's eye.

Pivoting his stance in the churning water to face the next onrushing demon, Toratetsu bellowed a sharp "Kiai" as he made a scything draw-cut from the previous oni's skull, taking a black-taloned claw off at the wrist mid-swing. Just enough to shorten the oni's reach. Shifting stance to Tiger Pushes Mountain, Toratetsu closed on the backside of the bear-like swing with a brutal cut to the bulbous, distended stomach beneath the monster's ribs. Viscera and putrescence wriggled free from the wound like a mass of greasy snakes to turn the water black. Maintaining momentum, the samurai transitioned to the Jodan high guard, just as he was in the beginning, and swept down where the oni's head met the trunk of its neck. Passing through tendon and spine, the red mask floated down-river like a fisherman's lure before the body slumped to join it.

Shifting stance again, sword hilt parallel to his head in the In no Kame, he resumed sentry before young lord Guang. Dark tar-like ichor once again darkening the bright steel in hand, smeared on his hands and clothes, but several new lacerations trickled warm blood down Toratetsu's back, staining his sodden robe.

 

[ThatGuyWithSouvlaki]

Overhead of the fighting in one of the nearby trees sat dark figur looking down at the situation. Her eyes was filled with focus and colr hatred as she followed the twelve pair of glowing eyes in the dark circling two figures. She had witnessed the palace disappear her father gone with it and with it most of him most of her clan. She only survived due to instruction of her father to protect the empire. It was her only reason for living now, that and making the monster responsible pay with any of the most horrible means possible.

This is your chance. Protect your charge take the first cut of the thousands you need to make your enemy bleed out. The words felt spoken into her ear but sounded inside her head making it difficult to know whether it was spoken to her or she thought it. There was a growl to them like that of a large cat but she did not fill menace or fear from it but resolve and a rush of energy like any other. One pair of eyes seemed to move near Haru. That was her way down she had litgle time to formulate a plan. She ran back down the branch before running back towatds the fight drawing her sword in the process than leaped from the edge.

As fell towards her pray, she adjusted so as if jumping for a shoulder charge holding her blade with both hands parallel to her shoulder as if read to stab. Some instict of the creature made it turn and look up at her. Too late. A second before contact she stabbed aiming for the creatures glowing eyes. The strength of the stab broke into the mask, the weight of her fall drove it the rest of the way through as her shoulder brought the creature down to the ground.

With the momentum she ducked her head curved her body allowing herself to go on a roll pulling her blade free in the process. She stopped in crouched position bringing her blade free in protective position perpendicular to her face . She stood, her legs in a sideways stance loose to allow for sudden movements, turning slowly as slowed a deepening her breathing as took in the few oni which reacted to her presence.

One howled and leaped it lanky hand high to bring its claw down in vertical slash. She jumped to the side doing a sort of perouet avoiding the claws barely had she landed when another came with a vetical sweep forcing her to bend her back like a game of limbo, the claw pushing mere inches over her chest. Straightened quickly seeing another one charging at her. Their reach, a strength but also a weakness. Came the voice again and she knew what to do. She charged at it in turn as if to meet its charge with her blade. The oni came high over her for a verticle slash. She sidestepped at the last minute and stepped forward feeling the long bony arm just brush her arm. She drove her blade under the mask where the throat would be. It gargled and she could feel and smell the ichor falling on her armor. She shuddered as she stepped back pulling away the blade.

 

[Ruby Owl]

The jagged shore of the river was a difficult trek for anyone, much less a small fox. She trekked across its slippery rocks, a pearl sized orb dull in her mouth. Determination shone in her golden eyes. In the distance, she could make out the shape of the emperor's palace. Haepi's divine will channeled itself directly through the bloodline of royalty. Perhaps someone with that kind of power could save the darkening influence creeping across the land...

Unfortunately, it was too late. Kokoro could spot a huddle of Oni in the distance. Their abnormal forms were spinning a web across the waterfall, disrupting the flow of water. She quickly darted into the woods, their attention focused on their mission. She scampered through using the thick foliage as cover. Did this mean that this place was compromised as well? The tawny Kitsune continued upwards, unsure of what lay ahead. The thick smell of tainted blood filled her sensitive nostrils. Climbing upwards with wet paws, she struggled to make sense of what she saw.

A handful of humans were fighting, using their metal against corrupted flesh. The one who wasn't fighting was a small, white-haired human. Her hoshi-no-tama glowed brightly as she stared at him. Though she did not know who these strangers were, the mere fact they were fighting against Donshoku's forces were enough for her to consider them quick allies.

The forming trio would see a tannish orange fox jump into view, the ball in its mouth having a mist-like fire swirling inside. Its tail began to crackle with static before it swished to the left. A stream of fire formed from the white tip of her tail before it was whipped across the air. It made contact with two of the Oni, cutting against their black forms. The smell of charred flesh filled the air. She made another leap, this time planting her paws near Guang. Another crackle, another whip, this time her tail flicking to the right. This time, the line of fire smashed through the injured Oni. Their human-like legs gave out beneath them, causing them to crumple to the ground.

She stood behind the young Emperor, guarding the group's rear. Despite the presence of a samurai, a shinobi, and a guardian spirit or two, her focus was on the boy--- and the strong amount of magic he exuded.

 

[OSWonder]

A silent silhouette stole through the forest like a ghost. His movements were light and smooth, as though he was merely floating by, unhindered by the towering trees and their tricky branches. A long hood, billowing behind him, shrouded his features in darkness. Yet, amber eyes pierced through, ethereal and eerie.

