Totetsu paced back and forth in front of Wolf, a hand brushing his beard as he said nothing.
"So you say. But even with that... strange arm of yours, I find that very hard to believe." He finally came to a stop, "The time when Zipangu had human shinobis was during my time... and that was very, very, long ago."
The quote made Wolf raise an eye, wondering if there was more to the old Lord.
"However, I will grant you the benefit of the doubt. I taught my retainers much, and young Furukabu was an excellent judge of character."
"Young?" Wolf quietly questioned, picturing the elderly village leader.
"Which brings us to our last question. Why exactly have you come here?"
Wolf paused before answering, "... I am unsure. I was hoping you would provide an answer."
Totetsu raised a bushy brow, his almost hidden eyes glinting in realization. "Ah, I see. Much like a samurai, even an honorless shinobi requires a master. I imagine you have traveled long without any real purpose."
The shinobi nodded, "Yes..." He then looked down at Totetsu, "But I am unsure if my purpose lies in serving you."
"Oh?" Totetsu asked, his tone becoming dangerous.
Wolf face betrayed no emotion, "I have seen much in my travel to this place, which has made me question what your clan stands for. As much as I would hate to disappoint Sir Furukabu, I have seen no reason why I should join clan Amanomiya."
There was a tense pause, Wolf blinking as a small cherry blossom petal fell drifted over his vision.
Totetsu had disappeared, a small written talisman left on the ground where he used to stand.
Wolf reacted, bringing his prosthetic up as he unraveled his loaded umbrella, the iron fan interlocking as it absorbed a powerful downward stab of Totetsu's nagamaki, the tip of the katana now atop the ground. Unused energy had gathered within the tool, smoke emitting from its folded bits as Wolf leaped, both fan and sword slashing in a cross as a wave of cutting wind manifested. Totetsu leaped back, slowly descending on a cloud of petals as he narrowly avoided the retaliation.
Both combatants had returned into their stances, a few tense seconds passing before Totetsu laughed, rough guffaws radiating the air.
"I admit, I did not expect that." The old man lowered the blade. "You sure do fight like a real Shinobi."
"You were testing me." Wolf noted.
Totetsu nodded, sheathing the long blade behind his back. "Indeed. If you were beaten by such a simple trick, then clearly you weren't worthy of my time at all, much less, be persuaded to join my clan."
"But you have now threatened twice." Wolf didn't relinquish his katana. "Why should I trust you?"
"Why haven't you left?" Totetsu asked in response, "Clearly you have some interest in what I might have to say." Totetsu bowed his head to him as if apologizing. "If it concerns you so, you have my word that I will attempt no such a thing again."
Wolf paused before finally relenting, sheathing Kusabimaru. "I will listen to what you have to say."
Totetsu guided him in a short trek across the field, toward the dwelling at the corner of the field.
A small tree stump stood in front, the two men bypassing it as the former Daimyo opened the sliding door to the two-story building. The main floor was set up like a dojo, a large straw mat on the floor, surprisingly ornate given the outside. Totetsu's wrinkled arm outstretched from his kimono as he roared out.
"Come down! We have a guest!"
Wolf could hear brief scurrying upstairs as footsteps clamber down. After a second or so, another set of sliding doors parallel to the dojo opened up.
Two girls in ribboned Kimono's and long tabis revealed themselves, faces and clothes identical, with the latter exempting color. The first girl was taller, her kimono a combination of blue ribbon and black base. Her hair was short, the back styled with a small bun.
The second was a few inches shorter, her long hair tied toward the end with a ribbon, Kimono set with red ribbonry and white cloth.
They bowed and spoke in unison, their tones in perfect sync.
"Welcome."
Totetsu turned to face him. "My granddaughters. The taller one is my eldest, Shinonome. The other is the middle child,-"
He turned back around, gesturing to the shorter girl.
"Koyoi."
"I see." Wolf responded, bowing his head to the two girls. "My name is Sekiro." Once again giving them his false alias, "It is very nice to meet you."
Totetsu grunted, waving a dismissing hand toward the two girls. "Well? Why are you both still standing there? Go back to refining your mana at once!"
They both obeyed, bowing their heads and quickly leaving the dojo, the younger sister trailing behind the eldest. However, just before they closed the door behind them, Wolf witnessed Koyoi turn her head as the sliding doors closed. Although her face betrayed no emotion, Wolf could see the curious glints in her eyes before disappearing behind the paper wall.
Wolf turned his head to Totetsu, "Mana refining?" He asked, unfamiliar with the term.
"Yes." Totetsu growled, gesturing for Wolf to take a seat. They both knelt down, sitting comfortably atop the straw mat. "Concentrating and breathing helps strengthen the spirit, which in turn increases mana."
"... But what exactly is mana?" Wolf finally asked.
Totetsu raised an eye, "You are a skilled Shinobi, and you don't even know what mana is?" Totetsu grunted, "I suppose if I were to explain it, it is your spirit energy, your life force. That's how I use those talismans that you've seen." To emphasize, Totetsu produced a small written paper in his grasp before clutching it. "By imbuing the kanji with mana, I can perform a simple teleportation spell for instance." He disappeared into a puff of petals from Wolf's left, reappearing to his right and gesturing to one of wolf's katanas, specifically the one he had retrieved from the village. "But I am surprised you don't know when you have a monster silver Katana on your back."
