Cho Hakkai (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
softspokencriminal) wrote2013-09-18 06:20 am
softspokencriminal) wrote2013-09-18 06:20 am
Come on, Take a Walk on the Wild Side
"Choose your last words,
This is the last time,
'Cause you and I,
We were born to die"
| History | Personality | Abilities | Samples |
Player Information
Player name: Josie
Contact:![[plurk.com profile]](https://plurk.com/favicon.ico)
Kiwismoof
Are you over 18: Yes
Characters in The Box Already: Nikola Tesla (Sanctuary)
Character Information
Character Name: Cho, Hakkai (Or "Hakkai Cho" in western order)
Canon: Saiyuki
Canon Point: Saiyuki Reload 10, Even a Worm: 37 -Post Ukoku Fight
Is your character Dead, Undead or Alive: Alive (If a little worse for the wear.)
History:
Cho Hakkai is not his birth name. He was originally known as Cho Gonou. As a human child, his parents split, separating him from his twin sister, Kanan. With the death of his parental figure, he was raised in an orphanage by nuns. This was a dark time for Gonou. He excluded himself from fun activities and because of his brooding nature, the other children were afraid of him and refused to socialize with him. He lost faith in God and wasn't shy to admit this to his caretakers. Not once did he ever smile.
He grew up studying religion and physics and moved out, finding the woman of his dreams and falling in love. This woman just so happened to be his long lost twin sister, Kanan. They lived happily together, having finally found happiness. Kanan was a lousy cook with particular tastes, leading to Gonou's interest in the culinary arts. He was perfectly happy with the idea of a matriarchy. Gonou worked as a teacher, tutoring students in the village. It wasn't a handsomely paying job, but it was one he enjoyed and it supported their needs.
Arriving home one day, he stepped into the house he shared with Kanan only to find it ransacked. As it turns out, the local demon clan of Hyakugan Maoh blew through the village demanding a female sacrifice. The villagers handed over Kanan in their desperation. She was just some orphan, who cared, right? The demon, Hyakugan Maoh, is known for playing with beautiful woman and when he tires of them, he devours them. He despised the humans that would do this to her and went on a rampage, killing those responsible in the village. Gonou slaughtered the demons in the Hyakugan Maoh castle by himself, in order to rescue his lover. By the time he arrived, she was locked in a prison cell, already pregnant with the demon's child. He vowed to protect her and never let her go again, but through the bars, she took his knife and killed herself, just out of his reach. Covered in blood, having lost his entire world, he was devastated.
It was then that the demon's son, Chin Yisou, showed up. He commended him on his efforts and congratulated him that the woman he loved was now no longer suffering. They fought, but Gonou's will to live died with Kanan. Yisou was intrigued by the legend, "A man who bathes in the blood of a thousand demons become a demon himself" and after inflicting a fatal wound on Gonou, cut his own arm, drenching him in his blood. He announces that he was the thousandth demon in the clan and therefore should be the one to turn Gonou. Becoming the monsters that he so desperately tried to wipe out, he killed Yisou with his new strength and stumbled out of the castle.
That night he would be found by Sha Gojyo, his soon to be best friend, bleeding with his insides strewn about the ground. Gojyo took him home and nursed him back to health, literally putting his insides back where they belong. He lived with Gojyo for some time, recovering, before Genjo Sanzo came looking for him to charge him with his crimes. He would be known as the Sinner Cho Gonou from then on. Though he had no reason to, Gojyo defended him and hid him from the monk. In an attempt to escape, so he could bury Kanan's remains, he was found by a survivor of the massacre demanding revenge for the loss of his family. An eye for an eye, as it were, Gonou gouges out his own right eye, seeing it as only fair (Yes, he was a bit morbid and lacking self preservation back them) but is stopped from removing the second by Son Goku.
They return to the Hyakugan Maoh castle only to find it had been burned to the ground. He goes with Sanzo to the temple and is tried by the Three Aspects. He is found guilty, and the Sinner Cho Gonou is condemned to death. However, Sanzo makes a strong case for him, and he is allowed to keep his freedom so long as he leaves his old life behind. This is the birth of Cho Hakkai. Now, as one of Sanzo's charges, he must check in with the monk from time to time, but went back to living with Gojyo and building a new life for himself. He ends up saving Gojyo from a group of demons and helping Sanzo out by stopping the group behind the thefts at the temple.
Sanzo is sent on a quest by the Three Aspects, taking Hakkai, Goku, and Gojyo on a journey west to stop the revival of a powerful demon and contend with the madness that is causing demons to lose their minds. Their journey entails quite a bit of detail, but they face demons and danger on a daily basis, fighting for their lives against those who would eliminate them and take Sanzo's scripture.
On their way west, they encounter assassins sent by a demon named Kougaiji, who happens to be the son of the demon they are attempting to resurrect. They find that their journey will be a bit more difficult than they had anticipated, with constant trials. Sanzo is also in search of his master's missing scripture, giving this mission another dimension all together. However, unbeknownst to them, it's in the hands of one Nii Jianyi.
They encounter a fortune teller at a booth in a city on their travels. The man asks if they would like their future told, but the group pays him no mind until he tells them that he can see they're loving close to death. Taking it a step further by pointing at Hakkai and adding, "Especially... yes. You." Mentioning the fake smile and eyes of a sinner, as well as the scar on his stomach seems to weigh deeply on the brunette. "You've committed crimes you can't atone for, yes?"
The man later corners them during a stop in the woods, haunting Hakkai like a ghost from his past--which is exactly what he is. The man turned out to be Chin Yisou, there to take away everything Hakkai cares for. He nearly killed Gojyo, planting a seed of a vampiric plant next to his heart, forcing Sanzo to shoot it through Gojyo's chest. Then Goku and Hakuryuu are harmed and go missing. Finally, he tries to make Hakkai kill Sanzo with his own hands, but the brunette, with Sanzo's aid, tricks Yisou. The emotional trauma caused by the purple-haired demon isn't enough to break him, though. In the end, Yisou is dispatched by Hakkai's hand once again.
