Insolence and Fear

___He danced. It was an awkward dervish, the motions somehow spellbindingly capricious. A few swift, most slow, but all fluently unrelated and more than anything… odd? The message conveyed: carefree bliss; the language: childish innocence. It was way to express happiness without words letting his limbs simply drift where they pleased. A brilliant tapestry of diplomatic green and ambitious silver silks adorned him. Meticulously stitched to form a grandiose robe, the elegant flow of the garment made his gestures almost reverent in the still moonlight. Had not the five strangers known his history it undoubtedly would've put them at ease to see someone enjoy themselves so freely, but it was merely a pretense. The captivating movements could never simply be as docile as they appeared. In all reality if they didn’t stop him soon there was no telling what foul demonic aura he’d release. Thus they prepared each readying their weapons for most likely their final bout.
___“It's time,” Banyu whispered, commanding voice lulled by the spectacle before him. A mixture of luck and perseverance had brought them here and he couldn’t afford to let this opportunity slip away. Accompanied by only the monstrous sword in his hands he lunged forward, single minded on the task before him. Nimbly weaving left and right his body blurred, center of gravity set strategically low as he made full use of his prized drift-step. Eyes carefully measuring every angle of his foe he was searching for the small detail most certainly being missed. This just couldn’t be it and no sooner than the thought registered did he hear the Shaman sing. The sound radiated in a shocking wave of passion pleasantly echoing through him and ringing in his ears until it was nearly transfixing. The mystic's light steps suddenly seemed to shift the very earth, small reverberations cascading through his body like a superimposed heartbeat. The Great Shaman was…
___What was he doing?
___Banyu fought to understand this magic, this loathsome trickery rightly fearing its mysterious effect. Apprehension shifted his forward assault into a wary circling of the dazzling performance, viewing it piercingly from all around. For all intents and purposes he could still function, but what would be the point of an attack that did nothing? Was it a field effect, a growing poison or illusion maybe? All of these were things he’d dealt with before each experience gifts from the evil lord’s minions. The problem was he had to know which if any. With the power the Shaman was rumored to hold it could easily be an intricate lost Death Jutsu. Five more steps could be his end... twenty three more breaths… a thousand heart beats… Anything could bring about his demise and the concept was only the purest form of paranoia. There was no choice left but to continue fighting inside this warped Kabuki Theater. He’d just have to strike and see. If he died, the rest would just have to learn from his mistakes.
---2---
___Clink. It was the definitive sound of steel meeting steel. No long grating squeal mind you, but rather the precise bite of skilled swordsman. Sliding backward from a blow unseen Banyu just couldn’t understand this. The mercenary was clearly the only swordsmen here, eyes ceaselessly following the insidious Shaman’s steps. His delicate open hands were forming ornate crane wings this very moment.
___How, he wondered, eyes darkening as the vile ‘magic’ about him unraveled, or more precisely he realized there was none. The warrior allowed himself to look away for the first time. He’d been so intent upon the contrived performance he noticed nothing else. The brilliance of the full moon escaped him, the clarity of the night, the very excellence of his own being. Apparently, half the allure of the bizarre medicine man was the backdrop of his movements. Banyu looked around with new eyes examining even the shadows and mist, the long thin strands of billowing… hair?
___Jet black strands of shimmering hair cascaded behind the playful evil, moonlight causing subtle tones of blue to catch Banyu’s eye. It was irksome to make out, but focused the dancing lines seemed to gently tug his gaze in the right direction. So he followed, sword limp in his hands with the menacing spiritualist nearly forgotten. He didn‘t know if he was ready for this, but it wasn’t like he had a choice unable to stop himself from being assaulted by the piercing demonic eyes that found him. Azure eyes overflowing with a story of ages lay artfully set on a small wayward angel’s oval face. Dressed in pure black this nameless woman purposefully vanished in light of the Shaman’s brilliance standing only a scant few steps away. She obviously wasn’t the main attraction, a mere stage hand in his great act. Still she was beautiful, so radiant in her own right it was hard to understand how she escaped notice.
