Warnings: Violence, gore, and character death. You've been warned.
In a small grove the Scotsman stood a few feet from Jack, muttering something about training and lightly tapping his blade on the ground. Jack, however, wasn't paying attention to one word the man was saying. The samurai was busy inspecting the repaired sword.
The rust on the blade had been cleaned and it shimmered brightly in the sunlight. The handle had been replaced, appearing exactly like the old one. A frown grew on Jack's face. He didn't like the feel of the weapon. It felt lighter then normal and essence that once shrouded the magical weapon seemed dead. A dark shape filled his vision, making him lose concentration.
Jack grimaced as the butt end of a sword slammed into the side of his cheek. The force of the blow caused him to fall hard on his rear, eliciting a sharp hiss. A bulky figure rushed over to his side, grasped his arm, and hauled him back up.
"Ugh, laddie, I'm sorry about that!" the Scotsman cried. He looked over the growing welt on the samurai's face. "You know the point of practicin' sword techniques is to dodge the blows, not take them. Why didn't you move?"
"I wasn't paying attention," Jack answered, rubbing at his cheek. "Must we do this? I'm not really up to training at the moment."
"I know you don't like trainin'," the Scotsman replied, "but it's been a long time since you handled your sword and little practice could do you well. It's been two days and you need more then two days to get back in the hang of things. Besides, the Canines went through a lot of effort to mend that sword of yours and the least you can do is test it out."
"I am grateful for what they have done," Jack murmured, gazing down at the blade, "but it feels so foreign to me, almost as if....it's not the same weapon."
"You just need more practice with it," the Scotsman nervously chuckled. "How about we try another go, eh?"
The samurai reluctantly nodded and poised himself for the next attack. It came quicker then he anticipated and Jack barely swerved out of the way as the Scotsman slammed the blade downward, striking the ground where he once stood. A cloud of dirt sprouted into the air and clung over Jack, momentarily blinding him. Jack let out a loud grunt as another blow was delivered to him, this time landing in the center of his of stomach. He toppled over into the grime, causing another misty cloud to shoot up into the air, as grasped at the stinging pain shooting up his body.
"Laddie what the heck is wrong with you?!" the Scotsman bellowed. "You're takin' blows left and right! Why aren't you dodging them?"
Jack glared up at the man and tightened his lips. The Scotsman continued to stare down at him, eyes narrowing in thought. The samurai blinked as the handle of the man's sword spiraled toward his face, stopping mere inches from his face. Scowling, the Scotsman jerked the sword away. Jack's eyes narrowed. The Scotsman was testing him, attempting to force him into a fight, and he didn't like where it was heading.
"Don't tell me you're becomin' a sissy on me!" the Scotsman cruelly laughed.
Jack's lips trembled but still he refused to answer.
"What type of warrior sits in the dirt shiverin' like a coward?" the Scotsman snapped. "Can't guess? Never fear, for I'll enlighten you! A worthless ninny that's who!" The man circled Jack, recklessly throwing out taunts and insults. "Yeah, you're worthless all right! All you do is take up space and air! How pathetic are you?! My granny is stronger then you are and she's bedridden!"
A dark crimson gradually flooded over the samurai's cheeks while his teeth gritted in a vicious frown. His eyes gleamed of fury and his hands clenched painfully on the handle of the sword. The person standing in front of him was no longer a friend, but a transformation of Aku. Jack could see the demon leering over him with that smug grin of triumph. He could hear the malicious laughter drowning out every other sound. The taunts were unbearable and the samurai clasped his hands over his ears but that didn't keep them out. Over and over the words were repeated in a never-ending haze: worthless, pathetic, worthless, pathetic.....
Jack shot upright and he let out an infuriated scream, resembling a dying creature fighting to hang onto the last ounce of life, which echoed throughout the forest. No longer was he the embodiment of good and justice but one of misery and bitterness.
Taking the sword he swung mercilessly at the Scotsman, who he still saw as Aku. The samurai's strikes became more powerful with his wild fury and on the final hit the blade was knocked from the man's hands. The steel pierced into the Scotsman's forearm, causing a stream of blood to flow down his wrist but that failed to stop Jack.
