isleofavalon | March Adventures

Entry tags:

March Adventures

WHO: Hijikata and... YOU?
WHAT: Hanging out with his ghosts (and perhaps a visitor?) and questing!
WHEN: Throughout the first half-ish of March
WHERE: Forest of the Felled, Ash Mountains, Nicnevin
WARNINGS: Past fatal injury descriptions (including that burned ghost from last time) in Prompt 1, violence against the undead in Prompt 2A, violence against anthropophagi in Prompt 2B!

1) Back Home

[After the siege last month Hijikata spent about a week at Rinea's place in Camelot City to recover from the after-effects of Augusto's curse and the draining ritual Morganna asked them all to perform, but as soon as the new month arrived he convinced her that he was well enough to head home. He knew there was much repair work to be done in the city, plus the preparation of the farms north of the city and around at least one of the new townships, but he desperately needed to get away from it all for a little while - not so much because of the people, but because he was internally grappling with his first-hand experience of the illness that killed the woman he loved back home.

Now he's back at the outskirts of the Forest of the Felled, and at least on this evening his gloomy thoughts are dispersing as he spends time with his ghost subordinates (not all of them; one division is in Camelot City while the other one has a night off). Life has been returning to the forest now that it's free of vengeful ghosts and the dark season is drawing to a close, from young plants to the colourful prism tweeter birds that migrated here. Hijikata made a small campfire halfway between the hut and the bridge, his two pet compsognathuses are running around and playing after devouring a whole lot of cat food (he can't be arsed to buy them expensive meat from the butcher anymore), and the ghosts are working on their spirit magic. Tonight is an important occasion since several of them want to implement a permanent appearance change spell after much practice.

Everybody watches as they do their best, and Hijikata feels deep satisfaction and gratitude as he sees each of them succeed. Ugly flesh wounds disappear from a young man's form, the gaping cleft between an elder spectre's neck and shoulder closes up, and the young woman Hijikata only knew as a charred, blackened body that always drew a ghostly cloud of smoke behind her gets her skin and features restored. Their comrades are happy for them and congratulate them, and Hijikata pours more beer into the fire to vaporise and raises his own mayonnaise-filled Bottomless Mug.]

Well done! You've all been working hard to protect the living here on Avalon, but don't forget to look after yourselves, too.

[Leading the currently 20 ghosts has been a veritable full-time job in which he doesn't only need to give them orders but also also listen to their concerns, complaints, worries and fears, resolve any conflicts they can't resolve among themselves, encourage and try to comfort them when they're in a crisis... that's what makes a good Commander, isn't it? He can only hope that he's been doing right by them. Seeing them happy now, floating around and mingling around the small fire, chatting and laughing and practising smaller magical feats, he feels like he has.

It's a remote area, but if anyone finds their way across the Bridge of the Pure of Heart they'll be welcome to join in, even if they can't see his subordinates.]

2) Quests

A ⦿ Our Neighbour Growboro (for

itsmypower)

[2 months ago Hijikata and Shoto took care of their first official quest as knight and squire, and it was a great success - apparently they both are so adept at hiding their emotions, and so fast and brash in their way of attacking, that they easily subdued the dangerous enemy before any cognitive magic attack could be levelled at them.

This time they decided to tackle the matter of the undead creatures loitering in the ruins of the southernmost mountain and scaring off the benevolent forest spirits. By now Hijikata managed to procure some gear to protect him from the daylight, so he currently looks like a mix of a motorcyclist, a ninja, a special operations soldier, and a knight (since he's still wearing his chainmail-enforced cloak on top of the double-layered full-coverage suit). He's grateful he was able to procure the outfit; coming here at night would have made the fight much harder for him and Shoto. Naturally he filled his squire in on his predicament.]

Ugh... I think I can already smell them, even with this helmet on. It's got to be zombies, maybe skeletons too. Let's put them back in the ground where they belong.

[Unless Shoto has other ideas about that - luring the undead away from this location shouldn't be too difficult.]

B ⦿ Knight Quest (for

luciing)

[Last year Hijikata and Somnus tried to investigate the mysterious anthropophagi quest and whether it resulted in any such creatures actually being summoned to Avalon, but their search left them in a dead end... until now.

As soon as Hijikata learns what the latest knight quest entails he loses no time contacting Somnus. He's very relieved to find the other man back among the living after he perished during the siege - it seems that he found a competent necromancer. Part of Hijikata thinks that he really should start studying up on that discipline of death magic, but another part of him simply doesn't want to meddle in reviving the dead and puppeteering corpses around. It feels like a slippery slope, somehow.

With Somnus' agreement to come along on the quest the two of them soon find themselves on the way to the mountains. It's a two-day journey, so Hijikata provided a horse for Somnus (he brought his Black Star for himself) and brought camping gear in his huge inventory-slot-enhanced backpack. Again he's totally sun-protected behind layers of black specialty clothing, plus the helmet with a dark-tinted face shield. He disclosed his predicament to his companion, of course; this kind of outfit begs an explanation.

After the long journey they dismount at the foot of the Lotus Pod Mountain. Hijikata unfolds the map he's been given of the devastated settlement's location.]

It shouldn't be too hard to find. At least it's not inside one of the caves. Now we can only hope that those bastards haven't moved on to the next place yet. I'd say we first try to confirm that, then we can decide when and how we want to attack.

[He already let Somnus know of his other predicament, too - his weredog affliction. Last night when they slept in their tent the moon wasn't quite full enough yet, but this coming night it will be. Whether they wait until then, attack in two waves, or use the night to hunt down any escapees, his enhanced strength and speed might come in handy.]

C ⦿ Secret Knight Quest (for positive CR - please see note at the bottom!)

[It's been a long time - just over a year - since Hijikata last spoke with King Arthur one-to-one, but he's been acting as a knight in his service ever since he gained the title, loyally protecting his kingdom, enforcing his orders, and looking after his people to the best of his abilities (... okay, so he meddled with some sketchy business here and there, but only to stop it!) And now the king has entrusted him with a special task.

Usually Hijikata is happy to work with just about anyone going on the same quest as him, but this time he had to carefully choose his companion - and even this trusted person wasn't allowed to learn the truth behind this mission. Hijikata found it hard to lie, but there's just too much at stake, for everyone involved. If nothing else he'll be the only one who can be held accountable if they are caught (which, naturally, he's hoping to avoid). Nicnevin Castle lies before them in the moonlight.]

Alright. Should we go over the plan once more?

[OOC: If you'd like any additional prompts and/or would like to do the secret knight quest with Hijikata please feel free to hit me up on my plotting post (in the latter case it's because he'll tailor a different lie depending on who goes with him)! PMing me is fine too. If more than one person would like to do the secret knight quest please be aware that only one mission will have a chance of succeeding! Also here are Hijikata's permissions.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Dismounting, Somnus guides his horse by pulling the reins of his horse in one hand.

