Scion - Petro Campaign - Session 131
[Private Entry - The Beginning of the End]
The battle against Mikaboshi is underway! At this very moment, the me in Takamagahara is standing boldly by Amaterasu's side as she leads the Amatsukami and the Loa against the invading forces of Soku-no-Kumi. The me in Soku-no-Kumi is fighting alongside my friends at the head of Melanthea and Erebus' army. The me in Yomi is keeping my mother and Miyako updated on the progress of the battle. And the me at Red Mountain…well, who do you think is writing this journal entry?
So, here's how it all went down. First off, Ama-no-Zaku left Huehueteotl's realm to report her "success" in corrupting me and to prepare Mikaboshi's armies to invade Takamagahara as soon as I'd done my part. I felt very bad letting her go alone. She was so lost and vulnerable. She hasn't been truly alone for a long, long time, and desperately needed a friend by her side, but it would have been suspicious for me to remain with her at this crucial time, so we parted ways. In the battle that now rages, she's supposed to turn on Mikaboshi at a crucial moment. I hope she's okay until then.
Anyway, I dismissed my duplicate in Huehueteotl's realm after bidding my host a very courteous farewell, and then the me in Takamagahara made something of a show of drawing Amaterasu into the inner sanctums of Sakukushiro palace so that I could seduce her to the dark side. Not really, of course, but if there were any spies in place, it would certainly seem like I'd tainted Amaterasu at the right time.
Shortly thereafter, A-Bone (a.k.a. Abigail) hit Takamagahara with a reality bending illusion of taint, while one of her copies set up illusions of Ouranos' forces throughout Ehekatoyatl to keep his realms safe while he assisted our attack. With all the pieces in place, my friends and I gathered to await the moment to strike. Meanwhile, I sent Echo to visit Himiko with instructions to ask Himiko to return to Takamagahara when I prayed for her support. If Echo asks, she'll do it, and I'm hoping that her timely arrival will not only show her that Amaterasu is capable and that I'm trustworthy, but will also help Amaterasu accept her back into the Overworld. That would also go a long way toward getting Echo to forgive Amaterasu, which will make Amaterasu happy.
Abigail, Charles, Adam and I all have duplicates active in Takamagahara to support the armies there. We're all also in Soku-no-Kumi along with Elisa and Pierre to lead Melanthea and Erebus' armies. Erebus's forces view me as their queen, and would follow me into the depths of hell if necessary, which is more or less what they're doing. I can feel Erebus' power behind me as we fight our way through Mikaboshi's rear lines, and it's exhilarating!
But, before the battle actually began…before Mikaboshi struck, Amaterasu and I had to deal with the unrest in Takamagahara caused by the sudden and debilitating taint-sickness that had swept through the pantheon. The Amatsukami gathered at Amaterasu's chambers in Sakukushiro Palace and began hurling accusations toward me. Hachiman, though he was not the most vocal, stared with politely restrained fury at me. Only Susano-o stood in my defense, daring any of the rest of the gods to raise a hand against me or Amaterasu. I expected to come under fire for the taint, but it was still unpleasant. (>_<) Nevertheless, Amaterasu and I were able to keep things under control until the alarms sounded, alerting everyone to Mikaboshi's assault.
A massive black cloud opened in the skies of Takamagahara, dimming Amaterasu's radiance as countless beasts of darkness poured through. In the midst of the cloud floated Mikaboshi's mask, and though its expression was as impassive as ever, waves of scorn and expectant triumph poured from it.
It was then that Abigail dropped her illusion and the Amatsukami regained their full strength. The shock and surprise only lasted a few moments, during which time I explained that Mikaboshi had fallen into our trap, and now was our chance to defeat him utterly! Amaterasu rallied the pantheon quickly, and together they moved to respond to the invading forces.
At that moment, another point in the skies of Takamagahara opened and weird funk music poured out of it as a zombie tortoise the size of the the central mountain of Takamagahara emerged. It was decked out with speakers, cannons, blinking Christmas lights, and all manner of gaudy decorations like it had just emerged from Mardi Gras. And in a sense, it had; the tortoise was a mobile fortress carrying our Loa reinforcements. Yay Loa!