___Who is she?
___He didn’t have to wonder long for she was staring at him intently, gaze having never deviated since he first appeared. She was waiting to be perceived, to know he was worthy of her consideration and apparently he was… so she smiled, the intoxicating curve of her pink lips somehow clearly warning Banyu where his sword should point. This battle was with her and so it began; Banyu’s soul and sword combining in function. Testing the slender blade in the female guardian’s hand Banyu tried her, eccentric medium carelessly swaying nearby all the while. Practiced drift-steps rapidly split the determined swordsman into a band of warriors all his own, a hailstorm of strikes circling the lovely guard. Only two thirds of them had lethal intent, but nothing landed regardless. Statuesque, she calmly held her ground, brief punctuated silver blurs telling of her skill. This was easy for her and they both knew. Of course she was cheating, just like the deceitful Shaman, but who could stop them?
---3---
___She had been excited. The emotion trapped in the palm of her hand, a subtle tingling in her fingers as she gripped her sword. Watching them appear in the distance, insignificant dots, her heart thundered in her chest. Could they be the ones…? Maybe. She’d seen them before, feeling then reach this summit many times over in her dreaming, but this was different. This was no forced premonition. This was… happening, and it felt most unnatural deciphering just the present. The first thing Soketsu taught her was to wait. A cruel lesson, but necessary, learning to live in her most agonizing of moments. Honestly it was more like dying, clinging to the dark emotions in that single instance. Yet it was how they survived, their bodies hovering in the memories they couldn’t forget, time passing them unaffected. At first she didn’t understand why her master refused to interpret his own future living each day without insight into the next, but now it was obvious. After centuries of protecting them both, training to always be prepared for tomorrow, she realized it was the tingling. The only sensation they could still feel was surprise, the anticipation of their deaths looming before them. That was why he never looked, and why she was thankful she stopped.
___Drifting through her revelations she fought, sword flexing under her skillful direction easily keeping some pathetic warrior at bay. She could have ended this long ago, but honestly forgot she was here. Sometimes she got so lost in her past it was hard to remember her present, but it never lasted long enough for tears to form. She’d already cried enough for an eternity during her ‘life’ and now it was her sole mission to outlive the pain; something the Shaman found extremely entertaining being that the pain was how she lived. At any rate, the death she thought possible obviously wasn’t coming at the hands of this man, so… she looked at him. Having stared off into the distance for quite some time it was a simple matter of respect to find his gaze before she ended him.
___Meanwhile, Banyu was conflicted. He realized his assault was pointless rather quickly and also that the only thing staving off his death was the fact his opponent… was dreaming? Lost in thought, a subtle agitation tainted her face. With no choice but to focus on her entirely, he soon found himself attempting to guess what could be bothering her so, watching her eyes sparkle as they welled with emotion. He wondered if she had any idea how cute her expression was, the adorable way she wrinkled her nose and knit her brow. Of course there would be no answer though, for in the midst of his scrutiny time just paused. The fallen angel with her impassive gaze just opened her soul to him, and for a moment he saw it all; everything that burned inside her, the innumerable shards of broken hope wedged in her heart. It was etched in her eyes, and suddenly he felt himself crying for her. He knew without doubt she'd kill him and somehow didn’t even care, about anything, except her. She needed someone… anyone… him. Before he even knew why he stepped forward, mindlessly allowing his sword to fall from his grasp and stood before the despairing soul unarmed and unafraid. Without introduction or pause he simply held her and in doing so finally realized what he‘d always wanted. She didn’t even resist either, stiffly standing in his arms before death broke the warm embrace. Banyu’s eyes widened with terror as he looked into the gorgeous guardian’s face. She was smiling, and with her last breath whispered into his ear, “Thank you…”
---4---
___Cradling her head in the crook of his shoulder he couldn’t bear to watch the cerulean sparkle of life fade from her eyes. In the span of a moment his whole reason for being here had vanished. The emotion inside him had welled into passion so quickly the end of the thundering requiem echoing in his ears meant nothing. He completely ignored the silence, uncaring as the latent power of it surrounded and strangled him. It was the beginning of a pain so intense and concentrated he barely felt anything at all, lapsing into a small death and reawakening multiple times before his mind shut down enough to allow him consciousness. Banyu thought he knew of grief and regret… of love. But he was only a child, while the enraged entity standing behind him had millennia to understand, which is why after all he’d seen the death of one more insignificant person still hurt. The power freely coursing from his body was proof of that, a pure hatred that seared Banyu’s soul.
