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| RP Experiment: The Evil Sword | |
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| Topic Started: Dec 5 2008, 08:56:39 PM (531 Views) | |
| JDWitchdoctor | Dec 5 2008, 08:56:39 PM Post #1 |
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Still a Witch Doctor
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*** A single, robed man stands firm against the background of the Temple of Julian, patron lord of the arts. It was now three hundred years since the death of the great man, but his legacy still remained in the hearts of the people, though not in the practice of his followers. Julian, the patron of the final Emperor of the country, had devoted his life to art, kindness, and the merciful justice the rulers of the country once believed in. The patrons of the temple were no longer so benevolent. The man walks towards the temple, wary of the guards ahead of him. He knows they will not attack him, but they are still threatening. In this country, even the slightest misstep, even the smallest challenge to the honor of the warriors of Shogun Dion would result in death. The man had seen the cruelty that came from such a practice. He knew in his heart that such evil could not last forever. The man approaches the door. The guards look to him, but say nothing. They do not block his entrance, but rather watch him, silently accessing what kind of threat he might pose to them. They were men who looked at physical appearance to determine strength. The man could not blame them. How else could they look at him? The man walks into the temple. A single monk sits before the altar. This man is kind-hearted, and his name reflects this. He is Zen, a man traveling on his second pilgrimage. He had come to the temple to pray to Julian, who had been deified by the emperor many years ago, back when honor remained in the country. The man knew Zen was not a true believer in the gods, but he did not think any less of him for it. The fact that he prayed to something he did not believe in showed respect, not only for the religion many people still honored but also for the great men who had established it. The religion of the gods kept order to the town, and Zen understood this well. The man approached Zen, and then stopped once he noticed that the monk had sensed his presence. The man decided to speak at last, though it felt unnatural for him to speak in this place. He somehow felt it took away some of the reverence this place created in its design. Man: "They say that a man who prays out of respect and not out of belief is spared the rod, but not given a house in heaven. But, they also say that faith without works is dead. Tell me, monk: does this mean there is truly middle ground in your journey to the gods? Are we spared damnation for pretending to worship these images, or are we just fooling ourselves? Why pray to a man to whom you bear no allegiance, in whom you place no faith?" |
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| NoNameAtAll | Dec 5 2008, 09:08:37 PM Post #2 |
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Zen had been in the middle of praying. As a monk, it was his duty to begin his pilgrimage of the world to visit the Seven Temples of the Patrons of Heaven. It took him a fair amount of time to reach the first temple, mainly because he was not used to the rigors of the world. By the time he had even reached the temple, he had walked in covered in mud and soaked, due to not being prepared for the rapid changes in climate. However, after a quick meal and shower, he had spent the night praying and then set off on the next day. Knowing more about the world now, he set off for the second temple without a hitch. When he had reached it, he was in far better condition, though he had stopped at a village on the way to get more information as well as to rest. He then prayed the next day and was once again on his way. Now, Zen had reached the third temple. He once again stopped at a village to rest and recuperate. He then went to the third temple and prayed again. However, this time, he was approached by someone he knew. Not turning around, he listened to the man's words: "They say that a man who prays out of respect and not out of belief is spared the rod, but not given a house in heaven. But, they also say that faith without works is dead. Tell me, monk: does this mean there is truly middle ground in your journey to the gods? Are we spared damnation for pretending to worship these images, or are we just fooling ourselves? Why pray to a man to whom you bear no allegiance, in whom you place no faith?" Zen closed his eyes for a moment and then turned around and faced the man. He then spoke: "What is wrong with praying for that which you respect? Perhaps I not only respected the emperor, but also believed that he had done a great many of things. And what is wrong with praying for that which you believe? Perhaps I not only believe in the religion, but I respect the ideas that it entails. Of course, religion involves more of belief than respect and great men involve more respect than belief." Zen then inclined and bowed at the man and then resumed his praying. He did not want to speak much more to the man. |
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| JDWitchdoctor | Dec 5 2008, 09:27:46 PM Post #3 |
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Still a Witch Doctor
