The demon army entries...

[hagureoni]

WHO: 'Shutendoji', whoever wants to fight him and his army
WHAT: Some more fighting, brainwashing, possible hypnosis and everything
WHERE: Nagashino
WARNING(S): There are not any yet... probably angst?


['Shutendoji' had taken position inside the castle walls of Nagashino. He had kept the doors of the mainkeep carelessly open - he didn't see any need to lock himself into them. Plus it wasn't like he intended to stay in there all the time. On top of it, he wasn't only accompanied by Orochi's demons, but the ones from his own world as well - the ones he had made drink the 'sentan', a medicine that strengthen the demons and bring out their deepest and ugliest feelings.

And this was still not all. Kiyomori had given him another few henchmen. Famous warriors that were under his control now.]




((ooc: Feel free to toss up brainwashed characters in here, and if you want to fight 'Shutendoji', he has several abilities that go along the lines of hypnosis with words, looking into people's mind to see secrets even they might not be aware of and he can warp time and space. Just give me a heads-up if you want to fight against any of those powers or how far it is okay with you that he uses them on your character!))

Comments

[hagureoni]

[It didn't escape Shutendoji that things were getting even more worrisome since he had sent out Yukimura Sanada instead of the other way round.]

Tch.

[He let out a frustrated noise. Those humans were really of no good use, that is why he rather used his own oni than them in the first place. He was tempted to look what was going on outside when he did get the official news that things were not going his way. That would mean an invasion might happen soon. Shutendoji readied himself for whatever or whoever might come through the doors now.]

[ex_onslaught851]

[And the one to walk through that door was none other than Yukimura himself, spear at the ready. He was exhausted, the toll the ordeal had taken on him immense, but he didn't let that stop him. No, his will to fight- to live burned brighter than it ever had.

... Which might have been rather unfortunate for Shutendoji, in hindsight.]

Shutendoji! I have returned to end this madness once and for all!

[hagureoni]

Oh, so you have returned, Yukimura Sanada.

[[Shutendoji slowly turns his attention to him. Well, this was messy, Yukimura had broken free from the mind control. Shutendoji lifts his mask a little. It was time to use his control through words. They were spoken, silently, almost softly even.]

Don't move.

[ex_onslaught851]

No... No! I will not fall for your tricks again! You have already made me turn against those I care for!

[He was doing his best to fight it, but he also knew that he was already physically and mentally exhausted. How long could he hold out for...?]

I will not let you get away with this! Even if it costs me my own life!

[hagureoni]

[Well, that wasn't technically him - only somewhat. He didn't have the direct ability of mind control as Kiyomori had.]

Even if it costs your life? Then show me your determination. Are you really willing to pay with your life?

[Because Shutendoji knew he was willing to do just that to achieve his goal.]

Do you have the courage to show me your true self?

[ex_onslaught851]

Of course I am willing to pay with my life. A true warrior never stops to question these things - and neither will I.

[Despite the fact that he knows he's at a disadvantage, Yukimura refuses to stop now. Not here, not when he has two other people out there relying on him.]

[hagureoni]

If you say it like that...

[Shutendoji approaches Yukimura slowly, lifting his hand over Yukimura's head before he activates his power to look into Yukimura's heart - showing him memories, feelings... everything that was buried deep inside Yukimura.]

[ex_onslaught851]

[And suddenly Shutendoji is seeing everything of importance to him - his memories of meeting Zhao Yun and their journey together to find Liu Bei, how he'd met Saitou, the feeling of utter despair that he felt when he'd watched Saitou die in his arms.

Then the deeper attachment that he'd formed with the man, the affection that they'd shared at Hulao Gate-- nothing was spared. Nothing at all.

The mental toll on Yukimura was far too high, and he lost consciousness before he hit the floor.]

[hagureoni]

[Shutendoji steps back as Yukimura's body hits the ground.]

Tch.

[That was really one kind of a dedicated human. Where were such humans when his clan had needed them? Instead, they got hunted down, were expelled from one place to the other, suffered hunger and there wasn't anything he could have done, even as the head of their clan.

And everything just because one his ancestors decided to help the real Shutendoji hundreds of years ago.

Every bit of remorse he felt about doing something like that vanished as he felt his anger building up once more, his aura lashing out around him.]

[dragonrises]

[something was wrong, Yukimura was taking too long and not returning at all, spellbound or not. The other two weren't going to wait. Zhao Yun charges in with the Dragon Spear held poised for attack. That guy with the aura of power...that's got to be Shutendoji]

You! Where is Sanada Yukimura? What have you done with him?

