11/29 - My Shadow will Black Out the Sun

Maertock would slither forth like a serpent of shadows, manifesting from the fading sunlight's touch upon Starfall's wooden tables as the Captain of the Deep Company bobbed his head to Haruki Taiyang.

The golden boy. The pure light of the sun. If ever there was a direct opposite, it was the kitsune to Maertock's abyssal manifestation.

"Lord Chancellor, my oh my, it is a true pleasure to at last make your acquaintance and follow up upon that invitation of yours. I reckon an' recall you'd desired to make a move as ya own goody two shoes."

The captain would turn his attention to the island with a light yawn.

"Do remind me."
(Maertock Reave)
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The appearance of the Dreadlord of the Southern Seas was unexpected this late, due to how long ago it had been since his letter was sent.

Almost two years, no? Haruki couldn't remember. However an air of neutrality was offered from the floating monk, being a radiant beacon upon the faintly darkened island thanks to his phoenix down cloak.

"Not the Chancellor yet, Captain Reave. The only official title I have, currently, is bestowed upon me by Osrona. Warden of this here Island, though simply Haruki would do fine."

With a flourish and a dexterous movement of his digits, two small sake-cups were pulled from a satchel and a hand rested upon his large drinking gourd. "Sake?"

After such he'd speak.

"My only desire was to ensure the safe passage of the current and future disciples of the Sun upon your territory when they make their rounds about Esshar, to learn of its peoples and perhaps spread Jiuweihu's light to those who are intrigued by its radiance."
(Haruki Taiyang)
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 Maertock would cross his sinewed arms over the arcanium plate and black leathers that adorned him, the Captain of the Deep Company clearly finding Haruki's answer unsatisfactory. Where before he was content to simply silently plot in the background, his brother's death had changed things. He would not just impassively watch the world go on before him anymore.

He had to follow in Murtock's footsteps. Become the fearless reaver that he had set an example of.

"Not chancellor yet? A puppet's answer, you haven't seized your birthright and it has been stolen out from underneath you twice. How many masters will the fox have while claiming his goddess is his light, and not the glimmer of the gilded cage?"

The captain would take a firm drag from his mitny cigar at that, smoke rising from his dry, reddened gills as he nodded firmly with a hum.

"A title bestowed...your own home and they act as if it was an honor to give you it partially in their name. Desiring safe passage under the sin of neutrality to merely....exist. Plainly."

The shark would growl. He would take the sake cup and drink it though. He was still a warrior.

"...I cannot approve such a desire without knowledge. Who is Jiuweihu? Why should I give a damn about her light?"
(Maertock Reave)
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"I am simply not the chancellor yet because my Mother is continuing the preparations for the shifting of the title. She is quite heavy on tradition." Haruki clarified as he set the two sake cups down and set his gourd at the middle of the table, after having filled the cups.

A sip was taken as he listened to the Captain, enjoying the flavor of the drink he has come to enjoy more and more. The words about him didn't appear to cause the aura of gentle light and neutrality that was exuded by the kitsune. "My Goddess is no gilded cage. It takes a life of devotion and the mastery of ones self to achieve such a connection that my Mother has.

Also I'd hardly say being neutral is a sin. Such is the easiest way to learn about all peoples on Esshar, to further understand them."

At Maertock's final question, a smile was visible on Haruki's lips as he spoke. "Jiuweihu, to keep it simple, is the Divine Spirit of the Sun. Those who follow in her faith find the ideals of Understanding, Kindness, and Respect to be the main virtues and tenants to follow.

Such is normally shifted to be more militant or pacifistic depending on the sect of the faith.

Why should you give a damn about her light? Well simply put, without her light? Your shadows would hold no shape, nor have purpose. All shadow and things that are dark would have no individuality. It would simply be The Dark.

Light has to exist for Dark to exist properly."
(Haruki Taiyang)
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"Your mother is continuing preparations? You are a thirty year old man living in your mother's basement. The only thing heavy on tradition is her dementia. And your spineless inability to take what is rightfully yours."

Maertock's words were as sharp as his teeth and blade alike, the sharp tongued sharkman squinting at Haruki as he listened to his explanations, his irritation only growing from the pacifist's answers as he sipped steadily at his cup of sake.

"Your goddess is as meaningless as your title. If she is the sun, then your inaction makes sense in your similarities; as something shiny but only useful at a distance holding a position of stability as a pawn."

The captain's black, inky tendrils would rise with ambient trickles of inky, dark mana, the Captain of the Deep Company clicking his rows of serrated teeth together faster in irritation.

"You're a mascot on a good day, a decoration at most. And you know nothing of true darkness boy. Not a single thing."

The captain would swing his hand forth before his person with a vigorous nod.

"At the bottom of the ocean, where no light can be found; that is where the dead god lies sleepin'. His darkness is not so pathetic as to fear the weakness of a peaceful, sunny morning."

The captain would bark out in dark laughter.

"You hide behind her the same as your mother's bosom."
(Maertock Reave)
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 Haruki Taiyang says, "Well technically she is a Mother, in a sense. The creator of the Kitsune Race- but that is besides the point."
"There is nothing spineless about being patient. I am in no rush to take my Mother's position, just as she is in no rush to give it up. Also living in my own room that I pay for and pay upkeep for isn't living in my mother's basement.

