Ches 1000 AR

Today's Jiba-ism: "I like to watch him eat and pretend!"

We arrived in the town of Kuronobe in the Kanto region ruled by the Crab clan after hearing rumours that grandfather had come here years ago searching for a priest by the name of Koba. Sadly the rumours did not elaborate on why. Dusk was just settling in as we arrived in town, the lanterns and torches sparking to life around us as the lamplighters went about their duties. I had some trouble keeping a straight face as Jiba and Iki discussed the fact they didn't eat and how Jiba liked to pretend to eat whenever I did.

The farmers appeared to just be coming in from the fields and the stalls were out in full swing. Supposedly we stopped at the best ramen in Seiya Zei. It was passable, though I couldn't let little Jiba down when as I described it to him earning a questioning look from the shopkeep. The booze was certainly watered-down swill. As I was listening and watching people pass by a few ruffians began to harass a man, getting rough and asking questions about the same Koba I was seeking.

I was nice enough to share my soup with them.

Pity they were so clumsy they all ended up covered in it and groaning on the ground. They were so unthankful! As I was placating Jiba over the spilled soup and Iki rolled his eyes for the 38th time that day, the man that was being harassed approached and kindly offered me a place to rest for the night. Thank the spirits, it turned out to be the Koba we were seeking.

As I asked him about grandfather, it had been a long time since he had apparently visited. Last time he had visited, he had asked about a "world codex" called the Warukodesu. Sadly the tome had been lost 50 some years ago. Koba had no idea if Grandfather had ever found the answers he had been seeking. He did mention around seven years ago another traveler from foreign lands had also come seeking it, a man made of gleaming metal. He had never seen anything quite like it. Koba continued that the man had searched into the Land of Shadows. They spoke briefly but apparently the man had also laid his eyes on it and come from that Irelia place where they worship rocks or some 'mumbo jumbo'.

I left in the morning after sharing a drink with him and headed for the Mitsudarya Gate where I could catch a boat and look into it further. It was the best lead I had for awhile anyway. Asking around I managed to get hired on with one of the mercenary companies to join a fellow named Luato the next day for the very place I needed. The mercenary that hired me was a bit intimidating but for some reason I like him. Fellow named Zhen Bohai that wears a mask, long red hair and has a gruff sort of personality. The other sell-swords didn't seem like anything special though.

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*The page is heavily wrinkled from contact with moisture and has the unmistakable scent of the sea mixed with old, dried vomit. There is only a brief passage written here, in a very sloppy hand as if it took all of someone's last strength to take quill to parchment.*

FUCK SHIPS!

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Today's Jiba-ism: "It's sympathy sickness. It's real! I read it in a book once!"

At first I really wished the room would stop spinning. Eventually it did, but when I opened my eyes Iki was floating in circles above me and that started my head spinning and brought back my old friend nausea. We had got well acquainted the last few days. I bet normal people don't have to worry about their pets floating above them around in circles when they are feeling really ill.  

Zhen came to visit me though! ...he was pissed I had been in the cabin for two full days sick as a mutt, but maybe this is just his way of showing he's worried. I doubt it, but I'm trying to remain optimistic. 

Everyone else basically keeps to themselves. It's an old ship full of shifty folks though, I shouldn't be that surprised. Once I got my sea legs under me found out that there are a lot of people shirking their duties, not just me. A lot of them steal away in their cabins to gamble, do drugs, and so forth. They are fighting the real menace of this trip. Tediousness and boredom. So much boredom. I've the spent days following Zhen around and bugging him with questions, asking him to share a drink. Sadly he has yet to come out of his shell and embrace our destined friendship so far. He's also got better at eluding me of late. 

