File: Ryuu Hauko grown.png (1.74 MB, 1280x1024)

1.74 MB PNG

>>36779674
Still, he's not doing too much better than you are. True, he's attained his final form and taken on the power of his Fire Heart, complete with black and violet flames and the massive shape of a true oni, but he's also taken a sword thrust to the gut, courtesy of Yuuhi-chan. He's been slashed several times, but those are minor wounds that he can cope with. That damn Ryo training working against you. Er Yin has left him marked by some magical power, but you haven't the faintest idea what it is or how it affects him. Worse, Shoko is badly beaten up and isn't well off. But Er Yin is out of this fight: she's been badly burned, and is unconscious. That leave you with Yuuhi-chan, proven most capable, and Akari-niji-chan, who is of course unharmed.

Shoko-san herself killed Pauchi Kamuy during the assassination of Horobi's previous incarnation, but she was at full strength and in the place of his power, in addition to using a gift granted by the goddess herself. And you've learned that being the reincarnation of a kamuy is not the same as taking on that kamuy's power. You are the reincarnation of Horobi, but you don't have the true power of a demigod yet. Water Eyes tell you that your cousin Hauko might not be a demigod yet, but that doesn't mean he's not incredibly powerful.

As far as being as powerful as you are? That's a question you're probably going to get answered....

[] “So, oni-chan, does Oba-san have any idea you've been sandbagging?”
[] “I'd call it a draw, but I can't let you walk out of here, you know.”
[] “When did you find this out, Hauko-kun? Or did Oba-san mis-train you too?”
[] Have Akari and Yuuhi back off and help Shoko and Er Yin. This is personal.
[] “Black fire, with purple? And red and black clothing? With your tattoos? That's really bad, cousin. Now, if you went with a dark blue kimono....”

>>36779695
>[] “When did you find this out, Hauko-kun? Or did Oba-san mis-train you too?”
>[] Have Akari and Yuuhi back off and help Shoko and Er Yin. This is personal.
>[] “Black fire, with purple? And red and black clothing? With your tattoos? That's really bad, cousin. Now, if you went with a dark blue kimono....”

File: de39b753fa416fb34b84683c8(...).png (3.29 MB, 3000x939)

3.29 MB PNG

>>36779674
Previous Thread: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/36661452/

Search for Title: Ryukuza on Suptg
Barrier Combat Guide: http://pastebin.com/rZLwzvGx
Twitter: @XsQuestmistress

Hebiki Akari's Tale: http://pastebin.com/3JjNVKbY

Kurao Yui's Tale: http://pastebin.com/qYJa4PwH

Kumatori Kiki's Tale: http://pastebin.com/pdjfAEEU

Akari's Lesson (R-18): http://pastebin.com/bnGavrhP

Kiki's Gift (R-18): http://pastebin.com/sLP3NcbC

Aniki, Senpai, and Me (R-18): http://pastebin.com/U1AxYhxK

Quest Pastebin: Under reconstruction.

Kiku, the shortest, is 5' 1" for ever and ever. Lesbian submissive.
Akari is 5' 3", and has another few inches to grow. Sexuality is weird, switch. Cosplayer!
Yui is 5' 4" and will only grow due to circumstances beyond her control (though she will be able to change her size, being Void oni). Dyke, switch.
Kiki is 5' 6", and is at full growth. Bisexual bottom.
Ryukusa is tall at 5' 8", but this becomes 6' in her true form. She is fully grown. Lesbian top.
Er Yin is the tallest at 5' 10" and is fully grown. Lesbian dominant..
Jinyuu is 5' 7" but persistently hovers an extra three inches above the ground or floor because of her nature as a seer. Straight.
Hinata-hakase is 6' 3". Sexuality is terrifying.
Hidesato is 5' 5". Straight.
Kushinada is 5' 8". Straighter.
Taisho Ryoga is 5' 9". Who knows.
Hyun Chisato is 5' 4”, and is fully grown. Lolicon with plausible deniability.
Rie is 8” tall or 5' 5”, and is fully cat. Her sexuality is cat.
Ryuu Wakaba is 5' 6" and is fully grown. Straight dominant.
Hagyu Genso is 12' 5” standing upright. He is by and large gay.
Mizumi Shoko is 7' 2”, is fully grown. Bisexual top.
Yuuhi is 4'11” and is fully grown. Yuuhi a cute.
>Talismans:
Akari – Centipede
Er Yin – Scorpion
Kiki – Toad
Kiku – Lizard
Yui – Snake
Ryukusa – Matagama-no-Shitoki

>>36779695
>[] “When did you find this out, Hauko-kun? Or did Oba-san mis-train you too?”
>[] “Black fire, with purple? And red and black clothing? With your tattoos? That's really bad, cousin. Now, if you went with a dark blue kimono....”

>>36779695
>[] “When did you find this out, Hauko-kun? Or did Oba-san mis-train you too?”
>[] Have Akari and Yuuhi back off and help Shoko and Er Yin. This is personal.

>>36779840
>Release Hidesato from her karmic prison. We need help
Hmmm, that could backfire if we're unlucky though. Still, I guess it'd generally be good help.

>>36779695
damn right as I go to sleep this starts

>>36779721
this, but make sure they are in range to help out if they are needed

File: as an old friend of mine (...).gif (509 KB, 245x138)

509 KB GIF

>>36779695
>[] Have Akari back off and help Shoko and Er Yin.

>[] “So, oni-chan, does Oba-san have any idea you've been sandbagging?”
>[] “Black fire, with purple? And red and black clothing? With your tattoos? That's really bad, cousin. Now, if you went with a dark blue kimono....”

>Release Hidesato from her karmic prison. We need help

>>36779856
She's smart and has a sharp tongue. I'm hoping to make oni dearest getting too furiously mad to focus on anything.

>>36779695
>[] Have Akari back off and help Shoko and Er Yin.

>[] “So, oni-chan, does Oba-san have any idea you've been sandbagging?”
>[] “Black fire, with purple? And red and black clothing? With your tattoos? That's really bad, cousin. Now, if you went with a dark blue kimono....”

>Release Hidesato from her karmic prison. We need help

>>36779695
>>36779721
Supporting this anon!

>>36779894

Isn't the whole reason we haven't employed her for shit yet so that she doesn't tell everyone about how close we are to a full rebirth, or that we know who we actually are?

Seems like a much better idea to keep her in reserve until we know for sure the word's out.

>>36779894
>>36779913
I'd rather save releasing her until we're in a barrier, I can't remember if we currently are though.

>>36779985
We are, we slammed a barrier up around us just before the thread ended, which is how we know he is a reborn god. Like Ryukuza he reveals his nature when in a barrier.

>>36779947
Dude, we're in a Barrier. The guy has seen our other form already.

Plus, the reason why we sealed her with our technic was that we didn't want her to die, notably because she has a karmic debt to pay.

Also, if we don't use her help right now our friends and we are probably going to get hurt way too much, or worse. a 3-1 battle with one helping the wounded is way better than a 3-1 battle with two wounded allies risking to die or to go crazy.

>>36780017
ah right then

>>36780018

The problem is, if helping us here is enough to release her from karmic debt and she gets to go free (as I doubt killing her for absolving her debt will win us any cosmic brownie points), then we might as well retreat and let him tell Oba-san we're perfectly aware of what's up and happening. Because if he won't, she will.

>>36780109
Oba-san's response to our message gives her the ability to blame us easily if he escapes.

>>36779695
[] “So, oni-chan, does Oba-san have any idea you've been sandbagging?”
[] “I'd call it a draw, but I can't let you walk out of here, you know.”
[] “When did you find this out, Hauko-kun? Or did Oba-san mis-train you too?”
[] “Black fire, with purple? And red and black clothing? With your tattoos? That's really bad, cousin. Now, if you went with a dark blue kimono....”

File: 9e8108a62f0deff7040a2f172(...).jpg (922 KB, 1250x1536)

922 KB JPG

[X] “When did you find this out, Hauko-kun? Or did Oba-san mis-train you too?”
[X] Have Akari and Yuuhi back off and help Shoko and Er Yin. This is personal.
[X] “Black fire, with purple? And red and black clothing? With your tattoos? That's really bad, cousin. Now...."

You stand up crossing your left arm under your breasts and resting your right elbow on it, cupping your cheek with your right hand. “That's terrible. Absolutely terrible.” Your cousin grins brutally, his teeth unnaturally sharpened by his invocation of his oni power. “Brick red trim on brown, with your bright red tattoos? All the effect is lost. And purple and black flames....your dusty brown hakama doesn't do that justice at all, oni-chan. You really need something to complement the fire while not clashing with the tattoos. I was going to suggest a dark blue, but I think that really, you should go with a shade of purple – not violet, you want to keep it more to the reds – and stick to black hakama from now on.”

