"You summoned me, my lord?" A hooded figure kneeled before her master, waiting patiently for instruction. She had been meditating with the monks when she was summoned to his chamber. All she knew was the matter was urgent and she would need to travel far. She wondered why he would send her rather than one of the monks. Compared to them, her fighting strength was nearly non-existent. What kind of mission would require her abilities, or lack thereof?
She listened to her master's low chuckle at her expense. "Since when have you been so formal?" His deep voice echoed around the nearly empty room. His chamber was a simple rounded room made of stone. The only furniture was the throne where her King was seated.
"Since when am I summoned for a mission of such importance?" She smirked. While she could play the role of a loyal servant, she was far from obedient. She would often skip on training to pursue other interests that were deemed too dangerous for her. She raised her head to see her lord with an amused smirk of his own.
Despite his waist-length white hair and lack of physical wrinkles, he was easily over a thousand years old. However, his body looked too thin for the firm muscles that displayed many centuries of discipline and hard work. Scars covered his skin like medals of Honor to intimidate anyone stupid enough to challenge him. Her eyes narrowed as she noticed his stomach looked thinner since the last time she visited.
"As you are aware," he spoke, still smiling. "My time is drawing to an end. I have maybe a few more years left. Until that time comes, I need you to pay your debt."
The girl tilted her head to the side, her expression hidden beneath her cowl. "And what debt would that be?"
"For allowing you to live under my protection. As you may recall, you are not from here. When you wandered into my territory, I chose to spare you if you served me and owed me one favor. You have served well these past years, but now it's time for you to own up to that favor."
The girl sighed. I knew this would happen sooner or later, but why now? And just what is this favor anyway? "So, what's this favor? I've been wondering for years and you were careful to give me no hints." Stubborn old man…
He chuckled again. "What? Is the suspense killing you?"
"Not as much as it's killing you, I'm sure. You could drop dead before you even get to tell me." She knew better of course, but it was always fun to tease him for his age. He was a like a grumpy old man sometimes.
"Tell me, how strong have you become since your arrival?" He asked her.
The girl raised her eyebrow at his question. He can tell for himself, can't he? "Well, I'm sure you know just by looking at me, but I wouldn't put me and strong in the same category."
"No. I suppose not." He smirked, giving no implication to his thoughts.
The girl glared at him, then at the ground for a moment before closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. She held it in for a few seconds before exhaling slowly. Her annoyance subsided to a tolerable level. "Every time I bring up physical combat, I get a lecture about it being too dangerous. I guess I can heal pretty well thanks to them, but what's the point when there's nothing to heal? Once you're gone, I'll be on my own and I won't be able to defend myself, let alone survive." She briefly recalled the monks who trained her and her expression darkened. "They always give me this look like I'm about to kill someone every time I bring it up." A low chuckle drew her attention back to the old man.
"I suppose you can't blame them. You will be going to Human World to find the heir to my throne. Enough time has passed that he will be like any other human with barely any traces of demon-hood." His smirk grew and he leaned closer, lowering his voice as if sharing a secret for her ears only. "If you can find him, I want you to monitor his growth until you deem him ready to come back here and take over my throne. Anything else you choose to do is up to you."
The girl gasped quietly from under her cowl. Is he trying to imply… "Yes, my lord. May I inquire what it is I should be looking for in your heir? What traits might he possess to help single him out from all the others?"
"Well, I don't know." She could hear the amusement in his tone. He was doing this on purpose. "It's been hundreds of years by now. I suppose a good start would be to keep an eye open for anyone with unusual fighting prowess. In fact, I'd imagine he might even enjoy a good fight." His tone became hopeful and expectant. He was looking forward to the meeting.
The girl nodded and asked, "Is there anything else I need to know? Will there be anyone to act as an escort during my mission or am I going alone?"
"This will be a solo mission. Anyone I send with you would probably draw too much attention in these more modern times." The ruler leaned back into his throne, relaxing now that the important topic had passed.
"How will I know when he's ready?" The girl persisted. She might as well try to get as much information as she could before she left.
"You'll know." He rested his chin on the back of his right hand, his arm propped on the armrest of the throne. "When he's ready, he will bear the markings of his ancestors and his power will be unmistakable."
The girl nodded and stood up to leave. "Very well. You can consider your favor paid and then I'll be free to wander as I please. Try not to starve before I return." With a short bow of her head, she turned to leave. She took no more than two steps before she heard him speak up from behind her and she didn't bother to turn back around.
