This post marks the beginning of my mission using these storyboard elements:
-Investigate the history of a landmark (3)
Summary: This mission will be about an investigation into the history of Dragon's Rest, the place where Isako was found by the Tanuki. He has received a summons from his clan leader and is embarking on his first journey with the Black Order. Before leaving, he has decided to stop at the Dragon's Rest and leave an offering for good luck. During this visit, he has a strange encounter which reveals both the history of this landmark as well as some of his own.
[RP begins here]
It was always a sight to behold, the massive ivory bones of some long forgotten primordial beast. Coming from the west a series of dunes built a wall around the Dragon's Rest, hiding it from the coming travelers. A strong, hot gust of air swept down the sandy slopes. They were still some distance from the coast, but even here the salt lingered in the winds. It had been a long journey from Hachi-takioashisu, and far more lonely than usual without the caravan of Tanuki at his side. They had wanted to see him off to the sea, but Isako felt this journey would be better made alone. Old man Tanhage understood, and wished him well on his new path.
We're almost there. The voice snapped Isako from his thoughts. He whipped around looking for the hidden source, but none could be seen. Eh, what's got you on edge, kid? You've been acting weird this whole trip.
Isako plumped down on the slope of the dune and laid back, letting out a sigh and closing his eyes. Ya, ya, I know. Just been thinking is all, too much quiet without the gang all here. He was no longer on the slopes of the dune, but instead in a large dark temple. His feet dipped below a shallow pool of water that sat on top a flat stone floor. A faint glow from torch-lined walls struggled against the darkness just enough to outline the shapes of the sanctum, and the beast that called it home. The monster inside Isako stood hunched over looking down at him, a behemoth of sand with piercing gold eyes. To Isako he was far from a monster, and more than just a tool sealed within him, he was a God. They called him the Incarnation of Sand, the Ichibi, the One-Tailed Beast, the Demon Raccon, he was Shukaku of the Sands. But Isako knew him best as Tankami, the father of all Tanuki. This place always make me feel weird, ya know, Tankami?
Shukaku leaned down bringing his face down to eye level with Isako. Well snap out of it, I don't like this place either! Never know what kind of nut job you're going to run into down at the old bones. Better get moving, almost dark out there ain't it? The Jinchuriki nodded and closed his eyes, returning to the desert once he opened them. He pushed himself back to his feet and trudged up the remainder of the dune. The slope bent forward and leveled out, the peak had been reached. Isako stood tall and held his rice hat in place as the winds whipped his lose robes. The setting sun gleamed off the pale bones making the dead look lively. The beast stretched over a hundred meters from tail to snout. Its massive jaws filled with peaking teeth, large enough to skewer a horse several times with one bite.
The sun fell down behind the horizon and the lively bones were once again dead. A good thing, thought Isako. The glow of fire took shape within the skeletal ribs, a common gathering place for the nomads who paid tribute to the dead. The journey down the western slopes was hasty, and Isako found himself standing below an outstretched arm before the moon had become more than an outline. He pushed aside a tattered cloth and entered the ribbed tent. A bright fire crackled in the middle illuminating a host of hard faces, gaunt and darkened by a harsh desert life. The gathered travelers eyed Isako taking his measure. It was a tense atmosphere, an eruption waiting for the wrong spark to ignite it. The desert folk were cautious. The basic resources were a rare commodity and other people were the quickest way to find them. A heavy hand clasped down on Isako's shoulder.
Well, well, well, look what we got here! If it isn't little Tankun! Geez, its been a long time, huh? You're all grown up! The hand belonged to a shorter man, stocky and strong. The grip stung, but there was no ill intent. Isako grinned from ear to ear, recognizing an old friend.
Kyahaha! No kiddin', I don't remember all that gray! How's it been Uskata? The room loosened and most people went back to their chores. Isako and Uskata took a seat by the fire and began to catch up. Isako was glad that it was this tribe he had come across, the Tusken. He and the Tanuki had come across their path quite a few times in the past, and of all the nomads he found them to be the most fun. He hadn't seen Uskata in years. The man was older now, slightly shrunken yet still firm as stone. They sat around the flame as the moon rose high recanting tales of the years since they last met. The Tusken laughed, and danced, and sang. It seemed that the night smoothed away the hardiness of their features and provided kinder, gentler shapes. Though perhaps that was true of all desert folk, as the night brought refuge from the oppressive sun.
