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Dark Prophecy (an "Of Sound Mind" Storyhour) - FINALE! 3/29/05
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<blockquote data-quote="SolidSnake" data-source="post: 1977275" data-attributes="member: 102"><p><strong>Chapter 1</strong></p><p></p><p>“Hurry up,” Nobotaka snapped.</p><p></p><p>Saburo looked up from the frenzy of paperwork to see the face of his irate father staring down at him. He was supposed to have organized the inventory of Sake yesterday but got distracted sampling the goods. Like all of the children of the village he was a dutiful son, but Saburo liked to think it was because he admired and loved his father and not because he had been socially coerced.</p><p></p><p>“You know how important this is for us,” Nobotaka said trying to restrain his irritation. “With the Liberation Festival only a couple of weeks away, we have much to do and if Ide Chuukun decides that we are to supply the majority of the drink…well, you understand don’t you.” The last part was said as more of a statement than a question.</p><p></p><p>As Saburo organized the last of the scrolls, he bound them quickly and handed them to his father with a regal flourish. Nobotaka smiled and bowed. Saburo returned the bow with increased inclination and a longer duration.</p><p></p><p>“I’m sorry Saburo. I know how hard you have been working these past few days and I have only bad things to say to you. This is going to be a great step for our family if we can broker this deal and be the sole suppliers of sake for the Liberation Festival as long as our line continues.” Nobotaka’s eyes beamed when he spoke. The rich blue silk garb decorated with pearly white scroll work, he wore, was in honor of the clan that his line has served for their entire existence: the unicorn.</p><p></p><p>“Don’t worry father. Everyone knows that we make the best sake around,” Saburo said with a smile.</p><p></p><p>“It never hurts-“</p><p></p><p>“-to be prepared,” Saburo finished. “I know, I know.”</p><p></p><p>“Now Saburo, is that anyway to treat the master of the house?”</p><p></p><p>The boy rounded to see his mother walking into the greeting room with two heavy overcoats. She wore an impish grin which she did not even bother to hide.</p><p></p><p>“You are right mother. Forgive me; I should have spoken slower so that father would understand everything!”</p><p></p><p>Nobotaka’s face flushed as his wife and son roared with laughter.</p><p></p><p>“One day I’m going to get a new family and leave you both behind,” Nobotaka threatened.</p><p></p><p>“Doubtful any other woman would have you Nobotaka-sama,” Akiko retorted.</p><p></p><p>“Good point,” he said with smirk before grabbing his family in a bear hug and heading out the door.</p><p></p><p>“Saburo, hurry up and bring the inventory,” Nobotaka called back from the chilly exterior of his home.</p><p></p><p>“Goodbye mother,” Saburo said as he bowed.</p><p></p><p>“Bring your father home at a reasonable hour Saburo!”</p><p></p><p>The boy smiled as he ran after his father. He loved the cold crisp air of the mountain and the snow that blanketed the village. It was perfect and pure as it blanketed “Tasonsuzu.” <em>Today is going to be a good day.</em></p><p>_________________________________</p><p></p><p><em>This is awful</em>, Saburo thought.</p><p></p><p>“This is a true tragedy that will affect us all,” Ide Chuukun intoned with solemnity. The Prefect of Tasonsuzu opened the meeting with well enough intentions by starting out with the Liberation Festival preparations, but once the discussion on who would have the honor of ringing the Wyrm Call came up, things rapidly deteriorated.</p><p></p><p>Those few merchants who lived outside of Tasonsuzu would never; for a second, have believed the history of such a small and seemingly irrelevant copper mining community. For its past was filled with the stuff of legends. Nearly a century ago, the village was much grander than it was today and was under the control of an evil Kami known as Doushi. The great God enslaved the people and forced them to work in the mines under the guard of his evil Oni. Then one day, five great heroes banded together to overcome Doushi. Their names were never forgotten and were engraved upon the bell that stands in the center of the village as a testament to the freedom the men had granted. There was Shigemura the Wise, Tojo the Brave, Kamijawa the Swift, Onimusha the Dark, and Hirohito the Great. These five men battled the Oni all the way up the mountain to Doushi’s lair and then in an apocalyptic battle destroyed the Kami and sent his spirit back to the Shadowlands forever…at least that is the way the stories went. Every year since, the great copper bell that was constructed on that day was to ring proudly and a celebration was to ensue to glorify the men and women of Tasonsuzu’s proud heritage. Ringing the Wyrm Call was a tremendous honor, given to a child who had shown exceptional community service over the year. The fact that a man was found dead there was not a good omen.