The Hand that Corrupts:
Hand of Cruelty
We were brothers once, both fighting side by side. Yet he remains blind to how strength works. I have gained power where he chose the path of weakness. I could show him power, but he would not have me do so. It really is a shame. My master would be proud.
Kiyojin and I were top soldiers of the daimyo and highly respected samurai. When word came of an attack on a border town our lord sent us to prepare the townspeople for more battles. Upon arrival at the village we were thrust into combat. Kiyojin was always overly careful and lacked the determination to take the necessary risk. I, on the other hand, was more than willing.
We advanced past the encampment and reached the central square. After combing the immediate area for activity, I thought it best to branch out and cover more territory. I turned away from the plaza to find myself face to face with an oni. From hearing things around the castle I concluded that this was only a lesser oni. Patches of scarred black flesh broke up its maroon skin and its third eye glowed dimly.
I readied my sword but could not close the distance between us to strike the creature. As it flailed its club-like hands, I searched for an opening. Small eyes circled the beast, as it pressed onward. They glowed with an eerie blue fire. The objects quickly filled any vulnerability created by the beast's onslaught, making my search all the more difficult.
Suddenly the oni stopped the attack. Sensing an opportunity I moved to strike. As I drew closer, the oni howled in fury and released a shockwave. The blast was enough to knock me down and force my sword out of my hands. Struggling to regain my footing, I reached for my blade. The oni was one step ahead of me, however, and knocked it away before I could grasp it. Seeming to be through its game, it channeled its energy and sent its two flaming eyes straight toward me. Everything went black.
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I awoke on a cot in the encampment outside of the town. Kiyojin had been there to rescue me before the oni fully had its way with me. I had been changed. Over the course of the next few weeks I became more detached. I focused less on the training and became obsessed with tracking the oni down. I changed physically too. I slowly became pale and ghostly where I had once been tan. I looked thin, but felt stronger than I had ever before. I was not to find the oni. It would find me when I was ready. And in the moment it came to me, all became clear. I was meant for power, not this life of protecting those too weak to protect themselves. I was meant to be a ruler, not a servant. I was meant to be great. But greatness had a price, and the life I had built to this point would be a great sacrifice. It wasn't a difficult choice, though.
I left the encampment that morning after an exchange with Kiyojin. I attempted to convince him to join me, but he would hear none of it. He was set in his ways and no amount of pressure I applied would change that. Unfortunate, but everything would progress without him. I prepared my mount, gave him a stern warning not to follow, and left in search of my master.