The Trial of Orochi

[Shinku]

Events occurred during the 'Loyalty and Betrayal' thread while Shinku was inside the snake demon's territory

A sudden burst of force from the clash of two warriors displaced the murky waters of the lake below, revealing the black sand that floored the shallow waters. Hisses from shadow snakes around the marsh joined the resonating sound of the clang of metals. Meanwhile just below the battle scene, a billow of rushing wind brushed across Orochi’s face who remained unfazed at the ongoing battle. A smug smile however, escaped his lips, as he watched the assassin of shadows combat his creation.

“Yes that’s it lad! Bring it on!”, the summoned being exclaimed, as a haughty grin danced across his face. His head protruded forward in an aggressive stance in spite of being the recipient of the attack.

Not wanting to give up his advantage, Shinku followed up his attack with several relentless strikes, successfully pushing his opponent back. The summoned being however, seemed to be at ease in fact, its wide grin signified its rather enjoyment of the current fight.

“I can still do this you know.” To Shinku’s horror, more of the snake-like shadow energies were released from his opponent’s sword in spite of not being able to chant like earlier. His agility was able to save him from the point blank attacks and was about to counter but sensing the same energy attack from behind him, he had to leap out of his position to evade. “Damn you really amaze me lad! I didn’t know you could actually evade that but it’s not over yet!” True enough, the same shadow energies made their way towards Shinku who had to leap out of its way again. The persistent pursuit of the summoned being’s spell forced the assassin of shadows to conceal himself by instinct. It was then that he realized his stupidity of not using the technique earlier.

“Smart move lad. Well, I guess I’d enjoy a little game of hide and seek.” A maniacal laughter escaped the summoned being’s lips as it conjured more snake-like shadow energies to ravage the battlefield before him. “That must be enough to smoke you out…”, its wide grin showed the summoned being’s confidence of forcing Shinku to reveal himself but contorted into a frown upon failing to do so, “...or maybe not.”

“I can see that you are into the fight now. You almost gave up earlier.” A voice that came from the shadow demon once again rang inside Shinku’s head. “Now you’re giving a good fight but know that there’s more to that new sword of ours than just slicing through things. Though well that’s for you to find out of course.” And once again, a complete silence followed after the last message. Certain that he wouldn’t get much clue like before, Shinku simply focused on making his way closer to his opponent while still keeping the snake demon’s message in mind.

Another clash echoed in the battlefield as the summoned being turned to defend itself from Shinku’s attempted strike. “Well do you think I’d really fall for that trick?” his opponent mocked as it released another of its spells against Shinku. Quickly, the assassin of shadows leapt back and made himself vanish for the second time.

“Hmmm you know that wouldn’t work against me don’t you?” the summoned being sneered, still confident against its opponent’s trick. True enough, it was able to quickly turn yet again to block another of the assassin of shadow’s furtive strike. “Told you that won’t work.” it again mocked, as Shinku once again concealed himself.

Silence, suddenly filled the battlefield as the Shinku carefully trod around the summoned being who kept on surveying its surroundings.

“I can still smell you lad,” the summoned being hissed, sticking a snake-like tongue out of its mouth. “Caught you!” To Shinku’s horror, the summoned being was able to shoot another snake-like spell towards his direction. The assassin of shadows leapt just in time to avoid the attack. Unfortunately, his one time evasion wasn’t enough as more of the enemy’s spells raged towards him. Still keeping his concealment, Shinku quickly hopped away until his opponent’s attacks stopped. The summoned being once again surveyed its surroundings, as its opponent’s scent seemed to have slipped away.

“Oh come on lad this ain’t fun anymore. If you want, I’d go easy on you this time,” the summoned being teased in an attempt to fish its opponent out of hiding.

Confident of his distance, Shinku quickly shot forward in an attempt to land an attack at his opponent. “Whoops not so fast!”, the summoned exclaimed sensing its opponent who raced towards it from its left. It once again threw its spells at the assassin of shadows who had to back away to a safe distance while still being concealed.

“Oh well, I guess I’d have to join you on your game,” the summoned being shrugged as it quickly blurred out and completely disappeared from sight.

Surprised, Shinku had to focus as he no longer knew when and where his opponent’s attack would come from. Aware that his opponent can sense him even while being concealed makes the situation even more complicated.

“Aha!” a sudden yell from his opponent caught Shinku’s attention and had to leap out to avoid another of his opponent’s spells. Much to his horror, more of the snake-like energies came rushing towards him, forcing the assassin of shadows to move around in order to avoid his opponents attacks. “See I can do this better than you!” his opponent mocked, as Shinku desperately avoided a barrage of the summoned being’s spells that relentlessly hunted him. Luckily, the spells were all visible however, being unable to track his opponent forced Shinku to simply focus on defense.

