Chapter Two: Homecoming

Ninja Dog Ryu never gave up. He lost a great deal, but he never showed any frustration at the fact. He just improved and worked to surpass his previous limitations. When first he had come to the shadow clan for training he had been mocked and jeered at. Done to inflame his anger. Instead of lashing out, he worked harder, working on his stances for hours, and moving to improve.

Even now Ryu sat cross-legged in the middle of the training floor. Out of trap doors and secret passages rushed many shadow ninjas, their blades drawn. For a single moment, it looked like Ryu had not noticed. Then the Ninja jumped to action, to his feet and drawing his weapon in an instant. He dodged two sword strokes and lashed out with three of his own. He parried a fourth and vaulting over the attacker's shoulder.

Those ninjas he had struck fell to the ground, playing dead. Others stepped over their comrade's prone bodies and attacked Ryu as a group. Ryu was not cornered, for he ran along the wall, before kicking off it to pass by the group with a flash. There was a long silence, then a groan, before the remaining three shadow ninjas fell to the ground.

Ryu sheathed his sword and looked up. 'Observing, as usual, Ayane?'

The violet-haired girl emerged, cloaked and hooded. 'I wanted to see you fight, Master Ryu.' said Ayane. 'And Murai wishes to speak with you.'

'I see.' said Ryu. 'Where is he now?'

'On the balcony, waiting for you,' said Ayane.

Ayane led Ryu outside to a balcony overlooking the trees. It was spring now, and the trees were green. Birds were chirping, and life was on the rise again, as happened in this season. Murai stood at the edge with one hand upon the railing as he took in the sights and sounds around him. At last, he turned round to face Ryu.

'It has been three years since you came to train with us, Ryu.' he said. 'You have advanced greatly since the days where the title Ninja Dog was given to you. Indeed, save for myself, there is now no one in all my shadow ninjas who may be your equal in single combat.

'Yet this is not enough.

The pursuit of power requires more than simple ambition. More than skill and determination. You must also be grounded in this world. Only through our connections to those around us, may we advance ourselves.'

'If all that is so,' said Ryu, 'then why did you leave the Hayabusa clan?'

Murai looked to the fortress, and for a moment his eyes were filled with memory. A gasp of wind blew through his white hair and he sighed. 'I had a different challenge. My… connection to the Hayabusa clan was stifling me. Sometimes only by cutting oneself off from others may one become strong enough to stand on one's own. Yet that does not change that those around you are a valuable resource in itself.

'You should return to the Hayabusa clan for a time. I am sure there are those you miss. Reestablishing those connections may well prove valuable to you in the future. Perhaps to us all, for I would gain nothing by our relationship were you to become heartless.'

There was something in the way he spoke which put Ryu on edge. It was always about power with him. Yet the feeling passed and he walked forward to look down on the trees swaying far below. 'I will return to the Hayabusa clan. It will be good to see Kureha again.'

'Excellent,' said Murai, 'you should not stay over long, however. You're training is not yet complete.'

Ryu said nothing to that.

Ryu left that very day, making his way swiftly down the slopes. He passed through the forests surrounding Mount Fuji. He made far better time than he had during his ascent one year ago. Before the end of the day had reached the Hayabusa Village.

Ryu did not show himself at once. Instead, he crept through the trees, moving from cover to cover. He observed what had become of his home in his absence. The outer homes of the village were packed together, and made of dark wood. Most of them didn't go above two stories and appeared like any other village of peasants.

Yet were an unfortunate clan of bandits to attack them, they would be in for a nasty surprise. Within the Hayabusa village, everyone was trained to kill and kill silently. That had been Ryu's weak point; he had never been able to move with much stealth. Yet not anymore. His training under Murai had been far stricter. He had been forced to compensate for his lack of natural talent with sheer determination. He moved unseen by the sentries, unnoticed by the villagers as they went about their chores.

Yet it was not quite the same. Some of those who had been playing children's games had moved on to more formal training. A slight smile came to Ryu's face, hidden by his mask. He recalled the time he and Kureha had spent playing together. Before she had become a priestess and he had begun to follow in his Fathers footsteps. She was among the most powerful of all those at the shrine, with skill beyond expectations.

That had been why he went to Murai. The shame of being a mediocre swordsman and a terrible ninja, in general, had been too much to bear. Then the invitation had arrived, and he took it. It seemed to have worked out so far.

An idea occurred to him. He'd never been able to sneak up on Kureha before. Perhaps now would be his time. Making his way downwards through the village, he scaled over his old home. He made his way across the roof with careful tread. He saw Kureha sweeping the steps as always. He descended with catlike grace and made his way toward her, reaching out-

'Don't even think about it.' said Kureha.

Ryu stopped short, before sighing. 'I should have known my skills wouldn't have advanced that far.'

'You should have.' agreed Kureha as she turned around and smiled. 'It is good to see you again Ryu. You've been away a long time.'

'Not long enough to evade your senses.' mused Ryu.

