Kesturui
Several days passed, and it wasn't long before Link got up to observe the land that was fast approaching him. When he came to port, it was unbelievable. The boats and houses surrounding the port were unlike anything he's ever seen before. "Irasshai to Minatomachi, Hero." Link walked into the port city and looked at all the people. He had never seen anything like them before. Zelda was right. This was an entirely different world. He glanced behind him hearing voices in a conversation. A big, bald merchant had been conversing with Chokushi.
"Ah, konichiha Chokushi-san! Dochirahe?"
"Oorai, Akiudo." Chokushi turned to Link and introduced him to the big man. "Link, this is a good friend of mine, Akiudo. He is one of the best fishermen around Minatomachi." Chokushi turned back to Akiudo, "This is Link, a takoujin."
"Ah, naruhado." Akiudo bent down to meet Link face to face. "A westerner, are you?" Link was relieved that this guy was bilingual. "Well, a eikyuu of Chokushi is a eikyuu of mine! Come with us! The sake is on me!" The two friends walked into town with Link following them. Some of the young children were gazing at this strange man wearing green, but Link didn't seem to mind. Zelda probably got the same looks.
"So, what brings a western man like you to our town?" Akiudo asked Link as he chugged another bottle of sake.
"I believe that you know a friend of mine. She was the princess that came here three months ago." Link took a sip from his bottle. Not as good as the ale back home, but it was fine.
"Naruhado. Kareshi of the hime, no?" Link blushed a little bit as the two Japanese men had a good laugh. Ironic. The most courageous man in existence and he wouldn't admit he liked the princess. "Well my friend, how long shall you be staying?"
"I'm afraid we can't stay long," Chokushi answered. "We both must go to Jokamachi as soon as possible. My famiri needs me back home."
Akiudo's usual jolly mood subsided temporarily. Everyone knew of the terrible attack on the castle town. "Well then, I shouldn't be keeping you." Akiudo got up and reached into his pack to give them some food. "I hope that everything is alright."
"It will be," Link snapped, "I am willing to destroy this Oni that everyone talks about."
"You? Take on Oni? You must be
that Jinketsu of Taimu that people have heard so much of." Akiudo laughed and patted Link on the
back. It felt a lot like Darunia's
pats. "Well, oroka or not, you
certainly are brave. Goddoraku to the
both of you." Akiudo bade the two
farewell as they left for the castle town ahead. Hero or not, he's got a lot to learn.
~*~
A gray sky clouded what was once the majestic town of Jokomachi. The people were struggling to rebuild what was left of their town. Chokushi and Link were stunned to see the burnt ruins of the houses and the mass graves. Link looked to the distance to see a large part of Jokamachi surprisingly intact from this raid. A woman ran up to the travelers, weeping hysterically and in pain. "CHOKUSHI!" The woman ran up to the samurai and hugged him, tears streaming down her eyes, "Chokushi! Kuenzenzetsugo sanji! Chokushi!" The woman started babbling hysterically in Japanese, obviously frightened. Finally, Chokushi shook her back to her senses.
"Amae, shizukesa. Shizukesa. I'm here. Please calm down." Amae took several breaths and looked straight into her husband's face. "Amae, tell me what happened."
Amae led them to a part of the village where the people where a mass gathering of people were planning something. It was obvious that this raid was no rare incident and the villagers were fed up with it. Finally, a man took a crate and stood above everyone else. "This has been going on far too long! Ever since the Oni was resurrected, there has been nothing but destruction! No more hiding! We must fight back!" The man raised his hoe in the air to the determined crowd. Even some of the women were determined to stop this madness. As if on cue, a horde of blood red soldiers rode to the remains of the town on dark black horses. The once determined villagers now feared for their lives as they started to run to their houses. Only several stayed by to defend the village. Chokushi, more concerned about his family and friends, rushed Amae and Link into hiding as the soldiers continued their massacre. The villagers didn't have a chance as one by one, shelters were burned and blood was spilled. All Link could do was watch.
One soldier marched his horse and cornered the man that had started the rebellion. "So, foolish one. Did you think that you could stand up to us? BAKA!" The villager only gasped as the sharp end of the soldier's spear pierced through his gut. As he was gloating, the soldier felt a bucket splinter onto his head. A woman stood behind him as she cursed about him killing her loved one. Unmoved by the woman's tears, the soldier threw a small metal star into the worm's heart. Worthless scum. His horse neighed as he and his men trampled the villagers desperately running through the streets.
Link ran up to the dying woman and supported her head. He looked at the wound as it bled through her kimono. It was too deep. The woman stuttered several words before her eyes stared blankly into the sky, "ta…su…ke…te…" Link gently shut her dead eyes. Help… Link cocked his head as he heard a child's scream suddenly stop as another soldier continued his massacre. His glare turned to fire as he slowly stood up. These sickos killed innocent people for kicks. That did it.
As one soldier shot another fire arrow at a household, a sharp sword sliced through his side. Several other soldiers dismounted and faced the worthless newcomer. Before they even got close, Link swung his sword and sliced every single one in half. One warrior grabbed a chain scythe and threw it at the offender, only to have it swatted away by the Longshot. The soldier started to run until three arrows smashed into his spine. Link screamed in rage as he charged at the rest of the attackers. "Bastards! I won't forgive you!"
~*~
"That was absolutely the craziest and most atamagaokashii stunt I have ever seen anyone do in my life!" Link opened his blurry eyes and saw Chokushi and Amae hovering over him. "You could've been killed! What were you thinking?"
"I'm sorry, Chokushi." Link struggled to get up as every single muscle in his body ached. "It's just that whenever someone takes no remorse for the innocent, I just…"
"That is none of your concern," Chokushi stood up and faced Link, "What you did was stupid and reckless. It also saved the rest of Jokomachi from destruction. Thank you."
Link smiled as Amae served him some medical tea, "Merushi, Link-san." Link welcomed the thanks as he got up. Before he left, a young girl tugged on his pant leg and gave him a hug. "My aijou arigatai mata." Her daughter is grateful too. Link wave his goodbye to the family before heading to the palace. If anywhere, that was the best place to start.
~*~
In a dark cavern, the dim light illuminated the twisted structures. Unearthly flames danced in a cursed insignia embedded in the ground. A shadowy figure sat in a throne of thorns as an injured soldier hobbled toward his leader. "Masuta, I have terrible news. A foreigner has come to our land."
The prophecy. I see. "If an intruder is here, why tell me? Destroy him."
"We have tried. He has more power then I have ever seen in centuries." The soldier stammered nervously as the shadow's patience grew thin. "We…could…not…"
"You could not kill him?" the shadow arose from the throne. "Incompetent fool! You have failed me! You know what the price of feiryua is, don't you?" a destructive glow emanated from his hand. "RANSHI!" Before the soldier could beg, a blast engulfed him in flames until charred bones clattered to the floor. So, the foreigner of the prophecy has come. Well, he must die. Oni Ryuujin clapped once and a ninja assassin appeared behind him. "Mitsukai, see to it that this…hero…doe not pose a threat to my empire."
"I am at your service, Master." The ninja bowed and took off. Her mission: eliminate Link.