Sanctus Spiritus
I was surprised to find this bit of story I'd written back in 2011; I thought it was forever lost in one of my PC's many crashes. I do remember the plot I had going for this anime fanfic, but I'm not sure if I'll ever get around to finishing it. Still, I thought I would offer it here as a writing sample:
Sanctus Spiritus
The House of the Holy Spirit
a Tokyo Majin fan fiction
"Vāmāchāra."
"Huh?"
"Do you know what the Left-hand Path is?"
"It's like Black Magic, right?"
"That's right. In some Western cultures, there is a belief those that practice Black Magic are inherently malicious, following the Left-hand Path towards darkness. Or Satan, if you believe in such demons."
"Your clan's tattoo is on your left hand, isn't it?"
There was a slight pause, as if he hadn't expected that reply, and although his back was to her, she could tell he was grinning with amusement. "How astute of you! Although I'm afraid you give me too much credit. It's not as symbolic as all that."
"I wasn't giving you any credit." His grin up-ended. "But you are malicious."
"Am I? I wonder about that."
"So why are you prattling on about Black Magic?"
"Because it's what we do."
She felt as if he were testing her, and she didn't like it. So "Hmm," was all she said.
And she received a snarky chortle in response. "Come now, I thought for certain he would have... " He took a drawn out, silken breath during his pause, signaling to her he was doing anything but choosing his words carefully. "... educated you better than that."
Slighted, she huffed back, "You mean chaos as a power?"
"Ah, so he has taught you some worthwhile things."
"What is that suppose to mean?" she grumbled in vexation.
"Merely that you behave so lovey-dovey, I wonder what exactly he hired you for." She felt heat rise to her cheeks in embarrassment, just as her indignation lit the fire behind her eyes. But before it could grow into a true flame of vengeful power, he asked levelly, "And what is it he's taught you?"
Feeling her powers settle, and rising to the taunting challenge, she replied with much pride, "He said that we can draw energy from the disruption of society."
"It's more than just disruption. True power comes from full out destruction."
Countering sardonically: "Then why have we been doing these little things?"
"Oh, it's true that every small act of villainy causes the rise of Chaos Magic. A jealous lover bent on revenge, a random burglary, some teenaged princess getting raped, or a businessman getting mugged - it all spawns chaos. And it will all break the Dragon Vein someday."
"I don't think 'someday' is good enough for him."
"Nor I. But I'm not in this for Chaos."
She stopped mid-step, noting the hint of selfish greed in his voice. She was finally overwhelmed by frustration over the current situation, the seemingly random - and pointless - dialogue; and she asked with a harsh pout, "So what are we doing here then?"
Never breaking his sure stride, he gazed back at her over his shoulder, wearing an all-knowing smirk. Tipping his chin, he purred a drawn out Hhmmph sound, as if daring her to guess at his plans. She arched a brow in suspicion, thoroughly unhappy with the lack of response from the devilish young man. Obviously pleased with himself, as if he'd gotten the upper hand, he blinked in a languid, haughty fashion and turned away.
"Kodzunu?" She stubbornly planted her feet in the soft ground, even though she knew he would continue on without her; any threat or ultimatum she made was useless, and that made her even more irritated. "You are malicious," she mumbled under her breath. "And you do bear watching." The black cat in her arms rumbled a growl in agreement.
Heaving a sigh in resignation, Marie Claire plodded after him. Like a sulking child, she decided to give him the silent treatment after that - not that it mattered much. Claire knew he'd rather be left to himself; Tendou Kodzunu only spoke to push her buttons. Sticking her lips out in a pout, she finally turned to purvey their surroundings, still wondering why they were here.
Here, of all places, in the forested mountains outside of Tokyo Metropolitan. All around them were nothing but sloping hills, rising towers of rocks and cliff-sides, and trees - more blah trees than anything else, she listlessly noted. Most were overcome by age and elements, their bark a weathered grey and peeling, like slackened human skin; and though they stood tall on hardy trunks, many branches lay littered at their feet, with even more finer limbs above threatening to snap like frail bones with the constant of pressures. It was almost like an eerie sort of reminder to her of how short time, and life, really was.