In the silent night, a single, spine-chilling scream cut through the still wind, disturbing the calm. The previously serene, steady sound from the ebbing river shifted into something more urgent, as though the water itself was alarmed by the happenings around it. Birds flew in flocks away from their nests in a rush, anxious to escape the perceived danger, adding to the sudden cacophony of sound. The figure comes to an abrupt halt. His cold eyes narrow.

In truth, Xue Ying did not have time to be stopping by to observe. However, he recognized the distinctive howls and grunts as a sign of Oni, creatures that had no business being in this isolated place. He looked toward the river, back in the direction of the village he was heading to and back again at the river in quick succession. Though he was mainly here for a job, he had used an amorous client’s invitation as an excuse to be here and didn’t want to be found missing from his room… and yet, his instincts won over, leading him toward the noise.


Xue Ying was not someone easily surprised but the scene presented to him when he reached the edge of the river was indeed shocking. Not because there were many Oni, engaged in a fight with two warriors: a samurai and a shinobi, as far as he could tell. It was because their primary target seemed not to be them, but a young boy, struggling to stay afloat amidst the raging battle around him.

There were fifteen of those monsters in total, six that had already been felled by the two humans. While they were clearly adept at fighting, it would be exceedingly difficult to keep a watch on all those foes as well as the child they were guarding. He was soon proved right when he spotted an Oni approaching from the edge of the battle, heading straight for the helpless boy while his samurai was occupied with another demon.

Watching the ugly thing approaching the fragile, luminous figure, threatening and lecherous, a sour taste spread in Xue Ying’s mouth. The corner of his lips turned down as he threw one of his Fangs, with a swift and ruthless movement, toward the Oni’s neck. Xue Ying was angry, he realized to his own shock, seething, in fact, that even that creature’s disgusting shadow had touched the boy. Something in him demanded that he protect this child, like a foreign voice whispering in his head. Unfortunately, he had no time to wonder why.

The demon turned to him with a growl, the sudden pain piercing its flesh apparently bringing it great rage. Xue Ying quickly entered the first phase of Shadow In The Mist, taking advantage of the demon’s surprise at the change in his appearance to approach it. The Oni swung a long limb at the blurred figure heading toward it, its combat instincts overpowering its confusion. Calmly, Xue Ying caughts its arm, ignoring the dull ache that spread toward his shoulder from the force as he tightened his grip and sent a wave of Ki from his hand into the demon. The creature roared, displeased, and made a grab for his face despite the overwhelming chill that was invading its senses. Dodging, Xue Ying reached for the knife embedded in its neck and dragged it out, creating a long laceration up its nape before slamming it into the demon’s bulging eyes and pressing it in deep. The hood that he had been wearing fluttered to the ground behind him, having been caught and tattered in the beast’s final attack, in time to reveal a sneer crossing his delicate features as the Oni’s body fell toward him.

Provided with a hideous close-up shot of its mask he really didn’t need, Xue Ying hurtled its heavy body into the river. His action bought him the attention of two other Oni, their overly large heads swinging menacingly in his direction; looking rather idiotic in the process, in Xue Ying’s opinion. With a soft sigh, he drew Dancer from her sheath.

How sad, he mused, almost regretting his impulsive decision to throw the dagger. The lethal venom that would now be spreading like nefarious wildfire through the body was truly wasted on a dead demon. And, now, his precious Dancer was going to be drenched in the gooey Oni blood, too. Just as that thought flashed through his mind, an enemy charged at him, quite a bit faster than the one he’d just put down. Xue Ying flipped backwards away from it, landing lightly on his feet as he arched a slim brow, as if challenging the monster. It, along with its smaller friend, followed after him, away from the main battle and their target. Xue Ying readied his sword with a smile.

Under the strips of moonlight, even his glistening golden mask couldn’t hold a candle to the brightness of his eyes as he engaged in the most exciting battle he’d faced in a while. The sight of the fight between the pale, slender man and two glowering Oni looked like it were a part of an opera. A silent melody could be perceived from Xue Ying’s movement as he weaved his way between his two opponents. He had cut down one and was only halfway into devouring the second when he realized that the river’s currents had already taken the duo of humans a distance away.

Better end this, then, he thought to himself as he entered the third phase of Shadow, allowing him to evade the Oni’s keen senses long enough to leap into the dark cover of the trees. Xue Ying’s internal injuries were not nearly healed, thus he couldn’t afford prolonged or especially harsh battles like before. He looked one last time at the boy floating away. It was against his nature to leave loose ends, but Xue Ying made no effort to retrieve his Fang from the river, drifting away alongside the child.

Make it out alive, child, he thought with some mirth, you owe me a dagger now.

 

[The Black Knight]

A strong hand grasped the back of his robes and rushed him to the surface. Guang broke through and quickly inhaled a breath of fresh air before the water found his face again. Craning his neck above the water, he continued to swallow down mouthfuls of fresh air before casting his squinting blue eyes over at a familiar samurai. Guang’s eyes widened in shock.

“Tora!” Guang exclaimed in surprise and relief. The boy’s face scrunched up with sadness. Tora was alive and still protecting him. He was so happy to see him. He helped him paddle toward the shore not wanting to be dead weight. When he felt the bed beneath his feet, he stood and clung to Tora’s hip only to gasp in fright at the numerous glowing eyes that were surrounding them.

