Let Your Fists Do The Talking! Akyu Quest Continued!

[Mr_Bob]

>Proceed up the path, and enjoy the music's break of the monotony.

[Fightest]

>Proceed up the path, and enjoy the music's break of the monotony.

> The music is a pleasant little ditty, relaxing and uplifting. It is played by a trio of instruments.
> Invigorated, you make good time up the path, led by the joyful music.
> The parser should not forget the time of day. You left Remilia's mansion at near-midnight.
> It is still very early morning - the stars and moon provide all of the light.
> Rounding a bend in the path, you come across a small alcove in the rocks where the music is coming from. A trio of girls in elegant, formal dresses, one a dark purple, one red and one pink, are seated on some logs scattered around the alcove, each playing their instrument - a trumpet, a violin and something you know is called a "keyboard."
> They haven't noticed you yet.

[Hello Purvis]

Whachu think, Bobert? Greet or Avoid? I'm leaning toward greet.

[Mr_Bob]

Would be a pity to let such an opportunity to let slip. I'm wit' ya' Purv.

[Hello Purvis]

>Wave to the musicians; hopefully that won't disturb them too much.

[Fightest]

>Wave to the musicians; hopefully that won't disturb them too much.

> They turn to look at you as one, then at each other. They each do a slight nod.
> The music takes on a more determined bent, the mindless melodies of the ditty transforming into strong motifs, each played in turn by each instrument while supported with potent harmonies by the other two, winding and weaving into a breathtaking fugue.
> The trumpet starts to take on a more supportive role, the fugue quiets down into a gentle duet of piano and violin, and the girl in the pink dress puts down her trumpet while her other two companions continue playing.
> "You surprised us! Uh, if you're looking for opponents, we're out of the tournament, sorry."

[Hello Purvis]

>"No, that's fine. I was just being friendly. Have you been up the mountain today, then?"

[Fightest]

>"No, that's fine. I was just being friendly. Have you been up the mountain today, then?"

> The girl looks sheepish, and pulls back, sitting down on her log, pulling out her trumpet and joining back into the performance. The keyboard starts to pull out, the violin and trumpet now in a brash contest of flavour and tone.
> The keyboardist, the red-dressed girl, jumps up to you, quivering in indignant rage.
> "Oh, we were totally gonna! We were going to show that mountain what-for, starting with the boring teacher-lady we saw on the way. Nobody ain't told us she was so tough!"

[Hello Purvis]

>"Which teacher lady?"

[Fightest]

>"Which teacher lady?"

> "Well, it wasn't actually today. Two days ago, I think. The human-village-teacher-lady, you know?"

[Hello Purvis]

>"Oh, her! Yeah, she can be vicious. But I'm sure you gave nearly as good as you got. Hey, do you know what's going on up the mountain, today?"

[Mr_Bob]

>Do we get the impression any of them are lying?
>Assess trio's apparel for battle readiness.

[Fightest]

>"Oh, her! Yeah, she can be vicious. But I'm sure you gave nearly as good as you got. Hey, do you know what's going on up the mountain, today?"

> The girl in red hmphs and sits back down on a log, joining back into the trio.
> The violin pulls out, the keyboard and trumpet suddenly taking a turn to the slow and moody, the trumpet carrying a piercing, improvised melody, the keyboard supporting with a few harmonic chords here and there.
> The violinist - the last of the girls, dressed in a dark purple - gets up to talk to you.
> "Things have been quiet - Fujiwara did a lot of damage when she came through, and any feelings of revenge in those who could still fight were quickly quashed by Kamishirasawa who came through afterwards. I do not know about the other areas, but the tournament has certainly left its mark here. It used to be so lively."

>Do we get the impression any of them are lying?
>Assess trio's apparel for battle readiness.

> They seem pretty earnest.
> You've had a lot of combat experience, and you can get a general air off your opponent about their determination. These three have no fighting spirit whatsoever.

[Hello Purvis]

>Bow toward violinist. "Thank you, that is most helpful."
>Assuming they have nothing to add, move on.

[Mr_Bob]

>Ask if they know anything on how Tengu or Kappa fight, and if they know how the shrine at the top has been faring.

[Fightest]

>Ask if they know anything on how Tengu or Kappa fight, and if they know how the shrine at the top has been faring.

> She didn't know that the shrine would be the least of her worries!
> "The two are related - the shrine maiden of the Moriya shrine-
> "The cheating hag!" shouts the girl in red, breaking off from the music. The girl in pink throws up her hands in exasperation and stops playing as well.
> Somehow, the music keeps echoing long after it should be gone.
> "-has finally begun her campaign, and after her first pass, most of the tengu and kappa have withdrawn from the fight. The speed of the former cannot withstand the terrible winds that she can whip up, and the elaborate technology of the latter seems to crumble and break in her presence. There are a few remaining - Shameimaru of the tengu and Kawashiro of the kappa are still in the tournament as far as we know.
> "And what my sister means by her cheating is that, well, rumours have gone around that she has some of the tournament's judges on her side. Nobody knows the details, though."
Nobody but the most cunning and intelligent! No wonder nobody has caught on!