"One more thing. If he's anything like me, he might be a bit stubborn."
The girl chuckled. Isn't that an understatement? "If he's anything like you, I will certainly have my hands full with him." With a final wave over her shoulder, she made her way out of his chamber and down to the training grounds outside.
When she stepped outside, she could feel the warm dirt between her toes. She enjoyed walking without shoes. It kept her feet strong and improved their grip. It also minimized sound and increased maneuverability. The cowl was low enough to shield her eyes from the sun and any would-be stares from the monks.
She ignored the whispers as she made her way to the head monk who acted as her teacher. He and a couple others were the only people, besides the King himself, who she could stand to be around. They were the ones who pushed her to meditate and practice the healing arts, but they also wouldn't let her learn to fight. That didn't stop her from sneaking her own secret lessons from a safe distance when she could.
She found the head monk at one of the shops in the market. The girl didn't like to travel with more than she could carry on her person, and her cargo pants were already filled with her bare essentials. Perhaps it's just food for the day. After this, I'm practically on my own already. I'll only have to come back one more time.
When she approached the monk, he was just getting his change from the merchant. Sayomi tried to ignore it, but she could feel the merchant's eyes glaring down at her. The head monk ignored the merchant altogether when he acknowledged the girl. "I take it things went well."
She smirked. He knew exactly how the meeting went. He was the one who told her to go to his chamber in the first place. "About as well as you could expect a mission from the King to go."
The monk smiled and made his way down the street. While most of the monks had become accustomed enough to ignore her, there were still a few who regarded her with fear or contempt. The girl focused on her breathing during the walk, listening to what her teacher had to say before she left. She didn't know how long she would be gone. From the looks of their starving master, she didn't have too much time.
"So a trip to the Human World. I suppose he feels it's about time." The monk kept his tone light. It was a truth everyone had time to get used to. What had become a worry was the danger of the other two Kings. Without a strong leader, the balance of power would shift and chaos would ensue.
The girl nodded. She knew the risks. She had been told when she had arrived to the territory to begin with. "He says his heir is in the Human World. Apparently he's not strong enough yet, so I have to make sure he becomes strong enough in time to bring him back."
The monk nodded. It was good news for their people. That was, if she was able to find him at all. As the pair made their way from the busy streets to the edge of town, the two snacked on some fruit the monk had bought. "Was there anything else he told you about your mission," he asked.
The girl finished her fruit and shook her head once. "Not really. Since he hasn't been to the Human World in centuries, he has no idea what to look out for except a good fighter."
The monk frowned at her. "I'm well aware of your intentions to pursue combat, but you need to understand the consequences."
The girl glared at the ground from her hood. The dirt floors of the town gave way to patches of green grass as they approached the bordering forest. While the monk couldn't see her eyes, she knew he could see her tense shoulders. She took slow breaths before she spoke. "I understand."
"I'm sure you do. Not well enough as you should, but at least you understand the potential. Which is why…" The monk reached into the folds of his robe and pulled out a parcel of folded cloth. "I think you should take this. You can think of it as a parting gift if you truly intend to leave once your assignment is over."
The girl took the package and unwrapped the fabric. She found herself holding a kusarigama. The black sickle was small and light enough to carry in one hand. When she popped open the base of the grip, a black chain spilled from the hidden chamber with the attached end acting as a blunt weight. She put the chain away and closed the hidden compartment. Then she placed the weapon behind the small of her back, tucking it under her clothing.
"To my understanding, there shouldn't be any strong demons in the Human World, but there are still some who manage to slip through the barrier. This is the least we can do to ensure your safety until your return. I know it isn't much, but it's all we can afford to risk." The monk's tone was serious. The girl wasn't taught to fight with her energy, but perhaps a weapon was all she needed to protect herself without causing more serious harm.
"Thank you. I really appreciate it." The girl couldn't say anything else. It was the only gift anyone had ever given her.
The two demons were in a small clearing when they decided they had gone far enough. The monk looked down at his pupil and gestured to the east. "If you keep down this path, you will walk through a portal to Human World. It was the best we were able to manage and it will only hold long enough for you to go through. Once through, I recommend finding a weapons master to teach you how to properly handle your weapon. We'll be waiting for your return."
With a final nod of thanks, the girl started walking in the direction her teacher indicated. It was a peaceful enough walk through the trees. She could hear the weaker, animal-like demons in the trees and shrubs nearby, but even she could handle them. When she looked up through the canopy, she could see the blood-red sky, accented with deep purpling thunderclouds. It was a familiar sky that she associated with home.
