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Yamato Hibiki

A Ronin seeking his own path

0 · 1,929 views · located in The Horat-verse

a character in “The Great Guild Fortune”, as played by Wing06Twilight

Description

"You will not stand in my way"

ImageName: Yamato Hibki
Sex: Male
Age: 31
Race: Tengu-Human half-breed

Physical Description: Yamato's face is all angles, giving him a deeply chiseled look. He has yellow tattooing under his eyes that add a contrast to his reddened skin tone. He is very lean with defined muscles. He keeps his wings maintained, and takes pride in their ash gray coloring..

Clothing:Black linen pants, with a loose fitting gray shirt that matches his wing color. He also owns a full set of Samurai armor crafted from obsidian

Height: 5' 11"
Weight: 195lbs
Skin Colour: Red
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Yellow

Occupation: Ronin

History/Bio: Yamato is the bastard son of a Tengu warlord and a Byeonsu witch. Being a half-breed and the illegitimate son of the Warlord he was always treated as an outsider. While his mother was allowed to live among the Tengu, it was easy to see the tensions her presence caused. Yamato was never allowed to play with his half-siblings, and was locked away from them. When he was four, his mother committed suicide. After her death, his father ignored him and his father’s wife saw to it that his life was a living hell. He was forced to depend on the kindness of the others in his clan that would sneak him food and reading materials so he could learn.
As he got older, Yamato’s father began to allow him to train along side his brothers as they learned Kenjutsu. Eager to learn and desperate for his father’s attention he was stunned to learn that he was to be used as the “dummy”. He endured the pain day after day, hoping it would eventually lead to something more. He was partially right as he was suddenly allowed to sleep in the main house, and allowed a tutor. He learned all he could while he could.

His father’s wife fell and suddenly she found herself relying on the young man she’d shunned his entire life. The two weren’t close, but the woman grew to have some respect for Yamato. She persuaded her husband to let Yamato train with their sons, and eventually apologized for the way she’d treated his mother. She passed away a few days later.

Yamato was sent away from the main house, left to his own devices. His father and siblings had no use for him, and his sword skills were beginning to make his eldest brother look inferior. He was found by a small school of Tengu that accepted him with open arms despite being a half-breed.

Yamato’s tragic past defines him, the ashes of those he killed coat his once black wings, leaving them heavy and grey. He wanders the world, with no Clan or blood family. With their passing, he was the only heir his father had, but the lower members of his clan refused to allow him to take command, and fought amongst themselves, eventually being slaughtered by Yamato himself. He burned down the compound he’d grown up in and never looked back.

Home Town: Carthia, a small village on the coast known for its fishing markets and lush palm forests located atop the white cliffs.
Home Country: Tengala

Personality: A vengeful man who seeks power and commands the respect of those he deems beneath him though any means necessary
Fears and Desires: The only thing he fears are the demons from his past, the ghosts that haunt his dreams, demanding he pay for his sins. He desires power and fame, to be feared by those he leaves in his wake.


Equipment and Weapons: Obsidian armor, three katanas of various sizes, each one he keeps razor sharp and by his side at all times.
Styles and Abilities: Kenjutsu
Chi and Augmentations: Telekichises

So begins...

Yamato Hibiki's Story

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Character Portrait: Yamato Hibiki
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"Another drink, sir?" The cocktail waitress asked as Yamato placed the shot glass down on the small table beside him. He had been making a tower of them for the last few minutes, preferring to order his shots in increments of 5. He nodded as he waved the girl away without a second thought.

A few moments later, the waitress returned with a bottle and one glass. "This is on the house tonight," she said with a smile, trying to get his attention as she bent down to pour him a glass of the Sake. Yamato rolled his eyes and tossed two gold pieces on the table. "For your trouble." She smiled at the large tip and stood there for a second. "I'm fine. I don't need anything else." His tone reflected his irritation. She bowed deeply, "Thank you for the tip, sir. Please continue to enjoy the town's festival. If you'd like me to, I can show you around when my shift is over." He shook his head, sipping the sake. She walked away, unsure why her advances hadn't worked. "Pitiful girl." He muttered, draining the glass. He grabbed the bottle and stalked out into the busy streets filled with merriment. He found himself slightly disgusted with the number of people, "So many peasants. What have they to celebrate? This is just an excuse to forget their pitiful lives."

He threw the empty bottle into the gutter as he staggered through the streets. His mood improved slightly. "Well, might as well have a little fun while I'm in town, grab another drink, find someone to fill my bed...the night is young!" He grinned, walking into the crowded city center, and made his way to a sake booth, buying himself a bottle, eyeing those that looked at him with confusion. The half-tengu was used to the stares but it was fun to intimidate those that looked just a bit too long.

