Kiseki - War of the Heart

[Jak]

Years ago, a goddess descended from the heavens to save mankind from darkness. To do so, she gave five priests a mystical stone each. These stones were called Kokoro Stones, for they were made from pure emotions within the priests

Denahi was gifted the Fire Kokoro, for his heart was filled with passion fueled by rage
Sitka was gifted the Earth Kokoro, for his heart was filled with bravery fueled by the will to defend others
Nahal was gifted the Water Kokoro, for her heart was filled with serenity fueled by overcoming her sorrow
Anaya was gifted the Wind Kokoro, for her heart was filled with peace fueled by removing her bonds
Jabari was gifted the Lightning Kokoro, for his heart was filled with joy fueled by overcoming his fears

The five priests combined the powers of their Kokoro Stones to perform the spell 'Kiseki', which granted them the power to defeat the darkness. They sent the darkness away, but the spell caused the priests to vanish as well.

Now, years later, Kokoro Stones are rare, and those that posses one are both feared and respected due to not only the power they posses, but the process they must go through to obtain it. To create a Kokoro Stone one must experience an emotion so strongly that they can bare it no longer. If they do not find a way to control their emotions they die, either by burning alive, their skulls shattering, drowning in their own blood, suffocating, or heart failure.

As of late, a group called the 'Kiseki Chasers' have been kidnapping people. Whoever they take is never heard from again. What makes matters worse is The Kiseki Chasers consist almost entirely of Kokoro users. Kokoro Stones being so rare, no one knows how there are so many in The Kiseki Chasers. And now, a wanderer that saved the town with his Fire Kokoro was taken.

Something isn't right, but who will stand up to such a terrifying group?

Rules

• The Usual
  
• In keeping with how rare Kokoro Stones are, you may have one Kokoro user(one for you, one for me). Depending on how the rp goes I may allow a second
  
• Any questions, just ask me
  
• Have fun
  

Notes

• The technological level of this world is between medieval and renaissance. Guns are the usual weapon of choice for law men, but swords are still used. Guns are fairly new so there aren't AK47 guns, but instead there are simple pistols and rifles
  
• People with Kokoro Stones, called Kokoro Users, tend to keep the fact they have one a secret. The only Kokoro users that don't are usually outlaws
  
• Kokoro Stones require extreme emotions. It's not enough to just feel really depressed after a dog died. No, you would have to feel like you're the scum of the earth before your body would create a Kokoro Stone
  
• A Kokoro Stone's element depends on what emotion the character feels. Rage/hatred - Fire, Defenselessness/helplessness - Earth, Sadness/remorse - Water, imprisonment/no way out - Wind, fear/no hope of rescue - Lightning
  
• Kokoro Stones develop in different areas on the body depending on the element. Fire - stomach, Earth - back of the neck, Water - between the breasts, Wind - back of the non-dominant hand, Lightning - either ankle
  
• Fire Kokoro users have larger appetites and sleep more, but can run on the tiniest amount of energy without losing too much of their skill. Earth Kokoro users have better balance and focus, but can't attack as fast as other Kokoro users and are better suited for defense. Water Kokoro users drink more, but can go for days before needing to drink again. Wind Kokoro users are fast, but have weaker attacks than other Kokoro elements. Lightning Kokoro users are precise, but have to work harder for control
  
• Kokoro Stones can control elements, but only if the stone summoned it. Fire Kokoro users can't control a natural fire, Earth Kokoro users can't move trees or develop plants that don't grow in nature. Water Kokoro users can't stop rain. Wind Kokoro users can't stop wind blowing. Lightning Kokoro users can't control thunderstorms. If a Kokoro user mixes what they control with a natural source, then they can strengthen what they control. Example: Kokoro controled fire mixed with a campfire will add to what the Kokoro controls and increase the intensity of the heat
  
• The Kokoro Stone becomes a sensitive area for Kokoro users. Even lightly tapping the area can hurt
  
• Once someone creates a Kokoro Stone they cannot be without it. Should it be removed the user has half an hour to get it back before they die. Their body simply shuts down, sending pain throughout the body every few minutes
  
• No one can create more than one Kokoro Stone. The stress the body goes under just to create one in near lethal levels
  

Character Page

[Jak]

Ungodly screams echoed through the streets of town. It had been three days since the wanderer Denahi was taken, and that was when the screams started. Always a new voice screaming, some were the screams of known KC members, then some times it was Denahi's screams.