Keep by my side, my lord.

Guang hid behind Tora, peeking passed the samurai’s hip at the demons. They were horrible. He couldn’t believe such creatures could exist. His blue orbs darted up to Tora. He was going to fight them all by himself? Guang was scared for him.

“Tora…” Guang whimpered. He then heard the rumbling growl of a great beast and saw Tora’s tiger appear. She always appeared when they were in danger and Guang knew that she would protect his guardian if ever his life were threatened. As soon as Tora engaged in contact, Guang was forced to release him as he fought. The little emperor crouched in the water, his eyes large and gleaming as he watched Tora fight the oni. They were soon joined by others who seemingly appeared out of nowhere much like how the oni had.

First a kunoichi, then a fiery kitsune who doused the demons in fire before landing behind him and Tora. Guang glanced back over his shoulder. His mouth hung open in awe as he gazed upon the creature. He had seen them in storybooks, but never had he encountered a kitsune in person. Another stranger dispatched an oni who came too close to him. Where were they all coming from?

Guang’s hand grasped Tora’s sword belt once more when the protector returned to his post before him. The oni numbers had dramatically decreased since the arrival of the allies, but the demons were still far from discouraged. They were relentless in their hunger for divine meat. The boy was but a fawn surrounded by wolves.

Give him to us…

You have already lost…

The oni rule this realm now…

There is no hope…

The oni snarled and growled their claims at those gathered, while beneath the river white, spider-like onis swam. They were the oni that had crafted a net at the end of the waterfall. Their numerous legs spread and closed in the rhythmic motion of a swimming octopus. The first appeared beneath the kitsune. Eight hands began grasping the fox’s legs, fur, and neck, trying to drag her down into the blackness of the river. The second grabbed Guang who had been staring at the oni who were harassing them. The numerous hands grasped his ankles, legs, arms, and then mouth. Guang could only make a horrified gasp before he was yanked under, his grip breaking Tora’s belt.

The remaining oni were quick to lunge at Tora to hinder his efforts to go after the little emperor. Guang gazed up at Tora as though he were looking through a small window. Silence and darkness surrounded him as the white oni seemingly swam through nothing. It swam through a void that could be seen reflected on the river’s rippling surface as it headed for the waterfall. As it swam, a third oni intercepted it, snagging Guang as the two creatures entered a tug-o-war match. Guang felt his limbs tighten. His eyes clenched closed and his lungs burned as he found himself incapable of breathing in such taint. They were going to rip him apart! The oni didn’t care about the quality or state of their captured meal. They just wanted to eat and Guang had never felt so scared, or the pain of his body wanting to break to pieces. His stress immediately sky-rocketed.

Guang’s body glowed a light so bright that it shattered the darkness around him and sent the spider oni fleeing. A white orb appeared beneath the river’s surface, and then exploded, sending a surge of water into the air. A white massive pillar extended into the sky, bathing the surrounding forest in white and sending the oni who had been assaulting the heroes fleeing in fear.

At the dark castle, Ichirou watched from the balcony the bright beam extend, connecting The Garden with the heavens like a pillar. The creamy flesh of the dark emperor’s forehead parted as a red and green eye swelled forth, bulging in fear at the mere sight of the beam.

Nani!?

Ichirou frowned at the voice of the dark god in his head. He then peered down at his hands, raising them as he saw that they were shaking. The dark emperor growled. “Why are you afraid?”

That power…his power is greater than his parents’!

Ichirou’s hands closed into tight fists. “It doesn’t look like he has much control though. He will be dead before he learns how to use it.”

We must prioritize his death. I will inform each of my great servants. No matter where the boy goes, they will ensure his destruction.

“I want the boy’s heart,” Ichirou declared. “I will not stand to be transformed into a lesser god.”

So you will waste his father's heart? the dark god growled.

“No…I will use it as a reward. Tell your servants that whoever can kill the boy and bring me his heart will be made into a god.”

Donshoku-sha’s eye narrowed wickedly on Ichirou’s forehead, and the dark god giggled.

I knew that there was something about you that I liked human. As you wish.

The river current halted and the water became still as the tower of light stood in its center, churning the waters at its base. Several animals peered from the forest at it, watching in awe; and across the land of Huayuan, every good and evil deity gazed upon the pillar like a beacon. Along the shore, flowers sprouted up from the garden and the foliage of the trees became thicker. The pillar touched the moon, and its light was absorbed into it. The beam thinned into a thread and then broke as it vanished. The river resumed its flow, but the little emperor was nowhere to be found. At the mouth of the waterfall, the net the yokai had wove was broken suggesting something had fallen into it and plummeted down the waterfall into the waters below.

From the top of the waterfall, one would be able to see the river leading to a village on a bay.


GM Note: Investigate if you want. The oni have fled. Once your characters figure out where the little emperor could have gone, then you can have them venture to the next setting. There will be a second post after this one introducing the new setting and the story plots within it.

 

[The Black Knight]

Piaofu or Piaofu Chengshi is “The Floating City.” Piaofu isn’t so much a city as it is numerous shacks stacked on top of each other and joined by rope bridges over the waters of the Tiger Mouth Bay. The village specializes in various products from the sea: seafood, salt, gold refining, shells, ships—both the floating and water kind. It is a hub for flying ships. The water is a safe surface for the ships to land and many merchants from the sky kingdoms descend to exchange goods.