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Character Portrait: Yamato Hibiki Character Portrait: Sunaarashi
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4.25 INK

As Yamato turned from the sake booth, new bottle in hand, he found himself walking into a wall. Perhaps this surprised the half-tengu, because there certainly wasn't a wall there before, for the bottle slipped from the inebriated man's hands as he rebounded from Sunaarashi's chest, hitting the ground with a crack and spilling a good portion of the sake onto Poyo's dirt street.

Sunaarashi, for his part, also looked rather surprised, as the desert warrior thought to himself, with some embarrassment, that he was entirely too used to other people getting out of his way.

"Sorry about that, sadiq," the taller man said, his thick accent betraying his origins easily. He raised a hand in reconciliation. "Allow me to buy you a replacement beverage, bithiqa."

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Character Portrait: Yamato Hibiki Character Portrait: Sunaarashi
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Yamato staggered for a second, his body out of sync with his mind. He blinked a few times and stared at the brick house of a man he'd run into, before looking at his new, broken bottle of sake leaking out into the dirt. He made a face and waved his hand, "New bottle would be the least you could do. Not many people get that close to a man with wings and swords, wasn't expecting to bump into anyone as I turned around." He bent down and picked up the broken bottle, turning to face the vendor again.

"I'm going to need a new drink, this guy's paying for it." He pointed over his shoulder with his thumb at Sunaarashi.

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Character Portrait: Yamato Hibiki Character Portrait: Sunaarashi
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"You do have wings, don't you?" Sunaarashi said, eyeing the feathery limbs with interest. "Don't see many wings where I come from. Thought they were some kind of costume, I'll be honest." Sunaarashi glared at the vendor off-handedly, who blanched and gave him a new bottle free of charge.

"Oh, thank you sir, very kind," Sunaarashi said, his glare only intensifying unintentionally as he reached for the bottle. The vendor quickly switched to a more expensive bottle and fiercely wiped perspiration from his forehead. "Well, here you are, then."

Sunaarashi paused as Yamato took the bottle. "You fight much, sadiq? Usually those who carry swords do so for show around here, or so I'm told."

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Character Portrait: Yamato Hibiki Character Portrait: Sunaarashi
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Yamato took a deep swig of the expensive Sake and nodded his head, "Fighting is the only reason I'm alive. Without these blades, I'd have been cut down a long time ago. I assure you these are not for show," he said with a mischievous grin. "What about you? Man of your size has likely seen his fair share of fights or at least been offered a few gigs to protect some rich yahoo who's afraid of their own shadow."

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Character Portrait: Yamato Hibiki Character Portrait: Sunaarashi
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"I've killed my fair share of scum," Sunaarashi agreed, although he didn't return Yamato's smile. "Though I've never took any noble's coin for it. My business keeps me aloof of the more well-to-do. Still, I've done well enough to keep myself alive this far."

Sunaarashi dipped his head to Yamato. "Well, enjoy the rest of your evening, my fellow warrior. Hafiz ealaa nasil had. Keep your sword sharp."

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Suiken Character Portrait: Yuwen Fortune Character Portrait: Xanth Character Portrait: Takai Character Portrait: Yamato Hibiki Character Portrait: Lo-Muna Vanhi
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#, as written by Nulix
Prefect Ro searched Ginchiyo's face for a moment, his brown eyes meeting hers. "I'm- married to the job," He explained, displaying perhaps the most humanity he was capable of. Despite the officer's awkwardness his demeanour towards Lo-Muna and Ginchiyo seemed to shift. It was in small details: the way he lowered his parchment pad, or how he'd uncrossed his arms. Prefect Ro suddenly seemed less threatening. It was a warm summer night after all, and the smells and sounds of the festival beckoned for him to return.

Small footsteps clacked. The trio of prefects turned to see a goblin in sea-fairing wear approach. "If it helps I saw everything," The goblin spoke up.

"And?" The prefect asked.

They smiled at Ginchiyo and Lo-Muna before turning back to Ro, staring up with cat-like goblin green eyes. "The truth. Every word," They replied. "A game of mahjong with two shady characters. She won. The pair of sore losers caused a scene and threw her straight into this man's cart."

"And your name, miss?"

"Not a miss," The goblin corrected. "And it's Jensu. Captain Jensu."

"Well," Prefect Ro began, turning from the goblin captain to the vendor, the beast-man, and the wild-woman. "Seems cleared up to me."