Some time after that, they come across a demon in the desert who has been rumored to have eaten a Sanzo priest. It's rumored that, if a demon ingests a Sanzo, they gain immortality. They seek out this demon's lair for the scripture that should inevitably be there and fall into a trap. During their escape, she poisons Sanzo and the underground lair begins collapsing under the desert sand. Kougaiji aids in their escape, then demands the scripture from Sanzo. They obviously refuse. But Sanzo is nearing death with each passing minute, so Kougaiji and Goku make a deal. They fight over the scripture and a flying dragon in order to save Sanzo's life. To expedite the process, Goku removes his limiter and releases the Seiten Taisei. That's as bad an idea as it sounds, because after defeating Kou and Dokugakuji, he goes after his friends. Hakkai had been left responsible for stopping him, but he wasn't strong enough. Eventually, Sanzo uses his scripture and the holy power he possesses to recreate Goku's limiter.
They are ambushed by a young demon child who seals Hakkai and Goku's souls in a gourd. The pair think they've died, and are traversing the afterlife, which obviously has to be hell, because where else would they go? They encounter a very large enemy inside, that neither of them can actually fight by their own skills, causing Hakkai to remove his limiters and shred the monster with the claws of his demon form. After, quite literally, tearing it apart, Goku confronts him in terrified awe, informing him that he likes 'normal Hakkai' better than his demon form.
After being freed, they find the man responsible for corrupting the demon boy, Kamisama. The man with the mind of a child, but the powers of a God, claims to be a Sanzo priest. They go after him, losing the battle, scripture, and nearly their lives. After recuperating, they realize teamwork is the only way they'll beat him. This marks the final chapter of Saiyuki series one. After defeating him, Sanzo realizes Kamisama's 'master' is someone from his past, Ukoku Sanzo. That man is a heretical priest, and 'friend' of his old master's. It is then that you learn Nii Jianyi and Ukoku Sanzo are one in the same.
Saiyuki Reload starts off with our heroes (and I use that term loosely) continuing on their journey west with a slight wardrobe change and more confidence in themselves. Until humans with yellow heretic eyes begin attacking them, shouting "Kill the youkai!" As it turns out, there is a Bishop from the western land with the miraculous ability to revive the dead using demon souls. With a slight side effect, however. Having been killed by demons, they detest demons and quite literally go rabid with hatred for them.
The Bishop, Hazel Grouse, and his companion, Gat, become quite a thorn in their side throughout their travels. (Hakkai particularly hates Hazel.) He is hellbent on ridding the world of the demon population. It takes him some time to come around, but he eventually decides he doesn't completely hate Sanzo's companions, despite their demonic nature. Not to say that he likes them either.
Turns out, he also knows Ukoku Sanzo, and the 'very unlikable man' had a hand in screwing his life up too, not that we find that out just yet. Hazel drops by and pays him a visit. In that time, he tells Hazel about a terrible monster hiding in human form, named Seiten Taisei, and alludes to him being the cause of all of Shangri La's problems. Dropping the hint that he's traveling with a Sanzo priest and has golden eyes. Hazel wastes no time piecing the puzzle together and goes to investigate if Goku is the Seiten Taisei.
Out at night, Sanzo and Goku are having a little talk about whether the other would want to be revived by Hazel's power if they were to die, when out of the darkness, Goku is attacked. Hacked by a dozen little blades of wind. He falls, barely alive, after saying he'd rather not be revived if he died. Sanzo panics, Hakkai and Gojyo appear on the scene and Sanzo runs after the man responsible for the attack; Ukoku Sanzo. From life to death in the blink of an eye.
After failed attempts to heal him, Hakkai suggests that the only way to save Goku is to release the Seiten Taisei so he can heal himself. Just as every time he's released, all hell breaks loose. Last time, Hakkai was entrusted with the task of bringing Goku back, but couldn't. This time, he decides he has no other choice but to go all out and make good on his agreement. Asking Gojyo to stop him if he loses himself, he removes his demon limiters, unleashing is demon side. The pair fight at speeds faster than the human eye can follow, as mentioned by Hazel after he arrives on the scene. Goku takes his attacks blow for blow and deals his own right back, getting them nowhere, fast. Amidst the bustle, Taisei gets the upper hand and starts clobbering Hakkai around. The converted youkai loses himself in the heat of battle and he minus wave sets hold in his mind. His vines coil around Goku's hand and he turns the tables, viciously beating the boy that he calls friend with savage strikes. True to his word, Gojyo stops Hakkai and the brunette comes back to his senses just before striking Gojyo. He proposes a plan, using the revived Gat as a lightning rod and his vines as conductors in the storm to subdue Taisei long enough to get the limiter back on him. Wrapping his vines around Gat and ensnaring Goku with them on the other end, the lightning strike that hits the enormous human travels through his vines--and in the process, his own body--and into Taisei, knocking him out cold. Hakkai nearly died, forcing Gojyo to resuscitate him.
Sanzo leaves them and they set off on their own while the monk goes with Hazel. After some healing downtime and debate, they decide to go after Sanzo instead of back home. This eventually leads them to a devastating battle that they barely make it out of alive.
Sanzo comes face to face with Ukoku and the dark priest terrorizes the blonde mercilessly. By the time the remaining three men of the Sanzo Party arrive on the scene, Sanzo has countless broken bones and is about to be erased from time itself thanks to the power of Ukoku's Muten Scripture. Goku pulls him from the jaws of Oblivion and chucks him at the group. While Goku, Gojyo, Hazel, and Gat fight Ukoku, Hakkai covertly heals Sanzo's injuries enough to give him them any sort of edge, though it looks hopeless. Hazel is revealed to have a demon residing in his body, the source of his power, and Ukoku is revealed to be a total Godmodder. While Ukoku is distracted, Sanzo shoots him in the head, or tries, blinding The Raven, though he aimed to kill. The dark priest congratulates them on a job well done, and retreats in a deadly attack.
The four survived yet another deadly villain, lying on the ground, broken and bleeding, announcing that someone will need to carry Sanzo because he can't move. Hakkai mentions that they can't sleep here, because if they do, at lest one of them won't awaken in the morning. This marks the point from which I'm pulling Hakkai.
Personality:
Cho Hakkai comes off as a happy youth full of smiles and mirth. An intelligent, soft-spoken, polite young man with all the potential in the world. To anyone meeting him amongst his three other companions, he seems like the most approachable and by far the least dangerous. Appearances can be very deceiving.
