A Bolt of Lightning's Tour

He had made it into the village a day or two ago at best and already he had been exploring. Stopping by some of the stalls to buy perishables and sake, the scholar made his way through territories of the Lightning Village proper until he had made it into the area known as the Black Forest. It wasn't much of a forest, but the history behind it from what he had inquired about it had been significant. Apparently it was made by a previous (albeit brief according to some) Raikage to hide his tower. It was curious what many would do to hide their knowledge or power, but the one who had burned it down had been one of the more memorable Kage of the Village's history. Such a shame a forest such as this had to go, but in its charred remains, the Meijin felt...at peace. It was needless to say being in a village where the air vibrated with the tension of lightning, his primordial element, made him feel at ease it was more so the solitude. Finding a nice area to sit down in, the male would pull out the small jar of Sake from his knapsack and pop the cork of it, taking in a small swig of it as he sighed in relief," One think Kumo has or rather had over Suna...The sake is superb. Maybe that is due to having a drunk for a Kage. Nice man but a drunk nonetheless," musing to himself mostly, he would drink a few more gulps of the liquid amber before standing up and continuing on his little tour.

271 WC
2 Stats
271 Words toward Jotun Grip

As the young lightning male continued on his way throughout the Charred forest, he began to pick up ashen wood,. some petrified and some attempting to renew the land wish lush and probably regular trees. His eyes looked at it intently for a moment, running scenes from his memory to see if even in its charred state what life it once had. Simple vision could tell it was enhanced with chakra, maybe Senju of some sort. None the less he would crumble it within his hands as he watched it turn to dust and soon it would drop to the ground, naught but ashes in the wind. Shaking his head he would continue on his stroll as he looked around occasionally taking small sips from the jar that had been hanging off of his right shoulder. Such a shame he couldn't have seen this in forest in its prime and more so the tower that once stood here. One could see the shadows of charred stone and some even laid as if they were in a pattern of some sort. Nothing however remained of the envisioned tall tower. Ikumo wondered if it had reached to the sky or even under the ground itself. Such questions definitely begat some sort of answer, but none would come from the silence that had befell this forest. In time he came to another small clearing that had something that he did not quite expect to see. Some forms of wildlife were trying to make this home once more, probably driven from other areas or they perhaps migrated here. Whatever the case the Meijin had chuckled and squatted down to take a closer look.

279 WC
2 stats
279 words toward Jotun Grip

As he slowly came out of the forest into another clearing that lead to the base of the tower, he would stop for a moment and look around for a moment. Setting down his bag, he would begin to survey the area a bit before pulling out a small notebook and began writing.

"So far the area surrounding the are of this charred forest has been naught for life except for certain areas where it looks like either indigenous or migrated into the area. It seems as if plant life is attempting to bring itself back from the precipice of death and into life but is having some difficulties coming back. However, I wonder what the original state of his place had looked like prior to the fire, but alas that is nothing to happen. Maybe I should have came here in its prime, but the past is the past,"

The book would close as he stuffed it into his backpack as he stood up straight and continued walking. Oddly enough he touched a few of the singed stones, each one telling a story of their inception and their fall. The one he wanted to hear the story from had long been dead and the tale hadn't been passed down either. Shame. Taking up his jug of Sake he would close it once more and continue walking. He could only think back to his days of Suna, the friends he had made who had either passed due to something or had retired after days of fighting. Without a doubt he would have to go home, but for now...it could wait.

270 WC
2 stats
270 words toward Jotun Grip

What had exactly brought him to this spot? It wasn't exactly the most bustling or auspicious of areas in the village. He could have visited the mountains of the village instead and went cave exploring or even just seeing what laid ahead in the depths of each cavern. Maybe that would be his next adventure in the village. Surely there was something that drew his attention to the unique area. Maybe it had been something that this area once stood for that allowed for the Meijin to bring himself to the area to see what it had held...or once been. Either way it had been an hour since he had stopped once more, looking around the area as he drunk more from his jug. He had to really admit that the village had some of the best Sake that he had tasted in his adventures around the world. Nothing came close to the pure aroma and taste that had befell his taste buds with each careful drink. It wasn't bitter enough and he was confident that if he had heated it up, it would still retain its same natural flavors as it was currently chilled. Such an interesting taste begged the question of how long they had fermented it and let it sit. Maybe when he returned to the village he would inquire once he bought another bottle or two. He could feel the bottle growing less and less with each drink he took, a small hint of sadness taking over his form as he tried to stop drinking, but he could not find himself to do so. As the last dregs of the sweet amber left its container and fell into his mouth, he would place the bottle back into his knapsack and continue onward with his walk through the charred remains.

