Tokyo/Summer
The air was thick with the white flakes dancing in the air. Every worn building or crumbling road was covered in white. Among one of the back alleys, one of the few remaining occupants of the city walked. Dressed in a dark green snow jacket and holding a long metal pipe, the man was in a hurry. All he could think about was running back to that abandoned store, but he knew he had to be cautious and not alert his enemies. Just as he thought of them, two large beasts roared from the main road. Just to be safe he peaked out from the alley to check which direction they were going. Thankfully it was the opposite direction.
Eventually, after his deathly silent patrol, the man was able to return to the abandoned store, hidden inside the alleyway. Inside the food shelves were barren and covered in dust. Looking at them made his stomach growl, but he soon buried that feeling when he walked around the shelves and laid eyes on a very young girl with long curly pink hair wearing a little navy blue dress and a big green scarf. Seeing she was whining as she held her head, he instantly ran to her side.
"Kana! I'm here!" He said, wrapping his arms around her.
"Pa..pa," she smiled faintly through the pain. "I was so worried."
"I will never leave you."
"Thanks papa. I tried to stay quiet so the monsters wouldn't hear me."
"That's good."
"Did you find something to eat?"
"Yes."
"Good…"
He could see in her violet eyes, the pain was overtaking her. She was desperately trying to stay strong. Yet these attacks only seemed to occur more and more.
"What was that?" Kana asked.
The man looked around the shelves and saw two big monsters enter the store. They looked to be two shadows in the form of bears with glowing white veins and crimson eyes.
"Stay here," the man said. "I'll take care of them."
The girl weakly nodded before he patted her on the head and gave her a confident smile. Knowing her life was at stake, he ran towards the bears trying to lure them out into the alley.
"I won't let you hurt my daughter!" He shouted slamming the steel pipe on the broken concrete. "You hear me!"
Both bears turned and looked at him before roaring and charging. He stood his ground until they were close enough for him to dodge and stab one in the back. Blood spewed out from the translucent monster, staining the world of white. This achievement was short lived as the other bear hit him in the torso knocking the wind from his lungs before pushing him to the ground. As he fell to the ground, his hoodie fell off revealing his short dark brown hair and green eyes. Just as the monster stood and prepared to swipe its paw down and end his life, he kicked one of the hind legs. Swiftly he rolled out of the bear's way, pulled out a piece of sharp glass from his jacket, and stabbed the monster in the throat. Just as swiftly as he stabbed the monster, he pulled the glass out and watched a fountain of blood pour out. He could have rebelled in the monster's violent demise, but he knew he needed to kill the other monster. Suddenly a familiar scream pierced through the air. The man turned to see the other monster move around the shelves, cornering Kana.
"Kana!" He shouted, running as fast as he could.
By the time he came close enough to the monster, it had already stood on its hide legs and raised its claws. Even if he stabbed it, the claws would come down onto Kana. No matter what, he would never allow harm to come to her. So he leapt inbetween the monster and her. The claws swung down and tore through his chest, sending his blood everywhere. Despite the overwhelming pain, he managed to hold himself just long enough to stab the monster in the throat just like the one before. Both him and the monster fell into a pool of blood.
Everything began to blur, but he could still see the shadow bear fade into nothingness. Kana ran to his side and embraced him.
"Papa!" Kana cried. "You can't die! Papa get up!"
"Ka… na," he tried to say as he weekly lifted his hand towards her face.
"Please, you can't leave me!" Kana took his hand and placed it onto her cheek. "Papa."
He couldn't manage to say another word before his vision went dark and all he could do was listen to Kana cry. Until he heard other voices nearby.
"We found them!" A masculine voice said.
…
1,268 years later
...
Hajime awoke from his bed feeling rejuvenated and ready to seize the day. Fast asleep beside him was his precious daughter Kana. Seeing she was still very much asleep, he took the opportunity to go and get ready by himself. All he had to do was put on his armor and grab some bread to eat. Considering how small their stone house was, it would make it harder if he was trying to be as quiet as possible. Just to be safe he didn't light any of the torches just to make sure he didn't wake up Kana. Of course this led to him putting his chest plate on backwards. It was already hard enough buckling the plates of armor around his bulky muscles. He really needed to buy ones that fit better. Eventually he was all sorted out and ready to leave with a slice of bread in his hand.
"Papa, you're leaving?" Kana's soft voiced asked.
