[M and M 3E] An Exalted Tale, Season 1 IC

[Kymme]

~opening~ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xo8wCrwLejw)
Somewhere in the East of Creation

Twigs snap under Cherry's sandals as he made his way along the creek. Though he knew not where it lead, Cherry followed it. The hemlock forest (http://www.stannavratil.com/pics_by_category/bc-forests/d2420-hemlock-wells-gray.jpg) around him stretched on in all directions, and this babbling stream was the only real landmark for miles. He could hear birds chirping and insects buzzing, but their noise always quieted down as he drew near. Occasionally, a squirrel or rabbit would burst from a nearby shrub, running as fast as it could to escape him. Cherry shrugged. If they didn't want him here, then they'd have to deal with it. He didn't want to be here either. The monotony... the endless progression of the creek beside him... it could drive a man mad.

His boredom was not to last, however. He soon reached a place where the creek met softer earth. The water had carved through the ground and created a steep gorge (http://www.glacierhikers.com/images/waterfalls/avalanche-gorge.jpg), about thirty feet across. Conveniently a tree had fallen across the gorge, creating a natural bridge.

Cherry brought is foot up to climb aboard the tree, but was interrupted by a sound of frantic footsteps and echoing shouts. Bursting from the undergrowth on the opposite side of the river was a black-haired man (https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/64/b1/ed/64b1ed9104da293777bbb2a2fbaeb0f7.jpg) with a sword plunged through his stomach. The man wore a long-beaked bird mask as well as a thin white suit, both of which were stained with blood. Black ruffles like feathers ringed his neck and waist, and from them stretched great black wings, like those of a crow. His head snapped to look at the fallen tree, and he rushed for it.

Hot on his trail were two other warriors. The first to emerge was a unarmed woman (http://www.enworld.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=70455&d=1442794402&thumb=1). Her head was half shaved, one side only light stubble, the other side long and spiky. Part of her hair was dyed dark crimson; the rest was platinum blond. She wore etched black bracers with finger-less gloves, as well as a black crop top that ended just below her bust. Her long pants were the same dark red as her hair, and she wore a long brown skirt with faded patterns. Her shoulders and midriff were tattooed with blue sunbursts - a ritual precaution to defend against the influence of creatures of darkness. A white bandage ran across the bridge of her nose, and several other bandages decorated her fingers and bare feet.

The second to emerge was a swordsman (https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/8a/78/80/8a7880b3098fe027d4513f3c5151027f.jpg). His light blue robes were open like a toga, exposing half of his upper body and the draconic tattoos that cover it. His brown hair was tied back in a long ponytail, and he stood with a trained monk's poise. His sword was already drawn - a massive reaper daiklave of blue jade that seemed to hum in the sunlight. He was the first to speak, shouting at the the running figure. "Anathema! Halt and embrace your fate with dignity! We shall strike you down and free -"

"This is the eighth time you've shouted that at him, Brother Gaden." The woman interrupts, rolling her eyes. "I don't think he's going to stop."

Brother Gaden scoffs at his companion. "He's stopping now! Look at him! All dressed up and nowhere to run!" He taunts the bird-like figure. "Where're you going now, hm?! We all know that we'll catch you as soon as you try to cross that fallen tree. Why not just lay down and die, Anathema?" His sword begins to hum with electricity. "I promise we'll be merciful."

None of them seemed to notice Cherry.

The East - This land is dominated by massive forests and rivers. Areas of rugged steppes or rolling plains are not uncommon, however. The people that live here are numerous and varied, as are their lifestyles.

Daiklaive? - These are common weapons among the Exalted of Creation: massive swords built from magical materials. No normal mortal would be able to wield such a ridiculously-oversized blade, but Exalted seem to manage just fine.

These Monks - These are no doubt crusaders of an organization called the Wyld Hunt. They wander the world hunting demons and rogue gods. These two are most likely Terrestrial Exalted.

Terrestrial Exalted? - Exalted are the chosen champions of gods. Terrestrial Exalted are heroes chosen by the Five Elemental Dragons and endowed with powers over the five elements of the world - these being Fire, Air, Water, Earth, and Wood.

Creatures of Darkness? - Undead, faeries, and evil creatures of all sorts. Cherry himself would count as a 'Creature of Darkness'.

The Injured Man - A wound like that should be fatal for a mortal. This man is either exceptionally hardy, or some sort of supernatural creature.
You get one standard action on the surprise round. Here (https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1gtFr7uZxOHN7FKEq_Lq7zp7TPxwTge4KbpyKrxFhioM/edit) is a map.

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry's ears perk up and looks at the sky, an angry expression on his face. He exhales and turns toward the monks, raising a hand in prayer. He utters a short mantra of beauty and falling from grace. Once it is over he yells, "Two snakes hunting a wounded bird? How far the Dragons have fallen!"

Cherry blossoms rain down atop the two Dragonblooded, leaving bleeding wounds wherever they touch.

[Kymme]

~battle, joined!~ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1tz9oxd5TY)

Both of the Dragonblooded were surprised when Cherry revealed himself, but they quickly sprang into action. The unarmed woman quickly ignited her anima, creating a blazing aura around her that immolated Cherry's petals. Brother Gaden, however, leaped away from the falling petals, lifting his sword as he moved. When he reached the edge of the gorge he stomped down, bringing his charge to a halt and assuming the first kata of the Immaculate Air Dragon. "You too must be an Anathema! In that case, you too shall die! Avenging Wind Strike!" The monk swung his sword in a flurry of blows, each one charged with the essence of the wind. His attacks manifested in blades of air that soared towards the two Abyssal Exalts.

The bird-masked man weaved through the flying blades, making half-steps from left to right almost unconsciously.

How did Cherry dodge them?

Anathema? - This is a term used by members of the Wyld Hunt and followers of the Immaculate Philosophy. According to their faith, all Exalted aside from Terrestrials are actually demons that posses the hearts of great people and drive them to evil.
Both of the Immaculate monks succeeded on their Dodge checks, as well as their Toughness checks to avoid Cherry's attack. The surprise round over, we now move on to Round 1.

Initiative:
Air Monk
Cherry
Birdman
Fire Monk

The Air Monk acted first, launching a multiattack ability at Cherry and the Birdman. The Birdman dodged his attacks, but now Cherry has to avoid them too. Cherry must succeed on a DC 17 Dodge check or take no damage. That's right: the Immaculate Monk rolled a 2 on his damage check. Poor dice all around, folks.

[Hiding Dragon]

"So I am a demon, oh? Well, it's a good thing I'm hungry!" Cherry sprinted toward the monk with the swiftness of the praying mantis, using the moss and slippery wood to his advantage. Cherry effortlessly dodges the wind slices as he runs, before leaning down at the last second, sliding beneath the monk's sword and popping up behind him.

Cherry leaned forward, whispering in the monk's ear. "'Cause I heard some demons eat snakes!" Then he smashed the warrior's back with a flurry of precision strikes.

[Kymme]

Brother Gaden winces as Cherry's first jab hits his back. He's quick to catch on, though, spinning around and swinging his sword in a wide arc to ward off the last of the Abyssal's attacks. "Keep your hands off of me, monster!"

Seeing one of the monks distracted, the bird-garbed Abyssal tears the sword from his torso with an unnerving nonchalance, vanishing in flutter of feathers. He reappears beside the Fire Immaculate, driving forward with his blade. The lady monk reacts with breakneck speed, clapping her hands together to launch a pearl of fire right into the tip of his blade. The resulting explosion sends him skidding backwards.

There is a momentary quiet as the smoke begins to clear, but then the Immaculate monk emerges beside him with a burning flash and launches an axe kick. He parries her attack with frantic flourish if his sword, but she kicks off and disappears in another fiery explosion. She touches down a few yards away, lines of smoke trailing from her hands and feet. She cracks a smirk. "Not bad, Anathema."

In an effort to put some ground between himself and Cherry, Brother Gaden changes stances. He holds his sword in hassō-gamae (http://www.aikidoseiki.com/images/galleryArt/iaido/iaido_artwork22.jpg) stance, gathering a whirlwind around the leading edge. In the blink of an eye he strikes, swinging at Cherry with a booming attack. "Let's see how you like this! Wrathful Winds Maneuver!"

Cherry successfully strikes and damages Brother Gaden, injuring him and inflicting 1 bruise.

Then the bird man and the fire monk go. They both hit, but fail to hurt each other.

Then Brother Gaden goes again. He is striking at Cherry with a powerful attack. Cherry must make a Parry check. Failure means that the attack hits, inflicting 1 bruise and the dazed condition, then launches him into a nearby tree, inflicting another bruise.

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry eyes see the wind and foresee the impact. Cherry smiles, a wide grin with too many teeth. His blood boiling, Cherry stomps his foot and his anima becomes ablaze with dark shadows. Within Cherry's dark aura a large cherry tree floats, with a bleeding man lashed to its trunk.

"I see this snake has wings and wishes to blow me away."

Cherry calmly reaches out and grabs the blade mid-strike. The energy around it is released, creating a rushing wave of wind that ruffles the Abyssal's clothes and hair and scatters a million cherry petals into the forest behind him.

Cherry strikes towards the monk's torso but stopsa hairsbreadth away. His eyes, now red, meet his opponent's with a deadly steel as he creeps close enough to whisper in his ear. "Did you know that demons love their trickery? But of course you do! You are but a weak-willed serpent who can not open his eyes to see your true nature - "

Before he finish dozens upon dozens of shadowy duplicates of Cherry appear and jab the Immaculate monk with one mighty blow after another with one million shadowy strikes. "A WORTHLESS LIFE! AND A WASTE OF A FIGHT!"

[Kymme]

Brother Gaden is thrown back and forth by Cherry's shadowy attacks, bouncing between them like a ragdoll. When the assault is finally over the Immaculate monk stands still for a moment, head bowed. Then his sword falls from his hand and he crumples to the ground, his life taken by Cherry's pressure point strikes.

"Gaden!" The fire Immaculate screams as her comrade falls. She rolls past a swipe from the bird-masked Abyssal and takes off into the forest, shouting threats and curses. "I swear, as a Shikari of the Wyld Hunt, you both shall perish! I will return, and I will bring the full might of the Hunt down on your monstrous heads!"


~battle, end!~ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YCN-a0NsNk)
With a flutter of his dark wings, the bird-masked Abyssal touches down beside Cherry. "...So... should we go after her...?" His voice is quiet, barely above a whisper.

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry closes his eyes for a moment and lets out a long sigh. "Nah. I don't believe we need to go to her. She will find us again, and she'll bring a whole horde of serpents with her."

Cherry looks to the brid-man and analyzes him for a moment. But the better question is: Who are you? I'm guessing you're not here to hunt me down. Are you also a Ronin? 'Cause I am pretty tried and not in the mood for another battle at the moment." Cherry rubs his head and licks his lips. "I could go for something to eat after that boring fight, though." He kneels down beside the now-dead Immaculate monk, searching for food or a map or anything of great use. "I mean, you have a giant hole in your stomach and you're bleeding a lot so obviously you're not here to kill me nor, by the look of it, in the condition to do so."

[Kymme]

"Nah. I don't believe we need to go to her. She will find us again, and she'll bring a whole horde of serpents with her."

The bird-man shrugs. "I guess so..."


But the better question is: Who are you? I'm guessing you're not here to hunt me down. Are you also a Ronin? 'Cause I am pretty tried and not in the mood for another battle at the moment." Cherry rubs his head and licks his lips. "I could go for something to eat after that boring fight, though." He kneels down beside the now-dead Immaculate monk, searching for food or a map or anything of great use. "I mean, you have a giant hole in your stomach and you're bleeding a lot so obviously you're not here to kill me nor, by the look of it, in the condition to do so."

"Ronin? ...Yeah, let's go with that. I don't really want to fight you, either." He sits down on the end of the log-bridge, watching Cherry like a hawk (or a crow, as the case may be). "...If you're a Ronin, that means you gave a Deathlord the slip. Who'd you serve?"

At the mention of his condition, the Abyssal tilts his head to the side. "Oh yeah..." He plunges his sword back into the bloody hole, driving it in up to the hilt. It makes a horrible squelching sound. "This is how I always look. Something about symbolism, I guess..."

In his searching, Cherry finds little of value on the Immaculate's body. Monks like him don't carry many worldly posessions aside from their weaponry, and many eschew weapons entirely. Other than his blue jade daiklave, all he has are several wooden netsuke, all carved in the shape of monks in prayer or sleeping dragons (http://www.netsuke.org/Resources/Pictures/faq-dragon3.jpg). Rolled up within one of the netsuke is a small scroll, written in High Realm. It bears the mark of a Dragonblooded House, and is written in an elegant hand. However, the message has been concealed by a cipher.

Have a hero point for a battle well fought.

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry takes the netsukes and looks towards the crow man. He stands up and approaches him. "Well, if you are 'Ronin', then we might as well travel together. Safety in numbers and such." Cherry lends out a hand a gesture of peace.

"My name is One Blooded Cherrytree and I used to serve the Bishop of the Chalcedony Thurible. Now that I've stated my name and former master I feel that it would be appropriate that you tell me about youself. 'Cause, ya know, I saved you... and I'm being nice and all."

[Kymme]

"Well, if you are 'Ronin', then we might as well travel together. Safety in numbers and such." Cherry lends out a hand a gesture of peace.

"...sure." The crow-man takes Cherry's hand. His flesh is cold to the touch.


"My name is One Blooded Cherrytree and I used to serve the Bishop of the Chalcedony Thurible. Now that I've stated my name and former master I feel that it would be appropriate that you tell me about youself. 'Cause, ya know, I saved you... and I'm being nice and all."

"I... I was a Deathknight in the service of Princess Magnificent with Lips of Coral and Robes of Black Feathers. My name is Son of Crows." From this distance, Cherry can make out stitching on the edges of Son of Crows' mask. Black thread holds the mask and his face together so tightly it is difficult to tell where one ends and the other beings. "...Day Caste."

[Hiding Dragon]

"Yeaaaah..." Cherry looks uneasy with his new companion. He slowly withdraws his hand from Son's icy grip. Then looks over to the dead man. "He may have been a poor fighter, but the least we should do is give him a proper grave instead of leaving his corpse as food for scavengers."

Cherry takes the blade and body and finds a nice spot by the gorge and starts furiously digging a grave. Once Cherry is finished he places the Immaculate monk down within and burys him, using the dead man's daiklave for a gravestone.

He turns to Son Of Crows. "Alright, lets go. I say we follow down the creek since that fire snake went the other direction. What do you say?"

[Kymme]

"Okay..." Son Of Crows falls in step behind Cherry, his wings folding and cracking backwards to form a flowing cloak of black feathers. They walk along the creek-bed for a few more hours, until they come to a waterfall.

The water pours down about one hundred feet into a large pool, with several houses ringing its outside edge. A small village (http://img12.deviantart.net/caa1/i/2012/271/3/8/waterfall_village_by_klauspillon-d5bjprx.jpg) sits here, nestled into the glade and hidden from anywhere but above. The creek continues onward, now a thin river that stretches through the forest. The sun is falling over the western horizon, and in its last dim rays Cherry can just make out the curving longhouses of the village. It's...

"Ransacked." Son Of Crows speaks quietly, his eyes sharp even in the dim light. They almost seem to glow, like a cat's eyes. "Most of the windows are broken in these houses, and their doors are hanging open. I see movement. There are people in the streets picking up broken things and taking them back inside. I can hear voices, too. Coming from there." He points with an outstretched finger to a larger longhouse in the village's center, right beside the river. Lights shine from its open windows, and Cherry can make out the faint echoes of... singing? "Sounds like a party."

He looks Cherry in the eyes, looking uneasy for the first time. "This village is Immaculate. The Wyld Hunt picked up conscripts from here. I don't think we should go in."

Cherry can make a Perception check if he likes to pick out more information, but at this distance and in this light, he probably doesn't stand much of a chance of success.

[Hiding Dragon]

"Nah. You said they were ransacked, right? Any able bodied men are gone now."

Cherry looks his odd companion up and down. "We'll have to say that you are a actor or something. We will figure out something to to say and, hey, maybe get some food or a map in the process. Err..." Cherry takes out a rag and ties it as a headband, covering his Caste Mark. Then he starts jogging down the steep path, heading into town.

[Kymme]

The Ransacked Village Beneath the Waterfall

"I, uh... fine..." Son of Crows looks downcast as he creeps behind Cherry down the rough slopes of the hillside. As he enters the village, Cherry notices the people watching him suspiciously. Women pull their children indoors and older villagers disappear inside as he walks by. One old woman, sitting mute on the steps of her ruined house, watches the passing Abyssal with sad eyes as he walks by. For a second it looks as if she is going to speak, but she just hangs her head and idly drums her fingers. Son Of Crows vanishes to the rooftops, not wanting to frighten anyone. He walks along the crooked roofs, watching the streets below.

After a few minutes Cherry reaches the river on the far side of the pond. Beside it sits a massive longhouse (http://orig10.deviantart.net/6ee6/f/2014/348/6/2/longhouse_by_stephengarrett1019-d89v4e8.jpg), by far the largest building in the village. The front doors hang open and inside Cherry can see men: filthy, thug-looking men (https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/25/86/62/258662f49b1135f18ada4a4b3f4d2d48.jpg), making merry. As Cherry reaches the doorway he finds in filled by two burly men holding a woman by either arm. They hurl the woman to the rough dirt of the street, lips curled in gap-toothed smiles. "Yeah, take that, bitch!" The man on the looks over at his companion. "Yeah, thinkin' she can just ask us to get out of here!" His friend laughs a throaty, choking laugh. "What an idiot, man. Don't she know we own this town?! Ain't that right, Grah?"

A booming voice responds from inside. "That's right, boys! Now get back inside! One of the village girls is gonna dance for us! Ain't 'cha, little lady?"

The two thugs turn around, casting Cherry a curious glance before disappearing back into the noise and light. The woman they so unkindly extricated picks herself up off of the ground and limps away, mumbling angrily to herself.

Moving through the doorway, Cherry finds himself in a scene of pure debauchery. The long tables that once crowded this longhouse are upturned and broken, and all around these rough men feast themselves on meat and drink. Drunken men too inebriated to walk sit along the walls, mumbling. Several young village girls crowd one corner, fending off the cloying hands of several drunken men. Many of the brigands sing, their voices joining together into a raunchy song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPA0BmlNd20) of monsters and maidens.

Sitting atop a throne of barrels and benches is the man orchestrating it all. A towering man (https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/0c/06/3a/0c063a4eb56f8901f84c750e570e83bd.jpg) with the head of a great stag. A beastman, no doubt. The spawn of a Lunar Exalted. He wears little in the way of clothing, save for a loincloth and a leather-and-bone mantle. Green tattoos cross his arms and stomach, and his eyes shine blue with a cunning that belies his form.

A few of them turn as Cherry enters, but most keep their eyes locked on a young woman in the center of the room. Against her will she dances to the men's song. Twisting and turn and jumping and kicking and dancing with wild abandon. The stag-headed beastman licks his lips.

"Woah there, Grah!" One of the men taunts jokingly. "Don't stop the girl yet, man! We're just getting to good part!" As the song reaches a crescendo the beastman rises from his ramshackle throne, stalking towards the girl on cloven hooves. "No can do, boys! I've got a reputation to uphold: they don't call me Grah the Fat for nothing!"

What shall Cherry do?

[Hiding Dragon]

"BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHA ahhhhh~! Grah the Fat?! A legend, I see!" Cherry walks towards Grah with great dramatic footsteps. When he passes the girl he winks at her and gives her a quick twirl before moving on, standing between her and the beastman. He comes up to Grah the Fat and gives a very dramatic, overwrought bow.

"Grah! It is a million pleasures to meet such a legendary bea--erm--man! Now you and your men have so many women and you keep them all to yourselves? May Anathema descend upon you and eat up that fat gut of yours! Haha! I joke, I joke."

Cherry looks Grah straight in the face, sheepishly. "Ah, but I forget myself! A million apologies and tears, Grah! I am Jing Fo, an apothecary in-training, and I am traveling the Scavenger Lands in search of rare herbs. I thought I could refresh myself in this local village, but I did not know a party was being thrown by a living legend!" Cherry gives Grah and his lackeys a very fake smile.

[Kymme]

Grah the Fat and all of his various bandits watch Cherry with rapt attention as he steps forward. The men turn to each other, marveling at this 'apprentice apothecary who speaks to their leader like an old friend. The village girls are confused as well, but they quickly take advantage of the distraction and one by oen begin to slip out of the longhouse's windows. The dancing girl has no such luck, however, and can merely hold herself as Cherry and the beastman talk. Grah's eyebrows rise higher and higher on his face with every word Cherry speaks, until by the end they seem ready to fly off of the beastman's forehead.

There is a moment of silence that seems to stretch on to infinity, and Cherry can feel a buzzing in the back of his head.

Then Grah begins to laugh. His laugh (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97ORGksHhKw) is like the bellow of a great stag, and Cherry can feel the hairs rise up on the back of his neck. "You! You're a funny man, Jing Fo! Coming in here and treating the place like a party; I like that! You've got style, kid." The massive beastman stoops down beside the tiny apothecary, slapping him on the back with enough strength to splinter wood. "Care to stick around, Jing? We've got good food, good drink, and good women. I'm sure I can get one of the girls over here for 'ya." He strides back to his throne and sits down. "Whaddaya say, kid?"

[Hiding Dragon]

"If I could be ever-so-blunt, Grah, my thirst for women could only be quenched by that beauty right there!" Cherry whirls around and points to the dancer girl in the center of the room. "Her sun kissed skin, those soft lips! Her curves! And by the gods THAT SMELL!!!! Oh great Grah, my friend! What a honor it would be just to taste her divinity! But of course, if you allow me such an honor I will need a place of privacy. One can't enjoy such a feast in public, no?" Cherry flashes Grah, the girl, and all of Grah's men a charming smile.

[Kymme]

As Cherry goes on about the virtues of the dancer girl, Grah begins to salivate. Hell, even his men are starting to get shifty. But before any of his men can make a move, however, the beastman speaks. "Jing, you make some good points. You've got a quick wit and filthy mind. I can appreciate that." He grins with unnaturally sharp teeth as he waves Jing away. "Take the girl, boy. Just make sure you give her back before sunup." This starts a wave of laughter within the bandits. None of them notice the last of the women slipping out through open windows and disappearing into the night.

Cherry wraps his arm around the dancer's waist and leads her outside. They head down from the longhouse into the street, then wrap around behind a nearby building. As soon as they stop the girl steps back, watching Cherry nervously. Just as he opens his mouth to speak her open palm strikes the side of his jaw like a comet from heaven. "Monster! If you think I'm just going to sit back and let you touch me gain you've got another thing co--oh my gods what is that?!" One moment slapping, another moment hiding. The girl crouches behind Cherry as a being from humanities worst nightmares descends from the rooftops. It's a creature of blood and death, a beast that devours the hearts of men, a true Anathema, it's...

It's just Son Of Crows. He always looks like this. "Hey, man. I heard some weird things going on inside that mess hall. Then I saw a bunch of women sneaking through the windows and stuff. I was wondering if you might need any help... Who's she?" He adds, gesturing to the dancer girl. She looks ready to scream.

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry's cheerful look is instantly killed by the sight of his friend. He whirls around and places his hand over the girls mouth and leans in to whisper to her. "Look. I am not in the mood for some little flame of a girl. I am actually here to help you kill that fat bastard. Now, if you want to help my bluff, go ahead and make some noise. And if you want to fight and get revenge for them making you look like the fool then tighten your fists and come with me."

Cherry stares at the girl he removes his hand before glancing over at Son. "You get all that? Sons? I will explain afterwards." Cherry looks back at her. "Of course, I don't like fighting with people that don't give me their names. What is your name, fire cracker?"

[Kymme]

Understanding crosses the girls eyes. She nods at Cherry's questions and steps away calmly when he stops covering her mouth. Then she spits on the ground. "I'll tell you my acursed name the second I you tell me what that thing is!" She points an accusing finger at Son Of Crows.

Son responds immediately. "My name is Son Of Crows. I'm... uh... an actor? Eh, who am I kidding..." He turns to his comrade. "Cherry, she can see the blood. There's no use hiding it." He turns back to the dancer girl, an empty circle of blood leaking through his white mask. "I'm an Abyssal Exalted. A Day Caste, to be specific. A Ronin, to be even more specific."

The girl nods to Son, her face an impassive mask. She's still watching Son when she extends her hand to Cherry in a gesture of peace. "Tylina. My name is Tylina."

[Hiding Dragon]

"My name One Bloodied Cherrytree; Midnight Caste Abyssal Exalted. Nice name, girl. You've got a lot of fire in ya."

"So the plan is this: I am going to go in and beat up Grah while you two deal with the goons. Then I'm going to demand that he rebuild the village. I think thats a good idea but what say you two?"

[Kymme]

"My name One Bloodied Cherrytree; Midnight Caste Abyssal Exalted. Nice name, girl. You've got a lot of fire in ya."

"Um, thanks, I guess." Tylina rubs her arm absentmindedly, watching the two Abyssals warily. "You know, the monks say you guys are demons who devour mortals for fun... then again, they also told us that the blessings of the Elemental Dragons would keep our village safe while our warriors were away. Based on the fact that I'm still alive, and that my home is in shambles, they weren't telling the truth, were they??"


"So the plan is this: I am going to go in and beat up Grah while you two deal with the goons. Then I'm going to demand that he rebuild the village. I think that's a good idea but what say you two?"

Son Of Crows thinks to himself for a moment. "I'm not very good at fighting lots of guys. I... I get distracted some times... You know Mantis Style, right? That means you could fight a lot of dudes at once, right? If you could keep all of the bandits occupied, I could flash in and take out a few."

"And I'm not really that good at fighting." Tylina speaks up, frowning. "If I was, I think that I'd probably be with the rest of my village's warriors. Or maybe not alive at all. What if we fought all of the bandits first, and then ganged up on Grah?"

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry looks to her. "I mean, some of Abyssals like to eat people, but I don't. We were once human, ya know. I don't know about Son but he seems pretty okay."

"Yeah, I guess that that would be a good idea. Lets go with beating the bandits, then deal with Grah. Enough chit chat! Let's save that for later."

Cherry reenters the mess hall, his fake smile replaced by a confident smirk. "Grah the Fat! I challenge you and all your litte pups to a fight! You have no right to take over a village of helpless women and children with no defenders! May the Neverborn take your souls!" Cherry assumes Mantis Stance, arms raised and fingers pointed

[Kymme]

Son Of Crows swoops up to the roof of the longhouse, looking down through one of the high windows. Tylina stands a pace behind Cherry, waiting for him to make a move.


"Grah the Fat! I challenge you and all your little pups to a fight! You have no right to take over a village of helpless women and children with no defenders! May the Neverborn take your souls!" Cherry assumes Mantis Stance, arms raised and fingers pointed.

Grah starts to laugh again. His guffaws echo through the mess hall, and his men join in on the chorus. "WHAT?! Would you look at this, boys? A boy finally gets some and thinks he's a man! How PATHETIC. It's such a shame, Jing! I was actually starting to like you." He turns to his bandits. "What are you waiting for, boys? Get him!" His men draw their piecemeal weapons and their rusted knives and start charging towards Cherry, roaring in anger as they drive forward at the Abyssal.


~battle, joined!~
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tl363Wh4ghU)
Initiative:
Bandits
Cherry
Son
Tylina
Grah

There are 25 bandits, and they're each attacking in 5 groups of 5. Their attacks all resolve in a DC 25 Parry check. If Cherry fails, he'll gain 2 bruises and be staggered for 1 round.

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry smiles: the sharp-toothed grin of a demon. "Rusty knifes!? I deserve something more worthy!"

Cherry's muscles tense as the first bandit comes at him. He drops low and sweeps his leg in a wide kick, knocking the bandit off of his feet. Then he slams the bandit with a windmill kick and sends him flying into a another thug's blade. When another bandit takes the first's place Cherry merely dodges out of the way of the knife and disarms him, snapping his arm in the process. Still holding him by his broken wrist, Cherry hurls the screaming bandit over his shoulder and into a tight group of four other men. When two more men break from the pack and charge Chery sighs. He darts up to them, swiftly dodging their swipes, and jabs the first one right in the windpipe with a pointed jab. He looks to the next bandit and tears into him with two quick jabs to the jaw and brow. Nine men defeated, Cherry looks through the assembling crowd of bandits, locking eyes with Grah.

Cherry resumes his stance. Tell your pups to scatter and face me alone, friend!

[Kymme]

Grah's jaw drops as Cherry effortlessly defeats nine of his lackeys. Still slack-jawed, the beastman takes a swig of ale and stands from his throne. He draws a massive bow from one of the barrels of his throne and nocks it with a wide-tipped arrow. "Five dinars says I hit his eyes."

"I'll take that b--" A voice from across the longhouse calls out, only to be silenced by the beating of frantic wings. A headless corpse slumps to the ground, his assassin vanishing in a flourish of black feathers. Son Of Crows nods to Cherry from his lofty perch, sheathing his daiklave in a single silent motion.

Tylina hurls part of a shattered clay pot at one of the men Cherry bowled over, striking him in the head and sending him sprawling. "Haha! Suck on that!"

Thoroughly disheartened, but with nowhere else to turn, the bandits again rush in at Cherry. Most of them slash at the deathknight's legs and arms, but a handful actually throw themselves upon him, attempting to slow him down and prevent him from dodging Grah's shot.

As his bandits are charging, Grah sights down the length of the arrow's shaft. His blue eyes flash in the wild torchlight, and he mutters a short prayer before letting the arrow fly. It whistles through the air, streaking towards Cherry's face!

What does Cherry do?

Cherry successfully takes out nine of the bandits. Then Son goes, taking out a tenth. Tylina acts next, but she doesn't do much. Then Grah goes.

Grah delays until after his bandits act. When they do five of them use the Aid action to help with Grah's shot. The remaining 10 attack Cherry, resolving in an attack that will require a DC 22 Parry check to block. Grah's attack, however, is augmented both by a 2-point stunt and by the Aid action, and as so will require a DC 28 Dodge check to avoid. For every roll that Cherry fails, he will take 1 bruise.

[Hiding Dragon]

As the bandits close in on him, Cherry's smile vanishes. He watches his attackers silently, unmoving. It is not until the last second, when Grah's arrow is but an inch from his face, that he moves. Like lighting hiting the plains Cherry's hand rises in a fluid motion. Striking the arrowhead with the back of his hand, he deflects it into the closest bandit. The arrow strikes him in the throat and he goes down gurgling.

Examining his hand, Cherry notices a thin red line decorating his knuckle. Blood beads at one end like a tiny ruby. The Deathknight looks up, shooting Grah an icy glare as he stompts the two bandits diving for his legs into the floorboards. He takes a step back, closer to Tylina.

"This is my first and final warning, beastman. Call off your men and repent for your sins, or feel the icy embrace of the grave." Cherry spits at the dead bandit that was struck by the stray arrow.

[Kymme]

There is a flash of black energy as Son Of Crows materializes in a hurricane of black feathers, daiklave drawn and ready. He stands to Cherry's left, a pace behind him.

A shudder passes through the bandits as the second deathknight reveals himself. The men cease their charge and form a wary semicircle around Cherry, Son, and Tylina. Some tremble. Some look away. Most do nothing.

Grah takes the remaining steps down from his throne, the wood creaking with his every step. At the bottom he scoops up a splintered bench, hefting the eight foot long chunk of wood over his shoulder. His men step aside to allow him through and he stops about fifteen feet from Cherry. Those of his bandits who can still stand drag their unconcious or dead comrades away from the battlefield.

Grah's eyes are narrowed. His gaze is steady; calculating. "Your problem is with me, isn't it? In that case, let's settle this like men. No allies." He spares a glance at Cherry's two comrades. "Just you and me. If I win, you and your freakshow friend leave this town. The girl stays with me." He winks at Tylina. She gags. "If you win, my boys and I will do whatever you ask. We're men of our word, ain't that right, boys?" A shout goes up from Grah's bandits.

"What'll it be, 'Jing'?"

Cherry attacked first.

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry shakes his head and chuckles a little.
"That would be a very honorable deal, and an apothecary is nothing but honorable. I will see to it that no more lives are taken here. And even if somehow, in the silken tapestry that his Fate, I lose this battle, I won't see my new apprentice taken from me."
His grin returns.
"But yes, my friend, I accept your deal. Know this, however: if you go against the laws of our duel I will personally see every one of your men slain and you in shackles, cursing the heavens every day that I did not end your life."

[Kymme]

Grah's eyes flash. "Then let's get to it, shall we?"

In the blink of an eye his is upon Cherry, wooden club whistling through the air in a strike aimed for Cherry's unprotected head. At the same time the beastman stops down on the floorboards, disrupting the Abyssal's footing.

Grah is attacking Cherry with his club. Cherry must succeed on a DC 21 Parry check or take one bruise and be dazed until the end of his next turn.

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry is slow to the draw, only barely keeping his footing. He manages to throw his arm up to block in the last second, but winces as the wood bites into his forearm. If we was a mortal, Grah's attack would have snapped his arm clean in two.

It's a good thing he stopped being a mortal a long time ago. Cherry lashes out and strikes Grah's chest, his other hand slipping under the beastman's guard and jabbing at his throat. Before his second attack lands, however, he stops himself.

"Ah, but that would be too easy..."

Cherry hops back resuming his stance.

"Grah, my friend, may I ask why you chose this path?"

[Kymme]

"Grah, my friend, may I ask why you chose this path?"

Grah winces as Cherry strikes him, but manages to shrug off the shock. "None of your business, boy." He swings his improvised weapon in a wide arc, aiming for his opponent's shoulder. The bench, already cracked from Grah's first attack, shatters harmlessly against Cherry body. The beastman takes a moment to gawk at the splintered stump.

He's left himself wide open.

What does Cherry do?

Cherry hits Grah for one bruise. The beastman then attacks him, but misses horribly. It is Cherry's turn once more.

[Hiding Dragon]

Leaping forward, Cherry seizes the advantage. Grah's broken club offers no protection. He makes two quick blows to Grah's face, momentarily blinding him. Cherry whirls beneath the beastman's arm to stand, back to back with his opponent. Before Grah can react, Cherry drives his elbow into the arch of Grah's spine, sending him stumbling.

"Grah, I must ask once more. Why this path? With the blood in your veins you could help people like I do."

[Kymme]

"Grah, I must ask once more. Why this path? With the blood in your veins you could help people like I do."

"My blood!?" Grah almost spits the words, turning to face Cherry. "You know nothing of my damned blood, apothecary!" His expression twists in rage and he throws himself upon Cherry, goring him with his antlers.

And so comes the second bruise. Grah is attacking Cherry with his antlers. Cherry must succeed on a DC 19 Parry check or take one bruise.

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry watches, amused, as rage overtakes Grah. How disgraceful.. he huffs under his breath.

With trained poise and confident strength Cherry meets Grah's charge, seizing him by the antlers and holding the beastman's face inches from his.
"I know that you are more than this, Grah. Your anger is why you have strayed from your path."

Cherry hefts Grah off the ground, spinning him in a spiral before smashing him against the floor.

[Kymme]

"Shut up!" Grah roars. "Quit moving! Stand and fight!" The beastman hurls himself into the air, shattering the floorboards beneath his feet. He comes down on Cherry with his legs extended, trying to stop the smaller man into the ground.