He stands up, and bites at the inside of his left cheek. “Hmn. Well, ordinarily I'd assume it was a trick, but you're such a clothes horse....” You gesture to Akari, indicating you want her to assist with the wounded. She frowns, but stands up and takes a dumbfounded Yuuhi by the arm and guiding her away from where you and Hauko are squaring off. “Still, there's only so much that fits under a ninja gi. On the other hand, I won't be needing it anymore.” He smirks at you, the smug bastard.

“Too true. Did you know recently, or did Oba-san fuck your training up too?” He looks bemused by the question, his eyes glittering with malevolence that is only partly a side effect of his transformation. “Well, she could have trained me as a demigod, and a lot of this shit wouldn't be happening in such a fucked up manner.” You don't bother to lie, his Fire Eyes are potent. “I'm betting the same is true of you as well.”

File: f0804f42921a77449d674fcc8(...).jpg (266 KB, 601x800)

266 KB JPG

>>36780330
Hauko's smirk broadens and he places his fists on his hips. Standing upright, he's around ten feet tall or so, and his chest is nearly four feet broad. That gives him a good six feet of reach. Oba-san hasn't got the first clue. I discovered it on my own, through use of spiritualist techniques I discovered.”

“You were browsing /x/ again, weren't you? Don't tell me you tried that tulpa crap.”

“Don't denigrate my love for Rainbow Dash! It is a true and pure love!” It's soooo hard not to laugh in his face. “And it was not through the creation of a tulpa, but the breathing techniques I learned from Supersayajinman253 on Youtube!” You sigh and wipe some blood off of your face.

“You're such an otaku. All this because you wanted some pictures of Kiki-hime? Kami, you could have just asked me, you know.” His eyes narrow and you glare back. “Right right. Fire Eyes.” Your own study of him is fruitful; he honestly believes Oba-san is ignorant about his nature, but you sincerely doubt he could have gained this much power without help. He's okay with just talking at the moment, but that revenge-driven streak of violence is simmering just below the surface. He's not losing blood because the muscle growth effectively sealed the few dangerous wounds he had, while he is hoping your own injuries are requiring the expenditure of your shen. They don't, not yet, but he can't see that.

Akari is standing between the others and Hauko, while Yuuhi is bandaging Shoko; Er Yin....there simply isn't much to be done with her here. She needs Yui or your sister.

[] Point out that you both have secrets to keep; exchange of hostages, everyone goes home for now.
[] Ask if he had anything to do with Ryuu Wakaba's insanity.
[] Ask what the deal was with the Void triplets.
[] Suggest that you could continue this later, when you're both at the top of your game.
[] Walk away from the others and get them well away from any potential fight.

>>36780355
[x] Ask if he had anything to do with Ryuu Wakaba's insanity.

>>36780355
>[] Ask if he had anything to do with Ryuu Wakaba's insanity.
>[] Ask what the deal was with the Void triplets.

>>36780355
>[x] Ask if he had anything to do with Ryuu Wakaba's insanity.
>[x] Walk away from the others and get them well away from any potential fight.

>>36780355
>>36780355
>[] Ask if he had anything to do with Ryuu Wakaba's insanity.
>[] Ask what the deal was with the Void triplets.
>[] Suggest that you could continue this later, when you're both at the top of your game.

>Sign Akari to get Er Yin and Shoko out of the Barrier. Now!

>>36780355
>>36780439
This, I don't imagine he'd want to break off the fight now and I don't want him to, leaves too many loose ends and threats, but I want his mind elsewhere than on our injured subordinates

>>36780457
Especially since his little "I am a god" trick is going to work less well (and be fucking ovious to notice by anyone with power) once the Barrier breaks

>>36780439
If we sign, make sure he can't see it.

>>36780355
>>36780355
[] Ask if he had anything to do with Ryuu Wakaba's insanity.
[] Ask what the deal was with the Void triplets.

>>36780439
Lets not leave it till later, he wont want to, and having him either tell Oba-san or make or lives hell isn't worth it.

>>36780355
>>36780414
I'm gonna back anon here, sounds smart.

>>36780715
Oh, the post was still showing for me. >>36780439 then.

>>36780658
Oh, he's a fast bastard, no doubt. But he's not a clever fast bastard.

Remember what our Fortune told about returns?

>>36780355
>[] Why did you even come here?

>>36780766
No, I don't.

File: df28f030e251477664f0a7c0e(...).png (394 KB, 492x634)

394 KB PNG

[X] Ask if he had anything to do with Ryuu Wakaba's insanity.
[X] Ask what the deal was with the Void triplets.
[] Suggest that you could continue this later, when you're both at the top of your game.
[] Walk away from the others and get them well away from any potential fight.

“So, Wakaba....is she your doing? I mean, sure, she's an egotistical bitch, but her fixation seems awfully specific.” You had also caught his glance at Akari when she arrived next to you after he'd taken down Er Yin. “It was a clever ploy, if it was yours, but I managed to set her on another issue.” Misdirecting her attention to the Christians intent of saving Kiki-hime';s soul might not have been nice, but you needed her out of your way and not talking to Oba-san.

You slowly start walking away from the others, and from the two living victims of the fight on his side. He looks meaningfully down at the Void dragonette and the Wood oni-child, and walks with you, paralleling your movement. It doesn't look like he is interested in giving up without a fight just yet, but he at least has the decency not to want to put his own people in danger, unlike Wakaba and Hidesato. You gesture to Akari to get Er Yin and Shoko out, but Hauko has his own silent input – leave the prisoners here. You know he didn't see you sign, but that doesn't seem to matter with his Fire Eyes.

You continue walking away from them though. Despite his bulk, Hauko's Fire Heart form doesn't limit his speed that much; if Yuuhi or Akari try for the prisoners, you'd be hard pressed to reach him or them before he can.

>>36780766
>Remember what our Fortune told about returns?
I hardly remember the specifics of last thread without refreshing my memory, so no I don't.

File: 9e8624f2195e49643346de714(...).jpg (957 KB, 1200x1500)

957 KB JPG

>>36780819
“Yes. It wasn't difficult, to convince her it was her place to be Oba-san's favorite rather than Akari. I haven't been able to command my true power yet, but I become stronger and better at it with each passing day.” That's a good sign – you could command some of Horobi's power even before you achieved your perfected spirit, but without having the perfected spirit, he can't take on all of Pauchi's power. “As you said, she was an egotistical bitch to begin with, so it didn't take much. She's incredibly unbalanced now. A simple push will turn her into a bakemono.”

That's a horrifying thought. “So what's with the Void triplets....or is that poor bastard your doing as well?”

He frowns. “No, he wasn't my doing, but I taught them the spell. It seemed like a good opportunity to separate you from Kumatori Kiki, and see how my abilities worked with others to enact them.” He's trying to hide the fact that one of them is his lover, along with the Wood oni. The others don't seem to matter to him, but you can see that his lover is alive – the one brought down by Shoko. You know the Void Triplets matter to one another so that might be a secret which could backfire on him.

You're some distance away from the others, and they're headed towards the edge of the barrier – without prisoners, you notice – and Akari and Yuuhi are both walking backwards, watching you and your cousin.

[] Ask him if he wants to settle this with Barrier Combat.
[] Offer him a chance to settle it without Barrier Combat or lethal ending.
[] Point out that chances are good Akari and Yuuhi will come back and he should take his losses and go.
[] Promise his lovers' safety under your care if he will settle for a duel later.
[] Let him take his loved ones and go, with a reminder that you each have a secret Oba-san will kill you for.

>>36780826
>>36780766
>>36780789
>You are about to experience a rebirth - about to be given another chance, a new lease on life. You have persevered, gone the distance through an entire cycle -- through the Spring of hope or new passion, through a Summer of growth and building, only to be sacrificed like the archetypal Harvest King at the Autumn reaping. You lie dormant like seed beneath Winter snows now, healing and absorbing new energies in preparation for the new young Spring coming shortly to your life.

Our I Ching reading (1/2)

Hexagram Twenty-four

Fu / Return

Thunder regenerates deep within Earth's womb:
Sage rulers recognized that the end of Earth's seasonal cycle was also the starting point of a new year and a time for dormancy. They closed the passes at the Solstice to enforce a rest from commerce and activity. The ruler himself did not travel.