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By the Dark Goddess, I think I really stabbed myself in the foot! I was wandering mindlessly and ran straight into a wall in the bowels of the ship. Jiba thought it was hilarious, though while I was shaking off the impact to the sound of his giggles I found a wooden panel had been knocked loose and lead to a hidden hall and stairway. Admittedly I probably shouldn't have been snooping, but the way it was hidden so carefully before made me curious. What could they be hiding? And did I mention the tedious and all encompassing boredom?

Anyway, Jiba was whimpering and it was very dark. I managed to slip inside and replaced the panel behind me before following the walls by touch and lighting a torch once I got deep enough inside and encountered a locked door. It revealed slaves in chains, mostly from Seiya Zei, and worse yet most were children! What kind of degenerates did I get myself involved with!?

I didn't check closely enough as I was slipping back out and Zhen caught me as I was leaving. I decided to trust my gut and hinted for him to take a look himself. Which he did. I mean he was already suspicious finding a passage that he had no clue of. He told me to keep quiet and left in a hurry. I really hope I didn't just dig myself a hole I can't get out of. 

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I knew I was right! Zhen is a good guy. A great guy. Stand up and whatnot. I won't ever say that to his face, though.

I finally came across him when he was confronting the mercenary leader, Gildeam, a monster of an Orc covered in dark tribal tattoos. He uses a huge, double-headed scythe and wears plate gauntlets and leggings (his only armor). Regardless of his state of dress everyone gives him a wide berth. Except Zhen when I found them at least.  

They got into it over the slave children, Gildeam telling him to forget what he saw. Zhen countering that he has his limits and was never supposed to get into this shit (Go Zhen!). When he asked him how long he'd been ferrying children slaves to the Irelian empire Gildeam told him the conversation was over and went to walk away. Zhen tried to stop him but got a fist around his throat and a slam into the wall for his trouble. Gildeam threatened Zhen's life and held him off the ground by his throat his skin turned redder than Iki, while he struggled mightily. I was able to press myself against the wall when Gildeam left and got lucky in that he was so blinded by his own anger he didn't see me.

Zhen took out his frustration on the mast, punching it until his hand was a bloody mess. I approached him once he had calmed a little (maybe too little) and he turned on me immediately, assuming I was in on it. Jiba boxed at his face telling him he was going to get it which made the entire serious situation a little difficult to keep a straight face in, but I was able to explain quickly enough and remind him he had hired me on. Either way I offered  him help if he needed it though he brushed me off again and wandered off to be alone. 

Apparently he thought I was an idiot too. Admittedly sometimes I wonder myself. 

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I guess I'm an accidental pirate now. Seriously, unintentional slaver was really bad enough. As I was pondering the meaning of life-...alright I was trying to figure out how to ration the rest of my sake for the remainder of the trip and figure out how to get the kids out of here without getting murdered. Anyway, I heard a rallying cry from the soldiers on deck. When I checked it, there was a ship far on the horizon of a make I had never seen before and two of the other mercenaries working with Gildeam were asking if "Is that them?". The one with the blue mo-hawk was a fellow named Xava (he creates weird ethereal looking blue weapons out of thing air) while the skull-masked fellow wearing black cloak was called Knave or "The Reaper" (who carries those contraptions that shoot metal bits around). Not to spoil anything but they are not good people.

Goddess...how drunk was I when I signed on? I mean in retrospect, there were so many signs. Obvious ones too. Maybe it was the seasickness. Or maybe I am an idiot like Zhen said. None of this was even a remotely good idea. 

It was then that Zhen approached me with a sigh, completely exasperated and fed up. He asked me if I had a torch (I did) and to fire one of the cannons. Obviously part of his master plan to alert the other vessel so we have assistance and can rescue the captives below decks. I followed my part of the plan perfectly and the hundred odd hostile gazes on me soon as I did were quickly diverted toward Zhen as he confronted Gildeam. An epic showdown for the ages!

...Zhen got booted over the edge of the ship in 7.35 seconds from Iki's count in the middle of his speech.