I wonder what the human sky will look like… She let her mind wander as she considered what her teacher and her master had told her. Their knowledge was a bit outdated these days, but even back then they seemed to have better medicines, strong spiritualists, and war. She wondered how times may have changed there in a few hundred years.
Before long, she began to notice the change in the scenery. The trees were still tall, but they seemed to change from the typical demonic plant life she was accustomed to. These trees were greener, and some of them sprouted needles instead of the typical leaves. An unfamiliar scent struck her nose and she decided it wasn't unpleasant. When she looked up to check the sky, she noticed it was a startling blue. The clouds were white and wispy, and the breeze smelt fresh and clean. She found herself smiling as she walked in the shade the forest provided.
Before she let herself become too relaxed in a new territory, she decided to find out where she was and get an idea for the lay of the land. When she found a climbable tree, she climbed as high as she could until she could see over the tree line. It wasn't the highest viewpoint, but it was good enough to give her an idea.
She was on the slope of a mountain, trees covering the mountain side for miles. When she looked to the West, she could see what looked like water, but it was too far away and on the other side of the mountain range. It could take days to get there if she walked. To the South, she could only see more mountains. To the East, she spotted a road. It was at the base of the mountain and a little ways off, but it would be easy to follow once she was on it. To the North, she spotted a temple. It was on the neighboring mountain, quite a ways up, and it looked pretty big even from her position.
She climbed back down and sat down at the base of the tree to consider her options. I could either go down to the road and see where it leads, or I could visit the temple and see if there is a monk or a priest who would be willing to sort of point me in the right direction. However… She scowled as she thought of the potential risks. …if I went to the temple, and the monk turned out to be a demon slayer, then that may be a bad idea. But there is the road that could possibly lead me to a village. Then again, even if I make it to the village, who's to say it would be the right village?
The girl wracked her mind for an answer and decided to meditate. The monks had trained her in meditation. She had struggled with it at first. Her mind tended to wander a lot if she let it, but with enough practice, she was able to silence her thoughts and focus on what needed to be done. Her only issue with meditation, however, was that it wasn't her thoughts alone that plagued her mind.
"How are today, my host?" The voice sounded like hers, but whispered, as if sharing a secret.
The girl opened her mind's eye and saw herself sitting in a black void. Sitting in front of her, mirroring her position, was herself. Her mirror self was darker, more of a shadow of her darker self. Her anger, sadness, and fear all manifested into this dark aspect of herself. She found that she didn't hate this version of herself so much as she feared what it could do.
"I am actually feeling rather good today. I'm almost free to leave his territory." Just because she feared it, didn't mean she showed it visibly. If she gave any indication of her fear, it would know.
"I see. He wants you to find his heir before he dies." Her shadow-self smiled sadly, as if already mourning his death.
The girl kept her smile on her lips. She refused to let these thoughts keep her from feeling as good as she did in a new place. "Exactly. I'm at something of a crossroads at the moment. You mind helping me out? It'll get the job done that much sooner."
The Shade, as the girl liked to call it, glared at her. It was angry that it wasn't able to depress her. The girl tried to ignore the anger. "And what if I don't feel like it? Why don't you figure it out yourself instead of relying on others to do it for you? No wonder you don't have any friends!"
The girl kept her smile in place but she could feel it begin to crack. She closed her eyes and began to breathe, slowly dissolving the anger with every deep exhale. "Technically, you are me. We are one and the same, two halves of a whole."
The Shade slouched, sad that it failed again to sway her. "Very well…How can I be of assistance?"
The girl's smile grew more confident. She had subdued it for the time being. "I'm in need of a second opinion, so to speak. I'm caught between choosing to follow the road at the foot of this mountain, or to hike to the neighboring mountain to visit the temple for more information."
"Oh? And where does the road lead?"
"I'm assuming it leads to the nearest village." The girl watched the Shade carefully. Just because it was her didn't mean it could easily be trusted.
"And how long do you think it would take to get there?"
The girl took a deep breath. This was how her meditations usually went. She would confront her own negative emotions. Once subdued, it would question what she knew, not giving her a straight answer but still guiding her to a reasonable decision. "I am not really sure of that. I've never been to the Human World. If there is a shrine, then surely not too far away."
"Yet the shrine is within sight."
