Wind to dodge wind. It was an idea that would be insane to think about... but Takeda and Nobu wouldn't be as famous as they were if they were completely sane. While she hated that she had to rely on him out of all people, she could appreciate in this moment. After all, without the speed boost from his "swift as a wind" and his tiger mounts, she'd be... well, at least knocked down for a while. Damn that monkey and his loot luck! Where did he even find that super wind blade anyway?! She yelped, weaving between the pillars in the large room, avoiding the sharp cuts of air that tried to tear her apart.
It was surprising the room was standing as it was. Already, pillars were missing, the foundation cracked and burned. Most of the damage wasn't even her or Takeda, it was just Hideyoshi wildly swinging his sword around like a whirlwind of blades. On the one hand, his aim was terrible as he focused on anti-unit instead of anti-army. Maybe some sort of soft spot for this place forced him to do that. On the other hand, thanks to his pseudo shield, because calling it an actual shield was an insult to Mash, they could not get close nor were their shots, actual shots or elemental, hitting at all. Which led to the stalemate of two actual warlords doing the running and pot shot game against a wannabe warlord with a super nifty katana.
Suffice to say, Nobu was starting to get real frustrated. However, she shared a look with Takeda. A frown was on their faces, before they both nodded at each other. Not yet. They still didn't get their answers. Hiding behind part of the wreckage he caused, she caught her breath, leaning against it. Then, glancing back, she snarled at him over the noise as she took aim.
"Okay, quick question before we kick your ass!" She fired a shot to show off her frustration, grazing his shoulder, which began to steam. "When and how?"
Hideyoshi growled, off balance for a moment. However, Takeda didn't take the opening to close in, instead throwing a burst of flames at him that did not a whole lot compared to her own shots. At any other day, she'd be smug about it, but right now she was just frustrated. The Monkey's next words certainly didn't help.
"Right after you died, that little spy came before me! Swore that she'd try anything to bring you guys back as long as I kept Takeda alive!" He laughed hysterically, spreading his arms open. At the same time, Takeda leaped to her position, his tiger being taken down. Catching his breath, he glanced at Nobu's tiger. The two of them frowned, realizing what the issue was.
Takeda was out of mounts. Whatever it was, the spirit of Kai or what not, the tank was running low. "Went to the underworld, bamboozled some gods with my glorious sunshine and the girl's witchcraft thing, boom, got my powers and I still couldn't bring any of you back."
"Sounds like crap!" Takeda yelled in disbelief. Nobu on the other hand mulled it over in her head... before shrugging as she took a shot.
"I believe it!"
The Tiger snapped his head towards her, eyes narrowed. Immediately after, they both yelped, jumping out of the way as another windblast destroyed their impromptu cover. Behind different pillars now, Takeda turned to her yet again, as he swung his fan blindly at the Monkey.
"What?!"
"Hey, he's dumb!" She fired a shot. "Seriously unreliable!" She fired another one.
"But?"
"But he still lived longer than me, so he has to have some weird shit going on!" Nobu explained with a laugh. The wind picked up, causing her ears to twitch. Ducking as fast as she could, she growled when her hat out of all things was cut away. Takeda had to suffer equally, his helmet cut down as well. Sending his last tiger as a destruction, he began to circle around Hideyoshi, Nobu doing the same as she reduced her fire rate, in exchange of "charging" her shots up.
Cutting down the tiger, the Shogun snarled, ramming the blade down. The blast was sudden, causing Nobu and Takeda to slam against the walls. Groaning in pain, she quickly rolled away before she could get bisected. She Cracked her neck with a sigh. Maybe she should ask questions faster before they would actually die.
"Alright, back on topic, I want more details on your godhood shit!"
"Are you here to chat or are you here to try to kill me?!" He roared in fury, causing Nobu to smirk, taking that chance to hit him right in the face. As he hissed in pain, she twirled her weapon before repositioning herself.
"It's called multitasking, monkey!"
His retort was cut short by a vicious uppercut by Takeda. As he retreated, Nobu licked her lips. As playfully as she was, if they weren't careful, their desire to ask questions would get them actually killed.
Hopefully the others were doing fine on their own.
/
Ritsuka could say he had an eye for growth. For change. After all, with all his experiences, it was easy to see progress or stagnation. Well, easier. Mash improved immensely. While not as good as she was when Galahad resided in her, she managed to learn how to act with the Ortenaus gear, how to make the equipment more part of her body than just equipment. Then there was Amako. While she didn't use the other treasures she received, Ritsuka considered a smart idea. She lacked experience in using them, so keeping it simple worked. A single path, that she managed to refine a lot since he met her. Soft and hard attacks. Blows to throws to actual takedowns. Her footwork, her breathing, they managed to become even better than they already were. Or less better. She just seemed to make more use of her "perfect" breathing and walking.