The shinobi blinked, grabbing the non-lethal katana and unsheathing it. "This weapon?"
Totetsu nodded with a growl, "Yes. Where did you find it?"
"Before I arrived here, I was... kidnapped." Wolf admitted, "I was taken to this hidden village full of Kunoichis, but I managed to escape."
"Escape?! From a Kunoichi village?" Totetsu narrowed his eyes, "I would think you enthralled and behead you for telling such a blatant lie..." He then crossed his arms. "But I sense no corruption within you. Just how many monsters have you slain?"
"... 2." Wolf said, "The first one I killed, I believe Sir Furukabu called a Crow Tengu."
Totetsu seemed impressed, "Hmph, not bad. They are fast, very fast. What about the other?"
"An Ushi-Oni."
That seemed to surprise Totetsu, his brows separating and eyes widening. "Truly?"
Wolf nodded, "Furukabu said he had witnessed you-"
"Destroy one, yes. Tell me, did you get any of its blood on you?"
The Shinobi nodded, Totetsu stroking his beard in a slight hurry.
"That is surprising. Normally, those who are bathed in the blood of an Ushi-Oni are immediately turned into an incubus. It's their demonic mana, you see." He regarded Wolf closely, "But I have sensed your mana, you seem unaffected. If anything, your mana feels..." Totetsu closed his eyes, breathing in as his chest rose before reopening his lids. "It feels very distant, I can barely sense it."
"I see." Wolf changed the topic. "So those two from before, you are training them to fight?"
The old Daimyo nodded, "Indeed. They rise before the sun, listen to my lectures, practice slaying chants, then mana refinement as you see now, and then they are allowed sleep." Totetsu crossed his arms, "Complaints are not permitted... and neither is defying my word."
"One! The parent is absolute!" Wolf dispersed the dying memory before stating a simple observation. "They are young."
"Which is why they still have time..." Totetsu breathed out, stressing importance within those words. "Tell me, Sekiro. Despite the rest of the clans accepting monsters, do you have any idea how Clan Amanomiya have survived for this long?"
Wolf shook his head.
"Monster slayers. Myself, my forefathers, and my ancestors have all been monster slayers as long as there have been demon lords. We have never strayed from our path, and I doubt we ever will. One slayer is more than a match for 50 men, and monsters the other clans recruit to fight against us give them no advantage." Totetsu explained.
"You mentioned a demon lord, what is that?" Wolf asked.
"The leader of all monsters." Totetsu growled, a dangerous edge to his tone. "I'll let you in on a secret. Monsters did not always have the forms of beautiful women. There was once a time they had held more feral and bloodthirsty forms, that would kill rather than seduce."
Wolf was not surprised. If anything, Totetsu's description sounded more in common with the monsters he used to encounter back in Ashina, whether it be headless apparitions or mystical Okami that resided within the Fountainhead palace.
"And ironically, we are in more danger than before because of it."
"How so?" The shinobi asked, now perplexed.
Totetsu huffed, "Tell me if you have heard this before...-" The old Lord looked up, "That all monsters wish to live peacefully with humans."
Wolf did not respond.
"I admit, it is... admirable to think such a way, until you realize that no human child is produced from a courtship between man and monster, only another monster." Totetsu grunted, "Where do you think that will leave us in two hundred years?"
"Fewer people and more monsters?" Wolf asked.
Totetsu grunted, "Try no people and all monsters. Worst of all, I've seen it with my own eyes." He gestured to the setting sun, "Out there, in the barbarian continent, are a race of stout men called the dwarves. They were excellent crafters and miners too. When monsters transformed into the forms of women, the dwarves foolishly decided to throw caution into the wind and fall victim to their own lust." The old Lord grimaced, "Now they are almost extinct, a fate our country will soon share at this rate." Totetsu added his own philosophy. "At least before, man killed monster and monster killed man to regulate the population of one another. In a brutal, terrible fashion, it maintained a sense of balance within this world. Now, there is none, and I curse the ignorance of my youth for letting such a thing happen."
It was a lot to take in for Wolf, the shinobi looking down at the floor in deep thought. Although he wasn't sure what a 'dwarf' was, Wolf picturing their likeness to a Senpou temple assassin or Rat, Totetsu did not seem to be lying or deceiving him. Yet there was one thing that bothered Wolf.
"... I understand your point." Wolf acknowledged before pausing, "But what did you mean by that last sentence?"
Totetsu was silent, as if realizing he had made a mistake. "... Nothing." He then stood up, "It is beginning to grow dark outside. You may take the room adjacent to the dojo. Goodbye." Totetsu quickly left, leaving Wolf on his lonesome, the shinobi now definitely certain.
The old Lord was hiding a secret.
Wolf awoke upon the sounds of cicadas, reminding him that summer was about. Opening his eyes, he blankly stared up at the ceiling, realizing that he zero obligations to rise from his comfy futon, a rare chance to finally relax.
He didn't exactly prefer it.
It was still dark out as the shinobi turned himself atop the soft futon before hearing footsteps outside his door. Rising up, he quickly left his bedding, slowly opening the sliding door. The hallway was empty, the sliding door to the dojo open as Wolf quietly peered through.
Koyoi sat at the edge, adjusting one of her sandals beneath her long tabi. She reached to grab another before realizing that Wolf stood at the doorway, her eyes widening yet face betraying no emotion.
