Post by Disgraced Prince Nasu Hattori on Mar 21, 2014 21:22:03 GMT -5
When you kill a god there is a price that must be paid. For Nasu the seven days of fighting that had led up to Tejun, Yakuin, and Nasu finally closing in and killing Nikuyoku, Okui, Yoku, Namakemono, and Senbo, had cost him sleeping peacefully possibly ever again. It had cost him in seeing his friends fall and die beside him. It had cost him some of the bloodiest fighting he’d ever seen and scars that would never go away even with healing tanks. For the Red Flag it had cost them most of their officers, about half their men, and a healthy dose of their pride as they were killed by wave upon wave of zealous priests. And finally for the people of Jiyu it had cost them their homes, their families, and their lives. All of them were torn apart by the war the people of Jiyu had hired the Red Flag to rage. To free them from their pantheon of seven gods and the priests that had ruled them with an iron fist.
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Nasu had thought the desert sucked. He had been convinced it wouldn’t get any worse than sweltering heat during the days and ice cold at night. Either one of those things were bad, but combine the two and it brought it to a whole new level of hell when your sweat actually freezes to you moments later. Fun. Still none of it even held a candle to how badly he hated the swamp lands.
He determined that swamps were by far the worst environments there were anywhere. Wading in ankle to knee deep water constantly, moving in between massive trees unable to make even halfway decent time, the mosquitoes weren’t even bothering to bite him anymore. Instead they would just bite the leeches that were attached to his legs almost constantly now. They were already so full of his blood might as well just take it from them instead. After he had pulled off the first one he had determinately hovered above the water for the next hour. However most of the Red Flag had to walk and the pace was taking a toll on his energy reserves just floating there, if they were attacked he would need all of that energy. So with reluctance he put his feet back in the ankle deep water and trudged on. Almost immediately he felt a leech float under his pant legs and grab a hold of his ankles, because leeches suck. He didn’t know how, but someday he would eradicate their species. The fact that wasn’t his home planet didn’t matter he hated them and they would suffer for it!
His eternal hatred kept him distracted as they marched through the swamp for hours before they could meet up with Yakuin’s men. Finally after what seemed like forever Tejun stopped in front of him. Nasu was so distracted planning the eventual demise of leech society he didn’t notice at first and almost walked right into his back. Luckily he managed to stop before embarrassing himself as dozens of ropes fell down from the trees around them.
Nasu immediately snapped back to reality extending his senses around him feeling for any power levels that would be a threat to him or Tejun. Instead he feels Yakuin’s familiar energy signature. And moments later his friend drops down from one of the ropes, instead of landing in the swamp however he floats a few inches above it choosing wisely not to soak himself as well. Nasu looked down at his own legs covered in water up to his knees at the moment and immediately hated his friend. He felt like hadn’t been dry in days instead of only a few hours. Taking off his pack with all of their supplies in it he throws it at Yakuin hoping it would knock him over into the water so he could share Nasu’s pain. Instead Yakuin catches it easily with a grin on his face. “You seem upset Nasu.” he says grin getting bigger. “What’s wrong, why don’t we stay here while everyone else dries off and talk about it.”
Nasu grumbles some things he couldn’t couldn’t say out loud, as he begins flying up to their base camp in the trees. Ignoring the ropes as well Tejun and Yakuin quickly follow him up but it only takes them a moment to pass him as Nasu stopped in shock. What he had expected to be trees with camp supplies on them is actually a full city hidden in the canopy. Houses built into the trees, bridges extending from one branch to another, people gathered around to see the newest arrivals. The men in the city all had hammers or axes in their hands. For the first time in all the cities they’d visited on this planet the people actually looked ready and willing to fight.
Nasu landed and Yakuin quickly directed them inside a small house where they could shower and change into dry clothes. After refreshing himself Nasu felt clean for the first time weeks. He looked down at the heavy weights which had been the only clothes he’d had since the priests burned their supplies with disgust, he didn’t want to have to put those back on. Luckily for him the family in the home they were staying in offered him a fresh shirt and a dry pair of pants. He was so happy he almost cried. Unburdened by his weights for the first time in weeks Nasu takes the opportunity to leap from branch to branch feeling light as a feather. He can also sense is true power again, finally after far too short a period of time Nasu senses out Tejun and Yakuin’s power signatures.
