"The wheels of time revolve,
Summer followed by Winter,
Autumn to Spring
The wilting flowers cry:
'Oh now we shall miss the joys of life'
The blooming flowers sing:
'Mankind is blind to the beauty of Spring.' "
"The current carries the fallen leafs of Autumn,
Each petal dances with the rhythm of the wind."
"The scarlet star is dazzling,
The sky is now screaming:
'Our Lord will descend from the heavens.'
Is there no place to turn,
From this chaos unstirred?"
"The Serpent and the Fiend,
neither a villain nor a valiant.
Now the story they shalt feast."
The crescent moon floated at the night's sky, a sky that is stripped from all twinkling stars. Shame did the moon display to those who live on the soil. Why was it feeling shame, you ask? Because its light is no longer the brightest. A scarlet distant star was illuminating the dark coat.
No longer could the waning moon compete with the ominous star. So it made a decision of its own to travel to oblivion; perhaps it would find someone who would appreciate its luster more.
Those who resident on the ground began neglecting the existence of the moon as they gave their full heed to the strange star that appeared so suddenly.
The streets of Higashi in Osaka, were completely empty. None dared to lay a foot outside except for the reckless or the foolish.
Once the sun sets down, civilians rush to their houses and close the doors and windows. The merchants gather their goods, shuts their shops then flee away.
What do they dread you wonder?
Ever since the appearance of this Omen, countless of tragedies followed with tyranny occurred. Lots of natural disasters took place, specially in Fushimi Castle located in Kyoto. So did a mysterious change overtook Hideyoshi Toyotomi. From Japan's savior and hero, he became a ruthless tyrant. Those dark hues of his turned scarlet red, burning with the flames of greed. The moments of tranquility were no more, as the land began to cry again. The crimson star grows larger by the passing nights as chaos swirls around on this dying land.
The destruction was not satisfied to remain on one region, its arms stretched out to other lands that lays overseas. As the invasion began.
Some say that this is the wrath of the God of Calamity. Many agreed others denied the existence of such a God. Some were asking astrologers for knowledge about the floating, but the only answer they learned is that this land is doomed.
Others say that this is the work of the devious devil, so they hurry to the monks at the mountains demanding them to cleanse this land from the evil. However, the saints doubt in the activity of the demons.
This is all rumors and chatter,
None learned the truth.
A slender figure dressed in crimson kimono with outlandish patterns that were difficult to identify strolled in the hollow streets of Higashi. Her lips were occupied with singing out the strange poem in the most cunning and elusive of voices.
Like an ebony serpent with such soft and dazzling skin, tempting a fool only to pierce her venomous fangs against her prey's neck.
By the time her ominous poetry came to an end, orbitals that reflected the distinguish silver hues traveled to the heavens, her focus fixated on the Omen above.
A sly smirk curved her pink lips displaying a satisfied expression.
"The ballet of fools will take place in due time." The ballet of fools? What kind of Music shall be played om such a ballet? What will this ballet consist.
A thumb rested to rivet of the fine folding fan, the remaining of her fingers supported the sticks. The fan's guard was as dark as night, decorated with golden carvings of spider lilies as the leaves were made with the finest fabric, its edges were smooth, so was its surface crimson with flowery patterns. Folding what was in her hand, she slipped it to her long sleeve.
"I need to be entertained." Words were paired with a concluding sigh. Bored eyes traveled to a certain deserted house. Taking a seat on the wooden surface of the floor, her feet settled on the soft moist blades of grass.
A figure sneaked from the shadows of the sliding door. It appeared to be folding its arms against its chest and leaning against the wall. At each side he wielded a sword, his right eye was obstructed with an eyepatch adorned with a small red ribbon on its center and thin scarlet threads at its edges.
"You'll know how to entertain me, hmph?" She vocalized her desire without the need of glancing back to identify him.
"Wouldn't it entertain you to go to a little journey?~"
"Hmph, enlighten me.~" His question was answered with a demand, as a
"A journey to pay our respects to the old Jubei, I know you'll enjoy your role.~" A grin that reflected the malice of her intentions occupied her lips. "The old Jubei, eh? Now aren't you the devil.~" A short scornful snicker came out his vocals.
"Shall we then?"
The night came passing slowly and the sun did not dare to rise until those two satisfied with their boredom. Miles away laid the Yagyu village that was being rebuilt over many years by its youth.
All went to sleep at this late hour. All excluding a single individual, the chief of the village, Sekisusha Yagyu.
At the desolated forest he stood alone. This certain spot hasn't changed the slightest in spite of the many years. The same white flowers wilted and bloomed on the same terra firma. The waterfall poured its cleansed water to the river that seemed endless.
The giant mulberry tree did not seem to age so much either. It produces the sweetest of fruits and entertains the viewers with the most enthusiastic silkworms. Such wonderful sceneries, it reminded the village chief of his youthful days. He could reminisce splendid memories of the past.
The wheels of time are so vicious to aging men. If only we could reverse the wheels revolving motion, only to live again. Oh, how much his heart long for those bittersweet days. His upper lids kissed his bottom ones, as his vision turned black. His mind played the castes of the past days: The tragedies of his village fall, the joys of meeting new friends. Tragedies did not desert him; for he lost his mother and was separated from his lover.