The night's supply of ale came to a trickle and one by one the Tusken turned in for the night. Isoka found himself drifting into thoughts of the future, before that strong clasp returned. You got some things on your mind, huh? Thought it was odd the little fur balls weren't with ya. What's going on?
Isoka gulped down the last of his drink. Ahhh, ya know. Life! Setting out to make a name for myself, might not be seeing this place for who knows how long. He picked up a bone fragment and spun it in his fingers before tossing it into the flames.
Uskata followed suit, emptying his own cup and setting it aside. I see. So that's why you stopped here, eh? Coming back to where it all began, trying to close the book on the past before ya open the book of your future! Isoka hadn't remembered Uskata being this way with words, perhaps he had gained some wisdom in his old age.
Isoke raised an eyebrow at the advice. Wait, you know this is where they found me? Were you here? Perhaps he had been too young during their last visit for such a topic. Every since he was young, Isoka had craved an answer to where he had come from. If Uskata knew anything, he had to know.
You betcha! Gotta say it was strange seeing a baby sitting up there on the Dragon's Altar! Uskasa chuckled to himself. Strangest damned thing I'd ever seen. Seen people leave clothes, food, water, gold. Hell! I even saw one guy leave his damned foreskin up there! But a baby? Now that's somethin' else.
Isoka's mind began to race, his heart beating strong. He grabbed Uskasa by the shirt and nearly pushed him over in his eagerness. Then did you see them?! Did you see who left me?!
....ahh, see, I shoulda kept my big mouth shut. Shoulda known this was what had you itching. Wish I could help you fill in that page kid, but nope, when we arrived you were all alone. No trace of who or when you got put there. Wasn't any of us. Maybe the Gruun? Could have been the Ojai too. Hell, coulda been a random passerby! Isoka's heart sank and his hands fell limp. Uskasa patted him on the back, not sure what to say.
Damn... Isoka placed his head in his hands and looked down at the sand. It seemed the answer he was searching for would remain out of arms reach. He felt a sudden surge of bravado, a fire building in his guts. Screw it! It doesn't matter who they were, all that matters is who I am! I'm Isoka Tanryu, the child of the sand, and the vessel of Tankami! He stood up tall, the flames dancing shadows across his face. And! ....I gotta take a piss!
Isoka stumbled out of the ribbed tent with a renewed sense of worth, perhaps aided by the ale sitting in his stomach. He swayed between the bones of the beast until he stood too tall and knocked his head against a low hanging rib. He shouted and cursed and kicked sand at the bones. Stupid fucking dragon! Lets see how ya like this! He released his own dragon and unleashed a stream of yellow onto what looked like a vertebra. Once relieved he found a quiet spot by the beast's tail and rested against the bones, falling again into deep thought. Several minutes later he noticed a robed man gliding slowly across the sand. He didn't remember seeing such a man in the tent, perhaps a traveler who had preferred his own company to that of the nomads. Still, it was late and something about the man seemed off. Isoka stood and quietly crept across the sand, following the mysterious figure.
They traveled past the dragon's tail and entered a hidden crevasse which trickled down a slope that was more rock than sand. The gully twisted and turned and narrowed before widening into a clearing. A large stone stood in the center with a dark door-like opening. The man disappeared into the doorway, and Isoka followed after. It was pitch black in the cave, but not impossible to navigate for a man such as Isoka. After a short distance the tunnel opened into a large open cavern with moonlight pouring in through a jagged maw above. The old man was standing in front of a large stone slab, illuminated by the light and covered in paintings.
The man spoke, his back to Isoka and his eyes trained on the slab. I'm glad you've come.
Isoka leaped back and slid a kunai into his right hand. Ya? And why is that? He had never seen this man before, that he was sure of. Was it a hunter, come for his head?
The man turned to face him. His head was bare, his eyes deep and gray. A soft smile gave way to a long silken beard, grey as his eyes and reaching down to his waist. "Hmm? Oh, I see. No, no. Not you, my boy. I was speaking to him."
"The hell ya talkin' about old man, its just me and you here." They were alone, the nomads above weren't skilled enough to follow.