He looks over to Hijikata as the other surveys the map. The need for him to be covered head-to-toe seems much more of a nuisance than any other curse, including that of the werewolf one. What pity, this. The Deathmage cannot seem to have one moment of respite. ]

Let us follow the path of the most obvious signs... A village overrun may have signs of smoke. It is doubtful the creatures would ensure any hearths from burning the victims' houses.

[Hijikata nods - much as the helmet hides his face and muffles his voice, at least such basic body language can still be conveyed easily enough.]

Yeah, I doubt that they took any care, going by how brutally they apparently massacred the people.

[Maybe it's for the better that his expression isn't visible, because it's a little murderous. He really wants to ruthlessly eradicate the anthropophagi. Clearly they're not a species that can live in peace and harmony with others. As they ascend the mountain proper, leaving the horses behind where they can graze and seek shelter under the trees, he goes through their attack options.]

I guess I'm going to be our main damage dealer, given your magic types. Depending on the exact location of the village I may be able to weaponise the mountain and cause an avalanche, probably coupled with a landslide to hinder them from running away. The problem is that soil and rock are my weakest elements.

[ The new magic types he has are both ill-suited for combat. That doesn't mean he's useless with simply his technical skill with the sword. ]

Let us not use your weakness so early into battle, then. [ A landslide would be a last resort. ] Are they legion? If not, we may pick them off at a bottleneck.

We may also wait for cover of night, if necessary.

I'm not sure how many they are, but once we're there we can make a rough guess. Only one person survived the onslaught, so based on how big the village is we can calculate how many anthropophagi there have to be - at least one per household, I'd assume, otherwise more people might have made it out alive.

[Luckily the settlement isn't too far up the mountain - understandable, given the rough climate, difficult terrain, and lack of basic resources up there -, so they won't have to climb much higher.]

If we wait until nightfall I'd have the full moon's strength at my advantage, but sadly I'm not as strong as some other lycanthropes. I got a... lighter variant of the curse. Still, I'm sure those bastards are stronger than humans, but I'm confident I'll be their equal match. We can try to take them out one by one in the darkness, and only take more drastic magical measures if we're discovered.

Then let us ascend this mountain some, then wait for nightfall. [ He concludes, then adjusts the sword strapped and sheathed across his back. Without kinetic powers, carrying things are far more cumbersome.

He's ready to begin the trek when Hijikata is. ]

[It's only about half an hour later when they, moving carefully and keeping in the cover of overhangs and other large rock formations, do see some smoke. They still ascend higher up, keeping some distance to the village, deciding to best get an overview from above that will also offer them some protection from prying eyes.

The view they eventually get from a relatively flat overhang makes Hijikata's blood run cold. He knew that the anthropophagi were cannibals, that's the whole reason he and Somnus investigated them last year, but somehow he wasn't prepared to actually see them prepare their meals over a fireplace, as casually as people would roast pigs, and happily tearing into roasted body parts as they sit scattered in small groups making conversation.

He draws back, careful to not move too fast or too noisily, and hopes that he can avoid being sick in his helmet. Is this what livestock feels like when they're on a meadow next to a barbecue?! It's enough to seriously make him consider turning vegetarian. He needs a minute to recover enough to peek down again, this time to count the enemies.]

I see twelve, thirteen, fourteen... fifteen. That's if none are in the houses or wandering about... but they don't need to forage for food right now, and they have shelter right here.

[His voice comes out pressed and heavy. Several huts are destroyed and partly still smoldering, as Somnus predicted, but more than half are still standing. Hijikata's eyes flicker. This is too grotesque and vile to just witness; he has half a mind to unleash hell on the cannibals immediately, even if it won't help the unfortunate villagers anymore. But how strongly can he even rely on his magic right now, still subject to the after-effects of the ritual? Somnus is right in favouring a more cautious approach.]

[ If the imagery of spitroasted carcasses disturbs him, he does not voice it. The grim severity of his mien remains a constant, even as he crouches in the cover of the rocks. The smoke carrying the scent of cauterized, charred flesh does cause his nose to scrunch, however, as if it were nothing more than a rancher burning part of their pasture.

While Hijikata wears a mask, concealing Somnus from reading any unpleasantness written upon his face, Hijikata's tone gives away that he's effected.

Best to redirect his focus back to planning. ]

We wait until nightfall. In the interim, we assess for any more that may gather. Perhaps they will be sated. Should there be survivors, it it likely they will not be consumed until later.

I don't think we should have high hopes of there being survivors. According to the report those monsters slaughtered everybody. But who knows? Maybe someone managed to hide away.

[He draws back from the edge again for the moment, wary of the sunlight possibly reflecting off his helmet and attracting attention. They're high up enough to not be able to overhear anything spoken between the anthropophagi, so they're likewise unlikely to be noticed by them, but it's better to be on the safe side.]

Could you keep an eye on the village to track their number for now? I'll investigate how many routes lead into and out of the village. We don't want any of them to get away, after all.

[He won't descend from their hide-out or move out of earshot of Somnus, just get a better idea of the surrounding area. Before long he returns with the information that there are two paths - one down the mountain, one up the mountain -, while Somnus will have noticed no change in the anthropophagi's activities.

About an hour after the two men took up their post the cannibals hold an assembly which, assuming all of them are in attendance, confirms that their number isn't higher than initially presumed. It seems like they're social creatures who enjoy to all eat together, macabre as it is. Somnus and Hijikata can't understand what is being discussed, but several of the headless beings proceed to looks something up on smartphones, presumably taken from the villagers.]

What the hell are they doing...

[He takes out his own phone - the burner phone he got from Rei - to investigate, and after a while he lets out a low groan.]

These monsters seriously put up a dark web quest?!

[ Somnus, still far behind in terms of becoming accustomed to technology (or magical technology), does at least know how to open and browse for the various quests posted.

He looks over to Hijikata as he opens his phone, then back to the village as the monsters begin to sup. ]

Steady. We will banish them before they find such defenders once night falls.

[He nods.]

If anyone does show up in their support I'll cut them down first. What a lowlife would that have to be?!

[As the sun starts its descent they have time for a quite decent dinner consisting of the provided provisions, plus anything extra they brought along, while keeping an eye on the anthropophagi activities. A small group left shortly after the assembly, but since they went down the mountain they don't pose a risk for the two men at the moment, and the buckets they took with them indicated that they only went to fetch water, which is confirmed when they return.

As darkness slowly falls Somnus and Hijikata have to pay closer attention again: how are the cannibals going to secure the village at night? Not very well, apparently. A pair of anthropophagi stations itself at the village entrance and exit respectively while the rest of them continue socialising by the fire and gradually retreat to the remaining huts. Hijikata scoffs.]

They sure feel very safe, huh? As if nobody would dare attack them! They'll be surprised.

[ The idea that the monsters might have thought to devise and secure traps about the village seems far-fetched. At this point in Hijikata and Somnus' vigil, undoubtedly they would have seen the anthropophagi attempt to ensure their devices were still working. That, or set more. He also notes that no scouts of the monsters return to the village, as if their count is indeed all that there is.

