Kindred Of The East - Age of Sorrow

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Tibet, the Roof on The World, was famous not just for it's ancient monasteries and pious culture but also for it's vast, open, empty spaces, and roads that seemed to stretch onward forever into the steppe.

The Wu of the Jade Hand rested in a village on the edge of the high Platou. They were on their way to try and undo some of the damage that had been wrought by the escape of Kiayanwang, an escape in which they had assisted before they knew his true nature. Now the Yin and Yang worlds of the Middle Kingdom were slowly being corrupted by his presence in the once holy land of Tibet. The village in which they rested was populated by followers of Hanuman, the monkey spirit that been taking an interest in the Jade Hand for some time now. Hanuman had also agreed to join the Wu on their quest to center of the highlands to force a change in the soul not just of an ancient Akuma, but a would-be Yama King. They knew that some if not all of their number might not make it back, and still they pressed on.

Once the Kue-Jin had sated their thirst, healed their wounds, and repaired their vehicle they were ready to move on. Though the still present faith of the land was a powerful obstacle, forcing the Wu into ceaseless battles within themselves. Pongreet was the first to fall, the most accomplished driver of the group he was at the wheel when the faith of the land became too much for him, but he managed to hold his nerve, just about. Minsheo Rim took over the driving but things only got worse from there. The irresistible fear their kind had of all that was truly holy took them in its grip one by one. Misheo stayed strong but Pongreet got worse and was watched carefully by his companions lest he flee into the night, then Seshwayo and even Shinzo were overcome.

A chase began, a bloody night time Wild Hunt down the rocky slopes and through the scarce trees. Seshwayo ran first and fastest, powering onward into the darkness using the arts of the black wind as his Po rose to the surface. Shinzo, running behind fell into the same trap. The slave and the demon ran on, overcome by their darker natures. Meanwhile Pongreet had come to his senses and followed his companions, though when he reached them and saw the savagery that had overcome them he decided to wait for Minseo Rim.

She arrived in winged demon form, soaring through the sky above, enraged at her fellow Wu member's impromptu blood letting. She dived down, kicking them both in face as Shinzo lunged at Seshwayo with his katana. Shinzo was knocked down and Seshwayo ran on once again. Pongreet emerged from the shadows to try and calm the Devil Tiger but it was to no avail and he was forced to fashion a blade from his own arm using the arts of bone shintai. The two fought sword to sword but Shinzo was more experienced and still in the full grip of his Po. He sliced through the Thai detective's forearm then set about attacking his ally with his own severed limb, before regaining control of his senses at the last moment. Unfortunately that was the same moment that Minseo Rim chose to drop Seshwayo on his head. She had caught him as he continued to flee, scooping him up and carrying back to where Shinzo stood facing off against Pongreet. On the ground below Shinzo had in fact just apologized for his lack of control but the Korean above did not know that and dropped the Thrashing Dragon directly down upon him from a great hight. The Devil Tiger's body crumpled beneath the impact, reducing their already wounded companion to unconsciousness as his soul was called back to the halls of Emma-O, the Yama King that once held dominion over him during his time in hell. Emma-O wished for information and servitude from Shinzo, but the Devil Tiger was circumspect, offering neither defiance nor submission and telling him nothing he did not already know. Neither did the Japanese Kue-jin reject an alliance of convenience, stating that he would not necessarily turn away from assistance in taming Kiayanwang if it was offered.

When he awoke the group had brought themselves back under control and carried him back to the van. The engine was running and it was time to drive on. With the holy aura of the place still searing their soles the Wu pressed on, deeper into Tibet. They had let Kiayanwang out of the bottle, now it fell to them to contain him.