Timequake

Disclaimer: I own nothing except for my OC(s) - Note: "Miraijin" is a Japanese word roughly meaning "Future man" or "Future boy"

Chapter 2

6 September 1591 – Taki's POV

I spent the best part of the night aimlessly searching for that mysterious man. He could have been useful in finding the demon sword… then again, maybe not. After a few hours, I gave up and decided to set up camp… but something prevented me from falling asleep completely. Was it concern? Not likely. Nearly everyone close to me is dead except for my master, Toki, and I don't even know if he's ever going to come back. Eventually I slept into the day, well into the afternoon. I decided to continue my pursuit of the man in blue who called himself Rodolfo. My search led to a nearby village which had rumours that the demon sword had been seen there. I couldn't help but feel that the man and the sword were linked somehow. Reaching the village, I was led to the chieftain – his name was Hiroshi. 'What can you tell me about the sword?' I asked him.

'Only that it feeds on the souls of the weak and easily impressionable. It has already taken the spirits and lives of many young men in our village.' Hiroshi replied gravely. I couldn't help but feel some sympathy for him.

'Did a strange man come here, dressed mainly in blue and with a round bald head?' I persisted, half-hoping he would reply in the affirmative.

'Bald? No… but a man in blue definitely did come here some time ago, looking for the sword.' He responded. It could only have been one person… Heishiro Mitsurugi. Would he never learn?

'I see… thank you.' With those words, I got up, bowed him and thanked him before leaving.

30 October 2021 – Rodolfo's POV

I headed out that afternoon for my usual evening shopping. I knew I had to keep my expenditures on a budget, otherwise I'd be skinter than a chav on a high with three kids from different dads. The further away from the town centre I got, the more deserted it became, the scenery reminding me of what I had seen last night. For some strange reason, I couldn't get that woman out of my head. Was it her appearance? Her demeanour? Her attitude, maybe? Whatever the case, I headed for an empty off-licence and looked through the items available. Cheddar cheese? Junk… tuna? junk… salad? junk… come on, you're so bloody picky! My mind screamed as I finally came to my senses, electing to purchase something natural, along the lines of oats and milk. Just in case I do encounter that woman again, I've got to work on losing my paunch. I thought. Had I left the off-licence then and there, then I would have made it back home safely… but no, I had to stay behind like an idiot, and it was thanks to the clerk at the counter.

'The price is £3 overall.' He spoke. I looked puzzled.

'I'm sorry?' I asked incredulously, having made sure to confirm the price beforehand.

'£3.' He repeated. I looked at the price tags on the products.

'The milk bottle here is 50p according to the label.' I pointed out.

'50p with a special offer.' He clarified. Seeing no other option, I handed over a trio of £1 coins, putting them on the counter.

'You know, not everyone's going to notice that it's part of a special offer or a bonus deal.' I responded with annoyance. As I reached out for my purchased goods, I felt a sharp sting in my body again and I yelled in pain. Before the clerk could react, the green lightning hit me again with a ZAP! …and I was gone.

6 September 1591 – Mitsurugi's POV

Why won't this man just give up!? I thought to myself as I continued fighting, hacking away at whatever defence he put up, my finely-tuned katana slicing at his prized sword, which he called "Blue Storm". The man in green refused to budge. He continued pushing back, even as the Sun began to set behind us. The fight had been going on for nearly an hour and neither one of us was willing to give up – I wanted that sword more than anything, and it seems, so did he. Eventually, I was able to take him by surprise – disarming him, I knocked the man to the floor. He looked up at me with mild apprehension, just what I expected from a fallen opponent. He and I exchanged silent looks for what felt like an eternity. ZAP! A green ball of lightning suddenly appeared above me… and before I could react, a man fell out of the electric sphere, landing

On

My

HEAD.

The man in green took his chance to pick up his sword. I could hear him say something to my unintentional assailant before fleeing the scene. Gathering my katana, I turned to face the man before me, wearing a combination of colours that made my eyes bleed just from looking at him. Light blue top, green legwear, red shoes and a yellow jacket… he's either colour blind or has no sense of fashion. Probably both. I thought. I decided to question him. 'Who are you and where did you come from?' I asked him. I could see him hesitate for a moment before answering.

