Monster in Flesh

Part 1

Power had birthed a son. With eyes like the northern star. Born a Champion. The only pure-born human Champion after his grandfather, Kapia the Yellow Shark. Who raised the boy into a machine of war as was his duty, and through the years taught him the ways of the knight before his sacrifice. Standing before the blaze, as a shield. The man, standing over the smouldering ash that was his benefactor.

The wooden blade broke the head of the thatch figure. Ginga stared at the head, sword still in the air, the cut just done. His tanned body shone in the sweltering sun. His work streamed down his body. And yet he remained still. His feet planted firmly in the grass.

In his mind the body of Kapia, turning from flesh to ash.

Ginga inhaled deep and with a shout swung his blade in the other direction hitting the dummy's wooden chest. His cry and the echo of wood-to-wood rang across the bright glade. He stood aright and jammed his blade into the ground.

The warrior picked up the fallen head and attached it back,

bowing before the dummy after.

He was done for the morning.

Removing his robes, he walked into the pool and sat inside, pensively staring at the sky that reflected into his eyes. He doused his head into the cool water.

And leaned himself against the edge.

Then shut his eyes.

Part 2

Five moments later, a bell woke him up and he burst from the pool, rushing into the home nearby, nabbing his robes, putting them on as he ran into the building.

And he stood before his master in his wooden room.

Robed in tropical garb, with a wizened face and tidy hair. Seated on a pedestal, the master opened a scroll.

"Ginga. You are wet," his master remarked. Staring at his student's wet collar.

"I-I had rested, master," Ginga replied.

"I can tell. Put on your haori," the master said, looking at his student's wet hair.

"Which one?" asked Ginga.

"Onichika," the master replied.

"Where?"

"Umeshino, Oshinori. Daimyo Rokuna of the Northern Council has requested our help. We set off in one hour."

But with what felt like the click of a finger, before he could move, a blade had found itself pointed at Ginga's neck.

His eyes lowered to the point. He froze in place.

"...And I will tell you for the final time. Tie it back when you enter into my court. This will be the last time I correct you on this matter," said the master, looking into his student's eyes.

Ginga, his eyes fixed on the blade, nodded his head in affirmation. "Yes, master."

He lowered his head and left the room, ducking beneath the frame, sliding the door shut behind him.

Part 3

Master and student had set off with their horses and their supplies. Through emerald steppes, peaceful desert sands, up Hercynian cliffs, finally reaching the red garrison of Oshinori, let in through the gates by the guards that bowed before the master in welcome.

And sat Rokuna upon the throne. A flamboyant youth in pink and silver, seated in seiza by a table prepared with food.

"Sit, my friend," Rokuna said, gesturing to the table. "There is much to discuss."

They both sat down. The master looked around the room, with a stone face and a slight frown. His look of disappointment.

"Long time no see, Nenji," said Rokuna.

The master turned to Rokuna. "Likewise."

"What do you think...?" asked Rokuna, stuffing rice into his mouth.

"Frivolous," replied the master, picking up a pickle.

"Frivolous?... I assumed you would like the new fusuma I installed. Your grandfather. Do you not like him?" Rokuna asked, reaching for a tofu.

"Master has never been a fan of imagery," Ginga responded, taking a pickle, looking up at Rokuna.

"And yet he wears it," said Rokuna looking at Ginga, chuckling, pointing at Nenji's tropical haori with his chopsticks.

"There is none on this. It is only coloured so," Nenji replied.

"But it represents otherwise," said Rokuna, taking a piece of fish.

"I wear this solely to honour," said Nenji, before drinking the bowl of soup.

"Honour? Honour who?" asked Rokuna.

"Aniki," Nenji responded, reaching for a second soup bowl.

"Oh, Harunaga? I remember... the Nodachi man. We go way back. Early Azuchi period. I had met you both when I was a boy. You...I remember your face," said Rokuna, jumping into imitation of Nenji's stone visage before bursting into laughter. He then ate a noodle.

"The older samurai poked at his blade, calling it useless. Too long and unworthy of combat unlike the yari. And then he swung the blade like a child with a stick amazing us all that day. I can recall it crystal clear with vivid clarity. He killed that beast so effortlessly."

