Chapter 649

Chapter 649

Since breaking ties with family and Empire, Hideo spent many a night dreaming about how he would confront his Mentor.

This was to be his crowning moment, a glorious instant in which he refuted everything Mitsue Juichi stood for and demonstrated the errors of his ways. The old fool would be struck speechless by Hideos eloquent exposition of all his sins, demoralized by the truth unveiled before his eyes, and shamed before all his countrymen and peers. Once he found his bearings, Juichi would react with predictable fury and indignation, cutting ties with Hideo for daring to speak the truth and dismissing sound logic for lies and slander. While few would care to admit it, everyone would know him for the buffoon he was. For the sake of face, nothing would change and they would still be at odds, but Hideo will have won the moral victory, having revealed his fathers hidden status and Juichis inexcusable and unreasonable behaviour for all to see, not to mention greatly wounding the pride of the once great Mitsue Juichi.

Reality was not so kind.

Grief and anguish. That was what Hideo found in Juichis worn, tired gaze, and it broke his heart. There were new wrinkles visible, ones that werent there when last they met, hidden beneath layers of makeup but evident to anyone with eyes. Mentor had lost weight too, and though one would still be hard pressed to call him thin, to Hideo, the change was startling to behold. The result of stress and worry no doubt, but from what? Losing Hideo and his father? Why would this affect Juichi so? Why did he offer to forgive Hideo? How could he do that? It wasnt right, Hideo had called him a fool and Juichi just stood there and nodded along, slapped himself and all but begged Hideo to forgive him. Why did he put aside his pride, his face, his dignity, and do that just for someone he so often disregarded?

Because he loves you dearly, and now he has lost you twice.

The realization was almost too much to bear as Hideo watched Juichi quietly sob from across the battlefield, a dejected old man being led away while others averted their eyes from his shame. All Hideo wanted to do was to run across the field and comfort him, to apologize to the man who used to bounce him on his knee and tell him how big and strong he would grow to be. This grief-stricken man was not the Mitsue Juichi Hideo knew and remembered, not the stern, confident Mentor who rarely offered praise or guidance. No, this was the man only his closest family ever saw, the kind, considerate, and doting elder who put family above all else, one whose heart had been broken here today. For all his flaws, one could not fault him for not loving his family, but rather the opposite, and until now, Hideo always thought he and his father were the black sheep of the bunch in Juichis eyes. They were what he wanted his sons and grandsons to be, overshadowing the children he loved most, a grave sin for which they were unjustly punished.

Yet now, Hideo was not so sure.

Fathers position as the Family Patriarch had been appointed by Juichi himself, and it was a point of contention within the family. For years, Hideo thought father was only given the job because every single one of Juichis sons had either already refused the job for themselves or failed so miserably even their doting Father couldnt do anything about it. Thus, this thankless position fell upon father, who took it up without argument, though a younger Hideo had wondered why he would accept such a stressful job. Always busy with one task or another, Father was rarely ever at home, and when he was, Hideos worthless, silk-pants uncles would inevitably come calling in search of a handout. Heavens forbid Hiroshi reject the request, for a visit from Juichi would always invariably follow, one in which he would scold the supposed family patriarch for being too stingy with the purse strings.

Fathers job was to handle all the work with none of the rewards, Hideos uncles, aunts, and cousins would whisper, for Juichi would never mistreat his own children by allowing a mere nephew to inherit his legacy. As for Father himself, he always waved such rumours off, though he also never bothered hiding his disdain for Juichis sons, though he was always careful not to let Hideo see them argue. Things got better after Juichi accepted Hideo as his Disciple, though why he could not say. Perhaps father had made some sort of arrangement, or perhaps Juichi had finally seen the writing on the wall and knew the family was doomed without Hiroshis support. Either way, Juichi and the rest of the family treated Hideo differently after he became Juichis Disciple, and though the old fool was quick to brag about his talented Disciple to anyone who cared to listen, Hideo himself had personally lost all his grand-uncles affections.

Untrue. Juichi simply finally learned from his mistakes, and didnt want to ruin your future as well, because he, much like your father, loves you more than words can ever explain.

Try as he might, Hideo could not forget the look of pain and dejection on his Grand-Uncles face when he all but confessed his sins, a sight which hurt him more than he cared to admit. Hed lost something today, something hed been too stupid to cherish and would never have again, the love and affection of one Mitsue Juichi. He knew now, he knew, as Hideo had all but confessed. Grand-Uncle absolutely adored Eri-Hime, whose family came over to visit every year during new years celebrations. The year before last, he even quietly encouraged her to keep pursuing Hideo and teased him by saying he would count himself lucky to still have her affections in a few years time, a remark everyone else had laughed at. Back then, hed taken it for good-natured teasing, but looking back on it now, it seemed like Juichi was taking it seriously and genuinely wanted Hideo and Eri-Hime to wed when she came of age.

Which would never happen, not even if a thousand years were to pass, because Hideo killed and ate her so many months ago.