'You wouldn't believe me if I told you.' He replied.

'You don't know that, now answer my question, please.' I responded with just a hint of assertiveness, which was enough for him to comply.

'OK… I fell through a hole in time and ended up here… I can't… I can't bring myself to say it.' He said reluctantly.

'Say what?' I pressed – this man was intriguing and irritating me at the same time.

'…I'm from the future.' He replied with visible cringe. I looked at him in disbelief.

'What, dressed like that?' I finally asked him.

'Yes… it's not so bad when you wear it.' He added. I had to laugh – this man claimed to be from the future and yet he was wearing clothes that made him look like a barbarian!

'Then tell me, Miraijin… what happens to swords such as mine in the future?' I soon wished I hadn't asked him that question.

'They get outmoded and replaced with firearms… and then they both get outlawed in the year 1958 before facing a complete ban 13 years later in 1971. Japan becomes a pacifist nation following a terrible conflict in the middle of the 20th Century.' His reply was suspiciously specific… I eyed him with curiosity.

'No guns, no swords… no honour?' I ask, as I feel panic begin to rise.

'A different kind of honour.' He explained. 'Peace and prosperity are the order of the day… well, most of it… depends on where you live.' He paused humorously.

'You can't expect me to believe what you just said.' I finally spoke up. 'Do you think I will buy that story?' It was then that I heard a female voice from behind… a voice I knew only too well.

'If you can't, then I can.' I turned to face her… it was her – Taki the demon huntress. I wheeled around to face her with my katana ready. 'You still don't learn, do you, Heishiro Mitsurugi?' She asked me as she raised her own dagger, ready to fight.

'No. Stop.' The man who purported to be from the future suddenly spoke up, his voice assertive and emphatic. 'It's my turn to ask questions now… and I want some answers.' He paused as Taki and I lowered our weapons with some reluctance. It was a shame, as I was actually looking forward to a rematch with her. I decided to take my leave. 'I'll see you next time, Taki… and I'll see you in the future, Miraijin.' With those words, I fled and pursued my former prey.

7 September 1591 – Taki's POV

That night, I decided to set up camp with the man who purported to be from the future. His round, shiny bald head glistened in the pale moonlight, and it was actually slightly distracting. 'Why do I keep coming back here to…' he paused to check his futuristic calendar worn on his wrist… he had one on each wrist, as a matter of fact. '…1591!?' He exclaimed in disbelief. I allowed myself a small chuckle at his confusion.

'A demon sword is very likely to be the cause of your troubles, Rodolfo.' I spoke as I looked at him with mild intrigue – he didn't look like anyone else I'd encountered; I could swear he was of mixed race.

'Demon… sword?' He repeated suspiciously. 'You mean like the anti-Excalibur?' He paused.

'Something like that.' I responded. 'It appears that your presence here is critical in destroying it.'

'OK, but why me of all people?' He asked me. I looked at him sympathetically.

'I don't know… but what I do know is that I need your help here, as much as it annoys me to ask for it.' I removed my face mask so he could see my face, something I don't do too lightly. He smiled nervously.

'You're very attractive. You should keep that mask off.' He said. I found myself chuckling slightly.

'Oh, no… it helps keep the spirits at bay.' I explained. 'What about you? Do you have protection from demons in the future?'

'Yes, but… it's not quite the same. You see, the demons I have to fight in 2021 are manmade, artificial, synthetic. The world is overrun with these invisible creatures.' He explained. 'You've heard of the Black Death, right? Well… it's much more widespread than that, and much more dangerous.' He spoke with an unusual gravity in his voice, having gone from being understandably apprehensive to uncharacteristically confident in the space of a day. As much as it pains me to note this, I had to admit I was starting to like this man. There was something eccentric and genuine about him, unlike most of the people I have encountered in my travels… and I was going to find Soul Edge much more easily with his help.