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When Rune began to mimic Tenkai's chant, it confused him at first. What did she have to gain from saying words that obviously meant nothing to her? It was only when he saw the effect it started having on the mantra itself that Tenkai understood what was happening. She was attempting to harmonize with the mantra. It didn't seem much sense at first, trying to harmonize with something that already sought harmony in the first place, but that was only part of it. She was most likely harmonizing with it first in order to infiltrate it, and once she succeeded with that she would be able to overtake it with her own melody, or perhaps even break the mantra entirely. If she succeeded, Tres and the others would be left vulnerable.
Damn it!
What was worse was that the dragon's mate, the one calling himself "dragon lord" known as Nathaniel Arkchion, was using this as a means to suffuse her song with his own aura, essentially surrounding the two of them with his own power. The power built up steadily against the protection provided by Tenkai's zone of influence, as if he sought to crush it from the outside. Even with the protection Tenkai was able to feel the magnitude of the dragon's power as he released it to cover a range ten times the size of Tenkai's own field of influence. The monk grit his teeth as he appeared to struggle against the weight of their combined influence. At first it looked like the instilled feelings of dread and doubt were actually taking hold on him, but for some reason he had not yet begun to cower from the dragon's might. He seemed quite intent on listening to the dragon lord speak.
Nathaniel Arkchion
“Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup!”
All at once, Tenkai stopped gritting his teeth, the look on his face completely washed away and replaced with an expression of sheer stupefaction.
"...what?"
That's...the stupidest thing I've ever heard!
Was that supposed to be a joke? Was he trying to be funny or witty? Here he was with Sigil's defenders at his mercy and...this...this was what he chose to say to them? Of all the things in the world, this was what he said? Did he mean for that to be intimidating, to complement the overwhelming swell of power he released? Did he honestly expect that them to be awestruck into submission by that single line?
Tenkai was definitely awestruck, that was for certain. Just not for the same reason as Nathaniel would have hoped. It was clear that he was overestimating the threat that they posed.
And
they had underestimated
him.
Rune had been very clever in her actions, and they certainly aided Nathaniel in surrounding Tenkai, Tres, Terrance and Sivak (unless she had found it best to take cover elsewhere rather than risking it with Tenkai) with their power. Harmonizing her melody with his mantra was an ingenious and creative way of overtaking it. The only flaw to her tactic was the fact that sound and incantation alone was not what gave Tenkai's mantra its effectiveness. They were simply a means to help him project his own unfettered mind to protect Tres. The words of the mantra were more than just words. They had
meaning behind them, unlike the cacophony of madness she was trying to inflict. It was not the words themselves, but Tenkai's own power focused through the lens of his faith that fought against their combined aura. The words Rune used in an attempt to overtake his mantra through harmonization were only just that:
words. A creature like her would
never be able to overtake it completely.
But Tenkai couldn't just let them continue, or the weight of Rune's influence combined with the offensive force of Nathaniel's aura would crush it regardless. However, that single flaw in Rune's tactic was Tenkai's best advantage against the draconic duo and their sonic onslaught. Rather than allowing Rune the opportunity to go against the rhythm of his mantra and break it after so carefully intruding into it, Tenkai cut her off early and broke it
himself.
Tenkai let out a powerful, scolding shout, releasing his aura in a single pulse that followed the reverberating echo of his voice. The mantra itself would break along with the tune that Rune had inserted into it, shattered like the attack of an opponent that Tenkai had let into his guard. Such was the mainstay of the techniques of Yagyu Shinkage-ryu, and the monk had utilized those same principles in his esoteric abilities as well. It would not do away with Rune's ambient melody as a whole, but her attempt at overtaking his power would shatter and Nathaniel's influence would be driven back with it.
Now extended to a 20 foot radius, the burning azure flames of Tenkai's spirit were now completely visible to the naked eye, standing in stark contrast to the overwhelming power that Nathaniel had released in such a wide radius. Though the size of it dwarfed Tenkai's by comparison, the maelstrom of sonic might would simply wash past them like a stone in a river. It stood resolute in spite of its size and burning just as intensely.
"You will
never have this city, 'Dragon Lord'," said the monk as he placed a hand on Tres shoulder. The 'Main Man' would feel something tug upon his psyche as the monk attempted to draw from Tres's own psychic might to galvanize this defense. It was not something Tenkai could forcibly take from Tres, but through an empathic connection he would be able to combine their strength in warding off the dragon's power. Together, they would not be simply a stone in the river, but an unbreakable diamond.
"
WE are it's protectors," he said, and by that time Raven and Leo would have at least shown up on the scene if Raven did not tarry behind with James. James and his Order would definitely attest to the defense of Sigil, but he had his own matters to handle with Xartia. Though Leo had no real cause to care of the defense of the city aside from what kind of work it would provide a mercenary like himself, General Kanzaki was surely one of the city's staunchest protectors. "And the
PEOPLE of this city won't let you, either. It's in the nature of peasants to oppose tyranny rather than resent their lords."
At this point, Tenkai couldn't ask Tres to run to Leon's location. They had to stand their ground. Hopefully Tres' affiliates and any other helpful adventurers would be able to ensure Leon's safety at the power plant.
The orb in Nathaniel's hand was a bit concerning, however. It was clearly connected to the magic the dragon lord was trying to employ on them. With his area of influence being reflected clearly in the orb, that much was for certain. However, it did provide Tenkai with insight into what Nathaniel had in store for them. But would they be strong enough to stand against it?
Truthfully, Nathaniel was the one who did not know them. Or rather, he certainly did not seem to know who Tenkai was. Almost everyone knew Tres, even the Dragon Lord himself, but Tenkai was an unknown factor standing in his way. And that was just the way the monk preferred it.
"It's only right that I introduce myself following a
lord's introduction," he said, drawing the
youtou Muramasa from its sheath and holding it in front of him in a chuudan no kamae (middle guard).
柳生新陰流の松本天海...見参!
"Tenkai Matsumoto of Yagyu-Shinkage-ru...in attendance!"
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