soul_logs | Mission log! [Closed]

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Mission log! [Closed]

Characters: Raidou Kuzunoha and Alucard

Location: Andorra

Rating: A for Asskicking

Time: March 6

Description:

The pair go on their first mission since Raidou returned from the Taisho era. Can they defeat a crazy insect kishin egg? Or does this bring up too many flashbacks for Raidou?

Alucard was looking forward to working alongside Raidou once again. He knew something had happened when his partner returned to Japan but not what. The dhampir hoped the mission could get them feeling more familiar with each other again.

Having studied the terrain, he left his cloak at home. It would just get snagged in all the trees. However, his long sleeved clothing would protect him against bugs and underbrush and Lord knew what else was out here. "So this kishin egg likes to go near water?"

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"That is correct. There should be a river near here... That should work as a starting point." Given that the country consisted mostly of mountains, it made sense for the Kishin Egg to gravitate towards the few water areas where it would be more likely to find prey. They would have to be careful not to get Alucard too close to the water itself.

Raidou didn't mind the forest much, having grown up near one and raked through the Tento Woods more recently. No, if there was going to be any issue with this mission, it would be with the enemy.

Thay might have been more needed elsewhere, but the reports of the situation in Andorra had hit too close to home.

Even if he got a little splashed with water, Alucard should be fine. Being submerged on the other hand, would be a problem.

"Very well. Let us find this starting point." Alucard, too, grew up near a forest, although not one like this.

He walked quietly next to his partner, wondering what had happened to the detective in his time away. Should he just ask straight out? Or should he give Raidou the chance to tell him if he so chose?

Raidou wasn't in a mood for conversation at the moment, more focused on navigating the area. If he wasn't mistaken, the river should be... Yes, he could hear the sounds of running water up ahead. Several people had gone missing around here; perhaps they could find some sort of clue of where the Kishin Eggs had come from. Or perhaps they could lure one out...

Alucard sniffed the air. The heady scent of flowering plants overpowered everything. "I can't pick out what would be the kishin egg's scent. It's either behind all this plant life or it's using the water to throw off its scent."

That would certainly put more challenge on finding their prey.

"Searching blindly will be too slow..." They reached the river. Raidou looked around, spotting footprints near the bank. There had probably been villagers here, or some other careless wanderer. With the forest right next to the spot, it was probably a good place for an ambush...

"If we make ourselves look like an easy target, the Kishin Egg may come out on its own."

"Well...if we are speaking of targets, I could try to lure it out. It might able to see my hair easily enough." Their clothes might help them blend in, but Alucard's hair did kind of cut through the foliage.

"Then when I find the egg, you can call me to safety and we can dispatch it together. Does this sound like a good plan?"

"That should work. I will hide in the underbrush, then." There was a good spot nearby, between a bush and a tree. If he crouched there and stayed still, he would hard to notice unless one knew to look there.

Alucard waited until Raidou's scent blended away into all the other trees and flowers of the forest. The walking did make him thirsty so he did not have to act much to kneel down and lick his lips at the water. Of course, it would be unwise to drink right from the river in this modern age. One never knew what humans could be doing. It would be safe to put some in a canteen and boil it later, which was what he was doing. He heard a faint sound of insect wings.

Raidou waited, straining his ears to make out any noises that weren't part of the normal wildlife of the woods. Fortunately, there weren't very many animals around; perhaps they knew it wasn't safe around here. The detective kept his gaze near Alucard -- would the Kishin Egg sneak behind bushes as well? But if it was big, perhaps up in the trees were a better place to hide, somewhere where a human might not think to look while passing by...

He recognized the sound of large insect wings when he heard it. He had heard it too often lately. Just as he thought, it came from slightly above them, behind the leaves--

--where he could see a pale, sickly, blotched arm holding onto the branch.

Raidou's stomach lurched, and for a split second he was back there, in the Tento bridal chamber, with that inhuman arm reaching under the veil, a woman's voice singing, weak and distorted and desperate--

The arm disappeared and a figure darted towards the riverbank. Raidou was moving in that same instant, calling Alucard back.

Alucard whirled around to see the kishin egg flying toward him, jaws open wide.

Until he found himself abruptly at Raidou's side and the kishin egg landed ungracefully into the riverbank. Alucard wasted no time in transforming himself into Raidou's Weapon of choice.

Raidou caught his partner and, without a pause, rushed towards the Kishin Egg in hopes of catching it before it could get away. The monster was too quick, and took to the air just in time to avoid the sword sinking into its flesh.

Just like the reports had said, it resembled a woman with fiery red hair. It did not look quite human, however; if the wings hadn't been an indication enough, the creature's limbs were veiny and sickly and bent at strange angles, adding to the insectoid appearance. The unnaturally strong jaws reminded Raidou of the giant locusts used by the Fukoshi.

The flying woman began to get away. That wouldn't do. She could prey on someone else.

Raidou, you're going to have to throw me at her to trip up her wings. Something to make her stop. Don't worry if I hit the water. If it's only for a few seconds, it should just sting a little and nothing more.

Alright. Raidou pulled back and threw the sword up with all his strenght. It cut one of the Kishin Egg's wings slightly, causing her to jerk back and drop towards the ground until she caught herself, unsteadily keeping herself midair.

