Dragonball M, Chapter 1: Silent Menace Aproaches!

[IGee]

It is old. Very, very old. However, after a few moments, Anja sees that the talisman was a sealing ofuda meant to keep the mage in the urn. It was partially broken, this freeing the mage somewhat.The more he drained from the city, the more the tamisman was fading.

Considering how ancient this thing was, Ajna was astounded he recognized anything about it. But the shaping, the method. They're recognizable. Modern sealing methods haven't fallen far from the tree it seems.

"Looks like the sealing talismen is going to need to be repaired or replaced. But I'm afraid to tamper with this thing. . . let's restrain and gag the wizard, and 'waken the villagers. One way or another we need to evacuate this mine, but maybe we'll get lucky and one will be a specialist."

Looking around at the others gathered there, Ajna did his best to appear more calm than he really was, but he was in kind of a rush. That mage wasn't weak. He didn't have the ability to sense ki or whatever like the abbot had, but he didn't want to see what he was like when this was what he'd been capable of while most of his power was still locked away.

"That guy is really dangerous. He wasn't even near full power and he took over a whole town. We got lucky."

[KamenRaida]

"I can help you in your quest. I know of you previous failure to acquire aid from another set of dragonballs, but I assure you, the ones on this planet are more powerful. While they could not cure or remove the curse, the time limit you face from what was done to you could be removed."

It was a better deal than he had hoped for, if truth be told, even if not quite what he would have preferred.

He may have even decided he was better served questioning this Kami further, imploring how she could be so sure her Dragon Balls held more power than the ones he used.

But, stars forbid, he was desperate, and had waited too long for even the faintest chance of hope for his circumstances.

Sighing in defeat, Koorimaru nodded, "Very well. If you are indeed able to do this for me, I will help you and your planet."

[Monstrous Bird of Qin, Ou Ki]

This was intriguing but also horrifying with the implications of what she said, if it was all true. Truth be told, Karine was not remotely a religious person that was more of her mother's side of things but she hadn't really pressed the issue growing up, allowing her to ultimately decide how she wanted to live her life. To hear confirmination 'deities' were a thing left a lot of questions, but to what she said 'higher' ones didn't think too much of mortal affairs.

Karine supposed her main axe was the general concept of higher beings that used mortal lives as cosmic chess or a glorified ant farm.

"..I..we'll I see.." The young woman paused to collect herself, wondering if perhaps she was being too naive to take this beings word at face value. "You mentioned earth will be under threat in the future. So I assume you plan on training us for said threat." Bluntly speaking, none of them were anything worth writing home about at the moment, maybe this Kami saw potential in them that wasn't as readily apparent.



Karine was still in some ways immensely skeptical of the whole thing. An guardian of earth? Other deities? Still, there was no denying what she was witnessing and the overall feeling she got from this guardian who called herself Kami. If what she said was true about earth being in danger with her and the others having the potential to advert it there was no recourse but to get involved even if it was something that normally didn't appeal to her.

The warriors path had been open to her with her father but she had no interest in it except learning just enough to defend herself. It didn't ignite her blood like it did her friend, she did enjoy friendly competition but nothing too serious. This was a different matter entirely if all this held true she be tested by fire of combat, and those chains would either strengthen or break her in the process if she wasn't strong enough.

For her home and loved ones though, she'd take again and again despite any misgivings.

So Totoma's easy going answer after everything that happened, the questions, along with the world shattering revelations made her response an easier one. It was ridiculous how casual the response was with the gravity of the situation, yet she found herself appreciating it in part.

"I am as well. If what you said is true about earth being in danger, then I don't have much choice to begin with. None I'd be comfortable with." She regarded her friend with a bemused look. "I did say I'd help in anyway I can. It'll just be like old times, save for the stakes being so high and older, I guess."

Karine life was more routine and stable, though with Totoma being himself sometimes those plans and routines were thrown off. A large part of her had missed it.

Hm... while Karine had handled herself well in her first real battle, Totoma couldn't recall whether or not she had any proper combat training. That is... did she know how to throw a punch without doing more damage to herself than the enemy?