Towering over tangled thickets, the horde of trees also blocked out any sunlight that tried to find the earth, and even had the early morning not been overcast with warning signs of rain, Claire knew it would forever look dark beneath the canopy of leaves. The weeds that managed to grow underneath were aggressive, and seemed to be attacking the bases of all the trees: climbing, twisting, choking.
Despite the bleak light, it was warm and humid in the forest, the trees hugging the air so closely the moisture had no way to escape to the atmosphere. The mountains were shrouded in a fine mist, and the loose soil under her boots was covered in thick layers of moss; the rocks shone with an oily sort of wetness, and Marie Claire shuddered to think there were all sorts of creepy-crawly bugs living under them. She suddenly wished she didn't wear a dress.
She wasn't exactly sure where this place was located, but it was definitely far from any of the urban locations and activity she was used to. Born and raised (and imprisoned) a city girl, Marie Claire felt out of her element. It was very inconvenient, and if she hadn't been asked to accompany Tendou Kodzunu, she would never have followed him here.
Claire glowered at him once more as she slid on the slick ground, gravity reaching to bring her all the way down as their way quickly began descending. Mephisto the cat squirmed in her arms uncomfortably. She hadn't seen a path of any manner, but Kodzunu seemed to know precisely where he was going, his own pace unfaltering and unhurried.
Just when she was about to whine of her dispirited loathing for Mother Nature, Kodzunu stopped cautiously; he held up a hand to signal her to do the same. Aggravated, and actually curious, Marie Claire sidled up to the boy.
They were on a ridge of granite, and beyond the drop, buried deep in the shelter of the forest, lay a small home shrine. They were not exactly high above, but still peering down so as to see the gabled rooftops with the proclaiming finials. Claire could tell from the integral placement of several ume trees this was a Tenman-gu. On the other side of the compound, she could see a small creek flowing, and following it with her eyes brought her gaze to something she thought suspicious.
"The torii is over there," she said, pointing to the main gate in the very opposite direction. She had a fleeting moment of hope, thinking an honest-to-goodness road lay beyond the entrance.
"We're not going in through the front door," Kodzunu said darkly. His countenance swiftly turned wicked. He bared his teeth in an odd sort of a smile, draping an arm over one of his sheathed axes as he gazed down on the buildings.
Marie Claire clucked her tongue in disapproval and sighed. "Why are we sneaking into a Tenjin shrine?" she questioned with condemnation.
For a time, she thought he wouldn't answer her, his eyes so focused on the destination ahead. Propping a foot on top a stone, the semblance of some noble figure, Kodzunu finally turned to her, lifting an index finger to his lips. When she gave him yet another angry look, he whispered, "We're simply following the Left-hand Path."
A rumble of distant thunder announced the dark clouds above were preparing to become a full-blown storm, and Claire jumped. She looked skyward, then back to the older boy, but Kodzunu wasn't concerned about the forthcoming rain. Nor did he seem interested in moving off just yet. She opened her mouth to tell him to hurry because she didn't want to get wet, but recalled his order to stay silent, so she closed her mouth and pouted instead. She watched and waited, albeit less patiently than he.
She jumped again when Kodzunu suddenly raised his hand, as if beckoning someone closer. Claire stared at him in bafflement, then understood as a demon-designed Noh mask materialized from the air before him. Golden-thread tassels hung from the stilted cheekbones of the Kidou-shuu messenger, and they swayed subtly as it bowed to the Kodzunu heir.
"Tendou-sama," it greeted in a sexless, vacant voice.
Marie Claire hated those things, the hollow spirits that deftly followed the teenage boy's every whim. Most of the time she never knew they were around, their presence the sole property of Tendou Kodzunu; but Mephisto always knew, and as always, he hissed violently at the hovering mask.
"You know what I want," Kodzunu said in a hushed tone. "Find it."