Finding them quickly enough Nasu lands outside the largest house in the city. Walking in he see’s Tejun, Yakuin and an old man huddled around a table heads down studying something.
“If we launch everything we have at them there are too many area’s for Namakemono to escape. Everything we’ve heard says she’d rather run and send her priests out to fight us till we don’t have the numbers left to challenge her.” Tejun said pointing at what appeared to be a map of the swamp.
“If we divide ourselves up we might not have enough men in any given area to break through in the first place. And if something goes wrong an entire unit could get swarmed under.” Yakuin said with heat.
Tejun just stared him down for a minute. “Being a merc involves risk. This is the only way we have any chance of actually pinning Namakemono down otherwise she can run and all those deaths are for nothing.” Yakuin didn’t look happy about it but at the end of the day Tejun was the boss and he didn’t argue. Nasu walked up slowly trying to take in as much of the map as possible, because of all the bridges connecting the trees it looked like a giant spiderweb all revolving around the center, Namakemono’s palace. Trying to coordinate an attack that would cut off all of the possible escape options for this would be a nightmare and in this case mistakes wouldn’t just mean you’d have to try again later they’d be paid for in saiyan lives . Not for the first time he was glad Tejun was the one leading the Red Flag not him.
Tejun motioned for him to come over and take a closer look at the map. Pointing to one of hundreds of bridges. “This is where your unit will be stationed, you’re going to be pushing forward but if you break through the lines you’re going to wait for the rest of us. If possible provide support for another unit by circling around behind anyone actively fighting against us. I’m going to repeat this because things have a tendency of going to hell around you. Do. Not. Engage. On. Your. Own. Understood?”
“Yes sir.” he said instantly. He would have argued in his defense but things really did have a tendency to go to hell around him but it was never his fault! He was always just in the wrong place, at the right time Stuff happened to him! Not the other way around. Still he couldn’t argue he got into trouble more often than anyone else in the Red Flag but it really shouldn’t be held against him.
Tejun walked Nasu outside and looked down at him. “Why aren’t you wearing your weights?”
“Why would I? They’re heavy as hell, they limit me to about half my normal power and speed.” Nasu said confused. Tejun didn’t hesitate he pulled a knife from his belt and slashed Nasu’s shoulder not deep but deep enough to draw blood.
“The hell was that for!” Nasu said putting pressure on the cut pissed he’d ruined his borrowed clothing already.
“You’re weights may slow you down but they protect you from things like that as well. They’re solidly built and will offer you at least some protection, you never know where the knife is going to come from so you have to be cautious. If something offers you protection take it even if it has drawbacks. Now go change, we leave here in an hour.”
He flew back to the house that had offered him the change of clothes, already stripping as he walked in. He couldn’t bring himself to do it though. The thought of wearing the weight again after wearing nothing but that for a week, after walking in that through the desert, the swamp, kias above the smell of stale sweat must be permanently fused into the weights by now. Finally though he looked down at the cut on his shoulder. Throwing the spare shirt into a laundry basket Nasu pulled on the weights.
The additional weight and restrictions now felt more familiar to him, he’d been wearing them for so long it felt almost natural but he hated it nonetheless. The additional freedom he had even if it was only for an hour or two when the weights were off was amazing and already he missed it.Still he could only complain so much before he had to move on. Leaping out of the house he flew back to the platform where he was supposed to meet up with Tejun, instead he just saw ten Red Flag men and 20 strangers standing around.
This had to be his unit so he landed in front of them eying them all carefully and trying to look competent. Despite the extra weights Nasu stood tall in his heavy armor. He faced the men knowing he depended on them not to get overwhelmed and they looked to him for leadership. It was a moment that made him proud to be a member of the Red Flag. He had a whole speech planned before they took off to go into battle but in an instant he forgot it all. Not letting it throw him off however he spoke genuinely from his heart.
“Today we stand together. Some of us will fall, some of won’t get up again. There are people out there counting on us, people who’s freedom depends on our victory. But more than that, you’ve all seen the priests now. You’ve all fought the zealots, it’s them or us, at this point they’ll keep coming till they wipe us out if we don’t push forward. If you fall back today we all die. I will be out front. I will fight till I drop or I’m overwhelmed. I won’t retreat, I won’t turn and run hoping to live to fight another day. I only ask you to stand behind me and do the same.”