"It could be dangerous. To my knowledge, priests and priestesses exterminate demons."
"How old is your knowledge?"
The girl hesitated. The Shade brought up a good point. Even the monks didn't venture into Human World anymore. "So I should take the risk and visit the shrine…"
"Look at it this way…" The Shade lifted both hands with the palms up, tilting them like a scale. "On one hand, you could test your measly skills against a human. On the other hand, you get a bed and information. You only die if you mess up the first option." It smirked, teasing the girl's confidence.
The girl returned the smirk, accepting its challenge. "Very well. I can handle a human at least."
The girl opened her physical eyes and scanned her surroundings. She knew the shrine wasn't far. At the most it could take about an hour or two. She made her way north, and kept her energy concealed. The grass felt cold and slick with dew and the earth felt damp and a little muddy. She sniffed the air and could smell moisture. It had rained not too long ago. If she couldn't stay at the temple, she would need to find shelter in case of another shower.
When she found the steps to the temple, she almost groaned. Even half way up the mountain, she still had a long climb up. The steps were made of some unfamiliar stone that felt rough and grainy from the wind-blown dirt. The wind felt nice despite the heat from the unfiltered sun. With every step, she could feel her muscles strain in protest. By the time she reached the top, she was out of breath.
At the top of her climb she saw massive doors that were closed shut. To the right of the giant doors was a smaller door. The girl hesitated at the small door. She focused her senses and expanded her awareness throughout the temple. She didn't sense any wards to keep demons out, but she did sense a strong aura somewhere inside the building. With a final will of effort, she pushed open the door and let herself in.
The courtyard was open and clear of any foliage and the temple itself was beautiful. A wooden patio bordered the edge of the building with a sturdy-looking wooden handrail. The walls were a solid off-white and the sliding doors were a classic wood and rice paper. The red roof arched in a classic Shinto style, giving the place a spiritual presence of its own.
When the girl tracked down the energy source, she found herself in front a set of large solid wooden doors. She took a deep breath and steeled herself to lean her weight against the door. When the door creaked, announcing her presence, she physically cringed. Why did it have to be so loud?
The first thing she noticed was a strong scent of incense. It was strong, but not bad. Living with monks practically desensitized her to the aroma. The second thing she noticed was how dark the room was. She could only make out the tiny warm glows from various incense sticks and cones arranged throughout the space. She relaxed her eyes, letting them shift into infrared vision. It allowed her to see a spectrum of colors that grew brighter with heat.
The room became swathed in deep blues and purples, with the occasional yellow and white from the tiny embers. A small human figure sat in the middle of the room. While it had the typical heat signatures of red, orange and yellow, the center was white hot and it glowed so brightly, the girl had to avert her eyes and shift her vision from heat to light.
This human is definitely the source of the energy I felt. How is it so powerful, yet so condensed? I just hope he doesn't start a fight…
"If you're looking for a fight, you should leave now. I won't hesitate to kill in defense." The voice was a little scratchy, but it was definitely an older woman. She seemed very small, even to the girl.
"I'm not looking for a fight, but I am looking for someone." The girl relaxed and any plans for escape evaporated from thought. At least she's open to diplomacy...
"I'm the only one around for miles." The old woman sounded annoyed. After she took a drink of something, she asked, "What do you want?"
"I don't really know for sure," the girl admitted. She closed the door and walked just a few feet closer before taking a seat with her legs tucked underneath. She looked down at her hands as she spoke. "All I know is that he could possibly be a very gifted martial artist."
When the girl heard a small clink, like setting a small dish on top of another, she looked up and focused on her hearing. She had practiced sight deprivation as a hobby to improve her stealth. When she heard small, but deliberate, footsteps, she realized the woman was walking towards her. She bowed her head in respect, knowing the old woman would be able to sense her movement. The footsteps stopped several feet away. The girl could feel the old woman's stern gaze glaring down on her. She had sudden flashbacks of training with her teacher.
The girl could hear the rustle of fabric as the woman reached into a pocket. When she heard a soft click, she noticed a small flicker of light illuminated the immediate area. The girl lifted her head and was able to see the woman's physical appearance. Her face sagged into a natural scowl. Her brown eyes drooped in disinterest as she inhaled the small flame into a white stick that rested between her lips. Her faded pink hair fell just past her shoulders in waves. Her red clothing resembled traditional martial arts gi, rather than the monk-like robes she was expecting, and she wore white martial arts pants. A matching red hat rested on top of her head, the kanji for "Master," displayed on the front. The girl coughed when the old woman blew smoke into her face.