Needing no other words, the mask disappeared in a haze of smoke, which dissipated just as swiftly in the increasing winds from the approaching storm.
Kodzunu turned back to Marie Claire, his lips pulling at the corners in excitement. But his eyes were shining with something more than just emotion. Then his anxious smile widened, and to Claire he looked frightening, almost crazy. He waved her onward, then vanished into an alternate plane, no longer taking the time to travel the mundane realm by foot. Her brows furrowed together as she continued to follow him, although this time she kept her distance for an altogether different reason.
They reemerged just on the outskirts of the compound. As the ground beneath their feet leveled out, the number of trees began to lessen dramatically, as if the army of the forest respectfully kept their distance from the house of the kami.
Claire never knew much about Tendou Kodzunu, and she always wondered why she was forced to be considered an ally of his. Today, she thought, she might witness some answers. Drawing nearer to the buildings, shadowed in the hollow of the mountains, Mephisto's soft furry body tensed in her grip, and he began humming a warning growl. Hugging the cat closer curiously, Marie Claire raised her face to Kodzunu to advise him of Mephisto's instinctive alert - but saw the young man was already attentive; his spine had stiffened and he tilted his head as if listening.
Then he shook his head, almost in amused disapproval, and said, "Say, Claire, what do you know about Blood Magic?"
She did not like the way in which he spoke, the personally threatening tone of the word: Blood. She took an involuntary step backwards, wondering if she ought to throw Mephisto at him to scratch out his eyes. Kodzunu expectantly looked back at her, then rasped a chuckle, understanding the fearful look on her face.
"Oh, don't worry," he said. "Not your blood. But I wasn't speaking in general, either."
Marie Claire watched, slightly stunned, as he removed one of his short-handled axes, and with a fierce expression, drew the razor-sharp blade across his palm. Quickly, he cupped his hand around the gushing wound, cradling the blood as if it were something fragile. Thunder resounded, louder now - it was getting closer.
"Time to go inside," Kodzunu announced.
Immediately his stance firmed, and he pulled back the arm with his bleeding hand as if preparing to throw a punch. As his fist heaved forward, it struck the air like some invisible force blocked him. And Claire finally understood what had attracted both the boy and the cat's attention. It was a spiritual barrier, set up around the entire perimeter of the shrine to keep out evil. And that's what he is, she thought surely as she watched. Evil.
On impact, Tendou Kodzunu opened his hand to allow his free-flowing blood to smatter the barrier, giving them a glimpse of the enforced wall as the redness splattered and stained; Marie Claire wrinkled her nose in disgust. Faded light welled around Kodzunu's reaching hand, and as his blood - blood of a clan whose power stemmed from the Dark Arts - soaked through the force-field, he was able to sink his fingers in, until finally he closed them around the entire spell. Violet light crackled around his hand like volts of electricity as the two warring powers merged. Clutching the weakened area in his grasp, he tore it away as easily as ripping a sheet off a bed; the spell shattered like part of a wall falling down, allowing them entrance into the shrine.
"Heh!" Kodzunu scoffed with pride; Claire's eyes went round in un-admitted awe.
Both set off quickly into the grounds, knowing that just as fast as they had gained access, those within the shrine would have gotten warning. Although he moved swiftly, Claire could tell that Kodzunu's pace was due to his excitement rather than need or worry. Hers was vaguely out of concern, but more so out of fascination; she felt like an onlooker, as if she weren't in any real danger.
Still, danger would find them soon enough, and she was curious to find what form it would take.
As they came onto the primary walk, finally finding solid, paved ground to tread upon, Marie Claire gazed up to the ornamental plum trees that were dancing wildly in the storm's winds. She saw a smaller shrine guarded by a pair of Shishi cast in marbled stone, and thought that Kodzunu would go there, knowing the Lion Dogs were protecting something important. And though he looked at it, it was but a fleeting glance. His eyes shifted around the rest of the property, for a time staring at the main hall. Finally, he shook his head.