He couldn’t tell if his speech would encourage any of them not to run if things started looking grim but it was the best he could do. With his words of encouragement said Nasu took off through the air. He had specifically requested a squad where every member knew how to fly.
He told Tejun it was so they could get behind the enemy as a unit and attack from multiple directions. The truth was he just didn’t want to ever have to walk through the swamp again. Fucking leeches.
Minutes later his squad landed at their designated bridge. Before long they saw an army of priests massing up in the temple coming out of the palace like bees defending their nest. As he promised Nasu took the lead charging into the largest group of priests he could find. His sword in one hand a charged blast in his other Nasu drove the sword into a priests chest and used this telekinesis to send the dead priest flying off his sword and into the next nearest opponent knocking them both off the narrow bridge. While they were hundreds of feet up in the air the bridges actually worked to the advantage of the Red Flag allowing them to fight massively outnumbered because only one or two priests could attack them at a time. Slowly Nasu and his men moved forward, inch by bloody inch. Until the path opened up in front of the palace. Looking around he noticed that none of the other units had made it this far yet. He was about to search for a unit that needed help when something in the swamp far below caught his eye. It was a group of men carrying a litter. They had no torches or lights of any kind as they ran away from the battle. That alone probably wouldn’t have convinced Nasu anything was wrong, people ran away from battles all the time. However he sensed an amazing energy signature down there. One that could only come from their fleeing goddess, Namakemono was running away.
Nasu had always known how to suppress his power, however he knew if he was going to go after Namakemono alone he couldn’t just rely on his normal level of suppression. It would cut his power in half but that wasn’t enough, she’d still sense him and run. However Master Nine had been able to suppress his power far lower, however Nasu had always been afraid if he suppressed his power to that level he’d never be able to bring it up again. Still he had to do something or she would get away and all the lives lost would be for nothing.
Nasu suppressed his power further than ever before, down to only one percent of his maximum power, he could barely sense it himself. As he jumped over the side of the bridge down to the swamp below only one thought however went through Nasu’s head. Fucking leeches.*
Nasu used only the barest whisper of his power to break his fall and landed in the water with hardly a ripple. His sword drawn he stalked Namakemono as her priests carried her out of her palace.
The litter she was in was carried by 6 priests, Nasu still suppressing his power used his telekinesis to lift a bubble of water and cut the air off to the back most priest. As the Man fell Nasu grabbed the litter and walked along behind the rest of the priests with them still unaware anything was wrong.
Again he reached out with his telekinesis and mimicked the water trick that took down the first priest. This time however he had to use his telekinesis to hold up the litter now missing a man. The third time Nasu’s luck ran out. As he dropped the third priest he couldn’t catch onto the litter fast enough sending it falling forward into the swamp.
A voice in side let out a high pitched scream of rage and suddenly all motion on the bridges above stopped. Hundreds of priests looked down and noticed their god was fleeing and needed their protection. Without a second though they jumped off the bridge. Within seconds it was literally raining priests as they all descended from the canopy surrounding Nasu. Six new men picked up the now dripping wet litter and began to carry it away. Luckily the members of the Red Flag weren’t far behind the priests. No matter how good he had become, hundreds against one weren’t odds that favored Nasu.
As the fighting raged around him Tejun worked his way over towards him. Hands covered in blood Tejun grabbed him by the front of his shirt. “I thought you had died when I couldn’t sense your energy anymore. Good job suppressing it so far and being able to bring it back.” he said it with a smile. No matter what Tejun was a saiyan at heart and battle got his blood boiling. “Now Yakuin and his unit are going to create an opening for us. You and I are going to fly like hell through that opening and go after Miss too good to walk. We’re going to kill her and get the hell out of this damned swamp.” it was the first time Nasu had ever seen Tejun display any emotions towards their environment. That it had even gotten to him showcased just how bad it really was.
Before Nasu had a chance to reply there was a massive explosion off in the distance causing everyone to turn. Everyone except Tejun and Nasu who had been expecting the distraction. Wincing at how much energy that blast must have cost Yakuin, the two saiyans took to the sky racing after Namakemono using the distraction to be clear of the priests.