Ever since the rise of the dark emperor, the village has become quiet. While it still busies itself, the people don’t smile. Most reside indoors and only leave their homes when they need to shop and work. Children gather in packs, hiding in the alleys and shadows like feral dogs. It is uncertain whether they have parents. An orphanage has not been established. A shadow of sadness and misfortune hovers over the village like rain clouds. There seems to be a secret, and it may not be safe to ask strangers.

Village Plots:

• The Mysterious Fisherman
• The Cult of Eight
• The Street Urchins

GM Notes: These plots become active as players discover them whether the discovery is intentional or unintentional. The GM may activate the plot if the characters stumble across them. In the end, this village does have an overall boss behind it (of course). Become acquainted and work together to uncover all the secrets. Some plots will naturally solve themselves through game play.

A player cannot activate the GM plot or make it convenient for themselves to solve the plot (making unusual conveniences in game). Therefore, the GM will reveal plot material as the characters explore the village. Use your character's current quests to help you solve the village plots. Players are allowed to add to this village, ie. creating pubs, inns, etc. If you create an establishment, then you must give it a name. I also do not want to see 3-5 pubs. Only one type of establishment please. That way, players will use the same name and visit the same place if they wish. I want the lore built in this village to be consistently expanded upon by everyone.

Also, if you want. In the discord, you can pitch the next oni minions. The boss unfortunately has already been created by the GM.

 

[StormWolf]

Pulse pounding, Toratetsu stood as a bastion in the bleak waters. Fear clenched at his stomach, twisting icy dragon-talons through his guts. Pain throbbed in his scores of weeping wounds. Yet, his hands remained steady. He was one with the Flame and the Void. Jaw set and eyes furrowed through the sheet of scarlet that had trickled down his face, he and his Spirit bared their teeth and snarled as one. Anticipating the next attacks of the oni, what happened instead took the samurai by surprise.

A flash of blue steel from the shadows behind the oni was the only precursor to the descent of a lithe figure, striking like a panther from the murky jungle canopy. There was something in the way they moved that was familiar to Toratetsu. Not only the motions of her strikes, but in bearing. Time for such contemplation was brief, however, as the sudden burst of heat and light gave the samurai a sudden shock. He blinked away the spots in his vision, seeing a fox with luminous golden eyes, vibrant its the fire-lit fur, and a luminous arcane sphere of some sort in its mouth. This was no normal fox... and some lingering phantom of thought had the samurai clutching at the gourd tied to his side. Thirdly, perhaps thanks in part to the sudden light of the fire, was a hypnotic flourish of marble-pale robes. A dazzling, almost dance-like display that seemed to provide a sort of balance to the kunoichi's own spectacle. All together, it was an artful and eloquent ballet of violence.

Yet so many of the oni still remained, untouched by fear, driven by a hateful hunger and inhuman maliciousness. Their gibbering drifted to Toratetsu's ears like a fetid wind, sending a greasy shiver down his spine.

"Spare me your poisoned words," Toratetsu spat defiantly, not once relaxing his guard amid the explosion of steel and sorcerous powers. In the furtive shadows, Toratetsu noticed the black tenrils only too late. His heart seized the moment he felt his lord's small hand ripped from him. Spinning on the ball of one foot, he plunged a hand after the fading luminous visage of Guang, compromising his defensive position. A fist like a kanabo struck Toratetsu in the ribs. He could feel something creak to the point of breaking as he was thrown back into the water with the taste of copper on his tongue. Twisting, rolling, he found his feet again, bursting from the churning waters with a painful breath. A grimace carved lines in his face, meeting the hateful set of the samurai's eyes. Taking the flask from his belt, Toratetsu thumbed free the cork and let it fill his mouth. It was plum-sweet and pure. Raising his blade in a horizontal guard before his face, glaring over the gleaming edge at the oncoming oni, Toratetsu surged to meet them.

Dipping under another swing of those trunk-like arms, Toratetsu exploded from his crouched stance in a clockwise corkscrew motion as he sprayed the sacramental sake in an arcing mist. Drawing his sword through the stream, soaking the length of the steel, he once again fell into Tiger Pushes Mountain. Oni recoiled from the blessed sake, burning like acid upon their skin, their eyes, and nostrils. Maneuvering in a pirouette to the first oni's flank. He drove his katana to the hilt the demon's armpit, passing through the barrel of its chest cavity and sprouting from the yoke of its neck on the opposite side. The sake on the blade hit internal organs like liquid fire. Taking his wikazashi in a reverse grip, Toratetsu slashed at the oni beneath the ribs on the draw. Turning with the momentum of his off-hand strike, Toratetsu twisted and freed his katana from the oni's flesh with a sickening sucking sound. He got the lungs, meaning that oni was enough to forget.

Following that arc, Toratetsu scythed through the cable-like tendons of the next oni's knee and savagely perforated its back with his off-hand, roaring with Mother Tigress' rage. Letting that body drift, the third started recovering from the poison. It swung gangling, apish limbs in abandon, half-blind. Ducking, evading, and leaping, Toratetsu slammed his wikazashi into the nape of its neck. Letting his weight pull the demon down, the samurai thrust his katana up to meet it. Steel glided through the soft spot behind the chin. Gazing into those hateful eyes, Toratetsu watched the lights go out. He kicked the body off with a grunt.