Kodzunu seemed to forget about Claire's presence as he moved off to the main hall, and his stride seemed almost angry. Maybe whatever he's looking for isn't here, Marie Claire thought with some humor. The self-righteous amusement died instantly when the energy around the main hall shifted, throwing a wall of power up to block them. It struck the intruders like an electrical shock, and Claire cried out, as did Mephisto in her clutches.
Kodzunu stopped but did not fall back. The pop of power seemed not to faze him, save for the instinctive squint of his eyes, the only show he felt the uncomfortable effects. When the energy ceased, they both knew it was not a shield, but a reflection spell cast by someone inside. Claire suddenly felt anxious now that she knew they were spotted.
Kodzunu draped his arms on the handles of his own weapons that sat at the ready. "Good afternoon," he said loudly for their assailant to hear, ever the voice of haughty royalty.
When footsteps echoed from the belly of the main hall, Claire moved closer to Kodzunu's back; she wasn't here of her own volition, and wasn't about to die for someone else's cause. However, she was yet curious, and her interest kept her from leaving Kodzunu to fight his own fights.
Now both watched as a young man came onto the landing outside the hall, a pole-arm in his right hand, its blade trained to the floor. He was dressed simply, neither monk nor household servant, but with a headband holding a sway of black hair from his hard gaze, and leather gauntlets keeping his sleeves back and arms shielded. It was clear this was a warrior, born and bred, constantly ready to do battle.
Tendou Kodzunu smirked in greeting. "Ah, Moribito, huh?"
Claire's eyes widened slightly, knowing that if this young man were the shrine's spiritual Guardian, they would both be in for trouble. Not only would the Moribito gallantly fight to the death to protect, but she herself had never been tested against another with similar skills and powers. At least not yet. Marie Claire felt a twinge of panic grip her chest. Now she might have to rely on Kodzunu, who seemed deftly confident under the strict gaze of the Guardian.
Suddenly the Moribito spoke, his nondescript voice softly echoing. "You're the one who broke the barrier outside." It was not a question, the hard statement emphasized by his raising the spearhead on the pole skyward, while he pounded the hammer-end on the ground; there was a loud, hollow thump as it struck the wooden porch. "Neither of you are welcome here."
"I appreciate the warning," Kodzunu growled mockingly, "but I'm not leaving just yet."
The teenage boy of the Demon's Way brought his wounded hand to his lips and licked a small amount of his own blood without hesitation. Then he spat it out onto the ground before him. It hissed violently as it struck the gravel, a rivulet of steam coming off the earth. And with it came Raikaku.
The Kidou-shuu Horns were still transparent in the earthly plane, their spirits not yet fully revived and as yet unable to be seen by mere human eyes. Claire herself only saw the Lightning Horn's outline, aside from its own mask, though it was less dramatic than the messenger's Noh face. She didn't know much else about them, except they were the ultimate embodiments of Tendou Kodzunu's Gehou.
The Moribito made an angry, strangled sound as he sensed the evil powers conjured forth. He swung the spear so the point was aimed forward, at Kodzunu, and he leaped into the grounds, ready to defend his keep.
Backing away quickly, Claire saw Tendou Kodzunu actually smile with anticipation. He drew forth both blades and took a fighting stance.
"Go," Kodzunu ordered Raikaku, whose spirit sunk into the earth and disappeared, just as the Moribito's feet found purchase before Kodzunu. Both swung their weapons. Now the battle began in earnest.
Their blades met with a metallic clang, Kodzunu pressing both his axes inwards, excited to kill. Marie Claire balked when Mephisto meowed angrily at the two young men, and she watched in a sort of panicked fascination. She knew if Kodzunu fell, she would no longer be merely an onlooker; the Moribito's blame would aim for her next. Although the true warrior fight was new to her, and beguiling to her schoolgirl mind, she felt her self-control begin to dissolve into terror at the prospect of being the opponent. What would she do? How would she fight?