"I just need to run some errands in town," Hajime said. "It's pretty early so why don't you go back to sleep."
"Can't we have breakfast together?" Kana asked, slipping out of the old wooden bed.
"I'm sorry but I can't be late."
"Oh… okay."
"But you know what? I can promise you we can have dinner tonight. How about that?"
"Sure! I'll make soup!"
"Good girl. I love you."
"I love you too, papa."
Kana smiled as radiant as the sun despite being fast asleep a minute ago. It always impressed him how easily his daughter could bounce back. He supposed it was her way of coping through her illness. Remembering that, his smile faltered.
"What's wrong papa?" Kana asked.
"Nothing," Hajime smiled. "I'm off."
Burying the feeling, he walked out of the house and into the bright light of the outside. A fresh wave of the sea's scent hit his nostrils. Their white stone house was one of many in the coastal village overlooking the sea. Yet unlike the other houses, the sides had a plethora of animals painted on it thanks to Kana. Everything from birds to foxes. Hajime recalled the errands he needed to do and quickly ran to the town square. As he ran down the white stone path, he heard the chatting of the fellow villagers.
"Did you hear there was another shade attack?" A man asked. "It looked like a bull that impaled two merchants that were on their way here."
"Oh that's awful!" A woman said. "But I guess shade attacks are becoming more frequent."
Although the news was grim, it did intrigue him. He hoped this bull shade had a nice bounty considering its kill count. With that in the back of his mind, he arrived at the town square located on a pier. There the town hall carved with intricate statues, stood proudly against the backdrop of the ocean. Before the town hall was also a lovely fountain surrounded by benches and columns. There he could hear the familiar sound of singing and a lute being played. Both came from a woman with short white hair in a scarlet robe.
"Still singing as always," Hajime smiled.
"It helps keep people's spirits up," the woman said while still playing the lute. "Anyways, how's Kana doing?"
"I think she's doing better, but I'm still worried about her illness."
"We all are. I miss her coming out here to play."
"Don't worry Usami, I haven't given up hope. I never will if my daughter is involved."
"Hehe. She's lucky to have such a strong father. Good luck then."
"Thanks."
Waving Usami goodbye, Hajime walked into town hall. Inside the walls were completely covered in bookcases full of countless books. Upstairs he found the room he was looking for and knocked before entering. Beyond the door was a small office complete with a map of the island and a desk teaming with papers. At the desk sat a man with short tan hair and dressed in a scarlet robe similar to Usami.
"Chihiro?" Hajime asked.
"Oh Hajime, you're early," the man said. "Sorry I was just reviewing the town supplies for the month."
"No problem."
"As always I also checked the latest job offerings and bounties, but the only thing I could find was a bounty for a bull shade. Luckily the reward is bigger than usual."
"Thank you. I don't know what I'd do without you."
"Please it's nothing."
"I'll get this done as soon as possible and then I might be able to get home by lunch for once."
"Aww Kana will be so happy. Good luck then, but don't be reckless. You know that girl wouldn't want to see a single scratch on you."
"I'll keep it in mind."
…
Hajime walked down the library steps expecting to rush out to the meadow, until he saw a familiar face among the books. She tried to hide her face in a book but he knew it was his daughter.
"Kana, what are you doing out of the house?" Hajime asked.
"I… well," Kana shyly replied. "I was just checking all the books to see if any of them were about my illness."
"You don't have to worry about that. That's my job. Your job is to stay home and conserve your energy"
"Okay…"
As they talked Hajime noticed the white ribbon in Kana's hair was coming undone.
"Let me fix that," Hajime knelt down and tied her ribbon. "There, now go home."
"But what if one of these books has a cure on my illness?" Kana asked.
"Believe me, I checked. Most of them are just fairy tales about lunar tears and such."
"Lunar tears?"
"It's just a flower people say can grant wishes, but no one's seen them in forever. Now go home."
"Okay."
"Good girl. I promise I'll be home by dinner."
Kana nodded and put the book away before hugging her father goodbye. If he had time he would have walked her home, but he needed to kill the bull shade first.
…
After sending Kana home, Hajime walked up the town steps to the outer gate. On the other side was a narrow canyon that led to the open meadow. He could already smell the scent of sweet wildflowers. But before he could walk out of the canyon, a small group of cats made of shadow blocked his way. Clearly the red eyed monsters were waiting for some poor fool to exit the town and walk into their ambush. Unfortunately for then, Hajime was no poor fool. All he had to do was take out his broad sword and cut them all down at once with one precise slash. The shade cats mrowled in their final moments before fading into nothing. In their place was some money and old school books they had picked up for whatever reason.
