Echoes of a Shattered Age (16 page)

Kenjiro charged forward and Akemi leaped backward high into the air. While the samurai came in fast, the sky rained with shurikens. Kenjiro delivered a combination of horizontal and vertical strikes that the warrior avoided, rather than parried. With the storm of shurikens within a few feet of their mark, the wild fighter darted away to safety, and in the same instant, Kenjiro rolled backward, and the descending shurikens passed over him.

His escape was not complete, for one of the airborne blades had found its mark in his shoulder. The samurai ignored the pain as he parried every attack the incredibly fast fighter delivered. Kenjiro was in disbelief at the speed and strength of someone so small. After his first round with this thing—he wasn’t entirely sure it was human—he knew he was in trouble. The samurai would have to find an opening to strike or retreat before his adversary overwhelmed him with speed.

Akemi, still gliding backward, grabbed hold of a branch and propelled herself back toward the fight. She launched another handful of shurikens to distract, just long enough for Kenjiro to gain some distance and recover.

The fighter leaped backward, all the while bending and twisting in every direction to avoid the barrage of shurikens. After dodging the last of the airborne missiles, the warrior froze, then ducked to avoid a horizontal strike at his head. He then spun to the side to avoid a vertical swipe that followed. With untiring agility and speed, the fighter leaped forward and launched his weapon at the two siblings, who dove to either side.

As soon as his feet touched the ground, the small warrior rolled to the side to avoid an overhead descending blow from the trees. Akemi and Kenjiro looked on in confusion as this unusual fighter now matched the fury of two new fighters, blow for blow. One of the warriors was almost the same complexion as the wild fighter, but larger, while the other was lighter in complexion but with a similar build.

It was an awesome display of skill as these two newcomers battled the wild fighter. With a nod to each other, Kenjiro and Akemi leaped into the fight in attempt to overwhelm their foe. Against all that seemed possible, this one fighter defended against all of them!

The two new warriors were clearly skilled, yet this wild fighter fended off every attack. The fighter with the spear-tipped staff stabbed forward, which the wild fighter spun around while ducking a cut at his head at the same time. The new dark fighter with the two swords slashed horizontal, then vertical with each weapon and struck only air. The wild fighter planted his feet and gripped the disc in his hands. His arms were a blur of motion as he blocked every sword or staff that came at him.

Just as the wild fighter seemed to be moving even faster, overwhelming them all, the new stranger with the two swords snarled and increased his own speed. For the span of a heartbeat, it looked as though he was gaining the upper hand, then the wild man ducked a cut aimed at his head and brought that bladed disc around for a diagonal slash downward, bringing the weapon back up for a horizontal spin, driving all four warriors back and stirring up dust and leaves. In the next instant he was gone.

Kenjiro, however, caught a glimpse of a few leaves falling from above and knew the fighter had retreated through the trees.

The four warriors instinctively leaped back and faced off. At first, no one spoke. Then the dark warrior spoke.

“We are not enemies.”

“Who is to say?” Akemi asked, hiding her surprise that he spoke their language.

At that comment, all warriors straightened and, watching each other, put their weapons away.

“You are not Japanese, yet you speak perfectly,” Akemi observed.

“When you spend some years in a place, you learn the language,” the warrior responded in a friendly tone. He moved a few short locks of twisted hair from in front of his face and smiled.

***

Chapter Twenty-Four

Akemi examined the strangers while her brother took note of their surroundings as if expecting another attack.

“See something you like?” the darker of the two asked with a grin. The ninja cut him a sharp look, irritated with herself for heat that was rising in her cheeks at the comment.

“You fight well,” the samurai remarked. “Where could two such as yourselves acquire such skill?”

“Many places,” the lighter foreigner answered. “We have had the opportunity to travel to many countries throughout this ever-changing world and come away with a variety of skills.”

Akemi eyed the man who spoke. “Why did you help us? We did not request help nor did we require any.”