</p><p></p><p>Okiniro’s body was discovered there a few days after the last Village Meeting. He had been missing for several days by that point. The guards said that he was lying near the great bell itself, with a bottle of shattered sake lying next to him. Most people knew that he was a heavy drinker and had been for sometime. Which made his death that much more suspicious. Many believed that the spirits that possess a man when he drank finally laid claim to their most dutiful servant, others believed that the cold must have stolen his breath, but one man changed everyone’s opinion: Boroya. Yes, the wily merchant who married a local girl and then seized control of the village’s economy by purchasing every available mine. His greed knew no limits and now his scheming had become personal. He was a peddler of lies; not even a man of noble stature. But his money began to buy him that kind of power within Tasonsuzu and he was fast becoming accustomed to being right.</p><p></p><p>“This tragedy no doubt WILL affect us all when we consume a potential dangerous mixture Nobutaka will provide at the festival,” Boroya bellowed across the crowded room.</p><p></p><p>Nobutaka instantly jumped to his feet. “What are you saying,” he yelled back incredulously.</p><p></p><p>“Only this: a man sampled of your wares and now he is dead,” Boroya said as a small smile curled the corners of his mouth. The man continued before Nobutaka could retort:</p><p></p><p>“Perhaps we need new leadership in this area. I have been speaking to my contacts in Kawa Nemui and they have assured me that the amount of sake Nobutaka-san will make can be matched by their own product. We needn’t fear a thing and the festival can continue with no delay.”</p><p></p><p>“But my family has supplied at least some part of the Festival for nearly 7 generations” Nobutaka said, his voice quivering on the edge of fury.</p><p></p><p>“Times change,” Boroya replied flatly.</p><p></p><p>“Gentlemen, gentlemen,” Ide Chuukun interjected smoothly. “Now is not the time for rash words or action. We must prepare a proper Ceremony of Passage for Okiniro-dono and help his family through this time of difficulty. The Festival will proceed as planned. I must arrange for the Eta to prepare the body. I will think on this matter and have a decision soon. The rest of the arrangements we have made are satisfactory. Thank you all for coming.”</p><p></p><p>Saburo watched as Ide Chuukun whisked himself out of the room before the massive throng of people could block his escape. His father’s eyes were transfixed upon Boroya as the man left, his two spoiled and evil children trailing behind him like lapdogs.</p><p></p><p><em>Very well Boroya. If it is war you want, then war you shall have!</em></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="SolidSnake, post: 1977275, member: 102"] [b]Chapter 1[/b] “Hurry up,” Nobotaka snapped. Saburo looked up from the frenzy of paperwork to see the face of his irate father staring down at him. He was supposed to have organized the inventory of Sake yesterday but got distracted sampling the goods. Like all of the children of the village he was a dutiful son, but Saburo liked to think it was because he admired and loved his father and not because he had been socially coerced. “You know how important this is for us,” Nobotaka said trying to restrain his irritation. “With the Liberation Festival only a couple of weeks away, we have much to do and if Ide Chuukun decides that we are to supply the majority of the drink…well, you understand don’t you.” The last part was said as more of a statement than a question. As Saburo organized the last of the scrolls, he bound them quickly and handed them to his father with a regal flourish. Nobotaka smiled and bowed. Saburo returned the bow with increased inclination and a longer duration. “I’m sorry Saburo. I know how hard you have been working these past few days and I have only bad things to say to you. This is going to be a great step for our family if we can broker this deal and be the sole suppliers of sake for the Liberation Festival as long as our line continues.” Nobotaka’s eyes beamed when he spoke. The rich blue silk garb decorated with pearly white scroll work, he wore, was in honor of the clan that his line has served for their entire existence: the unicorn. “Don’t worry father. Everyone knows that we make the best sake around,” Saburo said with a smile. “It never hurts-“ “-to be prepared,” Saburo finished. “I know, I know.” “Now Saburo, is that anyway to treat the master of the house?” The boy rounded to see his mother walking into the greeting room with two heavy overcoats. She wore an impish grin which she did not even bother to hide. “You are right mother. Forgive me; I should have spoken slower so that father would understand everything!” Nobotaka’s face flushed as his wife and son roared with laughter. “One day I’m going to get a new family and leave you both behind,” Nobotaka threatened. “Doubtful any other woman would have you Nobotaka-sama,” Akiko retorted. “Good point,” he said with smirk before grabbing his family in a bear hug and heading out the door. “Saburo, hurry up and bring the inventory,” Nobotaka called back from the chilly exterior of his home. “Goodbye mother,” Saburo said as he bowed. “Bring your father home at a reasonable hour Saburo!” The boy smiled as he ran after his father. He loved the cold crisp air of the mountain and the snow that blanketed the village. It was perfect and pure as it blanketed “Tasonsuzu.” [I]Today is going to be a good day.