Chapter 14- The Demon Strikes
Shura's eyes were frozen as she gazed upon the duel about to ensue. From the moment she'd realized the bandits' destination, she'd feared that Haru was somehow involved. She couldn't rationalize such a fear so she ignored it. But it had justified itself in a way she never imagined.
This was the lust of her blade… The man she needed to fight, to kill… was Haru.
No. He is blind and his skills have faded. This is merely a bluff. I will lend him a hand.
Shura leapt forward. Her legs immediately buckled. The paralyses afflicting her quickly shot up her entire body. It was followed by an all too familiar chill.
"What is the meaning of this? Release me!" she shouted.
The spirit said, "I wish to see his power. Do not interfere."
The bandits charged, flanking him from different directions. Haru analyzed the sound of their steps and tracked them by the aura of killing intent they projected.
His blade launched from its sheath in a stream of silver. He deflected several swords, as if in a single motion. Haru rotated his footing and dodged another strike while coming to face his next target. Quickly, his blade came down. Two bandits fell. The others struck at any opening that appeared. Haru was unfazed. He parried strike after strike and returned them with a series of fast slashes. Within minutes, the battle was over.
"Your wounds are shallow. Treat them and you have a chance." said Haru hoarsely, "Don't you dare confront me again or I'll kill you."
The demon cackled. "What prowess. In his prime, this man would have probably been around your level. Even now, in his condition, he fights with precision."
Shura said, "Let… me… go."
"Will you fight him?"
Shura twitched and grit her teeth. Her eyes lowered and her eyebrows were no longer furrowed.
"You hesitate." said the voice from the spaulder, "You who would never hesitate to do battle, no less one with such promise. Shura, my dear… you've become pitiful."
Shura looked down. Her left foot had begun to move forward. Now her right followed in stride. She now stepped out into the clearing.
"I will remove this distraction."
"What are you doing? Stop this!" she shouted.
"I said I would have my revenge. But now I feel a more interesting punishment is in order. I already know the man I need to possess. But now I have a way to make you suffer first before I cut you down. It will not weaken you, but strengthen you- the hatred you will feel will empower you. Besides, I can't have you disappointing me. As you are now, you are unfit for our rematch."
"Stop now! How dare you! I swear I'll kill you for this! I'll defeat you in an instant and leave you with nothing in this world but shame. Such shame you won't dare ever show your face in this world or the next..."
"Right now you are powerless. Now watch… as I kill the man you love."
The bandits were busy tending to their wounds. They turned to look up at the Black Oni as she strode past, paying no attention to their presence. One of them was still laying spread eagle. He let out a yelp of pain as Shura walked over his stomach. Haru had left it seemed. The demon knew he wasn't far off. Already, he could see the hermit faintly through the trees.
"Enough! I—"
Shura was silenced.
"What a noisy bitch." said the Black Oni, following it up with a grin.
Haru threw his sword to the ground. He glared at it for the longest time. The day he had won his first battle, it had been awarded to him. It cut through the armor of many samurai and shattered many swords. Their memories were forged into it. He had held it all this time as a haunting reminder for what he had done.
"Why… why after all these years? Damn it. Damn it."
"You really shouldn't do that." said Shura.
Haru looked up as the black garbed woman came into view.
"Shura! You're back!"
"You could say that." She gave a mischievous giggle, "I saw what you did to those men back there."
There was a look of surprise on his face. But he quickly lowered his head and said, "I see. So you know?"
"That's right. To think you were hiding something like this from me."
"I'm sorry. I didn't want to lie to you, I just... I…"
"Now that I know… you know what it is I'm going to do."
"W-What are you saying? Shura, I have no intention of fighting you."
"Then you will most certainly die."
"Why? I know you love battle. I too had such a thirst once. But our friendship, doesn't it mean anything?"
"It was inevitable that our paths ended in violence." said Shura cheerfully. But for all the amusement on her face, tears were streaming down it.
She wouldn't beg. She wouldn't barter her freedom with this thing. She was left to watch as the demon destroyed the things she cared for.
Shura unleashed Raijin and Fuijin-Maru from their sheaths. Haru scooped up his sword with the top of his foot and knocked into the air. He grabbed it and removed the blade. Haru then took on a defensive stance.
"I won't kill you Shura."
Shura said, "If you won't come at me with all your strength, then this will be over quickly."
She lifted up her katana. Her arm began to tremble.
"What are you—"
The demon found himself losing control of her voice. A force was interfering with his actions.
I am nobody's slave.
Shura gave out a roar, dropping her blade to the ground. She raised her hands.
The demon thought, "Impossible, Is she really subduing my influence from willpower alone?"
Shura clenched her teeth and tore at her skin.
"No wait," thought the demon, "it's more than that. She's pushing me out!"
Shura yelled in pain as the demon's soul struggled to hold on, grasping at her earthly vessel. It was no use. He was quickly being expelled.
Shura spun around to face the apparition. There he was- an icy blue cloud of fog. The fog quickly formed into the horned face of the ayakashi she slew that night.
"I have nothing to fear from you!" said Shura.
The phantom gave out a roar. Shura stood her ground even as his power attempted to push her backwards.
"Impudent human!" he said, "If you will not give me sanctuary, then perhaps he will."
"No!" she shouted, "Get away from him!"
"And what will you do to stop me hmm?"
"I— I will exorcise you with these blades."
"Those blades? Ha ha! They are nothing but ordinary swords."
"Raijin-Maru and Fujin-Maru have been soaked in the blood of a thousand ayakashi. Do you actually think they haven't been cursed?"
"An empty hope, nothing more."
From his ghostly form now protruded a hand large enough to crush a human in its palm. It quickly spun at her, to cast her to the side.
Shura truly didn't know the authenticity of her statement. But there was no time to even doubt. She reflexively reacted to the demon's attack by slashing back with one of her katana.
Blue blood started to spurt out of the side of the hand. A clean cut was now embedded in the wrist. The demon let out a hiss and recoiled his mutilated arm.
"It seems the only one making empty threats here is you." said Shura. With a look of pride and valor, she pointed her katana at him and said, "If you take another step, you're gone… for good."
The demon bellowed once more.
He answered, "Do not think me wasted on a single strike. But we will fight on my terms. I will return with a body strong enough to crush you. Be prepared for your reckoning."
With that, the spirit vanished into the earth.
Author's Note: The reveal of Haru's prowess and Shura's cursed sword were subjects I've been looking forward to writing for a while now. ^_^