Mashyuu's B Rank Exam: Stop the Necromancer!

Spoiler:

Heavy foot falls echoed through the halls of the Sabertooth guild hall as Mashyuu and Itsu, his best friend and team mate rushed around a corner and slammed into a wall. Mashyuu picked himself up and straightened out his brown gi. Slowly he walked to the edge guild masters office and knocked on it twice. In the time Mashyuu was gone, Lynn had vanished and Kite stepped up as the Guild Master of Sabertooth. Mashyuu was glad that it was one of his friends that had done so and was even more happy that it was someone who actually cared about the guild.

As the door opened Mashyuu and Itsu stepped inside. Before Kite could offer Mashyuu a seat, the Earth God plopped down across from Kite's desk and started to explain why he was in Kite's office. "So here is the deal. About six months ago I was nearly killed, had an Earth Goddess forced into my body and revive me but at the cost of my memories. Ever since I've been doing odd jobs here while hunting down the man who killed both me and my wife. Turns out this guy was bringing back from the dead people that meant a lot to me and using them against me. Including Kanix. I defeated him and saved Kanix a few days ago and he escaped again. But I've tracked him down to a strange looking maze like area. I don't think my team is strong enough to help me beat this guy and deal with whatever is in this lair of his. Kite, will you help me?" The former Earth Dragon Slayer asked. His blue eyes flashed with magical power, showing he was on the verge of something great and possibly dangerous, with our without Kite's help.

WC: 299

He couldn't help it, Mashyuu smiled at Kite. He had always been a man who was willing to help others in need and as it was, Mashyuu wasn't the exception even thought the Wizard thought he was. Mashyuu sprang up with Kite said he would help. "Yeah I could have, but I don't like to put others in danger if I can help it. We all have our burdens and I've been trying to shoulder this one on my own... Itsu lets go." Itsu, the busty woman in white armor sprang up and whipped her dagger around in her palm. Mashyuu grasped her shoulder with his large palm and held his sword in place on his belt while Kite grabbed Mashyuu's shoulder. A flash of light filled the room that Mashyuu swiftly ate as a quick power boost and before the three knew it, they stood outside the front door of a massive maze. Kite gave some details about how the place worked and Mashyuu nodded in understanding. "It's fine Mashyuu, I will protect your thoughts and memories. Now that we have untied I will be sure to keep you safe." The Goddess sharing a body with him assured the Wizard. Not only that but Mashyuu could reverse any mind altering effects that the place would have on Kite or Itsu with one of Mashyuu's healing word spells.

Kite walked ahead first, prompting Mashyuu to raise his left hand and let a magical bow appear in his palm. The thought was that if Kite was leading the way Itsu would bring up the rear while Mashyuu played archer in the middle of the group. At least for now. Kite hung left, the obvious move, that was until a wall fell shut down between both Mashyuu and Kite. The Fire Wizard shouted for Mashyuu and Itsu to continue on without him and that Kite would catch up once he figured a way through the maze. "Kite just stick to the left and it will lead out. I'll try to drive the guy towards you!" Mashyuu shouted back to Kite and motioned for Itsu to move with the Earth God.

Itsu nodded and placed her cursed weapon in front of her as the full moon made the weapon glow a deep red. "Hear my call and come fourth. Hewy, Dewy and Luey!" Itsu shouted. The blade conjured three skeletal warriors who held great swords in their bone hands and bowed to a knee at Itsu's feet. "Come with us and keep us safe. It's time for us to finish that Necromancer." Itsu commanded. The monsters nodded their heads and stood up, ready to do what their Master asked. The three monsters stood up and brandished their weapons, walking forward and leading the way deeper into the maze.

"Do you think he knows we are here?" Itsu asked Mashyuu. He nodded his head and spoke, walking just a few feet behind the woman. I'd be shocked if he didn't. If this is truly his lair and he didn't set off that trap with Kite then the Necromancer would be putting himself in danger with his own traps. I bet these walls of stone have some sort of magic on them allowing him to see us. So he knows when to set off the traps. We need to be extra careful." Mashyuu replied to Itsu.

The team twisted around a sharp corner and a stone wall started to fall shut behind them. Mashyuu raised his right hand and the ground under the wall came up slightly, stopping it from  sealing the team off if they needed to go back. From a little further down the hall a low rumbled stared to echo in the maze. A familiar figure came into view, the Three skeletons raised their blades, remembering how hard of a time they had dealing with the Zombie brute last time. In fact, last time Hewy, Dewy, and Luey were defeated in combat, leaving Itsu to finish the monster off alone. Even after the wounds the three soldier skeletons left on the Zombie, Itsu barely managed to defeat the monster.