But seriously? A zombie tortoise? Baron Samedi does know that death is anathema to Takamagahara, right? I mean, the tortoise is some kind of slain Native American god realm. That much death isn't going to help Takamagahara…it's going to hurt it! And weaken the Amatsukami! There's a reason my dead mother can't come to Takamagahara, and if she's bad news for the place, what the f**k is an undead god realm going to do!? I'm more than a little pissed off about this. I appreciate the Loa's help, but they better bring the pain, 'cause if they don't, their thoughtless grandstanding is going to f**k up my Overworld and weaken MY pantheon. I just hope it's worth it. (>_<) And yes, I know I'm calling the kettle black here, but I have taken pains to ensure that my taint doesn't hurt my pantheon.
Deep breaths, Erika. Deep breaths.
Anyway, the Loa's mobile tortoise fortress plowed into the enemy, and before I knew it, I was in the midst of one of the biggest battles I've ever experienced. A massive strike of lightning dumped Thor, Beowolf, Sif and Tyr into the middle of things too, along with a small horde of berserkers; so yeah Adam's reinforcements showed up to the party. My shikome joined me as my personal guards, slaughtering any titanspawn that got too close (I had hidden them in Kurayashiro prior to Mikaboshi's arrival). They can't normally come to Takamagahara, so it was their one chance to see it, and their taint wasn't going to do any more harm than the presence of Mikaboshi's forces. I'll just send them back after the battle. (^_^) Tabby has remained loyally at my side, ready to defend me with her life no matter what comes our way. She's truly precious. (^_^)
While all of that was going on, the Aztlanti, supported by Ouranos' forces, assaulted Huehueteotl's realm from the Underworld, keeping Mikaboshi's ally busy and preventing him from lending aid. I don't know how that battle's going, but I imagine things really suck for Huehueteotl about now.
Meanwhile, things in Soku-no-Kumi were much quieter. Still exciting, just not as epic. But before we got underway, while I was still in Erebus' realm, something weird happened. I passed out. I was in my chambers getting psyched for the battle, and next thing I knew I was waking up on the floor. I felt a little weaker…not physically, but spiritually. I have no idea what happened, and Erebus seemed as confused as I was when I asked him about it. I'm a little worried…but I don't have time to look into it any more right now.
When the attack on Takamagahara began, Adam, Elisa, A-Bone, Pierre, Charles and I led an army of giant ants and their morlock riders and other creatures of darkness against Mikaboshi's rear lines. Melanthea sent a few nocturnes to offer their support, but also mournful banshees and beautiful severed heads that scuttled about on spidery legs formed from their long black hair. We fought our way through the caverns of Soku-no-Kumi, destroying the rear guard in the process. We were opposed mostly by stitched-together abominations of flesh and hate and twisted undead nurse things with distorted faces. Large numbers of powerful shinobi flickered from the shadows to strike when we were vulnerable, but of course we are rarely vulnerable, and and some of them fell to my companion's counter-attacks. I was able to annihilate most of the remaining shadow-ninja we encountered with a combination of blazing sunlight and crippling, flesh-devouring disease. Abigail ran interference. Charles, Elisa, Adam, and Pierre, concentrated on the abominations and the undead nurses, and though it wasn't easy, we managed to slay all that stood in our way. Thanks to our efforts, the army was able to break deep into Mikaboshi's rear lines. We left substantial rear guards of our own to defend against counterattacks to our flanks from the numerous connecting caverns we bypassed as we advanced…but I'm hoping that Mikaboshi will be too busy elsewhere to mount an effective counterattack.
Our ultimate objective is Mikaboshi's rear command center. I don't know what awaits us there, but if we can wipe it out, it will leave Mikaboshi's rear lines in disarray. Assuming the forces fighting in Takamagahara are able to inflict enough damage on his front lines (and Ama-no-Zaku turns on him), he'll be forced to retreat, and then we will be able to drive the nails into his coffin.