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The man's casual look twists into a look of disdain and anger as memories, painful memories of a tragic past, surfaced once again. They were inner demons that ripped at his heart day by day, and he knew that unless he faced them now they would destroy him. As he looked at Zen's face, as he gazed into the eyes he had long dreamed of depriving of light and life, Yoshida spoke the words that had balanced on the tip of his tongue for years. "After what you've done, how can you sit there and bow before the altar of man whose feet you are not fit to kiss? How can you feign respect when you've already broken the highest oaths and vows this belief embodies? How can you sit there and pretend to be a monk when you are responsible for the death of Princess Yuki? You are not a man, Zen. You are a worm." Yoshida's right hand drifts down to meet the concealed hilt of a sword. His words, filled with hate and anger, drain him of thought, but he still remains enough sense to know how dangerous his position here is. He was banished from the capitol, and Zen knew that, but nothing could keep him away, not when he still had one last oath to fulfill. |
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| NoNameAtAll | Dec 5 2008, 09:40:14 PM Post #4 |
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Zen lowered his head to the ground. He knew he had done things he should not have. It was part of the reason he became a monk. The other part was to avoid blackmail. His thoughts shifted toward the man who had spoken to him. Zen knew this man did not belong here, that this man should not be here. Out of the corner of his eyes, Zen noticed the man grip his blade, which raised the suspicion that this man was here to try and kill him. When the man spoke, Zen knew that those were words he had been holding back for some time: "After what you've done, how can you sit there and bow before the altar of man whose feet you are not fit to kiss? How can you feign respect when you've already broken the highest oaths and vows this belief embodies? How can you sit there and pretend to be a monk when you are responsible for the death of Princess Yuki? You are not a man, Zen. You are a worm." Zen did not respond at first. He did not understand why the man was here now. In addition, the subject of the princess was a touchy one to him. Despite how it may have seemed, Zen did love the princess very much. He would have given up everything for her if she had asked of it. Her death hit him hard; another reason why he had become a monk. He then spoke to the man: "...Perhaps I am a worm. If that is what I am thought to be, then so be it. However, why are you here, Yoshida? I am certain you would and should not be here. My reasons for prayer and becoming a monk are far more complicated than you may think. Some of the reasons you believe are true, but there are other and different reasons why I have become a monk. But I am doubting that you are here for prayer. Why have you come?" Zen slowly began to reach for a hidden blade of his. Monks were not known for fighting and Zen did detest fighting. However, Zen also knew that he would need to keep himself defended in case. After all, an unarmed man is one who reaches the grave sooner. Edited by NoNameAtAll, Dec 5 2008, 09:43:38 PM.
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| JDWitchdoctor | Dec 5 2008, 09:58:29 PM Post #5 |
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Still a Witch Doctor
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Yoshida breaks out into a frenzied voice powered by an adrenaline-fueled rage, thinking only of the past. He lets his mind yield to the pain in his heart. "I'm here to reclaim the honor of house Seito-by killing the man who..." Suddenly, before he can utter another word, Yoshida is stopped in his tracks by the sound of quiet, mechanical music from a music box of some kind. The tune, poetic in it's slow, soothing melody is a familiar one. It is a tune that both Yoshida and Zen immediately recognize as the tune played by Princess Yuki's favorite music box. They both know that only one man has it. Suddenly, the music stops and a man walks into the temple, coming up just behind Yoshida. He claps his hands, then looks at both the monk and Yoshida. This man is Kai Seito, the lord of House Seito, the former husband of Princess Yuki, and Yoshida's former master by oath. His face is pale and thin, but his eyes carry a glow that belies his true nature. Both Yoshida and Zen know this to be a cruel, heartless man. Not surprisingly, he also already has a sword drawn: a sword that is pointed at Yoshida. "The gods favor me today. On one hand, I have Ataru Yoshida: the man directly responsible for the physical death of my wife. And, on the other hand, I have Zen: the man who forced the hand of fate to bring death to Yuki." Yoshida tries to move, but as he does so Kai takes two steps towards him: which covers exactly enough distance to bring the tip of his sword within an inch of Yoshida's neck. Kai speaks out again, this time in a voice that is much more vindictive. "As much as I would enjoy seeing this dog kill you, Zen, it would be far more enjoyable for me to do it myself." Yoshida does not move. He does not speak. His eyes glow with hatred, but his hand stays steadily at the hilt of his sword. He knows, however, that in his position now he could not draw it fast enough to outmaneuver his lord. |
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| NoNameAtAll | Dec 5 2008, 10:13:50 PM Post #6 |
