Visiting the Neighbors - Kanako in the Netherworld

[Hanzo K.]

>Smile a bit, in that typically confident manner we're known for. "I can agree with that myself. You don't get to be as powerful as I am without knowing how to choose your battles."
>Hmm...How would Suwako respond to all this were she in our shoes instead...?

[Oldmansour]

>Smile a bit, in that typically confident manner we're known for. "I can agree with that myself. You don't get to be as powerful as I am without knowing how to choose your battles."
>Hmm...How would Suwako respond to all this were she in our shoes instead...?

>"I think it would be a very interesting sight, to see you challenge the Broodmother."
>Suwako would probably have disposed of the small fries in one pass and kept chasing the dragon. Dragons, after all, would be more fun, and that little runt is all about the fun. Although her definition of the word is somewhat... suspect.

[Hanzo K.]

>"Hmm....Perhaps you could tell me about her then? I have to admit, you do have my interest piqued."
>Yes..She always was the more whimsical of the two, never planning in the long-term, and just in general being eccentric.
>Come to think of it, what was the specific incident that prompted us to develop the washbin spell?

[Oldmansour]

>"Hmm....Perhaps you could tell me about her then? I have to admit, you do have my interest piqued."
>Yes..She always was the more whimsical of the two, never planning in the long-term, and just in general being eccentric.
>Come to think of it, what was the specific incident that prompted us to develop the washbin spell?

>The dracotaur exhales slowly. "Perhaps. But you must understand, there will be only so much I can say. I am no traitor to my kind."
>It wasn't so much an 'incident', so much as it was a 'declaration'. After that taoist Miko and her bad of troublemakers appeared and Sanae went out played hero again, after she got home, she was inspired and energetic. She flew to the roof of the Moriya temple and declared herself 'DEFENDER OF GENSOKYO!' while striking a pose every bit as ridiculous as those you saw in those science fictions shows she used to watch back on Earth. Suwako, of course, cheered her on, but you thought both of their enthusiasm needed to be curbed a bit, and you thought a nice metal object to the head would do that nicely, without causing permanent damage. And the rest is history.

[Hanzo K.]

>Nod. "Understandable, just a simple overview of who she is, what role she fills, and how powerful she is in comparison to myself should suffice. Yes? You've already seen my level, so you can give a rough comparison."

[Oldmansour]

>Nod. "Understandable, just a simple overview of who she is, what role she fills, and how powerful she is in comparison to myself should suffice. Yes? You've already seen my level, so you can give a rough comparison."

>The dracotaur sighs in thought, black smoke wafting from its nostrils. "It is... difficult to relate the power of one of my kind to one of yours. It is not often we have encountered a non Wyrm that could rival the Broodmother. But from that title, you can probably guess what she is to us. She is not only our leader, she is our mother. Every Wyrm that follows her are her children, save those that serve as mounts for her lesser servants. Her children would never stoop so low. That fate is reserved for those she has cowed to her will, and there have been many that have bowed before her. Worlds have bowed to her, and more worlds yet will fall."

[Hanzo K.]

>Smirk. "She sounds rather interesting. I happen to have a reptilian motif myself, having an affinity for snakes and such."
>Then nod with the same smirk. "Alright then, I have decided. I wish to meet this woman."

[Oldmansour]

>Smirk. "She sounds rather interesting. I happen to have a reptilian motif myself, having an affinity for snakes and such."
>Then nod with the same smirk. "Alright then, I have decided. I wish to meet this woman."

>The dracotaur seethes, rage burning in his countenance at your mention of reptiles, undoubtedly 'lesser' ones to one as arrogant as these seem to be. All he says is, "Be on your way, then."

[Hanzo K.]

>Facepalm. "I cannot exactly meet her if I do not know the way you know."

[Oldmansour]

>Facepalm. "I cannot exactly meet her if I do not know the way you know."