You have passed this way before but you are not regressing. This is progress, for the cycle now repeats itself, and this time you are aware that it truly is a cycle. The return of old familiars is welcome. You can be as sure of this cycle as you are that seven days bring the start of a new week. Use this dormancy phase to plan which direction you will grow.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:
You are about to experience a rebirth - about to be given another chance, a new lease on life. You have persevered, gone the distance through an entire cycle -- through the Spring of hope or new passion, through a Summer of growth and building, only to be sacrificed like the archetypal Harvest King at the Autumn reaping. You lie dormant like seed beneath Winter snows now, healing and absorbing new energies in preparation for the new young Spring coming shortly to your life.


>Line One(Bottom): Return after straying off-trail. Good fortune and no blame.

>Line Two (Middle): Your return is welcome. Great fortune.
the table are a mixture of shock and appalled.

>Line Six (Top): You have missed the opportunity for a triumphant return. You must now wait years before such an opportunity cycles your way again. Grave misfortune.

>>36780843
>only to be sacrificed like the archetypal Harvest King at the Autumn reaping.
I'm assuming this is the assassination of Horobi and not referring to us presently.

>>36780834
>[x] Promise his lovers' safety under your care if he will settle for a duel later.

>>36780863
>That would be accurate according to your spiritualist and priestess, as well as your sister.

>>36780834
>[] Offer him a chance to settle it without Barrier Combat or lethal ending.
>[] Promise his lovers' safety under your care if he will settle for a duel later.

>>36780834
>without prisoners, you notice
the prisoners meaning his void dragonette and the wood-oni child, his lovers, and not referring to Er Yin and Shoko?

>>36780845
(2/2)

Transformed Hexagram Four

Meng / Inexperience

A fresh Spring at the foot of the Mountain:
The Superior Person refines his character by being thorough in every activity. The Sage does not recruit students; the students seek him. He asks nothing but a sincere desire to learn. If the student doubts or challenges his authority, the Sage regretfully cuts his losses.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:
This is a time of interchange between a mentor and pupil. Whether you are the teacher or the student, it is a time of companionship along a mutual path. This hexagram also emphasizes the eternal, cyclical nature of the mentor/student relationship - a mentor is merely a more seasoned pupil, further along on the journey. A pupil holds within himself the seed of a future Master.

>>36780834
>Tell him his lovers's lives will be spared, no matter the result

>>36780834
>[] Ask him if he wants to settle this with Barrier Combat.
I may be reading this wrong, but Line Two seems to imply a return after a big victory, while Line Six implies a missed opportunity to eliminate a threat now. And it seems like they may be talking about this fight.

>>36780917
That is correct. they left the potential prisoners there - Akari didn't feel it would be wise to cross your cousin without warning you first.

>>36780920
>>Tell him his lovers's lives will be spared, no matter the result
This is good

>>36780834
[] Ask him if he wants to settle this with Barrier Combat.
[] Offer him a chance to settle it without Barrier Combat or lethal ending.
[] Point out that chances are good Akari and Yuuhi will come back and he should take his losses and go.
[] Promise his lovers' safety under your care if he will settle for a duel later.
[] Remind him if the secret Oba-san would kill both of us for.

>>36780928
yeah I'm worried about that too, if he's going to be a threat in the future we need to deal with him before he can cause problems, but we are in a far from ideal place and form to deal with him now

I'm inclined to bait him into talking more and revealing more about himself until Akari and Yuuhi can support us before initiating combat

>>36780834
Adding:

>[] Promise his lovers' safety under your care if he will settle for a duel later.


to my vote here >>36780920

I wonder if Wakaba's intervention will make the Church hurry up with their summoning.
Speaking of which, I've been doing some research, and (if we ever get to it) the Seraph will not be carrying the Lance.
Named swords, if I recall, have great significance to both humans and deities. The Lance only carries significance to the humans. The guys upstairs couldn't care less about it They don't really have an equivalent to named swords.

I hope we can do some damage control with Wakaba.

>>36781007
>The Lance

Sorry, but what are you talking about?

>>36781007
Well, if they expand from pure Christianity there's Caliburn/Excalibur, Carnwennan, Gáe Bulg, Gungnir, Mjòlnir, and so on from various European mythos...

>>36781047
The lance of Longinus.

File: A Red Robe.png (454 KB, 850x531)

454 KB PNG

[X] Indecision.

You stop and consider frowning. His Fire Eyes narrow, knowing you are much more dangerous in thought than he is – he is clever and quick, even having flashes of brilliant inspiration, but he's no match at a battle of wits with you.

Your situation is precarious in several ways. Your energy is lower, but he lacks the extra energy you have, putting you on equal terms. You're both wounded in some pretty unpleasant ways, putting that in equal perspective as well. While you can't call on the power of Horobi, the power of Pauchi is clearly not under his absolute control. He might have his oni powers, but you're a Water dragonette with a magic weapon.

It's a fairly even match.

The fortune you were given has some bearing too. It hints at a missed triumphant return, immediately after indicating a welcome return with good fortune. That could go either way – if Oba-san finds out, you might not have this opportunity to redress the balance, because Pauchi Kamuy killed Horobi the first time. At the same time, he could rely on you to not reveal his true nature while still concealing his from Oba-san and informing her of her lack of control over you. That would put you at a serious disadvantage in many ways.

And worse, it might prompt Oba-san to cut her losses and run, instead of confronting you.

File: A White Robe.jpg (558 KB, 970x1020)

558 KB JPG

>>36781114
The few seconds it takes you to consider all that are enough that he could have grabbed his allies and ran, but he didn't. Water eyes tells you he wants to finish this too. Maybe not now, but he does want to fight. You're the only two of your kind that exist, as far as you and he know. He has no comparison of his strength, and like any oni-child, that rankles him. He hasn't fought demigods yet, you're pretty sure he would have said something.

[] Ask him if he wants to settle this with Barrier Combat.
[] Offer him a chance to settle it without Barrier Combat or lethal ending.
[] Offer to let him fight Hidesato.
[] Offer to return his loved ones, if he will settle for a duel later when you're both in good shape.
[+] Regardless of what happens, you promise his lovers' safety in your care.

>>36781078
Don't forget Durandal, unbreakable due to being a symbol of Christianity.


>>36781087

I thought you migh be talking about it.

The Lance is important for both humans and deities, but on the other hand it's not something you want to use on foreign soil.

>>36781131
>[] Offer to return his loved ones, if he will settle for a duel later when you're both in good shape.

>In the meantime, neither of us will do anything to hinder the other, be it directly, indirectly, or through others

>This include revealing any secrets.

We have to ask

>>36781131
>[] Ask him if he wants to settle this with Barrier Combat.

>>36781152
>Don't forget Durandal, unbreakable due to being a symbol of Christianity
...I was thinking that and Curtana when I started the post and forgot them.

>>36781131
[x] Ask him if he wants to settle this with Barrier Combat.

>>36781131
>[] Ask him if he wants to settle this with Barrier Combat.
[+] Regardless of what happens, you promise his lovers' safety in your care.

Sorry, can't let you get back to Oba-san, time to die.

>>36781131
> Offer him a chance to settle it without barrier combat or lethal ending

>>36781203
I think the [+] is automaticaly included.

>>36781078
I don't know why would an angel wield a weapon of Anglosaxon/Celt/Nordic lore.

>>36781152
>The Lance is important for both humans and deities
It doesn't really mean anything for the angels. It was only used on Jesus when he was already dead, and what significance does Jesus (read, Joshua the carpenter) hold to them is debatable.

>>36781293
Not necessarily an angel, but if you had a spiritually powerful priest who grew up in an area where they still teach the old ways while worshiping YHWH you could get someone dangerous.

>>36781131
>[x] Offer to return his loved ones, if he will settle for a duel later when you're both in good shape.
Sure, let's see if he's up for it.

>>36781131
>[] Offer to return his loved ones, if he will settle for a duel later when you're both in good shape.
>[] Ask him if he wants to settle this with Barrier Combat.
>[] Offer him a chance to settle it without Barrier Combat or lethal ending.
>[] Remind him of the danger Oba-san presents.

File: 9f53eb724d19ec136fd6d4edc(...).jpg (915 KB, 724x1723)

915 KB JPG

[X] Ask him if he wants to settle this with Barrier Combat.
[x] Offer him a chance to settle it without Barrier Combat or lethal ending.
[x] Offer to return his loved ones, if he will settle for a duel later when you're both in good shape.
[+] Regardless of what happens, you promise his lovers' safety in your care.

