Alrighty, as promised, here is chapter 13, just one day late ><. Enjoy! This too, is a large wall of text, so I have spaced it accordingly.
Chapter 13
“You’ve seen your life
Before your eyes
Common goal
Uncommon Ties
Foe of heat
And death of Cold
Your story of more than one
Unfolds
A split past
Life forgotten
From ashes, risen
Memory rotten
Slayer of not one
Yet no more
A split path
Yet neither in stone
Beware of death
But not your own
They were then
Like the wind was blown
Hatred dire
Yet consequence suggests
Is it Time for Namir the ghost
To repent?”
The words rang softly in Namir’s ears, from no direction at all. It was the child’s voice he had heard earlier in his dreams, when he was desperate and panicking. Namir felt the rush of cold air flow over his skin and face. He opened his eyes.
“White… everywhere…a dream?” He felt the rush of air slowing, turning colder and colder as he went. There was nothing to be seen; he couldn’t see Diwi, Miyana, or Gilgamesh. He saw a flash before his eyes, two spinning objects, both glinting almost violently. Namir reached towards them, and found himself drawing closer. He reached towards the slimmer of the two, easily falling towards it. He could clearly make it out, the Masamune. He looked to his right, on the other side; laid the Shigetto Bow, spinning softly. Namir shook his head, confused and entranced by his dream. He heard the sound of faint whisperings touching his ears, sounds that felt like soft silky spider webs.
“The blade and the shot, both beckon your heart
Listen well and start, hasten yet fear not
A life of old, a story emblazoned new
Which is true? Which have you told?
Lies help more than sleep, yet Truth holds your love
There’s more above, yet a longer journey in the deep”
Namir closed his eyes as the harmonic words filled his thoughts. “It all boils down to a choice, doesn’t it?” Namir opened his eyes, and to his surprise he saw Miyana just above him, eyes closed and seemingly unconscious. He shook his head. “I have to choose? One life or the other? How?” Gilgamesh appeared, just below Miyana, also unconscious. Diwi popped up just to the right of Namir, eyes open and steady. Namir stared at her briefly, even now of all times fascinated with Tarutaru. “What now?”
There was a brief flash, and everything became visible. The air was bitter cold. Unfortunately, Namir wasn’t looking at his feet on solid ground. They were still falling, and falling fast, from at least eighty feet. Diwi panicked, screaming almost cutely as they fell. Miyana didn’t react at all, and Gilgamesh’s eyes were wide open, in obvious fright. Namir didn’t have a chance to register what was going on before they hit the snow bank. He closed his eyes to brace for the impact, but never really felt much more than a soft ‘poof’ from falling through the snow. He stood up, brushing the snow off himself, amazed that there was no impact. Gilgamesh and Miyana stood up as well, looking equally as bewildered as he felt. Diwi fell last, still screaming at the top of her little lungs. Namir watched her fall, and found it difficult to laugh as she plopped through the snow making a small mushroom cloud of snow particles as she landed. Her screaming stopped abruptly as she landed. Namir couldn’t see her. Miyana started laughing hysterically, and Gilgamesh began to as well. Namir rushed to the spot Diwi landed in, and peered down the Tarutaru shaped snow-hole she had made. The particular bank she had fallen in was at least five feet deep, and Namir couldn’t remember the last time he had seen a funnier image. Diwi was face down at the bottom of the hole, unmoving, but grunting angrily. She sat up, and looked at Namir, giving him the familiar shocked look she gave Gilgamesh earlier. Namir couldn’t help but smile, Tarutaru just had mysterious ways of looking adorable when angry. Diwi couldn’t get out of the snow, and began throwing a fit.
“DAMN! Namir, help me! Come on you dumb Hume! Hurry up and lift me out of here! It’s cold!” Diwi screamed. Namir picked Diwi up, and set her on the snow surface next to him, still softly chuckling at the comic relief Diwi provided. She seemed unaware of it. Gilgamesh trudged over to Namir.
“Diwi! I thought you said you knew what you were doing?! You know how high up we were? Couldn’t you land us on our feet?” he demanded, actually sounding serious.
“No one’s perfect ‘Mesh! Besides, something weird was going on; it was like someone was trying to block me from casting! I felt a strong resistance when we neared Xarcabard! Look how far away we are from the portal point!” Gilgamesh looked around thoughtfully, hand resting on his chin.
“As much as I want to berate you some more Diwi, you’re right. Perhaps our adversaries had something to do with it. But good job, you got us to where we need to be.”
“I can’t believe my earrrs ‘Mesh, you just said ‘good job’ to Diwi. Arrre you feeling ok?” Miyana chimed in cheerfully, smirking in usual manner. Diwi started giggling, and Gilgamesh looked frustrated for a moment. It all made Namir smile.
