Avenger of Blood

[Shinku]

Flames, screams, wails of the villagers fill the chaotic air as a boy frozen in fear is being carried by a woman who seems to be sobbing as well. The sound of beating drums and hooves of horses thunder around the village with most of the structures start to succumb to the consuming flames. The boy can still hear the shriek of those being murdered by ruthless foes that suddenly overrun their village by surprise. More flames start to rain from the sky, devouring what little remains of a once lively village.

From a moment, there was darkness then a little splash of moonlight met the boy's face as they emerge from what seems like a tunnel. View of the bloody night sky, then of the trees filled the boy's vision who can do nothing but to let himself be carried along by who seems to be his mother. "An escapee! After her!", a voice that the child hoped not to hear echoed, instilling even more fear in his heart. He cannot clearly see what else is happening around them but he knows that they're still in grave danger. He can feel her mother speeding up in spite of the obvious shortness of her breath. The sound of what seemed like a knife piercing a flesh with her mother suddenly gasping made the boy's fear even worse. "Don't worry Shinku, everything will be alright. I promise that I would protect you no matter what". Shinku wanted to be calm but none of what is currently happening can seem to help him cast his fears aside.

Bushes, Shinku felt lots of grass blades brushing through his body as her mother frantically runs for their lives. It wasn't that long when the sound of horse hooves thumping can be heard almost near their place. With that, her mother finally stopped. "Listen, from here on you will be all by yourself. I know you're a brave boy please stay alive no matter what. Run away from this place and never come back. And remember, we always..." Not finishing her sentence, the woman decided to run away from the thick bushes where she laid the boy in. The boy tried to crawl towards the direction where her mother ran but the sound of the horses approaching made him freeze in fear yet again. Some of the shrubs cover his view but from afar, he can see her mother slowing down and walking towards a big tree. "Found ya! You filthy good for nothing woman!" The shout of a man with a husky voice made the boy avert his eyes from his mother towards a couple of men on horses. The man at front dismounted from his horse and walked towards the boy's mother. Shinku covered his mouth to prevent a sound from escaping his mouth for he know that what's about to transpire wouldn't be a good sight. He wanted to close his eyes but he can't seem to lose her mother in his sight though he can't seem to do anything of his mother's impending doom. The man raised the spear he was holding the moment he got in front of the boy's mother. Without any hint of hesitation, the man struck his spear right through the lady's heart. "Eh! That must be the last of 'em. No one would ever know what we did here!" Not satisfied enough, the man dragged the woman and loaded it on his horse like a simple bag of goods. Tears started to flow from the boys eyes as the ruthless men leave along with the body of his dead mother and then darkness.

Shinku woke up with the noise of footsteps from random people rushing here and there. He was asleep in a sitting position with his back against a wooden wall, sitting at the dirt beneath him. He saw a couple of coins scattered around him with some of them in an old can sitting beside him. He is sitting there, just exposed in public view yet seemingly invisible to the busy people around him. Kirden Wharf, it has always been a bustling place fool of people from a variety of origins. For years, Shinku moved a lot from town to town, surviving on his own and seeking for information. It's in this harbor town that he found himself staying most of the time with several people coming and leave giving him more hope of being able to get some information from different beings that seek temporarily shelter to the place. Since that day he saw his mother murdered right in front of his eyes, Shinku swore to find the marauders that razed their village and massacred everyone in it, then make them pay for it with their lives. A couple of years has passed since then however, any word about the marauder's whereabouts seem to be elusive to him.

In this town, Shinku is known as a beggar wearing simply an old tattered robe. The robe was able to successfully conceal the short sword he has always brought with him, the only thing he was able to salvage from his ruined village and the only memory he has from his father who actually gifted him the sword. He sat there, just beside a small tavern where he can perfectly hear conversations mostly during the night. This time however, though the tavern still operates during the morning, only a few guests are around. With that, Shinku gathered the few coins scattered on the dirt around him and placed him on the old can. He grabbed the can and took a stroll around town. A few would look at him with disgust, some would try to sneak on the visible few coins he has but to most people, he is merely an invisible fellow passing through the crowd.

Everything doesn't matter anyway. For now, as he wander around the streets of Kirden Wharf, there are only two things in his mind - survive, and make those marauders pay with their lives.