You sigh, and close your eyes – your actual eyes, not your Water Eyes – for a moment. “Fine. We have both suffered injury to our loved ones,” you say which makes him raise his eyebrows at you. “The dragonette is my seer, and yes, we're that way. I thought you knew that about me. Anyways....would you prefer to settle this in Barrier Combat? I'm not going to suggest something less brutal, but if you'd rather not take the risk of me trapping you in a barrier I can understand that.”

He sneers, but there is a gleam of curiosity in his eyes, the thought of what prompted this extraordinary discussion as opposed to an outright attack. You look at the corpses and unconscious victims. “In either case, I promise that no matter what happens, your LOVERS will be safe and protected in my care. I owe Pauchi Kamuy for killing Horobi in any case, so we may as well settle the debt. And face it, neither one of us wants Oba-san to know our secret. She'd want us under her claws and control right away.” You don't see any reason to inform him of the fact that Oba-san may have planned all of this already. What you don't lie about, his Fire Eyes can't see.

The emphasis you place on the word 'lovers' in not lost on him and he snarls, his horn gleaming from within. “I see. You seem fairly certain of your victory....”

File: dec19f866ff638add79128634(...).jpg (169 KB, 800x960)

169 KB JPG

>>36781540
You look at him seriously. “I defeated two demigods in Barrier Combat by myself, Hauko, one after the other. You'd better be damn sure you want to fight me.” You lift a hand. “On my name, I promise I'm willing to keep them safely and wait until a later date if you want to duel me at full strength, but I need them, because they may have information that I can get that you don't know they have. I won't torture them or hurt them badly – you know how good I am at that.”

He snorts, flames puffing from his nostrils. “I remember hearing about your interrogation training, yes.” He stands up straight and crosses his powerful arms. “We decide on one Barrier Combat technique. Whoever wins the first move, can chose the rest of the combat, whether we finish the combat or we go our separate ways until later. You have my word as Ryuu Hauko I'll abide by your choice if you win.”

[] Accept.
[] Deny – all or nothing, big guy.
[] Counteroffer: Write In

>>36781557
>[x] Deny – all or nothing, big guy.

>>36781557
>[x] Deny – all or nothing, big guy.

>>36781557
>[] Accept.
What's the harm?

>>36781557
> Deny-all or nothing, big guy.

[X] Accept.

We can take him, with the right choice.

>>36781557
>[] Accept.

>>36781557
[x] Deny – all or nothing, big guy.

>>36781557
>[] Deny – all or nothing, big guy.

>>36781557
>[] Counteroffer: Let's have a duel to first blood. the one who do a new injury to their opponent first decide of the rest

File: b8ac4b0d38acf3b83f073a5da(...).jpg (1016 KB, 1300x814)

1016 KB JPG

[X] Deny – all or nothing, big guy.

That sounds like all sorts of trap, especially from someone who has the power of Pauchi Kamuy to play with. You might win and come away with a lingering possession, or a case of schizophrenia that pops up later. “I trust your word, oni-chan, but I don't trust you. Besides, you've fought enough Barrier Combat by now to know that the first tier is always questionable on who comes away in better condition.” You take a step forward, and lower your blade to your side, parallel to you leg.

His eyes flash angrily, and you can see through Water Eyes that he's upset that his plan failed. That you didn't see his subterfuge directly is worrying, however; it hints that he's found a way to work around Water Eyes even if he doesn't know you're using them. He'd be stupid to assume you aren't of course, but still. “Fine then!” He lifts one leg and one arm, and lowers the other, and then lowers his leg in a massive stomp that makes the Barrier-stilled ground shake. He slams his fishes against his stomach and chest, several times, quickly enough you can't even follow the movements, the thunderous strikes soundingly like drumbeats the are accompanied by puffs of flame from his mouth and nose.

“Behold the Power of The Dark Fire Drums!” he shouts, invoking his Barrier technique. His muscles ripple and his hands open, exploding into black and violet flame. His horn gleams with an inner darkness, and his eyes erupt in flames.

File: 11bb3dd6f1e3f6a3aac008d07(...).png (1.68 MB, 1000x1612)

1.68 MB PNG

You narrow your eyes, unable to see the exact style he's using. It seems like it would be a strength and fire based technique, like your Claws and Scales, but it could be a fire and earth technique, like Storm and Wind....you get the impression this is what it's like to fight you for other people.

[] Razor Wit and Cold Heart (It is not safe to trade blows with an Oni, especially one using mystic fires.)
[] Scales and Claws
[] Storm and Wind.
[] Style and Sword
[] Let him make the first move, and then initiate your technique – risky, but you might have a better choice.

>>36782028
>[] Style and Sword

File: a39d5097d5473e703afa1ac4f(...).jpg (277 KB, 566x800)

277 KB JPG

Razor Wit and Cold Heart
>Physical attacks are nothing compared to the malicious words and cruel thought. Pain and suffering are meaningless when you have no heart.

Scales and Claws
>You are a dragon; your claws can slice through steel and your scales are impenetrable. The air and the water are your battlefields.

Storm and Wind.
>The purest form of your elemental self - the power of wind and water to utterly destroy all before you.

Style and Sword
>You are swift and your panache unmatchable. Your weapons are invincible and you can bring down the stoutest of foes with grace.

>>36782028
>[x] Storm and Wind.
Maybe? Can try.

>>36782028
>[] Razor Wit and Cold Heart (It is not safe to trade blows with an Oni, especially one using mystic fires.)
Don't get into a melee fight with an Oni, especially one that is lit up with fire.

>>36782028
>[] Razor Wit and Cold Heart (It is not safe to trade blows with an Oni, especially one using mystic fires.)
Dodge and keep distance?

>>36782028
>[x] Storm and Wind.
We are more in tune with our elements then he is.

>>36782028
>[x] Storm and Wind.

>>36782028
>>36782028
>[] Razor Wit and Cold Heart (It is not safe to trade blows with an Oni, especially one using mystic fires.)


As long as we dodge and misdirect instead of getting hit, this time.

He got a god of craziness under his skull. That'll probably make him vulnerable. Plus, there is the fact that he cares about his lovers, but not enough to accept getting them safe in exchange of things not getting his way immediatly.

>Free Hidesato to fight with us when needed.

We didn't agree for a 1 vs 1, right?

>>36782028
>[x] Storm and Wind.

>>36782152
But he's not using elements only.

>>36782198
Well, it seems there was a 50/50 if he was using strength or earth with the fire?

>>36782028
>[] Razor Wit and Cold Heart (It is not safe to trade blows with an Oni, especially one using mystic fires.)
He'll have Void and Wood techniques, possibly more. We need to be fairly careful here.

>>36782028
>[X] Razor Wit and Cold Heart (It is not safe to trade blows with an Oni, especially one using mystic fires.)
And dodging is good too.

>>36782198
We don't know what he's using.

>>36782231
He probably won't. We only have access to weird non-water dragonette techniques because we're spiritually complete, which he isn't.

>>36782028
> Razor with and cold heart
Avoid a straight up fight.

>>36782028
>[x] Storm and Wind.

File: a5ed1b092f41b0d072622d347(...).jpg (411 KB, 800x620)

411 KB JPG

[X] Razor Wit and Cold Heart (It is not safe to trade blows with an Oni, especially one using mystic fires.)

You've learned from your use of Razor Wit and Cold Heart in the past. While it makes your body less vulnerable to injury in certain ways, it is utterly devastating to the minds and spirits of your enemies. This is one situation where you really don't want to get hit, and where getting hit, you might need to be able to mitigate any powers that Ryuu Hauko may use on you. That you know certain secrets of his only makes the power of the technique that much more devastating. Swords and claws are painful to oni, but your experiences with that are not promising, especially against an oni with the same training as you have had.

You're going to try and avoid his attacks regardless, this time. It kind of sucked not doing so with Kushinada, no matter how badly you fucked up her head.

You pull Ame-no-Omukade-no-Musume's sheath from ~Nowhere~ and slide the blade home ritualistically. Then you extend your hand out, and drop her entirely into ~Nowhere~. “I will cut you more deeply, and shatter your bones more thoroughly with mere words than I ever could with blade or claw, oni-chan.” You flick your tail, taking flight to hover several feet in the air, the nimbuses about your hands flicking and changing to a softer, more luminous glow. The lightning in the scar along your chest, however, flickers more strongly, and you can see the glow from your mouth faintly illuminating him as you speak.

