Hey All, here is the next chapter so enjoy this.
White Moon Village.
It is the middle of the Night in the White moon Village and currently Erebus, Mifune and Oboro are at a table planning, Tilith is currently asleep not wanting to get tired in the morning and awaiting for their scout Shadow Assailant Kuda to return with his scouting report of the castle the bandit lord is. A few raps are hard on the window showing a figure cloaked in shadows wearing black armour with gold trimmings to which Erebus nods to Oboro to let him in.
"Kuda, what did your scouting find?" Erebus asks as the Assassin takes a seat.
"Summoner, from my scouting the castle is more like a fortress with large walls surrounding it with guard's consisting of Shinobi patrolling the outside while the inside is of Samurai, the castle appears to be massive while at the bottom i have seen small bars which would indicate a dungeon, i assume that this Bandit Lord has captives down there and is most likely a Human Trafficker." Kuda Reports.
"And the Bandit Lord Himself?" Erebus asks.
"He is a large muscular bandit wielding a large sword, i detected no energies around it, i have also seen wanted posters in one of the rooms with the man's face on it, i have swiped one when they were distracted." Kuda says placing said poster on the table which shadows the face of a man who is bald with a large black beard and a few scars as well as the bounties he has.
Wanted: Bandit Lord Dugress.
Reason: Murder, Rape, Human Trafficking, Pillaging, Theft.
Bounty For Alive: 60.000 Zen
Bounty For Head: 30.000 Zen
"Hmm, this Zen must be the currency of this land, have you checked the basement as well?" Erebus asks.
"From the gaps i have seen i spotted many guards down there along with the prisoner's which consist of Men, Women, Elderly and Children." Kuda says the last part with venom.
"Bandit's taking Children as well….Pah they shall die by my blade." Mifune says with Oboro nodding in agreement.
"What are the outside patrols consist of?" Erebus asks.
"They consist of 5 Shinobi patrols all of them have a slash across their headbands as well with a different symbol on them." Kuda says.
"And alarms?" Erebus asks.
"I took care of them during my scouting so that they do not bother us later on when we attack." Kuda says showing a few cut clappers from the bells.
"Good, OK here is the plan: Oboro i want you to dispatch the patrolling Shinobi's on the outside, pick them off one by one if you can." Erebus says.
"It will be done Summoner, i will put these vile bandits down by my blade." Oboro says.
"Mifune, when we get inside you silently take out the patrols as well, and from what Kuda says there's a wall so their would most likely be towers with Lookouts so focus on them first." Erebus says getting a nod from Mifune.
"Yes Summoner, it would be a honor putting those who lost their way down." Mifune says.
"Kuda, once the security outside is dealt with start making your way to the Basement and free the captives there." Erebus says making the Assassin nod.
"Very Well summoner, and what will you do?" Kuda asks.
"I will make my way to the area where the Bandit Lord is, once all 3 of you are done meet in front of the Master Bedroom which would most likely be at the top, once there we will attempt to take the Bandit Lord alive." Erebus says as all 3 nod.
"Yes Summoner." They say in unison.
"You have your orders." Erebus says as he holsters his sword. "Move out!"
The second that is said all 4 leave the inn towards their destination.
Bandit Lord's Castle.
The area is quiet save for the sound is crickets chirping and 4 figures silently running through the forest towards the Bandit Lord's Castle.
A few minutes go before they shift some brush away showing a view of the castle with the moon behind it's back and multiple patrols going about with figures on towers that are higher than the walls.
"Those lookouts will obstruct you Oboro." Erebus says.
"Yes, it would be hard for me to dispatch the Shinobi patrols." Oboro says.
"Hold on, i may have a solution." Erebus says as he steps back and into a small clearing outstretching his hand as a green Summoning Gate appears.
"Gaia Bow Lario! Come forth!" Erebus silently says.
The Second that's announced a Green portal opens up before a figure jumps out in a stance with a large bow and in a robin hood type gear.
"Yes Summoner?" Lario asks.
"We are assaulting a Bandit Lord's Castle, i need you to dispatch the Lookouts so that Oboro can dispatch the Shinobi Patrols." He says as Lario looks through the foliage and spot's several lookout's.
"Consider it done Summoner." Lario says as he positions himself and measure the wind and distance between him and his targets. After his calculations are done he brings his bow forward and brings back a invisible string on it before a green string manifests with a green arrow materialises made of energy.
"Wouldn't they notice this going through the sky?" Mifune asks.
