Kapitel 17: The Swordsmith
(Chi)
I followed a short way behind the rancid demon. It looked like a regular human being. Just a small woman working in a bathing house. But when it spoke the voice was guttural and oddly toned. I was also beginning to grow weary of the travel. There were no houses or shop stands to be seen, just dense forestry that grew darker and darker the deeper it went.
"We're here," the woman hissed. She pointed further up ahead when a faint yellow light bloomed. I pushed Okami forward. The sky was still a dark gray, but I needed to make it to the entrance by sundown. I prayed to ama that this wasn't a trap. I had no time for games and made the quick decision to cut down this demon if it was in fact playing tricks on me. No matter what I would get to Misaki. A small cottage sat pushed back against a lining of trees. Light shone from an oil lamp inside, but I saw no movement of shadow. Dismounting Okami I pulled katana from my back, keeping it low and at my side. I looked to the small woman who still stood with a sickly wide grin that almost touched her black eyes.
"This way samuraiii.."
It walked around the side of the house where I could hear the scrapping of metal. As I followed, I found a Swordsmiths working area covered by a bamboo roof and stands. A broad fire was raging in the hearth and a man stood staring at me. He wore a black tattered robe and a black piece of cloth tied around his mouth. His face was covered in soot. I walked over as the demon slid behind its master.
"Kon'nichiwa," he bowed quickly before making eye contact again.
"Does this demon belong to you?"
"It is in my employ. Has she hurt you?"
As confused as I was there was no time for small talk. "It said you have a cursed blade in your possession."
His eyes seemed to light up a little at the mentioning of the blade. "Might I inquire as to why a young samurai seeks such a weapon?"
"There is no time to explain. Do you possess the weapon or not?"
He nodded quickly at my rising tone, running off. The demon woman stood near the fire, the flames almost touching her skin. The man returned in minutes, carrying a sword case in both hands. It was black at the top and then faded to a bright red towards the bottom. It was longer than most swords cases I'd seen.
"My lord, please allow me to explain my hesitation in giving you this blade."
I was about to protest but the man's hands were violently shaking, and the demon hissed angrily.
"Very well," I nodded.
"I was a young man quite like you once. You wonder how I came across such a blade. Many have who have sought out one. My family were rice farmers. They had many customers, so we lived comfortably. My mother sent me into town on an early morning to collect payment from a customer for two sacks of rice. While I was in town people came running into the square, screaming of demons attacking two elderly farmers. I raced back home to find my parents mutilated in our fields. No human being could have killed them that way. I grew enraged and devoted my life to vengeance. I searched all of Japan for a blade able to kill demons. I ended up finding the greatest swordsmith to ever live in Japan. He gifted me this blade." He ran his hands down both sides of the case.
"The sword was a Muramasa Blade. One of the last in existence."
I'd heard faintly of Muramasa Sengo from within the clan, but not since I was a small boy.
"Muramasa Sengo was said to be raging mad. He had no wife or child, or any servants. Everyone feared his madness. Only the brave would go to him for he was also a swordsmith. He crafted the best quality blades in Japan at the time. In his spare time, in order to contest his madness, he forged many weapons. Muramasa was not aware that as he forged these five blades his madness and his violence flowed into each one of them. What I was not aware of was that the reason it was a cursed blade was because the blade itself possesses its wielder turning them insane, and into deadly warriors."
"You do not appear cursed," I commented.
He lowered his eyes. "Yet I am. When I first wielded this blade, it took my blood. The hilt cuts your palm, feeding on you. My world grew darker than I knew it could. Voices…" he closed his eyes, pressing his lips together. "I could hear screams from all of the souls whose blood had ever coated this blade. I could hear the growls of the demons who were trapped inside of its steal. I hear them even to this day. Right now, in fact. It never goes away. And it never will. I can have no family because the simplest things induce rage. I've killed many innocent people in my years."
"Do you regret your decision?"
He was silent for a good while before replying. "No. For my family…even though I have no future…I regret nothing. Vengeance was my life and perhaps that is where I went wrong, still, I fulfilled my chosen purpose." He sighed and opened the case, turning it towards me. It was longer than my arm and gleamed even in the shade. The air around the case rippled and distorted.
"If you take this blade, you will never be the same. You will be cursed. A cold rage will settle in your soul and no matter how much you fight it, it will never leave you. If you take this blade, you relinquish your future."