On the bright side, I was basically forgotten about as at this point the other ship had got close enough that Gildeam called for the raiding party to attack. As they were tossing ladders and makeshift bridges across to the other ship I reconsidered my options and slipped off down below deck to where the slaves were being kept. As I didn't have lockpicks at the time I had to improvise and use Ashura as a 'key' in a way I'm sure would have earned a raised brow from grandfather. In my defense though it worked and also worked on the cages.
The first cage had a pale girl and a dragon. She seemed like a safe first bet, maybe the dragon could fight after all. Jiba seemed really excited about it anyway, Iki  less so. Admittedly I didn't have a lot of time to give it much thought. 

The pale girl asked if I was a good person...but it really wasn't the time to get into a debate on morals and theology. I was rather proud when Jiba stated a definitive "Yes" from above my right shoulder without hesitation. On the other hand my heart fell when I heard Iki state a definitive "No!" with a lot of gusto. I think both my and Jiba's gasps and heartbroken stares at the crimson fox were the last thing any of us remember before seconds later the entire ship exploded and I passed out.
...I still need to ask Iki about that.

Memories

My earliest memory was around age 5. I was camping with my grandfather, Isayku. We were wandering, as we were prone to do and had set up camp for the night. Holy Akleo was low on the horizon and by the chill breeze on the air, it must have been early spring. I remember the smell of smoked fish and hearing the crackle of the burning fire. I was swinging around a katana-like stick and tripped over the over-sized legs of my hakama. I can still feel the blush rushing up my cheeks as grandfather laughed heartily, his massive gut rippling before we were both interrupted by a woman approaching the camp.

She was breathtaking, beautiful violet hair intertwined with flowers and a soft, affectionate smile. She took a jab at grandfather about how I had noticed her arrival first and how I would have to protect him in his old age. Grandfather gave us both a baleful look and I recall him saying how "Respect for one's elders is tantamount to surviving to become an elder yourself". Which passed quickly, before he was laughing hard enough to set the birds to wing and the sound echoing through the hills all around us.

She told me her name was Ashura. Grandfather had never mentioned her before and I stated as much. She called him a curr, which tickled me. Before I knew it the old man had wrapped us both in a crushing hug that I fought to get out of (unsuccessfully). She joined us for supper and they spoke. I recall vaguely about the topics spoke of, something about her leaving for somewhere called Navarre with multiple sons which surprised grandfather. One born in Fin Nathay or something.

I fell asleep watching the three moons above and the celestial ring, despite how hard I was trying to stay awake. I couldn't remember the last time grandfather had laughed so much and smiled for so long. Not to mention the last time his tone of his voice carried such genuine affection and respect.

When I awoke the next morning to Holy Akleo's first lights far off the hillside I still remember grandfather's rumbling snores like a bear deep in hibernation and the feel of a makeshift blanket, satin soft and smelling of lilac perfume that had been laid over me as I slept. As I rubbed my eyes I spotted our visitor from the night before and she seemed surprised I had woke up. 

She called me 'Dango' affectionately and told me Grandfather's drinking is what made him a master of the blade, which at the time was a huge deal to me and I secreted that knowledge away to this day. Today, I think she was mostly teasing, but I wonder if she would have said that if she knew how I would turn out.

She then asked me to take care of him as she feared she might not see him again. I remember such a pained look in her almond-like eyes. She called me Nezumi-chan and hugged me, before talking a little of her son. About how I reminded him of her and she thought we would get along and warned me that grandfather's compassion and kindness gave him great strength, but might cause him to take a knee some day. I assured her he would be safe with me and quickly as she had arrived, she vanished from sight off into the hills. 

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When I was 16 I remember we had traveled to the Plains of Midoro, the home of the Crane Clan. Grandfather was to meet with Doji Kiramoto, his old friend and the Daimyo of the region. It was early summer, warmth flooding the rolling hills we traveled and we had just left Nijiri, the mountainous region of the Dragon clan. Grandfather had stopped to rest and meditate on the hillside while I did chores, gathering firewood and setting up the camp. I felt like he was watching me slack off when he spoke seemingly out of nowhere.