>Bow toward violinist. "Thank you, that is most helpful."
>Assuming they have nothing to add, move on.

> The music follows you up the mountain, but soon it fades away.
> Normally one would expect to be accosted by youkai of all sorts by now - the name Youkai Mountain is well-deserved - but you seem to be the only person around for miles.
> Little did she know that she was being followed, so quiet, so sneaky, by the most interesting girl she'd ever met thus far!
> The brief headache passes as quickly as it came on. That's the third time already.
> Akyu was getting tired, no doubt. The tournament was wearing her down, slowly, but surely. Will she even make it to the top of this mountain, the poor thing?

[Hello Purvis]

>"...Who's there?"

[Mr_Bob]

>"And then the unknown, but very interesting girl, revealed herself (Oh what very good manners) and introduced herself as.....?"

[Fightest]

>"...Who's there?"

> There is no response but the blowing of the wind.
> The path is narrow, but the view all around, lit by the moon and stars, is expansive. There is nobody here.
> The gentle rays of the morning sun light up the mountain in a wondrous pink-red. Such colours have only be seen in storybooks!
> But Akyu's grim demeanor did not let her appreciate the beauty of her surroundings. She had a mission, and she would carry it out even if her body fell apart!

>"And then the unknown, but very interesting girl, revealed herself (Oh what very good manners) and introduced herself as.....?"

> Said Akyu, furtively glancing around. She was wary of sudden attacks, and the grove she was in, surrounded by trees and bushes, offered many a place for hidden assailants to strike from.
> The path winds up and up the mountain, rock looming over you on either side.
> Taking a deep breath, the girl steps out from behind an ancient oak tree, her elegant dress blowing gently in the wind, giving her an aloof, mysterious air.
> Your Qi sense is as sharp as ever, but even here, a few minutes away from the Moriya shrine, there is nobody around.
> The shrine maiden's campaign was terrible and mighty indeed, and no tengu or kappa could stand in her way!
> But this mysterious girl, she is so clever, oh so clever, and completely outwitted the dull shrine maiden.
> And now she stands before Akyu, smiling a knowing smile.
> Koishi, so courteously, her manner perfect, her attitude divine, introduces herself by name, for she is not afraid that it will be used for nefarious purposes.
> Is she friend, or foe? An obstacle to overcome, or an ally to rely on? Only the future will tell...

[Hello Purvis]

>"Ah. Hello Koishi. I've come here to find you...as you likely already know."
>Bow, since she said she was in front of us.
>"Thank you for cutting that search a bit shorter."

[Fightest]

>"Ah. Hello Koishi. I've come here to find you...as you likely already know."
> Akyu said, bowing, returning the gesture to the girl in front of her.
>"Thank you for cutting that search a bit shorter."
> She concluded, carefully evaluating Koishi's reaction. Koishi knew to be wary - Akyu was a cunning and devious tactician, and would stop at nothing to achieve her goal.
> With a wistful melancholy that somehow made her look even prettier than

> she already is, Koishi wondered how this encounter could have gone in different circumstances.
> But, deep in her heart, she knew of the cruelty and coldness within Akyu. Koishi knew that only she was the one who could stand against Akyu - the one who had been her nemesis for so long.
> Now Akyu would know of the hero destined to end her - Koishi, only survivor of a destroyed world, a world whose lifespark had been snuffed out so callously by the dark overlord known as Akyu.

[Mr_Bob]

>"Akyu, the Cold, Cruel, Dark Overlord, snarls at the beautiful hero, 'Koishi, know you are no match for I. Unless you uncover my secret weakness, you have no hope of repairing damage of the evil design.'

[Fightest]

> Akyu, the Cold, Cruel, Dark Overlord, snarls at the beautiful hero, "Koishi, know you are no match for I. Unless you uncover my secret weakness, you have no hope of repairing damage of the evil design."
> Koishi recoils from the threat, but

> stands her ground bravely. She was stronger now, with the help of her many friends that she met on her travels - the many friends who can stand by her side no longer.
> Her eyes blazing like embers, Koishi proclaims the villain's downfall, if not for herself, then for all her friends and everyone whose life depends on her!
> With a battle-shout filled with equal parts fear and determination, Koishi lunges at the overlord, her fists enflamed with the mystic energies she can barely control!

[Hello Purvis]

>Do we see or sense anything that suggests Koishi is actually about to pitch us a beating?
>If not, say, "Unfortunately, Koishi, in her eagerness to prove herself to the dark overlord before her, had made a small, yet fatal miscalculation. She had forgotten to consider the small stone between them, and in her haste, catches her foot upon it. She sprawls to the ground in a jumbled heap at the Akyu's Feet, sore and embarrassed. At least the dark overlord did not laugh at this unfortunate but  understandable oversight."