Hosa stood at the edge of town, on the road that lead to the Kiseki Chasers' base. She wanted to stop this, obviously Denahi was resisting something and was suffering for it. It wasn't fair. She gripped her wooden staff firmly, trying to find the courage to rescue Denahi.

[Rifter]

Lucas stumbled along the 'road' outside the town, his scimitar held limply in his right hand, the blade carving a thin groove in the dirt. Another sleepless night had set his nerves on fire and the screaming that punctuated the air constantly didn't help at all.

Stopping for a moment, he looked up out of habit and saw a young woman standing on the edge of the town, the side that the screams were coming from.

A part of him said to not get involved, but he also felt as though he should help, after all, he did have the power. He caught himself looking down at his loosely gloved left hand, the glove hiding a stone embedded in his skin. A Kokoro Stone.

He looked back up at the woman, resolving himself, he skirted the edge of the town, approaching her from an angle not out of her field of view, he slipped the scimitar into his rope belt, praying that the blade didn't cut the thin rope and raised his hands showing that he meant her no harm, he knew words wouldn't help him, he had barely spoken in the three weeks since he had earned his 'freedom.'

[Jak]

Hosa looked at the stranger and said "oh, are you in need of medical aid? I'm sorry, but I... have something I must do. Doctor Reiki is in the clinic around the corner if you need help"

[Rifter]

Lucas dropped his hands and pointed down to where the screaming was coming from, "H-help." He croaked.

[Jak]

"You want to help?" Hosa questioned. She looked back as the loudest scream echoed. Wide-eyed she ran and said "That was Denahi! Come on!"

[Rifter]

Lucas straightened, back cracking and half-ran after the woman.

[Jak]

Hosa, seeing the base for the first time, gasped at its fortress-like architecture. Noting a sewer entrance, she whispered "we'll go through here. We'd never stand a chance in a frontal assault"

[Rifter]

Lucas nodded as he moved forwards, his pace suddenly very quick.

Reaching the corner of the sewer, he peered in, nothing that he could see. He motioned to the woman.

[Jak]

As they entered, the frightened sobs of prisoners could be heard echoing down the passage.

Hosa found a way into the dungeon and lead the stranger passed cells that housed yet to be disposed of bodies. Each body looked the same: a single gaping wound somewhere on the body, pale skin, white hair, and black eyes.

((No one has ever attempted to remove a Kokoro Stone before. While the area around the stone is sensitive, the stone is kept in place by magic that makes removal of the stone very difficult. The gaping wounds are where the Kokoro Stones were removed, the pale skin and other effects are side-effects of the removal))

[Rifter]

Lucas stopped when he saw a young woman with bloody gaping hole in her left hand, sub-consciously his right hand moved to cover the back of his left.

He gaped wordlessly, how could people be so cruel? Then it clicked, Kokoro Stones, "Kokoro...Stones." He breathed.

[Jak]

Hosa gasped and whispered "that's why there are so many Kokoro users in Kiseki Chasers! They're stealing other peoples stones!"

They reached a cell soaked with fresh blood. And inside was Denahi, standing over a KC officer. His left sleeve was bloody and empty, the scars over his eye were reopened, and blood stained his shirt over his stomach.

He looked over at the two and asked breathlessly "Can either of you break that lock?"

[Rifter]

Lucas shook his head, "No...need to...break." He rasped.

Walking up to the lock, he took it in his right hand and pointed his left index finger at the keyhole, suddenly the air rushed into a wind and focused itself at the tip of his extended finger, he inserted the wind blade into the lock and twisted his hand several times.