That would have been fine for the kishin egg if Alucard had remained a sword. While still in the air, he transformed back and landed on top of the kishin egg. Alucard weighed a good 200 plus pounds. Weight and gravity were not this kishin egg's friends.

The Kishin Egg screeched as she hit the ground. "Yooouuu humans... How dare you...!?"

Raidou approached, but the Kishin Egg wasn't willing to just wait there for her end. She trashed around, long claws lashing out to cut Alucard's leg.

Alucard managed to jump out of the way of the blow and back to Raidou's side, transforming into a sword. If necessary, slide and use shades to confuse her. She strikes very quickly.

Right.

The Kishin Egg was having difficulty flying, only managing to hover slightly above the ground. Seeing no escape, she dropped on her feet and extended her claws. Her voice sounded unnatural as she spoke, perhaps because of the strange shape of her jaws.

"Youuuw ant to fight me? Very well! Youw ill make good desssert for the female I had earlier!" With a cackle, she charged.

Anger rushed through Raidou's chest and he struck, strategy briefly forgotten. The sword clashed with the Kishin Egg's claws, which were too tough to cut through.

Alucard fought to block every attack and cut down the overhead swipes when the kishin egg attempted to hover and attack.

When it landed from its latest attempt, it grew sly and tried to splash water in Raidou's face. Alucard felt Raidou shift the blade in an automatic response to block the water and it landed on him. The resonation fluctuated for a moment as Alucard felt his body sting with pain.

Get its wings, Raidou!

Damn it-- He hadn't meant to put Alucard in harm's way. Raidou dodged the claws and brought the sword all the way through the Kishin Egg's left wings. The monster shrieked and nearly fell into the river, but managed to back off along the shore instead, twitching.

Raidou drew a sharp breath. He had to keep his cool. This wasn't a Tento lord, no matter how much it reminded him of one -- he couldn't start thinking of that now.

Sorry.

Understandable.

Alucard blocked and stabbed through the kishin egg's attacks. The claws were hard and pinged against his metal body, but he held firm.

Its eyes. We need to dazzle its vision. Try dashing around it with shades. If it's only briefly, it should distract it enough for you to see a perfect point to stab it.

Raidou eased into their resonace. It had been such a long time since they had fought together, yet it hadn't become more difficult -- just different. Perhaps his soul had changed while he had been home.

The detective backdashed away, taking the Kishin Egg by surprise and causing her to stumble. That moment would have to be enough to relearn their second ability. He broke into a run and circled around the Kishin Egg as Alucard had told him.

Alucard could see the multiple shades of Raidou flickering behind him. He kept the resonance strong, just long enough for the kishin egg to be distracted.

There! Right in its underbelly. You can slide it between two plates of armor!

I see it!

They had to act before the Kishin Egg got over its confusion. Raidou ran up and thrust the sword into the opening. The strike was precise, and the blade sank into the Kishin Egg's gut.

It shrieked and fell back. After making feeble attempts at getting back up, it realized how close to death it was, and quickly switched tactics.

"Mercccy! I yield, huumanss! Won't you spare my life?" The Kishin Egg groveled on the ground, trying to look less like an insect and more like a woman.

I have no mercy for the likes of you.

Alucard stabbed deep into the thrashing kishin egg and did not falter his assault until the creature twitched its last.

Good. We have vanquished another foe.

Raidou felt no more sympathy than Alucard did as he plunged the blade through their enemy. The reports of all the lives lost to the Kishin Egg and the way it had gloated about it just a minute ago made sure of that.

And, somewhere in the back of his mind, he found himself thinking of Akane again, and twisted the sword just a little more painfully before the Kishin Egg disappeared and left its soul behind.

Yes.

Alucard transformed himself back and ingested the soul. He licked his lips. "It can digest for its crimes."

Raidou took a moment to calm his temper. Once he had, he immediately noticed the burns on Alucard's skin caused by the water.

"Alucard-san, you are hurt..."

"Hmm?" Alucard couldn't see his skin, but it did feel like a bit of sunburn on his face. "It is not anything to be overly concerned with. Merely a little splash of water."

"Let me see." It might not feel like much now, but it could start hurting later. Raidou pulled at Alucard's shoulder to make him bend over and took a hold of his chin to keep him still as he examined the burns. They weren't severe, but they needed some ice...

How odd. At the gentle touch of Raidou's hand on his chin, his stomach fluttered. He wasn't used to Raidou giving him so much scrutiny.

"Ah...do...do they look bad? Perhaps we can use the first aid kit in the apartment?"

"Not terrible, but I think they should be treated regardless." He let go and looked him over.

"Were you burnt anywhere else?"

"I don't feel burnt anywhere else but I can check once we get home." So odd, this feeling of being scrutinized but out of concern and not criticism. "Let's go home, Raidou."

"...Very well. Let's go."

Satisfied that Alucard seemed to me alright for the most part, Raidou led the way back to the mirror.

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Mission log! [Closed]

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1/2

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Just checking-- Kishin Eggs can talk, right?

Yes they can if they're smart enough

Okay

Squish

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