Entering Hell (Open)

[Kuroshi Maki]

(OOC: Keep in mind, this place is a place for those with no honor and no master. Its a dirty place for decent samurai to be.)

After my encounter with both Haji and Katsumi, my life goal was kinda faded. I was weak to weak to even make a attempt to fight those I seek. Were could a guy like me go to? I was wandering the streets at night, I looked like a tough kid but one without a home. It seemed it attracted some ronin sitting beside the road getting drunk of Sake. They saw me walking by lost in my own thoughts, my body was still abit dirty because I haven't bad in days. I was just walking into a direction with no further goal.

" hey Kid! You seem like a boy that likes to fight. "

One of the Ronin begun to speak and I stopped as I turned towards them my eyes dark and my face emotionless. My words that I was about to speak were cold. It was true all I knew was fighting and I hadn't had a goal. The last warriors I encountered didn't want to kill me. They spoke about me having a goal and worth much more then what I was now. I didn't knew what that meant I was nothing and had nothing.

" I only life to kill "

These were the words I spoke and it seemed to make the Ronin laugh as they got up and walked up towards me. They were probably weak themselves but they saw money in me and wanted to put me into a fight that they could earn coins on.

" Good, what about we giving you a place were you can shed as much blood as you like. "

I didn't spoke another word and just followed both Ronin, as we entered a house a empty house so it seemed, until we entered the big basement. There was a large crowed standing and cheering for blood. In the center was a arena made of sand. Two warriors were fighting till the death.

" This fighter will be fighting next. "

The Ronin spoke to the man that was leading this madness and I was ordered to turn in my blades as the fights were with random weapons chosen by luck. I did as I was told and walked up to the sand were the fight just hand ended. This man that won beated the other so bad you could not even recognize his face anymore.

" We have a new challenger! "

I was pushed upon the sand, I was then to grab a stone out of a bowl, I did and it bared the mark of a spear, So this was how they chose a weapon and I was giving a spear. it was a weak one the wood was already rotten and the tip was dull. The other warrior was more lucky as he picked a axe.
There we were about to begin both standing in front of each other, the tension was hard and the smell of death was high. They were placing there bets now and soon this story will unfold.

[Amakusa Takehiro]

Takehiro wasn't exactly a samurai without honor, no. A place like this was an easy and amusing place to make a bit of quick coin, and that's what he was doing tonight. Every fight so far, he'd bet on the right person, and he'd continually bet his entire wallet on it, so it was growing exponentially. Some people started getting upset with the amount of money they lost on him, but he only found it amusing.

A new kid seemed to be pulled into the ring, now, and Takehiro wasn't entirely sure how much battle he'd even seen, from the look of him. He looked aimless, but there was also something about him that rang out strength. So, once more, the mercenary made a bet, and this bet was on the new kid with the spear. His entire wallet was on the line, but he felt confident in him. Takehiro simply watched from the front row of the ring, intent on observing this kid's fighting abilities.

"You got a lot of money ridin' on you, kid. Kick some ass."

[Kuroshi Maki]

The bets were made and the fighter and me were ready to go, but before the battle started a few words were placed upon my ear, allot of money was riding on me? Did somebody really bet on me, he would probably be the only one in this regard. I didn't spoke back as the fight begun. And soon the crowd would start cheering for the blood that is about to be spilled.

The man swinged his axe towards me and I jumped back making the axe drop into the dirt making it raise up because of the impact, the man didn't stop there as he axe rose up towards me again. I would roll to the right to dodge it. But now it seemed I was just running away. Hell I never even fought with a spear in my life. How the hell did I get myself into this. I did got stronger but I wasn't really a battle expert.

The man smashed his axe once more and at this point I tried like a fool to block the strike but the spear was weak and broke as the axe connected and almost cut open my chest. I stumbled back looking kinda scared. I didn't knew what this feeling was but did I fear this man. He sure looked big and strong. I called myself a demon but this man really looked and sounded like one. With every strike he made a demon grunt.

" Fight me you little punk "

The crowd started to boo at me for doing nothing at all, I just lost my weapon In one hand I had a stick in the other a stick with a iron tip what was I supposed to do.

