Got bored tonight and decided to write a chapter out of the life of my scrapper. It's not my best work, but if anyone thinks I should tell other chapters, I'll take more time with them. Enjoy. Constructive comments and criticisms are welcome.
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The night is where I belong.
I crouched on the ledge of a building in Founder's Falls, knowing my quarry was near. I had been tracking them for several days now, getting to know each of the oni that stood below me. Forgive my use of my native tongue, for English is sometimes a much more difficult language to learn. However, I will defeat the language barriers as I defeat all my enemies.
I will defeat them utterly.
I knew that these creatures performing their dark rituals were not human, though it appeared three of their number might have been at one time. The natural ebb and flow of chi distorted around them, attracted and repulsed by what they had become. They belonged to the Circle of Thorns, body and soul. I gave them little thought; though unnatural, they were of this world, for the most part and could be beaten like all others.
The winged monstrosity lording over them, on the other hand, posed a challenge.
I had seen these creatures before. Behemoth Overlords, they are called. They are perfect representations of the akuma of my homeland. Standing more than twice my height and as broad as I am tall, these things are nothing more than pure evil. I had had only one battle with something worse than them, and my body still carries the scars from that meeting with the Envoy.
The Behemoth laughed as its formerly human servants chanted, a sickly green glow surrounding the object of their labors. Having dealt with the Circle as often as I have, I knew what they were attempting. A creature smaller than, but similar to, the Overlord waved its red-skinned arm at the center of the hellishly pulsing verdant bubble. I knew that the ceremony was about to be completed.
Evan Marshall screamed again.
My ki surged then, feeling the summoning of ancient forces being brought to bear on this one spot in Paragon City. Time was against me, but I was confident that my abilities would carry me through. I had only one opportunity to disrupt this changing ceremony, and I would not fail. Earlier in my investigation, I had watched Evan Marshall's family from afar in attempting to find him. His young wife mourned his disappearance, and seeing the young ones ask their mother where their father was almost melted my reserve.
Evan Marshall would be going home.
The rain slashed through the night air, rippling the surface of the canals in Founder's Falls. The Circle below me took no heed from the weather, while I noticed the rain only as a possible problem in the coming battle. Focusing my attention on the Overlord, I drew my blade slowly, as not to alert my enemies. The steel was blackened by centuries of use, yet it never dulled. The man I received it from had spoken of it being touched by the gods. I knew he had lied to me then, yet only for good reason. One day, perhaps, I will relate that lie.
I pushed the thoughts of Ursanagi-sensei away as my legs tensed, then propelled me into the night air. I let my free hand glide against the brick, slowing me enough that I would not splatter against the pavement. When I was three swordlengths from the Overlord, I smiled slightly as both my hands took the haft of the blade. As smart as they think they are, they always forget to look up. Just as I thought this, the creature did just that, causing me to add four words to my thought.
Until it's too late.
The blade sliced cleanly through the pseudo-flesh as the Overlord bellowed in rage and pain, bringing torrents of foul-smelling ichor to mix with the falling rain. Another slash and its left arm lay on the ground. I dodged three strikes from the Behemoth Master that had gotten behind me as I beheaded the Overlord. One of those almost-humans fired at me with a small crossbow, the bolt passing through space I had been occupying only a split-second before.
I am very methodical, and will spare you the details of the Circle's defeat. They fought well, asking and giving no quarter. It availed them for naught, as tendrils of dark energy drifted up, obliterated by the rain. Evan Marshall lay on the cold stone, barely breathing.
Taking out the small charm I had acquired from Azuria for this occasion, I passed the small piece of bone over Evan's crown and heary chakras, bringing the lifeforce back as one would fan the flames of a bonfire. His eyes fluttered open and he coughed heartily, the falling sky cleaning tears from his face. He glanced around for me but I was in the shadows, making sure no other members of the Circle of Thorns were lying in ambush. Over the course of searching for Evan, I found out why the Circle wanted him so much.
His parents had been stage magicians whose skill in theatre had hidden true magical abilities. After Evan had been born, the two of them had been kidnapped and converted in much the same way that Evan had almost been. The product of a union between two exceptionally powerful mages, he had grown to adulthood ignorant of his power and importance. I would watch over him until sure that the Circle had given up on using him for their plans.
Satisfied he would have no trouble, I cleaned off the blade of my katana before taking to the air.The rain sliced at the leather covering my body, bringing to mind that I had more responsibilities this long night. In a war between giri and ninjo, giri wins over all.
I am the Kensei, and the night is mine.
