Shadow Moon
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Shadow Moon
The Dokkaebi were not renowned for their patience and Bujo was a exemplary member of his kind, despite his many centuries of existance he walked where angels feared to tred and definately rushed in.
A single bound of his hugely muscular leg took him with one almight hop into the throng of the Buxing Zhe, but these creatures were no mere spirits, these were ghoulish hunters of the yomi worlds, one of the striders screeched and lashed out with one of its impossibly long stilt legs.
The blow struck Bujo like a hammer upon an anvil, launching him across the shadow realm, his impact destroying the echo of a canal side hut.
The dragon snarled sidewinding through the air she exhaled a billous stream of noisome gas that engulfed the entire wharf and its contained waters, however her attack was repelled as beams of black light lanced out of the cloud of gas, cutting gashes through her scales forcing her to retreat.
A strider broke out of the fog, coughing and it staggered, its black eyes narrowing upon the small form of a cat.
Master Tails narrowed his eyes as the creature slowly prowled toward him, he grimaced as it drooled, he waited for it to get close drawing back its spine like stilt to strike, he looked skyward watching as a droplet of moonlight fell from the silvery disc, as the things stilt speared toward him he leapt disappearing into the moonlet drop.
A single bound of his hugely muscular leg took him with one almight hop into the throng of the Buxing Zhe, but these creatures were no mere spirits, these were ghoulish hunters of the yomi worlds, one of the striders screeched and lashed out with one of its impossibly long stilt legs.
The blow struck Bujo like a hammer upon an anvil, launching him across the shadow realm, his impact destroying the echo of a canal side hut.
The dragon snarled sidewinding through the air she exhaled a billous stream of noisome gas that engulfed the entire wharf and its contained waters, however her attack was repelled as beams of black light lanced out of the cloud of gas, cutting gashes through her scales forcing her to retreat.
A strider broke out of the fog, coughing and it staggered, its black eyes narrowing upon the small form of a cat.
Master Tails narrowed his eyes as the creature slowly prowled toward him, he grimaced as it drooled, he waited for it to get close drawing back its spine like stilt to strike, he looked skyward watching as a droplet of moonlight fell from the silvery disc, as the things stilt speared toward him he leapt disappearing into the moonlet drop.
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Shadow Moon
Sausalito, The West Coast of Richardson Bay, Across the Golden Bay.
On the hills overlooking the small fishing village of Sausalito, the guardian watched the house boats tethered at the sourthern end of the towns long waterfront bob with the rise of the tide.
As the coast stretched north the harbour became the domain of scores of fishing boats, competing with the fishing villages of the East waters of San Francisco.
He had a very specific purpose to watch over the auspicious ones and at all possible keep them hidden, all without them knowing.
In the grand scheme of things they were that oddity of oddities, an apparently normal human family, but the Heavens had in all their majesty given signs that they were special in some way, that there was some significance to them.
If it let it trouble him he would become frustrated, but it did not, for to do so would be denying his own purpose which would a supreme act of foolishness, he belonged to no Order, Guild or Fraternity, his powers focused soley on his body and ability to defend.
The troubling things was as blissfully ignorant as they were, agents of the moonless skies, the prowlers in dark places were also aware of their significance and were looking for them, it was only a matter of time before they picked up the trail to the original dwelling.
No it was not a question of them not eventually locating them, it was who would do so first and would they meet the Dragon or the Tiger.
On the hills overlooking the small fishing village of Sausalito, the guardian watched the house boats tethered at the sourthern end of the towns long waterfront bob with the rise of the tide.
As the coast stretched north the harbour became the domain of scores of fishing boats, competing with the fishing villages of the East waters of San Francisco.
He had a very specific purpose to watch over the auspicious ones and at all possible keep them hidden, all without them knowing.
In the grand scheme of things they were that oddity of oddities, an apparently normal human family, but the Heavens had in all their majesty given signs that they were special in some way, that there was some significance to them.
If it let it trouble him he would become frustrated, but it did not, for to do so would be denying his own purpose which would a supreme act of foolishness, he belonged to no Order, Guild or Fraternity, his powers focused soley on his body and ability to defend.
The troubling things was as blissfully ignorant as they were, agents of the moonless skies, the prowlers in dark places were also aware of their significance and were looking for them, it was only a matter of time before they picked up the trail to the original dwelling.
No it was not a question of them not eventually locating them, it was who would do so first and would they meet the Dragon or the Tiger.
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Shadow Moon
Bujo started awake and snarled the blow and impact had knocked him out, he released an almighty belch his eyes wild and mad.
"YOU MUTHAFUCKERS HAVE DONE IT NOW" he roared, his already disproportioned body rippled as he flooded his form with essence, his ape like arms popping with tendril like veins, his clay brown body bulging and twisting in unpleasant ways as it expanded.
His large toad like head rippled its shiny skin undulating with thick large shark like scales, his eyes turning black, he spat his nurmerous small fangs out in a gruesome bloody pile of phelgm, allowing larger shark like fangs to tear through his gums, he drew his thick black claws along his forearms tearing deep rents through his flesh, his thick red blood the consistency of jelly hissed and shone a dark jade green.
The jade light wrapping itself around his arms and as it did so thick shards of jade crystal covered his forearms and fists.
