Sachihiro

I stand before the spirit-creature in humanoid skin, the being before me actually looks nothing like Keir used to. The muscles on its very masculine form shivering and flexing, it studying itself under its own skin-deep glow illuminating just enough. Those silver eyes land on the prostrated acolyte who gazes up with worshipful eyes as it communicates with its god.

I feel distinctly uncomfortable witnessing the exchange though I perceive nothing of their communication. It’s like watching lovers being intimate or some other equally sacred affair taking place that should be private.

I take the time to really gauge myself and I feel fine, my eyes see fine and I'm oddly refreshed. Looking at the being in what was previously Keir’s skin quickly pulls my attention. Is he dead, was he banished from the flesh and will make a comeback in some unexpected way to bite me in the ass later? I hesitate to ask. No need to tell this thing my worries, feign confidence and get powerful and rich whilst doing it. A respectable parry if ever I’ve seen one; I wait to be addressed taking everything in as I do.

The being walks forward slowly, placing a gentle hand on the shoulder of the now standing acolyte tenderly. The thing towers over the man gushing with affection like I’ve never seen before, I can’t estimate its size but at least 3m tall I recon. I resist shifting backwards as the thing gazes at me with those silver eyes, I feel the gaze heavily as I look away. My grip tightening on Honour’s tsuka as I control my breathing; if it double crosses me I cut it.

For the longest time I’ve been trying to out-think this thing, make myself indispensible, give it something it wants that only I can give whilst bargaining some gains for myself in the process. Ultimately though I know I am a fly in this thing’s raider, I can feel it, my insignificance to the greater game its playing and though that initially pissed me off. I’m now more than happy to slink away robbed and taken advantage off to be completely forgotten by this thing and it's ilk.

A shiver goes down my spine at the remembrance of the... thing that broke my mind just a few minutes ago. I swallow saliva feeling its gaze still, if you double cross me I cut you. That's the thought at the forefront of my mind regardless of the risk I can’t allow myself to be double crossed with impunity.

I have nothing with which to bargain now, this thing has everything it wants from me and woe to me for allowing such a creature into the world. Still, the spiritual thread of promise gives me some comfort cold though it may be.

‘’Power, riches, freedom,’’ each word enunciated softly in Common as though the being is tasting the words as it speaks them. Honestly speaking when I made the bargain I was speaking out of my ass so I'm not even sure we agreed on what I'd get.

‘’These I owe you as per our bargain,’’ it says taking a breath stepping towards me. I step back without even thinking about it, a stance at the ready with Honour in Death glinting in the dark chamber as it cuts through the air in threat.

The thing giggles pleasantly, a sound so spontaneous and rich it surprises me out of some of my weariness.

‘’You are such a bold human,’’ it says watching me with genuine amusement. The thing is beautiful and extremely large, filling the room with its presence though the ceiling is imperceptivity far above us.

It takes a few more steps towards me but I hold my ground until it stands within arm’s reach disregarding my zanpakutō completely. I fling my largest most ornate blanket at the thing; it flaps floating between us before adjusting itself around the beings waist hiding its nakedness. I don’t know why I did that; getting out of my stance but keeping to my toes I nod at the thing.

Then I take another step back, just to be comfortable.

I feel something happening spiritual pressure cranking up my senses whilst moving back putting more space between us. There is something happening within me, it takes a moment to parse it out but more threads seem to be taking shape within my spiritual awareness. What the fuck is it now?

I keep my eyes away from the threat still vainly staring at itself whilst keeping Honour at my side. I assess the spiritual thread budding within me, there are three of them, ah... power, riches, freedom. I feel what they are even as they ‘solidify’ with all the other things spiritually connected to me.

‘’Three locations, each within a years travel distance from one another, each with the means to provide you with what you bargained for. Every 3 months you will find an acolyte to bless you, recognising them will not be an issue throughout this time you will be under my banner so no other may lay claim on you, the blessing will ensure you remain cloaked from others until you gain your freedom.’’