Nasu can sense her energy signature off in the distance. Seconds later they caught sight of the litter. This time not trying for the stealth approach Nasu not slowing down slices through the back of the rearmost litter bearer. Using his speed he continues and takes out the middle man as well causing the litter to drop for the second time. Not looking over sure that Tejun is taking care of business on his own side of the litter Nasu advances on the last priest. The man pulls a knife and stabs it at his face but Nasu takes a quick step back then stabs his sword through the man’s stomach. Tejun finishes up on his side at the same time and the two turn towards the now downed litter.
A leg appears from within but strangely enough it was black as coal. Delicately the leg puts a foot down in the water, planting itself firmly the rest of the goddess emerges just as black as the leg. The woman would be gorgeous her body had any color to it at all. Her figure was one that would make models weep however even the eyes of Namakemono were pure black not showing any white or color. She tilts her head at the two men curiously for a moment.
“So you’re the ones who’ve caused me so much trouble.” she said. Her voice sounded soft as if it was a strain for her to speak any louder. “I really hate to do things myself you know, but it looks like there won’t be any other way.”
Showing no signs of her earlier lethargy Sloth surged forward moving at speeds Nasu wouldn’t have thought possible. She grabs Tejun by the throat swinging him around and throwing him through a tree in the distance. Turning to Nasu she smiles and he can see that even her teeth are pitch black.
Racing forward again Nasu tries to react but his weights are soggy and full of water making him even slower and heavier than he’d normally be. He fends off her first punch with his sword but her second lands firmly in his stomach sending him flying backwards winded.
As he flew back he saw Tejun recovered and racing forward to confront the goddess again. As he swiped his sword at her head though the woman disappeared completely. Tejun flew forward standing back to back with Nasu both of their senses extended out looking for any sign of her.
“The hell is going on?” Nasu asked searching with his eyes and his senses. Tejun didn’t answer instead choosing to listen as well because he used logic even in situations where things had gone wrong unlike Nasu apparently.
Finally they noticed a ripple in the water. Both Nasu and Tejun launched an energy blast at the area above the water simultaneously. The blasts passed through the area harmlessly and a moment later Nasu felt a fist strike him across the face. Flying to the side he saw Tejun grab hold of the arm that had hit him spin it around grabbing the head in his free hand as well hold it under the water.
Nasu knew that wouldn’t be enough to kill Namakemono so he recovered quickly and charged forward sword in his hand ready to cut her head off. Before he got the chance however Tejun was sent flying off Sloth as she mule kicked him in the chest and sent an energy wave at Nasu. Having to dodge he moved to the side but by the time he went to continue his charge she was gone again.
This time she appeared above Tejun grabbing him by his tail and spinning him around. She lets go throwing him at Nasu who dodges easily, using his telekinesis he slows Tejun down and lets him gain control of his flight again. Both of them charge in unison. Nasu thinking of a new strategy holds her legs down with his telekinesis while Tejun rushes forward for the kill. Instantly his nose starts erupting blood at the strain of holding her in place. He knew he would pass out long before Tejun can get to her instead Nasu reaches inside himself to his inner-strength. If this didn’t work he would pass out from blood loss but instead he puts everything he can into locking Namakemono in place.
With his added power he’s able to hold onto both her arms and her legs making sure she can’t move at all. He see’s her black eyes widen as Tejun still charging cuts off her head. Off in the distance the two men can hear the cries of thousands of priests as their connection to their goddess is cut.
Still not one to take any chances, Tejun attempts to burn the body, however because of the swamp water she’s too wet to burn.
Nasu stands smiling but he can hear Tejun mumble under his breath thinking Nasu can’t hear him.
“Fucking swamp.”
Later that night as the Red Flag celebrates around a bonfire consisting of what dry wood they could find and Namakemono’s body. Nasu stands close to the fire letting the heat dry his once again soaked clothes. Arms extended Yakuin walks up to him picking something off of him and throwing it into the bonfire.
“If we never set foot in another swamp again I will die a happy man.” he said pulling something else off his leg and tossing it in the first. He looks over at Nasu frowning . Damn leeches.” As Nasu looked over at his friend, he pulled one off of his own leg and threw it into the fire as well. Laughing for the first time since they landed on this damn planet.
“Believe me my friend. I can understand.”