“I’m sure,” came a facetious reply. “Under normal circumstances you may have turned on us for interfering in your fight, but you offered no resistance to our aid.”

The ninja noticed the darker warrior take note of her brother, who visibly stiffened.

“The truth is,” he continued. “We encountered that strange individual a while before you arrived and neither myself nor my friend here believe in coincidence.”

“And what coincidence are you referring to?” Akemi asked.

Securing his spear behind his back, the foreigner pointed down the trail from which they all came.

“We could feel someone behind us and we’re not having anyone at our backs that we don’t know. Then our friend from the trees came and gave us the toughest fight we’ve have had in some time, possibly the toughest fight we’ve
ever
had.” He smiled as he studied the two siblings. “I don’t think you would disagree?”

“And now,” the other interrupted. “Maybe we could reverse the conversation, if you don’t mind?”

Akemi cut the other man a sharp look. “We follow no one,” she stated. “You happen to be traveling the same trail as us. We have no more business with you than you with us.”

“I’m not sure of that,” the man replied. She narrowed her eyes and he raised his hands, palms out and shrugged his shoulders. “Coincidence is a convenient excuse,” he said, “but fortune is a better explanation. The web of life connects everyone in different ways, and I have a feeling that the strands that connect us are longer than a brief meeting after a fight with a mysterious opponent.” He smiled, and Akemi found it to be a rather handsome smile. From the derisive sigh from her brother, her features must have betrayed her thoughts.

“My name is Kenyatta,” the dark man with the twisted locks said. “And this is Kita,” He indicated the man next to him. “As you have already figured, we’re not from here. I am from the island of Jamaica and he the Philippines.” Without any further pleasantries, Kenyatta knelt and studied the trail. It was dry with only a hint of moisture making the ground a bit soft. At one time the road had been heavily traveled, but that was long ago. The wear was ages old it seemed, and there was no sign of any recent use by horse or cart.

“What takes you to the city of Kyokoza?” the samurai demanded, ever suspicious. Kita gave a sidelong glance at the road in the direction they had all been traveling.

“What makes you believe that is our destination? And even so, your companion here has already informed us that we have no business beyond this soon-to-be brief meeting.”

A hint of a smirk showed on the samurai’s face. “Your friend has taken an interest in the road that leads directly to Kyokoza.”

“That is because he possesses some tracking skills,” Kita answered just flatly.

The smirk deepened. “If that be the case, the world must be a much safer place with him around, for I know of children who could tell that this road has not been used in years.”

Kita narrowed his eyes.

“It would be even safer,” Kenyatta interrupted from a few paces away, “if these children could tell that this road was traveled last night, and by a score of unfamiliar creatures if these odd impressions in the ground are any indication. Something is wrong here, and I have a feeling the wrong will do as it always does.” Kenyatta looked over his shoulder as he and Kita stated in unison, “Multiply.”

Akemi’s looked past Kita to the trail. She then looked over her shoulder at her brother and nodded. “He is right. At least a score of Kalistyi passed through here. Now that I am focusing on it, I can sense it.” She frowned. “And there’s something else that I cannot identify.”

Kenyatta moved to join her, all apparent sarcasm aside. “What is strange is that the trail is moist, but only here.” He glanced to the left and right of the dirt road. Nothing showed a hint of moisture. Plants were dry, not a blade of grass shimmered in the sun. “There has been no rain in this area, and the trail carries the stench of … wrongness.”

Akemi met Kenyatta’s gaze. “Ren,” she breathed.

Kenyatta thought he detected a bit of glimmer in the woman’s eyes at the discovery.

“If I may ask,” Kita said while eyeing the ninja, “what are Kalistyi and Ren?”

“Kalistyi,” Akemi answered, “are from the dark world. They are not as powerful as many other denizens of the abyss, but they can still be formidable. They have the ability to shift the shape of their arms …”

“Into long blades,” Kita interrupted.