 

[Shinku]

"Breads! Get your fresh breads here!" Out of the thousand voices in the marketplace, Shinku heard this merchant's call first. To be able to continue on living, he needs food after all. Though most of the time, he visits one of the forests around for this but often times, he chooses to try some merchant made goods in town. Shinku approached the market stall that teems with a variety of baked goods.

The merchant's face turned into an obvious disgust the moment Shinku got near the stall, staring at the goods displayed for consumption. Nevertheless, the merchant simply went on announcing his goods but staring at Shinku from time to time, suspicious that the man might do something terrible. Shinku quickly noticed the merchant's expression but simply brushed it off as the same reaction is common among most of the beings around town. He can even hear a few people around him seemingly speaking ill of him at the moment but he simply went on staring at the baked goods at the stall. Oddly enough, though the beings in this town are mostly of the middle class, and has gotten used to bandits and pirates wreaking havoc from time to time, discrimination among classes specially of those in the poverty section still exist.

"Anything I can buy with these?" Shinku got a few coins from the old can and showed them to the merchant in an open palm. "Errr...you can have two of those over there." Still with disgust in his face, the merchant pointed what looked like small rounded breads almost at the edge of the stall. "Just put the coins over there." Before Shinku can even get his bread, the merchant pointed to a small space in the stall for his payment. Nonetheless, Shinku placed the coins on the spot where the merchant told him to then gathered the two breads he purchased and quickly left.

Shinku made his way through one of the alleys then settled somewhere at the side of the alley. Though he could have quickly consumed the small breads even on his way, he deemed settling at a spot would be better. After all, he's accustomed to having a common place for meals rather than consuming them on the go. Before he can put one of the breads in his mouth however, he noticed a small boy, similarly dressed in tattered clothes staring at him from a distance. The darkness of the alley makes the boy's features almost unrecognizable but by his height, he can be from 7-9 years of age.

Shinku extended his left hand offering the other bread he had to the child. He didn't say anything but the motion was enough to make the boy run towards him and quickly consume the bread. Instead of thanking him though, the boy quickly turned around and is about to run when Shinku decided to get the boy's attention. "Hey!" Even without him holding the boy, the latter still decided to stop at his call, suddenly nervous of what could happen next. "You can have this one too." The boy turned around and was surprised that Shinku was already behind him giving him the bread. Without any hesitation, the boy grabbed the bread then continued running.

"Oh how sweet! How about giving us our share too mate! We haven't had our meal yet as well." Those words didn't come from the voice of someone begging but of mockery from a male person behind him. Shinku quickly turned around to see four people standing a few meters from him. The man in front, who is more likely the one that caught his attention stands a few feet taller than Shinku. His hair is spiked up and has some noticeable piercings on his lower lip in spite of the alley being somehow dark. He holds a long spiked bat with it's tip resting on the ground. The three other men behind him are a bit harder to recognize from Shinku's view for they are a much farther away.

"Yer' the beggar that always sleep near the tavern are ye'. Well so ye' know, every beggar in this town answers to us if ye' want to continue on living in here peacefully. And by answering, we mean part of the money ye' earn must go to us." Even before the man can finish speaking, Shinku poured the rest of the coins in his hand, threw them in front of who seemed to be their boss then turned around.

"Oi! Now what kind of attitude is that mate! Ye' got no manners in 'ya!" The man's mockery suddenly turned into a furious voice. "Well we better teach 'im some manners boys!" Shinku now has his back towards the men and his walking on his way out of the alley, but he can hear a hard strike on the alley's wall which seemed to signal an attack.

Shinku can hear their loud footsteps approaching him rapidly making him abruptly stop. He let off a deep sigh before suddenly vanishing right in front of the men. "Wh..where'd he went! Using cheap tricks are 'ye! Show yourself you coward! We will find you any...." Before the man can finish his speech, a strong thump in his head caused his vision to suddenly black out and then finally fall into consciousness. Shinku then pointed his short katana forward with it's tip just a few inches away from the throat of one of the men that's still standing who began to shiver in fear. Without uttering a single word, the three men scampered away leaving their boss lying unconscious on the ground.