“As much as I’d like to stick around and chatter pointlessly… I think it’s time we got moving, it’s a long journey to the castle.” Gilgamesh said in an annoyed tone, changing the subject. Namir nodded, and Miyana began trudging through the snow without saying a word. She came up close to Namir, and gave him a small playful nudge. Namir looked at her, and put his arm around her, kissing her lightly on the cheek as he did so.
Namir’s thoughts drifted as they trudged through the snow, it was the only way he could take his mind off of how bitter cold it was.
“Look at him…he’s a natural at it. I’m willing to bet he could do anything if he put his mind to it…” the familiar voice played back in his head, “He has such a strong resolve, such strong potential. Gilgamesh, his fighting reminds me of Yoshimbo’s. I may be old, but I can still recognize a good Samurai. Namir lives and breathes Samurai.” He remembered going through his training. He remembered getting a lot of respect for his ability to learn quickly.
Namir squinted ahead, making out a small structure in the hazy white in front of them. The only sound anyone was making was the soft sounds of footsteps in the snow, save for Diwi. Namir noticed Diwi was walking on the surface of the snow without a problem, tiny feet not even penetrating the snow top. Namir laughed inside, he couldn’t help but think Diwi had quite the laughable personality.
Out of the corner of his left eye, Namir saw a sudden flash, a short glint in the not-so distant outlying snow. He stopped abruptly, the others turning to see where the sound of his footsteps went. Miyana looked Namir right in the face, seeing his concern, and turning immediately to look in the direction that he was. Namir drew Shigetto bow from his back, pulling an arrow tight. Namir heard the Miyana snap her katana out of their scabbards, and when he looked, she was no where to be seen. Gilgamesh gave Namir a quick and worried glance, while Diwi seemed oblivious and kept walking forward.
“Namir, what’s the matter?” Gilgamesh was eyeing him carefully. Namir kept his intent gaze. His eyes opened wide, he saw it, but Diwi didn’t.
“Diwi! Down, now!” Namir shouted, but it was too late. The Demon came screaming down at Diwi at a very impressive speed, catching Diwi completely by surprise. With incredible finesse, the demon kicked Diwi and sent her flying into the opposite direction. Diwi didn’t even make a sound; the kick had knocked her out. She landed roughly thirty feet away, with a soft tuft of snow billowing into the air as she hit. Namir was too shocked that Diwi had been kicked so far away, and missed Miyana materializing just behind the demon. He turned his head away from Diwi’s landing spot just in time to see Miyana do something he never thought was possible. She had one katana buried through the demon’s left shoulder, and had it pinned down on the ground. Namir sprinted as fast as he could up to her, bow in hand, and with Gilgamesh following closely behind. The snow crackled loudly as he neared her.
“Namir! I’m going to go and check on Diwi! Kill that wretched beast!” Gilgamesh shouted hurriedly, changing direction and running towards the fallen Tarutaru. Namir said nothing, intently focused on Miyana.
“Demon… therrrre is something you should know,” Miyana said coldly. Namir was transfixed, unable to move as he watched Miyana. She looked like she was preparing some sort of technique. “When you attack a frrriend, you may as well have attacked me… perrrsonally. Tell me, Demon… is it smarrrt to attack a Ninja Masterrr?” She began moving her hands in a rhythmic action, knees still pressing hard into the Demon’s back. It grunted angrily, hissing its words as if to spit them at her.
“Sssmart? You say you are a Ninja Master… and yet… you failed to do one thing….”
The Demon’s words ended clear and concise, and Namir was anything but prepared for what transpired next. The Demon threw Miyana off of its back, and stood up without effort. Miyana landed squarely on her feet, glaring in shock at the creature. It pulled her katana out of its shoulder with no signs of pain, and tossed it in her direction. It pointed one scarred, black finger at her. “Pick it up. I have no interest in you. I came here to fight him…” the demon’s arm moved slowly around to point at Namir. Namir didn’t know what to think at first, but when he saw Miyana pick up her katana, and inch toward the demon, Namir looked at her, shaking his head.
“No. He wants me, he can have me. I don’t turn away from a challenge.” Namir noticed Gilgamesh waving off to his right.
“Must’ve found Diwi.” Namir noted it, and turned his attention back to the Demon, whose arm was still outstretched. The Demon’s wound healed in an instant, closing quickly and without a trace of blood. Namir’s eyes widened in shock.
“This… this is not right. How is that possible?”
Miyana put away her katana, and stepped back. Gilgamesh was still tending to Diwi. The Demon squared up on Namir, staring intently with its hatred filled eyes.
“Are you ready…? Namir?” the demon echoed darkly. Namir said nothing. In the Demon’s outstretched hand, a thick, wickedly curved black sword materialized. The demon crouched down.
“I’ll take that as a yes.” Immediately it rushed Namir, sword outstretched, aiming directly for his face with the same impressive speed it displayed earlier. Namir pulled an arrow tight, falling on his back while aiming straight up.