Ginchiyo had begun to negotiate a small reparation fee to the man when screams cut through. The prefects turned to see an pale blue figure a head above the rest of the crowd, running toward the town square. Just then, a sound began to echo out from the gate. The village bell.

The street stopped dead at the sound, the festivities and merriment of the festival drawing to a close. And then came the panic. Ro frowned as suddenly the citizens of Poyo rushed down the street, pushing past the mini crime scene. "It's the village bell," One of the two teenage guards informed nervously as they began to run off with the crowd. "There’s some sort of trouble out there!"

“I knew this holiday was cursed!” The other guard screamed as he ran after his partner.

"Quickly!" A voice called through the crowd. Ro turned to see the town crier yelling out over the citizens. "A state of emergency has been issued! Everyone to the town centre!" He announced. “To the safety of the village square!”

"Altan! Huo!" Ro commanded his two lieutenants. The prefects snapped to attention. "Forward by my lead."
Ro turned to face Lo-Muna, Jensu, Ginchiyo and the racist. “Stay with us,” He said before hurrying forward down the street. The brass whistle that hung from his neck bounced at his step. His long green armour rattled. His hand held down a short-sword, and on his back a tower-shield swung with each step. Upon it's bronze ribs were the yunish characters for the raging rivers province and the word prefect. Poyo was a small village, and the handful of prefects in town were perhaps the only skilled lawman in miles.

Ro pushed passed a screaming crying citizen, making way for the four to follow toward the town-square. All the while the bell rang on…

***

Inside the Golden Peach Inn the bell was heard loud and clear. And it was though the mood of the tavern shifted all in one moment. Takai, Suiken, and Namari were suddenly struck by an onslaught of patrons rushing towards the exits en masse. They pushed and shoved as they did, nearly knocking Ren’s booth in.

A guard on the street outside stuck their head into one of the inn’s shoji curtains. He was breathing heavily. "Quickly! Poyo is in a state of emergency: everyone to the town square!" He called out to the inhabitants. “Trust me. You want to be as far from the walls as possible." With a heavy swallow he too ran off with the crowd of citizens toward the centre of town.

The waitress too hurried, avoiding the cook who leapt out from the kitchen and collided face first into Kaor’s side. The cook fell to the ground before Xanth and Kaor as the waitress making a swift exit.

***

As Yamato drunkenly approached the east gate to the village the bell began to ring from the walls above. The loose assemblage of guards atop the wall’s ramparts were running frantically. Even in his drunken state, the tengu knew something was wrong.

"Hey!" A guard called out to the ronin as he slid down a ladder and staggered to into a run. He was a young man, late teens, perhaps early twenties, covered in spots. And looking like he’d never before wielded the spear that was now gripped between his sweaty palms. "Something's happening... I, I think we're under attack." He blinked at Yamato, noticing his trio of blades. "You've got to get to the village centre. We could use your help... and the Mayor will pay anyone who helps!" The guard nodded at him and began to run with the rest of the populace, hoping he’d follow.

***

The bells were faintest on the village outskirts: farmlands outside the wall but inside the Poyo's radius. And through the fields were sparse families too ran. A single boy pelted down the dirt road toward the walls, ramming violently into Sunaraashi as he did, who’d wandered outside the festival grounds. The boy stood and backed up slowly, looking at the strange Sunen in fear. "…Are you going to eat me?" He whispered, his voice trembling.

***

Samyan and her two dolls had run from the scene of their crimes directly into the cobblestone laden village square. To Samyan’s surprise, she was not the only one running, as beside her crowds began to pour into the square in panic. Bells were ringing from the village walls.

Before her towered the town-hall tower, and standing before it was a figure of red-stone decked in ancient armour, holding out a banner high in the air. His face was expressionless, his body unmoving and built out of glistening red stone. It was a statue of a noble yunish man from ages passed, propped up in the centre of the square. The stature stared Samyan down as if to tell her she did not belong here, in the heart of Yunishness. And perhaps the gods were about to make her pay for her deceit.

***

Several streets over Yuwen strolled calmly as the people ran forward toward the distant town square. It was filling to the brim with the citizenry and visiting guests to the port village. A small smirk grew on his face: both because he knew how badass he looked walking calmly in the chaos, and two... because he caused this.

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Character Portrait: Yamato Hibiki
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10.00 INK

Yamato watched the young guard make his way toward the center of town. He then eyed the gate, then the guard who was running from it. He facepalmed, "You'd think watching the gate would be the important job," He looked up into the guard tower and shook his head at the now lone guard who was visibly shaking as he peered out into the night. Gesturing dismissively Yamato made his way toward the town square, his buzz fading as his mind settled in on the chaos that was erupting around him.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Suiken Character Portrait: Yuwen Fortune Character Portrait: Xanth Character Portrait: Takai Character Portrait: Yamato Hibiki Character Portrait: Lo-Muna Vanhi
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#, as written by Nulix
Ro rose, looking back at the massive figure who stepped on him, but the chaos of the crowd distracted again.