Bujo bellowed a thunderous roar sending the small spirit creatures scurrying in fear, the striders pausing their stabbing of the fire within the water, with an almighty roar and hop, his single leg propelling high in the sky and down amidst the creatures, he met the first as it swung its razor edged lance like leg shattering the limb, as it screeched he shatterered its other foreleg and caved in its head with a downward swing of his hammer like fist.
The striders surged, leaping on the Dokkaebi enmasse, jagged teeth flashing and attempting to skewer him, in response Bujo breathed a great cloud of noxious vapour and punched, great waves of jade energy flaring as his blows struck.
The mob of striders and the Dokkaebi sinking beneath the waters as they fought.
"YOU MUTHAFUCKERS HAVE DONE IT NOW" he roared, his already disproportioned body rippled as he flooded his form with essence, his ape like arms popping with tendril like veins, his clay brown body bulging and twisting in unpleasant ways as it expanded.
His large toad like head rippled its shiny skin undulating with thick large shark like scales, his eyes turning black, he spat his nurmerous small fangs out in a gruesome bloody pile of phelgm, allowing larger shark like fangs to tear through his gums, he drew his thick black claws along his forearms tearing deep rents through his flesh, his thick red blood the consistency of jelly hissed and shone a dark jade green.
The jade light wrapping itself around his arms and as it did so thick shards of jade crystal covered his forearms and fists.
Bujo bellowed a thunderous roar sending the small spirit creatures scurrying in fear, the striders pausing their stabbing of the fire within the water, with an almighty roar and hop, his single leg propelling high in the sky and down amidst the creatures, he met the first as it swung its razor edged lance like leg shattering the limb, as it screeched he shatterered its other foreleg and caved in its head with a downward swing of his hammer like fist.
The striders surged, leaping on the Dokkaebi enmasse, jagged teeth flashing and attempting to skewer him, in response Bujo breathed a great cloud of noxious vapour and punched, great waves of jade energy flaring as his blows struck.
The mob of striders and the Dokkaebi sinking beneath the waters as they fought.
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Shadow Moon
The Spirit MIrror of The Manantial Canal - Broadway
A drop of silver fell from the clouds above the canal, before it could land with a splash upon the echoed shadow of one of the canal side huts Master Tails sprang from the drop, however his hunter was waiting great sythe like bone lances darted forwards.
As the Cat Lord awaited his fate, a figure stepped from beside him on the roof, his head bowed in resignation he did not notice until the sounds of conflict told him he was still amongst the living.
White Crane Woman's hands were steepled as if in prayer, the lances getting to mere inches from her, spreading her hands she almost effortlessly pushed them apart, seemingly walking on air her right leg rose, extended and kicked the strider, the blow sent a shockwave rattling the spirit buildings and propelling the creature into the night.
The woman turned regarding Master Tails and bowed "Lord Gin Kkoli", he bowed his head in return, watching her run through the air to the ground and race after the strider before turning to the silver drop supended in the air above him, his eyes shone bright yellow as his tail wove an intricate pattern, he looked up seeing the moon was fortunately full as the silver drop broke into six smaller globes each falling to the floor and in their place a small silver warrior stood.
In the Western realms the man wolves would call these entities Lunes, the children of Chang'e The Goddess of the Moon, with a flick of his head he gestured their direction and they sprang to action.
The little dragon swam through the air above, with another swish of his tail he spoke to her "Find Lady Moon, we risk neglecting our duties" the dragon nodded and then shot off into the night sky.
The strider crashed into a dark stone wall, shaking itself and releasing a keening moan, White Crane Woman sprang her feet darting between its stabbing legs, deflecting each, in mid air she spun delivering a crushing roundhouse kick to its head.
Again the horror was toppled, again it shook itself off and climbed back onto its bone spear legs, she pursed her lips foolishly it wasn't backing down or showing signs of retreat, her sholders rose as she took a deep breath before surging forwards left hand stabbing through the monsters spongey black flesh and into its throat seizing the unwholesome flesh inside, her right hand in a tiger claw stabbed into its eyeless face, she breathed in and then pulled her arms apart and with them the creatures head away from its body.
She met the next as it galloped from the gloom, snapping its foreleg with a stamp and gracefully sweeping her arm across its body as it struck the creature seemed to disolve into a cloud of fleshy bits.
In the watery pit Bujo rain a hammer of blows upon the gang of striders, gathered so close to him in an effort to mob him they could only use their black chisel like teeth to bit, although his body oozed blood from dozens of wounds, he bellowed a silent roar beneath the waters and returned the favour, his toad like heads mouth opening impossibly wide and biting the head off the closest, a backhanded swing of his great stone arms destroyed another, filled with rage he reigned blows upon the next, yet he felt himself growing weaker.
The few remaining Striders still on land were set upon by the Lunes, they moved with a speed almost impossible to watch short silver sickles cutting long wounds each bleeding molten silver, the creatures faced with Chang'e warrior aspect quicky fell, from his vantage point Master Tails continued to clean himself whilst a flick of his tail sent the little warrior into the water.
White Crane Woman dissolved the final two Black Striders trying to harm her before saying a prayer for them, she turned expectantly to the waters of the canal.