[/I] _________________________________ [I]This is awful[/I], Saburo thought. “This is a true tragedy that will affect us all,” Ide Chuukun intoned with solemnity. The Prefect of Tasonsuzu opened the meeting with well enough intentions by starting out with the Liberation Festival preparations, but once the discussion on who would have the honor of ringing the Wyrm Call came up, things rapidly deteriorated. Those few merchants who lived outside of Tasonsuzu would never; for a second, have believed the history of such a small and seemingly irrelevant copper mining community. For its past was filled with the stuff of legends. Nearly a century ago, the village was much grander than it was today and was under the control of an evil Kami known as Doushi. The great God enslaved the people and forced them to work in the mines under the guard of his evil Oni. Then one day, five great heroes banded together to overcome Doushi. Their names were never forgotten and were engraved upon the bell that stands in the center of the village as a testament to the freedom the men had granted. There was Shigemura the Wise, Tojo the Brave, Kamijawa the Swift, Onimusha the Dark, and Hirohito the Great. These five men battled the Oni all the way up the mountain to Doushi’s lair and then in an apocalyptic battle destroyed the Kami and sent his spirit back to the Shadowlands forever…at least that is the way the stories went. Every year since, the great copper bell that was constructed on that day was to ring proudly and a celebration was to ensue to glorify the men and women of Tasonsuzu’s proud heritage. Ringing the Wyrm Call was a tremendous honor, given to a child who had shown exceptional community service over the year. The fact that a man was found dead there was not a good omen. Okiniro’s body was discovered there a few days after the last Village Meeting. He had been missing for several days by that point. The guards said that he was lying near the great bell itself, with a bottle of shattered sake lying next to him. Most people knew that he was a heavy drinker and had been for sometime. Which made his death that much more suspicious. Many believed that the spirits that possess a man when he drank finally laid claim to their most dutiful servant, others believed that the cold must have stolen his breath, but one man changed everyone’s opinion: Boroya. Yes, the wily merchant who married a local girl and then seized control of the village’s economy by purchasing every available mine. His greed knew no limits and now his scheming had become personal. He was a peddler of lies; not even a man of noble stature. But his money began to buy him that kind of power within Tasonsuzu and he was fast becoming accustomed to being right. “This tragedy no doubt WILL affect us all when we consume a potential dangerous mixture Nobutaka will provide at the festival,” Boroya bellowed across the crowded room. Nobutaka instantly jumped to his feet. “What are you saying,” he yelled back incredulously. “Only this: a man sampled of your wares and now he is dead,” Boroya said as a small smile curled the corners of his mouth. The man continued before Nobutaka could retort: “Perhaps we need new leadership in this area. I have been speaking to my contacts in Kawa Nemui and they have assured me that the amount of sake Nobutaka-san will make can be matched by their own product. We needn’t fear a thing and the festival can continue with no delay.” “But my family has supplied at least some part of the Festival for nearly 7 generations” Nobutaka said, his voice quivering on the edge of fury. “Times change,” Boroya replied flatly. “Gentlemen, gentlemen,” Ide Chuukun interjected smoothly. “Now is not the time for rash words or action. We must prepare a proper Ceremony of Passage for Okiniro-dono and help his family through this time of difficulty. The Festival will proceed as planned. I must arrange for the Eta to prepare the body. I will think on this matter and have a decision soon. The rest of the arrangements we have made are satisfactory. Thank you all for coming.” Saburo watched as Ide Chuukun whisked himself out of the room before the massive throng of people could block his escape. His father’s eyes were transfixed upon Boroya as the man left, his two spoiled and evil children trailing behind him like lapdogs. [I]Very well Boroya. If it is war you want, then war you shall have![/I] [/QUOTE]
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