She had some formidable techniques, and in a group effort, would have no trouble using them at her leisure... but mano-a-mano? Might be a bit difficult when the enemy was focused solely on her. He would have to give her some hand-to-hand training later.

"Should be fun," he said. "More interesting than just wandering around semi-aimlessly, at any rate."

Were she here, his mother definitely would've... encouraged him... to go through with this. Hell, she might've accepted herself and dragged him along with her. Of course, given how powerful she no doubt would've been at this point... well, she might've been able to just overpower whatever this looming threat was.

...

Kind of a boring outcome.

The woman smiles.

"Excellent. My thanks, Totoma."

Totoma smiled back. "Heh. No problem, though..."

He paused for a moment, his outward expression becoming quite serious compared to before.

"...out of curiosity, can these... Dragon Balls revive the dead? Heck, what are the limits of its wish granting in the first place?"

He was breaking his 'goofy wandering hero' character for a moment, but he was genuinely curious. If they could revive people, then maybe... just maybe...

[Hazard]

Telepathically back, he hears this in an older male's voice:

'Perhaps because, brother, you and I are the same.'

It doesn't come from the man, but comes from somewhere else.

Your eye beams land and scorch the man's shoulder.

The words shock him. However, he cannot deny them. At once, everything clicks in his head, the reason why that presence is so familiar. It is because it comes from a Namekian like him. It makes no sense. Namekians are, by large, a peaceful race. Sure, there are some bad eggs, but corrupting a man's Ki like this is something else.

You're the one controlling this man, Slak accuses. Where are you?

As he says this, he focuses on finding the source of the Namekian's Ki.

The man is held down tight by Kai's TK, no longer able to move or even channel a blast.

He's not going to get a better chance to take down the man, but it may mean not being able to locate the Namekian.

Slak clenches his teeth and raises his open palm.

Dragon Shot

The large purple energy orb shoots out from his hand like a cannonball.

[Eternal Torment]

She hesitates before answering.

"The previous Kami was....not a kind person. Fate had led him down a path that twisted what the position was to be, and through that much cruelty and evil came forth. I and a few others fought back, and when all was said and done, I remained and he did not. I used my wishes to attain his rank, and to be able to change Fate."

"So, you really can change the natural course of things. Free will can only go so far without divine intervention, I guess." Chuan almost repeated the words to himself before blinking. He seemed almost frustrated, if only for trivial reasons. "How could we ever repay your kindness, Kami? It doesn't seem right to solve things without showing proper respect for you and your efforts."

[Yun Lao]

Considering how ancient this thing was, Ajna was astounded he recognized anything about it. But the shaping, the method. They're recognizable. Modern sealing methods haven't fallen far from the tree it seems.

"Looks like the sealing talismen is going to need to be repaired or replaced. But I'm afraid to tamper with this thing. . . let's restrain and gag the wizard, and 'waken the villagers. One way or another we need to evacuate this mine, but maybe we'll get lucky and one will be a specialist."

Looking around at the others gathered there, Ajna did his best to appear more calm than he really was, but he was in kind of a rush. That mage wasn't weak. He didn't have the ability to sense ki or whatever like the abbot had, but he didn't want to see what he was like when this was what he'd been capable of while most of his power was still locked away.

"That guy is really dangerous. He wasn't even near full power and he took over a whole town. We got lucky."

"Should we break his jaw and hands to keep him from casting anymore magic?" Charco asked, seemingly ready to do just that if his body language had any indication to his train of thought.

[IGee]

"Should we break his jaw and hands to keep him from casting anymore magic?" Charco asked, seemingly ready to do just that if his body language had any indication to his train of thought.

Ajna's eyes widened at the savage suggestion; kid was younger than even he was. We're all under a great deal of stress, but damn. That's cold. He didn't rebuke him, though, not after what the mage was responsible for. And he didn't have any right to. Who was he to these people after all but some guy who had fallen in with them in common need.

"I'm just gonna tear his robes into strips to bind his hands and feet and gag him---unless one of ya have ropes on hand. If not, hopefully that'll be enough, and he stays unconscious until we figure out what to do about his fixing his prison," Ajna said, and walked quickly over to begin doing just that. He looked over his shoulder as he went, "If any one knows a way to put this djinni back in his bottle though, that'd be great. This is just gonna slow him down. But barring that, I'm gonna truss this swine up in his own trimmings and then, I'm gonna see about getting the Hell out of this death trap."

