Firestorm – Flame of Recca After War

"The host has been found," a faint voice whispered. "Let the hunt begin."

War of the Ancient World

Episode 2 – Moonlight Requiem

"Kurei, we are being watched."

Kurei kept his pace. He was silent, seemingly unmoved by the probable danger surrounding them. Kaoru continued his walk as well. If they are being watched by a single spy, they are fine.

For minutes the two brothers were walking. Kaoru is getting a little worried as the number of observers increase exponentially. Finally, he stopped and repeated. "Kurei, we are being watched."

"There's too many of them!"

Kurei stopped, trying to examine his surroundings.

"How many are they?"

Before Kaoru could reply, a storm of arrow showered on them. Lucky enough, they we're able to dodge pretty well. No sweat actually. If they could dodge bullets, they could dodge arrows. But their luck was about to run out.

"Kurei, we're surrounded."

More than five dozens of armed men have encircled them. "Move no more. We will shoot without mercy." One of them commanded, his face was covered with cloth. His eyes were the only visible part of his face. It was a scary image. The commander was a person built with perfect body. Not too thin but not too fat. He was more than six feet tall with fair complexion. Wearing black with a katana in both sides of his waist, he was undeniably one strong foe

Fools. It will be an easy task killing you. Kurei took a deep breath, saving as much air as possible for his attack. Kaoru on the other hand stood motionless. He was unarmed, but not trembling. The attackers have apparently noticed.

"Kill the smaller one first."

In a blitz, Kurei tomahawked his sheath to the crowd. He dashed like a bullet and beheaded an enemy. He moves in blazing speed. It was comparable to a chain lightning. There was a rain of arrows, as well as blood. Some attackers wield swords as well as shurikens. Without hesitation, half of them aimed at Kaoru, who apparently has nothing but his fists and feet. When I hold no weapon, the nature is my weapon. Kaoru took a crouch, and he leaped towards an attacker occupied tree. Before the archer could react, Kaoru's leg hit him on the neck, and he fell. Bow and arrow. Not bad for a stolen weapon. Kaoru was always good at archery. His Kougan-Anki's fifth form was a proof of his excellence. I have two arrows with me. There was again another shower of arrows aimed at him. Kaoru wasted no time. He was small but he was a ninja. He was small enough to use the trees and darkness itself to his advantage. Good thing trees are everywhere in the sixteenth century. He shoots the first arrow, one fell. But not lifeless. Kaoru silenced, and he assured himself: The last arrow will take away the rest.

Kurei was busy in his slaughter. The attackers however, are multiplying like egg laying fish. This is not good. At this rate, they will get the upper hand when we are exhausted.

Kaoru was still hidden in the shadows unaffected by the increasing number of attackers. To kill a worm, you destroy the head. The last arrow was directly pointed to the same person who commanded the attack. The target was facing the other way where Kaoru was. Apparently observing Kurei. "Is he crazy?" Kaoru thought. "His comrades are being slaughtered like minced meat and yet he seems unfazed."

I won't make the same mistake as what happened when I shoot an arrow to Tokiya. Kaoru was referring to his battle with Tokiya in Kurei's manor. This time, it would be perfect. Kaoru took a deep breath. And then he shoot. I have to kill to save our lives. Forgive me.

It was perfect. A Direct hit at the heart. "I had no choice. I have to save both of us." Kaoru thought. The leader was aware of the shot and he felt the pain. As the leader stumble to the ground, something fell from his pocket.

Kaoru saw what fell. His heart pounded, as if he saw a ghost. But he is certain that he's awake and not dreaming. The leader's face is directly facing him, as if he is staring at Kaoru like a wounded animal. Breathing heavily, the leader crawled to the object that fell from his pocket. "GOOD GOD!" He shouted.

PRESENT DAY 9:12 AM, Hanabishi Residence

"Recca… Recca"

Recca was at his bed, watching TV. "Yes?"

It was Yanagi's voice. Rushing towards the stairs to Recca's room. The door is open, and as Yanagi enters, her heart was pounding. For certain, she felt that something is not right.

"What is wrong?" Recca asked jokingly.

It's not what is wrong. Something was wrong. And something will be wrong.

"Danger! Everyone is in danger!"

Kurei was apparently starting to wear off. He feels his energy dissipating at a faster rate. But Kaoru's voice stunned him. Kurei knew where the voice came from. His eyes wouldn't assure him that Kaoru is within his visible range of sight. But his other senses would. Kurei observed, and he saw the cause of Kaoru's scream.

Kaoru was still sweating. It was cold and ghastly. "IMPOSSIBLE!"

Another voice was heard. Apparently, it was not from a human. "The night is young. I will feast on these souls." The leader paused for awhile, and shouted:

"ALL YOUR BODIES WILL BE MINE!"

Kaoru observed for a few more seconds. He was not mistaken. What he just saw was not a ghost. It was a familiar sight. Something he had seen in the past. "Bakuju…" he whispered in terror.