"This is the substance of the Way of the Samurai: if by setting one's heart right every morning and evening, one is able to live as though his body were already dead, he gains freedom in the Way. His whole life will be without blame, and he will succeed in becoming the man he is destined to be."

We bantered, again. Admittedly that could sum the majority of our interactions. He continued to refuse to teach me swordsmanship and I found his musings and wisdom as unhelpful as ever. He remarked if the day comes where you can out muse me, you will have sufficiently taken from my lessons to learn swordplay. 

He found my lackluster response and the roll of my eyes (as usual) amusing. Though he continued and remarked the sting of my tongue and wit would be more deadly than any foe than any blade help in my hands. He continued by saying he rambles because he does not want me to fall down the path of lesser, more foolish swordsmen. That I was so eager to create a warrior, that I must embrace it all thoroughly including all of his teachings and that there was no life to be had by wandering the world in search of battle as the edge of a sword can not be used to create lives.
Sometimes I wish I had paid a little more attention to his words and exact phrasing. Trying to remember it all now is like gazing through a murky fog.

He had a frustrating tendency to drop really profound and useful advice but only occasionally and never when it was expected. This seemed like one of those times. He seemed genuinely happy that I had paused in my chores and was actually listening. He asked me why I wanted to become a man of the blade. I think when I said it was to follow in his footsteps, even though I was blushing something fierce and swung the words at him like I might a weapon he was still touched. 

He remarked he wished he was a better man or a better liar as it filled his heart with joy. When he was upfront like that and serious it always caught me off guard. He had me kneel aside the flames and despite my reservations at him toying with me...again...he actually offered me one of the wrapped bundles on his back, larger than the rest. I was still hesitant until I saw what it contained, a beautiful weapon like starlight wrapped in a crystalline cage of golden filigree with no tricks or games to be found. I had no words, so great was my shock. He said it was an extension of will and it was called Ashura, which prickled at my memory at the time but I had no chance to ask any other questions. 


A figure perched in the nearby tree remarked on how touching the moment was. The figure didn't even care to look at us when he addressed us. I remember anger and embarrassment rising in my chest but before I could say anything I saw the other figures that had gathered, six in total and each bearing such hostility, one a literal huge, terrifying oni. Grandfather, as always was perfectly still and calm, though he always was right up to when he first drew his blade. They called him the Sanguine Fang, a term I had never heard before that day and the lump in my throat was monstrous indeed. 

It only grew larger when grandfather spoke next with warm affection, "I love you boy. I have many stories from my youth and every one of them pales in comparison to my act of raising you. I'm so proud of you and I wanted you to know that. Now ready yourself, for when I give the signal you must run as fast and hard as you can."

The battle itself exploded in a flash. I recall the great fiend reciting a spell that felt so wrong my very skin felt like it was burning, single yellow eye open wide as it loosed twin snakes of flame toward me as I ran as hard as I could. Just as I thought I was finished, the roaring heat of the flames closing in on me the spell shattered like glass harmlessly around me as the blanket the violet haired woman had left for me so long ago shone brightly and burned away in my place. 

My last sight was Grandfather's face, that usual joyful visage gone as he re-sheathed his blade and cried to the heavens, "Brave blade turn to deadly fire" as he conjured twin, rose-coloured torrents of churning flames on the foes. The bandage-wrapped man met his attack with one of his own, similar in nature as he cried out, "Heavens wish to destroy all minds" creating white and gold flames as his weapon glowed with brilliant blue and white light. 

