🌙 The First Eclipse

[tsukihito]

WHO: Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto versus Fayren (Styxx, 17, Trunks & whomever else)
WHAT: Upon the heels of announcing his claim over Fayren, Tsukihito decides to crush all opposition by hosting a mock tournament. The rules are quite simple. If the challenges win, Fayren remains free. However, if they lose...
WHEN: The Evening of September 21st.
WHERE: The Coliseum



[It was evening when the moon turned dark. The skies went from clear to cloudy as if another storm was brewing over Fayren. When almost all of the shimmering stars within the night sky were smothered with shadow, a slither of light curled around the dark moon as the first lunar eclipse took place. As the silvery moon slowly revealed itself again, a bright beam of light crashes right into the center of the coliseum.]

Those foolish enough to challenge the Divine---

[Within that pillar of light stands the silhouette of a monster several feet tall with glowing crimson eyes.]

Step forward.

[As the bright light begins to fade, Tsukihito's fearsome form is revealed. Despite supposedly being a white fox, this celestial looks more wolfish in appearance with a strong maw and fangs that look like they could pierce steel. It's eyes shine like rubies and the odd red markings upon its fur shimmer with absurd brilliance. The monster's many tails sway erratically behind him as it crouches low upon all four.]

All those who challenge me will be met with death!

[Hear that Fayren? Either stand before him or take the knee. Tsuki--no, Tsukuyomi has made his declaration loud and clear.]


notes: takes place after this declaration.)

Comments

[innocent_royal]

[Well look who else is helping with the snacks? Anastasia just happens to have been with Soma when all this went down, and she happens to have a tin box of a generous size full of cookies.

Anastasia did watch the fox God warily as she came up and took a seat beside Soma.]

I have them, Soma. Like you asked. ...

[tsukihito]

[Tsukuyomi can't help but gnash his teeth together in frustration. Does this man think this all to be some mere game? The fox deity is a little angered about that.]

This is no mere show, charlatan.

[The fox growls as he looks down his nose at this alleged human. Something about this boy seems off. Very off. As much as he wants to gobble him up, Tsukuyomi wouldn't dare.

This boy almost seems...poisonous.]

This charade ends here. I will not have my celestial visage marred by this kind of senseless marketing---

[The fox suddenly trails off once he spots the girl.]

[notquitedracula]

Just set them down there, Anya, and get behind me. Slowly. [Soma doesn't take his eyes off the fox for an instant, and his tone of voice is dangerously calm. He's gone from unconcerned to protective just that quickly.]

The wise dragon hides his fangs, Tsukihito. Don't make this mistake. It's not the kind you get to make twice. [How did he learn the name? Maybe someone told him.]

[orlokbutterfly]

[Gale seemed like he was ignoring the whole thing as he was getting things in order, but eventually piped up.]

You made it a public announcement on a public network declaring a public challenge and took it to a public venue. Your precious "celestial visage" is already marred by your own antics, buckarooney.

[He still keeps his back turned while looking at his device now and does a waving gesture with his free hand.]

Now shoo. We have things to do, and so do you. Lest we also make it public that you're running away from your other fights to pick on bystanders.

[tsukihito]

Bite your wicked tongue, fiend! [The fox snaps once Soma suggests that he would dare harm the girl.] I would never lay a tooth nor claw upon Anastasia!

[He remembers her name...!?]

She shouldn't be here! This is no place for a child.

[Tsukuyomi would've continued but suddenly someone else jumps into this conversation. The newcomer is met with annoyed growl. He's tempted to chew this man's head clean off.]

Don't treat this as some kind of idle sport! This is a serious matter that will be resolved in blood of reasons cannot reach you heathens.

[notquitedracula]

She's here because she wanted to be here. She kind of insisted, when I told her what was going on.

[Soma pulls an ofuda scroll out of his pocket, and holds it up where Tsuki can see it. It's the standard type, meant for banishing evil spirits. That it isn't bursting into flame at his touch is something of a miracle, really.]

Now. Are we going to have to ward the area against you, or are you going to behave in a civil manner when no challenge is offered? Our sole intent here is to cover this event so that the entirety of this place's population can see whether you have the strength to back your claims. You might even win some worshippers out of this, if you play it right. But make no mistake - if you make a fight of this, I will throw down with every single weapon at my disposal. You can ask Anya what that looks like.

[tsukihito]

She's here because you've brought her here!

[The fox yells in something akin to panic. While he's certain he'll win these bouts, Tsukuyomi has a bit of a complex about allowing Anya to see him carry on like this. He feels ugly right now. Ugly and weak. Tsukuyomi doesn't want her to see just how brutal he can become, not here and certainly not like this.]

...Do as you please. [He hisses under his breath as the scroll is presented.] Stay out of my way if you wish not to face my wrath.

[His red gaze liners upon the girl briefly before he turns away.]

[innocent_royal]

[She was here at her own insistence, indeed. Even though Soma didn't have to allow it anyway. She wanted to be here to be of help. But now it seems like her simply being here was starting to cause more issues. Anastasia hid behind Soma as instructed, heart racing in fear as the situation seems to be escalating out of control.

Though just as the fox turns away, Anastasia comes out from behind Soma to call out.]

Wait! Please, wait!
Why are you doing this? Many call Fayren home and strive to protect it and each other, just as those in the other cities do. They would be your allies, friends even. Why does this tournament have to happen?

[tsukihito]

[The fox comes to a sudden halt.

Why does he allow this child to have a hold over him? Tsukihito can barely remember his last stay in this fickle world, nevertheless her. Though, he certainly seems to remember her name and the warmth of her smile well enough. This aggravates him to no end.