Ajna didn't exactly want to be the one to tie the guy up, but he also didn't want the younger man to do anything he might regret. He knelt down next to the dark skinned man to begin creating the bindings. Hopefully this fella doesn't wake up and curse me into a monkey-man or something equally improbable.

[Cthulhu_of_R'lyeh]

"Killing him would seem the more expedient issue." Ishtar replied quickly. "Unless you can devise a way to repair the talisman. Perhaps someone's life energy, perhaps?"

[MrSandman]

"Killing him would seem the more expedient issue." Ishtar replied quickly. "Unless you can devise a way to repair the talisman. Perhaps someone's life energy, perhaps?"

"Hmm....Despite what he's done, killing should be our last resort. I must admit, I'm only slightly familier with typical sealing spell in controlled experimentation. I could possibly touch the seal up a little....but it would only be a temporary fix." Etrina examined the talisman with single minded focus. "Perhaps......No, that would require catalyst agent......maybe.......no, that would risk a total reverse temporal esoteric collapse. Damn it....why didn't I bring my notes. This was suppose to be a pick up, not a field mission. Erosa, fetch me my bag."

Etrina paid no attention for a response, focused entirely on her work. She wouldn't receive one either......Erosa was focused on something else at the time.

Ajna's eyes widened at the savage suggestion; kid was younger than even he was. We're all under a great deal of stress, but damn. That's cold. He didn't rebuke him, though, not after what the mage was responsible for. And he didn't have any right to. Who was he to these people after all but some guy who had fallen in with them in common need.

"I'm just gonna tear his robes into strips to bind his hands and feet and gag him---unless one of ya have ropes on hand. If not, hopefully that'll be enough, and he stays unconscious until we figure out what to do about his fixing his prison," Ajna said, and walked quickly over to begin doing just that. He looked over his shoulder as he went, "If any one knows a way to put this djinni back in his bottle though, that'd be great. This is just gonna slow him down. But barring that, I'm gonna truss this swine up in his own trimmings and then, I'm gonna see about getting the Hell out of this death trap."

Ajna didn't exactly want to be the one to tie the guy up, but he also didn't want the younger man to do anything he might regret. He knelt down next to the dark skinned man to begin creating the bindings. Hopefully this fella doesn't wake up and curse me into a monkey-man or something equally improbable.

Even before the quiet footfalls behind him, Ajna felt something prickle on his back. Should he turn, he would find Erosa standing over him.

Her red, excited eyes were aimed down squarely on the fallen form of the mage.

Her hands opened and closed, tensing in anticipation.

At this distance, Ajna felt the pressure of her killing intent. It was clear as day and pressing down him like an avalanche.

Slowly, she reached her right arm out towards the fallen mage.....her fingers extending into talons. Reaching out towards his undefended chest.

[IGee]

"Hmm....Despite what he's done, killing should be our last resort. I must admit, I'm only slightly familier with typical sealing spell in controlled experimentation. I could possibly touch the seal up a little....but it would only be a temporary fix." Etrina examined the talisman with single minded focus. "Perhaps......No, that would require catalyst agent......maybe.......no, that would risk a total reverse temporal esoteric collapse. Damn it....why didn't I bring my notes. This was suppose to be a pick up, not a field mission. Erosa, fetch me my bag."

Etrina paid no attention for a response, focused entirely on her work. She wouldn't receive one either......Erosa was focused on something else at the time.



Even before the quiet footfalls behind him, Ajna felt something prickle on his back. Should he turn, he would find Erosa standing over him.

Her red, excited eyes were aimed down squarely on the fallen form of the mage.

Her hands opened and closed, tensing in anticipation.

At this distance, Ajna felt the pressure of her killing intent. It was clear as day and pressing down him like an avalanche.

Slowly, she reached her right arm out towards the fallen mage.....her fingers extending into talons. Reaching out towards his undefended chest.

Ajna turned his head as some instinct rooted in his animal hindmind told him that something hungry approached. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Erosa moving in like some predator, padding her way across the ground up behind him.

