Little bits of sparkling dust drifted down to the surface and suddenly, just as they touched down, the laws of the world itself turned against Iori in that moment, that inky river began to float more freely. His own feet untethering themselves from the ground, like the cords that once kept him connected to the planet and had all been suddenly snapped clean off. It was funny in a way, this reminding him deeply of being underwater. Of course without the air bubbles, water pressure or malevolent titans lurking in the hidden depths.
But if he thought his opponent wouldn't take advantage of his apparent helplessness, then he would've been greatly mistaken.
The vessel, now visibly flaking of skin like it was going out of fashion. Equally long black hair waved in an unseen breeze, a small frail frame with a massive, full moon as the backdrop. A blank mask affixed itself to the corpse's face. Enumerable strands piercing the flesh, digging in deep. Thin arms turned and twisted in unnatural ways, forming a type of circle as divinity began flowing into the figure at an ever growing rate.
'Shouldn't it have been the mask that broke?'
It made sense, thinking on it now. When he'd slapped the Kami, the little trinket should've shattered first before the body's skin began to unravel. If anything, it didn't seem the mask itself was a solid object but more an energy construct.
His body moved, swaying out of the way of an arrow of lunar energy zipping in and out of existence. Just feeling the level of power jam-packed into such a simple attack was enough for a normal mortal to be completely crushed under that particular mountain. Snapping his hand out, he could feel the construct buzz ominously under his grip. It felt alive, indignant that a mere human dared to touch it's glorious form.
Strands of Ki flowed through his body, down his legs and exiting out from the bottom of his feet. Blooming like a lotus, twin constructs formed beneath him. And with an effort of will, Iori began to casually circle the vessel. That massive silver 'arrow' still struggling under his godlike grip.
"A sneak attack?" His brow quirked, a small mocking smile on full display. Teasing like a cat playing with a mouse. "I thought that was beneath you Kami's? What would your heavenly court say?"
It was hypocritical as best but his skin was far too thick to even blink at this level of shamelessness. But from the blank, well masked, expression that still somehow conveyed an incredulously expression. Maybe it was the non-existence eyebrows or missing lips drawn into a thin frown. Or maybe it was flickering aura the being exuded. Powerful and endless but not concealed, something that would spell the vessel's doom.
Every Practitioner quickly learned to shield their aura from the world at even the most basic of levels. Ki was a life energy, and it tended to flicker and fluctuate when experiencing passionate emotions. Exposing not only your mental state but also your intentions to an opponent was a death sentence.
Tsukuyomi waved it's hand forward, the moon rippling visibly as small points began forcing themselves through it's surface. One, two, four, sixteen, fifty-eight, three-forty-three...the amount went on until they nearly blotted out the sky, filling it only with the smoky white beams of light molded into the closet approximate of an arrow. Or maybe more of a javelin.
"Die."
The Kami proclaimed, as though it was some sort of divine edict. And as one, each point tilted to lock onto his location. A will whispered into every individual construct. 'Hunt'. That for as long as energy remained in it's 'body', these javelins would follow him to the ends of the Earth and more. Never ceasing, never tiring until they fulfilled their purpose. To feast on his flesh, crunch on his bones and slurp down his blood.
But if that was all this deity could muster, then it would be considered a weakly amongst it's own kind. It was just a whiff, something that could easily be considered just mere paranoa. A trick of the eyes but he was no fool. He could see 'it' as clear as day. Underneath that 'Hunt' will, there was a quieter and more easily missed concept. Simple but also insidious. 'Pierce'. That no matter what defenses he threw up, or what terrain he tried to hide behind, they will not be impeded in the slightest.
Combined and with these numbers, maybe even an old monster nearing the end of their life would feel some pressure from such a sinister combination. What was it you could do against something that would not only track you to the ends of time, ignore any form of dodging and treat any defenses as if it wasn't there to begin with? Logically, the best option would be to retreat for now and just wait for the Kami to burn through it's vessel. As once a vessel was destroyed any active techniques or spells would also end. And with how much damage the corpse had received, it would only be a few seconds. Thirty seconds tops, if it wished to burn their follower's soul.
