Into the enemies hands (Cathan/Jovians)

[Fuuma Kyosuke]

(Invite only, except as noted please)

Night falls over the Iron Mountain pass. The young samurai known now as Fuuma Kyosuke watches silently through the veil of a cart, pulling his small contingent of subordinates ever closer to their eventual destination. With the Jovian capitol beginning to come into view, he stepped forward and whispered into the drivers ear. "Here is good, -Sama." He dropped a small bag of coins into the drivers hand, more than enough to pay for the expenses. With cloaks masking their faces, the unit made their way to Jove under the cover of night.

Despite stopping fairly close to Jove, it still took a good amount of time before they arrived in the city itself. Indeed, as they arrived in the city, so too did Lord Sun begin to rise in the east. Kyosuke looked around, unable to help but be intrigued. A mix of columns and arches were used to support the buildings, which were made from a brilliant white stone. The men and women dressed in an interesting array of clothing, some of it admittedly not so different from the Rokugani Kimono. Surely, if these men never attacked the city of Mittelmarch, there may have been some sort of understanding. None of it mattered, however, and Kyosuke quickly composed himself. His men were tired, and unfortunately they could not flaunt their status as samurai to find a place to stay. It did not take long, however, for Kyosuke to find an opportunity.

A young woman, no older than eighteen, ran through the streets, being pursued by three guards. Kyosuke's interest was piqued, and he watched her behavior with great interest, quickly deducing her running patterns, and choosing to slip in a corner that he suspected she would try to run through and nodding his subordinates into the shadows. Sure enough, the young woman turned the corner, and managed to run straight into Kyosuke. As she stepped back in fear, Kyosuke nodded to her. "Give my compatriots and I a place to stay, and I will help you. Deal?" As Kyosuke spoke, the guards turned the corner, and the female nodded wordlessly. With little more than a grin, Kyosuke threw a shuriken into the first guards eye, sending him reeling backwards. The other guards had little time to react, as Kyosuke move quickly past the girl and drew his ninja-to from within the cloak, slicing the neck of the nearest guard, then spinning around and thrusting the weapon into the stomach of the final Jovian. As the first man looked up with his remaining eye, he realized the deadly shuriken's true purpose, dropping to the floor wheezing and coughing quietly. In only moments, his breathing stopped, and Kyosuke turned to the woman who now owed him her life. "Well then, shall we go?"

(One more post, then people can join in)

[Fuuma Kyosuke]

The house that Kyosuke was led to was not small by any means, clearly built to hold large numbers of people. In that respect, the young samurai felt relief, knowing that she at least brought them to a place where all of his men could fit. From the outside, the house was a decrepit mess, though, hardly something that one would wish to stay in. He didn't trust her yet, however for now this was the best he had. "So then, Jovian, you still have not told me your name."

The young woman looked a little bit confused. "This coming from a man whose face I still have yet to see. Regardless, my name is Alexia. And yours?"

"My name is unimportant; if you must call me something, call me Nomen." Kyosuke stepped inside and took a look around. The place was simple, with very little in the way of decoration, allowing for a deceptively innocent appearance. In the back room were several beds, leading Kyosuke to realize that this woman was accustomed to guests. "So then, tell me, who are these beds for? It appears that you live alone by the way the rest of the house is equipped.”

“Mittelmarch isn’t the first city to oppose the Jovian expansion,” Alexia began. “My family was part of a small town that stood in between Jove and the pass. Naturally, we were one of the first to be affected when they began to march towards Mittelmarch. My family was killed in the fighting, and with no place to go, I came here. There are many of us who stay in this city, doing what we can to oppose them. We use this house as a staging ground for operations, and since it looks in such disrepair, very few bother to actually take a look around it. For now, you can stay hear.”

Kyosuke gave her a look that could only be described as confused, though she would not have noticed if he didn’t open his mouth to speak. “You assume us to be your allies, and have only met us very recently. How can you be sure that we are not Jovians looking for you?”

“I can’t, can I? My only hints are the way you speak, and the make of that blade you cut those guards down with. However, I feel that if you are here to help, then perhaps me giving you assistance will help put an end to all of this.”

Kyosuke merely nodded, then looked to his men. “Get some sleep. For safety’s sake, we will keep watches. Tomorrow morning, we begin searching for Isg'bel's Scepter.” With that, the group took to the beds, leaving Kyosuke to take first watch.

