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[Improved Initiate Training]

What an interesting ability to have. Each property of the metal was obvious to him. The more he delved the deeper his connection to the katana grew. When he was finished and all of the imperfect metals had been removed it appeared to be as pure as it could be. He had the impression that the metal could be altered to another material as well. But what would you turn it into that was superior to the quality of the blade in his hands.

He turned to Kiyo, "Kiyo-sama what is a powerful metal that has magical properties on this world? I seem to be able to alter the state of this weapon but I have limited knowledge of materials on this world."

If she provided any insight he would attempt the alteration. If she was unable to provide assistance, Mako will turn to his terminal and search for metals with special properties, searching for anything that might give him an edge.

Mako will attempt to train on increasing his blade drawing and stance speed, for the last part of the day and all of the day before he was set to face his father.

At dinner he relayed to his mother that he would focus on his martial training tomorrow and would wait to continue magic training after the duel was over.

If there is time he begins his training on improved initiative. That evening he would prepare for bed without thinking of where Kiyo would rest. He was exhausted after a long day of training and travel and basically collapses to rest.

Improved Initiate Training
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+11 : 3 + 11, total 14[/blockquote]

Location: New World - Isikawa Sovereignty - Tamajima Village
Date: Day 6 - Throughout the day

Improved Initiate Training
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+11 : 7 + 11, total 18[/blockquote]

Improved Initiate Training
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+11 : 18 + 11, total 29[/blockquote]

Constitution Check
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+10 : 6 + 10, total 16[/blockquote]

Improved Initiate Training
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+11 : 10 + 11, total 21[/blockquote]

Improved Initiate Training
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+11 : 4 + 11, total 15[/blockquote]

Constitution Check
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+10 : 2 + 10, total 12[/blockquote]

[Location: In front of Kiyo's Abandoned ShrineDate: Day 5 - Noon]

Location: In front of Kiyo's Abandoned Shrine
Date: Day 5 - Noon

He looked at Kiyo and smiled at her, "Indeed it is. This must be very strange for you? So if you have never left the shrine did you just wake up one day in the shrine?"

It was worth the question just to get a better understanding of how the kami were formed.

Location: Fields before the forest
Date: Day 5 - 12:30 PM

Her comments about the surroundings being different were more than likely because of her inexperience in the outside world. As they walked Mako continued to make small talk explaining the surroundings and describing various plants and animals. He thought of it like an outdoor nature walk for a Biology Class.

"Kiyo-sama, once we reach my home there is a chance that no one will be able to see you. I will do my best to address you and work with you. However, please be understanding of this fact and try not to get to angry if it appears that I am ignoring you. I assure you that is the farthest thing from the truth."

Location: Tamajima Village
Date: Day 5 - 2 PM

Mako recalled his conversation with Kiyo and wanted to test her explanation that no one had ever saw her before. If she was correct he would need to be careful to not exhibit behaviors that might make him appear to be crazy.

He put on a big smile for his mom, "No mother no wolves today unfortunately. Well if I want to beat dad I need to give myself the best chance possible. If I plan to do that I need real world experience outside of practice. Though as I am now this will be a very difficult challenge."

He will take the remainder of the day off and rest until after dinner. This time will likely be filled with small talk. If they do hold any conversations, Mako does his best to wander around the farm away from the prying ears of his parents.

Once he was left alone after dinner, Mako will spend some time in mediation. The feeling he had earlier today when holding the rock had given him an idea. He would attempt to delve into the katana and work with the metal. To strengthen and lighten the properties of the metal, effectively improving the quality of the blade.

Training / Spell Craft Check: (Whichever this should be)
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+10 : 10 + 10, total 20[/blockquote]

His face turned bright red as he blushed. Though not how he environed his first kiss, he was KISS BY A GODDESS!!! His eyes turned to hearts and danced for moment. Not exactly what he expected BUT this was so much better! He still felt ill prepared to face his father but at least he had done a good deed.

His eyes still averted and blushing, "Kiyo-sama, thaaannk yoouu for the blessing." He barely got the last part out before he looked away. Slowly sucking up as much as he could of his embarrassment, he started to walk towards the village, with a spring in his step. It was obvious that he was extremely happy; he just lacked the ability to show it properly.

He did his best to look composed, "Lets head home Kiyo-sama. Well at least our temporary home. Once this duel is done one way or the other, we will strike out in the world!"

Now where would she sleep? His mind wandered off in all the wrong places as they began their journey back.

What an interesting concept that she is bound to an amulet. That certainly feels like a video game element to me. Also in ancient cultures it was not uncommon to worship an object. According to some scholars they believed those sacred relics held power and in some cases embodied the essence of their will. At least that is what the older half of his soul kept shouting out to him.

This was obviously important to her as it should be. Kiyo was essentially entrusting her power to him. Before accepting the gift he took the time to study the shrine committing it to memory.

Then bowing deeply he lowered his eyes and his neck.

He left the choice to her, she could entrust the amulet to him or bring it with her. He would not assume that was her intent.