They had surrounded him, cackling in sadistic glee, serpentine tongues lashing in lurid hunger. Fatigue made the samurai's arms like lead weights, but he still assumed his Wolf and Lion guard. Toratetsu would face his destiny the only way he knew. Taking a deep, aching breath, he roared at the demons, a primal challenge... and the demons fled. But not from him. There was a surreal silence, an unearthly tranquility that had fallen over the world in that moment. This was *not* in Toratetsu's power... Pale light bathed the world in stark contrasts. Turning to face the source, Toratetsu gazed in awe at he beauty of the impossibility before him. The river ceased the flow, the surface still as glass. All that was green and good seemed more vibrant and full of life. As if shining through the iris of some closing cosmic window, the pillar that connected the earth and the heavens thinned, then ultimately winked out of existence. Awe fading, dread rising in its place.

"My lord!" Toratetsu called out, his voice rough and hoarse as the moved with the resuming current. He cleaned his blades on the sleeves of his tunic and returned them to their scabbards as his stride faltered into a limp. With adrenaline and focus fading, fatigue and pain reared their ugly heads. Ascending the bank of the river, standing on shelf of granite cut by the falls, he searched for that silver head of hair. Grunting, clutching at the wound at his side, it took all of the samurai's will to keep standing, his back straight. He couldn't see his ward, but he had to hold on to hope. Guang was a smart and clever child, and possessed by the energy young boys have. In his state, if Toratetsu leapt over the falls after him, the landing would likely kill him.

A cluster of lights like the embers of a cookfire glittered in the distance. "Young master, please be as clever as I think you are..." he muttered silently. "I will find you soon." Turning to the riverbank, he surveyed the area for those who had intercepted on his behalf. The fox-that-was-not-a-fox, the shadow-woman, and the opal-dancer.

"I owe you all a debt of gratitude for your intervention," Toratetsu said tightly, dipping his sodden head in a humble bow before continuing, "so I beg your pardon at asking more of you." It was unlike a samurai, an heir and lord of one of the Great Clans, to not look down his nose at others, but without Guang's safety and security, Toratetsu's honor was forfeit. "The child is my charge, his importance to the land cannot be understated." Toratetsu had to force himself to not glance at the epicenter of the heavenly light.

"Help me return to him, help me keep him alive... please."

 

[ThatGuyWithSouvlaki]

Haru was placed on the defensive once more as an Oni came at her with rapid attack she had barely a chance to react to. Claw met sword as she blocked each swipe that came at her. The swipes so quick and powerful she was having a little difficulty keeping up and was being forced back. She cursed, her skill was not in slogging matched like this, she need to counter or disengage but has trouble thinking of how.

And than the opportunity came, the oni seemed pull his claw back for a stronger strike. The delay, no more than second or two what she needed for her Scorpions Sting. She removed her hand from one hand and placed it low as with other held her blade ready as if still on the defensive. The oni attacked she spin away moving to the oni's side, she flicked he free wrist and a dagger shot into her hand from her sleeve. With instict born of intense training she gripped the handle of the dagger and positioned to take advantage of her spin momentum. Once in position she drove the dagger hard just were the oni's ear would have been if it was a human. Ichor spilled out but the oni made no sound it seemed to be stunned like struck by lightning before collapsing. The dagger refused to budge from the oni and so Haru had to abandon it or risk being pulled to the ground.

Finally able to breath she took stock of her surrounding. It seemed they had more company a katsune was breathing fire at their enemy and what at first she though was a fellow ninjs cut a bath to the oni. The sight was encouraging even with the call for surrender came from the oni and the sickening smell of burning ichor. Yet a sudden change seemed to shift the balance of power away from them. An Oni came up from the river and threaten the emperor, Tora and the katsune.

She rushed after them to help but oni came in her way. She did not try to fight them as it would take too long but instead tried to use her acrobatics to bypass them. Yet any route she tried to bypass them seemed to blocked by oni and it soon became clear she was trapped and surrounded. She paused and raised her sword in readiness for any fate that awaited her. It looked like it would be failure and the worse sort of darkness. Suddenly there was light, white and blinding coming from the emperor. She was never so glad to be bathed in such light than before even if she had to avert her eyes from it.

When the light faded she opened her eyes and saw the oni were gone and only this impromptu group of warriors remained. The emperor nowhere to be seen and a feeling of panic came over her as moved closer to the waterfall. He heard Toe beg for help an act uncharacteristic for a samurai of his status. "Save your pleading samurai, it does not become you and we have little ." She said in a still measured tone that belied her panic. "could the chlld way taken by the water?"

 

[Jabu]

The Traitor of Tiantang Ti had been on the move for some time now. Having been exiled from his home on the account of a heinous crime he didn’t commit, Jin Huoxu took up the work of an escort to busy himself. Though his brother had promised to get to the bottom of his wrongful accusation, Huoxu had his doubts as to whether or not his name would actually be cleared. Now, far from the mountain he called home, he found himself at the Tiger Mouth Bay where the city of Piaofu resided.

Traveling for nearly five days to reach this destination with a small group of merchants had taken its toll. The fatigue had caught up with him. He didn’t complain about it aloud as it wouldn’t be fit for a guard to do so. “Just a bit further,” the leader of the group spoke up suddenly, seeming a bit anxious. This particular group he’d been hired to protect was made up of five individuals. A small merchant family that traveled to sell and trade their wares. Huoxu had been hired to escort them back home. The martial artist had bonded with the family over their five-day journey. He was a bit sad to see them go, but it couldn’t be helped. Their paths were bound to divide sooner or later. “You’re nearly home,” Huoxu spoke over his shoulder to the child he carried on his back. As expected, he received no answer as the child had fallen asleep some time ago. He had been quite lively during the whole trip, except of course when his feet started to hurt or the transportation made him sick.

