Wednesday, January 18, 2006

A revised Edition of my story
Chapter 1: Scene 1 - The Wanderer's Path

[Opening Scene: It’s Midday. Blue skies. High sun. The area is filled with hills covered in high green grass surrounded by mountains. A long wide dirt road is set in the hills, going straight into a mountain pass. Through this pass goes to a city that sits on what was a bare mass of rock. It’s a huge city with towering buildings and a large palace visible in the higher reaches of the mountains. Walking this pass is a figure wrapped in the robes of a priest, his arms folded and the right arm pushed under the long wide sleeve of the other. He wears a straw hat upon his head and a silk scarf around his face. His dark gray eyes are the only visible thing, but only barely under the straw hat. He also wears a necklace of beads and wooden figures around his neck with a large steel circlet at its bottom. He finally makes it to the door of silver and gold, standing about 20' high and 15' wide. Closed, it bore men who resemble nothing of guards, but more like thugs, with clothes worn by martial artist. Their clothes are black, a visible symbol of a red dragon on their chest, and carried Katanas on their sashes. One of them, presumed the leader, stepped forward. He had short ragged black hair and eyes of trickery. A grin placid on his face like he had won something special. Stopping, the wanderer stares at the man. ]

Thug: ((Looking the man up and down)) "Well, looky here. Where you heading, stranger?"

Wanderer: "No where in particular. I am just a humble priest who walks around aimlessly to preach peace of mind and of happiness."

Thug: ((A look of surprise jumps in the man's face.)) "Heh. Well isn't that interesting. Pointless. But interesting. Well, this city is Kin Kon Kitsu. If you wish to preach your madness, go on ahead."

[Believing that to be his passage in, the wanderer bows and begins to head towards the gate, only to be stopped by an outstretched arm of the thug.]

Thug: ((Laughing)) "You can't enter yet priest. First you got to pay the entrance fee into the city. Which is, by the way, every piece of gold you have on you. So pay up or suffer the consequences, stranger."

Wanderer: ((Looks at the man with cold, hard eyes)) "So... your saying that if I don't pay, I can not enter the city, nor turn around and walk away? That, if I refuse, I die? Correct?"

Thug: ((Laughing again)) "I see you get the point. We really don't care who you are, but if you want to enter this city of hell, then we won’t stop you. But, we just can't let you get away to tell others about this place. That could create all sorts of problems for us. So, make your choice."

[Nodding to the thug, he removes his hands from under the sleeves and reaches into his robes. Retrieving a large bag of gold pieces, he hands it to the man, who thanks him and ties it to his belt. Giving a signal to open the gates, he stands back and bows to the wanderer. Slowly, the gates open and the wanderer steps inside. Just as the gates are closing though, a flash of light cuts through the air and the bag of coins flies through the gates and into the hand of the wanderer, a piece of thin wire, barely visible in the light of the sun, attached to it. He replaces the bag and continues walking. ]

[At the entrance of the city, there are three directions he can go. Straight, right, and left. They all seem to be the same. Building, most likely houses and shops, follow down each path, empty from people and sound. Everywhere seemingly deserted. It would only be by surprise that he sees someone of life, a small group heading towards him. Unlike the people outside though, they are dressed in kimonos, with green shirts and lavender skirts. On there center breast, there is a symbol of a snake covered in a jade color sparkle. They carry Katanas and Scis on their belts. Also, their faces are covered by shawls and their black hair pulled back in ponytails. All are female.]

Female 1: ((Spotting the man, she stops and points at him)) "You! Stop where you are!"

[The wanderer stopped just as she commanded and waited as they approached.]

Female 1: "Why are you walking the streets and not at the factory?"

Wanderer: ((Bowing)) "Please forgive me, but I have just arrived her into the city. I know nothing of this factory nor the rules you set about. I am just a simple preacher of peace in the mind and happiness."

Female 2: ((Laughing)) "Do you hear this man, sisters? He comes here to THIS city to preach PEACE and HAPPINESS. What a fool! There is no peace or happiness here, not for the likes of you and the commoners that live about. Here, this is all you will find."

[Walking up to the man, the second female speaker tears off the straw hat from the wanderer's head and allows the flourishing silky steel gray hair to fall from his scalp and over his face. Laughing even more, she backhands him, sending him backwards to the ground. Standing over him, she puts her foot on his chest, pinning him to the ground. Through all of this, he makes not one sound of pain or retaliation, just staring through his hair up to the sky, as though dazed in his own world, to ignore the abusive woman.]