After a short pause, Wolf decided to finally speak up. "... Good morning, Lady Koyoi."
"Good morning." She responded in kind, her tone flat yet slightly rushed.
"You are going outside?" He asked.
"I-" Koyoi finally seemed to settle herself, nodding. "Yes. My sister and I run through the forest every morning before the sun rises. It is part of the training grandfather set for us."
Wolf paused, peering outside before looking back at her, a decision made in his mind. "Forgive me, but do you mind if I join as well? I wish to survey the land."
She seemed taken aback, but nodded.
If there was one rule at the dojo, it was that visitors never visited, as grandfather prohibited it.
Which is why it was such a shock when Totetsu came back with the stranger known as Sekiro.
Koyoi was not sure what to think of the dour man. After all, she had never really met another person besides her grandfather or sister, much less a man. If she had, Koyoi would have been too young to remember.
Her parents, that is.
She closed her eyes, banishing the sad thoughts. Her sister was already far ahead of her, having started her run earlier. Sprinting past a few trees, she halted upon spotting something in the branches. "Is that-"
Sure enough, it was Sekiro again, the man crouched atop a large branch as his keen eyes seemed to scan the forest. His eyes then caught her, Koyoi looking away to avoid embarrassment, and admittedly, a bit of fear. Yet that was soon changed, as she felt a shape land next to her, realizing Sekiro was now next to her. She hadn't even seen him jump or move, making it look as if he had simply appeared there. "There's a village at the foot of the mountain."
Koyoi took a moment to realize that he was inquiring about it, continuing her jog as Sekiro kept up with her. "Grandfather forbids us to go there. It would distract us from our training."
"I see." He responded, staring forward. Koyoi didn't know much in the ways of interaction, but she could tell he was definitely contemplating something... which finally allowed her to ask something of him for once.
"Sir Sekir-"
"I have no titles. Just Sekiro." The man corrected, Koyoi reiterating.
"Sekiro, if you don't mind me asking, how do you know my grandfather?"
They came to a brief halt as he looked at her, Koyoi growing nervous underneath his gaze. He then seemed to relent, as if coming to a decision as they continued moving. "I met one of your grandfather's former retainers within a village I was staying in. He pointed me in this direction."
It was a vague answer, with no real reason given as to 'why'.
"Oh." They reached a clearing, Koyoi spotting her elder sister resting against a rock. Shinonome seemed taken aback at the appearance of Sekiro, yet did not voice anything, instead pushing off against the rock to stand up straight.
Sekiro bowed his head in greeting as she came up to them, bowing her head.
Koyoi turned to him, "It is best that I continue from here. I do not wish to be late for breakfast, else grandfather may not give me any."
Wolf nodded, allowing her to join their sister as they ran off. His conversations with the Koyoi provided some delicate insight... and some unneeded memories, their routines and training serving to remind him of younger times. Yet instead of running through forests or practicing chants, he was expected to avoid certain death by hiding amongst the tall grass from both mentor and enemy soldier alike, ravaging warband camps becoming opportunities for him to learn subterfuge.
New opportunities to kill.
Tutelage underneath Owl and the other mentors was a very rough thing, but Wolf acknowledged that without it, he would have never been able to help Lord Kuro.
But as of now, he could definitely say that the training of both girls consisted more of theory rather than practicality... a deeper grievance being done, something which bothered him immensely from within about the whole situation.
What exactly was it?
He dispersed his thoughts, bringing himself to the present as he watched the town at the foot of the mountain, immediately noticing that the houses much less impoverished than Dokoni and seemingly livelier, from the distance at least, the most peculiar building being a long temple that was built next to the mountain. He leaped forward, landing on a few branches, making his way down before finally arriving at the trail into the village.
Walking forward, he seamlessly integrated himself amongst its inhabitants, looking around to check the surroundings. People milled about, mostly children and elderly, but there were a few adults, dressed in what appeared to be religious attire of some sort, black headdresses atop their heads that gave the appearance of-
"Shinto priests." Wolf noted.
He wasn't sure what religion Zipangu followed, but judging how Shoukichi didn't recognize buddha's he had sculpted, he assumed that Buddhism didn't exist in this country. The priests were situated at the temple, standing in front as they hauled things to and fro in preparation for something.
"Greetings, Stranger." He turned to see an old woman sitting at the side, clad in Kimono and haori. "Are you here for the Pinnacle festival?" She chuckled, "I'm afraid you're too early."
"Festival?" Wolf asked.
"It's a celebration." She pointed at the slope. "It is said that from this mountain, the salvation of Amanomiya descended to oppose the very first Demon Lord, a being named Mitsudomoe."
Wolf was intrigued, "Tell me more."
The lady cleared her throat, "Well, it's a story that is shrouded in mystery. Some say Mitsudomoe was a god, others say that they were human, but what is known is that Mitsudomoe united the tribes of this land at the time into a clan. So when the monstrous forces came to our shore, Mitsudomoe was there to lead them against the Demon Lord." She emphasized the next part, "And when they made landfall, Mitsudomoe brought down the wrath of heaven against them, slaughtering armies of monsters before dealing a wounding blow against the Demon Lord within it. Never once has another Demon Lord returned to Zipangu since..." She finally leaned back, "Afterwards, the clan became known as Amanomiya, its tribes becoming branch families "
It was a fascinating story and it gave Wolf some in-depth info on the origins of the clan, even if they were fantastical or superstitious.
