The Day of Thunder

[Wu Zhe]

He nods

''What about the draught we receive after the effigy ritual? Think it could help?''

[Nanzi Ai]

"You are the best thing to ever happen to me Ai"

She was a Crane so this statement was objectively true. She responded, "Good, now I have no regrets."

[Bayushi Norikage]

Norikage tried to ignore the lovebird statements while not ignoring anything important.

Still, would be nice to have Kumori here.

Well, it would be nice to have more people here, but apparently fate decided nine was enough to take on a god corrupting a whole realm and looking for another to fight with.

He walked toward the Shrine a bit more. He didn't know it, but any observations about the approach and what could be guarding it would be pointless, but he started to study it anyway.

[Wu Dai Lu]

He nods

''What about the draught we receive after the effigy ritual? Think it could help?''

Her eyes went wide and she shook her head. "Maybe, but you risk corruption by drinking it."

[Nozomi]

The figure of Nozomi floated amongst those who were present, a haunted look in her eyes as she continued to gaze forward. She said nothing about the task that was at hand, not unless they spoke to her. But she was here, her lips set in a perpetual frown and her countenance grave.

"Take heart," she said softly to those present. "We are not alone in this fight. You are not alone in this fight. I can only imagine the fear that must have lurked in the heart of those who faced the Champion in ages long past. They have stood, and you will stand." She sounded confident in that at the very least.

Then, after a moment, she breathed in, and then out, offering to anyone whose chi seemed to be in need of replenishing her assistance.

(OOC: Nozomi will use To the Last Breath to replenish +1 Void Point to anyone in need before entering the final encounter. Let me know if you're requesting the void point. She will renew Hotei's Belly before entering the final battle.)

[Nanzi Ai]

The figure of Nozomi floated amongst those who were present, a haunted look in her eyes as she continued to gaze forward. She said nothing about the task that was at hand, not unless they spoke to her. But she was here, her lips set in a perpetual frown and her countenance grave.

"Take heart," she said softly to those present. "We are not alone in this fight. You are not alone in this fight. I can only imagine the fear that must have lurked in the heart of those who faced the Champion in ages long past. They have stood, and you will stand." She sounded confident in that at the very least.

"Thank you, Little Teacher," she responded.

[Nozomi]

"Thank you, Little Teacher," she responded.

She sighed and shook her head, glancing at Ai with the saddest, most sympathetic look on her face. "You will all start calling me that, won't you?" She almost hoped she didn't survive the day. She could not express how painful that title might be. "Very well. I can't stop you. But please... please include the little always. He was always my teacher after all. I am but the Student."

[Nanzi Ai]

"As you say Little Teacher, I am thankful for your presence," she responded kindly.

[Bayushi Norikage]

"Just walking up here took courage, let alone witnessing what's to come. I'm glad we're all here", Norikage said. He turned around and bowed to the others. "Question though, what is our priority? Who needs protection, who will face the enemy head on?"

[Matsu]

"I can throw myself at him. Present the biggest target," she nodded at the question, punctuating the statement by tapping her bisento shaft into the ground.

"We have a score to settle."

[Ryoshun Nao]

"Even with my mother's spear, I will be of little use in direct combat with anything." Nao said. "I have asked the air spirits to watch over me, however. They will give me some additional protection."

[Nanzi Ai]

"I can throw myself at him. Present the biggest target," she nodded at the question, punctuating the statement by tapping her bisento shaft into the ground.

"We have a score to settle."

"Good, I will get in close and utilize my Father's stance to end the threat," she added.

[Bayushi Norikage]

He nodded. "So Matsu-sama and Nanzai-sama will go ahead, Akodo-san will you stand with them? I can attack at opportunity, I prefer to be in the middle so I can help the others behind us if necessary, or use an opening created by all of you to deal a harsh blow."

[Akodo Kenji]

"Of course." Kenji replied as if it wasn't even a question. "My place is at the fore with them." He replied, motioning towards the two women.

He had made note that the Woman known as Chouri had gifted them with corrupted fruit but made no mention of it. It would do no good at all this far into things.

[Otaku]

Otaku is quiet as usual, leading Tsubame rather than riding him up the steep slope, although the clever beast seems to find the terrain easy enough. As the others stop to talk, she pauses to extract a wizened winter apple from a saddle pouch and offer it to the horse.

"While this one is alive beneath me, I can move fast and strike fast," she offers now. Then a resigned shrug, and an apologetic pat on his nose. "If he falls before I do, I'll fight on my feet."

[Bayushi Norikage]

"While this one is alive beneath me, I can move fast and strike fast," she offers now. Then a resigned shrug, and an apologetic pat on his nose. "If he falls before I do, I'll fight on my feet."

Norikage gave the Otaku a confident nod. "No doubt. Our strikes need be truest today though, if you see the moment where your speed will be of the most use take it. I don't imagine any of us could make use of your talents better than you."

[Nozomi]

"It's a good strategy," Nozomi could admit while her gaze turned back to the others, her head cocking very slightly. "Be ready to improvise. He will almost certainly be able to see around some strategies. The ... thing will have his knowledge."

[Canary]

[This post has disappeared into the timestream]

[Hantei Genji]

Tadaka approached the group. But there is one man he wants to see. "Genji." He remained confident that his brother would be successful and come back alive. How could he not? He was Genji. But still he was at a lost of words.

Genji turned towards his brother, a wide smile on his face. "Tada-kun." He extended an arm to embrace his brother. "I can't believe....we have a lot of catch up to do. After we finish this."

[Wu Zhe]

''Can we dream a horse into being?'' the farmer asked ''That sounds like a good option...how about a flying horse?''