___Looking back over his shoulder at the sole cause of the world’s problems, the young warrior felt his strength returning. His purpose was coming back to him, the weight of his responsibility, the consequence of allowing this evil to continue. Resolute, he challenged the Shaman’s gaze, even as he felt the angel in his arms eroding away in the wake of his power. Suddenly brittle and weightless, her body sailed the growing breeze, an inconsequential dust being blown to hell. Sheer willpower was all that kept Banyu from doing the same.
___Skin an exotic deep brown, tranquil face eerily boyish in spite of his age, Soketsu spoke with a tone that would almost imply praise. “It looks like you’ve met with some success little one… Tell me, how does it feel?”
___“…Empty,” was all he could say in reply. It was how he felt.
___“She always said much the same. I can see why she loved you… but now it’s my death you seek, correct?”
___Lifting his sword once more, Banyu whispered, “Correct,” the small word no more forceful than if he yelled. Determination couldn’t keep the massive blade from trembling in his hand though; a minor detail that wasn’t overlooked.
___“You’re not strong enough… not by yourself.”
___Banyu only smirked at this, ready and willing to accept the strength of the four warriors he’d left behind. Back when the group still consisted of all seven members it had been their plan to use a combined Spirage. Of course with Spirage being a fair-trade technique, one person should have been able to sacrifice themselves to kill anyone else but even ten were doubtful to suffice against him. However unlikely, it was still possible the five remaining could be enough though. It was this hope that shined in Banyu’s eyes, so obvious that a fool let alone the Great Shaman could deduce its meaning.
___“Silly boy, don’t put your faith in the fallen. The dead have no power to give.” Soketsu laughed, purposely turning his back on the warrior. It was an invitation, a challenge that was sure to be taken, especially as the implication of his words sunk into Banyu’s mind.
___A foreboding dread gripped Banyu's heart as he raised his sword toward the stars, frantically scanning the horizon for any similar signal. The moonlight reflecting from his blade’s meticulously polished surface was met by none other though. Sprawled across the horizon his comrades lay long dead, buried in the swath of destruction cut by the heartless Shaman’s magic. The song lazily drifting over Banyu moments earlier had grown astronomically in strength, manipulated by Soketsu's obscure motions into a force unparallel the world over when it met his brethren. They never stood a chance, torn from this world in one horrific instant and as irony dictated the Shaman’s prized sentinel passed all but simultaneously. All that remained were two grieving souls, each the cause of the other’s pain and neither willing to forgive. Solace would only be found in revenge.
---5---
___It just takes one, Banyu reminded himself, grinding his teeth as his vision blurred. He needed to be strong, to focus on this one moment in time, but no amount of reason could stop the tears from running down his face. The grief in his heart wouldn’t be pushed aside, the anger ignored. The emotions were as real as the sword in his hand and he planned to attack with all three.
___Sniffling he made his choice, a curt nod of resolution sealing his death. Tomorrow, the day after, three years from now and all the little memories to be made between began slowly compiling themselves in the palm of his hand. The essence of a life unlived was steadily mounting in his sword, evidenced by a ghastly red aura wafting from its surface; Spirage in all its majesty.
___I can’t let this one trivial man steal my peace… even if he did kill her, Soketsu told himself still fighting the tremors of rage skittering through his body. He was supposed to be above these kinds of petty emotions, and knowing that only made it worse. A mindless fury was taking over, feeding upon itself and throwing all precious restraint aside. And all because she chose him. After centuries of living in his favor that ungrateful whore chose him. The mere thought of it caused his first Genkai to explode, one of many self imposed barriers on his powers. The only respite he had were the various notions of just how painful he would make Banyu’s death, his mind bubbling over with merciless inspiration. It wasn’t until profound brilliance struck him that any sort of control returned. In the blink of an eye the devastating power erupting from his body ceased, leaving behind nothing more than a small vindictive smirk on his face. Composed and content, Soketsu turned with an airy grace, a merry exuberance shining in his emerald eyes as he reacquainted himself with the boy’s sight.
___“Come.”
___Arrogant bastard, Banyu thought, shaking his head derisively before stealing one last glance at the faithful blade in his hand. A pained face stared back at him, a face grieved but determined, wrinkled and worn by years of life he would never know. This future was his sacrifice and leaning forward he offered it freely. Colossal sword trailing behind him, a tormented roar laid waste to the silence as he fearlessly advanced, one last powerful leap sending the youth soaring toward his end. It was with an intrigued deference Soketsu watched the courageous figure, the subtle echoes of his summoned strength being almost worrisome. Unperturbed, the Shaman calmly stood his ground, merely raising one limp hand to protect himself.