He continued to swing frantically at the other man, sending swipes near the other's head, intent on killing him at any cost. Jack sent another swipe and the Scotsman was able to direct toward one of the trees and the force of the blow made the blade jam into the bark. With the samurai distracted the Scotsman forced him to the ground and held on firmly to the flaying form.
"Calm down laddie I'm not the enemy!" the Scotsman yelled. "If you're mad about what I said then I apologize but I had to get you to fight, one way or another! I couldn't very well let you stand there and beaten to a pulp, now could I?" The samurai began to gain his composure, though he still struggled to release himself. "However, this isn't exactly what I wanted either. What you did was reckless, letting anger fuel your strength! That will only lead to your downfall, my friend."
Jack delivered a sharp elbow the Scotsman stomach, forcing the man to relinquish his hold. The samurai rose back up, jerked the sword out of the tree, and headed quietly out of the grove. The Scotsman didn't bother calling after him; he was too occupied with his wounded arm.
The samurai kept walking until he felt as if he were far enough from the encampment and collapsed to the ground in a fit of sobs.
"What have I done?!" he cried. "I hurt a friend, but I also tried to kill him as well! What is wrong with me?! What is happening to me?!"
A soft laugh drew his attention and he whipped around to glare at a dark shape. He gasped as he viewed the slender figure raising her clawed hands to lightly clap. Through the slits of the pearl mask he could make out red eyes twinkling mischievously.
"Bravo, little samurai," the demon hissed. "I do not know what is more funny: the scene where you sliced open that buffoon's arm or the fact you couldn't even finish the job."
"You," Jack muttered. "I know you."
"Of course you know me, you idiot," the female snarled. "I was in that delightful dream of yours, remember, though you were unable to see my beautiful face. I certainly hope I didn't burn you too badly. I would have done a lot more too if I hadn't been interrupted."
"Who are you?" Jack inquired.
"I am known as Death Weaver," the demon answered. "Aku has sent me to put an end to your miserable existence, simple as that."
"In other words he is too much of a coward to finish what he has started," Jack growled. "My fight is with him, not you."
Death Weaver snorted. "Who are you to speak of this? It was by your own hand what fate was delivered to you, warrior. Were you not the one that allowed himself to be captured? Were you not the one that was unable to put up a decent fight and just lay there like a frightened little whor....."
"Be silent!" Jack bellowed.
"Hm, I only speak the truth Jack," Death Weaver chuckled.
"Enough of your mind games," Jack barked, drawing out his sword.
"Steady your hand Jack," Death Weaver warned. "I have not come to kill you right offhand but to cause you as much agony as possible while you still draw breath." Her red orbs shimmered. "And this does not wholly apply to you, dear samurai. Tell me, how many friends did you leave behind when you bolted off so carelessly into the woods? When I saw that you were not there to keep them company I ordered my sisters to pay them a visit so they wouldn't be lonely. My sisters, being the sweet types they are, came up with plenty of fun activities; well, at least the two of them would consider it as enjoyment. Perhaps you should go check up on those Canines and Triseraquins, or what's left of them anyway."
Jack bolted from the spot, ignoring the ringing laughter in his mind. Dread had washed over him and he silently prayed that the demon was just toying with him, but a feeling in his gut was telling him otherwise. The trees became a blur as his speed increased and he never slowed, even when he came to the cave entrance. He staggered inside and almost keeled over from the not only the sight but the stench of burning flesh.
Bodies, charred and hacked into pieces, were skewed across the room. Blood streamed along the floor like a river, and splatters on the ceiling slowly fell to the ground in droplets. His gaze fell upon two dark forms in the center of the room, leaning over two shapes. As if sensing his presence, the two demons turned around. In their pulsating arms they held two of the Canines, Dryfus and Rothchild.
Crying out his denial, Jack lunged at the two females who instantly dropped the dogs and vanished from sight. The samurai knelt at the side of the fallen Canines, eyes welding at their pitiful forms. His attention fell slowly on Rothchild, for he knew that Dryfus was a lost cause, burned to an almost unrecognizable figure. There were hissing sounds drawing out of his throat but the Canine's eyes were sealed shut and there was no sign of him every moving again. Rothchild's black, oozing chest heaved with labored breaths and froth trickled down the edges of his mouth. His dark eyelids opened and a weak smile formed on his face.
