CHAPTER 3: Meaning of Love
Oboromaru walked the decks of the black ship. He and Ryouma worked from there to assist in sending political representatives to each estate in Japan to seek unity across the country. Soon, the Land of the Rising Sun would be united. He also fell in love with a girl named Yanakishi Takanara. A ninja/assassin never falls in love. This was strange. But he didn't care anymore. He really loved her. After he finished his task, he planned to go off with her to China and live a peaceful life there.
They were sailing to their camp in a nearby island off the coast of Japan. He was back from a mission to talk to the Enma Clan. It went well. They were not pestered by his new views. He couldn't wait to see Yanakishi. He stared off at the ocean. He noticed something black in the sky, yet he figured it was just a bird. It seemed ominous. It must have been just his imagination.
---
Oboromaru woke up. He planned to sail the night with Yanakishi. She would be waiting for him by the raft. He got up and dressed himself. He walked to the raft where she was waiting. She was so beautiful. She was looking at the moon. The night felt so.... romantic. Then, this was odd, as romance was not "trendy" in this land. They greeted and set off the raft.
It was such a romantic night. He wanted to sail all the way to China, but he couldn't... He wanted to go far away from politics. Only emotions mattered to him now. Everything began to seem dreamy. It all just seemed to good to be true. He never felt so warm, so safe, so needed...
Everything shook and the real world came back. The waters grew stormy. In the sky, a gigantic wave was approaching. "Quick, paddle to the shore," he shouted to Yanakishi. It was a hopeless cry. No one could escape the typhoon once the typhoon saw the person. It only drew closer. Oboromaru watched as his death came closer.
Then Yanakishi fell off the raft and was swallowed by the waters. Oboromaru didn't know whether to cry or to rejoice at the fact he would be joining her soon. Suddenly, the water calmed. He wanted to die. He was a failure. He tried to jump off the raft and drown himself, but an invisible force held him where he was. "Let me go! I hate this!" he shouted. "That's exactly what I want to hear!" echoed an evil sounding voice. "I hate you!" he replied. He wanted to cry but tears wouldn't come. Everything was happening so fast. He kept trying to move, but to no avail. Soon, his raft washed ashore at the camp. It was in shambles. Everyone was lying dead and tents were burning.
Oboromaru got up and began to move. He couldn't control himself. Something was controlling him. He was forcefully walked throughout the camp, forced to look at the bodies of the slain men, women, and children. It sickened him. He wanted this to stop. This couldn't be happening. No, it had to be a bad dream. He had to wake up. After all, this makes no sense. This is just as random as a dream. He tried to tell himself it was only a dream, but it made no difference.
"You want this to stop?" called a voice. It was Akira. He remembered him from when he was teleported into the medieval age. But something about him was different. "Give up your helpless struggle," said Akira mockingly. "Just give into your hate and realize that this all was just a meaningless cause." Oboromaru replied, "Just what is going on?" Akira answered, "We have a new Master Odio."
"A new master Odio? Are you nuts? Why would you serve him?" shouted Oboromaru. Somehow, he still had strength to resist whatever Akira was putting on him. Akira responded, "Yes, I finally saw the truth. Everything is meaningless. Life itself has no meaning. Life is simply the privileged oppressing the less fortunate." Oboromaru was shocked. He stuttered, "I-I-I never thought life was like that." Akira laughed, "You have a lot to learn. You humans are so naive. You seek a goal, then stray from it as soon as something attractive crosses your path. You simply thought you were in love with someone, thus you failed to do your duties and protect the camp. This might not have happened if you stayed here like you should have."
Oboromaru screamed, "How could I?!?!?!" He tried to look away from all this, but couldn't. "My power has increased exponentially. After seeing the true face of hate, I was bestowed with massive power. I can do much more than read minds now," said Akira. Oboromaru said weakly, "How can this happen? I failed everyone. I failed Yanakishi..." Akira responded, "Love is just an emotion. Why does it matter if she died? People twist the true meaning of love. They try to care about others and encourage them when times get tough, but people really love for themselves. They do it because they simply feel like it, because they think they will get something for themselves out of it, or because they will impress people with their 'overcaring attitude'. Get over it. You are safe, that is all that matters. It is when people care for others that they are distracted from being perfect. It is love which makes everything so imperfect."
Oboromaru was growing more unsettled. All the values he clung to were being destroyed by the words of one man. Akira was right. Life was meaningless. Love simply was a human farce to make them imperfect. Oboromaru weakly said, "What... do you... want... with me?" Akira answered, "I want you to join us. You were defeated because you were weak, but that can change. Join us, the stronger beings, and we will be unstoppable. Master Odio will create a new world. A world devoid of love. A world where everything is perfect! Just submit to the hate inside of you."
Oboromaru gave in. There was nothing left. The minute he did, he felt so alive. He felt like he finally found the true meaning of life. He was all-powerful... and those weak humans would fall before him like rocks. Akira smiled, "You made the right choice. You have the true power. Now, come with me. Master Odio has much to do before we can conquer this world!" The piece of land they were standing on broke off. The slither of land floated towards a very familiar castle in the sky.
--- AUTHOR'S COMMENTS ---
I am sorry for not updating in awhile. I've been busy with many things. I will try to stay more on task this time. Also, I plan to do some revisions to chapter 2 since it does seem to have a bit of typos. Thank you for your feedback so far.