"So you came here looking for someone and you don't even know who you're looking for. You're either stupid or someone was trying to get rid of you or have you killed." The old woman spoke her thoughts bluntly without care, despite talking to a demon.
The girl swallowed a growl that threatened to rise from her chest. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, holding it for a four-count before releasing it slowly. Once she felt calm, she opened her eyes and kept her gaze downward. "My king is dying, and he sent me to find this person for him. I'm limited on time."
"Why would he send a weakling like you?" The woman took another drag from the cigarette.
"I was sent because I'm a weakling. They thought I would draw less attention." The girl smirked to herself bitterly.
The old woman chuckled and tapped the ash into the base of one of the incense burners nearby. "Oh please, even with your weak energy you would stick out like a sore thumb. This isn't exactly the feudal era anymore."
"What about you?" The old woman glanced down at the girl, her laughter dying instantly as the girl spoke up to her. "Your clothing may be different, but it's not foreign to me. Do all humans dress the way you do?"
The old woman smirked. "I live out in the mountains for a reason. I'm not your normal everyday human."
"So it would seem…" The girl's eyes shifted to the infrared vision momentarily to see the tiny sun of aura.
"In a month I will be hosting a tournament so I can find a disciple to pass my power to. If you're not malicious, you're welcome to stick around and see if he shows up." The old woman took another drag as she watched the girl.
The hooded girl was stunned for a moment. Was it really that easy?! I was hoping for positive results, but this is more than I had anticipated. I hope he shows up to this tournament, otherwise I'd waste so much time. Well, it's a step in the right direction at least. How hard could it be? She placed her hands in front of her on the floor and bowed her head low. "Thank you very much for your generosity."
The old woman grunted and started walking towards the giant doors. Before the woman opened the door, the girl asked, "Do you mind if I ask for your name?"
The old woman smirked and replied, "It's common courtesy around here to give your own name first before asking for someone else's."
The girl smirked, remembering her first encounter with her king. "My name is Sayomi."
"My name is Genkai. I am the Master at this temple and most of the surrounding land is mine. Feel free to wander as you see fit. I will warn you that there are other demons in those woods much stronger than you. I won't be held responsible if you die."
Sayomi glared at the floor, thinking back to her teachers and what her king had told her. She took a deep breath to prepare herself for potential rejection. "If you don't mind me saying, Master Genkai, you have tremendous aura at your core. I was wondering if you would be willing to train me, even if only until you choose your true disciple."
Genkai turned to face Sayomi, taking her final drag before putting out the rest of the cigarette. "My training isn't for whimps. If I train you, you will be pushed beyond the limits of what you think you can handle. Are you physically and mentally prepared for such methods?"
Sayomi hesitated. The monks had warned her of the dangers that came with power. Power can corrupt you. If handled irresponsibly, it could lead you to destruction of not just those around you, but of who you are. The lessons from the monks played in her head as she thought about what she should do. She reached behind her back.
"Perhaps you could train me in weapons then?" Sayomi pulled the sickle from behind her back and presented it for the Master to examine. "I was only trained to heal and meditate because I was told my aura would be dangerous if I lost control. This was the only method of self-defense they have granted me."
Genkai looked bored as she watched the girl's pitiful posture. She may want it bad enough, but there's something holding her back. "I'm not exactly fond of using weapons myself besides my own two fists. The most I can do is teach you some basics so you can at least learn to properly manifest and control your aura."
Sayomi shot her head up at the old woman. She slipped her weapon back in place, at the small of her back, and bowed her head again in gratitude. Before she could say anything, the master cut her off.
"Why do you want to learn?" When Sayomi lifted her head and tilted it in confusion, the old woman elaborated. "You're already familiar with healing. Why would you want to learn to use your aura for combat? Is it revenge or to protect something?"
Sayomi closed her eyes. She understood what the master was asking. "I want to overcome my fear." The old woman lifted an eyebrow, urging her to continue. "My aura is dangerous, or so I'm told. I want to overcome my fear of my own power. I just want to be in control."
Genkai turned back to the door and pulled it open, blinding Sayomi with the sudden intrusion of sunlight. "The moment you complain, I'm throwing you out to the forest."
Sayomi kept her head turned away from the light until her vision had time to adjust. She smiled to herself as she followed the master to her first lesson. I've finally found a willing teacher…