With his head still bowed, "I promise you Kiyo-sama, that I shall protect you and work to find others like you. Once I have made my vision a reality, I will rebuild this shrine and cultivate belief in you. Please join me and help me build a world where freedom can be found without fear of persecution. I am not exactly sure how I will do this yet but I know that its possible with you by my side."

His voice took on a somber tone, "Remember that you are the shrine and that belief follows you."


Perhaps that was a way to unite the powers of the land behind his vision and his will. He would seek out other "kami" and rescue them from their forgotten tombs. Mako envisioned his screen again and thought to pin this as a note. He attempted to place a reminder that he would research and seek out other kami throughout the land (side quest).

As he reviewed all of the information it all started to make a bit more sense. She was a spirit or being of power that has since been forgotten. That information along with a better understanding of her accounts of time helped piece it all together. 

Choose to fail social check; he was just testing to see how she would react.

Mako looked away for a moment and blushed, "You don't have to call me sama, after all you have lived much longer than I and I have certainly not earned the honor. You can simply call me Mako, but please do not add the other titles as you did previously. No one aside from you knows of my other past / death and I would prefer to keep it that way at least for now."

His ability had grown along with his prowess. His thoughts trailing off into the possibilities, he would likely be able to uncover other aspects of this world but that research would have to wait. His focus was on the moment and not into the distant future.

Mako finally calmed his nerves and gestured for Kiyo to walk with him, "Based on what I was able to put together, Kurokumo Village was once a part of the Tokoyama Empire. What I was able to find regarding it alludes to the fact that the Tokoyama Empire was destroyed by a neighboring Empire a very long time ago. Since that time the Kurokumo Village was destroyed and the only thing that remains is ruin. I am sorry that I do not have better news regarding this, Kiyo-sama."

He glanced at her from time to time, surprised that he was in the presence of a powerful spirit. His world had been truly turned upside down. Mako considered the boon she may pass to him and hoped that it would strength his grasp on his fate / future.

While the walked he thought to himself, "I feel like my instincts are right on choosing her to be by my side. She has a deeper understanding of magic and the universe, I suspect."

[Knowledge: History]

Mako took in everything that she had stated and attempted to recall anything that might help him to figure out her place in all of this.

Knowledge: History
History regarding Kurokumo Village
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+15 : 14 + 15, total 29[/blockquote]

Knowledge: History
Anything about a local water goddess.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+15 : 16 + 15, total 31[/blockquote]

Knowledge: Religion
Attempting to recall anything related to Water Deities and any connection Kiyo may have.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+15 : 14 + 15, total 29[/blockquote]

Mako will also attempt to call up his internet screen focusing on this world and search for any knowledge of Kurokumo Village and Kiyo the Water Goddess.

While preparing to address the other points, Mako looked over to Kiyo with a smile, "I suppose it depends on if others will be able to see you but how we address one another will need to be a bit less strange. I propose that you simply address me as Mako-sama and that I be allowed to introduce you as Kiyo-sama. If that is ok with you of course."

Mako listed to and chuckled a bit, "Though technically I may not have been raised in a barn, I am a farmer both in this life and the previous. I suppose that is some irony if you really think about it."

The fact that she had been so far removed from life for so long could bring about potential problems but for now it was best to just live in the moment. After all he had recruited a deity to his party! I wonder if I have to focus on the concept of party for the magic system to know we are companions.

He shrugged it was worth a try. He envisioned Kiyo as a member of his party, someone that was a part of his traveling formation.

Mako gave her another glance, "Kiyo-sama, I have not heard of the things that you describe. To be honest these sakura trees are quite rare and have not really been seen. As far as I am aware a forest of such trees should not even exist. I have also not heard of the village that you speak of. "

He paused allowing this to sink in, "We will be returning to Tamajima Village which is located in the Isikawa Sovereignty. Are you ready to depart, Kiyo-sama?"

Mako waived to Kiyo-sama as he quickly departed for home.

He rushed to his room grabbed the little bit of coin that he had on hand and smiled. At least he could do one good thing. Even if none of this panned out he had done a good deed.

He raced back toward the shrine without saying a word to his parents. Once he arrived back assuming no other encounters, he quickly deposited the coins into the shrine donation bucket.

He then turned to Kiyo-sama he lowered his head in honor, "I give this donation of my own free will and ask that Kiyo-sama the Water Goddess, bless me and help me to see my dreams become reality." He envisioned beating his father, gathering companions, founding a great enterprise and driving back the demons from the land. If one should dream, they should dream big.

Once the formalities were through Mako looked up with hopeful eyes, "Care to join me Kiyo-sama on this crazy journey?" He reached out his hand waiting to see if she would take his and accept his pact of friendship. Whether she takes his hand or not, "I look forward to the future and the path that we shall find."

Mako nodded,"You have my word that I shall return to donate to your shrine." His face took on more of a serious look, "In two days time, I face my father to determine if I will be allowed to leave home with his blessing. We will duel and the first to land a weapon strike shall be the victor. If you have a blessing that can assist me in this matter I would be most appreciative." He mused to himself that perhaps this meeting was indeed fated. She can likely not help but it was worth a try.