Silence fell over the group once again as they walked, but it felt different. Since arriving at Piaofu, the atmosphere had been different. The usual friendliness of his clients had disappeared. While curious, Huoxu opted to keep his thoughts to himself. Curiosity was what had gotten him exiled, he’d treaded carefully since when it came to dealing with others.

“Ah, right here is good! We can part ways here,” the leader said as he turned to face Huoxu. He was smiling, though it didn’t seem to come from a place of happiness. Just as the young man was about to speak, the water was quieted. The water was merely background noise to everyone in Piaofu, but it’s absence was immediately noticed. The loud city was doused in silence at the sight of something so spectacular. The light touched the pale moon and every plant in sight seemed to be revitalized by the light. Huoxu’s gaze was glued to the pillar, unable to comprehend what exactly the light was or where it could’ve come from. When the pillar disappeared and the water returned to normal, so did the city. The awe, while still fresh in people’s minds, the shock didn’t last. Huoxu couldn’t help the thoughts racing through his mind about what he’d just witnessed. But it didn’t last long as he was snapped out of his thoughts by his clients.

The final exchange between Huoxu and the merchants was rushed. He was quickly given a money pouch in a hurried toss while a sleepy child was pulled off his back by another member of the group. They scampered off quickly, leaving Huoxu alone in the floating city. Standing in silence and bewilderment, he hesitated for a moment before starting off toward the nearest inn. The spectacular event was still fresh in his mind, replaying over and over as he tossed his new pouch gently between his hands. Huoxu had seen some spectacular sights before, but nothing quite like that. The inn he’d passed earlier was closer to the bay, so he planned to stay there and visit the bay as well. Maybe he’d get some insight as to what had happened mere minutes ago.

 

[Ruby Owl]

Watching the backside of the child emperor was the vigilant Kitsune. Her paws were firmly planted on the shore, wet fur shining from the glow of her hoshi-no-tama. Her golden eyes watched the talkative oni before them. Her tail swished, a low growl escaping her lips. She began to channel her spiritual energy, scarlet fire forming around her. But, in her pursuit of attacking the oni threatening them, she failed to notice those below.

Kokoro let out a loud yelp as she was dragged underneath. Startled, the ball in her mouth was accidentally swallowed alongside gulps of river water. Her limbs flailed against the tightening grip, claws making contact with oni flesh. The world around her began to turn dark as she began to tire, about to give up and let the river consume her. She spotted another being thrashing in water beside her, the faint white glow recognizable. As Ko realized who it was, she began to fight against the Oni once more.

Thrashing about, she managed to free her neck from a choking grip. Her mouth charged with a cold fire before her jaw snapped down on a limb, sending a wave of spirit fire into the Oni. Its grip loosened enough for her to break free, but... all of her energy was spent. As she drifted on the river’s current, her vision began to blur.

Suddenly, a bright white light broke through the darkness. The river halted its flow, instead pushing her towards the shoreline. Focusing her gaze towards the light, she watched the pillar send the vile monsters skittering away. So this is his magical power... I’ve never seen anything like this before. I wonder if Inari is seeing this.... If Koan is seeing this...?

Everything became so clear to the Kitsune, what she was meant to do. To see the divine power of the child up close meant that her mission was now to protect him... whoever he was.

When the pillar faded, the tawny fox was a ragged mess on the shoreline. Having dragged herself back onto the grass, she coughed up lungfuls of water. It looked as if the others fared as well as she had-- the Samurai perhaps worse. He looked vaguely familiar, but she could not place where she had seen him before. Shaking herself off, she stared up at the kunoichi, the pale man, and Tora.

Kokoro nodded as the man’s plea was answered by Haru. She remained in her small, natural form, too spent to bother shifting to something more humanoid. Instead, she looked towards the end of the river, the waterfall, for the female ninja seemed to be onto something.

 

[The Black Knight]

Piaofu appeared to be a safe and peaceful shanty town on the outside, but once one entered, they’d find the streets mostly barren. Stray pieces of loose paper from oily fish skipped across the ground and children skittered through the streets. Contrary to the gray gloom that settled over the place, their playful giggles were like music. Many snake-like smoke stacks hinted to life, but where were all the people? They were indoors, crowding the bars, taverns, and the visiting merchants in the inns. Those who sought to purchase the merchants’ wares went to the inn where many sat on ornate rugs, presenting merchandise from fresh rain water to exotic materials from supposedly mythical beasts.

A cry sounding like a child was heard through the town, “No! Naa~ooh!”

In a nearby alley, a man wearing pure-white robes and a square hood with black curved lines splitting into eight on his mask had a boy by his skinny arm. In his other hand was a club and over his left shoulder was a tall, round reed basket. The boy thrashed about while his supposed friends fled, stopping to turn and gaze back at him with teary-eyed forlorn faces. He started to cry mainly due to his friends' abandonment and the realization that they weren’t going to try and save him from the Snake Face.