Grah is now rocking three bruises. He's not doing so hot. Grah attacks Cherry once more. DC 19 Parry check or suffer another bruise.

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry merely steps aside as Grah falls, letting the large beastman shatter the floorboards and wedge himself knee deep into the ground.

"I stand taller then you, and I will stand still." Cherry stabs Grah's shoulder with a pointed hand.

[Kymme]

Cherry's pinpoint jab strikes home and Grah's right arm drops to hang limply at his side. The beastman roars (https://youtu.be/jhqNquwl4E4?t=4s), ripping himself out of the ground and descending upon Cherry with a bone-shattering punch.

Grah has now taken four bruises. He's pretty much on the ropes, now. Cherry must succeed on a DC 16 Parry check or take one bruise and be dazed until the end of his next turn.

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry sidesteps Grah's punch and throws a fist of his own at the beastman's head, making the finishing blow. He stops himself, though, moving his attack to somewhere more fitting. Chery strikes one of Grah's antlers, snaping it off, and grabs the horn in midair.

He holds it up to Grah's face. "Ah, a trophy! One of many I will gain today!" Cherry flashes a devil smile.

[Kymme]

When his antler snaps, Grah goes silent. A wave of quiet passes through the assembled bandits as the beastman slowly picks himself up and cracks his knuckles.

On the sidelines, Tylina whispers to Son Of Crows. "Is Cherry always this... brutal?"

Son glances down at her. His 'augmentations' give him inhuman height, and he has to stoop down to whisper back to her. "I've known him for like, a day, tops, but... Yeah."

Grah charges, bringing his arm low in preparation for a massive uppercut. Before he strikes, though, he slams his cloven hoof down on Cherry's foot, sending a jolt of pain up the Abyssal's spine. Instead of punching, however, he reaches out in an attempt to seize the Abyssal by the arms and crush the life out of him.

And lo, comes Grah's fifth bruise. This guy is taking a lot of punishment. He strikes back at Cherry in retaliation and rolls a NATURAL TWENTY on his damage roll. Cherry's gonna have to make a DC 16 Parry check or be instantly incapacitated.

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry dodges Grah attack by simply ducking under it and popping right back up into Grah face. Cherry wears a mask of grim happiness as he punches Grah square in the stomach, knocking the beastman to his knees. He leans in and whispers. "Your soul is strong, young spawn of Stewards, but you must repent and learn that this path is poor and withered. My final gift is this blow to your pride."

Cherry roars as he digs his fist deeper into Grah's stomach, twisting until his fist is wet with blood. He tears his hand from the wound and steps back, as Grah falls to the floor face-first.

Cherry turns around to his friends. "Well, that's done and over with. I am still hungry." Cherry looks over to Tylina. "Dear lady, if you could be so kind, get the leader of this village. I want to tell them the great news! 'An apothecary in training defeated a mighty legend!' Ha!" He shakes Grah's blood from his hand and walks to one of tables. Cherry sits down and smiles at the dumbstruck bandits.

[Kymme]

~battle, end!~ (http://www.myinstants.com/instant/dominating/)

A few moments pass where nobody speaks. Then Tylina realizes that Cherry isn't kidding and goes running for the village elder. Son Of Crows glances at her before nodding to Cherry. He vanishes, moving to the rafters.

Several of Grah's men shake themselves out of their amazed stupor and gather around their leader. They reach down to help him to his feet, but Grah shoves them aside and stands on his own. An inch-deep hole in his stomach oozes blood, and he does a poor job stifling the flow with his still-working arm. A murmur passes through his men and Grah silences them with a single glare. He drags himself to sit opposite Cherry at the remaining table. "Bring us the best booze we found." He orders his men calmly. "Now." Somewhat less calm. His lackeys rush off to retrieve two mugs foaming with brownish liquid. It is only when he and Cherry have a cup that he deigns to speak.

"So." His left eye is swollen shut, but his right narrows calculatingly. "What do you want with me?"

[Hiding Dragon]

"Bwhahahaha! 'What do you want with me,' he asks!"

Cherry brings up the mug and takes a swig of it licking his lips "Oh, Grah, heed my words. What I ask of you is this: I want you and your men to drop your bandit life and help this village! Rebuild it and become its protectors until the snakes return or forever! Stay here to better your..." Cherry looks down at his mug. At least, that's what I would like of you. But this is not my village. It's not my call. What would really like..." He fixes Grah with an icy stare.
"Is for you to calm yourself and find peace. Find your standing in this world. But, ah, this brings me back to my first question: Why did you choose this life?"

[Kymme]

"Why did you choose this life?"

Grah is quiet for a long time. He gestures to his men and they begin to start picking up the place in ways that only criminals could, just sort of... stacking things. By the time they've cleared away the debris of their battle, Grah is ready to speak. "I didn't have a choice, really. Ever since I could remember, my dear old dad was dragging me from camp to camp. Apparently little stags learn quick, cause I was scrapping with the best of them back when I was six. Was cracking skulls at ten, and leading raids at thirteen. After dad died - funny story, that. Moral is: don't steal from the Guild - I was in charge. And I've done a pretty good job, haven't I, boys?" His men murmur in agreement, but none of them seem eager to sing his praises. Watching your leader get smacked around by a beardless boy half his size will do that.

Grah finishes his mug and leans in. "So, Jing, what's your story? Where'd a little pipsqueak like you learn to fight like that?"

Before Cherry can respond, however, two figures emerge through the open door of the mess hall. The moon is setting, and the two women are highlighted by its dim glow. Tylina has returned with an older woman in tow: the very same woman that two of Grah's thugs threw to the road earlier this evening. "What's this?" The older woman steps forward, glaring across the faces of the assembled bandits. Her glaze lingers on the various holes in the floorboards. "What in Creation happened here? Where's this apothecary?"

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry looks to Grah and flashes a devil's smile. He slams the rest of his drink before geting up.

"AH! The village chief, I see! I am Jing, the apothecary in training! I have beaten the legendary Grah the Fat! And in my victory, we have struck a deal. He and his men will rebuild your village and will be its protectors till the day your able boded men and women come home." Cherry looks to the woman with a cheerful face. "All I ask in return for my service is a place to sleep tonight, food, and water for travel. All this, but only if you are able. If not then no matter, okay? Oh! How rude of me! Chief, what is your name?" Cherry step up and offers his hand.

[Kymme]

The village elder takes Cherry's hand gingerly, casting a glance back at Tylina. "My name is Alyni. Pleased to meet you, Jing, and thank you for defeating these ruffians. I'm afraid I cannot offer you any supplies, apothecary. Most of our stores were taken when the good soldiers and shinma of the Wyld Hunt came through our village. What little that remained was taken by these thugs."

Grah's eyes widen. "Oh, right! Hey, um, boys! We still have food and drink to give back to the villagers, yeah? Well then get on it, you lazy idiots!" He stands from his bench and begins shouting at his bandits, sending them scrambling for any scraps and leftovers from their revelry.

Tylina steps up beside Cherry and the Elder Alyni, hands clasped together at her waist. The elder turns back to Cherry. "I appreciate this, Jing, I really do. But I must ask: what makes you think that these ruffians will obey your bargain? You said that you were just passing through; how will you enforce your end of the deal after you've left this valley?"

Cherry can implement some Social-fu at this point, if he wants. Remember, he has a +15 to Socialize. The DC to convince Grah to do this would be: 10 base + 6 Will + 5 severity of the request. This creates a total of DC 21.

[Hiding Dragon]

"Hm? Grah the Fat, going back on his word? I am pretty sure that'll never happen, ain't that right Grah?" Cherry looks over at him, then turns back to Alyni. "He will keep his word 'cause if does not I will come back and kick his face in. So don't worry."

Cherry yawns. "So, how about that place to sleep? And also!" He winks at Tylina. "I have many things to speak to you about in private!"

[Kymme]

"Hm? Grah the Fat, going back on his word? I am pretty sure that'll never happen, ain't that right Grah?" Cherry looks over at him, then turns back to Alyni. "He will keep his word 'cause if does not I will come back and kick his face in. So don't worry."

The elder is surprised by Cherry's confidence, but she nods understandingly. "If he really has decided to change his ways, then I owe you a great debt of gratitude."


"So, how about that place to sleep? And also!" He winks at Tylina. "I have many things to speak to you about in private!"

"Oh, of course!" Alyni turns, leading the way out of the longhouse. Tylina glares daggers at Cherry as the two of them begin follow.

Elder Alyni brings the two of them to another house on the eastern edge of the village. "This place should serve well enough, Jing." She makes as if to walk away, but turns. "And thank you, once again."

As soon as the elder is out of sight and Cherry and Tylina have entered the longhouse, Son Of Crows materializes before them. This longhouse is rather spartan in its furnishings, and Son leans back against an empty patch of wall. "So, Cherry... What happens now?"

"Yeah, I'm a little curious, too." Tylina chimes in.

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry cups he chin in thought. "Well, right now, my goal is to kill my former master. Maybe help a village or two or a god along the way, but I don't have any idea how to go about it. I just know now that I will need some help from others if I am to succeed." Cherry goes to a cot and sits down, rubbing the back of his neck. "But here is my question to you two: will you be my allies? I'm not the kind of person to hang around people that don't want to be around me. I mean, I believe in Son 'cause the guy seems trust worthy and Tylina...." Cherry's eyes widen as he realizes something. "Tylina, would you even come with two people like us? We're Anathema, as your people call us, and if you do it would be one heck of a adventure. Of course -" He looks down at his feet. "- you might be killed, or worse...."

Cherry drifts off, waiting for their response.

[Kymme]

At The Little Longhouse

Tylina frowns and sits with her back against the wall. She doesn't speak for a long time. "I... I don't want to stay here. I get that you've helped create peace between Grah's bandits and my people, but I still cannot stand those scum. I don't know about all this business with your old master, but I'll go with you if it means that I can get out of this place." She stands, her lips turned up in a grin. "And besides, I need you to teach me how to fight like that. You took down a guy half your size with a few light punches. That's insane."

Son Of Crows nods. "I'm with you too, Cherry, but... killing the Bishop... that sounds pretty hard. Where're you gonna start?"

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry beams. "Excellent, I like this! I gain a student and an ally? Truly I have reaped the rewards of karma!"

Cherry yawns and stretches his arms out. "We should sleep on it. I think we should start by going to a large city or something for more information." He winks at Tylina. "And we will start your training tomorrow! Maybe Son can teach you something, too. Well, good night! I'm going get some shut eye."

Cherry lays down and rolls onto his back. Doubt begins to creep in from the edges of his mind. What am I doing? Where am going to start!? I hope I don't lose these two... Meadow, I wish I had your guidance. Cherry closes his eyes and drifts to sleep, awaiting what horrors or miracles that will befall him.

[Kymme]

Sleep comes, but it does so fitfully. The buzzing in the back of Cherry's head had never really gone away, and now it mixes with his doubts and forms whispers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKjYnJ6s9GQ). One Blooded Cherrytree knows these voices well. The are the whispers of the Neverborn, the first things to die. The Bishop talked about them from time to time, and mentioned them occasionally in his holy book, the Tome of Eternal Night. He preached that they sacrificed themselves to open the Mouth of the Void, so that all living beings may end their suffering through Oblivion's embrace. The whispers of the Neverborn are always with Cherry, though on this evening, beneath the roof of this cottage, sleeping beside a mortal and a fellow Ronin, they seem particularly hateful.


[+1 Resonance]

~ending~ (http://listenonrepeat.com/?v=uFJGsc5k1Xg#OVERLORD_OPENING_%28%E3%82%AA%E3%83 %BC%E3%83%90%E3%83%BC%E3%83%AD%E3%83%BC%E3%83%89_O p%29)

[Kymme]

~opening~ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xo8wCrwLejw)

Somewhere in the East of Creation, Leaving a Village Beneath a Waterfall

Cherry and his two companions walk silently through the forest. The stream beside them slowly begins to widen into a fast-moving river as they descend from the hills into another valley, much wider than the last. It's been nearly six hours since the village beneath the waterfall vanished behind them, and this patch of forest (http://orig02.deviantart.net/6c5a/f/2012/060/1/7/17c3536b314335cf453b6f2f84278de0-d4r3v43.jpg) is beginning to blend together. Other than the river, there are no landmarks to speak off.

Then, rounding a bend, Cherry spies something unusual: a young boy, wearing a vest of black burlap, lying on his side in the middle of the path. A lock of his hair is faded red - the rest is a dim grey color. He's curled up into a ball, shivering. Tylina and Son trail a few yards behind, and they've yet to see him.

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry face is devoid of emotion
I am Jing wandering monk! come here child so I may see your face!
Cherry says this loud enough for his friends to hear

[Kymme]

The little boy turns to face Cherry. His eyes are red with tears, and he breathes fitfully between his sobs. "Whu... who..? *hiccup* Where's Daddy? Help!" He tries to stand, but stumbles on a loose patch of dirt and falls back down. He wraps his arms around his legs and presses his face to his knees, rocking back and forth.

Tylina and Son Of Crows come rushing up, stopping on either side of Cherry. "Cherry, what are you doing? Let's help the poor kid!" She starts to move forward, but Son catches her by the shoulder and pulls her back. "He's being cautious, Ty. Not every day you see a little kid out in the woods.... Cherry, what's the plan?"

Tylina snatches her arm away. "Who said you could call me Ty? And besides, he's just a lost boy. He's harmless!"

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry stares at the kid
Son,Ty this kid is a essence user but.... how? or what is he I mean he not hiding anything.
Cherry crouch down to eye level with the kid.
what is your name kid and who is your father

[Kymme]

"What is your name, kid, and who is your father?"

The little boy looks up at Cherry, eyes brimming with tears. "My name *hiccup* is Asher, Mister Jing. My dad's name is Oliver. *hiccup* Oliver of the Red Stand. H-he's... he's... he's going to be really mad that I wandered off."

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry smiles at the boy, trying to comfort him. He looks up at Tylina. "Hey Ty, you mind parting with some of the candy nuts of yours?" He looks back at Asher. "So, Sapling, where is your father? What way did you come from? Oh, and did your dad have any of these?" Cherry pulls out one of the netsuke he took from the dragon-blooded monk.

[Kymme]

"Hey Ty, you mind parting with some of the candy nuts of yours?"

"Oh, sure!" Tylina is quick to jump into action, pulling off her oversized backpack and rummaging through for the treats. She pulls out a handfull of the candies and crouches down next to Asher. "Here, little guy. Everything's gonna be okay."

Asher's face lights up when he sees the treats. He watches Tylina with wide eyes, silently asking for permission to take them. Tylina's response is to simply dump the handful of nuts into the boy's hands. He scarfs them down like it's his first meal in days.


"So, Sapling, where is your father? What way did you come from? Oh, and did your dad have any of these?" Cherry pulls out one of the netsuke he took from the dragon-blooded monk.

"My dad's... he's... somewhere. I came down from the hill and stopped when I got to the river. I don't really know how to get back up again." Upon seeing the netsuke, Asher shakes his head. "No, my dad doesn't have any of those. I think I've seen them before. Some nice monks came to our house and talked with my dad, and they wore little beads like that."

Son Of Crows looks on, watching the forest for any signs of trouble... or Oliver of the Red Stand, whoever he might be.

[Hiding Dragon]

"What did you father talk to the monks about? Was he friendly to them?" Cherry glances at Son, hoping for him to catch on to what he is really asking.

"Well, lets go up that hill! Would you like me to carry you?" Cherry stands up and speaks to Son.
"Mind keeping a look out? Something about this is unsettling me."

[Kymme]

"What did you father talk to the monks about? Was he friendly to them?"

"They talked about boring stuff: how the forest was doing and work, things like that. Yeah, but my dad's nice to everybody. He tells me that 'one is never taller than when he lends a hand to another,' or something like that. These monks were nice, too. Last year the monks that came through were sort of... mad? Dad told me to stay in my room when he talked to them. But these ones were super nice! Especially their leader. She was dressed kind of weird, though. She didn't wear robes like the other monks. She had fancy clothes!"


"Well, lets go up that hill! Would you like me to carry you?"

"Thanks, mister, but I'll walk too." Asher sets off. Tylina shrugs and follows him, and Son exchanges a nod with Cherry before vanishing into the trees. As they ascend the hill, Cherry can hear the bird-like Abyssal ghosting through branches above them, swifter than the wind.

It isn't long before the hill flattens out into a bluff, and through the woods Cherry can make out a little cottage (http://archwall.xyz/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/other-fairytale-lane-grass-path-forest-park-plants-alley-flowers-summer-nature-trees-cabin-beautiful-lovely-magical-pretty-cottage-house-green-garden-walkway-free-download-wallpaper-1920x1080.jpg) of red wood. Asher doesn't seem to notice it, though - being short restricts your field of view a little. The woodlands around the house are unusually verdant, with flowering plants of all shapes and colors sprouting an wild garden.

[Hiding Dragon]

"Sigh~ Lets go knock on the door, I guess. Hopefully your pop is home."
Cherry starts walking towards the house. He glances down at Asher, walking beside him. Say, kid, what are you? I sense your Essence is strong. Are you a elemental, or a litte god?"

[Kymme]

At the Cottage on the Bluff

Say, kid, what are you? I sense your Essence is strong. Are you a elemental, or a little god?"

Asher shakes his head. "I'm not a god, mister Jing. Now, my dad, on the other ha -"

"AAAAAAAAAAASHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEER!" A red comet streaks past Cherry and tackles Asher. The little boy is swept up in long hair and grey robes as he and his assailant go tumbling down the path, only narrowly missing the terrified Tylina. When the forest settles, Asher is sitting in a young man (http://40.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mbb6gk1yxO1r8oan1o1_540.jpg)'s lap, giggling with childish glee. "Where have you been, young man? I was worried sick! You went down the hill, didn't you? I told you to never go down the hill! You'll slip and fall and roll all the way to the bottom! Is that what you want?!" The red-haired man scolds Asher, who continues to laugh. "Haha, dad, you have visitors!" He exclaims, rousing his father's attention.

"We do? Oh!" The red-haired man bolts to his feet, holding his son like one might hold a puppy. He doesn't look much older than Cherry, but his pale green eyes shine with the memories of countless seasons. "Greetings, travelers! Were you the ones who led Asher back here? If that's the case I owe you many thanks. My name is Oliver of the Red Stand (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dwcn4q4X0OQ&index=44&list=PLCA33C1E583C1EBE0), but you can just call me Oliver. I'm the god of these woods."

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry exhales and just stares at the father and son. He feels a mixture of surprise and anger at himself.

"Just a forest god, huh? I did not expect that at all. Well, I am One Blooded Cherrytree! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVtsJkYFIxc) Midnight Caste of the Abyssal Exalted! I have brought your um... child... home! We found him in the woods on our journey. I along with my friend here, Descending Crimson Cherryblossom!" He gestures to Tylina. "She is my student. So Oliver, god of these woods, do you have any tea? We can drink together and break words."

[Kymme]

"Yes, of course! Asher, let's go get some tea for our guests." The two of them vanish inside, leaving some time for Cherry and his companion to speak among themselves. Son Of Crows descends from the high branches and lands beside Cherry and Tylina. "That went better than expected."

Tylina recovers from her surprise quickly. "Yeah, it's kind of bizarre. I've never met a god like this up close before. My village used to have a waterfall god, but she's not really around anymore. The Immaculate monks saw to that. Also, Son." She turns. "You nearly scared my half to death. Is there anything you can do about all the blood and stuff?"

Son Of Crows shrugs. "This is how I always look."

"Well, in that case, you'll probably want to go back to looking out for trouble. I think that Oliver might freak out a little if he saw you like that." Tylina frowns.

"You're probably right. I'll be back if I see anything."

When Son Of Crows vanishes, Tylina turns to Cherry. "Any particular reason you didn't tell him my real name?"

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry sits down and beckons Ty to do so too. He turns to her. "Well, he's just a forest god so it nothing super special. On the other hand, flowers can sport many colors, plus this is his domain. Now, the kid is something that I'm really intrested in. Also I gave you that name cause he might want to eat you or something much much worse, plus its much more epic then your normal name, plus we need to play you as somebody who's just as powerful as me and Son so that you are not targeted first. Maybe we'll give you some more dangerous training, but I don't know yet."

Cherry lays down on his back, keeping his hand between himself and the ground. He looks up to the canopy, waiting on his host.

[Kymme]

Oliver of the Red Stand emerges alongside his son with an elaborate tea set. He beckons Cherry and Tylina to follow him to the terrace, on the opposite side of his cottage. There waits a small table with four chairs. Oliver sets down the tea-tray and sits, with Asher beside him. What follows is a typical outdoor tea ceremony, practiced often by the Terrestrial gods that call Creation home.

Tylina has no idea what is going on, but Cherry leads her through the steps. The tea bowl is passed around, containing a thicker, more viscous variant of green tea. After everyone has taken a sip (and offered Oliver their most sincere compliments) the host retreats back inside, emerging with the thin tea and a plate of confections. And so, the casual phase of the ceremony begins.

Oliver is the first to speak. He leans back in his chair, folding his arms behind his head. "So, One Blooded Cherrytree... you are an Abyssal Exalted? I must confess that I've not heard of your kind before. I know of Lunars: one or two have passed through my woods before; as well as Terrestrials; but I've never seen an Abyssal before. Where are you from?"

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry beams at the forest god, but ignores the question of about Abyssals. "How long has this place been your domain? And your child, Asher, is he a elemental? I sense his essence and am extremely fascinated by him. Your boy told me about some monks visting you, led by a woman in 'fancy clothing.' as he put it." Cherry smiles at Asher then to his father. "By the way, you can call me Cherry and my companion Ty."

[Kymme]

"How long has this place been your domain?"

"I've lived in these woods for many years. Perhaps two centuries? I tend to lose track, but some things keep reminding me." He gazes warmly at his son, who quips back. "Six years and counting!"


"And your child, Asher, is he a elemental? I sense his essence and am extremely fascinated by him."

Oliver smiles wryly. "I've heard of many things in my life, One Blooded Cherrytree, but I've never heard of a god's child being an elemental. No, Asher is godblooded. I like to think he takes after his mother, mostly."


"Your boy told me about some monks visiting you, led by a woman in 'fancy clothing.' as he put it."

"Has he, now? Well, yes. I'm visited by monks of the Immaculate Order from time to time. They've always treated me kindly, and offered me protection from other gods who might wish to usurp my control over this forest. All they ask in return is that I claim no worship from the people who call this forest home." He smiles, looking at his son - who is currently alternating between quaffing tea and gorging himself on sweets. "For the past few years, the Immaculate monks that have come to speak with me were... more dogmatic in their approach. They felt that the blood of gods and mortals shouldn't mix. Let's just say that I had my qualms with that philosophy. This new brotherhood of monks, though, are different. Their leader, Tepet Berele Chisri, the woman in 'fancy clothes' that my son mentioned, has big plans for this region. She's not so caught up in punishing the little gods who stray beyond their bounds. I never asked what her grand scheme was, but from what I've managed to gather, it has something to do with the Lunars. I have a feeling she wants to drive them out and set up a permanent satrapy of the Realm."


"By the way, you can call me Cherry and my companion Ty."

"Duly noted, Cherry. And miss Ty." Oliver smiles, taking another sip from his teacup.

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry stares at Oliver, his mouth shut. "Oliver, I know we've met only moments ago, and I can tell you are a carefree person who only wants the best for your child. I like you but..." Cherry sets down his cup. "Never trust a snake that whispers promises. There is always going to be venom in the end. Do you sense that they mean ill of you? Since you are in the way of there plans and they have views that less then reasonable. Do you have any insights on this possibility?"

[Kymme]

"Never trust a snake that whispers promises. There is always going to be venom in the end. Do you sense that they mean ill of you? Since you are in the way of there plans and they have views that less then reasonable. Do you have any insights on this possibility?"


Oliver's smile disappears. "I... uh, well..." He turns to his son. "Asher, there are more treats inside, if you're still hungry." The little boy nods and takes off, but not before giving Cherry and Tylina a quick bow. When his son is well and truly out of earshot, Oliver turns back. "Why shouldn't I trust them? I've had disagreements with the Immaculate monks in the past, but this new group is different. They've been nothing but polite to me and, frankly, I'm kind of insulted that you think they might mean 'ill' of me. What gives you the idea that I'm in the way of their plans?"

[Hiding Dragon]

"I'm sorry if I offended you but it's because you are just in the way. This forest is rich in wood and may have more resources hidden within. From my viewpoint, Immaculates are going about things all wrong. Especially the Wyld Hunt." Cherry politely sips his tea. "You have your own will and ideas. Just keep what I say in mind, my friend. The world has made my words harsh and I apologize for that. Now, if I may, can you tell me if there any Wyld Hunt camps around here? That would be a great boon to us."

Cherry smiles and reassures Oliver that his intentions are peaceful.

[Kymme]

"Now, if I may, can you tell me if there any Wyld Hunt camps around here? That would be a great boon to us."

"Only one that I know of. Tepet Berele Chisri has set up her camp in an old ruined keep, maybe forty kilometers to the West? They have most of their force camped out around there."

[Hiding Dragon]

"Excellent! Well, I guess we will be leaving. Thank you for the tea and snacks, but I we must continue our journey." Cherry bows. "May you bless our travels."

He gets up and lending a hand to Ty. He gives her a wink (Hopefuly this quick departure will agitate something out of this forest sprite)

[Kymme]

Oliver frowns as Cherry turns to leave. The Abyssal can hear him clearing his throat, but before he gets a chance to speak Son Of Crows drops from the canopy, landing on the balls of his feet directly in front of Cherry and Tylina. Out of the corner of his eye, Cherry can see Oliver drop his bamboo tea-scoop to the ground in shock and surprise.

"Something's coming. Big, furry. Heading right for us. It'll be here any second."

[Hiding Dragon]

"Oliver, a creatrue of your forest?" Cherry looks to Oliver and then to Tylina.

"Stay with the god and please, do try to defend yourself. Maybe with your knife or something?" Cherry looks to Son. "How big and strong is it? We should attack it first, before it gets the drop on us. Lead me to it."

[Kymme]

"Oliver, a creature of your forest?"

"I'm... not sure." Oliver closes his eyes and focuses, using the trees of the forest as conduits for his sight.


"Stay with the god and please, do try to defend yourself. Maybe with your knife or something?"

Tylina nods, taking off her backpack and pulling a long knife from a side pouch. She tugs off the sheathe and tosses it back inside, standing up and brandishing her weapon.


"How big and strong is it?"

"It's... um... house-sized. Let's go with that. There's no 'attacking first,' the thing's running way to fast." Glancing back to the stooped form of Oliver, he adds. "I think it's a wolf or something..." Padding footsteps echo through the woods, along with the cracking of branches and the faint tremors of bursting earth.

"A... wolf? But that means... oh no." Realization flashes across Oliver's face and he snaps out of his sight-trance. He shouts to his son. "Asher! Stay inside! I'll come get you when it's over." The forest god clenches his fists and walks forward, standing shoulder to shoulder with Cherry and Son. The rapid footfalls have begun to blur together into a dull roar. "She's here."

There is an explosion of air and snapped branches as a white wolf the size of a house (https://gdrtales.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/khorne.jpg) bursts into the clearing. The air around it is suffused with silver light, and Cherry can instantly detect the swirls of essence curling from the beast's massive body. Its breathing is ragged, and it bows its head for a moment before fixing Oliver with a blue-eyed gaze.

"OLIVER OF THE RED STAND, THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE." The wolf roars, its feet falling heavily on the bushes of the forest-god's garden. "JOIN US, OR DIE WITH THEM!"

"I've told you a thousand times, Atara, I'm never going to join you!" Oliver's face contorts in anger, and he thrusts a finger towards the menacing wolf. "You and your friends can have your war. I want no part in it!"

"CURSE YOU AND YOUR DAMNED NEUTRALITY!" Atara practically spits the last word, slamming one of her massive paws into the ground and uprooting a small tree. "IS THERE NO WAY YOU'LL SEE REASON?"

"I'll 'see reason' the second you and your friends stop trying to get me killed!" Oliver grits his teeth. "And stop trampling on my garden! I know you're in that form just to intimidate me!"

"FINE!" Atara takes a step back and closes her eyes. Her whole body is shrouded in glowing silver light (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwT3DIIXWNA) that wraps around her like a cloth. Beneath it, she begins to shrink, rearing up and taking on the trappings of a human form. When the light vanishes, it leaves behind a young woman with stark white hair and piercing blue eyes (https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/7a/24/65/7a246568d266ab0bf7aeda61f6f40fcd.jpg). She wears a red mantle and baggy teal pants, held together with black suspenders. On her waist hangs a red and white mask, shaped like a demon's head. It is held in place by a braided blue cord. A glowing disk of dark blue stands (http://rpg.divnull.com/exalted/images/nomoon.jpg) out on her forehead. It twinkles with an odd light. "Can we talk now?!"

Before Oliver has a chance to respond, Atara tilts her head. She's noticed Cherry, Tylina, and Son for the first time. "Wait a minute. Who's this lot?"

[Hiding Dragon]

"BWHAHAHAHAHA! First a forest god and his godblooded son and now a damned Lunar? May the Neverborn just take me now! This is really turning into a exciting day! What's next? A circle of Solars? Wait, wait, maybe a horde of Wyld Hunt idoits!? Ah the humanity! But with all seriousness."

Cherry's face goes from a warm spring day to cold heartless steel. "You leave this god and his son alone for they are my friends, and thus, under my protection!"

Cherry stomps his foot, assuming the Mantis Form. He brings up a hand, beckoning the Lunar in a provoking manner. "If you want to hurt him then you will have to go though me! For their sake I will not fail! For I am: ONE BLOODED CHERRYTREE! ABYSSAL EXALTED!"

Cherry's anima flares in an attempt to intimdiate Atara. "So come on, pup! Let's see them fangs!"

[Kymme]

Oliver, Son, and Tylina stare, utterly speechless, at Cherry. Atara, to her credit, merely raises an eyebrow. In one fluid motion, she sweeps up the leather-wrapped tube from her back and props it up on her shoulder, where it begins to unfold into a long, tapering barrel of flowing silver and brass. The lights of several crystals reflect in its open end, and they dance as the weapon begins to charge.

"Suit yourself, a**hole." Atara replies as she squeezes the cannon's trigger. Like a ray of moonlight, a beam five centimeters in diameter explodes from the tip of the weapon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnEIOKRAfWA), pointed straight at Cherry.


~battle, joined!~ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_PaEG9k-r8)

Atara got initiative on Cherry. She went first, and drew some sort of... shoulder cannon? She shot it at Cherry. He must succeed on a DC 19 Dodge check or suffer one bruise as the beam of essence impacts him.

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry's eyes widen with excitement at the beam of light coming towards him, but he gets caught up in its beauty and barely rolls out of the way in time.

"Oh? You're using essnce? Well, I can do that too!"

Cherry digs his hand into his belt-pouch and pulls out four white slips of papyrus. He takes his thumb and, using the blood dripping from his caste mark, paints symbols onto the paper. Then he closes his eyes and utters a quick chant. His eyes snap open and he throws the slips of paper up in the air, where they burst into unholy ghost-flames that gather together and surge towards the Lunar. In midlfight the fire turns into a large fist and strikes Atara with full force. The flames don't burn, however, but cause her skin to turn purple and blue as bruises cover her body.

After his attack hits Cherry rushes up to her, trying not to trample any flowers along the way. Hopefully her little toy won't be of much use in close range. Cherry smiles. "Whatcha going to do now, pup?"

[Kymme]

"Whatcha going to do now, pup?"

"This!" There is a blast of bright light as Atara transforms again. Her hands elongate into menacing claws; triangular ears poke out of her hair and her whole body grows, almost doubling in size. Her face stretches, forming a long muzzle, and her legs gain an extra joint as they change. When the light fades, Atara has become a ferocious wolf-woman that towers over Cherry. "HOW DO YOU LIKE THIS, BOY?"

She curls one of her hands into a fist and strikes downwards, aiming to flatten Cherry against the ground.

Atara activates her Deadly Beastman Transformation ability, assuming a powerful hybrid form. Cherry must succeed on a DC 19 Parry check or take one bruise.

[Hiding Dragon]

"Oh? This is cute!"
Cherry merely hops closer to her body, avoiding her attack. He places his hand on her navel his and brushes up her body. This probably makes the Lunar feel weird, but his true intent is to see how hard her beastman hide is. (Damn, her fur is thick as hell where I was going to strike. My fists are not going to be able to do all the talking this time! I guess am going to pull out almost every trick in my book.)

Cherry looks up to Lunar with a demon's smile. "Say, pup, want to make a wager? If I beat you, you become my vessel - no - my pet! Ha! My own pup! Of course, if I lose you can gnaw on my bones for the rest of your life!"

Cherry winks at her before dashes between her legs, moving behind her and stopping just out the way of her claws. "So what do you say, Lunar? Do you have a sense of honor?"

[Kymme]

"So what do you say, Lunar? Do you have a sense of honor?"

Atara arches an eyebrow. She seems a bit put off by Cherry's... bizarre attacks, but she quickly gets her head back into the fight. "IT'S AN APPEALING OFFER, BUT I'LL PASS." She smiles back at Cherry, a wolfish grin on her face. "I DON'T WANT TO KILL YOU, LITTLE MAN. I JUST WANT TO KICK YOUR A** SO BAD IT'LL MAKE YOUR DEATHLORD DIZZY!"

The Lunar snarls, throwing herself upon Cherry in mass of gnashing teeth and sweeping claws.

Atara fails her recovery check. She remains Vulnerable. Cherry hits her, but fails to deal damage. Then, Atara attacks Cherry, getting three degrees of success on her damage (http://www.d20herosrd.com/6-powers/effects/effect-descriptions/damage-attack) check. Cherry must make a DC 21 Parry check or be staggered (no recovery) and take one bruise. If she hits him this bad twice in a row, he'll be incapacitated.

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry backflips away from the Lunar's razor claws with ease.

"My Deathlord? Heh... hehheh..ha hahahahahha WAHAHHAHAHAAHHAHA! S**T on the Bishop! I knew that some Lunars were tricksters but not that some are comedians!"

Cherry clasps his hands together, forming a series of hand signs. He chants to Oblivion and raises his hands to the heavens. "Blood Cherry Blossom Flurry!"

A flurry of cherry blossoms appear from nowhere, circling Cherry. Then it breaks off, and a stream of blossoms flies forth, snaking and winding thought the air. The petals, forged of essence, cut into wood and slice of branches as they soar through the trees. Once they are above the Lunar the petals float in a lazy circle, then like lighting they strike down. Atara vanishes in a storm of vibrant pink, before her blood starts to stain the petals a dark crimson. Then Cherry snaps his fingers and the flurry disappears, revealing the monsterous Lunar covered in bleeding cuts. Blood pours from her shoulders and arms, where her flesh has been all but minced.

"So, pup, ready to become mine? Or would you like some more lessons? Like the way that you should find a stance and not lash out in anger? Find tranquility: that is how you achieve success in a fight!"

[Kymme]

"YOU NAME YOUR ATTACKS? CUTE." Atara steps back, shaking the blood from her fur. "LEMME GUESS; THAT'S YOUR SECRET? WELL THEN..." She's panting. Cherry can tell that she's no specialized fighter. Her fighting style is savage and instinctual - it can barely even be called a style. While he has no doubt that this Lunar would be able to take down most mortals in this form, raw strength is no substitute for hard work and combat experience.

