The cool winds of the Haru night whispered through the crevices of the Sachio estate.
The dancing sparks of the refined blade flickered out into the desolated darkness.
Each pass of the whetstone casted a glimmer of light before fading into the distance.
It was the rebirth of a new age—the Tashio period had just begun—yet still, the Sachio clan refused to bend to the present era.
Their lineage had fought demons for centuries, a clash passed down to those with the misfortune of encountering one of the demonic beasts.
Even on such a desolate night, Mr. Sachio still earnestly sharpened his blade.
The open-floor shed was wreathed in cold air and sweat, which seeped off the withered old man.
"Master Sachio, A boy has collapse in front of the gates!"
A young woman no older then Thirteen said incessantly well running into the shed.
Her thin white Jinbeu was covered in dirt from the knee down, as if she had stumbled on her way to the master.
"Mano, was he wounded by a demon or a beast of the land."
Master Sachio said well quickly sheathing his sword and running off.
His weathered body a façade from his true nimble nature.
"Possibly a demon, master."
"Wake the others at once, make sure they know the severity of the situation at hand!"
"Yes, master!"
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Moments earlier…
I need to get away! What is that abomination? Tatsuki thought to himself while limping through the forest.
His right hand struggled to hold his shoulder blade together, crimson liquid pouring down his gray haori.
Each sway of the leaves in the great forest felt like an eternity—each second, a torturous scene.
Exhausted, Tatsuki did the only thing he could think of in that moment: he kept running forward.
Looking for something—anything—he could cling to for hope.
At that moment, he just needed to see something other than the wretched trees swaying rhythmically in the moonlight.
He could hear it behind him.
The dreaded sound of crunching twigs beneath a heavy force—a force greater than him.
He refused to look back. He knew if he did, he'd be too scared to keep moving.
That thing was a mockery of humanity. Its clothes were human, and perhaps its body once was too.
But its eyes—those eyes were demonic.
Jaded pupils gleaming in the dark, reflecting off its beastly claws.
But as Tatsuki was about to give in and crumble to the dirt, he saw a flicker of light in the darkness.
Maybe it was just a false light, but still, that was all he had.
So he kept running, the sounds of labored breathing overtaking his own heartbeat.
He couldn't even hear the thing chasing him anymore—he was too focused on the light in front of him.
It was a gateway!
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Less then a minute had passed before Master Sachio was at the helm of the estate
With lightning speed and precision he surveyed the area, it was a serene entrance into the estate.
The estate was in a small clearing that separated the forest from the home stead, keeping The outside world from coming in.
The gate was more a ancient monument that was for decor then protection, its walls were heavily covered in protective papers.
Though the serenity of such a place was broken, as a boy layed limp at its grand opening.
But Master Sachio was unbothered by this site, his ears keenly aware of the approaching predator behind the boy.
In a animalistic manner a demon appeared from the foliage covering, its green reptilian eyes locked on the fallen boy.
But without a wasted breath or movement Sachio was already in motion.
Sixth Form-Rumble and Flash!
In a blur, Sachio darted forward at the demon, the sound of thunder crackling on his tongue.
In a flurry of rapid, precise blows, yellow sparks flew off as the demonic creature was torn to shreds.
The only remnant of the wretched soul was a small rugged piece of cloth that fluttered down onto the master's brown kimono.
Master Sachio let out a heavy gasp before resheathing his pristinely sharp Nichirin blade, the demon's blood already dissipating from its yellow edge.
For a mere moment, the darkened ground had been turned into a beacon of flashing light, the grass still singeing at its tips.
"Master, are you alright?" asked a deep-voiced boy who towered over the elder, his blade already unsheathed, concern etched across his face.
Behind him stood a crowd of four other youths of various ages and sizes, their blades hastily drawn.
"Yes, Ushi. You may return to your quarters," Sachio said calmly, his blade clicking into its sheath.