[Fightest]

>Do we see or sense anything that suggests Koishi is actually about to pitch us a beating?
> It is clear as day that our hero will not stand down from her fight, and her power, dangerous to herself as it may be, will certainly defeat her dreaded enemy!
>If not, say, "Unfortunately, Koishi, in her eagerness to prove herself to the dark overlord before her, had made a small, yet fatal miscalculation. She had forgotten to consider the small stone between them, and in her haste, catches her foot upon it. She sprawls to the ground in a jumbled heap at the Akyu's Feet, sore and embarrassed. At least the dark overlord did not laugh at this unfortunate but  understandable oversight."

> ...

>If not, say, "Unfortunately, Koishi, in her eagerness to prove herself to the dark overlord before her, had made a small, yet fatal miscalculation. She had forgotten to consider the Overlord's mystic defense, and in her haste, smashes head-on into it. She sprawls to the ground in a jumbled heap at the Akyu's Feet, sore, but determined. At least the dark overlord did not laugh."

> ...

>If not, say, "Unfortunately, Koishi, in her eagerness to prove herself to the dark overlord before her, had made a small miscalculation. She had forgotten to consider the Overlord's mystic defense, and in her haste, nearly smashes head-on into it. She nimbly springs away from the shield's retaliation, halted, but determined to succeed. The dark overlord frowned - this fight would not end due an unfortunate oversight."

> Before Akyu can prepare a fatal attack, Koishi springs forward again, nimbly spinning through the mystic shield, and lands a solid strike across the overlord's chest-plate, buckling it inwards. Once the armour is destroyed, the overlord will be defenseless against her special attack!
> Your chest explodes in pain,
> cracks shooting across the black metal, the overlord spewing
> blood
> most vile at the hero.

[Hello Purvis]

>This rewriting, is this just Koishi speaking over us, or is she actually affecting out though process.
>"It is unfortunate that Koishi, in her rush to strike at Akyu, did not perhaps her attack properly. The rush of pain in her hand was all she needed to know she wouldnot be able to use that hand again without a few hours of rest and some treatment."
>"Then Akyu said, "The Hell Raven needs you, desperately. Is it wise to waste time with me, when I've brought her up here for you?"

[Fightest]

Parser's note - Koishi has taken over parser send hel

>This rewriting, is this just Koishi speaking over us, or is she actually affecting out though process.
> Little did Akyu know that Koishi chose to face her where she is strongest. She will do everything she can do lay low her enemy!
>"It is unfortunate that Koishi, in her rush to strike at Akyu, did not perhaps her attack properly. The rush of pain in her hand was all she needed to know she wouldnot be able to use that hand again without a few hours of rest and some treatment."

> ...

>"It is fortunate that Koishi, despite her rush to strike at Akyu, timed her attack perfectly. The rush of pain in her hand was mild - she barely avoided the terrible retributive aura that, were she more careless, would have had her lose the use of her hand for maybe a few hours!"

>"Then Akyu said, "The Hell Raven needed you, desperately. She was not wise to waste time with me, when you herself, knowingly or not, brought her before me that I may end her swiftly."

> Tears flowing down her face in mourning for her now-gone friend, the Hell Raven, Koishi
> ...
> ponders briefly
> help
> ...
> lashes out with a kick that smashes into the overlord's lightning-fast block, shattering
> bones cracking
> black metal.
> small
> The overlord scoffs in
> pain
> thoughts
> and readies her attack. But Koishi is ready!

[Hello Purvis]

>"And as Koishi kicked , her other leg, damaged in her prior fall, has too much weight put on it, and fails her. Koishi tumbles to the ground. Still, she wonders, "why am I not helping Okuu? Wouldn't this relieve a burden of worry from my sister?' The overlord waits, having analyzed Koishi's moves, anticipating how she would move again."

[Mr_Bob]

>Is there anything in Koishi's appearance that seems odd, or out of place?

>Okuu.
>Memories.
>Satori.
>Gone.
>Love.
>Love.
>Love.
>Love...

[Fightest]

>"And as Koishi kicked , her other leg, damaged in her prior fall, has too much weight put on it, and fails her. Koishi tumbles to the ground. Still, she wonders, "why am I not helping Okuu? Wouldn't this relieve a burden of worry from my sister?' The overlord waits, having analyzed Koishi's moves, anticipating how she would move again."

> ...

>"And as Koishi kicked , her other leg, prepared in her prior fall, has just enough weight put on it, allowing her to send out another kick. Koishi sends Akyu tumbling to the ground. Still, she wonders, "why could I not help Okuu? Wouldn't

> ...
> it be good if she knew who she was
> ...

this compound the burden of loss on myself?' The overlord waits, having analyzed Koishi's moves, anticipating how she would move again."

>Is there anything in Koishi's appearance that seems odd, or out of place?

> The overlord stood amazed at Koishi's prowess, never before had a foe given her so much pause!

>Okuu.
>Memories.
>Satori.
>Gone.
>Love.
>Love.
>Love.
>Love...

> ...

> The
> overlord
> Satori
> Gone
> Hero
> agility
> ...
> strikes...

> Our hero
> ...
> springs back from the overlord, readying her next assault!