“And we met again!” the summoned being hissed, as the two warriors clashed their swords once again. Had Shinku been slow even for a second, his opponent’s sword would have severed his head instead of clashing with his own blade. Luckily for Shinku, the heightened speed and power that the sword provided him allowed him to at least catch upon his opponent’s attack. Then as if mocking him, the summoned being leapt back and concealed itself again, imitating the assassin’s move earlier.

“Now how’d you like being the prey once again lad,” the summoned being hissed, his voice being projected from around the battlefield. It would have been better if Shinku was able to determine from where the creature’s voice was coming from but even the sound it made confused the assassin of shadows of his opponent’s location. All he could do was to wait for his opponent’s next move and hope that he could defend from whatever the next attack would be. It appeared that playing hide and seek against his opponent wasn’t a good move after all.

 

[Shinku]

Shinku ran as the summoned being’s spell chased him around the battlefield. He would be able to elude his opponent’s senses from time to time but just for a few moments of breathing. Earlier, he tried to sense his opponent through his shadow tracking but unfortunately, his skill does not seem to work in this realm.

“Struggling are we? Come on, is this all Orochi’s child can do?” Orochi’s child? Has the summoned being called Shinku a child of the shadow demon? The words made the assassin of shadows lose focus for a while, making his concealed figure appear in the battlefield.

“Aha gotcha!” The summoned creature snarled, followed by the figure of a blade that rushed from before him with a straight stab. Shinku was able to parry with his sword but not strong enough to prevent the sword from drawing a wound on his side. The assassin of shadows however, was able to land a kick on his opponent’s leg, making the latter lose his balance. Not wasting his opportunity, Shinku was able to execute a downward slash but was suddenly pushed back by a couple of his opponent’s snake shaped blasts. The strength of the attack was powerful enough to pull the assassin of shadows off his feet and be thrown across the battlefield. Fortunately, he was able to land on his feet then skidded with his sword struck on the ground to somehow slow himself down. He ended up with his left knee touching the ground, and the weight of his upper body being carried by hands that tightly gripped on his half buried sword.

Shinku cringed at the pain of his sword injury along with what seemed like bite wounds on his shoulders. Adding to his desperate situation, his opponent was yet again out of sight. It seemed like he’s back again in his pitiful state. He panted, as blood rushed from his right abdomen. All he could do was to rest in his seemingly praying stance, as blood and sweat watered the black sands of the ground.

“I believe this is how you want to fight.” The summoned creature mocked, suddenly appearing above the assassin of shadows then fell towards him with a decisive downward blow. The blade quickly approached, with Shinku still facing the ground seemingly giving up the battle. His opponent grinned, blade mercilessly raced to finish Shinku off. Before the sword could hit him however, the assassin of shadows was able to pull his own blade and roll to his right. Then, in one swift move, he lifted his sword and struck it through his surprised opponent’s chest. The summoned creature’s blade fell, it’s tip landing just beside Shinku’s neck. The assassin of shadows simply lied on the ground, pinned by the dead body of his opponent that slowly dissipated in the air.

“Excellent fight!” Orochi exclaimed, as he stood near Shinku’s head, peering down at the assassin of shadows. Shinku continued to pant, with little strength left to even stand. “Ah of course,” the shadow demon continued, and bent down to Shinku to touch the latter’s forehead with the palm of his hand. With that, a rejuvenating energy suddenly coursed through Shinku’s body. A warm tingling feeling filled his veins until he got his full strength back. “There, that should fix you up.”

Revived, the assassin of shadows quickly stood up to face the shadow demon. “Thanks and I guess I passed your trial,” he stated, in a dry tone as if his victory wasn’t enough reason for a celebration.

“For now, yes. But know that there are more to come. And I believe you still have an unsettled dispute outside,” Orochi noted, as he opened a portal just beside him.

“He called me your child. Why is that?” Shinku suddenly implored, his voice sounding more serious than he actually meant.

“Ah. Well, you have the mark of the shadow snake. That makes you my seed, but not in the way that you know off. You will understand that in time but for now, the outside world awaits.” He grinned, eerily as he pointed Shinku towards the portal.

Shinku on the other hand, let off a gloomy sigh as he stepped into the ethereal gate that was summoned by the shadow snake. He was able to acquire a new power but along with that, his mind was boggled by more puzzles. He couldn’t help but ponder about the snake demon’s words nevertheless, he still got a battle to resolve outside.