(with that, people can feel free to post)

[Fuuma Kyosuke]

Days had past, and still no news on a known location for the scepter. Kyosuke would have been worried, thinking this to be a waste of time, if not for what valuable information HAD been collected. Maps, battle plans, various documents...all of these were things that could be used if necessary. What's more, it seemed that this...."Alexia"....had proven to be useful if nothing else. A few days ago, she had told him about a dinner that she managed to collect an invitation to....one that would be attended by Dracus Thrawn. This opportunity was far too good to pass up. Thus, Kyosuke was sitting at a table, a Soshi's magic giving him the appearance of a generic Jovian. He applauded his subordinates work, of course, though rewards were to be carried out at the end of the mission.

"All rise for the arrival of Lord Dracus Thrawn!" Kyosuke stood up, bored under the proverbial mask he wore....though the disguise managed to make itself look proud and excited. The rest of the dinner guests began to kneel, and Kyosuke prepared to do the same so he wouldn't draw attention...until a voice flared in his head.

"IF YOU HAVE ANY PRIDE LEFT AS A SAMURAI, YOU SHALL NOT KNEEL TO THIS PRETENDER!" The voice of his ancestor was piercing, yet clear. Kyosuke knew that he could not bow, and so he stood firm as the only man who would not submit to Thrawn. The Emperor entered, and immediately shot a look of disgust at Kyosuke. "Peasant! Kneel before me, now!"

Kyosuke shook his head as the power of the kami began to fade around him, revealing his true nature. "My apologies, Usurper-san, however I shall not insult the divine Empress, nor will I insult my shogun by bowing to an inferior creature such as yourself."

Dracus' face became twisted in anger as he pointed his finger. "Guards! Sieze the Invader!" Two guards came running forward towards Kyosuke, blades raised high. Kyosuke, however, was much quicker, tossing a shuriken into the forehead of one, and in one fluid motion bringing a small blade to the neck of the other before his sword could come down. With the motions complete, he charged Thrawn, drawing a blade hidden withing his kimono as he did. He went to strike, sure in his ability to cut the Emperor down...

...only to find himself flying into the wall, the force of his body's momentum cracking the architecture. Kyosuke looked over, attempting to move, but his body would not respond to him. Dracus stood over him and shook his head. "Guards, take this invader to the prison."

[Cathán Neamhnaofa]

Cathán knew of where Kyosuke and his men were staying, but was unable to meet with them previously due to other matters farther south in the land. When he teleported back to Jove he was a block from their hideout. Slowly moving through the shadow of the night, covered with his cloak, Cathán made his way there. Upon arriving he noticed guards outside where most people wouldn't so he figured he would have a little fun.

He slid behind the first guard on the ground and knocked him out without a sound. The second guard, on the roof was a little harder, but inevitably he was put in a choke hold and put to sleep too. Cathán picked up both limp bodies and entered the building through a window.

Not being noticed at first, "All of you had better take a little more training for this was to easy." startling most all in the room especially a young women he had never met before. "Relax its just me." Cathán pulls back his hood of his cloak. With this all of Kyosuke's men relaxed, but the woman did not. "Don't worry me lady, I am on your side. Trust me if i wasn't these men would all be on me right now." The woman relaxed a little but was still pretty nerves. Maybe it was because Cathán wasn't human.

"Where is your leader?" Cathán asks the nearest man. The woman answered with a shaky voice, "H...he is at a banquet wi...with Dracus Thrawn. He should be back soo...soon enough." "Then I shall wait here for his return. I have very important news to give him. Who is in charge til he returns?" Cathán says. One of the men close to the woman steps forward.

"The two just have been knocked out, they'll be fine." Cathán points to the bodies he brought in with him. "Lets go somewhere more private so that you can fill me in on whats been going on." Cathán follows him away from everyone.

[telemachus]

Telemachus meditates in his room that nests nearly a third of the way up the spire of Jove. Candles flicker and the wind lightly lifts and drops the papers on his desk. Like the heat of a brand, the near presence of the Azoth gate sears him. He’s ripped out of his deep thoughts. He staggers quickly out to the balcony. His Elvin eye’s search, he finds the mind he’s looking for and with his thoughts he sends a whisper to Cathan.

“Come to me my friend, we must talk. Come to the very top of the Spire.”

[Cathán Neamhnaofa]

While Cathán waits for Kyosuke's return, he hears a familiar voice. Its the voice that got him to take the Azoth Gate. Now its telling him to come to the top of the tower in Jove. He considers for a second.

o.O Well this voice hasn't proven me any harm yet, so why not

"I must go. Waiting around here is getting me nowhere. When you see your master again just let him know not to eat food or drink water from inside Jove, it will be poisoned after tonight." Cathán says as he gets up and leaves.

