Chapter 21 – The Sacrifice

Yung, Xia, Gamja, Aisu, and Dokon all made it back to the Black Spider Clan's fortress in one piece with the Dokugumo-Ureeru Tsurugi in hand ready for deliverance to their leader. The hierarchs walked past the gate guards with ease, for the guards, nor any other member of the Black Spider Clan, wanted to be in their path as they strolled. They walked into the fortress quickly full of determination. Each of their faces was filled with a seriousness but their emotions were filled with excitement of finally possessing the sword in their grasps again.

Inside the fortress, was dark, very little light brought illumination throughout the hallways of the fortress. It was filled with rooms of all types, from Clan quarters, to hierarch quarters, to the gymnasium and training, and much more. But the most extravagant had to have been the Throne Room. The room with the most illumination of all. Regular clan members were never allowed entry and even the hierarchs would have to make special requests. For this was Mitsuri's home, filled with gold and riches from the world all over. This is where he slumbered, where he ruled, and where the Dokugumo-Ureeru slept. To this day, the story of the theft of the Dokugumo-Ureeru is still a shock to all. How were they able to pass the guards? How were they able to survive Mitsuri? How were they even able to carry the sword without losing their own sanity? These questions are unknown and may never be answered, and now in this event, those questions and answers were now irrelevant since the sword was now back in their grasp.

Gamja stopped the group of hierarchs in a long hallway, which led to the Throne Room after passing through a few more entries.

"It is safe to say that Kaki has released himself and the others from Aisu's magic. So we haven't much time." Gamja spoke now with his mask off.

Xia snorted. "I still think we should've killed them."

Gamja gave his daughter a strong cold eye. "Then I will allow you to speak to Mitsuri on his decision."

Xia stayed quiet and gave her cold stare to the ground rather than her father, knowing that only death would come to her if she questioned Mitsuri's orders.

But it was Yung that spoke aloud, pulling Xia under his arm. "Do not speak to her in that tone." He said abrasively.

Gamja released a bothered sigh, "I really wish you two would show the same love for the Clan as you do each other."

But Yung didn't respond; rather he only continued to stare down his father. Gamja only ignored Yung's stare when he caught sight of Aisu's humiliated look towards the ground, "And what is your problem?"

Aisu looked up to notice that Gamja was indeed talk to her. "Nothing. I am fine, why do you ask?"

Gamja didn't need to ask the questions he knew the answers to. He didn't need to ask the questions to which he knew she would deny. So instead he skipped the interrogation and immediately proceeded with the accusations. "Kaki deserved what he received. If he comes back here, he and whoever else stands by his side will die."

"Do not worry Gamja," She said politely with a bowed head. "My loyalty is still to the clan."

"It better be. Mitsuri will not tolerate your emotions for a traitor." Gamja looked around to the bunch in front of him. "We have the Dokugumo-Ureeru Tsurugi." He opened the case which held the sword. "All can be considered restored once Mitsuri's hand is placed on this handle."

"And your life as well." Xia replied with a cold stare.

Gamja looked at his daughter, it was his child. He could see behind the cold stare to see her concern. "It is for the better of the Clan, young one."

"But why you?"

"This has been written many years ago if an event like this were to ever happen. I have already given my word to Mitsuri and the Clan, that I will do whatever to ensure the ongoing success of the Black Spider Clan." He paused. "Even if it means to give my life."

"This is why I do not bother with the Clan." She replied.

Gamja could only sigh, Yung and Xia love for each always kept them strong and a valuable asset to the Black Spider Clan. Unfortunately, they could care less of the outcome of the Clan. Though they may have fought for the Clan, they only fought for the pure enjoyment of battling together, never for the true missions and success of the Clan. "My only dying wish is that my children take my place, and not to allow my name go in vain."

"What if I don't want you to give your life?" She asked.

Gamja came close to his daughter and embraced her. "Do not fret, as you will see, this is the best step for all of us." He then looked to the group. "All of us will receive the reward of the returning the Dokugumo-Ureeru back to the Spider Clan."