>"That's not my problem." the dracotaur grunts. "I still have a mission in this place, and I still have to carry it out, even with a demolished squad. Pyremaw would swallow me whole if I abandoned his order. You can kill me if you want, but it'd be a cleaner death than he'd give me."

[Hanzo K.]

>"Hmm....So then I take it this 'Pyremaw' is a powerful sort. Which means if I best him, then there would not be much keeping you from pointing the way, no? A sort of 'You kill it, you bought it' matter, no?"
>Nod. "Incidentally, what is this 'mission' by any chance? I assume it's related to the domination of this world, no?"

[Oldmansour]

>"Hmm....So then I take it this 'Pyremaw' is a powerful sort. Which means if I best him, then there would not be much keeping you from pointing the way, no? A sort of 'You kill it, you bought it' matter, no?"
>Nod. "Incidentally, what is this 'mission' by any chance? I assume it's related to the domination of this world, no?"

>"Pyremaw is one of the Broodmother's more powerful children, though not the most." The dracotaur's tail flicks back and forth, sending pieces of ice scattering. "If you want to know how powerful..." He raises his tail and points to the battle raging in the distance, the way the dragon went. "I suspect you would have seen him. And now you can see him in action."
>"We were to be his rearguard. To ensure none escaped his wrath." He looks around at his fallen allies. "Only to find out that we couldn't escape the wrath of another Overlord. But I survive, therefore the mission remains."

[Hanzo K.]

>"Hmm...I normally don't indulge myself, but this could prove to be an interesting battle. I suppose everyone has to take their first steps, and this is just the first of many on my path to gaining this world's faith as well. And for the record, I am a Wind Goddess. Kanako Yasaka. Though I suppose in this world's terminology, I would be considered an Overlord."
>Smirk a bit. "I wonder how Pyremaw will withstand my greatest technique? That wind magic I used earlier was just a small portion of my power after all. I haven't even begun to flex my divinity in this world."
>Let's let a dramatic breeze flare up, just because we can. We're certainly given towards a bit of the ham ourselves, but we prefer the more subtle sort. And, being a Wind Goddess certainly helps a bit.

[Oldmansour]

>"Hmm...I normally don't indulge myself, but this could prove to be an interesting battle. I suppose everyone has to take their first steps, and this is just the first of many on my path to gaining this world's faith as well. And for the record, I am a Wind Goddess. Kanako Yasaka. Though I suppose in this world's terminology, I would be considered an Overlord."
>Smirk a bit. "I wonder how Pyremaw will withstand my greatest technique? That wind magic I used earlier was just a small portion of my power after all. I haven't even begun to flex my divinity in this world."
>Let's let a dramatic breeze flare up, just because we can. We're certainly given towards a bit of the ham ourselves, but we prefer the more subtle sort. And, being a Wind Goddess certainly helps a bit.

>"An Overlord is one who rules a world." The dracotaur informs you. "True, you have the power of an Overlord, that is not in dispute. Were you the ruler of your world?"
>The winged being returns your smirk. His face gives him a bit of an edge in that department. "As I wonder how you will fare against a Full dragon.
>Strictly speaking, you're not really the hammy sort, unless you know it will garner you some advantage. Displays of excess for the sake of said are much more the department of the other two residents of your shrine. Even when it comes to grandiose displays, yours are measured and strategic in their implementation. Suwako, of course, merely says that you think too much.
>On the other hand, there's almost never a bad reason to start up a bit of a breeze, alien wind or no. But a simple one will do.

[Hanzo K.]

>"Ruler? Not quite. I am but one of several powerful beings. I suppose one could classify them as Overlord-Level as well in a way. One of my associates who I ended up befriending in a way after defeating her long ago is one such example. And my Shrine Maiden, the one who acts on my behalf for the majority of the time, is also relatively powerful herself. Though her mastery of the winds pales in comparison to my own."
>Smirk a bit. "Well, I suppose it's time I go test my strength, no? If Suwako were here, she would have simply flattened you, and gone after the dragon right away. Ah, she's the one I mentioned earlier, the one I defeated long ago. She too is a Goddess. Specifically, Earth. These days, we work together....Though I often have to rein in the mad antics she and Sanae get up to..."
>Sigh. "They're quite troublesome at times you know. Like little children....Ignoring the fact that Suwako herself resembles one."
>Nod. "Well, I suppose that since you're interested in seeing how I fare, shall we be off?"
>Let's go after that dragon!

