Where the Path Leads

Prologue

A deep chill fell across the foreign realm of Nihon, the snow was like that found in any other place though the unfamiliarity of the country made the cold seem to bite deeper. Though the nature of the Path was one where the individual cared little for comforts, for there was only the Path to walk and the deeds to be done. Exploring the recently accessible land was difficult if you did not know the native tongue, which proved a challenge for those who hailed from the West. Thankfully hunting monsters was easier than developing language skills, there was no barrier such as this when tracking prey, evidence and scents could not be veiled by foreign words. Months had passed travelling along roads and footpaths, shying away from the newly developing cities, it was difficult enough being a foreigner though being a foreign mutant made it difficult to form any links with the locals. However experience also warned that distant villages held superstitions and taboos that quickly lead to ill thinking along with violent retort towards that which is different. There would be no help for some time, not even a base of operations to regularly resupply, so for the time being it was a trial of wits and endurance.

For it had been less than a year since arriving in the country of Japan, coming into port a few months after it's isolation had been ended. It was one of the last few places unexplored by the West with documentation that was required including cartography, surveys as well as the flora and fauna. Though one on the Path followed the work, no matter where it was. Doing so in new lands required the formula of research, time and a web of trusted associates, all of which were essential now more than ever. Yet time was not always plentiful, it led to the ruin of villages or the deaths of children, often one had to work within the confines of the situation at hand not the situation that is ideal. While coming to a recently modernizing country had certain downsides there was one reassurance and it was that having more developed weapons made light work of most contracts that had to be brought in. Although whether the same rules still applied was the purpose of being here, this was the trouble with new places, there were always new rules and new monsters. Too much time had passed to say "Otherwise things would get boring", this was by far the sentiment of the young who had yet to suffer being in the unforgiving abyss of the unknown.

Soon rest would be required, not that it was wanted, it was simply fact. An adherence to the policy of biology, one that was not always welcome in the face of urgency. Although weeks on the trails made one crave a warm fire and a cool drink, things that were hopefully still valuable to the common folk of Japan as they were across the rest of the known world. After a night of rest it would be a simple case of returning to the road, this is the way, the Path all Witchers follow.

1853

The dull crunch of snow under foot could be heard before the sliding door was pulled back, the tell tale sound of guests and coin, though what entered the Inn was a dark figure who brought a cold air with them fittingly so. Entering the threshold they closed the door behind them, black leather gloves concealing the flesh from the biting cold that threatened anyone foolish enough to not protect themselves properly. For a moment they stood in confusion, or so it would seem, it was hard to tell as a heavy hood draped the stranger's face in shadow yet they soon remembered and began to remove their long boots that were well travelled by the looks of them.

'Welcome, may I take your ba-'

A comely middle-aged woman appeared from another door within the Inn and stood in shock as her guest pulled off his hood. While everyone had heard that the country was now open it was still a shock to see a foreigner so far inland. Although this is not what concerned the woman, her worries lay elsewhere, what did concern her were the predatory eyes that reflected the light just as a cats would when as he looked around the reception area. While his skin seemed a healthy and sun kissed there was an undeniable deathly look in his complexion, giving the strange more a further unsettling aura. Had it not been for this his pushed-back hair and short beard, of a soothing deep brown, she may even think the man attractive.

'Hello. How much. Room?'

His broken speech however threw off the intimidating presence she had felt. 'Excuse me Sir?'

'Ah'. He rummaged through a pouch hanging from his belt before pulling out a small book. 'How much would a room be?'

The man was not fully versed in the language which brought out the woman's motherly side, seeing him struggle to communicate. ' I see Sir, come with me'. She made sure to gesture as she picked up his boots and stored them within a cabinet before moving behind a desk of sorts, although it was quite low. She sat on the floor and began accounting for his individual needs to come up with a price, trying to get the essentials he may need but be unable to communicate while trying not to seem like a vulture.

As he waited the man removed a large bag from his back, even as it was gently placed down its weight could be heard with a dull thud upon the floorboards. 'Could I bath please?'

The woman once more looked at him confused before remembering his predicament then she just smiled. 'Of course though our bathing areas a shared space. Is that okay?'

Watching this once terrifying man's face go through a state of confusion to uncertain fear made him much more approachable, more human. 'Hmn...Yes'.

Although he seemed uncertain of what he had just agreed to she tried to make the transaction of money as easy as possible, thankfully he had a decent grasp of their currency which aided the process. The roads along the hills and mountain passes grew quiet over winter so she was happy to get all the business she could, it was uncertain times after all the country was on the verge of radical change.

His host then showed him towards his appointed room, where he placed his bag in the corner of the room, once there he removed his travel cloak and knee length coat. A few moments after he sat to rest his host slid the door open to provide a pair of robes, he presumed to that they were for going to this bath.

'Goodnight Sir, please enjoy your stay'. She was on the floor in sat in seiza as she placed the folded clothes into the threshold of his room before bowing to signal her leave.

'…...Goodnight'. The Witcher was glad that he had encountered someone kind, considering the stigma he had received throughout his life. Although he was somewhat sad to know it would only be till the following morning before he once more had to set out into a strange place, however beautiful it might be.

Steadily he began removing his clothes in favour of the comfortable robe that would be worn on his way to and from the baths, which felt like luxury after going for so long without clean and warm water to bathe in. A hefty breath was exhaled as the soft silk encompassed his body, it may only be one night but he would be sure to enjoy it. It was less than a minutes walk to find the bathing area, which provided a place to put the bath robe he was provided until he needed to return to his room. Once free of clothes he entered the steamy bathing room, a foreign way of bathing for sure but certainly an interesting one. While the pool was deep enough to sit in it was also big enough that the mist concealed the rest of the room from the eyes, along with other occupants if they were there, a pleasant scent lulled his body and mind to relax. Inspecting the water he found pink blossom petals floating on the surface, the extra money he had paid was paying off, it made a change to not be ripped off on lodgings.

His peace was disturbed by the rippling water, probably someone entering from the opposite side. Closing his eyes, he was going to make sure to avoid any unpleasant confrontations. Yet things were hardly so easy, that was not his fate, this became more apparent as the faint scent of blood began to reach his senses. All it took was a stronger inhale, opening his sense of smell to the plethora of aromas surrounding him. The senses of a Witcher were so strong that they were invasive to everything around them, so much so that he even tried to ignore most of what he accidentally came across. What he did discover was that the blood was actually old, a few days to be exact, meanwhile the person across him was female and had at one point been sweating profusely probably due to extreme physical activity. Could it have been a fight or a skirmish? There was too much to consider and too little definitives so he was content to simply keep tabs on his bath partner, ensuring no bathroom stabbing occurred tonight on the off chance this woman was a murderer.

The water stirred once more, suddenly with a splash, the woman thrust towards him with the telltale cry of steel cutting air. She was fast and had he not already had an eye on her things could of ended badly, though preparation was the way Witchers stayed alive. Before the blade came inches from his throat his hand had already been thrust forward in the Aard sign casting a blast of force forward, knocking the wind out of his attacker, blasting the woman's lithe body backwards. He became a blur dashing forwards and mounting her prone body grasping her throat in one hand while holding the other over her face though just as he did the tip of her blade pressed against his throat.

For what felt like hours they simply stared into each others eyes, both fierce and grimacing as they did. Pink met Yellow in a heated clash.

'Damn demon!'

'…...What?'