****
When you kill a god there is a price that must be paid. Nasu and the Red Flag had killed five gods so far. And only two remained. Wrath and Pride had allied themselves to face the combined might of the Red Flag and the people of Jiyu. Now as the sun started to rise Nasu stood on the front lines next to the only other two surviving officers Tejun and Yakuin and prepared to face whatever was to come.
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*[OOC: the author of this thread may have an actual unnatural hatred of leeches he allowed to get the better of him in this thread]
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Technique learned: Advanced ki suppression- The user is allowed to suppress their ki to 1% of their current max power level. The user must have ki suppression first in order to learn this move.
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Nasu had thought the desert sucked. He had been convinced it wouldn’t get any worse than sweltering heat during the days and ice cold at night. Either one of those things were bad, but combine the two and it brought it to a whole new level of hell when your sweat actually freezes to you moments later. Fun. Still none of it even held a candle to how badly he hated the swamp lands.
He determined that swamps were by far the worst environments there were anywhere. Wading in ankle to knee deep water constantly, moving in between massive trees unable to make even halfway decent time, the mosquitoes weren’t even bothering to bite him anymore. Instead they would just bite the leeches that were attached to his legs almost constantly now. They were already so full of his blood might as well just take it from them instead. After he had pulled off the first one he had determinately hovered above the water for the next hour. However most of the Red Flag had to walk and the pace was taking a toll on his energy reserves just floating there, if they were attacked he would need all of that energy. So with reluctance he put his feet back in the ankle deep water and trudged on. Almost immediately he felt a leech float under his pant legs and grab a hold of his ankles, because leeches suck. He didn’t know how, but someday he would eradicate their species. The fact that wasn’t his home planet didn’t matter he hated them and they would suffer for it!
His eternal hatred kept him distracted as they marched through the swamp for hours before they could meet up with Yakuin’s men. Finally after what seemed like forever Tejun stopped in front of him. Nasu was so distracted planning the eventual demise of leech society he didn’t notice at first and almost walked right into his back. Luckily he managed to stop before embarrassing himself as dozens of ropes fell down from the trees around them.
Nasu immediately snapped back to reality extending his senses around him feeling for any power levels that would be a threat to him or Tejun. Instead he feels Yakuin’s familiar energy signature. And moments later his friend drops down from one of the ropes, instead of landing in the swamp however he floats a few inches above it choosing wisely not to soak himself as well. Nasu looked down at his own legs covered in water up to his knees at the moment and immediately hated his friend. He felt like hadn’t been dry in days instead of only a few hours. Taking off his pack with all of their supplies in it he throws it at Yakuin hoping it would knock him over into the water so he could share Nasu’s pain. Instead Yakuin catches it easily with a grin on his face. “You seem upset Nasu.” he says grin getting bigger. “What’s wrong, why don’t we stay here while everyone else dries off and talk about it.”
Nasu grumbles some things he couldn’t couldn’t say out loud, as he begins flying up to their base camp in the trees. Ignoring the ropes as well Tejun and Yakuin quickly follow him up but it only takes them a moment to pass him as Nasu stopped in shock. What he had expected to be trees with camp supplies on them is actually a full city hidden in the canopy. Houses built into the trees, bridges extending from one branch to another, people gathered around to see the newest arrivals. The men in the city all had hammers or axes in their hands. For the first time in all the cities they’d visited on this planet the people actually looked ready and willing to fight.
Nasu landed and Yakuin quickly directed them inside a small house where they could shower and change into dry clothes. After refreshing himself Nasu felt clean for the first time weeks. He looked down at the heavy weights which had been the only clothes he’d had since the priests burned their supplies with disgust, he didn’t want to have to put those back on. Luckily for him the family in the home they were staying in offered him a fresh shirt and a dry pair of pants. He was so happy he almost cried. Unburdened by his weights for the first time in weeks Nasu takes the opportunity to leap from branch to branch feeling light as a feather. He can also sense is true power again, finally after far too short a period of time Nasu senses out Tejun and Yakuin’s power signatures.
Finding them quickly enough Nasu lands outside the largest house in the city. Walking in he see’s Tejun, Yakuin and an old man huddled around a table heads down studying something.
“If we launch everything we have at them there are too many area’s for Namakemono to escape. Everything we’ve heard says she’d rather run and send her priests out to fight us till we don’t have the numbers left to challenge her.” Tejun said pointing at what appeared to be a map of the swamp.