Female 2: ((Laughing, she throws the hat upon him)) "This man is pathetic. Coming here to preach his peace and happiness, eh? All that will get you here is more of this Priest. Anyways, I am done playing with you. Maybe next time, if you’re alive, I might continue our little engagement. Hahaha!"

[With that finished, the group continued walking towards the gate, now ignoring the wanderer. Standing up, he pulls his hair back and tears the scarf from his face, blood seeping from the wound she placed upon his lip. Swiping it away, he could not help but notice a prying eye from behind a barely opened shutter, staring at him. Shaking his head, his hand touched the scar that ran down his left cheek, dark and red that never really healed. It brought about a moment where he sat in a glazed gaze, a memory sapping back into his mind. Finally, he replaced the scarf still stained with blood and returns to his journey.]

[The wonderer goes only a little more ways down the street before suddenly he hears the screams of a woman and children. Showing a sign of concern in his eyes, he races off to where the sound came from. As he approaches one of the buildings, he sees two figures standing outside its door. They were large, bulking men who stood high above anyone he had every seen, dressed in black gi with hoods over their heads, faces hidden in the darkness, muscles bulging through the fabric. On there chest was a symbol of a blue bull’s head. Inside, screams could be heard and it was not a moment later that two small children and an older woman was thrown out onto the street. Following them was two beaten men, dressed in the clothes of a magistrate. Walking out behind them all was another large bull man, holding a large wicked Katana in his hand. Gesturing to the other two giants, they walked over to the magistrate and lifted them off the ground and forced them to bow forward. Raising the Katana, the bull man swiped down over their necks and decapitated them. More screams came from the woman and children, backing away from the men. Turning on the woman and children, the sword bearing giant lifted his weapon and began to walk towards them.
In the moments the Sword bearer closed in on the terrified victims, The wanderer dashed in front of him, staring with great intent on him]

Wanderer: [ Bowing ] "Please sir, leave them be. There is no reason to kill innocents."

Giant 1: [Keeping the sword high] "Move! This has nothing to do with you. These people are traitors, deceivers to this great city. Death is there only call."

Wanderer: [Shaking his head] "I am sorry, I can't let you do that."

[Growling the Giant grunts to the others, who step forward and comes in front of the wanderer. One slugs him into the stomach and the other elbows him in the back, sending him onto the ground. Woman and children scream. They then kick him into the wall of the building and bows to the sword bearer, letting him through. Walking forward once more, he stands just above the cowering victims, a stare of death in his face.]

[Standing up, the wanderer dashes at the sword bearer, sliding under the falling blade and using the fan he removed from his robes to strike his arm away. Forcing the giant to miss, the wanderer jumps up with ease and strikes a knee to the giant’s face, knocking him backwards.]

Wanderer: [In a fighting stance] "Get out of here! Run and do not turn back!"

[Thanking him, the woman and children run away.]

Giant 1: [screaming heavily, a cold and deadly face of darkness covers him.] "How dare you! We were going to spare you, but if you wish to be a traitor, then a traitor you be. Yeah!"
[The giant slashed his sword down at the Wanderer intending to split him in two. The wanderer, finding the opening, rushed the Sword bearer and spun around to send an elbow into his chest. Slamming into the Giant's center, the wanderer quickly lifted his leg and brought it backwards, slamming it onto the giant's knee. Falling to that knee, the giant was now kneeling, his other leg holding support. The wanderer then used that support like a stair to bring himself up above the giant’s head where he didn’t need to jump to strike his opponent. With his bandage hands, he began to punch the giant with exuberant force, blood now flying from the wanderer’s hands as each strike went under the hood and into the sword bearer's face. Finally, he stops his barrage of attacks, steps down from the Giant's leg, and walks around his body to face the other two. Blood dripped from his bandaged hands.]

[Kicking the beaten Giant in the back, his lifeless body fell forward and hit the ground with a thud. Pools of blood forming on the spot. ]

[The other two, seeing this act, began to howl into the air like wild beast and the flush of red formed on the visible bare flesh. With the blood pumping hotly, they both charged in madden anger at the wanderer. ]

[ Taking no time, the wanderer saw from his peripheral a table with a cup of chop sticks sitting on top of it. Running to the table, he grabs the chop sticks and turns around just in time to dodge the Giant 2’s Fist. Grabbing his arm, he ducked under it and went to the outside, taking a two chopsticks and stabbing them on both sides of Giant 2's elbow. With the elbow locked in place, he ducks back under the arm just in time to dodge Giant 3's leg, grabbing the leg and pulling it around Giant 2's waist and placing two chop sticks into Giant 3's knee. Sliding under Giant 2's legs, he places two more chop sticks into his lower spinal cord and paralyzes him, then pushing him over where he slammed his face into the table, forcing his nose to shove into his brain. Giant 3 fell with him, forcing the chop sticks to shove and shatter his knee from the force and weight of Giant 2's body. Taking the last two chop sticks, the wanderer then finish's Giant 3 by severing his spinal cord from his brain, killing him instantly.]