“Wait for it…” As soon as Namir saw the Demon pass over him, he fired his shot. The Demon was too fast, changing direction immediately as he let go of his arrow. It veered off to the left, then flew straight up, and went into a steep dive aiming directly for Namir’s heart. Namir rolled backwards on the snow, and up onto his feet, immediately grabbing another arrow. The demon flew up at a steep incline just before it smashed into the snow, and landed ahead of Namir.
“This damned thing is quick.” Namir said, taking careful aim again. The Demon began laughing.
“You think you can hit me with your silly bow? I’m much too quick for you, Hume.” Its scratchy voice rang out on the snow banks, creating an eerie echo in the otherwise silent Xarcabard.
It moved again, this time much faster, but instead of rushing Namir again, it seemed to try and flank him from the left side. Namir took aim as it came screaming down at him, and let his arrow fly. The Demon did a barrel roll and easily dodged it. Namir began to worry, diving out of the way just in time. It was then that he realized, this Demon was only toying with him. The Demon rested on its feet again, as Namir stood back up.
“What are you?” Namir asked, holding his bow in one hand at his left side. The demon let out a grueling laugh, and stopped suddenly.
“Funny you asssk me what I am rather than who. You are smarter than you look, Namir.” Namir stood steady, not letting his perplexity show. He drew another arrow tight, pulling the bow back with all of his strength.
“Quit talking. You wanted a fight, and that’s what you got. Come at me!” Namir shouted arrogantly, realizing his mistake as soon as he did. The Demon rushed Namir before he even finished speaking, catching him in the chest with the flat of the blade and sending him to the ground hard. Namir gasped for breath, releasing the arrow in his hand and sending it shooting into the snow. The Demon grabbed Namir by his tunic, lifting him into the air, bringing him to eye level.
“You are nothing Namir. You’ll have to do much better than this if you want to defeat your adversaries. That includes me!” The Demon tossed Namir backwards with a furious strength, but Namir was ready. He balanced himself as he fell, and landed on his feet, sliding in the snow with the rest of his momentum.
The Demon rushed Namir again, using every ounce of speed it had to its advantage. As it drew near, Namir grabbed an arrow out of his quiver, and falling backwards as he did. The Demon wasn’t expecting it, and swung its sword right over Namir’s face as he fell. Namir took the arrow and slammed the head into the demon’s leg, rolling to his left in the snow immediately. He started to feel cold. The Demon seemed more annoyed than afflicted by pain.
“That’s a start, but you still need to do better. Show me your power!” The demon bellowed, coming at Namir yet again. Namir rolled out of the way as the Demon’s sword sliced through the snow, sending white powder scurrying into the air. Namir quickly got onto his feet. The Demon locked eyes with him, holding out its free hand. Namir suddenly felt an overwhelming pain flow through his head, like something was trying to escape.
“Wha…WHAT… is this?” He struggled to keep his focus clear, but even while in intense pain, he noticed everything around him slowing. He lost focus, and stopped caring. He stared at the Demon knowing he was under some sort of enchantment. The Demon’s hoarse voice sounded in his mind as the world darkened around him.
“That’s it… give me your thoughts. Open your mind to me. Give in Namir. You cannot win…GIVE in to me Namir.” Namir’s eyes began to lazily slump. He began closing them, until he felt himself attempt to refocus. He struggled hard, the pain coming back in an instant.
“You resist me…don’t you know you can’t? I told you that it’s impossible. Why do you continue to fight it?” Namir saw Miyana smiling at him. Her face gave him hope. He saw Gilgamesh, laughing his hearty laugh. He smiled inside at Diwi, just because he found the Tarutaru’s misfortunes so inexplicably funny. He could see again, the world becoming lighter around him.
“This… this is my… my life. I don’t know who you are, but you don’t belong here. Get out of my head Demon!” Namir struggled some more, trying to regain control over his mind and body. The Demon pressed harder, attempting to cripple Namir’s struggle.
“I wont… give in…” Namir gave it everything he had, pushing with all his might back at the Demon.
“I.. TOLD YOU! There is no way…ugh… no way… you can win! You are too torn between one life and the other. When are you going to learn that you cannot be two different people at once? Your naiveté assstounds me, Hume! Your pathetic weakness, it’s as Kogi told me. Exactly as Kogi told me. I was hesitant to even pick this fight with you at first, because I thought there would be no challenge in it. Now I know that I was right. You can’t pick your place. You can’t pick and choose. Your weakness is that you are unwilling to accept that one life was greater than the other! Ha!” Namir felt the words sear into his brain, nearly ceasing his rebellion against the Demon’s control. He knew then that this Demon was different from any other. Kogi had appointed it specifically for Namir. Kogi thought Namir was weak. Namir felt his rage rising, unable to keep his contempt for Kogi at bay. His blood began to boil, and an infuriating radiance echoed from his very being. The Demon reared back, shrinking away from Namir’s fury.