“If we divide ourselves up we might not have enough men in any given area to break through in the first place. And if something goes wrong an entire unit could get swarmed under.” Yakuin said with heat.
Tejun just stared him down for a minute. “Being a merc involves risk. This is the only way we have any chance of actually pinning Namakemono down otherwise she can run and all those deaths are for nothing.” Yakuin didn’t look happy about it but at the end of the day Tejun was the boss and he didn’t argue. Nasu walked up slowly trying to take in as much of the map as possible, because of all the bridges connecting the trees it looked like a giant spiderweb all revolving around the center, Namakemono’s palace. Trying to coordinate an attack that would cut off all of the possible escape options for this would be a nightmare and in this case mistakes wouldn’t just mean you’d have to try again later they’d be paid for in saiyan lives . Not for the first time he was glad Tejun was the one leading the Red Flag not him.
Tejun motioned for him to come over and take a closer look at the map. Pointing to one of hundreds of bridges. “This is where your unit will be stationed, you’re going to be pushing forward but if you break through the lines you’re going to wait for the rest of us. If possible provide support for another unit by circling around behind anyone actively fighting against us. I’m going to repeat this because things have a tendency of going to hell around you. Do. Not. Engage. On. Your. Own. Understood?”
“Yes sir.” he said instantly. He would have argued in his defense but things really did have a tendency to go to hell around him but it was never his fault! He was always just in the wrong place, at the right time Stuff happened to him! Not the other way around. Still he couldn’t argue he got into trouble more often than anyone else in the Red Flag but it really shouldn’t be held against him.
Tejun walked Nasu outside and looked down at him. “Why aren’t you wearing your weights?”
“Why would I? They’re heavy as hell, they limit me to about half my normal power and speed.” Nasu said confused. Tejun didn’t hesitate he pulled a knife from his belt and slashed Nasu’s shoulder not deep but deep enough to draw blood.
“The hell was that for!” Nasu said putting pressure on the cut pissed he’d ruined his borrowed clothing already.
“You’re weights may slow you down but they protect you from things like that as well. They’re solidly built and will offer you at least some protection, you never know where the knife is going to come from so you have to be cautious. If something offers you protection take it even if it has drawbacks. Now go change, we leave here in an hour.”
He flew back to the house that had offered him the change of clothes, already stripping as he walked in. He couldn’t bring himself to do it though. The thought of wearing the weight again after wearing nothing but that for a week, after walking in that through the desert, the swamp, kias above the smell of stale sweat must be permanently fused into the weights by now. Finally though he looked down at the cut on his shoulder. Throwing the spare shirt into a laundry basket Nasu pulled on the weights.
The additional weight and restrictions now felt more familiar to him, he’d been wearing them for so long it felt almost natural but he hated it nonetheless. The additional freedom he had even if it was only for an hour or two when the weights were off was amazing and already he missed it.Still he could only complain so much before he had to move on. Leaping out of the house he flew back to the platform where he was supposed to meet up with Tejun, instead he just saw ten Red Flag men and 20 strangers standing around.
This had to be his unit so he landed in front of them eying them all carefully and trying to look competent. Despite the extra weights Nasu stood tall in his heavy armor. He faced the men knowing he depended on them not to get overwhelmed and they looked to him for leadership. It was a moment that made him proud to be a member of the Red Flag. He had a whole speech planned before they took off to go into battle but in an instant he forgot it all. Not letting it throw him off however he spoke genuinely from his heart.
“Today we stand together. Some of us will fall, some of won’t get up again. There are people out there counting on us, people who’s freedom depends on our victory. But more than that, you’ve all seen the priests now. You’ve all fought the zealots, it’s them or us, at this point they’ll keep coming till they wipe us out if we don’t push forward. If you fall back today we all die. I will be out front. I will fight till I drop or I’m overwhelmed. I won’t retreat, I won’t turn and run hoping to live to fight another day. I only ask you to stand behind me and do the same.”
He couldn’t tell if his speech would encourage any of them not to run if things started looking grim but it was the best he could do. With his words of encouragement said Nasu took off through the air. He had specifically requested a squad where every member knew how to fly.
He told Tejun it was so they could get behind the enemy as a unit and attack from multiple directions. The truth was he just didn’t want to ever have to walk through the swamp again. Fucking leeches.