Two palms, stretched out in perfect symmetry. Slamming against shield and crossed arms respectively, the two girls were launched towards the tribunes, smashing up the wood as they screamed in pain. Ritsuka bit his lip at the sight.
Unfortunately, for all their growth... Raiden was better. He breathed out, clapping his hands as if to dust it off. Then, lowering his upper body, he hit the ground with his knuckles, ready for the second round. As Mash and Amako struggled to get their bodies up, Ritsuka could only make one simple observation.
This Dohyo increased his abilities. As if the territory itself, and it might actually be, was guiding his body, Raiden's martial arts improved immensely. Mash grit her teeth, adjusting her shield as she jumped back down into the arena. Amako however was way more damaged. Bleeding profusely, Ritsuka ran to her side, trying to heal as much as he could. Spitting out a tooth, Amako rolled her shoulder with a hiss. Flexing her fingers a bit, she nodded to herself. Gently pushing him away, she took a deep breath before brushing her hair back with a wide smirk.
"Like hell I quit now... " She muttered to herself as she forced herself to climb down. "I'm at the verge of figuring something out here... !"
The two girls circled around the sumo fighter, exhausted, sweat drenched, yet determined even with all the bruises and blood. Raiden nodded slowly before straightening up his back. The motion confused the trio, as he crossed his arms, humming in thought.
"My apologies. I have underestimated your spirits. You have my respect."
The air began to shift. Ritsuka felt a shiver down his spine. The girls noticed too, jumping back and creating distance as the atmosphere around Raiden began to shift and strain by his increasing presence.
"Let me introduce myself properly."
He slowly raised his fists, as if pulling up the world itself. His veins pulsed, his face red with effort, as he struggled to bring them to the air.
"My human name... is Raiden Tameemon. Born in the 1767 to become the strongest sumo wrestler in history…!"
With his arms high in the air, he was still.
"My divine name however... is the God of Thunder... ! TAKEMIKAZUCHI!"
He slammed his fists down. And with them, a bolt of thunder crashed down on him out of nowhere. The mortals had to cover their eyes from the blinding light, as their ears were ringing. Slowly, with the spots disappearing from his eyes, Ritsuka looked at Raiden. His breath was taken from him, his eyes wide in shock as he paled.
Gone was the naked and pristine mountain of muscle. Gone was the mortal body. Instead, what replaced his human skin could be described with nothing but... power armor. Lines of energy spread over the obsidian armor. Lightning bolts extended from his elbows and his upper lip, forming a bizarre moustache. He seemed to have increased in size as well, rivaling the likes of Spartacus when he was charging up. With white lights shining from his eyes, the god glanced behind him. Immediately, Ritsuka jumped up, turning to the person in question.
"MASH!"
She didn't hesitate. Slamming her shield down, panic in her eyes, she grit her teeth.
"Mold... Camelot!"
It was almost too late. As if teleporting, Raiden, or rather, Takemikazuchi slammed against the glitching walls of Camelot. With a groan, he had his arms spread as he pushed against her. Yet the castle didn't move. After all, it withstood attacks of similar or even greater magnitude without even flinching. Yet at the face of the immovable object... the god laughed in excitement, his arms spreading as wide as they could.
"It is a formidable defense... unbreakable perhaps... !"
His palms curled up ever so slightly, as if grasping something.
"However... sumo has more rules than just breaking someone... !"
He screamed. He roared in defiance, at the face of the impossible. As if spreading his very soul around the Noble Phantasm, he acted as if he could hug the castle. And then ever so slowly, as electricity sparked around him in fury, as his armor seemed strained from the muscles beneath… He began to lift Camelot.
It was ridiculous. Impossible. Yet Ritsuka saw, as Mash was raised to the air. She was still defended. The walls still remained undamaged. But even if the defense was perfect, the god denied its rooted existence.
Before the Shielder could do anything else... the Strongest Rikishi let out one last thunderous shout as he twisted his body. Then, with the force of thunder... he threw Mash with her Noble Phantasm. Before she could process it, she was flying off to the distance, Mold Camelot protecting her from the lightning trying to attack her, but not from flying away.
Ritsuka felt his legs getting weak. Mash was out of commission. Even if she was fine, she still had to run all the way back. Now... the only one facing the god was Amako. Amako, who was injured. Amako, who wasn't a heroic spirit or anything like that. Yet despite the odds... she was smiling like crazy. And Ritsuka couldn't help but sent her a smile of faith when she glanced at him. That seemed to only widen her smirk as she cracked her neck.
"Heh... wouldn't want it to be that easy... "
At the force of nature incarnate, she breathed out, raised her hands... and motioned Raiden towards herself.
"BRING IT!"
/
She was desperate. Her body language. The screams. Even the smell itself. Kagetora clicked her tongue in annoyance, her smile fake as ever. The Serpent tried so hard to get past her, that Kagetora managed to cut her off every time. With each movement the shrine maiden made, Kagetora matched easily. Until, many repetitions later, the mistake of ignoring the warlord came for its price.