***

Yuwen turned back to Kaor and Xanth in the street. The lantern-light shined in his eyes. "Follow me... and everything will be alright," He said with a smile. "I promise." The man wore a chest-plate, and had a blade on his hip, but nothing else about him seemed particularly assuring. And yet, when he spoke to the two, for whatever reason, they believed him- or at least, they believed he believed himself.

The super mercenary combo began to follow Yuwen as he marched toward the square.

***

One finally step brought Ren atop the town-wall. Suiken climbed the ladder up after him, and when the snow-oni reached the top he was treated to quite a sight. Over the rooftops they could see the town-square, and almost all of Poyo stretching out around it. And beyond the bright streets was the country: the rivers, the hills, the forests. Calm. Peaceful. There was no sign of a threat.

In the dark path stretching out from town person ran, not towards the safety walls but away- into the darkness of the night. A single figure, with a body belonging to a goblin. "Attention all!" They could hear the distant, echoing voice of the mayor from the town-square as he got ready to address the crowd...

***

"Attention all!" He repeated. On a wooden stage built in front of the tall town-hall tower and beside the statue of shimmering stone Mayor Loy-Qui, a rat-faced man with no beast-man blood in him, watched over the square which was packed to it's fullest with over a thousand citizens and travellers summoned by the bells, the last ones now arriving at the edges of the crowd. The town had gone into a deadly silence, the bright lanterns that swung in the winds no longer as festive as they had seemed an hour earlier. Overwhelming all was the sound of bells from each of the village's five gates, ringing together in near perfect unison. The elderly yunish man glanced down at the scroll he held in his hands. After a moment he stepped forward, his silken purple robes the only thing clear from the farthest back of the crowd.

"Poyo is under attack!" He announced loudly. "At the twentieth hour... I received a report from the farthest northern outpost, saying an army of bandits was approaching... at least three-"

"That's not bad!" A feminine voice said from the crowd.

"-Hundred!" Gasps of shock and cries could be heard.

"Poyo has thirty-seven guards, as well as the twenty prefects in Commander Ro's unit... that is fifty odd men against... three-hundred," Loy-Qui explained awkwardly, trying to raise his fingers before realizing he did not have the required digits. "And so I am forced to declare a state of emergency! And forced to ask upon you, citizens of ability, citizens of our great Yune Empire, to step forward and defend our village against this threat! For what we have not in numbers... we have in gold: three-hundred gold coins to each man or woman of any race who steps forward to fight with us! Three-hundred for each bandit who threatens our home on this holiest of holidays!"

A silence went over the crowd as the numbers sank in, despair on the tongues of the people, most whispering where to hide or how to escape the town. "Would all willing step forward... and all unwilling or unable step back and find shelter and hiding," Loy-Qui stammered. "Find somewhere safe."

"Wait!" A voice called out as the crowd started shifting. All eyes turned to one figure as he pushed past the guards and leapt onto the stage. He stood tall with olive skin, striking green eyes, a determined face and glimmering armour beneath blue robes: a heroic image next to the cowering Loy-Qui, now almost in tears.

"I have information!" The man declared as he stepped forward dramatically on the stage. "I know! I KNOW! Where the banditos will attack!" The human, Yuwen Fortune, announced loudly over the crowd. "I just escaped their foul grasps... they've set up camp in the swamp, twenty minutes outside the north-gate, and are currently preparing their attack!" Yuwen nodded eagerly at the assembled citizens. "I will ambush them... and destroy them! I have done so before, and I will do it again!"

Yuwen looked over the crowd and he raised his finger to the sky. "I will save this town! But I cannot do it alone: listen carefully, for my next words are intended only for the most heroic of warriors." He reached back and pulled out a duo of ebony jians. He rose them above his head in a cross.

"Who among you is a brave enough hero to join me, Yuwen Fortune?!" He called, his voice echoing for a moment as it travelled across the square. Yuwen paused and watched, waiting for the willing to step forward and the rest, which he predicated to be around ninety-nine percent of the current crowd, to step back.

Prefect Ro glared at the man from the back of crowd. A frown grew on his face, the truth of the scenario sinking in...