At this point I was sliding rapidly down the slope and away from the battle, my body aching from the rapid pace and extreme exertion. My heart sank as I heard feet behind me, sparing a glance only long enough to see the man with the claw bracer and wide jingasa in pursuit close behind. He closest quickly, too quickly and I thought I was finished as I saw felt his hot breath on the nape of my neck and hand closing in before the ground rumbled beneath us, trembling as the rocks and grass pushed themselves to the side swiftly and I swallowed to the yawning darkness below, before it sealed shut right behind me.

I can't remember how long I actually fell, it felt like an eternity. The roar of winds and eternal darkness around me gave no indication of the passing of time. The relief of my escape was short lived as I wondered how quick my death would be on landing below. I remember that thought only briefly flicking through my mind before a sharp impact and the sensation of cool water all around me. There was some faint illuminations which guided me to the surface, kicking my legs hard as I could. When I broke surface and pulled myself up on the rocks, my heart was pounding in my chest far too loud and I was coughing up water as I struggled to breathe. My sight was blurred as I made out pale-blue green illumination around me and two floating twin stars, one red and one blue. The blue one spoke, a high-timbered voice thick with worry, "Oh no no no, you killed it and all its fur is gone". The other sighed and spoke with sharp irritation, "It's a human. It doesn't have any fur". I recall the last thing I heard the blue one asking is "What's a human?", as I fell into unconsciousness and not feeling very confident I'd live to see the next day. 

I dreamed. It felt like I was swimming forever, then in a recess of the dark a silhouette with a splash of brilliant purple. Ashura. She stood so far off and far away. Clutched in her hand I recognized my sword and its mirror in her other hand. She looked...older. Marked by the harsh realities of the outside world. Her face was sad, a tear running down her cheek. She moved to speak, but I couldn't hear or understand it through the oppressive gloom. Her proud shoulders were bowed and she stepped back into the darkness as I tried to reach out to her. 

I was awake again, my head throbbing as I could make out the two little, glowing figures still speaking. The blue one remarked about how big I was and I must be 10,000 years old. The other one sighed again, saying maybe 15 seasons at most. The red one called him an idiot.

I remember groaning as I opened my eyes. My vision was more clear, but everything still ached. At least I could make them out more clearly, two fox-like shapes made of partially translucent flames. 

They were worried for me, telling me to take my time and asked how I was. The blue one apparently thought I was really addled as it introduced itself in a gratingly slow manner of speaking as Jibakurei. The other, the brilliant red fox, was Ikiryu. The blue one said I had been out for years which panicked me momentarily before his brother corrected him to say maybe 1 or 2 hours. I quickly learned to take Jiba's remarks with a grain of salt after this point. He was...is...adorable though.

I did feel pretty addled admittedly. It was so much to take in, I was overwhelmed. They (mostly Iki) told me they were my family now, a part of me, and they were sent by someone called Kayla'Vira. I could feel their tiny paws as they touched me reassuringly. Iki told me we were at the Shrine of Tian Zhe, the World Element. It was one of the powers that shaped Seiya Zei itself. I was safe there, no one could harm me. It was...comforting. 

Ikiryu continued that even among the spirits the Sanguine Fang was notable and protected the world itself as much as her people. That made me feel oddly proud. Apparently he couldn't tell me everything, though. Some sort of rules I think. It's infuriating at times to say the least. He did finish by saying that I would be unable to return to this place without the relics of Tian Zhe. Whatever those are. Even so, once I looked around a little and managed to gather my courage we left together. 

We returned to where the battle had been cautiously. There was a massive crater and no sign of grandfather or those that had attacked him. Only grass that had been burnt away to a crisp ash. Which was a relief, he must have got away. Or so I told myself and the pair of foxes. 

I found out quickly once we got to town no one else could see the pair of foxes, even if I could see, hear and even feel them. After that we have chased rumours of grandfather ever since, but at least so far nothing has lead me to him. So many claimed to seen him but they were always wrong or didn't lead anywhere. At least I take it as a sign he is still alive...somewhere. I'll find him someday and make him proud in the meantime. Maybe he'll be able to hear some rumours about me too.