The surprising agility. The wind under her control. The attempt of misdirection more befitting a rookie shinobi. Kagetora cut through all of them with her glaive, cutting the Serpent right across the face. Only her reflexes made sure that flesh wasn't split, that blood wasn't spilled. But Kagetora did what she wanted to do. The mask cracked. The masked gave in. The mask fell apart. The woman tried to cover her face with her hands, but it was too late.
Kagetora saw it. She knew it. And she felt a flux of emotions. Resignation. Sorrow. Anger. Worry. Her mouth twitched, as her eyes were windows of those emotions, before being covered up by the darkness of apathy as she tilted her head with a hum.
"How sad... Chiyome Mochizuki."
This version was certainly more developed than the Chiyome she knew and usually ignored. Taller. Longer hair. But more importantly... two eyes that were exactly the same. No markings either. She raised an eyebrow at that. That didn't make sense. The curse was clearly present, remembering the way the food supplies were ruined. Yet she seemed... perfectly fine. In a way, it was like the curse wasn't bothering her at all.
She clicked her tongue. Damn magecraft. Chiyome glared at her, a sarcastic smile on her face as she removed her hand.
"Hmph. So you actually remember me?"
"Haru cares," Kagetora responded with a shrug. Immediately, she had to dug away, a whip of wind aiming at her face. But then it changed directions, slamming her from above. Gritting her teeth, she spun with the force before backing off. Rubbing her head, she licked her lips. Well then. At least she had her opponent's attention now. And that attention was filled with anger, as she began to begin her assault.
"You don't get to say his name!" She screamed, as she cut, stabbed, grabbed and threw away at Kagetora. She pulled out two katanas, exhaling as she moved as quickly as she could. Still, it put a strain on her. The attacks weren't strong. Yet there were many. Some of them were bound to get in, cutting and slamming into her body.
"And you do?" She asked through gritted teeth before spitting to the side. "To believe you'd betray Haru."
"I didn't betray him!" Chiyome immediately screamed, slamming her hands down on the ground. "I'm keeping him alive!"
The wind stopped for just a moment. However, Kagetora knew better. Jumping away to a rooftop, she saw the spikes the earth formed where she just stood. Running away, she noted with satisfaction that Chiyome was following her instead of going after Haru. Good. She was rather easy to provoke now that the cat was out of the bag. Such devotion. Such a paradox. Here she thought she had seen all that humanity's contradictions and failures had to offer.
"Betrayal is betrayal!" She countered, raising her spear to block the attack by Chiyome's kodachi. Reinforced by the wind, it dug into the wood. Taking advantage of the momentary stop however, Kagetora rammed her head against her face. Knocking her back as she screamed in pain, Kagetora looked down at her with a dark expression. "You took him through Yomi without him knowing?"
"Memories can be tampered with! It was for his own good!"
Memories. She couldn't suppress the low growl from her throat as she looked down at Chiyome.
"And you think you didn't betray him."
"I JUST WANT HIM TO LIVE!" Slowly, her ragged breathing calmed down. Eerily calm, the traitor shook her head with a sigh. "But you wouldn't understand."
"Hm~?"
Kagetora gripped her weapons tightly in her hands, almost breaking them.
"You're a monster. A monster that took ahold of my lord's heart since the day you two met. You never cared for his well being." With an almost fanatic tone, Chiyome held her hands towards her chest. "Unlike me, you wouldn't give a damn if he died!"
Another Chiyome, in a tent. A report, no, a message. Anger. Tears. Shutting down. The Avatar losing her humanity. The memories came in flashes... but it caused more than enough anger in Kagetora. Pointing her glaive at Chiyome, she felt the strain on her mouth as she tried to keep smiling. She never had such difficulty maintaining that smile, except on that day.
"Don't talk about things you don't understand."
Her ice cold tone caused Chiyome to flinch, her eyes wavering for just a moment. But then they hardened as she pointed at the tower, blasts of wind and bullets flying out of the walls.
"If you really cared, you'd let me through!" She folded her hands, closing her eyes. "But I see that I have to kill you first... !"
Kagetora looked down as the all too familiar miasma formed around her. Then she looked up. And up. And up.
She blinke as she licked her lips. Oh.
Chiyome stood on top of the multi headed serpent hissing down at her, a whirlwind covering the monster. Her skin was glowing, as if protecting her, no, as if controlling the miasma itself. Her eyes were glowing in a green light as she looked down with a glare.
"I've finally conquered my curse!" She spread her arms open. "I am Chiyome Mochizuki, the avatar of Susanoo-no-Mikoto! The storms themselves and Orochi are completely under my control!"
The monster roared, causing Kagetora to take a step back.
"Hahahaha... "
The avatar of Bishamonten would never feel nervous. But she couldn't deny that she was working up more of a sweat than usual.