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 Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2020 8:14 am
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Freedom.
It was a novel feeling for the white kitsune. Before he liberated himself from his master's domination, vengeance consumed Ashura's thoughts. His objective was unambiguous, to slay Hojo and his precious herd in order to earn the independence he craved. Now that his primary motivation had been fulfilled, he did not necessarily know what to do with his time. Although he had been indulging the desires he had to repress for all of those years, the kills did not bring him the satisfaction he desired. Of course, it felt better than having to spare their lives for the sake of his survival; however, when he killed that batwalker in the past, he knew some part of him had changed. It was more than satiating bloodlust, and it was absolutely euphoric. He felt it again when he killed his master; in fact, only when he killed his master. Killing the members of his herd brought him joy as he was finally able to live out the fantasy that made his restraint tolerable, but it paled in comparison to the ecstasy of slaying Hojo.
Ashura had a theory as to why this discrepancy existed -- why some kills brought him greater satisfaction than others. Thus far, his life had been structured by a strict training regiment and more than enough unwanted guidance, and he could not deny that it made him an excellent killer. Certainly, all those years under Hojo's paw were not in vain. When he killed that batwalker and Hojo, he was reaping the rewards of his efforts. His improvement was evident in his victories, and they were far more pleasing than killing the screaming, weak Soquili that dominated these lands.
To test his theory, he hunted and killed a purewalker like he had done in the past with Hojo. Sure enough, the victory was ravishing, and he was beginning to understand why. These kills were challenging; he was dueling opponents rather than slaughtering prey. He earned these victories, seeing them as assurances of his improvement.
Ashura's pursuit led him to this new foe: an ursine purewalker who made no effort to conceal his presence on this mountain. The bear sat at the edge of the bamboo forest, incredibly relaxed in the presence of another purewalker. Ashura watched him, waiting for the panda to acknowledge his presence.
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Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2020 8:15 am
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Brown eyes eagerly scanned the white kitsune, glimmering with anticipation. Dai Chang loved the pretty ones; they always revealed the most pleasing fortunes... almost always. Every day, that pretty mare's curse preoccupied his thoughts, the one that condemned one of the panda siblings to death. Dai Chang would be sure that the fallen would be his sister, Bai Chang. Thus far, he had been blessed with good omens from his victims, and he was careful to consume only that which would enhance his ability to kill Bai Chang. He stood, hungry for Ashura's flesh. Not only was the kitsune pretty, but he appeared to be strong and assured, in peak physical condition with incredible mental composure. Surely, he must have the latter, as this was not just a kitsune, but a purewalker like himself -- a purewalker that had not immediately attacked. Not all purewalkers were quick to charge, but it was obvious that this pretty, white fox desired to fight. Why else would he approach with that intensely fierce gaze and a weapon at his side?
Dai Chang's jaw fell as he took a few even steps towards his new adversary. He would enjoy this purewalker, and would eat him entirely. Every part of his body -- his eyes, ears, heart, liver, each of those luscious tails -- would give him strength in his fight against Bai Chang. Furthermore, he was a purewalker, and all the pieces of him contained that raw power of evil. Dai Chang was salivating with these thoughts.
This kitsune was a gift.
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Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2020 8:17 am
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Ashura grimaced at the panda as he drooled during his approach, pace quickening with each step. He advanced as well, strides slower and more even than those of his opponent. If this fight was similar to the bearwalkers he slayed previously, he expected this to fight to be quick and painless - painless for himself, anyway. His ursine cousins were clumsy beasts, easy to outmaneuver. They relied too greatly on strength and aggression, overconfident due to their size. This pandawalker seemed to be the same, for he did not seem to find Ashura the least bit intimidating and did not care that he did not intimidate Ashura either. That confidence would be the bear's downfall.
Dai Chang delighted in the growing focus of the kitsune's gaze, cool and controlled. He could tell that the white walker was a bit of a cocky brat as the white walker swaggered to meet him. "You should quit while you're ahead, tiny fox," Dai Chang growled with a grin, standing up on his hind legs. "I don't want to mess up your pretty fur too much."
Ashura snorted, coming to a halt just two paces away from the panda. "Don't worry, you won't move a single hair."
Dai Chang's cackled, eyes widening at Ashura. He was a cocky brat indeed.
Ashura made the first move, drawing his blade and springing off his paws towards the bear, undeterred by the difference in size. Dai Chang answered Ashura's strike with his own, claws meeting the sword. The two of them resisted each other for a lengthy moment. Ashura could not match Dai Chang's strength, and felt his muscles giving. Although, that was not necessarily a problem.
Ashura stepped slightly the side, dragging his blade with him as the bear's momentum carried him forward. Dai Chang yelled when the pain of the sword slicing open his paws struck him. The excitement in his eyes was replaced by fury, and he turned to tackle the haughty kitsune to the ground. Ashura's counter was swift, sidestepping Dai Chang's attack to slash his face with the sword. The slice was more of a downward stroke that did not cut deep enough to kill; it only managed to infuriate the pandawalker more. Nonetheless, Ashura dominated the fight at this point, and would not allow the panda to rest. He continued his attack, forcing the panda to retreat with every move.
"Stop!" Dai Chang screamed, bloodied paws raised with his belly pressed to the ground, head tucked between his elbows.
Ashura smiled behind the hilt of his sword, as he had no intention of being merciful. He stepped out and wound up his killing blow.
Dai Chang smiled as well. The cocky brat should not have slowed down. He lurched forward, throwing his full weight into Ashura. The white walker did not anticipate that bear could move that quickly, and had no answer for the bear's attack. His red paws left the ground, for Dai Chang thrusted the kitsune off the cliff. He managed to shift into his feral form before he first collided with the rocks, striking them repeatedly on his way down into the river.
Dai Chang peered over the side of the cliff, laughing when he found the pretty white kitsune in the water below. "Better luck next time, pretty boy!" he cackled.
Ashura seethed at Dai Chang's taunts, retrieving his belongings and staggering towards the shore. Though he had lost this battle, he would return in time. The bearwalker could enjoy his cheap victory for now.
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