"And what of our reasons?" asked Nenji.

"Come again?" said Rokuna.

"Master would like to hear the details of our mission. What we are here for," Ginga answered, putting down his chopstick and bowl.

"Ah...that," began Rokuna, wiping his face.

He put the cloth down and placed his hands on his thighs, looking straight at the two.

The two men also put their cloths and sat like Rokuna.

"I have called you in particular, Nenji, for two main reasons. Your student's expertise and my desire to see you.

I had heard of you living in Sakai, but had only known of your residence from an eunuch of mine on errands near the rural area. He has a proficiency in...finding people. Do not ask how or why.

I wished to see the brother of my mentor, once again. After all, it has been a decade since we last met.

The other lords bothered not to face the blue-skinned Oni that plagues the north of my lands. It came from the trees and slaughtered the whole northern village of Yojiki. My soldiers had been afflicted with a cowardice of sorts and no matter what I spoke, they ignored and hid away. I needed help.

I had heard of your student and his abilities. The Moon-Eyed Man, The Beautiful Beast, Monster in Flesh, Comet of Steel, the Rain-Sword. A warrior of many names. A man who has taken the heads of beasts like this for a living. And to see him, as a student of yours....amuses me strangely.

Listen, I will pay you whatever you ask. All I want is the head of that demon and his weapon. Nothing more."

"I know this demon Rokuna," said Nenji. "And that is why I have returned."

"You...know of it?"

"I had forgotten about it until your letter, but my memory has been revived."

"Revived? Was it the one that-"

"Yes. The one that took Aniki."

"Are you sure it was that particular one? I mean...it had six red eyes, white hair and um..."

"Curved teeth. Yes, Rokuna, that is the one. I remember it vividly. It had a name. A name I regret forgetting. Guretsu. Named after the man who discovered it and died soon after."

"Guretsu, eh? Speaking of the absurd, from where did you get that haori, Ginga?" Rokuna asked, turning to Ginga.

Ginga looked down at his robe, pointing at it. "This?"

"I had it tailored by my master himself as a gift of sorts. I will leave it at that," Ginga replied, maintaining eye contact with Rokuna.

Rokuna turned to Nenji, his eyes beaming, like an excited child, at the older master who held up his rigid face of disapproval.

"You made that?" Rokuna asked, pointing at Ginga's haori.

"I am a man of many talents, Rokuna," Nenji replied.

"I like the red and blue. It complements his white hair. An interesting choice if I may say so myself," said Rokuna.

"You still...have not changed," remarked Nenji, looking at Rokuna. Who burst into laughter after he said that.

"Would I be who I am if I did?" said Rokuna.

"I guess not," Nenji responded.

Rokuna took out a scroll from his robe and handed it to Nenji.

"That is a map of the land. A very detailed one. And one I would like returned to me in one piece."

"Why give us this one then?" asked Nenji.

"It has secret tunnels, cave routes and detailed mappings of the land that the traditional maps do not. Also including the armoury I have. The knowledge could help in your fight against the beast."

"This-This is the king's personal map. You should not give this to me. You realise I must also pass through the walls of Umeshino before I can get to Yojiki. I would be questioned extensively if seen with this in my hand," said Nenji.

"Just say the name of your Aniki and you should be fine."

"Aniki?"

"Yes. I, um, had the code word as the name of your brother. Just say that to them and they will know you are sent here by me and will let you through. They understand everything. I informed them of your arrival. I had the city closed for entry and exit as soon as you both entered. So the guards know that only the two of you are allowed through."

"Very well, Rokuna. We will waste no time," said Nenji.

"Thank you for the meal," said Ginga, bowing his head to the daimyo.

"For you, anytime. Please come again," said Rokuna. "I am sure the next time we meet, I will most definitely show you more of this place. It has a...life of its own. If I can describe it briefly."

Both Nenji and Ginga rose from the floor and bowed once more.

"Farewell Rokuna," said Nenji.

"May you return alive and honored. Nenji Sakura, Uncle of Mine and Sword of Sakai.

Ginga Korome. Festival of Obedient Chaos, Last Laugh of the Broken, Moon-Eyed One, Comet of Hardened Steel, Rain-Sword, Monster in Flesh, Inevitable Slayer of Guretsu, Student of Sakai. May you also return alive and honored," replied Rokuna.

