[PAST RP] The Sword of Truth (private)

[This took place roughly 200 years before our current storyline, during the timeskip.]

[Takuri Sugiura]



The forest Takuri was making her way through was damp and full of steam. Why? Well, only a few minutes ago, a very strong rain had been falling. This area was more like a swampy jungle than a normal forest in the lands of the Guardian Beasts, and only very few actually ever intruded into these dead and smelling waters, not knowing was was beneath the surface. The Sugiura making her way through this area was not walking like a human would, though - instead, she was floating in the air, walking over it as if it was the ground. One of the easiest things to do for a spiritual being.
Why was she even here? Only a few days ago, she finally returned to the sides of her sisters and brothers. But now, after she started to settle down with the feeling of having those she cared for around again, a voice similliar to Susano'o kept on calling her in her sleep.
"Are you sure you don't know the voice?" She mumbled to the beast in her inner mind, but it just shook his head. Who was this Guardian Beast calling for her? Was it even one? Maybe it was something completely different.
Still, the heavy clothing didn't help here. Takuri was sweating like crazy in the thick layers, and the mask made breathing way harder - that was until she used her magic to cool down both her body and make her breathing easier. Without realizing where she was going, Takuri made her way into the deepest parts of the swamp-like jungle.

When the trees finally ended in a clearing, she knew instantly that this area was one of the 'calm zones'. A zone where no Guardian Beast lived, but not because they didn't have enough power in the air to use here - it was an anomaly that concentrated unusually thick Reiatsu. It wasn't dangerous for anyone with at least the strength of a seated Shinigami officer to be here, so for Takuri, it didn't make any difference.
Together with the trees, the swamp was also shrinking, and the strange pull dragged Takuri towards what looked to be like a hill. As soon as she got closer, Takuri noticed something - it was an artificial, but nearly destroyed doorway under the earth. Was this where the call came from? Suddenly, the storm goddess stopped. She could simply turn back now and ask her older sister or her mother what this voice was, maybe they would know...

[Arthur]

"So you have come, the destined one, who shall wield the promised sword of victory" the voice, echoed from out, the area. A Knight, in shining armor appeared upon the hill in front of her. Releasing a wave of peaceful, yet fierce wind. He, chuckled a bit, looking over at the area, to see that no one was there but just them. "I knew my persistence would pay off, eventually." he said, as he looked down at the girl and landed before. He couldn't help but notice, that she was stuffed in all of that cloak and clothing, somewhat surprised as to how one could possibly breath in such terrain, while wearing such clothing. "Tell me, why have you come like this?" he asked a question, curiously. His voice stood firm, yet it was a peaceful and solemn tone. Like that of a honorable knight. "I would like to at least see your face...after all i want to get to know, who shall be my master and wield the sacred blade" he said, as he came towards her closer. "Though, i'm sure i already know a bit...since my premonitions have been calling to you, that's why it's not much surprise you happen to meet me here" he made a small chuckle, satisfied. "However, i need to have a master, who's will is strong, you must stick to the one goal, and go with it, till the very end..." he then tapped her shoulder, and stood back a bit. "However i'll let this all sink in, so you get to learn more about me, before everything comes into fruition..." he surely, hoped for one thing in his mind. That, she was the chosen one. The one, who would bring peace to lands with the legendary blade.

[Takuri Sugiura]



Slowly, the right, gloved hand of the female warrior took hold of the fox-mask, and removed it, revealing the quite good-looking face with the trademarks of her body, the red markings symbolizing her Reiatsu-circuits, glowing faintly since she was using her wind to keep her body from melting in this humidity. As the mask was falling down into the soft ground, the heavy mantle and clothing disappeared, revealing the body clothed in the very light pieces she was normally wearing.
"So you are the legendary Guardian of the holy sword... Arthur, the king of the lost Utopia." It was rare for Takuri to show very deep respect for someone, but towards this being, she even made a light bow. Something she'd never do to anything or anyone else in her entire life. The expression on her face was serious, without any joy in it, while others would jump into the air screaming out for being chosen by this beast who held the control over the greatest of the sacred swords.
"I will tell you why I never show my face to anyone... and why I believe you've mistaken me for my older sister." Raising one hand in her usual manner when explaining things, with the other one at her hip, without those heavy layers, she actually looked very gentle and not intimidating at all.
"I am a being that can barely even qualify as a person. I nearly killed my sister simply because I was angry. Even right now... the only reason I can talk to you, is because I sealed my emotions so deep within me." The eyes of the Sugiura told a story full of closure and distance between herself and all others. The eyes of someone who lost everything before.
"For thousands of years, I fought myself to contain my anger and hate. If my sister, Misaiko, is the light of our people, then I am the shadow behind her. An imperfect person, Sugiura, and warrior." Looking at the warrior clad in armor, she could not see any reaction, since his face was hidden behind the helmet.
"First mother, and now even you... I can't accept the sword of a ruler, Arthur. How can a monster like me bring peace, when I don't even know myself enough to keep me from acting based solely on emotions? How can someone scared of oneself wield the greatest of all swords? It is a miracle I was able to wield Caliburn and stop the raging darkness within Misaiko so many years ago. And miracles... usually don't happen twice." There was a sadness, but also a sincere calmness in Takuris voice. It was not a fatal flaw for herself, even though others could maybe count it as one. She had no single bit of trust for herself. Unlike other Sugiura who achieved their height of power after many years of training, Takuri was an abomination who had been able to use her Kyou Kyuu from the moment Susano'o joined her inner world. But still, she lacked the 'Alter' self, and long-since accepted that her Alter was actually her own weakness and emotions.