Not wasting any time Mashyuu took aim and pulled the magical bow string back, a magical energy arrow appeared along the string of the bow, taking aim at the lumbering Zombie. "Sniper Elite!" Mashyuu called out and released his arrow. The arrow spun and zipped through the air, driving into the neck of the Zombie then exploded, leaving a massive hole in its throat. Not wanting to waste any time, the Skeletons charged forward, each one running in a line behind the other, slashing at three different angles as the arrow exploded, leaving deep gashes in the leg and hip of the Zombie as the three passed up massive monster.

Itsu charged up upon the Zombie and jumped. her dagger flipped through the air as she palmed int and landed on the Zombie's chest, digging the weapon into its shoulder. Violently she yanked up with the dagger, cutting to the point in the monsters neck that Mashyuu had put a hole in. When her weapon hit the wound Itsu kicked off the beast and flipped back to land on a single foot and her knee before Mashyuu. The Skeletons all took a turn while Itsu stabbed, driving their long blades up the Zombies back, drawing great gashes of dried blood and organs out of the Zombie. Mashyuu pushed his way past Itsu and extended his right hand, as if he were pushing air. "Earth Gods Combo: Part One!" Three stone pillars shot up out of the ground and drove into the jaw of the Zombie, taking its head clean off the neck thanks to the duo attack that the team made on the beast moments ago. Mashyuu smiled at the monster and then to Itsu. "Good job, if we keep this up-" The Wizards words cut short as he realized that he was starting to forget who he was standing with. That was until Mefitis the Goddess of Earth and fire inside of him seemingly grasped his mental memories and held them in place, keeping the Wizard and her host safe.

A slender hand grabbed Mashyuu's shoulder and shook the Earth Wizard while she slapped his face hard. "MASHYUU! COME OUT OF IT!" Itsu shouted, pulling Mashyuu's attention. "Ugh.... Oh. Sorry Itsu. Come on, lets go." Mashyuu pulled away from Itsu and started to walk as if nothing happened, but he knew if it wasn't for the goddess that kept him alive, he would have forgotten who Itsu was.

WC: 1108
Total: 1407

The group stalked through a dark hall, each of their steps echoed in the stone tunnel that made up the maze. Even the bone padding against stone seemed to echo when the group walked. The steps the team made caused Mashyuu's tremor sense to go crazy. Mashyuu dismissed his bow, allowing him to place his hand on his head. "This is insane. I can't believe that the Necromancer is waiting for us. Kite is somewhere, possibly being attacked or captured. If anything happens to him, it's gonna be my fault!" Mashyuu's fist slammed into the wall to his left, causing the tunnel system to shake from the force of his punch. Itsu and the skeletons stopped, twisted around and looked at Mashyuu. Only Itsu had a concerned look on her face but the skeletons snickered, laughing at the pain of any human. "Mashyuu, you told me Kite was one of the strongest Wizards you knew. That's why you went to him with this. Relax, we will find that Necromancer, beat him. Get your memories back and make sure everyone gets out of here. Including Kite." She hugged Mashyuu tight and kissed his cheek. "Besides, you have a wife and a girl friend to get back to. You really do need to figure out what is going on there." Mashyuu laughed and started to walk next to his friend. "I never asked to fall in love with one woman, watch her get killed. Fall in love with another woman, and have my dead wife come back to life. This Necromancer has a lot to answer for when it comes to how he has effected my life... My friends lives."

The strong square of of Mashyuu set firmly. His eyes narrowed and the group twisted around to the right as they made a sharp turn. Mashyuu stopped in his tracks, a giant spider web blocked their path and Mashyuu tilted his head out of pure curiosity. Slowly Mashyuu drew his long sword and let powerful energy exploded out from around his weapon. He reached out and tried to cut the web but found the material was strong as steel. "Oh man.. this is gonna take a while to get through." Mashyuu complained. Itsu reached out and grabbed Mashyuu by the neck, pulling him back towards her. "Yeah well let us deal with the web, why don't you take care of that thing!" Itsu pointed at a giant half bull, half man, skeleton running at the group while whirling a massive hammer in its palm. "Oh yeah, I got it. No big deal." Mashyuu ran to stand in front of the group while aiming his weapon backwards. The skeletons ran to the web and started to chop as hard as they could while Itsu glanced between her friend and her skeletal allies.