"No, my arrows are capable of going through in a blink of an eye, if they did see it they would pass it off as something else." Lario says.
As that is said Lario let's loose the Green arrow to which it zooms through the air before slamming into the head of a lookout not giving him time to let out a scream of pain as he evaporates in a flick of green fire, Lario continues to do the same for the other lookouts before the towers ring silent of anything living.
"Good Work Lario." Erebus says as he nods to Oboro who melds with the shadows and disappears.
"Am i finished Summoner?" Lario asks.
"No, stay just in case one of the patrols finds a body." Erebus says to which the bowman nods.
Oboro's POV
Oboro re-materialises behind a tree near one of the patrol's and starts to calculate of how to dispatch them one by one and how to dispatch the bodies.
'Hmm, they are a bit sloppy, they are easily thinned out so i can most likely take out the one that lags behind, if i start taking out 1 or 2 one might just investigate where they are, i'll use this to my advantage and dispatch them' Oboro plans as he melds with the shadows again.
After some time bidding a window of opportunity opens up as one of the shinobi goes to take a leak from the group to which they stop, once the lone Shinobi is a good distance away and is occupied Oboro materialises behind the Shinobi who after he finishes turns around only for him to meet Oboro's blade shoved up his head making his death instance, once he is finished Oboro cleans up the loose blood with his Shadow powers as well as the body like nothing ever happened before he vanishes again.
"Grr, what the hell is taking that idiot so long? What the heck is he doing? Masturbating?" The One leading the patrol says obviously a bit disgruntled.
"Should one of us go check sir?" One asks.
"Yea, tell that stupid ass to get the heck back here! If Lord Dugress finds out our skin is tanned!" He yells.
"Yes Sir!" He says as he separates from the group and to where his comrade was unaware of the hidden Shinobi watching them like prey.
'Predictable….' Oboro muses before he vanishes.
Five minutes go by before the one leading the squad starts to lose his patience.
"Augh! What are those fools doing!?" He yells as he gestures to the two to follow to which they do.
A few minutes of looking around they come across the clearing the first guy was in.
"You two louts! Come out here right now!" He demands but is only met with silence.
"Sir….Where's Rakshis?" His last remaining subordinate says as the Captain turns around and is met with a missing Shinobi.
"What the….? Rakshis get back here!" The Captain yells.
'Very predictable….' Oboro muses as he snaps Rakshis's neck like a twig before vanishing.
The sound of a twig snapping is heard to which it catches the last 2's attention.
"Rakshis that better not be you!" The Captain yells already losing his patience.
However his response is black smoke rolling in from the treeline with a terrifying aura.
"What is this!?" His last subordinate says as it obscures his view unaware of two red eye's behind him before he knew no more.
"Damn it! Where are you clowns!? If this is a prank then all of you are in trouble!" The Captain yells practically at his breaking point.
As he turns around a figure in the distance is seen.
"Very funny you two, now turn this fog off NOW!" The Captain demands as he walks towards the figure until he feels a very painful hit on his chest to which he looks down and notices a large slash that goes from his right shoulder to his left hip with the crimson blood leaking out, and as he looks up he sees the figure holding a glimmering sword caked in his blood, before he can even let out a scream the blade flashes before he knew no more.
Lookout of the Castle.
It took 30 Minutes until Oboro has extinguished all the Shinobi guards silently to which a ping is sent towards Erebus of this.
"Oboro has done his part, Mifune you are up." Erebus says getting a nod.
"Yes Summoner." Mifune says as he swiftly teleport away due to his speed.
Castle Courtyard.
Mifune silently enters the castle Courtyard after scaling the walls and dispatching the wall guards first and the gate guards, once they were disposed of he hid their bodies in both barrels, crates and possible bushes.
'They truly have lost their way, i shall grant them all a quick death with my blade…' Mifune muses as he vanishes re-appearing near a wall and overhearing a conversation.
"That group we sent for the tribute hasn't returned yet."
"Yea, probably having some fun with some girls."
"Speaking of fun isn't one of the prisoner's a Priestess we took from that stupid village?"
"Yea, she has got a nice figure but unfortunately she has been made the concubine for Lord Dugress and from what i hear she hasn't been touched…..yet."
"She does have some political hold with the Fire Daimyo doesn't she?"
"As long as none squeals about her missing then we won't get killed."
"Good, well let's get back to patrolling.