Atara leaps forward, claws flashing for Cherry's throat. "I'LL JUST HAVE TO TAKE YOUR TONGUE!"

Atara successfully recovers from her Vulnerable condition. However, she's now Staggered - that means that another hit with 3 degrees of success will take her down.

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry darts into her Atara, avoiding her claws and sending a fist into her stomach.

"FLY! MY ONE MILLON SHADOW STRIKES!"

With a surge of essence the area around Cherry darkens. Then multiple clones of Cherry appear, all smiling from ear to ear. The leap upon the Lunar, fist after fist, kick after kick, blanketing her body with attacks. Cherry turns away from her.

"You are finished, pup."

[Kymme]

"Enough!"

Oliver's voice snaps Cherry out of his victorious rush. Looking forward, Cherry sees Son and Tylina standing in front of Oliver's cottage, but no forest god. Whirling around, Cherry sees Oliver doubled over, hands on his knees, eye blackened and cheek swollen, before an equally battered Atara. The ground around Oliver's feet is upturned, suggesting that the god simply sprouted out of the ground to shield Atara from Cherry's final assault.


~battle, end!~

"I will not *gasp* see this war *gasp* brought to my home! If it means that I must endure the slings and arrows of this conflict, then I will. I will do all that it takes to ensure that my family is - " Atara interrupts him by placing a hand on his shoulder and shoving him aside.

"Feel free to make your heroic speeches, Oliver, but do it on your own time." The Lunar walks towards Cherry, shrinking with every step. By the time she's reached him the top of her head is level with his nose. "I've got something to say to you." Before Cherry can open his mouth to ask what she means, Atara grabs him by his hair and kisses him. Deeply.

Out of the corner of Cherry's eye, he can make out Son Of Crows covering Tylina's eyes.

Breaking off the embrace, Atara steps back. "That was... pretty awesome." Even now, her patchwork of wounds is healing at an alarming pace. It almost looks like they're being sewn together as spiraling silver tattoos begin to appear along her bare arms and midriff. "I've got a friend who knows martial arts kinda like yours, and I'm sure he'd love to meet you. My name's Atara, by the way. Atara Jacastien, No Moon Phase of the Lunar Exalted."

Behind Atara, Oliver looks on with an expression of pure disbelief. The forest is silent.

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry looks at the lunar, slackjawed. His heart races, his mind is a scramble mess, his keen edge has been dulled to a blunt stone.

"H-ha! I like you, Atara! Was that my prize? I was joking about the 'being mine' thing! So, what about this war? Who this friend of yours? Y-your lips tasted like tomatoes. I like ripe tomatoes. Hey, Oliver, you going to be okay man? Sorry for hurting you. Though you got in the way so it's sorta your fault. What now?" He glances behind him. "Hey, Son! Why did not try to help? I thought you were my friend?! Oh gods, my student is seeing me like this!"

Cherry blurts out question and question, rubbing his neck. His face is crimson and his mind is fried.

[Kymme]

It takes them a while, but Son, Tylina, and Oliver manage to calm Cherry down and take him inside the cottage. Atara saunters in behind them, hands in her pockets. Asher glances from face to face, his eyes wide with confusion. Oliver's cottage is cozy on the inside, with paintings and trinkets hanging from the walls. The main room has little furniture aside from a small table, and the everyone gathers around it and sits down. Except for Son. He stands beside an open window, eyes peeled for any more trespassers.

"So." Oliver speaks first. "I'm afraid that I haven't been completely honest with the three of you. Lunars haven't come through my territory once or twice -"

Atara scoffs. "Of course not! Your forest is massive. We're always running through it."

"As I was saying, I've been in contact with the Lunar Exalted for a long time. Atara is one of the few that bothers to speak with me, but the rest all share her opinion. They don't want the Immaculate monks this far East, and they've been asking for my help against them for a long time. I want no part in it."

"'No part in it,' huh?" Atara's eyes narrow. "You're just like those damn gods from Great Forks! Bending over backwards just to stay in the good graces of the Immaculates! I'm tired of it! You can't stay like this forever, Oliver! One of these days the Wyld Hunt will come rolling across these lands, and they'll trample your forest to splinters! If you help us, we might have a chance to drive them off forever!"

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry massages his temples in frustration and glares at Oliver. There is steel in his voice, but also a certain softness. "So what you're saying is that you lied right to my face. Ah, much dishonor, my friend. With all seriousness, however, I agree with - erm - Atara. These monks, as I have said, will just walk on you. I mean, if two people are saying you should stand then your should stand. Plus, as the God of a whole forest, don't you have a ton of elementals and servants? Along with however many Lunars Atara has got backing her up, you may win."

Cherry looks down, smiles to himself, then looks up. "If you had me and Son they don't stand a chance. Of course, I really hate dealing with snakes with the whole 'Anathema' and 'Demon' preaching and the power of colors thing. I don't know if I really want to get into something like this without getting something out of it. But if it's to help a friend, hey, it would be worthwhile."

Cherry looks to his other party members for approval.

[Kymme]

Tylina nods. "Yeah! I'm not a demigod or anything like that, so I might not be able to do much, but I want to help! The sooner the Immaculates are out of this valley, the sooner all of the people they've conscripted can come back home." She's smiling from ear to ear with confidence born of optimism.

Behind her, Son Of Crows shakes his head. "It's worth a shot. I'm with you, Cherry. All the way."

Oliver's face reddens somewhat. "I-I'm not asking any of you to fight for me. She is." He gestures to Atara. "If you want to discuss all of this... violent business, you'll want to do it with her."

Atara shrugs. "He's right. If you all want to talk about stopping the Wyld Hunt, then come with me. I've troubled Oliver enough as it is." She gets up and walks out of the cottage, but stops on the threshold. "Oliver, the offer is always open. If you change your mind... well, you know where to find us."

Oliver rolls his eyes and turns his back to her. He walks up to Cherry and puts a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry, Cherry. I didn't mean to lie to you. I've been hoping against hope that this business could be resolved peacefully, but it was for naught. Thank you again, One Blooded Cherrytree. I'll do my best to bless your travels." He smiles sadly and goes to sit with his son. Asher waves goodbye, still not quite understanding.

Outside, Atara stands with her arms folded. She cracks a smile as soon as Cherry and his companions step outside. "You guys ready to go?" She smiles coyly at Cherry, licking her lips. "You said you wanted to meet my friends, right?"

[Hiding Dragon]

"Let's go, guys." Cherry gets up and starts heading to the door eagerly, but then stop and turns to Asher.

"Goodbye, Asher. If this is the last time I see you, then I want you to know this: grow and always keep yourself keen and graceful, that is a true path and tragic beauty of a falling cherry blossom." Cherry calls a mote of essence into his hand, creating a tiny red cherry blossom. He blows on it lightly and it wafts over for Asher to catch. "If you ever want to learn how to fight or seek wisdom just find me, okay kid?"

Cherry steps through the door way and looks at Oliver. "Keep that boy safe, Oliver of the Red Stand. Who knows? Maybe he'll become an awesome warrior or gain a bad*** title. Goodbye, and may your forest be forever in bloom."

Then Cherry leaves the cottage, Son and Tylina following behind him. He smiles at Atara. "Yes, I would like to meet them."

[Kymme]

"Then let's get to it!" Atara does a little hop, then moves to put some distance between herself and Cherry's friends. She reignites her anima and is swallowed by silver light. Her form swells, and the wolf returns, bigger and badder than ever. "HOP ON!" She says, her exited voice elevated to a deep roar.

"Pass." Son Of Crows extends his wings and takes to the air, soaring through the treetops. Tylina seems unsure at first, but quickly climbs onto Atara's back. Once Cherry has ascended, the Lunar takes off. The forest flashes past as she runs, seemingly bending out of the way of the massive wolf. As she picks up speed, the trees blend together into walls of green, brown, and red. Son Of Crows is beside them, leaping from treetop to treetop to keep pace.

In the back of Cherry's mind, he can hear the angry whispers. They're louder, this time.


+2 Resonance

~ending theme~ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFJGsc5k1Xg)

[Kymme]

~opening theme~ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xo8wCrwLejw)

Within the Valley of the Red Trees

"So, make sure you're careful around Rowan. He's the kind of guy who'd steal your heart, eat it, and leave you with the scraps. Summer's nice, though. Just don't ask her any questions." Atara weaves through the trees, brushing aside stray branches to blaze a trail. About ten minutes ago, the three Exalted (and Tylina) entered a particularly dense thicket of trees. Atara insured Cherry that they were getting close. Now, she walks about ten steps ahead of the rest of the group, lecturing Tylina on the ins and outs of Lunar etiquette. "Also, be careful around the Silver Hands. Their 'lost boys' routine might seem cute, but they're not to be trifled with. Just, you know. Keep your distance."

Son Of Crows hasn't spoken in hours. Even now, he just sort of skulks in the back, looking out for anyone following. The trees here don't have much in the way of low-hanging branches, and what little branches they do have knit so close together that they form an impassable ceiling over the trail. The path winds ahead endlessly, until...

It stops. There's a tree growing in the center of the trail, blocking it off completely. Atara smiles and glances back at the trio following her. "Pretty cool, huh? Classic misdirection, right? You're just walking down the path and suddenly BOOM, tree! It's thrown off quite a few people over the years. And you know the best part?" She leans in close to the tree, rapping her knuckle against the wood. "It's totally real." She sidesteps off the trail, directly into the trunk of another tree, and vanishes completely. "Classic illusion!" Her voice echoes through the forest. "Now come on! Right through the tree! Don't worry, it's perfectly safe!"

On the other side sits an hidden enclave (https://cdn2.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/000/277/126/large/ForestVillage_VeliNystrom.jpg?1414674708). An open field, dotted with trees and dominated by massive boulders, sits beneath a high canopy. Wooden houses grace the meadow, all of them incorporating the boulders into their construction. Some use the rocks as floors, others use them as walls. More still sit in gaps between the boulders, leaning against each other for support. There are people everywhere, tall men and women with hair that varies from the greens of spring grasses to browns of freshly trodden soil. They wear tunics and vestments of animal hide, and speak to each other in Forestongue. Children run back and forth, playing games and making merry. A few wave to Atara, and she waves back.

"Welcome, everyone, to Pebble!"

"Home of naught but fools and rocks." Manifesting from seemingly nowhere is a silver-haired young man (https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/f9/15/20/f9152015d5bec5065a8985073ff94c27.jpg) in a green tunic. A white and black scarf drapes around his neck, and a single gourd hangs from his belt. His eyes are hazel, and seem oddly soft.

The young man folds his arms. "Who are these three, Atara? You went off to get one god, and you appear to have returned with a monk, a girl, and an living murder-scene. Good work."

Atara frowns. "Nice to see you too, Rowan. These three are... You know, I'll let them introduce themselves."

A routine check with Cherry's essence sight is enough to figure out that this guy is an Essence user.

[Hiding Dragon]

"A monk, you say? Do I just appear as a monk? Just a human? And you're right, that is a walking murder scene but..." Cherry walzes up to Rowan.

"Oh boy, I am much, much more then a simple monk! I am a poet! I am a dashing rouge, stealing the lips of fair maidens! I am One Blooded Cherryree! Abyssal Exalted, Ronin Deathknight! And this young lady -"
He points to Tylina "- is Descending Crimson Cherryblossom! And the walking murder scene is Son Of Crows, also an Abyssal Exalted. A better question would be: who are are you?"

At this point Cherry is chest to chest with Rowan, his face split in a madman's grin.

[Kymme]

Rowan's face is blank. He leans to the side, looking over Cherry's shoulder. "Atara, you continue to be a woman of excellent taste." She rolls her eyes, throwing her hands up into the air. "Just get on with it, Rowan."

"Gladly." He turns back to Cherry, never budging an inch. "A Ronin, hm? Must've been pretty brave of you, running back to Creation like a bat out of Malfeas. You've done something quite commendable, One Blooded Cherrytree. I'm sure your friends and family must be quite proud of you." His voice is hard to read, devoid of emotion, dancing somewhere between humor and mockery. "Since you asked so courteously, I'll tell you my name."

He steps back, leaving Cherry in a lurch. He clicks the heels of his boots together, composing himself. "They call me Rowan Ringtail, Changing Moon Phase of the Lunar Exalted. I'm afraid I cannot claim title quite as impressive as yours, Ronin Deathknight, but I seem to manage."

"Given the fact that Atara brought you here, I assume you and your friends aren't here to murder us all?"

[Hiding Dragon]

"Psh, I'm not in the mood to murder Lunars. I am actually really interested what you litte moon spots are up to. And take note, I don't like you, ring-face. Now that is a threat. Make sure you know the difference."

Cherry backs away from Rowan with a steely grin, ready to rip his throat out at any second. He turns to Atara. "Excellent taste? I'd say more of a 'keen eye for wares.' Of course, she only chose after she... sampled them, first." Cherry flashes an extra toothy grin at the lady Lunar.

"So, you going to give me the grand tour of Pebble? I would like to see the place and maybe eat and drink? Heh."

Cherry gives Tylina a warning glance, silently reminding her to stay close to him.

[Kymme]

Pebble

The barest hint of a smile graces Rowan's lips as Cherry steps away. He puts his hands in his pockets, turns on his heel, and begins walking into town. "Catch you later, Atara," he calls back. "Come see Summer when you're done showing these three around." He vanishes from sight the moment anyone blinks.

Atara beams at Cherry, Son, and Tylina. "Well, that's one out of the way!" She pats Cherry on the shoulder. "Don't worry, you'll warm up to Rowan eventually. Anyways, let's start that tour!"

And so begins a merry venture. A boardwalk snakes through the boulders and the houses, and it rapidly clears as Cherry's procession walks through. In an effort to conceal himself, Son Of Crows folds his wings into a feathery cloak, and moves his hair to cover the seams between the mask and his face. For all intents and purposes, he's just a weirdly dressed man. Tylina gawks at the people and their homes, clearly enamored by these new faces. Occasionally she'll make to step off the boardwalk, but a timely glance from Cherry or Son keeps her from straying.

As they reach the center of Pebble, something becomes alarmingly clear to Cherry and his companions. A little boy with forked tines plays with a girl with leaf-shaped ears. A burly man with a massive rack of antlers watches warily from his doorstep. Sometimes there is a man or woman with two-toed hooves for feet, or the whole head of a deer. At first it was easy to pass off as some type of unusual headdress, but now, it's obvious. At least a forth of this village is populated by beastmen, and they're all deer. It's been little more than a day and a night since Tylina left her village, and Grah the Fat is still fresh in her mind. She clings close to Cherry and Son, trying to keep herself between them.

"And this is Ronnard's house." Atara gestures to a nearby building with a large open porch. "You mentioned wanting food and drink, Cherry? Well, Ronnard and his wife make the best rabbit stew in town. Always fills me up! I can put in a good word for you." She winks at Cherry. "Though, if you really want to go all-in, your best bet for good food is up there." She points to a wooden house perched on the largest boulder in the clearing. "That's the Laughing Lodge. It's where I'm headed next. You guys can come with me, if you like. We'll end the tour there."

[Hiding Dragon]

"Laughing Lodge? Sounds like a great place for me! I bet there's lots to drink. Crimson would probably like to try something exotic too, if ya know what I mean. And I would like to talk to you specifically about some things." Cherry scratches his face at the phantom remembrance of facial hair. He was clean shaven when he became an Abyssal, his body remains frozen as it was that day.

"Say, there're a lot of deer beastmen... Um, is there a leader here? Are one of you Lunars a deer or something? 'Cause I beat the crap out of this beastman named Grah the Fat, who looks a lot like the people around here. I didn't kill him, but I made him repent, sorta." Cherry looks to Atara for answers.

[Kymme]

"Oh, really? Well, I'm not sure that Summer would be very happy to hear that. It doesn't matter, though." Atara begins making her way up to the Laughing Lodge, beckoning for the others to follow. "She loves meeting new people."

As he nears the Laughing Lodge, Cherry can easily hear the reason for its name. Even now, an hour or two before sundown, the buildings is practically bursting at the seams with music and laughter. It's not the kind of harsh, aggressive laughter that pervaded the mess hall in Tylina's village. No, these aren't the voices of bandits. They're the voices of old hunters, young hunters, and men and women of all sorts. The voices of the Silver Hand.

Atara reaches the doors to the Laughing Lodge first, and places her hand on the handle. "Now, I'll warn you all, the first step is a doozy. Think you guys can handle it?"

"Totally!" Tylina is confident, despite her memories of Grah.

Son is pithy. "I guess."

Moving through the doorway, Cherry finds himself in a scene of pure debauchery. The long tables that fill the lodge (http://www.matherart.com/digimather/concept/beoMeadHall1.jpg) are piled high with food and drink, and all around merry men and women feast upon the splendors of the forest. Drunken boys too inebriated to walk slump in their seats, completely at the mercy of their friends. A few young boys and girls dance in the center of the room, cheered on by their fellow revelers. All around, villagers with instruments play a jaunty song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBATrLRWySg) that sets a beat to the proceedings. Many of the tribesmen sing, their voices joining together into a joyous song of summertime and valiant hearts.

Sitting atop an elaborate throne of red wood is the woman orchestrating it all. A beautiful woman with hair as white as snow (https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/2c/40/89/2c4089a8493150e12058bb870c7fea5a.jpg), graced by long ears and jagged antlers. A Lunar, no doubt. She wears an odd array of clothing, some sort of heavily stylized and impractical armor. A long straight sword leans against her throne, sitting comfortably in a a black and grey sheath. Her eyes are a white to match her hair, but glow with a bluish radiance. Her gaze is warm as it scans the faces of her many villagers, but it changes when it reaches Cherry. She stands and all of the revelers grow silent. Some follow her gaze to Cherry, but most stay fixed on her. "Atara, who have you brought before me?" Her every word echoes in the silence of the lodge.

Atara grins proudly. "Three people who may help us with our cause, My Lady. They are One Blood -"

"Did you not set out to gain the assistance of Oliver of the Red Stand? Has he decided to join us?"

"I'm afraid he's as set-in-his-ways as always, My Lady. I left him an invitation to join us, if he ever changes his mind."

"I do not think that he will, Atara. Nevertheless, thank you. Now..." She takes a step down from her throne, and the villagers step back to accomodate her. Then she takes another. And another. And with every step the villagers move. She parts the sea of revelers and crosses the room to Cherry. Her eyes are level with his, though her antlers add just a bit more height. "My name is Laughter Of The Summertime, Full Moon Phase of the Lunar Exalted. May I know yours, fair traveler?"

[Hiding Dragon]

"I am One Blooded Cherrytree! Midnight Caste and Ronin Deathknight! I mean you no harm! Heck, I'm actually interested in this set up and impressed. I also encountered Oliver. He's not going to have a change of heart. He is a parent, after all..." Cherry flashes a smile at the Lunar.

"But perhaps I could help... if the fight is worth getting my hands wet with snake's blood and tears. I hope I'm welcomed 'cause I have a thirst that the sea cannot quench!"

[Kymme]

"But perhaps I could help... if the fight is worth getting my hands wet with snake's blood and tears. I hope I'm welcomed 'cause I have a thirst that the sea cannot quench!"

Laughter Of The Summertime's (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbsBEb1ZxWA) lips turn up into a smile. Her shoulders begin to bounce, and it becomes obvious that she's stifling her laughter. Then her composure breaks, and the lodge is filled with the sound of her giggling. The people resume their singing and merrymaking, but their lady continues to laugh. When she stops there are tears in the corners of her eyes and her knees are wobbling. She places an arm on Cherry's shoulder to steady herself and glances at Atara. "Wh-where did you even find this guy? He is awesome!"

"He was at Oliver's place when I got there. I don't really know where he came from."

"Well, good work regardless!" She stares into Cherry's eyes. "Thank you, One Blooded Cherrytree! If you are here to help us, then we will get you all the drinks you could ever need! If you are going to help us, then I suppose we will all have to get to know you. But first -" She steps past him, standing proudly before Son Of Crows and Tylina. "I simply must know the names of your companions!"

Tylina turns white. A massive beastman and a titanic wolf certainly terrified her, but those were nothing compared to his. "M-m-my n-name is Tylina, miss. I'm f-from the Village Beneath the Waterfall. I-it's nice to meet you."

"I'm Son Of Crows." Cherry can feel how tense his fellow Abyssal is, but Son keeps it in. "Day Caste of the Abyssal Exalted."

Summer smiles at both of them, before taking a step back to look them up and down. "Well met, both of you! Now, Cherry - can I call you that? - you and your friends should come sit down. I am sure that my people would be eager to make room for you beside me."

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry nods and begins to move to the song's groove. He's always liked a good party that wasn't painted in blood. It's better that way. The drink is tasty and not drowned out by screams, and the music is loud instead of the morbid silence of death. Cherry grabs a pint, slams it back, and roars with a primal joy. He dances a little bit with Tylina, trying to teach her some Mantis Style stances disguised as dance moves. Cherry tries to get Son into the mood to party, but gives up and hands him something to drink.

Once Cherry's established himself, ensured Tylina is close to him, made sure Son is comfortable in some faraway corner, and mingled with everyone, he takes a seat beside Summer's throne. "So, Summer - can I call you that? - I have a few questions for you. One: do you know a beastman named Grah? 'Cause I ran into him when he was in the middle of ransacking Tylina's home, the Village Beneath the Waterfall. I didn't kill him, of course, I just beat the living crap out of him. He's helping that village out, now, along with his bandit friends. And my second question: What do you know of Abyssals? After that, I'll have to tell you about my quest." Cherry gives the queen a smile of unwavering kindness.

[Kymme]

"Do you know a beastman named Grah?"

Summer ("Of course you can call me Summer!") giggles to herself. "Now, that is a name I have not heard in a long time. Grah is one of my sons - I have many. Things like this tend to happen when you have lived for several mortal lifetimes."


"What do you know of Abyssals?"

Summer steeples her fingers and rest her chin on them, eyes closed happily. "Let us see... I know that they serve the Deathlords. There are many that wander the East. I know that they often serve as harbingers of doom. I know that they are dangerous and murderous, and most want the whole of Creation dead. I also know that some are not like the others." She smiles.


"After that, I'll have to tell you about my quest."

"I cannot wait to hear! Tell me everything!"

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry looks down at his drink, his joyful smile damped a bit.

"Heh. Okay. I guess I should probably start at the beginning. I still remember it like it was my last breath. You should hold on; it's going to be a long story.

When I was a mortal I spent my days as a wandering priest. I don't really recall my old name: it was boring. I would spread my philosophy, that people should stay at peace, loving and singing, and should not fear the Exalted nor the gods. I think I came to this conclusion because I was once saved by one of the 'Solar Anathema' named... um... ah, the name escapes me at this moment.

So, one day I go into this village as part of my pilgrimage. That was my first mistake. I start going door to door, preaching my philosophy, but every door was slammed in my face. I didn't know why. After a completely and utterly unsuccessful day I went to the sqaure and meditated over what I could of done better. Next thing I knew a stone struck me in the head. Then another, and another, until a hail of stones rained down on me. I tried to run but two young men seized me by the arms and held me still as the rest of the villagers came at me with sticks and clubs. By the time they were finished my eyes were swollen shut and my mouth was filled with shattered teeth. I heard the voice of the village elder shouting poison at me, calling me a demonist and saying that I should be purged before I can spread the disease I carry with me. Then ripped away my robes and lashed me to a gnarled tree on a lonely hill outside of their village. They slashed me and stabbed me, cutting flesh from my body. When there was nothing left, when I was a man completely exposed to the world, they left me on that hilltop to die."

Cherry exhales slowly and slams his cup down. He reaches out and seizes Tylina's wrist, more for his safety than hers." I screamed down at them. I cursed their miserable lives. I hoped that the sky would split open and destroy them. When I felt the cold creeping up my arms and legs I cried. Bloody, painful tears that I couldn't blink away. All I wanted to do was to see the world, experience its sensations. I wanted something to save me. Anything.

When I finally felt the light slipping away, that was when... when they spoke to me. They offered me another chance at life. I said yes with all the heart I could. And then I was consumed in darkness. I Exalted. The tree I was lashed to bloomed instantly, but the ground around was seeped through with blackness. It was all so surreal. I passed out then, and the last thing I saw were two figures walking towards me. They were two twins, fellow Abyssals who I would come to know. When I awoke, I was deep within the Hidden Tabernacle. The Bishop of the Chalcedony Thurible was so delighted with my Exaltation that he threw me into a circle of other Abyssals. Our Leader, Broken Meadow Of Heart-Wrenching Songs, didn't care for fresh meat but warmed up to me after time. Then there were the twins, Executioner Of Nine Serpents and Silence That Ends All Hope. They were nice, I guess, when they were not trying to kill me or each other. Finally, we had Nine Onyx Venoms. Eh, the guy was okay, but I never wanted to be around him much.

I was in service to the Bishop. He taught me Charms and my Mantis Style, but every moment I was with him my hate grew. He was... so wrong. He ordered me to commit attrocities that I can never leave behind, and all with the same 'knowing smile'. So, one day, I told him to his face that I would go on a journey. When it was over, I would return, and put him to rest forever. And he SMILED at me, never saying a word. I ran through the Underworld and escaped from a shadowland a few hundred kilometers away. And that's everything. Simply put, my quest is to kill the Bishop. Sorry to bore you with my life story."

Cherry takes a drink from his cup and beams at Summer, his happy disposition returning.

[Kymme]

Tylina's face catches Cherry's eye. She's holding on to his arm, looking up at his eyes with a stricken expression. Her mouth is open in a grimace, but she doesn't speak. Perhaps she cannot find the words? Around her, nearby party-goers who took seats to listen to Cherry's tale are wiping tears from their eyes. Son stands stoic and resolute in a distant corner, though Cherry is sure that his fellow Abyssal heard every word of his story.

Summer has no such trouble. "That is awful. I would not wish something like that upon my worst enemy. You have weathered the bludgeoning of chance and still stand before us bloody, but unbowed. And you still walk the world on a path for revenge? I cannot say I know much of this... Bishop of the Chalcedony Thurible, but if he is a Deathlord than I have no reason to doubt what you say. Killing a Deathlord... is such a thing possible? You must have some sort of plan in motion, but that is, of course, your business." She takes Cherry's hand and squeezes it. "Thank you for telling me this, One Blooded Cherrytree. We can talk later, if you like..." She lets the sentence hang, her eyes moving away and glancing up...

To meet Atara's gaze. The other Lunar had spent her time reveling in the crowd, regaling them with the story of her valiant defeat at Cherry's hands. Now she stands before Summer's throne, eyebrows raised. "Um, My Lady? Rowan approached me when I arrived and told me to speak with you."

"She's right." From behind Atara Rowan Ringtail steps into view, his face blank. "Hello again, One Blooded Cherrytree. And you too, Descending Crimson Cherryblossom." He acknowledges Tylina with a quick bow. She blushes, not used to formality. He takes a step forward to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Atara. The Laughing Lodge remains uproarious, even moreso now that Summer, Rowan, and Atara are here. Some impromptu songs spring up, seeming to center on one Lunar or another. Summer beams with pride as her people sing of her exploits, but Rowan and Atara bear their ballads like great weights.

"My Lady, please." Atara winces. "What was it you wanted to speak with me about?"

Summer laughs. "The war, of course!"

"Wha-what? What about the war?"

"Rowan has obtained new information concerning Tepet Berele and her forces. Is this not true, Rowan?"

He nods. "I and a detachment of Silver Hands scouts have been watching her on and off for a few weeks. She's never spotted us, but I'm sure she suspects our presence. I must admit, Summer, you've picked the perfect place for a debriefing."

Summer rolls her eyes, still smiling. "Then we shall take our discussion elsewhere." She turns to Cherry. "Would you care to join us? If you are going to help us in the battles to come, you will need to know the information Rowan has gathered."

Cherry will need to make a DC 15 Perception check to pick out individual song lyrics over the din of the crowd. It's the only way he can embarrass people. :smalltongue:

[Hiding Dragon]

"Sure! I would love to know what info Ring-Face has for us. Mind if my friends come with?" Cherry glares daggers at Rowan and his smug face. Then he turns to Tylina and whispers to her. "As my student I forbid you to go near that man. I will not have your heart eaten by that... that..." Cherry glances at Rowan. "Miscreant."

Cherry looks at Summer, a mixture of his usual joy and an unusual... fatherly worry.

[Kymme]

The Laughing Lodge, in the city of Pebble

"Miscreant."

Tylina raises her eyebrows and whispers back. "What do you mean?" She harkens back to Atara's lesson. "Do you think he's dangerous?"

Their conversation is interrupted by Summer. "Of course your friends can come with us! But first -" She takes the few steps back to her throne and adresses the Silver Hands with a booming voice. "My people, the time has come for me to retire to my chambers. In my absence, descendant Farras is in charge." She points towards a completely dumbstruck young man whose wide ears completely dwarf his face. The poor boy is immediately set upon by every party-goer within two meters. He goes down in a tidal wave of flailing limbs.

Summer turns back to the others, giggling to herself. "Now that my people are satiated, we may go."

Rowan shrugs and Atara folds her arms. "My Lady, was that really necessary?"

"I can leave you in charge, if you like."

Atara sighs, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Nevermind."

That matter settled, Laughter Of The Summertime leads everyone through a small trapdoor behind her throne. Son appears in a flutter of feathers, which spooks everyone except for Summer, who is delighted. Then they make their way down a winding staircase deep into the boulder beneath the Lodge, where a branching structure of passageways have been hewed into the stone. At the end of one passageway is a room large enough to accommodate the Exalted, Tylina, and a set of a small table and chairs. There are only seats for the Exalted, however, but Son Of Crows allows Tylina to take his. He stands in the corner, quietly observing.

Rowan snaps his fingers and a tightly coiled scroll appears in his hand. He sets the scroll down on the middle of the table, but doesn't take his hand off of it. The Lunar looks up at Cherry, meeting his eyes. "One Blooded Cherrytree, what do you know of the Dragonblooded known as Tepet Berele Chisri?"

[Hiding Dragon]

"Nothing besides the fact that she's forty kilometers West from Oliver's place in some old ruins." Cherry puts his elbows on the table. "Do you know how many are in her force? How many are Immaculate? What are our numbers and advantages? Besides me, of course."

Cherry smirks.

[Kymme]

"I see." Rowan unfurls the scroll, revealing an abstract map that depicts the forest and some of the land around it. "You are correct, Cherry. Her forces are camped in the shadow of a ruined tower." He points out the tower's location on the map. "She's been marching all over these lands with a Talon of heavy infantry: one-hundred-and-twenty-five soldiers wearing reinforced breastplates, armed with axes, spears, and shields. They're bolstered by conscripts that Berele has managed to gather from a dozen nearby villages." He drags his finger across the map in a wide arc. "They number five-hundred, in total. Mostly untrained, armed with whatever weapons they could get their hands on. Not terribly dangerous."

"Except when under the command of a Dragonblooded." Atara cuts in. "The magics of Terrestrial Exalted do not function like ours. These conscripts are probably under the command of a Dragonlord: a Terrestrial officer who can no doubt use his powers to increase their fighting strength. Plus, from what we've managed to gather, this 'Berele the Sinless' is an experienced Warstrider pilot. She's got a Noble Warstrider of her own, and it's a powerful one. Apparently she and her men call it 'Hammer of Peace'. But that's not all!" She's really going at it now. "If my calculations are correct, then that ruined tower she's camped out on used to be an ancient manse! That means that it's probably able to produce hearthstones! With that, she can augment the weapons of her Warstrider and make it even more powerful! And on top of that, she's got the rest of her sworn brotherhood! Four Immaculate monks, all Shikari trained in the Immaculate Dragon Styles! They -"

"Three." Rowan interrupts.

"What, what?" Atara's rant comes to a tumbling halt, and everyone's eyes shift to Rowan.

"Their Air Immaculate is dead. My scouts and I found a grave in the forest, with his Blue-Jade daiklave wedged into the earth as a marker. Somebody buried him beside a shallow creek. So, yeah. There are only three now."

"Oh! Well, in that case, that means that all we have to deal with is..." Atara begins to count on her fingers, for the sake of drama. "Berele herself, her Warstrider, the three remaining Shikari, two Dragonblooded officers, one-hundred-and-twenty-five heavy infantry, and five-hundred conscripts! No big deal, right?" She smiles across the table, her wolfish grin an obvious facade. Nobody seems to buy it. Tylina looks absolutely terrified, actually.

Summer breaks the silence. "Now that you and Son Of Crows have arrived, Cherry, that means that we have five Celestial Exalted on our side. After us, there are my Silver Hands. This tribe has one-hundred-and-twenty-five men and women who are ready and willing to fight for us. Many of them have my blood in their veins in one way or another, and several are fully-fledged beastmen. However, with my people behind us, we will still be outnumbered five to one." She folds her arms. "Even with your help we may not have enough soldiers to win the day. We have been trying for quite some time to gain Oliver's assistance, but it seems that nothing can sway him. We will have to seek assistance elsewhere"

"What do you suggest, Cherry?"

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry laughs at the mention of the blue daiklave. "Oh, that guy? He was a unworthy fighter, so I killed him. There more to it than that, of course."

Cherry leans forward, steepling his fingers. "Hm... The odds do seem against us. Oliver would be a great boon but it is obvious that he is set in his ways. Are there any other gods, or perhaps elementals, who could help us? And if you don't mind me asking, do you have a graveyard anywhere? An assassination attempt might also be in order. Of course it's dishonorable, but it's a option. We could lure their leaders out and attack them one by one."

Cherry rubs us forehead. "Ugh, this is proving more difficult than I thought."

[Kymme]

"Oh, that guy? He was a unworthy fighter, so I killed him. There is more to it than that, of course."

Rowan's composure shifts to accommodate a raised eyebrow. "You were the one who killed him? How?"

"Don't be so presumptuous, Rowan." Atara smiles at him. "Cherry's not a half-bad fighter. We had a bit of a skirmish earlier today, and he kicked my a** royally."

Eyebrows firmly back in their place, Rowan interjects. "Quite the accomplishment, then, defeating an untrained shaman. Pray tell, Atara, did you even use your warform against him?"

Atara leans backwards, folding her arms behind her head. "Yup! And he still took me out! His finishing move was some kind of... shadow clone technique? It's too bad you weren't there to see it. Cherry's a martial artist, just like you!"

"...Is that so?" Rowan seems pleasantly surprised. "Perhaps I'll get a chance to see your skills in action in the future, One Blooded Cherrytree."


"Hm... The odds do seem against us. Oliver would be a great boon but it is obvious that he is set in his ways. Are there any other gods, or perhaps elementals, who could help us? And if you don't mind me asking, do you have a graveyard anywhere? An assassination attempt might also be in order. Of course it's dishonorable, but it's a option. We could lure their leaders out and attack them one by one."

Summer perks up at the mention of outside assistance. "There are a few minor gods and elementals within the forest that might help us, but sadly, they are under Oliver's supervision. I have a feeling that they would rather die than disobey him. But they are not the only gods in this world." She sits up. "This forest is bordered by hills on its southern edge. The people of those hills are stubborn and resilient, and they have not bowed before the Wyld Hunt ever in their history. Their gods are warlike and vicious, as well. If we can convince them to ally with us, then we might have a fighting chance against Berele and her army. For us to do that, however, we'll need to send some sort of representative to them. Cherry, you wish to join us, no? Then as your first task, I request that you be our representative to these hill tribes and their gods. If you wish, one of us can come with you. What do you say?"