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Suiken Character Portrait: Yuwen Fortune Character Portrait: Xanth Character Portrait: Takai Character Portrait: Yamato Hibiki Character Portrait: Lo-Muna Vanhi
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#, as written by Nulix
Yuwen squinted at Sunaarashi across the lantern-lit square. He'd seen the man before, upon entering the village. "Then I will need your sword."

"A Sunen and a beast-man? We don't need to hire a bandit to fight bandits!" A bearded man screamed, his hands around his mouth like a cone.

"Then would you rather die?" Yuwen exclaimed. "Because you would not accept the help of a beast-man? Or a foreigner? Because you will not admit one can thieve and still do good?!"

The crowd quieted as Yuwen spoke. "Wise men ask for help when it is needed. I can stop these bandits, and save Poyo, but I know I can't do it alone," He admitted. Yuwen stood rose high, his gaze sweeping from the makeshift ambush team to the citizens behind them: heads becoming a blur as they lined into the distant streets. Almost every citizen of Poyo was here, as well as the visitors for the festival. The lantern light reflected off their faces, marked with fear. It reflected the mothers, and the children who clutched hands tearfully. It reflected off the guards: most of them barely seeing any combat at all. In reflected off the Mayor, the leader of this town, who had backed to the farthest edge of the stage.

"Poyo is not built for war..." Yuwen began quietly. "Your community is one of peace and happiness and these bandits have threatened that. And they've ruined Emperor day!" He clutched the hilt of his blades angrily. "And I swear to you! I swear: we will defeat them!"

"Wait!" A voice called. The crowd turned to see a man step up on the stage: Prefect Ro, weapon ready as he glared at Yuwen. "Ladies and gentlemen this man is a fraud," Ro said, his words met by gasps in the audience. Yuwen rose and eyebrow at the prefect and pointed at his own face in disbelief. Ro marched forward, pushing Yuwen back before taking his place at the centre of the stage.

"Yuwen Fortune is a liar and has ruined this festival for his own self-serving needs." Ro ripped the report out of Mayor Loy-Qui's hands and raised it high. "This is a fabricated report." Ro announced. A prefect rose another parchment in the air. "Sent via carrier hawk we've just received a message from the forest prefects. Bandit activity in the area is, and I quote, 'completely nominal.'" He threw the paper into the crowd that had grown more and more enraged. The report landed to grabbing hands. Ro turned to Yuwen grimly. "There are no bandits."

"Can you prove that?" Yuwen asked in response, defiance in his voice. "Bandits can be... very evasive." His hand lay on the hilt of his blades as the two men slowly began to circle each other on the stage.

"The prefects in the woods saw nothing," Ro spat. “You are a small, selfish man.”

"Maybe the bandits moved position!" Yuwen called, more to the audience and the soldiers he'd managed to recruit than to Ro. "Maybe they're attack the village! Maybe we have to go to the swamp and find the entrance to a secret tunnel! A tunnel that leads to the ancient cellar below Poyo! Doesn't- doesn't that sound fun!?"

Suddenly Yuwen heard iron footsteps on the wood of the stage. Large, armoured soldiers of the Prefecture were approaching, weapons ready. Yuwen turned from the soldiers down to the faces of those he hired, and the citizens beyond. Disgust, anger, and annoyance were the only expressions to be found.

"Look, I didn't lie!" He called out as the guards grabbed his arms. "There's something below this village, something worse men than me will try and get! Poyo isn't safe!"

"Please," Ro chuckled, stepping forward to the front of the stage. "I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt: Poyo is in no danger!"

Suddenly the statue beside the stage began to glow. Yuwen's eyes were consumed by light as the stone shone. And then, it blew apart by fire. A massive explosion rocked the stage, blasting everyone on it forward. A fiery piece of wood flung through Mayor Loy-Qui's back, impaling him to the stage as the crowd erupted in screams. Yuwen smashed into the cobblestone ground of the square, flaming pieces of wood zipping past him as deafening bangs roared from behind. He turned to see the town tower blowing apart, engulfed in a massive-fire ball expanding from within.

"Oh Sune!" He screamed, backing up slightly as the explosion blasted each layer of the hall apart, sending chunks and pieces scattering across town. A gargantuan piece of stone smashed apart the ground beside him as he limped forward toward a house.

"Formation!" Ro screamed in agony as he ripped his arm out from the large town emblem that had once decorated the tower, now a burning mass of molten metal which had crashed down upon the ruined stage. "Unit!" He screamed desperately through the fire and ash, searching for his men. A figure approached. "...Unit?" He whispered.