...Perhaps this does not need to be more complicated. These creatures are in a constant state of hunger and starvation, their minds on food, not defense.

With night lending them the cover, Somnus raises from his crouch, careful to remain under deeper shadows. He'll allow Hijikata space to... do whatever he needs to do, to become a werebeast. ] We take out the monsters put to watch-- without alerting them.

Then, we destroy the rest.

[Hijikata carefully waits for the sun to disappear behind the horizon completely before he takes off the helmet. He's lucky that his transformation is about the softest one could imagine and doesn't involve any tormenting bodily restructuring. His pointy black dog ears are already there and pop up from where they were flattened against his head. His tail is uncomfortably crammed into his clothes - the inner layer is a stretchy suit to prevent any accidental sun exposure due to movement -, so he excuses himself and changes into his usual gear behind some rock formation.

When he returns he's in his standard black uniform, with his chainmail-enforced knight cloak on top. Naturally he keeps his swords on him (since the start of the year he carries a short sword in addition to the long one).]

Hah... the night vision comes in handy. I can smell the bastards, too.

[Being a weredog Hijikata is less bloodthirsty than a werewolf, but he still feels the urge to run and chase and hunt, and he needs to be careful to not lose control of himself. His swishing tail, in any case, indicates a degree of excitement.]

Let's go down, shall we? Oh, wait - do you want to use my shield by any chance? I have it in the backpack, but I won't need it in this state.

[ It's probably not a very pleasant smell.

Somnus only has his greatsword upon his back, and that hasn't changed in the past year and three months. While he occasionally carries a javelin, today, it is not with him. He declines the offer-- ] Unnecessary. [ -- and turns, beginning to set out on foot down the rocky slope.

It doesn't take long to near the entrance of the village, coming in towards it along the side. They have both the cover of night and of robust bushes. ]

Flank from the other side. On a bird's call, [ That's Ye Olde Speak for a 'whistle'. ] let us attack both guards at once.

Let's.

[There is no need for further considerations. They're as close as they can get to the guards, and it's clear that each of them will take the one on his side. As soon as the anthropophagi start talking to each other and lower their guard Hijikata bursts forth, his extra strength giving him a boost in speed, and horizontally slices through his opponent's chest and face at once (now that unsettling placement is convenient!). His attack is so forceful that the cannibal immediately drops dead, gushing blood.]

[ The other monster is met with a similar fate, and Somnus steps over the corpse, avoiding staining his boots red. That's two down-- and all without alerting the others to their presence. ]

We split here. I shall see you when our task is done.

[Hijikata nods and sneaks off to enter one of the huts where the monsters lie sleeping. The irony of him and Somnus massacring them just like they massacred the villagers isn't lost on him, and for once he feels fully justified in taking such an honourless approach.

They actually manage to make very good headway with their slaugher, until one anthropophagus who ventured back outside notices that something is off and alerts the rest. At this point, though, only about half a dozen remain alive, and the two swordsmen are driven by an intense sense of vengeance - at least Hijikata is sure that Somnus feels the same as him - and don't hold back.

The cannibals are vicious and brutal, and Hijikata, seeing red at this point, enters close combat with several at once and takes a couple of serious hits - however the wounds immediately heal shut while giving off a faint steam, and he sends the enemies to their deaths without hesitation. Only silver weapons can hurt him right now.

Once all the anthropophagi are felled he doesn't check on Somnus immediately, instead prowling around and checking the fallen adversaries for any signs of life, jabbing his sword down into their bodies multiple more times if he suspects that they're not full dead yet, growling and snarling with bared teeth. It takes him quite a while to clear his senses and act more like a human being again, but he doesn't seem to mind being splattered in blood.

Instead of saying anything he walks over to Somnus and looks him over for injuries. The enemies were numerous, and he himself would have ended up badly hurt if his curse hadn't protected him, so chances are that his companion needs medical aid.]

[ Somnus cleaves through his share of the anthropophagi. Being no more than a human during the night, his monster-death count may be less that Hijikata's, but he's manages to work himself up to have a decent amount of exercise.

After the battle, he still stands uninjured save for a single gash upon his right arm, upon which he holds pressure with his left hand. Apart from that, only his hair is tussled. When the other man approaches, Somnus turns to greet him, immediately giving him a once-over. ]

Are you well?

[ Hijikata is covered in his fair share of blood, after all. As a minimalist with his attacks, Somnus' kills had left him relatively cleaner. ]

[Their different fighting styles became very evident here. Even when not in a weredog state Hijikata doesn't pay any attention to the mess he creates, fighting in a forceful and unrefined manner, yet with a distinct style and method rather than just blind slashing. He nods in response - he's unhurt -, and his eyes rest on Somnus' injury.]

Let's head back up to our lookout. We can treat your wound and keep an eye on the area, just in case they did have a second contingent somewhere, though I doubt that. I've got good night vision, so I can keep watch until dawn.

[He'll have to spend the day sleeping in the tent in his sunlight-proof gear. If he were alone he'd totem-travel back home well before dawn, but having come here all the way together he now doesn't want to leave Somnus to make the long way back on his own with both horses and all the equipment.]

I'll notify King Arthur, too, so he can send a clean-up crew here.

[He really is used to leaving that part to other people...]

Very well.

[ Somnus takes one last look at the village and the slaughter before turning his attention to the route back to their camp. Perhaps when Hijikata needs to sleep during the day, he will return to bury the victims' bodies. ]

[The village has been thoroughly turned into a place of death and carnage, having seen two massacres in a row. It is as it always is: revenge does not restore the dead to life, it only perpetuates the cycle of killing. Hijikata has no regrets whatsoever, of course. On the ascent to their makeshift campsite he calls the court official responsible for the quest's organisation and informs him of their success in plain terms, soon hanging up contentedly before turning pensive again.]

...

I wonder if any ghosts were left behind. I can't imagine that most people could move on peacefully after meeting their end like that. They probably fled to not have to see their loved ones be cooked and eaten, but maybe they'll come back now.

[If he sees any he'll go back down and speak with them. As Somnus may take care of their bodies come morning he will see what he can do for their souls, much as he's a sorry excuse for a priest.]

[That's an interesting suit, he thinks, when his eyes shift to look at him. He himself reflecting a turn of two seasons: ice blooming across his face, magic crawling across his skin and freeing itself unpredictably. Not his normal frost creeping, though he'll be flames soon enough, rising sparks before he's shivering all over again. He mumbles back, quietly.]

I'll take half.

[No objections, no intentions of holding back. He's scanning the grounds again, first: stone and ruins, scent of death (more familiar since he's better acquainted), distasteful task still ahead of them. Only his second time facing this—the undead, and though his initial reluctance fades, leaves him with lingering sense of only raw anticipation now, he's smothering pity as if it might seem a hindrance. Burrowing deeper, lately. Mirroring the swordsman in more than manner, weapons drawn, living frostbite in human's form slipping away from the other.]