[Hiding Dragon]

"Ha! I wound be honored! All I have to do is talk to more gods? I'm up for it. But who will come with me...?"

Cherry gets up and starts walking around the table, behind each of the Lunars. He stops behind Rowan and grabs the back of his chair, smiling madly. "You? No, I don't need ice. I need fire."

He steps up behind Summer. "A royal? No, she should remain here as the gem in the crown. Though it would be fun to see a highly loved and happy person in my company."

Then goes behind Atara, leaning beside her and booping her on the nose with his finger. "You and me, wolfy! You up for being my diplomatic sidekick?" Cherry looks up to the others and stands straight. "I pick her because she is a untrained shaman, I know her fighting moves, and I may need a aggressive person by my side. Plus, I like tomatoes." Cherry faces away from them and puts his hands behinds his back. "Does anyone object?

[Kymme]

"A royal? No, she should remain here as the gem in the crown. Though it would be fun to see a highly loved and happy person in my company."

Summer starts to giggle. "Royal? You flatter me, Cherry. Are you sure you need more happiness in your company? Surely Tylina's presence would be enough. She seems like a sweet girl."


"Does anyone object?

"No objections from me." Atara shrugs and turns to Cherry. "I'd be happy to go with you."

"Then it is settled!" Summer claps her hands and stands from her chair. "The two of you should set off the day after tomorrow, if at all possible. Atara, I know you have a few ongoing projects, and you need to have time to put them on standby."

"I will, My Lady. And by that, uh... I mean we will. See you tomorrow, Cherry." Atara nods to Summer and turns to leave. She and Rowan exit the room, leaving Cherry, Son, and Tylina with Summer. She smiles and leads everyone back out into the hall.

"You will all need a place to stay as long as you are here. You are all welcome to stay in these halls, if it suits you. However, if you would rather sleep under the stars, I am sure that some of my people would be more than happy to oblige."

Tylina shakes her head. "I'd like to sleep down here, if that's okay."

Son exists the room last, crouching down to avoid banging his head on the doorframe. "I don't sleep..."

"Well, in that case, you can all stay right here!" She leads the trio to a large open room with wooden floorboards and several beds. She wishes them a pleasant night and then departs.

When her footsteps have finished echoing through the hallways, Son speaks. "Cherry, do you want me to stay here? When you leave to go on your mission, I mean. I'm no good at talking to people..."

[Hiding Dragon]

"Hm? Son, I'm not your master. I'm your friend, and your will is your own. If it makes you comfortable to stay here alone with your thoughts, that's fine. I would like you to stay here, 'cause I sense you would enjoy that and maybe as a nice thing or bonus you could teach Tylina something or spend time with her. I'm preety sure she won't bite." Cherry flashes Tylina as suspicous look and jokingly steps away from her.

"Tylina, are you going to be okay here alone? Er - with Son - I mean. And please, for the love of... something... stay away from Rowan. I straight up don't trust him. Listen to Son while I'm gone."

Cherry cracks his neck. "I'm going to go to sleep outside. Do you guys want to wish me good night or something before I go?" He gives a tired smile.

[Kymme]

"I'm going to go to sleep outside. Do you guys want to wish me good night or something before I go?"

Tylina shakes her head. "Good night, Cherry." Son simply nods and takes a seat in a far corner of the room.

As Cherry reenters the Laughing Lodge, he finds it quiet and empty. It seems that the revelers have dragged themselves back down the hill to their homes and gone to sleep. Outside, Cherry is confronted with noise - insects chirping and wings fluttering in the nighttime. The city of Pebble is splayed below him, with only the dim glow of candlelight showing signs of life. Looking up, he finds that the canopy ends just here, opening up in an almost perfect circle above the Laughing Lodge. The sparse grass that grows here atop the hill glows pale in the moonlight. From here, it seems as if all the world is at peace.

An owl hoots in the distance as Cherry sits down to sleep. When he lays back it is as if there is nothing in the world save him and the sky. The stars dance from above as One Blooded Cherrytree sleeps.

----

Come morning, Cherry is awoken by someone shaking his shoulder. When his eyes snap open, he sees that a flaxen-haired boy with two-pronged antlers is crouching over him. "Mister Cherry, Atara Jacastien has requested to see you. Would you like me to take you to her?"