"That is nonsense, Master! You were just fighting! We must check for mor—"
"I said return to your quarters at once," Sachio said sternly, his voice cutting off the young man.
With a reluctant wave from Ushi, the rest of the youths hesitantly sheathed their blades.
"But what about the boy?" Mano asked, peeking around Ushi's massive frame.
"I will deal with him. I expect this minor interruption not to impede tomorrow's training. Understood?"
"Yes, Master!" all the youths said, bowing respectfully.
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Hours passed as the injured Tatsuki was methodically bandaged and cared for by the elderly man.
His body lay parallel on a tatami mat in a side room, well-ventilated with air streaming through.
Tatsuki awoke in a dazed panic, his body instinctively trying to stand—only to be stopped by a sharp, stabbing pain in his shoulder.
Where is that creature? Has it brought me here? No… it would've killed me by now if that were the case.
As Tatsuki struggled to comprehend his situation, he noticed an elderly man standing vigilantly in the corner.
The man stood like a terracotta statue, his bronze eyes—slightly dulled with age— stared keenly at the boy.
His face held only a neutral expression, which made Tatsuki feel eerily uneasy.
"Why did you save me?" Tatsuki asked dully, his gaze falling to his injured body.
"A family oath, greater than myself."
"An oath?"
"One you couldn't even begin to comprehend, boy."
"Well… I won't interfere."
"Just tell me one thing," Tatsuki said hesitantly, his dull, somber tone slightly cracking.
"What was that abomination?"
"A creature of adulterated evil," the elderly man replied, a momentary hint of disdain flashing across his lips.
"A demon."
"Where did you come from, boy?" Sachio asked calmly, his stoic voice calmed.
"I don't…"
At that response, the elderly man's expression softened slightly, and he let out a quiet chuckle.
"A hiyatoi, I presume?"
Tatsuki nodded slightly, his body still tense, as if ready to run at a moment's notice.
"What's your age, boy?"
Tatsuki paused for a moment, thinking before answering.
"Fifteen."
"Quite young for a day laborer," Sachio remarked, leaning against the thin wall of the room.
"What were you doing out here, boy?"
"I was a newly hired porter for a merchant. Of the group, I was the only one to flee successfully."
"Well, boy, I'll give you two options," Sachio said, walking toward him.
"In three months' time, once your injuries have healed, I can have someone escort you back to a small fishing village two days out."
"Or, I am willing to take you in as a student at my compound—if you have the willingness."
Tatsuki paused, then slowly opened his mouth, hesitantly choosing his words.
"May I have some time to think over my options?"
"I'll give you one week. If you haven't decided by then, you'll be escorted back to town. Understood?"
"Yes, sir."
"Rest up for now. I'll have one of my protégés bring you food shortly."
With that, the elderly man methodically walked out of the room, slowly sliding the large shoji door shut behind him.
With a heavy exhale, Tatsuki slowly laid his back down onto the hard mat, carefully avoiding putting pressure on his shoulder.
His messy, untamed black hair hung loosely in front of his face as he slowly swept it aside, relief finally washing over him.
I can't allow myself to be caught by that man. If he finds out my story was false, I could be arrested—or worse…
Tatsuki shuddered to himself, thinking of the power that elderly man must've been hiding to defeat a monster like that.
Demons? That man must be delusional. We've left those myths far behind us.
But… what else could explain that— that thing…?
I can't think about that right now. I don't have the time.
I need to use this time to recover—to think through the cover story I've created for myself.
Damn this accursed world. Why am I always despised by the gods?
"May I come in?" a soothing young woman's voice came through the shoji.
"Yes, you may," Tatsuki replied calmly, suppressing his childish outburst.
With that reply, the same young woman who had found him the night before stepped inside, holding a small ceramic bowl of soup.
"Nice to make your acquaintance. My name is Mano," the young girl said, politely bowing, her bright blue eyes lighting up with a smile.
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"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
John 3:16