But no one responded. All kept their heads bowed in humiliation and sadness, each for a reason of their own. "There should be no sadness on this grand day." Gamja spoke proudly. "This is a time of celebration. The Dokugumo-Ureeru Tsurugi will bring forth a new beginning to the Black Spider Clan under the powerful leadership of Mitsuri." He looked upon his group with a smile. "You all shall soon see the new power of our gracious leader."

For what Gamja hope to be a speech to lift their spirits he still felt the disappointment and sadness amongst the group. He was proud to learn that his followers cared for him, but to his dismay he intended for their excitement as the new generation of the Black Spider Clan was now admist. Speaking of which, he has already wasted too much time.

"Enough of this," He said and the commanded. "There is no doubt that Kaki, Ryu, and the others will make their journey here." He turned to Aisu. "Aisu, put the leaders on full alert, I want scouts patrolling the area, I don't want them getting past our security." Aisu gave a nod and Gamja turned his attention to his children. "Yung and Xia, end all training session and set all ninjas to patrol our territory. If Kaki and the others make it past the first level and enter our quarters, I do not want them entering the throne room, especially if the ceremony has not been completed."

The two only gave a nod taking in their orders as Gamja turned away from the group with the Dokugumo-Ureeru in hand. That was until Dokon stopped him.

"Sir, what would you like for me to do?" He asked.

Gamja turned to Dokon with a mischievous smile. "Nothing. If they make it past the others, you will be the first to take them out."

Dokon returned the smile as his eyes quickly began to glow the horrific green color as he replied. "Gladly."

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Just then Gamja quickly began making his way to the throne room where Mitsuri laid peacefully. This was the day he had waited for after such a long struggle. He was beginning to believe that involving Ryu into the search for the sword was preposterous. He was beginning to believe that involving Ryu was only a sign of desperation. The Black Spider Clan was beginning to crumble and he could feel corruption stirring stronger within his midst. The Black Spider Clan indeed needed a strong ruler to assure no ninja would be idiotic to step against. The Black Spider Clan indeed needed a strong ruler to bring about a new dawn and a new age that the Black Spider Clan has missed out on for so many years. The time was indeed now, and Gamja strutted proudly to Mitsuri's quarters.

Everything comes with a price. For the very first in all of Gamja's life. It was the first time he had ever seen Xia shed tears for another person other than Yung. It was the first every in all of Gamja's life that he witnessed the saddened look on Yung's face upon the announcement of the sacrifice.

What was more important to Gamja? The rebirth of the Clan? Or his family? Never would he have imagined his children care so much him but never revealed it. In fact, he raised them more as tools rather than children. He raised them to become to top hierarchs of the Clan just so he would die safely knowing that his generation would survive leading the Black Spider Clan alongside Mitsuri. Was his family more important? Yes, he knew it. He didn't have to ask himself twice either. The family will always be most important. And his family will always consist of Yung, Xia, and the Black Spider Clan.

Gamja strutted through the hallways coming closer to the throne room. As always three guards watched the entrance preventing any unwanted visitors. When they saw Gamja they politely relieved themselves of their position allowing him to pass as Gamja entered inside.

Before closing the door he looked to the guards and harshly spoke. "Do not interrupt me. And guard this door with your lives."

The guards nodded and Gamja slammed the door shut.

He turned his back to the door and exhaled. This was the time he awaited for. The time where he would die. There was no turning back now as he began to walk towards Mitsuri's bedroom quarters.

Mitsuri's bedroom was filled with candles that gave illumination. Silk drapes hung from the ceiling to give the room its grace. And within, mass weapons mounted on the walls to give the room its power. Gamja was merely a few feet away from the bed where Mitsuri laid. He looked down glancing at the Dokugumo-Ureeru once more; assuring himself that he was making the right decision.