“And they look like walking shadows that regenerate as soon as they’re injured,” Kenyatta finished.

“So you have met them,” Akemi said with a bit of surprise. She glanced at Kenjiro, but the samurai was busy studying the surroundings without much interest in their conversation.

“Yes, we have,” Kita replied. “We were ambushed in a forest at the edge of Pusan Beach in Korea. We found out the hard way that these things can’t be defeated by conventional weapons.”

“And what about this
Ren
you spoke of?” Kenyatta asked.

“It’s short for
Renkosheznieran
. Demon of the Red Fire.” She grimaced at speaking its full name. “You are fortunate that you did not meet this fiend with the shadow demons. If you had any difficulty in dealing with them without the spirit charge,” she noticed Kenjiro looking over at them with mild interest, “you would not have survived an encounter with a Ren.”

“You called that thing ‘Demon of the Red Fire,’” Kita said. “That word is not Japanese.”

“It is an ancient language that deals with creatures from the different planes of existence. There are books, forgotten tomes that describe these monsters.”

“Actually,” Kenyatta said, latching on to their previous conversation, “this spirit charge that you spoke of is why we travel to Kyokoza.”

“We are less than a day away,” Kenjiro stated.

Kita looked at the samurai and then back to the ninja. “It would seem that we have a common destination, and enemies who wish us not to reach it. Although my friend and I do not possess the spirit charge you speak of, we can still aid each other in our journey.” Kenjiro looked Kita squarely in the eyes while Akemi did the same with Kenyatta. They were trying to decide whether or not to trust them, and the two islanders politely endured the dissections. Finally, they relaxed.

“I am Akemi, ninja of the Azuma.” She inclined her head politely.

“I am Kenjiro, ronin samurai.” He stood erect with his hand on the hilt of his sword and bowed slightly at the waist. The two islanders glanced at each other before responding.

“Our service in this country has landed us a place among the Shikata clan,” Kita said. “Although our services generally have been nomadic, we served the Shikata for a few years and thus were adopted.”

The siblings glanced at each other. “Shikata,” Akemi echoed. “The Shikata are a scattered band of vagabonds who take miscellaneous missions for the right price. Sellswords.” She eyed them warily.

“Unfortunately,” Kita replied, “the Shikata have acquired a partially inaccurate reputation.” He motioned to the road. “We would happily tell you the story, but I think we should get to the road before those things find us.”

“We should get moving,” Kenyatta said. “We already know they’re after us. No need to provide a sitting target.”

The samurai raised an eyebrow. “What makes you think they are looking for all of us and not just the two of you?”

Kenyatta frowned at the ever wary samurai. “When I discovered their trail, you didn’t appear to be surprised. You can let go the suspicion, samurai. We’re all being hunted and you know it. Our best bet is to work together.”

Akemi gave Kenjiro a slap on the back. “They are right, brother.”

With that, the four warriors mounted and set a hard pace for the grand city of Kyokoza. The trail in the woods was fairly smooth, with ruts on both sides from frequent use by carts in the past. Grass carpeted the trail now, and the group of travelers had to keep an eye on the road so as not to veer off course. Towering evergreen trees lined their passage, while scattered oaks embraced the heavens with bright, leafy limbs.

They rode close together at a fast canter, with Kenjiro in the lead. Kenyatta and Kita looked over their shoulders, then at each other. Whatever was hunting them was on their trail, and they would have a better chance of a strong defense if they could clear the foliage and fight on open ground.

Akemi looked back at them and offered a slanted smile. “Kalistyi prefer to fight where there is cover. Their existence almost solely depends on the shadows they inhabit.”

“What about that Renkoshi … Ren?” Kenyatta asked.

“The Ren was sent to lead the Kalistyi,” came the response. “The presence of the red demon strengthens the weaker ones.”

The samurai called over his shoulder, “We are close to the end of the forest.” An unspoken need for silence passed between the group at that announcement. They lowered themselves in the saddle and rode on, the only sound being the thud of the horses’ hooves upon the grass-covered ground.

