Epilogue
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Beneath the light of the crescent moon, campfires blazed. The company of bandits had made camp for the night not far from a fortified village of demon-slayers, in the midst of a field of huge black bones. According to rumor, the remains belonged to Sounga, a Great Demon who had been killed nearly three months earlier. Because of Sounga's reputation, the land was said to be cursed by the monster's disembodied spirit, so none of the locals had bothered them since their arrival.
Shinichiro, leader of the Sons of Kusanagi, took a huge bite from his pork leg. Gathered about him were his chief lieutenants, each one a killer and thief a hundred times over.
"So," one of them said, "what's the plan, Boss?"
Shinichiro let out a loud belch. "Well," he said, "I was thinking we should break camp tomorrow mornin' and head for that little town by the lake. We shouldn't have much trouble from them."
Everyone nodded at this, and the gathering of thieves began to stand, preparing to head for their tents.
Come to me ...
Shinichiro cocked his head to one side. "Huh? Did you hear that?"
"Hear what?"
Come to me ...
"That!"
"I don't hear anything," said one of the bandits.
Come to me ...
Shinichiro turned toward what seemed to be the source of the "sound". "It's coming from over there!" So saying, he walked out of the tent, heading away from camp and into the bone field.
Yes ... Come to me, Shinichiro.
"How do you know my name?" the robber-baron inquired of nobody in particular.
Does it really matter? I know your every desire, Shinichiro ... and it is in my power to grant you those wishes.
Shinichiro picked up his pace. Somehow, the voice seemed so wise, so sincere. He had to find it...
Come, and I shall grant you power beyond your darkest, wildest dreams ...
Finally, Shinichiro came to a tiny hole in the ground. Getting down on his knees, he began clawing at the earth with his bare hands.
Yes, Shinichiro. That's right. Keep going ...
"Hey, Boss, what're you doing?"
Without pausing his work, Shinichiro looked up at his followers. "Just shut up and help me dig, you idiots! There's something valuable down there!"
After exchanging a few confused glances, the other bandits crouched down and helped their leader with his excavation.
Yes, that's it! Keep digging!
Somebody cursed as their fingers hit a sharp rock.
Keep digging!
"Hey, Boss, what's down there? What're you looking for?"
Keep digging!
"Uh, Boss, are you okay?"
Faster, you nitwit! I don't have forever!
Shinichiro snatched at the ground with his torn, bloody fingers, his eyes wide, sweat pouring down his face. He didn't notice the pain in his hands, or the worried looks of his comrades. His eyes saw only the fierce pink light shining up through the tiny shaft. He worked like a man posessed.
Because, in a very real sense, he was.
Faster!
FASTER!
FASTER!
At long last, they reached a crystal ball stuck in the earth. It was clearly the source of the strange, pink light that they had seen as they dug. The ball was set into a ring of silver metal, which in turn was connected by a leather-wrapped grip leading to an ornate gold disc.
The hilt of a sword...
A crazed look on his face, Shinichiro grabbed the weapon, pulling it out. Its long, elegant blade slid free of the earth with ease, shining dangerously in the moonlight. As if it could sense its freedom, the crystal ball flashed brighter than ever, and Shinichiro heard laughter ...
It was the last thing he would ever hear.
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As the other bandits watched, Shinichiro's body stiffened as he held up the strange weapon. Then their leader seemed to relax. Still clutching the sword in his left hand, he stood up, making a sharp cracking sound as he stretched his neck. He looked at the sword, then at the hand that held it, then took in the rest of his body.
"Hmph," he said. "Not much of a body, but better than nothing."
"Uh ... Boss?" one of them asked. "What was all that digging for? What's with that thing?"
Shinichiro scowled, and everyone instinctively backed away from that piercing glare. For some reason, it seemed that Shinichiro's teeth were sharper than usual. Even his eyes seemed to have turned red ...
"This sword is more valuable than you could ever imagine," he snarled. "It is the last remnant of my physical being, and you will address it with respect!"
"Huh? What're you talking about? Boss, are you okay?"
The tall, broad-shouldered man turned to face the one who had just spoken ... and smiled. Somehow, that expression was even more terrifying than the angry grimace he had worn before. As he advanced, everyone else scattered, fleeing that feral, predatory grin and the bright red eyes shining out of it. Only his intended victim remained seated, rooted to his spot by sheer terror.
"B-b-boss ...?" he squeaked. "W-what are you doing?"
Sounga's smile only widened. "Just fixing dinner," he replied, raising his sword over his head as a single, curved horn began growing from the right side of his forehead.
"And your soul will make a fine appetizer ..."
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THE END ?
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