[Arthur]

Arthur, stood firm and valiantly, in front of the female, as she began to reveal herself to him. A feat that he thought would take a bit of time, but he was happy nonetheless, to see that she was at least opening up this much. He, looked her up and down for a moment, to take in her clothing and appearance. He couldn't help but wonder, why such a attractive girl, hid her looks. Nonetheless, he smiled at when she bowed to him. He, continued to listen to her. When she decided to tell him that he was mistaking her, for Misaiko. It upset him, to see how much she had that self-loathing. He didn't want to believe that his premonition, was wrong. No, he knew it was right, she may have not knew it, but Arthur and the promised sword of victory, chose their user because they had something special deep inside. He, put his hand down to her and knelled down in front of her. "You're Wrong, you're one of the more attractive daughters, that i have seen, descend from Shimura's clan line..." he said, giving her a compliment. "Everyone, has done wrong. There has not been no man or woman, that has not committed a sin. Not only that, but you have done right, so why do you loathe yourself to such an extent? Your mother was not incorrect, in telling you to come here. You are not a monster, because we all have weaknesses, however those weaknesses are sometimes our strengths. Listen, did you not wield caliburn in order to protect, your sister?" he asked curiously, looking down at her through the mask. "It was your heroic action, that even if it almost hurt, that saved your sister from falling into darkness. Had you not saved her, this land would still be in a land of dismay and chaos" he said his tone was solemn, and peaceful. "You can release your emotions to me, because i chose you, not your mother, not your sister, nor anyone else, because deep inside you takuri, lies the will of someone who wants to protect, the only reason that someone went away is because of their sins, but i want you to know one thing..." he put his hand over her head, with a firm but soft grasp. "Miracles, are endless. " he said with a smile. "It's up to you to believe, my child" he said as he stood up once again. Would she finally accept him, or would he have to talk to her even more? He was hoping he woudl accept these kind words.

[Takuri Sugiura]



"Believe, huh...?" Takuris voice seemed to drift away, like a lost small boat on a wide, wild ocean, with nobody to help it stay afloat, nobody telling the woman inside everything would be alright. The voice of the legendary guardian beast seemed like the lost rays of the sun breaking the storm clouds slowly away, but simply kind words would not be enough to rip the Sugiura out of her self-hate and detestment. Even now, over 10000 years after it - a longer time than any human could even imagine - she hated herself for the beastial nature of her insticts. She was a primal Sugiura, an elder of her race, but for her, 10000 years were like yesterday still. Takuri was part of a group of people for which time didn't mean anything.
It was like asking Archer to forget his old broken self. It was something that would need time, and confidence on her part - and she didn't have much confidence, just self-restraint and an exact view of her abilities.
"Caliburn... I remember it like yesterday." Closing her drifting, slightly shimmering eyes, the events unfolded infront of her inner self again. It was like a trance of the past, returning, experiencing it again.
"Darkness. A wild storm. The sword, full of darkness. Misaiko loosing herself. Otoya is helpless. Kusaka injured. Archer and Gilgamesh are nowhere to be found. The old man, coming from nowhere. The lake. A sword, a single beautiful sword. A warning. Never to return. I pull it out - the power of the sacred weapon. We face each other, for the second time. Blades crash. Sparks. I can see her inside of the monster, her pained self. I can see... The thing inside the darkness, is her true self. I cut it away, the darkness. Seal it with Caliburn." Slightly opening her eyes again, she sighed. Arthur was right. Merlin, the old man, gave her that sacred sword because she wanted to protect her sister, no matter the cost.
"The golden sword vanishes. The rain doesn't stop, it washes it away. Blood is long gone. The fight is over. I turn my back to them. Into the night, I go, don't look back. The fight is over. But... I can't look back. Yet, I do look back. But I can't return. Thoughts... not controlled." Finally returning from her sea of memory, Takuri sighed. It sometimes happened to her, slipping into her memories completely.
"Well, you probably knew most of it. Shimura wanted me to be the first Queen, and I refused even before all of it happened. I don't know if I can believe in an eternal miracle, Arthur." A slight smile was fleeting over her face, for only a moment.
"But... I am willing to try believing, at least for once. As long as you are fine with not having a promised ruler as your wielder, that is. I am not fit to lead anyone."