‘’That’s not fair!’’ I control my rising anger, deep breathe. ‘’I have fulfilled my end of our bargain, the burden of completing the rest is up to you not me. And what of my family, you’ve said nothing about releasing them from spiritual ties.’’

Even as I speak the words to my growing horror I feel myself being tugged towards the first of the threads now blooming within my spiritual self. A direction, a location far upwards and that way, a place whose position I suddenly know in relation to my own.

‘’I provided the body as I promised,’’ I say gesturing to this thing’s person. ‘’You promised not to work against me, sending me out on a 3 year hunt for what I have already bought is working against me.’’ There is anger, fear and hysteria creeping into my voice; should I kill it? If I kill it quickly enough maybe the compulsion will fade, I take a step forward. Can I kill it even, somehow it seems to have gotten larger as its aura suffuses everything.

‘’A body for power riches and freedom, I have shown you the path to take them. Upon you will be a gease of compulsion so I am not made a liar by your inaction. It has been done; LEAVE.’’

{Khdsgogfaorgvrpegv}.

[crashing] I roll backwards coming up with Honour forward, dust falling all around me. The air is thick with energy [scrapping] my step muffled by the thick dust on the floor as I take a stance again finding myself somewhere I wasn’t. No threats, the darkness is still thick but no longer heavy, the stone not as oppressive above me as before, the cold barely noticeable.

‘’Fuck you Phosphorus!’’ I shout realising I’m not as deep underground as I was before. The three threads are already within me, three locations relative to me are in my awareness somehow. I feel compelled to go to them but in no particular order, I bring the blood crystals to hand.

Two of the threads are out of my way, way out of my way, almost directly perpendicular to where I wanna be. ‘’Fuck you and all your fucked up-‘’

[wham] I am slapped sideways by an invisible hand. Catching myself midair I spin landing on my feet Spirit-Aura flaring around me Honour in hand ready to deliver death; nothing. I change stance cutting the air as I move around the darkness, nothing moves but me.

I relax my stance taking a calming breathe, looking around myself. I walk to the wall touching it, unworked stone, a proper natural cave at last. With a sight I lean on the wall folding myself into a comfortable lotus, with Honour on my lap I focus, slipping into jinzen meditation and sleep almost simultaneously.

*

Ezekiel the Omegian Vampire

My body is failing me after so long without blood to drink, panting I push myself off the cold stones of the lonely passages. This world’s conditions are mild considering the places I’ve been but the mana here is so thin recovery has been slow and though the blood is rich the energy fades quickly. Had I a few more [clatter] I spin repelling the weapons that was reaching for the back of my head, I step on the wall and dive.

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

I bounce along the walls of the narrow passages with cold winds wailing over my ears, I dodge left crashing through a stalactite. [woosh] the floor erupts in a storm of sand behind me blowing me out of balance. I land downside up on the stone a shadow flying towards me from the crack of this crevice, [clank], our blades smash, the blow so heavy.

The rock I’m perched on cracks dramatically under my feet my knees bending straining against the titanic weight, my eyes lock onto this thing’s dark whirling orbs. [blast] I’m blown away with the rock I’m perched on scattering into shrapnel all over the place. I roll as I land amongst sharp rocks, [BAM] a kick in the back stopping my momentum cold rattling my brain in the skull.

[BAM] I hit the stone flat bouncing an inch up from the force of the strike, [crash] the stomp down cracks my spine shattering the rocks below me. [woosh] I Phase away with the little mana I have, appearing some 100m away already twisting with my weapon up, [clack], a few locks of hair are shaved but I manage to block the full strike. The force pushing me away rattling down my arm, [clank] just barely but I manage to catch the next as well as I stumble back.

[BAM] A kick in the chest has me flying [crash] crashing into stone ribs snapping like twigs, I land in a crouch with sword digging in to keep me from swaying my gaze sharp as I assess my hopeless situation.

