Mononoke Samurai
Epilogue: The Contest Winner
"I guess you could say that that's the end of my story," sighed Bastion as he nursed an empty cup of beer. "Life itself has no conclusions, and so my story really cannot end anywhere, unless you wanna count the present period. Anyway, my grandmother stopped right there, so I figured that I could, too.
"The Samurai went back to his hometown and defended it wisely, and his descendants followed in his footsteps for a few generations, then the kingdom crumbled as all kingdoms do eventually. You can still find his descendants, if you trace genealogies correctly. Speaking of which, as you all know, one of the town's treasures is the genealogy of Chief Ashitaka, who took over as leader of this town after Eboshi's death, as the records prove. You can find it in the same building that houses Eboshi's statue, written out on the wall and being expanded every generation. Any old fool can trace it down to the present period, where we all know Lady Asaka comes in."
The captivated audience around Bastion paused just long enough to glance over at Lady Asaka, who sat silently as she nursed her own drink. She had a very faint, interested smile on her mouth, and her greenish-brown eyes were glowing with wonder.
"The people who began that genealogy sweat that Ashitaka… well, for lack of a better word, 'mated for life' with the Princess Mononoke, thus giving birth to a few good generations and a line of successors that continues today. I know for a fact that this part of the story is true, but as for the mad necromancer… that might or might not have been my grandmother's doing. About four-hundred years have passed since those days, so obviously, finding records from that time period is a difficulty.
"I haven't got much else to say," he concluded, "except I guess the story ended happily, and life went on, and another word in the book of history and life was written. Pass judgment now on my story, please, although I think, from the reaction I got, that I will win. That's all I have to say about that." Quietly, Bastion poured more drink into his cup and slurped it down, nearly oblivious to everything else around him. For awhile, there was silence, as everyone absorbed the entire tale he had just woven for them. And then, from Lady Asaka's direction, there came the sound of clapping.
Then, the bartender began to applaud too. More and more people joined in, and soon, everyone was on their feet, giving the grizzly wanderer a standing ovation. He continued to drink, ignorant to their applause, but he had been expecting such appreciation.
Once everyone finished their applause, old Hashigama strolled over to Bastion and patted his shoulders. With a warm smile, he declared Bastion the unquestioned winner of the contest, and every person in that tavern unanimously agreed. Bastion looked on in slight boredom, tired of talking and drinking. He merely accepted his "title" with quiet dignity and grace, and thanked everyone before leaving the place.
Lady Asaka was the only one who followed him. As she strolled up, she couldn't help but take a glance at the temple that held Eboshi's statue and the genealogy that Bastion described. She had a new appreciation for both objects now, and for her ancestry, and had to admit that every time she would now pass the place, she would always smile.
"Yes, my lady?" grunted Bastion once she caught up with him. Asaka smiled.
"That really was a magnificent story, Bastion," she said. "I am amazed that you are not off entertaining some sultan in Persia. Scheherazade herself could not have told something so grand!"
"You're exaggerating, Lady Asaka," he sighed. She smiled.
"Sorry. But seriously, sir, your skills are great! One thing intrigues me, though. You said that Lord Ashitaka and Lady San mated and gave birth to my ancestors, correct? Yet, how is it that I resemble the statue in the town square? You referred to it when you were ill, but you never said much about it. Would you happen to know anything of the matter?"
"Maybe," he shrugged. "I just know what I've been told." Asaka gently took his large paw, and looked into his single eye calmly.
"Please, Bastion… would you please clear up this mystery for me? I… I want to know who I am, and who my ancestors were." Bastion smiled at Asaka emptily, but yanked his hand away from Asaka's, and calmly tipped an imaginary hat as he shuffled away.
"My lady," he said, "that is just a story that will have to be told another day."
The End