A drop of silver fell from the clouds above the canal, before it could land with a splash upon the echoed shadow of one of the canal side huts Master Tails sprang from the drop, however his hunter was waiting great sythe like bone lances darted forwards.
As the Cat Lord awaited his fate, a figure stepped from beside him on the roof, his head bowed in resignation he did not notice until the sounds of conflict told him he was still amongst the living.
White Crane Woman's hands were steepled as if in prayer, the lances getting to mere inches from her, spreading her hands she almost effortlessly pushed them apart, seemingly walking on air her right leg rose, extended and kicked the strider, the blow sent a shockwave rattling the spirit buildings and propelling the creature into the night.
The woman turned regarding Master Tails and bowed "Lord Gin Kkoli", he bowed his head in return, watching her run through the air to the ground and race after the strider before turning to the silver drop supended in the air above him, his eyes shone bright yellow as his tail wove an intricate pattern, he looked up seeing the moon was fortunately full as the silver drop broke into six smaller globes each falling to the floor and in their place a small silver warrior stood.
In the Western realms the man wolves would call these entities Lunes, the children of Chang'e The Goddess of the Moon, with a flick of his head he gestured their direction and they sprang to action.
The little dragon swam through the air above, with another swish of his tail he spoke to her "Find Lady Moon, we risk neglecting our duties" the dragon nodded and then shot off into the night sky.
The strider crashed into a dark stone wall, shaking itself and releasing a keening moan, White Crane Woman sprang her feet darting between its stabbing legs, deflecting each, in mid air she spun delivering a crushing roundhouse kick to its head.
Again the horror was toppled, again it shook itself off and climbed back onto its bone spear legs, she pursed her lips foolishly it wasn't backing down or showing signs of retreat, her sholders rose as she took a deep breath before surging forwards left hand stabbing through the monsters spongey black flesh and into its throat seizing the unwholesome flesh inside, her right hand in a tiger claw stabbed into its eyeless face, she breathed in and then pulled her arms apart and with them the creatures head away from its body.
She met the next as it galloped from the gloom, snapping its foreleg with a stamp and gracefully sweeping her arm across its body as it struck the creature seemed to disolve into a cloud of fleshy bits.
In the watery pit Bujo rain a hammer of blows upon the gang of striders, gathered so close to him in an effort to mob him they could only use their black chisel like teeth to bit, although his body oozed blood from dozens of wounds, he bellowed a silent roar beneath the waters and returned the favour, his toad like heads mouth opening impossibly wide and biting the head off the closest, a backhanded swing of his great stone arms destroyed another, filled with rage he reigned blows upon the next, yet he felt himself growing weaker.
The few remaining Striders still on land were set upon by the Lunes, they moved with a speed almost impossible to watch short silver sickles cutting long wounds each bleeding molten silver, the creatures faced with Chang'e warrior aspect quicky fell, from his vantage point Master Tails continued to clean himself whilst a flick of his tail sent the little warrior into the water.
White Crane Woman dissolved the final two Black Striders trying to harm her before saying a prayer for them, she turned expectantly to the waters of the canal.
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Shadow Moon
Master Tails watched as the Lunes dove into the dark waters of the canal, Bujo brought his massive jade studded fists around crushing his latest opponents face.
He watched as small silver figures darted throughout the waters following the moonlights reflection where it created rippling trails through the dark waters, they attacked enmass slicing the remaining striders into pieces to be consumed by the spirit inhabitants of the canal.
The Dokkaebi's gaze turned to the fiery sphere upon the canal bottom, he knocked a Buxing Zhe corpse aside and kicked down towards it, but his advance was cut short as a huge bone lance arced form the darkness, batting him away.
Master Tails and White Crane Lady tensed as Bujos form erupted from the water crashing down onto the bank before them, they watched as a strider twice as big as the others rose from its depths.
White Crane Lady nodded to the Cat Lord who hopped down and trotted to the still from of the Dokkaebi, whilst she slowly advanced upon the monster.
"YOUR KIN ARE BUT EMPHERIA, GO NOW LEAVE THIS PLACE!" she shouted upon the winds swirling around the canals mirror, at first the monster glowered at her then after seveeral moments released a thunderous roar, smashed its bone spines into the stonework of the canal side and advanced.
"So be it" she muttered and assumed a kata stance
Rage and sheer hatred erupted from the creature as it smashed its bone spur legs each the width of a tree trunk towards White Crane, she darted and glided amongst them, however for every blow she reigned upon it in return did little to the behemoth.
Her kata that had disolved its smaller kin barely blemished its hide, hopping back to a safe distance she reached inside her tunic and drew a pure black Pi Swordstaff, ice vapour flowed from its blade.
Bujo awoke his face wet, he spluttered and snarled "We're you licking me?" he shot accusingly at Master Tail's
"It is to lick wounds closed" replied the Cat
"Its disgusting don't do it again"
"You'd prefer to die, instead"
"Yes, I would" he retorted petulently
"Stop being a child, you have a demon to kill" scolded Master Tails
"Fine, fine" Bujo turned to see the monster advancing on White Crane Woman, the latter tiny in comparison "Yes I do" he sneered evilly
Tensing he crouched down upon his ridiculously muscular leg and shot into the air, his leap taking him high above the monster
White Crane Woman crouched the monster quickening its charge from a trot to a gallop its massive bladed forearm sweeping back to swing, she sprang swinging the Pi in a downward arc and cleaving the monsters spur off, its dismembered limb punching her backwards.