My magic's not that reliable lately. [Lifting his sword here.] This is White Amaryllis. [Announcing before he's bloodied. Practically calm-seeming.] I've got my own now, like yours. ...I meant to show you earlier.

[Picking around the rubble. Into the thick of things.]

I'll watch your six.

[Hijikata will never not find Shoto's special connection with his magic fascinating - he himself only ever summons the elements in his hands, not letting them travel further across his skin. But most likely it's simply a holdover from the young hero's Quirk.

He will also never not feel proud of Shoto. The helmet's dark face shield hides his expression, but is smile is probably audible as he observes his squire's sword.]

It looks like a fine blade, and you gave it a good name.

[He carries Rei at his belt alongside Muramasha. He's kept it with him ever since it was given to him, and while it's usually more of a reserve weapon it gives him confidence simply by being there. It's a precious, meaningful sword, the one that'll protect him if Muramasha breaks or gets lost in a battle.]

This is a good test for it, driving out these rotten things. My magic has been unreliable too, so we'll truly have to rely on our swords this time.

[He has some magical items on him - the Time Top that slows enemies down, the Deadpool Juice that makes the user heal from anything, several totems that can get them out of here in a pinch -, but he doesn't think they'll need to use any of them, not against slow zombies. If there are skeleton warriors they may be more or a challenge, but nothing that swordsmen like him and Shoto can't handle.]

Let's go. If we're lucky they aren't all hanging out in a big crowd and we can just dispatch them as we go.

[A fine blade. His eyes brighten, beaming starlight back at him before he's brushed against something, bony hands gripping shoulders. And just like that, his very white, very clean sword's scything through black teeth and cartilage; far more startle-response than skill yet, detached efficiency sweeping the edge up and through. ...Ah. Still that easy. The head's dropped first. Milky eyes peering up at him. Still vacant, though he's taking steps back.

He's frozen the rot over. Splintering through like dropped crystals, dry ice protruding.]

Mom- [starting over again,] Mom liked the blue ones best. The amaryllis.

[Distractly. One zombie down. Getting used to things over again—the violence. Scents rattle him more than sights do, but he's recalling sights too, again; a young uncertainty rising up in him, the bright-eyes dimming, seeking approval, permission. Anything but the scolding that Heroes shouldn't react this way. Even if monstrous, still vaguely human—life. At one point. The very thing he'd scolded Stain for, for killing, coming too easily for him. He's eyeing the corpse again.]

...Sorry.

[To what's left of it. He has to do this... protect the still living. He won't let anything touch. The swordsman's far too precious to him.

He straightens. Considers his sword a long moment. Softened smile creasing his mouth before he's swiping its gore off. Reassuring himself.] I, uh, [stumbling over words again. His eyes lower briefly.] This is just what samurai do, right? [The rest comes thoughtfully: an almost wonder lacing into it, quietly. He's thought a lot about something; the samurai, lately.] This means I'll fight in your world, now. [A true swordsman. He'll do this many times over again; ugly things with pure intentions. A good, awful calling. His eyes flash brighter.] That's one down.

[He'll be the wakizashi.]

Let's hope they're all this weak.

[Recovering already. He's pushing ahead with far more confidence now.]

Edited (forgot the warning...) 2022-03-20 14:08 (UTC)

[And just like that the fighting starts. Shoto dispatches the zombie in an instant, but now they're both on high alert, knowing there are probably more around very close by. Hijikata takes note of how well his squire swings his sword, even just instinctively, and of how sharp it is... he must have trained hard on his own, and spent much thought (and gold) on the weapon if he custom-commissioned it. He knows that anything that looks this effortless usually comes at a high price.

When Shoto apologises to the zombie Hijikata's eyes soften behind his helmet. They can't afford these creatures pity or mercy - hell, he can't even spare those things for fellow human beings in the conflict back home -, but he doesn't want to admonish him. It's a good sentiment, a kind sentiment, one that shouldn't be drilled out of anyone if it can be helped.]

The regular ones are pretty weak, yeah. Slow, too, and they can't feel or think anymore. Their souls are long gone.

[He knows less about the skeletons. To his best knowledge they're intelligent compared to zombies, but do they still harbour souls? He'll probably get to find out sooner rather than later.]

The samurai job really is pretty similar to the knight job. Both cut down those who threaten the land and the people--

[A group of three zombies, shambling around behind a heap of debris, comes into view as Hijikata and Shoto carefully more forward in the rubble, and he dashes at them before they can even turn their heads in their direction, slicing them to pieces with powerful slashes. It's easier, much easier, than cutting up living people, since the zombies' bodies are already rotting.]

Don't hesitate to put your whole body into it and use your full momentum!

[No one's souls left to pity.

...But no one's told him this. Naturally, he's still surprised he isn't committing the world's worst offenses. That clouded eyes show minds emptied, much as white nothing indicates. That only dried husk's remaining.

He'd assumed they'd all felt at least, wanting to kill them off quickly. Though he's imagined a lot of things. That even monsters feared their ends at times.]

So, all this time...

[His eyes lift, finally, warm relief cooling instantly watching limbs fall to pieces—the path that darker blade's moving. As if through water, the ease with which his sword extends, Hijikata's speed and strength intwining in sharp, fluid motions. A deepening split between man and student; how hours of sparring seemed meaningless, seeing a weapon in the elder's hands. Their difference in years stretched ahead of him: to push himself harder, further, twice as far for half his speed if ever he's hoped to come near to that. His desperation's igniting... But even now he's being tutored, reminded again to use his strengths, himself, the limit's edge of his fullest abilities; to use his own body. Limbs move faster than his thoughts expand, and then eyes on new targets, sprinting ahead towards another two, he's dragging his sword up.]

I understand!

[Words are all the push he's needed. Use your momentum; don't hesitate. His sweeping arc's his full force: magic trailing along its ends, bladed crescents across the skin and squire's mirrored imitation. Cutting them down as knight demonstrates—and only still shadow miming him. This isn't his first time facing the dead, but ranged assaults as repeating Ice Walls hadn't come close to "real" fighting; an impersonal distance kept between hands then and monsters. Though a corpse doesn't feel, he's told; as if this knowing unburdens him, each slash imbedding shards, snow, residual frost in molding skin remaining behind as white crystals. Splitting the heads from cooled bodies. Letting his ice seep through all of him.

A year's allowance was too much gold to waste in doubting oneself. He doesn't mean to draw back, to hesitate, but fingers sprouting beneath the rubble, tugging at pant's leg, keep him rooted in place. He brings sword up and over them, plunging down to freeze marrow, bone, the very ground beneath as if entombing things over again. Fragile glaciers left behind instead; he doesn't need to feel pity, to think on anything more than fighting, remaining alive until the next's approached. His breaking dolls apart. That empty nothings can't haunt him; his lingering sympathies meant to free them, allowing himself to go unhindered—lethal. Though he's disposed of the easy few, he's taken his eyes off another, and withering hands are too close for his swords to cut down again. His arm's up defensive, forcing his hand through thinned body, touch consuming the rest in ice and sharp explosion of needle points.