Brilliant energy flared up behind Mashyuu from his weapon and slowly pushed him forward. Mashyuu took aim and spoke the command word of the weapon. "Kings Charge!" Mashyuu's weapon shot him forward towards the Skeleton Minotaur. The beast lifted its hammer while lowering its head to get ready for a charge. Just before the two clashed, Mashyuu stopped and pointed his weapon right at the head of the Minotaur. He focused and unleashed a blast of power from his weapon, blasting a wave through the monster and forced it to fly backwards about twenty feet before it crashed down on the ground, rattling the halls from its great weight.

The force of the monster falling drew the attention of the skeletons who all looked back to make sure Mashyuu wasn't the one who fell. Mashyuu in that time jumped into the air and pushed his left hand down towards the beast while swinging his right arm with his blade in a chopping motion. "Earth Gods Combo: Part One!" He shouted. Three stone pillars came up, cracking bones in the monster and lifted it up partially off the ground. Mashyuu landed on the chest of the monster and slashed its ribs with his sword before the Minotaur lashed with its head and knocked Mashyuu aside its horns. Mashyuu was batted aside and hit the wall to his right, dropped his blade and landed on his feet in a crouched position.

Snarling Mashyuu felt the goddess in his soul push him to continue the attack. Mashyuu agreed and placed a palm on the ground. "Earth Gods Combo: Part Two!" The ground lit up and opened, swallowed the Minotaur and closed behind it, crushing the bones of the beast until the spell ended. While it was being crushed Mashyuu chomped down on the wall, eating and restoring his magical power just a bit. The monster was ejected from the ground and landed on its feet. Ready to attack the Minotaur Skeleton attacked Mashyuu again and almost crushed him with its weapon but the Earth God countered by exploding into a pile of sand and reforming after the swing was completed. Mashyuu reformed and sighed in annoyance at the fact that this monster didn't seem to know when to quit. "Mashyuu! We are through, lets go!" Itsu shouted and motioned for the Wizard to follow. Mashyuu looked over his shoulder and knew the beast wasn't going to go down so easily.

"AHHHHHH!" Mashyuu shouted as golden light shot from his body and changed the color of his hair. The blue eyed Wizard glared at the monster and charged it. His body dipped low and grasped the blade that was currently laying on the ground. He flipped the weapon around in his grasp and let the golden light wrap the blade as well. Mashyuu rolled under the beasts legs as it tried to attack the Earth mage. Mashyuu sprang up on his feet, twisted while he jumped and cut the spine of the monster. His golden light flowed and burned the Skeleton while destroying the monster with the holy light that flowed off of Mashyuu. the bones rattled to the ground as Mashyuu destroyed the beast and sheathed his blade in the belt around his waist. "An honorable battle for an unworthy foe." Mashyuu whispered. Lazily Mashyuu walked towards the others who waited for him. The Earth God smiled at Itsu and passed the woman up. "You could have helped ya know, it would have sped things up."

WC: 1066
Total: 2473

Once the group met up again they started to walk deeper through the halls Mashyuu felt his mind once again being invaded by the spirits or magic in the maze that attempted to pull memories out of his mind. Luckily the spirit residing in his soul had been keeping her word and holding Mashyuu's memories in place, but at what cost? It was hard for Mashyuu to say for sure as the spirit had been silent since she told Mashyuu that she would protect him. This fact worried the Slayer as it was possible that she had been giving up things she knew in place of what Mashyuu knew in order to keep his mind at peace. That wouldn't do to the Wizard. Apparently Itsu noticed the look of concern on Mashyuu's face as she glanced over her shoulder and frowned. The woman walked back to the Earth Wizard and waved her hand in front of his face. The fact that she was seemingly undead in some sense was clearly keeping her sane in the maze but Mashyuu didn't seem to be so lucky. "Hey, you sure you're alright? You have been acting strange since we got here." Mashyuu blinked and pushed her hand away. "Stop that. I'm okay.... Just haven't been feeling well lately. Once we get out of....." Mashyuu felt the ground shift under him and pulled his hands back. As hard as he could he pushed Itsu backwards, knocking her onto her back and away from him. The floor opened up under the Earth Wizard and dropped him down into a darkness so black that even with the faint light flowing off the dual Slayer it wasn't possible for Itsu to see where he vanished to. The three Skeletons that were standing behind Itsu grabbed her by the shoulders and tugged her backwards in order to keep her from falling in after the Earth Wizard. Slowly the floor shut again, sealing Itsu off from Mashyuu and a loud clap echoed in the hall that Itsu and the skeletons stood in. "I have to admit, you and those skeletal soldiers have really been pissing me off. Is there a reason I can't take control of them? I am the master of undead and those are fairly week monster. Granted they seem to each have a mind for combat and that makes them more effective than they should be. But little woman, it's time that you returned to the grave. Coming back to life has really thrown a wrench into my plans." Itsu narrowed her eyes and took up a fighting stance quickly while looking back thew way Mashyuu was standing before he fell. The man in black stood there, his white gloved hands placed casually in the pockets of his black slacks while his top hat remained down low over his head, blocking the view of his dark red eyes from her sight. Under the mans left arm was a long black cane that had a sickly green colored emerald atop it as a grip and weight. "Now if you surrender, I won't harm you before I use you as leverage against Mashyuu." The man spoke in a dark tone. Itsu started to growl at the man, her sharp teeth slowly pushed out past her lip. The Necromancer wasn't someone to take lightly and indeed was someone who had the power to kill with a single wave of his hand if Itsu remembered correctly. "Where is Kite?" Itsu asked with a look of anger crossing her face while her skeletons moved to stand and defend her. "Hmm? Oh the fire Wizard. Yes well... I'm sure he is realizing at this moment that there are far worse than undead here. Like my personal stone golem body guard. Since Mashyuu is so important to me and our meeting needs a long time to see through I thought that I'd send my best and strongest soldier over to deal with Kite while I dealt with you and Mashyuu. Now what will it be surrender or die?" He once again asked while moving his left arm out of his pocket to catch his cane and whip it around in his palm like a drummer with a stick.