[Arthur]

"Ha-hahahaha...Don't worry about it, my child. I just want you to believe in yourself. Some day, you will reach a life, that you could never imagine possible. For now, enjoy your life with your family and never falter..." he said as he stood firm and complacent. "Now, that that business of order, is over with there is something that you should know..." he said, as he would sit down a bit floating within the air, his peaceful aura baring, no hate or misdeed. "You must find your sheath..." He said, with a serious tone, that still held the peaceful honor and peacefulness of the knight. "You may not understand it now....But once you wield Excalibur, you will have the power to cut through anything that opposes you...However, the sheath will guide you, along your journey..." he said as he began to look up into the skies. "Whatever the case is, you should be able to find that person. I know there was someone, that i gave the sheath too, in order to help preserve that person's life, but i don't quite know the whereabouts, hehehe...you could say i'm getting old..." he said with a sigh, that held no lamentation, But childish wonder instead. "As long as you believe in yourself...you'll find your hope..." He looked down, at her and spoke. "Well come....i think it's high time that you come to claim the sword... " he said bowing, and leading her into the cave, in where she would find the sword in stone. Now was her time, to find true championship. She would have daunting responsibilities but he would never allow her to falter, nor fail. It was her time to stand amongst the kings and queens, and wield a sword worthy of such a title.

[Takuri Sugiura]

"Believe... maybe it is time that I do it again." Following Arthur into the dark cave, the air inside of here was cool, comforting, compared to that outside. Takuri lifted the shielding of calm, cooling winds around her body once inside - this calm atmosphere had to be the legendary Boundary Field of the Wind God, the charm with which the sword had been blessed. The magic only her mother knew in this time and age, far after the age of gods, which protected anything and anyone from control.
Finally, she saw the stone. A simple boulder, with greenery growing around it, thanks to the permanent glow from the slightly golden sword. Slowly, the wolf-like Sugiura stepped up to the hilt of the greatest of the Sacred Swords.
Like in slow motion, Takuri moved her right hand to the grip of the overly long sword. Without noticing, her hand began to tremble. This marked a turning point in her life for sure - the moment she took this sword, and accepted destiny, she would never be able to turn back. She'd forever be bound to protect her people - but that was what she wanted. This sword - it was matters to an end. With new resolve, and resolution, Takuris strong, clawed hand enclosed the hilt, and pulled on it.
For everyone else, this sword would be impossible to lift. Even for her, it was unusually heavy - the weight of ten swords at once.
"Alright then, Arthur. I accept it... the burden of the holy sword." Closing her eyes for a split second, before opening them again, the golden glow disappeared. Excalibur returned to it's sealed state - a black, broad longsword. On her hip, a scabbard appeared - black as the night itself. Not the real one, of course - this was not Avalon for sure. One day, she'd have to search for the one holding Avalon, and find out what fate had in store for her.
But for now, all she was left with was this sword, and her second Guardian Beast and inner world - Arthur and his vision of Avalon. As her feet transported her out of the cave and into the humid air of the lands again, she took a deep breath of the smelly air - feeling strangely revived. Sheathing Excalibur for the first time now, a sudden vision attacked her inner eyes and made her stumble two steps forward.

A burning town. The smell of bodies burning to ash, the smoke biting into the lungs. No more feeling in the arms and legs... Why? There was no answer. People calling for help, others sacrificing themselves for others to survive.

"What... was that... No, couldn't be..." Looking up in the sky, Takuri sighed. Maybe she should stay in these lands for a bit longer - here, she didn't feel the need to conceal her appearance. And dressed like this, the hot air didn't affect her at all. Yes, she would stay here for a bit... and then return to her new found duty - to protect her sister and her land against every single evil force.
She was Takuri Faiz Sugiura, the one who brought down enemies in at the most five swipes, as the legends told. The creator of magic, the beastial Sugiura, the second daughter - and now, the destined protector of these lands.
She was... the wielder of Excalibur, the second of the Triumvirate Sacreds.

[THREAD END]