Raikaku suddenly resurfaced from the ground, now behind the battle. It's mask was gazing hard on the Guardian, a demonic shadow and mirthless visage waiting for a command. If Kodzunu took notice of it, he made no show.
...
Sanctus Spiritus
The House of the Holy Spirit
a Tokyo Majin fan fiction
"Vāmāchāra."
"Huh?"
"Do you know what the Left-hand Path is?"
"It's like Black Magic, right?"
"That's right. In some Western cultures, there is a belief those that practice Black Magic are inherently malicious, following the Left-hand Path towards darkness. Or Satan, if you believe in such demons."
"Your clan's tattoo is on your left hand, isn't it?"
There was a slight pause, as if he hadn't expected that reply, and although his back was to her, she could tell he was grinning with amusement. "How astute of you! Although I'm afraid you give me too much credit. It's not as symbolic as all that."
"I wasn't giving you any credit." His grin up-ended. "But you are malicious."
"Am I? I wonder about that."
"So why are you prattling on about Black Magic?"
"Because it's what we do."
She felt as if he were testing her, and she didn't like it. So "Hmm," was all she said.
And she received a snarky chortle in response. "Come now, I thought for certain he would have... " He took a drawn out, silken breath during his pause, signaling to her he was doing anything but choosing his words carefully. "... educated you better than that."
Slighted, she huffed back, "You mean chaos as a power?"
"Ah, so he has taught you some worthwhile things."
"What is that suppose to mean?" she grumbled in vexation.
"Merely that you behave so lovey-dovey, I wonder what exactly he hired you for." She felt heat rise to her cheeks in embarrassment, just as her indignation lit the fire behind her eyes. But before it could grow into a true flame of vengeful power, he asked levelly, "And what is it he's taught you?"
Feeling her powers settle, and rising to the taunting challenge, she replied with much pride, "He said that we can draw energy from the disruption of society."
"It's more than just disruption. True power comes from full out destruction."
Countering sardonically: "Then why have we been doing these little things?"
"Oh, it's true that every small act of villainy causes the rise of Chaos Magic. A jealous lover bent on revenge, a random burglary, some teenaged princess getting raped, or a businessman getting mugged - it all spawns chaos. And it will all break the Dragon Vein someday."
"I don't think 'someday' is good enough for him."
"Nor I. But I'm not in this for Chaos."
She stopped mid-step, noting the hint of selfish greed in his voice. She was finally overwhelmed by frustration over the current situation, the seemingly random - and pointless - dialogue; and she asked with a harsh pout, "So what are we doing here then?"
Never breaking his sure stride, he gazed back at her over his shoulder, wearing an all-knowing smirk. Tipping his chin, he purred a drawn out Hhmmph sound, as if daring her to guess at his plans. She arched a brow in suspicion, thoroughly unhappy with the lack of response from the devilish young man. Obviously pleased with himself, as if he'd gotten the upper hand, he blinked in a languid, haughty fashion and turned away.
"Kodzunu?" She stubbornly planted her feet in the soft ground, even though she knew he would continue on without her; any threat or ultimatum she made was useless, and that made her even more irritated. "You are malicious," she mumbled under her breath. "And you do bear watching." The black cat in her arms rumbled a growl in agreement.
Heaving a sigh in resignation, Marie Claire plodded after him. Like a sulking child, she decided to give him the silent treatment after that - not that it mattered much. Claire knew he'd rather be left to himself; Tendou Kodzunu only spoke to push her buttons. Sticking her lips out in a pout, she finally turned to purvey their surroundings, still wondering why they were here.
Here, of all places, in the forested mountains outside of Tokyo Metropolitan. All around them were nothing but sloping hills, rising towers of rocks and cliff-sides, and trees - more blah trees than anything else, she listlessly noted. Most were overcome by age and elements, their bark a weathered grey and peeling, like slackened human skin; and though they stood tall on hardy trunks, many branches lay littered at their feet, with even more finer limbs above threatening to snap like frail bones with the constant of pressures. It was almost like an eerie sort of reminder to her of how short time, and life, really was.