Bujo's leap brought him crashing down onto its shoulders, lacing his fingers together he raised his massive jade fists and brought them down on the beasts skull, the monster staggered, not waiting the Dokkaebi rained blow after blow into its head, a great bloody cloud of ichor and gore filling the air as it started to topple towards.
Having sprung back to her feet White Crane Lady swept forwards, moving from leg to leg and cutting each with a single stroke, Master Tails looked at the thing toppling toward him with distain and some degree of just being put out, before hopping off his comfortable vantage point and moving before his perch was crushed by the huge Buxing Zhe's body.
White Crane Lady cartwheeled towards it ending her acrobatics by bringing the cold blade down across its neck and nodding to the blood caked Dokkaebi, grasping the black leathery flesh on either side of its great skull he tore the wrteched thing from its body and cast it aside.
Each looked at each other and simply nodded before quickly making their way to the waters edge, Master Tails swished his tail and the fiery sphere rose up through the water the Lunes fulfilling their final task of depositing it on the stonework fo the canal-side.
They momentarily watched as six silver spheres once again became a drop of silver that flew back up into the night sky.
Bujo breathed in, inhaling for an impossibly long time and finally exhaled a deluge of water over the flames, the three lookeda the forms before them.
"Well I'll be" muttered the Toad spirit
"This complicates things, as usual" sighed Master Tails "We must get this to Lady Moon quickly" and both of them realised that White Crane Lady had vanished.
He watched as small silver figures darted throughout the waters following the moonlights reflection where it created rippling trails through the dark waters, they attacked enmass slicing the remaining striders into pieces to be consumed by the spirit inhabitants of the canal.
The Dokkaebi's gaze turned to the fiery sphere upon the canal bottom, he knocked a Buxing Zhe corpse aside and kicked down towards it, but his advance was cut short as a huge bone lance arced form the darkness, batting him away.
Master Tails and White Crane Lady tensed as Bujos form erupted from the water crashing down onto the bank before them, they watched as a strider twice as big as the others rose from its depths.
White Crane Lady nodded to the Cat Lord who hopped down and trotted to the still from of the Dokkaebi, whilst she slowly advanced upon the monster.
"YOUR KIN ARE BUT EMPHERIA, GO NOW LEAVE THIS PLACE!" she shouted upon the winds swirling around the canals mirror, at first the monster glowered at her then after seveeral moments released a thunderous roar, smashed its bone spines into the stonework of the canal side and advanced.
"So be it" she muttered and assumed a kata stance
Rage and sheer hatred erupted from the creature as it smashed its bone spur legs each the width of a tree trunk towards White Crane, she darted and glided amongst them, however for every blow she reigned upon it in return did little to the behemoth.
Her kata that had disolved its smaller kin barely blemished its hide, hopping back to a safe distance she reached inside her tunic and drew a pure black Pi Swordstaff, ice vapour flowed from its blade.
Bujo awoke his face wet, he spluttered and snarled "We're you licking me?" he shot accusingly at Master Tail's
"It is to lick wounds closed" replied the Cat
"Its disgusting don't do it again"
"You'd prefer to die, instead"
"Yes, I would" he retorted petulently
"Stop being a child, you have a demon to kill" scolded Master Tails
"Fine, fine" Bujo turned to see the monster advancing on White Crane Woman, the latter tiny in comparison "Yes I do" he sneered evilly
Tensing he crouched down upon his ridiculously muscular leg and shot into the air, his leap taking him high above the monster
White Crane Woman crouched the monster quickening its charge from a trot to a gallop its massive bladed forearm sweeping back to swing, she sprang swinging the Pi in a downward arc and cleaving the monsters spur off, its dismembered limb punching her backwards.
Bujo's leap brought him crashing down onto its shoulders, lacing his fingers together he raised his massive jade fists and brought them down on the beasts skull, the monster staggered, not waiting the Dokkaebi rained blow after blow into its head, a great bloody cloud of ichor and gore filling the air as it started to topple towards.
Having sprung back to her feet White Crane Lady swept forwards, moving from leg to leg and cutting each with a single stroke, Master Tails looked at the thing toppling toward him with distain and some degree of just being put out, before hopping off his comfortable vantage point and moving before his perch was crushed by the huge Buxing Zhe's body.
White Crane Lady cartwheeled towards it ending her acrobatics by bringing the cold blade down across its neck and nodding to the blood caked Dokkaebi, grasping the black leathery flesh on either side of its great skull he tore the wrteched thing from its body and cast it aside.
Each looked at each other and simply nodded before quickly making their way to the waters edge, Master Tails swished his tail and the fiery sphere rose up through the water the Lunes fulfilling their final task of depositing it on the stonework fo the canal-side.
They momentarily watched as six silver spheres once again became a drop of silver that flew back up into the night sky.
Bujo breathed in, inhaling for an impossibly long time and finally exhaled a deluge of water over the flames, the three lookeda the forms before them.
"Well I'll be" muttered the Toad spirit
"This complicates things, as usual" sighed Master Tails "We must get this to Lady Moon quickly" and both of them realised that White Crane Lady had vanished.