File: 13bfbec9ea9f65b04c1643c7c(...).jpg (510 KB, 675x1000)

510 KB JPG

>>36782508
“Very well, begin your useless battle, for the Razor Wit and Cold Heart will leave you a broken and useless husk at my feet, oni-chan!”

He snarls unintelligibly, and slams his hands together, the dark fires combining. He turns at the waist to face the side, and then twist back, one hand pulling backwards, the other moving forwards. The flames erupt from his far hand, and strike the back of his forward hand and spear out at you, writhing snakelike and unpredictably through the air. It rips at the spiritual essences of the air, and carries with it the promise of unending pain and horrors.

[] Pain is but Momentary, Humiliation is Forever.
[] You Cannot Harm that Which is Beyond Your Grasp, Child.
[] Your Gift of Pain and Madness is Taken and Becomes My Weapon.
[] Your Karmic Debt Prevents Victory, Now and Forever!
[] Wood.

>>36782532
>[] Your Karmic Debt Prevents Victory, Now and Forever!

This guy has done enough shit. No more.

>>36782532
>[] You Cannot Harm that Which is Beyond Your Grasp, Child.

>>36782532
Now this is really interesting. 1 is mysterious, probably defensive, 2 is definitely defensive, 3 and 4 are offensive in different ways (3 would could be best here), and then there's Wood. That damned mystery box.

Damn, I'm late.

Good job on refusing his offer, though.
Especially because he was offering it beneath only one of his now two names.

>>36782532
>[] Your Gift of Pain and Madness is Taken and Becomes My Weapon.

>>36782028
>[] Wood.

>>36782532
>[] Your Karmic Debt Prevents Victory, Now and Forever!

36782617
Well, we haven't used it since our second fight, the one with Kushinada, and we got pretty fucked up using it so it's really hard to tell compared to the others.

>>36782532
>[] Your Gift of Pain and Madness is Taken and Becomes My Weapon.

>>36782532
>[] You Cannot Harm that Which is Beyond Your Grasp, Child.

>>36782532
>[] Pain is but Momentary, Humiliation is Forever.

>>36782617
[] Pain is but Momentary, Humiliation is Forever.

Probably a version of "I take this attack, but you that much of a pitiful shit that I don't even care"

[] You Cannot Harm that Which is Beyond Your Grasp, Child.


An insult to his abilities. He is proud and eager to prove to everyone he's as good as he says he is, so I don't think it would be that effective, but maybe it would be a crushing blow

[] Your Gift of Pain and Madness is Taken and Becomes My Weapon.

Use his powers, his very nature, against him.

>[] Your Karmic Debt Prevents Victory, Now and Forever!

We have the moral high ground, and we're going to drill this into his head. Then again, he'd probably won't care that much, given what he did to Wakaba and how he reacted to the death of his allies. To say nothing of the fact he pushed his lover to literaly defy the universal order for his petty gain.

Or maybe this will go through his thick skull.

>[] Wood.

Difficult to say. He's of Fire, though, so I doubt Wood would be that efficient.

I just want to say, I love this quest but I never have the confidence to contribute when shit hits the fan. I'll trust the decisions in battle to you guys, good luck.

>>36782778
Those are not votes, just to precise

>>36782778
Wood can cause Fire to overreact. It would piss him off, put him off balance.

>>36782532
>[] Your Gift of Pain and Madness is Taken and Becomes My Weapon.

>>36782785
Always contribute. Support Ryukusa in her quest.

File: Iboroh.jpg (577 KB, 1000x1201)

577 KB JPG

Writing.

>>36782532
>[] You Cannot Harm that Which is Beyond Your Grasp, Child.
I'm thinking of karma, but he doesn't seem the sort to care about his wrongdoings. Hit him where it hurts; his pride.

Well, a gift of pain and madness it is.

Hoping it will make him lose hi shit

File: 13f9be8777720a3a7e44c9622(...).jpg (1.29 MB, 900x1271)

1.29 MB JPG

[X] Your Gift of Pain and Madness is Taken and Becomes My Weapon.

You swirl and spin, sliding between and around the writhing bolt of mad-fire, feeling the evil it carries like a ghostly wind against your skin. “Oni-chan, with all your new found power, you still haven't surpassed me. Your embarrassment at my hands was children at play....here and now, you are at my mercy, because I have progressed much further along the sacred path of our spiritual growth than you!” You purposefully reach out, grasping the lash of writhing demonic fire with your left hand, trusting Akari's gift to protect you.

It hurts, it really hurts, this vicious, writhing fire of madness and pain, this hellish substance more unreal than real, and you reach out with your other hand, embracing the pain and chaos it represents, trusting in the wholeness of your spirit, the balance of your mind, body, and soul to protect you. You take the lash and twist it, redirect it, and whirl it around, flinging it at him in an impossible reversal of fortune.

Your palms ache, the gleaming ruby and sapphire crustal darkened and burned. Your mind and your spirit are intact however, and your cousin leaps away from the haphazard and wanton path of destruction the ruby and sapphire infused violet fires leave on their way back to him. He growls, turning on you angrily, but it shows you a vulnerability – he cannot withstand those fires himself. He can harm himself with them, unlike his natural fire. Though that could have been the power you infused into it as well. You can see his fear, through your Water Eyes; his power was nothing natural, nothing like any oni-child or dragonette could produce, yet you touched it, turned it against him.

File: 1405896511006.jpg (221 KB, 1280x722)

221 KB JPG

>>36783109

He curls his knuckles over, but not against his palms, like a leopard style strike fist instead of an actual fist. He presses his fingers and palms together, and slams them hard against his chest. Black and violet fires erupt in his throat and eyes, and he roars, vomiting huge gouts and billowing flames of darkness filled with violet images of skulls, serpents and oni masks. The horrific cloud sweeps towards you, nearly inescapable....a trap of nightmares and agony meant to destroy your spirit more than your flesh.

[] As the Tao Embraces All, So Do I Embrace Your Power!
[] Burning Flesh and Shattering Spirit Will Not Break My Will!
[] Would Those That You Love Accept The Horror You Have Become?
[] Fire.

[] Would Those That You Love Accept The Horror You Have Become?

>>36783141
>[] Would Those That You Love Accept The Horror You Have Become?

>>36783141
>[] Would Those That You Love Accept The Horror You Have Become?

>>36783141

>[X] Would Those That You Love Accept The Horror You Have Become?

I really do want to vote Fire but this is too good.

>>36783141
>[] Would Those That You Love Accept The Horror You Have Become?
Sure!

>>36783141
>[] Would Those That You Love Accept The Horror You Have Become?

>>36783141
>[] Fire.
All of the other options seem like we'll get hit by the attack.
By embracing Fire we can GOFAST to get out of the way of the incoming cloud.

>>36783141
> Fire
SWIMMING AGAINST THE TIDE

>>36783141
>>36783141
I can't help but think Ryukuza is projecting her own fear with the "loved one" move. Though, unlike him, we know they accept us.

>[] Would Those That You Love Accept The Horror You Have Become?

Precise that the horror is his own fault: neither his powers nor the god he got them from are responsible for his behavior and the way he uses them is just a result of his wickedness

>>36783302
Well it's a mental and spiritual assault, unless I'm mistaken getting hit or not isn't the only measure of its effectiveness. Striking to weaken his will or bolster ours is just as good.

>>36783141
Possible bonus line:
You've spent your time poisoning Ryuu Wakaba, but did you ever think to consider who might be poisoning you, Oni-chan?

>>36783141
Is there any reason we can't use fire while lashing out with our chosen dialogue?

>>36783421
Do something awesome enough and anything is possible, Anon.
>[] Would Those That You Love Accept The Horror You Have Become?
>[] Fire.

>>36783421
The elemental choices still utilize the basis of the main choice - it would be Fire as applied to Razor Wit and Cold Heart. You can generally only chose one Barrier Technique.

>>36783408
>>36783341
Noted.

>>36783421
There is a few. We're a Water dragonette using a non-physical fighting style.

>>36783449
Changing to
>[] Would Those That You Love Accept The Horror You Have Become?

>>36783408
>>36783457

Maybe point out how he probably, consciously or not, poisoned his loved ones as well, since they followed him in a plan like that?

File: 15b899bd27b3eb6320daeff94(...).png (699 KB, 950x698)

699 KB PNG

[X] Would Those That You Love Accept The Horror You Have Become?
[] Fire.