“You…know NOTHING about me! Do not pretend that you do! I…KNOW who I am. I was always the same person! Pick and choose? I’m telling you now, I have picked, and I have chosen. The best of both paths I have taken, it’s the only way I could possibly be complete!” Namir rose to his feet, the bond broken between him and the Demon. The Demon backed up, intimidated by Namir’s rage. Namir drew the Masamune with one hand, keeping his bow in the other. He charged the Demon, infuriated. The Demon stared in awe as Namir closed in, stepping backwards out of both fear and instinct. Namir leapt into the air, coming down with the Masamune like a crescent moon, catching the demon’s leg and shearing it off completely. Namir ignored the blood spray, and the Demon’s cry of anguish, shifted the weight off of his first foot that landed, and spun around, raising the Masamune and slicing right through its chest. The Demon howled in pain. Namir finished sliding, jumped into the air, and knocked the Demon back with his feet, kicking it hard in the abdomen, keeping clear of the Masamune jutting out. Namir rolled backwards, onto his feet. The Demon attempted to take flight, putting as much distance between Namir and itself as it could. Namir shook his head slowly.
“Don’t run from me, you picked this fight!” Namir yelled. The Demon halted, hovering in the air thirty yards away. Namir un-quivered an arrow, drawing it tight within the Shigetto bow. The Demon was bleeding profusely; it was breathing heavy and having a hard time keeping itself in the air. Its great speed was no more; the injuries Namir had given it proved to be too great to warrant the Demon effective any longer. Namir’s eyes lowered; his tone drawing down to an almost evil pitch.
“Besides… you still have my sword,” He began, lifting his gaze slowly, “This is what I like to call…” Namir lifted his bow, aiming straight for the Demon. Its eyes opened wide, panicked, and it turned to fly off again. It was far, far too late.
“…My very own… Sidewinder.” Namir’s body charged a brilliant white, the energy swiftly flowing into the very tips of his fingers, and into the bow itself. Namir released the arrow, and it flew towards its target so fast it could not be seen. Namir watched as it neared, as the arrow started to diffuse, becoming like a gigantic sliver in the night sky. It shone furiously as it screamed towards the Demon, until striking it directly in the head, carving a perfect round hole through its skull. The Demon hovered for a moment, and then fell to the snow in a heap.
Namir let out a deep breath, the air freezing it immediately as he did. Miyana quietly walked up to Namir, placing one hand on his shoulder. He touched it with his free hand, smiling at her.
“Looks like you win, Misterrr Rrranger,” she said, smiling. Namir smiled weakly. His triumph was more than just a victory over the Demon, but a victory over his own ambitions.
“I will use the best of both worlds. As a Ranger, and as a Samurai. That was the answer I was seeking…” Namir glanced in Gilgamesh’s direction; he and Diwi were walking towards them. Diwi seemed very angry, but Namir figured that it was to be expected. Gilgamesh stomped noisily through the snow.
“That was one hell of a move you put on that damned thing!” Gilgamesh said excitedly, patting Namir on the back.
“I guess I still have a few tricks up my sleeve old man,” Namir replied wearily, standing tall. Gilgamesh laughed heartily. Diwi looked up at Namir with a furious scowl.
“How could you miss that big ‘ol thing!? It kicked me halfway to tomorrow!” she screamed, dancing up and down like an enraged snow ball. Miyana bent over.
“Diwi, I’d say that was more of a punt than a kick…” Miyana grinned devilishly. Diwi gasped, running behind Gilgamesh’s legs.
“Lets get out of here… its coooold!” She whined, shivering. Namir paid her no mind.
“Yeah… it’s time guys. Time to settle an old score.”
“Do you even know what that thing was, Namirrr?” Miyana asked.
“It tried to control my mind, and when it did, it revealed a little bit of information I don’t think it intended to,” Namir started, “it told me Kogi sent it. That it was a specific challenge. Obviously this Demon ranked high; I’m willing to bet that it was very ancient.”
“Makes sense,” Gilgamesh chimed in thoughtfully, “Probably as a test. A test… to see if you were still able to fight. Kogi must not believe in you.”
“When did he ever?” Namir thought coldly. Namir shook his head again.
“It doesn’t matter. Come on guys, I have to go get my sword back.” They walked in the direction of the Demon, but when they got there, it was no where to be seen. The Masamune was sticking up out of the snow quivering, swaying back and forth gently. Confused, Namir picked up the blade, sliding it back into its scabbard gently.
“I guess you…” Gilgamesh started, but was interrupted by Namir putting his hand up.
“I guess it’s time we continue on. Let’s hurry and get to the Castle.” Namir said flatly, starting off in the direction on his own. He turned around and looked at the others, who gave him a quick nod, and then followed. The snowfall was beginning to worsen.
