Previous post.
This post marks the beginning of my mission using these storyboard elements:
- Obtain Ore for your God Slaying Tool (3)
Musashi ventured from the depths of the mines in Takemikazuchi's Anvil to Otohime's Monastery, trading the sweltering heat and deep underground for a strange stillness, serenity, and the imposing iron tetrahedron.
Venturing forward, Musashi was suprised to find a group of two samurai, wearing ornate sashes draped over them, outside the tetrahedron, holding the entrance open as if they expected her. She bowed in acknowledgement as they allowed her entrance, closing the door behind her, without a word. Normally the Monastery would not allow outsiders, but Musashi had made a bit of a name for herself in the Land of Iron, with all the time she lent out her blade, and of course her quest from dojo to dojo to test her skills. She would technically be an outsider, but had more than earned her price of entrance, not that she had ever been inside before.
Walking in, another individual, wrapped in flowing robes, with bandages around their face and a squared-off blade on their hip motioned at Musashi, guiding her through the hallowed halls.
Eventually, she was lead to a large empty room, with floors of dark wood, and large columns that supported the room. Large burners housed incense that filled the room with their aroma, and a statue of some dharmapalas flanking the Buddha. A mat was left for Musashi in the middle of the chamber, and two chambermaids took Musashi's effects from her.
There was serenity in the air here, but also stillness, which expanded to a tightness in her chest...hesitation? Apprehension?
Fear?
Musashi swallowed the lump in her throat and proceeded into the room, sitting in a meditative stance on the mat, letting her mind clear and the incense surround her, as she began her meditation.
She felt that strange familiar presence again, but did not open her eyes.
Instead, with her third eye, in her Mindscape, she saw it manifest. The familiar feeling made sense now, as the effect took on a form - her father, but deranged. Cloaked in shadow and holding a wicked blade covered in thorns and branches - not one she had ever seen before.
Her fears and insecurities, manifested in the form of the man she looked up to, twisted with disgust and projecting her fears of failure.
She could feel her spirit become heavy, as in her mindscape, she held a blade. A single, gleaming sword like a streak of light through the night sky. It was the blade her father had left for her, but that she did not currently posses, not willing to risk its integrity during her pilgrimage. Nagareboshi.
She took up her stance, only to see the vengeful shade lead out at her, with blinding speed. Its blade was cloaked in inky tendrils, and its arc hung like ink in the air. Musashi swung her blade, deflecting as she dodged, watching as her own sword cut through the air like a streak of light, dispelling the inky curtain, but not before Musashi felt the absolutely colossal force behind the blow.
The weight of the blow was metaphorical - her father was no demigod, though he had ways of providing himself with superhuman strength in times of need; but this was not that. This was the weight of her darkness inside, and if she did not stand against it, it would smother her.
Like a frenzied beast, the shade leapt at her again, but Musashi pushed down the beating in her chest and the dryness in her throat, this time, readied. Hesitation was the mind killer, and she must act.
She swung Nagareboshi, it meeting the strange branched sword - a chime like a bell rung out with the collision, and Musashi watch as the shade hung in the air for a moment. She matched its blow, but the weight was immense.
Despite the encroaching darkness, though, each swing of Nagareboshi cut through it, illuminating the area, and dispelling her doubts. Every swing made the blows of the shade a bit less intense, and strengthened her own.
Every swing of Narageboshi dispelled the fear of not living up to her expectations, and those she felt her father had for her.
"Come forth, my roaring blade..." whispered Musashi, as the light around Nagareboshi flared in her mindscape. "Now, Unsheated! Daitenshou!"
A band of light surrounded Nagareboshi as she held it skyward, bringing the blade downwards in a flash - the shade was bificurated, and dispelled - the shadows in her mindscape parted like so many clouds, revealing a still water that moved from horizon to horizon, the sun and sky reflected perfectly as they hung overhead. In the very far distance, she could see a lone white cliff with a large tree atop it.
As the light intensified, the mindscape faded, and Musashi found herself back in the chamber, the incense much thinner as it had burned down over the course of hours, and herself once again drenched with sweat. This is what she had been lead here for, and what the encounter here was meant to show her. To face her doubts and fears and overcome them; not to be devoid of them, but to conquer them.
Courage.
She felt the familiar presence once more and turned - and for the briefest of moments, she could swear she saw her father sitting next to her. His eyes were clear and gentle, and there was a smile on his face: pride.
But, then, in an instant, a blink of the eye...she was gone.
She blinked bit more, her eyes adjusting from that blinding light in her mindscape to the dimness in the room, and she noticed that there were now several large plumes of iron ore in front of her, all tinged with a slight verdant hue, the green color befitting its unique nature like the red and blue ore she had procured. Her personal effects were also there, as was a large roped box for her to store all the ore in. Perhaps this is why the Samurai and chambermaids had let her in, as they knew she had a tribulation of her own to face here, and the iron was her reward.
She gathered her things and the ore, having taken another step towards her enlightenment, and towards surpassing her father, and reaching the void at the apex of heaven.
Musashi gave a deep bow of appreciation to the Samurai and said prayers of thanks for the blessings she had received, and wished the same upon the Samurai here. Though they did not speak, they bowed in turn, imparting their wish for safe travels.
Musashi hoisted up her things, and began walking towards a boat she could see readied at shore, aiming to return to Marzan with the ore he requested - surely there was enough here for several swords!
But even still, the amount, to Musashi, didn't matter.
The brightness in her soul grew, and the fire in her heart had been stoked, the embers flaring evermore....
Leaving Landmark for Aisu Bay (254).