Wings expanded from the shadowy figure's form, and Ro raised his blade in horror. This was no soldier. He stabbed forward, a Tengu hand reaching out and grabbing the blade from him. The unarmed Ro dived as the Tengu proceeded to attack, flying out of the smoke and into the panicked square.

"Oh gods, not good!" Yuwen called as he pointed to the sky above. Descending from the mountain of smoke where the town tower once stood three dozen winged men, their red skin clear and their black robes fluttering violently in the winds. They wore opera masks, each one different, though even with concealed faces their race was clear.

"Tengu," Yuwen said as he turned from the approaching threat to the panicked citizens running for cover. "They were in the crowd! They were planning this!-" Before he had time to finish he was grabbed by the throat and smashed back into the cobblestone by a Tengu. One of many masked figures landing in the square. The figure who held Yuwen looked down at him. "Hello there Yuwen Fortune."

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Suiken Character Portrait: Yuwen Fortune Character Portrait: Xanth Character Portrait: Takai Character Portrait: Yamato Hibiki Character Portrait: Lo-Muna Vanhi
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Lo-Muna's ears were ringing. She had managed to duck when the explosions went off but one of her ears got caught by some shrapnel. A drop of blood fell on her shoulder as she looked up just in time to see the Tengu descend from the sky. The sound of the snow oni's voice cut through the ringing as she got to her feet, looking over to see Yuwen being choked on the ground by one of the mysterious Tengu.

"Then fight!" Lo-Muna yelled at the snow oni as she raced over to Yuwen, delivering a swift, powerful kick to his assailant as she yelled, "Hands off!"

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Suiken Character Portrait: Yuwen Fortune Character Portrait: Xanth Character Portrait: Takai Character Portrait: Yamato Hibiki Character Portrait: Lo-Muna Vanhi
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0.00 INK

#, as written by Sepokku
The olive-skinned man continued to pitch his idea from the stage, holding twin blades high above his head; Ginchiyo had to admit it was an impressive show, she may have even stepped forward to join him if it wasn't for the look on Ro's face. The people who did join the Olive-Skinned Stranger were all a curious bunch, and they seemed to be losing the crowd. If something wasn't done soon, a fight would certainly to break out. Ro started towards the man, and within a minute the Olive stanger seemed to have lost all credibility. She couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the whole situation; how had this stranger managed to fabricate a report that fooled the entire prefecture?

Before Ginchiyo truly had a chance to think further on the matter, a bright light lit up the night sky as the statue of the Mayor began to glow with the ire that only fire could truly bring. She began to loop chi through her body, bracing herself as the Mayor's steel body double erupted into a conflagration that lit up the town square, seemingly determined to burn down the place he had helped build.

Stone and molten rock flew through the air, bits of it spattering against Ginchiyo like a rain of hot oil. It stung, but no more than it stung when oil popped and landed on your skin while cooking. She raised her left arm to block a large rock, causing it to split in two, landing on either side of her. There was a crunch as the piece on her right landed, indicating it had probably hit someone who hadn't scattered fast enough. There was no time to check, as a littler over a quarter century of Tengu exploded into action.

Ro was nowhere to be found, which was just as well, it was easier to fight without looking out for others. One of the feathered idiots locked eyes with her and darted straight for her, Naginata brandished for a great swing. She patiently waited the second that felt like twenty that it took the Tengu to reach her, and as its blade clanged impotently against her neck she smashed the wooden shaft of the weapon with her right hand. The bird-man left out a caw of confusion and shock as it tried to back up. Her footwork followed his exactly as she moved forward with him. Her left hand cocked back for a quarter second, then she shoved her hand through the side of her assailants skull. Bone gave way with a squelch as she flexed her hand in his grey matter.

Stopping to wipe her gore covered hand on the Tengu's robe, she looked for the next Bird to hunt. The air was hazy with smoke, and only glimpses of the carnage about her could be seen; a pair of white ears here, a tall dark skinned man just over there. But where was the Olive-Skinned Stranger?

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Character Portrait: Suiken Character Portrait: Yuwen Fortune Character Portrait: Xanth Character Portrait: Takai Character Portrait: Yamato Hibiki Character Portrait: Lo-Muna Vanhi
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Ren had been taking in the commotion of the city from the walls with the Snow Oni, the disconcerting news of the 'army of bandits' soon being relieved as some Prefect took to the stage to declare some fellow, Yuwen Fortune, a fraud? He was prepared to fight if he had to, but Ren supposed it was for the best that the tiny town wasn't forced to fight off 300 bandits. Numbers that were this skewed rarely translated to success.