'That would take a thousand years.' said Kureha. 'Come in; we'll have some tea.'

Within the shrine, they sat down on the mat and talked. Talked about times long past, talked about things which were happening. And things that might happen in the future.

'Your Father returned several times while you were gone.' said Kureha. 'He wanted to talk with you.'

'I don't want to talk with him.' replied Ryu.

'You are too hard on him.' said Kureha. 'Your Father has a duty to become as strong as he can. There are many threats he must face.'

'How can he face such threats when he is never here?' asked Ryu, keeping his tone level despite his anger.

'Regardless,' said Kureha, 'he left you something.' She stood up and made her way over to the far wall where a long rectangular box was lying. Bringing it over to him, she opened it and revealed an ornate sword, in a black sheath. Its grip was the finest leather; its pommel and guard were inlaid with gold. 'The Dragon Sword, he wants you to wield it in his absence.'

Ryu reached down and took up the sword, marveling at its weight. He could feel the power within it, pulsing, waiting to be unleashed. 'Why would he give me this?'

'Something is happening, Ryu.' said Kureha. 'The Dark Dragon Blade is… reacting to something. I believe that great events are about to take place, and when I told your Father, he agreed. He's gone out into the wilderness to seek answers and continue his training for what is about to happen.

In the meantime he is passing the Dragon Sword to you, so that should the worst occur we will not be defenseless.' She paused. 'Will you be returning to Murai soon?'

'…I will,' said Ryu, 'however I will not be gone long. I will prove my training is complete by defeating the entire Shadow Ninja clan by myself. Then I will return here, and protect the village.'

'Well good luck with that.' said Kureha. 'I wouldn't be too overconfident though. Murai is part of the Shadow Ninja clan too, and he was always considered your Fathers equal.'

'I will prove myself.' said Ryu, standing up.

'There is one more thing,' said Kureha, 'Momiji is bored by the life of a priestess. I don't think it will suit her at all, though I haven't told her yet. When you return, I'd appreciate it if you could train her in your arts.'

Momiji? He remembered her. '…As you wish.' said Ryu.

He took the Dragon Sword and replaced his old weapon. Then he turned to make his way back towards the Shadow Ninja Hideout. Not one of them would escape him — not even Murai.

The bleeping of an alarm clock blared in Rachel's ear. The sensation of staying in bed, however, kept her lying where she was for the moment. Slowly, gradually, she began to untangle herself from the covers. Then she halted, she was sure that it wouldn't hurt to lie for a bit longer before-

A hand went to her shoulder and shook her awake. Her eyes opened slightly as she saw Alma, already fully dressed. She wore her usual golden one-piece outfit that bared her arms and legs. On her limbs were bracelets, and she wore earrings. Rachel sighed. 'Five more minutes Alma.'

Alma shook her again.

Tired, Rachel forced herself up and took her jade diamond shaped earrings from the desk. She set them into her ears and stretched. Changing out of her night clothes, she donned her fiend hunting clothes. At first, she had been moderately scandalized to find that she was expected to wear this. A black outfit that looked like it belonged more on a bondage slave than a warrior. However, apparently inspiring passions came with the territory of becoming a greater fiend. The monks of the Tairon Monastery had been quite insistent on this.

When she was dressed, Rachel retrieved her warhammer and Alma her brass knuckles. Together and they made their way into the Dworku Monastary. Making their way into the altar room, they sat down to one side of the aisle. They watched the red-clad monks preach the gospel of Vigoor.

'So I was doing some reading.' said Rachel in a whisper. 'turns out the design on Vigoorian Cathedrals originated in medieval Europe. It turns out the Emperor liked the way they worship the Christian God and adapted it to his own purposes.' Leaning back against the seat she sighed. 'The monks would say that the Christians were worshipping the Vigoor Emperor. You know, without knowing it.'

She caught Alma's look. 'What? Look I told you, I don't buy into the whole mythology of the Vigoor Emperor being omnipotent okay. He's probably really, really powerful. Godlike even, but… I don't know, it just doesn't make sense that he'd need the Greater Fiends is all.'

Alma looked away.

The service concluded with the pastor affirming the omnipotence of the Vigoor Emperor. Then he dismissed the congregation, who filed out to enjoy the coffee hour. Complete with pole dancers. Yet another tradition which had been copied from other religions.

Rachel stood up and stretched. 'Well, I'm about done. I'm going to go practice with my warhammer alright?'

'Ah, Rachel, Alma,' said the high priest, Ilustain, as he approached, 'I am glad you are here. There is a member of the Secret Police here looking for you.'

'Gamov?' guessed Rachel.

'Yes,' said the high priest, 'I believe he had a matter of some importance to discuss with you.'

'Alright, alright,' said Rachel, 'lead us to him. Let's go, Alma, it's probably more business.'

