1st Cut String | [Action/Video]

[stringless_doll]

[The video starts with a little boy sitting by a tree. He turns away from the book as if he doesn't realize it's done anything interesting, withdrawing his arm gingerly wrap it around his knees. He's soaked to the bone and shivering slightly, and there are pinkish bandages wrapped around his right shoulder. Oddly enough, his visible arm and torso

Comments

[screwthegods]

[Homura closes his journal as soon as the new video starts to play. He knows this fellow god, not personally, but by name and reputation. Nataku is a legend among the Heavens, even five-hundred years after his time, and Homura immediately teleports himself into the forest to find him. He's not far from where the other Taishi is resting, but he still gives himself time to recover from the exertion of power before he approaches. A good thing too, since his presence is detected shortly after his arrival.]

I suppose I shouldn't have expected any less from a Toushin Taishi.

[Once discovered, Homura steps into the open, arms folded casually in front of him. He smiles at the boy, but says nothing else, wanting to judge how Nataku reacts.]

[stringless_doll]

[He frowns a little. He hadn't sensed anyone at all, and he'd certainly tried, so either this man is good at hiding his presence or... it was something else. He's still weak from his injuries, and for some reason his back aches more than his shoulder. Maybe he's done more damage than he realized. It makes him weary.

Still, there's no venom in the words and one of the man's eyes are golden in color. He shrugs minutely, and while he doesn't return the smile, his tone isn't unkind.] You weren't really being sneaky. I'm Nataku. I don't think I've seen you before.

[screwthegods]

Fair enough. And no, you haven't.

[The injury to the shoulder gives Homura knowledge of Nataku's time, which in this case will make the conversation to come easier, to an extent. Getting Nataku to believe what he says will be a more difficult task.]

I am Homura, or rather, Toushin Homura Taishi--the successor to Toushin Nataku Taishi.

[stringless_doll]

[His eyes widen a fraction. This isn't something anyone would lie about, least of all to him, but there aren't any others who can take his place, as far as he knows. Only Goku. And if Homura succeed him, then Goku must be unable to, or unwilling. Goku becoming the Toushin Taishi isn't something that he wants, ever, but there aren't many ways to say no to the gods, or places to go once you do.

A cold sense of dread settles over him. If this is true, he has to ask what happened to Goku.

He's almost unaware of calling his sword until the weight of it settles in his hand. His face is expressionless now. A burst of speed closes the distance between them, but he's slower than he should be even holding back, and his range of movement is hampered by pain and injury. He aims a slash at Homura's chest, and though he's only testing he'll still cause serious injury if this man is anything less than he says.]

[screwthegods]

[Homura understands the moment he sees the sword materialize in Nataku's hand, his own quickly finding the hilt he keeps at his side. There is barely enough time to summon the blade, white-hot and burning, but Homura is indeed what he has claimed. He raises the sword to block Nataku's strike, calmly looking past where their blades meet to catch the eye of his now opponent.]

What do you hope to accomplish with such a weak strike?

[Because Homura knows Nataku is holding back. They're both warriors even if neither had chosen to be, and Homura can read Nataku's movements easily. Of course, pushing the other god is a dangerous game with the power-restraining manacles still in place. Yet the advantage of size falls in Homura's favor, along with balance; Nataku likely has yet to adjust to his new wings. Summoning his strength to make use of that, Homura pushes forward with his sword, intending to force Nataku away.]

[stringless_doll]

[The heat from Homura's sword dispels some of the chill as they clash. It's an odd thing to notice in the middle of a fight, but right now it's hardly a fight at all. He meets the man's eyes calmly, trying to keep the uncertainty out of his expression. He doesn't know where he is, or why he feels so weak and unbalanced,  or why he's awake so soon after... And now this stranger may be telling him Goku is gone, and Nataku himself was simply replaced. His father wouldn't have tolerated that, but questions about his fate are difficult for other reasons. He let's the fight distract him instead.]

I didn't want to kill you by accident.

[He plants his heels but the ground is slick from rain, and Homura is larger than him if not stronger. He slides back from the force, nearly falling as he shifts into a crouch to stop he momentum. Huh. His back hurts because there's something there, but he can look at it later and account for it now

[screwthegods]

Don't worry, Nataku. [Homura's grin widens as he speaks.] You won't kill me.