“I’m coming Kogi. You better believe it… I’m coming.”
Chapter 13
“You’ve seen your life
Before your eyes
Common goal
Uncommon Ties
Foe of heat
And death of Cold
Your story of more than one
Unfolds
A split past
Life forgotten
From ashes, risen
Memory rotten
Slayer of not one
Yet no more
A split path
Yet neither in stone
Beware of death
But not your own
They were then
Like the wind was blown
Hatred dire
Yet consequence suggests
Is it Time for Namir the ghost
To repent?”
The words rang softly in Namir’s ears, from no direction at all. It was the child’s voice he had heard earlier in his dreams, when he was desperate and panicking. Namir felt the rush of cold air flow over his skin and face. He opened his eyes.
“White… everywhere…a dream?” He felt the rush of air slowing, turning colder and colder as he went. There was nothing to be seen; he couldn’t see Diwi, Miyana, or Gilgamesh. He saw a flash before his eyes, two spinning objects, both glinting almost violently. Namir reached towards them, and found himself drawing closer. He reached towards the slimmer of the two, easily falling towards it. He could clearly make it out, the Masamune. He looked to his right, on the other side; laid the Shigetto Bow, spinning softly. Namir shook his head, confused and entranced by his dream. He heard the sound of faint whisperings touching his ears, sounds that felt like soft silky spider webs.
“The blade and the shot, both beckon your heart
Listen well and start, hasten yet fear not
A life of old, a story emblazoned new
Which is true? Which have you told?
Lies help more than sleep, yet Truth holds your love
There’s more above, yet a longer journey in the deep”
Namir closed his eyes as the harmonic words filled his thoughts. “It all boils down to a choice, doesn’t it?” Namir opened his eyes, and to his surprise he saw Miyana just above him, eyes closed and seemingly unconscious. He shook his head. “I have to choose? One life or the other? How?” Gilgamesh appeared, just below Miyana, also unconscious. Diwi popped up just to the right of Namir, eyes open and steady. Namir stared at her briefly, even now of all times fascinated with Tarutaru. “What now?”
There was a brief flash, and everything became visible. The air was bitter cold. Unfortunately, Namir wasn’t looking at his feet on solid ground. They were still falling, and falling fast, from at least eighty feet. Diwi panicked, screaming almost cutely as they fell. Miyana didn’t react at all, and Gilgamesh’s eyes were wide open, in obvious fright. Namir didn’t have a chance to register what was going on before they hit the snow bank. He closed his eyes to brace for the impact, but never really felt much more than a soft ‘poof’ from falling through the snow. He stood up, brushing the snow off himself, amazed that there was no impact. Gilgamesh and Miyana stood up as well, looking equally as bewildered as he felt. Diwi fell last, still screaming at the top of her little lungs. Namir watched her fall, and found it difficult to laugh as she plopped through the snow making a small mushroom cloud of snow particles as she landed. Her screaming stopped abruptly as she landed. Namir couldn’t see her. Miyana started laughing hysterically, and Gilgamesh began to as well. Namir rushed to the spot Diwi landed in, and peered down the Tarutaru shaped snow-hole she had made. The particular bank she had fallen in was at least five feet deep, and Namir couldn’t remember the last time he had seen a funnier image. Diwi was face down at the bottom of the hole, unmoving, but grunting angrily. She sat up, and looked at Namir, giving him the familiar shocked look she gave Gilgamesh earlier. Namir couldn’t help but smile, Tarutaru just had mysterious ways of looking adorable when angry. Diwi couldn’t get out of the snow, and began throwing a fit.
“DAMN! Namir, help me! Come on you dumb Hume! Hurry up and lift me out of here! It’s cold!” Diwi screamed. Namir picked Diwi up, and set her on the snow surface next to him, still softly chuckling at the comic relief Diwi provided. She seemed unaware of it. Gilgamesh trudged over to Namir.
“Diwi! I thought you said you knew what you were doing?! You know how high up we were? Couldn’t you land us on our feet?” he demanded, actually sounding serious.
“No one’s perfect ‘Mesh! Besides, something weird was going on; it was like someone was trying to block me from casting! I felt a strong resistance when we neared Xarcabard! Look how far away we are from the portal point!” Gilgamesh looked around thoughtfully, hand resting on his chin.
“As much as I want to berate you some more Diwi, you’re right. Perhaps our adversaries had something to do with it. But good job, you got us to where we need to be.”
“I can’t believe my earrrs ‘Mesh, you just said ‘good job’ to Diwi. Arrre you feeling ok?” Miyana chimed in cheerfully, smirking in usual manner. Diwi started giggling, and Gilgamesh looked frustrated for a moment. It all made Namir smile.
