In roaring he shall rise and on the surface die.

[thalassino]

Wednesday. 7pm. A calm, normal day in Vatheon. Nothing betrays what is coming. And yet the signs were there, if only someone had been able to see them for what they were

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Motochika & Mitsuhide

[behisstrength]

[The fury of such a spectacular creature is devastating; they are fortunate that only its tentacles have breached Vatheon's barrier and that it seems to be striking out blindly. He and Mitsuhide have pulled locals free from the rubble of destroyed buildings during their approach on more than one occasion

[wavesoakedlegs]

[Vatheon has likely never faced a threat like this; all of the monsters that came before, and all of the curses that affected the population, were a result of its own power. Never something that could destroy the city itself. This creature is clearly not of the city, and is disturbed by its existence; it is angry, huge, and damaging it is hard even for the most powerful amongst the many captives drawn in my the Lamufao.]

[Mitsuhide is not panicking, however. As a man raised to be a samurai from birth he can face such threats without even stopping to think about the fact he is in harm's way. There are people to protect, and he is prepared to step up and wield his blade in defense of his home. Any fear he feels is muted by courage and determination.]

[Motochika is effectively keeping the tentacles attention on himself. While the sea creature it belongs to obviously cannot see, the pain of the sound bubbles draw it towards Mitsuhide's lover and leave the appendage open to another brief flurry of attacks. Mitsuhide's katana cuts through

[behisstrength]

[Motochika sets another sound bubble then takes a few more paces away before he attacks with a steady stream of soundwaves to recapture the tentacle's attention. The tentacle makes a wide sweep, likely trying to target them both; once the swing is avoided, Motochika goads it further by strumming out two large pulses in quick succession. For now the multitude of bubbles remain unused -- but not for long, Motochika suspects, considering the success of his provocation.]

[wavesoakedlegs]

[Mitsuhide ducks to avoid the sweep, and steps back. He slides his blade back into its sheath for a moment and assumes a certain stance, gathering energy as Motochika brings the focus of the tentacle back to himself.]

[When the moment is right, the most damaged patch of the creature's flesh in range now, Mitsuhide strikes. He draws his sword and slices into the tentacle in one incredibly quick attack, musou energy dancing across his blade and increasing its cutting power. A normal man would not survive such an attack; against the monster they face it merely does a bit more damage than his normal strikes did. Blood pours from the new wound he has inflicted, and the tentacle begins to thrash around more even more vigorously.]

[behisstrength]

[While the increased severity of wound inflicted edges them closer to victory, it also heightens the danger they have placed themselves in; the tentacle's thrashing is more difficult to predict and avoid

[wavesoakedlegs]

[That is enough to make Mitsuhide feel fear; overwhelming and powerful, it roars through him as Motochika is flung like a rag doll against solid stone. A blow like that could kill a man... he lets out a distressed cry that only stops when he sees Motochika move again.]

[Instinct, training and the overwhelming need to save his love keep his blade in motion then. Moments ago he had wondered if the lightning element contained in his blade would work well against the beast; now is the time to find out. All Mitsuhide needs to do is stun the tentacle for just long enough for them to get out of range. A minute, a half minute, whatever he can manage. It will be enough. It has to be.]

[He will protect Motochika

[behisstrength]

[Motochika winces but with Mitsuhide's aid rises. His vision is unable to stay focused, he remains disorientated and every step reverberates painfully through his ribs and head, yet his breathing, while strained, is still steady and his legs are uninjured, so he has very little trouble keeping pace so long as Mitsuhide leads them along. He merely clenches his jaw against the fresh waves of hurt, and concentrates on pushing on through it.

He cannot hold back the occasional grunt of pain as his injuries are jarred, however.]

[wavesoakedlegs]

[Mitsuhide does not allow himself to think about the pain Motochika is in until they are out of range and somewhat safe; he merely pushes them on, step by step, drawing them away from the tentacles of the fiendish creature.]

[They make it out of range before the one tentacle they'd been fighting recovers from the lightning assault and begins thrashing around again. Mitsuhide does not immediately stop, taking them further along until he finds suitable shelter and a decent patch of grass to rest on. When he gets them there he immediately drops the shamisen and shifts to stand in front of Motochika, using both hands to support him.]

This will do.