In reality, the smile Hakkai wears is but a mask used to disguise his deeper feelings. Having a very unfortunate past, the brunette is hardly the picture of happiness that he puts forth. He's deep with a closed-off heart, overrun with angst and mistrust. Chin Yisou encounters him in their journey and tries to utterly destroy him. After several long, drawn out events, he tries to control Hakkai with a spell to kill Sanzo with his own hands. In the end, Hakkai kills Yisou, commenting that the demon's spell works by finding its way into the crevices of the heart. "Unfortunately, my heart isn't big enough to have any gaps." He says with a frightful smile.
Hakkai has a rather low opinion of himself and tends to think his life is not worth defending. Not to say he won't fight to defend himself, having made a promise to Goku, and in effect, to the whole group, that as long as someone believes in him, he'll defend himself to the very end. He is known for putting himself in the line of danger to protect those three men, without even batting an eye. Allowing Sanzo to use him as a physical shield, taking several bullet-like shots to give Sanzo an opening to take out their enemy, Kamisama is just one of the many times.
He has a tendency to push himself too far. It has almost become a habit for him to give his all in a situation, be it fighting, healing, or defending, when it reaches life-threatening conditions. He'll heal wounded in a bad situation until he physically loses consciousness. Or hold up a shield against a torrential downpour of sand, risking an aneurism or being buried alive, just to shield his companions. Even going as far as to use himself as a living power line in order to transfer the current from a lightning strike to incapacitate Seiten Taisei. That stunt alone very nearly killed him, forcing Gojyo to resuscitate him.
On a lighter note, he is also the mother hen of their band of merry men. He cooks, he cleans, he fusses over the other three, and often scolds them on their bad behaviors. He has a hand in furthering Goku's education without even being asked or paid. His good nature makes for the perfect mother figure, getting along with and even enjoying helping children. Goku often looks to him for advice. He is even one of the only people Sanzo will confide in, as much as Sanzo is willing to actually confide in anyone. These rare moments of openness are often shared between the two away from the less mature members of their gang.
He seems to possess a wisdom and overall knowledge beyond his years, making him somewhat of an adviser to the whole group. He is also the one most often apologizing for the rough and rowdy nature of their team to bystanders.
He has a very calm, level head. Hakkai approaches situations logically and from a tactician's point of view. He tends to be the one to see the problem and all the possible outcomes before the others. Sanzo has even been known to seek his strategical opinion on situations when the answer isn't entirely clear to him, or he needs a second opinion. Goku and Gojyo are also known for turning to him when they are at a loss for positive outcomes. The brunette is more than happy to help and share his opinion on the situation. As well as explain it in a way that is easiest for the subject to understand. This tends to lead to a roundabout way of getting the point across, but it gets across.
For a long time, he didn't seem to have a view of the future that included himself. But more recently, he's actually put thought into what he wants for his future. Even mentioning for the first time that he might fall in love again. However, if it ever happens, she must be invincible and boss him around. His perfect life involves a matriarchy.
The converted demon has a bad habit of smiling at all the wrong times and laughing when it is entirely inappropriate, giving him a rather morbid appearance. In dire situations, he'll smile and point things out with a chipper tone. It often even disturbs his three companions. In those moments, it reminds you just how twisted he can be.
He possesses a very dry, morbid humor to go along with his slightly twisted nature. His sarcastic quips often leave people staring or gaping, somewhat disturbed by the context or frightened by the underlying threat. Did something like that actually come out of his mouth in such a light tone? His sarcasm has a place in every situation, even if others disagree, but perhaps the shock-value of it is just an added bonus. More often than not, his sarcastic comments hold a lot of underlying bite to them. Small comments such as, "Honestly, I was always aware of the stupidity, but not that it could go this far" and "Honestly, you make a terrible villain." to more biting comments like, "Oh my, it must have been such torture for you to accompany us this far." and pretty much anything he says to Hazel.
Remember when I said he appears harmless? He's far from it. He does give the impression of being the mild-mannered one--and really might be compared to the other three--but he is also likely the most frightening. Sanzo, Goku, and Gojyo have each expressed that he is probably the scariest one. He'll kill with a smile, but that is just normal for him. The most terrifying aspect of his personality is his passive-aggressive revenge and absolute lack of remorse for it if he deems it just. None of them want to face him in a fight, fearing just what he might do as revenge for all their little annoyances over the years. He broke Gojyo's elbow for using beer cans as ashtrays. (Granted, this was a clone, but he was unaware of that at the time.) In those rare moments that he is angry--truly angry--he's a fierce force with which to be reckoned.
Hakkai is the master of guilt trips in order to enforce proper behavior with his miscreant companions. Manipulation is one of his strong points, though he often tends to do it subtly. There are moments when subtlety is not an option, and he has to be drastic. Scorning Goku and Gojyo because they don't want to work legitimately for money, by asking them, "Two men, at your ages, who have never worked an honest day between you, are asking me to sell my body just so I can feed you...?" They promptly agreed to get legitimate jobs.
Abilities/Strengths and Weaknesses:
Human Strengths:
☯ Martial Arts: Hakkai is well versed in hand to hand martial arts. Fighting him in close quarters is not the wisest decision. His skill in hand to hand is quite impressive, though he aims more to parry and incapacitate than actually kill.
☯ Qigong: Due to his mastery of martial arts, Hakkai has control of the chi in his body, using it for defense, offense, and healing.
--When fighting, Hakkai will use a combination of martial arts in close combat and finish off with a devastating blast of chi.
--Defending himself or his friends, Hakkai can create a powerful shield using his own chi. This barrier can deflect or stop most attacks and projectiles as well as falling objects.
--When someone around him is injured, he can use his chi to heal the wound.
☯ Will Power: Hakkai is very strong willed. When given a task, he will push himself to his absolute limits to complete it and ensure the safety of his friends or those he's chosen to protect.
☯ Tactician: While most of his companions will all rush in headlong into battle without a care, Hakkai stands back and considers the situation. He's often the one to realize the consequences of their actions or strategize the most efficient way to reach the outcome they desire.
☯ Luck: Perhaps not in life, but it is worth mentioning that he wins every card game he plays. Legitimately. To a point that the rest of his friends know better than to challenge him to a card game.
☯ Designated Driver: Alcohol doesn't quite have the inebriating effect on him that it does anyone else.