[Pulling up his sleeve, the wanderer began to unravel the bandages on his left arm. Slowly the flesh became visible and the many scars that bare his flesh. Gruesome, deep, unhealed and scabbed from the decade of mutilation. Taking out a small tanto from inside his kimono, he began to carve into his body three new marks, each one for each man he killed that day. Then, forever more he would remember that battle whenever he touched his wound.]

[Watching from the shadows, a figure barely outlined by the rays of light slightly touching the darkness turns and walks away, a laughter following in his footsteps.]



Chapter 1: Scene 2 - Bloody Dreams

[Elsewhere in the southeast district of Kin Kon Kitsu, two people enter one of the many brothels that exist around the city. One is a man in his early 20's, his long brown hair and face matted in blood and sweat and eyes of dark brown staring forward. He wears a large rugged cloak that hides him under the clothing. With him, a woman dressed in dark and blood covered cotton kimono, followed him. Here hair was ragged and messy, covering her face and keeping to herself. Coming up to a counter, a woman dressed in a fine silk kimono and smelling of cherry blossoms welcomed them and bowed.]

Man [Bowing back and speaking in a very strong voice] "Thank you. I see that the rumors of this place are true. A very exquisite and delectable establishment. If you would, I like to pay for your services and enjoy a night here. Two of your geisha would be acceptable."

Head Geisha [Bowing again at the customer] "Certainly, sir. Is there anything else I can do for you sir?"

Man "Yes. I also want the services of another geisha for my wife. A bath and some fresh clothes would be most wished for her. As for our rooms, I wish for two rooms that are connected, so she may sleep in peace." [Taking a large pouch from within his cloak, he poured the golden coins out onto the counter.]

Head Geisha [Bowing once more and quickly taking the coins from the counter, she smiled pleasantly] "Of course sir. One moment. I shall call my finest two for you."

[The Head Geisha turns and walks to a paper sliding door and opens it up. Speaking in quick and rapid succession, two very beautiful women in colorful kimonos and painted white faces, like porcelain dolls, come out of the room and bows to the couple.]

Head Geisha “Here you are, sir. This is Arai and Renora. They shall be your Geishas tonight. As for your wife, she will be treated with great dignity and the highest quality of servitude.”

[Nodding to the Head Geisha, the man waves for the two lovely women he would spending his time with. Smiling, the two women walked around the counter and took the hands of the man, leading him away to another hall. The Head geisha then comes to the silent woman and takes her hands, leading her to the room behind the counter where the other two geishas came from.]

Head Geisha “I hope you enjoy your stay with us.”

[The room was large with several big pillows lying about with other lovely and questionable woman lounging in comfort, talking and laughing excitably. They quickly silenced when the Head Geisha and woman stepped in, getting up and getting on their knees in a bow to the headship]
Head Geisha "Now Girls, this is the wife of one our customers, who paid us well for our services. Now, he wants his wife to be bathed and clothed. Treat her with the utmost respect and make sure you obtain all of her beauty in your care."

[All the girls nodded their heads and stood up, surrounding the girl with smiles and nods, leading her off into another room.]

[In the allotted time of two hours, the young female found herself cleaned and clothed in fine silks of the Geishas’ own closets. She was a beautiful young woman, no older than seventeen or eighteen, with skin smooth and naturally white as milk. Her hair was long down her back, ending just above her lower torso, silky and smooth and tied in many braids. But, her eyes were glazed and distant, filled with a silent pain and her lips quivered and shook with nervous excitement that she did not speak. Lying down, she closed her eyes, falling into the hellish dreams that waited.]

[Hours earlier at the palace of the royal family Titsumon, the same young woman dressed in the clothes of fine royal silk and sitting with a smile of joy on her face as she petted the shimmering gold falcon sitting on the wooden perch outside her window. Standing not much further from her was also the same man who she was following, now dressed in the armor of the royal guard and his dark eyes staring out the window.]

Woman "What are you thinking about, Sekio? Your eyes are even more distant today then ever. Is there something wrong?"

