Warnings: Violence, mild themes, and character death.
Jack traveled fast on foot, never taking a break from his running, letting the blistering days beat down on his back and allowing the chilly air of the nights freeze him to the core. There was no point in stopping for food, drink, or rest for he was being fueled by a dangerous rage. A rage that was slowly eating away at his mind and destroying all logical judgment, decimating the soft voice of reason that once thrived in his soul.
Kill Aku. Kill Aku. Kill Aku. It repeated in his mind like a steady beat of a drum. Make him pay. Make him suffer. Make him beg. The thoughts were unrelenting and the more he pictured the demon in his head, the more the fury increased. His hand clenched painfully around the butt end of his blade, picturing what he would use the sharpened point for, imagining Aku squirming under the pain.
He didn't know how much further he would have to go to reach the demon's castle but it couldn't be far off. The landscape was changing. It had grown dark around him and a thick mist was forming on the ground, swirling at his pattering feet. All trees, grass, flowers were gone, replaced by a desolate wasteland filled with nothing but death. The sky above him was turning an eerie shade of blood red, drowning out the pale green, illuminating all of the landscape.
On the horizon the gloomy castle of Aku filled his vision. The structure rose high into the black clouds and the stones seemed to shudder at his presence. Dark shapes began to filter from its entrance, steadily advancing on his form. Jack kept his pace. The shapes came into plain view, some robotic hordes, others minions. The samurai drew out his sword, glistening in the moonlight but still bearing stains from the previous battle. Nothing was going to stop him from reaching Aku.
He tore through the front lines, dismantling dozens of robots and sending several minions flying in separate directions, losing parts of their body. Blood and oil stained his face and clothing but he never ceased. Jack was sent into a frenzy. Wildly, he slashed at anything that moved, whether it was robot or living flesh. Shrieks of agony echoed into the night air as the samurai drowned life after life out. Many, realizing too late they were no match, attempted to flee into the mist but Jack hunted every last one down.
The grounds around the castle were a mess in the end. Bodies of robots and minions were scattered about, oil and blood draining like streams into the cracks of earth. The samurai moved away from them, taking no time to stand triumphant over their fallen forms. What point was there? He had not won yet.
A low rumbling caught his ear, making him look in the direction of the gate. More minions and robots were flooding out. The servants came dashing toward him but halted when they caught sight of their fallen comrades, leaving only the robots to continue on course. The minions stared in disbelief and horror at the carnage. While Jack dealt with the robots the minions screamed and fled into the landscape, too afraid to take on the crazed warrior, not caring about the possibility of their master's wrath.
Jack moved into the entrance and journeyed through the long, dank corridors. He met no resistance as he ventured further into the lair. A shiver ran down his spine as he passed a familiar area. Stepping back, he viewed into the room where he had been held for six months. Trembling, he cautiously walked along the narrow path, fighting not to look down in the bottomless pit. Near the edge of path, letting out a long, deafening cry Jack called out to the demon.
"Aku!!!"
For a moment there was silence, the only sound made by the whistling wind in the cavern. Then, a great shuddering fell on the ceiling and a dark figure shot up from the pit, smirking down at the battle worn samurai.
"Why have you disturbed me, warrior?" Aku inquired, cocking an eyebrow. "Have you perhaps come to play another round of that delightful game we had going for six months?"
Jack snarled, choosing to ignore the other comment. "I will not allow you demolish any more innocent lives. Your plague across this land has come to an end."
"Hm, I doubt that," Aku snickered. "You can never stop me, warrior. You are weak. You couldn't even help your so-called friends from the Three Sisters, so how do you expect to win against me?"
Jack's bottom lip trembled. "They did not defeat me."
"Ah, yes, I can see that," Aku muttered. "Believe me, when the time comes, they will pay dearly for that."
"You will not have the chance," Jack growled. "You will be long dead."
Aku's laugh rang loudly. "Such confidence you have! I can not be defeated! But, nonetheless, I will humor you for a bit and allow a fight. I won't kill you offhand, no, that would too easy. I'll keep you alive for a bit and savor your misery. Then, I'm going to enjoy dismembering you, you pathetic samurai."
The demon shifted into a serpentine body, slithering fast from the air, wrapping around Jack to half carry him, half drag the samurai up to the ceiling. Jack was thrashing powerfully to break free. In a flash of movement, Jack drew out his sword and sliced at the black form. A hiss of pain came from Aku as the blade pierced into his side, forcing him to let go of the samurai. Jack fell toward the path and landed on his feet, ready for Aku's next attack. The demon took a minute to gaze over his wound and glared down at Jack with renewed anger.
Jack darted out of the way as the demon lunged into the pathway, sending a spray of cement flying into the air. Aku turned, shifted into another form resembling a chimera, and bolted after the samurai. Jack swung his sword defensively and jumped aside, barely missing a clutch of anxious claws. The blade cut into the demon's back, sending a splash of a black liquid onto the ground. Grunting, Aku spun around and reached for the samurai. Jack leapt back and to the right, then came at the demon-like chimera again, striking the serpent's head. Aku let out a howl and sent a monstrous claw swing about, slamming into the samurai, sending him flying. He managed to keep his grip on the sword, though he almost lost it, and rose back up to see Aku bearing down on him. One of the remaining heads, the bird's, struck at him. A searing agony exploded on his arm, and he saw blood stain his sleeve. Howling, he rammed his blade into the head and it flew apart.