Before he could truly relax though, the tower at the center of Poyo erupted into flames, bursting apart and sending bits of stone and wood across the town square. Hoped too soon it seemed, but the arrival of Tengu warriors struck the sellsword as odd. A fake attack immediately followed by a real one? Strange timing. And that Goblin that had been running away from the town, what was that about? Had they helped coordinate this?

The Snow Oni had darted towards the battle, leaving Ren with the briefest of moments to consider what he would do. There really was no alternative but to fight, but what was the best way? He took a glance around the part of town he could see, noting several men, women, and children cowering. The men, while not exactly impressive warriors, had the strength one would expect from farmers. Good enough? He hoped.

Ren dropped down from the wall, making his way around some of the hidden corners of the side streets, signalling to the men in hiding. "You men, get a hold of yourselves. Your wives and children are in danger, time to step up to defend them. Go grab some tools and weapons. Knives and short blades, make sure you have them tucked into a belt. Grab spears, shovels, pitchforks, and knock the metal parts off. It'll weigh them down and slow your attacks. Use the spears and makeshift poles to keep those Tengu at a distance from you, and when they get too close, use your knives to stab at them. Aim for the heads, don't bother with the armored areas."

They looked terrified at the Yeuxkyenan. "But... We're not skilled enough to fight them! What are we supposed to do!"

The warrior raised a hand to calm them. "This isn't about fighting them, it's about controlling the battlefield. They already blew up the tower, we do not want them burning the whole town down. We keep them here in town square. Guards and Prefect's can deal with any saboteurs, and town's folk can help prevent fires."

The terror remained in their eyes, but Ren's face remained stoic and unaffected. "We will save the town. Do what I said, support the guards and Prefects, and we will be victorious." With that, the townsmen ran off to either follow the sellsword's orders, or to flee, and Ren made his way to the town square, grabbing a deserted guard's spear that had been lying on the ground.

__________________________________________________________________________________


Another Tengu dove towards the female Rabbit Beastman and Yuwen, intent on ensuring their target wouldn't escape. Before it could reach them however, and wooden rod swung past the Rabbit, through the air over Yuwen, and collided with the face of the flying assailant. A loud *CRACK* resounded as the Tengu was pulled along with the spear, being cast down into the pavement head first with a loud thud.

Ren gave a nod to the Beastwoman and the Adventuring Charlatan.

"Happy Emperor's Day."

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Character Portrait: Yamato Hibiki
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Yamato skid to a halt upon seeing the Tengu descend from the sky. He'd seen the tower fall and was near to the center of town. The sounds of panicked townspeople filled the air, mixing with the clashing of steel. Drawing his own weapons he managed to make eye contact with a Tengu that was looking for anyone who might be trying to flee.

"You!" It called, landing a few yards away, "Why are you not at your post?"

Yamato grit his teeth before chuckling to himself, "As if I'd fight with any of you bastards!" He unfurled his wings, their ashen gray color a stark contrast to the jet black of the attacking Tengu. "I am Yamato Hibiki, Clan Killer, and Heir Apparent to the Hibiki Holding's Company, you are trash."

"Hibiki? It's been a long time since I heard that name, but it will do me wonders to kill the infamous Clan Killer!" The tengu started, taking a fighting stance.

"It's your funeral," Yamato said with a smirk.

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Character Portrait: Suiken Character Portrait: Yuwen Fortune Character Portrait: Xanth Character Portrait: Takai Character Portrait: Yamato Hibiki Character Portrait: Lo-Muna Vanhi
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The Tengu was very good, Sunaarashi had to admit. The way he held his sword, the extra weight behind his blows afforded by the practiced use of his wings, his footwork; it was all impeccable. The Tengu was also smart, Sunaarashi realized, as his opponent broke away from their duel unexpectedly, flipping backwards to hover above the stage, glowering down at the sand warrior.

"You are the shadow of Sune," the Tengu said, the voice holding a hint of confusion. "The one they call the Hunter. For what reason are you in Poyo?"

"Why else would a hunter go anywhere but to hunt?" Suna said, shrugging. "But it seems I've traded one kind of prey for another."

"I have no wish to die today, Hunter," the Tengu replied with what was undoubtedly a sneer. "I draw my blade for coin, not purpose. Perhaps we shall meet again."

The Tengu didn't spare any more time before launching upwards with a blast of air, the opera mask it had wore dropping from above, cracking in half as hit the stage. Sunaarashi watched the black-winged Tengu speed away, then returned to the bag he had dropped.

"To hunt birds," Sunaarashi mused, sheathing his blade and unbuckling a strap. "You need bows." To this end, he pulled one free from his bag, along with string and a quiver of arrows. Quickly stringing the bow, Sunaarashi pulled an arrow free, and with a casual pull, sent the projectile forward and through the throat of a Tengu as it passed.