An ice iron maiden.

No one's souls left to pain over. His casting's wildly unpredictable, rendering bodies completely useless. At the least, making sure they're never used again. Sparing them one final kindness, to not lose his own again. He's promised his friend as much.]

You can rest now.

[Murmur to no one. Shifting eyes to Hijikata, whom he's drawn to, though he doesn't say a word to him, he's instinctively keeping himself close to watch.]

[Hijikata pays no mind to any difference in skill and strength - Shoto is capable; he's mowing down zombies that Hijikata might otherwise struggle to keep off his back. On every quest so far he's always been a valuable asset, a reliable comrade. Hijikata sees no need to measure the particulars of his efforts; it's the result that counts.

Shoto's fighting style is spectacular, his ice magic leaving the undead and the very soil decorated with faintly shimmering crystals as he moves in a deadly dance, impaling and cutting and burying them too fast for the eye to follow. Hijikata is briefly alarmed as he sees one zombie about to wrap its arms around Shoto, but he dispatches it with what looks like countless icicles.]

Good work!

[And just as he says that he sees the skeletons. There are three of them, each with its own rusty sword in hand as they run up to the scene. He immediately rushes at them, again relying on his swordfighting experience and on the enchantments imbued in Muramasha. It already was a cursed blade when it first entered his possession, and now it's a death magic blade, able to harm even incorporeal spectres. It can't undo the curse that keeps these skeletons alive, but the damage it deals them is amplified.

A strong swing immediately takes the skull off one enemy, leaving the body without orientation and easily cut apart in the middle. The next skeleton manages to parry Hijikata's strike, but as the third one tries to encircle him he quickly drops, rolls, and kicks the second one into its companion's sword, which gets stuck in its ribcage long enough for Hijikata to move back in and lop both adversaries' skulls off.]

Damn, these guys don't quit!

[He heftily kicks the skull away in different directions, then cuts apart the still-standing bodies. Nevertheless the skeletons keep trying to fight on, even the first one that is dragging both halves of its body towards each other, clearly intent on rejoining them.]

[Words are nearly drowned as weapon's ice slips through bone again, but the praising does find him, rising murmur beneath the din, swordman's voice at once familiar and seeping through, quietly. While rushing legs press ahead again; pushing to charge another dead-thing before zombies crowd either first. Half the swordsman hope's drawn him to—his weapon sweeps through old bodies, locking swords with another's as his ice escapes hands instead. His freezing spell's instability. His watching eyes wander everything, adrenaline surging before a corpse-soldier snaps at him. Its teeth catch his sword instead, and Shoto jerks his blade upwards, opened palm to edge of sword seeping out ice and blood both now. Splintering bones and ice shattering; he's echoed Quirks and fractured spells; his flames and golds a bright furnace, feeling this burning's too "similar". Though this power's his too, now.

His bleeding palm's sealing magically.]

Sensei! [Over the crush of things,] Just call if you need a shield next!

[But off he goes again; steps luring more zombies, drawing eyes and threats closer, heat when flames ignite fully and bloom in sharp blues instead. Though something new shifts inside him—his freedom found more in fighting, the sleeping self he's been shaped to be. A mesh of abilities stitched together: a patchwork quilt of those he's cared about. Another's flames; his mother's ice; his sensei's patience his swordplay. When now he cuts at limbs harder. Putting names to things as All Might does. And, the sound of broken glass follows him, mix of ice and flames mingling, his biting colds to superheating blues. The rapid shifts in airs blending.

Violent more and more often; his weapon mimicking Hijikata's, catching his movements, glassing the stronger man's talents. He lifts his palm, shouting.] Hell's Gate! Burning Flashfire Heatwave! [Lacing his spells again: Kasha's flames in fiery circling applied to still-frozen corpses, aiming from one to the next two, searing through limbs in nearly too-quick succession. His switched degrees behind all of it. Swordless hand digging nails in when crowding's too close for him. Sparks and water next rapidly: running current's bolts passing from hands through as livewires. The way his skin lights as always: bursts with flames another time or two. His magic shifts still unstable... And more the boy's leaking frost, slipping himself between opponents, finding his sword against their ribs before he's halving through quietly, spilled remains freezing over again.

Finding his rhythm now.

And still, he slows to watch, always seeking Hijikata when pause comes sporadically, thoroughly fascinated.

He's feeling too far from him... plants his palms against the ground instead, crouched in place with half murmur, sending ice as waves travel, snake the ground to crawl up bones, corpse, whatever "thing" the man targets next, to freeze it still if he's able to. Lesser, Heaven Piercing Ice Wall.

Please, let it work; please let it reach safely.

He wants so much to be useful here.]

[Being called 'sensei' is still unfamiliar, and it drives a surge of affection through Hijikata. With them both preoccupied with the enemy he doesn't notice Shoto's injury before he heals it - another show of the boy's strength and self-sufficiency. Hijikata acknowledges the offer of a shield only with a sharp nod as he continues to decimate the skeletons, unorthodoxly kicking their bones all over the place to scatter them for a long time.

More and more zombies are drawn to the sounds of the battle, undeterred by the danger and only following their dim senses in search for fresh flesh, but Shoto and Hijikata are decimating them at a steady rate and not in danger of being overrun. One zombie surprises Hijikata by crawling out of the ground behind him while he's slicing apart another, but once it stands and wraps its hands around his head it only grasps the smooth helmet, and the next second Hijikata's elbow sends it staggering back before he takes its head off with Muramasha.

That's when he hears Shoto's shouts, his incantations. He turns his head, using the brief break in action to observe his squire. He's amazed that Shoto is still willing to rely on his magic to this degree despite its instability - he himself has all but stopped calling on his elements. Seeing the magic blasts torch through the frozen undead is like watching fireworks, only a more brutal kind, and the water-funneled lightning currents do their part to down the creatures. Hijikata is impressed and deeply proud - Shoto is learning so fast, adapting on the go, combining every ability he has. Witnessing his swordmanship is beyond rewarding on an even more personal level.

He turns his attention to the next shambling adversary, only to find it slowing down to a stop and offering no resistance to his attack. When Muramasha's impact is crisp and shattering, rather than sloshy and tearing, he realises that he had some help. He briefly turns back to Shoto and sees him crouched on the ground, channeling his ice through the soil. Their eyes meet, and since the helmet obscures Hijikata's face he gives a gloved thumbs-up to show his approval.]

You could do this all on your own! What am I even here for?

[His voice carries the jest, but Shoto truly is as capable as a whole little squadron, able to hold his ground and provide support to Hijikata. At this rate he'll become a competent leader in his own right before he even knows is. A brief glance around shows that the zombie supply seems to be slowing down, with only a few more ambling towards the swordsmen.]

I think there aren't too many left in the area!

[He runs towards the nearest one, and on the way he notices a couple that had been crawling on the ground and were caught in Shoto's ice wave. He decapitates them in passing. This boy is making it too easy. I'll get all rusty! There's a grin on his face under the helmet as he swings at the zombie. It feels like the brunt of the battle may already be behind them.]

[What a mess... His once-delicate applications bursting large and unsteady, his tight control all but useless here. And still he's smiling once eyes meet; shy grin returning signal, dry frost reclaiming skin before he snaps himself free again, springing up running. Either exploding or freezing still; White Amaryllis a black-stained flash scything smoothly through corpses. His steadied hands keep the rhythm, and wandering thoughts express, quietly: I can do anything. We can do anything.

We're fighting together now.

Blinding sword paired with small wakizashi; shifting eyes on Hijikata—who never wastes movements, never hesitates to follow through. A thousand things he's picking up on: threading throughout his own tactics, inks imprinting on human scroll in master's intricate brushstrokes. The way his actions still mimic now, always watching, intensely observing the elder man's efforts. Mute instruction read on hands, fingers, absorbing his fight's wordless teaching: reminding him, always. To never again waste half his strength; that he's been born just for this. His seeping ice coats the edge of things, letting his sword carry weight instead. Splitting heads from soft shoulders, his every movement trailed in blizzards, white, his winds on another littered in snowflakes and bone dust. Sweeping storm with sharp momentum. Though Hijikata's seems effortless: as if his blade's his extension, sword and arm combined seamlessly in one endless ribbon. Brilliant.

Shoto lights at him.]

Don't get any ideas about that...

[He absolutely does need him.]

We're finishing this together!

[Dusting the snow off. He can't restrain his own frost, magics—how fingers freeze and glass over, spilling the rest in spiking waves the second he drops palms to dirt again. Calling on ice and another boy's strength in twining expansions of Zero Point, raised stalagmites sprouting. He's using far too much magic, too much effort once his flames exhaust; and then he can't light to warm himself; can't switch his winter off to burn in bright golds instead. But this is an ice he knows deeply: always her's and still familiar, still emitter's ruined failsafe pouring out violent and freely; his dropped degrees slipping lower, an absolute-zero in every wound staining its rot as white frostbite.

Turning his path to dried tundra, pale white bloom in every corpse his hands and sword's splintered frozen. His quiet thoughts still a murmur: I'm watching... I'm watching! I'm with you until the end now! All Might's warmed, famous words aligned with his own reassurance: "I am here!" in youth's own voice and carried as unspoken promise. He doesn't mind how he's numb. Doesn't care beyond their mission, goals; knighthood's honor beneath the violence; the swordsman opposite. His Amaryllis still in hand and edged in unrestrained spellwork. Leaving snow in his sword dance: blood in the ice-lace left behind laid across bones and stiff bodies. He's 5-years-old again, watching—eyes and heart reserved for heroes; hopes; swordsmen different and darker, flashing sword replacing fists and hero's world's strongest Quirk now. Edge of blade catching sunlight. But he's calling out spells again, his and another's joining force in one combined incantation.]

Zero Point Breakthrough! Earth Edition!

[With all he has, his power's still-unstable bridging linked between mind-state and magics, combining earth and cold shockwaves, his reckless tactics fusing bones, skin, a skeleton's limbs encased in stone and sealing in bursts of iced "blossoms". Casting stubbornly and repeatedly, a separate pulse for each target, his own affection leading hands in student's last full defiance; for someone else's sake. Though its ice seals him too, next, he watches close with palms rooted, eyes still warm despite his freezing, bright.]

They're yours now, sensei!

[Plus Ultra, Hijikata-san!]

[Hijikata has no idea how much Shoto observes and absorbs even in the flurry of battle, how he lets go of his last remnants of hesitation and tears through the undead with his full strength now, mirroring the samurai's own no-holds-barred determination while still adding his own, more inherent, elemental devastation to his attacks.

He smiles under his helmet at Shoto's declaration. We're finishing this together. Such a loyal squire. The boy's stalagmites impale zombies like paper, sharp as needles and sudden like lightning; his frost keeps covering the whole area in his wake - and then he calls out the next spell, the one that simultaneously petrifies and freezes the last undead standing, and leaves them for Hijikata to take down.]

Right--!!

[Usually Rei is his backup weapon, the one that will save his life if Muramasha ends up broken or lost, but now he draws it. It's safe - these enemies can't even move, let alone use his lack of experience in dual-bladed combat against him. He twirls around, slicing through the frozen zombies with either blade, using sheer brute force, speed and momentum. They all crumble and fall gradually, slowly, only when he's finished with the last one.]

[Once the combat stops it's eerily quiet. The pale sun is still shining as it was before, reflecting brightly off the countless ice crystals coating the battlefield. Most of the zombies (and also the dismembered, partly petrified skeletons) lie still, either headless or cut up even worse, with some still impaled. If they had been alive before the massacre it would be a horrible sight, but the knowledge that they were already empty husks - the skeletons left no visible souls behind either - makes it easy for Hijikata to remain casual as he surveys the scene.]

None left. Good work.

[He tries to use water magic to clean his swords of the grime they're stained with, but it malfunctions and lightning comes out instead, crackling along the blades. He sighs and sheathes them as they are; he'll clean them manually at home. It's only then that he properly focuses on Shoto, and seeing his skin still frosted over immediately concerns him. While the helmet hides his frown it may carry in his voice.]

Shoto, are you cold? Did you overdo it?

[There's no criticism in his tone, only worry. Instantly he starts mentally chiding himself. Shoto overdid it, wanting to do his absolute best for him! What if he cooled out too much? What if he's getting frostbite? Hijikata immediately leafs through his options of warming him up, and with his own magic as dysfunctional as it is he's getting deeply concerned. He doesn't even have an Everwarm potion on him!]

[Now that their dust's settled, he's eyeing the aftermath through his detached sort of vacancy, staring along with him. Scanning the graveyard. All smashed debris and halved bodies, winding remains and trailing limbs pieced and strewn about, wildly. He's sitting with one the many corpses still, watching the man a long moment. Then, making to right himself, breaking away once his pulse settles, shaking his frost from things. He seems docile now—calmer.] ...Not really. [Shrugging his crystals off. He's been uncomfortably used to this; sort of distractedly nonchalant regarding his ice with indifference, eyeing his palms instead. His icing's clearly routine for him, his dry response coming evenly, holding a sense of disinterest. He shakes his head a bit, thoughtful, snapping his ice from it.]

I didn't exactly have the choice this time. I never had the control to begin with, but it's all the same outcome. So long as it's gotten the right results. [All that's mattered now; all that would matter; he hadn't any need for caution here, but "freeze" was all he could for him: cold focused, hot tempered, not considering things causing burn-outs or frostbite. The squire's now thoroughly weathered himself, plainly unmoved but still conscious, limbs still sluggish once he's freed himself and shifting to stand again. Not for the first time.

But then brows knot lightly, and Shoto's glancing at the other, pale eyes widening once he speaks again. Not quite focused.] Why do you... sound so worried? [Dragging his speech a little, tracing the frost on arms idly, boots sloshing along the snow when he makes his way over to him. One motion before its other and animate more in slowed movements, watching his ice web his fingers. Then, softening smile on whitened skin, increasingly drowsy since their danger's past.]

This— [the white skin: lacy, plaque-diamonds forming] happens every time, you know. It's like half of me remembers... The way my Quirk worked, before. When I wasn't using flames at all. I would just...

[Freeze this way. Slow and listless: the fog in searching eyes dissipates, and though he's no less exhausted, there's sudden sparks lighting up in him, as if he's forgotten something still terribly important, snapping to life again. Rushing as fast as his thoughts carry, a matter of far more importance moving his steps towards the other. His blunt concerns and sharp worries urging on steps automatically, lingering cold pushed aside next. Forgetting he's numb at all. As if he wasn't just ice before, picking his way across deaths to him. He practically stumbles.]

Are you injured?

[Peering around him... His asking's come much more lively here, the boy still dizzily unaware of how spooky his own appearance is.] Sorry. It might be cold if I try to heal this time...

[Seeing Shoto shake the ice off as he gets up puts Hijikata at ease, though he internally objects to his indifferent explanation... the end results, to him, aren't worth a badly injured Shoto! But if there had been innocent lives on the line here they would both have had to risk their lives with no reservations, so he won't even admonish him, because at the core he's right. As he explains further Hijikata relaxes more - if this is really a holdover from his Quirk it makes sense that this would happen no matter what -, but as he observes his sluggish, stumbling movements as he tries to speed up the worry creeps back in fast. He's in this shape, yet he's only concerned for me again, huh?]

I'm fine, not least thanks to you having my back the whole time! I don't need any healing. I was worried that maybe your magic was going out of control to the point of turning against you, so I'm glad it didn't. You still look cold, though.

[He looks him over... yeah, this boy needs to be warmed up with a proper meal and given an opportunity to rest in a decent location. Hijikata brought enough totems to easily get them back to civilisation.]

I wanted to ask if you'd like to stay a little longer and see if the forest spirits appear, now that we've cleaned the place up, but who knows when they'll come back... I'd have to leave you alone, too, since they're shy of adults.

[Sure, he could leave Shoto with a totem, but ollying out and leaving him alone feels wrong, even if he could potentially see some wondrous magical creatures! What if more undead appear? Shoto surely wouldn't even entertain the idea in a reverse scenario either. Hijikata clasps his shoulder with a gloved hand, hoping to convey his appreciation.]

Let's head back to Camelot, shall we? Or do you want to go to the Red Springs? I'd say we've earned a stay at the resort!

[It's just as Tetsutetsu's said,]

"We risk it all when it matters". [Just as All Might would.] Even it'd turned on me, we'd have finished our jobs here. [And this mattered! But Shoto softens now, eases a little with the other's confirmation, his slow relief washing over him when he speaks again.] But I'm so glad you're alright, sensei.

[I'm fine, what he takes from this. ...All he's cared to.

But they're alright, aren't they? Even the boy, who sighs his cloud-frost, touch to shoulder bringing him back to all his half-frozen senses, still strengthens automatically once the man's voiced concerns for him. For all their moments together, here the small realization that they've rarely made contact, don't try, boy's life of detachments knotting its hard sort of coldness in him. Heart close, but stance distanced. And, though he blinks at first—barely feels beneath this lingering numbness—he still straightens as though it's his next proudest moment, smiling sweetly at him.

It'd been worth it.]

But I don't need to see the spirits. [Then, gently,] Can we really go to the Springs?

[All sudden wonder, his asking him bright-eyed as if it's the moon he's suggesting; not quite believing yet. (A real resort with real rest there!) Though he'd go anywhere, really. And here, only one—just one of the little creatures peeking out from its distance; though the boy doesn't mention this, barely motions with hand raised slightly, leaving it signal with somehow warm-still expression; letting his eyes stray over.

It's alright now.

Separate worlds here. He's trading his youth for more weapons, wonder for swords when childish wants don't exist for him; can't. He's still in his war back at home. But Hijikata understands; he must; this squire would not leave his shadow. If you can't, then I can't, he thinks. All his choice; I choose YOU clear as wording, boldly obvious with smiling eyes turning back again, then, quiet-made request this time:]

I think I want a bath there. [Up to his chin, then.] We should get going now.

[Together!]

We risk it all when it matters alright.

[Once more he swallows down what else he wants to say - that he doesn't want Shoto to push himself to the limit when there's no deadly urgency - because, in fairness, it really wouldn't have done them any good to dawdle here. The undead might actually have overran them then.

He's relieved that his squire's eyes are looking more lively and focused again now. Shoto really is excited for the springs, huh? That cinches it; Hijikata will make sure he gets a relaxing bath, a good filling dinner, and a long night's sleep! He gives his shoulder one more squeeze, then lets go to search a totem in his bag, missing out on Shoto's sighting of the forest spirit - but if he had turned around the shy creature would have disappeared in a blink, anyway.]

You'll get the best soak you can imagine.

[He lights the totem on fire, then sets it on the ground and steps back, waiting for the smoke to develop so they can walk through. At the Red Springs Resort they'll first clean their swords in the training grounds complex - a samurai's sword always comes first -, then their own turn in the showers and hot springs afterwards will feel all the more rewarding.]

[ Horus smiles and hums under his breath. ]

Are you sure it wouldn't be easier to fight our way in and out?

[ Not that he is against a little strategy, but if they truly were doing this with the Queen's best interest in mind, surely she would understand if they took the fun way in. ]

[Hijikata is clad entirely in the outfit he usually wears during the daytime now: a robust high-collared jacket with matching long trousers, and a stretchy under-suit in case the upper layers get damaged. He's holding his helmet under his arm, but plans to put it on when the operation starts to avoid identification in case he's seen by anyone. He regrets having used the Chameleon Facial during the prison infiltration quest already, but what's done is done, and that was a worthwhile undertaking too.]

Pretty sure, yeah. We're vastly outnumbered, and they've probably had thousands of more years than us to perfect their magic.

[Still, he also doesn't like sneaking around. It's not the way to the samurai! But if they're caught they'll be in hot water, and the sword might be brought away and hidden elsewhere, lowering the king's chances of getting it back even further. He studies the plan he made based on both their familiars' report. Being smallish birds they were able to gather plenty of information, which a larger, flashier creature might not have been able to.]

We're in the right place; this is the tree that reaches the castle wall. From there we'll take the first door to the left; that's the side entrance that leads to the wing housing the queen's collections. The artifact we're looking for is in the this room.

[He taps it on the paper. He took a phone photo of it as backup, just in case, but right now this is more practical.]

Ideally nobody will even notice we were ever there, but let's go through our equipment once more just in case we need it. I've got my Familiar Fusion, Time Top, Magic Mask, Raindropper, Countercurse Potion, Deadpool Juice, Dreamer's Draft, From the Void, and assorted totems.

[Come to think...]

If we need to make a quick exit a conventional totem may be too slow to burn, so do you by any chance know if I can take you along with Toto's Totem?

[He never tried to use it together with another person. Maybe it'll transport them both to his home if he holds on to Horus? He certainly can't just risk trying it out and leaving him behind here.]

It wouldn't matter if I were at my full capacity, but I understand. By the plan.

[ A god trumps fairies, as far as he's concerned. But Horus is hardly his godly self. Still, despite the pouting, he sighs in resignation. ]

You have so many toys. I have alchemy and ready-made circles for use. [ He holds up a small notebook in which he's drawn some common ones he may need. ] Ready for jamming door locks, creating swords, raising walls, portcullis stone traps, spikes, and my favorite: completely dissolving a ceiling into particles to bury your enemy as if swallowed by the desert sands.

[ He will 100% seduce and sleep with the fairy queen if Hijikata needs a distraction. He hums softly. ]

Do you have a means to get back here? We can test it before we go if so. If not, I shall simply trust you and find my own way out should it fail.

[Hijikata's eyes widen slightly as he listens. Why are alchemists so goddamn dangerous?! Besides Horus his experience has mainly been with Klaudia, who weaponised her magic against him on a couple of occasions. Also this god boy is so chipper about the prospect of being left behind..! He shakes his head regretfully.]

If I totem'd back home now I'd have to travel all the way back here from the Land of Maidens; that's the closest location I've got regular totems for. So we can't afford a test run. Let's hope it doesn't come to us being separated, but if it does happen use this.

[He hands him a Camelot totem. He didn't tell Horus that this is a quest or anything he's doing in his function as a knight - sure, he claimed that the "cursed" sword needs to be handed over to the authorities to be stabilised, but this is officially a rogue mission. If worse comes to worst he absolutely will totem-travel out of here with the artifact, and if Horus gets questioned King Arthur won't be incriminated. He puts on the helmet and heads over to the tree. He planned to simply climb it, but...]

Given your portfolio could you make this a little easier by any chance?

[He vaguely recalls that alchemists can't manipulate living material, but is that really true? And even if so, perhaps Horus can simply turn part of the castle wall into a staircase for a moment.]

[ Because they have to practice and study and have actual written circles ready to go and have source material for everything they do. If he's dumped in the water and can't make circles, he's pretty useless. ]

Thank you for the pre-rescue, Mister Knight.

[ He's never used a totem before, but it cant be that hard. He suspects that Hijikata wants him to the manipulate the tree, but the tree is a living being. The material within it is connected to the rest of the tree- breakin the bonds in one area could affect the health of the whole tree, so even if Horus could find a way to use living material, he wouldn't tear down the center of fairy society. The solution can't be worse than the problem to begin with, and thus he's intent on them not becoming worse than whatever curse is upon that sword.

That said, there are other ways to get up a tree. Horus moves a little ways toward some stone and pulls out something to write with, drawing an intricate circle as his familiar, Pt, comes down to watch him from his shoulder. She's learning the circle so she can help next time, and he's checking with her on if it's the correct alteration for the specifications he wants in whispers.

In the end, what he ends up with is something similar to a grapple hook and a rope made of dead reeds pulled up from the water, solidly bound together. ]

Do you think it's long enough?

[ Or strong enough, or if Hijikata knows how to climb a rope? ]

[Hijikata observes Horus' magic along with Pt, feeling lucky to have been gifted elemental control once again - it just feels so much more intuitive! But the result of the alchemic seal is still impressive.]

Yeah, this looks good.

[This certainly makes it easier! Once the hook is securely lodged between some branches they can both climb up into the foliage. It's takes a good amount of strength, but luckily they're both in very decent shape! From the tree's crown they can advance pretty close to the castle wall, and after ensuring that no watchmen are nearby Hijikata simply sprints across the thick branch that reaches so close to the battlements and jumps across. He quickly hides, but after a few moment pass without any reaction he motions for Horus to follow.

Arashi told him that, as far as he could tell, during the night most guards are positioned at the outer entrances and patrolling along the battlements, so once they're inside it should technically get easier... but nothing is ever guaranteed, is it? Hijikata certainly isn't putting it past the fae queen to have put up additional traps and alarms.]

[ It's a pain in the ass, but despite how Horus acts on the surface at times, he did grow up learning from a master: the original goddess of creation, wisdom, and war, Neith. Without a mastery of discipline, he would not have the means to act as he does and demand as he sees fit. He demands because he knows when it comes to skill and battle, he will always come out on top- he has to. That is the kind of attitude he took when it came to the transfiguration portion of alchemy, even if he finds potions much more tedious.

It's a discipline that's reflected in the way he very carefully watches and replicates Hijikata's path once Hijikata gives the all clear. He's got the high ground, he has a better view for safety than Horus does, after all.

Horus gestures at the guards once he's up with Hijikata and makes a gesture with his hand across his neck, then tilts his head and makes a sleeping, hands-folded gesture. Kill or knock them out? ]

[Hijikata is pleased that Horus is indeed fast and strong enough to not need any assistance getting across from the tree to the battlements. He repeats the sleeping gesture back at him, curious what he has planned... because yeah, he's totally going to let him take the lead on this. If Horus doesn't have the right means for this, or if things don't go as intended, Hijikata has enough backup plans to keep the mission from going haywire right off the bat.]

[ Horus may be a god without his powers, but that doesn't take away his experience. With Hijikata's decision made (Horus finds it somewhat relaxing to have someone else making the decisions for once, though he would never allow such a thing on his own mission), Horus sets to sneaking up behind the guards, then between them.

He smiles and asks how their day has been quietly-- it's too obvious for either of them to need to report an invasion. Either of them on his side, they run toward him, he lets loose his wings, which slap them both in the head with the force of coming out. They're much firmer than a fairy's wings and be sheer weight of the feathers, pack quite a punch.

He gestures for Hijikata to come forth and help drag them into hiding. He whispers to Hijikata. ]

Do you think we can steal their clothes and sneak in? I've always wanted to try that.

[Hijikata can't suppress a quiet snort of amusement at how near-cartoonishly the guards got knocked out. It totally took them a moment to get startled after Horus' chipper question! And then they took those big wings to the cranium like champs! He helps Horus lug them into a nearby room that turns out to be a laundry room (sadly not connected to any other rooms, so they can't infiltrate from here).]

Dressing up as guards wasn't in my plan, but hell, why not? You took them out so neatly, let's improvise.

[Time to strip the unfortunate fae down to their underwear and don those uniforms! Hopefully the outfits fit at least halfway decently. If they come with hats or helmets that's increase their chances of passing from afar (Hijikata suspects that the guards probably all know each other). He gags and ties the unconscious guards with concerningly routined movements.]

If there are no others in sight once we go back out let's take our chances and just enter the wing through the kitchen. It should be empty at this time at night.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

March Adventures

B

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CW: Graphic Cannibalism

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CW: Battle Violence

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cw: dismemberment, gore from this point on...

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extra cw: impalement

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C

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