And the two men stood again, aright and ready.

Part 4

Nenji and Ginga were escorted to the rear gate of Umeshino by a fleet of guards in red.

The ten guards at the garrison looked up in awe at the white-haired Ginga.

"Do not waste your attention. We are only here for a moment. Rokuna told you about us," said Nenji.

"Harunaga," said Ginga.

One guard, raising a brow, patted the shoulder of his comrade.

"Open the gate. He said the word," the guard said.

His comrade looked back confused. "What word?"

"The code word," said the guard, smacking the back of his comrade's head. "You fool."

"Aggh, what was that for? I know the word. I was only joking," said the comrade, with a hand on his head.

"Idiot," muttered the guard, before turning to the other guards.

"Open the gate," he commanded.

And in an instant, the rest of the guards rushed to the gate, pulling it open.

Nenji and Ginga stood for a moment, looked out at the light beyond the gate, adjusting their sheaths.

"Good luck to you both. I pray for your success," the guard said.

Ginga exhaled a deep sigh, and Nenji stepped first out of the gate.

"We will leave a prayer for you also," said Nenji as he left.

Part 5

The two men were now close to the village of Yokiji, on the fog-ridden, forested path near the area.

"Look around you, Ginga. You are walking within life itself," said Nenji.

"I do not follow, Master," Ginga replied.

"This. This is life. You had asked me when we first met? What is life? On my door you were laid like a beaten beggar. And you looked up to the sky, asking me. What is life? What is the point of it all?"

"I had lost everything back then. It was as if I had been destined to suffer. One calamity after another. No peace since the loss of my father."

"And you have grown now. And I ask you now. Looking around you...at this forest. Do you understand this lesson?"

Ginga looked around at the blackened trees, at the thick fog and then returning his gaze to his master.

"I-I do not."

"Life is what we are embarking on at this very moment. Wandering through pathways, we think we understand.

This forest. How can you be so sure that the Oni has not escaped into this place? How can you be so sure that the Oni will remain in the village? What if it attacks us at this very moment? When we least expect it?

I ask that of your goals also. How can you be so sure that your desired outcome will happen? That you will slay the Oni?

What if it has magic? What if it is immortal? What if it is a being of order? What if it is death itself, just waiting to claim your soul in the final battle of the ages? What if you lose...and die?

How can you be sure that the Oni has not fled somewhere else? What makes you believe that the Oni will be here?

Do not dream, do not plan...blindly with no steps. Always prepare for the worst, and for the best. You will never know everything. You are a monster hunter. And most importantly...you are human. Do not forget that."

"But to imagine every scenario, every possible outcome. Would that not fall into overthinking, Master?"

"Experienced hunters can do this quicker than a flash of light. They have events played out within their minds long before they have even set out for the kill. This is because of their experiences. At first, it may seem overwhelming. Having a lot on your mind. Especially within a hungry mind like yours. It may weigh a bit, but over time, your mind strengthens itself to handle the load. It is like training. Life itself is training for the soul. Your experiences help define you as a character. You are the way you are, because of what you have done. Your actions have decided upon your character. It is very difficult to separate the mind from the actions it does. And I see no point in it. Why pretend when you can be? You, Ginga,...are a predator. A hunter. Your actions have shown you to be such. Why oppose them?"

"So does that define me as a hunter? What if I wish to change someday?"

"Oh, when that peace comes, your actions will soon make you a peaceful man. Many ask, how do I change? How do I improve? It begins as a dream, a dream that nurtures the plan, the plan that charts the journey, the journey that makes the man. You wish to find peace. Help people first. Peace comes from kindness."

"But that is for another time."

"Exactly. Now you are a hunter. That is what this world demands from you as of this very moment. It requires a monster. A man that is a monster. A monster to kill a monster. To fight fire with fire. There is no wrong in this. For it is the only option available."

"Itadakimasu," Ginga muttered through gritted teeth in a smile, his eyes glowing bright.

"Good. That is what we need. It is time to eat, Ginga. Time to kill," said the master.

"Yes, master."

And the two walked further into the fog.