[Oldmansour]

>"Ruler? Not quite. I am but one of several powerful beings. I suppose one could classify them as Overlord-Level as well in a way. One of my associates who I ended up befriending in a way after defeating her long ago is one such example. And my Shrine Maiden, the one who acts on my behalf for the majority of the time, is also relatively powerful herself. Though her mastery of the winds pales in comparison to my own."
>Smirk a bit. "Well, I suppose it's time I go test my strength, no? If Suwako were here, she would have simply flattened you, and gone after the dragon right away. Ah, she's the one I mentioned earlier, the one I defeated long ago. She too is a Goddess. Specifically, Earth. These days, we work together....Though I often have to rein in the mad antics she and Sanae get up to..."
>Sigh. "They're quite troublesome at times you know. Like little children....Ignoring the fact that Suwako herself resembles one."
>Nod. "Well, I suppose that since you're interested in seeing how I fare, shall we be off?"
>Let's go after that dragon!

>Finishing your recount of your family, you take to the air once more, setting off towards the battle raging between Pyremaw the dragon and whomever he battles. Judging from the quantity of the flashes of fire and energy, either that dragon is packing a lot of firepower, or he had more minions than just these four. And for all you know, his opponents may be just as hostile as that dracotaur that fired on you. This could be quite a challenge.
>One of the aforementioned minions, the winged one you've been conversing with, does not follow you as you suggested, but instead starts limping towards the gun-wielding humanoid you dispatched.

[Hanzo K.]

>Hmm....Let's see how wide we can get that Giga Wind spell to spread, hmm?
>Ah what the hell, let's aim directly for the dragon with it. We'll knock him right outta the sky!

[Oldmansour]

>Hmm....Let's see how wide we can get that Giga Wind spell to spread, hmm?
>Ah what the hell, let's aim directly for the dragon with it. We'll knock him right outta the sky!

>Pyremaw is no longer visible. He has at least several miles on you, and the region he went towards is very hilly.

[Hanzo K.]

>Well, let's stop off on the site of the battle he probably just got through with and look for survivors to heal.

[Oldmansour]

>Well, let's stop off on the site of the battle he probably just got through with and look for survivors to heal.

>Keeping your onbashira at the ready, and your magics prepped, you track after the explosions in the air, curling around a tall hill and taking in the still raging-battle in an icy valley squashed between two large hills.

>In the air above the ground there flies a quartet of inhuman figures. A dragon the same build as Pyremaw only much smaller, and a pair what seems nothing more than oversized moths with blue and green wings, seem to be triple teaming a being that looks to be a cross between a canine and a dragon with feathery wings. The winged dog with gold colored fur dives down away from the drake, but the two moths are waiting to intercept it, discharging rings of energy from their mouths as the canine descends.

>Below this battle rages one on the ground. A column of small vaguely-humanoid penguins stand guarded by a quartet of humanoids, and they are surrounded by foes. The canyon walls to their left and right hold a four figures each, two dark-skinned males with dark trousers, wide country hats and large pistol weapons, and two shorter males with red cloaks carrying staves. The gunners are exchanging fire with a pair of curly haired flat-chested girls carrying silver bows, while the hooded boys point their staves and grin, waiting and watching. At least, two of them two, the other two are trading turns launching fire spells at a second flying dog dancing in the air above the penguins.
>A pair of armored humans stand at the front of the column of penguins, themselves outnumbered more than two to one. The armored male on the left, wielding a sword and shield, is pressed by a pair of black dracotaurs wielding vicious axes while a warrior like the one you bested before stands behind them armed with a lance, striking over, around and between the dracotaurs at the knight. His partner, a woman with long green hair and slightly less armor, swings a ranseur at another dracotaur and warrior, both wielding curved two-handed blades, while a female warrior stands about fifteen feet behind them aiming a bow, waiting for her chance to strike.