“As much as I’d like to stick around and chatter pointlessly… I think it’s time we got moving, it’s a long journey to the castle.” Gilgamesh said in an annoyed tone, changing the subject. Namir nodded, and Miyana began trudging through the snow without saying a word. She came up close to Namir, and gave him a small playful nudge. Namir looked at her, and put his arm around her, kissing her lightly on the cheek as he did so.
Namir’s thoughts drifted as they trudged through the snow, it was the only way he could take his mind off of how bitter cold it was.
“Look at him…he’s a natural at it. I’m willing to bet he could do anything if he put his mind to it…” the familiar voice played back in his head, “He has such a strong resolve, such strong potential. Gilgamesh, his fighting reminds me of Yoshimbo’s. I may be old, but I can still recognize a good Samurai. Namir lives and breathes Samurai.” He remembered going through his training. He remembered getting a lot of respect for his ability to learn quickly.
Namir squinted ahead, making out a small structure in the hazy white in front of them. The only sound anyone was making was the soft sounds of footsteps in the snow, save for Diwi. Namir noticed Diwi was walking on the surface of the snow without a problem, tiny feet not even penetrating the snow top. Namir laughed inside, he couldn’t help but think Diwi had quite the laughable personality.
Out of the corner of his left eye, Namir saw a sudden flash, a short glint in the not-so distant outlying snow. He stopped abruptly, the others turning to see where the sound of his footsteps went. Miyana looked Namir right in the face, seeing his concern, and turning immediately to look in the direction that he was. Namir drew Shigetto bow from his back, pulling an arrow tight. Namir heard the Miyana snap her katana out of their scabbards, and when he looked, she was no where to be seen. Gilgamesh gave Namir a quick and worried glance, while Diwi seemed oblivious and kept walking forward.
“Namir, what’s the matter?” Gilgamesh was eyeing him carefully. Namir kept his intent gaze. His eyes opened wide, he saw it, but Diwi didn’t.
“Diwi! Down, now!” Namir shouted, but it was too late. The Demon came screaming down at Diwi at a very impressive speed, catching Diwi completely by surprise. With incredible finesse, the demon kicked Diwi and sent her flying into the opposite direction. Diwi didn’t even make a sound; the kick had knocked her out. She landed roughly thirty feet away, with a soft tuft of snow billowing into the air as she hit. Namir was too shocked that Diwi had been kicked so far away, and missed Miyana materializing just behind the demon. He turned his head away from Diwi’s landing spot just in time to see Miyana do something he never thought was possible. She had one katana buried through the demon’s left shoulder, and had it pinned down on the ground. Namir sprinted as fast as he could up to her, bow in hand, and with Gilgamesh following closely behind. The snow crackled loudly as he neared her.
“Namir! I’m going to go and check on Diwi! Kill that wretched beast!” Gilgamesh shouted hurriedly, changing direction and running towards the fallen Tarutaru. Namir said nothing, intently focused on Miyana.
“Demon… therrrre is something you should know,” Miyana said coldly. Namir was transfixed, unable to move as he watched Miyana. She looked like she was preparing some sort of technique. “When you attack a frrriend, you may as well have attacked me… perrrsonally. Tell me, Demon… is it smarrrt to attack a Ninja Masterrr?” She began moving her hands in a rhythmic action, knees still pressing hard into the Demon’s back. It grunted angrily, hissing its words as if to spit them at her.
“Sssmart? You say you are a Ninja Master… and yet… you failed to do one thing….”
The Demon’s words ended clear and concise, and Namir was anything but prepared for what transpired next. The Demon threw Miyana off of its back, and stood up without effort. Miyana landed squarely on her feet, glaring in shock at the creature. It pulled her katana out of its shoulder with no signs of pain, and tossed it in her direction. It pointed one scarred, black finger at her. “Pick it up. I have no interest in you. I came here to fight him…” the demon’s arm moved slowly around to point at Namir. Namir didn’t know what to think at first, but when he saw Miyana pick up her katana, and inch toward the demon, Namir looked at her, shaking his head.
“No. He wants me, he can have me. I don’t turn away from a challenge.” Namir noticed Gilgamesh waving off to his right.
“Must’ve found Diwi.” Namir noted it, and turned his attention back to the Demon, whose arm was still outstretched. The Demon’s wound healed in an instant, closing quickly and without a trace of blood. Namir’s eyes widened in shock.
“This… this is not right. How is that possible?”
Miyana put away her katana, and stepped back. Gilgamesh was still tending to Diwi. The Demon squared up on Namir, staring intently with its hatred filled eyes.
“Are you ready…? Namir?” the demon echoed darkly. Namir said nothing. In the Demon’s outstretched hand, a thick, wickedly curved black sword materialized. The demon crouched down.
“I’ll take that as a yes.” Immediately it rushed Namir, sword outstretched, aiming directly for his face with the same impressive speed it displayed earlier. Namir pulled an arrow tight, falling on his back while aiming straight up.
