Black Star
"So this is Baba Yaga Castle, huh?" Black Star scoffed. "Not much to look at."
"Be careful, Black Star," Tsubaki said. "We can't run headlong into it, not without backup."
"Are you kidding? I blew through those traps like it was nothin'! What can stop a star like me now?"
"It looks like you haven't learned much." The samurai Mifune walked out from the entrance of the castle. He wore a simple white t-shirt, forgoing his jacket, and was only carrying two wooden cases filled with swords.
"You," Black Star hissed.
"Yes, me," Mifune replied, rolling the cat tail stalk around in his mouth. "I'm here to test you. Are you ready to become a warrior?"
"Stop talking, samurai. I'm here to take my place as the star of this show. Tsubaki, ninja sword mode."
"Right." Tsubaki quickly transformed.
"You definitely seem more confidant." Mifune threw the swords in the air. The swords fell, sticking into the ground surrounding Black Star. "But confidence doesn't mean anything. How do you fight?"
Black Star charged. Mifune picked up a sword and easily blocked the slash.
"You've gotten stronger. Not bad."
"Shut up!"
"Your concentration has also improved."
"I said shut up, samurai!"
Mifune brought the back of the sword down on Black Star's head. The blow sent him spinning.
"But your anger," Mifune said, allowing Black Star to get to his feet, "your anger is too strong."
"What's wrong with my anger?" Black Star hissed, standing up.
"Everything. Weren't you taught to never attack out of anger? Your attacks become strong, yes, but also predictable. Attack with anger too much, and you'll soon walk the path of the demon."
"I don't care anything about paths! Tsubaki, enchanted sword mode."
"Got it."
"You should care very much about it," Mifune said as Black Star attacked. "Do you want to become a demon? Do you want to be a heartless killer?"
Black Star locked swords with Mifune. The samurai simply reached for another sword. Black Star jumped away.
"Walk the path of the warrior, not of the demon," Mifune continued. "Put away your anger and fight with honor. That is the path of a man, not of a mindless killing machine."
"I told you, I don't care anything about your paths," Black Star hissed. "All I care about is beating you."
"Hmm." Mifune sank into a low stance. "'A mind without purpose will wander to dark places.' Are you familiar with the saying?"
"Tsubaki, speed star mode."
"It means you should always know where you stand," Mifune said, knocking the stab aside. "If you do not know what your purpose is, you'll be drawn to the madness."
Black Star gritted his teeth.
"I know those eyes," he said. "Your father had the same eyes."
"What do you know about my father?" Black Star demanded.
"Plenty. I am the one who killed him."
"What?"
"I am a warrior," Mifune said, drawing himself up. "It is my sworn duty to slay demons and protect the weak. Your father, and the rest of the Star Clan, were preying on those weaker than them. They were demons, and it was my duty to fight them."
Black Star charged, slashing wildly.
"I did not simply murder them, though," Mifune continued, undeterred by Black Star's attacks. "I gave them the chance to repent, but they were too far down the path of the demon. Your father was the last to fall. He had the same eyes as you do, full of determination and hate."
"Shut up!" Black Star threw Tsubaki at Mifune, who barely avoided the weapon. While he was off balance, Black Star darted in, landing a blow with his soul menace. Mifune was thrown, but was able to stay on his feet.
"So where do you stand?" Mifune gasped, reaching out for another sword. "Will you choose your own destiny, or will the sins of your father drag you down? Do you enlighten yourself and walk the path of the warrior, or do you walk the path of the demon in ignorance?"
Black Star grabbed Tsubaki and charged Mifune.
Tsubaki
Tsubaki woke, standing in the depths of her brother's soul. Around her were the waters and trees of his powers, deep and twisted from the souls he claimed as the enchanted sword. Masamune stood in front of her as a large white elk with black stripes. The horns on his head were as large as his body was. Tsubaki cringed at seeing his demon form.
"I knew we would meet like this, Tsubaki," her brother said.
"What am I doing here?"
"I'm showing you what has become of your Meister, and what will become of you."
"Stop it. You're not dragging Black Star into this. He's stronger than you."
"Is he? He is just a warrior with rage in his heart. Nothing more, nothing less."
"You're wrong." Tsubaki gritted her teeth. "Black Star is nothing like you. He'll overcome the madness and be the one who surpasses you."
"Do you really believe that?" Masamune asked. "Tell me, if he was, would we be having this conversation?"
"What do you mean?"
"You absorbed me, sweet sister; I am part of you now. I am the strength you draw on when you turn into the enchanted sword. You have tried to master me, and through you, Black Star has tried to master me. And I am telling you that he has failed. You will be used as a weapon, not treated like a person. Just look at him."
Her brother's inner soul dissolved. Tsubaki blinked, her mind drawn back to reality, and saw Black Star.
"Haha! I told you, samurai, I was going to be the one who beat you!"
Tsubaki gasped.
"I'm the star of this show! I'm the one who's strongest! I'll be the one who will beat the Kishin and saves the day! Haha!"
"Black Star," Tsubaki whispered.
"Well? What do you have to say, samurai? You going to admit it, yet?" Black Star kicked Mifune. His face lolled over. "Are you going to tell me I'm stronger than you?"
"Black Star!"
"What?"
"Stop it. Please, he's dying."
Black Star blinked. Mifune was lying on the ground, cut in two. The samurai struggled to breathe.
Black Star growled.
"Serves you right," he slowly said. "You got in my way, tried to steal my show. Well, this is what you get, Mifune."
Mifune glared at Black Star.
"Demon."
His body vanished, leaving behind his glorious soul.
Black Star took it.
"Black Star..."
"This is mine, Tsubaki," he said.
"Black Star, please, stop! It's the madness that's doing this to you."
"The madness?" Black Star snorted. "Don't you remember? My sixth sense sucks. I'm immune to the Kishin's madness."
"You can't eat souls. It's not right, it's-"
"Shut up, Tsubaki! It's my kill," Black Star hissed. He opened his mouth wide and ate. Tsubaki could only stare as Black Star devoured the soul.
"He asked for this, he deserves this," Black Star muttered as he finished. "I'm the star. This is what happens to those who get in my way."
Black Star turned on his heel, heading towards the castle.
"That Kishen is going to die."
He's nothing special, sweet sister, Masamune whispered to her. No matter how strong he gets, he's just another bloodthirsty warrior.