They gather around me from all sides and above, landing silently not disturbing a pebble in the little clearing of the deep canon. The 13 Hunters of Lore, each at least a thousand years old with a runic blood talent that makes them the elite hunters that they are.

‘’I just want to be left alone!’’ I shout, my voice cracking in the night. [shaa] its starts showing a moment later, the rain bone chillingly cold portending my death.

They ignore me, 11 of them having completely circled around me. I thought being a pathfinder I’d be able to outrun them but such a foolish hope, no one leaves the clan with their lives. ‘’I promise never to go back, I won’t make any trouble for the clan.’’

I know its futile but I bargain anyways, desperations ejaculating out of my mouth as my ribs snap back together painfully. The ground shakes with a loud rumble, another of many such quakes, taking the opportunity to bolt, [KA – BLA], a tumultuous sound and impact has me on my ass with half my torso gone. The pain comes after the shock, hgmmmm, I moan crawling towards my discarded sword clinging to life.

Pain scorching pain![wail] something screeches with an anchoring wail [whimper] my sphincters release congested excretions of clothed blood, [bomb] a pulse of blood reaches my neurons telling me I’ve reached madness.

Sense comes back to me as the Hunter pulls out the sword from my shoulder; I’m a disgusting whimpering mess with every vessel in my body destroyed. Oozing out of me are the last dregs of my bloody existence, [waaar] I regurgitate air. Areola in my lungs opening to air for the first time in a century, not since fighting the torturous Air Sorcerer Kagiso I randomly remember.

[drong] Like a bell I hear the toll recognising the activation of the Grave’s blood talent. Funny, the stories always say you die before hearing that toll. [drong] a shiver of pain passes through me hearing it again the sound resounding in my head, yet somehow I still cling to life.

[KA-TRAtra] crackling madness spiders through the night cutting between the darkness, [splash] dark congealed blood burst like overripe wineskin where the Hunter used to be standing. The ground quakes but none of the Hunters are even looking at me now, [drong] the bell tolls a third time! The ability usually a sure death for any its directed upon having failed three times now in a display that makes me fear the monster they must be attacking.

[Whaarrrr!] the wail goes with the splash of dark blood thick and ancient from recirculation in a creature that have been undead for so long.

[Hehehehe] the Sick Giggle of the Walking Death, the apparition itself standing like a behemoth 50m above the Hunter attacking with its summoner. I finally get a glimpse of the monster they are attacking, two legs two arms, humanoid.

[Whaaarrr!] [splash] I see this time that the hunter seems to have been cut in the middle and imploded into sizzling blood that scatters and burns to completion, not leaving a trace of the previously existing Hunter.

[Whaaarrrr] wail [splash] gone another one dies like some ripe fruit fried from within. I pick my jaw off the floor trying to move myself, I’m in bad shape, hardly able to move. Shivering forward I worm like an epileptic snake forward looking for some way to survive, cold, even my first death didn’t feel as cold as this. The ground picks me up and throws me through the air, that’s a defensive treasure that just blew up its feel unmistakeable.

I crash onto something hard dazed, unable to move my half charred cut stabbed torso, everything that remains of me a dark purple mess. Internally leaking blood my muscles spasm losing rigidity and function, I’m drowning in oxygen on top of everything else.

Next thing I know a man is standing over me with a dainty foot placed on my chest, a small none descript man with his arms behind his back looking down at me with indifference. His gaze so sharp that I forget my pain and discomfort for a moment weathering his gaze with everything I am. He looks deep into me, deeper than anything has ever looked even as I try to flinch away from the invasive contact.

Even as he sees into me though some part of me sees into him, I try to lean away from that as somehow I’m losing myself to whatever this monster in human skin calls this ability.