"Which is why I must now ask..." The old lady then opened up her haori, revealing scores of small bells. "Would you be interested in a Mitsudomoe bell? I'm selling them discount."
Wolf blinked, speechless for once. "... I'm afraid I must reject."
She harumphed, closing her haori in standoffish fashion. "Hmph, fine then. Leave me be, I've got bells to sell."
He nodded turning away toward the direction of the dojo, satisfied with what he had learned.
By the time Wolf had returned to the dwelling, Totetsu and his granddaughters were already sat down at the front of the house, eating bowls of fish and rice next to the log. Totetsu was the first to look up from his meal, "I see you've returned."
Wolf nodded, the other two girls quietly finishing their meals. "Indeed." Wolf sat down, looking at Totetsu as the old man handed him a bowl to eat. "I was at the village."
"Were you now?" Totetsu grunted as he slowly stood up. "Those folk down there can do as they please, long as they stay down there. I would've forced them to move had I not been opposed by the branch families."
"They seem to know much about the origins of the clan." Wolf responded, eating some fish.
Totetsu scoffed, "Among other things, but between you and me, I never trusted those priests, it always felt as if they were hiding something." The old man then stood up, turning his attention to his grandaughters as he sat atop the log. "Now, it is lecture time."
Wolf sat beside them as Totetsu began.
"The most important lesson of mana usage is diligence, by applying-"
And for the first time in a long time, the shinobi felt his eyes drift, glancing up every so occasion to notice that the lecture was still going on. "This is...-" Wolf tried to find the right word. "-wearisome."
His stay in the Ashina Reservoir wasn't as bad as this.
Finally, it seemed as if the lecture is over, Wolf looking up at the sun. "Is it noon already?" Somehow, the tedious lecture had made him lose track of time, which made Wolf question whether or not some form of magic was at play.
Totetsu walked back into the dojo, Shinonome quietly standing up to follow him. Wolf lifted his prosthetic, dragging it down his face as he let out a quiet sigh. He then noticed Koyoi staring at him, or more specifically, his fake arm.
"... You may ask if you wish." Wolf simply spoke, Koyoi looking up with alarm.
"I-" She then seemed to steel herself, "What is that device?"
Wolf stretched out the prosthetic, bony digits clicking. "It is a prosthetic. It was given to me by a friend." Wolf then held it upwards, the rope between the radius and the ulna straining.
"Then can I-" Koyoi then seemed to drop whatever she had wanted to ask Wolf raising an eye. "-may I feel it?"
"... You may." Wolf held it out to her, the girl placing a hand against the skeletal arm.
"It feels like bone." She noted, Wolf nodding. "How does it work?"
"Even I am not too sure, all I know is how to upgrade and maintain it. My friend had only acquired it after he himself lost his own left arm, and the creator of was an enigmatic man."
"Oh..." Koyoi slowly drew her hand away. "Does it... hurt?"
"Sometimes." Wolf truthfully answered, "But I do not begrudge it. I lost this arm in service to Kuro, and I would not lose it again if it meant protecting him at the time."
Koyoi blinked, "Kuro? Who's that?"
Wolf realized he had absentmindedly referred to his former Lord, "He was...-"
"Sister." She slightly flinched, turning her head to the entrance to see Shinonome leaning between the sliding doors. "It is chanting practice."
"Ah, I'll be right up!" Koyoi turned, bowing her head to Wolf. "Forgive me for wasting your time, Sekiro." She then stood up, her sister had already left.
Wolf felt the need to speak up. "Lady Koyoi, you did not waste my time. If anything... I found our discussion pleasant."
She turned around to pause, a slight blush of embarrassment growing on her cheeks. "Oh." She then paused again, hand resting against the entrance. "Then...-" She seemed to change her mind about whatever she was going to ask, "I will take my leave."
The shinobi looked toward the field, thinking to himself as she left. "She seems emotionless, but her actions suggest otherwise."
It was there Wolf realized.
"She reminds me of myself at times."
With that melancholic thought, he stood up, entering the dwelling.
It was another morning as Koyoi ran, coming to a stop beside a tree as she panted, clutching her knees. She then briefly noted that a shadow had grown over her, blocking out the harsh sun as she looked up.
"Sekiro?"
She then realized that he was trying to hand her a bamboo flask. "Water?" The man asked
"Oh... Thank you." Koyoi took it, unsure of what to make of it before taking a sip, the water cold and refreshing. "Have you come to survey again?"
"No. I know all there is needed to know about the surrounding location." He leaned against the tree. "I left the dwelling to think. Admittedly, I had hoped to find purpose here, but so far I am still not entirely convinced to give service to clan Amanomiya."
Koyoi's eyes lit up, "Is that why you sought my grandfather?"
"Yes." Sekiro admitted, "I had many questions, but all answers I've been given have simply raised more questions, it is... frustrating."
She sat down beside him, staring off into the forest. "I think I know what you mean." She sighed, "My father and mother, they passed when Shinonome and I were young, with no viable leader for the clan at the time, we both had to move here and learn." She stared off into the distance, "I used to think at night, sleep evading me, how this all happened."
"I see." Sekiro turned to look down at her. "It does not sound like you had much of a decision, that you and your sister were forced into this position."