The celestial beast slowly turns to her, his red gaze dark with thought.]

What deity has need of friends? [He asks tersely with a hint of coldness in his tone that matches the frigid shine of the moon.] If I am to be the god of this land, I require these heathens to take their leave.

I need believers, not friends. None of you are believers.

[notquitedracula]

Actually, I beg to differ. I grew up in the care of a shrinekeeper, whose shrine was dedicated to worship of the union of Tsukuyomi-no-mikoto and Amaterasu Omikami. I grew up hearing tales of your greatness. That is, at least in part, why I'm here. I wanted to see the truth, for myself. I must admit... You've been a bit of a disappointment, so far.

[Soma puts away the ofuda, and folds his arms, giving the fox-deity a look.]

The other reason is that, because of what I am, I am drawn to the night. My forebears may have made war on their God, but I have no intention of making this a fight... unless you do so, yourself. I would be quite happy to see you, through grace and elegance, assume your rightful place. The moon is beauty, grace, and mystery, not wanton bloodshed.

[tsukihito]

[That's the wind that knocks down his sails.

Tsukuyomi let's out a growl-like whine before suddenly collapsing to the ground in an ungraceful heap. The fox doesn't seem to be wounded but judging by how it comically places both paws upon its head, it might be. Another growth slips from the fox but quickly that growl becomes a pathetic sigh.]

I miss my wife. [The fox blurts out.] You have no idea how many centuries it's been since I last seen her.

[It glares at Soma from in between his paws, clearly uneasy.]

The union between sun and moon has been severed, boy. Severed by my own...pride.

[notquitedracula]

[Presumptive it may be, but Soma's going to walk down and put a hand on Tsuki's shoulder. Or as close an approximation as he can get, anyway.]

I know that story, as well. And... to be honest, I think I'd probably have reacted similarly. That was just nasty. But here's a bit of wisdom from a mortal who's been around the wheel of Samsara a few times: It's never too late. Even gods can change their ways, though it may take hundreds of years.

[Assuming Tsuki hasn't tried to bite his arm off yet, Soma will continue.]

In Western dogma, pride is considered a sin. Not because it is a negative quality in itself - pride in one's works, or one's children, or any number of things, is not in itself evil. But pride begets pride, and soon you're so wrapped up in it that you can't see through the weave. Have you ever tried apologizing to her? Swallowing your pride may create paths you've never even considered, Tsukihito - no. Tsukuyomi no mikoto. And I happen to know, from personal experience... that the sun and moon do still meet, on special occasions.

I wouldn't be here if they didn't.

[innocent_royal]

[Soma seems to be getting through to him. Anastasia, for a moment, seems to be listening to something else. It was just after that moment when she speaks up.

Granted no one has been gobbled up already.]

"Mortals are foolhardy, that much is true. I have made my own share of mistakes, and they won't be the last. Bit it's our short lives that we can't let these mistakes rule over us, but instead learn to make up for them. I've done what I could with all the grace I can muster as Nivia's Princess to fix my mistakes.

In ancient times of my world, mortals and the Goddesses shared the world, until one mortal broke that harmony and severed the bridge between my world and theirs, despite the warning signs that the man could no longer be trusted to be their Voice to the World. I am at the service of the Goddesses to help them make up for their mistakes amd re-establish that bond.

Sometimes, it takes a mortal to fix a God's mistakes. Won't you reconsider this tournament and let us help you, Lord Tsukuyomi? Because I believe in you.

[tsukihito]

[Tsukuyomi's for bristles at the touch but Soma keeps his arm. The fox doesn't particularly like being touched, not by anyone other than his wife. It's a pet peeve that he carried since his former life but he allows Soma. Why? Might have something to do with the youth showing something skin to wisdom despite his age or the fact he's been blessed by the night much like him.]

A hundred years for you, is merely a blink for me. [The fox explains while attempting to sound regal and less like a pissed off monster.] If change is possible, then I'll humor it just for the chance to see her again.

[He means his celestial wife, of course.]

Apologizing? [He nearly snorts at the idea.] I've done nothing wrong other than defend my reputation. [He grumbles while idly tapping his claws against the pavement. The faint clanking noise is almost reminiscent of steel tapping against stone, a reminder that this deity is truly monstrous.] Though, I admit my temper is what guided me down this path.

My temper has always been something she truly disliked about me.

[A sigh. Tsukuyomi is having a bad day but what Anastasia says next perks him up a little.]

You've told me about Nivia before but never anything regarding your charge. [Tsukuyomi says as he peeks down at her.] It's ironic that you would play this role of advocate, that you would be the one to bridge the gap between the Divine and the Mortals of your world.

[Just as she's trying to do so here. The gesture is not lost upon him.]

...Perhaps. [The fox answers after a lengthy moment of thought.] But only under the condition that I can remain in Fayren.

[His dislike for the other city-states is real.]

[notquitedracula]

[Compared to some of the things he's fought, Tsuki is a giant puppy. Seriously. Dude's fought genuine Lovecraftian horrors, and he sees wolves this size roughly every day, back at the castle.]

I was talking about the part where you killed her friend. Or servant, or whatever Uke Mochi was to her.

[Having not lost his hand, Soma leaves it resting there. With Ana putting in her part, it looks like they might just have the deity calmed - at least for the moment.]

Unfortunately, I think you're still going to need to fight. Not just because some of the people who've showed up take it personally, but because the rest of them are actually going to want proof you can protect them. The guardians try, but... against some threats, the best they can do is fight a holding action.