Towering over tangled thickets, the horde of trees also blocked out any sunlight that tried to find the earth, and even had the early morning not been overcast with warning signs of rain, Claire knew it would forever look dark beneath the canopy of leaves. The weeds that managed to grow underneath were aggressive, and seemed to be attacking the bases of all the trees: climbing, twisting, choking.
Despite the bleak light, it was warm and humid in the forest, the trees hugging the air so closely the moisture had no way to escape to the atmosphere. The mountains were shrouded in a fine mist, and the loose soil under her boots was covered in thick layers of moss; the rocks shone with an oily sort of wetness, and Marie Claire shuddered to think there were all sorts of creepy-crawly bugs living under them. She suddenly wished she didn't wear a dress.
She wasn't exactly sure where this place was located, but it was definitely far from any of the urban locations and activity she was used to. Born and raised (and imprisoned) a city girl, Marie Claire felt out of her element. It was very inconvenient, and if she hadn't been asked to accompany Tendou Kodzunu, she would never have followed him here.
Claire glowered at him once more as she slid on the slick ground, gravity reaching to bring her all the way down as their way quickly began descending. Mephisto the cat squirmed in her arms uncomfortably. She hadn't seen a path of any manner, but Kodzunu seemed to know precisely where he was going, his own pace unfaltering and unhurried.
Just when she was about to whine of her dispirited loathing for Mother Nature, Kodzunu stopped cautiously; he held up a hand to signal her to do the same. Aggravated, and actually curious, Marie Claire sidled up to the boy.
They were on a ridge of granite, and beyond the drop, buried deep in the shelter of the forest, lay a small home shrine. They were not exactly high above, but still peering down so as to see the gabled rooftops with the proclaiming finials. Claire could tell from the integral placement of several ume trees this was a Tenman-gu. On the other side of the compound, she could see a small creek flowing, and following it with her eyes brought her gaze to something she thought suspicious.
"The torii is over there," she said, pointing to the main gate in the very opposite direction. She had a fleeting moment of hope, thinking an honest-to-goodness road lay beyond the entrance.
"We're not going in through the front door," Kodzunu said darkly. His countenance swiftly turned wicked. He bared his teeth in an odd sort of a smile, draping an arm over one of his sheathed axes as he gazed down on the buildings.
Marie Claire clucked her tongue in disapproval and sighed. "Why are we sneaking into a Tenjin shrine?" she questioned with condemnation.
For a time, she thought he wouldn't answer her, his eyes so focused on the destination ahead. Propping a foot on top a stone, the semblance of some noble figure, Kodzunu finally turned to her, lifting an index finger to his lips. When she gave him yet another angry look, he whispered, "We're simply following the Left-hand Path."
A rumble of distant thunder announced the dark clouds above were preparing to become a full-blown storm, and Claire jumped. She looked skyward, then back to the older boy, but Kodzunu wasn't concerned about the forthcoming rain. Nor did he seem interested in moving off just yet. She opened her mouth to tell him to hurry because she didn't want to get wet, but recalled his order to stay silent, so she closed her mouth and pouted instead. She watched and waited, albeit less patiently than he.
She jumped again when Kodzunu suddenly raised his hand, as if beckoning someone closer. Claire stared at him in bafflement, then understood as a demon-designed Noh mask materialized from the air before him. Golden-thread tassels hung from the stilted cheekbones of the Kidou-shuu messenger, and they swayed subtly as it bowed to the Kodzunu heir.
"Tendou-sama," it greeted in a sexless, vacant voice.
Marie Claire hated those things, the hollow spirits that deftly followed the teenage boy's every whim. Most of the time she never knew they were around, their presence the sole property of Tendou Kodzunu; but Mephisto always knew, and as always, he hissed violently at the hovering mask.
"You know what I want," Kodzunu said in a hushed tone. "Find it."
Needing no other words, the mask disappeared in a haze of smoke, which dissipated just as swiftly in the increasing winds from the approaching storm.