You stand your ground, and hold your arms out to your sides, letting the flames wash over you, fill your head with horrors and images and feelings of despair, pain and suffering. Thoughts of your beloved wife, broken and dead at your feet. Akari, wailing over the death of her pretty Yui-chan. Er Yin, a burned ruin, left alone by a disheartened and horrified Kiku-chan. Shoko, a wreck of failure and pain, left alone and despondent. Yuuhi, gone mad, slaying mortals and spirit-children alike in her youkai-bred madness. Rie, laughing secretly at your follies and pain. Oba-san, triumphant and gloating as you bow your neck to her.

All things that could happen, all things that may yet happen, but all things that you can overcome. Even those horrors can be surmounted. You can avenge you wife, console Akari, chastise Kiku, befriend Shoko, heal Yuuhi, berate Rie, and defeat Oba-san. It would hurt, those horrors, but your heart is stone and ice, when it must be, even to the pain that would normally paralyze you when suffered by those you love.

But it breaks your heart to know those things might happen, might be happening now.

The cloud of horror and death passes over you, and you open your eyes, the blaze of red and blue glimmering weirdly in the shadow of your barrier. Hauko takes a step back, startled at your expression. “As awful as those things you have shown me are, as painful as they were, as bitter as I could be about them, Ryuu Hauko....what would your lovers, the lovers who sleep silently here, the lovers you have yet to discover, those who could grant you your greatest gifts....what would they say if they could look upon you at this moment?”

File: 1380817859707.jpg (144 KB, 1024x701)

144 KB JPG

>>36783530
Your words cut him to the heart. You can see it in his eyes, the knowledge that they have never seen this side of him, they do not truly know the extent or source of his power. How he has broken, driven mad his allies, and would do the same to you, how he abused the privilege of his nature for the sake of a panty-shot or two. It twists in his mind, the images of how his loved ones might see him, regardless of how well they know him.

“Who poisons the poisoner?” you ask softly, your voice carrying through the spirit world, and his flickering black and violet eyes look even more fearful, more horrified. “The power of horibi lives within me, but it does not make me who and what I, Ryuu Ryukusa, am, oni-chan. The power of Pauchi Kamuy is yours....but it is not Pauchi who has done these terrible things that your loved ones have not yet seen.”

Hauko hesitates, taking another step back, the fear and guilt spilling off of him in waves. You've never progressed beyond this point using this technique....your other techniques, when you have passed this point, become much, much more potent, much more intense. They will become devastating to his very spirit if you continue.

You're both suffering now, your energies quickly depleting in your fight.

[] Allow him to take the next blow again, reaction is the strong point of the technique.
[] Take the initiative and try and end the fight more quickly.
[] “It's not too late – surrender to me and spare yourself the true power I can bring to bear!”
[] “Hauko-kun....please don't make me destroy you.”
[] Bring out Hidesato.

>>36783555
>[] Allow him to take the next blow again, reaction is the strong point of the technique.
>[] “Hauko-kun....please don't make me destroy you.”

>>36783555
>[x] “It's not too late – surrender to me and spare yourself the true power I can bring to bear!”
Isn't Pauchi Kamuy just as needed as Horobi?
That it is the natural order that they reincarnate once killed, and that to prevent it is to go against the will of the universe?

>>36783555
>>36783555
>[] “Hauko-kun....please don't make me destroy you.”
>[] Allow him to take the next blow again, reaction is the strong point of the technique.

>>36783601
Cold Heart scares me far more than any other barrier technique. Just this much left Kushinada a tormented wreck, I'm not sure I want to see what the higher levels can do to a person.

>>36783555
>[x] “Hauko-kun....please don't make me destroy you.”

>>36783607
They seem to serve the same purpose in different measures.

>In Ainu mythology, Pauchi Kamuy is an evil spirit born from the Willow-Soul River in Pikun Kando (High Heaven). It descended to earth to plague humanity with insanity, stomach ailments, food poisoning, seizures, and frenzied dancing. Epidemics of the latter were said to have wiped out several villages in the late 19th century.

>>36783555
>[] Allow him to take the next blow again, reaction is the strong point of the technique.
>[] Bring out Hidesato.

>"It's not too late... think of what you will lose if you win."

No pride, no superiority. Only forgiveness and mercy.

>>36783607
>Isn't Pauchi Kamuy just as needed as Horobi?

Horobi is not needed in a "there must be Horobi" sense, it's more of a "we need someone to do that job, and Horobi is the best at this"

>That it is the natural order that they reincarnate once killed, and that to prevent it is to go against the will of the universe?


Killing potential reincarnation, or even actual incarnation, isn't against the will of the universe.

>>36783555
>>36783741
I like this one, backing.

>>36783741
This.

>>36783555
>[] Take the initiative and try and end the fight more quickly.
Go home and be a family man

>>36783925
"End the fight quickly" means "crushing the opponent's mind"

There is no home after this.

File: Floating Darkness.jpg (598 KB, 1800x1037)

598 KB JPG

[X] Allow him to take the next blow again, reaction is the strong point of the technique.
[X] “Hauko-kun....please don't make me destroy you.”
[X] Bring out Hidesato.

You clench your glowing hands and close your eyes, taking a deep breath. Though you could take the first move as he hesitates....you chose not to. You hesitate because you know what comes next can only be truly awful, truly horrifying.

Truly destructive.

Pauchi killed Horobi to take his place in the world, and was killed in doing so. Without either of their powers to punish humanity, the world became a darker, more painful place for Japan and humanity forgot the kamuy, and the kami suffered as well. You open your eyes and feel your heart grow cold and distant. “Ryuu Hauko....please do not make me destroy you. You can step off this path. I haven't a choice....you do. Flee, leave your loved ones to survive and be protected until I can return them safely to you, ignorant of your mistakes and trouble. Don't make me take this further” You see the indecision in his eyes, see him reading the truth in your voice with Fire Eyes.

“Trust me, as you would trust a cousin of clan Ryo, Hauko-kun.”

Despite your plea, he stands tall, his pride not allowing him to back down. And perhaps he too feels the conflict on a deeper level, the knowledge that the world will be troubled if you both survive. Or maybe he's just a stubborn ass who doesn't fuckin' have his priorities straight, the jerk!

You gesture, and pull at the darkness of the Abyss, taking what belongs to you from it. You draw the shadows around you to a single point and hold your hand over the droplet of darkness, and let it fill, spread out....and reveal the form of Hidesato, sleeping peacefully in the depths of your barrier. She floats, senseless and mindless in the oceanic cold, ready to serve you, to pay off her karmic debt. “Don't be like Hidesato, Hauko. Don't make me punish you for your transgressions.”

File: Lightning.jpg (437 KB, 1082x1500)

437 KB JPG

>>36784105
Your cousin steps into a wide horse stance, dropping low, as he slams both hands together above his head. The evil flames erupt around his hands and arms, and he bends down fast, slamming both his hands against the ground, the pavement cracking and shattering at his feat, cracks filled with the dark fire that cascades from his hands into the ground. You can feel his power flooding into the earth around him, surging below you. You might be flying, but that won't protect you from what is rising through the earth to devour you...

[] The Cold Heart Is Infinitely Deep....
[] With A Word, Your Pain is His....
[] Stone.
[] Release Hidesato to take your place in the fight.

>>36784144

>[X] Stone.

That oughta throw off his game.

>>36784079
Or winning before having to drop the mindbreak ultimate. Convince him to not be a creep and to atone for his failures.

>>36784144
>[] With A Word, Your Pain is His....

>>36784144
>[] With A Word, Your Pain is His....
>[] Stone.

>>36784144
>[] With A Word, Your Pain is His...

>>36784181
You can't chose multiple options

>>36784144
>[x] With A Word, Your Pain is His....

>>36784144
>[] Release Hidesato to take your place in the fight.
I take this as giving him a chance to test his powers without getting too hurt.

>>36784144
>[] Stone.

>>36783719
>Epidemics of the latter were said to have wiped out several villages in the late 19th century.
I would say this is silly, but then again there's http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dancing_mania

>>36784144
[] The Cold Heart Is Infinitely Deep....

>>36784144
>[] Stone.

>>36784144
>The Cold Heart is Infinitely Deep....

Aw, you unadventurous babies, give the other elements a chance! We might as well be the dragon girl version of the Avatar, no harm in not taking advantage of that, right?

>>36784144
> Stone
> The cold heart is infinitely deep

>>36784477
>>36784181

We can't choose multiple options in barrier combat. It's the only exception to the multiple choice thing.

Unless XS would like to prove me wrong, and I'd love for that to happen so we can use different elements more often.

>>36784144
>[X] With A Word, Your Pain is His....

>>36784547
>It would have to include preparation and write ins specifically to push to that point. It's happened once before.