___And this is how they met: imposing Spirage charged blade clashing with the fragile digits of the aged Sorcerer. It was to be the dawn of a new age.
---6---
___He couldn’t move. Trapped in the powerful motion he’d initiated, Banyu couldn’t even bring himself to stop screaming, watching from the cage of his body as the Shaman just detached himself? For a moment, his boyish face was perfectly stunned, emerald eyes wide and confused, which Banyu happily accepted as a sign of defeat. Before any real damage was done though his body seemed to dislodge itself from reality, to fade out of sync with the rest of the world.
___In less than an instant Soketsu realized enough to fear what the boy had summoned to his sword. It was a technique he last encountered ages ago, something he once believed lost to time. The sickening force tickling his fingers was unmistakable though.
___It’s not supposed to end like this, Soketsu screamed inside his head, mind furiously working on a countermeasure.
___The raw potential of Spirage was obvious, although the assassin’s poor attempt was laughable. It was slovenly, rapidly dissipating into air, practically dripping from his sword. If his life was going to be saved Soketsu didn’t have much time to act. Lapsing into alter time with a moment’s concentration, he felt the blade bite into his hand, bleeding profusely as he fluidly spun underneath the cutting edge’s path. Sweeping one leg outward in an artful circle to maintain his balance, he traced a wavy bloody line across the underside of the encroaching sword, glowing archaic glyphs suddenly forming an elaborate cage around the two as Soketsu forcefully stripped the unholy confection of power from its creator. Hours of concentrated effort flashed by Banyu’s eyes in an instant, an insignificant flash of color that barely even registered. He soared toward the ground only to finally land with the added impact of absolute failure. Standing back to back with the ominous being, he seethed to the point of trembling, clenching his free hand into a weakening fist as death crept over him. That bastard just took it from me, he realized crumbling to the ground, he took my life from me!
___Heaving, a pleased Soketsu stood with his right hand outstretched, blood slowly pooling on the ground beneath. The minor injury was insignificant, especially compared to the prize radiating in his palm. A concentrated orb of brilliant ruby life swirled in his grasp just begging to be exploited; a task he’d gladly fulfill.
___Struggling for breath Banyu was fading fast, eyes pinned to the crimson stain on his blades end. For all he'd given it was his only accomplishment. Blinking, the weak warrior literally had to struggle to reopen his eyes dredging strength from the farthest reaches of his spirit to merely gaze at the world around him. A scene painted crimson greeted him, scarlet light clouding his vision as he grudgingly settled into the netherworld.
---7---
___“You actually presume to die…” Soketsu grimly chuckled, standing over Banyu’s miserable prone form. Dropping his stolen orb on its rightful owner he pitilessly stomped it back into the miserable youth’s torso, a wave of power rushing across the ground. It would be awhile yet before he was 'alive' again but Soketsu could wait. He had nothing but time.
___“For all my power I claimed little, a single treasure in fact… and you killed her." Soketsu sighed, pausing momentarily as a fresh bout of rage ignited in his chest. It was expediently suppressed and quite admirably so too, one tightly clinched fist the only sign it passed at all.
___"This debt you'll repay. Till eternity ends it will bind you to me.” And this he truly meant, even in sight of all the infinite repercussions, for no matter how enraged he became the thought of being truly alone was always much, much worse. The dismal alternative actually caused a small baleful smile to taint his expression, his eyes suddenly dull and lifeless. The memories of a feeling almost like happiness were all he had now and these he cherished more than life itself. Cycling through them yet again, he strained to define the hazy impressions he‘d come to know. His past was continually evaporating, slipping away from him little by little with each passing day and for all his power he could do nothing to halt it.
___Lost within the dateless past he’d created it was quite awhile before he even remembered the body lying at his feet. Looking down the sight almost took him by surprise, jarring him back to the present. One small disgusted huff was his only commentary as he kneeled, running his slender fingers through the fallen warrior’s tangled raven mane. The gesture was eerily compassionate, and yet somehow equally cruel?