"Hmm. Is that so? You mean to tell me he's not in there?" The old man gave a knowing smile.
Isoka knew who the old man was referring to before he asked, yet he hoped he was wrong and asked anyway. "...who?"[/COLOR]
The old man laughed, "Ho-oh! Shukaku, of course."
Isoka would not wait any further. He loosed the kunai at the man, but it seemed to pass right through him. Suddenly the man was before him. Isoka tried to back away but he found the cavern wall blocked his escape. The old man reached up and touched Isoka's forehead, and suddenly they were both within Shukaku's sanctum.
"Hmm. There he is. Its been some time, Shukaku." The old man stood tall, looking up at Shukaku with his arms cross behind his back. Isoka gritted his teeth, unsure of how they had come to this place.
Shukaku expressed a rare sense of surprise. "Echiki...you're still here...? How?"
"...Echiki? What the hell is goin' on here? Who the hell is this old man?" Isoka allowed his guard to relax. There was a familiarity between this Echiki and Shukaku.
"Hmm. I see. You haven't told him, have you Shukaku? Ho-oh, you haven't changed one bit, have you? Fine boy, let me show you. Come with me, to this place a hundred years in the past." The sanctum swirled and sand flowed through, building and building, before subsiding away. Isoka was standing atop a dune with the night sky above. He recognized the constellations and knew he was atop the western dunes overlooking the Dragon's Rest. Yet, it was not the same place. The bones of the dragon were nowhere to be seen.
Thunder boomed behind him and a gust of wind almost threw him off the dune. Isoka spun around to see two massive shadows clashing in the moonlight. A creature larger than anything he had ever seen swooped through the air and let loose a brilliant golden flame. A stream of sand rose from the desert and collided with the dragon's fire, the clash triggering another thundering boom. Glinting flecks fell around them all, sand turned to glass from the flames.
"The dragon terrorized these lands for many years. A beast of unimaginable rage and power. Why it chose this desert I could not say, but the people could no longer abide its reign." The beast dropped down on Shukaku from above, crushing him into the sands which cascaded outward as a roaring wave. The old man put up a hand and parted the rapids as they passed by them both.
"No human could stand against it, and so my people sought his help. He scoffed at first, but his heart is not as cold as he displays." Pressure blasted outward from where the two beasts battled. The dragon was flung back through the air, passing over head before steadying itself in the air above. It fluttered its wings and released a wave of wind down at Shukaku, who matched the attack with wind of his own. The air clashed violently kicking up small tornadoes throughout the area.
"Hmm. What a battle it was! Sand gathered into the air above the dragon and then came crashing down, driving the beast into the ground on the other side of the dune. Shukaku leaped over the dune and came down atop the dragon, raining down a series of punches, each one echoing throughout the desert. The dragon whipped its tail up from behind Shukaku and wrapped its bony length around Shukaku's neck. It pulled itself free and threw Shukaku into a dune which collapsed beneath his weight. Shukaku threw a wave of sand at the dragon and sprang forward.
"We fought valiantly, I must say. And, the dragon was..." A piercing shriek interrupted Echiki. Shukaku had wrapped his hands around the winged demon's massive throat. They pushed against one another, the dragon snapping its maw, inching closer and closer. Shukaku began to get pushed back, but Isoka could see sand building thicker around the dragon's neck. Unable to reach further, the dragon opened its mouth and a golden glow took root in the back of its throat. The dragon's flames flowed forward and crashed into Shukaku's body, sending sand spraying to the sides, but Shukaku held his ground. He roared and a pulse traveled down his arms to the sand around the dragon's neck. The crunch of bone was accompanied by a misting of blood which reached into the sky and rained down across the surrounding dunes. The golden flames extinguished, and the dragon's body fell lifeless.
"Vanquished. But, the toll...was too great." Shukaku dropped to a knee, the front of his body was cratered into a glassy bowl. The melted sand prevented him from reforming the wound. Slowly, the sand of his body began to fall, crumbling away and returning to the desert. His body gave way to a large mound of sand, and at the peak laid Echiki, the life gone from his body.