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Shadow Moon
The Pink Blossom Path, The Highlands of Meng
"Alright this is far enough" declared Bujo setting the prone figure he had been carrying down
Sat on top of the figure Master Tails swished his tail with annoyance "We have talked of this, not until we reach the Bridge"
The Dokkaebi for the hundreth time watched the wind whistle through the lillac heathers and shake the Pink Cherry Blossom trees lining the mountain trail they followed, looking down the tranquil slopes populated by the trees and a sea of golden grass, before looking at the clouds on the horizon
"We have been away too long, much Dark Dark Chi gathers, she may be in danger"
"I thought you didn't care!"
The Toad Monster ellicited a small snarl and grimaced "I don't"
"Yet you are eager to rush back!"
"Look you stupid cat" he said leaning in close to Master Tails face "If she karks it we're all in the dung, but little Master high and mighty will probably be fine, Bujo on the other hand, no, no, no he'll be punished and then in for another five centuries of penance" he spat
"Yet the heavens ordained our finding of this, which may be linked to her mission, in fact the probability of such is high!"
"INFURIATING CAT, MEANS NOTHING IF SHE'S DEAD!" he roared back, his voice carrying far across the mountains and valleys
"There is time, unlike Lady Moon this one is hunted and cannot defend itself, you may leave once we have reached the safety of the Bridge" Tails replied matter of fact
"Fine" hissed Bujo hefting the body and continuing his hop up the think mountain trail, leaving Master Tails to trot behind them "But you're walking!"
"Alright this is far enough" declared Bujo setting the prone figure he had been carrying down
Sat on top of the figure Master Tails swished his tail with annoyance "We have talked of this, not until we reach the Bridge"
The Dokkaebi for the hundreth time watched the wind whistle through the lillac heathers and shake the Pink Cherry Blossom trees lining the mountain trail they followed, looking down the tranquil slopes populated by the trees and a sea of golden grass, before looking at the clouds on the horizon
"We have been away too long, much Dark Dark Chi gathers, she may be in danger"
"I thought you didn't care!"
The Toad Monster ellicited a small snarl and grimaced "I don't"
"Yet you are eager to rush back!"
"Look you stupid cat" he said leaning in close to Master Tails face "If she karks it we're all in the dung, but little Master high and mighty will probably be fine, Bujo on the other hand, no, no, no he'll be punished and then in for another five centuries of penance" he spat
"Yet the heavens ordained our finding of this, which may be linked to her mission, in fact the probability of such is high!"
"INFURIATING CAT, MEANS NOTHING IF SHE'S DEAD!" he roared back, his voice carrying far across the mountains and valleys
"There is time, unlike Lady Moon this one is hunted and cannot defend itself, you may leave once we have reached the safety of the Bridge" Tails replied matter of fact
"Fine" hissed Bujo hefting the body and continuing his hop up the think mountain trail, leaving Master Tails to trot behind them "But you're walking!"
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Shadow Moon
The Hu Yan Bridge, The Highlands of Meng
The Mountain trail arrived at a ornate ancient stone bridge spanning a deep chasm, stood on the other side was a huge beast of burden a cross between a ram, an ox and a pachyderm, sat upon its back was a humanoid fox.
Bujo turned to Master Tails one beady eye raised questioningly "You're here to meet a Hushen, seriously!"
The cat turned regarding the Dokkaebi "The same could easily said for my tolerance of you" Master Tails scolded, Bujo scowled and huffed
They proceeded forwards meeting halfway, the fox headed spirit clapped its hands excitedly as Bujo carried the form forwards, the bigger spirit snarled as cloaked Shojo monkey spirits swarmed around his foot "Filthy things" he rumbled
"Load our charge onto the beast" said Master Tails as he hopped upon its back, nodding to the Hushen, the Dokkaebi lifted the prone form onto the creature, the Cat Lord looked back "You may go now"
"About time" said Bujo who hopped into the sky and vanished into the clouds
The Mountain trail arrived at a ornate ancient stone bridge spanning a deep chasm, stood on the other side was a huge beast of burden a cross between a ram, an ox and a pachyderm, sat upon its back was a humanoid fox.
Bujo turned to Master Tails one beady eye raised questioningly "You're here to meet a Hushen, seriously!"
The cat turned regarding the Dokkaebi "The same could easily said for my tolerance of you" Master Tails scolded, Bujo scowled and huffed
They proceeded forwards meeting halfway, the fox headed spirit clapped its hands excitedly as Bujo carried the form forwards, the bigger spirit snarled as cloaked Shojo monkey spirits swarmed around his foot "Filthy things" he rumbled
"Load our charge onto the beast" said Master Tails as he hopped upon its back, nodding to the Hushen, the Dokkaebi lifted the prone form onto the creature, the Cat Lord looked back "You may go now"
"About time" said Bujo who hopped into the sky and vanished into the clouds
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Shadow Moon
Saeuman Village - Hunters Point, San Francisco
Tranquil Mist shook her head and blinked, she looked about the fog covered beach, Lady Moon had vanished instead her attention was immediately drawn to an oozing yellow clay that seeped along the surface of the mud tracks that ran throughout the village.