>>36784144
>[] Stone.
Sounds like a good time to be kinda indestructable

File: Leviathan.jpg (291 KB, 857x1000)

291 KB JPG

[X] With A Word, Your Pain is His....

You dismiss the image of Hidesato. As loathe as you are to deal out the hurt your cousin is begging for, you don't want to subject her to the pain you're about to suffer or to hide behind her when you should deal out the punishment he demands. She'll serve you another day.

The ground beneath your feet shatters, a pillar of darkness engulfing you. Your flesh crawls, your mind is drowning in the knowledge of the ultimate point of your destiny – that to save your loved ones, you will sacrifice hundreds, thousands, perhaps millions of people's lives. It is as inevitable as your next breath, and inescapable as your self-awareness. You are trapped in a doom not of your own making, and you will, someday soon, chose the lives of the people you love over the lives of people who love other people.

But you already knew that. The pain and the crushing sadness of all those lives, those beautiful, short, glorious human lives, the lives your beloved Amaterasu-Omikami adores and protects, those little flames that have so much potential and next to no power....all those lives dying at your will. That is the horrible pain he's inflicting upon you. The knowledge and more importantly, the feelings that will follow when you make that choice.

You embrace it. You will make that choice, and you will accept the pain and suffering that comes with it. Because there is another side to that coin, the side of that coin that brings tears to your eyes, that makes it possible to make that choice. Your cousin has shown you what lies in store, but he did so without knowing what it is that you have to lose.

“Look.”

File: Never Again.jpg (395 KB, 1500x1500)

395 KB JPG

>>36784611
It is a simple word, a basic word. One that it is natural to obey, a word that instinctively draws the eyes. And he sees what you see, the future, the agonizing depths of your sadness and guilt....and the beautiful, tender, all important reason you would even dare to make that horrible choice.

Kiki-hime, naked, beautiful, her belly slightly swollen, your child carried in her womb. Akari-chan, beautiful, strong, invulnerable, her face placid and her benign smile slight and gracing her lips as she places her hands over her belly, where the life you gave her is growing. Kiku-chan, naked, youthful, on her knees next to Er Yin-sensei, her pointed ear pressed against the swell of the Void dragonette's belly, listening to a heartbeat only she can hear. Your hands, resting against Kiku-chan's belly, feeling the life that waits to be born there. Yui-chan and Akari-chan listening to the heartbeat of the child you will one day carry, their eyes wide and glittering with tears of happiness as Kiki-hime holds your child in her arms.

Your family. The family he would take you from, the family that others would torture, kill, destroy, harm, ravage and maim. Your beloved ones, whom you will lay waste to all of Japan to protect. The people Oba-san would destroy to make you obey.

“NO!” His cry of anguish is tormented, and he staggers back, swinging wildly, trying to smash the visions in his eyes.. He falls to his knees and screams in anguish, his spirit broken, his understanding of your situation complete.

He has lost.

>To be continued....

>>36784631
Well, he came here to see Kiki naked, so does this count as a case of "be careful what you wish for, you just might get it."
Also, the visit to the Catholics is delayed I think. No way we'll stick our nose in until we've recovered.

File: All bow.jpg (795 KB, 1050x650)

795 KB JPG

I can stay to answer a few questions.

I trust you've all enjoyed playing and reading - thank you for doing so.

>>36784631
Ahhh, thanks for running XS! Nice fight indeed.

>>36784683
I hope we can still meet with Chisato. But first, Er Yin.

>>36784732
Thank for the thread, you amazing genius!

How badly did the combatants get hurt, in this fight?

File: TheWeirdestBoner.jpg (55 KB, 864x489)

55 KB JPG

>>36784732

I don't suppose you could tell us the next time you're running? You've managed to leave off on something I can't quite call a cliffhanger but has me wanting to know what happens next. Shit's infuriating and I need more of your heart disease writing, your diabetic word crack.

In return, the best 4chan birthday thread I have ever seen in my life, immortalized in a screencap.

>>36784776
The wood oni-child will recoiver in a few days - a broken neck takes longer to regenerate, but Akari-niji-chan is an expert. The Void dragonette is in much worse shape - she has a concussion, and it's going to take some of Yui's surgery to help her, and she's going to have a lot of scars from Shoko's wicked claws. Shoko is going to be wearing a few as well, lightning and claws alike, and she's going to need a lot of alcohol to replace all the blood she lost. Er Yin cale off the worst of it - her upper chest and arm were engulfed in flames, and she's going to be a long time healing. Because she's weak to fire, she won't recover nearly as well as the rest can. It's likely she'll carry scars unless you resort to serious magics to heal her.

Hauko is a broken man. You've destroyed his world view, and broken him completely. Despite this, it isn't entirely a bad thing, and you will see that in the next thread. Perhaps recommending he go to Hinata-hakase would be good for him....

>>36784779
Hopefully Wednesday, but possibly tomorrow. It depends on the storm and how I sleep today.

File: 1bcf85d5997e10934fcb78116(...).jpg (415 KB, 1300x1500)

415 KB JPG

>>36784776
As far as Rykusa's injuries....her physical injuries are painful and unpleasant, but Hauko did a number on her. she's going to be pretty upset and a little depressed, and have a much more grim outlook for a while -though that can be helped by her family.....and maybe a cute.

>>36784915
And what is considered "serious magics" in this case? If it's not something that requires serious cost opportunity for us you know we'll do it.

>>36784968
Eh, it's just more sake and babying from the wives who are still in good shape, it's all good. Plus company in the recovery bed?

>>36784631
>everyonesgettingpregnant.jpg
Could a human become elementally pregnant? This is important because Chisato.

>>36784972
Magics as in tpeakign to Hinata-hakase and begging for her help, or using the Wish Granting Jewel on Yui to make her into a truly adept healer, which might have a cost in that Ryukusa won't have access to it later. Or seeking help from a powerful Kami, which rarely has gone well. Travelign to Yomi and begging for help from Emi-san, hoping she will deign to help.

Kami level magic.

>>36784915
>and she's going to need a lot of alcohol to replace all the blood she lost.
Shoko confirmed for Bersercar.

> It's likely she'll carry scars unless you resort to serious magics to heal her.
I'm a fan of scars myself, but burn scars are no laughing matter. I think, unless Er Yin has any objections, we should heal them as best as we possibly can.

>>36785086
Ew. Uh, never mind. Emi-san is promising (and a cute and I don't mind visiting her for any reason), but we'd have to treat with Izanagi again, so...

>>36784968
We need to hug the cute as much as possible.

File: But Thats Forbidden Love.jpg (797 KB, 1500x1082)

797 KB JPG

>>36785076
....where do you think spirit-children come from?

More to the point, it would take a true spirit to do so, and Ryukusa's ability only works on dragonettes.

>>36785134
>Shoko confirmed for Bersercar.
Well, yeah, we knew that. She killed Pauchi in a mindless blood rage.

>>36785135
Would that really stop us from trying to get her pregnant? Or Rie-sama? Or Yuuhi? Or...

>>36785215
Duh. But I was talking about her replacing blood with alcohol and cars being able to use alcohol as fuel and dammit I had to explain my joke what a bummer.

>>36785134
>unless Er Yin has any objections, we should heal them as best as we possibly can.
I wonder if Ryu can polish scales.
>We need to hug the cute as much as possible
I'm still waiting on Kikunabe

>>36785135
So she's safe as long as her bride has a defined species, or could she be lolidommed into motherhood?

>>36785234
Anon please, you can't waifu the entire cast.

File: f3199774b46f8998d4b0cf52a(...).png (1.8 MB, 1400x1781)

1.8 MB PNG

>>36785234
....probably not.

Though your breasts are a little big for Chisato to be interested in. And Rie is....kind of weird. Yuuhi on the other hand....

>>36785298
YOU CAN'T STOP ME! You probably can.

>>36785296
>Kikunabe
I don't know what you mean.

>So she's safe as long as her bride has a defined species, or could she be lolidommed into motherhood?
Sadly, only a male could get her pregnant, unless you're talking youkai, in which case you may want to reconsider the idea entirely. Ask Yuuhi about her dad sometime.

>>36785365
Kiku. In a pot. With food. Maybe a blindfold. Chopsticks and banter keep the pot boiling. Doubt the whole family would be into it, but maybe Shoko and Er Yin.

>Sadly, only a male could get her pregnant
I don't know if that is good or bad, actually.

>>36785495
>I don't know if that is good or bad, actually.
That would be subjective, surely.