>Pyremaw himself stands perched on an icy flat outcropping on the north hillface, watching his minions battle below, smoke rising from his nostrils and a serpentine grin upon his cruel black face.

[Hanzo K.]

>Let's bide our time, and deduce which ones serve Pyremaw.

[Oldmansour]

>Let's bide our time, and deduce which ones serve Pyremaw.

>The presence of black draconic creatures would seem to be an obvious indication of who's on who's side, but, nevertheless, you slow your approach enough to take in the sights before you.

>The lone gold winged dog banks hard to its right, managing to evade one of the sonic pulses but the closer one catches the beast on its flank. The gold beast ignores the pain that had to have caused him and dives towards one of the gunner/mage pairs. The winged dog draws his wings back and sends them forward, sending out a dozen large white feathers shooting out at the pair.

>The male knight fends off the dracotaur's descending axe with his shield upraised, then points his sword arm out towards his female companion. A white healing light forms around his hand and around the woman. You've seen enough healing magic to know one when you see one. The move very nearly costs him, too, as the warrior behind the dracotaurs stabs forward with his lance, seeking the knight's arm. Desperately the helmeted man draws his sword back in line to intercept the incoming polearm, but even dealing with that blow does not escape him harm, as one of the gunners behind him takes aim and blasts the man in the back.
>His partner isn't faring all that much better, for although she wards off a pair of blows from the dracotaur and the warrior attacking her, the archer behind them fires a quintet of twisting energy bolts that fly between her two allies and strike the woman knight, flying through her as they deal their damage. Simultaneously, one of the red-clad mages on the north cliff points his staff at her, and a bolt of flame strikes down from the sky overhead onto her body.

>One of the archers with curly hair returns fire, sending an arrow flying into the torso of the dracotaur attacking the lance-wielding knight, but for her efforts, two of the gunners blast away at her, unloading triple shots each into her unarmored body. The gold beast flying over this battle tries to head towards the gunner on the south wall that fired on her, but the mage standing next to the gunner unleashes a triad of fireballs at the beast. Two out of three strike home, and the beast has to veer off, his back legs and rear torso engulfed in flames.

[Hanzo K.]

>So, that mage in red serves Pyremaw then? Let's see if we can't peg the mage that burnt the winged creature, as well as his gunner comrade, with a Giga Wind.

[Oldmansour]

>So, that mage in red serves Pyremaw then? Let's see if we can't peg the mage that burnt the winged creature, as well as his gunner comrade, with a Giga Wind.

>It would seem that the mages, the gunners, the mothmen, the dracotaurs and the warriors are all on Pyremaw's side, as well as the other black drake, of course. The knights, the winged dogs and the archers are allied against them and seem to be protecting the penguin-things. And while the latter group seem to be holding their own, they're badly outnumbered.
>So it's time someone evened the odds. Taking aim at the gunner/mage pair closest to you, you unleash your mighty spell once more, catching them completely unawares and sending the both of them hurtling into the sky. Both of them crash down to the icy rocks and are quite still where they lie.
>The archer that had taken all those bullets glances in your direction, salutes you with her bow, then leaps into the air with a series of flips, the arrow nocked in her bow glowing. When she stops, she unleashes a torrent of glowing bolts at the other gunner/mage pair on the south cliff.

>The female knight raises the butt end of her ranseur and drives it into the dracotaur's jaw, snapping it shut, then extends her left hand towards the burning beast, casting a healing spell of her own, before turning back to the warrior in front of her. The female warrior behind them, however, looks in your direction, and points her bow at you. When she releases the arrow at you, not one but five projectiles launch from her weapon in an expanding cone.