Koyoi was silent for a moment, "I-..."
She then clenched her hands into fists, Sekiro noticing her change in mood. "What's wrong?"
"... Nothing." So badly she had wanted to get her thoughts off her chest, about her fears and her insecurities.
About her desires to protect her sisters.
Yet, something stopped her, the pressure mounting atop her shoulders and closing around her heart. If she were to be a monster slayer, or even more importantly, head of the clan, then such trivialities had to be stowed away. Ironically, this made it all the more difficult to perform. "It's nothing." She lied again, looking down.
Wolf could definitely recognize distress.
It was an emotion he had seen firsthand many, many times. Yet this time, it was different, as something was stirred within him, a feeling that told him he had to act.
But why?
As far as he was concerned, this was a matter regarding the Amanomiya clan. He had no intention of being involved as of now.
And yet...
It was like Dokoni all over again. The more he thought of the situation, the more dissatisfied he grew. He thought for a moment, the wind gently blowing the leaves of the tree. Thoughts of "What would Kuro do?" quickly translated into thoughts of "What should I do?". Finally, it came to Wolf, something unique and never done by someone like him.
Wolf sat down beside her and began to tell a story.
"There was a boy once who was much younger than you." Wolf saw the exact moment her eyes lit up, her attention grabbed by a long sentence that wasn't Totetsu's excruciating lectures. "He was known as... the Divine Heir. Although he could age, he would never grow sick, and cuts from blades would neither wound nor draw blood."
"He was immortal?" Koyoi asked.
"In a sense..." Wolf continued, "But with this power came a great burden. His bloodline was sacred, and those who were taken under his service could share his immortality."
"So many sought it." She concluded.
Wolf nodded, "Indeed. So much so that his adopted clan was destroyed and burned it to the ground."
Koyoi blinked, "That's-" She looked away, "-terrible." Wolf realized that the story seemed to demoralize her so far. He needed to think of something, much to his regret as he came to a decision.
"Yet, it was not the end for the Divine Heir. There was-" A Lord? Samurai? Bushi? "-a retainer that had attempted to save him, and although the retainer ultimately failed, Kuro had shared his bloodline, granting the retainer immortality."
She seemed astounded, completely absorbed now. "What was their name?"
"... Wolf."
"Wolf?" She questioned, "That is not a very conventional name."
Wolf was silent. "... Indeed." Finally, he continued. "But the retainer sought the Divine Heir once more, the boy now taken hostage by a clan that was meant to protect him."
"Oh no, they wanted to utilize his bloodline." Koyoi surmised, Wolf nodding.
"The clan was surrounded by enemies, and their land was being invaded. But the Divine Heir refused, he had seen firsthand the corruption and destruction his bloodline had brought, as well as the greed in man's heart. No longer did he see his bloodline as sacred, and instead wanted to seek a way to remove it." He continued, "So he sent Wolf to find the items needed. That being a cursed blade and the tear of the divine dragon, the gifter of the bloodline itself."
"How did they acquire these things?"
"Not easily. The blade, due to its curse, killed Wolf upon drawing it." He recalled back to the experience, feeling a chill on his skin. "But Wolf's granted immortality brought the retainer back to life. As for the second ingredient, Wolf had to travel to the divine realm, using the cursed blade to cut the eyelid of the dragon and acquire its tears." Wolf stared forward, "Finally, with all these ingredients gathered, Wolf could sever the Divine Heir's bloodline." Wolf looked up, "However, the only way to end the Divine Heir's immortality... was to end his life."
Koyoi was dead silent.
"But this was not the Divine Heir's fate. Instead, Wolf secretly plotted behind the heir's back with his physician and devised that there was a way to purify his bloodline instead, by acquiring a flower that had blossomed in the Divine Realm. The task was difficult, even transcending time itself before Wolf finally returned with the ingredients, the third unknown to the heir."
Wolf peered into the distance.
"And in his place, Wolf's ended his own life instead, so that the heir could live on and learn what it meant to be human."
Koyoi didn't say anything for a moment. "...It's been a while since I've heard a story, any story. The last time was when my parents were...-" She shook her head.
"I had thought you may appreciate something that was not one your grandfather's... lectures." Wolf finished that last word with a grimace.
And for the first time in forever, Koyoi smiled.
She then seemingly remembered, smile quickly disappearing. "Oh! I almost forgot! I have to get back!" She quickly stood up, bowing her head. "Thank you... for everything, Sekiro."
Wolf nodded, watching as she left, noticing her posture no longer as tense or stressed, as if a weight had been lifted from her heart and shoulders. It felt good to know so, much like when he had helped the village.
He leaned back, resting his head against the tree trunk.
Wolf paused upon returning to the dwelling.
Totetsu by the doorway, Koyoi and Shinonome beside him. Upon seeing the three of them waiting at the entrance, he knew something was wrong. Wolf walked up to the dwelling, speaking out. "Is something wrong?"
The old Lord turned to both girls, his arms crossed. "You both head to your rooms for chanting practice, I must speak with Sekiro."
The two girls nodded, Koyoi's anxious gaze drifting between him and Totetsu as she left. Finally, Totetsu turned back to him, a scowl on his face.
"I couldn't help but notice these past few days that my granddaughter, Koyoi, has changed. She seems more vigorous, more... lively than she should be." Totetsu seethed, "And I've noticed this change has come about whenever she returns from her morning sprint, a time when you are outside."
