Soldiers of Light ch.5: "The Temple of the Great Barrier"
 

Currently, Team Good has landed on the island that's home to the Temple of the Great Barrier. The temple is protected by a powerful barrier that allows none through, unless they hold a special talisman. The temple is home to a group of Monks that have trained in the maintenance of the barrier, and protection of the ancient treasure held within.

Team Evil has just gained a new member, and are currently seeking a way to reach Team Good.

"Hmm...you do not know who I am? I'm hurt. Very well...Garud is the name. I have protected the Genkai name since Tama's time, but only from afar. These past few years, I have observed you, and have decided to take a more active role in your protection."

Garud smiled warmly.

"Now, are we to explore this island or what? My old bones are aching for adventure."

He said it, despite his teenager looks.

The end of the trees had come into sight and Vance fell down yet again, rolling down a small hill and out of the cover. He lay there near the shore on his back, holding up his nubs of arms, looking at them. He had been crawling on his nubbed arms and legs for what seemed like forever. He couldn't remember anything that had happened after meeting the monks. He remembered blackness, a blur of bloody images, and finally a bright white light. He didn't what had happened and it was frightening to him. He looked around him in a daze. His eyes were barley healed up, he still couldn't see color, but light, dark, and shapes were still clear enough.

It was then he saw the damnest thing. An airship. There was only one he knew of. He thought he could make out the images of Kurama and the others but wasn't sure. He waved one nub at them and tried to call out. It came as a dry whisper however. "hey guys, mind giving me a couple hands?" Vance hoped it was his Friends. If not he was going to have to explain to some very strange strangers how he had gotten that way.

(OOC:I had thought Raiden would start the chapter with that but sense he didn't I just went ahead and posted it. Cause I was a little bored and didn't want to do yet another dream sequence quite yet. Vance is, going to wait on the ship, I think thats safest for the progression of the story line.)

Ishumo was worried, this new arrival looked far more alert and intelligent then the others, so she would surely spot him soon, so he decided to show himself. He went forward slightly, so that he would only be partly in the shadows and stepped down on a twig. After all there was no need to overdo it; they only had to notice him.

Pyros awoke to hearing someone's pleas for help. "hey guys, mind giving me a couple hands?" Peeking up and over the side of the ship, he spotted Vance. Vance, at the moment was using an old joke with the actuality of having nubbs for hands. Pyros was quite amused, especially when he could've sworn Vance had been blown to bits by that less intelligent monk. He had been shaken up by seeing him die, but apparently that did not happen.

The how and why's escaped him, but he cared little. Someone asked for help, and he was a helper. He crawled on all fours down the side of the ship, then flew a brief bit over to Vance's dismembered body. He picked him up with ease and slung him over his shoulder, and carefully walked back to the ship.

Inside, he placed Vance on the couch that Pyros himself had lain on after yesterdays explosion. "Do you need anything else?" Pyros said with a humble bow.

Sanjuro ran to the front of the ship like a boy who just saw the next toy he wanted. "OOOOOooooooooohhhhhhh!" he exclaimed, "Look Katsushiro, thats where we're headed." The squirrel seemed uninterested, "Lets get there first!" He lept from the bridge of the ship and began running at full speed towards the barrier, Katsushiro flapped in the wind for a moment thanks to the velocity before regaining his grip upon Sanjuro's shoulder. Sanjuro's giggle could be heard for quite a distance as he stormed into the forest.

(ooc: I think that by now artemis had returned to his body.)

Raikotsu heard a vibration, a sound carried by the wind, spinning immediately in Ishumo's direction, "Identify yourself, or be slain!" the Air Demon shouted loud enough for the newcomer to hear him, leveling his ranseur in his direction.

As Raikotsu's cry reaached her ears, Chikane turned to see him pointing his polearm at Ishumo. She sighed. While she'd probably need another sacrifice, Talkatz was screaming in her head about her utter worthlessness for allowing Kurama to land on the island of the temple where his legs were kept.

"Kill him or leave him, Raikotsu. We have no time to waste with such trash. Kurama's party has made landfall on Talkatz's island."

Saying so, she raised her hands to the skies, eldritch syllables rolling off her tongue like water, and the clouds in the pale blue sky quivered, then lowered themselves to the earth at improbable speeds as her magic wrenched them from the heavens and imbued them with enough stability to take the weight of a dozen.

"Get on. This is the fastest way we have to get there. We'll have to leave the zombies behind - have them ravage the countryside as a distraction, Satsujinko. You're coming with us."

"W-w-wait...Vance, guy...didn't I see you get liquidized by a particularily angry monk?"

There was an odd silence.

"Can I try cutting your head off? Just to see what happens?"

Raikotsu shrugged, "If he seeks to join us, what harm could it bring to let him tag along? If he proves worthless, he can serve as a distraction...or food for your Oni..."

He looked at the cloud, his eyes seeing beyond the gray-white surface...peering more at the flow of air currents, how they were constrained by magic. Intrigued, the pale demon knelt beside it, and placed both hands on the sides of the cloud. He pushed on it, and felt the air spirits...and the air itself...within. Directly manipulating the air, rather than Chikane's magical constraints upon it, he made a few small adjustments. By giving the air a little more freedom, the cloud would be able to travel faster, and would be slightly softer to sit on, without increasing the risk of the spell disintegrating...and dropping all non-flying members of the group to the ground far below.

This, the manipulation of the primal element, was what Raikotsu truly loved. It was in his blood, his soul, his heart and mind. His very demonic nature was tied to the skies, to the swirling winds and the still air, to the mighty storms, the sultry breezes, and the gentle calms. So, for the first time since he had joined the group, Raikotsu felt a sense of pride in accomplishment, a feeling of happiness, making this 'Cloud Chariot', as his people called them, even better.

The Air Demon stood, and with a single, graceful, leap he settled himself squarely in the forward third of the vehicle, shaping it a little, slightly indenting the middle section...like a boat...to keep any of the passengers from rolling off easily. He shaped the front of the cloud into a more streamlined, prowlike shape, a slight thrill going through him as he felt how easy this was...the very air not just willing to obey his commands, but eager to.

"There." he was finished, and it was time to go and bring an end to Kurama. Though he had enjoyed this, avenging his father was more important. Yet...he knew that no matter how well or efficiently he worked, there would still be time before he confronted Kurama again...and so, he might as well enjoy this time. After all, on his way to battle a powerful foe, it might be his last day alive.