Takeshi clutched the lantern tight, quickening his pace and bringing his senses to full alert. He wanted to be overreacting, he wanted intrusive thoughts to be taking over, but he knew Jiaojiang, and he knew that his intuition signaled danger. He let his thoughts get the better of him, he remembered the lack of letters from his parents. He shook his head, knowing that his focus needed to be on reaching the town as quickly as possible. Using the breathing technique he had practiced for months, he was able to keep his pace high and his lungs full, his pupils dilated to enhance his vision. When he finally reached the opening of the square, he stopped in his tracks. There was not a single sound coming from the village, even the wind chimes stood still, glimmering silently in the moonlight. The air hung around him like a vice, thick with tension and anxiety. He took cautionary steps through the gate, keeping one hand firmly on the lantern, and the other on the hilt of his katana. Jiaojiang was a ghost town, no signs of life were visible at all, the only movement coming from the occasional petal or leaf falling from the sky. Still unable to comprehend it all, Takeshi made his way toward his home, his heart pounding as he approached the sliding door. He set the lantern on a hook beside the door, its purple glow now more ominous than inviting. He took a deep breath and loosened his katana from its sheath, he ripped open the door before he was ready. He was taken aback to see that everything inside looked as it should, almost even tidier than he remembered. He slowly paced through the house, looking in containers, the garden, and even in the furnace, he found no sign of anything unusual.
How did everyone just disappear? It seems impossible that everyone would have chosen to relocate at the same time, some of these families have been here for centuries… he thought to himself, puzzled. It was then that he saw it, a single blue thread, tracing its way from the entryway to the back door. He looked closer, and it appeared the thread was coming from his mother's work table, the thread was high quality, and he remembered his mother having a large spool of these types of threads. He followed the thread out the door and was even more taken aback to see that it continued, venturing off deep into the woods. Mother wouldn't have let such quality thread stay here if she left, she always knitted even if to just keep herself occupied… Takeshi thought, tracing the thread's path with his eyes. I wish Takahashi was here, he would know exactly what to do.
With no other choice, Takeshi continued to follow the thread, quickly finding himself deeper and deeper into the forest, losing sight of the village. His eyes dilated instantly, allowing him to see as if it were broad daylight, the moon cast a ghastly glow through the dense tree cover. He followed the thread, hand tightly grasping his hilt for what felt like an eternity, the thread moving in one solid line, wavering from side to side as if someone had dropped it while walking. Eventually, he came to a small clearing, the trees opening up as the moon cast its full light down. Takeshi saw the thread start to trail off, wrapping around the backside of a tall rock structure. Confused, Takeshi looked closer at the rock, which looked like a claw had dug itself through the earth and reached for the moon. Sitting atop the rock, Takeshi spotted something that made his blood run cold. There, brightly lit by moonlight, was a human skull, it was large, an adult. He stumbled backward, suddenly out of breath and clutching his side. A wave of terror froze him in place, he began to tremble, and he felt like he might be sick. Just before he could wretch, heavy footsteps rapidly approached him from behind. Takeshi dodged just in time to miss a large figure pouncing on where he had just stood, hunched over himself. His sword already drawn and in hand, Takeshi adjusted his eyes to get a better look at the figure, who had just put himself in direct moonlight. Standing no more than 7 feet from him, was the man who had grabbed Takeshi in the street, or so he thought. The man's skin was a sickening gray color, his body wrapped in veins protruding from his skin. The man's back was hunched awkwardly, his serpent-like eyes giving off a faint green glow. The man began to laugh, a sick, hoarse laugh that chilled Takeshi to the bone. It was then that he saw the sharp teeth, Takeshi then knew immediately what he was dealing with.
"Isn't this just poetic?" the demon said, baring his fangs at Takeshi. "The pathetic boy saved by an old freak now faces his original adversary… What a fitting conclusion. I told you Takeshi, if you didn't die by the next time I saw you, I'd have to step in and put you out of your misery."
"Where are my mother and father!" Takeshi shouted, gripping his sword with both hands. "I don't want to fight you, I just want my family back, please…"
The demon let out another hoarse round of laughter, saliva dripping from his gaping mouth.
"My god you're dense. Boy, you cannot actually believe in that pitiful brain of yours that somehow magically your parents are gonna run out from behind a tree and give you a nice warm hug, do you?" The demon bared his claws and crouched slightly.
"How about you join them and they'll give you the details? I hate talking."