Wolf was confused, "That is good to hear. But I fail to see why-"
"You have been going behind my back, and undermining my authority. Just how many pointless thoughts have you filled her head with, Shinobi?" He spat out the last part, Wolf blinking. "It was a mistake to let you into my home, and now you must leave. Go, find your purpose elsewhere, you are not needed here."
He felt surprised at first, his mind trying to comprehend what Totetsu was telling him. Then, he began to realize...
"... I see then." His face was stoic, "You say you train your granddaughters to prepare them to be leaders and monster slayers-" Wolf bluntly continued, "But instead, you teach to make them as miserable as you." Totetsu raised a twitching eye at that. "You are correct, Lord Totetsu. I will not find my purpose here. Goodbye."
Wolf turned around without another word, continuing on his way. The confrontation had him recall a few unwanted thoughts, mostly between his own foster father, Owl. But even Owl had his upsides, displaying a unique proudness when Wolf surpassed him in combat. Wolf was, after all... Owl's son.
But as for Totetsu? What future could he possibly be preparing his granddaughters for?
He was unsure.
Upon reaching the forest once more, Wolf heard a voice call out for him.
"Sekiro!" He turned around, surprised to see Koyoi running up to him. "Sekiro, wait!"
The shinobi stopped, blinking. "Lady Koyoi, what are you doing here?"
"I-I snuck out-" She then placed a hand over her mouth, unable to comprehend what she had done. "I snuck out...! I can't believe I-" She then seemed to calm herself, shaking her head. "But I saw you leave and I-I just-" Her emotionless facade was kept, but her voice was shaky. "I'm sorry, Sekiro... for everything."
"It was not your fault, Lady Koyoi-"
"But it was! If I had just continued listening to grandfather! If I had just focused on my training and not bother you, then-" She was silenced as Wolf placed both hands on her shoulders, staring her dead in the eyes.
"Listen to me." Wolf demanded, the girl growing silent. "Koyoi, you must understand, Lord Totetsu is simply too stubborn in his ways. My departure was bound to happen..."
"Where will you go?" She asked.
That question gave him pause, "... Wherever the road takes me." He then looked to her, "I wish you luck on your endeavors, Lady Koyoi."
And with that, he turned around, not making it any more sentimental than he had to.
Until they both heard it.
A distant roar.
Wolf instantly recognized it as he raised his head, now on full alert as Koyoi turned to the direction it was heard. "What was-"
She became silent as he unsheathed Kusabimaru. "I will deal with it."
Koyoi's eyes widened, "Wait, what's going on?"
"..." Wolf didn't respond, his thoughts quickening. "That came from the village..." His eyes narrowed, "I should have killed that ape when I had the chance." He didn't have time to express that remorse, realizing instead that time was of the essence. "Don't follow me." He simply said before leaping, running atop the tree branches in quick succession.
She watched as he left, feeling the need to do something.
It took a while until he encountered a few panicked villagers.
They hid amongst the rocks, peeking from behind as they stared in the direction of their village. His landing startled them, a few yelping as they retreated. "What's going on?" Wolf simply asked, most either too startled or confused to answer. It wasn't until a familiar face from yesterday pushed through the small crowd, Wolf instantly recognizing the storyteller.
"I'll tell you what's wrong! A monster has appeared, a real monster!" She cried, "It showed up during the time of the festival! Its fur white as snow and teeth bearing death-"
"An ape." Wolf simply said, "Where is it."
"At the village!" The lady exclaimed, "Most of us ran into the forest to escape it, but Lord Totetsu showed up from nowhere and is-"
That was all Wolf needed to hear, throwing his grappling kunai into a tree to rise up and continue his travel. It was a few short seconds that he finally arrived at the outskirts, much like he had last time he visited. Instead, this time it was in a state of chaos, a few buildings on fire and pieces of decorations left trampled on the road.
From a distance, he saw the Guardian Ape at the temple, the primate having positioned itself atop the steps. A few dead priests could be seen beneath its feet, the ape's claws and mouth bloodied with fresh kills. Lord Totetsu could be seen standing in the middle of the path, facing up at the monster in a standoff, his nagamaki casually held in hand. It wasn't until the Guardian Ape grew impatient that it slammed both claws on the ground, letting out another ear-piercing roar before rushing forward.
Wolf's eyes widened, quickening his pace as he ran forward.
Yet Totetsu seemed to have it handled for a man of his age. He avoided a giant swing, leaping ever so slightly to push off against the ape's arm to land atop a building. The ape turned around, shattering a wooden wall and tossing pieces of splintered wood. Totetsu seemed prepared for this as well, lifting a charm as he quitely chanted. A barrier of mana appeared, blocking the projectiles with ease before he leaped forward, the Guardian Ape preparing himself.
Totetsu disappeared into a mass of petals.
The ape blinked its crooked face before Totetsu appeared right atop it, swinging his nagamaki in a complete circle. The blade was imbued with some form of power, as the apes neck alongside the embedded blade was cut to shreds and disintegrated, leaving only its cauterized head to land on the floor. Totetsu then landed, the fight having already finished as Wolf arrived, the old man turning with a disappointed look on his face.
"The only real monster I've seen after so long... and it wasn't much of a challenge." He then noticed Wolf running up the path, "Shinobi? You return-?"
