@redrum "Taichi Oda... Your quest for unnatural power and skill have been disapproved by the council, and yet you remained in your corrupted tracks. You are now expelled from the Order of the Warriors." Were the last words that his master told him before he officially became a ronin -- a samurai that has defied his superiors and has strayed from his path. Eventually, they understood that Oda wasn't quite wrong despite being called mad multiple times by his colleagues. Without support from the order, Oda went in his own path to discover more about the supernatural beings that belong in this world. Secretly, he took hold of the Mask of the Ancients -- An artifact from the order he had sworn his loyality. The mask was a simple, red-colored demonic looking face made of steel. What made it so different to be held by the Order? The mask allowed it's wearer to see the supernatural beings that surrounded them. With the Mask of the Ancients now in his hands, Oda set off to live as an outlaw hunting monsters and yokai alike. In that night, Taichi Oda was trying to reach an important temple before being stopped by a yokai. The ghost was huge, well over 3 metres tall -- And pale, its skin was completely white and it had black, long hair accompanied by a giant pair of curved horns, a brown robe and long, sharp nails. The monster was terrifying, it would have scared anyone who wasn't ready for such a meeting. Oda, however, had trained for those occasions. "When I reach the temple, I will pray for your soul as well." Said the hunter, not exactly trying to appease the monster's fury. The yokai dashed closer to him and used its long nails to attack him, his armor blocking it completely as Oda, in a swift counterattack, cut off the monster's arm with his katana. The fight would proceed for a few minutes before the yokai had been completely defeated and its soul purified by the hunter, who then continued on his way towards his goal -- The Temple of Divines.

A flickering candle cast wavering shadows of the woman against the stone walls of the temple as she walked quietly down the halls. Her long black hair had been delicately braided along her back, reaching just below her derrière, brushing against the soft blush kimono that was decorated with cherry blossoms and green vines. The sounds of her naked feet echoed down the vacant hall, which was lined with small fires at the base of each supporting pillar. Her chocolate doe eyes stayed half-lidded as she approached the alter, slowly falling to her knees at it’s base. She would slowly bend at the waist, placing her palms on the floor and lowering her head. She whispered soft respects to the higher power, asking for good health, incoming fortune, and the chance for success. She asked for the same thing every day, as she saw no need for anything else. Mei was a humble woman with a particular set of skills that set her apart from the normal binds of society, that’s why she was alone. She just barely managed to finish her prayer before the back of her neck began to prickle with worry. Something had startled the holy aura of the Temple of Divines and she could feel it nearing. She rose to her feet, turning her now wide and alert eyes to the doors of the temple as her hand slipped inside of her kimono and gripped the small handle of a hidden dagger. She never brought her Katana into the temple out of respect, but the woman was skilled in close range contact as well. She did not fear whatever danger was lurking outside of those doors. @MHI Emperor

Once she managed to get a look at the temple doors, she was able to see what was coming towards it. Taichi Oda, the hunter of yokai, was nearing the place. He was alert at all times, walking slowly towards the entrance. He held his sheathed katana's grip firmly in case he was to be attacked by someone or something so he could always have time for a quick counterattack. Once he approached the entrance, he couldn't help but to bow in respect, bending one of his knees just outside the temple and saying his prayers, unsheathing his katana and holding it in front of him and closing both eyes. "Divines, I have once more striven to purify this land... Please forgive me for all of my sins." He prayed, then opening his eyes and getting up onto his feet again, sheathing his katana once more and looking at the girl inside the themple. "You! Monster! Leave the Temple of Divines!" He shouted, the Mask of the Ancients had brought him there, another being of supernatural powers not only had approached the temple he had sworn to defend, but said being had invaded it as well. It was a clear offense to him, and he had to continue on his mission of hunting the supernatural out of this world. @redrum

The moment the strange creature walked through the doors of the temple Mei’s fingers clenched tightly around the dagger. Her piercing chocolate gaze locked onto his form as he made his way inside. She had not expected this intuition of danger to effect her body so, but she could feel her heart practically stopping as she watched him. His words sent a rush of anger through her body, and she pulled the dagger from it’s hidden sheathe. The blade glinted in the sun’s rays that flickered softly through the windows of the temple as she pulled it out. She planted one foot behind her to ready herself in case this newcomer decided to attack her. The tone of his voice and choice of words told her he most likely would, but she’d be ready for it. “I am no more a monster than you,” she retorted, tilting her head slightly as her confident voice rang through the temple’s halls. She would not back down from this man without a fight, especially if he was going to be as disrespectful as calling her names as she tried to pray to the gods. “Retract your threat, stranger.” @MHI Emperor

Instead of backing down or retreating, Taichi Oda went further into the temple, his senses alarmed and his hand still on his katana's grip. He looked at the woman from the tip of her toes up to the top of her head. "I will only retract my threats if you prove strong enough to defeat me in a duel. Or otherwise, I will not allow you to invade this Temple ever again." He said, his voice expressing anger, somewhat even disgust. Once he took a few steps closer, he inspected the girl more thoroughly. Once he was finally up for the challenge, he dashed into her, trying to surprise attack her by unsheathing his katana straight into a horizontal slash against her. @redrum

The girl’s brow furrowed deeply as her concerned eyes watched the man come closer. He was tall, and large… but she knew that she could use that to her advantage. She was small and quick, while he would be slower simply because he had more weight to move around. Those calculating eyes did not miss a beat, even as he lunged at her. Mei quickly ducked, rolling over onto her side and leaping back onto her feet in one smooth, quick movement. She was now to his left, dagger in hand and feet placed apart in a ready stance. “I do not want to fight in the temple, stranger,” she said ruefully, her voice cracking with a simple bite of anger. Her feet stayed planted firmly against the stone floor and her arms raised slightly to hover near her torso. If he lunged again, she’d be ready. @MHI Emperor

With his attack being easily dodged by the woman, Taichi Oda quickly fell into reality that he was deceived by her delicate look. Once she told him she didn't want to fight, he slowly sheathed his katana back at his side. He kept looking onwards, almost as if he had been defeated by that single dodge. He didn't even try to move, nor did he tilt his head slightly to take a more careful look at his opponent. "Fine. Then we shall not fight in the temple. I have already recognized that I have failed in attacking you, anyways." He said, his vision still focused at the shrine by the end of the temple. "Not to mention that it would be a great disrespect to the Divines watching over us. I apologize." He continued.