The winged enemy hit the ground with a heavy thud, and Sunaarashi drew another arrow from the quiver.

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Character Portrait: Yamato Hibiki
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Yamato stared down at the remains of the Tengu warrior. The opera mask he'd been wearing shattered under Yamato's foot. "Fool," the Ronin spat. Feathers danced in the wind as the fallen warrior's blood pooled before following the spaces between the cobblestones. The streets would be thick with blood before night's end, and Yamato would make sure none of it would be his. He flicked the blood from his blade before returning it to its sheath. He knelt and held his hand above the dead Tengu. A rush of wind surrounded the two as the body of the fallen began to turn to ash. For a moment, the ashes circled Yamato, locking him inside a tornado of Tengu remains before settling on his own wings, further weighing them down.

"Kami-Sama, release me from this curse!" He shouted into the night, his plea drowned out by the sound of battle and roar of flames. Poyo was on fire, the Tengu responsible laughing in the night as they continued to sow fear into the townspeople. What was supposed to be a joyous celebration turned chaotic and violent in the blink of an eye. Nothing would be the same when the sun rose, but Yamato knew he'd be the only Tengu left standing, even if it meant being the only one left in Poyo.

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Suiken released the weapon from the Tengu's wing. "Leave this place, Tengu. Your brethren are falling. Leave this town to live and fly another day," he instructed, standing up and walking over towards the pit and taking a leap downward, digging the pointed end of his mallet's into the wall to slow his descent.

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Character Portrait: Yamato Hibiki
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Yamato made his way through town. His expression fierce, causing all to flee from him. He'd encountered a few town guards that dared to rope him in with the attacking Tengu and he quickly showed them the error in their judgments by separating their heads from their shoulders.

He had to get out, away from the town. He made his way into the underground tunnels after hearing a townsperson mentioning "heroes" going after the culprits.


"Well, it's a wonder the town wasn't simply invaded from below and above. Foolish Tengu, had they properly planned their assault they may have actually made some sort of memorable experience," he muttered making his way into the tunnels.

Voices ahead confirmed what the townsperson had said. "So-called "heroes" eh? Well, let's see what they're after."

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The tunnel had begun to get crowded and voices filled the space. She was walking ahead of the others, ears turned back slightly as they all conversed. The obvious conversation of Yuwen's dubious nature had quickly sidetracked into one of philosophers without any sort of confirmation from Yuwen as to his intentions. Lo-Muna found this pretty damning but she figured getting to the chest first would render the point moot overall. With the treasure, she could perhaps bargain with the remaining Tengu for information on...

More footsteps, a hard landing, and someone... sniffing?

Lo-Muna finally turned around to face the group of fools and stopped dead. Her ears pointed straight up and her mouth agape. She saw the small human on top of the massive dog who seemed to be on some sort of scent. Her plan to avoid them seemed pretty dumb now that the human woman had chosen the same path as her. Lo-Muna could feel her heart beating faster, wondering if they were tracking the bearwoman's scent down. Down to the rabbit who had been in the vicinity of the beastwoman. And if she had been in the vicinity...

Thoughts raced and Lo-Muna was fully aware of how odd she looked. She started breathing through her mouth and she suddenly had an urge to preen her nails. She lifted her hand up to examine them, calling out to the group first, "IF you all have time to discuss philosophers, perhaps we could move faster? The Tengu have a lead after all."

"And you..." she began, looking up from her nails to look directly at the poofy-haired woman. There was a nervousness in her gaze as she tried to urge herself to just ask. If she was wrong, she could end the anxiety. If she was right, well... They couldn't catch her right?

"Did you... did you happen to be traveling with a bear beastwoman?"

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All Xanth's features grew wide. The whites of her eyes and teeth stood out bright on her surprised face. She shuffled forward on her mount, when the dog's head jerked, catching a different scent. Kaor lingered here, mingled with the Tengu and the scents of new arrivals. The dog's ears flattened and he let out a low growl at Lo-Muna. Xanth's face didn't look so bright anymore. Her teeth were sealed behind tight lips and her eyes narrowed down at the dog. She whistled a few calming notes to him, something akin to a lullaby, and he stopped growling. Xanth turned her head back up to the beastwoman and gave her an apologetic smile. She gestured to the dog, made bunny ears with her fingers atop her head, then made quick scratchy, galloping motions on the back of her left hand. She patted the scar on her throat, shook her head, then made claw gestures at the air, and shook her head again, as she and the dog got closer.