Wolf's eyes widened, hand instinctively reaching for the Mortal Blade. "Lord Totetsu! Step away!"
"Hm? Are you blind? It is quite de-"
The ape's body rose up, picking up a giant stone pillar. Totetsu's eyes widened, caught completely unaware before the creature swung.
Wolf pushed Totetsu out of the way.
*SLAM*
He felt his bones get crushed as the pillar punted him away, launching Wolf into a nearby building as pieces of debris flew through the air. The fragments of the wall became a deadly finisher, sharp pieces of spear-like wood now embedded into his chest. Forced into a seated position, Wolf stared forward at the opening he had left, his eyes beginning to glaze as he felt his life's blood leave him.
And then he heard someone call him by nickname.
"SEKIRO!"
"... Koyoi...?"
That was the last of his thoughts before his head slumped.
Wolf had died.
Koyoi ran through the woods, alongside her Shinonome.
She had briefly stopped by the dwelling, picking up her sister. Thankfully (or infuriatingly) Totetsu had told her sister to continue chanting while he went out to investigate the noise from the village. So she asked Shinonome to come with her, her older sister surprisingly obliging. Although Sekiro had told her not to follow, he didn't explicitly state to 'not' go to the village.
So here she was, eyes wide as she saw the source of the disturbance. It was a gigantic ape, its fur like wet tasseled straw and white as cremated ash.
And thankfully, it was dead, beheaded by her father. Its body now only served to be a reminder of what a terrifying fight it could have been. She felt relief course through her body, her run slowing to a walk as she noticed Sekiro ahead of her.
The man instead seemed to be in a state of complete urgency, running forward toward the corpse
"What is he-?"
And then she saw the body rise.
Fear took hold of her, her mind struggling to comprehend what it was seeing as the headless creature grabbed a pillar and swung at Totetsu.
She watched as Sekiro pushed her grandfather out of the way and took the hit, the ground shaking as Sekiro was launched through a building, dust and dirt disturbed as they rose from their surfaces.
A hitch rose to her throat, suddenly finding it hard to breathe, only giving her voice enough to yell out his name.
"SEKIRO!"
The debris cleared, Totetsu rising from the ground as he slumped, coughing as the headless body turned to him. Koyoi felt her sister place a hand on her shoulder, speaking to her.
"Sister, I will protect grandfather." Shinonome's eyes were narrowed, not a hint of fear found in them unlike hers. "Go check on Sekiro."
Her sister ran ahead, distracting the animal as she launched a bolt of mana toward its side. It exploded in a blue force, stumbling its arm as the headless body turned in an unnatural fashion, twisting to face Shinonome
It was almost like a puppet.
Koyoi quickly ran to the left, entered the building, clambering over the shards of wood as she fanned away the dusty debris.
And then she saw him, a piece of wood impaled through Sekiro's chest as he simply sat there, head and shoulders slumped. "No..." She whispered, running up to kneel beside him. She felt for a pulse, only to return with nothing, her insides growing cold with despair.
He was dead.
Slowly, she felt her tears began to build for the first time in forever. She sat back, putting a hand over her mouth to contain the sobs.
"Sekiro..."
"Sekiro..."
He heard his name again, his thoughts floating weightlessly in a plain of inexistence as his memories were recalled.
"How many times have you died and come back for my sake...?"
Kuro's words awoken something.
"I don't think the power of resurrection comes without a cost."
Emma spoke, consciousness forming.
"Looks like death is not your fate-"
He began to return.
"-just yet."
回生
His eyes opened as his chest muscles flexed, extruding small pieces of splintered wood from his body, his cuts and punctures closing themselves. Broken ribs and bones slowly reformed together, all of this as part of the resurrection process while some parts of his clothes were torn or stained with his own blood.
Standing up, he wrenched the biggest piece from his chest with a grunt, the wound closing before realizing that someone was kneeling beside him.
It was Koyoi, her puffy eyes now wide and jaw agape with disbelief, looking as if she had seen a ghost.
And as far as he was concerned... that was not far from the truth.
He turned without a word, knowing a threat was still at hand. The Guardian Ape needed to be put down, and he had the means to do it.
"I'll be back." He finally spoke, leaving through the hole he had made as Koyoi knelt there in shock.
Upon running outside, he spotted Shinonome facing against the Guardian Ape, protecting Totetsu as he clutched his chest from a knelt position. The headless beast swung the pillar down against them, Wolf almost flinching in the expectation that they would both get crushed. Instead, Shinonome raised a talisman, a barrier of light forming as the stone pillar shattered atop it.
His first clear look at magic, and so far, it seemed impressive.
The headless ape reared up, discarding the shattered pillar before picking up another thing from the floor.
It's head.
Wolf instantly recognized the attack as blood spurted from the neck, its jaw stirring as life seemed to return to it. And then the head let out a roaring growl, the sound emanating outward around it as waves of air pulsed. Shinonome prepared herself for a physical attack, but was dearly mistaken. The attack was one that preyed on both mentality and emotion, the growl reactivating a primal fear within her. She dropped the talisman, putting a hand over her ear as her eyes widened, the other hand clutching her heart.
怖
She was instantly incapacitated as she knelt down, barrier deactivating as she vainly attempted to control her breathing. The Guardian Ape lifted both its arms up, ready to smash down upon the now vulnerable girl. Wolf ran forward, attempting to prepare his firecrackers.