Demon Strengths:
☯ Demon Form: When his limiters are removed, Hakkai is revealed to be a demon of unnatural origins. His hair lengthens several inches, nails turn to claws, teeth sharpen, ears extend to an elven point, his left eye fades to a brilliant gold with a slitted pupil (much like a cat's), and lastly, a dark ivy pattern-like tattoo scrolls over his skin. It covers every visible inch of his body, resting in a flowing pattern.
☯ Qigong: In this form, his chi attacks are much more powerful as well as his defensive and healing techniques.
☯ Strength: His strength is already far beyond a human's, but in this form, it's even more noticeable that he's anything but human. Thus far, he has been the only one strong enough to put up a fight against Goku's demon form.
☯ Speed: His speed is near blinding, able to keep up with Seiten Taisei. Hazel commented that he couldn't follow them with his eyes.
☯ Vine Technique: The tattoo on his body has a use during battle. He is able to manipulate it to travel across surfaces that he touches. It is able to grapple and hold things in place if they come in contact with the surface that it is occupying.
Weaknesses:
☯ Qigong: Hakkai's chi is literally his life essence, actually making it his biggest weakness. It regenerates when not being used in battle or healing, but when he 'drains his battery' he is effectively useless. If he overuses it, he becomes lightheaded and weakened. If he goes even further, he can lose consciousness. There lies a danger if he uses it all; it will result in death.
--As a side note, cannot heal himself with it.
☯ Blind-sided: Hakkai's vision in his right eye is not as strong as his left. That eye is, in fact, a functioning prosthetic.
☯ Past: Hakkai's past makes him vulnerable to attacks on his psyche to some effect. He is a very collected character, but things connected to his sister or the events leading up to her death, make a very viable emotional attack.
☯ Scar: The scar on his stomach still ails him from time to time, especially when it rains.
☯ Limiters: On his left ear, Hakkai wears three silver ear cuffs. These cuffs are demon power limiters. They keep him human in appearance by keeping his demon form contained. This mutes his abilities significantly. Strength, speed, endurance, and chi all seem to be affected.
Fears:
☯ Failing: Failing to protect or lose those he's taken to. Being unable to protect them. And quite honestly, Hakkai doesn't like to lose, though his reaction is a lot more subtle than the rest of his group.
☯ Loss: He's determined not to lose anyone again, after losing Kanan in such a way.
☯ Rain: Not so much a fear, but it dredges up old memories that weaken his mental status just bit.
☯ Madness: Fears losing himself to the 'madness' that has befallen the other youkai in Shangri La.
☯ Being Helpless: He strongly dislikes being unable to do anything in a situation.
Samples
Network/Action Spam Sample:
[Green eyes peek from behind dark lashes as consciousness lifts him from the depths of his mind. He was having that nightmare again and it could only be due to the rain pouring outside. A glance at the window tells him that it's still dark out. The alarm clock on the inn night stand reads 4:08AM. With a very soft sigh, he covers both eyes with one hand, pressing the heel of his palm into his remaining good eye.]
It can't be helped... [A painfully plastic smile tugs at his lips, but it doesn't last long. A voice startles him out of his thoughts.]
I was wondering how long it'd take you to wake up with that storm outside. [The voice belongs to his current roommate, and good friend, Sha Gojyo. Not that it startles him any less.]
Oh! Gojyo, I apologize. Did I wake you? [Had he been thrashing in his sleep because of the nightmare? Of course, his mind couldn't just terrorize him. It had to cause trouble for his friend too.]
You were mumbling her name over and over in your sleep.
Is that right? [His tone was regretful, but he didn't know what else to say. His hand drops away from his eyes to rest on the bed again. Hakuryuu nudges his master's other hand with his face, 'kyuu'ing softly in an attempt to comfort him.] You too, hm? I wonder just how long it will take for Sanzo to throw Goku out--[But before he can completely finalize that sentence, there's a knock at the door and it opens slowly. The golden-eyed boy trudges inside carrying a pillow in one hand, the other hand is rubbing at his bleary eyes.]
He's doin' it again. Can I sleep in here with you guys? [But without waiting for an answer, he's already shutting the door behind him and crossing the room to drop onto the small couch. He's out before his head hits the pillow.]
Of course, Goku. [He smiles a bit more honestly at Goku, knowing he's already out cold.]
Prose Log Sample:
[Also a link, if the below is not up to standard.]
Goku, Gojyo, and Sanzo were all resting soundly back at the inn. Well, most of them were. Gojyo was out trolling for women, but that wasn’t unusual for him in the slightest. Sanzo handed off the gold card to the brunette when he offered to go supply shopping in the remaining daylight hours. The village was relaxing and the people seemed generally at ease. Demon attacks were almost unheard of here, given how isolated the city was, so that was a plus as well.
By now, Hakkai had an arm full of bags and was quickly filling up the other with necessities. He couldn’t forget Gojyo’s and Sanzo’s cigarettes, either. That was his last stop for the evening, as the sun was setting.
He felt the presence a little too late when the woman bumped into him. Skillfully, he managed to capture the bags that dared to tumble from his arms, not dropping a single thing. “Ah! Excuse me.” Hakkai apologized and turned to face the woman. Her eyes were wide with fear, form trembling as she covered her mouth with one hand. He was about to inquire about her expression when it became very apparent to him just why she was so frightened.
“We’ll kill you, if you don’t hand over Genjo Sanzo!” Shrieked a male voice from off to Hakkai’s right.
The brunette sighed heavily and set his bags down on the dirt path before facing the small band of demons. “My, my… You were so astute as to recognize me by myself just now. I might be impressed if you weren’t foolish enough to call me out with such small numbers to back you up.” His tone is nothing but unimpressed. There might even be a hint of exasperation to it. “Good grief, you are certainly troublesome.” Practiced ease lands him in a defensive stance, facing the demons.
“How exactly do you expect me to hand him over? As if I just keep him in my back pocket. Really, now?” His tone is admonishing, like a teacher scolding a child for recklessly running with scissors.
“Wh-what’d you say to me?!” The demon shouted angrily, flabbergasted by Hakkai’s calm demeanor.
Going seemingly unnoticed until now, Hakkai waved a hand to the small white creature perched on his shoulder. Hakuryuu chirped in response and took flight. That was his cue to get out of the danger zone until his master was finished taking care of the smelly things that did all the shouting.