Before he could fully ready himself Itsu tossed her dagger at the man and used the cord to wrap around the Necromancer's staff. He couldn't help but hum to himself while examining the weapon that held his staff firmly. "So this small trinket is the source of those undead creatures. I won't damage it then as I feel that I could put them to good use once you're dead." Instead the man started to yank, tugging Itsu forward while he spoke a command word. "Dance on my grave." He ordered and the cane floated up into the air, then rushed Itsu, slamming straight into her face. Itsu cried out in pain and fell back a step while her free hand grabbed at her face. The Skeletons rushed the Necromancer, each taking a swing at the man who simply placed his hand on his hat and seemingly danced around each strike before they were even finished, like he knew what the undead would do before they did. The Necromancer was sure to position himself between all three Undead then quickly reached out and tapped the three on the head. "Touch of everlasting life." Any good necromancer knew that sometimes your creations turned against you and you needed to deal with them. The best way to do that was with positive energy. The result of his touch caused the three undead fighters to rattle then explode with what Itsu would have considered healing magic. The woman screamed with anger while flipping back and inhaling a breath of air, barely dodging a blast that came from the cane. "Ghost touch!" She shouted while launching a blast at the Necromancer. However the blast was avoided when he cast a spell that put a magical coffin up around him and appeared behind the woman. "A valiant effort Itsu, but now you will do what I asked of you." He let his right hand extend down as a lethal looking dagger slid into his grasp. He jabbed it up into her ribs and twisted the blade, nearly killing her from the one single blow. Itsu collapsed in the Necromancer's arms while the cane returned to his left hand and the duo vanished into the dark of the maze...

WC: 1088
Total: 3561

Mashyuu landed on his feet and on instinct rolled back to avoid breaking any bones. He easily sprang up and looked to where he fell from. His night vision allowing him to see the stone wall floor that moved and went back into place. Metal grips held it firmly, this was all a set up. "Okay Mashyuu, where are you now?" He asked himself while taking a look around. A wide but narrow room with two doors before him. "Always a guessing game with doors. This is annoying." Slowly Mashyuu walked up to the doors and looked them over. Both made of stone that was infused with magic. Mashyuu chuckled to himself and started to eat the rock doors until nothing was left and his magical power was restored. One room was a simple broom closet while the other door led to a large room that had cages on the walls. In one of the cages was Kite, muttering something under his breath and seemingly trying to figure out how to make his magic work. So the memory wipe the maze used effected Kite just as much as anyone else. Mashyuu was lucky to have a second mind in his body at the moment. In the other cage was Itsu, bleeding out and whimpering. Mashyuu reacted the only way he knew how. By pulling his arm back and reaching to cast a spell at Itsu but the command words didn't come to mind, nor did how he was actually supposed to pull the spell off. "Oh hell..." He whispered. Indeed Mefitis must have used all her major memories to keep Mashyuu's mind safe. Now it was only a matter of time before he too would lose himself to this place. "Mashyuu, you must defeat the Necromancer quickly and get everyone's memories back before its too late!" She shouted at him, alerting Mashyuu to the danger in his future.