303 WC
3 Stats
303 Words toward Jotun Grip

Time continued to flow as the young Meijin continued to walk through the forest, his drink now expended as only a few hours had passed since he had came into the area. So far he had liked the solitude save for a few animals he had seen going to and fro seemingly trying to find a new home in the muddled mess that had been trying grow back. It was always nice to see nature trying to find its way back from destruction. It had had almost been a similar story that the male could relate to. He had once been building a successful life within the walls of Suna as a summoner, still trying to understand his power somewhat. It always felt odd to him the connection he had with the summons he had bonded with. It came naturally almost like breathing except this was more primal more....tethered. He had honestly missed that feeling of being connected to something bigger...something infinite. To no longer have that link definitely made him feel as if he had lost a major part of himself which if he had to be completely honest with himself he did, but there was no going back now. Someone had seemingly blessed him with a different gift that he could not help but be proud of. Looking down at his fist as small sparks of lightning jumped off of it, he smiled for a moment before making them disappear and forward he walked. The power of lightning flowed through his body and for reasons he did not know, he had everything he had wanted now. The pursuit of knowledge had never stopped, but now he was focused on one other pursuit. The pursuit of mastering one of the most volatile and destructive elements that flowed through his body.

301 WC
3 Stats
301 Words toward Jotun Grip

Another day spent in the remains of the Charred Forest made the man contemplate on what exactly he would do for the rest of his days. Apparently being among the dead, yet living forest made one contemplate on what exactly made him tick. Before the loss of his connection with the Aetenushi he was content on gathering knowledge as well as bonding with the many summons that he had made a pact with. Now that he no longer had that power nor the ability to summon them, he was left with the only gift he was thankful for besides his life- Lightning. The feeling of such an element coursing through his veins like his own blood yet it did not feel any different to him. How this was possible still exceeded the limitations of his own mortal mind, but he was thankful that every day he fought and gained with each battle that he endured. His time in the coliseum was especially fruitful as he kept his body rigid and strong as well as expanding his mind in the arts of combat as well. All of the experiences compounded into strength of mind and body all the same. As he sat down on another stump, he pulled out his journal again and began to jot something down something in his ever expansive thinking mode. After a few moments he closed the book and tapped on it for a moment as if lost in thought. The shuffling of foliage pulled him from his thoughts as he looked over to the animal, who would stop to look at him in silence. Eyes met and soon after the animal left just the same way that it came.

284 WC
2 Stats
284 words to Jotun Grip

Nothing had begun to change as he continued to journey through the area of the charred forest, though the deeper he went the more he had seen other animals. Forms of creatures he had never seen before began to run away from him. Maybe they had never seen another human in some time or perhaps the burns of the past were still apparent within their minds. Either way he stayed his distance and watched how they interacted with the area. Some were simply foraging while many were trying to find a home anew. Ikumo sat down and waited for just a moment since he had came to find out he was bored nonetheless. Whatever would come from this place was something that made him curious on the matter. Would it grow back to its former glory and house many more for generation, or would it forever made barren and no longer will life be able to live upon it? So many questions that pondered the young males mind, but none that could not have an answer in time. As he was deep in thought he felt something brush against his leg. Looking down to the culprit he could see a small deer, a doe to be exact. It was curious as to what Ikumo had been and he could see within the clearing its parents that had been staring intently, presumably to make sure their baby had been and would be okay. A small smile appeared on his face as he patted the doe gently, giving it some time to sniff his hand and lick it.

266 WC
2 Stats
206 words toward Jotun Grip

Well. After spending so many hours within the area of the black forest, he had felt relieved in a sense. No longer was he doubtful for the future, he was looking forward to it. Much like this forest he had been broken down, but not even he was willing to give up on trying to flourish again. In a sense the forest, to him at least, symbolized a new life and one that should not be taken for granted. As he stood up and look toward the horizon, he picked up his bag and stopped petting the doe, ushering it back to his parents as he smiled," One day you too will be as big as the world. Use the most of your time and cherish it little one. Who knows what the future holds for you," he would slowly wave it off as it joined with its parents and soon disappeared into the darkness of the forest foliage. A small sigh escaped his lips as he rolled his shoulders and turned toward the village, ready to see about making some money and finally beginning a new path for himself. Who honestly knew what the future had in store for the Meijin, but one thing for sure was that he was going to live it fully and with purpose. Not many get a second chance at life, but he was given one. Now the only problem was whether or not he was going to become an alcoholic with this one.

250 WC
2 Stats
250 Words going to Jotun Grip
[Exit]
TWC: 2,224
22 Stats total
Words toward Jotun Grip: 2,224
Putting me at B Rank Jotun Grip
Remaining words going toward A rank Jotun Grip (1542/1500)( Previous progress found Here ) Making S rank Progress 42/2500)