Her feral attitude was striking. The sheer bloodthirst was palpable. When the younger man who had suggested maiming the magister, it hadn't carried this sort of conviction. And so he where he could ignore the one, this he could not.

That didn't mean he was looking for another fight either.

So when he turned and put himself between the mage and Erosa, his demeanor was very much at odds to her own: where she was exuded a great deal of bloodlust, his showed no aggression at all. That was the way one of the monks had taught him to deal with certain wild animals native to the forest outside the Palace.

No aggression, but no fear either.

Ajna stuck his hand out and pointed at Erosa and then spoke in a manner he never had before. It said the next words out of his mouth with as much authority injected into it as he possibly muster. In his mind, he tried to make it sound like the voice the abbot used on the occasions when Gaku had caught him skirting his chores.

"No! Not for you."

Then Ajna shooed her away like the cook had once done when he found Ajna raiding the Palace pantry.

When is it that I became the voice of reason, of authority? This doesn't feel right at all. How far have you fallen, Ajna. Are you the Man now? Big Brother Grinthorn? It was a struggle to keep the sense of gravity on his face necessary to even possibly pull this off. A hysterical laugh bubbled up into his throat that he throttled.

He hoped it worked, as those talons looked awful sharp.

[MrSandman]

Ajna turned his head as some instinct rooted in his animal hindmind told him that something hungry approached. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Erosa moving in like some predator, padding her way across the ground up behind him.

Her feral attitude was striking. The sheer bloodthirst was palpable. When the younger man who had suggested maiming the magister, it hadn't carried this sort of conviction. And so he where he could ignore the one, this he could not.

That didn't mean he was looking for another fight either.

So when he turned and put himself between the mage and Erosa, his demeanor was very much at odds to her own: where she was exuded a great deal of bloodlust, his showed no aggression at all. That was the way one of the monks had taught him to deal with certain wild animals native to the forest outside the Palace.

No aggression, but no fear either.

Ajna stuck his hand out and pointed at Erosa and said one thing, though he put as much authority into it as he could. Like the times Gaku caught him skirting his chores.

"No! Not for you."

Then Ajna shooed her away like the cook used to when he caught him raiding the pantry.

When is it that I became the voice of reason, of authority? This doesn't feel right at all. How far have you fallen, Ajna. Are you the Man now? Big Brother Grinthorn? It was a struggle to keep the sense of gravity on his face necessary to even possibly pull this off. A hysterical laugh bubbled up into his throat that he throttled.

He hoped it worked, as those talons looked awful sharp.

Her line of sight broken with the mage, Erosa noticed Ajna for the first time since she started her approach.

Looking at his face brought a lingering memory of something sweet tasting that dulled her bloodlust ever so slightly. He had been the man who shared some of his food with her earlier. But he was also between her and what she wanted. Perhaps it was that slight tip that allowed her to keep in a calm enough state of mind at the hindrance before her......calm enough to not take a swing at him with her claws then and there at least.

Instead, she stared at him.

Then took a step forward.

"Gao."

She took another step, lifting her clawed hand threateningly.

"Gaaaaao."

For a moment she paused, and made a weird sound. She roiling the sound around in her mouth, getting a taste for it, then spoke it like she was spitting something foul out of her mouth. The sound was akin to a wolf learning to speak english.

"Movee.......Can~dy man......my prey...."

[IGee]

Her line of sight broken with the mage, Erosa noticed Ajna for the first time since she started her approach.

Looking at his face brought a lingering memory of something sweet tasting that dulled her bloodlust ever so slightly. He had been the man who shared some of his food with her earlier. But he was also between her and what she wanted. Perhaps it was that slight tip that allowed her to keep in a calm enough state of mind at the hindrance before her......calm enough to not take a swing at him with her claws then and there at least.

Instead, she stared at him.

Then took a step forward.

"Gao."

She took another step, lifting her clawed hand threateningly.

"Gaaaaao."

For a moment she paused, and made a weird sound. She roiling the sound around in her mouth, getting a taste for it, then spoke it like she was spitting something foul out of her mouth. The sound was akin to a wolf learning to speak english.

"Movee.......Can~dy man......my prey...."