Those of us in Soku-no-Kumi are nearing the rear command post now. This is it…
[End entry]
The battle against Mikaboshi is underway! At this very moment, the me in Takamagahara is standing boldly by Amaterasu's side as she leads the Amatsukami and the Loa against the invading forces of Soku-no-Kumi. The me in Soku-no-Kumi is fighting alongside my friends at the head of Melanthea and Erebus' army. The me in Yomi is keeping my mother and Miyako updated on the progress of the battle. And the me at Red Mountain…well, who do you think is writing this journal entry?
So, here's how it all went down. First off, Ama-no-Zaku left Huehueteotl's realm to report her "success" in corrupting me and to prepare Mikaboshi's armies to invade Takamagahara as soon as I'd done my part. I felt very bad letting her go alone. She was so lost and vulnerable. She hasn't been truly alone for a long, long time, and desperately needed a friend by her side, but it would have been suspicious for me to remain with her at this crucial time, so we parted ways. In the battle that now rages, she's supposed to turn on Mikaboshi at a crucial moment. I hope she's okay until then.
Anyway, I dismissed my duplicate in Huehueteotl's realm after bidding my host a very courteous farewell, and then the me in Takamagahara made something of a show of drawing Amaterasu into the inner sanctums of Sakukushiro palace so that I could seduce her to the dark side. Not really, of course, but if there were any spies in place, it would certainly seem like I'd tainted Amaterasu at the right time.
Shortly thereafter, A-Bone (a.k.a. Abigail) hit Takamagahara with a reality bending illusion of taint, while one of her copies set up illusions of Ouranos' forces throughout Ehekatoyatl to keep his realms safe while he assisted our attack. With all the pieces in place, my friends and I gathered to await the moment to strike. Meanwhile, I sent Echo to visit Himiko with instructions to ask Himiko to return to Takamagahara when I prayed for her support. If Echo asks, she'll do it, and I'm hoping that her timely arrival will not only show her that Amaterasu is capable and that I'm trustworthy, but will also help Amaterasu accept her back into the Overworld. That would also go a long way toward getting Echo to forgive Amaterasu, which will make Amaterasu happy.
Abigail, Charles, Adam and I all have duplicates active in Takamagahara to support the armies there. We're all also in Soku-no-Kumi along with Elisa and Pierre to lead Melanthea and Erebus' armies. Erebus's forces view me as their queen, and would follow me into the depths of hell if necessary, which is more or less what they're doing. I can feel Erebus' power behind me as we fight our way through Mikaboshi's rear lines, and it's exhilarating!
But, before the battle actually began…before Mikaboshi struck, Amaterasu and I had to deal with the unrest in Takamagahara caused by the sudden and debilitating taint-sickness that had swept through the pantheon. The Amatsukami gathered at Amaterasu's chambers in Sakukushiro Palace and began hurling accusations toward me. Hachiman, though he was not the most vocal, stared with politely restrained fury at me. Only Susano-o stood in my defense, daring any of the rest of the gods to raise a hand against me or Amaterasu. I expected to come under fire for the taint, but it was still unpleasant. (>_<) Nevertheless, Amaterasu and I were able to keep things under control until the alarms sounded, alerting everyone to Mikaboshi's assault.
A massive black cloud opened in the skies of Takamagahara, dimming Amaterasu's radiance as countless beasts of darkness poured through. In the midst of the cloud floated Mikaboshi's mask, and though its expression was as impassive as ever, waves of scorn and expectant triumph poured from it.
It was then that Abigail dropped her illusion and the Amatsukami regained their full strength. The shock and surprise only lasted a few moments, during which time I explained that Mikaboshi had fallen into our trap, and now was our chance to defeat him utterly! Amaterasu rallied the pantheon quickly, and together they moved to respond to the invading forces.
At that moment, another point in the skies of Takamagahara opened and weird funk music poured out of it as a zombie tortoise the size of the the central mountain of Takamagahara emerged. It was decked out with speakers, cannons, blinking Christmas lights, and all manner of gaudy decorations like it had just emerged from Mardi Gras. And in a sense, it had; the tortoise was a mobile fortress carrying our Loa reinforcements. Yay Loa!