The sound of footsteps is heard before the two men that were talking drop to the floor with their throats cut.
'A Priestess has been captured who has some strong political pull with this land's leader? This is some news, i will have to let the Summoner know of this once the guard's are taken care of.' Mifune muses before he disposes of the bodies in a nearby crate before vanishing swiftly destroying any light's and slicing down the Samurai in a blink of an eye without mercy.
Fifteen Minutes pass before the courtyard is devoid of life with Mifune sheathing his blade after cleaning it from the fresh blood as his Summoner along with Oboro, Kuda and Lario appear.
"Good work Mifune, as expected of you." Erebus says.
"I have some news from a conversation i overheard Summoner." Mifune says with a slight bow.
"Continue." Erebus firmly says knowing any news would be helpful.
"It appears that the Bandit Lord Dugress has a Priestess in his captive and from what they said she has some political hold with this land's Daimyo the leader." Mifune reports.
"The scum most likely ambushed her escort and took her in transit." Oboro suggests.
"Hmm, this is startling news, the original plan continues, once we reach the Master Bedroom we can plan of how to deal with the Bandit Lord's captive, Kuda flush out the basement." Erebus orders.
"It will be done." he says melding with the shadows.
"Oboro, sweep each floor until we reach the Master Bedroom, Mifune help too." Erebus says getting a nod.
"Yes Summoner." They Say in Unison as they disappear to the shadows.
"What about me Summoner?" Lario asks.
"Get onto the walls and look out for any bandit's coming back, we don't want the element of surprise lost." Erebus says pointing to the walls.
"At once." Lario says as he turns and runs to the walls.
"Time to make my way up….." Erebus mutters as he enters the foreboding castle.
Castle Dungeons.
As Kuda materialises the stench of the dungeon hits him as well as the screaming and crying from it's prisoners as well as laughter from the guards.
'Ungrateful Swines, your death's will be quick.' Kuda muses as his whip like weapon curls around him like a snake indicating his anger as he silently goes through the dungeon.
The sound of nearby laughter catches his attention as he lean's around the corner to see 6 guards playing poker while a few patrol the cell's down the halls.
'Hmm, they appear to be just some low level Shinobi and by the looks of it they won't last against me, still i need to have an advantage and those ceiling light's give me an idea.' Kuda muses as he summons a few daggers in his hand.
"HA! Full House!" One yells standing up cheering as he takes his winnings.
'Need to time it right….' Kuda thinks concentrating.
"You cheated!" Another shouts standing up.
'Come on….'
"Yea! You had a hidden card!"
'Almost…..' Kuda muses as his opportunity closes in.
"What makes you think i cheated you louts!?" He yells as all of them stand up.
'Now!' Kuda acts as he lets all the daggers soar with the sound and he hears a nice sound of glass breaking emptying the room in pitch black.
"What the hell!?"
"What happened to the light's!?"
"Did the light's break!?"
"Who's got a match stick or something?"
"I got on- AGH!" One yells in pain as he looks down to see a glowing whip like weapon protruding from his chest glowing eerily behind he yells in fear as he is yanked into the ever darkness.
"The hell!?"
"Is it a intruder!?"
"Must be, could be a fucking beast!"
"Throw some weapons at it!"
The second that is said kunai are thrown into the darkness to which a dark figure is seen with piercing yellow eyes before two guard's are slashed down with 3 claw marks on their chests.
"Kill it kill it!"
They start to panic as the unseen assailant continues to bob and weave before it whisper's some words.
"Demon Life: Winged Raven"
One that is uttered several shadow Raven's shoot out from the shadows and start savagely pecking at the guard's as well as gouging out their eyes and anything vital, a few minutes pass the guards are motionless on the group from the raven's brutal assault.
'That was pathetic on their part to fight me, i doubt they knew any elemental attacks from what Oboro told me…..' Kuda muses as he rummages one of the guards pockets and gets the cell keys.
The second Kuda re-materialises in front of the prison cells the sound of fear is heard from it's prisoners.
"It is alright, i mean you no harm, i am here to rescue you." Kuda says as the satisfying click of the jail cells is heard.
"How do we know you won't backstab us!?" A young woman yells who appears to have had sexual abuse.
"Would i slaughter those guards?" Kuda bluntly asks to which it calms her down. "Now come, i need to escort all of you out, the guards are currently being dispatched by my companions, once the Bandit Lord is dealt with we will escort you to White Moon and attempt to take all of you home." Kuda says getting some smiles from everyone though some appear to be physically disabled or injured too much that he has to help a few get out.