Ajna didn't budge, though he did feel his stomach sink a tad. And for this joker at that. But I can't step aside. I won't make mistakes like that any more. Regret suffused him as he continued to fail time and again to find a better way, without violence. This time he might have to get more than a little hurt to avoid a worst alternative.

Well then.

Time for one last effort before this devolved into something truly regretable. Pursing his lips, Ajna let out a deafening whistle, hoping to draw the attention of Ishtar, Charco, any one in the gang standing some twenty feet away. Perhaps one of them could restrain the girl. He didn't dare remove his eyes from her though.

But being a realist, Ajna still fell into one of the Genbudo stances. This one had his feet squared with his shoulders, his knees bent. His toes pointed slightly inward, creating a triangle. One hand was held closer to his chest, the other further out, almost at shoulder level, both palms facing inwards and fingertips pointed straight towards Erosa.

Ajna stood his ground, unwavering, very glad that he hadn't wasted his energy earlier using anything flashy. He spoke one last time, wishing to avoid the confrontation.

"We may need him if the people out there aren't just tired from being drained of their ki. If they're locked in some fugue state, it'll be much faster if we can beat the information out of this guy later. We can't do that if you paint the room with him. So step the Hell back."

[grampagen]

“They were being gathered. The beasts, the Yeti, have slept for centuries. They had only been awoken recently by one strong enough to break the enchantment on their prison. They were gathering the townspeople for use by their master.”

Hands still folded across his chest, Ochazuke received the Elder's answer, and though his composure remained steady on the outside the explanation cut through him nearly as hard as the biting air outside the walls.

So there it stands, an ever darker shadow loomed in the barrens over Cask. The victory of the day stolen by a deeper truth.

Deeper and stranger truths still, the village elder's words were tempered by something. An aberration in the old woman's ki signature made it all the clearer.

The old woman turned and looked at Totoma and Sarada’s. Her eyes flowed faintly, a blue silver, and her counter began gritting out as power seemed to leak off of her.

“Elder Roma is fine. I am merely using her as a conduit to speak to you all.”

The young, female voice seemed to resonate through the room, oozing power and grace and command.

"I need assistance with a few tasks for the betterment of the world, and even perhaps beyond it. You get what you've all been seeking, I get the satisfaction of thumbing my nose at the higher deities who decide that mortals affairs do not concern them. And Earth surviving."

She shrugs.

"Kami is the name I took 300 years ago from the last Kami. Some have refereed to the title as 'God', but that is incorrect. Guardian is more apt to my role. I am not a Kaoshin or a true God, after all."

As many others made their questions known he'd remained silent. Under his robes his muscles quaked and tensed, steadfast in the body-mind rhythm that had been integral to his training. It was a meditative reflex, and a dull pulse shocked from his heart to a raised vein pronounced on his neck betraying his expressionless face.

A familiar ache began to spread, two inches from his heart at the edge of his shoulder; The old scar where he'd bled out the devotion to any master he'd received the day he was betrayed.

"I will not be party to the whim of a fickle god," he spoke at last, "and certainly not one who makes diversions out of her charge, even as they sit on the precipice of demise."

There was no denying the bright aura of command that shone from the aged shell before them. Yet no divine faculty would decide his destiny.

"You know the reason why the beasts reemerged. Out with it."

[Miburo]

"The last time was just over 300 years ago. I should know, as I was the one who summoned the dragon to grant my wishes via the dragonballs. As to doing it myself, my position makes me powerful, true, but it also comes with certain rules. Many guardians prefer to take a more neutral, observance, stance on their planet's fate, acting as little more than it's historical recorder. I, however, do not appreciate doing nothing. As such, I have used what power I can to.....tilt the odds in my, and Earth's, favor. You understand stacking the deck, yes?"

She grins.

"As to necessary? No, it's not. What will befall this planet in the near future has little bearing on the universe now. But I'd rather see you all thrive, survive, and prove your merit to the universe rather than go out with a whimper."

"Well..." Held admitted, somewhat reluctantly, recalling his attempts to do the same, several times over, including today, during his dealings with Jinzi, "I can't argue with that."

So, these things really work, huh? Two wishes.....What would I do with two wishes? I've never had to seriously sit down and think on what it is I really want....