Minutes later his squad landed at their designated bridge. Before long they saw an army of priests massing up in the temple coming out of the palace like bees defending their nest. As he promised Nasu took the lead charging into the largest group of priests he could find. His sword in one hand a charged blast in his other Nasu drove the sword into a priests chest and used this telekinesis to send the dead priest flying off his sword and into the next nearest opponent knocking them both off the narrow bridge. While they were hundreds of feet up in the air the bridges actually worked to the advantage of the Red Flag allowing them to fight massively outnumbered because only one or two priests could attack them at a time. Slowly Nasu and his men moved forward, inch by bloody inch. Until the path opened up in front of the palace. Looking around he noticed that none of the other units had made it this far yet. He was about to search for a unit that needed help when something in the swamp far below caught his eye. It was a group of men carrying a litter. They had no torches or lights of any kind as they ran away from the battle. That alone probably wouldn’t have convinced Nasu anything was wrong, people ran away from battles all the time. However he sensed an amazing energy signature down there. One that could only come from their fleeing goddess, Namakemono was running away.
Nasu had always known how to suppress his power, however he knew if he was going to go after Namakemono alone he couldn’t just rely on his normal level of suppression. It would cut his power in half but that wasn’t enough, she’d still sense him and run. However Master Nine had been able to suppress his power far lower, however Nasu had always been afraid if he suppressed his power to that level he’d never be able to bring it up again. Still he had to do something or she would get away and all the lives lost would be for nothing.
Nasu suppressed his power further than ever before, down to only one percent of his maximum power, he could barely sense it himself. As he jumped over the side of the bridge down to the swamp below only one thought however went through Nasu’s head. Fucking leeches.*
Nasu used only the barest whisper of his power to break his fall and landed in the water with hardly a ripple. His sword drawn he stalked Namakemono as her priests carried her out of her palace.
The litter she was in was carried by 6 priests, Nasu still suppressing his power used his telekinesis to lift a bubble of water and cut the air off to the back most priest. As the Man fell Nasu grabbed the litter and walked along behind the rest of the priests with them still unaware anything was wrong.
Again he reached out with his telekinesis and mimicked the water trick that took down the first priest. This time however he had to use his telekinesis to hold up the litter now missing a man. The third time Nasu’s luck ran out. As he dropped the third priest he couldn’t catch onto the litter fast enough sending it falling forward into the swamp.
A voice in side let out a high pitched scream of rage and suddenly all motion on the bridges above stopped. Hundreds of priests looked down and noticed their god was fleeing and needed their protection. Without a second though they jumped off the bridge. Within seconds it was literally raining priests as they all descended from the canopy surrounding Nasu. Six new men picked up the now dripping wet litter and began to carry it away. Luckily the members of the Red Flag weren’t far behind the priests. No matter how good he had become, hundreds against one weren’t odds that favored Nasu.
As the fighting raged around him Tejun worked his way over towards him. Hands covered in blood Tejun grabbed him by the front of his shirt. “I thought you had died when I couldn’t sense your energy anymore. Good job suppressing it so far and being able to bring it back.” he said it with a smile. No matter what Tejun was a saiyan at heart and battle got his blood boiling. “Now Yakuin and his unit are going to create an opening for us. You and I are going to fly like hell through that opening and go after Miss too good to walk. We’re going to kill her and get the hell out of this damned swamp.” it was the first time Nasu had ever seen Tejun display any emotions towards their environment. That it had even gotten to him showcased just how bad it really was.
Before Nasu had a chance to reply there was a massive explosion off in the distance causing everyone to turn. Everyone except Tejun and Nasu who had been expecting the distraction. Wincing at how much energy that blast must have cost Yakuin, the two saiyans took to the sky racing after Namakemono using the distraction to be clear of the priests.
Nasu can sense her energy signature off in the distance. Seconds later they caught sight of the litter. This time not trying for the stealth approach Nasu not slowing down slices through the back of the rearmost litter bearer. Using his speed he continues and takes out the middle man as well causing the litter to drop for the second time. Not looking over sure that Tejun is taking care of business on his own side of the litter Nasu advances on the last priest. The man pulls a knife and stabs it at his face but Nasu takes a quick step back then stabs his sword through the man’s stomach. Tejun finishes up on his side at the same time and the two turn towards the now downed litter.