Though perhaps the Shrine could use a basement, now that I'm thinking about it."

Where Maertock grew more irritated at the pacifistic conversations from the Monk, Haruki was as calm as ever. Hel, he seemed to grow even more calm as the sun began to rise atop the Island- bringing Haruki to sip his sake again.

"I'd argue that my Goddess isn't meaningless, as the Sun is necessary for much of the worlds functions." He would say more, but his heterochromatic gaze locked with that of the larger man. His response was kept short for emphasis.

"Think of it like this, Maertock. Why do we have to prove anything? Jiuweihu is strong enough to do whatever she desires, but she does not because she has no need to do so.

The heat of the Sun is unrelenting and indiscriminate. So I act in a similar light. Why must I act out of barbarism and feral instinct when I can simply tend to my life and be content?

I've proven my abilities many times before. Its redundant to do such now."
(Haruki Taiyang)
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 Maertock wasn't used to people remaining calm at his instigating, but the, he hadn't ever been pushed to pull out all the stops in antagonization until now. Chewing on his cigar with a thoughtful click, the shadow shark would take a deep breathe before flashing his serrated, oily smile once more.

"Yes, yes, I get it, flowery excuses of philosophy to stagnate and pervade your inaction and weakness. The sun causes rot and decay, it is the dark that gives purpose to those forgotten by life. The sun blinds with arrogance and posturing, but all fire becomes ash in the abyss."

The captain would cackle.

"Your willing contentedness to be a pawn for your people as they ally with necromancers is impressive. They might even make you a fancy medal some day as a leash to show who owns ya boy. Which moral hoops did you jump through with your sun goddess to be okay with all that. Helping people willing to raise the dead for their own ambitions?"

Maertock would sip his sake innocently.


(Maertock Reave)
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[01:20] "I am only attached to Osrona in the capacity that I am the caretaker of this here island and I am to act as a mediator. For all intents and purposes, my loyalty is to my family and the Sun.

Though let me make one thing clear, Captain."

As Haruki spoke, Maertock could take note of the gloves he just was about to bring up that were tied to his hip. The color of the arcanium remained the color of a rising sun.

"The moment I stand before a Necromancer is the day I don these gloves again, and ask Jiuweihu for forgiveness afterwords."

Oh how fun this was about to become.

After such a heavy comment, Haruki took a sip from his sake cup to try and lighten the mood.
(Haruki Taiyang)
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 Maertock would cackle with ambient malevolence as he rose from his chair like a shadow, stretching idly with cheer as he placed a fresh cigar within his teeth after chewing the last one in half before lighting it up with a bit of black, cold flame.

"What a convenient way to not have a relevant opinion about the actions of the people you serve doggedly! Impressive mental acrobatics, truly. Irradiated rot, the best the sun has to offer."

The captain would chuckle gleefully at that, removing a frog corpse from the confines of his murky, shadowy being of black mist and foggy cold as he set it down upon the table with cheer.

"Want to see a magic trick, pretty boy? This one will almost have you in as many stitches as this poor fella."

With a snap of his finger's, his black tendrils entered the carcass of the frog, flowing down into the stomach before trailing up the spine through the heart and into the brain at last. The locomotive sectors of beastly flash would progressively begin to lurch from their rigor mortis.

And then, one sound followed the first. A ribbit, followed by the raking of a rusty blade.

"Get it?"
(Maertock Reave)
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 Lenalla just finished her first solo treatment when she noticed Maertock at Starfall of all places. Watching him use flesh fresh craftin...well in the flesh was awe inpiring. An art that she yearned for as well
(Lenalla)
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 A long, disappointed exhale left the lips of Haruki as his hands moved to untie the binds that kept his gauntlets at his hip. Soon, fingers could begin to tighten the leather straps of the gauntlets to his arms as Haruki floated back up to his feet.

"Because of the respect I held for your brother in life, I will offer you the chance to sheathe your blade and leave this island at once. Should you not?"

Haruki's form was soon enveloped in a violent maelstrom of gold tinted flames that seemed to only burn brighter in the presence of the sun, physically scattering any shadows that began to creep their way over to the monk as he rolled his shoulders forward.

"I intend to make an example of you beneath the gaze of the Radiant Mother."
(Haruki Taiyang)
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 Maertock would flash his serrated grin with cheer as he provoked the peaceful monk to assault him. There was satisfaction in that at least, though as the assault of the burning fist of the sun approached him with violence and brutality, the Captain came to clearly see why the serene warrior was confident in his abilities.

Burning heat would lap in waves over his form as his shadows stirred against the warrior of light, the Captain of the Deep Company being battered down even in their brutal exchanges of flame and shadow. Blade clanking by his side in ambient cheer, the reaver would snap his teeth together with a berserker's satisfaction as he was brought to his knee.

"Now there's that hatred. There's that fire! You're trying to hide behind your serenity, but you hate it, don't you? We abuse life for giggles, we hurt who we please, we bend the laws of your exalted view of life for own whims."