File: b00d8c6bcfb81996aecc34a37(...).jpg (252 KB, 700x900)

252 KB JPG

With that, I bid you all a good night. I'm glad that it was enjoyable.

Incidentally, the choices that you have made previously are what allowed Ryukusa to withstand Hauko-Pauchi's powers so well. It would have gone much worse if you had not turned Ryukusa into the compassionate smile protector she has become.

>>36785495
Oh. Well then. I have taken notes.

>>36785365
>Sadly, only a male could get her pregnant,
There's a reason the "science babies" tag exists! But I get the hints, yes. It makes me sad we can't lewd her: it's only fair we can do so since she did it to Ryukuza when she was a loli.

But then again I'm a deviant that also wants to lewd our sister, so...

>>36785586
>>36785530
XS did mention youkai could manage it.

We just need to find a loli youkai.

>>36785575
>spoiler
But...how could we not make her a smile-protector? What a ludicrous idea.

Night!

>>36785649
Yes, but it won't be US. Also, she said we would likely want to reconsider it, so I don't think it's a good idea to bark up that tree.

>>36785649
When XS delivers a warning, she usually mean business. She's very adamant about tagging her stories for just that reason, anon.

Which makes me curious as to what kind of loli youkai exist exactly.

>>36785649
>>36785750
Dolljoints? Fluffy tails? I think every one of those is potentially vicious, to be honest.

>>36784144
>[] Stone.

>>36785836
Anon...

>>36785836
... That's so ridiculously late that it has to be a joke.

>>36785575
XS, I have a feeling we've turned this quest into something you couldn't have possibly expected, but something you never knew you wanted. Thank you for running and have an excellent night.

>>36786416
>XS, I have a feeling we've turned this quest into something you couldn't have possibly expected, but something you never knew you wanted.
It happens. See also: Paladin of Joy.

>>36786455
Lamia Daughter Quest too. I'll have to check out Paladin of Joy.

>>36786455
What's that one about, anyway. I've thought about picking it up but I can never find the time.

>>36786883
Half angel paladin becoming a multi-planar force to be reckoned with. It's interesting, but the writing leaves much to be desired. Also, magic babies.

>>36786883
Half Angel paladin of the Goddess of Love and Joy solves problems first by talking, and when necessary ridiculous amounts of power. And is well on the way to being a new goddess. And she has 3 wives now. And 5 kids.

>>36786931
I kind of petered off of the quest after the debacle with the whole thing with the arrest after trying to assert dominance over the kind. Are the three new kids hers, or one of the wife's? Hoping they're hers.

>>36787166
We got Konig to force a decent secondary option.

Isla wanted to get knocked up as of the honeymoon night...and had triplets. One human with blue hair and eyes, one angelic, and one draconic. And yes, they're hers, but she's more the "father" again.

>>36787225
Boo. I wanted to see the main character have triplets, one from each of her wives.

>>36787355
It's definitely going to happen, they aren't going to let her get away with being the only one not to carry a kid or five. But it's going to be a while since it's on hiatus while Pally does another quest.

>>36784915
>It's likely she'll carry scars unless you resort to serious magics to heal her.
But scar tissue from burns is the fastest and easiest to heal... It only took 18 months for the burn scars covering my legs and arm to be properly healed after getting trapped in a car accident, now you can't even notice those areas were ever burned to begin with.

>>36790310
Yeah, modern medicine and the usage of hyperbaric chambers to heal woulds and treat scar tissue have essentially removed burn scars being a permanent thing, at most they last several years while you get grafts and surgeries to correct the damage the burns did, but once thats done and you start treating the scars, they are easy to heal and quick to remove.

>>36790310
Remember the elements. Er yin is void, so fire is anathema to her in the same way water is to kiku.

>>36790458
While true, that means she's vulnerable to it, but her body is still flesh and blood, and as soon as she's not actively being set on fire, those scars enter the realm of modern science.

>>36790490
If they were caused by a normal fire maybe, though I doubt it, but these were caused by another spiritual being.

>>36790550
Well unless the scars are magical in nature then that simply does not hold up.

>>36790589
Well what's done is done sadly. Once XS decides something, that's that.

Remember the arm?

>>36790670
Indeed, hopefully the matter of her burn scars isn't so taxing to heal, it shouldn't be if you compare how damaging the different injuries are.

>>36791101
Eh, as long as it isn't too disfiguring it'll just make her look more badass with her old scars.

>>36791266
For a blind person, I just hope it isn't so bad as to impair her sense of touch.

>>36791266
Burn scars do not make people look 'badass'...

>>36791573
Tell that to the Russian chick from 'Black Lagoon'

>>36791729
She just looks badass because she's badass, not because of her horrific scars

I wanted to refer Kuraokami as our uncle while thinking about the Wish Granting Jewel (and wondering who the heck goes handing spirit children possibly dangerous wishes-without-oversight as apologies, and then wondering if he even knew who he was dealing with was a spirit child, and not full-blooded, considering we just killed two oni, and come on uncle, being so oblivious of your adorable niece??). So I double checked the family tree to be sure and thought I'd share in case any one else was interested.

Our dear pappy, Ryujin, aka Owatatsumi, dragon god of the sea, is one of the children of Izanami and Izanagi, notably one of the gods that Izanami actually gave birth to, as a lot of them were born Aphrodite style, or weirder, in the aftermath of the story.

Kuraokami, dragon god of rain and snow, is one of the younger ones born in said aftermath. After the birth of Kagutsuchi killed Izanami, Izanagi killed him, and 8 gods were born from the blood that dripped from his sword. Kuraokami was one of the two born from the blood that dripped from the hilt and between Izanagi's fingers. It's a little harder to say how relation works with that, but it is interesting that Kuraokami could be said to be born of the sword Susanoo later used to kill Orochi.

And for reference, Amaterasu was born afterwards, washed from Izanagi's left eye after he returned from Yomi.

>>36791878
Although, I do see it sometimes coming up that Owatatsumi was also born after Izanami's death, from Kagutsuchi's blood, like Kuraokami, but I don't see in any specific source for that, just summaries.
(There's also a trio of watatsumi water gods born from the purification after yomi, but they appear to be separate)

While another dragonette would have suffered third degree burns from the flames used, and would heal without scars eventually, Er Yin's vulnerability caused her to suffer deep tissue 3rd degree burns, damaging not just skin but muscle as well. Such injuries don't merely damage the body, but the Shen of a dragonette, which is where the true problem lies. In addition the injuries have lowered her ability to generate Chi.

>>36790490
Spirit-children's bodies aren't just flesh and blood - they are also made of the spiritual essence of the world, in the form of Shen, and injuries caused by opposing elements can damage Shen. If the Wood oni had grabbed Akari, she would have suffered broken bones and torn flesh, in spite of her normal invulnerability, and they would heal human slow.

>>36794687
Well then, might be time for another visit to Hinata

>>36794687
So in other words, we really should have brought everyone to that fight so that we could have avoided perilous matchups.

>>36794739
well yes with the benefit of hindsight, but we didn't have that foreknowledge nor did we know she'd get matched up like that

>>36794739
>>36794766
Perilous matchups are almost inevitable for someone when dealing in groups of 3 or more just because of how the math works. She was skilled enough, but no one knew how powerful Hauko had become.

File: Five Elements.jpg (106 KB, 634x720)

106 KB JPG

>>36794739
Any time you have threesomes you'll have bad matchups.

>>36794875
True, but with better numbers you can put the ones at advantage in harms way in front of those at risk. Or at least some neutrally advantaged.

>>36795039
But, i we had brought everyone, Kiki would be in the middle of the fight, or left mostly unprotected if she stayed and we brought yui and kiku. It's a catch 22 of risk management really.

>>36796497
>>36795039
It's almost like XS planned it that way or something.

>>36797630
Well, which oni we fought was the result of a dice roll. We could have easily fought our cousin, allowing everyone else to more or less trounce their opponents.

>>36797765
A 'dice' roll...

>>36797765
I was referring to the allocation of resources.

>>36798011
Oh well, yeah. That's to be expected, since any good DM/GM/QM would do something like that to provide choices and obstacles, since that sort of thing happens in real life.

>>36797852
Well, Xs said what each number would mean in the same post she rolled for it. Unless you're saying she has magic powers over the /tg/ dice.

>>36798068
>Unless you're saying she has magic powers over the /tg/ dice.
That is exactly what I'm saying, its XS afterall.

>>36798068

She's declared nat 20's after sacrificing typo demons to the dice gods before rolling before, so I wouldn't put it past her.