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry's eyes are shut tight. The peaceful air is the first he's had since he returned to Creation as a free man. But something odd happens this night: Cherry starts to have a dream... or perhaps a nightmare?

~~~~~

Cherry "awakens" to the sounds of moaning in the distance. He crawls towards the sound, moving through a heavy fog that obscures his movement as well as his sight. Eventually he begins to touch ridges in the ground. Roots, perhaps?

Finally, he reaches the source of the sound. His eyes widen in shock, for before him is a pale white cherry tree, barren and leafless. Its fallen petals paint the ground around it. What truly shocks Cherry is the stark and white man lashed to the tree by long thorny vines that dig into his naked flesh.

"What the hell!? whats going on?!"

The man looks up with a face devoid of features, save for blooming cherry blossoms where its eyes should be. Despite its lack of a mouth, it somehow manages to speak. "Ah hehe~ So, after all this? After your death and rebirth you find your way back to me? Just as in nature: the worm to the bird... or was it the minnow to the trout? Only Blank will know."

Cherry trys to put on a brave face, smiling to the bizzare creature. Then its head twists one hundred and eighty degrees to look him dead in the face. "HEHEHE~ Such a preety smile! I wish I had a smiling mask like yours, but He always takes my things."

Cherry's face whitens as his eyes widen. "Who's 'He'? What are you! Am I dreaming!?"

The creature abruptly starts screaming. Another person enters the scene, stepping around the bleached tree and standing beside the faceless man. He stands like mirror of Cherry, but darker and taller. He looks as if all the love of humanity has been taken from him. He carries two scythes like the claws of a mantis, and uses them to rend the flesh of the other man. Instead of blood, black cherry petals explode from the man's flesh and flutter down all round. The dark figure turns to face Cherr y and whispers an echoing mantra.

"It's a nightmare, my child."

Cherry blacks out.

-----

His eyes snap open and he fixes the boy with a death glare, smiling maniacally. "WHO DARES AWAKEN ME! THE BLOOD MASTER OF MASTERS! THE EATER OF HORNS! CHERRY!" Cherry stands up and looks down upon the boy. He reaches out and ruffles the child's hair.

"Lead on, child." Cherry follows behind.

[Kymme]

The young boy guides Cherry down the hill and into the village center. Morning sunlight filters down through the canopy, rendering Pebble a patchwork quilt of light and dark. The village square, if it can be called that, sits atop a site where three massive boulders mesh together. The earth that has gathered between them forms a relatively flat triangular patch of grass with small shrubs lining its edges.

A small gazebo (http://english.illinoisstate.edu/euphemism/normalproject/isu/Everyday%20Life/gazebo%20.jpg) sits in the center of the village green. There sits Tylina, listening with rapt attention to a story being told by none other than Laughter Of The Summertime. The Lunar Exalted wears her same piecemeal armor, despite the apperant peacefullness of the village surrounding her. In the distance, Cherry can make out Son Of Crows sitting down, his wings folded into a feathery cloak. People mill about, but most are just passing through to other parts of Pebble. Too preoccupied to notice the three Exalted in the town square, the people of Pebble simply wave to Summer and continue on their way.

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry looks down to the boy. "Wait a moment, child. I need to make a quick stop... perhaps you should go ahead and tell Atara I will be there as soon as possible. It's up to you."

Cherry then leaves the boy and sets off for the two women chating to each other. Cherry approaches silently, coming to a stop directly behind Tylina. He flashes Summer a devilish smile and places a finger to his lips.

"SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooOOOOO whatcha guys talking about? Lady stuff?" Cherry looms over Tylina, eagerly awaiting her reaction.

[Kymme]

"I think I'd rather stay, sir. You'll still need a guide to Atara's place..." The boy's voice drifts off into silence when Cherry leaves him behind.

-----

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" Tylina leaps up from her seat, screaming bloody murder. She scampers over to Summer and takes cover behind her, and doesn't calm down until Cherry is finished speaking. "Cherry! That's not funny!"

"I thought it was funny..." Son Of Crows chimes in from halfway across the green, having seen and heard every facet of the proceedings. Nobody pays him much mind.

Tylina shakes her head vigorously, composing herself. "Anyways, Cherry! Sleep well? When we walked past you this morning you looked a little... roughed up."

"Rough night aside..." Laughter Of The Summertime stands up and saunters over to Cherry with a spring in her step that she didn't have yesterday. "We were talking about Pebble. The city, how it was founded, why it was built. And of course, the most interesting part, how my friends and I have changed it for the better!" She sways into Cherry's reach, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. It's surprisingly easy, considering her immense height. From this close, Cherry notices the scent of Fire-season flowers that hangs around the Lunar like a veil. "Would you like to hear the story, One Blooded Cherrytree?"

[Hiding Dragon]

"A story about how three Lunars saved a litte city? Wouldn't miss it for the world! Though, I wonder if Lady Atara would get upset. But -" Cherry sits down with both arms behind his head and his legs spread out before him. "- I bet by Son's sword and Tylina's right big toe that it has something to do with that mask Lady Atara wears on her belt. So, proceed with the epic tale! I hope Ringtail gets beaten up."

Cherry looks at summer with an exageratedly sweet smile, interest painted on his face.

[Kymme]

Summer meets Cherry's expression with a all-too-happy smile of her own. Her gaze slowly shifts to Tylina, who wilts beneath the Lunar's mischievous grin. A bead of sweat forms on Tylina's forehead when she speaks. "Um, Summer? Why are you making that weird face? Is there something trouble-"

"You should tell it!" Summer happily cuts her off. "We were at the end when Cherry arrived, so you have heard almost all of it."

"B-but why?" Tylina's eyes dart frantically between Summer and Cherry as she stammers out a response. "I don't understand why you want me to tell it. I'm no good at telling stories! I'll mess it up and leave things out and you'll get bored and I'm lousy with dates and I've never been on the spot like this I..." She stops speaking when Summer places a hand on her shoulder.

"Relax, Tylina. It will work better this way." She sits down and chuckles to herself. "You will not have to hear me tell the same thing again, and plus..." The Lunar glances at Cherry for a moment. "It will provide some valuable learning experience. You are Cherry's apprentice, and as such must conduct yourself with confidence. Believe in your own abilities. I am sure that he does."

"Okay." Tylina exhales and makes herself comfortable. "Well, this is it: The Story of Pebble."

"Many hundreds of years ago, there was a simple peace. The sickness that had raged across Creation was all but gone, and the great raiding armies of the Fair Folk had finally been vanquished. It was a comfortable time in the lands of the East, and the people roamed the land in tribes.

One such tribe, named the Red Hands, did not roam so much. They had found a verdant valley of red trees where they could live in peace. Other tribes scoffed at their boldness, for who could have the audacity to claim that their home was perfect? The Red Hands ignored this, and they enjoyed a modest perfection. That doesn't really make much sense, but moving on...

There was a young man among the Red Hands named Laughing Stag. He was a great hunter who had tamed many of the beasts of the wood, foremost among them the great red stag that he rode. Atop his steed, Laughing Stag spent his days roaming the deer-trails of the wood in search of game, wandering to places that even the Red Hands were ignorant of. It was on a day much like any other that he found something no one in his tribe had ever seen before. In the heart of the old red forest there laid a field of boulders, each many times the height of a man. Laughing Stag took word of this boulder field back to his people, and it was not long before many of his tribe settled beneath the shade of the boulders. Predators kept away from the clearing, and its hidden nature meant that other tribes would be unable to reach it.

The Red Hands made this clearing their home, and their camp quickly grew into a permanent village. Laughing Stag became its chief, and his people built a great lodge to celebrate him. The Laughing Lodge remains standing to this day, though it isn't the same lodge that was built two hundred years ago.

Six years af-"

"Seven."

"Seven years after Pebble's founding, Laughing Stag's daughter was born. Her name was Summer Stag, and her birth marked the beginning of her father's troubles. She was a mirthful girl, who seemed to have a knack for getting into all sorts of trouble. She caused him a great deal of stress, and he awaited her fifteenth birthday with exasperated breath. On the day she would enter adulthood, Summer Stag and her friends discovered a trapdoor built into the stone beneath the Laughing Lodge. Below the trapdoor a staircase extended deep within the boulder, into an unlit expanse. They shut the trapdoor and sent word to Laughing Stag, but the damage was already done. An evil lurked within the chambers below, and it had already begun to stir.

Siersur, the Voice of the Colossus, Demon of the Second Circle, The Warden Soul of...?”

"The Prince..."

"Right! Warding Soul of the Prince Upon The Tower, had lied imprisoned within those ruins for centuries. He was hateful creature, and his hate had been harnessed by great sorcerers of a forgotten age to power a great colossus of stone. Within the colossus was a magical complex of hallways and chambers that existed in a gap between spaces. It was in that dungeon that Siersur lived, forced to power the colossus even as it lay shattered upon the ground. When the trapdoor was opened, magic that had kept him imprisoned was broken, and so Siersur was free to wreak havoc upon the world. He could have gone back to Hell, but such was his fury that he decided to stay. And so he rose from his prison that night and burned the Laughing Lodge to the ground. It was the night of Summer Stag's adulthood celebration, and the lodge was filled to the brim with her friends and family. They perished in the fire.

Summer Stag survived. She crawled out of the ruins of the Laughing Lodge with nothing. Her home was gone, and with it her family and friends. Other villagers attributed the tragedy to an accident, but Summer Stag knew the truth. She had seen the Demon, and she knew its hate. It was then that she vowed to destroy Siersur and avenge her family. Luna, the Goddess of the Moon, had smiled upon her and made her Exalted. Summer Stag was a Lunar Exalted, though she did not know that at the time.

With her newfound powers, she dove into the complex within the colossus and did battle against Siersur. Their battle was intense, and in the end Summer Stag knew that she could not kill the Demon. So, instead, she maimed him and drove him deeper into the colossus. She emerged after a night and a day and declared herself the guardian of Pebble. She took on her father's name and became Laughter Of The Summertime.

After many years, the people of Pebble came to revere her. Whenever Siersur made a break for the surface, she was always there to drive him back within the colossus, and whenever other creatures beset the red forest, she would fight valiantly to protect her people. But, though her power was great, she knew deep within her heart that she would never be able to defeat Siersur on her own. And so, in the wake of another battle with the Demon, she set off to find allies.

She journeyed long and far, and in the end she found allies. Two young Lunars, fellow champions of Luna. One was a fiery youth who sought knowledge of ages past, and the other was a calm, studious monk who wished to battle against great foes. She was more than a century their senior, but they knew much more of the world that she ever could. Summer promised to deliver both of them the things they craved, and returned to Pebble with them in tow. They ventured into the colossus and did battle with Siersur one last time. The combined power of three Lunars was too much for the Demon, and he fell before their valiant assault.

With Siersur dead, Pebble could finally exist in peace. The two Lunar allies agreed to stay with Summer, and they remain her staunchest allies. Under their protection and supervision, the city of Pebble has risen to new heights. The Laughing Lodge has been rebuilt, twice as grand as before.

And that's about as far as we got." Tylina yawns and leans back, watching Summer and Cherry expectantly.

Summer beams at Tylina and moves to sit beside Cherry. "So, One Blooded Cherrytree, how do you think she did?"

Demons? - Beings native to Hell. They are varied and bizarre, and many have magical powers. They can be summoned by powerful sorcerers.

Second Circle? Warden Soul? - Titles that Demons carry. There are three Circles. First Circle Demons are whole species, whereas Second and Third Circle Demons are all specific creatures. Second Circle Demons are pretty powerful, probably more powerful than most Exalted. Third Circle Demons are basically Princes of Hell, and are stupidly powerful.

Luna? - The Goddess of the Moon. A shape-shifting trickster and foil to the Unconquered Sun.

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry hops to his feet and walks to Tylina. He strokes a ghostly thought of a beard as he looms over his student. "I will grant this a grade of..." Cherry stays silent to build up excitement. "One cherry tree yet in bloom. But I have to say, though, I am quite proud how quickly you got the story down and... actually, this might make me rethink the path of your training."

"There was more to the story, no?" Cherry looks to Summer with a hint of suspicion. "You said she heard almost all of it, so what did you not get to? Or was the ending just a summary?"

[Kymme]

Tylina smirks coyly. "Thank you for the kind words, Cherry, but I've gotta ask: what kind of grading scale is that supposed to be?"

Summer chuckles to herself. "Your are right in your suspicious. The story I told Tylina, the story she related to you, is a truncated version of the events. There are many extraneous details that I chose to leave out. I am sure that if you asked Rowan or Atara for their version of the events, they would put emphasis on different things. People can tell the same story differently. History is founded on that fact." Her eyes drift away from Cherry and Tylina, focusing on an approaching figure. "Speaking of Atara... Cherry, it appears that the young boy who brought you here has grown impatient." She stands, facing the child walking towards her. "Descendant Rising Tor, have you come to take Cherry away from me?" Her tone is playful, pouty.

"I'm afraid so, My Lady Summertime." The boy stands before her legs apart, arms folded, gazing up at her with proud confidence. "Atara Jacastien wishes to meet with him, and it is my duty to be his guide."

"Is that so?" Summer ruffles the boy's hair. "Well, I must oblige her. Cherry, I will distract you no longer. Come see me when you are free." She gives him a wink and moves back to the gazebo, taking a seat opposite Tylina.

Tylina waves to Cherry, smiling. "I'll be here too!"

[Hiding Dragon]

"Ha! Okay, okay, I should follow the litte hero to Lady Atara. Summer, please don't rough up my student while I'm gone. She's the only one I've got!" Cherry moves past Tylina and pats her head. "Mind your manners and remember what I said about rings and tails."

Cherry looks down at the boy. "So, Tor. Shall we continue?"

[Kymme]

Rising Tor nods. "Yes, let's!"

-----


Later, At Atara's Workshop
Following a winding path between the boulders of Pebble, it doesn't take long before Tor and Cherry reach Atara's home.

Tucked beneath a wide boulder lies a wooden building. Wooden walls support a thin blue awning. The house has no front door - rather, the entire forward facing wall swings open from both sides like a great door. The interior resembles an odd cross between a blacksmith's workshop and an alchemist's lab, dominated by a central forge, a large anvil, alternating racks of forge-tools and alchemical ingredients, as well and an immeasurable amount of eldritch odds-and-ends scattered across benches, desks, and shelves. Sitting cross legged before a cold forge is Atara. Her essence cannon sits in her lap in its folded state, and she is fully engrossed in tinkering with it. With one hand she peels back the moonsilver skin of the weapon, and with the other she fiddles with the exposed tubes, pipes, and wires. She seems fully engrossed in her work, and doesn't notice Cherry's approach. Tor seems reluctant to interrupt her.

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry looks down at Tor with gleeful smile before tip-toeing up behind Atara. He leans down behind her and blows behind her ear, whispering. "I am here Lady Atara, ready for our diplomatic mission."

Then Cherry straightens back up to watch as her reaction unfolds.

[Kymme]

Cherry never gets a chance to step away. Before the first word is out of his mouth, Atara seizes him by the collar of his robes and holds him beside her face. "You're late."

She lets go, allowing him to recoil and step away. She pauses work on her weapon and turns her shoulders towards Cherry. "Don't you know better than to interrupt people while they're working?" And then, upon seeing Rising Tor, she adds: "Thanks, kid. I'll haul something over to your folks' house later today."

Rising Tor nods silently and then departs, waving goodbye to Atara and Cherry.

The Lunar picks her essence cannon back up and begins tinkering with it idly, her eyes fixed on Cherry. "So, what was it you were going to say?"

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry straightens up and regains his composure.

"Psh... No sense of humor, I see... pity. I said am ready for our misson Lady Atara." Cherry narrows his eyes and watches as Atara works on her weapon. "So, before we go, what skills are you bring with you? And also, what are you doing with that thing?" Cherry moves in to touch the weapon out of pure curiousity.

[Kymme]

"Working." Atara slaps Cherry's hand away and stands up. She releases her hold on the cannon's moonsilver casing. It slithers back over the mechanical bits like a living thing. "I've been re-calibrating it on and off since we got back here. Firing it at point blank range really did a number on its internal steel latticework. Some of its Majana crystals are out of alignment or cracked outright. There are also some minor structural issues with the exhaust vanes and moonsilver cowling..." She drifts off, glancing from her weapon to Cherry, then back to her weapon, then back to Cherry. "You probably don't care about any of this, do you? Well, I was just about finished with my work here anyways."

She starts walking towards one of the large hinged doors, letting her essence cannon hang at her side. "Want to help me close up shop? After that we can head up to my cottage and talk about the mission."

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry stares at Atara with glassy eyes as she describes her gizmo. No thoughts turn in his head. When she finishes Cherry composes himself, quickly wipes the drool from his mouth and shakes away the boring thoughts about this nerd and her weapon and this is why fists are better and this is going on too long and he should probably say something.

"Yeah, sure. I will help you close your shop. I mean, I would get the job done faster anyways, and then we can move on to our mission. By the way, Summer told me a story about how you guys grouped up. She said you have your own side of it. Want to tell it while we close up your little tinker's shop?" Cherry smiles sharply at his jab at her 'workshop'.

[Kymme]

"So that's why you were late." Atara smiles to herself as she swings one of the wide doors back into place. Once Cherry has moved the other door into place she latches them together with a metal lock. The two of them are standing face-to-face now. "Lady Summer probably left out the specifics? She tends to do that. I'll tell you the story once we're on the road." Atara shoulders up close to Cherry and flicks his nose. "But before that, I have some business to attend to." Come up with me to my house. We can talk more there."

It's only a short jaunt up a winding stone staircase to Atara's home. A cottage of pale red wood sits atop one of Pebble's many giant boulders, its roof covered with moss and vines creeping along its walls. In fact, the whole boulder is covered with moss and creep vines that extend down its sides, hanging in the air when the sides of the boulder drop away.

Atara vanishes inside for a moment, returning with a bindle laden heavy with food. "Follow me, Cherry. I've got one more stop to make before we can leave."

[Hiding Dragon]

"Um... sure! Whatever you say, Lady Atara, as long as I get to follow."

Cherry gives her a rakish look to her and shrugs. "So why do you have a bindle of food?"

[Kymme]

"Not just food: it's got some other goodies mixed in." Tylina steps past Cherry, giving him a little bump with her shoulder. "I'm going to deliver it to Tor's family before we go." She calls back as she descends the path. "Also, what's with this 'Lady Atara' nonsense? You trying to flatter me or something?"

[Hiding Dragon]

"Other goods? Charms? Tailsmans to ward off hungry sprits?" Cherry quickly hops in front of her. "Flattery, you say? Is it working?" Cherry looks to her with a seren calmness but his eyes dance with glee. "Anyways, let's hurry up with this so we can be on our way!"

[Kymme]

Atara's Home

"Eh, probably one of those two." Atara keeps pace behind Cherry, cracking an amused smile when the Abyssal realizes he has no idea where he's going.

The midmorning sun shines down upon the town of Pebble, and its people fill the streets. The clearings and boardwalks that wind between the giant boulders quickly become crowded with men, women, and children busy with their daily errands. They part like water before the two Exalted, occaisionally nodding to Atara or hailing Cherry in jovial tones. It seems he made quite a ripple at the Laughing Lodge yesterday.

Rounding a corner, Cherry and Atara come to stand before a cluster of small houses in the shade of a wedge-shaped rock. "Tor! I'm here!" Atara's cry echoes out over the buildings, and it doesn't take long before the young boy emerges. Atara gives him the bindle, which he accepts happily. "Remember, Tor: boil the red pouches and have your mom drink a cup every evening. I might not be back before the due date, but one of Lady Summer's daughters can help you. You remember Willow, right?" Tor nods. "Good."

The young boy turns and runs back inside, waving goodbye to Cherry and Atara. The Lunar meets Cherry's gaze and nods firmly. "Now we can leave. I can hunt on the trail, and you probably don't need to eat, so we can afford to pack lightly. Are either of your friends coming with us?"

[Hiding Dragon]

"Nope! My student is going to stay here with Summer and Son where it is safe. And Son... just does not have the skills for this." Cherry rubs the back of his neck. ("Man, I hope it doesn't take us long to finish this mission.")

"Come on, let's go!" Cherry moves quickly to the edge of town.

[Kymme]

Atara grins and shakes her head as Cherry takes off.


The Edge of the Town of Pebble

After a bit of searching, Cherry finds the section of forest where he and Atara entered the city. Rowan Ringtail is waiting there, leaning against one of the trees that surrounds the village like a wall.

"The two of you are leaving," he observes. "There's something you ought to know before you head out. Lend an ear, would you?"

Atara has yet to round the corner, and is still out of sight. Cherry and Rowan stand on opposite edges of a wide field of blooming flowers.

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry rolls his eyes at the notion of hearing what this brat has to say. He can't really do anything else besides wait for Atara, though, so he's a captive audience.

"What do you have to tell me? Moonspot." Cherry folds his arms and looks disappoveingly at the Lunar.

[Kymme]

"Moonspot? Cute." Rowan shakes his head and continues. "It's the Immaculates. Tepet Berele Chisri's made the first move. She's sent two of her monks circling around the south edge of the forest. They're heading for the hill tribes, I'm sure of it. They're avoiding entering the forest, though, and they'll be moving slowly because of it. If you guys don't want to run into them, you'll need to get in and out as fast as possible." By now, all traces of deadpan neutrality have left. He speaks with the air of a spymaster addressing his king, and folds his hands behind his back as Atara approaches.

"Rowan? What's going on? Are you two lovebirds fighting again?"

The taunt goes right over Rowan's head. Either that, or he just ignores it completely. "I've just finished explaining to One Blooded Cherrytree that there are Immaculate monks heading for the hill tribes. You might want to get moving as fast as you can." He glances between Cherry and Atara, biting his lower lip. It's probably the most expressive he's been since Cherry first saw him. "Also, I'd avoid trying to attack them. One of their sworn brotherhood is already dead, and any more violence might lead Berele to do something really stupid. The two of you are the proud owners of somewhat... short fuses, you especially, Atara."

She rolls her eyes, but replies sincerely. "Thanks for the heads up, Rowan. Stay safe."

"And the two of you as well." Rowan gives them both a polite nod and starts meandering into town, glancing once over his shoulder before vanishing from sight.

--------------

Outside the village, Atara turns to look Cherry up and down. "You wouldn't happen to have any movement assisting Charms, would you? I'd use Emperor Ox Expansion again, but without Oliver keeping the forest out of my way, it won't be very useful until we're out of the dense trees."

Emperor Ox Whatnow? - A Lunar shape-shifting Charm, also known as a Knack. Presumably, this is the ability Atara uses to transform into a house-sized wolf.

[Hiding Dragon]

Once away from the ringtail, Cherry grits his teeth and clenches his hands tight until blood trickles from his palms. (Damn damn DAMN! I am so sick of these setbacks! What to do? Maybe I should just cut down this whole damned forest!!!!!! Kill the foolish forest god in the process or make him help us and see the error of his ways!) Cherry blinks and brings his hands up to his face. He opens them to see the small stream of blood dripping down. He quickly rubs it off on a nearby tree.

(Still yourself, Cherry! There's to much hope riding on you. For her sake I will not fail!) His mind flashes back to a powerful woman who he once regarded as leader, then to his student, then oddly to Son Of Crows.

Cherry finally hears Atara and glances up at her. Their eyes meet for a second, then Cherry starts sprinting ahead.

He yells back at her. "Come on! Hopefully the snakes won't kill our prey before we can tame it!"

[Kymme]

Outside of Pebble, in the Valley of the Red Trees.

"Cherry, where are you going?!" Atara takes off after him, clumsily ducking under branches and hopping over roots. The two of them are running southward as the morning sun reaches midday. A perilous journey awaits them, and neither is completely sure of what they'll find.

As he runs, Cherry's memories flutter before his eyes like a dead man's funeral cloth. The voices in the back of his mind whisper to each other, and they don't sound happy.


+2 Resonance

~ending theme~ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFJGsc5k1Xg)

[Kymme]

~opening theme~ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOkzUJd3B7M)

Somewhere on the southern edge of the Valley of the Red Trees.

Cherry wakes to the sound of a wolf whining. Opening his eyes, he sees Atara, in her wolfish Spirit Shape, sitting proudly with a small hare in her mouth. She eats it messily before returning to her human form in a flash of silver essence. "Morning. Did you sleep well?"

All around them are short trees and shrubs. They'd emerged from the forest late in the afternoon, and entered a transitional area of shrub lands and winding streams that snake up into the grassy hills. The creek-bed they currently occupied was left behind when the water diverted down a different path, creating a shallow ox-bow depression big enough to fit several people. They hadn't made a campfire, seeing as Cherry can see perfectly well in the dark and Atara can turn into a wolf.

The night had gone by peacefully, and now the morning sun was rising in the East, casting its rays down across the land. The countryside looked almost pastoral, like there could be a little farmer's cottage on the other side of the nearest hill.

"We're almost there. Just maybe an hour of travel and we'll be in the heart of their territory. You ready?"

Thaumaturgy - "I know a ritual or two. Back in the day, I stuck around a Pack elder who taught me about the ways of Alchemy and Enchanting. I use them from time to time in my work."

Concussive Essence Cannon - "This little number packs a pretty heavy punch. She's got enough power to blast through heavy armor from long distances, and can fire explosive shots as well as widespread barrages. She doesn't have a name yet, but I'll get around to it someday."

Lunar Shapeshifting - "As you've already noticed, my Spirit Shape is a wolf. I've learned Deadly Beastman Transformation for situations where my Cannon won't do, but I've never been much of a close combat fighter. I use Emperor Ox Expansion to assume the form of the Kaiju Wolf, but that body makes for an even lousier fighter. All that excess size makes it too clumsy. Runs pretty fast, though. I can easily keep pace with horses and things like that."

Terrestrial Circle Sorcery - "I know a couple combat spells, but my knowledge of Sorcery is a little limited. Thunder Wolf Howl is one that I keep on reserve for situations where we need to break a building and my cannon can't do the job, and Flying Guillotine is benched unless we start fighting giant monsters. Other than that I know a few illusion-y spells."

Wound Relief Method - "I can regenerate from injuries pretty fast. It's not as powerful as Lady Summer's healing powers, but it does the job."

Moonsilver Tattoos - "This is basically all I've got in terms of armor. These tattoos render me immune to the effects of Wyld Shaping, which is pretty nice."

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry stands up and nods to Atara. He begins walking towards the hills, keen on reaching his goal. On the way, Cherry shoots Atara a classic smile and asks her. "Do you know how to summon Demons or Elementals, 'O weaver of magics?"

[Kymme]

"Nah. Elementals have too much baggage. You've got spirit courts, their own personal agendas, and all that nonsense. Better off without, I say." Her eyes turn forwards, and she folds her arms behind her head. "And Demons, well... I can't stand 'em. They're monsters, and that's all. Why anybody would want more evil in this world is beyond me."

By the time they crest the first hill the rugged grasses have risen to a waist-high sea of gold. It stretches off in three directions now, crossed only by trickling creeks. The hills rise like waves, and occasionally a patch of bare rock is exposed like a whitecap.

The two of them almost don't notice when the village (http://orig11.deviantart.net/4e04/f/2015/163/0/1/untitled_by_makkou4-d8x0hty.jpg) rises before them. Thatched lodges and wooden watchtowers stand tall atop the summit of a massive hill, and all around the hillside are little houses. The ones closest to the plains are simple tents and lean-tos, becoming more complex and permanent the higher one goes up the hill.

The dull bellow of a hunting horn rises from the village and suddenly three riders came racing down the hill on lean, chestnut horses. They bring their horses to a halt about fifteen paces from the two Exalted and dismount. It is only then that Cherry gets a good look at them (http://www.povmagazine.co.uk/BlogPosts/Elliot_Alfredius/ElliotAlfredius_swordies_10.jpg). The two tallest have dark skin, the same complexion as their steeds. The third has smooth, cream-colored skin, and seems to be wearing some sort of... eye-shadow? The dark-skinned pair have strong jaws; short, curly hair; and amber colored eyes. Brothers, perhaps? Their weaponry is also similar - each bears a large, two handed sword. The third wears his black hair in a pristine topknot, and carries four blades of varying sizes. Their armor is piecemeal, as if one suit had to be split among three people, but each of the trio wears a yellow accent that ties them together.

The tallest brother, with darker hair and a long yellow scarf, is the first to speak. "Who are you two, who are so bold as to approach us unannounced?"

The shorter brother, who wears a high-collared yellow jacket, speaks next. "Offer us your names and titles, so that we may know you as friends or enemies!"

"Yeah, what they said!" The final warrior, whose weapons are cloaked in yellow sheathes, offers with a bit of a grin.

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry goes to the tallest warrior and stares him in the eyes. The Abyssal's eyes reflect nothing all. They are blood red orbs searching the man's soul for fear and darkness... then he gives a sharp-toothed smile and steps back. He puts his hand in front of him like a kabuki dancer and makes a demonic face. "I AM HE WHO RIDES THE DARK SERPENT! HE WHO EATS THE RICE OF THE FIELD! THE DEMON OF THE SPILLING MILK! THE BABY'S TOE-EATER! ONE MILLION DIEING CHERRIES IN THE SUMMER TIME SOLAR SLASH ABYSSAL SLASH LUNAR EXALTED!"

His features straighten out and Cherry composes himself, adopting a more serious expression. "Now, who dares ask the master of such terror-striking titles!"

[Kymme]

The outskirts of the hill-tribe village.

The tallest warrior jumps back instinctively, raising his right hand to grasp the hilt of his sword.

His brother places a hand on his shoulder to stop him. "Chill out, man. He's messing with us."

"And? This guy's creepy! Did you see that weird dance he did?"

"He's just trying to get you riled up. Don't go trying to start fights with strangers!"

"Oh, so I'm starting the fight? I'm not the one who eats babies' toes, man!"

The fair-skinned warrior pinches the bridge of his nose and interrupts. "Saw-whet, Hood! Do us all a favor: stow it."

And so they do. They step away, leaving their fellow swordsman standing alone before Cherry and Atara. He seems unperturbed. "Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Hawk. Those two boobs are Hood and Saw-whet. We're the protectors of this tribe. You've already introduced yourself," he nods to Cherry and turns on his heel to face Atara, "but you have yet to do so, good sir."

The Lunar offers Hawk a wolfish grin, attempting to hide her surprise. "My name is Atara Jacastien, of Pebble. I appreciate your attempt to be polite, but I'd prefer to go by 'good lady' seeing as I am... well... a woman."

Hawk's eyebrows nearly fly off his face. "Oh, I beg your forgiveness, young lady. It's just - your face, and your... um..." He gestures sheepishly to the rest of her. "I'm sorry."

Atara laughs awkwardly. "Oh, don't worry. You aren't the first one to make that mistake. It happens all the time! Really!" She glances at Cherry and makes a sort of choking noise.

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry crosses his arms with a sadist's smile on his face as he lets Atraa stew in the awkwardness. Then he turns to the warriors.

"Sorry for my rudeness earlier. I wanted to test you. My name is Cherry, and I am merely a monk of sorts. My friend and I wish to speak to your leader, if you wouldn't mind showing us the way?"

He gives them a welcoming smile and bows.

[Kymme]

Hawk stops his cascade of apologies and turns to Cherry. "Oh, a monk! Interesting! And what would your profession be, s - erm, ma'am?"

"I'm a trader, of sorts. We're here to talk with your leader." Eager to move on, she takes a step forward.

"Not so fast!" Saw-whet, the tallest brother, interjects. "You can't just walk into town and demand to see the chief! That goes against at least three different tribal laws!"

Hood rejoins the fray. "When exactly did you become an expert on tribal laws?"

"Since we got hired, that's when!"

"Gentlemen, please! Mister Cherry here has apologized for his rudeness. There's no need to be hostile. However..." He focuses his attention back on Cherry and Atara. "We still don't know why you've come here. What business do you have with the chieftain of this tribe?"

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry narrows his eyes and his smiles fades a litte. "That is for your chieftain to know. Would you dishonor your tribe by holding up guests with potentially urgent knews? Now no longer bar our way! And lead us now!"

Cherry forces out a smile though clenched teeth but his fists shake with anger. (I should just kill these fools! Rip the chieftain spine out and break there gods into service!) Cherry smiles at the thought of killing these three idiots but pushes it back to keep up appearances and for the Atara's friendship.

[Kymme]

"You could have urgent news." Hawk backs away from Cherry, standing side-by side with his comrades in arms. "Or you could be trying to distract us. Your fists and your weird smile seem to imply that you're not taking kindly to us blocking your way."

Hood folds his arms. "Which is what we want."

Saw-whet makes the first move, drawing his greatsword over his shoulder and holding it in a readied stance, tip pointed towards the ground. "Explain yourselves, now. Friends. Or. Enemies."

Cherry, have a hero point for putting up with this obstruction. (this puts you at 2 HP at the moment)

[Hiding Dragon]

"I wish to ally with the cheftain tribe and speak to the gods that stand with this tribe. And just so you know, we are friends."

Cherry rolls his eyes, giving up on a aggressive approach. It won't work on these mortals. He crosses his arms and gives Atara a side glance, urging her to add to the conversation.

[Kymme]

"Yeah!" Atara nods to Cherry. "We're emissaries from the village of Pebble, within the Valley of the Red Trees. Our village, as well as this one, are in danger. We'd like to discuss an alliance with your chief so please let us through."

Hawk's eyes narrow, but he steps back. Hood motions for his brother to move back and Saw-whet returns to his horse, sheathing his longsword. The three warriors mount up and begin to lead Atara and Cherry up the hill, towards the center of the town. Many of the villagers wave as the five of them pass by, seemingly unaware of the two strangers traveling with their three soldiers.

In the center of the village is a large castle (http://orig09.deviantart.net/35d2/f/2014/004/7/8/medieval_1_by_alexshatohin-d70s8gm.jpg): a sprawling complex of wooden buildings. You're unsure of how you didn't notice it before.

The three horsemen come to a halt on the castle terrace. Hood is the first to speak. "This is the chief's home. You'll find him inside with his household. I hope you all manage to reach an accord."

Saw-whet nods. "Yeah. I mean, the money's good, but its kinda boring just sitting around in this town."

"The chieftain says that most of his tribe's warriors are off in the hills, patrolling to keep the territory safe from enemies. I suppose that's why trouble so rarely comes to town." Hawk sighs. "Well, we'd best be off. The chieftain and his personal guard will be waiting for you inside."

The three horsemen ride off back down the hill and into town. Atara watches them go, a slight frown on her face. "Cherry, if all this guy's warriors are off patrolling, how come we were able to get all the way to the heart of his territory without being spotted?"

[Hiding Dragon]

"Hm... Yes, I find all of this unsettling. From the patrol that we should have seen to the sellswords at the door." Cherry looks at his companion with deathly serious eyes. "Be ready for anything, my lady. I don't care for unexpected fights."

Cherry punches his fist into his other palm. "Because thats my job! Let's go see this warrior chieftain!" He marches onwards, through the wide doors.

[Kymme]

At the Chieftain's home.

The doors open at the slightest touch, swinging silently on unseen hinges. The hallway beyond is long and high, completely different from the exterior dimensions. The hallway is lined with tapestries of noble, graceful princes impaling golden demons on their hunting spears; there are images of great woodland beasts fighting clockwork monsters of brass and iron. In all of these pictures, the natural princes reign victorious, and all the land rejoices at their triumph.

Then, the tapestries begin to change. No longer do they depict scenes of splendor - instead, these fair and noble folk are being driven from the world by dragons that wear the faces of men. The final tapestry, hanging before a great oaken door, shows a monstrous maiden with glowing red eyes and hair brandishing a sword of inane proportions. Looking closely, Cherry can make out that the sword's cross-guard is built of great forests, and its dull mune takes the shape of a mountain range. Fire licks the forest and the mountains, and a torrent of sea and sky extends to form the weapon's blade. It looks almost as if she holds an uprooted continent in her hands. The figure is invoked in such a way as to inspire fear and hatred, from her mocking expression to the brash confidence of her stance.