[Now that they are out of immediate danger he feels that fear again, strong and powerful. Motochika has been hit badly; there is clearly damage to the rib area, judging simply by what he can see, and he got hit on the head with such force that there has be damage there as well. Mitsuhide's heart beats rapidly in his chest. What if it is worse than it looks? Even as things stand...]Motochika

[behisstrength]

[Motochika slides his eyes shut for a moment, breathing deeply as the pain will allow; he needs a moment to steady himself now that they are stationary, to push that sick, dizzy feeling aside before it overwhelms him.

Mitsuhide's tone and expression made his heart ache. He remembers Mitsuhide's arrival in Vatheon and the shadow of loss that haunted his lover's eyes for so long afterward.

Yet he is hardly anywhere close to death.

When Motochika opens his eyes again he finds it a fraction easier to focus and he attempts to hold Mitsuhide's gaze. Very slowly he raises his hands to cup Mitsuhide's face. His grimace cannot be suppressed and he can't prevent his voice from sounding pained -- nor can he help the way he forms his words slower than usual. He can, however, keep strength and calmness in his voice.]

Save your grief, Mitsuhide... remain strong. I promise you that we will be fine.

[It is unavoidable that his words are undercut by the weakness that his body and painstaking movements belie as he sits down on the grass and

[wavesoakedlegs]

[Mitsuhide says nothing in reply, unable to find the words. Emotion overrules logic right now, the vivid memories in his head ensuring this would remain so for at least a while longer. He can see rain, mud, fire and blood in his mind's eye, recall the searing pain he felt when Motochika's life flickered out on top of that mountain.]

[Without you, I cannot go on. That's what he had said, back then.]

[Shaking his head a little, Mitsuhide kneels down at Motochika's side and begins to inspect his lover more closely, and with great care. First he checks Motochika's head, frowning when he finds blood there; it's not too much, however, and aside from several cuts there seems to be no other damage to the skin or bone underneath. He shifts to check Motochika's chest afterwards and, after a few minutes, concludes that there is, luckily, no full breaks to the ribs. Cracks, almost certainly, but that is a lot more mild than he was expecting. Mitsuhide sighs, lightly.]

Cracked ribs, a few cuts and bruises and an obvious concussion.

[He is

[behisstrength]

[Gentle as Mitsuhide is in his inspection, Motochika still swallows against the flare of discomfort, hissing an exhale once or twice. The prognosis isn't too bad, though he is somewhat dismayed that he didn't get away with merely bruising his ribs

[wavesoakedlegs]

[Mitsuhide's head tips forward, fringe hiding much of his face.]

I could not fail you.

[There is a part of him that never stops feeling responsible for all of the deaths that occured during the Battle of Yamazaki. He feels that guilt again now, not as raw but still just as painful, as he recalls Motochika's last breath that day. Letting that happen again...]

I could not.

[It was unthinkable.]

[behisstrength]

[Motochika lets go of Mitsuhide's hand to reach upwards and brush back one side of his lover's fringe. Depth of feeling has always been Mitsuhide's greatest strength and greatest weakness. It is a grave responsiblity to hold Mitsuhide's heart; in life Motochika gives Mitsuhide love without comparison, in death, despair without respite.

(It does not matter that in his own recollections they won at Yamazaki, his strength unbroken.)

Even concussed, Motochika knows that they cannot afford to have Mitsuhide lost to his sorrows right now.]

I am here, Mitsuhide. Stay with me in the present.

[wavesoakedlegs]

[Mitsuhide takes a deep, shuddering breath, and then nods slightly. It's true; there is no real time to get caught up in this. He cannot push the feelings away, but he needs to get Motochika to one of the safe areas. No doubt it will be impossible to keep his ahead above the water when they are there, but for now...]

I...

[He lifts his head up again, slightly, and then shakes it a little. His feelings show clearly on his face still.]

Mmm. We should not stay here for much longer. When you feel capable, we will make the full journey. I will support you.

[behisstrength]

Very well.

[Motochika takes a moment to steel himself, before opening his eyes and rising to his feet. He exhales, needing a handful of seconds for the rush of disorientation and discomfort from moving to recede to lower levels.]

[wavesoakedlegs]

[Mitsuhide picks up Motochika's shamisen and then slides his arm around his lover again, taking some of his weight and holding on firmly. They have a bit of a way to go, and will have to take it slowly, but that is fine. He will do what is necessary to ensure Motochika is safe.]

When you need to stop, just say so.

[They would have to find a healer as well, when they got to proper safety. Mitsuhide tenses up briefly, before putting all focus into the task ahead. He waits a minute before starting to walk.]