[Amakusa Takehiro]

Takehiro watched as the boy consistently fell further and further into a disadvantage, and yet the mercenary didn't lose faith in him. Those around him who witnessed him placing his bet laughed at him for it, though he kept his cool. The kid could turn it around. He still had a weapon in either hand, and both could be effective. He just needed to pull himself together.

"Stop running! His offense is good, don't allow him to keep it up!"

The boy could have used his two weapons, however weak either happened to be, to outmaneuver his opponent.

[Kuroshi Maki]

I could hear the words that were meant for me, I had to attack but how his wide swings were able to crush me. but it were still wide swings and it had time in between strikes. The man was strong but his strength would not be able to swing the axe like a sword. It was to heavy to be used that way. I felt abit more confident now that I had a plan. it was risky but I had to do something to change this fight around. I had to unleash that warrior I wished to be and trained so hard for. I gained strength speed so I knew I would be way faster then him.

" Strike me then you damn ape! "

If I could anger him maybe he would make a more sloppy strike and then I would step in and attack. It seemed to work as the man his expression changed to anger and his arms raised, a wide and powerful swing was thrown but it was slower then before. as I dashed to the side avoiding that swing, I dashed forwards closing the cap and made a stab motion towards the man his guts the spear tip that was in my right hand hit and it entered his flesh but not deep enough to really inflict a big wound but enough to put the man in pain.

I thought I had it but the man was strong and used to pain as his left hand wrapped around my throat because I was still close and my weapon sticking inside his body. He raised me up from the ground so I would look him straight in the eyes. This guy was really a demon. I just stabbed him the weapon is even still inside there and he just showed no pain?

I had to figure out something fast.

[Amakusa Takehiro]

The men around Takehiro roared with blood-lust, and yet the mercenary managed to retain a calm demeanor. He simply watched the fight, a hand coming to his chin as he observed. The man was strong, that was true. But the boy did have a good attack, one he did not properly utilize. Even given his current position, he would be able to deal out a large amount of damage to his attacker, and break the hold on him. He could turn this around.

"Push the blade into his wound with your foot!"

[Kuroshi Maki]

Even when I was fighting for my life I could hear the man that placed all his money on me? Foolish but yet he seemed to have more faith then I did myself. He told me to use my foot to push the spear tip further into the wound and it seemed that was a great way to get out of this death grip. I kicked as hard as I could with my right foot against the tip and is pushed further in. Blood would spill out of the man his mouth as his insides were ripped open. The man his grip loosen as he stumbled back looking confused and in pain. I dropped back down as my feet could touch the ground once again.

It was now my turn to finish it around, yet I was this far because of the warrior that placed his bet on me. If he didn´t show me what to do maybe I would still be up there. But at this point I had just a stick left for a weapon so I had to think up something fast. The man could still kill me as long as he was able to swing that axe. I would not waste any time as the man was still in pain and it was still fresh. I rushed forwards and the man for some reason was able to swing his axe but it was slow and powerless, I could easily roll forwards avoiding it. As I rolled past his legs I would smash the stick in the back of his knee forcing him to drop down on his knee. I would now be at the back of him. I and he would be kneeled. His head was bend forwards revealing the back of his neck. Because of the way he broke my spear the tip of the stick was sharp and could cut flesh if strike hard enough. I would give this man a fast dead if it worked.

I raised my arms smashing the stick in the back of his neck far enough to kill him as the man dropped down still having the stick stuck in his neck. My arm was raised by the one being the judge and the crowed fell silent, it seemed there champion had fallen and not I was there new champion. and of course many would have lost coin to the warrior that placed his bet on me.

[Amakusa Takehiro]

With a grin plastered on his face, Takehiro collected his earnings, having increased his initial Yen fivefold. The other men in the arena seemed quite aggravated with this, but Takehiro could judge a fighter quite well. He let out a single cheer, proceeding into the ring. Rather than fight the boy, though, he took one of the large sacks of coins and tossed it to his feet.

"Figured you'd win. You earned that much."

A kind smile was given before he merged back into the crowd, wondering what would happen next.