Kodzunu turned back to Marie Claire, his lips pulling at the corners in excitement. But his eyes were shining with something more than just emotion. Then his anxious smile widened, and to Claire he looked frightening, almost crazy. He waved her onward, then vanished into an alternate plane, no longer taking the time to travel the mundane realm by foot. Her brows furrowed together as she continued to follow him, although this time she kept her distance for an altogether different reason.
They reemerged just on the outskirts of the compound. As the ground beneath their feet leveled out, the number of trees began to lessen dramatically, as if the army of the forest respectfully kept their distance from the house of the kami.
Claire never knew much about Tendou Kodzunu, and she always wondered why she was forced to be considered an ally of his. Today, she thought, she might witness some answers. Drawing nearer to the buildings, shadowed in the hollow of the mountains, Mephisto's soft furry body tensed in her grip, and he began humming a warning growl. Hugging the cat closer curiously, Marie Claire raised her face to Kodzunu to advise him of Mephisto's instinctive alert - but saw the young man was already attentive; his spine had stiffened and he tilted his head as if listening.
Then he shook his head, almost in amused disapproval, and said, "Say, Claire, what do you know about Blood Magic?"
She did not like the way in which he spoke, the personally threatening tone of the word: Blood. She took an involuntary step backwards, wondering if she ought to throw Mephisto at him to scratch out his eyes. Kodzunu expectantly looked back at her, then rasped a chuckle, understanding the fearful look on her face.
"Oh, don't worry," he said. "Not your blood. But I wasn't speaking in general, either."
Marie Claire watched, slightly stunned, as he removed one of his short-handled axes, and with a fierce expression, drew the razor-sharp blade across his palm. Quickly, he cupped his hand around the gushing wound, cradling the blood as if it were something fragile. Thunder resounded, louder now - it was getting closer.
"Time to go inside," Kodzunu announced.
Immediately his stance firmed, and he pulled back the arm with his bleeding hand as if preparing to throw a punch. As his fist heaved forward, it struck the air like some invisible force blocked him. And Claire finally understood what had attracted both the boy and the cat's attention. It was a spiritual barrier, set up around the entire perimeter of the shrine to keep out evil. And that's what he is, she thought surely as she watched. Evil.
On impact, Tendou Kodzunu opened his hand to allow his free-flowing blood to smatter the barrier, giving them a glimpse of the enforced wall as the redness splattered and stained; Marie Claire wrinkled her nose in disgust. Faded light welled around Kodzunu's reaching hand, and as his blood - blood of a clan whose power stemmed from the Dark Arts - soaked through the force-field, he was able to sink his fingers in, until finally he closed them around the entire spell. Violet light crackled around his hand like volts of electricity as the two warring powers merged. Clutching the weakened area in his grasp, he tore it away as easily as ripping a sheet off a bed; the spell shattered like part of a wall falling down, allowing them entrance into the shrine.
"Heh!" Kodzunu scoffed with pride; Claire's eyes went round in un-admitted awe.
Both set off quickly into the grounds, knowing that just as fast as they had gained access, those within the shrine would have gotten warning. Although he moved swiftly, Claire could tell that Kodzunu's pace was due to his excitement rather than need or worry. Hers was vaguely out of concern, but more so out of fascination; she felt like an onlooker, as if she weren't in any real danger.
Still, danger would find them soon enough, and she was curious to find what form it would take.
As they came onto the primary walk, finally finding solid, paved ground to tread upon, Marie Claire gazed up to the ornamental plum trees that were dancing wildly in the storm's winds. She saw a smaller shrine guarded by a pair of Shishi cast in marbled stone, and thought that Kodzunu would go there, knowing the Lion Dogs were protecting something important. And though he looked at it, it was but a fleeting glance. His eyes shifted around the rest of the property, for a time staring at the main hall. Finally, he shook his head.