Of course it had to be. It was written that Gamja would give his life for the better of the Clan. After serving all of his life and living by their rules, he knew nothing else, only that a sacrifice had to be made, and Gamja, being the strongest force of all of the hierarchs, was the first chosen to assist the Black Spider Clan out of their predicament.

Gamja slowly walked to the bed with the Dokugumo-Ureeru still safely encased graciously provided by the diggers of the Migu Village. He pulled open the canopy's silk drapes to reveal a very old man laying in the bed.

The old man was undoubtedly Mitsuri. Extremely skinny, practically skeletal. Wrinkled pale skin clenched to his bones. His eyes closed and his mouth partially open, Mitsuri was too weak to even keep his mouth closed. Gamja knew Mitsuri could feel his presence, but was too weak, possibly aralyzed, to make any acknowledgement. The old man just laid in bed awoke, but his demeanor would make you believe that he was asleep, possibly awaiting death. Each time Mitsuri exhaled the oxygen inhaled, Gamja could easily make out dust particles exiting his mouth to where Mitsuri's organs had crumbled and dried.

This was the curse of the Dokugumo-Ureeru. Granting the holder immortality, but as a consequence the holder still ages on if he loses possession of the sword. Mitsuri was painfully living his age, unable to die because the Dokugumo-Ureeru would not allow him to. But in all fairness, Mitsuri will receive his second chance at life as Gamja placed the case on the bed beside the old man.

"Master," Gamja spoke knowing Mitsuri was listening. "The time has come for your rebirth. We have found the Dokugumo-Ureeru Tsurugi." Gamja may have been mistakened, but it looked as if Mitsuri released a longer exhale of excitement from the news. "The sword beckons your call Master. And I am here to play my duty and sacrifice myself to you and the Dokugumo-Ureeru Tsurugi."

Gamja opened the case and gave the sword a view. It was already aglow. It knew that it was home next to its Master. "Grab it, sir. It calls for you."

Just then Mitsuri's fingers twitched, but his arm did not move. It couldn't. The man was too weak to do so. Gamja carefully lifted Mitsuri's hand assisting him to touch the sword. "It calls to you, sire. Answer its pleas. Let it know you have returned." Then Gamja placed Mitsuri hand on the handle, careful not to let his own skin touch the sword. "Grab it, Master. It calls for your leadership."

Gamja watched as Mitsuri's hand only rested on the sword. That was it. Nothing else happened. The only sight Gamja viewed was a frail old pale man lying in his bed, unable to die, with his hand resting on the handle of the Dokugumo-Ureeru Tsurugi. Was it too late?

Just then, Mitsuri's fingers twitched catching Gamja's attentiong. Then it twitched again as Mitsuri showed Gamja more activity than he has ever done since the lost of the sword. Gamja's eyes widened when he noticed that dust no longer exited from the man's mouth. The Dokugumo-Ureeru was indeed doing its work.

"That's it Master, accept its power it is providing you." Gamja spoke with a piercing smile. "Accept the curse of the Dokugumo-Ureeru Tsurugi."

Mitsuri fingers then began to move as the Black Spider Clan leader slowly, but surely, began to grasp the blade. Suddenly, Mitsuri's eyes popped open, sucking in air as if he was choking.

The time was now. Mitsuri was slowly gaining back his strength, and now was the time to assure the leader received his powers. Now was the time Gamja would give away his life.

"My life is yours, sire. Kill me. Bring about the new age of the Black Spider Clan."

Mitsuri still showed great signs of weakness as he struggled to pull the sword out of the case. Gamja then assisted the weak man by grabbing his hands and aiming the sword at his stomach. "Take my life, Master, and rebirth shall be yours."

But the blade didn't move. Mitsuri still just laid upon the bed with a tight grasp around his sword. Mitsuri was still too weak.

"Master you must find the strength. There is no more I can do." Gamja wanted to assist in the killing but it was against the regulations of the ceremony. Mitsuri, and Mitsuri alone, had to find to strength to commit the action.

