To The North | Open Starter
The urgent snow; a harsh bringer of torment that roared from the peaks of Ezofuji. A straight intent was abandoned, the diagonal flurry of frozen sentinels that breached the tranquility of the North. Devised in many hexagonal shapes, what fell was sharp and it need not soften even in the presence of a child. Whispers were now howls, bellowing of the terror that loomed within the highest reaches. Sanguine had been spilled on these more wilder nights. Demons terrorizing the lands of the Oina, where life was claimed when one was foolish to venture out from the safety of Wep’Keer.
Oki was one whom delved into the roaring turbulence of frost in an attempt to wage war with that which threatened his home. Having stolen the scared sword - Kutone - from the very people he swore to save. Anger would have driven him away, but he had chosen never to return until the twin demons that made their nest upon Ezofuji were slain. The sword strove to shine with a brilliant lucid silver. Absorbing the souls of the petty demons Oki found in the midst of his wandering.
But in these moments did he grow weary. Too stubborn to admit that he was wasting out of time. The blizzard had continued to worsen. Trees having fallen due to the heavyweight of the snow that invaded airy branches. A camp just off from the tunnel to Shinshu Field had served to be his home for many months. Taking shelter within and warming his cold, tired form in the presence of a blooming fire. The fiery shades had danced against stoic features, his masked removed and laid to rest in company with Kutone.
Were there any that would prove to be a suitable aid in these dire times?
Be patient, He told himself. Amaterasu will take care of it. But Ushiwaka wasn’t content with simply waiting at his base, high above Sei-an City, to see what would unfurl at the peaks of Ezofuji. He knew of course, of the struggle the Oina people of Wep’keer were going through, but he knew this was no place for him to step in. No, he needed to leave this to Amaterasu and her companions, as it was her destiny. But still…to be so close to what he’d waited so many years for.
Soon, the pathway to the Ark of Yamato would open again, and Waka could face his past again, hoping to set things right. But he needed to continue to wait, for Amaterasu to take on the twin devils, Lechku and Nechku. Only after, would he be able to access the Ark of Yamato. His blades were ready. His resolve, not so much. But he still had a bit of time to get his mind together.
He would defeat Yami, restore the Ark, and take it back to the Celestial Plain. Finally.
Still, it was so unsettling to sit here waiting, unable to help. Thinking of the Oina, in the freezing cold the devils had brought upon their village, Waka readied himself to travel to Wep’keer, to see if perhaps he could lend a helping hand. The trip was short for someone like him, and before he knew it, he found himself outside the home of the warrior, Okikurumi. Of course he’d heard of him. To be so brash as to steal the sacred sword Kutone, he had to be something.
Smiling as usual, he opened the door, caring not if the other found him to be a threat. He put up a hand in greeting, glad to be out of the cold.
“Bonjour! You must be monsieur Okikurumi. I’ve heard a lot about you, you know! Namely about how you stole—” A point towards the sword in mention. “That.”
“A bold but rather stupid move, in my opinion, but I’m not here for that. I’m here to lend my hand in assistance, for whatever may be necessary.”
“Oh, silly me! How could I have forgotten to introduce myself? I am Ushiwaka, taomaster and leader of the Tao Troopers of Sei-an City. Though I’m sure you’ve heard of me as well.”