##### he says something but my ear holes are oozing excretions, I can’t even smell anything anymore.

‘’Your life belongs to me until you repay this life debt, do you agree to this?’’ its not words the words but the meaning that blooms within my mind like an idea that didn’t come from my own consciousness.

My mouth is dry, tongue heavy, fangs yellowed face and eyes blood-shot; a hiss comes out of my mouth as I try to speak. From belonging to one set of monsters to another, but the Hunters will be back. No one leaves the Original Clans and lives, not in 10 000 years has such a feat been accomplished, [gurgling] [hissing] with a bobbing head I try to express my accent. Could any monster be worse than the Clan?

‘’Very good,’’ he say suddenly an impossible weight is on me. I can’t move, I can’t even shake involuntary anymore. From behind his back something glints, [splash] my eyes burst having seen something so impossible sharp! I’m completely desiccating-

[Splat] A drop of crimson blood drops onto my cheek my tongue reflectively darting out but the blood is already absorbing within me, coming into my skin. My faces itches and burns as it heals, my eyes reforming, vessels being reformed, moisture and life filling my body. I didn’t get a taste of the blood but the power within it undeniable, A cough escapes me blood filling my lungs yet again expelling the air.

Strength fills my muscles, aches fading and then it just stops. I look up at my saviour with wonder and fear; I can’t believe this backwater of a planet has a powerhouse like this one.

‘’Go pick up the rest of yourself and put yourself back together, I have questions.’’ He says dismissively in my mind stepping away from me. I get up slowly, feeling great even with half my torso still somewhat missing. I stand towering over him when reaching my full height, the man average sized even for the people I’ve seen so far on this world. There is no sign of a weapon on his person, he hardly seems to be here at all to my overcharged senses.

I kowtow myself at his feet, ‘’this unworthy one is known as Ezekiel, previously from the Clan of Lore in Twilight’s End.’’ I introduce myself quickly though something tells me this man already knows more about me than I’m comfortable with. ‘’What must this humble one call Worthy Benefactor?’’

There is a pause, like this monster is considering something. ‘’I am Kazimoto, now go collect the rest of yourself before I change my mind about you.’’

He steps away unrushed but quickly, his gaze up into the cold light of the stars sometimes visible between dark clouds and odd lights far above. I collect my right shoulder girdle with my burnt arm and find my sword not far away, could the Hunters really be dead? Just like that I have no one on my trail and no one looking for me, could it really be?

‘’You will head that way,’’ he says pointing. ‘’as fast as possible until you come across a Wood Elf with 4 human children with him. This is through this canons and likely through the ash clouds beyond, I passed them some 2000km’s away so you should catch up if they maintain the pace.

‘’You will ensure the children are safe in its care, if not you will waste your life getting them safe is this understood?’’ Sharp eyes gaze onto mine, I flinch bending myself so as not to stand so tall turning my eyes away from looking at his directly.

‘’How will I know I have found the right children?’’ I ask my mind whirling with everything happening so quickly. Are the hunters really dead?

‘’The elf carries a bound silver sword decorated like the metal is melting off it and is likely a Saint or Dao Master with its use you cannot miss them.’’

Waste my life indeed, maybe Dao means a different thing here, maybe meaning is getting lost in translation. ‘’Forgive me Worthy Benefactor Kazimoto, this one is old with many talents but had I a thousand more years I cold not hold a candle against a Saint of any ilk let alone Dao Master.’’ I say bowing just to ensure this monster knows not to expect miracle. My surviving the 13 Hunters is miracle enough.

‘’Well then if you die your life was already forfeit to begin with, besides, I’ve seen you move. I now enough about the sanguine to know that you must have a movement blood talent so you may just get away,’’ he says dismissively. ‘’I’m heading that way if for any reason you have to find me, across the ocean. Oh and I only killed 11 of those gathered against you, 2 fled.’’

With those words the man disappears from all perception and is gone. Shit, 2 Hunters, I look around in terrified paranoia. He couldn’t even give me more blood before leaving with here holding my hand?