Oboromaru walked the decks of the black ship. He and Ryouma worked from there to assist in sending political representatives to each estate in Japan to seek unity across the country. Soon, the Land of the Rising Sun would be united. He also fell in love with a girl named Yanakishi Takanara. A ninja/assassin never falls in love. This was strange. But he didn't care anymore. He really loved her. After he finished his task, he planned to go off with her to China and live a peaceful life there.
They were sailing to their camp in a nearby island off the coast of Japan. He was back from a mission to talk to the Enma Clan. It went well. They were not pestered by his new views. He couldn't wait to see Yanakishi. He stared off at the ocean. He noticed something black in the sky, yet he figured it was just a bird. It seemed ominous. It must have been just his imagination.
---
Oboromaru woke up. He planned to sail the night with Yanakishi. She would be waiting for him by the raft. He got up and dressed himself. He walked to the raft where she was waiting. She was so beautiful. She was looking at the moon. The night felt so.... romantic. Then, this was odd, as romance was not "trendy" in this land. They greeted and set off the raft.
It was such a romantic night. He wanted to sail all the way to China, but he couldn't... He wanted to go far away from politics. Only emotions mattered to him now. Everything began to seem dreamy. It all just seemed to good to be true. He never felt so warm, so safe, so needed...
Everything shook and the real world came back. The waters grew stormy. In the sky, a gigantic wave was approaching. "Quick, paddle to the shore," he shouted to Yanakishi. It was a hopeless cry. No one could escape the typhoon once the typhoon saw the person. It only drew closer. Oboromaru watched as his death came closer.
Then Yanakishi fell off the raft and was swallowed by the waters. Oboromaru didn't know whether to cry or to rejoice at the fact he would be joining her soon. Suddenly, the water calmed. He wanted to die. He was a failure. He tried to jump off the raft and drown himself, but an invisible force held him where he was. "Let me go! I hate this!" he shouted. "That's exactly what I want to hear!" echoed an evil sounding voice. "I hate you!" he replied. He wanted to cry but tears wouldn't come. Everything was happening so fast. He kept trying to move, but to no avail. Soon, his raft washed ashore at the camp. It was in shambles. Everyone was lying dead and tents were burning.
Oboromaru got up and began to move. He couldn't control himself. Something was controlling him. He was forcefully walked throughout the camp, forced to look at the bodies of the slain men, women, and children. It sickened him. He wanted this to stop. This couldn't be happening. No, it had to be a bad dream. He had to wake up. After all, this makes no sense. This is just as random as a dream. He tried to tell himself it was only a dream, but it made no difference.
"You want this to stop?" called a voice. It was Akira. He remembered him from when he was teleported into the medieval age. But something about him was different. "Give up your helpless struggle," said Akira mockingly. "Just give into your hate and realize that this all was just a meaningless cause." Oboromaru replied, "Just what is going on?" Akira answered, "We have a new Master Odio."
"A new master Odio? Are you nuts? Why would you serve him?" shouted Oboromaru. Somehow, he still had strength to resist whatever Akira was putting on him. Akira responded, "Yes, I finally saw the truth. Everything is meaningless. Life itself has no meaning. Life is simply the privileged oppressing the less fortunate." Oboromaru was shocked. He stuttered, "I-I-I never thought life was like that." Akira laughed, "You have a lot to learn. You humans are so naive. You seek a goal, then stray from it as soon as something attractive crosses your path. You simply thought you were in love with someone, thus you failed to do your duties and protect the camp. This might not have happened if you stayed here like you should have."
Oboromaru screamed, "How could I?!?!?!" He tried to look away from all this, but couldn't. "My power has increased exponentially. After seeing the true face of hate, I was bestowed with massive power. I can do much more than read minds now," said Akira. Oboromaru said weakly, "How can this happen? I failed everyone. I failed Yanakishi..." Akira responded, "Love is just an emotion. Why does it matter if she died? People twist the true meaning of love. They try to care about others and encourage them when times get tough, but people really love for themselves. They do it because they simply feel like it, because they think they will get something for themselves out of it, or because they will impress people with their 'overcaring attitude'. Get over it. You are safe, that is all that matters. It is when people care for others that they are distracted from being perfect. It is love which makes everything so imperfect."
Oboromaru was growing more unsettled. All the values he clung to were being destroyed by the words of one man. Akira was right. Life was meaningless. Love simply was a human farce to make them imperfect. Oboromaru weakly said, "What... do you... want... with me?" Akira answered, "I want you to join us. You were defeated because you were weak, but that can change. Join us, the stronger beings, and we will be unstoppable. Master Odio will create a new world. A world devoid of love. A world where everything is perfect! Just submit to the hate inside of you."
Oboromaru gave in. There was nothing left. The minute he did, he felt so alive. He felt like he finally found the true meaning of life. He was all-powerful... and those weak humans would fall before him like rocks. Akira smiled, "You made the right choice. You have the true power. Now, come with me. Master Odio has much to do before we can conquer this world!" The piece of land they were standing on broke off. The slither of land floated towards a very familiar castle in the sky.
--- AUTHOR'S COMMENTS ---
I am sorry for not updating in awhile. I've been busy with many things. I will try to stay more on task this time. Also, I plan to do some revisions to chapter 2 since it does seem to have a bit of typos. Thank you for your feedback so far.