When Hakkai was certain the small dragon was out of danger, he dropped into a slightly deeper stance. “I guess it would be useless to attempt to resolve our differences without violence?” He asked hopefully, but as the demon charged him, he didn’t seem surprised. “Have it your way…”
This is the last time,
'Cause you and I,
We were born to die"
Player Information
Player name: Josie
Contact:
Are you over 18: Yes
Characters in The Box Already: Nikola Tesla (Sanctuary)
Character Information
Character Name: Cho, Hakkai (Or "Hakkai Cho" in western order)
Canon: Saiyuki
Canon Point: Saiyuki Reload 10, Even a Worm: 37 -Post Ukoku Fight
Is your character Dead, Undead or Alive: Alive (If a little worse for the wear.)
History:
Cho Hakkai is not his birth name. He was originally known as Cho Gonou. As a human child, his parents split, separating him from his twin sister, Kanan. With the death of his parental figure, he was raised in an orphanage by nuns. This was a dark time for Gonou. He excluded himself from fun activities and because of his brooding nature, the other children were afraid of him and refused to socialize with him. He lost faith in God and wasn't shy to admit this to his caretakers. Not once did he ever smile.
He grew up studying religion and physics and moved out, finding the woman of his dreams and falling in love. This woman just so happened to be his long lost twin sister, Kanan. They lived happily together, having finally found happiness. Kanan was a lousy cook with particular tastes, leading to Gonou's interest in the culinary arts. He was perfectly happy with the idea of a matriarchy. Gonou worked as a teacher, tutoring students in the village. It wasn't a handsomely paying job, but it was one he enjoyed and it supported their needs.
Arriving home one day, he stepped into the house he shared with Kanan only to find it ransacked. As it turns out, the local demon clan of Hyakugan Maoh blew through the village demanding a female sacrifice. The villagers handed over Kanan in their desperation. She was just some orphan, who cared, right? The demon, Hyakugan Maoh, is known for playing with beautiful woman and when he tires of them, he devours them. He despised the humans that would do this to her and went on a rampage, killing those responsible in the village. Gonou slaughtered the demons in the Hyakugan Maoh castle by himself, in order to rescue his lover. By the time he arrived, she was locked in a prison cell, already pregnant with the demon's child. He vowed to protect her and never let her go again, but through the bars, she took his knife and killed herself, just out of his reach. Covered in blood, having lost his entire world, he was devastated.
It was then that the demon's son, Chin Yisou, showed up. He commended him on his efforts and congratulated him that the woman he loved was now no longer suffering. They fought, but Gonou's will to live died with Kanan. Yisou was intrigued by the legend, "A man who bathes in the blood of a thousand demons become a demon himself" and after inflicting a fatal wound on Gonou, cut his own arm, drenching him in his blood. He announces that he was the thousandth demon in the clan and therefore should be the one to turn Gonou. Becoming the monsters that he so desperately tried to wipe out, he killed Yisou with his new strength and stumbled out of the castle.
That night he would be found by Sha Gojyo, his soon to be best friend, bleeding with his insides strewn about the ground. Gojyo took him home and nursed him back to health, literally putting his insides back where they belong. He lived with Gojyo for some time, recovering, before Genjo Sanzo came looking for him to charge him with his crimes. He would be known as the Sinner Cho Gonou from then on. Though he had no reason to, Gojyo defended him and hid him from the monk. In an attempt to escape, so he could bury Kanan's remains, he was found by a survivor of the massacre demanding revenge for the loss of his family. An eye for an eye, as it were, Gonou gouges out his own right eye, seeing it as only fair (Yes, he was a bit morbid and lacking self preservation back them) but is stopped from removing the second by Son Goku.
They return to the Hyakugan Maoh castle only to find it had been burned to the ground. He goes with Sanzo to the temple and is tried by the Three Aspects. He is found guilty, and the Sinner Cho Gonou is condemned to death. However, Sanzo makes a strong case for him, and he is allowed to keep his freedom so long as he leaves his old life behind. This is the birth of Cho Hakkai. Now, as one of Sanzo's charges, he must check in with the monk from time to time, but went back to living with Gojyo and building a new life for himself. He ends up saving Gojyo from a group of demons and helping Sanzo out by stopping the group behind the thefts at the temple.
Sanzo is sent on a quest by the Three Aspects, taking Hakkai, Goku, and Gojyo on a journey west to stop the revival of a powerful demon and contend with the madness that is causing demons to lose their minds. Their journey entails quite a bit of detail, but they face demons and danger on a daily basis, fighting for their lives against those who would eliminate them and take Sanzo's scripture.
On their way west, they encounter assassins sent by a demon named Kougaiji, who happens to be the son of the demon they are attempting to resurrect. They find that their journey will be a bit more difficult than they had anticipated, with constant trials. Sanzo is also in search of his master's missing scripture, giving this mission another dimension all together. However, unbeknownst to them, it's in the hands of one Nii Jianyi.
They encounter a fortune teller at a booth in a city on their travels. The man asks if they would like their future told, but the group pays him no mind until he tells them that he can see they're loving close to death. Taking it a step further by pointing at Hakkai and adding, "Especially... yes. You." Mentioning the fake smile and eyes of a sinner, as well as the scar on his stomach seems to weigh deeply on the brunette. "You've committed crimes you can't atone for, yes?"
The man later corners them during a stop in the woods, haunting Hakkai like a ghost from his past--which is exactly what he is. The man turned out to be Chin Yisou, there to take away everything Hakkai cares for. He nearly killed Gojyo, planting a seed of a vampiric plant next to his heart, forcing Sanzo to shoot it through Gojyo's chest. Then Goku and Hakuryuu are harmed and go missing. Finally, he tries to make Hakkai kill Sanzo with his own hands, but the brunette, with Sanzo's aid, tricks Yisou. The emotional trauma caused by the purple-haired demon isn't enough to break him, though. In the end, Yisou is dispatched by Hakkai's hand once again.