Stepping over the unconscious man, Shinku went to the opposite end and left the alley. His stomach growled in hunger signalling him to get something to eat as soon as possible. With that, he decided to make his way out of town and into the nearby murky forest.

 

[Shinku]

Deeming it too early to spy for information and with his hunger taking over him, Shinku decided to leave the town towards a nearby murky forest to forage for something edible. He got some personal coins apart from those that he got from posing as a beggar however, he decided not to use any of those while in this town and to save them for better use. Adding up to his unfortunate encounters so far, Shinku deemed it better to gather for food himself instead of purchasing any at the marketplace.

It took Shinku more than an hour of threading through the shallow part of the ocean to reach a dark, gloomy forest hidden by the mist that never seem to disappear whatever season nor time of day it is. It was a cold morning but Shinku's training has helped him to be tenacious enough to withstand the cold. As he pants due to the long distance that he threaded, Shinku decided to look up and stare at one of the floating islands in the sky, the one where his old town once was. He can still vividly remember that day.

It was a night of celebration for the year's successful harvest. Grains filled their granary, overflowing enough to feed the people for the rest of the year. Merry music fill the air along with songs from people who fill themselves with ale and meat, cheering for the fruits of their hard work. Above the streets are beautiful lanterns of various shapes and designs hanging on threads places throughout the town, placed in equal distances with each other. Each lantern add to the beautiful colors of the night along with fireworks that are being shot from time to time with each glamorous display happening at an hourly interval.

The streets are lined up with stalls that are filled with food of various flavors.

At every corner, are people gathered to drink up to their heart's content. The harmony of their laughter, songs and music decorated the night with a jolly and vivacious ambiance.

Shinku was then at the village square, innocently playing with his friends who where all unaware of the disaster that was about to wipe their whole civilization clean.

"Do you think this will ever end?" A small girl suddenly spoke, sitting just a few meters away from a group of children who take turns in battling with what seemed like wooden spinning tops along with a circling crowd that watches the current players.

"What do you mean?" Shinku responded in a confused tone as he sits nearby the girl waiting for his turn to play.

"Well, this happiness. Someday this has to end right?" The girl continued gathering a few interested peers around.

"Why would you want this to end? Don't you want everyone to be happy?" Another boy confused of the girl's speech joined them, sitting down along with two other peers who all decided to take a break for a while.

"Yeah Yuki why would you want this to end? Or do you mean this feast? This will only be tonight right? Don't you like seeing everybody like this?" Shinku seconded the boy seemingly more confused as before.

"Uhmm...no it's just...nevermind." Yuki, as what she was referred to by Shinku suddenly stood up joining the crowd of children who are watching the spinning top battle.

"What's up with her?" Another boy asked in confusion triggering a somewhat silent ambiance as the resting children stare at each other. They can only shrug in confusion until one of the children decided to stand up and join the crowd as well with the others following up.

Shinku's stomach growled yet again, snapping him out of the trance that he was in. It has been years since then but his vivid memories shows that he refuses to forget everything that happened that day in spite of it leaving a significant trauma in him. He walked forward, disappearing in the mist that covered the dark forest.

 

[Shinku]

Shinku cut his way towards the murky forest, cutting tall blades of grass with his katana. He carefully plods through the forest, taking little steps as the natural darkness of the forest, in spite of it still being early in the morning, gives him some trouble in navigating. He finally found some vines full of berries in them where Shinku helped himself in gathering some.

He searched for a clearing in the forest and upon stumbling on one, he sat by an old tree with his back resting against its trunk then consumed the berries that that he gathered earlier. He isn't much of a heavy eater especially in the morning making a handful of berries satisfy him for a while.

'If only I was stronger that day'. Shinku pulled his sword and raised it in front of him, simply staring at it's black steel blade.

"Is everything ok?" A young Shinku inquired as he walks along with Yuki on their way home. Yuki has been a close friend since her house is placed just beside Shinku's, and their families would often bond on various occassions.

"Yes of course." Yuki showed a forced smile but refuses to look at Shinku.

It was already deep in the night and most of their playmates have gone towards their homes. The melodies that filled the air just moments ago is now replaced with hustles of people packing up their things. Drunk men can be seen being carried along with their wives. All that remains are the beautiful lanterns that beautifully lights up the streets.