Once outside, Cathán searches for the spire this voice is talking about. He sees it in the distant, high above all other buildings. With a quick thought Cathán vanishes and in an instant is at the top looking around he doesn't see anyone, so he waits.

[telemachus]

Telemachus comes walking up the steps that climb the outside of the spire. He wears an old tattered dark blue cloak. The age shows on his face. His years of magic use have left his body weak.

“Ah you are here already my dear boy! Good….good…good…”

Telemachus pulled out a fidgeting rabbit. He pulled out a small dagger and cut the poor things head off and tossed the head over his shoulder. He started making drawings on the ground out of the blood. When he was finished he walked up very close to Cathan.

In his old scatchy voice, “You want to be rid of these Jovians right. If so you will help me. Place the Gate in the center there. Yes, in the circle. Don’t worry I will return it. We will pull a foul being from hell. They will be weak. I want you to grab them and slit their throat and hold them till the rest is over. It will be a little shadowy and hazy as it’s coming through. It’ll already be in pain. So just grab it and cut. Ok?”

Telemachus grabs an ancient book and opens it to a marked page. He awaits Cathan’s ready.

[Cathán Neamhnaofa]

Cathán for some reason listens and listens to this old man whom he doesn't know. He places the gate in the center of the circle and watches as before his very eyes a black cloud in the shape of a door forms.

He pulls out his dagger watching as from the cloud something starts emerging very slowly. Cathán couldn't tell what it was because the cloud was expanding with it. There was a horrible screech from this thing that almost made Cathán clutch his hands to his ears, but he saw more of what this thing was. He had the opportunity of surprise and leaped behind the thing latching onto its back. With a flash he slid the blade across the throat of the creature. It started to struggle but couldn't get Cathán off.

It fell to its knees as the cloud started disappearing. He still held onto it wait for the old one to tell him otherwise.

[telemachus]

The black smoke billowed from the opening and was spilling over the edge of the spire. Cathan noticed Telemachus was reading some sort of ritual in the Demon language. The demon came through and Cathan grabbed it and slit the throat and held it as its black blood flowed. Telemachus finished the chant and the wind started to spiral around them.

Telemachus spoke with hate, “Amon, you’re right I couldn’t double cross you, because I could not kill you, but another Demon could easily cut you down.”

Amon shuffled away from Cathan. “You!? What have you done?” Then a jolt ripped through his flesh, tearing it. His power seen as a red light that moved like fire erupted into the air circled around and crashed into Telemachus. There was an explosion and black smoke filled the air. As the smoke blew away a new Telemachus was revealed.




An evil voice spoke, “Hence forth I am now Telamon!” With a new strength he stepped towards Cathan.

“You, Cathan, I thank you. As reward you will be the first General of one of the forty Infernal Legions that I now command. I cannot yet bring them through. We will require the scepter to open a big enough gate.”

With a grin, “Which means you must kill more Jovians my friend. Now I must be on my way. I will contact you…“

Sharp wings ripped from Telamon’s back, his head looked as a wolf, his torso remained, his legs were now a large wolfs body and his tail was a dragons. What now seemed to be a large beast flew into the sky. It circled around and then shot a large breath of fire that ignited the night sky. The few that were awake this late that saw the site wouldn’t be believed. Instead this beast had become rumor and began a splinter of fear.

[Cathán Neamhnaofa]

Cathán dazed and confused about what really just happened, stood there on the top of the spire as Telemon changed into this intimidating yet somewhat wondrous creature and flew off into the night. After a few minutes, Cathán pondering what happened grabbed the azoth gate and teleported back to the ground of Jove.

He wasn't paying much attention to where he appeared at and found himself face to face with a jovian guard. With quick reflexes, Cathán knocked the guard out with a punch to his face. Cathán picked up the limp body and teleported out of Jove, before anyone else noticed him.

o.O. Mittelmarch needs to be told of what just happened...but who do I tell. Zigler.

[Fuuma Kyosuke]

Kyosuke was thrown in a small cell, only a tiny window to provide him with light. The evening had not gone as planned, and he knew it would be only a matter of time before his subordinates would begin searching for him, so he decided the best thing to do was meditate.

Several hours passed, and he heard a small voice from the window. "You really got yourself into some trouble, huh Onee-san?" Kyosuke barely made a nod as he recognized the voice of Tsisuko. "Listen, Onee-san. That man..."Cathan" I think he was called, he is dangerous. He did something strange earlier tonight, I cannot explain it...but I do not think we can trust him. In the mean time, from what I hear, these Jovians plan to use you for some twisted entertainment. It make take some time, but I'll get everyone prepared to bust you out, you will see." The voice disappeared, and Kyosuke knew that she had gone.