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Zen frowned upon hearing the frenzied madness that was carried by Yoshida's voice. "I'm here to reclaim the honor of house Seito-by killing the man who..." Zen turned his head. Why had Yoshida stopped speaking? His answer came in the form of music. But not just any music; the very song that was played by Princess Yuki's favorite music box. He would never forget that song as long as he lived. For it was a song that represented both his times of happiness with the princess and the bitterness left in his heart that remained after her death. However, Zen also knew that someone else had that box besides Princess Yuki: Kai Seito. Zen recognized the man as Princess Yuki's former husband, as well as the Yoshida's lord by oath. He was also known for his cruelty; something that, even if Zen had forgotten, would have been reminded of when he saw Kai point his blade at Yoshida. "The gods favor me today. On one hand, I have Ataru Yoshida: the man directly responsible for the physical death of my wife. And, on the other hand, I have Zen: the man who forced the hand of fate to bring death to Yuki." Zen watched as Kai walked over to Yoshida, pointing his sword at Yoshida's neck while saying: "As much as I would enjoy seeing this dog kill you, Zen, it would be far more enjoyable for me to do it myself." Zen said nothing. He knew that Yoshida could tell Kai of the affair. But perhaps Kai already knew of it. Kai could also force Yoshida to admit to knowing of it; thus leading to a swift death of himself. But Kai also had a tendency to kill without abiding the law. But if Kai killed Yoshida, it would give himself ample time to draw his own blade and strike at Kai, as much as he would prefer not to. As much as he detested Kai, it was not within Zen's nature to fight unless it was absolutely necessary. Many other possibilities came to mind, but Zen pushed them aside. He then vocalized exactly what he was wondering about: "Pray tell, Kai, how am I forcing the hand of fate? That is an impossibility; it makes no sense." |
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| JDWitchdoctor | Dec 5 2008, 10:34:20 PM Post #7 |
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Still a Witch Doctor
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Kai chuckled lightly, and Yoshida winced. Yoshida knew that Kai still held information that could condemn him in an instant, information that threatened the honor of both Yoshida and the princess. However, Kai spoke out, giving voice to this painful truth. "Oh...so you didn't know, did you? I knew Yoshida was a coward, but I didn't know that he was a liar as well." Yoshida wanted to kill Kai before another word could be uttered, but he knew that he couldn't. He was powerless now, which was becoming harder and harder to accept as rage continued to boil inside of him. His right hand began to shake. His sword seemed to call out to him. Kai began to speak again. "I'll indulge you, Zen. After all, you'll be meeting the gods today anyway. It is only fitting that you know how your actions brought about the death of my sweet Yuki!" Kai stopped for a moment, letting Zen take in the words. He then continued, playing on the strong emotions he knew he was evoking. "You see, I knew that you were interested in my wife, monk. It was painfully obvious. At first, I remained patient, knowing that my sweet Yuki would repel any interest you showed her. For months I trusted her to refuse you, the way any respectable woman would. However, by some evil you filled her mind with heresy! Yoshida here finally told me...he told me that lady Yuki secretly planned to leave me! Did you hear that? She wanted to leave me in order to live with you! For this crime...for this insult to my house, Yuki had to die! Your evil influence made me do it! Your influence made me set that fire! Your influence forced the hand of fate, monster!" Now that Kai himself was full of blind rage, Yoshida took his chance. He drew his sword with blinding speed and pushed himself forward, using the sudden momentum of the fall to swing around and deflect Kai's blade. His maneuver succeeded, and he used his success to make distance between himself, Kai, and Zen. The three were now apart from each other by a relatively equal distance, squaring off against each other in a triangle. |
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| NoNameAtAll | Dec 5 2008, 10:49:04 PM Post #8 |
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Zen frowned, not liking the light chuckle that escaped Kai's throat. "Oh...so you didn't know, did you? I knew Yoshida was a coward, but I didn't know that he was a liar as well." A liar? That was something that surprised Zen. However, he remained composed, as he waited for Kai's next words. May as well listen to all of it before the inevitable hostilities broke out. "You see, I knew that you were interested in my wife, monk. It was painfully obvious. At first, I remained patient, knowing that my sweet Yuki would repel any interest you showed her. For months I trusted her to refuse you, the way any respectable woman would. However, by some evil you filled her mind with heresy! Yoshida here finally told me...he told me that lady Yuki secretly planned to leave me! Did you hear that? She wanted to leave me in order to live with you! For this crime...for this insult to my house, Yuki had to die! Your evil influence made me do it! Your influence made me set that fire! Your influence forced the hand of fate, monster!" Zen was wide-eyed. He could not believe that Princess Yuki had planned to leave Kai. Moreover, he was shocked that Yuki was slain by Kai's hand, rather than her own. And she had died in order to maintain Kai's honor. While he would not delude himself into thinking he had honor of his own, he found it horrible that Kai had done this. He also knew that Yuki herself died without honor, for she had cheated on her husband. But Zen knew that she had followed her heart. He then saw Yoshida take his chance as Kai fell into a blind rage and his maneuver succeed. The three were now in a triangle. Zen then spoke: "Yuki was following her heart. Nothing more. But you...you slew her. You...you killed her...you...my anger is not directed at Yoshida...he has done no wrong...but you...you...YOU!!!" Zen then unsheathed his hidden short sword, a Kotetsu and flew at Kai. Life or death made no difference, but Zen was not about to let Kai's murder of his beloved go unpunished. |
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