I looked back at the carcass of my mother. Her luxurious black hair knotted, her throat slashed open, the eyes once so full of love glazed over.

I know what I should've done. I should have picked her up, brushed her hair, and buried her. That maybe would have put my mind to rest. But, deciding for once to heed my father's words, I left her there. I showed no compassion. She was left to rot.

That was the worst decision I've ever made. And that is from one who has made many, many bad decisions.

I didn't know where to go from here. Everyone I cared about was dead. Mom with her smiles, songs, and lessons. Father, with his rules and strict tone. She gave me love, he made me strong. Without them, who was I?

That's when my gaze fell on halberd. The demons had slaughtered my whole village. But I had killed them. A demon had stolen my father, but there was nothing I could do about that. What was a demon life worth? Or even a human life, for that matter? Both were easily taken. Neither was appreciated by the other.

I lifted my weapon, and vowed to be neutral, that I would be fair in who dies. Then, taking a breath, I made a promise to my weapon over the bodies of the demons I slaughtered and the people they killed, if I could kill both 1000 people, and 1000 demons, my halberd banryu would gain the power of all those killed.

After all was said and done I ambled around the village, searching for someone-anyone- that was alive. Unsurprisingly, I found no one. However, something surprising did happen.

A traveler, not much older than me, caught my eye. He was kicking the dead body of a child. Not a child I knew. But still, he was human. And I had a chance to start my count. Lifting my weapon, I charged with a war cry.

The man turned, smirking as though he'd been ready and waiting for a survivor. Reaching onto his back to grab his sword.

Something was wrong. Banryu was way larger than what was being pulled out of the sheath. Instinctively, I ducked. As expected, the sword had an ability. Blades shot off and slashed where my head had been moments before.

I shot up and slashed at him. Or- where he was. The man had already moved. "You're the sole survivor?" he asked, laughing. "I thought that there'd be someone who could at least put up a fight!"

Instead of blocking the next whip-like shot, I dashed to the side and slashed down. The blades crashed to the ground with a loud clatter, and I stood stock still, face emotionless, then spoke, "Yes. I am Bankotsu, the sole survivor of this demon attack. I am also the murderer. Soon I'll add you to my count."

The man grinned, sheathing his weapon. "I like you." he laughed. "The name's Jukotsu, Mr. Sole-Survivor."