So it's not that she was lacking in the ability to do so, so much as it was a....requirement? Vow?

Held had no idea what the technical term was, he just grasped that intermediaries were the very limit of her interference, it seemed. An odd thing, with the end of this planet at stake, but he made no pretension to fully understand the ways of this world.

Still, I wonder what could devastate this world so badly to have her so worked up....I guess it doesn't really matter if we just get this thing done with...

"There are others, Chuan. Three other groups who, like you, are being shown a path. You'll meet each other soon, I feel. As to why you.....why not? Someone has to, and I have seen great potential in each of you."

Held sighed, as he realized the scope of Kami's concern. "This is really an-all hands on deck kind of thing, huh?"

I guess it makes sense...If I thought the world was going to end, I need all the help I can get...

Kami/Chou shrugs.

"Does it matter? People believe that to be chosen means one has to be special. You are chosen because, at this moment in time, you are the ones best suited to the task. As I told Chuan, there are others however. As to what is at stake.........lives. Thousands, millions, and further down the road, may hap entire planets."

Held winced slightly as she put emphasis on planets.

Held lacked the resources to investigate since his time on earth; His ship was battered beyond what he could do to repair it, and even the black box within had been damaged to the point that attempting to recall information from it had proven to be an effort in futility at that point. But what little he could recover had lead him to believe one thing.

He hadn't made a mistake.

Or at least not one that should have mattered, it seemed. The general area--give or take a couple of thousand miles in the middle of space--was where he intended to go. Yet there was no sign of the planet.

That much he could remember vividly, in the midst of all the chaos and pandemonium, that had led him to originally believe some sort of error on his end.

Which confused the Nevadian, more than it illuminated his mind.

Where in the hell was Agrippa? Planets don't simply vanish, after all.

Held had his theories, but they were all the kind that he would rather not dwell to deeply on. It made it easier to sleep, if nothing else.

"So, this....Task." he asked, his voice a mixture of acceptance and weariness, "Basically we just have to track down these things, before Willa does? And before whatever happens, happens? I guess that isn't the most impossible goal."

Which was true, of that Held was certain. She was a fierce warrior to be sure, as the carnage at the boat, and the Nevadians fractured wrist could attest to. But he would hardly have gone so far as to describe her as invincible. It would be a struggle to be sure....

Especially as long she held the advantage of flight.....In the middle of an ocean....on a sinking ship. Still, they did have the advantage of actually knowing how to find the dragonballs, something that Willa was lacking, currently.

"Alright, I'm in." Held said at last, "I guess if nothing else, this whole thing will be something to do. I feel like I've just been treading water since I've come to this planet."

Even if there is a one percent chance of this being true, I should check it out...Besides, just having Jinzi owe me one is--

"....Shouldn't we go find Jinzi?" Held asked, remembering that Willia knew entirely well who to harass to point her on the right trail to find the Dragonballs, "If he has another close call like this, it's going to much a much rougher race for us."

[Cthulhu_of_R'lyeh]

Ishtar blinked once. What an interesting mess this had devolved into. Ajna, the one leading the push to preserve the imbalance of this wizard's continued existence, was attempting to prevent Erosa- the wonderfully cacophonous soul- from doing what had been first on the list of priorities for everyone, until they realized this darkness was human.

The woman considered timelines then.

Letting it progress seemed the most interesting, and potentially devastating. Ishtar wagered a few might even step up to assist restraining Erosa. Which would lead to the spilling of blood, surely. If she stepped in for this line in particular she'd kill the wizard herself. There was no real reason to keep him alive. Fear of the effects lingering was minimal. He was actively draining them, it stopped when they arrived. The other timeline was more difficult, and lead somewhere safer, but was it worth the inconvenience?

Ajna's whistle stopped Ishtar's consideration, and a flicker of annoyance caused her to narrow her eyes slightly. The man was going to attack her if Erosa made a play for the Wizard. How quaint.

Erosa would feel Ishtar touch her mind, less gently than previously, if only to maintain contact through the almost overpowering bloodlust.

"If you continue down this path, dear Erosa, it might bring harm to your big sister. For her sake, and mine, come stand by me... If you must chew on something, might my arm suffice?"