A leg appears from within but strangely enough it was black as coal. Delicately the leg puts a foot down in the water, planting itself firmly the rest of the goddess emerges just as black as the leg. The woman would be gorgeous her body had any color to it at all. Her figure was one that would make models weep however even the eyes of Namakemono were pure black not showing any white or color. She tilts her head at the two men curiously for a moment.
“So you’re the ones who’ve caused me so much trouble.” she said. Her voice sounded soft as if it was a strain for her to speak any louder. “I really hate to do things myself you know, but it looks like there won’t be any other way.”
Showing no signs of her earlier lethargy Sloth surged forward moving at speeds Nasu wouldn’t have thought possible. She grabs Tejun by the throat swinging him around and throwing him through a tree in the distance. Turning to Nasu she smiles and he can see that even her teeth are pitch black.
Racing forward again Nasu tries to react but his weights are soggy and full of water making him even slower and heavier than he’d normally be. He fends off her first punch with his sword but her second lands firmly in his stomach sending him flying backwards winded.
As he flew back he saw Tejun recovered and racing forward to confront the goddess again. As he swiped his sword at her head though the woman disappeared completely. Tejun flew forward standing back to back with Nasu both of their senses extended out looking for any sign of her.
“The hell is going on?” Nasu asked searching with his eyes and his senses. Tejun didn’t answer instead choosing to listen as well because he used logic even in situations where things had gone wrong unlike Nasu apparently.
Finally they noticed a ripple in the water. Both Nasu and Tejun launched an energy blast at the area above the water simultaneously. The blasts passed through the area harmlessly and a moment later Nasu felt a fist strike him across the face. Flying to the side he saw Tejun grab hold of the arm that had hit him spin it around grabbing the head in his free hand as well hold it under the water.
Nasu knew that wouldn’t be enough to kill Namakemono so he recovered quickly and charged forward sword in his hand ready to cut her head off. Before he got the chance however Tejun was sent flying off Sloth as she mule kicked him in the chest and sent an energy wave at Nasu. Having to dodge he moved to the side but by the time he went to continue his charge she was gone again.
This time she appeared above Tejun grabbing him by his tail and spinning him around. She lets go throwing him at Nasu who dodges easily, using his telekinesis he slows Tejun down and lets him gain control of his flight again. Both of them charge in unison. Nasu thinking of a new strategy holds her legs down with his telekinesis while Tejun rushes forward for the kill. Instantly his nose starts erupting blood at the strain of holding her in place. He knew he would pass out long before Tejun can get to her instead Nasu reaches inside himself to his inner-strength. If this didn’t work he would pass out from blood loss but instead he puts everything he can into locking Namakemono in place.
With his added power he’s able to hold onto both her arms and her legs making sure she can’t move at all. He see’s her black eyes widen as Tejun still charging cuts off her head. Off in the distance the two men can hear the cries of thousands of priests as their connection to their goddess is cut.
Still not one to take any chances, Tejun attempts to burn the body, however because of the swamp water she’s too wet to burn.
Nasu stands smiling but he can hear Tejun mumble under his breath thinking Nasu can’t hear him.
“Fucking swamp.”
Later that night as the Red Flag celebrates around a bonfire consisting of what dry wood they could find and Namakemono’s body. Nasu stands close to the fire letting the heat dry his once again soaked clothes. Arms extended Yakuin walks up to him picking something off of him and throwing it into the bonfire.
“If we never set foot in another swamp again I will die a happy man.” he said pulling something else off his leg and tossing it in the first. He looks over at Nasu frowning . Damn leeches.” As Nasu looked over at his friend, he pulled one off of his own leg and threw it into the fire as well. Laughing for the first time since they landed on this damn planet.
“Believe me my friend. I can understand.”
****
When you kill a god there is a price that must be paid. Nasu and the Red Flag had killed five gods so far. And only two remained. Wrath and Pride had allied themselves to face the combined might of the Red Flag and the people of Jiyu. Now as the sun started to rise Nasu stood on the front lines next to the only other two surviving officers Tejun and Yakuin and prepared to face whatever was to come.
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*[OOC: the author of this thread may have an actual unnatural hatred of leeches he allowed to get the better of him in this thread]
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Technique learned: Advanced ki suppression- The user is allowed to suppress their ki to 1% of their current max power level. The user must have ki suppression first in order to learn this move.