Spitting out a glob of blood, he'd raise his cutlass again as he slowly rose.

"This just makes your sin greater, don't it? All this power, and you do nothing with it but allow evil to thrive. Truly you were right, light does beckon shadow."
(Maertock Reave)
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 Even in combat, Maertock could notice, Haruki looked serene as ever. A heavy contrast to the volatile and explosive flames that scorched the very ground he set foot upon.

Much like how the Sun's heat was indiscriminate, the sheer potency of the Kitsune's solar-attuned flames caused the life to die around him and streak of blackened earth to follow in his wake.

His method of combat was timing calculated but crushing blows upon his opponent, which were augmented by his potent flames and sudden bursts of vicious heat. Balance, embodied in one monk.

"There is no hatred from me, Captain Reave. I -pity- you, for being so weak as to have to delve into such arts. Perhaps if you focused more upon your swordplay and making that blade of yours and extension of you will. . you would preform better."

A tut was offered as Haruki took his stake once more, frowning at Maertock's comment.

"My purpose upon Essharis not to be some fairy-tale Hero. Though if I must step in to prevent your Deep Company from sinking deeper into depravity? I will.

Don't make an enemy you cannot push back, Maertock Reave. I'd hate to set your fleet ablaze."
(Haruki Taiyang)
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 {Lost Dangerous RPB against Haruki Taiyang}
 Maertock continued his brutal clash with Haruki as the Captain of the Deep Company continued to laugh like the drunkard berserker he was. This was living, wasn't it! The thrill of battle in the heat of dangerous contest. The excitement of it all was a better high than any drugs. The taste of blood in his mouth, his eyes dilated shadows.

Each lapping wave of the sun's heat would wither the Sirenian further, the burning intensity enough to bring even the brutishly muscled Captain pause as he matched fist with blade. The island of Starfall swallowed in tides of darkness and flame as the burning light of the Chancellor pulsated with vigor.

"Pity me for my freedom? Perish the thought. The boldness to pursue mastery of life and death must be foreign to you; it requires action and animation you're obviously incapable of manifestin'."

A dry cackle even as more burning flame lapped over his being, his shadows beginning to dissipate from the intensity of the light. The captain knew he was weakening as his skin was dried out, his shadowy form drifting behind the sake table of Starfall before violently kicking it at Haruki as he batted off the flames from his person.

"That's the difference between you and I, boy. You're afraid to make enemies you can't beat out of terror of what might come. I welcome it. Your heart stagnated in anxiety. But the dead god's heart yet beats, and what is dead can never die."

Slowly, with just enough time for Haruki to say parting words, the Captain would sink into the darkness, using the kicked table as a distraction to escape.

"You can remember this as the day you ALMOST caught Captain Maertock Reave. You can ask your whore goddess of housewives for forgiveness in my absence, assuredly."

(Maertock Reave)
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 Haruki's breathing occasionally hitched as blood dripped from his form and onto the scorched earth that resided in the location where the Captain and Warden had fought.

Combating the rising tide of Shadows that desired to swallow up the Shrine would be a radiant beacon to scatter the shadows with each punch puncturing through wave after wave. The waves of the heat threatening to dry up more and more of the Sirenian.

"Boy? I am not the one digging themselves into an early grave, Captain Reave." Haruki grunted as he took the brunt force of a whole ass table being sent his way- his armored arms rising up to take the brunt of the impact.

Wood splintered and exploded out around Haruki as he spoke out once again as the shark went back within his Black Sea.

"You have made your damnation known to the one man who can sunder your whole life, Reave. You cannot hide in your shadows for long.

I will find you, and when I burn you? I will ensure your Soul goes up towards the sun for judgement and cleansing. It will not feed that slumbering monstrosity.."

Did Maertock hear his promise? He had no idea. Shadows were weird man..
(Haruki Taiyang)
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 Lenalla exclaims, "Good fight ya had there Captn'!"
Maertock Reave says, "Ahahahaha. No, no it was not Lenalla. But that's okay."
 Maertock would slide into his seat at the reef as he manifested from the shadows there after his battle at Starfall. It had been a test in a way, though perhaps not in the manner Haruki had expected. The Captain of the Deep Company wanted to push the monk's buttons; to drive them to wrathful hatred against the shadow shark.

And steadily, he would. Bit by bit as he played with the son of sunlight's mind. But for now, at least as far as his strength was concerned, he was outclassed by the future chancellor of the Irradiated.

That excited him more than anything. The taste of power greater than his own. It made him want to rise to the occasion and dredge further depths from his foul, black hearted being. To master shadow and death alike in his reaving path through the lands.

"I desired to compel the monk of peace to aggress me, and I succeeded. I'm uninjured in body, and frankly only a little in pride. Fire is the natural weakness of our kind, to face it without crumpling at such a level was excellent training for my body."

Maertock would take a drag from his cigar as minty smoke rose from his dry, reddened gills.

"It is a reminder twofold. That my weapon is incredibly outdated, and that my shadows are not yet intense enough to black out the sun. Amelia is helping me with the former, and I will make the latter a reality."
(Maertock Reave)