Moving past the blood splatters where the shades once were, Hajime entered the glistening meadow. Here the sun was piercingly bright over the luscious green grass. A large dilapidated bridge stood at the center surrounded by herds of sheep. It was almost a serene place had there not been a big bull shade stomping around. Upon getting closer to the bridge, Hajime spotted his target terrorizing some of the sheep. Like other shades it was made of black shadows and had piercing crimson eyes. Unlike a normal bull it had three tails.
"Hey!" Hajime shouted.
The bull shade turned its head and huffed upon seeing Hajime. Hajime took a stance and dug his feet into the dirt before shouting again. Enraged, the bull shade stampeded towards him, horns ready to impale him. Despite this Hajime kept his focus and outstretched his hands to grab the bull shade by the horns. Once the bull shade was close enough, he grabbed the horns and in a split second used them to turn the bull shade over on its back. The bull shade cried and struggled in anger before Hajime swung his broad sword down on its neck and beheaded it. Blood shot out from the neck until the shade faded away.
"Done," Hajime sighed with relief, hardly breaking a sweat. "That was a lot easier than I thought."
…
Back at the library Hajime walked into Chihiro's office again to claim his bounty. Although he couldn't bring back a horn from the dead shade, his reputation gave his word more validity. It also helped having the leader of the village on his side.
"Alright," Chihiro said as he dropped the last coin into the bag. "This should cover it."
"This feels heavier than what the bounty said," Hajime said after picking it up.
"I may have slipped in some extra gold pieces," Chihiro said.
"You didn't have to," Hajime said. "Tell me how much and I'll give it back."
"No, I insist," Chihiro said. "Use the extra money for Kana."
"I guess," Hajime said. "There was a nice stuffed fox I saw in the market."
"Then buy that," Chihiro smiled.
"I think I will."
"Although now that I remember Kana came by my office today asking about lunar tears."
"Sorry she bothered you."
"I don't mind. I made sure to send her home after I told her where they use to grow."
"Where did they use to go?"
"I think it was the forsaken shrine on the east side of the village, but that was hundreds of years ago."
"She better not have gotten any ideas."
"No, she's a good girl."
"You're right. Thanks for your help."
"You're welcome."
Hajime left, excited to see his daughter, but as he bought his armor and her new gift an uneasy feeling came over him. Of course he wanted to believe Kana had gone straight home and was resting in bed. Yet he couldn't believe wholeheartedly. When he finally ran home, he found their bed empty. He checked the kitchen and every other part of the house, but found no sign of her.
"Damn it Kana!" Hajime said before running out the door.
...
Hajime thought for certain Kana had gone to the forsaken shrine, but didn't want to believe it. When he raced down the east side of the village he found small footprints in the sand. They led directly to the eastern gate. At the gate he saw a familiar white ribbon in the sand.
"I should have never told her about the lunar tears," Hajime said as he held the delicate ribbon.
Past the gate, Hajime followed the path into the seaside cliffs until he came into a huge opening surrounded by cliffs. In the center stood a large round temple overgrown with trees, most of which were dead. The only way to access the shrine was one long and old rope bridge suspended high over a moat of sea water down below.
"I will find you," Hajime said, clenching the ribbon.
Carefully he walked across the bridge making sure not to rock it too much. Despite its age the bridge stayed completely intact. Inside the shrine was one large main room with a spiral staircase and a thin dead tree that had grown to the fourth floor. The walls were covered in vines that obscured faded carvings of animals in monotone pairs. Some of them Hajime had never seen. As he tried to make out the largest and most mysterious pair with bat-like wings and reptilian features, a pair of distorted roars coming from above.
"Kana!" Hajime shouted as he ran up the staircase.
As he climbed up the stairs, four shades in the form of hyenas materialized around him.
"Damn it I don't have time for this!" Hajime shouted and swung his sword.
The Hyena shades laughed as they dodged his attacks and tried to attack him from behind. One leapt onto his back only for him to pull it off with one hand and cut it in two. Another Hyena shade lunged at his shoulder and managed to bite him a bit before Hajime grabbed and tossed it at the other two shades, knocking them off the staircase. Once they were dealt with he kept running up the stairs.