Kita felt the tiny hairs on his neck stand on edge. He looked over at Kenyatta, who looked uneasy. Danger was near and everyone could feel it. The question was if they could reach open ground before the fiends were upon them. The forest was eerily quiet, even the trees seemed to be stiff in anxiety.

Kenjiro signaled Akemi to take the lead and then fell back with Kenyatta and Kita. “How well-trained are the horses you ride?”

“The best stock and most well-trained the stableman had to offer,” Kita responded.

“Hope that they follow our horses out of the forest,” the samurai stated. Kita and Kenyatta exchanged confused looks but nodded. Kenjiro sped up to catch his sister. Whatever they talked about, neither of the two friends could hear.

* * *

Kenyatta looked at Kita. “Dem right on us,” he said in a low voice, using the western tongue. Kita nodded glancing over his shoulder from time to time. The horses, too, must have sensed the danger, for they increased their pace unbidden by their riders.

Akemi continued to scan the surroundings, wrapping her fingers around Sekimaru’s hilt as her horse thundered up and down the snaking trail.

When she glanced back at them, Kenyatta saw the excitement in her eyes, as if they were glowing. He also noticed the samurai, who had moved one of his hands from the reins to the hilt of the sword. Kita was crouched low in the saddle, and Kenyatta realized that he himself had taken a similar position. The horses clearly sensed the danger and were now in a full run, and the riders let them have their heads.

Kenjiro’s arms and legs tensed with his agitation, and the horse underneath him, sensing his tension, snorted and stretched its neck out, pounding down the trail.

The wind rushing across her face was invigorating, and Akemi’s blood started to run hot as the demons neared. Her lips parted in a smile.

Kita stared at her. He barely had enough time to wonder at the crazed look on her face when they rounded a bend and the ninja shot straight out of her saddle like an arrow, and in that same instant a hand the size of Kita and his horse combined, burst from the ground, pulling up a tree in its massive grip.

The horses, including the one with no rider, sat down on their heels as they skidded to a stop. The terrified animals reared and whinnied, the whites of their eyes showing their terror as their riders struggled to bring them under control. Kenjiro and the two islanders abandoned their saddles and found refuge in the foliage.

The horses scattered as the ground lifted and broke apart. Hidden in the brush, Kita searched but couldn’t see the others. He looked back to the road and could hardly believe what he saw.

The ground burst open to reveal an arm as wide as an oak tree, covered with white speckles and pulsating blue and green veins. A bulky shoulder rose from the hole, followed by a head that was half the size of Kita’s body.

Its eyes were as black as night and the warrior could not tell if they were two big black orbs with no irises, or if they were just two empty sockets. It finally climbed out of the ground and rose to its full height, which looked to be halfway past a dozen feet. The veins in its body pulsated, and its chest heaved as its deep, ragged breaths fouled the air. Steam crept from its body, then they heard what sounded like a spark, and the monster’s body lit aflame. Kita could feel the heat emitting from the towering fiend, and he wished they had exited the forest in time. Nearby trees and bushes began to whither. He was unsure if it was from the heat that the beast emitted, or the foul presence of the thing.

It made a growling sound, its tongue darted in and out of its mouth like a snake. Those pitch black eyes made it difficult for Kita to tell if it was looking at him or the others.

Was this just a minion? If this was a glimpse of what was to come, what would their true foe be like? He felt a sense of dread, yet excitement at the same time. Although the demon unlike anything he had ever seen, something inside him quickened, and anxiety gave way to a spark inside.

* * *

From overhead, Kenyatta watched in disbelief as the fiend climbed out of the ground and burst into flame.
I guess all the talk about ‘the devil’s going to getcha’ wasn’t jyas to get me to be good when I was little
,
he thought. Movement from above caught his attention and saw what looked like two pieces of a shadow falling to the ground. Both pieces dissolved before they hit the ground.