Finally there was a click and the lock opened. Lucas removed the lock and let it drop to the floor.

[Jak]

Hosa went to Denahi's right side, wrapped his arm around her shoulders, and helped him walk. Denahi chuckled weakly "got an escape plane, 'cause now would be a great time to use it."

They left the dungeons the same way they came, dodging KC officers in the passage. When they finally got out they could see smoke in the distance. Denahi stayed silent as Hosa stared in terror. Hosa got away from Denahi and ran for the town. He looked at the Wind Kokoro user and said "go after her... I'll be there in a sec"

((Wind magic... isn't really meant for those types of things, that's more so for Earth and Water(with the use of ice). Wind Kokoro Stones make use of speed and shock wave effects. It's fine here, but just for future reference))

[Rifter]

((Alright. I was thinking more of using the wind to push the tumblers, but whatever, I'll keep it in mind.))

Lucas nodded and half-ran after her.

[Jak]

Hosa reached the edge of town, hiding among the trees of the forest that surrounded the town.

"...why...?"

[Rifter]

Lucas caught up with her, his jaw fell slightly, how could they?

[Jak]

"This is the true nature of the Kiseki Chasers and their Kokoro users," Denahi said as he approached behind the duo "the didn't earn their stones, didn't feel the pain needed for their creation, therefor they wield their powers like children too eager to please their parents by wielding a gun"

[Rifter]

Automatically Lucas brought his left hand up and gently cradled the stone-laden flesh with the other, a slight twinge of pain shot up his left arm, but he ignored it. He wished deeply that he could put out the fires himself, then he reminded himself that it would probably do nothing but increase the size of the flames.

Leaning against one of the trees, he slumped to the ground, exhaustion finally getting to him. Two days with barely any water, three or four with little food. He had barely reached this town and it was...gone. He would cry if he had the water in his body.

[Jak]

"Doc, it's time to go. None of the townspeople are here" Denahi said as he helped the other Kokoro user to his feet. Hosa turned and sobbed "how could you say that?! This was my home! My whole life was here!!--"

"save your tears"

Denahi's sudden harsh tone was startling. He continued "you're a wanderer for now. You never know when your next drink will be so stop crying." He handed the Kokoro user a canteen and said "I'm not sure how much is left, but there should be enough to sustain you 'til we find another town"

[Rifter]

Lucas drank gratefully but carefully, he knew all too well the importance of conserving one's water. He handed the canteen with a mouthful of water left back to Denahi, "Thank...you." He managed to say through unused lips,"I...Lucas." He felt pathetic for talking like that...

[Jak]

Denahi took a whiff of Lucas and muttered "got the name... but no scent to match it. Too much smoke." He turned and said "people call me... Denahi." He tried to coax Hosa to move, but she refused. Tossing her over his right shoulder, ignoring Hosa's struggles, he looked dumbfounded at Lucas and said "whatcha waitin' for? We gotta get movin'"

[Rifter]

Lucas shook his head as he speed walked to catch up with Denahi, he had an odd feeling in the pit of his gut that told him that it would be better to keep his mouth shut. Like he was used to.

[Jak]

After getting some distance, Denahi let Hosa off his shoulder and fell to his knees. Hosa started beating on Denahi's chest, screaming "I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! The Kiseki Chasers left us alone until you showed up!" As Hosa continued she slowly stopped and cried into Denahi.

Denahi placed his hand on Hosa's head and said "what can I say? This isn't my first murder." Hosa pushed away from Denahi, eyes wide with fear as she backed away. Denahi leaned back, tilted his head back to look at Lucas and said "yup. You two freed a murderer. Regretful yet? Sometimes it takes a while to hit"

[Rifter]

Lucas shook his head, his voice finally stable and going against his earlier thought, "From what I've seen, the Chaser's are more the murderers." He stood up straight, back and neck cracking a number of times.

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