The Ilustain led them out of the main doors and into the front courtyard. There before the gates, they halted. Gamov was waiting for them, leaning against a wall. As usual, he was dressed in a green overcoat and brown pants, with a green fedora. Round glasses which concealed his eyes were on his face, and his arms were crossed.

'Rachel, Alma,' said Gamov, standing up straight, 'you both look as beautiful as ever.'

'Save it Gamov,' said Rachel, 'what is it this time?'

'There are reports of lesser fiends gathering in a village some ways from Tairon.' said Gamov. 'It's nothing too serious, a few shadow fiends. I thought you ladies might want a chance to see some action.'

'Finally,' said Rachel, 'its been a slow month. You interested Alma?'

Alma nodded. Gamov smiled. 'Excellent, there is a chopper outside waiting to take you there. You'd best set out immediately. I'd hate for any of the Emperor's subjects to meet an untimely end because of your tendency to sleep late.'

'How do you even-' began Rachel.

'My information is always reliable.' said Gamov. 'Best to hurry on now.'

Thirty minutes later, Alma and Rachel stood at the open door of a chopper. They looked down as they buzzed over a rather large village. It had paved streets and no one was about. It seemed that everyone was hiding from something, though what it was remained to be seen. Gripping a rope, Rachel descended, dropping down onto the ground followed by Alma.

Then nothing, nothing to be seen.

Rachel and Alma made their way through the streets of the village, seeing nothing and no one. Yet there was a certain air, a sensation which Rachel always felt when fiends were nearby. Clutching her warhammer close, she looked round for any sign of them.

Then the shadows around them lengthened, and Rachel knew the fiends were nearby. Shadows began to dance around them. Rachel rolled away as a fiend emerged from those shadows, a brown, bladed claw stabbing for her. Bringing round her hammer Rachel took off its head, and then the battle was joined.

Alma dodged and weaved around several fiends, before bringing around a leg to kick one of them in half. Unleashing a flurry of punches, she smashed three others. They exploded into blood. Meanwhile, Rachel parried the blows of several, before catching one around the neck. She leaping into the air, pulling it with her and beheaded it.

Swinging down she split another in half, before smashing yet another.

And yet more of them came, on and on without end. Rachel and Alma fought back to back, slaughtering the shadow fiends as more and more of them came. They died by the dozens and yet there were always more coming after them. Rachel began to sweat with exertion as she hacked them down, and Alma was as well.

Yet a lust for battle was now on her, and she was slashing them down where ever they appeared. Her own aching limbs were of no concern, for Rachel was enjoying herself.

Then came the dinos. Giant red dinosaur creatures like those that had chased them before. Garuhlas. They rushed at them, breathing fire. Rachel leaped over one and unleashed and flurry of strikes which hacked it to pieces.

Alma moved this way and that, punching and kicking with a flurry of blows which soon saw one of the dinos dead. She leaped on another, leaping over a tail swipe and gripped it by the neck, snapping its neck.

More shadowfiends and more dinos emerged and Rachel lost track of how many of them she and Alma killed. Things became a blur of blood and fury as both of them slew more and more enemies. Finally, Rachel was convinced she could not swing her hammer one more time. Then her weapon crushed the skull of their last enemy.

For a moment she and Alma stood there, panting as the lust of battle spent itself. They were left surrounded by the corpses and blood of fiends. Rachel sheathed her hammer. 'Gamov set us up for this, I'll bet. There is no way he missed this many.'

'A perceptive guess.' said Doku, as he appeared behind her. 'Yet in truth, it was I who commanded him to lie. I wanted to see how you fared against an overwhelming number of lesser fiends. You have not disappointed me.'

'Doku,' said Rachel, 'this was you?'

'Indeed,' said Doku, 'yet these fiends were not of my creation. The rising of the lesser fiends is a sign. And now I know its meaning. Gamov has brought me information that is more valuable than a river of gold. The location of the Dark Dragon Blade.'

Rachel blinked. 'The Dark Dragon Blade? The sword that is supposed to give the Emperor ultimate power over all creation? I thought it was a myth.'

Doku looked at her, and she wasn't sure what he was thinking. 'No, it is no myth. The Emperor's omnipotence is a convenient tool for propaganda. But its reality is questionable. If we achieve the Blade, however, and succeed in awakening it, then that tool will become a reality. And will have always been reality.

'Tomorrow I will set out to seize the Dark Dragon Blade alongside my samurai. Rejoice, my students for the time of the Emperor's ascension is nigh.'

Authors Note:

Okay, so this chapter is done. Next time we will actually get to the events of Ninja Gaiden Sigma. This prequel of sorts has been fun to write. It lets me explore both the characters of Murai, Kureha, and Doku in greater detail. Sort of see what makes them tick, y'know. Kureha, in particular, got the short end of the stick in terms of characterization.

Now some of you may have noticed that some events in the story and backstory are being timed close together. See, in-game text indicates that the reappearance of Fiends is a recent phenomenon. That being the case, how could Rachel have her stated profession? Unless she'd only recently become one.