[Hanzo K.]

>Heh, like leaves in the wind...So let's hammer them out of the air with our control of the wind!
>Then, return fire with a pinpoint Giga Wind!
>Incidentally, let's look at everyone's levels, hm?

[Oldmansour]

>Incidentally, let's look at everyone's levels, hm?

>1 Male Paladin - Lv. 425.
>1 Female Paladin - lv. 420
>2 Saint Dragon - lv. 380
>2 Archer - lv. 355

>3 Gunner - lv. 250
>3 Red Skull - lv. 285
>2 Mothman - lv. 240
>1 Warrior - lv. 350
>1 Female Warrior - lv. 345
>2 Black Dracotaur - lv. 390
>1 Black Drake - lv. 370

>Pyremaw. - Level 675

>Heh, like leaves in the wind...So let's hammer them out of the air with our control of the wind!
>Then, return fire with a pinpoint Giga Wind!

>A mere gesture is normally all you need to deflect simple projectiles, but these arrows are charged with some form of energy as well, magic or otherwise. So you sweep your arm in front of you and erect a barrier of wind in front of the incoming arrows, shredding four of them and stopping the fifth dead in its tracks.
>Your return spell is not quite as 'pinpoint' as you'd intended, as the whirlwind of green air appears slightly to left of the bowman's center mass, rather than directly underneath. It seems that these magics have a range, and that target is at the effective edge of it. You still hit her, yes, but as a consequence, you now have a sense of the range of your new magics.
>And your efforts have finally drawn the attention of the large dragon called Pyremaw, as he swivels his head from the battle below to gaze upon you. The beast's eyes glow and the edges of his scales glow a dark red.

[Hanzo K.]

>Well, looks like it's time then. Let's look to the two Paladins then, and send our message on the wind to their ears, so the din of battle won't drown it out. "I suggest you and your allies take cover. This little clash will be quite the spectacle."
>Once that's set, let's get ready to create a wind barrier that'll reflect instead of block. We'll send Pyremaw's own attack right back at him!

[Oldmansour]

>Well, looks like it's time then. Let's look to the two Paladins then, and send our message on the wind to their ears, so the din of battle won't drown it out. "I suggest you and your allies take cover. This little clash will be quite the spectacle."
>Once that's set, let's get ready to create a wind barrier that'll reflect instead of block. We'll send Pyremaw's own attack right back at him!

>If the two armored figures hear your message, they show no signs of it, occupied as they are with their foes.
>Well, you did what you could for them, now to settle your own issue. That being the large dragon with the glowing hide looking in your direction. Admittedly you're not sure what it's about to do, but generally when beasts start to glow like that, it's a sign that it's about to do something bad.
>Sure enough, the dragon opens its mouth almost lazily and spits a fireball in your direction. A simplistic and predictable attack, but it would certainly be effective if it connected. But you are Kanako, and well prepared, and with a wave of your arm you erect a reflective barrier of air currents. The incendiary orb strikes your defensive screen and flies back towards the dragon. The fireball splats against the dragon's snout, to no visible effect. Well, not NO effect, as the dragon appears annoyed, but he does appear undamaged.

[Hanzo K.]

>"As someone once said in a book from my world, 'Not enough gun'. Admirable effort though, were I any mere mortal, that likely would have worked. But even a Dragon cannot beat one of the Divine."

[Oldmansour]

>"As someone once said in a book from my world, 'Not enough gun'. Admirable effort though, were I any mere mortal, that likely would have worked. But even a Dragon cannot beat one of the Divine."

>The dragon makes no intelligible sound, merely snorts in irritation, then flares his nostrils again. Streams of blackened flame pour from the openings, twining together like a great coil of DNA. The sooty strands pool together in a large orb, from which a pair of arms extend, ending in four-fingered hands. A pair of pupil-less red eyes appear in the center of the mass, and the armed flame creature floats towards you at about a walking pace.