Sekio [Taken back by the woman's questioning, he sighed] "Princess Kakillo, you know just as I about the dangers we are in these day. I can not help but to be cautious at the thought that we may be attacked at any moment. If anything happens, then it would be my duty to protect you with all force and care of a tiger for its cubs. I would have to do things that I would rather you not see."

Kakillo [Smiling in her ignorant innocence, she stood up and walked around Sekio] "I know that I have no understanding of what you are to do, but I trust that you will protect me. I know that you will save me no matter the cost. Now, I believe it is time for the feast. Many nobles and members of the royal family should be here today to discuss what we shall do about the fools who are destroying our fine city. Come along."

[Bowing to the words of the princess, Sekio follows her as they leave for the royal dinning hall.]

[After hours of enjoying a good meal and talking among themselves, the nobles and royal family finally settle down to discuss the matters of the city and the gangs that exist which are trying to usurp the power. Sitting at the center of the long table was the princess Kakillo with Sekio standing behind her in silence. Standing up at the far left end of her was her father, King Tistumon. He was an old man with wrinkles and white hair from the long years of aging, face covered in a long beard. But even so, a power of command could seen in his face and felt from the aura around him.]

King Tistumon "Welcome all to my hall, family and council. You know that we all are here today to discu..."

[Before he could even truly begin the meeting, falling from the roof, an assassin dropped down with a blade of death, landing on the old king. His legs pinned the old man to the table where he slid the tip of the blade all the way through his head. The old king had no last words or breath from which the speed he was killed, the sword ripping through his head and table, cutting it in two. This killer would be placed in the memory of Kakillo forever more, his darkness overbearing and covering everything as he killed her father, covered in the black gi of ninjas with his face hidden by his hood and the Blue Oni symbol on his chest. Only the stare from his bloody red eyes could be seen, they were the eyes that could suck the blood right from someone's skin. ]

[Everywhere, the blue Oni soldiers came out and killed everyone who they could get. Dropping before the princess onto the table, one of the members swung his sword at her head. It was only be Sekio's quick reflexes and strength that he was able to pull the chair she sat in backwards and sending her to the ground. Pulling out his sword and slicing in the same moment, he ripped the blade right through the attacker’s mid section and blood spewed like a river from the wound. Not taking any time to see if he died, Sekio grabbed the princess's hand and led her out the first door they could reach and into the halls. They hadn't made it far before two more blue Oni had caught up to them. Throwing the princess into a room, he slammed the door and waited for the attacker’s.]

[The princess sat in a corner with a blank expression on her face and ignoring the sounds of battle outside. Tears began to pour, but no sound or sign of terror could be heard. Only her eyes spoke the truth. Then, the door busted open.]

[She opened her eyes and found herself being awakened by the now Sekio. She had been sleeping, lost in the dream of the hours before, reliving the nightmare. Now, she was once again in the Brothel in the clothes that she was given.]

Sekio [Speaking in panic] "Princess, snap out of it. We must leave. There is no time to explain."

[Surprised by his words, she then noticed the blood stained blade in his hand and the fallen warrior behind him. Lost in shock, her hand was grabbed by Sekio and he dragged her to her feet and out the door. As they began to run down the hall, two more men, dressed in clothes of samurai kimonos were dashing at them with another coming from behind. With one hand, he first blocked the first samurai ahead of him and pushed him back and slicing him at a down angle. Then, turning around, he threw the princess ahead of him where she fell to the ground. Blocking the behind attacker, Sekio began to strike at him, his blade pushing the attacker back. Meanwhile, the second frontal attacker stopped and looked at the princess, a bloodlust in his eyes. Turning his Katana upside down, he lifted it high above his head and brought it down at her. Trying to get out of the way, the princess pushed herself away from the thrust but found it futile. In the occurrence, the blade struck her in the shoulder. It was a quick and sudden impact that caused her to cry in helpless pain. In her cries, she screamed the name of Sekio, yelling for her savior]

[Hearing the sound of the princess, Sekio struck once more at the Samurai. The samurai blocked it, but his sword was pushed to the side and gave an opening to Sekio, who pulled a tanto from his cloak and struck the samurai in the chest forcing him to fall backwards in a quick death. Then, turning around, Sekio charged the last samurai who had hurt the princess. Anger and Rage now fueled his resolve and he jumped high and brought down a forceful hand of wrath at the samurai.]

[Pulling out the sword from the princess, the Samurai only barely blocked the flying Sekio, surprised at the speed and strength he brought. It pushed him back, the samurai dropping his weapon in pain from the impact and causing him to stumble. It was in that moment that he was defenseless that Sekio charged with his blade and thrust it into his opponent’s chest, impaling him to a wall, killing him in the instant.]

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