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Thousands of screaming people cried out for blood as Kyosuke was pushed into the giant arena. 'It could have been worse,' he thought, 'At least they allowed me to use my katana. Besides, they were not nearly thorough enough with their search. No self respecting Scorpion would have allowed a prisoner to carry what I have on me.' The sky was cloudy and dark, perfect for the young samurai's needs. In front of him, a single large man, dwarfing Kyosuke by at least a foot, stood confident with a large, crude club in his hand.

"I offer you this knowledge, 'Gladiator'. When I kill you, it will not be with the weapon at my side, and it will fail to please these barbaric fools. You will feel a pain like you have never felt before." All he got in response was an infuriated roar, followed quickly by a crushing swing of the unwieldy weapon. As his weapon slammed into the ground, dust flew high into the air, and the man grinned believing himself victorious.

Unfortunately for him, he realized how dead wrong he was. As the dust settled, there was no body, not even a sign of someone ever being there. Then suddenly, he felt two pricks at the back of his neck, hardly more than a needles strike. "The way of the Shadow, Kage-do," Kyosuke whispered from behind him, "Is what has slain you today. The first prick has taken away your ability to move. The second, is what will kill you. Slowly and painfully, you die." Sure enough, the large brute fell to the ground, unable to move more than a couple of inches every minute or so. Kyosuke stepped a safe distance away, sitting and watching as the crowd booed horribly. The samurai didn't care, choosing to clear his mind in meditation as his so called "opponent" seemed to convulse into seizures. A few moments later, the man ceased to move again, and the crowd's anger began to reach a fever pitch. 'No,' Kyosuke thought, 'I will not become an object for your entertainment. If you continue to force me to fight, they will continue to end in the same manner. And soon, I shall escape, and teach you all the error of your ways.'

[Fuuma Kyosuke]

Kyosuke began looking around quietly, as a mysterious cloud of smoke disappeared from his view. He seemed slightly worried, not sure if he should believe the words he just heard. "Banith..." he muttered quietly, "of Chu Ku'tal... what was that man talking about?" He merely shakes his head before lying back down for a few moments. "He makes it sound like I am not welcome in my own lands....no matter.... I believe it is time for me to get out of here." Kyosuke stands up and begins whispering something, stepping back into the shadows. A few moments later, he had disappeared from anyone's view.

A guard, walking through on patrol, noticed the empty cage and, knowing it was NOT supposed to be empty, quickly opened the door and looked inside for a moment. It was the last thing he ever did as he felt his own blade through his throat. "Thank you for your cooperation," Kyosuke whispered quietly before disappearing again. It was not difficult for him to find his equipment, though he found caution became more and more necessary as his escape became public knowledge. They wouldn't see him, how could they? His magic was something not commonly seen in Rokugan itself. They would not have seen it before.

It took several hours to get out of the dungeon, but finally Kyosuke saw the moon again. "Hitomi be praised," he whispered as he quietly walked back to the familiar place they were staying at, being sure to continue to be concealed until he had reached the building. His entrance was a celebrated event for his subordinates...though it was quiet. They could not afford another set back.

[Cathán Neamhnaofa]

After making a few stops, Cathán returns to Jove with crates and the remains of a Jovian guard.

He sets the corpse by a trash heap so it won't be noticed, "I have plans for you later." Cathán then takes the crates one by one and starts teleporting to and fro depositing the contents into food and water supplies for the Jovians to consume. "This will be a big surprise that they wont see coming." Cathán says to himself.

After a couple of hours, Cathán finishes with the crates and returns to the corpse, still unnoticed by anyone. He picks up the corpse and teleports to the top of the spire, where he met with Telemon. He stuck the corpse on the very top spike so everyone could see it. With a big smile, Cathán leaves back to the forest for a long over due rest.

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Cathán wakes with a start still hearing the words from Telemon in his mind. "Banith... Chu Ku'tal... find a home there" Cathán grabs his weapons and the Azoth gate. "I need to find Banith soon" Cathán teleports towards Dunland, where he's heard that name before.

[Fuuma Kyosuke]

Months had passed, and finally it was time for Kyosuke to return to his home. Maps...documents...several items of great value to the Jovians. The Scepter would have to wait... with the few he had here, the young Samurai was ill equipped to retrieve it. Alexia had asked to come with them, an offer Kyosuke had accepted, knowing that the information she has could prove useful. They spent the remainder of the last night setting things up...and with all of that settled, they returned to Mittlemarch at last.