Some time after that, they come across a demon in the desert who has been rumored to have eaten a Sanzo priest. It's rumored that, if a demon ingests a Sanzo, they gain immortality. They seek out this demon's lair for the scripture that should inevitably be there and fall into a trap. During their escape, she poisons Sanzo and the underground lair begins collapsing under the desert sand. Kougaiji aids in their escape, then demands the scripture from Sanzo. They obviously refuse. But Sanzo is nearing death with each passing minute, so Kougaiji and Goku make a deal. They fight over the scripture and a flying dragon in order to save Sanzo's life. To expedite the process, Goku removes his limiter and releases the Seiten Taisei. That's as bad an idea as it sounds, because after defeating Kou and Dokugakuji, he goes after his friends. Hakkai had been left responsible for stopping him, but he wasn't strong enough. Eventually, Sanzo uses his scripture and the holy power he possesses to recreate Goku's limiter.
They are ambushed by a young demon child who seals Hakkai and Goku's souls in a gourd. The pair think they've died, and are traversing the afterlife, which obviously has to be hell, because where else would they go? They encounter a very large enemy inside, that neither of them can actually fight by their own skills, causing Hakkai to remove his limiters and shred the monster with the claws of his demon form. After, quite literally, tearing it apart, Goku confronts him in terrified awe, informing him that he likes 'normal Hakkai' better than his demon form.
After being freed, they find the man responsible for corrupting the demon boy, Kamisama. The man with the mind of a child, but the powers of a God, claims to be a Sanzo priest. They go after him, losing the battle, scripture, and nearly their lives. After recuperating, they realize teamwork is the only way they'll beat him. This marks the final chapter of Saiyuki series one. After defeating him, Sanzo realizes Kamisama's 'master' is someone from his past, Ukoku Sanzo. That man is a heretical priest, and 'friend' of his old master's. It is then that you learn Nii Jianyi and Ukoku Sanzo are one in the same.
Saiyuki Reload starts off with our heroes (and I use that term loosely) continuing on their journey west with a slight wardrobe change and more confidence in themselves. Until humans with yellow heretic eyes begin attacking them, shouting "Kill the youkai!" As it turns out, there is a Bishop from the western land with the miraculous ability to revive the dead using demon souls. With a slight side effect, however. Having been killed by demons, they detest demons and quite literally go rabid with hatred for them.
The Bishop, Hazel Grouse, and his companion, Gat, become quite a thorn in their side throughout their travels. (Hakkai particularly hates Hazel.) He is hellbent on ridding the world of the demon population. It takes him some time to come around, but he eventually decides he doesn't completely hate Sanzo's companions, despite their demonic nature. Not to say that he likes them either.
Turns out, he also knows Ukoku Sanzo, and the 'very unlikable man' had a hand in screwing his life up too, not that we find that out just yet. Hazel drops by and pays him a visit. In that time, he tells Hazel about a terrible monster hiding in human form, named Seiten Taisei, and alludes to him being the cause of all of Shangri La's problems. Dropping the hint that he's traveling with a Sanzo priest and has golden eyes. Hazel wastes no time piecing the puzzle together and goes to investigate if Goku is the Seiten Taisei.
Out at night, Sanzo and Goku are having a little talk about whether the other would want to be revived by Hazel's power if they were to die, when out of the darkness, Goku is attacked. Hacked by a dozen little blades of wind. He falls, barely alive, after saying he'd rather not be revived if he died. Sanzo panics, Hakkai and Gojyo appear on the scene and Sanzo runs after the man responsible for the attack; Ukoku Sanzo. From life to death in the blink of an eye.
After failed attempts to heal him, Hakkai suggests that the only way to save Goku is to release the Seiten Taisei so he can heal himself. Just as every time he's released, all hell breaks loose. Last time, Hakkai was entrusted with the task of bringing Goku back, but couldn't. This time, he decides he has no other choice but to go all out and make good on his agreement. Asking Gojyo to stop him if he loses himself, he removes his demon limiters, unleashing is demon side. The pair fight at speeds faster than the human eye can follow, as mentioned by Hazel after he arrives on the scene. Goku takes his attacks blow for blow and deals his own right back, getting them nowhere, fast. Amidst the bustle, Taisei gets the upper hand and starts clobbering Hakkai around. The converted youkai loses himself in the heat of battle and he minus wave sets hold in his mind. His vines coil around Goku's hand and he turns the tables, viciously beating the boy that he calls friend with savage strikes. True to his word, Gojyo stops Hakkai and the brunette comes back to his senses just before striking Gojyo. He proposes a plan, using the revived Gat as a lightning rod and his vines as conductors in the storm to subdue Taisei long enough to get the limiter back on him. Wrapping his vines around Gat and ensnaring Goku with them on the other end, the lightning strike that hits the enormous human travels through his vines--and in the process, his own body--and into Taisei, knocking him out cold. Hakkai nearly died, forcing Gojyo to resuscitate him.
Sanzo leaves them and they set off on their own while the monk goes with Hazel. After some healing downtime and debate, they decide to go after Sanzo instead of back home. This eventually leads them to a devastating battle that they barely make it out of alive.
Sanzo comes face to face with Ukoku and the dark priest terrorizes the blonde mercilessly. By the time the remaining three men of the Sanzo Party arrive on the scene, Sanzo has countless broken bones and is about to be erased from time itself thanks to the power of Ukoku's Muten Scripture. Goku pulls him from the jaws of Oblivion and chucks him at the group. While Goku, Gojyo, Hazel, and Gat fight Ukoku, Hakkai covertly heals Sanzo's injuries enough to give him them any sort of edge, though it looks hopeless. Hazel is revealed to have a demon residing in his body, the source of his power, and Ukoku is revealed to be a total Godmodder. While Ukoku is distracted, Sanzo shoots him in the head, or tries, blinding The Raven, though he aimed to kill. The dark priest congratulates them on a job well done, and retreats in a deadly attack.
The four survived yet another deadly villain, lying on the ground, broken and bleeding, announcing that someone will need to carry Sanzo because he can't move. Hakkai mentions that they can't sleep here, because if they do, at lest one of them won't awaken in the morning. This marks the point from which I'm pulling Hakkai.
Personality:
Cho Hakkai comes off as a happy youth full of smiles and mirth. An intelligent, soft-spoken, polite young man with all the potential in the world. To anyone meeting him amongst his three other companions, he seems like the most approachable and by far the least dangerous. Appearances can be very deceiving.
In reality, the smile Hakkai wears is but a mask used to disguise his deeper feelings. Having a very unfortunate past, the brunette is hardly the picture of happiness that he puts forth. He's deep with a closed-off heart, overrun with angst and mistrust. Chin Yisou encounters him in their journey and tries to utterly destroy him. After several long, drawn out events, he tries to control Hakkai with a spell to kill Sanzo with his own hands. In the end, Hakkai kills Yisou, commenting that the demon's spell works by finding its way into the crevices of the heart. "Unfortunately, my heart isn't big enough to have any gaps." He says with a frightful smile.