Angrily, the boy turned and bit the man’s hand like a feral dog. The man retaliated with a swift knock against his skull. The boy fell limply across the cobbled ground, and the hooded man lowered his basket as he started to scoop the boy within it. He placed the lid on the basket and then turned to follow the children that fled through the streets like deer fleeing from a wolf. There were a few hooded men roaming the streets, their clubs stained red from having bashed skulls. It was during this hour that the street urchins hid, and those who remained running through them were the unfortunate ones to have not found a hiding spot.



Out in a dinghy near the mouth of Tiger Mouth Bay was a fisherman. His arms were crossed behind his head and one of his legs was crossed over his knee as he lounged about the bed of his boat. A sandal hung from the big toe of his foot as his green eyes, narrowed and on the verge of sleep, gazed across the wide blue water. His long, black hair was tied behind his head in a high pony tail and a reed protruded from the corner of his mouth as he leisurely chewed on it. His bamboo fishing pole hadn’t wiggled once, which meant one thing. It was going to be a long day.

The fisherman’s bare chest rose and fell with a sigh that escaped his nostrils. He wore a navy-blue haori with no undershirt and black hakama pants. His skin was tanned from being under the sun for several hours a day, trying to make a living fishing. Normally by the end of the day, he would catch something even if it was a carp.

As his vision began to blur and darkness faded in and out before his eyes, he glimpsed something white floating in the water. Blinking the sleepiness from his eyes, the fisherman stared at the white object, wondering if it was trash polluting the bay, but when he saw knife-like fins cutting through the water, he knew it was something else. Uncrossing his arms, he slowly sat up, frowning at the object. Was it the corpse of some dolphin? The fisherman carefully rose to his feet and continued to squint at the white object until he managed to make out a pale figure with their arms wrapped around a log. The figure was so small that it had to be a child. Did one of the street urchins try to swim away from the town?

The fisherman gnawed on the reed a little nervously. “Mendokuse na…” he complained. He closed his eyes as his brows nearly touched in irritation. Grasping his fishing rod, he reeled in the bait…he glanced at the bare hook and realized that some fish had long managed to discreetly pluck the bait free. He sucked his teeth. What a pain in the ass…With the line reeled in, he bent his knees and lowered into a stance. Raising the fishing rod, he started to whirl it above his head and streams of water rose around the dinghy. The streams circled around the boat, and when the fisherman cast his line, they joined into a spiral around it. The water carried the hook several meters and splashed the pale boy on the back. The hook caught his robes and the fisherman began to swiftly reel him in. The water parted around the boy as though a jet were at his back as the hungry sea creatures chased after.

If I catch a big fish with him…I just might not regret this, he mused. As though on a cue, a dark circle appeared under the child and surging up from the ocean was a giant fish that gulped him whole. The fisherman’s eyes bulged in surprise for even the sharks had fled in fear of it. Shit; I didn’t think that would actually work!

Later…

Guang was resting on a mat on the floor before a fire when suddenly he jerked awake with a gasp. His wide, blue eyes took in the foreign surroundings and he crawled across his bedding until his back met a stone wall. “Tora…” he squeaked. He was afraid to be loud. What if it wasn’t him? He noticed his robes were on a line by the fire and he glanced down at the over-sized shirt he wore. Whoever it was, it had to be someone friendly. He was still alive and he had given him some clothes. He couldn’t help but wonder if it was Tora. His guardian had followed him into the river, but…Did he drown? How did he get here? “Tora!”

A man pulled back the wooden door of the hut. There was a nonchalant look on his face as he regarded the snow-haired and snow-skinned child. Guang gasped in fright and stood to his feet with his back pressed against the wall. “Who are you? Where’s Tora? What did you do? Why am I here?”

The fisherman wrinkled his nose. “How about ‘thank you’ you little shit. I saved you from being fish food. I found you floating in the bay.”

“You…you can’t use language like that. Mother said it’s bad. You must take me to my guardian. His name is Tora.”

“I’m not taking you anywhere, and I’ll say whatever I want Whitey.”

“Don’t call me Whitey! My name’s Guang.”

“Whatever Whitey. You must be spoiled and rich too. Those are some nice robes, but there aren’t many rich children around here. But you did me a favor today. You got me a nice big fish. I can do a lot of things with that and make a lot of money.”

The fisherman noticed Guang was still hugging the wall and gazing at him warily. He rolled his eyes. “Come on now kid, if I was gonna harm you, then I would have. I’m not like the Snake Men.”

“Who-who are the Snake Men?”

“Bad people. You should stay with me until whoever is looking for you comes. If you go outside, then you might get snatched up. I can only protect you if you trust me, understand?”

Guang slowly nodded but didn’t leave the security of the wall.

“What does your guardian look like?”

“He’s tall and has a serious face.”

“That describes just about every guy here. You know what? Don’t worry about it. I know almost everybody here and I know strangers when I see them.” The fisherman pointed down at the floor. “You stay here and don’t come out you understand?”

“Yes,” Guang replied.

“I’m gonna go see if your guardian’s in town. I won’t be long. Don’t open the door for nobody. If anyone other than me is at the front door, then hide.”

“Okay.”

As the fisherman left, Guang had noticed a strange aura about him. It was blue and moved like water.


GM Note: Investigate Piaofu to uncover its secrets.

 

[StormWolf]

Toratetsu's immediate response was to gauge the woman in black, scanning her from head to toe now that she was not moving in an inky blur through the night, and narrow his eyes at her. She was right, of course, and that is precisely what gnawed at him. The samurai tightened his lips into a thin line, grunting in curt affirmation as he cleaned his steel in the crook of his elbow and returned the blade to its scabbard with a soft click.