She noticed that the substance also tried to wind its way across the beaches sand, at the edge of village where the land met the beach she could see figures struggling, others trying to flee, whilst things hunted them.
At that point some things seemed to spy her, looking up from an unfortunate villager who they had caught they looked upon the young girl stood on the sands hungrily, half a dozen of them pulled themselves away from the emaciated bodies of their last victims and broke into a loping run.
Mist watched impassively as the things scrambled down the sand towards her, they appeared vaguely human or more accurately they had once been human, now that were rotting things, however they were slick with the same yellow clay as ran along the ground.
Her senses told her the clay provided them with animation and bound alien spirits within their corpses, she screwed up her face as their rancid odour reached her, then looked with indignation as the first reached her and grabbed her, opening its mouth a black mist coiled from within its throat and reached out to her.
However the mist usually able to affix itself to the breath of living prey just wound around her face impotently tickling her nose and illiciting a sneeze, the creature roared in frustration granting her a horrific look into its rotten, decayed mouth.
Mist yelped as the rest of the creatures caught up with the first, the weight of them forcing her to her knees and then she collasped under their weight as they all clambered to force their black mist down her throat.
Tranquil Mist shook her head and blinked, she looked about the fog covered beach, Lady Moon had vanished instead her attention was immediately drawn to an oozing yellow clay that seeped along the surface of the mud tracks that ran throughout the village.
She noticed that the substance also tried to wind its way across the beaches sand, at the edge of village where the land met the beach she could see figures struggling, others trying to flee, whilst things hunted them.
At that point some things seemed to spy her, looking up from an unfortunate villager who they had caught they looked upon the young girl stood on the sands hungrily, half a dozen of them pulled themselves away from the emaciated bodies of their last victims and broke into a loping run.
Mist watched impassively as the things scrambled down the sand towards her, they appeared vaguely human or more accurately they had once been human, now that were rotting things, however they were slick with the same yellow clay as ran along the ground.
Her senses told her the clay provided them with animation and bound alien spirits within their corpses, she screwed up her face as their rancid odour reached her, then looked with indignation as the first reached her and grabbed her, opening its mouth a black mist coiled from within its throat and reached out to her.
However the mist usually able to affix itself to the breath of living prey just wound around her face impotently tickling her nose and illiciting a sneeze, the creature roared in frustration granting her a horrific look into its rotten, decayed mouth.
Mist yelped as the rest of the creatures caught up with the first, the weight of them forcing her to her knees and then she collasped under their weight as they all clambered to force their black mist down her throat.
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Shadow Moon
Saeuman Village - Hunters Point, San Francisco
The mob of clay corpses scrambled to pull each other off the fallen young woman each seeking to reach her, beneath the heavy mass of bodies Tranquil Mist, grunted those immediately on top of her had clawed and bitten her, whilst those inches from her face still tried to send their black breath into her nose and mouth.
The wounds hurt, pain flared across her manifest form and she did not like it, her eyes glowed a silvery blue and she roared, the head of the one nearest her face vapourising, she swept the fire from left to right as with a heave of her apparently thin arms she threw the mass of bodies off her.
Climbing to her feet her arms shifted to heavily muscled and scaled, huge hands ending in long talons, she vomited another jet of blue fire destroying those at her feet, as the remaining jerked to their feet she met them with her claws, shredding their decaying forms.
*****
Bujo hurtled down through the clouds, collecting vapour around his leg as he plummeted, the realms flashed past him as he saw the membrane that separated this part of heaven from the echo, he shuddered as he passed through it into the grey realm of the penumbra, the echo of the village.
The echo or mirror was awash with violence and murder, death hung heavily he could see threads and trails of dark devil chi abound, he grumbled to himself pushing himself through the wall, flesh flowing like water around his essence as he materialised, however instead of the usual old man he took his true form.
He looked to his side a human, judging from his apparel a fisherman was fighting off two, no three clay covered corpses, he'd skewed one with his boat hook, but the other two finally managed to grab him, dragging him down into the mud, breathing a black mist into his mouth which started to draw a white vapour from him.
The mans eyes grew glassy, Bujo watched for a moment before stepping or rather hopping over, almost effortlessly he cast one of the things across the road and into a wooden wall, he yanked the one drinking the man off, hoisting it up in front of him, its head within his huge hand, he frowned and crushed its skull.
The final of the three moaned at him, he grabbed the boat hook and lifted it above him, lowered it to within arms reach he inscribed three letters in the putrescent flesh of its forehead, the symbols shone "Ah there you are" he muttered " Black Magic!"
Inscribing another letter in its chest the yellow clay poured inertly from its form and the hungry spirit within groaned as it was released back to the grave, he turned and frowned as the Dragon in her human form staggered up from the beach, her robes and flesh torn, blood leaked from multiple bites and wounds.
She limped to his side "Heal me!" she cried
"Stop being silly, just reform yourself"
"I feel so weak I haven't the power"
Bujo rolled his toad eyes "You have too, you're just being dramatic and we haven't got time for this, Lady Moon needs our help!"
The Dragon snapped from her sulking "Lady Moon" she exclaimed
"Yes Lady Moon, you were sent to help her, weren't you!" he said meaningfully, with that Tranquil Mists form shimmered and she was whole, she turned looking at the shivering form of the fisherman "Aren't you going to help him!"