Hakkai has a rather low opinion of himself and tends to think his life is not worth defending. Not to say he won't fight to defend himself, having made a promise to Goku, and in effect, to the whole group, that as long as someone believes in him, he'll defend himself to the very end. He is known for putting himself in the line of danger to protect those three men, without even batting an eye. Allowing Sanzo to use him as a physical shield, taking several bullet-like shots to give Sanzo an opening to take out their enemy, Kamisama is just one of the many times.
He has a tendency to push himself too far. It has almost become a habit for him to give his all in a situation, be it fighting, healing, or defending, when it reaches life-threatening conditions. He'll heal wounded in a bad situation until he physically loses consciousness. Or hold up a shield against a torrential downpour of sand, risking an aneurism or being buried alive, just to shield his companions. Even going as far as to use himself as a living power line in order to transfer the current from a lightning strike to incapacitate Seiten Taisei. That stunt alone very nearly killed him, forcing Gojyo to resuscitate him.
On a lighter note, he is also the mother hen of their band of merry men. He cooks, he cleans, he fusses over the other three, and often scolds them on their bad behaviors. He has a hand in furthering Goku's education without even being asked or paid. His good nature makes for the perfect mother figure, getting along with and even enjoying helping children. Goku often looks to him for advice. He is even one of the only people Sanzo will confide in, as much as Sanzo is willing to actually confide in anyone. These rare moments of openness are often shared between the two away from the less mature members of their gang.
He seems to possess a wisdom and overall knowledge beyond his years, making him somewhat of an adviser to the whole group. He is also the one most often apologizing for the rough and rowdy nature of their team to bystanders.
He has a very calm, level head. Hakkai approaches situations logically and from a tactician's point of view. He tends to be the one to see the problem and all the possible outcomes before the others. Sanzo has even been known to seek his strategical opinion on situations when the answer isn't entirely clear to him, or he needs a second opinion. Goku and Gojyo are also known for turning to him when they are at a loss for positive outcomes. The brunette is more than happy to help and share his opinion on the situation. As well as explain it in a way that is easiest for the subject to understand. This tends to lead to a roundabout way of getting the point across, but it gets across.
For a long time, he didn't seem to have a view of the future that included himself. But more recently, he's actually put thought into what he wants for his future. Even mentioning for the first time that he might fall in love again. However, if it ever happens, she must be invincible and boss him around. His perfect life involves a matriarchy.
The converted demon has a bad habit of smiling at all the wrong times and laughing when it is entirely inappropriate, giving him a rather morbid appearance. In dire situations, he'll smile and point things out with a chipper tone. It often even disturbs his three companions. In those moments, it reminds you just how twisted he can be.
He possesses a very dry, morbid humor to go along with his slightly twisted nature. His sarcastic quips often leave people staring or gaping, somewhat disturbed by the context or frightened by the underlying threat. Did something like that actually come out of his mouth in such a light tone? His sarcasm has a place in every situation, even if others disagree, but perhaps the shock-value of it is just an added bonus. More often than not, his sarcastic comments hold a lot of underlying bite to them. Small comments such as, "Honestly, I was always aware of the stupidity, but not that it could go this far" and "Honestly, you make a terrible villain." to more biting comments like, "Oh my, it must have been such torture for you to accompany us this far." and pretty much anything he says to Hazel.
Remember when I said he appears harmless? He's far from it. He does give the impression of being the mild-mannered one--and really might be compared to the other three--but he is also likely the most frightening. Sanzo, Goku, and Gojyo have each expressed that he is probably the scariest one. He'll kill with a smile, but that is just normal for him. The most terrifying aspect of his personality is his passive-aggressive revenge and absolute lack of remorse for it if he deems it just. None of them want to face him in a fight, fearing just what he might do as revenge for all their little annoyances over the years. He broke Gojyo's elbow for using beer cans as ashtrays. (Granted, this was a clone, but he was unaware of that at the time.) In those rare moments that he is angry--truly angry--he's a fierce force with which to be reckoned.
Hakkai is the master of guilt trips in order to enforce proper behavior with his miscreant companions. Manipulation is one of his strong points, though he often tends to do it subtly. There are moments when subtlety is not an option, and he has to be drastic. Scorning Goku and Gojyo because they don't want to work legitimately for money, by asking them, "Two men, at your ages, who have never worked an honest day between you, are asking me to sell my body just so I can feed you...?" They promptly agreed to get legitimate jobs.
Abilities/Strengths and Weaknesses:
Human Strengths:
☯ Martial Arts: Hakkai is well versed in hand to hand martial arts. Fighting him in close quarters is not the wisest decision. His skill in hand to hand is quite impressive, though he aims more to parry and incapacitate than actually kill.
☯ Qigong: Due to his mastery of martial arts, Hakkai has control of the chi in his body, using it for defense, offense, and healing.
--When fighting, Hakkai will use a combination of martial arts in close combat and finish off with a devastating blast of chi.
--Defending himself or his friends, Hakkai can create a powerful shield using his own chi. This barrier can deflect or stop most attacks and projectiles as well as falling objects.
--When someone around him is injured, he can use his chi to heal the wound.
☯ Will Power: Hakkai is very strong willed. When given a task, he will push himself to his absolute limits to complete it and ensure the safety of his friends or those he's chosen to protect.
☯ Tactician: While most of his companions will all rush in headlong into battle without a care, Hakkai stands back and considers the situation. He's often the one to realize the consequences of their actions or strategize the most efficient way to reach the outcome they desire.
☯ Luck: Perhaps not in life, but it is worth mentioning that he wins every card game he plays. Legitimately. To a point that the rest of his friends know better than to challenge him to a card game.
☯ Designated Driver: Alcohol doesn't quite have the inebriating effect on him that it does anyone else.
Demon Strengths:
☯ Demon Form: When his limiters are removed, Hakkai is revealed to be a demon of unnatural origins. His hair lengthens several inches, nails turn to claws, teeth sharpen, ears extend to an elven point, his left eye fades to a brilliant gold with a slitted pupil (much like a cat's), and lastly, a dark ivy pattern-like tattoo scrolls over his skin. It covers every visible inch of his body, resting in a flowing pattern.