"Of course..." still grasping a measure of pride, Toratetsu kept his shoulders squared. "He must have. My lord is light, and the current is strong." Toratetsu grimaced limping stiffly to bald knoll that hung over the treacherous, winding path alongside the drop of the waterfall. Raising a hand, he gestured to the glittering cluster of lights down below.

"We can make our way to that village. If we do not find him along the riverbank below, he will be there." Toratetsu left it unsaid that he would also require no shortage of healing. This was not about him. With his teeth set, Toratetsu began his precarious descent without another word. He'd already asked the others to follow, having already shed blood for the divine heir, but even if they did not, Toratetsu had his oath. Sodden from the plunge into the waters, and perpetually misted by the nearby waterfall, a bitter chill wracked the weary samurai to his bones. The kind of cold that numbed the body, but magnified the discomfort of any physical ailment. Old scars and long-healed breaks groaned with every step, his fingers stiff against the dull scream of each knuckle. Toratetsu contemplated a long pull from his sake gourd, but decided against such measures unless he found himself on the verge of collapse.

One hand remained clutched at Toratetsu's side, while the other grasped at whatever handholds could be afforded in the shear descent. By the time the terrain leveled beneath his feet, Toratetsu's shoulders had started to sag. His padded tunic had lost much of its rich color, taking on a blackened hue in the moonlight from his blood and those of the oni he had returned to hell. Yet, it was the focus of discipline, the commitment to his oath, and sheer will that kept him putting one foot in front of the other. On and on, following the whispering gurgle of the river, signs of civilization started to dot the landscape as wispy tendrils of smoke slithered lazily skyward from the rickety shanty down the road.

I could kill a man for some tea and a bed... Toratetsu mused grimly to himself. And some dry clothes...

 

[Jabu]

Huoxu found his gaze drawn to the alleyways. Hidden amongst the nightly bustle were peering eyes in the alleys. He’d noticed them before, the children that scampered about in the shadows. Being by oneself at such an age would make Huoxu a bit jumpy as well. But they seemed shaken up. As though they’d seen a demon.


Clutching the pouch in his hand he gave it a squeeze as though it were some sort of stress reliever. He was nearing another path towards the water when he was nearly run into by a child sprinting from one alley to another. Huoxu said nothing, merely watching with a raised brow as he disappeared. The child looked to be around eight or nine years old and he didn’t look back as he ran. Moments later, two others came sprinting after him. Huoxu met the gaze of the youngest and felt his heart skip a beat. They seemed terrified, as though they’d seen a demon. The martial artist’s conscience was telling him to continue on his way, but what kind of guardian would he be if there actually was a demon of sorts haunting children.

Against his better judgment, he started after the group. Which they didn’t seem to like as they ran faster. “Wait!” Huoxu called, attempting to make himself seem as friendly as possible. It didn’t seem to be working as the oldest stopped and scooped what seemed to be a rock off the ground before hurling it toward their pursuer.

“Go away!” The boy shouted, shoulders heaving, as his friends, stood behind him. With little effort, Huoxu was able to dodge the projectile. Stopping some feet away from the children. “I’m not going to hurt you,” He said, holding his hands up submissively. “I just want to talk.”

“I’ve got nothing to say to you!” The oldest snapped, still quite on edge. Huoxu furrowed his brows in disappointment at the response. He didn’t want to stress them out further, so he contemplated leaving the conversation at that. Until he noticed the younger children’s gaze trained on the pouch he’d received earlier. Humming to himself, he pulled out a couple silver pieces. “Can I buy your words then?” Much to the oldest boy’s dismay, the others lit up with excitement.

“Don’t let him-“ the boy gave an exasperated sigh as his friends seemed entranced by the silver coins in their pursuer’s hands. “Fine,” he growled through clenched teeth. “But money first.”

That statement drew a quiet fit of laughter from Huoxu as he shook his head. “I can’t do that. You’ll probably run off! But worry not, I’ll pay you. A guardian keeps his word.”

 

[Ruby Owl]

Kokoro shook herself like a dog as the humans spoke among one another. The Kitsune didn’t enjoy the feeling of being damp, but gave up trying to dry herself as the loyal Samurai made his descent. She hopped down after him, paws carefully keeping their balance on slippery rocks. Her lips curled at the mention of a village, golden eyes focusing on the river. No sign of the small boy, meaning he was carried downwards.


Spitting up her hoshi-no-tama, the little fox balanced it on her tail for a moment before flourishing it into the air. A puff of white smoke changed her into her human form. She wore the attire of a shrine maiden, no tail or ears in sight. Her clothes were dry, but her wet hair stuck in clumps against her head. She shivered.


“If we have to make it into a city, I’ll follow along.” Her voice was soft and sweet like freshly made mochi, but dark bags underneath her eyes showed how spent she truly was. Already tired from fleeing from her home, the Kitsune was struggling to keep her eyes open.


She held her hand next to her palm side up, focusing intently. A small, candle-sized flame appeared, giving off a little bit of warmth. Still, the now-human fox grimaced, the last bit of her energy spent on the slight bit of comfort. The path was much trickier to traverse as a non-fox, the girl wobbling a bit as she followed alongside the tired Tora.


“... My name is Kokoro.” She remarked, gazing at the horizon. Spotting the smoke in the distance, she let out a small sigh. “Does this stuff normally happen to your Lord?”