___Eyes agleam with moonlight and malice, Soketsu softly whispered, “Welcome to my affection…”
___It was obvious his choice of words pleased him. That and watching Banyu writhe. With just enough life to suffer the wretched boy teetered on the boundary of death; a place Soketsu was content to leave him, at least until dawn. The biting darkness was fitting for such suffering, but daybreak was a time for new beginnings, for fresh starts and novel journeys. Besides, it was tradition to begin any great task with the rising of the sun and Soketsu could easily wait the twenty three thousand six hundred heartbeats until then. It would afford him a brief peace to properly dismiss all the night’s transgressions. To pray in deference for all the many things the brilliant moon had seen him lose. He would use this time to finally say the words he’d always meant, because now they had no real meaning. No lasting harm could be done, and so his farewell drifted into the night.
___“If I needed anything at all, it was you…”
---8---
___There were no words. Nothing had a real description unto itself, only a miniscule part in the mass of what Banyu felt. His thoughts were just that vague and malformed. Cold, uncomfortable, sore, weak, dizzy, clammy, aroused and wanton were all furled together in a tangle of information his mind could scarcely comprehend. The young warrior just couldn’t seem to wake up, drifting between a hazy detached awareness of himself and this empty endless void. Lost in unnamed impressions eons of nonexistence passed inconsequentially, at least until the warmth began. It felt ‘good,’ that being the first and only word his mind could conjure as his revival commenced. More soon followed though, the warmth followed by an abject realization of light and… pleasure?
___What… am- Shadows? Love, almost… No one- Where, are? So dark- …help, lost! Floating. More- …feels… so nice? Don’t, leave… alone! Secrets, touch me… Just touch, me… again,
___The broken thoughts circled Banyu’s head gradually becoming more distinct and fractured at the same time. His mind was growing further aware and logical every minute, but unfortunately this overwhelming sense of euphoria was making clear thought all but impossible. A shifting pressure was building inside him, familiar and distant and without knowing why he resisted it. Muscles tense, he fought so hard, smiling in spite of the struggle as his body trembled and bucked. Breaths haggard, he desperately clawed at the ground for something, anything to hold on to, the gritty crumbling earth irritatingly unable to satisfy his hands. As the wave of bliss swelled ever more Banyu could do absolutely nothing to halt it, climax doggedly building in the pit of his being. And so inevitably when all his willpower finally failed him the youth simply let the tidal wave overtake him, orange eyes shooting open as the dawn overtook him.
___It was by far the most extreme nothing yet. He’d fallen from a world of compact darkness into a sea of pure light, trapped between screaming in supreme agony and crying in ultimate pleasure. The end result was a strangled whimper, his rare copper eyes ablaze with the blistering brilliance of the morning sun as the final tremors of his restoration passed. It wasn’t much really, but it did serve to satisfy Soketsu. The Shaman’s careful ministrations had been successful, and now he was the proud owner of a new guardian.
___“Good morning,” Soketsu chided, well aware his words were just short of being wasted. “I hope you slept well…”
___“Ugh…”
___“Would you like to know your future boy? I can tell you it’s a fate far better than the death you foolishly sought. I -the Great Soketsu- have taken you as my own, and from this moment forward your destiny will be forever tied to my will!” A triumphant raised hand emphasized the new ownership as the Shaman began to proudly circle the dazed warrior. Clasping his hands behind his back he continued to speak excitedly, keen eyes measuring up the deplorable mess that had just become his servant. “It’s far more than you deserve -especially after what you did- but ever the benevolent one I‘ve decided your recompense should entail bearing the burden of my wisdom… Don‘t bother with any thanks. Let‘s just live, one day at a time.”
___“Wha- What did, you do to me?!” Banyu muttered confused, sitting up and finally taking note of the foul condition of his clothes.
___“I saved you boy.” Soketsu spat, his disdain obvious. “The life you so hastily threw away was returned to you, and now you belong to me.”
___“But, why…?” he babbled, eyes pinned to the rigid tent in his pants.
___“Maybe I left you dead for too long? I will explain this once more: You killed my guardian and yourself too, but I kindly brought you back to take her place. Is that clear enough?”
___Banyu’s harsh questioning stare would be the only reply. No matter how causally the Shaman explained it the warrior knew what he’d really done. The dissolute truth of what happened. There was just no denying it, and somehow knowing he’d been given life in the process made it no less debasing. In stunned silence he took in the majestic still form of the miraculous Shaman, unable to stifle his bitter repulsion. He was beyond fortunate- back in the world of living- but for this one moment in time the childish spite within him wished once more for death.