Places beyond the Madness.
Lovecraftian/Naruto inspired
By Coyote
Lovecraftian/Naruto inspired
By Coyote
“Imagine delving into the bleak abyss, with founts of ripe insanity flowing and the melody of graces asunder, just imagine the schism that will dawn when you arrive.”
V. 1 Ch. 1
The Music of Radicals
“You’re summoned, Jurou.”
The silent emotion from his voice irks me. The bald, emotionless shinobi perched on my window sill, adorned in a white as clouds robe and pale red rope belt around his waist does carry with him a certain appeal; the lack of etiquette is welcomed but emotions push understanding. Without another response he drops out of sight, I drop my shogi koma and head for the door. I was only claiming victory against myself anyways.
I don’t often see the ‘Supernal Guard’ here in the village, the pale red belt doesn’t exactly stow away secrecy. They’re a group of like-minded superstition individuals whom the Mizukage has a keen interest in, they wear the white robe with a pale red belt and usually tout themselves among the masses preaching about the outlying abysses, typical zealot nonsense. It does seem however that our solitary Mizukage has taken some interest in them over these past few years and I’ve been noticing them walk our streets like streams of spilled milk. The hairless one doesn’t share the same fervor though; maybe his mind hasn’t gone to mush with the xenophobia like the others.
“Fried pork dumpling here!” one vendor shouts.
“Steamed dumpling over here!” another vendor shouts even louder.
The smell of fried pork and steamed noodles scent the air with certain agreement, I’ve missed it, I’ve missed it all – the discord between the dumpling vendors and the snickers of young shinobi ready to drip their influence onto our ever-changing world. I remember those days, the youthful fire in my belly needing to be nurtured by my masters every day until I was dropped into the absolute universe, it’s funny how quick that fire goes from that raging ferocity of an unstoppable wild boar to that of a piglet afraid to leave its mother teat. I now float suspended in my monotonous reality of shogi and dumpling gorging. Perhaps, just perhaps the Mizukage brings me back into the fray of investigation, a constant royal of wits. It’s been half a decade since I’ve felt the thrill of unsolvable riddle brought on by placid disturbance, those were the best, keeping your head cool makes you harder to figure out I’ve always thought.
“Hey Jurou.”
I didn’t recognize the voice but when I glimpsed upon the face it was all too clear. I’ve arrived at the Mizukages building and my former pupil greets me at the door. Kaori. She has grown, taller than last I remember, short jet black hair in a bun, purple rimmed spectacles, run of the mill shinobi garbs with the Hidden Mist band knotted around her left arm, pretty like a daisy. Another bright eyed child of the Mist..
“I knew Ayuma would peak your interest enough to climb out from your cave.”
Kaori knew me well; an unripe shinobi who breaks into my home spouting the formalities of the Mizukage would not have hastened my journey across town. Could have taken me a day or two to find my way over here in that case, she knows I’m a sucker for those who have no etiquette. Before I could render a word she already opened the door and walked up the stairs to his chambers. I’ve only seen the Sandaime Mizukage in passing but rumors have taken hold of the villagers; a man who lacks the militant drives and carelessly uses his resources for hunting down fables - a leader with no interest in War seems unusual but desired if you ask me. I walk into the room, he sits behind his desk, long black hair unfettered, casually dressed in a light blue shirt that could contend with the color of the sky, Kaori stands beside him and the newly named Ayuma idles in the corner.
“I hear you’re not one for pleasantries Jurou so I’ll make this brief.” the Mizukage hesitates.
“We’ve been reviewing the file from an investigation you lead, the cult killings eight years back.”
Strange. I only slightly remember that case. On the smaller southernmost island in the Land of Water there were some murders that were believed to be ritualistic. Oddly enough that’s all I remember, I don’t remember faces, reports, interviews and the murder scene itself is clouded in my memory like a haze.
“Of course” I respond.
“Do you remember anything that may not be in these files?”
“It was a while ago, I’m sure all I know is documented in the file.” I say uneasily
Kaori pounces forward like a wildcat.
“Jurou! Please, anything else?!” the Mizukage places his hand on her shoulder as he rises up from his desk.
“I’m sorry, everything should be there. The interviews, my notes, the music..”
As I utter the words my mind plays a melody that warps my will as I try to speak, their eyes look at me puzzled.
“..what music?” Kaori questions
I’m able to shake it off..
“Um, the music, I do remember hearing something that we couldn’t explain but it didn’t seem relevant at the time.” I say with difficulties
“That wasn’t mentioned in your notes.” the Mizukage observes
“Oh.” My brain feels like it just underwent a night of bingeing saki in only a few seconds, the forced tune is gone but is now shackled on my now blistering memory. I try to take a deep breath but can’t, my body shivers with unfortunate ticks, it’s hard to bring my eyes up to face them but I find a way to persuade myself enough to listen.
“If you don’t mind Jurou, could you look over this again with Ayuma and Kaori? It seems these events are happening again and we would like to be ahead of this.”
Kaori closes in on me; I can tell by her stare my distress is noticeable. She put forward a tablet, old, maybe ancient; it has wear and is written in a language that I’m unfamiliar with. I take it from her hands and glance over the ridged marking around the edge that causes my eyes to stale and saps any lingering joy I may have had. Every moment I look at this tablet I become more entranced in the evil aura that permeates my body. Suddenly as I read over the words that emphatic melody returns, deafening, unmistakable, dogmatic…I become lightheaded, I didn’t even my knees buckle as I fell to the ground until I was in Ayuma’s arms and the tablet was lifeless on the ground. Kaori reaches down to pick it up and as she does I speak out the final word unknowingly at the bottom of the tablet..
“Tru’nembra”
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This is my first fanfiction I've ever posted on the base.
So, enjoy.
This is my first fanfiction I've ever posted on the base.
So, enjoy.
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