"Why, he's just a mortal and besides they've taken too much"
The Dragon looked at him with raised eyebrows "Aren't you trying to work your sentence off!"
Bujo screwed up his face "Not by helping mortals, don't be ridiculous"
"Lady Moon likes mortals"
He looked down at the almost still man "He's too far gone, I'd be transgressing"
"Now who's being silly"
"For goodness sake, fine but it will only be for a short time, he's mere flesh and blood there's only so much that can be done with such feeble forms!"
The Dokkaebi leant over the man, he stabbed his finger claw into the flesh of his arm, holding it up its tip slick with his black blood, he nodded, opening the mans mud covered shan tunic and expertly inscribed symbols upon his chest.
Leaning back he watched as the celestial calligraphy sunk into the grey flesh, his spirit sight watched as the mans body was filled by external chi, replenishing his broken and depleted soul, the man spluttered awake and looked in fear at the old man crouched over him.
"You haven't much time"
"What, what do you mean" the fisherman said looking around confused
Buju smiled a thin smile "You are dying, you will have passed by morning, you must get your affairs in order"
The fisherman looked bemused and then scrambled to his feet he looked around "I feel fantastic" he cried euphorically, picking up his boat hook and ran into the night, Bujo shook his head and stood once again in his true form "Like a wind up toy" he mused
The mob of clay corpses scrambled to pull each other off the fallen young woman each seeking to reach her, beneath the heavy mass of bodies Tranquil Mist, grunted those immediately on top of her had clawed and bitten her, whilst those inches from her face still tried to send their black breath into her nose and mouth.
The wounds hurt, pain flared across her manifest form and she did not like it, her eyes glowed a silvery blue and she roared, the head of the one nearest her face vapourising, she swept the fire from left to right as with a heave of her apparently thin arms she threw the mass of bodies off her.
Climbing to her feet her arms shifted to heavily muscled and scaled, huge hands ending in long talons, she vomited another jet of blue fire destroying those at her feet, as the remaining jerked to their feet she met them with her claws, shredding their decaying forms.
*****
Bujo hurtled down through the clouds, collecting vapour around his leg as he plummeted, the realms flashed past him as he saw the membrane that separated this part of heaven from the echo, he shuddered as he passed through it into the grey realm of the penumbra, the echo of the village.
The echo or mirror was awash with violence and murder, death hung heavily he could see threads and trails of dark devil chi abound, he grumbled to himself pushing himself through the wall, flesh flowing like water around his essence as he materialised, however instead of the usual old man he took his true form.
He looked to his side a human, judging from his apparel a fisherman was fighting off two, no three clay covered corpses, he'd skewed one with his boat hook, but the other two finally managed to grab him, dragging him down into the mud, breathing a black mist into his mouth which started to draw a white vapour from him.
The mans eyes grew glassy, Bujo watched for a moment before stepping or rather hopping over, almost effortlessly he cast one of the things across the road and into a wooden wall, he yanked the one drinking the man off, hoisting it up in front of him, its head within his huge hand, he frowned and crushed its skull.
The final of the three moaned at him, he grabbed the boat hook and lifted it above him, lowered it to within arms reach he inscribed three letters in the putrescent flesh of its forehead, the symbols shone "Ah there you are" he muttered " Black Magic!"
Inscribing another letter in its chest the yellow clay poured inertly from its form and the hungry spirit within groaned as it was released back to the grave, he turned and frowned as the Dragon in her human form staggered up from the beach, her robes and flesh torn, blood leaked from multiple bites and wounds.
She limped to his side "Heal me!" she cried
"Stop being silly, just reform yourself"
"I feel so weak I haven't the power"
Bujo rolled his toad eyes "You have too, you're just being dramatic and we haven't got time for this, Lady Moon needs our help!"
The Dragon snapped from her sulking "Lady Moon" she exclaimed
"Yes Lady Moon, you were sent to help her, weren't you!" he said meaningfully, with that Tranquil Mists form shimmered and she was whole, she turned looking at the shivering form of the fisherman "Aren't you going to help him!"
"Why, he's just a mortal and besides they've taken too much"
The Dragon looked at him with raised eyebrows "Aren't you trying to work your sentence off!"
Bujo screwed up his face "Not by helping mortals, don't be ridiculous"
"Lady Moon likes mortals"
He looked down at the almost still man "He's too far gone, I'd be transgressing"
"Now who's being silly"
"For goodness sake, fine but it will only be for a short time, he's mere flesh and blood there's only so much that can be done with such feeble forms!"
The Dokkaebi leant over the man, he stabbed his finger claw into the flesh of his arm, holding it up its tip slick with his black blood, he nodded, opening the mans mud covered shan tunic and expertly inscribed symbols upon his chest.
Leaning back he watched as the celestial calligraphy sunk into the grey flesh, his spirit sight watched as the mans body was filled by external chi, replenishing his broken and depleted soul, the man spluttered awake and looked in fear at the old man crouched over him.