"Cherry, this is all fake." Atara shakes her head and glances at the path behind them. The hallway extends backwards endlessly, as if there were no beginning. "It's an illusion, just like the one that protects Pebble. But..." Her eyes flash with essence and her caste mark glitters faintly on her forehead. She nods in recognition. "..this wasn't created by a Lunar, or any weaver of sorcery. This was made by -"

~ME!~

A booming voice resounds through the wooden hallway, and the doors before Cherry and Atara open wide. The floor shifts - or perhaps it's the walls - to close the doors at their backs. Regardless, they find themselves trapped within a room much too large to be contained within any castle. A vast tree dominates the space, and sitting in its lowest branches is a red-eyed youth (http://static.zerochan.net/Pixiv.Fantasia:.New.World.full.1665284.jpg) clad in white and green. He waves happily.

~Greetings! Sorry to make you wait, but what would my reveal be without a bit of time to build dramatic tension?~ He claps his hands together and steps out of the tree, landing nonchalantly and leaning against its broad trunk. ~You may call me the Chieftain. That stands out, no? Much better than calling me 'the Prince' or 'the King' or something like that. Nobody appreciates a good chief these days. I'm sure you can understand, being tribal savages yourselves?~

He bows politely and raises his hand, palm up. Immediately, the tree behind him dips one of its branches and deposits a ripe apple in his hand. Strange, considering this tree doesn't appear to bear any fruit. ~Might I offer you refreshments whilst we discuss terms? You two must be quite famished after your long journey.~

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry grits his teeth and glares at Atara for taking too long to make her observation. He's also angry with himself for not having the control he wanted in such a diplomatic situation. He looks at the boy and extends his hand with fingers outstretched.

"I am One Blooded Cherrytree, Midnight Caste of the Abyssal Exalted! Ally to Pebble and tamer of beasts! I ask of you your name and titles, O' chieftian!" Cherry looks at the boy with a serious face, no smile, just dry lips.

[Kymme]

The Chieftain's magnanimous expression vanishes. ~Excuse me, but did I stutter?~ He folds his arms. ~My name is The Chieftain, and that's the end of it. I have no other name, for I need only one. You're an Exalted, are you? And by that mark on your friend's forehead, I suppose she is Exalted as well. Perfect! The Wyld only knows I need some more puissant adversaries if I'm to be the villain of this tale. So...~ With a graceful air, The Chieftain steps forward and takes Cherry's hand, placing a noble kiss upon it before skipping back to his tree. ~How might I antagonize you today? Do you have any fears? Perhaps a terrible weakness I can exploit? Come on, I do so crave to vex you.~

Atara begins to back away, her Castemark glowing and her eyes pulsing with silver light. "Raksha," she growls.

[Hiding Dragon]

"Oh! Well if that is all you want then I don't want you to help us! It would be such an awful thing, I don't think my heart could bear such a fate!" Cherry clutches his chest in a dramatic fashion and winks at Atara, signaling for her to follow suit.

[Kymme]

Atara follows along. "Oh, of course, Chieftain. We'd hate to have you help us. We don't want any trouble, at all!"

The corner of the Chieftain's lip twitches. ~Are you... refusing my help? Help that I've offered so freely? How flippant!~ The gem on his circlet begins to glow as blue eyes open on the tree behind him. With a flash of light he is absorbed into the trunk and vanishes from sight. The tree buckles and uproots itself as the wooden castle around them falls away into a display of silken threads. When the light (and dust) clears, Cherry and Atara are standing at the bottom of a crater where the summit of the hill once was, before a titan (http://orig00.deviantart.net/859a/f/2010/040/3/0/god_of_the_forest_by_noah_kh.jpg) of wood and vines. Strands of glowing silk connect the creature to the walls of the crater like pale tethers.

The Chieftain's voice comes booming from the beast's face. ~This is the price for insulting me, fools! Face my wooden behemoth, my mocking laughter, my catchy fight music, and my army of skilled warrior snake-men!~

"Did he just say snake-men?" Atara shakes her head and glances around. No snake-men in sight.

It's only then that the Chieftain begins to sing.


~battle, joined!~ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjrcjzLxDBk)

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherrys face turns dark. His eyes are two red orbs beneath a pulsing, bleeding Castemark. A tall, barren cherry tree with a bleeding man hanging from its branches appears in the air behind him. The man moves slightly, as if he is struggling to be free of his blood-soaked binds. Then they snap and the man slumps onto Cherry's back, holding on with white hands. Cherry closes his eyes as the flayed man soaks his clothing red. He shouts and makes as if to draw a sword that is not there.

"Enough of the light of fools! Clear the way for the dark! Make way for the shard I pluck from the void where love, life, and happiness does not exist! Bring forth the blade of ruin and my tool of pain that I will use to end your fate!"

Then he draws a sleek black katana with dark smoke bleeding off its polished surfice. Cherry brings up the sword with both hands, allowing the smoke to stain his arms. All the color in crater is drained, from the red of Cherry's blood to the blue eyes of the titan to the sky above, all fade to black and white.

"Now cleave, my blade! ONE OBLVION SLASH!"

The blade swings forth with a long horizontal slash that extends forever until the world snaps back into color. Now the sword is gone and a long smoldering line cuts into the crater and the behemoth. Cherry's Anima Banner sputters and dies out, the cherry tree and the flayed man vanishing in a puff of smoke. His Caste Mark stops glowing and slumps, putting his hands on his knees.

"Huff...Damn....that takes a lot out of me.... but damn it to the Neverborn, you deserve it."

Cherry gets up and assumes a relaxed Mantis Style form, still huffing and puffing. He hasn't used that attack in a while, and had become pretty rusty at it. "Well! Come at me, you stupid fairy! You and your lizards!"

[Kymme]

Atara's voice rouses Cherry from his exhaustion. "By Luna's rack - CHERRY LOOK AT WHAT YOU DID!" Following her amazed expression and pointing arm, Cherry's eyes come to rest upon the Chieftain's behemoth. It still stands, but diminished. The creature's left arm is gone where Cherry's slash hit home, and the mark it left behind moves almost all the way through the torso. Its right knee buckles and the behemoth slumps down, listing perilously to one side. "Hit it again! Another attack like that and it's down!"

~Muahahaha!~ The chieftain's voice echoes out from the behemoth's face. The light of its eyes intensifies, and the behemoth ponderously stands. ~That strike only almost completely destroyed me! Now you're open to attack from my snake-men!~ The behemoth makes a token effort to point menacingly at Cherry and Atara. ~Now attack, my aforementioned snake-men!~

And then they come. Bubbling up from the ground like a writhing ooze, warriors with leathery skin and the heads of snakes (http://darksouls.wiki.fextralife.com/file/Dark-Souls/Snake_MAn.jpg) attack. Several surge towards Atara, but the majority of them converge on Cherry, attempting to weigh him down with the force of their numbers.

Meanwhile, the behemoth begins to change. The silken strands that had once run between its left arm and the wall of the crater had been wafting in the air aimlessly, but now they move with purpose. In a whipping flurry, several threads reattach to the stump where the arm once was and begin tangling around themselves. As they do so, their texture changes to that of coarse, rough tree bark. Before Cherry's eyes, the behemoth is rebuilding itself. And all the while, the Chieftain's snake-men are charging towards them. Some throw javelins that Cherry quickly blocks or dodges outright.

Before the noose of snake-men can fully close, Cherry feels a white hot beam lance past his head. It twists through the air before striking the ground in front of several of the charging snake-men. The impact creates an explosion that immolates the charging warriors in white flames of essence. Atara shoves Cherry forward and spins to face the other snake-men, essence cannon drawn and readied over her shoulder. "I've got your back. Go get the Chief!"

Cherry, you're up!

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry immediately dashes forward, dodging past the muscular snake-men with ease. Once up in front of the large wooden beast he takes out a handful of charm slips and paints symbols on them with the blood dripping from his Caste Mark.

"Hear me O forces of ruin! Bring forth the blood to the surface and blight this poor soul's flesh so the darkness can feast! Oblivion Tailsman Burn!"

Cherry throws the slips into the air where the ignite into blue flames and hurl themselves at the behemoth's regenerating arm. They don't burn it, but instead the wood starts darken and buckle under itself until a rotting hole spreads from the arm to the torso.

"Best to tenderize the meat before serving it!"

Cherry focuses all his energy. His Anima ignites once more, a tree in bloom with a flayed man afixed to it. "Enough of the light of fools! Make way for the shard I pluck from the void! Bring forth the blade of ruin and my tool that will see you to your end!"

Instead of a large katana, Cherry summons forth a small blade, about the size of a tanto, with curling spirals etched into its surface. He leaps high into the air, above the behemoth's rotting new arm, and seems to hang there as if time has stopped.

"ONE BlOOMING OBLVION SLASH!"

Then like a artist with a horse-hair brush he makes a long diagonal stroke. Immediately, a countless numbler of black spines emerge from the wound, like blossoms on a cherrytree.

Cherry lands and his Anima Banner blows away. He steps back into his stance, breathing a bit easier. Beads of sweat form and roll down his brow, mixing with the blood and slicking his face with scarlet. "By Atara's tasty lips, take that! I'm getting back into the flow of my powers!"

[Kymme]

~Ha!~ Comes the Chief's mocking laugh. ~I'm still somehow alive!~

Looking up, Cherry sees the behemoth swaying on unsteady feet. Its entire left side has become a jagged mess of wood pulp that is slowing beginning to rebuilt itself, but not as dramatically as before. The silken threads that tether the behemoth to the walls of the crater are slackening, as if waiting for some unseen stimulus.

"What in Creation is happening here?!" Hood's voice echoes out over the edge of the crater, where he and the other two sell-swords are standing. "What are those things!?"

"Hobgoblins! Fair Folk!" Saw-whet replies, unsheathing his sword. "Foul beasts from beyond the world! Oh gods, they're coming right for us!" Hawk silently draws his swords and steps forward, planting two of his blades hilt-deep into one of the snake-men's chest. He rips his blades back out and kicks the snake-man back down into the crater with one swift motion. "Both of you stop shouting. You're drawing them towards us."

It's too late, however. Another wave of snake-men bubble up from the crater and surge up its edges, catching the mercenaries like a wave. Despite their high ground, the three sell-swords quickly begin to lose their advantage to the endless tide of serpents.

Another section of the wave attempts to crash down upon Atara and Cherry, but to no avail. Atara backpedals away from the snake-men and dashes into them with her cannon, sending several sprawling into the dirt. More attempt to close in on Cherry, but he spins and jabs, sending them careening into each other.

The Chieftain, still reeling from Cherry's attacks, sends his behemoth right at Cherry. The silken strands around it suddenly tense and begin tangling around the monster's right arm, forming a massive protrusion of spikes and thorns that nearly doubles the size of the behemoth. It hefts this club high in the air and sends it down at Cherry with impossible speed, preventing him from dodging or parrying it. It touches Cherry weightlessly, like a wooden switch. Then it explodes, filling the air around Cherry with a teal gas. ~Take this! WYLD KING'S WHIM!~

The gas contorts like a living thing, assailing Cherry with all the powers of chaos. Air turns to fire to acid to biting swarms of fish to whirling saws of bone and sinew to torrents of gnawing rocks and harsh wind to the bitterness of chilling cold to coarse rushing sand to sickening displays of alien light. From outside this bubble of Wyld, Cherry hears a faint explosion, and then his name, echoing forever.

The Chieftain struck Cherry with a devastating attack that's trapped him in a bubble of Wyld. He'll need to make a Toughness save vs DC 31 to avoid taking damage, and a Will save vs DC 23 to avoid being dazed/stunned/transformed.

After that, it's Cherry's turn!

[Hiding Dragon]

"Oh shi..." Too exhausted to dodge, Cherry braces himself for the club's impact. He looks up to see that the club is just about to touch him and clenches his teeth when chaos expoldes in his face.

He starts floating up into the cloud with things ripping at him, from a needles stabbing to knives slashing. Cherry floats to the top, gasping for air, wincing at the pain inside, but words are still able to bubble out of him. "RAAAAAAAAAGH ATARA, SHOOT THE BASTARD! HURRY UP!"

Cherry curls into a ball in a weak attempt to guard himself from the Wyld.

[Kymme]

Hood, Hawk, and Saw-whet struggle against the snake-men crashing down around them. Their swords carve gaps in the Wyld line, but they fill just as quickly as they open. Saw-whet takes a nasty hit across his forearm, but keeps fighting despite the blood that now stains his sleeve.

Atara fires her essence cannon nonchalantly at the feet of a few of the snake-men, sending them careening away with strangely human screams. She turns to find the Chieftain's behemoth slowly stepping away from Cherry, setting up for another massive attack.

She's unable to stop him as the behemoth splits open like a rotten fruit, sending forth a half dozen spiraling darts of turquoise light. The darts each trail the same Wyld-infused gas, and zero in on Cherry's position to explode in another blast of chaotic energy. Again, Cherry is overwhelmed by a thousand perils of the Wyld.

Then, Atara charges. She sprints towards the Chieftain's behemoth on unsteady feet. Just as the behemoth swings out its good arm to intercept her, she leaps forward and levels her essence cannon at the ground. Her shot is in the air for a half-second before it strikes the ground at her feet and sends her soaring into the sky. She flies on the explosive force, reaching the summit of her arc and slowing down. Then she begins to change. There is a flash of silver light as Atara screams in rage, her fury becoming a great howl.

Then she descends upon the behemoth in the form of a titanic wolf, teeth barred and claws glistening with silver energy. She strikes the behemoth with her fore paws, pouncing on it and driving it onto its back. The behemoth bounces off the ground, shattering the bottom of the crater and upending stones all along its walls. The behemoth skids back to lean against the crater wall, momentarily stunned. Seeing an opportunity, Atara growls (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvHHi3GI1XU) at the Wyld fog, using the magic of her moonsilver tattoos to dissipate it. Cherry comes too standing beside Atara in her kaiju wolf form, facing the still-standing behemoth.

"READY?" Atara asks, already knowing the answer.

Cherry is going to have to make another Toughness save, again at DC 31. No transformation stuff this time, however.

After that, it's his go.

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry looks up at Atara's giant form and places a hand on her fur. He can feel the essence swirling off of her. (something to fight for?)

His eyes zero in on the wooden golem and he clenches his teeth. Feeling his vigor renewed, he looks down at his ripped up tatters of a tunic and tears them off, showing off the muscles that lay beneath and dozens of scars interspersed with purple bruises. Without a sound he starts taking slow steps towards the behemoth. His Caste Mark flares dull red upon his brow. "Do you think I enjoy playing with snakes and sticks? Do you, child?"

As Cherry's walk becomes a run small pink petals start appearing, sliding into existence, seeming to be pulled by a ghostly tether from Cherry. "I came here in search of gods, not children! I came for aid, not tricks!" Now Cherry stands before the behemoth with a field of cherry petals behind him, covering the distance between Atara's monstrous paws and coming up to the mortals and snake men knees at the crater's edge.

"Now feel my rage! The flutter of blood dripping around you! Let my warm scarlet embrace carry you to oblivion, child! BLOODY CHERRY BLOSSOM FLURRY!"

Cherry raises his arm like a conductor telling his orchestra to reach creschendo as all the petals that blanket the ground rise into the air. They block out the sky above the crater, giving everything beneath a pinkish hue. Then Cherry thrusts his hand toward the behemoth and all the razor sharp petals surge downwards to enshroud the behemoth like a scarlet tornado. Cherry looks at the furious swarm of petals, wondering if this will finish the job.

[Kymme]

~I'll pass!~ The Chieftain's voice booms out from the cherry blossoms as their color changes from red to white. Then they transform into feathers which cascade to the ground. Some of them coalescence and form actual birds that flutter off into the sky. When the feathers settle, the Chieftain's behemoth towers over them, unscathed. ~Haha! That did nothing! Now, both of you, prepare to d-~

He is cut short by Atara, in kaiju wolf form, slamming into him like a silver avalanche. The behemoth's legs buckle, then give out as the whole wooden monster is uprooted and sent flying up... and up... and out of the crater. The force of his ascent snaps every silken strand and leaves them floating in the wind. When the behemoth comes down, it does so atop several dozen of the Chieftain's snake-men, who are promptly hammered into pulp by the behemoth's sheer bulk and size.

"I'LL PASS!"

She howls to Cherry and begins making her way up the crater to pursue the behemoth.

On the other side of the crater, the three mercenaries continue to struggle against the snake-men. The serpent's numbers aren't wavering, forcing Hood, Hawk, and Saw-whet to stand with their backs toward each other and fight as one. Blows are raining down upon them, though, and the ground beneath their feet is turning red with shed human blood.

Off in the distance, rushing towards the hill, Hood's weary eyes fall across a... tidal wave?

Cherry, you're up!

[Hiding Dragon]

"Ugh, by Atara's lips! Just die already! I wish I had some fire right now!"

Cherry runs, trying to build up momentum, and starts climbing up Atara's back as fast as he can till he reaches his her face and uses it as firm ground and launches himself in the air with one mighty leap.

"SORRY!"

When Cherry reaches the top of his jump he looks down at the wooden behemoth and throws out his arms. He crooks his hands like a mantis in flight and dives to deal a death blow. But Cherry merely puts his hand on its wooden frame and smiles as a million hands burst from the behemoth's shadow. A million copies of Cherry rise up and lay into him with kicks and jabs. Cherry lands in front of the giant and spits blood at the ground.

"Quit this now, child! Give it up! You can mend that toy no longer! Give up and kneel!" Cherry's rage is obvious as his mind flickers back to the blackened version of his self from his dream.

[Kymme]

Whatever remains of the behemoth's missing arm falls to the ground and shatters into splinters. Its ankles give way and it slumps to its knees. The light in its eyes begin to fade and its head rocks forward, as if unconscious. ~Hehehe...~ The chieftain's laughter is quiet. ~You're strong... stronger than this construct. With no gossamer, I can't keep my behemoth going. If only we were closer to the Wyld, perhaps... No. Congratulations on defeating my monster. It's a shame I'll have to kill you.~

A cut appears across the behemoth's chest. In the space of a blink, the energy that made it has already crossed all of the distance it needed to, striking Cherry across his bare chest. Blood explodes from the wound as the force nearly cleaves Cherry in twain. Then the behemoth's chest opens, and out steps the Chieftain, wielding a sword of pale green energy that resembles Cherry's dark blade. ~I must commend you on your lecture. You're certainly angry, but it's not very polite to belittle your opponent. You keep calling me a child, as if that's the only word that defines me. I told you my name, did I not?~ He turns to Atara. Her wolf form is staring at Cherry, frozen in shock. ~Wouldn't you agree, Lady Atara?~

Her eyes flash and she snaps out of her trance. In one motion, she transforms back into her human form and rearms her essence cannon, sending a blast directly for the Chieftain. ~Well, that's not very-~ Are the only words he's able to get out before the blast strikes him.

Cherry, the chieftain struck you with a critical hit. You need to make a toughness check against DC 36.

Then it is your turn.

[Hiding Dragon]

Sweat and blood trickles from Cherry’s brow. His pale body glistens in the light, making his abs shine and his scars look fresh, dripping with vigor and the kinds of stories that mortal women would swoon over. He looks at Atara, his face twisted with sadness for failing her and bringing her at all. She wasn’t a fighter. He is also angry at himself to losing to a Fair Folk. The blow arrives and Cherry takes it, falling onto his back. All the sound in the world is drowned out by an angry buzz. Cherry manages to lift his head and flash a fatigued smile before whispering. “No style, kid? Gotta copy my moves? ha ha ah~.....”
He closes his eyes and loses himself to darkness.

[Kymme]

"~Love of mine, someday you will die, but I’ll be close behind. I’ll follow you into the dark.~"

A beautiful voice reaches Cherry's ears.

"~No blinding light or tunnels to gates of white. Just our hands clasped so tight, waiting for the hint of a spark.~"

Opening his eyes, Cherry sees... a forest. Pillars of white wood reach from a dark floor to a dark canopy. They almost seem to glow from within. The singing - or is it just her voice? - continues. It's all so... familiar.

"~If heaven and hell decide that they both are satisfied. Illuminate the “no”s on their vacancy signs…~”

Four dim figures hover just on the edge of Cherry's vision. They move closer as one unit, shoulder to shoulder, like reapers.

"~If there’s no one beside you when your soul embarks, then I’ll follow you into the dark.~"

"Is this really the place for singing?" A new voice, feminine, high in pitch. Much less beautiful.

"Sis, she sings all the time. It's practically in her name." A masculine voice. Bold, loud. It would almost be boisterous if it wasn't for the sand-paper tone.

"It is her name." A fourth voice? Quiet and somber, but without the airs of the previous two. It sounds... human.

All four voices are familiar, but still distant. Three of the figures stop, but one continues to move towards Cherry. The singing has stopped, and the silence is deafening.

The nearest figure stoops down, extending a hand to Cherry.

“Tired, One Blooded Cherrytree? Or are you frightened? I hope it’s the former: I despise cowards.”

Make a fortitude save.

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry puts his hands over his eyes and says nothing. He lets out a long moan. "Gods no! If you're here to kill me just do it!" Cherry looks up, enraged. "Finish me! Damn it! Deny me my quest and don't toy with me! We may have been allies but the bishop will want me dead and his will is yours!"

[Kymme]

"Wow, he's a whiner! And to think he was so excited when we first came to pick him up."

"Actually, I think he was terrified. He had no idea who we were."

"That's no excuse! That was then, but he's had what, five days to get to know us?"

"Silence?"

"Yes?" The feminine voice replies.

"Silence."

"You got it!"

The figure stooped before Cherry stands and puts her hand on the pommel of your sword. "That bad, hm? Yeah, I remember the first time I met the Bishop. Don’t worry.” She grabs Cherry by the wrist and hoists him to his feet. “You get used to it.”

Broken Meadow Of Heart Wrenching Songs (http://img07.deviantart.net/09f4/i/2011/313/e/1/blank_by_dinmoney-d4fnhun.jpg) leads Cherry through the forest. The other three Abyssals turn as she draws near and follow. She walks in the front, her left right hand firmly clasped around Cherry’s wrist. Behind her the others walk, eyes fixated on Cherry. The two siblings, Silence and Executioner (http://orig11.deviantart.net/abb4/f/2010/188/5/d/7s__rezard_necromancer_by_gf7.jpg), walk closes to Cherry. Onyx (http://img00.deviantart.net/1a93/i/2015/233/1/3/euphoria_by_lavahanje-d96lwjg.png), the only one aside from Cherry that can pass for human, takes up the rear.

Silence likes to talk. “So, Cherry, how was your first time meeting the Bishop? Did he read to you? You’re our Midnight Caste, that means you’re going to be a priest too! Are you looking forward to it? I bet you are. Has he taught you how to raise the dead? Oh, hope you’ll learn Necromancy. I’ve always wanted a Bone Strider to call my own!”

“You know the Bishop doesn’t believe in that kinda stuff, Sis. He wants us to get by with our weapons and our faith.” Executioner folds his hands behind his head, idly grinding his teeth together.

“Oh, but that’s so boring, Brother. You’re a warrior, you understand the appeal, right?” She faces Cherry again. “The way you were almost crying was so cute, Cherry. I could almost feel your anger. That’s good! The Bishop has a way of instilling strong emotions in us. It’s just... wonderful!” She looks ready to break into dance.

The forest doesn’t show any signs of going away, nor does Meadow show any sign of letting go of Cherry’s hand. He can hear something echoing in the distance. It sounds like… music?

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry spits on the ground. "So what are you going to do with me? Drag me down to the Bishop? How did you find me? Where is Atara!? I swear by the Neverborn you bastards! Let me go!" Cherry plants his feet and leaps, roundhouse kicking at the Abyssals behind him.

[Kymme]

It all happens in an instant. Cherry realizes he has no idea how to perform a roundhouse kick. Then he catches sight of his body. He's not wearing his robes. He's... wearing a black smock that covers him down to the ankle. The last time he wore these clothes was...

Cherry is on the ground. Meadow still has her hand wrapped around his wrist like a vice. All of the Abyssals are circled around, looking at him. Weird... Silence still has both horns on her mask, but Cherry distinctly remembers kicking one of them off a few months ago.

This isn't happening. It's not real. You know it isn't real. It's a d́ŗe҉a̶m̴,͜ ͡i̷s̶n't it͏? ̧ Ho͟w̢ ̕d͏are̸ ̨you̢ ̨d͠r̀e̸a̸m ͜wh͝en̸ ̛y͜ou'̡v̸e b̸et͏rayed͡ ͠u̢s. L͏oo̸̵k̷͟͟ ͜a̕͟t́̀ ̛̕y͟o͜u̧! ̴̸͘ ͜͡Y̧ó͢u͘͟'͏̀r͘e̛͞ ͝g̶̸͠o͢͏i͏n̸͘g͜͏̢ ͘a̷͠b̸͝ớ͡u̵t́҉ ̡̡l̴̢į͢͡ke̢ ̢an͟ỳ͟͠ ͢o҉̷f̵͟͡ ҉̴t̴͘h͠͝iś͘͠ ͟m̛͢a̷͏tte͜ŕs̸!̧ Nͣ̉̑̍͂ͦ͋̃o͌̉̓ņ̸̇ͪ̈́͗̋̿̃ê̡̡ͩ͑ͧ̈́͛ͧ̈́̚͠ ̢͌̌͗ͩò̷ͮ̋̉̕͠f̵̛̎ͩͤ̅́̅ͬ͢ ̧͛ͧ̈́ͫ̍i̓̂t̵̢̨͌̎ͤ̽̓̍͋ ̸̇͢m̍̃͗͌͆͜aͭ̐̊̓̑ͪͮ̚͏tͨ̌ͣͮ́̑ͮtͮͭͪ͌̂̃͜eͩ̃̉͐͋͟͏̵rͭͧͦ̍ ̾͒͜s̨̒̋̏ͮͮͭ̿!̔͂͌ͦ͒ͯ́̀͘ ̸̢̃̋̉ͨ ̄́Yͦ̇ͧ̔͘͢ơ̄͘͟u̓͊̋͠'ͣ͐͐̓͠r͊̔ͥ̾͌͢e̾̃̕ ͫ̾ͬ͑͒jͮ̿͛҉͡͏ư̛ͤ̓͏s̛̛̆̊t̷̡͊̇ͨ̎ͨ̕ ͗͌͗͢a̓ͯ͆̂ ̴̉ͥ́f̨̌̈͒̂͞ǫ̀ͫ͆͏o̡͂l̨ͨ͗̂ͬ͞,ͦ͗ͤ̂͌́ ̷̄͡O̴̡ͯ̅͋̉̀̕n̾̾̏ͫe̔̍̐͘͞ ͫ͋̓ͥ̌ͥͥ̚B̷̶̀̔͜l̴̿̾͗͋̽͋̋͜ò̡̋̂͋ͯo̷ͧ̀d̷̊̍̀͟e̢ͩ̅̏̏͒ͯd ̴͐ ̄͒͗͂̌ͣ̌͌͞C͒̃̿̃ͪͫͪ͢͡hͪ͂̓͋ͭͤ̃͗ͣe̸̢͌́̆ͧ͞r̵ͪͤ͡rͨ͐̃͑̎̋ͣ ͯ͜͜yͧ̔͆̍̚͢tͤ͑̈́̈ͦ̏̿͐͏̵r̡̛ͨͣ̀ͮe͑̈͝͏e̵͊̑͢,͂̆ͮ͑ͤ͡͞ ͨ̃̈ͬ̃l̶̇̂ͪi̵͒ͨ̑̎́́͢v̨̊͑̀į̶̈ͦͮ̄͊͒͘n̾̓ͩͣ̊͠g̴̛͐ͬ ̢ ̏ͭ̔̃̆̽̏ͫaͪ̓ ̧͑̿ͥ̊ͨ̆͑l̈́̆̓̐͡í̵̒͠f͌̍̈́ͫe̽̈́͑ͩ̏̈ͥͮ̇͟͡͞ ͥ̽ͩ̏̅̿̽҉͢l̛̊͊́̇̌̇̀͞i̶̒͂ͣ̌͂̈҉k̢̈̽̑ͥ̌͆̽̄͢eͦ̚҉ ̶̸ͬͧ͛̓ͪ̅̚͠ỷ̡̊͊ͮ̈́͏o̓̆͒̆̚u̓̓̐ͩ̆̄̉ ̴̷̏̀ͬͧ͆́͢a͛͌̃͐̿̒͘͞r̈́͐̒͊̈̂҉ȩ̷͋̑ͤͥ̄ͨ̕ ̵ͤ͂͑̆ͩf̆ͬ͐̐͛̐̀r̨̃̊̓̎̚͞eͫͤ̾̔̈̓̈͋̚͟e̓̑̕̕͠ ̧̌͊̒̂ͬf͋͆͑ͭ̃́͢r̈́͐ͫ̓̊̌ͬ͑oͯͬͮ̈́ͬ͐̎́m̛͊̏ͮ͝ ̷ͨͯ̽̕u̴͋̓ͯ͠s̉̊̈̒͘.̋ͮ Ḑ̰͂ͨ͘o͛̍̾̂̽̿̿ͤ̎͏͕̲ ͍̙͇͉̝̪̳ͥ̒̆ͤ͂͛̌͑̎y̴̩͓͖̅͆ǫ͍̥̻̮̥̦̰̀͛ͬ̇̏ͧ̀̚͠u͑̂͊ͬ̋ͭ̓̍ ͇̘̗̹̗ ̢͔͍͖̗̖̇͡r͓͎̔̐͡e͓̼̠̞͐ͮ̂̏̂̈̋͜c̢̭̼̈́̓͂a͚͈̟̙̹͆̍̈́̉ͨ̋ͮ̅͠l ̵͈̝̳̦͇̖͎̎͛ͣͅl̫͇̫͕̬̔̀͂͗ͣ͘ ̨̘̭̥̺͇̺̺͈̭ͬy̡͆̊̔ͥ͂͋̋̀҉̹̻̟̱ó̌̏͏̬̰͉̗̞̦̘ú̡͖̠̤͓̽̓ͮ̄̕ ͚̥͙r͉̼̒ͤ͂͊̇ͪͦ̿̀͞ ̨̛͚̼̐̓̈́ͪ̈́̍ņ͙̰̘̄͂ͭ̑͟a̛͕̾ͬ̓̀ͦͥ͋͑̚m͉̩ͮ̓ͨͭ͐ͦẻ̓͛͗̆̇ͩ̉ ̨̧̳̪̙̭͎̤̀ͅ?̇ͦͤ̐̿̂͏̹̳͙͎͔̗̙̣͘͠ ̧̹̫͚͍̞͙̱̼ͥ̅͡ ̹̥̲̯̥̥͕͔̦́̉͑͢Oͪ͏̬̝̣f͗̚͏̷̲̣̖͓̤͎̭̲ ̷̧̹̭̀̽ͮ͜ͅc͇̭̠̯̭̒ͦ͐o̶̥̲̥̲̤̠̯̎̿̒̈́̊͟ụ̢̗͍̫̗̟̓̎͛͡ͅͅͅr͆ ̥̟̺̞͉̖͉ͯ̓́͘ͅs̥̞̫ͭ̑̏̑ͬ̊̐́̚e̞͇͙̻̳̟̝̚͞ ̴̨͕̩ͣ̀̿ͦý̓͌͡͏̹̣̹̱̤͜o̵̖̦̹̺͕͈̥̟͐͠u̓ͯ͏̼̪̣͙̥̣ͅ ̘̖͎͈̤̃ͧ͒̽ͮͤ͐̆̍d͓̬̦̫ͥ̊̕ͅõ̖̳̣̝̳̝͈̟͈̋̃̎͂̾n̛͖̳̘̝̭ͧͭ̒ͫ ̘͍̤̜'̏̑͏̶̞̖̖̳̰͔͇t̵͚̺͚͇͖̍͐ͯ̾̑̍ͤ͝ͅ.̯̗͍̦̿̿͊̉̑̋̾ ̛̥͓̬̾ͦͪ̿ ̯ͫ̊́͜͢Y̵̷̛̱̺͎̰̟̯̦̗̹ͭ̚o̹̼̽ͮ̈́͞u̷̢͍̳̪̦̭̿͝ͅ ͍͇̲̓͌̐͋̆͒ͮ̋̀̀ģ̛̩̖͔̦̖͕̈́̉̀a̹̲̋̿̈́̊͒͌͞v̸̱̖̤͎̰̺͔͇̻̎́͝e ̨̩̦̒ͫ̿̂ͤ̚ͅ ͨ͂͏̠̤̯̻̦̬ͅͅi̥̰͒̍͂ͤẗ̔͌ͪ̆͛҉̮ͅ ̶̭̹̼̗͔͆ͧ͝ț̯̲̙͚͛̈ͮ͗ͪ̓̉o͚̖͈͔̞̥̥̥ͬ̾̇͝ ̶̡͍̞͇̼̞͕̐ͭͪ̚u͖͖͈͖͋ͦ̇̊͌̕s̝̮̗̣͚ͥ̈́ͦͩ̉̍͋ͨ ͬ̆̈́͛͏̶̻̼̩̣̬̠͘a̴̪̝̮͎ͭ̉̽ͤͨ̂̎͢n̦̘͕̟̰̈ͫ͘ḓ̙̞̘ͩ̂́͘͘ ͍ ̨̻̦̘̊̏͋ͥ̾́̂͗w̧̯̩͔̫͍͍̣̮̋̂̂̆ͮ́e̵̸͔͈̘̮̤̳̖̎ͮ͌̍ͪ̀͛ͬ ̖͉͇̩̼̖͖͊ͥͬ̓ͧç̥͙̥̝͓̼̟̺̋ͦ̀̓͆ͪ̑̉͘͝o̶͍̞̦̭̙̪͗͆ͣn͋ͫ̿ͪ́͋ ̧̰͙̜̥̲͍͔͐̎͞ṣ͈͖̰̳ͯ̀̾̏̍͐̐ͯ̀ư̮̞̩̮̥͔̪̾͒̃͢m̶̆̓ͥ̎ͯ͆̋̿͡ ̜̣̳e̛̺̩̬ͮ̽̃̌͆̓̂͌͡d̷̥͗͑͢ ̵̺̖̬̔̄͘i̸̺̫̹̰͕͚̮͇ͫ̔͠t̤̟̳͙̪̖̮ͤͬ̀͒́ͪ̈͒.͌̓͗ͥ͒ͧ̃҉̲ Ḩ̰̭̗̗̮̦͍͑̓ͯͣ̓ͤͯ͐̍̎̋ͧ͊̓̄̋̀͜͟͞Oͨ̐̓̔̉̔̓ͧ͑̑͒͑̍ͤ̚҉͏͙̠͠ ̪̤W̵̢̧̳̟̳͈͓̲̪͇̮̭̻̟̬̮͔̺̮ͯ̄̽̎́̒͠ͅ ̵̙͇̤͓̥̗̼͈̟̬͍̲̘̠ͣ͑͆͛̚͡D̷̗͚͕͇̏ͧͣͫ̈͂̊̏̈́̋͗̃̀̆̚̕͝͠͡A͂̇͒ ̴̨̜̱̳͈̩̝͉̩̤̖̗̫͕̮̤̞̫ͨ͑̅̿ͥ͊̇̄ͤ͑ͬ͑̃̚̚͘R̾̍ͫ̈́ͩ̾̍̀̏̆ͦͨ͆̋ ̇̇͒ͤ͟҉̠̱̘̮͇̲̥̪̜̱̦̹͔͝ͅͅͅEͣ̅ͦ̊̉̀ͧ̄̓҉͎̜̮̖̺͙͉͚̤̀͜͝ ͇̜̮ ͊ͯ͛̍ͧͮ̆̔̈͂ͨ͏̻̖̝́Y̧̗̠͚̰͚̯̘͚͎̬̠͉̞̫̳̠̿̃̓͐̃ͫ͐͆̔͞͡͝ͅO̔́ ̸̧̭̟̝̜̫̀ͯ̄̏͊̀̊͘͢͞Ũ̵̧̏̉̔̚͏҉҉͙̰͇̣̳̣̩̗̙͉͎ͅͅ ̷̭̭̫̹̱̩̻̬̩̖̃͗ͯ̈́ͨ͒̿ͣ̉͑͊̌ͩͩ̊̚̚B͕̳̔̅ͫͫ̇̊̄̀̔̊̌̐̿ͬͫ̓͜͢͡ ̪̞̝̙̳͉̞̮̝̙̞͖͈͔̱ͅͅE̶͇̲̞͚̘̱ͫ̿̂ͥ̔ͨ͝ ͭ̃͗͛̀̕͞͏̥̗͍̖Ḁ̶̛̭̗̥ͮͯ̎̚͡͞L̵̛̛̤̜͙͓͎͕̗̘̱̟̗͂ͯ͋ͦ̑͝ͅI̔̍ ̶̢̲͇̺̖͉̟͉͚̹̹̻̪̰̹͖̤̝̑͊̇̀̚V̢̯̦̥͎͔̯͉͇̱̦̺̒ͩ̋͋͌̈́ͩ͊͒͟͡͝ E̸̤̫̲̟̯̗̠̤͍̟̘̤͇͍̗̼̲̦ͥͭ̂ͦ̐͒ͨ́ Ẏ̯̝̠̙͉͉͔̠̈́̈̀͘o̲̣͕̠̥̩̟͑̀͆͒̉̍̂ͣͦų̯̟̯̜̄͗̃͐̒̓͗̔ͅ'̓̾ͤ ͎̟̲͚̥͔̀r̷̨͇̭͚̣̬̞ͯ͗̎e̲̣̙̮̘̜̞̬͍̓ͮ͛ͣ̑̿̈́̉͘ ̤̻͇͙̩̯̄͛b͇̥͖̫͈̯̿͗̇̌e̒̌͋͌̒͏̤͎̘̥̕ͅt͐ͭ͆̌̏̚҉̡͍̜̱̙̳̮͞r̉ ̵̷̣̘̜̻͓̗ͫͦͬa̸̢̬̝͙̩͓͛ͪ̄͑͑ͅy̫̗͓͙̩͚̅ͮͯ͌ͬͅi̭͙͕͌̎̂̅͆ͨ̀̚ ͔̩͚n͈̯̝͔ͪ͒ͥͩ̔̍ǵ̴̬͉̳̬̊ͬ͌͌͋ͯ̓ ̴̬͉̻̺͕̍̆u̢̜͓ͦͤ̋͑̆͗̎̕s̞̳̼͆̒̆!͖̦͍̪̜̇̒́͘ ̧̱͔͕̗͛ͬ͟ ̸̶̜̻͈̟̗͔̑F̙̻̙ͬ̈́̏̊̀͞ȯ̡͍̲͕̩̳̠̯͎͐̉̽̍͘͠r̸̠̳̤̗͈͋̉ͧ̈́̕m̌ ̡̭̣̥̥͚̰̀̉́̂ͪi̶̷̸͔͆̇͒n̺̼̦͙̦͕̣̩͑ͤ̓̀̔̐ͨg̨̫̏ͫ̅ͭ͞ ̑ͮͨ̈ͮ͗̊̈́̄͘҉͕̫a̢͉̼̤̒͊͋̿͝l̨̤͉͈̟͚ͩ͌̾̌́lͣ͏̛̼̼ ̼̩̰̠̜͍̖ͨ̈͞o̠͍̮͔͉̠͕ͦ̌ͬͪ̎͆̚͝ͅf̶̥̼͎̳̘͉̈ͭͧ̑ ̵̱̤̝̫̦ͣ̐̍ͪ́̀͠t̟̼̺̤̙̫̉ͨ͗ͩ̈̉̏̀h̛̬̳̩̲ͪͪ̓e̥ͨ͂͛̋̐ͥ́͢sͭ̓ ҉̛̙̦̫̲̜̗ͅę̴̥̚ ̤͙̞̱ͭ͊̉ͨ̍̉̆b͎̬̜̠̻̭͂͐ͭ̉̾͆͆̆͠o̊͗̾ͩ̓͆҉̬͇n͚̱̂̍̐ͭ̀͌ͨ͐̀̕ ̜̰̼ḑ̛̫̦̭̞̟̜̟͉̤̀̽͊̀̍̓̈́͜s̛̻̱͇̓̂̅͗͑ͬ̓ͮ!̦͉̼̖̦̯̠̭ͥ͗ͬ͒̽ ͇ ̗͉̤̭̟͎̣̾͒̀ͨ ͐̈̾̄̌̂ͫ̔҉͏̭̲̰̬̣͎̩Ĥ͈̐̈́͋̌̏́oͬͥ͏̴̩̞̣́w̭̟̣͕̻ͤ ̞̘͚̜̙̋͊̆̉̽̒͋ḍ̵̯̩̻̼̜̤͖̘͋̽̒̓ä̵̳̩͎͖͔̬̪̙́̓̒ͪ̔͗r̾ͥ͂̃̈́̚ ̰̺͍ē̷͖̘̮̣̮͇ͥ͐͢ ̼̼̔͐͆ͫ͑̎͠y̅ͭ́͒҉̳͓̩̥̙̤ō̡̲̺̙̙̉̆u̦͔̠̗̒̂̈̈́ͤ̈́̚̚ ̧̣̰̲̠̞̫͍̗̄ͤl͕̖̟̻̈́͗ͪͩ͛̌͟e̸̼̥̳ͦ͐̑͝ͅa̩̝͉̻ͦͦ̀v̽̋̌̉͐̓̿̾ ̛͕͈̖̯̟̮͡ͅe̴̤̤͌̈ͣ̎̄ ̸͉̗͓̼̪͉͌̾͐̒͛̿̂ͪp̜̐ͭ͌͌ͥ͡ë̹͖͈͚̱̹̯́̂ͭ͟ǒ̴̴̝͈̦̰͋̂ͪ͂͊̕p ̯̼͕̙̪̌̽ͤ͌ͥ̌̔͘͘͝l̷͕̟̱͔͈ͫͮ̋e̜͙͍͂́ ̶͎̮̭̥͇̟̱̝̳̍̂̚a̴͍͍͇̮̓̕͞l̖͍̜͍̤̙̇͛ͮͤ̀ͅį̟̺̖̝̙͊͒ͭ̊ͧ̕͜ͅ ͓͚͉v̶̢͈͖͇͔͇ͤͮ͂ͪͨe̛ͦ̀̈́ͥ̊ͬͥ̇҉̣̭̱̣̮?͇̣͇̼ͯͦͣͩ̾̀͠ͅ ̟̬̰͉̘͈̳̮̀̐̀̇̌͆́ ̽̈́͝͏̘̞̦͕H̴̯̻̘̥̦͈̤̳̋̄͌̚̕ͅo͊҉̷̙̥̟̙̹w̜̦̣͍͇̜̙ͪ͛̚͟͢ ̣ ̟̼̻̆ͭͨ͂̾͜͢d̢̝̬̂ͪ̆̂͗̆͒̀͝aͯ͏̸̛̥͓̼͙͓r̡͑͛̔̄ͣͪ̔ͦ҉̪̻̗̜e̎ ̶̴͇ͩͤͪ͟ ̢͖̼̟̩̼͕̩̮̐̈́͑ͪ̐ͥͪ͘͢y͉͔̣̆̽͌ỡ̩̩͕̎̌́̾̈́ͥ̋u͉̙̤̓ͥ̊̈ ̭ ̓̔̓ͩ͝҉̨̝̫̞͙̭͈t̡̨̲͖̱͖̙̣̬̻̓ͩ̈́͆͘a̸̛̬̒ͫ̀̄ͫ̐̍̎k̴̰̝͖̞̻̇e ̵͚̮̪͙͇͊ͭ͗̇͑̈̚͘͡ ̳̹͍̮͉̀̆̈͋̿͋͑͑̃o̶̱̘̼̻̞̣̫̲͛̿͗ͬ̕n̸̬̲͇̭̭̹͖͆ͣͩ̿̀ͅ ̋̌͊͏̳͎̯͡ȃ̛̼̩̻̪̗̫̽͂ͦ̀̚ ̧͖̞̝̼͓̘̙̩̙́ͤͧ͊̅̈͠m̸̮̪͓ͪͭ́̀o̧̙͍ͬ̌̏ͭ̋̕r̡̟̲͉̪͔͖̈̈́͆̃̾̒ t̹̟ͣ̓ͣa̛̜̗͊̓ͬ̌l͌̎̒ͯͮ҉͎̰̩̪͈̥̝̰͜ ̯̺̺̜̮͇͕̉̄͋͒̾ͩ̿ͫ̀̚͜͠a̜̦̻̮͓̻̓̎ͩ̈́̅̚p̢͙̲̟̻͍͖͔̥̪ͦ͑̉͆̚̚͡ p̸̟͇̖̞̹̖̣͑ͬ̔̄̂ͯ͠r̬̬͇ͯ̀̆͋̾͐͐e͂͑̀̊̓͌͟҉̳͈͚̭̩͓n̸̨̂ͣ̋̎́ ̻̥̱͕t̝͈͈͚͒ͧ͒̾͠i̫͊͗̈́͊͞c͚̉̆̇̕ȇ̦͓̖̖̩̖͙͍̿̈́̎̉͘͜!̞͚̃̔̔͘ ͚̯̫̲̥ ̨̧̲̣͍͎̦ͥ͌ͤ̒ͯ́͗ ̛͋͌ͫ͂̆͏̰̦̻̩̬H͈̣̱͕͎͖̹͌ͥͨ͂̈̔ͬo̷̮̻̤ͨ̈̉̅͘͜w̷̻̹̻̙ͯͬͬ̎͑͝ ̦̠̜̙ ̵̥͔̗̺̖ͦ̎͆ͯdͨ̈ͫͣ̒̒̑̋҉͎̜̲͎̰̺a̩͇̹͛ͥ̔ͨ̓̈̽̚r̖̮̭̹͔͖͌́́͟͠ ě̱̲͚̓ͤͤ̋̅͡͞ͅ ̴̜̫̥̩͕̋̑͆͛͜y̨͚̭̫͑ö̷̡̻̲͓͌ͧͬͮu͙̖̖̜͔̦͖͊̆̅ͯ͗ ̝̮̥̘͈̊͐͗ͨͥ͗̈͑ͧ̕r̷̋ͯͧ͜͏̳̜͍̟͓̭̙̖e̢̫̣̲͈ͨ̎͛̉̋͘͘cͤͭ̐̃̄̍ ̡̭͇͙̠̱̑͆̚į̲̻͕͔̾́ͬ̑̆͋p̶̧ͯͥ̃҉̳̫̲̪̝̰̜ͅr̷̺͎̬͗ͧǒ̶̭̪́c ̷̶͎̣̳̩̝̩̏ͮąͪ̆ͨ̄͊̽̋̿ͪ́҉̼t̷̤̮̭̳͎̝͉̹͓ͫ̽̓̉̽ͤ͝e̢ͧ́ͩ̇͌̄ ̭̯̬̯̟ ̥͔̱͚̙̤̱̲͋ͨ̅͌ͭ͗t̵̗̳͎̐̑ͥ̌͊͆͌͛͞h̥̺͚͙͓̏ͬ͋͆́̄̍͒͡͠ͅe̿ͤ̂̐ ̶͇͚̗̋͒ ̬̖͓̬̟̲̮̬͆̏̈́̒̄̋̏̈͢f͆̽ͥͪ̍҉͚̪͔̬̰ę̱̞̼̫̤̺̫ͮ̃e̬͌͑͗͂ͦ̌̀͢ ̱̺͚̳ļ͍͍̀͋̅̐̽̔̿̚ì̙͇́͌ͬ̅͝n̵͓̝̙ͦ̆͂̓͑ͪ̅́g̼͙͗̓͛̓̇͗s̬̐ ̪̫̙̲͎ ̢͇̝̹͎͕͈̙ͬ̐̏̕͜o͔̙̠͖ͮ͐̒͋̉f̭̪̹̞̚͡ ̘̞̭̂́͐̀a̰̪̲̙̥͉͉̻ͧ̿̄͆ͨͧͮ͞ ̝͇̹ͤ̇̐ͥ͌̃̓ḻ͇̞̤̦͓ͤ̈́́͘͡i̡̤̠͔̽͒v̡̹̟ͪ͘i̡͚̼̖̳ͦ̒̔͂̊͐̕͡ͅ ͔̼̱n̷̢̳̫͙͚̼͔͑̄̌̍ͫg̸̠̫̩̪̙͕̲̰̖ͪ̅ͬͭ͂̒̆̋́ ̴̶̡͇̤ͨ̒̋͑̑b̢̛̪̼͔͈̖ͪ͋ͤ̈́̐͂̿͟e̢̻͕̪̠̫̪͑̂͊i͖̻̦̟͛̈́ͩͥ̌ͩ̎͑ ͚ͅn̷͇͖̭̤ͦ̒g̪̳̤̬̙̮̣̥̤̓͂͊̊ͥ͡!̢̛̠͔̍͐ͭ͐ͯͬͪ̇͘Y̳͔͔͊ͦ͛̚ö ̶͎̘̮͕̝̪̒͡u̷̸̜̖̿ͨ̓ͯ̔ͨͩ͜'̼͇̪͖̭̦͔̬̔ͥ͢ȑ͓̥͇̘͇͔̜ͫͩͧͅe͗̍ ̷̨̡̰̭̣̃̓̃ͨ̚ ̖̺͚͕̎ͥͤ̎ͧ͊̈́́͢͝ś̛̠͎̤̮͈͗͑̓̚͜u̡͍͇̪ͦp̵̩͖͖̪̠͇̗̊̉̕p̆̏̂̐ ̫̬̱͈̪̯̫́o̟̻͍̮͍̬̾ͮͦͬ̀s̯̫̣͓̉͛̎ͦ͐͒̔͘ê̓̾́͌͊͆͂͏̳̼̺͖͎̟͜ ̰d̟̳͉̗ͮ̾̿̒ ̨̹̯̩̰̙͉̿͊̀͝t̬̣ͫ̾͗ͮo̮̝̙̱͖ͦͥ ͈͈̱ͬ̓̍̋b̷̹̱̺͇ͫ̄͆̓͑̒͛̆̏́ȇ̍ͮ̀ͣ̍̌̚҉̝͙̖ ̊̓͝͏͙̪̬̙k̭̩̭͓̖͎͒̒̊͟ǐ̲̼͟͝l̮̭̠̻̬͗͐̈̌ͥͬͧ̿̚l͖͕̠̫ͧ̄̒ͫ͠ ̟̙ȉ̶̋҉̙̫̯̘n̛̯̭̲͎̼͉̟̳̉ͨͯ̾̚͘g͎͇̘͓͔͚̍̆̑́̂ͪͩ̌̄!̀ͥ̑̋͌̽ ͊҉̵̟̰ ̧͚͔͒͊ͯͬͨ̃ ͖͖̼̙͇̞̞̟̔ͬY̵̪͚̭͔̻̥͐̽͋́̂͑̀o̵̩̭͍̪͈͕ͣ̄u͆̓ͨ̉̀ͩ͗̔҉̫̖̱̫͞ ̤̯̪'͉̩͊ͮ̇͒͊͑̂r̶̳͔͚̥̋ͭ͌̈e̝͎̫̻̹ͤͨ́̀̚͢ ͋̃ͣ͏̣͙͎̼̻s̖̥͇̥͉̦͙ͨ͑̅ͩ̉ͩͯͣû̸̼̖̥̦̘̻̟̤ͩp̩̟̯̈́͒͋ͅpͭͪ͗͐ ̶̷̡̻̳̹̬̜̣̖͛̊̄̆ǫ̴̥͉͖͎̏̽̓̆̍ͪͣ̅͡s̢͕̱ͭͯ̓͋̐̐̐̚e̊̓ͬ̋̾̉͆ ̪̮͖d̟̘̫ͨ͑̐̑̆̈ͅ ͩ̒ͬͨ͗ͨ̚͏̝̲̺̣̝̟t̳̯̪̉̀o̘̺̗͖̭̹ͬ́ ̦̰͙̻̿ͩ̊ͨ́̎̈́̚̚b̫͉̥̥̗̭̺ͤ̅̆͆̐͆͑ͭe̷̫͉̙͎̻͉̓͡ ͇̪͈̳́͋̄͛́̔̏̚͞c̜̦̯̒̾͢͡͞ͅo̧̙̬̭̘̹͌ͩͤͦ̀̾̇̿n̲̮̪ͤ̑̄ͥͦ̚͠͝ ̲̝̜ͅs̷͇͇͖̺̯ͥ͜u̮͙͍̗̅̆ͩ̇̀m͇̤̮̺̠̥̍̿͒ͦͥį͎̝̗̙̱̗̱ͫ̉̊nͩ͌ ̺̣̰̬̙̦̈́̏͋ͥ̈́ͩ̾͢͝ḡ̒̓͛ͣͥ҉̱͔͔̰̝̪͠ ̵͎̗̳̙͖̐͌͛ͤ̾ͯ͝aͤͯ҉̲̤͙͡͝ņ̆̿̅̆̎̑ͧ̏͏͇̮͞d̨̪̱̰̓̓ ̺̟͍͈͈̣̰̏̐̌ͥ̎ͧ̎ͤ̎d̟͚͙̙̊̃ͪ̒̂ȩ͉̻̹̜̪͚͔̼̒f̵̡̱̳̒ͯ̃̿́i͆̚ ̤͇͕̩̠̝̞͎̎ͥ͗̒̑̏͒́̕l̪̖̻̙ͪ̏̾̕͟͡i̤̣̤ͨͩ̓n̳̪̺̘̮͋͌͑̽̑̊́ǧ ̴̾̚͢͏̝̭̙ ͇̳̜̆̂ͧͣ̑̕a̺̞͈̖̻̝͆̐̊̀̅ͮ̃͘ͅͅṋ̟̮̪̯͈͉̮̮̒ͤ̈́͗͂͑ͣ̑d͆ͩͦͪͯ ͒̊҉̩̘̞͎ͅ ͍̲͉͈̜̬̼͚̞̂̽̓ͪͣ͘͞d̷̥̟̗̭̜̞͓ͩ͒͐̏̅͊ͩ͟͟e̖̗̺͈̣̖ͫ͆̋̈́ͬ͛͌̒̚ s͍͖̳͕̘̤̭͔͆ͫ̑̅͡ͅt͒ͦͤͦ͊͒̚҉̖͚̭͙͕ŗ̴̪̹̬̻͚ͧ̅̅̆ͧ́̚ő̈ͣͮͯ ̴̣̖̜̯̌̊͂̕ẏ̶͍̰̟͆̉̓͆i̶̶͓͚̗̐͆ͩ̆ͪn͚͕̋̿ͧ̂̌ͨ́͂̓g͖̲̞͛ͪ̀̕ ̦̪̘̬̗ ̻͎̠̭̖̗͇̀̆̓̚ͅẗ̸̙̳̭͉̼͈̍ͭ̉̋h̛̯̞̟̩̍eͦ͝҉̯͓͖̞ ̘̱̮̖̺ͭ͑̑͒ŵ͉͍ͧ̕ò̤̜͍̘̇͂̆͂̀͟͢ȓ̵̴͙͙̙͙̥͈̯ͤ̊̈̀̚lͧ̑̃ͫ̔ ̨̠̙̟͚͇̣̠͗͞͞d̴͙̻̱̈͐͒̕.̰̰͋͋̽̕͜͞ ̡̨̣͇̣̗̮̞͑̿̂̋̊ ̵̭̜ͮͮͬ͒́H̨̘̜̥̊̀̎͆̃͂o̫̖ͯ̌ͬ́̋̈́͆͛͟͢w͎̍̉̀́ ̡̧̘̹͍̲͎͇͕ͩͧͮ̍d̡͖̉͑̂͘ȧ̸̳̙̤̜͌́r̸̘̖̯̤̪͉̭͔̮͒ͩͧ̑̈̌̊͆͠e ͩ͗ͮͯ͐͏̵͎͎̦̭̜̖̮̱͡ ̷͓͖̦͔̒ͦͬ͊ͮ̽͋ͦͦy̢͉̼̱̪͖͚̞̰̰̾͐͊ͭͩͦǫ̷̹̖̝͈̜͇̭͎̉͂̄ͮ̑ͭ͟u ̸̫̦̦̻̣̫͓̮̉ͬͧͭ̊͋̀͟͜ ̲̻̺͔͈̉̓͢dͥ̚͏̻̖̟̥̮͈͉͍͡o̝͎̝͙̬̜̮̣̍̇ͭ̅̓͌͞ ̷̙̹̹͍͂̃͜ͅa̴͇̫̝̠͇̱͈͆ͫͧ̉̂̃͑̇n̞̟̥͕͈̣̩̼ͩ͑͆ͩ͂y͌͗ͭ͏̹̳̰̹ͅ ͈ţ̛̖̰̭̙̠̜̅͗̉̚h̴̵͓̙̥̬̜͕͇̀͐̍ͯͦ͋ͦ͜i̲̰̒ͫ͆͌͐͗͘͠n̊͋͛̈ͨ͒ ̶̪̹͓͚̰̟̼̩͢g̼̠͈̙̞̺̰͗̊ͦ͛̎ͤ̂̀͘͢ ͦ̽̓͒ͦ͞͏̵͍̻̻͙̳̦̜ḙ̢͎̥͉̥̮͈̲̓̾̾ͅḽ̤͕̪̳̓̐̐̈́͝ͅ ̶ͩ̈̐͗҉̛͉͚͙̲͔͖̯͔̹-̜̰̗̐̈̅͋͑̚͠


"Cherry! Can you hear me?"

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry mind races to Atara's voice till he opens his eyes with a loud gasp of air and looks around.

[Kymme]

Cherry wakes up to a blue, cloudless sky. Atara is standing over him, shaking his shoulder. As soon as his eyes open she gasps with surprise and shuffles back. She takes a moment to glance behind her and shout: "He's awake!" before she looks back to Cherry. There is wetness in her eyes when she speaks. "I didn't think I'd be seeing you so soon, Cherry. You were... you were out for quite a while."

Two figures appear on either side of her, silhouetted against the midday sun. "Dragons above, you're right. He's back in the land of the living." The figure on the right crouches down beside Atara and looks Cherry up and down. "Color me surprised. I imagine if your heathen body still had a use for blood, you'd have been dead hours ago. Completely bizarre." Without the sun in his eyes, Cherry can get a good look at him. He's a broad shouldered man in green robes (https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/32/07/ac/3207aca92990ebb5cb4b0c584610c649.jpg), with a large cloak that drapes on the ground behind him. His eyes are pale white orbs beneath a heavy brow and a wide paddy hat.

"The man who killed Brother Gaden yet lives. The Dragons withhold their justice. Pity." The figure on Atara's left is much smaller, a young girl with long blue hair (https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/11/a2/75/11a275493901a578c90e7ceb48262645.gif) held back in braids, wearing what is essentially a bikini with chaps. A flower sits in her hair, and the air around her seems to be suffused with moisture. "Regardless of past transgressions, you did a damn fine job subduing that behemoth. Shame about the Raksha, though."

Atara glances around at both of them and then reaches down to help Cherry to his feet. "They speak harshly, but they mean us no harm. Trust me."

The big man rolls his eyes. "She's right. If we wanted you Anathema dead we would've killed you while you were unconscious."

The small girl scowls. "Instead, we just kind of stood around while she patched you up and cried a little. We're not going to fight you two."

Getting to his feet fills Cherry's body with agony. His midsection is wrapped with bandages from his belly to his collarbones, and even the act of breathing shoots pain through is body. It's a good thing he doesn't have to breathe.

The two monks, who have yet to introduce themselves, take a few steps back when Atara helps him to his feet. The girl folds her arms whereas the big man simply puts his hands in his pockets. They seem to be waiting for Cherry to say something.

Further back behind them, Cherry can see Hawk and Hood standing over a patch of uneven earth. Hawk holds a greatsword in his arms.

With Cherry's essence sight, he can tell both of these people are essence users.

[Hiding Dragon]

"Damn snakes! Why help us? I'm sick of tricks! Where is the Raksha!?"

Cherry's face softens as he turns around to Atara. "Atara, are you okay? Did they hurt you? Are you hurt?" Cherry looks her all over for any injures then he embraces her with all his strength then reals back a little to place his cold-blooded lips against hers with all the passion he can muster and then looks at her face. "Um... yes quite g-good good." His face is flooded with crimson but he composes himself as he turns around, keeping himself between Atara and the monks. "So who are you? Are you deserters?"

[Kymme]

The small girl makes as if to speak, but her words come out as a choked gagging noise as Atara and Cherry kiss. The Lunar leans in and kisses Cherry back, but looks confused when Cherry breaks off. She steps away from him awkwardly, mumbling out that her wounds have already healed.

The broad-shouldered monk whistles. "Would you look at that, Nalen? Anathema can fall in love. Remarkable."

"This is ridiculous." The girl, Nalen, stomps her foot. "Not to mention inappropriate. I-" She is cut off by Cherry's question. A chill passes through the air when Cherry asks if they are deserters. The big man begins to chuckle, and Nalen fumes. "Of course not! We're proud Immaculate monks, Shikari of the Wyld Hunt! Stylists of the Elemental Dragon Styles! We're--"

"Brother Dan." The broad shouldered man extends a hand to Cherry, amused. "Wood Aspect Exalted. My friend here is -"

Redness crawls up Nalen's neck, and she shouts indignantly. "BROTHER DAN, SHUT UP AND LET ME INTRODUCE MYSELF!" With a beet red complexion, she stomps. "My name is Pelleps Nalen Vae, and you shall refer to me as such. Fellow Immaculate monks may call me Sister Nalen. Sister! Don't just call me 'Nalen', Brother Dan." She turns towards Cherry and Atara, giving a slight bow. "Water Aspect Exalted. No, we are not deserters."

"We're here on diplomatic business, but it appears that it was all moot. We haven't encountered a single hill tribe person. They've probably gone south to flee the Chieftain."

"About that..." Sister Nalen frowns. "You did a damn fine job destroying that behemoth, but it's a shame this place isn't a Wyld zone. We might have had a chance to put down the Chieftain for good."

"Yup. When you kill a Raksha outside of the Wyld, all you are doing is destroying their Assumption. It's like an effigy they wear so that they can enter Creation. Now the Chieftain will be biding his time, constructing a new behemoth and a new Assumption so that he can return. He's probably also following his fundamentals and gathering other Raksha to fight alongside him. Rats beget rats, and monsters beget monsters."

"Now..." Sister Nalen takes a step towards Cherry, arms folded. "We've introduced ourselves. Your friend Atara has told us her name already. What name do you go by, creature?"

[Hiding Dragon]

"What!? Love? I don't understand! What?! Yes, Lady Atara is lovely but love... uh... uh... man, what lovely weather!" Cherrys struggles with words. His face is flushed, a litte blood drips out of his mouth. He looks to Atara for reassurance but it just make him feel more awkward. With no other option, he snaps his gaze to Brother Dan, trying to project an air of composure.

"I am One Blooded Cherrytree! Midnight Caste of the Abyssal Exalted, a Ronin. People call me Cherry. So Dan and long named girl." Cherry points to Pelleps Nalen Vae. "You have not answered my question. You have a perfectly wounded demon in front of you that killed one of your own people, yet you do not strike me down! Now that makes me wonder."

Cherry reaches into one of the pockets of his robes, removing several wooden beads and presenting them to the Immaculates. "Perhaps a peace offering? I mean, they are the litte prayer thingys you guys carry around. Your fellow brother had it on him. They looked interesting but they probably want to be with him. Did you find the grave I dug him?" Cherry is struggling to find the right words to adress these two Immaculate Monks.

[Kymme]

Atara smiles at Cherry, glancing away from him to address Sister Nalen and Brother Dan. "You'll have to forgive him. I think that cheap-shot the Chieftain gave him killed what few brain cells he had left."

Sister Nalen nods. "Clearly." She takes the netsuka from Cherry and pockets them, shooting him a hateful look. "Let's hope they haven't been tainted by your filthy demon hands."

"Yeah... about that." Brother Dan puts a hand on Nalen's shoulder and slides her away from Cherry before someone makes a move. "We're not attacking you because, frankly, there are greater monsters afoot."

"The she-bitch deermother, for one." Sister Nalen kicks the ground. "That Lunar Anathema has been spawning beastmen for decades! Building a private army of her children or something like that. Shameful! An affront to the Dragons Themselves!"

Atara inhales sharply, curling her hands into fists. She stares at the ground and whispers. "You don't know what you're talking about."

Sister Nalen scoffs, but Brother Dan steps forward with his palms out in a gesture of peace. "As I said, greater monsters. There's this Chieftain, too. Now that he's been defeated once, the flames of wrath are burning brightly in his heart. The flames of the evil often burn hotter and brighter than the flames of the righteous, I fear. Anathema like yourselves can lead Creation astray, but Raksha like him wish to tear Creation asunder. An area corrupted by rogue gods or Anathema can be saved. There's no saving an area that's fallen into the Wyld. Only the Immaculate Dragons can hold such power, and they have only the Exalted through which to channel their gifts."