The demon lunged at Takeshi with impressive speed, his reflexes barely lifted the sword in time to parry the attack. The demon's claws deflected off the blade with a flash of sparks, pushing the two apart once again. Takeshi stood frozen in place once more, a thousand-yard stare in his eyes.
They're… no they can't be… I got stronger to protect them… They can't be gone… I never got a chance… It's not fair.
This time it was Takeshi who made the first move, sprinting toward the demon with a perfectly balanced gait, he raised his sword and tensed his muscles. The demon smiled wide, bracing for impact.
Total Concentration… Flame Breathing: First Form… Unknowing Fire!
His sword cut through the air at magnificent speed, a red blast of flames in its wake. The demon reached its arm out to deflect, but it was much too slow. The sword effortlessly cut through the demon's arm, severing it and leaving it gushing on the forest floor. The demon stumbled backward, the smile never leaving its face.
"Look at you, when cornered you can bite," the demon muttered, springing forward towards Takeshi.
Blood Demon Art… Calamitous Rend!
He's going for my neck… His claws are glowing… He's going to sever my artery… I need to think fast… Takeshi thought in a panic.
Flame Breathing… Second Form: Rising Scorching Sun!
Takeshi swung his sword upward, meeting the pulsating claws of his opponent, causing a burst of energy that knocked both backward once again. The demon's other arm nearly regenerated, it flexed its wrists and shook its head.
"Now you're starting to piss me off," the demon said, his smile turning into a hideous snarl.
"I will devour you, rip you limb from limb just like the rest of that sickening town! Give up or be cut down like the pathetic worm you are, boy!" the demon launched himself into the air.
Blood Demon Art… Shattering Storm: Vital Strike!
The demon formed a hammer shape with his fists, clenching them together tightly and tightening all his muscles as its hands began to glow a pulsating purple color.
Takeshi looked up at the demon slowly, watching it form a devastating attack as it descended upon him. He pictured his mother and father's faces, he pictured his mother lying beside him, that comforting look she always gave him whenever a nightmare had awoken him. He heard his father's bellowing laugh, his strong arm reaching across and squeezing him tight. He felt his mother's hands lift his face.
"Takeshi, you must rise. My son, you could not save us. It's not your fault Takeshi, I'm proud of you my sweet boy. Rise. Takeshi, rise," his mother's gentle hand faded from his cheek, her voice trailing off into the night.
In a flash, I lost everything. Everything and everyone who had ever mattered, this monster took from me. He sits just above me, alive and well, the blood of my mother, father, and so many others resting on his hands. It's not fair.
The forest was lit up with a burst of blue light, birds fled their nests as a burst of energy shook the treeline.
That boy, he exploded? No? He's gone. Did he flee? The demon waited, mid-attack, confused as to where his target had vanished to. It was then that he felt it, a fierce heat that he had never felt, nor could he fathom. He yelped in pain as he looked up to meet the glowing blue eyes of Takeshi, ablaze with blue flames, a circular serpent on his chest glowing through his kimono.
That speed! That power! It's impossible! No matter, I'll just change my attack and take him out from here, let's shower the forest in your gore, kid… The demon thought, smiling once more and adjusting in mid-air.
Total Concentration… Flame Breathing: Infinity Style… Seventh Form: Eternal Flame!
Takeshi's muscles snapped to attention, his blade coming across his body, slashing brilliantly to the right, making contact with the demon's neck before it could react.
His speed is unfathomable! This can't be the same kid, he's gonna cut off my head! Even after the master set up the perfect feast, I'm so pathetic… Forgive me… Hokama. The demon thought a tear beginning to fall from his eye.
Takeshi's blade made a clean arching cut, sending the demon's body and head flying in two different directions. The demon's torso landed with a heavy thud, raising a cloud of dust and foliage as it collapsed to the ground, its head tumbling down next to it, making an unpleasant gushing sound as it came to a stop. Takeshi landed in front of them, carefully setting both feet down as if he had floated down. In one smooth motion, he sheathed his sword, took a deep breath, and then collapsed to the ground. His eyes were filled with moonlight as he lay back on his legs, he'd used too much energy. He had once again fully exceeded his limit, had he not achieved his goal, there's no telling what the next few moments would look like. He fell to his side, and met the tearful face of the demon, looking much more human all of a sudden. The two locked eyes, as the demon's mouth, formed one word, a name, "Hokama…"