[Kuroshi Maki]

I won, it felt great.. after 12 years training and losing my first fight, wining this one made me feel more alive then ever. I was able to win, hell I was able to kill. My eyes turned into those of one waiting for more blood. I could feel why people liked this place. It was dark and filthy but there were no restrains here. You could kill those that were meaning nothing outside but in here they were gods. It was a illusion I could get lost in really easy.

A bag was thrown at my feet filled with coins.. I looked at the side and saw it was thrown by the man that placed his bet on my. It seemed he made allot of money by offering me this bag of gold. But the gold didn't really seem to flather me that muchts I wanted something more. I wanted to fight again. I could feel that I was becoming what I needed to become in here. Maybe my goal in life was here. I could be a champion here.

" Up for some more gold? "

I looked over at the man with a grin on my face, but then turned my face towards the one leading all this. I just gave him a simple node with the head to show him I was ready for another fighter or warrior how you would call it. The man seemed pleased as he shouted for another warrior to step upon the sand. Out of the crowed a man stepped into the ring but he seemed weak and drunk and that didn't please me at all.

" Trow in another fighter, I want to face two this time. "

My confidence was higher then ever and another man stepped into the ring upon the sand. We would draw weapons. I was more lucky this this time, I picked the stone baring the mark of a Katana blade. The two others were given a blunt fist weapon as the other was given dual daggers.

[Amakusa Takehiro]

A smug grin appeared on Takehiro's face, and he himself stepped into the ring. He would shoo the other two newcomers to the side, taking a stone for himself. Fists. He looked over to the man running the whole thing, and the guy just nodded. He was going to use the gloves he currently had on, and this was going to be exciting.

"Look, buddy, you wanna fight two people at once, when one almost killed you?" That didn't sound too smart. "Tell ya what - you beat me, you can fight every fucker in here. But that ain't gonna happen."

[Kuroshi Maki]

Even before the fight had started, the man that made all that coin stepped into the ring with a grin. He ordered the other two to leave the arena as he grabbed a stone. His words were kinda painful, but yet he didn't knew what he stepped into. This was a ring of death not just a playground. Something that I had felt the fight just before.

" You earned all that coin, and yet you don't wanna stay alive to spend it? "

Of course this man was a warrior he helped me beat the one before him. But I was getting the hang of it now and the win from before put me back into that what I did best and that was fighting till I die. He seemed to picked fists and I had a Katana blade. It seemed rather unfair and I didn't want it to end to fast. I would spin the blade around with the point now facing down and smashed it into the sand as it would stick.

" Lets make it abit more fair shall we. "

I would raise my fists as I would slide my right foot back bending my knee's abit. I was ready but was this warrior also?

" You're move! "

[Amakusa Takehiro]

Takehiro laughed as the man's blade fell into the sand. He clearly didn't know who he was up against, and how much of a disadvantage that would put him at, so he figured it'd only be fair to warn him. "I recommend you put that blade back in your hands, kid." He cracked his knuckles and slowly walked toward his opponent.

Every little gesture the boy would make, Takehiro would watch. Every little movement. And, once he was close enough, he would send a quick jab at the boy's throat. Pace yourself, pace your opponent, observe their speed. That was what Takehiro told himself.

[Kuroshi Maki]

Who did he think he was telling me to put the blade back into my hands? I maybe wasn't one of those Samurai but hell I did had some pride. What would it make me if I cut this fool down when he is unarmed? I just simply put a grin on my face as he spoke those words. I was ready waiting for him to move to test his speed and strength. I had to play this the smart way unlike the other fights I had before this. I now knew the pressure that came with it so I could be abit more cool headed. I didn't had much time to relax as the warrior came at me with decent speed.

As he came close he would throw a jab, it was fast but it seemed I was able to follow it but not dodge it so I raised my arms letting his fist crash against my arms. the force did made me step back but I did this on purpose to gain some distance again. The man would be a fool thinking I was still the same as I was in the last fight. I would learn every second of every fight. But I had to admit this fighter held some speed and strength. I could feel the jab burn on my arms from the impact.