"Oh hello there old chap," Rothchild chirped. "Am I ever glad to see you again. I knew you would come back." He extended his paw to Jack.
The samurai took the icy paw and rubbed it gently in his hand. "I'm so sorry." Sobs grew in his throat and tears spilled down his cheeks. "I should have been here to stop this."
"Nonsense," Rothchild replied. "You could not have prevented this. It was bound to happen sooner or later. Even you can't be everywhere at once." He glanced over at his fallen friend. "Poor Dryfus, I hope he's in a better place now and not still coherent. I'd hate to think of the pain he'd be in. At least our agony will cease soon and we'll be in a better place. I can't wait. Finally, we'll be reunited with the entire pack."
"Do not say such things," Jack choked. "I am certain something can be done for your wounds."
"Don't be ridiculous boy," Rothchild chuckled. "Look at my body. Does it appear as if it could be salvaged?"
Jack couldn't bear to gaze down at the wretched form that was singed, bleeding, and with fur falling out in clumps.
"Can you believe they did all this for fun?" Rothchild asked. "What hideous monsters....."
Jack opened his mouth to respond but was violently knocked aside, his back slamming into stone wall, with a cheek that smoldered painfully. Gazing back up he saw Death Weaver looming before him, clinging onto Rothchild by the scruff of his neck. The dog yelped as his neck began to emit trails of smoke from the burning fur.
"And just whom are you calling hideous?" Death Weaver mumbled, squeezing the dog's throat.
"Release him this instant!" Jack scowled.
"Release him?" Death Weaver repeated. She gazed idly over the Canine and then at Jack. "Well, how could I refuse you?"
Before Jack could react the demon wrapped her claw fully around the Canine's neck and twisted it around until a loud pop filled the air. She tossed the limp body to the floor and hovered over Dryfus. Leaning over, she shoved the tip of her jagged elbow into the soft belly until the spike split out of the dog's back. Dryfus instantly stilled. Jack shrieked and fell toward the two Canines.
"What have you done?!" Jack wailed, taking both dogs into his arms. The bodies ice cold, save the still flaming neck of Rothchild and the warm goo that slid out of Dryfus' belly. "How could you do that?! That's not what I wanted you to do!"
"Then maybe you should speak more carefully," Death Weaver yawned. "Be happy. Their misery has ended. I did them a favor."
"No, it is not supposed to be like this!" Jack whimpered, rocking the listless form. "No one was supposed to die for me." He gently placed the dogs back on the ground, spilling tears on the matted fur. He gazed over all the bodies of the Triseraquins and other Canines in the small room. "Not for me!"
"Hm, what do you think of this sight, my sisters?" Death Weaver asked.
Carrion materialized. "Humph, what a disgraceful scene he's making!"
Darkness followed. "He's crying like a baby over meager dogs and fish things!"
"I must agree that you are quite the disappointment Jack," Death Weaver sighed. "From the way Aku spoke of you, I assumed you were a warrior of great stature but all I see is a weak little man that couldn't even save his own comrades. It's your fault, samurai. Their blood is on your hands, not ours. You could have stopped this but you had to go into the woods and throw a tantrum. You are a miserable excuse for a warrior and a man as well."
Fury rose into Jack's heart and he leaped around, unsheathing his sword to ram it into Death Weaver's abdomen. The demon glared down at it for a moment before slamming her fist into the samurai's head, making him tumble to the side. Her blazing claw grasped the butt end, pulled the blade out fluidly, and sent it skidding across the floor to Jack with black ooze dribbling off the tip. The samurai gapped in shock as the open wound on the demon filled with a grimy slime and became whole again. The two sisters snickered at wide-eyed Jack.
"Is that the best you can do?!" Death Weaver sneered. "Your blade cannot harm me foolish one! For that disrespectful outburst I am going to do to you as my sisters did to these wretched souls. However, your death will be a lot slower. I want to savor your cries as you feel your flesh and innards leisurely melt at my blistering touch. I want you to feel every moment of your body being stretched to the point where your joints snap, to the point where the muscle tears followed by your limb. You will suffer."
Jack held up his sword and waited for the first attack from the three sisters.
To be continued......