Those lotus's beneath his feet, pulsed and his speed picked up to a full blur. Kimono flapping in the current, a small leisurely grin in place. And instead of retreating or being pragmatic, Iori charged forward. That makeshift 'spear' in hand, cords of thick Ki wrapping itself around the silver shaft. Like a carnivorous vine choking the life out of some unfortunate explorer.
Somehow, the masked vessel 'sneered' and as if they were waiting for that sign, all the 'arrows' shot forward. Killing intent oozing off each tip like sap and suddenly, it was like he could hear the howls of long extinct wolves. The hooting of owls and the chirping of crickets.
Flashing, a quick but complex pattern of life energy flowed through the cultivator's body. Reinforcing skin, transmuting bone to diamonds and turning fleshly muscle into cords of steel. Hair streaming behind, the monster of destruction crashed into the endless barrage.
"Break for me!"
In two hands, he swung his weapon forward with the force of hurricane. Not piercing forward like a spear but more like a bat or sword. No martial technique or fancy footwork and just pure, unadulterated strength.
A boom like none other hammered against the fabric of reality. Followed by the sky splitting, clouds spreading like the hands of the divine pulled them apart. A heavy gust crashed against them, flattening the surrounding abandoned houses into nothing but a pile of splinters.
Each of these 'arrows' tried to break through. Tried to resist the force acting upon them, even moving forward a few millimeters out of sheer defiance but it was for naught. A useless gesture that only caused them to dim as they automatically began cannibalizing themselves just for that pointless act. Shattering, cracks began to spread across their surface. The sound glass breaking was their doom as they began to break into shards that soon dissipated into nothing but harmless motes of light.
And there, floating on a pair of full bloom lotuses, stood Iori. A serene expression on his face as he observed the pure devastation all around them. The remaining haft of his makeshift spear too shattered into harmless motes.
"…." The Kami could only look down in bewilderment, unease present in its' gaze. Twin lines of silvery liquid dripped from its' eyes. Running down it's cheeks to dissipate into a sparkling, grayish mist. Before exploding into a tirade like that of a child having their fun ruined. "IMPOSSIBLE! THAT'S NOT THE POWER OF A MORTAL! WHAT KIND OF TRICK IS THIS?! YOU DARE DABBLE IN THE TABOO?"
"I don't think it matters." Iori pointed down to it's lower half, which at this point was already beginning to flake off into dust in a similar manner to the arrows. Steadily, the last remnants of Ando Kiyoko was disappearing from this world. Breaking such a miracle must've caused some serious backlash, putting that vessel under even great strain. "But as you've allowed me to stretch my legs in this new era, I will leave you with a gift. Do enjoy it."
And from below, that verdant titan lunged from below. It's maw open wide enough to swallow that moon hole. Green eyes glowing with maddening hungry, acidic sap dripping freely. Monstrous arms coming up and around to block the vessel's escape.
But instead of resisting, Tsukuyomi only glared balefully at the cultivator.
"I will remember your face. This is the second time you've dared to stand in the way of a Kami."
As it finished it's threat, that silvery moon like aura began to leak out the vessel's pores. Beginning to rise high into the sky.
"Where are you going?" Iori said in sing-song tone, a strand of Ki composed of tightly packed symbols lashing out to grip the silvery mist. Holding a small ball of divinity in it's grasp. "I said I have a gift for you, you wouldn't want to make me a liar, would you?"
"Wha-" The voice was smaller, faded but still held the same gravitas it did while possessing that old woman's body. "Let me go, mortal! You dare? I will extermi-"
"Now, now." He yanked on the strand, slowly lowering it down into the open maw of the verdant abomination. It's drool becoming thicker and more abundant. Dripping steadily, it kinda looked cute like dog….if that dog had grown several stories tall and barely resembled anything but a ball of shrubs and branches. "I'm sure you will remember, vividly. Please, accept this gift."
"No-NO! YO-"
Snapping it's jaws closed, the monstrosity devoured divine fragment and follower alike. And through the fabric of reality, a scream could be heard. Both in fury and pain.