It was now my turn, it was just fair for me to attack this time and threw back a jab of my own but at the last point faint it and threw a straight right aimed at the man his nose. I didn't go all out it was simply a test to see how the man would react. It was still testing each other it seemed.

[Amakusa Takehiro]

The kid was a fool, but he would discover that soon enough. He would feel powerful explosive blast as Takehiro's fist impacted his arm, and so him falling backward would not be of his own intent, but Takehiro's. When he responded, the mercenary took one quick step back, launching a jab at Maki's own fist and, once again, upon collision, a small explosion would erupt from Takehiro's knuckles. Since they were both at an even speed heading straight for each other, it would have been just about impossible to get out of that one. The kid would feel what it would be like if the force of a bullet being fired from a gun could be brought into punches.

"One last chance, buddy."

Takehiro's legs began to move around a little, and his body was never still, not for a moment. This meant he would make no sudden movements, and it would be that much harder for the kid to read him.

[Kuroshi Maki]

As he stepped back and trowing a punch of his own, it was to late for me to stop mine and both fist would collide, it seemed his was more powerful and it blew my fist back with force and a pain would run trough my arm. This man held allot of power but he must have felt some pain for his own because it wasn't that I had no power at all. I would step back as I hear him giving me one more chance. He would move around and it made me see I was facing a warrior that had been in more fights then me and held more experience.

" Fuck it "

I would step back grabbing the blade from the sand and raised it up. I had come far and didn't want it to end here by this man. He did have my respect but he was in the way of my goal. I would slide back into my fighting stance this time with the Katana blade pointing forwards and I just waited for the man to move. I had to figure out a way fast. I was lacking the strength to face him head on but speed wise it was even.

" Guess I don't have a choice then. "

My eyes tried to follow every motion this warrior made and learn from it. I could still feel the pain in my fist and arm but ignored it because of the adrenaline rush I was getting.

[Amakusa Takehiro]

The merc grinned. This meant the kid was learning. If he was learning, there was no point in holding back, because it would only deter his progress. So, without much of a sign, his body would move forward while he kept the same motions. His arms were moving consistently, never letting up for a single second, and never giving off any hint as to when the next move would be.

Once he was within striking range of distance, he would wait just a moment to see if the boy would react. If Maki struck toward Takehiro, he would turn his body, pounding his fists together to catch the blade. The gunpowder would react at that point, shattering the thin layer of the iron and breaking the sword apart. From there, he'd slide forward and send an explosive fist into Maki's face.

If Maki did not attack instantly, Takehiro would jab at his face. Before it made contact, he would turn his arm, sending his fist toward the kid's core instead. Though, once more faking it, he would duck inward and under the reach of the blade, putting his palm against his fist, and ram his elbow into the kid's chin.

[Kuroshi Maki]

He moved forwards again, I knew the speed was probably even but this guy his strength was far more powerful then my, and his fist seemed to pack a certain explosion to it. It had to be those gloves he was wearing. He already held a weapon so that's why he told me to pick up the blade. I understand now I had to make sure he could not hit me with those fists. As he drew closer I had to make sure he didn't gain any momentum. I could match his speed but his movements were hard to read.

I just dashed back to gain abit more distance and time as he came in. I rolled back with a slash to his legs to make him stop moving unless he wanted to have his leg cut off. But still i knew he would have something up his sleeve and got back up and waited again. Something held me back from attacking because I knew if those fists hit their mark it would be finished.

" it seems you held a secret from me! "

[Amakusa Takehiro]

As the boy rolled and slashed at Takehiro's legs, he simply stopped for a moment. His leg raised above the blade, allowing it to pass without doing any damage, and then the mercenary continued his advance. As the boy wasted time getting up and rolling, Takehiro sent a quick jab toward the guy's chest, keeping one arm pulled in at the ready, to block the blade in case Maki went for another swing.

"Don't reveal everything, kid."

He really seemed like he wasn't learning much, so far.