He smiled to her, "I will need to return home soon so that I can get gather your donation, and I look forward to returning and having you as a companion. Thank you for a wonderful conversation and allowing me sit with you, Kiyo-sama."

Mako bows politely to Kiyo-sama before sprinting for home to gather the coins and race back before the day ends.

[Diplomacy Check:]

He slowly allowed his eyes to rise up toward her, "Yes I am a human and I would greatly appreciate your assistance. I am a human but I did die and come back after all. Maybe that means that we should work together?"

Diplomacy Check:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+5 : 11 + 5, total 16[/blockquote]

Mako was somber for a moment, he realized that she was a deity and he had failed in mentioning her honorifics. His eyes averted and his gaze was downcast, "I apologize Kiyo-sama, I meant no disrespect. I do not have any coin to offer you." He raised the katana that his father hand given him. "Please take this as a token of my apology."

He remembered from many of the animes that he had witnessed that deities often enjoyed their appraisal, so he continued, "You are a water goddess and I meant no disrespect."

He lowered his eyes to the ground fully,

Mako chuckled as she called him a mortal, "Wekll met Kiyo-sama, that is impressive that you once held the power of a deity. Perhaps then you are no longer a full fledged deity? Be that as it may I have a story to share with you. I am not of this world you see. I died in my world, and my spirit was reincarnated here. I see images in my eyes that give the impressions of status and ability. Since I turned 18 my old memories from my previous life has come flooding back in. Now I am alone in this world not know who or what my purpose should be. Perhaps I was meant to liberate my people from the demons."

Humm money for a blessing, that sounds like a wonderful exchange. Mako dug into his garments in search of some money, if he has any money on him he deposits it into the bucket. If no money is found, he will attempt to create coins that he has seen.

Mako picks up some rocks from the ground, visions transforming the rocks into metal and shaping them into the appropriate money. It was worth a try!

If he is able to produce the money or not after a pause he continues, "Kiyo, if you would like I could use a companion out there in this fight. I have ideas, I have plans but I am still a novice to how this realm works. I am currently mastering elemental magic but I feel that I will need to harness many other forms of magic to complete my vision. What do you say care to see what the world is like?"




This felt like a classic move but it was worth the risk. Either she came and he was empowered with another companion or at the very least he has shared his story with the world before his passing.

This whole situation was taking a turn for the strange, but what the heck. He needed to understand some of this so why not open up and see what happens. He had been living this past week as if everything were more or less normal. He needed to share with someone the fact that he was indeed two people or souls in one. It was confusing but maybe opening up about it might help.

Mako chuckled, "I am pretty sure you haven't seen that before. It's something that I recently learned I could do. I can eat creatures and learn their abilities." It just slipped out though perhaps he needed this. If she is a ghost, then no harm no foul in opening up.

He allowed that to sink in and continued, "I need to tell you something because well I need someone to help me figure it all out." He trails off for a moment. "I want to talk to you about what happened to me, but first who and what are you? Do you have a name? "

Mako settles into a comfortable sitting position hoping that she will do the same and not murder him where he stands. Trust is sometimes needed to successfully progress the quest after all.

[Spellcraft Perception:]

The young woman spoke and he light up inside. There was something about her that simply struck him as downright attractive. Perhaps it was some strange otaku desire running through his head, who knows.

Oh boy, something did not add up here. Her comments and reactions give the impression of a spirit maybe or perhaps some otherworldly dweller.

Mako allowed his vision to sweep over here to read her mana and try to get a sense of who she was, since she was indeed not human. Perhaps she had a status or some other identifying aura about her.

Spellcraft Perception:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+10 : 5 + 10, total 15[/blockquote]

Realizing that he probably seemed to be aggressive, Mako sheathed the katana and kept his distance as to not startle her.

After a few moments of allowing the situation to sink in, he finally spoke up a bit unsteady at first, "I am indeed a human, at least I think I am. I do apologize for the rough treatment of the bugs they were ready to eat me alive so it was unfortunately survival of the fittest."

He allowed that to set in before he continued, "So you have always been here, that is very interesting, I have been in the forest a few times and before now never knew this place existed. Though it has only been a few days since I started to sense and grasp mana. Perhaps that is why I can see you?"

[Mental Resist:]

Well he had certainly made an impression on the young lady sitting by the shire. What sort of impression he had made was uncertain. Before he made his way in her direction, he reached down for the bug that he cut down. Without a second thought he started to devour the insect to see if it would be of befit to his current venture. He was certain that he would need whatever edge he could possibly muster in order to defeat his father.

Once the insect was eaten, Mako resists the urge to continue to feast and gather his composure. Finally, he sucked it up and walked towards the shrine. There was no better way to get to the heart of the matter than to ask.

Mental Resist:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+4 : 12 + 4, total 16[/blockquote]

With a slight bow without averting his eyes from her Mako introduced himself, "Good morning, my name is Mako Ikeda, and who might you be? I hope these were not your friends, if so I do apologize but they were in my way. While you are at it, how in the world did you end up in this forest. You are definitely not from Isikawa." He blushed slightly with those last words.