"You know I'm still thinking of what you said earlier. Well...about all these...coming to end. I..." Shinku asked in a mix of confusion and concern but was abruptly cut by Yuki.

"Something does not feel right. I don't know what it is but I...I'm afraid something terrible is about to happen." Yuki stopped walking with her hand visibly shaking in terror.

"Don't be afraid I..." Shinku quickly stood in front of Yuki then held the girl's hand, in an attempt to calm her down. "...I promise not to let anything bad happen to you."

Slowly, Yuki started to calm down. Her shaking hands gradually stopped from shaking as she felt the warmth of the boy's hands. "Thank you." A smile escaped her lips as Yuki raise her head to face the boy in front of him.

"Ahhhhhhhhh!!!!!" A loud scream suddenly resonated the village, startling the kids. Few men start to get out of their homes and in spite of drunkenness, ran their way towards where the scream came from.

"Shinku! Yuki! What was that?" A man shouted from a distance, approaching them with a hammer in his hand.

"I don't know father, I..." Shinku himself stuttered suddenly feeling fear as sounds of more screams start to stir the peace of the night.

"Ah nevermind! Quick! Run to your mother at home! You too Yuki! Stay at home no matter what happens!" Before Shinku can even finish his speech, his father, as he called the man, cut him off commanding both the children to run. The man himself joined the others rallying towards the town gates.

"Let's go." Shinku, still holding Yuki's hand started to run towards home however, his friend can't seem to come along.

"What's wrong?" Shinku, looked back at Yuki who's tears start to flow from his eyes and shivered frantically.

"It's happening! Everything in my dreams it's happening right now!" Yuki's body seemed to freeze and shake at the same time in panic. "We're all gonna die. We're all gonna die..." She continuously muttered in a soft chant.

"Shinku! Oh thank goodness you are safe!" A woman quickly shouted from afar but Shinku can't avert his eyes away from Yuki who is currently in a state of panic.

"Yuki! What's happening!" Another woman called their attention as the two children hear distinct footsteps approaching them.

"Let's head home!" One of the women grabbed Shinku by his hand.

"But mom Yuki..." Shinku was about to point out the girl beside him but stopped when another woman picked the girl up.

"Everything will be ok now let's go!" With Yuki now in the care of someone familiar, Shinku ran along with his mother.

A thick smoke start to rise up from the direction of the town gate. Shinku stopped running, as the sound of more screams, and then wailing suddenly gets louder and louder. "Father he..." Shinku turned around and saw flames seemingly raining from the sky. It wasn't that long when the boy froze upon the sight of a severed head flying towards him. The head was about to hit the boy but he was quickly grabbed by his mother. Shinku himself, start to shake frantically unable to make anything out of what he saw.

His mother quickly carried him as Shinku start to panic and remained speechless along the way. He simply lay like a lifeless puppet with his eyes wide open still seeing the bloody skies above him.

Shinku swung his sword horizontally as if cutting something in the air. Those visions continue to haunt him or perhaps he simply let's them remind him that he has something important that he has to accomplish. A leaf that was cut in half fell at Shinku's right cheek with it's other half falling towards the ground. Droplets of rain start to fall towards the ground. It wasn't that long when the droplets turn to heavy rain however, Shinku remained sitting there by the old tree, letting himself be showered by the heaven's tears. Did the heaven somehow felt his agony, and sympathized with him in his sudden missery?

 

[Shinku]

The pungent smell of burnt bodies made young Shinku vomit in disgust as he stares at a pile of corpses on what once was his playground. He wailed, staring at the lifeless, unrecognizable pile of who once were his towns mates. Agony begot hatred then hatred begot thirst for vengeance in the heart of a young child who was supposed to be living a carefree life. The once lively town is now a place of despair and ruins. All that remained intact are the outer walls, giving a reminder that this place was once a town.

"It was all my fault. I was weak, I couldn't protect them. I promised her that I'd protect her. I should have protected her and mom and dad. I should have...." Shinku muttered in a frantic low voice as his hands shook in fear and anger. His body shook along as rage start to build inside of him. He felt fury and helplessness at the same time.