“Wait for it…” As soon as Namir saw the Demon pass over him, he fired his shot. The Demon was too fast, changing direction immediately as he let go of his arrow. It veered off to the left, then flew straight up, and went into a steep dive aiming directly for Namir’s heart. Namir rolled backwards on the snow, and up onto his feet, immediately grabbing another arrow. The demon flew up at a steep incline just before it smashed into the snow, and landed ahead of Namir.
“This damned thing is quick.” Namir said, taking careful aim again. The Demon began laughing.
“You think you can hit me with your silly bow? I’m much too quick for you, Hume.” Its scratchy voice rang out on the snow banks, creating an eerie echo in the otherwise silent Xarcabard.
It moved again, this time much faster, but instead of rushing Namir again, it seemed to try and flank him from the left side. Namir took aim as it came screaming down at him, and let his arrow fly. The Demon did a barrel roll and easily dodged it. Namir began to worry, diving out of the way just in time. It was then that he realized, this Demon was only toying with him. The Demon rested on its feet again, as Namir stood back up.
“What are you?” Namir asked, holding his bow in one hand at his left side. The demon let out a grueling laugh, and stopped suddenly.
“Funny you asssk me what I am rather than who. You are smarter than you look, Namir.” Namir stood steady, not letting his perplexity show. He drew another arrow tight, pulling the bow back with all of his strength.
“Quit talking. You wanted a fight, and that’s what you got. Come at me!” Namir shouted arrogantly, realizing his mistake as soon as he did. The Demon rushed Namir before he even finished speaking, catching him in the chest with the flat of the blade and sending him to the ground hard. Namir gasped for breath, releasing the arrow in his hand and sending it shooting into the snow. The Demon grabbed Namir by his tunic, lifting him into the air, bringing him to eye level.
“You are nothing Namir. You’ll have to do much better than this if you want to defeat your adversaries. That includes me!” The Demon tossed Namir backwards with a furious strength, but Namir was ready. He balanced himself as he fell, and landed on his feet, sliding in the snow with the rest of his momentum.
The Demon rushed Namir again, using every ounce of speed it had to its advantage. As it drew near, Namir grabbed an arrow out of his quiver, and falling backwards as he did. The Demon wasn’t expecting it, and swung its sword right over Namir’s face as he fell. Namir took the arrow and slammed the head into the demon’s leg, rolling to his left in the snow immediately. He started to feel cold. The Demon seemed more annoyed than afflicted by pain.
“That’s a start, but you still need to do better. Show me your power!” The demon bellowed, coming at Namir yet again. Namir rolled out of the way as the Demon’s sword sliced through the snow, sending white powder scurrying into the air. Namir quickly got onto his feet. The Demon locked eyes with him, holding out its free hand. Namir suddenly felt an overwhelming pain flow through his head, like something was trying to escape.
“Wha…WHAT… is this?” He struggled to keep his focus clear, but even while in intense pain, he noticed everything around him slowing. He lost focus, and stopped caring. He stared at the Demon knowing he was under some sort of enchantment. The Demon’s hoarse voice sounded in his mind as the world darkened around him.
“That’s it… give me your thoughts. Open your mind to me. Give in Namir. You cannot win…GIVE in to me Namir.” Namir’s eyes began to lazily slump. He began closing them, until he felt himself attempt to refocus. He struggled hard, the pain coming back in an instant.
“You resist me…don’t you know you can’t? I told you that it’s impossible. Why do you continue to fight it?” Namir saw Miyana smiling at him. Her face gave him hope. He saw Gilgamesh, laughing his hearty laugh. He smiled inside at Diwi, just because he found the Tarutaru’s misfortunes so inexplicably funny. He could see again, the world becoming lighter around him.
“This… this is my… my life. I don’t know who you are, but you don’t belong here. Get out of my head Demon!” Namir struggled some more, trying to regain control over his mind and body. The Demon pressed harder, attempting to cripple Namir’s struggle.
“I wont… give in…” Namir gave it everything he had, pushing with all his might back at the Demon.
“I.. TOLD YOU! There is no way…ugh… no way… you can win! You are too torn between one life and the other. When are you going to learn that you cannot be two different people at once? Your naiveté assstounds me, Hume! Your pathetic weakness, it’s as Kogi told me. Exactly as Kogi told me. I was hesitant to even pick this fight with you at first, because I thought there would be no challenge in it. Now I know that I was right. You can’t pick your place. You can’t pick and choose. Your weakness is that you are unwilling to accept that one life was greater than the other! Ha!” Namir felt the words sear into his brain, nearly ceasing his rebellion against the Demon’s control. He knew then that this Demon was different from any other. Kogi had appointed it specifically for Namir. Kogi thought Namir was weak. Namir felt his rage rising, unable to keep his contempt for Kogi at bay. His blood began to boil, and an infuriating radiance echoed from his very being. The Demon reared back, shrinking away from Namir’s fury.