Finally he made it to the roof of the shrine where one last room was. Without thinking, he charged in ready to save Kana. He charged into the final room where two statues of lions, one black one white, stood on opposite sides of a glass ball. Behind them was an altar surrounded by a magic barrier. There Kana laid unconscious.
"Kana!" Hajime yelled.
He ran forward with his sword in an attempt to pierce the barrier only for it to propel him backward. Then he noticed the light emanating from the glass ball was the same as the magic barrier. Making that connection he took his sword and began to bash away at the ball which was surprisingly durable. Suddenly the glass ball shattered with an explosion of white light and a small white object fell out. Hajime looked closer to see it was some sort of ghostly fox kit. The fox, seemingly in a daze, struggled to stand until it opened its eyes that were violet.
"Ugh," the fox spirit groaned in a surprisingly masculine voice. "What has led me to deserve such a rough awakening?"
"The hell?" Hajime asked.
The fox spirit shook itself awake and regained its composure before staring at Hajime with a displeased face.
"I see now it was a barbarian that awoke me," the fox spirit said.
"What the hell are you?" Hajime asked. "Some sort of shade! Are you behind that magic barrier?"
"Dear boy do you not recognize excellence when you see it?" The fox spirit said. "I am Cain, the great white spirit that slays despair. How dare you compare me to one of those mindless monsters."
"You look more like a pup," Hajime said.
The fox spirit froze and examined his petite body.
"This is only a side effect of your wreckless slashing while I was suspended," Cain said, "but it should not be permanent for a divine spirit such as me."
Understanding the fox spirit was not a threat, Hajime ran back to the magic barrier and tried again to slash it apart. The magic barrier forced him back into the small fox spirit. Then the three shade hyenas from before bursted into the room.
"I won't stop until I have my daughter back!" Hajime growled. "If that means I have to kill every last shade in this shrine so be it."
"Hold on you warring fool," Cain said. "You cannot fight all these shades alone."
"The hell I can," Hajime growled, not noticing the lion statues were beginning to move.
"Not without my help," Cain said. "Look out!"
Hajime looked behind him just in time to dodge the lion statue's claws. When he looked up he saw the monotone pair of statues move in formation with the shade hyenas. As they moved he could see the lions had shadow bodies underneath their marble armor. Their eyes glowed crimson red.
"They're shades!" Hajime said.
"What was your first tip off?" Cain said sarcastically. "Now you see that marble exterior will be impossible to pierce through without my assistance."
"I don't need help from a know it all pup," Hajime said. "I can save Kana on my own!"
Cain rolled his eyes as Hajime charged ahead at the black armored shade. He raised his sword and swung it at one of the legs only for it to make one tiny dent. Then the hyena shades tackled him, biting into his arm and legs. Hajime growled through the pain and managed to punch one in the nose before kicking the other two away. Before he could get up, the white armored lion batted him into the wall. Despite the pain, Hajime still got up and prepared to fight again until Cain jumped onto his shoulder.
"It will not help your daughter if you die before rescuing her," Cain said.
"I won't stop fighting!" Hajime gasped for air.
"Yes, so why don't you add another weapon to your arsenal," Cain said. "Then you can slay ten times more shades."
"That weapon is you isn't it?" Hajima asked.
"Correct!" Cain said with great pride. "Now all you need to do is say my name and surrender your whole body and soul to me."
"If you turn this against me, I will kill you," Hajime growled.
"Of course," Cain grinned
"Then Cain give me your power!" Hajime shouted.
"As you wish," Cain said before shooting into Hajime's left eye.
"Gagh!" Hajime growled and held his eye.
His whole body felt like it was on fire. Except his left eye that felt like it was growing bigger and bigger. Each of his wounds swiftly healed until the power building up in his eye shot out. When he opened his right eye he saw a much bigger fox spirit with a long flowing tail standing before the shade. The hyena shades laughed as the lion shades backed away.
"Yes you should be afraid," Cain said. "Allow me to extinguish your despair fueled souls!"
Like a lighting bolt, Cain shot forward and repeatedly pierced through the hyena shades causing shots of blood to squirt out everywhere. Cain returned to Hajime's side and admired his handiwork as the hyena shades faded. Despite the blood bath, not a single drop stained Cain's glowing white coat.
"Gods, you weren't boasting your powers for nothing," Hajime said
"Of course," Cain grinned. "I am the most powerful being in this world."