"You haven't much time"
"What, what do you mean" the fisherman said looking around confused
Buju smiled a thin smile "You are dying, you will have passed by morning, you must get your affairs in order"
The fisherman looked bemused and then scrambled to his feet he looked around "I feel fantastic" he cried euphorically, picking up his boat hook and ran into the night, Bujo shook his head and stood once again in his true form "Like a wind up toy" he mused
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Shadow Moon
The Highlands of Meng
The entourage approached a small settlement nestled amongst the mountains, the mountainous terrain briefly leveled into a more gentle slope upon which a clearing had formed around a natural pool, beside the pool stood a blossom tree the size of a great oak.
Master Tails noted the four ravens or crows perched high in its branches and the door built into the base of its trunk, looking closer revealed rooms extending from its larger branches with ornate shuttered windows, wind chimes whistled as a cool breeze flowed down the mountains.
A woman sat in the courtyard at the front of the treehouse, Tails could sense power running up from the mountain into the tree.
The large ram yak creature shuffled to a halt, the Hushen yipped and monkey spirits scrambled around to unload the cargo, the woman looked up and calmly but with a degree of severity watched, growling at a few of the Shojo who scambled too close in their chaotic movements.
Master Tails hopped downa nd approached the woman, her eyes momentarily shone yellow as she regarded him expectantly
"I am Zhu Gin Kkoli" he announced bowing his head
"Are you now" she replied in old Mandarin
"I am here to see Kuraudodansā" he continued, she did not answer merely looking expectantly
"I am here regarding a matter for the Beast Courts" with a swish of his tail the sheets covering their charge unwrapped
In an instant she was standing, gone was the stern middle aged Chinese woman, instead a towering sleek black half panther stood, eyes glowing, fangs slightly bared "You would bring that here!"
Her ears flattened as the snarl slipped from her lips, the door in the base of the trunk had opened and an even larger form stooped and stepped into the sunshine, extending to his full height of over twelve feet tall, the black and white bear yawned, strolled forward and patted the panther on her shoulder.
"Zhu Gin Kkoli welcome" he said looking somewhat bemused at the scene before him
"My sister does have a point, I doubt the Regents would sanction such an intrusion" he smiled
"That is the challenge honourable guardians, if I might be permitted to hold counsel with Kuraudodansā and youselves, things would be clearer"
"Well that can't hurt" replied the bear, the panther merely shook her head
They had to wait a few hours before the third guardian Kuraudodansā, a fox arrived appearing from a gap within the trees root system on the inside of the tree dwelling, the bear and panther had remained in their half or warforms.
The Panther scowled at the fox, who herself shifted into her half form a perfectly blended red fox humanoid with three bushy tails, she ignored the midnight black cat and helped herself to a bowl of rice wine before sitting.
Master Tails nodded to her, the fox merely grinning in return eyes bright before shifting to her human form that of a young Japanese woman.
"So Zhu Gin Kkoli, what brings you to the Tree on top of the Golden Mountain?" said the bear
The entourage approached a small settlement nestled amongst the mountains, the mountainous terrain briefly leveled into a more gentle slope upon which a clearing had formed around a natural pool, beside the pool stood a blossom tree the size of a great oak.
Master Tails noted the four ravens or crows perched high in its branches and the door built into the base of its trunk, looking closer revealed rooms extending from its larger branches with ornate shuttered windows, wind chimes whistled as a cool breeze flowed down the mountains.
A woman sat in the courtyard at the front of the treehouse, Tails could sense power running up from the mountain into the tree.
The large ram yak creature shuffled to a halt, the Hushen yipped and monkey spirits scrambled around to unload the cargo, the woman looked up and calmly but with a degree of severity watched, growling at a few of the Shojo who scambled too close in their chaotic movements.
Master Tails hopped downa nd approached the woman, her eyes momentarily shone yellow as she regarded him expectantly
"I am Zhu Gin Kkoli" he announced bowing his head
"Are you now" she replied in old Mandarin
"I am here to see Kuraudodansā" he continued, she did not answer merely looking expectantly
"I am here regarding a matter for the Beast Courts" with a swish of his tail the sheets covering their charge unwrapped
In an instant she was standing, gone was the stern middle aged Chinese woman, instead a towering sleek black half panther stood, eyes glowing, fangs slightly bared "You would bring that here!"
Her ears flattened as the snarl slipped from her lips, the door in the base of the trunk had opened and an even larger form stooped and stepped into the sunshine, extending to his full height of over twelve feet tall, the black and white bear yawned, strolled forward and patted the panther on her shoulder.
"Zhu Gin Kkoli welcome" he said looking somewhat bemused at the scene before him
"My sister does have a point, I doubt the Regents would sanction such an intrusion" he smiled
"That is the challenge honourable guardians, if I might be permitted to hold counsel with Kuraudodansā and youselves, things would be clearer"
"Well that can't hurt" replied the bear, the panther merely shook her head
They had to wait a few hours before the third guardian Kuraudodansā, a fox arrived appearing from a gap within the trees root system on the inside of the tree dwelling, the bear and panther had remained in their half or warforms.
The Panther scowled at the fox, who herself shifted into her half form a perfectly blended red fox humanoid with three bushy tails, she ignored the midnight black cat and helped herself to a bowl of rice wine before sitting.
Master Tails nodded to her, the fox merely grinning in return eyes bright before shifting to her human form that of a young Japanese woman.
"So Zhu Gin Kkoli, what brings you to the Tree on top of the Golden Mountain?" said the bear