Kodzunu seemed to forget about Claire's presence as he moved off to the main hall, and his stride seemed almost angry. Maybe whatever he's looking for isn't here, Marie Claire thought with some humor. The self-righteous amusement died instantly when the energy around the main hall shifted, throwing a wall of power up to block them. It struck the intruders like an electrical shock, and Claire cried out, as did Mephisto in her clutches.
Kodzunu stopped but did not fall back. The pop of power seemed not to faze him, save for the instinctive squint of his eyes, the only show he felt the uncomfortable effects. When the energy ceased, they both knew it was not a shield, but a reflection spell cast by someone inside. Claire suddenly felt anxious now that she knew they were spotted.
Kodzunu draped his arms on the handles of his own weapons that sat at the ready. "Good afternoon," he said loudly for their assailant to hear, ever the voice of haughty royalty.
When footsteps echoed from the belly of the main hall, Claire moved closer to Kodzunu's back; she wasn't here of her own volition, and wasn't about to die for someone else's cause. However, she was yet curious, and her interest kept her from leaving Kodzunu to fight his own fights.
Now both watched as a young man came onto the landing outside the hall, a pole-arm in his right hand, its blade trained to the floor. He was dressed simply, neither monk nor household servant, but with a headband holding a sway of black hair from his hard gaze, and leather gauntlets keeping his sleeves back and arms shielded. It was clear this was a warrior, born and bred, constantly ready to do battle.
Tendou Kodzunu smirked in greeting. "Ah, Moribito, huh?"
Claire's eyes widened slightly, knowing that if this young man were the shrine's spiritual Guardian, they would both be in for trouble. Not only would the Moribito gallantly fight to the death to protect, but she herself had never been tested against another with similar skills and powers. At least not yet. Marie Claire felt a twinge of panic grip her chest. Now she might have to rely on Kodzunu, who seemed deftly confident under the strict gaze of the Guardian.
Suddenly the Moribito spoke, his nondescript voice softly echoing. "You're the one who broke the barrier outside." It was not a question, the hard statement emphasized by his raising the spearhead on the pole skyward, while he pounded the hammer-end on the ground; there was a loud, hollow thump as it struck the wooden porch. "Neither of you are welcome here."
"I appreciate the warning," Kodzunu growled mockingly, "but I'm not leaving just yet."
The teenage boy of the Demon's Way brought his wounded hand to his lips and licked a small amount of his own blood without hesitation. Then he spat it out onto the ground before him. It hissed violently as it struck the gravel, a rivulet of steam coming off the earth. And with it came Raikaku.
The Kidou-shuu Horns were still transparent in the earthly plane, their spirits not yet fully revived and as yet unable to be seen by mere human eyes. Claire herself only saw the Lightning Horn's outline, aside from its own mask, though it was less dramatic than the messenger's Noh face. She didn't know much else about them, except they were the ultimate embodiments of Tendou Kodzunu's Gehou.
The Moribito made an angry, strangled sound as he sensed the evil powers conjured forth. He swung the spear so the point was aimed forward, at Kodzunu, and he leaped into the grounds, ready to defend his keep.
Backing away quickly, Claire saw Tendou Kodzunu actually smile with anticipation. He drew forth both blades and took a fighting stance.
"Go," Kodzunu ordered Raikaku, whose spirit sunk into the earth and disappeared, just as the Moribito's feet found purchase before Kodzunu. Both swung their weapons. Now the battle began in earnest.
Their blades met with a metallic clang, Kodzunu pressing both his axes inwards, excited to kill. Marie Claire balked when Mephisto meowed angrily at the two young men, and she watched in a sort of panicked fascination. She knew if Kodzunu fell, she would no longer be merely an onlooker; the Moribito's blame would aim for her next. Although the true warrior fight was new to her, and beguiling to her schoolgirl mind, she felt her self-control begin to dissolve into terror at the prospect of being the opponent. What would she do? How would she fight?
Raikaku suddenly resurfaced from the ground, now behind the battle. It's mask was gazing hard on the Guardian, a demonic shadow and mirthless visage waiting for a command. If Kodzunu took notice of it, he made no show.
...