"Will I be too la-?"
And then a great big fireball struck the headless ape, singing its fur as the body stumbled. He turned to see Koyoi holding a Talisman out, her teeth gritted in anger. "Get away from my sister!" She yelled in a rare show of rage, the Guardian Ape's attention now turned to them.
Looking toward Koyoi, he spoke. "This will only take a moment, Lady Koyoi."
Her rage subsided, blinking as Wolf turned to the ape, reaching to the Mortal Blade on his back. He finally unsheathed it as the odachi came to life, its red curse made manifest once more as the wrongness danced atop the edges. Wolf held it beside him, his former enemy instantly recognizing the blade. The ape's decapitated head managed to snarl, its yellow eyes staring directly at him from the grasp of its claw.
It knew him, and it hated him.
He said nothing, simply readying himself as held the blade up. It slammed both claws in the ground, charging forward in bestial fury.
Wolf simply prepared for the moment, hefting the Mortal Blade and swinging. A gigantic slice of red protruded forth, extending the range as he cut the ape's chest, the beast collapsing past him before crashing into a building, throwing wood pieces everywhere. A screech was heard, not from its head, but from another source.
The parasite.
It protruded out from the neck alongside its many spiny legs, almost as if it were trying to escape from the chest area, the immortal killing cut like poison to its kind. Koyoi stuttered, unable to believe what she was seeing. "W-What is that thing?"
"Centipede." Wolf simply answered before noticing that the ape was trying to escape.
He wouldn't let it get away this time.
Running forward, he tossed a grappling kunai at one of the still remaining beams of the house, propelling himself upwards as he gained a significant height. He could see the body below, the centipede trying to will the body forward into the forest as it wiggled from the neck. He shot out of the cloud of billowing dust, readying the Mortal Blade before landing right atop the parasite.
Wolf plunged the sharpened end into the centipede, feet planted atop its carapace head as it was wrenched from the body. He then drove the blade upward, slicing the parasite in half as it screeched loudly, tail end wriggling. Stepping off, he watched as it struggled against death, writhing and convulsing before finally coming to a lifeless stop, the Guardian Apes body turning to bright white ash.
不死斬り
Turning back, he saw there was one last leftover still remaining. The head of the ape stared at him, blinking as if still alive. Finally, its maw closed on its own, fury leaving its features as it seemed as if it had found some modicum of peace before disintegrating alongside the rest of its separated body.
Wolf sheathed the Mortal Blade, a satisfying clink securing the weapon before returning to the village. By the time he got back to the main area, he saw Totetsu recovering atop a broken bench while Koyoi knelt next to Shininome. The eldest of the sisters did not seem well, her eyes wildly scanning and mouth open, chest rising and falling rapidly as Koyoi attempted to calm her. Wolf came up next to her, producing a packet of pacifying agent from his Haori.
"Hold her steady." Wolf simply said, as he knelt next to Koyoi, grasping onto Shinonome to pull her up before trickling the powder into the girl's mouth. She coughed, regaining her senses as she calmed down, staring at him with a newfound fascination.
Fear was a dangerous ailment, Shinonome was lucky to be alive.
Koyoi turned her head to him as her sister recovered, "Sekiro... what-..."
She struggled to form a sentence, perhaps recalling the fact that she had seen him return from the dead.
"What are you?"
"... I suppose you deserve the truth now..."
He turned to face her.
"My true name is not Sekiro. It is Wolf."
She breathed in a bit of air, eyes blinking as she came to the realization. There was silence for a few seconds before an awful cough was heard, Totetsu covering his mouth as he struggled to sit upright. "Grandfather?!" Koyoi asked, standing up to check on Totetsu. Wolf followed closely behind her, staring over her shoulder as she propped her grandfather up.
He coughed and wheezed again, staining the top of his white robe with specks of black... stagnant blood.
Wolf's worst fear was made realized.
"Grandfather?" Koyoi asked with worry, "I-I don't understand, I used a healing talisman on him to disperse his bruises. What did that monster inflict him with?"
"The Guardian Ape is not at fault." Wolf spoke.
His face tightened.
"It is mine."
Lord Totetsu had Dragonrot.
This was a hard chapter to write, because it had to take so many things into consideration. I mean, it's already hard enough to gauge the personalities of characters that only speak like... 3 or 4 sentances in the lore? (Looking at you Totetsu.) But I think I reasonably nailed Koyoi and Shinonome. Koyoi's is actually kinda complex. On the outside, she's supposed to be this emotionless person, but when the cards are on the table, that facade quickly falls away into something more delicate, it was a blast to write her. And as for Wolf in this chapter?
Well, he kicked ass obviously.
I'm gonna do a few quick spellchecks. There are definitely some sentences that don't sound good or words I misspelled. The next chapter will be finding out the Secret of the Amanomiya (AKA, why Totetsu is such a hardass) as well as an introduction of new things.
Thank you for waiting. Tbh, it's been hard trying to pump out chapters when there's zero creativity flying around indoors. I've been trying to go outside more to get some drive going, but that sort of takes up time I could be writing. A vicious cycle if I do say so myself. I think the worst part was deleting large swaths of this chapter that really didn't feel right and then writing from the ground up until I felt some form of satisfaction.