(D14 EN) And One Mask to Bind Them

[Shiba Higashime]

Kiuchi tried to resist, but an Emperor, even a dead one cast into the Realm of Hungering Ghosts, is too much for him.

Willpower VOID | 4k4+1 ⇒ 18 (TN: 35)

Shiba Higashime turns pitiless eyes on to the struggling Yogo. Without missing a second, a breath, Ofushikai sweeps through the air, the first strike cutting a deep gash in Kiuchi's side, the second neatly cutting open his stomach.

Shiba Higashime simple action attacks with Ofushikai 5 raises for extra damage., 2 void Shiba Bomb for +4k4 with Shiba 5 7 kenjutsu | 10k10+2 ⇒ 92 (TN: 45)
Damage, 1k1 last void, 3k2 base, 4 strength, +5k0 raises | 10k5 ⇒ 30

Shiba Higashime simple action attacks with Ofushikai 5 raises for extra damage., 2 void Shiba Bomb for +4k4 with Shiba 5 7 kenjutsu | 10k10+2 ⇒ 87 (TN: 45)
Damage, 3k2 base, 4 strength, +5k0 raises | 10k3 ⇒ 23

[Yogo Kiuchi]

Kiuchi, unable to do much else than hold the Emperor inside him, simply says to the Phoenix. "Arigato."

[Kitsu Shintaro]

Shintaro, wide-eyed, cries out to Sadako.

"Now! Destroy it while it is embodied! This is the moment!!

[Fukurokujin]

As the Phoenix's blades cleave into and through the Scorpion's body, and he breathes his word of thanks, a gurgling sounds behind them, one that tries first to resolve into words, then a scream as a spectral, skeletal form begins to stand from the falling body--and it raises its hands, cowering in fear.

Hoshiko will feel her stomach turn at the sight, and a familiar chill grips her there and in her right hand.

Something like the outline of a suit of armor stands before the form of Hantei Ningi, red eyes shining out from emptiness within. It thrusts a spear forward, impaling the attenuating form, and both vanish in a flash of darkness that penetrates the eyes.

Somewhere, a voice says "It is done."

All is suddenly still again in the flickering lantern-light.

[Seppun Sadako]

Sadako will drop to her knees and press her forehead to the earth in obeisance to the Fortune whose very presence she has see.

[Mirumoto Jinkan]

"Someone call a pair of burakumin, now!" Jinkan said loudly. He rubbed his scars while moving closer to observe the body of the Scorpion for any signs of last minute life. Or unlife.

[Asahina Hoshiko]

Hoshiko drops more slowly, her eyes fixed to the spot and the glowing afterimage, awe seared through her entire bearing as the Fortune steps from his court for this moment. The horror and grief will show up in a moment, after her forehead touches the earth, very literally grounding her.

[Seppun Sadako]

Sadako rises, dusts herself off.

"Lady Phoenix," she says, "are you stained?"

[Doji Shinnosuke]

Shinnosuke presses both hands to his mouth, nauseated and awed at the same time. What just...?

[Shiba Higashime]

Sadako rises, dusts herself off.

"Lady Phoenix," she says, "are you stained?"

Lady Shiba flicks the blood from Ofushikai onto the ground and looks to Sadako.

"It is finished."

[Seppun Sadako]

Sadako will nod to the Lady Phoenix.

She will then turn and bow to the fallen, holding the bow for one breath, two, three, before straightening.

[Asahina Hoshiko]

Hoshiko rises, and first offers a similar bow to the fallen. "I hope Emma-O has brought you as well to his halls as swiftly, if not so violently, as the one who took your life. And thank you for the sacrifice that so swiftly accomplished all we had worked toward." Her voice is settled, even if her eyes show entirely too much shock.

Her eyes seek Ryu out among the watchers, growing a hair less worried to see him unharmed, then Shinnosuke, then around to the rest of those gathered.

[Daidoji Ryu]

Ryu had stood stiff and still throughout. He relaxed, finally, as it seemed to be over, taking a deep breath. Had that really been...?

A brief glance at Hoshiko, and the briefest of smiles. Perhaps no one else would even see it.

Then he bowed. "Is there anything else that must be done?" He asked.

[Agasha Sanjuro]

Sanjuro, watches earnestly and without speech and the events unfold. He bows, his head to the ground, and prays softly, "and for you Kiuchi, thank you for your sacrifice. May you find your reward on your journey."
He gives thanks to Emma-O, then rises slowly and looks around at the others.

[Asahina Hoshiko]

Then he bowed. "Is there anything else that must be done?" He asked.

The small smile and calm voice are...helpful. Hoshiko nods and says, "Mirumoto-san is right that the burakumin need to be called." She looks for Kaguya and bows deeply. "I am very sorry for the loss of your delegate." Her voice remains steady but strained around the horrible moments encompassed by as small a word as 'loss.' "Are there any special needs in handling his mask that the local burakumin may not realize?"

After waiting on an answer to the question, she moves to the middle of things, to pick up Shinnosuke's mask, and turn to Shintaro. "Do you think the mask remains safe after all of this?"

[Bayushi Kaguya]

Kaguya's dead eyes meet Hoshiko's. "Burn it," she says. She reaches down and takes his sword and scroll satchel in her hands, turns, and begins to walk back to the castle without another word.

[Kitsu Shintaro]

After waiting on an answer to the question, she moves to the middle of things, to pick up Shinnosuke's mask, and turn to Shintaro. "Do you think the mask remains safe after all of this?"

"It was never touched by the spirit. Therefore, it remains clean. What a thing we have witnessed! And with merely the power of Ofushikai! Of course, Ofushikai is a sword with a legendary history, but no application of the elemental kami was required! What a thing!!"

[Shiba Higashime]

Visibly disgusted with Shintaro's enthusiasm, Lady Shiba sheathes Ofushikai, nods once to get Yoshio's attention, and stalks into the night.

/exit.

[Agasha Sanjuro]

How can Kitsu-sama take joy in the events of this evening? Sanjuro bows to the group and departs back to the Dragon House.

[Daidoji Ryu]

"I'll see to it." Ryu said, bowing. And then bowing to his champion. "And then back to Crane House afterwards."

He would go out to see that what needed to be done was done.