[Kuroshi Maki]

He lifted his leg, but don't think its that easy to get away from me. as he raised his leg I would spin the sword so the sharp side would now faced up. and raised the blade as it would cut him in half it it made his mark. He would have to stop to avoid any damage. He wasn't the only one that was learning from this fight. He was underestimating me from the start just because I looked weak in the last fight. I had reach advantage as well as being equal in speed. The thing he probably has over me is strength and make experience.

As my blade would raise up I would make sure it would not just made me a target as I would reach about half way of his body hit or not I would pull the blade back into a defense as it would be able to block a incoming attack if he was able.

[Amakusa Takehiro]

Maneuvering around the attack was extremely simple. Takehiro moved his leg to the side and slid his other foot back just slightly, so the blade would slice up through the air. Before Maki would even have a chance to thrust it forward, Takehiro would swat the blade with his knuckles to shatter the brittle iron, and charge inward immediately after. He'd bring his other arm in close and low to ram into the boy's stomach with a good deal of force.

[Kuroshi Maki]

It seems the man knew what was coming as he dodge the blade, I guess I was the one underestimating him then. And before I could react on time I felt him punching the blade breaking it in half, and then charge inwards but by breaking the blade I didn't stop my assault as I would push force against it and it would still go for his body. It was a shorter blade but it would still deal damage if it hits. So if he would keep his attack up he would hit the mark of my stomach but my broken blade would also pierce his. I didn't think further ahead of that as I had to see what would happen. Will he stop his attack or would he keep it up.

If he keeps it up we both would be hurt, he would be bleeding as I would be bleeding inside because of the impact of those damn gloves. Would he step back and avoid mine and halting his own attack we would be ok.

[Amakusa Takehiro]

Given that Takehiro had swatted the blade to the side the same moment he charged, it would do minimal damage to him. The blade cut against his shoulder as he delivered the punch, but it was nothing he couldn't handle. As the blood dripped down his shoulder, his fist would collide with the boy's stomach and, immediately after, he would follow up by bringing his other fist around and slamming it into the boy's cheek, while he seemed preoccupied with just holding his blade out.

[Kuroshi Maki]

My blade hit his shoulder but it didn't seem to stop this man, I could feel a sharp pain in my stomach, opening my mouth because of the pain and impact before feeling a explosive punch against my cheek. It forced me away with power as my body rolled on the sand away from the man. I could feel my face starting to swell up abit and soon it would be worse. The pain in my stomach was bad as well. This guy really packed a punch but at least I drew blood on him as well. This made me smile abit even though I was losing. My weapon was useless as it was broken and short.

I would push myself up until I was upon one knee keeping my eyes on him as blood would slide down my chin. my lip was busted and my cheek was messed up. But I wasn't going to go down that easy. I had speed but things would go bad soon. If my face would swell up to the point of one eye closing I would have a blind spot. I dropped the broken blade next to me and raised up further taking a fighting stance and waited.

[Amakusa Takehiro]

Takehiro smirked, wiping some of the blood off his shoulder. This guy was going to go down like nothing, at this rate. The mercenary would give him a fighting chance, though, and rather than go for a straight charge right now where he could easily take out his target, he would stand there and taunt him.

"Come on, buddy. That all you got? Only hit you can land is one I give you? What happened to your cockiness from earlier?"

His arms would fall to his sides, resting on his waist. It was the boy's move, now.

[Kuroshi Maki]

He didn't charge me, instead he himself took a fighting stance. He then spoke his words just taunting me and make me look like a complete fool in front of the crowed that were all favoring the other guy at this point. His word did piss me off but I tried to hide that anger. He even made it worse as he dropped his arms next to his body. Did he saw me really as that weak of a fighter. I had to do something but what. I would slide forwards slowly closing the distance just abit.

" Just because you hit me, doesn't mean you're better then me! "

I hated this feeling of losing again. And this guy just had to rub it in. I would now dash in as his hands were low I could try and close in before he could raise his hands high enough. I would come really close bumping into him, sticking close so he could not trow a power shot because there was no space, I would step on his foot with my left on his right foot. This to make sure he could not get away, and if he did he would lose balance. I would then headbutt his nose. not bringing my head back to muchts to show it just enough to make his eyes tear and his nose bleed.