That day where he sat on his steed on the hill, only to gaze at his departed lover from afar. Distance did not serve their eyes to meet. Nonetheless, their hearts did instead. Their souls cry for this forbidden.
Why must fate part two lovers? His mind did not accept the news of her demise.
"It cannot be true. It cannot be true."
He lies to himself again and again. Fate is quite cruel for those two. His memory of her was as clear as the water, as vivid as the rising sun. "What have become of my distant friends, I wonder. . ." Spoke he as his gaze settled on the sky.
It appeared as though the heavens were being tormented with the evil of the Omen. "What will become of the world. . . ?" Dark pupils narrowed at the side the moment he detected a vaguely familiar presence. The sound of footsteps were drawing near by the passing seconds until the visage of a fair lady came to his sight.
Her body was clothed with the finest crimson fabric. So was her hair that reflected the hues of ebony and violet was arranged neatly using hair combs made of pure gold and pins of silver.
From what her appearance displayed, she is a wealthy woman, so what would bring her here on such a late hour all by herself?
Jubei acknowledged that she was not the individual he felt coming near.
"Lord Jubei Yagyu?" In the sweetest of voices she vocalized her words wearing a concerned look on her face.
"That, I formerly am. . . Who might you be?" Her index rose to her face as the concerned expression was washed away with a somewhat sensuous and cunning glee. "Do you not recognize this face of mine? I'm sure the name crossed your mind."
The similarities could not be unnoticeable for the eye to perceive, from the moment his viewing spheres came across her face the image of his late Oyu flashed in his mind. He had heard that she has three daughters that time, could she be one of those three she mentioned? Certainly, did he feel astound of meeting her at such time. However, his face did not display any faint colour of what he is now experiencing from emotions.
This female, she had that aura that was somewhat cynical, she might be the daughter of the woman he loved but for some reason, he felt as though she could be as devious as a snake.
"I am an elder, my memory has failed to help me. I do not recognize you." His mind was at denial of her being the child of his dearest Oyu, she appeared to be malicious and intending to commit all evil, nothing like Oyu.
↱ Might she have inherited her beauty but none of her graces. ↲
A small sigh escaped her rosy lips, her index now lowered so were her lids. "Oichi—No, Oyu. . . She is my deceased mother. I have heard from her that you two were in deeply in love. You have helped and saved her countless of times. Oh Great Jubei. But now she is long gone. That devil formerly known as Tokachiro was the cause of her death. Still. . . I cannot help but wonder. . . Why were you not there for her? You have always come to visit in secret, always. Why weren't you there at such a dire time? Should you not take part of the blame?"
The elder Sekishusai remained speechless after hearing what she said, it has always been this way. Even before her visit, the thought of: 'If I were there at that time, she would be alive. Then we could run away and live our years together. If only. . .'
"That man who murdered my dear mother is now my husband, I maybe alive and breathing. However, I feel as though I have been slaughtered twice; for being wed to that man and losing my mother."
Her tone was accompanied with rage and resentment, her words might have fooled the audience. But it is unknown if that her heart was genuine with these statements. Silence overflowed the atmosphere until it became no longer bearable. It was soon cut by the scornful voice of a lad he knows so well.
"What's wrong old man? Can't even apologize to the daughter of the one you killed? Heh, you're truly rotten, eh."
"Munenori?!" His wrinkling lids stretched open in great astonishment to see his rebellious 'son'. Without called hesitation, he drew his blade from its sheath ready to strike if required. Munenori rose his hands to the air then he spoke. "No need to get worked up old man. I'm only here for a little visit." A satisfied smirk adorned Yodo's face as she stepped closer to the swordsman. "You've finally arrived.~"
Then, the former Jubei assumed that this lady is associated with his son. "So you're with him."
Yodo pushed both her hands on the youthful Yagyu chest and pressed her cheek against it. Her silver eyes wandering at the elder glaring.
"Wouldn't you dispose of that body that is begging to decay?"
His palms rested on the edge of his swords' handle, his fingers embracing them as he pulled them out. And by that time the ebony beauty pulled away.
"Sword fighting, I do so hate. I won't put down these blades until I have your head sliced."
With that he charged at his aging father. The dark night was illuminated with flashing swords. The battle was intense, the crows that always accompanied their Master assaulted Jubei's face, this gave Munenori the upper hand and the chance to throw his final strike. He pierced his sword at his chest then extended his leg only to his body to the soil that was dressed in blades of grass.
"Agh—" Blood gushed out his mouth with that wound, was this the end? Is this how the ending of Sekishusai Yagyu story?
"You look so pathetic now, eh old man? How does it feel when you're helpless? How much I'd love to dig your eye out and stab you a thousand times. But what's the fun in that? You seem to have given up already. I want you to struggle and cling to your life. Think of that 'which' that you love, find a purpose, a reason to stay alive. Only then I will kill you and crush every bit of your soul. The same way you crushed hers."
He spoke in a tone that knew of no mercy, after that he took his leave accompanied with partner. They both walked further and further away.
"Like a butterfly trapped in a spider web, you had his life in your hands. However, you destroyed the trap you have created and allowed your prey to flee. A shame. . . Truly."
"It's not his time yet. I'll end that miserable life of his soon but not now."
Whatever reason does this lad lust for vengeance? What is that ebony serpent scheming? And what is that sinister Omen that brought corruption and misfortune to the land? What shall become of the stories of these souls?