My chest tightened as I stared at the blade. was I truly willing to accept this ancient madness? If I took this weapon, I would have to say goodbye to Misaki. Forever. She'd already been thrown into a scuffle amongst the gods and I roiled at what she could be experiencing and suffering in the hands of Amaterasu's brothers. I had no choice. I had to get to Misaki. I swore on my life to protect her. I would give it willingly to see her safe. I lifted my hand and reached for the blade, grabbing the hilt. The man peered at me in sadness as I held it up. It was weighted and sharper than any blade I'd ever come across. An unforeseen sharp pain shot rapidly up the arm holding the sword. It was so instantaneous that I dropped to my knees.
"And so, it begins…" is all I hear from the swordsmith before searing hot pain consumes my entire body. I fall over, rolling onto my back as I yelled, gripping the sword. My vision went black and there was only pain. Pain in even simply taking a steadying breath. "Think of something that brings you joy…it will help lessen the pain."
The swordsmiths voice was distant, but I tried hard to do as he said. I fought against the pain to concentrate.
§§
"I have to say Chi-san, you are quite serious about your job." we walked along the gravel pathway of the palace gardens. The sun was high in the sky and I'd suggested that after breakfast we should take a walk through the gardens. She was thrilled at the idea and ate quickly.
"Shouldn't I be, princess?"
I took in her round face and long lashes. Her hair was wound into a neat bun held in place by pearl pins and comprehensively decorated combs. Some were gold while others were soft pinks and reds. Her Kimono was long soft pink fabric and red silk. Her sleeves covered her arms and most of her hands.
"Of course, but what about the joys of life?"
I chuckled. "I am enjoying our walk, does that not count?"
She smacked my shoulder, and I shook my head. This girl was eternally snippy. She skipped ahead of me, spinning and turning to face me with a smile. "Seriously Chi, don't you get tired of following me around day and night?"
"Your highness keeps me on my toes," I replied.
The sun hit her eyes and they lit up with the sun. I sucked in a quick breath as she stared at me. I had never seen a girl like Misaki before I arrived at her gates. She was fire and water all inside one vessel. She was as sly as a fox and as cleaver as a war general. I respected her immensely for remaining true to herself, even as royalty. She refused to conform to all tradition without rebuttal. My hands clasped together behind my back as I walked up to her, her eyes floating up to my face as I raised my hand and gently removed a small white petal from her hair. Time stopped around us for a moment. My chest tightened and my heart pounded against my ribcage. I wanted so badly to cup her cheek with my hand; to wrap her in my arms and hold her close. I wanted to protect her from everything. But why? Why was I feeling something in the pit of my stomach every time I looked at her, got close to her? Was she bewitching me?
Biting my tongue, I took a small step back and time began again for us. I held the petal out to her with a controlled smile. "A wish for a princess."
She took it in her fingers and finally looking away from me she closed her eyes and cast the petal back into the air with a blow of her lips.
I had to put some distance between us because I was swimming in thoughts of desire that could never be reality. I would settle for her friendship forever if I got to remain by her side. She caught up to me and nudged my shoulder, purple flower gone from her hands.
"If you tell anyone this information, I will scold you myself. But I am truly glad to have you as my friend Chi Matasunei."
The soft tone to her confession left me wanting to place my hand on her shoulder and tell her so much more than what I gave her.
Control Chi…Control.
"So am I princess, so am I."
§§
The memory was from only a week ago, but it was one I cherished more than even the Kitsune knew. The way the sun shone down on Misaki, around all those flowers and rich green trees I committed that scene of her spinning to face me to eternal memory. She was the salve to the pain I felt now.
"Hime…"
Her smile and cheerful face faded away and when I opened my eyes I was back in the woods, with the swordsmith. He sat beside me and gasped when I fought to rise to my feet.
Misaki…I'm coming…
I looked down to the blade and gripped it tighter.
I accept my fate…and all that comes with it. But first, I will fulfill my promise to the woman I love.
I looked to the forger who now stood on his feet. "What will you do now?"
His eyes went to the sickly demon still standing near the fire. "I made a deal; I must honor it."
Out of the corner of my eye I saw the demon inch toward the man. I held the blade out to stop it. "What deal?"
"To keep him saneeee he made a deal with ME. I would feed off the madness in his soul until someone else came seeking the sword.
Once givennn, I consume what is lefttt."
Anger flared hot inside my chest. "Who are you to take this man's life?!"
"A debt is owed! A debt must be paiddd!"
The swordsmith placed his hand on my arm, shaking his head solemnly. "I will pay my debt to this demon my lord. I do not fear death. I fear the madness. You must go and go quickly. You will not have much time before the effects of the curse begin to take hold." I lowered the blade and stared at him. "I am sorry."
The man's grin was small but sincere. "So am I Samurai."
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein