She closed her eyes to feel the moment.

Ayano was there representing the Lion, the exact reasons this came about were unknown to her...but there was a sense of solemn significance to the event.

Her expression was neutral as the proceedings continued. She supposed the Heavens would decide the outcome of this duel. Though it seemed a strange use of Heavens time to rule on a stolen fan in her estimation.

Hadananzi's eyes narrow just the slightest amount at his enemy.

_____

Focus, HoV, Inheritance, SoM, Nanzi Bushi: 10d10o10k9+10 60

This would be too important to miss, Moshi is there observing and helping with rituals if needed

Kakita’s mind slipped out of the mundane… it was as if for a moment he could see beyond this world.

In front of him was the moment he had been prepared for… all watching would think it was speed that would win the day… but it was not speed. It was the intent to cut.

He could sense the animus in his opponent. He was going to pay dearly for his cut… but there was no concern for blocking or dodging. To cut one’s enemy was all there is… no matter what one does they must cut their enemy.

He waited until the song of destiny rang through his ears…

No more secrets.

He was there before the demon could react… his blade glistening green in the morning light. A slash of light across the other man’s chest following in stride.

—————

D8 Duel Focus VP: 10d10ro1o10k10+20 99

D8 Duel Strike 6FR 4 for damage 2 for +10 Luck x1 just in case: 10d10o10k10+14 73

D8 Duel Damage +4k0 VP Kakita Blade Jade: 2#10d10o10k4 30 34

OOC: 73 to hit. 34 damage with Jade covered blade.

As far as Kogi was concerned, this whole thing was all at once both so trivial as to be an embarrassment for most of the people involved, and shadier than two sun hats under a parasol. But that was precisely why Lord Bayushi would probably want an account of it, so she was there, inscrutable under red veils.

Susumu was a fair enough duelist, one of the better ones among the Spider. What he saw now put him to shame. Still the flash of green meant something. The only reason he knew for a blade that color would be if Jade was applied. His father had done research and found no better way to have its effects. But that was expensive and quickly wore away. You only applied it when you thought you would be fighting something from Jigoku. Maybe it was for good luck but the detail struck him as odd.

Emerald green eyes watched with little reaction as the blade cut into Hadananzi. It was unfortunate that the outcome had not been even more favorable but he had already served his purpose.

She did still wait with interest to see what his response would be though.

Pain. Pain and burning were all Hadananzi could feel for a long, drawn out eternity. Then reality came rushing back and the truth struck the demon...jade. Kakita knew and had used jade on his weapon.

A roar erupted from the man's throat even as a jagged gash across his torso began to crackle and burn as if struck by fire, black ichor leaking from the wound. He'd been had, the Bat had wanted this from the start...

"KAKITAAAAAAA!!!"

Hadananzi bellowed and, against all tradition, struck out at the Bat with his sword, his eyes afire and his aim wicked.

Vengeful Strike, TN 45, called shot Kakita's sword arm: 10d10o10k9 52

Damage vs Kakita: 6d10o10k2 11

The shot was far weaker than the one that had struck him, but the aim was true, and Hadananzi left the blade buried in Kakita's arm, not even bothering to assess the damage he'd done as his body surged and shifted, taking the form of a moderately scorched raven. Then the bird flew off into the distance, abandoning his plans at infiltration.

"Hada-" Ananzihime's reaction was cut off as she slapped her hands over her mouth as the wound began to burn, taking two steps back with wide eyes. Then... He changed.

Her head was spinning, and she wobbled unsteadily where she stood.

Fool couldn't even keep himself together. How inopportune.

With an inward sigh the Doji let out a shriek of terror, "Demon!"

It was fairly convincing.

Shiba's eyes went wide and he reacted immediately, sending guards after the bird. "Capture or kill it!"

Well that happened.

Then she considered the next thought of her sister... oh fortunes this was going to be another PR nightmare.

Step 1 continued to be shock.

Step 2 ???????

Step 3 Profit?!?

Nanzi Ananzihime wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 29, 2021 12:24 am

"Hada-" Ananzihime's reaction was cut off as she slapped her hands over her mouth as the wound began to burn, taking two steps back with wide eyes. Then... He changed.

Her head was spinning, and she wobbled unsteadily where she stood.

Dojihime was her rock, she did not waver, something had taken her dear brother and replaced him.

OOC: Doji Fan defense is activated - Etiquette: 7d10o10k5+5 46

Kakita’s hand went to his arm where still rested a demon’s last spiteful reminder.

He followed the creature with his eyes as it fled… and the slightest of smiles crossed his lips as he held the blade in place to prevent further bleeding.

Thank you Grandfather… Grandmother… Lady Sun… Father… Mother… I did it.

Yuzuru still seemed to only half be here. Hsieh-Hsieh however . . . The fox was all bared fangs and very angry growling, not letting anyone other than Shiba within a yard of the Consort. In fact he snapped angrily at anyone who tried.

Shosuro spared a glance and a smile toward KAkita before she bolted after the Raven.

Ayano observed the proceedings, the Bat was a skilled fellow. Then Hadananzi had revealed his true self and her eyes widened.

But the Lioness was trained for such things, the sudden terror she felt was hidden by an expression of iron. Perhaps for the first time, the young Lioness remained those who knew Lady Makime of the stoic warrior.

While others watched the raven, her eyes turned to the other Crane present. Trying to burn their reactions into her memory, should such become necessary to remember in the immediate future.

Hikaru knew that Hadanazi was a good duelist, but he expected that the heavens would be on Kakita's side. But he didn't know what was going to happen. He gasped surprise, breath hissing through his teeth a moment later, as the dark being fled.

He moved quickly to Kakita's side. "Is there a healer?" He called. "We must act quickly to save this man's arm!"

"Well done, old friend." He spoke in a low undertone out of the corner of his mouth as they waited.

I WAS RIGHT.

But the... Thing was running. Flying. And he hadn't brought a bow

So rather than draw his blade to go chasing a bird, Sora moved in to check on Kakita.

"Well struck."

I wonder where you got the jade dust, though...

The Emperor had made his command known

The dragon kept his eyes on the ugly bird and followed suit as best he could