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry looks down at his feet, face blank like a fresh canvas. ]"I have sinned,"[/COLOR] he whispers.

His face turns up at Dan and he repeats it, louder. "I have sinned. I am a demonic creature and... and..." Cherry gulps and rips his gaze away from Dan. His eyes are wet when he turns to Atara. "O, my beloved! A sinner's heart is ensnared by your divine beauty! A beauty to rival the moon itself! But I must face justice to be worthy of you and to wash this blood from savage hands!" Cherry wraps his arms around, using his Abyssal charms to conjure a hand-calligraphed letter and deftly tuck it into the straps of her belt.

He lets go of Atara and glances down at her mask. "Ah, a fitting face for a demon such as my self!" Cherry looks into Atara's eyes for reassurance and unties the mask, donning it before turning to the two Dragonblooded. "I wish to be clean of my sins, so I give myself over to the judgement of the Dragons and of your leader, Brother Dan and She Who Rides the Red Wave." Cherry slumps to his knees before them and holds up his wrist for binding.

Atara, I have a plan. I'm going to give myself over to these monks and have them take me back to their leader. I'm going to try and learn as much as I can about their commander and their forces. When the time is right I will strike and you must all be ready to attack when I give the signal. I know this melodramatic act must be hard to hear, but my words have truth to them. Don't worry about me. Tell my student to keep her wits about her and please, keep your eye on Son. I would love to hear about his reaction.

P.S. I'm going to be keeping your mask for a little while. Drama, and all that.

Forever yours, Cherry.

[Kymme]

The Southern Hills, After a Prolonged Battle.

Atara staggers back as Cherry prostrates himself before the two monks. On impulse, her hands drift back to grasp her Essence Cannon, but they first fall upon Cherry's letter. Recognition flashes in her eyes, and her castemark glitters with silver light. Before the Immaculates can react, she's vanished in a silver aurora and grown to the form of a building-sized wolf. "I'M SO SORRY, CHERRY! FAREWELL!" She takes off towards the Valley, her feet churning up the tall grass as she runs. In the space of a few moments she's already a half mile away.

"Coward!" Nalen's eyes are dark as she turns to Brother Dan. "She's heading straight for that heretic village. She'll be back within the hour with a legion of beastmen savages. We need to get out of here, and this Anathema's just going to slow us down. I bet that's their plan!"

Brother Dan shakes his head. "It doesn't matter. This man is surrendering to us. We are obliged, as Monks of the Immaculate Order and representatives of the Blessed Isle, to take him into custody."

"Fine!" Sister Nalen is fuming. Her eyes are frantically scanning the horizon, as if she expects the Silver Hands to materialize out of the hills and attack. "Just think, Nalen. What would Lady Berele do?"

Brother Dan glances over at her. "What was that?"

"Nothing!" Nalen snaps at him. "Do what you must! Just do it quickly!"

Sighing, Dan stoops down before Cherry. "I hate to do this, but we don't have any rope that could bind you." He reaches down and plucks a grass seed from the soil with two glowing green fingers. He lifts the seed up above Cherry's wrists, allowing the green glow to suffuse it. "Soul-Devouring Lotus." The words drip from his mouth as he drops the seed into the crevice where Cherry's wrists touch. Then he turns away, averting his eyes as the Charm begins to take effect.

It sprouts immediately, but rather than burst into a long stalk of wheat, the seed unfolds into an intricate lotus. Its roots grow quickly as well, coiling around Cherry's wrists like thin rope. The binding looks flimsy and weak, but Cherry can feel the essence coursing through the roots and petals. Then he feels a sharp pain in his wrists as the essence enters his body. In an instant, Cherry is wracked with intense pain. The veins on his wrists pop out as the Wood essence moves up his arms, tracing through his arms like the roots of a great tree. As the energy moves to his shoulders, Cherry finds that he can no longer move his fingers, his wrists, or any part of his arms. The energy reaches his chest, where it has little effect aside from the pain. If he were a mortal man, or at least had a heart that still beat, he could imagine his pulse slowing and his breathing growing shallow. As it was, the pain simply increased. The energy flowed up and down his spine like a parasite, reaching into his chakras and drawing the essence from within. The veins on his neck began to bulge as the lotus blossom bloomed again, this time rising higher and opening wider. Its petals bloom black, however, with deep crimson lines like blood tracing through them. In the space of a few moments, Cherry feels all of his essence leave him, and his body seize up. He is paralyzed by pain and exhaustion.

Brother Dan grimaces, glancing at Cherry out of the corner of his eye. "Never gets any easier... The Dragons offer their mercy, but there can be no mercy without pain. I'm sorry, Cherry."

Sister Nalen takes this opportunity close the distance with Cherry. She folds her arms, a mischievous smile on her lips as she stands over him. Then she kicks him in the side of the head with enough force to send him sprawling three yards away, landing in a heap on the ground. "That's for insulting me, Anathema." That catharsis out of the way, Nalen turns her back to Cherry.

"Hey, you two sell-swords!" She calls to Hood and Hawk, still standing beside a patch of uneven dirt. A greatsword is planted into the ground there, and a yellow scarf waves in the wind like a flag. "You already refused our assistance once, so now is your time to make up for that transgression!" She points a finger at Cherry's body. "Held us guard and transport this whelp while we return to our camp, and you'll be rewarded with a chance to speak to our Winglords. They might have a use for you."

They shrug, and walk over to Cherry. As they approach, Cherry can make out the numerous cuts and scrapes that crisscross the warrior's bodies. Hood has a yellow cloth wrapped around his head, with a dark stain where it passes over his eye. The reach down and gingerly scoop Cherry up, sharing his weight between them. Cherry can make out through the haze of pain that their eyes seem listless and empty, and they follow Sister Nalen's commands without hesitation or complaint. They seem akin to lost children.

With Cherry in custody, the five of them head off at a rapid pace, sitting in a boat (http://aerospace.wcc.hawaii.edu/Curriculum_Voyagers/fig15.gif) atop a wave conjured in tandem by the monk's elemental powers. They skirt the edge of the valley, reaching the halfway point between the site of the Chieftain's battlefield and the Wyld Hunt's camp by the time the sun sets. The Immaculates press on through the night on their synergistic contraption, leaving the two sell-swords to rest for a while. Cherry is unable to move, but the pain of the lotus growing feasting on his essence prevents him from sleeping. He has two options: meditate and pray to the Neverborn, or attempt to make small-talk with the other occupants of this boat.

What will Cherry do?

Have a Hero Point for the good roleplaying. This one will carry over into the next episode.

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry looks at black lotus that represents his imprisonment, observing the Wood Aspect's essence work. He grits his teeth behind his mask. "Dan, I thought we were going to be friends. Ah, but look at what you've done! It would bring tears to even honest men! And you.." Cherry turns his head sligthly to gaze at the Water Aspect. "I like your legs, smooth as water, and those lips..." He chuckles through the pain.

"No man, or should I say woman? would want to press lips against such rough coral. My advice, if you'd like to hear: cool down and move with the motion of the ocean. I mean, I'm surprised you're not a Fire Aspect. Now, let me think of the trial that awaits me, Red Wave."

Cherry chuckles again, but his laughter dies when he turns his thoughts to the Neverborn. He prays to then for the strength to consume the Water Aspect's still-beating heart in front of her. His prayers numb his minds to the pain of life and he drifts off into a deep trance

[Kymme]

Somewhere in the East, near the Valley of the Red Trees.

Brother Dan doesn’t respond, but Cherry can tell from the way his shoulders sag that the man hears his words. Sister Nalen makes a harrumphing sound when Cherry addresses her, trying too hard to ignore him.

Hood and Hawk are quiet, but they share a look every few minutes. Eventually the two of them drift off to sleep. The Immaculates power onward through the night on their hybrid craft, and as the firmament creeps overhead Cherry can hear laughter and singing somewhere on the horizon. Or perhaps it is only an echo? The Neverborn do not stir this night, and Cherry’s mind is not clouded by their whispers. He dreams.


~ending theme~ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFJGsc5k1Xg)

[Kymme]

~opening theme~ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOkzUJd3B7M)
Within the Laughing Lodge.

"This can't be happening." Tylina mutters to herself, hands pressed to her face, hunched over in a chair within a barren main hall. The revelers have cleared out for the night, and now it is just Tylina, Summer, Rowan, Son, and the newly arrived Atara.

"There... there wasn't anything I could do! He gave himself over before I could stop him! I'm sorry, Lady Summer." Atara's teeth are clenched, and the corners of her mouth tremble slightly. “He has a plan, though! You read the message, right Rowan?” She glances over to him, and then to the prayer strip sitting in the middle of the table. The short-lived magic that created it is already beginning to fade, and the corners of the prayer strip have begun to crumble.

“Oh, I have, and it’s a lovely plan. He’s just going to learn intricate knowledge of their commander and their forces from inside a prison cell. What a startling display of initiative and long-term planning.” He massages his temples. “Furthermore, in a genius move, he neglected to tell us what sort of method he’d use to signal us when the, and I quote: ‘time is right’. Truly bril – “

“Rowan.” Summer cuts in. Her elbows rest on the table, and her fingers are steepled before her. She takes a deep breath. “Atara, you did what you could. Thank you for delivering these tidings to us. Now, we must discuss our next course of action. What do you all recommend?“

It is at this point that Son of Crows turns on his heel and walks out the doors of the Laughing Lodge. There is a silence that lasts for a few moments before Tylina whispers “Oh no…” Then the three Lunars stand from their chairs.

Summer takes command. “As a Day Caste, Son can cover terrain faster than Atara and myself. Rowan, you will have to pursue him and block his path. We will join you as soon as possible.”

“Duly noted, My Lady.” Rowan calmly walks towards the back of the Laughing Lodge, stepping behind a wooden column and vanishing from sight.

Son Of Crows lances across the forest floor, his form only visible as a flicker in the patches of moonlight that streak down from the canopy. In his haste, he almost doesn’t notice Rowan Ringtail step out from behind a tree, ten paces in front of him. In those ten paces, Son leaps into the trees, arcing from trunk to trunk as he speeds past Rowan. The Lunar shrugs and steps out of sight. After a few seconds, he steps out onto one of the thick branches of a tree Son’s momentum is carrying him towards. Son flicks out his wings and changes direction midair, but Rowan drops from the tree to follow him. Son Of Crows comes to a screeching halt in the center of a small clearing, with the Abyssal’s spectacled eyes matched against Rowan’s deadpan gaze.

“Going for a walk, are we?”

“Out of my way, Lunar.”

Rowan rolls his eyes. “So much for that… Tell me, Son Of Crows, where is this little walk of yours headed?”

“You know damn well where I’m going. Now get out of my way.”

“I’m afraid that’s not going to happen.” A frown crosses Rowan’s face. “You wouldn’t happen to have a plan for rescuing Cherry, would you?”

“I’ll improvise.” Son’s right hand rises up and wraps around the hilt of the sword plunged through his stomach. “Kill a few, maim a few others. But I’ll kill most of them.”

“Of course you will. What, pray tell, do you think is going to happen to Cherry when you show up and start butchering soldiers?”

“They won’t know I’m there.” Son’s fingers tighten around the hilt of his sword. “I’ll kill them all in one night, burn the place, raise a Shadowland from its ashes, and drag Cherry out of there.”

“Do you honestly believe you can accomplish this on your own? Are you truly that confident?”

“When you get down to it, there’s no real difference between the brave and the foolish. That’s one thing I know for certain.“ Son Of Crows tears his sword free with a sound of ripping flesh. He flicks blood from the blade and levels it at Rowan. “Your words aren’t going to stop me, Ringtail. Step. Aside.”

From the brush at the edge of the clearing, a crowd emerges. Summer stands at the front, with Tylina and Atara beside her. Behind them, several Silver Hands roused from their sleep watch the proceedings excitedly. Summer watches with calm posture and smiling eyes, but the women beside her wear their emotions closer to the surface. Tylina looks absolutely terrified, her eyes moving between Rowan and Son several times every second. Atara’s teeth are bared, and her arms are folded in anger. They’ve been instructed not to interfere.

Rowan tilts his head to the side and squares his stance, sizing Son up. He cracks his knuckles and utters the name of his style’s signature stance: “White Reaper Form.” At once, a halo of white light appears above his head. A similar ring of white light forms on the ground around his feet. With a quick gesture, the halos of light begin to spin, moving up and down his body to meet at the level of his outstretched arms. The rings flash with light one more time, and then vanish. Their light suffuses his Anima, creating visible displays of white energy that cloak his arms from his fingertips to the edges of his shoulders. The light looks almost sharp, and when he extends an arm to point towards Son, his Anima glints like the edge of a blade. “Make me.”

And so their battle begins.


...is much too incredible for me to describe, and also, I have a battle that perfectly mirrors my mental image of their battle. It is this (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9n5Tbj9m3s) fight, from an older anime called Jubei Chan. The girl in white is a stand-in for Son Of Crows, the girl in black is a stand in for Rowan Ringtail, and the bystanders in that scene can stand in for the bystanders in this scene. If there’s anyone other than Hiding Dragon reading this thread, you should watch this video purely for the spectacle. It’s everything I’ve ever wanted from an Exalted battle.

And so their battle ends.

Son and Rowan stand on opposite sides of a river, panting with exhaustion. The glowing aura around Rowan’s arms is fading away, sending trails of white energy rising into the air. Son Of Crows is slumped down to one knee as feathers and black blood fall from his body to stain the ground around him. Between them is a massive tree trunk, upended from the earth and robbed of its branches during their battle. It now sits vertically, having fallen end-first into the deep pool below that waterfall at the head of this river.

Summer leaps from the cliff face beside the waterfall, falling gracefully to land atop the tree trunk. “Well, that was certainly an impressive display of combat prowess.” She is smiling from ear to ear. “But I think that I, and Oliver of the Red Stand, would prefer it if this battle came to an end here. Both of you are too exhausted to continue, is that correct?”

Rowan nods and Son grunts in reply, sheathing his sword back in its traditionally resting place..

“And you, Son Of Crows, will listen to reason and work with us to rescue Cherry?”

Son glances between Rowan and Summer, before looking up to see Tylina peeking over the cliff’s edge. “Yeah.”

“Good.” Her smile grows larger, somehow. “Then let us return to Pebble. We have much to discuss.” She leaps back to the top of the waterfall in a single bound, gesturing for Son and Rowan to follow. They do.

[Kymme]

Somewhere in the East.

"Rise and shine, Anathema. We're getting off the boat." Cherry is roused from his trance by Sister Nalen's voice. When he opens his eyes, he sees that their wooden outrigger is sitting in the middle of a grassy field. Brother Dan and the two sellswords have already disembarked, and are currently standing a little off to the side. Sister Nalen sits at the head of the boat, her legs folded beneath her. "You're awake, good. Take him." Hawk steps over and seizes Cherry by the arms, lifting him out of the boat and draping him over Hood's shoulders. Sister Nalen hops off the boat and takes the lead, with the two sellswords behind her. Brother Dan stays behind for a few moments, dismissing the wooden craft with a quick display of essence. Then he joins them.

The five of them move up a steep ridge where the grass grows short and rough, and when they reach the top Cherry finally sees their destination. The early morning light casts its rays down upon a ramshackle camp. The camp is segregated into two main sections. Brown sackcloth tents and shoddily-assembled lean-tos make up the majority of the camp, blanketing the flat ground around a small rocky hill. There is no rhyme or reason to the arrangement of these tents - they seem to have been staked down with no thought put towards their placement. The center of the encampment consists of crisp, clean military tents arranged in a grid pattern, stemming from a spot where the ground splits open in a wide crevice.

As Cherry looks more closely, he sees that the crevice (http://cdn.zenimax.com/akqacms/files/tes/concept_art/NordicBarrowBruin.jpg) that splits the camp seems almost engineered, like foundations with no structure to crown them. Whatever structure must have once spanned that gap is now gone, and the square stones that dot the land around it seem to point to a violent destruction.

And now, approaching further, Cherry sees that the denizens of this camp are even further segregated. Towards the center, warriors in neat beige tunics walk in five-man groups. Most of them wear segmented lamellar armor and carry spears, but those closest to the center are dressed more casually. On the exterior of the camp are villagers. Young men in dirty clothes with improvised weapons are just now emerging from their tents, roused by lone legionnaires. In some places around the camp morning cook-fires are being lit, and somewhere out of sight, a villager has begun to sing in a tenor voice.

Upon noticing Brother Dan and Sister Nalen's return - alongside three newcomers - a murmur spreads through the camp. Quickly, a group of legionnaires assembles and approaches the Exalted, led by a sharply-dressed man (http://i47.tinypic.com/r6wwso.jpg) with straight brown hair. The corners of his lips turn up in a cat-like smile as he hails them. "Sister Nalen! Brother Dan! It's good to see you back. Who are these three?" He tilts his head towards Hood and Hawk, who are still carrying Cherry between them.

Sister Nalen stops to consider her words. "The two on either side are sellswords. We leave them to you." She gestures for Brother Dan to take Cherry from them. Dan scoops Cherry from their shoulders and cradles his still-paralyzed form in his muscular arms. "That one's our prisoner. We're taking him to Lady Berele."

"~Mm. Sounds serious." The brown haired man gives Cherry a casual glance before turning to Hood and Hawk. "Well, you two, if you're looking for work you've come to the right place! We'll see about giving you some uniforms to wear. Follow me!" He and his men take off with the sellswords in tow, leaving Brother Dan, Sister Nalen, and Cherry alone on the hillside. As they make their way into the camp, the conscripted villagers wave to the Immaculates and watch Cherry with confused faces.

What sort of impression does Cherry make on them?

Remember, you're starting this episode with two Hero Points, rather than the usual one.

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry looks to the mortals and shakes his head. He mutters a prayer for the Neverborn to take pity on them. Then he glances up at Brother Dan and knocks the mask he is wearing back a bit to reveal his mouth. "It's so nice and comfortable to be carried by two strong trunk-like arms! Ah~!"

A smile spreads across Cherry's face, cracking his bloodied lips. He wiggles in the Wood Aspect's arms to find even more comfort and lets out a sigh of joy. "So, Dan. Since I may be cut open like a ripe fruit for my murderous actions, would you mind telling me what this litte flower does? I mean, it is fascinating how the essence is being drained from my body, leaveing me a helpless babe! So, mind telling me about it? It was placed by you, after all, you peace loveing monk you!" Cherry smiles a devil smile.

[Kymme]

At Tepet Berele Chisri's Warcamp.

Brother Dan glances down at Cherry with sad eyes. "I'm afraid not, Cherry. Not while it's the only thing we have restraining you. Perhaps, if the Dragons smile upon you, we might discuss it over tea. Would you enjoy that?"

"Don't fraternize with the Anathema, Brother Dan. We're almost there." Sister Nalen motions for him to walk beside her. In the space of a few minutes they've navigated through the conscript camp and into the organized warcamp. Soldiers salute and offer their greetings to the returning Immaculates, and shoot Cherry angry glances. It seems that they already know what he is.

Sister Nalen stops at the edge of the crevice, at the summit of a thin stone staircase. She breathes deeply, composing herself. Then she descends, with Dan behind her. The constant buzz of activity that pervades the camp doesn't seem to carry down here, and the ambient sounds seem to drop away more and more with every step. The bottom of the crevice is like a long stone hallway, widening at both ends. Doors carved into the rock lead into empty rooms along the walls, and a massive object sits at one end of the ravine, obscured by thick cloths.

"L-lady Berele?" Sister Nalen calls out sheepishly into the emptiness. Brother Dan shakes his head. "Brother Dan and I have returned."

"Indeed." A silvery voice echoes through the crevice. At the far end of the ravine, a woman (http://appdata.hungryapp.co.kr/data_file/data_img/201403/07/WxFyT4d139417311185161248.jpg) steps out from under the cloth-covered structure. Her blonde hair falls to her shoulders, short bangs and straight locks framing a thin, serious face. Her eyes are purple, and they observe everything with an air of cool detachment. Her lacquered black armor is arranged smartly, with a red half-cape and an elaborate basket-hilted daiklaive adding color. She is beautiful, in a statuesque, proper sense. "And this prisoner?"

"He is One Blooded Cherrytree, Tepet Berele." Dan's face is unmoving. "The Anathema that slew Brother Gaden in combat. He has given himself up for trial."

"Hm." Tepet Berele Chisri places a delicate hand on her chin, looking Cherry up and down. "Bring him to the war-room."

"Of course, My Lady!" Sister Nalen nods and ushers Brother Dan towards one of the few furnished side chambers.

A grey curtain serves as a door, and the room beyond is dominated by a large pentagonal table with five chairs. Tepet Berele Chisri steps in after them and takes a seat closest to the entrance. "Thank you, Dan. You as well, Nalen. You have both done well in bringing him here. Set him down in that chair." She indicates one of the chairs against the back wall with a slight tilt of her head. "Then you may leave us."

Nalen's eyes widen. "Leave? You're not going to speak with this monster alone, are you? My Lady, he's a murderer! Let me stay with you, as protection!"

"I do not require protection, Sister Nalen. There will be a debriefing later. Leave us."

Nalen recoils as if she's just been struck. She leaves the room dejected. Brother Dan takes the time to set Cherry down gently before bowing to Tepet Berele and leaving.

With the two Immaculates gone, a silence spreads through the war room. Berele steeples her fingers, watching Cherry with eyes simultaneously curious and disinterested.

What does Cherry do?

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry bows his head until the mask falls off. Then he locks eyes with Berele. "Ah, much better. No, no, don't say anything. I know I'm roguishly handsome." Cherry gives a low chuckle and flashes a grin.

"So, I am the murderer of your little air blower. I do have to say he fought with his heart and soul but alas, it wasn't enough. I hope you buried him. I fear the grave I gave him was unfitting of such a noble soul of the dragon-blooded." Cherry can't help but darken his last words with venom. "So, oh mother snake, I am at your mercy. What shall you say? I wonder..."

Cherry snuggles in to the chair and gives her a relaxed face as his eyes dart around the room.

[Kymme]

"Would you care for food and drink? I'm sure that your capture and journey here have left you quite famished." An amused smile graces the corners of Berele's lips. "As far as your appearance is concerned... hm. There are bath-chambers here. You would have a chance to bathe and make yourself presentable before this... trial that Brother Dan mentioned."

She purses her lips. "Before any of that, however, we should talk. I see your eyes wandering. Are you perhaps regretting this course of action? Did you give yourself up willingly, or were you captured? Dan and Nalen did show signs of injury. Were they inflicted by you, One Blooded Cherrytree?"

Manses - Cherry has meager knowledge of these places. Structures built over places where dragon-lines meet, designed to channel the essence of the location up into a usable form.

This Place - From the energy that hangs in the air within the crevice, Cherry can tell that this place is a conflux of dragon-lines. The carved stone rooms and blocks that litter the plain around the hillside seem to suggest that there was once a Manse here, but now it has been reduced to the barest of its foundations. The essence in the air has a pleasant scent, like fresh earth after a rainstorm. The Manse that used to cap this demesne was Earth-Aspected, with a partial leaning towards Water.

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry smiles at the lady. "Ah, that... I heard word of The Chieftain, so I went to slay it for the good of the realm. Sadly, I was defeated. Your two monks must have defeated him or driven him off. I gave up willingly to repent for my sins of murder. I hope I get a fair trial. Now, if I may, I have a question for you. Nice little spot you got here. Sitting pretty on a litte dragon-line, eh? What are you planing to get out of it?"

Cherry focuses on Berele, but he begins to get bored of her and slowly drags his eyes around the room. Tracing the lines of the woodgrain in the chair and table, his eyes eventually drift to the lotus that binds his hands and drains his essence.

[Kymme]

Tepet Berele Chisri says something under her breath while Cherry is speaking, but does not interrupt. When he is finished she waits for a few moments, letting his question hang in the air. "I'm unsure of the customs of the Underworld, One Blooded Cherrytree, but in my homeland prisoners are not permitted to ask questions during an interrogation. However, because you inquired so politely, I'll tell you." She sits back in her chair, relaxing her body. "This location is of value to my forces for several reasons: Earth is the most stable element, and the presence of this demesne keeps the surrounding area free from falling victim to storms, erosion, and wild predators. Herd animals naturally gravitate to this place as a safe haven, so my soldiers are at no loss for wild game. Crops grow well here, as the soil is suffused with earth essence. All of these traits and more make this place a perfect base camp. It came as a great surprise to find this place without a village atop it."

Tepet Berele leans forward, resting her elbows on the table. "Now let me ask you, One Blooded Cherrytree: What are you planning to get out of this trial?"

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry burst into laughter. "What do I want to get out of this? HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM! I don't really know, maybe to rid myself of guilt? My Lady Berele, can I call you that? My Lady or My Lord or Madam or Miss or Be or Earth Lady? Oh, I like that last one." Cherrys lips curl back to show his perfect polished teeth.

"Now, about my sleeping quarters. Am I going to get the darkest filth-ridden one out of all them? I'm rather tired." His eyes flutter and he lets out a loud yawn. He hangs his head, giving Berele a sleepy smile.

[Kymme]

Tepet Berele smiles back at Cherry. "I wouldn't worry about it. I know you don't really need to sleep. As an aside, that little 'sleepy child' act you're trying to pass off as actual fatigue is somewhat cute. Were you an actor in a past life?"

She leans back from the table and sighs. "Also, if you wish to maintain some veneer of civility, you should refer to me as Berele. I am not your Lady, nor am I your Sister."

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry narrows his eyes, focusing on Berele. "Okay, I'll drop the act. No, I was not a actor. I was a wandering monk, speaking my words of wisdom until I was flayed alive and I gave my soul to the Neverborn and became what you see today. "Cherry wiggles, trying to sit straighter in his seat.

"Got anymore questions, Berele? Now I wondering why you don't just lash me to a pyre since I'm demon in your eyes. Even with fogged eyes you shall never see who I really am at heart." Cherry seals his lips after the last words drop from his mouth.

[Kymme]

"Much better."

Tepet Berele leans in close again. "You're much too presumptuous, One Blooded Cherrytree. I haven't referred to you as Anathema once since my fellow monks brought you in. And you're right. I could have ordered you burned at the stake the moment I saw you. Brother Dan might have taken issue with it, but he's kind and loyal to a fault, and would never question my judgement. Sister Nalen and Sister Loria would have seen it as justice: punishing a murderous demon." Her eyes meet Cherry's. "But would killing you really be justice? Dragonblooded in my homeland perish all the time in duels to the death, and the killers are excused from any wrongdoing. Does the identity of the killer change the verdict? Tell me true, One Blooded Cherrytree: Are you one of the heartless demons my Faith makes you out to be?"

[Hiding Dragon]

"No!" Cherry tries to rock forward in his chair, to no avail. Roaring with righteous anger, Cherry's red eyes become a new shade of crimson and his teeth become keen fangs. "I am not the demon your faith see me as! I want to be free of my bonds to live a carefree life in happiness. I hate that blood must stain my hands if I want to be with the people I regard as friends. I want to teach my student to be strong, to not fear the world! Four days ago I saved a village from a beast named Grah the Fat and his group of bandit thugs. The village was only in danger because you stripped away its young men and fighters! My goal, my only goal, is to kill my former master, the Deathlord called The Bishop Of The Chalendony Thurible!"

Cherrys face burns with white fury. His arms shake feebly despite their paralysis and Cherry tries to break through the fog of pain that keeps his body still. He stops when his eyes come to rest upon the lotus blossom between his wrists, and he begins to calm down.

[Kymme]

"I see." Tepet Berele Chisri's eyes shine with clarity. "I know little of your origin and your nature, but I know that there is no deceit in your voice. If peace is what you desire, and your true fight lies with your former master, then perhaps we can be of use to one another."

She pushes away from the table and stands. "But first things first, you must be made presentable." The Immaculate walks around the table to Cherry, keeping herself between him and the door. She reaches out and tenderly plucks the lotus from his wrists. The flower comes loose easily, its roots giving up their hold with no resistance. Instantly, Cherry feels the paralysis leave him. He still feels week, and his body throbs with the dull remembrance of pain, but his body can move again.

Tepet Berele Chisri stands beside him, still holding the lotus. She extends her free hand gallantly, silently offering to help Cherry to his feet.

[Hiding Dragon]

"Of use to each other? This is surprising to hear." Cherry takes her hand and stands. His body aches and his bones pop as he stretches. "Ah~ Much better. Now, what do you wish of me besides looking good?"

[Kymme]

In the Heart of Tepet Berele's Camp.

"Hm... what do I wish..?" Tepet Berele leads Cherry outside, back into the bottom of the ravine. The sun is rising, but the depth of the crevice keeps most of it cloaked in shadows. She guides him to the northern tip of the ravine, where it extends just under the hill above and forms a high-ceilinged circular chamber. Entrances blocked off by curtains lead in all directions to more rooms beneath the hill. Tepet Berele stops before one of these curtains, and gestures for Cherry to step inside.

The room beyond is modestly furnished, with metal braziers providing modest light and a pleasing scent. There are stacks of cloths and clothes in one corner of the chamber. Three stone baths (http://www.haaretz.com/polopoly_fs/1.598800.1446390030!/image/2617609507.jpg_gen/derivatives/headline_609x343/2617609507.jpg) are carved into the floor of the chamber, and the water within is clear and clean.

The curtain closes as soon as Cherry steps inside, and he can hear the faint sounds of Tepet Berele stepping away from the entrance and sitting down. After a few moments, she speaks. "I suppose that, in the future, I'd wish for you to not kill anymore of my Sworn Brotherhood. They're experience warriors and very valuable to my cause. Some of them are even decent people." Then, after a pause. "Feel free to dress yourself in whatever robes you find in there."

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry whistles at the sight of the baths. He tears off his old robes, the robes the Bishop gave him, and jumps into the water with loud splash. After a few moments Cherry's head resurfaces.

"Ah, this is lovely! Berele, I thank you for granting me such a wonderous gift!"

About a hour passes before Cherry stands and goes to look at the clothes in the corner. It is only then that he answers Berele. "I... I really did not mean to kill him. He and a red-headed woman were attacking a man that I saw as a friend. I did not see it as a fair battle: two Immaculate monks chasing after a grievously wounded man. So I stepped in, ended up using one of my Charms on him, and killed him." Cherry picks up a robe and puts it on, sliping only one arm through to wear it open like a toga. He steps through the curtain and turns to face Berele.

"What happens now? I do hope I'll have a chance to drink some tea with Dan. He invited me to do so. I like him. He's a kind soul. I could never see him engaged in violence."

Cherry folds his arms and waits for Berele to speak.

[Kymme]

"Now, you come with me to the camp. Now that you're presentable, it's time to show you to my soldiers and my Sworn Brotherhood. After that, you're going into that chamber -" She points to a a chamber seemingly at random. "- to await your trial. Tomorrow. I'll come and visit you at midnight, so that we may continue our discussion."

Tepet Berele Chisri rests one hand on the hilt of her sword, and with the other passes Cherry's demonic mask back to him. "It's imperative that you still look the part of a demon. That way, it will be much more dramatic when you fling your mask aside to reveal your true face during the trial." Then she starts up the stone staircase, tilting her head to signal for Cherry to follow.

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry regards the mask in his hands and remembers Atara. He looks up and places it on his face. "Berele, may I ask what you are playing at?" He stalks up the staircase after her.

[Kymme]

"I'm not one for games, One Blooded Cherrytree. I'm not 'playing at' anything." Tepet Berele doesn't stop or turn back, she simply speaks with the assumption that Cherry will hear her. "Though you should know now that I have no intentions of having you killed." When she reaches the top of the stairs she turns back. "I'll explain the rest tonight."

Immediately south of the crevice, in the absolute center of the camp, there is a wide stone large enough for a dozen men to stand comfortably on its flat surface. Tepet Berele Chisri steps onto the stone, with Cherry in tow. Cherry can feel the rock shift ever so slightly as they do so, as if the boulder were rising slightly higher into the air. From Cherry's perspective, it is as if they are standing atop a great stage, and the soldiers and conscripts waiting before them are their eager audience.

Well, they're mostly Berele's audience. "Noble warriors of the Wyld Hunt!" Berele's silvery voice carries out over the plain, and even those late-rising souls who are still shaking off the bonds of sleep crane their necks to face her. Cherry can detect a flow of essence coming from her, from some sort of Terrestrial Charm. "We have made a great triumph in our war against the Anathema!" She places a hand on Cherry's shoulder and forces him to his knees beside her. "This murderous demon has been captured by our Immaculate Shikari! He was defeated in battle, and is now our prisoner!"

The crowd's attention is now focused on him, and Cherry can feel the weight of their hateful glares. At the front of the crowd stand the three Immaculates: Sister Nalen and Brother Dan, as well as the tattooed brawler that managed to escape Cherry and Son after their first battle. The two women's eyes are narrowed, but Dan's droop with a strange sorrow. Behind them are Berele's Realm legionnaires, lead by a man and woman in crisp white buff coats. Hawk and Hood wait with them as well. Further back are the conscripts, many of whom are desperately trying to press through the crowd to get a better look at this mysterious prisoner.

Only Cherry notices a figure cresting the eastern hill: a young traveler with a small bird, perhaps a thrush or robin, perched on her shoulder. Its feathers form a strange pattern of black and white stripes. The girl is clad in a simple sackcloth dress and shawl that conceal her lean dancer's physique. Her black hair pools at her shoulders, giving her head a triangular silhouette against the mid-morning son. Tylina. (https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/0d/36/74/0d3674c1af099f191f3bdbf18e91e4e6.jpg) She hurries into the camp while everyone is distracted.

"Now, my faithful warriors, take heed! This monster wishes to repent for his sins. He wishes to have a trial!" A wave of jeers and boos pass through the crowd. Tepet Berele nods. "Unheard of, isn't it? Well, I intend to oblige this demon!" Now she has the crowd's full attention. "Tomorrow, when the sun reaches its zenith, we will have our trial! Tomorrow, when the sun reaches its zenith, we will have a trial! BY! COMBAT!" She raises her fist into the air in a soldier's salute, and the crowd mimics her gesture. The three Immaculate monks share looks of confusion, but shrug and raise their fists as well.

The crowd cheers as Tepet Berele leads Cherry from the boulder back down into the ravine, across the bottom, to the chamber she mentioned earlier. She places Cherry inside and stands in the doorway, hands on her hips. "Pretty convincing, right? By the way, I'm the one you'll be fighting." Then, with a quick twist of her heel and a pulse of essence, she forces the stone of the entrance to close up, creating a solid wall with only a tiny hole as a window to the outside world. Through it, Cherry can hear the sounds of Berele's boots on the stone floor of the ravine. There almost seems to be a spring in her step.

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry looks at the new door and smiles. He turns around and pulls a prayer strip from his sleeve and reads aloud as he writes on it with conjured red ink. "Dear Berele, I got quite lonely in this cold room so I thought that now would be a great time to go and have tea with Brother Dan. Don't worry, I will behave myself in his presence. Your pet demon, Cherry."

Cherry reads the note over in his head and nods. He picks up the curtain and lays it out on the ground and places the note in the middle. That work done, Cherry begins to speak the first few words of an old mantra.

"Scatter to the four forsaken winds. Let my body become the falling petals of spring and let oblivion guide my hand! Petal Scattering Technique!" Cherry slaps both his palms together and explodes into a shower of dark crimson petals that reform into a fascimile of his normal body. He observes his petal hands, then turns to the hole in the stone wall. Cherry transforms back into a flurry of petals and wafts through it with ease.

When he reappears, dismisses the previous charm and utters a new mantra. "I take this face for the sake of want and may their eyes burn with the unholy fire of Oblivion! Dead Man's Shade!" He rips at his face as if removing a mask, revealing a young green-eyed man's face with a small pointy beard and wide shoulders. The words Touch and Die are tattooed in Low Realm characters on his bare chest.

Cherry then sets out to find Brother Dan and Tylina.

[Kymme]