"Why oh heavens! Why did you let this happen! Where are the spirits that's supposed to protect us! Were all that them simply lies! Why! Why! Why!" He muttered like a lunatic spitting out words in the air. His body continues to shake uncontrollably while fixed on one same spot as he were, before he broke out.

"Raaaaaahhhhhhhhh!!!" As his fury explodes, Shinku let out a loud, resonating scream, raising his head towards the empty sky above him. He clenched his fist as tears continue to flow from his eyes. He fell, kneeling to the ground as the weight of his heart grew heavier with agony, despair and hatred.

He bit his thumb, making blood gush out from it, yet he seemed to ignore the pain. With his blood, he drew a line on the ground near the pile of burned corpses. "I swear by this blood. Whoever did this to us shall all pay with their lives! I will not rest until all of those wretched marauders are all brought down to the abyss!"

Shinku snapped out yet again of another short vision upon the sudden feeling of strong malice near him.

"So here ye' are mate! Did ye' think ye' can skaboosh after the humiliation ye' have got me through, ye' scurvy dog!" It came from the familiar voice of a man.

Shinku stared in front of him as he slowly stand up to prepare himself of whatever could transpire. Shadows emerge from the trees and thick bushes, at least seven figures which are all hardly recognizable from Shinku's view point.

"Ah it's a good thing 'ye decided to get out of town. It'll be easier to deal with 'ya here!" Shinku started to gradually recognize the arrogant voice, as the man whom he encountered earlier back at Kirden Wharf.

Without waiting for the man's next speech, Shinku decided to make himself vanish yet again. He bolted towards the man who's form he recognize as the boss of the group or as he assumed him earlier. Before Shinku can reach his target though, he had to turn around then raise his sword to clash with someone else that suddenly attacked him from behind.

"Now now, did ye' really think ye'd fool me with the same trick twice. I brought someone here who could smell yer' dirty tricks." The man mocked Shinku who decided to retreat a few meters from his previous assailant.

"I swear by the Black Raven's code! Ye' be food for the fish! Blow that man down! Cleave 'im to the brisket!" The man's command was followed by a loud chorus of chants as two more figures rushed towards Shinku.

The sound of three pistols shooting made Shinku decide to enter into his shadows then quickly reemerge behind the one who was able attack him earlier while in concealment. Without thinking twice, he swung his sword to behead the enemy in front of him.

"Shiver me timbers! he's fast!" One of Shinku's assailants spouted in amazement seeing how quickly one of their mate was brought down.

"Well don't just stand there! Get 'im! Saw his body into pieces!" The man commanding then shouted in fury as his crew start to shake in fear.

Another round of shots all aimed at Shinku but of no avail. Shinku simply vanished yet again totally concealing himself. With no one else being able to detect him, the rest of the crew was put into a state of panic.

"Ye' double crossing son of a biscuit eater. Show yer' self! Ye' filthy coward!" Seemingly helpless, the leader can only spout insults towards who seemed to them as quite a formidable enemy.

It wasn't that long when Shinku appeared behind the three shooters who are all standing just behind the crew's leader. Shinku quickly stabbed the one in the middle through his heart and before the other two can react, he quickly swung his sword to cut the others as well. And yet again, he vanished.

The sound of thunder roared across the rainy skies but silence seems to fill the current battlefield. If not for the sound of heavy rain, the silence could have made even the soft beating of a heart echo around the murky forest.

"Er boss. I think we be..." Before one of the men was able to finish his sentence a black steel sword was stabbed from behind him through his heart, making blood gush out of his chest.

The other man impulsively ran towards him but Shinku quickly vanished yet again but this time, as if being consumed by the earth. He reemerged behind the last man standing other than the group's leader whom he struck through the heart similar to how he dealt with the previous one.

Another shot caused Shinku to decide using his Shadow Pass again and seemingly for the last time.

"Yer' no human, yer a de...." Before the boss of a now man less crew can finish his speech, his head rolled down towards the ground with Shinku standing right behind him.

Shinku focused for a while, trying to detect any more enemies that might be lurking around him. Figures of a couple of beings appeared in his otherworldly sense however, they all appear to be simple creatures of the forest. Satisfied, Shinku sheathe his sword and then walked out of the forest.

The rain continued to fall heavily, cleansing the forest of the blood that flood the previous battlefield.

[Shinku Exits]