Master Bedroom
30 Minutes later Kuda materialises at the front of the Bedroom Door.
"Report Kuda." Erebus asks.
"Guard's have been dealt with Summoner, however the prisoner's are physically weak that it would take a while to bring them to White Moon village." Kuda says.
"I see….i will have to summon Time Lord Claris to help heal them." Erebus muses, he could summon Tilith but she would be in a bad mood.
"So Summoner, how do we deal with the Bandit Lord and his captive?" Mifune asks.
"OK, the Priestess is most likely chained next to the bed with the Bandit Lord having the key around his neck, our priority is the Priestess, trying to slice the chain will most likely wake him up so Oboro i need you to take the key and get the Priestess out, once she is safe we will attempt to apprehend the Bandit Lord, Kuda you will have to use your UBB to bind him and don't do it too easily, and while he is preparing Mifune will keep him occupied." Erebus says. "Any questions?"
"No Summoner." They say in Unison.
"Good, now let's go in." Erebus says as they silently open the door and are treated to a large exquisite room fit for a king with a large burly man sleeping on a large bed in the middle and a woman chained next to it wearing some clothes that covers some of her modesty but not her whole body.
"Oboro your up…." Erebus mouths as he nods silently sneaking in, when the Priestess see's him he motions for her to be quiet to which she nods as he silently steps up to the bed looking at the on a bit of rope with a knot at the back of his neck.
'I'll have to wait till he turns over to untie it.' Oboro muses as he waits a minute or two before Dugress turns over showing the knot to which Oboro quickly unties and just in time as Dugress turns over with the key silently falling onto the bed to which he quickly grabs and as Dugress turns over again he starts to lightly snore.
'Hmm, i can time unlocking this to his snoring…' Oboro thinks as he motions for the Priestess saying he will unlock it when he snores, after a single snore Oboro quickly unlocks it with the lock sound being muffled, once the chains are dealt with Oboro silently takes the Priestess out before he nods to Mifune and Kuda.
"Kude, how long will it take?" Erebus asks .
"A minute or 2 Summoner." Kuda replies as energy starts to channel.
"Mifune…." Erebus says a command hidden inside.
He nods before he jumps up and wakes the sleeping bandit lord by kicking him in the face.
"AUGH! What in the name of fuck hit me!?" He yells holding his bleeding nose and spots Erebus, Kuda and Mifune who is ready to challenge him.
"I'm your challenger…." Mifune says getting into his samurai stance.
"Grr, you miserable bastard!" Dugress yells as he brings out his sword and engages Mifune in a fight.
"Single Mist" Mifune mutters as a small cut appears on Dugress's left arm making him roar in pain.
"Grah! You'll pay for that!" He yells as he continues to fight.
"Kuda….." Erebus says looking at him.
"I'm ready…." He says his energy pulsing.
"MIFUNE!" Erebus yells to which the samurai jumps away making Dugress lodge his sword into the ground as Kuda outstretches his arm.
"SCORCHING AMETHYST CHAINS!"
Once that is yellow out the floorboards explode and bright Amethyst Chains spring out and start to bind Dugress with the sound of flesh getting scalded, he will most likely get bed third degree burns.
"AAAAAggghhhhhh!" Dugress yells trying to break the chains but to no avail.
"Nice work Kuda." Erebus yells as he nods.
"You Bastard! To think you had a blasted Uzumaki with you! That clan should be extinct!" Dugress bellows winching from the pain.
'Uzumaki….?' Erebus muses first time hearing it.
"Silence your tongue…." Mifune says as he shows his blade slightly. "Or i shall silence it for you….." He says glaring at him to which it shuts him up.
"Summoner, the Priestess is outside." Oboro says appearing.
"Good, Oboro, Kuda start to bring this guy outside." Erebus orders to which the two nod and start to take the Bandit Lord who begrudgingly accepts.
Castle Courtyard
As they 4 of them exit they see Lario, the Priestess and a bunch of prisoner's in the courtyard who are all injured to which Erebus outstretches his arm and a green Summoning Gate appears.
"Time Lord Claris! Come!"
Once that is yelled a green portal opens up and outsteps a woman with a large green cloak complete with cat ears and tail as well as a staff and a small cat at her side wielding a staff too.
"You called me Summoner?" Claris asks while her cat meows.