Screaming in abject denial, the memories of that fateful day flooded through his mind once more, and try as he might, he could not get it to stop. There she was, slipping over the wall with a mischievous smile stretched across her rosy red cheeks. The sight of her incited both dread and desire, for hed been confined to this courtyard for so many weeks without anyone to talk to, but it was not talk which sprang to mind. He resisted, oh how he resisted, because annoying as it was to fend off the clumsy, amorous advances of a fifteen year old child, he still loved her like the younger sister hed never had. Why did he hold his tongue? There were guards watching the doors, guards she no doubt charmed with her sweet doe eyes and winning smile, guards who wouldve come rushing in if he called out about an intruder as he should have, but didnt. What could go wrong? He loved Eri-Hime and would ever hurt the sweet and lovable girl...

Those were thoughts flowing through his mind as he raced across the courtyard and lifted her into his arms. Oh how beautiful she looked in the light of the moon, with her hair done in loose buns and her dress dishevelled from climbing over the courtyard wall. The way her eyes lit up upon meeting his ignited his passions, her joy tinged by just the right amount of fear and anxiety. As he held her close and pressed his face into her chest, he drank in the scent of her body and savoured the sound of her laughter, laughter which went unheard by the guards outside thanks to the Sound Barrier hed erected.The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))

And so too did her screams escape their notice as his teeth drove deep into her shoulder, only to come away with a mouthful of flesh.

Alone and isolated in their own little world, Hideo and Eri-Hime spent a lifetime together in that courtyard, a lifetime which lasted only a single, fleeting night, a night he relived time and time again since. The sweet taste of her flesh, the vivid hue of her blood, the palpable terror showing in her tear-stained eyes. Even now, he was unsure if the memory horrified or tantalized, and that first bite had only been the beginning, the beginning of Hideos march into damnation. No, more like a headlong sprint, for he enjoyed every moment of it, and even made sure Eri-Hime survived most of the night. Had Father come to visit only an hour earlier, he might have still saved her, but Hideo knew their time was coming to an end and finished up in time. Only her pretty little head remained to greet Hiroshis arrival, siting neatly in Hideos lap as the sun cast away the shadows and revealed her expression twisted in terror.

He was a monster, scum of the lowest order, a damned soul who deserved worse than death.

Balance! The Sending snapped him out of his thoughts and he found himself back upon the battlefield, the skies darkening overhead as dragons and titans traded blows. Standing firm before Hideo like an immovable bulwark, Monk Eyebrows fended off Colonel General Shuai Jiao with only one hand, yet still had attention to spare for Hideo. The Razors Edge, Junior Brother. The Razors Edge. Your pain and suffering, misery and despair, embrace it without giving in, lest you lose yourself to it.

Standing at arms length from one another, the monk and Colonel General didnt trade blows in the traditional sense, but rather pushed and pulled at one another with little to no effect. Their arms almost never separated, and when they did, it was only for the briefest of moments as they tugged and grappled in a dizzying back and forth flow. Only after careful inspection and review did Hideo notice all the subtle intricacies of their exchange, a game of centimetres in deadly execution. Catching the monks sleeve with a single finger, Shuai Jiao pulled hard to break his balance, but Monk Eyebrow angled his elbow up to counter his opponents newfound leverage. At the same time, he rotated his wrist to try and grab hold of Shuai Jiaos forearm, but the sombre Colonel General twisted his torso and wrenched his arm away, only to come at Monk Eyebrows from a different angle.

But only with one hand. Why? To match the monk? No, not quite. Monk Eyebrows had his free hand held up in silent prayer, but Shuai Jiaos was pointed downwards, his thumb and forefinger forming a circle and the other three fingers curled into a fist. A mudra, a hand-sign of the Brotherhood, one Hideo understood as intent to argue with possible conflict. Dull and dreary as his unremarkable appearance, the bald Colonel General intoned, What business does a man of the cloth have with an army of the damned? Such ignorance, such sin.

Eh-Mi-Tuo-Fuo. Shaking his head while still trading blows, Monk Eyebrows replied, Ironic, to hear the oblivious preach of ignorance. The damned, you say? Are the Defiled not human in your eyes? Are they not worthy of redemption? There is no sinner too far gone to be saved, no criminal who cannot be reformed, only those who lack proper guidance or intention.

Any who seek redemption are deserving of such, and though this one is merely a humble initiate, he knows enough to see the foul company you keep has no such desire to atone for their sins. Meeting Hideos eyes in mid-battle, Shuai Jiao pursed his lips and added, Or perhaps this one spoke too quickly. What say you, Mitsue Hideo? Do you repent and seek redemption? Your life is forfeit, but your soul need not follow.

Hideo didnt know how to respond, but Monk Eyebrows answered for him. Redemption? What for? Being human with human failings? Your argument falters at the first step, initiate, in that you lack the Right View. We are as the Heavens made us, yet you would have Hideo killed for succumbing to base desire. Blinded by lies and guided by fools, how was he to know better? You would damn the wolf for hunting the lamb, a preposterous notion by any measure.