[oh wait there he is...but a pile of Yukimura on the floor is not reassuring in the least]

[iaijutsu]

[And Saitou is right beside him, although his own weapon stays sheathed. He's arguably deadlier while he draws.

His gaze flicks to Yukimura on the ground - noting that at least he doesn't appear to be any more physically injured than he entered, which hopefully means that he can hold out until they take care of some business - and then up to Shutendoji, whose hair and horns seemed a little too familiar in a way he hadn't quite anticipated.

Saitou's own hair and eyes change color. No sense in trying to bottle up his own power now; if his suspicions are right about this guy, they're going to need every advantage they can get.]

[hagureoni]

Oh, so this is the beautiful friendship between humans, huh?

[Shutendoji turns to face the two warriors with an amused expression on his face. So what was it with the other guy? He didn't seem to be entirely human, but... he wasn't really an oni either, was he, with the way his hair turned white. No, oni in their real form had usually golden eyes.]

Your friend is just fine.

[dragonrises]

[Zhao Yun is...understandably startled by the change in Saitou, but he's going to believe for now that it's good - at least for them, facing a creature like this]

What have you done to him? Have you addled his mind again?

[then, more quietly, to Saitou] ...this does not look like it's going to be easy.

[iaijutsu]

[As much as Saitou would rather just cut to the chase and punch this guy's lights out for whatever he's done to Yukimura...he holds back. If they can trust anything he says, his answer here might be important.

But he does speak under his breath to Zhao Yun -]

He's an oni, if I am not mistaken. His speed and strength will very likely surpass human possibility.

[hagureoni]

Addled? I didn't do anything like that.

[Though of course he was in his mind, somewhat.]

I think it were probably you two who helped knocking him out here.

[He watches them talk. He doubt it will do them any good, but he'll keep a sharp eye on them. He doesn't want to go down underestimating them, though the chances that they humans can match up with him are very unlikely.]

[dragonrises]

[a determined sort of sigh in Saitou's direction] I really do not enjoy fighting demons. But if it must be done, so be it.

[he's aware that he and Saitou attacking Yukimura probably didn't help, but he didn't just walk here and collapse on his own, surely. Shutendoji had something to do with it. So when he charges to the fight, it's with a sense of restraint - wanting to see what this guy is capable of before unleashing]

[iaijutsu]

[Saitou doesn't hold much back as he moves forward - he's fairly sure about what to expect out of him, and he knows it's going to take everything he has to even think of outpacing him, if he's anywhere near Kazama's level. So he closes in more quickly than Zhao Yun, drawing his sword as he does.

He suspects he'll just be blocked, but maybe it'll be enough to create an opening.]

[hagureoni]

[So they did come to attack him? Very well, then so be it. Shutendoji didn't have any intention to hold back at the moment. Enemies were enemies, and if this what was needed to fulfill his wish, then so be it.

Again, he speaks up in the silent and soft voice from before.]

Both of you... hold on.

[dragonrises]

[for a moment Zhao Yun's eager charge falters - he's behind Saitou anyway, the man clearly has changed more than just his hair]

What...no. I must not listen to you!

[iaijutsu]

[Saitou, too, finds himself slowing down for a moment -

- but even if he's less vocal about it than Zhao Yun, he's no less determined not to let it affect him, and he grits his teeth and forces himself to keep moving.]

[hagureoni]

[They tried to be stubborn, huh? This shouldn't be of too much use of them, though.

Shutendoji warps himself behind the obvious weaker link of the two and once he stands behind Zhao Yun, he brings down his claws which were as sharp as a katana on Zhao Yun's shoulder.]

[dragonrises]

[he's not fast enough to twist and block that. Fortunately, he has shoulder guards to absorb the blow - but it drives the pauldron into his shoulder and the force of the hit drops him to one knee. From that position, he makes an awkward backwards swing of the spear, hoping the shaft of it will hit his foe before he can evade]

[iaijutsu]

[Oh, hell.

Not. Good.

Saitou changes direction, though if Shutendoji is going to pull that stunt on them, it's questionable whether he'll be able to get to his new location in time, either.]

[hagureoni]

[Unfortunately for the two, Shutendoji saw that coming and he warps himself away again, this time he just stands next to Yukimura's body.]

What's wrong? I thought you wanted to come at me.

[dragonrises]

[damn. At least now he has a moment to breathe and pick himself up. That really hurt, and on his dominant arm, too.]

Charging him is not going to work. We need a better plan.