"I could not withstand the battle, and so it was here that I died. I waited for my spirit to pass, but that day eluded me." Time seemed to speed up, the moon and sun took turns rounding the sky, and the dragon's body began to break down. It was too large for the desert to consume, and so it remained half-protruding with its grand white bones. Echiki had long since disappeared beneath the sands, his body lost to time.
"Shukaku was bound to me still, yet we both were trapped in a state of in-between. That is, until you arrived." They were now before the Dragon's Altar, and a heavily clothed man stood before it. In his arms was a crying infant, wrapped in silken cloth, words written across the fabric. The man placed the child upon the altar and left, his face hidden throughout the memory.
The old man seemed to split and a shade of him approached the altar. "Never before had a child been left at this place. I was reminded of my own grandson and went to see the child. It cried and cried, and I wanted to sooth its sadness, but could not in my state. I reached out to hold its hand, and when I did, something happened." Energy flowed from Echiki's hand, streaming into the child's body. In a moment it was over, and the memory of Echiki seemed to disappear.
The sands swirled again before giving way to the inner sanctum. Echiki was smiling at Isoka. "And here we are. Shukaku was freed, thanks to you. And perhaps I was too, yet I had grown accustomed to this place and so I lingered." The old man looked up at his old friend. "Perhaps...this is what I needed. To see that he has found happiness again. Hmm. Yes, I think that it is time. What do you say old friend?"
Shukaku turned away, growling. "Ho-oh! I can see those tears my friend, you cannot hide them from me." He turned to Isoka. "I'm glad it was you who was left on the altar. Take care of him, will you? Good bye, Isoka Tanryu." He turned back to Shukaku. "Goodbye, my friend."
Echiki's body began to fade. Shukaku turned to his old friend and fought back the tears. "Be at peace, you old fool!" Shukaku let out a mournful howl, and Isoka awoke, seated against the dragon's tail where he had been the night before.
The dream had lingered with Isoka throughout the morning. He described it to Shukaku, but the beast simply scoffed at his attempts and told him to forget such fantasies. He helped the Tuskens pack their camp and thanked Uskasa for the night before. The nomads departed over the dunes, to wander their endless lands. Isoka lingered for some time before gathering his own belongings. Still, the dream pulled at him. Unable to shake it, Isoka returned to where he had rested the night before. He thought back to the dream and began to retrace the old man's steps.
Down the crevasse, through the winding ravine, and there in the center of a clearing stood the cavern door. Isoka raced into the dark and weaved through the tunnels as if he had been there before. He exited into a cavern filled with daylight, shining down on a large slab of rock. Isoka approached it and examined the paintings. They showed the dragon, and its reign of terror. They showed a pact being made between man and beast. They showed a world-shaping battle between Shukaku and the Dragon. And they showed Echiki in his final resting place.
Isoka smiled and entered the inner sanctum, "Kyaha, I get it now! So all this time the offerings and the luck, that was you, huh? All these idiots thinkin' some stupid dragon was giving them luck, but you were just thanking them for remembering Echiki, weren't ya?"
Shukaku laughed mockingly. "Ya right! As if I'd be sentimental over some old fool! In your dreams, literally!" Isoka didn't respond, he just chuckled and kept grinning. "Quit it, brat! Your 'KAMI' commands it! Cut it out!"
"Fine, fine, I got it. But there's one thing I gotta know big guy, why didn't ya tell me?" Isoka relaxed himself, and spoke with more sincerity. He and Shukaku had been together at the Dragon's Rest before, and yet he had never told Isoka the truth.
The beast looked down at him and breathed deeply. "Grr...hell if I know...It just...I just...What the hell business is it of yours?! If you don't get moving we're going to miss the boat! Lets get out of here."
Isoka sighed, "Oh, fine. You don't gotta tell me, I think I got ya figured out, Tankami. Buried in that sand is a damn fine heart!" He turned to leave the cavern but remembered that he never placed his gift at the Dragon's Altar. "Almost forgot! I think I got the perfect gift this time." He reached into his bag and pulled out a silken cloth, the same cloth he was wrapped in when left at the altar. He walked over to the stone slab and placed the cloth at its base, his final offering to the Dragon's Rest.
With his heart content with the past, he departed from the Dragon's Rest and he made his way to the coast. Isoka boarded a merchant's boat and set sail for his next grand adventure.