Is he a wolf then? Shuai Jiao asked, cocking his head with a smug smile. Or is he human? If the former, then should he not be put down, lest he devour the humble farmers entire flock? If he is human, should he not repent for his crimes? Crimes so grave even he does not dare to speak them out loud?

Which was he then? Human or wolf? Chosen or Defiled? Desperate for an answer, Hideo watched and waited with bated breath, but Monk Eyebrows had no response, ceding the verbal spar in favour of Shuai Jiao. Grabbing a hold of the monk lapel, the Colonel General stepped in to throw his foe, but was driven back through sheer muscle, the gangly monk far stronger than it would seem. Seeing blood dribble down Shuai Jiaos chin as he stumbled back, Hideo reviewed what he saw and couldnt identify Monk Eyebrows attack.

The shove was no shove, but a strike, one which travelled only a single centimetre at most, yet still carried enough force to kill a lesser man.

Might makes right. This was the strength of the Brotherhood, the strength which comes from following the Noble Eight-Fold Path.

Wrong. The Noble Eight-Fold Path is not about strength, but purpose and intent. What is your purpose? What is your intent? To seek strength? Why? Why do you seek strength?

Shut up. Shut up. Shut up! Roaring at the voices in his head, Hideo shut his eyes and tried his best to quiet them, but the echoes remained, and he could do naught but question his purpose. Why did he kill Eri-Hime? Why did he lead his father to death? Why did he hate Grand-Uncle Juichi so? Father was the family Patriarch, and everyone said it was a toothless title, placing weak Mitsue Hiroshi into the public eye so that the familys enemies would have a target to focus on, but Hideo knew better, didnt he? His father was a Peak Expert, and a powerful one at that, easily the match of many storied heroes fighting on this very field of battle. Only a dozen or so were definitively stronger, and perhaps another thirty who might match him, but the rest were obviously weaker. So what did this mean? It meant Hiroshis hidden strength was meant to bait out hidden enemies, and that if Juichi were to suddenly pass, friends and foes would reveal their true selves. It was a trap, and a devious one at that, for father was certainly strong enough to keep the Mitsue Family together, even if they had to sacrifice material gains to preserve it.

It meant Juichi had picked Hiroshi as his true heir and successor, the man who would carry on the Mitsue family legacy. Remember what Watanabe said? Father treated you like his own son, taught you everything you know and put you in charge of the family, and this is how you repay him? Hiroshi was only his nephew, but Juichi loved all his family. Especially you, the second coming of the Obsidian Shadow, his own kin who followed in his footsteps. You know how that would have appealed to his ego, but he warned you against following in his footsteps because he could not find the way forward, and wanted you free to find your own path.

Why do you desire strength, Mitsue Hideo? Better to seek forgiveness. Open your eyes and see the truth youve worked so hard to deny.

Peering out from between his fingers, Hideo forced himself to look out into the world, but his gaze did not turn towards the Imperial lines. Instead, he cast it over his allies, the Chosen of Heaven and the Defiled tribesmen at his back, and what he saw set him to screaming in abject denial. The skies were thick with ghastly apparitions, ones which grew more substantial with each passing second. Their shadowy forms took shape before Hideos eyes, all ugly and misshapen in their fiendish glory, yet still vaguely recognizable despite their diabolic features. It was their expressions which he found most chilling of all, so shockingly human despite their inhuman features, all full of rage, hatred, craving, and desire. Here they gathered, these hellish phantoms of nightmare, whispering sweet lies into the ears of any and all who cared to listen, urging their unwitting victims to commit violence and bloodshed and feeding on the misery and suffering which emerged soon after. The source mattered not to these foul Spectres, for they fed on victim and accomplice alike, rending off metaphysical pieces from both and becoming all the stronger for it.

These were the Fathers minions most foul, here to devour all that the Mother hath wrought. If they should succeed, then all of Creation would be torn asunder and reduced to nothingness. Once their goal was accomplished, there was no doubt in Hideos mind that these Spectres would then turn upon themselves, for there was no sating their endless hunger. Then, and only then, would the Fathers victory be complete, for death and anguish were merely tools used in pursuit of his ultimate goal, that of complete and utter nihility.

A peal of thunder drowned out his screams as the dark skies unleashed their fury overhead, and the Spectres fled before its coming. Alas, even the cool, cleansing rain falling down from above could not wash away Hideos heinous sins, a burden he would carry forevermore. Shuai Jiao was right; Monk Eyebrows kept company with the damned, and Hideo belonged right there with them. This was too much. He couldnt keep going on, but the Heavens were not so kind as to allow him to die or surrender. Carried away in Monk Eyebrows arms, he didnt understand why they were fleeing from battle, nor did he have it in him to care, for all he could think about was how hed just lost his only chance to reconcile with his family and would never know their love again.

A raindrop trickled down his cheek, and Hideo heard a voice whisper of courage and redemption, but he did not care to listen. His will collapsing upon itself, he closed his eyes and wept, yearning to go running into his grand-uncles arms, but too afraid to dare risk it.

Chapter Meme