☯ Qigong: In this form, his chi attacks are much more powerful as well as his defensive and healing techniques.
☯ Strength: His strength is already far beyond a human's, but in this form, it's even more noticeable that he's anything but human. Thus far, he has been the only one strong enough to put up a fight against Goku's demon form.
☯ Speed: His speed is near blinding, able to keep up with Seiten Taisei. Hazel commented that he couldn't follow them with his eyes.
☯ Vine Technique: The tattoo on his body has a use during battle. He is able to manipulate it to travel across surfaces that he touches. It is able to grapple and hold things in place if they come in contact with the surface that it is occupying.
Weaknesses:
☯ Qigong: Hakkai's chi is literally his life essence, actually making it his biggest weakness. It regenerates when not being used in battle or healing, but when he 'drains his battery' he is effectively useless. If he overuses it, he becomes lightheaded and weakened. If he goes even further, he can lose consciousness. There lies a danger if he uses it all; it will result in death.
--As a side note, cannot heal himself with it.
☯ Blind-sided: Hakkai's vision in his right eye is not as strong as his left. That eye is, in fact, a functioning prosthetic.
☯ Past: Hakkai's past makes him vulnerable to attacks on his psyche to some effect. He is a very collected character, but things connected to his sister or the events leading up to her death, make a very viable emotional attack.
☯ Scar: The scar on his stomach still ails him from time to time, especially when it rains.
☯ Limiters: On his left ear, Hakkai wears three silver ear cuffs. These cuffs are demon power limiters. They keep him human in appearance by keeping his demon form contained. This mutes his abilities significantly. Strength, speed, endurance, and chi all seem to be affected.
Fears:
☯ Failing: Failing to protect or lose those he's taken to. Being unable to protect them. And quite honestly, Hakkai doesn't like to lose, though his reaction is a lot more subtle than the rest of his group.
☯ Loss: He's determined not to lose anyone again, after losing Kanan in such a way.
☯ Rain: Not so much a fear, but it dredges up old memories that weaken his mental status just bit.
☯ Madness: Fears losing himself to the 'madness' that has befallen the other youkai in Shangri La.
☯ Being Helpless: He strongly dislikes being unable to do anything in a situation.
Samples
Network/Action Spam Sample:
[Green eyes peek from behind dark lashes as consciousness lifts him from the depths of his mind. He was having that nightmare again and it could only be due to the rain pouring outside. A glance at the window tells him that it's still dark out. The alarm clock on the inn night stand reads 4:08AM. With a very soft sigh, he covers both eyes with one hand, pressing the heel of his palm into his remaining good eye.]
It can't be helped... [A painfully plastic smile tugs at his lips, but it doesn't last long. A voice startles him out of his thoughts.]
I was wondering how long it'd take you to wake up with that storm outside. [The voice belongs to his current roommate, and good friend, Sha Gojyo. Not that it startles him any less.]
Oh! Gojyo, I apologize. Did I wake you? [Had he been thrashing in his sleep because of the nightmare? Of course, his mind couldn't just terrorize him. It had to cause trouble for his friend too.]
You were mumbling her name over and over in your sleep.
Is that right? [His tone was regretful, but he didn't know what else to say. His hand drops away from his eyes to rest on the bed again. Hakuryuu nudges his master's other hand with his face, 'kyuu'ing softly in an attempt to comfort him.] You too, hm? I wonder just how long it will take for Sanzo to throw Goku out--[But before he can completely finalize that sentence, there's a knock at the door and it opens slowly. The golden-eyed boy trudges inside carrying a pillow in one hand, the other hand is rubbing at his bleary eyes.]
He's doin' it again. Can I sleep in here with you guys? [But without waiting for an answer, he's already shutting the door behind him and crossing the room to drop onto the small couch. He's out before his head hits the pillow.]
Of course, Goku. [He smiles a bit more honestly at Goku, knowing he's already out cold.]
Prose Log Sample:
[Also a link, if the below is not up to standard.]
Goku, Gojyo, and Sanzo were all resting soundly back at the inn. Well, most of them were. Gojyo was out trolling for women, but that wasn’t unusual for him in the slightest. Sanzo handed off the gold card to the brunette when he offered to go supply shopping in the remaining daylight hours. The village was relaxing and the people seemed generally at ease. Demon attacks were almost unheard of here, given how isolated the city was, so that was a plus as well.
By now, Hakkai had an arm full of bags and was quickly filling up the other with necessities. He couldn’t forget Gojyo’s and Sanzo’s cigarettes, either. That was his last stop for the evening, as the sun was setting.
He felt the presence a little too late when the woman bumped into him. Skillfully, he managed to capture the bags that dared to tumble from his arms, not dropping a single thing. “Ah! Excuse me.” Hakkai apologized and turned to face the woman. Her eyes were wide with fear, form trembling as she covered her mouth with one hand. He was about to inquire about her expression when it became very apparent to him just why she was so frightened.
“We’ll kill you, if you don’t hand over Genjo Sanzo!” Shrieked a male voice from off to Hakkai’s right.
The brunette sighed heavily and set his bags down on the dirt path before facing the small band of demons. “My, my… You were so astute as to recognize me by myself just now. I might be impressed if you weren’t foolish enough to call me out with such small numbers to back you up.” His tone is nothing but unimpressed. There might even be a hint of exasperation to it. “Good grief, you are certainly troublesome.” Practiced ease lands him in a defensive stance, facing the demons.
“How exactly do you expect me to hand him over? As if I just keep him in my back pocket. Really, now?” His tone is admonishing, like a teacher scolding a child for recklessly running with scissors.
“Wh-what’d you say to me?!” The demon shouted angrily, flabbergasted by Hakkai’s calm demeanor.
Going seemingly unnoticed until now, Hakkai waved a hand to the small white creature perched on his shoulder. Hakuryuu chirped in response and took flight. That was his cue to get out of the danger zone until his master was finished taking care of the smelly things that did all the shouting.
When Hakkai was certain the small dragon was out of danger, he dropped into a slightly deeper stance. “I guess it would be useless to attempt to resolve our differences without violence?” He asked hopefully, but as the demon charged him, he didn’t seem surprised. “Have it your way…”