"What else can you do?" Hajime asked.
"I can-" Cain said so confidently before stopping, "I can…"
"What?!" Hajime asked.
The lion shades, realizing Cain was stalled, lunged at Hajime. Hajime rolled away out safety leaving the two lion shades to bash their armored heads into the wall.
"It seems I have forgotten most of my abilities," Cain said. "Though it was probably thanks to your absent minded slashing. If I had been awakened more delicately-"
"So you're just a one trick fox!" Hajime growled before avoiding the white armored lion's claws.
"Calm yourself," Cain said, running past the black armored shade. "Fortunately the blood from these shades has helped me recall another one of my abilities."
"Then do it!" Hajime said, as he swung his sword against the white armored lion.
"First you must align these beasts," Cain said. "Then I shall kill two vultures with one stone."
"Fine," Hajime said. "Come and get me you over glorified cats!"
Holding his sword down to the ground, he ran with it and created an ear bleeding sound of metal scraping stone. The lion shades heard and ran towards him. Just as they corned him at the wall, Cain grew eight extra tails and combined them into one large lance. With a flick of his paw the lance fired and pierced the black armored lion in the chest before going through and impaling the white armored lion. Both lion shades roared in anger before falling over onto each other. Hajime saw their crimson eyes dim into darkness before the magic barrier also fell.
"Kana!" Hajime said running to Kana's side.
"A thank you is in order," Cain said.
"Kana, wake up," Hajime ignored him and cradled his daughter.
"I guess it will wait," Cain sighed.
"Come on, wake up," Hajime said.
Finally, Kana weakly opened her eyes.
"Pa...pa?" Kana asked.
"I'm here," Hajime said then Kana embraced him.
"I'm so sorry," Kana said. "I just wanted to get a lunar tear for you, then you wouldn't have to worry about me."
"Kana…," Hajime said and hugged her back. "I don't care, all I want is for you to be safe."
Suddenly the shrine began to shake.
"We should save this heart to heart for later," Cain said. "Let's go."
"Come on Kana, onto my back," Hajime said to which Kana nodded.
…
They made it through the shrine and out the main entrance before debris fell down and blocked them inside. On the other side of the bridge, Hajime caught his breath.
"Papa?" Kana checked on him.
"You don't need to fuss over him," Cain said, startling Kana and making her hide behind Hajime, "he's stronger than one would expect. Almost supernaturally so."
"He's right," Hajime patted Kana's head.
Kana was about to smile when her eyes widened and she started to cough.
"Kana!" Hajime held her.
"My head…," Kana cried. "No it's… fine."
"It's okay Kana, just calm down," Hajime embraced her. "I'm right here."
"What is this?" Cain asked offhandedly.
"Don't worry Kana, I'll take you back home," Hajime cradled her in his arms.
"Okay," Kana said softly.
…
Back at the house, Hajime tucked Kana into bed. Instantly she fell asleep. He watched over her with a sorrowed look. Cain stood quietly by his side before turning to Hajime.
"What sort of illness is this?" Cain asked
"No one knows, even though she's had it all her life" Hajime said. "I've asked every doctor and read every book, but I still don't know. All I know is it's getting worse."
"I see," Cain said. "My memory is still coming back to me in bits and pieces,but if the fragments are correct, I can cure all physical ailments, including whatever your daughter is suffering from. I just need to remember how."
"You would really do that?" Hajime asked.
"It is mutually beneficial," Cain said, "besides we are bound together by our pact. Meaning I go where you go, so I need you to provide me with the blood of shades."
"If it will save my daughter, I will do anything," Hajime said. "I'll ask Chihiro first thing tomorrow where we can find shades."
"Although I'd prefer to go now, I understand you mortals need your rest," Cain said. "Although it does make me wonder how your sickly daughter could traverse that shade infested shrine and reach the top unscathed."
"She's very determined when she needs to be," Hajime said as he took off his armor.
Once he took off his chest plate, he examined his body in the mirror. He noticed his healed bites before feeling the scars of three major claw marks that ran down his neck and chest.
"What in good heaven gave you those scars?" Cain asked.
"A shade probably, I don't really remember," Hajime said.
"Really you forgot something that important?"
"You can understand."
"Fair. I suppose your mind is more focused on your daughter's well being rather than your own."
"Of course. I'd give everything to protect Kana no matter what."