The bottom of the ravine is clear of activity - good. If there was anyone down here it would have ended Cherry's excursion before it began. As he begins ascending the stone staircase, Cherry spies a small bird perched on the ravine's high eastern edge. The white and black stripes that ring its body pin it as the same bird that was sitting on Tylina's shoulder perhaps five minutes ago when she entered the camp. The bird takes flight as Cherry reaches the top of the stairs and emerges into daylight once more.

The training grounds in the middle of the camp have thinned out somewhat. Now, formations of soldiers spar against each other, while the sharply-dressed officer instructs a pack of conscripts on the basics of spear-fighting. The conscripts wield all manner of improvised weapons, from pitchforks to tent-poles to broom-handles, but they strike and block with an almost supernatural precision. Cherry can feel the telltale pulse of essence coming from their instructor - a Dragonblooded. He's utilizing some sort of Charm to enhance his instruction. Further off, several older conscripts sit in a circle, sharpening knives and arrowheads. Brother Dan is nowhere to be found, and Tylina is probably somewhere on the outer edge of the camp.

"Hey, you!" A guttural voice turns Cherry's attention away from the training grounds. Two legionnaires have stood up from a game of dice, and watch Cherry suspiciously. "What are you doing over there? Only the monks are allowed down in the ravine!"

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry looks at them and raises an eyebrow. "Who, me? I am on my way to have tea with Brother Dan! He honors me with his invitation! But I am lost, I fear. Can you set me on the right path to the good Brother?"

His assumed voice is strong, with a touch of excitement. His eyes beam with glee every time he says Dan's name.

[Kymme]

"Mm... Brother Dan does have a bit of a soft spot for the locals..." The first legionnaire brings a hand up to his chin. Cherry's enthusiasm seems to have convinced him.

"And we ought to get back to our game." His partner, a white haired young woman, chimes in.

"Yeah, yeah, alright." He relents, sitting back down. "Hey, conscript. If you're looking for the good Brother, he's over at that tent with the blue banner." He waves his hand, but doesn't gesture to any specific tent. "I wouldn't disturb him right now, though. He's talking with Lady Berele the Sinless."

The two legionnaires turn away from Cherry, leaving him unattended. He can see, just on the south-west side of the gorge, the broad tent with the blue banner that the legionnaire described. He can also see a tall, turret-like tent sitting in the middle of the conscript part of camp. The white-and-black robin sits atop the highest tent-pole, head on a swivel.

Where does Cherry go?

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry shrugs and goes to the tent with the blue banner.

(Wow mortals are so stupid. I still need to be careful, and make sure no one touches me. Hey, with my luck I may even get to see my student! ...Wait, that would be stupid. I need to keep her in the dark for now. She can't be seen with me, even in this disguise. It would put her at too much risk. Onwards! I wonder what they are talking about. It would be useful to know.)

Cherry walks through the camp without a care in the world, whistling a tune.
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydif3oFY3OY)

[Kymme]

No one else calls accosts Cherry as he makes his way across the training grounds and to the blue-banner tent.

When he nears, he can hear Berele's voice. "You were unable to witness him in combat, then?"

"Aside from blasts of black essence on the horizon, no." Sister Nalen makes a harrumphing sound from within the tent. "He seems like some kind of mage or something. You can never really pin down the powers of an Anathema. Every single one has a totally different set of powers."

"He might have other talents, as well." Dan's voice is soft. "Before I restrained him, he moved with elegant poise and posture. He didn't carry any weapons, so I imagine he'd have to rely on his body in physical engagements. He probably has training as a martial artist. And, as an Anathema, he might have knowledge of Celestial Martial Arts."

"I see. It won't rule it out." Cherry can hear Tepet Berele moving inside the tent. "The debriefing is over. You are both free to resume your duties, but remain ever vigilant. The Lunar Anathema allies you mentioned might be in our midst as we speak."

After a few moments, Sister Nalen and Brother Dan exit the tent, followed by Tepet Berele. Sister Nalen waits for Berele before taking her side and following her to the training grounds, but Brother Dan moves in the opposite direction, towards the conscript tents on the east edge of the encampment.

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry moves and acts like any other mortal, until he sees Dan in front of him. His face curls into a sinster smile.

"Brother Dan! Brother Dan! I've been looking for you everywhere!" Cherry raises his arm and waves at the burly monk.

[Kymme]

Brother Dan turns, surprised, when Cherry calls out to him. Confusion crosses his face as he looks Cherry up and down. "Y-you have? Who might you be, exactly?"

Nearby legionnaires pause in their patrols and glance towards Cherry. A conscript calling out to one of the Immaculate monks doesn't appear to be a common occurrence.

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry's face twists up in a mixture of hurt and confusion. "What? I'm hurt, Brother Dan. My name is Yan Crimson-Tree! You invited to tea, don't you recall?"

Cherry steps forward, his eyes flashing to their normal red color for a moment as he gives Dan a toothy grin.

[Kymme]

Recognition flashes in Dan's eyes, followed immediately by shock. "Oh, of course, um, Yan! Why, I was just about to start looking for you! Follow me!" Brother Dan takes off deeper into the military camp, weaving through tents until he comes to a nondescript tent with its open flap waving in the breeze.

"Ha, yes, Yan, right through here!" He ushers Cherry inside the tent and pins the flap closed behind him. When Dan turns back to Cherry, he is livid. "What are you doing!? You're supposed to be in a chamber at the bottom of the ravine, awaiting your trial! You defy Tepet Berele Chisri and the will of the Immaculate Dragons by being here, and by all rights I should take you back to that cell myself! What do you have to say for yourself, One Blooded Cherrytree?!"

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry smiles at Dan but quickly puts on his best pouting face. "My word, Dan, is this how you greet a friend? I'm starting to sense you don't like my company. Tsk tsk... I'm a whole lot of fun you know." Cherry narrows his eyes. "So, about this tea you promised... And while you're at it, you will tell me about the lotus you placed on me. My essence is coming back but the flower still lives." Cherry strokes his beard.

"Hey if it helps you out: after you tell me what I want to know and we sip some tea, you can take me yourself. It would probably be a great boon for Dan the Gentle to be seen capturing the runnaway demon Cherry." Cherry narrows his eyes and smiles a demon smile. "So, whatcha say?"

[Kymme]

Brother Dan turns away from Cherry. "I say..." He walks down the middle of the tent, down a narrow passageway that carves through all of the supplies and rations stored within. He rummages through a stack of boxes at the far end and emerges with a tea set. "That you're getting awfully bold." Had you encountered any of my fellow Shikari, they would not have given up the chance to attack you and slay you for good." He arranges a small folding table between them, and the tea ceremony begins.

"Yes, you should feel your essence returning normally." Brother Dan nods. "Soul-Devouring Lotus strips away all of the essence in your body and stores it within the flower, but when it is removed there is nothing to siphon away new energy." He takes a sip of tea. "The lotus still blooms because it has grown fat on your essence, and it will continue to survive if it is planted. If you wish to regain your essence quickly, you could consume the petals. I... wouldn't recommend doing that, though. The sudden influx of essence, even your own, could change the way energy flows through your body."

[Hiding Dragon]

“Hmmm…” Cherry sips the tea and licks his lips for its some of the first food he has had since he and Atara left the Laughing lodge. “Dan...” Cherry turns the cup in his hands, watching the monk with serious eyes.
“I trust you because you are not like your fellow Shikari. Your heart is large and your intentions are filled with wisdom and kindness. I don’t have want for sympathy, but put yourself in my spot for a moment.”
Cherry takes one last sip from the dark tea and sets it down.
“I am an Anathema that just wants to be free of his former Deathlord master. I was flayed alive because I wanted to share my ideals of peace and happiness. I gave my name to the Neverborn for another chance at life, but that was a mistake. The horrors I have seen are innumerable, and each is worse than the last. I ran as hard and as fast as I could from that life, but before I did I made a vow to not be a killer. I was designed by the Bishop – rather, he sculpted me into who I am now. I return to creation and am spat upon by the people without them even knowing me at all. Men call me demon who will never know what lies within my heart. “
Cherry places his hand over his heart.
“I don’t have a heartbeat, but I care deeply for my friends. The Lunar you saw me with, a woman who’s family you want to destroy. A fellow Abyssal I saved from your Shikari Brotherhood, whom I regard as a brother in arms. A mortal girl who is now my student, whose life I saved from a beastman and his bandit thugs. Her village was stripped of young men and fighters because your order coerced them into fighting a fight they will not survive.”
Cherry places his hands on his knees, curling them into fists.
“I am not a leader. I am just a fallen monk and I look to you for friendship because out the entire lot of them.” Cherry points towards the entrance to the tent. “I don’t see you as an enemy. You do not torture me with mind game like your fair lady does. She let me bathe and clean myself and talk to her like a lowly mortal, but she does not strike me down when am right in front of her at my most vulnerable. She needs me for something and that should make the both of us worry.”
The entire time, Cherry is staring into Dan’s eyes and bringing forth as much emotion as he can without bursting at the seams.
“Now tell me, how do you think it feels to be me? A demon in the eyes of mortals, and a tool in the eyes of the Dragonblooded.”
Cherry looks away and downs the rest of his tea

[Kymme]

Creases of worry cross Brother Dan's face, and for a moment he looks much older - or perhaps his true age, for Dragonblooded can live for centuries.

"I... I am sorry to hear all of that, Cherry. But my faith and my loyalty prevent me from working against the will of the Dragons. I know that Berele has a plan for you, and that is to be expected. I have faith in her, as well, and I am sure that her intentions are utterly pure and without sin. It is our quest as monks of the Immaculate Faith and Shikari of the Wyld Hunt to dole out justice in all its forms, to all the creatures of Creation." He sits a moment in contemplation, and takes a sip from his tea.

"You will receive justice, One Blooded Cherrytree. I trust that you did what you did in the heat of a battle to the death, and that the Dragons will be understanding and merciful."

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry shurgs and nods his head. "Okay, then tell me what your Lady has planned for me and also..." he glances down at his clenched fists "...tell me what you know about my fighting ablilities."

[Kymme]

Brother Dan shakes his head, looking up at Cherry with sad eyes. "I don't know what her 'plan' with you might be, but I've presided over trials by combat before. Cherry, any of us could be matched against you as an opponent. Sister Nalen, Sister Loria, or perhaps even one of the Dragonblooded soldiers who accompany us. Even I might be matched against you. I -" He stops himself and stares into his teacup.

"But enough of that unpleasantness. You asked me an honest question, and I am obliged to give you an answer. I know nothing of your fighting abilities, Cherry. Sister Nalen and I observed your battle with the Chieftain from a distance as we approached, but all we saw were blasts of shadowy essence. Why do you ask?"

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry gives Dan an odd look, a bizarre smile on his face. Then his eyes surge with energy and he clears the table. Cherry stands up to his full height, tearing the disguise from his face like old cobwebs. "For the element of surprise, of course!"

Cherry flips the folding table and claps his hands together. Just as the table touches the ground the Abyssal explodes in a shower of cherry blossoms. The petals move past Dan, gathering into a faint outline just behind him. Blossom Cherry strokes his blossom chin, scattering petals onto the entrance to Dan's tent. Then he flutters out of then tent, high into the air, where everyone can see him. Like lightning, Cherry darts down to where his cell is and snakes into the small hole of the cell, cancelling the charm and reappearing in the middle of the room.

He sits down with a wide girn on his face and begins prayings to the Neverborn to grant him strength with which he can face the coming battles.

[Kymme]

Through the tiny hole in Cherry's cell, he can hear the echoes of some sort of commotion outside. It appears that his appearance made quite a stir among the camp above, and the echoes of their shouts and frantic movement meander down the ravine to him. An hour passes before the noise quiets down, and then Cherry hears footsteps ringing off the stone of the crevice floor. Several people enter the ravine and move to its shaded northern edge. They speak in low voices and keep out of Cherry's field of view. Despite their distance, Cherry recognizes the voices of the Immaculates. An hour or so passes, and the Sworn Brotherhood exits the ravine and reenters the camp.

Time moves, and the sun sets. At the cusp of dusk, Cherry hears the voices of the Neverborn prodding at the inside of his skull. They don't seem happy with him, and Cherry can feel their displeasure in the Resonance that has been building within him. The pain is particularly acute tonight, though the exact reason eludes him.

The miasma of pain is dispersed the second Cherry hears scuffling outside his cell, within the ravine. There is the faint sound of rocks hitting stone, then a quiet yelp before a dull thumping noise. "Toldya I could climb down, Rowan. Cherry? Teacher, are you here?" Tylina steps into Cherry's view, slowly and stealthily picking her way along a trail of cherry blossoms. She has donned a muted grey cloak that reflects the moonlight in such a way as to mimic the nearby rocks. She creeps up to Cherry's cell and leans against the wall. Cherry cannot see her, but he can hear his apprentice's breathing in the night. "You in there, Teacher?"

It's almost midnight.

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry bolts upright in alarm the moment he hears his student. He rushes out in his bloosom form and reforms before her, hugging her tightly before releasing her and stepping back. He keeps his hands clasped tight on her shoulders. "What in the nonexistant names of the Neverborn are you doing here!?"

He struggles to keep his voice low as it wavers between happiness and anger. "No time! Damn it! Where is Ringtail? That damed bastard - I'll rip his hide off for letting you come here!" Cherry is totally ignoring the bird with her. "They are coming to fetch me right now. You need to run." He looks around to see if anyone is coming.

[Kymme]

Apart from his own voice echoing through the ravine, all is silent. Cherry sees no one. Midnight approaches, but there are still a few fleeting minutes before it arrives.

Tylina lets out a little frightened sqeak when Cherry bursts from his cell and greets her

"I - um... nice to see you, too!" Confusion and surprise (https://avvesione.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/kotoura_san-03-haruka-funny_face-blush-reaction-shock-surprise-comedy-cute.jpg) paint Tylina's face. The white and black bird alights on a nearby outcropping, looking down at the two of them. It shakes its head.

Tylina keeps her voice down, using an almost consoling tone with her teacher. "It's alright. The Lunars didn't force me to be here; I came because I wanted to! I wanted to do something to help you. Son's been teaching me some hiding tricks, and Atara whipped up this cloak so that I'd be prepared. Plus, I have an easy reason to get into the camp. My father and my sister are both here, and they vouched for me! They also helped cover for my 'pet bird'." She glances over her shoulder at the bird, which continues to shake its head. "The Immaculates kill stray animals on principle, so a suspicious bird flying alone would be an easy target for them. Not so much when it's one of the villager's beloved pets." She smiles and pats Cherry's arms, prompting him to let her go.

"Rowan is keeping watch with his Lunar senses, so we'll have advance warning if I need to hide and get out of here." She runs a hand along her grey cloak. "We need to talk. The Lunars have a couple questions for you: What is this signal you intend to give? What would you have them do in response to your signal?"

[Hiding Dragon]

"I will shoot up a cherry blossom symbol, but I need all the Lunars and their forces to be as close and unnoticed. I will be in a dual with one of these idiot monks, and that's when you will stike."

Cherry smiles at her like a long lost friend. "So, your father and sister. What are they like? Do they know that you're the student of a demon?" He folds his arms.

[Kymme]

"I will shoot up a cherry blossom symbol, but I need all the Lunars and their forces to be as close and unnoticed. I will be in a dual with one of these idiot monks, and that's when you will strike."

"When will this duel take place? Summer is whipping up the Silver Hands into a war party, and it'll be a few days before they get into position. Wherever that is."


"So, your father and sister. What are they like? Do they know that you're the student of a demon?"

"Um, no." Tylina waves her arms, as if dismissing the notion. "They're... family. More importantly, they're still fine. My sister's really gung-ho about proving herself as a faithful soldier of the Wyld Hunt. I think she might have a crush on one of the officers. My father just wants to be back home with his fishing rod and his big hat. I told him about Grah attacking the village, and he just about packed up and ran off."

Tylina looks up into the night sky for a moment, contemplating her next words. "Cherry, I don't want there to be a battle." She stares into his eyes with bright certainty. "These people... they aren't evil. The conscripts are all caught up in these fantasies of proving themselves as proud warriors and purging evil from their lands. The soldiers are just following orders and trying to be loyal to the Realm. They think that what they're doing is for the greater good, just like we do. Do they deserve to die for it?"

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry's mouth is drawn into a line. His eyes flicker like unholy fires. He feels a faint wetness cross his cheeks. "My student... a wild fire will burn, and it will consume everything that gets between it and its goal. The hate the Realm has for us Exalted, it is because of the Snakeblooded. They make the Exalted into beasts for mortals to fear and hate so they can be seen as the saviors of Creation. I'm sorry, but the mortals that are blinded by the snakes will be the first to go in a all-out fight. If you try to wake them from their dream they will burn you at the pyre for being 'tainted' by demons. I do not think they deserve it, but if they are not willing to see things from another perspective then this is how it will be. I tell you this as your friend and teacher." Cherry looks pained to tell her this, but keeps a stern face.

[Kymme]

Tylina's lip quivvers and her shoulders shake with aggrievement. She covers her mouth with her hands to stifle herself, furrowing her brow. "Y-you..." Her arms drop to her sides, hands curled into fists. "You're wrong." It's almost a whisper, but the burning determination in her eyes makes her voice seem as loud as blaring horns. "You're wrong, Teacher. These people - my people - can change. They might be blinded by the Immaculate's dogma, but they can see the truth if we show it to them. I'll prove it. I swear it to you."

Before she can utter another word, a faint chirp echoes through the ravine. The bird perched above Cherry and Tylina furiously shakes its head, one wing pointed towards the nearest staircase. Berele is coming.

"I have to go, Teacher." Tylina gives Cherry a quick hug before swaddling herself with her cloak. It shimmers with moonlight, letting it and its wearer vanish from sight. "Just you wait, Cherry. I'll save them yet."

And then she is gone. The bird above takes off, disappearing into the night sky. Cherry is alone, save for the sounds of Tepet Berele descending the stone staircase. She hasn't seen him yet.

What does Cherry do?

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry spits at the ground. "Fine, but if you get flayed you will kill me."

He leans against his cell door and slides down it in dismay, his palms on his eyes. "What hell have I walked into?" He pulls his knees to his chest.

"Oooh, Lady Berele, it's midnight...." Cherry sits and waits for her.

[Kymme]

"Of course I'd find you outside of your cell." Berele steps off of the staircase and crosses the distance to Cherry, her boots clicking on the smooth stones. Stops a few paces in front of him and sits down. "What keeps you here? If you can simply escape your cell and conjure clouds of Cherry petals, why are you still my prisoner?"

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry looks up at her and stand and smiles. "I'm just enjoying myself too much. I'm sure that you enjoy my company, so lets go to this little midnight meeting you have arranged."

He raises his eyebrows, silently asking her to lead him.

[Kymme]

"We're not going anywhere." Tepet Berele's body shimmers with essence that dissipates into the air around them. In an instant, all of the nighttime sounds vanish, and it is perfectly silent. "I'm not worried about being seen."

She folds her hands together and watches Cherry intently. "In twelve hours, you are going to fight against me in a trial to absolve you of your sins and earn your freedom. And I am going to lose. After the trial by combat, what will you do?"

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry's eyebrows threaten to fly off his face. "You lose? You mean flat on your back praying up to thoses Dragons with blood filling your lungs? What, are you going to throw the fight? What reason do you have?" Cherry points are her. "What affections do you have for me in that stone you call a heart!?"

[Kymme]

Berele chuckles to herself. "You make bold accusations, One Blooded Cherrytree. No, I do not intend for my defeat to be that gruesome. Perhaps an impassioned 'I yield' will suffice? If yielding after being dealt a devastating blow counts as throwing the fight, then yes, I suppose. And don't hold any particular affection for you, don't fool yourself. I'm going to let you win the trial because I need a messenger. If I were to send one of my soldiers, or one of my Sworn Brothers to invite the Lunars to parley, they'd be killed on the spot. You, however..." She looks him up and down. "You're an ally of the Lunars, no? When you return to them, you would be in a prime position to invite them to meet with me so that we may come to terms. I'm a firm believer in the power of diplomacy, after all."

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry seizes Berele by the arm. "What are you playing at!? You have not won my respect or trust! What you're saying goes against everything your order stands for!"

His voice is like the snarl of a wild beast. "Why would I ever do anything for you? Will you be backed by your Brotherhood?"

[Kymme]

Berele's voice is calm and even, though her body tenses under Cherry's grip. "I'm not playing at anything. I've already told you I'm not one for games. You haven't earned my respect or trust either, but I am willing to put my faith in you for the sake of peace. Also, my order? You're much to presumptuous. I am not an Immaculate monk. I am a soldier of House Tepet. The members of my Sworn Brotherhood trust my judgement. One of them is outright smitten with me. As for why you should so something for me..." Her face darkens. "I assure you that the stone I call a heart is much more inviting than the flames of a heretic's pyre." She realizes what she's implying and shakes her head.

"No, no, that's not what I want to say." She looks at Cherry again, with pleading eyes. "One Blooded Cherrytree, I understand you. Nothing compels you to do anything for me apart from your own desire for peace. Do you want war, One Blooded Cherrytree? I do not. I despise war - bloody conflicts have taken everything from my family and my House, and I do not want another bloody conflict here."

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry is taken back Berele's words. He grits his teeth, the Abyssal fire within him shining like a dark sun. A war rages in his mind but the conflict is ended quickly. Cherry brings her close to his chest in an embrace. Through clenched theeth he whispers words into her ear. "Fine, child. I will seek peace but I ask of you to promise me. What will you swear on? As a solider - no, as a living being. Tell me from that roaring pyre you wish to call a heart."

Cherry pushes her away with his hand on her arm and looks deeply into her eyes, longing for the answer that will change his mind and end to this small war.

[Kymme]

"I swear upon the blood my mother, Elyre, and the soul of my father, Benrel. I swear upon the ghosts of the brave soldiers of the Tepet Legions, killed in their moment of weakness. I swear upon the Vermillion Legion and its leader, my cousin Ejava the Roseblack; may their infamy grant them strength. I swear upon my own heart, and the hearts and souls of House Tepet, that I will do all that is within my power to maintain peace in this valley. I swear this before you, One Blooded Cherrytree, beneath the moon and the stars and the watchful eyes of my ancestors."

Tepet Berele Chisri is quiet for a while. It seems she is waiting for Cherry to speak.

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry takes a few steps backwards and narrows his eyes before beginning his prayer.

"I, One Blooded Cherrytree, hereby swear upon my unholy masters the Neverborn, upon the graves even the crows must weep over, and all the darkness in Oblivion; to bring peace to this valley. No innocent blood shall be spilled unless warranted by the careless spilling of blood." Cherry moves back up to Berele. "Now I shall seal this covenant between I, One Blooded Cherrytree, Midnight Caste Abyssal, and Tepet Berele Chisri the Sinless of House Tepet, Earth Accepted Dragonblooded. May the night sky and the darkness bear witness to the sealing of this covenant." Cherry leans in and kisses Berele on the lips, only for a fleeting moment, and most assuredly not with passion. He bounces backwards and obeserves her reaction.

[Kymme]

For the first time since meeting her, Cherry observes Berele's composure break. She recoils as if she's just been spooked, and redness spreads across her neck and face. "I-I... when we duel, I'll make sure to pay you back for that. Good night, One Blooded Cherrytree." She turns and marches towards the stone staircase that leads out of the ravine. "Also, get back into your cell. We can't have anyone see you out in the open like that." She reaches the top of the staircase and disappears, and the sounds of the night return. Cherry is alone once more, forced to simply wait for daylight.

In the back of his head, he can hear music. Strange, the words sound so familiar...


~ending theme~ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFJGsc5k1Xg)

[Kymme]

~opening theme~ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOkzUJd3B7M)

Cherry awakens to the sound of chanting wafting through the hole into his cell. Daylight filters through as well. It takes him a few moments to rise, and then the doorway sinks down into the floor. The chanting becomes whooping and hollering, and Cherry steps out into the light.

Every doorway at the bottom of the ravine has been sealed by rock, creating a swath of flat land between two high stone walls. Peeking over the edges of the ravine are Berele's legionnaires, and towards the south side of the ravine, conscripts have gathered to watch the proceedings. Standing before the conscripts are Berele and the three remaining members of her Sworn Brotherhood. Brother Dan stands resolute, with his arms folded across his chest. Sister Nalen's teeth are barred, and her hands are balled into fists. The fiery sister Loria stands between them, shouting and jeering with the rest of the crowd. In the center of it all is Tepet Berele Chisri, half-cape fluttering in the wind.

"One Blooded Cherrytree!" Her voice is silvery, mixing beauty and power. "You have come here to absolve yourself of your sins. I have accepted that request, and your ordeal shall take the form of a trial by combat! This fight shall persist until one of us yields, or is rendered incapable of continuing. We shall fight with the full glory of our essence, and duel until a victor is assured. If you defeat me, you shall be absolved of your sins, and if you fail, you will taste the fires of the Dragons!" This elicits a cheer from the gathered crowd. Berele smiles, drawing her daiklaive from her hip. "What say you, One Blooded Cherrytree?"

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry looks skyward and reaches out as if trying to capture the sun in his pale finges. He lowers his hands and places one on his demon mask. "O child of holy fury, come down to smite me. I am a demon." His form shakes with barely-restrained laughter. "If your dare to invoke my demonic wrath may your blood coat the earth and may my will turn this land black and silent! I, Cherry, will steal the love from your still-beating heart!"

Cherry swipes off the demon mask to reval his face, then he rises his hand skywards once more. "COME, MY CREATION! FEAST UPON THIS MAIDEN'S BONES AND HEAR HER WAILS! COME, GASHADOKURO! (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3a/Mitsukuni_defying_the_skeleton_spectre_invoked_by_ princess_Takiyasha.jpg)" He forms a black orb of essence between his hands. When it is the size of an apple Cherry closes his hands upon it and shatters the orb. Black ink sprays across the ground where it sizzles and bubbles. The smoke from the burning ink forms a swirling pool. A colossal skeletal hand emerges from the pool, dragging an equally massive skeleton behind it. The skeletal monster pulls itself upright, still in the pool from the waist down. It lets out a terrible scream that sounds like the cacophanous wailing of women, men, and children. Cherry, who stands behind the great 'monster', gets into Mantis stance.

"FOR THEIR SAKE I SHALL NOT FAIL!"

[Kymme]

At the Center of Tepet Berele's Camp.

As Gashadokuro enters the field, the mortals in Berele's force shrink back from the edges of the ravine. When the beast screams, some make a break for it, running in terror from the monster this Anathema has conjured. They are stopped in their tracks by a stern look from Berele.

Tepet Berele Chisri smiles and nods to the soldiers, conscripts, and Immaculates gathered around her. "This will make a splendid fight! Steel yourself, One Blooded Cherrytree, for I, Berele the Sinless, am here to stop you!"

She leaps off the edge of the ravine, eliciting a gasp of surprise from the crowd. Her momentum carries her just over the massive tarp-covered structure, and she seizes it as she passes. The tarp begins to move, sending up a cascade of dust that has settled upon it. Even as the tarp slips over the edges of the structure, the dust cloud obscures its form. When Berele lands at the bottom of the ravine, she sends up an even larger cloud of dust that causes the whole south end of the crevice to be obscured from sight. Through the dust cloud, Cherry can hear mechanical sounds: grinding, clinking clockwork, the hiss of pressure being released. Within the dust cloud, a great form shudders.


~battle, joined!~ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0snxGWI-otg&nohtml5=False)
Then, soaring from the dust, comes Tepet Berele. She flies through the air as if moved by a great force. Her arc carries her past the great torso and arms of Gashadokuro, as all of her attention seems to be focused on Cherry. Berele hits the ground with great force and charges towards Cherry, drawing her sword as she runs. She wraps her half-cape around her left arm, obscuring her stance and the way she's holding her sword. The Dragon-blooded Exalt moves with the force of an avalanche! Only to dig her heels into the ground and come to a halt not two paces from Cherry.

Her sword, however, never stops moving. It emerges pommel-first from beneath her half cape inches from Cherry's chest, moving agonizingly slowly towards Cherry's chest. When the pommel connects, the touch is so light that Cherry doesn't feel a thing. Then his feet come off the ground, and he feels his whole body struggling against a force that threatens to send him hurtling through the air.

Berele took a one action in the 'surprise round' or whatever, and then her turn for round one (she got a higher Initiative than Cherry, go figure.)

Cherry is going to need to make a Toughness save vs DC 21, and a Strength check vs DC 20 to avoid the knock-back.

Then it's his turn!

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry brings up his arms in a cross as he soars to the back wall of the crevice, landing midway up the wall and balancing perfectly. "Ha! Throwing me back? What a child!"

Cherry skids down the wall and pulls out five tailsmans. He quickly scribles onto them and shouts out a mantra. "Death blooms! Sickness swims! It will paw and rend your heart to nothing, engulfed by the pyre of the void! Oblivion Talisman Burn!"

He throws the slips of magical paper up into the air where they hang, moving in a circle. Then they burst into unholy black flames, coming together to form one great inferno that hurls it self at Berele. It passes through her with no immediate effect, but Cherry begins to smile as he watches previously unseen bruises and cuts open up as the curse consumes Berele.

[Kymme]

Berele gasps and falls to one knee as Cherry's curse overtakes her. Her gasp his echoed by the watchers above, some of whom begin jeering at Cherry. Sister Nalen is livid, and shouts down one curse after another.

Berele silences them with an upraised fist. She slams her sword into the ground and forces herself to her feet, shaking off her pain. When she's back up, she levels her sword towards Cherry, glaring at him down the blade. "Your curses shall not quell my spirit, One Blooded Cherrytree! I will defeat you!"

With a mighty shout she surges forward, her footfalls cracking the stone and sending tremors up the walls of the ravine. She lunges at Cherry, planting her sword into his chest with the power of the earth beneath her.

Cherry must make a Toughness save vs DC 21, against some damage.

Then it's his turn!

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry thrusts his left hand into the point of the blade. Blood sprays into his face as the blade pierces his palm, but he cannot help but smile. He moves forward, his blood staining the blade as his hands moves down to close around the crossguard. "Ah~ how this tickles! Like butterflies with wings alight, trailing ash in their wake."

Cherry brings up right hand and mutters under his breath. "This hand of mine glows with an unholy power. Its burning grip tells me to cast you to the depths of the Void! Void Essence Ichor!"

From out of thin air blackness covers Cherry's hand like honey across the limb of a tree. Then, with a flash of his Anima, Cherry brings his pointed hand down and directly into Berele's side. He leans in and whispers to her. "So, was that your first kiss? Have I stolen Sister Nalen's grand prize or your title of Sinless? No hard feeling, right?"

Cherry manically laughs and tears his left hand off of Berele's sword. He springs backwards, getting out of Berele's reach and moving behind his summoned monster. "HA! I FELT YOUR HEART FLUTTER WITH FEAR, SINLESS!" He resumes Mantis Stance, his left hand stitching fusing back together as if sewn shut by wet red strings.

Like the swishing of water Gashadokuro turns to face Lady Berele. It lets out another horrible scream as it slams both his fists onto Berele. Rather than smash her into dust, Gashadokuro's body explodes into a grand flame that lights up the whole crevice and bathes both Cherry and Berele in blue unholy fire. Cherry laughs once more at the sight of Lady Berel bathed by the flame.

[Kymme]

~battle, end!~

The watching crowd is silent. The soldier's faces are twisted into grimmaces, but the Immaculate's expressions are hard to read. The only face that stands out is... Tylina. She's screaming about something. Turning back to Berele, Cherry sees why.

Berele's body is shattered into pieces. The place on her side where Cherry's jab struck her is nothing more than a smoking crater. Strangely, it actually is a crater, broken rock and all! Her sword arm has snapped off at the elbow and lies shattered on the ground like ruined masonry. It's all stone. Her face is burned and broken, revealing rough rock underneath. It is as if Cherry has shattered a statue - a perfect copy of Tepet Berele.

Cherry hears the crash of metal coming together from behind him. It takes him a second to realize that the sound is that of clapping. The dust that Berele kicked up during her descent is settling down, revealing a giant metallic construct of white jade. Armor not unlike that of a dandy knight sits perched atop two spindly legs, the whole thing scaled up in the form of a fifteen meter colossus. Hammer of Peace (https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/af/11/a5/af11a5e5e9f11153ec8ae6c3907a19ab.jpg). Tepet Berele Chisri's warstrider. It's clapping.

"Well done! Well done, One Blooded Cherrytree!" The massive colossus speaks in Tepet Berele's voice, drawing a sword more than ten meters long and a shield the same width across. It stomps down the narrow ravine, every step of its spike-heeled legs cracking the ground beneath it. When it finally rests to tower over Cherry, Hammer of Peace raises its sword high into the air, ready to strike. The warstrider drops its blade to the ground beside One Blooded Cherrytree, followed shortly by its shield on the other side. "I yield!"

The crowd looks on in awe as the warstrider stoops down before One Blooded Cherrytree, knee bent like a chivalrous warrior. Clanking noises radiate out from the protrusion on the great machine's chest as the metal folds away to reveal Tepet Berele herself, unharmed and laughing. She's still clapping. ''What strength! You have won, One Blooded Cherrytree! By my power as commander of this Wyld Hunt and representative of House Tepet, I declare you absolved of your sins! Though your body has been tainted, your soul is clean and pure."

Upon hearing her words and seeing her face, the awed crowd explodes into cheering and clapping, reveling in the spectacle of Cherry and Berele's battle. Sister Nalen has disappeared into the crowd, but Brother Dan and Sister Loria watch excitedly as Tepet Berele extends her hand to Cherry. Not as a captor, or an opponent, but as an equal.

Such thorough out-japing earns Cherry a fresh Hero Point!

[Hiding Dragon]

Cherry looks at the hand extended to him long and hard. His eyes drift back to the rock puppet before narrowing, shrinking into burning red orbs. Time stretches into an eternity until Cherry's eyes come back to Berele's extended hand, clean and untouched. He stares at Berele blankly. Then pure white fury flashes across his face as his mouth opens to speak. "You don't play games? Honorable is your name? A solider of House Tepet? She who seeks peace?! The Sinless?!"

Cherry roars at Berele. "A child with a wooden toy army and grand metal throne to sit and swish her hand for all to obey and order peace hand in hand with trickery! You piss on your own house's name with this dishonorable action! If you had any honor you would face me like the trial said, not use a dammed puppet in your likeness!" He seizes her wrist as if he's trying to wring the life out of it. "Why should I help you with peace now? When you show you cannot be trusted! And now your pitful mortals can't see that you are going to lead them into war where they're going to be broken apart and their blood will cover the land." He grits his teeth. "They will not find honor in death, just a damn child who leads them to it!"Cherry spits in Tepet Berele's face, saliva tinged with blood. He lets go of her wrist and turns his back from her, his lips then part once more. "Our covenant, now shown to light, will be broken by I, One Blooded Cherrytree. And with the end of this pact comes the flow of innocent blood and the damnation of the peace that you think would be as easy to grasp as a peach on a low-haning branch. I was right. Your heart is stone. No pyre is lit there. Have fun with the thoughts of you pissing your key to peace away."

Cherry retrieves Atara's demon mask and straps it onto his waist. He walks up the stairs and looks out across the gathered motals. He averts his furious gaze, staring at the ground. "If any of you saw sense, you would leave and go back to your families. Especially you of the Village Beneath the Waterfall. There was a beastman named Grah I had to defeat because you were not there to keep the ones you left behind safe. Instead you are here, preparing for a fruitless battle. I will pray that the Neverborn take your souls to the darkest pits of Oblivion." He tries to wade through them, careful to not touch them as if their bodies were acid.