"Yes, these people have been injured, i need you to go and heal them." Erebus says to which she nods and walks over to them and starts to heal them with her staff.
"Excuse me." A voice says and Erebus turns to see the Priestess wearing a cloak, most likely from Oboro to give her some decency.
"Yes?" Erebus asks.
"I want to thank you for rescuing us from that Bandit Lord." She says.
"Shut up slut!" Dugress yells to which Mifune slams his sheath hard into his gut making him let out some spit from that.
"Quiet…." He says with venom.
"May i ask of how you came to be his captive? Oh where are my manners my name is Erebus." Erebus says bowing slightly.
"It is alright, my name is Priestess Mera and as for how i was captured that brute and his men ambushed me and my escort on our way to the Fire Capital." Mera says.
"I see, and i take it your escort was overrun?" Erebus asks.
"Yes, they came at us in the middle of the night once we set up a camp." Mera says.
"I see…." Erebus muses.
"May i ask of what village you are associated with?" Mera asks since she hasn't seen any symbol or headband.
"Unfortunately i am not exactly associated with any village." Erebus says.
"Oh? Then are you a missing-nin?" Mera asks with both fear and curiosity.
"Don't know who they are." Erebus says truthfully.
"Then where are you from then?" Mera asks her fear vanishing.
"A land far far away you could say, from the Imperial Capital Randall." Erebus says, the more he says the truth he might get more answers.
"I have never heard of such a place, are those 5 your comrades?" Mera asks.
"Yes, they are my Summons." Erebus says while Claris continues to heal.
"Summons…? So you have signed a contract with a clan?" Mera asks.
"I don't know what a Summoning Clan is but i have the ability to summon heroes from a time long past to the battlefield." Erebus says getting a small gasp from Mera.
"So you misuse the dead for your own devices!?" She nearly yells.
"No no!...It's just well, i don't exactly have a choice, this is more of a Curse…." He admits.
"A Curse? Can you explain?" Mera asks.
"I….Can't, if i do it would be too much of a lengthy and painful story to say." Erebus admits.
"I see, i understand." Mera says.
"Summoner, the injured have been healed." Claris says after healing the final child.
"Good, Dispel." Erebus says to which Claris disappears in a burst.
"Summoner, what shall we do with this castle?" Kuda asks.
"Torch it, we don't want another bandit lord moving in." Erebus states firmly getting a nod from Kuda.
"Yes summoner" Kuda responds as he vanishes ready to burn this castle to the ground.
"Burn this castle and i will- UGH" Dugress is cut off as Mifune slams his sheath on his head sending Dugress down into dreamland.
"Thank you Mifune, now let's go and wait for Kuda and then onwards to White moon, Tilith is most likely looking for us." Erebus says sighing at the talk from Tilith.
30 Minutes later the group is walking away a good distance from the burning Castle that was set ablaze by Kuda as they head for White Moon.
White Moon
"Grr, where is he?!" Tilith mumbles, the second she woke up in the morning she noticed Erebus wasn't in his bed and he had the nerve to not wake her up!
"HEY! Their back!"
"They did it!"
"My Baby!"
Hearing those voices Tilith peeks out the window before she gasps in shock and runs out of the Inn to witness a sight.
Walking down the dirt Path is Her Erebus and company with a large group of people and his summon's carrying a large man to the town.
"Erebus!" She yells running to him.
"Ogh, i was hoping she was sleeping still…." He mumbles as she reaches him.
"Do you know how worried i was!? Leaving in the middle of the night!? And you didn't bring me along!? What if something happened to you!?" She practically yells telling him off and on which makes a few chuckle at the Summoner's predicament.
"Tilith calm down, i've had a really long night." Erebus says once she has caught her breath.
"Hmph, i'm still angry at you!" She huffs.
"You finally did it…." The Mayor says shocked that Erebus brought them back.
"Yea, also we brought back the money he stole." Erebus says gesturing to Kuda who found it while he was lighting the castle on fire who places the bag in front of the Mayor.
"White Moon is Eternally in your debt! Is there anything we can repay you for!?" The Mayor says shaking Erebus's hand.
"Well, a meal and the directions to the nearest Village." Erebus says nervously.
"The meal we can handle, as for the directions…." The Mayor gets cut off however.
"We can help you with that." A new Voice says to which Erebus and his Summons turn around to see who it was.
CLIFF!
Hello all, hope you enjoyed this, i certainly think my fingers did…..anyway remember to R&R so i know what to improve.
PEACE!