Aku jerked away from him and backed up on the pathway, staring down at the warrior with his lion head, not making a move. Jack did the same, taking the opportunity to rest the best he could but it seemed impossible. His mouth was dry and his chest burned with each gulp of air. His strength was beginning to fail.
"What's the matter samurai?" Aku taunted. "Are you becoming tired? Maybe you should admit defeat?"
"Never!" Jack screamed.
The warrior lunged into the air, descending upon the demon's form. Aku shot up into the air and disappeared over the side into the pit. Jack landed on the edge and waited. He froze. Something was moving underneath him, claws clicking on the stones. He stumbled on the floor when a claw shot up from the side, snaked around his leg, and flung him forward. The demon climbed over the edge and lowered himself on the samurai, causing Jack to squirm as a flurry of claws and teeth bombarded him. Jack kicked violently at the beast and freed himself. His blade swung blindly, impaling the demon around the gut, but yanked free as if he had never been injured. Jack scrambled up and but was grabbed again, this time hammered against the solid surface. He could feel open gashes forming on the back of his head and the intense pain made his eyes brim with tears. The samurai rolled clear and to his feet as one of Aku's claws rammed into the path, attempting to crush him.
He tried to run but claws clutched him roughly and held him in place. The weight placed on him was too much of a burden, causing him to slowly fall to the ground. Instinctively, he realized that if he fell he would not be able to get up again, that this would be the end for him and the world.
"Come now warrior," Aku murmured. "Just go down quietly. There's no reason to continue this fight for you have obviously lost." He applied more pressure, forcing Jack to fall on one knee. "Hm, just like old times eh? I like seeing you on your knees before me. It makes you appear so worthless. How fitting. It will be nice to fill this cavern with your miserable cries. Once I'm finished with you, I'll place your wretched head on display for the entire world to see. Then, I'm going to hunt down every last person that has aided you on your meager quest and have them impaled on spikes."
A slimy tongue slid coarsely along his cheek, sending shock waves tingling through his body. Jack could hear himself screaming inside. His fear gave way to rage. To Aku's disbelief the samurai stood back on his feet, whipped his blade backwards, and drew it into the demon's belly. Aku yowled and relinquished his hold, falling sideways onto the pavement, momentarily weakened. Jack saw the opportunity and took it.
He ran over to the demon's side in a fury, slicing at any visible black flesh, cutting at any flaying claws. The sensation of harming the wailing demon was exhilarating. It was he who contained the power now, not Aku. It was Aku who would have to suffer the torments of torture, not him. A grave smile grew on the samurai's face, lighting his dark features.
"Does it hurt demon?" Jack bellowed, slamming his steel into the demon's side. Aku screeched. "Perhaps if you beg me then I will stop!"
He sent another violent blow, this time striking Aku's head. The demon shifted back into his old form, appearing worn and battered.
"Plead for mercy and I will stop!"
Another devastating hit was delivered. The cries echoed throughout the room. Tears were streaming down Jack's cut cheeks and a lump grew in his throat.
"Beg me! Beg me!! Beg me!!!"
The slashes grew even more ferocious. A whimper came from the shivering demon, cowering under the vicious attacks from the samurai; terrified of the monster he had created.
"Why should I give you mercy?! All those times I screamed in pain and not once did you take pity on me! You tormented me to the point of insanity; therefore I will return the same treatment to you! You do not deserve mercy you foul creature! You deserve all the pain I can muster upon your pitiful body!"
His blade rose above the demon's head. A plead blurted out into the air and Jack halted his movements. The demon had begged him to stop. Joy did not surge through his mind at the statement. Instead, shame swept through him, followed by despair. How could he have done that? Truly, he was no better than the demon lying haphazardly on the floor. His actions were dishonorable. He had never been trained as warrior to commit this type of act. He had never been trained as a warrior to take pleasure in another's grievous pain.
Wearily, he lifted his eyes already knowing what he would find. Aku was on the ground, pooling in an oozing mess. The demon's chest rose in labored breaths and black liquid was draining from dozens of gashes. Jack looked away. Aku glanced up and smiled grimly at the samurai's error.
Jack let out a strangled howl as something sharp penetrated into his abdomen. Snarling, he brought the magical blade down upon the demon's head. Nothing moved for a short time, everything suspended in mid-air. Jack breathed heavily as he gazed into Aku's glazed eyes. The black tendril that had speared him drew away, allowing a spurt of blood to gush from the wound. The samurai hit the ground with a thud, never taking his eyes off the demon. He tried to keep his eyes open but they were drooping with exhaustion.
Aku's body convulsed and a bright light formed near the roof of the lair, gradually dragging Jack toward it. The samurai gripped the ground, not wanting to leave the demon's body behind. A soft voice entered his mind.
"You have defeated Aku. I am proud of you, my son."
"Father?" Jack asked, wide eyed.
A wave of darkness swept over his eyes, last feeling himself drifting into the air, and then he knew no more.
To be continued.....