But seriously? A zombie tortoise? Baron Samedi does know that death is anathema to Takamagahara, right? I mean, the tortoise is some kind of slain Native American god realm. That much death isn't going to help Takamagahara…it's going to hurt it! And weaken the Amatsukami! There's a reason my dead mother can't come to Takamagahara, and if she's bad news for the place, what the f**k is an undead god realm going to do!? I'm more than a little pissed off about this. I appreciate the Loa's help, but they better bring the pain, 'cause if they don't, their thoughtless grandstanding is going to f**k up my Overworld and weaken MY pantheon. I just hope it's worth it. (>_<) And yes, I know I'm calling the kettle black here, but I have taken pains to ensure that my taint doesn't hurt my pantheon.
Deep breaths, Erika. Deep breaths.
Anyway, the Loa's mobile tortoise fortress plowed into the enemy, and before I knew it, I was in the midst of one of the biggest battles I've ever experienced. A massive strike of lightning dumped Thor, Beowolf, Sif and Tyr into the middle of things too, along with a small horde of berserkers; so yeah Adam's reinforcements showed up to the party. My shikome joined me as my personal guards, slaughtering any titanspawn that got too close (I had hidden them in Kurayashiro prior to Mikaboshi's arrival). They can't normally come to Takamagahara, so it was their one chance to see it, and their taint wasn't going to do any more harm than the presence of Mikaboshi's forces. I'll just send them back after the battle. (^_^) Tabby has remained loyally at my side, ready to defend me with her life no matter what comes our way. She's truly precious. (^_^)
While all of that was going on, the Aztlanti, supported by Ouranos' forces, assaulted Huehueteotl's realm from the Underworld, keeping Mikaboshi's ally busy and preventing him from lending aid. I don't know how that battle's going, but I imagine things really suck for Huehueteotl about now.
Meanwhile, things in Soku-no-Kumi were much quieter. Still exciting, just not as epic. But before we got underway, while I was still in Erebus' realm, something weird happened. I passed out. I was in my chambers getting psyched for the battle, and next thing I knew I was waking up on the floor. I felt a little weaker…not physically, but spiritually. I have no idea what happened, and Erebus seemed as confused as I was when I asked him about it. I'm a little worried…but I don't have time to look into it any more right now.
When the attack on Takamagahara began, Adam, Elisa, A-Bone, Pierre, Charles and I led an army of giant ants and their morlock riders and other creatures of darkness against Mikaboshi's rear lines. Melanthea sent a few nocturnes to offer their support, but also mournful banshees and beautiful severed heads that scuttled about on spidery legs formed from their long black hair. We fought our way through the caverns of Soku-no-Kumi, destroying the rear guard in the process. We were opposed mostly by stitched-together abominations of flesh and hate and twisted undead nurse things with distorted faces. Large numbers of powerful shinobi flickered from the shadows to strike when we were vulnerable, but of course we are rarely vulnerable, and and some of them fell to my companion's counter-attacks. I was able to annihilate most of the remaining shadow-ninja we encountered with a combination of blazing sunlight and crippling, flesh-devouring disease. Abigail ran interference. Charles, Elisa, Adam, and Pierre, concentrated on the abominations and the undead nurses, and though it wasn't easy, we managed to slay all that stood in our way. Thanks to our efforts, the army was able to break deep into Mikaboshi's rear lines. We left substantial rear guards of our own to defend against counterattacks to our flanks from the numerous connecting caverns we bypassed as we advanced…but I'm hoping that Mikaboshi will be too busy elsewhere to mount an effective counterattack.
Our ultimate objective is Mikaboshi's rear command center. I don't know what awaits us there, but if we can wipe it out, it will leave Mikaboshi's rear lines in disarray. Assuming the forces fighting in Takamagahara are able to inflict enough damage on his front lines (and Ama-no-Zaku turns on him), he'll be forced to retreat, and then we will be able to drive the nails into his coffin.
Those of us in Soku-no-Kumi are nearing the rear command post now. This is it…
[End entry]