“You…know NOTHING about me! Do not pretend that you do! I…KNOW who I am. I was always the same person! Pick and choose? I’m telling you now, I have picked, and I have chosen. The best of both paths I have taken, it’s the only way I could possibly be complete!” Namir rose to his feet, the bond broken between him and the Demon. The Demon backed up, intimidated by Namir’s rage. Namir drew the Masamune with one hand, keeping his bow in the other. He charged the Demon, infuriated. The Demon stared in awe as Namir closed in, stepping backwards out of both fear and instinct. Namir leapt into the air, coming down with the Masamune like a crescent moon, catching the demon’s leg and shearing it off completely. Namir ignored the blood spray, and the Demon’s cry of anguish, shifted the weight off of his first foot that landed, and spun around, raising the Masamune and slicing right through its chest. The Demon howled in pain. Namir finished sliding, jumped into the air, and knocked the Demon back with his feet, kicking it hard in the abdomen, keeping clear of the Masamune jutting out. Namir rolled backwards, onto his feet. The Demon attempted to take flight, putting as much distance between Namir and itself as it could. Namir shook his head slowly.
“Don’t run from me, you picked this fight!” Namir yelled. The Demon halted, hovering in the air thirty yards away. Namir un-quivered an arrow, drawing it tight within the Shigetto bow. The Demon was bleeding profusely; it was breathing heavy and having a hard time keeping itself in the air. Its great speed was no more; the injuries Namir had given it proved to be too great to warrant the Demon effective any longer. Namir’s eyes lowered; his tone drawing down to an almost evil pitch.
“Besides… you still have my sword,” He began, lifting his gaze slowly, “This is what I like to call…” Namir lifted his bow, aiming straight for the Demon. Its eyes opened wide, panicked, and it turned to fly off again. It was far, far too late.
“…My very own… Sidewinder.” Namir’s body charged a brilliant white, the energy swiftly flowing into the very tips of his fingers, and into the bow itself. Namir released the arrow, and it flew towards its target so fast it could not be seen. Namir watched as it neared, as the arrow started to diffuse, becoming like a gigantic sliver in the night sky. It shone furiously as it screamed towards the Demon, until striking it directly in the head, carving a perfect round hole through its skull. The Demon hovered for a moment, and then fell to the snow in a heap.
Namir let out a deep breath, the air freezing it immediately as he did. Miyana quietly walked up to Namir, placing one hand on his shoulder. He touched it with his free hand, smiling at her.
“Looks like you win, Misterrr Rrranger,” she said, smiling. Namir smiled weakly. His triumph was more than just a victory over the Demon, but a victory over his own ambitions.
“I will use the best of both worlds. As a Ranger, and as a Samurai. That was the answer I was seeking…” Namir glanced in Gilgamesh’s direction; he and Diwi were walking towards them. Diwi seemed very angry, but Namir figured that it was to be expected. Gilgamesh stomped noisily through the snow.
“That was one hell of a move you put on that damned thing!” Gilgamesh said excitedly, patting Namir on the back.
“I guess I still have a few tricks up my sleeve old man,” Namir replied wearily, standing tall. Gilgamesh laughed heartily. Diwi looked up at Namir with a furious scowl.
“How could you miss that big ‘ol thing!? It kicked me halfway to tomorrow!” she screamed, dancing up and down like an enraged snow ball. Miyana bent over.
“Diwi, I’d say that was more of a punt than a kick…” Miyana grinned devilishly. Diwi gasped, running behind Gilgamesh’s legs.
“Lets get out of here… its coooold!” She whined, shivering. Namir paid her no mind.
“Yeah… it’s time guys. Time to settle an old score.”
“Do you even know what that thing was, Namirrr?” Miyana asked.
“It tried to control my mind, and when it did, it revealed a little bit of information I don’t think it intended to,” Namir started, “it told me Kogi sent it. That it was a specific challenge. Obviously this Demon ranked high; I’m willing to bet that it was very ancient.”
“Makes sense,” Gilgamesh chimed in thoughtfully, “Probably as a test. A test… to see if you were still able to fight. Kogi must not believe in you.”
“When did he ever?” Namir thought coldly. Namir shook his head again.
“It doesn’t matter. Come on guys, I have to go get my sword back.” They walked in the direction of the Demon, but when they got there, it was no where to be seen. The Masamune was sticking up out of the snow quivering, swaying back and forth gently. Confused, Namir picked up the blade, sliding it back into its scabbard gently.
“I guess you…” Gilgamesh started, but was interrupted by Namir putting his hand up.
“I guess it’s time we continue on. Let’s hurry and get to the Castle.” Namir said flatly, starting off in the direction on his own. He turned around and looked at the others, who gave him a quick nod, and then followed. The snowfall was beginning to worsen.
“I’m coming Kogi. You better believe it… I’m coming.”
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. I've been writing for as long as I can remember! ^^