[Despite his words, however, Homura struggles to raise his sword in time to counter the second blow. The hesitation that previously slows Nataku's blade has vanished completely, and Homura finds himself pressed to keep up with the next assault. He manages, if just, the tip of Nataku's blade slicing into his left arm as Homura parries.

The injury doesn't stop the demi-god, however. With Nataku's sword pushed aside, Homura uses his own momentum as he attempts to drive his knee into Nataku's side.]

[stringless_doll]

Good.

[Nataku doesn't boast, and he expects Homura to know better than to try it. If he knows his name, he must know his reputation as well, and he will give the man credit for being able to judge his own strength. He genuinely hopes Homura's confidence isn't unfounded.

Nataku releases the sword with one hand, twisting to catch Homura's upraised knee in his palm. If he can get a grip he'll hold Homura in place while he brings his sword back for another quick slash. At this range, all he needs is to be quick enough.]

[screwthegods]

[Homura knows he's caught the moment he feels the impact of Nataku's hand, unable to escape or avoid the coming blow. Nataku's sheer speed is too much, and the blade slices into his skin, dangerously close to vital organs just beneath his ribs. Homura recoils defensively, shifting his weight to fall back as much as he can while still captured, gripping his side after the blow is dealt.

Yet there is no panic in his eyes, even as he falls down on one knee. No, Homura still grins, even laughs quietly at some silent thought as blood flows hot against his palm.]

[stringless_doll]

[As he steps back, Nataku flicks the blood from the blade in a reflexive motion, but it remains in his hand.]

This isn't your full potential. [He sounds irritated, even vaguely insulted.]

[screwthegods]

You're correct. [Homura pushes the tip of his sword into the ground, using it as a brace as he lifts himself to his feet. If Nataku truly wishes to see his power, Homura will display it, his fingers moving to the metal cuffs on his wrists. It takes little more than a touch to send the chain rattling to the ground, and with its release, Homura's power surges in the form of burning light surrounding his body.]

I apologize. I'll fight you in earnest now. [Once again taking hold of his sword, Homura pushes the pain of his wound from his mind. The light vanishes with an outsurge of power as he flies at Nataku, striking at his chest.]

[stringless_doll]

[Nataku nods silently. He wants to say he should have done so from the start, but he held back on his first strike, so he can't really scold Homura for doing the same. There's no time for it, anyway.

He grips his sword in both hands again, but he doesn't meet Homura's strike when it comes. He twists out of the way, but Homura is much faster now, so instead of trying to turn his sword he brings the hilt of it toward the wound in the man's stomach, using his forward momentum against him. He's peripherally aware of a shallow cut in his shoulder where Homura's blade caught him, but the pain is immaterial and the burn will cauterize the wound.]

[screwthegods]

[Even feeling his blade cut into Nataku's flesh doesn't give Homura reason to pause; in battle against a powerful opponent, small cuts meant nothing on their own. To be satisfied with landing a slight blow would be to invite defeat, and the demi-god knows he has to prove the truth of his words to Nataku by means of his sword. When he sees the hilt coming at him, Homura vanishes from sight; the freedom from chains combined with the short distance allows him to use his powers without the immediate repercussion of fatigue and dizziness. Reappearing behind Nataku almost in the same instant, he kicks out at the boy's back, meaning to send him flying forward.]

[stringless_doll]

[Homura is there and gone in less than the space of a second. His kick connects, sending Nataku staggering, but he rights himself in time to bring his sword up to the other Prince's throat.]

[screwthegods]

[Homura's after Nataku the moment he falls, bringing his blade up to his predecessor's neck as Nataku does the same. Homura is forced to stop then, in a perfect stalemate with his fellow Taishi. It's a situation he can say he's honestly never experienced before, and the demi-god laughs even as he keeps his sword in place.]

Are you satisfied, Nataku-Taishi? There's much I need to discuss with you.

[stringless_doll]

[He's more than satisfied. In a way, he's known from the start, but knowing and accepting aren't the same thing.] Does this mean I have to call you Homura-Taishi?

[It's a strange concept. There's only ever one Toushin Taishi. He's the first to lower his sword, allowing it to vanish from his grasp. Among other things, the fight has cleared his head.] That's really formal. Just call me Nataku, ok? [But Homura's right. There's a lot to discuss about the heavens and.... wherever they are now.]