"Sire, please. The Clan awaits your leadership. Push the blade inside me. Take my life and be reborn as the grandest of all leaders."

Then Gamja felt the point of the blade pinch his skin. "That's it sire. Harder. Kill me. Push the blade inside me."

Gamja could feel more and more pressure pushing against him, but the blade had not yet done any damage to his body. That was until, Mitsuri managed to slightly pierce into Gamja's skin. Gamja felt the prick as he looked down to see a very small amount of his own blood dripping on the blade. The blade gave an irregular glow Gamja had never seen in all of his years beside Mitsuri and the Dokugumo-Ureeru. It must have been reacting with his blood.

Without warning, Gamja felt the Dokugumo-Ureeru being shoved inside him. His mouth popped open from the mere shock. Gamja looked at his Master whom was beginning to sit up in the bed. Mitsuri forcefully grabbed Gamja's hair and violently pushed the sword deep inside until the pointed exited from Gamja's back.

Gamja's life was immediately beginning to fade, but before his death, he witnessed the powers of the Dokugumo-Ureeru was beginning to change the old frail man. Muscles and tissues were forming taking away from his skinniness. His pale skinned restored to its tan color. And his wrinkled skin now took on a brand new transformation. Gamja looked into Mitsuri fiery eyes which were filled with anger, hate, and death. After seconds turned to minutes, Mitsuri's rebirth was finally done.

Mitsuri was now younger, stronger, the only qualities that could be seen by just looking at someone. The strong dominant leader the Clan once remembered years ago has returned. The curse of the Dokugumo-Ureeru Tsurugi and the transformation of the once old and frail man was completed. And now what sat before the dying Gamja was the man he remembered that led the Black Spider clan with such great force. His name was Mitsuri, the immortal and all powerful leader of the Black Spider Clan.

Mitsuri stood, forcefully grabbing Gamja to his feet as well. With the sword in hand, Mitsuri pulled upwards, mutilating more of Gamja insides bringing more pain upon that man that has served him after so many years. Gamja's dying eyes were fixed on Mitsuri as he could feel the leader twisting the sword inside him. Gamja's blood spilled on Mitsuri's floor then began to exit from his mouth. It made Gamja wonder why was Mitsuri taking such a violent approach now that the deed has been done.

Mitsuri gave Gamja a cold harsh look and spoke with a booming voice. "Your soul is mine." And instantly the blade pointing out of Gamja's back glowed brightly.

Gamja's mouth grew wider and the silk drapes that hung from the ceiling of Mitsuri bedroom began to swirl among the sudden internal winds. Mitsuri gave Gamja a violent stare until he could see a ghost-like presence exit from Gamja's body. The ghost-like presence screamed aloud as the Dokugumo-Ureeru sucked in Gamja's soul into the blade itself. Mitsuri closed his eyes and accepted Gamja's entrance to the sword as well as his powers. Mitsuri's internal power was now restored.

Finally, all the winds stopped and now there was only one living man standing in the room. The other body had no sign of life, and the only reason it was still standing was because Mitsuri was still holding Gamja's body up with the sword. Mitsuri then plainly pushed the body of Gamja off the Dokugumo-Ureeru allowing it to flop to the ground.

The reborn Mitsuri looked at his sword proudly, "I have missed you so much." He said to the object.

Mitsuri then looked to the ground where his dead servant lain and knelt beside. "Your death will not go in vain, Gamja." He spoke aloud. "Generations to come will know of your sacrifice. As my vow, you will be remembered as the Black Spider Clan's resurrector."

Mitsui stood glancing his whereabouts where he was kept safe from the dangers of outside society. His quarters, his domain, his territory of ruling. No longer did he need to hide. No longer did he have to be enslaved by the curse. He gripped the sword tightly and his body began to glow with the blade.

He yelled to the sky, "THE BLACK SPIDER CLAN IS REBORN. THE DOKUGUMO-UREERU IS REBORN. AND I, MITSURI, AM REBORN."