Just as Mashyuu was about to enter the room a voice called out to him. "Mashyuu, my friend! It's very good to see you again. I have let you live in the past. You see it was fun to watch you squirm and try to catch me. But you have foiled my efforts long enough and now you need to be put in your place. The grave that is." The man in black steppe out from around the wall that the door was set in and motioned for Mashyuu to join him. "We will fight to the death, and I will not use any undead minions. No. No.. you my Earth God possessed friend. You are all mine." For the first time the man removed his hat. Long black hair fell from under his hat, obscuring his face but those glowing red eyes flashed with anger. "Clearly you haven't figured it out yet. But I am the god of death. So come, I will see to it that you don't walk away from Pluto!" he shouted.

This was it, Mashyuu's first battle with a God and a god of death to boot. He wouldn't fail Sabertooth ever again. Not while he drew breath. As the man rushed Mashyuu, the Earth Wizard extended his left arm, bow appearing in hand. "Hail of Arrows!" He shouted out. As he released his bow string a blast of small arrows launched towards Pluto. he simply side stepped and let his cane slip into his grip. A single swing had crashed into the side of Mashyuu's skull, cracking bone and sending the Earth Wizard crashing through a wall and into another room all together. Mashyuu could feel the hot blood flowing out of his wound and hear it dripping on the floor while he barely managed to pull himself up and draw his sword. "Okay buddy. Round two!" This time both men charged one another and their weapons clashed, sending sparks through the room. Both men pulled their free hand back and pushed forward while speaking. "Earth Gods Combo: Part One!" "Death Gods Decaying Grasp!" As Pluto reached out Mashyuu pushed his hand up, three pillars came up and while two smashed into the back of the Death Gods knees one batted his hand aside just enough for him to nearly fall and miss Mashyuu's head with the spell. Mashyuu took the chance and slammed his forehead into the nose of Pluto, causing a deep well of blood to flow from the mans face.

This time it was Pluto who chose to break away from combat as he sprang backwards on his feet and clapped his hands together. "Death Gods Trip to-" Pluto's attacks were impressive but clearly meant to be used while his minions allowed him time to strike. Mashyuu placed a single hand on the ground and spoke faster than the Death God. "Earth Gods Combo: Part Two!" The ground opened up under the man and swallowed the Death God for only a moment but that was all Mashyuu needed. He had been learning more from Mefitis and it was time to put one of those spells to the test. "Earth Gods Combo: Part Three!" He shouted while swinging his right arm forward. His crystal blue eyes lit up as the Goddess inside him offered the Wizard power and he conjured magical earth from his forearm and slashed while charging Pluto. Pluto teleported up out of the ground only to find a scythe of sand and stone shredding his body and sucking the moisture out of him. The blow sent the man spiraling through the air and against the ground dazed and out of breath.

Mashyuu stepped up to the man while pointing his sword at Pluto's throat. The Earth God Slayer could tell that Pluto had never battled against someone who had God Slayer magic before and that last attack, while draining to Mashyuu had done even more to the God. "Now, give me back my memories, Kite's too." Mashyuu demanded while his weapon flared to life and started to glow with power. Pluto chuckled under his breath and slowly lifted his hands. "okay, you win. No need to try to kill me or anything." Effortlessly Pluto snapped and restored the memories of Mefitis, Kite and Mashyuu. "You have proven yourself worthy of carrying that Power Mashyuu. As a god I will not attempt to take your life any more and you're friends will never hear from me again. At least until it is truly time for them to join me in the afterlife." Pluto promised the Wizard. Just like that the Death God vanished and returned to the underworld, leaving a card behind with his name and a phrase to what Mashyuu assumed was summon the man. Mashyuu placed his sword back in his belt and grabbed both the cages of Itsu and Kite, pulled them together and unleashed his Holy Shower spell to heal them of any wounds. Okay guys, it's time to go before this place decides to try and take our memories again." He used his blade to pry open the door of Itsu and Kite's cages respectively. He helped each one out of their cages and together headed out of the maze by following a route that was found when Mashyuu crashed through the wall.

Outside Mashyuu hugged Kite tight and backed up a few steps. "Thanks for your help today man. I don't think I would have ever had the mental strength to get through this place if you and Itsu hadn't come with me, to give that extra push to keep my friends safe. Come on, lets go home." Mashyuu smiled at his friends and grabbed both of them by the shoulders, ready to return home...

WC: 1298
Total: 4859